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.