Chapter 4 – Into the Green
Morning light spilled in through the narrow Pokémon Centre window, painting the small room in soft gold. Ryan Shaw lay awake on the top bunk, staring at the ceiling, listening to the faint hum of the building's systems and the distant murmur of early trainers downstairs.
He'd slept, technically. But every time he closed his eyes, he pictured trees—tall, dark, tangled—and flashes of green slicing through shadow like a blade.
Viridian Forest.
He rolled onto his side. On the floor, Larvitar was curled up in a nest of blankets and his backpack, softly snoring—a faint sound Ryan had gradually become accustomed to. Nidoran♀ had taken the foot of the lower bunk as her resting place, snug in a tight ball with her ears folded over her nose.
A slight rustling near the door caught Ryan's attention. Rattata was there, grooming its whiskers and observing the other Pokémon with bright eyes. It had refused to sleep in its Poké Ball last night, instead squeezing under the chair until Ryan finally gave in and placed a spare towel as a makeshift pillow.
"Morning," Ryan whispered.
Rattata twitched an ear in acknowledgment, then resumed fussing over a stubborn patch of fur.
Ryan checked the small digital clock on the wall. Still early, but not "too early" by Pokémon Centre standards. He swung his legs over the side of the bed and climbed down carefully, trying not to step on Larvitar and his nest.
He failed. The mattress creaked, and Larvitar's eyes snapped open immediately, red irises glowing in the dim light. It looked around, spotted Ryan, and relaxed—but only a little.
"Morning to you, too," Ryan said quietly. "Big day today."
Nidoran♀ yawned, tiny fangs glinting, and stretched. Her spines rose, then settled in a lazy ripple. Rattata finished grooming and sat up taller, tail curling like a question mark.
Ryan took a moment to look at all three of them.
He'd thought about it a lot last night. Rattata was common, sure. People overlooked them. But it had speed, spirit, and a sharp mind. The Pokédex entry for Raticate had intrigued him:
"Raticate: the Mouse Pokémon. With strong and agile legs, it lives on any ground and ploughs through obstacles with its powerful incisors. It will bravely fight even larger opponents to protect its territory."
That sounded less like "basic route rodent" and more like a proper team member.
"I'm not dumping you in a box the first time we see something flashier," Ryan told Rattata now. "We're in this for the long haul. You'll evolve when you're ready."
Rattata's whiskers twitched. It gave a satisfied little "Ta!" and scampered in a circle as if energised by the promise.
Ryan dressed quickly, pulled his backpack on, and glanced at the room one last time, checking to see if he had forgotten anything.
They had a forest to cross.
After a quick breakfast in the Centre's cafeteria—a toasted sandwich, some berries, and a mineral blend Larvitar devoured eagerly—Ryan headed for the row of videophones along the wall.
"Just a quick call," he told his team. "Then we hit the road."
He still felt a little self-conscious talking to them in public, but looking around, he saw other trainers doing the same thing—murmuring to their partners, gesturing mid-sentence.
He slid into an empty booth and punched in his home number. The screen flickered, then sharpened into the familiar view of his kitchen back home.
His mom appeared first, flour dusting her cheek, apron tied over her clothes.
"Ryan!" she exclaimed, eyes lighting up. "You're awake! And in one piece!"
"I've only been gone two days," he said, but he was smiling too. "Hi, Mom."
His dad leaned into view from off-screen, mug of coffee in hand. "You look taller," he said. "Must be the responsibility."
Ryan snorted. "Or the camera angle."
He stepped back a bit so the three Pokémon in front of the booth were visible. Larvitar stared at the screen warily. Nidoran sniffed it sceptically. Rattata immediately tried to climb the console.
"Whoa, hey." Ryan caught Rattata and set it on his shoulder instead. "Guys, say hi."
His mom squealed. "Look at them! Oh, they're adorable."
Larvitar bristled at the word adorable, but Ryan gave him a quick, reassuring pat. Nidoran preened a little. Rattata soaked in the attention.
