"I guess this way leads to Viridian City," Aeris says as he points out the road to Pikachu. In front of them was a long, plain road that had no obstacles on it.

"Pika pikachu." Pikachu nods as it trails behind its trainer.

It has been a day since Aeris and Pikachu left Pallet Town. Since then, they hadn't really encountered anything special. Well, journeys do have their boring parts.

While Pikachu was walking, suddenly its ears stood straight up, as if it had heard a voice.

"Pikka."

"Huh? You hear something, Pikachu?" Aeris bends down and asks his electric type starter.

"Pikka. Pikachu!"

As soon as Pikachu nodded, a bustling noise started coming from a nearby grass. Aeris looked around and spotted a blue, snake-like pokemon. He was very surprised though when he checked his Pokedex.

"Dratini, the Dragon Pokemon. A Dragon type.

Dratini sheds its skin as it grows. Often doing so while hidden behind large, powerful waterfalls."

As soon as he saw Dratini, Aeris tilted his head in confusion.

"Huh? Are you actually supposed to find a pokemon that rare in this place?" Ash asks himself as Pikachu answers with a shake of its head.

"Pika pika."

"Well whatever," Aeris said as he put away the Pokedex in his pocket. "Since it looks like we won't be seeing anything like that soon, let's catch it Pikachu."

"Pika pika!"

"Alright Pikachu, use Quick Attack."

"Pikka!" Pikachu steadies itself before launching its body at Dratini.

"Draaaaa!" Dratini opens its mouth and a small mystical sphere comes out of it. The sphere is then fired forward like a smoke breath.

Since Dratini's move was a long range attack, the mystical breath ended up hitting Pikachu and injuring it.

"Pikka."

"Pikachu, can you stand up?"

"Pika. Pikachu!" Determined, Pikachu stands up before glaring at Dratini.

"Alright then, use Thundershock!"

"Pika pika pika pika." Pikachu puffed its cheeks and produced static electricity before firing it at Dratini. "Pikachu!"

"Draaaaaaa!" Dratini squeled in pain as the electricty started its effect.

"Now's the time," Aeris said, taking out an empty pokeball and throwing it at Dratini. "Pokeball, go!"

The pokeball hit Dratini's head before a red light consumed Dratini and trapped it inside the pokeball.

The pokeball then started to shake rapidly as Aeris and Pikachu watched with anticipation.

One shake.

Two shake.

Three shake.

Four shake.

With a 'ting' sound, the pokeball shut close and stopped moving.

"Alright Pikachu, nice catch!" Aeris exclaimed as he took Dratini's pokeball.

"Pika pikachu!"

However, even though he was happy, it confused as to what a rare pokemon like Dratini was doing in the middle of something like this path.

And just when he was thinking about that, Aeris heard a huge shout.

"Hey! Dratini! Where are you?"

With more bustling, an elder boy reveals himself to Aeris. This boy was older, taller, and had muzzel cut to his short, black hair.

"Hey, you," he says to Aeris.

"Huh? Me?"

"Yes, you there. Have you seen a pokemon called Dratini around here?"

"Oh! I did," Aeris answers him. At the same time, Pikachu nods its head.

"Really, really?! Where is it?" The boy started glancing at all direction. However, what came next was a big bummer to him.

"I caught it," Aeris reveals Dratini's pokeball, not realising how much pain he had put onto the boy.

"WHAT? NOOOOOOOOO!" The boy cried out and facepalmed himself. "And just when I was so near to catching it."

"Eh? I'm really sorry," Aeris apologized to him. "I didn't know you were trying to catch it too."

The boy then sighed. Certainly, he was looking to catch the rare Dratini. However-

"Well, it can't be helped. I did get my chances after all," he tells Aeris before offering him his hand. "Anyways, I'm Zack."

"Aeris Blackwood," Aeris introduces himself, shaking the boy's hand before letting it go. "And this is my partner Pikachu."

"Pikka." Pikachu chirps with a wave, and climbs onto Aeris's shoulder.

"You're from Pallet Town, aren't you?" Zack guesses.

"Yup. I'm a new trainer. Pikachu is my starter."

"Huh? Aren't the starters in Pallet supposed to be Bulbasaur, Charmander, and Squirtle?"

Aeris sweatdrops while trying to explain the situation. "Well, a lot of weird things happened..."

"Anyways," Aeris shrugs before asking. "I was wondering what Dratini was doing here. I mean, you'd usually not expect something like that to be in this."

"Oh, about that," Zack scratches his back before explaining. "That Dratini came from Vermillion City."

