Day 229

[from Pokémon: Shattered Crystal]

The morning after arriving at Violet City, I head back out to Route 31 to get some much-needed training. I can't rely on just Firebrand to win the battle: I'll need Dusk, Banshee and Dizzy to do their best for me as well. I'll have to be careful while training them, though, as they're currently pretty weak, and if I push them too hard, it'll end in disaster.

Over the course of the training session, my Pokémon and I knock out some thirty wild Pokémon¹. Their unconscious bodies start to litter the area, and some even wake up only to be beaten back into submission. I feel kind of sorry for them all, being beaten so ruthlessly, but with no trainers in sight, it's the only way I can make my Pokémon stronger. I at least have the decency not to kill any of them. I don't want to get stronger at the cost of others' lives.

Early in my training, I'm interrupted by a phone call from Joey asking for a rematch. Eager to break up the monotony of training, I agree, and head back to Route 30 to face him. While my team has improved since our last meeting yesterday, his Rattata still seems to be at the same strength, and Dusk dispatches it in two hits without sustaining any damage in reply. With Joey defeated once more, I head off to resume my training.

In the end, the only major incident is when a Spinarak poisons both Dizzy and Dusk, and I'm forced to use up two of my Antidotes on them. Other than that, the training goes without a hitch. I make regular trips back to Violet City to heal my Pokémon at the Pokémon Centre, in order to conserve my Potions for the battle ahead. While this approach helps protect my Pokémon from danger, it also slows down my training somewhat, and it takes me a solid hour of training² before I feel that my entire team is ready to face the first Gym.

After healing my team once more at the Pokémon Centre, I head towards Violet City Gym in pursuit of my first Gym Badge. I'm quietly confident about my chances, but it seems that before I'm allowed to take on the Gym Leader himself, I must defeat two of his pupils. Undaunted, I prepare my strategy and then make my way inside.

The first trainer ambushes me soon after I make my way inside. "Let's see if you're good enough to face Falkner!" he says. "Go, Spearow!" The bird Pokémon bursts out of its Poké Ball, and I can tell at once that it's a more formidable opponent than any I've faced before now. Nonetheless, I send out Dizzy and put my plan into action.

"Dizzy," I call out, "use Hypnosis!" Dizzy promptly uses hypnotic suggestion to put the Spearow to sleep, and I take advantage of my foe's slumber to switch in Firebrand. Just as Firebrand charges in to land his first hit, however, Spearow wakes up and dishes out a hit of its own. This really is going to be a formidable fight.

Firebrand and the Spearow fight hard, matching each other blow-for-blow. Soon both Pokémon are limping, and I'm forced to use one of my precious Potions on Firebrand, just to pull him through. It works, and with one last blow, Firebrand knocks the Spearow out, and my first challenger is defeated. "Pathetic," he sneers. "Losing to a rookie trainer like you… you still don't stand a chance against Falkner!"

"We'll see about that," I retort, before making my way on to the second trainer.

This second trainer has two Pokémon, the first of which is a Pidgey. I put the same tactic into action, sending out Dizzy to send the Pidgey to sleep with Hypnosis before switching in Firebrand to deal the damage. It backfires again, however: Pidgey wakes up before Firebrand can land a blow, and doles out one of its own. Firebrand is still a little wounded from the last fight, and I'm forced to use a second Potion to pull him through. Re-energized, the Pidgey is defeated, and I sense Dizzy and Firebrand both grow stronger from their combat experience.

The second Pokémon turns out to be merely another Pidgey. With my strategy called into question, I keep Firebrand out and opt for all-out attack this time. It works: a powerful strike to Pidgey's weak spot cripples it, and a second blow is all it takes to finish it off. Now Falkner is the only one standing between me and the first Gym Bdge.

The second trainer takes defeat about as well as the first. "Don't get cocky just because you beat me, kid!" he says. "Falkner's skills are for real! He'll show you!" The trainers here really seem to believe in Falkner's skills. I'll just have to believe that my own skills are stronger.

Before facing Falkner, I head back out of the Gym and heal my Pokémon once more at the Pokémon Centre, before heading to the Poké Mart and buying some more supplies with the winnings I got from beating Falkner's students. You can’t be too careful. I can't imagine this Falkner will be as shy about hurting my Pokémon as I was about hurting the wild Pokémon in Route 31.

Heading back into the Violet Gym, I make my way toeards the back, where Falkner waits for me. He is a young man with blue hair that drapes over one eye, hiding it from view. The one visible eye is a steely grey-blue. I can expect no mercy from this man. Swallowing my nerves, I step forward to face him.

"Congratulations on making it this far," Falkner says, as he steps forward to meet my challenge. "I'm Falkner, the Violet City Pokémon Gym Leader. I'm a staunch believer in the power of Flying-type Pokémon. They say you can clip a Flying-type's wings with a jolt of electricity, but I believe they are much stronger than that. I won't allow such an insult to them!" He sweeps an arm dramatically at me. "Prepare yourself, challenger! I will show you the true power of the magnificent bird Pokémon! Go, Pidgey!"

Falkner sends out his first Pokémon, Pidgey, and I send out Dizzy. I don't intend for Dizzy to send it to sleep this time; merely to deal some damage and take a few blows before I send in Firebrand. It's a risky strategy, but what isn't? "Dizzy," I call out, "use Bubble!"

To my surprise and delight, Dizzy is able to hold its own against Pidgey, resisting its blows and dishing out powerful Bubble blasts of its own. In the end, Firebrand is not needed: Dizzy dispatches the Pidgey all on its own, though not without taking some punishment in return. "Nice job, Dizzy," I say. "Come back!"

