We didn’t do any fancy goodbyes with Mum; I could call her any time I wanted anyway. She did give me the Pokédex that she had delivered from the Professor, though! Me and Branch talked a lot more on the way back to Aquacorde, about a lot of trivia stuff. We had a year of stuff to catch up on, so it made for good conversation! Eventually, we made it to the other side of Aquacorde.
“Now’s where the real journey begins! Onwards, taxi!” Branch joked, pointing his stubby leg in Route 2’s direction.
“That’ll be another 500 Pokédollars to get to Route 2, sir!” I played along, laughing, and we both went walking into where our adventure truly began.
It didn’t take long to find Robyn and Shauna. Branch took out a wild Pidgey on the way to them. I would’ve caught it, but I had a distinct lack of Poké Balls. It turned out Shauna had talked Robyn round into waiting for me, and they were both training in the grass.
“You finally turned up then.” Robyn stated, still a little frosty.
“Yeah. First, before we go anywhere, I should apologis-”
“No, I should be the one doing that. There was no logical reason for me to be so irritable. Let’s just put it past us and actually enjoy our journey.” Robyn interrupted, sighing.
“Agreed! Also, thanks for waiting for me!”
“It’s what friends do, bestie!” Shauna exclaimed happily.
“Here. Some Poké Balls. My mum gave me a ton of ‘pocket money’ so I figured I might as well put some of it to good use!” Robyn then handed me 10 Poké Balls, and I swiftly put 7 of them in my bag: 3 of them I kept in my pockets if I needed to act quickly.
“Robyn already showed me how to catch Pokémon in the most effective way! She learnt from her parents. Do you need to know?” Shauna offered. I shook my head, saying:
“Ironically, I learnt from my parents too! So, where are we-” I stopped suddenly after feeling something prickly on my foot. “Wha-” This was when I looked down and found a bug sniffing my shoe, as if it was some sort of scrumptious snack. I used my shoe as bait, and shuffled it to the left. As predicted, the small black bug followed, and I dropped a readied Poké Ball on its head.
One. Two. Three. The similar resounding click spoke to us all - the bug was caught. I took out my fresh Pokédex, and scanned the Poké Ball I had used to catch the bug. It read out:
‘Scatterbug, the Scatterdust Pokémon. Male. Type: Bug. Moves: Tackle, String Shot. The powder that covers its body regulates its temperature, so it can live in any region or climate.’
“OOOOH, THAT’S SO EXCITING!! YOU ALREADY GOT A POKÉMON!!!” Shauna yelled with glee.
“Congrats, Finn! I already caught myself a Zigzagoon, though I think he’ll only be on the team until we find a Pokémon Center. He doesn’t seem to get along with Fennekin.”
“That’s still cool! Another one for your 'Dex. Regardless... welcome to the team, Kevin!” I greeted, placing the Poké Ball on my Trainer Belt - I’d received this from Trevor, as had Robyn and Shauna. “Anyway, where are we off to?”
“Hm. I kinda want to hang back here, and catch a few more Pokémon for the ‘Dex.”
“Robyn’s teaching me some basics, so I think I’ll hang back too!”
“...Right. In that case, Santalune Forest is just ahead. How about we meet up on Route 3 - the other side - by nightfall?” I suggested. There were two feelings going through me at that moment: sadness that we wouldn’t travel together for a while again, yet happiness that I’d be able to actually meet Kevin, and whatever I caught in Santalune Forest.
“Sure, that works. Besides, it doesn’t hurt to investigate by ourselves. I hardly expect us to travel together for the ENTIRE journey, so we’d best get used to it!
“Couldn’t have put it better myself. Also, I want time with MY CUTESY FROAKIE!!!” Shauna squealed in agreement.
“Well that’s all settled then! See ya later!” At least I would get time to build a solid trio before reforming with Robyn and Shauna; this couldn’t be bad, surely.
As I got out of earshot of my two friends, I let Kevin and Branch out of their Poké Balls.
“We got a new bud! Hi! ‘M Branch!” Branch introduced himself. Kevin was a bit of a nerd, apparently.
“First, we’ve got to lay out some ground rules.” Scatterbug, whom I’d named Kevin, spoke poshly. “One - you keep me in your pocket when I’m not in battle, so I have protection. This is temporary until I reach my final form. Two - I absolutely do not have an irrational fear of birds. In addition, I assu-”
“WHOAH there, slow down little guy!” Kevin halted to a stop. “Let’s start slowly. Right, so I’m Finn, and this is Branch. Welcome to the team!”
