Chapter 4.
The first Pokemon.
...
Authors Note:
I have made them into teenagers as it opens up for more interesting dynamics and I may be able to add love interests later on if I feel like it so they are all 15 years of age instead of 10 when leaving their homes. it makes more sense as well.
Mia looks to the boy running into town. "What is wrong?" she asks.
"It is my Pokémon, it is stuck and I need help," the kid yells. Mia nods, "Show me, and I will help you," she responds, and he grabs her hand. They head out of town and into the woods.
They run for quite a bit, and the ground disappears from beneath Mia's feet as she stumbles a bit. They run down a steep hill and come up to a deep ditch where a Charmander lies squeezed between a few heavy rocks.
"Oh no, what happened?" Mia asks, worried, as she goes into the ditch.
"We were fighting a Sandshrew up there," he says, pointing to the top of a steep hill where rocks lay close to the edge. "But it got the better of us, and Charmander fell along with these rocks. They are too heavy for me, and Charmander is the only Pokémon I have," he tells her.
"Understood," Mia replies and gets her Pokéball out. "Bulbasaur, I choose you," she says and throws the Pokéball on the ground. Bulbasaur comes out.
"Quick, Bulbasaur, we will need your help to clear out these rocks to help Charmander," Mia explains.
"Bulba," her Pokémon replies, and they start to pick up rocks. Bulbasaur uses its vines, and Umbreon helps out as well.
After a bit, they finally manage to get the rock holding Charmander down off, freeing him. Hurt, the kid picks up Charmander, who is quite hurt.
"Oh no, he is in a lot of pain," the kid says. "I have some healing potion that I got while in town," Mia explains and brings it out of her bag. She crouches down by Charmander. "Now, this may sting a bit, but rest assured, you will feel a lot better, all right?" Mia explains softly to Charmander, who nods. Mia sprays Charmander with the spray, and sure enough, the wounds begin to heal.
"There, all good," the kid says and brings out a Pokéball. "You go inside and rest now, buddy," he says, and a red light comes from Charmander, who moves away from it.
"Hey, what's going on? Charmander, why won't you go inside the ball?" he asks. "Char!" Charmander replies, crossing his arms and turning his head away.
"Are you mad at me?" the kid asks. "He probably thought that you abandoned him," Mia mentions.
"But that is crazy! I would never do that," he says. "Well, Charmander doesn't know that, I swear," he says, getting worried. "You have to believe me; I only went to get help, is all."
Mia looks to her Umbreon, who moves over to Charmander and begins to talk to him.
"May I ask what your name is?" Mia asks. "Oh, sorry about that. My name is Marcus,"
"Oh, my name is Mia. It is nice to meet you," Mia replies.
"Charmander! Char!" the Pokémon says loudly and scoffs. "Umbreon," Mia's Umbreon says quietly and looks to Mia.
"What did he say?" Marcus asks. "Charmander isn't convinced," Mia clarifies. "I promise I didn't mean to make you feel abandoned," Marcus tells Charmander again.
"Umbreon! Umbreon!" Umbreon says sharply, and Mia looks up. "Uh, I think that your friends from earlier have returned," she says and points to the top of the hill. Marcus looks up to see a mix of Sandshrew and Sandslash gather.
"Sandshrew!" one of them yells, and they begin to hurl rocks down the cliffside.
"We need to go!" Mia says and grabs both Bulbasaur and Umbreon. They run out of the ditch, and Charmander begins to go but stumbles. Marcus immediately turns around, grabs Charmander, and runs just in time before the rock hits them both. But they are too slow, and more rocks are heading their way as he is about to leave the ditch.
"Use Vine Whip," he hears, and vines begin to whip the stones away for Marcus to get up safely.
"My gosh, thank you," Marcus tells her. "Don't thank me yet; we should go," Mia exclaims as they see the Pokémon on top of the cliff begin to hurl the rocks further out. The group begins to run.
