They were almost out off the woods when they were caught by a sudden rain . Ethan threw Luck's jacket over Lil and ran to the Pokémon Center with the Growlithe on his lap. The others had settled a bit more walking in the rain, but when it get stronger they ran too.
Crossing the forest had taken less time than they imagined. But surely get all wet in Viridian wasn't in their plans.
When they finally reached the Pokémon Center, Nurse Joy and her Chansey were already waiting them with towels, probably advised by Ethan.
After leaving their Pokémon on behalf of the nurse, the children went to take a hot bath and wear clean and dry clothes, then down for dinner.
Jenna was the first to finish and decided to call her grandfather. If someone could explain what was happening, this was he.
The call took a while to be answered. Apparently he was busy.
"Jen, dear, what a surprise! How are you?"
"Very well, Grandpa. And you?"
"Very busy but I'm fine. Where are you?"
"In Viridian. I got some time. In fact, I called because I and my friends were attacked on our way here. A duo that belongs to a gang named Team Rocket. They were chasing Ethan and Lil."
"Who?"
"The boy and the Growlithe we found on Professor Oak's lab. They're traveling with us."
"I think your mother is right Jen . It is very dangerous to leave children alone in there. But I imagine now is too late to turn back. Take care and stay away from Team Rocket."
"The worst aren't they. We fought, but in the middle of battle, my Chikorita not listen more to me and attacked them with powers that aren't normal for a so young Pokémon. She had a silver aura and her eyes were bright green. And Ethan's Shinx did the same thing, only his aura was golden. And he also has a collar like my Chikorita."
"About the collar I don't know, but it seems to be the effect on which I was studying. Team Rocket has created something called Project Genesis, the intention was to create a race of stronger Pokémon, but something went wrong and their lab exploded. Pokémons are all around this, and apparently other continents too. Professor Oak and I were trying to find out more about this project, but that you reported is all we got 'till now."
"And where my Chikorita came?"
"During a police investigation, two eggs were stolen from them. It's possible that one of them has come down to me, but I can't say if this is what happened, it was your mother who was in charge of this research."
"So she gave up and came back to Pallet. You think she was running away from Team Rocket?"
"It is possible. But all she told me was that she had given up the search and I'd better stop too. Handed me the Pokémon and left. But I recommend you not to talk about it with her and forget everything. If something strange happens, talk to me or Professor Oak."
"Count on me grandpa. We'll take care of ourselves."
She hung up and let the body fall into a nearby bench. So maybe her Pokémon was part of a secret project, which had probably been spent millions of dollars for everything blown up. But why those people were behind Ethan and Lil and not her? Why not talk to her mom about it? What she had to do with everything?
One reason was clear, if she told her mother probably would insist to she to get back home and even come get her if she refused to.
The girl finally stood up and decided to join her friends before they come looking for her.
Meanwhile, not far away...
"How you let them fled! It's just an eleven years old boy and a little Growlithe. How you let it happen?"
"He was not alone, sir." Jess tried to justify. "They were with two girls, one other boy and Professor Oak's assistant."
"A bunch of kids and a scientist. How can you two be so incompetent?"
"We were winning. But then two of the Pokémons started getting weird and..." Johnny fell silent .
"Strange how?" Their Boss looked suddenly interested.
"They were brighter and more powerful. Not obeyed more the children..."
"What Pokémons?"
"A Chikorita and Shinx, sir."
Interesting. For bringing me this information, I'll give you two one more chance. Bring me these two Pokémon. And if you fail this time, you know what happens."
"Yes sir!" Both agents replied.
When Ethan woke the next morning and found the others sleeping, he thought it was a good time to train a bit. He wanted to make sure how he and Lil could interact in battle. He had always been a Growlithe, now he was a human again, but it wouldn't just break the link he had with the young Growlithe. They had to find a way to interact inside that link.
