Bulbasaur blinked, its petal red triangular eyes taking in the pitch before focusing on the Sandshrew charging at it.

Terry's Sandshrew had begun running as soon as it was released. It followed the same routine or orders as it had in the previous match but David felt it was a little slower now. Whether that was tiredness or caused by wariness towards the rare Pokemon, he didn't know.

Bulbasaur opened its mouth wide and revealed short stubby teeth. A low rumble built as it drew in a large breath. The green patches on its teal skin shifted as its lungs filled and the Pokemon grew slightly. The tall flower bud on its back wobbled slightly as it tilted back. Short curly vines tightened their grips on Bulbasaur's body to steady the movement.

With one large exhale, Bulbasaur Growled.

The air before it shimmered. A light wave of beige spread out before the Bulbasaur.

Sandshrew staggered as the wave hit it. One of its short limbs buckled as it came down mid run. Sandshrew's soft belly scraped across the ground before the Pokemon adjusted.

The wave affected more than just the Pokemon.

Members of the crowd that had stepped onto the pitch to get a better view were affected first. They weren't the target of the Move or in its direct path but an outbreak of shivers and stiffening followed the wave.

From his position on the sidelines by the middle of the pitch, David was part of the second group to be hit. The beige wave left a weight behind as it passed. His muscles felt slower. Stiffer. It brought his physical tiredness closer to his mental. He couldn't help but shudder at the uncomfortable sensation.

These side effects grew weaker until those further back or behind Bulbasaur gave no sign of being affected.

"Sand Attack!" Terry shouted, getting over her surprise.

"Reply with Tackle!" Danny ordered.

Beside David, Sarah jabbed her fingers into Martin's side. She pulled her hand back with a wince and gave him another punch instead.

"What did you get Terry into?"

"Nothing." Martin replied with a furrowed brow. He ignored Sarah's blows to focus on the match. "She's starting just like us. And she agreed to the same training format."

"And the Bulbasaur?" Sarah hissed.

"Danny didn't mention it." Tulia said absently as she pulled her long glossy hair back to tie it up. Like Martin, she didn't take her eyes off the pitch but while Martin scanned the field, watching both the Pokemon and trainers, Tulia focused solely on Bulbasaur.

Bulbasaur dipped down as Sandshrew neared, bowing its head to brace for impact with its broad forehead.

Sandshrew skidded, claws digging into soft dirt as it tried to slow its sprint. David winced in sympathy as it failed to stop and began to spin with the momentum. It tried to stop the uncontrolled turn by digging its hindlegs deeper into the ground. The wide furrows didn't help and it slapped its tail down to scrap across the ground in a last ditch effort. Dirt was sent flying and..

The disturbed soil, dust and debris glistened light brown and shot towards Bulbasaur.

Bulbasaur flinched and crouched a little lower as the dirt splattered. The beige haze that had been building around it fizzled, disappearing in sections.

Sandshrew scrambled in the loose soil to turn back towards Bulbasaur.

"Scratch." Terry shouted.

Bulbasaur blearily opened its eyes and charged. It sprung forward with both forelegs, digging into the ground as it landed before lifting off with its hind legs. The haze strengthened as it ducked its head and slammed into Sandshrew.

Sandshrew let out a hiss as their heads collided with a pop.

Size wise the Pokemon were evenly matched. On all four legs Sandshrew was shorter than Bulbasaur, only reaching its eye level but it made up for that with bulk and a longer body. Sandshrew was knocked back by the Tackle but remained within touching distance. A fact it took advantage of as it swiped forward with one foreleg.

Bulbasaur leaned back but the claws caught it on the chin, drawing lines down to its left shoulder. The Pokemon let out a pained yap as it shrunk back.

"Martin." Tulia murmured reluctantly.

"Too soon." Martin muttered back.

"Get in close and Vine Whip." Danny ordered. She stood at the edge of the trainer's mark, leaning forward as if ready to sprint at a signal. One fist was clenched and the other held Bulbasaur's pokeball. Her body language said nervous but her steady voice and the glint in her eye told a different story.

Terry was the opposite. She near screamed her orders across the pitch yet stood still with her arms crossed. Her baggy hat hadn't even slipped. Only the way she held her pokeball facing forward exposed her readiness.

"Poison Sting."

Sarah groaned and even Martin and Tulia, focused though they were on the match, winced. The noise from the crowd grew.

David looked at the trainers.

Poison sting was one of those awful Moves that wasn't strong enough to do much - unless it Poisoned the opponent. It was the bane of any Pokemon game. The status ruined all plans as you tried to make for a Pokecenter while glitches shook the screen.

In the game you could use one of the many Antidotes you picked up off the ground or bought for cheap to cure the status, but in this world?

Medicine was expensive.

If the status worked like it did in the game, this could end the match and use up Danny's free weekly healing. Without that healing, Danny would have to be very cautious for the first week of the season.

Danny grinned widely as she heard the order.

