This fanfiction is inspired by the following stories:

  The New Normal

  When the Moon Rises

  Borne of Caution

  The Natural

  The Other Trainers of Pallet

  These Silver Eyes

  Chapter 2 : Companionship

  A cold breeze brushed past Vera as he continued his trek through Route One. It was far vast than he had thought it would be. All around the beaten path was a luscious green forest that Vera was sure was teeming with Pokemon. Two hours had come and gone since he left Pallet Town, and he still had ways to go before he reached Viridian. It would at least take him half a day of walking to get to the city, longer if he decided to take a break.

  Blue should have already reached Viridian by now, he mused. Though Vera had left before him, his friend had expressed his desire to take the Arcanine Bus Transit which was a much quicker way of travelling from city to city. From Pallet Town to Viridian City, the time taken to travel by bus or car was usually only an hour, sometimes even less than that. As for Katrina, he knew that though she enjoyed walking, she also refused to fall behind either himself or Blue. So she'd probably take the bus like Blue had, or her mother would drop her off at Viridian after they were done with whatever business they had.

  And Ash, well, he would definitely be walking. The last member of the Pallet Quartet absolutely hated travelling around in cars or buses. It made him feel suffocated and trapped and Ash was the type of person to enjoy his freedom. Of course, that also meant that he would be lagging behind the rest of them, something he was sure would irk the raven-haired boy. But at the end of the day, he had no one to blame but himself. He was the one who hadn't woken up on time and now he'd have to face the consequences for it.

  However, Vera couldn't help but wonder what type of Pokemon Ash would get?

  Vera quickly held up his arm in front of his eyes as he stepped up a ledge, shielding his face from the sun high above. Many new trainers often travelled in groups. In fact his mother had even mentioned him travelling with Katrina, Blue, or Ash. He had immediately shut down the idea. He wanted to travel alone; that had always been his plan from the get-go. Not that he didn't enjoy the company of his friends because he did, but he believed that if he travelled by himself, he'd learn a lot more life lessons that way. After all, the more challenges a person faces, the stronger they become.

  As he walked along the forested path, Vera kept a look out, his eyes darting left and right as he searched for any creatures hidden within the trees or the foliage which he could catch and add to his team. He wanted to add at least one or two more Pokemon to his team before challenging the Pewter City Gym. While the Kanto Region had a vast variety of Pokemon native to only it, it was not uncommon for Pokemon species from other regions to migrate here. Vera didn't really have anything specific in mind, but he knew he wanted something strong. No doubt Blue and Katrina would be having the same train of thought he was, and the former had probably already gained new additions to his team.

  Squirtle was trotting ahead of him, looking around curiously and in awe with his cerulean eyes, occasionally running back to bump into Vera's leg. Vera had let his starter out to join him on his walk, not only for the effort of bonding with him and enjoying the fresh air but also because walking would help build up the Tiny Turtle Pokemon's leg muscles and stamina. It wasn't much, but any training they could get would do them big favours in the long run.

  A sudden overhead screech made the trainer look up to the sight of three Pidgey flying close to the ground. They landed near a massive tree in the distance, preening their feathers and scouring the vast area that surrounded them. They were a common sight in Indigo, perhaps one of the most common Pokemon around. Pidgey themselves weren't the most powerful Pokemon around, however, their final evolutions were quite formidable. The mental image of his sister's Pidgeot flashed in his mind – a Pokemon who was a speedy battler and one of Raina's aces.

  For a moment, Vera contemplated catching one of them but then decided otherwise. Though he acknowledged the physical prowess of Pidgeot, he did not want to take on anything he wasn't a hundred-percent committed to training or had good reason to catch. That wouldn't be fair to it, him, or the other members of his party. It was a rookie mistake many trainers made, but one he knew to avoid early on. Maybe he'd find a Pidgey to join his team in the future, but not now.

  Vera could hear Squirtle's soft cry as the two of them stared at the Flying-types for a few seconds longer before they finally flew off their perch and into the sky. With their departure, Vera and Squirtle continued on their merry way.

  As they continued to venture deeper into Route One, Vera started to notice more and more Pokemon around them. One time, they passed by a tree where a group of Mankey were perched on, feasting on a couple of berries. Another time, Vera spotted a Sandshrew pop its head out of the ground before disappearing just as quickly. Pidgey continued to soar high above and he even saw a couple of Spearow staring hungrily at a large Raticate surrounded by smaller Rattata.

