It's off to Johto
Season 1 Episode 3
June 27th, 2011. When I open my eyes, at half past 8, I feel an incredible sense of pleasure that comes very rarely, in life. No, I wasn't having sex with R
enamon. Between a yawn and the other we get up, Riolu is happy and jumps everywhere, and so I say her to stop, because otherwise everything rumbles in
Julia's home. I get a call on the phone, it's Ylenia. Luckily it was her, because if my cousin would've called me from downstairs, I'd have gone downstairs to
make her swallow the phone.
«Mirkho, are you awake?»
«Yes, we woke up right now. We'll be quick, we change, we will make a quick check-up at my home and arrive»
«Yes, yes, don't worry, take your time, my brother is always too slow so we will take a bit. And your cousin?»
In the background I hear a sentence in which I translate directly from romagnolian: "Mind your own fucking business". I chuckle a bit, then say:
«Bho, now I see, now I prepare, then I'll go downstairs to check if she's prepared. I told her that we would wake up at this time, if she's still asleep, it means that she's a bit stupid»
«Ok. See you at 9 o'clock outside then. We can wait until half past 9, okay?»
«Well done Ylenia, you are able to plan activities! Look, there's a seat as secretary of the group, do you like it?»
«Well, come on, it wouldn't be bad, ah ah… but yeah, I would like it, wait, I take a blank notebook where I'll mark all our adventures»
«Great! I swear, I love you, Ylenia!»
«Me too, me too… come on, go to call Julia»
«I provide now. See you»
I grab my backpack, I put it on the bed and do a quick check, and so does Renamon. We give a kiss and do breakfast drinking tea. Then we change clothes, I
put a short-sleeved shirt and blue shorts with the arms of Rimini FC, Renamon a yellow T-shirt and jeans shorts, until just before the knee. We go right to
remove all light sockets and check that everything is ok. We take some food and put it in the backpacks, and a lot of money to convert to Poké. Eventually, at
about a quarter past nine, we go downstairs to my cousin. She opens the door and tells us that she is ready (thankfully!). Before going down the road, my
aunt embraces us and wishes to us good luck. When she sees Renamon, she is horrified, but I immediately reassured her that she's my girlfriend. After 5
minutes we go out and say to my grandmother (still between the balls!) that we set off for a holiday. While Julia goes to call Ylenia and Renamon takes the
bikes, Riolu once again draws my attention.
«What's going on, honey? Everything okay?» I ask her.
My Pokémon puts a paw on my chest and from it comes out a blue light that surrounds us. For a moment my eyes are wide open, but then I get excited,
because Riolu, through her aura, made me revisit the moment when, after hatching the egg, she enters in my sleeping bag and closes it (read ep. 1),
completed with a hug. I interpret this as evidence of how much she loves me, but also how our auras are very similar. Deeply moved, I hug her and fill her with
kisses, and then starts to jump a bit everywhere, while I approach the gate of Ylenia's house anxious, hoping that they are still alive (-.-). Also David reaches
us, after greeting Riolu, he gives me five. I show him the medallion that we will use to go into the Pokémon world.
Just as the girls go out the door along with James, Lucy arrives by car with her mother, who has almost invested me; good start. Now we're all here. I, James,
Ylenia, Julia, Renamon, Lucy and David, all with their backpacks. A beautiful sun that is rising in the sky begins to warm slightly the air with its rays,
accompanied by classical light morning breeze in summer, and everything makes us feel really good. All of us hug, in turn, the various parents. My family misses,
because my mother preferred to stay in Serravalle Sesia, a small, horrible town in north Italy with my father, who found a job there. After greeted the parents,
we put ourselves in line, military style.
«James, we are ready. The first city of the Johto region is…?»
I knew which one it was, I just wanted to let it say to him.
«New Bark Town»
«Perfect! Get ready»
My heart was beating fast when I take the medallion in my hand. I pronounce "New Bark Town", and immediately the portal opens. The parents are amazed,
but in any case they start to applaud happy.
«The next time we meet we'll tell you everything from the beginning!» I tell them.
We greet all one last time, then we put ourselves on bicycles and we set off in the portal. We all scream a bit as if they were on the iSpeed or Katun in
Mirabilandia. I don't, because I'm used, having used the portal at least a dozen times. We find ourselves in the main square of the small village, which will be
roughly about the same as Rivabella and Viserba together. Good thing I decided to leave early in the morning, so on our street we couldn't be seen by anyone,
and even here in New Bark Town there is virtually none. I crashed on the ground with the bicycle (luckily we were partially hidden behind a building and
therefore no one hasn't noticed), I get up and clean my hands. I help others to get up (only Ylenia didn't fall from the bicycle… the women and their keen sense
of balance!) and then, bicycle in hand, we enter the square. I take a deep breath.
«My friends (and cousin) – I announce – Welcome to New Bark Town»
We observe with pleasure the beautiful landscape, mostly typical of a country town, although the sea is very close. We stop a passer-by, and we ask for the
laboratory of Professor Elm.
«It's that building there in front of you»
«Thank you» answered Ylenia.
«Tell me, you want to become Pokémon Trainers, right?»
«Yes, it is our dream» I say.
