The days passed quickly as Noah and Pidgey—now Aeris—continued their travels through Petalburg Woods.
Noah wasn't just training Aeris—he was training himself, too.
Every morning, he did stamina exercises alongside Aeris, running through the forest to keep up with her flight.
He practiced dodging, using tree branches as obstacles while imagining Pokémon attacks coming his way.
He let Aeris hunt freely, observing her natural instincts and learning more about the way Pokémon survived in the wild.
They ate together, rested together, and with each passing day, Noah felt the bond between them grow stronger.
He called her by her new name often, and he assumed she liked it since she responded with a proud chirp every time.
By the third day, he felt more in sync with Aeris than ever before.
That was the day everything changed
The sun was high in the sky when Noah noticed Aeris diving toward something
Her sharp talons extended as she swooped down and snatched an unfamiliar Pokémon from the forest floor.
Noah frowned. He had seen plenty of Wurmple, Caterpie, and even a few Weedle while traveling, but this Pokémon looked different.
Whistling sharply, Noah called Aeris back
She flapped her wings and glided toward him, landing gracefully on his outstretched arm.
In her talons was a small, blue, bug-like creature with large, yellow, round eyes
Its body was striped with black and blue, and it wiggled weakly in Aeris' grip.
Noah had never seen a bug Pokémon like this before.
"Alright, Aeris. Let it go."
Aeris tilted her head, hesitated for a second, then released the bug onto the ground.
Noah quickly pulled out his Pokédex and scanned it.
[Scanning…]
Blipbug – The Larva Pokémon
Bug-Type
Blipbug is highly intelligent and gathers information about its surroundings. It eats leaves and stores energy for evolution.
Noah blinked. "Blipbug? Never heard of it."
It wasn't a Hoenn-native Pokémon—at least, not one he had ever seen before.
The little bug twitched on the ground, its large eyes blinking up at him in confusion.
It looked weak and exhausted.
"Aeris, go hunt something else," Noah said, glancing at his Pidgey. "I'll take care of this one."
Aeris chirped in agreement and took off once again, vanishing into the thick canopy above.
Noah carefully lifted the Blipbug and carried it back to their campsite.
By the time Aeris returned, she had caught a Sentret.
She landed a few feet away, proudly presenting her fresh catch.
But Noah's attention was on Blipbug.
The bug had woken up—and it was terrified.
As soon as it saw Aeris, it flinched and cowered, trembling in fear.
Noah sighed, crouching down.
"Hey, it's okay," he said softly. "I won't let Aeris eat you."
Blipbug didn't move, still shaking slightly.
Noah tried a few more words of reassurance, keeping his voice low and calm.
But it wasn't working. Blipbug was still scared stiff.
Then—Aeris squawked loudly, the sudden noise froze Blipbug in place.
Aeris chirped again, flapping her wings slightly, before turning her head toward Noah.
She let out a series of short, precise chirps.
Noah had no idea what she was saying.
But… somehow, he got the feeling she was reassuring Blipbug in her own way.
Blipbug twitched, eyes darting between Noah and Aeris.
Slowly, the trembling stopped.
It still looked cautious, but at least it wasn't panicking anymore.
Noah exhaled.
Now that things had calmed down, Noah picked out a few large leaves , the ones he had gathered earlier.
"Here," he said, placing them near Blipbug. "Eat these.
The bug hesitated for a moment before sniffing the leaves with its tiny antennae.
A second later, it started munching on them, its large eyes relaxing slightly.
Noah smiled. "See? No danger here."
Aeris watched silently, ruffling her feathers.
Once Blipbug had finished eating, Noah knelt down and extended his hand.
"Listen," he said, keeping his tone friendly, "I don't know how you ended up here, but if you want… you can come with me."
Blipbug blinked.
"I'm a new trainer," Noah continued, "but I promise I'll take care of you. You won't have to worry about being hunted, and you'll get stronger, just like Aeris.
He saw Blipbug glance warily at Aeris.
The Pidgey simply tilted her head, giving a small chirp.
Blipbug hesitated for another moment… then slowly crawled toward Noah's hand.
Noah grinned."Alright, then." He pulled out a Poké Ball, tapping it gently against Blipbug's head.
A flash of red light swallowed the tiny bug Pokémon, and the ball wiggled once before clicking shut.
Blipbug had joined the team.
Aeris let out a triumphant chirp.
Noah looked at the Poké Ball in his hand, smiling.
"Guess we've got a new teammate." He said looking at Aeris.
As the fire crackled softly in their camp, Noah placed Blipbug next to his sleeping bag.
Aeris perched on a nearby branch, keeping watch as always.
Noah leaned back against a tree, watching the stars through the gaps in the leaves.
Three days ago, he was just a beginner with a single Pokémon.
Now, he had two companions.
Aeris—the brave and sharp-eyed hunter.
Blipbug—the timid but intelligent larva.
Their journey had only just begun, but Noah felt ready for whatever came next.
Tomorrow, they would push deeper into Petalburg Woods.
