Baby Steps

Baby Steps is the fourth episode of the Kanto arc of Pokémon Tricolor and the fourth episode of the series overall.

Summary
With Anna staying behind to train some more, Leo and Bulbasaur are left to their own devices. Can they survive a night in the wilderness?

Plot
The episode picks up where the last one ended, as Anna picks up the PokéBall containing her new Horsea. Leo congratulates her on making her first catch, and Anna seems to be happy to have a new team member. She thinks for a moment and decides to stay behind on Route 1 and asks Leo what he’s going to do. Leo replies that he’s going to move forward to Viridian City, but he doesn’t know what he’ll do once he arrives. Anna suggests that he start collecting badges, and Leo agrees, but Anna notes in her head that he is acting weird.

Leo leaves Anna behind, as she told him to, and continues along his path. Leo decides to let Bulbasaur out of its ball so that he can continue to get closer to it. The pair walk alongside each other until it’s dark. Leo decides to set up a tent, pulling one out of his Slowpoke-like backpack. He proceeds to make food for himself and Bulbasaur, and they eat together next to a fire. Leo brings Bulbasaur back into its ball as he goes to sleep in the tent. Leo is woken up by a strange sound, and discovers that a Dugtrio has burrowed its way into the tent. Leo, startled and scared half to death, sends out Bulbasaur and commands it to use Vine Whip. After a brief battle, Leo is surprised that he actually wins. The defeated Dugtrio burrows back underground, but the city boy Leo decides to pack up and head to a hotel in Viridian City to sleep. The episode ends with Leo arriving in Viridian City and falling asleep peacefully in a nice, comfort bed at one of the hotels in the city.

Characters (by appearance)

 * Anna Hawthorne
 * Anna’s Horsea (mentioned)
 * Leo Maxwell
 * Leo’s Bulbasaur
 * Wild Dugtrio
 * Hotel Clerk Jane (debut)

Major Events

 * Leo arrives in Viridian City.
 * Leo wins his first battle without any help from Anna.
 * Leo decides to take up the Gym Challenge, albeit half heartedly.