The start of a Pokemon journey makes for a defining moment in life. Join the adventure of Violet and her Dratini, as she learns to grow as a person, seeking out new Pokemon and challenges along the way.
Explore exotic lands, catch rare Pokemon, battle strong trainers, and one day you may become one of the greatest trainers to ever live.
GM Note: So, some readers out there may remember this. I thought about returning to that quest for some time now, and now that I have a bit more time on my hands, I've decided to do so in a fashion. You don't need to read that quest at all to understand this one, as that one was only most of the way through character creation. As it is, you play Violet, a very shy introvert in Celadon City, who has gained a friend in a Dratini.
Violet tucked Dratini into her backpack, carefully folding a set of her clothes inwards, to provide a degree of cushion for the Pokemon. "Is that comfy?" She asked.
In response, the Pokemon softly squealed, climbing into it before coiling clockwise and shifting into a more comfortable position. With a chirp of approval, Violet put on the backpack, surprised at just how light it was. Only to yelp in response, as Dratini dragged itself above her shoulder, tucking its head into the crook of her neck.
"Everyone's gonna stare at me," Violet pouted, pleading with Dratini to not attract attention to them.
Through a few consecutive squeals, Dratini seemed to mime human speech. Seemingly telling Violet that he could do the talking for both of them.
"People don't speak Dratini," Violet softly explained, absentmindedly petting the Pokemon. It would have made it a lot easier if they had, then she could just let Dratini handle everything for her. But it seems that being a Pokemon trainer would be more uncomfortable than she ever wanted.
Dratini plaintively whined, expressing his displeasure because Violet could understand him, so why couldn't other people?
"Erika might," Violet clarified, realizing that there were likely other trainers that had a bond with Pokemon like hers. And out of them all, the Celadon City gym leader was likely to have such a bond. The average person, however, was less perceptive, Violet thought. More used to the on-the-surface discussions people had with each other. Pokemon were more complicated, more honest, and harder to truly understand at first. But there was a depth to their voices that people just missed.
Dratini chirped happily at the thought, already interested in a gym battle before their Pokemon adventure even began. He'd met other people in the past, even if the bond Dratini had with Violet was special. And seeing what a gym leader was like made him curious.
Violet narrowed her eyes, "You just want to be in a stadium."
The Pokemon chirped smugly, affirming her observation before giving a more inquisitive chirp. A desire to show off was certainly there, but there was more to his thought process than that. He wanted to see what a Pokemon journey would be like, and visiting a gym was a step towards that.
Pick 1 of the Following to Visit with Dratini, this location will help mold the initial part of your Pokemon journey giving you special bonuses based on which ones you visit.
[] Celadon Department Store - The largest mall in Kanto, this six-story building caters primarily to Pokemon trainers. Exploring the mall lets Violet understand what she would need as a Pokemon trainer, and what Dratini would want when traveling.
[] Celadon Condominiums - A large set of four-floored apartment blocks intertwined with company buildings, it is a location with a lot to see, yet one few tourists ever see. Touring this part of Celadon City will force Violet outside her comfort zone but will give her additional insight into Pokemon battles thanks to a trainer butting in to talk with her.
[] Celadon Game Corner - A casino complex in the southeast of the city meant mainly for adults, the game corner is currently undergoing a significant investigation for ties to Team Rocket. Joining the large crowd of observers will be stressful for Violet, but will give her a first-hand look at higher-level Pokemon and parts of the underworld.
[] Celadon Hotel - A luxurious hotel building known for being snobbish in regards to its clientele, it mainly services wealthy individuals and has a reputation as being excessively expensive. Getting a look at the hotel is something Violet doesn't want to do, even if Dratini does, but doing so will help the two bond, alongside teaching Violet to utilize her silent, perceptive nature.
[] Celadon Gym - The Kanto Grass Gym, led by Erika, the gym looks like a large greenhouse, with multiple trainers serving both as tenders of the Pokemon within, and as additional battles for challengers to face. Thankfully for Violet, one can choose to observe battles rather than compete, but knowing Dratini, Violet will likely be dragged into one anyway. Heading to the gym will help Violet understand the flow of Pokemon battles alongside understanding Pokemon and people better.
[] Scent-Station - A perfume shop supplied by the Celadon Gym, it is a somewhat controversial location due to the financial incentives it makes Erika subject to. Violet is curious about what the store has to offer and will run into powerful trainers who may take a shine to her.
[] Celadon City Park - A park located midway between the Department Store and the Gym, this park contains a surprising number of grass Pokemon and berries. Visiting the park with Dratini is slightly stressful for Violet, but will let her interact with several peaceful Pokemon early on.
[] Celadon Gardens - A subset of City Park, these gardens showcase an array of plants from around the world, as well as a few more exotic grass Pokemon. This is a training arena, however, and so should Violet visit, she will find herself in a trainer battle where she will gain substantial insight into Pokemon battles.
[] Celadon Contest Hall - A small hall dedicated to Pokemon Contests, the contest league has yet to take off in Kanto as it has in other regions. Nonetheless, the hall is usually hosting some event or the other and both Violet and Dratini would like to see what is available, even if they are too young to compete. Attending a contest will help the two bond, as well as help Violet understand the art of performance.
[] Eon Cafe - A calm cafe with many Pokemon-themed dishes (mostly Eevee and its evolutions), it is a popular hangout spot for artists and college students. Heading to this cafe will see Violet be dragged into a conversation about Dratini against her will with a Pokemon expert, but in exchange, she'll gain additional insight into Pokemon biology and behavior.
[X] Celadon Hotel - A luxurious hotel building known for being snobbish in regards to its clientele, it mainly services wealthy individuals and has a reputation as being excessively expensive. Getting a look at the hotel is something Violet doesn't want to do, even if Dratini does, but doing so will help the two bond, alongside teaching Violet to utilize her silent, perceptive nature.
There was a thought in Violet's mind that she didn't believe was a good idea. An innate curiosity seeking to explore now rather than later. A more mature individual may have realized that as a child, she was seeking to push her boundaries. It didn't help that Dratini had very little concept of the idea, even if he had improved during his playdates with Violet.
"It has to be in the city," Violet explained, "we're too small for the routes."
Dratini whined in protest, but trailed off, realizing his trainer spoke truly. With an inquisitive chirp, he asked what they could see in the city that wouldn't normally be available to them.
"There's the hotel," Violet remarked innocently.
This led to the human-Pokemon duo walking towards the Celadon Hotel, with Violet's heart racing faster with each step. The glass windows were both inviting and scary, as today the shy girl was going to step far outside her comfort zone.
The two of them had already cased the hotel, spotting the two arcanine that guarded the perimeter, as well as the numerous security guards scattered throughout. Any approach apart from the main or secondary entrances would be caught with ease, and the shy girl understood that. Instead, Violet decided on a plan that was far less expected from her.
She would walk through the front entrance and act as if she were a guest. Dratini had chirped quite enthusiastically at that idea, which made her reconsider, but by now she was already committed.
Quietly walking behind a couple with brown hair, Violet adjusted her hat nervously, acting the part of a young child. She looked the two up and down, gleaning insight from the way they stood, the clothes they wore, and how they looked at others. They wouldn't pay her any attention.
The couple swiped their card on a kiosk before the attendant waved them through. As the three of them walked past the attendant towards the escalator, Violet gave a shy smile which the attendant reciprocated. The moment she rode the escalator to the next floor, Violet immediately walked away from the couple, giggling the moment she turned the corner.
"I-I can't believe we did that," she murmured through her giggles to Dratini, who slipped out of her backpack and nuzzled against her neck in agreement. "Now what?" She added, realizing that she never thought about what came next.
Thankfully for Violet's nerves, Dratini was more spontaneous, chirping at the rather extravagant decorations in the hallway. The decor was elegant, to put it mildly, the halls were decorated using rainbow colors, evoking a mirror image of Celadon City itself. Tasteful paintings were on display in some areas, and the duo spent some time just wandering the halls, making a mental note of where a few facilities were.
Eventually, they grew bored of the halls and found a pool to relax around. There were other people around, which made Violet worry before Dratini's splashed water on her, forcing her to retaliate in kind. Spending a few hours in the pool, the two observed other Pokemon and trainers periodically arriving and leaving, with Violet remembering some of the more interesting ones.
