AUTHOR"S NOTE: Greetings, readers! Here's chapter 3 of Tristan and Hillary's adventures. This one is shorter, but there will be longer ones as the story progresses. I'm going to try and post a teaser every time I post a chapter because I think it will get more readers into it. I hope you enjoy. As always, please review and provide feedback.

TEASER: Tristan and Hillary have left the comforts of New Bark Town and Johto behind them. They have journeyed to Pallet Town in the Kanto region and made a new friend, who happens to be Tristan's very first Pokémon-Pikachu. They have now left Pallet Town to start their very first journey across the Kanto region to catch, train, and battle new Pokémon while making new friends and forging new rivalries along the way. They have now set their sights on their first destination-Viridian City, but when Tristan finds a Pokémon, will he have the skills to catch it? Tristan and Hillary also learn about the services of a popular convenience for Pokémon Trainers the world over-the Pokémon Center.

Chapter 3: THE FIRST STEPS

(Music Cue: Opening & Title Screen 1997-1998 as heard in "The Battle of the Badge"))

Last time, Tristan and his sister, Hillary, made it to Pallet Town to begin their new journey when who should appear but Professor Oak, who caught a Pikachu. In no time, Tristan chose Pikachu, a Pokémon that didn't like traveling inside a Pokéball. Then, they participated in their first Pokémon battle against another Trainer named Blue and won on their first try. Together, they all set off toward their first destination: Viridian City. What surprises will be awaiting them?


(Music Cue: Route 1: The Road to Viridian City (M18) (as heard in "The School of Hard Knocks"))

As Tristan, Hillary, and their friend, Pikachu, made their way north to Viridian City, via Route 1, they found themselves going around ledges and through tall grass. They were very excited about the many experiences and the new Pokémon they would find along the way.

"I wonder what kind of Pokémon we're going to see first?" said Tristan.

"Who knows?" replied Hillary. "Maybe we'll find a strong Pokémon."

"Or even better, a rare Pokémon," added Tristan.

"Or, if we're really lucky, a Pokémon that's both strong AND rare," finished Hillary.

"Well, there are many Pokémon out there. One of these days, we're sure to see them all," said Tristan.

Just then, a small bodied avian Pokémon with wings and a beak jumped out of the grass in front of Tristan and Hillary.

"Cool! What's that?" asked Hillary excitedly.

"Let's see," said Tristan, as he quickly got out his Pokédex named Dexter, and scanned the Pokémon.

"Pidgey: The Tiny Bird Pokémon," said Dexter. "This docile Pokémon is the gentlest and the easiest Flying-Type Pokémon to capture. It is the perfect target for the beginning Pokémon Trainer to test his Pokémon's skills."

"Come on, Tristan!" said Hillary. She wanted to see Tristan catch the Pidgey. "Hurry and grab it! Hurry and grab it!"

"Not so fast, Hillary," said Tristan, stopping her. "I want to see what else Dexter says." He continued looking at the Pokédex.

"Pidgey's Gust attack has the capability to create tornadoes," continued Dexter. "It also has a Sand-Attack."

"That's why you stopped me?" asked Hillary impatiently. "You wanted to stop me from having fun in the sand?"

"I just didn't want you to get blown away," persisted Tristan. "Now if you'll excuse me, I have a Pidgey to catch." He turned to his Pikachu. "Are you ready, Pikachu?"

(Music Cue: Let's Run! (as heard the third time in "Friend and Foe Alike"))

"Pika!" Pikachu responded, and jumped in front of Tristan, ready to battle.

Tristan had never caught a Pokémon before, but he remembered Professor Oak's advice in his mind.

"Remember to battle wild Pokémon and weaken them before you catch them," he had said. "They'll be much easier to catch when you do."

Tristan then turned his attention to the wild Pidgey. If he was successful, this would be his first Pokémon catch.

Just then, Pidgey flapped its wings and rapidly started kicking up sand in Pikachu's direction. Pidgey was using Sand-Attack.

