Route 1
Monday, 5:41 p.m.
On Route 1, tall green grass is everywhere. Perfect for Pokémon training. Wild Pokémon were on the loose and fighting trainers in battles to test their strength and worthiness if they hope to catch them.
Further into the grass, Nova, along with Bulbasaur, were currently beating a Rattata down with Bulbasaur's Vine Whip. The grassy confinement was choking the energy out of the Mouse Pokémon as it struggled to breath.
Rattata is a small, quadruped rodent Pokémon. Its most notable feature is its large teeth. Rattata has purple fur on its back, and cream fur on its stomach. It has a pair of thin, cream-colored whiskers and a long tail that curls at the tip.
"Bulbasaur, throw it into the air and jump at it with a Tackle." Nova calmly commands with his hands in his jean pockets.
The Seed Pokémon readied its legs and viciously hurled the Normal type way into the air with its whip and when it came down, it slammed its whole body on the small Pokémon and into the unforgiving ground.
Nova was quick to throw the Poké ball in his hand and precisely hit the Rattata on its head as the ball opened and sucked the Mouse Pokémon in. The ball shook once, again, and again, until it rested with a satisfying 'click', signaling the successful capture.
Nova blinked and walked towards the ball and scooped it up and minimized it, Bulbasaur shaking off the adrenaline from the battle. Nova clipped the ball onto his waist, along with one other Poké ball already there.
"So that makes three captures, including Bulbasaur. A Pidgey and a Rattata. We're making progress. Let's carry on, Bulbasaur." Nova motioned for his starter to come along, grass starter already by his side.
"Hey, you!"
Nova stopped and looked behind him stoically at the loud voice that called him out. A slim girl his age with long black hair done in a ponytail with a green ribbon holding it in place and violet eyes. She wears a sleeveless, white shirt, a pair of white sweatbands on her arms, a red skirt, long white stockings with pink stripes and athletic shoes with a red stripe. She also looked to be shorter than him. She had on a bright and big smile with a Poké ball in her hand as she pointed in his direction.
"Come on, dude! Let's battle!"
Nova blinked with no emotion and turned around fully with a scenic view of Viridian City behind him. He scanned her for a minute while she blushed at his deep calculative gaze.
He spotted only two Poké balls with her, the other one clipped to her brown bag over her shoulder, the ball on the strap.
'So two Pokémon for this one…' He hummed and unclipped the first ball he grabbed and expanded it.
The girl shook off the blush and smiled wider than before at his acceptance, "Okay, Pidgey. Let's go!" She threw the ball in her hand up in the air and out comes a small, plump-bodied avian Pokémon. It is primarily brown with a cream-colored face, underside, and flight feathers. On top of its head is a short crest of three tufts. The center crest feathers are brown and the outer two tufts are cream-colored. Just under its crest are its narrow, brown eyes. Angular black marking extend from behind its eyes down its cheeks. It has a short, stubby beak and feet with two toes in front and one in back. Both its beak and feet are a grayish-pink. It has a short, brown tail made of three feathers.
The bird squawked in proclamation for a good fight, Nova understanding it completely. The ball left his hand with an unenthusiastic underhanded toss and out comes the Rattata he fought earlier. It squeaked with determination and confidence that it will win its first fight.
The two Pokémon and trainers stared down the other fiercely. The girl was giddy with excitement, Nova waited with half-lidded eyes.
"Alright, Pidgey, attack with Gust!"
The Tiny Bird Pokémon cried and flapped its wings ferociously, the wind picking up around Rattata, dealing damage to the purple rodent. It stood its ground quite well, even with the harsh wind scratching the skin under its thick fur.
"Utilize your Tail Whip to redirect the wind away from you."
Hearing Nova gave it some hope as he did exactly what he told it to do. It worked shockingly, the girl and her bird with huge eyes. She looked at Nova in admiration and smiled, "Nice one! Okay Pidgey, since that didn't work, go in for a Tackle!"
