AUTHOR'S NOTE: Greetings, readers! Here is chapter 6 of the continuing adventures of Tristan, Hillary, and Pikachu as they begin their journey through the Johto region. Woodruff, from "A Sappy Ending" makes a brief appearance in this chapter. Youngsters Joey and Mikey from the Gold, Silver, and Crystal version games also appear. Now this chapter will be a tad shorter than most, but there will be slightly longer chapters as well. Please feel free to read and review at your leisure.
TEASER: Tristan, Hillary, and Pikachu pass through a forest and meet two Youngsters, who stay close to home, and after battling each other, end up challenging them.
Chapter 6. A WHOLE NEW WORLD
(Music Cue: Route 29 (as heard in "Forest Grumps"))
After leaving the comforts of New Bark Town behind them, our heroes' new journey through the Johto region has officially begun. Right now, they're doing some sightseeing on the way to their first destination.
Tristan, Hillary, and Pikachu were walking in a forest on a beautiful sunny morning.
"This is wonderful weather," said Tristan. "I wish it could be like this forever."
"Well, if it were sunny all the time, we wouldn't get our rain," replied Hillary. "And with no rain, there's no water."
"That's a good point," said Tristan. "Do you know where my first Gym Battle is?"
"Unfortunately, I don't," replied Hillary. "But maybe the PokéGears do."
Tristan had forgotten that he could use his PokéGear's map function to look up his destinations. He quickly took it out of his backpack and pushed the button on it.
Instantly, the screen turned on, and an image of a map appeared.
"Hmm," said Tristan. "The closest big city is Cherrygrove City, however, my first Gym Battle is further away in Violet City."
"Well, Violet City is where we'll be going," smiled Hillary. "But why don't we do some exploring in Cherrygrove City first?"
"Okay then," agreed Tristan.
They walked on and on until they saw a beetle-like Pokémon covered in a blue exoskeleton fly over their heads. It had a long pronged horn on its forehead.
"Cool, what's that?" asked Tristan as he scanned the Pokémon with his new Pokédex.
(Music Cue: Today's Pokémon Curiosity (Johto))
"Heracross: The Single Horn Pokémon," identified Dexter. "Though gentle and docile, Heracross possesses great strength and power. Their favorite food is the rich sap of leafy trees."
Just then Tristan, Hillary, and Pikachu saw a flock of Butterfree flying over their heads.
"Those Butterfree are flying along beautifully, aren't they?" said Tristan.
"Yeah, and it looks like they're headed for the same place as that Heracross is going," added Hillary.
"Let's go check it out," said Tristan as he, Hillary, and Pikachu raced off to where the Butterfree were flying.
Deeper into the forest they ran until they saw multiple Heracross on a nearby tree.
"Look at all the Heracross," remarked Hillary. "There has to be at least 50 of them!"
"I wonder what they're doing with that tree," said Tristan.
"I can tell you," said a voice. A man in orange gear and a hat came out to meet Tristan, Hillary, and Pikachu. He had a beard. "Those Heracross are using their strong teeth to consume the rich sap that are in those trees."
"Who are you?" asked Hillary.
The man introduced himself. "My name's Woodruff. I'm the ranger of this forest. Actually, I'm a ranger of the Forest and Wildlife Bureau."
"My name's Tristan, and this is Pikachu," said Tristan.
Pikachu greeted Woodruff.
"I'm his sister, Hillary," added Hillary.
"It's nice to meet you all," smiled Woodruff.
"Do the Heracross like the sap here?" asked Hillary.
"Yes, they do," answered Woodruff. "They love it so much it makes them go nuts."
"We saw some Butterfree flying deeper into this forest," said Tristan. "What do they have to do with it?"
"The Butterfree aren't strong enough to get into the tree's sap by themselves," explained Woodruff. "They rely on Heracross's strong teeth to open up little holes in those trees. Then, once they're done, the Butterfree can consume all the sap they need."
"So Heracross feeds on the sap while the Butterfree consume the leftovers, right?" said Tristan.
"That's right," replied Woodruff. "Both Pokémon exist in symbiosis. They help ensure the balance of nature in this forest."
"That's pretty cool," said Hillary. "No wonder the Pokémon love it here. They help each other out in the long run."
Woodruff nodded.
Tristan, Hillary, and Pikachu continued to see the Heracross and Butterfree consuming the sap off of multiple trees. They thought it was pretty cool to watch them dine like that.
