-Chapter 2-
Aerial Ace
Garrett's 10th Birthday came, and he spent the day to celebrate with his family. They took him to his favorite buffet restaurant to celebrate the day, and his gifts were an assortment of supplies, clothes, and even a brand new backpack. The question came up over and over as to who he would pick, but Garrett would simply smile and just say, "It's a secret." It was a fib, of course. He had yet to make up his mind.
The day after, he got up early and made sure all of his supplies were packed. He tossed on a t-shirt with a Lapras on it, and wore some blue jeans and a brand new pair of blue sneakers, and once he had everything, he went off to find the building in town where he would meet with Professor Elm. There were a handful of other trainers there to collect their first Pokemon as well, but they were from some of the other nearby towns and just had to take a trip over to Violet City. He waited at the end of the line, his mind still thinking on who to pick for his starter. He watched the trainers leaving. Mostly picking Cyndaquil as he predicted, a few picking Totodile and Chikorita. Before too long he realized he was the last one in line, and once the others had all chosen, he stepped up before Professor Elm.
"Garrett Heron...", the Professor checked his name off of a list, "Okay! Ready to make your choice?" Garrett hesitantly nodded, but he really hadn't come to a decision. He walked over to the table. Three Pokeballs sat before him. One with a water symbol, one with a grass symbol, the final with a fire symbol. He sighed and began to reach for Cyndaquil's ball. But then he hesitated. There were a lot of trainers that picked Cyndaquil. He'd be at a disadvantage if he chose it. He then looked at the ball for Chikorita. He thought the Pokemon looked like a good companion, but he knew it'd be weak against all those trainers that just walked out with Cyndaquils. He then looked at Totodile's ball. He thought about it as well, but then he remembered the battle at Falkner's Gym the other day. That Totodile was clumsy and was easily knocked out by Falkner's Farfetch'd.
"I...", he began to say. "Everything okay, Garrett?", Professor Elm asked. The boy closed his eyes. He wondered why he was struggling over this. It should be a simple choice. But each Pokemon flashed in his mind and he began to shiver knowing that there was no right choice for him. He felt a hand on his shoulder, and he opened his eyes and looked over to Professor Elm. "You can give it some time if you need to think it over, you know.", he spoke. But Garrett shook his head, "I spent all week trying to make a decision...but I just can't come to one. They all have their strengths, but they all have their weaknesses too. And I'm...afraid of making the wrong choice.", Garrett admitted. Elm smiled lightly, "I may have a solution.", he said. Garrett blinked and responded with, "Oh?" The Professor walked over to the computer terminal set up nearby and began to tap on it. There was a Pokeball transporter in the room as well, and soon it began to glow and brim with energy. Suddenly, a Pokeball appeared. Elm walked over and picked it up, before turning to Garrett, "I noticed you have a Lapras shirt on. You like them quite a bit, don't you?", he asked. Garrett's eyes widened, "W-wait, you have a Lapras for me?", he was brimming all of a sudden. He knew about Lapras' rarity, and it was a non-avian Pokemon he admired quite a bit. Though, the professor began to laugh, "Goodness, I wish! We've had trouble even locating any to study! Though I do hear they have several pods around Rain Dance Island...", but he quickly cleared his throat, "Anyway...this isn't a Lapras, but it's a Pokemon that is very similar. And I think he'd be a good fit for you, if you don't mind me making the choice for you. We've been looking for a good trainer for Gallant."
Professor Elm pressed the button to release the Pokemon, and the Pokeball popped open and a brim of light energy rushed out. Garrett watched as a Squirtle appeared before him, the Pokemon looking around and rubbing his eyes before glancing to Garrett. The trainer blinked, "That's...that's a...a Squirtle!", he admittedly hadn't done enough research on the Pokemon, but at least he knew the species. Elm nodded, "Correct. His name is Gallant, he was trained for a little while by another Pokemon trainer, but...well I probably shouldn't-", he began to say. Garrett took a step forward, "Tell me, I'd want to know Gallant's story.", he responded. Elm sighed, "His trainer was in an accident. He unintentionally stepped into an Ekans nest, and didn't make it out without getting several bad bites. He was severely poisoned. He survived, but...the poison paralyzed him indefinitely. He's recovering in the hospital but he wanted someone to take care of Gallant." The Squirtle had waddled over to a filing cabinet and was poking it with his hand. Garrett watched as Gallant explored the room, and nodded slowly, "That's gotta be horrible for his trainer. I hope he recovers.", and after a short hesitation, he continued, "If Gallant needs a trainer, I'll take him."