  A few times, some of those Pokemon began to inch closer to him but Squirtle's presence quickly warded them off. Though he was still in his first evolution stage and barely beginning to tap into his potential, compared to the Pokemon that lived in these areas, he was pretty much king. Though, just as it was with any king, there was always someone trying to overthrow them.

  A few Rattata and Pidgey had been bold enough to try and strong arm him and at one point, even a Sentret had blocked their path. Squirtle had repelled all of them with ease, though Vera could tell that the exertion of battling was starting to get to him. However, before he could even think of resting, a screech sounded from above and he looked up to see a Spearow diving down in their direction, eager to sink its beak into Squirtle and maybe even Vera himself.

  "Squirtle, brace yourself!" Vera called out, his voice steady despite the adrenaline coursing through him. The Water-type tensed as the Spearow dove down, its sharp beak glinting in the sunlight. Then, at the very last second, Squirtle leapt to the side, narrowly dodging the attack.

  "Good! Now hit it with Water Gun!"

  A powerful stream of water burst from Squirtle's mouth, striking the Spearow mid-air and forcing it to the ground. The Flying-type squawked in pain, flapping its wings furiously to shake off the blow, droplets of water flying everywhere. It wasn't down yet though; Spearow were notoriously scrappy, and this one was no exception.

  The wild Pokemon launched itself back into the air, circling Squirtle and eyeing him for another strike. Vera narrowed his eyes, quickly analysing the situation. Spearow had the height advantage, but it seemed inexperienced - reckless even. It made sense considering their species weren't exactly known for thinking rationally.

  "Keep your guard up, Squirtle."

  The Spearow dove again, this time aiming for Squirtle's exposed side. But Vera was ready.

  "Tackle, now!"

  Squirtle darted forward with surprising speed, meeting the Spearow head-on. The two Pokemon collided, but Squirtle's sturdy shell and determination sent Spearow tumbling back with a sharp squawk of pain. The Tiny Turtle Pokemon barked out a triumphant cry, standing his ground. The Spearow glared back with anger and humiliation before squawking one last time and flying off in defeat.

  "Nice work, Squirtle," Vera praised. His starter let out a cheerful cry in response, waddling back over to his trainer and nuzzling his leg affectionately. Vera knelt down and patted his partner with a smile, but his gaze shifted back to the sky where the Spearow had disappeared. His smile faded, replaced by a thoughtful frown.

  Spearow were traditionally one of the most violent Pokemon that early trainers came across. They were known for being territorial and aggressive to anyone who antagonized them. Squirtle's triumph over the Spearow who had attacked them would not sit well with the rest of its flock and Vera had no intention of having his little Pokemon battle a horde of killer birds. Especially once he noted how the Water-type was panting. No, they had to get out of the proximity of the Spearow's territory and quick.

  "Hey, Squirtle, why don't you go back into your ball for a bit?" Vera suggested and the Tiny Turtle Pokemon looked up at him curiously. "Don't worry, I'll let you out if I require your assistance. In the meantime, you can get some rest in. You've earned it."

  Squirtle let out a soft and contented cry as Vera gently tapped the button on the Poke Ball. A red beam of light engulfed the Tiny Turtle Pokemon, and in a flash, the Pokemon was safely returned to his resting place. Tucking the ball securely into his bag, Vera stood and glanced around.

  The path ahead was still shaded by the thick canopy of trees, their branches twisting and weaving together to form a natural roof. The air felt cooler here, and the sunlight filtering through the leaves painted dappled patterns on the dirt trail. It was beautiful, but Vera couldn't shake the unease that the encounter with Spearow had left behind. He quickened his pace, hoping to put as much distance as possible between himself and the bird Pokemon's territory.

  After another hour or so of walking, twisting and turning down paths, following the map on his Pokegear, Vera finally broke out of the forest treeline and found himself on a path littered with stones next to a calm stream. He breathed a sigh of relief as he walked closer to the water and bent down. Slinging his backpack of his shoulders, he unzipped it, pressed a few buttons on the pad and in a flash of light, a canteen materialized inside the bag.

  Arceus, he was seriously loving this bag right now. There was almost zero weight on his shoulders when he carried it around and finding and sorting through items was as easy as recounting his ABC's. He couldn't help but wonder what other items Silph Co. had produced. He supposed he'd find out once he reached Saffron City where the main headquarters of the company were located. He'd heard that they sometimes held fairs to show off new or existing products.

