I ran in my new shoes straight to Route 201...or at least I was, until my best friend and Rival Jerry stopped me. Or, rather, ran straight into me. I fell on the green grass and shook my head. I was used to being knocked over by him, but today I was in a real rush. I looked up at Jerry, slightly annoyed and couldn't help but notice his always... peculiar style of clothing: Red striped long sleeved shirt, gray jeans and brown boots. His wild blond hair and amber eyes were enough to set him apart, but the clothes overdid it, along with that green bag he carried around.
I recall my first memory of Jerry now. I was about two or three, I had been a bit wobbly at walking. Jerry, however, could run like the wind, even then. He ran right into me, headfirst and we both fell to the ground. Even as I cried, he just smiled, picked me up, and introduced himself with his even then smug attitude.
Jerry was still the same as ever. He smirked as he offered me a hand. I accepted and got up as he spoke. "Sorry about that, Jacob. I didn't see you there. I'm too pumped about getting my first Pokémon!" He put his hands on his hips triumphantly. "Not to mention becoming the next Pokémon Master." He winked at me as he crossed his arms. "You won't get in my way will you?"
I raised an eyebrow. Jerry had always had high aspirations, and he may have been my best friend, but that didn't mean I would let him do as he pleased. "We'll have to see about that. You never know. I may end up saving your life one day." Jerry scoffed at that response. "Whatever." He rolled his eyes and looked back at me. "So, I guess you're going to Twinneedle's lab, right? You heard about that attack on Sandgem Town?" Despite the graveness of his words, Jerry seemed excited. Perhaps it hadn't registered with him yet...or, the more likely explanation, if it didn't have to do with him or get in his way, he didn't care.
"Aren't you worried at all? What if she's in trouble? She could be trapped in the Pokemart for all we know!" Jerry's eyed betrayed him for just a second, the concern apparent, but that was quickly covered by his arrogant attitude. "Oh, don't be so worried. She's the Professor, the leading expert of Pokémon in the entire region! She's perfectly fine." I wished that I could believe Jerry, but I wasn't so sure and I know he wasn't either.
"Anyway, we won't know for sure unless we go to Sandgem Town, now will we?" He turned towards Route 201, but looked at me first, a sneer in his face. "Last one there is a rotten Exeggcute!" He ran off and I saw he had no regard for the grass. I yelled at him "We aren't supposed to go in the tall grass!" but was too late. He ran off, turned right, and was out of sight, heading for Sandgem at an amazing speed.
I headed after him, but first, I gave my childhood hometown one last look. I could have reminisced for hours about that place, but I didn't want to linger. I left behind the green trees, the fresh air, the cool wind and my entire childhood, along with the memories still there and went on my way. I'm not sure now whether it was the right decision, but it is nonetheless the decision I made, regardless of what I think now.
I figured that if Jerry could run through the tall grass, then so could I. I wasn't nearly as fast, but my new shoes helped. As I ran, I looked at the scenery around me. It was still green, but there were ledges in places, along with signs with useful information. I didn't see any people around, which I thought was a little unusual. I had always been told that new trainers stayed around the Route to Sandgem with their new Pokémon, looking for their first win on some poor unsuspecting newbie on their way to Professor Twinneedle's lab. However, I didn't mind; less competition for me and no distractions to keep me from getting their first. Besides, it was still early, the sun barely in the sky.
I looked up and saw some strange looking clouds. They were a dark gray and were floating around at various heights. Also, I could have sweared they were coming from the direction of Sandgem. But, maybe it was the wind. Although they didn't seem like a major concern, I thought that they would have hindered the Pokémon that flew around... if there were any.
That was something else that seemed really unusual: There were no Pokemon around, at all. No Starly's flying around, no Ratata's scurrying, not even a single Pokémon attacking me in the tall grass. But, again, at least nothing was distracting me. Maybe they were all in the woods or went to Sandgem because of the ruckus or perhaps I was just a lucky kid. Even after sending that thought away to the back of my mind, I had a nagging feeling that something was deeply wrong.
I ran for about ten minutes, and still no sign of a single living being, people and Pokémon alike. I was close to Sandgem Town when I noticed the gray clouds getting thicker. I took a whiff of the air and suddenly realized I didn't smell only oxygen, for there was another scent: smoke.
