Matthew

Cody, Jimmy, and I walk down the flower path that will lead to Solica Town. It is the neighbor town to our hometown, Atuit Town.

Cody is fascinated by everything. His parents didn't take him out of town a lot so he never see much. Jimmy walks in between us and he also looks out for danger. The path was peaceful and there a nice breeze blowing.

Rustle... Rustle... Rustle

"Did you guys hear that?" I ask the other two.

"Hear what?" Cody stops and listens.

Rustle

"That!" said.

Suddenly a shadow jumps out of the bushes nearby.

"Ahhhhhhhhhh!" We scream.

"Lil?" The shadow stare at us in amusement.

"Oh! It's only a Lillipup," I said.

"Lillipup!" The Puppy Pokemon seem offended by my harmless comment.

It growl and start charging at us. I quickly push Jimmy and Cody out of the way and took the full blown tackle from the Lillipup. My body was flung against a tree.

"Matthew, are you okay?" Cody quickly rushes to my side and Jimmy starts looking at my wounds.

"I fine," I smirk at the Lillipup, who smirks back at me. "It is so on, Lillipup. Come on out Chimchar."

"Chimchar!" Chimchar roars, all fired up for battle.

"Lillipup!" The puppy challenges Chimchar.

The two of them charge at each other, but Lillipup slides to the left at the last seconds and tackles Chimchar from the side. Good thing Chimchar is a quick because it regain its balance quickly and landed on its feet.

"Chimchar, use scratch," I command.

Chimchar jump high in the air and dive down on Lillipup with it's claws. Lillipup stumbles backward from the attack, my monkey took advantage of the situation and used Low kick to make Lillipup lose it's balance.

"Good job Chimchar," I cheer. "Finish it with Ember."

Chimchar was about use Ember until we notice Lillipup's angry face. There a harsh red aura covering the puppy Pokemon made it roar loudly.

"Be careful Matthew," Jimmy warns. "Lillipup just Work up, a move that raise the user Attack and Defense."

"You hear Jimmy, right Chimchar? Be careful," I shout to Chimchar.

Chimchar nodded in response and ready itself to use Ember. When it shot out the little fire spark, Lillipup dodge it expertly and Tackle Chimchar. My Pokemon slowly gets up and had stare down with Lillipup.

Chimchar suddenly jump up in the air and use Ember. Unlike last time, each sparks make a bigger explosion. Lillipup try to dodge it but it got hit by a few sparks and faints.

"Now is my chance to catch Lillipup," I threw an empty Pokeball at Lillipup and it went inside. The Pokeball Shook three time before a beeping signaling that I've caught the Lillipup. "Heck yeah, I caught that Lillipup."

I let out Lillipup and introduce it to everyone. Chimchar try to high-five it but it glare at Chimchar. The chimp Pokemon gulps but keeps it hand out for the high-five. Lillipup continue to stare at Chimchar creepily, until it smile and Chimchar cheek.

"Glad you two are friend because the two of you will see each other a lot," I pick up Lillipup. "Welcome to the team, Lillipup."

"You're that excited just because you catch a little Lillipup," A voice came out from behind them. "What an amateur!"

I know that annoying voice anywhere. It belong to James, my rival ever since we were young. He and I compete in just about everything. He started his journey just a day earlier than us.

"If you think it so lame then let see what kind of Pokemon you caught so far," I glare at James.

He smirk and threw two Pokeballs into the air. Two Pokemon pop out. The first is a Croagunk.

The next one is a Houndour.

"This are what you call real Pokemon," James smirks. "Not some lame starter kit or first catch of the day."

Chimchar and Lillipup's ears twitches when they hear "starter kit" and "first catch". Both enter a glaring contest with Croagunk and Houndour.

"My Pokemon are not lame," I bravely stated.

"Fine then let put them to the test," James still had that stupid smirk on his stupid face. "Houndour with be your first opponent."

James' Houndour steps forward facing my two Pokemon.

"Go Lillipup, show them what you got," Lillipup confidently step up.

"I guess I'll be the judge," Jimmy stands between me and James. "Both trainer are allow to use two Pokemons. If both of the Pokemon of one trainer is unable to battle, the other trainer wins. Let the battle begin."

*Cue dramatic battle music*

"Lillipup use work up," I command. Lillipup is surrounded with that red aura from earlier as he roars proudly.

"Noob, watch this," James laughed. "Houndour use fire spin."

Houndour blows a whirl of fire toward Lillipup, who manages to dodge in a close call.

"Stop it's movement by using smog," James commands .

Houndour let out a mist of poisonous smog that covers the whole battlefield. Lillipup's vision becomes blurred and it can't pinpoint the location of Houndour's footsteps. Suddenly, a ray of Fire Spin appears out of nowhere, and just like that one of my pokemon is already down.

"Tsk, tsk," James smirks again. "We barely got start and your little Lillipup is down already."

Lillipup's ears twitch at James' words. It tries to stand up but falls down multiple times. I quickly rush over to help it but Jimmy already got there and tended Lillipup's wounds.

"It's ok I got this," Jimmy smiles at me. "Go avenge Lillipup."

I nodded and let Chimchar out. The chimp Pokemon growls at Houndour.

"Fiery little thing," James comments and called Houndour back. "Croagunk your turn."

"Cccccccroooooaa!"

"Chimchar!"

"Go Chimchar use scratch," I commanded.

Chimchar ran toward Croagunk and scratches it's opponent face. Croagunk puffs out its cheeks and spits out a purplish liquid at Chimchar. Chimchar manges to dodge the sludge but it hits the ground and exploded, sending Chimchar flying in the air. Chimchar landed on it's feet and counter attacked Croagunk with it's Ember. Croagunk couldn't stand the heat because of it Dry Skin ( Fire type moves are more effective) ability and fainted.

"Not bad," James comments. "But you still got Houndour to worry about."

Houndour appears again and charge toward Chimchar. It uses smog again to cover the whole field. Chimchar try to use Ember but it didn't hit anything but black smoke. Houndour appear out of nowhere and bites Chimchar. Chimchar flies out of the smoke and slams into the ground. Chimchar fainted from the attack.

"Tsk tsk, maybe your Chimchar was good but your Lillipup is still a joke," Jackson begins to walk away. "Next we meet, please try to be a little stronger, or else Jimmy and Cody will get disappointed."

I carefully pick up my barely conscious Chimchar and set it on my lap.

"I'm sorry Chimchar and Lillipup," I apologize. "If only I was more experienced."

"Don't blame yourself buddy,"Cody pats my back. "Everyone will have a rough start, but later on it will get better."

"Cody is right," Jimmy adds on. "Just train harder and one day you'll beat that jerk."

"Thanks guys," I smile at them. "Starting tomorrow, we will try to train hard in order to get stronger."

"YEAH!" Everyone cheers.