Legal Disclaimer: This story follows the rules as "An Egg-citing Start". Dr. Anthony is mine and can't be used without my permission. Gwen and any characteristics associated with her is the property of MultiplePersonas.
A Vivid Journey
Chapter 2: Old School Capture
Later that afternoon, Robert had reached a quiet forest road. Suddenly, his stomach started to growl.
"I haven't eaten anything since this morning, " said Robert. "I bet Gyro's hungry too."
Robert unclipped Gyro's pokéball from his belt.
"Gyro, come on out!" exclaimed Robert as he threw the pokéball onto the ground.
The pokéball opened up, revealing Buizel. Then, the pokéball returned to Robert's hand.
"Buizel, " said Gyro.
"It's lunchtime, Gyro, " said Robert as he reached into his backpack and pulled out a bowl and some Pokémon food.
Robert immediately poured the food into the bowl and placed it in front of Buizel. Buizel quickly began eating.
"Wow. You're as hungry as I am, " said Robert. "I wonder what I'm going to eat."
Robert searched through my backpack and found something wrapped in aluminum foil and a small package.
"That package must be the surprise Mom was talking about, " said Robert as he removed the aluminum foil from the package. "Mom also packed some turkey and cheese sandwiches, my favorite kind."
Robert began eating his sandwiches. Within minutes, both Robert and Gyro finished eating.
"Come here, Gyro, " said Robert.
Gyro headed toward Robert as he pulled the package from his backpack.
"What do you think my mom gave me?" asked Robert.
"Buizel, " said Gyro as she shook her head.
"I don't know either. Let's find out, " said Robert as he opened the package.
Robert saw a black portable camera with an optical zoom lens inside and quickly got it out.
"Excellent. She got me a camera just like the one Dad took to Sinnoh, " said Robert.
Robert immediately turned it on.
"Gyro, look into the camera and smile, " said Robert as he focused the camera.
Suddenly, there was a rustling in the bushes. Robert pointed the camera where the sound was coming from. A small bear cub-like creature with short green fur covering most of its body, except for its light tan-colored mouth and the crescent moon marking on its forehead, a small, round body, short limbs, and a short, puffy tail appeared in front of them.
"Wow, it's a Pokémon, " said Robert as he pulled his pokédex out of his pocket and aimed toward the Pokémon.
Its still image immediately appeared on the pokédex.
"Teddiursa, the Little Bear Pokémon. It lets honey soak into its paws so it can lick them all the time. Every set of paws tastes unique, " said the pokédex.
"This one is different in color than the one shown in the pokédex. Dad told me that Pokémon of the same species can have variation in their color," said Robert. "Let's try to catch it."
Robert immediately placed the camera back into his bag as Gyro shook her head in agreement.
"Gyro, use Swift!" exclaimed Robert.
Gyro fired several yellow stars from her mouth at Teddiursa; however, Teddiursa avoided the attack.
"That Teddiursa's fast," said Robert.
Teddiursa ran toward Gyro and swiped Gyro repeatedly with its paws, causing partial damage to Gyro.
"Gyro, counter that Thrash with Water Gun!" exclaimed Robert.
Gyro opened her mouth and fired a column of water at Teddiursa, stopping its Thrash attack and causing significant damage to Teddiursa. Teddiursa quickly got up. Suddenly, Teddiursa's right paw turned white. Teddiursa came charging at Gyro and punched Gyro, causing her significant damage.
"Can you continue?" asked Robert as Gyro struggled up to her feet.
Eventually, Gyro stood up.
"Be careful. That Teddiursa knows Metal Claw, " said Robert.
"Buizel, " said Gyro as she shook her head.
"Gyro, use Sonicboom!" exclaimed Robert.
Suddenly, Gyro's tail glowed white. She then flipped toward Teddiursa, releasing a massive shockwave from her tail that caused partial damage to Teddiursa. Teddiursa barely got up and attempted to use her Metal Claw attack.
"Gyro, counter that Metal Claw with Quick Attack!" exclaimed Robert.