There was a Blastoise accompanied by an older teenager, who spent several hours expertly using hydro pump to hit sets of targets put up by the hotel staff. Then there was a Vaporeon who lay in the shallow end of the pool and fell asleep; Violet had to spend a few minutes explaining to Dratini why he couldn't just go and wake them up.
The most striking Pokemon of the day came next, a gorgeous Milotic that Dratini immediately went up to and chirped a friendly greeting. Milotic's trainer, an older woman, was more amused than anything else at Violet's obvious embarrassment, willing to let Dratini interact with her Pokemon for a while longer before leaving. Violet was happy she got the chance to play with Milotic herself, and when the aquatic Pokemon left, the girl wondered if Dratini's scales could look like that.
The last Pokemon she saw was a Gardevoir that came by themselves, without any trainer. The Pokemon sat at the side of the pool, letting her legs dangle in the water before giving Violet a knowing, amused look. Violet's heart thundered in her chest as she nervously licked her lips, even as Dratini gave an unamused chirp.
The Embrace Pokemon brought a finger up to its lips, miming a lock and key before relaxing further, letting itself absorb the rays of the sun. And it was only then, that Violet chose to leave the hotel. Heading out was easier than getting in, none of the staff paid attention to guests who left, letting her easily leave through the main entrance before beginning to practically vibrate in celebration of what she had just done.
The encounter with Milotic, meeting the scary Gardevoir, and exploring the hotel as a whole; it all lingered in her mind, leaving a sense of anticipation and wonder for the adventures she would have in the future. "We should do that again," she directed at Dratini, who happily chirped in agreement.
*Violet gains Curious Adventuring*
Curious Adventuring - Emboldened by her adventure through Celadon Hotel, Violet's innate adventurism has developed further. Now, she actively seeks out new adventures in order to sate her innate curiosity. *Adds more encounter and adventuring to table top-end results*
Time passed once more, with Violet's time spent mostly playing with Dratini, or exploring the urban area of Celadon City. Her parents only heard about her activities months later, at which point they gave her a phone and told her to be careful exploring. Beyond that, she looked up the basics of adventuring, ensuring that when the journey began, she would be ready. And now, she was ready, the day had come for her to take her first step towards becoming a Pokemon master.
The First Step, Pick 2
[] Catch a second Pokemon - Dratini is an excellent Pokemon in Violet's eyes, but he is just one being. You will need more Pokemon in the future, and there are several options in the area.
[] Travel to Saffron City (Cannot be chosen with traveling to Fuschia City) - Traveling through Route 7 towards Saffron City is a relatively quick journey in controlled conditions, and visiting the largest city in Kanto would be interesting.
[] Travel to Fuschia City (Cannot be chosen with traveling to Saffron City) - A longer journey through Route 16 and 17, Violet would make several stops along the way out of necessity, but it'd teach her a great deal about traveling.
[] Challenge a New Trainer - Pokemon battles were something Violet had little experience in, she should try and find a trainer to challenge.
[] Challenge an Experienced Trainer - The other option to seek out a Pokemon battle would be to go to the Celadon Gym, and challenge one of the attendants there. They would almost certainly win, but it'd be a learning experience.
[] Train with Dratini - Dratini is excellent, and he has passively grown through playing. Having a few days dedicated to training would cause him to improve notably.
[] Write-in
[X] Challenge a New Trainer - Pokemon battles were something Violet had little experience in, she should try and find a trainer to challenge.
[X] Travel to Saffron City (Cannot be chosen with traveling to Fuschia City) - Traveling through Route 7 towards Saffron City is a relatively quick journey in controlled conditions, and visiting the largest city in Kanto would be interesting.
Skipping away from Celadon City, her backpack full of essentials, Dratini draped around her neck, her on her head, and a necklace around her neck, Violet was excited for the trip to Saffron City. After being wished good luck by her parents (and being subject to one last check to ensure, yes, she did have everything needed) and promising to keep in touch, Violet and Dratini were only stopped by a visit to the Pokemart. There the shy girl purchased a book of maps regarding the Kanto region, which she used to plan her route to Saffron City.
She could travel within a day, starting before the sun rose and arriving late into the night. But Violet didn't like the idea of pushing herself on the very first day, nor did Dratini. Chirping to get his trainer's attention, the Mirage Pokemon then nuzzled the map of Route 7, indicating where he wanted to go.
"That's a good idea, Dratini," Violet agreed, seeing that Dratini had indicated they should take a southern approach, using a river to guide them to Route 6. "We can clean off in the river on the way."
Dratini chirped happily, glad that Violet had agreed without any persuading. He liked water, and in his opinion, Celadon City conflated water and mist together. They were two different environments!
Violet giggled, used to her friend's little tangents. "Just wait till Cerulean City, they have a water gym."
Journeying forth, the human and Pokemon continued to exchange banter along the way, even if Dratini talked a good bit more than Violet. The route they took was less used than normal, choosing to take a side branch of Route 7 rather than the main road.
Violet had found there were two side branches to Route 7, one which went north into the mountains before snaking to the northeast of Saffron City, and the one they were on. Both human and Pokemon liked it, albeit for different reasons. Dratini enjoyed the presence of a river, as he chose to hop off Violet's neck, and swim alongside her. Getting to start two splash fights with her as they journeyed. Violet, on the other hand, enjoyed it for the relative solitude, only encountering 1-2 trainers each hour along the way. From what she gathered, most trainers took the main pathway through Route 7 rather than any of the side branches. With most of the rest choosing to take the northern path in search of interesting views or rock and ground Pokemon.
Admiring the sunny day, Violet hummed a little tune as the clock turned past 5 and the sun began to lower in the sky. Spotting a grouping of tents on a mound near the river, the shy girl slowed, mentally gathering her courage as she prepared to talk to people.
"We could keep going?" She directed towards Dratini, trying to talk her way out of it. There were another 2-3 hours of daylight left, she could travel another few miles, away from people.
Dratini hummed in disapproval, she promised her parents she'd talk to people, and it was safer to sleep in a group. Chirping again, the Mirage Pokemon clarified that they could keep going, but he didn't want to.
"You-You're right," Violet took on a determined expression, adjusting her hat to calm her nerves. "We'll stay the night here."
Approaching the camp, the shy girl counted around 20 trainers and their Pokemon, most of whom seemed to be as experienced as her. 3 exceptions seemed more experienced, having a more intimidating look. Dragging her feet, Violet was happy when one of the trainers welcomed her, "Yo." A seemingly laidback trainer with black and white hair waved at her. As he ran a brush across a Houndoom he tilted his head towards an empty patch of grass. "You need a spot?"
"Ye-Yes," Violet forced out, to which Houndoom let out a huff of understanding. "Thank you."
Dratini emerged from the river, chirping at Houndoom as Violet began to set up their tent. Relieved that the trainer with black and white hair was focused on grooming his Pokemon. There was a thought on her mind, and she wanted to get it out without stuttering. "Is - Is anyone looking for a Pokemon battle?"
Blushing at the hesitation in her voice, she almost missed the more experienced trainer's response. "I am."
Violet looked at the Houndoom, who stood up and shook its fur, emitting a low growl as it did. "May-maybe someone less experienced?"
The trainer looked at her, before calling out, "Willow! You and Staryu looking for a battle still?"
A girl with shoulder-length blue hair popped up, "Yep." She said, popping the p as she spoke, "Ooh, a Dratini!" She exclaimed, swiftly taking a picture of the Mirage Pokemon, who happily posed for it.
Turning towards Violet, Willow spread her feet and pointed, "I challenge you to a Pokemon battle!"
Dratini immediately let out a small spout of water, showering the area with a mild sprinkle as he slithered towards Violet. Adjusting her hat, the shy girl nodded her head, and in a voice much softer than Willow accepted the battle. "Challenge accepted."
"Guess I'll ref this one," the trainer with the Houndoom stood up lazily. "This'll be a one-on-one battle, no items allowed. The battle will begin when this hits the ground." Gesturing towards a coin in his hand, both Violet and Willow nodded their heads.
