home

search

Chapter 33: Route 3- Beginner Battles

  The morning sun cast a warm glow over Lumora City, but I barely noticed. My stomach churned with a mix of nerves and excitement, every movement feeling too deliberate, too stiff. I’d already packed my bag three times—double, then triple-checking my supplies. PokéBalls? Check. Potions? Check. My VireBand, Pokédex, and spare change of clothes? Check, check, check. Everything was accounted for, yet an irrational part of me still feared I’d forgotten something crucial.

  Ever since I was little, growing up in Verdantia, I had always dreamed of becoming a Trainer. But dreaming about it and actually stepping out into the world were two vastly different things. What if I mess up? What if I lose all my battles? What if I get lost? What if I run out of money and starve? What if something happens to Azzy? The self-doubts clung to my mind like burrs, sharp and persistent.

  Dad had already left for work, but he’d given me a hug that morning, his warm presence grounding me for just a moment. “You’ll do great, mon étoile. Just remember to keep in touch, okay? Let me know where you are, and most importantly—stay safe.”

  I had nodded, trying to push down the lump in my throat. But now, standing at the threshold of a journey I had been waiting for, I felt like a small-town girl playing pretend in a world far bigger than I could handle.

  Azzy chirped beside me, sensing my hesitation. The little Azurill gave my leg a reassuring nudge, tail bouncing happily. I exhaled. I can do this. I have to do this.

  By the time I reached the southern checkpoint, Lumora City’s urban sprawl had begun to soften into something more natural. The towering glass buildings gave way to sprawling gardens, small community parks, and walking paths lined with well-maintained hedges. Vending machines stood at the edges of the route, offering drinks and snacks for trainers heading out. Up ahead, I caught sight of a large city sign, its bold lettering welcoming travelers:

  “Route 3 – The Verdant Slopes Await!”

  A small group of trainers had gathered near it, chatting and taking photos like it was some kind of rite of passage. Others were heading out in pairs or groups, laughing and sharing their plans. I, however, was alone—save for Azzy. I hesitated for a moment, watching them, the weight of my own solitude pressing down on me. Maybe I should have asked someone to come with me. Amélie? Clara? Milo? Elliot? Even Stefano? I shook my head. No. This was something I needed to do on my own. Even if I felt hyper-aware of every step I took, even if my throat was tight with nerves.

  The automated Ranger outpost stood at the edge of the trail, its sleek, solar-paneled roof blending into the forested backdrop. A woman in a neatly pressed green uniform stood beside it, her posture relaxed yet professional. Isabelle’s gaze flicked to the name tag pinned to the front of her vest—Ranger Elise.

  Her auburn hair was cropped short and tucked beneath a broad-brimmed hat, and her sharp blue eyes carried a mix of warmth and authority. A belt of PokéBalls rested at her hip, a quiet testament to her own experience on these trails.

  “Good morning!” Elise’s voice was bright but steady, the kind that put people at ease. “First journey?”

  Isabelle nodded. “Yeah. Heading toward Blazebrook City.”

  Elise’s expression softened with familiarity as she reached for a folded map. “Route 3 is a classic. You’ll love it.” She handed the map over with an easy smile. “This highlights key spots along the way—rest stops, landmarks, even some hidden places trainers recommend checking out. The Verdant Slopes are gentle, but once you hit Cinder Hollow Woods…” She pulled a Burn Heal from her pouch, holding it up with a knowing look.

  A prickle of unease crawled down Isabelle’s spine. “Fire-types?”

  Elise nodded. “Exactly. They’re common near the woods and beyond, so it’s best to be prepared. Just one should be enough for now, but you can grab more at a rest stop if needed.”

  Isabelle’s fingers tightened around the map as her gaze flicked to the vending machine beside the outpost. A list of neatly labeled prices glowed on the screen, Burn Heal – 300 PokéDollars among them. She hesitated, biting her lip.

  2500 PokéDollars. That was all she had.

  She had never really had to think about money before. Her dad always made sure she had what she needed—gear, supplies, even little comforts she took for granted. But now? Every PokéDollar counted. What if she spent too much too early? What if she ran out and couldn’t afford food later?

  Her mind flashed back to the Professor’s advice. Then Elise’s warning. Then the idea of Azzy getting burned in a battle she wasn’t prepared for.

  Better safe than sorry.

  Isabelle exhaled and pressed the selection button. A quiet clink echoed from the tray below as the Burn Heal dropped. She scooped it up, tucking it into her bag before glancing at the updated balance on her PokéGear: 2200 PokéDollars left.

