Hello there! Welcome to the world of Pokémon! My name is Orange! People call me the Pokémon Prof! This world is inhabited by creatures called Pokémon! For some people, Pokémon are pets. Other use them for fights. Myself… I study Pokémon as a profession. Your very own Pokémon legend is about to unfold! A world of dreams and adventures with Pokémon awaits! Let's go!
You awaken in your room. Nothing makes this morning stand out in particular from any other morning, but you shiver with anticipation. The local Shrine Keeper has invited you over today. You have always had an interest in Pokemon, and there is no-one more knowledgeable in their ways than the Shrine Keepers. You wonder what he has in store for you.
>>2 You head downstairs, but your mother stops you at the door.
!
"Emily! The Shrine Keeper, Corwin, asked for you to come to the shrine today. I packed you a lunch, in case you need to stay late. Also… I got you some new Running Shoes!"
You glance over by the door, and there is indeed a new pair of sneakers next to a backpack.
>>4 You slip on your running shoes. They feel comfy and good for running, like a good pair of shorts. You can hold B to run.
She ushers you out the door, and you head out into your hometown of Mint Town. Traditional structures dot the landscape which is populated mostly by trees. Tall grass is all over town, though you've been careful growing up to not go too deep into it. Up in the capital province, you can go entire days without seeing the kind of tall grass that Pokemon lurk in… and somehow that makes you feel very sad. Like they've wiped out all of their natural Pokemon in favor of controlled environs.
In any case, from here you can see the Calligraphy school that also functions as the Grass Shrine. Corwin will be there.
>>6 At the entrance, you're greeted by the benevolent cry of a Tropius. You nearly topple over when she extends her neck to inspect you at the door and takes a whiff before letting you through. You happen to recall that Tropius is Corwin's favorite Pokemon – to the point that he is strongly associated with her.
Attention drawn by the cry of the Tropius, one of the shrine attendants looks up from a book and notices you. "Oh! Emily! I'll tell Corwin you're here. Just wait a moment here with Tropius."
The attendant returns with a chuckle. "Careful. Tropius is a very high level. It won't respect anyone that it doesn't think is strong. I think that's why Corwin likes it. Please, come with me."
You follow the attendant through the main hall of the calligraphy school. Here, a myriad of local and journeyman students practice their form with sticks in boxes of sand, hoping to perfect their technique. Some Pokemon are participating, too, drawing with vines, notably bulbasaur and bellsprout.
You arrive at the head office, and the attendant lets you in. Corwin is alone in his office, apparently working with great vigor on something on a large pad. He makes strokes with a mighty brush.
When you enter, he nods and acknowledges you. "Good morning Emily. Thank you for coming here today."
>>10 He nods. "Yes, the anniversary celebration is coming up very soon. Which actually brings us to why I asked you here. As you may remember, Mint Town has a tradition each year of welcoming home an aspirant who travels the world with a team of Pokemon, in hopes of better understanding them, to bridge our worlds. This is all in the name of unity – bringing us closer together. But the part of the celebration that you may not realize because there is no fanfare is that in order to welcome home trainers, we must also send them away on journeys. I've watched you grow into a talented young trainer, and I know you have been asking your mother for a Pokemon of your own… I can see that I will not be able to dissuade you from going out into the world soon. So to that end, I would like to offer you the opportunity to be the one to go out into the world and take a Pokemon journey of your very own to each of the shrines, to discover the bond that exists within yourself and Pokemon!"
>>12 He leans back and gives a sage nod. "Then I will give you three gifts. The first is from the big city. It's not traditional, but you may find it useful."
He slides across his short table a bright red Pokedex. "Almost every Pokemon in the world has been categorized on that device. If you ever get confused, you can consult it. But I recommend learning not to rely on it, but instead on your own instincts. Next… you will need a partner."
He reaches into a box and pulls out three Pokeballs and sets them on the table before you. "You may choose one to be your partner."
>>17 "I want an Oddish." I say with confidence. "I bet Oddish will want to see the poison shrine." I talk toward the pokemon ball "you want that right Oddish? "
>>18 He hands you the Pokeball. "Before you take this, do you want to give a nickname to Oddish?"
>>19 You shake yourself awake. The dorm life is no life for a kid, and you're exhausted from all the hubbub last night. People are way too excited. Still… you should go to class, in spite of your tiredness. It would be wrong of you to squander the last period before finals. Then… graduation. The thought excites and intrigues you… until now, it had been all theory. Practical application begins soon… if you can pass the test. You hop out of your bunk. Your roommates are still sound asleep.
>>20 Go to the sink and wash my face off, time to get ready to eat the world! Put together the bag for my exam and leave the door silently, trying not to wake my roommates up. '1d10'
>>21 You loudly clonk the door closed, but if they woke up from it, you sure can't see. You trot down the hall toward the main classroom of the battleschool. You wonder what will become of your classmates. Most of them will graduate of course, but what of those who don't? And for those who do… what will they do? Will they take the Pokemon Challenge and go to each of the Gyms in hopes of earning a badge? Or head straight out into the world? Your parents always wanted you to go on to become a great gym-conqueror, perhaps settle down in a gym and maybe even become a gym leader some day. That of course would require a great team and a lot of study. In the meanwhile… You've had your own ideas. In any case, you show up to class, and the teacher is writing on the board:
HAPPY LAST DAY OF CLASS! Homework: Study for final!!
Looks like a lot of kids didn't even bother to show up to class… figures. The last class is optional, and some probably thought they would be better off studying on their own. Your teacher greets you warmly as you enter. "Good morning Austin. Feeling up to the exam today?"
>>22 He gives a friendly nod and straightens, standing up. "I have one last gift for you… something that I hope you will take to heart as you journey with your Pokemon. Perhaps… you will come to understand it and become enlightened by it in time. It is a gift of two words."
He returns to his pad, and swipes his brush across the page with rapid, consummate skill. "Calligraphy and pokemon training… they share the same roots… self-expression of the depths of our being… and both can demonstrate our connection to Pokemon. I hope you take this, and you can learn from it my technique. Perhaps some day you will return to study the Grass Type under me once you have become stronger."
He finishes the calligraphy and produces the fine art for you. It reads two words:
>>23 Smirk with confidence. Gym conqueror? That's not what my life is gonna be like! To just be another league champion forgotten after a few years! Oh no, I will go down in history! But for now… "Of course!"
>>24 He gives another sage nod. "Don't forget to say goodbye to your mother. Today, your Pokemon journey begins!"
>>25 The teacher nods. Soon the classroom fills with students, and the bell rings. They sit down for class. The teacher turns on a projector and displays this image. "Let's warm up with something easy. Everyone take out your Pokedex and load up Dragonite. How heavy is Dragonite?"
Right… your Pokedex is in your bag. You can just reach in there and load up a Pokemon manually without pointing at it. Learning to use a Pokedex was part of your curriculum. The Global Pokedex project was very important for the categorization of Pokemon, and your 'dex can do all sorts of neat things, even tell you type weaknesses automatically.
>>26 You shake yourself awake and glance at the clock… 6:58
You're so filled with anticipation that you woke up before your alarm…
Today is the final exam for graduation from the local Pokemon Academy. If you pass this test, you'll be a fully certified trainer, able to go out and challenge gyms, take on practical knowledge and do whatever you want in the world. You'll get your own partner today.
I'm excited, I guess. Notes, my digital Pokedex, pencils, pens, lab tools.. what am I missing? Oh, yes, my rod and balls. Maybe I'll start fishing for that water Pokemon straight after this.
>>30 Right. Your global Pokedex is probably your most important tool. Although… you secretly had ulterior motives at the academy. Schoolboy Joey told you about halfway through the semester that you get to keep one of your projects if you graduate. They should be ready by now, and graduation is today, if you pass. It all seems to line up.
You head to the door, but your mom stops you. "Arthur! Are you ready for the big test?" She gives you a big hug, smothering your face.
>>37 You head down the hall to the testing room. It is cleared out except for a myriad of desks, where some students are already sitting. Across the walls there are big banners that read: GOOD LUCK ON YOUR TEST!
Your teacher reminds you: "After you finish your test, take it into the next room to be processed. You will immediately receive results. If you pass, do not forget to pick your partner and collect your class project!"
>>38 It's a little cool out for today. Usually it's quite warm here, since you're in a western city, close to the badlands and desert. Glancing westward, you can actually see the distant peaks that supposedly house ancient shrines to the Pokemon types. There's a rail line through your town that leads out to Chromeburg, the steel-processing town. Of course, your town is famous for its Electric Pokemon, not that you've ever cared so much for that type. The bus finally arrives, and you clamber inside.
"Mornin' Arthur. Ready for your last day?" The driver good-heartedly adds: "Gonna be nice not having to see your ugly mug anymore. Now sit down so I can drive."
You comply, sitting next to a classmate, and he drives you on toward the academy. You can see the suburbs of your home, Amber City, as you ride.
>>40 You hold B and run home as fast as you can! You nearly run into your mom straight away when you get in the door. Looking up, you detect traces of tears in her eyes.
"I… knew this day was coming… but a mother can never feel truly ready. Well… I guess it is finally time. I tried to shield you for as long as I could, but it's finally time for your Pokemon adventure…"
>>41 Slowly but surely, they distribute the tests. Yours is face down. The headmaster enters the room with a pistol (with blanks, of course!) and fires a shot into the air. "Begin!"
>>45 You get most of them right away. There are just a few that you even have to think about…
1. This Pokemon is the best defensive electric Pokemon. It evolves only in highly magnetic areas: ______
2. This Type would be a good response to a team composed of a Murkrow, Heracross, and Dratini: ______
3. This Pokemon hides in cities by pretending to be a trash bag: ______
4. These two Pokemon must be traded for each other two evolve them: ______ ______
5. A Pokemon of all types would be immune to (list all that apply): _____________________________________
>>44 Right… type weaknesses and strengths… Fairy is immune to dragon… Ground to electric… Flying to ground… Ghost to normal and fighting… you're more concerned with the breeding portion of the test.
>>46 With a flash of light and a cry of "ODDISH!", Solaire appears on the table. Your mom is still pretty emotional, so she gives you another squeeze before going over and patting it. "Alright…"
>>48 Your bus finally arrives and students nervously head down to the testing room. You could've gone to the review session if you had woken up earlier, but you felt confident and that more sleep would be a bigger benefit than the review.
Heading into the test chamber, it has been cleared out. The room is lit by the great coils which cast electricity between them, lighting up the room. They sure love their electric Pokemon here. Even on the walls, there is a painted mural of various electric Pokemon, like Voltorb and Electabuzz. At the center of the image is the mythical Zapados.