"Staryu! I choose you!" Willow threw a Pokeball, unleashing her Staryu who spun in the air. Violet almost reeled from the sheer exuberance of her opponent, only growing more nervous when Dratini looked at her expectedly.
"Dratini!" She burst out, pointing at Staryu before realizing that may make her sound scared, "I choose you!"
The coin was flipped and began to fall through the air as both trainers prepared their battle plans.
Health: E
Stamina: E--
Attack: D+
Defense: D+
Special Attack: C
Special Defense: C--
Speed: C++
Evasion: B-
Moves
Harden: C--
Tackle: C
Water Gun: D+
Violet's Thoughts: Fast and evasive, it has notable issues with its moves, relying on dodging attacks and getting lucky hits in. Cannot take many hits itself.
Violet's Perceptive Trait Kicks in!
Willow will have Staryu use Harden once, leaving it vulnerable for a moment before darting away and trying to kite Dratini with Water Gun. She doesn't plan to use Tackle at all.
Choose Your Battle Plan
[] Start with Wrap then use Thunder Wave, then keep using Wrap - Staryu has the advantage at range, take advantage of its moment of vulnerability and don't let it get away
[] Start with Thunder Wave then use Wrap repeatedly - Ensuring Staryu is paralyzed first will reduce its speed advantage, and Dratini can rely on an easy use of Thunder Wave immediately.
[] Counter with Leer, then Thunder Wave, then Wrap - Preventing Staryu from improving its defense will shorten the length of the fight, and following up with paralysis will allow for a more straightforward fight.
[] Use Thunder Wave, then Water Gun repeatedly - While not very effective, Violet trusts that Dratini can land significantly more hits than Staryu can
[] Write-in
GM Note: For reference, Dratini's stat page is in the Informational in "Violet's Pokemon"
[X] Start with Wrap then use Thunder Wave, then keep using Wrap, and Leer - Staryu has the advantage at range, take advantage of its moment of vulnerability, and don't let it get away. It also wouldn't hurt to end the fight as quickly as possible by using Leer on the paralyzed Pokemon well Dratini puts the squeeze on it.
Both trainers and Pokemon reacted instantly the moment the coin hit the ground. Willow ordered Staryu to increase its defenses, planning multiple Hardens to force an engagement that relied on elemental moves. However, the moment Staryu began to use Harden, Violet pounced, recognizing the fact that the water Pokemon was ill-experienced with the move, leaving it momentarily vulnerable.
Shooting forward, the Mirage Pokemon wrapped around Staryu, snaking through three of its arms before beginning to squeeze. Trying to escape Dratini's grasp, Willow ordered the water Pokemon to tackle its opponent into the ground.
Realizing what was happening, Violet had Dratini accept the hit before unleashing a thunder wave, causing spasms of electricity to travel through Staryu's body leaving it paralyzed.
In what would later turn out to be the most important point of the battle, Staryu tackled Dratini into the ground once more, only for the Mirage Pokemon to be prepared just for that. Taking advantage of the moment, Dratini wrapped two more coils around Staryu, now having each of the five arms within its grasp, causing the Pokemon to bend backward.
Trying desperately to find a way out, Willow told Staryu to use Harden, hoping against hope that it would be able to hold on long enough before it could escape. Only for that hope to be dashed with three words from Violet.
"Dratini, use Leer."
The words were quiet but signaled the end of the battle. Staryu used Harden, then Dratini used Leer, applying pressure all the while leaving the water Pokemon to suffer within the Mirage Pokemon's coils.
Trying desperately to last longer, Willow tried the same tactic once more, only for Violet and Dratini to repeat the same actions once more. Even as Staryu flexed its arms, trying to outmuscle its opponent and failing, Dratini continued to squeeze, until Staryu went limp, its eyes turning into spirals as it fainted.
Dratini massively improves Attack. Somewhat improves Defense
Dratini greatly improves Wrap. Notably improves Leer. Minor improvements to Thunder Wave.
Dratini upgrades Attack from C to C+.
Dratini upgrades Wrap from C+ to C++
Achievement: Win your first Pokemon battle.
Achievement: Win a Pokemon battle in convincing fashion
"Staryu is unable to battle," the trainer with black and white hair stated in a bored tone. Directing a hand towards Violet, the man paused, realizing something. "Ah, what's your name again?"
"Violet," she said with a smile, as she smiled exasperatedly as Dratini began trying to find a pose he found appealing. "Dratini, we did it!"
Chirping in response, the Mirage Pokemon readily agreed, he wasn't in trouble at any point in the battle. Didn't you see how well I handled it?
"Violet is the victor," the male trainer stated while Willow worriedly tended to her Staryu, applying a potion to deal with its wounds.
Realizing she may have been somewhat impolite, Violet shuffled her feet, the adrenaline within her conflicting with her normal demeanor and winning out. "So, what's your name?"
The trainer paused, briefly glancing at her before moving on with his day. "Axel."
Turning back towards Dratini, Violet ran a hand through his scales, feeling a few imperfections on his back, where he had landed during Staryu's tackles. "This might sting a bit," Violet said as she applied small amounts of a potion, ensuring it didn't spread under Dratini's outer scales.
Hearing a weak cry from Staryu, Violet glanced up a moment later, seeing a visibly relieved Willow comforting her Pokemon. "Don't feel bad, I should have had you keep away from that Dratini."
To Violet's mild horror, Dratini chirped in agreement flexing the muscles in his tail to show that he was quite strong.
"You know what this means right?" Willow replied, staring with an intensity that scared Violet considerably, despite the joyful smile on her face.
The shy girl hoped that was a rhetorical question, but based on Willow's silence, she was about to be forced to answer it. "No?" She asked more than said in a voice low enough it came out as a murmur.
In what Violet thought was likely Willow's signature pose, the other trainer spread her feet and pointed at her. "Until I beat you, we're rivals!"
What Violet wanted to reply with was 'Do I get a say in this?' Instead, what came out of her mouth was, "O-oh."
Dratini chirped happily, sealing the agreement before the shy girl could formulate a coherent response. Second later, she found herself swept up in the whirlwind of energy that was Willow, with the trainer adding her contact info to Violet's phone.
Spending the night at the campsite was draining, even if Violet would admit if pressured that she enjoyed it. Willow was fine with her saying 10 words for every 1 Violet said, and Dratini seemed to get along with Staryu. Willow had recently received her trainer's license and convinced Staryu to join her on an adventure. Dreaming of seeing far-off lands and one-of-a-kind views, she had started by heading to Celadon City, which she planned to spend a few days in before heading through the forested mountains towards Viridian City. Planning to catch a grass Pokemon on the way, she hoped to cycle through the gyms of Kanto, seeing the sites on the way.
In the few moments where Violet was forced to share her goals and dreams, she admitted her goals weren't as well thought out. Finding the unknown regions of the world was up there, but so too was ensuring Dratini was happy. Thankfully Willow accepted her answers before sleeping, even if Violet was still unsure of them.
The next day, as the trainers packed up their camps early in the morning, Willow told her to keep in touch. Violet didn't make any promises, shuffling her feet rather than responding to the energetic girl's sadness.
Spending the rest of the day on her lonesome, with only Dratini to keep her company, Violet found her way into Route 6 before turning north towards Saffron City. Arriving whilst the sun was still up, Violet hummed to herself as she began to plan out her week in the city.
The Second Week, Pick 2 of the Following
Pokemon Actions
[] Catch a second Pokemon - With four routes branching from Saffron City, there are dozens of different Pokemon you could catch ranging from Pidgy to Oddish to Houndour.
[] Train with Dratini - Dratini is excellent, and he has passively grown through playing. Having a few days dedicated to training would cause him to improve notably.
Battling Actions
[] Challenge a New Trainer - Pokemon battles were something Violet had little experience in, she should try and find a trainer to challenge.
[] Challenge an Experienced Trainer - The other option to seek out a Pokemon battle would be to go to the Saffron Gym, and challenge one of the attendants there. You may even win.
[] Challenge a Member of the Fighting Dojo - An unofficial gym, the Fighting Dojo still accepts challengers even if its badges mean little. As with a standard gym, one has to face an experienced trainer before facing the Dojo's master.
[-] Challenge the Saffron City Gym - You have to challenge one of the Saffron City attendants first before winning the right to face the gym itself.
