Season 01

Episode 02

Challenge Accepted

Crystal and Heather were sat in the waiting area of the Viridian Pokemon Centre after saying goodbye to Officer Jenny.

'So, have you got a limit to how many Pokemon you can carry with you?' Heather asked Crystal.

'How many? Why do you ask?'

'I'm just asking.' she shrugged. 'Usually Trainers are limited to six Pokemon, but that's due to competition rules.'

'How would I find out how many I can have with me?'

'Hmm. Why not ask Nurse Joy?'

'Good point.' Crystal climbed onto Arcanine and went to the counter where Nurse Joy was working on the computer.

'Do you need anything Crystal?' Nurse Joy asked politely.

'We would like to know how many Pokemon I'm allowed to carry.'

'Of course. Do you have a Pokedex?'

'Yes. Professor Oak gave me one.' she pulled it out of her pocket.

'The information is on your Pokedex. May I see it?' Nurse Joy held out her hand to accept it.

'Oh, sure.' Crystal handed it over.

Nurse Joy browsed through the Pokedex. 'Here it is. It appears that Professor Oak has set it to ten Pokemon. I would think that is more than enough Pokemon for you to train in supporting you. If you catch any more than that, they will automatically be transported to Professor Oak's lab.' she handed the Pokedex back to Crystal. 'Anything else that I can help you with?'

'Not at the moment, thank you Nurse Joy.' Crystal returned to her seat opposite Heather who had several notepads on the table with Charmander on her lap.

'Erm, Heather? What are you doing?' Crystal asked.

'I'm making notes on your Pokemon. I hope you don't mind do you?'

'I don't mind, but what sort of notes are you making?'

'Just general information really. Measurements, diet, health, that sort of thing. It helps me tailor the care for each Pokemon. I thought that I would make these notes before we leave.'

'That's a good idea.'

'So, how many Pokemon are you allowed to have with you?'

'I am allowed ten with me.'

'Ten. That's pretty good. It would certainly give you options.'

'How many are you allowed to have with you?'

'It's different for us Pokemon Breeders. We don't technically have a limit, we just take care of as many as we're comfortable in handling. Breeders that stay in a town or city usually care for a lot in one go, while us travelling Breeders limit ourselves to about a handful. In my case, the amount I choose to have with me, plus your Pokemon. So it will certainly be a challenge for me. A challenge which I would love to take up.'

'I can understand taking up a challenge and overcoming it.'

'Your disability certainly provides you with a constant challenge. No offence.'

'None taken. So where do you think we should head first? I don't really mind where.'

Heather put Charmander on the floor and picked up Squirtle. 'I think we should head for the Safari Zone. We would stand a better chance of you catching a Tauros or a Ponyta. Either one would be great for carrying you long distances, along with your bags. No offence Arcanine. I know you're strong, but I don't think you can handle carrying Crystal such distances.'

Arcanine barked.

Crystal stroked Arcanine. 'I'm with Heather on this. I know that you would put everything into carrying me long distances, but it would do more harm than good.' Arcanine licked her hand. 'If we take our time travelling, we can hopefully find other Pokemon to become friends with and help out.'

Heather picked up Bulbasaur and started making notes.

'What sort of Pokemon would we find around here?'

'Hmm. Rattata for starters. You see them scurrying around a lot. There's also lots of Pidgie and Spearow. There's also Mankey I believe.'

'Pidgie and Spearow? One of those would be great. I could think of the possibilities.'

'Flying types huh?' Heather measured Bulbasaur. 'They could be helpful. Should we go see about getting one? We can go today if you want?'

'Nah. Let's leave it for tomorrow. We can prepare for travelling today.'

'That sounds fine to me.'

'Do you know anywhere we can go to eat?'

'There's a nice cafe just down the road. There are also plenty of shops nearby.'

'Great. Let's go get something to eat, then do some shopping.'

Heather put Bulbasaur on the floor. 'Sounds good to me.' she smiled as she put her notepad away.

Jigglypuff turned her attention from the other Pokemon to watch Heather.

A moment later they were leaving the Pokemon Centre. Heather had no need to hold Ponyta's reigns as he happily followed her. Jigglypuff was cheerful as she walked next to Heather. Charmander, Squirtle and Bulbasaur were also loose and were walking alongside Arcanine who in turn was carrying Crystal. Heather led them to the cafe.

