I think I see Professor Rowan. Walking up the street, my suspicions are confirmed. There's Professor Rowan with Dawn and two other people. I move to greet them, Professor Rowan speaks...
"Ah, Master. Impeccable timing as always. These miscreants are babbling utter nonsense that I just can't stomach. Show them some manners if you will."
I take one look at these strange-looking miscreants. This should be fun. One of the men responds...
"Oh, Professor Pokemon, must you be so difficult? We are approaching you strictly as businessmen. All you must do is provide us with all your research findings. In return, we'll refrain from causing massive damage to your assistant."
I think he means Dawn. That doesn't sound like something a businessman would say. It sounds more like something a gangster would say. Well then, two can play at that game. Get out of town or you'll be wearing cement shoes in hell, capiche? Dawn wants to battle alongside me against the two gangsters. This is new. I agree, of course. I would do it even if I had no reason to dislike these men, and I do. They look odd and uncouth as well as having bullying and arrogant mannerisms.
Dawn leads with Turtwig. I lead with Apsu. Our opponents lead with Zubat and Wurmple. I immediately switch to Sekhmet. Zubat and Turtwig fight each other, neither dealing much damage. Wurmple poisons Turtwigh though. The enemies continue attacking Turtwig. Aw. Sekhmet's leer weakens both of them and Turtwig nearly finishes Wurmple with one tackle. I like it so much, I tell Sekhmet to do it again. Zubat finally attacks her though. Turtwig brings down Wurmple. The poison will soon do the same for him though. I have Sekhmet tackle Zubat. The winged monster ignore her and continues attacking Turtwig, but Turtwig launches a desperate final attack that causes the Zubat to faint.
The moronic thugs are surprised that they lost to children. They run away. I consider having Hanuman light them on fire, but I wouldn't want Dawn to have to see that. Next time, then. As they retreat, Professor Rowan snarls...
"That lot...They call themselves Team Galactic. When pokemon evolve, they seem to release some type of energy...However, I believe that it's a mystic power far beyond our control. But Team Galactic seems to be trying to use that power for something...Anyway, Master, well done! You battle quite capably. The sight of you trainers and your pokemon battling together...I made the right decision in entrusting you with a pokemon!"
Dawn says, "Master did you know? The professor studies the evolution of pokemon too. According to his research, 90% of all pokemon are somehow tied to evolution! I guess that means some pokemon must undergo startling evolutions. So Master...Let's keep working out our pokedex project for the professor! They leave to the south and a heavyset man walks right up to me...
"Oh, that was very good! Nicely done! Truly excellent! Oh, I beg your pardon, I'm from Jubilife TV! I'd like you to have something for letting me see that smashing battle!"
He gives me a...a fashion case? No dude, you have the wrong idea: not gay. Oh, it's for my pokemon? Whatever. It's a gift I guess. He mentions something about visiting the station. I think about it and remember that I would have done so earlier, but some clown was standing in the doorway. The clown is gone now. I enter. There are some people saying mundane things. I ignore them. A reporter in the corner wants to battle be for a story. I accept, of course. She leads with a bird thing called Chatot. I switch from Apsu to Sekhmet. The bird eliminates Sekhmet in one move. Poor thing. I really must start treating her better. But I am somewhat excited. This is looking to be more challenging than previous battles. Still, that bird hurt my baby girl, and she must pay. Go Articuno. Articuno ignores me. I remind myself that this is a work in progress. Chatot sings Articuno to sleep. Articuno wakes back up in time to be hit by a fury attack. Chatot sings Articuno to sleep again. Articuno waks back up, only to begin napping. This is one sleepy bird. Chatot still has done little actual damage though. Mostly, this is just trying on my patience. I take a deep breath and wait for my pokemon to wake up. Articuno turns away, then proceeds to fall asleep again. Should I bring it to a veterinarian or something? Finally, Articuno wakes up and uses ice beam, dominating the Chatot.
I think this reporter was frustrated with how boring our battle was. That's her problem. Apsu seems to be getting stronger, so I am satisfied. I continue exploring the building. A man on the second floor presents me with a Chimchar mask. I thought this was a television station. It seems rather focused on costumes. The third story has a room where records are kept. I can see that I have defeated, in total, 81 pokemon so far. I like this facility. Someone else wants to interview me. He asks me how I feel about television. I feel impelled to honesty, so I tell him that I dislike it. He asks me the same question again. I answer the same way. This time, he seems to get it.
Moving on, I find a seemingly touched gentleman on the top floor. Enough of this. I take the elevator to the first floor, then leave the city and go north. Or rather, I go north and leave the city. Whatever. I find that cave with boulders. Fortunately, I can now smash them thanks to my exploits in Oreburgh City. I instruct Hanuman to do so. The tunnel is rather short and soon I am, well, I have no idea where I am. Perhaps I should consult my map? No time for that: a trainer just challenged me. Hanuman makes quick work of her grass pokemon. A blue-cap asks if I am raising different kinds of pokemon, pointing out that if one only uses one type, other types that the type is weak to will be very difficult to beat. Indeed. We just saw an example of this.
A boy running all over the place with a net sees me and challenges me. He wants my opinion of bug pokemon. I deliver my opinion in the form of fire. That is how all opinions should be delivered. I leave to visit the next town, but two little girls surprise me with their squirrels. Ugh. Hanuman and Sekhmet demolish the squirrels, then it's off to the next town.
Monday, September 28, 2009
Monferno
I go back to that same patch of grass as before. This time, I am attacked not be Machop, but by Geodude. I switch to Kazza. Geodude uses mud sport. I have Kazza use teleport. The battle ends. Teleport lets me escape from battles? I check. It only lets me flee from wild pokemon. But outside of battle, I can use it to return to the last Poke Center I visited. Not completely useless, but useless in battle for the moment, as is Apsu. Brahma is not much better. I may need to adjust my team. Or just teach Kazza hidden power, perhaps.
I encounter another Geodude. This time I switch to Articuno. Wait, what? That's not Brahma. I cannot help but feel that his has something to do with my earlier loss of consciousness and mysterious visit to the Pokemon Communication Club. Forget it. I tell Articuno to use ice beam. Geodude goes down easily. Then I see that I cannot go around the muddy slope. A wall is in the way. Back to Oreburgh City then.
There is no road east and no road south. The road north is blocked. The only way out is the way I came from: west. Just as I am about to enter the tunnel, Slave runs into me, again, literally, again. He tells me what I already know: that I cannot get through Route 207 without a bicycle. He intends to go to Eterna City, then dashes off. Am I destined to always follow this boy? I head north at the fork in the tunnel. Some boulders block my path. Oh right, rock smash. How fortuitous. Without that man giving me the HM for no reason, I would never be able to get through. I boot up the HM. Only Articuno and Hanuman are compatible with it. I choose Hanuman. He cannot know more than four moves, so I replace Scratch. Smashing is more fun than scratching anyway. With that taken care of, I proceed to have Hanuman smash every boulder in sight. This is fun.
I am interrupted by a wild Zubat. Catch it? Why do that when I can have Articuno blast it with ice. Articuno disobeys me though. I try again. Articuno decides to take a nap. The Zubat is attacking Articuno with everything it has. Articuno continues to nap. Finally, Articuno wakes up and uses ice beam once. Zubat faints. So this was what the old woman meant about pokemon obtained in trades. It would be a problem, but Articuno takes such seemingly paltry damage from anything these wild pokemon do. Another Zubat appears. Aerial ace takes it down. Another Zubat appears. Articuno is stubborn at first, but attacks and again lays the foe out in one move.
A psyduck attacks. This time I switch to Sekhmet. Water is bad against electric types, but Sekhmet still has no electric moves. Psyduck wins, but barely. I switch in Kazza, but realize that he cannot do anything. Your turn again, Articuno. One hit, as always. Kazza rises to Level 7 from the experience. I continue switching to Articuno, who has no problems with anything, other than obeying me. It occurs to me that I I have reached another point I cannot cross without a bicycle. How annoying. I backtrack. Articuno falls asleep against a psyduck. Articuno wakes up only to fall asleep again. Finally, Articuno sees things my way and uses aerial ace.
A Geodude appears. Well, Hanuman does know rock smash now. I switch him in. Rock smash does a lot of damage to Geodude, which makes sense. Just as I am almost out of the tunnel and back on my way to Jubilife City, I run into another Geodude. Rock smash again? Oh yes. Wait. What's this? Hanuman grows bright white and transforms into a larger and burlier monkey. The pokedex claims he evolved into Monferno. While the name is more taxonomically accurate, I must protest that this is not how evolution works. This process should be considered a metamorphosis perhaps. No one is listening. I exit the cavern and return to Jubilife City.
I encounter another Geodude. This time I switch to Articuno. Wait, what? That's not Brahma. I cannot help but feel that his has something to do with my earlier loss of consciousness and mysterious visit to the Pokemon Communication Club. Forget it. I tell Articuno to use ice beam. Geodude goes down easily. Then I see that I cannot go around the muddy slope. A wall is in the way. Back to Oreburgh City then.
There is no road east and no road south. The road north is blocked. The only way out is the way I came from: west. Just as I am about to enter the tunnel, Slave runs into me, again, literally, again. He tells me what I already know: that I cannot get through Route 207 without a bicycle. He intends to go to Eterna City, then dashes off. Am I destined to always follow this boy? I head north at the fork in the tunnel. Some boulders block my path. Oh right, rock smash. How fortuitous. Without that man giving me the HM for no reason, I would never be able to get through. I boot up the HM. Only Articuno and Hanuman are compatible with it. I choose Hanuman. He cannot know more than four moves, so I replace Scratch. Smashing is more fun than scratching anyway. With that taken care of, I proceed to have Hanuman smash every boulder in sight. This is fun.
I am interrupted by a wild Zubat. Catch it? Why do that when I can have Articuno blast it with ice. Articuno disobeys me though. I try again. Articuno decides to take a nap. The Zubat is attacking Articuno with everything it has. Articuno continues to nap. Finally, Articuno wakes up and uses ice beam once. Zubat faints. So this was what the old woman meant about pokemon obtained in trades. It would be a problem, but Articuno takes such seemingly paltry damage from anything these wild pokemon do. Another Zubat appears. Aerial ace takes it down. Another Zubat appears. Articuno is stubborn at first, but attacks and again lays the foe out in one move.
A psyduck attacks. This time I switch to Sekhmet. Water is bad against electric types, but Sekhmet still has no electric moves. Psyduck wins, but barely. I switch in Kazza, but realize that he cannot do anything. Your turn again, Articuno. One hit, as always. Kazza rises to Level 7 from the experience. I continue switching to Articuno, who has no problems with anything, other than obeying me. It occurs to me that I I have reached another point I cannot cross without a bicycle. How annoying. I backtrack. Articuno falls asleep against a psyduck. Articuno wakes up only to fall asleep again. Finally, Articuno sees things my way and uses aerial ace.
A Geodude appears. Well, Hanuman does know rock smash now. I switch him in. Rock smash does a lot of damage to Geodude, which makes sense. Just as I am almost out of the tunnel and back on my way to Jubilife City, I run into another Geodude. Rock smash again? Oh yes. Wait. What's this? Hanuman grows bright white and transforms into a larger and burlier monkey. The pokedex claims he evolved into Monferno. While the name is more taxonomically accurate, I must protest that this is not how evolution works. This process should be considered a metamorphosis perhaps. No one is listening. I exit the cavern and return to Jubilife City.
Kazza
This stupid miner took out Sekhmet with his Machop. She used leer on him though, so Hanuman's scratches should hurt more. They do, and the the Machop goes down easily. I find another miner and challenge him too. Ninhursag is already quite strong, no need to switch her in. Hanuman uses ember, but apparently it isn't good against Geodude. Still, this miner is bad at battling and his Geodude fails to capitalize on this, so Hanuman wins. Then he switches in Onix. Rock throw hurts Hanuman a lot. But ember still manages to outrace the snake or whatever Onix is. I exit the mine for adventures elsewhere in the city.
A few of the residents talk about Roark. They practically worship the young man. But at least not everyone on the planet talks about pokemon and only pokemon. Some girl wants to trade her Abra for a Machop. I remember fighting Abra and it was pretty good. But I lack a Machop. If I catch one, I should bring it back to trade. An old woman nearby informs me that pokemon obtained in trades grow quickly and might not always obey, but that it won't matter if I have enough gym badges. How is that? Are the badges magical? This makes no sense. Forget it. A fat man wants me to show him a pokemon called Zubat. They can be found in the mine, your corpulence. Shall I fetch you anything else? Perhaps some not eating so much? I wrestle with whether I should oblige this sloth. Maybe, maybe not.
