Cherrygrove City: The City of Cute, Fragrant Flowers
The school bell rang. Kids ran out of the school, Crystal included. Duncan trudged along. "It's time to begin our adventure. School's out, and we're heading from here in Cherrygrove City to our next stop: Violet City!"
"Crystal, I want to go home."
"No! Elm said to begin this quest, and we want to respect Karl's wishes, too!"
"Can't he and Hadley do it themselves?"
"They're staying in Kanto, and we're trying to help them."
"Fine. I'll go with you."
"I knew you'd agree."
---
They headed out into Route 30, stocked with supplies. Duncan picked up dropped Berries while on the way. They found a Hoppip! "Go, Ember!" Out came the fire mouse. "Tackle!" It charged full-body into the light seed Pokémon. Hoppip jumped up and down. But nothing happened. Duncan tossed a PokéBall at it, and caught it! It was transferred to PC.
Suddenly, a small boy, who introduced himself as Joey, said, "I just lost, so I'm looking for more Pokémon. Hey! You look weak! Let's battle! Go, Rattata!"
"Go, Leafy!" Crystal called out Leafy. "Razor Leaf!"
---
"Rattata! Tail Whip!" The rat whipped its tail cutely, but Leafy wasn't one to see the sight. The leaves clipped Rattata, which passed out. "I lost again! Do I have to have more Pokémon in order to battle better?"
"No, you just need to strengthen yours more. Or try another Pokémon," said Duncan.
"No! I'm sticking with this one no matter what!"
"Becoming a good trainer is real tough," said Crystal. "So take your time."
---
After fifteen minutes of travel, they made it to Route 31. There was a cave at the mountainside. "Dark Cave. If our Pokémon could light it up, we could enter," said Duncan. Crystal entered the cave.
"It's pitch dark in here!" She pulled out a flashlight. It wasn't as effective as a Pokémon using the move Flash, but still effective. Crystal scurried out of the cave. Ten minutes later, Duncan came out too. "Where were you?"
"I just caught a Geodude. I'll call him Rocky."
Then, they headed off to Violet City, as dusk set in.
That night, Crystal caught sight of a Hoothoot! "You're mine! Go, Leafy!"
Hoothoot growled at Leafy. Leafy's attack fell slightly, but it attacked in a rage of Agility! After Hoothoot was too dizzy to fight, Crystal tossed a PokéBall at it, catching it.
"Hello, Hoothoot. I'm your new trainer, Crystal." They then saw light. Violet City! And so, they headed off into the city lights...
---
Kamon looked into the photo album. In there, he found a picture of his dad when he was only a child. Then there was Kamon's mother. A youthful female, who took good care of him. Lately, in the winter, she suffered pneumonia, and died a week later, her health declining. Kamon was only nine years old at the time. Kamon then put the album back into the shelf, and exit the door. Axel followed him.
Kamon and Axel walked around the dark city, through the dark, empty alley between the Radio Tower and the Magnet Train Station. This was where he came here from Kanto. He and Axel sat on the bench, and they remembered the time that just before Dad left, they came to Saffron City, and entered the next train here. And all Kamon had to remind him of his mother was a small necklace. Before she passed away, his mother told him that it was a Silver Wing. But what does it do?
"Come on Croc." He called out the Totodile. "I'm sure we'll understand this Silver Wing someday." Kamon sighed, and the two Pokémon moved toward him, and embraced him.
"Kamon?" Uncle Norman! "What are you doing here?"
"Just spending time alone with Axel and Croc. This is our favorite spot."
"Okay, but please come home. We're worried about you."
"It's summer now. I don't have to go to school."
"I know, but you still need to be safe."
They all walked back home.
In his room, with Axel on his bed, he had a strange feeling that an adventure was about to begin. "Axel, I think this could mean the beginning of a whole new adventure! But when is it going to begin?" With those thoughts, he fell asleep, and didn't awake for the rest of the night.
---
Violet City: The City of Nostalogic Scents. Falkner runs the Gym here.
Duncan and Crystal entered Violet City, and into a Pokémon Center. Crystal thought about Kamon, and how she wished he would come along. Duncan contemplated about his commitment to filling the Pokédex for Karl and Hadley, and thought, Hey, there's only 100 more Pokémon or so in Johto. It should be a little bit quicker. They rented a room, while their Pokémon were healed.
The next morning, Duncan and Crystal headed outside. Crystal asked, "So, where do we start?"
"I'll enter the Gym. You go to Sprout Tower."
"Good idea," said Crystal. They went to their respective destinations.
---
Crystal entered the Sprout Tower. She heard it was built for trainers. Good place to strengthen Pokémon. There, she could see columns wobbling like they were flexible. "How are those columns moving?" Trainers must be upstairs! A man told her, "Only if you reach the top will you obtain an HM."
