CHAPTER FOUR
"Has anyone seen Joshua lately?" asked the teacher, looking around at her students.
"No," several voices chanted back.
"That's odd... he hasn't been to class in a few days."
"My Mum said she saw him in Pewter City," Ben spoke up. "She saw him coming out of the PokeMart.."
The teacher furrowed her brow, returning to the stack of homework she was marking. "I'll have to call his mother and see what's going on."
Class ended early that day.
"What do you think happened to Josh?" Beth asked, headed down the route from Viridian City to Pallet Town. Daniel walked by her side, as did Natalie, Beth's friend.
"I don't know," Daniel said, as the three of them walked out of the way to avoid two baby Rattata who were play fighting, under the watchful eye of their mother. "He said something to me when he was fighting Derek a couple of days ago."
"What was it?" Natalie asked. Her Squirtle walked beside her, a Pokemon with the majority of its body inside its shell, while its blue head, arms, legs and tail stuck out. It could walk upright and on all fours, and watched the day pass with an enviable unconcern.
"He said that he wanted to be a Pokemon Master."
Silence ensued the group as they reached Pallet Town, heading down the familiar path towards Daniel and Beth's house. Since it was the weekend, Natalie had been invited for a sleepover, whose parents lived in Viridian City.
"Should we go visit Josh at his house and see what's up?" Natalie asked.
"We should head home first." Daniel said, his tummy growling. "I'm hungry."
Mary glanced up to see her two children entering, their backpacks swinging loose from their shoulders as they placed them on the hat rack. Natalie walked up to Mary.
"Hi, Mrs. S. I hope it's alright that I stay over this weekend."
"Of course! Your Mom and I have already discussed it. Here, have a seat. I've made muffins."
The three students sat down at the table and took their pick of a large plate filled with blueberry muffins. After untying her apron and washing her hands, Mary joined the others at the table.
"So, how was your day? What did you learn?"
"The usual," Daniel said. "We went over what status ailments afflicted Pokemon and how to treat them."
"How many can you name?
"Aw, Mom, we already went over this at school," Beth protested.
"Well, then, it'll be fresh in your mind," Mary smiled.
"We learned about paralysis, which can often be dealt by Electric-type or Poison-type attacks. It can prevent the Pokemon from attacking or moving."
"Good. Next?"
Without much enthusiasm, Beth replied, "Poison. This ailment is dealt most frequently by Poison-types. It causes a Pokemon to feel incrementally ill as time goes on."
"A burn will result in a Pokemon feeling constant pain, and will require a Burn Heal to treat." added Daniel. "Fire-type Pokemon use attacks which can often cause a burn."
"Good. Natalie, how about you?" Mary asked kindly.
"Freezing is another status ailment." Natalie grinned. She was glad to be chosen as a participant in this little family ritual. "It's caused by Ice-type attacks and stops the Pokemon from moving or attacking."
"Sleep is a status caused by specific moves, but can also be caused by the Pokemon being afflicted itself." Daniel said.
"Good. And what move is that?"
"Rest!" Natalie piped in. "Snorlax is a Pokemon well known for its tendency to lie down and block passages or routes during its slumber."
"You sure know your status ailments," Mary smiled at Natalie. "Daniel, I'd like to go over the Town Map again."
"Again?" Beth whined.
"It's not as though you'll be going with him, so there's no need to stay if you'd rather go play outside with Natalie."
"It's OK..." Beth said, folding her arms in a sulk.
"Can I watch?" Natalie asked.
"You sure can, Natalie." Mary smiled, retrieving the map from where it was tacked on a cork board. "Now, Daniel, could you tell me about the eight Gyms?"
"Mom, is it necessary?" Daniel sighed. "We went over this last night."
"I want you to be prepared as possible. After all, you want me to buy you some supplies, don't you?"
"Yes..." Daniel said, taking a deep breath. He spun the map around on the table so it faced him.
"We're in Pallet Town," Mary pointed to a point on the map.
Beth rolled her eyes. "Yes, we all know that one, Mom."
"Starting in Pallet Town, I'll have to travel across Kanto to reach the eight Gyms." Daniel explained. "There's one in Viridian City, Pewter City, Cerulean City, Saffron City, Celadon City, Fuchsia City, Vermilion City and one on Cinnabar Island."
"Good. Now can you tell me a little about each Gym?"
Daniel sighed. "The Gym in Pewter is the only one which allows new challengers. The Gym in Cerulean demands that you have one Badge, the Gyms in Vermilion and Celadon demand that you have two Badges, the Gym in Fuchsia demands that you have four, the Gyms in Saffron and on Cinnabar Island demand that you have five, and the Viridian Gym demands seven Badges."
