Chapter 4

Redwald opened his eyes after he woke up. Staring at the dark ceiling of the dorm room that he had been sharing with two other students, he realised it was in the middle of the night. He checked the wall to see the o’clock but the room was too dark for it. With the hope of forgetting his nightmare, Redwald got out of his bed and walked to the window. The full moon was shining bright in the sky and there was no particular thing in Redwald’s mind except for worrying about his future.

It had been a stressful four weeks since he came to the camp. Eevee was not being helpful to get over the stress at this time. Redwald seriously considered eventually Eevee would decide not to go with Redwald on his journey.

“I still have time...” Redwald thought. “...to gain your trust, Eevee. You haven’t even given me a single chance yet.”

When Professor Oak walked through the classroom, the Red Team was waiting for his response in silence. Professor Oak stood in front of his desk and put a warm smile on his face. This was one of rare times he was really frank.

“Today you have a task to complete.” He said. “And this task can be completed by only having your partners, Pokémon work with you as a team.”

Redwald knew this could not end up well for him. Eevee, standing on his desk was completely careless about him. Greta and Nidoran looked at each other in the eye. Unlike Redwald and Eevee, Greta and Nidoran already made a great team for themselves.

“Clefable will hand over papers to all of you.” Professor Oak said. “Each paper will have a sentence written on them. That is a hint for you, a hint about a particular item hidden in the laboratory. First you have to find out what the item is, then you have to find it with your Pokémon.”

Clefable walked inside the classroom. She was holding a big box. She walked to the first desk and dug in the papers in the box. Eventually she chose a paper randomly and gave it to the Trainer. In less than 3 minutes, the whole classroom had a paper with hint on them.

Professor Oak nodded his head and checked his watch. “You have until 8 p.m. to solve it and find the item.” He said. “The areas are limited with this floor, the garden, backyard, playground and dormitory.”

A Trainer raised her hand. “Professor, what happens if we don’t manage to find the item by the end of the day?” She asked. Professor Oak expected this question but he pretended he did not. Only Redwald could tell when Oak pretended. “Let’s hope you won’t do that, shall we?” He said with the frank smile on his face. “Now, you can get started.” He said and walked out.

All they do when it occurs is babble But it’s a big awakening in a battle Finding it may not be a big deal But the struggle after then is real

Redwald read the paper once more. It was catchy, but it meant nothing to him as a whole. He showed the paper to Eevee on the desk.

“Can you read?” He asked. Eevee did not respond, did not even bother to look at the text. Redwald knew he was a careless Pokémon, but he thought this time it was because he could not read. Redwald read it out loud and asked Eevee if he had any idea what the item was. Expectedly, Eevee did not care.

Greta and Nidoran stood next to Redwald. With that usual smile on her face, Greta put her hand on Redwald’s shoulder and saluted him.

“How are you doing, Red?” She asked. “Do you know what item you are supposed to find?”

Redwald shoke his head. He was once again clueless what to do. Greta thought intensely. Apparently neither did she have an idea about her hint.

“In fact, I have an idea.” She said. “We can go to the library of the laboratory. I know there is one in the basement. Professor must have books related to items to use in battles.”

“But Professor Oak was clear about the limited areas, Greta.” Redwald said. “We can’t go there.”

“No, Red. Professor Oak was clear about the limited areas that the items can be found. He did not say anything about going to elsewhere.”

To think of it, Greta had a point. Redwald nodded his head and they left the classroom. On their way to the basement, Redwald took Greta’s paper and read it.

For safety, botany may not be enough Some things deserve the same rebuff The same color may not be spotted Since they are well adopted

“I had no idea Professor Oak was that good at riddles.” Redwald said. Greta’s hint as a whole did not make any sense either. Greta found the stairs and walked down. Nidoran was on her shoulder, watching around carefully as if she was alarmed. Redwald and Eevee followed them right behind. Eevee was still carefully protecting a distance between him and his Trainer.

