– Chapter 7 –
First Catch
Twilight burned the horizon with glowing orange as Roy again made his way down the path leading out of the city. He’d hoped to have made some progress toward Viridian Forest but got held up in the day’s events. Not that he complained. He’d saved a Shiny Pokémon from being poached and wouldn’t change that for the world. It would make a good story.
If anyone believed it.
His father would’ve.
Liren had left his Scyther behind when he fled from the Ponyta, a bleeding, crippled mess. Though it had tried to kill his Squirtle (and had probably killed many other Pokémon) it had only done so under Liren’s orders and training, and Roy couldn’t find it in himself to leave it there. There was an old saying that there were no bad Pokémon; only bad Trainers. Roy wasn’t sure if he believed that or not. Nevertheless, he’d carried the giant mantis over his shoulders all the way to the Pokémon Center, being careful not to cut himself with the Scyther’s arms.
After healing Squirtle and Scyther, the nurse had promised to send the Scyther to Professor Oak’s research lab, along with the abridged story Roy had given of what happened. He knew the professor would take good care of it.
Roy reached the fork in the road splitting off between Viridian Forest and the Indigo Plateau, when he ran into Layton, Travis, and Alexa.
“Hey, hey, look who it is,” Layton said. “We thought you’d be on your way to Viridian Forest by now.”
“I got held up. I suppose you two are headed to the Pokémon League?”
“Sure are,” Alexa said. “Wish us luck.”
“I’ll be rooting for you from the sidelines. Go show the Elite Four what you’re made of. Don’t take too long though or I’ll come running up behind you.”
“That’s the attitude!” Layton slapped Roy on the back. “But you’d better not keep us waitin’, dig? Now go to Pewter City and show Brock everythin’ we taught you.”
“Thanks again for taking the time to teach me, by the way. It came in handy earlier.”
Layton’s smile broadened. “Good luck, Roy.”
Roy thanked him and turned toward the path that led to Pewter City. He’d just raised his foot to take the first step, when the clip clop of galloping hooves drew his eyes toward a large boulder standing at a slant off to the side of the road. Ponyta dashed up the rock and leapt off the edge like a ramp, landing on the pathway in front of him, skidding to a halt in the center of the road and blocking Roy’s path.
“It’s the Shiny Ponyta!” Alexa exclaimed.
Ponyta stood firm in the dirt road, looking much improved in the short time since Roy left her. She lifted her leg and grabbed the wrapping between her teeth. She pulled to unravel it and toss it aside, revealing a fully recovered leg, which she stamped hard in the dirt to confirm her sturdiness. Seemed the stories of a Hyper Potion’s effectiveness were more than true. Ponyta kept her eyes laser focused on Roy, holding a fierce glare.
“I know that look,” Layton said, face alight with excitement. Roy knew it too. “She wants to challenge you.”
Roy couldn’t believe it. This Ponyta–which had shown so much scorn and disrespect to all Trainers that had tried to catch her–was challenging him. But her eyes held no disrespect now.
She was giving Roy another chance. He reached for the Poké Balls at his side and couldn’t help but notice the Master Ball hanging there. Should he? His hand seemed to automatically move toward the Master Ball. Ponyta must have noticed because she stomped her hoof and brayed angrily at him. Roy smiled, understanding the implication. Alright, he thought. You want a fair fight. I’ll give it to you. He pulled his hand away from the Master Ball and took hold of Squirtle’s ball instead, throwing it.
“Squirtle! Water Gun!” Ponyta dodged and galloped forward. Squirtle jumped to avoid and Ponyta passed underneath. Obeying Roy’s next command, Squirtle withdrew into his shell in the air and spiraled downward at Ponyta with a Rapid Spin. Looking back over her shoulder to see the oncoming attack, Ponyta shot an Ember, knocking the shell away. Squirtle landed on the ground, but quickly turned around and spun back toward Ponyta, who spat a series of Embers at the approaching shell. Squirtle swerved, expertly avoiding every one.