'Well, here we are.' Heather pointed to the cafe.

It wasn't a big place, but it had places to sit outside. Crystal picked a bench table that appeared very sturdy. Arcanine moved alongside it and crouched down. Crystal leaned over and braced herself on the bench table and flopped onto the seat. She then lifted one leg over at a time until they were both under the table.

She gestured for Charmander, Squirtle and Bulbasaur to climb onto the sit next to her. 'As you can see. This seemingly easy task is difficult for me. It won't stop me, but it is difficult. You will need to learn to help me. I can understand that being in you evolved forms would make things easier for you, but don't rush yourselves to reach that stage. Gain experience in the evolution that your in, and when you feel you're ready, I would never stop you from evolving. Do you understand?'

They cheered in acknowledgement.

'I can certainly see how difficult your life is and why you want to train Pokemon in supporting your disability.' Heather patted Ponyta.

'Yeah. It can be very difficult at times. Arcanine certainly wants to help me, but he has his limits. Just like this.'

'I see. He can bring you to the table, but he cannot help you to sit down. He can carry you and fetch certain items, but he cannot do my precise and or delicate things.'

A lady stepped out from the cafe. 'Good day and welcome to our cafe. Here is your menu.' she offered them a menu each.

'Thank you.' Crystal and Heather spoke up at the same time to accept the menus.

'When you are ready to order, just wave and I will come right on over.' she bowed lightly and went back into the cafe.

'Right. Let's see what there is.' Crystal spoke up and started reading the menu. 'Here's something nice. I'll have that, and that. Oh, what about the Pokemon snacks? Yes, I'll grab a few of them.' she laid the menu down. 'What about you Heather?'

'I've decided as well.' she laid her menu down as well and waved into the cafe.

A moment later the lady returned with a notepad. 'Have you decided on what you would like?'

'We certainly have. I would the Big Breakfast Cob with a glass of fruit juice, plus some snacks for my Pokemon please.' Crystal replied.

'Great.' she sounded happy. 'That is a Big Breakfast Cob plus treats for four Pokemon. What about you Heather? Your usual?'

'Yes please Sarah.' Heather replied.

'So that's two order of Big Breakfast Cob, fruit juice and Pokemon treats.' Sarah jotted it all down. 'You food won't take long. Please bear with us.' she walked into the cafe.

'So you're having the same as me?' Crystal spoke up.

'Of course. That choice is quite popular here.' she looked around. 'It's quiet at the moment, but this place is usually packed.'

Sarah returned with a tray carrying a jug of fruit juice and a couple of glasses, along with several treats that Crystal didn't recognise. She placed the jug and glasses on the table before offering the treats to the Pokemon.

'What sort of treats are those?' Crystal asked.

'These? They're call Poffins.' Sarah replied.

'Poffins? I've never heard of them.'

'I'm not surprised. I picked up the recipe when I was in Sinnoh.'

'Sinnoh?'

'Yes. I went on holiday there for a week and learned how to make them. However, it's too much hassle to make them specific to each type of Pokemon so I keep them simple. Pokemon still enjoy them.'

'What do you mean making them for different types of Pokemon?'

'Different Pokemon have different tastes. So basically there are different flavours for Poffins.' she started counting them off on her finger. 'Spicy, sour, bitter, sweet and dry. You can mix flavours. For example, sweet and sour Poffins.'

'I see. So what flavour do you make here?'

'I make them dry with a little sweetness. It's like a plain fluffy cookie to them.' she offered them to each Pokemon and they accepted them happily. 'See. They enjoy them.'

'I see. I like cookies, but give me a chocolate chip any day.'

'Exactly. Now, please excuse me. I will check on your meals.' Sarah walked off.

'As far as I know, this is the only place in Kanto that makes Poffins.' Heather spoke up.

'That's understandable. If it's a regional thing.' Crystal poured herself a drink.

'Exactly.' She poured herself a drink. 'Just down there are shops where we can gather supplies for tomorrow.' Heather pointed to a street a few houses further up the road.

Crystal looked over at where she was pointing. 'Looks good to me.' she looked down at her Pokemon only to see them finish off the Poffins.