  She could feel Azzy watching her, the tiny Pokémon bouncing lightly at her side. Isabelle forced a reassuring smile, nudging her partner with a gentle finger. “That should cover us for now,” she murmured. “Let’s make it count.”

  Azzy chirped in agreement, her round tail bobbing as she followed Isabelle back onto the trail.

  Elise gave a firm nod. “You’ve got this,” she said, her voice laced with encouragement. “And don’t hesitate to check in with Rangers along the way. We’re always around if you need help.”

  Isabelle adjusted her bag’s strap, the weight of responsibility settling in a little heavier. But there was something else too—something steadier.

  “Thank you,” she said, meaning it.

  And with that, she stepped forward, the path unfolding ahead.

  The further she walked, the more the city seemed to melt away behind her. Verdant Slopes stretched wide ahead, an open sea of rolling green, flecked with bursts of wildflowers swaying in the breeze. The gentle hush of nature filled the space where the noise of Lumora had been, and for the first time since setting off, Isabelle felt like she could breathe.

  She inhaled, letting the fresh scent of earth and grass settle inside her. The quiet here wasn’t empty—it was alive.

  Azzy trotted ahead, tail bouncing with each step, pausing every few seconds to sniff at something new. Everything here was unfamiliar, but instead of hesitating, she dove straight into it. Isabelle smiled. Maybe she could take a lesson from that.

  She pulled out the map Elise had given her, running her fingers along its edges. It wasn’t like the sleek, digital version on her VireBand—this one felt personal. Hand-drawn landmarks, tiny scribbled notes in the margins, little touches that made it feel like someone had poured real experience into it.

  Her eyes landed on a shaded marking:

  “Old Tree Stump – Hidden Item Nearby?”

  And another:

  “Trainer’s Viewpoint – Great Photo Op.”

  Her lips quirked up. So there were little secrets tucked away here, waiting to be found.

  “Look at this, Azzy,” Isabelle said, crouching to show her partner. “There’s so much to explore. Maybe we can check out that tree stump later?”

  Azzy chirped, nudging the map with her nose.

  Rotom popped out of the Pokédex, buzzing around excitedly. “Oooooh, an old-school map! Retro chic! Love it. But let’s not forget I’m here, too. I can highlight landmarks digitally. Want me to? Want me to? Huh? Huh?”

  Isabelle laughed, shaking her head. “Let’s stick to this for now. It’s got personality.”

  “Suit yourself,” Rotom replied, zipping around a patch of tall grass. “Oh, oh, wait! Is that a wild Pokémon? Nope. Just a boring old Weedle. Carry on!”

  Azzy hopped after Rotom, her curious chirps blending with the sounds of nature.

  A little farther along, Isabelle spotted a small clearing bordered by wildflowers. The area was perfect for some training, and she decided it was time to let Azzy stretch her skills.

  “Alright, Azzy,” Isabelle said, setting her bag down and stepping back. “Let’s start with Tail Whip.”

  Azzy swished her tail in a fluid motion, the move looking more playful than intimidating. Isabelle clapped her hands, offering encouragement. “Good! Now try Bubble!”

  Azzy concentrated, releasing a stream of shimmering bubbles that burst against a nearby rock. They weren’t particularly strong, but their accuracy was improving.

  If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it.

  Rotom chimed in, hovering just above Azzy. “Not bad, not bad! But can she hit a moving target? Let’s find out! Incoming Rotom attack!” It darted around Azzy in zigzag patterns, chirping taunts.

  Azzy’s eyes narrowed with determination. She fired another Bubble, this time catching Rotom squarely. The AI yelped in mock indignation, retreating to Isabelle’s hand.

  “Hey, hey! No need to take me out! I was helping!” Rotom buzzed as Isabelle chuckled.

  The sound of footsteps on the gravel path drew Isabelle’s attention. She turned to see a boy around her age approaching with a confident stride. His Tepig trotted happily beside him, its small snout sniffing the air. The boy’s outfit was a mix of practicality and personality—a green flannel shirt rolled up to the elbows, a faded black vest, and cargo shorts that showed off well-worn hiking boots. His green cap was tilted back, revealing a shock of messy brown hair.

  “Hey!” he called out, waving. “I saw you training. Mind if I join? My Tepig could use some practice.”

  Azzy hopped forward, her tail raised as if answering for Isabelle.

  Isabelle smiled nervously. “Sure. We’re still pretty new to this, though.”

  “Same here,” Ethan admitted, stepping into position. “I’m Ethan, by the way. Just got my Tepig from Professor Ardene. Figured it’s about time we see what we can do.”