"Huh? Vermillion City?"

Zack nods at him. "My family has a business of trading goods using ships. That Dratini just happened to be on the ship. My dad told me about it when he saw Dratini. I've been chasing it till here."

"What? You've been chasing Dratini from Vermillion City?" Although the situation was explained to Aeris, it was still hard for him to believe that someone would come from Vermillion for just a single pokemon. Well, Dratini was a rare pokemon...

"Yup," Zack claimed before sighing as a looming expression came to his face. "It's a bummer though that I couldn't catch it."

"Sorry again for that," Aeris said, apologizing again when he realized the time and effort Zack had put into that Dratini.

"Don't worry," Zack encourages him. "I'm sure I'll get to catch something like that one day."

"I hope so..."

"Anyways, you're going towards Vermillion City, right?" Zack asks Aeris.

Aeris nods at Zack. "Yeah. We're heading towards the gym in there. I heard that they've got a new gym leader."

"I guess you're aiming for the Indigo League then."

"Yup. I'm aiming to be Pokemon Master."

"Well, that's some dream you've got there," Zack tells him.

"Yeah. I want to get more stronger and stronger. And along the way, I want to meet all the pokemons in this world."

"Awesome!" Zack squels in delight. "I think I know just what to do now. You know, as they say, when two trainers meet eyes, what happens?"

"What happens?" Aeris asks Zack as he himself had no idea about it. This causes Zack to sweatdrop while falling anime style.

"They battle, dude," Zack yells at him before recomposing himself. "So, how about a two-on-two battle then."

"I'm sorry but Pikachu and Dratini are the only pokemon I have right now," Aeris tells him with a bow. "And Dratini is kind of injured since I battled against it using PIkachu. I don't think it is able to battle right now..."

"Oh man! And just when I was really looking forward to a battle..." Disheartened, Zack crouches on the ground.

Aeris sweatdrops at the trainer before offering an alternative. "How about this then- once we reach Viridian City, I can heal my pokemons in the Pokemon Center and then we could battle."

"Well, that works I guess." Zack stands up and straightens himself before rubbing his nose. "I can lead you the way to Viridian City. I mean, I did come from that direction after all."

"Well, that would be helpful..."

"Hey, Sylvia! How long will it be till we reach Viridian City? This place is really creepy!" Meredith explains and grabs tighter onto her backpack while trying to get the vines off her.

"I don't know," Sylvia tells her. "The signboard said that this was the way."

Apparently, Sylvia and Meredith had taken up the root towards Viridian City and ended up in a forrest track that had some really creepy plants along the way whose roots and stems were sticking up with each other, allowing space for a very narrow path.

Meanwhile, the signboard...

A signboard stood straight between two paths. One looked to be leading to a forrest while the other was a straight path.

The signboard had only one arrow that was pointed towards the forrest, with the markings, "Viridian City" on it.

Suddenly, a wind came up and blew the signboard, changing its direction and making the arrow face the plain road.

Back to Sylvia and Meredith...

"Argh! Get off me!" Meredith yells and rids off yet another bunch of roots from herself.

Suddenly, Meredith feels a glare coming from somewhere. Sylvia and Meredith turn around to spot a pair of blazen eyes glaring at them.

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!" Both girls shout and scream before running towards the opposite direction, back to where they came from.

After the girls had disappeared, the pair of eyes started moving closer and came under the sunlight where it revealed itself to be only a Catterpie crawling on the ground.

"Catterpie?" The pokemon tilted its head in confusion, astounded as to why the two girls had ran away so suddenly.

"Pika pika Pikachu. Pika pika Pikachu. Pi pi Pikachu. Pika pika Pikachu."

Aeris sweatdrops at his pokemon, who was trying to mimic a Hawaiian dance. "Eh, Pikachu, what are you doing?"

"Pika pikachu!" It chimed and scratched its back in embarrasment. Maybe, Hawaiian dance isn't really on its radar.

"Your pokemon is..." Zack paused, trying to find the right word to describe the innocent Pikachu. "Weird."

"Pikachu!" Pikachu sparked its cheeks and threatened to shock Zack who cowered behind Aeris.

"Ah! Sorry, Master Pikachu. That won't happen again."

"Pi pikachu!"

"How did we end up in this position?" Aeris frowns and wonders to himself.

"Hey look, we've reached Viridian City," Zack announces and Aeris and his Pikachu look ahead before smiling. They've reached the first destination of their journey.

"Hurray! Let's hurry to the Pokemon Center then."

