The sun was shining as Eichi continued his journey down the road.
After that day's Gym challenge… No, it couldn't really be called a challenge.
He hadn't battled at all, only watched from below, and still received a Cascade Badge.
Since it was given to him for free, there was no reason to refuse it. It didn't bother him either, because he had the strength to earn it himself anyway.
Even if they hadn't given it to him, he could've won it.
After handing out the badge, the Cerulean Sisters had everyone leave.
Once outside, Eichi spent another day in Cerulean City.
Unfortunately, he didn't get to see Misty. She should be around Ash's age, so about 6 at the moment.
He didn't know where she was now, but it didn't really matter. That didn't affect his mood at all.
He continued on his way, wondering if he could reach the next city within a few days.
***
The trees along the road were getting thinner. Soon, he emerged from the forest, and the landscape opened up ahead.
In front of him stretched a wide plain with no trees, only grass and fields divided into neat plots.
They looked just like the terraced fields from his previous life.
Across the flat farmland, many people were having Pokémon battles.
Everywhere he looked, there were trainers battling.
Beedrill, Butterfree, Poliwag, Sandshrew… all kinds of Pokémon were fighting.
Not far away, two trainers were battling, one with a Bellsprout, the other with a Machop.
Eichi stopped walking and watched with interest.
The battle was at its climax.
Machop struck first, using Karate Chop.
Seeing that, Bellsprout's trainer quickly commanded, "Use Stun Spore!"
But before Bellsprout could react, Machop's Karate Chop landed.
The heavy strike hit Bellsprout squarely, knocking it out in one blow.
Machop won the match.
"Well done, Machop!" the boy called out.
Eichi smiled. He had already used the Eye of the Bug Emperor to check them earlier.
Machop's talent was Good, and its level was Rookie.
Bellsprout's talent was Ordinary, and it was also Rookie level.
Machop was superior in both talent and power level.
Though those weren't absolute factors, they often decided the outcome of a battle.
So Bellsprout's loss wasn't surprising at all.
"Are you a Pokémon Trainer too?"
A voice spoke beside him. Eichi turned and saw a boy wearing a red tracksuit.
He looked about the same age as Eichi, but his features weren't like those of someone from the Kanto region.
He had bright blue eyes and a lively, spirited expression that stood out.
"I am," Eichi answered.
The boy's face lit up. "I'm Brighton, from the Unova region. Would you have a battle with me?"
Eichi thought, No wonder he looks foreign. The Unova region was modeled after New York in his previous world.
A battle, huh? Perfect timing. His Scyther had just advanced, and it could use some training.
"Sure," Eichi said after thinking for a moment. "Let's battle right here."
Brighton grinned. "Really? Thank you so much!"
"Come out, Servine!"
"Go, Scyther!"
Servine, the Grass Snake Pokémon.
Type: Grass
Abilities: Overgrow
Hidden Ability: Contrary
Description: Like its earlier form, Servine's body was mostly green and cream-colored. A yellow collar-like marking circled its neck. Two leaf-shaped structures grew from its back. Its short limbs were small but strong. Its face usually showed a proud, smug look. Servine's speed was astonishing. When it ran, it almost looked like it was gliding over the ground, using its speed to confuse its foes.
Eichi activated the Eye of the Bug Emperor. His pupils shrank slightly, surprised.
This Brighton must be from a wealthy family.
Why? Because this Servine's talent level was Outstanding.
Its level was the same as Scyther's, Experienced.
Interesting. This was the first time he'd met an opponent with a higher talent grade than his Scyther at the same level.
"Scyther, use Focus Energy."
"Servine, use Vine Whip."
Two dark green vines shot from Servine's back, lashing toward Scyther.
The vines were fast, but Scyther's Focus Energy was faster.
After focusing, its movements quickened noticeably.
It dodged swiftly as the vines struck again and again, never landing a hit.
If Scyther hadn't recently advanced, it might not have been able to avoid them.
Seeing his attacks miss, Brighton's expression didn't change.
"Scyther, use Quick Attack."
Servine retracted its vines, and Scyther lunged forward.
"Use Vacuum Wave!"
With a slash of its blades, ripples of compressed air shot forward toward Servine.
"Servine, use Double Team!"
Three copies of Servine appeared, and Scyther's Vacuum Wave hit only an illusion.
Servine smirked smugly.
Scyther frowned. Was it mocking it?
Anger flared in its eyes. It unleashed another Vacuum Wave, stronger than before.
"Servine, use Protect!"
A green barrier shimmered in front of Servine, blocking the attack completely.
"Servine, use Leaf Blade!"
Seizing the opening, Brighton commanded the counterattack.
Two glowing green blades formed behind Servine as it slashed at Scyther.
Caught off guard, Scyther took the hit directly and was thrown back several meters.
Scratches marked its body now.
Eichi sighed inwardly. That Servine knew a lot of moves. This was tricky. But that made it more exciting, didn't it?
"Scyther, use Agility."
Scyther's eyes sharpened. Its body blurred and vanished in a flash.
"Now, Wing Attack!"
Servine squinted, trying to locate its opponent.
Brighton tensed.
In a blink, Scyther appeared to Servine's right. Its glowing wings struck Servine hard, sending it flying.
That evened the score.
Servine struggled up, and Brighton said calmly, "Not that easy."
"Servine, use Leech Seed!"
Suddenly, vines sprouted from Scyther's body, digging into it and draining its strength.