Sandshrew reared back, standing on its two hind legs as Bulbasaur charged forward again. It tipped its head back before nodding forward and opening its mouth to spit. A purple blob streaked forward to splatter against the right side of Bulbasaur's head.

Bulbasaur yelped as the purple seeped into its flesh but wasn't stopped. It moved to the left and presented its side and bud to Sandshrew. Short curly vines loosened their grip on its body and reached out. As they did, a longer vine unfurled at the base of the bud, gaining speed as it whipped around Bulbasaur's back to lash at Sandshrew.

The vine slapped down and left a dark green line along Sandshrew's body.

Sandshrew shrank back with a loud squeal and raised a front limb.

"Match." Martin roared over the noise. He stood up and stepped onto the pitch with a hand over a pokeball.

Tulia sprung up after him with David and Sarah a little behind.

Both Pokemon disappeared in bright flashes and their trainers stepped off the marks. David, Martin, Sarah and Tulia had to pick up the pace as the two trainers strode towards each other at the centre of the field.

"Great battle." Danny called out to Terry. She still sported the grin from earlier which had widened if anything.

Terry nodded with a slight smile. The wobble of her hat made the movement closer to a bow. "Your Bulbasaur trusts you deeply."

They met in the centre and shared a look before turning to face the approaching four. Danny was cast in shadow by the much taller and buff Terry but here they stood equal.

"Match to Danny." Martin announced as they got closer with an agreeing hum from Tulia.

Terry nodded with a sigh and turned to Danny. "I thought so. I'll be prepared next time."

"About that." Sarah said with a huff. She indicated her head behind them. "Maybe we should call it a day."

They weren't the only ones to have walked out onto the field. A small crowd surrounded their group of 6. These trainers stood far enough back to give them a bit of privacy but close enough to pounce as soon as they finished. The waiting challengers inched forward as they eyed each other shiftily. Behind them at the edges of the pitch the crowd had been steadily growing larger.

David pursed his lips. The battle had been great to watch and he was feeling motivated again. Pidgey had been tired after the drawn out match against Rattata but hadn't wanted to stop at all.

"Sorry." Danny said. Her smile fell as she took in their faces. "I didn't think we would get this kind of reaction."

Sarah waved her off. "It's not all you, it's the day. Things will calm down tomorrow."

"Probably best not to push it today anyway." Martin's light frown fell away as he spoke. There was a pause as he shared a look with Sarah, Terry and Tulia. "How about we meet tomorrow in the same park?"

The four of them turned their attention to Danny and David.

"Park?" Danny asked in confusion, giving David time to think.

The five of them seemed nice. Their Pokemon seemed to be about the same age and capability as Pidgey. The same could be said about them and him. He had made mistakes but so had they. He was learning and so was Pidgey. He stopped briefly to consider the large number of secrets he held, the need to stay hidden, how he had nowhere to stay but in the end this was a continuation of the decision he had made in the park earlier.

Pidgey needed battles to grow. He was going to get nowhere if he didn't take some risks.

"Near the Pokecenter. I can show you." Terry answered.

"Same time?" David asked.

"Maybe an hour later." Tulia interjected before anyone could respond. "I have some work in the mornings."

Martin looked around but there were no objections. "Great, I'll see you all then."

With a few waves the group broke apart and the waiting challengers descended. David grabbed his bag and waded through the crowd to try and get away. Thankfully the crowd and challengers were focused on Danny and her Bulbasaur and didn't give him much trouble.

As David left, a figure on the edge of his vision caught his attention. When he tried to look closer they were gone. David paused his push through the crowd to try and spot them but had no luck. It wasn't anyone he recognised. Something about their outfit had drawn his attention. Thankfully it wasn't a white and red armband or any sign of Team Rocket. It had been more their general demeanour and wide brimmed cap and coat which stood out from their neat shirt and slacks.

David kept a careful watch behind him as he left the stands and looked for a park but he wasn't followed. In the end he chalked it up to paranoia and released Pidgey in a quiet corner.

As she made her tired displeasure about the lack of a battle known, David searched through his bag until he found a piece of paper.

Written on the paper in barely legible handwriting was Oliver Laurel, Nature's Scent farm.

Endnote:

Quite a dense chapter as we finish off the battling for the day.

Discord: discorddotgg/qJAhPZ7sXU for PokeWild, Pokemon and other talk.

frankieu - Just like in the games, starters will be incredibly rare. A Wartortle showed up in ch15 but for a new, unknown trainer to have one..

Maxed959 - Thanks for the comment :) Each city/ region will have different uses/ needs for Pokemon so culture and attitudes will develop based on that. It's something I'm looking forward to digging into in more detail.

Kiri TheFrenchReader - I hope you enjoyed the binge :D I think the story will have to end up in Pallet town at some point but finding Pallet town will be an adventure of its own…

Crowbars357 - I can definitely say that would confuse her character but might not go so well. All of the canon characters (outside of the gym leader) have been introduced for the Celadon arc already.