After the matches ended the day before, Eichi went out to train as usual.
While training, he told Akira that he would go out next to find Pokémon and challenge them.
Akira insisted on coming along, and after Grandpa Ishi and Grandma Ishi agreed, the two of them left early that morning.
Akira told Eichi that a forest lay north of town, a few kilometers past Leaffall Town. The forest held many wild Pokémon.
They left the town and walked for more than ten minutes before reaching the entrance of the forest.
"Eichi, this is the Leaffall Forest I told you about," Akira said excitedly.
"Let's go in."
He stepped forward, and Akira hurried after him.
They first walked on the main path. That road led to the next city, and no wild Pokémon came near it. That was not what Eichi wanted.
He avoided the main road and led Akira into the trees beside it.
From a distance, the forest looked dense. Bird Pokémon could be heard chirping from the branches.
Akira looked around with wide eyes, curious about everything.
Seeing how he was behaving, Eichi finally asked, "Akira, you have never been here?"
Akira answered honestly, "I rarely come into this forest. Grandpa and Grandma worry it is dangerous. I do not have my own Pokémon so I am afraid of being attacked by wild pokémon, so I rarely come."
"I see."
They walked deeper. The sky was clear and the place felt really pleasant.
After another stretch, the grass grew thicker, and the trees grew closer. Some plants stood as tall as an adult.
Eichi suddenly asked, "Akira, does your town ban catching large numbers of Pokémon in forests?"
Akira looked surprised that Eichi would ask. He still answered honestly, "No. We do not have that rule. We encourage Trainers to catch Pokémon here and sell them to the town's Day Care."
Eichi said, "Oh, I see."
In Viridian City, Amelie had told Eichi that the Viridian Forest's ruler had an agreement with humans. People could catch Pokémon there, but mass capture was forbidden.
But Viridian Forest was Kanto's largest forest and had many rare Pokémon.
Many companies and groups wanted those rare Pokémon. That demand spawned poaching gangs.
Poaching gangs were illegal, but other places differed. As the population grew, so did the demand for Pokémon.
Most families wanted one Pokémon at home. Leagues, therefore, encouraged Trainers in some towns to catch many common Pokémon and sell them to Day Cares. The Day Cares then sold them to ordinary people.
Captured Pokémon could only be sold to Day Cares. They could not be sold to other people or groups.
Some illegal groups wanted Pokémon for cruel experiments. That demand created poaching gangs that sold to illegal buyers.
They walked and then came to a Pokémon gathering place. Many Pokémon groups lived there.
Eichi retracted his Bug Force, so no Pokémon were drawn to him.
He and Akira hid in the grass. Wild Pokémon were still wary of humans, except for those with a huge affinity to them.
When Eichi had not yet learned to hide his Bug Force, he could stroll among them freelybut not anymore.
Akira watched excitedly. He whispered, "Eichi, look at so many Pokémon! I have never seen so many. I want to catch one."
Eichi did not say much. He scanned the area: Pidgey, Exeggcute, Diglett, Victreebel, and more. Several were good opponents for Scyther.
He made his choice and released Beedrill and Scyther.
Akira was surprised. "We just go out like this? Aren't we afraid they will attack us?"
Eichi said confidently, "We want them to attack. That will give them training."
Akira: …
When wild Pokémon noticed Eichi, they were cautious because he had hidden his Bug Force.
Some timid Pokémon hid while a few group leaders stepped out and faced Eichi. They stood not far away, wary as they faced Scyther and Beedrill.
At the front was a Golduck. This Golduck was the strongest here. It was the area boss.
Its talent grade was Good, and its rank was Experienced.
Golduck warned them, "Human… what do you want?"
Eichi answered Golduck, "I want to have a battle with you few."
Scyther and Beedrill showed presence and fighting intent.
Eichi added, "I will not hurt the other Pokémon. I only want to fight you."
Golduck felt the power of Scyther and Beedrill. It thought after hearing Eichi.
The air felt tense. Akira hid behind Eichi, a little scared.
After a moment, the combative Golduck finally nodded in agreement.
It had been the strongest in this area for a long time. No local Pokémon had bested it. Other territories lay too far. It had not fought in a while and felt lonely.
"Then let us fight!"
They cleared a space. Beedrill and Golduck faced each other.
Golduck, the Duck Pokémon.
Type: Water.
Ability: Damp.
Hidden Ability: Swift Swim.
Battle began at once. Golduck struck first.
Water Pulse
A fast stream of water shot out, moving with great speed.
Eichi said, "It's pretty fast. Beedrill, dodge."
The water hit Beedrill, but Beedrill did not react. It vanished and reappeared beside Golduck.
"Beedrill, use Focus Energy."
It only took two seconds to complete Focus Energy, the result of long training.
"Venoshock."
Beedrill called up Poison power. It gathered venom in its mouth and spat it at Golduck.
While Beedrill focused, Golduck used its second move.
Water Pulse
Rings of water spun into a column and shot at Beedrill. Beedrill's Venoshock and Golduck's Water Pulse collided.
The wild group watched closely. The air trembled from the impact.
Both attacks scattered leaves and splashed mud. The battle was loud and fast.
Beedrill's venom burned through the spray. Golduck staggered from the hit.
At the same time, Golduck's water column pushed Beedrill back a few steps.
Both stood firm, panting. The leaders of the wild group gave each other a look, impressed.
Eichi called out to Beedrill and Scyther to keep going. He watched their form and corrected small faults.
Akira stayed close, excited and a little afraid. He watched how Eichi coached calmly under pressure.
After a while, the fight ended. Neither side wanted serious harm. They both paused and bowed slightly in their own way.
Golduck accepted the result and stepped back. The group dispersed into the grass.
Eichi gathered his Pokémon, and Akira breathed out slowly, thrilled.
They returned to town before dark. Akira could not stop smiling. He had seen real wild battles and learned something new.
Eichi planned the next training. He thought about how to better develop Beedrill's poison side and Scyther's flying side.
That night they slept well. The next day would bring more training and new plans.