“Yes, I’m Kevin, back to the point. I assume you are aware by now that I am indeed very knowledgeable, more than your average Pokémon. However, I’m sure if you two had the wits to catch such an intellectual, I'd be honoured to fight by your side. I needed to get that out before I was interrupted.” Kevin then gave a goofy little smile, his small tooth poking out, which had me sold.
“That’s fine with me!”
“Agreed! I hope we get to be great buddies!” Branch said, rubbing his cheek against Kevin as his usual sign of friendship. While a little flinchy at first, Kevin thanked Branch for his kindness. With that, we made our way to Santalune Forest. I was happy with Kevin being our first catch. He seemed like a kind soul, perhaps a little cocky for his size, but he definitely seemed knowledgeable. I couldn’t say the same for our next catch though…
We’d arrived in the forest, and it was far from a welcoming place. Very dark, mysterious, and just generally dangerous. Branch kept on lookout while Kevin cowered in my pocket.
“Don’t let them get me, I beg you! I beg you!” For good reason, as a Fletchling shoved me onto the floor. They were a feisty one, for sure! And while it was definitely rude of her to do such a thing, I liked that kind of fire.
“Branch! Knock that Fletchling down a peg or two with Tackle! Gently now, don’t wanna make it flee!” Branch hit the feisty bird with a harsh Tackle, leaving them struggling to move on the floor. At that moment, I threw my Poké Ball. One. Shit! They were definitely a fighter, as they broke out, raring to go again. I winked at Branch, who distracted Fletchling by doing a little tap dance. Not the first idea that came to mind, but sure, it worked. Then, I slammed my second Poké Ball into Fletchling’s tail. One. Two. Annnnndddddd…
Three. The familiar click echoed through the uninviting woods. As with Kevin, I brought out my Pokédex and scanned the Poké Ball with Fletchling in it.
‘Fletchling, the Tiny Robin Pokémon. Female. Type: Normal and Flying. Moves: Tackle, Growl. Despite the beauty of its lilting voice, it's merciless to intruders that enter its territory.’
“...Whew! That’s an interesting catch!”
“Well, we got a good fighter it seems!”
“Just please keep that pigeon away from me, yuck!” Kevin recoiled back into the untold depths of my pocket as I gave him a glare for insulting Fletchling, who I had dubbed…
“Come on out, Willow!” I chucked my freshly caught Fletchling’s Poké Ball into the air, and an annoyed bird popped out.
“Hmph. You just got lucky. Don’t think I’m helpin’ you if you piss me off!” She complained, clearly not impressed by mine and Branch’s trick.
‘Oh Arceus above, help me.’ I internally sighed.
“See! I knew a bird was bad luck!” Kevin piped up, before being quickly shut down by the loud attitude of Willow.
“I suggest you shut it before I have you for dinner, pathetic bug.” She intimidated him.
“Hey! Leave him alone, I’m in charge here! Nobody’s eating anyone!” Branch stood in, making his presence clear.
“You’re both weak to Flying-moves, for cryin’ out loud! I could sweep both of you before you lay a hit on my beautiful, well-looked-after wings!” Willow wheezed in response. This was just great. Absolutely outstanding. What a capture.
“Enough, let’s get through this forest.” I cut them off sternly, and the four of us ventured through Santalune Forest.
I knew not every new friend would fit in perfectly, but this was quite a bit earlier than I anticipated. The three bickered on the entire way through the forest, as I picked up a few items on the way, including a Paralyse Heal and Potion. Neat! Though why anybody would drop such useful items was beyond me. Regardless, we beat a Trainer on the way through, nothing too challenging. Branch made short work of them. After that, we reached a Trainer who went by the name of Anna, and she had a Pikachu.
“I want a toy to play with before I end up pecking that bug’s eyes out.” Willow struck at the electric mouse hard with Tackle, as it was evident that the Pikachu didn’t expect such strength. However, in retaliation, it brought a devastating blow on Willow with Thunder Shock.
“WILLOW! Are you okay?” I shouted out in panic, the anxiety levels in me rising by the second. I couldn’t help feeling something was terribly wrong. Perhaps I was overreacting, maybe I was reasonable in my response. I wasn’t sure. I ran up to Willow, unsure of her condition.
“...Willow? Willow, girl, are you okay?”
Hope you enjoy the upcoming chapters, regardless!
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