Disclaimer: I do not own Pokemon, be it the idea, the creatures, or the world. Some of the characters in this story are my own while others can also be creditted back to the original owners. I take no credit for anything not mine, and thank the creators of Pokemon for giving me inspiration.

Chapter VI: Great For Beginners

(Ventus' POV)

Today was certainly a contender for oddest day of my life. In the past few hours, I had gone from being utterly and completely bored, to finding a Pokeball at the lakeside, to being chased through the woods, to finding myself in an actual Pokemon battle… The list just kept going, it was unbelievable. Never would I have imagined this sort of thing happened to me, yet I hoped against hope that it would. And at long last, it seemed those hopes had come to fruition.

Riolu waddled alongside me, quite content, it seemed. The smile it had donned since discovered it would no longer be confined in a Pokeball had yet to leave the small creature's face, and it was with pleasant surprise that I realized one of the founding principals of being a trainer had developed in me; When your Pokemon is happy, you are happy. It was hard to deny that fact, as I too had been grinning since leaving the clinic.

'I still can't believe it…' I thought to myself, my grin widening once more, 'This is really… Real. I'm actually a Pokemon trainer. I'm actually free…'

Dawn giggled and pointed at my head, "If that grin gets any bigger, it's gonna swallow your whole head." She commented teasingly, before asking, "What's got you so happy anyway? You look like a cat that just swallowed the family bird."

Taking a moment to give her a curious glance regarding the odd analogy, I shrugged one shoulder, then the other. "I'm just… Happy, that's all." I said simply, pushing on forward, wanting to make my trip back home as quick as possible.

At professor Rowan's advice, I had decided to return home and inform mother of my departure. I had no worries about her objecting, as she was well aware this was something I really wanted. Besides, even if she did object, I was going anyway. There was NO way I was passing up this opportunity, not for anything. "You're not going to explain, are you?" the girl asked, upon realizing I had drifted into thought, something I was prone to doing.

I shrugged again, "It's just… This. All of this. I always doubted I'd ever get to become a Pokemon trainer, being trapped in that little town all my life, but look at me now. I'm about to get to do what I've always wanted; see the world." I explained to her, kneeling down momentarily to scratch the Pokemon's head, "Not to mention I get to see it with Pokemon. How does it get any better?"

Dawn merely smiled and shook her head, having no answer herself. I rose, and continued on. By my own guess, we had been walking for near ten minutes, and were only now coming up to the taller grass where wild Pokemon liked to lurk. I glanced hesitantly at Dawn, but she merely waved me forward. It was this that had kept me confined for so long; the wild Pokemon that lurked about, offering the unspoken threats of injuries from their attacks… Possibly worse… But I didn't wish to think about that. Hesitating a moment longer, I stepped forward into the grass.

And no sooner then I did, did something jump up at me. The creature struck my chest, causing me to stagger backwards and fall, meriting both a gasp of shock from Dawn, and a whimper from my shorter companion. My vision blurred for but a moment as the wind had been forcefully removed from me, but as it returned, I found my attacker to be… The goofiest looking thing I had EVER seen.

It was no taller then Riolu, but a fair bit longer, looking as though it stood on four legs, but currently sitting and using a mere two to support itself. The creature had twin buck teeth sticking out from the muzzle on its furry face, two beady black eyes sitting just above them. The entire creature was clothed in short, yet thick, brown fur. And just when I thought I would be able to suppress my laughter at the odd creature, it did something that's strangeness rivaled its looks; the creature chirped.

There was no mistaking that sound. That was indeed a chirp. There was no mistaking the other sound in the area either; the sound of myself, howling with laughter at the Pokemon before me. Despite that fact I had been attacked by this very same creature, looking upon it now only made me want to laugh and laugh… And laugh. Dawn grasped my arm and roughly dragged me to my feet. The unknown Pokemon rose from its haunches and took a more aggressive stance… Which of course, looked utterly ridiculous like the rest of it did.

"Well?" Dawn asked expectantly, as though she had spoken already and awaited a response.

I put my laughing spree on hold to give her a questioning glance. She sighed, withdrew her Pokedex, and pointed at the machine, giving me a clear indication of what was expected of me. No longer hesitating, I pulled my own Pokedex free from my vest and aimed the scanner at the Pokemon before me, flipping open the door of the machine simultaneously. "Bidoof." The machine began, my glee returning all at once.

"Hey check it out, this thing talks!" I couldn't help but exclaim, not caring how much of a five year old I sounded like.

"Classification; Plump mouse Pokemon. Despite this small creature's appearance, it has nerves of steel and allows nothing to deter it. Bidoof is surprisingly fast, given its appearance and weight. This Pokemon is heavily regarded as the perfect starting capture for any beginner trainer." The Pokedex explained, before shutting off once more.

