May, with her Poké Ball held tight, stepped through the archway. MJ followed close behind, a comforting presence. The change was immediate. The scent of pine and damp earth filled May's nose, replacing the city's exhaust. Distant chirps and rustles tickled her ears. It was a symphony of nature, so different from the constant hum of New York.
Her eyes widened, drinking in the vibrant greens of towering trees and the kaleidoscope of wildflowers. Sunlight dappled through the leaves, creating shifting patterns on the forest floor. It feels like stepping into a picture book, May thought, her heart doing a happy little flutter.
She pulled gently on MJ's hand, eager to explore.
"Mom, look!" she whispered, pointing to a patch of glowing moss on a fallen log. "It's so pretty!"
MJ smiled, squeezing her daughter's hand.
"It certainly is, sweetie," she said. "Just remember what the Ranger said. Be respectful."
May nodded, her gaze already sweeping through the undergrowth. Every rustle of leaves, every flash of color, held the promise of a new friend. She spotted a Pidgey taking flight, its wings beating softly against the clean air. Maybe that one? No, too fast. She wanted a Pokémon that felt right. A partner.
A flash of vibrant green and red caught May's eye. It was a Caterpie, munching contentedly on a broad leaf. Its tiny, segmented body swayed gently.
"Caterpie!" May exclaimed, her voice high with excitement. She took off running, completely forgetting MJ's earlier warning.
The Caterpie, hearing the sudden noise, froze. Its large, innocent eyes darted towards the charging human. Before May could get close, it zipped away, disappearing into the dense foliage with surprising speed.
May skidded to a halt, a pout forming on her lips. "Aw, it ran away!" she grumbled.
Further down the path, a curious Sentret poked its head out from behind a tree. Its striped tail twitched, and its eyes, large and dark, watched them with interest. May, having learned nothing from her previous attempt, gasped.
"Another one!" she whispered loudly, then tried to creep forward quickly.
The Sentret, startled by the sudden, awkward movement, gave a small squeak. It scampered away on its short legs, vanishing before May was even halfway there.
May stomped her foot, frustrated. "Why do they keep running?" she asked, turning to MJ.
A fluffy, brown-and-cream Zigzagoon, with its distinctive zigzag pattern, bounded into view, chasing a butterfly. It was playful and energetic, its small nose twitching as it tracked its prey. May's eyes lit up again.
"Look, Mom! That one's playing!" she cried, starting to sprint towards it.
The Zigzagoon, sensing the approaching human, stopped its chase. It glanced at May, then zipped off with incredible speed, disappearing into a thicket of bushes.
May threw her hands up in exasperation. "This is harder than it looks!"
MJ walked over, putting a gentle hand on May's shoulder. "Remember what we talked about, sweetie?" she said softly. "Patience is key here. Pokémon need to feel safe. They're not like your plushies."
May nodded slowly, her shoulders slumping a little. Her initial impulsiveness faded, replaced by a touch of disappointment.
"I know," she mumbled, looking down at her shoes. "I just want a friend."
MJ knelt, meeting May's gaze. "And you will find one," she assured her. "But you have to let them come to you, too. Watch them. Learn about them. Let them see that you're kind."
Taking MJ's advice to heart, May slowed her pace. She found a comfortable spot on a mossy log and sat quietly, observing the varied behaviors of the Pokémon from a distance. She watched, really watched, for the first time since entering the preserve.
A group of Oddish, small blue plant Pokémon, waddled towards a patch of ripe berries. They moved with a slow, deliberate rhythm, their leaves swaying gently. A Pidgey, high above, carefully inspected a branch before perching, its feathers ruffling slightly in the breeze.
May noticed the subtle things: the way a Wurmple munched on a leaf, the slow, rhythmic beat of a Venonat's wings as it hovered near a flower. The forest was alive, and she was finally seeing it.
Her eyes scanned the canopy, catching a tiny movement. There, clinging to a high, secluded branch, was a Joltik. It was a tiny, fuzzy yellow creature, no bigger than her thumb, with bright blue eyes that seemed to take in everything. It looked hesitant, almost lost, among the larger, more confident Pokémon.
May, with her new observational skills, pulled out a few berries from her small pouch. They were bright red and smelled sweet. She placed them carefully on a flat rock near where the Oddish were waddling. They look yummy, she thought. Hope the Oddish thinks so too.
She retreated a few steps, settling back onto the mossy log. Her heart beat a little faster. She watched the Oddish, waiting. One of the small blue creatures, a bit bolder than the others, slowly approached the rock. Its leaves quivered slightly.
It sniffed at the berries, its tiny nose twitching. May held her breath. The Oddish then gently nudged one, took it into its mouth, and waddled quickly back to its group. May let out a small, quiet gasp.
It worked! A warm feeling spread through her chest. It was a tiny victory, but it felt big. Maybe this whole Pokémon thing was not so hard after all. She just needed to be patient.
May's gaze drifted back to the tiny Joltik. It still clung to the high branch, a little yellow speck against the green leaves. It seemed to want to get to a cluster of juicy, red berries on a lower, smoother branch. The berries looked so plump and sweet.
The Joltik tried to move. It extended a fuzzy leg, trying to get a grip, but its little body vibrated with a faint, visible static charge.
zzzt
It slipped, just a tiny bit. A small, almost inaudible chirp of frustration escaped it. It tried again, more carefully this time, but the smooth surface of the branch seemed to repel its tiny, adhesive pads. It slipped again, clinging on by a thread.
Poor thing, May thought, a wave of empathy washing over her. It's not just shy, it's really struggling.
She remembered her Pokédex. That will help! May quickly pulled it out of her backpack. The red device felt warm in her hand.
She aimed it at the tiny, fuzzy Pokémon. A soft, blue light pulsed from the scanner.
[Joltik, the Attaching Pokémon. A Bug and Electric-type. Joltik attaches itself to larger Pokémon or electrical sources and absorbs static electricity. Its body is covered in fine hairs that generate a static charge, helping it cling to surfaces and absorb energy.]
May's eyes widened. Static charge. That's why it keeps slipping! The smooth branch, combined with its own power, was working against it. It was like trying to walk on ice while wearing roller skates. The Joltik chirped again, a small, worried sound. It looked genuinely scared now, its big blue eyes darting between the tempting berries and the slippery branch.
May glanced at MJ, then back at the Joltik. She knew what she had to do. This wasn't about catching a Pokémon anymore. This was about helping a creature in trouble. She rummaged through her backpack, pulling out a small, soft, blue handkerchief. It was one MJ had given her for scrapes and sniffles.
She walked carefully towards the base of the tree, making sure her movements were slow and predictable. The Joltik, high above, watched her with those big, nervous eyes. May gently placed the handkerchief on the ground, right where the Joltik would land if it could make it down. It was a soft, inviting target.
She backed away, giving it space, then turned to MJ.
"Mom," May whispered, her voice filled with a quiet determination. "I'm not trying to catch it. I'm just trying to help it get to those berries."
***
Give power stones to support this book.
Advance chapters in P@T0n Najicablitz.