One man tells me that every pokemon has an ability. I check the pokedex. Yes, Apsu has "swift swim" and is faster in the rain. Is that why he seems useless? There's no water to swim in for my battles? But it indicates nothing about having moves that do anything. So maybe not. More people talk about Roark. A woman gives me a dusk ball. What? She says it works better if used at night or in a cave. Oh. Some moron named his Psyduck "Yellow." Stupid. My names for pokemon are much better. More people talk about pokemon. A blue-cap kid gives me a great ball. He does not tell me what it does.
I enter a museum. Ah, I love museums. This one appears to be all about coal. It has samples of different coal as well as mining tools from generations gone by. There are also some plaques describing the process of coal formation. Pedagogical! A crazy man claims that he is on the verge of a breakthrough that will let him extract pokemon from fossils. What a lunatic. Why is he even in a coal-themed museum? Forget it. Having explored the city I head north on Route 207. I am unable to climb a muddy slope. Someone on a bicycle informs me that I would need a bicycle to get to do so. I consider having Hanuman light him on fire while I take the bicycle, but this fellow was courteous enough to help me, and there does seem to be another way around. It contains tall grass, but that just means more training for my pokemon.
A wild Machop attacks. Capture it and trade it for that Abra? Oh yes! Hanuman's ember nearly finishes the Machop, then I throw a poke ball. I am trading this pokemon, so what kind of name should I give him? I settle for Heracles. Another Machop attacks me. I do not need two, so I have Sekhmet beat him up. Yet another Machop appears. That girl really should have come here before asking me for a trade. Machops are quite easy to acquire just near her own hometown. Or maybe the whole city is filled with sloths? Out of character for a coal-mining community. Sekhmet should make quick work of this Machop, but she keeps missing. Finally, she hits him enough to make him faint. Then it's back to the Poke Center to heal and back to that girl to trade Heracles for...
...Kazza. And this Abra only knows teleport. It had better learn more moves later. I elect to ignore the request about Zubat for now. I am too interested in exploring north and maybe even finding another one of those gyms.
A few of the residents talk about Roark. They practically worship the young man. But at least not everyone on the planet talks about pokemon and only pokemon. Some girl wants to trade her Abra for a Machop. I remember fighting Abra and it was pretty good. But I lack a Machop. If I catch one, I should bring it back to trade. An old woman nearby informs me that pokemon obtained in trades grow quickly and might not always obey, but that it won't matter if I have enough gym badges. How is that? Are the badges magical? This makes no sense. Forget it. A fat man wants me to show him a pokemon called Zubat. They can be found in the mine, your corpulence. Shall I fetch you anything else? Perhaps some not eating so much? I wrestle with whether I should oblige this sloth. Maybe, maybe not.
One man tells me that every pokemon has an ability. I check the pokedex. Yes, Apsu has "swift swim" and is faster in the rain. Is that why he seems useless? There's no water to swim in for my battles? But it indicates nothing about having moves that do anything. So maybe not. More people talk about Roark. A woman gives me a dusk ball. What? She says it works better if used at night or in a cave. Oh. Some moron named his Psyduck "Yellow." Stupid. My names for pokemon are much better. More people talk about pokemon. A blue-cap kid gives me a great ball. He does not tell me what it does.
I enter a museum. Ah, I love museums. This one appears to be all about coal. It has samples of different coal as well as mining tools from generations gone by. There are also some plaques describing the process of coal formation. Pedagogical! A crazy man claims that he is on the verge of a breakthrough that will let him extract pokemon from fossils. What a lunatic. Why is he even in a coal-themed museum? Forget it. Having explored the city I head north on Route 207. I am unable to climb a muddy slope. Someone on a bicycle informs me that I would need a bicycle to get to do so. I consider having Hanuman light him on fire while I take the bicycle, but this fellow was courteous enough to help me, and there does seem to be another way around. It contains tall grass, but that just means more training for my pokemon.
A wild Machop attacks. Capture it and trade it for that Abra? Oh yes! Hanuman's ember nearly finishes the Machop, then I throw a poke ball. I am trading this pokemon, so what kind of name should I give him? I settle for Heracles. Another Machop attacks me. I do not need two, so I have Sekhmet beat him up. Yet another Machop appears. That girl really should have come here before asking me for a trade. Machops are quite easy to acquire just near her own hometown. Or maybe the whole city is filled with sloths? Out of character for a coal-mining community. Sekhmet should make quick work of this Machop, but she keeps missing. Finally, she hits him enough to make him faint. Then it's back to the Poke Center to heal and back to that girl to trade Heracles for...
...Kazza. And this Abra only knows teleport. It had better learn more moves later. I elect to ignore the request about Zubat for now. I am too interested in exploring north and maybe even finding another one of those gyms.
Friday, September 25, 2009
Mega Drain
I reach Oreburgh City at last, when another member of the blue cap club sees me. He doesn't challenge me, though. Instead he forces me to come with him to the Oreburgh Gym. He insists that other trainers will never respect me until I win a badge from this place. Oh look, there's Slave.
Slave informs me that I am too late and the gym leader left. He, on the other hand, already got his badge. Braggart. I rush to the Poke Center to heal my buddies. Some weird person there says that others may mistake me for a psychic. Well, maybe. But maybe I am psychic. I notice that the underground is not closed in this Poke Center. Down the stairs, a woman named Teala gives me something called a "Pal Pad." Nothing else of interest down there as far as I can tell, so I leave to explore Oreburgh City.
Fascinating: this is a mining community. Coal, specifically. Curious, I investigate the mine. A worker tells me that people in the mine keep pokemon with them and that I might be challenged. Well, that's not been a problem for me lately. I pick up an X-defend someone left lying on the ground. A wild Zubat attacks me. It's actually rather formidable, but Sekhmet is moreso. And then there's another. Zubats are the Bidoofs of this mine, apparently. Another Zubat attacks and manages to knock Sekhmet out by confusing her into attacking herself. I send in Ninhursag, but absorb is surprisingly weak against Zubat, so I switch to Hanuman, who goes up to Level 13.
Wild pokemon keep attacking me and they are too strong here. Forget worrying about trainers. These things will kill me. Everything but Zubat seems weak to absorb though, so Ninhursag is holding her own. I escape, heal, and plunge back in. Ninhursag will be leading the team for now. Apsu is being ignored. Sorry pal, but you don't do anything. I navigate the mine and avoid the workers, who would challenge me. Maybe later I'll challenge them myself.
I find a young man who tells me to watch as he uses the hidden move rock smash to clear away a boulder. Great, but hidden? Not really. It sure isn't hidden from me. He says that if I get the gym badge, I can do this myself. But to get the gym badge, I have to beat the gym leader, which is him. Then he leaves. Oh, it's on. I follow him back to the gym. Some wild pokemon get in the way, though. Ninhursag takes care of that though. She learned stun spore. Good. These rock pokemon crumble before her absorb.
The sign in front of the gym reads, "Oreburgh Pokemon Gym. Leader: Roark. 'Call me Roark the Rock!'" Aha. Roark, you buffoon, you show me your hand. Ninhursag is going to make this easy. I stride into the gym. I notice Slave's name on the sign. He was truthful about his victory here, then. But I beat him. Emboldened, I march straight ahead. I fail to notice the blue-cap, who stops me. He points out that I could have gone up a ramp and gotten past him. What is this, a college fraternity? In any case, it doesn't matter. Ninhursag makes quick work of his Geodude. If that's all they have here, the badge is mine. I see the next blue-cap, but walk right in front of him anyway. Ninhursag could use the experience. This youngster has both Geodude and Onix, but both go down with ease.
Well Roark, you have no more goons to throw at me. And you've seen what I can do. I challenge you to a pokemon battle! I ignore his speech and send out Ninhursag. Oh look, another Geodude. Same old story, same old song and dance. Ninhursag reaches Level 13 and learns mega drain. Next, Roark sends in Onix. When will they ever learn. Mega drain, and Onix is down. Roark calls for his last pokemon: Cranidos. Well, even if mega drain fails here, I still have Hanuman to fall back on. Mega drain does not fail. That was about as easy as it gets.
Embarrassed, as he should be, Roark hands over the Coal Badge and a TM. Roark warns me that the other gym leaders are more formidable than himself, and with that we part ways, me to go beat everyone in his coal mine and him to go cry into a pillow or something. Actually, a pillow is sounding pretty good right now. Whatever happened earlier today, I do not feel rested from it. So I retire for the night. But soon, those miners will learn fear.
Slave informs me that I am too late and the gym leader left. He, on the other hand, already got his badge. Braggart. I rush to the Poke Center to heal my buddies. Some weird person there says that others may mistake me for a psychic. Well, maybe. But maybe I am psychic. I notice that the underground is not closed in this Poke Center. Down the stairs, a woman named Teala gives me something called a "Pal Pad." Nothing else of interest down there as far as I can tell, so I leave to explore Oreburgh City.
Fascinating: this is a mining community. Coal, specifically. Curious, I investigate the mine. A worker tells me that people in the mine keep pokemon with them and that I might be challenged. Well, that's not been a problem for me lately. I pick up an X-defend someone left lying on the ground. A wild Zubat attacks me. It's actually rather formidable, but Sekhmet is moreso. And then there's another. Zubats are the Bidoofs of this mine, apparently. Another Zubat attacks and manages to knock Sekhmet out by confusing her into attacking herself. I send in Ninhursag, but absorb is surprisingly weak against Zubat, so I switch to Hanuman, who goes up to Level 13.
Wild pokemon keep attacking me and they are too strong here. Forget worrying about trainers. These things will kill me. Everything but Zubat seems weak to absorb though, so Ninhursag is holding her own. I escape, heal, and plunge back in. Ninhursag will be leading the team for now. Apsu is being ignored. Sorry pal, but you don't do anything. I navigate the mine and avoid the workers, who would challenge me. Maybe later I'll challenge them myself.
I find a young man who tells me to watch as he uses the hidden move rock smash to clear away a boulder. Great, but hidden? Not really. It sure isn't hidden from me. He says that if I get the gym badge, I can do this myself. But to get the gym badge, I have to beat the gym leader, which is him. Then he leaves. Oh, it's on. I follow him back to the gym. Some wild pokemon get in the way, though. Ninhursag takes care of that though. She learned stun spore. Good. These rock pokemon crumble before her absorb.
The sign in front of the gym reads, "Oreburgh Pokemon Gym. Leader: Roark. 'Call me Roark the Rock!'" Aha. Roark, you buffoon, you show me your hand. Ninhursag is going to make this easy. I stride into the gym. I notice Slave's name on the sign. He was truthful about his victory here, then. But I beat him. Emboldened, I march straight ahead. I fail to notice the blue-cap, who stops me. He points out that I could have gone up a ramp and gotten past him. What is this, a college fraternity? In any case, it doesn't matter. Ninhursag makes quick work of his Geodude. If that's all they have here, the badge is mine. I see the next blue-cap, but walk right in front of him anyway. Ninhursag could use the experience. This youngster has both Geodude and Onix, but both go down with ease.
Well Roark, you have no more goons to throw at me. And you've seen what I can do. I challenge you to a pokemon battle! I ignore his speech and send out Ninhursag. Oh look, another Geodude. Same old story, same old song and dance. Ninhursag reaches Level 13 and learns mega drain. Next, Roark sends in Onix. When will they ever learn. Mega drain, and Onix is down. Roark calls for his last pokemon: Cranidos. Well, even if mega drain fails here, I still have Hanuman to fall back on. Mega drain does not fail. That was about as easy as it gets.
Embarrassed, as he should be, Roark hands over the Coal Badge and a TM. Roark warns me that the other gym leaders are more formidable than himself, and with that we part ways, me to go beat everyone in his coal mine and him to go cry into a pillow or something. Actually, a pillow is sounding pretty good right now. Whatever happened earlier today, I do not feel rested from it. So I retire for the night. But soon, those miners will learn fear.
Memory Loss
I wake up in the Poke Center. What happened? It was the middle of the day? I wasn't going to rest for hours. I feel strange. Was I drugged? I seem to have all of my money still. In horror I check to see if someone stole my pokemon, but all five poke balls are still right where I left them. I can't remember how I got here or even ever being here before. I would ask one of the women behind the counter how long it was that I was on the floor, but I'm too embarrassed. One of them gets me to sign the back of my trainer card though, whatever that means.
