This was a small grove located on the right side of Route 102, and the end of the woods led to the next town.
Oldale Town—a town where colorful flowers and green trees vied to show their beauty.
It was situated at the intersection of Route 101, Route 102, and Route 103!
It was a highly important location.
With a small population but surrounded by abundant forest and water resources, a wide variety of Pokémon lived here.
Some people even claimed to have seen the Grass- and Water-type starters roaming about.
Starter Pokémon—the very first Pokémon a rookie trainer received when embarking on their journey.
They were chosen from one of three specific Pokémon: Grass, Fire, or Water-types!
They possessed three-stage evolutions, immense potential, and their final stage base stats could reach around 530.
Extremely worth raising!
This naturally attracted numerous trainers to come here in search of their traces.
However, the starter Pokémon of each region were actually under the strict control of the League!
In the wild, only very small populations existed, making them incredibly hard to encounter.
He also wondered if Mega Evolution had been discovered yet in this timeline.
Thinking about this, Leo decided to take a short rest first before trying his luck to see if he could find his desired target.
Making up his mind, Leo rubbed his chin and walked into the Oldale Town Pokémon Center.
After handing his Poké Ball to Nurse Joy, he waited quietly, leaning against the counter as he watched the bustling lobby filled with people coming and going.
Every trainer was accompanied by different Pokémon, making Leo dizzy just looking at them all.
Aside from the common Machop, Geodude, Azurill, Nidoran♂, and so on…
There were rarer sights like the starters Treecko and Torchic.
Leo even saw an older man walk out of the lobby, release a Dragonite, and simply ride on its back as it flew away, causing a massive commotion.
Rubbing his eyes vigorously to confirm he wasn’t seeing things, Leo said excitedly, “I didn’t expect to see a Dragonite here, the pseudo-legendary of the Kanto region!” “That gentleman is a League Inspector~” Before Leo could finish marveling, Nurse Joy’s voice drifted over.
Snapping back to reality, Leo took the Poké Ball from Nurse Joy, hurriedly thanked her, and asked, “Why is a League Inspector here, Nurse Joy?
Is something happening in Oldale Town?” “That’s a secret, little one.
Just leave it to the adults of the League to handle!” Nurse Joy blinked and smiled gently.
“You’re still a rookie.
Hurry up and go to Littleroot Town to get registered; that’s what’s most important right now.” ‘Ugh, damn “little one”…’ Leo felt helpless.
He could only walk out of the Pokémon Center under Nurse Joy’s watchful gaze.
Just then, a conversation nearby caught his attention.
“Did you hear?
Someone saw traces of a Mudkip in the wetlands of Route 103!” Hmm?
“Real or fake?
It wouldn’t be another false rumor deliberately spread by someone, would it?” “How could it be?
You know Woo from Rustboro City, right?
He crossed paths with the Mudkip…” “Did he catch it?” “Uh, no.
His Geodude got beaten by the Mudkip…” “That’s great!
What are we waiting for?
Let’s go!
If we manage to catch it, we’ve hit the jackpot!” “Alright!
Let’s go, let’s go!” Listening to their conversation and watching the trainers hurry away, Leo frowned.
He didn’t know if it was true or false.
Even if it was real, with so many people searching, would the Mudkip still show up?
And if it did, with that many people around…
Just thinking about it gave him a headache.
Shaking his head, Leo wasn’t in a rush to find the Mudkip.
It was noon right now, and a Mudkip—which loved damp environments—wouldn’t be out in the blazing sun!
Filling his stomach was more important right now.
Anyway, he wasn’t far from Littleroot Town.
He’d find Professor Birch first, then return to the Pokémon Center to stay the night.
Once he was fully prepared, it wouldn’t be too late to go look for the Mudkip!
In Leo’s opinion, catching Pokémon relied on destiny!
He let Onix out, placed Pokémon food and Pokéblocks in front of it, and poured out the rocks and minerals he had brought from home onto the ground.
Meanwhile, he ordered a chicken katsu curry rice for himself and dug in.
“Onix, tonight you can go underground!
Absorbing various rocks will be good for your growth!” “Roar!” The Onix species usually lived underground.
They would dig and move forward at 80 km/h (~50mph) while searching for food, swallowing rocks and minerals, and absorbing various hard objects to make their bodies even sturdier.
As they grew, the composition of the rocks in their bodies would change, eventually becoming like a black diamond.
