Hello people! FFN seems to have difficulties with quadruple spaces which I use for scene switches, so last chapter might have been a little confusing. Also I got one review, but I wrote this chapter before posting chapter 1, so if you don't find any improvement, I suggest you wait until next chapter and I promise I did my best to improve Andrew's emotions. Enjoy!
Chapter 2 Ambush!
"Bulbasaur, Vine Whip," Andrew commanded. Bulbasaur launched its vines to assault its opponent, a Machop, starting the quickly arranged battle on the battlefield close to the Pokémon Center with a Pokémon Trainer called Elliott.
"Machop, dodge it. Then use Leer!" Elliott called. The Fighting-type ducked away from the vines and when he got eye-contact with Bulbasaur his eyes glowed red, scaring Bulbasaur a little. "Now, Karate Chop!" the boy declared and like a professional karate kid the Superpower Pokémon hit Bulbasaur's head with the side of his flat hand.
"Hah, good thing Fighting-type attacks don't do much against Poison-type Pokémon like Bulbasaur," Andrew calculated. "Bulbasaur, Tackle," With Machop in close range it was unable to dodge Bulbasaur's attack. The Superpower Pokémon was knocked back and took a while to regain his composure.
"Type advantages are not everything," Elliott said. "Machop, Hidden Power," Machop glowed white and released multiple energy orbs from his body.
"Dodge it, Bulbasaur!" Bulbasaur quickly leaned aside, making it easier to move that way.
"Karate Chop again!" Machop aimed for Bulbasaur's new position and hit it again in the same style as before. Bulbasaur was standing on his last legs now. Andrew didn't notice that Serah exited the Pokémon Center.
"Cool, a Machop," she said. "Man, I'm glad I didn't miss that," she took out her phone and scanned the Machop. Machop just concentrated on his battle.
"Bulbasaur, use Vine Whip! Quickly!" Andrew yelled. Bulbasaur launched his vines again.
"This is our chance, Machop," Elliott said. "Finish it with Bullet Punch!" Machop dashed forward, evading Bulbasaur's vines again, loaded its fist with Steel-type energy and punched Bulbasaur against his forehead. Bulbasaur collapsed and Machop stood victorious over his opponent.
"Not again," Andrew responded desperately. He returned Bulbasaur after his third defeat today.
"Don't get mad," Serah warned as she approached Andrew. "It wouldn't be helping,"
"It's not like I want to get mad," Andrew said solemnly. "It's just frustrating. Even against Pokémon with a disadvantage, I'm not able to win those matches. I lost to a Squirtle and a Machop today. That's pretty bad,"
"Don't give up," Serah said as she looked at Elliott who congratulated Machop for a job well done. "The start is usually the hard part. If you persevere through this phase, you are already stronger than the gross of Trainers I've met on Route 1,"
"Thanks, Serah," Andrew said. "I guess I'd better let Nurse Joy check up on Bulbasaur again,"
"Bulbasaur is going to be okay," Nurse Joy declared. "But you shouldn't push him to hard. If you battle that much, there is a chance that the cures will take longer,"
"I understand," Andrew said. "I'm sorry,"
"I know you are," the nurse answered in a friendly tone. "Just give it some thought an you'll be fine,"
Andrew attached Bulbasaur's Poké Ball to his belt again and left the Pokémon Center.
"Hey Serah," Andrew said. "I was planning on showing Bulbasaur to my father. Being a breeder and an ex-trainer, maybe he knows something to make Bulbasaur stronger,"
"Your father is a breeder?" Serah asked with a smile from ear to ear. "I'm sure there's lots of Pokémon I've never seen yet. What are we waiting for?"
"Dad, I'm home!" Andrew yelled as he scanned the ranch for his father.
"Pika!" a Pikachu from the other side of the ranch ran at full speed towards Andrew up to his arms from where he jumped on his hand.
"Wow, a Pikachu!" Serah said as she scanned him with her Poké App.
"Hey Pikachu," Andrew said. "You know where dad is?"
"Hey Andrew," his father waved as he came into view from behind the house. "Welcome home. How did your trip to Pallet go?"
"It went well dad," Andrew said as he grabbed a Poké Ball from his belt. "Look," the Poké Ball opened and Bulbasaur appeared in front of is trainer's dad.
"Bulba!" the Pokémon cried.
"A Bulbasaur, just like you wanted," Andrew's dad said as he lowered himself to pat Bulbasaur on the head. "Hello, little guy," Bulbasaur smiled contently. "Andrew, who's that?" he said as he pointed to the girl.
"Oh, I'm Serah!" Serah said. "I collect Pokémon in my Poké App. I want to see them all!"
"A Pokémon watcher," Andrew's father remarked. "That's a very interesting career." he admitted. Serah smiled at the compliment. "How's your journey going so far, Andrew?"
