From: William Rendfeld (warendfeld@aol.com) Subject: [PW!] Arrival Newsgroups: alt.games.nintendo.pokemon Date: 2003-11-09 10:38:22 PST And so it begins... - Arrival It was a surprisingly warm November day in New Bark Town. Throughout its streets, residents happily walked and bustled about with their own business, going about their lives in relative bliss. On the towns mid-east side, the New Bark Harbors stood, numerous boats and ferries sitting in dock, either unloading or loading passengers and luggage. Walking out of the harbor came two individuals; a young woman of about sixteen years with brown hair and eyes, and a Combusken. The girl happily stretched her arms out and proclaimed, "Ah! It feels good to be on dry land again! I thought that boat would never dock!" (Impatient as always,) the Combusken noted. (Your behavior always surprises me, Alexandria.) "Surprises?" Alexandria Masters, or rather Alex, asked. "We're still at that stage?" (Well, you are human,) the Combusken pointed out. (You may have learned to understand me, but I still have yet to fully grasp your differing facets. One minute, you can be calm and serious, the next impulsive and brash. I may never understand it.) "You'll just have to get used to it then," Alex said with a chuckle. "Now, where's that Pokémon Center I'm supposed to register at?" (You could always check your PokéNav,) the Combusken said in a matter-of-fact tone. Alex narrowed her eyes slightly at her traveling companion, then pulled her PokéNav from her belt and opened it. The small device quickly brought up a small hologram of New Bark Town, the local Pokémon Center and the shortest route to it from their position highlighted in blue. "Forward three blocks, then north." - After about fifteen minutes of walking, Alex and her companion walked into the Pokémon Center. Upon seeing its interior, the Combusken noted, (These places all have the same interior decorator, don't they?) "Now be nice," Alex whispered as she approached the front desk. She quickly tapped a small bell, and was answered with a cry of "Just a minute!" from the back room. Within a few seconds, the obligatory Nurse Joy walked up to her desk and politely said, "Welcome to the New Bark Town Pokémon Center. Do your Pokémon require treatment?" "No, thank you," Alex politely replied. "I'm just here to register for the Johto League." "Alright then, please give me your Pokédex for registration," Nurse Joy replied. Alex quickly took her PokéDex and handed it to Joy, who quickly inserted it into a slot at her computer and began to bring up Alex's profile. "Alexandria Masters, age 16 from Lilycove City in the Hoenn region," Joy read off. "You currently have two Pokémon and no badges. Is all of this correct?" "Yes, that's correct," Alex replied. "Are you planning on getting a Pokémon from Professor Elm?" Joy asked. "The thought did cross my mind," Alex admitted. "I already have one starter from Hoenn and Kanto, I figure I can try to complete the set." (As if you would need to,) the Combusken noted. Joy couldn't help but look at the small bird-like Pokémon in surprise before Alex said, "Don't mind Surtur, he's just moody." (Har har,) Surtur replied, not amused by Alex's comment. After a couple seconds, Joy completed the registration and returned Alex's PokéDex, saying, "You're fully registered for the Johto League. I hope you enjoy your journey through Johto." "Thank you," Alex replied, returning her PokéDex to its place of honor on her belt. "By the way, you wouldn't happen to know where Professor Elm's lab is, would you?" "Oh certainly," Nurse Joy replied. "It's just five blocks west of here." "Thank you again," Alex said before making her way out of the Pokémon Center with Surtur following at her side. - After a few minutes of walking, Alex and Surtur arrived at Professor Elm's lab. Upon walking in, Alex looked around and called, "Professor Elm? Are you in, Professor?" "Be with you in a moment," a voice called. After a couple seconds, the tall, lanky figure of Professor Elm entered the room and asked, "Yes, may I help you?" "I hope so," Alex replied. "My name is Alex. I just registered for the Johto League, and I was hoping to pick up a starter Pokémon, if that's okay." "Oh, a new trainer!" Professor Elm said. "I can certainly provide you with a starter Pokémon! Please, follow me." As Professor Elm led the two into his lab, he asked, "By the way, are