I sighed softly as I shoved the fifteenth and final bicycle into the storage PC at the Celadon Pokecenter. I had spent all my money at the time, and wound up with not just bikes, but Pokedexes, Safari Balls, and fossils of nearly all types. I'd also received some healing items, but I just plain sold pretty much everything else I came across. While I couldn't sell the bikes thanks to no one on this planet having a million pokedollars, I'd still made enough back to double the funds I'd started with. And I had a few evolution stones as well.

It still didn't explain how the vending machine had become a slot machine from hell, though. I figured that had to have come from randomizing the items as well. I frowned, hoping that didn't become a recurring theme.

Hobbes had been simply laying on my hat and watching everyone while I worked. I was slowly getting used to the idea of Pokemon, but being in a world I distinctly remembered as fictional was still throwing me sometimes. By my reckoning, it had been at least a half day but the sun just plain hadn't set. Or risen. Or moved from the single spot it sat at. At least it was cool weather, though.

Hobbes and I exited the Pokecenter, and the little Sandshrew simply cooed as it rolled onto its back to sun itself. My pack felt lighter, having ditched the bikes into the computer along with a mountain's worth of fossils. My belt was also down a few Pokeballs, as well. Considering Team Rocket's current status as "actual threats to world domination," it just didn't make sense to bring in a Geodude with no offensive power and a Dratini who preferred to sing rather than fight. I had released them before beginning my storage spree, and I figured Gary and Benny would have been much happier on their own adventures rather than going through hell against Team Rocket.

Speaking of Team Rocket… I'm sure someone would be pointing out I don't need to beat them to leave. If Mister Know-It-All is correct, then beating the Elite Four would be all I would need to go home. The problem is… I did this. I chose to randomize the world and open the rom, which resulted in Team Rocket having portable poison flamethrowers as a third of their Pokemon. I don't think I could sleep at night, knowing I'd sentenced a world to rule under Giovani and Team Rocket.

...even if there is some good evidence that they're not THAT evil…

Damn it.

Either way, I'm going to be getting stronger Pokemon. And I'll need all four badges to reach the Elite Four in the first place, so I might as well begin the league challenge. And since I'm still in Celedon City, the fourth gym is as much a place as any to begin.

The Gym for the city was freaking massive. The building itself looked like the sprite from the game for the most part, a tall building with the words "GYM" slapped across the front. Several times. However, it looked like Erika the gym leader had made a few modifications. The rooftop had several large flower-shaped solar panels, and looked in general like a bouquet of shiny flowers. Large windows also let the sun, and I could see some wonderfully landscaped hedges and rose bushes inside. There were a lot of other types of flowers I simply could not identify, but a life of staying inside and avoiding nature as much as possible tends to leave one lacking in some life experiences.

I wasn't the only person outside the gym, either.

As I walked through the forested path leading from Celadon City to the gym, I could easily hear what sounded like some really creepy laughter. Hobbes spun in a circle around my shoulders as we both tried to spot the source of mirth. Luckily, it wasn't that hard to spot the source. A well-trodden path to the right of the gym lead around the back. I peeked my head around the corner and saw an old man lurking there, using one of the really large windows to peek in and spy on anyone inside the gym.

I let out a sigh as the perverted old man giggled over the inhabitants of the gym. Why was this old man even in this game? Oh well. At least he was outside the gym, and not actually doing anything.

The inside of the Celadon Gym was actually really wonderful. It was apparently intended to act as a greenhouse, and the warmer air felt nice against my skin. The air was also rich with a ton of scents I couldn't place, almost all of them floral. There must have been some hidden fans making a breeze throughout the gym, because a small drift of cherry blossom leaves blew past me as I began to move inside. Hobbes and I didn't make it too far into the gym, though, as we were immediately stopped by a pair of admittedly good-looking ladies.

"Oh no, Bridget!" the younger one exclaimed, her orange hair bouncing behind her as she shook her head, "Do you think it's the pervert who keeps creeping on us?"

"I dunno, Kay," the blonde replied, pulling a Pokeball out of her bag, "That stalker doesn't have any Pokemon, much less a cute Sandshrew."

I could hear Hobbes squeaking as he blushed, burying his head in my shoulder. I nodded to Bridged and pulled a Pokeball out myself, "I'm just here for a badge," I said to both, hoping this wouldn't become an anime cliche.

Bridget laughed to her younger counterpart, "Well, well. Looks like we've got our first trainer of the day."

Both Kay and Bridget threw out a pokeball each, and the fading glow of the spawning Pokemon revealed a pair of Bellsprouts. Two at once? Well, this isn't how Red or Blue worked… or the Romhack for that matter. Hell with it, though. This should make things easier.

Pulling a second Pokeball off my belt, I tossed both balls out, "Let's go, Burnie! Up and at 'em, Shazam!"

My Charizard and Abra both spawned, their Pokeballs bouncing back into my hand. Burnie flexed his wings, snorting flames as he looked down at the pair of grass-based Pokemon before him. Shazam simply floated in what looked like the lotus position, seeming to enjoy his newfound Psychic power.

