April's Pokémon Adventure – By ArgentumVir
Day 1: Just Moved in!
Today I moved to the small town of Littleroot. It's home to a Pokémon research laboratory run by professor Birch. Once the movers left and the boxes were unpacked mom and I ate a light lunch. I set my clock to the correct time and went down stairs to help straighten up the house. Instead mom and I began to watch TV.
After the usual programs had ended, a special report came on about the Petalburg Gym. They were reporting the usual challenger facing the gym and losing in the end. It was depressing, but mom always loved it. She flips her shit every time dad comes on (he's the leader of that gym). I don't understand why at all. He never visits and he barely sends money any more to pay for the bills. In that moment after the report I decided to force him to come home. It's time to pay the professor a visit.
Sadly he wasn't there. So I did the next best thing. What was it? Bother the neighbors. A kid named Brendan lived next door. Get this, he thinks he's hot stuff. I guess I have a rival if I ever get a Pokémon. Oh well... maybe I could force a one to be my partner. They like a show of force right…?
Birch screams like a little girl. After the trip to his lab I fully intended to catch a Pokémon by myself. Luckily I didn't have to. He was trapped by a Poochyena just outside of the town. I rooted through his bag to see if he had a crowbar or something. However what I found ended up being much better. It was the fire chick Pokémon, Torchic. (Orange and yellow in color, and small. It has tiny wings, but I doubt they're any good for flying. They're just glorified nubs...)
*Battle Music*
"Use Tackle until its black and blue!"
After a few rounds of bone crunching attacks, the mutt fainted dead. His broken ribs poked through the soft (and now bloodstained) fur of his underbelly, and his hind leg was bent at an odd angle. I felt bad for it, but it wouldn't back down against an obviously superior opponent.
*Win music*
After I took care of the beast that pestered Birch, he invited me back to his lab. I get to keep Torchic too as a token of his thanks. I think I'll name him Ace since he's my first companion and all.
It seems like Brendan helps out a lot. In fact, he sent him up to Oldale on a research errand. Maybe there's more to him than meets the eye. Anyway, tomorrow I'll head up to Oldale. Perhaps I'll catch up to Brendan and challenge him.
Day 2: Challenge maybe?
The road to Oldale was uneventful and dull. Aside from a few small fry Pokémon, nothing really stressed Ace. After a visit to the Pokémon Center I headed up route 103. I found Brendan engrossed in some research and we went unnoticed as he engaged several wild Pokémon. His Mudkip seemed well trained as it took on the wild ones with ease. Perhaps it would be wise to let Ace train up a bit before I challenge him.
As we left, I noticed Ace seemed to be a lot more focused than before. Did he learn a new move from watching Brendan battle? I wonder… I'll check with Nurse Joy after today's training.
*Training Montage*
Oh man, look at all these dead Pokémon. What do I do with these corpses…? Eww, Ace just began eating one of them. I suppose the other Pokémon will come by and finish them off. The great circle of life is harsh. Back to the center then, I still need to know what that move is…
Focus energy huh? I think that will be a big help. Well, time for bed…
Day 3: Go time!
After yesterday's training, Ace looks like he's raring to go toe to toe with Brendan's Mudkip. I think he's almost complete with his assignment, so perhaps we should go help him out with one final battle…
When I approached him, he didn't seem surprised by my challenge, so I readied my pokéball and shouted, "Go Ace!"
He tossed his pokéball in response and said, "Go Mudkip!"
*Battle music*
"Ace, use Focus Energy!"
After the order, Ace began to glow. His inner chi became a deep blue as he separated his chaos and calmed his senses. Brendan's Mudkip sped towards Ace and hit him with a full body tackle. Ace tanked it without flinching and made his counter-strike with a scratch. His claws dug deep behind Mudkip's ribs and drew spouts of blood in a visceral critical strike. After a few more rounds it was over. Mudkip fainted from the loss of blood.
*Win music*
He congratulated me briefly before he ran off towards the Pokémon center. It was a good thing he had held back just enough. After a brief rest, I pet Ace and we headed back to the center for an hour or two of medicated rest.