  Twisting open the cap of the canteen, he dipped it in the water and filled it up. Once it was filled to the brim, he put it to his mouth and drank deeply. In only around three hours, he had practically emptied the canteen. He'd have to come prepared with more water next time; he had been lucky to find a stream here.

  Closing the canteen once more, he slipped it back into his silver-black backpack before zipping it up and slinging it back onto his shoulders. Then he straightened himself up and continued on his way down the stone laden path.

  Every now and then, a Goldeen or a Seaking would pop their heads out of the surface of the water before diving back inside. Vera kept glancing at the stream whenever the water splashed but overall ignored the Pokemon that revealed themselves. He already had a Water-type in Squirtle; he didn't need another one. He wanted to become a Generalist Trainer rather than being a Type Specialist.

  To highlight the difference between the two, a Generalist Trainer focused on building a diverse team of Pokemon from a variety of types, ensuring versatility in battles and the ability to adapt to different opponents and challenges. This approach would allow the trainer to cover a broad range of type advantages and strategies, promoting creativity in battle tactics and fostering a well-rounded understanding of Pokemon strengths and weaknesses.

  In contrast, a Type Specialist – just as their name indicated – would dedicate their training to mastering a single Pokemon type, creating a highly focused and synergistic team. Specialists often excelled in battles by leveraging the unique traits and combinations of their chosen type, but they often struggled against opponents with strong counters to their specialization.

  There were many Type Specialists in the world; almost every Gym Leader and Elite Four fell into that category. Champion Lance was also a Type Specialist as he had a team of formidable dragons. As for Generalist Trainers, he knew that Champion Cynthia of Sinnoh, Alder of Unova, and Diantha of Kalos, fell into that category due to their diverse teams. The newly crowned Hoenn Champion, Steven Stone was somewhat of a mix of both. Though he was often fashioned as a Steel-type Specialist, he had non-Steel-types on his team as well, such as his Cradily, Armaldo, and Claydol.

  As Vera continued his walk alongside the stream, the sound of rushing water and chirping Bug-type Pokemon created a soothing backdrop. The unease he had felt earlier began to fade, replaced by a sense of calm as he enjoyed the beauty of Route One. Despite its reputation as an easy route for beginners, the path offered plenty of surprises for those willing to look closer.

  The dark, violet-hared Dex Holder paused when he spotted a small group of Caterpie inching their way up a tree, their antennae twitching cautiously. He crouched down for a closer look, intrigued by their methodical movements as they wove strands of silk between the branches. It reminded him of something Professor Oak had once told him – that every Pokemon, no matter how small or seemingly insignificant, had a unique role to play in the world.

  But as much as he admired the Caterpie, they weren't what he was looking for right now. He straightened up and adjusted the strap of his backpack before pressing on.

  The path began to climb slightly, leading him up a gentle hill. From this vantage point, he could see the faint outline of Viridian City in the distance. A small smile tugged at his lips. He wasn't far now – maybe another hour or two, assuming he didn't run into any major delays. With that in mind, he continued his trek.

  It was a few minutes later that Vera encountered yet another obstacle. However, this one was different than the previous Pokemon that had crossed his path. He had just rounded off a bend in the path back when he felt a cold chill pass down his back and he froze in his step, his eyes widened in slight fear. The temperature around him seemed to drop and mist began to thicken all around him. The atmosphere was different here – quiet and eerie, as if the area had been placed under a spell.

  Then he heard the cackling, the sound echoed within his eardrums. He also felt a prickling sensation at the back of his neck, like he was being watched. Vera turned his head slowly, scanning the dense forest around him. Well, he tried to, but the mist made everything much more difficult to see. But then he saw it – a pair of sharp and glowing red eyes floating in the midst of the cloud. Another series of cackles ensued, and Vera decided that enough was enough. Unclipping Squirtle's Poke Ball from his belt, he released his starter, the Tiny Turtle Pokemon appeared on the ground in front of him with a cry.

  You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

  Almost immediately, as if he could sense that something was wrong, Squirtle snapped to attention and glared into the swirling mist – or rather, the glowing red eyes that were floating in the mist. They didn't waver under the small aquatic turtle's glare though; instead they pulsed faintly, and the creature laughed again, as if mocking them.