Traveling Actions (Can Take 1 of These Only)
[] See the sights in Saffron City - A large metropolis with dozens of landmarks to see, spending a week just seeing what there is to offer would be valuable.
[] Travel to Silver Town - A town surrounded by mountains and forests on the way to Lavender Town, it does have some unique attractions.
[] Travel to Cerulean City - Home to Kanto's water-type gym run by Misty, the city has several attractions such as a massive bike store and Cerulean Cave.
[] Travel to Vermillion City - A popular seaport that's almost perpetually under construction, it is home to an electric-type gym along with numerous fishing fleets.
[] Travel to Write-in - There are many locations in Kanto one could take a direct route towards. Traveling to another region is also an option, doubly so due to a train route running from Saffron City to Johto (Note: You can't go to another region yet, the GM won't let you).
Social Actions (For socials, it's assumed you keep up a basic level of contact through text, choosing a social means I write it up)
[] Call up your parents - Your parents would appreciate a call just to inform them you arrived safely.
[] Call Tetsuya - An old childhood friend of yours, the two of you drifted off recently, perhaps you could see what he's up to?
[] Call Willow - The trainer you just defeated, she seems fun if exhausting. Contacting her would be an experience.
Round 1: Staryu uses harden (DC4: 23). Defense increases to C--
Round 1: Dratini uses Wrap (DC2: 30). Staryu loses 10% of its HP (90%).
Round 2: Staryu tries to escape Wrap (DC80: 70). Fails! Staryu uses Tackle (DC25: 25). Dratini loses 10% of its HP (90%).
Round 2: Dratini uses Thunder Wave (DC1: Autosuccess). Staryu is paralyzed! Staryu is Wrapped!. Staryu loses 10% of its HP (80%).
Round 3: Staryu tries to escape Wrap (DC85: 27) Staryu uses Tackle (DC50: 92). Dratini loses 10% of its HP (80%).
Round 3: Dratini uses Wrap (DC1: 97) Crit. Staryu loses 20% of its HP (60%). Staryu is Wrapped! Staryu loses 20% of its HP (40%).
Round 4: Staryu tries to escape Wrap (DC105: 25). Fails! Staryu uses Harden (DC29: 30). Defense increases to C.
Round 4: Dratini uses Leer (DC1: Autosuccess). Staryu's Defenses falls to C--. Staryu is Wrapped! Staryu loses 20% of its HP (20%).
Round 5: Staryu tries to escape Wrap (DC85: 18). Fails! Staryu uses Harden (DC29: 44). Defense increases to C.
Round 5: Dratini uses Leer (DC1: Autosuccess). Staryu's Defenses falls to C--. Staryu is Wrapped! Staryu loses 20% of its HP (0%). Staryu Faints!
[X] Catch a second Pokemon - With four routes branching from Saffron City, there are dozens of different Pokemon you could catch ranging from Pidgy to Oddish to Houndour.
[X] See the sights in Saffron City - A large metropolis with dozens of landmarks to see, spending a week just seeing what there is to offer would be valuable.
Gazing down from the observation deck, Violet was glad she had decided to tour Saffron City. Sending her parents a picture of the view along with a brief message describing what she had been up to, she decided to do the same for Tetsuya and Willow. Receiving responses from both of them she sent short acknowledgments before going back to admiring the nighttime view.
The view was gorgeous, the dark sky lit up by the buildings and skyscrapers. Dratini chirped, agreeing with her comments on the city as a whole. From yesterday, when they had wandered the markets to today where they had taken a look at the most scenic views they could find, it had been a wonderful time.
She had spent some time among the markets, before choosing a few items to purchase. The city was massive, and so had a variety of shops clustered into different areas of the metropolis. Having bought a set of caving equipment with an eye towards Cerulean Cave or Mt. Moon, she had augmented her supplies with a set of higher quality rations which she thought tasted better.
Now having sought out the last view of the city she had planned, Dratini and her slept in their hotel, waking up bright and early for their tour of Silph Co. Walking through the streets in the early hours, Violet wondered if she would have time to see the theaters or sample more of the food present. Maybe another time, for now, she had a plan set for the week, and the three days after this were kept for catching a partner for Dratini. For now, however, she had a tour to get to.
Dratini was less enthused by the idea, electing to spend his time napping in a Pokeball. Violet thought it was ironic considering he rarely used it, preferring to drape himself across her neck. She wondered what would happen when he evolved, trying to carry a Dragonair would be a lot harder.
Seeing Silph Co Headquarters come into view, Violet felt a bit sad for some of the workers. Having been recently taken by Team Rocket before being liberated by an unknown trainer, she knew that Pokeball prices had doubled in the past weeks leaving her with just 6 in total. As a result, the Elite 4 and Lance had been working with local police forces, gym leaders, and trainers to crack down on Team Rocket hideouts and strongholds. Half wondering if she might run into Sabrina during the tour, Violet was distracted enough that she almost missed two windows at the top of Silph Co shatter.
Stopping in her tracks, she immediately pressed the button on Dratini's Pokeball, letting him out in a flash of red light. Hearing sirens in the distance, Violet took out her phone and zoomed in on the two blobs she saw diving towards the ground. Mentally thinking she had jinxed Silph Co, she noticed the large "R" written on the shirts of both Team Rocket members as two Pidgeots carried them to the ground.
Slowly walking forward, Violet made sure that while her view improved she stood well away from the members of Team Rocket, even as Officer Jenny arrived on her motorcycle with an Arcanine sprinting at her side. Throwing a Pokemon a moment later, the officer's Pidgeot was released and a Pokemon battle began to rage.
Violet watched with Dratini at her side as swarms of feathers began to dance in the air before being blown away by a Gust-boosted Flamethrower. Within seconds, Team Rocket's Pidgeots had fainted and they threw out two more Pokemon, this time a Muk and Arbok who met the same fate as the previous Pidgeots. As the Team Rocket members unleashed their next set of Pokemon (a Koffing and Electrode), Violet spotted two trainers sprinting from nearby alleys towards the building, clearly being directed by Officer Jenny as Pidgeot used Brave Bird to handle Koffing whilst Arcanine used Flare Blitz. Sighing in relief at Team Rocket's plan to use Explosion and Self Destruct failing, Violet remained where she was as matters began to escalate.
The shy girl swallowed as Officer Jenny took down two more Pokemon, leaving the members of Team Rocket visibly nervous. As the other two trainers forced their way through the front door, four more trainers began to arrive, these ones having faced multiple gyms based on their general demeanor and Pokemon on display. Hearing the sounds of a Pokemon battle from inside, Violet began to focus more on what she could hear rather than see.
Briefly distracted by Dratini, who asked if she was alright, she thought she counted roughly 10 Pokemon battles ongoing in the building, which turned into 9 then 8 then 7 a few minutes later once Officer Jenny finished off the Team Rocket members holding her off. When the number dropped to 0, and the police began to cordon off the building, Violet felt as if she could breathe once more. Taking a picture of the moment to remember it, she found the nearest ice cream place she could and ordered three ice creams, two for her, and one for Dratini.
Spending the day relaxing and touring some of the restaurants and theaters, having watched a film from Sinnoh, Violet wondered why the day had been so stressful. Asking Dratini, she didn't get a good answer from her partner, and she wasn't sure anyone but her could answer it. There was something about seeing a Pokemon battle taking place on the street that had sketched itself into her mind. In hindsight, she likely froze up something she knew there wasn't any shame in, but something she still felt awful about.
But maybe it was the fact she couldn't do anything to help that bugged her so much. Seeing a fight against Team Rocket happening in front of her, she knew she would only have been a liability considering the Pokemon battling. Hugging Dratini to her chest, she thought of what she could do to change that fact.
A soft chirp from Dratini reminded her she was already well on the way to changing it. After all, he seemed to say, weren't you already planning out the full team of six? Violet failed to notice her slight smile as she admitted that she did, before going on a segway of what options her team could be made of.
