"I see! So that's what happened. I was worried that it ran off."
"Yeah, looks like I managed to impress him and decided to follow me all the way here."
"I can see that. If you don't have a problem with it, then, by all means, take him as yours!"
"Thanks, Professor. I'll take care of him!"
"I'm sure you will, and it helps me know that you have a Pokémon with you now. Well then, I have to go. Take care of yourself."
"I will, bye professor!" Ed hangs out his call from the Pokémon Center's booth.
You're asking why was he talking with the professor? Well, turns out that the Charmander that helped him in the last chapter was the same one he saw in Professor Oak's Lab. The little one has been following Ed from Pallet Town to Viridian City.
That's an achievement for anyone who notices it.
When the Lizard Pokémon said that Ed was his trainer, it was confusing. So, he called the Professor with his video call, who was desperate to find something, until Charmander appeared on the video. The professor managed to control himself and received a full explanation. After that, well, you read the top. Ed receives Charmander's poke-ball through the transportation device of his watch.
The transportation was successfully delivered.
"Honestly, do you have any idea what problem you would have been in?" Ed asked as he held Charmander by his arms, "I mean, I'm happy that you are okay, and impressed you managed to follow me all the way here without a problem. But the Professor was freaking out by your disappearance."
"Char!" The fire-lizard scratched the back of his head in embarrassment. It was full well that what he did was dangerous. "Char! Charmander! Char!" But he didn't care! He just wanted to go with this trainer who caught his attention.
Ed didn't understand him, but sigh nonetheless, "Either way, guess we are stuck together from now on." He smiled, he would be lying to say that he wouldn't like a Charmander on his team, and after that last match? This Pokémon is officially part of his team. "Try not to overexert yourself."
"Char!" Charmander cheered in joy as he began to jump around like a kid in a store, causing Ed to chuckle.
"Pika!" The sound of Pikachu calling them caught their attention, seeing the electric mouse had served food that Ed had told him to serve.
"Heh! Looks like lunch is ready." The trainer says, picking Charmander up and walking up to the table. He inspected the table, seeing everything in order, "Good job Pikachu." he congratulated the electrified mouse who scratched his head in embarrassment. He places the orange lizard on the table, "Well, as you probably figure, meet the new member of the team; Charmander."
"Pikachu!" Pikachu greeted, extending his hand at the fire Pokémon.
"Char!" Charmander accepted, shaking it tightly.
"Glad to see that you both are getting along already." Ed said before sitting, "Now, how about you two eat-" Both Pokémon had already started eating their food. "Wow, you guys are fast." Ed was impressed.
…
..
.
Thirteen minutes later, Pikachu and Charmander were resting on the table, the lizard sleeping like a cat while the yellow mouse had his stomach up.
Ed took the time to do something that he wanted to do after finding an item in the Pokémart. It took a while to make it, but thanks to his mother's teaching in clothing, he made it in just a few minutes.
"Charmander." The trainer calls the lizard who immediately perks at his name, yawing out and stretching his body. Once it was putting attention, Ed began to talk. "Come here, this is for you."
He shows a small size white scarf with a scale pattern and wraps it around the fire lizard's neck.
Charmander looks at it with curiosity. "When you were fighting, I immediately knew you're the kind of Pokemon that likes to fight, am I right?" Ed asks, to which Charmander nods. "Well, your style of fighting, your attitude, and power…Let's just say that you act just like someone I like," he says, picking up the lizard. "You're going to be as troublesome as that someone in the future. That is an understatement. So, what better thing to do than to name you like him." he says.
Charmander looks at him before nodding at his trainer to have a name.
"Ok! So, let me start again! Welcome to the team…Natsu." he says, extending his fist at the Charmander now named Natsu who gladly answers it with his paw.
"Pikachu." The electric mouse sits up and looks at the trainer, "I have something for you as well." Pikachu looked in expectation. Ed took a small size red and white hat with a green symbol of an 'E' over a green moon. "This hat is something that I was planning to have on a certain event, but right now that's currently impossible. So, I want you to have the symbol of this team." Pikachu let him place the hat on his head, going between his two yellow ears and getting adjusted with it. "So? How does it feel?"
"Pika! Pi!" Pikachu liked it as its face was in pure joy, along with Natsu who was dancing with his scarf.