>>47 Show her my smile. She should know how happy I am. "Mom, I'm going to be a hero, you'll get to throw me the best welcome back party ever! It will be here before you know it!"
>>50 You finish your test… time to turn it in, if you're ready. Many classmates are still at work. When you've decided on your final answers, head into the back room and turn it in.
>>51 You blow through the bulk of the test, marking hard questions to come back to later. These are the harder ones:
1. A Pokemon has IVs of 15 in each stat. What is its hidden power type? _____
2. True or False? A Breloom with Mach Punch is bred with a hypothetical Clefable that also knows Mach Punch. Does the Shroomish offspring know by instinct Mach Punch? ___
3. Chimecho and Litwick are part of this egg group. _____
4. Your Pokemon knows Dragon Rage and Moonblast. Which should you use to achieve super-effective damage on a Dragonite? _____
5. This item sometimes causes the opponent to flinch after an attack, and also aids in evolution. _______
>>52 "Yes… the whole town will celebrate when that happens. Just… I'm so proud of you. Be safe… and once you're out of town… I already put something in your bag this morning… Wait to open it."
>>54 You consult your map before heading out of town. West would take you to Umberreach… it's a dark place and a bit dangerous, but you could get to the core cities faster. Alternatively, the east road takes you out to Fandango City, where Poison Types are popular. It's also the largest port city in Tianxia.
>>55 A few more turn in their sheets. Ready to turn yours in, or are you going to keep sitting and people watching?
>>53 1. Dark! 2. Nope. Only Breloom can learn Mach Punch. 3. Amorphous, also known as Indeterminate. 4. Moonblast. Dragon Rage does not seem to be affected by typing or stats. 5. King's Rock.
Man, didn't expect them to come up with a Hidden Power question. Luckily it's easy to remember how dark works.
>>59 You wave one last reminiscent goodbye to your hometown of Mint, then head out the east gate! Your Pokemon adventure begins now!
…Outside of Mint Town, the forest is thick and tall with grass. There will no doubt be a lot of grass pokemon here. You may also want to try to add other types to your collection, too.
>>61 You seem to be the first to finish! Nice going. Most of them look pretty confident, though there are a couple sweating faces.
You head into the back room and there is a computer waiting to process your form. Your teacher gives you a friendly smile as you insert the sheet. "First to finish! How was the national test?"
She beams. "Congratulations! It looks like someone didn't need the review. Go ahead into the next room to collect your project. But first… you'll want this:"
The machine prints out a laminated Trainer Card with your picture. "This is for you!"
>>57 You head in and the testing proctor, a man, gives you a nod. "When you're ready, feed it into the machine. It will create a print out of your Trainer Card if you pass. Good luck, Austin."
>>64 You remember your mom's words before going into the tall grass. Better check your bag for whatever she packed.
>>67 You receive a print out. 97.2%! It looks like you forgot ghosts are also immune to Fighting, and that the two Pokemon that must be traded for each other to evolve them are Karrablast and Shelmet. No time for regrets, though! You had 38 questions of fluff that padded your score! Your trainer card is coming out right now!
"When you're ready, move on into the next room, you can pick one of your class projects from this year."
>>68 "Remember… in this world of Pokemon, there are many different ways to live. Just because you've received your Trainer card today doesn't mean you have to take on Gyms… you don't have to be a trainer at all! However… with scores like yours, I know whatever you do, you'll go far!"
>>69 Inside, there's a letter and a package. You read the letter first:
Emily, This was your father's. It's a limited edition Pokemon League hat. I know that it's not our town's way to visit Gyms, but I hope it will bring you luck! Also, I packed a few other goodies… I'm so proud of you! Good luck! Love, Mom
>>70 "Guess that's why I'm traveling. Pokemon are so intertwined with our lives,that to know them can lead to just about being everything else! And I guess, that's why I came here. Traveling.. maybe I'll even make friends!"
Now, I need a Pokemon. Can't be one without. Where? Where?
>>71 You head into the next room and find three dispensers. You also see a table with each of your class projects laid out, and you quickly find the section labeled Austin… right, you remember fondly making each of these.
First, you had to carve out your own Amulet Coin. You could never forget that time you went to the Pokeball Plant and got to create your own Hunter Ball – much more effective than an Ultraball. Oh! And there's that TM they taught you to program! It's TM54, False Swipe!
You can only pick one…
>>72 You boldly charge into the grass! Ah! There – up ahead! It's a greenish spider… Spinarak!
>>73 Right… since you were breeding with the knowledge that you would to keep one, you bred three powerful watertypes to choose from!
You rush over to the aquarium tank and see three eggs, each ready to hatch… Staryu, Horsea, and Mudkip. You happen to know that all three of these water types have excellent stats and typings in their final forms. And you bred some secrets into them, too…
>>81 You remember from your breeding lessons as soon as it feels the warmth of your hand, it will trigger the hatching. As a Breeding Graduate, Pokemon you breed with hatch faster than for other trainers. You are the master of your own fate: do not let the world decide which Pokemon you find!
"Your parents also left some money for you… I recommend spending some of this on Pokeballs!"
Got 500P!
>>82 Bam! Solaire rips through the strings and smashes Spinarak! Spinarak fainted! Solaire got experience for winning the battle!
>>86 Oddish shakes a little bit, bristling… but in a good way. You feel its leaves run through your fingers. You never really thought about this, but you realize that if someone hadn't been raised around mostly-wild Pokemon like yourself, they might misinterpret the body language of a Pokemon. You already understand Pokemon much better than city folk… as a bonding specialist, you become friends with Pokemon much faster, building Tempo, Happiness, and Affection faster. Being in tune with your Pokemon is not just good for relationships – it makes you better in battle.
>>90 Deerling, the Season Pokémon. Deerling changes its appearance depending on the current season. However, this change in form does not occur after capture, unless it is present in the player's party at the time of a season change. This applies to Eggs as well.
Behavior: Deerling hide in tall grass when they sense animosity. Deerling tend to move in herds due to their timidity towards humans. Sawsbuck bucks rub their horns against trees to 'shave' off old velvet, and these markings may indicate a herd nearby. Sawsbuck, though majestic, are much more dangerous than young Deerling.
>>92 It's all you can do not to gasp as you take in one of the most majestic sights of your life. Peering through the bushes, you look into a clearing where a mighty Sawsbuck is bending down to nibble at the grass of the clearing, surrounded by a few curious little Deerling. As if this was not enough, they are beautifully caught between seasonal changes. You realize that this must be the first day of autumn, because their friendly green coats are slowly shifting from the head to the base of the spine to a warm orange color! If you caught one now, you would have a totally uniquely colored friend.
>>94 You dry a Deerling call you saw Corwin do once. Surprisingly, you emulate the sound really well, and a curious Deerling wanders over from the herd… You could probably get it without Sawsbuck noticing now.
>>98 >>99 Right… now to pick your partner. This is a Pokemon you'll be with for a long time!
There are three dispensers, all of them good at acquiring items for their trainers… Sneasel (Pickpocket), Lotad (Thief), and Teddiursa (Pickup).
Your teacher takes this moment to speak up, though. "Austin… I've noticed in my class you always seem distracted by books about hard to find and tame pokemon… mythical pokemon, shiny pokemon, and even dragons. If you want… I'll offer you an alternative to these three from my personal collection. If you'd like, you can have my Swablu. If you treat it well and train it, it will evolve into a dragon – Altaria."
You shiver with anticipation. You barely got any sleep last night… You've been helping out around the lab, but Professor Orange said he wanted to speak to you personally today. You rarely exchange words with the director of the program, but he's supposedly brilliant. To want to talk to a kid like you… you're pretty excited! You think that one of the research fellows must have put in a good word for you… but you wonder what he wants.
>>102 He tuts at you. "This is a responsibility, don't make such light of it! … But yes, I believe in you. I think you have what it takes to raise a dragon type – the most difficult type of Pokemon to raise."
>>103 Deerling used Growl! Solaire's attack fell as it pities the Deerling!
>>106 He nods and hands you the Pokeball. "Even though it was mine before, this is actually a bred Swablu, so I haven't named it yet. Do you want to give a nickname to Swablu?"
>>110 You run down the street as fast as you can by holding B. You push through the lab doors and a nearby researcher shooshes you for your noisy entrance. Apologizing, you quickly make your way to Professor Orange's office. Here you are… behind this door is the director of the evolutionary research foundation!
>>109 "Of course! Each pokemon is unique, it must have a nickname!" Look over the pokeball in my hand, feeling its weight in my palm. Let the Swablu out of the ball. "Hey there little thing!" Is it male or female?
>>119 Your teacher nods. "From here… you're free to do as you will. Many of your classmates will no doubt take on the League Challenge, but if you want to learn more about dragons and legends… I would head north to Server Valley. That's where all the central information on rare Pokemon is kept. Or for dragons… supposedly near Cyan City there is a place where dragon trainers meet and train their powerful Pokemon. It's out to sea, though, so you may need to find a ship in Crimsonborough or Fandango City – unless you just teach Swablu to Fly!
>>120 He looks up from his work. "Oh – Hannah, it's you. Right… actually, the meeting I was talking about was with you. You see, I've heard a lot of good things about you, so I wanted to ask you to do something for me."
>>122 He produces a paper. "I want you to take this. It's the National Trainers' Exam. If you can pass this test, you would be qualified as a full-fledged trainer. You see, as a Professor, I am legally qualified to administer this examination."
>>124 "Yes, you have one hour to complete it, but you can use your Pokedex. Forty questions long… but I don't expect it to take you the full time period, if what the others say about you is true."
>>125 You check your map. Hm… it's not detailed enough to have this clearing on it… You also check your Pokemon health: Solaire [||||||||||] Dusk [|||||__]
You only have one potion and one antidote. Better be careful as you near the poison shrine.
>>126 "Good luck then! Let your Pokemon adventure commence!"
One of your classmates enters through the door. "This is where we pick up our class project and Pokemon, right?"
>>128 He indicates a chair on the other side of his desk. "Have a seat. I'll start the timer when you begin, but again, I don't expect it will be an issue for you. It's about 7:10 right now… so you can just consult your watch if you need to know how much time you have left."
With that, he gives you the test. You can turn it over when you're ready.
>>129 You wander as best you can through the overgrowth, but it starts to get thicker. You accidentally trip over a vine in the thick grass, but suddenly you realize that it was no vine at all – it was a Bellsprout, and it's right on top of you! G-go! Solaire!!