  Isabelle nodded. “I’m Isabelle. And this is Azzy.”

  Ethan grinned. “Well, Isabelle, let’s have a good battle. Tepig, you ready?”

  The small Fire-type let out a snort of determination, pawing the ground.

  Isabelle’s first battle started with nerves tangled in her throat.

  “Tepig, use Ember!” Ethan shouted confidently, his Tepig snorting a small burst of flames as it charged forward.

  “Azzy, dodge and counter with Bubble!” Isabelle commanded, her voice not quite as steady as she wanted. She knew the moves Azzy had, but calling them out in battle felt completely different than just reading them off the Pokédex.

  Azzy hopped to the side, barely dodging the Ember as it scorched the ground where she’d stood moments before. With a chirp of determination, Azzy spun around, releasing a stream of shimmering bubbles that collided with the flames. A hiss of steam filled the air, and one bubble struck Tepig squarely, forcing it to stumble.

  That actually worked? Isabelle barely had time to process before Ethan shouted again.

  “Tepig, use Tackle! Full speed ahead!”

  Tepig lowered its head and charged. Isabelle hesitated—should she dodge again or counter? She wasn’t sure.

  “Uh—Azzy, um, try to dodge?”

  Azzy let out a panicked chirp, but the delay cost her. Tepig barreled into her, sending her rolling across the field. Isabelle’s heart clenched as Azzy struggled back up, shaking herself off with a defiant squeak.

  “Nice hit!” Ethan encouraged his partner. “Let’s keep up the pressure!”

  Isabelle scrambled for something, anything.

  “Azzy, uh, Tail Whip!” she blurted out.

  Azzy spun around, tail swishing playfully but with intent. Tepig hesitated, its guard dropping as it seemed momentarily distracted by the rhythmic motion.

  “Ooh, a tactical debuff! I like it!” Rotom buzzed enthusiastically. “You’re starting to think like a pro, partner!”

  Isabelle wasn’t so sure about that. Was that even the right move?

  “Follow up with Bubble!” she called, a little more confident this time.

  Azzy unleashed another burst of bubbles, this time stronger. Each orb shimmered as it struck Tepig repeatedly. The Fire-type squealed, overwhelmed by the water-type attack, and eventually toppled onto its side with a soft thud.

  Ethan’s eyes widened as his Tepig lay there, defeated.

  Wait… that was it? Isabelle blinked in surprise. Did I actually win? Was it supposed to be this easy? She expected more of a struggle, more back-and-forth. Azzy didn’t even look that tired.

  The truth was, Isabelle had no idea how much of it had been skill and how much had just been Ethan’s inexperience.

  “Tepig, no!” Ethan called out, but his partner was already down, struggling to rise before collapsing again with a defeated snort.

  The field fell silent except for Azzy’s triumphant chirp, her tail wagging proudly. Isabelle grinned, though uncertainty still lingered in the back of her mind.

  “Great job, Azzy! You were amazing!”

  “Victory!” Rotom announced, zipping out of Isabelle’s bag to do a little loop in the air. “First battle down, many more to go! We should celebrate—do humans give out snacks for this kind of thing?”

  Isabelle rolled her eyes but laughed. “Not now, Rotom. Maybe later.”

  Ethan returned Tepig to its PokéBall with a small sigh, then walked over with a smile. “You’ve got a strong partner there,” he said. “That was awesome. I’ve got a lot to learn.”

  “Thanks,” Isabelle replied, scratching Azzy under her chin. “You and Tepig did great too. It was a fun battle.”

  Ethan pulled out a small pouch and handed it to her. “Here, it’s not much, but it’s customary for the loser to pay the winner.” Isabelle opened the pouch to find 50 PokéDollars inside.

  She hesitated. “Are you sure? I mean, it wasn’t exactly a high-stakes battle…”

  Ethan chuckled. “It’s the rule, and it’s good practice for the League Circuit. You’ll get used to it.”

  Isabelle nodded, but a small voice in her head whispered: That was too easy.

  Ethan adjusted his cap, rubbing the back of his neck as he gave her a small, sheepish smile. "Well, I guess I should head back to Lumora and get Tepig checked out. We’ll train harder next time."

  He took a step back, then hesitated. "Hey, maybe if we meet again, we could have a rematch? By then, I bet we’ll both be stronger."

  Isabelle returned his smile, though her thoughts still lingered on how quickly the battle had ended. "Yeah, I’d like that."

  Ethan gave her a thumbs-up before turning toward the city, jogging away with Tepig’s PokéBall clutched in his hand. Isabelle watched him go, the reality settling in. Her first battle was over. And somehow, she had won. But was it really because she was good—or just because he wasn’t?