Sarah soon returned with their food. The meal was a large cob filled with bacon, sausage, mushrooms and chopped tomatoes. After saying thanks they started eating.

Crystal saw her Pokemon watching her. 'Don't worry. You'll get a good meal when we return to the Pokemon Centre.'

After they had eaten and finished their drinks Heather went inside to pay the bill. Crystal moved her legs round and slid onto Arcanine. Squirtle and Charmander jumped in to hold her steady. When she was sat on Arcanine's back, Arcanine stood up. Heather returned and they headed to the shops.

They happily walked from shop to shop. Heather stocked up on food and medicine for people and Pokemon alike, amongst other things. Crystal basically did the same. However, Crystal spotted something that Heather didn't. So she walked into a shop which was selling an assortment of devices.

'Excuse me. I've never seen any of these before.' she asked the shop assistant.

'These are all from the Devon Corporation in Hoenn. They've been expanding into Kanto and Johto.' the lady replied happily.

'Nice. So what are they?'

'They're PokeNavs.'

'PokeNavs?'

'Yes. Amongst other things, they give you maps with added features. The basic model gives you maps, while the more advanced models provide other features.' she pulled down a model and handed it to Crystal. 'This is a popular model called PokeNav Plus. You have your basic world maps and town maps, but it also has the feature to show you where what sort of wild Pokemon are known to be. It can also show you common locations of wild berries.'

'This sounds brilliant. I would like one. Would you be able to send the bill to my mother in Pallet Town?'

'Of course. What colour would you like?'

Crystal looked at the shelves. 'That red and blue one looks good.'

'Nice choice.' she grabbed the one off the shelf and headed for the counter. 'If you don't mind me asking, but why are you riding your Pokemon?'

'I don't mind you asking. My legs a paralysed.'

'Oh dear.' the shop assistant covered her mouth in shock. 'I am so sorry. Is that what the badges on your Pokemon are for?'

'Yes. They made by Nurse Joy to show that they're my support Pokemon.'

'I understand. If you don't mind. May I take a picture so that I can do a report for the Devon Corporation? You know, to train staff. That sort of thing? You may even read the report before I send it off.'

'I don't mind at all. I will be leaving tomorrow morning though.'

'That is fine. I will have it sorted by then.'

'Come to think on it. If you miss me, you can speak to my mother. She can help you.'

'That is fine as well.'

So the shop assistant proceeded to take a photo of Crystal and her Pokemon along with payment details and all that. Afterwards, they left the shop where Heather was waiting for them.

'Did you buy anything?' Heather asked.

'Sure did. I bought a PokeNav.' she showed her.

'Nice. I have one as well. It would help for each of us to have one.'

'So. Are we all done with shopping? Anything else we can think of that we need?'

'I have gathered medicine, food us and the Pokemon. You have got a PokeNav.' Heather started thinking in her head while ticking items off on her fingers. 'Nope. We're all done.'

'Well then. Shall we return to the Pokemon Center and do a little training?'

'I don't see why not.'

They headed back to the Pokemon Center where they arranged for a room to stay in. Afterwards they went into the Center's backyard which has some facilities to help train Pokemon including a basic battle field.

'So, what are you going to teach them?' Heather asked.

'I'm going to start teaching them their basic special moves. Water Gun, Vine Whip and Flamethrower.' Crystal climbed off Arcanine and sat on a bench next to the battle field used by spectators. 'Now then Charmander. You have Arcanine as a mentor for learning Flamethrower. Bulbasaur and Squirtle. Do not think that because Charmander has a mentor, it doesn't mean I won't work with you.'

'Maybe me and Jigglypuff can help?' Heather spoke up.

'How?'

'Jigglypuff, can use Flamethrower, Water Gun and Thunderbolt. Sorry Bulbasaur but none of my Pokemon can use Vine Whip.'

So with the help of Arcanine and Jigglypuff, they tried teaching Charmander and Squirtle their respective moves. However, Crystal did not neglect Bulbasaur.

'Try picturing yourself reaching out to me from a distance using your vines.' Crystal spoke gently.

They kept training for an hour but sadly none of them got to grips with their respective moves.

'Looks like the sun is setting. How about we go inside for supper?'