There was Arenas in the back of the Pokémon Center , but he chose to move away a bit of the city into the open field, where both, he and Lil, could feel more free and at ease, with Lil always following him.
"Come on, bro! We have to pretend we're two of them, you think you can handle it?"
Lil gave no sign of having heard, instead watched atently a bush that moved near.
"I think a battle against another wild Pokémon is a great way to train." Erick told him with a smile.
In fac , he wasn't sure. They aren't used to attack Pokémon in the forest. They trained in small battles against each other. Ethan, despite not having powers as a Growlithe, learned how to fight as them. He had an unusual strength, agility and instincts.
It was a Pikachu. The boy knew, even before the Pokémon jump off the bush, without perceiving that the danger lurking.
But Lil hasn't attacked and Ethan was surprised that the Growlithe looked at him and not for the yellow mouse, like if waiting for a sign. That was good, meant that Lil supported Ethan's plan and would give his best to act like Pokémon and trainer when needed.
"Very well then. Take him with a Body Slam!"
The Growlithe was quick, but the Pikachu was too and avoided the attack.
"Come on Lil, you know what to do!" Ethan shouted, but Lil just looked impatient." All right, I forgot that we are in training. Do not let it get away! Use Ember!"
The Pikachu got off again and launched a Thunderbolt against the Growlithe.
"Dodge!" Shouted Ethan.
The battle went this way for a few more minutes until the battle was interrupted by a new arrival.
"Look! A trainer playing with a little, helpless Pokémon." Sneered a voice.
Ethan turned and saw another boy, a little older than him, standing there with a cocky smile and accompanied by a Poliwag.
"I'm not plying. Just training." Ethan tried to justify. "You should train sometimes too, instead walk around with this silly grin."
"I don't need to train to beat you. Bet I do it with my eyes closed."
"Instead of your eyes, you should close is your big mouth."
"I challenge you and your Growlithe for a battle against me and my Poliwag."
"I thought you would never ask. You're on, Lil?"
Lil howled in response, excited. The disadvantage of type doesn't matter, all was just fun.
"Ok. Take Down!" Ethan ordered immediately, without waiting for his opponent to react.
Lil attacked, but the Poliwag jumped out of the way in time.
"Flamethrower!" Ethan ordered.
"Water Gun!"
Poliwag's attack not only annulled Lil's, but also hit the fire Pokémon, but don't appeared to have done much effect on the Growlithe.
"Are you okay bro? " Ethan asked worriedly, but Lil was. "Great! So take him So try to get him with a Take Down again!"
"Dodge and use Water Gun!"
"He will not catch us on this again. Defense maneuver Lil!"
Poliwag tried to attack, but the Growlithe was nowhere in sight.
"Now use Flamethrower!"
"Dodge!"
But the Poliwag not saw Lil in time and was hit directly.
"Now use bite and another Flamethrower!" Ethan ordered.
The attacks also hit the target, and with three attacks in a row,Poliwag didn't resist and fainted. Lil ran to his brother.
"Good job Lil. We form a good team."
"I have to admit, you're good." The boy picked up his Poliwag and approached Ethan. "Who are you ?"
"Ethan. I'm from Pallet. This is my brother, Lil. And you?"
"Rory, from Pewter. I have a badge, and you?"
"None. My friends and I arrived here yesterday during the storm and we're going to Pewter."
"You have any other Pokémon?"
"A Shinx, but he is at the Pokémon Center, recovering from an unfriendly battle. And you?"
"A Bulbasaur and a Geodude, beyond my Poliwag. I would like to battle with you again sometime. But next time, I'll win."
"Don't count on this."
The two laughed and Rory walked away, back to the Center, Ethan still prefered walk a little more, it was early to get back.
I was going to continue this chapter, but I let it by here to mark the end of my old written part, and the beginning of a new on the next chapter, that I just hope to improve. Next chapter can take a time while I'm orking on The Secret of the Codes and The Magical Core, but I'll try to get it as soon as possible.