CHAPTER TWO
Pallet Town was a small town, tucked away behind the more populated Viridian City. It had a meagre population, but still managed to supply its citizens with all their basic needs as well as a peaceful lifestyle, with the sea to the south.
Daniel lived in one of the nicer homes in Pallet Town, with his mother and younger sister. The house had three bedrooms and a small kitchen, as well as a dining room. The house was surrounded by a white picket fence, with a garden out back which Daniel's Mom tended to from time to time.
He and his sister attended the Pokemon Trainer's School in Viridian City, which was compulsory for anybody who wanted to catch Pokemon.
"Daniel! Beth! Time to get up!"
Daniel roused at the sound of his mother's voice, glancing to his bedside table and turning off his alarm clock before it began its shrill ringing.
"Time to get up, Meowth," Daniel muttered sleepily, as a Pokemon at the foot of his bed stretched and yawned leisurely. Meowth was a quadruped feline Pokemon, with cream-coloured fur, brown paws and on the tip of its tail, and an oval coin embedded in its forehead. "Come on, let's go."
His bedroom had a bed in one corner and a bedside table next to it. There was a desk facing a window with a computer on it, as well as a collection of stuffed PokeDolls on a separate table. Daniel had Charmander, Squirtle and Bulbasaur staring back at him.
After showering and brushing his teeth, he changed into a pair of jeans and a clean T-shirt before settling at the breakfast table downstairs, where his mother had set the table with warm toast, freshly baked muffins and a jug of cool orange juice. Meowth trotted on its four legs past the breakfast table and into the open-plan kitchen, where it spotted its food bowl and began eating noisily.
"Finish all your breakfast, OK?" his mother, Mary, asked concernedly.
"Yes, Mom," Daniel said, taking a bite of a toast with butter spread on it. It was warm and delicious.
"Beth! Come down for breakfast, now!"
Beth emerged from upstairs, rubbing the sleep from her eyes as she walked towards the breakfast table. A Pokemon joined her, trotting on its four legs and jumping up on Beth's chair. It had reddish-brown fur, looking not unlike a small fox with brown feet and a curled, crimson tail.
"Vulpix, no!" Beth said sternly, taking the wriggling Pokemon in her hands and walking into the kitchen. Meowth was now lapping up the milk in its bowl, but upon seeing Vulpix, it immediately began eating the food possessively.
"C'mon, Meowth, don't be selfish," Beth said, putting Vulpix down on the tiled floor. Meowth gave Vulpix a wary look. "You've got to share."
"I'll get Vulpix's bowl. I was just running it through the dishwasher."
As Beth headed back towards the dinner table, her mother opened the dishwasher and took a pink bowl from within its chrome depths. Filling it with food, she placed it on the ground, where Vulpix happily trotted across the tiles to eat its breakfast. Mary bent down and patted both Pokemon, then headed back into the adjoining dining room, where Daniel and Beth were squabbling over the last muffin.
"Stop it!" Mary said, as the two teenagers fought over the baked good. Mary snatched the muffin from their hands. "I'll have it. I haven't yet had the time to have any breakfast myself, thank you very much."
"Mom!" Daniel and Beth whined.
Mary took her seat at the breakfast table and looked at her two, sulking children who stared across from each other with folded arms.
"Have you two done your homework?"
"Yes," they replied in unison.
"Brushed your teeth?"
"Yes."
"Did you have a good sleep?"
"Yes - "
"Well, I don't see why!" Mary said. "I could hear that TV going until midnight! You snuck out of your rooms and watched the Championship, didn't you?"
"We had to, Mom!" Daniel whined, as Beth stayed silent, pouting. "It was the final match - "
"You'll be in terrible shape for school if you keep staying up this late. Your grades will slip. Do you want that?"
"No," said Daniel, muttering under his breath,"But it's not like it matters anyway."
Beth took a sharp intake of breath as Mary rounded on her son. "And why is that, young man?
"Well..." Daniel took a deep breath. "I was thinking that I could be a Pokemon Trainer. I've been studying really hard at the School, and I think I'm ready."
Mary was silent. She knew this day would always come; but had forestalled her son's thoughts by pointing out how dangerous it was and that he was too young to go on such an adventure. But deep down, she knew that he had the same instinct for adventure that his late father did - Daniel had a stubborn, independent spirit and a desire for exploring new avenues No prizes for guessing which side of the family he had inherited it from. Despite her reservations, Daniel was at the same, reckless age that many Pokemon Trainers began their journey. But she couldn't let her child fly the nest too soon.
