Chapter 2

Route 1

Kaito looked around the grassy plains of route he jumped as a flock of Pidgey flew past. He had taken this route with his mum many times before to go to Viridian City but before when they went they always used repels to make it safe. Now he was exposed and alone, with only Bulbasaur for protection. Kaito checked his bag for useful items.

This is the contents of his bag:

1 Pokédex

5 Pokéballs

1 Potion

1 Magnetite purse containing 500poké

and the pokéball containing Bulbasaur

He released Bulbasaur and said to him,

"I think I'll name you bud." Bud grinned.

"Bulb-a-saur," Bud said cheerfully.

Kaito's pokédex said,

"BULBASAUR can be seen napping in bright sunlight. There is a seed on its back. By soaking up the sun's rays, the seed grows progressively larger."

"What's that?" Kaito gasped, looking around anxiously.

"It's me you idiot." replied the Pokédex in the flat pleasant tone all Pokédexes have with no hint of emotion.

"Oh I forgot about you," Kaito laughed, letting out a sigh of relief,

"but I though Pokédexes could only say what their programmed to."

"Well there was a mistake in my programming." he said, "It's too bad that a talented Pokédex like me has to belong to a dumb trainer like you. For goodness sake, you can't even remember that you have a Pokédex now."

"If you behave I could try to get someone to give you different voice tones."

"Would you really?"

"Only if you behave," Kaito smiled, and then he gave the Pokédex screen for Bulbasaur a glance before putting it away.

As Kaito walked down the path cautiously he spotted several wild Rattata. They all turned and ran away so he called,

"Bud use tackle!" Bud slammed into a Rattata who tackled him back. "Use tackle again!" Kaito shouted. The Rattata fainted after the second attack and Kaito used a Pokéball to catch her. Kaito sent her out and patted her before saying, "I'm going to name you Cheese."

"A RATTATA is cautious in the extreme. Even while it is asleep, it constantly moves its ears and listens for danger. It will make its nest anywhere." said his Pokédex. "Hey pokédex," giggled Kaito,

"Do you have to spout Pokémon information every time I catch one?"

"It's not my fault. I'm programmed to do it."

"It's a bit weird calling you Pokédex when you've got a mind of your own," mused Kaito, going off the subject, "what would you like to be called?"

"Why should I care what you call me?"

"Ok then Mr Grumpy."

"As long as it's not offensive."

"What about Dex?"

"Fine by me." said Dex who was probably annoyed by this pretty much pointless conversation but had no way to show it.

"Bye Dex." smiled Kaito, as he slipped Dex into his backpack.

"Hi there!" said a voice.

"Who's there?" asked Kaito nervously.

"Over here," said a small boy in a stripy t-shirt and shorts. "Wanna battle?"

"Sure," replied Kaito.

"You Professor Oak recruits are pretty tough, but I'm gonna beat you anyway."

"You mean you didn't get your Pokémon from the prof?"

"Nope, this Pokémon was caught be yours truly," the boy said gesturing to his Pidgey. Dex says,

"A common sight in forests and woods. It flaps its wings at ground level to kick up blinding sand."

"Blah, blah, blah. Boring, boring, boring,"whined Kaito.

"For the last time it's not my fault!" said Dex. "Anyone with a brain could see that!"

"You're Pokédex talks!" the boy exclaimed.

"All the latest ones can," said Kaito.

"No," replied the boy, "I mean really talks."

"Oh, that. Yeah I'm the only guy with a Pokédex who insults me. I call him Dex."

"Hey! You're lucky to have a Pokédex like me you nincompoop," Dex butted in.

"See?!" said Kaito exasperatedly.

"Nice to meet you Dex and..."

"Kaito," said Kaito.

"Well hi. I'm Quartz."

"Let's just battle already!" said Dex.

"Ok!" Quartz and Kaito agreed in union. "Go Pidgey! Go Bud!"