Morning sunlight filtered through the dense canopy of Petalburg Woods, casting dappled patterns of light across the forest floor Noah stretched, feeling the cool morning breeze as he sat cross-legged near their small campsite Aeris perched on a low branch, preening her feathers, while Blipbug rested near Noah's feet.
He pulled out his Pokédex, flipping it open to scan his newest team member.
[Blipbug – The Larva Pokémon]
Bug-Type
Moves: Struggle Bug, Tackle, and String Shot.
Noah hummed in thought.
Struggle Bug was a special Bug-type attack that lowered the opponent's Special Attack.
Tackle was a simple but reliable Normal-type move.
String Shot could slow down opponents by tangling them in sticky threads.
It wasn't much, but it was a solid start.
He glanced at Blipbug, who was watching him with its large, intelligent eyes.
"Alright, buddy," Noah said, setting the Pokédex aside. "Time to train."
For the next few hours, Noah worked with both Aeris and Blipbug, refining their techniques.
Blipbug practiced using Struggle Bug against tree bark, releasing waves of greenish energy that weakened the surrounding area.
Noah had Blipbug use String Shot on small rocks, testing its precision and control.
Aeris, already skilled at aerial combat, helped by dodging Blipbug's attacks, forcing the bug to improve its aim.
At first, Blipbug was slow.
But as they kept training, its attacks grew more accurate and powerful
After a particularly well-aimed Struggle Bug, Noah grinned and patted the bug's small head
"You're getting better," he said.
Blipbug twitched happily, its large yellow eyes blinking with excitement.
Aeris let out a small chirp from above, seemingly approving
That night, as they rested by the campfire, Noah glanced at Blipbug, who was curled up beside him
"Aeris has a name," he mused. "I think it's time you had one too. Blipbug tilted its head, watching Noah expectantly
Something about Blipbug's big, curious eyes and growing intelligence made Noah think of scholars, books, and knowledge
"How about Sage?" he suggested.
Blipbug blinked.Noah wasn't sure if it liked the name until—it tapped its small legs against the ground.
Noah smiled. "Sage it is."
Aeris ruffled her feathers, letting out a small squawk of approval.
Noah grinned, feeling a strong sense of accomplishment His team was coming together.
The next few days were spent traveling deeper into Petalburg Woods.
Noah took every opportunity to battle wild Pokémon, helping Aeris and Sage improve their strength.
They fought Wurmple, Caterpie, and Zigzagoon along the way, earning valuable experience.
Sage's String Shot proved useful for slowing down opponents, while Aeris struck with precision.
Noah even experimented with team strategies, having Sage weaken an enemy with Struggle Bug before letting Aeris finish the fight.
Each day, Aeris seemed to grow stronger.
Her wings seemed more powerful than before, her movements in the air sharper and more refined.
Noah chalked it up to their constant battles and training.
He didn't pay much attention to anything else—why would he?
Aeris was a natural hunter, and it only made sense that her abilities were improving.
He figured she'd evolve eventually—it was just a matter of time.
That was the only explanation, right?
After days of traveling through Petalburg Woods, Noah finally set foot in Rustboro City. The towering stone buildings and well-maintained streets were a stark contrast to the dense, untamed wilderness he had just left behind. Trainers and townspeople bustled about, many engaged in Pokémon battles or discussing strategies outside the Pokémon Center.
Noah sighed in relief. "Finally made it."
Aeris perched on his shoulder, looking around curiously, while Sage rested in the crook of his arm. The long journey had been exhausting, but he knew he still had things to do
First priority—healing his Pokémon.
He stepped into the Pokémon Center, where the scent of disinfectant and polished floors greeted him. The familiar red-and-white interior was bustling with trainers, some waiting for their Pokémon to be treated, others chatting about battles
Walking up to the counter, Noah handed over Aeris and Sage's Poké Balls to the nurse. "Can you heal them?"
The nurse smiled kindly. "Of course. It'll take just a few minutes."
Noah nodded, stepping back and finding a seat while he waited. As he sat, he glanced around the Pokémon Center. Trainers of all levels were discussing strategies, trading, and preparing for battles.After a few moments, the nurse called him back. "Your Pokémon are in perfect health. Take care!
Clipping the Poké Balls back to his belt, Noah felt refreshed and ready. Now that his Pokémon were healed, it was time to do what he had come here for—battling trainers and testing their progress.
Stepping outside, Noah noticed a group of trainers gathered around the Pokémon Center's designated battle area—a flat, paved section outlined by painted white borders.
He approached, watching as a battle finished up between two trainers. One of them, a boy with spiky brown hair in a green hoodie, caught Noah's eye.
The trainer smirked, pocketing his Poké Ball. "You looking for a battle?"
Noah nodded. "Yeah. You in?"
The boy grinned, pulling out his Trainer Card. "Standard wager?"
Noah nodded. They both tapped their cards together, confirming a 500 Pokédollar League-registered bet
The trainer took a step back, tossing out a Poké Ball. A small, blue bird appeared—a Taillow.