Falkner isn't happy about one of his Pokémon falling. "Not bad," he says. "I guess I don't have to hold back against you, then." He plucks the second Poké Ball from his belt with a smirk. "Go, Pidgeotto!"

This is not good. Pidgeys I could handle, but I'm now up against Pidgey's evolved form. I've come this far, though: I have to try. "Go, Firebrand!" Firebrand bursts from his Poké Ball and immediately lands a strong hit against Pidgeotto. A mere Pidgey would have been crippled by the strike, but Pidgeotto remains standing. This is so not good.

"Pidgeotto, use Gust!" says Falkner. The wind attack catches Firebrand off-guard, and sends it tumbling backwards. Staggering to its feet, Firebrand defiantly launches another Tackle, but again it seems to just bounce off. Pidgeotto sweeps its wings in another Gust attack, sending Firebrand skidding away. "Not bad at all," remarks Falkner. "But your Cyndaquil's attacks are weak."

"Its defences aren't," I retort. "And neither were my preparations." Firebrand, on cue, proceeds to take out a Berry I'd given it beforehand and happily munch it down, restoring its vitality in a jiffy. It then heartily resumes the struggle against Pidgeotto, and after sustaining another strike to its vitals, the bird Pokémon's resistance finally cracks. It lets out a cry of pain and staggers backwards, clearly on its last legs.

"Firebrand," I command, "finish him off!" With its power now peaking, Firebrand forgoes Tackling the Pidgeotto and instead finishes it off with a blast of flame. The exhausted Pidgeotto collapses to the ground, and Falkner is defeated. Victory is mine.

Falkner is left speechless by the defeat at first. "My bird Pokémon…" he mutters in disbelief. After taking a moment to compose himself, he takes a deep breath and smiles at me for the first time. "All right," he says. "It seems like I underestimated you, youngster. Here. Take this." He reaches into his pocket and pulls out a small badge in the shape of a pair of wings. "It's the official Pokémon League Zephyr Badge," he explains. "This Badge proves that you've defeated my Gym. It will also raise your Pokémon's attack power."

As the thrill of my victory starts to wear off, I take the badge from Falkner and pin it to my lapel. My first Pokémon League Gym Badge. The first of many, I hope. But Falkner is not done with me yet. "Here," he says. "Take this too." He hands me what appears to be a small CD in a case. "This is a Technical Machine, or TM," he explains, sensing my puzzlement. "It can be used to instantly teach your Pokémon a new move, but think carefully before using it - TMs can only be used once. This one contains Mud-Slap, which reduces the opponent's accuracy while dealing damage. It's useful both defensively and offensively."

"I see," I say, taking the TM disc. "Thank you. I'm sure this will come in handy."

Falkner nods. "I assume you are taking the Gym Challenge?" he asks.

"I am indeed," I tell him, as I put the disc away.

"Good," said Falkner. "You should continue to test your skills. As for me…" He recalls his unconscious Pidgeotto and places its Poké Ball back on his belt. "I'm going to keep training to become the world's greatest bird master!"

"Good luck with that," I tell him. "And… thank you."

"You are welcome, trainer," says Falkner. "Now, go. There are gyms all across Johto that are waiting for you."

I nod, and take my leave. As I step outside, the Violet City air tastes that little bit sweeter. Now that I've defeated one Pokémon Gym, my confidence is sky-high. I know I can take the other seven now. It's just a matter of training.

[FOOTNOTES]

¹Yes, I counted.

²It only took me 45 minutes to beat the Gym itself and write the 1400-word summary of its events. I hate grinding.

Day 222

[from Pokémon: Shattered Crystal]

As I make my way back through Route 29, the sun begins to set. I'm soon accosted by a Pokémon I've never seen before: a Hoothoot. Armed with my Poké Balls, I decide to make an attempt to catch it. "Go, Firebrand!" I say, unleashing my companion.

Firebrand swiftly weakens the Hoothoot with two hard Tackles, and though the Hoothoot replies with a Tackle of its own, Firebrand shrugs it off like it's nothing. With the Hoothoot weakened, I quickly take a Poké Ball out of my backpack and throw it. It neatly encapsulates the Pokémon, shakes thrice, and is still. I have caught my first Pokémon, and in honour of having caught her at night, I decide to name her Dusk.

My new catch does not seem to like me at first, but after I feed her an Oran Berry to get her strength back up, she perks up a little and hoots with content. "Don't worry," I reassure her. "I'll take care of you. I promise." Before I can return Dusk to her Poké Ball, we're suddenly confronted by another Hoothoot. I quickly recall Dusk and send out Firebrand, who dispatches it with ease. Dusk will be weak, since she had little battle experience, so I'll want to try and avoid getting her into any serious fights just yet.

With Firebrand now at my side, we are not attacked again, and I reach Cherrygrove without further incident. Having received some allowance from my mother, I immediately head for the Pokémon Mart the old man had mentioned on my previous visit; some supplies will definitely come in handy for my journey. I buy some more Potions, and some medicine to cure my Pokémon if they ever get poisoned or paralyzed. These medicines could well save my Pokémon's lives, if I use them properly.

With much of my money now gone, I head out into Route 30. Once again I recall the old man's words to me: trainers will be battling their Pokémon out here. I beat Silva back at Cherrygrove, but somehow I'm still not entirely confident about my abilities. I grasp Firebrand's Poké Ball tightly in my hand. I guess I'm about to find out either way.

No sooner have I set foot in the tall grass than I am set upon by a Zubat. I see this as another potential catch, and send Firebrand back out to battle it. As the Zubat swoops down to strike, Firebrand dodges it and instead Tackles it, injuring one of its wings and forcing it to crash into the ground. I toss a Poké Ball at the wounded Zubat, expecting it to be caught like Dusk, but instead the Poké Ball smashes into pieces as the Pokémon breaks free.

