After making their way down a short dirt path from Viridian City, Green and Machop found themselves in front of an arched entrance formed by the curving tree branches of Viridian Forest. The trees were tall and thick, with strong branches overlapping each other to form a tight knit canopy above. After taking in the imposing scenery Green took a few steps forward into the forest with Machop following behind, making sure to hide himself behind Green's leg. As they entered they were plunged into darkness as their eyes adjusted to the lack of sunlight. After a brief moment of blindness they look around them in awe at the sight of the forest scenery. Green had never seen anything like it before, she had always heard Viridian Forest was an imposing place but she never expected anything like this. Before them was a large open area, fenced off by the tightly spaced thick tree trunks of the forest. The floor was covered in moss, leaves and small bushes creating a natural carpet along the floor. Machop happily ran ahead, loving the soft squishy feeling of the ground. It was springy and light, he felt as if each of his steps bounced slightly like he was walking on a bed. All around them the humming and buzzing of bugs could be heard. Butterfree, big butterfly like pokémon flew overhead in the canopy, disappearing in and out of the large leaves forming it's roof. They sung a high melodic tune as they did, pairing up and dancing around each other. Occasionally they would turn around and shake their behinds at each other rhythmically, causing the other's big red eyes to light up with a hypnotic blinking pattern like a disco floor.
"Wow... " Green whispered as she stood there dumbfounded, staring in awe at the completely alien world around her.
Green was interrupted by a weaselly little snigger coming from her right. She turned her head and a group of teenagers all dressed up in big safari hats with nets draping down over their faces and matching light brown khakis. They smirked and sneered at her, one leaned against his long bug catching net and looked her up and down before raising his eyebrows at her. Up until now she hadn't minded the occasional glance sent her way, she was used to it to some degree by now. However, that look just sent a shiver up her spine in all the wrong ways. She couldn't help but grit her teeth as she cringed. Green looked down at Machop and he was gritting his teeth too but in anger, he had taken a wide stance like he was preparing for battle. That's when it clicked with Green, these were trainers, they were challenging her. The absolute devastating cringe had distracted her from the most basic unwritten Pokémon rule.
If a trainer looks you in the eye, it is an assertion that they think you're weaker than them and that they challenge you to a battle. To deny the battle is an admittance that you concede and they are in fact the strongest.
Green scowled and stood her ground, she wasn't about to be looked down on by a bunch of bug catchers. As she stared them down the guy leaning on his bug net stood up and picked up a small container with a handle on the top. The top popped open and from it he retrieved two pokéballs.
"You sure you can handle yourself? Have you even been in a battle before?" He asked condescendingly, his friends snickering in the background.
"Can you? All you do is train bugs, even toddlers can get a Caterpie to evolve." She said coldly as Machop stepped forward in front of her.
The bug catcher's sneer disappeared and he scowled at her, his brow furrowing. He opened his pokéball and with a dazzling burst of red light a Caterpie materialised in front of him. It's bulbous black eyes bulged as it stared at Machop, it's slinky tail-like body shifting back and forth in the moss as it sized him up.
"Rich coming from a newbie, you may be hot sweetheart but looks aren't gonna get you anywhere in a battle. Is that daddy's pokémon there? Was it your going away present?" He asked in a sleazy, mocking tone. "How can you take yourself so seriously when you haven't even caught a pokémon yet?"
Green felt a hot burning sensation in her chest as a rage fired up inside her. She clenched her fists by her side and stared the guy straight in the eyes. Her teeth clicked as she pressed them together tightly, resisting the urge to scream at this asshole.
"Shut up and battle." She muttered, her heart was thumping so hard in her chest she could feel it in the back of her throat.
The bug catcher smirked and pointed at Machop.
"Go Caterpie use string shot!" He cried out.
Caterpie coiled it's head in and the red, pronged antenna on it's head began to glow a bright green as it charged up a shot. Green instantly called back in response.
"Charge him and dodge, get close!" She yelled out to Machop.
Machop ran straight at Caterpie as it charged it's shot, his feet springing off the mossy floor as he ran propelling him with each step. The Caterpie's cheeks swelled up and glowed bright green. Just as Machop got into arm's length of Caterpie it jerked it's head forward and fired out a thick shot of sticky webbing at him. Reflexively, Machop kicked off the ground and flipped over the shot. He spun through the air and brought his foot down at Caterpie. The Caterpie cried out and tried to roll out of the way, partially dodging the attack but still getting clipped on the back of the head by the kick. It skidded on some leaves before using the bud on the end of it's tail to stop itself.
"Don't dawdle, tackle!" The bug catcher cried out desperately, the smug look on his face had gone and was replaced by a look of concern.