"So I assume you're just passing by?" asked Woodruff.
Tristan nodded. "We're on our way to Violet City. But when we saw that Heracross flying over us, we wanted to see where it was going and what it was doing."
"Well, there's certainly nothing wrong with that," smiled Woodruff. "I wish you success on your journey."
"Thank you," replied Tristan and Hillary together as they started to leave.
"Be careful out there, guys!" called Woodruff as he waved to them.
"We will!" called Tristan and Hillary.
Pikachu waved goodbye to Woodruff as well.
Tristan, Hillary, and Pikachu made their way out of the forest some time later. Presently, they heard voices.
"Rattata, Tackle attack!"
"Rattata, use your Tackle attack!"
(Music Cue: Johto Wild Pokémon Battle (as heard in "Power Play!"))
Two young people were battling one another in a Pokémon battle, and they were both using a Rattata.
Tristan was the first to notice. "All right! There's a battle going on!" Pokémon battles always excited him, and he raced off toward the action.
"Wait for us, Tristan!" called Hillary as she and Pikachu ran after him.
The two Rattata were battling hard, trying to push each other back.
"Hang in there, Rattata!" said the first Trainer.
"Don't give up, Rattata!" said the second Trainer.
Tristan, Hillary, and Pikachu came closer to the battle and were able to get a better view.
"It's a battle between two Rattata," said Hillary.
"Yes, but it looks like one of them is tiring out fast," added Tristan.
Sure enough, the first Rattata was running out of breath as it tried desperately to push the second Rattata back.
The first Trainer turned around and saw Tristan, Hillary, and Pikachu. "Hey, this is a big battle here! Leave me alone!"
But that was just the chance the second Trainer was waiting for, for when the first Rattata was looking the other way, the second Rattata pushed it back.
"Rattata!" cried the first Trainer.
"Rattata, finish it off with a Tackle attack!" ordered the second Trainer.
The second Trainer's Rattata ran as fast as it could, and rammed into the first Trainer's Rattata so hard that it managed to knock it out.
"No, Rattata!" cried the first Trainer as he rushed to his Pokémon. "Are you okay?"
Rattata gave a weak reply, and then it managed to get back on its feet.
"Sorry, Joey," said the second Trainer. "Looks like I won that time."
"Aw, come on, Mikey," groaned Joey. "Just one more battle, please?"
"My Rattata's still a little tired, Joey," replied Mikey. "And I'm sure your Rattata's tired, too. But if you still want to battle someone, try battling one of them."
Joey turned around and glared at Tristan and Hillary. "This is all your fault! If you hadn't distracted me, I would've won against my friend, Mikey!"
(Music Cue: Johto Trainer Battle as heard in "Imitation Confontation"))
"Hey, take it easy, kid, we didn't mean to distract you," said Hillary.
"Yeah, we're sorry," added Tristan.
"Just save it!" fumed Joey. "Rattata and I challenge you to a battle, boy!"
"Me? What for?" wondered Tristan.
"As payback for distracting me!" yelled Joey. "Go, Rattata!"
Joey's Rattata eagerly ran in front of Joey and prepared for battle.
"Oh, boy," whispered Hillary. "Now what do we do?"
"That's easy, Hillary, I accept his challenge," answered Tristan. He turned to Joey. "Okay, Joey, you're on!" He took out a Pokéball and threw it. "Chikorita, I choose you!"
Chikorita emerged from the white light that shot out of the ball and landed neatly in front of Tristan.
"Chikorita, this is our first battle together, so let's show Joey what we can do," said Tristan.
Chikorita eagerly nodded in agreement.
"Rattata, use your Tackle attack!" yelled Joey.
Rattata charged toward Chikorita full-body style.
"Go, Chikorita, Tackle attack right back!" commanded Tristan.
Chikorita charged at Rattata the same way.
Both Pokémon rammed into one another and attempted to push each other back without giving an inch.
"Stay strong, Chikorita!" encouraged Tristan.
"Rattata, you can do it!" encouraged Joey.
"Wow, Chikorita's doing well against that Rattata, considering it's its first time battling," remarked Hillary.
Sure enough, Chikorita proved to be evenly matched with Joey's Rattata.
However, Tristan's sharp eyes noticed the damage Rattata took in its last battle. I'll have to finish this fast, he thought. Rattata's getting too tired to battle anymore, and Joey's too concerned with winning against me to realize it. "Chikorita, use your Sweet Scent!" he ordered.