Gyro came dashing toward Teddiursa and slammed into her, overpowering Metal Claw and knocking Teddiursa unconscious. Robert quickly unclipped a pokéball from his belt and pressed a button on it, returning it to normal size.
"Pokéball, go!" exclaimed Robert as he threw the pokéball.
The pokéball hit Teddiursa, converting her into red energy and sucking her into the pokéball itself, and it landed on the ground with its button glowing red. It moved back and forth until it suddenly stops, and its button stopped glowing.
"Yes, I caught a Teddiursa, " said Robert.
"Buizel, " said Gyro joyfully.
"How about I take a picture of both of you?" asked Robert as he retrieved the camera out of the box and placed it around his neck.
Gyro immediately nodded her head.
"Teddiursa, come on out!" exclaimed Robert as he threw its pokéball next to Buizel.
The pokéball opened up, revealing Teddiursa. Then, the pokéball returned to Robert's hand.
"Teddiursa, " said Teddiursa.
"Hi, there, " said Robert.
Suddenly, Teddiursa hid behind Gyro.
"Don't be scared. I'm a friend, " said Robert as he poured some Pokémon food into his hand. "Here. Try some."
Robert laid his hand out. Teddiursa moved his head out from behind Gyro, cautiously moved toward Robert, and ate some. Within seconds, it had finished the handful and had a big grin on its face.
"How do you feel about receiving a nickname?" asked Robert.
"Ursa, " said Teddiursa joyfully.
Robert thought about for a minute and came up with an answer.
"How about Sugar, as is how sweet honey can be?" asked Robert.
Sugar immediately jumped for joy.
"Let's take that picture already, " said Robert as he focused the camera's lens on both pokémon.
Sugar and Gyro both gave big grins as Robert pressed a button, causing a flash to go off.
"Sugar and Gyro, return!" exclaimed Robert as he pointed two pokéballs at them.
A red laser beam came from each pokéball, converting each pokémon into energy and sucking them inside their pokéballs.
"Let's see what other Pokémon can be found around here, " said Robert.
Robert continued on the forest road until he came across a very small, spherical, and green bird with small and brightly colored wings, red talons, almond-shaped eyes, red tail feathers, a yellow beak, and a red feather on its forehead struggling to move.
"What kind of Pokémon is that?" asked Robert as he pulled his pokédex and aimed toward the Pokémon.
Its still image immediately appeared on the Pokédex.
"Natu, the Tiny Bird Pokémon. It picks food from cactus plants, deftly avoiding buds and spines. It seems to skip about to move, " said the pokédex.
"It must be sick or something because it's barely skipping, " said Robert.
Robert immediately ran up toward Natu and touched its forehead.
"It's burning up. I have to get her to the nearest Pokémon center as soon as possible, " said Robert as he picked up Natu and continued out of the forest.
Suddenly, he bumped into a woman with long blue hair and gray eyes, whom was wearing a gray and blue kimono.
"Hey, watch it, " said the woman.
"Sorry, miss. I was trying to get this sick Pokémon to a Pokémon center, " said Robert as he showed her the Natu.
"Unfortunately, there isn't one nearby, " said the woman. "Maybe the clinic in Foothill Town can help."
"Cool, but how do I get there?" asked Robert.
"Follow me. By the way, I'm Gwen, " said Gwen as she shook Robert's hand.
"Nice to meet you. I'm Robert Williams, " said Robert as he shook Gwen's hand.
Gwen and Robert immediately headed down the forest road and arrived inside Foothill Town. They continue through the town and found themselves in front of a large building.
"This is the clinic I was talking about, " said Gwen.
"Ok. Let's hurry, " said Robert.
Robert and Gwen headed inside the clinic and approached a red-haired and blue-eyed doctor named Anthony.
"Dr. Anthony, I founded this sick Natu in the forest. Can you help it?" asked Robert.
"It looks like it was poisoned by a Bug-type Pokémon. Don't worry. You brought it here just in time, " said Anthony.
Robert quickly gave Natu to Anthony, whom took it to his examination room. Robert and Gwen headed from the lobby and began talking.