After a while, they stop in the middle of the forest, and they stand there together panting.
"Hopefully, we lost them," Marcus utters. "I hope so too," Mia says and looks at Marcus holding the Charmander who thinks the past actions over, remembering Marcus saving him. He stretches his neck up a bit and licks Marcus's chin.
"Huh, have you forgiven me?" Marcus asks. "Char," the Charmander replies.
"Great, well, you should probably get to rest a bit now. You wanna go back in the ball?" Marcus asks, holding up the ball. Charmander nods and touches the ball, and a red light forms around Charmander. He goes inside the ball, and Mia smiles. "Well, I am glad you two were able to make up," Mia tells him and looks to Bulbasaur. "I suppose you want to rest a bit as well; you were splendid, Bulbasaur," she says and takes out her Pokéball. She faces it toward Bulbasaur, who smiles. "Return, Bulbasaur," Mia says, and Bulbasaur returns into the Pokéball.
"I suppose I should get back to the path. Thank you a lot for helping out; you were a big help," Marcus tells Mia.
"Where are you headed?" Mia asks.
"I am headed for Pewter City, to battle the gym there."
"Battling in a gym? So, are you looking to get into the Pokémon League then?" Mia asks.
"Yep, I wanna be among the best and do my father proud," Marcus tells her.
"I see. It sounds like a great goal," Mia tells him.
"Well, yeah. What about you? What are you looking to become?" he asks, and Mia looks down to Umbreon, who wags his tail gently to encourage her. "Well, honestly, I don't know yet. A lot of people expect me to choose a path and work on it, but I just do not know yet. For now, I wanna just travel the world, and maybe the answer will come to me," Mia tells him.
"Oh, I see. Well, I suppose one doesn't have to know right away what one wants. Hey, if you are looking for a travel buddy, why don't we go together?" he asks.
"Huh, well, I suppose it is better with company," Mia replies, thinking it over. "You know what? Sure, let us travel together," she replies.
"Great, well, we are a bit off the usual path, but I am sure we will get back to it if we retrace our steps," Marcus tells her, and Mia nods in agreement. So, the two head on their way with their newfound friend.
It takes quite a while, more like an hour or so, before they find the path leading to Pewter City, and soon they find themselves surrounded by Bug-type Pokémon.
"My, this forest is full of these Pokémon," Mia says, holding up her Pokédex, inspecting every Pokémon that comes by.
"That is a Caterpie, and that is a Metapod, and that is a Weedle," she says excitedly.
"You are right. This place is teeming with Bug-types. Alright, time to capture one," he says eagerly and throws out his Pokéball. "Charmander, I choose you," he says, and Charmander comes out. "Char," he says eagerly.
"Alright, Charmander, why don't you use Ember on that Weedle," he says, and Charmander nods and opens its mouth, unleashing embers on the Weedle, who is immediately knocked out. "Heck yeah, Pokéball, go," he says and throws a Pokéball at it. It hits the Weedle, and it opens, and a red light engulfs the Weedle. It goes inside the ball that lands on the ground and wiggles back and forth a bit a few times while Marcus looks at it intensely, and Mia looks with curiosity as the ball wiggles even more before an affirmative sound is made, and the red light disappears, leaving the button white.
"Heck yeah, I got a Weedle," Marcus says excitedly, and Mia smiles. "Good job there, Marcus," she says with a smile.
"Are any of you from Pallet Town?" they hear a voice from behind, and they both turn around to see a guy wearing a samurai outfit, pointing a sword at Marcus. "Yes, I am from Pallet, why?" Marcus asks.
"We both are from Pallet Town," Mia informs, and the guy moves the sword in her direction. She leans back, feeling uncertain all of a sudden, and her Umbreon growls at the stranger.
"Take it easy, Umbreon," she tells him, but Umbreon is not entirely convinced and keeps frowning at the stranger. "Then you must battle me as well," he tells her.