'I can't go for a Sand Attack, that'll just be another failure. That tail is strong. Strong enough to manipulate the air like that. Wow…' The girl thought over in awe.
Pidgey flew down swiftly and successfully tackled the Mouse Pokémon. Rattata yelped and tumbled across the field and back with Nova.
"It's alright. Everything is fine, Rattata. Quick Attack." Nova ordered calmly, the small rodent getting up with resolve.
It charged up some energy and hopped across the field with a brilliant white light streaking behind it. The attack was so quick that Pidgey couldn't take flight that fast enough to dodge as Rattata slammed into the bird Pokémon viciously.
"Ah! Oh no, Pidgey!" The girl cried out in concern for her Tiny Bird.
Pidgey skidded to a harsh halt in the air with several smudges of dirt that indicated that it took some serious damage. It shook it off anyways to keep its trainer from worrying as it took into the air again, waiting for another command. She sighed in relief and stuck an arm in the air, "Good job, Pidgey! Let's play a little smarter. Use Sand Attack, but a little at a time!"
Nova quirked an eyebrow at this until he widened his eyes at what he saw. Pidgey was flying in the air and switched its position every now and then while kicking sand in Rattata's face. The rodent was having trouble seeing where the bird was as it kept moving. The sand wasn't helping out either. If this keeps up, its accuracy will be a total failure. Tail Whip won't even matter here, because Pidgey would keep on kicking dust from a different direction every time.
"Yes! Perfect!" The girl cheered at her quick wittiness. This could be her fight.
'Don't celebrate just yet. It might cost you the game.' Nova thought darkly.
"Rattata, Tackle the ground head first."
Rattata perked up at the strange command. Would that help?
The girl stopped in her bounce and titled her head cutely at the random calling. What is he up to now?
The Mouse Pokémon did it anyway, no matter how strange it sounded, and collided its head against the ground. The girl gasped at the Pokémon's decision in doing it.
Nova waited until Rattata got its head unstuck from within the ground. It seemed perfectly fine. It could see now. The girl reeling back from absolute shock.
"Some say the best medicine is pain, so why not give it a try in this situation." Nova muttered with a blank face.
"Rattata, finish it quickly with Quick Attack."
The rodent disappeared from the bird's line of sight, the Tiny Bird looking up and down for it. It felt a strong surge of pain that originated from its back as the two fell from the air and into the ground. The dust from the ground kicked up and blinded the two trainers.
When the miniature sandstorm cleared up, they saw both of the Pokémon had fainted. Pidgey from the Quick Attack and Rattata, who couldn't take the harsh landing too well.
"Come back, Pidgey/Rattata." The two trainers called back the two Pokémon and returned them to their respective place.
"You are one smart trainer! What's your name?" She asked curiously, wanting to know more about this boy.
"Nova." He greeted politely, but with a blank face still.
She pouted at his lack of enthusiasm, but immediately smiled afterwards, "Nice to meet you, Nova! I'm Claire!"
Nova showed disinterest at Claire's introduction and unclipped Bulbasaur's ball, his Pidgey having already experienced half of the wild battles here on Route 1.
"Get ready for my next Pokémon: Squirtle!" She twirled while throwing her second and last Pokémon out onto the field. A small Pokémon that resembles a light blue turtle appeared from the ball. It has large eyes and a slightly hooked upper lip. Each of its hands and feet have three pointed digits. The end of its long tail curls inward. Its body is encased by a tough shell that forms and hardens after birth. This shell is brown on the top, pale yellow on the bottom, and has a thick white ridge between the two halves.
The Squirtle ducked in its shell and spun on the back of its shell, pumped for the battle.
Nova hummed and stuck his hand out with Bulbasaur's ball firmly grasped in his fist, 'That could be the Squirtle from Oak's lab. It's also a pure Water type, but I can't get ahead of myself. Type advantages may matter to some, but not me. I will not under any circumstance overestimate or underestimate my opponents. We're all equal here.'
He bent back into a baseball pitcher's pose in throwing, "Go, Bulbasaur."
