An Aerial Duel

The smoke and ash clouds of the Pewter City attack still remained hanging in the atmosphere behind with the grey buildings now burnt black due to the ongoing fire. Team Rocket's second attack in a week had left a sour spot amongst many of the Kanto locals throughout the Region, and already many had booked flights to leave for a long period of time. The Region now was under threat of becoming a ghost town, but that would only make Team Rocket's job a whole lot easier. Route 3 was the single area that led away from Pewter City and pointed east-wards with the historical Mt. Moon ahead, and the twisting passages within it. Over the years the mountain had become more and more inaccessible due to landslides and poor maintenance. The Pokemon Centre had now become a makeshift rest stop for trainers and travellers with Nurse Joy closing down the venue years ago due to danger and risk. With most individuals heading through the safer forested routes, those who still desired adventure would attempt to make their way through. However, despite all the danger, the Mt. Moon Square had been created very recently, perched high above near its peak, to give travellers a place to rest after a day of travel.

Rod and Forrest had left Pewter City a day before with only a few more hours walking with the Mt. Moon obstacle growing larger ahead of them. The dirt path had been badly chopped up from travel and the rain had created puddles of oozing mud with Grimer and Muk sliding out of the grass to enjoy. The stench continued to grow more and more horrific, but they pushed on knowing that the rest stop would be ahead of them soon. Sunlight would still beat down heavily in the Kanto Summer, and it was something they hadn't seen much of during their time at Pewter City. Images of desperation and destruction would never leave both of their minds as they walked silently in thought.

The silence became too much as Rod coughed purposefully, trying to cover his mouth for realism, before spluttering: "Have you travelled much through here before, Forrest?"

Forrest responded with a slight smile, obviously taken aback by the sudden break of silence: "It has been awhile since I've been to Mt. Moon, but yes I have been here before."

"How about Hoenn?"

With Hoenn decided as the destination for both of them, Rod had realised he knew very little about the Region overall. He knew of the famous Pokemon League and very challenging Gym Leaders, but lacked information on some of the cities and sites to see. The Region was known to be very water-based as it's connection to the sea had led to sprawled islands and dotted resorts for tourists. Rod wondered if he would ever be able to travel freely with his Pokemon around, and if he was even able catch any that could help him for that.

Shaking his head, Forrest smiled and replied: "I haven't been there before, but I hear that Littleroot Town is the place were the famous Professor Birch originates from. Maybe he can give us a hand when we get there."

"Sounds good to me!" Rod exclaimed before tripping over his foot by accident and stopping to regain balance. His bad had increased in weight due to the supplies stocked up back at the Pokemon Centre. Pokemon Food was crammed inside along with various waterbottles and snacks to help them survive before the next town or rest point. "Maybe we should take a breather for a second, we've walked a long way already!"

Forrest agreed and settled his large hiking bag to the ground as Rod grabbed a bottle of water from his own. Collapsing to the cool grass below, the shade of a tree blocked the heated sunlight from above as they both took a deep breath of relaxation. Rod had no idea how many days Kanto had left before Team Rocket attacked everything, and with such a lack of resistance he had no idea how they could be stopped. Curiosity appeared in his mind as he turned to Forrest, remembering something back in Pewter City.

Rod asked perplexed: "Forrest, with my Father being Blue, do you really think Team Rocket will come after me?"

The Pewter City Gym Leader looked down, thinking for a second, before replying: "If they know of your identity then yes. Blue is one of the most powerful trainers known to the Kanto Region, I imagine they are searching for him now."

"My Father will be fine, I know it."

"But how?"

Rod smiled as memories of heated Gym Battles flickered through his mind where Blue would never seem to lose, but instead defeat opponents with sickening ease and even a bit of pleasure. "My Father is an amazing Pokemon Trainer, and he fights so hard in battle. I hope to emulate that one day."

Forrest laughed, agreeing: "Of course! Well from what you've shown me so far, you definitely have the courage to take that extra step ahead of the crowd."

