Route 1 stretched out before him, a ribbon of well-trodden earth winding its way from Pallet Town to Viridian City. If Pallet was the "Beginning of Dreams," as new trainers often called it, then this sun-dappled path was the "Extension of Dreams"—the first real taste of the journey ahead. The air was alive with the rustle of Rattata in the tall grass and the calls of Pidgey and Spearow overhead.
Before setting out, Red had taken a moment back on Mt. Moon to finalize his new Onix's build. He had used his system to grant it the Sturdy ability. Speed was irrelevant for a Pokémon that was essentially a living mountain; survivability was everything. The alternative, Weak Armor, was a conflicting choice that offered nothing to his strategy.
(The system only allows for two abilities at once, but they can be swapped out,) Red mused as he walked. (I wonder if that limit will increase as a Pokémon grows stronger?) It was a minor constraint. He refused to become a slave to the system; it was a tool, an incredible advantage, but not a replacement for the real work. In his eyes, true strength was forged through shared struggle and gradual growth—those were the treasures a trainer should remember.
He sensed a flicker of movement in the grass. A Rattata, eyeing the pack on his back. The wild Pokémon paused, its whiskers twitching, and then wisely bolted. It had sensed the quiet, overwhelming pressure that Red naturally radiated.
"Come on out, Charmander."
Red tossed the Poké Ball, and his fiery partner appeared, its eyes bright with excitement. Red pointed toward a Spearow foraging in the distance. "Your first official training battle. Defeat it."
Charmander puffed out its chest, radiating confidence, and strode toward the Spearow without a hint of hesitation. Red silently drew his custom Pokédex. Its advanced sensors scanned his Pokémon, displaying its current move set: Claw, Spark, Smoke Screen, Dragon Breath, Flamethrower, and Outrage.
(All attack-focused, just as I expected,) Red thought, a satisfied smile on his face. (This Charmander's battle instincts are perfect.)
The Spearow, seeing Charmander approach, immediately took on a hostile posture. Like many wild Pokémon, it held a natural animosity toward those raised by humans. It flapped its wings and shot forward, its beak aimed like a dagger.
Charmander met its charge with a smirk, a perfect imitation of the cool disdain Beedrill had shown it back at the lab. Goaded by this arrogance, the Spearow dove recklessly. Charmander simply opened its mouth, and a torrent of fire erupted, engulfing the bird Pokémon completely. It fell to the ground in a scorched heap. As a savory scent rose from the defeated Spearow, Charmander took a step forward, its primal instincts momentarily urging it to taste its victory.
(A normal raising method won't be enough for this one,) Red noted, making no move to stop it. He understood that this wildness, properly channeled, would be the key to unlocking Charmander's true potential. He could always buy specially formulated food to satisfy its cravings later.
Having won with a single move, Charmander trotted back to Red, craning its neck in eager anticipation of praise. Red smiled and stroked its head. "Good work." Even a Pokémon as proud as this one thrived on encouragement.
He had no interest in catching the Spearow. While he could grant it the Sniper ability, its potential paled in comparison to a Pidgeot, a Pokémon capable of Mega Evolution. He would wait for a Pidgey with extraordinary talent. He left the fainted Spearow to recover; wild Pokémon were resilient, a trait that was often dulled by the constant care of a human trainer.
After a few more one-sided battles along the route, Charmander sighed, clearly disappointed that no more opponents were appearing. It was already starting to relish the thrill of the fight.
Just as Red was about to recall it, a flash of brown and pink shot past them. A Spearow, a piece of bread clutched in its beak, was fleeing with an expression of pure terror, as if a demon was on its tail.
Seconds later, a golden blur streaked through the air in pursuit.
Red's vision, honed by years of training, locked onto the figure. It was a Pidgey, but it was unlike any he had ever seen. It was massive, easily a meter tall, with a plumage of brilliant, shining gold. If not for the lack of a mature crest, he would have mistaken it for a Pidgeotto. Its eyes weren't docile; they were the sharp, predatory eyes of a raptor.
(Is it... toying with the Spearow?) Red guessed. The golden Pidgey's speed was clearly superior. It could have ended the chase at any moment. This was a game.
After a few minutes, the raptor seemed to grow bored. Its speed suddenly doubled, and it shot past the fleeing Spearow. It banked sharply, its body a golden missile, and struck with a flawless Aerial Ace, sending the Spearow tumbling to the ground.
(It already knows Aerial Ace,) Red thought, his interest soaring. (Excellent. It seems I've found my new partner.)
The golden Pidgey snatched the bread from its fallen quarry and kicked the Spearow away with disdain. It turned to leave, completely ignoring Red and the battle-ready Charmander. It had been so focused on its cruel game that it hadn't even noticed them.
Charmander would not be ignored. A jet of fire shot across the Pidgey's path, blocking its exit.
The golden raptor finally turned its gaze on them.
"Pidgey," Red said, his voice calm and steady. "Battle my Charmander. If you lose, you become my Pokémon."
The Pidgey gave a condescending nod. It had heard the same challenge from countless rookie trainers, all of whom it had soundly thrashed. It dismissed Red as another fool and paid little attention to the Charmander at his feet.
Under the bright, sunny sky, a fiery aura began to coalesce around Charmander. Solar Power was active.
"Flamethrower," Red ordered.
A scorching pillar of fire erupted, far more powerful than any the Pidgey had ever witnessed. It dodged in a panic, but its initial carelessness cost it dearly. The edge of the blast caught its right wing, charring the golden feathers black.
The Pidgey shrieked, staring at Charmander in disbelief. This was no ordinary flame. It instantly regretted its arrogance; this was the strongest opponent it had ever faced.
"Keep sweeping with Flamethrower," Red commanded. He knew Solar Power was draining Charmander's stamina, so a prolonged battle was not an option.
As another column of fire blasted toward it, the golden Pidgey used Agility to dodge. Then, instead of attacking Charmander directly, it used Tackle on the surrounding tree branches. It was smart enough to know close combat was a death sentence.
"Good instincts," Red approved.
The Pidgey used Hurricane, whipping the broken branches into a chaotic storm that rained down on Charmander. Forced to defend itself, Charmander blasted the debris with fire, giving the Pidgey the opening it needed. It turned and dove, striking Charmander with another perfect Aerial Ace.
The blow triggered something primal in Charmander. Its eyes flashed blood-red. It had entered Outrage.
A wild, uncontrolled torrent of fire erupted, locking onto the golden Pidgey in the sky. The raptor froze in terror, not understanding how a single attack had turned its opponent into a rampaging monster.
"Calm down," Red said, his voice cutting through the rage. He sent a wave of his Aura—a soothing, stabilizing force—into his Pokémon. "It has lost the will to fight. Finish it with Dragon Breath."
His mind clear once more, Charmander obeyed. It unleashed a controlled pulse of draconic energy that struck the terrified Pidgey, knocking it from the sky.
"Go, Poké Ball."
Red threw the ball he had ready. It struck the fainted Pokémon and absorbed it in a flash of red light. The ball didn't even shake. The sight of Charmander's berserk fury had completely shattered the golden raptor's defiant spirit. The capture was perfect.
***********
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