Pikachu and Zack nodded before Zack led them the way to the Pokemon Center.

"Here it is," Zack indicated. "This is the Pokemon Center."

"Pikka." Pikachu's eyes shone at the white building with a Pokeball sign on the above. It had heard from others that there was a certain nurse that worked in the Pokemon Center who was capable of making every pokemon feel homely and loved.

"Let's go in," Aeris suggested and the automatic door of the Pokemon Center slid open as the three entered it. In it, the first thing they spotted was a big, chubby pokemon whose body was pink and was wearing a nurse apron and cap.

"Chan. Chansey," the pokemon greeted them.

"Do we have visitors Chansey?" someone asks from behind as a young nurse reveals themselves to Aeris and the others. She was fair, had pinkish hair curled behind her back and was wearing the same uniform as Chansey.

Upon seeing Aeris, Pikachu, and Zack, she greeted them with a smile.

"Hi there, I'm Nurse Joy. How can I help you?"

"Oh! I want to heal my pokemon," Aeris tells her as he gives Dratini's pokeball to Nurse Joy.

"Sure," Nurse Joy says with a smile. "I'll be back in a minute," she tells them before going inside the back of the desk through the curtains.

"Chan. Chansey." Chansey follows Joy and disappears, but not before Aeris could scan it with his Pokedex.

"Chansey, the Egg pokemon. A Normal type.

Chansey is a kind pokemon who shares its egg with those who are injured and heal them. It is said that a pokemon holding the egg that Chansey carries around in its pouch will grow healthy."

"So that's a Chansey, huh?" Aeris says before putting out his Pokedex.

"That's the healing pokemon," Zack tells him. "It just shows how close people and pokemon actually are."

"Pika pi."

A few minutes later, Zack and Aeris was waiting in the coffee table when Nurse Joy came and gave back Dratini's pokeball to Aeris.

"Here Aeris, your Dratini is all up and good."

"Thanks Nurse Joy," Aeris thanks her before putting away Dratini's pokeball.

"By any chance, do you come from Pallet Town?" Nurse Joy asks him and Aeris nods.

"Yeah. I'm a new trainer."

"That's really lucky for me then," Nurse Joy tells them before putting her hand inside the pocket of her apron and taking out a pokeball. "You see, there was a certain pokemon that needs to be treated. However, since I couldn't figure out what kind if sickness it has, I couldn't treat it. I was wondering if Professor Oak could take a look at it."

"Oh. I guess I could help you with that," Aeris says, taking the pokeball from Nurse Joy's hand.

"Thank you, it'd be a big help!" Nurse Joy says with a smile and bids them goodbye before taking her role in the station where more trainers were waiting.

"Amazing!" Zack rolls off his tongue. "Nurse Joy is so sincere with her work. I wish there were more people like that..."

"What do you mean?" Aeris asks him.

"Oh, you didn't know?" Zack questions as Aeris shakes his head. "Lately, there's been a crime syndicate on action. They've been stealing other's pokemon quite a lot. They are called Team Rocket."

Pikachu perked its ears at the information from where it was sitting at Aeris's lap.

"Team Rocket? Never heard of 'em."

"Well, I guess, since you are a new trainer after all..." Zack says before dusting his pants off and getting up. "Anyways, shouldn't you be contacting Professor Oak now?"

"Oh yeah," Aeris replies, getting up with the pokeball in his hand. "I'm going to have a chat with the Professor right now."

"You do that," Zack tell him with a nod. "Later, I'll show you around in the Viridian Gym."

"Thanks Zack, you're a big help."

"Pika pika."

"Aw man! You're making me blush."

Aeris booted up the PC of the Pokemon Center before making direct contact with the Professor who picked up almost immediately.

"Hey Professor."

"Hi Aeris, and you too Pikachu!" Professor Oak greets them.

"Pika pika!" Pikachu responds with a wave.

"You know Aeris, you're the second person to call me today. And it looks like you're in Viridian City."

"Second person? Who's the first then?"

"That would be Gary," Oak informs him. "Among the trainers that received their pokemons from me, Gary was the first one to reach at Viridian City. You're the second."

"Uff. Damn! He got ahead of me!" Aeris curses and speaks to himself while the Professor chuckles in amusement.

"Oh! Don't worry Aeris. I'm sure you'll catch up in no time. Besides, it seems like you already caught a new pokemon."

"Yes Professor," Aeris nods.

"Can you show it to me?"

"Yup," Aeris says before bringing out Dratini's pokeball and revealing the Dragon pokemon to Professor Oak.