When they came to the downstair, they saw the shelfs with a lot of books on them right next to the walls. The library was too official. Everywhere was either light blue or white except for the bookcases and the only table in the middle of the library. Greta quickly came closer to the shelfs and checked the tags on them. She needed to find the books related to the items to use in the battles.

“Let me help you.” Redwald said. “What is it we are looking for?”

“Don’t worry, Red.” Greta said. “I am almost there.” She clearly came to the library section before. Maybe she even looked for the books related to the items. It took even less than three minutes for her to find two books she thought they needed.

She put the books on the wood table. The titles were “Battle Guide: Choose the right item” and “Item Studies”. Then Redwald put the riddle papers on the table to see them better.

“We have to give a look at these books and find out what items they are Professor expects us to find.” Greta said. She sounded confident but Redwald thought there was a problem with the plan.

“But Greta, Professor also expects us to find them by the end of the day. These books take at least a week for us. They have everything.”

“Don’t worry, Red.” Greta responded. “We won’t read every single word in these books. We get the tips from the riddles. It is matter of time to figure out.”

While Greta dug in these books, Redwald carefully read the papers over and over again. Once he made sure that he could not solve the mystery just by reading them, he decided to go deeper with the book as well.

After their nearly one hour on the table, they still had no clue what they needed to find.

“Instead of playing the smart one, why don’t we just go and look for it? I am sure we will somehow understand what it is.” Redwald said. But Greta was staring at the papers, looking one after another.

“Are you all right, Greta?” Redwald asked. She seemed like she did not hear Redwald at all. Greta raised her right hand and showed her index finger. That was the sign to say “be quiet”.

Eventually Greta turned her head to Redwald. “I found it.” She said. Her sincere smile made the cold blue library almost warmer. At least Redwald thought he felt so.

“Look at the first two lines, Red.” Greta said. “For safety, botany may not be enough, some things deserve the same rebuff.” She read her own note. Then she showed Redwald’s paper and read his note. “All they do when it occurs is babble, but it’s a big awakening in a battle.”

“What should I get from that?” Redwald asked. She read the lines that Redwald had been thinking about for hours already.

“These are the first tips of what our items are. So by the meaning, we need to go from there. Clearly, mine is something related to the plants because it mentions botany. Yours is something to be used particularly in a battle. So outside of the battle it is not useful.”

“You read the herbs section. I will check out the Battle Guide.” Redwald said. They got lost in their books again. But Greta once again checked on the notes.

“Since this is all about plants, a forest is the key, Red.” Greta said. “Some things deserve the same rebuff... What could it mean?”

“What is so dangerous in a forest that also something else has the same danger within... and this item is clearly a cure to them.”

Greta solved the mystery.

“Of course!” She said. “Botany may not be enough, because whatever it is that fruits or plants can damage you, you may take the damage from something besides plants too! That is clearly about poisonous plants! And some Poison Type Pokémon in the jungle can leave you poisoned too!”

Then she was lost in her mind again. “What was the item that cures the poison? I knew that one!”

“That’s antidote, Greta!” Redwald said. “I know, that’s antidote. You are supposed to find an antidote. But where is it?”

“The last lines are about the locations, I think.” She said. “The same color may not be spotted since they are well adopted...”

“Antidote bottles are orange. I think this is hidden in something purple.” Redwald said.

“Playground, of course!” Greta came up with the most obvious answer. “The swings on the playground are orange too!”

“Go then!” Redwald said. Even he was excited about Greta. Greta took her backpack and put Nidoran on her shoulder. But then she stopped and looked at Redwald’s paper.

“No, Red.” She said. “Not before we solve yours.”

“I don’t understand why you don’t think mine could be Awakening, Greta.” Redwald said. “It literally says it’s a big awakening in the battle. How more obvious it could be?”

“Exactly.” Greta said. “It is too obvious to be Awakening, Red. Yours is clearly not Awakening.”

She was glancing at the papers while she said that. The Battle Guide book could be the actual help that they needed. “It is something more of just awakening.” She said. “Otherwise it would not say big awakening. When a Pokémon is put in sleep by Sleep Powder or Hypnosis, it takes just a couple of minutes to wake up. It is not big awakening.”

