NOVEL NEXT Chapter 26: Catching Bulbasaur
Ethan's steps were quiet as he continued his journey through the forest, scanning the area for any sign of a wild Pokémon worth capturing.
The sunlight filtered through the trees above, casting long shadows across the forest floor, and the sounds of rustling leaves and distant birdcalls filled the air. His thoughts were focused, and his heart was set on finding something special.
Sylveon trotted alongside him, its ribbons fluttering in the breeze, and Scyther hovered just above them, its keen eyes scanning the environment. The team had been traveling for hours, and although they had encountered a few wild Pokémon, nothing had caught Ethan's attention enough to make him want to add it to his team. He was looking for something extraordinary, something with potential that could complement his team's unique abilities.
Then, out of the corner of his eye, he spotted it—a small, green Pokémon moving stealthily through the underbrush. Ethan's heart skipped a beat as he recognized the familiar shape. It was a Bulbasaur.
But this one wasn't like the others. There was something about it that immediately caught Ethan's attention. The way it moved, its eyes gleaming with an almost mischievous intelligence. This wasn't just any Bulbasaur. Ethan could feel it in his gut. There was something special about it.
His hand instinctively reached for his Pokédex, scanning the Bulbasaur with the device. The screen flickered to life, showing the usual entry for the Grass/Poison-type Pokémon:
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[Bulbasaur]
[M]
[Type: Grass / Poison]
[Description: Bulbasaur can be found in grassy areas and forests, where it uses the plant bulb on its back to store nutrients from sunlight.]
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Nothing unusual. Nothing that stood out. But Ethan's instincts told him this Bulbasaur was different. His doubt wasn't in the Pokémon itself—it was in the feeling that kept tugging at him. Something about the way it moved, almost too smoothly, almost too carefully. It was crafty.
"Alright, let's give this a shot," Ethan muttered to himself, a smile creeping onto his face. He had a strong feeling that this Bulbasaur would be a worthy addition to his team.
"Scyther, get ready," Ethan said, glancing at his Pokémon, which hovered expectantly by his side.
The bug-type Pokémon's wings vibrated, its sharp claws gleaming in the sunlight. It was more than ready to battle, just as Ethan was.
He stepped forward, making sure to approach quietly, so as not to startle the Bulbasaur. The Pokémon, however, seemed to sense his presence. It froze, its eyes locking with Ethan's for a moment, as if sizing him up.
"Now's our chance, Scyther," Ethan whispered. "Use Quick Attack."
Before the Bulbasaur could react, Scyther shot forward, its small frame a blur as it closed the distance. But just as it was about to strike, Bulbasaur reacted with surprising speed. It darted to the side, avoiding Scyther's attack entirely.
Ethan blinked in surprise. "What the...?"
Bulbasaur didn't stop there. It quickly whipped around, using the thick vines on its back to lash at the ground, creating a quick path for itself to escape. With a swift leap, it was off, disappearing into the foliage faster than Ethan expected.
"Hey, wait!" Ethan called, momentarily taken aback. He had never seen a Bulbasaur move so quickly. Normally, they were cautious and slow to act, but this one had a different energy altogether. It was crafty, quick-witted.
"Scyther, follow it!" Ethan commanded, already running after the Bulbasaur.
Scyther darted through the trees with ease, its wings buzzing loudly as it zipped past Ethan. The chase was on. Ethan's heart raced as he tried to keep up, the forest blurring around him as he focused on keeping his eyes on Scyther.
The Bulbasaur was fast, weaving through the trees with surprising agility. It darted left, then right, weaving through thick clusters of bushes and roots, clearly trying to lose its pursuers. Ethan's breath quickened as he pushed himself harder, determined to catch it.
"Scyther, don't let it get away!" Ethan shouted, watching as the green Pokémon danced ahead of them.
The sound of Scyther's wings was deafening in the quiet forest, but the Bulbasaur was proving to be a worthy opponent, its movements calculated and swift. It clearly knew the forest well and was using its surroundings to its advantage, twisting and turning in ways that made it almost impossible for Ethan to keep up.
Ethan stumbled over a root but quickly recovered, his eyes fixed ahead. He was almost there. They were closing the distance, Scyther's speed allowing it to inch closer to the elusive Bulbasaur. But just as they were about to corner it, the Bulbasaur paused for a split second, its eyes gleaming with a mischievous glint.
"Not so fast," it seemed to say.
Without warning, it used the vines on its back to whip around a nearby tree, vaulting itself up and out of their reach. Scyther shot forward, but it was too late. The Bulbasaur had already outsmarted them again. It leapt higher into the trees, its small body almost disappearing in the canopy above.
Ethan stood there, stunned, trying to catch his breath. He had been so close. Scyther hovered in place, confused but clearly impressed by the Bulbasaur's antics. Ethan ran his hand through his hair, trying to make sense of what had just happened.
"That was... insane," he muttered to himself. "This Bulbasaur is no ordinary Pokémon."
The crafty Pokémon had not only avoided capture, but it had done so with a cleverness that was almost like a challenge. It wasn't running from them out of fear—it was running to outsmart them. Ethan's heart pounded with excitement. This was exactly the kind of Pokémon he had been hoping to find.
Without hesitation, he called to Scyther, "Come on, let's keep going. We can't let it get away."
The two of them pushed through the forest, following the faint trail of broken branches and disturbed leaves. The chase was on, and Ethan was more determined than ever to capture this crafty Bulbasaur.
As they ran, Ethan couldn't help but think about how this Pokémon might fit into his team. A Bulbasaur that was smart enough to evade capture, one that could think on its feet, would be an invaluable asset. He just needed to outsmart it. And he was sure that if he could catch it, it would be a powerful ally.
The chase continued, deeper into the forest. The Bulbasaur was getting farther ahead, but Ethan wasn't giving up. Not now.