DPA: Rivals

Chapter 29: What's New, Copycat?

April stepped out of the Underground Path and into the sunlight that bathed Route 5. She could see the Cerulean Pokémon Daycare in the distance. She remembered robbing that place a few months back. A couple of miles to the north stood Cerulean City, the lakeside city that, in the Kanto region, was practically synonymous with the Water type.

Her Rocket uniform lay folded up in the bindle she carried with her. Right now she wore her street outfit, black shirt and dark jeans. Eevee rolled around in the grass a few feet away, just happy to be out from the darkness of the Underground Path that linked Saffron and Cerulean together.

Without Ariana or any of the Team Rocket Executives to give her orders, she wasn't sure what to do. For the time being, however, she decided she would just camp out on Route 5. Maybe rob some passerby trainers. Collect enough money to buy a boat ticket in Vermillion. Or not. Who knows?

"Remember, even though you have the type advantage, Misty's Starmie is legendary for its speed," Cameron said to Daryon, as the group walked to the Cerulean Gym. "Not even Pikachu will be able to keep up. Instead of trying to outspeed Starmie, work on slowing it down."

"Got it," Daryon replied, working on paying more attention to Cameron's advice. "Slow it down-"

Someone, trying to run past the two young trainers, accidentally ran into Daryon. Both Daryon and the unknown runner hit the ground.

"Hey! What's the big deal?" Daryon complained as Ero helped him up.

"Sorry," Evan replied. "Guess I was so busy I didn't pay attention to what's around me."

"Evan!" Cameron cheered, helping Evan to his feet. "How are you doing?"

"Could be better," Evan replied with a smile. "Sorry for runnin' into ya, Daryon."

"No big deal," Daryon laughed, wiping dirt off his pants. "It's good to see you again, especially after...well, you know."

"I'm over it," Evan shrugged. "Right now I'm just focused on catching that." He pointed to some bushes a few feet away. A Squirtle popped its head out, staring at Evan, cautious.

"That's why you bumped into us," Daryon realized.

"Yup." Evan took a Pokéball out from inside his jacket, sending out a Pikachu.

"What?!" Daryon shouted, surprised and slightly annoyed. Daryon's Pikachu, who had been walking beside him for the past hour, looked at Evan's own Pikachu curiously.

"Yeah, I saw how strong your Pikachu was against all those Zubat, and decided to catch one for myself," Evan said, before turning his attention back to Squirtle. "Pikachu, stun it!"

Evan's Pikachu jumped up, releasing a Thunder Wave, paralyzing the opposing Squirtle. A few seconds later, Evan had successfully caught the wild Squirtle. He returned his Pikachu to its Pokéball.

"I gotta go," Evan smiled, giving Daryon, Cameron, Max, and Skye hi-fives, before running off to the nearby Pokémon Center.

"Evan's pretty cool," Cameron said.

"He's a copycat," Daryon pouted. "Sees my Pikachu being cool and decides to imitate me and get one himself."

"Didn't you get your Pikachu so you could be like Red?" Max asked.

"That's not the point," Daryon muttered, before changing the subject. "Anyways, we should get ready for Misty."