Pick 1 Pokemon to Catch
Common Pokemon in the Area
[] Abra
[] Bellsprout
[] Ekans
[] Growlithe
[] Houndour
[] Jigglypuff
[] Mankey
[] Meowth
[] Oddish
[] Pidgy
Rattatta
[] Spearow
[] Vulpix
Uncommon Pokemon in the Area
[] Drowzee
[] Pineco
[] Psyduck
Rare Pokemon in the Area
[] Magnemite
[] Minun
GM Note: As it's likely not that obvious, choosing actions like touring a city doesn't always give direct mechanical benefits. That being said, they can provide something equally important, narrative benefits. In this case, due in part to the low roll on a random event, you ended up encountering Team Rocket earlier than expected. This in turn means that if you run into them in the future, you don't have to worry about Violet freezing up like she did here. Additionally, now you have a bit more information on what they're up to, in this case attacking Silph Co again mere weeks after taking it before.
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Kanto Week 2 Part 2 - A Journey of Two Becomes a Journey of Three
Choosing which Pokemon to go after was something of a challenge for Violet. But by now she had a vague idea of what she wanted her Pokemon team to look like. Dratini would, of course, be her ace, a physically powerful Pokemon able to sweep entire teams of opponents. When she told him about his future role, he preened, already looking forward to doing so.
But there was more to a team of Pokemon than a single ace, most teams consisted of a few different types of Pokemon. A physical ace, an elemental ace, a defensive wall, a support Pokemon, and multiple other possibilities were valid skill sets to have. Wanting a Chansey, and in the future, a Blissey, for support was something that was near non-negotiable for Violet. There was a very good reason nearly every Pokecenter had one.
Elemental aces were more complicated, having far too many options for Violet to think about. Alakazam, Gyarados, Magnezone, etc were all Pokemon she would be more than happy with, even if she appreciated the flexibility of Magnezone more than the others. Maybe she was overthinking the problem, already planning out a team of six before catching her second partner. But thinking about the long-term was something she and Dratini believed to be a good idea.
It was the fourth category that Violet had decided to catch this week. Having spent a day camping in Route 5, she and Dratini had elected to catch a Pineco. Walking through the plains and farms, the pair made their way toward a forested section on the eastern side of the route. Passing by a well-known Pokemon care center, Violet briefly stopped to take a picture of a Steelix before moving onward to their destination.
The second night was spent in the forest, after spending much of the afternoon walking deeper in towards wilder lands. Having issues getting enough sleep due to the cries of Pokemon late into the night, Violet ended up getting a scarce six hours of interrupted rest before she chose to turn on her flashlight and spend the next three hours tending to a fire and preparing breakfast.
Within the woods, Violet thought, there was a level of tension that didn't exist. Having lived most of her life in a city with her only real travel up to this point involving a well-known trail, relying on her survival skills to navigate was daunting. Yet persevere she did, even if at the moment she was far more nervous than she would ever admit.
A part of her nerves came from knowing she was being watched. All she had to do was look up, seeing evolved Pokemon within the treetops and skies. Knowing Dratini wouldn't be able to fight them, she was relieved they had given her and her partner a single glance before turning away as if she wasn't worth their time. Violet understood why, she stood little chance against a Pidgeotto, let alone a Pidgeot.
As the day went on, she felt her nerves relax, her mind and body growing used to the understanding that there was life within the forest. Comforting Dratini, whose own nerves were on edge she made her way towards a section of the forest where Pineco would sometimes gather. Breaching into a clearing, she smiled as she saw the very thing she had come here for.
A group of five Pineco were hanging in a tree, one of whom took notice of her and notified the others. Seeing the five of them look at her, Violet froze, realizing she hadn't thought of how she would catch one of them. Looking down at the Pokeballs on her waist, she briefly wondered if she could simply battle them for the right to capture.
Then she had a better idea, "Hi!" She called out to the Pinecos, digging in her bag for food. Slightly embarrassed by how long it took to retrieve the meals, by the time she had done so one of the Pineco had already made it to the ground.
Surprisingly relaxed, the Bagworm Pokemon looked towards the food, waiting for Violet to place it in front of her before beginning to slowly eat. After taking a few bites, the Pineco looked up at the Pokemon trainer before letting out an inquisitive vocalization.
"I wanted to catch a Pineco for my journey." She replied to the question.
Dratini chirped in agreement, adding additional context regarding Violet and her goals. Focusing mostly on how it was fun to perform and show himself off, he explained how Violet wanted a Pineco for her team.
The Pokemon in question looked between the pair, taking a few additional nibbles before asking why she should join and make the group of two a group of three.
"The forest is pretty big," Violet began, choosing to answer the question with a broader explanation. "Kanto is a lot bigger, and has new sites and places for us to see." Realizing what it was that Pineco wanted, the trainer tailored her approach.
Pineco was curious, she had chosen to hop down from the tree towards Violet, forgoing the relative safety of numbers to step into the unknown. The Pokemon took a few more bites of the food, now having eaten half of the bowl. Agreeing with the reasoning, the Bagworm Pokemon voiced its understanding before deeply contemplating the decision in front of them.
Holding out a Pokeball, Violet grinned widely as Pineco took a single hop, triggering the catch mechanism on the Pokeball. Violet took a single leap into the air, celebrating the moment before she heard the click of a camera shutter. Turning towards the sound, she felt the lack of a Pokedex before she saw Dratini with the device, looking incredibly smug at what he had done. Flushing red with embarrassment, Violet made him swear to never send that picture anywhere, even if she did save it for future memories.
The Third Week, Pick 2 of the Following
Pokemon Actions
[-] Catch a third Pokemon - With four routes branching from Saffron City, there are dozens of different Pokemon you could catch ranging from Pidgy to Oddish to Houndour. (Cannot be chosen at this time)
[] Train with Dratini and Pineco - Both of your Pokemon are good in a battle, Dratini having grown through their playdates, and Pineco being rather perceptive herself. Training for a few days would help them grow.
Battling Actions
[] Challenge a New Trainer - Pokemon battles were something Violet had little experience in, she should try and find a trainer to challenge.
[] Challenge an Experienced Trainer - The other option to seek out a Pokemon battle would be to go to the Saffron Gym and challenge one of the attendants there. You may even win.
[] Challenge a Member of the Fighting Dojo - An unofficial gym, the Fighting Dojo still accepts challengers even if its badges mean little. As with a standard gym, one has to face an experienced trainer before facing the Dojo's master.
[-] Challenge the Saffron City Gym - You have to challenge one of the Saffron City attendants first before winning the right to face the gym itself.
Traveling Actions (Can Take 1 of These Only)
[] See the sights in Saffron City - A large metropolis with dozens of landmarks to see, spending a week just seeing what there is to offer would be valuable.
[] Travel to Silver Town - A town surrounded by mountains and forests on the way to Lavender Town, it does have some unique attractions.
[] Travel to Cerulean City - Home to Kanto's water-type gym run by Misty, the city has several attractions such as a massive bike store and Cerulean Cave. (Free if chosen this turn and you don't face the Fighting Dojo)
[] Travel to Vermillion City - A popular seaport that's almost perpetually under construction, it is home to an electric-type gym along with numerous fishing fleets.
[] Travel to Write-in - There are many locations in Kanto one could take a direct route towards. Traveling to another region is also an option, doubly so due to a train route running from Saffron City to Johto (Note: You can't go to another region yet, the GM won't let you).
Social Actions (For socials, it's assumed you keep up a basic level of contact through text, choosing a social means I write it up)
[] Call up your parents - Your parents would appreciate a call just to tell them what you've been up to.
[] Call Tetsuya - An old childhood friend of yours, the two of you drifted off recently. He did say he was headed towards Pewter City through the mountains.
[] Call Willow - The trainer you recently defeated, she seems fun if exhausting. She did say she's about to challenge the Celadon Gym.
[X] Train with Dratini and Pineco - Both of your Pokemon are good in a battle, Dratini having grown through their playdates, and Pineco being rather perceptive herself. Training for a few days would help them grow.
[X] Call up your parents - Your parents would appreciate a call just to tell them what you've been up to.
Surprised at having a signal in the woods, Violet wondered what to do with it before using the fact it was now evening to sit by the fire and communicate with her family. Pressing the number for her home, she waited through the ringing tone for a few seconds before her parents picked up on the third ring.
Her dad picked up the call, "Violet, how are you? Anything we need to worry about?"
Shaking her head no, she flushed red as she realized her dad couldn't see her. "No, things are going well."