Chikorita jumped back, waved the leaf on its head around, and emitted a cloud of pink powder from its leaf, enveloping Rattata in it.
Rattata sniffed the powder and relaxed.
"Rattata, what are you doing?!" exclaimed Joey.
"We got it now, Chikorita, finish it off with a Tackle attack!" commanded Tristan.
Chikorita charged toward Rattata as fast as it could and rammed it hard.
Rattata slid and collapsed on the ground.
"Rattata, get up!" implored Joey. "You can do it, right?"
Rattata struggled and managed to get back on its feet.
"No way," said Tristan to himself. "It can't keep going after that."
And it didn't, for Rattata's legs gave out, and it fainted.
"Rattata!" gasped Joey as he ran to his Pokémon. "Are you okay?"
Rattata gave a weak reply.
"I was afraid that'd happen," said Hillary sadly.
Tristan quickly came to Joey and his Rattata and looked it over. He saw the injuries it sustained from its last two battles. "Your Rattata's gonna need some of this," he said as he dug out a Potion from his backpack. He carefully sprayed it on Rattata's bruises.
Sure enough, Rattata's bruises were disappearing.
"Luckily, I always carry some of these along with me," added Tristan. "Your Rattata should be just fine. But I suggest you take it to the Pokémon Center just in case."
Pikachu and Chikorita hopped on Tristan's shoulders and smiled in agreement.
"Thanks so much," replied Joey as he took out Rattata's Pokéball. "Rattata return."
Rattata turned into red energy and shot back inside its Pokéball.
"By the way, I didn't ask your name," said Joey.
"My name's Tristan," said Tristan. "This is Pikachu, and you've already met Chikorita."
Pikachu and Chikorita greeted Joey.
"My name's Hillary," added Hillary. "It's nice to meet you."
"Likewise," replied Joey. "Thanks for a great battle. I didn't realize that Rattata was getting tired when I lost to Mikey. I took my frustration out on you without cause. I'm sorry."
"That's all right, Joey," replied Tristan. "Your Rattata's got a lot of potential there."
"Every Pokémon does," added Hillary. "Just keep on training hard and take good care of your Rattata, and you'll always be a winner."
"I will," said Joey. "Thanks again." And he hurried away to the Pokémon Center in New Bark Town.
Tristan and Hillary looked at each other.
"You know, I'm going to like him as a Trainer," remarked Hillary.
"I like him already," added Tristan.
(Music Cue: Johto Rival's Theme (as heard in "The Trouble with Snubbull"))
Presently, Mikey came to Tristan and Hillary. "Now, I'd like to battle someone."
"I'm ready to battle you," said Tristan. "Chikorita's just getting warmed up, and Pikachu's ready, too."
"Hold on, Tristan," interrupted Hillary. "I'd like to battle Mikey."
"How come, sis?" asked Tristan.
"My Cyndaquil hasn't had a chance to battle yet today," explained Hillary. "And Squirtle could use a workout, too."
Tristan understood what Hillary said. "All right then, it's all yours."
"Unlike Joey's Rattata, mine's rested up and ready for action," said Mikey. "And I'm ready to show you what it can do. Let's go, Rattata!"
Mikey's Rattata leaped in front of him and prepared for battle.
"Go, Cyndaquil!" shouted Hillary as she threw a Pokéball.
Cyndaquil emerged from the white light that shot out of it and positioned itself for battle.
"Rattata, Tackle attack!" commanded Mikey.
"You, too, Cyndaquil!" ordered Hillary.
Cyndaquil and Rattata charged at each other, full-body style and met head-on. They both gave it all they had with neither giving an inch.
Those two are evenly matched, thought Tristan. I know Hillary will be the one to win it in the end.
"Cyndaquil, Smokescreen!" ordered Hillary.
Cyndaquil shot a thick, black cloud of smoke from its mouth, enveloping Rattata in it.
Mikey frantically searched for Cyndaquil in the thick smoke. "Oh, no, I can't see a thing."
"Tackle attack!" shouted Hillary.
Mikey was taken by surprise as Rattata was attacked by Cyndaquil from out of nowhere. "Rattata!" he cried.
"Follow it up with Quick Attack!" commanded Hillary.
Cyndaquil sped toward Rattata with a white line trailing behind it.
"Use your Quick Attack, too, Rattata!" ordered Mikey.
