//------------------------------// // Episode 2: The National Dex Isn't Everything (Edited) // Story: Pokémon CrimsonRed and CobaltBlue // by Golden Flare //------------------------------// Crimson went home to inform his mom about his journey to complete the National Dex. "Hmm. Are you sure you want to go through with this?" Scented asked Crimson. "Yeah, mom." Crimson answered. "I mean, I want to complete the National Dex just as much as the Doctor." Scented Candle knew how much this meant to Crimson, she also knew how dangerous the journey was, but if Crimson is VERY careful and not get into ANY trouble... "Well... I suppose it would be ok, but please be careful, Crimson, I really worry about you sometimes." Scented said. "I'll be ok, mom, I promise." Crimson said, trying to reassure his mom. Scented embraced her son in a warm, loving hug, and of course, he returned the favor. He knew in his heart that he would miss his mom very much, but he couldn't show any tears, he had to be strong, he had to be confident... For his dear mother. "Ok, mom, I gotta get going." Crimson said after they broke up the hug. "Crimson... please be sure to visit, ok?" Scented asked, trying to hold back her tears. "I will." Crimson answered as he strapped on his saddlebags. Crimson went out the door and followed the dirt path, exiting the town of Ponyville. Crimson continued on the path, now entering the grassy fields just outside of Ponyville. And then he spotted a Pokémon right off the bat! It was a Starly, Lv. 3, Normal/Flying type, male. "Whoa! A Pokémon!" Crimson said as he pulled out his Poké Ball. "Ok, Fennekin, let's go!" He sent out Fennekin to battle Starly. A wild Starly has appeared! The wild Starly used Tackle! Fennekin was knocked onto it's back. "Wait! Hang on!" Crimson exclaimed as he desperately tried to catch Starly, unfortunately, the Poké Ball he threw at it only shook once and Starly popped out. "Oh no! It broke free!" Crimson said. The wild Starly fled! Crimson checked the National Dex for Starly's data. #396 Starly ????? Pokémon ??????????????????????? ??????????????????????? Both Crimson and his Fennekin plopped down to the ground and sighed. "Aw man, it won't record the data unless I catch it." Crimson stood up, "Well, we can't give up now! We have to do this! For Doctor Whooves!" Fennekin smiled as she stood up and jumped on Crimson's back. A Spinarak was lazing around on its web, Lv. 2, Bug/Poison type, female. A wild Spinarak appeared! Crimson threw Fennekin's Poké Ball with his tail, "We got 'em this time!" The wild Spinarak used Poison Sting! "Fennekin, dodge it!" Crimson commanded. The wild Spinarak's attack missed! "Fennekin, use Ember!" Crimson commanded. It's super effective! "Go, Poké Ball!" Crimson declared as he threw his Poké Ball with his tail. shake shake shake ding! The wild Spinarak has been caught! "Alright! We did it!" Crimson cheered. Spinarak's data has been added to the PokéDex. #167 Spinarak, the String Spit Pokémon It spins a web using fine--but durable--thread. It then waits patiently for prey to be captured. "Wow, that's so cool!" Crimson said. Crimson continued catching Pokémon as he journeyed through Equestria. #276 Taillow, the Tiny Swallow Pokémon It has a gutsy spirit that makes it bravely take on tough foes. It flies in search of warm climates. #265 Wurmple, the Worm Pokémon It lives among the tall grass and in forests. It repels attacks by raising up the spikes on its rear. #198 Murkrow, the Darkness Pokémon Feared and loathed by many, it is believed to bring misfortune to all those who see it at night. Crimson then went back to catch that Starly that flew away. #396 Starly, the Starling Pokemon They flock in great numbers. Though small, they flap their wings with great power. Crimson then came across a teenage filly with a white coat and a purple and pink mane. "You think you take on the Pokémon my sister gave me?" The filly asked, taunting him to battle. "Huh?" Crimson shot a look of confusion. Cilck here for trainer battle music Glamour Girl Sweetie Belle would like to battle! Glamour Girl Sweetie Belle sent out Glameow! "I've never seen that Pokémon before!" Crimson thought out loud. "Ok, I'm counting on you Fennekin!" The foe's Glameow used Scratch! "Fennekin, watch out!" Crimson called out. The foe's Glameow's attack missed! "Ok, Fennekin, use Ember!" Crimson commanded. A critical hit! "Hurry, use Scratch!" Crimson commanded. "Glameow, hurry up and use Fake Out!" Sweetie Belle commanded. The foe's Glameow used Fake Out! Fennekin flinched! "Grrr..." Crimson growled though his gritted teeth. The foe's Glameow used Scratch! "Fennekin, counter with your own Scratch!" Crimson commanded. The foe's Glameow's attack missed! Fennekin used Scratch! The foe's Glameow fainted! Fennekin grew to Lv. 6! "Now!" Crimson said as he threw a Poké Ball. "Wait, what're you--?!" Sweetie Belle tried to say. Crimson's Poké Ball bounced back. (stop music) "What the?!" Crimson asked, astonished. "Return, Glameow!" Sweetie Belle returned her Pokémon to its Poké Ball. "What's wrong with you, trying to catch somepony else's Pokémon?! You're a thief!" "What, thief?" Crimson was once again confused. "I-I'm sorry, I guess I got a little Poké Ball Trigger Happy. Um, where can I find a Glameow like that?" "Hmmm..." Sweetie Belle tried to be cautious. "Well, alright. Since you won, I'll tell you. There's a mare who takes care of many Pokémon, she tries to have them adopted to good