I will continue my journey, then. I find a parlyz heal in an unlikely place. Did someone drop it there? It's behind a fence. Forget it. Some girl ambushes me on the road with her Bidoof. I call Apsu back when I realize that he has no actual attacks. Sekhmet trades blows and narrowly defeats the Bidoof. Now she's level 8. She could catch up to Hanuman. I use a wild Shinx as an opportunity to train Ninhursag, but she's not strong enough yet, so Hanuman has to finish the job. Back to town briefly for healing.
I am challenged by yet another boy in a blue cap. What is with these guys? We both lead with Magikarps. I forgot to switch from starting with Apsu to starting with Ninhursag. Oh well, his Magikarp is probably as harmless as mine. While the Magikarp is uselessly splashing, I will have Ninhursag repeatedly use growth. This could be funny. After the sixth growth, nothing is happening. I catalog that information for later consideration and have Ninhursag use absorb, which easily finishes Magikarp in one hit thanks to growth. The annoying boy switches to Starly, so I bring in Sekhmet. She wins, but she's pretty badly hurt. At least Ninhursag gained a level from that. I heal Sekhmet with a potion and continue north.
Another trainer challenges me. This one with her own Budew that's stronger than Ninhursag. And I'm still leading with Apsu. I switch in Hanuman, but the Budew uses water sport, weakening fire moves. That's a new one. I have Hanuman use ember anyway, because fire is awesome. The Budew takes a few of them, but Hanuman prevails, as always. The road ends in a a cave. The cave is spacious enough at first, but becomes impassable because of some boulders. I turn to leave, but a cave pokemon attacks. The pokedex identifies it as Geodude.
I switch to Sekhmet. The Geodude uses defense curl. It's already a rock, so it's probably pretty tough anyway. This could be difficult. Sekhmet tackles it a couple of times. It defense curls and then hits back. Sekhmet would lose this one. It looks like wild pokemon are poor decision-makers, though: Geodude uses mud sport to weaken electric moves. Sekhmet is taking too much damage. I switch to Hanuman, but Geodude apparently resists fire moves. What would be good against a rock? Grass? I switch to Ninhursag. One absorb ends the battle. I leave the cave and head back, resigning myself to follow Slave's path. It seems to be the only one left, for now.
I am torn about Apsu. I do like the little guy and he is already level 7. But he has no useful moves yet. How long until he learns something other than splash? I do think a water pokemon should be useful. Well, my team is only five pokemon so far and I can have up to six. If Apsu and Brahma do not become useful, I will have to replace them. Perhaps I should catch a Geodude in that cave? I start walking east from Jubilife City, and there's Slave. He challenges me to a battle! My own best friend wants to make all of my pokemon faint? Maybe I should take it as a compliment. He thinks I am strong enough to face him.
Slave leads with Starly. I call Apsu back and send in Sekhmet. It is close, but this Starly is stronger than the others I have faced in the past and gets the better of the exchange. I send in Hanuman. A quick attack wounds him, but ember finishes the bird. Slave sends in Piplup. I see. He picked the water type to counter my fire type. Maybe not on purpose, but I am at a disadvantage here. Maybe not. I can outsmart him. I instruct Hanuman to use taunt. It pays off. Piplup's turn is wasted. Hanuman's scratch is doing about as much damage as Piplup's pound, but Hanuman is faster. The Piplup falls. It was Slave's last pokemon. Slave swears to never lose again and sprints off. He intends to beat the Oreburgh Gym. I know very little about this whole "gym" thing.
I follow Slave, taking on another boy with a blue hat and a Bidoof. Sekhmet and her newfound initiative thanks to quick claw make quick work of that. She grows to Level 9 and learns charge. This sounds good. This boy has a second pokemon, though. Zubat. I want to see charge in action, so I have Sekhmet use it. But I find from the pokedex that charge only boosts power: no lightning of death yet. Annoyed, I switch to Hanuman, but the Zubat confuses him with supersonic. His first ember devastates the Zubat, but confusion gets the best of him on the second attempt. Third time's a charm? Yes, the Zubat is done for.
I find a free poke ball and another blue-cap boy finds me. Is there some sort of club? The boy's Kricketot stands no chance against Hanuman. Easy money. But this road is rife with trainers and soon a girl wants to challenge me too. Sekhmet crushes Bidoof, then Starly. Good kitty. She switches to Budew and, knowing that grass is weak to fire, I switch to Hanuman for even more easy money. Ninhursag handles the next wild Shinx. But the trainer who ambushes me after that has something called Machop. Hanuman's ember torches that problem away.
Then another trainer challenges me. Hanuman is wounded by her Starly, but finishes it. She calls for Bidoof while I switch to Sekhmet. My two strongest pokemon are looking a bit worn out from all this battling. I find a repel on the ground. Instructions state that it can keep wild pokemon from attacking. Now seems like a good time to try this. The road leads to a tunnel. A man in the tunnel sees my poketch and gives me an HM. He says it can teach rock smash to pokemon. But for reasons he fails to specify, it cannot be used outside of battle until I get the gym badge in Oreburgh City. This makes no sense, but I presume that earning the badge is done by defeating the trainers in the gym, and that I am willing to try.
A boy scout or whatever ambushes me in the tunnel. Apsu is no match for Shinx, so I immediately switch to Ninhursag. Perhaps this boy has some idea what he's doing. He starts out with leer a couple of times, then uses tackle. Absorb keeps up with him, though. Poor Ninhursag is all but finished when the feline foe falls. She goes up in level and learns water sport, which I do not intend to use. I can see the end of the tunnel so close to me now, but another trainer will spot me if I cross her. And if she's strong, my team may be in no condition to battle her. But if I turn back, that repel could wear off. Maybe I'll be bombarded by cave pokemon. I try to run past the girl. No good. She spots me.
Ember easily demolishes her Budew. She sends in something I've never seen before called Psyduck. Water type? Hanuman scratches it and finishes it in two hits. Then I'm out and into the light of—well, actually it's nighttime. Then how was the tunnel not pitch black? Forget it and move on, I guess. On, that is, to Oreburgh City!
I will continue my journey, then. I find a parlyz heal in an unlikely place. Did someone drop it there? It's behind a fence. Forget it. Some girl ambushes me on the road with her Bidoof. I call Apsu back when I realize that he has no actual attacks. Sekhmet trades blows and narrowly defeats the Bidoof. Now she's level 8. She could catch up to Hanuman. I use a wild Shinx as an opportunity to train Ninhursag, but she's not strong enough yet, so Hanuman has to finish the job. Back to town briefly for healing.
I am challenged by yet another boy in a blue cap. What is with these guys? We both lead with Magikarps. I forgot to switch from starting with Apsu to starting with Ninhursag. Oh well, his Magikarp is probably as harmless as mine. While the Magikarp is uselessly splashing, I will have Ninhursag repeatedly use growth. This could be funny. After the sixth growth, nothing is happening. I catalog that information for later consideration and have Ninhursag use absorb, which easily finishes Magikarp in one hit thanks to growth. The annoying boy switches to Starly, so I bring in Sekhmet. She wins, but she's pretty badly hurt. At least Ninhursag gained a level from that. I heal Sekhmet with a potion and continue north.
Another trainer challenges me. This one with her own Budew that's stronger than Ninhursag. And I'm still leading with Apsu. I switch in Hanuman, but the Budew uses water sport, weakening fire moves. That's a new one. I have Hanuman use ember anyway, because fire is awesome. The Budew takes a few of them, but Hanuman prevails, as always. The road ends in a a cave. The cave is spacious enough at first, but becomes impassable because of some boulders. I turn to leave, but a cave pokemon attacks. The pokedex identifies it as Geodude.
I switch to Sekhmet. The Geodude uses defense curl. It's already a rock, so it's probably pretty tough anyway. This could be difficult. Sekhmet tackles it a couple of times. It defense curls and then hits back. Sekhmet would lose this one. It looks like wild pokemon are poor decision-makers, though: Geodude uses mud sport to weaken electric moves. Sekhmet is taking too much damage. I switch to Hanuman, but Geodude apparently resists fire moves. What would be good against a rock? Grass? I switch to Ninhursag. One absorb ends the battle. I leave the cave and head back, resigning myself to follow Slave's path. It seems to be the only one left, for now.
I am torn about Apsu. I do like the little guy and he is already level 7. But he has no useful moves yet. How long until he learns something other than splash? I do think a water pokemon should be useful. Well, my team is only five pokemon so far and I can have up to six. If Apsu and Brahma do not become useful, I will have to replace them. Perhaps I should catch a Geodude in that cave? I start walking east from Jubilife City, and there's Slave. He challenges me to a battle! My own best friend wants to make all of my pokemon faint? Maybe I should take it as a compliment. He thinks I am strong enough to face him.
Slave leads with Starly. I call Apsu back and send in Sekhmet. It is close, but this Starly is stronger than the others I have faced in the past and gets the better of the exchange. I send in Hanuman. A quick attack wounds him, but ember finishes the bird. Slave sends in Piplup. I see. He picked the water type to counter my fire type. Maybe not on purpose, but I am at a disadvantage here. Maybe not. I can outsmart him. I instruct Hanuman to use taunt. It pays off. Piplup's turn is wasted. Hanuman's scratch is doing about as much damage as Piplup's pound, but Hanuman is faster. The Piplup falls. It was Slave's last pokemon. Slave swears to never lose again and sprints off. He intends to beat the Oreburgh Gym. I know very little about this whole "gym" thing.
I follow Slave, taking on another boy with a blue hat and a Bidoof. Sekhmet and her newfound initiative thanks to quick claw make quick work of that. She grows to Level 9 and learns charge. This sounds good. This boy has a second pokemon, though. Zubat. I want to see charge in action, so I have Sekhmet use it. But I find from the pokedex that charge only boosts power: no lightning of death yet. Annoyed, I switch to Hanuman, but the Zubat confuses him with supersonic. His first ember devastates the Zubat, but confusion gets the best of him on the second attempt. Third time's a charm? Yes, the Zubat is done for.
I find a free poke ball and another blue-cap boy finds me. Is there some sort of club? The boy's Kricketot stands no chance against Hanuman. Easy money. But this road is rife with trainers and soon a girl wants to challenge me too. Sekhmet crushes Bidoof, then Starly. Good kitty. She switches to Budew and, knowing that grass is weak to fire, I switch to Hanuman for even more easy money. Ninhursag handles the next wild Shinx. But the trainer who ambushes me after that has something called Machop. Hanuman's ember torches that problem away.
Then another trainer challenges me. Hanuman is wounded by her Starly, but finishes it. She calls for Bidoof while I switch to Sekhmet. My two strongest pokemon are looking a bit worn out from all this battling. I find a repel on the ground. Instructions state that it can keep wild pokemon from attacking. Now seems like a good time to try this. The road leads to a tunnel. A man in the tunnel sees my poketch and gives me an HM. He says it can teach rock smash to pokemon. But for reasons he fails to specify, it cannot be used outside of battle until I get the gym badge in Oreburgh City. This makes no sense, but I presume that earning the badge is done by defeating the trainers in the gym, and that I am willing to try.
A boy scout or whatever ambushes me in the tunnel. Apsu is no match for Shinx, so I immediately switch to Ninhursag. Perhaps this boy has some idea what he's doing. He starts out with leer a couple of times, then uses tackle. Absorb keeps up with him, though. Poor Ninhursag is all but finished when the feline foe falls. She goes up in level and learns water sport, which I do not intend to use. I can see the end of the tunnel so close to me now, but another trainer will spot me if I cross her. And if she's strong, my team may be in no condition to battle her. But if I turn back, that repel could wear off. Maybe I'll be bombarded by cave pokemon. I try to run past the girl. No good. She spots me.
Ember easily demolishes her Budew. She sends in something I've never seen before called Psyduck. Water type? Hanuman scratches it and finishes it in two hits. Then I'm out and into the light of—well, actually it's nighttime. Then how was the tunnel not pitch black? Forget it and move on, I guess. On, that is, to Oreburgh City!
Ninhursag
I enter an unmarked building and find some people who talk about pokemon. These creatures are all that matter to anyone in this world, it would seem. So why isn't everyone a trainer? And are pokemon the only animals besides humans here? What's the difference between us and them? A boy in a blue cap claims that pokemon can sometimes "evolve" when they become stronger. Is that another term for leveling up here? A woman tells me, "Evolution makes Pokemon just that much more fascinating." I couldn't agree more. The diverse niches evolution produces, the structures and patterns formed by natural selection, mutation, genetic drift, and such are truly amazing to behold in all life. Pokemon, I'm sure, would not be an exception.