The Zubat's struggling is in vain, however, for as it tries to swoop at Firebrand once more, Firebrand Tackles it again and this time pins it to the ground with a front paw. As the Zubat tries to break free, gnashing its jaws and screeching fruitlessly, I throw another Poké Ball and this time I am successful: the Pokémon is caught. It's a female like Dusk, and after a moment's thinking, I decide to call it Banshee, on account of its gender and shrill screeching. My party now numbers three.

Before I get a chance to heal Banshee, another Hoothoot attacks me and Firebrand is called into action once more. Once again Hoothoot fells it with little effort, but I start to worry that the constant fights will wear Firebrand down by the time I reach the trainers up ahead. He's the only Pokémon I really have that's fit for battle, and should he fall, I'll be all but helpless. I quickly feed Banshee and Firebrand some Berries to alleviate my concerns, then press on.

I'm not sure what to expect from the trainers on the route, but I probably wasn't expecting my first opponent to be a young schoolboy who looks about eight. As I pass by a tall patch of grass to my right, he ambushes me from my left. "Hey!" he says enthusiastically. "You look like a weak trainer! Come on, let's battle!"

Ordinarily, I'd be reluctant to battle a kid of this age, who might cry if I beat him too heavily. But the remark about me looking weak stings me. I decide to teach him a lesson. "Alright," I say. "Bring it on."

"Prepare yourself!" says the kid, grabbing what appears to be his only Poké Ball. "Go, Rattata!" The kid sends out his Rattata, which gnashes its teeth in a show of intimidation.

"Go, Firebrand!" Firebrand emerges from his Poké Ball and is almost immediately Tackled by the Rattata. Firebrand holds his own, responding with a Tackle of his own that seems to weaken the Pokémon considerably. The Rattata puts up a brave fight, but two more hits later and it's down.

The kid, who did indeed only have the one Pokémon, looks pretty upset about losing. "Darn it!" he exclaims. "I lost again! I knew I should have caught some more Pokémon before battling again!"

Feeling a little sorry for the kid, I decide to give him some advice. "It couldn't hurt to train your Rattata a little as well," I tell him. "Sometimes it's better to have one strong Pokémon than six weak ones."

The kid thinks this over for a moment. "Hey, yeah, you're right!" he says. "Maybe I don't need any other Pokémon in order to battle better! Maybe if I just stick with my Rattata, the two of us can get stronger together! Yeah, that's what I'll do! I'll stick with Rattata right to the end! Thanks for the advice, mister!"

That wasn't quite what I meant, but if it makes him feel better, then so be it. "Don't mention it," I say.

The kid thinks for another moment, then asks, "Say, can I get your phone number? Maybe we can train together sometime, and you can give me some more advice. Since we're both rookies, it'd be a good motivator. What do you say?"

I shrug. "Sure, why not?" I say.

"Thanks!" says the kid. We swap Pokégear numbers, and in the process I learn that the kid's name is Joey. "I'll ring you whenever I get the urge to battle!" he says.

"Go ahead," I say. "Alright, see you later, Joey."

The rest of the battles on the route turn out to be the same: schoolkids like Joey, with no real idea about how to train or battle their Pokémon. I brush them all aside, along with a wild Spinarak that ambushes me; as I progress, I start sending out Dusk against some of the weaker opponents, gradually building up her battle strength. I can't rely on Firebrand forever.

Before I know it, I'm on Route 31, and only a short distance away from Violet City. To the north I spot a cave entrance, but it looks pitch-black inside, and I decide not to enter for fear of getting ambushed or losing my way. Instead I make my way west, soon encountering another young trainer who battles me with four weak Bug Pokémon. Using Dusk and Firebrand, I defeat him with ease.

"Hey, you're good!" says the kid, after he's been defeated. "I like you! How about I share some of the Berries I find with you? If you give me your phone number, I can call you whenever I find some good Berries. Sound like a fair deal?"

"Yeah, sure," I say. It can't hurt to have more Berries, surely. I exchange phone numbers with the kid, whose name I learn is Wade, and continue on my way.

Not too far from where I battled Wade, I find a stray Poké Ball lying on the ground. I pick it up, but before I can put it away, I'm accosted by a wild Poliwag. Praising my luck, but wary of the type advantage it holds over Firebrand, I send out Dusk to battle it, intending to capture it. The Poliwag defends itself with a flurry of bubbles, but Dusk shrugs off the attacks and soon the Poliwag is weak enough for me to throw the Poké Ball I just picked up at it. It works, and I now have my fourth companion: I name him Dizzy, after his waddling gait and the spiral on his stomach.

Soon after catching Dizzy, I arrive in Violet City. It's now nightfall, and the streets around me are illuminated by bright lamps. It's too late to challenge the Gym Leader today, and in any case, I'm not sure whether my Pokémon are ready yet. I decide to first locate the city's Pokémon Center, to rest my weary Pokémon, then find a hotel and rest my weary self. Tomorrow, I'll prepare to take on the first Gym Leader: Falkner.

NEW COMPANION: DUSK THE HOOTHOOT (LVL.3, ROUTE 29)

NEW COMPANION: BANSHEE THE ZUBAT (LVL.3, ROUTE 30)

NEW COMPANION: DIZZY THE POLIWAG (LVL.4, ROUTE 31)

Day 215

[from Pokémon: Shattered Crystal]

I make it back through Route 29 safely, and head straight for Professor Elm's lab. When I get there, I find that one of the windows has been smashed in, and there are a few police officers milling around. Elm's lab is a very important Pokémon research facility, so the theft here will be of great concern to the local police force, in case anything of significance was stolen.

