Light. Real sunlight.
After hours inside Diglett Cave, it almost hurt my eyes. I stepped out first, raising a hand to block the glare. Behind me, Bulbasaur followed, blinking rapidly.
"Bulba…"
I laughed softly. "Yeah. We made it."
The air outside felt different from the cave—fresh, open, alive. No echoing tunnels. No hidden Diglett waiting underground.
Ahead of us, beyond a stretch of rocky terrain and worn paths, stood Pewter City.
Bulbasaur stepped beside me, bulb swaying slowly as it stared at the city.
I looked at Bulbasaur through all the battles in Diglett Cave Bulbasaur level rose by 2 levels and learned the move Razor Leaf.
[Bulbasaur Lv. 10]
Ability: Chlorophyll
Moves: Tackle, Growl, Vine Whip, Leech Seed, Razor Leaf.
Egg Moves: Safeguard.
I look at the status of Bulbasaur and saw that Bulbasaur wasn't yet ready to fight the Gym because, if the levels are like the games Brock will have an average Pokémon level of 14 that's 4 levels higher than my Bulbasaur and he'll use two Pokémon.
I was think of what to do but, I then remembered that Professor Cerise wanted me to investigate the reports of strong bug type Pokémon living in Virdian Forrest.
I then decided and said "Bulbasaur let's go investigate the reports of strong bug type Pokémon in Virdian Forrest first.
Bulbasaur looked confused it thought that they will go battle the Gym first but, it didn't care it simply nods.
As I was walk through the Virdian Forrest with Bulbasaur at my side I was looking for an sign of the strong bug type but, all I saw was Caterpie, Metapod and Weedle.
I look at Bulbasaur and said "let's go deeper into the forest."
It nods and says "Bulba"
As we walk in deeper and deeper into the marvelous Forest I saw how less and less of the Pokémon like Caterpie, Metapod and Weedle appeared
I soon walked into a open area in the forest a saw a Scyther. I took out my Pokédex and scanned it.
[Scyther Lv 12]
Ability: Technician
Moves: Quick Attack, Leer, Focus Energy, Vacuum Wave, Wing Attack, Fury Cutter.
Egg Moves: Steel Wing, Counter.
I look at Bulbasaur and says "I think we found the strong pokemon."
He nodded.
Professor Cerise said I only have to take photos of the Pokémon and the area that it living in but, I like how strong this Scyther is.
The forest felt tighter this time. No hesitation. No testing.
Scyther dropped into the clearing the moment we stepped back in.
Its wings roared. This wasn't a warning anymore.
It was a challenge. I swallowed.
"Okay… this is going to hurt."
Bulbasaur stepped forward anyway. "Bulba."
"Leech Seed!"
Scyther vanished.
The seed hit nothing.
A blur flashed behind us—
"Quick Attack!"
Scyther slammed into Bulbasaur before it could turn, sending it tumbling across the dirt.
"Bulbasaur!"
It pushed up instantly, teeth clenched. Scyther didn't give it space.
"Fury Cutter!"
A green arc slashed forward—
"Vine Whip, block!"
The blade carved straight through one vine and struck Bulbasaur's shoulder. It cried out and skidded back.
That was strong.
Too strong.
"Razor Leaf!"
Leaves fired.
Scyther crossed its scythes and pushed through them, taking hits but not stopping.
Technician boosted weaker moves.
And Fury Cutter would only get stronger each time it landed.
If it stacked twice more—
We'd lose.
Think.
Speed vs sustain.
"Leech Seed again!"
Scyther lunged—
The seed struck mid-charge. Vines wrapped around its torso.
Scyther snarled and slashed wildly, cutting some but not all.
Good.
Drain started.
Scyther attacked anyway.
"Wing Attack!"
It slammed into Bulbasaur from above, driving it into the ground.
The earth cracked.
Bulbasaur gasped.
Its HP had to be low.
Very low.
"Bulbasaur, get up!"
For a second… it didn't move.
Then its bulb glowed faint green.
Chlorophyll didn't help here in the forest shade.
But its will did.
It forced itself up.
"Bulba…"
Scyther charged again, Fury Cutter glowing brighter than before.
One more clean hit and—
Bulbasaur done for.
"Razor Leaf"
Scyther ignored the attack and rushed forward but, the attack was too strong and sent Scyther flying into a tree.
"Pokeball Go" I shouted.
It hit Scyther with the pokeball and a red light absorbed it into the pokeball.
I looked at the pokeball.
One shake..
Two shake...
Three shake...
I look desperately at the pokeball.
The stars burst around the Poké Ball.
Click.
Silence swallowed the clearing.
For a full second I couldn't breathe.
"…We caught it."
Bulbasaur swayed beside me, barely standing.
"Bulba…"
I rushed forward, dropping to my knees. The Poké Ball lay still in the grass, warm in my palm.
[Scyther Lv. 12 Registered]
I let out a shaky laugh. "You actually did it… that Razor Leaf…"
Scyther had tried to power through. But Razor Leaf hit clean.
Critical timing. Perfect damage range.
I quickly returned Bulbasaur to its Poké Ball. "Rest. You earned it."
I looked around the clearing more carefully this time.
Cleanly sliced tree trunks. Fallen bark cut in sharp angles. Wing marks along the soil.
This wasn't random territory.
This was a training ground.
I pulled out my camera.
"Professor Cerise wanted research," I muttered. I snapped photos of the area.
Then.
I stared at the Poké Ball in my hand.
Scyther wasn't like Bulbasaur. It wasn't gentle. It wasn't patient.
It was prideful.
I took a slow breath.
"…Okay."
"Scyther, come out."
The ball burst open in a flash of red light.
Scyther materialized in front of me, landing lightly on its feet. Its wings buzzed once—sharp, tense. It didn't kneel. It didn't relax.
It stared at me.
Then it turned its head slightly, as if already deciding to walk away.
"Hey," I said quickly.
Its wings vibrated louder.
"Wait."
"You don't want a trainer."
"You want strength."
I stepped forward carefully. "You built this clearing to train. You fought anything that came close. You sharpened yourself against trees and challengers."
Scyther's gaze locked onto mine again.
"You're strong right now. Level twelve. Fast. Precise. Technician makes your Fury Cutter hit harder every time."
Its wings buzzed faintly at that.
"But this forest?" I gestured around us. "It's small."
"You've probably fought Caterpie. Metapod. Weedle." I paused. "Maybe even a Pidgey or two."
"Is that enough for you?"
The wind moved through the clearing.
"You powered through Razor Leaf instead of dodging. That wasn't a mistake. You wanted to win head-on."
Scyther didn't deny it.
"But imagine this—" I took a breath. "Real battles. Gym Leaders. Trainers who specialize in Rock-types, Electric-types, even Fire-types."
"You could learn to counter them. Refine your speed. Master your blades. I can train you beyond this forest."
"I won't cage you here. I won't make you weaker. I'll push you."
I met its gaze steadily.
"You want to evolve one day, don't you?"
That did it.
"You can grow stronger than you are now. Faster. Sharper. More controlled."
I held out my hand—not the Poké Ball.
Just my hand.
"I can help you reach that level. But I won't force you."
It stepped forward.
One scythe lowered—not in surrender.
In agreement.
"Let's become stronger together."
"Scy...Scyther."
It nodded and I returned it too the pokeball.
Then started to walk back to Pewter City to challenge the Gym.