“There it is!” Greta shouted after she put her index finger on a picture. It was another bottle. “Revive” was written under the picture.

“Of course! When a Pokémon faints in a battle, you can use revive to wake them up, Red. This is the big awakening, clearly.”

“Finding it may not be a big deal, but the struggle after then is real.” Redwald read the rest of the note.

“It doesn’t specify anything related to its location, Red.” Greta said. “It only lets you know that you will find it very easily, but also you it warns you that when you find it, you need to be alarmed in any case.”

“It doesn’t sound promising, does it?” Redwald responded.

It was decided then. Both were going to leave the library and explore the laboratory to find their items. Greta’s mission was easier to deal with. After all, she knew what was to come next. But Redwald’s mission was completely mystery.

Redwald and Greta nodded their heads to each other and they left. While Greta and Nidoran ran to the playground, Redwald was trying to make Eevee obey him. But then Blake appeared in the hallway. He was holding the Poké Ball, walking outside.

“Blake, what are you doing?” Redwald asked. “You are supposed to find your item with your Pokémon. Why is it in your Pokéball?”

“I already found my item, Redwald.” Blake said without even looking at him. “Just handed it over grandfather, and now I have something to do, if you excuse me.”

“How come?” Redwald responded. “It has just started and we still have a whole day to go. There must be some misunderstanding.”

“Guess what, there isn’t.” Blake condescendingly sizzled and walked outside. Redwald knew that he should not have let Blake distract him at the moment. He still had to figure out the location.

“I think Professor Oak might help us, Eevee. Shall we go see him now?” Redwald said. Eevee was careless as usual. He just turned his back and lied on the floor.

“Of course you have to take a nap right now.” Redwald responded. Eevee was driving him crazy and making him unnecessarily tired. But Redwald had no option but to deal with him. Instead he put Eevee on his lap and ran through the hallway to find Professor Oak’s office.

Once he got there, he knocked the door and opened it. Professor Oak was reading a book. As he realised Redwald, he took off his glasses and smiled at them. “I can see you found a way to deal with your Eevee, Redwald.” He said. He was clearly being sarcastic.

Redwald put Eevee on the floor and sat in front of Professor Oak. Redwald was sure that Professor Oak knew why Redwald came. “I found my item, Professor. At least I know what it is. But I have no hint about where it is.”

“I see you haven’t been careful, Redwald.” Professor Oak said. Then he put his glasses on and kept reading the book. Redwald wanted to say something. He needed to say something. But if Professor Oak says that this is the end of conversation, this is the end of conversation.

Redwald took Eevee once again and left his office. Now he was all alone on the hallway. What could Professor mean by not being careful? This riddle was getting annoying for Redwald.

While he walked back the hallway, an open door caught his attention. That was a completely empty room except for a bag standing in front of the door. Redwald slowly got closer to the room. The orange walls were covered on dust but a window was open in the room. Redwald put Eevee on the floor and came closer to the bag. The bag was not old but it was neglected. He opened the bag and found a revive.

“Could it be... That Professor Oak knew I was going to come see him? And that’s why he left it here so I could see it. But I missed it?”

Redwald was lost in his own thoughts. He was in such condition that he already forgot the warning on his paper. Suddenly a Pokémon flew inside from the window and grabbed the item with his legs from Redwald’s hand and flew out.

“That’s a Farfetch’d!” Redwald responded. It was a small sized brown Pokémon with a muscular body. Since he was already holding a spring onion, the only option for him was to use his legs. Right after he took the revive, he ran to the window and shouted out from behind. “Bring my item back!” He said. But Farfetch’d was already far away. Redwald quickly left the room, grabbed Eevee on the floor and ran outside. Farfetch’d was standing on a tree in the garden of Professor Oak’s laboratory, pecking his fur.

“Bring my item back, Farfetch’d!” Redwald shouted out. But Farfetch’d, just like Eevee, did not care about him. As a solution, Redwald began to climb the tree. Blake who was watching him in the garden felt cringed. Before Redwald climbed even half the distance, Farfetch’d took the item and flew away. He flew on the top of the big garden door and disappeared in the jungle.