  "Stay alert, Squirtle," Vera murmured, his voice low but steady. He instinctively shifted his stance, ready to defend himself or Squirtle if things got out of hand. He'd read about wild Pokemon such as Abra or Stantler using illusions to scare off intruders, but this looked like something else. He knew he hadn't accidentally walked into a Pokemon's territory; he had seen no signs. No, this wasn't a Pokemon trying to ward them off. Something was playing with them. Something had actively sought them out.

  If only he could figure out what it was…

  Vera's eyes suddenly widened, and he slapped his forehead in frustration, earning himself a confused look from his Squirtle. Amidst his fear and nervousness, he had completely forgotten that he had a freaking Pokedex that could identify any Pokemon that was registered to it. He was such a goddamned idiot!

  The dark violet-haired boy quickly pulled out his sleek, silver Pokedex and held it up in front of him, facing the glowing red eyes that were now bobbing lazily. Almost immediately, the device pinged and on the holographic screen, appeared a list of information:

  Dex No: 092

  Name: Gastly

  Type: Ghost/Poison

  Classification: Gas Pokemon

  Information: Gastly is largely composed of gaseous matter. Despite lacking substance, it can envelop an opponent of any size and cause suffocation. It is said to be the soul of a Pokemon who died from poison-related incidents.

  "A Gastly." Vera whispered, his fear giving way to a mix of relief and excitement. Gastly and it's evolutions were the poster-children for Ghost-type Pokemon within the joint-region of Indigo. Elite Agatha's prized Gengar had rarely been felled by any opponent she had face and was considered a Champion-level Pokemon. They could become powerful and deadly Pokemon if trained properly, though many trainers failed to bring out their true potential. Training a ghost was no easy feat.

  Vera's eyes snapped away from his Pokedex when he saw the mist around him start to thicken even more, cloaking the area in a spectral haze. The glowing eyes of the Gastly disappeared for a brief moment before reappearing closer, accompanied by a shadowy figure that materialized from within the fog. Vera couldn't help but grin, his fear all but gone, as the silhouette grew clearer, revealing itself to be a round, ghostly shape with a wide, jagged grin and gaseous tendrils swirling around it.

  The Gastly cackled again, its laughter echoing unnaturally through the forest. It floated lazily toward Squirtle, who crouched low, muscles tense and ready for Vera's command. The poisonous ghost cackled as it phased in and out of existence, appearing suddenly in front of the Tiny Turtle Pokemon and making unnatural and strange faces. Squirtle snorted in indignation and spat out a burst of water, but the Gastly easily evaded it.

  Many Ghost-type Pokemon had that kind of dark sense of humour – they were pranksters by nature, but they also had a tendency of becoming violent. Ghosts were considered to be the freest of all Pokemon as they were not bound to a single region, nor did they have a territory they tended to live in. Sure, they sometimes grouped together in clusters in a dark forest or a haunted house, but more often than naught, they were solitary creatures who roamed the earth, going wherever they wished.

  As he watched the ghost dance around gleefully, a particular thought came to mind, and Vera grinned.

  "Hey Squirtle! Get ready to battle!" The Tiny Turtle Pokemon huffed and stomped its foot, eager to give the infuriating ghost a piece of his mind. Gastly hovered in the air above, staring down at them with its malevolent grin, waiting to see what they would do next. Unfortunately, due to its Ghost-typing, Normal and Fighting-type attacks were out which meant he couldn't have Squirtle use Tackle, Rapid Spin, or Aura Sphere. That meant the only attack that Squirtle had which would actually deal damage to Gastly was…

  "Squirtle, use Water Gun!" Vera commanded sharply.

  Squirtle didn't hesitate. He planted his feet firmly on the ground and unleashed a powerful jet of water from his mouth, aiming directly at the mischievous Gastly. The ghost cackled again, its form blurring as it phased out of the way, the Water Gun slicing harmlessly through the mist.

  "Figures it wouldn't be that easy," Vera muttered under his breath, watching the Gastly rematerialize behind Squirtle, its jagged grin widening as it prepared to strike. "Behind you!"

  Even before he had shouted, Squirtle was already spinning on his heel, with a snarl. Without needing further instructions, the Tiny Turtle Pokemon leapt into the air, snapping at the Gastly with its mouth. Much to Vera's shock, dark energy was coating the Water-type's fangs as he lunged at the poisonous ghost. A quick scan of his Pokedex revealed it to be Bite – a Dark-type move that had a natural advantage against Ghost-types. Gastly's grin faltered, and it quickly lunged back to avoid the darkness-coated fangs.

