Kanto Gets Loud
(A Loud House x Pokemon Story)
Chapter 7: New Friends
Meanwhile, with Lincoln,
The motorcycle, rode by the officer with Lincoln and Pikachu as passengers was nearing what appeared to be a large hospital, before coming to a complete stop just before the doors, "And here we are, the Viridian City Pokemon Center," the officer said, looking towards her passengers, who were shaking like leaves.
"T-t-too fast," Lincoln sputtered, as he got out of the side car, actually tripping out of it.
"Oh, come on, my driving wasn't that bad, was it?" the officer questioned.
"M-maybe for you, it wasn't," Lincoln replied, as he got his bearings, and picked up his equally rattled Pikachu, "Well, in any case, I'm truly grateful for the ride," Lincoln replied.
"It's no problem. I'll leave you to take care of business in the Pokemon Center, so I wish you both a good night," the officer said.
"To you as well, Officer," Lincoln replied, as the officer rode off, allowing Lincoln to enter the Pokemon Center. Inside, the lobby looked similar to that of any hospital. At the front desk, he saw a young woman with pink hair in a nurse's outfit typing on the computer. Next to her was a pink, egg shaped Pokemon with an egg in its belly pouch. Lincoln approached the desk.
"Hello, and welcome to the Pokemon Center. My name is Nurse Joy. How can I be of assistance?" the nurse asked.
"I was wondering if you had any available rooms that my Pokemon and I can stay for the night?" Lincoln asked.
"Of course! We have one available room left," Nurse Joy replied, giving Lincoln a card key, "You'll be staying in room #3. Are there any more trainers who'll be bunking with you?" she asked.
"Not immediately. Are the rooms suited to house multiple people at a time?" Lincoln asked.
"Yes. Each room has two sets of bunk beds," Nurse Joy replied. Just then, two people walked through the front door. Lincoln recognized the girl from earlier in the day, but not the boy.
"Did I hear that right? There's only one room left?" the girl asked.
"Yes. This young man just rented the last available room," Nurse Joy replied.
"But if what she said about the bunk beds is true, then I'm more than willing to share," Lincoln added.
"Hey, thanks man! I've been walking all day, and I need a proper bed," the boy replied.
"No problem. I'm Lincoln Loud by the way," Lincoln introduced himself.
"I'm Misty Waterlily," the girl said.
"The name's Raigo, and I come from Lavaridge Town in the Hoenn Region," the boy said.
"The Hoenn Region?" Lincoln asked.
"Yeah, it take about a day or two by boat to get there, but it's on the other side of the ocean," Raigo replied.
"So, what about you, Lincoln? Where do you come from?" Misty asked.
"I'm actually from Royal Woods, Michigan, in America," Lincoln replied.
"Ah, a foreigner, huh?" Raigo asked.
"Yeah, so I'm still a bit new to the whole Pokemon Trainer business thing. Any chance you guys could tell me what the Pokemon Center has to offer?" Lincoln asked.
"Certainly. For starters, the lodging that the Center provides is free of charge to any trainers that are in need of rest," Nurse Joy explained.
"Free lodging? Now that's my kind of deal," Lincoln commented with a smirk.
"Another cool thing about Pokemon Centers is that machine behind the counter," Misty said, pointing to the machine behind Nurse Joy, "In every Pokemon Center, that machine can help heal up and cure almost any illnesses a Pokemon may have."
"But if some injuries are too severe for the machinery, then we provide emergency medical treatments, such as surgeries," Nurse Joy added.
"I see. Which reminds me, could I ask you to heal up my Pokemon?" Lincoln asked, setting Pikachu down on the counter, and placing Fearow's Pokeball next to it.
"My team could go for some healing too," Raigo said, placing five Pokeballs in a tray.
"Mine too," Misty said, placing three into a tray.
"Of course. You can just leave it to me! But I will need your Pikachu to be returned to it's ball," Nurse Joy explained, only for Pikachu to shake his head in refusal.
"Yeah, Pikachu doesn't really like going inside of it's Pokeball. He's even threatened to zap me if I even try," Lincoln explained.
"A threat that I will make good on if you try it!" Pikachu stated.
"I see. So it's one of those types of Pokemon. Understandable," Nurse Joy replied, turning to the egg shaped Pokemon, "Chansey, could you go and get a stretcher for Pikachu?" with a nod, Chansey went behind the double doors that were off to the side. Before it did, Lincoln then pulled out his Pokedex, and pointed it Chansey.
"Chansey, the Egg Pokemon, a Normal Type. Chansey lays highly nutritious eggs on a daily basis, The eggs are said to be so delicious, that even those who have lost their appetites devour them eagerly," the Pokedex explained.
'Hmm, no further information? It must not work on Pokemon that already belong to other trainers,' Lincoln thought.
