Chapter 3: You can do anything! But within reason

"Come Lillupup, let's go!"

Lillipup barked happily and ran by my side as we finally set forth on our journey.

.

"You… caught a Pokémon all by yourself?" Juniper asked in disbelief.

"Well… not caught per say… Hey stop it!" I giggled as Lillipup jumps up and down in my arm with excitement.

Professor Juniper was dumbfounded as to how I managed to get myself a Pokémon without needing to battle it or even catch it in a Pokeball.

"I mean, there have been cases like this in history but…"

"B-but more importantly…!" I interrupted, "Does this mean that I can…"

She smiled, "Of course, regardless of the means, having your very own Pokemon now allows you to start your very own journey as a full-fledged trainer."

I stare at the Professor and look down at Lillipup before breaking out into a cheer!

.

'Finally..' I thought to myself, 'Finally, I can be somebody impor-"

"Chirruppp!"

A piercing shriek suddenly fills the air as I step down into the tall grass onto something soft.

I immediately jump back and fall on my behind, Lillipup runs up to my side before facing the direction of the sound and growling.

Suddenly a Patrat emerges from the grass, looking extremely agitated – pretty sure, due to me stepping on him.

"A-ah I'm sorr-" Before I had a chance to finish my sentence, the Patrat lets out a aggressive screech and lunges towards me.

I don't even have a chance to react before Lillipup runs in front of me. He zig zags in front of the Patrat, directing its focus towards him before circling the Pokémon and tackling it from the side.

Lillipup jumps back where the Patrat stumbles on its feet before shaking its head and looking up back up at him.

"Well done Lilllipup!" I shout, impressed at how adapt he already was to fighting.

Before I could grab my bearings however…

"PA-CHIRRUPPP!" the Patrat lets out a commanding yell, not to us, but as if into the air.

*rustle rustle* *rustle rustle*

Suddenly several blades of the tall grass began to sway aggressively, each blade progressively moving towards us.

"What is that…" my voice trails off as a hoard of dark shadows appear from the grass.

"Oh god."

Patrats, left, right and center, began to appear one by one – each one looking at us with a vengeance.

My eyes dart back and forth as I try to figure out what to do.

But wait, what if he defeats a few and levels up… would it be possible to defeat them all?

I look down at Lillipup, who, surprisingly, looked quite eager and determined to fight them all.

I clench my fists and look at Lillipup, who meets my gaze.

"Let's do it Lillipup!"

.

We can't do it.

As Lillipup knocks out a Patrat, another two would takes its place and attack simultaneously with at least one hit connecting with Lillipup.

"Lillipup, stand down!" I scream.

He jumps back at my command but stumbles as he lands, shaking as he tries to gain balance.

"Lillipup, that's enough. We can't do it."

"Arf arf arf!" Lillipup barks back at me, as if to protest that he would be able to do it.

I look at our surroundings. Despite knocking out a good amount, the amount of Pokémon did not seem to be stopping.

I couldn't forgive myself if something happened to Lillipup.

I look down at him as he readies himself to jump back in.

As proud as I was, I knew that even he would not be able to defeat all of these.

I bite my bottom lip as I realise there was only one thing I could do.

Run.

I scoop up Lillipup in my arms and I use my only leverage against these small Pokémon and leap over them and dash through Route 1.

Lillipup struggles in my arms as it tries to break free.

"I know I know, I'm sorry." I cry.

I'm a coward.

Just because I have a Pokémon now, doesn't mean anything's changed.

.

I continued to run until I see a red roof peering out of the distance.

"A Pokémon Center!" I yell.

My heartbeat had reached my ear drums, drowning out any Pokémon cries that may or may not still be chasing us.

As a precaution, I decided not to stop until I had made my way through the doors of the Pokémon Center.

'Almost… there...!'

I don't slow down as I step foot into Accumula Town, seeing heads turn in confusion – probably wondering why a weird girl is drenched in sweat with wounded Lillipup trying to bite her is panting her way through town.

I was nearing the doors when it opens prematurely as a tall man exits the Pokémon Center.

"Excuse me, please move!"

The man looks up at me, eyes bewildered as he steps to the side.

For some reason, I couldn't help but look back at him as I passed. I don't know why but something about his green piercing eyes caught my attention before turning back round.

I stumbled and drop to the ground when I finally get in.

"Nurse… someone… anyone, pl-"

"Touko?"

I look up at the sound of my voice and see Cheren by the counter looking at me.

"Cheren!"

"What happened?"

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AUTHOR COMMENTS:

Not sure if I want to add more to this chapter but for now I'm happy with how it's turned out! I wanted to skip Route 1 and get straight into the meat but I thought it'd be better to flesh out Touko's character a bit more!