Chapter 2: First Rivals in Viridian City

As Gilbert arrived in Viridian City, his first stop was the Pokémon Centre. He dropped off Bulbasaur and Spinarak to be healed. "Don't worry. We'll have Bulbasaur and Spinarak back to full health in no time." Nurse Joy said. "Thank you, Nurse Joy." Gilbert said.

As Nurse Joy healed his Pokémon, Gilbert sat in the waiting room thinking of what to do. "Since I'm a new trainer, what should I do?" He asked himself. He then looked over to the wall and saw a poster for the upcoming Pokémon League. He walked up to it and started to think. "It would be a good idea to collect badges to enter the Pokémon League." He said. "But I'll have to talk it out with Bulbasaur and Spinarak."

Just then, the bell beeped, meaning that Nurse Joy was finished. Nurse Joy walked over to Gilbert with Bulbasaur and Spinarak's PokéBalls. "Great news, Gilbert. Bulbasaur and Spinarak are now fully healed." She said. "Thank you, Nurse Joy." Gilbert said.

Later, Gilbert sat back in the waiting hall to talk with Bulbasaur and Spinarak about qualifying for the Pokémon League. Nurse Joy was there too. "So, guys, I was thinking about trying out for the Pokémon League. I know we've only begun our journey, but I think this will be a good opportunity for us." Gilbert said. "Bulba?" "Spin?" Bulbasaur and Spinarak said in confusion. "You see, we'll be able to help understand each other during our journey. As we battle the gym leaders, we'll help each other get stronger and grow as a family." Gilbert explained. "That's true. Pokémon and trainer working together is the most important thing." Nurse Joy said. "How 'bout it? You guys up for it?" Gilbert asked. Bulbasaur and Spinarak looked at each other. "Bulba!" "Spin!" They said, nodding their heads.

Later, Nurse Joy registered Gilbert's Pokédex so that he can qualify for collecting badges for the Pokémon League. "Alright then. You're all registered for collecting gym badges, Gilbert." She said, giving back the Pokédex. "Thank you, Nurse Joy." Gilbert said. "And here. Take this badge case. You can keep your badges in here as you collect them." Nurse Joy said, giving Gilbert a badge case. "Wow! Thank you again, Nurse Joy." Gilbert said.

Gilbert exited the Pokémon Centre, preparing to leave for the next city. "I see you're qualifying for the Pokémon League." A voice said. Gilbert turned to see a girl his age with crimson red hair, a blue hoodie, a white mini-skirt and pink flipflops, and a boy with black hair, a jade green jacket, blue pants, white sneakers and a Pidgey on his shoulder. "Yes, that's right. Are you 2 qualifying too?" Gilbert asked. "Yep. Registered just before you got here, actually." The girl said. "Oh." Gilbert said. "Name's Aubrina from Gringy City." The girl, Aubrina, introduced. "And I'm Arata from Celadon City." The boy, Arata, introduced. "Pidgey." Pidgey chirped. "I'm Gilbert from Pallet Town." Gilbert said. "Say, since we're both qualifying for the Pokémon League, what say we have a little battle? Me and you." Aubrina suggested. "Sure. It'd be good practice for us." Gilbert said. "Bulba." Bulbasaur agreed.

Gilbert and Aubrina took place at a battlefield behind the Pokémon Centre. Arata and Pidgey sat on the bench to watch. Nurse Joy was the referee. "Now since we both have 2 Pokémon each, we'll make this a 2-on-2 battle." Aubrina said. "That's fine with me." Gilbert said. "Then let the match begin!" Nurse Joy called.

"Spinarak, you're up first!" Gilbert called, releasing Spinarak. "Spinarak!" Spinarak called. "Grimer, let's go!" Aubrina called, releasing her first Pokémon. "Grimer!" Grimer said. "A Grimer, huh?" Gilbert asked, checking Grimer on his Pokédex.

Grimer, the Sludge Pokémon. A Poison-type. It feeds on toxic waste and can use its sludge-like body to squeeze through even the tightest of cracks in walls.

"Battle begin!" Nurse Joy called. "Grimer, use Smog!" Aubrina called. Grimer released a gas cloud from its mouth, blowing it towards Spinarak. "Quick! Dodge it with String Shot, Spinarak!" Gilbert called. Spinarak fired String Shot from its rear, pulling it away from the Smog cloud. "Don't let it get away! Use Sludge Bomb!" Aubrina called. Grimer fired blobs of sludge from its mouth. Spinarak continued using its String Shot to swing around and dodge the attacks, making Grimer a little dizzy. "Great job, Spinarak! Now let's counter attack! Use Bug Buzz!" Gilbert called. Spinarak stopped swinging and called like a siren, releasing several red sound waves. The sound waves hit Grimer, causing it great pain. "Quick! Get away from that noise! Minimize!" Aubrina called. Grimer started to shrink itself to get away from the attack. "You're not getting away that easy! Spinarak, Night Shade!" Gilbert called. Spinarak fired 2 black crimson beams from its eyes, hitting Grimer square-on. Grimer couldn't take it and fainted. "Grimer is unable to battle. Spinarak wins!" Nurse Joy called. Arata was shocked and sad to see that Aubrina lost the first battle.

