Chapter 5:

I woke up with the sweet smell of honey, though it was overshadowed by my back hurting from sleeping outside. My little personal devil, named Milo, appeared to be too exhausted from yesterday's battle, and had been unable to wake me up in a painful way. After slowly packing my stuff and waking up Milo who was pouting when he found himself without his morning entertainment, we walked towards the hive that already looked active, as various Beedrills were flying around.

"Is queen Beedrill and Rapier already awake?" I asked one of the Beedrill guards that were patrolling the surroundings. I still find it weird talking this way, it's like I'm in front of some medieval royalty.

"Yes, her Majesty and the prince are currently awaiting your presence. I'll call for them immediately." The Beedrill guard responded in a respectful tone and flew inside the hive.

It wasn't long before the queen and Rapier both descended towards us, while guarded by Beedrills on both sides. The queen had a serious and cold air around her, while Rapier looked excited, but also unsure.

"I am confident that you will take care of my son." She started "Don't prove me wrong, human, or the consequences will be severe." The gleam in her eyes made shivers run down mine and Milo's back.

After we both nodded quickly she turned to face Rapier "And you my child, be more confident in yourself. The world is a dangerous but beautiful place full of colors and other Pokemons, you should enjoy and learn from this experience." After talking she motioned her stinger towards us, making Rapier move In our direction before climbing on my hand, which I had extended.

"Good to have you with us Rapier." I said while grinning, he seemed less shy towards us than yesterday and gave me a more confident nod. I have to remember to up his confidence, or he will have various difficulties in the future. But that doesn't change the fact that he is super adorable, something I never thought I would relate to a bug before meeting him.

Milo also joined after going up on my shoulder and looking down at him "Yeah, we're going to have so much fun!" he exclaimed with his tail wagging behind him.

"Aaron, I'll leave one of my soldiers to show you the way out of the forest." Queen Beedrill stated after our little moment.

"Thanks, I appreciate it." I can't wait to get out of this forest, take a shower, and sleep on a real bed. Camping beneath the stars is an enjoyable experience, but it will never beat the warmth and fluffiness of the blankets and cushions of an indoors bed.

After acknowledging my response queen Beedrill continued "I'll take my leave then, good luck on your journey." She turned around and started to move away, her wings flapping rapidly, before pausing "Make me proud son" She spoke last before entering the hive leaving Rapier with a determined expression on his face.

After queen Beedrill left one of her soldiers motioned for us to follow him. The path we took with the guidance of the soldier Beedrill passed in the middle of the forest, with trees and bushes often obstructing our way. Milo and I took the time of our walk as an opportunity to get better acquainted with Rapier.

"So Rapier, how is living in the forest?" I asked with a friendly smile.

Shily he looked at the ground before answering "Ah, I almost never leave the hive, really." He said in an almost whisper tone. "Most Weedle wait until they are Beedrills to explore the outside."

"REALLY!?" Milo, excited as ever, joined in. "But it must be so much fun living around so many trees, with adventures at every corner!"

Now that I think about it, I don't know anything about Milo prior to him being captured by Team Rocket. He always looks curious and excited by everything outside, almost as it was something he had never seen before, that I can't help but wonder what kind of environment he was raised in. I just hope he wasn't already born in the labs of Team Rocket.

I was brought out of my thoughts with Rapier's voice "N-not really, the forest isn't that special."

"So Rapier, tell us about yourself, now that we are a team it would be good to know each other." I stated while petting Milo, who let out a purr of appreciation.

"O-ok, my favorite food is Pecha Berry flower honey. I'm not really good with strangers, and I love my family, especially my mom. My dream is…" His face turned indecisive and embarrassed, as he paused and gave me a shy side glance.

"Don't worry, we won't judge your dream" The poor guy looked very nervous. Fortunately my encouragement appeared to be enough as he continued with his face becoming red with a blush, actually is bug blood red? Apparently in the pokemon world it is, thankfully.

"I want to be the strongest Beedrill, and make mom proud." He seemed to be expecting us to laugh with his head down, but when we did not his face brightened quite a bit.

