Bulbasaur's Hidden Energy

Professor Birch had greeted them happily as the afternoon sun hit the Palm Island Trees of Littleroot Town. His laboratory was perched high on a hilltop that looked down over the sparkling ocean and the houses and boats of the nearby harbour. Rod and Forrest sat in the main living room, carpeted red and windows open ablazed, reading the various books as their Pokemon played outside with the Hoenn Starters: Treeko, Mudkip and Torchic.

Birch spoke, his large build was due to his outdoor based research. "So Rod, do you intend to stay in Hoenn for long?"

Rod replied, as Forrest stood up and looked outside the window at the Pokemon playing. "Yes, I want to take on the Hoenn League and win."

"That's a very bold objective, and your companion here tells me you know what you're doing."

"My Father is a Gym Leader, so I've watched a lot of battles. I'm just not too sure where to start here in Hoenn."

Rod spoke the truth, he had never been to Hoenn before and a few tourist guides and maps failed to truly represent correct directions to Gyms and other attractions for Pokemon Trainers. Birch then spoke again stroking his chin and glancing at a Region map on the wall. "The nearest town with a Gym to here is Petalburg City. Gym Leader there is Norman, but he is known for leaving the City to travel throughout the year. If he's not there then Roxanne's gym in Rustboro may be your best bet, or take to the seas and visit Brawley at the Dewford City gym."

Their conversation continued and the type of Pokemon that each leader specialised. Rod learnt more about the Champion and Elite Four of the region, and how they have all held their positions for several years running now.

Birch commented on Rod's Pokemon, looking at his Bulbasaur. "Your Bulbasaur looks very agile for such a young age, I hear it is learning Energy Ball slowly?"

"Yes," Rod's reply was made at a distance as he too stood by the window looking at the Seed Pokemon attempting to gather energy. "Were nearly there, it's just lacking power and accuracy."

He told Birch about the battle with Damon, and was surprised as Birch's eyes opened widely. "Damon you say? Why he started his journey here very recently, gave him his first Pokemon - a Treeko, only about a month ago."

"He's a tough trainer."

"Yes, but he didn't seem to have much brains if you know what I mean."

Rod nodded and smiled at the memory of his Bulbasaur landing the perfect Razor Leaf on Damon's Bagon, the dragon Pokemon's weakness was its back and Damon had no idea.

"If you want help learning Energy Ball, I may be able to assist. But it's not an easy task. Learning such a powerful move requires battling experience, and I may have the perfect opponent for you."

"Let's do it!" Rod replied eagerly, Bulbasaur with an Energy Ball asset would be great in future battles especially with Gyms. "Which Pokemon are you going to use?"

"My Poochyena."

They walked outside where Slugma was introducing himself still to the other Pokemon as Staravia played in the trees and Ariados spinning a web below to rest upon. The took a few paces back as Forrest looked on preparing Pokemon food for dinner.

Birch released Poochyena and the Bite Dog Pokemon appeared and growled as Bulbasaur got into position. Birch then called: "Ok Rod, to learn this move get Bulbasaur to use it constantly when under pressure. It will teach it how master and control its own strength."

"Bulbasaur, Energy Ball!"

"Poochyena, Tackle!"

…

Mistralton City was quiet as Daniel and his team left the Pokemon Centre. A day had passed since the unexpected encounter with the Team Rocket Gym Leaders, and time was running short. He had been in contact with the Prime Minister, who decided to meet his associates in Castelia City, and a decision was made. They were to head to Twist Mountain and exchange deals. No fighting and no battling. Just a deal. During the discussion, another agent was to sneak around to Icirrus City and drop the coded message into the residence of the Ex-Team Rocket member. The only confusing point was so to who the second target Team Rocket were after, but little did they know that the target was already on a plane to Kanto high above.

Erika, the former Celadon City Gym Leader was on the plane. She sat across from former Plasma Leader N drinking champagne slowly as they engaged in conversation. N had been imprisoned for his actions to take over the Unova region against his will several years ago. He had grown up a lot more now, and Team Rocket seemed to be the perfect outlet to escape the depression left for him in Unova. His Team Plasma associates were all imprisoned, and the Sages and Ghetsis had not been seen for years. But N still remained. Team Rocket bailed him out of Driftveil Prison, paying a ridiculous amount of money and N only had good ideas to bring to them. They set him free after years of hell, and now he had the opportunity to rule a Kingdom again.

Erika spoke laughing softly: "So you agree that you will help us regain Kanto."

N replied with a smile: "I'm in your debt for releasing me from my imprisonment, my Pokemon are now yours and also my ability. Allow me to help you in any way I can."

"Very good. We start Project D soon, and the Elite 4 will have no choice but to subside."

…

"That's perfect!" Birch called out as Bulbasaur landed another Energy Ball perfectly at a jumping Poochyena.

"Keep it going Bulbasaur don't back down!" The Seed Pokemon cried out again as it released another volley of Energy Balls at Poochyena who was hit by every single one before buckling slightly towards the ground.

Birch called a stop, and Poochyena was returned tired and panting. "I think your Bulbasaur has mastered that move, how exciting that learnt it so quickly."

"My Bulbasaur is just so confident, and I'm sure we'll grow together in this region." Rod replied happily whilst patting his Bulbasaur on its head.

They both walked back inside as Forrest fed the Pokemon before approaching them both. "Hey Rod, if were going to make it to Oldale Town before dark we better get moving."

Rod agreed and thanked Birch again for his help. "Anytime!" He replied and gave them both a satchel containing more berries to last them the trip over there. "Oldale Town is rather small, but Petalburg is where you want to be at the end. Good Luck in all your gym battles Rod, and you too Forrest with your breeding."

They returned their Pokemon and left the lab half an hour later both discussing the amazing intelligence that Birch had within him. He knew everything about Pokemon theoretically and also about their physical nature and habitats. It was something many researchers alike seemed to lack was the nature of the Pokemon and how they react.

The sun was setting high above them as evening began to roll in. The sea breeze dimmed down as they walked through the grasslands adjacent to Littleroot Town. It was known as the Town Of New Beginnings, a phrase read on a sign as they arrived earlier that morning. Rod and Forrest continued to talk, laughing about catching new Pokemon and the adventures that set forth ahead of them.

Oldale Town appeared very quickly, a small village containing a market and a Pokemon Centre with a few houses higher in the hills. It was created to aid passer byers with directions and a place to stay. They entered the Pokemon Centre to its warm and friendly atmosphere, gave their Pokemon to Nurse Joy to heal and settled down in the Café watching the sun set over the trees.

Rod spoke first: "So where do we head to tomorrow?"

"Well Petalburg is fairly close, and we can see if the Gym is open for you. I want to attend a small Breeder workshop over there as well, see what sort of berries they use." Forrest replied reading another tourist guide of the city.

"Sounds good, I wonder what Pokemon they'll use at the gym."

"Who knows, but you'll do well if you stick to your game plan. That's the key!"

Their food arrived, hot and steaming Curry Rice and they munched it down hungrily realising they hadn't eaten since that morning with the Shroomish incident. Sleep came quickly that night in the Pokemon Centre as Rod once again dreamt of the Hoenn League and the adventures that were set before him in the Hoenn Region.