Kanto Gets Loud
(Pokemon X Loud House Story)
Chapter 6: Fear the Fearow
A few hours later,
"Ok, this is getting ridiculous," Lincoln grumbled. It had been a few hours since they've left Pallet Town, but Lincoln and Pikachu still hadn't managed to catch any new Pokemon. They did encounter some more Pidgey and some small, purple rat Pokemon, but they would always get one shot by Pikachu's Thundershock, or just run off.
"We might have better finding some Pokemon in some of the routes beyond Viridian City," Pikachu advised.
"Yeah, you may have a point there. Plus, those clouds don't look too friendly," Lincoln commented, taking note of some pretty heavy looking clouds that were rolling in.
"Yeah, we'd better get moving. We don't want to be caught up in the rain, even if it's just a light drizzle," Pikachu replied, as they continued onward.
"Hey down there!" a girl's voice called out to the duo. Looking up a small incline, they saw a red headed girl about Lincoln's age, wearing a yellow top, and booty shorts, held up by suspenders over her shoulders. Her hair was done up in a ponytail that was off to one side. She was carrying a small, red bag, and was riding a bicycle, "You heading to Viridian City?" she asked.
"Yeah. Are we on the right path?" Lincoln called back.
"Indeed, you are. Just continue on the path your on going that way, and you'll wind up in Viridian City before sunset," the girl replied, pointing down the path Lincoln and Pikachu were already walking on.
"Hey thanks! Let's get going Pikachu," Lincoln said, as they continued onward.
"He doesn't seem like he's from Pallet Town. Well, maybe we'll see each other again in Viridian City," the girl commented, as she pedaled off. Meanwhile, Lincoln and Pikachu continued to walk, when out of nowhere, something flew right past them.
"Whoa, what was that?" Lincoln questioned, looking to whatever had passed them. Both he and Pikachu saw a little brown sparrow like Pokemon with red wings and a black torso.
"A Spearow? I didn't think any of them lived out here," Pikachu commented.
"So that's a Spearow?" Lincoln questioned, as he pulled out his Pokedex, and pointed it at the Flying Pokemon.
"Spearow, the Tiny Bird Pokemon, a Normal and Flying Type. This Pokemon is highly territorial, and flaps it's wings at a high speed to stay airborne. Not recommended for rookie trainers. This Male Spearow is level 9, and knows the moves Peck, Leer, Growl, and Fury Attack," the Pokedex explained.
"Well, shall we try our luck with one?" Lincoln asked. Pikachu looked skeptical.
"You sure? You heard what the Pokedex said, right? About how Spearow aren't recommended for rookie trainers like you?" Pikachu asked.
"I know, but I would like to have at least one new Pokemon on my team before we hit Viridian City," Lincoln replied.
"Well, I guess it wouldn't hurt to try," Pikachu replied, as they ran off after Spearow. They soon arrived in front of a large tree, where they saw the Spearow from before walking around, pecking at the ground.
"Nice! Now's our chance!" Lincoln quietly said. Pikachu, however, felt something was off.
"Hang on, I get the feeling this could be an ambush," Pikachu warned.
"You're probably overthinking things, but we can pull out if things get a bit too dicey. Now, let's get this dang bird before the storm hits," Lincoln said, as he and Pikachu approached Spearow, "Alright Spearow, we're calling you out!" he declared. Spearow just smirked maliciously.
"On the contrary, Human, it's you who's outnumbered and outmatched!" the Spearow replied, as he let out a sharp cry. Within seconds, a flock of about 50 more Spearow began to fly all around the two of them, "So, human, you were saying?"
"Dang it! I should've listened to you, Pikachu!" Lincoln exclaimed.
"Gee, ya think?!" Pikachu snarked sarcastically, as the storm finally hit, "Alright, not isn't the time to chew you out for this, but it doesn't look like these Spearow will let us off the hook," Pikachu observed.
"Well, luckily for us, you have the Type Advantage over them, because it looks like we're going to have to fight our way out," Lincoln replied.
"Fine with me. I could go for a little workout," Pikachu replied, taking up a fighting stance.
"ATTACK!" the Spearow the two of them had chased ordered, as the entire flock dove right at the two of them.
"Alright Pikachu, use Thundershock, but put a new spin on it!" Lincoln instructed, emphasizing the word "spin".
"You got it!" Pikachu leapt up into the air, and began to spin around while firing Thundershock at the same time. The electricity whipped at the Spearow, sending some of them down to defeat.
"You got five more coming in from your left! Use Quick Attack to dodge!" Lincoln instructed. Pikachu then used a branch from the tree they were battling under, to propel himself away from the attacking Spearow, "Alright, now, give them another taste of your Thundershock!" Pikachu once again fired off Thundershock, blasting more Spearow. The battle carried on for about another twenty minutes, when only a small handful of the Spearow was still left able to battle. Both Lincoln and Pikachu were beginning to tire, but they remained resilient.
"How can we be having this much trouble with just one human and one Pikachu!?" the first Spearow yelled, clearly irritated and flustered at seeing the majority of the flock being taken down.