  It seemed all those battles Squirtle had won earlier in the route had proved valuable as they had pushed him to learn a new attack.

  "Great job, partner, you learned a new attack!" Vera cheered and Squirtle cried out in response, thumping his chest in triumph. "Now let's do this! Use Bite, back to back, and keep it on its toes!"

  Squirtle nodded before he lunged again. Gastly, now wary, darted backward, weaving through the mist with agility that bordered on unnatural. But Squirtle was relentless, his darkness-coated teeth gleaming as he snapped at the gaseous Pokemon with each strike. It was a game of cat and mouse – or turtle and ghost, in this case – but the longer it dragged on, the clearer it became that Squirtle wasn't just chasing Gastly. He was forcing it to keep moving, to stay on the defensive.

  "You're wearing it out," Vera observed, his excitement growing. Gastly's movements were still quick, but there was a slight lag now, a hesitation in its phasing. It was tiring. "Alright, time to corner it! Squirtle, Water Gun – but this time, aim wide! Drive it to the ground!"

  The small aquatic turtle immediately complied, turning his head to spit out a sweeping blast of water. The jet arced through the air, cutting off Gastly's escape routes and forcing it lower and closer to the ground. The Gas Pokemon hissed, its mischievous cackling now completely replaced by a growl of annoyance.

  "Now, go for it! Bite!"

  With a burst of speed, Squirtle lunged forward, his jaws closing around Gastly's gaseous body. The ghost shrieked, its form trembling as the Dark-type energy surged through it. Squirtle released his grip and landed on the ground, glaring defiantly up at the spectral foe. Gastly, on the other hand, floated unsteadily, its movements sluggish and erratic. Vera could tell it was on its last legs – or whatever the ghostly equivalent of that might be. His grin widened as he unclipped an empty shrunken Poke Ball from his belt, the metal cool against the skin of his palm as he enlarged it.

  "Let's make this official!" He said, raising the Poke Ball. "Gastly, you're coming with me!"

  Then, he threw the ball, watching as it soared through the mist toward the ghost. The ball struck Gastly, opening with a flash of light that enveloped the Pokémon. Gastly let out one last, indignant wail before being drawn inside. The ball snapped shut and fell to the ground, shaking violently as the Gastly struggled to break free.

  Vera held his breath, his heart pounding in his chest as he watched the ball wiggle once, twice... and then, with a soft chime, it stilled.

  "Yes!" He shouted, punching the air triumphantly. "We did it, Squirtle!"

  Squirtle raised his arms in victory, a wide grin on his face as he hopped up and down, as the mist around them began to fade away. Vera scooped up the ball, turning it over in his hands as he stared at it with a mix of awe and excitement, before he shrunk the ball to the size of a marble before attaching it back to one of the magnetic clips on his belt. Then he knelt down to pat his starter affectionately.

  "You did amazing, buddy." The dark, violet-haired Dex Holder praised, and the aquatic turtle grinned at the compliment. "Let's find a spot to rest and get you cleaned up. You've earned it."

  Squirtle cried out in agreement and after a few minutes of walking, Vera finally found a place to rest – a small clearing with a few flat stones scattered around, perfect for sitting. The sunlight filtering through the trees created a dappled glow, creating a serene atmosphere. Vera set his backpack down and let out a deep breath, relieved to finally take a break.

  While Squirtle let out a pleased cry and waddled over to a patch of soft grass, lying down with a contented sigh, Vera unzipped his bag and pulled out a can of the standard Poke-Chow sold in the markets as well as one large bowl. He also unclipped Gastly's Poke Ball from his belt, releasing the Ghost/Poison-type Pokemon in a flash of white light. Time to get to know his new teammate.

  Gastly appeared, slowly floated into the air in front of him. The poisonous ghost stared down at Vera with an unreadable look in its red eyes. Vera took a step forwards as Squirtle shifted and pushed himself to his feet, moving close by in case the Gas Pokemon decided to attack. "Hey there, Gastly! My name is Vera and I'm your new trainer. I hope we can get along."

  The Gastly kept staring at him blankly, not showing any sort of reaction to his words but Vera knew that it could understand him. Pokemon seemed to have an innate ability to understand the human tongue for how else could they respond to their trainer's verbal commands in battle.

