Chapter 4 :
Donate a Heart

Three days after Melons's incident, Soma decides that it's better for them to leave now, since Melons is also better. Ken also did recompose himself from the previous happenings.

"Ok, we're going. You two are ready?" asks Soma.

"We're always ready!" says Ken.
"You can count on us." says Melons.

Together, they take their first steps into Route 2, not knowing what to expect. Ken didn't want Melons to suffer anymore, so he kept a vigilant eye on him.
After some walking, they did meet with another wild Pokémon, this time, a female Lillipup who was chasing a female Pidgey around. The Pidgey was running away from the Lillipup.

Soma saw that the Pidgey needed help, so he asked Ken to stop the Lillipup.

"Hey, why are you bullying around that Pidgey?" Ken asked to the Lillipup.

The Lillipup answered "She stole my bone! I just want it back, but she keeps flying around!"

Soma quickly grasped the situation and sent Ken after the Pidgey, but that was a fast bird, not one to be caught so easily. Suddenly, Soma had an idea.

"Melons, use your vine whip to grab that Pidgey!"

"Leave it to me!" said Melons as he ran at an amazing speed and grabbed Pidgey's leg with a vine whip. This was when the Pidgey decided to attack Melons with a peck. She swooped in and started to peck Melons repeatedly.
However, Ken was nearby and saved Melons by pushing the Pidgey aside with a water gun. Luckily, the damage that Melons suffered was nothing. The Pidgey then became unable
to fly, since her wings were wet by Ken's water gun.

Ken then approached the Pidgey and saw that she was indeed carrying a bone under her feathers. "Why did you steal Lillipup's bone?"

The Pidgey then closed her eyes and said "Please, don't take the bone from me... i'm starving..."

Soma saw that Pidgey was, in fact, in a very weak state. So he didn't hesitate, and gave the Pidgey some of the ration he had stored in his bag.

"Thank you..." answered the Pidgey.

The peaceful moment however didn't last long, as the Lillipup came waltzing in. "What is this? You're becoming friends with this Pidgey? I demand an explanation!"

"Hey, is that how you treat someone who is suffering?" says Melons to Lillipup.

"How so?" asks the Lillipup.

Ken tries to explain "The Pidgey was really hungry, she just wanted to eat somenthing."

Soma then picks up the bone and hands it to Lillipup. "Sometimes, a little action like a donation can save someone's life. Don't you see that Lillipup?"

Lillipup then calms down for an instant. "I see. Well, in this case, the Pidgey can stay with the bone."

The Pidgey replies politely "Thanks..." and then "...but, i'm not sure if I can still hold on my own. This place is too dangereous for me, and i'm not exactly the strongest fighter..."

Soma stands up "Then would you like to join my team? You will never suffer from starvation again. I'll take good care of you."

The Pidgey's eyes shine with hope "Really? Then, I accept your invitation!"

"We're gonna call you Lara. Seems like a good name?" Soma asks.

"Well, that's fine." answers Lara.

"We have one more member on our team! Awesome!" says the excited Ken.

Lillipup reflects on her actions for a moment, and then decides "If you don't mind... could you take-me too?"

"Sure, welcome too. I think Lilly is a good name for you." answers Soma.

"Lilly..." she thinks "It really fits-me well!"

"Ok, my name is Soma. Let's get a move on!" Soma then throws two Pokéballs, one at Lara, one at Lilly. Without any kind of struggle, the two Pokémon are captured.

With the two Pokémon caught, Soma moves on, until they notice Bianca.

Bianca greets Soma "Hey Soma! It's so cool to see that you're here! You've been taking care of your Pokémon, right?"

"Well... we had a little incident, but everything ended well." says Soma.

"What kind of incident?" asks Bianca.

"My Pokémon got hurt during a battle, but I kinda expected that." answers Soma.

"Well," she continues "You have to be careful. Say, what do you think we have a Pokémon battle?"

Soma hesitates for a moment, but then reaches a decision "I'm up." and throws a Pokéball "Go Lara!"

Bianca replies "I knew you would accept the challenge! Go Bidoof!" as she throws her Pokéball.

Both combatants are ready to duke it out. Soma makes the first move "Lara use peck!"

Lara comes down and pecks Bianca's Bidoof, causing some minor damage. The Bidoof retaliates by throwing Lara off balance with a tail whip.
Bidoof then proceeds to attack Lara with a tackle, but thanks to Lara's reflexes, she dodges the Bidoof and hits him with a powerful peck.

"Return Bidoof!" After returning her Pokémon, Bianca sends out her last Pokémon "Go for broke, Rattata!"

Soma decides it would be fair to let Lilly get some experience, so he returns Lara and throws Lilly's Pokéball "I choose you, Lilly!"

Lilly stands ready for any incoming attack, but, unfortunately, Rattata is fast and tackles Lilly from behind.
Lilly then turns around and also tackles Rattata. The battle seems to be on equals, but then...

Bianca issues an order "Rattata, use Super Fang!"

The Rattata goes for a fatal strike, but Lilly dodges in the nick of time. Soma starts to worry about Lilly.

"She seems so unfocused, is she even used to battling?" asks Melons to Ken.

"Not everyone is born a fighter, Melons." is Ken's answer to Melons.

The Rattata closes in for another Super Fang, but this time, Lilly takes up courage and goes front to front with Rattata. She bites Rattata before Rattata has a chance to even touch Lilly with his fangs.
The battle ends just like that. Bianca returns her Rattata "Wow, your Pokémon are really strong Soma! I don't think I even had a chance in this battle."

Soma replies "Thanks, but i'm not that good of a trainer yet..."

Lilly comes up to Soma, and Soma pets Lilly's head. She then confirms "I gave it my all because you were watching! Am I a good Lillipup?"

"Yes, you are." says Soma before returning Lilly to her Pokéball.

Bianca looks at her watch again "Well, time never stops, so I must be going! Thanks for the battle Soma!"
Bianca then fades in the distance, apparently going back to Juniper's lab.

As Soma, Ken and Melons continue their stroll, they arrive on Striaton City.
What kind of thrills await Soma and his partners here?