Chapter 7

"And the duo crept through the forest knowing danger could be around any corner." Said Joe, narrating. "Oh what's this? It appears Barry has heard something. He goes to investigate. It's a-! Another Venipede."

Barry grumbled at the Venipede.

"The seasoned pros will probably have to look elsewhere for stronger Pokemon." Joe explained aloud.

"Seasoned pros?" asked Barry in a questioning tone.

"Yeah, Barry! We're like real trainers now. We've traveled across the land searching, far and wide. There's some Pokemon we understand. I'm hungry for something fried."

Barry made a confused look as this did not really answer his question. "I feel like I've heard that somewhere before…"

"Yeah. Don't you remember yesterday when I complained about not eating fried chicken in a while? Also now that I think about it, can you catch chicken in a Pokeball? Barry, could you imagine the possibilities?"

"Joe…" Barry trailed off, unable to come up with an answer.

Just then, they heard a voice in the distance. "C'mon Guacamole, don't give up."

"Did you hear that?" said Joe in a hushed voice.

"Sounds like someone's over there." Said Barry as he shifted his gaze through the trees all around him. "Joe, look! A Simisage!" he said in a loud whisper. "Hey, Joe, you check out that voice while I catch this Pokemon? I'll find you after."

"Sure, Barry. I can handle a little adventure on my own." Joe said clasping his hands together. "Good luck, Barry," And Joe was off, leaving Barry to his own devices. Joe made his way toward where he thought he had heard the voice. Again he heard it. "Guacamole, use tackle." It was close this time. Only moments later, Joe found what had been making the noise. A tall trainer with glasses was using an Archeops to fight a Lillipup. Archeops mirrored the trainers enthusiasm, which meant it looked like it wanted to go home. The trainer found Joe looking at him. "Oh. Hi. For a second I thought you might be my brother." He said reaching out for a handshake.

Joe didn't reciprocate the gesture. "Aren't you going to introduce yourself first?"

"Oh." The other trainer looked taken aback. "I'm Jeb. I thought—well… nevermind"

"Well, nice to meet you," said Joe, finally shaking the outstretched hand. "What are you doing out here in the woods?"

"I'm trying to catch a Pokemon" gesturing towards the two Pokemon embroiled in an intense game of 'don't look at each other.'

"And how's that going?"

"Not very good. I'm not very good." Said Jeb sadly.

"That's no way to think! If you want to be good, you have to work hard and push yourself! If you throw yourself into getting better, you'll be able to get better." Joe looked Jeb up and down and added: "At least a little bit."

"You think so?" said Jeb, looking up from his feet.

"Uh-huh." said Joe.

"Okay, Guacamole. Use tackle!" said Jeb in an almost commanding way.

The Archeops walked over to the Lillipup and bird-slapped it. The Lillipup did not look amused.

Jeb took out a Pokeball, set his eyes on his target, and threw. The Pokeball soared through the air and landed roughly ten feet away from the Lillipup.

"Get closer!" Joe said.

Jeb cut the distance between himself and his target by half and tried again. This time he only missed by five feet.

"Get really close!" Joe said.

Jeb then walked all the way up to the Lillipup and dropped the Pokeball on its forehead.

One. Two. Three. Click. Jeb's eyes widened as he stepped backward in shock. "I—I did it?"

"You certainly did do that." said Joe answering the rhetorical question.

"I caught a Pokemon!" Said Jeb, almost tearful now. "I'm going to name it Li'l Guac."

Joe nodded thoughtfully.

"Hey Joe! You over here?" came the familiar voice of Barry as he stepped into the clearing.

"What's going on? Who's this?" asked Barry.

"That's some guy named Jeb. He caught a Pokemon." Explained Joe.

"Speaking of catching Pokemon…" Barry said, leading on Joe to ask the question.

"Did you catch it? The Simisage?"

"You bet I did. It was no match for Rapidash and I."

"Awesome, Barry! You now have a full team!" Said Joe excitedly.

"Hey, Joe, thank you. You really know your stuff when it comes to Pokemon. I hope I can repay you someday." said Jeb with a genuine smile. "I have to leave now though."

"Happy to help." Joe replied waving as Jeb left.

Barry looked at Joe. "You know your stuff huh?"

"Of course. We're real Pokemon trainers, remember?"

Barry smiled at that. "You know what, Joe? Today's been a good day. Maybe we can celebrate our successes at our next stop with some fried chicken."

"I like that idea."

"Well, get ready 'cause in about two hours, we'll be in Hogsmead."