Chapter 4: Training Day

Along the way to Viridian City, Melody caught a Rattata and Tyler caught a Pidgey. They finally got to Viridian City. They quickly went to the pokemon center to heal there pokemon. They went to the pokemon center restaurant and then they got there rooms for the night.

The next day, Tyler went around the city and started looking in stores for places that would hold any information about the legendary pokemon. All he found was a book of ancient stories about the legendary birds and a book about strange sightings. He bought both books anyways. The more info the better. He couldn't find anything about Mewtwo. When he asked others about Mewtwo they said they never heard of such a pokemon. No one even heard about the cloning of pokemon.

Tyler headed to the Viridian Gym but remembered that his pokemon haven't had any training at all. Tyler planned to leave the town to do some training. But on the way past the pokemon center, he saw Melody running towards him. Tyler liked Melody but knew that it was unsafe to have another trainer around him.

"Hi, Tyler. I forgot to thank you for showing me where Viridian City was." Melody said. "I also want to ask you if you would like to be travelling partners with me. Just so it would make it easier and safer for both of us on our journey to the different gyms. I was beginning to get to know you, and I want to get to know you better."

Tyler couldn't believe it. Melody wanted to travel with him. He never thought he would have such a pretty girl wanting to be his friend. Tyler felt a feeling of warmth in him, but it quickly went away. The madman had told him that he would kill any partners if he failed. Tyler couldn't let that happen to Melody.

"I would be happy if you could but...I'm sorry Melody but it's just too dangerous where I'm going." Tyler said hoping she would understand.

"Sure, like I haven't heard that one before. It's okay, I understand." Melody said, looking disappointed. "I guess I can be annoying at times."

"I don't think you're annoying. Actually I enjoyed your company." Tyler said.

"Yeah, well. Maybe, I'll see you again sometime in the future." Melody said. "Bye!"

"Bye." Tyler called as she walked away.

Tyler felt bad knowing he had just blown a chance with a beautiful girl. But he had no time for that. He had get to work fast. And she wouldn't understand what he was trying to do. First, he came from a town which has a communication block and bombs planted around, his sister has being held for ransom by a madman from Team Rocket, and he had to go find the legendary pokemon and some lab freak to free his sister. It was a little bit much to believe. Even Tyler had a hard time believing it. Tyler headed into the forest on the outskirts of the city. He released all his pokemon from their pokeballs.

"Okay guys, we're going to start training." Tyler said. "Let's start by having you two fight eachother. Not a bloody, hardcore fight, just a training fight. Oh and since you have the type advantage, Squirtle, no special attacks. Just have a melee fight."

Squirtle and Sandshrew got into their battle positions and than lunged at eachother. It wasn't much of a fight.

"You guys should start throwing punches and kicks instead of just wrestling." Tyler advised them.

Tyler said he was a tough trainer, but all the stress of everything made him lose his confidence. Tyler sat on a rock and watched the pathetic battle go on. He took out the picture of his family. He thought of his family being all back to normal. He went back to thinking about the list. It took him a while to fully realize what was going on. He didn't believe it himself and so he thought it was all a dream. Something inside Tyler then snapped. He looked back at the picture of is family. He could feel his confidence boost up like never before. His eagerness for completing the list was now stronger than had ever been. He was ready for anything now.

"Come one guys. Time to start the actual training." Tyler said as he walked deeper into the forest.

Squirtle and Sandshrew were a little confused, but they followed Tyler. They came to an empty field.

"Let's work on our speed and stamina for now." Tyler said. "Okay, run around the field, just once for now. Let's have a race to make it more interesting."

They started to run. Tyler was surprised to see they were easily keeping up with him, even though they were on all fours. Once they had one lap around, they still had energy for another lap.

"This time, try running on two legs. You never know when you'll need to do that." Tyler said.

It was almost funny to watch Squirtle and Sandshrew run on two legs. Their bodies weren't built for that. Tyler then reminded himself he had a Pidgey.

"Sorry Pidgey. I forgot about you." Tyler said as Pidgey flew into the air.

Pidgey made some angry calls back.

"Really, I'm sorry Pidgey!" Tyler yelled at the Pidgey.

Pidgey flew to the ground beside Tyler.

"Okay, I have something for you to do." Tyler said.

Tyler pulled a rope out of his backpack. He tied the rope around Pidgey and attached the other end to a small rock.

"Okay, Pidgey try flying with that on. It'll be harder than normal but will improve your strength." Tyler said.

Pidgey tried to take off but the rock was heavy, and Pidgey wasn't able to get very high.

"It's okay Pidgey, with practice you'll become stronger." Tyler encouraged Pidgey.

As Pidgey practiced with the rock, Tyler went over to Sandshrew and Squirtle. They all went to the pond in the center of the field.

"Sandshrew, I know you won't like this at all but...this will improve your resistance to water." Tyler said.

Sandshrew didn't look up to it.

"Don't worry, Sandshrew. Water doesn't actually hurt ground pokemon. It just takes more energy from them than usual. Prof. Oak told me that." Tyler said.

Sandshrew hesistated, but stuck his foot in the water. Sandshrew shuddered and quickly retracted from the water.

"It's okay Sandshrew. It might take a while but you'll eventually get used to it." Tyler went over to Squirtle.

"We'll practice your aim with your water gun." Tyler told Squirtle.

Tyler picked up a stick and told Squirtle to hit it with a blast of water. Squirtle couldn't hit it the first couple times but managed a hit once in a while. The training went on for the rest of the day. By the end of the day, they were all extremely tired and couldn't wait to get some sleep.

Tyler and his pokemon continued this training for a week, only heading back to trhe city when they needed a recharge of energy, items, or food. Tyler could tell the training was paying off. Pidgey started to become a very skilled flyer, Squirtle was developing an excellent aim, and Sandshrew was actually swimming a few times. They tried other training skills which greatly raised their levels. Tyler was happy to see his Pidgey evolve into a Pidgeotto. Tyler thought to himself, if he kept up at this rate, he'll finish those tasks in no time.