"Pikachu, jump and use Thundershock!" Tristan ordered.

Pikachu jumped into the air over the flying sand and began gathering the electricity from the sacs in its cheeks. Then it concentrated the electricity into one yellow lightning bolt, and shot it directly at Pidgey. At the last second, however, Pidgey climbed quickly and dodged the attack. It rapidly flapped it wings and shot a huge gust of wind at Tristan, causing him to fall into Hillary. They both collapsed from knocking each other out. Pidgey flew away at the first chance it got.


"Ow," moaned Tristan and Hillary together as they struggled to their feet sometime later.

"Pika," moaned Pikachu.

The last thing they all remembered was facing that Pidgey in a battle and it totally blew them away.

"That was one gutsy Pidgey," said Hillary. "Boy, was it strong!"

"Well, I like guts, and that would definitely improve my chances at getting stronger, right?" said Tristan. "Having a Pidgey on hand would greatly improve my capabilities as a Trainer. I say we grab it!"

"But we can't just grab Pidgey with out bare hands, Tristan," said Hillary. "It's too risky."

"I'm not saying that we will actually just grab it," replied Tristan. "I'm saying that we need to battle a Pokémon with another Pokémon in order to catch it. I'm sticking with that strategy because I'm either going to catch that Pidgey fair and square or not at all. Come on, Pikachu. Let's go get that Pidgey."

(Music Cue: Chaos)

"Pika!" said Pikachu in agreement, and they both dashed off to find the Pidgey with Hillary in hot pursuit, but not for long, for just then, that very same Pidgey that blew them away appeared right in their faces. All three friends were taken aback by the sudden appearance of that very same Pidgey.

"What's the idea of sneaking up on us like that, Pidgey?" demanded Tristan.

Pidgey just cooed. Tristan didn't understand what that meant, but knew that he wanted that Pidgey. But before he could issue a Thundershock from Pikachu, Pidgey started pecking the top of Tristan and Hillary's heads, then it focused on Pikachu's head. The pecking felt like a bunch of bee stings.

"Ow ow ow ow ow!" shouted Tristan and Hillary as they tried to run away from the repetitive pecking Pidgey was doing.

Now, Tristan was angry. "Pikachu, Thundershock!" ordered Tristan.

Pikachu shot a yellow stream of lightning at the Pidgey, but Pidgey climbed quickly, causing Tristan and Hillary to take the shock instead.

"Not us, Pikachu!" shouted Tristan and Hillary as they felt the shocking aftermath of Pikachu's attack.

Pikachu stopped its attack as Tristan and Hillary fell to the ground exhausted from the ordeal. Pidgey laughed and flew away to rest for its next battle. Tristan and Hillary were dazed and confused. Pikachu scratched its head.

"What just happened?" asked Tristan, who was still reeling from the shock.

"I think the Pidgey clipped our wings," said Hillary.

"This is definitely for the birds," added Tristan.


Tristan and Hillary were thinking of other ideas to try and catch the Pidgey after their last two attempts failed.

"There's got to be something we can do, but what?" said Tristan. "That Pidgey is certainly driving us up a tree."

"Up a tree?" said Hillary. Just then, her face brightened up and she snapped her fingers. "That's it! Tristan, you're a genius!"

"Uh, I am?" said Tristan. He was puzzled at why she said that.

"Yes!" said Hillary. "Follow me!"

She dashed off with Tristan and Pikachu not far behind. Hillary led them to a large tree and instructed them to follow her up.

"Oh, boy," said Tristan, who was rather annoyed. "Me and my big ideas. When I said 'up a tree,' I didn't mean we would CLIMB up a tree.

"Trust me, big bro," said Hillary. "This is our big chance. If we climb this tree and see the Pidgey coming, we can plot a sneak attack on it and..."

"Remember, I want to catch it fair and square," interrupted Tristan.

"I know that," said Hillary, "but if you instruct your Pikachu to use Quick Attack on that Pidgey from above, then you can battle it and catch it. Remember that you're the trainer, and I'm the one giving advice."