Holding the phone a little lower, she placed it on speaker so Dratini could chirp into it, conveying his agreement with her words. Pineco simply watched the proceedings, having little desire to intervene.
"I saw your pictures of Saffron City," her dad continued, sounding a little worried, "are you still there?"
"I-I'm on Route 5," Violet explained, a bit of her shyness making itself apparent as she hadn't realized her dad would be asking this many questions.
"Well, if you do go back to the city, be careful, did you know Team Rocket attacked Silph Co again?"
"Yes," Violet said simply.
"Make sure to stay away from that company," her dad began, "there's no telling how many attacks need to happen before they increase security."
"I, uh, I caught a Pineco," Violet changed the subject, hoping she wouldn't have to explain she saw the attack happening in person.
Holding the phone towards the Bagworm Pokemon, Pineco gave a soft call of "Pineco" giving a nonchalant greeting to her dad.
"Hello Pineco, make sure to keep my daughter safe," he replied, "Violet, your mother wants to talk to you."
"Hi, mom." Violet greeted as she heard the phone switch hands.
"Violet," her mom greeted simply, "do you have everything you need for camp? I can bring more supplies if you're running low."
"It's fine," Violet explained, "I have everything I need."
"If you ever need something, let me know." Switching topics, her mother segwayed into a field Violet always hated talking about. "Have you made any new friends yet?"
She never liked how worried her parents would sound when she almost always answered no. It was frustrating, giving the same answer over and over again, only for the same look of sadness to be on them. It almost seemed worse that she had a different answer today, for she knew her parents would be surprised. "I made two." She glanced over at Pineco who looked rather satisfied.
"Really?" Came the expected surprise, "That's fantastic dear, who did you make friends with?"
"A trainer named Willow," Violet explained more for the sake of explanation than actually wanting to, "she's … energetic."
"You seem to have a type," her mom sounded amused, clearly thinking about her relationship with Tetsuya, someone who was also rather energetic. "How did you meet?"
"I battled her on the way to Saffron City, she's about to challenge Erika right now." Switching to her texts, she looked at the latest message from Willow, who said she had a battle scheduled early tomorrow morning. "I beat her, and she said we're rivals now."
Her parents laughed at that, "We'll have to meet her one of these days." Her dad said over the phone, "Stay safe Violet."
"I will," she replied before hanging up. Letting out a breath, she looked over at the fire, adding a few more pieces of wood to it before sleeping through the night.
When she woke up the next morning, she noticed texts from her parents, Willow, and Tetsuya. Her parents had sent her multiple maps of Route 5, comprising a good portion of the area she was in, which would help her find her way to Cerulean or Saffron City. Tetsuya had been busy sending her pictures of the journey through the mountains, with him estimating that it'd take him 3 weeks to arrive at Pewter City. Lastly, Willow had sent her a very excited text proclaiming she had won against all odds sending a video of her battle alongside the exclamation.
Staryu had managed to defeat a Bellsprout, taking one major hit in the process, before managing a mutual hit on an Oddish before fainting. Then Willow sent out an Eevee she had found abandoned in Celadon City whose repeated use of sand attack allowed it to barely eke out a victory. Violet herself was rather surprised by it, having expected a battle against a grass gym to have easily led to Staryu's defeat. It was a little unfortunate she hadn't managed to do the same against Erika, but the gym leader was a notable step up from her attendants.
As she began to prepare a training period for her own Pokemon, using some of what Willow had sent as a guide, she had to decide on where she would go during the next few days.
[] Head to Cerulean City - A city she will need to go to at some point if only to face Gym Leader Misty May and catch a Chansey, she is halfway to it already.
[] Head to Saffron City - There is much to do still in Saffron City, and even if the gym doesn't have a team for a one-badge fight, it may still make for a good experience.
[X] Head to Cerulean City - A city she will need to go to at some point if only to face Gym Leader Misty May and catch a Chansey, she is halfway to it already.
Violet hummed a little tune to herself as she set up camp early in the day. Having decided to head to take advantage of how far her trip to catch a Pineco had taken her, she elected to continue onwards to Cerulean City, taking the time to train up her Pokemon.
The first day of training was simple for Violet, focusing on teaching Dratini a new move. Sending out her two Pokemon to spar, Violet called out moves for each of them to perform, being careful not to exhaust or injure either one.
At first, it began slowly, with everyone simply trying to get a better understanding of the others. Pineco favored a reactive style, which their slow speed made a necessity. Carefully analyzing her opponent, she would often time her use of Protect for just the right moment, something Violet only made even better. If an opponent tried to close in, then a Tackle was at the ready. And should something desperate be needed, well, there was always Self Destruct.
In contrast, Dratini was more flexible. While he preferred to use Wrap and dominate his opponents physically, he also was more than capable of standing back and using Water Gun at range. With a skill of evasion beyond what was normally expected, he could easily make both styles work against most opponents. The only thing holding him back were Pokemon resistant to tight binds at close range, and Pokemon resistant to water-type moves at range.
Understandably, Violet had pointed this out, and then showed a video of Twister, a Dragon-type move. Dratini was embarrassed at the realization he hadn't tried to use the move before, it seemed like it would have been easier to learn than Water Gun. That was until he tried it, where the situation grew more complicated. Learning it was simple, but practicing it and his other four moves was a bit of a challenge. It was certainly doable, unrefined as they were, but it would likely be a challenge to ensure all his moves were refined. Nonetheless, after a day or so of refinement, Dratini could safely use Twister, if to a lesser extent.
*Dratini learned Twister (D++).*
GM Note: In actuality, he learned this at C--, but to preserve the four Pokemon moves that add to the strategy, a rule I'll be setting is that Pokemon can only have 4 moves in that tier. So there can be 4 moves with a skill level in the Cs which Dratini is at. Additionally, while you didn't get any choices on how to train your Pokemon this time, as you get better as a trainer, you'll be able to pick and choose what benefits they get from training.
The next day was spent on Pineco, and while Violet wanted to teach her Bug Bite, Pineco had other ideas. She had insisted on shoring up what she viewed as the necessities, a strong solid defense and a hardy body. As a result, the day was spent on a rather exhaustive training for Pineco, with a large amount of calisthenics and short-range spars with Dratini, almost all of which she lost. While Violet was certainly a little worried about her Pokemon, after a day or so of somewhat exhausting practice, they had all grown in their own ways.
*Pineco upgrades Special Defense to D--*
*Pineco upgrades Health to D+*
*Pineco upgrades Stamina to D+*
*Pineco makes progress towards Speed and Evasion*
*Dratini upgrades Defense to D++*
*Dratini upgrades Stamina to D+*
The last day was spent solely on polishing Pineco and Dratini's movesets. While Violet wasn't willing to have Pineco repeatedly use Self Destruct, a combination of Wraps, Tackles, and Protects was enough to somewhat improve their usage of various moves.
*Dratini upgrades Attack to C++*
*Dratini makes progress towards improving Wrap*
*Pineco upgrades Protect to C+*
At the end of the day, Violet found herself greeted by the blue streets of Cerulean City. Briefly pausing to see what was available, she then began to plan out her week.
The Fourth Week, Pick 2
Pokemon Actions
[] Catch a third Pokemon - With four routes branching from Cerulean City, there are dozens of different Pokemon you could catch ranging from Pidgy to Oddish to Houndour.
[] Fish for Pokemon - Cerulean city does have several fishing spots nearby, heading to one to try and catch Pokemon could be useful.
[] Seek out a Chansey - Chanseys are located mainly within Cerulean Cave, a locale where you are most definitely ill-qualified for. However, there are a few branches of the cave which are accessible to you.
[] Train with Dratini and Pineco - Both of your Pokemon are good in a battle, Dratini having grown through their playdates, and Pineco being rather perceptive herself. Training for a few days would help them grow.
Battling Actions
[] Challenge a New Trainer - Pokemon battles were something Violet had little experience in, she should try and find a trainer to challenge.
[] Challenge an Experienced Trainer - The other option to seek out a Pokemon battle would be to go to the Cerulean Gym and challenge one of the attendants there. You may even win.
[] Explore Unorthodox Locations - Exploring parts of Cerulean City most people don't will be an interesting experience. Surely nothing can go wrong?
