Chapter 5

When Redwald opened his eyes, he saw the bright lights of sun shining through windows and lighting up the dorm room. He knew he did not wake up on his own but because he felt something odd. His cheecks were wet. He lifted his head and saw Eevee standing on his stomach, smiling at him.

“Are you awake already?” Redwald asked. He was finally happy to have a friendship with Eevee. This was new and unusal for him, but he would gladly get used to it. Redwald checked the table clock. He was about to get late to the class. “How didn’t I hear any alarm?” Redwald said while he got out of the bed like an arrow. He quickly changed his outfits and let Eevee stand on his shoulder, then he left the room.

Professor Oak did not come to class alone this time. Clefable was with him. Professor Oak sat on his chair as usual and Clefable stood next to him. Professor apparently could not help it but have a devious smile on his face. Whatever it was going on in his head, he was enjoying it a lot. Redwald knew that something good was not coming up from this.

“Today’s lesson is not related to any fact that we can study on.” He said. “Instead you are going to explore and live it by yourself. This is, my students, your third task to complete.”

Redwald and Greta looked at each other in the eye. Whatever it was, they were going to help each other like they did the previous time. Their eyes said it clearly and they already agreed on it.

“You and your Pokémon share, not the perfect one, but at least some kind of bond by now. They will listen to you when you order them a move. You will learn how to organize your mind and find the most correct way to get out of a situation.”

Everybody was either confused or worried. But finally, Professor Oak said what they were expected to fulfill. “You are going to the jungle of our precious Pallet Town and catch a Pokémon by the dusk. Your Pokémon will help you weaken it. It doesn’t matter what Pokémon it is as long as you catch it in the jungle.”

“Before going out there, remember what Mrs. Walker taught you at the class. You need to weaken the Pokémon, but not faint it. Otherwise PokéBall will not recognize it. Doing so, remember to use attacking moves rather than status moves. But get help from status moves to protect yourself.”

Professor Oak stood up and walked to the door to the hallway. Clefable followed him right behind. As Professor Oak was about to leave the classroom, he turned to the students one more time. “I’d suggest you to explore in the jungle as duos. But don’t be too crowded, otherwise the Pokémon that are easier to catch will run away from you. You may end up facing dangerous one.”

Then he left.

Redwald and Greta were sitting on the bench in the garden. Eevee already put his head on Redwald’s legs and was having a nap. Greta was combing Nidoran’s furs while Nidoran enjoyed the sun above.

“This is hard to believe but we are actually going to catch our first Pokémon, Red.” Greta said. She had an uncontrollable smile on her face. She was more excited than Redwald would expect.

“This sure is going to be interesting.” Redwald could say. He had dreamed of catching his first Pokémon for years. But he never felt it for real. Greta would expect her to be more excited. But now all she could see was a calm boy who spilled the ice cream and waits for his mother to come home.

“Do you worry about something?” Greta asked. But suddenly Madison appeared in front of them. “Are you worrying about something Greta?” She asked. Once again she had her annoying voice to express his simple thoughts, Greta thought.

“Catch a beautiful Pokémon, Madison.” Greta said. “You wouldn’t want to be humiliated by a Pokémon that doesn’t have an appealing beauty.”

Greta was clearly being sarcastic to Madison’s grouchy, spoiled little girl personality. But apparently Madison had no intention to let Greta her feelings down. “How about meeting me in the jungle before dusk, Greta?” She offered. “Once we both catch a Pokémon, we will make them face each other and have a Pokémon Battle to see who caught the better one?”

Greta could easily ignore this provocation and mind her own business. But when it comes to Madison who had been a nightmare to Greta for years, turned her school life into a hell, Greta could not help but come along.

“You named it, Madison. We will meet in the jungle before heading to laboratory and we will have a tough Pokémon Battle to see who caught the better one.” Greta said. “You will be so surprised once the battle is complete.”

Madison looked at her PokéBall which was holding her first partner, then she left the garden. Redwald was surprised that the conversation happened in the most childish way. “I had no idea you could be provoked so easily.”

“I am a calm person who doesn’t care what other says, Red. But when it comes to Madison, I feel like I can become a murderer. You have no idea what a horrible person she actually is. The worst part is that no one can see it unless they are once good friends with her. I made that mistake. I unfortunately did.”

Clefable appeared in front of Redwald and Greta. She smiled at them. Redwald gently saluted her and Clefable brought two items out of her apron. One was an antidote and the other was a potion. Clefable gave the antidote to Redwald and the potion to Greta.

“These are for us?” Greta asked. Clefable nodded her head. Clefable considered they would need these items in the jungle. Apparently she did not give any items to other students, so that was a treatment.

“Thank you, Clefable. This is so nice of you.” Greta said softly. Redwald thanked after as well. Clefable danced around them shortly and left the garden. It was finally the time to leave the laboratory and explore in the jungle. Both Trainers called their Pokémon in their PokéBalls for safety, and left the laboratory just like any other student.