I duck under the police tape and make my way inside the laboratory. Professor Elm is standing near his desk, talking to a police officer. As the officer notices me approaching, he turns to me with a stern expression. "Excuse me, kid," he says, "this is a crime scene, you can't just-"

"It's okay," Professor Elm said hurriedly, "he's an assistant of sorts. I asked him to come back here after the robbery occurred, just after I called you guys."

The police officer still looks sceptical of me, but decides not to question my presence any further. "I see," he says.

"What exactly happened here, Professor Elm?" I ask.

The officer butts in before Elm can answer. "According to the professor, a rare Pokémon was stolen from the laboratory a short time ago," he said. "The culprit broke in through the front window, stole the Poké Ball, and left immediately without stealing anything else."

"They only took the Pokémon?" I say. "That's strange. There's a lot of stuff here worth stealing, why only take a Pokémon?"

"I don't know," said Professor Elm. "Admittedly, this wasn't a Pokémon you could just find anywhere, but how did that kid know about it?"

I remember the incident that occurred on my way here, and the dots fully connect. "It… wouldn't happen to have been a young guy with long red hair, would it?" I ask.

"Wh- yes, it was!" said Professor Elm, surprised.

The police officer is equally surprised. "You're saying you ran into someone of that description?" he says.

"Yes," I say. "He attacked me on the outskirts of Cherrygrove City… with the stolen Pokémon. I think. I beat him, and he ran off."

"I see," said the police officer, readying his notepad. "Did you happen to get his name?"

"He told me his name was Silva," I tell him. "I don't know if that's a first or a last name, though."

The officer jots down what I just told him. His attitude towards me seems to have improved considerably now that I've assisted him. "Well, that's still a great help," he says. "Now we know his name and his recent movements. Thank you very much for your help."

The police officer heads off, presumably to relay this new information to the other officers, leaving Elm and I by ourselves. The professor still looks a little shaken by what has transpired here. "Ryan, this is terrible," he says. "I still can't believe someone would do something like this."

"I'm sorry, Professor," I say. "I could have stopped him back in Cherrygrove."

"Don't beat yourself up, Ryan," says Professor Elm. "You did what you could." The professor decides to change topics, giving me a small smile. "So, anyway… what was Mr. Pokémon's big discovery?"

"Uhh… hang on a second," I say. I put down my backpack, open up the main compartment, and take out the egg. The professor looks at it in shock, and takes a step backward.

"That?!" he says. "Well, I… what is that?" Composing himself, he steps forward again and adjusts his glasses, peering down at the object. "Is that a Pokémon egg? If it is, it's a fantastic discovery! We've always wondered how Pokémon reproduce, and this egg could well be the answer to our questions!" He reaches out to take it from me. "May I…?"

"Of course," I say, handing it over. The Professor takes it gently in his hands and turns it over, examining it. "Truly an amazing discovery…" he mutters. "I'll study this egg and see what I can learn about it." He places it very carefully on top of his healing machine, nestling it inside one of the Poké Ball slots, then turns back to me. "Is there anything else to report?"

"I guess there is one thing," I say. "I ran into Professor Oak at Mr. Pokémon's house, and he gave me a Pokédex." I take out the Pokédex and show it to Professor Elm.

"He did?" said Professor Elm, amazed. "Wow, that's incredible, Ryan! I guess Professor Oak must have seen the same potential in you that I have. You'd make a great trainer, Ryan, maybe even a Champion someday."

I hadn't thought of myself as being that good at Pokémon training, but it seems Professors Elm and Oak both think otherwise. "You really think so?" I say.

"I do," says Professor Elm. "In fact, I think you should take the Pokémon Gym Challenge. It's an excellent way of both honing and proving your skills with Pokémon. The closest Gym would be the one in Violet City, north of Cherrygrove."

I nod. It might be worth considering; I can gather Elm's data, look after the egg, and test myself all at the same time. "Okay. I'll give it a try."

Professor Elm crouches down and places a hand on my shoulder, looking at me with a serious expression. "Ryan," he says. "The road to the championship will be a long and difficult one. You'll face a lot of challenges, and you might not make it through all of them unscathed. You understand that, right?"

I nod. "I understand."

"Good." Professor Elm straightens up again. "You should talk to your mom before you leave. She'll want to know where you're going, and what you're up to. I'm sure she'll be proud of you, Ryan. I'll be rooting for you all the way. Good luck."

"Thanks, Professor," I reply.

I turn to exit the lab, but Professor Elm suddenly calls me back. "Wait, Ryan!" I turn back, and the professor heads to his desk and opens a draw. Fishing around, he pulls out five empty Poké Balls, which he then hands to me. "Here," he says. "If you're going to be filling in the Pokédex for Professor Oak, you'll be needing Poké Balls to catch new Pokémon. You know how to use them, right?"

"Yeah," I say, "you just weaken the Pokémon you want to catch, and then throw a Ball at them."

"Precisely," says the professor. "You'll want to catch as many Pokémon as you can to fill that Dex up. Besides, you won't be able to take on the whole Pokémon League with just that Cyndaquil, no matter how strong it is."

"Okay." I take the Poké Balls and put them in one of the pockets of my bag. I'm sure they'll come in very useful. "Thank you, Professor."

"Good luck, Ryan," sas Professor Elm. "I'll call you if I learn anything about the Egg."

I head back out of the laboratory with this new idea firmly planted in my brain. I'm going to try and become a strong Pokémon trainer, and even if I can't become the Champion like Professor Elm thinks, I'm sure I can still do myself proud if I really try my best.

Ducking back under the police tape, I emerge into the street once more, and head off back home. When I get in, my mother is in the kitchen. "Good afternoon, honey," she says. "What did Professor Elm want?"