>>136 >1. This baby Pokemon can be obtained by breeding one of three Pokemon. _____ Tyrogue. >2. This type has the most discrete branching evolutions. _____ Bug. >3. Which of the following does not ever cause evolution? Trading, using a stone, increasing friendship, leveling up. _______ Increasing friendship >4. A Pokemon revived from ancient stone remains is commonly called a ______ Pokemon. Fossil. >5. The Pokemon which grows shrooms often used in medicine is called _______ Paras.
>>137 When you finally finish, Professor Orange looks it over…
"This is quality work. It's almost completely correct, except for this one, here – on branching evolutions. Bugs only have two branching evolution families, Wurmple and Burmy. The correct answer was Water – Poliwhirl, Slowpoke, and Clamperl. Still… that's a 97.5%!"
He types something into his computer, and from a printer nearby, a card prints out. "Hannah! This is your trainer card… this will authorize you to challenge gyms. And with that, you'll need a Pokemon of your very own. Your Pokemon adventure starts today!"
>>138 He tries to Absorb from Bellsprout, but it wasn't very effective… Bellsprout uses Vine Whip! It wasn't very effective…
>>145 "As you know…" he draws a Pokeball from a box under his desk, "We study evolution here at this facility. But here, we always study it in a controlled, closed environment. If my research has taught me anything – about why we continue to discover new evolutions for Pokemon, it is that evolution is not something controlled in a sterile lab! It is something that is messy, dirty, and happens in the wild, on the fly! To that end… I want you to go out into the world and learn all about Pokemon evolution, and come back and tell me your findings from the field!"
He sets the ball in front of you on the table. "This is an Eevee – the evolution Pokemon. I'd like you to have it. And also… you can choose one of these."
He opens a case and sets it before you. There are three stones – one red, one blue, and one yellow. "These are evolutionary stones. You don't have to use them on eevee, but you can if you want."
Got Eevee! Would you like to give a nickname to the Eevee? Gender: '1d8'. If 8, female. Anything else, male.
>>146 Used Absorb! It wasn't every effective! Bellsprout used Vine Whip! It wasn't very effective!
>>147 "This… oh…" Run my hand over all three stones, then pick up the thunderstone. "Thank you professor. This means a lot to me!" Then turn my attention to the pokeball. "My very own Eevee! Come out! You'll need a name." Deploy the mon.
>>151 "Eevee!" It cries as it leaps from the Pokeball and into your arms. It's fur is soft and silky. It's a male, too. It seems to know Helping Hand, Growl, Tackle, and Tail Whip.
"I have one more gift for you… It's a product of research at this lab. If you use this on your Eevee after you evolve it, you could create a Pokemon with the strength of two types… it would be a very powerful hybrid."
He produces a dark amber colored stone. "This is a Return Stone. It's the natural progression of the Everstone – it will return a Pokemon to its previous evolution. If you use this on Jolteon, for instance, you could return it to an Eevee and then evolve it again into something else."
>>155 "Right… learn electric moves from his Jolteon evolution, for instance, then evolve into an Espeon or Umbreon, for example. I suspect there are more potential evolutions out there, too! It's up to you to find them!"
>>157 "This stone, the Return Stone – this is the only one I can spare! It is the greatest product of my research! Our region will be the envy of other regions when they learn of this great breakthrough, I am sure!"
>>161 You head back to your house. On your way, you consult your town map. From your home in Adapt City, you can ride the train or walk to the other core cities of Server Valley and Hero City. Or, you can head out to the fringe of the core cities, in the outer ring. That would be west, to Amber City. All of those cities have gyms for the Pokemon league… and if you want to learn more about evolutions to various types, you might be interested in visiting the various Pokemon type shrines, though you're not very familiar with their locations… You think there's an old Electricity shrine in Amber City – not surprising because it is the heart of this region's electric power plants.
>>162 Hmmm… Well, let's pack some stuff first. I can decide when I leave. Once I'm packed, I'll need to tell my parents I'm leaving the house on a insane adventure in this brave new world!
>>164 Bedroll and a tent? Not sure if we have that around here though. A flashlight, some batteries, a multitool or a knife, matches, some cloth… I've got a map and a pokedex already, so that's good.
>>165 Woah… that's some weirdo camping stuff… You're really committed to leaving the core cities, aren't you, girl? Here in the "rings", you can find cheap and easy housing in hotels that capitalize on the Trainer industry. You don't have a bedroll or tent, but you find some batteries, a flashlight, and you pack up a sheet from your bed. No knives… but a pair of scissors?
>>166 I need to be prepared for anything! Scissors will have to do. I can always buy a multitool later. Just in case. Maybe some rope too. But that's for later! I'm ready I think.
>>174 He is smoking his pipe in the armchair, with the newspaper out. "I see you're going on a Pokemon journey."
He thinks for a moment, the nods. "Good… frankly you were getting a little old for not going on a Pokemon journey. If you had waited much longer I was going to stop mowing the lawn until you had to go through some tall grass just to leave the house."
>>179 Right… so the question is… will you take the train or walk there? Let's see… it's almost 8AM… if you wait until night time the train is free, but during peak travel hours like this you need a train pass.
>>184 You wander around Adapt City… on the rooftops, you see a few Pidove, but they seem so far away! You can probably find trainers around town or at the hotel.
>>190 Diglett avoided the attack! Diglett used Growl!
Diglett Lv9 [▓▓▓▓▓░░░░░]
Dusk Lv4 [▓▓▓▓▓▓▓░░░]
>>191 You lock eyes with a preschooler, and you can feel it in your blood. You must battle. Everything about who you are demands it! Victory or faint! You charge up and scream, "POKEMON BATTLE!" To which the preschooler responds, "POKEMON BATTLE! GO GO GO!"
PRESCHOOLER MIGUEL WANTS TO FIGHT!
PRESCHOOLER MIGUEL SENT OUT RATATA! "Ratatatatatatatatata!"
Go! Clyde!
Ratata Lv 2 [▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓]
Clyde Lv 5 [▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓]
>>192 Hm… you're in Vanilla City. You could head out south into the country, but Umberreach has a reputation for being a little dangerous… full of dark sorts. Alternatively, you could get by train or by foot to Amber City to the northwest, Covalent City to the northeast, or Hero City to the north. All three of those are other gym cities. There's also a gym in this city. See >>43
>>201 Solaire comes out, just in time to get a Growl from Diglett! Solaire's attack fell!
Diglett Lv9 [▓▓▓▓░░░░░░]
Solaire Lv7 [▓▓▓░░░░░░░]
>>202 The kid seems a little upset and flees to the nearest Pokemon center.
>>203 The question is now… do you travel by train or by foot? Later this evening the national trains are free, but during peak hours you need a pass. If you win some battles you could make enough money to afford one.
>>205 You locate a youngster near the stairs. As soon as you look into his eyes, you know you are destined for combat! You long for it! You need it! Let battle be joined!
YOUNGSTER KYLE WANTS TO FIGHT!
"I love shorts! They're comfy and easy to wear!"
Youngster Kyle sent out Sentret! Go, Clyde!
Sentrat Lv 4 [▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓]
Clyde Lv 5 [▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓]
>>207 Diglett used Scratch! Solaire looks really beaten up, but Diglett also looks winded! It'll be a photo finish!
>>210 The ball bashes Diglett on the head, and sucks in Diglett!
Shake…
Shake shake….
DIGLETT WAS CAUGHT! Give a nickname to the caught Diglett?
>>212 Swablu wings it behind you. You're in the stately city of Vanilla City. It is quite municipal here, with paved streets and nice orderly traffic. You take the sidewalk so you won't get in the way of bikes. Up ahead, you see the gate that leads out to Route 7, to Hero City.
>>211 Clyde smashed him with a tackle! It was a critical hit! Sentret used Ice Beam!
>>213 Whew what a battle. "I think.. I'll call you Blink, because I couldn't blink during that whole battle!" Now to go find a place to rest, didn't mom say she packed me a lunch? Maybe there is enough for my pokemon too?
>>219 You unpack your bento box… there's delicious sushi inside, and some pieces of honeycomb that your Pokemon will probably find delicious! You notice that Solaire and Dusk both gained a lot of experience from that battle.
You head out onto route seven. This route is carefully groomed because it is between major cities, and the grass is well trimmed all the way to the nicely decorated stone walls that line the path. There are designated "Pokemon conservation areas" off to the side which consist of moderate height grass and flowers. A nearby government mower gives you a friendly wave as he cuts bits of grass that have grown too high, and then he sprays some sort of attraction spray on the grass to encourage wild pokemon to nest there.
>>223 Oddish laps at little bits of the honey before it on the ground, and Dusk nibbles at it pleasantly. Blink keeps burrowing and popping up on other sides of you, so fast you can't keep up with it to feed it! Eventually he calms down and you're able to feed him successfully.
>>224 "Ah, that's better I feel all ready for the trip to Fandango." call back Blink and Dusk, letting Oddish walk besides me the rest of the way. navigation roll '1d10'
>>241 You spot the iconic red roof down the street. You hot-foot it down there, and in no time you're back in the comfortable warmth of the Pokecenter.
>>242 Fletchling fainted! Gilda got experience from the battle.
>>243 He holds up a finger to his lips and points into the distance. You can make out some butterfries dancing in the streaming beams of morning light that cut through the trees.
"Nature is beautiful, isn't it? In any case, I'll battle with you if you want."
>>247 She smiles and takes the ball before putting it onto a machine. "Alright! Just wait a moment, and your Pokemon will be restored to perfect health!"
Do do do do do!
"Thanks for waiting! Your Pokemon should be fighting fit!"
>>257 Amber City… that's out of the west gate. You get your paperwork in order as you travel so you can show it at the gate. You'll need it to go to even the outer ring.
When you arrive at the gatehouse, you're greeted by the guard. "Good morning. May I see your passport?"
You fish through your bag and find it. Right… this authorizes you to come and go from the inner cities.
He takes a look at it, nods his head, and waves you on.
>>259 You don't have to do much avoiding as it is. Here on Route 8, the grass is well trimmed all the way to the walls, which are pleasantly decorated with spark imagery.
Over off to the side of the park, you see "Pokemon Conservation Zones". Grass is allowed to grow moderately high, and there is a sign nearby that explains that the grass is treated with chemicals to attract Pokemon to it. It asks that you report it to your local official if Pokemon become too unruly or grass growth gets too high.
>>281 Right you are. You head on home… it's a little bit of a walk without the bus to give you a lift, and there's a nip in the air. It's a little bit wet out too, from the previous rain. On the way home, you spot a huddling of Emolga in a tree.
