Sage stepped onto the dirt path of Route 3 as the excitement of her previous accomplishments was still fresh in her mind.
She had just left Pewter City and the memories of her Gym battle with Brock was still vivid in her thoughts as her Charmander had evolved during that tough fight and her Metapod had also stepped up and proved itself in the heat of battle by evolving into a very strong Butterfree.
But now, Sage wanted to take a moment to check on her team and make sure they were ready for whatever challenges lay ahead.
With a determined smile, Sage pulled out her Poké Balls and released her Pokémon one by one as her Pokémon materialized in front of her as they looked eager.
Alright, guys let's see how you're doing" Sage said as she took out her Rotom Phone.
First she scanned Butterfree who was the first Pokémon to evolve in her team as Sage's Rotom Phone beeped as it displayed Butterfree's current moves:
Butterfree
Confusion – A psychic attack that can cause confusion in the opponent.
Tackle – A basic physical attack.
String Shot – Slows down opponents by covering them in sticky webs.
Harden – A defensive move that increases the user's defense.
Sage smiled proudly as Butterfree had proven itself not only with its strong Confusion attack but also with its versatility in battle and especially when it learned Harden as Metapod. Sage immediately knew that her Butterfree had a bright future ahead.
Next, Sage turned to her Charmeleon, the fiery powerhouse of her team.
How about you?" Sage asked gave her Starter Pokemon a friendly nudge.
Charmeleon
Ember – A fiery attack that has a chance of causing a burn.
Scratch – A basic physical attack.
Growl – Lowers the opponent's attack.
Metal Claw – A steel-type move that could raise the user's attack.
Sage had watched Charmeleon's power grow during her battle with Brock and she knew that Metal Claw would be a crucial move in future fights as Charmeleon had become a force to be reckoned with and Sage was eager to see just how much stronger it would get.
Pikachu her electric companion stood proudly next to Charmeleon as Sage knew Pikachu was her most energetic Pokémon and was always ready for a challenge.
Pikachu
Iron Tail – A steel-type move that can deal significant damage.
Thunder Shock – A basic electric move with a chance to paralyze the opponent.
Growl – Lowers the opponent's attack.
Quick Attack – A quick strike that allows the user to attack first.
Sage was impressed by Pikachu's versatility as the electric mouse had a surprising mix of offensive and defensive moves and with Quick Attack, it could out-speed most opponents.
The Iron Tail move was a game-changer which allowed Pikachu to deal with rock- or steel-types in a way it hadn't been able to before.
Next, Sage scanned her Pidgey who had been with her since the very beginning as the little bird had proven itself in several battles and had become a vital member of the team.
Pidgey
Tackle – A basic physical attack.
Gust – A wind-based attack that can deal damage.
Quick Attack – A fast strike that ensures Pidgey can hit first.
Sand Attack – A move that lowers the opponent's accuracy.
Pidgey's quick reflexes and utility with moves like Sand Attack and Quick Attack made it an essential part of Sage's strategy as It wasn't the strongest on the team but it had a valuable set of moves that made it versatile in many situations.
Turning to Eevee, Sage hesitated for a moment ad It had been a while since Eevee had battled as Sage had focused so much on Butterfree, Pidgey, Charmeleon and Pikachu that Eevee had been left out.
Let's see what you've got, Eevee," Sage said softly as the Rotom Phone scanned the beloved Pokémon.
Eevee
Tackle: A physical attack.
Tail Whip: Lowers the opponent's defense.
Helping Hand: Boosts the power of an ally's move.
Sand Attack: Lowers the opponent's accuracy.
Sage felt a pang of regret as she saw the list of moves.
I've been neglecting you, Eevee" Sage murmured as glanced down at her Pokémon who stared back with wide, understanding eyes.
Eevee's tail wagged and it seemed to nuzzle Sage's leg as if it was saying it didn't mind too much as Sage knew that Eevee had always been there for her as Sage was determined to make it up to Eevee.
With her team fully assessed, Sage took a deep breath.
Alright, team, let's keep moving forward. We have a long road ahead of us and we're stronger than ever." Sage said as she glanced down at Eevee and then back at her other Pokémon.
From now on, I'll make sure you all get your time to shine" Sage said with excitement in her voice.
As Sage started walking further into Route 3, she could feel the bond between her and her Pokémon growing stronger with every step.
It wasn't just about battling or winning; it was about growing together and learning from each other and building a team that could face anything that came their way.
Let's do this, everyone!" Sage called out as she was feeling the excitement bubble up in her chest.