Having finished everything and feeling content with what he has done, Ed stood from his chair, "Well, I suggest we leave now. We should go and train in Viridian Forest for a while." he says, while picking his bag. "The First Gym we are going to it's going to be a tough one. You guys are ready?" Both Pokémons cheered in excitement before jumping off the table and followed their trainer.
They leave the building, never noticing the red eyes from before were following their steps before disappearing.
"Ara, Ara, looks like he's leaving so soon." They say while placing a cup of tea on a table while looking at a piece of paper. "Cardin was nothing to you, but let's see if you are truly as good as you show and look," they say with a smirk.
(Viridian Forest)
After walking out of the Center and entering the forest, the trio stood in a clearing, Pikachu and Natsu stood side to side while Ed walked in front of them like a general ready to speak to his platoon.
"Alright! Listen up you two!" The trainer says, making both Pokémon stand straight. "We are now officially on the road to the Kanto League. If you don't know about that, then here is the short version; it's the place where not only the best trainers compete to be number one, the winner gets to be crown the winner on the year, with the opportunity to fight the Elite 4 and the current Champion of Kanto." He looks at his two partners, "Those five trainers are in a different level, they could wipe an entire team with only one Pokémon."
Pikachu and Charmander have their jaws drop. Was he serious that those guys are really strong!?
"But don't worry," Ed spoke with determination as his mind went back to his game and anime experience, "They are powerful, but not invincible. It's going to be a hard journey for us, but I know one thing. We can win." He clenched hard his fist, "But before worrying about them, we need to get in that League. And for that, we need a total of eight gym badges." Ed points his finger at the road of the forest, making Pikachu and Natsu follow it. "That's why we are heading to Pewter City; home to the Rock-Type Gym. We are at disadvantage there."
He had an Electric-Type and a Fire-Type Pokémon. Both are dangerous to the two of them. Natsu might have a possible chance with Rock Smash, but that's it.
"That's why we are going to train hard right now." Ed looks first at his electric partner, "Pikachu, your electric attacks won't be effective since rock types are immune to electricity. However, just because it won't do much, it doesn't mean it will not hurt. So, I'll train you in speed and strength. Your speed is good, but it could be better, and I'm going to make you learn an attack called Iron Tail." he finished telling the yellow mouse.
"Pika!" He cries with acknowledgment.
Ed now looks at the orange lizard, "Natsu, your fire is your strength, so we are focusing on defense and stamina, and since your moves, except Rock Smash, aren't going to do much damage." He says, making the orange lizard turn depressed. "That's why I'm going to make sure you do." Natsu looks up at Ed. "I'm going to make sure your fire attacks surpass anything, even water. So, what you say, shall we make even the waters tremble before you?" the trainer asked.
Natsu's only answer? Fiery eyes and a Flamethrower to the sky. "I'll take that as a 'Yes, well then, let's begin!"
So, the training began
Ed made both Pokemon go over their limits, push-ups, sit-ups, and jumping jacks.
He put Pikachu to run at least one mile around the forest with a rock on its tail while swinging it and having him use Quick Attack and bounce between trees to help his movement.
He had Natsu use Flamethrower into a rock, trying to melt as much as he could. Then, he had him use Scratch on a few trees to sharpen his nails.
He then had them do breathing tricks to help their lungs improve when they used Growl, allowing them to be able to stay longer screaming.
…
…
...
After a few hours later, both Pokémons were panting heavily and sweating.
"Good job you two," Ed says to the two of them as he gives them each a glass of water. "This workout might seem extreme, but I promise you both it's gonna pay off." Both Pokémon heard but they were chugging their drinks quickly. "Woah, drink slowly! I don't want you guys to choke!"
Suddenly, Ed felt his sense activate. He felt a presence behind him. He quickly turned around, moving to the side to dodge what appears to be a sharp katana. "Well, that was dangerous," Ed commented as he focused his attention on the assaulter.
It was a young man in samurai armor, holding his blade tight as he glared at Ed. "Are you a trainer from Pallet Town?" The boy asked.
At this moment, Pikachu and Charmander were already recovered and stood ready to fight. Ed placed his hand in front of them to stop and not do anything yet.
"Yes. I am a trainer from Pallet Town." Ed replied although it was a lie that he was from Pallet Town, it is not like he's going to say he is from another world.