As they came in the lines of the jungle, Redwald checked his watch. The time was not even noon, so they had too much time to discover around. Greta felt the windy weather and got a little cold. She wished she took a jacket before leaving the dorms.

“Have you been studying Pokémon, Red?” Greta asked. She would want to have someone who at least has an idea about the Pokémon in the jungle. She had been studying Pokémon on books for a long time and there had been Pokémon she was familiar with because they were brought to their Day Care service, but still having someone else was something worthy to go in the jungle safely.

“I have.” Redwald said. Redwald liked to read books related to Pokémon in the wild world, how they survive, feed, reproduce, be in a harmony when he was staying at home all day long. But he could not figure out how it could help him out in case of any emergency.

Suddenly Greta recoiled with the shaking bushes. Something was definitely behind the bushes and they could not tell how dangerous it was.

“Hold it.” Redwald said calmly. “We wouldn’t want to scare it off. Let it come to us and we’ll battle.”

Then it hit Greta. She could not accomplish her task if she feels scared from everything in the jungle. It was pointless to recoil. “You are right, Red.” She said. “Let me deal with whatever it is.”

She slowly walked to the bushes and reached to her PokéBall. Once she made sure that it was safe to make the first move, she threw her PokéBall. “Attack, Nidoran!” She said while the Pokémon came out of it. After Nidoran’s apparence, the Pokémon behind the bushes came forth. It was a Pokémon with wings and a brusque peck. This Pokémon’s expression was not friendly either. Redwald scanned the Pokémon on her Pokédex.

“Greta, they have no domesticity in their souls.” Redwald warned her. “Are you sure you want to battle him? We can check our other options.”

Greta had the most serious expression ever since she came to the camp. “It is no big deal, Red.” She said. “Just step back and watch.”

Redwald knew that catching a worthy Pokémon was a big deal for her since Madison’s challenge but doing anything reckless could not get them anywhere. But no word could ever tell Madison anything. Instead, he stepped back and watched as Greta told him to do.



“Nidoran, use Scratch!” Greta ordered. Nidoran’s claws on her pawns glowed bright while she ran to the wild Pokémon. At the moment Spearow realised that he was under attack, it was too late for him to flee or protect himself. Instead he took the damage of Scratch on his face. That move pissed him off so much that at first, he spreaded his wings and cried out to the mountains. Greta knew that the anger would make him only stronger.

“Don’t let him counter attack, Nidoran! Use Double Kick!” Greta responded. Redwald was surprised that even Greta could be so zealous about Pokémon Battles. Greta who wants to run a Day Care Service...

This time, Nidoran’s back pawns were in action. The claws glowed while Nidoran ran to Spearow and turned her back to him. Then she began to kick Spearow’s body one after another. She hit the Pokémon for four times in a row.

Spearow finally pulled himself together and responded with Peck. As his beak turned into bright orange, he attacked Nidoran’s body.

“Dodge them, Nidoran!” Greta responded. As Spearow hit Nidoran with an anger growing up inside him, Nidoran jumped and ran around to dodge the moves. But she took major damage.

“We will have to work on your speed, Nidoran.” Greta said. “Use Double Kick once more!”

Spearow was about to hit his beak on Nidoran’s stomach but Nidoran turned her back in less than a second and hit his beak with her hind legs. Spearow stumbled and flapped his wings to stay lifted.

“This is it, Greta! Throw your PokéBall!” Redwald said. “This is the perfect timing to catch a Pokémon!” He knew he was overhyped, because he was going to wintess someone catching a Pokémon for the first time. “Do it, Greta!”

Greta raised her right hand. “Stay out, Red!” She said. She was too serious. “Nidoran, use Scratch!” She ordered. Nidoran’s claws on her pawns glowed once again as Nidoran hit the attack on Spearow who was about to get higher. The move caused a critical damage and Spearow fell on the grasses. He was fainted. Victory was Greta and Nidoran’s.

“We did it!” Greta responded. She ran to Nidoran as Nidoran ran to Greta.

“You did what?!” Redwald responded. “You fainted the Pokémon. Now you won’t be able to catch him anymore!”

“Would you calm down, Red?” Greta responded after she hugged Nidoran. “I didn’t mean to catch a Spearow. I only tested my Pokémon. Spearow was not an easy catch, but we made it.”

“Why wouldn’t you?” Redwald did not understand anything. “What is wrong with him?”

“There is one particular Pokémon that I want to catch. I know that species live in the woods. We can find them.” Greta said.

“What species?” Redwald asked.

Greta could not believe but there it was. She was staring at a tree. Redwald was still waiting for an answer. Greta could only point out the tree. Redwald looked at the branch. There was a small, green Pokémon eating a leaf.

“What is that?” Redwald asked.

“Scan on your Pokédex.” Greta said. She was still staring at the tree without even a blink. In the meantime, Redwald turned on his Pokédex.

