The morning sunlight filtered through the blinds of the small inn room, waking Red earlier than usual. He sat on the edge of the bed, rubbing the sleep from his eyes before glancing at the neatly arranged pack beside him. He had gone over it twice last night, making sure he wasn't missing anything essential. Antidotes? Check. Paralyze Heals? Check. Potions? A solid handful. Poké Balls? More than enough. He even had a spare rope and a map of Viridian Forest tucked into the side pouch.
He knew what awaited him — swarms of bug-type Pokémon, many of them venomous, and more than a few bird Pokémon patrolling the forest skies. But Viridian Forest wasn't just a place to catch Pokémon; it was a testing ground. And today, Red planned to make it his own personal training arena.
---
Red's current team was formidable for a trainer so early in his journey. At his belt hung the six balls containing:
1. Charmeleon – his main powerhouse, already carrying battle experience from numerous encounters.
2. Bulbasaur – reliable support with a mix of defensive and status-inflicting moves.
3. Rattata – quick and unpredictable, perfect for wearing down opponents.
4. Spearow – aggressive and swift in the air, great for scouting ahead.
5. Mankey – his physical attacker, useful for disorienting enemies with sheer ferocity.
6. Poliwag – his water-type, still developing but invaluable for certain matchups.
His Pidgeotto that he had been caught the day before disappeared in a flash of white light immediately after capture, automatically transferred to Professor Oak's lab because the team limit was already full. It was a reminder of the rules trainers had to follow — six Pokémon max in active possession.
---
The forest greeted him with a humid stillness. The dense canopy filtered out most of the sunlight, bathing everything in an emerald glow. The ground was littered with dry leaves, and every so often, a faint rustle hinted at a Pokémon's presence.
It didn't take long before the battles began. A Caterpie crawled into his path, its large black eyes blinking curiously. Red didn't even hesitate.
"Rattata, go!"
The small rodent darted forward, unleashing a Quick Attack that knocked the Caterpie rolling backward. Instead of capturing it right away, Red let Rattata circle it, practicing evasive maneuvers against the bug's String Shot. Eventually, he tossed a Poké Ball, catching it without resistance.
Moments later, a Weedle dropped from a low branch, its stinger raised threateningly. This time, Poliwag took the stage, using Water Gun to drench the bug before following with a Hypnosis that sent it toppling into a peaceful sleep. Another capture.
Both new Pokémon disappeared instantly in flashes of white light, transferred to Oak's lab. That was the plan — catch and send, building a collection while his active team focused on training.
---
Beedrill Herd Challenge
Hours passed, and Red moved deeper into the forest. The quiet was suddenly shattered by the buzzing of wings — loud, rapid, and coming from all directions. Out from the trees emerged a swarm of Beedrill, their drill-like stingers gleaming dangerously in the dim light.
Red's eyes narrowed. This wasn't going to be about catching; this was going to be about endurance training.
"All of you — out now!"
One by one, his team appeared, standing ready. Charmeleon stepped forward with a growl, flame blazing at the tip of his tail. Spearow shot into the air, circling above. Mankey flexed his arms, eyes burning with excitement.
The battle erupted in chaos. Charmeleon's Ember cut through the swarm, forcing several Beedrill to the ground. Spearow intercepted aerial attackers with quick Peck strikes. Mankey leapt from trunk to trunk, striking Beedrill out of the air with Karate Chop. Bulbasaur unleashed Vine Whip to snag and slam incoming foes, while Poliwag alternated between Water Gun and Hypnosis to control the chaos.
The fight stretched on for minutes, each Pokémon rotating in and out to conserve stamina. By the end, the forest floor was littered with fainted Beedrill.
---
The sound of crunching leaves signaled someone's approach. Red turned briefly and spotted a figure emerging from the trees — Blue Oak.
Blue froze when he saw the scene before him. "What the…? Who even did this?" His voice carried both shock and curiosity as his eyes swept over the fainted Beedrill.
He followed the trail of fallen Pokémon until he spotted Red, calmly recalling his team. "So, you're the one who took those Beedrill down," Blue called out.
Red looked at him for a moment, expression unreadable, then turned away, clearly ready to continue on his path.
---
"Hold on," Blue said quickly, jogging to close the distance. "Name's Blue. Blue Oak. Grandson of Professor Oak." He said it with the kind of pride only someone who expected recognition could muster.
Red's reply was short. "…Red."
Before either could say more, the ground trembled faintly. A heavy, rhythmic thud echoed through the trees, growing louder.
From the undergrowth stepped a Kangaskhan, towering and muscular, its eyes narrowed in agitation. The pouch on its chest bulged slightly.
Blue's eyes lit up immediately. "Finally… a rare one."
He was already pulling out a Poké Ball. "Go, Charmander!"
---
Red's gaze was sharp as he reached for his own Poké Ball. Charmeleon's ball was already in his hand when Blue shouted his first order.
"Charmander, Flamethrower!"
The small lizard Pokémon inhaled deeply, spewing a stream of fire that struck Kangaskhan square in the chest. The normal-type staggered but roared in defiance, charging forward.
Blue grinned and reached for a Poké Ball. "You're mine!"
He hurled it — only for Kangaskhan to swat it away effortlessly. The ball clattered to the dirt and rolled into the undergrowth.
---
Red's eyes narrowed. He wasn't looking at the mother Kangaskhan — he was watching the movement in the pouch. A small head poked out for just a second, and in that moment he saw it: the baby was pale, its movements sluggish. Poison.
He stepped forward quickly. "Stop the fight."
Blue shot him a glare. "What, so you can catch it? Not happening!"
