On The Road to Vermillion City~

"Switching out first is giving your opponent the advantage. Because of this they get the last choice on which favourable match up they can get." I explain to Paul.

The man himself sitting on the opposite side of me just nodded while looking at the replay on his phone.

"But the match up wasn't favourable, you have a water type and I got a fire?" He said confused. In his mind it would of been worse to keep his Pokemon on the field.

This type of thinking was logical and made sense, but this isn't a game and anything to technically happen in a battle.

So thinking like this for a battle is very naive and can potentially ruin a battle for the said person. Because this highly depends on a Pokemon move-set and its opponents way to counter this.

Hearing his words I went on to say how you should at least test out the waters before a switch out as you get no value by instantly switching out.

"A good example of this is my switch out. When your Pokemon did a powerful move I switched my guy out wasting your Pokémon's energy."

While this was happening, my Pokemon and Paul's were just chilling as we were in a Pokemon neutral cafe.

"Fairy.."

Clefairy depressingly holding up her poke puff looked at Geodude's hot cocoa with tears. My interaction with Paul was distracting and I didn't notice as Geodude scuffled over to Clefairy.

"Geo geo!" The rock Pokemon saw this and started to talk to Clefairy.

"Fairy fare."

Clefairy pointing to the hot cocoa explained the situation with a downtrodden look. Geodude rubbing his chin got an idea.

"Dude geo…" Geodude whispered to Clefairy which made her visibly brighten up. The fluff Pokemon watched as Geodude grabbed the hot cocoa and blocked her trainers vision.

So the little fairy Pokemon was able to enjoy her little drink without any punishments.

How lucky~

"Geo (Dig in)!" The Pokemon said with a warm smile. With a grateful look Clefairy gently picked up the cup and blew on it cutely.

This scene in itself could probably give anyone a heart attack because of how much sugar you could get.

Geodude being used to interacting with children and taking care of family. The Pokemon got pretty cheeky and quickly fit into the team quite well. Considering that the grumpiest of the group was happy, Geodude did a job well done.

The little fluff learning from its mistake was able to drink without any troubles. After finishing up the drink the little fluff felt an itch on its nose.

"Chu!" The little sneezed out. Right after this Geodude took a paper towel and rubbed it softly on Clefairy's nose.

While that was happening, on the other side of the table Lairon, Squirtle, Grotle and Magby were sun bathing while drinking some lemonade. The others, Scyther, Tyrogue and Elekid were conversing.

"Kid kid."

Elekid watching Tyrogue balance on one foot, got an interested look. So the Pokemon tried to copy this, but unfortunately Elekid immediately fell on its but.

"Rogue rogue!" Tyrogue laughed seeing this. But this also ended up making it fall to which the electric Pokemon laughed on as well.

"Scyther sai…"

Scyther walking up to the two, picked them up using the flat side of his scythes and put them on his shoulders.

"Ty ty!"

"Elekid!"

Both of the Pokemon laughed out as they liked the feeling of being tall. Scyther who saw this just smiled and started to dash around a little to give the two a small rush.

Ignoring the Scyther who had two passengers on him, I kept on talking to Paul who had veins popping out seeing his Pokemon playing around.

"Thanks for the help, I guess I do need to adapt to my opponents more." Paul admits scratching the back of his head. After he wrote a few notes he packed his stuff and put them into his bag.

"It's aight man. A strategy is good but you need a backup." I respond putting some items in my bag. "So where you heading now?"

Paul hearing this gave me an "a you serious look". Raising my eyebrows at this I realise what he was insinuating.

"Vermillion City is my current destination and it should be yours as well. Wanna head there together? I need a few rematches."

Hearing Paul's offer it only took a second before I accept it. There was no harm to have a guy to travel with for one route.

Plus being able to spar with our Pokemon would give my Pokemon more experience. It's not like he's gonna be participating in the Indigo league so I've got nothing to hide anyways.

I will avoid my usual training though as I don't want anyone copying my regime.

'Lairon will need to tank one for the team and make hundreds of {Rock Tomb}s again.' I though with a smirk.

Standing up we decided to head out to Vermillion in half an hour as there was literally nothing to do in this city. Neon City is known for casinos and gambling, nothing someone of our age should be dabbling in.

"Alright it's time to go guys." I announce clapping my hands. My Pokemon hearing this started to gather around me with Paul's Pokemon doing the same.

…

"You think we should stop here?." I say seeing a large flat patch of grass up ahead.

"It's been quite a while, we may as well. There shouldn't be anymore towns or cities after our last stop." Paul responds with his stoic face.

Stopping my bike with Paul doing the same with his, we started to walk into the forrest as I got an eager feeling.

'Safety first.' I thought taking out a Pokeball.

*Phsszszst*

"Scyther!"

"You watch out for enemies." I instruct. Scyther already used to this just nods at my words and scouts the area.

With Paul right behind me we started to set up a our seperate tents looking forward to sleeping. It's been a few hours since we left Neon city and it would take one more trip to Vermillion City.

"Forrest let's battle after setting everything up, those kids we fought on the road sucked."

Hearing Pauls words I just chuckle.

"Sure but I wont hold back." I say after pulling out a table and some chairs. I planned to pull out the left adobo from before, because of the way my bag works.

The food will still be hot in the container and physical stay the same like when it was put in the bag.

