Pokemon: An Epoch of Heroes

Chapter 3

    Morning time was beautiful in Johto. I stood at the open window of my hotel room watching Rowlet play with a wild Furret. New Bark Town reminded me a lot of the small towns that dotted the hillsides on the outskirts of Viridian. The architecture in Johto was more traditional though, my father would love it here. I took a breath of crisp mountain air. I closed the window and collected my gear, it was time to begin the trek to Cherrygrove Town. The trip to the next town should take only about two days on foot. I left my room key on the unattended front desk and stepped outside.
 
    “Rowlet, time to head out!” I called, unable to see that crazy little bird. “Rowlet come on where the hell did you go off to. I swear if your off pigging out on berries I will make you train twice as hard.” I heard faint voices around the corner by Elm's Lab. Then I heard that familiar tweeting. “Rowlet there you are!” I said as I rounded the corner. Low and behold my partner was there perched on the shoulder of the professor. They weren't alone though, the professor was talking to a young woman who, if I can be honest for a second, looked like a goddess. She was short with her auburn hair pulled back in a messy ponytail. She had a decent choice in clothing as well. Her white denim skirt was knee length and a black tank top clung tightly to her torso. 
 
    “Ah, there you are Jake!” Professor Elm greeted me by raising his hand. “Come on over here, I have someone I want you to meet.” Rowlet made a series of happy noises and gestures at me telling me to get over there. He has one comedic personality, and we are only a day into knowing each other. 
 
    “Hey Professor,” I reciprocated the greeting. “Rowlet you know better than to ru-. I mean fly off like that.” I scolded my winged featherball. I turned to the female stranger and looked her in her beautiful eyes. “I don't believe we have met before,” I said as I ran my fingers through the hair on the back of my head. “My name is Jake Myles from Viridian City. And you are?” I was dying to find out who she was. 
 
    “Nice to meet you Jake,” She shifted her gaze to the ground. “My name is Tamara Barneo. I'm from the Sevii Islands, off the coast of Kanto.” Her hand shake was quite firm. Just then I felt something brush against my pant leg. I looked down to see a blue amphibious pokemon with a mane of bubbles. “And she is my partner Froakie.” I pulled out my NatDex and scanned the frog like pokemon.
 
    “Froakie, the Bubble Frog pokemon. A water type pokemon who can utilize the bubbles around it's neck for many tasks. Usually found in or near Kalos coastal swamps.”
 
    “Whoa, I think she may have traveled a little further than you have to get here.” I said jokingly. Tamara began to chuckle. I knelt down and started to pet the cute little amphibian.
 
    “Are you originally from Kanto?” She questioned. “Because judging from the Z-Ring on your wrist, and the Rowlet, you appear to be Alolan.” she deduced at a very quick rate.
 
    “Yeah, Melemele Island to be exact. I moved to Kanto with my family at 14.” I gave her what I thought was a charming smile.
 
    “Tamara is also a new trainer looking to travel her in Johto as well! She plans to take on the league just like you are. Would you mind being her first battle?” The professor questioned. He then turned to the island girl. “If you can hold your own against Jake you will be more than prepared for anything out there. Trust me he even defeated my Cyndaquil.” He proceeded to praise my battling techniques.
 
    “Wait...” Tamara seemed confused. “You actually got to battle a pokemon professor for your first match? Not to mention you defeated a professor in your first battle. Anyone who could pull that off I definitely want to have a shot at! That is if you're okay with that.” I could feel her fiery passion for battling. There was no way I could disappoint her by turning down her challenge.
 
    “You are so on.” I stated. We walked around the back of the laboratory to the battle grounds. 
 
    “Calvin is not here quite yet so I will officiate this match.” The professor began. “This match is between Jake Myles of Viridian City and the challenger Tamara Barneo of the Sevii Islands. Each trainer is permitted to use only one pokemon and the match is over when either pokemon become unable to continue. Items are forbidden during this match since only one of you has access to them currently. Send out your pokemon and let the battle commence!”
 