Professor Oak's eyes popped out of his face as soon as he saw Dratini.

"Oh my! What is this? Are my eyes playing tricks with me, or is it really a Dratini?"

"It is Professor, I found it on my way here. Although, it wasn't exactly mine to catch..." Aeris tells him with a sweatdrop while Dratini keeps sliding on the PC panel.

"My my! This is really new! Dratini is a really rare pokemon Aeris. Even more so as it evolves into the most mythical pokemon Dragonite. I'm sure you'll get really strong if you have it."

"Yeah. I guess..." Aeris retracts Dratini back to its pokeball before showing Professor Oak the pokeball that Nurse Joy gave. "Anyways Professor, Nurse Joy gave me this pokemon. She couldn't find exactly what was wrong with it and was thinking if you would know."

"Certainly yes," Professor Oak replies with a grin. "We Professor research on a variety of subjects. Searching about the unknown is also a part of our work."

"Okay then, I'm sending it to you Professor," Aeris tells him and places the pokeball on the transfer pannel before pressing a button. The transfer pannel starts making some weird noise before a light is shooted on the pokeball and it disappears.

"I've got it Aeris," Professor Oak tells him and shows Aeris the pokeball on the screen.

"Thanks Professor. I'll take my leave then."

"Okay then. Take care Aeris. Take care Pikachu."

"You too, Professor."

"Pika pika!"

And the screen of the PC went black.

"The Viridian Gym should be right...here." Zack puts down the map and he and Aeris looked forward at the Viridian Gym.

"Is this it?" Aeris asks him, unsure because of the the sign that said "Closed" in front of it.

"This is weird. The Gym should be open..."

As they were lost in thought, an elderly man passes by them and sees that the kids were standing in front of the closed gym.

"Oh! Young ones. If you're looking to battle this gym, then I'm afraid to tell you that it has been closed down for a while."

"Huh? What?"

"The Gym Leader is a rusty one I guess. Even though he's new, he closed the Gym almost immediately after he became one. "I guess it'll take some days, or maybe months for the gym to reopen."

"What? Months?" Disheartened, Aeris collapses on the ground as a dark aura surrounds him. "And I was looking forward to battling the gym leader..."

"Ah! Don't worry Aeris. Why don't you battle me then?" Zack suggests. "Remember, you told me that we'd battle when you healed your pokemon. The time is just right I think."

"Oh yeah! I guess that could work..."

"Let's have a two-on-two battle Aeris," Zack suggested and Aeris nods before walking to his side of the field.

"Alright then, Dratini, I chose you!" Aeris yells and brings out Dratini's pokeball before the snake-like pokemon presents itself on the battlefield.

"Draaaa!"

"Oooooh! You're going with Dratini first," Zack observes and brings out his own pokeball. "Alright then. Scyther, let's go get 'em!"

Zack's pokeball opens up to reveal a bipedal, insectoid creature with scythes as its arms.

Aeris was quick to bring out his Pokedex in order to examine the pokemon.

"Scyther, the Mantis pokemon. A Bug and Flying type.

Its claws are sharp as swords, and it is a powerful flyer. This Pokémon is rarely seen by humans and almost never captured."

"It seems like Scyther would be a tough opponent to deal with," Aeris remarks as he puts back his Pokedex.

"Of course," Zack boasts about it and rubs his nose. "Scyther is one of my most strongest pokemon. I caught it back when I was a new trainer."

"Alright then Scyther, let's begin with Quick Attack."

"Scyyyy!" Scyther raises its scythes and tilts its head before gliding down at Dratini.

"Use Safeguard Dratini."

"Draaaa!" Dratini called out its name and a light barrier surrounded it before it disappeared.

Scyther's body launched into Dratini, and although some damage was done, the attack didn't seem to have much effect.
You first
"Nice one Aeris," Zack tells him. "However, you can't avoid this one. Scyther, use Fury Cutter!"

"Scyther!"

Scyther raised its arms and its scythes glowed green before it charged towards Dratini. Noticeable, a twitch of frustration also appeared on its forehead.

"Block it out Dratini, use Twister!"

"Draaatini!" Dratini's voice echoed around the place and the wind started to get faster. Soon, a small tornado started to form and Scyther was caught in it.

"Come on Scyther," Zack shouted out to his pokemon. "You can do it. Don't let up! Head straight for Dratini!"

"Scyyyyyy!"

Scyther blocked the current with its arms and started to move forward. Reaching the end of the Twister, it appeared over Dratini, and with furious arms, swiped its scythes at Dratini who squealed in pain.

