The Pokémon Challenge Thread!

Part 6: Water Under the Bridge

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Spoiler

Quick recap. We picked up our Magikarp, Rogga and a Zubat named Radar. Then we traveled through Mt. Moon, Ava and Tox evolving in the mean time. Then we arrived in Cerulean City, catching Tiles the Sandshrew in the grass patch to the west.


(I do some off screen training over here, yay.)


After training, I spot this police lady standing in front of a house. Intending to ask her how to get out of here, I strike up a conversation.


Oh. Dang.


How? They can't even take a fossil from me. Now that I think about it, they probably ended up roughing up that poor guy that I whupped.


...How?


She doesn't say anything else, just waves me away, so I wander around until I spot the bridge leading out of the city.


Oh my god why are you here.


What do you mean 'struggling along'?


I'll believe it when I see it.


Greg-


Greg.


Oh my god, Greg. If your Spearow is still the strongest member of your team...


Still goes down easy.



That was new.


Alright, Rogga. You can do it.


Maybe next time, Rogga.


Greg.


Greg, don't even.


What?


Wow, great. I totally haven't forgotten that the Pokedex is a thing I'm supposed to be doing.


He's famous for being a giant nerd?


Woah.


Stop. What have I said about lectures?


Bye. Leave me alone now.


Alright. Now to go up this bridge.


...Why are these people blocking the bridge.


A prize, you say?


Hell yeah I do.


You know it.


Is it now?


Cant match my skill, I suppose.


What was that?


Sure did.


As a great man once said, done like dinner.


After tearing through those five dudes, this guy stops me.


Oh, sweet.


Uh... what?


That doesn't make any sense. (Seriously, 'dedicated to evil using Pokemon'? Does that mean that they're dedicated to being evil and using Pokemon? What is he even saying here?)


No.


Yes.


No.


There's a police officer down there.


Watch me.


Hoo boy.


His Pokemon are easily taken care of.


Thanks.


The man launches into a rant after the battle ends, but I stop listening because I notice something going on with Rogga. He sort of flops away. I take a step towards him, but that's when he starts glowing. The man, having turned around to feed his ego, doesn't notice. I wasn't prepared for what happened with Rogga. Instead of just growing bigger like with Ava and Tox, Rogga does something similar to what happened with Slides. He does grow bigger, yes, but then he stretches out and grows larger. And I mean larger. Like, holy shit. When he's done, I find myself staring down - or should I say staring up - a giant water dragon. Rogga stares at me for a few moments before cocking his head curiously and coming closer. I stand statue still while he looks me over before he does something that resembles smiling.


The man finally turns around, only to find Rogga glaring at him. He shuts up.


I head north and find this kid acting kind of glum. I chat him up.


Dang.


I start to attempt to say something comforting, but the boy gets an idea and interrupts my train of thought.


...Huh. I figure I've got nothing to lose, so I say yes.


He tells me to take care of 'Rex' and hands me a Pokeball.


I'll try.


This one, I learn, contains Thunder Wave. Which Nimbus already knows. And nobody else can learn. I put it with Whirlwind, saving it for my next trip to the Pokemart.


On my way to the Pokemon Center, Ava flits away from me and starts attacking something in the grass. She seems a bit crazed, and even nicks herself a few times. Confused, I jog over to see her assaulting a poor Venonat. Ava dives in, ready to strike the final blow. To save the thing, I chuck a Pokeball. It smacks the bug backwards, making it bounce just out of Ava's reach. The Pokeball shakes a few times, then comes to a stop. I run over and pick it up, blocking Ava from getting at it with my body. She seems to calm down somewhat, but shoots aggressive looks at my bag on our way back to Cerulean.


(Man, for the record, it physically pained me to put Slides in the box. I love Butterfree, but figured that I should use Venonat/Venomoth since I actually haven't ever before.)

After our visit to the Pokemon Center, I decide we need to get Rex and Sehkt up to speed.


After a bit of training, Rex starts to glow. Finally somewhat with the memo, I stand back and watch as Rex changes. When he's done, Rex glances at me and blows out a tiny puff of flame. I take a surprised step back. That kid wasn't lying about not training him well.


(Quick break here to say how whack Charmeleon's backsprite looked in Gen 1. Like, he looks like one of those mascot suits or something. So dorky)


Woo.


I slip the Water Gun TM into my Pokedex to look at it again. It shows me that now Rogga, in addition to Tox, can learn it. This time, I pick Rogga on the list. A little slot pops out of the top and the screen prompts me to put Rogga's Pokeball there. I do so and watch as the screen flashes some weird colors and displays some words I don't understand. Then it dings and tells me to take the Pokeball back. When I pick it up, the slot slides back into the Pokedex. With a shrug, I continue on.


Bill's house has got to be over here... right? I notice some dude hanging out by a patch of grass. He shoots me a wave and I wave back. I walk around in the grass for a little bit before hearing a strange sound. Me and Sehkt go to investigate, finding an Oddish sitting on the ground, wheezing quietly. Feeling bad for the poor thing, I toss a Pokeball at it. It easily captures, and I take the ball back to the Pokemon Center. The nurse looks her over and tells me that Onion is sick or something. I'm not too sure. I thank the nurse and head out.


(This also hurt.)


I challenge the Hiker from earlier to a battle. He agrees.


Hey, thanks.

Afterwards (I didn't get the screenshot of the challenge thing cause I'm a huge nerd) I challenge a Youngster to a fight. He sends out a Spearow, which Nimbus easily takes out. Confident, I send out Onion. She happily scampers up to the Rattata, ready to fight. The Rattata thwacks her with its body, and she weathers the attack, if barely. I get ready to call her back, guessing she can survive one more. I call out for her to attack, when the Rattata dashes faster than expected. It crashes into Onion, causing a painful squishing sound. The Oddish gets thrown back and lands at my feet.


My breath hitches in my throat. I whisper for Onion, the Oddish not replying in the slightest. The boy calls over, asking if there's something wrong. I ignore the sinking feeling in my stomach and fumble for Rex's ball. Rex quickly finishes the Rattata off.


I brush the boy's words off, scooping up Onion and running away, leaving the confused boy behind. Rex and Nimbus lope after me, right on my heels. Onion doesn't move in my arms, and I start to really, truly, get worried.


I burst through the Pokemon Center doors and and lay Onion on the counter. The nurse immediately remembers me from earlier, taking the Pokemon and scuttling away with her Chansey. I stumble over to the bench and drop myself on it. The guy there shoots me a pitying look and gets up. Rex pats my leg comfortingly. Or at least as comforting as he can be. Nimbus scampers into my lap and leans against me. After what seems like forever, the nurse comes back empty handed. She offers me a quiet 'I'm sorry'.


I clench my hands, throat tightening up. I... I can't believe it. I knew she was sickly... but I should have paid more attention or called her back or something. The nurse offers to get someone to bring her to the Pokemon Tower in Lavender Town. I just nod mutely. She disappears, leaving me alone.


Not knowing what else to do, I trudge over to the PC, withdrawing Tox. I accidentally release him. Instead of looking miffed, like I expected him to, Tox takes a quick look at me and plods over, sitting on my foot and offering me a comforting nuzzle. I hear the nurse and glance over at her. She offers to let me stay the night. I thank her and head off into the Pokemon Center's back room.

End of Part 6
(Wow look at my lame story telling)

Current Team:
Nimbus:


Rogga:


Rex:


Ava:


Sehkt:


Tox: