Chapter 2: Trick or Treecko

I had promised May that I would battle her today, so I went off that Morning.

I walked into the tall grass and out popped a small, brown and spiky Pokémon.

Zigzagoon

012

Normal Type

1'04" (0.4 m)

38.6 lbs (17.5 kg)

The hair on Zigzagoon's back is bristly. It runs the hard back hair against trees to leave its territorial markings. This Pokémon may play dead to fool foes in battle.

Mudkip used Tackle. It was a Critical Hit. Zigzagoon used Tackle back. Mudkip had this battle in the bag. It used Tackle again, knocking out Zigzagoon.

I reached Oldale Town. It was a quiet little place, but I wasn't complaining. I went to the Pokémon Centre.

"Welcome to the Pokemon Centre" said the Nurse. I have her Mudkip and said I was having a Pokémon battle. "It wouldn't happen to be against May?" asked the Nurse. I said yes. "She popped by and asked me to tell you to not go easy on her. You really shouldn't even if you are Norman's Son."

I got to the end of Route 102 to see May waiting. She was looking off into the distance. "Welcome to the Hoenn Region" she said. She continued to look on. "It's a massive world out there, and you are going to experience a part of it."

She eyed me. It was time for my first Trainer battle!

May sent out her Pokemon. It was small and green, with a red belly and busy green tail.

Treecko

001

Grass Type

Wood Gecko Pokemon

1'08" (0.5 m)

11 lbs (5 kg)

Treecko is cool, calm and collected – it never panics under any situation. If a bigger foe were to glare at this Pokemon, it would glare right back without conceding an inch of ground.

Treecko did just that. Mudkip was a level above Treecko, but Treecko didn't care. It just gave Mudkip a look.

The battle started"Treecko! Pound!" May shouted. Treecko pounded at Mudkip, which it took. Mudkip used Tackle on Treecko, which hit it hard. Treecko came back with another Pound, and Mudkip used Tackle again. "Treecko! Use Leer!" Treecko stared at Mudkip intimidatingly which made Mudkip a bit nervous, lowering its defense. Mudkip then used Growl, which lowered Treecko's Attack. After some Tackle's and Pound's, Treecko was down, giving me my first victory!

"Congrats" shouted May. "Your first step to becoming a Pokemon Trainer! Oh, wait. You are one!"

I looked at Mudkip. Mudkip looked back and we laughed. May handed me some money.

"That's for winning" she said. "What will you spend it on?" I had an idea.

Later, we walked out of the Pokemart with my purchase. "Great idea!" May acknowledged. "So, shall we give them a go?"

Back on Route 101, I walked into the tall grass. Sure enough, I encountered something. A small red wriggly Pokémon.

Wurmple

014

Bug Type

Worm Pokemon

1'00" (0.3 m)

7.9 lbs (3.6 kg)

Using the spikes on its read end, Wurmple peels the bark off trees and feeds on the sap that oozes out. This Pokémon's feet are tipped with suction pads that allow it to cling to glass without slipping.

I sent out Mudkip. Mudkip then hit Wurmple with some mud. It had learned Mud Slap! Not very effective though. Wurmple came back with Tackle. Mudkip barely felt it. Mudkip used Tackle again. It almost knocked out Wurmple. Wurmple used String Shot, lowering Mudkip's speed. I then threw a Pokeball.

I watched it shake, waiting for Wurmple to stay in there and sure enough…

…it did!

"Your first catch!" May shouted. "Your already ahead of me!"

"Oh, I don't like Bug Types very much" said Mum. I told Mum that I had made my decision; I was going on a journey. "Brendan, Norman didn't just become a Gym Leader for the money".

Huh?

"I wanted you to go on a journey yourself. When your Dad become Petalburg's Gym Leader, I knew this would be the moment. Go off and beat your Father! You can do it!"

I thanked Mum. Tomorrow would be a big day.