Chapter 2

Brad paced endlessly in the living room as his parents fixed up the Bagon. It was nearly noon when his mother came out, smiling, and said, "The Bagon will be fine."

Brad was filled with joy. He raced over to the Bagon in the kitchen, where it was bandaged and smiling weakly. His father wasn't there, however, but Brad was happy that the Bagon was better.

His mother approached and asked, "What will you do with it?"

Brad looked down at the Bagon and answered, "I…suppose I'll keep it, if it's alright with Bagon."

In reply, the Bagon leapt into Brad's arms. It hugged his neck as Brad laughed and hugged it back. His mother smiled and exited the room. She returned a moment later with a PokeBall in her hand.

"Here," she said, handing it to her son. Brad took it, and Bagon leaped into it. Once it was caught, Brad let it out again.

"What will you do now that you have a little Pokemon?" his mom asked.

"Erm…" Brad hesitated. He had never thought he'd obtain a Pokemon, so he had never made plans for when he did get one.

"I suppose…I'll travel around. See the world."

"Then I wish you luck," his mother said. "Here, I'll help you pack."

-Line-

Several hours later, Brad exited Pallet Town's gate and walked through Route 1. Multiple Pokemon such as Rattata and Pidgey were found in the area, but Team Rocket's rules stated that he couldn't catch any of them.

Of course, he had no Pokemon anyway.

But that didn't stop him from training his Bagon along the way.

Eventually, he arrived at the gate to find a Trainer already standing there, nervously gazing at the large gate. It was a repaint of the gate that originally stood there, with black coloring and a large red "R" on top. Below that R was Team Rocket's slogan: "We fight. We kill. We take. We are your rulers, from now to eternity. We are Team Rocket."

"Hello!" Brad said in a friendly tone, his Bagon walking behind him.

"H-hi…" the Trainer, a young boy of about twelve years of age, replied. He had blonde hair and clothing that reminded Brad of the uniforms that Pokeathlon participants wore.

"What's your name?" Brad asked.

"S-Steve…"

"Do you want to battle?" Brad asked.

"No. I'm not very good…"

"Are you okay?"

"I'm not sure."

With that, the boy raced into the gate. Brad heard shouting, some weeping, then silence. Brad entered to find a Team Rocket security guard there, a Growlithe beside him.

Brad mentally slapped himself. He had forgotten all about the security toll. Team Rocket charged people a $50 fine for entering and exiting a large city.

Brad checked his pockets and pulled out $50 and a note from his mother. It said:

Knew you'd forget about the toll, so I slipped this into your pocket.

-Love, Mom.

Brad handed the guard the money, who growled and allowed him to pass. Brad entered the city and the first thing he saw were the guards.

There were hundreds of them, roaming the streets, firearms in their hands, glaring at people they passed. Brad gulped, walked up into the city, and was immediately approached by about five Team Rocket Soldiers.

"You a Pokemon Trainer?" a large man asked.

"Yes," Brad answered, a little afraid. His Bagon growled and glared at Team Rocket.

"Good. Follow us."

Brad followed Team Rocket through the city, examining the great city around him. Aside from the guards, a great many people lived here, from little kids to old folk. Brad ignored their stares as he was brought before a large dark building with columns and large stairs before it. Brad glanced at the guards, one of whom said, "This is the Viridian City Mayor building. Mayor Zach should be inside. If you wish to be a proper Pokemon Trainer, you have to fight him."

Brad nodded and walked up into the building, his Bagon already prepared for battle.