"That's a nice dream Rapier!" Milo exclaimed energetically from my shoulder. "My turn now, I am Milo, Aaron's starter Pokemon. My favorite food is Aspear Berry, which is much better than Mago Berry." Milo stated while glaring at me, probably because one of our previous discussions. "I love spending time having fun and my dream is to become the best team together with Aaron!" Hearing his declaration and seeing my little fur ball proud face I couldn't help but smile.

"I'm last then." What should I talk about? Well I guess I'll just talk about the same topics they did, since I can't think of anything else. "I love sweets, and my favorite food is cake, I like cooking and training. My dream is to Study Pokemon and become the strongest I can be together with my team." They were very brief and simple introductions, but even then they are our first step towards working together.

"I like sweets too." Rapier exclaimed, momentarily forgetting his shyness.

"I also like sweets, but I prefer my food to have a more sour taste." Milo said while salivating. During our time living at Professor Oak's lab I discovered that Milo didn't have any specific dislike to any food he tasted, but his favorite were the sour ones.

We continued to trend our path through the forest following the Soldier Beedrill. Happily during the way I was able to find some fresh Berries, although Milo momentarily looked like a porcupine after running into a bush and getting a lot of branches sticking out of his fur. It had been about three hours when the Guard Beedrill finally stopped.

"This is it." He said while pointing towards the end of the sea of trees. "I'll leave now, but her Majesty commanded me to let you know that you are always welcome to visit the hive." Well, I'm sure the real reason for this is for her to be able to see Rapier as often as possible. She did look like a mother hen, if you looked past her cold demeanor.

"I'll make sure to remember that." I told the Beedrill "And thanks for all the help."

With a quick nod our guide left back inside the forest. After it left we continued the last stretches of trees to finally find ourselves on top of a hill with a great view of Pewter City. It wasn't much bigger than Viridian City but it followed a completely different pattern, with the houses made out of stone, instead of wood, and the different style of building.

"We made it." Looking at the city that stretched in front of me I can only think of the gym match that we will have here. "Let's go guys!"

With a cry of excitement from Milo and a lessnoticible one from Rapier we started to make our way down the hill in the direction of Pewter City.

When we entered the city Milo and Rapier could be described as completely opposites, with Milo energetically looking around and exploring everything his eyes could land on, and Rapier trying to disappear inside my hoodie to escape the crowd of people. Trying to calm him down by petting him softly, I sped up my pace towards the Pokemon centre for a quick check up on both of them. It is also almost lunch time and I want to call Professor Oak to inform him of my catch, although he probably already knows as the pokedex records these kinds of things, and to ask for advice for making Rapier's special Pokemon food.

After entering the Pokemon centre I picked Milo's and Rapier's pokeballs "Alright, I will return you now for the nurse to see if there is anything wrong and heal you two, ok?" Rapier gave me a nod and Milo simply looked annoyed at his pokeball. I took this as a sign, and returned both of them and gave them to nurse Joy.

I walked towards one of the sides of the Pokemon centre, where all the phones were and disked Professor Oak number. It wasn't long before the professor's face appeared on the surface of the machine.

"Aaron my boy, good to see you again, how have you been doing?" He exclaimed with a laugh after seeing my face.

"I'm alright professor, currently I'm staying at Pewter City." His eyes widened the slightest bit.

"I will not lie Aaron, when you told me you wanted to go on a journey right after your rescue I was afraid it would prove to be too much for you, but look at that you were already able to reach Pewter!" Stated Professor Oak with a big smile.

I could feel my face heat up a little at his compliment "Thanks professor" Although i'm pretty sure Gary got here first with his car. "Changing the subject professor, I caught a new Pokemon and I wanted your help to make his food." I already read a lot of books in the subject, but even then I only scraped the border of this subject. I'm afraid that I could make a mistake and hinder Rapier's growth.

His face turned more serious and he lifted his hand to his chin "Hmm, your new Pokemon is a Weedle right?"

