A new craze has swept through Third Street School with merciless fury. It caught the attention of every student, as well as part of the faculty.
Students sat in the grass, against the school building, and where ever else they deemed comfortable enough to be to take part in this craze. Those who were unlucky enough to have the device they needed to play it, were huddled around another student to watch them play instead.
It wasn't Ajimbo. No, that phase passed and every student buried that incident in the deep recesses of their memory. This craze, though widespread and popular, was relatively harmless. Though it caught and stole the children's attention at the moment, it was sure to fade into one of the many things they did and enjoyed as, well, children. Even the facility couldn't firmly be said to not be enjoying the game and the adventure it offered.
That was Pokemon.
The normal loud and happy sounds of the students running around on the playground wasn't heard as they stuck their eyes on the small screen of their Gameboy's, training and befriending their virtual Pocket Monsters. This included the infamous Six.
They sat in the cheese box in as much of a circle they could make. Eyes glued to the screens of their Gameboy's, they walked through cities, mountains, and battled each and every annoying trainer in their path. TJ, Spinelli, and Vince played Red Version, while Gretchen, Gus, and Mikey played Blue version..
While a week ago, their conversations would mostly consist of what game to play or what strategy would best beat the fifth graders at whatever sport they were playing, todays conversation was about which starter was the best. It didn't help that none of the starters went unchosen.
"It's scientific fact that Bulbasaur, and subsequently it's final evolution Venusaur is the best starter," Gretchen said. "It has the most advantages against all gyms, and therefore is statistically the best."
"Oh come on, Gretch. Sure it's good for the first few gyms, but after that it's mediocre. You could easily replace it with something else!" Vince argued back. "Charizard is obviously the best. There's barely any fire types, so you get a great one right from the start!"
"It's only super effective against one gym!" Spinelli said. "And that's if you make it through the first one!"
"Of course I make it through the first one! I can't be the only one to think Charizard is the best. Teej, back me up here!"
"No can do, Vince," TJ said. "I don't even like Fire Types that much. Charizard is alright, but when I started a new game with Squirtle, it was so much easier. I'm on team Blastoise."
"But you get slaughtered in the Electric gym," Gus said. "I'm with Gretchen. Besides the fire and Poison gym, Venusaur is the best."
"Thank you, Gus. At least two of us are using logic," Gretchen said.
"It's a freakin' dragon! A dragon!" Vince yelled.
"A dragon that gets taken out by a rock," Spinelli said. "It's weak."
"I can't believe this," Vince mumbled leaning back against the wall. "Fire types are the best type."
"Uh, no it's not. Fighting is the best type. All out hitters, it's what battling is all about!"
"Statistically, Psychic types are the best. It's only weakness, Bug, has no strong moves to use against it, making it the best type to work with," Gretchen reasoned.
"Anyone could use Psychic types. That's the easy way out," Spinelli said. "I heard in the Silver and Gold games, there's two new types called Dark and Steel, and Psychic types are weak to Ghost, Dark, and Bug. Let's see how your strategy works out then."
"Normal and Ground types are nice and safe," Gus said. "No surprises, and Earthquake everything."
"Friends, friends! Please stop fighting!" Mikey urged them. All types are wonderful and special in their own way. I for one find the Bug types to be good at surprising enemies."
"Bug type? Bug is the weakest type!" Spinelli yelled. "It's even worse than Normal type!" The cheese block soon erupted in arguments over which of their favorite types were. Fire, Psychic, Fighting, Normal and Ground, and Bug each had someone behind them, strongly believing that that type was the best. None of them were willing to back down, until a whistle pierced through the shouting.
"Quiet. I'm at the Elite Four," TJ said. "I need to focus."
"So what's your favorite type, Teej?" Spinelli asked him.
"My favorite type?" He repeated, never taking his eyes off his game. "I like…..Ghost Type."
"Ghost types are creepy," said Gus.
"No they're not. Ghost types are cool. Have you seen the show? Total pranksters," He said. "That's the Type for me."
"There's only one Ghost line in the whole game though," said Vince. TJ shrugged.
"Still like 'em."
The bell signaling the end of recess rang, and they all groaned in response. Saving and turning off their games, they tucked it away in their pockets before heading back to class.