"That's a good point," said Tristan.

Just then, the Pidgey flew into view and landed on the ground below. It started pecking at the ground.

"There it is, Tristan," whispered Hillary. "Now's your chance!"

"Right," said Tristan. "Pikachu, Quick Attack now!"

(Music Cue: Kanto Wild Pokémon Battle)

Pikachu dove down on the Pidgey with a white line trailing behind it and scored a direct hit on it, causing it to fall to the ground. But Pidgey quickly got back up just in time to see Tristan and Hillary jump from a high tree branch to the ground and land on their feet.

"Okay, Pidgey, playtime's over!" shouted Tristan. "It's time to catch you once and for all!" He turned to Pikachu. "Go get it, Pikachu!"

Pikachu charged toward Pidgey while Pidgey flew in for a Tackle attack.

"Pikachu, give it a Thundershock!" ordered Tristan.

Pikachu jumped out of the way of Pidgey's Tackle attack and shot a yellow stream of electricity toward Pidgey. Pidgey climbed quickly and avoided the attack. Next, Pidgey furiously flapped its wings for a Gust attack. Pikachu found it hard to manage, but hung in there. Tristan and Hillary hung tightly to the tree to avoid getting blown away again. Pidgey kicked up sand for a Sand-Attack and aimed it toward Pikachu. The sand covered its eyes. Pikachu rubbed them to try to get the sand out, but to no avail.

"This is bad!" said Hillary. "How's Pikachu going to aim its Thundershock if it can't see?"

"Pikachu, you can't aim your Thundershock at Pidgey with your eyes!" called Tristan. "Lock into its position by listening for the sound of its wings!"

Pikachu pricked up its ears to try and listen for Pidgey's wings. Pidgey was closing in on Pikachu and was getting ready to finish it off. But when it flapped its wings, Pikachu was able to listen for them, and shot a Thundershock at it, scoring a direct hit in the process. Pidgey fainted on the spot.

"Why did that attack defeat that Pidgey in one hit?" asked Hillary.

"Maybe Dexter knows," replied Tristan. He took out his Pokédex.

"Flying-Type Pokémon have a huge disadvantage against Electric attacks," it said.

"That explains why Pikachu's Thundershock attack knocked that Pidgey out in one hit," said Hillary.

"Right," said Tristan. He took a Pokéball out of his pocket and pressed the button, causing it to grow to the size of a baseball. "Pokéball, go!" He threw the Pokéball at the Pidgey.

The ball's button hit Pidgey, causing it to transform into red energy as the ball opened.

Pidgey was pulled inside the ball, which then closed, then landed on the ground. The ball wiggled as the button flashed on and off for a few seconds. Tristan held his breath in suspense while Pikachu stood by, ready to attack again in case the Pidgey broke out.

But fortunately, the light stopped flashing and the ball clicked, signaling to him that the Pidgey had been caught.

"Now that the Pokéball has stopped," said Tristan, as he picked it up and raised it toward the sky, "I caught my very first Pokémon!"

"Pi-Pikachu!" said Pikachu happily.

"Pidgey is the very first Pokémon I ever caught, sis! It can fly, it can battle, and best of all, it's my newest friend!" He held the Pokéball close to Hillary.

"That's nice, but keep it out of my face, okay?" said Hillary.

"Sorry, sis," said Tristan. He put Pidgey's Pokéball inside his pocket. He motioned for Pikachu and Hillary to hurry along with him to Viridian City.


It was close to dusk when Tristan and Hillary arrived in Viridian City. They had been walking all day and were now looking for a place to spend the night.

"Do you think there's a hotel or something around here?" asked Hillary, feeling rather tired.

"I don't know, sis," said Tristan. "This is the first time we've ever been to a big city. It could be anywhere."

"Pika," agreed Pikachu. It was wondering where it would sleep. This was its very first night with Tristan, its new Trainer.

Suddenly, they came to a large building with a giant letter P on it. It read, "Pokémon Center—Trainers welcome. Rest your tired Pokémon."

