Greenspur Forest
No sooner had the Eds left the gatehouse than they were waylaid by a Bug Catcher. Apparently, the man had been waiting right outside the gatehouse to challenge anyone who happened to come through. Double D, deciding to try battling Pidgey for the first time, accepted the challenge.
"Wow," the Bug Catcher said upon seeing Pidgey, "A shiny!"
"What?" Double D asked.
"It's a shiny! How do you not know?" The Bug Catcher exclaimed. Upon seeing Double D's confused expression, he explained. "Shiny pokémon are pokémon that are born with an abnormal color. For example, Pidgey is normally a light brown color while yours is a golden color. Shiny pokémon are very rare and most trainers can go through entire journeys without seeing one. Seems you've run into a bit of good luck."
(See, I told you that I was a superior Pidgey!) Pidgey chirped at Double D, even striking what it thought was an eloquent pose.
"I had no idea." Double D said thoughtfully. "It seems I have a lot more to learn about pokémon. Thank you for enlightening me on the subject of Shiny Pokemon."
"No problem," the Bug Catcher said as he pulled out his Poké Ball. "But enough of the gushing. Lets get this show on the road." He threw his Poké Ball and in a bright flash his pokémon appeared. The pokémon looked almost exactly like a massive ladybug. Its body was red and cream, with several black spots on its back. It had six arms, two large eyes, and two black antenna sticking out of its head. It immediately took flight, making a low buzzing noise while doing so.
(Oh no.) It moaned. (I have to fight a Pidgey. I'm no good with flying pokémon.)
(No use complaining about it.) Pidgey said as he also took flight. (Just take comfort in the fact that you'll be defeated by a Pidgey of superior breeding.)
(No I will not.) The bug pokémon shot back. (And besides, aren't you getting a bit ahead of yourself?)
"Pidgey use Tackle!" Double D commanded.
(Don't worry! I've got the skill to prove it!) Pidgey surged forward, hitting the bug pokémon head on. The bug pokémon was sent spinning away before regaining control of its flight.
"Ledyba, you use Tackle!" The Bug Catcher shouted.
(Payback time!) Ledyba squeaked as it smashed into Pidgey. Pidey lost control and fell a few feet before leveling out.
"Use Sand Attack to lower its accuracy!" Double D shouted. Pidgey landed and, using his wings, scooped up some dirt. He then flung the dirt at the Ledyba and got it full on in the face.
(My eyes!) It screeched as it tried to rub its eyes clean.
Meanwhile, Eddy and Ed had been watching the battle. Eddy had been expecting Double D took whip out his Pokédex and identify the pokémon. That had been the standard procedure since they'd started. He was the brains of the group after all. But he hadn't done it this time, so it seemed the job fell to him. Sighing, he pulled out his Pokédex and pointed at the large bug. "Ledyba, the Five Star Pokémon." It said. "They are timid and grow uneasy when not in a swarm of others of their kind. The pattern on their backs differ slightly from one to another."
"Whoop de doo," Eddy grunted. "When are we gonna see some cool stuff?" There was a loud thump, and Eddy looked up to see the Ledyba fainted on the ground. The Bug Catcher returned the Ledyba and sent out another pokémon. Unsurprisingly, it was another bug pokémon. It had a small round body colored red with a cream stripe on the front and a black mark on its back that looked like a cape. Circling around its head was a cream colored structure that looked vaguely like a collar. It had a red nub for a nose, two black antenna, and two small pairs of hands and feet.
Eddy, with his Pokédex still out, identified this new pokémon. "Kricketot, the Cricket Pokémon." The Pokédex said. "It chats with others using the sounds of its colliding antenna. These sounds are fall hallmarks." Meanwhile, Double D and recalled Pidgey and sent out Squirtle.
(Another day, another battle.) Squirtle said as he stretched. He then noticed Kricketot. (So, you're the first for today?)
(It seems so.) The Kricketot said as its antennas clacked against each other.
"Squirtle, give it a Tackle!" Double D commanded. He charged forward and jumped at the Kricketot.
"Kricketot, use Bide!" The Bug Catcher commanded. Kricketot began to glow red just before Squirtle smashed into it. The Kricketot was pushed back a few feet but stayed upright.