"Would the two of you continue explaining the many features of the Pokemon Center, while I treat the rest of your Pokemon?" Nurse Joy asked Misty and Raigo.
"Sure thing," Misty replied.
"No problem," Raigo replied. Nurse joy smiled, as she took the trays, and carried them all over to the machine, while Lincoln's attention was now focused on his two new friends.
"Carrying on with Nurse Joy's explanation, the Pokemon Center also has Videophones, over there," Misty explained, pointing to a line of phone booths with Videophones, "Like the rooms and medical treatments, the Videophones are free to use. Depending on who you're calling, you can also have Pokemon sent to or from your current location" Misty explained. Lincoln nodded.
'Ok, so I can call Professor Oak, and maybe my family,' Lincoln thought.
"Lastly, the Pokemarts," Raigo said, pointing over to what appeared to be a market, "Here, you can purchase all kinds of useful items, such as Pokeballs, medicines, clothing, basically all the essentials you'll need for a long journey," Raigo explained.
"Does that include food too? I promised Pikachu a treat, and I would rather not go back on my word," Lincoln asked.
"Naturally. You can talk to the clerk and he'll ring you up your items. Just be sure to give him your Trainer Card so that you can pay for whatever you need to buy," Raigo replied.
"I need to go buy some more Potions and some Repels for the road," Misty commented, as she walked towards the market.
"I should pick up some Pokeballs myself," Raigo commented, as he made his way over to the Pokemart himself.
"Well, time to do a little shopping," Lincoln said, as he joined the two of them.
"Hello, and welcome to the Pokemart. How can I help you?" the clerk asked.
"I was wondering if you had any bottles of ketchup?" Lincoln asked.
"We just got a shipment in today. Just wait right here, and I'll be right back," the clerk said, as he went into the back of the store. While waiting, Lincoln noticed some differently colored USB sticks on a display. Oddly enough, he noticed they each had a certain move printed on them. The clerk then came back with a fresh bottle of ketchup, "There you go, one bottle of ketchup. Will that be all today?" the clerk asked.
"Yes, but if I may ask, what are those things?" Lincoln asked, pointing to the USBs.
"Ah, you certainly have a good eye. These are Technical Machines, or TMs for short," the clerk explained.
"Ok, so how do they work?" Lincoln asked.
"Quite simply, they can be used by Trainers to help their Pokemon learn new moves instantly, using the move data that's coded onto each machine," the clerk explained.
"Really? It's that easy?" Lincoln asked.
"Indeed it is. The way you use it is equally simple. You just plug the TM into a device called the Move Tutor, and see what moves are compatible to be taught to which Pokemon on your team. Then, when you want to teach a Pokemon a new move, the Move Tutor will send a signal directly to that Pokemon's Pokeball, enabling them to instantly learn the new move. So, for example, if you have a Pidgey, you can use the TM for Steel Wing to instantly teach it a new Steel Type Move that it wouldn't normally learn while leveling up," the clerk explained.
"I see. And it's all completely safe?" Lincoln asked.
"100% safe. If they weren't, we wouldn't be selling them," the clerk replied.
"And are they reusable?" Lincoln asked.
"Indeed they are. The older models would always break after just one use, but with the advances in technology, the Silph Co. has been able to perfect the TM devices so that they can be used as many times without breaking," the clerk replied.
"I see," Lincoln replied.
"Well, in any case, will it just be the ketchup you'll be purchasing, or are you interested in purchasing a TM?" the clerk asked.
"Hmm, I think I'll wait on a TM, but now that I remember it, maybe some Pokemon food for Electric and Flying Types would be useful right about now. Where can I find some?" Lincoln asked.
"Aisle 3 has all of our Pokemon Food supplies, including mixes for trainers to make their own unique recipes," the clerk replied.
"Ok. I'll go and get a can or two for Pikachu and Fearow," Lincoln commented, as he went over to aisle 3. It didn't take long for him to find what he was looking for, as he immediately spotted the cans of Pokemon food for Electric Types and Flying types. As he got two cans of each, his thoughts immediately went to his own need for food, "I should find something that can fill me up and can keep for long periods of time," he said to himself. He then ducked over to the human food section. There, he was able to find some beef jerky and a bag of chips, "Not really a proper meal, but it can at least keep me fed," Lincoln commented, as he returned to the front counter, and placed the items, "This should do it," he said. The clerk then began to ring up each item, including the ketchup from before.
"Your total will be 300 Pokedollars," the clerk replied.
"300?! That's an awful lot for only a few items," Lincoln commented.
"Actually, it's quite normal. 300 Pokedollars is roughly about $3 in American Currency," Raigo explained, as he came up with a handful of Pokeballs.
"Ah, I see. That makes sense," Lincoln replied, as he handed his Trainer Card over to the clerk. Taking a moment to scan the card, he then bagged up Lincoln's purchase, and gave back his ID card..
