Cutting-Loose Ego [solo]

"Look at you, you idiot. You're nearly dead. What did I say about choosing your battles?"

Sheena gives no sign that she's listening to him, which is a given considering the limited level of expression metapods have. 

Thane sighs. "Wow. Okay. Clearly you're not in the state to do any more training so Bal's gonna take it from here, okay? Get some rest." He returns Sheena to her Pokeball, cursing himself for not having the foresight to bring potions. He then sends out Balthazar, who flops on the grass before righting himself. He always feels bad about sending fish pokemon out onto land, but there's nothing to be done about that until Balthazar evolves into a more versatile form. This is assuming that an octopus will have an easier time navigating land than a fish, which might not necessarily be the case.

A charjabug peacefully crawls up the trunk of another tree. Thane tells Balthazar to leave it alone, since he'd have a type disadvantage if he decided to engage in battle.

A bright-eyed rattata comes sniffing from the undergrowth, apparently attracted by the smell of fresh fish. Nothing Balthazar can't handle, Thane hopes.

"The usual, Bal," Thane commands, but before Balthazar can move the rattata darts forward in a QUICK ATTACK, pinning him to the grass. Balthazar wriggles soundlessly, then vomits an ACID SPRAY onto his opponent. It's gross. The rattata prepares a FOCUS ENERGY, but Balthazar follows up with a WATER SPOUT that shoots it into the air. Thane doesn't see where the body lands.

The Acid Spray-Water Spout combination is way overpowered, not that Thane minds. He awkwardly pats Balthazar's fin by way of congratulation, wishing Sheena would be half as powerful as him. Hopefully things will start looking up once she enters her final evolutionary stage.

Balthazar looks winded; that Quick Attack must have hit harder than he expected. Thane decides to call it a day after one more battle. Maybe he'll even end up catching something. 

SPOILER: Click to show

{click for battle summary}RATTATA used QUICK ATTACK! critical hit!
BALTHAZAR used ACID SPRAY! -2 sp. def to opponent.
RATTATA used FOCUS ENERGY!
BALTHAZAR used WATER SPOUT!