Hello! Today, Red is travelling to Viridian City. But something has to happen to make the day go past. The upkeep of a promise. As ever, please review honestly!

Chapter 4 – Battles and Viridian

I woke up the next morning, looked down from my bed to see my Charmander, lying on his back and snoring softly, and my Pikachu, curled up in the corner, happily snoozing. I got up quietly so as to not wake up my Pokémon and tiptoed downstairs.
"Where are your Pokémon dear?" asked my mum.
"They're still asleep. I'll go up and wake them soon," I replied. I then tucked into the cereal that Mum had laid out for me. "That movie of yours seems to be a favourite," I commented, seeing the same movie that was on yesterday.
"That's because they are taking a journey, just like my own little man." I smiled at this thinking back to yesterday, and how I took my first steps into my journey. As I did this, my cereal seemingly disappeared. I got up from the table, headed upstairs and gently shook Charmander awake.
"Cha-aaaar" Charmander yawned. I then headed over to Pikachu and whispered in her ear to wake up. Her ears started to twitch and her eyes opened slowly as she took in the new day.
"Pikachu!" she cried as she stood up, smiling.
"We've got a big day ahead of us. Let's get to Viridian by the end of the day!" I announced.

I walked back over to Route 1 with Pikachu on my shoulder and Charmander by my side.
"Waaaaaiit!" I heard from behind me. I turned around to see Green sprinting towards me. "You… haven't… given me… my battle… yet…" she puffed.
"Get your breath back, then I'll battle you," I replied. She took in a few deep breaths and stood up straight.
"Ok, I'm ready! Go Spearow!"
"Pikachu, you're up! Use Thundershock!" I shouted.
"Quick, to the right, then use Growl!" Spearow growled, making Pikachu look a bit more lax.
"Lowered attack… Use Thundershock again!" Pikachu released a small but powerful spark, making Spearow's health low.
"No! Peck her!"
"Dodge and use Extremespeed!"
"Extremespeed? What the-" she was interrupted by the sight of her Spearow fainting. "You're good, but can you handle this? Go Bulbasaur!" she announced.
"Of course I can! Pikachu, return. Go Charmander!"
"Vine Whip!" Bulbasaur sent out vines from its back, hitting Charmander across the face. "Yes, a critical hit!"
"Darn. Use Ember!" It struck Bulbasaur across the bulb, causing her to flinch. "Yes, she flinched. Use Em…" I was interrupted by the sound of a metallic sheen. I looked up to see Charmander slash Bulbasaur with extended, silver claws. He jumped back to where he was before, looking stronger than ever.
"It looks like your Charmander learned to use Metal Claw! Use Tackle, Bulbasaur!" Green ordered. Charmander was tackled to the ground, where he stayed for a moment, gaining his breath back.
"Are you OK?" I asked. I got thumbs up from Charmander. "Good, now use Metal Claw again!"
"Quick, dodge it, Bulbasaur," Green hurriedly said. Bulbasaur wasn't quick enough, and took the Metal Claw to the face.
"Bulba!" she cried, before fainting. Charmander stood up, proud of its work.

"Well done Charmander, you worked so hard for Red," said Green to Charmander. Charmander gave Green a toothy smile.
"Don't forget Pikachu. She worked just as hard as Charmander!" I said, stroking her head after she clambered back on to my shoulder. "C'mon Charmander, let's get you both healed up. You're both brilliant battlers!" I started to walk up Route 1, Charmander hot on my heels and Pikachu holding on to my hat to hold her balance.
"Hey, wait… My Pokémon need healing too. Could I walk with you?" Green asked. I responded with a simple nod. "Looks like you might already be able to take on the first gym leader. I think his name is… Grock? It's something like that. I think his specialty is rock types, so Charmander's Metal Claw should prove useful!"
"I certainly hope so…" I quietly replied. Though Metal Claw would be useful, if Charmander got knocked out, all I would have is Pikachu and, strong as she is, she wouldn't leave a dent on a rock type Pokémon. I needed another Pokémon, one which provided strength to the party and gave advantages over types not yet covered.
"I can see you look troubled. You're thinking of getting another Pokémon aren't you?" Green asked.
"How the heck did you know?!"
"I can read you like a book sometimes. I've heard Mankey live in Route 22 and Viridian Forest. They might help," she suggested. I turned to her, hugged her and thanked her, running off to Viridian City, scaring away any wild Pokémon that I may have battled normally in the process. Green sighed and said to herself, "I'm always happy to help..."

I arrived in Viridian City, stopped by the Pokémon Centre (which was on the outskirts) and healed my Pokémon. I then bought Potions and Poké Balls from the counter on the right and headed up to Viridian Forest.
"So, you finally got here then. Took your time…" said a familiar voice. I turned around to see who it was, almost sending Pikachu flying with the speed of my turn.
"Sorry Pikachu… So, what's the hold-up Blue?" I asked, upon realising who made the statement.
"This man hasn't had his morning coffee yet, and is blocking up the entrance to Route 2 until he gets it. Rather selfish if you ask me…" said Blue, leaning against a tree with his arms folded.
"I have coffee!" sang a voice from behind me. "But why should I help the one who abandoned me in Route 1or the one who abandoned us at Pallet?! I may be forgiving, but don't take advantage of that!"
"Ooh… sorry, Green. I kind of freaked when you said there were Mankey in Viridian Forest," I sheepishly replied. Green looked scornfully at me, got out a flask she kept in her bag and poured out a cup.
"Here you go, sir. It might be kind of weak though," said Green, handing over a small cup of coffee.
"Thank you. Anything to give me extra up and go," replied the old man, taking a small sip from the cup before he spoke again. "Say, have you seen my son? He's on TV! I think it's a show called 'Pokémon: how to' or something like that."
"No, sorry. Look, Red, Green, we have to get back to the Pokémon Centre soon, otherwise we'll be caught out in the dark," suggested Blue. We all agreed to do so, and turned back to the Pokémon Centre, waving to a miffed old man, hoping for some form of overnight accommodation.

We headed inside the Pokémon Centre at what seemed like the right time, as it had just started to rain outside. As Green headed over to the Videophones to call her parents and Blue went over to the waiting area to drum his fingers on something that wasn't his calf, I walked up to the counter to get us a room to stay overnight.
"Hello, and welcome to the Pokémon Centre. We restore your tired Pokémon to full health. Would you like to rest your Pokémon?" asked the nurse on duty. I saw her badge quickly and noted the name.
"Actually, I'd like to book a room for the night for 3 trainers, Nurse Janice. Would that be OK?" I enquired. It seemed that somebody got the idea somewhere that all the nurses at the Pokémon Centres are always called Joy... Such an old name.
"Yes, there is a room two doors on the left through those big double doors just there. Have a nice night!" Nurse Janice replied. I signalled to Blue that I'd gotten a room and he got up, went over to Green and told her. She quickly said her goodbyes and we all headed to our room to retire for the night.

Right... so I haven't uploaded for a little while, I apologise for that. I've recently gotten my hands on a copy of SoulSilver and have been playing that. I have got my ideas for chapter 5 written down, so I might start writing soon. Well, this is me signing off. Bye!