Immediately, both Bellsprouts rushed at my Pokemon, faster than I had realized they could. I could only get out one command before they were upon my Pokemon, "Burnie! Drill peck!"

Unfortunately, the Bellsprout that was going after Shazam struck first. The Bellspout's mouth opened wide, revealing sharpened teeth hiding inside its fake flower of a head. Hyper Fang! Before Shazam could even try to dodge, the plant had latched onto his arm, and bitten down hard. I recalled the fainting Abra before it could hit the floor, but that left Burnie in a two-on-one battle.

Luckily, Burnie wasn't without his own strengths. Sure, drill peck wasn't a fire move, but it was a flying move. A whirling mass of energy gathered around the Charizard's snout, and Burnie began bashing his face against the small Bellsprout's incoming rolling kick. Luckily, thanks to type advantage, it was super-effective and the second Bellsprout collapsed. This left it a one-on-one, and I was decently confident of my chances now. Not even waiting for my command, Burnie advanced on the first Bellsprout, pecking at the ground like it was a bird going after a worm. It didn't last long.

As the battle ended, Burnie glowed with a power as he leveled up. What felt like a HUD came up over the Charizard as I looked over at him. Ooh! A new move!

…

String shot.

No.

Burnie looked disappointed as the move vanished into the ether, but still pleased with itself.

"Sheesh!" Bridget sighed as she pulled Bellsprout back into its pokeball, shoulders sagging in defeat, "You've got some great Pokemon there, kid." The beauty dropped her Pokeball in her purse and moved past me to leave the gym, "Look me up sometime when you've got some free time, sweetie." She looked down from her slightly taller stature and winked at me as she did.

Bwah?

"Um… sure?" was all I could reply, confused as I pulled Burnie back into his Pokeball. That was… a thing.

Moving past the studden lass and empty space where the beauty once was, I found myself pushing through the branches of a low-hanging weeping willow. Behind the willow was a kneeling woman, who I somehow immediately knew was Erika. She noticed me immediately, opening her eyes and getting up on her feet. Her kimono flowed around her beautifully, its multiple colors contrasting her short, dark hair. I swallowed nervously as she spoke.

"Welcome." she nodded, smiling at me, "I am Erika, the leader of the Celadon Gym." One arm reached inside the opposite sleeve of her kimono and pulled out a Pokeball, "My Pokemon are of the grass type, but few have been able to beat them." Erika looked me up and down briefly, then her smile widened into a smirk, "It's obvious you wish to challenge me… but fair warning: I shall not lose."

With that, Erika threw out her Pokeball, spawning a Bellsprout. Before I realized what was happening, Hobbes lept from my shoulder and struck up a battle stance. The Bellsprout charged forward, leading with a rolling kick. Hobbes jumped over the kick and replied with a mega punch. The punch hit home, and the Bellsprout reeled slightly as it tried to recover. Hobbes followed up with another mega punch, a fiercely cute battle cry coming from him as he did so. The Bellsprout blocked, being driven back a few inches, and tried to follow up with a hyper fang.

But Hobbes wasn't there, instead there was a small hole in the ground.

I felt a little useless as a trainer, frankly, but I'd be lying if I didn't feel some pride build up in my chest as I saw Hobbes rip his way out of the ground and deliver a mega punch as an uppercut. The Bellsprout flew back from the Sandshrew, letting out a cry of its own as it was KO'd.

Erika wasn't perturbed, though. She simply nodded, pulling back her Bellsprout and pulling a second Pokeball from her kimono. "Go!" she said sternly, throwing the Pokeball dramatically, "Tangela!"

"You got this, little buddy," I nodded to Hobbes, who had turned back to look at me to see if I wanted to keep him fighting.

It was a mistake.

"Flamethrower!" Erika shouted, a glint of madness possibly in her eyes as the Tangela's vines and darkness burst with flames and began to spew hot death everywhere.

Hobbes let out a cry of shock and tried digging his way out, but he was still struck with the blast of flame. As the flames began to subside, Hobbes crawled back out of his hole. He was darkened with the flame, but his ground type had prevented lethal damage. He was still out of action, though.

I rushed to the Pokemon's side, shouting out his name in shock. He was still conscious, but could barely move. I pulled off my jacket and wrapped him in it, pulling Hobbes to a comfortable place near a shady tree. I took a potion out of my backpack and applied it to him before turning back to face Erika.

"You care for your Pokemon," Erika's smile never faded as she watched me take care of the Sandshrew, "That's good. I'm glad you're not like those from Team Rocket."

I looked at Erika as I popped another Pokeball off my belt, "It's hard not to. The guy's adorable," I confessed nodding my head back at Hobbes, "We only met a few hours ago, though."

Erika's eyes widened in surprise, "And yet he's already so strong? I must confess I am impressed… but you still have yet to beat me, newcomer."

"Red's my name, miss Erika," I answered back, throwing out my Pokeball, "But I'm not done yet. Android, let's go!"

The little Magnemite floated up to life out of the glow of the Pokeball, letting out an unearthly shriek as its little magnets spun in place. The Tangela looked to be readying another blast of fire, but Android and I knew a move that would stop that cold.