«I hope you have a good experience. I swear you'll learn a lot more about life with a Pokémon next to you. I wish you good luck»
«Thank you, goodbye»
If only the people in our world would be so kind! Anyway, it's twenty to 10 AM, we stop at the door of the lab, park the bicycles and knock. The door is opened
by a young scientist who is obviously not Elm.
«Good morning, tell me»
«We would like to see prof. Elm if it's possible, we would like to become trainers» says James.
«Well, follow me. You have arrived at the right time, it's his free time»
He takes us to a room full of equipment where, sitting at a desk reading a newspaper, there is prof. Elm, short brown hair, classic glasses of a scientist, white
jacket and jeans.
«Professor, here are some guys who want to become trainers»
The professor looks at us and stands up.
«That's great, other people who love Pokémon ready to train them! So… one, two, three, four, five, six, seven… perfect! Come here, guys»
He brings us closer to a shelf with many Pokéballs. I step forward, but not to take a Pokémon:
«Excuse me, professor, don't give me one, I already have one, I got it from an egg given to me by a friend of mine» I've obviously lied.
«No problem. Tell me what is your name»
Everyone tells his name, after which the professor takes out six Pokéball through the shelf and opens them on a table, and shows us the Pokémon: there are a
Cyndaquil, a Totodile, a Chikorita (precisely, the three starters of Johto), an Eevee, a Pidgey and a Hoppip. What a beautiful team! I like very much Eevee and
Cyndaquil! Starts Ylenia, who chooses Eevee. The prof. Elm closes it into the Pokéball and gives it to her. Then, David chooses Hoppip. James chooses Pidgey,
Renamon takes Cyndaquil, Lucy takes Chikorita and Julia's choice is Totodile. After the distribution of the Pokémon, the professor gives us another fantastic
item that we like a lot: the Pokédex! Fantastic, is all touch-screen!
«Just turn it on, place it in front of the Pokémon you want to know the information about and it does the rest. As you can see, it's very simple» he says.
He also gives us a "Potion" spray, useful for healing injuries and Pokéball to catch Pokémon. There was no need to say it, I have played all the Pokémon games
that have come out so far… well, yes, it was just me and James, the others don't know… what a head.
«Renamon, I'm sorry… you're not human… where do you come from? Are you an alien?» asks Elm.
Look, here is the first who realizes it… to find one I had to come in the Pokémon world!
«No, no… I'm a Digimon»
«Excuse me? A Digimon? I heard about them years ago… non-human beings able to talk, they also have powers…»
«Yeah… but I'm not dangerous, you can put your soul in peace»
«Well. Take care of your Pokémon, I hope you can forge a good relationship. Good luck, every now and then call me! Bye!»
«Certainly, Professor! Goodbye!»
We leave the laboratory happy.
We sit on a bench and everyone brings out their Pokémon. Ylenia and his Eevee are next to me.
«You're so cute» says Ylenia, patting Eevee, who rubs.
«Guys, how about a battle? Who wants?» I ask.
«A b-battle? We are not experts so… look, what do you think if you and James show us one, seeing that you are good? We will look and learn» replied Lucy, as
if she felt drawn into question by force.
«Oh, okay… James, what do you say?»
«Ok, let's go…»
As soon as we take out the Pokéballs, we're stopped by the officer Jenny:
«Excuse me, you can't fight here in the square. I would advise you to leave the city, there are meadows not far from here»
«Ah ok, we're sorry, we were excited… it's our first fight» I say sheepishly.
«Really? Good luck, then… enjoy»
«Thank you… goodbye» adds James.
I turn to the others and I spread my arms:
«Well, let's move on…»
We take the bikes and we carry them by hand while we walk. Out of curiosity, I turn on the Pokédex to see how it looks like, and after the startup screen, I get
a message:
«Hello Mirkho, we welcome you in our world. On your Pokédex, we have included a program that will show you where to find the money change machines. Best
wishes for a happy adventure and fun. Dialga and Palkia»
«Oh fuck… – I look around – hey guys, James, come over here, Dialga and Palkia have sent me a message on the Pokédex!»
«Huh? What?»
We read the message and we remain all in disbelief.
«Don't you think that it could be a joke made by anyone? I don't think that Pokémon send messages»
«No Ylenia, I tell you, it's them… I met them already two times, they are able to speak telepathically. And they are two legendary, they can all! They are the
ones who control the time and space, it's thanks to them that everything is ok here, and maybe even in our world, because you see, in one way or another
they are connected»
«Ah ok, I'll have to put no more doubt your word, you're the expert, I'm sorry»
«The fact that I'm an expert doesn't mean that I'm always right… there are those times when I say emeritus shit… come on, let's see where is that machine, so
if you'll be taken by the shopping mania at least you're satisfied, you women. Hey, guys, excuse me for a moment, but… I want to try the Pokédex… Riolu, come
here a minute, I just want to try a thing»
I point the Pokédex on Riolu and a voice comes out from the device: "Riolu, Emanation Pokémon. Riolu has the power to see and understand emotions like
happiness and anger in aura waves". All accompanied by two or three photos.
«Wow, that's cool! Beautiful… come on, let's go to find that machine»
In the "map" section of the Pokédex I see a red pointer. Slowly we follow it until it leads us to a dead end. There are plates resting on each other vertically in a
corner half hidden by the plants (including the usual ivy!). One by one we take away them until we find a green machine.