"Yes, and from what he told me his favorite food is honey made out of the flowers from the Pecha Berry tree." I informed him, because although liking the taste of the food won't help in the growth like in the games it is important that the Pokemon like the taste of the food he will be eating. I don't want to feed my Pokemon something they think is disgusting just to make them stronger.

We were interrupted when nurse Joy's voice sounded in the speakers of the Pokemon centre "Trainer Aaron Pine please come to the front desk your Pokemon are fully healed."

"Alright Aaron, send me your notes on Weedle later and I will find some time to help you." Professor Oak said.

"Thanks professor, it's a great help." I feel a little bad for asking something out of Professor Oak when his schedule is already so tight, but I know I'm not ready to start making my team members food recipes on my own, maybe if I decide to travel with Ash in the future I can get some help from Brock.

Closing the call I got up and picked my Pokemon that nurse Joy healed. After eating together with Milo and Rapier in the Pokemon centre I decided to restock and find somewhere quiet to train.

I know the gym battle won't be a walk in the park with our overwhelming weakness to rock types. I am thinking of actually capturing a new Pokemon to help Milo on the battle as I think Rapier is still too weak and in too much of a disadvantage. The common Pokemon around this area according to one of Professor Oak's books lign pretty well with those that appear in the game, consisting of Pidgey, Spearow, Geodude, Sandshrew and the Nidoran family. None of them have a natural upper hand against Brock's Pokemon, apart from some attacks that some of them can learn. Well I guess I could fish as well if I had a fishing rod, wait this is 'real' I don't need a fishing rod to fish, I could simply swim to find something I like.

Getting excited I finished buying the few necessities and headed towards Route 3. Milo was on my shoulder and Rapier was on my head as we left Pewter City, we hadn't walked much when a kid looking one or so years older than me stepped in front of us.

"Hey you! I see you are a rainer, have you heard of gym leaders? Our town has a powerful rock type gym, why don't you give it a try?" He said.

It's a surprise that this character from the game is here even if this universe until now was showing only signs from the anime. "Yes I know about it, and I plan on challenging him in the future after I train more."

"Hoo, why don't we have a battle then?" Looking at his pokeball belt he has three Pokemons, he probably isn't too strong, it will be a good chance for Milo and me to get better experienced in battling.

"Could we do a one on one?" I asked the older boy.

"No problem." He said before he moved some distance away giving space for our match"Shall we start then, my name is Alex from Pewter City."

"Name's Aaron and this is Milo and Rapier." I introduced myself and my Pokemon.

My second trainer battle and my first that is oficial, because although I fought Jesie and James that was an unofficial battle that didn't exactly follow all the league rules.

"Go Rattata!" Alex said while throwing one of his pokeballs in the air.

"Milo, battle stance." I commanded as the purple rat was released on the field.

"Rattata, use Quick Attack!" the small rat shot forward, his speed boosted by the attack.

"Milo, Sand Attack and don't let it hit you." Milo trew sand into Rattata's eyes when he got close, before jumping to the side barely avoiding Rattata's charge.

"Rattata! Use Tail Whip to lower its defence!" Alex retaliated.

"Milo now's our chance to use Quick Attack!" Milo hering my order charged against the purple rat.

"Oh no you don't, Ratata, use Tackle." The Rattata interrupted the previous movement and used Tackle colliding with Milo, but was pushed back with the combination of Milo greater speed and size.

"Milo, finish this with Tackle." Milo, already in close range, tackled Alex's Rattata.

"Rattata cling to him with Bite, and don't let go!" I underestimated the Rattata that stood up and bit Milo's ear.

"Shake him off!" I panicked. Milo started to run around shaking his head trying to make the small rat fall off. Seeing Milo desperately trying to lose the Rattata I know that if I don't find a solution soon we will end up losing. Looking around for anything that could help I spotted the trees that are growing on the side road.

"Milo bang him against a tree!" Before Alex could do anything Milo smashed the Rattata against the trunk of the tree, knocking him out.

"No! Rattata!" He ran towards the fallen rat before returning it to its respective pokeball.

Turning toward my proud fur ball that was staring towards me spectantly I couldn't help but smile "You did great Milo." I petted him.