Before Machop could react, Caterpie launched itself at him and crashed into his chest, knocking him onto his back. Machop braced as he hit the ground and quickly flipped back onto his feet. Without command he grabbed Caterpie's antenna and slammed his knee into it's forehead. The Caterpie cried out and fell too the side, squirming on the ground as it tried to regain it's bearings.
"Don't let him recover, finish it Machop!" Green called to him, pumping her fist excitedly.
Machop leapt at the Caterpie and kicked it hard again in the head. It spun away from him across the ground and fainted. Machop sneered at the bewildered bug catcher before running back to Green. She fist bumped him and gave him a thumbs up.
"Great job buddy but don't let your guard down there's still another and this guy is really mad now!" She said encouragingly as she looked over at the bug catcher.
He was absolutely fuming, after returning Caterpie he dropped his box and kicked it away before storming over to another trainer. Green hadn't noticed this one up until now. He was sitting at the back of the group, fiddling with a berry canister and clearly not interested in what was happening. He looked to be a bit older than the rest of them, even older than herself, maybe in his late 20's. The bug catcher stormed up to him and grabbed his arm, getting his attention.
"Give him to me I need to beat this punk trainer, she thinks she's a hot shot cause she got given a premium pokémon! He'll even things up a bit!" He spat at him, spit flying as he yelled.
The trainer just raised an eyebrow at him and put down the canister to face him.
"Jackson, having a stronger pokémon won't-" He tried to say but was cut off.
"Shut up! I don't care just give him to me!" He was screaming now and tears of frustration welled in his eyes.
The trainer just sighed and retrieved a pokéball, Jackson snatched it from him and turned away to storm back to the fight. The older trainer shook his head and turned to watch the fight.
"Stupid kid, he never learns..." He grumbled.
Jackson's other friends were looking away awkwardly now and shuffling their feet, one even got up and left with an embarrassed look on his face. The others looked around at each other before nodding and following him. Jackson smugly smirked at Green and held out the pokéball.
"This will even things up against your pedigree pokémon here, now that their skill levels are equal our differences will become obvious!" He snootily said as he pompously held his nose up in the air.
Green just rolled her eyes and waited for him to just get on with it. Machop on the other hand was looking even more fired up, his eyes were blazing with excitement as they focused onto the pokéball waiting anxiously to see what it was. Jackson released the pokéball and with a bright red flash a huge Scyther materialised. It stretched out it's bladed arms ass it yawned and looked around drowsily. It's green armoured body sparkled as the thin lines of sunlight poking through the small gaps in the canopy above, cascaded down onto it's body. The wings on it's back flickered and buzzed while it continued to just stare at Green, a look of confusion on it's face.
"Get him Scyther! Show her who's in charge around here!" Jackson called out, his voice cracking as he did.
Scyther just looked back at Jackson with a bewildered look, not sure what was even happening. He looked back and saw nothing in front of him except Green. Machop was so small compared to him that he was standing below his field of vision. Again he looked back confused and glanced to his trainer who just watched with a neutral face.
Machop on the other hand couldn't contain himself and as soon as Jackson yelled his command out at Scyther, Machop took off sprinting towards him. Green just smirked and as Scyther looked around confused she calmly called out to Machop.
"Go low buddy!" She folded her arms and leaned on her hip as she watched on.
Scyther heard that and looked down to see Machop sweeping a kick at his leg. Machop's leg was glowing with orange essence, it ignited around his calf and ankle with a blaze. He struck Scyther's shin and sent him violently crashing down to the ground. As a stunned Scyther fell down towards the ground Machop flipped up and bicycle kicked Scyther in the head, again his leg blazed with the same orange essence. Scyther cried out as he hit the ground, sending leaves and moss flying everywhere. He lay there stunned for a few seconds.
"Get back Machop, stay out of range of those blades!" Green called out.
Machop hopped back and stood ready for Scyther's return attack. Scyther pushed himself up off the ground, shaking with rage. With a fury in his eyes he stared down at Machop but to both his and Green's surprise Scyther turned to face Jackson.
"SCYTHER!" He screamed at Jackson, raising up his blades furiously at him.
Jackson squealed with fear but quickly the older trainer snatched the ball from his hand and pointed it at Scyther, recalling him before he could swing at Jackson. He stood above Jackson, looking furious at him.
"He concedes... " The guy said to Green without looking away from a shell shocked Jackson.
"Dammit Jackson! You feel strong now?!Pick up your pokémon and go home! Dad's gonna hear about this when I get back! I'm sick of your shit dude, my pokémon are way beyond your level right now and they aren't toys! They are dangerous, wild creatures that will and can hurt you!" He yelled as he lectured him.