"They're movements are unpredictable, Lieutenant! I've never seen any kind of battling style like this before!" a Spearow underling replied.
"I don't care what the reason is, we have to defeat them before she returns!" the first Spearow snapped.
"Then why don't you get off your lazy ass and help us out already instead of just sitting back and making us do all the work?!" another Spearow snapped back.
"Hey, someone has to make sure you morons are doing!" the lead Spearow barked back.
"So, you want to catch a Spearow before anything happens?" Pikachu called out to Lincoln.
"Yeah, that would be a good idea," Lincoln replied, getting an empty Pokeball ready, when a loud, menacing, and shrill cry echoed throughout the field. The remaining Spearow all had malicious glints in their eyes.
"Oh, you both are so in for it now!" the second Spearow proclaimed.
"What? What's going on?" Lincoln questioned.
"Our boss is making her big return! And there she is, right now!" the first Spearow replied, pointing to the sky behind them. Lincoln and Pikachu saw a large, brown bird Pokémon with a big red crest on it's head and a spear like beak flying towards them.
"Oh great, it's a Fearow!" Pikachu exclaimed.
"A Fearow?" Lincoln questioned, pulling out his Pokedex, and scanning the oncoming bird Pokemon.
"Fearow, the Beak Pokemon, a Normal and Flying Type, and the evolved form of Spearow. It's large wings enable it to fly for an entire day. The crushing power of it's beak is tremendous. This Female Fearow is Level 20, and knows the moves Pursuit, Fury Attack, Leer, and Aerial Ace," the Pokedex explained.
"LEVEL 20?!" Lincoln exclaimed, before checking Pikachu's own Level. With all the battling they've done, Pikachu had managed to level up to Level 13, "Even with a type advantage, that thing is still stronger than Pikachu in terms of Level," he commented, as Fearow came flying down.
"Alright, what's going on here!? I was just enjoying a nice nap in my tree, when….," the Fearow paused upon seeing the battlefield being littered with at least 40 Spearow, who were completely defeated, "What happened here?! Why is more than half of the flock defeated?!" she demanded.
"It's all their fault, m'lady! They were chasing after me, hoping to catch me, when they trespassed on our territory! We tried to teach them a lesson, but they proved to be more cunning that we thought!" the lead Spearow tattled, pointing to Lincoln and Pikachu. Fearow then looked at the duo with a look of surprise and intrigue.
"One human and his Pikachu defeated more than half of our flock?" she asked.
"Yes, m'lady. It's truly barbaric!" the lead Spearow replied. Fearow then landed right in front of Pikachu and Lincoln.
"Listen well, human… While I am not happy about how you've managed to wipe out half of my flock, I am feeling particularly generous today, and am going to offer you a way out. If you and your Pikachu can face me in battle and defeat me, then you're free to go. However…." Fearow began.
"'However'?" Lincoln didn't like the sound of Fearow's tone.
"If you should loose, then I will personally see to it that neither of you leaves this forest alive," Fearow threatened, a dangerous glint in her eyes. Lincoln gulped.
"Looks like we don't have much of a choice here. But why are you giving us this kind of an offer?" Lincoln asked.
"Truth be told, it's been a while since I've been in a serious battle, and I feel that you and your Pikachu will give me a battle that I can thoroughly enjoy," Fearow replied.
"Well Pikachu, let's get this battle started by using Quick Attack!" Lincoln instructed. Pikachu then took off like a bolt, charging straight at Fearow.
"They do say that the first strike leads to victory. Normally, they would be right, but in this case," Fearow said, as she banked to the side of Pikachu, and struck him with her wing, causing Pikachu to be sent skidding back with a groan of pain, "In this case, with my Sniper Ability, it can ultimately speed up the inevitable," she sneered.
"What's the deal with this Sniper business?" Lincoln consulted the Pokedex.
"Sniper: An Ability that boosts the chances of landing a critical hit, which can deal more damage than normal," the Pokedex explained. Some sparks flew off of Fearow, but none of them seemed to notice.
"Alright, Pikachu, use Thundershock!" Lincoln instructed. Pikachu then fired off Thundershock, striking Fearow in the chest, but it was able to shrug it off.
"How disappointing. I was expecting more from the both of you," Fearow chided.
"No way… Quick Attack didn't work, and she just tanked that Thundershock!" Lincoln exclaimed.
"Now, take this! Aerial Ace!" Fearow yelled, as she became surrounded by a white aura, and swooped down at Pikachu, only for more sparks to fly off of her, causing her to land hard into the ground.
"What's going on?" Lincoln questioned.
"I know! It must be MY Ability, Static! Sometimes, when an opponent makes direct contact with me, there's a chance they'll end up becoming paralyzed," Pikachu replied.
"And being paralyzed doesn't necessarily mean the same thing to Pokemon as it does to humans, right?" Lincoln asked.
"You got it! And we're lucky my ability activated when it did! Not only was I able to be saved from a certain KO, but I now have a clear shot at using my new move," Pikachu replied.
"'New move'?" Lincoln took a moment to look it up on the Pokedex, "Wow, this could win us the whole battle! Now's a good a time as any to use it, now, Pikachu, use Electro Ball!" Lincoln instructed.