"Wait, what? What is this about?" she asks.
"Well, I heard that the ones from Pallet are a good bunch of trainers this year, and I wanna test it by battling you," he explains.
"Okay, could you care to introduce yourself at least?" Marcus tells him. "Oh, right, where are my manners? I suppose I got so excited after battling the last trainer that went by here from Pallet. The name is Samurai," he tells them and moves the blade away from Mia and sheathes his weapon.
"The last one?" Marcus asks. "Yes, the guy said his name was Garry. Man, I am telling you, that guy knew his stuff. No wonder he had so many supporters around him," Samurai tells them.
"Garry? Who is that?" Marcus asks. "Trust me, if you haven't met him, then it is a blessing," Mia tells him.
"Uh," Marcus replies, not sure what to make of it.
"Now, you should battle me and show me your stuff," he tells them.
"Well, Charmander was just in battle, and you just caught Weedle, so I suppose I can go first to let them get the chance to rest properly," Mia tells them. "Ah, you sound like you actually care about Pokémon. I can tell that you will be a hard opponent already," he tells her and moves away a bit before turning around, ready for battle.
''All right I will send out my pokemon, Pinsir go!'' he yells and throws his ball and out comes pinsir standing battle ready ''Allright Bolbasaus, you are up do us proud'' she says and throws out the pokeball ''Bulbasaur I choose you'' she says and throws the ball and out comes Bulbasaur ready for battle.
''Allright Pincir use double hit now'' Samurai yells and runns for bulbasaur ''Bulbasaur dodge it'' Mia orders and Bulbasaur begins to run to the side and evaidse Pinsir just in time and runs a bit.
''Pincir tackle'' Samurai yells ''Bulbasaur run and use winewip'' Mia informs and so Bulbasaur runs but it is too late and pincir tackles bulbasaur and in a flach Pinsir captures Bulbasaur in its pincers.
''haha, I've got you now Pincir use squeeze, to crush that bulbasaur'' Samurai informs.
''This is bad Mia you should call it off, otherwise you bulbasaur will''
''I know, Bulbasaur, use winewhip on Pincirs pincers and free yourself'' Mia informs and Bulbasaur brings out its wines and swerrels them around the pincers and with all its might it pushes back against the grip threatening to crush it and in a moment of struggle Bulbasaur pushes with all it has ''Come on Pincir you can crush that little thing'' Samurai yells and they see Bulbasure struggeling ''Mia this is not going to end well'' Marcus tells her and Mia grits her teeth ''Come on bulbasaur I belive in you, show him the strength you gained from carrying those boulders'' Mia encurrages and Bulbasaur grits his teeth ''Bulb-BULBASAUUUUR!'' he yells and slips out of Pincir's grip and flings himself up into the air. ''Great bulbasaur now use leech seed!'' Mia yells and in midair a seed comes up of Bulbasaur's plant on its back that it shoots at Pincir mid air and it lands on top of it and quickly the seed sprouts wines that incases pinsor restraining him as he takes a bit of damadge.
"Pinsir, get out of there!" Samurai yells, and Pinsir struggles, but it is too trapped within the vines to get out.
"All right, Bulbasaur, let us finish this," Mia says. "Bulbasaur, use Razor Leaves!" As Bulbasaur lands, it shoots off an array of Razor Leaves at Pinsir, knocking him out, and he falls to the ground.
"Oh no, Pinsir, return," Samurai says, and Pinsir is returned into its Pokéball. Samurai looks at it. "Well, you did your best, Pinsir," Samurai says and looks to the two ahead of him. "That was well done for a girl. Yep, you may be as good as Garry was," he tells her.
"Please don't compare me to that idiot," Mia says and looks to Bulbasaur. "You did amazingly, Bulbasaur. Here, take a rest; you've earned it," she says and returns Bulbasaur to its ball.
"Well, I better let Pinsir rest and heal up before taking on the next one from Pallet Town," Samurai says.