    “Rowlet, let's do this.” I spoke as Rowlet landed on the dusty battlefield.
 
    “Let's teach these boys how to croak!” Tamara yelled as she directed Froakie to the field. “Ladies first, use bubble on the field Froakie!” The blue frog opened its mouth and launched a bombardment of high speed bubbles on the field. The dust dampened and became mud.
 
    “Rowlet, quick get in the air now!” I commanded. Rowlet lifted off before he got stuck. “Now swoop down and use Tackle!” Rowlet flew a quick loop-de-loop before tucking his wings in and aiming his body towards Froakie. Something was up though, Tamara didn't call out a counter yet. Rowlet closed in on Froakie, but at the last second.
 
    “Now Froakie, dodge it and use Pound!” Froakie jumped high in the air and Rowlet lost track of her. Before he could even defend himself Froakie appeared directly behind Rowlet and spiked him into the deep mud using Pound.
 
    “ROO!” Rowlet  cried out struggling to take flight with mud all over his wings and feet stuck. We may have the type advantage, but this girl has amazing strategic planning. 
 
    “Froakie use Pound repeatedly on him and don't let up!” Tamara called out. She fights dirty and relentlessly. I like that. Froakie stood above where Rowlet was stuck and began hitting him harder and harder with her hands glowing. Rowlet was trying to protect itself with its wings but he taking way too much damage. I needed to get him out of there.
 
    “Quick, use Gust on the mud to dry it out!” His wings began flapping furiously above the mud. It was working! Finally the mud was dry. “Now use Quick Attack!” Rowlet blasted from the ground in a beam of light and fired himself towards his opponent at a tremendous speed knocking Froakie to the ground. “Now take them out with Razor Leaf!” Rowlet hurled razor sharp leaves at an astounding rate of consistency. It hit numerous times before the frogs yellow eyes rolled back into her head and she hit the ground, hard. Elm raised his red flag quickly in Tamara's direction.
 
    “Froakie is unable to battle, The winner is Rowlet!” He made the final call of the match. Rowlet was huffing hard as he hovered inches from the ground. Then he collapsed to the field out of exhaustion. “I have a pokemon nurse on staff, lets give these guys the treatment they deserve after such a close battle. Tamara's eyes met mine and we nodded in agreement. We both drew our pokeballs and held them up.
 
    “Return!” We called out in unison. I met the battling beauty in the middle of the field and shook her hand. The three of us walked through the sliding glass doors at the back of the building. Elm directed us to the nurse's station then took his leave. I couldn't help myself any longer. After handing our pokemon to the lab's nurse I turned to Tamara.
 
    “So I have been thinking.” I stared at my feet. “They say it is better for new trainers to travel together. I think we can both agree that we have much to learn about pokemon. How do you feel about traveling together. It will allow us to train and learn together. Two trainers like us here from home, this region has no idea what they have coming.” I was stammering and stuttering my way through this proposition. I felt the heat rise up my neck from embarrassment.
 
    “Jake, you don't need to try so hard. I decided that I was gonna be your traveling companion the second your Rowlet introduced himself. For a pokemon to embody so much of his trainers personality within 48hrs of spending time together is practically unheard of. Not to mention that you defeated the professors Cyndaquil on your first try. Someone as unique as yourself would make a perfect training partner. So yes I accept the offer, we leave after our pokemon heal, sound good to you?” Tamara did not know how much this meant to me. As a child I was awkward never had the chance to make friends, but look at me now. I'm traveling a foreign region with an attractive woman and our pokemon. We sat together on a couch and waited for several minutes when suddenly a voice came over the loud speaker.
 
    “Trainers Jacobi and Tamara, you're pokemon are now ready for pickup at the Nurse's Station. Thank You.” Then the voice cut out. We both walked to the desk and the red haired nurse slid a tray across the counter. There was two pokeballs, Rowlet's with the leaf on it, and Froakie's which had a water droplet engraved into it. 
 