I find a building called the GTS, but there's some lout who refuses to let me pass. I consider having Hanuman light him on fire. Or maybe Apsu could splash at him. But I resist the temptation. In due time. In due time. On the eastern edge of town, some guy mumbles to me surprise at what I can only assume was Slave running like a maniac past him just a few moments ago. Good. Slave went that way. I think he said he was going to. So I will go a different way. I veer off the road and into some condominiums. Maybe I'll learn something about city life?
On the first floor, a woman gives me a quick claw for one of my pokemon to hold. People in the big city sure are generous. I have Sekhmet hold the quick claw. Everyone else in the building talks only of pokemon. I guess that's why it was called the world of pokemon in that dream I had. Forget it. I come across the Poketch Company's building. I guess they can't try to sell me a watch. Haha. Get it? Because I just got one from them for free. Anyway, the people there talk about "apps" for the Poketch. Maybe that's what they will try to sell me? A reporter from Jubilife TV is in the building for some reason, and wants to interview me about the Poketch. She asks me for my thoughts on the digital watch application. I want to say something intelligent, but I guess I'm nervous. All I can find are somewhat random words floating in my head. I don't want to stand there looking like an idiot, so I pick the most suitable word I can. It's "satisfied."That did not go so well.
On the second story there's an old man and a shelf full of pokemon magazines. Not a single non-pokemon magazine among them. Unsurprising. In some ways, perhaps this world is predictable. The third story has several computer monitors, but each one seems to only display information about a single poketch app. I am not interested. I go back to Route 218. Time to battle something. Or not. I would have to cross water to get to Canalave City, and apparently I cannot swim. Strange. I thought I could. I'll fish again.
All the fishing rod catches are more Magikarps. Either that's all that's here, or that's all that will bite. And they aren't much experience for my team. Frustrated, I leave. I encounter a wild pokemon I've never seen before. It's called Budew. I want it. Sekhmet weakens it and I catch it. Only one poke ball left. I'll return to Jubilife City and visit the Poke Mart to buy some more. But first, I must name my new Budew. I shall call her Ninhursag.
I find a building called the GTS, but there's some lout who refuses to let me pass. I consider having Hanuman light him on fire. Or maybe Apsu could splash at him. But I resist the temptation. In due time. In due time. On the eastern edge of town, some guy mumbles to me surprise at what I can only assume was Slave running like a maniac past him just a few moments ago. Good. Slave went that way. I think he said he was going to. So I will go a different way. I veer off the road and into some condominiums. Maybe I'll learn something about city life?
On the first floor, a woman gives me a quick claw for one of my pokemon to hold. People in the big city sure are generous. I have Sekhmet hold the quick claw. Everyone else in the building talks only of pokemon. I guess that's why it was called the world of pokemon in that dream I had. Forget it. I come across the Poketch Company's building. I guess they can't try to sell me a watch. Haha. Get it? Because I just got one from them for free. Anyway, the people there talk about "apps" for the Poketch. Maybe that's what they will try to sell me? A reporter from Jubilife TV is in the building for some reason, and wants to interview me about the Poketch. She asks me for my thoughts on the digital watch application. I want to say something intelligent, but I guess I'm nervous. All I can find are somewhat random words floating in my head. I don't want to stand there looking like an idiot, so I pick the most suitable word I can. It's "satisfied."That did not go so well.
On the second story there's an old man and a shelf full of pokemon magazines. Not a single non-pokemon magazine among them. Unsurprising. In some ways, perhaps this world is predictable. The third story has several computer monitors, but each one seems to only display information about a single poketch app. I am not interested. I go back to Route 218. Time to battle something. Or not. I would have to cross water to get to Canalave City, and apparently I cannot swim. Strange. I thought I could. I'll fish again.
All the fishing rod catches are more Magikarps. Either that's all that's here, or that's all that will bite. And they aren't much experience for my team. Frustrated, I leave. I encounter a wild pokemon I've never seen before. It's called Budew. I want it. Sekhmet weakens it and I catch it. Only one poke ball left. I'll return to Jubilife City and visit the Poke Mart to buy some more. But first, I must name my new Budew. I shall call her Ninhursag.
Apsu
Ah, Jubilife City. A place with real streets. And streetlamps. The name itself has an exciting appeal. A portmanteau of "jubilant" and "life." This city has soul. This city has vim. This is city is, well, a city. A bustling metropolis. This is progress. This is the way of the future. My hometown might as well have been named after a twig on the branch of a stunted oak tree. Two dying leaves pushed together by the forces of nature cling to the end of the twig. A local plebian mistakes the changing color of the leaves as a sign of vibrancy and brilliance. All it really means is that winter will arrive, and woe betide the unprepared country folk, for winter is death. Twinleaf Town has vitality, but of the small, humble variety. Through experience and complacence, it survives the current cycles of the world around it. But it is fragile. This magnificent city is different. This city has girth. Oh Jubilife. We shall get to know each other.
There are some inconsequential residents on the street. One of them points me to the trainers school, where I can learn about pokemon. Truly marvelous. I cross the threshold into the institution of knowledge. A fellow trainer in the school points out the value in practical experience. He asks me for a battle. I accept.
Brahma only knows growl and this bide move. Oh well, bide could work. My opponent sends out Abra. This yellow imp has is possessed of a hidden power. No really, that's what the attack is called. It finishes off Brahma before his bide can do anything. Useless cricket. Let's try Sekhmet. Abra's hidden power is devastating to her as well. She manages to use leer and a single tackle before hidden power finishes her. Abra doesn't seem that hurt. I may have underestimated this trainer. Is he beyond my present ability? Hanuman is my last pokemon. He lands a scratch and finishes the Abra, ascending to the lofty heights of level 10. That was the only pokemon my foe had. He states that winning is hard if you don't have pokemon to choose between. Perhaps, but his one pokemon defeated two of mine before the third stopped it. And while he may not be invincible, I can already tell that Hanuman is something special. He's stronger than other pokemon I'm facing. But I'm seeing in this school that fire pokemon are weak to water.
I heal my companions at the Poke Center and return to the school. Another beginner trainer, this one younger than me, makes her challenge. I lead with Sekhmet this time. Another Abra? I should get one of these guys. Sekhmet uses leer, but that hidden power is, once again, quite strong. A second has her nearly finished, but her tackle cuts the Abra down some. I get an idea. I switch to Brahma. Hidden power only takes one hit for him, but it means I can freely switch in Hanuman, so he doesn't have to take a hit. Ember finishes the Abra with ease.
The first trainer I beat in the school congratulates me on my performance and presents me with a "technical machine." It appears to be a data storage device that can somehow make a pokemon learn a move. This one has that hidden power move. I am apprehensive about this. I try not to think about the fact that this machine automatically found its way to an appropriately labeled pocket in my backpack. I return to the Poke Center and converse with the other patrons while healing my pokemon. It seems that one can only carry six pokemon at a time for some reason. This is good to know. I must select my team meticulously. Brahma, unfortunately, might not be cut out for this. I might even miss the little guy, but at least he gets to be with me for now.
Suddenly I realize that I saw Slave's stupid striped shirt and weird hair somewhere in that school. I run back, finding him staring at the blackboard, which has instructional material on status changes. I greet Slave and give him the parcel. He is, of course, able to open it with ease. Inside are two town maps. He finds this odd. He only needs one. So he gives me the other. Triumphantly, he deciphers that Oreburgh City has a Pokemon Gym, so that's where he'll go next. But my map contains no such informaton. How peculiar. Maybe Slave got the good map.
I leave the school, and some crazy man runs up to me. He apparently noticed that I am a trainer and that I do not have something called a "Poketch." It's a watch. He invented it. And if I can find three clowns in Jubilife City and answer their questions, he will give me one. It's a promotional deal. Ah marketing, scourge of society. Still, I could use a timepiece or whatever. The clowns are, naturally, quite easy to find and their questions are easy enough, I suppose. My limited experience as a trainer gave me the knowledge I needed to answer them. Well, one was about holding items and I have yet to see that, but I did overhear some things about it from others.
I explore the streets, meet some more cityfolk, and find what looks like a tollhouse or something. I consider turning back, but talk with the men standing inside to see if I can find out anything of significance. One of them gives me an old fishing rod. He claims that it can catch pokemon. I must try this out. I exit through the far door. The sign says that this is Route 218. My map indicates that it leads to Canalave City. I think I will finish exploring Jubilife City before heading there. But first, let's see if I can catch something with this fishing rod.
At first, fishing isn't working. I try again and get a bite. It's a red fish called Magikarp. I have Sekhmet tackle it to weaken it. This doesn't seem to be a problem, because Magikarp doesn't do any damage. It uses a move called splash that does nothing at all. Have I just caught a completely useless pokemon? The pokedex indicates that Magikarp cannot swim against even weak currents. A fish that is incapable of swimming? I'm starting to think that this pokedex might be messing with me. I return to the Poke Center to heal my newly caught water pokemon.
There are some inconsequential residents on the street. One of them points me to the trainers school, where I can learn about pokemon. Truly marvelous. I cross the threshold into the institution of knowledge. A fellow trainer in the school points out the value in practical experience. He asks me for a battle. I accept.
Brahma only knows growl and this bide move. Oh well, bide could work. My opponent sends out Abra. This yellow imp has is possessed of a hidden power. No really, that's what the attack is called. It finishes off Brahma before his bide can do anything. Useless cricket. Let's try Sekhmet. Abra's hidden power is devastating to her as well. She manages to use leer and a single tackle before hidden power finishes her. Abra doesn't seem that hurt. I may have underestimated this trainer. Is he beyond my present ability? Hanuman is my last pokemon. He lands a scratch and finishes the Abra, ascending to the lofty heights of level 10. That was the only pokemon my foe had. He states that winning is hard if you don't have pokemon to choose between. Perhaps, but his one pokemon defeated two of mine before the third stopped it. And while he may not be invincible, I can already tell that Hanuman is something special. He's stronger than other pokemon I'm facing. But I'm seeing in this school that fire pokemon are weak to water.
I heal my companions at the Poke Center and return to the school. Another beginner trainer, this one younger than me, makes her challenge. I lead with Sekhmet this time. Another Abra? I should get one of these guys. Sekhmet uses leer, but that hidden power is, once again, quite strong. A second has her nearly finished, but her tackle cuts the Abra down some. I get an idea. I switch to Brahma. Hidden power only takes one hit for him, but it means I can freely switch in Hanuman, so he doesn't have to take a hit. Ember finishes the Abra with ease.
The first trainer I beat in the school congratulates me on my performance and presents me with a "technical machine." It appears to be a data storage device that can somehow make a pokemon learn a move. This one has that hidden power move. I am apprehensive about this. I try not to think about the fact that this machine automatically found its way to an appropriately labeled pocket in my backpack. I return to the Poke Center and converse with the other patrons while healing my pokemon. It seems that one can only carry six pokemon at a time for some reason. This is good to know. I must select my team meticulously. Brahma, unfortunately, might not be cut out for this. I might even miss the little guy, but at least he gets to be with me for now.
Suddenly I realize that I saw Slave's stupid striped shirt and weird hair somewhere in that school. I run back, finding him staring at the blackboard, which has instructional material on status changes. I greet Slave and give him the parcel. He is, of course, able to open it with ease. Inside are two town maps. He finds this odd. He only needs one. So he gives me the other. Triumphantly, he deciphers that Oreburgh City has a Pokemon Gym, so that's where he'll go next. But my map contains no such informaton. How peculiar. Maybe Slave got the good map.
I leave the school, and some crazy man runs up to me. He apparently noticed that I am a trainer and that I do not have something called a "Poketch." It's a watch. He invented it. And if I can find three clowns in Jubilife City and answer their questions, he will give me one. It's a promotional deal. Ah marketing, scourge of society. Still, I could use a timepiece or whatever. The clowns are, naturally, quite easy to find and their questions are easy enough, I suppose. My limited experience as a trainer gave me the knowledge I needed to answer them. Well, one was about holding items and I have yet to see that, but I did overhear some things about it from others.
I explore the streets, meet some more cityfolk, and find what looks like a tollhouse or something. I consider turning back, but talk with the men standing inside to see if I can find out anything of significance. One of them gives me an old fishing rod. He claims that it can catch pokemon. I must try this out. I exit through the far door. The sign says that this is Route 218. My map indicates that it leads to Canalave City. I think I will finish exploring Jubilife City before heading there. But first, let's see if I can catch something with this fishing rod.
At first, fishing isn't working. I try again and get a bite. It's a red fish called Magikarp. I have Sekhmet tackle it to weaken it. This doesn't seem to be a problem, because Magikarp doesn't do any damage. It uses a move called splash that does nothing at all. Have I just caught a completely useless pokemon? The pokedex indicates that Magikarp cannot swim against even weak currents. A fish that is incapable of swimming? I'm starting to think that this pokedex might be messing with me. I return to the Poke Center to heal my newly caught water pokemon.