"Daniel, I need to have a think about this." Mary said.
"But Mom, I'm ready," protested Daniel.
"I know you think you are, but I need to consider it from all angles. After all; you're my only son, and I want to make sure that you'll safe, OK?"
Daniel nodded miserably, heading for the door. "Come on, Meowth; time for school."
Meowth bounded into the living room and headed straight for Daniel's ankles, purring as he snuggled between them. Daniel bent down and scratched Meowth's neck absent-mindedly.
"Have a good day at school today! Both of you." Mary said, watching as Beth collected Vulpix from the kitchen, her bag slung over her shoulders.
"Yes, Mom," they said in unison, exiting the house.
"Why do you think Mom won't let you leave?" Beth asked.
The day was bright and sunny, and Beth relished in the warmth as her Vulpix trotted beside her. The two of them walked past small houses, fenced off with pretty gardens and mailboxes.
"I don't know," Daniel sulked, as Meowth followed loyally beside him. He cast a look to the route ahead which connected Pallet to Viridian. A five-minute walk each day took them to school and back.
"I don't see what all the fuss is about," Beth said, glancing down at Vulpix. "I don't want Vulpix in a fight. She's my precious baby."
Beth stopped to snuggle Vulpix, but Daniel continued on firmly ahead.
"C'mon, Daniel! Wait up!" Beth said, picking up Vulpix and running after Daniel.
Vulpix audibly sighed. It would be nice to walk, to stretch her legs instead of having to be carried all the time. Vulpix did enjoy being pampered, though.
Beth caught up to Daniel, but not before noticing several Rattata run across the grassy fields. At first, Beth had been scared of the quadruped, purple-coloured rodents, but soon realised that the Rattata were harmless if left undisturbed. They were used to living in a peaceful habitat like Pallet. Beth saw some Pidgey in the trees that lined the route; bird Pokemon that sat nestled amongst leaves and watched all who came and went all day long.
"Do you ever think you'll get another Pokemon?" Beth asked, but Daniel turned around in challenge.
"I'd never replace Meowth!" he shouted furiously.
"Not to replace Meowth," Beth shot back, whose ire could equal Daniel's when challenged. "Another Pokemon! In addition to Meowth?"
Slightly mollified, Daniel replied, "Maybe. Meowth's the only Pokemon I'll ever need."
A light breeze began to blow, giving the groaning apple and orange trees a push to drop their fruit for the hungry Pokemon below.
"I don't know why you'd want to leave Pallet in the first place," Beth said, watching as two Rattata squabbled over a fallen pear and began eating their shared portions hungrily. "It's so beautiful."
Viridan City was a town that was more populated than Pallet Town, but still considered a small town compared to the larger cities in Kanto. Viridian held host to the Viridian Gym, as well as a Pokemon Trainer's School, a Pokemon Center and a PokeMart. Daniel's mother worked at the PokeMart in Viridian City, serving customers, selling Pokeballs and Potions and bagging their groceries.
Daniel and Beth walked through Viridian City, which had taller buildings than Pallet and the quiet, slow-moving thoroughfare common to rural towns.
"Beth," Daniel asked, as they walked up the steps to the Pokemon Trainer's School, as students filed in past them. "What about you? Would you want another Pokemon some day?"
Beth returned his question with a grin. "Of course. I love Pokemon. Especially you, Vulpix." Beth patted Vulpix, who was soon to become fat if her owner didn't allow her some exercise.
"Good morning, class," spoke the teacher, as everyone settled into their seats.
"Good morning," chanted the class in reply.
"I hope you've all completed your homework. It's due in today, so I will be collecting everyone's essays on the eight Gym Leaders. I hope you've all included extra strategies on how you would battle them as well."
Beth rolled her eyes, which Daniel ignored. He had ran out of space on his pad with all the strategies he would implement, if given the chance. Beth, he knew, had brushed Vulpix's fur for an hour instead of focusing on her homework. Their strategies and theories were based around the few live Gym battles that had been televised, where scant information had been provided other than the Pokemon used per battle and who won or lost.
"Today we will be doing a recap on the types of Pokemon that you will encounter on your travels as a Trainer and I will ask you all to call out three different Pokemon of that type. Then, I will pick one of you to stand in front of the class, and students will call out types of Pokemon, and that person will have to respond with both the strengths and the weaknesses relevant to that type. After that, we will be discussing the evolutionary tactics of Pokemon."