"Do you know the Types of Pokemon each Gym uses?" Mary asked.
"Almost every one of them, except for the Viridian Gym. The Gym Leader rarely visits, only when a Trainer makes an appointment to battle him."
"That sounds a bit pretentious," Natalie remarked.
"I assume there can't be too many Trainers out there with seven Badges yet. After all, the Championship's only just ended." Mary said. "Well, Daniel, you seem to know your stuff. Tomorrow at noon we'll head to Viridian City and buy you some supplies."
"Thanks, Mom," Daniel beamed.
"We were asked in class today if anyone's seen Josh." said Natalie, turning to Mary. "Ben's Mom thought she saw him in Pewter City. Have you heard from his Mom lately?"
"No, I haven't..." Mary lapsed into silence. "You don't think...?"
"What? What?" Beth asked, who had sat in silence with Vulpix in her lap. "What's happened?"
Mary turned to her daughter. "I'll have a talk with his mother tomorrow and see what's going on. He's probably just there to look at the Pewter Museum of Science, that's all."
Daniel remained silent. A bit of an optimistic assessment, if you asked him.
The next morning, Daniel was woken by Meowth scratching on the bedpost and endlessly jumping up and down from the bed.
"I'm up," said Daniel, smiling resignedly. "You act as if I didn't give you enough food last night."
After showering and changing into khaki shorts and a white, short-sleeved T-shirt, Daniel followed Meowth downstairs and into the kitchen, where Mary was already pouring out food and milk for the Pokemon, careful to keep greedy Vulpix from claiming Meowth's food bowl, too.
"I should wake your sister." said Mary. "Knowing her, she'll be in bed till late. I think Natalie's outside; why don't you go outside and play?"
"Sure, Mom," Daniel obliged, leaving Meowth and Vulpix to eye each other warily, eating side-by-side.
Daniel exited his house amid a stream of sunlight giving Pallet the rich, homely feel that made Daniel glad to have been born and raised in such a beautiful town. Daniel couldn't see Natalie, but after asking a passerby whether they had seen a young, red headed girl with a Squirtle, he was pointed in the direction of the lake to the south of Pallet.
"Squirtle! Use Bubble!"
Natalie sat at the water's edge, discarding her sandals and dipping her ankles into the cool water, warmed by the sun's rays. Squirtle was happily swimming in the lake, blowing bubbles which popped only seconds after emerging from his mouth.
"Hi, Daniel," Natalie smiled, looking up at him, who joined her at the water's edge. He removed his sandals and dipped feet in the water. "Where's Beth?"
"Sleeping in. I think's she forgotten she has a guest to entertain."
"It's very peaceful here," remarked Natalie, giggling as Squirtle retreated inside its shell and began spinning around in the water. "You must love living here."
Daniel lay on his back, gazing up at the cloudless sky. He winced in the sun's harsh glare and shielded his eyes, the light filtered through his fingertips.
"I do. I love Pallet Town."
Natalie joined him, lying beside him. "You want to leave home, don't you?"
Daniel fixed his gaze on a cloud that came into view. "I want to become a Pokemon Trainer, so I have to."
Natalie turned back to the sky and clasped her hands over her stomach. "Daniel, I'd like to come with you."
Daniel got up with a start. He stared at Natalie, who continued to stare up at the sky.
"You want to be a Pokemon Trainer as well?" he asked, hearing his name being called from far away.
"Sure." Natalie smiled, getting to her feet and putting her sandals on. "Squirtle, it's time to go."
Squirtle got out of the lake and shook the water from its shell, looking up at Natalie.
"Are you seriously considering it?" Daniel asked.
"Wouldn't you want me joining you?"
"O-of course!" Daniel said, beaming all of a sudden. "It would be great to have company on my journey!"
"Our journey," Natalie grinned, reaching down to pat Squirtle.
"There you two are," Mary said, slightly out of breath as Meowth and Vulpix trotted beside her. "Beth's having breakfast now. We should be leaving in about an hour's time."
Daniel rolled his eyes. "Great."
"You two can go ahead." said Mary. "Beth and I will meet you outside the Pokemart in Viridian City. How does that sound?"
"Sure, sounds good." Daniel said. "Meowth, care to join?"
Meowth took his owner's word and joined him at his side.
"Let's go!" Natalie said.
