A short foray into the wild turned up more than a few Pokemon, but Olivie never once got the impression that she saw all of Central City's vibrant green outskirts had to offer.  Starting with the river, she watched clusters of frogs and otters, some playing together, others on the prowl for food.  Very quickly, she learned that very few Pokemon seemed comfortable being in proximity to her, which -thought it made her quest more difficult- she could understand.  After all, unlike the habituated city Pokemon like Pidove, which had grown bold enough to sit on the backs of chairs opposite people eating on their own, these creatures regarded practically anything with suspicion.  Searching for a vantage point, Olivie located a boulder sitting in the riverside meadow's middle, clambered up its side, and lay down on her stomach with her fists holding up her head and her bosom squished against the hard surface.  [i]Ahh...relief.[/i]  Mere moments after she ceased to move, sinking into the scenery, she could suddenly see much more.  By the water that sparkled brilliantly in the gathering evening sky, she spotted a blue frog creep up on an oblivious caterpillar and snap it up with its tongue.  The sight awoke an inkling of surprise in her; the notion just never occurred to her that the world of Pokemon held predator-prey dynamics of her own.  She produced her Pokedex and logged the aqua-colored amphibian, though she didn't feel like making a disturbance by having the device read about the 'Froakie' aloud.  Truly, she found herself fascinated.

No smog fouled up Central City's skylines, trash seldom wandered from its cans, and very few grimy backalleys could be found, but when Olivie closed her eyes and breathed in deeply, the air felt remarkably clear and free.  Very soon, the sun would begin to set.  Giving a sigh, Olivie roused herself and began navigating down the boulder.  To begin her journey tomorrow, she needed to commit to getting a Pokemon tonight.  Relaxing could wait until later.  As she moved through the grass, stopping at each bush like a ship on an island-hopping campaign, she found herself thinking about traveling.  Without any kind of vehicle, the ordeal that lay ahead of her sounded like a whole lot of walking.  Just the thought of walking for miles and miles every day made the brunette's heart hurt.  [i]There's got to be an easier way...[/i]  With an inward groan, she stooped over another bush.

“Cha?”

Startled, Olivie instinctively stepped back, but instantly she regretted it.  What she did just now fit the old Olivie to a 'T', but it didn't suit her new self at all.  Noticing this caused anger to boil within her, and with face already twisted into a scowl she peered underneath the bush.  Standing just a foot in front of her, rigid as a statue, was a little brown Pokemon with a red nose, beady eyes, and huge buck teeth.  Dumpy, boring, and not at all sweet-looking, it was an animal that nobody would think twice about having as a pet.  Olivie stared at it, eyes hard and mouth slightly open in a critical, and she murmured, [color=954535]”This angry little beast...I love it.  I'll take you.”[/color]  She reached out to touch it and, with zero hesitation, the Bidoof opened its mouth and chomped down on her fingers.

[color=954535]”Urgh!”[/color]  Olivie grunted, standing back up to her full height.  Determined to protect its territory, the Bidoof did not let go, instead dangling from her hand as the girl held her arm up.  [color=954535]”Little fight in you, huh?  Good.  The trainer tip I got from the 'dex said to weaken Pokemon before catching them.  Now, how'm I gonna do that and pay you back for biting me?  Huh!?”[/color]  As she yelled, Olivie drove a right cross right into the stubborn thing's belly with furious force.

The Bidoof didn't just let go—it [i]flew[/i].  With a low-pitched grumbling noise it hurtled through the air to land in the grass, tumbling on impact.  Coughing badly, it twisted around to watch Olivie approach.  By the time she drew within four feet of the Bidoof, she'd already slipped her fighting gloves on.  A nasty grin dominated her features, and upon seeing it, the Bidoof bared its teeth and snarled.  By gnashing its teeth together, it generated what appeared to be shockwaves, and when it let out an enraged chatter the jolt of electricity surged forth.  Stepping to the side, Olivie attempted to dodge her target's Shock Wave and closed the distance, but the tiny bit of lightning arced toward her in midair and zapped her.  Ignoring what little discomfort the weak attack brought, she disregarded her gloves to throw out a low kick that beaned the Bidoof's head from the side, the force of which sent it rolling about a foot into the grass.  This time it didn't get up, only grumbling weakly, and when it blearily looked up it found Olivie crouching above it.  It chattered, its teeth bared again to sink its fangs into her ankle, but before it could launch the attack a red and white shape zoomed toward it.  Olivie smacked the Bidoof with a Pokeball to stun it, and before the critter could recover it had already vanished into the capsule.  It barely struggled, and a moment later a click signaled a successful catch.

Breathing lightly, Olivie stood back up.  Her ferocious glare melted away.  Without hesitation she opened the Pokeball, causing the haggard Bidoof to appear in the air.  She caught it in her arms, gently as she could, and squeezed it against her chest in a hug.  [color=954535]”You're mine now, buddy,”[/color] she told the confused creature, [color=954535]”Two cuties with killer fightin' spirit.  Together, we're gonna be the strongest team there is.  I'm gonna take you to a Pokemon Center to get you healed up, tough guy.  I kicked your ass this time, and I'm not sorry, but I hope we can be friends even if we use a little tough love.”[/color]  So saying, she made her way back toward Central City as the shadows grew longer and the sky blossomed into a gorgeous and fortuitous orange.  In her arms, the Bidoof didn't have the energy to struggle, but somehow it felt no fear.  Only moments ago Olivie had been battering it left and right, but now she cradled it like a baby, and it found comfort in her words.  It closed its eyes to block out the dazzling rays of the half-gone sun, and nestled closer to its trainer.

The city's streetlights came on just after Olivie reentered the town.  Not wanting to get lost, she retraced her earlier path alongside the river.  Unfortunately, she absolutely did not know where in the city a Pokemon Center might be.  To that end, she kept an eye out for other trainers to ask, and after a few minutes of looking zeroed in on a likely-looking dude seated at a riverside sandwich shop.  Holding her now sleeping Bidoof close, she stopped about two feet away from his table, putting most of her weight on one leg.  [color=954535]”Hey, you.”[/color]  With him sitting down, she could look down on him imperiously.  [color=954535]”You gonna tell me where a Pokemon Center is, or what?”[/color]  Not exactly the most cooperation-inducing request, but she hoped it would serve.  When faced with an uncouth demand, an ordinary person would answer quickly and brusquely to minimize interaction.  From this guy, Olivie predicted just such a response.