"So," his dad said. "How's the journey? Any trouble?"
"Not yet," Ryan said. "Route 1 was good. We had a couple of battles. Larvitar handled them like a champ. I caught Rattata and Nidoran near Viridian."
His mom reached for something off to the side. "Hang on, I have to get the brag journal—"
"Please don't call it that," his dad groaned.
"It is what it is," she said primly.
Ryan laughed. The sound loosened some of the tension he hadn't realised he'd been carrying.
"I'm heading into Viridian Forest today," he said, more serious now. "Then Pewter. I wanted to say hi before I disappear into a cloud of Bug-type moves and leaves."
His mom shuddered. "You be careful in that forest, young man. I've heard stories. Parasites, webs, Beedrill swarms—"
"Mom, I've got Antidotes," Ryan cut in quickly. "And Larvitar, and two other Pokémon. And I'll stick to the paths. Probably."
His dad lifted a brow. "Probably?"
Ryan coughed. "Definitely. Mostly."
They chatted a few minutes more, the conversation drifting between practical advice and his mom demanding more shots of Nidoran "from the front, where I can see her little face."
When the call ended, he lingered for a second in the booth. The empty screen reflected his own face back at him.
The next call was to Professor Oak. It rang a little longer before connecting. Then Oak's face appeared, slightly frazzled, with a bit of hay in his hair.
"Ryan! Just the trainer I wanted to hear from," Oak said. "How are you faring?"
"Good," Ryan said. "We made it to Viridian yesterday. Caught Rattata and Nidoran. Been training them together with Larvitar."
Oak's eyes sharpened with interest. "A Nidoran? Excellent choice. They're sturdier than people give them credit for. And Rattata… never underestimate its Bite. I've seen more than one overeager trainer lose a match because they thought they were facing 'just a Rattata.'"
Ryan smiled, thinking of his own mental promise. "I don't plan to underestimate him."
He hesitated. "I, uh… wanted to ask if you've heard anything about Viridian Forest. Beyond 'buggy and easy to get lost in.'"
Oak sighed, rubbing his temple. "Ah, Viridian Forest. A beautiful, if slightly hazardous, ecosystem. Watch for Beedrill nests—if you see multiple Kakuna hanging from the same tree, give that area a wide berth."
"Got it. Anything else?"
Oak's gaze flicked off-screen, as if checking something.
"There have been some… interesting reports lately," he said slowly. "Trainers talking about a fast, green blur cutting down branches and challenging anything that moves. A Scyther, by all accounts. Male, unusually aggressive, but not malicious."
"Has anyone caught it?" Ryan asked.
"Not that I've heard," Oak said. "Most people who meet it either get overwhelmed or back off. It seems to be testing trainers rather than attacking them outright. But still—be careful. It's not a Bug-type a beginner can take lightly."
A Scyther, challenging everyone it meets.
"We'll be careful," he said. "But… if we meet it, we won't run."
Oak's mouth quirked into a proud, slightly worried smile. "I thought you'd say that. Very well. Just remember, strength isn't only about offence. Know when to pull back, and you'll go far."
They said their goodbyes, and the screen went black.
Ryan stepped out of the booth feeling like the stakes had been raised.
Scyther's out there, he thought, somewhere.
He glanced down at his team.
"Alright," he said. "Last chance to stay in the nice, safe Pokémon Centre."
Larvitar glared at him like he'd insulted its entire lineage. Nidoran snorted. Rattata leapt from his shoulder to the floor and scampered in circles around his boots, buzzing with energy.
Ryan grinned. "Thought so."
Route 2 stretched out between Viridian City and the forest. The path wound gently uphill, lined with thick shrubs and medium-height trees. The air grew cooler as they walked, the sun filtered by the leaves overhead.
Ryan kept all three Pokémon out with him. Larvitar took the centre, steady as a bulldozer. Nidoran padded vigilantly at his left, ears swivelling constantly. Rattata darted ahead and back, sniffing at every interesting rock and root.