His starter spread its legs for battle, his vines seeping out from his bulb in intimidation. The Tiny Turtle Pokémon looking a bit frightened but composed itself shortly after.
"This trainer's no joke, so we have to play smart for this one. Withdraw!"
The turtle went back in it's shell as it glowed a bright blue momentarily before disappearing, raising its defense. Nova narrowed his eyes at her strategy before ordering, "This is never heard of before, but forget it. Bulbasaur, Growl into Tackle."
"What!?"
Bulbasaur ran while growling menacingly at Squirtle, who fidgeted in its position at the scream as it fell backwards at the impact Tackle did, its attack lowering simultaneously. It withdrew in its shell and spun on the ground again before popping out unharmed.
"Grr! Squirtle, spin on your shell again and use Bubble!"
Squirtle spun on its shell and shot large bubbles from its mouth, the action looking like a sprinkler of some sorts. The bubbles are spiraling out of control as a few hit Bulbasaur, the Seed Pokémon cringing in pain.
"Relax. Focus, Bulbasaur. Use your Vine Whip and pop them."
The vines quickly swung around and popped each one that was close to the grass starter. One by one, the bubbles ceased in their attack as the water starter stopped spinning and faced his opponent.
Suddenly, a glowing net flew out from some trees and headed towards the two Pokémon. Bulbasaur, after seeing this, grabbed Squirtle with his vines and jumped far away from the net that hit the ground unsuccessfully.
"What? Hey, who did that!?" Claire turned to where the interruption came from and stomped her foot on the ground angrily at them ruining their match. Nova glancing at the trees with a dark look.
Two shadows appeared from the trees as the two trainers could finally see what was going on.
One was a male in weird black clothing with a big red letter 'R' in the front. He had chin-length red hair and matching eyes.
The other was a female with the same choice of clothing, except her top exposed her slim stomach to the world. She had knee-length green hair with matching eyes.
"Haven't you heard anything about us, little girl? How about your little boyfriend over there? Do you know about us?" The woman mocked the girl while asking them a question.
Claire stuttered, blushing up a storm at the idea of Nova being her boyfriend. She glanced at him and saw him narrowing his eyes dangerously at the man of the group, who returned the look. She blushed harder at his scary but more mature face and screamed, "He's not my b-boyfriend! Don't say that!"
"You're Team Rocket. The evil organization reigning from Kanto. Full grown adults who have nothing better to do with their time than stalk little children with more powerful Pokémon than theirs." Nova said darkly to them.
Claire stifled a giggle at his insult, with the two grunts fuming at his words. The man, having enough of this, brought out a Poké ball and threw it down onto the field, the woman doing the same.
A blue, bat-like Pokémon appeared from the man's ball. While it lacks eyes, it has pointed ears with purple insides and a mouth with two sharp teeth on each jaw that looked to be longer than it's supposed to be. It has purple wing membranes support by two, elongated fingers, and two long, thin, tails.
A spherical Pokémon that is filled with toxic gases appeared from the woman's ball. It has vacant eyes and a wide mouth that usually has two pointed teeth in the upper jaw. Below its face is a cream-colored skull-and-crossbones marking. Several crater-like protrusions, which is releasing a yellowish gas, is covering its body. Its purple skin is very thin.
Nova narrowed his eyes even further at the two Pokémon and scanned them quickly with his Pokédex.
Zubat, the Bat Pokémon. While it having no eyes, it insteads rely on its ultrasonic cries for echolocation to flit about in darkness.
He hovered the Dex over to the second Pokémon.
Koffing, the Poison Gas Pokémon. Its thin, balloon-like body is inflated by horribly toxic gases. It reeks when it is nearby.
Nova calmly put away his Pokédex and walked over to Claire, Bulbasaur following, "Two Poison types. We better watch out for their poison as best we can."
Claire blushed at the close interaction between them, but calmed herself and nodded, "Yeah, okay…"
"Squirtle!"
"Bulbasaur."
The two starters jumped in front of their respective trainers and faced the two airborne Poison types.
"Zubat, Supersonic!"