Brahma
Sekhmet meets a male of her own species. I hesitate to pit her against this specimen and on sending her to battle, he apparently intimidates her. Her glory can wait. I switch her out for Hanuman. I don't know why I can't just use them both, but I can't. Forget it. The Shinx tackles Hanuman a couple of times, but training has paid off and Hanuman easily dispatches him.
Another trainer challenges me. This one sends out Bidoof. None of the local trainers except myself, Slave, and Dawn seem to have anything but local pokemon. Sekhmet and the buck-toothed enemy exchange attacks, and my little princess gets the upper hand. She gains a level and learns leer too. I'm so proud. The girl who challenged me isn't done though. She sends out another Bidoof. I think I know better how these battles work now, though. I have Sekhmet leer, then tackle. This Bidoof goes down in one hit, and Sekhmet levels up once again. I collect my winnings and skip along the tall grass, content with the way things are turning out.
Another blue-capped boy challenges me. We both lead with Shinx. Mine is already damaged, though. It's a fierce battle. Somehow, the other Shinx wins, although he's only hanging on by a thread. Furious, I call out Hanuman, who torches the offending feline and ends the battle. Poor Sekhmet has fainted. I must get to a Poke Center now. I see that the road is ending here. I have arrived at Jubilife City. Before I can attempt to locate the Poke Center, I am greeted yet again by Dawn. I think she's stalking me. She thinks that I should catch more pokemon. Great, but I'm more interested in healing the ones I already have. The Poke Center is straight ahead. I pass the poke balls over the counter and my companions are fully rejuvenated in seconds. Ah, if only my psyche healed so easily.
Anxious as I am to explore the big city, I elect to heed Dawn's recommendation. My caution is rewarded with a potion I find lying in the grass. A Bidoof attacks. Not worth catching, I think. They're everywhere. Sekhmet could use more experience, though. She finishes the Bidoof, then takes on another Shinx too. Very good, Sekhmet. I encounter something new. Kricketot? It uses some move called bide that doesn't do anything, Sekhmet easily weakens it and I easily catch it. Anthropomorphic insect, huh? Could be interesting, but I don't know. It can't spit poison or acid or anything like that. All it can do is sit there biding. This does not go with my fire and lightning plan. Still, maybe this guy does have a place on my team. I'll call him Brahma.
Another trainer challenges me. This one sends out Bidoof. None of the local trainers except myself, Slave, and Dawn seem to have anything but local pokemon. Sekhmet and the buck-toothed enemy exchange attacks, and my little princess gets the upper hand. She gains a level and learns leer too. I'm so proud. The girl who challenged me isn't done though. She sends out another Bidoof. I think I know better how these battles work now, though. I have Sekhmet leer, then tackle. This Bidoof goes down in one hit, and Sekhmet levels up once again. I collect my winnings and skip along the tall grass, content with the way things are turning out.
Another blue-capped boy challenges me. We both lead with Shinx. Mine is already damaged, though. It's a fierce battle. Somehow, the other Shinx wins, although he's only hanging on by a thread. Furious, I call out Hanuman, who torches the offending feline and ends the battle. Poor Sekhmet has fainted. I must get to a Poke Center now. I see that the road is ending here. I have arrived at Jubilife City. Before I can attempt to locate the Poke Center, I am greeted yet again by Dawn. I think she's stalking me. She thinks that I should catch more pokemon. Great, but I'm more interested in healing the ones I already have. The Poke Center is straight ahead. I pass the poke balls over the counter and my companions are fully rejuvenated in seconds. Ah, if only my psyche healed so easily.
Anxious as I am to explore the big city, I elect to heed Dawn's recommendation. My caution is rewarded with a potion I find lying in the grass. A Bidoof attacks. Not worth catching, I think. They're everywhere. Sekhmet could use more experience, though. She finishes the Bidoof, then takes on another Shinx too. Very good, Sekhmet. I encounter something new. Kricketot? It uses some move called bide that doesn't do anything, Sekhmet easily weakens it and I easily catch it. Anthropomorphic insect, huh? Could be interesting, but I don't know. It can't spit poison or acid or anything like that. All it can do is sit there biding. This does not go with my fire and lightning plan. Still, maybe this guy does have a place on my team. I'll call him Brahma.
Sekhmet
I overhear conversation between the people standing in the Poke Center. While it's mostly badinage, I do learn that the basement is closed for some reason, that the computer in the corner has some functions that may be useful to me later, and that the top floor of every Poke Center is a Pokemon Communication Club, where I can have all sorts of fun with friends. Do I have any friends? Enough of this.
I return to the tall grass and have Hanuman beat up on some more wild pokemon. He gains another level and learns a move called ember. I am excited about the prospect of finally putting that fiery tail to good use. I do so and it is wonderful. I am filled with childlike glee. Oh wait, I guess I am a child. Whatever. Might there be some kind of law against lighting fires in the tall grass, though? I suppose if they try to arrest me, I can always just have Hanuman light them on fire. I caution myself that fire is not the solution to everything.
Hanuman gains another level, and it occurs to me that I have not seen anything other than Bidoof and Starly in this tall grass. Perhaps I should look somewhere else. South of Sandgem Town, I find Sandgem Beach. There's an antidote lying on the sand, which I avariciously swipe, but nothing else of interest. So I begin my journey on Route 202. Or I would. Unnervingly, it appears that Dawn has been hiding out on Route 202 to ambush me. She refuses to let me pass until I let my family know that I'm helping Professor Rowan. She doesn't want them to worry about me. I am sure I don't care. I could have Hanuman light Dawn on fire. She would get out of the way then. She does have a Turtwig though, and I have no idea what that is, but it might be able to light me on fire, which I would be strongly opposed to. Mom did give me these nice running shoes just because I was going to Sandgem Town. When she finds out that I will be traversing Sinnoh, maybe there will be an even better present? Reluctantly, I trek back home. At least Hanuman can incinerate some more birds and rodents along the way...
...Or not. I encounter no wild pokemon this time. All Mom has for me is a journal. I guess I can record things in it? Before I can leave, Slave's mom shows up and tasks me with delivering a parcel to him. Why is everyone giving me these little errands? I check my shirt. No, the words "errand boy" are not written on it. So why, then? Why me? I stomp out of stupid old Twinleaf Town once more. If I find Slave, I will consider giving him whatever this is. Yeah right. I'm taking this for myself, especially if it turns out to be chocolate cake or something. But I cannot open it. Opening the parcel doesn't seem to even be an option. I chide myself that this seems to be how things work in this world. Onward, then. Dawn might have become bored and left by now. A wild Bidoof gets in the way, of course. But ember takes care of that. I am so glad I picked the fire monkey.
I arrive at Route 202, but the girl is still there. She really is persistent. Dawn offers to show me how to catch pokemon. I realize that I have yet to actually accomplish this feat, so her demonstration may serve me well. She finds a wild Bidoof. Instead of simply throwing the poke ball right away, she weakens it first with her Turtwig. Well, that actually was useful. She also informs me that a pokemon that is asleep or otherwise afflicted with some condition is much easier to catch than a healthy one. Just when I was beginning to dislike Dawn, she redeems herself. And she even gives me five poke balls! Capital.
We go our separate ways. I encounter a wild Starly. My first successful catch? Unfortunately, ember takes it out in one hit. Hanuman, you're strong, but a little less strength would have been preferred there. A boy in a blue hat accosts me...
"You're a Pokemon Trainer! I happen to be a Pokemon Trainer! Our eyes me, so battle we must!"
Uh, I don't think that's a real rule. This bully just wants an excuse. I think he's after my money. He sends out Starly. Ha. This should be easy. But then my feathery foe uses quick attack, hurting poor Hanuman. He strikes back with ember, and just as quickly as it began, the fight is over. Hanuman gains a level and learns a move called taunt. Good. The boy also gives me some of his money for my victory. Also good. If I can keep having fools such as this challenge me, soon I will be rich.
After embering yet another Starly, I meet a different creature altogether. The pokedex calls it Shinx. Aw, she sure is cute, whatever she is. Let's catch her! Hanuman taunts, which doesn't seem to do anything. The Shinx pulverizes him by tackling him twice, but Hanuman finally scratches the feisty little whatever (cat, maybe). I throw a poke ball, but she breaks free. This could be more difficult than I anticipated. She tackles Hanuman again. I throw a poke ball again. She tackles him again. I must remember to make this up to my faithful friend somehow. Third time's a charm? Yes!
The pokedex informs me that this cat thing is actually an electric cat thing. Is there no end to the joys this world has in store for me? Already I have visions of Hanuman scorching the cities of my enemies, while his friend's lightning bolts strike down the fleeing weaklings. What to name a lightning cat? I know: Sekhmet.
I return to the tall grass and have Hanuman beat up on some more wild pokemon. He gains another level and learns a move called ember. I am excited about the prospect of finally putting that fiery tail to good use. I do so and it is wonderful. I am filled with childlike glee. Oh wait, I guess I am a child. Whatever. Might there be some kind of law against lighting fires in the tall grass, though? I suppose if they try to arrest me, I can always just have Hanuman light them on fire. I caution myself that fire is not the solution to everything.
Hanuman gains another level, and it occurs to me that I have not seen anything other than Bidoof and Starly in this tall grass. Perhaps I should look somewhere else. South of Sandgem Town, I find Sandgem Beach. There's an antidote lying on the sand, which I avariciously swipe, but nothing else of interest. So I begin my journey on Route 202. Or I would. Unnervingly, it appears that Dawn has been hiding out on Route 202 to ambush me. She refuses to let me pass until I let my family know that I'm helping Professor Rowan. She doesn't want them to worry about me. I am sure I don't care. I could have Hanuman light Dawn on fire. She would get out of the way then. She does have a Turtwig though, and I have no idea what that is, but it might be able to light me on fire, which I would be strongly opposed to. Mom did give me these nice running shoes just because I was going to Sandgem Town. When she finds out that I will be traversing Sinnoh, maybe there will be an even better present? Reluctantly, I trek back home. At least Hanuman can incinerate some more birds and rodents along the way...
...Or not. I encounter no wild pokemon this time. All Mom has for me is a journal. I guess I can record things in it? Before I can leave, Slave's mom shows up and tasks me with delivering a parcel to him. Why is everyone giving me these little errands? I check my shirt. No, the words "errand boy" are not written on it. So why, then? Why me? I stomp out of stupid old Twinleaf Town once more. If I find Slave, I will consider giving him whatever this is. Yeah right. I'm taking this for myself, especially if it turns out to be chocolate cake or something. But I cannot open it. Opening the parcel doesn't seem to even be an option. I chide myself that this seems to be how things work in this world. Onward, then. Dawn might have become bored and left by now. A wild Bidoof gets in the way, of course. But ember takes care of that. I am so glad I picked the fire monkey.
I arrive at Route 202, but the girl is still there. She really is persistent. Dawn offers to show me how to catch pokemon. I realize that I have yet to actually accomplish this feat, so her demonstration may serve me well. She finds a wild Bidoof. Instead of simply throwing the poke ball right away, she weakens it first with her Turtwig. Well, that actually was useful. She also informs me that a pokemon that is asleep or otherwise afflicted with some condition is much easier to catch than a healthy one. Just when I was beginning to dislike Dawn, she redeems herself. And she even gives me five poke balls! Capital.
We go our separate ways. I encounter a wild Starly. My first successful catch? Unfortunately, ember takes it out in one hit. Hanuman, you're strong, but a little less strength would have been preferred there. A boy in a blue hat accosts me...
"You're a Pokemon Trainer! I happen to be a Pokemon Trainer! Our eyes me, so battle we must!"
Uh, I don't think that's a real rule. This bully just wants an excuse. I think he's after my money. He sends out Starly. Ha. This should be easy. But then my feathery foe uses quick attack, hurting poor Hanuman. He strikes back with ember, and just as quickly as it began, the fight is over. Hanuman gains a level and learns a move called taunt. Good. The boy also gives me some of his money for my victory. Also good. If I can keep having fools such as this challenge me, soon I will be rich.
After embering yet another Starly, I meet a different creature altogether. The pokedex calls it Shinx. Aw, she sure is cute, whatever she is. Let's catch her! Hanuman taunts, which doesn't seem to do anything. The Shinx pulverizes him by tackling him twice, but Hanuman finally scratches the feisty little whatever (cat, maybe). I throw a poke ball, but she breaks free. This could be more difficult than I anticipated. She tackles Hanuman again. I throw a poke ball again. She tackles him again. I must remember to make this up to my faithful friend somehow. Third time's a charm? Yes!