When I finally got back to the lab, the professor and Brendan were already there in a deep conversation of his findings in Littleroot town. They broke off after I walked in and congratulated me on my first win again. After a brief look at Ace, the professor took something from his desk and handed it to me. A Pokédex named… Dexter? Very cute name professor... After that he handed me five Pokéballs and asked me to help him in his research like Brendan was.
It is a great excuse to get out and fight my dad… I wonder what will happen to my mom though… I really didn't think that much on it when I decided to accept it, but I knew this journey would be fraught with danger of all shapes and sizes.
Day 4: Good-bye!
This morning I woke up to a hearty breakfast of Taillow Eggs and Pancakes. I had decided to spend the night and mom made it especially for me. However, I did make her eat more than I did. I think I made it clear that she wasn't eating enough. Anyway, before I left she handed me a present… a brand new pair of running shoes that make you feel like you're sprinting tirelessly on clouds. She didn't say much at all through her tears, but she encouraged me all the same.
On my way back to Oldale I encountered a particularly tough Poochyena. As we battled I decided to add him to the team. The name "Warrick" seemed fitting, and he seemed to like the barbaric tone I said it with (though he seemed more apt to run than fight now that I think about it). He will be an awesome addition to the team.
When I got back into town I hit the Pokémon Center. Warrick suffered a little in the battle with Ace. I figured he'd appreciate a spot of rest. After I dropped them off, I made my way to the Pokémart. I decided to get some pokéballs to bolster the four I had left. The man gave me a rare Premier Ball as a token of his appreciation, and discounted some potions. When I said I wasn't going to use them, he told me to at least make sure to give some to ease the pain of the other Pokémon I battled. It seemed like a good idea.
I decided to mosey on up to route 103 to look across the lake after I picked up Ace and Warrick. I encountered a Zigzagoon on my way over there. After Ace took him on, he healed himself with a nearby berry on the ground that neither of us had seen. In that moment, I wanted him on our team. Gooni seemed appropriate, and I think he agrees, as he rolled what could only be a misplaced ultraball to me from a nearby bush. I like him already.
These shoes are great! I can hardly feel the ground as I run! I wonder what Pokémon lurk in the grass… Wow, a Raltz! Today is my lucky day for catching Pokémon! After the tense fight, I used three pokéballs. The third caught him. That is one strong willed Raltz. After I let him out to give him a name, he walked over to me… Well since he was hurt he kinda waltzed over. That's it! He's Waltz!
After several encounters and a few trainer battles later, we reached Petalburg city. Since we were tired, I decide to rest at the Pokémon Center. We need to be at full strength before dad and I go head to head… Tomorrow, we show dad how mom feels guys!
Day 5 - Part 1: Journey of a lifetime!
When the sun rose my team and I made our way to the gym. When we entered, I faced my dad and took a deep breath before I said, "We need to talk."
After about an hour of a heated back and forth, he made it clear that he would only come home after I beat him, and he only laughed when I sent out Ace. It seems I need to prove myself before I'm able to challenge him. Very well dad, I accept your challenge… Mom, I hope you'll be all right.
Just as I was about to leave the gym, a young boy ran into the foyer. His face was filled with an unnaturally pale pallor as he struggled to catch his breath. He coughed a sickly greeting to dad and apologized for being late. He only smiled and handed him two pokéballs. One held a Zigzagoon named Ziggy and the other was empty. Dad introduced him as Wallace Leono Lesar the Third, and asked me to accompany him and make sure he stayed safe.
After thirty minutes in the tall grass, a creature attacked us. It was another Raltz! Wally (yeah that other name was not going to fly) sent out Ziggy and attempted to catch the creature. When he finally clutched the precious creature in his palm, he fainted. Poor kid, I hope he isn't dead...
When he awoke, he thanked me and went to return Ziggy to dad. I visited his house to say goodbye after lunch but he'd already left for Verdanturf to help treat his health issues. We'll meet again. His Raltz will be a great friend to him and most definitely an awesome challenge later.
As I left Petalburg behind, I felt a twinge of homesickness and worry before I crested the hill. The fleeting feelings left me as I got an awesome view of the natural beach and ocean. I cracked my knuckles as I saw a few trainers duking it out on the beach. Time for some training!