The Bat Pokémon emitted a terrible shriek that pierced the hearing of the two opposing Pokémon, Squirtle hiding in its shell for protection, and Bulbasaur covering the side of his head and added his vines for double protection.
The woman took advantage of Squirtle's hiding and ordered, "Poison Gas on Squirtle, Koffing dear."
The Poison Gas Pokémon let out multiple purple smoke from its craters as the trail of smoke traveled to the Tiny Turtle Pokémon, Claire screaming.
"Squirtle, watch out!"
But Squirtle couldn't listen as it stayed in its shell, Zubat still using Supersonic. The poisonous smoke inched closer and closer, until…
"Idiot…"
Claire looked on in horror as Nova wrapped Squirtle in his embrace as he took the gas attack for the Pokémon. Everything stopped as Squirtle poked its head out and witnessed something it shouldn't. His opponent's trainer was protecting him, a purple blush ran across the bridge of his nose indicating that he's been exposed to a dangerous poison. Claire covered her mouth with threatening tears at seeing Nova coughing violently, a bit of saliva leaving his mouth. Bulbasaur grew scared for his trainer as he ran up to Nova and tried talking to him. The Seed Pokémon couldn't do anything as Nova fell to the ground, releasing Squirtle.
Squirtle walked to Claire, still looking at Nova with gratefulness and fear for his life. Claire picked up her starter tenderly while whispering sweet nothings to it while looking at Nova in thankfulness.
The two grunts were laughing at the boy's idiocy and went to order their Pokémon to attack them again.
Nova tripped over his own foot but caught himself before he ate dirt. He weakly opened his eyes and narrowed them again as a dark lightning bolt struck in his right eye. His conscious left him as he ran towards the Poison Gas Pokémon and jump kicked the round Pokémon away as it slammed into the man's stomach, the both of them falling down.
Claire gasped and covered Squirtle's eyes at the sudden violence, Squirtle comically trying to move her hands. Bulbasaur studying Nova's actions.
"Bulbasaur, use Vine Whip and spin Zubat in the air. Don't stop until I tell you to."
Bulbasaur was quick to follow up with his command and successfully gripped the bat in his clutches as he swung the Flying/Poison type around in the air, Zubat crying out in unacceptance. The woman didn't know what to do as it wasn't her Pokémon and her partner was down and out for the count. This went on for a while until Zubat went limp in Bulbasaur's hold.
"Enough, Bulbasaur. Throw it at the woman." Nova ordered, Bulbasaur disposing the unconscious body of the bat over to the grunts side.
Claire saw this as the perfect opportunity to redeem themselves, "Squirtle, run into a Tackle!"
"Bulbasaur, Tackle."
The two starters ran side by side and made impact with the grunts, who rocketed in the air and out of sight, out of mind.
"We did it, Squirtle!"
Claire jumped for joy as the Tiny Turtle Pokémon went into her embrace. Nova kneeling down again at the poison, Bulbasaur was at his side like a loyal friend. Claire stopped and frowned at his fallen state before helping him stand, "Oh no, Nova…"
Squirtle lowered its head down in shame at not being able to help itself, that was until Nova patted it on the head, "It's fine, Squirtle. If I had to do it again, I would do it again."
Squirtle had tears in its eyes and hugged his leg in a show of apology. Claire smiled and gazed at Nova adoringly, Viridian City getting closer.
Viridian City
Monday, 8:31
Viridian City was a lively one for a city with few houses and people, but that is just because of the two new buildings here: The Pokémon Center and the Pokémart.
The Pokémon Center is the building with the red roof and was slightly bigger than the Pokémart, which had a blue roof. The Pokémon. Center was Nova's destination for right now, with the help of Claire, a trainer whom he faced on Route 1 and helped out.
"Just a little further, Nova." Claire spoke softly to her savior, who grunted in response. Bulbasaur and Squirtle looking up at the two worryingly.