"Of course" He stated back.

Alex came towards me and extended his hand, that I shook with mine. "It was a great battle."

"Yes, you and Rattata form a great team." Rattata never hesitated when given an order, they must have been together for a long time.

He opened his bag and offered me money "Here, ₱100 the standard quantities for battles." Well I definitely didn't expect this, I was getting used to thinking this world was as the anime that I discarded the chance that it had this practice seen in the game. I better study at least the basic standard rules, or I could end up seriously embarrassing myself.

We gave our farewells and I continued towards Route 3. Milo went back to his spot on my shoulder and enjoyed gloating to Rapier who was looking towards him with awe. Route 3 was a less crowded place than Viridian Forest, perfect for us to train and find our new team member. I plan on teaching Milo Swift, for a ranged attack and if possible since it is an egg move Double Kick. Although the Eevee from Let's Go Eevee could learn Double Kick normally, but there's also a chance that my Eevee can't learn attacks exclusive to that game, which would be sad as I want him to larn the overpowered attack like Buzzy Buzz, Sparkly Swirl, and etc. For Rapier I will get him in a better fiscal condition and try to teach him Bug Bite since he can't really learn much more until he evolves.

We settled for a spot next to a river that had a nice open space that let them move around while training. We started with me showing videos of their respective attacks with my laptop. After that Rapier was left doing weight exercises with small rocks and Milo was trying to sense the 'normal energy' from his other attacks and convert it into the star shape of Swift. At least that was the theory I settled after reading the books Professor Oak provided me with. There are various hipotesis of what is, and how a Pokemon move works, after watching a video from Professor Kukui and using my knowledge in the series I came up with this training method that I hope works.

After making sure they'd be ok, I took out my shirt and shoes, before diving into the river. I had already changed into swimming trunks that Professor Oak provided before leaving with the intention of finding a water Pokemon while swimming. The cold water hit my skin making me shiver and regreat the stupid descigion of simply diving head frst into the water, opening my eyes I looked arond the river, it had some kelp dancing at the bottom, the ocasional - of Magicarp that passed by and I could also see some Shelders living at the amist the sea grass. I got my head out to draw a breath of air and paused at the surface to analyze the possibilities. Magicarp is a nice Pokemon and can evolve into a powerful Gyarados that would have no trouble crushing Brock's Pokemon, but it would take too much time to evolve, since it is barely usable at its first stage. And Shellder, I would need a Water Stone or a willing Slowpoke to evolve, and it isn't one Pokemon that I have much interest in. I will continue searching, I am bound to find something that interests me, Poliwag would be a nice addition and it isn't rare, and maybe I could find a Pokemon from another generation since it is already proven that they exist with Fairy, Dark and Steel types recorded.

We passed two hour like that, with me swimming, Rapier training and Milo trying to master 'normal energy', which I am happy to announce looked like there was progress. Sadly I didn't find anything that really caught my attention, maybe this isn't a good spot, or this just isn't the right day. Noticing that the water of the river was getting more agitated and deciding that we needed a pause I called Milo and Rapier for a snack, we sat under the shade of a tree close to the river shore and I gave them their food, for Milo his special made Pokemon food and for Rapier since we couldn't yet make a recipe just for him he got the normal market Pokemon food with some honey coating for taste.

"How are you two doing." I asked amid our meal.

"I'm progressing! At the start I didn't understand anything you were talking about, like what the hell do you mean with 'normal energy', but now I can already create stars!" He formed three yellow stars on his tail. "See? But I still can't seem to be able to maintain them when I throw them." To show he threw the stars off his tail, only for them to transform into little light sparkles as they broke contact with his body.

"Maybe it's the way you are imagining them?" I suggested, while taking inspiration on various stories about magic that said that you had to focus and imagine the spell, Pokemon moves are like magic in a way right? I don't see why not give it a try. "Try imagining the Swift attack as something solid, material, that you can feel."

He got a thoughtful face before nodding his head. "That makes some sense, I guess. I will try next time."

"And you Rapier, how are you doing?" I asked the little bug that had been quiet until now.