"Good idea. It will give me time to get acquainted with my new Pokémon," Marcus says, throwing his Pokéball on the ground, and out comes Weedle. Samurai walks up to the group.
"That sure is a nice Weedle you've got yourself. It looks healthy," Samurai says.
"Thank you. I've got a good eye," Marcus says, turning his attention to Weedle. "Hi there, little guy, welcome to the team. I am Marcus," he says, and Weedle scoffs and looks away.
"What did I say?" he asks, and Mia looks just as confused. "I am not sure," Mia says, and Umbreon nudges her knee, and Mia looks to him. "Umbreon," he says. "Oh, that's all," Mia says.
"What is it?" Marcus asks. "Well, Umbreon says that Weedle is a girl."
"Oh, my bad, welcome to the team, little lady," Marcus says, and Weedle smiles. "Weedle," she says, and Marcus extends his hand to it, and it crawls up his arm and goes up to his shoulder.
They hear the sound of a Pokémon getting released, and they see Samurai letting Pinsir out, and he brings out a spray bottle with a healing potion that he uses on him.
"There you should feel better in no time," Samurai says, petting Pinsir close to its face, and they all hear a rumble from Marcus's and Mia's belly. "Uh, I suppose you are both hungry," Samurai says.
"Well, I haven't eaten since breakfast, and I kind of ran away from my lunch when I was chased by a Beedrill swarm earlier today, and I was about to find a place to eat when Marcus came and asked for aid," Mia explains.
"I haven't eaten much today either. I kind of forgot after the gang of Sandshrew went after us," Marcus explains.
"Well, why don't you come to my cottage? I have food there, and it is the least I can do after Mia here gave me and Pinsir such an epic battle," Samurai informs them. "Are you sure?" Mia asks.
"Of course, I am. I wouldn't have offered if I weren't sure, besides, I bet the Pokémon are hungry as well," Samurai adds.
"Well, all right, since you insist," Marcus says, and Samurai has Pinsir return, and the three go into the woods for a while until they arrive at a small cottage. "It is such a fine day; I suppose we can eat outside," Mia says.
"Good idea," Marcus says, and they get themselves comfortable in the grass, and Mia brings out her backpack and puts down a couple of bowls in the grass before opening a bag of Pokémon food as Samurai walks out.
"Oh, there is no need to dig into your own supply when you need it for your journey," he says. "Well, that is fine and all, but," she says, as Samurai quickly puts down a couple of bowls and fills them with Pokémon food.
"Well, all right, Umbreon, what do you say? Do you wish to try?" Mia asks as Marcus brings out Charmander, and Samurai brings out Pinsir.
And they both see Umbreon sniff the bowl with Pokémon food that Samurai has laid out, and it turns his head away.
"What? You don't want it? Why? It is the one my other Pokémon likes," Samurai says, and Mia goes back to filling her two bowls with Pokémon food. "Well, he is used to this homemade one," she says, and Umbreon goes over to her bowl and chows down.
"Huh, so you are good at making Pokémon food as well as battling. Pallet kids really are amazing," Samurai says while Marcus scratches the back of his neck. "Actually, it
"Actually, it is a batch that my parents made. I have been trying to learn how to make it myself, but I can't ever seem to know what I do wrong," Mia says awkwardly as she releases Bulbasaur from its ball.
"What is your father called?" Samurai asks. "Oh, his name is..." "Wait, that is the name of the one that is the creator of that really expensive brand of Pokémon food," Marcus says in surprise.
"Well, yes, my father wanted an extra income for the farm, so he worked hard to perfect the recipe. It wasn't until he met my mother, and thanks to her, he was able to make the food for the Pokémon with a more delicate need and taste palate. It has been perfected through years of hard work and many tries and failures," Mia explains while Bulbasaur smells Samurai's Pokémon food and then sniffs Mia's Pokémon food and chooses hers.
