Route 4 and into Cerulean City

There's nothing remarkable at all about Route 4. No wonder there are almost no serious trainers here. I ran into little kids on the edge of Cerulean City that were trying to catch the stray Rattata or Spearow.

I got one of the "Pokerooms" at the Pokemon Center. I got the medium sized one with better amenities and more space for letting Pokemon out, since I could afford it. The large and deluxe size ones had small pools for your water types, a heat lamp for your cold-blooded monsters, and even a walk-out garden for your grass and birds (there is a tree). I could definitely afford these rooms as well, but I wanted to work my way up in the world.

I let my little guys out and they were very happy to run around, take naps, hang out with one another, and eat all the Pokemon food and snacks (included). I myself took a long, hot bath, during which I started to strategize about my next steps.

As I saw it, there were a few key things I needed to do in Cerulean. First and foremost, Cerulean Gym, of course. That was just a given. Second, I wondered if I was going to run into Gary for a battle. Third, I wanted to check out the bike shop. Fourth, I figured I'd go find Bill's house and see if getting a ticket to S.S. Anne was necessary in this world. Fifth, although I hadn't planned to go in yet, I wanted to see the place where the most powerful Pokemon in this world resided. But of course, before all of these, to go see my new friend Alan.

After a very, very good night's sleep (my furry ones came and cuddled on the bed with me), I followed Alan's directions to locate his family's diner.

"Hey, over here!" I found it easily, since he was poking his head out the door when I turned onto the street. He smiled and waved at me.

His family's restaurant was… huge! It was two floors, and at peak lunch and dinner times, patrons lined up around the corner. His dad was a humble man who, despite the success at the restaurant, and could afford to hire other people to do it, still cooked as the main chef in the kitchen. Alan's mom was also a nice lady, the front manager, who knew every regular by name.

They both thanked me for helping Alan out, and said I was welcome to eat at their restaurant for free, anytime. After I tasted their food, I was glad that the offer was made. Best diner food I've had, in this life and last combined.

Alan and I went up to the third floor of the restaurant building, which served as his home. I asked him about the surrounding area, especially the area directly North of the city.

"Oh yeah, there IS an entrance to a cave to the North," he said. "People always stay away because the wild Pokemon there are aggressive… abnormally aggressive."

I guessed that it might be because they were under some sort of psychic influence…

"A lot of trainers battle up in Route 24 and Route 25, true," he said. "I was up there last week but lately a lot of unusually mean people showed up, so I stayed in town this week."

So Team Rocket was here, I guess.

"Bill? No, I don't know a Bill, but there is a large mansion at the end of Route 25. It's private property though, so I don't know who lives there. Oh, the delivery guy from our restaurant does make deliveries there from time to time, I remember."

I spent some time showing Alan my newly caught Pokemon, and after some time, left to go to Route 4. I must have spent a good 2-3 hours there, trying to run into any wild Pokemon that would come and fight my Pokemon.

When I felt like some new strategies were well practiced, I headed up North after a quick visit to the Pokemon Center.

It was late afternoon when I came to the bridge that led to Route 24, and lo and behold, recognized a certain spiky-haired boy of my age coming down the same bridge.

"Hey! It's you!"

With that ever-cocky smirk, Gary approached. He said some rude things, and then tried to force me to battle.

"Let's go, one Pokemon at a time, up to six," he laid out the terms. "Unless you're too scared."

We found an empty field and started our battle. I couldn't remember the details, but I was pretty sure that at this stage, his Pokemon team included a Rattata, Pidgey, Abra, and… well, it was supposed to include one of the starters but I wasn't sure what kind of Butterfly Effect I had on this world. Maybe an Eevee?

As this was more "official" a match than with those versus Team Rocket goons, we agreed on some fair play rules and boundaries.

Gary started off with a Rattata, the one that he had caught first. I had a moment to think of a strategy. Well, more of a decision. Do I blast all of his Pokemon, or do I hold back a bit to just barely win? Or, entirely a different approach: lose on purpose so Gary thinks he's the boss?

Haha, no.

"Go, Rattata!" Gary brought out his first Pokemon. I threw out my first Pokemon, too.

I guess the Gary in this world was destined to be a decent leader, because it was actually one of the better Rattatas I have battled against. The little rat kept his center of gravity low, tucking in the body to make his body more efficient.

…

Too bad neither me nor my Metapod gave a damn.