I ran even faster now, letting my legs take me. Finally, I had Sandgem in my sights and saw the first sign of life on the outskirts. It was the blond reporter from earlier. She still had her microphone, but I didn't see a cameraman. I ran up to her and she looked like she was out of breath from running on her heels and had a worried look on her face. As she saw me, her face changed to a slight look of relief and worry at the same time. "Who are you? Where did you come from? Are you heading to Sandgem Town?" She instinctively put her microphone to my face and I tilted my head. "I'm Jacob, from Twinleaf Town and yes, I'm heading that way..."
A look of horror appeared on her face. "Do you know what has happened there? Are you sure you want to go? Don't you know it's dangerous!?" She was frantic now and I raised an eyebrow. Something had obviously frightened her, but I wasn't sure what. I decided to see if I could get her to calm down and answer some questions.
"Um, miss, did you happen to see a blond haired kid just run through here?" The blond got an annoyed look on her face. "Don't you know that I ask the questions here?" She gestured with her microphone to nothing in particular as she thought for a second. Then she mumbled, loud enough for me to hear "Is that the kid that nearly ran me over?" I smiled and nodded. "Yeah, that would be him."
She looked at me, alarmed again and grabbed my shoulder with her free hand. "Are you saying he was going to Sandgem? Didn't you two see that it was attacked? Do I need to explain how I barely escaped with my life?" She was partially yelling now and I wanted to back away,but instead, I looked her right in the eyes. There was pure fear in them, and I know that she was only looking out for my well being. However, even if there was trouble, I had to catch up to Jerry. There was no telling what had happened to him.
I put my own hands on her shoulders and looked at her, trying to put a calming face. "Listen, miss, I need to go to Sandgem. I don't know exactly what happened, but I did see your report." She perked up at that and continued listening. "I know that the Pokemart was attacked and that people might be in danger. But, my friend was headed there and might be in danger too. You saw for yourself how reckless he could be. I could never forgive myself if he were in trouble and I stood by doing nothing."
I looked down, and blinked tears out of my eyes, trying to keep my composure. Then the woman pushed up my chin and looked at me, sympathetically. She sighed and asked "I suppose nothing I can say will stop you?" I shook my head and she let me go, patting my head. "I guess I have to let you go, no matter what? Can you just promise to be careful? And watch out, because you won't like what you see when you get there?" She looked over her shoulder, a frown on her face, gripping her microphone at her side as she seemed to direct a hatred at the town.
"I will." I simply said and began running to the town, only looking over my shoulder once. I saw the reporter who only asked questions, but had no answers turn away from me and Sandgem Town and just look off into the woods, perhaps looking for answer there. It wouldn't be long before I did the same.
The first thing I noticed was the smoke. It was heavy and covered the sky overhead. It smelled abhorrent and consumed the Pokemart and most of the houses there. The second thing I noticed was there were, again, no people in sight. There were no Pokémon either, for that matter.
I studied the town for a moment and it hit me just how serious the attack was. The Pokemart was in ruins and was flaming. There was no way anyone could have survived in the rubble. I took a step closer and realized that the smell that had been bothering me so was not only smoke...but burning flesh. I studied the wreckage and jumped back in horror at an arm, almost unrecognizable and twisted at angles that were so unnatural I can't describe them. Luckily, that was the worst of the wreckage.
The houses on fire seemed to not emanate any smell besides smoke, so I figured they must have been unoccupied. I'm not sure whether that was a good or had thing, but it seemed that maybe someone had delayed their death.
The rest of the town was simply empty. I walked into the Pokémon Center as the electric doors silently and creepily opened. There was no one there, not a trace. The only sign was a Nurse's hat, most likely belonging to Nurse Joy. It was laying in the ground, near the entrance, as if she were trying to escape. I looked for any Pokémon left behind, but found none. I did find Pokeballs, but they were all empty. It was almost as if they had jumped out all on their own.
After walking out, I finally centred my sights on the Professor's lab. I didn't know what exactly I would find, but I did know that one way or another, I wouldn't like it...
Hey! It's Drew, the author. First of all, it took forever to write this, hehe. I'm not used to writing so much at once, but I'm sure I'll get used to it. I didn't hide any Easter eggs this time, but I may have based Jerry off of a particular Rival from the games. Maybe if you guess who it is, I might be offering a prize. Anyway, I hope my writing is still okay. I'm always up for advice or criticism, either way I listen. Anywho, like, follow, review, etc. My next chapter will be up sometime (hopefully early) next week. Cya! *winks,fades*