Laughing in response, Rod laid back against the tree as a distinct cry of a Bird Pokemon seemed to rock the air around. Attention gained, Rod sat upright and listened closely as Forrest did the same. The cry was not a native bird, and Rod knew it sounded somewhat familiar to something he had heard very recently. Within Kanto, Pidgey and its evolved forms were the most commonly known with the nearing Johto Region spreading HootHoot and even Skarmory into the Region at times. However, this one sounded very different, and Rod slowly got to his feet and walked back onto the brightly lit path as the cry grew louder. Gazing up into the sky he finally rested his view on a small red coloured bird high above that was circling above screeching in all directions in a somewhat desperate tone.

Forrest wandered across and called: "Rod, I think that is a Fletchling."

"Fletchling?"

Flicking open his Pokedex, resting in his back pocket, the encyclopaedia burst into life as its robotic voice spoke: "Fletchling, the Tiny Robin Pokemon, has a beautiful singing voice, however is known to attack mercilessly at nearing intruders."

Both trainers gazed at all directions but saw no indication of a flock of Fletchling, or any other in sight. Flipping through more information, Rod finally concluded that this particular one must have been separated completely. It looked smaller than the average size specified on the Pokedex, and so must have been younger.

Rod turned to Forrest, making a decision in his mind: "I'm going to try to catch it! Fletchling are rare in Kanto, and I don't even think you can find them in Hoenn either!"

Forrest smiled and called: "Give it a try! Fletchling can be very strong in the long run!"

Adjusting his headband, Rod took a Pokeball from his pocket and released it into the air above as it exploded into life. White sparkles and light burst as its red hatch opened and the Starling Pokemon, Starly appeared, screeching loudly as it took to the air, its target in sight. Rod ran ahead to match speed and levels on the path as a few other Pokemon in the grass backed away out of shock and surprise. The Fletchling above seemed to realise the oncoming attack as it dodged away towards the ground with Starly just missing a blatant Tackle attack, this particular Pokemon seemed much more skilled than how it seemed.

Rod called, with slight caution in his voice: "Starly you have to stay aware of it! Use Quick Attack!"

The Starling Bird Pokemon screeched loudly before flapping its glowing white wings powerfully. A gust of wind appeared around it as it sped up, arcing through the sky, before making powerful and effective contact. Fletchling fell a few metres of altitude as it coughed in pain and exhaustion, but Rod knew it wouldn't be enough yet. The Tiny Robin Pokemon replied with a stinging Steel Wing, to Rod's surprise, as it battered Starly back towards ground level with distinct ease and agility.

Forrest warned: "Rod! This Fletchling is very skilled! It couldn't have learnt that Steel Wing easily!"

Rod nodded in agreement as Starly was pounded to the ground by the move as he took out it's Pokeball and returned it safely away. The Fletchling seemed to get angrier and more furious as it powered up another Steel Wing and aimed it towards Rod as it dropped altitude quickly and threateningly. Knowing it was time to end this properly, Rod released his Shinx, the Flash Pokemon, as it growled spiralling electricity in all directions. Fletchling was forced to dodge the sparks as it lost balance and arced back up into the sky to avoid further danger.

Rod raised his arm pointing at their target as he yelled: "Shinx! Finish this with Discharge, focus on the target!"

The Flash Pokemon growled as it flashed blue, releasing a direct beam of electricity into the sky. It made significant impact, engulfing the Tiny Robin Pokemon completely, as it fell from the sky smoking and burnt due to the move. Electricity had a super effective range on Flying Type Pokemon, and Rod knew that Shinx would have the power and control of its attack to land it. Before Fletchling could hit the ground, Rod threw an empty Pokeball as its target was transformed to energy before disappearing inside the ball. Forrest ran forward as they all looked at the twisting ball as the red light flashed brightly around the area. Rod sank to his knees as the Pokeball stopped moving completely, confirming that the capture was successful.

Shinx cried happily as Rod crawled ahead and picked up the Pokeball feeling the energy inside as he called: "Awesome! Managed to do it, well done Shinx and to Starly as well! This will be a great Pokemon to train up!"

