An Early Lesson

Sparks, explosions and chaos were heard behind the small Bird Pokemon as it dashed away in shock and horror. Branches turned ash-black and crumbled to the ground as it desperately avoided taking damage. Turning in and out of sight with the shadows and cover disappearing rapidly all around, the Starling Pokemon screeched loudly for help but none came at all. Starly avoided the electrical attack once again as footsteps were heard behind it, thundering all around, as the cry of the human came more and more audible. Tiredness began to fill its entire body, the small grey wings failing to keep up with the heat of the moment. Dashing into a thicker part of shrubbery around, the footsteps came to a stop with Starly finally landing and breathing deeply, hoping to avoid detection completely.

Rod wiped sweat away from his brow as he looked down panting slightly with Shinx looking around, still sparking with electricity, for any movement of their target. They had spent the last ten minutes chasing Starly down after Rod encountered it towards the northern regions of Viridian City. He had left home not long ago, and with several Pokeballs at hand, he was eager to make his first capture like he had witnessed on television shows growing up. Even his own Father had demonstrated the perfect way to capture a Pokemon, and now it was his turn to finally make a move. The steps to capturing one were simple, just throw a Pokeball and encapsulate the Pokemon, however strategy had to come into play, and Rod learned fast that this Starly was skilled at flying despite its smaller size. It could fit into miniature gaps that his Flash Pokemon, Shinx, could not reach with its electrical moves. Gazing around into the green surroundings, the Viridian Clocktower ticking high above him in the distance, as random Pidgey cried to each other in the trees around.

Rod looked up as Shinx sniffed the ground for a scent before an idea came to his mind. This was a grass terrain, a battlefield made for Pokemon used to the habitat, and Shinx would feel a bit out of depth here. Taking out a second Pokeball from his pocket, he threw it high into the air as it flashed into life, materializing into his newly attained Bulbasaur. The Seed Pokemon landed with a small bump as it stretched out, small Vines appearing under its bulb, as it smiled and walked slowly towards its trainer who bent down and patted its head.

Rod called: "Bulbasaur, we're trying to chase down a Starly, do you think you can try and find it?"

The Seed Pokemon nodded and immediately dived into the bushes, pushing the green leaves away with its Vines, and skillfully avoiding random nests of Weedle and Caterpie. This Starly was very different, and not only rare to the Kanto Region, it was able to fly at extremely fast speeds. Rod had seen a few Flying Types during his time at the Gym, but he hadn't seen one fly this fast before at its primary evolutionary level. Rod's eyes followed Bulbasaur's movements in the nearby darkened bushes, as he decided to follow quietly with Shinx keeping a close watch. Everything seemed to freeze in time as silence appeared for a split second, and as soon as Rod blinked he heard something screech from behind as he toppled forward.

Rolling onto his front, Shinx cried as Starly reappeared from behind them all looking more furious than ever. Rod smiled as Bulbasaur appeared behind the Starling Bird Pokemon, using Tackle, forcing it out of its hiding spot as Shinx prepared to battle once again. They all were pushed backwards, slamming into the trunk of a tall tree as Starly unleashed a trademark Whirlwind attack towards them. Rod's eyes began to water from the wind as he clung to the ground, forcing himself to balance in the conditions.

Rod pointed upwards, his other hand blocking the wind, and cried: "Shinx! Use Thunder Wave!"

The Flash Pokemon sparked with blue electricity, before releasing it into the surroundings. Other Pokemon jumped away in fright as the Whirlwind attack was stopped in its tracks, and Starly fell from the air unable to move due to paralysis. Bulbasaur watched on as Shinx belted the disabled Starling Pokemon with a powerful Tackle attack as it rolled on the ground struggling to move. Rod saw his opportunity, taking a blank Pokeball out of his pocket, and throwing it towards the Flying Type. Starly looked up, screeched loudly with a hint of desperation, before flashing red and disappearing inside the Pokeball. Rod walked towards it with his two other Pokemon as the ball shivered dramatically on the spot. However, it steadily grew more steady before a complete halt appeared, the white dot finally remaining its original colour as it flashed brightly and held still.

Picking up the Pokeball, Rod felt the energy inside and knew he was finally successful in catching it. Excitement welled up inside his body as he raised the Pokeball high above, catching the sunlight between the trees and called: "We did it! We caught a Starly!"

