Chapter 28: A Jolting Start
There it was, New Bark Town. Josh, Megan, and I had just gotten out of the airport and were heading down to the Pokémon Center to register. I had put my egg back in my backpack after holding onto it throughout the flight.
"Arg! Dammit! Come on, work!" I said, hitting my Pokédex with my hand.
"What's wrong?" Megan asked.
"I've been trying to call Zach, but I can't get any calls to go through." I said.
"We'll ask Nurse Joy if there's anything wrong when we get to the Pokémon Center." Josh said.
Luckily for us, the Poké Center was not far away from the airport. Nurse Joy told Chansey to heal our Pokémon for us while she registered my Pokédex.
"Let me see. Matthew from Vermillion. OK. Your Pokédex has been registered, but it hasn't been upgraded." Nurse Joy told me.
"Huh? There's been an upgrade?" I asked.
"Yes. If you go down the road, you'll see Professor Elm's lab. You can get your Pokédex upgraded there." she said.
So, after getting our Pokémon, we headed down to the lab. Luckily, there was an Aide nearby who showed us where Elm was. He looked a lot younger than Professor Oak, but Elm had less brown hair.
"Oh, hi. What can I do?" Elm said, looking up from his microscope.
"Um, Nurse Joy said you can upgrade my Pokédex." I said, handing him my Pokédex.
"OK, I'll be right back." Elm said, taking my Pokédex and heading into the back room.
We didn't wait very long, as Elm returned a few seconds later.
"OK, it's all done." Elm said.
I looked at my new Pokédex. It looked exactly the same. It still had its two flip-open doors, small screen, and two buttons. Elm said that all my logs were still there, but I couldn't find the telephone option.
"Oh, that isn't in the Pokédex anymore. They've switched it to the new Poké Gear, as it is more accessible." he said, showing me a black Poké Gear. I looked and fumbled with the options.
"It's got a cell phone, a clock, and a map already inside, but this one doesn't have the Expansion Card with the radio inside yet. I'm afraid I'm out, so you'll have to get one in Goldenrod City." Elm said.
I looked at my new Poké Gear and strapped it onto my wrist.
"Oh? Is that a Pokémon Egg?" Elm asked me, seeing my egg in my backpack.
"Uh, yea." I said, taking it out.
Elm looked at it for a minute, "Would you mind if I studied this for a little while?"
"Yes I would! It's my egg!" I said to Elm.
"OK then, would you show me the Pokémon that hatches out of it when it does hatch?" Elm asked.
"Uh, OK, I guess." I said.
I asked Professor Elm where the nearest Gym was, and he said it was in Violet City, just past Cherrygrove. I thanked him and used my new Poké Gear to see which way to go. For a small gadget, it was really detailed. According to it, we had to go down Route 29 to Cherrygrove, then down Routes 30 & 31 to Violet. Luckily, Route 29 was not very long, but I was expecting more trainers and Pokémon. The only Pokémon were Pidgeys and Sentrets. We were in Cherrygrove by nightfall.
"I'm surprised how fast we got here. Most trainers don't get here for weeks." Josh said.
"Well, the Poké Gear had a very detailed map with it." I said.
We quickly found the Pokémon Center and stayed the night. Nurse Joy had a nice place to put my egg for the night. I had phoned Zach and asked how Amy was doing. He said that Amy was feeling a bit better, but she was still asleep most of the day. Staryu and Abra were switching shifts every now and then. That night, I could barely sleep. No matter what I did, I could not fall asleep. I kept dreaming about Amy dying because I wasn't there, and Raichu and Zach mad at me for not staying. Then I saw Amy's spirit give me the disease she had because I had left. Even Josh, Megan, and Golbat were against me as I disintegrated in seconds.
The next morning was not exactly the best. Josh, Megan, Golbat, and Pichu had finished their breakfast, but all I had eaten was a slice of bacon and two bites of a waffle. All I did was rub a cloth over the top of my egg.
"Matt, you've barely touched your breakfast. You OK?" Megan asked.
"Yea, I guess." I said, not looking up.
"Look Matt, there's nothing you can really do right now but trust in the medicine, Staryu, Abra, and Amy's will to survive. You going home or staying a trainer won't make much of a difference right now." Josh said, trying to comfort me.
