The next day came quickly enough, allowing Kai to make the most of his morning. He got up early, grabbed a quick breakfast, fed his Pokémon at the Pokémon Centre, and headed off to the train station, not wanting to waste any more time. Something interesting that Kai had learned was that Pokémon did not need to be fed whilst inside their Poké Ball, with it acting like a kind of hibernation. But if he wanted them to grow stronger, he should feed them as much as possible, just like he would himself, Nurse Joy had said.
The train was just as swift as on his first journey, returning him to Cherrygrove in no time and leaving him with half the day still ahead. From there, he boarded a bus that carried him beyond the city limits to his intended destination, route 31.
Kai was back in the countryside, surrounded by other trainers who were also on foot, each immersed in their own journeys. He followed the winding path that stretched through vast fields and rolled gracefully over hills. The scenery was breathtaking, and he savoured the crisp, fresh air, occasionally glancing back to see Cherrygrove City shimmering faintly on the distant horizon.
"Hey, you there, hold up!" a voice called out.
Kai watched as the trainer ran over to him, clearly wanting only one thing.
"You look like a Pokémon trainer, so how about it — let's battle," he said, catching his breath.
Kai smiled. "Sure, I could use the exercise."
"Alright, let's start things off with you, Zubat!" the trainer yelled, tossing his Poké Ball into the air.
"Bat!" The Zubat squeaked as it was set free, flapping around above them.
"Nice..." Kai said, quickly pulling out his Pokédex to see what it had to say.
[Zubat, the Ultrasonic Pokémon. It has no eyes. Instead, it relies on its ultrasonic cries for echolocation to flit about in the darkness.]
Kai smiled, satisfied that his Pokédex was working nicely, before choosing his own Pokémon.
"Alright, I choose you, Rattata!" Kai said, deciding to use his Rattata, knowing it needed more training to become stronger.
"A Rattata, eh? Alright then, let's see how it likes my Zubat's Supersonic attack!"
"Rattata, use Quick Attack!" Kai yelled, hoping to strike first and throw off the Zubat's aim.
"Ta!" Rattata yelled as it zoomed across the makeshift battleground, slamming into the Zubat before it could open its mouth.
The Zubat flinched, the Supersonic dying in its throat.
"Now use Hyper Fang!" Kai yelled.
"I don't think so — Zubat, dodge it!" The Zubat twisted away just in time, rising higher into the air where Rattata couldn't reach it.
"Now use Air Cutter!"
Zubat's wings beat rapidly, generating razor-sharp gusts of wind from above. The force struck Rattata, sending it tumbling violently to the ground.
"Oh no, Rattata!" Kai cried.
"Ta..." Rattata groaned, pushing itself back to its feet and shaking off the hit.
"Alright!" Kai said, feeling proud, seeing that his Rattata was tougher than it looked.
"Looks like that did the trick — Zubat, Air Cutter again!" the trainer called, knowing Rattata would struggle to land a blow while Zubat stayed so high in the air.
Oh no... I need to think of a plan.
"Rattata, use Quick Attack and avoid it!" Kai yelled.
The small mouse Pokémon dashed along the ground at great speed, narrowly avoiding the Air Cutter as it kicked up dust from the dirt path.
That's it... Kai thought. "Rattata, use Quick Attack again — circle around that Zubat!"
"Don't let up, Zubat — Air Cutter again!"
Both Pokémon did as their trainers commanded. Rattata ran in wide circles around the Zubat, weaving past each Air Cutter thanks to its speed. More and more dust was kicked up with every pass, until a small cloud had formed around the Zubat, throwing off its echolocation.
"Now's our chance — Rattata, use Hyper Fang!" Kai shouted.
"Zubat, don't let it get close!"
But the dust made it impossible for Zubat to pinpoint where Rattata was coming from. Suddenly, Rattata emerged through the swirling dust, its Hyper Fang striking with precision and force, sending Zubat crashing to the ground, rendering it unable to continue the battle.
