Chapter 19
Although he was still processing the events of the bridge, Felix had not forgotten why he crossed it in the first place. In order to beat Misty, he would need a Grass type. As tempting as trying to repeat his performance against Brock was, he acknowledged that he wasn't playing the odds very well, and that Misty was at another level compared to Brock. Besides, he promised Melanie that he would take her advice because he wanted to know more about his father and sleeping at her house was much better than sleeping at the Pokemon Center or in a tent. The obstacle now was first, finding a Grass type, and second, being sure Graveler could handle a battle against one since Rock and Ground are weak against Grass, Graveler being both.
The solution to his second obstacle came unexpectedly. As Felix and Daisy traversed the entrance of Route 24 for the first time, they heard what sounded like a kid crying. They stopped for a moment and looked around until they discovered the sound was coming from above. On top of a small ledge, a kid could be seen sitting with his arms wrapped around his shins, his head between his knees.
"Should we see what's wrong?" asked Felix.
"I think we should. He could be in danger," said Daisy.
The two friends found a small path that ascended the small, natural platform. The kid continued to sob into his knees.
"Is there anything we can do to help you?" asked Felix.
The kid jerked his head up, startled.
"I'm not good at raising Pokemon," sniffled the kid.
"I'm sure that's not true," comforted Daisy.
"You don't know anything about it," the kid said. "I'm under immense pressure to succeed, but Charmander and I can't beat anyone."
"If you don't mind me asking, why are you under so much pressure?" asked Felix. Knowing Kanto's situation, he had a few guesses, but he wanted to hear it from the kid.
"My mother and I traveled all the way to Pallet Town so that Professor Oak would give me a Pokemon. She really wanted me to get a Pokemon so that I could start earning my keep around the house. She was struggling to keep the apartment and to feed us. Betting on Pokemon League matches was too inconsistent. If I could become a renowned Gym Challenger, we could start making some money. But she didn't want me to get any old Pokemon. She wanted me to have an advantage by starting with the prestige of a Professor-given Pokemon. They are usually stronger than what novice trainers can catch in the wild.
"The only problem is that I'm just not good at Pokemon battling. Charmander has lost all trust in me. I've lost so much money that I'm in debt. There are trainers on this route looking to collect their dues. I don't have it. If my mother found out, she'd disown me. She's already called me useless and constantly says life would be easier without me. I think she's considering abandoning me," the kid continued to sniffle.
Felix pursed his lips.
"I'm so sorry to hear that," said Daisy. "No mother should treat her child that way."
She sat beside the kid as he continued to sob into his knees. Felix maintained his straight face as he watched Daisy pat the kid's back in comfort.
"What's your name, kid?" he asked after a few moments of silence.
"Damian," the kid replied.
"How much do you owe your creditors?"
"Five hundred."
"I'll make you a deal. I'll give you the money to pay off your debts if you promise not to Pokemon battle anymore. You tell your mom the truth about what happened and to bet it all on me against Misty. Then continue to bet on me for the rest of my gym challenge. I won't let you down."
"I don't think my mom will listen to me once I tell her how much I've been losing," said Damian.
"You pay attention to gym matches, right? She might listen if you tell her to bet on Felix Unger."
"You're Felix Unger? The guy who beat Brock with a Pikachu?" asked Damian, his eyes widening.
"That's him," Daisy confirmed with a bright smile.
"My mom lost a lot of money because of you. Maybe she'll be wise enough not to bet against you twice."
Felix laughed uneasily.
"I don't have a problem not battling again. Whether I battle or not, my mom is likely to disown me just because of the amount of money I've been losing. So about my Charmander. I should release her because I haven't raised her well… if you promise you'll care for her, she's yours," said Damian.
"Damian, I- I can't accept this," Felix replied.
"You want me to promise not to battle anymore, so here is me taking away any temptation. Plus, it's the least I can do after paying off my debts," Damian insisted.
"Thank you, Damian," said Felix reverently.
Felix handed the money to Damian. In exchange, Damian handed Charmander's Pokeball to Felix.
"Thank you for giving me a way out of this mess," said Damian.
"Thank you for the Charmander," chuckled Felix.
He opened the Pokeball and out came a beautiful, bipedal, orange lizard with blue eyes and fire at the tip of her tail. She scowled and blew a small puff of fire from her mouth.
"Oh wow, she really isn't a very happy Pokemon, is she?" Daisy commented.
"Hi, Charmander! I'm your new trainer. My name is Felix. I'm going to help you reach your potential," said Felix soothingly.
Charmander turned her back on him and folded her arms.
"Maybe another Pokemon will convince you," said Felix. "Come on out, Graveler!"
Graveler emerged from his Pokeball. Charmander peeked over her shoulder. Her eyes widened at the sight of the large, sentient boulder.
"Graveler," said Graveler, trying to get Charmander's attention. He continued to talk to her, occasionally gesturing toward Felix. When Charmander finally turned to look at her new crew, Felix opened his jacket to reveal his Boulder Badge. After a few more grunts from Graveler, Charmander finally approached Felix.
"Hello, Charmander," said Felix. "I promise to raise you to your potential. I promise to treat you with kindness. In the meantime, will you help me catch a Grass type Pokemon?"
Charmander paused for a moment and then extended one of her claws. Felix took her claw by the hand and shook it. They had a deal.
Felix and Daisy wished Damian luck as they jumped down from the ledge and parted ways.
Daisy pulled out the map and suggested they go east. On top of another small ledge, they could see some tall grass and the cries of various Pokemon. They found a climbable spot and made their way to the top of the ledge. The duo immersed themselves into the tall grass where Pokemon were likely to be hiding. They combed through for a few minutes before running into a Bellsprout.
There it was, a Pokemon with a thin stem for a frame, leaves for hands, roots for feet, and a yellow, bell-shaped head, standing in a defense position at the sight of a human.
"Alright, Charmander, go!" called Felix. Charmander came flying out of her Pokeball. "Use Ember!"
Flames came shooting out of Charmander's mouth. Bellsprout screamed in pain as his body started to burn. He sent out a fierce Vine Whip that smacked Charmander across her cheek.
This was as good a time as any to try and catch Bellsprout, so Felix threw an empty Pokeball at him. The ball sucked him in a flash of light. It wiggled once. It wiggled twice. The tone rang through the canyon.
"Well, that didn't take as long as I thought it would," Felix remarked.
"I thought so, too. We should get Bellsprout to the Pokemon Center. He looked to be in pretty bad shape," replied Daisy.
The journey back to Cerulean was short. After all they'd done that day, the pair was surprised to see the sun still up. It was late afternoon by the time they reached the Pokemon Center.
"Hello, children," said Melanie as they entered. "My shift is almost over. Did you find a Grass type?"
"Yes! I caught Bellsprout. It could use some treatment. It got burnt pretty bad by another Pokemon I got along the way," said Felix excitedly.
Felix and Daisy told Melanie all about their day while she treated their Pokemon.
"You shouldn't have sent Damian back to his mother. I would've taken care of him until we found him a more loving home," said Melanie. "If you see him again, tell him to come to my house if his mother gets too intense."
Felix nodded in acknowledgement of what she said. Melanie handed Felix and Daisy back their Pokeballs.
"My next task is for you to visit an old friend of mine. He was a friend of your father's, too. His name is Bill. He's a world-famous scientist, known for all sorts of inventions and wacky experiments. His most famous for-the-public invention is the PC. A Pokemon storage machine. He will help you train your Bellsprout," said Melanie. "Come on, my shift is over. Let's go home and eat dinner!"