I left violet city on Drako’s back, heading to the orange islands.

I still had two months until the league season started and I had two pokemon that I wanted to bond with before that.

Drako flew quickly through the air towards the south. We took breaks when needed for Drako, at which time I would do some exercises so I didn’t fall out of practice. During the flight Drako was getting better at shielding the wind and making us more aerodynamic. Before nightfall he would fly as fast as he could, exhausting his energy.

We didn’t run into any unruly pokemon as most of the flying pokemon were wary of the large charizard.

Partway through the second day, we reached the coast and Azalea Town. I decided to stay in town for the night to make sure Drako was well rested for the flight over the ocean. Drako descended to the landing area in the town, after which I returned him, which he was actually glad for since he can nap.

I made my way to the pokemon centre and checked into a room. Although trainers had to still pay for lodging, it was subsidized by the Pokemon League of each respective region. I decided to get Drako checked over in case there were any problems from the long flight.

As I waited in the pokemon centre, I watched an Ace trainer match that was playing on the television. Ace trainers were the top 999 trainers in their region, barring the champion and elite 4 who weren’t in the ranking. Gym leaders were also excluded from the ace ranking but would surely rank in the top 10.

This match was a challenge issued by an ice/water type specialist against a ground type specialist. In this world, specialists were common due to the ease in which they would be able to train their pokemon’s moves, diet and battle strategy. Though a lot of people specialized in two similar types.

Although blood bonds were able to share and boost aura between trainer and pokemon, it did not share type energy as that could be fatal for humans. Therefore, there was no benefit in only bonding with one type of pokemon other than the ease of training.

I had spent a lot of time researching on the internet to be able to train the six pokemon I planned to have on my team. Though, I might be swayed if I see a pokemon that catches my eye that isn’t on my planned team.

As expected, the ice/ water type specialist ended up winning the battle. She had a strong lapras that basically swept the last three members of the opposing ground specialist’s team.

“Orick Ortiz, your pokemon is ready for pickup.” I heard over the speaker system and made my way to the front desk.

“Your charizard is perfectly healthy, though he has some muscle soreness.” The nurse told me.

“Thank you.” I said after retrieving Drako’s pokeball.

I considered going to the local Battle Arena to get in a battle, but decided to just turn in early so that we could leave at dawn.

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After another two days of travel we finally made it to our destination, Trovitopolis. Having had to rest on one of the other islands on our way. Now I just had to find the pokemon I was looking for. Through research on the internet I was able to find some sightings to confirm some of my anime knowledge. Hopefully I can find it and convince it to join my team.

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Donning some waterproof clothes, I made my way to the sewers. The sightings were usually in the north side of the sewers so that’s where I started, surreptitiously slipping through a manhole. Due to the ease with which pokemon can dig, the sewer was quite spacious and I was able to let Drako out.

“Alright, Drako, I know it smells horrible in here so you can choose to stay in your pokeball.”

“Zard!” He says, shaking his head.

“Well, we’re here looking for our second teammate. It’s a little bigger than average, like you. Just look out for any green vines.”

“Char. Char?”

“I want it to be a surprise, you’ll see when we find it.” I said. Which made Drako huff, letting out some smoke through his nostrils.

“Alright, alright. We’re looking for a bulbasaur, one of the Kanto starters just like your species.”

To make the search easier, I had bought some stuff from the Sprout Tower who specialized in grass/poison types. A couple of incense sticks that made a scent that grass/poison types found irresistible and some treats for grass/poison types. Hopefully this will work, I think as I light the incense over Drako’s tail fire.

With the lit incense in one hand and a flashlight in the other, I made my way through the sewers.

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Several hours later, we had found nothing other than some grimer and muk who stayed away due to the intimidating presence of Drako. I was on my last incense stick and decided to try something different.

“Drako, I think maybe your presence is scaring off the bulbasaur. I’m going to recall you for a little while to see if they’ll approach.”

“CHARIZARD!” Drako complains.

“Just because they’re cautious of you, doesn’t mean they’re weak. First of all, they’re a grass type and weak to fire types like you. Secondly, you’re on your third evolution compared to their first.”

“Chaaar.” He replied, nodding his head sagely.

I couldn’t help but laugh at the image of Drako acting with a wise demeanor.

“Zard!”

“Sorry, sorry! You’re very wise, Drako. I’m going to recall you now.” I said as I did just that. The loss of the light from Drako’s tail caused the sewer to darken dramatically. Only my flashlight lit up the dark.

I continued to wander about the sewer, making sure to avoid the muk and grimer.

Hearing a splash behind me, I turned to look when suddenly the incense stick in my hand was yanked out. I quickly adjusted the flashlight and caught sight of a vine wrapped around the incense stick retreating into the dark of another tunnel.

I dashed after the vine, trying to keep up. I thought about calling out Drako but didn’t want to scare the bulbasaur. As I ran, I hastily unwrapped a treat from the sprout tower and shouted, “Bulbasaur, wait! I have a treat for you!”

As the vine was about to leave my vision it stopped. Not wanting to scare it, I stopped as well and held the treat on my raised palm.

I hear slow steps approach the intersection where the vine was, then the vine hesitantly reached for the treat in my hand. I let it take the treat, and waited patiently. Soon, I heard the sound of chewing and the steps started approaching again.

I took out another treat and this time I slowly approached the intersection while talking in a calming voice. “It’s okay, bulbasaur. I don’t want to hurt you. Here, I have many more treats like these with me.”

I finally laid eyes on it, when the bulbasaur peaked around the corner. I crouched down a little, to get to its eye level and offered it the treat.

“Saur?” It said, and even though I wasn’t bonded to them I could tell that it was questioning why I was doing this.

“I want to be friends with you, bulbasaur. I want you to join me on my journey.”

“Bulba! Saur, saur!” They barked at me, giving me a stare. Though I couldn’t figure out what they were saying I knew someone who could.

“I’m going to release my Charizard, Drako. You might have seen him earlier, he can help me talk to you. Is that alright?” I asked.

Bulbasaur was a little wary and backed up but didn’t run. I took that as a sign that I should release Drako and proceeded to do so.

“Drako, this is the bulbasaur I was telling you about. Can you help me understand him?”

“Char.” He said to me, then turned to the bulbasaur. “Zard?”

As they conversed with each other I picked up a feeling of abandonment and rejection from my bond. Though, slowly as they talked it eased up. Finally, bulbasaur turned to me and said, “Saur!” which I interpreted to mean ‘Why me?’ through my bond with Drako.

“Because you’re special, bulbasaur. You were abandoned and then rejected by different people that feared you, but you never gave up. You’re a survivor and you showed them that you’re worth something by growing so strong.” I said, as I slowly approached bulbasaur. “Me and Drako are a team, inseparable. And I want you to join that team, what do you say?”

I crouched in front of bulbasaur with my hand outstretched, waiting with bated breath.

Finally, bulbasaur’s vine enclosed my hand and he walked up to me. “Bulbasaur!”

Feeling ecstatic, I patted the large bulbasaur on the head.

“Welcome to the team.“