I was listening, but still had my head down. We left Cherrygrove around noon and was almost through Route 30 by the end of the night. My egg went into my backpack once again. Once again, not much got my attention during the trip. There were a few trainers, but one hit usually KOed their Pokémon. Golbat did most of the work during the battles as we set up camp for the night. Once again, I had the same dream as last night. I had woken up five times that night, and my body was starting to feel really weak from lack of sleep and food. That morning, I had eaten a bit more, but was still not cleaning the plate. I just sat there, polishing the egg. Megan and Josh tried to get me to eat more, and I told them about my dream. Megan suggested that it was because of me worrying too much. Just then, someone I didn't want to see showed up through the bushes.
"Well, well, well. If it isn't Matt and his buddies. Where's your big brother?" Randy asked. Today he was wearing loose jeans and a plain white T-shirt as he adjusted his black hair.
"Randy, what do you want?" Josh asked.
"I just wanted to see how you guys were doing, since I heard you're heading for the Jolt League as well." he said.
"You're in the Jolt League?" I asked.
"Yea. The Gym Leaders here are real strong." he said.
I just sighed and looked at my egg.
"So, I see your Zubat finally evolved. And now you've got a Pokémon Egg. Not bad Matt." Randy said.
"What's that supposed to mean?" I shouted at him.
"Whoa! What's up with you?" Randy asked, shocked.
"Nothing." I said, not bothering to look at him.
"OK then, if you are up to it, do you wanna battle?" he asked.
"But it's not even noon!" Megan said.
"If it'll get you to go away, sure." I said.
Randy was hurt by that comment, I could tell. I put my egg near the fire and stepped up with Golbat. I chose Beedrill first. He called out what looked like a reindeer.
"Stant!" the Pokémon said.
"Like my new Stantler?" Randy asked.
However, unlike normal Stantler, this one was a bright orange, not the usual light brown. Sparkles were all around it as it stood, ready to battle.
"Beedrill! Twineedle!" "Stantler! Sand Attack!"
Beedrill rushed towards Stantler, but the Normal-type kicked up a blinding sand, and Beedrill had to stop its attack. This gave Stantler the opportunity to use Take Down and seriously hurt Beedrill. I called for a Poison Sting, but Stantler's Leer stopped the bug.
"All right Stantler! Tackle it!"
"Beedrill. Use...use Twineedle again!"
Beedrill managed to get in a hit this time, but it was for nothing as it was rammed into a tree by Stantler. I had no idea which attack to use, so Randy used this chance to tell Stantler to use Hypnosis. Beedrill didn't know what to do, and fell asleep.
"Return, Beedrill." I said, returning my bug.
"Nice job, Stantler, return!"
"All right, Kingdra! Go!"
"Let's go Ampharos!"
The Water Dragon was now facing the giant sheep-thing. I told Kingdra to use Headbutt first. It headed straight for Ampharos, when Randy told it to use Thunderpunch. The punch hit Kingdra and the Water-type went flying into another tree. Ampharos then used Growl to stun Kingdra while it used Mega Punch. Kingdra tried to use Hydro Pump, but it was blocked by Light Screen. The water was not powerful enought to break the Pokémon's super-strong barrier.
"All right Ampharos! Thunder Wave now!" Randy shouted.
Ampharos complied and sent out yellow waves from its head. The waves hit Kingdra and had it paralyzed.
"Kingdra...Use your Hydro Pump!"
Kingdra managed to send out a weak blast of water that barely made Ampharos flinch. Then Ampharos decided to use Zap Cannon. Out of its mouth came a bluish-green ball of lightning, which was fired at Kingdra. The Dragon couldn't dodge it and was hit hard. However, it wasn't out, as it used Smokescreen to blind Ampharos. Without me saying so, it lunged forward and slammed Ampharos into a tree, knocking both of them out.
"Return Kingdra! Golbat, go!"
"Return Ampahros! Go Farfetch'd!"
The two birds stood eye-to-eye.
"Golbat! Wing Attack!"
"Farfecth'd! Use Swords Dance!"
Golbat tried to attack Farfetch'd, but the small bird spun around and around, blowing back my bat. I told Golbat to Headbutt Farfetch'd, but the duck used its Leek in a devistating Slash attack. Golbat was sent back to the ground as Farfetch'd used a Peck attack.
"Golbat! Use your Wing...No! Use your Toxic attack!"
Golbat stood up and launched a bunch of toxic goo at Farfetch'd, who dodged it easily with Agility. Then, before Golbat knew what hit it, Farfetch'd appeared behind it and attacked it furiously with a Fury Attack.
"Farfetch'd! Finish it with Fly!"
"Golbat! Use Wing Attack!"
