Chapter no.4 Viridian Forest

As Austin packed his backpack with essentials—extra clothing, a tent, sleeping bag, pad, Pokémon repel, and a lighter—he pondered a significant question: Did he have to collect all of Ash's Pokémon?

It seemed like a monumental task, and his mind churned with the possibilities as he added items like Pikachu's special battery and Tupperwares filled with dehydrated and freeze-dried food.

"Are you ready to say goodbye to Viridian City?" he asked Pikachu, who gave a firm nod and hopped onto his shoulder with his usual enthusiastic "Pika!"

After a brief farewell to Nurse Joy, Austin started his trek towards Viridian Forest. As the urban landscape gradually melded into lush, dense forest, the boundary between city and wilderness blurred into a mosaic of green.

Standing before a road sign at the forest's edge, Austin paused, lost in thought.

Okay, so I don't want to be like Season 1 Ash. I want to develop a bond with each of my Pokémon. Catching 30 Tauros is definitely a no for me; maybe one or none. I'm not the biggest Tauros fan, he snorted at the thought. And as for the rest, they are capable Pokémon, but who's to say I'll be able to catch them? I've already altered the timeline by catching Rattata and Spearow. Maybe someone else has already caught Caterpie and Pidgeotto.

"Pika," Pikachu tapped his cheek, pulling Austin from his thoughts.

"Sorry, just lost in thought," Austin apologized with a smile. "Let's go."

As they walked, Austin decided to embrace the journey as his own.

He'll make the most of it.

Austin's mind wandered to the Pokémon he hoped to catch.

Hmm, maybe an Eevee or a Scyther... Oh, a Ninetales would be really cool.

After hours of trekking through Viridian Forest, Austin was practically dragging his feet, exhausted. The effectiveness of the Pokémon repel meant no wild Pokémon encounters, which was a relief but also a bit dull. He found a sizable tree and slumped down at its base, grateful for the break.

"Pika pi," Pikachu chirped, pumping his tiny arms in an effort to cheer Austin up.

"Let's not overwork ourselves, buddy," Austin replied, smiling weakly at his Pokémon's enthusiasm. "I'm going to take a rest."

"Chu," Pikachu acknowledged, then scampered off to explore their immediate surroundings, his curiosity undimmed by the long walk.

Austin pulled out a freeze-dried lemon from his pack and bit into it. The tartness exploded in his mouth, a stark contrast to the slightly chalky texture. It was refreshing, though, and along with a few sips of water, it helped revive his spirits somewhat.

As Pikachu scampered around energetically, a wave of boredom washed over Austin, prompting him to dig deeper into his backpack. He pulled out the training book he had been gradually working through and flipped it open. To his surprise, as he turned the page, a few loose notes fluttered out.

"Hmm, I guess this book must have been second-hand, or maybe the shopkeeper rents his books out," Austin mused.

Curious about the content of these notes, he examined them more closely.

They were labeled 'Pokémon Tech Academy,' a name that sounded vaguely familiar, though he couldn't quite place it.

As he began reading, he discovered the notes covered Pokémon Ecology and Domestication—that sparked his interest.

The notes were essentially pages ripped out from a notebook, containing detailed paragraphs on the topic.

"Good for me," Austin concluded, feeling a surge of excitement.

According to Dr. Helena Birch, a Pokémon Ethologist quoted in the booklet, survival of the fittest wasn't merely about combat prowess in the wild. Over centuries, Pokémon had learned that allying with humans not only ensured survival but also provided a comfortable life. This mutual benefit had led many wild Pokémon to develop what Dr. Birch called 'domestication syndrome,' an instinctive drive to seek out humans for companionship and protection, rather than out of aggression.

This made Austin pause, connecting dots he hadn't considered before.

So, is that why in the games, whenever you go through the grass, you encounter a wild Pokémon? he wondered, pondering the implications.

His thoughts were abruptly interrupted by a rustling noise nearby.

He felt a weight against his leg and looked down to find an insect Pokémon resembling a green caterpillar with a yellow underside and a teardrop-shaped tail. Its body was segmented with yellow ring-shaped markings that mimicked eyes. The most striking feature was the bright red antenna on its head.

Suddenly, the antenna began to shake and retract into its body, making a noise that caught Austin off guard.

"Caterpie?!"

It was a startling moment, and a thought crossed his mind—could this be Ash's Caterpie?

It was a silly concern, really.

How would he even know which of Ash's Pokémon were actually his?

Unlike Charmander, which had a distinctive story, Caterpie was just... Caterpie.

The sensation of the Caterpie trying to move against his leg felt like a series of small, squishy tugs.

Gently, he placed his palms on it and eased it to the ground.