    “Thank you. Have you seen Professor Elm?” Tamara asked the nurse.
 
    “He should be in his study upstairs.” She then turned to her pokemon assistant. Blissey can you take these trainers to him?” 
 
    “Bliss! Bliss!” The large pink and white pokemon cheered happily as is stepped out from behind the desk. To be honest I have never seen one of these pokemon. In Kanto it is tradition for a Chansey to accompany the nurses, and in Alola they use Comfey. I reached for my NatDex and scanned the joyous creature.
 
    “Blissey, the healing pokemon. This Normal-Type pokemon is the evolved form of Chansey. Often found in Pokemon Centers and hospitals, this pokemon has an empathetic inclination to help people and pokemon alike.”
 
    “Thank you Nurse Joy!” Tamara and I proceeded to follow Blissey through the lab to the bottom of a set of stairs where she stepped off to the side and motioned to the door at the top of the stairs. “Thank you Blissey.” Tamara spoke for the both of us. We ascended the stairs and I knocked on the door to the study.
 
    “Come in.” I heard the professor's voice call from the other side of the solid oak door. The two of us entered his study and sat in the two chairs facing his desk. “So I suppose you two are ready to set off on your journey?”
 
    “Well, you're not wrong.” I spoke jokingly to Elm as Tamara laughed. “All joking aside sir, we really are ready and we just came up to thank you for everything before we left.” I sincerely appreciated this man. He found me my partner Rowlet, gave me my first battle, and even better facilitated the friendship between Tamara and I.
 
    “You two are going to travel together?” The professor noticed the unity between her and I. “That is a splendid idea, the first gym is located in Violet City. I have taken the liberty of providing you with my contact information, and a Johto Map application for your PokeGear's. Please be safe and take care, also keep me updated on your league progress. There is a Pokemon Center in Cherrygrove Town, which is about a two or three days trip west from here. Pokemon Centers provide free room, board and pokemon care to trainers and coordinators who are registered for their respective leagues. Please make sure to take full advantage of this.” We stood up and exchanged hand shakes and goodbyes with the wise professor and his lab assistants. While walking away from the laboratory with our starters perched on our shoulders, we  took one last look back on the town of new beginnings.
 
♪♪♪♪♪♪♪♪
 
    In the few hours since we departed New Bark Town, we've made some good progress along the trail. Rowlet and Froakie seem to have become partners in crime frequently getting ahead of us and attempting to jump out to scare us. Tamara told me a couple of stories about her childhood in the Sevii Islands and her friends back home. We came across a nice flat open area near a small lake and decided it would be a good place to set up camp for the night. We sent our pokemon out in search of firewood as Tamara and I built the fire pit. 
 
    “This is really a nice place to set up camp Jake.” Tamara spoke. “Froakie is going to love this lake and looks like there is several berry trees over there, Rowlet will be in heaven.” She wasn't wrong, that bird could eat every berry in that grove and still be begging for dinner. We had just finished up the pit when Rowlet began circling over hear cooing frantically.
 
    “What's wrong  Rowlet?” I looked to the sky as my partner flew off in a northern direction. “Mara there's something wrong, we need to follow him.” Tamara nodded her head in agreement. We began sprinting in the same direction Rowlet had taken off in. As we got deeper into the forest we heard a blood curdling cry.
 
    “Froakie!” Tamara was visibly upset. She knew immediately it was her. We rushed towards the sound. There was Froakie lying on the forest floor with yellow sparks surrounding her.  The culprit was a little yellow and black mouse pokemon. I quickly recognized this pokemon as Pichu. Froakie was paralyzed and Rowlet had an obvious type advantage so this was an emergency situation. 
 