"Thank you, please come again," the clerk said, as Lincoln took the bag with his items and made way for Raigo. As he was checking out, the Chansey from earlier walked over to Lincoln.
"Begging your pardon, but your Pokemon have been fully healed," Chansey said, pointing to the front counter.
"Ok, I'll go and pick mine up," Lincoln replied, heading up to the counter. His conversation with Chasney didn't go unnoticed by either Misty nor Raigo.
"Did he just…?" Misty questioned.
"Sure seemed like it," Raigo replied, as the two of them followed after the white haired boy. At the front counter, Lincoln saw a girl was talking to Nurse Joy. The girl in question was someone who he almost immediately recognized.
"Leaf? Is that you?" Lincoln asked, getting the attention of the girl.
"Oh, hey Lincoln. Were you needing to talk to Nurse Joy?" Leaf asked.
"Yes, but if she's already helping you, then I can wait my turn," Lincoln replied.
"It's alright, I've finished up what I was taking care of," Leaf replied, as she stepped to the side. Lincoln then stepped up to the counter, where Pikachu was waiting.
"I'm happy to say that your Pokemon are both feeling just fine," Nurse Joy replied, as she gave Lincoln Fearow's Pokeball. Pikachu then leaped onto Lincoln's shoulder.
"Feeling better, Pikachu?" Lincoln asked.
"Yeah, apart from a little fatigue, but nothing a good night's sleep can't fix. Anyhow, were you able to get some ketchup?" Pikachu asked. Lincoln then whipped out the bottle from the grocery bag, "Ah, sweet bliss," he commented, as he began to lap up some of the condiment.
"Boy, he must really love ketchup, huh?" Leaf commented.
"Yeah, apparently. So, what brings you here, Leaf? I would've thought you'd be heading to the next city," Lincoln asked.
"I spent most of the day doing some shopping. I really came by here before heading to the Motel I'm staying at so I can register for the Pokemon League," Leaf replied.
"That's right, trainer's need to be registered to take on the Gyms in Kanto," Lincoln remembered.
"If you give me your Trainer ID and Pokedex, I can help out with your registration," Nurse Joy commented.
"Oh, ok," Lincoln replied, as he gave the nurse the two items. She inserted both of them into the computer, and typed a few keys on the keyboard.
"Lincoln Loud of Royal Woods, Michigan, Pokemon Kanto League registration complete. Number of Badges: 0. The best of luck," a computerized voice said, before Nurse Joy gave back Lincoln's ID and Pokedex.
"Alright, your all set. And here are some things to help you out," Nurse Joy said, as she set out a tray with what appeared to be a belt with six circular sockets on it, a metal case, and an odd-looking machine with a USB port.
"I can assume that's the badge case I'll be using, but what about the other two things?" Lincoln asked.
"The Ball Belt makes carrying your Pokeballs easier, and provides easier access to them. As for this device," Nurse Joy said, holding up the machine, "This is a Move Tutor device. You can plug it into your Pokedex and use TMs as you see fit. The Silph Co. made them as a means of addressing some issues the older models had," she explained.
"One of those issues being that they break after one use?" Lincoln deduced.
"Precisely. With the newer models, trainers don't have to worry about TMs ever breaking. Of course, the Silph Co. still does make the older models, but they're referred to as 'Technical Records' or TRs," Nurse Joy explained.
"I see. How can one tell if it's a TM or a TR?" Lincoln asked.
"Simply by plugging it into the Move Tutor. It'll scan the coding on the device and tell you if it's a TM or a TR," Nurse Joy replied.
"Alright, that's useful information," Lincoln commented.
"Especially since now that we're both going to participate in the Pokemon League, that makes us official rivals," Leaf commented, a competitive look on her face.
"That makes three of us," Raigo commented, joining the group, along with Misty, "I arrived here in Kanto about half a month ago, and have been participating in gym battles since arriving," he stated.
"Really? Have you won any badges?" Lincoln asked.
"Yep. I've got two badges. I'm planning to hit up the gym in Pewter City after I leave out of here," Raigo replied, showing his badge case and it's contents. One of the badges was a flame, and the other was a pink heart.
"Awesome!" Lincoln exclaimed.
"Indeed. We'll I plan on hitting the road in the morning, so I'm going to take my leave. How about the next time we meet, we battle, Lincoln?" Leaf suggested.
"Sounds good," Lincoln replied, as Leaf left the Pokemon Center. Just then, Lincoln remembered the Videophones, "Nurse Joy, you said the Videophones were free to use, right?"
"Indeed they are. There's a list of phone numbers on the side of the cubicles, including Professor Oak's laboratory," Nurse Joy replied.
"Great! I gotta make a call and check in with him," Lincoln replied, as he went over to the cubicles. He then looked over the machine in front of him, "Ok, this looks simple enough," he commented, as he looked up Professor Oak's phone number.