The Squirtle was confused by Kricketot's apparent lack of reaction. (Okay, what's going on?)
(You'll find out.) The Kricketot growled rather squeakily.
"Squirtle, give it another Tackle!" Double D shouted. Squirtle tackled the Kricketot again, still not seeming to get a reaction out of it. Instead, the red aura that surrounded Kricketot began to glow brighter. "Oh dear," Double D said, thinking hard as to what to do next. Clearly, something bad was about to happen, and attacking was only making it worse. There was nothing he could do to raise Squirtle's defense and attacking didn't seem like a good idea. So there was only one thing he could do. "Squirtle use Tail Whip!)
(I don't see what good it'll do, but you're the boss.) Squirtle said as he turned a wagged his tail at the Kricketot.
(Now you're gonna get it!) Kricketot squealed. It immediately shot forward and slammed into Squirtle with extreme force. Squirtle was sent fling, bounced off a tree, and went bouncing across the clearing before skidded to a stop at Double D's feet.
"Squritle!" Double D screamed in alarm. "Are you alright?"
Squirtle struggled to his feet and shot Double D a grin. (I'm hurtin' but I can still fight.)
Taking the grin as the affirmative it was, Double D commanded. "Tackle once more! That ought to end this battle!"
(That was your chance and you failed!) Squirtle roared as he charged Kricketot. (And now you're gonna pay the price.) He slammed into the Kricketot, and it went bouncing back towards its trainer. It came to a stop, tried to get up, then fainted.
"Well, that's it for me." The Bug Catcher said as he returned his Kricketot. He handed Double D some prize money and went on his way.
Double D smiled at Squirtle as he pulled a potion from his backpack. "You did a very commendable job in that battle Squirtle."
(Aw, shucks boss,) Squirtle said, blushing slightly. (It was nothing really.)
"Now that our combat is over, I will need you to drink this medicine." Double D pulled the cap off the potion and handed it to Squirtle. "This is a potion. When you drink this you'll regain most of the health that you lost in that battle."
(Alright.) Squirtle took the potion and downed it in one gulp. He nearly gagged. (Disgusting! That's supposed to help?) He paused, his eyes going wide. (Wait a minute.) He looked down at himself, seeing that all of the scuffs and bruises that he had had vanished. (Well, what do you know. It actually worked.)
"Now that that settled, take a well earned rest." With that, Double D returned Squirtle. "Well then fellows, shall we continue?"
"Hey Sockhead," Eddy asked as they continued into the forest. "That Bug Catcher guy said that your Pidgey was a shiny right?"
Double D, who had pulled out his guide and was looking into that very thing, nodded. "Yes. The guide says the same thing as well."
"And he said that they were rare right?" Eddy continued.
"Yes…." Double D answered slowly. He didn't quite like were this was going.
"Rare, as in, valuable rare?" Eddy asked. He had a certain look in his eye, a certain look that Double D had privately called his 'I've thought of a way to make money' look.
"No." Double D said firmly. "I'm not selling my Pidgey." Eddy didn't say anything but continued to give him that look. "Eddy!" He said, his voice sharper now.
"Alright, alright!" Eddy said, putting his hands up in a placating gesture. "Sheesh, can't a guy make a joke."
"Not about that Eddy," Ed cut in. "For the bond between monster and tamer is as hard as my underwear on Thursday, or the newspaper under my bed."
Eddy and Double D looked aghast. "Okay," Double D said. "That's a thing I'm going to work really hard to scrub from my mind."
"Same here," Eddy added. "Ed, what is it with you? Didn't anyone ever teach you how to clean?"
"No can do Eddy." Ed said. "For cleanliness is like itchiness. It's bad for Ed."
"Oh, forget it." Eddy said, throwing up his arms in exasperation. "Lets just get moving."
Beep, beep, beep, beep, beep, beep, beep, beep, beep, beep, beep, beep, beep, beep.
"What's that?" Eddy asked, looking around. "What's beeping?"
"Oh," Double D said, reaching into his pocket. "It's me."
"RUN!" Ed shouted, grabbing Eddy and jumping behind a tree. "Double D's gonna explode!"