Aubrina returned Grimer to its PokéBall. "You were great, Grimer. Now take a good rest." She said. "Good job, Spinarak. Take a rest." Gibert said, returning Spinarak to its PokéBall. "I gotta say, you're a pretty good trainer for a beginner." Aubrina said. "Thanks." Gilbert said. "But there's a lot you still need to learn before you're ready to compete in the Pokémon League." Aubrina said. Gilbert nodded, understanding what she means. "You ready, Bulbasaur?" He asked his partner. "Bulba!" Bulbasaur said, running out to the field. "So, you're going with your partner, huh? Then I'll go with mine too. I choose you, Magnezone!" Aubrina called, tossing her next PokéBall. "MAGNEZONE." Magnezone said as it was released. "Magnezone?" Gilbert asked in confusion. He checked his Pokédex.

Magnezone, the Magnet Pokemon. The evolved form of Magneton. An Electric and Steel-type. When Magneton enter specially magnified fields, they undergo evolution to Magnezone. Some mistake Magnezone's appearance for an alien UFO.

"We better be careful, Bulbasaur. Magnezone may be an Electric-type, but it's also a Steel-type. So, your Grass-type moves won't do much." Gilbert said. "Bulba." Bulbasaur said, understanding. "Being careful won't help against us! Show them, Magnezone! Discharge!" Aubrina called. Magnezone fired several blue streaks of electricity. "Bulbasaur, look out!" Gilbert called. Bulbasaur leapt away, dodging the attack. "Now use Razor Leaf!" Bulbasaur fired several sharp leaves from its bulb. The leaves hit Magnezone, scratching its metal body. "You're Bulbasaur's pretty fast. But so are we. Magnezone, Mirror Shot!" Aubrina called. Magnezone recovered, formed a big metal ball in front of it and fired it, knocking Bulbasaur off its feet. Gilbert was surprised as Bulbasaur landed near his feet. "Bulbasaur, are you okay?" He asked with worry. "Bulba!" Bulbasaur stood up, saying it was okay. "Wow. That was some attack." Gilbert said. "But of course. Mirror Shot is one of the strongest moves a Steel-type Pokémon can learn. So, how're you gonna get past my Magnezone's excellent power now, Gilbert?" Aubrina asked.

Gilbert started to get frustrated. 'She's right. Magnezone's just too tough, especially with that Mirror Shot. There's got to be something we can do.' He thought. "Now, use Electro Ball!" Aubrina called. Magnezone fired a ball of electricity from its center. 'Wait! I got it!' "Bulbasaur, use your Vine Whip to jump!" Gilbert called. Bulbasaur used its vines to jump up super high. "What the?!" Aubrina asked in shock. "MAG?" Magnezone asked in shock. "Now hit it with Leech Seed!" Gilbert called. Bulbasaur fired a seed from its bulb, striking Magnezon right between the eyes. Then vines grew from the seed, wrapped all around Magnezone and started sucking out its energy. "Oh no!" Aubrina said with worry. "Now, Bulbasaur, Tackle it straight down and head on!" Gilbert called. Bulbasaur dived down towards Magnezone and hit it right on with Tackle. Bulbasaur got a bit hurt due to Magnezone's body being made of metal. But Magnezone collapsed to the ground, succumbing to Leech Seed's effects. "Magnezone!" Aubrina cried as she ran to her partner. "Magnezone is unable to battle! Bulbasaur's the winner! The match goes to Gilbert!" Nurse Joy called.

"Alright! We did it, Bulbasaur!" Gilbert cheered. "Bulba!" Bulbasaur cheered, leaping into its trainer's arms. "You put up quite a good fight, Magnezone. But don't worry. We'll get better. I promise." Aubrina said, comforting Magnezone. "MAGNE." Magnezone cooed at its trainer's comfort.

Later, after healing their Pokemon, Gilbert, Aubrina and Arata prepared to leave on their separate ways. "You might have won this match today, but you won't be so lucky next time." Aubrina said. "And I'd like to battle too." Arata said. "I look forward to it, guys." Gilbert said. The 3 trainers shook hands. Aubrina and Arata than waved to Gilbert as they left. Gilbert waved back.

Major events.

Gilbert reaches Viridian City.

Gilbert meets Aubrina and Arata, and they become rivals.

Gilbert and Aubrina battle and Gilbert wins.