As he pedaled his bicycle through the simple streets of Viridian, Ash gazed at the landscape around him, admiring the calm and serenity of the city.
In the streets, some children played kicking balls, barefoot. On the porches of the houses some domestic Pokemon were resting. He spotted a Persian lying in the lap of an old woman who was rocking in a rocking chair.
The late afternoon sun was fresh. The winds blew orange leafs, which fell from the trees positioned around the neighborhoods.
Ash stopped the bike in front of the hospital-like structure.
The Pokémon Center.
A Pokémon center was a place which trainers, and the general population, used for medical care with their fellow Pokémon, in addition to the communication and storage service through the available PC devices. There were also dormitories which the trainers could use to stay overnight for as many days as they needed to stay in the city.
He parked his bike next to the center.
Luna was asleep when she suddenly woke up, sleepy.
"Wake up, we've arrived in Viridian," Ash said dryly. This was the first time in days he had spoken to her.
She yawned.
Then she got out of the boy's bicycle basket.
The two entered the Pokémon Center through the front gates. Inside, the atmosphere was chilling. A few people were pacing around, dictating orders and asking for information. Others sat on sofas, waiting for assistance or just resting.
In the center's main line—which led directly to a Nurse Joy stationed at a bench—there were three people waiting to be seen.
Ash joined the queue.
He looked at the television in the center broadcasting some TV channel. He was watching the news.
The anchor began to speak the main headlines of the day: "And we are starting another afternoon edition of Kanto News. As a highlight of the day we have an exclusive report on the immigration season of bird Pokémon towards the Sevii Islands. Update on the case Viridian's Pokémon Center Robbery: Videotape reveals identity of thieving pair. Rocket team, investigation into criminal organization may reveal clues to the faction leader... "
In the middle of his reverie, Ash didn't notice Nurse Joy say, "Next!"
When he looked straight ahead he saw that the line had disappeared. Now there was only him standing in the middle of the center.
He quickened his pace and walked towards the nurse.
"Welcome to the Viridian Pokemon Center, how can I help?"
"I'm staying in town for a few days, I need a room."
The woman started typing on the computer keyboard.
"I need your name and your ID number."
Ash grabbed his trainer ID from his backpack and showed it to her.
After writing everything down, she said, "All right, you'll be staying in Room 3. Have a nice stay!"
Then she gave him a key.
Ash put it in his pocket.
"Thank you!, " he thanked.
Then he turned and walked towards Luna, who was lying on one of the Center's sofas while snoring loudly. People looked at the Pokémon's lack of politeness letting out slight rumbles.
"Wake up," Ash said shaking the Pokemon.
She opened her eyes.
"If you want to sleep that much, why don't you get in the Pokeball?", asked Ash.
"I already said I don't want to."
Ash rolled his eyes.
He walked over to a downtown PC and typed in his username and password. His contact list popped up on the screen.
I need to call Oak.
As soon as he called, he was answered.
"Ash, good to see you again," Oak said through the screen.
"Good morning professor, how are you?"
"As good as ever."
"Good. I just called to let you know I'm fine and I've arrived in Viridian."
"I imagine you're looking forward to your first gym battle."
"Too much."
"Good to know". Ash realized that Oak wanted to say something.
"What about Clefairy?"
Ash changed his expression: "I'd rather not talk about it..."
He noticed that Oak was opening some drawers.
"Something wrong?," Ash asked.
"What? Ham? Nothing. Actually..."
He left the screen for a moment. Then he appeared again. In his hand he held a pokeball. "The Silph Company recently launched a beta testing period. They created an artificial pokemon called Porygon, you may not know it as it was only recently created. ."
Ash perked up at the mention of the fact.
"I wanted to give the Porygon to my grandson, but unfortunately I haven't been able to contact him for some time. So, Ash, would you accept the task of take care of him?"
Ash smiled. You don't even have to ask.
"Of course."
"Great, so I'll be transferring Pokemon via PC. I don't know if you know how Pokemon Transfer works..."
"I do know!," Ash replied.
