NOVEL WEB Chapter 3: Chapter 3
Section 3: New Pokémon
The battle against Damian hadn't exhausted me, but it had allowed me to assess certain things. More than just a duel, it had been an opportunity to observe weaknesses, behaviors… But I hadn't yet shown the full extent of what I could do. I knew that. For now, he was just one of many obstacles on the road. An obstacle that helped me better understand how the world around me worked.
I was now walking along Route 1, a stretch of dirt that seemed to extend infinitely, bordered by bushes and trees that had just begun to change color with the first signs of autumn. It was a simple, almost ordinary landscape, but for some reason, it calmed me. There were no great expectations here, nothing pushing me to exceed my limits. The calm before the storm, perhaps.
I placed my hand in my pocket, where Bulbasaur's Pokéball was still stored. Nothing particularly surprising. After all, he had just started, and I knew it would take time before he became truly strong. Not much was happening at the moment. There was only the gentle wind moving the grass, the slightly overcast sky, and me standing there, lost in my thoughts.
There was nothing special in the air, yet something seemed to pull me toward a more isolated part of the road. A barely visible path winding through the bushes. I had no reason to take it, other than curiosity—that little spark that pushes you to see what lies ahead.
I decided to follow the path. After all, it was time to explore. Maybe I would find something that could help me—another Pokémon, an ally, or simply a new experience.
As I walked forward, I noticed a small silhouette hidden in the shadows of the bushes. At first, I thought it was a small wild Pokémon, but as I approached, I realized it was far more interesting than that. A small, furry creature—frail and quick—suddenly emerged, leaping out of the bushes to dart in front of me. A Rattata, a Normal-type Pokémon. Not the rarest, but interesting in its own way.
This little Pokémon seemed almost indifferent to my presence, like a flicker of light in the middle of the vegetation. It stopped for a moment to look at me with curious eyes before dashing off again in a frantic sprint.
I wasn't here to catch just any Pokémon. But something about the way this Rattata moved made me observe it more closely. Fast, agile—it had that untamed quality. And something told me it could be useful for what was coming.
I took a few steps forward, closing the distance between us. The Pokémon seemed aware of my approach, yet it showed no signs of hostility. In fact, it almost ignored me. That was… interesting. A Pokémon that didn't attack immediately, that didn't flee either. It had nothing to prove. It was just a small Rattata, yet it carried a sense of confidence, a kind of tranquility. A mindset I could recognize.
I took a deep breath and pulled out another Pokéball. I had no intention of chasing after Rattata like a hunter. Instead, I wanted it to come to me. After all, that's how it worked with Pokémon. You couldn't force them. They had to approach on their own, to decide for themselves if they wanted to join the journey.
I threw the Pokéball. "Come with me," I murmured, watching the small creature.
The Pokéball rolled once… then twice… then three times… before stopping with a sharp click.
Silence fell. I waited a few seconds before stepping forward slowly. The Pokéball was still warm in my hand. A slight tremor inside made me smile faintly. It was done. Rattata had joined the team.
I looked around. The path was still as quiet as ever, with no signs of life except for a few birds and the constant wind gently rustling through the leaves. Nothing seemed to be happening, yet everything was about to change. This Rattata, insignificant to many, could become an asset in the future. Not today, but maybe tomorrow.
I slipped the Pokéball into my pocket, my hand still resting on it. Another small step in this journey that was only just beginning. But already, I could feel that every move, every action, was going to matter.