The pokedex informs me that this cat thing is actually an electric cat thing. Is there no end to the joys this world has in store for me? Already I have visions of Hanuman scorching the cities of my enemies, while his friend's lightning bolts strike down the fleeing weaklings. What to name a lightning cat? I know: Sekhmet.
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Level Up
Some fellow on the road points out my Pokedex and tells me that I'm lucky. He probably intends to steal my Pokedex. I'll probably have to kill him later. This reminds me that I must try out the Pokedex. But first, to explore the rest of this Sandgem Town. Hopefully there's more to do than in Twinleaf Town. Actually, the two are so close together I cannot fathom why they are considered separate towns. Some quirk or feud in local politics? What do I care? I'm like ten years old. When I enter the nearest house, the residents extol the virtues of Poke Centers and admonish me not to let my Pokemon faint, but to heal them regularly while they level up. That last phrase intrigues me. Level up? How can I make this happen?
The next house has a sign reading, "Dawn's house." Do children have some strange status in this world of which I am not cognizant? I enter the house. Dawn doesn't seem to be here, but her grandfather and her younger sister are. Why isn't the sister's name on the sign? The old man notes it's both Dawn and her father who work for Professor Rowan. I missed that. I should head back to the lab and see if I can find him. Maybe he can give me some dirt on Dawn.
I speak with the people working in the lab. They seem rather dull and quite busy anyway. Dawn's father is particularly weird. Enough of this. I examine the bookshelves. I see that there's information about Pokemon there, but for some reason I can't access it. What about the computer. The screen is filled with special terms and academic writing that is impossible to figure out? What is wrong with my brain? It occurs to me that I should see a doctor. Professor Rowan is the closest thing I've seen to one, though. Maybe later.
There's a patch of sand on the eastern edge of this town. The town's namesake? A boy in the sand is very excited, possibly because I have a Pokemon and he doesn't.
"Oh, wow! Pokemon are so cool! You can make yours battle and make them stronger! I wish I had some! It's so cool!"
I recall what I heard earlier about leveling up. Fighting will make Hanuman stronger? Excellent. I run back to the tall grass, looking for some victims. Before I find any, I notice a person standing in the tall grass, who gives me a potion as a free sample from the Poke Mart. In my haste, I forgot to visit the Poke Mart. Still, this is good. My new acquaintance informs me that potions can be used to heal Pokemon. As I put the potion in my backpack, I notice that the pack has several pockets, each specifically labeled. The pockets are "items," "medicine," "Poke balls," TMs and HMs," "berries," "mail," "battle items," and "key items." Bizarre, but not nearly so much as the fact that the potion automatically went into the "medicine" pocket without my having put it there. This worries me a little, but then a wild pokemon attacks.
This pokedex is useful indeed. My antagonist, of the same variety as the bird who first attacked me by Lake Verity, is a "Starly."
I tell Hanuman to use leer this time. I notice from the pokedex that his two attacks are leer and scratch. The Starly tackles him, but when I instruct a scratch to follow up, the avian is weakened. Apparently being leered at can have that effect. Curious. This time Starly growls at Hanuman, which lowers his attacking power. How does it do that? Oh well, he'll finish the bird soon enough. Scratch again. Starly growls again, but another scratch should still end this. I encourage Hanuman. The scratch works as predicted. Hanuman levels up! He's level 6 now. Time to head back to the Poke mart and see what they have in stock.
Another wild pokemon intercepts me before I can get out of the tall grass. It's the gopher from before, but now, thanks to the pokedex, I know its name is "Bidoof." Again, I elect to start the combat with leer, and again, the foe leads with tackle. I have Hanuman switch to scratch, which decimates the rodent, who still manages to score another tackle. I begin to understand how this works. Start with leer to weaken them, then scratch them into oblivion.
I enter the Poke mart for the first time. One customer seems to be interested in potions, because they can keep pokemon from fainting. The other tells me, "If you come across a Pokemon you've just gotta have, toss a Poke Ball! Never leave home without one!" Does this mean I'm not limited to Hanuman for the purposes of global domination? Time to acquire some of these wondrous globes. I order the merchant to provide me with some poke balls. She says that they're 200 dollars each. Oh. I might have money? I check. I have 3,000 dollars! Or whatever this money is. I'm not sure, really. While I can buy some poke balls if I want to, I really have no idea how to get more money at this point. Would it be best to save what I have? I purchase two for now, then return to the Poke center to restore Hanuman before our next venture.
The next house has a sign reading, "Dawn's house." Do children have some strange status in this world of which I am not cognizant? I enter the house. Dawn doesn't seem to be here, but her grandfather and her younger sister are. Why isn't the sister's name on the sign? The old man notes it's both Dawn and her father who work for Professor Rowan. I missed that. I should head back to the lab and see if I can find him. Maybe he can give me some dirt on Dawn.
I speak with the people working in the lab. They seem rather dull and quite busy anyway. Dawn's father is particularly weird. Enough of this. I examine the bookshelves. I see that there's information about Pokemon there, but for some reason I can't access it. What about the computer. The screen is filled with special terms and academic writing that is impossible to figure out? What is wrong with my brain? It occurs to me that I should see a doctor. Professor Rowan is the closest thing I've seen to one, though. Maybe later.
There's a patch of sand on the eastern edge of this town. The town's namesake? A boy in the sand is very excited, possibly because I have a Pokemon and he doesn't.
"Oh, wow! Pokemon are so cool! You can make yours battle and make them stronger! I wish I had some! It's so cool!"
I recall what I heard earlier about leveling up. Fighting will make Hanuman stronger? Excellent. I run back to the tall grass, looking for some victims. Before I find any, I notice a person standing in the tall grass, who gives me a potion as a free sample from the Poke Mart. In my haste, I forgot to visit the Poke Mart. Still, this is good. My new acquaintance informs me that potions can be used to heal Pokemon. As I put the potion in my backpack, I notice that the pack has several pockets, each specifically labeled. The pockets are "items," "medicine," "Poke balls," TMs and HMs," "berries," "mail," "battle items," and "key items." Bizarre, but not nearly so much as the fact that the potion automatically went into the "medicine" pocket without my having put it there. This worries me a little, but then a wild pokemon attacks.
This pokedex is useful indeed. My antagonist, of the same variety as the bird who first attacked me by Lake Verity, is a "Starly."
I tell Hanuman to use leer this time. I notice from the pokedex that his two attacks are leer and scratch. The Starly tackles him, but when I instruct a scratch to follow up, the avian is weakened. Apparently being leered at can have that effect. Curious. This time Starly growls at Hanuman, which lowers his attacking power. How does it do that? Oh well, he'll finish the bird soon enough. Scratch again. Starly growls again, but another scratch should still end this. I encourage Hanuman. The scratch works as predicted. Hanuman levels up! He's level 6 now. Time to head back to the Poke mart and see what they have in stock.
Another wild pokemon intercepts me before I can get out of the tall grass. It's the gopher from before, but now, thanks to the pokedex, I know its name is "Bidoof." Again, I elect to start the combat with leer, and again, the foe leads with tackle. I have Hanuman switch to scratch, which decimates the rodent, who still manages to score another tackle. I begin to understand how this works. Start with leer to weaken them, then scratch them into oblivion.
I enter the Poke mart for the first time. One customer seems to be interested in potions, because they can keep pokemon from fainting. The other tells me, "If you come across a Pokemon you've just gotta have, toss a Poke Ball! Never leave home without one!" Does this mean I'm not limited to Hanuman for the purposes of global domination? Time to acquire some of these wondrous globes. I order the merchant to provide me with some poke balls. She says that they're 200 dollars each. Oh. I might have money? I check. I have 3,000 dollars! Or whatever this money is. I'm not sure, really. While I can buy some poke balls if I want to, I really have no idea how to get more money at this point. Would it be best to save what I have? I purchase two for now, then return to the Poke center to restore Hanuman before our next venture.
Hanuman
Some fat guy near my house is espousing the wonders of technology. Familiar. I go next door. I try to knock, but find myself barging into the house. Maybe it's a place where I'm comfortable and I barged in out of habit? I don't feel comfortable? There's an old woman and a little girl, even younger than me. The girl wants a cute Pokemon. Enough of that drivel. Maybe the elder will have something germane to say. She tells me that the Pokemon Professor returned to the next town over, and that he'd been gone for four years. If that's Rowan, this is useful information indeed. I shall spare this woman's life if possible. The television is saying something about fashion, then it throws a tidbit of wisdom at me: electric-type moves are not effective against electric Pokemon. Now I remember why I've always hated the device. Getting useful information from a television is an arduous trek through a wasteland of inane babble. Enough of this. Slave can't be here. Time to go.
A woman standing behind my house tells me that it's true that wild Pokemon do attack people sometimes. Yeah, I knew that. Go away. She probably knows about my goals. I'll probably have to kill her later. I enter the house behind mine, much in the same manner as I did the other house. Apparently that's how I operate. There's a guy in the house, but it's not Slave. He knows about Slave though, and notes that Slave and I are close comrades. Everyone seems to think so, but I don't believe them. I try to open the guy's drawers, but they don't budge. Curiously, he doesn't react either. Time to go. I reach a crossroads. The sign reads, "Twinleaf Town: Fresh and Free!" So that's where I live? Twinleaf Town? It looks like it only has four houses. That doesn't really constitute a town. Whatever. The mailbox on the last house does indeed have a "Slave's House" label. Good place to look for Slave, I bet.
I go to barge in like I always do, but before I can open the door, someone else from inside does and he runs right into me. Maniac. Oh wait, it's Slave. My dear friend, Slave. He tells me he's going to the lake, and that I must go too and hurry. If I'm late, he'll fine me a million dollars. All right dude, I'm the master and you're the slave. You can't levy fines, but whatever. He runs back inside. Should I follow him? I'm tired of this town. Time to go.
I come across a man standing in Slave's backyard for some reason, telling me that Slave was looking for me. Way ahead of you, there. Why's he standing behind Slave's house? Spying on Slave's mom? He's probably some sort of pervert. I'll probably have to kill him. Does Slave even live with his mom? I think so. I suppose I can check. I walk into Slave's house. His mother greets me...
"Oh, hi, Master. Are you looking for Slave? He was gone for a second, but then he came running right back home. He just can't sit still, that boy. I wonder who he takes after?"
His father, probably. The woman seems glued to the spot where she stands. I doubt the creep outside is actually spying on her. Maybe he's after Slave. I'd better go warn him. I deduce that, like me, Slave probably lives upstairs. Ascending the staircase, I confirm my suspicion. Slave is at his computer. He sees me and tells me that he'll fine me ten million dollars if I'm late to the lake. Then runs past me. I follow him, but for some reason, I am incapable of running. Slave's mother comments that he rocketed off as usual and is probably at Route 201 by now. Great. I have no idea where that is. She also says that she doesn't know who he takes after. It's his father, woman. I'm telling you. The boy takes after his father.
Route 201 is just north of our "town." Slave asks if I saw the report on TV. He reasons that since they were looking for a mysterious Pokemon in a lake, Our local lake must also harbor a mysterious Pokemon. That is the worst abuse of human cognition I've ever encountered. No wonder I hang out with this kid!
There's tall grass to the east, so I can't go that way. We head west and I find a sign informing me that Lake Verity is ahead. We approach the lake, but two people are already there, hiding in the tall grass. Lovers? I become uneasy and move to leave, but Slave wants to stay. They're conversing. I feel like I'm eavesdropping. And then I notice that one of them looks an awful lot like Professor Rowan. Could it be he? They come our way and pass by us. Slave and I move out of the way to let them pass. It really did look like Professor Rowan. The other one was a girl about my age. His granddaughter? Something seems odd about this. Slave thinks so too, but quickly loses interest and wants to check something out—in the tall grass. I remind him not to go in the tall grass. He says, "No problem" and "We won't be in there long enough for a wild Pokemon to come out."I protest, but he drags me in anyway. And why? Because there's a briefcase in the tall grass. He thinks the people we just saw forgot it. Well, we'd better return it then. Before I can comment, some birds fly at us.
We are being attacked by wild Pokemon, just as I've been warned about a few times. But the briefcase contains Poke Balls. And Slave says we can battle using them. How fortuitous. How unlikely. How awesome! I grab the ball in the middle and hurl it at the bird attacking me. The ball opens up and flies back to me, but from it emerges a little monkey with its tail on fire! I tell the monkey to attack the bird. He scratches the bird with his claws. The bird growls back. The monkey seems to wait for my instructions, so I encourage him to continue with his claws, which he does. The bird is defeated. This is quite possibly the best thing I've ever seen.
