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14.28% Pokémon : An Unexpected Odyssey / Chapter 7: Chapter no.7 Day 2

Chương 7: Chapter no.7 Day 2

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Austin woke to the soft murmur of "Pika," breaking through the haze of sleep that clung to him like a heavy fog. Blinking groggily, he turned to see Pikachu perched at the edge of the bed, its round cheeks faintly glowing with residual sparks in the dim morning light. The Pokémon's wide brown eyes glimmered with curiosity and a touch of impatience.

"A Pikachu?" he muttered, his voice hoarse from sleep as he rubbed his eyes. Everything felt disjointed, as though he was caught in the strange limbo between dreaming and waking. The events of yesterday felt like a surreal blur—impossible to grasp.

And then it hit him.

Holy shit, yesterday wasn't a dream!

He bolted upright, his heart pounding in his chest like a drum. The sudden movement startled Pikachu, who let out a yelp and tumbled off the bed with a surprised squeak. As Pikachu hit the floor, the air filled with the sharp tang of ozone, its cheeks sparking dangerously.

"S-Sorry, buddy!" Austin stammered, holding up his hands as if to calm the little Electric-type. "You startled me! Did you need something?"

Pikachu glared up at him, rubbing its head with a tiny paw, before pointing to its belly with an insistent "Pika Pi."

"Right, you're hungry," Austin sighed, running a hand through his messy hair. "Okay, give me a minute to wash up, and then we'll get some breakfast."

He glanced over at Spearow, curled up at the foot of the bed. Its sharp beak was tucked under its wing, and the brown-and-cream feathers rose and fell with each steady breath. Despite its usual aggressive demeanor, the little bird looked ridiculously peaceful—cute, even—in sleep.

Slipping out of bed, Austin padded toward the small bathroom attached to his room.

The tiles were cold against his feet as he stepped inside, and the chill sent a shiver up his spine. He caught his reflection in the mirror above the sink and frowned as he didn't see his face. But what drew his attention were the bandages. He stared at himself for a moment, his reflection a harsh reminder of the danger this world posed.

Sighing, Austin began peeling off the old bandages, wincing as the adhesive tugged sharply at his skin. He gritted his teeth, hissing softly as the gauze pulled free.

The cuts had scabbed over during the night, their jagged edges tinged with red and swollen where the skin had struggled to knit itself back together. Bruises surrounded the claw marks, blooming in mottled shades of purple and green, spreading like an ugly halo around the injury.

"Hope this doesn't leave a scar," he muttered, tossing the blood-stained wrappings into the trash. But even as the words left his mouth, he couldn't help but trace the claw marks lightly with his fingers, his mind racing.

Pokémon can actually hurt humans here, he thought grimly. Like, really hurt them. How did I survive Pikachu's Thundershock? Was it holding back because of Oak? Or maybe Pikachu was just weaker than Meowth?

He turned the shower knob, and a blast of cold water shot from the nozzle, making him flinch. Gritting his teeth, he stepped under the freezing stream. The icy water hit his skin like a slap, shocking him awake and washing away the dried blood clinging to his wounds.

He hissed through his teeth as the cold water stung his injuries, but he forced himself to bear it.

After a few minutes, his body adjusted to the chill, and the sting dulled to an almost bearable level. As the water streamed over him, Austin's thoughts drifted back to the reality of this situation.

Why was he here? How did he get pulled into this world? Was he Ash Ketchum, or was he still himself, just dropped into Ash's shoes? The questions swirled in his mind, colliding and tangling until he felt dizzy. He tried to ground himself, focusing on the icy sting of the water, the sound of it hitting the tiles, the cold air nipping at his skin.

"No need to worry over questions you won't get answers to," he murmured, the words sounding hollow even to his own ears. "Just… go with it. One step at a time."

This was his life now, and every decision he made had real consequences—for him and for the Pokémon he was responsible for.

"Let's just enjoy this journey until you get to Sinnoh and meet God," he joked, a dry laugh escaping him. The absurdity of it all washed over him, the thought of meeting Arceus, of confronting the being that was supposedly the creator of this world. It was insane, impossible, but so was everything else that had happened to him.