"He wanted me to run an errand for him over in Cherrygrove," I tell her. "He gave me a Pokémon to help me." I show her Firebrand.

"Aww, that's a cute Pokémon," she says. "That was very kind of the professor. Did you thank him for it?"

"I did, mom," I reassure her.

"Okay, that's good," she says. I know I should tell her that I'm leaving to become a trainer now, but somehow I just can't bring myself to. She seems to tell that something's up, however, because after a moment she says: "Is there something else, Ryan?"

I take a deep breath and decide to just come out with it. "Professor Elm says I have enough skill with Pokémon to be a champion trainer one day. He says I should go and take the Pokémon Gym Challenge, so... I'm going to do it. Or at least, I'm going to try. But it means that… I might not be home for a while."

My mother nods, and to my relief I see that she is smiling. "I see," she says. "So, you're leaving on a big adventure… well, in that case, I wish you all the best of luck, dear. Do remember to come and visit sometime, okay? I'll keep your room nice and tidy for you. And don't push yourself too hard, alright? You can always take a break whenever you need to."

"I know, mom," I say.

"Hmm… there must be some way I can help you out from here…" my mother says to herself.

"Honestly, mom, I'll be fine," I tell her.

"I'm sure you will," she says. "You're my big, strong man, and I'm so proud of you, but that doesn't mean I can't support you, right? Oh, I know! I can save money for you! I'm sure you'll be needing plenty of it on your journey. Would you like me to do that for you?"

"Sure," I say. "Thanks, mom." [AUTHOR NOTE: I actually chose "No" in-game, due to how the mechanic works, but it wouldn't fit the narrative if I had the protagonist decline]

"Okay," my mother says. "Be careful out there. And remember, Pokémon are your friends. You need to work with them, not treat them like tools."

"I know, mom," I say. "I'll look after Firebrand and the others. I promise."

"Good," she says, smiling down at me. "Now, go on! Go out and conquer those Gyms! I'll be behind you all the way!"

I nod. "I will," I say. "I'll see you later, mom."

"See you later, Ryan," says mom. "I'll be rooting for you!"

I leave my house, not knowing when I'll be returning to it, and head back towards Route 29 once more. My Pokémon journey is now truly underway.

Day 205

[from Pokémon: Shattered Crystal]

The man who answers the door is a middle-aged man with grey hair, a bushy grey moustache, and a trilby hat. "Ah, hello!" he says. "You must be Ryan. Professor Elm said you'd be coming over. Please, do come in."

Mr. Pokémon opens the door wide for me, and I follow him inside. The house is rather messy inside, with a few machines scattered around, as well as large bookshelves filled with encyclopaedic volumes about Pokémon. There's another middle-aged man sat at the table, but I pay him no attention for the moment, my mind focused on Elm's errand. "So, what's this big discovery?" I ask Mr. Pokemon.

Mr. Pokémon takes something from off the table and shows it to me. "This!" he proclaims. "This is what I want Professor Elm to examine." Looking at it, it appears to be some kind of egg. It's a creamy white colour, with strange red and blue shapes all over it. I've never seen anything like it before.

"I know a couple who run a Pokémon day-care service out on Route 34," says Mr. Pokémon. "They gave me that egg. Apparently, they don't know where it came from, and they've never seen anything like it. I was intrigued by it, so I sent an e-mail to Professor Elm. After all, he's the leading authority on Pokémon evolution. Even Professor Oak here recognizes that."

Mr. Pokémon gestures at the man sitting at the table, and suddenly I recognize him. Professor Samuel Oak is one of the most famous Pokémon researchers in Kanto and Johto; he even has his own radio show. "Hello, Ryan," he says, waving at me. "I was just here on a visit; Mr. Pokémon's an old friend of mine."

"Hello," I say, smiling warmly at him.

"I hear you're running an errand for Professor Elm," he continues. "Is that the Pokémon he gave you?" He points to Firebrand.

I nod. "This is Firebrand," I tell him."

"That's a good name," says Professor Oak. "That's a pretty rare Pokémon, too. Professor Elm must think you have good potential as a trainer, to give you a Pokémon like that. Hmm…" He leans forward, as though examining Cyndaquil carefully, then straightens up, seemingly pleased. "Yes, I'd say he was right. Like all good Pokémon trainers - and like myself and Professor Elm - you clearly understand that Pokémon are our friends, not just tools. He must have seen that you would treat your Pokémon with love and kindness."

"I certainly do," I say, picking Firebrand up and gently cuddling him. "Firebrand has been a good friend to me so far." He's warm to cuddle, too.

After a moment, Professor Oak seems to have a brainwave. "Ah!" he says. "Since you seem to be dependable, Ryan, how would you like to help me out?" He reaches into his lab coat and pulls out a strange red clamshell device. "Here," he says. "This is the latest version of my Pokédex. It automatically records data on Pokémon you've seen or caught, like a high-tech encyclopaedia. I'd like you to have it. Go and meet as many kinds of Pokémon as you can, and record their data in that Pokédex for me. The information will be invaluable for my research. If you can, try and complete it!"

I take the Pokédex, then hesitate. "Are you sure you want me to have this?" I ask.

Professor Oak nods. "I'm sure. I have faith in you, Ryan. Oh, but I've stayed too long," he adds suddenly, getting up from his seat. "I have to get to Goldenrod for my usual radio show. Ryan, I'm counting on you!" With a parting wave, Professor Oak departs.

"That's a big responsibility you've been given there, Ryan," says Mr. Pokémon. "Professor Oak doesn't just hand out Pokédexes willy-nilly, you know."

"I guessed," I say. "But I'm not sure about this."