"Draaaaaaaaa!"

Unfortunately for Aeris, Dratini couldn't survive the attack and let up before it fell to the floor, unconscious.

"Alright Scyther, you did it!" Zack yells from behind and Scyther turns back to smile and wave back at its trainer.

"Scyyyyy!"

"No problem Dratini," Aeris says and recalls his pokemon. "You did good," he tells its pokeball before turning to Pikachu. "Alright Pikachu, its your turn."

Pikachu fists its arm and nods before walking in front of Aeris.

"Start with Quick Attack, Pikachu!"

"Pikka!" Pikachu steadies itself and grips the ground. "Chuuuu!" It then launches itself at the opponent.

"You use Quick Attack too Scyther!"

"Scytheeeeeeeer!"

Scyther rests its arms beside it before flying towards Pikachu with increased speed.

Both pokemons banged heads with each other and in a moment of instant, tried forcing the other to move back.

However, Aeris had other plans.

"Don't let up Pikachu, use Thundershock!"

"Pikachu!" Pikachu released the electricity and since Scyther was near it, received serious electrocution that caused it to faint due to the damage.

"Oh damn, Scyther!" Zack frowns and returns his pokemon. "Don't worry my friend, you did well."

"Good job Pikachu! Be ready for the next one!"

"Pikka!"

"Alright then Aeris, get ready for this next one. Sandshrew, let's go!"

"Sandshreeeeeeeeew!"

Zack's next pokemon was bipedal yellow pokemon with brick-like skin on its back. It was standing in a curled position and had tough claws.

"Be ready for this one Pikachu, it will be tough!"

"Pika pika!"

"Sandshrew, use Rollout!"

Without waiting anymore, Sandshrew curls itself in a ball before spinning towards Pikachu.

"Pikachu, use Electro Ball on the ground."

"Pika." Pikachu produces the ball of electricty before firing it in front of it. "Chuuu!"

The result was a smoke cloud being created in front of them. Sandshrew had to halt in its track as because of the smoke, it was unable to sense Pikachu.

"Alright Pikachu, use Quick Attack."

"Pikka!"

Out of the smoke, Pikachu came rushing in towards Sandshrew who flinched out of shock.

"Pika pika pika pika!" Pikachu ran forward, gaining speed.

"Sandshrew, quick!" Zack calls out at the last moment. "Use Dig!"

As fast as it could, Sandshrew faced the ground and quickly got its arms to work as it dug out the sand and dived underground.

Pikachu's attack missed and it was left standing on the ground with confusion in its face.

"Now Sandshrew!"

Out of nowhere, Sandshrew came out under Pikachu's feet and hit the electric rodent.

"Pikka!"

Pikachu screamed out, as it flew straight towards its horrified trainer.

"Hold on Pikachu!" Aeris says before readying himself to catch the incoming pokemon.

Thankfully, Aeris caught Pikachu just in time, and Pikachu opened its eyes to see Aeris smiling in relief at it.

"Thank God Pikachu! That was a close one!"

"Pika pika!"

"Sandshrew, return!" Zack recalls his pokemon before quickly rushing towards Aeris and Pikachu.

"Hey, you guys, are you okay?"

Aeris nods his head at Zack. "We're all fine. No need to worry."

Zack sighs in relief before wiping the sweat off his forehead. "Phew. I was really worried for a moment there."

"It's fine, right Pikachu?" Aeris asks the pokemon in his arm and Pikachu responds with a refreshing 'Pikka'. "We have to train harder buddy. We have to become even more stronger than before."

"Pika pika!"

"That's right, Aeris, the more you sweat your butt off, the better the results will be."

"Yeah!" Aeris says. "Maybe someday, we'll be able to beat you."

"Someday Aeris," Zack says. "For now, I guess its time to say goodbye, I've gotta get back to Vermillion City."

"Oh, I see..."

"Anyways, you're headed towards the Gym in Pewter City, right?"

"I guess..." Aeris answers. "Since it doesn't look like the Viridian Gym is about to open anytime soon, I guess we have to try our luck in Pewter then."

"Okay then. For going to Pewter City, you'll need to pass through Viridian Forrest. Be careful though, that place is quiet dangerous. Since you're a new trainer, I suggest you carry some Potions and Antidotes. They'll come in use."

"Thanks, Zack. You're a big help."

"Don't mind," he tells Aeris. "For now, goodbye Aeris and Pikachu. I hope we meet again someday."

"Me too, Zack."

"Pika Pikachu!"