Tap-Tap-Tap. Slice! Tap-Tap-Tap-Tap. Slice! Tap-Tap...

This was the sound as a small cluster of Bulbasaur were practicing their Razor Leaf and Vine Whip attacks. Leaves and vines waving could be seen for what seemed like miles. Branches and smaller forest debris flew back and forth and occasionally the bigger Bulbasaur were unwilling targets. The smaller Bulbasaur had other problems to deal with, like some of their neighbours kicking up sand in their faces or spraying water from various puddles in their eyes when walking.

One small Bulbasaur was crawling about, dragging his belly on the ground as he saw his next target. A small dandelion poking up out of the ground. As he prepared to pounce it, three other Bulbasaur jumped ahead of him to swipe at it. The small Bulbasaur appeared mad for a moment but then took this opportunity to find another target. Oh yes. A loose piece of tree bark. That would do nicely. A sinister smile covered the baby's face as he prepared himself for 'battle'. He ran a few steps but just as quickly as he had found it, it was gone. Flung off the tree by someone else's target.

The small Bulbasaur's mouth fell open. Finally giving up on the area, the little Bulbasaur decided to find somewhere else to practice. Perhaps further away from the herd would be better.

"Bulbaaa..."

The small Bulbasaur groaned in worry. He noticed that beyond the practice grounds was a wide open meadow. He was always discouraged from running out there by himself. Not knowing anything beyond a Tackle Attack, a baby's Growl and a weak Leech Seed, Bulbasaur had no way of defending himself. Day by day, he tried to teach himself Vine Whip. But being so small and not very fast, he found it difficult to find targets to practice on and being so young, not many others wanted to fight him unless they were predators with other intentions.

Bulbasaur eventually decided against the meadow and began to head back towards the group of Ivysaur on the other side. He found himself crawling under other Bulbasaur and occassionally stepping in deep puddles that went up to his nose. Once he made his way out, he lay down and tried summoning his vines. After some attempts, he sighed and looked to the Ivysaur who were effortlessly using their vines like arms.

Bulbasaur stood up and tried harder to summon them, groaning slightly with the effort. Some Bulbasaur and Ivysaur stared at him strangely and one Bulbasaur charged him in a rough Tackle that sent him flying a short distance and landing in a dust cloud.

"Bulba?"

"Bulba-Bulbasaur. Saur-Saur!" The new-comer laughed.

The small Bulbasaur didn't seem amused and stuck out his tongue at his aggressor. He then turned his back and started to walk away but the new-comer wouldn't take it and Tackled him from behind which sent the small Bulbasaur flying forward. Bulbasaur slid and tried to stop, noticing an oncoming cliff. Bulbasaur's legs flailed in fear but he stopped just short of sliding off the edge. He stood and growled angrily.

"BULBA-BULBASAUR?"

"Bulba."

The new-comer charged at the tiny Bulbasaur once more and sent him flying over the side. Bulbasaur tried to stop himself with all of his might tried to summon his vines but nothing happened. Bulbasaur closed his eyes and... wait. No thud? Bulbasaur opened his eyes and realized he had been caught by someone... someone with large vines. He was pulled back over the side and put back on solid ground. The tiny Bulbasaur looked up at the towering Venusaur who was now looking down with disapproval at the aggressor. The aggressor backed away then ran off.

"Venusaur?" The towering plant asked.

The small Bulbasaur shook his head hastily then lay down, staring at the ground.

"Saur..."

Bulbasaur suddenly felt a vine propping his head up. Once he looked up, Venusaur smiled and used his vine to put the small Bulbasaur back on his feet. Bulbasaur seemed confused. He looked around and saw the other Bulbasaur leaving the practice area.

"Venusaur."

Venusaur began to walk towards the practice grounds. Bulbasaur followed, trotting and tumbling occasionally as he tried to keep up. It wasn't too hard since the big heavy Pokémon was generally slow to begin with but the tiny Bulbasaur was still shaking from his ordeal. When they reached the area, Bulbasaur looked around. That entire part of the forest, trees and plants alike were left in ruin. Bulbasaur seemed concerned but soon, a sprinkled powder began to eminate from Venusaur's plant. It filled the air and began to revive the dead trees and restore the plants. Bulbasaur was in awe but then disappointed when he looked at his tiny little bulb.

"Venusaur..."

Bulbasaur nodded. 'It would take time.' Yeah... but how much time? Bulbasaur just wanted to learn how to do a stinking Vine Whip attack and he wanted to learn now. Suddenly, he could feel some resentment rising within him. He would do it... he would be a strong Bulbasaur. He didn't need evolution or fancy plant tricks. He just needed Vine Whip, Razor Leaf and Solar Beam... then he'd be set.

Stubbornly, he got up and walked away.

"Ven?"

Bulbasaur didn't turn back. He began practicing his Tackle attack on a tree. No matter how many times he hit or how red the bump on his head turned, Bulbasaur kept stubbornly training. If he couldn't have Vine Whip then he would at least have Tackle perfected. He could hear the Ivysaur some distance away laughing and cracking the occassional joke about him getting brain damage. Bulbasaur eventually knocked himself out and that's when the others became concerned. The Ivysaur approached him, picked him up then carried him off.

Some hours later, Bulbasaur came to. His face felt soggy and he could see that a nearby Poliwag was spraying water in his face. He could see some herbs and other medicines in front of him. One of them was Salveyo Weed and Bulbasaur recognized that as being a common one since young Bulbasaur would often paralyze each other when first learning the Stun Spore technique.

He sat up and shook his head of the water but quickly wished he didn't as he began to feel dizzy. Wanting to rub his head, he unknowingly summoned his vines to rub his head tenderly. Suddenly he sat up in shock and looked at his vines. All of the pain he felt was now worth it. He was able to summon his vines! And by himself! He didn't need help from anyone! He waved the vines around with some effort but it quickly became second nature to the young grass type. Bulbasaur beamed.

"BULBAAA!"

"Sauuur!" The Bulbasaur and Ivysaur called back in unison.

"BULBAAA!"

"Sauuur."

"BULBAAA!"

"Saur! Saur! Saur!"

Bulbasaur continued to beam. His friends joined him and everyone extended their vines to share in his victory. They shook their vines above him and he reached his vines upward. His amazement was unmatched and suddenly he felt invincible. Today, Vine Whip. Tomorrow, Razor Leaf! And the day after that, the world! The possibilities were now endless.