Chapter 3: Emerald, the Pokemon Prodigy!


Viridian City was a peaceful place in the summertime; always well protected from the dangerous Pokemon of Victory Road due to it having the strongest Gym Leader, Giovanni.

Giovanni had become Gym Leader at the age of 16, and had served for close to 30 years. He was well regarded as the Master of Ground Type Pokemon because of his unstoppable Nidoqueen.

Viridian had other attractions, such as the Pokemon Lab that had been built in it due to the population rise and the demand of starter Pokemon for new trainers. Professor Elm, the Johto Professor, had moved his entire family from New Bark Town in the last year to work at the new lab in Viridian. He had appointed Blue Oak, former Champion turned Researcher, as the Professor of the New Bark Town lab.

Viridian was known for it's researchers; but soon, it would be known as the birthplace of one of the greatest battlers that had ever lived.

The professor's son, Emerald, had just turned 13 on a quiet Thursday in Viridian, and had decided that he wanted to begin his Pokemon Journey. Ever since his hero, Red, had disappeared, he had been itching to start his journey. He knew Red had gone somewhere where he thought no one would find him, but Emerald knew, if he persevered, he could find his hero.


Emerald took off from his house next to the gym just as the sun rose on the morning of his birthday. He quickly ran out, grabbed his bike, and sped over to his father's lab.

Elm had been expecting his son to be so early, and, in fact, had lined up 3 starters for Emerald to choose from that day. He had hand-picked three Pokemon that all shared a similar trait; they were weak at first, but with enough training and dedication, would prove to be some of the strongest Pokemon anyone had ever recorded.

Emerald barged through the door, ready to pick his starter.

"Dad, Dad, i'm ready to pick my starter!" Emerald spoke with enthusiasm.

"Son, calm down. I've got three Pokemon here for you to choose from." Elm spoke.

"Can I see them dad? I wanna know which one is perfect for me!"

"Sure son. I have three Pokemon native to Kanto and Johto that I think would all work well for you. The first is Larvitar, a ground and rock type Pokemon. The second is Dratini, a dragon type. And the third is Horsea, a water type. Take your pick." Elm said.

"I choose Larvitar. I know he's the perfect partner." Emerald spoke confidently.

"Well, alright son. Here is the Larvitar in it's PokeBall. Here is your Pokedex, and here are some Potions and PokeBalls to get you started on your journey. Where are you headed first?"

"I'm going to challenge the Viridian City Gym." Emerald said.

"Son, you do know that that is an Eight Tier Gym, correct? It's the strongest in all of Kanto." Elm said concernedly.

"I know dad. I can do it."

"Well alright son. When you leave Viridian, make sure to call every night, okay?"

After tears and heartfelt goodbyes, Emerald was ready. Of course, he needed some training before he could take on Giovanni, so he took to Viridian Forest to search for new Pokemon.


Emerald had been wandering Viridian for hours, finding nothing. He had battled a few trainers, and his Larvitar seemed to be growing stronger, but there was no way he'd beat Giovanni if he kept up at this pace.

Emerald walked through the tall grass searching for a Caterpie when he heard a rustle in the trees above him. He saw red wings in the trees, and grabbed Larvitar's ball from his belt.

"Larvitar, I choose you!"

His Larvitar sprang out and prepared in it's stance as the red-winged Pokemon showed itself. The Ledian fluttered down from the trees and looked ready for a fight.

"Larvitar, Bite!"

The Larvitar sprang at Ledian, chomping down on one of it's wings. The Ledian let out a squeak and punched the Larvitar in the face, causing it to stumble back.

Comet Punch. Wow, this Ledian must be strong.

"Larvitar, wait for it to attack, and then use Rock Slide!"

The Ledian began to glow a faint green, and spores began to collect around it. Moments later, it let out a Solarbeam at Larvitar.

"Quick, dodge, and then Rock Slide!"

The Larvitar did as commanded, knocking the Ledian down for the count. Emerald walked over, dropping one of the PokeBalls on the unconscious Ledian.

A flying type for my gym battle. Perfect to counter the ground types. They won't be able to use Earthquake.

Emerald had caught a Pokemon.


Emerald caught no more Pokemon in Viridian Forest that day, but was content with his Ledian. He knew that, with a few training sessions, the Ledian would be able to help Emerald take down Giovanni.

He knew he could beat the legendary Gym Leader, but he didn't have a game plan yet. He knew one thing: his Ledian's Solarbeam would come in handy.

He decided he'd lead off with his Larvitar, hopefully against Giovanni's Nidoking, and that he'd use Sunny Day to make sure his Ledian's Solarbeam would be effective, but that was it.

He went to sleep that night ready to challenge Giovanni. He knew that he didn't have a chance, but for some reason, that didn't stop him.


Emerald awoke the next day early in the morning. He was tired, but rushed himself out of the house in preparation for his challenge. Using some training dummies his dad had bought, Emerald practiced his Larvitar's Rock Slide to use on Giovanni's Nidoqueen, and his Double Kick for his Persian.

His Ledian seemed to be much stronger than it's species usually is, and Emerald couldn't tell why. He could see that the Ledian had been in some intense battles, because of a wide scar on one of it's wings, but he didn't know how the Pokemon could've been harmed in Viridian Forest.

Emerald trained for hours before setting off for the gym, with one goal in mind.

To destroy Giovanni and earn his badge.