An Empath's Pokémon Journey… Chapter 4…

Trip to Viridian!

I wandered around the Police Station, looking for Razyr…

(Where the heck is he?) I wondered, (He wouldn't have wandered off…)

I searched for 5 minutes in vain, before I decided to ask an officer.

I wandered off to the break room, where I discovered Razyr, who had a white powder on his paws, and muzzle, and several chuckling officers.

"Now… if you are done feeding Razyr donuts, can we leave, please? We have a gym challenge to take." I said, in a weary voice.

Razyr grinned.

[Can I at least have one to go?]

"Ugh… Fine… but those awful on your cholesterol, you know…"

After Razyr had taken one more powdered sugar donut, and I got myself a cup of coffee, we bid the officers farewell, and we went back to the Pokemart to get some supplies. To our great shock, they offered us our pick of supplies at no charge!

"It's the very least we could do, you saved our business by showing that ruffian why he should think twice about robbing businesses like ours!"

I picked out some 'Vine-Whip' brand ropes, 'Torch-ic' brand Torches, some 'Blissey-in-a-box' Medi-kits, a few 'Berry Bags', a Technical-Machine pouch, a set of nice 'Running' brand shoes, several 'Camerupt Canteens', a 'Suicune Water Purification' System, a Compact Camouflaged Tent, a town map, and some raw materials for my hobby… Metalworking.

"Are you sure this is okay, sir?" I ask, still confused by his generosity.

He nods, and shoos me out the door.

"Don't worry about a thing, sonny, it's the least I could do. Thank you so much, and don't forget to come to a Pokemart for all your adventuring needs!"

He waved goodbye, as he shut the door softly behind us.

[Well, that was awesome. We got what we needed, and didn't even have to pay!]

Razyr commented happily.

"Well, I'd rather have paid. I don't like taking handouts."

I sighed.

"At any rate, we should get moving… Which way is this… 'Gym'?"

I wondered.

[Well, According to the map, it says it's…That way.]

Razyr said, pointing to the north, out through the gates.

I groaned in exasperation. Razyr was pointing to the way we came.

"This is gonna a LONG trip." I moaned.

If only I knew…

We reached Viridian City just as the sun began to set, which left me wondering where we would be sleeping that night. Though we searched for several minutes, the closest thing I could find to a hotel was the Pokémon hospital, apparently called a "Pokécenter".

"Hey Razyr? Do you think that they rent out rooms?" I asked my companion.

[Well, we'll never find out unless we ask!] He replied, in an optimistic tone.

We both walked inside the rather spacious foyer of the Center, and walked up to the help desk directly ahead of the entrance.

"Hello, and Welcome to the Viridian City Pokémon Center!" the nice young lady in scrubs at the desk greeted.

"Hiya," I replied. "Umm… this might sound weird, but my friend and I, we… don't really have any place to stay tonight. Do you know where I can find somewhere to stay?" I asked in a tentative voice.

"Why, of course! Every Pokémon Center is fully equipped to double as a place for Trainers to spend the night. We must charge a small fee of 150 Poké for a linen cleaning fee, however. Also, if you are new to traveling, for an additional 35 Poké, we can throw in a medical guide for you to keep! It's filled with herbal remedies, and full color illustrations! Would you just like to rent a room for the night, or would you like the Book as well?"

I thought this over for a bit, and figured what the heck, it's better to be safe than sorry.

"I'd like the book as well, please. Also, can you help me find a bed for my little friend Razyr, here?" I spoke, gesturing to the oddly relaxed Riolu at my side.

The Nurse's Aide walked around to have a look up close at Razyr, who suddenly seemed a lot more timid, and hid behind my leg.

"Well, aren't you the cutest little fellow? Would you like to come out so I can see you?" She cooed.

Razyr shook his head, and clutched my leg as though it was the only thing saving him from a horrible fate.

"He seems a little shy around other humans. How long have you had him?" she queried.

I was taken aback at her words, obviously caught off guard.

"Uhh…I would have to say… 9, 12 hours, somewhere around there?"

I replied hesitantly.

She nodded.

"So you just caught him today, then. That means he will need a checkup. I'll notify Nurse Joy." She told me.

"Why does he NEED a checkup? Is there some kind of disease floating around?"

I asked, noticing that Razyr looked scared half to death.

"Well, yes, it IS Pokérus season, after all. Highly contagious, and it sneaks up on you. It'll make your life utterly miserable for several days, possibly weeks." She informed me. "If it's treated early, we can bypass all that, and after you get it, it's EXTREMELY unlikely you'll ever get it again."

I nodded, and then looked at Razyr, who was shaking by now.

"Razyr, would you like to have a checkup?" I asked, while kneeling. "I'm sure that it will be totally painless, and it's just to make sure you are completely healthy and that you stay that way…"

He hesitated for several seconds, before nodding his head.

"Ma'am, is it okay if I stay with him, for support?" I asked, holding Razyr's paw in my hand.

"Sure, follow me." She replied, opening a door behind the desk, and motioning for us to follow.

As we followed her, Razyr looked pretty scared about what might happen, so I squeezed his paw and smiled at him.

"It'll be just fine, bud. I remember being scared at my first checkup too." I said with a knowing smile.

[You… You sure I'll be fine? I don't want to do anything that hurts…]

"Yeah, I'm sure you'll be fine. There might be some Testing involved that might make you a little uncomfortable, but I know you'll be just fine." I replied soothingly.

The Aide gave me a funny look as she opened a door and motioned us inside.

"Please wait here for Nurse Joy, okay?"

I nodded, and she left us to go find the Nurse.

I looked around the room, feeling slightly bored, until I spotted a few magazines and books lying on a side table. I perused for a minute before finding a book titled "Legends of Kanto" and settling in for a good read.

(Well, the first Legend should be as good a place to start as any,) I thought.

It was titled 'The Prophecy Of The Pokémon Savior' and I have since copied it onto paper for you to read.

Please excuse the handwriting, by the way. I was in kind of a hurry to write it down.

'The Prophecy Of The Pokémon Savior'

As The Night Dies, As The Year Dies,

The Keeper Of This Prophecy Shall Rise

Born To A Human, Yet Not Related,

Desires of Adventure Never Fully Sated,

He Wanders The Earth, Looking To Escape

The Horrors Upon The Whole Human Race

In A Portal Made Of Human Design

He Shall Finally Discover One Of His Kind

Torn 'Tween Worlds, His Spirit Never Rests,

Never Will He Quit, Until His Last Breath.

Savior of Pokémon, Humans, and I…

The Defender Shall be Born as The Year Dies…

As I read the first legend, something told me I should keep the book, and I covertly slipped it into my worn leather satchel, just as the door opened.

{End Of Chapter}