"Good. I am this Forest Guardian." the samurai said. Moving his blade away and putting it back on its cover. He proceeded to take out a Poké-ball. "And I challenge you!"
Ed stood silent for a bit before smirking, taking out his sunglasses, and putting them on. "Well then, Guardian. I gladly accept the challenge." He then takes out two Oran Berries from his pocket.
"Excellent, it will be a two on two battle. Pinsir I choose you!" the samurai yells, throwing his ball and releasing a large brown Pokémon with a set of teeth, and a pair of large pincers on its head. Our protagonist took his dex out and pointed at the Pokémon.
"Pinsir, the Stag Beetle Pokemon. It crushes anything with its large pincers, and thrives in warm forest areas."
('A Pinsir, huh? Still have it I see.') Ed thought before calling his pokemon, "Natsu!" the orange lizard stood next to him. "Here, eat this." the trainer gives him an Oran Berry. Natsu eats it and in seconds, he returns to full strength.
"Char!" it cries that he's ready.
"Go in there." Ed only said as he gave the other to Pikachu. Natsu jumps into battle, his scarf blowing in the wind.
"Pinsir, use Vice Grip!" The samurai commands as Pinsir's pincers start to close and open while running at Natsu.
"Dodge and use Scratch!" Ed ordered just as the pincers got close to Natsu. The lizard jumped over them, he started to scratch the head of the beetle.
"Quick! Use Harden!" The beetle's body glows like a mirror, making his defense harder. When Natsu used one of his scratches, he winced in pain and started to shake off.
"Now, use Tackle!" Pinsir runs with its shoulder up, intending to attack the lizard.
"Natsu! Flamethrower!" However, Natsu's eyes glint with a smirk. He opened his mouth as a powerful torrent of fire came out, hitting the beetle Pokémon. When it faded away, Pinsir's body was burnt to a crisp as he fell backward, unable to battle.
"Pinsir return!" the samurai yells, returning his Pokémon into his Poké-ball. "You did well my friend, rest for a bit."
"Natsu, come here!" Ed calls back the fire-lizard who immediately stood in front of him. He bends down and pats him on the head, "Great job in there." he congrats him, making Natsu smile.
"Butterfree, to battle!" the samurai shouts, summoning a big purple butterfly with red eyes. Ed takes out his dex and aims at it.
"Butterfree, the Butterfly Pokemon. In battle, it flaps its wings at high speed to release highly toxic dust into the air."
"Okay, Pikachu you're up!" Ed calls his first Pokémon, who jumps into the battlefield with his energy restore. Electricity comes out of his red cheeks.
"Butterfree, use your Poison Powder while flapping your wings!" The samurai ordered as the Butterfly Pokemon commenced to flap its wings while purple dust came out of it, going directly at the yellow mouse.
"Pikachu! Don't breathe on it!" Ed yells as Pikachu stands his ground and holds his breathing.
"Tackle attack!" In an instant, Pikachu was tackled with a direct hit, but the yellow mouse stood his ground. "Keep going at it!" The samurai commands as Butteefree starts to tackle Pikachu, who tries his hardest to see through the purple mist at where he will attack while not
('Dammit! Pika won't hold much longer, what should I do?!') Ed thought in worry, ('I only I could attack now-... 'Oh wait, this isn't a game anymore.') he wanted to slap his face at the idiotic thought.
He can do tricks just like Ash and Red in here, dammit!
"Pikachu! Use Quick Attack and start running in a circle!" Pikachu would have looked at him in confusion, but there was no time for that. Besides, it is better than receiving attacks like an idiot. He started to run in a circle as a white aura surrounded the yellow Pokemon's body, becoming a spinning white and yellow streak.
"What the-?!" The samurai was shocked while Butterfree flew away from it.
Suddenly, the purple dust started to move in a circle. In an instant, all the dust became a small tornado spinning around.
('He gathered all the poison in one place!') The samurai thought in disbelief at what happened.
"Now! Use your tail to cut horizontally!" Pikachu jumps in the air, he raises his yellow thunder tail, which suddenly turns into metal and with a quick horizontal slice…
*Boom*
The tornado got cut in half, and then it exploded, blowing all the poison away.
('All the poison…Is gone!?') The samurai looks surprised at the display while covering his mouth, to not get poisoned.
And Ed as well, but he was more focused on Pikachu's metal tail. ('That's…IronTail!') He didn't expect Pikachu to learn the attack this fast, but he'll take it!
