Chapter III: Route 103


Brendan smiled down at the shiny red poke-ball in his hand, Treecko in hand (poke-ball) he slid it onto the belt that would hold five more of a team he'd obliterate narcissistic Norman- uh, he meant, challenge the Pokemon league. Sure you did. Daddy issues much? Brendan thought the daddy issues' where clearly established, since he was an RPG character after all. Shrugging, he made his way down to the Pokemon lab, the largest building to the south of town (settlement, this place is way too small to even be called a village or town), pushing open a door to find an assistant helping Professor Birch dissect a very not alive Mudkip on a steel table. "Hello Brendan, Thank you for saving me." I always wondered what happened to the third Pokemon... "you're welcome to keep the Pokemon you used if you wish."

Did you save the game after you K'O that Pocheyna? Are you kidding? This is a Shiny Adamant Treecko I'm going to breed for a Unburdened hidden ability- of course I saved. "Good."

[A problem occurred. Please turn off the power and restart your game.]

When Brendan woke up, he was standing in front of the Pokemon lab with dread in his stomach, threatening to upchuck that orange juice he drank 14326 soft resets ago. Ya know, the soft reset jokes are getting a little old. He was sure the author would come up with something new (and traumatizing) as he tentatively opened the door, the hinges creaking. "Ah, hello Brendan. Thank you for saving me." A normal, tree named Professor smiled at the boy who gaped in disbelief. This is surprisingly normal. Maybe we should soft- "You're welcome to keep the Pokemon if you wish. Would you like to give it a name?"

"No."

Yes.

"Do you want to name your Treecko, Marijuana ?"

"No!" Brendan squeaked, though he would deny it vehemently, despite the mocking Norman like voice in his head telling him otherwise. I hate you. I know you mean love~. Brendan scowled, the professor congratulating him for his new companionship with Marijuana, and sending him off to route 103 to find his daughter for trainer tips. He just hoped she wasn't a sociopath like her father. I could tell you something, but this is too priceless for me to ruin. Brendan raised an eyebrow as a Zigzagoon darted around his feet, barking happily and wagging it's scruffy tail excitedly. Cute. "Alright buddy, time to die." Brendan grinned, tossing up his poke-ball.

I'm liking this side of you.

After reaping the experience from the dog Pokemon, Treecko was returned to it's poke-ball, and Brendan began to walk faster when a Pokemon center came into veiw. An exclimation point came into view and a man with an apron shouted; "Hey!" Already? He hadn't even had a rival battle yet! The man walked closer smiling brightly. "You're a new trainer aren't you? Welcome to Oldale Town. Let me show you around."

"There's like... four buildings here." Brendan replied dryly, following the clerk to stand in front of the Poke-center. "This is the Pokemon center. You can tell by the red roof."

"That's clearly orange, but whatever."

"And over there is the Pokemart, there you can buy trainer items to use. Up north is route 103, but the programmers made it so that you can't fully explore this cluster{bleep} of a region until you get all eight gym badges and enough HM slaves to put the European trade to shame." Whoa. Passive aggressive much? "As a promotion, take these!" Brendan warily held out his hand for the clerk to place the potions in, bolting into the Pokemon center the instant the man turned back around. Man, and we thought the professor was crazy.

"Hello, and welcome to the Pokemon center!" A pink haired woman behind an orange counter greeted cheerfully. Brendan took in her white nurse hat and bright smile and relaxed. "Do you have any injured Pokemon with you?" Brendan looked down at Treecko's poke-ball, then he shyly shook his head. "THEN GET OUT!" She snapped, hissing viciously. "WHAT DO YOU THINK THIS IS, SOME KIND OF PLACE TO LOITER WHILE A CRIMINAL ORGANIZATION TRIES TO ERASE ALL OF US FROM EXISTENCE! GO TO THE NEXT ROUTE ALREADY!"

Brendan was already gone before she even finished her sentence, leaping over a snoozing Wingull, he skidded to a halt once he saw a familiar white stripe on a red bow- but it was already too late, and before he know it, they were both crashing into the fishing hole with a yelp. "Sorry!" Quick! Cop a feel! Brendan gasped, quickly scrambling to stand in the small pool of water. He felt a Magikarp's whiskers brush against this bare leg, and May must have felt it too, because she giggled and reached down to stroke the shimmering orange scales. "So my dad gave you a Pokemon?"

"Yeah I got a Poke- wait, your dad?" Brendan blinked, feeling as if he was missing a big piece of some puzzle.

"Yeah, Professor Birch?"

Told ya. Hilarious.

May waved a hand over his face worriedly. "Brendan?" The stupefied trainer was too busy gaping at the girl to reply, but if he had spoken it would've been along the lines of; 'this is that sociopath's daughter!?'

AN: Thanks for reading.