"Hey, Rattata," Ryan called after one such dash. "Want to try something?"
Rattata bounced in place, very clearly translating "something" as "training" and "attention," two of its favourite words.
Ryan set a marker by placing a small stick upright in the dirt.
"Okay. See that stick?" he asked. "You're going to practice hitting it with Quick Attack. Not just running fast—hitting exactly where you mean to."
He pointed to a spot a few meters away. "Start from there. When I say go—Quick Attack, straight line, tap the stick with your body, then stop and circle back. Got it?"
Rattata squeaked sharply and trotted to the starting line. Its tail waggled in anticipation.
Ryan took a breath.
"Go!"
Rattata exploded forward, a purple blur. Dust kicked up behind it. It veered slightly at the last second, clipping the stick with its shoulder and sending it spinning away.
"Not bad!" Ryan said. "But you need to be able to hit exactly what you're aiming at—like a Bug-type, or a weak point. Again. This time, focus on the line between you and the target."
They repeated the drill. Larvitar watched with what looked suspiciously like grudging respect—speed drills weren't exactly its department. Nidoran sat off to the side, grooming but keeping an eye on the bushes.
After several runs, Rattata's Quick Attack had gone from "fast but sloppy" to "fast and mostly accurate." It hit the stick dead-on twice in a row.
Ryan's Pokédex chimed softly.
"Rattata's Quick Attack proficiency has increased," it reported. "Reaction time and acceleration improved."
Ryan pocketed it, pleased. "Nice work," he told Rattata, who was panting but visibly proud. "That's how you'll get the drop on Bug-types and other speedsters. Keep this up, and one day you'll be a Raticate chewing through opponents twice your size."
At the word "Raticate," Rattata's eyes brightened. It seemed to stand just a little taller, as if glimpsing its future self.
"Don't rush it," Ryan added. "You'll evolve when you're ready. Until then, we build your basics."
The path began to level out. Up ahead, the trees grew taller and more densely packed, their trunks forming a shadowed wall. A small building sat just before the tree line, white with a green roof and a big sign:
VIRIDIAN FOREST – RANGER STATION
As they approached, a woman in a lightly armoured uniform stepped out, tying back her hair. A belt full of Poké Balls hung at her waist, and a sturdy Beedrill hovered near her shoulder, unusually calm.
"Morning," she said. "You heading into the forest?"
"Yes, ma'am," Ryan said. "I'm Ryan. New trainer. From Pallet."
"First time through?" she asked, giving him a quick once-over, then eyeing his team with a professional gaze.
"Yeah."
She nodded. "I'm Ranger Elin. Viridian Forest can be beautiful, but it's not a casual stroll. Stick to the paths unless you know what you're doing, and keep an eye out for webs and nests. The Beedrill don't bother you if you don't bother them."
Her Beedrill buzzed in agreement, twin stingers glinting faintly.
"Got it," Ryan said. "Any other tips?"
"Plenty," she said. "But you don't look like you scare easy, and you've got a solid core team." Her eyes lingered on Larvitar, then Nidoran, then Rattata. "One thing, though—there's something unusual in there lately. Fast. Green. Likes to slice branches and glare at people."
Ryan tried to look surprised. "A Scyther?"
"So, the rumours got to the city, huh?" Elin smirked. "Yeah. Male, by the look of it. He's not attacking randomly, but he does challenge trainers now and then. Most walk away with a few cuts to their pride and maybe their jackets."
"Has he hurt any Pokémon badly?" Ryan asked, serious now.
"Not that I've seen," Elin said. "He's precise. Controlled. Almost like… he's training himself as much as testing others."
She shrugged. "If you meet him and you're not feeling confident, you're allowed to walk away. Pride is cheaper than surgery bills."
Ryan's gaze slid briefly to Larvitar, then back to the forest.
"If we meet him," he said quietly, "we'll be careful. But we won't run just because he's strong."