It was safe to say that this was the habit of most Rock-type Pokémon—relying on swallowing rocks and high-density minerals to enhance their body’s hardness and accelerate their growth.
Just like the pseudo-legendary of the Johto region, Tyranitar.
Starting from its time as a Larvitar, it had to eat its way through an entire mountain before it could finally grow into the “Tyrant of the Sands,” Tyranitar!
Speaking of which, Tyranitar, a Rock-type pseudo-legendary!
He definitely had to catch one in the future!
He wondered if fate would allow it.
Thinking of this, Leo’s thoughts on obtaining his official starter Pokémon shifted slightly.
If he accumulated enough contribution points, maybe he could earn the qualification to receive a pseudo-legendary from within the League itself…
After eating, he recalled Onix and set off towards Littleroot Town once again.
Leaving Oldale Town and heading south along Route 101, he entered a patch of shrubs and coppice woods.
From time to time, a Wurmple or Caterpie would crawl out on either side of the road.
Occasionally, a Pidgey would fly overhead, and then a Wurmple would just…
disappear.
While walking on the path, a low groan came from behind the trees to his right.
Leo frowned, released Onix to stand guard, and walked toward the source of the sound.
Behind the tree leaned a Pokémon that closely resembled a human child’s body, with brown skin, a pointy nose, and a leaf growing on top of its head!
Is this…
a Nuzleaf?
“System, scan!” [Pokémon: Nuzleaf Lv.15.
A Pokémon that lives in densely overgrown forests.
It occasionally emerges from the forest to frighten people.
It utterly despises having its long nose grabbed!
Gender: Male Type: Grass / Dark Nature: Naughty Ability: Chlorophyll (Boosts the Pokémon’s Speed stat in harsh sunlight) Moves: Razor Leaf (Beginner), Fake Out (Beginner), Absorb (Beginner), Astonish (Beginner), Tackle (Beginner) Egg Moves: Extrasensory (Beginner) TM Moves: None Status: Weakened, Poisoned] Hmm?
It has a status condition?
Weakened, and poisoned.
Leo stepped forward, looking at the feeble Nuzleaf.
It had its eyes closed, its right hand clutching a wound on its left arm.
Its face was full of pain, and unconscious groans escaped its mouth.
This wasn’t looking good!
He quickly took out a bottle of Antidote from his backpack, sprayed it on the wound on its left arm, and then took out a bandage to wrap the injury.
“Nuz~” Nuzleaf’s tightly furrowed cheeks relaxed slightly, and Leo also let out a sigh of relief.
He picked up Nuzleaf and climbed onto Onix.
“Onix, let’s hurry to Littleroot Town!
It’s better to have Professor Birch check on this Nuzleaf!” “Roar!” Onix nodded and hurried along the path toward Littleroot Town.
Looking at the weakened Nuzleaf, Leo couldn’t help but wonder.
Why was it poisoned?
There shouldn’t be any Poison-type Pokémon around here that would actively attack a Nuzleaf, right?
Leo mentally listed the Poison-type Pokémon in the vicinity.
Beedrill?
Venomoth?
Dustox?
None of them preyed on Nuzleaf.
Could it be a territory dispute?
Buzz…
buzz…
Hmm?
What’s that sound?
Leo frowned.
Such a familiar sound.
Buzz…
He felt like he’d heard it somewhere before…
Wait!
Oh no!
“Onix, speed up!” That was the sound of Beedrill flying!
Reacting instantly, Leo hurriedly commanded Onix to accelerate, wanting to get away from the coppice woods as fast as possible!
Even though Rock-types resisted Poison and Bug-types, once Beedrill moved, it was always in massive swarms!
Sure enough!
From the surrounding shrubs and trees, Beedrill began dancing in the air, gradually surrounding Onix!
Mixed among them were a few Venomoth, and hanging from the trees were countless Weedle, Kakuna, Wurmple, and more.
‘Did I stumble into a venomous bug nest?
No way?
I clearly never left the main road!’ Seeing things take a turn for the worse, Leo had no choice but to call for Onix to stop.
Holding Nuzleaf, he jumped off Onix’s back.
“Beedrill, I didn’t step into your territory.
Why are you attacking us?” Staring at the largest Beedrill, Leo noticed that its condition seemed a bit off!
Why?