[-] Challenge the Cerulean City Gym - You have to challenge one of the Cerulean City attendants first before winning the right to face the gym itself.
Traveling Actions (Can Take 1 of These Only)
[] See the sights in Cerulean City - While certainly smaller than Saffron City, there are still a number of sites to see such as the bike store and parts of the caves.
[] Travel to Mt. Moon - The cave system leading to Pewter City, heading towards the mountain to travel through will allow Violet to begin an adventure within.
[] Travel to the Power Plant - A large power plant that produces much of Kanto's electricity, it is home to a number of electric-type Pokemon.
[] Travel to Write-in - There are many locations in Kanto one could take a direct route towards.
Social Actions (For socials, it's assumed you keep up a basic level of contact through text, choosing a social means I write it up)
[] Call up your parents - Your parents would appreciate a call just to tell them what you've been up to.
[] Call Tetsuya - An old childhood friend of yours, the two of you drifted off recently. He is currently in the mountains on the way to Pewter City.
[] Call Willow - The trainer you recently defeated, she seems fun if exhausting. She just defeated an experienced trainer and caught an Eevee.
[X] Challenge a New Trainer - Pokemon battles were something Violet had little experience in, she should try and find a trainer to challenge.
[X] See the sights in Cerulean City - While certainly smaller than Saffron City, there are still a number of sites to see such as the bike store and parts of the caves.
Walking through the bike store, Violet was astonished to see some of the prices. While there were bikes she could afford, meant for use in cities or off-road, the ones she was interested in were the trainer-rated bikes. Those were on an entirely other level, made of materials light enough to carry one-handed, sturdy enough to carry hundreds of pounds, and simple enough to be maintained by a single trainer. Just as their design and build were incredible, so too was the cost which was within the same realm as mansions.
Taking pictures here and there of bikes that caught her eye, in the end, she decided to get none of them. While they may be fun to use, trying to drag them across trails and through forests was bound to be a liability. She did, however, buy a new thermos from the store, replacing her old one with a variant that supposedly could hold heated food for multiple days.
With her tour of the bike shop completed, she moved on to more exciting adventures, beginning with a visit to the caves near Cerulean City. Deciding to take a more relaxed tour, one meant for everyone rather than just trainers, Violet and her two Pokemon walked through a section of caves under the city. Connected to an underground river, it provided scenic views, with stalactites hanging down from the ceiling in the thousands. Walking across the emplaced bridge, Violet oohed and aahed at the sights, whilst Dratini tried to jump into the water himself.
She almost joined him moments later, before glancing left and then right at the other tourists present. Turning red at the thought, Violet was happy that Dratini was taking up the attention of most. Leaving her to hide away with Pineco whilst her oldest companion preened and posed.
Later in the tour, she found a more secluded section of the cave, one that was slightly harder to access as well as less scenic than the rest. Spotting a small hole underwater, Violet wondered where it led. Perhaps with better equipment, she could find out? Humming at the thought, her curiosity intrigued, she spent a few minutes planning out what she would need before reluctantly discarding the idea.
Maybe in a few years.
With the caves fully explored, Violet began wandering the streets, seeking new locales for exploration. The first she found was an interesting exhibit showcasing water Pokemon performing several tricks. Consisting of a Goldeen, Seaking, Magikarp, and Tentacool. Violet clapped along with the crowd as they performed a complex juggling act intermixed with water moves and the trainer themselves joining the act.
Taking a few pictures before sending them to her contacts, her parents replied quickly, saying they would have to see the city one day. Tetsuya didn't respond, although Violet thought that was due to him being out of signal range. Willow meanwhile replied with a sad emoji before saying Erika had beaten her with a single Pokemon and now she was headed to Viridian City.
With her evening free, Violet continued her jaunt through Cerulean City. This time headed towards a small substation near Route 9, a transformer that provided power to the city itself which held tours rather consistently. Interested in the uniqueness of the offer, Violet had chosen to book the last tour of the day. As she reached the edge of the city, however, she passed a cluster of trees near a campsite.
Suddenly, she heard a Howl as a trainer clad in blue jeans and a blue t-shirt sprinted through the trees alongside her Growlithe. Immediately throwing Dratini's Pokeball, she took in the sight, noticing the fact that the trainer was constantly looking behind them along with the visible injuries on Growlithe who looked as if he was currently in a battle.
Then Violet saw what they were running from, spying two Team Rocket grunts running after them. One was noticeably faster than the other, a pink-haired woman with a tilted grin that had rapidly clambered a tree before her Zubat screeched out a Supersonic that Growlithe barely dodged. A moment later, the second member of Team Rocket appeared. Noticeably more composed, the green-haired grunt stared first at the trainer they were chasing, then at Violet, her piercing gaze making Violet's heart jump into her throat.
"Mean look," she said the world contemptuously, as her Zubat forced Growlithe to commit to a fight instead of running. Keeping eye contact with Violet, she dismissed her, "Run along girly, this doesn't concern you."
"She doesn't get off that easily V." Declared the woman with pink hair. "You're not thinking of letting a Dratini escape."
V tilted her head, thinking about the question. "Fine," she flicked a wrist towards her partner, "deal with her D."
D has challenged you to a battle!
V has challenged you to a battle!
Luna has joined the battle on your side!
Health: D (at 60% HP)
Stamina: D (E)
Attack: D+
Defense: D-
Special Attack: E-
Special Defense: D
Speed: C--
Evasion: C--
Moves
Absorb: C
Supersonic: C
Astonish: C
Violet's Thoughts: Barely slower than Dratini, this Zubat is tired and they lack finesse with elemental attacks. But Supersonic and Astonish are a dangerous combination.
Health: D+ (at 100% HP)
Stamina: D+ (D+)
Attack: D++
Defense: D
Special Attack: E
Special Defense: D+
Speed: C-
Evasion: C-
Moves
Absorb: C+
Supersonic: C+
Astonish: C+
Mean Look: C--
Violet's Thoughts: Slightly faster than Dratini, this Zubat is fresh and dangerous. They also seem somewhat smug as if V is in control and planning something.
Health: C- (at 10% HP)
Stamina: C (D--)
Attack: C+ (B-)
Defense: D+
Special Attack: C+
Special Defense: C--
Speed: C-
Evasion: C++
Moves
Ember: C+
Leer: C+
Howl: C+
Bite: C+
Violet's Thoughts: A polished, skilled Growlithe, if they weren't tired and injured, they might be able to beat V's Zubat. As it is, they can last 1 round. Maybe 2.
Violet's Perceptive Trait Kicks in!
D will use Astonish repeatedly on Dratini, and if Dratini flinches, they'll use Supersonic before continuing.
V will use Astonish and have Zubat evade Growlithe before using Supersonic on Dratini, seeking to surprise Violet. Then they will switch to an Astonish on Growlithe until it faints.
Luna will use Howl and then Bite on V's Zubat in the hopes of taking it out.
Choose Your Battle Plan
[] Switch in Pineco then use Self Destruct - No one will see it coming, even if that will cause Growlithe to faint as well. As long as Pineco handles the Supersonic and doesn't flinch, it's doable.
[] Use Water Gun on D's Zubat whilst Evading - Kiting Zubat is manageable, but will likely leave Growlithe at the mercy of V's Zubat. There is a risk that Dratini fails to accomplish his goal, but if that happens, you can send out Pineco to help.
[] Use Thunder Wave on both Zubats before using water gun - Reducing the opponent's mobility will leave speed firmly in Dratini's favor, allowing him to set the engagement terms.
[] Just run - Distracted by Growlithe as they are, you could probably get away.
[] Write-in
[X] Send out Pineco, and have it use protect to shelter Dratini from damage. Pineco should then alternate between Tackle on Dratini's target, and using Protect to shelter the Growlithe if it's going to be attacked or on any Pokemon being attacked by all of the opposing Pokemon on the field if neither of these conditions are met Tackle should be used instead. If it looks like Dratini is close to fainting or Pineco is then Dratini should be temporarily recalled so Pineco can use Self Destruct. Well Dratini is sheltered by Pineco during the first turn it should use Thunder Wave before taking an evasive stance and using Water Gun on D's Zubat until it faints then doing the same for V's Zubat. Call out for the Growlithe trainer to focus on taking out D's Zubat with us so that we can snowball the fight with a numbers advantage, and to use Ember so that we can protect Growlithe.
