Season 01

Episode 04

Buggy encounter

The next morning they were having breakfast. While Crystal and Heather were eating sandwiches, most of the Pokemon were eating their regular Pokemon food. The only difference was Mudbray which was happily eating some specially prepared mud. Nurse Joy had dug up some dry dirty from the area outside the Pokemon Center. She softened it with water to create mud and stirred in vitamins.

'Do you still want to head for the Safari Zone?' Heather spoke up.

'We might as well.' Crystal sipped her drink. 'If anything happens along the way, then we will just have to deal with it.'

'Well, for now, let's head back into the forest. I want to catch a Pidgie or Spearow. It would be helpful in finding locations to sleep or gathering herbs and other things.' Heather bit into a sandwich.

'That's a good idea.'

So they all finished eating, thanked Nurse Joy and left the Pokemon Center. It took them a little while to reach the area of the forest where they had found Mudbray. They all worked together to to prepare the camp. Charmander lit the fire with his tail while Heather put the tent up.

'OK Bulbasaur. You see those fruits in the tree here?' Crystal pointed to a tree. 'Why don't you try using your vines to grab some of them. Squirtle, you can try shooting fruit down from that tree.'

Crystal had started to train her Pokemon while sat on the back of Arcanine. Mudbray was watching them while stood next to Arcanine. After a moment, Charmander came over to them.

'Sorry Charmander, I can't have you shooting fire into the trees. With your lack of skill with Ember, we don't want to cause a forest fire do we.' Crystal reached down and patted him on the head. 'I may have some training for you.'

Bulbasaur was trying to use Vine Whip to reach for the fruit but was struggling to reach them despite them not being very high. The vines were unsteady. Squirtle was struggling as well. With some effort he was managing to use Water Gun, but it had little accuracy and barely enough force to wet the fruit let alone knock them down.

After a while Heather had been cooking up dinner. 'Foods ready, come and get it!'

'OK guys, let's take a break and eat.' Crystal called to her Pokemon.

They went over to the picnic area in front of the tent. Mudbray watched as Crystal's other Pokemon helped her off Arcanine and into a sitting position on the blanket. As Heather was handing out the food there was a rustling in the trees which alerted Arcanine who ready himself. Charmander also got ready.

'What is it?' Crystal was trying to turn and see.

A Pokemon drifted towards them from the trees. It wasn't acting aggressive but it didn't change its course.

'Oh, it's a Ledyba.' Heather spoke up.

'A Ledyba?' Crystal couldn't see it yet. 'Settle down guys. Let's see what it wants.'

Arcanine calmed his stance but didn't stop watching the Ledyba. The Ledyba hovered just above the camping area before landing next to the table. It was looking at a jug filled with juice. Crystal could see it now.

'I see. So this drink got your attention did it?' Heather smiled.

'Ledy.' the Ledyba nodded.

'Would you like a drink?'

'Ledydy.' Ledyba was happy.

'Well then. Give me a moment.' Heather reached for a beaker. After filling it, she handed it to Ledyba. 'Here you go. Enjoy.'

'Ledy.' Ledyba accepted the beaker in both hands. Sniffing the drink, it took a sip and a bright smile appeared on its face. It the guzzled it down. 'Ledydydy. Ledy. Ledydy.' it was very happy.

'I see that you enjoyed it.' Heather spoke up.

'Ledy.' Ledyba beamed.

'You're quite welcome.' Heather smiled.

Ledyba took flight and went back into the trees.

'I guess it smelt the drink and was curious.' Heather watched it leave.

'What is that drink?' Crystal asked.

'It's a fruit and berry juice. It's quite sweet.' Heather returned to handing out the food.

They were all happily eating away and were almost done when the Ledyba returned. It landed next to Heather and offered some plants that it was carrying.

Heather accepted them. 'Wait. Are these for me?' she was shocked.

'What are they?' Crystal spoke up.

'These are medicinal herbs.'

'Wow. That is a surprise.'

'Are these as a thanks for the drink?' Heather asked Ledyba.

'Ledy.' Ledyba replied.

'Well then. I thank you.' Heather accepted the herbs.

Ledyba flew away.

'Well that was interesting.' Heather smiled.

'That's true. Nothing wrong with interesting.' Heather smiled as she put the herbs away.

Crystal returned to training her Pokemon. This time, she had Charmander, Squirtle, Bulbasaur and even Mudbray take turns in trying to lift her. Mudbray would be crouched and waiting for the others to lift Crystal onto his back. Bulbasaur used her vines to wrap round Crystal without being too tight and lifted her. It wasn't easy as she either ended up being too tight and hurting her a little or too loose and almost dropping her. Charmander and Squirtle had the problem of their arms being too short and ended up working together as usual. Standing either side of Crystal, they would scoop her up and sit her sideways on Mudbray's back. Bulbasaur continued to to have difficulty with her grip. Every time Crystal was placed on his back, he would enthusiastically stand up causing Crystal to loose her balance forcing he others to steady her.