He sighed, the cold water doing little to clear the fog of confusion from his mind.

Austin stood there, water from the shower long gone, his skin still clammy and cold as he stared at his reflection in the bathroom mirror, trying to piece together the timeline.

How long would it take to reach Sinnoh? The question gnawed at him.

If the series progression was anything to go by, and assuming Ash does age—God, that's a big if—he'd be around sixteen during the Sinnoh arc, assuming every region took a year to complete. That meant he might be living in this world for about six years before he could meet up with Arceus, assuming that's even possible.

Six years. The thought alone was enough to make his head spin.

But then, how canon were the movies to the anime? If they didn't line up, that could throw all his calculations out the window.

"Shit!" Austin swore, louder than he intended, his voice bouncing off the bathroom walls.

He pressed his forehead against the cool tiles, the chill seeping through his skin, grounding him for just a moment. "I'll deal with this when I get to Sinnoh," he muttered, trying to convince himself to let it go. "Let's just enjoy these six years away from school and studying and…"

His voice trailed off as a familiar ache tightened in his chest.

His family. How would they cope without him? Did they even know he was gone? Or had his disappearance been smoothed over, another glitch in the system that no one noticed?

He could see their faces in his mind—his parents, his friends—people he never thought he'd be away from. And now, he was here, in some alternate reality with no idea if he'd ever see them again.

Would they even recognize him if he came back? Would he be the same person?

What if he never made it back?

The thought hit like a punch to the gut, knocking the air out of his lungs. He squeezed his eyes shut, pressing harder against the tiles, as if he could push the anxiety out through sheer force of will.

"Don't think about it. Just… don't," he whispered to himself, but it was no use. The questions kept coming, relentless and unanswerable.

And then, another thought slipped through the cracks, something he hadn't considered but now couldn't ignore.

Wait. I'm ten now, but by the time I hit Sinnoh, I'll be sixteen. That means… going through puberty all over again.

His eyes flew open, the realization almost comical if it weren't so horrifying. Going through puberty was bad enough the first time—awkward growth spurts, random voice cracks, the whole nine yards. Now, he had to do it again, while fighting off evil teams, being a Pokémon trainer, and trying not to screw up the timeline too badly?

Austin let out a hollow laugh, the sound echoing in the empty bathroom. "Great. Just great." As if being stuck in a world where Pokémon could destroy cities wasn't enough, now he had to deal with hormones and zits all over again.

He leaned back from the tiles, running a hand through his still-damp hair. His reflection in the mirror was a stranger—wide eyes, messy hair, and a hint of fear that he couldn't quite hide.

He took a deep breath, forcing himself to focus. One step at a time. Get through today, then tomorrow. Don't think too far ahead. Six years was a long time, but he didn't have to face it all at once.

He could figure this out. Somehow.

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As Austin walked through the Pokémon Center, he noticed Nurse Joy behind the counter, her usual warm smile in place. He approached her, trying not to look too out of place with a Spearow perched confidently on his head.

"Good morning!" Nurse Joy greeted cheerfully, her eyes flicking upward. Her smile faltered just a fraction before she let out a soft laugh. "You've got an interesting hat today."

"Yeah, rent's overdue, but Spearow doesn't seem to care."

Nurse Joy chuckled, resting her elbows on the counter. "I don't think it's planning to pay up anytime soon."

"Figured," Austin muttered as Spearow squawked indignantly, tugging at his hair as if to say, You'll take it and like it.

At his feet, Pikachu tapped his foot impatiently.

"Alright, alright, I'm getting to it," Austin said, holding his hands up. He turned back to Nurse Joy with a sheepish grin. "Sorry, I'm still figuring out this whole Pokémon trainer thing. Pretty sure I'm doing half of it wrong."

Nurse Joy tilted her head, her smile softening. "Oh, everyone feels like that in the beginning. Pokémon training isn't just about battles—it's about getting to know them. They've all got their own personalities, you know."

"Yeah, I'm getting that. Spearow here's got the personality of a landlord who raises rent every month."

"Sounds like a challenge," Nurse Joy said with a grin. "But challenges make good trainers. You're doing fine."

"Thanks," Austin replied, genuinely appreciating her encouragement.

