Chapter 55. The First Battle between Pettalbug Forest and ponyta

The market price of a protect skill disc is about 100,000 poke dollars. The exchange ratio of alliance points and cash is generally 1:100, so Cyan can use 800 alliance points plus 20,000 poke dollars to exchange for a protect disc from the alliance and then buy another protect disc from the store.

The two discs cost 120,000 poke dollars, leaving Cyan with only more than 20,000 poke dollars in cash. It can be said that he spends money like water.

After paying 100 poke dollars for the skill learning device, Cyan was taken by the alliance's waiter to a quiet room. There was only a skill learning device in the room, and nothing else.

After the waiter left, Cyan took out Butterfree's Poké Ball and a protect CD, putting them into the learner. He then clicked to use it.

"Butterfree, you must do your best, don't fail, don't fail!"

If it fails, the 100,000 poke dollars will be wasted, and it would be hard for anyone to accept.

Five minutes later, there was a "crack" sound, and a crack appeared on the skill disc. Cyan knew this was a signal that the skill had been used up. He quickly took out Butterfree's Poké Ball from the learning device and then released it, asking hurriedly, "Butterfree, have you learned Protect?"

Butterfree nodded: "Boogie!" Then, a green circular ripple opened in front of it.

"That's great!" Cyan said excitedly, "Butterfree, you are awesome!"

"Pee!" Butterfree narrowed its eyes, raised the corners of its mouth, and seemed very happy.

"Okay, next is Ponyta!"

Cyan took out Ponyta's Poké Ball from his waist, put it into the skill learning device, and inserted another Protect disc.

In fact, the possibility of Ponyta learning Protect is relatively low at this stage. Cyan should wait until its strength is improved a bit before letting it learn, as the success rate would be much higher. However, he would be entering Petalburg Forest today, and there was no time to wait. If both Pokémon learn Protect, his safety would be greatly improved.

If that's the case, why not let Sableye learn it too?

Of course, this was a little selfish of Cyan. After all, Charmander was his starter Pokémon, but he could only rely on Ponyta during the midterm exam, so improving Ponyta's strength was his top priority before then.

Clicking it again, Cyan began praying in his heart once more.

Maybe his feelings really reached Ponyta, or maybe it was just his lucky day, but five minutes later, Ponyta successfully learned Protect as well.

Cyan happily hugged Ponyta, stroking and praising it non-stop.

Warm orange flames emerged from Ponyta's body, showing its happiness as well.

Since it had passed its larval stage, Ponyta had grown much bigger.

Generally, the standard height for a Ponyta is 1 meter and the weight is 30 kilograms. Cyan's Ponyta was now 70 centimeters tall and weighed 22 kilograms. Although it was still a bit far from the standard size, it was born not long ago. Once fully developed, it would surely surpass the standard.

After the excitement passed, Cyan returned the two Pokémon to their Poké Balls and set off for Petalburg Forest.

Petalburg Forest is located north of Petalburg City. After Cyan arrived at the outskirts by car, he had to walk the rest of the way.

Cyan released Butterfree and Ponyta. Along the way, he didn't know when wild Pokémon might appear, so he stayed alert.

Taking out the crude map he bought from the store for 500 poke dollars, Cyan began planning his route as he walked.

This week, he needed to find the tribes of Shroomish and Poochyena, head to the hills 30 kilometers away from his current location to deal with the Arbok tribe, and train his three Pokémon: Ponyta, Butterfree, and Sableye.

The map in Cyan's hand happened to mark the locations of the Shroomish and Wooper groups, but he wasn't sure if these two groups had migrated.

"No matter what, let's head to the nearest Shroomish clan location first."

After Cyan found the right direction, he quickly moved forward with his two Pokémon.

This was still just the edge of Petalburg Forest. It was like the edge of the Gray Feather Mountains where Cyan often stayed at home—no Pokémon in sight.

An hour later, Cyan encountered his first wild Pokémon—a Pidgey.

This situation was similar to what Ash faced when he first started traveling, and their reactions were also similar upon meeting Pidgey.

Cyan squatted down and said to Ponyta, "Ponyta, this is your first opponent, let's defeat it together!"

"Yu!" Ponyta ran forward excitedly.

Most fire-type Pokémon love battles, and Cyan's Ponyta was no exception. When Butterfree was being trained earlier, it would often try to provoke him, but Butterfree knew Ponyta was just a baby and never paid attention to it.

"Ponyta, use Ember!"

Among the moves Ponyta currently possessed, only Ember was reliable for battles.

The two moves Flamethrower and Double Kick failed eight or nine times out of ten, so Cyan didn't have high hopes for those.

Since Ponyta was still developing, Cyan didn't want it using physical attacks like Tackle or Quick Attack, which might impact its bone growth.

Pidgey already sensed that Ponyta came with bad intentions. When it saw the fire-type Pokémon use Ember, it quickly flew up to avoid it.

Then, Pidgey flapped its wings, sending gusts of wind toward Ponyta.

Gust, Butterfree's signature move, was very familiar to Cyan.

"Ponyta, use Quick Attack to the right, keep your distance!"

Hearing Cyan's command, Ponyta flashed with white light and dashed to the right.

Once it escaped the range of Gust, Cyan called out again, "Stop, Ponyta! Use Leer!"

Ponyta stopped and shouted, "Yu!"

The shout was so loud that Pidgey couldn't help but hear it.

Leer: Lowers the opponent's Defense.

"Now, use Tail Whip!"

Tail Whip: Causes the opponent to let its guard down, further lowering its defense.

Pidgey was hit again!

"Great opportunity! Ponyta, use Ember!"

In an instant, red sparks shot toward Pidgey.

Distracted and with its defenses lowered, Pidgey couldn't react. It was hit by Ember and lost the ability to fight.

"Well done, Ponyta!"

Ponyta had successfully won its first battle after being born. It was so excited that it ran circles around Cyan.

Cyan took out some snacks from his bag and smiled. "Here you go, Ponyta. This is your reward!"

Ponyta gobbled everything in Cyan's hand, squinting and happily chewing.

Cyan grinned. "Ponyta, let's keep working hard and win all the way!"

Ponyta leaped in excitement: "Pony!"