Daniel sat up straighter, while Beth slouched in her seat, hoping not to be picked. She took a look around at the other students with their Pokemon. There were a group of five youngsters with straw hats and nets with which to catch Bug-type Pokemon. They had either Caterpie or Weedle with them. Caterpie was not unlike a caterpillar, while Weedle was of a thinner appearance and had a small horn on the top of its head. There were some students with Rattatas, others with Pidgeys and even one with a Mankey. The rest kept theirs safely in their Pokeballs.
"Who can tell me three Normal-type Pokemon?" the teacher asked, as hands flew up. "Yes?" she pointed at one.
"Clefairy," smiled a little girl.
"Yes, very good. Anyone else?"
"Jigglypuff," said the same girl, smiling indulgently.
"Thank you, Clarissa. How about someone's else's turn - "
"Pidgeotto!" shouted another student.
"No need to raise your voice, Derek. But yes, you're right. However..." the class held its breath. "Pidgeotto is a dual-type Pokemon. It is a Normal-type, but it is also a...?"
"Flying-type," spoke up another boy.
"Thank you, Joshua," the teacher said. "Pidgeotto is a Normal-type and a Flying-type. Now, who can tell me three Fire-type Pokemon?"
"Growlithe!" spoke up a student.
"Magmar!" said Joshua.
"Ponyta!" Beth called out.
Daniel turned to Beth, watching her expression. He knew that Ponyta was one of Beth's favorites; a Pokemon not unlike a foal with a fiery mane, golden-coloured body and sharp hooves.
"Very good." the teacher said. "How about Water-types?"
"Squirtle!" spoke up a girl near Beth.
"Yes, Natalie, Squirtle is correct." the teacher smiled. Natalie was smiling, too, for she had a Squirtle by her side. "Anybody else?"
"Goldeen!" Daniel cried out. "And Staryu!"
"Yes, that's right, Daniel." the teacher said. "Now the next type can get tricky. Grass-types are plentiful, but many of them are dual types. Can anyone tell me a pure Grass-type?"
"Oddish!" yelled a young girl, red-faced with the exertion of answering first.
"I'm afraid not, Lily. Oddish is a dual-type: a Grass-type and a Poison-type."
"Tangela!" Daniel and Joshua shouted in unison.
"Yes. Both of you are correct, very good." the teacher added. "Tangela is the only known Pokemon that has the distinction of being the only Grass-type without a dual-type. Who else can name some more dual-type Grass Pokemon?"
"Ivysaur!" Joshua said.
"Bellsprout!" Daniel cried.
"Very good. Now for the next Type, Flying Pokemon. All known Flying Pokemon have a dual-type. Can anyone give me some examples of Flying-types?"
"Doduo!" cried out Beth.
"Pidgeotto!" shouted Derek.
"I'm glad you've taken what I've said in stride, Derek," smiled the teacher. "Anyone else?"
"Spearow!" Joshua said. "Fearow!"
"You're correct, Joshua. The next type is Electric. Who can name some Electric-type Pokemon?"
"Pikachu!" Natalie cried.
"Yes, Natalie - "
"Electabuzz!" Daniel shouted.
"Keep your voice down, please, Daniel." the teacher admonished. "Yes, you're correct. Any more?"
"Voltorb!" Joshua shouted.
"No more shouting, please." the teacher said. "Your next Type is... Bug-types."
"Caterpie! Metapod!"
"Weedle and Kakuna!"
"Beedrill!"
"Butterfree!"
"Thank you," the teacher silenced the group of bug catchers. "I think that's quite enough Bug-types for now. How about Poison-types?"
"Koffing!" said Joshua.
"Arbok!" said Daniel. "Ekans!"
"You're both right." the teacher said. "Now for Rock-types and Ground-types. There is a difference between the two, but what is it?"
Daniel and Joshua's hands shot up.
"Joshua, you go." the teacher said.
"Rock-Types are resistant to Normal-type attacks, while Ground-Types can still be affected by Normal-type attacks. Also, Flying-types are damaged more easily by Rock-type attacks, while Ground-type attacks will have no effect whatsoever on Flying-types." Joshua said.
"Very good, Joshua! That's absolutely correct. Who can also tell me the Type which has no effect on either Rock or Ground-types?"
"Electric-type attacks!" Daniel said, his hand shooting up.
"Very good. Now, Daniel, I want you to name three Rock-types, and Joshua, you can name three Ground-Types. It doesn't matter if they are dual-types. Go!"