The entered through the front doors that opened automatically which helped them out greatly. Nova managed to stand by himself now, Claire reluctantly letting him go. A nurse with pink hair and in a white attire with pink trimmings on her clothes met them at the service table and she gasped at what she saw, "Oh my goodness, sir, are you alright?"
"No, he's not alright! He got hit with a Koffing's Poison Gas while saving my Squirtle!" Claire notified the nurse, who narrowed her eyes at the girl after she called for a bed.
"And why was he the one who took the hit? Why weren't you the one who took the attack for your Pokémon? If I may be perfectly honest and blunt with you here, this should be you right now!" She scolded Claire like a mother would do her child, who winced at the truth, on the verge of crying. Nova was carried off into the emergency room with the nurse by her side with a pink, ovoid Pokémon with her.
Claire was now all alone with her Squirtle and Nova's Bulbasaur by her side as she fell down on the ground and looked up at the ceiling, now crying. That Nurse Joy was right, that should be her in the ER right now, not Nova. But no, Nova was being considerate for others and took their pain for them. What he did is not enough for a simple 'Thank you' or a hug. He deserved something more, and she knows just what it is. She blushed at her idea of a thank you but he does deserve it after all he's been through and for what he did for her.
"Hey."
She gasped and opened her eyes to see a girl her age with short, neck-length brown hair and hazel eyes. She had on a long sleeved black shirt with blue jean shorts. Underneath those were a pair of black knee high socks with three white stripes on the top. She also had a on a pair of casual grey boots for outdoors.
Claire squinted at her due to the center's lights being so bright in her eyes that she had to stand up. Once she did, she noticed that the girl in front of her was the same height as her.
The girl put on the most innocent and serene smile on her face while sticking a hand out to greet Claire, "Hi! I'm Leslie!"
Claire smiled a bit and shook her hand, "Claire."
"Hi Claire! What were you doing on the floor?" Leslie asked, genuinely curious.
Claire casted her face down with a look of shame on her face, "It's about my friend...he...he jumped in front of an enemy Pokémon's attack and saved my Squirtle."
Leslie widened her eyes, "Where is he?"
Claire pointed to the emergency room at the back as Leslie gasped and quickly turned back around, "Oh no! What happened? Can you tell me?"
A couple of hours went into their time in the Pokémon Center, Claire had just got done explaining what had happened to Nova. Leslie frowning and almost cried a few times at Nova's predicament, but also couldn't help but admire the guy. As time went on, she got a little more antsy by the minute, wanting to meet him.
"What a brave and selfless thing to do…" Leslie trailed off, in deep thought. This guy must really have a deep passion for Pokémon. It's people like him that she wants to be. Sadly, there aren't that many people around anymore.
"Yeah, that's what I thought when he jumped in like he did. He was amazing…" Claire trailed off looking down, seemingly in a daze with a huge blush adorning her face.
The emergency room dinged, the doors opening slowly. Nova stepped out cautiously with his eyes noticeably droopy, something that wasn't there before.
Claire and Leslie gasped at his condition, the former wasting no time and ran to him to pull him in a hug. Leslie walked to the two, looking at Nova. He looks very bad. His face was slightly sweating with a very tiny purple tinge across his nose still, heavy dark bags under his eyes, and he looks like he lost all feeling in his bones. But he seems to be holding up quite well for someone who just got poisoned from a Pokémon's attack.
"Oh Nova, I'm so glad you're alright!" Claire hugged his head into her developing chest, Nova sighing with his hands dangling off his sides. Leslie absentmindedly pouted at Claire's actions but smiled nonetheless and tried speaking to the boy, "Hi Nova! I'm so relieved you're doing well. Claire's told me about you and what you did for her. In my honest opinion, you sound absolutely amazing to me. Few would've done what you just did and that sparks a little hope in me that there are more like you out there."
Nova forced himself out from Claire's embrace, who puffed out her cheeks at his escape. He turned his head in Leslie's direction, "Oh...well... I'm glad I'm one of the few who do care. What's your name?"
Leslie looked embarrassed and spoke fast, "Oh, I-I'm Leslie! Sorry about that. I guess I was a little excited in seeing you after all these hours, so I just got out what I wanted to say."