"My grandfather told me about Dewford Town once, " said Robert. "He said that an avid surfer is the gym leader there."
"He's right. His name is Brawly. He even trains his pokémon using surfing techniques, " said Gwen.
"Cool, " said Robert.
Gwen and Robert continued talking until Dr. Anthony appeared next to them.
"Hey, doc. Is Natu feeling better?" asked Robert
"Yes, its fever has broken, and it has gotten better, " said Anthony.
"That's great, " said Gwen.
"Can we check on it?" asked Robert.
"Yes. Follow me, " said Anthony.
All three headed back to the examination room where they saw Natu staring off in the distance.
"Hi, Natu, " said Robert.
Suddenly, Natu vanished from the room.
"Where did it go?" asked Robert.
All three searched the entire room until Gwen turned toward Robert.
"Look up, Robert, " said Gwen.
Robert immediately looked up and saw that Natu was resting on his head.
"It must have used Teleport to get on my head, " said Robert. "Maybe I can catch it."
Robert unclipped a pokéball from his belt and pressed a button.
"Pokéball, go!" exclaimed Robert as he threw it above his head.
Just as the pokéball was heading for Natu, it teleported off Robert's head and the pokéball hit Robert instead.
"Ouch. That's hurt, " said Robert.
"That Natu is very fast, " said Dr. Anthony.
"I agree, but I know that I will see that pokémon again, " said Robert.
"Speaking of Pokémon, how about a battle tomorrow?" asked Gwen.
"Sounds good to me. This will be my first battle ever, " said Robert.
Gwen and Robert got something to eat, found somewhere to sleep, and went to bed. The next morning, Robert woke up to a little surprise on his head.
"Natu, I hope I didn't scare you when I try to catch you yesterday, " said Robert.
"Natu," said Natu as it shook its head.
"Do you want to come with me?" asked Robert.
Natu jumped up and down on Robert's head.
"First, you have to get off of my head, " said Robert.
Natu teleported from the top of Robert's head and reappeared on his backpack.
"By the way, what do you think of the name Tribal, as in the tribal markings on your body?" asked Robert.
Natu nodded its head.
"Ok. Pokéball, go!" exclaimed Robert as he threw the pokéball.
The pokéball hit Natu, converting her into red energy and sucking her into the pokéball itself, and it landed on the ground with its button glowing red. It moved back and forth until it suddenly stops, and its button stopped glowing.
"Yes, I caught Natu," said Robert. "I have to hurry. Gwen is probably up already."
Robert got up, get dressed, ate breakfast, and returned to the clinic's lobby where Gwen was waiting. She now had green bobbed hair and was wearing a green shirt and khaki shorts.
"Took you long enough, " said Gwen. "There is a park near here, a perfect place for a battle."
"Why did you change your hair color?" asked Robert.
"I can be a bit fickle whether it's my hair color or my pokémon, " said Gwen.
"Interesting, " said Robert.
Robert and Gwen headed to the park and positioned themselves opposite each other.
"This will be a two on two battle. The one who defeats both of their opponent's Pokémon wins the match, " said Gwen.
"I understand, " said Robert.
"Wigglytuff, showtime!" exclaimed Gwen as she threw a pokéball onto the ground.
The pokéball opened up. A large, pink, and balloon-like Pokémon with a white underbelly, large blue baby-like eyes, a pair of large rabbit ears, and a twisty tuft of pink hair on its forehead appeared on the field. Then, the pokéball returned to Gwen's hand.
"A male Wigglytuff, huh, " said Robert as he pulled his pokédex out of his pocket and aimed toward the Pokémon.
Its still image immediately appeared on the pokédex.
"Wigglytuff, the Balloon Pokémon. Its fine fur feels sublime to the touch. It can expand its body by inhaling air, " said the pokédex.
"Tribal, come on out!" exclaimed Robert as he threw a pokéball onto the ground.
The pokéball opened up, revealing Natu. Then, the pokéball returned to Robert's hand. Suddenly, Natu teleported on top of Robert's head
"It also looks like you've caught that elusive Natu, " said Gwen jokingly.
