After a year of hard work and almost 3,000 views, I am overwhelmed by the kindness and sincerity of my audience. I don't write this story to gain approval from anyone, because let's face it, I'm not the best writer in the world. However, it is an absolute pleasure to be able to entertain others as I chronicle the story of Chris and his friends. To express my gratitude, I want to present a special treat! A double feature, if you will. In these chapters, we see Chris begin a new saga in his journey through Johto. What physical and mental trials await Chris as he sets off once more? Please Review and Subscribe!


Chapter 15

Chris found Goldenrod City's traffic to be even worse than Violet City. The trainer felt like his Magikarp being swept to-and-fro by a powerful current. As he was pushed different directions by the lunch crowd, Chris searched for a decent hotel. After meeting his father at the tournament, Chris had considered asking to stay there. He had quickly realized though, that the last thing his over-worked father needed was another obligation. The trainer cut into a less crowded alley and finally came across a hotel that wasn't filled to the brim.

"One room please," Chris informed the receptionist as he handed her his payment card. The trainer had quickly decided to spend the first month in Goldenrod. He had traveled so much in the past week that a long stop sounded wonderful.

On top of needing to slow down, Chris felt motivated to focus on training his Pokémon. Even though his loss in the tournament was expected, it still left a painful scar within him. If there was one thing he had learned from the Goldenrod Tournament, it was that his Pokémon still had a long way to go. Even with Cyndaquil's complete effort and Nidoran's evolution, both Pokémon were completely dismantled. And that was what irked Chris the most.

The trainer found his room on the sixth floor of the hotel and unpacked his clothes and hygiene kit. Chris grabbed a shower before thinking on his next step. The day had only just entered afternoon, leaving Chris with a multitude of options. The trainer opened up a brochure he had found at the welcome desk and searched for a training area.

"I had forgotten about the Bug Catching Contest!" Chris read over the schedule and was pleased to find that it ran three days a week. "It'll have to wait though."

The trainer thought back to the route just outside the city. He and Luke had been in too much of a hurry to explore the area.

"Route 34 it is."

Even without the tournament crowd on the streets, Chris knew the short trip would take time. This knowledge did little to comfort him in the chaos that was traffic. An hour had passed by the time Chris reached the outskirts of the city. The trainer took a moment to catch his breath and bask in the open space around him. A small path branched out to his right and ran through the thick fields of grass that lay beside the ocean. After seeing that the area was practically abandoned, Chris quickly jumped on the opportunity.

"C'mon out!" Chris released all of his land dwelling Pokémon onto the path beside him.

"Cynda?" The fire starter seemed surprised by the rural surroundings.

"This tournament should have shown us how powerful our competition is," Chris looked over the three Pokémon. "Each of you has grown vastly," he nodded at Nidorino, "but we were still completely outmatched. We are going to dedicate this whole month to growing stronger! You will not be dismantled again!"

Chris thought for a moment before deciding on an old training technique of his brother's. After feeding each Pokémon a vitamin, Chris had his team line up beside him and race towards the ocean. After they had sprinted back to him, Chris directed his Pokémon to repeat the circuit several more times while he trained with the fourth member of their team. Chris released Magikarp into the calm waters by the shoreline. The Fish Pokémon floundered for a bit before realizing that it was not in peril.

"We are going to strengthen your body and mind," Chris' eyes locked with the Magikarp's blank ones. "You're a special Pokémon," Chris looked over the fish's unique golden scales, "and there's a reason I caught you. Let's find out what it is."

Chris led Magikarp into a bit deeper water, where some small waves were crashing. At first, Chris had to stay behind his Pokémon to keep the fish from being swept back to shore. The Water type eventually managed to hold his own against the smaller waves, prompting Chris to test the fish against more powerful waves.

"That should be enough for now," Chris informed his obviously exhausted Magikarp. The trainer returned the Water type to his Pokéball and turned back to focus on the other Pokémon.

Chris was pleased to see his Pokémon had not quit their laps and decided to give them a short break. Chris fixed a late lunch for the group to replenish their strength.

"Next," Chris began after they had finished their meal, "we're going to do a bit of sparring. If we can improve your timing and reactions in battle, no one will be able to gain the upper hand on us!"