Spearow, however, seemed unimpressed and tugged at his hair again.

"Spearow! Quit it! I'm going to go bald if you keep this up," Austin groaned, swatting lightly at the bird.

Spearow squawked and settled down, tucking its wings neatly, as if to say, Fine, I'll allow it.

Nurse Joy laughed. "Looks like it's got a flair for drama. So, what brings you over?"

"Oh, right." Austin scratched his head, careful not to disturb Spearow. "I was wondering where the cafeteria is—and if there's a kitchen I could use to whip up something for my Pokémon."

"The cafeteria is just down the hall to your left," Nurse Joy said. "As for the kitchen, you're welcome to use it, but you'll need to bring your own ingredients, and you'll need an intern with you. Safety protocols."

"Intern supervision? Sounds serious."

"Oh, it's not that bad," she said, though her smile widened just a little too much. "They're very… patient."

Austin sweatdropped. "I'll try not to burn the place down, then."

"Good plan," she teased, leaning on the counter. "How's your back doing, by the way?"

He rolled his shoulders, wincing slightly. "Still sore, but manageable. Nothing I can't handle."

"I'll send some pain relief ointment to your room," Nurse Joy offered. "It'll help with the stiffness."

"Thanks. That'll definitely help."

"Oh, and one more thing," Nurse Joy added. "Your Rattata's just about ready to be picked up. Nurse Chansey's finishing her final checkup now. You can pick her up in about an hour."

"That's great."

"Yes," Nurse Joy said, "And one last thing—Professor Oak called asking about you. He said he'd like you to video call him as soon as possible."

Austin froze for a second. "Professor Oak?" he repeated, keeping his voice casual. "Did he say why?"

She shook her head. "No, just that it's important."

"Got it. I'll give him a call," Austin said, pocketing his Pokédex and forcing a smile. "Thanks for everything."

"Of course," Nurse Joy replied brightly. "Have a good day, hero."

"You too," Austin replied, giving Nurse Joy a quick wave as he turned to leave.

His mind, however, was spinning. What could Professor Oak want? Austin glanced down at his Pokédex, scrolling through the contacts as he walked.

"Let's see," he murmured to himself. Ketchum household number, some restaurant—oh yeah, Delia worked there. Oak's lab… huh, a ton of emergency numbers too.

His thumb hovered over the contact list, but his thoughts were interrupted by a sudden burst of sunlight.

Austin blinked, glancing around. Wait, wasn't I supposed to be heading to the cafeteria?

Looking up, he finally saw the building he'd been aimlessly walking toward. The entrance was bustling with trainers, but what really caught his eye was the small garden visible through the open back. Pokémon lounged alongside their trainers under shady gazebos, their soft chirps and relaxed murmurs blending into a peaceful background hum.

Pikachu, however, had no interest in the scenery. The moment he spotted the food table inside, his ears perked up, and he launched himself forward like a yellow rocket. "Pika!"

"Pikachu, slow down!" Austin called, but it was too late. Pikachu skidded to a halt near the overwhelmed intern manning the table. The poor kid, looking like he'd been awake for days, was handing out plates of eggs, berries, toast, and milk to trainers while hastily refilling bowls of kibble for their Pokémon. His every move was sluggish, like he was teetering on the edge of exhaustion.

Austin grabbed a plate, shaking his head at Pikachu, who was already eyeing the kibble bowls like they were made of gold. He made his way to the back garden, finding a quiet spot under one of the gazebos. Away from the crowd, it felt peaceful—a small slice of calm in the chaos of his new life.

Pikachu followed eagerly, hopping onto the bench beside him, while Spearow fluttered off his head and landed on the table with an indignant squawk.

"You're welcome," Austin muttered dryly, setting his plate down.

As he picked at his eggs, a strange thought wormed its way into his mind. Are these from Pidgeys or Spearows?

His fork paused mid-air as his stomach did a flip. He remembered hints in the anime about Pokémon being used for food, but the idea of eating one made him queasy.

Pikachu glanced up at him, a piece of kibble dangling from his mouth, as if to ask what his problem was.