«It is this. – I say with security – Come on, let's change the money before someone sees us! Dialga and Palkia have told me that we must be the only ones
who know the location of these machines, all right?»
Slowly we all change the money. Who has changed the most is my cousin, who has put in € 40, as opposed to Lucy, who has changed € 15. I've changed € 20.
When we finished, we take our bikes. Just outside the town, the girls spread out a blanket on the lawn and we begin to fight, after James had checked on the
Pokédex the moves of his Pidgey.
«Pidgey, Tackle!» he begins.
«Riolu, jump up and use Iron Tail»
Having said that, Riolu jumps pretty high, two or three somersaults and hits Pidgey with her tail. The bird gets up and, at the order of James, still uses Tackle.
This time it hits my Riolu, who falls to the ground, but fortunately gets up without any problems. Let's go on for almost ten minutes, until Pidgey collapses
exhausted after an Aura Sphere.
«Fuck, Mirkho, your Riolu knows how to use Aura Sphere? I thought that was a move that learns only after evolving into Lucario!»
«Yes, I know, I was incredulous too the first time I've seen her use it… didn't I already tell you?»
My cousin replies:
«You told it to me»
«Ah, yes… oh well, then I'll tell you… you know about the aura, which Riolu and Lucario can…»
«Yes, I saw the movie, Lucario and the Mystery of Mew, I know it clearly… and even those two episodes where Riolu appears, I heard about that kingdom…»
I caress Pidgey and give it to James.
«Bingo! That's where I wanted you to arrive… at first I assumed that the egg from where Riolu was born came from the Aura Kingdom, but I don't know
exactly… she was born with me, surely she doesn't remember»
«Oh sure… but come on, you didn't yet said when he used the first Aura Sphere»
«You're right… sorry, I have dwelt a little… it happened the night before the day of the meeting, Julia, do you remember? We have gone to Viserba with your
boyfriend and Aksenia…»
«Oh yes»
«That night I woke up between half past 2 and three o'clock because I heard a mess… I see Riolu standing on the parapet, I get closer and see two thieves
who were trying to climb the balcony… I started to laugh, seeing that Riolu sent them to home shooting them Aura Spheres in the ass!»
«Ha ha ha… no… I can't believe it… so Riolu saved your life?»
«Yes. And I will never stop to thank her, if it weren't for her, I don't know what could've happened to me and the house»
I hug Riolu, which in turn rubs her nose on my cheek.
«This confirms that our lives suck without Pokémon»
«Well, we didn't decide to become trainers for nothing, right?»
«It's true, Mirkho, you're right»
Next turn: my cousin against Lucy. My cousin triumphs after a good half hour. Then they decide to fight all at once.
«Stop, stop, stop! Guys! Pokémon battles are not an "all against all"! The challenges are only between 2 trainers! So make turns and fight. And don't take too
much time, it's almost noon and I'm a bit hungry»
«But you are always hungry, Mirkho!» says me my cousin.
«It's not my problem»
«Ah it's not yours? And whose is it then? Of my grandmother in wheelbarrow?»
«Bin Laden's»
Julia sends me to hell with a chuckle. But back to the fights. I make David fight with my girlfriend, and James with Ylenia. It all ends after about twenty minutes,
with James and Renamon's victories. Quarter past noon, we return to the town and find a restaurant. I open the menu curious about what is eaten here. There
is a nice range: spaghetti with Tamato Berry (the problem is to know which berry is because I don't remember all of them), a sandwich with Aspear Berry, a
cheese that looks squaquerone*… I choose spaghetti and Oran Berry juice while Ylenia is always attached to vegetables like my cousin, James takes a big
sandwich, Renamon choose a salad of berries, David takes a nice big pizza (yes, there's also that, but I just can't swallow it at lunch), Lucy takes some local
cheeses. We give rise to a good meal, the spaghetti are great, and the Oran Berry juice and exquisite. The waiter brings the bill: 68 ₱ (roughly $ 100), all of us
pay. We left soon after, and we decided to head to the next city that, after checking on the map, is Cherrygrove City. We pass happy through cultivated fields
and green lands, and a sweet scent wafting through the air. In the sky, so many beautiful cumulus surrounded by blue. After 5 minutes, we cross a passer-by,
who stopped in front of us and invites us to a battle. I accept, after I made an agreement with the other.
«I'm Jack»
«The name's Mirkho, nice to meet you»
We shake hands, and then we begin to fight. Jack pulls out an Umbreon from the Pokéball.
«Wow that's great! Well done, indeed!»
«Wanna start?»
«All right. Riolu, it's up to you!»
I let my Riolu out, and Jack is surprised:
«But… Am I wrong, or this Pokémon comes from Sinnoh?»
«Yes. Do you like it?»
«Beautiful. My uncle has been in the Sinnoh region last year and has seen one like this!»
«Okay, let's fight. Riolu, use Tackle»
Riolu starts to run, but she's stopped by a Shadow Ball.
«Puppy, are you okay?»
Riolu gets up immediately, looks at me and does her cry convinced.
«Great! Riolu, use Iron Tail, take aim!»
This time the speed of Riolu is amazing, and she hits Umbreon.
«Umbreon, use again Shadow Ball!»
«Riolu, avoid it, and use Aura Sphere!»
The fight type moves are super effective against dark types. After being hit, Umbreon gets up battered.