After seeing the excited look on his team's faces, Chris decided to let the trio direct the sparring. The trainer turned away from his team and tried to find the Goldenrod Gym among the skyline's buildings. He quickly abandoned his search after remembering how large the city actually was. Chris wondered how much he could accomplish in a month's time inside this metropolis. What did his future hold? Before Chris could answer that question, he would have to look over his past week of travel. The trainer withdrew the two badges he possessed. Did these signify how much he had grown since leaving Cherrygrove? And what about the recent tournament loss?

"Cynda!"

Chris was snapped out of his thoughts by a stream of fire that whizzed by his ear. The trainer spun around and found the Fire Mouse Pokémon staring intently at him. The Fire type was paying no attention to his nearby teammates and their sparring.

"Quil!" The starter Pokémon pointed at his trainer.

"Sorry buddy," Chris cleared the previous thoughts from his head. "I got a little distracted." The trainer noticed his other two Pokémon had not stopped their battle, and looked to be locked in an even struggle. "Why don't you join those two while I find somewhere comfy to observe?"

Cyndaquil nodded and turned back toward Nidorino and Golbat's battle. As Chris took a seat in a small patch of grass, he caught his starter glance back over his shoulder at the trainer.

The three Pokémon trained until the sun had begun to set, and the sky had taken on a familiar orange hue.

"Excellent training today!" Chris announced as he looked over his exhausted team. "How are you feeling Nidoran?"

"Rino!" The Poison type shook his powerful horn back and forth.

"Oh yeah!" Chris laughed as he patted his evolved Pokémon. "You're a strong Nidorino now!" Chris turned to Golbat and noticed that the Bat Pokémon had shrunk into the shadow of a nearby tree. "I bet you've had enough sun for one day!" Chris returned the Bat Pokémon to his Pokéball.

"Let's get you guys to a Pokémon Center," Chris informed the remaining duo as he withdrew two Pokéballs. The announcement came much to both creatures' displeasure. "No way am I letting you two walk around in the city! The property damage would be catastrophic!"

Both Pokémon returned to their Pokéballs without too much of a fuss, prompting Chris to release a grateful sigh. The trainer could feel all of the day's travel and battling begin to ware on him. Chris trudged back through the city and found a Pokémon Center only a few blocks away from his hotel. In a town this large, Chris was very thankful for a multitude of Pokémon Centers. After Chris had dropped off his Pokémon with Nurse Joy, the trainer found a seat nearby.

He wondered how much progress Luke had made since they had split. Knowing the trainer's restless spirit, Chris figured that night would not slow the young man from Tohjo down.

"Hopefully he doesn't get too far ahead," Chris chuckled to himself. The Johto native leaned his head against the wall, before his eyes caught an advertisement. Chris read it aloud. "Whitney welcomes all certified challengers to the Goldenrod Gym." Chris was unsure when he would actually take on Whitney and her Normal types. After a week of training perhaps he would feel confident in battling her.

Nurse Joy motioned for the trainer and Chris quickly stood up. The trainer met the nurse at the counter, where she handed him back his four Pokéballs.

"Did everything look alright, ma'am?" Chris asked.

The nurse gave him her trademark smile. "Why of course! In fact, I noticed a very powerful heat signature coming from your Cyndaquil." She pointed at the Fire Mouse's Pokéball. "I would guess that it is very close to evolving!"

"That's great news!" Chris felt his tired body explode with energy. "How close?"

"I would suggest asking a breeder," Nurse Joy laughed, "because I'm certainly no expert."

"Thanks anyway," Chris returned her smile and rushed out of the center.

Chris felt like he was flying as he stepped back onto the streets. His starter Pokémon would be evolving! No more would the Fire Mouse have to deal with his small size. The Fire type could finally stand eye-to-eye with Luke's Charmeleon. An unlimited amount of possibilities were racing through Chris' brain.

The trainer considered finding a breeder to confirm the nurse's hunch, but he found the rush hour traffic to be overwhelming. And with night quickly approaching, Chris would have difficulty locating his hotel if he stayed out late. The young man from Cherrygrove worked his way east and felt a rush of relief when he finally stepped into the lobby of his hotel. As he took an elevator up to his sixth floor room, the trainer thought about bringing out his starter and telling him the great news. Once he entered his room however, Chris felt his eyelids become heavy. The trainer managed to take care of his hygiene before collapsing onto the large bed.

Before he succumbed to sleep, Chris' thoughts were on the intense training and evolution that were fast approaching.


I know this is usually where I leave you with a preview of the next chapter, but Chapter 16 is already here! Click that Next Chapter button over there!