you from the Hoenn region?" "Yeah, actually," Alex replied. "I guess Surtur gave it away, huh?" (Not surprising, as there aren't too many of my kind in this region,) Surtur noted on the side. The small group stopped at a small table holding three Poké Balls. "Here we are," Professor Elm announced. "The three starter Pokémon of Johto. From left to right, they're Chikorita, Cyndaquil, and Totodile. Take your pick." "Not that hard a choice," Alex noted, picking up the Poké Ball containing a Chikorita. "I'll take the Chikorita." "Are you certain?" Professor Elm asked. "You can't just switch them at your own convenience." "I'm positive," Alex replied. "I already have a Fire-type and a Water-type, I don't see much reason in having a second one of the same type on my team. Besides, Chikoritas are cute." "Fair enough then," Professor Elm said. "She's all yours." "Thank you," Alex replied. She quickly opened the Poké Ball. At her feet materialized a small quadruped Pokémon with a leaf sprouting from its head. The small Pokémon opened its gentle, orange eyes and said in greeting, "Chika!" "Hello to you too," Alex said, kneeling down and gently petting the small Pokémon on the side of her neck. "You're a gentle little lady, aren't you? Sweet, kindly, friendly, definitely a keeper." After thinking a moment, she decided, "I'll call you Nadyra. That sound good?" "Chika!" the little Chikorita chirped happily, rubbing up against Alex like a kitten. (A somewhat poetic name,) Surtur noted. (Where did it come from?) "I just made it up," Alex replied. "Thought it sounded cool." "That's amazing," Professor Elm noted, watching the three. "It's almost as if you can read their thoughts." "Not really," Alex replied. "I've just known Surtur long enough that I understand what he's saying. And with Nadyra, well, I'm just a decent judge of character." After getting acquainted with her new Pokémon, she rose to her feet and said, "Nadyra, return," sending the small Chikorita back to her Poké Ball. "Before I forget," Professor Elm said as Alex stored Nadyra's Poké Ball on her belt. He quickly took hold of some nearby Poké Balls and gave them to Alex, saying, "Here are some Poké Balls to help you on your journey. Also, do you have a Poké Gear?" "Sorry, no," Alex replied. "Between my PokéNav and my cell phone, I really don't need one." "Oh, fine then," Professor Elm replied. He quickly grabbed a small card from his desk and gave it to Alex, saying, "If you could, could you contact me occasionally? I've never had much opportunity to study a Pokémon from the Hoenn region, and I'd appreciate it if you kept me apprised of your Combusken's status." "Oh sure, no problem," Alex replied. "Although there isn't that much to tell right now. Surtur's only at Level 18, and beyond an addiction to Twix bars there isn't anything really special about him." (I beg to differ,) Surtur noted in his defense. "Still, I might just find something noteworthy," Alex replied. "We'll just wait and see. Thank you for your help, Professor." "No need to thank me," Professor Elm said. "Good luck on your journey." - Alex soon exited Professor Elm's lab, Surtur at her side, and quickly consulted her PokéNav. "Assuming the map's right, following Route 29 should take us directly to Cherrygrove City, then it's a couple days north to Violet City and our first Gym battle." (Assuming something unforeseen does not occur,) Surtur noted. "Obviously," Alex replied. "Still, as long as we follow the map, we should be okay." Closing her PokéNav and putting it back on her belt, she turned to her companion and said, "Well Surtur, it's a brand new world. You ready to start exploring it?" (I doubt I have much choice either way,) Surtur replied. (Still, it does sound at least a little interesting. Let us begin.) With a smile, Alex replied, "That's the spirit. Then let's get started!" With those words, Alex began running towards the edge of town, Surtur following behind with a small smile on his face. This was indeed a new adventure, and both of them would be seeing a whole new world. This was their adventure, and it had only just begun. - Well, I'll have Alex in Violet City within the next week. Anyone up there interested in interacting? William Rendfeld Creator of Echowarrior, the Pokémon Resistance, and Alex Masters 178,000 Excellent Author Points 1 'I knew odd pokefacts that confused a bread crumb' point. 20 Y2Tech Points