Golbat didn't think it was such a good idea, but ran after a Flying Farfetch'd anyway. It was for naught as Golbat was hit and sent into the ground, beaten.
"Good job Farfetch'd. Return!" Randy said, returning his Pokémon.
I had gone over to where Golbat was and tried to see if it was OK. Randy then walked up to me.
"That was not a real battle. I don't know what's wrong with you, but you have to get over it. You won't win many battles the way you're acting right now. The Gym Leaders of the Jolt League aren't like the ones at Indigo. It took me weeks to win my first badge, and even then, it was pure luck. The only reason you had a draw in the second match is because your Kingdra didn't listen to you. If you are gonna keep acting like this, then you might as well quit Pokémon Training." Randy said, before heading back to Cherrygrove City.
I just knelt there, head down, holding onto Golbat, crying. He was right. I am endangering my Pokémon by acting like this.
"Maybe he's right. I should quit."
"Listen to yourself. If you recall a few days ago, Zach told you NOT to feel sorry and to do what he could not. He's counting on you!" Megan shouted.
"She's right. I don't think Amy, Zach, or your parents would want for you to quit because of how you feel right now." Josh said.
I was still crying when I noticed Golbat moving right below me. It started speaking in its own language, telling me not to give up. Beedrill, Kingdra, and Graveler all came out and agreed with Golbat, although Beedrill and Kingdra were still beat up. I just smiled and nodded. I wasn't going to give up. My dream is to be a Pokémon Master, and I will accomplish that.
Just then, my stomach started roaring from my lack of nutrition. I hadn't finished breakfast!
"Yum! Delicious!" I said, gobbling up my waffles. Megan just giggled. Josh just sighed. Golbat just slept.
After breakfast, I took out my egg so Golbat could rest in my backpack. We walked along Route 31 until we came to a cliff, where we saw a large tower. According to a sign, it was called the Bellsprout Tower, but it was closed for renovations. However, there was a map there telling us the right way to Violet City. It took another day, but we finally made it. Luckily, the Gym wasn't too far away.
"This is it." I said.
"You ready?" Josh asked with concern.
I just nodded and entered with Golbat, my egg in my backpack. Inside was a reception clerk, who pointed us towards the elevator, and said that the Gym Leader was on the top floor. The three of us headed up there and saw a young man with blue hair exercising.
"Who are you?" the man asked.
"I'm Matthew, from Vermillion City, and I challenge the Gym Leader to a battle."
"That's me, Falkner. If you can beat me, you'll get the Zephyr Badge."
I just nodded, as Falkner went to get his Pokémon. After he came back, we started the battle.
"Golbat! You're up!" "Go Noctowl!"
The poison bat and the large owl stood facing each other. Noctowl started off with Take Down, which really hurt poor Golbat. I called for a Screech, which stunned Noctowl enough for a Wing Attack. Unfortunately, Noctowl recovered quickly and Pecked Golbat. Noctowl was too tough. I had to end this quickly.
"Golbat! Body Slam attack!"
"Noctowl! Fly! Now!"
The brown owl flew up and tried to hit Golbat, but my Pokémon dodged the attack and slammed Noctowl into the ground hard, fainting it.
"Return Noctowl! You're up Dodrio!"
"Golbat, return! Kingdra, let's go!"
My dragon stood ready as it launched a Tackle attack at the three headed bird. However, it didn't do much damage, as the bird used the leverage to send Kingdra flying. My Water-type tried to send a Hydro Pump at the bird, but Dodrio sent a Tri Attack at it, and suddenly, Kingdra was encased in a block of ice.
"Great! It's frozen! Return! You're up Golbat!" I said.
Golbat ran out into the battlefield and quickly tackled Dodrio's stomach, knocking it over.
"Dodrio! Fly up and hit it!"
The giant ostrich ran up and tried to hit the flying bat, but Golbat simply flew up higher into the air, high enough that Dodrio couldn't reach it. The bird went back into the ground, but Golbat's Whirlwind attack forced it down faster, into the stone. Falkner returned Dodrio as Golbat tried to catch its breath.
"You're good, but not good enough. Get ready for Pidgeot! Go!"
A large bird with a yellow crest appeared above us.
"Golbat! Wing Attack now!"
Josh, Megan, and Falkner were all surprised. Golbat looked worried, but flew after Pidgeot anyway. Pidgeot easily evaded Golbat and hit it in the back. Golbat continued to try to use Wing Attack and Take Down, but Pidgeot was too fast and with two more hits, Golbat was out. I picked it up and placed it near my backpack to rest. I had only one option right now.
