Wow! So this is Petalburg Woods? It is so pretty! May could not help but exclaim as she looked around excitedly.
Max immediately pulled out the binoculars he carried with him and scanned the area, trying to spot any Pokémon. But after watching for a long time, aside from the dense trees and a few ordinary birds flying by now and then, he did not see a single Pokémon. He lowered the binoculars, disappointment written all over his face.
This is weird. I cannot see any Pokémon at all. I thought Petalburg Woods would be full of them.
Ethan smiled helplessly and explained, We are on a man made trail. It is here so travelers can pass through more easily, and the Pokémon around here have mostly been startled away, so they rarely show up. Only deeper in the forest, where people do not usually go, will you find a lot of Pokémon living there.
So that is how it is. Max finally understood, looking a little less disappointed. Then should we go deeper inside? Maybe we will run into some rare Pokémon.
No way! May refused immediately. She walked over to a big tree, then sat down the moment she reached it, rubbing her sore legs. We have been walking forever. I am already tired. Compared to hunting for Pokémon, what I care about right now is lunch. Ethan, can we eat first? After lunch we can keep going.
As if to back her up, May's stomach let out a loud growl. She stuck her tongue out awkwardly and looked at Ethan with pitiful eyes.
Ethan glanced at the sky. It was almost noon, so it really was time to eat. He nodded. Okay. Let us rest here and have lunch first. It is also a good chance to let the Pokémon stretch a bit and recover.
Great! May bounced up happily.
Come on out, Pikachu, Eevee! Ethan tossed two Poké Balls. With two flashes of red light, Pikachu and Eevee landed on the picnic cloth. Pikachu immediately hopped onto Ethan's shoulder, rubbing its cheeks against his face while chirping happily. Eevee walked up to the food with its usual elegant air, sniffed it, and started eating in small bites, its amber eyes full of satisfaction.
May and Max watched Pikachu and Eevee with obvious envy. May also took out her Poké Ball and released her starter.
Come out, Torchic!
A red light flashed, and a small, adorable Torchic appeared. It had orange feathers and a tuft of yellow fluff on its head. When it saw May, it chirped brightly.
Ethan pushed a portion of Pokémon food in front of Torchic. May, give Torchic some too. I mixed in Pokéblocks. It will help it grow.
Thank you, Ethan! May said gratefully, then patted Torchic's head. Torchic, eat up.
Torchic chirped and started eating enthusiastically.
Ethan opened his own bento, about to dig in, when he noticed May and Max were not moving. Instead, both of them were staring straight at his bento, swallowing hard. Ethan blinked.
What are you two doing? Why are you not eating your own lunch?
Max scratched his head, embarrassed. Um… I thought my sister would have lunch prepared, so I did not bring any.
May lowered her head too, guilt on her face. She looked at Ethan with a pitiful expression and spoke in a tiny voice. I… I did not think we would be eating lunch outside, and when we hurried out, I forgot to prepare it.
Sigh. Ethan let out a helpless breath. He pulled two more bentos from his backpack and handed them over. These are the last two. You can have them. But we need to eat fast and get moving. If we cannot find a Pokémon Center before it gets dark, we are going hungry tonight.
He was not actually worried. If things followed the original story, Brock would join them soon, and with Brock's cooking, dinner would be the least of their problems. Ethan said it mainly to make May and Max more careful next time.
Ah! Thanks, Ethan. You are the best! May and Max said excitedly. They opened the bentos right away and started eating like they had not eaten in days. After all that walking, they were starving.
Ethan watched them and could not help smiling, then started eating too.
Eevee and Pikachu made content noises nearby.
Just then, a commotion came from the Pokémon side, followed by a loud bang. Ethan, May, and Max immediately set their bentos down and turned their heads.
A blue, swallow like Pokémon had landed beside Eevee's food. It was lowering its head and aggressively snatching the Normal type Pokéblocks from Eevee's meal.
That is… May quickly took out the Pokédex and aimed it at the bird Pokémon. The device beeped and displayed information.
Taillow, the TinySwallow Pokémon. A Normal and Flying type. It is extremely proud and will challenge even stronger opponents without backing down. It often moves in groups and can be seen flying in flocks.
So it is a Taillow! Max said, instantly excited. I know this one. It is a very common Pokémon in Hoenn. It is stubborn and tough, totally fearless.
Interest flickered in Ethan's eyes. He called to the system in his mind. System, scan Taillow and show me its detailed data.
Ding. Scanning… Scan complete.
A pale blue virtual panel appeared in front of Ethan.
Name: Taillow
Type: Normal/Flying
Ability: Guts (If afflicted by a non fainting status condition, Attack increases by 50%, and burn will not reduce its Attack.)
Strength: Early Elite
Moves: Quick Attack, Wing Attack, Double Team, Endure, Supersonic
Tera Type: Flying
Held Item: None
Early Elite strength, and Guts is a great ability. Ethan nodded inwardly. It is still weaker than Eevee by a small step, but its personality is stubborn, and it has real training value. Flying types are also very useful on the road. This would fill a gap in my team.
By now, Taillow had finished snatching the Normal type Pokéblocks from Eevee's food. It lifted its head and let out a sharp cry at Eevee and Pikachu, full of provocation.
Eevee's ears flattened. It was about to pounce.
Eevee, wait. Ethan stopped it immediately. He took out a few Flying type Pokéblocks and held them out in his palm, speaking to Taillow. Taillow, how about a capture battle with me? If you lose, these Flying type Pokéblocks are yours, and I will give you even tastier Pokémon food too.