"Geodude, Graveler," Daniel said.
"Sandshrew, Sandslash," Joshua recited from memory.
"Onix!" Daniel said.
"Marowak!" Joshua replied.
"Very good. You two know your stuff. So far, we've covered ten out of fifteen types. Whoever can name the five remaining Types will also volunteer to name three Pokemon of that type."
"Ice!" Joshua shouted, standing up. "Dewgong, Jynx..."
"Fighting!" yelled a teenager with no small amount of effort. "There's Hitmonchan and Primeape... and Mankey!"
"Ghost-type!" Daniel said, standing up. "Haunter, Gastly and... um, Gengar!"
"Cloyster!" Joshua shouted.
"All very good. Now who can tell me the final two Types?"
The class was silent.
"I think some of you know, but you don't know three Pokemon to match up with the Type. Come on! Tell me a Type."
"Psychic!" Daniel said.
"Thank you!" the teacher said. "Now, if you can tell me three Psychic-types, you'll receive a lollipop at the end of the class."
"A lollipop?" Daniel frowned.
"Well, uh..." the teacher rifled in her desk, clearly used to only rewarding the younger students. "I'll buy you a chocolate bar after class. How does that sound?"
"Kadabra! Abra!"
"You said it in the wrong order," Joshua rolled his eyes.
"No need to snipe, Joshua," the teacher admonished. "Go on, Daniel. What's another one?"
"Drowzee!"
"Very good! I'll buy you a chocolate bar after class." the teacher said, as Daniel sat back in his seat. Now if you watched the Championship last night, which may explain why some of you haven't yet handed in your homework..."
The teacher looked around the class and saw some guilty faces staring back at her.
"You'll know the last Type we have to discuss. I don't expect anyone to name three of its Type, but I will be glad to hear if anyone - "
"Dragon-type!" Joshua called out.
"Yes, very good, Joshua!"
"And I can name one of the Dragon-types: Dragonite." Joshua said.
"I saw that Pokemon last night as well," the teacher remarked. "It was very powerful."
The students who had been sent to bed too early to watch the final match between Gary and Lance emitted moans of longing and envy.
"Now that we've covered the different Pokemon-types, I will have Joshua come up in front of the class. I will pick people to ask him questions about Type effectiveness regarding both offensive and defensive measures."
Joshua proudly stood in front of the room.
"Natalie, you go first." the teacher said.
"Josh," she asked, "Tell me what Pokemon are weak against Water-type moves."
"Water-Type moves are effective against Rock and Ground Pokemon, and especially against Fire Pokemon."
"Josh!" called out a bug catcher. "Tell me what Bug-types are strong against."
"Bug-Type attacks are effective against Grass-types, but that would only include Tangela. A lot of Grass-types are dual-type Poison-types, and Bug-type attacks are weak against Poison-types."
"So, are you saying my Bug Pokemon isn't strong?" the bug catcher demanded.
"Calm down, Ben," the teacher said. "He was simply answering your question. Next!"
"Joshua, what is the weakness of Ghost-types?" Daniel asked, hoping to stump him.
"That's easy." Joshua patronised him. "Ghost-types are weak to Ghost-type moves. However, since the only known Ghost-type Pokemon are all dual-type Poison-types, they are also weak to Ground-type and Psychic-type attacks."
The class tittered, while Daniel's face flushed red. Joshua studied just as much as Daniel did.
"OK, that's enough," the teacher said. "Go back to seat, Joshua. You did very well."
As Joshua returned to his seat, the teacher produced a flip chart which showed a series of Pokemon.
"As well as each Pokemon having their own Type, or in some cases, two, as well as their own strengths and weaknesses, Pokemon naturally evolve. We may not know all the conditions which cause a Pokemon to evolve, but as time has passed, we have discovered quite a few methods.
The teacher addressed the flip chart, which showed a Pidgey.
"Who can tell me what Pidgey evolves into and at which level?"
"Pidgey evolves into Pidgeotto at level 18!" Joshua cried.
"Very good, Joshua," the teacher said, flipping the chart over to the next page, showing a picture of Pidgey next to Pidgeotto. "Who can tell me - "
"Pidgeotto evolves into Pidgeot at level 36!" Daniel shouted.
"No need to raise your voice, Daniel..." the teacher said, flipping the chart over to show a picture of Pidgey next to Pidgeotto next to Pidgeot. "But, you are correct. Now..."