"No!" he commanded softly, pointing at it.

The Caterpie looked up at him with those big, fake eyes, and it was possibly the cutest thing he'd ever seen.

"Chu!"

Suddenly, a thundershock from Pikachu lit up the area. Seeing a thundershock up close was an intense experience—the crackling energy, the sharp scent of ozone, and the sheer power were overwhelming. Austin blinked rapidly, trying to clear the flash blindness from his eyes, only to see the Caterpie knocked out cold on the ground.

"Sweet mother of goose, Pikachu, you're a monster, an irredeemable monster."

Pikachu just stared at him as if he'd lost his mind, then theatrically placed his paws on his chest, feigning innocence.

"Don't worry, I'm joking, but I think we found our excuse to set up camp," Austin said with a grin.

"Pika?" Pikachu tilted his head, his ears flopping to the side in confusion.

"We obviously have to treat your victim here," he added.

"Pi." Pikachu pointed first at himself and then at Austin, playing up his role as the brave defender.

Austin chuckled as he watched Pikachu huff and turn away, his little body language clearly showing he was a bit miffed.

"Come on, I was joking."

Pikachu continued to sulk.

"Help me out, and I'll give you two snacks." At the mention of treats, Pikachu's demeanor changed. He sidled up beside Austin's leg, rubbing against it like a cat might, seeking affection and perhaps confirming the promise of those extra snacks. His soft squeaks brushed against Austin's pants.

"You're supposed to be Jerry, not Tom."

"Pika?"

Helping Caterpie turned out to be quite straightforward for Austin. A quick spray of the potion, and it seemed all patched up, at least from the outside. He carefully placed it on his sleeping bag as he began to set up their campsite.

Thank you, Dad, for teaching me this, Austin thought.

He and Pikachu worked together to get their camp ready. Austin laid out the tent materials and began assembling the structure, following the methodical process his father had shown him. Pikachu, ever eager to assist, scurried around collecting small stones to create a fire ring.

Finally, Austin took out the Pokémon repel and carefully applied a circle of the liquid around their site to keep wild Pokémon at bay while they rested.

"Pika," Pikachu complained, his tiny nostrils pinched at the strong odor.

"If the smell bothers you, you can just go back to your Pokéball," Austin offered, trying to be considerate.

Pikachu shook his head and pointed towards the trees and then back to the stone circle.

"Try to get the fallen branches," Austin instructed as he settled down on his sleeping pillow. The sun was slowly setting, painting the sky with shades of orange and purple, heralding the arrival of night.

How will the night sky look tonight? Austin wondered aloud with a smile as the first stars began to twinkle in the darkening heavens.

Just then, he heard a soft rustle and turned to see Caterpie stirring awake.

"You okay?" Austin asked gently as the little bug wiggled its feet in a groggy attempt to move. He chuckled softly and offered it a piece of freeze-dried candy, which it nibbled on tentatively.

He watched silently as Caterpie lingered, perhaps waiting for an invitation to join the team, or perhaps expecting more.

But Austin remained quiet, humming softly, an uneasy feeling settling in his chest as Caterpie eventually turned and left. He closed his eyes briefly, his heart racing as he pondered the changes he had made.

Could these changes affect the future? Would this decision come back to haunt me?

The sound of Pikachu dragging a large branch snapped him out of his thoughts. He stood up, feeling a resolve hardened within him.

Why should I emulate Ash Ketchum?

Why should I invest in a Caterpie that might eventually leave?

Resources were tight; he had to prioritize expenses for training equipment, healing items, and food. And though it felt cold-hearted, he had to remind himself: this was his journey, not Ash Ketchum's.

Even though Ash's Butterfree held a special place in his memories, he needed to be realistic.

Allowing Caterpie to join just didn't seem beneficial in the long run.

"This is my journey," Austin repeated quietly to himself, solidifying his resolve as he watched the small Caterpie disappear into the undergrowth. "May you find a less selfish trainer than me."

Back at the campfire, Austin and Pikachu settled into their evening routine. The warmth of the flames comforted Austin as he stirred the pot of tomato berry soup. The dried berries released a tangy scent as they rehydrated, mingling with the tofu and sweet potato chunks that danced in the bubbling broth.

After ladling out bowls for Rattata and Spearow, who he had just released from their Pokéballs, Austin joined them. Seeking to distract himself from the day's events, he opened Caterpie's encyclopedia entry, ostensibly for a bit of 'entertainment' while eating.

Encyclopedia Entry Number #10

Of the five Pokémon on the Japanese Continent that can learn String Shot, only Caterpie produces actual string. Weedle produces a weak fiber similar to cotton, used solely for the construction of textiles. Wurmple produces a smooth silky thread that is pleasant to the touch, while Spinarak and Ariados produce a powerful adhesive.