>>282 Bam! Smash! Pow! Lillipup fainted! Clyde gained experience from the fight!
>>286 You hike on back to the house and head inside. Whew… it's nice and cozy warm inside. Honestly, it makes you half feel like getting under a nice warm blanket and leaving your adventure for tomorrow after celebrating… but adventure does not wait.
>>287 It doesn't? I dunno, I thought I could begin some training right now before finishing up my packing. So Mismar can hold its own. How fares my garden to practice some water guns.
Oh no… this last blow could decide the battle if Solaire isn't fast enough. He looks pretty winded!
>>297 You trot safely down the road, but most of the way there, someone shouts something indistinct at you. When you turn around, it's too late: you've already locked eyes. He smirks at you. You can't get away.
As you go through the gate, an attendant waves at you, and you head on through… it occurs to you that this is the furthest you've ever been away from home. Once you push through this door into Fandango City… you're really on your journey.
>>306 You startle the Pidove, not that it does you much good.
"Pidooooove!"
Pidove used Growl! Staryu seems a little intimidated.
>>313 "Change things up, Konata! Use a Vine Whip!"
Flabebe Lv8 [▓▓░░░░░░░░]
Clyde Lv7 [▓░░░░░░░░░]
This is it… the next attack will decide things!
>>314 You boldly stroll out into the pleasant port town. This town is relatively modern compared to your hometown of Mint… there are nice, paved roads, and there seem to be a lot of folks out, with Pokemon. There are a bunch of ships in the harbor, too!
>>321 Most of these are residential buildings. Though by your standards this is definitely a city, it's not nearly as big as those mega-cities in the 'core' of Tianxia.
>>322 Pidove begins to fight back with a Gust, blowing Mismar back!
Pidove Lv4 [▓▓▓▓▓░░░░░]
Mismar Lv5 [▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓░]
>>323 He gives you a happy yip and nuzzles your cheek.
>>325 You think you hear chatter up ahead. You rush up and hide behind a nearby wall. Glancing around it, you can make out two Youngsters with ratatas out… you might be able to sneak by them, but you should be careful… if you lock eyes, you'll have to fight, and Clyde is pretty hurt.
>>327 You see a bright red building… A Pokecenter. That's a good place to rest.
>>332 >>331 Fortunately for you, they are too embroiled in their match for them to notice your loud tromping around. You make like an eevee near a mossy rock and leaf.
With a quick sprint, you see the gates to Amber City!
>>333 You roll out of bed and you already hear a racket downstairs. Comes with the territory, you guess. You look through your things but you don't think anyone took anything. All your stuff is neatly confined to your pack, anyway. You recall that the Director wanted to see you… maybe she has a new job for you today. You could use the money, to be honest. Coordinating may be your passion, but Coordination don't always pay the rent.
>>334 You quickly run over and grab your hat just in time to see Pidove try another failed Growl again.
>>336 Right… you charge into the city and over to the gates! On the way you pass a newbie trainer struggling to take down a Pidove with his Staryu, but you have no time for such distractions and head into the center here.
A few seconds later, you're fighting fit.
>>338 Another Gust! You grab your cap just in time. This battle is going so slow, you might be able to run to the mart, buy a Pokeball, and run back before it's over!
>>337 Well, you don't have so much a locked door as you do have an attic where you freeload in the loft of a competition hall because the local director lets you.
>>339 A Pidove? It might be nice to get a flying pokemon of myself at some point. For now though, I want to buy another pokeball. Once that's done, I need to get out and find myself a new addition to the team.
>>342 Noted. "Anything else we can help you with today?"
>>341 On the way down to the director's office, you pass a team of clefaries in various scarves… you could do better if someone gave you the chance! You wonder what the Director wants.
You head on in, and the Director nods at you as you enter. "Oh, Kingsley. I was getting some good vibes. Hey, dude, let's make this real quick and simple. I got an endowment fund from the city… and I thought you could use it to go out and try your hand at becoming a professional coordinator. Y'know, clear out of my attic space. Anyway… if you want… I've got some money, and I could let you choose your first Pokemon. So… I picked these out. This one is Smeargle… he can learn any move, so he's a good choice, right? Next is Shuckle… berries are really important in Contests, and and Shuckle can do berries in aces, yeah? Or… you want a loyal Pokemon that will be really beautiful? Fire is all about beauty. Try Growlithe. Anyway… I can only afford to give you one. This endowment isn't huge, y'know…"
Wow, the Director is acting really professional today. You can tell by his formal tone (compared to normal) that this is really serious for him.
>>346 "Amber City is known for our electric type Pokemon. 'Course, we still have all the normal city stuff, like Trubbish and Pidove. As for knowing where to catch less common Pokemon… I guess go anywhere else? Pokemon sort of gather based on their region, so you'd have to go far away from cities to find rarer Pokemon… that's just by definition though, right? Unless you meant something else?"
>>345 "They're all really cool, but being here has taught me that I should start planning ahead more. So in this case, Shuckle seems to be my best bet. The others are radical in their own way, but I gotta keep an eye on those contests."
>>358 "Me ant his little dude will go places. But, where to first? I've learned a lot by being here, by I didn't exactly plan my next, now, move. Any suggestions?"
>>359 "Listen… here in Talentton, we truly value beauty… you see…? Beauty… That is to say… right now you and Pallet are beautiful more on the inside than anything resembling the outside… Maybe it would be best to start elsewhere and work your way back in time… here is the entirety of the endowment fund… spend it wisely!"
Got 5000P!
"If you want to use that Shuckle… I recommend trying the contest that specializes in Tough moves… that's far out in the country, in Ochreville. If you want to learn about Smarts… try Server Valley. People travel from all over the world to see the cute fairies in Autumn Glen. It's the only reason I would ever go so far into the country! Finally, look for Cool Contests out on that island at Cyan City."
>>360 "Server Valley is so close, and I really want to get recognized for training nice, chill, and intelligent Pokemon."
Lift up Pallet and take a close look at the little Pokemon.
"But, if I don't want to end up in more attics, I should head out to Ochreville and see how well I can train Pallet. Maybe I'll find something else on the way there that leads me to greener pastures, and at least I have a real goal I can see."
"Thanks for all your help you've given me, Director. I hope I wasn't too much of a burden."
>>361 He nods. "This Shuckle knows by instinct how to find items. You should check it frequently – it will pick up berries that you can use to make Poffins, which will raise your Pokemon's conditions! So to that end… I'm giving you this old Poffin Case to make and store them. If you let Shuckle keep holding the berries, it will turn them into nutritious Berry Juice that is good for humans and Pokemon alike. I have one final gift… though it's more of a test. If you ever go to Fandango City, for instance if you are on your way to the Cute competitions in Autumn Glen, I've arranged for a fisher to supply you with a Rod and the proper bait to catch your own Feebas. If you can level it up into a Milotic, you'll know you're ready to come back and challenge the Beauty competitions."
>>362 He nods and gives you the balls with a smile. You pocket your new merchandise. "Is that all?"
>>363 Snicker at this. "Heh, next time you'll see me, you'll go blind with how cool my pokemon are. I'll head out the long way, towards Server Valley, at least, and check my odds there."
"Ready to go, Pallet?"
Put him on my head, thank the Director, and step on out.
>>366 It's a city, so its probably full of stuff like Pidove and Trubbish. You should also keep an eye out for those electric Pokemon like Emolga and Voltorb. Every once in a while, humanoid Pokemon like Mr. Mime, Jynx, Smeargle, Electabuzz, Gothita, or Pawniard can be found in cities too, but they're pretty rare and powerful.
>>367 Your Pallet carefully attaches himself with his tentacles so that he won't fall off, but you find it a little easier to think. With that, you head out into a brave new world!
Well, at least your home city of Talentton. The buildings are brightly painted here, each one vying for attention in its architectural style.
>>368 "Need a few more supplies, little guy. I wasn't planning on this happening today. Since you're up there, I'm gonna have to rely on you to help me remember stuff, got it?"
Skate to the pokemart, but try to tell Pallet about all the styles and colors Talentton has.
>>369 You trot around. It's still kinda wet out, and it leaves you in a melancholy mood. In any case, you head down a flight of stairs onto a lower street and spot a Psyduck waddling down along the gutter.
>>370 By the time you're through nearly a tenth of them, you get to the PokeCenter, which has a mart inside. You duck to make sure that Pallet's lengthy neck won't get decked by the doorway and you skate on over. The nurse gives you a look for skating indoors.
Look up at Pallet, or try to. "As strong as you are, I can't have you help me dazzle the world by yourself. Next time, I'll get you that mail, though. Remind me."
>>377 There's two ways to get to Server Valley. By train… it's free if you wait until the end of peak hours, or else you could pay for a pass, but that would require battling for money, or doing some other type of work. Alternatively, there's the road northwest. No doubt it is dotted with trainers itching for battle.
>>379 You head out north, through the gate. The attendant gives you a friendly smile and wave. And… out onto the well-trimmed route 1! No chance of encountering a Pokemon by accident here: it's all trimmed safely out of the way, with designated Pokemon zones.
>>351 I need to improve Clyde further, so I can fight stronger trainers more easily! And… maybe catch some new Pokémon to evolve and train. For science.
>>392 As you pass by the 'Center, you run into a Pokemon trainer about your age. I mean that literally – you run into each other. Over the break you stopped by the center yourself and healed your Pokemon. Did you want to nickname Joltik?
In any case… As soon as you make eye contact… you know you must battle.
ASSISTANT HANNAH wants to fight! Go for it, Clyde!
Eevee Lv8 [▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓]
>>393 Gilda gives a cry of victory. First victory… and a long road to go.
It reminds you that you still have a lot to learn about getting in sync with your partner… learning to interpret each other.
>>394 You head into the center and find a pleasant redhead at the counter. "Hello, and welcome to the Pokemon center. Here we can restore your Pokemon to perfect health. Should we restore your Pokemon?"
>>404 >>406 Mismar used Water Gun! It was a critical hit! Clyde responded with a tackle!
Mismar (Staryu) Lv6 [▓▓▓▓▓▓▓░░░]
Clyde (Eevee) Lv8 [▓▓▓▓▓░░░░░]
>>405 You wander through the grass for a time, but when you come out the other side, you lock eyes with a kid! "Did you know cargo shorts are good for storing all kinds of things?"
YOUNGSTER PAUL wants to fight!
"I BELIEVE IN YOU, RALPH!"
Youngster Paul sent out Lillipup! You're in charge, Gilda!