"Eddy! Let go!" Eddy shouted, struggling to get free of Ed's grasp. "He's not going to explode!"
"Calm down Ed!" Double D shouted, pulling out his Pokédex. It was making the beeping noise and a small light was flashing. "It's just my Pokédex!"
"Oh," Ed said. "Alright." He dropped Eddy and came out from behind the tree.
"I don't know why I stay friends with you," Eddy growled under his breath. "Sockhead, why is it beeping?"
Double D examined his Pokédex. "Apparently, it seems that my Squirtle learned a new move. It's called Water Gun."
"That's it?" Eddy asked.
"Yes." Double D replied as he put his Pokédex away. "According to the Pokédex, Water Gun is a water type move. Because Squirtle is a water type pokémon, the attack gains a power boost. It's called a same-type attack bonus. I believe that will be a useful piece of information to remember."
"Sure, if you say so." Eddy commented noncommittally. "Now if we're done with the distractions, lets go!" For the next few hours, the tempo of the Ed's journey through the forest was as follows; jumped by wild pokémon then battle trainer, repeat. On the pokémon front, the trio were practically wading through bug type pokémon. Not to say that the pokémon gave them much trouble, particularly when Eddy's Charmander learned Ember. Double D had wanted to stop and examine each one they came across. Eddy, his temper at the boiling point, had had to forcebly drag Double D by the collar to keep the group moving. On the trainer front, it was mostly Bug Catchers with the occasional School Boy. The results of which were a decent chunk of money in their pockets. As for their pokémon, Eddy's Charmander had learned Ember, Double D's Pidgey learned Gust, and Ed's Bulbasuar had learned Vine Whip and Leech Seed. They had almost reached the end of the forest before a thought occurred to Eddy.
"Hey Double D, we're near that Westerway City right?" Eddy asked.
Double D consulted his map. "Yes, it shouldn't be far now."
"Well I was thinking," Eddy continued. "Didn't that one guy say something about running into Deerling or whatever they were called."
"Yes, he did." Double D said thoughtfully. "And now that you mention it, we haven't seen anything like that have we? Its all been bug type pokémon. Nothing resembling a deer or other such animal to be seen."
"Do you think they were all eaten by those Stantler thingies?" Ed asked. "Or maybe the Swamp Monster of the Mossy Lagoon? Or perhaps the Treeman from Delta-7? Or maybe even the Werewolf of Portland?" As he made this guesses, he pulled comics out of his jacket that featured each of the a fore mentioned monsters.
"No Ed." Double D sighed. "More likely they are just in another part of the forest." Suddenly, off to their right, came a loud screeching call. Then came the sounds of several things smashing through underbrush. "Oh dear," Double D said nervously. "I do believe something's coming our way."
"You don't say?" Eddy muttered sarcastically as he pulled out Charmander's Poké Ball.
Ed, on the other hand, jumped behind Double D and cowered behind them. "Don't let the monsters get me guys!"
"Ed, they're not monsters!" Eddy shouted in irritation. "It's just..." He voice was drown out as the underbrush to their right practically exploded with motion as fourteen creatures came charging out into the road. They resembled small deer, but their ears and tails were bigger and they had a large flower growing out of the tops of their heads. Its body was a bright pink color along the top and a white color along the bottom. The Deerling growled at the Eds. Several every shook their heads and stamped the ground in a clearly threatening manner.
"I take it those are the Deerling." Double D commented nervously as he pulled out his Pokédex.
"Deerling, the Season Pokémon." It said. "The turning of the seasons changes the color and scent of this Pokémon's fur. People use it to mark the seasons."
"They don't look happy." Eddy commented dryly as he pulled out Charmander's Poké Ball. "Looks like will have to teach them a lesson."
"I don't think that's a good idea Eddy," Double D said, edging back from the group of angry Deerling. "They've got us outnumbered to quite a significant degree."
"Well, we're going to have to fight them anyway!" Eddy growled. "Seems to me that we're going to have to get past these things to get to Westerway City. Unless you plan on trying to reason with with them, we're going to have to fight them."
"But we're out numbered," Double countered. "And our pokémon are not in tiptop fighting shape."
