"Call me Blaine"

     The battle started as any battle should in Pokémon, hero versus rival. I narrowly dodged some attacks and ultimately came out victorious. Oak was standing in the corner clapping at my victory, "Well done," he exclaimed "you and your Pokémon make quite the team".

     Bryan, angry that he lost, demanded a rematch. "Nobody beats me! This isn't fair!" Oak put his hand on his shoulder and said "You will see him again". I try to escape with my buddy once more and the white coats block the door.

     Oak walks up to me and hands me 5 pokeballs, the PokeDex, and $3000. "Take these, you are going to need it in this world." He steps aside and the Aides let me pass.

    I finally am able to leave, I can still hear Bryan yelling and whining about how I defeated him. I see the path north once again, the same path I met Oak at and decide to head out.

     We begin walking and I try to talk to communicate with "Squirtle". All he can say is his name. I decide to name him Tsunami, because frankly I think it's a better name. He nods as if he understands. Smart little thing.

     I see a road sign and read it. "Viridian City ahead", sounds like a larger town than the previous place. We walk there and we encounter birds and mice along the way. I catch one of the mice with one of the pokeballs Oak has given me. It's a girl so I name it Minnie.

     We arrive at Viridian and we heal at the Pokémon hospital. I notice a large building and an older gentleman peaking inside of it. I walk up to him and he proceeds to let me walk right into a locked door.

Damn

     The old man pulls me aside and explains "My boy you can't be too eager. Just call me Blaine, nice to meet you. In Kanto there are eight gyms to find and defeat. This is the last one. Come back when you have the other gyms defeated. I know you can do it. Now run along!" OK Blaine, I'll do that. Thanks.

     Minnie and Tsunami seem to be getting a long pretty well. I pass by a Pokémon Store and stock up on more balls. "You should bring some Antidotes for the journey ahead." Seeing as I only have a few dollars left from what Oak gave me I decline. We head out to Viridian Forest and we encounter a different bird. Looks like a sparrow. With Minnie's help I catch it and name him Flappers.

     The team and I are doing pretty well. Tsunami has taken a liking to me and he walks by my side whenever he can. We hit the forest and find a few bug catches. Flappers makes quick work of them all. Good Flappers. Minnie seems eager to battle so I let her go against a small pointy bug that my PokeDex identifies as a Weedle.

     Minnie gets poisoned right at the start and refuses to leave the match. The Weedle cuts her off from returning.. until.. she faints. I can't bring her back. Minnie is dead. I rush back to Viridian and return to the PokeMart where I had declined the one thing that could have saved Minnie. The clerk and I make eye contact and she just nods and understands. I buy ten antidotes and continue on.

     That dark forest took a friend and I won't ever forget her. RIP Minnie, I will make sure your loss wasn't for nothing.

     Tsunami, Flappers, and myself continue on to Pewter where I hear a young man named Brock runs the first gym. Maybe if I defeat him he can answer some questions for me.