"Professor Oak is," said Mr. Pokémon. "And trust me, he knows a good trainer when he sees one. But anyway, back to the topic at hand. If my assumption is correct, Professor Elm will know what this egg is. Could you take it to him?"

My confidence returns a little. "Now that I know I can do." I take off my backpack, open the main compartment, and carefully fit the egg inside. It's nice and snug in there, and hopefully it won't crack.

"While you're here," says Mr. Pokémon, "your Pokémon should have some rest." He indicates a machine in the corner that looks similar to the one at the Pokémon Centre.

"Good idea," I say. I quickly heal Firebrand, then head off on my way.

"Good luck, Ryan!" says Mr. Pokémon as I leave. "I'm depending on you!"

I've only taken about half-a-dozen steps away from the house before my Pokégear rings, signalling an incoming call. The caller ID is Professor Elm. I swiftly answer. "Hey," I say, "I just got back from-"

"Ryan, it's a disaster!" Professor Elm cuts me off, his voice frantic and panicked. "Something terrible has happened at the lab! What should I do… oh God, I… uhh… please! You have to get back here right away! I'll explain more when you get here!"

"Wait!" I say. "Professor, what are you-" But it's too late. Professor Elm hangs up, and I'm left staring at my Pokégear in disbelief. I don't know what could have happened back at Elm's lab, but whatever it is, it's not good. I hurry back down Route 30, dashing through the grass with Firebrand at my side. Mercifully, our only opposition is a lone Pidgey, which Firebrand easily Tackles aside. Soon, we're back in Cherrygrove.

As I approach the entrance to Route 29, however, I spot a familiar face dashing towards me. It's the young man I saw outside Professor Elm's lab earlier that day. Upon seeing me, he cuts me off, staring me down in silence for a few moments. Then, he looks at Firebrand. "So, you got a Pokémon from the lab," he says finally. "What a waste. A wimp like you doesn't deserve a Pokémon like that. I, however…" He plucks a Poké Ball from his belt, and slowly the dots begin to connect in my mind. "I also have a strong Pokémon. Allow me to show you."

With a confident smile bordering on smugness, the man throws his Poké Ball. "Go, Totodile!" he yells. Totodile bursts out of its Poké Ball, its two small fangs gleaming dangerously as it zeroes in on Firebrand. Clearly the man's intent is to battle me, and although I've never battled another trainer before, I seem to have no choice but to comply. Firebrand is at a type disadvantage, but if my theory is correct, then he will also have more battle experience, and therefore be stronger. I guess we'll find out very shortly.

Firebrand swiftly launches into a Tackle, damaging Totodile and dodging its retaliatory strike. Another Tackle, but this time Totodile manages to rake across Firebrand's side with its claws, sending him skidding away. I'm not worried, though, as it seems like I was right: Firebrand is the strongest of the two by far. Two more exchanges of blows later, and Totodile is limping and badly hurt, while Firebrand has little more than scratches.

 Two more Tackles without reply, and Totodile collapses to the ground, unconscious. I could easily have Firebrand finish it off, but I'm not that kind of person, so instead I recall him back to his Poké Ball, confident that I've proven myself to the man.

With a sneer, the man recalls his unconscious Totodile."Hmph. Are you happy you won? Good. Enjoy victory while you can."

I take the opportunity to ask the obvious question. "Who are you?"

The man is once again silent for a moment, staring me down before answering. "My name is Silva," he says finally. "I'm going to the world's strongest Pokémon trainer, and I'm not going to let anyone get in my way, least of all a wimp like you." Angrily shoving me aside, Silva sprints off, presumably to the Pokémon Centre to heal his wounded Pokémon. I'm a little shaken by the whole encounter, but nonetheless, the victory has given me a little more confidence in my own ability as well as that of Firebrand. What's more, I may now have a clue as to what happened back at New Bark Town. I quickly enter Route 29, hurrying to get back to the professor's lab as soon as possible.

Day 199

[from Pokémon: Shattered Crystal]

As I head through New Bark Town towards Route 29, I talk to my Cyndaquil briefly. It tells me that its name is Firebrand. It seems happy to go with me, and we both agree to look forward to having many happy adventures together. The journey to Mr. Pokémon's house can't be far, and the Pokémon inhabiting Route 29 can't be that difficult to fight.

Route 29, like most routes in Johto, is fairly narrow, with thick trees surrounding it on all sides. Ledges restrict one's movement, while patches of tall grass all around hide wild Pokémon within. We watch our step as we progress, for Pokémon could attack at any moment.

It's not long before we reach a spot where the only way forwards is through the tall grass. Without any choice, we set foot inside it and are immediately set upon by a wild Pidgey. I'm not daunted. "Firebrand, use Tackle!" I say. Firebrand Tackles the Pidgey away from me, and it responds with a Growl. Two more Tackles and the Pidgey is down, with Firebrand barely scratched. It seems as though my companion will definitely come in handy on my journey, although I'm sure that won't be the last of them.

A dozen steps later and we're attacked by a Rattata. This time Firebrand takes it down without taking a single hit, and we escape the first patch of grass. Progressing up a nearby ledge, we wind our way along the path and into another patch of grass. This time we pass through without incident, though when we reach a third patch of grass a short distance away, another Rattata appears. This one's refuses to go down without a fight, responding to Firebrand's first Tackle with one of its own, but Firebrand still prevails, and appears to have gotten a little stronger from the encounter.

On a ledge above us to our right, I can see an Oran Berry tree with a ripe Oran Berry hanging down from its branches. Its healing properties might come in handy if Firebrand takes any more damage, so I climb up, pick it, and take it with me. As I climb down, I can see Cherrygrove City in the distance. Firebrand and I press on, and make it there without further incident.

