Chapter 3: Brenna and the Viridian Forest Air Force

Having started their journey from Viridian City, Andrew and Serah set off to the well-known Viridian Forest on their way to Pewter City.

"Walking slow like this is pretty boring," Serah mentioned as she lagged behind. "At least I've caught some data about Beedrill and Butterfree in my Poké App,"

"Well, we've got all day to cross the Viridian Forest," Andrew argued stiffly. "And I think that training Bulbasaur kinda has priority now,"

"Well, it ain't gonna get stronger if you keep it inside your Poké Ball," Serah pointed out blankly.

"Well, most Pokémon here are Flying or Bug-Type," Andrew said. "And considering Bulbasaur's lack of experience and being far from any Pokémon Center whatsoever, I think I have to pick my targets carefully,"

"That makes sense I guess," Serah admitted. Suddenly there was a soft high squeal audible from close to the duo. The two stiffened up.

"Hey, what's that?" Andrew asked as he wildly looked around.

"I think it came from there," Serah said as she pointed to her right. There were bushes blocking the view, but a new sound from the weak voice confirmed Serah's presumptions.

"Let's see," Andrew said as he approached the bushes. Once he found an open spot in the bushes, he rushed through it, coming in a small open spot. "It's a Pidgey! It's injured!" he called to his companion.

"How bad is it?" Serah asked out of concern.

"Pretty bad, I don't think it can fly," Andrew said as he tried to pick up the injured Pidgey. The Pidgey startled and jumped out of Andrew's hand. It started to run around. "Aah!" Andrew yelled in surprise.

"What happened?" Serah asked.

"It jumped." Andrew said. "I think I won't be able to carry it. I think it's too scared,"

"Try to catch it!" Serah yelled.

"What?" Andrew asked. "I can't catch it. It's not right to catch injured Pokémon,"

"You can release it later, but it will never survive if it can't fly," Serah reasoned.

"You're right," Andrew admitted. "Sorry Pidgey, but this is for your own good," he plucked an empty Poké Ball from his belt. "Poké Ball, go!" the Pokémon Trainer hurled the Poké Ball forward and once it hit Pidgey, it bounced back and opened, absorbing Pidgey in it. The ball landed on the soft ground and Pidgey wiggled a bit inside its Poké Ball, but was indeed too weak to break free. With a click the Poké Ball confirmed its capture. Andrew took the shrunken Poké Ball in his hand. "Don't worry Pidgey, you'll be free before you know it, I promise,"

Andrew made his way to the path.

"We'd better run," Serah said. "As far as we know it might have been poisoned by a Weedle or a Beedrill," Serah started to run forward and Andrew had little choice to follow. He wasn't as familiar with the Viridian Forest as he was with Route 1. He focused at the road and tried to avoid any bumps.

"Wait," Andrew said after he stopped. "Where's Serah?"

*BUMP*

"Aaah!" Serah shrieked behind Andrew. Serah missed a bump and fell to the ground.

"Serah, are you okay?" Andrew asked as he sticked out his hand.

"I think so," Serah said, grateful for Andrew's help.

"Is it me or are we being watched?" Andrew asked, while he looked around.

"I hope not," Serah said anxiously. Suddenly the bushes rustled and a small flock of Spearow appeared from one side. "Spearow!" yelled in panic and started to run.

"Serah! Wait!" Andrew yelled as he started to run as well. The Spearow started to chase Andrew and Serah through the forest. Serah decided to run in a random direction and Andrew followed her to deep into the forest. Andrew briefly looked back. "They're getting closer!"

"What's that?" Serah asked as something appeared in the horizon.

"It's a hut," Andrew said nearly out of breath. "Let's hope it is open," Andrew accelerated, caught up with Serah and tackled the door hoping it would open it and it did. Serah quickly followed and closed the door before even one Spearow was able to get inside. "We're safe," Andrew breathed.

"That's no way to get in!" A girl stood over Andrew. The girl had long raven black hair and a pair of fierce dark purple eyes.

"Sorry, but a flock of Spearow has been chasing us," Serah explained.

"Yes, because you went through a Spearow territory!" Brenna lectured at the top of her voice. "Are you out of your mind?" Andrew and Serah went silent. Andrew just stood up. "You must be new trainers, probably from the cities,"

"Ehrm," Serah said. "I'm not a trainer,"

"That's even more stupid!" Brenna answered angrily. "Running through a forest when you don't have any business here at all,"

"Well, I-," Serah started, "I'll shut up," she said with her arms crossed.