For utility, however, none of these are as valuable as Caterpie string. It can be used in archery, to make ropes, or for a thousand other things, half of them improvised in times of scant other materials. Other fibers made from plants are occasionally used elsewhere, typically in places which lack trade links with Viridian City and its adjoining forest where most of Viridian's people work. The task is tough and thankless, for it requires extensive harvesting of leaves to feed the bug Pokémon year-round. The string after spraying must be collected by hand, they must avoid battling them (save for the few lucky enough to afford Everstones) as evolution weakens the string, and profits have never been very high.

Japanese continent?

The thought threw Austin off.

How many continents were there in this world? How many regions hadn't been shown in the anime? How many new Pokémon could there be?

These questions swirled in his head as he gazed up at the night sky, which was brilliantly littered with stars, twinkling like a sea of diamonds spread across a vast, dark canvas. The universe seemed impossibly vast, and yet, as he looked down at his Pokémon clumsily enjoying their soup, it felt incredibly small and intimate.

"Do you think there are alien Pokémon out there?" Austin asked, half-joking, half-curious. His Pokémon just continued to look up, perhaps wondering about the vastness above or just enjoying the night sky.

At that moment, the world felt so large, yet so small. He smiled, savoring the cool breeze of the forest and the warmth of the soup in his belly.

"This is so much better than boring school."

As the first rays of sunlight pierced through the trees, they landed squarely on Austin's face, rudely awakening him from his slumber. Beside the cold remnants of last night's fire, he yawned, struggling a bit to escape the cozy confines of his sleeping bag. Glancing around, Austin noticed Pikachu and Rattata huddled together in peaceful slumber, while Spearow perched alertly on a nearby tree branch.

Just as Austin was taking in the serene morning, a flap of wings caught his attention. Looking up, he spotted a Pidgeotto—its brown feathers melding into the cream-colored face and underside, with distinctive pinkish-red feathers crowning its head. Spearow was already eyeing the newcomer with a fierce glare.

"Hey Spearow, you up for a battle?"

Spearow responded with an eager cry, its call rousing the other Pokémon and drawing Pidgeotto's attention. With a defiant squawk, Spearow launched into the air, meeting Pidgeotto head-on in the clearing.

"Fury Attack!" Austin shouted. Spearow darted forward, its beak moving like a blur as it jabbed repeatedly at Pidgeotto, who squawked in surprise and pain. But the larger bird quickly retaliated, using its powerful wings to swat Spearow away, then swiftly following up with a Quick Attack.

"Twist while you're falling!" Austin instructed urgently. Spearow executed a nimble twist in mid-air, narrowly dodging the incoming Quick Attack and regaining its position. "Now, use Peck!"

Spearow dove towards Pidgeotto, but the clever bird caught Spearow's beak with its talons, using the momentum to spin downward and slam Spearow into the ground with a thud.

I might have to change tactics, his hand reaching for Spearow's Pokéball. "Spearow, retur—"

Spearow's defiant cry stopped him. He pushed himself up, refusing to be recalled. His eyes burned with determination.

"You sure?" Austin called out, impressed by his tenacity.

Spearow nodded sharply. "Well, alright then. Leer and then Fury Attack," Austin commanded.

Spearow's eyes glowed ominously, fixing Pidgeotto in a menacing stare. Just as Pidgeotto released a blinding Sand Attack, Spearow's Keen Eye ability allowed it to see through the swirling dust. Unfazed, Spearow launched into a relentless barrage of pecks. Pidgeotto struggled under the assault, finally collapsing to the ground, weakened and unable to rise.

Austin tossed a gold berry toward Pidgeotto, knowing the berry would help it regain its health after the intense battle. Spearow squawked at him in surprise, clearly questioning his decision.

"You won, no need to take it too far," Austin explained to the aggressive little bird, hoping to teach it a bit of sportsmanship. Pidgeotto caught the berry, gave Austin a grateful nod, and then turned to Spearow, offering a nod of respect before flying off into the forest.

Watching Pidgeotto disappear into the trees, a fleeting thought crossed Austin's mind—should he have tried to catch her? But then his gaze settled back on Spearow, whose potential he had already begun to appreciate. "Yeah, I already have a Pokémon that could grow up to rival Ash's Pidgeot, even without any formal training. I'm good with one flying type," Austin reassured himself.

Turning back to the campsite, Austin missed the pair of eyes that watched him from the underbrush, too caught up in his own thoughts to notice.

"Shut up!" Jessie snapped, hurling a rock at a cluster of Pidgeys that scattered into the early morning sky. Her frustration echoed through the clearing as the flying types flapped away hurriedly.