"I caught her this morning. That's why I took so long to meet up with you, " said Robert as he looked up at Natu. "Tribal, get off my head. We've have to battle."
Natu quickly teleported back to the field.
"All right. Enough talking," said Gwen.
"Let's battle!" they exclaimed.
"Wigglytuff, use Pound!" exclaimed Gwen.
"Tribal, use Teleport and then Peck!" exclaimed Robert.
Just as Wigglytuff attempted to use her paw to hit Tribal, Tribal vanished in a flash of light. Suddenly, Tribal reappeared behind Wigglytuff and hit Wigglytuff from behind with his peck, causing partial damage to Wigglytuff.
"Good job, Tribal, " said Robert.
"Natu, Natu, " said Tribal.
"Tribal, use Quick Attack!" exclaimed Robert.
"Wigglytuff, dodge and use Body Slam!" exclaimed Gwen.
Tribal came hopping toward Wigglytuff at rapid speed with a white trail behind her; however, Wigglytuff inflated itself to twice its original size, propelled itself into the air, and came crashing into Tribal, causing extensive damage to her.
"Good job, Wigglytuff, " said Gwen.
"Wigglytuff, " said Wigglytuff happily.
"Can you continue, Tribal?" asked Robert.
"Natu, " said Natu happily.
"Wigglytuff, use Sing!" exclaimed Gwen.
Wigglytuff started singing very softly. Tribal suddenly became drowsy and fell asleep.
"Wigglytuff, use Wake-Up Slap at full strength!" exclaimed Gwen.
"Tribal, wake up and counter with Psychic!" exclaimed Robert.
Wigglytuff came charging toward Tribal. Suddenly, Tribal's eyes opened up and turned light blue. A light blue aura surrounded Wigglytuff, stopping her from moving and lifting her off the ground.
"How did you pull that off?" asked Gwen.
"Natu have a special ability called Early Bird, which quickly wakes a Pokémon affected by a sleep-inducing attack, " said Robert.
"Not good at all, " said Gwen.
"Tribal, send Wigglytuff flying!" exclaimed Robert.
Tribal used her Psychic attack to slam Wigglytuff into a tree, knocking her unconscious.
"Wigglytuff, return!" exclaimed Gwen as she pointed her pokéball at Wigglytuff.
A red laser beam came from the pokéball and hit Wigglytuff, converting her into pure energy and sucking her inside the pokéball.
"Good job, Wigglytuff. You deserve a good rest, " said Gwen.
"Who's your next Pokémon?" asked Robert.
"Zubat, showtime!" exclaimed Gwen as she threw a pokéball onto the ground.
The pokéball opened up. A small, blue, and bat-like Pokémon with two long, skinny tails, a face that lacks eyes and a nose, and short fangs appeared on the field. Then, the pokéball returned to Gwen's hand.
"It's a female Zubat. Cool, " said Robert as he pulled his pokédex out of his pocket and aimed toward the Pokémon.
Its still image immediately appeared on the pokédex.
"Zubat, the Bat Pokémon. Even though it has no eyes, it can sense obstacles using ultrasonic waves it emits from its mouth, " said the pokédex.
"Let's continue, " said Gwen.
"No problem, " said Robert.
"Tribal, use Night Shade!" exclaimed Robert.
"Zubat, dodge and use Bite!" exclaimed Gwen.
Tribal fired black light beams from her eyes at Zubat; however, Zubat avoided Night Shade and bit Tribal on her left wing, causing extensive damage.
"Psychic-type pokémon are weak against Dark-type moves like Bite, " said Gwen.
"Tribal, can you continue?" asked Robert.
"Natu, " said Tribal.
"Zubat, use Wing Attack!" exclaimed Gwen.
"Tribal, counter that with Ominous Wind!" exclaimed Robert.
Zubat's wings turned white, and she flew toward Tribal at high speed. Tribal jumped up and spun herself, releasing purple waves of wind toward Zubat. The combination of the two attacks created an explosion that engulfed the field in smoke. When the smoke cleared, both pokémon received partial damage.
