DPA: Rivals

Chapter 4: Route 1 And Only

"Good. By the way, could you do me a favor?" Oak asked the two new trainers.

"Of course, what is it?" Daryon replied, still absolutely ecstatic over his newly acquired Pikachu.

"I recently ordered a parcel from a company all the way in the Galar region. Unfortunately, there was a delivery mix up, and my parcel ended up being delivered at the Pokémart in Viridian City. I'd pick it up myself, but I have to be ready for an upcoming research conference. If you'd be so kind as to pick up and bring back my delivery, I'll make it worth your while."

"N-not a problem," Cameron answered. "We aren't in a-a-a hurry to be anywhere, and we're v-very grateful for our Pokémon ."

"Thank you boys. Return with my parcel today and I'll have a nice surprise waiting for you."

Daryon and Cameron moseyed along Route 1, enjoying the sunlight, the fresh air, the puffy white clouds that adorned the sky. Children weren't allowed to leave Pallet Town unsupervised until they received their first Pokémon , so this was the first time Daryon had ever felt this level of freedom. He wanted to enjoy this moment, take everything in.

All around the road to Viridian, patches of tall grass stood tall, up to Daryon's waist, hiding all sorts of secrets. At one point, one of these patches of grass began to rustle.

The boys stopped in their tracks, quietly tiptoeing closer to the unknown source of the sound, when out popped a wild Spearow. Daryon had to cover his own mouth to stop himself from shouting with curious astonishment. He glanced at his Pikachu, careful not to make the Tiny Bird Pokémon aware of his presence.

"Use a Thundershock," Daryon whispered. Pikachu nodded, jumping off its' trainer's shoulder. A small bolt of electricity coursed its way through Pikachu's tail before zipping its way through the air, coming into contact with a distracted Spearow. Spearow cried out, turning to face the source of the sudden electrification. Clearly angry, Spearow flew through the air like a bullet, aimed directly at Daryon's face.

Daryon, who had been holding a Pokéball, ready to throw, held up his arms in self defense, putting the Pokéball directly in Spearow's path. The Flying type's beak smacked into the Pokéball's capture mechanism, forcing the Pokéball to open, absorbing Spearow in sparkling light, sucking the bird Pokémon in.

A stunned Daryon dropped the Pokéball, which began to shake. One wiggle. Two wiggles. Three wiggles. Click.

Daryon had caught the Spearow.

"That was..." Cameron stuttered, having witnessed the whole event.

"AMAZING!" Daryon replied, picking up the Pokéball. "I have a Spearow! I have a Spearow!" He opened the Pokéball, releasing the Spearow so he could see his new teammate.

Spearow looked at him, then at Pikachu, then back at Daryon. Glaring for a second, the newly caught Spearow's expression calmed, and it held up its head, slightly at an angle.

"That's a sign of respect," Cameron noted, reading his Pokédex. "When caught, Spearow have been recorded to tilt their raised heads to show their willingness to work with their new trainers."

"That's cool." Daryon said, stretching his neck to try and imitate the newest member of his party. "We're going to be friends."

"Cra-caw!" replied Spearow.