Bulbasaur and Shinx cried happily as they toppled on top of him, as Rod laughed before getting back onto his knees and taking a deep breath. He had never thought that one day he would be on his journey, catching Pokemon and being responsible for them. Shinx and Bulbasaur already looked stronger than when he had first left home a few hours ago that morning. The Viridian Clock Tower chimed for mid-day as Rod stood up, glancing at the nearby path towards the famous Viridian Forest and began to walk towards it still holding the Pokeball in one hand as his other Pokemon followed, talking to each other. There seemed to be nobody else in sight as he placed his backpack against one of the tall green trees, feeling the Summer Kanto sun on his skin before glancing up at the slightly blurred blue sky. He had seen the result of the Celadon City Department Store collapse in the newspaper, and after leaving home, smoke was still rising in the distance. Kanto was generally a small Region, and Celadon was not far away, but why was Team Rocket doing this? He needed answers, and had no idea where to get them from, but leaving the Region would be the smartest plan for now.

Rod took out a small packet of Pokemon Food from his bag and laid it down on the dirt path as Bulbasaur and Shinx began to eat up noisily. Rod released his newly caught Starly as it screeched before landing on the ground, still slightly bruised from the battle, as it looked around curiously.

Rod exclaimed: "Starly! I'm really sorry for chasing you down before, but you are so strong! Do you want to come on my journey with me and my Pokemon?"

He smiled, gently stroking one of its soft grey wings as the Starling Pokemon looked at the cheery Bulbasaur and Shinx to one side. Moments later it cried happily, nodding and landing onto Rod's shoulder as he laughed, feeling its wings tickle the side of his neck. Rod gave it some more Pokemon Food before checking his supplies, and knowing he would have to re-stock once they reached Pewter City over the next couple of days. Viridian Forest would be the next challenge for them to go through, and he wanted to catch more and more Pokemon. Maybe he would even be in a proper battle soon, and truly testing himself against some of the local and even best trainers!

Excitement was still running through his body as footsteps were heard from behind. Rod turned around, away from his bag and Pokemon as another boy appeared in his view. Slightly older, wearing a bright blue cap containing a Pokemon League symbol, and matching outfit, Rod recognized him instantly as a trainer. Rod had seen many of these go in and out of the Gym, either successful or not as challengers, and this looked to be another one that wasn't local. Standing up, feeling more confident than ever before, Rod raised his hand in greeting and wandered across as his three Pokemon looked away from the last scraps of food curiously.

Rod called, adjusting his headband: "Hey there! Are you a trainer?"

The boy looked up, placing a map back into his back pocket as he tucked his hat downwards over his eyes and replied smirking: "I am indeed. The name is Damon, and who may you be?"

"The name is Rod!" He responded quickly, sticking a thumb at his chest. "I challenge you to a battle! I've just left home, and am itching to start improving!"

To his surprise, the boy named Damon laughed loudly, his voice echoing around the trees as several Pokemon turned away in shock. He replied, looking up and revealing bright green eyes: "So you're a rookie? I'm sorry, but I don't think this battle will go well for you!"

Rod shook his head, refusing to back down from the challenge and replied: "Let me show you what I can do! Come on!"

"Well…if you say so! Just a one on one then, but I am not going easy!"

"Give me your best shot! I am choosing Bulbasaur for this one!"

Rod's Seed Pokemon growled, readying for battle, as it jumped in front onto the dirt path. Damon looked at it carefully before grabbing a strange looking Pokeball from his pocket. Rod looked at it, completely unaware of what it was, as it was coloured blue instead of the usual red. Damon noticed his surprise, and chuckled again before releasing the ball high into the air as it sparkled and burst into life. Materializing into something much larger than Rod expected as it flashed again to reveal a shell based Pokemon with large cannons jutting out of its back. It stood on hind legs with small arms and claws just above the centre of its body, a Blastoise! Rod had only seen these in pictures, and even had several of them stuck around his room. The final evolution of the Kanto Starter Squirtle, and obviously a well raised and powerful Pokemon.

Bulbasaur looked scared as it backed away glancing at its trainer, but Rod called: "Keep ready Bulbasaur, we can do this!"

Damon laughed: "You stand no chance, kid! But go ahead, make the first move!"

