Nightingale Chronicles

Aria begins her journey to Viridian City and is stopped by a young trainer calling her a novice. They battle for money and respect.

Chapter 5.

 

   I was surprised that my bag had survived the events over the past months. The contents inside it though were not in the best shape though. Everything except my Pokegear, my sleeping bag, my wallet, and my poke balls had survived the circumstances. I shrugged my shoulders it could have been worse. Nothing could have survived, including me. The best thing to do would be to stock up on items at the Viridian Mart, stay the night, and then head into Viridian Forest. It couldn’t be that hard, could it? I packed everything that still worked into my backpack and threw everything that didn’t, out. I needed a tent, water purifier, clothes, tooth brush, and toothpaste. I looked in my wallet. I still had about ¥5000. I still needed more.

“What are you doing?” I looked up from my position on the floor. Gary was leaning against the doorway. It seemed to me, that this was his trademark pose.

“I’m getting ready to leave, it’s been a week and my wounds are pretty much healed. Lapras is getting restless too.” I tossed my bag over my shoulder and stood. I walked passed him and down the stairs to the kitchen where Mrs. Ketchum was making lunch for the remaining three people. Everyone who had lived on Cinnabar had basically left to live with family in other places as soon as they recovered.

 “Thank you so much Mrs. Ketchum for your hospitality. I appreciated it so much.”  She smiled and nodded as she handed out lunch.

“It was my pleasure, I enjoyed having you, and don’t worry about the clothes, there old and Ash won’t miss them. Oh hi Gary, when did you come in?”

 I turned just to see Gary walk down the stairs.

“Not too long ago.” I smiled at him.

“Thanks for your help too. Especially with all your knowledge and experience. I’m going to say good bye to Professor Oak, and you take me to his lab?” He nodded slightly, waved goodbye to Mrs. Ketchum and lead the way. I followed on his heels.

“Have you ever been on a journey Gary?” I jogged to stand beside him. The jeans and t-shirt I wore were way to big, but at least the shoes I had borrowed fit.

“Yea, I’ve been to across Kanto, Jhoto.  Right now I want to be a Pokémon Researcher so I’ve been staying with my grandpa. I’ve learned a lot.” He smiled more to himself then to me, and the talking stopped.

   The lab was on a hill that overlooked a wide fenced in field/forest/and pond. There were Pokémon every where. Running, flying, sleeping, or just playing. We entered a white and chrome room, followed by another. There was a pod that held three poke balls. Machines lined the walls and most of the space in the lab. Professor Oak crouched over a small work table.

“Professor Oak I just wanted to come and say thank you for everything you’ve done for me. I’m leaving today to finally start my journey as a Pokémon Trainer.” His head snapped up.

“Wait, you mean this whole time you’ve been a trainer without me knowing.” I nodded. Dang, I thought he had known that I was a trainer; after all I am the granddaughter of Blaine.

“Oh this is perfect.” I sent a questioning look his way but he continued to speak.

“You see I have recently designed and perfected a new type of Pokedex.” He held up a red hand held machine that looked like a book.

“I’ve even designed new covers for it as well.” He scooted over so I could see. There was a series of covers that were different colours from each other.

“That one is nice.” I pointed to a fuchsia coloured cover.

“Ok there you go.” He took the cover and snapped a few pieces together on the Pokedex. After he finished it he held out his hand.

“Give me your Trainer Card.” I dug through my bag and found my wallet. I retrieved my Trainer Card and handed it to him. He slipped it into some unseen slot and turned it so I could see it. It was stuck in a plastic slot in the back. 

“Cool, thank you so much Professor.” I took the Pokedex. Its surface was smooth and glossy. Finally I was a true Pokémon Trainer.

“I’ll also register my number and Gary’s into your Pokegear if you ever have any questions.” I took my Pokegear from my back pocket and handed it to him. After a few seconds he handed it to me.

“There, your best bet would be to go north from here and onto Route 1. I wish you luck Aria.”

 

   Route 1 was a small path surrounded by trees. It was obvious that many people had traveled along this route. Occasionally I would catch a glimpse of a Rattata or a Pidgey but none seemed to mind me.  Eventually after an hour or so I came across a large patch of large grass. I began walking forward minding my steps carefully, making sure I didn’t step on anything that would get angry if I did so.  I almost did too. A wild Pidgey flew in front of me.

“Ah.” I stumbled back wards, falling to the ground with a grunt. Something shrieked and I realised I had fallen on a Rattata’s tail.