"These guys don't look to tough." Eddy laughed. "Charmander wouldn't have a problem taking these guys!"
"Eddy," Double D scolded. "You shouldn't overwork your pokémon like that."
"Now's not the time for lecturing." Eddy growled. "Now get your pokémon out and…." Eddy was cut off as Ed grabbed him and slung him under his arm. He then grabbed Double D and threw him over his shoulder. He then turned and ran back the way they came. The herd of Deerling, caught off guard, hesitated for a moment before chasing after them. "ED!" Eddy screamed. "WHAT ARE YOU DOING?"
"Do not worry fellows!" Ed shouted as he ran. "I, Ed, will get us to safety!"
"But Ed," Double D shrieked. "You're going the wrong way!"
"No I'm not." Ed replied. "I know just the place!" He ran until they reached a clearing that they had passed earlier. The clearing was bordered with several large, sturdy looking trees with long, thick branches. Ed, in one of his moments were he seemed to defy every conceivable law of physics, ran up one of the tree without missing a step. He only stopped when he reached the highest branch that would hold them. He placed Eddy and Double D on the branch then leaned triumphantly against the tree. "There. We are now safe." He proclaimed proudly.
"No," Eddy growled. "We are now stuck in a tree!" He gestured to the Deerling, which were now gathered around the base of the tree. "Unless you have a way of getting rid of them."
"Nope." Ed said with a big grin.
Eddy sighed as he slapped his palm across his face. "Way to go, Lumpy." He turned to Double D. "What type were these pokémon again?"
Double D consulted his Pokédex. "It's a dual normal/grass type."
Eddy thought for a moment. He looked down at the Deerling. He took notice of the fact that while they seemed willing to wait them out, they couldn't get up the tree. An idea occurred to him. "Hey Sockhead, do we have anything that would be effective against them?"
"Yes." Double D answered. "Your Charmander and my Pidgey." At that moment, realization hit Double D. "Oh, I see. We are in the tree and they're unable to climb the tree to attack us. Nor do they know any attacks that can reach us. This negates their numbers advantage. On the other hand, your Charmander knows Ember. It's a fire attack that Chamander can use against them without leaving the tree. Also, my Pidgey can fly and very easily avoid their attacks."
"Exactly." Eddy smirked. "So lets get started then." Eddy sent our his Charmander while Double D sent out his Pidgey.
(Okay,) Charmander said looking around. (Why are we in a tree?)
Pidgey sniffed. (Might I suggest looking down?)
(Oh,) Charmander said as he looked down and saw the herd of Deerling. (How did this happen?)
(I have no idea.) Pidgey said as he took flight. (But I suppose we'll have to deal with it.)
"Charmander, use Ember!" Eddy shouted.
"Pidgey, use Gust!" Double D commaned.
(See?) Pidgey flapped its wings hard, kicking up a powerful wind current. Meanwhile, Charmander opened its mouth and started shooting small fireballs at the Deerling. The effect of this on the Deerling was dramatic. Several Deerling were blown off their feet and were sent sliding across the clearing. Others were hit by Charmander's Ember which, while not actually setting them on fire, certainly caused them extreme pain. As a result of these attacks, several of the Deerling fainted. The remaining Deerling panicked and bounded away in all directions. Once the last Deerling was out of sight, quite settled on the clearing.
Suddenly Eddy's Pokédex started to beep. Eddy pulled it out and examined it. "Huh, apparently Charmander learned something called Smokescreen." He laughed. "No need to guess at what that does."
"I think they're gone." Double D ventured after a few more seconds.
"Good." Eddy said as he returned Charmander and started to climb down the tree. "Hurry up you two. We've lost enough time as it is."
Double D snorted. "It hasn't even been five minutes."
"Hey, time is money," Eddy snapped. "And I…."
"Love money," Double D finished. "Yes, yes, I know." However, no sooner had the three climbed out of the tree when something significantly larger than a Deerling came charging out of the underbrush at them. "Back up the tree!" Double D screeched. The Eds scrambled back up the tree and had just managed to reach a branch to perch on before the thing slammed into the tree. The tree shook and the Eds clung tightly to the tree to keep from falling. Once the tree settled, the Eds looked down to see what had hit the tree. It looked like a deer, except it was bigger. Its body was a light brown with a cream colored underbelly. It had a large dark brown nose and a large bushy tail. It had a pair of large, yellow antlers with small black orbs on them, giving the impression that the antlers looked vaguely like eyes. The pokémon snorted and pawed the ground. It glared up at the Eds and snorted again.