Lillipup Lv3 [▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓]
Gilda Lv5 [▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓]
>>407 Sure are! You walk up to a random person and they give you a smile. "Hey, I hope you know you shouldn't walk through the forest near Fandango City without something to cure poison!"
>>409 >>410 Clyde darts two and fro, and just as the water gun comes out, he bounds behind a mailbox, wasting the watergun! He tears around the corner for impact!
Mismar (Staryu) Lv6 [▓▓▓▓▓░░░░░]
Clyde (Eevee) Lv8 [▓▓▓▓▓░░░░░]
>>411 "Do you like to watch the ocean? Many water type trainers come here to fish, or book a boat to Cyan City."
You head down to the docks, and there are indeed many fishermen on the docks, fishing for water types. You notice most of their catch is the water-poison Pokemon, Tentacool.
>>450 "Well, it's home to the research center I work for. They research mostly evolution of Pokémon, interesting stuff. The road was safe from wild pokémon, but there were a lot of trainers I encountered."
>>452 "Research Center? Did I hear you say research center? Oh, goodness, I am interested now, yes. And did you just say you work for them! Tell me more!"
>>457 "The professor gave me Clyde because Eevees can evolve in so many different things. I'm out here to test some things and learn." Take out the Return stone and Thunderstone. "These two will help a bunch in that aspect."
>>475 >>476 "Thank you, nurse." Turn to Arthur. "I bet we'll run into each other again some time, Arthur. If you see the professor, please give him my regards."
>>498 You head a little further inland, deeper into the city, and you see some signs that indicate a shrine… they seem to lead off into the nearby woods.
>>499 As you approach the gatehouse, you notice an increase in number of shady figures. They're not doing anything illegal, but sort of loitering around in a way that makes you feel uneasy.
You're so distracted you nearly run into one when you approach the passage. "Hey kid. You need a passport to get out of the core cities?"
>>501 Probably around here somewhere. You could ask around or just kind of wander.
>>502 "To get out of the ring cities – the League cities – you need a passport. I can see you're headed for the gate. You know you need a passport to get out, right? I can get you one, for a price."
>>504 He grumbles something about you being a 'ringer' as you go.
You head down south, but to get there you need to traverse a couple flights of stairs to get onto a lower road. Amber City is built on a hillside, so there's a significant drop as you head south. Nearby you see a pack of Ratata in an alleyway. Up above, a Murkrow caws at you once before taking flight and disappearing over the top of some buildings. Let's see… you could take the main road down to the south gate, or cut through some alleyways in hopes of finding some wild Pokemon.
>>505 You wander around town for a little bit and find a mom and pop shop that sells stuff. It's a little bit more expensive than the mega chains, but you feel good for supporting local business.
Pokeball: 250P Potion: 350P Antidote: 150P
Special!! 2 for 1 Mail! Special!! Escape Rope just 300P!
>>513 Well, I know just where it is now, so.. I'll check the nearby woods for pokemon, it might be a good idea to see how the local pokemon live first. '1d10'
Emolga is a rodent-like Pokémon, primarily white in coloration, that most resembles a flying squirrel. It possesses black eyes, a tiny nose, and yellow cheek patches. Its ears, positioned at the top of its head, are rounded in shape and black in coloration, with yellow and white sections of coloration in the inside of its ears. Emolga sports a vaguely hood-like patterning of black around its head, with a spiky extension of the pattern above its face. Emolga possesses winglike, yellow-colored flaps connected to its three-fingered arms. Its feet are white-colored and fairly small and its black-colored tail is in a jagged shape.
Emolga glides from tree to tree using its cape-like membrane.
>>546 >>547 Wow! That's pretty neat. Those eyes look a little… unnerving, but still. Partially normal typed? That's a little odd. It sure isn't a Pikachu. So it's just sunning? Charging up electricity?
>>551 Interesting. I do like the looks of it, but I'm not sure whether I want to catch it. I'll keep looking for now. If nothing else catches my eye, I'll go with the Heliosphere or whatever it's called.
>>556 Another fearsome Double Kick! Blink is taking a beating!
Nidoran♂ Lv9 [▓▓▓▓▓▓░░░░]
Blink Lv9 [▓░░░░░░░░░]
>>558 You head out the southern gate, which leads down to Vanilla city. Out here there are many Helioptiles sunning on the rocks. I guess they're more common outside the city.
>>575 Yes, but none of them are ones I'm looking for! I'm looking for a small, fat, yellow rodent! Failing that, I'll just capture lizard guy. Now get back to Amber City.
>>590 The legendary pseudo-immortal Siegfried, conqueror of Dragons! His championship was a long and bloody one. He was finally defeated when he was backstabbed by a friend.
>>597 Out north of the city you see the Great Power Fields. Here there are many windmills which collect windpower to help provide extra energy to Amber City's great powerplant.
>>599 Pallet grips your head a little more tightly as you head out into the great unknown! Or in this case, the moderate-height shrubs. You wade through for a time… roll for Find Pokemon.
>>604 This area seems a little picked over by local trainers. You might need to battle a few away before you can find Pokemon here.
Gilda was confused! Gilda used previous move, Peck!
"ANDUINN! TACKLE IT!"
Ratata Lv5 [▓▓▓▓░░░░░░]
Gilda Lv7 [▓▓▓▓▓▓░░░░]
>>605 You push through the shrubs, and find a calm lake! This lake is buzzing with local Pokemon life… you see a Corsola reclininig in the shallows… little schools of Relicanth, and occasionally a Tirouga will breach the surface. You think you see a Binacle or too… All in all, a lot of Water/Rock types.
>>609 Last time you went to the Pokemon Center with Hannah, and she departed.
>>608 When you approach, you see a large purple drop symbol… Poison Type Shrine…
>>607 You shake yourself awake. Ugh… your hair is a mess, you look like a Hex Maniac! Maybe even your hair anticipates what's coming today. Even though you live in the city, you have always had an appreciation for the traditional line of thought – respect for the way of the types. Perhaps this is just because of your attachment to Psychic Type. Fortunately for you, the Psychic Shrine for this region is in your town… and today you finally got an audience with the mysterious Shrine Keeper! He or she seems to keep the Psychic Shrine shut away from the rest of the world… but you got in!
>>611 Exhausted, you head home. Your mom is waiting at the door. "Arthur! How was the test? Oh…! I see you have Pokeballs with you, then that means..!"
Got 110P for winning. Gilda gained some experience.
>>615 You head out the eastern gate of the city, hoping to run into something interesting.
You do in fact… there's an Electrike sniffing the ground, trying to track something down.
>>616 "Wow! They're both great, Arthur! You've made me so proud!" She gives you a big pillowy hug, because all anime moms have huge breasts.
>>617 Hm… you could put on a nice solid white ensemble with slacks and button up shirt… or a flowing black cloak. You're not sure if you should go professional or all-out traditional psychic.
>>618 Into the shrine you go! This shrine must be in a sauna, because thick clouds of steam fill the air… you find it hard to see. From somewhere outside of your vision, you hear a voice: "You come seeing the Poison Shrine?"
>>620 "Just gotta grind more, kid!" Leave with a happy smirk. "Hey Gilda, we should look for some pokemon to help you out in the toughest fights!" Into the wild grass I go! '1d10'
>>620 I'm finding everything except the Pokémon I'm looking for. Dammit. Enough of this! Go back to the field filled with those Helicopters or whatever they're called. I'll catch one of those!
>>627 I don't want to fight it, because that would leave it hurt and alone in the wild! If you're set on it, I can follow it, otherwise I'll use this roll to seek out one of those lizard things.
>>636 You silently stalk the Electrike around the walls of the city to a hole in the wall. A few sparks fly, then Electrike takes off!
Against your better judgement, you stick your head in the hole to see what's going on in there. Hey! It's a Pikachu warren!
…Hey! Your head is stuck!
>>635 You begin the hike around Phlox City. The roads are all odd and wavy here… ugh… you should've brought your skates so you could grind there. Weirdly someone put in routes that are only traverse-able by grinding.
In any case, you head down to a stately building with mighty columns and a large eye symbol in the middle. The Psychic Shrine.
>>642 Head… stuck… one seems to have noticed you… oh no… get free get free get free get free
>>643 You head up to the front. Uh… there is no door. There's a big slab of metal. What?
…As if sensing your approach, it slides down and opens so you can enter. Weird.
>>644 All of the Pokemon here move sort of stilted, because they are all part Rock Pokemon. It occurs to you how far away you are from the great mountains – known for their Rock Types.
>>668 You test it with a foot… yes, it seems so… for now, anyway.
>>670 >>671 Bam! It was a critical hit! You hear a cry of pain inside the burrow, but it's hard to see what Pikachu did in reply! Additionally, you'll have to "bowl" the ball to catch this Mon!
MEOWTH WAS CAUGHT! Give a nickname to caught Meowth?
>>675 You trail through the weird, trippy shrine until eventually you come to a pillar that seems to be made out of stars. The Shrine Keeper is here, touching it with a hand.
>>692 Sure thing! You head out east… are your papers in order?
>>693 "You see… this kind of mental power… it is only possible with the power of Pokemon! You will never reach this level of mastery unless you learn to become one with a team – truly understand how the minds of Pokemon and people work! This is something you cannot learn from gyms!"
>>701 >>701 "Groovy. We'll be the best of friends in not time."
I can't be hoping to come back after every battle, so a little spending money might be nice. Any nearby job notices if it's still early enough in the day?
>>705 "Come back Clyde, great job!" Let's go heal up again, so we can start training afterwards. I'm thinking… we should take on a gym once I'm experienced enough!
>>706 Probably. Only question is… do you feel lucky, punk? Well, do ya?
>>707 You make your way to the hotel, where you find someone official looking.
"We do have a few odd jobs… We need a Pokemon to freeze some water to ice, another Pokemon less than 6 inches to clean out a vent, and a human willing to help search rooms for lost and found."
>>708 He gives a sage nod. "Good! That's just what I want to hear in this generation obsessed with battles and conquests! I think you may be ready to go on a Pokemon journey of your own! But to that end… you'd need a Pokemon!
>>714 He levitates over three balls. "I have three Pokemon that I think are good choices for you… Drowzee… who would make it trivial to rapidly expand your team as you explore the world, to capture a wide variety of Pokemon… Ralts… the half psychic half fairy with potential to wreak havoc – and grow closer to you… and Bronzor… who combines the amazing powers of a psychic type with the stout defense of a steel type. No doubt any of these Pokemon will augment your latent psychic capabilities."
>>713 Lyra mills about. She hasn't had much time to grow accustomed to being captured.