  As Isabelle and Azzy resumed their trek along the Verdant Slopes, the afternoon sun bathed the rolling meadows in a warm, golden glow. Isabelle pulled out the map Ranger Elise had given her earlier, unfolding it to take a closer look.

  The map wasn’t just functional—it was a work of art, vibrant and brimming with personality. Small hand-drawn illustrations depicted landmarks, wild Pokémon habitats, and even hidden treasures along the route, giving it an old-world charm that technology lacked. Every trail and waypoint was marked with care, with handwritten notes scrawled in the margins. “It’s almost like an adventure guide,” Isabelle mused, running her fingers over the textured paper. The ink was slightly worn at the edges, evidence of past use by multiple trainers before her.

  “Your VireBand can do maps too, you know,” Rotom chimed, zipping around her shoulder. “It’s got GPS, real-time updates, and even trainer reviews! Super convenient! Why use that old thing when you have me?”

  Isabelle smiled, shaking her head. “Not everything has to be digital. This map has details the VireBand doesn’t—like handwritten tips, sketches of places to explore, and even secret paths. It feels... more personal.”

  Rotom’s screen lit up with interest. “Ooh, the one with the little symbol next to it? That means it’s something cool, right? Let’s check it out!”

  “Patience,” Isabelle said, laughing. “We’ll get there soon enough.”

  She folded the map carefully, tucking it back into her bag. The contrast between the old and the new was striking—her digital VireBand pulsing with efficiency, and the hand-drawn map carrying the legacy of trainers who had walked this path before her. For now, she’d trust in both.

  As they walked, Rotom’s face appeared on its screen, eyes gleaming mischievously. “By the way, partner, did you know Tepig has a flame sac inside its body? That’s what fuels its Ember attack! Oh, oh! And get this—it eats whatever it can find, but prefers berries roasted by its own flames. Talk about cooking on the go!”

  Isabelle raised an eyebrow, glancing at her buzzing companion. “Wait, you scanned Tepig during the battle?”

  “Of course!” Rotom said proudly, doing a small loop in the air. “That’s what I’m here for! Check it out!”

  Rotom projected a small holographic display from its body, showcasing a detailed entry on Tepig:

  Pokémon: Tepig

  Type: Fire

  Category: Fire Pig Pokémon

  Height: 1'08"

  Weight: 21.8 lbs

  Abilities: Blaze

  Description: It blows fire through its nose. When it catches a cold, the fire becomes pitch-black smoke instead.

  Habitat: Grasslands and volcanic regions.

  “Impressive, right?” Rotom chirped. “Your RotomDex is a cut above the rest. You’re welcome, by the way.”

  Isabelle tilted her head, mildly amused. “Okay, I’ll admit—that’s pretty handy. But maybe warn me next time before you start analyzing someone’s Pokémon mid-battle?”

  “Warn you? Pfft! Where’s the fun in that?” Rotom zipped around her head with a playful buzz. “Besides, the more you know, the better prepared you’ll be! I’m basically your secret weapon.”

  “Or my overly enthusiastic cheerleader,” Isabelle muttered, though she couldn’t help smiling.

  The path ahead opened into a small clearing, dappled with sunlight filtering through the trees. Isabelle decided it was a good spot for Azzy to stretch her legs and do some training.

  “Alright, Azzy,” she said, setting her bag down. “Let’s see if we can work on your Bubble attack.”

  Azzy chirped and bounced forward, her little body vibrating with excitement. Isabelle spent the next several minutes guiding her partner, encouraging her to aim for specific spots on the ground. Rotom floated nearby, offering its usual unprompted commentary.

  “Good form! But maybe a bit more power next time!”

  “Hmm, that one was off by a centimeter. Not bad, though!”

  “Are you planning to make Bubble your signature move? Because you’re gonna need a bigger splash!”

  Azzy chirped defiantly, unleashing a particularly strong Bubble burst that struck a nearby tree with a satisfying pop. Isabelle clapped, her grin widening. “That’s it, Azzy! You’re getting stronger already.”

  The two shared a quiet moment of accomplishment before Rotom piped up again. “Heads up, partner! That old tree stump is just a few minutes ahead. What are we waiting for?”

  Isabelle rolled her eyes but couldn’t help laughing. “Alright, let’s check it out. Come on, Azzy.”

  With her partner bouncing cheerfully beside her and Rotom buzzing excitedly around her, Isabelle felt a renewed sense of purpose as they continued their journey. The next step awaited just beyond the horizon.

Recommended Popular Novels