Chapter 3: Training
The two traveling companions make their way through the lush, green grass of the wilderness on their way to their first destination: Viridian City. The sight of Rattata and Pidgey surrounding the young trainers. A gentle breeze passes through Tia's hair as it gleams in the sunlight.
"It's such a nice day out." Tia says, admiring the beautiful weather. "So, should we get to Viridian soon?" She looks back at Tom, who is observing the environment around them.
"Why the rush, shouldn't you and Bulbasaur do a little training along the way?" Tom asks a little surprised she hadn't considered it yet.
"Oh yeah, I forgot." She laughs and rubs the back of her head. Tom just sighs, rubbing the bridge of his nose. "So who do we battle?" She looks around itching for a fight.
"Hold your Horseas," Tom puts a hand on her shoulder. "Before you attack a random trainer try that Rattata right over there." He mentions and pointing over her shoulder.
"Okay, Bulbasaur go!" She shouts standing her ground while Bulbasaur runs up to the hapless Rattata. She stares down the rat Pokemon awaiting her master's command; for a curiously long amount of time.
"Um... this is the part where you call out an attack." Tom tells her as he really tries to be patient. He could help but wonder if she had what it takes to be a trainer.
"Got it, Bulbasaur Solarbeam!" She shouts proudly. Tom literally face palms while Bulbasaur looks back in confusion. "What happened, why didn't Bulbasaur use it?" She scratches her head; not sure what to make of this situation.
"God sake," Tom mutters under his breath. "Use Tackle for the love of god!" He shouts making sure she heard him that time.
"Oh Tackle," She says blankly and deciding to just go with it.
Instantly Bulbasaur springs into action tackling her foe stunning the Rattata making it angrier. The angry Pokemon begins a charge of its own catching Tia's eye.
"Bulbasaur, watch out!" Without hesitating Bulbasaur dodges before preparing to strike again. "Hit it with another Tackle!" Tia shouts, finding her groove, finally.
Complying, Bulbasaur sends another attack at the rat Pokemon. That was enough to do it; Rattata collapses where it stood causing Bulbasaur cheer. Tia running up to her partner and proudly grabs her in her arms. "That was great Bulbasaur!" She hugs her Pokemon. "It already seems like you're stronger."
Tom claps, walking up to them both. "Great job the both of you." Tom says; Cleffa giving a small cheer herself. "Sorry I yelled, but you have to understand that certain moves have to be learned as your Pokemon grow stronger." He calmly explains to her.
"Oh, so that's why we couldn't use Solarbeam?" She says finally starting to get it. She made sure to commit it to memory and learn when Pokemon learn certain moves.
"Exactly," Tom takes a sigh of relief that she's starting to get it.
"Perfect, so the more training we do the more moves Bulbasaur learns." Tia makes ure she understands."
Tom nods, "Remember that Pokemon can only know four moves at a time though." This was a critical fact for any Pokemon trainer to know.
"Got it! In that case, Tackle!" She shouts and directing Bulbasaur to the first Pokemon she sees: a Pidgey. A direct hit sends Pidgey stammering away, it turns with a sharp eye on the Pokemon who dared to disturb it. With a swift motion Pidgey lunges forward and lands a Tackle itself. Bulbasaur stammers, but recovers with ease.
"Oh someone's angry, good thing that's not stronger or you'd be in real trouble." Tom warns her. Amused as he was he's still carefully calculating type advantage. Normally she'd be at a huge disadvantage against a Flying type.
"Shake it off Bulbasaur and send another Tackle." Tia strategically says. In a split second the Pidgey dodges Bulbasaur's attack and follows up by kicking up sand with its talons. Sand getting in Bulbasaur's eyes impairing her sight.
"Careful Tia, that's Sand Attack." Tom says warily. "It lowers a Pokémon's accuracy."
"Don't worry, Bulbasaur you know what to do" She says feeling superior to the Pidgey.
Bulbasaur shakes her head and goes to attack which unfortunately misses the target. Pidgey takes this chance to strike back with its own Tackle hitting Bulbasaur hard. "Oh no, this isn't good. Please Bulbasaur, you can do it!" Tia panics.
Bulbasaur hears her master's pleas causing her to concentrate and focus on the Pidgey. Waiting and hoping for the right timing. With one final Tackle it nails Pidgey into submission. Bulbasaur sighs heavy now that it's over.
"Yes, we did it!" Tia jumps up and down, grabs Bulbasaur and spins around.
"Another solid battle, but Bulbasaur seems tired. We should probably get to the Pokemon Center." Tom heavy suggests as he looks over the disheveled Grass type. "Viridian isn't far from here thankfully." Tom takes the lead through Route 1.
"I know, I have left Pallet Town before. Just never with a Pokemon to fight with." She explains. "I've never been in a Pokemon Center either." She says feeling like such a novice.
"We all have to start somewhere. Thankfully, you've got me to help." He says with a toothy grin.
"Oh how humble of you." She gives him a sideways glance.
He laughs nervously, "Sorry, I didn't mean to sound like I was bragging." He apologizes.
"You mean: sorry you made it so obvious?" She smirks.
"Oh, we got a smart one here Cleffa." He chuckles which makes Tia giggle a little herself. "I see the city up a head," he points out to a clearing leading to a paved road.
Tom and Tia both eagerly run forward to their destinations: Viridian City: The City of Evergreen.