On the outskirts of the city, I'm approached by an old man, who seems to have noticed Firebrand at my side. "You're a rookie trainer, aren't you?" he asks. "I can tell!"

"Oh, I'm not a trainer," I reply. "I'm just carrying out a mission for a friend: this Pokémon is my protection."

The old man doesn't seem to get it. "It's okay," he says. "Everyone is a rookie at some point! If you'd like, I can teach you a few things to help you out on your journey. How about it?"

I figure that it might be worth knowing a few things, just in case there are any complications while I'm on this journey. Besides, he probably won't take no for an answer. "Sure," I say. "Why not?"

"Okay then!" says the old man. "Follow me!" Turning around, he heads off into Cherrygrove itself, and Firebrand and I follow behind him. It's not long before we arrive at a building with a bright red roof and a Poké Ball logo on the front. "This is a Pokémon Centre," the man explains. "They'll heal your Pokémon for you in no time at all, and it's all free, too! You'll be relying on them a lot, so look out for them." I nod. A place like this will definitely come in handy if Firebrand gets seriously hurt.

The old man continues on his way, and a little further down the street we arrive at a building with a bright blue roof. "This is a Poké Mart," says the man. "They sell Poké Balls for catching wild Pokémon, Potions for healing your Pokémon, and a whole host of other useful items." I don't have much money, but if I do get some, then a few Poké Balls and Potions will come in handy. That way I can get a few other Pokémon for extra protection, and I can heal them without having to traipse all the way back to the nearest town.

A little way further on, the man points down a path leading north. "Route 30 is out that way," he says. I take note of it, since this is where I'm headed, but the man continues: "There are a few other trainers out there, battling their prized Pokémon. If you don't want to battle, you'll have to stay clear of them."

As we keep heading west, soon I can smell the salty sea air. I recognize the smell from my hometown, which isn't too far from the coast either. Soon we're walking right beside the coastline. "This is the sea, obviously," says the old man. "Some Pokémon are found only in water, so you might want to try fishing sometime."

We circle back round, heading east again and into the residential area of the city. It doesn't seem like a large city, so I'm not too worried about losing my way and not being able to find the entrance to Route 30 again. Eventually, we arrive at a small terraced cottage. "And this here… is my house!" says the old man. "Thanks for your company. Let me give you a little something to help you on your way."

Reaching into his pocket, the man pulls out what looks like an SD card and hands it to me. "This is a Map Card for your Pokégear," he explains. "You have a Pokégear, right?" I nod. "Then you'll be wanting to get more Cards for it. The more Cards you get, the more useful it is. Here: slide it in that slot, and you'll be able to view a map of the whole region, with your current location marked on it. Isn't that handy?"

I don't have the heart to tell the old man that my Pokégear already has all the Cards installed, including the Map Card, so instead I just smile and nod. "Thank you, sir," I tell him.

"I wish you good luck on your journey," says the old man, before waving goodbye. I wave goodbye back, and the man turns and heads into his house.

With the encounter over, I set about preparing for the next leg of my journey, across Route 30 to Mr. Pokémon's house. I start by heading to the Pokémon Centre to heal Firebrand, and to acquaint myself with the place. If I'm going to be relying on it as much as the old man had suggested, I should know what to expect when I go inside.

Inside the Pokémon Centre, it's fairly warm and inviting, with a pink tiled floor and several comfrtable-looking seats to sit in while you wait. There's a computer in the corner as well, for organizing your Pokémon. At the front desk is a woman in a nurse's outfit, complete with hat, and who smiles broadly at me as I approach. "Good morning," she says. "Welcome to our Pokémon Centre. We can heal your Pokémon back to perfect health. Would you like us to heal your Pokémon?"

"Yes, please," I say, sending Firebrand back into his Poké Ball.

"Okay then," says the woman. I hand over my Poké Ball to her, and watch as she heads over to a healing machine like the one Professor Elm had at his laboratory. "One moment, please…" She places the ball onto the machine and switches it on. There is a gently pulse of light and a mild humming sounds as the machine words, followed a few moments later by a whirr and a beep as it completes its job.

The woman takes the Poké Ball back out of the machine and hands it to me, smiling. "Thank you for waiting," she says. "Your Pokémon is all healed up. Stay safe!"

"I will," I say. "Thank you." With Firebrand healed up, I head out of the Pokémon Centre and back towards the entrance to Route 30. I don't bother entering the Poké Mart, as like I said before, I don't have a lot of money.

Route 30 is much the same as Route 29. Once again, the moment I enter a patch of tall grass, I'm attacked by a Pokémon, this time Poliwag. Its Water-type attacks might give Firebrand trouble, so instead of trying to fight it, I flee the patch of grass and progress onward. The Poliwag, fortunately, does not follow.

As I head north, I spy another Oran Berry tree, and gladly accept its produce. I also find a plastic spray bottle lying near another patch of grass. I pick it up and examine it out of curiosity. It turns out to be an Antidote, used for curing poisons. I put it in my backpack, as it may come in handy if Firebrand is ever poisoned, but in doing so I let my guard down and am accosted by a wild Pidgey. Firebrand comes to my aid as ever, Tackling it away although not without sustaining a couple of hits.

Quickly moving on, I see a sign that indicates I'm heading in the right direction: "Mr. Pokémon's House Dead Ahead!" Sure enough, a few steps later and we can see the house in the distance; however, it lies beyond a rather large patch of grass. Undeterred, we press on, with Firebrand easily taking out the Pokémon that try to ambush us. The continued attacks are starting to weaken him, but I feed him one of the Oran Berries I'd picked and he quickly perks up. Finally, we find ourselves outside Mr. Pokémon's house, and I swiftly knock on the door, eager to see what his revolutionary discovery is.