"Maybe we can stay here tonight," said Tristan.

"Let's go inside and ask," agreed Hillary, and they both went inside with Pikachu behind them.

(Music Cue: Pokémon Center (M77B) (as heard in "The Pokémon Water War"))

A woman with brink pink hair wearing a pink dress and white apron was waiting at the counter. She was wearing a nurse's cap. "Welcome to the Pokémon Center," she said warmly. "My name is Nurse Joy. Whenever you have sick or injured Pokémon, we'll take care of them for you."

"A hospital for Pokémon?" asked Tristan and Hillary.

"That's right, kids," said Nurse Joy. "I help recharge, free of charge!"

"This just keeps getting better and better!" said Tristan. "In that case, could you take care of my two Pokémon for me?"

"I'd be happy to," said Nurse Joy. "In the meantime, why don't I show you around?" She then turned to a pink ovoid Pokémon. It contained a single egg in its pouch. "Chansey, would you take care of this Trainer's two Pokémon?" asked Nurse Joy.

"Chansey!" replied Chansey happily. It took Pidgey's Pokéball and Pikachu and carried them to the examination room.

"Let's call Grandma and Grandpa first," suggested Hillary to Tristan. "I think they should know that we have reached a Pokémon Center."

"Agreed," said Tristan. He went to the video phone and made his phone call.


"You've made it to Viridian City already?" asked Veronica, Tristan and Hillary's grandmother. She seemed pleasantly surprised. "It took your parents several days to get there when they first started their journeys."

"Several days, huh?" said Tristan.

"By the way, dear," said Veronica to Tristan, "which Pokémon did you end up choosing from the three beginning Pokémon?"

"Actually, I ended up choosing Pikachu," replied Tristan.

Veronica seemed surprised. "A Pikachu?" she asked. "A certain trainer said that it was the best of all to choose from. How in the world did you manage that feat?"

"Professor Oak managed to find one, even though they're very hard to come by," said Tristan.

"Interesting," said Veronica. She turned her attention towards Hillary. "Have you been keeping Tristan in line, Hillary?"

"A couple scrapes, but he's fine," replied Hillary.

"Don't you trust me, Hillary?" asked Tristan.

"I trust you one hundred percent…NOT!" said Hillary. Tristan felt insulted by that remark.

"Never mind, you two," Veronica said. "Things will just keep getting better and better for you as your journey progresses."

(Music Cue: A Future Hope)

"We'd better get some sleep, sis," said Tristan.

"You're right. We've got a big day ahead, and lots of Pokémon to discover," agreed Hillary.

"I'll let you go for now," said Veronica. "Good night, kids. I love you." The video screen turned off.

Just then, Nurse Joy came out of the examination room. "Thanks for waiting, guys," she said. "I'm happy to report that your Pokémon are restored to full health."

Chansey came out with Pidgey's Pokéball and Pikachu on the stretcher. Pikachu leaped into Tristan's hands.

"Pikachu, you look great, buddy," said Tristan.

"Pika!" Pikachu said. It then yawned, signaling that it was ready for a good night's rest.

"I'll show you to your rooms where Trainers sleep," said Nurse Joy. She motioned for Tristan and Hillary to follow her. She led them down the hall to a bedroom where two pairs of bunk beds and a desk were. The beds had fresh clean sheets.

"Be sure to lock your door every night before you sleep," advised Nurse Joy. "Good night and sleep well." She closed the door.

"You can sleep with me, Pikachu," said Tristan to Pikachu.

Pikachu jumped on Tristan's bed and made itself comfortable.

Hillary turned off the lights and locked the door. She and Tristan tucked themselves into bed and fell fast asleep.


And so, Tristan catches his very first Pokémon, a gutsy little Pidgey. Now he and Hillary have made it to the Pokémon Center. Tomorrow, they will have to face new challenges. What will they be? Their next adventure is only one good night's sleep away, so stay tuned!

►TO BE CONTINUED