c7: Viridian Forest
The next morning, Austin woke up early, yawning as he sat up in bed. Pikachu was still curled up, and Spearow hung his head, still asleep on his perch by the window. He grabbed the Pokédex from his bag and aimed it at Spearow.
"Spearow, the Tiny Bird Pokémon. Known for its aggressive nature, it often picks fights with any intruder in its territory, unlike the more docile Pidgey."
Austin remembered Professor Oak explaining that back in Pallet Town, but then the Pokédex beeped with more details, flashing new data on the screen.
"This Spearow is male, with the Ability Keen Eye. Currently, it knows Peck, Leer, Focus Energy, and Fury Attack."
Wait—Fury Attack? That was new. Austin hadn't seen that yesterday, back when Spearow was chasing them near Route 1. His mind raced, piecing it together. Spearow had gained a new move like in the games just like in the Pokémon League challenge that Blue always bragged about.
Austin stared at the Pokédex, his heart pounding. Do they gain levels in this world, too? Could it really work like that with moves unlocking by experience and training? That also meant they might be bound by a four-move limit just like in the games—one of the core mechanics Professor Oak had taught about. The thought made his stomach twist.
Shaking it off, Austin decided to focus on getting ready. Viridian Forest was next, and he needed to be prepared. As he stared at his reflection in the cracked bathroom mirror his scratches from the Spearow attack on Route 1 were still there. They stung when he touched them, a sharp reminder of the ambush in the tall grass.
"Well, at least they'll heal," Austin muttered, turning on the faucet. Kids in this world heal fast, right? At least, that's what Red had always said in the Pokémon League manga, bragging about bouncing back after taking a thrashing from the Pewter City Gym Leader.
Then, it hit him like a truck.
I'm ten again.
I'm going through puberty all over again.
The realization punched Austin in the gut, harder than any Onix tackle. Before he knew it, he was screaming in frustration.
From the other room, he heard Pikachu and Spearow stirring, probably wondering what in the world was going on. Professor Oak's lectures on emotional regulation for new trainers seemed like a cruel joke now.
...
Pikachu was trailing behind Austin, still looking a bit dazed from yesterday's skirmish with the wild Caterpie near the forest entrance. Austin had everything he needed for the journey Potions, Antidotes (thank Arceus for the Viridian Poké Mart), and his spare Poké Balls while Spearow rested in its ball.
He almost didn't see Misty at first, but there she was, scowling like she'd just lost a Gym Badge. Her bright orange hair was pulled into a tight side ponytail, but it was clear she'd had a rough morning.
"Something wrong?" Austin asked, genuinely curious as Misty's head whipped around to glare at him.
"I just found out how those Team Rocket goons got away so easily yesterday," she snapped, practically vibrating with anger. "They stole my bike!"
Austin blinked in surprise. That… was not what he'd expected. He pictured that Meowth like the one that had tried to mug him near Pewter teetering on a tiny bike with Jessie and James all squeezed on, wobbling down the dirt path like a circus clown act.
> "Uh, I'm sure Officer Jenny will get it back," Austin said, trying not to laugh, even though his lips were twitching. Jenny's K9 Growlithe would be on the case, just like in the manga's Pewter arc.
Misty crossed her arms, her frustration practically radiating off her. "I know, but I was planning on riding straight through Viridian Forest," she grumbled, clearly dreading the idea of walking. Right—her bug phobia, like the time she freaked out over a Weedle nest back in the Pewter Forest chapter. Austin almost forgot.
"Well, I hope you get it back soon," Austin said, giving her a sympathetic nod. As much as he felt bad for her, there was no way he was going to ask her to tag along. Not through the bug-infested hellhole that Red once described with a face full of Beedrill stings. That would be like dragging a Meowth through a dog show.
As they turned to leave, something caught Austin's eye—a flash of purple darting across the forest path. He squinted to see a Rattata, its fur sleek and shiny, sniffing around like it was searching for food. He remembered Blue's warning about the quick-footed pests that could pickpocket an entire Poké Mart blind.
"A Rattata?" Austin muttered to himself, glancing at Pikachu. "You up for this one?"
Pikachu gave him a determined nod, sparks already crackling in his cheeks. The Rattata's eyes locked onto Pikachu, its body tensing for a burst of speed. Austin recognized the posture from Blue's demonstration at Oak's Lab—Quick Attack.