>>715 You head down to 112… it's kind of a mess, since housekeeping hasn't cleaned it up yet.
>>744 Does it even have eyes? It warily 'glances' about. You wonder what it's thinking. It may take time to bond with your new Pokemon… learn how to communicate.
>>752 Metapod avoided the attack! Metapod used Tackle!
"You get him, Tough Guy!"
Metapod Lv 4 [▓▓▓▓▓▓░░░░]
Lyra Lv 4 [▓▓▓▓▓░░░░░]
>>753 You arrive at the edge of the path. Here they mow the lawn still regularly, but let it grow out a little and treat it with chemicals to make Pokemon nest here. It's not very deep in… maybe twenty feet of grass.
>>751 Emotions? So…I just think happy thoughts at it? Oh well. I pick it up and head towards the town border. Is there anything else interesting in this town that I pass by?
>>755 Lyra doesn't know Take Down! Lyra used Tackle!
Metapod used Tackle!
Metapod Lv 4 [▓▓▓▓▓░░░░░]
Lyra Lv 4 [▓▓▓░░░░░░░]
>>756 Are you kidding? This is Phlox City. It's all full of weirdos. Of course, it's normal by your standards: you've lived here your whole life. The wavy streets are full of cafes. Dozens of weird Pokemon services make business here. Move Forgetter. Move Rememberer. Move Tutor. Name Rater. Renamer. Memory Relater. Pokemon Sylist. Pokemon Massage. Pokemon Happiness Rater. Custom Pokeball shops. A berry milkshake shop… for Pokemon. Phlox City has an obsession with making Pokemon like their trainers.
>>758 Oh, right. How…novel. Well I don't really feel like buying affection right off the bat. I'm also pretty sure I couldn't afford it either. Let's go look at the town borders. Every journey starts with the first steps.
>>765 >>767 Wild Buneary was caught in the spider web!
Buneary used Splash! …But nothing happened.
Buneary Lv4 [▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓]
Trish Lv4 [▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓]
>>766 Well, the lower-elevation North Road heads up to Crimsonborough, and the road is uneven and dotted with potholes… dangerous fire types and explosions in that area. Route 5 to server valley is notorious for being filled with urban Pokemon, and Route 9 out to Covalent has a little bit of everything. Route 12 has a lot of climbing Pokemon in its great oaks that it is famous for. All of them tend to have some psychics as a result of being near Phlox.
As for the view, you can get the best view out the North Road because it is a lower elevation, and the gatehouse is smaller. It looks pretty rugged and rocky.
>>775 "You don't have to just come when your Pokemon are injured! The mart sells stuff like mail! It'd be different if we were working in the Spires up in Hero City, right?"
Route 7…
You head up to the groomed grass of the north, and you spot a painter hard at work on his easel.
He locks eyes with you. "AH! INSPIRATION THROUGH BATTLE!"
>>824 "It's not enough though. We need to become even better, expand the team and think about… challenging a gym! That's what trainers usually do to get better!"
>>842 The Mart guy gives you a weird look when you aren't able to present a trainer card, but he still authorizes the sale of Pokeballs (200P) and Potions (300P).
>>852 Shit that's basically nothing. Guess I should have taken that amulet coin after all. Oh well. Buy a single pokeball and back on route 7. I still have to make my way north. Don't challange trainers on purpouse, but don't avoid them either.
>>853 Plusle used Thunder Wave! Clyde was paralyzed! He may be unable to attack!
Plusle Lv6 [▓░░░░░░░░░]
Clyde PAR [▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓░]
>>854 They're a tool of the modern era. You won't be asked for one outside the Core Cities.
>>855 >>856 It's late out, so there aren't really any trainers out. Because it's a very well-manicured route, you don't run into Pokemon either. You spend a long time walking, and eventually come to the gates of Hero City.
"Well, you have a couple of options. I see you have Pokemon with you. If you're a Pokemon trainer, a Trainer Card with four Gym certifications will qualify. Alternately, you can register for a passport and pay a fee, though it will take some time to process. This is a means of protecting you and deterring smuggling and crime by known anti-government organizations."
>>860 My goal is clear now. I must go someplace where I can easily train Lyra! … But I need a special pass to go further west. I did visit another town in the south today… but it's too late to start another roadtrip anyway. Let's go find a hotel to stay at.
>>868 "Trainer Cards? They're issued to those that graduate from any of the four major state schools for the education of trainers… though I guess anyone could get one if they took the National Trainers' Exam."
>>869 "Feed your mons", huh? You're not sure where to get a male prostitute at this hour.
Anyway you get some food for your Pokemon and rest up. Zzzzz.
>>870 "That would be back south down the road you came from, in Vanilla City. You can actually get all four gym certifications you'd need by visiting Vanilla City, Amber City, Phlox City, and Covalent City. Plus, at this hour, the train between them is free."
>>872 Nope. It boards inside the city. You can hike back with no real interaction, though. And besides: this is a relatively short walk. Good exercise.
>>873 Dawn doesn't come. Time sometimes jumps ahead when you've done nothing, or stand still when you sleep for hours. We don't question or acknowledge this: it's just the way things have always worked in Pokemon games.
>>876 Vanilla City Gym… right across the street from the Trainers' Academy.
>>875 You head up to the gatehouse, and the guard gives you a friendly nod. "Be careful up north. Heard odd stories from folks headed down from that way."
>>877 Just so you know, you have a passport, since you're from the inner cities.
>>880 You arrive at the gate and the guard looks through your paperwork.
"You're clear to go, Hannah. Have a pleasant trip to Chromeburg. And keep an eye out… Rumors are abounding of Team Empire out west in the mountains."
>>881 You head out the north road, which is on a steady decline into the treeline. There's a temperate oak forest up ahead, which is thick with trees and canopy. You gather yourself and prepare to set out.
>>886 He points to the plaques behind him. They're inscribed with hundreds of names. "Everyone who has ever beaten the Vanilla City Gym has had their name inscribed here on the plaques! But don't let the numbers fool you: thousands have tried! Vanilla City is all about items, but they also love Normal types! If you have a Fighting type, you can really give em what for! Most of them like to use items on the first turn, too, so factor that into your strategy. How many Gym Certifications do you have?"
>>887 The road to Chromeburg… even at this time of night, it buzzes with activity! Woah! Look! A host of Magnemite sweep about, casting a faint glow with their gaze! There are great towers here, but you're not sure what they're for.
>>890 He nods. "I see. He'll probably only use two Pokemon for you. Be sure you tell him that before you start – or he might accidentally faint your team with one of his special reserve Pokemon for those with seven certifications! And cheer up! A lot of your classmates just came and challenged this gym after graduating, too!"
>>891 Not many trainers out this time of night, but you bet you could find them. Electric types won't be ideal for Lyra… but then everything out this way will be less than ideal for her… Steel, Rock, Ground, …
>>902 Deep in the woods you see a powerful Darmanitan giving off waves of terrible heat, that somehow leave the nearby trees totally unscathed! A whole pack of Darumaka dance around it, seemingly worshipping it!
Hm… that Darmanitan seems too dangerous to take on, but the Darumaka are around your level.
>>917 Yes, this is a fallen branch on the ground. You jerk it out, and Klink begins to roll away.
>>916 You can't attack on the same turn as switching!
Buneary used Tackle!
Buneary Lv4 [▓▓▓▓░░░░░░]
Mismar Lv8 [▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓░]
>>918 One of the curious fire-types slowly creeps over to investigate. You continue to lure it until it is a reasonable distance away from the rest of the circle. Should be good now.
>>943 Your flashlight is built into your 'Dex. Good thing to lead with anyway.
After you get in the front gates, you don't need it anymore, anyway. There are a few lights still on… it's definitely an old, abandoned factory… but it seems almost cave-like. You can imagine pretty scary Pokemon have probably taken up homes here. Up ahead, you think you see someone.
>>948 "Factory Cave, like I said. This was once a natural cave, but it was carved out and built upon by a rich businessman to turn it into a steel mill! Later his company went under and it was abandoned, but many Steel types still inhabit the halls. If you stick to the main path, you'll probably be safe.
>>951 "All different kinds, but yes, that includes the dangerous kind. There are some other Pokemon here, too, like Porygon. Old remnants from the broken down systems. It's a fascinating biome– I'm here to study it."
>>963 You arrive at the threshold… edging your head inside, you see a huge hall of gears. The roof of the room can't even be seen behind a thick fog of steam. Klinks labor ceaselessly on the walls… for what purpose you have no idea.
>>967 Forward is such a misleading term. There were several branching routes that led off from the room you met the researcher in. You took the third widest – the two tied for most wide were the one you came from and one directly across from it, which probably leads to Chromeburg.
They pay you no heed as you carefully tread through the busy halls. You stare in wonder at the shifting gears – like ornate moving walls, and steam permeates your lungs – filling your ears, nose, and eyes. Soon you come out the other side… The path branches left and right here.
>>973 "I'm just so happy my pokemon and I could win together!" I pet Blink before putting him back. That battle was pretty hard, maybe I should go heal up.
>>975 "Hey guys, maybe we should practice a little, lets go to the forest." I speak to the pokeballs, lets have dusk out front and do some training. explore the forest outside the poison temple '1d10'
>>976 The forest around the shrine is less spooky in the middle of the day. The warm sun cascades through the trees and is pleasant on your skin. You look for Pokemon, but ultimately just get your skirt caught on a branch.
>>977 A stairway leading down is here. The lights are out on the floor below.
>>980 Your skirt rips on the branch as you pull away. Darnit! That was a nice skirt.
>>979 You feel about blindly, but find no light. Eventually you bang your head into something… Ow! Using the light on your 'Dex, you identify it as a locker… but the lock has been broken off. Hm!
>>992 Hm… not only does it improve Steel type attacks, but it seems important for evolutions…
Onix and Scyther, two powerful Pokemon, can become Steel types with it.
>>993 Route 10… 'Berry Trail', as some call it. This pleasant pathway is dotted with hundreds of berry trees. Only few flower at a time, but they are public.
>>996 You head deeper into the poisonous forest… up ahead is the cave that you saw that Nidoran in. Blinking out the rays of the sun, you think you can make out a figure on a nearby hilltop.
>>997 Clyde playfully tugs back when you try to pocket it. He wants to keep holding it.
>>999 You're about to head into the tall grass when a sweet ride pulls up. It's a flashy red convertible, and the back seat is full of cheerleaders.
"GO! DARYL! HE'S OUR MAN! IF HE CAN'T DO IT, NOONE CAN!"
