Name
Viridian City
General
Perhaps a town would be a more suitable name for this eternally green paradise. Surrounded by lush forests, people make a living as woodcutters and merchants. Woodcutters use the sharp teeth of Rattata and the swiftness of a Farfetch'd leek to cut the thick trees and make trinkets out of the bark, which the merchants will often sell to trainers as a good luck charm.
Some elderly people will claim that having a wood carving of your strongest Pokemon will guarantee victory.
Because trainers stop here to collect their final gym badge and move onto the Pokemon League, several battlefields have been set up in the center of the city so trainers can compete against their peers and make their final preparations. Anyone can come and watch these battles, so large crowds are to be expected.
Blue hosts battle tournaments every few months on these fields. These tournaments often have special rules similar to those of the Battle Frontier to shake up the match. For instance, one of the tournaments last year shuffled one Pokemon per participant. The trainers were given one day to learn and work with their surprise team member, then the battles would commence.
Notable People
A. Blue
After the League failed to find a suitable replacement for Giovanni, Blue took over the position of Viridian City Gym Leader. A traveler by nature, the gym is often closed so it can be difficult to track him down for a battle. He frequents Cinnabar Island for training purposes so trainers are advised to search for him there.
Unlike other gym leaders, Blue does not specialize in one type.
B. Giovanni
When Red exposed him as the leader of Team Rocket after their final battle, Giovanni disbanded the team and faded from the public eye. He maintains a cool composure in battle, and no intimidation will work against him. Despite being a criminal mastermind, he respects his opponent's strength and does not resort to underhanded tactics to win a battle. Whether or not he'll return to his scheme of world domination is uncertain.
While he specializes in Ground types, he has occasionally been spotted with a Persian. It appears to be treated more like a pampered pet than a battler.
Places of Interest
Viridian Gym
Trainers are required to have seven badges before they challenge the Viridian Gym. This was originally a policy enforced by Giovanni, presumably to allow him more time away from the gym so he could personally oversee Team Rocket's criminal activities. When the gym passed into Blue's hands, he continued to uphold the rule so he could travel and train his Pokemon so he could one day surpass Red.
Much to the dismay of some trainers, the Viridian gym makes heavy use of panels that only allow the person who stepped on it to move in one direction. Plenty of movements have been held to get this particular item banned, alongside the warp tiles of the Saffron Gym and Silph Co. The League has not passed an official rule to ban them yet, but there is currently a committee investigating these practices.
Skilled trainers will use this gym as a training tool in preparation for Victory Road. Because there isn't a type specialty, it's easier for trainers with a full party to make sure each Pokemon receives some focus.
Surrounding Areas
A. Viridian Forest
Located to the north of Viridian City, travelers must pass through here to continue to Pewter City. The high population of Bug Pokemon attracts young boys to catch the largest Caterpie or Weedle possible. Occasionally, they may demand a battle from a passerby. For those trying to get somewhere in a hurry, walking alongside a strong Fire or Flying type is enough to deter them.
The forest doesn't allow much light to pass through, so it can be dark even if the sun is out. Because of this, it's possible to encounter Hoothoot and Noctowl in the daytime.
Viridian Forest is also home to Pikachu, the unofficial mascot of Kanto. Foreigners will often give a lot of attention to Pikachu, especially Unovans, where this evolutionary family is a rare sight.
B. Route 22
If the trainer takes the western road out of Viridian City, they will be led to the Pokemon League Reception Gate. While this particular route is open to all trainers, those who don't meet the requirements at the badge check will be forced to turn back.