The samurai quickly snaps his thoughts, "Butterfree, don't drop your guard down!" he says the purple fly nod.
"Uhhh, hate to break it to ya' but…" Ed had his finger up, "You already did."
The samurai looked confused when he noticed a shadow above him, he looked up and saw a ring-size in the air, and before he could have widened eyes, a thunderbolt came out, striking Butterfree who cried in pain. Moments later, the butterfly falls to the ground unconscious, ending the match.
The samurai summons back his Pokemon, before walking at Ed who was patting Pikachu on the head. "I have fairly lost, you are a strong opponent," he says, bowing his head.
"Thanks, you weren't bad either." the trainer tells him. "That flapping Poison Powder and Tackle combination were good."
"Thank you." Suddenly, the samurai takes out a piece of paper and gives it to Ed, "Here, someone told me to give this to a trainer in the woods, and you are the only one that I have encountered." Ed was confused as he took the paper and looked at it.
It was a flyer of a giant steel snake battling a purple monster that looks like a ghost.
Pewter Gym Tournament
To all trainers that wish for a chance to have the Boulder badge of Pewter Gym, we welcomed you to our annual Tournament for that chance! Hosted by our Gym Leader himself!
The Tournament will begin in three days! Don't miss your chance to win your first badge!
Ed was surprised at what the Gym Leader of Pewter City was hosting this, ('A tournament? On Pewter City for the Boulder badge?') he thought before looking at it in suspicion. This sounds a bit too good, "It's this flyer official? And who gave you this?" he asks the samurai.
"Oh, it is. I confirmed it a few hours ago. As for the one who introduced this, I cannot say. They were hiding their faces with a mask and cloak." The samurai explains.
"Really?" Now, this is suspicious. But if the tournament for the Boulder Badge is real, he cannot waste it. "Anyway, thanks for it. Next time we see each other, let's battle again." Ed says, give the samurai his hand.
The samurai nods as he accepts the handshake, "Of course. Next time, it won't be easy."
"I expect that." With that said, they both went their separate ways, not before the Samurai warned him about going deep into the path of the forest as a batch of Kakuna's were ready to evolve.
Trust, we shall. We saw that episode of the first season of Pokémon
...
..
.
After walking for a few hours, Ed reached a small waterfall, with a clearing perfect to camp.
('Looks like we are camping tonight.') he thought as he looked at the orange sky and then at his partners. "Alright, you guys. Looks like we are camping here, so go and have fun while I prepare dinner."
Pikachu and Natsu cheered as they began to play tag with one another. Leaving Ed to prepare the food. "Yesterday, I made soup. Let's go a bit Italian, shall we?" You are making spaghetti? "You know it!"
A few chops of vegetables and meat, and steering some dough, cutting them in pieces, and leaving them boiling in the stoves, Ed focused his attention on the flyer and the words of the Samurai. "I wonder who sent this to me and why?" he asks himself.
He thought it was a coincidence, but whoever sent this to him knew he was heading to Pewter City. Meaning that they saw him somewhere, probably at the Pokémon Center.
He looked at Pikachu and Charmander, still chasing one another, ('I must be cautious. That's why I better trained them more, for this and the tournament. And I should consider one more Pokémon.') Having one more member for his team should be a must.
*Rustle*Rustle*
The sound of bushes made Ed tense as he jumped to his feet, an action that caused both Pikachu and Natsu to stop playing and look at the bushed moving. They instantly appeared in front of their trainer, Pikachu standing on one side with sparks coming from his red cheeks and Natsu standing on the other, glaring hard at the bush.
The bushes ruffled more and more until a shadow appeared out of them.
It was a snake creature with purple skin and yellow rings. It had yellow eyes with slit, reptilian pupils. Around its neck was a large, yellow band, its underside leading to its tail is yellow and has a yellow rattle at the tip of it, but more than that, it had several bruises on its body.
The snake looks around, like if it was looking for something. Then, it looks at where Ed and the duo were, twitching in surprise. It quickly stood in battle pose…
*Growl*
Which didn't last long when a growling sound came out of its stomach, making it fall with small whimpers.
Ed, Pikachu, and Natsu blinked at what they just saw. ('Okay?') Ed quickly took his dex out and aimed it at the Pokémon.