Austin sighed and took a tentative bite. The taste was incredible—creamy, fluffy, and rich. It was so good, in fact, that he momentarily forgot his earlier concern. "Okay, wow," he said aloud. "Maybe I won't question it. These eggs are amazing."

Pikachu squeaked in agreement, munching happily on his kibble, while Spearow pecked at a berry with what could only be described as regal disdain.

"Guess I'm not going vegan anytime soon. Vegetarian, I guess," he muttered to himself, glancing at the glass of milk on his tray. But then a strange question crossed his mind, one he wasn't sure he wanted the answer to.

I do wonder… what's the attitude on eating Pokémon in other regions? There's the whole Slowpoke tail thing in Johto…

The thought made his stomach churn. He grimaced, gagging slightly.

Pikachu, who had been peacefully chomping down on his kibble, gave him an unimpressed side-eye.

"Right, sorry," he muttered, shaking off the thought. His gaze drifted to Pikachu's bowl of kibble, the oddly colorful pieces stacked neatly in the ceramic dish. "I wonder what that stuff tastes like…"

Pikachu froze mid-bite, his eyes narrowing. He slowly placed his paw over the bowl protectively, shielding it like a prized treasure.

"Alright, alright! I wasn't going to take it. Geez, you're more protective of that bowl than my bank account."

Meanwhile, Spearow had finished his berries and hopped closer to Austin's plate, eyeing the eggs with greedy curiosity. The boy noticed immediately, narrowing his eyes at the small bird. "Don't even think about it," he warned, pointing his fork at Spearow.

Spearow cocked his head, then hopped even closer, his beady eyes practically daring Austin to stop him.

"Alright, fine. Let's make this interesting."

He swapped the bowls around, sliding Pikachu's kibble to himself, the eggs to Spearow, and the berry bowl to Pikachu. "Come on, guys. Let's try something new for a change."

Pikachu glared at him, cheeks sparking in protest, but the Electric-type reluctantly leaned down and stuffed a berry into his mouth. His cheeks puffed out like a squirrel hoarding acorns.

"So cute."

Pikachu paused and blushed at the compliment. Spearow, however, immediately began scarfing down the eggs, popping bits into his beak one after another.

Austin picked up a piece of kibble and popped it into his mouth.

Big mistake.

The second it hit his tongue, he froze. It was like chewing on Styrofoam—bland, dry, and utterly tasteless. He gagged, forcing himself to swallow, and immediately reached for his glass of milk to wash it down. "This… this tastes like nothing. How do you eat this, Pikachu?"

Pikachu shrugged, entirely unbothered, as the boy grabbed a piece and held it for Spearow, hoping to ease some of the tension between them. But the moment Spearow pecked at it, the bird nearly chomped down on his hand instead.

"Ah—ouch!" Austin yelped, pulling his hand back and shaking it out. A faint red mark on his palm throbbed where the sharp beak had almost gotten him. "What the hell, Spearow? You trying to turn me into your next snack?"

Spearow flapped his wings and let out a smug squawk, his beady eyes gleaming with something the boy could only describe as amusement. Was he enjoying this?

Austin frowned, rubbing his sore palm as he studied the bird. It was clear that Spearow still had an edge to his personality—the same aggressive streak he'd shown back when he was part of the flock. But there was something different now. Sure, he was still a pain in the neck, but he wasn't outright hostile.

Why? Austin wondered, his mind racing. Why isn't he as aggressive as he was with his flock? Was it because he fought alongside us? Or is there something else going on here?

He thought back to everything he knew about Spearow. In the anime, Spearow eventually becomes the leader of his flock—an undeniably tough Pokémon with a chip on his shoulder. But maybe, just maybe, this Spearow wasn't there yet.

What if he's young? Austin's brows furrowed as he considered the possibility. That would explain why the flock used him as bait—he was the weakest link, expendable. But he's got potential. That much is clear. And he's got that petty, aggressive attitude to boot. It's probably his way of trying to prove himself.

Pikachu suddenly sparked with electricity, his cheeks crackling as he prepared to give Spearow a piece of his mind.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa!" Austin said quickly, holding up his hands. He reached out and gently placed a hand on Pikachu's head, easing him down. "No Thunder Shock, buddy. We're not frying him."

