First Steps into a Johto Journey

The Aipom was still searching the skies for the bird, when she turned just in time to see him come in for the hit. She was hit, and sent timbling back a few feet. She turned the tumble into a backhand spring, then landed back on her tail only long enough to use it to spring her right back toward the Pidgey. She attempted to rake across him with sharp nails. Aipom used Scratch!

"Cicatrix!" Avaritia exclamed, as he took the hit. He shivered from the attack, which did more damage because of his lowered defense. He quickly whipped up another Sand Attack, and flew out of range.

The Aipom flailed as she was covered in dirt, ruining her accuracy for the moment. "Aipom!!!" it cried, spinning in a circle. She couldn't see him, and it was clear when she attempted another scratch attack, and wasn't even close!

While she was blinded, Avaritia saw her chance. She took out one of her Pokeballs, and hurled it at her. Cicatrix floated above her, waiting to see what will happen next.

The ball once again pelted the unsuspecting Pokémon, absorbing it within in the same red light. All in all it was a rather familiar site, yet still somehow exciting as the ball rocked back and forth, lighting up each time as tension in the air grew. Once...twice...a third time and...*bing* the ball came to rest. You caught an Aipom! Would you like to give her a name?

"I'll call you Manu," Avaritia pronounced, picking the Pokeball off of the ground. "Great job Cicatrix!" she praised her Pidgey, and returned him to his Pokeball. Cladis had a feeling of accomplishment as he looked at the two Pokeballs containing the Pokemon. They had obtained them together, and had grown closer along the way, "Sorry I have to put you in yours too," Avaritia said, and put him in his Pokeball. She then forced her way out of the burrow, gaining many new scratches.

Once out, she let out all three of her Pokemon, and headed back to the lab, eager to show the proffesor her newly caught Pokemon.

Glaring eyes narrowed at Avaritia as she made her leave. Soneone, or something had been out there watching her. It quickly disappeared, dashing away through the treetops undetected. It wasn't done with Ava yet, but would leave her be for now.

Back at the lab, Professor Elm greeted Ava as she returned with the new Pokémon. "So it was only a colony of Aipom then? They must have been migrating through this way, though I'm not sure why. This will need more research! I thank you for your assistance, Avaritia. As your reward, you may choose one of the starter Pokémon here, as was promised. You can choose Cyndaquil, Totodile, or Chikorita. Which will it be?" The Professor rambled, finally pointing to a desk with three slots. One held a pokeball that was lit by a res light. Another directly beside it was lit blue, and the third was lit green.

Avaritia looked at the red lit one, her eyes gleaming. "I'll take this one!" She pronounced, and let it out of the Pokeball. She observed the Cyndaquil with glee, and he enthusiastically greeted Cladis, Cicatrix, and Manu, who all crowded around him. "I'll call you Ignire," Avaritia pronounced, and turned toward the professor. "Do you need me to do anything else?"

The professor thought for a moment, then shook his head. "Nope, now that I know it is only an Aipom colony my research assistants can help me finish this up. Good news is that your new Aipom seems quite friendly. Here, why don't you heal your Pokémon before leaving?" Professor Elm lead Ava to his machine, allowing her to heal her party before sending her on her way with a smile and a wave. Once she was gone he chewed on his lip, and rubbed his temple. "I know what I heard was no Aipom...but whatever was there I'm sure is long gone by now," he said, returning to his work.

Avaritia moved back onto first route, her Pokemon by her side. "We should probably start training," she said, both Ignire and Cicatrix radiated eagerness, and Manu had a certain gleam in her eyes. Cladis seemed to be preparing for a fight already. "I don't think there will be enough Pokemon out here for you all to train at once, Ignire and Manu, you have the lowest levels, I'll train you guys."

They continued along the path, awaiting a wild Pokemon to fight.

It didn't take long for a wild Pokémon to appear before Ava, ready for battle. It was a young Male Rattata this time, about level 3. There didn't seem to be anything out of the ordinary about it. Time to train!

"A Rattata, eh, let's see what you can do Manu!" Avaritia said enthusiastically,"Use Tail Whip!" Manu complied.

The rattata merely watched the innocent seeming tail whip, allowing its defenses to get lowered. However, that didn't mean it was just going to roll over for Ava. No, instead it began running quickly at the Aipom, lunging forward with a Tackl attack!

With little time to react, Avaritia shouted the first thing that came to her head "Catch it with your tail!" She ordered Manu, and she readied her tail to halt the upcoming attack.

Rattata ran smack face first into the Aipom's hand of a tail, its paws digging into the ground as it pushed against the pressure before jumping bakc. "Rattata..." it groaned, unable to get through the wall. So, instead it rushed forward again. This time, it jumped high to fake-out Manu. As he hit the ground again, he lunged up at her from below with another Tackle!

It was a direct hit, "Pom," Manu cried, but then she attempted to retaliate with a Scratch, she also kicked up dust in the process, attempting to use Sand Attack too.

Rattata was struck by the scratch, but because his eyes closed due to the contact, he was able to shake the sand off him without any ill effect. He looked up to the enemy, who was clearly stronger than he was. However, the pride of a Pokémon is unparalleled, and the rattata instead lunged in for another tackle though he was already beginning to grow weakened.

Manu easily dodged the attack, doing a flip in the process. She struck out with another Scratch.

Rattata took the hit, unable to dodge in time. It was growing very weak now, made obvious by its weak stature and labored breathing. He tried to strike down the Aipom one last time with a tackle attack, lunging with all its might at the opponent.

The attack was again easily dodged, and with little hesitation, Manu used a Scratch.

Rattata was hit in the back, staggering a few steps before collapsing to the ground. Rattata fainted! Manu gained 3 exp points!

"Great job Manu!" Avaritia praised, and gave her Aipom a scratch behind the ears. Then concern for the Rattata flooded through her. A fainted Rattata is easy prey for any straying Pidgey she thought, picking up its uncontious body. She carried it to a well hidden spot in the trees, and concealed the little Pokemon in the shade where it could recover in peace.

"Now it's your turn, Ignire," she told her eager Cyndaquil, but a growl and a nudge from Cladis stopped her in her tracks. He was radiating annoyance, and Ava could feel a strange feeling come over him as well. What are you sensing?" she asked him, and his gaze focused on the sky, telling her that a strong storm was coming. "Well that's too bad," she commented,"Ignire can't train in the rain."

With a sigh, the girl and her Pokemon set out along the path, hoping to reach the next town before the storm hit.