"Ever had adobo before?"

"What's that?"

Those are some famous last words…

…

After a quick dinner to which my traveling companion quickly got addicted to my food. We went to a flat patch of land and readied ourselves.

"Alright let's just do a normal one-on-one. On three" I say with a smirk. Paul nodding at this takes out a Pokeball from his pocket.

Doing a little count down, we both sent out a Pokemon at the same time.

*Phsszszst*

"Geodude!"

"Elekid!"

Both Pokemon locking into a stare, start to move around in cation waiting for their trainer's instruction. Looking at Paul with a smirk I start the match off like always.

"Geodude use {Defence Curl} and get prepared to dodge." I say knowing the distance between Geodude and Elekid.

"Get in close and go for a {Cross Chop}." Paul commands.

While a blue circle encased Geouds. Elekid on the other side of the grassy fields started to sprint ahead.

It took a few seconds before the electric Pokemon could get close enough to land a hit on Geodude. But I wouldn't let this happen.

"Use {Rollout} to dodge and make space."

Because of the {Defence Curl} used beforehand, Geodude's speed while rolling increased drastically and got him out of that sticky situation.

"Follow it!" My opponent shouts seeing this. Elekid kicking the ground redirects its momentum and runs after Geodude.

Elekid couldn't fully catch up and after a little bit started to tire itself out. The rock Pokemon after a little bit, stopped in its tracks in front of a tree.

"{Rock Throw} now." I command.

"Geo!" Shoving its hands into the ground, Geodude hurls a few boulders at the Pokemon.

Elekid watching this, starts to dodge each boulder but the attack kept on going on which eventually tired it even more.

*Crash*

After a few more rocks, Elekid got hit in the left shoulder which sent it falling to the ground.

"Biii!" The electric Pokemon cried out in pain.

"Elekid use {Swift} before another rock hits you." Paul said calmly. He didn't seem to be too bothered by the situation he found himself in.

Elekid getting up from the ground, dodges the last of the attacks and produces a couple tens of stars. These stars started to rocket off to Geodude with slow speeds.

"{Rollout} to negate Elekid's attack then use more {Rock Throw}s."

Geodude curling into a ball, statrted to spin in a ridiculously fast pace.

*Boom* *Boom*

Multiple explosions could be heard as the stars made impact on Geodude's body. Thankfully after the dust settled only a few scratches could be seen.

'Why does that attack need to be like a homing missile. Even if Geodude tried to dodge it would follow him.' I thought to myself a little annoyed.

"Elekid go for {Cross Chop} again."

Seeing Elekid dragging its exhausted body towards Geodude, I realised that my Pokemon couldn't make any distance apart.

"Geodude {Harden} now!" I decisively say after a split second thought. Geodude getting the memo stood still with its rocky skin getting a shine.

"Kidd!" The electric Pokemon jumping up uses its momentum downwards to land a nasty blow onto Geodude.

*Boom*

"Geoo!" Geodude with a determined look was bruised up but ranked the hit and didn't budge. With a quick turn of events the battle was flipped as Geodude would now be on the offensive.

"{Mega Punch} and don't stop."

Geodude shrugging off the super effective hit, enhances its fist with a familiar move its trained before. With a simple punch Elekid got sent straight to the ground.

*Crack*

"Elekid dodge and use {Cross Chop}." Paul said in desperation, he realised that things weren't gonna be in his way much longer if this continued.

Unfortunately for him though, Elekid was glued to the floor as a fury of devastating punches barraged his Pokemon.

"Ki-"

The electric Pokemon using the last of its energy tries to move out of the way, but gets punched back down.

It was over.

"Geodude stop, it's finished." I comment seeing the swirls in Elekid's eyes. Soon after these words though a large blinding shine engulfed Geodude as it cried out in victory.

"GEOODUDE!"

Squinting my eyes at the bright sight with Paul doing the same. I got a giddy feeling knowing that Geodude would finally evolve.

An evolution in this world didn't necessarily mean that a Pokemon got "stronger". It's kind of weird to say but it only happens when a Pokemon is "ready".

This "ready" could be taken into multiple different situations like intelligence, strength, experience, size, practising a skill, etc.

So an evolution means a lot to a Pokemon that doesn't use stones, as it's like a part of you changing for the better.

Or that's what Dad said so I'll take his word for it.

Only problem is Ash's Pikachu but it evolves using a thunder stone so it's an exception.

The evolution lasted 15 seconds as the shine dimmed down. Looking at the newly evolved beast I got a shine in my eye.

"Buddy your amazing!" I shout rubbing up to the newly evolved Graveler. The not so little rock Pokemon spotting me, got a huge smile and waddled towards me.

Seeing the Graveler run towards me with its stubby little feet. I couldn't help but laugh in excitement, I was like a child again.

Oh wait, I am a child.

Paul who was watching this just smirked and returned Elekid to its Pokeball silently. Letting me enjoy the moment.

"Veller!"

Uncomfortably hugging Graveler, it seemed to realised this and gently patted my back with its four hands.

"I've made up my mind, Surge will be my first battle. Koga can be second."

This decision does ruin my precious planning but with a Graveler on my side, I couldn't ruin the opportunity I've been given.

I just need to spend few hours coming up with a plan for Surge's team on the website.

That means I'll need to change Koga's plans as well.

Ah shit.