Elin studied him for a moment, then smiled faintly.
"Yeah," she said. "You sound like an Oak kid. Take a few Repels," she added, rummaging in a box by the door and handing him two small canisters. "Just in case you're overwhelmed. No shame in using them if you need a breather."
"Thank you," Ryan said, accepting them.
He stepped toward the forest entrance. The air under the trees was visibly darker, like another world entirely. The scent changed too—richer, damper, layered with the smell of leaves, sap, and faint sweetness.
Rattata hopped from his shoulder to the ground, sniffing the new air. Its ears flicked rapidly. Nidoran's spines rose a fraction, then settled as she adjusted. Larvitar took one heavy step forward and didn't flinch.
"Alright," Ryan murmured. "Let's go, team."
They crossed the threshold into Viridian Forest.
Light filtered through the canopy in scattered beams, painting the forest floor with moving patches of brightness. Every step sounded louder here—twigs snapping, leaves crunching, the distant rustle of something small darting away.
Ryan kept his steps steady, scanning both trail and trees. He could hear Pokémon everywhere: the high, musical cry of a Pidgey; the slow shuffle of a Metapod adjusting on a branch; a faint skittering that was probably a Weedle.
He'd barely gotten used to the forest's soundscape when a voice rang out ahead.
"Hey! You there!"
Ryan almost groaned. Something about that phrase seemed to precede a battle.
A boy in a wide-brimmed hat, green vest, and shorts stood near a bend in the path, net propped carelessly on one shoulder. His eyes lit up when he saw Ryan.
"New trainer?" the boy asked eagerly. "I'm Tad. I specialise in Bug-types. Want to battle?"
"Sure," Ryan said. He'd wanted live practice anyway. "I'm Ryan. From Pallet."
"Nice," Tad said. "I've been training here for a while. Don't expect an easy win."
He spun his net, then grabbed a Poké Ball from his belt.
"Go, Caterpie!"
The Ball burst open, and a small green caterpillar Pokémon appeared, antennas swaying. It chirped softly.
Ryan's Pokédex, dutiful as ever, chimed.
"Caterpie," it recited. "The Worm Pokémon. Caterpie releases a terrible odour from its antenna to repel enemies. It grows by moulting repeatedly and may climb a tree to make a cocoon and evolve."
Ryan considered his options. Larvitar's Rock-type moves would be overkill and risk injuring the Caterpie. Nidoran was strong, but this was a good chance for someone else.
He looked down at Rattata, who was already bristling with eagerness.
"Rattata, you're up," Ryan said. "Let's test that Quick Attack."
Rattata squeaked sharply and stepped onto the path, tail high.
Tad smirked. "A Rattata? Alright, let's see if you can catch this. Caterpie, String Shot!"
Caterpie spat a thick stream of sticky silk toward Rattata.
"Dodge!" Ryan ordered. "Circle and Quick Attack from the side!"
Rattata sprang aside, barely avoiding the first shot. A few strands stuck to the ground where it had been. It raced around Caterpie in a tight arc, then shot in with Quick Attack, body a blur.
The hit landed, knocking Caterpie sideways.
Tad's grin didn't fade. "Caterpie, don't worry about dodging. Use String Shot again, but spread it—slow that Rattata down!"
"Caaater," the Bug-type chirped, spewing a wide fan of silk this time.
"Jump!" Ryan shouted.
Rattata leapt, but the net was too wide. Strands of silk caught on its fur and legs, dragging it down. It landed awkwardly, squeaking, limbs sticking slightly.
"Good," Tad said. "Now Tackle it while it's slowed!"
Caterpie crawled forward surprisingly fast, hurtling its small body at Rattata.
"Rattata, brace and use Tackle to meet it!" Ryan countered.
Even tangled, Rattata lowered its head and pushed forward. The two Pokémon collided. Both bounced back, but Rattata's higher speed—even slowed—gave it an edge.