Slave was battling his own avian foe, although I didn't see what he used. He proclaims that "my Chimchar" totally rocked. Chimchar? Is that the name of the creature? Then he boasts, "But my Piplup was way tougher than yours." Piplup? Just then, the girl who was with Professor Rowan dashes back, frantic that she forgot the briefcase. She sees that we used the Poke Balls we're holding and becomes even more upset, but doesn't try to take them back. Then she runs away. Slave wants to do likewise.
We leave Lake Verity. Slave admits that we must return the Pokemon we have, since they're not ours. What a pity. I want to keep this monkey. But a conflict with Professor Rowan would be ill-advised. We'll see. Professor Rowan approaches me and speaks...
"I heard from Dawn that you used our Pokemon. Let me see them, please. Hm...Chimchar and Piplup...Hmm...I see...That's how it is..."
Oh? That's how it is, huh? He turns back to the girl. Apparently her name is Dawn. He tells her that he's going back to his lab. Dawn tells us that we should visit the lab, then rushes to follow Professor Rowan. That makes sense to me, but Slave wants to go home. Before I can debate the matter with him, everything goes dark. And then I'm back at home. Just when I thought this world had stopped playing tricks on me, but such is the story of my life.
I seem to be in the middle of a conversation with Mom. And it seems that I just told her what happened. She tells me that should visit Professor Rowan in Sandgem Town. If the world would let me, Mom, I would. I'd have done it already. She gives me running shoes. As soon as I put them on, I feel like I can run. How does that work? Forget it. I run. And then I'm interrupted. I seem to have run into tall grass. A wild Pokemon attacks me. It looks like a gopher. Well, my monkey should take care of this. He scratches the gopher, but gets tackled by it in the process. Uh oh. They exchange blows again, and once more. The gopher is out, but my poor monkey looks hurt.
I can turn back or press on. If the monkey is incapacitated, I'll have no defense against birds or gophers or whatever other horrors this tall grass contains. But I'm starting to hate Twinleaf Town and there's no other way to go. So I push on, to the east. I mean two people along the road. One of them tells me about the wild Pokemon in the tall grass. A popular topic. The second tells me that my Pokemon can be healed by resting at home. That's nice, but I have no intention of doing so. I dash through the tall grass without encountering any more wild Pokemon. Some dork at the end points out that I can jump down the ledge next to him to get to Twinleaf Town. Again, I do not wish to return there. I'd rather push him off the ledge.
Just as I reach Sandgem Town, Dawn accosts me and brings me to the nearby building. She says that the Professor is waiting for me there. Before we can enter, Slave runs into me and babbles some nonsense that Dawn and I both ignore. Professor Rowan, after briefly deliberating, decides that the Chimchar I've been carrying seems happy with me. He wants to give the Chimchar to me! Excellent. A Pokemon of my own. And I can name him whatever I want.
"Chimchar" is taxonomically inaccurate. The "char" makes sense because this guy does have a fiery tail. But he's no chimpanzee. He needs a good monkey name. I hesitate for a time, then decide on "Hanuman.
My moment of glee is interrupted by the Professor stating that he has a task for me. He want me to take a cataloging device called a "Pokedex" and collect data on Pokemon using it. Dare I refuse? Actually, it doesn't matter. This device may be useful to me. I'll do it. The Professor goes on about how many Pokemon there are and thrills or something. I don't care. Dawn informs me that the first Pokemon she ever used was Turtwig and that she works on this Pokedex project too. I leave the laboratory, and Dawn approaches me again. She's persistent.
"OK, Master, I'll act as your mentor. I've got a bit more experience than you as a Trainer and as the professor's assistant. OK, follow me!"
I'll humor her. My Hanuman can best her Turtwig any time. She shows me some buildings. A Poke Center and a Poke Mart. Whatever. Then she wants me to let my family know what I'll be up to. Don't I have school or something?
I bring Hanuman to the Poke Center. They put his Poke Ball on a machine that glows and he is fully healed by this somehow. Uncanny. And also free. Well now, that is useful. Maybe Dawn isn't so bad after all...
A woman standing behind my house tells me that it's true that wild Pokemon do attack people sometimes. Yeah, I knew that. Go away. She probably knows about my goals. I'll probably have to kill her later. I enter the house behind mine, much in the same manner as I did the other house. Apparently that's how I operate. There's a guy in the house, but it's not Slave. He knows about Slave though, and notes that Slave and I are close comrades. Everyone seems to think so, but I don't believe them. I try to open the guy's drawers, but they don't budge. Curiously, he doesn't react either. Time to go. I reach a crossroads. The sign reads, "Twinleaf Town: Fresh and Free!" So that's where I live? Twinleaf Town? It looks like it only has four houses. That doesn't really constitute a town. Whatever. The mailbox on the last house does indeed have a "Slave's House" label. Good place to look for Slave, I bet.
I go to barge in like I always do, but before I can open the door, someone else from inside does and he runs right into me. Maniac. Oh wait, it's Slave. My dear friend, Slave. He tells me he's going to the lake, and that I must go too and hurry. If I'm late, he'll fine me a million dollars. All right dude, I'm the master and you're the slave. You can't levy fines, but whatever. He runs back inside. Should I follow him? I'm tired of this town. Time to go.
I come across a man standing in Slave's backyard for some reason, telling me that Slave was looking for me. Way ahead of you, there. Why's he standing behind Slave's house? Spying on Slave's mom? He's probably some sort of pervert. I'll probably have to kill him. Does Slave even live with his mom? I think so. I suppose I can check. I walk into Slave's house. His mother greets me...
"Oh, hi, Master. Are you looking for Slave? He was gone for a second, but then he came running right back home. He just can't sit still, that boy. I wonder who he takes after?"
His father, probably. The woman seems glued to the spot where she stands. I doubt the creep outside is actually spying on her. Maybe he's after Slave. I'd better go warn him. I deduce that, like me, Slave probably lives upstairs. Ascending the staircase, I confirm my suspicion. Slave is at his computer. He sees me and tells me that he'll fine me ten million dollars if I'm late to the lake. Then runs past me. I follow him, but for some reason, I am incapable of running. Slave's mother comments that he rocketed off as usual and is probably at Route 201 by now. Great. I have no idea where that is. She also says that she doesn't know who he takes after. It's his father, woman. I'm telling you. The boy takes after his father.
Route 201 is just north of our "town." Slave asks if I saw the report on TV. He reasons that since they were looking for a mysterious Pokemon in a lake, Our local lake must also harbor a mysterious Pokemon. That is the worst abuse of human cognition I've ever encountered. No wonder I hang out with this kid!
There's tall grass to the east, so I can't go that way. We head west and I find a sign informing me that Lake Verity is ahead. We approach the lake, but two people are already there, hiding in the tall grass. Lovers? I become uneasy and move to leave, but Slave wants to stay. They're conversing. I feel like I'm eavesdropping. And then I notice that one of them looks an awful lot like Professor Rowan. Could it be he? They come our way and pass by us. Slave and I move out of the way to let them pass. It really did look like Professor Rowan. The other one was a girl about my age. His granddaughter? Something seems odd about this. Slave thinks so too, but quickly loses interest and wants to check something out—in the tall grass. I remind him not to go in the tall grass. He says, "No problem" and "We won't be in there long enough for a wild Pokemon to come out."I protest, but he drags me in anyway. And why? Because there's a briefcase in the tall grass. He thinks the people we just saw forgot it. Well, we'd better return it then. Before I can comment, some birds fly at us.
We are being attacked by wild Pokemon, just as I've been warned about a few times. But the briefcase contains Poke Balls. And Slave says we can battle using them. How fortuitous. How unlikely. How awesome! I grab the ball in the middle and hurl it at the bird attacking me. The ball opens up and flies back to me, but from it emerges a little monkey with its tail on fire! I tell the monkey to attack the bird. He scratches the bird with his claws. The bird growls back. The monkey seems to wait for my instructions, so I encourage him to continue with his claws, which he does. The bird is defeated. This is quite possibly the best thing I've ever seen.
Slave was battling his own avian foe, although I didn't see what he used. He proclaims that "my Chimchar" totally rocked. Chimchar? Is that the name of the creature? Then he boasts, "But my Piplup was way tougher than yours." Piplup? Just then, the girl who was with Professor Rowan dashes back, frantic that she forgot the briefcase. She sees that we used the Poke Balls we're holding and becomes even more upset, but doesn't try to take them back. Then she runs away. Slave wants to do likewise.
We leave Lake Verity. Slave admits that we must return the Pokemon we have, since they're not ours. What a pity. I want to keep this monkey. But a conflict with Professor Rowan would be ill-advised. We'll see. Professor Rowan approaches me and speaks...
"I heard from Dawn that you used our Pokemon. Let me see them, please. Hm...Chimchar and Piplup...Hmm...I see...That's how it is..."
Oh? That's how it is, huh? He turns back to the girl. Apparently her name is Dawn. He tells her that he's going back to his lab. Dawn tells us that we should visit the lab, then rushes to follow Professor Rowan. That makes sense to me, but Slave wants to go home. Before I can debate the matter with him, everything goes dark. And then I'm back at home. Just when I thought this world had stopped playing tricks on me, but such is the story of my life.
I seem to be in the middle of a conversation with Mom. And it seems that I just told her what happened. She tells me that should visit Professor Rowan in Sandgem Town. If the world would let me, Mom, I would. I'd have done it already. She gives me running shoes. As soon as I put them on, I feel like I can run. How does that work? Forget it. I run. And then I'm interrupted. I seem to have run into tall grass. A wild Pokemon attacks me. It looks like a gopher. Well, my monkey should take care of this. He scratches the gopher, but gets tackled by it in the process. Uh oh. They exchange blows again, and once more. The gopher is out, but my poor monkey looks hurt.
I can turn back or press on. If the monkey is incapacitated, I'll have no defense against birds or gophers or whatever other horrors this tall grass contains. But I'm starting to hate Twinleaf Town and there's no other way to go. So I push on, to the east. I mean two people along the road. One of them tells me about the wild Pokemon in the tall grass. A popular topic. The second tells me that my Pokemon can be healed by resting at home. That's nice, but I have no intention of doing so. I dash through the tall grass without encountering any more wild Pokemon. Some dork at the end points out that I can jump down the ledge next to him to get to Twinleaf Town. Again, I do not wish to return there. I'd rather push him off the ledge.
Just as I reach Sandgem Town, Dawn accosts me and brings me to the nearby building. She says that the Professor is waiting for me there. Before we can enter, Slave runs into me and babbles some nonsense that Dawn and I both ignore. Professor Rowan, after briefly deliberating, decides that the Chimchar I've been carrying seems happy with me. He wants to give the Chimchar to me! Excellent. A Pokemon of my own. And I can name him whatever I want.
"Chimchar" is taxonomically inaccurate. The "char" makes sense because this guy does have a fiery tail. But he's no chimpanzee. He needs a good monkey name. I hesitate for a time, then decide on "Hanuman.
My moment of glee is interrupted by the Professor stating that he has a task for me. He want me to take a cataloging device called a "Pokedex" and collect data on Pokemon using it. Dare I refuse? Actually, it doesn't matter. This device may be useful to me. I'll do it. The Professor goes on about how many Pokemon there are and thrills or something. I don't care. Dawn informs me that the first Pokemon she ever used was Turtwig and that she works on this Pokedex project too. I leave the laboratory, and Dawn approaches me again. She's persistent.
"OK, Master, I'll act as your mentor. I've got a bit more experience than you as a Trainer and as the professor's assistant. OK, follow me!"
I'll humor her. My Hanuman can best her Turtwig any time. She shows me some buildings. A Poke Center and a Poke Mart. Whatever. Then she wants me to let my family know what I'll be up to. Don't I have school or something?
I bring Hanuman to the Poke Center. They put his Poke Ball on a machine that glows and he is fully healed by this somehow. Uncanny. And also free. Well now, that is useful. Maybe Dawn isn't so bad after all...
The World of Pokemon
So this is it? Another day. Or is it night? I can't tell. The whole world is deep blue, but that could mean anything in these confused times. How long have I slept? Perhaps I haven't slept at all. I never feel awake. I might be dreaming. Hallucinating, more likely. Stuck in a trance between reality and illusion, wandering in a cursed nightmarish haze, disturbed at what might be real and afraid of what might not be, even more probable. It's certainly happened before. But that was then. No amount of ruminating on the very darkest of ages will stir the lowliest motes in this world, a world I must now face.