The Squirtle looked back over to Garrett. He had knelt down and reached an arm out, "Gallant?", he called out. "Squirtle Squirt?", the Pokemon waddled over to him, and Garrett gave his head a rub. "I'll take care of you, and we'll be a great team.", Gallant spoke. Elm smiled, "Then it's settled. Thanks Garrett, I think you're going to really like him. He's all yours.", the Professor handed him the Pokeball. Garrett took it and then brimmed. He had his very own Pokemon! But he knew so little about Squirtle as a species that he had to do some research right away. "Thanks Professor Elm. Come on, Gallant, we need to run to the Library. I want to learn everything I can about you!", Garrett held the ball to the Pokemon, "Return!" A beam of red light shot out of the Pokeball and Gallant began to glow red as well, until he was transferred back to the holding device. Garrett at once ran out of the building and went to the Library. He hurried down the streets, and waved to a few people he knew. "Garrett! What's going on?", one of his acquaintances from town called, but he didn't stop, "No time! Going to the Library!", he responded. The acquaintance shook her head, "Typical Garrett, of course he'd be going there..."
The trainer hurried into the Library and quickly brought up the catalog. He found a book on Kanto Pokemon and then went down the bookshelves to find it. "Where is it? Where...oh here it is!", he pulled the book off the shelf. There was a image of the three Kanto starter Pokemon on the cover – Bulbasaur, Squirtle, and Charmander. He sat in his favorite desk and opened up to the front, where there were detailed pages on Squirtle as well as it's evolutions. He looked at Wartortle and then Blastoise. Something about knowing that Gallant would become a Blastoise made him smile. He was already beginning to feel good about the decision. He began to study on the Pokemon's moveset when he heard a familiar tapping sound. He looked over to the window, and there was Spearow, tapping on the glass and glaring at him. Garrett was a little frazzled by seeing the bird once again that it took him a few moments to register mentally that he wasn't imagining the Spearow there like it was the day before. He stood and went down the stairs, heading outside.
Spearow flew down and landed on his usual spot on the park bench, letting out a caw in greeting to Garrett. The trainer took his backpack off and reached in, taking a couple of the familiar crackers he had fed the Spearow the other day. He didn't even think about the Pokeballs in his bag. He was completely focused on just giving Spearow a treat. "Here we go...", he reached over with one of the crackers. Spearow hopped closer and happily began to peck and nibble on the treat. Garrett smiled, "I hope you can forgive me for the other day.", he spoke. The bird didn't seem to respond, completely focused on breaking off pieces of the cracker and chewing it in his beak. Garrett was happy to see the bird again, and he continued, "Listen...I'll be going away for a while. I don't know when I'll be back, but I'll come to visit you when I can. Just...", a tear rolled down his cheek, "Just promise me you'll take care of yourself, okay?", he watched as the Spearow finished off the cracker and then began to preen his feathers. Garrett chuckled, as he waved, "Take care, Spearow.", and he turned to head back into the Library.
He didn't expect the bird to follow him. "Spearow!", the Pokemon called, and hopped into the air, fluttering over to him before landing right atop his head. Garrett tensed and stood still, as the little bird nestled himself into the trainer's hair and settled, even fluffing his feathers up contently. "Uhh...S-spearow?", Garrett asked. "Spea?", the bird responded. "Would...would you like to come with me?", Garrett asked. His heart raced once again. He held his breath, and waited for the Spearow's response.
"...Spear-Spearow!", the bird spoke. Garrett wasn't sure what the bird had answered, so he just slipped his bag off and reached in to collect a Pokeball. He held it in his hand, "It's entirely up to you. I won't force you if you don't want-", he began to speak, but as he did, Spearow stood and glided down to land on Garrett's arm, tilting and craning his head as he looked at the capture device. And then, as if to give Garrett the answer he had hoped for, the bird pecked the Pokeball on the button. It popped right open and the bird was absorbed right in. The ball didn't even wiggle. It just settled in Garrett's hand and the red light faded at once.
Garrett needed a minute to comprehend what had just happened. And then he realized that Spearow had agreed to come with him. He wiped the tears from his eyes, knowing his dream was coming true.
"So this is the famous Spearow, huh?", Falkner grinned, "You've got a fantastic first bird there, make no mistake about that." Garrett had gone straight to the gym to show the Violet Gym Leader his Spearow. The bird was perched right on the new trainer's shoulder. He preened his feathers idly while Garrett spoke, "It was incredible! He just trusted me enough to come with me on the journey!"
Falkner nodded, "Speaking of that, where's your starter? I'm curious to see who you chose.", the Gym Leader spoke. Garrett cleared his throat, "W-well, here's the thing...I...I couldn't come to a decision.", he began to say, but continued, "So Professor Elm picked one for me.", he reached to his belt and sent Gallant out. The Squirtle looked around a bit, surprised at the gym setting. Falkner smiled, "Ah! A Squirtle is a good fit for you!" Garrett nodded, but Falkner could tell he had a little disappointment on his face. "Let me show you something...", the Gym Leader spoke.