"But is it really worth the price?" Samurai asks as Pinsir smells the Pokémon food in Mia's bowl and asks Bulbasaur if it can have any, to which he nods. "Hey, Pinsir, that isn't ours."
"It is all right, I've got plenty," Mia says and makes two more bowls, and Weedle and Charmander walk over to the bowls and begin to eat.
"The Pokémon seem to think that it is worth it," Marcus says. "Well, they use only the best ingredients and the best material to keep it fresh as well," Mia says as Samurai sits down, handing them each a sandwich.
"I see. Hmmm. I suppose I was wrong about the guy then. I figured it was that expensive because he made a deal with some fancy rich people and wanted to profit as much as possible by selling it expensive but using cheap ingredients," Samurai tells her. "But it sounds like that isn't the case, and it seems like the Pokémon enjoy it," he says, looking at them.
And Umbreon looks off into a direction into the woods, and Mia stands up. "Aaaw, it is a Venonat," she says, and they all see a Venonat peeking out of a tree.
"Umbreon, let us get it," Mia says, and Umbreon looks at her and the Venonat, then goes back to eating. "Do you think I should catch it by myself?" Mia says, and Umbreon nods. "Umbre," he tells her.
"It seems Umbreon loves the food a bit too much," Marcus says, and Mia thinks it over. "I really want that Venonat," she says and walks out into the field, but Venonat goes to hide behind the tree.
Mia puts down a bowl in the middle of the field and fills it with food before moving away quite a bit. She sits down in the grass, and the Venonat peeks out of the tree again and looks at her. "It is yours," she says with a smile, and Umbreon looks to Venonat, who looks to Umbreon, and Umbreon nods. Hesitantly, Venonat moves towards the bowl and carefully picks up a ball of food and tastes it. "Venonat," she says and digs in.
"Well, I am glad you like it," Mia tells her. "Well, if you wish to eat like this more often, then you can always join me," Mia says and puts down an empty Pokéball, then moves away and sits down with the rest of the group and eats her sandwich.
Once everyone is done, Venonat looks at Mia, who notices and smiles. Umbreon looks to Venonat. "Umbre," he says, and Venonat looks at the Pokéball, moves over, pokes the button, and goes inside of the ball.
"What the? I have never seen that way of capturing a Pokémon. That Pokémon food must be really good," Samurai says. "Well, it is all thanks to my father and Umbreon, of course," Mia says and gets up and grabs the ball and the bowl in the grass.
"Come to think of it, it was almost like Umbreon knew that the food was all the Venonat needed to be convinced to join her party," Marcus adds. "You are correct. It is a smart Umbreon you got there," Samurai adds as Mia takes the Pokéball and releases Venonat, who turns around in the grass and looks at Mia. "Venonat," she says and looks to Mia, who crouches down.
"Welcome to the team, friend," she says, and Venonat jumps up into her arms. "Aww, you are a really friendly one," Mia says and hugs Venonat, then walks back to the group and sits down with Venonat in her lap.
"Come to think of it, Umbreon does have a good-looking coat and looks pretty strong too. He must be a high level," Samurai says. "He is right, and if I heard correctly, an Eevee will only evolve into Espeon or Umbreon if they have a good trainer," Marcus says. "I have heard that too, and judging from how you two interact, I believe it is safe to say you have a strong bond between you two," Samurai adds. "How did he evolve into Umbreon anyways?" Marcus asks.
"Well, it is a long story, and you are right, we have known each other for years. A friend of the family who name is Kelsy, visited my aunt, who lives in Mount Moon, owns a breeder and daycare clinic in Moon Mountains. Well, it was her idea that when I turn 6, that I should get my own Pokémon, and she said she had a good feeling about the egg. So, with the help of mother and father, I took care of the egg until one day it hatched, and it was a shiny Eevee.'' Mia begins.