"With pleasure!" Pikachu replied, as he began to charge up electricity in his tail, forming it into a ball. With a mighty swing, Pikachu then hurled the Electro Ball at Fearow, sending her back to defeat.
"Alright! Now, for the best part!" Lincoln said, clenching the empty Pokeball he got out earlier.
"Wait, you're seriously going to catch that thing?! You are aware that it tried to kill us, right?" Pikachu asked incredulously.
"I know, but an opportunity like this to catch an evolved Flying Pokemon this early on doesn't come around too often. I'm taking this chance, now," Lincoln said, as he tossed the Pokeball at Fearow, causing it to become encapsulated inside.
"Well, if you're sure, but I'm keeping an eye on her, just to make sure she doesn't try anything funny," Pikachu replied, as the Pokeball began to wobble. It continued to do so for a few seconds before an audible clicking was heard, signaling the capture sequence was finished. Lincoln went over to retrieve it.
"Alright, now that this is taken care of, we should get going before the rest of these birds wake up. Besides, I'd like to have a little bit of R&R," Lincoln commented, as he let Pikachu climb up onto his shoulder.
"Yeah, and once we get to Viridian City, you can get me that ketchup you promised," Pikachu replied.
"Right. I'll see about getting you a bottle of it while you and Fearow are being treated at the Pokemon Center," Lincoln said, as they once again hit the road, just as the storm died off. Nearby, watching from behind a tree, a boy about Lincoln's age was watching the American boy and his Pikachu. He wore a denim vest, skinny jeans, a chain dangling from his belt loops, a pair of boots, and purple hair that was combed off to one side of his face.
"Hmm, that kid may be worth keeping an eye on, if he managed to catch that Fearow," the boy commented.
An hour later,
The weary duo had just arrived at the gates to Viridian City, "Finally, and we made it just before nightfall," Lincoln commented.
"Yeah. Now lets find the Pokemon Center. I honestly can say that I'm looking forward to getting some rest more than the ketchup," Pikachu commented, as they ventured through the streets. It was then that Lincoln realized something.
"Wait, where do we find the Pokemon Center?" Lincoln wondered. Just then, they heard a motorcycle approaching. A woman with green hair, dressed in a police officer's uniform was coming at them.
"Excuse me, but is that Pikachu your Pokemon?" the officer asked.
"Yes. I caught Pikachu here the other day," Lincoln replied.
"Really now? Then why isn't it inside of it's Pokeball? It's highly unusual for a Pokemon to be outside of it's ball like that. How can I be certain that you didn't steal it?" the officer asked, clearly suspicious of Lincoln.
"Whoa there, lady, I can assure you, I am no thief. Professor Oak himself can vouch for me. As for why Pikachu is outside of it's ball, it's because he hates going inside of it," Lincoln explained.
"I see. Well, if Professor Oak is your sponsor, then could I ask for your identification?" the officer asked.
"Sure thing," Lincoln replied, handing over his Trainer Card. The police officer then pulled out a strange scanning device, and used it on the card. A ping sound was heard.
"Looks legit. Sorry for the mix up. We've had reports of Pokemon thieves in the area. No doubt members of Team Rocket," the officer replied.
"Team Rocket?" Lincoln asked.
"They're an underground sect of criminals who engage in illegal activities involving Pokemon, such as poaching and trafficking them, even from other trainers. They're scattered all throughout Kanto, and are extremely dangerous," the officer replied.
"Sounds like the type of crowd I want to steer clear of," Lincoln commented.
"And you'd be wise to do so. They're always looking to recruit naïve trainers with the promise of power and rare Pokemon," the officer explained.
"I see. I'll keep that in mind. But for now, could you point me in the general direction of the Pokemon Center?" Lincoln asked.
"I'll do more than that; I'll take you there personally, so hop in," the officer replied, motioning to the sidecar. Lincoln did so, and like a bolt of lightning, they took off, with Lincoln screaming at the top of his lungs. Above in the skies, a hot air balloon, shaped like a cat with a gold charm on it's forehead was floating high above the peaceful city. Inside the basket were three individuals. The first was a woman with long red hair. The second was a man with short blue hair. The third was a small, white cat like Pokemon that looked exactly like the balloon. The man and woman were both wearing identical white uniforms with a big red R on their chests.
"Viridian City, quite the peaceful little hamlet," the woman commented.
"Yes indeed. Fortunately for us, that's all going to change very soon. It what they get for this wanted poster of us," the man replied, holding up a wanted poster that had him and the woman on it, "They didn't even try to catch my good side."
"What are ya talkin' about? Neither o' youse has a good side," the cat Pokemon said, only to get a couple of fists to his head.
"QUIET MEOWTH!" the two adults yelled.
"We need to focus on our mission," the woman stated.
"Indeed. The Viridian City Pokemon Center has a large quantity of Pokemon that are just ripe for pinching. And we have the equipment necessary to accomplish our goal," the man said, looking at a box containing explosives.
"Excellent. Now we can launch our operation with little opposition," Meowth replied, as the balloon flew closer to a particular building.