Some clarification about the guns: Legally, the guns are to be used only for (non-Pokémon-injuring) sport. Deliberately shooting a Pokémon incurs heavy fines, jail time, and legal requirement to nurse the injured Pokémon back to health. Unintentional shooting is a small fine and the aforementioned legal requirement. Unintentional shooting by a minor is only the legal requirement. Clarification over!

"Hi, I'd like access to the target range."

Matt was out of breath. The range was on the other side of Olivine City, and he ran with at least ten pounds of gear.

"What is your name?"

"Matthew Ing, ma'am."

"Ah. Here to practice for the Biathlon, huh?"

"Yeah. Forgot about it until this morning. I need to get as much practice as I can."

"Entry into the range is $5. You're already registered for the Biathlon."

"Yes. Here's the five greenbacks."

"Good luck, young man."

Finally. There were three runs around the track and five targets to hit. Each ammo box held 30 rounds. 'So,' he thought, 'I can shoot each target off of my board three times, and with my bo—'

OH SCHAP!

He forgot his skateboard!

'Okay, just calm down, Matt. Deep breaths. One step at a time. Just get the first fifteen shots out of the way, and then you can get your board.'

He did not look forward to it. Surely the registration lady would understand. She'd watch his stuff for him.

He thought so hard about this he forgot that he was even practicing. He mindlessly popped off round after round. He had almost fired his sixteenth bullet when he heard his mom calling for him.

"Maa-aaatt! You forgot your board!"

"Oh, thank you so much, mom. I almost had a breakdown in the middle of the range."

"You're welcome, sweetie."

Matt got right to work on shooting from his board. His accuracy took a slight hit, but not that much. He had always been a good shot.

The Biathlon was about to start.

He hadn't heard before, but there would be a very special prize for the three top performers: Their selection of Johto Starter Pokémon.

Well, it was sort of a choice. Matt always knew that the third party got the shaft selecting a Starter Pokémon. In a way, the first party did too, what with their inevitable second-place rival choosing the Pokémon with an advantage over the first guy.

He was prepared—well, he felt prepared, at least. He would hate to screw up. He even heard that Professor Elm would be there!

Matt really wanted to meet Professor Oak, though. He was his childhood hero, someone who seemed to know everything about Pokémon- and more. He had a radio show, though. That conflicted with the Biathlon, like it did every year.

'Oh well,' he thought, 'at least I can listen to his show while I wait for my go down the track.'

He was the second-last to go. He would've spent the time tweaking his board, but that was against the rules. He didn't really mind, though.

"We're almost finished!" the announcer boomed through the subwoofers. "We've got two entrants to go! First up, Matthew Ing!"

Matt always thought that Ing was a stupid last name. It seemed like it was just half of a last name, or half a first name, or, heck, even half a middle name.

He didn't like his middle name much, either. Dan also sounded incomplete.

But he didn't have time to worry about that. Right now, there was a Biathlon to make.

As he finished his first volley of shots, he caught a glimpse of Professor Elm, holding onto one of the Starters. He was still moving pretty fast, though, so he wasn't sure which it was, or if it was a starter at all.

After the second go-around, he was moving a bit slower, and he saw it was Cyndaquil. It looked kind of unhappy in Elm's arms, though, and was apparently trying to escape.

"Here! He! COMES!" screamed the announcer, "His final go! His deciding moment!"

And then the unthinkable happened.

It happened because Matt had made a mistake.