Squirtle closed in and Ponyta reared to Stomp at the shell as it got in range. The Stomp missed and Squirtle passed through Ponyta’s legs. Squirtle popped out and sprayed a Water Gun from behind. Almost as if she had eyes in the back of her head, Ponyta ducked, then spun around and charged. Dirt flew up beneath Ponyta’s hooves as she came at Squirtle in a much stronger gallop than before. This wasn’t a Tackle. It was a much stronger Take Down.
“Look out, Squirtle!”
Too late. The Take Down connected, Ponyta striking the battle’s first blow, and Squirtle flew into the air. It wasn’t an entire loss though, Take Down was a somewhat reckless move with recoil damage, which was apparent on the spot where Ponyta had made contact.
Regaining himself in the air, Squirtle landed on Ponyta’s back. The Pokémon erupted in a fit of kicks, trying to buck Squirtle off, but the turtle held on. “Bite, Squirtle!” Roy cried, and Squirtle bit down on Ponyta’s neck. The foal bucked harder, but Squirtle refused to let go.
The three spectators watched with tense eyes. “C’mon Roy!” Layton shouted.
“Don’t let up, Squirtle!” Alexa added.
“You got this!” Travis said.
Ponyta fell on her side and rolled over, forcing Squirtle off. Ponyta was back on her feet in seconds and responded with an immediate Ember before Squirtle could get on his own feet. The Ember knocked Squirtle back, but he’d expected the attack and stuck the landing. Squirtle shot a Water Gun and Ponyta responded with Ember. The two moves collided in a hissing explosion of steam. It seemed like a standoff, but it wasn’t. Water had the advantage over Fire and Squirtle’s attack pushed through. Amping up the power, Squirtle’s super effective Water Gun hit with full force, pushing Ponyta back and bringing her to a knee.
Now was Roy’s chance, before she got back up. “Skull Bash!” Squirtle tucked his head to build up energy while Ponyta struggled to regain footing. By the time Ponyta was up, Squirtle was charged and ready. He ran forward. At the same time, Ponyta rushed in another desperate Take Down. The two moves met and Squirtle’s was stronger. Ponyta collapsed.
Roy grabbed an empty Poké Ball and threw it. It hit the wild Pokémon and opened. Ponyta’s body glowed, converting into a silvery light that was absorbed into the Poké Ball. The ball closed with a snap and fell to the ground, bouncing a few times. The Poké Ball shook, signifying the Pokémon’s attempt to break out.
Everyone went silent, not daring to move a muscle. Roy remained frozen in his throwing position. He held his breath, eyes glued to the shaking Poké Ball. With every wobble the ball made, his body grew more tense.
The Poké Ball went still and made a single clicking sound. The silence continued for a few more seconds, then Roy let out his held breath. Then he laughed.
“All right, Roy!” Layton screamed.
Squirtle leapt into Roy’s arms and they both laughed. Travis and Alexa were first to follow Squirtle’s suit. They dashed out to throw their arms around Roy in raucous mirth, almost pushing him over.
“You son-of-a-bitch,” Travis said. “You actually did it!”
Layton came over next and slapped Roy on the back, almost knocking the wind out of him. “Man, and here I thought no one would ever catch that thing. You see. I knew you had it in you.” Travis and Alexa pulled away and Roy looked up at Layton, still beaming. He still could hardly believe it.
“Thank you,” Roy said. “I could never have done this without your guys’ help.”
Layton put a hand on Roy’s shoulder. “Now don’t sell yourself short. You caught that Ponyta because of your own skill and masterful teamwork with your Pokémon. You’re gonna be big, kid. I feel it in my gut. If you can catch that Pokémon, there’s no doubt in my mind you can catch anythin’. You, my friend, are fuckin’ goin’ places.”
They stared at each other, and Roy a warmth of elation and pride overwhelmed him.
“Now,” Layton said. “Go get your catch.”
Roy walked onto the field and bent to take hold of the Poké Ball containing his first ever catch. He turned back to the others and, standing tall, raised the Poké Ball high in triumph. Roy’s smile turned into a smirk. The Shiny Ponyta was his. He couldn’t wait to rub it in Brayden’s face.
To be continued...