Chapter 8: Arrival in Viridian City
Viridian City Pokémon Center — on the open practice field beside the main building, two young trainers were locked in an intense and fiery battle.
"Doduo, use Fury Attack! Don't hold back!" shouted a boy with a red headband tied tightly around his forehead. His voice carried over the warm afternoon air.
The two-headed bird Pokémon, its long necks twisting in rhythm, screeched sharply. "Doo! Doo-doo!" It darted forward with both beaks stabbing repeatedly toward its small yellow opponent — Pikachu.
"Dodge it, then counter with Electroweb! " Ash said, pressing the rim of his hat down with a grin, eyes gleaming with excitement.
"Pika! Pika-pi!" Pikachu darted left, then right, nimble as a spark. Every time Doduo lunged, Pikachu slipped just out of reach, the attacks missing by a hair's breadth.
"Pika-chuu!" With a final leap backward, Pikachu landed lightly on its paws, cheeks crackling with energy.
"Now's our chance!" Ash clenched his fist and swung his arm forward.
"Chuu~ pika!" Pikachu's whole body lit up, a current of bright blue lightning coursing from its cheeks to its tail.
Crack! A sphere of raw electricity burst in midair, exploding into a radiant web of lightning that shimmered and crackled.
Doduo froze in place, unable to react. The glowing net wrapped around its two heads and legs, surging with electric arcs that jolted across its feathers.
"Gaaaah!" The bird shrieked once before collapsing in a puff of dust, eyes spinning as faint smoke curled up from its body.
"Nice job, Pikachu!" Ash cheered, rushing forward to catch his little partner as Pikachu bounded happily into his arms.
Across the field, the opposing trainer — a tanned boy named Insignificant-X — smiled and recalled his Pokémon. "Your Pikachu is really something. I guess I lose this one," he said, extending his hand.
"Let's battle again sometime," Ash replied, shaking it with a friendly grin.
As the crowd of onlookers applauded, three neatly folded ¥100 bills exchanged hands. Ash tucked the cash casually into his pocket, ruffling Pikachu's cheeks as the little mouse chirped in delight.
Looking around the ring of spectators, Ash raised his voice. "Anyone else up for a battle? If not, Pikachu and I are heading back for dinner!"
The onlookers murmured. Then a confident voice rang out. "I'll take you on!"
A boy about Ash's age stepped forward from the crowd. He had messy green hair and a mischievous grin that somehow reminded Ash of a Meowth.
Ash straightened and introduced himself politely, "I'm Ash from Pallet Town. Please take care of me!"
"I'm Insignificant-Y from Pewter City. Let's have a good match," the boy replied, stepping into position opposite Ash.
"Alright then — one-on-one battle, street rules. Coin toss for who first reveals their pokemon?" Ash pulled out a shiny coin and flipped it between his fingers.
Kimu waved a hand. "No need. I'll give you the right to reveal after me. My Pokémon is—" He grinned and threw his Poké Ball high. "—Graveler, let's go!"
The flash of white light faded, revealing the rough, stone-skinned Pokémon flexing its rocky arms.
"Oh? Perfect!" Ash's eyes brightened. "A Rock-type — just the warm-up we need before challenging Pewter Gym. In that case… Bulbasaur, I choose you!"
"Bulba-sa!" With a burst of light, Bulbasaur appeared, squatting steadily with its legs braced and eyes calm but sharp.
"We'll move second — first strike's yours," Ash said, adjusting his cap.
"Bulbasaur, get ready!"
"Bulba!" Bulbasaur lowered itself, vines twitching, body tense as a spring.
Insignificant-Y smirked. "I won't be holdimg back! Graveler, use Rock Throw!"
"Grraa-vell!" The Graveler lifted its heavy arms, summoning a huge chunk of stone in midair before launching it downward toward Bulbasaur.
The shadow of the rock darkened the ground.
"Not bad," Ash said calmly, "but far too slow. Bulbasaur, dodge and use Razor Leaf!"
"Bulba-bulba!" Bulbasaur sprang to the side, the boulder crashing harmlessly behind it. In the same fluid motion, it exhaled sharply.
Two spinning leaves sliced through the air, twisting in a spiral of green wind before streaking toward Graveler.
Ash's eyes narrowed. He knew his strategy well — against a Rock-type, if the opponent dodged, they'd expose a weak spot. If they didn't, they'd take the full hit. Either way, he'd control the rhythm.
But Insginificant-Y wasn't an amateur. Instead of dodging or blocking, he chose the third option — attack through it.