Rattata sped toward Cyndaquil in the same way.
Once again, both Pokémon collided with one another with neither giving an inch.
"Cyndaquil, Flamethrower!" shouted Hillary.
Cyndaquil ignited the flame on its back, then it shot a powerful stream of fire at Rattata, scoring a direct hit in the process.
"Rattata!" cried Mikey.
Mikey's Rattata slid on the ground and collapsed; it had been knocked out.
"Rattata, return!" called Mikey as he took out its Pokéball.
Rattata transformed into red energy and shot back inside.
"That Cyndaquil of yours is pretty good," remarked Mikey. "But don't think this next one will be so easy." He took out a second Pokéball and threw it. "Pidgey, go!"
(Music Cue: Kanto Wild Pokémon Battle)
A Pidgey emerged from the white light that shot out of it.
"Boy, that takes me back," said Tristan to himself.
"Okay, Cyndaquil, you take a little break," said Hillary.
Cyndaquil ran to Hillary for a well-deserved rest.
"Go, Squirtle!" shouted Hillary as she threw a Pokéball.
Squirtle emerged from the white light that shot out of it.
"This Squirtle is the very first Pokémon I got," explained Hillary. "It happens to be quite strong as well. Let's show them what we mean, Squirtle. Use your Water Gun now!"
Squirtle shot a powerful blast of water from its mouth at Pidgey.
"Well, strong or not, I'm gonna beat it," said Mikey. "Pidgey, Gust attack now!"
Pidgey flapped its wings furiously, creating a gust of wind so strong that it actually blew Squirtle's Water Gun away.
"No way!" gasped Hillary.
"Now Tackle attack, Pidgey!" commanded Mikey.
Pidgey charged in and flew at Squirtle.
"Quick, Squirtle, use Withdraw!" instructed Hillary.
Instantly, Squirtle shrunk into its shell as its body lit up in a blue light. Even though Pidgey struck it, Squirtle still took no damage thanks to its hard shell.
Hillary's getting better and better at this, thought Tristan. I know she'll be a great Trainer.
"Squirtle, Water Gun now!" commanded Hillary.
Squirtle's head and limbs appeared and it shot a blast of water from its mouth at Pidgey and scored a direct hit on it.
"Finish it off with a Tackle attack!" ordered Hillary.
Squirtle charged full-body style at Pidgey and rammed into it, knocking it out.
"Pidgey, are you okay?" asked Mikey as he quickly ran to it.
Pidgey gave a weak reply.
"You were great," said Mikey as he took out Pidgey's Pokéball. "You deserve a good rest." And he returned Pidgey to its Pokéball. "That's strange. I won before."
"That was a good battle, Mikey," smiled Hillary.
"I still don't understand it," said Mikey. "How could my Pokémon lose to your Pokémon?"
"Well, for one thing, I've had more experience with Pokémon," explained Hillary. "And for another, I traveled in the Orange Islands just recently with my brother, Tristan, gaining experience as I went."
(Music Cue: Meeting and Parting)
Mikey understood what Hillary was saying. "So that's how you won. Now I'm learning something. Maybe I should think about traveling, too." He then stood up on his feet. "That was a pretty good battle, wasn't it?"
"It sure was, Mikey," replied Hillary.
Mikey offered to shake Hillary's hand. "Would you battle me again when I get stronger? Please?"
"I'd love to do that, Mikey," replied Hillary.
Both Trainers then shook hands.
"That's great," said Tristan to himself. "That's the way it should be: Trainers meeting each other and showing good sportsmanship, even after the battle. I think those two will both get stronger."
Pikachu agreed with him.
"I'll see you later, Hillary," said Mikey. He then left for the nearest Pokémon Center.
Hillary turned to Tristan. "What do you say we push on?"
"Great, let's go," replied Tristan.
And together, they started on their way once again.
"You know, my Pokémon did well today," said Hillary. "Even Cyndaquil put up a good battle, and I haven't had it for very long. Your Chikorita was pretty good, too."
"Well, that proves one thing," replied Tristan. "Pokémon and Trainers get stronger when they experience brand new things in a brand new world."
Hillary and Pikachu nodded in agreement.
Meeting new people and seeing new places are only part of what a Pokémon journey is all about. And so, with that lesson fresh in their minds, our heroes continue on toward Violet City and the first Johto League Gym.
► TO BE CONTINUED