He took an empty Pokeball and inserted it into the PC collector. The screen flickered and made some sounds for a few seconds. Then the phrase "Transfer Complete!" had been shown.
Ash took the Pokeball in his hand, barely holding back his excitement.
Now I have a new pokemon!
Oak spoke again: "You should send me frequent reports on the state of Porygon. I'll be entering them in the Pokédex database. Have a nice day Ash!"
Then he made a call to his mother. She was crying intensely on the screen, being accompanied by Mr. Mime's side. "Glad to know you're alright! My heart is even relieved."
When the call ended, he looked out the clear window and realized it was night.
"If you want to sleep so much then let's go to the bedroom," he warned Luna as he returned to the couch.
She followed him towards the stairs. They went up a corridor until they reached the corresponding room, located on the upper floors of the building.
Ash unlocked it with the key.
Inside were two bunk beds and a window looking out.
Luna flew through the air and landed on the top bed. She went back to sleep.
Ash, however, was not sleepy. He put his things in a closet and looked out the window, admiring the stars that were starting to appear in the sky.
The next day he intended to have his first Pokémon battle against a gym leader. He didn't know if he was prepared, at least not on the level he was on. His Clefairy barely obeyed him and always acted on his own, in addition to being extremely selfish.
If I look back I'm lost.
He left those thoughts behind and just looked at the stars.
When Ash woke up he noticed that the sunlight had begun to completely illuminate the room. He rubbed his eyes.
He got up and walked towards the bathroom to do his daily hygiene and changed his pajamas to his trainer clothes. When he was brushing his teeth he noticed something.
Where's Luna?
He walked out of the bathroom and looked toward the bunk bed. There was no one there.
He noticed that his keys were stuck in the lock.
She must have left without telling me first. Ash was barely awake and already stressed.
He opened the door, which was just ajar, and descended towards the first floor.
When he hurried into the lobby the first thing he asked Nurse Joy was the location of his Clefairy.
"I don't know," she replied sincerely.
And now, where did that troublemaker get into?
When he saw Luna at the buffet table eating a handful of berries he let out a sigh of relief. After all, as much as he was mad at her, it was still one of his Pokemons. He couldn't let anything bad happen.
After eating his first meal of the day, he left the Pokemon Center. He got on his bike and pedaled through the streets of Viridian towards the city gym.
When he got to the front of the gym he noticed there was a sign. "Without operation."
Are you serious!
He parked his bike and went to get some explanation.
He clapped his hands five times on the gymnasium gate before being answered.
An old man appeared opening the gates.
"Well, young boy, how can I help you?"
"Why is the gym closed?," Ash asked.
"The gym leader is out on business indefinitely. Until then there will be no battles."
How irresponsible, thought Ash. If he had a job as important as that of a gym leader he wouldn't quit his job for any reason whatsoever. After all, to participate in the Pokémon League it was mandatory to have all gym badges. But since he wasn't one at the time he couldn't help but shrug.
He turned away in time to hear the gates being closed. He walked back to his bike and sat on the saddle. However, when he was about to pedal, he heard a voice calling his name.
"Ash Ketchum, from Pallet City."
He squinted his eyes and saw Gary come walking towards him with his arms behind his back.
"I imagine you came to battle the gym leader. Too bad he's not here at the moment," he said.
"Gary Oak," replied Ash. "I didn't know you were here in town."
He smiled.
"Actually, I'm already leaving. But I'm glad I found you before I've left. I imagine you already have an initial, don't you?"
He looked at Clefairy in his bicycle basket. The Pokémon was oblivious to the conversation. "Although I'm surprised and intrigued to learn how a failure like you managed to capture a Pokémon as rare as a Clefairy."
"Yes, I do," he said, answering the first question. "And I'm not a loser!"
He grimaced.
"So it's the right time for we to have our battle. But I'll let you know that this time I won't take it easy like the teacher used to do at the pokemon school just so you don't feel like a complete loser, which you absolutely are ."
Ash turned red with anger. He pulled his cap back with determination. "I'm fucking ready, Gary."