The walk to my uncle's house felt different.
Lighter.
Like every step carried the weight of a dream finally taking form.
Bulbasaur trotted beside me, its bulb swaying gently with each movement. Every now and then it glanced up at me, red eyes bright with curiosity.
"Bulba?"
"Yeah," I smiled. "This is really happening."
My uncle's house sat near the harbor district of Vermilion City. When I stepped inside, he looked up from the kitchen.
"So," he said, folding his arms. "You got your partner?"
I stepped aside proudly.
"Bulbasaur."
"Bulba-saur!"
He chuckled. "Grass-type, huh? Smart choice."
"The smartest."
After dinner and explaining Professor Cerise's task in Viridian Forest, I went upstairs and set my backpack on the bed. Potions. Notebook. Camera. Extra clothes.
Then I picked up my Pokédex.
"Time to check your official status."
Bulbasaur stood still as the red scanning beam passed over it.
The screen flashed.
[Bulbasaur - Seed Pokémon]
Level: 8
Ability: Chlorophyll
Moves: Tackle, Growl, Vine Whip, Leech Seed.
Egg Moves: Safeguard
I froze for a second.
"Chlorophyll?"
Bulbasaur blinked.
Chlorophyll doubles Speed under harsh sunlight
I slowly smiled.
"So if we battle in sunny weather… you'll be insanely fast."
Bulbasaur puffed up proudly. "Bulba!"
I crouched down and placed a hand on its head.
"We've got real potential."
"Let's get to bed."
That night, my uncle knocked gently on my door.
"Heading out tomorrow?"
"Yeah."
He nodded. "Make smart choices. And trust your partner."
I looked at Bulbasaur curled near my bag.
"I will."
I lay awake for a while, staring at the ceiling. Not nervous. Focused. Tomorrow, we move toward Pewter City.
Morning sunlight painted the sky orange. I hugged my uncle goodbye at the door.
"Don't rush into danger," he said.
"I won't."
"Bulbaaa!"We stepped onto the road together.
Destination: Pewter City.
But first—
Diglett Cave.
As I and Bulbasaur was walking through the the cave on my way to Pewter City I heard lots Diglett but, didn't see any.
As I was walk through the cave I was think if I want to catch a Diglett to train but, I decided against it because I didn't want to catch to many pokemon because, it will take to much time to train so many pokemon.
And felt like there are much better pokemon in Kanto than Diglett.
As I and Bulbasaur continued to walk through the cave a Diglett came in front of me and Bulbasaur. It looked menacing at me and Bulbasaur.
"Bulbasaur get ready for a battle."
It nodded and ran infront of me.
The Diglett rushed to Bulbasaur using Headbutt.
"Dodge and counter with Vine Whip" I order.
Bulbasaur dodged Diglett attacked and used Vine Whip but Diglett dodged and dug underground.
"Be careful."
Bulbasaur nodded.
But Diglett came out of the ground and hit Bulbasaur with a Headbutt. Bulbasaur was sent flying into the sky. I saw Diglett all ready preparing a Sand Attack.
I quickly ordered "use Safeguard."
a Green barrier appeared around Bulbasaur protecting it from the accuracy debuff of Sand Attack Bulbasaur started falling to the ground.
I then ordered "Use Leech Seed."
Bulbasaur landed on the ground and shot some seed the seed started spreading vines and they wrapped around Diglett tried to move but, it couldn't. The vines started draining Diglett energy.
I smiled and said Bulbasaur use Tackle.
Bulbasaur ran too the trapped Diglett and rammed into it. Sending Diglett flying back into the cave wall cause a small crater and a Diglett with swirls in his lay on the ground.
I ran to Bulbasaur giving it a hug.
I laughed. "Level 8 and already dominating."
Bulbasaur stood tall, bulb swaying confidently.
Chlorophyll.
Safeguard.
Strong fundamentals.
I turn to Bulbasaur and says "Let's get going to Pewter City."
It nodded.