Daniel and Natalie walked through the route connecting Pallet to Viridian, watching Pidgey fly through the sky, occasionally catching a glimpse of a Pidgeotto. Pidgeot were rare to be seen; they flew at such intense speeds it was impossible to catch one during its flight. They entered Viridian City, passing the Pokemon Center as they did so.
"About what I said earlier, about becoming a Pokemon Trainer..." began Natalie.
Daniel turned to her. "What about it?"
"We'll need some experience before we head off."
"Really?" Daniel said, ignoring the pit of doubt in his stomach. Truth be told, Meowth had never entered a fight before, let alone know any moves that Daniel was aware of. Beth's Vulpix was the same.
"We could have a Pokemon battle while we wait for your Mom and sister," suggested Natalie.
"Are you guys gonna have a battle?" asked a voice from nearby.
Daniel and Natalie turned to see Derek, one of the many students from the Pokemon School walking towards them. Derek was a few years younger than both of them.
"Hi, Derek," Natalie waved. "We were just about to train our Pokemon."
"Well, how about you battle me? I've been spending all day trying to find someone to train with, but since Josh beat me, nobody wants to waste the time..."
Natalie was touched by Derek's heartbroken expression. "I'll have a Pokemon battle with you, Derek."
"Really?" Derek's face lit up. "Are you sure?"
"You're on," Natalie grinned. She turned her head in the direction of an expanse of land, near a route which led west. "There's room for our battle there."
"Cool!" Derek exclaimed, nearly tripping over in his haste to run there before Natalie.
"Boys," Natalie smiled to herself.
Natalie and Derek faced each other, making enough room for the Pokemon battle. Daniel stood to the side. Meowth, sat on the ground and began licking his paws.
"I choose Rattata!" Derek threw his Pokeball onto the ground, releasing Rattata in a burst of red light.
"I choose Squirtle," Natalie said. "Ready, Squirtle?"
Squirtle nodded, walking out onto the field, facing Rattata determinedly.
"Rattata, Quick Attack!" Derek shouted.
"Squirtle, use Tail Whip!" Natalie called, as Rattata disappeared into thin air. "Wait for the right moment!"
Squirtle spun its tail around at just the right time. When Rattata appeared out of thin air and leapt to attack, it received the full brunt of Squirtle's attack and flew over backwards.
Natalie shouted, "Squirtle, use Bubble!"
Squirtle released a stream of countless bubbles from its mouth which popped on Rattata and sent it stumbling back.
"Tackle Attack!" Natalie shouted.
"Rattata!" Derek screamed. "Look out!"
Squirtle took a step back, then lowered its head and tackled Rattata dead-on. Rattata rolled through the grass and stopped at its master's feet, where it lay quite unconscious.
"Natalie is the winner!" Daniel declared, but Natalie remained silent.
"Are you OK?" Natalie asked Derek, as Squirtle returned to her side.
Derek gingerly picked up his Rattata and looked at Natalie with a menacing scowl. "You're a bully."
He ran off, headed in the direction of the Pokemon Center. Natalie remained still, while Squirtle looked up at his Trainer.
"Natalie?" Daniel asked.
"I'm fine," Natalie said, her voice strangled. Her cheeks were flaming.
Daniel watched as she exhaled mightily, running a hand through her ginger hair.
"Little boys can be so immature at times," she said, before turning to Daniel and smiling. "Shall we have a battle next?"
"Don't you want to take Squirtle to the Pokemon Center first?" Daniel asked.
Squirtle shook its head, quite pumped from the action.
"He's fine. Barely a scratch, right?"
Squirtle nodded, smiling up at Natalie.
"OK. Meowth, are you ready?" asked Daniel.
Meowth nodded and got to its feet, looking warily at Squirtle. Daniel walked around to face Natalie, with Meowth standing a few steps in front of him. Natalie and Squirtle readied themselves.
"Ready?" Natalie asked.
"Sure am," Daniel smiled. "Go!"
"Squirtle, Tackle Attack!" cried Natalie.
Squirtle ran towards Meowth, its head bowed. Meowth eyes widened in fascination.
"Meowth, uh, dodge it!" Daniel shouted.
Meowth let out a hiss as it avoided Squirtle's attack. Meowth looked at Daniel in curiosity.
"Meowth, it's a Pokemon battle. You've got to fight Squirtle!"
Meowth shook its head, then jumped out of the way as Squirtle attempted to use Tackle again.
"Meowth's very agile," Natalie commented. "Squirtle, Bubble Attack!"
Squirtle shot a stream of bubbles towards Meowth. Meowth attempted to claw them, but instead got hit in the face and stumbled backwards in its haste to escape, hissing madly.