James groaned awake, the discomfort evident on his face as he uncurled from his makeshift bed on a tree branch. Sleeping on such uneven surfaces was always a nightmare, and he could feel every aching muscle protesting as he tried to stretch.

I can't believe we were beaten by a stupid kid in a paper bag, Jessie growled repeatedly, her annoyance simmering with each repetition. Neither Meowth nor James had the energy or the desire to calm her down, especially not first thing in the morning.

"Hey, there's a message from headquarters," Meowth announced as he brandished an R-shaped phone. "All Team Rocket personnel have been issued a command from the executives to find an Eevee currently hiding in the Viridian Forest. Any operative that succeeds in capturing this Eevee will be granted an apprenticeship under an executive."

Jessie and James's jaws dropped in unison, their earlier irritation quickly replaced by a surge of excitement. This could be our chance at redemption.

"This message was sent an hour ago," Meowth added with a sly smile, watching as excitement practically bubbled over in his companions.

"Most of the operatives will be here in about 20 minutes to an hour," James estimated, trying to calculate their advantage over the others. The urgency of the situation was clear.

"Come on, we have to find this Eevee and get our deserved promotion!"

Austin was enjoying a cheerful morning, making breakfast in the open air. His task was simple: whip up some pancakes using a store-bought mix that required just a bit of water. However, his morning took a slight turn when he tried to flip a pancake too enthusiastically and ended up splashing hot butter on himself. "Ouch!" he exclaimed, wincing from the minor burn.

His Pokémon—Pikachu, Rattata, and Spearow—were momentarily distracted from their berry appetizers, exchanging curious glances over his mishap.

"I did it!" Austin cheered as he successfully placed his first pancake on a plate. But as he reached for the batter to make another, there was a sudden clatter. Everyone turned to see the plate mysteriously sliding across the flat rock, as if the pancake had been snatched up swiftly.

Austin frowned and peered over the rock, searching for any signs of a wild Pokémon that might have taken the pancake, but all he found was a small puddle of water beside the rock.

With a smirk, Austin decided to try again, placing another pancake on the plate to see what would happen. When nothing occurred immediately, he mused, Hmm, do you want to play it like this?

He motioned for his Pokémon to turn around, ensuring their eyes were elsewhere to not scare off the mysterious thief. Pikachu and Rattata reluctantly grabbed their berries and turned away, while Spearow appeared merely bored with the proceedings.

"Spearow," Austin called, capturing the flying type's attention. He then flicked a snack towards Spearow, who perked up and caught it eagerly. Pikachu and Rattata made motions to join in for the snacks, but a firm stomp from Austin kept them in place.

Just then, a blue paw stealthily reached out and grabbed the pancake. Austin caught this sneaky movement reflected in his Pokédex screen. He lunged towards the rock, only to see pancake crumbs floating on the surface of the puddle.

Grabbing a nearby stick, Austin gently prodded the puddle. He was met with a pair of black eyes staring back at him through the water. "What?" he gasped in surprise.

The water around the eyes stirred, then began to reshape into a distinctive form. A Pokémon emerged, one that blended traits of both aquatic and land animals. Its body was light blue, marked with dark blue around its head and a spiky ridge down its spine. It had black eyes and a tiny black nose. A white fin encircled its neck, and three fins with cream-colored webbing adorned its head; two on either side like ears, and one directly on top, resembling a dorsal fin.

"Vaporeon!"

Pikachu, reacting swiftly, launched a Thundershock at the water-type Pokémon. The Vaporeon was suddenly enveloped in a distinct white glow, startling everyone present. Austin watched in awe, half-expecting the glow to be a Pokémon move rather than evolution.

However, as the light faded, a new form emerged: a quadrupedal, mammalian Pokémon covered in yellow fur, with a spiky fringe around its tail and a white ruff around its neck. Its large, pointed ears and the black interiors contrasted sharply with its bright eyes and small nose.

"Jolteon?!" Austin gasped, his eyes widening in disbelief as he saw Pikachu's thunderbolt absorbed by Jolteon's spiky fur as if they were lightning rods. Austin took a deep breath, trying to process the sight before him.

Being able to use Jolteon's Lightning Rod ability, being able to turn into water like Vaporeon... This isn't a Ditto or a Zorua; this was Vee.

Austin paused as he realized he had just encountered the special Eevee from the Pokémon Adventures manga, who had been experimented on by Team Rocket, possessing the unique ability to evolve and devolve into the three Kanto Eeveelutions.

Why is Vee here in the anime? Why am I encountering him? Doesn't Red catch him in Celadon City? Is Red in the anime world? What the hell is going on?

