The first day of the second week of December greeted me with a heavy sense of anticipation. In just two days, the Indigo League Conference would commence. As I emerged from the embrace of my slumber, I couldn't shake off the grogginess that clung to my mind. The room within the Pokemon Center exuded a chilly ambiance, its wintry touch creeping through the cracks. Chikorita had sought solace within her Pokeball, sheltered from the cool embrace of the morning.
My gaze turned towards the window, revealing a somber scene. The once vibrant skies now wore a cloak of gray clouds, casting a pall over the city. It seemed that the weather mirrored the sense of gray that clung to me. After completing my morning ablutions, I dressed myself in my outdoor gear, bracing against the wintry elements that awaited me before leaving the room and heading towards the bustling cafeteria for breakfast with Chikorita in her Pokeball.
The once spacious dining area now overflowed with trainers, their lively conversations melding into a cacophony of anticipation. After quite a bit of searching and jostling, I was finally able to get us a table and started prepping our breakfast. After her PokeFeed was ready, this time with a vitamin D supplement, I released Chikorita from her Pokeball. As she chowed down, seemingly quite hungry, I made a note to get more PokeFeed soon. Hopefully, I would have my second Pokemon by the time we ran out so that I could just make one trip to the PokeMart for both of their supplies. Speaking of supplies, my wallet wasn’t as empty anymore with the many battles Chikorita and I participated in throughout the last week. We did lose a handful but the vast majority, we won, allowing my balance to return to a somewhat healthy amount. Around an additional 7500 P!
Half-way through our breakfast, a commotion at the neighboring table caught my attention. A young red-headed trainer sat there, his face and arms covered in bandages. He waved his spoon angrily, regaling his two companions of the tale of being attacked while he was returning from his morning training session today. It was a surprising account; even though Pokemon attacking trainers wasn’t uncommon, most Pokemon were not as aggressive around Viridian City. Typically, the more aggressive Pokemon would be found deep inside Viridian Forest or inside Victory Road itself. The League always ensured that any of the Pokemon meant for Victory Road would always stay inside the set boundaries of that massive cave system; any breaches would be swiftly taken care of by Ace Trainers.
Chikorita finished up her breakfast and started to doze off. Intrigued by the boy’s words, I finished my breakfast quickly, picked Chikorita up, and approached the red-headed trainer to ask my question.
"Excuse me," I interjected politely, "but I couldn't help but overhear your story. Would you mind sharing more about the Pokemon that attacked you?"
The trainer looked up, surprise flickering in his eyes. "Oh, sure," he replied, his voice tinged with a mix of frustration and annoyance. "It was a small, orange, flying Pokemon. I was just returning from training with my Ledyba and it literally came out of nowhere! I barely had time to react before it slammed Ledyba away and started to attack me! Made sure to return Ledyba and just ran for it but the burns stung so much man!"
I nodded, absorbing the details. "Were you able to see which Pokemon it was? Or do you know anyone else who has encountered it?"
He paused for a moment, his brow furrowed in thought. "I wasn’t able to see what Pokemon it was specifically, just that it was small, like about this size” he indicated, spacing his hands apart about 8 inches, “and orange! Oh also, now that you mention it, a couple of trainers from Deduba Town were also attacked a couple of days ago."
Understanding that he didn’t have anything more to add, I thanked him for his information and made my way to Nurse Joy. Her vibrant pink hair stood out amidst the hustle and bustle of the Pokemon Center.
"Excuse me, Nurse Joy," I called out, approaching the counter. "I heard about a trainer who was attacked by a small, orange Pokemon. Is there any information you can provide?"
Nurse Joy looked concerned, her blue eyes reflecting genuine worry. "Yes, we've had a few cases like that recently," she replied. "The burns they've sustained are all first-degree, but it's concerning that there have been so many incidents. It's not like the Pokemon in this forest to exhibit such aggression."
This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.
Taking her words to heart, I sought out the pair of trainers who had also fallen prey to this mysterious aggressor. They had recently received their starters and arrived in Viridian City from one of the western towns, only to be ambushed without warning.