"Alright, Rattata — that was brilliant!" Kai cheered.
The trainer nodded in defeat and returned his Zubat to its Poké Ball. "Looks like you won fair and square. Here, take this," he said, handing over some Pokédollars.
"Cheers," Kai said, pocketing his prize. "Say, do you know where I could find a Zubat?" Kai asked, knowing it was one of the better flying-type Pokémon he would be able to catch so far, thanks to its poison typing.
"Yeah, I caught mine in a cave not far from here. There were plenty of them, so I'm sure you won't have trouble finding one. Just watch out — it's pretty dark in there."
Kai thanked him and returned his Rattata to its Poké Ball, making his way down the path.
After walking for hours, the rugged mountain terrain finally came into view. "I must be getting close," he murmured as he reached the top of a large hill and glanced around. Then he saw it — a wide cave entrance, as if the earth itself were beckoning him inside.
"That must be it," Kai said.
He made his way down the hill, following the path and climbing over rocks and jagged terrain until he reached the cave entrance and peered inside.
"Oh wow... " It's huge in here," he said, only able to see as far as the light would allow.
"I suppose this is the point in the game where having Flash would be useful," he murmured, fully aware that none of his Pokémon possessed that ability. Nevertheless, Kai pressed on, venturing into the cave undeterred and making his way toward the depths, where the light from the entrance gradually diminished into darkness.
"This place is bigger than I thought," Kai said to himself, having ventured deeper in. He kept his hand near Totodile's Poké Ball, just in case. He figured there would be Rock or Ground-type Pokémon in a cave like this, knowing they were weak to water.
Up to this point, he had not encountered anything and was beginning to speculate whether the Pokémon were deliberately keeping their distance, when suddenly, movement stirred in the darkness just ahead.
"Oh — it's a Geodude!" Kai said, watching as the Pokémon paid him no attention whatsoever and carried on its way.
"Well, that guy clearly didn't care about me..." Kai said, laughing to himself.
Suddenly, the sound of dozens of wings burst forth above him. Glancing upward, he saw a massive swarm of Zubat circling in chaotic patterns, agitated by his intrusion
"There they are..." Kai said, switching his hand from Totodile's Poké Ball to Sandshrew's on his belt.
"Go, Sandshrew — use Rollout!" he called, throwing the Poké Ball high into the air.
Most of the Zubat scattered, but Sandshrew caught one clean with a super effective hit, sending it tumbling down. Kai was already moving, pulling an empty Poké Ball from his bag and hurling it at the Zubat. It made contact, sucking the Zubat inside, and dropped to the cave floor — rocking once, twice, three times — before clicking shut.
"Got it!" Kai said, rushing over to pick it up. His Pokédex registered the catch immediately.
But the rest of the swarm wasn't happy. The Zubat regrouped above him, wheeling into a tighter, angrier formation.
"Oh, fuck, they're not pleased," Kai said, turning on his heel. "Sandshrew, let's go!"
He sprinted, the Zubat in relentless pursuit. Kai darted and twisted through the shadows, eyes locked on the widening glow ahead. With a final burst of speed, he broke free of the cave's grip and stumbled into the open air, the Zubat giving up on their chase.
Kai collapsed forward as he gulped down great, desperate breaths of fresh air.
"That was close," he said, looking down at his Sandshrew, who looked equally relieved. Kai laughed nervously as he stood back up.
He glanced at his Pokédex — a fresh entry for Zubat, detailing its moves, skills, and abilities. Kai turned toward the shadowy cavern, curiosity tugging at him about what other Pokémon might lie deeper within. Sandshrew caught his gaze and gave a knowing nod, reading his trainer's mind.
"Looks like we're already reading from the same playbook, pal," Kai said with a mischievous grin. "Come on, just one more teensy-weensy peek—what could possibly go wrong?"