  Suddenly, the Gas Pokemon vanished, turning incorporeal. Vera blinked in confusion as he looked around for his new Pokemon. Gastly couldn't have just run off...could it? His unspoken question was quickly answered when he turned to look and right and found himself staring into white and red eyes. The poisonous ghost let out a shrill screech and Vera screamed, jumping backwards and landing on his ass. His reaction provoked a torrent of joyful cackling from the impudent ghost at his expense. Gastly then floated over to his left, still laughing.

  "So you're a of a trickster, huh?" Vera scowled at the Gastly who simply grinned malevolently in response. Vera shook off his annoyance and then turned his attention to Squirtle, who stood awkwardly, looking a little guilty. "Oh you thought it was funny too, huh?"

  The Tiny Turtle Pokemon said nothing but instead looked to the side guiltily, still holding back a reaction. Vera pulled out his Pokedex again and pointed the research device at Gastly to bring up the rest of its data. From the device, he learned that his newly-caught Gastly was male and knew the moves Night Shade, Lick, Confuse Ray, Hypnosis, Haze and Curse. He also had the ability Levitate. The Dex Holder whistled as he studied the Ghost/Poison-type's current move set. The Gastly's prankster-like nature and his tricky moves, coupled with his ghostly form and abilities, would no doubt help him become a dangerous Pokemon in battle.

  Vera grinned as the Gastly drifted around his head gleefully. "Welcome to the team, Gastly."

  The Ghost/Poison-type began performing barrel rolls through the air and cackled as Vera popped open a can of Poke-Chow, emptying its contents into a bowl for Squirtle. The aquatic turtle came closer and sniffed the food before he sat down and began scarfing it all into his throat. He then glanced over at Gastly who had stopped dancing through the air and floated over in their direction.

  "I've heard that ghosts usually feed on darkness or life-energy from the things around them for nourishment." Vera began as his mind went back to one of his lessons at the Pallet Town Trainer School that had been dedicated entirely to Ghost-type Pokemon. "But to be honest, I'm not really sure how that works."

  Gastly paused for a moment as if mulling something over before he floated closer to the ground, his slanted red eyes focused on a few flowers that had sprouted amidst the grass. Vera leaned forward in interest and even Squirtle stopped eating to see what the poisonous ghost was going to do. For a few seconds, nothing happened but then Gastly's red eyes pulsed faintly, and he opened his mouth wide. Nothing seemed to be entering though, but when Vera glanced back at the flowers, he saw that they were starting to wilt. Once the stems dropped lifelessly, Gastly turned back to Vera and cackled.

  "Huh." Vera stated with an impressed look on his face. "That's…pretty goddamn cool. You aren't going to do that to me or Squirtle though are you?"

  Gastly floated in front of him, his expression unreadable as he stared at Vera, his red eyes gleaming in the dappled sunlight. The ghost didn't answer verbally, but Vera could sense a certain amusement radiating from him. The eerie cackles had quieted, replaced by a quiet hum as the Pokemon hovered just inches above the ground, his gaseous body rippling slightly in the breeze.

  "I didn't think so." Vera said, shaking his head with a smirk. "You're not that mean, are you?"

  Gastly grinned back, his jagged mouth stretching into an exaggerated, almost comical grin, as though to affirm that no, he wasn't going to harm them before he rose further into the air and began bobbing and weaving playfully. Vera chuckled at the sight before he sat back down on the rock he had taken as his seat and pulled out his own lunch from his bag. It was nothing special really, just a couple of cheese sandwiches his mother had packed for the road. He made a mental note to go shopping for supplies once he reached Viridian City.

  Vera had accumulated a decent amount of money before leaving for his journey – 3500 Poke-Bucks from Professor Oak's sponsorship with an additional 2000 given to him by his mother as a gift. While the latter was in the form of cash, the former had been deposited into his bank account by the Professor. He could access it via his Pokedex. Not only was the technical device used to study Pokemon, but it also served as his portable bank and his Pokemon Trainer Licence.

  It truly was an all-purpose tool.

  Of course, he could also make money while on the road, mainly by battling other trainers. It was law for trainers who had a sum of over a 1000 Poke-Bucks to pay a fee upon losing a battle with another trainer. The amount usually depended on how many Pokemon were used during a battle. If it was a one-on-one battle, then the loser had to pay 250 Poke-Bucks. For every other Pokemon used, an additional 100 was added onto the sum. That's how many trainers, especially those who didn't have sponsorships, were able to afford the lifestyle they had chosen.

  The only thing money was really spent on for trainers was necessary items such as Pokemon food, Potions, status heals, as well as Poke Balls and their variants. Of course, he couldn't forget the necessary items that trainers needed for themselves – toiletries, food ingredients, Repels, etc.