“System, scan!” [Pokémon: Beedrill Lv.24 (Leader) Type: Poison / Bug Nature: Hardy Ability: Swarm (Powers up Bug-type moves when the Pokémon’s HP is low) Moves: Poison Jab (Beginner), String Shot (Proficient), Poison Sting (Proficient), Fury Cutter (Beginner), Focus Energy (Proficient), Double Team (Beginner), Pin Missile (Proficient), Agility (Proficient), Fury Attack (Beginner) Egg Moves: False Swipe (Beginner), Pursuit (Beginner) TM Moves: None] For his current Onix, it was very strong!
It had 5 Proficient-level moves!
As things stood, winning in a 1-on-1 would be extremely difficult.
And looking at the surrounding Bug Pokémon…
would they really let him fight 1-on-1?
Leo stared at the Beedrill leader, his brain racing.
But the Beedrill weren’t going to wait for him!
“Beedrill!!” “Buzz!
Buzz!” The surrounding Bug Pokémon charged forward all at once, as if they had received a command!
Their Poison Stings glinted with a purple light as they all lunged toward Onix…
“Damn it, what the hell is going on!
Onix, interrupt them with Screech, then use Rock Throw to cover the maximum area around us!” He had no choice but to fight.
Leo tried his best to stay calm.
He watched as the Bug Pokémon, their attacks interrupted by Screech, were struck by the rocks swept up by Onix’s tail, sustaining injuries and retreating.
[Ding!
In battle, Onix defeated a wild Beedrill.
Obtained 1 Training Point…] [Ding!
In battle, Onix defeated a wild Venomoth.
Obtained 1 Training Point…] [Ding!…] Not bad.
Aside from the Beedrill leader, the rest weren’t high level!
Taking advantage of this opening, “Onix, use Rock Slide on the Beedrill leader!” “Roar!” Onix roared, slamming its tail heavily against the ground, cracking the earth!
It upheaved a massive boulder.
With a swing of its body, Onix whipped its tail against the rock!
Brown energy coated the surface of the boulder as it rapidly hurtled toward the Beedrill leader!
A red flash gleamed in the Beedrill leader’s compound eyes, and 7 identical figures instantly appeared around it!
Double Team!
The giant rock Onix threw sailed right through the Beedrill’s afterimages.
Immediately after, including the main body, all 8 Beedrill stretched their bodies in mid-air, spreading their wings and raising their heads.
The red glint in their eyes grew even sharper.
They seemed to teleport, blinking through the air as they shot toward Onix, their twin stingers wrapped in a grayish-white aura!
“Beedrill~!” “Very experienced!
Agility and Focus Energy!
This guy…
what kind of deep-seated grudge does it have?” Leo saw the Beedrill’s eyes become even sharper and couldn’t help but smile bitterly inwardly.
However, he reacted quickly on the outside.
“Onix, Harden!
Then Dig!” Onix’s body flashed, its rocky hide becoming even sturdier and glossier.
Then, with a loud rumble, it burrowed into the ground.
Losing its target, the Beedrill leader paused briefly before turning to attack Leo and Nuzleaf.
A little lower, a little lower…
Now!
His eyes shifting, Leo covered his own and Nuzleaf’s ears and shouted.
“Onix, Screech!” Amplified by the underground tunnel, an even sharper, more unbearable sound shot straight into the Beedrill’s mind.
It curled its body in agony mid-air, its defenses plummeting!
Unable to maintain it, the Double Team illusions lost their effect and vanished completely.
At this point, it was very close to Leo, which meant it was very close to the ground!
“Onix, burst out and bite it!” Directly below the Beedrill leader, Onix violently burst from the underground, rushing toward Beedrill!
Breaking free from the Screech, the Beedrill leader refused to back down.
Its tail glowed with a virulent purple poison as it viciously jabbed toward Onix’s head!
Poison Jab!
“Roar!” Opening its massive jaws, Onix cried out in pain as it took the Poison Jab!
However, the Rock-type’s excellent poison resistance allowed it to endure the hit.
It clamped its jaws down right onto the Beedrill’s hind leg!
“Onix, use Return!” Putting its entire body’s strength into the move!
Onix dragged the Beedrill’s body and slammed it hard into the ground!
Boom!
A violent crashing sound rang out!
“Bee!” The Beedrill leader shrieked in pain!
The massive gap in levels allowed it to barely straighten up.
Its sharp twin stingers, cloaked in brown energy, rapidly thrust toward Onix’s head!
Boom!!!