Pikachu huffed, crossing his tiny arms as he shot Spearow a dirty look. The tiny bird Pokémon, in response, puffed up his chest and let out a mocking chirp, clearly enjoying the chaos he was causing.

Austin sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. Okay, I can't let this attitude slide. If I do, it's only going to get worse.

The boy looked at the small pile of berries on the table and suddenly had an idea. He reached into his backpack and pulled out the cookbook. Flipping through it, his eyes lit up when he spotted something that made his mouth water just reading it.

"Frozen yogurt berries… covered in chocolate," he said slowly, his voice dripping with exaggerated temptation, like he was announcing the world's most luxurious dessert. "Add a drizzle of honey, maybe some crushed nuts on top… and voila—a heavenly snack."

As he glanced down, he caught both Pikachu and Spearow staring at him, their mouths quite literally watering.

"What do you say, Pikachu? Want to try it?"

"Pika!" Pikachu nodded enthusiastically, his little paws gripping the table edge as he leaned closer, clearly imagining the treat.

"And we could make it even better. Maybe toss in some caramel drizzle, a sprinkle of cinnamon... Oh, the flavors, Pikachu. You and me, buddy—tasting heaven."

The trap was set.

Sure enough, Spearow let out an offended squawk, wings flaring slightly as he hopped closer. The tiny bird Pokémon squeaked indignantly as if to say, Why am I not included in this?!

"I don't know, Spearow," he said casually, flexing his hand dramatically. "My hand hurts too much to whip up snacks for just anyone. Maybe next time."

The effect was instant. Spearow looked down, his wings drooping slightly, and gave a small, pitiful squawk.

Austin sighed softly and reached out to rub a finger over the crown of the bird's head. Spearow stiffened at first but slowly relaxed under the gentle touch.

"Spearow," Austin began, his voice kind but firm, "I want you to know this isn't going to be like your old flock. I'm not here to deal with your aggressive attitude all the time. We've gotta work together. Let's get along, okay? Think about it—I'll give you snacks, train you to be stronger, give you battles, and hey, let's be honest…" He tapped the top of his head lightly. "My head's a pretty perfect nest, isn't it?"

Spearow let out a hesitant chirp, tilting his head in what could only be described as thoughtful consideration.

"Good. Now eat up, genius." Austin smirked as he slid the berry bowl toward the bird while adding some milk.

Austin felt full just watching the duo eat. He pulled out his Pokédex, almost out of habit, like it was his phone.

"Spearow: Male. Ability: Keen Eye. Current moves: Peck, Leer, Focus Energy, and Fury Attack. Age: Four months."

Austin froze, his eyebrows shooting up. Wait—Four months?

He glanced down at the bird perched on the table, who tilted his head smugly, as if to say, Yeah, I'm awesome. What of it?

That's way younger than I expected… And Fury Attack? You didn't know that move the other day.

His thoughts began to race. So, Spearow must've learned it during that scuffle with Team Rocket. That means Pokémon actually gain experience in real-time here, just like in the games. Do they 'level up'? Is there a cap on how many moves they can learn?

The idea of a four-move limit made his stomach churn. Man, if that's a thing, that would suck.

"Guess I'll ask Professor Oak about it later," Austin mumbled, tucking the thought away for now.

Before he could close the Pokédex, something else caught his attention—a small symbol he hadn't noticed before. Intrigued, he tapped it, and a new section labeled "Encyclopedia" popped up.

A video of Professor Oak appeared. "Hello there! Looks like you've found the secret function of the Pokédex. Think of this as a fun quest. As long as you encounter a Pokémon, their entry will be automatically unlocked for you to read. Enjoy!"

Austin couldn't help but grin. He glanced over at Pikachu and Spearow, who had both finished their meals and were now staring at him intently.

"Alright," Austin said, chuckling at their expressions. "Which one should we check out first?"

"Spearow!"

"Pika!"

Austin raised his hands, stepping in before things could escalate. "Okay, okay, let's settle this without frying anything. I'll pick based on who joined the team first."

Spearow seemed to accept the logic, though he still gave Pikachu a sharp side-eye. Pikachu, meanwhile, smirked smugly, knowing exactly how this would play out.