The teacher placed the flip chart on the desk and retrieved another. This one showed a picture of Pikachu.
"Who can tell me what Pikachu evolves into and at what level?"
"That's a trick question," Natalie piped up. "Pikachu evolves when it uses a Thunder Stone."
"Correct! Very good, Natalie. Now, can you tell me what Pikachu evolves into?"
"Yes I can!" beamed Natalie. "Raichu!"
"Excellent!" the teacher exclaimed, regarding her students carefully. "Some Pokemon evolve when exposed to a stone - these include a Fire Stone, a Water Stone, a Thunder Stone and a Leaf Stone."
"There's also the Moon Stone," Clarissa spoke up. "My mom told me Clefairy and Jigglypuff use it to evolve."
"You're correct, Clarissa," the teacher nodded. "The Moon Stone is the rarest of all stones. It's said only to be found in Mount Moon - "
"Which is east of Pewter City," interjected Daniel.
"Yes, Daniel," the teacher smiled impatiently but indulgently. "You know your geography. Now, although some Pokemon can evolve using a Stone, there is one Pokemon who can evolve into three possible evolutions using one of three stones - "
"Eevee!" cried Beth. "Eevee can evolve into one of three Pokemon using either the Fire, the Water or the Thunder Stone."
"That's right, Beth! I'm glad you spoke up! Could you also tell me what those three evolutions, or 'eeveelutions' as we might call them are?"
"Vaporeon!" Daniel shouted.
"Jolteon!" Joshua shouted.
"Flareon," cried Beth, trying to get word in edgeways.
"I'm happy that you're enthusiastic, but please, it was Beth's turn to answer," the teacher admonished both Daniel and Joshua. "Beth, I'll ask you another question: can you tell me what Type of Pokemon Eevee is?"
"Yes, a Normal-type." Beth replied.
"You're right." the teacher smiled. "Now, seeing as it'll be break time in half an hour, I'll go over what your homework for this week is..."
Half an hour later, Daniel and Beth exited the classroom with Meowth and Vulpix beside them. They walked past the swing set and sandpit that younger students frolicked over and headed for the PokeMart. As they entered, Beth ran towards the PokeDoll shelf - her collection was ever-expanding and the reason she never had spare pocket money - while Daniel picked up some PokeTreats for Meowth, who tried to jump up and claw the box.
"Aw, they're out of stock!" moaned Beth.
"What Doll don't you have, Beth?" Daniel asked, picking up Meowth in his arms and walking over to the display. "Do you need another one?"
"They just sold out of Ponyta," Beth said. "I asked Mom to reserve me one, but she said that 'policy' didn't allow it. I told her I needed it..."
"Daniel, Beth! Come quick!"
Natalie had burst in through the front door, her face windswept and red hair askew.
"Natalie, what's wrong?" Daniel asked.
"It's Joshua! He's challenged another student to a Pokemon battle! Come watch!"
"Let's go!" Beth shrieked, picking up her surprised Vulpix and heading for the door.
Daniel and Beth followed Natalie out ofthe PokeMart with their Pokemon in their hands, spotting a small circle of students crowded round to watch the battle. They saw that Joshua was standing next to his Pokemon, a male Nidoran. The male Nidoran was a purple-hued quadruped with a horn on its forehead.
"Well? Choose your Pokemon!" demanded Joshua. "What's wrong, Derek?"
Derek seemed to hesitate as the crowd began to mutter and whisper amongst itself, then everyone took a step back in surprise as Derek threw his Pokeball into the fray.
"Rattata, go!"
Rattata appeared in a burst of light, standing on its four legs and facing Nidoran with a keen eye. Rattata and Nidoran were small Pokemon and similar to each other in height.
"Rattata, Quick Attack!" Derek shouted.
"Nidoran, use Leer!" Joshua shouted.
Rattata avoided Nidoran's heated gaze and managed to tackle it in the side, knocking it over. Gasps came from the crowd as Nidoran got to its feet.
"Nidoran, Horn Attack!" ordered Joshua.
"Rattata, use Tail Whip!" cried Derek.
Nidoran ran towards Rattata, its head lowered as Rattata swung its tail around. Nidoran avoided the attack, however, jumping over Rattata's tail and landing cleanly behind it. Nidoran struck Rattata with its horn, causing Rattata to squeal in pain and fall upon the ground.
"Finish it, Nidoran! Use Tackle!"
Nidoran took several steps back, but not before Derek yelled,
"Rattata! Avoid his attack!"