"Go Graveler!"
Graveler appeared, ready for battle. Falkner looked surprised, but regained his composure.
"Pidgeot! Quick Attack! Now!"
Before I could yell out my attack, Pidgeot was on Graveler, flying at high speed all around Graveler, pecking its skin before it could lift an arm. After a few minutes of this, Pidegot broke off the attack.
"Graveler! Tackle!"
Graveler ran up Pidgeot as fast as it could, but the bird easily dodged all of its attacks. Graveler was just too slow.
Man, now what? Pidgeot is winning. Graveler can't hang on like this much longer. If only Zach were here. How am I supposed to win without him? I thought. Then I remembered what Randy, Josh, and Megan told me yesterday. I was giving up too easily, and I was unfocused. And it was costing Graveler its health. Just then, Graveler was sent into the wall by a Gust attack. Graveler was breathing hard and could barely stand up.
"Come on Graveler! We can't lose like this! There's no way we can give up now! Let's show them what we're made of!" I yelled out.
Graveler saw my vote of confidence and stood up. Suddenly, it started to glow brightly. It became taller and its skin became more rounded. Its arms and legs shortened as it now actually had a head. In Graveler's place stood a powerful living boulder: Golem! I actually had my very own Golem!
"It...evolved?" Falkner stuttered.
"All right Golem! Take Down!" I yelled out.
Golem ran up and threw itself high into the air. Still, Pidgeot was much faster and easily dodged the attack.
"Pidgeot! Wing Attack!" Falkner shouted.
"Golem! Defense Curl! Now!" I shouted.
Golem curled itself into a ball as Pidgeot attacked it without mercy with its beak and wing. However, it couldn't get through Golem's tough shell. Pidgeot stopped to take a break from the fast flying. That was my chance.
"Rollout, now!" I yelled.
Golem quickly rolled along at faster speeds and crashed into the tired Pidgeot. Pidgeot tried to fly away, but Golem leaped into the air and tackled Pidgeot, sending it into the ground. It wasn't out though.
"All right! Earthquake now!"
Golem jumped into the air and crashed into the ground, creating several columns of rock. However, the attack did nothing to the airborne Pidegot.
"You know, Ground attacks don't work against Flying-types!" Falkner yelled.
"You'll see what I'm doing! Golem! Mega Punch!"
Golem knew what to do and jumped up onto one of the rock pillars, then jumped and punched Pidgeot. The attack hit hard as the bird couldn't dodge it.
"Finish it! Seismic Toss! Now!" I yelled.
Golem grabbed Pidgeot's wing before they landed and quickly launched it at the ground, fainting it in a crater.
"You did it Golem! You won!" I said, running up to my new boudler and danced with him.
"Hmm. Return Pidgeot. You did well, Matthew. You looked a bit shaky at first, but a nice finish," Falkner said as he walked up to me, "and now I present to you the Zephyr Badge!"
He showed me a small badge with two wings pointing out, like an arch. I gladly took it as I thanked my new Pokémon. Later that day, while Golem, Golbat, and Kingdra were being healed. I called Zach on the video phone while holding my egg.
"I got my first badge! See? It's a Zephyr Badge!" I said to my brother.
"Good job. You sound better than you did yesterday." Zach said.
"So, any changes?" Josh asked, behind me.
"None yet. I promise I'll call you when anything happens." Zach said.
"I did give you my Poké Gear number, right?" I asked.
"Yea. It's on speed dial."
Just then, I heard a beep.
"I gotta go, my Pokémon are healed. I'll call you tomorrow." I said.
"OK, see you guys later."
I hung up and walked up to the counter. Golbat flew up to my shoulder as I put my egg back in my backpack and my Poké Balls around my waist. As I left the Pokémon Center, I picked up my Poké Gear and called up the map.
"According to this, the nearest Gym is in Azalea Town." I said.
"Say, when is that egg of yours gonna hatch, anyways?" Megan asked as we walked towards Azalea.
"I dunno. I've been taking good care of it, and I felt it shaking somewhat when I was talking to Zach, so it should be soon." I said.
"I just hope it hatches into a bus ticket. I'm tired of walking everywhere. It takes too long." Josh groaned.
Megan and I just looked at him and sighed. He was right. Walking from place to place was getting tiring. Oh well, what can we do?
To be continued...
Next time: As we head for Azalea Town, we have to head through Union Cave at night, and there are some ghostly figures that want to stop us. However, with uneggspected help, we get out of the cave, only to meet up with an old friend!
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