A handsome youth leaps out of the passenger seat with a pokeball in hand. "Alright, alright, Enough love for now. I need to catch a Pokemon here before we move on."
>>1000 If there is, you can't find it. After banging into several more things, you head back upstairs.
>>1001 A small figure is atop it, and the very landscape seems to flow with life surrounding it. Flowers sprout everywhere around it… it seems immensely powerful. It gives a cry. "SHAAAAAAY!"
Flustered, you fumble with your Pokedex and point it at the strange figure:
For a moment, your eyes connect. You stand there, staring at each other for a time, and then, as quickly as it arrived, it disappears, heading down the hill. By the time you get over there, there is no trace of the creature – save a beautiful field of flowers left in its wake.
>>1002 "..whoa.." Call out Solaire and Blink too, "Guys, you won't believe what Dusk and I just saw, a pokemon covered in flowers.. Looks at what it did!" Pick a flower '1d10'
>>1017 Indeed. Returning through the hall of Klinks, you return to the main chamber. The researcher is gone now. There is the path back to Amber City, the path to Chromeburg, and a few other pathways.
>>1021 You have three options. Down the left path, you see advanced darkness. Down the middle path, you hear the sound of machinery. The right path seems in the most advanced state of 'decay' – it probably wasn't finished originally, and is an odd melding of half-rock cave half-metal walls and consoles.
>>1022 Venonat used Disable! Dusk can't use Tackle!
Venonat Lv5 [▓▓▓▓▓▓▓░░░]
Dusk Lv8 [▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓]
>>1020 Pineco is becoming agitated! Pineco tackled!
>>1036 The pleasant berry route is full of trainers. You think you see an old classmate here… what was his name? Lucus?
>>1037 The ground shakes and trembles with the nearby impacts. You note the Sand Storm weather condition – the vibrations will also make accuracy lower, for both you and your 'mon.
>>1054 His Sneasel is blinding fast! It leaps around the battlefield with impressive speed. He must be focusing on training that attribute. You recall that the city nearest yours – that you tried to get into – focuses on attribute training. Maybe Lucus is from there? You don't really know much about the guy… Hmm… if he was, he might be able to get you in without beating gyms or getting a passport… Maybe you should find out more – if so, you could ask for that instead of money for winning.
>>1057 "Whoa, good job Blink!" Pet him for a job well done and stare at the ball.. "Venom is a good name right? We should get you healed up.." Back to the pokecenter!
>>1105 He gets you past the guard at the trainstation, and soon you're sailing past Route 7 at the speed of train!! Hero city is coming up fast… look at those great spires!
>>1104 He chuckles. "Sadly, no. Our kids moved out to the big city."
>>1110 "Hmmmm… what to do, what to do… we should call the professor! … When he's awake again." Pick up my Pokéball and look around. "Let's head back and start making our way to Chromeburg. Shame about the Arons… but we can always come back. Or maybe we'll run into something else!" Let's do that.
>>1107 "Oh, really? I guess that means that they are great trainers and send you all kinds of neat things!" I smile excitedly "Oh wait.. you don't need any help do you Mr.? My pokemon and I are training together, to strengthen our bond before we go to the shrine. So we aren't too busy!"
>>1111 You head back into the main room, then out of the Factory Cave.
From up here, out the other exit of Factory Cave, you can see the lights of Chromeburg below. The last great vestige of the western world. Apparently the great train here can take you to other regions, like the ships in Fandango City.
It's a bit of a walk down, but you're feeling motivated.
>>1112 >Slammin' You've got my attention! You wanna turn up the heat?
You waltz out into the woods with your new team of two… The great redwoods almost seem like a faintly burning fire as you wander through the dark woods. The path gently slopes up. If you follow it long enough, you'll arrive at Crimsonborough.
>>1113 He shakes his head. "Nothing too strenuous around here. Just chat with customers and process purchases."
>>1115 This time, another curious light draws your attention, but off the right side of the path.
>>1116 You hike down into Chromeburg. This city is full of industrial buildings and warehouses. It seems to never sleep! Smog billows from smokestacks, but that is far above your head.
>>1117 It was growing hundreds of different kinds of flowers.
He takes it and examines it. "Hm… grows flowers? I know the noble Meganium can revive dead flowers."
>>1119 A pack of robed people are circled around an odd, crackling purple fire. They speak in hushed tones… but it seems like they're all saying the same words. It's some strange language.
>>1120 Like the Pokemon games, the time in game is whatever time it is on your system. Since your system is America, it is 8:03 PM.
"Good evening, this is the National Evolutionary Research Center. If you know the extension you'd like to reach, you may dial it at any time. If you'd like to speak to an assistant, dial 0. If you would like our hours and tour information, dial 1. If you'd like to discuss employment opportunities or make a donation, press 2. If you would like to report findings, press 3. If you need to look up the extension for any of the research associates, press 4."
The machine. Of course.
>>1124 Hm… all gibberish to you. However… out of the woods, more purple lights approach!
>>1122 "Oh okay." take the flower back. "I'll have to ask Corwin about it, he knows all about grass types!" "But first I need a pokeball." look down at my money with disappointment "Just a pokeball.."
>>1126 "You have dialed for evolutionary reports. If you have pressing data, please press 0 to speak with an operator. For mundane reports, please wait until after the beep. To return to the main menu, press 1. BEEEEEEP."
>>1130 A bored voice answers you: "Good evening, this is the National Evolutionary Research Foundation, or NERF. My name is Michelle, how can I help you?"
Hey… you know her! The secretary.
>>1131 "I could do two for four hundred, if you're in a crunch."
>>1137 "Aha! Just what I was theorizing about. This must be Eevee's Steel-type evolution. If you let it cry into the phone, we can analyze the pattern to determine its name. What conditions did it evolve under?"
That would be back down the Forest Road. You head out… it's a little more foreboding here in the dark.
>>1139 You're out, unfortunately. Wait… it looks like these weirdos in robes were here to catch Litwicks! You see a ball lying closeby. You might be able to snatch it if you're sneaky enough… but if you fail you might have to flee.
>>1145 You can't see much with it dark out.. you could wander in those grain fields, or you see some windmills down the road. The only light is coming from an old barnhouse.
>>1148 You walk all the way down to the windmills. A few Skitty are wandering about here. You chance upon a lone Swinub sitting lazy on a stump nearby. Hm! You don't see those sorts around here often. An ice type.
>>1158 Phlox City is full of psychics and hex maniacs… many are attracted to the psychic shrine and the abundance of nearby psychic pokemon. Other than that, you dunno.
>>1162 Psychics and Hex Maniacs love both ghosts and psychics.
Crimsonborough… you know it's on the side of an ancient dead volcano – one that has been dead so long that plants and trees have grown up its mineral rich slopes, giving it a nice green color. Many fire types live there.
>>1166 Nope, regular old lights. It's an old light transport truck moving down the road. The bright light you saw was coming from the headlights. Bright lanterns hang off the back by the cloth-covered section in the pack.
The driver gives you a friendly wave as he slowly cruises on by.
>>1173 It's not much longer before you reach the edge of Crimsonborough. Wow… even though the town itself is pretty sprawled out, you can tell it's a much smaller town than the cities you're used to.
>>1176 It's kinda hard to tell at night, but the most obvious attraction is the big building in the middle of town. It is adorned with a bunch of lit braziers. Hm… could it be the Fire Shrine?
You are reminded of the psychic shrine keeper's mention of the eighteen shrines across Tianxia.
>>1196 Comfortable is pushing it. You wake up with your face once again smooshed up against the cold window of the Battle Spire – turning in your sleep. You groan: it's a good thing that these windows are reinforced – you could've fallen fifty feet. You would curse whoever at the battle academy decided this was optimal. You WOULD curse, but you almost feel nostalgic: today is the final day of your school. Exam day. If you pass, you receive your trainer card. Certification. The privilege to head out into the world. And of course… a Pokemon of your very own.
Growing up in Phlox City has been… an interesting experience, to say the least. While the lower city is all concerned about style and the classical means of bonding with Pokemon – dressing them up, haircuts, massages, fancy treats, etc. – the Battle Academy of Phlox City specializes in the science of bonding. You practice feeding chemical pheromone treats to Pokemon to make them like you. You recall on several occasions consulting your bonding handbook that informed you that you need to rub your Pokemon's face in a clockwise direction ten times between treats. It was all a very cold and sterile way to go about the science of Pokemon Bonding – all in a crusade to get those precious extra damage points, critical hits, and endurances.
Today for the first time in years you rejoin the world below. It will be strange coming down from the Battle Spire – touching ground once again, and seeing wild Pokemon other than flying types – but part of it fills you with excitement.
Right. Time for the exam. Your room is tiny, but you don't have to share it, at least. You grab your back and head out to the ledge. There's an optional review session, or you can head straight to the test.
>>1201 They'll probably turn into rivals, or drift off to raise their own little killing machines. Never quite liked how mechanical the lessons made it. I'll take a seat, and wait for the teacher.
>>1212 Do they honestly think we'll find this stuff everywhere outside of the institute? We should be reading up on the natural berry ingredients of stuff. Learning how to make our own poffins, or pokeblocks. I suppose I'll just listen for now, since I'm not really picking up anything new.
>>1213 No doubt. In any case, you work your way through the review session picking up a few details here and there, but you're too anxious to pay attention. Eventually, you sit through the rest and make your way down to the test with the others… you're ready. You feel the excitement building.
Heading "down" to the test is really the wrong thing to say, though. You head to the Sky Dome. It's the highest room in the facility. It's a glass dome. And you can see the city from it.
"When you complete your test, head back down one floor and into the first room on the left. Turn in your test and it will be immediately graded. Those that pass will become certified, receive a card, and their starter. Good luck."
>>1216 "TIME TO LEARN SOMETHING ABOUT YOUR HISTORY, SONNY! DEATH KING, ANCIENT POWER!"
What?!
Pidget used Hidden Power! It was super effective!
Heinz used Rollout! It was super effective!
Pidgey Lv4 [▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓░░] Heinz Lv6 [▓▓▓▓▓▓░░░░]
>>1216 You turn over the test. To your relief, most of the test is pretty easy, but five questions do give you a little bit of pause – you're not worried, though.
1. An Eevee evolves by happiness to? ______ _____
2. An Eevee evolves by affection at what percentage rating? ____
3. Which of the following has no empirical evidence of increasing Pokemon happiness or affection? A) Victory. B) Haircut. C) Talking to it. D) Face rubs.