However, Rattata was too dazed from Nidoran's previous attack. Nidoran tackled Rattata and sent it flying across the grass, where it was unable to move. Nidoran returned to Joshua's side.
"Rattata," said Derek somberly, who knelt to scoop up his Pokemon in his arms. "I'll take you to the Pokemon Center. Hold on."
"I'll help him," Natalie rushed off to follow Derek. "Hey, wait up!"
Daniel and Beth watched as the crowd dispersed, while Joshua stood solitary, having returned Nidoran to its Pokeball and staring at it unconcernedly.
"Josh," asked Daniel. "That was a cool battle. Are you gonna be a Pokemon Trainer?"
"A Pokemon Trainer?" scoffed Joshua. "I'm going to be a Pokemon Master."
The school day ended relatively quickly. The students were given homework to recap on the different types of Pokemon, as well as to make a flip chart listing the strengths and weaknesses of each Pokemon Type. Daniel considered it a hefty task, but then, who else would beat Josh by a landslide?
Daniel and Beth walked home side-by-side in the late afternoon, with Vulpix enjoying the breeze and avoiding the tall grass, while Meowth followed at Daniel's side, alert for anything that gleamed. Too often he had been slow on the uptake while Spearow swooped down from their perch to nab his find.
"Do you think Mom will find another Pokemon?"
Daniel stayed silent, partly for Meowth's benefit. Mary's first and only Pokemon had been a Persian; a large quadruped feline with sharp claws and a jewel in its forehead the size of a bead. As the evolutionary form of Meowth, Persian had given birth to a litter of five Meowth, four of which were unable to make it through the night. The one that had fought for its life clung onto its mother's breast, but only days after, Persian succumbed to the exertion of the birth and passed away.
Not since the passing of Daniel and Beth's father years before had the mood of the house shifted so dramatically. Each night, Daniel would wake in the middle of the night to hear the baby Meowth crying, and he would bottle-feed it until the Meowth fell asleep. Since that night, Mary hadn't so much as mentioned having another Pokemon again, but she did feel warmth towards her children's Pokemon.
"I don't know." said Daniel, as the familiar path of trees and grass passed them by, waving in the breeze. "I don't know what she's thinking."
They walked up the path that led past the letterbox and opened the front door, heaving their backpacks onto the hat rack stationed nearby. Mary was untying an apron from her figure, having recently baked a plate of steaming hot scones.
"I have some butter if you'd like to put them on your scones," she said, not looking up as they entered and as always, sensing their arrival. "Daniel, I'd like you to sit down for a moment. Beth, you too."
"I'm going to feed Meowth some PokeTreats first," Daniel said, as Meowth's ears perked up and sprinted into the kitchen.
"It won't take a second. Please," Mary said, settling herself down at the table. Daniel and Beth joined her, sitting opposite their mother. Vulpix tried in vain to climb onto the table to grab a scone, while Meowth returned from the kitchen leisurely, as though he hadn't just been trying to nab a tasty treat while everyone's attention was diverted.
"Come here, Meowth," Daniel said, bending down and picking up Meowth in his arms. He noisily opened the packet of PokeTreats noisily took one out, allowing Meowth to eat it greedily before he could hand it out. Beth giggled while Daniel smiled at his favourite Pokemon.
"Daniel, I've been thinking about it a lot today, about what you said... about wanting to be a Pokemon Trainer." Mary seemed to stumble on the words. "I think you're old enough now where you can give serious thought to your Pokemon adventure. There is a lot I want to go over with you before you start, but I have faith in your ability to raise Meowth and any other Pokemon you find on your travels with love and care."
"Do you mean it?" Daniel asked, his face brightening. "You think I'm ready?"
"There's no reason why, after quite a bit of preparation and planning, you shouldn't go on a Pokemon adventure." Mary beamed. "After all, it's your birthday in a couple of months. You'll be the same age your father was when he began his adventure around Kanto."
"I'll be back, Mom, you know that," Daniel was quick to reassure his mother, who smiled sadly. "I won't go off for long periods and never return; not like Dad did. I'll make you and Beth proud; I promise."
"I know you will, Daniel," said Mary, hugging her son.
Beth inhaled furiously. "Wait! I'm not coming with you?"
Mother and son hugged, but Beth's query went unanswered. "Hello? I asked a question!"
Vulpix finally jumped up on the table, grabbed a scone in her mouth and ran upstairs before anyone could catch her.