"Ice beam!" I shouted, throwing a pointing finger dramatically, "Freeze that Tangela!"

The vined Pokemon quickly turned into a block of ice, and Erika pulled him back rather than wait for the finishing blow. As the Tangela faded into nothing, an Oddish erupted from the glow, leading off with a mega kick. My Magnemite reeled like a soccer ball, nearly hitting me as it crashed into a tree trunk, embedding itself a few inches into the surface. Android popped out of the divot, dizzily spinning and burping up a few screws from… somewhere.

Android didn't let that massive hit stop him for long, though, and flew back right for the Oddish. The Oddish danced around with fancy footwork, bouncing back and forth, using its own leaves as fists to try and block what looked like a tackle attack. Once it hit point-blank, Android instead stopped dead.

"Ice beam!" I shouted, being repetetive but focusing on the gym's weakness.

Once more, another plant fell before my Pokemon. Erika's shoulders fell as she let out a low sigh and pulled her Oddish back. Erika, to her credit, was actually happy the fight had ended with my victory rather than sad she lost.

She let out a soft laugh, before speaking up, "You are remarkably strong, Red." Putting the last Pokeball back in her kimono's sleeve, Erika walked over to me and held her hand out, "You are remarkably strong and have a great bond with your Pokemon. As I have lost, I must confer to you the Rainbow Badge."

The small badge glittered in my hand, a literal rainbow of colors shared across the petals of a metal flower. I smiled softly, feeling an intense amount of nostalgia as I held my first Kanto Gym Badge.

"This badge will allow POKEMON up to level 50 to obey you," Erika continued, her face looking a little blank as she cited off what the badge allowed me to do in-game, "And it will let your POKEMON to use STRENGTH outside of battle." She blinked several times as the game script passed and her smile returned, "Also, please take this with you."

RED received TM-21!

RED put the TM in the ITEMS.

"This one is Mega Drain. Half the damage caused by the attack actually comes back to your Pokemon as a healing force."

I thanked Erika profusely and made my way slowly out of the gym while carrying Hobbes. While the battles had been pretty intense at times, I still had won. And if what Erika had told me was accurate, I wouldn't need to worry about over-leveling for quite some time. Go me!

As she left the gym, Bridget looked about to ensure no one was currently looking. Thankfully, no one was. Taking her chance, Bridget dashed between the nearby bushes on the forrested path and ducked behind them. Letting out a low laugh, the beauty grinned as she grabbed at the roots of her blonde hair and pulled.

Her hair, and entire disguise flew off in traditional anime style. Beneath the unassuming beauty's clothes were a long shock of blue hair tied up in a ponytail that trailed down to her waist. Her clothes were simple, a simple t-shirt and a lopsided dress that was long on one end and short on the other. Of course, she wore leggings... but everything about her clothes was black. Team Rocket black, to be entirely honest. Donning a black hat, Bridget completed her uniform.

Pulling a small communications device from her belt pocket, 'Bridget' cleared her throat and began to speak. "Hey, Harry." her voice was higher pitched than when she was Bridget, but not by much, "Shian here. There's a new guy who just challenged Erika for his first badge. He's rough around the edges, but he looks to have a knack for finding Pokemon… and some decent battle strategies. Put in a word to the boss for me, ok?"

"Eeh, sure," the radio crackled as the thug a town away replied, "But the boss himself is actually in town right now. He's at the Game Corner."

Shian's eyes sparkled as she heard the news, "Most excellent... "

Author's Note:

So. It does look like I got some reviews, which is really nice. However, I couldn't help but notice that the content of those reviews may leave something to be desired.

St Elmo's Fire, I do actually appreciate the feedback. This totally did begin its life as an archive of notes on a rather silly Romhack I found online. As I'm playing it on a 3DS, it's rather hard to archive in a way that would allow for screencaps or a normal Let's Play format. However, I thought that turning it into a fanfic would be a clever way to share my experiences while trying to make it something more than just a bland text recap.
You are right that I do need to flesh the story out more, though, to make it feel like an actual story. I already had some ideas ahead of time, prior to your review. However, I've decided to fast-forward a few of those ahead with appropriate breaks from first person when I shift away from Red. I appreciate the feedback, actually, as it has helped me push forward and try to make this more of a story faster.

As for the other two signed reviews, from Second Legion Scout and Guardianofthefun? What is the harm in someone sharing a review that tries to provide proper feedback? Especially when you try to pick apart his feedback with nitpicks and opinions of your own... that have actually nothing to do with my story? Leave the arguments to the private messenger. I actually received a lengthy message from Hybrid of Fate "warning me" about people who go around and "troll" others into changing their stories.
Now I see it was little more than complaining that people were providing competent feedback about how to improve, albeit often shared in a blunt or harsh way.

If you, or anyone at all, insist on carrying on some sort of nitpicky argument with anyone's chosen review format, I will BAN you from further reviews for my fanfics. And if these arguments persist as Anonymous instead, those will also go.

I will not have my review count artificially inflated by people getting into a snark fight with someone else over opinions.

I'm 33 years old. I've written stories on and off since 2001, some of them in less than stellar quality.

I can handle myself and criticism. Get over it.