«Umbreon, you can do it! Use Tackle!»
It doesn't even have time to start running that Riolu hits it again with Iron Tail. Umbreon falls to the ground, exhausted.
«Victory!» I and Riolu hug, then we hear the applause of the rest of the group.
«You're smart, really! I'm surprised, I'm sure you'll have a very good career!»
«Thank you!» I pat his Umbreon to reassure it a bit, telling him also some sweet words.
«You're very kind and sincere. Here, this is for the battle»
Jack pulls out a banknote of 50 ₱.
«It's yours, don't worry. Greetings, I hope to see you again»
«Same for us. Bye Jack, good luck»
«Good luck to you too, bye»
We continue our way. I put the banknote in my wallet, it's light green with the holographic stripe and the number 50 drawn as the classics curlicues of girls.
«You will challenge the next we meet, Julia, okay?»
«Me? Why me? That is, it isn't because I don't want, don't misunderstand me»
«If you want to make money, this is the only way. So get ready and study your Pokémon moves. Have you seen it? Mathematics tests are most difficult than
Pokémon battles»
«Ah, that's for sure» adds James.
We go ahead quietly for half a minute, then I remind of something that I already had asked before starting the adventure:
«Hey… for the school question did you decide?»
«Well… not yet… we're still thinking about» answer David and Lucy. Same for the others (except Renamon 'cos, of course, doesn't go to school). So I'm still the
only one who decided to interrupt the studies.
«You'd better think good… it's for you guys, not for me. I've taken my decision»
«Yes, yes, don't worry» concludes Ylenia.
Shortly after, we see a sign that tells us that missing 15 km from Cherrygrove City. Happy, we go on. Ylenia brings her Eevee in the basket of her bike, which is
rather nice. I'd do it too, but my grandmother's bike hasn't anything, I decided to use it to avoid a premature rusting. Hold Riolu on the center of the bike isn't
the best thing, because it isn't one of the best feelings, the last time I did it I had to stop after 2 minutes because my ass was burning like never before. James
occasionally does monstrous wheelies… only he can do them.
After about ten minutes, we find a Pokémon unconscious on the ground. We stop, and I approach to check his condition. It's a Sentret. I slowly turn it and find
that it has a nasty wound on his stomach.
«Maybe it was attacked by some other Pokémon» I think.
«Oh, poor cutie… I'm so sorry for him» Ylenia gently pats it on the head. The poor Pokémon moans slightly.
«Wait, I try to give it this»
I take the Potion and spray it on the wound. We observe with pleasure that the wound heals at an impressive rate, after less than half a minute you couldn't
see hardly anything.
«Shit, this stuff is portentous!» I comment.
The Sentret opens its eyes and looks us a bit scared. To let it know that we were good, I slowly stretch out a hand to it, that sniffs slightly.
«Quiet, don't be afraid, we found you on the ground and so we rescued you. Don't be afraid, you're in good hands. Come on, keep this»
I offer it an Oran Berry. Sentret eats it all in a second.
«Do you feel better?»
Sentret rubs on me happily.
«Do you belong already to a trainer? Are you lost?»
It looks at me and its eyes sad and nods.
«Okay, we'll make sure you find your trainer»
Sentret jumps on me, then it mounts on my back. We get back on the road and continue.
«Mirkho, now what will you do with Sentret?» asks me my cousin.
«First of all, when we get to Cherrygrove City, we'll take it to a Pokémon Center, then we'll call the police»
«Ah ok, perfect. How far is Cherrygrove City?»
I check the map on the Pokédex.
«Not much, a dozen kilometers, more or less»
A little further on we meet a lady with her son in a wheelchair, we greet her and continue our ride. Five minutes later, a Pokémon suddenly passes in front of us
at the speed of light. James and I recognize it right away, with much astonishment:
«But… but that's…»
«…Suicune!»
I take the binoculars:
«Uh… yes yes, it's Suicune… it's just amazing…»
«Where is he going, Mirkho?»
«I don't know, James, I'm looking… well, he sat over there… it's looking us! Now it's lying…»
«What are you going to do?»
«Ah, sure we're not going to break its balls now… let it relax. The Legendary Pokémon are very powerful, if you don't want to die, let them alone. It almost
invested my bike, landed at about twenty centimeters from the wheel! It's a Pokémon that I love so much, just great»
Then I get a call. First I turn to my cousin, to make sure that it isn't her (you never know), then I look at the sender: Silvia, one of my former classmates at the
elementary school.
«Hi Silvia, tell me»
«Hello Mirkho! I came to your house, but there are neither you nor your cousin… I found Michaela who told me that you have gone into the Pokémon world… I
thought "what?"… I hope it's a joke, knowing her…»
«It's a long story, Silvia, I'll explain as soon as I can… but tell me, what's going on?»
«I wanted to know if you were interested in a class dinner, in a week or two… what do you think?»
«Uhm… yes, I agree, now I ask the others and let you know»
«Okay… hey, I've also ringed by David and Ylenia but there isn't anyone… where the hell did you all finished?»
«They're with me»
«With you in the Pokémon world?»
«Well… yes. For a while, you will not see us in Rimini»
«Oh fuck… I don't believe… and for the class dinner then?»