"Meowth, use Scratch Attack!" Daniel said.
Having determined that this was indeed a battle, Meowth faced Squirtle and ran towards him on its four legs. Squirtle was anxious at this display of agility.
"Squirtle, use Tail Whip!" Natalie called.
"Meowth, leap up and attack Squirtle's face!" Daniel shouted.
Meowth jumped in time to avoid Squirtle's Tail Whip, delivering two quick scratches to Squirtle which sent him reeling backward.
"Meowth, use Bite Attack!"
"Squirtle, Tackle!"
Meowth was faster, managing to grip on to Squirtle and bite its tail. Howling in pain, Squirtle failed to shake Meowth off, until Meowth decided a few more bites for good measure wouldn't hurt.
"I give up!" Natalie exclaimed, to both Daniel and Meowth's surprise.
"Meowth, let go of Squirtle," Daniel added, "Please."
Meowth released Squirtle, watching as Natalie rushed into the fray and held her Pokemon in her arms. Daniel was glad to see that his affectionate, cuddly Meowth had been so quick on his feet in the battle, but he also felt a little guilty. Perhaps he should've gone easier on Squirtle.
"It's not your fault; it's mine," Natalie said, returning Squirtle to its Pokeball. "I can't stand to see Squirtle hurt too badly. I'll take Squirtle to the Pokemon Center - "
"I'll join you," Daniel insisted, as Meowth tagged along. "I'm sorry."
"There's nothing to be sorry about!" Natalie said, surprised by Daniel's apology. "To be honest, I haven't had any competition other than Caterpies and Pidgeys from other Trainers. The only other Pokemon who was able to beat my Squirtle time and again was my sister's Pikachu."
"Well, no surprises there," Daniel remarked dryly. "Water-types are weak to Electric-types."
"I stopped battling as hard after my sister left Viridian City, to collect the Gym badges. I didn't think much of myself as a Trainer. Then, you reminded me."
"Me?" Daniel asked.
Natalie smiled, her red hair glinting in the sunlight. "You were so much happier after your Mom let you become a Pokemon Trainer. I saw that same expression on my sister, once my parents told her she had permission to leave home. I want that, too - in fact, I have it now."
"I can't see it," Daniel teased. "You should smile more. You seem to do it so often; it's almost irregular for you not to."
Natalie bowed her head, a small smile on her lips. "You're right. Although, sometimes it's difficult for me to keep on smiling."
"Natalie!" came a voice from afar.
Daniel and Natalie turned to see Beth running towards them. Vulpix was running beside her, grateful to stretch her legs and run at last.
"What have you guys been doing?" Beth asked, as Vulpix ran about and played.
"We were just having a Pokemon battle," Daniel blurted out.
"Really?" Beth asked, her mouth agape. "Squirtle? And Meowth? Who won?"
"Well, D - " began Natalie.
"We both won." Daniel interrupted quickly. "It was a draw."
"Well, that's no fun," Beth pouted. "I just passed Derek and he looked really mad. He said he'd never be a Pokemon Trainer if he kept losing to bullies. He even asked me for a battle! Can you imagine? My Vulpix?"
Vulpix looked suitably disappointed as Beth laughed over the idea of her precious Pokemon in a scuffle on the grass, biting and scratching and hurting another Pokemon.
"My Vulpix is going to be in beauty contests all around Kanto, especially the one in Celadon City!"
"Celadon City?" Daniel asked. "Is Mom taking you there?"
"No, silly! I'm going with you!" Beth grinned.
There was a second of silence, as Natalie excused herself to heal Squirtle at the Pokemon Center.
"Beth... I'm not sure if I should be telling you this, but Natalie asked to come with me on my adventure. I said yes."
"She can't be going on an adventure with you! What about me? Who am I going to talk to at school?" Beth pouted, clearly distressed. "I need her here!"
Daniel rolled his eyes. "Well, thanks for thinking of me."
"Did Mom say it was OK?" asked Beth.
"Actually, Beth, it's not Mom's decision as to whether or not Natalie comes on this trip. Besides, Natalie's parents said yes, and that's all that matters. Mom will be glad that I have someone going with me."
"You're so selfish sometimes, only ever thinking about yourself!" Beth shouted. "I have to stay in Pallet Town while you two explore Kanto and get to see all the sights and Pokemon. It's not fair!"
"Beth," came Mary's voice, joining them. "I'm warning you, don't start this all up again."