"Who are you, anyway?" Brenna asked.

"My name is Andrew, I'm from Viridian City and this is Serah,"

"Viridian City?" Brenna mumbled. "I thought as much. You should know better than to travel without a map through the Viridian Forest,"

"We're sorry," Andrew said. "You see, we found an injured Pidgey and we were in a hurry," Brenna's frown suddenly disappearing and her face showed some concern,"

"You captured it?" Brenna asked.

"Ehm, yeah," Andrew said.

"Okay, let me see," Brenna said. Andrew grabbed Pidgey's Poké Ball and sent it out on the table in the middle of the room. Pidgey seemed to have mentally recovered from whatever damaged it, but the scars were still visible. "Well, it looks pretty bad. It probably got attacked by Spearow, might be even the same flock you encountered. Luckily I have some medicine in here," she went to another room to search into a cabinet. "Ah, here it is," she returned to the room where Andrew, Serah and Pidgey were with a spray bottle in her hand. "Be warned it may sting a little," Brenna said to the Pidgey. She sprayed a small amount of liquid on Pidgey's wounds, causing Pidgey to startle for a second, but Brenna seemed to be able to calm it with just her voice. Then she bandage its wing.

"You know, for a wild Pokémon this Pidgey seemed to be quite calm around you,"

"That's because Pidgey is half wild," Brenna said. "You see, we train these bird Pokémon to keep guard over the forest, without actually catching them. This is one of those Pidgey."

"Who are 'we'?" Andrew asked.

"My dad and I," Brenna answered. "Well, actually just my dad. I'm just an assistant,"

"So you're basically forest watchers," Serah said.

"Yeah, kinda," Brenna said absentmindedly, focusing on Pidgey. "Well, you need a little rest and you'll be fine. You should put him inside his Poké Ball," Andrew did so.

"He's a boy?" Serah asked.

"Yep," Brenna answered. Serah went to the window.

"It looks like the Spearow are gone," Serah said.

"Hey Andrew, you're a trainer right?" Brenna asked.

"Uhm, yeah, why?" Andrew asked.

"Well, now Pidgey's out of trouble, I have to say it would be an honor to kick your butt," a confident smile played on her face.

"Well, my Pokémon isn't very experienced, so…"

"It will never be if it never battles," Brenna said. "Come on, we battle outside,"

Serah volunteered to be the referee. "This battle will be between Andrew and Brenna. Both trainers will use one Pokémon. Begin!"

"Bulbasaur, I choose you!" Andrew yelled, hurling the Poké Ball forward. The capsule opened and Bulbasaur appeared on the battlefield. Andrew watched in anticipation for Brenna's Pokémon.

"Sandshrew, let's go!" Brenna called and the Mouse Pokémon presented itself as a ball, before unrolling itself.

"Ladies first," Andrew taunted. He was eager to see Brenna's moves.

"Fine. Sandshrew, Sand Attack!" Brenna called. Sandshrew started to spin around and a small amount of sand was hurled towards Bulbasaur.

"Dodge it, Bulbasaur, and then use Tackle!" Bulbasaur swiftly got out of the way and started his own attack approaching Sandshrew at full speed.

"Sandshrew, Sandstorm!" Sandshrew started to spin and a pillar of sand was summoned from the spot where Sandshrew was standing. Bulbasaur got hit by the rough sand and wasn't able to penetrate the sandstorm.

"Bulbasaur, try to hit it with Vine Whip!" Bulbasaur extended his vines, trying to get to Sandshrew, but the vines were violently slashed back. Andrew looked at the battle in agony. Rough sand was hitting Bulbasaur, although he was standing far enough to avoid the main damage. "Bulbasaur, Growl!" Bulbasaur growled threateningly and Sandshrew aborted his attack. "Yes, it worked," he celebrated briefly.

"Sandshrew, use Scratch,"

"Bulbasaur, Tackle!"

Bulbasaur and Sandshrew moved towards each other with speed and executed and landed their respective attacks, but Bulbasaur seemed to take more damage than Sandshrew did.