“Oh crap, I’m sorry.” I scooted off as quickly as I could. My apology didn’t seem to be acknowledged. It began to growl and I scooted farther away. It looked as if it was challenging me. I gripped the poke ball attached to my belt and threw it in font of me.

“Go, Lapras.” The red light appeared and soon became the unmistakeable form of Lapras.

“Lets see, since were in the grass and theirs no water around…” What moves did Lapras know? I decided to take a guess.

“Use Water Gun at Rattata, just spook it, don’t actually hurt it though.” Lapras, to my amazement seemed to understand. It shot out a quick blast of water hitting Rattata right between the eyes. Rattata squeaked and ran away.

“What kind of battle was that? You should have knocked it out, what a waste of an attack.” I got up and turned Lapras scooted itself in front of me in as much of a protective stance as it could.

“Your only Pokémon is a shiny Lapras. What a waste, it’s probably not even that powerful, just there to look pretty.” The voice belonged to a kid a little younger then myself, maybe ten or eleven. He was wearing a t-shirt and jeans and was riding on a Tauros. His Pokémon snorted in agreement with him.

“Lapras is not a waste. Were partners, and how dare you be so rude. Respect your elders.” The kid smirked and jumped down from the Tauros. He returned it to its poke ball and observed me.

“If you can beat me in a battle, then fine, I’ll respect you. There’s no way you’ll win though. I already have three badges.” This kid was starting to piss me off. 

“Fine I accept.”

“Good. It’ll be 1-1 battle, last one standing wins. Winner receives respect from the other and ¥100 as prize money.” I nodded in agreement. He walked a few yards away and threw a poke ball up into the air.

“Go Venonat.” I small purple puff appeared out of the poke ball and landed in front of the boy.

“What’s your name?” I called.

“Joey, now prepare to meet your match. Venonat use tackle.” Venonat raced as fast as its little legs could carry it and jumped at Lapras.

“Quick Lapras use Water Gun, and don’t hold back.” Lapras unleashed a blast of water that crashed into Venonat square in the chest, (I think it was its chest anyway) sending it flying back. It crashed into a tree, but managed to shake the attack off.  Lapras let out a sharp bark and whistle, as if pleased with himself.

“Use water gun again Lapras.” Once again Lapras released a jet of water from its mouth.

“Venonat dodge it.” Venonat jumped up just as the blast of water hit where it had once been. It landed a few feet from the tree where it had crashed. I needed to know what other moves Lapras had. I flipped out my Pokedex and it picked up on Lapras.

“Lapras the Transport Pokémon. Water/Ice type. Moves acquired; Water Gun, Mist, Ice Shard, Sing, and Confuse Ray.” Well that helped a ton.

“Lapras use Sing.” I covered my ears as Lapras let lose a string of soft whistles and coo’s. Venonat’s eyes began to flicker open and closed, until finally it fell to its side

“No, Venonat use Psybeam!” I smiled it was too late, the battle was over. I squinted my eyes. Joey had taken something from his pocket and was spraying Venonat with something. Suddenly Venonat awoke.

“Hey what did you do?” I pointed at him in accusation but he just shrugged it off.

“Items are allowed in battles, stupid.” I gritted my teeth. Fine since he wouldn’t admit defeat easily then I wasn’t going to complain.

“Fine, Lapras use Ice Shard.” Lapras in took a deep breath and let lose a spray of ice. The range was too wide, Venonat was struck and knocked back into the tree, where it fell to the ground and stayed.

Venonat had fainted, and I had won my first battle.

“Yea we won Lapras, mainly you but still great job!” I ran forward a smile stretched ear to ear and hugged Lapras around the neck. I let go and looked at Joey catering to his Venonat.

“Will it be ok?” I let Lapras return to its poke ball and walked over to Joey. He was crouched over Venonat and was brushing its fur back. There was a sad smile on his face.

“Yea she’ll be fine; we just have to go to the Pokémon Centre in Viridian City. This was her first real battle, she was really excited.” He looked up at me and smiled a little happier as if bringing back the good memories helped.

“Well then, you should probably head back then, before it gets dark.” He nodded in agreement, and returned Venonat.

“I’ll give you a ride to Viridian, truth be told I don’t have any money on me right now. I was pretty sure I would win.” I stifled a laugh and agreed.

“I’ll take the ride as payment.”

Author's Note

Tell me what you think. You see anything that could be worded better, feel free to tell me. Enjoy.