homes, her name is Fluttershy. Her cottage isn't far from here, just head to the entrance of the Everfree Forest and you can't miss it." Crimson won 30 bits from Glamour Girl Sweetie Belle! "Ok, thanks!" Crimson said as he trotted away from Sweetie Belle. "BUT!" Crimson snapped his head back to the filly. "She'll only allow Pokémon to be adopted by trainers who truly care for their Pokémon." "Ok, thanks again!" Crimson said. NOTE: There will be a side story for this in another chapter. Crimson continued on his journey, he ended up just outside of a local town. "Appleloosa." Crimson said. "Hey, Crimsey!" Cobalt shouted as he approached him. "Cobalt!" Crimson replied, acknowledging his friend. "So, has your Pokémon gotten stronger yet?" Cobalt asked. "Cobalt, my goal in my journey isn't to make my Pokémon stronger." Crimson stated clearly. "I just wanna complete the National Dex." Cobalt chuckled, "Well, Crimsey, to complete the National Dex, you do realize you're gonna have to face powerful Pokémon, do ya? Well, at least you have a good excuse to back outta battle if you chicken out." "What did you say?!" Crimson angrily asked with an intense stare. Cobalt got up in Crimson's face, "C'mon, Crimsey, you know it and I know it, no matter how hard you try, if you battled me, you'll never, ever win!" Crimson snapped, "ALRIGHT! I ACCEPT YOUR CHALLENGE!!" Battle Theme Pokémon Trainer Cobalt Ocean would like to battle! Pokémon Trainer Cobalt Ocean sent out Froakie! "Go, Fennekin!" Crimson yelled as he threw his Poké Ball. Little do they know that they were being watched by a teenage mare with a yellow coat, orange eyes, and a red mane tied into a ponytail by a pink ribbon. Another thing that they do not know is that Fennekin is Lv. 6 and Froakie is at Lv. 9. "Fennekin, use Ember!" Crimson commanded. Fennekin's attack missed! The foe's Froakie used Bubble! It's super effective! "Grr! Quick, use Tail Whip!" Crimson commanded. The foe's Froakie's Defense fell! "Hurry, use Scratch!" Crimson commanded. The foe's Froakie used Quick Attack! Froakie's ability: Protean Froakie's type is now Normal type! The foe's Froakie used Pound! "Come on back, Fennekin!" Crimson called as he returned Fennekin to her Poké Ball. (stop music) "You're kidding, right?" Cobalt asked, smugly. "I've never seen such a weak trainer before. Me and Froakie are WAY too strong, and awesome to boot!" Crimson stared at his Poké Ball. "All you do is attack, Crimsey, it's far too predictable!" Cobalt said with a smug grin on his face. "I...I..." Crimson couldn't find any words to say. "Listen, Crimsey, maybe you should head back to Ponyville, you're just gonna end up getting hurt out in the real world. And forget about completing the National Dex, you're just wasting your time!" Cobalt said. Cobalt walked away, laughing, leaving Crimson alone, clenching Fennekin's Poké Ball in his hoof. Crimson sat on the outskirts of Appleloosa, trying to gather his thoughts. "I don't understand," Crimson began. "Me and Cobalt...should be at the same level by now. I just don't get it!" Crimson plopped down to the ground, his face buried in his hooves. "No." a voice said, pulling Crimson from his thoughts and turned around to face where the voice was coming from. "It's obvious that the one who used Froakie, is way more experienced." It was the yellow coated teenage mare from before. "W-What do mean?" Crimson asked, hesitantly. "Sorry ta' say this, but you and your Fennekin are not in sync." the mare explained. "Not in sync? You're lying!" Crimson retorted. "An Apple doesn't lie, ya know." the mare countered. "An Apple?" Crimson asked, confused. "Tell me somethin' kid, do ya know bout Types and Characteristics of Pokémon?" "Types...and Characteristics?" Crimson asked, more confused than before. "Huh. You began your journey as a trainer, an' ya don't know bout that?" the mare asked. Crimson had no clue what to say at this point. "Y'all should go and challenge the Gym Leaders, they'll teach you the ways of battle." the mare advised. "Um, right, got it!" Crimson said as he walked past the mare. He yelped as he felt a slight tug on his tail, the mare grabbed his tail with her teeth and stopped him. "Slow down there, partner, where ya goin'?" the mare asked. "Isn't it obvious? I'm going to go challenge these Gym Leaders to battle." Crimson answered with determination in his voice. The mare shot Crimson an extremely intense stare, more intense than the one he himself gave Cobalt. "Are ya tryin' ta' tell me that you're gonna make that poor, hurt Fennekin battle even more?" Crimson just stared at his Poké Ball. "You should take it to the Pokémon Center at Appleloosa." the mare suggested. "Right. Sorry." Crimson said. "It's the building with the red roof, you can't miss it." the mare explained. "Before ya go to the gyms, find the answer to this question: What is Pokémon battling really all about?" The mare left Crimson by himself, he suddenly realized he had to go to the Pokémon Center. Who was that girl? Crimson thought to himself. Had she been watching our battle? "What is Pokémon battling really all about?" What did she mean by that? "Crimson," Nurse Redheart began. "I wanna thank you for waiting! Your Pokémon are completely fighting fit! We hope to see you again!" "Thanks a lot, Nurse Redheart!" Crimson replied. Crimson continued on his journey to find the ones called "Gym Leaders", but who knows what adventures may lie ahead? Only time will tell. To Be Continued...