A Blank Slate

Bugging Around

Bulbasaur grumbled at me and I couldn't help but understand him a little, the Viridian Forest didn't seem to end, and the number of times a Diglett tried to steal our food has got to be in the hundreds.

Of course, Pidgey was a happy little girl who could fly away any sorrow she had. Honestly, I am jealous of her a little because of that.

"So, Bulbasaur," I said to my starter, "You are my only Pokemon who can fight in the Pewter Gym without any disadvantage. I cannot use Pidgey since she will be out immediately against Brock's Onix, even if she can somehow match Geodude. So, how do you feel about training?"

Bulbasaur's grin was all I needed.
_

"Bug Trainer Ed has lost to Trainer Slate," claimed the referee of our little match, another Bug Trainer, Rob. Ed sighed and said, "Man, I didn't expect your Pidgey to be so sneaky!"

I shrugged and said, "Your Beedrill is probably the strongest I've seen, so I had to bust out some sneaky moves. No offense, Rob." Rob gave me a thumbs up in response while Ed said, a little more upbeat now, "Yeah, Beedrill was my starter, and we are still a new team. You are right, thanks, Slate."

I grinned and took out my hand, I raised my eyebrow at Ed, who grumbled, "Dang it, I was hoping you forgot about my bet."

Ed quickly transferred the agreed amount of Pokedollars to me after which I quickly said goodbye to Ed and Rob. Man, that was a good fight.

This was my second battle against a trainer, my first one was against Bobby, another Bug Trainer I met along the way. Bobby's super powerful Butterfree immediately took Bulbasaur down after his Pineco used Self-Destruct against Pidgey. However, to be fair, Bobby has got the Rainbow Badge from Erika, so he is way ahead of me.

I can't wait to beat Brock.

I wonder if Gary has already beaten him.

After minutes of walking, I came across a clearing in the forest and could finally see the sky. It was early evening now, I better put up camp here since Bulbasaur and Pidgey had fought two battles today, and they were against trainers too!

I set up my tent and called out my Pokemon to get their food.

Bulbasaur yawned loudly while Pidgey stretched her wings cheerfully before settling on my shoulder, I chuckled at the two.

This life is great.
_

I wonder if Bug Trainers get paid to annoy normal Arceus-fearing trainers because they just come at me for a battle every ten minutes. Even Pidgey was getting tired of them, not even taking Bulbasaur grumbling about the last Pineco and Nidoran he had to deal with.

I groaned out loud as I saw a girl with a net in her hand coming to me. Looks like it is time for another battle for me.

The girl looked at me, a little confused, and asked politely, "Have you seen a shiny Spinarak? I have heard of one living in this area and want to catch it!"

Almost immediately, resignation and exhaustion left my body, and I said cheerfully, "No, ma'am, but I can help you find it. After all the Bug Trainers trying to fight me, it will feel so good to help one of them catch a Pokemon."

The girl smiled back at me, and I knew this afternoon will prove to be the best one that week.
_

Pidgey chirped loudly and began to fly higher at a speed I had never seen before, while Bulbasaur laughed in relief. I just screamed in delight.

I have reached Pewter City.

Pidgey landed on my shoulder and said something to Bulbasaur, who chuckled and gave her a pat with a vine. I asked amusedly, my eyebrow raised, "Do I even want to know?"

Bulbasaur gave me a smirk and continued walking ahead, while Pidgey just laughed. I sighed and quickened my pace a little so Bulbasaur was walking beside me. I took a glance at the sky and sighed, looks like the final stretch will be in hot sunlight.

"Man, I hate this month", I grumbled as Bulbasaur laughed (he loved this sunlight, obviously) and Pidgey chirped in agreement (she likes the weather when it's windy, for some reason). The month of May has never been my favorite, though Ash, of course, loved it, given it's his birthday on the 22nd of this month.

I hear a bark and then I fell to the ground as an Arcanine jumped on top of me. The fluffy Legendary Pokemon (Not literally, it's just what Professor Oak calls him. He likes dogs.) began to lick my face furiously. Bulbasaur tries to tell him to get off, but Pidgey, that traitor, just laughed at my misery.

"Arcanine, leave that poor boy alone", a woman told the fluffy beast, who barked and obeyed her command. I stand up with a little help from Bulbasaur's vines, and say, "Thanks, Officer Jenny."

Officer Jenny gave me a smile and winced as she saw my dirty clothes. She said, "Looks like Arcanine got you good." I laughed a little nervously and said, "Yeah, I was a little distracted" and then added, "No worries, it's fine" as soon as I her face.

Officer Jenny sighed, looked at her Pokemon, and rolled her eyes as she saw it with its tongue sticking out. She said to it, "Now, girl, listen, I have told you many times that we do not jump on trainers without asking for permission."

The girl in question let out a small whimper and then sat down. She looked in my direction and barked an apology, before barking again in the direction of Officer Jenny, who just sighed.

I chuckled nervously, I didn't think even Officer Jenny's Arcanine would be like this.

Officer Jenny then turned to me and asked, her voice carrying a hidden steel all of a sudden, "Are you safe, boy?"

I nodded, and she continued, explaining the situation, "We have spotted increasing Team Rocket activity in the Viridian Forest area, and we have to follow a set of rules and guidelines to ensure you are not one of them, are you okay with that?"

I agreed with her and then, she questioned me about my Pokemon, my time as a Trainer, and then asked to see my Pokedex, to confirm my story. After that, she let out a sigh and said, "Team Rocket has resulted in many busy days for us, we may have to call in the Gym Leaders into this soon."

"I am sure the situation will resolve itself," I say with confidence. Every adult always said that Officer Jenny is the best at handling these things. Now, I don't know which Officer Jenny they are talking about but I am willing to trust every Officer Jenny.

The blue-haired woman looked down at me and sighed, she said, "I sure hope so, kiddo. Y'know, I have been here for hours and nothing has happened so maybe I should just assign some of my juniors here."

She looked at me again and continued, "Let's get you to the Pokemon Centre first."

I smiled at her and said, "Sure."

AN: This is not my best chapter, not gonna lie. It is mostly unimportant stuff but I couldn't get my muse to act up and had to just power through this.