Nova nodded and looked outside the windows of the center and suppressed a yawn, "What time is it exactly?"
Claire searched for a clock somewhere in the center and spotted one, "It's eleven on the dot! I didn't realize it was this late!"
Leslie gasped and went up to the counter for something. Claire looked at Nova, who was shaking his head and stretching his body from lying on the stretcher for a while. She frowned, "Nova, I'm so sorry! I was supposed to be in there! I was being so-"
"Stop."
She paused in her speaking at Nova stopping her. He looked at her with that stoic face of his, "I did it because I wanted to do it. A friend is he who gives a helping hand to his friend in distress."
Claire gasped and lowered her head, "...I'm your friend?"
"That's what I said, right?" Nova put his hands out to his side, as if saying "duh".
She put a hand to her heart and raised her eyes to his, full of pure and unadulterated admiration. Leslie came back with two silver keys in her hand, "Hey, you guys! I just booked us a room here! Come on, let's get some rest for tomorrow!"
Nova nodded at her planning and went with her down the hallway towards the rooms. Claire made haste and walked besides Nova, and a little too close for comfort.
They seemed to be at an impasse. There were two rooms they were assigned to.
"Oh no, one of us will have to share…" Leslie said, putting a hand to her chin and tapping her foot.
Claire blushed and raised her hand, "Um...how about me and Nova will share a-"
She was interrupted by Nova, who snatched one key from Leslie's hand and entered the door on the left and shut the door. Behind it, the two girls heard the door lock.
Claire put her hand down dejectedly and sighed in disappointment. Leslie blinked at Nova's quick decision and made a fish face with her mouth, "Oh, yeah! Nice thinking, Nova!"
"Huh?" Claire asked.
"It would make sense that Nova took a room by himself since we are girls. It'd make sense that we share a room." Leslie explained. Claire couldn't really argue with that and smiled at Leslie.
"Okay! Let's go, roomie!"
And with that, the two female trainers ran into their room for the night and shut off the lights.
Viridian City: Pokémon Center
Tuesday, 7:32 a.m.
"So, Leslie, you're a Pokémon trainer as well!?"
"Yes, ma'am! So far, I only have one with me, but we're both happy with each other!"
Claire and Leslie were chatting as they dressed up for the day. Claire was blow-drying her hair before tying it back up to its ponytail style. Leslie was at the end of their bed, applying a tiny bit of blush on her cheeks.
"So, who is it?"
"Charmander."
"What!?"
Leslie jumped in her position when Claire ran out the bathroom, all dressed and ready to head out. The violet-eyed trainer jogged in place at the mention of the Pokémon name Leslie said, "A Charmander!? Ha ha! This is rich!"
"Um…what's so funny about me having a Charmander?" Leslie inquired, curious about her friend's attitude.
"It's funny because Nova has a Bulbasaur, you have a Charmander, and I have a Squirtle!" Claire giggled like a schoolgirl.
Leslie grew surprised at the reason and laughed along with her, "Oooh~! That is funny! It's like the three of us were destined for each other!"
They laughed and grabbed their belongings, Leslie shown to have a light green backpack with a white semicircle on the top compartment.
They made sure to lock up the room and went over to Nova's room, since they know that boy's like to sleep in. Claire and Leslie both knocked on the door with Claire calling out, "Nova! Get up! It's morning~!"
No answer.
"Huh…? Nova! You there?" Leslie asked, Claire blinking in confusion and worry.
Leslie tried opening the door, but it was locked. She turned towards Claire with a look of worry etched on her face, "Where is he?"
Claire shrugged and frowned as she walked down the hall, "Maybe Nurse Joy knows where he is."
Leslie nodded and followed her friend to the main foyer. The main floor was buzzing with life, trainers and their Pokémon talking with one another with a few near a couple of PCs, trading Pokémon.
They made it to the healing counter, Claire ringing the bell on the table, "Nurse Joy?" Leslie was taking the key out of her jeans and placed it on the counter.