"It's okay," Andrew said. "It's just that, well Bulbasaur isn't very experienced. We haven't won a single battle yet. It just seems hopeless sometimes,"
"Beware of what you say, Andrew," his father said, he focused at his son while petting Bulbasaur. "Especially towards or even near young Pokémon. What you say usually influence the way Pokémon grow up, just like people. Also remember that the quality of Pokémon isn't determined by their powers, or their range of attacks or even their loyalty towards the people and Pokémon around them. The value in Pokémon is in their uniqueness as a whole. And as far as I am confirmed every Pokémon is unique, and special. It's not how one wins what determines the character of a trainer; it's how he loses,"
"Wow," Serah said with a deep frown on her face. "I've never looked at it that way,"
"Let's get inside, even Pokémon Trainers have to eat, you know,"
"Waah, this food is amazing," Serah said excitedly as she started to eat her food fast. Andrew's father was an amazing cook, which was required when one wants to be able to cook for Pokémon on daily basis. Bulbasaur was also most happy with the food deserved in a special bowl. "So, what exactly do you do, Mr… Ehm...?" Serah asked with her mouth half full.
"You can call me William like anyone else," William said with a smile.
"Right," Serah said with a quick nod.
"Well, officially I'm both a Pokémon Trainer and a Pokémon Breeder," William said. "Though it's a long story. I found myself-"
KABOOM!
"What was that?!" William yelled. His chair fell back down. He ran to the window and used his fingers to create a peephole between the blinds. "Team Rocket! They're back? But how did they…" he didn't finish his sentence in haste and hurried to get outside. Andrew, Serah and Pikachu followed. The first thing that came into sight was the giant smoke pillar in the middle of the small ranch. In the sky a giant orange spherical balloon was soaring over Viridian City or more precisely over Andrew's house. The balloon was decorated by a big purple R. In the balloon were two middle aged men. One was tall and thin, had short brown neatly combed hair. He was wearing a black uniform with an R similar to that of the balloon. The other man was small and thick and was wearing the same uniform. He was slightly older than his companion and had a bald spot on top of his grey haired head. "What is the meaning of this?!" William demanded.
"Good evening, old friend," the longer man said, looking satisfied at the breeder's angry face. "We thought it was a nice day for comeback,"
"Dad, you know these guys?" Andrew asked.
"Oh, where are our manners?" the shorter man asked in a raspy voice. "Let us introduce ourselves,"
"From the heart of the earth," the tall man said.
"From the depth of space," the shorter man followed.
"From the top of knowledge,"
"From the beauty of grace,"
"Terrance," the tall man introduced.
"Toni," the shorter one continued.
"The red of anger,"
"The blue of fear,"
"Start crying and trembling,"
"Cause Team Rocket is here,"
"They're crooks!" William shouted, "Listen, you're in the wrong place, most Pokémon here aren't that strong,"
"Oh, trust me," Terrance said. "We can make them strong. Now give them to us, or we'll take them by force!"
"Come and get me!" William said, plucking a Poké Ball from his belt. "Andrew, Serah, Pikachu, get the Pokémon to safety!"
"No way," Andrew said. "I'm standing-"
"NOW!" William yelled to his son.
"Let's go, Serah," Andrew said and they started to collect the Pokémon in the ranch. Pikachu and Bulbasaur followed them on a short distance.
"So, it's a battle you want?" Toni taunted, "Fine! Golbat go!"
"Parasect now!" Terrance yelled. Two Poké Balls were hurled and a Golbat and a Parasect were presented in front of William.
"Okay, don't let me down, my son," William said softly. "Blastoise, I choose you!" he yelled as he hurled his Poké Ball forward, facing down both Golbat and Parasect with Blastoise.
"Alright, in here!" Andrew yelled. He held the door open to a special emergency bunker underground. The Pokémon moved in different paces to the bunker's entrance. "Quickly!" Even the slower Pokémon started to hurry now.
"Blastoise, Hydro Pump!" William commanded. The tortoise Pokémon blasted a strong torrent of water towards her opponents. Golbat got out of the way quickly and Parasect took the hit rather easily.
"You're getting weaker, old brat," Terrance said. "Parasect, Stun Spore!"
"Golbat, Confuse Ray!"
The two Pokémon started assaulting Blastoise with their respective attacks, with Parasect trying to stun her and Golbat attempting to confuse her.
"Blastoise, Rapid Spin!" Blastoise immediately retreated in her shell and started spinning, repelling the opponent's attacks. Blastoise showed herself again and was still untouched.
"Parasect, X-Scissor!" Parasect leapt towards Blastoise and slashed her with crossed scissors, damaging Blastoise.
It was dark in the bunker. There were a couple of emergency lights in it, but it wasn't nearly enough to lighten the entire room. Fortunately, the area was wide enough to harbor all Pokémon and fortunately the largest Pokémon present was a Nidoqueen and even she wasn't too big for her species.
"So, that's everyone," Andrew said as the last Oddish jumped in. "I guess we have to wait now,"
"Your dad will beat those crooks in no time at all, Andrew," Serah said.
"Blastoise, Ice Beam!" William shouted. Blastoise blasted another Ice Beam in the direction of Golbat, who skillfully dodged the attack.
"Air Cutter!" Toni yelled. Golbat's wings started to glow and white disks started to assault Blastoise. Blastoise used her shield to repel the attacks again.