«Don't worry, we'll be back, just tell us the day»
«O-Okay… okay»
«Look, I'll send you some pictures… hey Julia, you who have the MMS promotion, send the photos with the Pokémon to Silvia, so she's quiet… ok, you tell me
the day and we let you know as soon as possible»
«Ok… then I'll send you a message… goodbye and have fun… whatever you're doing…»
«Thank you Silvia, bye bye»
I close the call, put the phone in my pocket and my cousin asks me:
«So, how did she react?»
«She told me that she had come to our home and found Michaela who told her that we went to the Pokémon world, and there she remained horrified… she
asked her if she was okay…»
«And believe it! She also knows that my sister is senile!»
«Anyway… listen to me, guys… Silvia would like to do a class dinner with all of us of our class at the elementary school, I begin to ask you here… Lucy, Ylenia,
David, Julia, Renamon if you want to come we welcome you, despite you didn't come to school with us… what do you think?»
«For us, that's fine, just tell us the day she wants to do it… we don't have nothing to do this summer» answers Ylenia.
«That's what I told, I only have to know the day… Renamon, would you want to join us?»
«Of course I want, honey. I'd like it!» she gives me a peck on the cheek.
Julia has never been my classmate, because she's my cousin (if you are a member of the same family, you can't be in the same class, at least in Italy), but she
comes with us because there are all the others, but it's not a problem, despite she always breaks my balls, I'm happy that she's with us.
«Ok, let's wait when she'll tell us the date and the place, then we will plan better»
We continue the travel. Now we're not far from Cherrygrove City, we begin to see the first buildings. Every now and then someone nibbles something, some
chips or a sandwich brought from home filled with an entire industry of bologna (!), or Oran Berries (that's me!).
«Come on, let's reach Cherrygrove City before dinner huh… it's all afternoon that we're on the bicycles… I still have the Sentret on my shoulders, which is not
light»
«Come on, stop lamenting…» says me my cousin beckoning me to continue.
After a couple of turns, we see a character well known:
«Look at that girl, James… she's Misty!»
«Wow… it's her for real! Let's go to greet her?»
«Of course!»
We give two more shots on the pedals and we stop next to her:
«Hello! You are Misty, right?»
«Yes, it's me… but how do you know my name?»
«I'm a friend of Ash, he told me about you, I couldn't wait to meet you!»
«Oh? Wow, well… how is he? I heard that he's challenging Sinnoh gyms»
«He's all right… he won his eighth medal in Sinnoh, you know? In a little he will challenge the Pokémon League, and he'd like it if you could go to see him»
«Sure, I'll be there. You are…?»
«My name is Mirkho, nice to meet you»
Also James presents himself.
«And these are my friends… together we are traveling through the Johto region»
«Wow, I wish you good luck and greet Ash for me if you will see him again»
«Of course! Oh, Misty, do you want to challenge one of us?»
«Yes. It's not a bad idea. Who wants?»
«Ah, excuse me, if I propose one who has the grass type is not a problem, right? We've just started, they are not experienced…»
«Not at all, go ahead. After all, I am a former gym leader, right?»
«Ok. David, it's up to you, good luck»
«All right, here I am»
David lets his Hoppip out, while Misty sends on Starmie. As they begin to fight, I whisper to James:
«You know? I've never understood Pokémon like Staryu and Starmie»
«Well, me neither… they're somewhat enigmatic and ambiguous»
«By the way, when they're exhausted they beep such as parking sensor machine»
«Yeah… it's the only thing that we knew about them!»
After a few minutes, I notice that David is still using Tackle, and I try to give him a tip:
«David, excuse me, but I don't believe that Hoppip knows only Tackle. Check your Pokédex, the professor didn't give it to you for nothing»
«Yeah, sorry. So… ah, well, Tackle, Stun Spore and Vine Whip»
«Wow, man! Stun Spore and Vine Whip make a mess with water types! Come on!»
Good thing I told him, because after that I've intervened, he firstly paralyzed Starmie with Stun Spore, then finished it with Vine Whip. David is very happy, and
he's right (but thanks to my help!).
«Your friend is good, really» says Misty, reaching us.
«Well, little by little we learn»
«Yeah, everything has its time. From which city do you come?»
I answer with a little calmness:
«Well, actually… we come from the real world…»
«What? From the real world?! Wow, I heard about that world by prof. Oak… I always wanted to meet people of the real world, thanks for having stopped me,
eh eh! However, I've just been defeated by one of you, so I assume that you are formidable. Mirkho, is that Sentret yours?»
«Huh? No, no, we found it recently injured on the ground, our intention is to take it to the Pokémon Center of Cherrygrove City to heal it and return it to its
trainer»
«This is a good thing. Who knows, maybe we'll meet again one day»
«I hope so. We continue to Cherrygrove City, then, it's now time for dinner and I'm really hungry… bye Misty!»
«Goodbye, boys, good luck! Goodbye!»
Misty continues on her road, and so do we. Finally, after another 10 minutes, we enter Cherrygrove City. The first thing we do is, as decided, to go to a
Pokémon Center to heal Sentret. While we wait, I and James decided to go to use the videophone to call Ash.
«Did he give you his number?»
«Obvious, otherwise I wouldn't call him!»
I dial the number, and after a few seconds he replies:
«Hey Mirkho… what a pleasure to see you again! Where are you?»