Jackson looked up at him still with the same shocked look and just quickly turned, picked up his discarded pokéball box and scurried off down the forest path out of sight. Green couldn't help but admire this guy, the way he got all serious and angry with Jackson made her really excited. She wasn't sure why but she found it super hot. The guy took a long deep breath and let out a long frustrated sigh. He turned to Green and approached her, which sent Green's stomach tying itself into knots.
"Hey sorry about my brother, my name's Dan what's yours?" He asked, now standing a few feet in front of her.
Green looked up at him and into his dark blue eyes which matched with his short grape purple hair. He lifted the brim of his hat to look down at her as he awaited her answer.
"Uh, oh uh my name? Well um G-Green, that's my name." She stammered out, fidgeting awkwardly with her jacket buttons.
Dan smiled gently and folded his arms as he leaned back slightly.
"Well Green, you and your Machop did a great job especially if that really was your first battle!" He said enthusiastically.
Green blushed and laughed awkwardly, clutching the back of her head.
"You too! Uh wait- no I mean- your pokémon- your Scyther it's uh really impressive?" She asked as she stumbled through her words.
She felt her heart race in her chest from the embarrassment. She couldn't believe she was acting like this, it was like she just forgot how to speak. She almost died inside as she watched Dan raise his eyebrows in surprise at her and try not to laugh.
"Well thanks, I'm a teacher at Pewter's pokémon school so I feel like it's my responsibility to guide new trainers when I can. Even if they are insufferable like my brother." He said with a laugh.
Green giggled along and just decided to nod and smile, words were apparently to advanced for her right now.
"I thought I could give you some advice about the essence you saw the pokémon emitting during the fight, it's a product of the energy that allows pokémon to do the amazing things they can do. Each type uses a different type of energy which you can see by the difference in colour. Pokémon like your Machop here," he said as he bent down and gave Machop a smile, "use what is called Aura to boost their physical strength and durability. That orange blaze you saw was a sign that Machop here was putting in a ton of energy into his attacks, thus the energy had to escape his physical form and manifested into the blaze you saw." Dan said slowly and gently as he carefully explained the energy system to her.
Green nodded along politely but in reality she already knew this, she had the whole system memorised countless times over from reading Professor Oak's notes on it as well as the advanced trainer guide she always studied before bed. She knew how there were 3 root types of energy, Elemental, Spiritual and Aura. That Elemental energy was used to manifest attacks from the element in question as well as defence. It tapped into the energies that flow around the planet from great sources of the element and increase in power when near them. Like how water pokémon are stronger on the ocean and rock pokémon are stronger in caves. That spiritual energy was used to manifest special attacks from different vibration plains. Such as the mental realm, spirit realm and from the souls of living beings. Like elemental energy it can be used offensively and defensively and with enough power can even manifest into physical attacks. It grows stronger near places associated with the specific type of spirituality connected to the type. Ghost types will grow stronger near graveyards and old battle fields. While Dark types will grow stronger near places filled with negative emotions, like prisons and mourning sites. Finally she was well read up on Aura and how Fighting, Normal and Bug types made use of it. While Fighting and Bug use it how Dan described by boosting their strength and durability of their natural bodies. Normal types specialised in it, using it to exaggerate an already existing part of their body. It's the reason why pokémon like Jigglypuff feel so soft and bouncy while being nearly indestructible.
While she already knew this she didn't stop Dan, she liked watching him talk and how passionately excited he was getting over it all. Once he had finished she smiled and gave him a nod.
"Thanks, that really makes sense now." She said calmly now, her initial shock had faded.
While he still made her weak in her stomach she was composed enough to at least talk again. Dan beamed happily and stood back up.
"Great! Glad I could help! I assume you're heading off to Pewter to challenge Brock. If you follow that path it'll take you right there." He said sweetly, pointing to a narrow trail lined either side by huge imposing trees.
Green smiled and nodded, glancing over to where he was pointing.
"Are you coming back too?" She asked quietly and shyly.
Dan shook his head and laughed, turning back towards where he had been sitting.
"I'm afraid not, while I look forward to seeing Jackson face the consequences of his actions back home, I still have work to do here. I'm collecting Caterpie and Weedle for my students to practice with." He said happily, sounding a little proud as he sat back down and picked up his berry canister.
Green felt a twang of disappointment but didn't have the courage to say anything. Instead she just stood there for a second before turning to make her way down the path.
"Uh, good luck then!" She called out, her voice wavering slightly as she did.
Dan waved and gave her a smile before crawling into the underbrush before him. Green walked onto the path and once she was clear she let out a happy sigh.
"Fuck he was cute..." She sighed out and looked down at Machop.
He was looking back at Dan jealously, narrowing his eyes at him. Green smiled and picked him up, sitting him on her shoulder.