Violet reached for Pineco's Pokeball blindly, refusing to turn away from the battle for even a second. Four Pokemon acted in rapid succession, each of them nearly as fast as all the others. Sparks gathered around Dratini, Growlithe sucked in a deep breath, and both Zubats began to gather themselves for twin Astonishes.
Four trainers sucked in their breaths simultaneously creating plans in their minds and imagining them unfold. All of them believed in their companions, yet only two could emerge victorious in the end. Then Violet felt her hand wrap around a sphere. Fumbling for the button on it she just managed to press it as the situation grew far more active in a single second.
"Astonish!"
"Astonish!"
"Howl!"
"Protect!"
"Wait, since when does - " The moment Violet ordered Pineco to use Protect V turned in her direction, her teeth visibly grinding as a loud Howl rang out behind her. Growlithe's fur stood on end as its teeth seemed to grow sharper before it began to race towards the Zubat's.
"Take down the weaker one!" Violet shouted, just as a Pineco raised a glowing screen which an extremely powerful Astonished bounced off of, V's Zubat visibly furious at their skillful attack being removed just like that.
Dratini unleashed his built-up Thunder Wave, seeing an opportunity and causing a crackle of electricity to run through V's Zubat, the flying creature's muscles visibly spasming as energy flowed through its small frame. Then a second later, D's Zubat unleashed an Astonish of their own. And a moment later Dratini, distracted by his own Thunder Wave was thrown into the air, bouncing end over end before slowly getting up visibly trying to get his bearings.
Pineco lept in front of him, forcing another Protect in rapid succession in an effort to keep her companion safe. D's Zubat seemed to smile, confident they could deal with Pineco easily. Gathering themselves for a Supersonic, they were utterly blindsided when Growlithe leaped up, jaws clamping over Zubat's wings as a powerful Bite boosted by two Howls turned causing the flying Pokemon to faint immediately.
"D, we're getting out of here!" V called out, as she began to step backward. "Zubat, keep them off us."
A cry of noise washed over Growlithe causing the Pokemon to visibly stumble as it grew confused. Two red beams struck both Zubats, withdrawing them into their Pokeball as V and D began to depart.
"This isn't the last time we'll meet," growled V as she started to run, eager to get out of the area before Dratini and Growlithe recovered themselves.
Spinning around as she ran, D gave Violet a look that caused her to take a step backward. "That Dratini is going to be mine one day, girly, train him up till then."
Letting out a shaky breath, Violet didn't even think about pursuing them until Dratini had recovered, and by then they were long gone. Beginning to fuss over both him and Pineco, she felt a massive sense of relief come over her and she gave them both a big hug.
*Pineco makes progress towards improving Protect*
*Pineco upgrades Speed to F+*
*Pineco upgrades Evasion to F+*
*Dratini makes progress towards improving Thunder Wave*
*Dratini makes progress towards improving Defense and Health*
"Thank you," the other trainer stated after she finished spraying a potion over Growlithe's many injuries. "I would have lost my friend without you," wrapping her arms around the fire Pokemon, Growlithe nuzzled against her, draining the tension from her frame. "Call me Luna."
"V-Violet," she replied, only now allowing her hands to shake from her adrenaline high. "I did what anyone would do."
Luna let go of Growlithe, looking back at the shy girl. "I owe you for this."
After that, the two of them continued to talk, with Violet a bit more talkative than normal thanks to the rather exciting circumstances they met in. She learned a good deal about Luna, namely that she was a native of Cerulean City and looked up to the Joy family. Having decided at a young age to become a Pokemon nurse, she was at the edge of the city to learn from Pokemon out in the wild. Instead, she had been ambushed by D and V who were hoping to capture Growlithe and had nearly succeeded.
From there the talk turned towards other matters with Luna asking if she could look over both Dratini and Pineco. She was particularly interested in the Mirage Pokemon, for while there was literature on their physiology, examining one in person would teach her far more than she could from text. Eventually, however, Violet's social battery ended and eventually, the two parted, albeit not before Luna informed Violet where she would be over the next few days.
The next day was spent in the Pokemon center and the day after decompressing, with Violet hoping she would never have to fight in such a battle ever again. Yet knowing that being a Pokemon trainer would involve challenges like this, and eventually, she would have to feel the same level of nerves and adrenaline.
The Fifth Week, Pick 2
Pokemon Actions
[] Catch a third Pokemon - With four routes branching from Cerulean City, there are dozens of different Pokemon you could catch ranging from Pidgy to Oddish to Houndour.
[] Fish for Pokemon - Cerulean city does have several fishing spots nearby, heading to one to try and catch Pokemon could be useful.
[] Seek out a Chansey - Chanseys are located mainly within Cerulean Cave, a locale where you are most definitely ill-qualified for. However, there are a few branches of the cave which are accessible to you.
[] Train with Dratini and Pineco - Both of your Pokemon are good in a battle, Dratini having grown through their playdates, and Pineco being rather perceptive herself. Training for a few days would help them grow.
Battling Actions
[] Challenge Luna - A known trainer with a decently trained Growlithe, she would make for a good sparring partner while you're here. And maybe let you talk in the future.
[] Challenge a New Trainer - Pokemon battles were something Violet had little experience in, she should try and find a trainer to challenge.
[] Challenge an Experienced Trainer - The other option to seek out a Pokemon battle would be to go to the Cerulean Gym and challenge one of the attendants there. You may even win.
[-] Challenge the Cerulean City Gym - You have to challenge one of the Cerulean City attendants first before winning the right to face the gym itself.
Exploration Actions (New)
[] See the sights in Cerulean City - While you have explored a good portion of the city, there is still quite a bit more to see such as the substations, gym, and other minor tourist attractions.
[] Explore Unorthodox Locations - Exploring parts of Cerulean City most people don't will be an interesting experience. Surely nothing can go wrong?
[] Learn about Caving - Seeing the caves around Cerulean City gives you an idea that maybe you should indulge your curiosity. Try and see what you can do exploring the safer parts of the cave system.
[] Learn to Swim - While you do know how to swim, there is a notable difference between swimming for fun and scuba diving. And an even greater difference when it comes to exploring underwater caves. Learning more advanced concepts would be fun.
Traveling Actions (Can Take 1 of These Only)
[] Travel to Mt. Moon - The cave system leading to Pewter City, heading towards the mountain to travel through will allow Violet to begin an adventure within.
[] Travel to the Power Plant - A large power plant that produces much of Kanto's electricity, it is home to a number of electric-type Pokemon.
[] Travel to Write-in - There are many locations in Kanto one could take a direct route towards.
Social Actions (For socials, it's assumed you keep up a basic level of contact through text, choosing a social means I write it up)
[] Call up your parents - Your parents would appreciate a call just to tell them what you've been up to.
[] Call Tetsuya - An old childhood friend of yours, the two of you drifted off recently. He is currently in the mountains on the way to Pewter City.
[] Call Willow - The trainer you recently defeated, she seems fun if exhausting. She has just arrived in Viridian City and is complaining that the gym is closed.
Round 1 Pineco: Pineco used Protect (DC1: Autosuccess)
Round 1 Growlithe: Growlithe used Howl (DC1: Autosuccess). Attack increases to B+.
Round 1 V's Zubat: Zubat used Astonish on Growlithe (DC30: 95 Crit). Intercepted by Pineco!
Round 1 Dratini: Dratini used Thunder Wave on V's Zubat (DC25: 62). V's Zubat is paralyzed!
Round 1 D's Zubat: Zubat used Astonish on Dratini (DC25: 90). Dratini flinches. Dratini loses 8% of its HP (92%)
Round 2 Pineco: Pineco used Protect (DC70: 89).
Round 2 Growlithe: Growlithe used Bite on D's Zubat (DC15: 47). D's Zubat loses 70% of its HP (D's Zubat feints)
Round 2 V's Zubat: Zubat uses Supersonic on Growlithe (DC50: 93). Growlithe is confused!
Round 2 Dratini: Dratini flinches.
Round 2 D's Zubat: D withdraws her feinted Zubat