His contemplations were abruptly cut short as Jolteon, now on the defensive, launched a thundershock towards Spearow. The bird Pokémon wasn't quick enough to dodge; it attempted to veer away, but the electric shock caught it, sending Spearow tumbling to the ground with a thud. Pikachu and Rattata, sensing their companion in distress, looked ready to leap into the fray.

"Stop it!"

The duo froze, their bodies tense and ready, as Jolteon underwent another transformation. The light of evolution engulfed it once again, and when it subsided, standing before them was a Flareon. The new form boasted short, reddish-orange fur, long ears with black interiors, and dark, intense eyes. Fluffy yellow fur adorned its head, bushy tail, and a mane around its chest and neck.

Austin, Vee, and the Pokémon trio faced each other, each waiting for the other to make a move. The atmosphere crackled with anticipation, every muscle taut and ready to spring into action.

"Cover me!" Austin shouted, instincts kicking in as he noticed Flareon gearing up for an attack.

Quickly, he retrieved Spearow's Pokéball, just as Flareon's embers clashed mid-air with Pikachu's thundershock. The attacks met with a bright flash and a loud sizzle, canceling each other out in a burst of scattered sparks.

Seizing the moment, Rattata darted forward to tackle the fire type.

Meanwhile, Austin turned his attention to Spearow, who was showing signs of distress from the earlier shock.

The bird Pokémon murmured weakly, "Spear," its feathers slightly singed and its movements sluggish.

"Don't worry, buddy, you did your best. Just leave the rest to us," Austin reassured the weary Pokémon, gently spraying some potion on him to soothe the mild injuries. Once Spearow seemed more comfortable, Austin returned him to his Pokéball, his focus shifting back to the unfolding battle.

Austin stood, his eyes tracking Rattata's every move.

Flareon unleashed a Swift attack, opening its mouth to shoot out yellow stars.

Rattata dodged to the right, narrowly avoiding the initial barrage.

The stars, however, boomeranged back towards her.

With a nimble flip, Rattata caused the stars to collide into each other, creating an opening to tackle Flareon directly.

"Wow!" Austin thought, impressed by his little lady's speed and cunning. He hadn't expected such agility and tactical acumen from Rattata.

Just then, distant voices carried over the wind.

"James, do you hear that? The sound of battling. Eevee might be there."

It was Jessie's voice, tinged with excitement and urgency.

Everything suddenly clicked for Austin. Initially, he thought he wouldn't encounter Team Rocket in Viridian Forest because he was two days later than Ash. But now, it became clear that Team Rocket was here to catch Vee. Whether this was a mere coincidence or the world experiencing a butterfly effect to maintain the anime's plot, Austin didn't know and frankly, didn't care.

Austin turned to Pikachu; his expression serious.

"Pikachu, hide in the tent and don't let Team Rocket see you."

Keeping Pikachu out of sight was his first priority. He didn't want Jessie and James to recognize him as 'Bag Boy'.

Vee looked anxious, glancing around for an escape route now that the anomalous Pokémon knew Team Rocket was near. Taking a gamble, Austin spoke softly, "Come with me, I can keep you safe." He quickly grabbed the thermos, emptied it, and mixed some potion into it. "Look, you are currently in a lot of pain. This should help. Just do the Vaporeon water thing," he coaxed, locking eyes with Vee to convey his sincerity and goodwill.

Vee recalled how this human had offered a berry to a defeated Pidgeotto, rushed to aid his Spearow, and now tried to help him. There was no greed or lust for power in Austin's eyes, unlike the scientists who had tried to understand Vee. Moved by this, Vee decided to place his trust in Austin, at least for now.

In response, Vee evolved into Vaporeon, transforming into water and slipping into the thermos. Austin secured the lid, holding it tightly.

"If things go south, I want you to run away as quickly as you can, I'll hold off Team Rocket," he whispered to the thermos. Vaporeon's eyes, visible through the clear water, widened in shock.

"I have a plan, trust me," Austin reassured, just as he heard a voice shout.

"Hey, you!"

Austin's heart raced as Jessie, James, and Meowth appeared before him, looking utterly exhausted, entangled with Misty's bike.

"Have you seen an Eevee around here?"

"Yes," Austin replied coolly, his hands subtly steadying the thermos that sheltered Vee, which trembled slightly from the anxiety of the situation. He whispered a plan to calm the frightened Pokémon inside.

Austin then sat down on a nearby rock, attempting to maintain a confident facade while internally, he was a bundle of nerves.

"Tell us," Jessie barked, her patience wearing thin.

"What do I get in return?"

Jessie and James exchanged a weary glance, their desperation evident.

"What do you want?"

"How do we know you ain't pulling our leg?" Meowth interjected.

