Chapter 7:

Red's First Capture

Route 1, just outside of Viridian City-

Blue and Red had stopped to eat some sandwiches that Red's mom had packed for them before they left. They had released their Pokémon from their Poke-ball to have a little bit of fresh air. Bulbasaur, still thankful it had been chosen, was cuddling up to Blue. Squirtle was showing off his muscles for Nidoran who apparently was playing hard to get.

"It sure was nice of your mom to make these," said Blue. "I'm just glad that awful other boy isn't here. I can't believe you let him get under your skin like that."

Red laughed. "Hey, he started it. He thinks he's somebody because his Grandfather was somebody. But F.Y.I., Squirtle and I beat him easily, didn't we boy?" Squirtle turned to Red and flexed his muscles. Red leaned forward to take another bite of his sandwich when suddenly…

SPLAT! A wild Pidgey flew close to Red and went number two right on his sandwich. He threw the sandwich down in disgust.

"THAT DOES IT!" Red was losing his temper; he was tired of this always happening to him. Blue couldn't breathe she was laughing so hard.

The Pidgey turned around in mid-flight and started back towards them. Squirtle stood ready to defend its trainer.

"It's no use, boy, we can't get him while he's in the air." Just then, Red had an idea, he reached in his pocket, and pulled out the shiny red new Pokedex he received from Oak. He turned it on, and as if it knew what Red wanted, showed a picture Squirtle, and below it, under a heading labeled "Attacks" a new word was blinking.

Red read the word. "Bubble… Hey, Squirtle! Try and hit it with a Bubble attack!" Squirtle looked at Red inquisitively at first and then as if it had discovered something for the first time, understood the command.

Squirtle aimed its head at the approaching Pidgey, and just as it drew closer to Red, unleashed a spray of glowing blue bubbles from his mouth at the Pidgey. The bubbles popped around the tiny bird's wings, and the Pidgey was obviously in pain. The Pidgey fell out of the sky and on to the dirt. Then, another idea struck Red.

Just think if I could have one of these Pidgeys… he thought. Then I could terrorize my opponents with all of its crap. Red pulled a blank Poke-ball out of his bag and hurled it at the injured Pidgey. Upon contact, the Poke-ball opened and sucked in the Pidgey in a flash of red light. It wobbled like the Pidgey was trying to escape, but eventually, it dinged.

BEEP! Red's Pokedex was going off. The screen instantly showed a list: "Red's Pokémon." Under that list was a miniature picture of Squirtle, and then a small miniature Pidgey appeared right under it.

"Wow, good job Red!" said Blue. "We need to get to a Pokémon Center right away to heal your Pokémon so you can teach that horrible Green a lesson."

Red walked over and picked up the ball. This was his first Pokémon that he will ever have caught. It was kind of a special moment for him.

They arrived at the Pokémon center in Viridian City. Red handed over Squirtle and Pidgey's Poke-balls to Chansey. Red and Blue sat down in one the chairs in the waiting room.

"Well, well, well," said a voice. Red saw who it was. Blue's face flushed angrily. He was a young man with an upturned nose and a snarly voice. "If it isn't Miss Blue. I'd ask to battle you again but I don't want to disturb you and your boyfriend."

"He's not my boyfriend!" said Blue. "As a matter of fact, I'll be happy to battle you, but we have some business to attend to first. Wait here by the Pokémon Center and as soon as were done with our errand I'll find you, Billy, and then we'll settle this once and for all." Nidoran, who was sitting on Blue's lap, growled at Billy.

Billy said "Fine" and walked off.

A short while later, Chansey returned with Red's Pokémon. They departed the Pokémon Center and began to look for Green. It didn't take long, however, as Green was found standing in the middle of one of the town squares, trying to make a scene out of his rivalry with Red.

"Let's see what you've caught, Red," said Green. "I've caught a pretty mean Pokémon, and he can't wait to beat your Pokémon up!" Green flashed the once blank Poke-ball, which apparently now contained a Pokémon.

Red held up the Poke-ball that now contained Pidgey.

"Alright little guy," Red said to the Poke-ball. "It's time to show us what you're made of… I choose you, Pidgey!" Red threw the Poke-ball into the air and out came Pidgey, fully refreshed and ready to do battle.

"Hmph," said Green. People were beginning to gather around to see this Pokémon battling spectacle. "It figures that a novice trainer would catch such a weak Pokémon. Oh well, I've got a little birdie too, but he's tougher I promise you… Go! Spearow!"