"Let's see what Pikachu's entry says."

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[ Encyclopaedia Entry Number #25 ]

Pikachu are a small species of Pokémon which many people find cute, and for this reason have become quite popular as pets, even among people with little interest in Pokémon battles. This is an unfortunate fact which leads to many electrocutions, for a Pikachu can be quite dangerous to handle.

Pikachu are Pokémon which store electricity in their cheeks, but this electricity must be released on a semi-regular basis lest the Pokémon use powerful electric attacks at random, shocking everything in sight. Typically, this is handled by occasionally hooking the rodent up to a special battery which is recharged by its shock, then using the electricity to power the household. Furthermore, they do not only use Thunder Shock to release energy, but also when startled or angry, and they do not have especially forgiving tempers. Many a trainer has been hospitalized or worse when quarreling with their Pokémon, some passing away from shock wounds which could have been properly treated were the trainer not embarrassed for how this reflected upon them as a trainer.

Moreover, there is the issue of weather; Pikachu can seldom be cooped up inside for long, but they are prone to causing nearby people to be electrocuted in rain, and its tail can attract lightning in thunderstorms. Proper care involves the usage of a Poké Ball in inclement weather, but Pikachu are often reluctant to be so confined. Many inexperienced owners are equally reluctant to use them, fearing it will mark them as Pokémon trainers and force them to accept challenges and see their precious Pikachu injured.

Despite this, with a gentle spirit and proper caution, Pikachu can make for excellent pets.

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As the encyclopedia entry finished, Austin leaned back, smirking at Pikachu. "So, I guess we know why you fried me when we first met. Honestly, though, if you hadn't held back, I'd probably still be a scorch mark on Route 1. Would've made for a short journey."

He laughed at his own joke, but his smile faltered as he noticed Pikachu's reaction. The little Electric-type's ears drooped, his tail sagged, and his eyes darted nervously to the side. His usual confident, almost cocky demeanor was gone, replaced by visible unease. Pikachu shifted on the table, his small frame stiff as if bracing for something.

"Hey… buddy?" He leaned forward, his tone softening. "What's wrong?"

Pikachu didn't meet his eyes. "Pika…" he murmured lowly, almost like he was apologizing for something.

It hit Austin like a Thunder Shock. Pikachu wasn't just uneasy—he was scared. Scared of his own power. Scared of hurting someone. Maybe even scared of hurting him.

Reaching over, Austin gently placed a hand on Pikachu's head, his fingers brushing through the soft yellow fur. "Hey, that was a dumb joke," he said quietly. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean it like that."

"Pika…"

Austin sighed, letting his hand rest there, feeling the tension in Pikachu's tiny body. "Look," he began, his voice steady, "I get it. You're worried about losing control, right? About shocking someone without meaning to?"

Pikachu gave the smallest of nods, his big eyes flicking up to meet Austin's for just a moment before darting away again.

"Well, don't be," Austin said firmly, his tone carrying a confidence he wasn't sure he entirely felt. "We're going to train, alright? Every day. We'll figure this out together, step by step. And I promise you, the chances of you having a random discharge are going to drop to zero. Zero. You'll have more control than a gym leader's Raichu by the time we're done."

"Pika…?"

Austin smiled, scratching behind Pikachu's ears. "Yeah, that's a promise. And if it takes some extra help to get there, then we'll find it. Look, I'll put this special battery on our to-buy list. I'll find one for you, no matter how much it costs."

Pikachu's eyes widened slightly, the nervous tension in his body easing a fraction.

"Yep. I don't care if I have to save up for a year or haggle like crazy. Whatever it takes to help you feel safe, buddy, I'll do it. We're in this together."

Pikachu stared at him for a long moment, his little face still uncertain but softening with something that looked like trust. Slowly, he nodded, his ears perking up slightly.

"That's more like it," Austin said, a grin tugging at his lips. "We've got this. You've got this."

He was about to say more when a sudden, sharp chirp! broke through the quiet moment.

"Ah!" Austin yelped, jumping slightly as the sound rang through his ears. "Spearow!" He turned to glare at the tiny bird looking far too pleased with himself.