Austin motioned for Rattata to join him, a small chuckle escaping his lips.

"You know, the Eevee I fought was about to evolve and devolve itself into a Flareon, Jolteon, and Vaporeon," he claimed, waving his arms excitedly. In his enthusiasm, he accidentally knocked over the thermos. "Dammit," he muttered, quickly righting it before the Team Rocket trio could notice anything amiss.

Jessie invaded Austin's personal space, grabbing him by the shoulder. Rattata's ears and tail bristled in anger at her proximity.

"Tell us?!"

"How about that bike?"

"James," Jessie commanded, and James reluctantly handed over the bike. Austin pointed to the right. "That way."

"How do we know you ain't just yanking our chain?" Meowth questioned.

Austin merely smiled as, right on cue, the call of an Eevee echoed from the direction he had indicated. The Team Rocket trio vanished in pursuit, leaving Austin to swiftly pack up his belongings.

Austin's plan was simple; he would distract Team Rocket just enough for Vee to sneak away and lead them on a wild chase. As planned, Vee would circle back to him. Right on cue, as Austin glanced back, he saw the familiar form of the small, mammalian Pokémon—Eevee, with its brown fur and cream-colored bushy tail and collar, emerging from the bushes.

"Welcome back," Austin greeted Vee with a slight smile as he placed Pikachu into the bike's basket. Vee paused, uncertain of what was next.

"Jump in, we still have to make some distance between them," Austin urged, and without hesitation, Vee hopped into the basket beside Pikachu.

"Let's ride." With that, Austin began to pedal as fast as he could. The wind whistled past them, rustling through the leaves and the fur of his Pokémon companions. Pikachu's ears flapped in the breeze, and Vee looked ahead with wide, curious eyes, both Pokémon enjoying the rush of cool air as they sped through the verdant forest.

Two hours later, an exhausted Austin slowed down, stopping to rest. He sat down on a fallen log, pulling out some dehydrated lemons and a bottle of water.

Vee looked on curiously, and Austin, noticing his interest, offered him one of the tangy fruits. Seeing Pikachu's envious glance, he chuckled and handed one to his partner as well.

Their reactions to the dried lemons were comical—Pikachu's face puckered up immediately, and Vee blinked rapidly, unaccustomed to the sourness. Austin laughed heartily at their expressions as he continued to drink his water.

After a moment of lightheartedness, Austin turned to Vee, his expression becoming serious. "Do you want to join us?" he asked. Vee's eyes narrowed, and his body tensed, a clear sign he was considering fleeing. Sensing his apprehension, Austin added softly, "I can help you cure your pain."

Vee froze, his attention caught.

Pikachu, although looking a bit lost in the gravity of the situation, stayed quiet. "Eevee!" Vee barked out as if demanding answers.

Austin placed a Pokéball in front of him, explaining further, "Your body is unstable, which is why you can evolve and devolve at will. But with that instability comes pain. If you join me, I can help you."

Vee studied Austin, then the Pokéball, and finally glanced at Pikachu, who gave a reassuring nod. It was a silent endorsement that this human was different, kind, and trustworthy. With a decisive click, Vee touched the Pokéball, allowing himself to be captured. Everything went dark for a moment as he was pulled into the Pokéball.

This was Vee's gamble, and deep down, he held onto a small hope. Maybe this choice would take away his pain, keep him safe, and perhaps even give him the home he had always wanted—a place where he felt loved and belonged, not just used.

Austin was relishing the newfound speed afforded by the bike as he pedaled closer to Pewter City. Although his legs were tiring, he preferred the swift pace to another night potentially dodging Team Rocket in Viridian Forest. The wind brushed against his face, and the rhythmic sound of the bike's tires on the path provided a soothing backdrop to his thoughts of progress and distance.

Suddenly, his peaceful ride was interrupted when a figure abruptly jumped onto his path. Austin slammed on the brakes, the bike skidding to a halt. Pikachu, disoriented from the sudden stop, clutched his spinning head.

"Are you crazy?" Austin yelled at the figure before him—a boy dressed in striking samurai armor, complete with prominent yellow horns on his helmet that curved outward like a beetle. The armor was predominantly black with red accents, giving it an imposing look.

"Halt!" the boy commanded, unsheathing a katana with a Pokéball for a cross guard. The blade glinted menacingly in the sunlight—a real sword that reminded Austin of weapons from the Pokémon Adventures manga.

I am probably overthinking this. I distinctly remember weapons being in season 1 of the anime; this is probably something like that, Austin reassured himself.

His musings were cut short when the samurai boy demanded, "Are you from Pallet Town?"

Austin, not appreciating the sharp end of a blade pointed at him, cautiously pushed the sword aside and replied, "No."