"And that," Double D said as he pulled out his Pokédex, "must be a Stantler."
"Stantler, the Big Horn Pokémon." It said. "Stantler's magnificent antlers were traded at high prices as works of art. As a result, this Pokémon was hunted close to extinction by those who were after their priceless antlers."
"Well then," Double D said. "I suppose we'll have to fight this pokémon as well."
"No kidding." Eddy said sarcastically. The Stantler headbutted the tree again, causing it to shake again.
"Uh, guys?" Ed asked nervously.
"I don't think this will be as simple as the Deerling Eddy." Double D said.
"What do you mean?" Eddy asked. "Will just do the same thing we did with the Deerling."
"Guys?" Ed asked again, now sounding scared.
"Well Stantler is a normal type." Double D explained. "We won't have the type advantage."
"But this time we've got numbers on our side!" Eddy argued.
"True," Doube D conceded. "But I think this Stantler is more powerful than the Deerling."
"I'M A GONE GOFFER GUYS!" Ed screamed.
"What the…!" Eddy turned to were Ed had been clinging to the branch only to see that Ed was no longer there. Suddenly, the Stantler made a loud squealing, screeching noise. Eddy and Double D looked down to see that Ed had fallen from the branch and landed on the back of the Stantler. The Stantler reared and then began to buck, trying to throw Ed off its back.
"HELP!" Ed screamed as he held onto the Stantler for dear life.
Eddy and Double D scrambled back down the tree. "Don't worry Ed!" Double D shouted. "We'll think of something!"
"It's simple." Eddy said. "Will just knock out the Stantler."
"No! We can't!" Double D countered. "If we attack the Stantler, we might hit Ed!"
"So then what do we do?" Eddy growled in annoyance.
Unfortunately, or perhaps fortunately, Ed had the same idea. "I need your help my mutant frog friend!" Ed shouted as he threw Bulbasuar's Poké Ball. It went spinning off at an angle before releasing Bulbasuar, who went skidding across the ground from momentum.
(Yikes! What was that?) He looked around before seeing the bucking Stantler with Ed clinging to its back. (What on earth is going on here?)
"Bulbasuar!" Ed shouted. "Use your Vines of Whipiness to trip up this raging deer of rage!"
(Okay!) Bublasuar said as a vine shot out from Bulbasuar's bulb. The vine swung out in front of Stantler and hit its front legs. It swept the front legs out from under Stantler and kept going, doing the same to its back legs. The Stantler fell forward hard, its face slamming hard into the ground. Ed lost his grip and was sent flying. His flight was short lived as he smashed headlong into the tree, actually embedding his head in the tree.
Upon seeing this, Eddy burst out laughing. Double D, on the other hand, ran over to head. "Ed!" Double D wailed. "Are you alright?"
Ed was still for a moment then, bracing his hands against the tree, pulled himself out. "Just getting my daily fiber Double D." He said cheerfully. He looked over at the dazed Stantler, pulling a Poké Ball out of his pocket. "New monster for Ed!" He cried happily as he threw the Poké Ball at the Stantler.
(For the last time,) Bulbasuar growled as the Stantler disappeared into the Poké Ball. (We are not monsters!)
"Ed, please get it right." Double D begged. "They are Pokémon, not monsters." The Poké Ball clicked, and Ed scopped up the Poké Ball.
"New monster!" He cried.
Bulbasuar sighed. (I give up).
"You did good, my mutant plant frog buddy." Ed said as a retrieved Bulbasuar's Poké Ball. "You take a nice rest and I'll reward you with butter toast and gravy later."
(What?) Bulbasuar asked as he disappeared into the Poké Ball.