"Tribal, use Night Shade one more time!" exclaimed Robert.
"Zubat, use Supersonic!" exclaimed Gwen.
Tribal fired her Night Shade attack at Zubat; however, Zubat fired small blue circles from her mouth at Tribal. Suddenly, Tribal stopped attacking and became dizzy and confused.
"Tribal, snap out of it!" exclaimed Robert.
"Zubat, use Air Slash!" exclaimed Gwen.
Zubat created a ball of wind with her wings, which she threw it at Tribal, causing extensive damage. Tribal struggled to stand up, but she eventually fainted.
"Tribal, return!" exclaimed Robert as he pointed his pokéball at Tribal.
A red laser beam came from the pokéball and hit Tribal, converting it into pure energy and sucking her inside the pokéball.
"Not bad for your first battle. You earned a good rest, " said Robert.
"It's now one on one. Who's your next Pokémon?" asked Gwen.
"Gyro, come on out!" exclaimed Robert as he threw a pokéball onto the ground.
The pokéball opened up, revealing Buizel. Then, the pokéball returned to Robert's hand.
"You have a Buizel. Look like I'm not the only one with Sinnoh-exclusive pokémon, " said Gwen.
"My dad sent me her egg yesterday. She is my first pokémon," said Robert.
"Ready to continue?" asked Gwen.
"I'm ready," said Robert.
"Zubat, use Air Cutter!" exclaimed Gwen.
"Gyro, use Agility, and then use Swift!" exclaimed Robert.
Zubat flapped her wings and released several slashes of wind at Gyro; however, she moved from left to right to avoid it. Gyro then fired her Swift attack, causing significant damage to Zubat.
"I'm not out of this battle yet," said Gwen.
"Gyro, use Water Gun!" exclaimed Robert.
"Zubat, dodge and use Poison Fang!" exclaimed Gwen.
Gyro fired her Water Gun attack at Zubat; however, she avoided it. Zubat's fangs turned purple, and he bit Gyro in the neck, causing extensive damage to Gyro.
"Can you continue, Gyro?" asked Robert.
"Buizel," said Gyro.
"Zubat, finish her off with Air Slash!" exclaimed Gwen
"Gyro, counter that with Razor Wind!" exclaimed Robert.
Gyro's tail turned white and fired crescent wind blades at Zubat while Zubat fired his Air Slash attack at Gyro. The combination of the attacks caused an explosion that engulfed the field with smoke. When the smoke cleared, both Pokémon received extensive damage and struggled to get up.
"Zubat, stand up!" exclaimed Gwen.
"Gyro, please get on your feet!" exclaimed Robert.
Eventually, both Pokémon fainted.
"Zubat, return!" exclaimed Gwen as she pointed her pokéball at Zubat.
A red laser beam came from the pokéball and hit Zubat, converting her into pure energy and sucking him inside the pokéball.
"You should be proud of yourself. You earned a good rest, " said Gwen.
"Gyro, return!" exclaimed Robert as he pointed his pokéball at Gyro.
A red laser beam came from the pokéball and hit Gyro, converting her into pure energy and sucking her inside the pokéball.
"You did your best. You earned a good rest, " said Robert. "Looks like we're evenly matched, Gwen."
"I agree. That was a great battle, " said Gwen as they shook hands. "You should definitely challenge Roxanne, the Rustboro City gym leader."
"I'm heading there anyway, " said Robert. "Where are you heading?"
"I'm going to Verdanturf Town. A Pokémon contest is being held there, " said Gwen.
"That's right. You told me yesterday about choosing to become a Pokémon coordinator, " said Robert.
"This will be my first contest ever, " said Gwen.
"Since Verdanturf Town is on the way to Rustboro, why don't we go together?" asked Robert.
"Sure, I would like that, " said Gwen.
"Next stop. Verdanturf Town, " said Robert.
Robert and Gwen left the park and began their journey toward Verdanturf Town.