"Ekans, the Snake Pokémon. The older it gets, the longer it grows. At night, it wraps its long body around tree branches to rest."
Ed puts it away in his pocket, motioning his hands down, telling the fire/lighting duo to calm down. He slowly began to move to the Ekans, who opened its eye and saw him getting close.
"Kassssss~" It hisses in anger while backing away, warning the human to not come closer. But flinch as its stomach growls more.
"Are you hungry?" Ekans open one eye to stare at the human, seeing his worried expression. "Were you brought here by the aroma of the food?" He asked, making Ekans nod. "Alright. Just wait a moment."
Ed moved back and went to the pot, "Pikachu, get a bowl." The electric mouse nodded as he went to his bag to get a bowl. "Natsu. Use a low-powered Flamethrower on the pot." the fire-lizard nodded and began to use his attack to heat the pot.
Moments later, Ed took the bowl Pikachu brought to him and checked the food. When it was done, he stopped Natsu and began to serve.
Once Pikachu and Natsu were eating, Ed brought a bowl to the Ekans, who hiss and moved back more. "Whoa, easy. I just brought you some food." He placed the bowl and slowly pushed it forward a bit before moving back.
Ekans slowly move to look inside the plate, sniffing the food a little. Licking a little bit of it and eyes widening in shock. It was good! Ekans began to scarf the food like a vacuum.
"There we go." Ed was calm by this. Having Ekans eating, he looked back at his friends, to see them already finished. "You guys eat too quickly! Enjoy the food!" he shouted in disbelief. He looks back to see Ekans already finished. "What the hell?! I just look away for six seconds!"
"Kass~" Ekans let a breath of relief out.
"You enjoyed it?" Ed asked, making the Snake look at him with expectations of more and wagging the tail like a dog. "If you like it, I can serve you another one." He said with a smile.
Ekans felt its heart beating fast at that. "Kass!" To the surprise of Ed, Ekans quickly slithered around his body before reaching his face, where their cheeks muzzled together in affection.
"Woah! You move fast!" Ed complimented as the snake continued snuggling.
"Pikachu/Charmander!" Ed looks behind him to see Pikachu and Natsu with their bowels empty and motion that they want more.
"More? Okay, but don't get comfortable with it." Ed said as he moved to the pot with Ekans, "I don't want you guys getting in loved with human food."
"Pi~/Char~" Both Pokémon whined in sadness at hearing that.
After the second serving, and having the Ekans stop the affections. The two Pokémon went to sleep in a blanket. Pikachu and Natsu were the first to fall asleep, coiling into balls like cats.
This allowed time for Ed to clean the dishes and everything on the river as the moon finally began to show. ('Better cleaning this for tomorrow since we didn't have breakfast two chapters ago!') Ed yells on his head while looking at me. Hey! I said I'm sorry. ('Whatever!')
When he was about to reach for the spoon he used to serve, he noticed Ekans next to him with the spoon in its mouth. "Oh, hey there," he says as the snake places the spoon next to him. "Why thank you."
"Kass," Ekans said with a happy expression, resting its head on Ed's tight.
Ed looked surprised at what it did, showing more affection. "Are you tired? You can sleep on the blanket," he asked, earning a shake of disapproval. Before he knew it, Ekans once again slithered around him and wrapped itself on his shoulders. "Woah there!" He felt it making itself comfortable. "You...wanna stay there?"
"Kass..." It nodded, slowly closing its eyes. Before ed knew it, it had already fallen asleep.
"Did...Did it just fall asleep on my shoulders?" Ed asked nobody as he was shocked that the snake had fallen asleep on him. He wanted to say something, but looking at Ekans...He didn't have the heart to do it. So instead, he focused on finishing cleaning.
Once he was done, he put everything away and took his jacket off without waking Ekans up. Looking at his arms for the first time in this world, he noticed that his muscles had slightly tone down.
"I need to stay in shape. Just because I'm in a world of Pokémon, doesn't mean I must stop training." Ed mumbled to himself as he neatly put his jacket next to his sleeping bag, that he rested against a tree next to Pikachu and Natsu.
Ed entered inside it, mindful of his sleeping guest on his neck, and rested his head with the tree. He looked at the sky, seeing so many stars. "What a beautiful sight to behold…" Those were his last words before closing his eyes and joining the Dream World.
Tomorrow will be another day…