"What's the HM?"
"You must reach the top!"
And so, she traveled up the stairs. A man told her, "However hard we battle, the Tower will stand strong. Go, Bellsprout!"
"Go, Hoothoot!"
---
In the Gym, Duncan was surprised to see the doorman greeting him. "Hiya! I'm Ben Pyrolic. I helped your cousin with his journey last year, and this year, I'm going to help you!"
"What? How?"
"I'll give you advice! Believe me! A championship dream may come true again."
"The Grass-type is weak against the Flying-type. Keep that in mind. Use electric- or rock- Pokémon."
"Rocky, I never thought I'd need you!"
Duncan walked carefully through the Gym. There was only a small bridge from Falkner and himself, and falling down could break his neck and kill him. "Okay... so I can do this... I can do this... I can do this... I can't do this!" He ran back to the entrance.
"Come on, Duncan! I know you can do it! Try again!"
Duncan then ran through the bridge, and to Falkner.
"I'm Falkner, the Violet Pokémon Gym Leader! I can't believe people say you can zap bird Pokémon's wings with electricity. I won't allow such insults to those birds! I'll show you the real power of these Pokémon! Go, Pidgey!"
"Go, Rocky!"
---
In the top floor of Sprout Tower, Crystal saw many statues of Bellsprouts, very distinguished, and shiny golden, and a powerful painting of the Pokémon. Those guys sure do worship those Pokémon... And among them was an elderly man. "So good of you to come here! My name is Li."
"Eh?"
"Sprout Tower is a place of training, and where people and Pokémon test their bonds to build a bright future together. I am your test. Allow me to check the ties between you and your Pokémon! Go, Bellsprout!"
"Go, Hoothoot!"
---
Back in Violet Gym, Duncan had won! "No! My dad's cherished bird Pokémon... Oh well. I'm only starting out. Here is your first badge, the official Pokémon League Zyphyr Badge."
"Yes! The first Badge! I guess my Pokémon and I are fit for this adventure!"
"Indeed! This Badge increases Pokémon's Attack power. They can also use Flash outside of battle, but you'll need the Flash HM to use it. Sprout Tower is currently giving away that kind of HM for those who defeat the elder Li."
"Crystal's there, and I think she already won!"
"And take this, too." He handed him a small disc, about the size of a GameCube Game Disc.
"By using a TM, a Pokémon will instantly learn a move recorded on it. But it's only good for one use, so think before using it. This contains Mud-Slap. It reduces the enemy's accuracy and causes damage."
"It's both offensive and defensive!"
"Nice battle," said Ben. "Keep it up, and you'll be the Champ in no time! And look! Ember's evolving!"
"Huh?" And so it was! Ember began to morph, but Duncan pulled out his Pokédex, and pushed a button. The evolution stopped. "As much as I like Pokémon to be powerful, I think it's too soon to evolve them right now."
---
In Sprout Tower, Hoothoot had defeated Li. "Ah, excellent! You and your Pokémon should have no trouble using this move. The Flash HM!"
"Flash?"
"It
lights up even the darkest of rooms. But you will need this city's
Zyphyr Badge to use it."
"Duncan's in that Gym, and I think he got it now!" She exit the room, and felt a teleportation pull her out.
"I'm back in the city!"
"Hey, Crystal! I got the Zyphyr Badge!"
"I got the Flash HM!"
"Together, we can make a pretty good team!"
They gave each other a high-five. Suddenly, Duncan's PokéGear bleeped. "Hey! A phone call!"
It was from Prof. Elm. "Hello, Duncan! We found out something about the Egg! My Aide is at Azalea Town. Could you please talk to him?"
"I'm on it! Crystal, our next stop is Azalea Town!"
They headed out of the city, into Route 32.
---
In Goldenrod City, Kamon reminisced about last year and the events. "It was around last year. Team Rocket was up to no good with Pokémon. But justice always wins! The Color Triad disbanded them!"
May said, "I guess lots of parents are willing to let their kids travel now! Right, Axel?"
She petted the Persian.
---Route 32 became more mountainous. Near Union Cave was a Pokémon Center. Upon reaching the Center, a fat man solicited them.
"How would you like to buy this tasty, nutritious Slowpoke Tail?"
Crystal exclaimed, "Part of a Pokémon? Eww! I'm a vegetarian!"
"Just $1,000,000!"
"A million? I'm not a Rich Boy, and Crystal here isn't a Lady! We're just random Pokémon Trainers! We don't have a million! And I think this is all a scam for money!"
The fat man ran off.
Crystal remarked, "I guess we told him off, huh?"
"Yep, we did."
"I still think a scam is going on. How do we know that guy isn't a crook?"
"And I have a very bad feeling!"
They entered the Center.