«I'm at Cherrygrove City, in the Johto region»
«Oh? Then you start from Johto?»
«Yes. I brought from my world some friends of mine who are interested in living my own adventure»
«Wow, good»
«One is here, as you see. He is James»
«Hi Ash, nice to meet you» he says, pushing me all the time to be seen.
«Hello James, the pleasure is all mine. Good luck to you for your adventure»
«Thank you Ash»
«The others are eating. Tonight we will sleep here at the Pokémon Center»
«All right, you guys have traveled all the day, you deserve a rest»
«Thanks. Oh, by the way, we met Misty, she greets you»
«Really? Return the greetings, how is she?»
«Very fine. One of us has also challenged and defeated her!»
«Wow! That's great!»
«Ok. Bye, Ash, I have some business to attend to. I close, see you soon»
«Bye, Mirkho, I wish you all the luck in the world for your fights in the gym! Bye James, say hello to everyone»
«It will be done! Bye!» closes James.
We close the call and we reach the others. Just when we finish eating, nurse Joy calls me and returns me the Sentret. I thank her, then James and I go out,
after telling the others to stay here. Let's go to the police station, which is about 200 meters from the Pokémon Center.
«Officer Jenny» I call.
«Tell me»
«We found this Sentret along the way to Cherrygrove City. He was wounded and unconscious on the ground. We would like to know if you can contact its
trainer to make sure that they return back together»
«Uhm… ok, let me take a look at the list of the disappeared Pokémon… – browses some pages – let's see… ah here! A man called Alfred from Ecruteak City
denounced the disappearance of a Sentret yesterday, maybe this is it. Wait, I immediately contact him»
«Thank you, Officer Jenny»
«You're welcome»
She takes the telephone and enter the number written next to the name of the owner of Sentret.
«Mr. Alfred? Good evening, I'm Officer Jenny. I'm calling from the police station of Cherrygrove City, some boys have found your Sentret while they were coming
to town, and they brought it here with them… we await your arrival. Goodbye»
«So?»
«He's coming. Guys, thank you very much for what you have done»
«That's nothing, we just try to be helpful. Anyway, if its trainer is from Ecruteak City, how can that Pokémon arrive from that place? That city isn't around the
corner»
«You're right, Mirkho, he must have struggled and suffered a lot…»
About 5 minutes later a man in his fifties arrives at the door.
«Are you Alfred?» asks Officer Jenny.
«Yes, I am… where's my Sentret?»
I step forward:
«Here it is, safe and sound»
«Oohh… here you are…»
The two hug happy. After that, the man comes to us:
«I'll never thank you enough… I was worried… I have to repay your kindness, these are 100 Poké-to-head, you deserved them»
«Wow, thank you so much!» we both rejoice.
«No, thanks to you, don't worry»
Accompanying him out of the station, we discover that he came to Cherrygrove City aboard a Pidgeot. While he takes off, I whisper to James:
«One day you will need to manage that bird huh»
Yes, because Pidgeot is the final evolution of Pidgey.
«I can't wait! Being able to fly from place to place when I want… exciting!»
«All right, but you shouldn't take advantage of the Pokémon always just for your convenient huh… they are our friends, and are more good than humans!»
«Yes, yes I know, I'm sorry but I haven't expressed myself well, it's obvious that you're right»
We go back happy to the Pokémon Center, where we find others to play Angry Birds with James' iPad, who rightly tells them that they could also have alerted
him. A few minutes later, nurse Joy announces:
«There's a call for Mirkho! A call for Mirkho!»
I reach her:
«It's me»
«You have a call from Volkner, Gym Leader of Sunyshore City in Sinnoh»
«Oh? Maybe he wants to see me…»
I go to the videophone:
«Hello Volkner, is a pleasure to see you again… how's it going?»
«Hello Mirkho… great, you?»
«Very well… like I said, I'm with my friends of the real world»
«Wow, you're in company, then. If you plan to make a stop in the Sinnoh region one day, I am here waiting for you»
«Sure, one day or another we get there! Rather… how did you know I was here?»
«Ash told it to me, I called him to see if he knew where you were, because until a few days ago you were together»
«Ah, yes… I had joined them because I was just arrived into this world, you know… let's say… I wanted to know the way things are»
«You have done well, Ash, Brock and Dawn are three good guys»
«Well, tell me, I'm all ears»
Listen, Mirkho… my Jolteon lately has become a bit nostalgic… I think it misses you… it's always sad»
«Uh… really?»
«Yes, I think so, so I wanted to know if that's not a problem for you to take care of it…»
«Me? I mean… do you want to give it to me?»
«Of course, if it's for its well-being, I'm happy to give it to you»
«And then what will you do with a Pokémon less?»
«Don't worry, I have my reservations, I will replace it with a nice Magnezone»
«Oh, ok then»
«What do you say, I proceed with the transfer?»
To the right of the screen I see that machinery used to "teleport" the Pokéballs.
«Okay, let's proceed»
«Well, look on your right; in a few seconds you should get the Pokéball»
In less than ten seconds, from a red beam I see a Pokéball.
«It arrived. Thank you, Volkner»
«You're welcome. Good luck to everyone»
After he closed the call, I let Jolteon out.
«Hello, my puppy, I'm very happy to see you again!»
Jolteon, as usual, jumps on me and knocks me out.