"You by the way were amazing buddy! I reckon we could have taken that Scyther easily if it attacked us instead!" She said as she pumped her fist up to Machop.
Machop smiled widely and punched the air.
"Ma! Chop!" He cried out, grinning gleefully as he threw punches out wildly.
Green giggled and rubbed his head before reaching into the side pocket of her bag and retrieving the pamphlet Joy gave her on Machops. She opened it up and was met with an info-graphic detailing the evolution line of Machop along with titbits of information about each stage. At the bottom of the pamphlet was a QR code labelled
Scan for Pokédex Narration
Green unzipped a small side pocket on her bag and pulled out Red's old pokédex. She looked down at it and sighed before flicking it open and scanning the QR code. A small face appeared on the screen and began reading off the pamphlet.
"Machop, the Superpower Pokémon is the first and smallest of it's evolution line. Their dense and tightly packed muscles afford them great strength despite their small size. Combined with their lower weight class, Machop are extremely agile and nimble fighters. A well trained Machop will prefer to use this agility to whittle away at their opponents defence with fast and precise strikes. While their dense muscles allow them increased durability they are still vulnerable against larger opponents and must be cautious of allowing themselves to be hit. It is not uncommon for Machops to be knocked out in one hit by much larger foes." The monotone voice of the pokédex stated.
Green paused the Pokédex and looked back at Machop who was looking at the pamphlet intensely, he was staring at the pictures of Machoke and Machamp the same way he had been looking at Scyther before. Green smiled and ruffled the top of his head.
"That's what you want to become one day huh?" She asked gently.
Machop looked at her and nodded, pumping his fists excitedly. Green giggled and lowered him back onto the ground, letting him run ahead. He ran forward and began punching the trees excitedly, shaking them and causing leaves to fall all around them. His fists sent echoing booms throughout the forest that reverberated off the trees around them like a cave. Green unpaused the pokédex as she kept an eye on Machop.
"Machop are quite childish and erratic both in and out of battle. They require close and careful mentoring in order to fully reach their potential. Once a Machop begins to refine their fighting style to their unique personalities it is a sign that they will evolve soon. The differences between a Machop and a Machoke are quite pronounced, not only physically as Machoke are usually between 5 to 6 feet in height but socially too. Machoke take on a protector role after evolution as they reach sexual maturity, they may become much more aggressive and unruly or more reserved and calm. It really depends on the Machoke. However, all Machoke retain their muscle density and will become excessively strong. Make sure to properly train your Machoke on the limits of their strength or they may accidentally hurt themselves or others." Green paused the pokédex and closed, looking at the picture of Machoke curiously.
She knew evolution changed pokémon quite drastically sometimes but she wasn't expecting such a dramatic change of personality for Machop. She watched as he playfully ran between the massive trees, punching and kicking them wildly, sending pieces of bark flying off.
"Could he really become the aggressive, super powered hulk described in the pokédex?" She thought to herself, a concerned look on her face.
As she pondered on this issue the two of them came out into another open clearing within the forest, with an arched exit on the other side. Green was distracted from her thoughts as she saw the same group of bug catchers waiting by the exit. They saw her too and awkwardly glanced over at her. Machop noticed them and scowled, running back to Green and taking a challenging stance towards them. As Green walked across the clearing towards them, as a group they approached her. Green braced internally for more cringe but didn't stop walking.
"Hey sorry about before, Jackson went too far. We just haze new trainers but what he did was just cruel really. " One of the trainers said quietly, stepping in front of Green as he looked down at his shoes.
The others nodded in agreement, dodging Green's eyes.
"Yeah and like, you are a pretty cool trainer too." Another one piped up, looking up at Green before blushing and darting his eyes away.
Green couldn't help but smile and chuckle a little, the dread in her stomach disappearing as she sympathised with them.
"Hey don't worry about it, I know what it's like to know someone who acts like an ass. Thanks for apologising guys. " She said sweetly, giving them a warm smile
They all looked up at her relieved and grinned back.
"Cool! Well good luck with Brock miss, he's no joke!" One called out.
"Oh yeah, none of us can beat him he's really good!" Another chimed in.
They turned and made their way out of the forest with Green trailing behind them. Again, she momentarily couldn't see anything as the light blinded her. Once her vision returned she saw as the boys ran ahead along a short windy dirt path towards Pewter City. She stared in awe at the rolling mountainside that encased the city, as well as the large hills the shot up in the city with impressive structures on top. The deep brown roof of the Pewter City gym with it's shining, white pokéball logo stood out amongst the grey roof tops of the surrounding buildings below the hill it sat on top of. Behind, a magnificent looking museum sat on a series of sprawling hills. The large and imposing side of a mountain pressing up against it's back. With an excited, gleeful laugh Green ran down the path towards Pewter with Machop at her heels.