Forrest applauded as he exclaimed: "Not many trainers carry two Flying Types on them! Will be interesting to see how you balance it out with Starly!"

Rod smiled knowing this was yet another challenge of being a Pokemon Trainer, but having two Flying Types would be very beneficial. Fletchling would evolve into a Fletchinder and eventually Talonflame, and gain the ability to use Fire moves. He remembered how powerful Blaine's one was back at Pewter City, and maybe this particular one could gain similar or even more powerful strength.

Returning Shinx safely back to its Pokeball, Rod called: "Let's head onwards to Mt. Moon, Forrest! If we can get there by tonight, we could be at Vermillion City within a couple of days."

Forrest smiled and responded, as he grabbed his hiking bag: "Not far to go!"

Both trainers left Route 3 behind as the looming Mt. Moon stared blankly at them ahead. A cast shadow of doubt still lay on Rod's head, but he was much more confident that perhaps he was getting stronger as a trainer even with the threat of Team Rocket following.

…

The night grew colder and windier than ever before as an injured Region shivered with its inhabitants. Behind the dark Mt. Moon lay the even larger Mt. Silver that was perched between the Kanto and Johto Regions, and a known landmark for the worlds strongest trainers. Those who travelled there had multiple Gym Badges, League Championship victories and numerous Local Tournament wins as well. The strongest would fight to reach the top of Mt. Silver through the natural obstacles and hidden danger inside, but lay at its very peak? Not many individuals knew, and most trainers gave up or were smite down if they got close. Legend had remained that the strongest trainer known to mankind inhabited the peak, so ingrained in training that the severe conditions had become normal and natural. Gender still unknown, people would write stories and legends had already been created based on what people had seen. The trainer would be known as the one to conquer all, but his true goal would never truly be known.

Rod had heard this story growing up, and every year more failed trainers would return through Viridian City retired and injured. He had seen countless of them now wander past the Gym looking shocked and furious; some even gave up Pokemon Training once and for all. But what truly was the power on top of Mt. Silver, was it a curse or a single trainer who defeated them all with ease. Why couldn't this power solve the problems in the Kanto Region now, and was there even anyone searching for him or her?

They had both reached the bottom of Mt. Moon only a few hours since the capture of Fletchling on Route 3, and now sitting in an abandoned Pokemon Centre, Rod gazed into the remaining embers of the camp fire they had created. Reaching over to his backpack, he took out his four Pokeballs filled with the new friends he had made. Could he ever reach the top of Mt. Silver? His journey had just began and he felt as if he had been through years of adventures in only a matter of days. But what did it truly mean to be a Pokemon Trainer, and where would his destiny take him?

Rolling over to one side, he draped the sleeping bag around him, cuddling the Pokeballs close, Rod muttered to himself: "I have to get stronger..."

Turning over once again he looked over at Forrest snoring in the corner of the room, and knew he was travelling with someone experienced. Pewter City Gym Leader with Pokemon like Steelix under his command, Rod had to learn as much as he could from him and it would start now. Forrest must have had years of training and understanding of Pokemon, but would he tell Rod if he was doing anything wrong?

Sleep just refused to come as Rod fought his own thoughts that one night as Mt. Moon gazed down completely isolated and silent. The cry of Pokemon would be hurt in the distance as Murkrow and nearby Rock Pokemon continued their lives under nightfall. Heavy waves of sleep soon dotted the air as the smell of smoke and destruction from Pewter City twisted high above before disappearing into the atmosphere. However, Kanto was not the only Region to see the smoke rising as invisible eyes throughout the world suddenly began to flicker into view. As if awaking from a deep sleep the shock and realisation had turned many heads, and one in particular lay several seas and landmasses away. A silent whisper of energy sparked from something so empty and dull, an extinct resource that finally found a way to come alive once again. The earth shook in broken anger in a place where it hadn't for almost a millennia, but what would this mean?

Not only the individuals involved felt the true force of Team Rocket, but something remained in the shadows, ready to pounce, as it truly knew the background of their evil plot.