The samurai scrutinized three poorly drawn pictures he took out, one of which comically featured Ash with a dunce cap. He studied them as if solving a great mystery. "Wait," the samurai suddenly exclaimed, comparing Pikachu to the photo and back. "You have a Pikachu."

"No, it's a Pidgey. Right," Austin played along, turning as Pikachu stretched his lips with his paws to mimic a beak and chirped, "P P P."

"See," Austin continued, barely containing his amusement.

"That's a Pikachu," the samurai insisted, narrowing his eyes.

"No, man, this is a new type of Pidgey from the Orre region," Austin replied, the corners of his mouth twitching as he struggled to maintain his composure.

"Really?" The samurai, curious, poked Pikachu's red cheeks and was promptly zapped.

Austin couldn't hold back any longer and burst out laughing as the samurai fell on his butt with a loud "Ouch!"

"Stop laughing and battle me."

"Don't feel like it," Austin replied nonchalantly, leaning against the handlebars of his bike.

"Come on, please, I have to get paid," the Samurai pleaded, which made Austin raise an eyebrow in curiosity.

"I thought you wanted to fight me for revenge," Austin quipped, playing along with the Samurai's serious demeanor.

"H-How did you know that?"

"Lucky guess, I guess. Hey, that rhymes," Austin joked.

"No, you're just repeating the same words," the Samurai responded with a deadpan expression, not quite catching the humor as Austin shrugged it off.

"Okay, so what's this about getting paid?"

"Well, a few days ago, I was harvesting silk," the Samurai began. Austin immediately recalled Caterpie's encyclopedia entry as the boy continued, "Then some trainer in a red car came in and battled me which caused my Caterpie to evolve, and my business was ruined."

"Sounds rough, buddy," Austin sympathized, surprised to learn that the samurai was a silk farmer.

"Gary Oak, however, was generous enough to offer me a deal. I battle all the trainers coming from Pallet Town, and he pays me."

"Why not just catch another Caterpie and continue your silk business?"

"The money was going to be used to buy a Pokéball."

"5000 Pokédollars?" Austin was flabbergasted at the sum, wondering how Gary could throw around that kind of cash so casually.

"10,000 if I beat all of Pallet Town's trainers," the Samurai added, his tone serious yet hopeful.

"Okay, so what will be the rules?" he asked. Up to now, his Pokémon battles—if you could call them that—had been anything but conventional.

"Official tournament rules are fine by me. Two on two Pokémon."

Austin nodded, excitement surging through him as this was going to be his first official Pokémon fight.

"Pinsir to the battlefield!" Samurai announced, releasing a bipedal, coleopteran insectoid Pokémon.

The Pinsir, with its wide, dull-brown body segmented by thin lines and topped with large, gray, spiky pincers, looked menacing. Its mouth, full of long, flat teeth, and its triangular eyes added to its intimidating appearance.

Austin gripped the handlebars tightly, his nerves fraying at the sight of the Pinsir up close.

Pikachu leapt from the basket onto the battlefield.

You can do this.

Samurai picked up a rock, and Austin nodded, understanding that the match would start as soon as the rock hit the ground.

He strategized quickly in his mind. Okay, let's do run-and-hit tactics.

The sound of the rock thudding against the ground was the signal.

"Vice Grip!"

"Dodge with Quick Attack!"

Pinsir lunged forward, attempting to snatch Pikachu with its massive pincers, but Pikachu was already darting to the right.

"Thundershock!"

Pikachu's cheeks glowed yellow, and he unleashed multiple lightning bolts towards Pinsir.

"Lightning rod tactic!" Samurai countered.

"What?!" Austin exclaimed in confusion. Suddenly, Pinsir plunged its hands into the dirt, effectively grounding itself and neutralizing the electrical attack.

Austin's heart raced as he realized that Samurai was far more formidable than he had been depicted in the anime.

With Pinsir momentarily stuck, he saw an opportunity.

"Quick Attack into tackle!"

Pikachu slammed into the bug type with force, jarring Pinsir enough to free its arms. However, Pinsir quickly recovered and went for a bind attack, its arms glowing as it ensnared Pikachu in a tight hug.

"Pika?!"

Pikachu's cry of pain cut sharply through the air, his distress piercing Austin's composure. A wave of fear washed over Austin; his body froze, muscles tensed as a chilling helplessness gripped him. His mind went blank in the face of Pikachu's suffering.

Austin immediately recalled Pikachu into his Pokéball, ensuring his safety.

"Hey, you earned a penalty," Samurai yelled across the field, his voice sharp with reprimand. Austin bristled, almost yelling back in the heat of the moment, but he caught himself and instead focused on checking Pikachu's condition.