“We have to chase him behind before he gets too far, Eevee!” Redwald said while he landed on the ground. Eevee knew that he could not care less about a stupid item. He just lied on the ground and enjoyed the sun light on his skin.

“This is not over yet!” Redwald said. He grabbed Eevee and walked out of the garden.

Greta and Nidoran arrived on the playground. Greta checked around the swings but an antidote was nowhere to be seen. “It doesn’t seem to be around, Nidoran. But I couldn’t be wrong. It is too obvious that it is here somewhere.”

Nidoran smelled around the playground. Maybe she could sense the smell of it. “Of course!” Greta responded. “You are good at smelling. Please, do your best Nidoran!”

Nidoran walked around the swings, she got closer to bench but antidote was not there either. Just when she was close to give up, suddenly she felt another smell. She walked to the sands and found out that the antidote was hidden under it.

Greta was too excited. She ran to Nidoran and they both began to dig the sands. Although all the sand and dirt were caught in Greta’s nails, she did not mind that. Excitedly and with the feeling of proud, she kept digging the sand with Nidoran. Nidoran was rather faster than Greta since she had huge nails.

Eventually, a Pokémon showed up in the sand and used Sand Attack on Greta and Nidoran. They both stepped back. Greta could barely open her eyes since they were filled with sand. She reached to her bag and found the Pokédex and turned it on. The Pokédex identified the Pokémon.

“We are not here to attack you, Diglett.” Greta said. “Please help us, we have to find an antidote that is hidden under this sand.”

Rather than listening to Greta, Diglett came closer to Nidoran and used Scratch with his head.

“Hey, hold it!” Greta responded. “Nidoran, protect yourself!” She ordered. Nidoran gave a mean look at Diglett, then she ran around her to use Scratch back at him. Diglett was effected. He went down under the sand but came out in seconds again to use the move, Dig. Nidoran was super effected.

“Nidoran! Pull yourself together!” Greta responded. “You should know Growl. Try it! Maybe he’ll escape.”

Nidoran nodded her head, opened her mouth and used Growl on Diglett. Although the frequency of the sound lowered Diglett’s attack power, it did not cause him to escape. Instead, Diglett responded with Slash. Nidoran had a scar on her face, but she could still go on.

“Nidoran, we can call it off if you want to.” Greta responded. “It is not more important than your health.” But then Greta heard someone talking.

“You can’t call it off until it is over.” Somebody said. Greta turned her back and saw Madison standing there. She once again had her conceited attitude in her tone. “Arena Trap ability won’t let you walk away. Deal with him immediately.”

“Why are you helping me?” Greta asked. But then Diglett attacked Nidoran one more time. Greta realised that she was distracted from the battle and she ordered the next move.

“Nidoran! Do your best! Whatever you got!” She said. Until then she did not realise how bad it was not to know her Pokémon’s moves. But she thought there was no way to learn until then. They were never involved in a Pokémon Battle.

Nidoran’s hind legs glowed bright as she ran to Diglett. Then she kicked him on the face for four times in a row. Greta did not know which move it was, but Madison cleared it for her. “That’s Double Kick.” She said.

After Nidoran’s Double Kick, Diglett stumbled on the sand and struggled to keep on, but then he fainted. He sinked on the sand and disappeared in seconds.

“We did it, Nidoran!” Greta responded. They both met in the middle and enjoyed the moment of victory for a couple of seconds until Madison stopped them.

“You didn’t do it yet Greta.” She said. “You still have to find your item.” After her last words, Madison walked out of the playground.

Redwald knew that he should have not gone too far from the laboratory. If Professor Oak heard, he would be mad at him. But Redwald decided to keep it for himself. He could not go to him to say that he failed the test. But while he was running, Eevee jumped off his lap and lied on the way.

“Eevee?” Redwald responded. He did not expect to see this at all. “What are you doing? We have to catch up with that Pokémon. Otherwise, Professor will know that we failed.”