Taillow stared at him, then flapped its wings and gave a short, stubborn cry, as if accepting the challenge.
Good. Ethan nodded, satisfied, then looked at Eevee. Go, Eevee. Let us catch it. Do not hurt it too badly. We want a partner, not an enemy.
Eevee cried excitedly and dashed forward, taking a battle stance. It had wanted to teach this food thief a lesson for a while now.
Taillow did not hesitate either. It beat its wings and shot into the air. White light gathered around its wings as it dove at Eevee like an arrow, using Wing Attack.
Ethan stayed calm. Eevee, use Agility and dodge.
Eevee blurred into a white afterimage and slipped aside at incredible speed. Taillow's Wing Attack smashed into the ground where Eevee had been standing, kicking up stones and leaving a small crater.
Now. Eevee, use Swift!
Eevee snapped its tail, and countless star shaped energy bolts burst outward like a meteor shower, streaking toward Taillow. Swift was a move that was very hard to avoid.
Taillow cried out and twisted through the air, trying to evade. It dodged most of the stars, but a few still clipped its wing. It let out a pained cry, its wing trembling as its flight slowed noticeably.
Even so, it did not retreat. Stubborn fire flashed in its eyes. With another sharp flap, it turned into a blue streak and lunged at Eevee with Quick Attack.
Eevee, keep dodging with Agility.
Eevee slipped away again, and Ethan seized the opening. Another Swift hit Taillow.
The fight continued. Eevee relied on Agility to evade Taillow's attacks over and over, while using Swift to steadily grind down Taillow's stamina. Taillow's offense was fierce and its moves were sharp, but it could not land a clean hit. Meanwhile, it kept getting tagged, and its stamina dropped lower and lower.
After several exchanges, Taillow's breathing became ragged. Its wingbeats slowed. It landed on a branch, panting hard, but its gaze remained unwavering, refusing to back down.
Good. Eevee, now. Ethan's eyes sharpened. Let us finish this.
He raised his wrist, activating the Z Ring. The Z Crystal embedded in it blazed with dazzling light, and powerful energy surged out, linking to Eevee.
Finish it? Max looked confused. Even if Taillow is tired, Eevee is only a bit stronger. How can it be taken down in one hit?
May nodded too, worry on her face. Yeah, Ethan. Eevee is strong, but a one hit finish seems difficult. If Taillow goes all out, Eevee might get hurt.
Ethan did not explain. He only nodded at Eevee.
Trainer and Pokémon moved in perfect sync, completing the Z Move sequence. As the final motion landed, Eevee's aura exploded, its entire body shining white.
Go, Eevee. Ultimate Invincible Tackle!
Eevee cried out as it became a massive white streak, a blazing arrow of energy charging toward Taillow on the branch with overwhelming force. Even an Elite mid level Pokémon would have trouble with this kind of impact.
Taillow's eyes showed a flash of fear, but it still did not flee. It flapped its wings, trying for one last counterattack, only to find its body no longer responding. Its stamina was completely spent.
The white streak slammed into Taillow. Energy erupted into a violent burst, forming a swirling shockwave. Taillow shrieked and was thrown back like a snapped kite string, crashing to the ground.
Now. Poké Ball, go!
Ethan snapped his arm forward. The Poké Ball arced cleanly and struck Taillow. A red flash swallowed it, and the ball dropped to the ground, rocking side to side.
Please… stay in. Ethan clenched his fist tightly. May and Max held their breath, eyes fixed on the ball.
But just as the ball was about to stop, it suddenly popped open with a bang. Taillow burst out and landed on a rock nearby, panting hard. It was clearly exhausted, yet the stubborn light in its eyes had not gone out.
What a tough one. Ethan's admiration grew. I like Pokémon with that kind of stubborn pride. Eevee, one more Swift. Finish it.
Eevee whipped its tail again. The star bolts flew out. The power was not as high as before, but for a Taillow at its limit, it was the final straw.
The stars struck cleanly. Taillow let out a weak cry, swayed, and finally collapsed on the rock, completely unable to battle.
Ethan threw another Poké Ball.
This time, the ball hit, pulled Taillow in, and landed. It shook once, twice, three times.
Click.
The red light turned green.
Success! I caught Taillow! Ethan cheered, pumping his fist.
Eevee chirped happily and trotted over, nudging the Poké Ball toward Ethan with its nose.
Ethan picked it up and gently stroked the surface, smiling brightly. Taillow, from now on, we are partners. Let us get stronger together.
Pikachu hopped onto Ethan's shoulder and chirped at the ball as if welcoming the new teammate.
Ethan felt relieved. Thankfully, Taillow did not already have a Trainer. With its stubborn personality, even if it lost, it might not have accepted being caught. And if a Trainer had been commanding it, Eevee would have paid a much higher price to win.
I am so jealous! May stared at the Poké Ball in Ethan's hand, eyes full of envy. I want to catch a new Pokémon too. I am going to catch my second Pokémon as soon as possible.
Max nodded hard, his eyes burning with desire. I want a Pokémon too. When I meet one I really like, I will catch it and become a strong Trainer.
Ethan laughed at their expressions. Keep going and you will. Now hurry up and finish lunch, then we move. We need to reach a Pokémon Center before nightfall.
Okay! May and Max nodded immediately, grabbed their bentos, and ate quickly.
Ethan put Taillow's Poké Ball into his backpack and finished eating as well.
After lunch, Ethan packed up the picnic cloth, returned the Pokémon to their Poké Balls, and led May and Max onward toward Rustboro City.
(End of Chapter)
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