Chapter 10: The Secret of Kangaskhan
~Azure S. POV~
[Kanto Region, Route 2 – Gate]
Entering through the gates inside the building. I see a nice small room with another gate and a guard guarding the place; I casually go look around the place before heading with Pikachu on the floor and walking beside me.
With Pikachu by my side on guard, acting as a lookout for safety. This little helper, I couldn't help but smile as I observed the area.
I look around to see the map on the wall, seeing different zones located in the Viridian Forest, where most Trainers would suggest going. But my ears did manage to hear some kids or other trainers speaking to each other, making me smile and listen to their interesting gossip.
"Hey, did you hear the news?"
"What news?"
"There have been sightings of different Pokémon around Viridian lately."
"What kinds?"
"I heard the grandkid of Oaks went to capture a Kangskhan roaming the woods?"
"Whoa, really?"
"Yeah, and another kid named Red went in to follow the supposed best in Pallet Town."
Smirking at that, it seems like Dratini is around here somewhere, along with Giovanni's biologically enhanced Pokémon roaming around Viridian Forest. Time to see if we can find it first.
/////
[Kanto Region, Viridian Forest]
Taking in a deep breath, I finally reached Viridian Forest, viewing the inside of the forest with Eevee out in the open as we reached this place, admiring its beauty for the first time as I said in awe, "Swess… whew… amazing. So, this is the fabled Viridian Forest, huh?"
[Observe].
[Location: Viridian Forest
Description: A deep and sprawling forest that extends around Viridian City. A natural maze, and many people become lost inside. A forest filled with nature Grass-, Flying- and Bug-type Pokémon.]
Viridian Forest is a deep and sprawling woodland expanding across Route 2, reaching Pewter City in the north and Viridian City in the south, giving the forest its name. The trees in this area have grown so dense that light has trouble getting through, and because of this, the forest seems dark and gloomy.
The path across to each terminus winds its way around the dense layers of trees, creating a giant labyrinth many liken to a natural maze, as many people get lost inside. The entrance to the forest seems to be light and airy: the trees are not as thick, and sunlight can get in fine.
The trees stand tall, and the grass appears to be long and unmaintained, while the trees in the distance appear to be shadowed. Because of its dark and shady environment, Viridian Forest hosts a large array of different Bug-type Pokémon.
They are not particularly powerful, but they will cause status conditions such as paralysis and poison. It is advised from signposts and even from other Trainers that Trainers should buy status condition healing items such as Antidote and Parlyz Heal before entering the forest.
The trees in the forest are so thick that little light gets in, and because of this, the forest is full of Bug- and Flying-type Pokémon that attract Bug Catchers and other Trainers. Pokémon such as Caterpie, Weedle, Metapod, Pidgey, Oddish, Bellsprout, Bulbasaur, and Kakuna inhabit trees and tall grass, allowing themselves to stay hidden from predators.
Viridian Forest is also one of the locations where Trainers can seek wild Pikachu as well as underleveled Pidgeotto, making the forest a very exclusive place to find Pokémon. Bug Catchers, who own common Bug-type Pokémon such as Caterpie and Weedle, come here in groups from Viridian and Pewter to battle and train.
And I can see it firsthand with a bunch of them fighting in groups commanding out their Pokémon moves while I nod in respect. I took the moment to enjoy the show observing their battle.
"Caterpie String Shot!"
"Quick Weedle dodge using your own String Shot!"
"Metapod use Harden!"
"Kakuna, use Poison Sting!"
So, this is what a Pokémon Battle looks like from a distance, huh? Whistling to them, I must admit they are training hard on their Bug Pokémon as I see a few of them eyeing me as I waved in their direction, looking at my Pikachu.
"Whoa!"
"So cool, Pikachu, that's rare!"
"Hey, he must be a trainer, right?"
"So cool…"
Taking in the praise shyly, I began to talk with the Bug Catchers, talking to them about the bug types they found around Viridian Forest, getting some info out of them about where to find the Caterpie or Weedle line around these parts. Or better yet, a Bulbasaur.
Nodding in thanks, I began to leave but stopped when one of the Bug Catchers spoke out, wanting to battle in a challenging tone, "Hey, wait, mister! How about we have an official Pokémon Battle!"
Grinning at that, with Pikachu's ears twitching at the sound of a possible battle, I turned around and nodded with an innocent grin. Pikachu shook his head at my actions but grinned, prepared for battle as I responded confidently, "Of course. Just be prepared to lose a kid. Go! Pikachu!"