  He would also have to register for the Indigo Pokemon League once he reached the city as well, he mused as he finished up his sandwiches. That, he could do through the Pokemon Center using his Pokedex. Speaking of the Indigo League…

  "Hey guys?" Squirtle paused in his eating and looked up at him while Gastly stopped playing and floated down over to him. "I want to talk to you about something. I mentioned to you, Squirtle, that my goal was to travel the world and battle powerful opponents. I want to prove my strength as a trainer and make you guys, as well as other Pokemon I add to my team, strong as well. And the best way to do that is to participate in the Indigo League Gym Challenge."

  He paused for a moment, watching as a curious shine appeared in his Pokemon's eyes, before resuming his explanation.

  "The Gym Circuit is a challenge for sure, but I aim to conquer it. There are sixteen Gyms scattered across Kanto and Johto, each run by a powerful Gym Leader specializing in a certain type. To compete in the Indigo League, we'll need to collect eight badges from whichever region we are registered to. Since I'm a Kanto-resident, we have to collect all eight badges from this region to qualify. Once we have those, we'll get the chance to prove ourselves in the Indigo League tournament."

  Squirtle let out a determined cry, thumping his chest with one of his stubby arms, while Gastly cackled and performed a barrel roll in the air. Vera laughed at their enthusiasm. "That's the spirit! But it's not going to be easy. These gym leaders aren't pushovers, and the trainers we'll meet along the way are going to be tough too. That's why we'll need to train hard and keep getting stronger."

  He stood up, stretching his legs, and looked toward the horizon where the late afternoon sun hung low in the sky. "Right now, we're headed to Viridian City. There, I'll register for the league and then we'll train for a day or two. Then we're going to need to travel through Viridian Forest to get to Pewter City. That's where we'll find the first Gym and win our first gym badge."

  Vera's voice lingered in the air as his words sank in. Squirtle looked at his trainer with renewed determination while Gastly only grinned malevolently. The moment felt electric, even in its simplicity. A team had been forged, and they were ready to take on the world together.

  "Alright then." Vera said with a grin. "Let's wrap up here and get moving. I wanna reach Viridian before nightfall."

  Squirtle quickly finished off his meal with one last contented chew before standing up. Once Vera had packed everything back up, he attempted to recall his Pokemon. Squirtle went back into his ball with no complaint, but Gastly recoiled away from the beam and glared at his new trainer. Vera blinked in confusion.

  "What's wrong, Gastly? Do you not want to go back into your ball?" Gastly bobbed sideways as if to say no and the dark violet-haired boy chuckled. "Well, that's fine. There are many Pokemon that don't like staying in their Poke Balls so if being out here with me is what you prefer, then you can do what you want. But stay where I can see you. I don't want you causing too much trouble once we reach the city."

  Gastly cackled once more, clearly pleased with the fact that Vera wasn't forcing him back into his ball. He floated forward, his gaseous body rippling in the light breeze, and then, with a mischievous gleam in his eyes, he dipped into Vera's shadow.

  Vera felt something cold wash over him as the ghostly form of Gastly vanished into the darkness beneath him, becoming one with his shadow. Ghosts were capable of traveling through shadows, he knew that. He had even seen Elite Agatha's Gengar slide out of her own shadow once during a match against a challenger and had thought it was absolutely epic and one of the best entrances of any Pokemon in any tournament.

  And now he had an impudent Gastly nestling within his own shadow.

  "Well, I guess that could work." The Dex Holder remarked with a grin.

  A soft, eerie chuckle echoed from the depths of his shadow, sending a slight chill down his spine, but he ignored it, opting to hit the road once more. He continued to travel through the forest for about another hour before moving back down the hill and onto the plain dirt path. After a couple of turns around bends as was illustrated from the map on his Pokegear, he finally caught sight of his destination:

  The bustling urban city of Viridian.

  Pokemon Trainer: Vera Arden

  Pokedex Number: KA-25072002

  Badges: 0

  Active Pokemon Team: 2

  Squirtle (Water Type, Male)

  Ability: Torrent

  Moves: Tackle, Water Gun, Withdraw, Rapid Spin, Aura Sphere, Bite

  Gastly (Ghost/Poison Type, Male)

  Ability: Levitate

  Moves: Night Shade, Lick, Confuse Ray, Hypnosis, Haze, Curse