The music is ominous. A fiery phantom appears before me. I think it's telling me to "press start." I don't know what that means, but questioning such entities can have painful consequences. I will comply if possible. The phantom vanishes. I decide that this is a positive development. And then I hear the voice...
"Hello there! It's so very nice to meet you!"
Experience has taught me to be wary of such unprovoked enthusiasm from strangers, especially invisible ones. Things aren't blue anymore though. Through some subtle transition or simply during a lapse in my consciousness, everything turned pink. My host might be trying to invoke flowers, but I think the phantom was about this color...
"Welcome to the world of Pokemon!"
My host speaks slowly as well as enthusiastically. And I still cannot tell what I'm in for. A welcome to a new world could be genial or sadistic. Still, this entity knows more than I about my present cirumstances. Best to listen...
"My name is Rowan."
He reveals himself: a gentleman with white hair and an impressive moustache. He is wearing a blue vest, dark blue pants, a white collared shirt, a black tie, and brown shoes. Some sort of brown case rests at his feet. A fellow human? Actually, we'd better make sure that I am human first...
"However, everyone just calls me the Pokemon Professor."
An expert, then. And he specializes in Pokemon...
"Before I go any further, is this your first adventure?"
Oh no. That certainly is not the case.
"If you need advice, I'm certainly capable of giving it."
Good. We'll see. Did he just summon some sort of placard? A magician, then. Or is that how this new world works? The sign reads...
CONTROL INFO
ADVENTURE INFO
NO INFO NEEDED
I've learned enough by now to know that I am never in control, really. But that second line seems promising...
"You are about to enter a world where you will embark on a grand adventure of your very own. Speak to people and check things wherever you go, be it in towns, roads, or caves. Gather information and hints from every possible source. New paths will open to you when you help people in need, overcome challenges, and solve mysteries. At times, you will be challenged by others to a battle. At other times, wild creatures may stand in your way. By overcoming such hurdles, you will gain great power. However, your adventure is not solely about becoming powerful. On your travels, we hope that you will meet countless people and, through them, achieve personal growth. This is the most important objective of this adventure."
So, it's one of those worlds. Actually, I have no idea what I'm talking about. Best to play along though, for now...
"Would you like to know more about anything else?"
Not about control, no. I'm hoping that he'll get rid of the placard and start talking like a normal person. Then I remember to indicate the third line. He immediately dismisses the floating banner and speaks...
"This world is widely inhabited by creatures known as Pokemon. Here, I have a Poke Ball. Touch the button in the middle of the Poke Ball, if you'd please."
He proffers a spherical device. As per his instructions, I touch the button in the center. A creature flies forth from the device, landing at the professor's feet. The goblin is a bit portly, but I can't tell whether it's a biped or a quadruped. It seems to be asleep.
"We humans live alongside Pokemon as friends. At times we play together, and at other times we work together. Some people use their Pokemon to battle and develop closer bonds with them. What do I do? I conduct research so that we may learn more about Pokemon."
So he's this world's equivalent of a biologist? Now we're getting somewhere...
"Now, why don't you tell me a little bit about yourself?"
I wish I knew. Now I do. I seem to be a juvenile. Male. Human, at least...
"Tell me, what is your name?"
I've had many names. If I can have the denizens of this world call me whatever I want, perhaps I do have some of that "control."
"Master," I respond. Will he buy it?
"Your name is Master?" Is he suspicious or merely inquiring?
"Yes."
"OK...So you're Master? A fine name that is!"
It worked! Either this professor is abnormal, or these people will be easy to dominate. We shall see. We shall see...
"Now, this boy here," he continues, "I believe he's your friend. What might his name be?"
He conjures an image. I've never seen this other boy. But I know what to call him...
"Slave," I intone, trying not to laugh.
"Slave, is it? That's your friend's name?" Uh oh, is he finally on to me?
"Yes."
"All right, Master, the time has come. Your very own tale of grand adventure is about to unfold. On your journey, you will meet countless Pokemon and people. I'm sure that along the way, you will discover many things, perhaps even something about yourself. Now go on, leap into the world of Pokemon!"
I feel as though I am shrinking. And then I wake up. Was it all a dream? It's not that it lacked a dreamlike aspect. But am I really just a normal boy? Nothing feels normal. And what's that sound? Oh, the television is on and I was asleep. What were they just saying? They failed to find the red Gyarados?
"That concludes our special report, 'Search for the Red Gyarados!' Brought to you by Jubilife TV on Nationwide Net! See you next week, same time, same channel!"
I don't know why I was watching that stupid show. It's so boring. No wonder I drifted off. Let's check my computer. It seems I have some notes. Let's see what they say...
"So this is it? Another day. Or is it night? I can't tell..."
Wait, this is describing earlier. But how? If I was asleep—how? Forget it. I return to the television, but apparently it's displaying the title screen of a video game. What? I know this is my room, but this room is not playing nicely with my sanity. Time to get out of here. I descend the stairs. My mother notices me. I hope it's my mother, anyway.
"Master! Slave came calling for you a little while ago."
Slave. The boy from my dream. Disconcerting. But if I am insane, it would make sense that my fantasies procure some features, be they precious or mundane, from my real experience. Is it possible that this Slave really is my friend? Forget it. Just play along, Master.
"I don't know what it was about, but he said it was an emergency."
And with that, she returns to the couch and continues watching her show. Clearly she doesn't think that it's an emergency. That, or she judges me capable of dealing with emergencies. I don't know which is more likely. She seems a strange and enigmatic person. Probably not my real mother. I'll probably have to kill her later. Whatever. Say, what's she watching anyway? The Contest Digest? So Mom's into some sort of contests? But who isn't?
Just as I'm about to walk out the door, Mom warns me not to go into the tall grass because I don't have my own Pokemon and there are wild Pokemon in the tall grass. From this and my dream or whatever it was, I deduce that Pokemon can be dangerous, but that kept under control, the domestic creatures can defend their human keepers from their wild brethren. Obtaining some Pokemon of my own should then be a priority if I'm to conquer this world. I should find out more about them too. Perhaps if I can find that professor, if he even exists—but first, let's deal with Slave. I examine the mailbox next to my door. It reads, "Master's house." Did I put that there? Mom's name should be there. Or maybe Dad's? What are their names, anyway? In any case, perhaps Slave's house will be similarly labeled...
The music is ominous. A fiery phantom appears before me. I think it's telling me to "press start." I don't know what that means, but questioning such entities can have painful consequences. I will comply if possible. The phantom vanishes. I decide that this is a positive development. And then I hear the voice...
"Hello there! It's so very nice to meet you!"
Experience has taught me to be wary of such unprovoked enthusiasm from strangers, especially invisible ones. Things aren't blue anymore though. Through some subtle transition or simply during a lapse in my consciousness, everything turned pink. My host might be trying to invoke flowers, but I think the phantom was about this color...
"Welcome to the world of Pokemon!"
My host speaks slowly as well as enthusiastically. And I still cannot tell what I'm in for. A welcome to a new world could be genial or sadistic. Still, this entity knows more than I about my present cirumstances. Best to listen...
"My name is Rowan."
He reveals himself: a gentleman with white hair and an impressive moustache. He is wearing a blue vest, dark blue pants, a white collared shirt, a black tie, and brown shoes. Some sort of brown case rests at his feet. A fellow human? Actually, we'd better make sure that I am human first...
"However, everyone just calls me the Pokemon Professor."
An expert, then. And he specializes in Pokemon...
"Before I go any further, is this your first adventure?"
Oh no. That certainly is not the case.
"If you need advice, I'm certainly capable of giving it."
Good. We'll see. Did he just summon some sort of placard? A magician, then. Or is that how this new world works? The sign reads...
CONTROL INFO
ADVENTURE INFO
NO INFO NEEDED
I've learned enough by now to know that I am never in control, really. But that second line seems promising...
"You are about to enter a world where you will embark on a grand adventure of your very own. Speak to people and check things wherever you go, be it in towns, roads, or caves. Gather information and hints from every possible source. New paths will open to you when you help people in need, overcome challenges, and solve mysteries. At times, you will be challenged by others to a battle. At other times, wild creatures may stand in your way. By overcoming such hurdles, you will gain great power. However, your adventure is not solely about becoming powerful. On your travels, we hope that you will meet countless people and, through them, achieve personal growth. This is the most important objective of this adventure."
So, it's one of those worlds. Actually, I have no idea what I'm talking about. Best to play along though, for now...
"Would you like to know more about anything else?"
Not about control, no. I'm hoping that he'll get rid of the placard and start talking like a normal person. Then I remember to indicate the third line. He immediately dismisses the floating banner and speaks...
"This world is widely inhabited by creatures known as Pokemon. Here, I have a Poke Ball. Touch the button in the middle of the Poke Ball, if you'd please."
He proffers a spherical device. As per his instructions, I touch the button in the center. A creature flies forth from the device, landing at the professor's feet. The goblin is a bit portly, but I can't tell whether it's a biped or a quadruped. It seems to be asleep.
"We humans live alongside Pokemon as friends. At times we play together, and at other times we work together. Some people use their Pokemon to battle and develop closer bonds with them. What do I do? I conduct research so that we may learn more about Pokemon."
So he's this world's equivalent of a biologist? Now we're getting somewhere...
"Now, why don't you tell me a little bit about yourself?"
I wish I knew. Now I do. I seem to be a juvenile. Male. Human, at least...
"Tell me, what is your name?"
I've had many names. If I can have the denizens of this world call me whatever I want, perhaps I do have some of that "control."
"Master," I respond. Will he buy it?
"Your name is Master?" Is he suspicious or merely inquiring?
"Yes."
"OK...So you're Master? A fine name that is!"
It worked! Either this professor is abnormal, or these people will be easy to dominate. We shall see. We shall see...
"Now, this boy here," he continues, "I believe he's your friend. What might his name be?"
He conjures an image. I've never seen this other boy. But I know what to call him...
"Slave," I intone, trying not to laugh.
"Slave, is it? That's your friend's name?" Uh oh, is he finally on to me?
"Yes."
"All right, Master, the time has come. Your very own tale of grand adventure is about to unfold. On your journey, you will meet countless Pokemon and people. I'm sure that along the way, you will discover many things, perhaps even something about yourself. Now go on, leap into the world of Pokemon!"
I feel as though I am shrinking. And then I wake up. Was it all a dream? It's not that it lacked a dreamlike aspect. But am I really just a normal boy? Nothing feels normal. And what's that sound? Oh, the television is on and I was asleep. What were they just saying? They failed to find the red Gyarados?
"That concludes our special report, 'Search for the Red Gyarados!' Brought to you by Jubilife TV on Nationwide Net! See you next week, same time, same channel!"
I don't know why I was watching that stupid show. It's so boring. No wonder I drifted off. Let's check my computer. It seems I have some notes. Let's see what they say...
"So this is it? Another day. Or is it night? I can't tell..."
Wait, this is describing earlier. But how? If I was asleep—how? Forget it. I return to the television, but apparently it's displaying the title screen of a video game. What? I know this is my room, but this room is not playing nicely with my sanity. Time to get out of here. I descend the stairs. My mother notices me. I hope it's my mother, anyway.
"Master! Slave came calling for you a little while ago."
Slave. The boy from my dream. Disconcerting. But if I am insane, it would make sense that my fantasies procure some features, be they precious or mundane, from my real experience. Is it possible that this Slave really is my friend? Forget it. Just play along, Master.
"I don't know what it was about, but he said it was an emergency."
And with that, she returns to the couch and continues watching her show. Clearly she doesn't think that it's an emergency. That, or she judges me capable of dealing with emergencies. I don't know which is more likely. She seems a strange and enigmatic person. Probably not my real mother. I'll probably have to kill her later. Whatever. Say, what's she watching anyway? The Contest Digest? So Mom's into some sort of contests? But who isn't?
Just as I'm about to walk out the door, Mom warns me not to go into the tall grass because I don't have my own Pokemon and there are wild Pokemon in the tall grass. From this and my dream or whatever it was, I deduce that Pokemon can be dangerous, but that kept under control, the domestic creatures can defend their human keepers from their wild brethren. Obtaining some Pokemon of my own should then be a priority if I'm to conquer this world. I should find out more about them too. Perhaps if I can find that professor, if he even exists—but first, let's deal with Slave. I examine the mailbox next to my door. It reads, "Master's house." Did I put that there? Mom's name should be there. Or maybe Dad's? What are their names, anyway? In any case, perhaps Slave's house will be similarly labeled...
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