"Thundershock!" Austin called, his voice steadier than he felt. Pikachu fired off a jolt of electricity, but the Rattata blurred into motion, zigzagging with incredible speed. That was definitely Quick Attack, Austin thought, feeling a surge of excitement. Like the time Blue's Rattata blindsided a Pidgey in Chapter 2—fast, precise, dangerous.
Before Austin could process it, the Rattata slammed into Pikachu, sending him rolling backward. His stomach twisted in worry, but Pikachu was already back on his feet, his fur bristling with static like the time Red's Pikachu faced off against Brock's Onix back in Pewter Gym—angry, determined, and ready for a fight.
"Growl!" Austin ordered, recalling how Red's Pikachu used Growl to weaken Blue's Eevee in the manga's Pallet Town training battle. Pikachu let out a low, menacing sound, and for a second, Austin saw the Rattata flinch, its quick movements stuttering just a bit. So that's how those status moves work—lowering their guard.
The Rattata lunged again, fangs bared, but this time Pikachu held his ground. > "Grab it and use Thundershock!" Austin shouted, his heart hammering like when Red faced Lt. Surge's Raichu. Pikachu caught the Rattata mid-attack, his cheeks sparking with fierce determination before a jolt of electricity cracked through the air, exactly like the time Pikachu shocked Koga's Arbok in the Vermilion Gym arc.
Austin didn't waste a second. With shaky hands, he pulled out a Poké Ball—the same brand he'd picked up from the Viridian Poké Mart after leaving Pallet and tossed it. The Rattata vanished inside in a burst of red light, the ball trembling once, twice... then clicked. Caught. Just like Red's first Pokémon in the forest outside Pallet Town.
"Alright! We got a Rattata!" Austin exclaimed, nearly laughing. He'd actually done it—captured a Pokémon on his own without help from Professor Oak or a League Official.
"Pika-Pi!" Pikachu cheered, his tail flicking with excitement like when he helped Red catch his first Bulbasaur in Viridian Forest.
Austin grinned and pulled out his Pokédex, the screen lighting up as he scanned the newly caught Rattata. She emerged from the Poké Ball, eyes blazing with defiance that reminded him of the Spearow that ambushed them on Route 1.
"Rattata, the Mouse Pokémon. Bites anything when it attacks. Small and very quick, it is a common sight in many places," the Pokédex droned. > "This Rattata is Female and has the Ability Guts. Currently, this Rattata knows Tackle, Tail Whip, Quick Attack, and Focus Energy. The Age of this Rattata is One Year and Eight Months."
Austin blinked. Rattata was a girl? He scratched his head awkwardly as she continued to glare at him, her tiny nose twitching like a Spearow sizing up its next victim.
"Uh, nice to meet you," Austin said, voice uncertain. She turned away, tail flicking dismissively, just like Blue's Rattata after losing to Red's Bulbasaur in the early manga chapters. Man, he really attracted the stubborn ones Spearow, Pikachu, now this Rattata.
With a sigh, Austin recalled Rattata and headed down the path, a mix of triumph and nerves bubbling in his chest. > "Nice job out there," he said to Pikachu, hoping his voice didn't betray how shaken he still felt.
"Pika," Pikachu responded, eyes glowing with pride, like when he celebrated after defeating Koga's Muk back in the manga's Viridian encounter.
They hadn't gone far when Austin froze in his tracks. Right there, blocking their path, was a green caterpillar Pokémon with a bright yellow underbelly Caterpie. His mind flashed to Red's Butterfree in the manga—the same Butterfree that saved him from Sabrina's Kadabra in Saffron Gym. Butterfree had always been one of Austin's favorites.
Without hesitating, Austin grabbed an empty Poké Ball, heart racing, and tossed it. Caterpie didn't even resist—just like the time Red's Caterpie practically jumped into the Poké Ball during his first forest capture.
Another catch, just like that. Austin could hardly believe it. Four Pokémon already Spearow, Pikachu, Rattata, and now Caterpie.
"Four Pokémon, Pikachu," Austin said, shaking his head in disbelief as a grin spread across his face. > "We're off to a great start."
Pikachu nodded back, tail swishing. Austin flipped open the Pokédex and scanned Caterpie, the screen humming softly.
"Caterpie, the Worm Pokémon. Its short feet are tipped with suction pads that enable it to tirelessly climb slopes and walls," the Pokédex reported. > "This Caterpie is Male and has the Ability Shield Dust. Currently, this Caterpie knows Tackle, String Shot, and Bug Bite. The Age of this Caterpie is Two Weeks."