Chapter One - Vulpix Chooses Joe
It was the day before I was to hike many miles to New Bark Town to get my official Pokemon trainer's license. Like most junior trainers, I was 10 years old. I had studied Pokemon in books and videos from the time I was a small child, and I was extremely knowledgable about everything Pokemon. I was at the top of my class in Crimson Pokemon Academy, and was considered by some to be a prodigy. Even Professor Oak was impressed when he visited our school once. Despite how much I knew about all the Pokemon, the main Pokemon I was interested in was Vulpix. I've always had an affinity for this six tailed fire fox. If I caught no other Pokemon, I wanted a Vulpix. As I mentioned, I lived right next to the Brushfire Woods, named so because of the strong Vulpixes that were rumored to live there. I never saw any, and I was told never to wander too far into those woods. Well, I was determined to see a wild Vulpix and take a picture before I started my Pokemon journey. I decided that today, I would venture deep into the woods and search out a Vulpix, just for the thrill of seeing one in the wild. Then when I got my license, I could come back and catch one. I packed my backpack up with some snack bars for me, some Pokemon food, which I hoped to use to lure a Vulpix closer, and my camera. I was soon under way. I walked for miles into the woods. I encountered many types of wild Pokemon, but mostly Pidgeys, Rattattas, Caterpies, Spearows, and the occasional Beedrill and Butterfree. I saw no sign of a Vulpix anywhere. I was starting to get disappointed. I sat under a tree after walking for several hours, took out a snack bar to eat, and then pressed on. Up ahead was a clearing. It was all open field and a pond. I saw a couple Ponyta run by, and some Stantler. As I got closer, I noticed something orange-ish brown over by the pond. It was a Vulpix! I couldn't believe my eyes! I hid behind some bushes and pulled out my camera. I crouched down and looked through the viewfinder at him, zooming in with the telephoto lens. Orange-ish/brown coat, white belly, curls of reddish-orange hair on his head, six reddish-orange tails, and little brown paws - a perfect specimen! He looked to be about a year old, judging from the size of his tails - they were not quite as big as the tails I'd seen on the more mature Vulpixes on the videos at school. I got a nice, clear view of him as he lapped up water and then sat down to preen his fur. When I snapped the shutter, he looked up towards me, stood up, and ran. I, too, got up and foolishly ran after him. I don't know what I was thinking. He ran ahead of me into the woods, very fast, but I kept up pretty good. He was about 25 meters in front of me as I dodged branches and jumped over logs and bushes to keep up with him. But then I slipped and slammed into a tree, which knocked me to the ground. Out of the tree dropped 3 Kakunas. If there were Kakunas here, then this must be - a Beedrill nest! Suddenly, a swarm of Beedrill hovered out of the tree. I screamed and ran in the opposite direction, as fast as I could, their incessant, deafening buzzing just feet away me. I thought I could outrun them if I made it across the clearing, but one of them got close enough to nick my shoulder with it's poison sting, the pain knocking me face first onto the ground. I saw the swarm hover above me, ready to attack. There was nowhere to run. Then, a few meters away, I saw the Vulpix approach, stop, and watch what was going on from behind a tree. "Please help me!" I yelled to the Vulpix, in pain. He looked at me curiously. I yelled to him again, hoping he somehow understood me. He was my only hope now. Somehow, in that moment, looking into his eyes, I knew he understood that my life was in danger. I made one last plea to him, before the Beedrill swarm swooped down. I crouched myself to the ground, bracing myself for the dozens of painful stings I would feel before the end. Instead, I heard a loud "Vulll!" as I felt an intense heat just a foot away from my back. Vulpix did a magnificent flamethrower attack, which knocked out half the Beedrill swarm and sent the rest flying away in fear. I was quite impressed to see a wild Vulpix that knew a flamethrower attack. I sat up as well as I could, half delusional from the poison, and looked over at my rescuer, who was now sitting down 2 feet away from me and looking at me, as though sizing me up. I stretched out my arm and hand, which he sniffed, then licked. He allowed me to pet his soft fur and even his six tails. I knew I would have to let the Beedrill poison work out of my system before heading home - from one Beedrill, it's like having the flu for a couple hours, but a whole swarm could kill you. I was only nicked, but I could already feel the chills all over my body as I weakly lay back down on the ground. Vulpix came up next to me and curled up beside me, keeping me warm as I drifted into sleep.
When I awoke, it was early evening. I felt considerably better. Vulpix was still asleep next to me, but he woke up when I sat up a little. He seemed to show no fear of me; his look was more that of curiosity. I smiled at him and said, "Thank you for saving my life". I then got the little plastic bag of Pokemon food out of my backpack, and took out a handful. "Here" I said to Vulpix, as I put my palm, full of food, in front of his face. He sniffed the food, then ate it right out of my hand. I was loving every minute of this. Not only had I seen a wild Vulpix, now I was feeding one! After that, I had another snack bar, then began the hike home. Vulpix followed me. He certainly seemed tame enough, walking beside me like we'd been friends for life. I was still amazed at his attack strength, and his flamethrower ability. I mean, his flamethrower knocked out half a Beedrill swarm. Then it occurred to me - the Beedrill! That's probaby why the Vulpixes in this area are so strong. They have to constantly battle Beedrill to defend themselves, and that builds up their experience. I was no Pokemon researcher, but that made sense to me.
The walk seemed long, as I was still somewhat weak from the poison. I wish I would have had my Tauros then. He's great about letting me ride on his back during long hikes. But he wouldn't be part of my team for a while yet. I was glad to have Vulpix's company for the hike, walking beside me. I started to call him "Flamefox" on the way, which he seemed to take a liking to. I thought maybe he just wanted to make sure I got home safely. But when I got home, he followed me right into the house and curiously looked around. My parents were home now, and I told them about what happened. They were grateful to Flamefox for saving me. They petted him, and he took to them right away with a happy "Vulllpix!" I let Flamefox stay in my room while we went into town to buy some fresh Pokemon food, and he was asleep on my bed when we got home. He woke up and ate heartily. I sat on my bed while he ate, and afterwards, he hopped up onto my lap and sat down. I held him in my lap, putting my chin in the soft curls of hair on his head. I knew it was destiny that we met the way we did. I looked at him and said, "Flamefox, tomorrow I'm starting my journey to New Bark Town to get my Pokemon trainer's license. After that, I'm going to battle gym leaders, get badges, and become a Pokemon champion. Then, one day, I'll come back here and start my own gym. I would be honored if you would be my first Pokemon. What do you say? Will you battle for me?" He looked back at me and smiled, then let out an enthusiastic "Vulpix!" I was so happy! Now I knew I was ready to begin my Pokemon journey, with Flamefox at my side!
The next day, I packed up for the long hike to New Bark Town. It would take a few days to walk there. I would have to pass through Brushfire Woods, then the Ilex Forest, and after that, Azelea Town, Violet City, Cherrygrove City, and finally, New Bark Town. It would be a long journey just to get my license, but I wasn't afraid, not with Flamefox there to protect me and fight for me. Yes, we were on our way!