Pikachu bounced, ready for battle, "Pika…!"
/////
[Kanto Region, Later, Viridian Forest]
When I was done admiring the view of the Viridian Forest of the wild Pokémon, without anyone looking at me, in the depths of the forest. I began to casually take my time to admire the place while Pikachu took care of any wild Pokémon nearby.
Fortunately, though, despite meeting the [Bug Catcher] Class trainers, I met some of the [Lass] Class. Few ran with a Rattata, Nidoran (F), or Pidgey in Viridian Forest.
But by battling them, I managed to obtain some decent information. The Bug Catchers and Lass mentioned they encountered a Bulbasaur within Viridian Forest, but it always ran away into the forest.
According to their words, the last destination they mentioned encountering was around this part of the woods. I have my Arc Phone on to catch any sights of any Pokémon in my direction, like the Pokémon Go range showing a Pokémon pop up on my phone.
*Chsh*
*Chsh*
*Chsh*
"Pika!"
Reacting right away, Pikachu warned me with his cries that something was coming after us we moved away from the spot, trusting his instincts. I saw something bright red and fiery coming our way, avoiding the sudden attack.
*Vnnn*
Escaping the sudden fire attack out of fucking nowhere, being alert with Pikachu at the ready, I shouted at the attacker if it had a trainer in an angry tone, "Ok, seriously, who the fuck attacked us!"
Pulling my Arc Phone on the Pokémon, I see a bipedal, reptilian Pokémon coming into view with a primarily orange body and blue eyes. Its underside from the chest down and the soles of its feet are cream-colored. It has two small fangs visible in its upper jaw and two smaller fangs in its lower jaw. A fire burns at the tip of this Pokémon's slender tail and has blazed -
*Beep*
[Charmander the Lizard Pokémon. The flame can indicate Charmander's health and mood, burning brightly when the Pokémon is strong, weakly when it is exhausted, wavering when it is happy, and blazing when it is enraged. It is said that Charmander would die if its flame were to go out.]
Shit. A Charmander.
Not only that, though, he has a trainer whom I distinctly recognized, causing me to go pale. The other trainers did mention two extraordinary Trainers in the woods, I just didn't think it would be him, of all people.
Seeing my pale expression, getting Pikachu's attention, I gave him a command right away in a whisper-hushed tone, "Don't pick a fight with this one."
Pikachu looked confused but nodded as a boy made his appearance with his Charmander coming out to greet me in a calm tone, apologizing, "Sorry about that. We thought it was a wild Pokémon coming out from the side of the forest when we attacked. Don't take it personally, kid."
Motherfucker… Blue Oak in the flesh. My Pikachu didn't take it kindly, only being close to being fried up and ready to attack till I called it off in a calm tone, "Pikachu, cool it. In the end, we're fine, and this kid won't try to attack us again… right?"
He merely nodded in agreement as I sighed a breath of relief as he spoke to me with a raised eyebrow, gazing at my Arc Phone curiously, and said, "Hey kid, where exactly did you get that –"
*Chsh*
*Chsh*
Before he could continue further, his eyes darted to a nearby bush as a Poliwhirl came out and ordered Charmander to attack it right away. This led Red himself to follow along, repeating the whole event all over again with me.
Thank God for the plot convince. Oh, wait… plot is convincing.
Except for the fact that he tries to rush in to give Blue a punch across the face, yelling out that they met before, with Blue trying to capture Mew, which he won't. Not like I could either, but at least this arrogant guy won't make me feel better.
*Boom*
*Booom*
That was when loud booming noises were heard as Red soon commented out loud the large noises in a startled tone, "Wh—what's that?"
Blue, on the other hand, smirked, finally commenting after waiting cooly said, "Ahh… so it's come at last…"
As if by command, the loud noises soon became much clearer as Pikachu took guard of the large footsteps coming down. I didn't need to wait, knowing which Pokémon came first, approaching us.
*Krak*
*Kak*
*Booom*
It reveals itself to all of us as a large, bipedal marsupial Pokémon that vaguely resembles a kangaroo. It has a brown hide with several raised patches and a cream-colored belly. It has large, cream-colored ears, narrow, red eyes, and a short, rounded snout with two fangs in the back of its upper jaw.
On top of its head is a thick, black plate. There are epaulette-like growths over its shoulders and a row of spikes down its back. It has three clawed digits on each hand and foot and a thick tail.