Around the healing machine, Joy rose from where she was squatting, fixing a few kinks with its wiring, "Yes…? Oh, you're the girl who was with that poor young boy yesterday! I am so sorry on being too harsh on you, but you have to take matters into your own hands instead of relying on others in the future, even if they are your friends. But that just makes more sense for you to take responsibility."
Claire nodded solemnly, Leslie putting a comforting hand on her shoulder before asking the nurse, "Miss Joy, did you happen to spot that young boy, his name is Nova by the way, this morning?"
Joy raised a finger in remembrance, "Yes. He told me to tell you two that he went out training near where the first patch of grass is available on Route 22."
"Oh, thank goodness. Thank you, Joy!" Claire said before rushing out the door to meet Nova, Leslie hot on her tail.
On Route 22, Bulbasaur just got done drilling a Nidoran (F) into the ground, the Poison Pin Pokémon with spiraling eyes. Nova underhanded toss the Poké ball in his left hand and hit the Poison type on the head. The ball dropped to the floor once it sucked in Nidoran(F) and clicked in succession after three shakes.
Nova waited until the ball disappeared in a flash of light and checked his Dex at his captures for the morning.
"We can cross out Spearow, Mankey, Nidoran (M), and our Nidoran (F) was just transported to the PC back at the Pokémon Center. I sense great potential in our male Nidoran, Bulbasaur." Nova told his starter, the Seed Pokémon nodding with a growl before they carefully walked out of the tall grass and jumped over a ledge.
"Nova!"
Said trainer rotated his head around and met a very happy Claire and Leslie as they stopped immediately in front of him with looks of relief, and a tad of anger.
"Why couldn't you just wait for us, mister!?" Leslie scolded with her cheeks puffed out, but there was a playful smile on her face.
"Yeah, what kind of friend are you anyway!?" Claire crossed her arms with sass.
Nova blinked obliviously, and pointed behind them way far into Viridian City, "I woke up earlier than I should have and quickly delivered something back to Pallet. Route 2 is just up ahead. I'm going on ahead before it gets any later."
He walked passed them, the girls comically narrowed their eyes, "Don't ignore us!"
"And just where do you think you're going?" Claire grabbed his left arm and stopped him. Nova turned his head back, "I just told you."
"Not without us, you dolt!" Leslie yelled and grabbed his right arm.
"After all we've been through, you can't just walk out on us like that." Claire reasoned, before walking by his side, Leslie on his other.
"But I barely know you two. It's kind of weird traveling with people who you don't even know." Nova pointed out.
"Well, now's a good time as any to get to know one another. Us three friends, living the Pokémon trainer's life!" Leslie screamed with gusto, pumping an arm in the air. Claire cheered along with her.
Nova blanked out on them and sank deep within his thoughts, 'Up next is Pewter City. The rock-type gym. I will definitely need to train. In the Viridian Forest.'
"Oh yeah, Nova..."
The boy turned his head in Claire's direction and was met with a soft peck on the cheek from her. Leslie blushed when she saw it and narrowed her eyes at her. Claire opened her eyes and shyly fidgeted in her pace, her face crimson red, "That was for saving Squirtle, and to an extension, me. Thank you, Nova."
Nova blanked and nodded at the girl before sinking back into her thoughts.
Nova's Team
Bulbasaur (M): Tackle, Growl, Leech Seed, Vine Whip
Pidgey (M): Tackle, Sand Attack, Gust, Quick Attack
Rattata (F): Tackle, Tail Whip, Quick Attack, Hyper Fang
Spearow (F): Peck, Growl, Leer, Fury Attack
Mankey (M): Scratch, Leer, Low Kick, Karate Chop
Nidoran (M): Leer, Peck, Focus Energy, Double Kick
Claire's Team
Squirtle (M): Tackle, Tail Whip, Withdraw, Bubble
Pidgey (F): Tackle, Sand Attack, Gust
Leslie's Team
Charmander (M): Scratch, Growl, Ember, Smokescreen