"Okey, guys, are we ready to go beat some Bug Trainers and steal their money?" I asked, standing in the middle of the destroyed house, surveying the mess Rotom and Aria had left behind.
[Yes and NO! Alex Carter,] Rotom chimed in, its voice buzzing with a mix of enthusiasm and nervousness. Aria, sitting in my backpack, let out a determined squeak, nodding with all her might to show her support. I couldn't help but laugh at the contrast between the two—Rotom's uncontainable energy and Aria's quiet but fierce determination.
Stepping out of the house, I was greeted by the warmth of the newborn sun casting a golden glow over the world. It felt like a fresh start, the perfect day to embark on our journey. With Aria snugly tucked in my backpack and RotomDex zipping around me like an overexcited guide, we set off. The crunch of gravel under my boots and the chirping of wild Pokémon in the distance accompanied us as we walked.
We encouraged each other along the way, exchanging playful banter to keep our spirits high. After a while, a weathered wooden sign came into view, its paint peeling slightly but the bold letters still clear enough to read:
{ROUTE 1: PLEASE GET LOST IF YOU DON'T HAVE ANY REPELS AND NO POKÉMON.}
"You're ready, guys?" I asked, glancing at my two companions with a grin.
[I Am Ready, Alex Carter,] Rotom replied with its usual flair. [I Have To Say, You Look Cool With That Hat and Coat! We Should Change My Pokédex Form To Something Cool As Well...] Rotom's voice trailed off as it launched into a string of ideas, buzzing in circles around me.
Before Rotom could ramble further, Aria let out a small growl and used Night Shade. The shadowy energy struck Rotom lightly, like a tap to snap it back to focus.
[Haha, sorry! I got excited!] Rotom buzzed, its voice sheepish now.
"Do not worry, Rotom. How about you, Aria? Are you excited, huh?" I asked, turning my attention to her.
Aria squeaked again, her small purple head poking out of the backpack. Her tired but eager eyes locked onto mine, filled with determination. It was her way of saying, "I'm ready."
Let's go," I said confidently, stepping onto the path.
As we walked, the grass rustled nearby, and I stopped in my tracks. RotomDex immediately zipped to my side, its screen flashing.
[Alex Carter! Wild Pokémon detected ahead! It's either a Rattata, a Pidgey, or something rare. Should we engage? Should we scout? Should we—]
"Relax, Rotom. Let's see what it is first," I said, crouching slightly and motioning for silence. Aria peeked out of my backpack, her purple head tilting curiously.
A moment later, a wild Caterpie emerged from the grass, its green body glistening slightly in the sunlight. It wiggled its antennae at us, seemingly unafraid.
"Well, look at that," I said with a smirk. "Our first wild Pokémon encounter."
[Oh, it's a Caterpie! Bug type! Weak to Fire, Flying, and Rock! Not the most exciting, but hey, every Pokémon has potential!] RotomDex rattled off the data enthusiastically.
"Aria, you ready to handle this?" I asked, glancing back at her. She squeaked softly in affirmation, hopping out of my backpack and onto the ground. Her tiny figure looked determined, her posture ready for battle.
"Alright, Aria. Start with Night Shade!" I commanded, my voice firm but encouraging.
Aria's eyes glowed ominously as a shadowy aura surrounded her. The Caterpie wiggled in surprise, attempting to defend itself with String Shot, but the dark energy struck it head-on, dealing a decent amount of damage.
The Caterpie retaliated with Tackle, managing to hit Aria but barely making a dent.
"Good job, Aria! Let's finish this with Disarming Voice!" I called out.
Aria let out a soft yet piercing cry, the sound waves striking the Caterpie and sending it tumbling backward. The wild Pokémon fainted, its tiny body falling still in the grass.
[Victory! Aria gained experience! Not bad, Alex Carter. You're off to a solid start!] RotomDex cheered, buzzing excitedly around us.
"Great job, Aria," I said, picking her up and placing her back in my backpack. She squeaked happily, clearly proud of herself. "One battle down. Let's keep moving and see what else Route 1 has in store for us."
As we climbed up the hill, what initially seemed like a minor incline in the game now felt like scaling a full-blown cliff. Each step grew heavier, my legs protesting with every movement. Adding to the exhaustion were the wild Pokémon encounters that felt relentless.
Some Pidgeys decided my hat was a little too shiny for my own good, dive-bombing me as if I'd stolen their prized possession. Meanwhile, a group of Rattatas thought Aria and Rotom's berries were fair game, lunging at them during our much-needed break. Rotom buzzed around, trying to dodge their bites, while Aria let out an irritated growl, her little arms clutching the remaining berries protectively.
During one of these breaks, we stopped by a Poké Mart worker stationed at a rest spot. He offered me some water instead of a potion, which was a relief considering I wasn't ready to barter for my supplies just yet. The water was refreshing, though it did little to make the journey easier.
After nearly five grueling hours, we finally reached Viridian City. The sight of it took my breath away—not just because of the climb but because of its charm. The city was nestled in a lush forest, with vibrant greenery surrounding it on all sides. At its back loomed the shadowy expanse of Viridian Forest, known for its abundance of bug-types and infamous maze-like paths.
To the left, a wide and imposing road stretched out, marked by a large sign indicating it led to Victory Road and the Indigo Plateau. The sight of it stirred a mix of excitement and apprehension in me.
"We made it, guys," I said, my voice a mix of relief and triumph. Rotom buzzed enthusiastically, while Aria peeked out of my backpack, her tired eyes glinting with curiosity at the bustling city ahead.