Chapter 1

As the train sped westward through the countryside of Johto, it was time for Samantha to reflect on her Pokémon journey. The thoughts of her adventures consumed her mind as she headed towards beautiful Goldenrod City. There she would start anew with her Pokémon companions. All the adventures she had in Kanto were still fresh in her mind. But to focus better on the present, the young girl felt is was better to bury those memories deep within her mind. The friends she had made...the battles she had fought...she would keep them close to heart, and only close to heart. She had the badges, after all...4 in total. Each a testament to her Pokémon's triumphs. Each of her Pokémon secured their own badge in Kanto: Bobby had the Boulderbadge, Julie won the Cascadebadge, Cubone earned a Thunderbadge, and Yian secured the Soulbadge.

Her Pokémon were asleep. All out of their Poké Balls, all asleep beside Samantha. Joining Samantha was Blaze, Tony's beloved Growlithe. He was the only one wide awake. He was charged with protecting Samantha with his life. And whatever Tony desired, Blaze would deliver at all costs.

The train's signs began to flash, and the conductor made his announcement:

"Now arriving in Goldenrod City..."

With that, all of Samantha's Pokémon sprang awake. Samantha smiled at their alertness, and recalled 5 of her 8 Pokémon, leaving only Bobby, "his" Gloom, and Blaze.

"Come on, you guys. First stop is the Pokémon Center."


"Hello?"

"Good Afternoon, Professor Oak!"

"Ah! Hello Samantha! Glad to see you made it to Goldenrod City OK. Hey, you can tune into my radio show now!"

"Heh, I'll do that Professor. I need to trade out a Pokémon."

"Oh, why is that? The last I heard you were allowed to have 7 Pokémon."

"Tony's Blaze is going to accompany me through Johto. So I'll need to send one to you to keep my limit of 7."

"Very well, which Pokémon are you going send me, Samantha?"

Samantha had to think about it for a moment. "Well I guess I'll send you Lianne. She's pretty underused and out of shape. The vacation will do her some good..."

"Okay. All you have to do it place her Poké Ball on the video phone's appropriate console, and insert your Pokédex into the provided slot. When you're all set, just press the green button to your left."

Samantha did as Oak instructed. Lianne's Poké Ball was collected in a flash of Red Light."

"Transfer complete. Your Wigglytuff is here with me now, Samantha!" Oak said holding up Lianne's Poké Ball.

"Thank you Professor. I know that you will take good care of her..."

"I will. Say, while you're in Johto...have you given any thought about challenging the Gym Leaders there?"

"Yes. I don't know where to begin. I guess in Violet City..."

"Why all the way in Violet? There is a perfectly normal and challenging Gym right there in Goldenrod. Most Johto trainers do indeed start at Violet City's Gym and challenge Faulkner, making Goldenrod their third stopover...but I bet with your 4 Kanto badges, you'll do just fine against the Leader there!"

"Will do Professor! Take care now!"

"Good Luck Samantha...just promise me you won't capture any Muk..."

"MUUUUUUUK! Ash's Muk shouted tackling Professor Oak to the ground.

CLICK


Samantha made her way through the vast city with Blaze, Bobby, and Gloom by her side. She knew of the Gym in this city, but finding it was a whole other challenge. Maybe in there? Samantha shrugged and opened a door which revealed a long flight of steps. Samantha figured this was as good a place as any to search, so she took the stairs to the Underground.

Down in the long corridor, there were many trainers. At the sight of her odd-colored Bulbasaur, the other trainers didn't care to challenge Samantha. Just as well...she had a Gym to find. As she continued onwards, there were many shops. Samantha saw girls flocking to the various shops fussing over jewelry, clothes, and the like. Not her style. She was determined to find this so-called "Gym", which she was beginning to doubt even existed now.

"Hello! I'm glad you found us!" a man called to Samantha.

"I did? Found what?" Samantha gasped taken aback from the sudden interruption of her thoughts.

"Only the finest Pokémon Styling Salon in all of Johto! Today's your lucky day! I'll make your Pokémon beautiful at no charge to you! Because I know your Pokémon will love us so much, you'll keep on coming back!"

Samantha highly doubted she would ever waste her time on stuff like this. Still..."FREE" was free...

"Okay...um, how about you Julie?" Samantha said releasing her Pikachu from her Poké Ball. "Want a haicut, sweetie?"

Julie put down her Light Ball and looked over at the eager barber. Was Samantha for real!

"Chu!" Julie said picking her Light Ball up in a huff.

"Right...I should have known you're too tough for something like that..." Samantha said laughing at her prized fighter. "Well...how about...Joelle?"

"Dree-vus!" Samantha's Misdreavus said coming out of her Poké Ball.

The barber stared at the smiling Ghost-Type, "I never...never had to cut a...Ghost's hair before..."

Samantha recalled Julie and Joelle in frustration, "Well next time ask a trainer with Pokémon with less personality than mine! My Pokémon are each unique. Thanks anyway..."


Samantha emerged from the other side of the Underground Path. She looked over to the East, and there it was! By far the biggest Gym...no, biggest building she had ever seen in her life.

"Finally! This Leader better be worth all of the trouble I went through to find him or her! Ready Bobby? Ready Blaze?"

"Saur!"

"Growlithe!"