'Bulbasaur won't win on attacking only,' Andrew strategized inward. 'I have to use wits right now.'

"Sandshrew, Scratch again!" Brenna commanded.

"Bulbasaur, bind Sandshrew with your Vine Whip attack!" Bulbasaur immediately extended his vines to capture Sandshrew and wrapped the vines under Sandshrew's armpits confining Sandshrew from using his arms.

"No, Sandshrew!" Brenna called desperately. "Use Swift!" Sandshrew opened its mouth and an assault of white stars was launched at Bulbasaur.

"Bulbasaur, send Sandshrew flying!" Andrew yelled and with one movement Bulbasaur launched Sandshrew up while the remainder of the Swift stars hit Bulbasaur.

"Okay, Sandstorm again!" Brenna yelled.

"Bulbasaur, Tackle!"

And again Sandshrew started to spin, this time in midair, hurling rough sand around him and Bulbasaur was ready for executing a Tackle. Then a familiar scream went through the woods.

"Spearow," Brenna said quickly. "Sandshrew return," she said, returning Sandshrew to its Poké Ball.

"This battle is aborted and ends undecided!" Serah called raising both her arms.

"I thought, they only attack people who got in their territory," Andrew said.

"They do, but Spearow have awfully long memory and they're not known for their forgiveness. They'll ambush you when they get the chance," Brenna said.

"You too, Bulbasaur," Both Bulbasaur and Sandshrew were returned in their Poké Balls.

"There they are!" Serah yelled, pointing at the direction she saw the Spearow coming from. And in seconds the flock of Spearow was closing in on the trio.

"Butterfree, I choose you!" Brenna yelled. Butterfree soared out of the Poké Ball. "Butterfree, Sleep Powder!"

Butterfree started to flap its wings violently spreading a fine green powder over the flock of Spearow. The Spearow fell to the ground one by one until they were all sleeping on the ground.

"Quick, this way," Brenna said. "They'll wake up soon,"

Andrew and Serah followed Brenna to wherever she led them too. The girl led them deeper in the forest, but her confident attitude indicated that she knew where she went.

"It's over there," she said, pointing at a house in the middle of the forest. The house was larger than the one they just left and it was actually made out of stone instead of wood. It looked like antique architecture. It didn't take long before Brenna opened the door and they were inside. There was a man in the middle of the room, stoking some wood in the fireplace. He was a man with an impressive build. He was wearing a scout hat and a dark brown overall and sported a rough dark brown mustache and some stubble on his chin.

"Ah Brenna, good thing you're home," the man said in a deep and rough voice.

"Hey dad," Brenna said calmly with a hint of a smile around her cheeks.

"I see you got some friends with you?" Brenna's father asked.

"Well, they're not exactly friends," Brenna said. "They're travelers from Viridian and they got attacked by a flock of Spearow,"

"Aaah, those Pokémon always cause trouble," Brenna's father acknowledge with a thoughtful chuckle. "But they have as much their right to the forest as any other Pokémon," he then turned to Andrew and Serah. "Let me introduce myself. My name is Roland, I'm Brenna's dad and I'm commander of the Viridian Forest Air Force also known as the VFAF"

"I'm Serah," Serah introduced.

"My name is Andrew," Andrew continued. "I've never heard of the Viridian Forest Air Force,"

"It's basically a name for the specially trained bird Pokémon who keep the peace in the Viridian Forest. You see, in this forest there are many conflicts. In the air you have Pidgey, Pidgeotto and Pidgeot, but you also have Spearow and Fearow. While Pidgey is usually gentle, Spearow are fierce. The same can be said about the bug Pokémon. Beedrill for example are much more protective than Butterfree. To protect the Pokémon and humans in this forest we trained these Pokémon," Andrew listened enthusiastically to Brenna's father. "So, who's in for lunch?" Roland asked with a big smile on his face.

The atmosphere in Roland and Brenna's residence was very enjoyable. Brenna made some sandwiches for the four of them and some special food for the Pokémon including the injured Pidgey. Andrew watched the Pokémon. He couldn't keep his mind off both Bulbasaur and Pidgey.

Bulbasaur was young and didn't have many battling experienced, but he felt proud at any small victory he got on the way here. First there was Team Rocket with Parasect and Golbat, which he defeated together with his father and now a decent battle against Brenna's Sandshrew. Andrew was impressed and glad that the Grass Pokémon showed improvement already.