"Graveler, Defense Curl and Rollout! "
Geodude tucked in its arms, transforming into a rolling sphere that plowed through the swirling leaves.
Ash's gaze sharpened. "Bulbasaur, use Vine Whip — change its trajectory!"
"Bulba!" The twin vines lashed out, intertwining midair. They caught Geodude mid-roll, and with a twist of force, flung it upward.
"Uh-oh!" Insignificant-Y gasped.
Ash clenched his right fist, smiling confidently. "Now it's my turn! Bulbasaur — Leech Seed!"
A smooth, glowing seed shot from the bulb on Bulbasaur's back, striking Geodude squarely.
The seed cracked open, sprouting thin vines that snaked around the rock Pokémon, binding it tightly as roots dug in and sapped its strength.
Thud! Geodude crashed back to the ground with a muffled impact.
"Bulbasaur, Razor Leaf — finish it!" Ash's voice rang with certainty.
"Bulba!" Dozens of sharp, wind-charged leaves burst from Bulbasaur's bulb, striking the helpless Geodude again and again. Combined with the draining power of Leech Seed, even the tough Rock-type couldn't endure.
Geodude's eyes rolled back. It fainted with a low groan.
"We won!" Ash threw his arms up in victory.
"Bulba! Bulba!" Bulbasaur crouched low, bouncing excitedly, roaring to the sky.
And then—
A blinding white light enveloped its small body.
Ash's breath caught. After all the tough training in Mt. Hideaway and the countless roadside battles these past few days, was this the moment it would finally evolve?
Within the glow, Bulbasaur's body expanded slightly, its bulb unfolding into wide leaves. At the center, a delicate pink bud emerged, glowing faintly.
It was evolving.
Finally — his Bulbasaur had stepped into a brand-new stage of growth.
"Awesome! You did it!" Ash rushed forward and hugged his partner — now an Ivysaur — tumbling together onto the grass, both laughing uncontrollably.
"Ivy! Ivy-saur!" Ivysaur pressed its sturdy forelegs playfully against Ash's chest, its eyes gleaming with happiness.
It could feel it — its trainer's pure joy and pride.
"Ivysaur," Ash said warmly, holding it close, "one day you'll grow into a strong Venusaur, I know it."
"Ivy-ivy!" Ivysaur nodded firmly. If that was its trainer's wish, it would make it happen.
"Congratulations," Insignificant-Y said, stepping up to shake Ash's hand before recalling his fainted Pokémon. He handed over a crisp ¥500 note with a wry smile. "Guess dinner's on me."
Ash chuckled, pocketing the bill. "You're pretty generous for a Pewter City guy."
Just then, the Center's loudspeakers chimed, followed by Nurse Joy's gentle voice:
"Dinner service now open — today's specials include omelet rice and curry! Trainers, please line up at the cafeteria window."
Ash's head shot up. "Omelet rice?!"
"Pika!" Pikachu's ears perked immediately — where there was omelet rice, there was ketchup!
"Alright, that's enough for today. Come on, Pikachu, time to eat!" Ash waved energetically.
"Pika-pi!" Pikachu bounded up onto his shoulder, tail flicking in delight.
"Dinner time!"
Inside the Pokémon Center's cafeteria, Ash clasped his hands together in front of a mountain of ten steaming omelet rice plates. His smile practically glowed.
"Pika-chu~ (＾～＾)" Pikachu hugged an entire bottle of ketchup, mirroring Ash's expression perfectly.
After eating their fill, Ash stretched contentedly and wandered over to the row of videophones in the lobby. He slipped in a coin and dialed home.
It had been nearly a week since he'd left Pallet Town. If he didn't call soon, his mom would be worried sick.
"Moshi-moshi? This is Ash!"
On the screen, his mother Delia — wearing a face mask and clearly in the middle of her skincare routine — jumped a little in surprise. "Ash! You finally remembered to call! Where are you? Are you taking care of yourself?"
Ash laughed sheepishly. "Ahaha, sorry, Mom! I was camping in the wild these past couple of days. I just got to Viridian City today — called you the first chance I had. Don't worry, I've been eating properly!"
Delia sighed, but her eyes softened. "Alright, alright. Just don't skip meals, okay?"
"Got it, promise!" Ash nodded earnestly.
Then she suddenly remembered. "By the way, have you contacted Professor Oak lately?"
Ash rubbed the back of his neck, grinning. "Hehehe~ I think Professor Oak is really looking forward to hear from me right now."
He chuckled to himself, recalling that blurry photo he'd sent earlier — the one that had probably driven the old man crazy.
"Guess I'll give him a call next," he murmured, smiling.
To be continued…