I flipped it shut, and tucked it away. "Beginner trainer… Sounds perfect for you." Dawn stated in a rather teasing manner.

"If memory serves, you fit that description pretty well yourself." I shot back, causing her grin to fade away and be replaced by a look of annoyance.

My gaze tilted downwards, towards my small ally, "What do you think Riolu?" I asked, the small fighting Pokemon glancing up at me, "Could be good practice, right?"

The small Pokemon looked hesitant, but quickly nodded, trying it's best to look determined and brave… For me, more then itself, I didn't doubt. What luck, not only had I stumbled upon a cute and rather strong Pokemon, but a loyal one too!

My gaze shifted back to the Bidoof, my mind wandering ever so slightly, 'Now… If only I had a catchy battle theme…' I thought, a small grin taking over my features, for clearly I had been playing too many video games as of late.

Dawn stepped back, no doubt to give us room to battle. The Bidoof's expression turned to one of some determination, as a low growl arose from its throat. Riolu dashed before me, and stood at the ready, and for several moments the only battle taking place… Was a staring contest.

"Riolu, use quick attack!" I shouted, not wanting to be the first one attacked this time.

It was as if someone had rung the bell in a boxing match, for at that moment, the two Pokemon moved. Bidoof rushed forward to tackle my own Pokemon, similar to the way it had tackled me. Riolu, however, moved much faster. It darted from side to side, zigzagging across the small battlefield, before it finally leapt forward. Bidoof turned, and rolled to the side, bringing both attacks to an unsuccessful end.

Once more, my Pokedex flew to my hand, and I scanned the information on Riolu, looking for the supposed attack list. "Try another quick attack!" I called to him, hoping the maneuver would at least hold the enemy at bay until I could find something better.

Riolu flung itself forward, aiming to sling a well aimed punch into his foe. Bidoof, on the other hand, seemed to expect the attack. It folded itself tightly into a ball and waited. The moment the attack struck, the only resulting effect was a slight roll backwards for the wild Pokemon, who itself looked unharmed as it regained its battle stance.

'Here's something…' I thought to myself, having finally found the list I sought, "Riolu, use Force Palm!"

The small Pokemon complied, tightly clenching one paw into a fist again and again, performing the action quicker and quicker until… Was that a spark? Bidoof charged forward and leapt into the air, ready to pounce on the fighting Pokemon… Only to be met with a hard slap.

The attack sent the buck toothed Pokemon sprawling, and it showed no signs of rising, or even a desire to move. Sparks danced along the creature's fur, almost as if the Bidoof was a prisoner of them. 'Wait! That's paralysis!' my mind reminded me.

Riolu stepped forward, ready to continue, but my voice caused him to stop, "That's enough Riolu, its over." I told him, gesturing for him to come back.

Dawn approached me as I tucked away my Pokedex, "What do you mean it's over? That Bidoof isn't even knocked out yet. Aren't you going to capture it?"

I gestured towards the injured Pokemon, "It's not a matter of whether I want to catch it or not, just look at it. It can't even move, so it wouldn't be a fair fight anymore. Don't you think so?" I asked her, causing the girl's eyes to widen.

"That's not…" she began, hesitating a moment, "That's not how you're supposed to do things as a trainer…"

I shrugged one shoulder and knelt down, grinning at Riolu and gently patting the creature's head. "Nice job buddy. You did great." I assured him, causing the creature to flash me a grin of its own.

Some rustling from ahead alerted us to movement, but when I looked, the Bidoof was missing; the pushed aside grass just beyond where it lay giving no wrong impression of where it went. Dawn grinned, "Guess it could move after all. Looks like you still have a lot to learn Ventus." She said, patting my shoulder.

A small sigh escaped me as I rose once more. I was sure I had done the right thing by not continuing, for I really thought the Bidoof was too hurt to continue. But HAD I done the right thing? Dawn said it wasn't what I should have done, and even now I wondered if I had just instilled false confidence in my Pokemon. "Maybe you're right…" I murmured, starting forward again.

'Maybe I'm still a rookie with a lot to learn but… At least I know what mercy is.' I thought to myself, quite unsure of what to make of the whole situation.

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At this point, I would like to that Foxicles, Blue Flyhight, Cake, and Araleon for reviewing. The reviews help, and they make me more motivated to work on the story. Thanks guys

And to Araleon, in regards to your question; No, Ventus won't be reciving a Pokemon from the professor, but you'll find out what's done with the remaining two (Dawn has Piplup, remember) during the story.