"I'm fine." He answered slowly "It is just very exhausting."

"You must improve your condition to be able to fight longer and be stronger in general." I said to him one of the first things Profesor Oak drilled into my head. "After that your moves will be more efficient and I can start teaching you more."

We Were finishing our snacks when we heard a Spearow cry. Looking at the direction the sound came I'm faced with five Spearows rushing down on us. They must have been attracted by the smell of food, since Route 3 is a relatively barren place of food. We just avoided the Spearow attack that Ash provoked and now I have my own, what with this luck.

I put everything as quickly as possible inside my bag. Now I have a choice, run or fight. Different from Ash's Spearow attack this one only has five members so we have a chance of winning if Milo and Rapier work together, but there could be more of them around and we would get overwhelmed by their numbers. But I really don't want to run and I'm already tired from swimming, I don't know if I would be able to escape them. Ok, screw this I'm going to fight. I'll not run away like Ash did.

"Milo, Rapier, battle stance, we are going to fight them off." I commanded the two Pokemon that also have been aware of our aggressors.

"They have the advantage of flight, so we have to do this right." I said "Rapier you will give support to Milo using String Shot to bring them down, their flying moves are too effective against you. And Milo you are going to distract them and finish them after they have been shot down!"

"Alright!" "Y-yes." Milo and Rapier nodded, with Rapier being nervous with the upcoming battle.

At the start Milo rushed towards them using Sand Attack, and although it didn't reach them it was enough to catch their attention. With their eyes set on their target they took turns swapping down with Peck, trying to hit Milo who nimbly avoided their attacks while trowing sand in their eyes.

"Now Rapier!" I shouted as I saw an opportunity, which wasn't wasted as Rapier quickle wrapped one of them in a thick string.

The battle continued that way with us shooting two more Spearows down and choking them out. By now the remaining Spearows noticed that they would lose if this continued and turned their aim at Rapier. With the attack ready one of them shot towards Rapier, who froze in fear. Acting on instinct I stood protectively in front of Rapier and hit the Spearow away. This action appeared to be not appreciated by his companion, as he enraged hit me on the side making me falter my step and fall on the river. The shock from the cold water suddenly hitting me made all my air leave my lungs. Waving my arms in desperation to fight with the water current, I tried to swim to the surface, but my awkward position, the exhaustion from earlier and now the more agitated river sent me rolling down the river with no sense of up and down. With my energy quickly depleting and my mind completely taken by panic, I make a last effort to reach the clear surface, before I hit my head on a rock and my world is engulfed by darkness.

Opening my eyes I found myself on the shore of a river with a terrible headache pounding inside my head and my leg hurting. Did Milo find that just jumping on my stomach wasn't enough so he hit my head instead? I froze as the hazy fog of the sleep left me and I remembered my last moments of consciousness. What happened and how am I still alive? Looking around I found myself on the shore of the river that I almost drowned in a part of the forest I don't recognize. Did someone save me? But who?

I'm pushed out of my thoughts when I hear a feminine voice next to me. "You're awake! Oh Arceus, for a moment I thought I had lost you."

My head whipped to the direction of the voice, the Pokemon standing half inside the water was a cute soft blue Seahorse, that I recognized as Horsea. "Was it you who saved me?" I asked the Pokemon.

"Yes, you don't imagine the surprise I had when I saw you almost drowning in my river!" She proclaimed.

"Thank you, I am indebted to you." If it wasn't for her I would have died. Died... I just started this journey and I almost ended dead. This isn't the cartoon I watched, this is now my reality, and I could've been dead now if not for the Pokemon standing in front of me.

As I was having a crisis in my head, the Horsea turned her head suspiciously towards me. "You can understand me?" She asked slowly.

"Y-yes." I tried to recompose myself. "I've been through a situation that made me able to understand Pokemon."

She hummed at that. "Then you can answer what you were doing drowning in my river?"

"Me and my Pokemons were having a snack when five Spearows attacked us trying to rob our food. We fought back but one of them hit me, making me fall in the river. I ended up hitting my head and lost consciousness." I explained to her. "Ahh! I have to get to my team, they might be in danger!"