"Pika!" Pikachu's frown greeted him as Austin looked down, a wave of regret washing over him.

"I'm sorry, I didn't... want you to get hurt," he stammered, his voice low. Pikachu puffed out his chest and thumped it with a small paw. Austin smiled faintly, chastising himself internally.

Pokémon aren't your normal pets, dumbass. They are far stronger than they look.

"You okay?" Samurai asked, his tone softening as he observed Austin's distress.

Austin nodded, his face still tense. "Sorry, I just panicked... I..."

"No need to explain, many people do the same, but you have to learn that Pokémon aren't weak. While your decision was noble, it ultimately earned you a penalty. Learn to overcome the fear that takes over your mind on the battlefield," Samurai advised, his eyes steady on Austin.

"Thanks, what does the penalty mean?"

"Well, if you recall a Pokémon while it's being attacked, that Pokémon is penalized to not be able to continue the battle," Samurai explained. Austin sighed deeply, absorbing the consequences of his actions.

He reached for Rattata's Pokéball, knowing he couldn't use Spearow because the flying type was still recovering from earlier injuries, and he wanted to build a stronger bond of trust with Vee before sending him into battle.

"I leave everything to you, my lady," Austin chuckled softly as he released Rattata onto the battlefield.

"Vice Grip!"

"Towards the tree!" Austin countered quickly. Rattata, understanding the urgency, dashed toward the base of the tree just as Pinsir's looming shadow reached her. "Jump!" Austin yelled, and Rattata leaped, pushing off the tree trunk with her hind legs. Pinsir, unable to halt its momentum, drove its pincers into the tree, getting them stuck.

"Tail whip!" Austin directed, seizing the moment. A white aura enveloped Rattata's tail as she swung it with force, striking the trapped Pinsir.

Once free, the bug type turned only to be met with another tail whip, its defense lowering with each hit.

"Bind!" Samurai called out. Pinsir's arms glowed ominously as it prepared to wrap Rattata in a tight hold.

"Run through the gap between his legs!" Austin instructed sharply. Rattata darted underneath Pinsir, avoiding the bind and slapping it with another tail whip as she passed.

"Seismic Toss!"

Pinsir grabbed Rattata by its horns, leaped into the air, and flung the Normal type down hard onto the ground behind it.

Seeing Rattata weakly trying to rise, Austin was about to call off the match, but a tap from Pikachu stopped him.

He didn't need to coddle his Pokémon.

He needed to trust them.

"Tail whip!" he shouted again. Rattata's attack struck Pinsir just as it landed from its toss.

"Vice Grip!"

"Tackle!" Austin responded immediately. The two attacks collided in a fierce clash, but the weakening effects of the multiple tail whips took their toll. Pinsir's pincers broke under the impact of Rattata's solid tackle, sending the bug type crumbling to the ground, knocked out.

"You okay, baby girl?" Austin praised, as Rattata nodded, panting heavily from the effort.

Samurai recalled his defeated Pinsir.

"Hey, is Pinsir going to be okay?"

"Of course, give it a few days and those pincers will regrow. Plus, I could sell the broken pincers and get Pinsir some good Pokémon food," Samurai responded with a reassuring smile.

Austin chuckled dryly, still adjusting to the attitude of this world.

"You will not win against my second Pokémon," Samurai declared, sending out his next fighter.

"Bring it," Austin replied confidently, already anticipating his opponent's choice. A green cocoon Pokémon, Metapod, emerged.

"Do you fear him?" Samurai asked, laughter in his voice.

Austin shook his head dismissively and gestured for Rattata to continue.

"Tackle," he ordered before Samurai could react.

Rattata, however, used Quick Attack, slamming into Metapod, who cried out as the impact sent him reeling.

The second Pokémon was beaten almost as swiftly as it had appeared.

"You are very strong."

"Thanks, but I'm curious, did you plan for that Lightning Rod strategy?"

"Oh, that," Samurai began, "I devised that strategy because Gary said he would pay me 20k if I managed to beat a Pallet Town trainer with a Pikachu."

Austin sweatdropped at the mention of Gary's name, unable to suppress a smirk at Gary's transparent attempt at one-upmanship.

Really? The guy's willing to blow 20k just to get a cheap win? He must be more desperate for bragging rights than I thought.

"I'm Austin. Nice to meet you." He greeted, extending his hand to the kid, who blinked, apparently having forgotten as well.

"Right." The kid smiled, reaching over to shake his hand. "I'm Nobunaga. Oda Nobunaga. And likewise."

Austin stared. "You can't be serious. You can't."

"Oh, but I am."

"Your parents hated you, didn't they?"

"Shut up."