Cerulean City

It’s so damn hot in here…

I have no issue with the heat, the humidity bothers me a bit though.

It’s all the plants in here that’re giving me the creeps.

I love it in here! The sunlight seems brighter in here! What did you call this place again, Cally?

+ It’s a Gym but it looks like it doubles as a greenhouse.

So this is a grass gym?

Yup.

Aw man… I guess I’ll get the next gym, then. Looks like you’re up, Summer.

No plant can stand in my way!

We eventually find a clearing in the middle of the gym, a battle arena is marked out. A young woman appears to be sleeping in a garden chair at the gym leader’s spot. I clear my throat loudly.

Suuuu…

+ Um, hello?

Can I give her a jolt? Imma give her a jolt.

Hmm… mm? Oh! Hello.

Aww, I wanted to zap her…

I’m Erika, the leader of this Gym. Are you here to challenge me for the badge?

+ Yes but first I was wondering if you’ve seen this trainer?

I hand Erika one of the photos I had mass printed.

+ He’s probably doing the league challenge too, has he been to your gym yet?

I can’t say I’ve… wait a minute, but this is you! You’re standing in front of me.

+ No, first of all I’m a girl, this is a picture of someone else, a boy.

Oh, well I’ve not seen him. So, how about that battle?

+ Fine.

Go Tangela!

+ Go Summer!

+ Ember!

Constrict!

Summer blasts embers in Tangela’s face before being squeezed about the waist by one of Tangela’s vines.

+ Ember!

Bind!

Before Summer can act again Tangela wraps vines around her neck and doesn’t let go.

+ Summer!

Gag!

Tangela continues to choke Summer but she eventually wriggles free.

+ Ember!

Constrict!

Tangela tries to grab Summer with it’s vines again but only manages to get her arm. Summer sprays more embers in Tangela’s direction, sending sparks beyond the arena.

+ Ember!

Constrict!

Tangela grabs Summer’s other arm with it’s vines before receiving another face full of embers.

+ Ember!

Bind!

Tangela goes for the throat again but Summer narrowly dodges before breathing more embers at Tangela until it passes out.

Go Weepinbell!

+ Summer return! Go Selene!

How embarrasing…

+ Ice Beam!

Stun Spore!

Selene points her finger at Weepinbell and fires a bright blue beam at it’s face, Weepinbell spews powdery spores back at Selene.

Ugh… my arms feel so heavy all of a sudden.

It’s that plant stuff! That’s why plants creep me out. No offence Minnie.

None taken Beck, you should try this Pokénip! There’s a whole patch over here…

+ Ice Beam!

Acid!

Weepinbell sprays caustic ooze at Selene who fires another blue ray, freezing Weepinbell solid.

+ Oh no! Faries are weak to poison!

Where’d you hear a crazy thing like that? Selene’s fine.

Go Gloom!

+ Ice Beam!

Acid!

Gloom vomits purple gunk at Selene before she responds with another blue beam from her finger tip.

+ Ice Beam!

Acid!

Gloom begins to spew more sludge when Selene shoves her fist down Gloom’s throat and freezes it’s insides with an ice beam. Gloom belches a frosty mist before doubling over.

Oh dear. Congratulations, you’ve earned the Rainbow Badge!

I notice a faint glow coming from the garden behind Erika and smoke gathering under the glass roof.

I think one of Summer’s embers-

+ Oh, er. Thanks for the badge Erika, I’ve got to go!

Route 16

Zzzzzz

Aw man, why’d they make this path so narrow? Don’t you humans know Snorlaxes like to sleep in places like this?

I poke the Snorlax.

Zzz… mmm… Cookie… Hm?! Cookie smell cookie! Want cookie! Cookie want cookie!

+ Oh, you can smell the cookies in my snack pack?

Want! Cookie want cookie!

+ Suppose you can have some, if you promise to move aside.

As I get the cookies from my bag I don’t even get to open the bag before the Snorlax snatches them from my hand and swallows the packet whole.

+ Uh… so we have a deal?

More cookie! Cookie want more cookie!

+ There’s more in town but it’s a bit of a walk to get there.

Too far, want cookie!

Well there’s a quick way there. If you get in one of Cally’s Pokéballs you’ll be teleported directly to the Poké Center where there are lots of cookies!

Cookie! Cookie want!

The Snorlax reaches at my bag and pokes a Pokéball before vanishing inside. The Pokéball instantly vanishes.

+ Did you- Did I just catch a Snorlax?

Route 17

Oi, dat’s a noice lookin’ set o’ wheels ya got dere.

+ Uh… thanks?

‘And it o’er!

Why did you have to ride that bike thing again? And why do you humans value those tangled messes of metal?

+ How about no, cueball.

Get ‘em Koffing! Poison Gas!

Blehh! Heh heh.

I’ve got this!

Beck sprays his water gun at the Koffing, the gas surrounds them both.

Ugh, it stinks!

Tackle!

The Koffing bounces off Beck’s shell. Beck shoots another jet of water at it, sending the Koffing flying.

Woah!

The Koffing explodes high in the air above.

Heh… heh, stupid gas bag.

Now I’m mad! I’m gonna get me mates t’ come an’ beat yer up! Just wait right dere while I get ‘em.

I’ll take you all on! Heh… heh. You’re nothin’ but practice to me!

Let’s just go.

As the thug rides off to town I just ride to the south across the somehow downhill bridge. As I near a patch of tall grass something darts out in front of me.

+ Wah!

Look out!

Aagh!

I pull the brakes hard which flings me over the handlebars, contents from my bag scatters everywhere. Joule, still in the front basket, pops up unscathed.

Watch where you’re going! I could’ve been squashed!

+ What was that?

I don’t know, I didn’t get a good look. It’s gone now.

I try my best to recover the stuff that spilled from my bag but I end up one Pokéball short.

Ugh…

+ What’s wrong, Beck?

Heh… it’s nothing, I’m fine.

Hey, you don’t look so good.

It’s poison!

Oh crap!

+ Oh no, no! I’m out of antidotes!

Really… heh… it’s no trouble. Let’s keep going.

The Celadon Pokémon Center is closest, even though it’s uphill I get back on the bike and climb the ramp. As I near the gatehouse another thug stands in my way.

Oi! You attacked me mate! I’ll make ya pay!

I keep pedalling and barge past the thug, knocking him down.

Gah!

Celadon City

I ride as fast as I can towards the Pokémon Center.

+ Hang on, Beck!

…

I stumble as I dismount the bike at the Center and run to the main counter.

+ Help! My friend is really sick!

I had over Beck, inside his Pokéball, to Nurse Joy. She takes him to the healing machine.

I’m sorry. But he’s gone.

+ Beck no! I was too slow! I’m so sorry! It’s my fault, I forgot the antidotes…

Beck…

…

Meanwhile at Celadon Gym…

Erika! The secret garden is on fire!

Hehehe, you look silly. Haha!

Erika! Garden! Fire!

Oh hi Michelle. Are you burning incense? It’s getting really smoky in here. Do you have any chips? I could really go for some chips right now. Oh! Funyuns!

No, look! The fire! It’s burning my stash! Er… I mean the private herbs!

Oh dear… someone call the Squirtle Squad. Um… what herbs are in there again?

Oh… you know… this and that…