4. The Tianxia Stone Forest is known best for its ______ Pokemon.
5. Tauros hordes occasionally contain the _____ Pokemon as well.
>>1218 Happiness? Is that friendship? Or do they mean affection? Well, there are two blanks, so they must mean friendship. So, I'll write down Umbreon or Espeon. Affection evolution usually only happens at 100%, or so I recall. So I'll put that for the second one. Well, they never said anything about haircuts for pokemon in classes, so that's probably the one they mean. I'll circle option B. Stone Forest? Probably rock type pokemon. And Tauros usually go around with Miltanks, right? Right. Okay, I think that's all of them.
>>1226 Your teacher is waiting for you down there next o a machine with an insert slot. "Finished? As soon as you're ready, feed it in and it will quickly grade your test. I believe I did well teaching you. There is no way you could score lower than an 85% based on my approximations. I am a skilled information injector."
>>1228 Oh that wasn't actually them talking. You can't do that yet, tough guy. You'll get there someday, maybe. This is more like your inner dialog. Who has a dialogue instead of a monolog? Weirdo.
Anyway, head where you want to go.
>>1229 It feeds out seconds later. "Hmm… well, you got thirty seven of the questions right… three were answered wrong. That's 92.5%. Congratulations, you graduate."
A card prints out with your information and picture on it. "This is your certification. Are you prepared to meet your new partner?"
>>1230 I'll grimace at that. Which ones did I get wrong? But that's not important now. I've graduated. I get to meet my partner. "I sure am. Where can I find it?"
>>1231 "Through that door – there are three dispensers. You can swipe your card and release one Pokeball. Choose wisely. Also, for graduating from the Battle Academy of Bonding, I am authorized to let you have your choice of some of your materials from this year. Make your choice wisely."
He presents you with three options: A luxury ball (makes you bond with the caught Pokemon more quickly), a Rare Candy, or a sack of twenty PokePuffs.
>>1232 Ah… more youngsters and oldsters. Which will it be?
>>1236 Surprise indeed. This is gonna be a tough choice between the Togepi and the Riolu… But I should be able to trade for one or the other later. Nodding to myself, I'll swipe the card on Riolu's dispenser.
>>1239 I'll smile a little as I hold the pokeball in my hand. Tightening my grasp a little, I'll head out of the room, and I guess since I'm done here, I'll head back to my room. That way I can properly introduce myself to my partner.
>>1240 You return to your room on the outside of the Battle Spire. Oh… wow. All your stuff is packed up and sitting outside the door. They sure are efficient here. "Optimal".
You feel the breeze and glance over the balcony… it's quite a ways down. You can't remember the last time your feet touched the ground. You see the people move around like ants… you're supposed to be better than them. Optimally trained. Optimal bonding potential. Well, hopefully it worked.
Phlox City itself looks quite pleasant. It's a little artsy, with its colorful buildings and winding streets: very aesthetic, far from the optimal precision of the Battle Spire.
>>1241 How long has it been since I've been home? Well, I'll attach the pokeball to my belt, and heft the box. Looks like I'm hitting the pavement earlier than expected. Once I get to the local Pokecenter, I'll have the time to take stock on things. And see if I had any potions or change tucked away in my things.
In any case, this box will fit in your backpack, so you put it there.
Now for the long, long walk down the Battle Spire…
At the bottom, you approach the door. You hesitate before putting your hand on the handle. Here we go… your first steps out into the world with your own Pokemon, as your own real trainer.
You check your box on your way to the center. Right… 500P to your name.
>>1246 That's enough for a potion and a pokeball. Well, let's hit the Pokemon Center, since they've got free phones, usually. I can call home, say hello, and then figure out whether my Riolu's a boy or a girl, and then give it a name.
>>1251 Oh, neat. Looks like it's a boy, so we'll need a good name for him. And it's time to test out the Dex-Phone… assuming I have my home number in there. It's been four years, after all.
>>1258 "That's the idea. Though I could visit before leaping out into the world. Pick up a map, spare clothes, make sure I have everything. Besides, it's been a long time since I've come home, so…" I'll trail off a little. "… might be nice to visit before I start my journey."
>>1264 It's pretty big. Mighty braziers light up your night (and yes, it's still night. It works like the Pokemon games: your time is always the system time, even if you just resumed walking down a path having done nothing at all and suddenly ten hours have passed, or if you sleep for hours and no time has passed).
There's a pleasant smokey smell coming from it – rich, must be the redwoods.
>>1265 "What? Jared? He doesn't even HAVE a Pokemon."
>>1266 "That's… wow, even after four years?" I'll shake my head. "Anyway, I'm going to be heading over as soon as I can, and then be on my way. I've got a long road ahead of me."
Hm… Unlike your old Psychic Shrine, this one has an open door. Looks like you can go in.
Wait.. you top the stairs and find a wall of fire blocking the way. Okay… weird. Wait again… there's a lever. Okay, it's opening… it's opening… it wasn't a fire wall, it was a fire door. Right. Okay… that's kinda cool.
>>1267 "Good luck! I'll tell you goodbye in person."
>>1269 Click. Hmm. Well, let's get to the pokemon center so I can meet and name my Riolu properly. Just letting him pop out in the street might be dangerous.
>>1277 "In the shrine? Warm, mostly. Here we pay homage to the great Fire type Pokemon."
>>1276 He surveys you curiously. Looks like you don't really have communication down yet… but you'll get there eventually. Maybe you should do some face rubbing or feed it.
>>1279 "Ah, you come from the Psychic Shrine. No… we honor our Fire types in a different way. Fire is naturally alive and chaotic… here we give it that freedom. If you want to know more, you'll have to beat some of the attendants here in the shrine… but I recommend you gain some strength, first."
>>1280 Riolu blinks at you, but shakes its head at the patting. You should know better! Pats, bad, clockwise rubbing, good!
>>1284 I'll bet he does. I'll have to ask mom if she's got any PokePuff or Poffin recipes. I'll finish petting Lucas. "Well, let's get going then, Lucas. I'm not going to put you back in your ball unless I have to, so we're going to take a walk. Have to swing by my house to pick up a few things before we go on our adventure."
>>1287 You let out your Pokemon. Heinz dances about, twirling around. Millie mills around.
>>1288 Your mother answers again. "Good! I already have your stuff set aside so you can just grab it and go. I even have your old running shoes here, a change of clothes, and a bag lunch."
>>1292 I'll nod. "Mind if I drop my stuff from the dorm somewhere? I just need to sort that out and then I'll be good to go. Though if you've got any Puff or Poffin recipes tucked away somewhere, those might be useful. And a map?"
>>1294 She nods. "Sure, sure. But to make Poffin, you need a Poffin Case, you know. They come with a built in cooker. As for a map, that's built in to your Pokedex. See, here…"
>>1295 >>1296 "Oh, neat. I'm going to have to fiddle with this thing every so often, see what other things besides a phone and a map it is." I'll make a mental note to swing by route 4 to pick up a grass-type like Skiddo, since I don't have a bike. And Cyan City might be a good second stop. Once I drop off the box of stuff, and rifle through it for anything of use, I'll collect the stuff Mom prepared, thank her, and head out the door with Lucas.
>>1299 Hugs are good. It's probably going to be the last one I give her for a while, so I'll make sure I hug back. "Alright, Lucas, on to Route 5. We're going to see if we can't catch a few friends and toughen up in the process."
>>1300 Route 5… some call it the Trash Route. It's certainly urban.
This place is full of Trubbish and Grimer. You see a pod of Koffing float across the sky above you. If you're really lucky, you might find a Jynx or a Porygon here. Artists frequently hike south this way from Phlox for the local Smeargle population, but the real prize that draws attention all the way from Amber City is the occasional Ditto.
>>1301 Well, I don't want Lucas getting poisoned this early on. I'll need a psychic type to get through most of these poison types without terrible losses. "Okay, change of plan. We're going to go hunting for a psychic type. Which means we're going back into town and then onto the North Road. Should be something good there."
>>1303 Ah… North Road. The smell of Redwood is thick in the air. The ground is quite rich here, and the mighty Red Forest lies ahead. If you traverse it all, you'll be at Crimsonborough.
North Road is famous for a mix of fire and psychic. Most notably the Larvesta population, but the Red Forest is well known for gatherings of interesting fire and psychic types, drawn to the rich landscape.
>>1305 With the night as dark as it is, it is easy to pick out Larvesta on the trees and in the air, with their bodies glowing like little coals. You could go chase one down or try your luck in the tall grass off the beaten path (roll).
>>1308 Not Larvesta, though. They're a slow-burning bug, but they've only got one evolution. "Alright, Lucas, let's whittle him down a little! Quick Attack!" '1d10'
>>1318 "Hm… we'll have to study this further. It could be anything – Magneton evolves in areas of high magnetism, and Eevee to Leafeon near a Mossy Rock or Glaceon near an Icy Rock. Location matters! Holding items, too… Gligar evolves when holding a Razor Fang and leveled up. Don't forget, sometimes time of day matters – like Espeon and Umbreon – and of course, sometimes even party configuration matters, like with Pancham or Mantyke."
>>1331 … at this point, should I risk my only pokeball on the wild chance of catching him at full health? Ah, what the heck. Worst it can do is get away. Pokeball, go! '1d10'
>>1334 Ah, not enough to buy both! I still have my potion though, right? Or did I use it already? Hmmm… let's just buy another pokeball to make things easier.
Once that's dealt with, I'll go back to the factory cave for further training!
>>1340 You hike back to where you were before… it looks like there was a cave in. If you had access to Strength, you could move these boulder with ease.
>>1344 I've went down the loud route but… I don't think I've properly explored the dark one! It's a bit scary though… but let's see what Pokémon we can find!
Down the dark route… This is advanced darkness. Your 'Dex light flickers… and seems to penetrate little of the darkness before you… you think you detect something moving in there.
>>1347 Okay, it isn't using psychic attacks, so maybe it hasn't learned any yet. "Okay, Cinder, you did great! Come on back." I'll send Lucas out again. "Okay Lucas, same as last time. Just need to weaken it some more and we'll have a new partner!
>>1348 You trip face first into the advanced darkness. Your dex light goes out and it slides across the floor. Ratattas… that's going to be hard to find.
Hiking down the north road at day is much different than night. Light streams through these noble redwoods. You think you see a pack of Growlithe making their way through the woods – over a nearby stream.
You can hear the bird Pokemon are out in force, too… Chirping somewhere up in the canopy above.
>>1362 Alright, time to say hello to the new arrival. Let Espurr out of her ball. "Hi there. As you may have guessed, we're partners now. And since you're a partner, you're going to need a name."