    “Don't worry Mara, Rowlet and I got this.” I said confidently “Ok buddy let's show these guys how we Alolans do it.” Rowlet dropped to the ground in front of me as the white crystal on my wrist began to glow. In unison we danced a traditional Alolan dance. Pichu watched in delight and amusement as she made faces at us. Now for the final act. I crossed my arms in an X formation in front of my body and a bright light surrounded Rowlet. “Rowlet use Breakneck Blitz!” I yelled as Rowlet flew up into the sky to aim for Pichu. He made the ground rumble, as if it were a herd of Tauros, when he struck Pichu with tremendous force sending it against a tree. The little mouse fell to the ground.
 
    “Chu!” she winced in pain, attempting to stand up. Quickly I tossed an empty pokeball at the weakened pokemon and she was sucked inside. One, Two, Three. I thought to myself as I watched the ball shake three times before flashing green signifying Pichu's capture.  
 
    “We did it Rowlet we caught a Pichu!” I exclaimed as we celebrated our first caught pokemon. Then I quickly joined Tamara's side as she picked up Froakie. The blue frog was terribly bruised and breathing shallowly.
 
    “This isn't good. We have to get back to my tent. I have potions in my bag.” She looked at me with a serious, but sad expression. 
 
    “I don't think we have that much time. She is really rough.” I said with a dismal tone. An epiphany rapidly came to me. “Rowlet,” I called to my pokemon partner. “You need to retrieve the purple bottle from my bag at the campsite. Can you do that?”
 
    “Rooooo!” Rowlet had already taken flight towards the south. I took my vest off and laid it on the ground. I took Froakie from Tamara and placed her on my vest. Her wounds are pretty severe. A potion will stop further pain but wont heal her fully from her injuries. Moments later Rowlet dropped the purple spray bottle on my lap. I handed it to Tamara so she could apply it. After applying it Froakie weakly cried.
 
    “Mara you need to return her to the pokeball. We will make a deadline for the Pokemon Center tomorrow.” I promised her. She knew as well as I did that this was our only hope to get Froakie healed up. We made our way back to the campsite and prepared dinner. After setting out a bowl of food for Rowlet, I set another bowl of food out on the ground. I sent out Pichu and as she ate I scanned her into the NatDex.
 
    “Pichu, The Electric Mouse pokemon. An Electric type, this pokemon is the pre-evolution of Pikachu. Mischievous and playful, Pichu are frequently found in both urban alleyways and forests. When in distress, it discharges electricity from its pink cheeks. Known moves include Discharge, Tackle, Volt Tackle and Thunder Wave” I was still in utter shock, pun intended. I had successfully caught my first pokemon. Tamara had pureed some pokemon food for Froakie. She sat on the ground near the fire, spoon feeding her injured companion.
 
    “Pi- Pi-” Pichu wandered over to Tamara with her ears folded down in sadness. She looked worried about Froakie. Her ears suddenly perked up then she scampered off around the lake. What was she up to?
 
    “I think she feels really bad about what happened to Froakie.” Tamara sounded forgiving. “I know she really didn't mean to. Froakie might have startled her while looking for firewood.” Moments later Pichu returned with an Oran Berry in hand. She held it for Tamara to grab. “Oh Pichu, this is perfect! You did a really good job. I know you didn't mean to hurt Froakie, you were just scared right?” Tamara asked while feeding the berry to Froakie.
 
    “Pichu-pi.” Pichu nodded.
 
    “Fro- Fro!” Froakie acknowledged Pichu's apology. After eating the Oran Berry, she had recovered quite well. After dinner we retired to our respective tents. Pichu slept right next to me in my sleeping bag while Rowlet opted to sleep outside perched on a tree branch. Life was good right now, and all was right. I stared at the stars through the screen-top tent and drifted off to sleep.

A/N: So this was a very long but eventful chapter. We met Tamara and Froakie, Jakes new traveling companion. We finally left New Bark Town and Jake caught his first pokemon Pichu with the help of a Zmove.

So what do you think of the romantic tension between the two characters? Also Which companion from the anime would you want to travel with. Why?