Rod gripped down hard, his mind racing into a near panic as he cried: "Bulbasaur, use Tackle!"

The Seed Pokemon growled as it galloped quickly along the ground, moving through the path with great speed, before colliding head on with Blastoise. The Turtle Pokemon didn't even budge, to their horror, as Bulbasaur was shunned downwards feeling the pain of hitting the hard outer shell. Damon shook his head before responding quickly: "Blastoise, use Water Gun!"

The powerful cannons sprang into life as Rod called for Bulbasaur to retreat backwards, but it worked to no avail, as the powerful jet of water hit accurately. The Seed Pokemon was thrown to one side, rolling over twice as Rod stood there completely speechless and feeling overpowered. This Damon seemed to be a very experienced trainer, and Rod's confident mood had shifted down a few gears rapidly with Bulbasaur already seeming to reach the end of its strength.

Rod called, bending down to his shaking Pokemon: "Can you continue, Bulbasaur? We can do this, I know we can!"

Damon laughed loudly again as Blastoise followed: "Look kid, you can hope all you want, but your Pokemon is still very young. Have confidence, but you need to train up! Use Water Pulse, finish this!"

"This is not over yet!" Rod called back with Bulbasaur feeling instantly inspired by its trainers' word. "Bulbasaur, use Vine Whip on the ground below you!"

Rod knew it was a strange command, and had no idea where he got it from, but to his luck the strategy worked. Bulbasaur shot out two small Vines and smacked the ground hard, leaving a large dent in the dirt path, as the oncoming Water Pulse flooded below. Rod jumped backwards to avoid getting wet as his Seed Pokemon was released into the air above, using the force of the Vine Whip to propel itself to safety. Damon looked taken aback at the unexpected move as Rod sensed it was time to strike once again. Bulbasaur began to descend, looking very uneasy at being so high up, and Rod commanded another Tackle attack. Falling from above would create more momentum and weight, but Bulbasaur's accuracy seemed way off.

Blastoise took a cheeky step to one side as the small Seed Pokemon missed the Tackle completely and landed into the ground. Rod called out in horror as his first battle ended in an abrupt, and near comical defeat with Bulbasaur falling to one side breathing heavily from the damage taken. Running across he bent down, lifting up into his arms and thanking it for the amazing effort in battle against a trainer so powerful.

Damon spoke first, walking across with a slight smirk: "You have a good heart, Rod. You could go far, especially if you have the imagination like that within your battle. Keep it up, okay?"

Rod nodded, shaking Damon's hand before replying confidently: "Thank you for the battle, and I will for sure train my Pokemon hard! I hope to compete at the Pokemon Gyms soon!"

"Well you give it your best shot! We will meet again one day."

Damon nodded, returning his Blastoise to its strangely coloured Pokeball before walking past Rod's other Pokemon up the path before disappearing at the bend. Placing Bulbasaur back to the ground, Rod pulled out one of the few Oran Berries he had from his bag and passed it across.

He exclaimed to his other Pokemon: "I want us to get stronger together, and there is a lot for us to learn. Shall we start training as soon as possible?"

They all cried happily in response as Rod chuckled cleaning up the final scraps of Pokemon food before returning his team back to their Pokeballs with Viridian Forest set in his mind. He knew that it would be a late night, and with no Pokemon Centre until midway through the forest, it could be a first night sleeping outside without a comfortable bed. Rod didn't even have a sleeping back on him, but the sense of adventure returned to his body after a very thrilling morning that had just passed. The sun still shone down high from above as the few dwellings of smoke continued in the distance through the cracks of the overhanging branches and trees. Adjusting his backpack, he began to walk as the sounds of the Viridian City disappeared steadily behind. The audio of cars, buses and the busy marketplaces were replaced with the cool and relaxing sounds of the leaves and Pokemon living nearby. Viridian Forest would take over a day to get through on foot, but Rod wanted to catch more Pokemon as quickly as possible. His own Father had so many, and to emulate as many caught would be an incredible feat.

Reaching the end of the path, the forest lurking in front, Rod adjusted his headband and tightened his backpack. Taking a deep breath, Rod dashed into the darkness of Viridian Forest with adrenaline filling his body. Adventure was around the corner, and despite his loss to Damon, he knew that he would get stronger from here on…