"We had just arrived from Deduba Town," one of them explained, his voice tinged with fear. "It attacked us out of nowhere bro. It was so fast, we could barely see it—like an orange vrooom.”
The seemingly hyperbolic answer was met with a nod from his companion, I pondered the situation. How long had this reign of attacks persisted? Why hadn't the issue been resolved? A seasoned trainer, who overheard our conversation, chimed in with a weary sigh. "With the conference approaching and Victory Road closed off, resources are stretched thin. No one is available to handle it right now." he replied before stretching and lying down on the couch.
“Honestly kids, it’s not that big a deal. Nurse Joy tends to always worry whenever there is something wrong but I looked into the burns and they were minor. Man, this one time in the Cinnabar mainland I was trying to…” I started to tune out the rest of what the talkative trainer started to say as I ruminated on the case. It seemed silly to think about, but while looking up information on local Bug and Flying-type Pokemon, there weren’t any matching records. Could it have come from somewhere else? I had a good idea on what the Pokemon could be, and seeing as though I had been looking for a second team member, this felt quite fortuitous.
Lunchtime arrived, and armed with a trove of information, I made my decision. It was time to venture into the area and investigate for myself. If this Pokemon was what I think it is, I wanted it on my team. Confidence surged within me as I embarked on this scouting mission, fully convinced that by nightfall, I would return triumphant, with a new addition to our team.
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As dusk painted the sky in hues of deep purple and fiery orange, I emerged from the forest as a disheveled figure adorned with twigs and brambles. Chikorita, nestled securely in my arms, seemed to find the situation amusing, a mischievous glint dancing in her eyes. "Yeah yeah, you thought it was a good idea," I murmured to her, a hint of exasperation lacing my voice. "But who would've thought there'd be a whole family of Pineco nesting in that tree?"
My adventures in the forest had been eventful, if not entirely fruitful. Chikorita and I engaged in several battles with wild Pokemon, including a particularly exhausting encounter with a turtling Metapod. But alas, the elusive orange menace remained elusive, leaving me with a sense of disappointment gnawing at my core. With the sinking sun casting long shadows and darkness creeping closer, I decided it was time to call it a day and made my way back to the Pokemon Center.
Weary from the long day, I took my place in line at the counter, the aroma of healing potions and freshly brewed herbal tea enveloping me in a comforting embrace. As I reached the front, I handed Chikorita and her Pokeball over to Nurse Joy. "I think she's fine, Nurse Joy," I informed her, my voice tinged with a touch of fatigue. "But if you wouldn't mind giving her a quick check?"
Nurse Joy nodded understandingly while I trudged wearily to my room, eager to rid myself of the makeshift foliage that clung stubbornly to my hair and clothes. A refreshing shower washed away the physical remnants of my woodland escapade, and I emerged feeling rejuvenated.
Downstairs, I reunited with Chikorita, who had received a clean bill of health. Together, we sat down to enjoy an early dinner. The past week had been marked by battles, both expected and unexpected, in the mornings with the afternoon reserved for relaxation and editing and move training or conditioning in the evenings. The sudden trek through the forest had left me more exhausted than I thought possible and my failed search for the elusive orange menace had left me feeling weary and disheartened.
Seeking solace in the privacy of our Pokemon Center room, I checked up on my RotomTube page, browsing the comments and statistics as they started to provide me a glimpse into the vast online community of trainers and Pokemon enthusiasts. The most viewed video, unsurprisingly, remained the riveting battle between Chikorita and Pidgey, a testament to the nail-biting encounter.
But as the night deepened, I found myself yearning for a moment of respite from the realities. Switching off the digital world, I turned to the TV and tuned in to a lighthearted cartoon, allowing its whimsical tales to transport me to a realm untouched by disappointment and exhaustion. Chikorita nestled beside me, her warm presence a soothing balm.
The day had not been a complete waste, I reminded myself. It presented its own lessons and challenges, continuing to shape me as a trainer and also deepening the bond between Chikorita and me. Tomorrow will be a new day, brimming with possibilities and fresh opportunities. With renewed determination, I bid the night farewell, knowing that the sun would rise once again, casting its golden light upon our path, beckoning us toward new adventures in the ever-unfolding tapestry of the Pokemon world.