''After that, we more or less grew up together and helped out on the farm. And one day when we were done feeding the Pidgeys, we went to play in the hillside. I know my mother and father told me to not be late, but I suppose I lost track of time, and before I knew it, it has gotten dark out and I got lost in the woods. I was really scared, and the moonlight barely shone through the thick forest. And that was when my Eevee evolved into the Umbreon you see today, and after he evolved,'' Mia continues.
"And after he evolved he lit the way for me and by using his nose helped me find the way back home," Mia tells the story, and Samurai scratches his head. "Couldn't Eevee sniff its way back?" Samurai asks. "I suppose, but I was too scared to go anywhere at that point as every shadow made by the moon looked really scary, and so the light that Umbreon showed me really comforted me, making me brave enough to follow Umbreon through the dark forest back home." Mia finnishes the story seeming proud of Umbreon.
"That is a really cool story," Marcus says. "Yeah, no wonder you have such a great bond," Marcus tells her.
"We do have a really good bond, and we have been inseparable ever since I got him as an egg, and I learned a lot from taking care of him. Umbreon helps me to communicate with the Pokémon on the farm, acting as a social bridge to make every new Pokémon that arrives feel welcome," Mia explains. "My Umbreon truly is amazing. Malissa was right when she said she had a good feeling about the egg."
"You should take some credit yourself, you know. It is easy to see that you have worked hard on making sure that Umbreon does well, and he would never have evolved into an Umbreon the way he did if it wasn't the case. It seems that Umbreon believes in you more than you do," Marcus tells her as Umbreon sits next to her and cuddles Mia's shoulder.
"Aww, thank you, Umbreon, and thank you two for saying that," Mia tells them.
"Well, that is enough rest. Ready for a Pokémon battle?" Samurai asks, looking to Marcus. "Sure thing," he says.
And both guys gets up and steps out to the field standing opposit side of each other ''Pincir let us go'' Samurai says and Pincir walks out to the field between them facing Marcus.
''Allright Charmander are we ready'' Marcus asks and Charmander runs out to the feald eager and ready for battle.
They stand there, both eagerly waiting for the other to make the first move. "Pinsir, use double attack!" Samurai yells, and Pinsir begins to run. "Charmander, dodge and use ember!" Marcus yells, and sure enough, Charmander dodges and spins its tail quickly, shooting embers at Pinsir, who barely dodges with just a few scratches.
"Pinsir, hurry, use bug bite!" Samurai commands as he moves closer to Charmander, who looks concerned. "Quick, Charmander, dodge and use flamethrower!" Marcus yells. Charmander opens his mouth and ignites the fire, shooting it at Pinsir, who evades it. "Pinsir, use X-scissor!" Samurai orders. "Charmander, jump away and use ember!" Marcus commands. So, Charmander barely evades Pinsir, jumps up high, and spins in the air, sending fire at Pinsir, who is stopped in his tracks. "Now, use flamethrower!" Marcus yells, and Charmander does just that on its way down. He lands on the grass behind Pinsir, who is on fire. "Oh no, Pinsir, return!" Samurai says, and Pinsir returns to its pokeball.
And Marcus returns Charmander to his pokeball," Mia observes. The sky turns dark above their heads as the sun goes down in the far distance. "Ha, it appears that my hunch was right after battling Gary; you guys from Pallet sure are good," Samurai tells them. "Well, you are a tough one yourself, but I am sure we better be on our way," Marcus says. "Yes, we should get going and find a place to camp before it gets too late," Mia adds. They look between the trees to see Viridian City in the far distance. As the sky turns dark, a flash of light is seen from the city, followed by an explosion. "What the... what was that?" Marcus asks. "I have no clue," Mia says in surprise. "Well, whatever it was, I hope it isn't anything too bad," Marcus says. "Hopefully not," Mia replies and returns her pokemon, except for Umbreon, to their pokeballs. And with that, Mia and Marcus bid their new friend goodbye as they head into the forest on their way to Pewter City for Marcus to face off in his first pokemon Gym.