Noah smirked. A Flying-type matchup.
"Aeris, let's go" Pidgey flapped into the air, facing down the Taillow with sharp eyes.
The trainer wasted no time. "Taillow, Quick Attack!"
The small bird darted forward at lightning speed, aiming to hit Aeris before she could react.
Noah was ready. "Dodge, then use Gust
Aeris twisted midair, narrowly avoiding the attack before she beat her wings hard, sending a strong gust of wind that slammed into Taillow, pushing it back.
"Again! Quick Attack" Taillow recovered, shooting forward once more and managing to land a hit this time.
Aeris let out a sharp chirp, flinching slightly but staying in the air
Noah smirked. "End it—Gust, full power!"
Aeris flapped her wings once more, sending an even stronger burst of wind that knocked Taillow backward. The opposing bird crashed into the ground, barely conscious.
The boy sighed, scratching his head. "Alright, you win."
Noah's Pokédex beeped, confirming his winnings. His confidence soared—his training had definitely paid off.
But he wasn't done yet
Before Noah could even step away from the battlefield, another trainer—a girl in a blue jacket—stepped forward.
"That was a solid fight," she admitted. "Want to go again?
Noah nodded. "Let's do it."
They tapped their Trainer Cards, setting up 200 Pokédollar wager.
She tossed out her Poké Ball, revealing a Lotad.
Noah considered his options.
"Aeris, take a break. Sage, it's your turn."
His Blipbug appeared in a flash of light, blinking up at its opponent.
"Lotad, use Water Gun!" the girl called out
A stream of water shot toward Sage. "Dodge with String Shot!" Noah ordered.
Sage shot out thin strands of sticky silk to his side, using them to pull itself to the side, narrowly dodging the attack.
"Now, Struggle Bug!" A greenish energy burst from Sage's tiny body, hitting Lotad and weakening its special power
The girl grit her teeth. "Lotad, use Absorb". Lotad glowed green, draining Sage's energy slightly
Sage shook off the damage, standing firm. Noah saw his chance. "One more Struggle Bug!"
Sage released another wave of energy, striking Lotad directly. The Water/Grass-type stumbled before collapsing in defeat.
Noah smirked as his Pokédex beeped, confirming his second victory.
The girl sighed but smiled. "Not bad. You've definitely trained them well only if I had time to train lotad"
Noah nodded in appreciation. Two wins in a row.
But one more opponent was already stepping up.
The final opponent was a taller boy in a black cap and sleeveless hoodie. His stance was confident—Noah could tell this battle wouldn't be as easy
"You've been on a roll, huh?" the trainer said. "Let's see how you handle this.
They tapped Trainer Cards, and the battle was set.
The trainer tossed out a Zigzagoon—but this one looked faster than the usual ones Noah had seen.
Noah didn't hesitate. "Aeris, you're up!"His Pidgey took flight, facing down the small but fierce Normal-type.
"Zigzagoon, Sand Attack! Zigzagoon kicked up dirt, trying to obscure Aeris's vision.
Noah reacted instantly. "Aeris, get above it and use Gust!"
Aeris rose into the air, escaping the sand cloud, then flapped her wings hard. The strong wind slammed into Zigzagoon, pushing it back.
"Zigzagoon, Quick Attack!" The small raccoon shot forward, landing a hit on Aeris midair.
Aeris let out a sharp chirp but quickly recovered. Noah narrowed his eyes. "Use Tackle—full force!"
Aeris dove forward at high speed, slamming into Zigzagoon with surprising power.
The opposing Pokémon stumbled back, wobbled—then collapsed. The third win was Noah's.
His Pokédex beeped, transferring his earnings. The taller trainer smirked, nodding. "Not bad at all. You've got good instincts."
Noah nodded in return, a feeling of satisfaction settling over him.
After his victories in the Pokémon battles, Noah was feeling great. The weight of travel, training, and battling all day finally started to settle in as he walked toward the Rustboro Pokémon Center. His Pokémon were healed after the fights, but he could feel exhaustion creeping into his own body.
Stepping inside, he approached the counter. "Do you have a room for the night?"
The nurse smiled. "Yes, we do. Here's your key". He took the keycard and headed upstairs to find his assigned room. It wasn't anything fancy—a simple bed, a desk, and a small window that overlooked the city. But for a traveling trainer, it was more than enough.
Noah released Aeris and Sage inside the room. The Pidgey stretched her wings before hopping onto the windowsill, while Sage blinked up at Noah with his usual calm demeanor.
"Good job today, guys." Noah sat on the bed, removing his bag and setting it down. He reached for the food he had purchased and poured some of the Premium Avian Blend into a small dish for Aeris, while he handed Sage a large leaf from their supplies.
As they ate, Noah lay back on the bed, staring at the ceiling. The day had been a success—he'd earned 1,500 Pokédollars from the battles, his Pokémon had grown stronger, and they were now closer to their first Gym challenge.
With that thought in mind, his eyes drifted shut, and soon, he was asleep.