Ignoring him, Red released Spearow. "Drive that Charmander back!"
Spearow screeched, diving at Charmander and forcing it to retreat with a series of quick, pecking strikes. In the confusion, Red ran to the Kangaskhan, raising his hands to show he meant no harm.
He spoke in a calm, measured voice. "Is your baby alright?"
The mother hesitated, then knelt slightly, revealing the small Kangaskhan more clearly. The purple tinge near its mouth confirmed his suspicion.
---
Red reached into his pack, retrieving an Antidote spray. He carefully misted the baby's face and chest, watching as the little one's breathing steadied and color returned to its cheeks.
The mother Kangaskhan blinked slowly, her posture relaxing. With a soft grunt, she turned and walked back into the forest, her baby now safe.
Blue let out a frustrated exhale. "Great. Just great. Thanks for ruining my shot at catching a rare Pokémon." His tone dripped with sarcasm.
Red didn't even respond. He simply recalled Spearow and continued down the path.
Blue's voice followed him. "Next time we meet, I'm battling you — and I'll win."
Hidden behind a nearby thicket, Professor Oak watched the entire exchange with a faint smile. He didn't call out to either boy, but in his mind, the thought was clear: This rivalry is going to be interesting.
---
The trees thinned as Red pushed forward, the filtered green light of Viridian Forest giving way to a brighter, open path. By mid-afternoon, the forest canopy broke entirely, and the dirt trail sloped gently down toward the next destination — Pewter City.
Nestled against rocky hills and surrounded by sparse, wind-bent pines, Pewter was smaller than Viridian but had a rugged charm. Red immediately noticed that something felt… tense. The streets weren't bustling the way he'd expected; instead, groups of townsfolk were gathered in knots, talking in low, irritated voices. Shopkeepers stood outside their stores, scanning the rooftops like they were expecting trouble.
Red slowed his pace. Trouble was usually an opportunity.
---
It didn't take long for him to overhear the problem. Two shop owners were arguing with a city guard about the same thing:
"That thieving Pikachu struck again last night!" one man complained, waving his arms. "Took every berry off my counter!"
Another shopkeeper chimed in. "It's not just food — it chews through anything. Ate half a bag of berries before I could stop it. Zapped me in the process!"
Apparently, this wasn't just a random wild Pokémon wandering into town. This Pikachu had been hitting businesses for days — maybe weeks — and it wasn't shy about fighting back.
As Red listened, he caught one more crucial detail: the city's attempts to catch it had failed completely. Nets, baited traps, even multiple trainers — nothing worked. Pikachu was too fast, too smart, and too good at vanishing.
---
A shout split the air from further down the street. "There it is! Stop it!"
Red's eyes snapped to the sound. A blur of yellow fur zipped between two stalls, leaping onto a crate and bounding to the top of a fruit stand. It paused just long enough to shove a pawful of berries into its cheeks before the stall owner lunged at it with a net.
Pikachu didn't even flinch. A quick jolt of electricity shot from its body, running up the net and shocking the shopkeeper into letting go. Then, with a flick of its tail, Pikachu vaulted onto the roof and took off again.
Red's lips curled into a faint smirk. This wasn't just a pest — it was a challenge.
---
The townspeople were panicking now, scattering as Pikachu zigzagged down another street. Red stepped into its path, already pulling a Poké Ball from his belt.
"You're quick," he muttered, "but not quick enough."
Pikachu skidded to a halt a few feet away, ears twitching, cheeks sparking faintly. It gave him a look — not fear, but something closer to curiosity, like it was sizing him up.
Red answered by throwing his Poké Ball. "Bulbasaur, go!"
The green Pokémon emerged with a determined growl, vines twitching in anticipation. Pikachu's eyes narrowed.
---
"Vine Whip, now!"
Bulbasaur's vines lashed out, but Pikachu was already moving, springing sideways and darting toward a side alley. Red was ready for that.
"Cut it off! Sleep Powder!"
Bulbasaur skidded, then released a fine cloud of bluish powder. The drifting spores caught Pikachu mid-leap, and though the electric mouse shook its head violently, its movements slowed. A yawn escaped it despite itself.
Still, Pikachu didn't go down without a fight. A weak but defiant Thunder Shock burst from its cheeks, forcing Bulbasaur to recoil. Red didn't flinch — he was already moving in.
---
With Pikachu staggering, Red pulled another Poké Ball from his belt and tossed it with precision. The ball struck Pikachu's side, opened, and pulled it inside in a flash of red light.
One shake.
Two shakes.
Three.
Click.
The Pokeball was then instantly transferred to Professor Oak's lab for storage.
The street fell silent for a moment before the onlookers broke into applause and relieved cheers. Some clapped Red on the back as they thanked him. Others simply looked at the Poké Ball like it was a long-lost treasure finally recovered.
An older shopkeeper stepped forward, his voice heavy with gratitude. "You don't know how much trouble that thing caused. Scared customers off. Ate through half my stock. We were this close to closing our doors."
Another added, "You've done the whole city a favor."
To which red simply said nothing
---
With the crowd dispersing, Red took a moment to consider his next steps. Pewter City wasn't just a rest stop. It was home to the first Gym on the official League circuit for trainers starting in Pallet or Viridian — and that meant his next opponent would be Brock, the rock-type Gym Leader.
Charmeleon's fire wouldn't be much help there. Bulbasaur and Poliwag, though… they could carry the match if trained properly.
The corners of his mouth lifted in the faintest of smiles. Another challenge was waiting — and after today's warm-ups in the forest and streets, he felt more than ready to take it.
---