Chapter 20: The Hunt Begins

The sun was starting to dip toward the horizon, painting the sky in hues of orange and red, when I finally decided it was time to get moving. The day had already been long, filled with more challenges than I had anticipated, but nothing I couldn't handle. Not anymore. Not with these new advantages at my disposal.

As I walked away from Viridian City, the sounds of daily life gradually faded behind me, replaced by the rustle of leaves and the distant cries of wild Pokémon. The path ahead was flanked by thick trees, their shadows growing longer as the daylight waned. I felt a strange mixture of excitement and caution. The Viridian Forest was known for being a place of both opportunity and danger. 

After walking for a while, I stopped, pulling my mountain bike from my black sling bag—a bag that was far more than it appeared. The "Velocity Master All-Terrain X" wasn't just any bike; it was a beast built for Trainers who ventured off the beaten path, like me. I hopped onto it, the red jacket I wore fluttering slightly in the cool evening breeze. It was time to make some progress.

As I pedaled down the rough trail, I released Pidgey from his Pokéball. He materialized in a flash of light, perched confidently on the handlebars, his feathers ruffled but eyes sharp, ever vigilant.

"Pidgey," I began, my voice firm, "we're not playing around. You and Bulbasaur both need to evolve, and fast. I have plans—plans that can't wait."

Pidgey turned his head, regarding me with those keen eyes. He was loyal, brave even, but there was an understanding between us—he knew this wasn't a suggestion.

"Find some Pokémon," I continued, "Caterpie, Weedle, it doesn't matter. Test your strength. If you can't handle them, come back to me. I'll be heading into Viridian Forest with Bulbasaur. We won't go deep until you and he are stronger. Win two battles, then return."

Without hesitation, Pidgey gave a quick nod and took off, his wings slicing through the air as he flew ahead. I watched him go, the distant trees swallowing him up, before turning my attention back to the path. The bike's tires crunched against the dirt, the trail winding deeper into the forest. The trees grew denser, their branches intertwining like a web above, casting everything in shadow.

After an hour, I reached the outskirts of the forest. The canopy above was thick, letting only slivers of the dying light through. I dismounted, slipping the bike back into the impossibly small sling bag, and ventured into the undergrowth. My senses sharpened, eyes scanning the area for any sign of movement. I didn't have to wait long.

A Caterpie, small and unsuspecting, inched along a branch, oblivious to the hunter watching from the shadows. I released Bulbasaur, who appeared with a determined look in his eyes, ready for whatever I had planned.

"Leech Seed," I ordered, my voice low but commanding.

Bulbasaur responded instantly, launching the parasitic seeds toward the Caterpie. The small Pokémon had no chance to react, the seeds taking root and sapping its strength. I approached, not letting the moment slip away, and reached into my bag, pulling out a potion and some of the premium Pokémon food I carried. Healing the Caterpie was just a formality—a means to an end.

"Here," I said, offering the food as Caterpie hesitantly began to nibble on it. Bulbasaur watched, his eyes betraying a hunger of his own.

"We'll eat later," I assured him, patting his head. "I've got something special for you."

Bulbasaur nodded, rubbing against my leg affectionately. This wasn't about making friends; it was about making allies, and in this world, allies came in all shapes and sizes.

Leaving the Caterpie behind, we ventured further into the forest. The trees grew thicker, the air cooler as night began to close in around us. Forty-five minutes passed before we encountered our next challenge—a wild Pidgey. This one wasn't like mine. It was wild, unpredictable, and it spotted us immediately, kicking up a cloud of dirt with a quick Sand Attack.

I dodged to the side, narrowly avoiding the gritty spray. "Vine Whip, Bulbasaur!" I commanded.

Bulbasaur's vines lashed out, using them to propel himself into the air. The wild Pidgey was quick, darting to the side to avoid the attack, but it wasn't quick enough. I called out for a follow-up move.

"Leech Seed, now!"

It was a risk, trying a mid-air attack like this, but there was no room for second-guessing in battle. The seeds struck true, wrapping around the Pidgey just as it countered with a desperate Tackle. The two Pokémon collided, the impact sending them both crashing to the ground.

I rushed forward, catching them both before they hit the earth. My hand instinctively checked the system, confirming the win. A smirk crept onto my face. I healed the wild Pidgey, offering it food just as I had done with Caterpie. It seemed confused, probably wondering why I wasn't capturing it, but I had no interest in adding every Pokémon I encountered to my team. My goal was to train, to evolve, and to dominate.

Hours passed as we navigated the forest, the thrill of each battle pushing me forward. The sun had set completely now, the darkness only broken by the faint glow of the stars above. The forest, once full of sounds, had gone eerily quiet, the only noise being the soft crunch of leaves beneath my feet. I looked at the time. It was 5 PM. I remembered the day's timeline—breakfast at 11 AM, healing my Pokémon at noon, leaving the Trainer Market Association at 3 PM, and reaching the forest by 4 PM. Time had slipped away from me during the battles, and now the evening was here.

Just as I began to worry about Pidgey, a familiar fluttering sound reached my ears. I looked up to see him descending from the sky, landing gracefully on a nearby branch. My system showed he had won four battles on his own. Pride swelled in my chest, but I tempered it with caution.

"Don't overdo it," I warned, my tone serious. Our eyes met, and after a moment, he nodded, understanding the unspoken message. He wasn't just my Pokémon—he was my partner, and we both had to stay sharp.

We moved to a nearby clearing, an open area where I finally allowed us all to rest. From my bag, I pulled out Bulbasaur's bowl, the "Verdant Essence," and Pidgey's "Skybound Haven." The bowls weren't just feeding dishes—they were crafted tools, designed to enhance their strengths. I filled Bulbasaur's bowl with "Verdant Delight," watching as his eyes lit up at the sight of the food. Pidgey's meal, the "Skyseed Mix," was equally appealing, a blend designed to improve his flying abilities.

But they didn't eat. Not yet. They were waiting for me.

I sat on the ground, pulling out my own meal—the "LuxLuxe Box." It was a gourmet travel meal, leagues above the typical food one would expect on the road. As we all began to eat, a sense of camaraderie settled over us. The day had been hard, but it was days like these that would shape us into the strongest team in this world.

As I savored the last bite of dark chocolate and fresh berries, I glanced up at the night sky. The stars were bright, unblemished by city lights. A new world, a new life, and so many possibilities lay before me. But for tonight, at least, it was time to rest.

Tomorrow would bring new battles, new challenges, and new victories. And we would face them all together, one step closer to the power I sought.