Finally being sat on the ground Crystal called her Pokemon over to her. Gently gripping Mudbray's face she smiled gently. 'I can see that you're eager to help, but you need to calm down. Moving too quite will throw me off your back. You need to move smoothly.' she sees that Mudbray is saddened. 'I am not angry with you. You're young. Probably younger than Charmander, Squirtle and Bulbasaur. It will take take for you to get it right.' she placed her forehead against Mudbray's.

'Bray.' Mudbray sounded sad.

'Bulbasaur. You don't need to be sad either. It will take time for you to train with your vines. Not only do you need to increase their strength, but you cannot deny how delicate they need to be. The strength to lift me, while being delicate enough to grip me without causing harm or dropping me.' she rubbed her head.

'Charmander. Squirtle. Your problem is not in strength or delicacy. It is in your size. Sadly, as you have learned, neither of you are big enough to hold me alone. I do not hold that against you. Instead, you have learned to work together. I am proud.'

'Char.' Charmander was happy.

'Squirtle.' Squirtle was also happy.

'Now then. I need to say something important to all of you, so will you listen carefully?' she waited for them to focus on her. 'You need to accept that this is not a challenge to see which of you is better at helping me, but in fact is a matter of teamwork. If you work together, you will do far better than aiming to be better than each other. Competing with each other will harm not only each of you, but also myself. You each have your strengths and weaknesses. Work together to so you can prevent the others weaknesses being a problem.' she smiled. 'Do you understand?' They all nodded. 'Well then. We will rest up before going to sleep.'

Crystal sat next to the fire talking to Heather about one thing or another. All of the Pokemon were laying around. Eventually they knuckled down to sleep. Charmander and Squirtle had carried Crystal far enough into the tent that she could do the rest on her own. Heather climbed into the tent along with her and zipped up the door. All of the Pokemon circled around the tent, finding their own spots to sleep. Arcanine was laid in front of the tent door.

Morning soon came and Heather prepared breakfast for everyone.

'I wish I could do the cooking.' Crystal spoke up.

'Don't worry about it Crystal.' Heather replied as she handed her a plate of food and a drink.

Heather then gave all of the Pokemon their breakfast before sitting down with her own.

'I guess we just keep following the route and into Pewter City. We can use the Pokemon Center to rest up. We could even try the Pewter City Gym to see if they would be willing to let use use the facilities for some training. The Gym Leader may even be able to give some advice.' Heather spoke up.

'That's a good idea.' Crystal was about to have a drink when she noticed something. 'Hey. Isn't that the Ledyba from yesterday?'

Heather looked round and saw the Pokemon flying towards them. The Ledyba landed next to Heather and offered her some herbs. This times they were and assortment of seasoning's. 'Are you offering these in exchange for another one of those drinks from yesterday?'

'Ledydy.' it nodded.

'Well aren't you a smart and courteous one.' Heather replied. 'Very well. Just wait a moment.' she rummaged for some of the juice and handed it to Ledyba. 'Here you. Enjoy.'

'Ledydy.' Ledyba replied and drank the fruit and berry juice. It then politely offered the beaker back to Heather with a big smile.

'You certainly enjoy this drink don't you.' Heather spoke up.

'Ledydy.' it was happy. It then flew off again.

As soon as it was out of sight Heather looked at Crystal. 'Do you get the feeling that it will be back for another drink?'

'I wouldn't be surprised.' Crystal sipped her drink.

After they packed up camp, they all set off towards Pewter City while talking. Just as they left the forest and about to enter the City, Arcanine looked back towards the forest. Everyone else looked as well.

'Like I said this morning. I would not be surprised.' Crystal spoke up.

Sure enough, there was Ledyba heading towards us, and yet again, it was carrying herbs.

Heather knelt down in front of Ledyba. 'Listen Ledyba. It is good that you enjoy the drink that I made, and I appreciate the herbs in exchange for the drinks, but sadly this needs to stop.' she sighed a little. 'Were you willing to following me all over Kanto, popping up daily with a bunch of herbs? If you are, where would you be getting the herbs from? Would you without realising it, grab them from someone's garden?'

'Ledy.' Ledyba was looking sad.

'The way I see it Ledyba, is that you have two choices. The first is to return to the forest and continue what you were doing before you met us. The second choice is to join us.' Heather pulled out one of her spare Pokeballs. 'If you come with me and join our team, you will get to have that drink as regularly as possible.' she held the Pokeball out in front of her. 'The choice is yours.'

Ledyba looked back at the forest, then to Heather. Then with a big smile it tapped the Pokeball and vanished inside. Heather then brought it out. 'Welcome to the team Ledyba.' she offered her hands.

Ledyba placed its hands on Heather's. 'Ledydy.' it was almost jumping with joy.