«Ha ha… be quiet, Jolteon… from now on we will travel together, ok? We will never part»
It continues to lick. Then rushes James, attracted by the cries of Jolteon:
«Mirkho, what's going on? Are you having sex with that Jolteon?»
«What the fuck are you saying, stupid… this is my new Pokémon, Jolteon»
«Oh, did you catch another one? And you didn't say anything to us?»
«I didn't capture it… it has been given to me»
«Who gave it to you?»
«Volkner, the Gym Leader of Sunyshore City»
«What?! Did you know him?»
«Yes! On the day of my first time in this world! I remember that I and Jolteon are fond immediately,
then just now Volkner called me and told me that Jolteon was not well without me and we agreed… but Jolty now get up huh»
I get up and go Jolteon back with the others, and I present Jolteon to them. I close it into the Pokéball, and then I go out to walk around here. From a map I
assume that Cherrygrove City is big about as much as the historical center of Rimini. Arrived in the main square of the city, I have the honor to meet Falkner,
the Gym Leader of Violet City!
«Hello! Are you Valerio, the Violet City Gym Leader?»
«Yes, I am. Tell me»
«Here, I would like to challenge you for a badge when I get to Violet City»
«Well. Today I am in Cherrygrove City because there is a party town and I don't want to miss… we will meet at Violet City»
«Okay. Ah, Falkner, it's not just me, there are seven of us who would like to challenge you»
«Oh my Arceus… he he… don't worry, luckily I have the week off. You are…?»
«Mirkho»
«Mirkho… I swear that I've never heard anyone with this name… oh well, we'll meet when you arrive at Violet City, got it?»
«Got it»
«Then with your friends we'll plan the week, okay?»
«Ok. Bye Falkner»
«Bye Mirkho, I recommend you to be prepared»
«Sure!»
I return to the Pokémon Center and give the news to the others:
«Hey, guys, I met the Violet City Gym Leader»
«Oh? What's he like?» asks Lucy.
«Blue hair, young man, his clothes are not bad… he's specialized in flying type Pokémon»
«So? What Pokémon is best to use?»
«Pokémon perfect against the flying types are the electric types, like my Jolteon, but they're also good fire types, if in good wellness. To avoid, because they
have a disadvantage, are the fighting types, as my Riolu, or grass types like yours, Lucy and David. Well, it's not forbidden to use them, but it's hard to win with
a weak-type Pokémon»
«And then we have to capture other?» asks David.
«Yes, do what you want, it's not me who tells you what Pokémon to capture. Of course you have to beat the wild Pokémon first, then launch them the
Pokéball»
«Okay, thanks for the advice. You don't mind if we go out to look around here, right?»
«Agree, but come back before we go to bed»
«Of course we come back… we can't live without you»
Is she serious or what…?
Ylenia, Renamon, Lucy and David come out. Julia and I go out to smoke a cigarette while James sits to play again with the iPad.
«According to you, will they find something?» asks Julia.
«I hope for them. It's getting dark, I don't know what they are going to do»
«If you want my opinion, if they would waited for tomorrow or another day, it was better»
«It's obvious that they can't wait… and they wanna be prepared. I'm also a little nervous, thinking that I will have to challenge the first gym leader, but good or
bad I can contain myself. But you are calm, relaxed, you don't show any signs of nervousness»
«Obvious, I'm smoking and I'm totally stoned, after the great ride today… it seemed for me to do the entire Giro d'Italia**…»
«Oh, I know it's hard, I've always been a slacker, you know… but for Pokémon I'd do that and more. You should adapt, because from now on it will be so
almost every day»
«Oh, hell, no… well, nevermind, let's return to keep company to James»
We start to play with Fruit Ninja, where I beat James' record. Then, leaving the other two to play, I ask the nurse Joy some information about this party town.
«It's the summer party, we do it every year in late June, there are dances, concerts and many
markets»
Ah, that's why I saw outside all the stalls and tents in preparation…
«Ok, I'm looking forward to attending the party»
I decide to don't completely put my stuff in the drawers, the next day, after the summer party, we will leave the city. I settle only the phone on the nightstand
and in a drawer I put my notebook. Beds are arranged side by side in our room (there are 2 floors with three rooms, each with 5 bunk beds, the ones that I
love so much, making a final bill there are more than 60 bed places), I choose one and I sit on it, and I put my backpack next to the nightstand. I have always
wanted to stay over in the bunk beds, I find them more comfortable. Then I turn on the TV, curious to know what they air in this world; the only thing that
makes me feel relieved is that there isn't Italian television, 'cos it's all a shit. I switch a couple of channels and find a program that I think to know:
«Of course! This is the famous prof. Oak's Pokémon Talk… well, at least I know it…»
It's a program where Professor. Oak, the Pokémon world's biggest expert, explains the nature of the Pokémon in detail. I watch it for 2 minutes, then I switch
again to see what else there is. I find, after a few channels, the live broadcast of a soccer game where, between the players, I also find some Pokémon in
human form. I'm incredulous, I swear, until now I had only seen them in the drawings, when I was in the real world. I try to understand what match it is:
«Um… "Chg" could it be Cherrygrove City? And "Mat"… Mahogany Town?»