Day 171

[from Pokémon: Shattered Crystal]

I take my black-and-yellow baseball cap and wedge it firmly onto my head. With my jacket and backpack already on, I'm now finally almost ready for the journey ahead. There are just two more things I need before I can truly begin. One of them awaited me downstairs, though as I made my way down the narrow staircase, I was entirely unaware of this.

As I enter the living room, my mother greets me. "Good morning, Ryan," she says sweetly. "Professor Elm is waiting for you in his laboratory." Of course he is. I knew he would be when I woke up today. He had called by last night, to tell me of an errand he had needed me to run for him. It was too late then for me to leave, but now it's a new day, and I'm free to assist him with whatever needs doing.

"Oh, I almost forgot!" my mother says suddenly. "Your Pokégear is back from the repair shop. Here you go!" She hands me my repaired Pokégear. It's a blue wristwatch with several advanced functions, including a phone and a radio. The radio and GPS functions had stopped working, but as I strap it on and flick through the menu, it seems everything's now working again. That's a relief. I'm sure the GPS mapping system will come in handy.

With that all set up, I head out into New Bark Town. It's a small town surrounded by forests, with only one route out, though of course it's not safe to leave without a Pokémon. To the east, the land falls steeply away, forming a sheer cliff that leads down to the sea. It doesn't sound like the nicest place to live, but it's been my home since I can remember, and I've grown quite accustomed to it.

Professor Elm has lived here for as long as I can remember also. He's a Pokémon researcher, who has dedicated his life to uncovering the many mysteries surrounding Pokémon. His laboratory is only a short walk away, so I head off to the west of town, and after only a few minutes of walking, I'm there.  As I approach, I notice a young man with red hair peering in through one of the windows. He mutters something, but I don't quite catch it.

"Is there something I can help you with?" I ask, as I approach him.

The man turns round and glares at me. His gaze is fierce, and I immediately get the impression that whatever his intentions are at this place, they're not good. "Beat it, kid," he snarls, and I duly walk past him and head on into the laboratory.

Elm is waiting for me near the back of the lab, sitting neatly at his computer desk. "Ah, Ryan!" he says as I enter, pushing his glasses up the bridge of his nose and waving with the other hand. "There you are! Now, about that favour I asked of you yesterday… I was hoping you could help me with some research I'm conducting."

As I approach the desk, I notice three Poké Balls sat on it, next to the keyboard. The second and final thing I will need before my journey begins: a Pokémon to keep me safe. A Pokémon to be my companion. But for now, I get straight down to business. "What kind of research?" I ask.

"Well, you see," says Professor Elm, "I'm writing a paper on Pokémon growth habits that I want to present at a conference. But there are some things I don't quite understand yet. So, I'd like you to raise a Pokémon that I recently caught, in order to give me some more data. Is that okay?"

I nod. "Of course." In truth, as much as I like this town, I've always wanted to get out and explore the rest of the world. I suppose maybe that's part of the reason I agreed to run this errand for Professor Elm in the first place.

The professor give me a relieved smile. "Thanks, Ryan," he says. "You're a great help. I'm sure, with the help of these findings, we'll be able to-" The professor is cut off by a loud beep from his computer. "Huh? Excuse me for a moment, Ryan…" He turns his attention back to the monitor. It appears as though he has received an e-mail. "Let's see… hmm…" He reads it with some interest, then turns back to me.

"Looks like there's been a slight change of plans," he says. "You see, I have this… acquaintance who calls himself "Mr. Pokémon". He makes a lot of weird discoveries, and often calls me to rave about them. Well, I just got an e-mail from him telling me that he's made his biggest discovery yet, and he wants me to come see check it out. Obviously, I'm interested, but I'm busy with my research, and my conference paper. So, could you go in my place? You can gather the data I need and check out Mr. Pokémon's discovery for me, all at once! Sound good?"

I nod. "Yeah, sure," I say. "No problem."

"Alright, good," says Professor Elm. "Here." He gestures at the three Poké Balls lying on the desk. "I want you to choose one of these three Pokémon to raise. You'll be that Pokémon's first partner, and in turn, they'll be your first partner. So, which one will you pick?"

I pore over each of them in turn. Chikorita, the Grass-type Pokémon. Cyndaquil, the Fire-type Pokémon. Totodile, the Water-type Pokémon. They all look like good choices. I think it over for a little while, and then make my decision. "I'll take Cyndaquil," I say.

"Cyndaquil it is, then," says Professor Elm, nodding. He hands over the Poké Ball containing Cyndaquil and I place it on my belt. "Mr. Pokémon lives a little way beyond Cherrygrove City," he says. "It's almost a direct route there, so you can't miss it. But just in case, here's my phone number. Call me if anything comes up." He writes his number down on a piece of scrap paper, and I enter it into my Pokégear's address book. The professor then gestures at a large machine at the back of his lab. "If your Pokémon ever get hurt," he says, "you should heal them with this machine. Feel free to use it anytime."

"Okay," I say, nodding. "Thank you."

Professor Elm places a hand on my shoulder, giving me a confident look. "Ryan," he says, "I'm counting on you."

"I'll do my best," I tell him. With that, I turn and start to leave; however, one of Elm's researchers calls me over. "Hey, Ryan!" he says. "Before you go, I wanna give you this." He hands me a Potion, an item for healing Pokémon. "You might need it for your errand."

"Thank you," I say, smiling kindly at him. I put the Potion away in my backpack, for sake-keeping.

"Good luck out there," says the researcher.

"Thanks," I say. Adjusting the straps on my backpack, I head out of the laboratory to begin my journey. As I exit through the front door, the red-haired young man I saw on my way in is no longer there.