CHAPTER TWO: The Road to Viridian
Kenji looks back from a hill in the early morning. The beautiful view of the quaint Pallet Town fills Kenji's eyes. He rubs his eyes with his sleves and turns around. He begins to walk down the road again. He looks around and spots a tree. He sits down and sets his bag down. He opens it up and pulls out a sandwich his mom packed. He begins to eat it.
Kenji(with mouth full): Oh! uh pohema!
Kenji reaches into his pocket and pulls out the pokedex. He flips open the little red machine and points it at a bush. The bush rattles, and out pops a pokemon!
Dexter: Rattata, the mouse pokemon. A common pokemon in both Forests and Fields. This pokemon is a realatively easy one to catch for new trainers.
Kenji: Oh! great! Pokemon, Go!
Kenji grabs the ball from his belt. He throws the ball and out pops Charmander. The Charmander stands looking at Kenji, and the rattata looks up. It runs at Charmander and tackles it from behind. Charmander falls forward and grimaces. Kenji runs at the rattata and it runs away. He then goes back to Charmander.
Kenji: Are you ok, Charmander?
Charmander stands up and nods, smiling.
Kenji: Sorry about that. I guess I should've gotten to know you before sending you into battle. Now lets see here...
Kenji uses his Pokedex on Charmander.
Dexter: Charmander, the Lizard Pokemon. This pokemon is a starter in the Region of Kanto. It is the hardest to raise out of the three, but can be immensly powerful. This charmander specifically knows how to use the basic attacks scratch, tackle and fire tail. It will take some time to teach it how to breathe fire.
Kenji: Ok, so scratch, tackle and a tail attack. Good.
Now lets see here. Oh there!
Kenji points behind charmander, who jumps up and turns in the air. Another Rattata is taking a drink from a stream.
Kenji: Go get him, Charmander. Tackle!
Charmander runs and dives for a tackle. He hits the Rattata and sends him backwards. The Rattata hops back up.
Kenji: Hit him with your tail!
Charmander swings at the Rattata, but Rattata jumps up and dodges the attack. It flips in mid air and thwaps Charmander in the back of the head with its tail. Charmander falls on its face.
Kenji: Oh no!
Kenji runs over to Charmander. He picks up the 1 1/2 foot pokemon and dusts him off. The Charmander gazes happily up at Kenji.
Kenji: Darn it! I guess we need to practice a bit. Um...also Charmander, I have a question. Are you a Male or a Female?
Charmander shakes its head.
Kenji: Um...so you are a male?
Charmander begins to nod.
Kenji: Ok then. Well lets continue.
Kenji carries the Charmander and the two walk along the path. Kenji looks left and right, but sees no more pokemon. The two continue for about an hour down the road, when suddenly a call breaks the silence. Kenji looks right again, and he spots a trainer. The trainer is barking orders to a pokemon. Kenji whips out the Pokedex eager to learn more.
Dexter: Weedle, The Poison Caterpillar pokemon. This pokemon is another common one, but is more dangerous than a Caterpie, due to the stinger on its head. This stinger can be used for a poison sting attack.
Trainer: Poison Sting the tree again!
The weedle scrunches up and lunges foreward, attacking the tree. The stinger sticks right into the bark, and the trainer goes foreward to remove the Weedle. He looks around and spots Kenji.
Trainer: What are you looking at? Are you trying to steal my training strategies?
Kenji: Wah! No! I was just passing, and your shouts did certainly scare me. So thats a Weedle you've got there?
Trainer: Not just a weedle, this is my Stingerjack. Hes the best Weedle on this side of Viridian City.
Kenji: Oh! Do you live in Viridian City? is it close?
Trainer: Yeah, I live on the outskirts. Its about a 10 minute walk from here. Why do you want to know?
The boy looks at Kenji suspiciously.
Kenji: Well I just left Pallet Town, and I'm trying to get to Viridian. I haven't met anyone along the way yet, so I'm excited I've met you.
Trainer: Oh yeah? Well my names Hector, and I'm going to become a Pokemon Master one day!
Kenji: Oh really?
Kenji holds back a laugh, and tries to look normal.
Kenji: Well good luck with that. What kind of pokemon do you see around here?
Hector: Well here I've seen Pidgey, Rattata, Nidoran, Weedle, and Bellsprout. Its the Spearow and Mankey around here that you should stay clear of. I wouldn't recommend battling either of those at your level. So you have a Charmander?
Kenji: Yes sir. Straight from the Oak Pokemon Lab.
Hector: Is that so? Well I'll have you know I got my Weedle just yesterday. My dad caught it for me, and I leave home tomorrow. So maybe we will see each other around, yeah?
Kenji: Probably, if you are heading the same way I am.
Hector: Well when that day comes, how about a battle?
Kenji: Well I may not be ready for battle yet, but I can promise you that Charmander and I will be ready next time we see you!
Hector: If you're sure...hehehe.
Kenji: Goodbye!
Kenji waves goodbye to Hector and continues down the road. He sets the charmander down, and smiles, looking around. The two continue down the road. After about five minutes of walking Kenji trips in a hole and goes flying into the ground!
Kenji: Owie! Where did that come from?
Charmander falls backwards and begins to laugh hysterically.
Kenji: Think thats funny? So do I! Hahaha.
Kenji begins to laugh, but suddenly he stops, and so does Charmander. A pokemon popped up out of the hole!
Kenji: What is that??
Dexter: Sandshrew, the Sand Mouse Pokemon. This pokemon lives in burrows dug into the ground. It curls up to protect itself from Predators.
Kenji: Uh oh! I think I damaged its home. Ahh it's coming right for us!
The sandshrew balls up and rolls right for Charmander and Kenji! Kenji picks up Charmander and runs. The Sandshrew bounces up from the ground and hits Kenji in the back!
Kenji: Ouch! Stop that!
Dexter: Rollout, a rock technique.
Kenji: Its attacking me!
Kenji continues to run. He reaches the top of a hill and can see Viridian down at the bottom. Kenji hightails it down the hill. He flies down the road all the way to the town gate.
Kenji: Help me! Sandshrew attack!
A man looks up at Kenji and hops over a fence. He throws a pokeball, as the Sandshrew whacks Kenji hard, sending him to the ground. Kenji turns to his back to protect the Charmander. The man begins to shout.
Man: Nidorino, Horn Attack!
A purple pokemon lunges out and stabs the Sandshrew with a horn. The Sandshrew falls to the ground, clutching the impact point. The man throws a pokeball, and it nails the Sandshrew. The ball shakes a few times before going passive. The man walks over and picks up the pokeball. He then goes over to the fallen Kenji and offers him a hand.
Kenji: Thanks a lot, mister!
Man: Don't mention it. The name's Cole. I'm the Viridian City Gym Leader.
Kenji: Oh wow, a Gym Leader! I'm Kenji, and this is my Charmander!
Cole: Pleased to meet you! Welcome to Viridian City.
Kenji: Thanks a lot. I didn't realize how long it isif you don't take a car!
Cole: Hehe. Came from Pallet, did you?
Kenji: Yes sir.
Cole: Well come on, I will show you around.
Kenji: Top notch service, a Rescue and a Tour!
The two laugh and head for the town. Kenji looks back at the wilderness, excited to continue his adventure. He wonders whats next for his journey as he looks foreward and follows Leader Cole.
