Water Pulse: A Slice-of-Life Pokemon Story
by Erika Fuzzbottom

I watched the opposing Growlithe across the room, waiting for him to make his move. I didn't have to wait long, as he started charging at me, the sound of his claws tapping on the tiled floor. Maybe I should have tried dodging the larger Pokemon, but it didn't matter; instinct took hold, and I took a defensive stance, baring my spines towards him. Then, he was on me, and bit down on my ear, at the same time yelping in it.

He released his hold on me, and backed away. I quickly took the opportunity to get some distance between us, leaping over a large hole in the floor nearby. A couple flaps of my wings, both to ensure I made it across, and to make sure the floor of this run-down mansion didn't break beneath my feet.

I looked back at the Growlithe, who was wincing in pain. He had scraped his belly on my spines, and I was certain my venom now flowed in his veins. I couldn't help but smirk at this. Even after all this time, being a Poison-type Pokemon was really cool. Of course, being Dragon-type also had its advantages. I looked at the singed blue fur under my left wing.

"Mizunowado!"

I knew what that meant.

I turned back toward the Growlithe, planting my hind feet to brace myself. Concentrating, I built up a power inside me, strong as the ocean currents. The rapidly growing energy caused bubbles to swell around me. And then, spreading my wings, I released all this energy at once, a rippling pulse eminating from my mouth! It was a graceful sound, almost like a ping, but it hit my opponent hard!

The Growlithe stumbled around, shaking his head. He wasn't out, but I could tell my attack had an effect on him. Proud as I was, I couldn't help but feel a little sorry for him at this point.

Suddenly, I saw a yellow and black ball flung at him. It hit its mark, opening up, and I gasped as I watched the Growlithe turn into glowing red energy, sucking him into the capsule and shutting itself, trapping him inside. The capsule shook a few times, as the Growlithe tried to force himself free. A button on the capsule was lit up, showing it was still in the process of containing him. And then, the light went off, and all was quiet. Well, except for me; I squealed in excitement.

A moment later, I saw a red light shooting in my direction. It hit me, and I felt myself turning into that same red energy, the world warping around me as I was sucked into my own capsule, a simple Poke Ball. It's kinda weird to think that I'm used to this, now. I still remember the day that I was first captured. It was a scary experience, contained as pure energy. A panicking energy, wanting to break free, until finally, the Poke Ball succeeded.

Now reformed inside my Poke Ball, I lay down on the soft grass, resting from my battle against the Growlithe. The wall of my capsule presents an image of an open field surrounded by mountains, and the canopy of a tree giving me shade. It's all fake, and there isn't a lot of space to move -- I feel like a rabbit in a pen, appropriately enough -- but it's comfy.

I can hear my trainer speak to me from outside my capsule. I don't know much Japanese, outside of a few key words. But just the way he spoke, I could tell he was congratulating me on a job well done.

This fills me with pride and joy. Even unevolved, I have become a strong Pokemon, and I love it! Not only have I proven that I am worth bringing on his journey, but as a side benefit, I have proven I am worth bringing on his journey and NOT stored on the PC. Yeah, that is admittedly a little extra motivation for becoming strong. Being sucked into a Poke Ball was scary enough.

...I wonder how necessary it was for my trainer to use an Ultra Ball on the Growlithe. As the name implies, it is far stronger than the Poke Ball that was used to capture me. Granted, I was an easy catch. But in my defense, I was not in good shape at the time. Transformed into a Pokemon, and sent into a world different than my own. I didn't know how to survive as a wild animal! Glad my glasses still fit, or I would've been a blind one, too! Besides that, this body was very new to me. Walking on four legs was pretty awkward. Attempting to run often resulted in me tripping face-first into the ground. Having no thumbs made things tricky. And heck, it took me several weeks before I figured out how to control these wings on my back!

I have no idea how I got here, or why I turned into a Dragon-type Nidoran, of all things. But after living in this body for a year, I've adapted pretty well, I think. Or I assume it's been a year, judging by the Poke Puff my trainer gave me a few days ago, with the candle on it.

A soreness in my ear reminds me of the battle I just took part in. I raise a forepaw behind my ear, holding it down beside my eye to observe the damage done to it. Looks like it bled a little. I'm not afraid to admit that the Growlithe wasn't the only one who shrieked in pain when he bit me. As a Pokemon, I can definitely take a lot of damage. More than I could as a human. But gosh, that smarts.

It's kinda strange, though. Being able to take the damage, as well as dish it out... I almost feel like a superhero, except my glasses are real. Protecting my trainer from rogue trainers and wild Pokemon!

Besides, this'll get healed up, soon enough. And thankfully, so will the Growlithe's injuries. PCs might seem scary, but the Pokemon Center most certainly is not. Thank you, magical healing technology!

Sitting back up, I look at the simulated environment around me. While it's not cramped in here, I'm glad my trainer gives us a chance to roam outside our capsules at the end of each day. I'm especially excited about the next time we're released. After all, we've got a Growlithe on our team, now! I reach up with a hind leg and scratch an itch behind my ear, and then proceed to start grooming myself. I hope the Growlithe won't be too mad at me for poisoning him. He's kinda cute. And fluffy.