Austin groaned, rubbing his ear with his pinky. "Well, aren't you excited? What's the matter? Jealous of the bonding moment? Want some scratches too?"

Spearow gave an indignant squawk, hopping closer as if daring Austin to try.

Pikachu, now more himself, let out a squeaky laugh.

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[ Encyclopaedia Entry Number #21 ]

When children are too young to train Pokémon, their mothers typically give them two pieces of advice: "Don't go into the tall grass" and "under no circumstances make a Spearow mad." It would do more trainers well to heed the second piece of advice, even once they get their first Pokémon; alas, many are too hotheaded to listen.

Spearow are a rare and cowardly Pokémon, but quick to anger. If a trainer is too weak to capture or kill one they antagonize (and they are quick to anger), a Spearow will call for backup from its friends, and young children who struggle with one of them now battle a whole flock.

Sometimes trainers have already captured an Electric, Ice, or Rock Pokémon and can use its type advantage to survive, albeit typically in critical condition and dire need of a Pokémon Center. Far more often, young trainers are pecked and scratched to death, and their bodies, along with those of their Pokémon, feed the victorious flock for an entire week.

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Austin stared at the entry on his Pokédex, his face pale. His hand slowly slid up to cover his face as the full weight of what he'd just read sank in. His mind went completely blank, save for one horrifying realization.

How close was I to being bird food yesterday?!

He replayed the memory in his head—running as the Spearow flock descended on him, their talons slashing, their beaks stabbing, and the fury in their red eyes.

The boy gulped, his hands trembling slightly as he lowered the Pokédex. I was one peck away from being a corpse in the tall grass.

He glanced nervously over at Spearow, who was perched on the edge of the table, grooming its feathers like it didn't have a care in the world. Pikachu, however, was watching the tiny bird with narrowed eyes, sparks crackling faintly from his cheeks. It didn't take a genius to see that Pikachu was still suspicious of their new "teammate."

Spearow, of course, noticed the Electric-type's stare and cocked its head, giving Pikachu a pointed look that practically screamed, What are you gonna do about it?

Austin could feel the tension in the air like a live wire. Oh, great, he thought, wiping his clammy hands on his jeans.

"Alright, let's calm down here," Austin said, raising his hands in a placating gesture as he stepped between them. "Pikachu, buddy, listen to me. Spearow's not our enemy anymore. He's on our team now, okay?"

Pikachu tilted his head, unconvinced, and crossed his tiny arms. His tail twitched as another faint spark danced off his cheeks.

"Come on, Pikachu," Austin tried again, crouching down to meet the Electric-type's eyes. "I know his flock tried to peck us to death yesterday—"

"Pika!" Pikachu interrupted, pointing dramatically at Spearow as if to say, Exactly! Case closed.

Austin sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Okay, fair point. But Spearow isn't his flock, remember? And now he's with us. That's how it works. We're a team, and teams trust each other. Right?"

Pikachu looked unconvinced but glanced back at Spearow, who had paused his grooming to puff out his chest smugly. It was like the bird was daring Pikachu to try something.

Austin groaned inwardly. You're not helping, Spearow.

"Listen, Pikachu," Austin said, his voice softening. "I need you to trust me on this. I promise Spearow's not going to hurt you—or me. And if he tries anything, you've got my permission to zap him into next week. Deal?"

Pikachu's ears twitched at that, and he gave Spearow one last glare before nodding reluctantly. "Pika," he said, though it was clear he'd be keeping a close eye on the tiny bird.

Austin let out a breath he didn't realize he'd been holding. "Good. Thanks, buddy." He gave Pikachu a gentle scratch behind the ears, earning a contented squeak in response.

Spearow, meanwhile, let out a soft squawk, as if mocking the entire exchange. Austin shot him a look. "And you. No funny business, got it?"

Spearow blinked innocently, as if to say, Who, me?

Austin groaned. Being a trainer is hard work.

"Alright, let's get moving!" he announced, standing up and stretching. He needed to break the tense atmosphere before things spiraled again. "Snacks, anyone?"

"Pika!"

"Spear!"

Austin chuckled. "That's what I thought."


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