I was about to get up when I received a weak Water Gun attack on my face. "Don't you dare move. Your leg is bruised, and it will only get worse if you try to walk. Ialready put some Oran Berry juice on it and the injury was superficial so it will be better tomorrow, but until then, don't you dare move from this spot."

"But what about my Pokemons!?" I exclaimed worried. They might be in danger!

"Don't worry, you said you fell in the river while fighting, right?" I nodded "Then they must be around the shore looking for you, I'll go get them, but don't you dare move"

She dived underwater and I was left alone. After she left and I was able to organize my thoughts I noticed that I must have been asleep for quite a while as the sky was starting to darken. A cold gust of wind hit my exposed back and sent shivers along my spine. I didn't have anything warm to wear as the rest of my clothes are inside my bag that didn't fall with me.

As I alone waited for the Horsea to return I noticed how I got used to having Milo always with me. Since I was rescued from Team Rocket we never left each other's side, we ate together, slept together, learned new things together and survived this world together. Now that I am alone and don't know where he or Rapier is, it makes me scared, maybe it was him that made me hold it for as long as I did. Maybe it was me trying to ignore it, maybe I just didn't want to acknowledge it, but this world, this reality is as real as the last one I lived in. If I fall from too high or be hit by an attack a little too strong I could actually end my life. The humans on this world are stronger and more resistant than those on my last world, but they aren't immortal. I can feel my eyes become blurry and wet, it could have all ended before it even started, this isn't a joke, nor it is a game, for me this is now my life, if I want to survive I have to take it seriously.

I don't know how much time I waited, the sky is already dark with infinite shiny spots lighting the earth below, when I heard something running. Turning around I spot Milo running in my direction with Rapier on his back, I feel the tears running down my cheeks when he and Rapier collide with me and we embrace into a tight hug, with Milo and Rapier sobbing in my chest.

"I thought I might have lost you!" Milo sobbed.

"Me too. I'm sorry"

"Don't apologise, stupid! It's our fault that we weren't strong enough." Milo exclaimed and even Rapier gave me an angry stare.

"It wasn't anyone's fault, ok? Let's all grow stronger so things like these never happen again."

"Ok…" Milo and Rapier answered.

"I told you to to be carefull!" We all jumped at Horsea's voice.

"Ahh, Horsea were you watching that!?" I could feel my face heating up from embarrassment. I should be a 16 year old, why am I acting like a child now! Is it something to do with my body regression in age? Well of course, it must be that! ahahaha.

"Sorry!" Milo and Rapier cried when they saw her sharp eyes glaring at them.

Slowly her face changed into a soft smile "But it is good to see you kids are all doing fine."

"Hey don't call me kid!" Milo protested.

"I have dragon blood kiddo, I'm older than all of you together!" She laughed at our surprised faces. But I did read in a book that dragons are one of the two types that have the longest lifespan, althoul Horsea isn't a dragon type yet, it does have dragon blood, that gives some extra years, though if a Horsea evolves into Kingdra its lifespan will grow exponentially for becoming a real dragon.

"Then you must be a grandma!" Milo declared with a smug face.

The temperature seemed to drop below zero, as the words left Milo's mouth. I never knew that a Horsea could look so terrifying, I wish some things could be unseen. Milo must have been traumatized at that moment for the quantity of times he apologised.

"Now that that's out of the way, I must inform you that until you are fully recovered you are not allowed to leave this place!" She turned to me, challenging me to defy her. But I already knew it was useless to resist, as I just submitted to her wishes.

"Thanks for all the help Horsea." I said before she left. She was able to light up the mood and make everyone laugh, even after what happened.

Smiling a bit I picked my bag that Milo had brought with him and verified that there fortunately nothing is damaged. I don't know what I will do if one of my electronics gets broken, there certainly isn't anyone here that would know how to repair them.

"Let's get ready to sleep guys." I said while putting my bed roll down.

We all got comfortably inside, hugging each other for warmth. And it wasn't long before the exhaustion from today's stress and experiences made our consciousness slowly drift away.