Ryan frowned. Rattata's speed was its main weapon. If that kept getting cut, this could turn ugly.
"Okay," he said quickly. "Rattata, use Quick Attack—not to hit. To shake off the webs. Short bursts! Jump and spin!"
Tad blinked. "What?"
Rattata let out a determined squeak and burst forward in a tight, spiralling dash. The sudden acceleration loosened some of the silk. A second burst threw off more. It wasn't completely gone, but its legs moved more freely now.
"Nice," Ryan muttered. "Now, close in! Quick Attack, straight line! Aim low!"
Rattata bolted forward in a clean arc this time, lower to the ground. It slammed into Caterpie's underside, flipping the Bug-type onto its back.
"Caterpie!" Tad cried.
The little Pokémon wiggled, trying to right itself.
"That's enough," Tad said, raising his hand. "Caterpie, return. You did great."
He recalled it, then grinned widely.
"Wow. I thought String Shot would mess you up more," he said. "Using Quick Attack to shake it off? That's smart."
Ryan rubbed the back of his neck. "Rattata did the hard part. I just… nudged."
Rattata strutted back to him, still a bit sticky but obviously proud. Larvitar nodded once. Nidoran flicked her ears approvingly.
"You've got more?" Tad asked, eyeing Ryan's belt. "I've got one more bug, if you're up for it."
"Sure," Ryan said. "Let's make it a proper match."
Tad's grin turned sly. "Okay then. Go, Weedle!"
The next ball burst open, revealing a small yellow worm with a poisonous stinger on its head.
Ryan's Pokédex helpfully chimed: "Weedle, the Hairy Bug Pokémon. Its poison stinger is powerful. Its diet consists of leaves. It hides in grass and bushes where it can eat in safety."
Ryan thought quickly. Rattata had just had a solid workout and was still a bit sticky. Poison risk was high. He glanced at Nidoran.
"Think you can handle this one?" he asked.
Nidoran stepped forward, eyes flashing. Poison versus Poison sounded about right.
"Okay," Ryan said. "Let's go, Nidoran!"
Tad looked thoughtful. "Interesting choice. Weedle, String Shot!"
"Dodge and close in with Tackle!" Ryan snapped.
Nidoran rolled to the side, String Shot missing by inches, then slammed into Weedle before it could recover. The Bug-type let out a squeak, its little body bending.
"Weedle, Poison Sting!" Tad countered.
The Bug-type jabbed with its head stinger, trying to catch Nidoran as she pulled back.
"Turn that to our advantage!" Ryan called. "Grab it and shove it down with your paws—keep the stinger pointed away from you!"
Nidoran reacted quickly. She hooked Weedle with her front paws, pushing it down. The stinger jabbed harmlessly into the dirt instead of her side.
"Good!" Ryan shouted. "Now, Growl in its face—shake its nerve!"
She let out a fierce cry. Weedle flinched, its resolve wavering.
"Finish with Tackle", Ryan said.
Nidoran threw her weight forward, slamming Weedle back down onto the path. The Bug-type's eyes swirled.
Tad sighed and lifted his hand. "Weedle's done. Return, buddy."
He recalled it, then walked across the path, net bouncing against his back.
"Okay, I admit it," he said. "You're good. For someone just starting."
Ryan smiled, chest warm. "You made us work," he said. "If we'd underestimated your bugs, that could've gone badly."
"That's right," Tad said proudly. "Bugs aren't weak. They just grow fast. Caterpie and Weedle will evolve before you know it. Then we'll see who's laughing."
He dug around in his pocket, then handed Ryan a small bundle.
"Here. Some Oran berries from deeper in the forest," he said. "Think of it as a welcome-to-the-woods gift."
"Thanks," Ryan said sincerely. "We'll put them to good use."
Tad gave a little salute. "Good luck with the rest of the forest! Watch out for Beedrill and that Scyther."
He jogged off down a side trail, net swinging.
Ryan watched him go, then looked down at his team. Rattata was still breathing a bit heavily but looked ready for more. Nidoran stood solidly, ears high. Larvitar looked almost impatient.