I find confirmation of the acronyms a minute later, when I see, on the bottom of the screen, the score with the names: the match is, as I thought, Cherrygrove
City FC – Mahogany Town FC, and is winning 2-1 Cherrygrove City. That's nice, they have a soccer league here, and there are no Pay TV such as Sky, it's all for
free. It's obvious that here are smarter than in the real world. I'm sorry, dear Professor Oak, but if there's a soccer game, I don't move from here. My eyes are
focusing on an anthro Umbreon who plays on offense in Mahogany Town, and right now hits a crossbar with a shot from outside the box. His name appears:
Kuro Umbreon.
«Wow, Kuro… what a name… I wonder if he could come in the real world and play with Rimini FC, I imagine him very well»
Then a symbol appears before a replay, with a circle crossed diagonally from right to left, to the left colored green and to the right colored orange, and says
"PokéLeague 1".
«"PokéLeague 1"? Well… maybe it's like our A-Series…»
Then ends the first half, and I take this opportunity to put the pajamas on. Outside it was already dark.
«I really hope the girls come back soon, it's dark now…»
Just when I get up, James and Julia arrives.
«Wow… what a beautiful room» says my cousin.
«Oh, you're watching TV? What's that here?»
«I was watching a soccer game, it's just finished the first half, James, the match is Cherrygrove City – Mahogany Town and are winning the hosts 2-1»
«Wow, do they have a soccer league here?»
«Well, it seems so, even if I don't understand why they play in late June… maybe their sporting calendar includes a calendar year»
«And then you want to watch the game?»
«I don't feel obliged… in another channel there's prof. Oak with his Pokémon Talk, if you are interested, I switch to that channel»
«No… not now, I watch the match, let's see how is the soccer of this world»
«I hope that at least here there isn't Calciopoli*** or something… but I'm confident, these are typical things of our world. However, even if we are here, I
would also like to see some news, this world is our home now, so…»
«Yes, I understand. But don't overdo it, you who are a news maniac»
«Don't worry…»
Then, I feel the bed dancing, I get up and I see that my Pokémon, which I had left free, are playing on the mattress.
«Riolu, Jolteon, not on the bed, please. Do it on the ground if you want to play»
I help them get off and they restart playing on the floor. It begins the second half of the game, and so James sees the anthro Pokémon.
«Oh shit… but Pokémon can assume the human form?»
«As far as we see, I think so… but who knows what mysteries are behind that, if I spend time to think about it, I'll finish up with a stroke… let's live our life as
trainers as long as we can»
At the 10th minute of the 2nd half, the Mahogany Town FC equalized with "my" Kuro.
«Oh look at him… I would take him to Rimini willingly, James… what do you say?»
«Ah… eh, not bad, really»
Then the others arrive.
«Oh, good evening… what are the news?»
«Look what I found» says David, and launching the Pokéball almost on me, lets his new Pokémon out.
«Come on… a Pichu? How cute…»
I pick it up and cuddle a bit, then Lucy wants to introduce her Pokémon. She grabs the Pokéball, but before launching, it falls from her hand.
«Wow… good start…»
She lets it out, what she caught isn't one of my favorite Pokémon, but that's okay.
«It's an Elekid, good. Train them carefully and make them learn their moves, I remind you that you have to challenge a gym leader» says James.
«And you, honey? What did you catch?» I ask Renamon.
She sits on my legs and lets out her: a beautiful Vulpix!
«Wow! How nice it is! Do you want to specialize in fire types, Rena?»
«Well, it's not a bad idea, we'll see»
Vulpix jumps on my girlfriend's legs and we pat it.
«When it evolves it becomes a Ninetales… not a bad Pokémon at all eh! As your Cyndaquil, its final evolved form is a crazy beast»
«I know. I hope to do well»
«Ylenia, just missing you… wanna show us your Pokémon?»
«Of course, I took a Voltorb»
«Voltorb? Holy shit… if you let out it… please don't do it here»
«Why?»
«James, can you tell her…?»
«Ah huh… because Voltorb, when it gets angry, it explodes»
«Oh fuck… I will pay attention then»
I get up and, still with my eyes glued to the soccer match, I say to the others:
«How about if we go to bed? It's dark now, we should better stay here, today we did a great pedaling, and I'm tired»
«All right…» they all agree.
I wear my pajamas and I slip under the covers, with Jolteon under my arm and Riolu on me. In less than five minutes we turn off the light and, after the match,
even the TV (ah, the Mahogany Town FC then won, thanks to Kuro!). Our first night in the Pokémon world… I think back to the last day, when we woke up and
when we said goodbye to our parents, since we went through the portal until now. And it's only the first in a long series of days to spend here. At the end of
this thought, from my bottom zone starts a not pleasing sound. James starts to laugh like a madman, but my cousin, however, is always serious:
«Listen to me, don't make us die of asphyxiation»
«Don't worry. At least I hope…!»
In the end we fall asleep happy. Jolteon and Riolu sleep already, I give them a kiss and close my eyes. Tomorrow, I really don't want to miss this summer
festival. I wanna dance.
THE END
*squaquerone= typical cheese of the Romagna region, in north Italy
**Giro d'Italia= tour made by bike of all Italy. It's like the Tour de France or the Vuelta (in Spain)
***Calciopoli= literally "Soccer Town", it's the name of a match-fixing scandal happened in Italy in 2006, and because of this many soccer teams got penalizations