He reached into his own pocket and pulled out a Premier Ball. Garrett eyed the capture device, "I've never seen that ball before.", he admitted. "It's one that is given out at the Pokemart every so often, and mine contains a good friend...", Falkner spoke as he tossed the ball into the air. It bounced on the ground, and popping open, a Smeargle emerged. Garrett's eyes widened, "Y-you have a Smeargle?", he asked. Falkner nodded, "She's one of my earliest catches, and one of my best friends through the journey toward becoming Violet City's Gym Leader. She of course does not qualify for the gym's team since she is a Normal type after all, but she trains with my birds all the same and they enjoy her just as much as I do."
Garrett realized his facial expressions were telling his thoughts. He looked down at Gallant. And he realized that his idol had Pokemon other than birds on his team, so he should as well. "Thanks, Falkner. You're right, and Gallant will be a great addition to the team.", the trainer looked at his two Pokemon. "Of course, they've gotta get stronger before we come to challenge your gym.", the trainer smiled. Falkner laughed, "You're welcome to visit any time you'd like, and I'd be honored to battle you.", he reached out his hand. Garrett shook it at once. His confidence had risen just from the stop at the gym alone.
He left the gym, with Spearow on his shoulder and Gallant nestled in his Pokeball. He set out on Route 32 toward Azalea Town. The breeze was gentle and the clouds drifted high above in the sky. He felt invigorated and ready to take on any challenge that came before him. Spearow was scanning the wilderness for any tasty bug-type Pokemon. Garrett of course was daydreaming about what other bird Pokemon he may encounter. He was looking more at the treetops for potential new additions to the team. "Spear-!", Spearow suddenly spoke, staring deep into the forest. "Huh? What is it?", Garrett asked, looking in the direction that Spearow was.
He had stopped to listen. There was a bit of rustling in the tall grass. Garrett went to reach for a Pokeball. "Here it comes..", he began to say. He was expecting something big to emerge. And soon, a plump Wurmple poked its head out of the grass and began to wriggle itself along. Garrett exhaled, "Spearow, it's just a Wurmple...", he put the Pokeball back. He wanted to save them for the time being. Spearow, on the other hand, was eyeing that Wurmple and clicking his beak in anticipation. "Come on, let's keep going.", Garrett said, but as he turned to keep on down the route, Spearow took flight and glided after the Wurmple. "Wait, Spearow!", but it was too late. Garrett watched the bird pursue the worm before eventually catching the bug Pokemon and gobbling it down. He grimaced, and rubbed the back of his head a bit, "Well...I suppose it's what he would have done in the wild...still, I didn't mean for that to happen..."
Spearow flew back up to Garrett's shoulder and perched himself proudly, even fluttering up his feathers, his belly now a bit rounder than it was. "Well at least you're content. Alright...let's keep on.", Garrett sighed and carried on Route 32. They had not gotten too far when he felt the ground tremor. He stopped and held still. "What was that?", he questioned. Another tremor, even the trees rattled from it. But Garrett could tell it was methodical, like footsteps. In fact, with each tremor was a loud boom. "Spearow, where's it coming from?", he asked the bird. He looked to his shoulder and could see Spearow's eyes were locked in a direction. He looked that way as well, as the booms were getting louder, and the tremors were increasing. He quickly went to the nearest tree and hid behind it, peeking into the wilderness. And that's when he saw something incredible.
A Venusaur was walking on its way. "That's a Venusaur!", Garrett whispered excitedly, "But what's it doing here in Johto? That's a Kanto Pokemon." Spearow was trembling. "Hmm? You okay?", he asked the bird. The Venusaur had stopped momentarily, it seemed to be taking in some of the sunlight. Garrett exhaled, and reached into his pocket to retrieve that Pokeball he had. Spearow eyed him and quickly shook his head, "Spear-spearow!", the bird warned him. "I can't pass it up. Not something that strong, we have to have it for our team. Ready?", Garrett whispered. Spearow quickly pecked his hand, "Aah!", Garrett gasped as the Pokeball fell out of his hand and rolled to a halt. "What'd you do that for?", he questioned the bird, but realized he had just blown his cover. He looked from behind the tree again. The Venusaur hadn't moved. Maybe it didn't hear him. He quickly retrieved the Pokeball, "Alright, here goes...Pokeball go!", he threw the capture device at the Venusaur. And then he watched in horror as a vine struck the Pokeball so hard that it exploded in mid-air. The large grass-type Pokemon now turned toward him. "Oh crap!", Garrett gasped and turned to run. But in moments, large, thick vines sprung out of the ground all around him. Both directions of the path were blocked, and he was cornered as the Venusaur stomped toward him. He was trapped!