"Everyone okay?" Ryan asked.
Rattata chirped. Nidoran nodded firmly. Larvitar gave him a look that clearly said, "When is it my turn to hit something again?"
"Soon," Ryan promised. "Bug-types are good practice for speed and positioning. But when it comes to Scyther…"
He trailed off, thinking.
"We'll need you at your best," he finished, looking at Larvitar. "Rock beats Bug/Flying. But Scyther's fast. And probably smart."
They moved on, deeper into the trees. The light dimmed further, turning everything a cool green. At one point, they passed under a massive web stretched between two trunks. Ryan gave it a very wide berth.
"Note to self," he muttered. "Don't get into a staring contest with a cluster of Spinarak."
Eventually, the sounds of other trainers faded. The path narrowed. A hush fell over this part of the forest, as if the trees themselves were waiting.
Ryan slowed, senses prickling.
"Do you feel that?" he whispered.
Larvitar's posture shifted, heavier, more braced. Nidoran's ears were rigidly forward. Rattata stopped darting and moved to walk closer to Ryan's boots.
The air had changed. It wasn't colder, exactly. Just… sharper. Like walking into a room where someone had just been arguing.
They rounded a bend—and stopped.
A tree trunk lay half-splintered beside the path, sap still oozing from a long, clean slash running across it. Leaves lay scattered around it, some sliced neatly in two.
Ryan stepped closer, heart pounding.
"That wasn't done with a beak," he muttered. "Or a stray Tackle."
Something breezed overhead, high in the canopy—a faint whff of movement. Ryan's head snapped up, but he saw only branches swaying gently.
"Stay close," he said quietly. "No wandering."
The path twisted again. Another tree bore scars—shallow cuts in the bark, parallel and deadly precise. A rock nearby was split down the middle as if a giant blade had cleaved it.
Rattata's whiskers trembled. Nidoran's spines rose. Larvitar lowered its centre of gravity, ready to brace or charge.
Ryan swallowed and forced himself to keep walking. Turning back now would be… wrong, not just for his pride, but for something deeper.
They passed a small clearing. Sunlight speared down through a gap in the canopy, turning the dust motes into glitter. In the centre, a large stump showed fresh marks—deep gouges, slices, chips as if someone had been using it as a training dummy.
Ryan stepped toward it.
"Whoever this Scyther is," he said quietly, "he's working hard too."
Something moved at the edge of his vision—a flicker of green.
He turned, body already moving into a half-defensive stance.
The clearing had gone very, very still. No Pidgey calls—no Caterpie chirps.
Just the faint, soft click of blades sliding against each other.
Ryan's breath caught.
Up ahead, on a low branch, two curved blades emerged from the shadow, followed by a lean, green body and piercing eyes.
Scyther.
It crouched on the branch like a ghost of the forest, gaze fixed on Ryan and his team. Sunlight ran along the edges of its scythes, making them shine.
Larvitar stepped forward with a growl.
Rattata's fur puffed to twice its size.
Nidoran snarled quietly, settling into a ready stance.
Ryan felt his heart smash against his ribs—but his voice came out steady.
"We've been looking for you," he said.
Scyther tilted its head slightly, as if considering the boy who dared say that.
Its wings buzzed once, a short, testing sound.
Then, with a smooth, terrifying grace, it leapt from the branch and landed on the forest floor in a low, ready crouch, blades held out to the sides.
Challenge issued.
Ryan took a slow, deliberate breath.
"Alright, Larvitar," he said. "Rattata. Nidoran. This is it. Stay sharp, watch each other, and listen for my calls."
He squared his shoulders and met Scyther's gaze.
"Let's see," he whispered, half to himself and half to the forest. "If we're strong enough to stand beside you."
The air thrummed with the promise of their first real test in Viridian Forest.
And the battle that would decide whether Scyther walked away alone… or joined Ryan's growing team.
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