"You've become stronger, Team Rocket," William said. "I would almost use a second Pokémon like you. However, your stature makes you weak. Blastoise, Ice Beam, once more!" and another Ice Beam was shot as Blastoise quickly changed her aim between the targets, which again dodged the attacks.
"It's taking too long," Andrew said. He and Serah were standing in the bunker for almost half an hour now. The Pokémon were making scared and angry noises. "This better not take much longer now,"
"We should call the police," Serah said anxiously.
"I agree," Andrew said quickly.
Serah took out her phone. "There's no signal!"
"It's because of the bunker!" Andrew yelled. "Give me your phone!"
Serah did so and Andrew and Bulbasaur ran outside.
Blastoise was worn out. She was merely standing on her legs.
"Come on Blastoise, hang in there!"
"It's over, old brat," Terrance announced. "Parasect, Energy Ball!"
"Golbat! Air Cutter!" Toni shouted.
"Rapid Spin!" William yelled. And for umpteenth time this battle Blastoise withdrew inside his shield while spinning, repelling the attacks.
"You can't hide forever," Toni said. "Keep up the Air Cutter, Golbat!"
"Parasect, Bullet Seed!" Terrance said.
The two Pokémon continued menacing Blastoise, while the latter kept on spinning. Blastoise was in trouble, that's for sure.
"Bulbasaur, Tackle!" Andrew's voice erupted from behind his father. The small Grass-type ran toward the improvised battlefield and used on top of Blastoise using the spinning momentum to gain extra speed for tackling Golbat. With a loud *smack* Bulbasaur hit Golbat for good damage.
"Andrew, I told you to get the Pokémon to safety!" William lectured.
"They are," Andrew said. "And now I'm helping you,"
"But this is personal!"
"No, this is a family affair, besides why are you battling with only one Pokémon anyway?"
William decided not to answer that, but with a nod.
"That Bulbasaur won't stop us!" Terrance said. "Parasect, X-Scissor!"
"Bulbasaur, dodge and use Growl!" Parasect approached Bulbasaur with crossed scissors, but Bulbasaur leaned to his left, dodging the attacking and with a Growl, he also stopped the attack.
"Blastoise, Ice Beam at Parasect," Parasect was left vulnerable now and Blastoise had a clear shot and launched an Ice Beam at the Mushroom Pokémon.
"Golbat, intercept it with Air Cutter!"
"Bulbasaur, Growl at Golbat!" Bulbasaur growled menacingly at Golbat, so Golbat was too slow to interrupt. Blastoise's attack hit Parasect, leaving an ice stain on his mushroom and defeating it in the process.
"Parasect, no!" Terrance yelled, knowing that his partner is alone now.
"Ready to finish this, Andrew?" William asked. His son just nodded. "Blastoise, Rapid Spin!"
"Bulbasaur, Tackle!" Andrew commanded. Blastoise started spinning again and just like his previous Tackle attack Bulbasaur used the momentum of the movement of Blastoise's shield to make his Tackle more powerful.
"Using the old tricks, huh? It will only work once! Golbat, dodge it!" Golbat, expecting the Tackle, got out of the way easily.
"Now, Headbutt!" William commanded and Blastoise used Bulbasaur's distraction again to hit the vulnerable foe. Golbat tumbled out of the sky to the ground.
"Terrance, there's nothing to get here," Toni said defeated as he returned his Pokémon.
"Hold it!" a female voice said from afar, just as the Team Rocket members wanted to enter the balloon. It was Officer Jenny who came running toward the ranch. "In the name of the Kanto Police Department you're under arrest!"
"Quick, Toni," Terrance said as he urged his partner into the basket of the balloon.
"Rattata, Hyper Fang!" Serah yelled from the entrance of the bunker as she released the Pokémon from the base. Rattata raced towards the balloon, jumped and planted his sharp teeth in the balloon, letting the air escape.
"Drat, that little mouse!" Toni said.
The Team Rocket criminals were driven away and the peace was restored at the ranch.
"That was a great battle, Bulbasaur," Andrew said. "Our first victory. Although with a little help from dad,"
"Hey, you helped me," William said. "I couldn't have done it without you,"
"You could have used a second Pokémon," Serah pointed out.
"Pokémon battling is a sport and I don't want to violent it, even when others do," William said sourly.
"Dad, can Serah stay here for the night?" Andrew asked. "I think we're going to travel together, but it's almost night and I think we should go to the Viridian Forest tomorrow,"
"That's alright," William said. "I'll prepare the guest room," the patriarch entered his house and started to go to work.
"You meant that?" Serah asked. "We're going to travel together?"
"Yeah," Andrew said. "I mean, if you want to. You want to meet every Pokémon, right?"
"Yes!" Serah celebrated. "I'm going to travel with a Pokémon Trainer!"
Somewhere else in Kanto
"Sir, another team has been arrested in Viridian City,"
"Toni and Terrance right? So be it. It's time for a new generation anyway,"
"Sir, do you want to dispatch… the children?"
"Yes, call them immediately,"
"As you wish, Boss Philip,"