Whoa. So that's what a Kangaskhan looks like in the flesh…
But my thoughts were gone when I saw Blue begin to comment on it, smirking contently at it, ready to fight it in an arrogant tone, "I've been waiting for you, Kangaskhan! I heard you were around here somewhere… but you've been testing my patience! Charmander attack with Ember!"
*Krakle*
Releasing a torrent of fire at her, hearing the crackle sounds of the fire from the Fire Pokémon's fire attacks at the Kangskhan, tanking the hit but doesn't relent even though I know how this goes… Fuck it.
Call me an idiot but no way I'm letting myself be a standby to this. I'm so going to make an enemy out of Blue and an ally to Red when I do this.
Taking a deep breath, I called out to Pikachu to go on and attack Blue's Charmander with his back turned in a cheeky tone, "Pikachu, help out Kangskhan using Thunder Wave on Blue's Charmander!"
Pikachu looked surprised before smirking with a thumbs up with his paws, "Pi! Pikachu!"
Blue eyes widened, alarmed, yelling at me, "What the hell!"
Yelling at me as I had my Pikachu do Blue's Charmander dirty, getting Red's attention. I smirked as the Charmander got paralyzed hard.
*Zzzzt*
Blue was not happy about paralyzing his Charmander. Red noticed something was up, I got closer to Kangskhan, ignoring Blue's angry tone at me, "Hey!!! What the hell was that for? Where do you think you're going?"
Ignoring the kid, I focused my attention on Kangskhan, looking at me warily as I took out an Antidote, talking to her in a kind tone, "Hey, don't worry, Kangskhan. I noticed you can't fight, not while your baby is poisoned, best take care of it first."
Its eyes widened, but it allowed me to get close to the Antidote. Fortunately for me, some items lying around in Viridian Forest came in clutch for me. [Observe].
[Item: Antidote
Rarity Item: C
Type: Medicine
Description: The Antidote is a spray-type medicine for treating poisoning. It can be used to lift the effects of being poisoned by a single Pokémon.]
Taking out the Antidote Red, spoke out, followed by a nod in a calm tone, "I knew something was wrong. Seems like I wasn't the only one to notice."
Next came out the baby that Kangskhan had in her pouch, looking hurt as I gave it, the Antidote, speaking to her and patting her head softly, said, "Looks like you got a nasty Poison inflicted on you. Here, take this Antidote, it will make you feel as good as new."
Taking the Antidote slowly, even Blue managed to shut up a bit, seeing me heal the baby up and petting her on the head in a kind tone, "There, you seem to be already feeling well. No wonder you were protecting your pouch. If the attack hit your baby, this could've gone a lot worse. I'm just glad your baby is safe."
Kangskhan took it as a nod while she began to move away. But before she did, she rewarded me with a yellow ball in my hand as she left.
I was content to leave this one be as Blue scoffs at me in an annoyed tone, "Hmph. Thanks a lot! If you hadn't butted in, I could have captured it…"
But Red, to my surprise came to my rescue with his words nodding at me for taking care of the Kangskhan in a happy tone, "Sure. But come on you know it isn't winning if your opponents are at a disadvantage."
Blue merely scoffed at that, beginning to walk away, replying to Red's response as I couldn't help but mentally laugh at the whole situation at this. Other than talking to Red lightly, he eventually left after we exchanged our names.
When they were finally gone, a few distances away from me, I could only sigh a breath of relief with Pikachu by my side, "Sigh… it seems like Blue didn't want to question me when the Kangskhan arrived, I say we got off lucky."
Pikachu looked at me contently with a smile, hopping on my shoulder as I talked to her in a gentle tone, "Thankfully, Kangskhan would do better by herself along with her kid now and be wary of Bug Types. Come on we have a Dratini to find."
My Partner nodded his head as he cried out, "Pika!"
Best to get deeper inside to find the Pokémon I need. Hopefully, I can find the one I need, or else this trip will be a waste. Thankfully, Blue and Red aren't interested in getting a Dratini as they don't know one lives around here, which raises my hopes a bit in catching an early powerhouse.
But returning to the puzzling orb in my hand, I wondered what it was. Curious, I used [Observe] – ACK!
[Item: [Light Ball]
Rarity Item: A+
Type: Held Item
Description: It is a puzzling orb that, if held by a Pikachu, doubles the power of its moves. When outside of battle, if held by either parent of a Pichu when the Egg is produced, the Pichu that hatches will know the move [Volt Tackle].]
Gently, I gave the Light Ball to Pikachu, much to his joy. Man… helping others sure is great!