"Right, yes. Good job, congratulations, kudos, whatever." Eddy said as he began to push both Ed and Double D back the way they came. "Lets just get going before something else shows up!" As it turned out, nothing did. By the looks of things, they had scared off the rest of the Deerling while there were no other Stantler in the immediate vicinity. The only thing that did stand in their way was one last Bug Catcher that was hanging around the exit to the forest.
"Ed will fight this opponent!" Ed announced when the Bug Catcher challenged them. "For I would like to test out my new monster!" With that, he sent out Stantler.
(Ow, what hit me?) Stantler looked around. (So I was captured?)
"Come on out Yanma!" The Bug Catcher shouted as he sent out his pokémon. The pokémon was essentially a gigantic dragonfly. It had a red, segmented body with two pairs of white wings with red bands on them, six legs, and two spikes on its tail. It also head a large head with a green band that ran across its face, two eyes, and two spiked antenna sticking out of its forehead.
Double D pulled out his Pokédex and examined the pokémon. "Yanma, the Clear Wing Pokémon. Yanma is capable of seeing 360 degrees without having to move its eyes. It is a great flier that is adapt at making sudden stops and turning midair. This Pokémon uses its flying ability to quickly chase down targeted prey."
(You're going down buddy!) Yanma buzzed.
Stantler pawed the ground. (Well, so long as I get to fight I don't mind having a trainer. Prepare to get squashed you oversized Caterpie!)
"Yanma, use Quick Attack!" The Bug Catcher commanded.
Yanma shot forward at an incredible speed and slammed into Stantler's left side. (Wow, you're fast!) Stantler snorted as he stumbled to the side. (That will make things interesting.)
"Stantler, use Leer!" He commanded. Stantler's eyes glowed bright red and contorted its face into a rictus grin. The Yanma shuttered.
(You...You'll have to do better than that!) Yanma buzzed timidly.
"Use Quick Attack again Yanma!"The Bug Catcher shouted. The Yanma shot at Stantler again but this time Stantler managed to sidestep at the last moment. As a result, Yanma shot past Stantler without hitting him.
"Stantler, use Tackle!" Stantler charged after Yanma and smacked it with his antlers. The Yanma went spinning out of control before slamming into a tree branch. The Yanma grabbed hold of the branch before falling and hug their for a moment. (Ow. I hate hitting trees.) Yanma complained.
"Yanma, use Quick Attack!" The Bug Catcher commaned.
"Stantler, use Tackle!" Ed shouted.
Yanma shot off the branch towards Stantler. At the same time, Stantler charged towards the Yanma. The two slammed together forehead to forehead with a hollow thud. For several moments, the two remained in this position as if neither attack had done any damage. Then Yanma fell to the ground in a dead faint.
Stantler held his head up high and snorted with triumph. (Take that!) After which, the Bug Catcher returned his pokémon, handed Ed his prize money, and went on his way.
"Well that's that then." Eddy said as they left the Greenspur Forest. Like at New Greenvale Town, the route out of the Greenspur Forest went through a gatehouse. Unlike the gatehouse at New Green Town, this one was unoccupied. "Goobye forest, hello city!" Stepping out of the gatehouse, the Eds found themselves on a paved road. There was no grass or anything were a pokémon would be hiding. However, while there were several open spaces, there were a few houses lining the road. "What route is this Double D?"
Double D consulted the map. "According to this, we're in Westerway City."
"Really?" Eddy asked, looking over the few buildings that were in sight. "This is a city?"
"Well according to the guide and map," Double D answered. "These are the outskirts. We'll get into the city proper soon." Sure enough, as they continued to walk down the road more and more buildings began popping up. Eventually, the Eds found themselves in a full blown city.
"The big city fellas," Eddy said look around. "Is there any place on earth that's better to make a big buck?"
"Mole Town from Invasion of the Mallet Men?" Ed asked.
"No, Ed." Double sighed. "Before we do anything, might I suggest that we proceed to the Pokémon Center and heal our pokémon? We do have a Gym Badge to earn after all."
"Alright then," Eddy said as he just walked off in a random direction. "To the Pokémon Center!"
"Right behind yea Eddy!" Ed said as he followed.
"Wait!" Double D cried as he ran after them. "That's the wrong way!"
Next time on Pokemon, the ED-Ventures: The Eds take on the Westerway City Gym.