Then it hit Redwald. Eevee was sabotaging Redwald to fail at this test. But Redwald could not tolerate that kind of trap. He determinedly nodded his head. “If you want to stay, stay. I am going to get that Farfetch’d and take my item to give Professor.”

Eevee did not respond.

“So, you are staying. That’s what I’m getting from your behaviour.” He said, hoping Eevee would say or do something. Instead, Eevee turned his back, closed his eyes and kept enjoying the sun light on his skin.

Redwald had no option but to leave Eevee behind. “I will get you on my way back.” He said and he kept running on his way.

After he ran around 15 meters, suddenly he heard voices from behind. In the moment he turned his back, he had the worst feeling in his stomach. Eevee was being attacked by two purple Pokémon with a huge teeth.

“Eevee! Are you alright?!” Redwald responded while he ran the way back. The Pokémon were mercilessly attacking his beloved partner. Redwald was familiar with these Pokémon. The species were called Rattata and they were not welcome anywhere in Kanto. They would steal food from people, live in dirty places and would leave unhealthy bacterias everywhere.

“Leave him alone!” Redwald said. “Eevee, attack them!” But Eevee was in shock and not prepared for this at all. He could not do anything but take damages.

Redwald jumped in the middle of them and kicked the Rattata to make them leave Eevee alone. Then he tried to protect Eevee in his coat. “Are you all right now, Eevee?” He asked. Eevee’s head was seen from the coat. He was tired and his eyes were half open. “You will be alright, Eevee.” Redwald said. “Now I’ll take you to the laboratory and Professor Oak will take good care of you.”

Eevee attempted to say something, but he was damaged seriously by the time Redwald returned.

Redwald forced himself to stand up but he stumbled and fell on the ground. After all, he was hit by the wild Rattata too. Then a bigger yellow Pokémon with a huge teeth appeared before him too. Redwald was familiar with that Pokémon. He was called Raticate and they would usually lead a group of skinny Rattata. He must had been their leader.

When Raticate joined them, the two Rattata did no longer watch Redwald and Eevee, instead they attacked the two. Raticate joined them. Redwald was taking hit from his back, but he was strictly protecting Eevee in his coat. At some point, he could not take it anymore and just fainted on the ground, right after he said “Never come out Eevee”.

When Redwald opened his eyes, he found himself in the infirmary. The sun was going down and the orange lights covered the whole room to make it more authentic from the window.

Redwald’s back was hurting a lot. The pain reminded him what happened before he passed out. He was attacked by the group of Raticate and Redwald was standing in the middle to protect Eevee.

Eevee was lying on his stomach. He was asleep. He had a bandage on his right foreleg and head. But he seemed in peace. Fennel Walker, who had always been in the room, stood up and Redwald just realised her.

“Are you all right, Red?” She asked before she put a kiss on Redwald’s forehead. Redwald nodded his head. He was perfectly fine except for the pain he felt on his back.

“Greta worried about you a lot.” She said. “After she accomplished her mission, she looked for you everywhere. Eventually she was the one who found you. I think she heard that you went out from Blake.”

“She is a good friend.” Redwald said. He knew what he said did not make any sense but he felt like he needed an explanation.

“She sure is.” Fennel responded.

Then Eevee woke up. He slowly opened his eyes and enjoyed the peace the rest he just had. The happiness reflected on his face and mouth. Then he gave a fancy look at Redwald. He was happy. He was happy with Redwald. He walked to Redwald’s face and licked his cheek.

“Eevee...” Redwald responded. “Do you respect me now? Did I eventually earn your trust?”

Eevee nodded his head. Then he put his head on Redwald’s neck and kept sleeping there. His paws covered Redwald’s neck as if Eevee was hugging his beloved Trainer.

Humans

 * Redwald Walker
 * Greta Parker
 * Professor Oak
 * Fennel Walker

Pokémon

 * (mentioned)
 * Diglett (at the lab)
 * Farfetch'd (at the lab)
 * Wild Rattata (×2)
 * Wild Raticate
 * Wild Rattata (×2)
 * Wild Raticate