“Did you intend to catch a Caterpie since the beginning?” Redwald asked. Greta nodded her head. She probably had no idea but she had a smile on her face. Greta had a personal interest in Caterpie.

“This one is going to be our friend, Nidoran.” She said. “Are you ready now?”

Nidoran nodded her head.

“Use Growl!” Greta ordered. Nidoran opened her mouth as huge as possible and used Growl on Caterpie. Caterpie recoiled and hid in the leaves of the tree.

“You can’t get away from us!” Greta responded. “Nidoran, use Scratch now!” She ordered. As Nidoran climbed the tree and found Caterpie on the branch, her nails were glowing just like before. Once she came close enough, she used Scratch on Caterpie. Caterpie was super effected.

“Greta, this Pokémon is too weak. I highly doubt you would ever need to battle this Pokémon before catching her.” Redwald responded.

“They may seem easy pickings at first, but they are quite different Pokémon on the inside, Red.” Greta said. “Never fall for their naive look.”

Caterpie suddenly came out of the leaves and used Tackle on Nidoran. It was such a persistent Tackle that Nidoran stumbled and fell from the tree.

“Nidoran, watch out!” Greta shouted out while she ran to catch Nidoran in the air. As fast as Greta ran there, as close as Caterpie got to the ground. As a last ditch effort, Greta jumped and pushed herself forward. Eventually, Greta held Nidoran in her arms before she hit the ground. They both groveled on the ground, eventually stopped.

“Greta, are you all right?” Redwald asked from behind. Greta opened her eyes which were covered in dust. “Nidoran, you aren’t hurt, are you?” She asked. Nidoran finally opened her eyes. She was not harmed. But Caterpie on the tree was pissed off.

“Let’s settle this, shall we?” Greta said to the Caterpie on the tree after she stood up. Caterpie jumped on the branch and used String Shot on Nidoran. The ground was covered with Caterpie’s strings that would slow down Nidoran’s moves.

“Nidoran, use Double Kick!” Greta ordered. But before Nidoran acted for it, Caterpie came near Nidoran and used Tackle on her. Nidoran stumbled and fell on the ground.

“You can do this, Nidoran!” Greta said. “Just use Scratch!”

Nidoran stood up once again and ran to Caterpie. She used Scratch on Caterpie’s face. Caterpie felt the pain so deep that she had to scream. Her face had a scar now.

“Once more!” Greta ordered. But before Nidoran began her move, Caterpie used another Tackle. The anger in Caterpie strengthened her power even more. But suddenly, Caterpie felt something off with her stomach.

“What is going on with Caterpie?” Greta said while looking at Redwald. But Redwald solved the mystery. “Of course!” He said. “Nidoran’s Ability is Poison Point. The contact in a battle may leave the foe poisoned.”

“I think, Greta, this is the time to throw the PokéBall.” Redwald said. Greta could not agree more with him. She reached to her empty PokéBall and threw it to the Pokémon. “PokéBall, go!” She shouted out. The PokéBall opened and absorbed the hurt Pokémon in it. As the PokéBall fell on the ground, it had shaked once... and twice...

After the third shake, Caterpie was officially caught by Greta. At the moment of their victory for the first time, Greta and Nidoran, even Redwald stood still with no reaction. Then Greta and Nidoran looked at each other in the eye. Both were smiling, then they laughed. They got the Pokémon Greta had been desiring to have for years.

“We got our first Pokémon!” Greta said while running to the PokéBall. She took it and lifted in the air. Nidoran joined her in that moment of victory. “She is going to get along well with us, Nidoran!” Greta said. She could not give any chance to other possibility.

Greta and Madison met at the point which they agreed on. When Greta got to the point, Madison was already there, holding her two PokéBalls, waiting for Greta.

“So you did it?” Madison asked as if the reverse was the expected one. Greta came close to Madison, showed the PokéBalls that she had with Pokémon.

Madison, smilingly, stood in front of Greta with a specific distance. “So let the battle begin, Greta.” She said. She took a PokéBall out of her pocket and got ready to throw it. But Greta raised her left hand. “Hold it, Madison.” She said.

“I was tempted easily by your actuator words and attitude at the laboratory. But now to think of it, none of it is worth it.” She said. Madison did not expect that. Greta kept talking. “The bond between me and my Pokémon is more important than proving anything to you. Nidoran and I are getting along really well and I just caught my other Pokémon. We need time to grow on each other. I don’t want to push my Pokémon into a childish Pokémon Battle just because of you. So, please leave me alone and act like a mature person in the future. Your Pokémon will need that side of you.”

Without letting Madison say a word, Greta turned her back and slowly walked away. Madison was speechless, stood in the jungle, thought about her Pokémon while staring at their PokéBalls.

Humans

 * Redwald Walker
 * Greta Parker
 * Professor Oak
 * Madison Dickens

Pokémon

 * Wild Spearow
 * Wild Spearow
 * Wild Spearow
 * Wild Spearow
 * Wild Spearow