And then there's Pidgey. He promised to let it- him go, just after he caught it.

"Andrew?" one of the girls asked. It was Serah.

"Huh?" Andrew asked absentmindedly.

"You are so quiet," she remarkded with a concerned look. Andrew showed a careful smile.

"I'm just thinking," Andrew said. "Just let me be, please" Serah looked at Andrew, but shrugged her shoulders and not much later her chatter with Brenna and Roland faded back to Andrew's background. Typical Serah, he thought. They're traveling for two days now and her outgoing, nice, chaotic and somewhat naïve personality is very nice to be around. "Brenna, do you think Pidgey is ready to fly?"

"It might be," Brenna said between bites. "You can take the bandages off now,"

"You hear that, Pidgey?" Andrew asked. "Let's take you outside,"

Pidgey cooed something and followed Andrew outside.

"So, this should do," Andrew said as the last bandages attached to the small bird Pokémon got loose. "You know when I promised you, that I'd release you as soon as you get better?"

Pidgey looked at Andrew with his head tilted. "I think you should go now," Andrew said. "Before I start to consider you my Pokémon, as a member of the team, you know? Right now it's just Bulbasaur and I and we have a lot of work to do to get stronger, but I know there are good battlers inside both of us,"

Pidgey suddenly flew up.

"Hey, what's up? Are you ready to go?"

Pidgey flew higher, but stopped to look back.

"Okay, a promise is a promise, I guess. Than this is it. Goodbye, Pidgey,"

Then Pidgey took off until Andrew couldn't see it anymore.

"He's gone?" Serah asked from behind Andrew.

"Yeah," Andrew said a smile crossed his lips.

"You did well, Andrew," Roland said. "You kept your promise,"

"Hey look!" Brenna called as she pointed up. Suddenly an entire team of Pidgey, Spearow and Pidgeotto was visible in the sky.

"It's the Viridian… The… the vfaf?" Serah said.

"You mean the VFAF," Roland said. "Yep, that's the one,"

"Looks like your Pidgey returned," Brenna said.

"But he isn't suppose to," Andrew said in surprise and not really sure what he should feel right now.

"It probably wanted to say goodbye to his friends," Roland concluded.

"But why?" Andrew asked.

"You captured it," Roland explained. "Usually when a Pokémon gets captured, it gains respect for its trainer just because it is apparently stronger than the Pokémon. In this case I think Pidgey came to trust you, because you were ready to protect and to release Pidgey. I think you have your catch after all. Sometimes the freedom of a Pokémon is to battle alongside humans"

Pidgey descended toward Andrew and sat on his shoulder. "You want to travel with us, Pidgey?" Pidgey nodded and cooed happily. "Well in that case," he took his Poké Ball and aimed it at Pidgey, "welcome to the team," Andrew opened the Poké Ball and Pidgey was absorbed into the Poké Ball. He savored the short moment and then turned to his companion. "Serah, I think it's time to go,"

"Sure," Serah said. "I'm ready to go. Roland, thank you for your hospitality," she said with a polite bow toward the big man. Then they turned around and left.

"Wait!" Brenna called. Andrew and Serah stopped in their tracks. Roland looked surprised as did Andrew and Serah. "You know I've been thinking about this quite a while," she said. "I mean I love working in the forest like this, but I can't help feeling confined in the forest. I think I should go on a journey as well, as a Pokémon Trainer, so do you mind if I go with you two?"

"What do you think?" Andrew asked to Roland.

"I agree with my daughter," Roland said. "As much as I'd love the idea of you taking over the forest from me, it would be honest to let you experience the life out there, meet Pokémon, other people, see what you want to do with your life. I'll be fine,"

"Well, I don't mind if you come along," Serah said happily. "We could be sisters, or BFF's, or BSF's! That would stand for Best Sisters Forever!"

"Don't get too excited, Serah," Andrew said almost with a chuckle. "I think you can come along. The more the merrier,"

"That's very nice," Brenna said rewarding Serah one of her rare smiles. "Dad, I'm going to miss you,"

"You can call from any Pokémon Center," Roland said. "Promise me you will,"

"I will, Dad," Brenna said and with a big hug, she parted together with Andrew and Serah on their way to Pewter City.