"But, Mom..." pleaded Beth. "Natalie's going with Daniel on his trip. If she can, why can't I?"
"You're too young." warned Mary.
"I'm the same age as Natalie! That's only a year younger than Daniel!"
"If Natalie's parents have said she can go, that's their decision. Mine is not to have both of my children up and leave me in the space of a week. Do you understand?"
Daniel remained silent, while Beth bowed her head under her mother's furious glare. "Yes..."
"Good." Mary turned to Daniel. "Where's Natalie?"
"She's at the Pokemon Center."
"OK. Well we'll be at the PokeMart, so make sure to pop in and tell her so we can meet you there."
"Yes, Mom," Daniel said, ignoring the sulky glare Beth gave him.
Later, the four of them exited Viridian City's Pokemart with everything they could carry. Mary had bought Daniel some empty Pokeballs in which to catch new Pokemon, as well as some Potions and three each of Antidotes, Paralyz Heal and Awakening. Daniel felt a little guilty as Mary handed over the bill, but his mother leaned over and whispered to Daniel, "I get a twenty percent discount."
If Beth had been near enough to notice how much was being spent on her older brother's trip, she would've packed a tantrum right then and there. As it was, she in the Pokedoll aisle with Natalie.
The group exited and headed south towards Pallet Town. Meowth and Vulpix played with each other while Beth frowned at the number of Pokeballs Daniel was given, asking leading questions which Daniel expertly deferred. Mary offered to buy Natalie something, but she had flatly refused.
"My parents already gave me some money to buy some supplies. I appreciate it, but it's not necessary, Mrs. S."
When they reached Pallet Town, Mary suddenly announced, "I'm going to catch up with Joshua's mother. I'll see what I can find out."
Later that night, everyone crowded into the dining room.
"Here," Mary said, discreetly passing Daniel an envelope as Beth left the table to wash her hands for dinner. "It's some money for your travels. It's all I can afford after today's splurge, so look after it carefully."
Daniel didn't dare look. He knew that his mother's wages were the only source of income she had, and that the savings that his father had amassed for the better part of his life were slowly waning. With one less mouth to feed, Daniel imagined that he'd be less of a burden - but if he so much as voiced that fact to his mother, she might chastise him for thinking such things.
"Mom, we're out of soap," Beth said, wringing her hands dry as Vulpix avoided the minuscule pellets of water being flung at her.
"Did you use the last of it?" Mary asked.
"Well, what do you think I used to wash my hands?" Beth replied sulkily, settling into her seat. Vulpix jumped onto her lap, but Beth waved her away.
"Beth, I know you're angry about not being able to leave, but it's just not the right time." Mary tried to appease her daughter's mood, to no avail. "I'd like you to take into account the fact that Daniel will no longer be around."
"Oh!" Beth's eyes gleamed. She turned to Daniel. "Do I get your bedroom now?"
"Well, let's not be hasty," Mary interrupted. "Daniel will need a place to sleep when he returns."
"It's fine, Mom, really." Daniel took a bite of his dinner, unconcernedly.
"Really?" Mary and Beth asked in unison, with different expressions on their face. Beth looked rapt with excitement, while Mary looked a little worried.
"Well, it's not like I won't visit. But when I do, is there any need to keep all my stuff exactly the same way as it is? Not really. But only on one condition." Daniel turned to Beth. "If I agree to give you my room, you have to stop pestering Mom about leaving home and be a bit more considerate to the fact that she's not going to have me around. It'll be a hard time for her."
"That's very sweet of you, Daniel," Mary smiled.
"After all, I'm her favorite child." joked Daniel.
Everybody erupted into laughter, enjoying the tender moment of joy. It would be missed, thought Mary.
"Hey Mrs. S, did you find out what's going on with Josh?" Natalie asked.
Mary's face was still red with the exertion of laughing so hard. "Now that you mention it, I talked to his mother and she told me something quite interesting."
"What?" asked three voices at once.
"Well," Mary paused to savour the moment. She wasn't sure whether it could be classed as good or bad news. "His mother told me that he left to become a Pokemon Trainer."
"He's left home?" Natalie asked.
"His mother was surprised, too. Naturally, she had her reservations - but you know Joshua, he's as stubborn a young boy as I've ever met - and I suppose that inspires a kind of lust for adventure that he just wasn't getting here. He packed his bags and left without a goodbye."
"Wow..." Beth said.
"Maybe you'll come across him in your travels?" asked Mary, turning to Daniel and Natalie.
"Yeah," Daniel said, remembering the determination on Joshua's face the last time he saw him. "Maybe."