Author's Note: I wrote a short story last year prior to the release of Pokemon Scarlet/Violet. It's from my own perspective talking about my beginnings with Pokemon, but told as if I lived within the world of Pokemon itself; Some of it matches up with real-world happenings that lead to me getting Pokemon Red for Christmas in 1998.
The springtime breeze rushed through the wonderfully lush Viridian Forest, rustling the still-growing leaves. Wildflowers and berry bushes were beginning to show their incoming colors as life began to flow back into the dormant flora that made up the forest region that stretched between Viridian and Pewter City.
It was quickly warming up, too. The springtime sun beamed down through the still-thickening forest canopy was nice and soothing after a gust of chill wind would sweep down the well-worn path that lead from one end of the forest to the other. Many people have walked this path over the centuries, trainer and non-trainer alike.
Me, I'm of the former; A Pokemon trainer! Fresh out the gate at that. You caught up with me just as I set out on the road to Pewter City, but I may be getting too far ahead of myself. I haven't even introduced myself yet.
My name's Rick and I'm a Pokemon trainer fresh out of Viridian City. My dream ever since I was five years old was to become a certified Pokemon trainer and travel the world, battling other trainers and catching any Pokemon I came across! Of course, I was much too young at the time and quite honestly, too much of a wuss to leave the front yard, let alone travel through the big scary forest to the north of the city as I am right now. But then again, I didn't have my faithful Pokemon companion at the time, either.
Meet Freya, my Growlithe. Quite an unusual starter Pokemon as they typically aren't chosen for beginner trainers due to their slow development and strong personalities. Honestly, I never would have chosen one for myself, especially after watching numerous episodes of POKE-COPS on late-night television where the ARK9-Unit were set loose to catch burglars and Team Rocket members; The ferocity of the police-trained Growlithe and Arcanine was something else. Especially the Arcanine. I remember one episode where they were chasing a Team Rocket member down a neighborhood in Cerulean City. The Arcanine lept onto a rooftop and cut the would-be escapee off while the police came up from behind.
But alas here she is, keeping up with my every footstep. Never getting too far ahead nor falling too far behind; She's ever vigilant, keeping a close eye, ear and nose out for potential danger be it a wild Pokemon or otherwise.
I met Freya for the first time on Christmas morning, 1998. So only about four months ago. I was eleven years old, a full year older than when most of the other kids had started their Pokemon journey, though some had already returned home in defeat. It bewildered me none to see it.
I, however, had been forbidden from registering for my tenth and eleventh birthdays. "We just don't think that you're ready," or "It's going to be dangerous, and we're just worried is all" are just a few of the rebuttals I'd get from my parents whenever I'd bring it up about my registration. I was devastated. I watched as the other kids all around town left on their adventures. Even a seemingly neverending stream of kids from Pallet Town to the south trickled in and out of the city as they too started their adventures.
But finally, on that Christmas morning, things suddenly changed. As I sat beneath the tree, tearing away the otherwise unimpressive but neatly festive wrapping paper from a plethora of gifts, I spotted something unique. Suddenly, the glow of the string of Christmas lights that ensnared the pine tree seemed brighter; They almost seemed to shine a spotlight on this particular gift. It was wrapped up in a spectacular Pokeball-themed paper and adorned with a big red bow.
I tore the paper away, and what lay beneath was nothing short of breathtaking: A hardwood box, the lid had an image of a Charizard burnt into it by a no doubt skilled artist. I ran my fingers across it, taking in the feel of the singed markings. It even felt warm over the flaming tip of the Pokemon's tail.
My siblings who had been making a much bigger ruckus than I seemed to all come to a halt as I pulled the box from beneath the tree. Their eyes were glued to the box as I nervously lifted the lid and revealed the contents inside, and then I nearly threw up out of pure excitement.
"Official Pokemon League Trainer Dossier" read the bold, yet fun, lettering that was printed on the bright yellow folder within the box. I knew instantly what it was; My parents must have submitted my documentation without my knowing. I turned and looked at them, my head snapping around so violently that it probably did hurt but in my excitement, I didn't notice.
And then I did finally throw up.
It had turned out that they had come to the decision that I could begin my league training in the coming year, but chose to keep it a secret for Christmas. They had gone all the way in presenting it to me, what with the engraved box, creating the cushioning to hold the brand new Pokedex and Pokeball in place beside the documents.
I must have ignored every other gift the rest of the morning as I got my Pokedex setup, entering my league-assigned trainer ID into the startup screen. In all of the excitement, I completely ignored the Pokeball, having assumed it was empty. My parents too seemed to have forgotten about it as it was a good few hours before any attention had turned to it. In hindsight, I feel kind of having forgotten her like that.
Removing the Pokeball from the cushioned box, I pressed the center button to unlock it and then gave it a little toss. The ball opened and a flash of red and white light spewed out, then a small orange canine appeared before me. The Pokedex in my housecoat pocket vibrated as I approached the small creature. We'd had Pokemon as pets in the past, mainly Meowths and Pidgeys, but never anything like this.
I opened the Pokedex up and it instantly gave me a spoken read-out of info on the Pokemon that stood before me.
"Growlithe, the puppy Pokemon. A favored partner of authoritative figures, Growlithe is a strong and loyal companion recommended for moderate-level trainers."
"He's awesome!" I shouted but was met with an angry-sounding bark in reply followed by a friendly tail wag. "Oh, she? You're a girl Pokemon" I asked, this time receiving a happy-sounding yip from the Growlithe.
It was about here that I noticed that this Growlithe was different looking. The fur atop her head was long and didn't stop just at her forehead, but instead draped down across her left eye. She also had a very long fang protruding from her upper gums as well. She looked unique for a Growlithe, certainly different from the image being shown on the Pokedex screen.
I had recalled hearing stories about how they weren't exactly the best Pokemon for beginners as they tended to be a bit more on the independent "I'll lead, you follow" side, but I never once saw that sort of behavior from Freya. She was the best starter Pokemon a new trainer could ask for, and super strong too! She won her very first battle against my nephew, who had started his Pokemon adventure shortly after I did; He got a Squirtle as his starter, and despite the type advantage his water-type Pokemon had over my Growlithe, Freya defeated it in only one move. In front of the whole family. Right before we all sat down to eat a much-delayed Christmas dinner that following January. Needless to say, he became my sworn rival that day.
Now here I am, Pokemon partner in toe as I trek through the Viridian Forest. In search of adventure and wonder as I begin my Pokemon League challenge.
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