Chapter Two: Route 1 Battle! “Viridian is not too far away from here Darren. Just go through Route 1 and you’ll end up at Viridian. Along the way you can catch some Pokemon with Eevee.” Darren nodded. “Okay, I’m ready for the challenge!” “Good luck!” smiled Prof. Oak, waving goodbye. Darren walked out onto Route 1, not excepting that on this small route tons of adventure can wait. “Okay, hold steady…now tackle, Squirtle!” yelled the girl. Squirtle hit the Ratata. “Now! Poke’ball go!” The girl threw the Poke’ball and it closed onto the Ratata. She looked on in awe as the ball wiggled around…and then it flashed red! “Yeah! My third Pokemon! I’m unstoppable!” she giggled. Darren was coming onto the route. He tried to catch a Pidgey but it escaped. So he got a Ratata. He was turning the corner when he met her. He tried to walk by but she turned and stared at him. Finally he asked, “What?” “Are you a trainer too?” she asked. “Um, Yeah.” “What Pokemon did you get?” She was eyeing his Poke’ball now. “Eevee.” Said Darren, not wanting to let Eevee out. “Cool. Wanna have a Pokemon battle?” Darren thought of an excuse. “Well, I’m in a hurry…” “Aw c’mon I saw you walking on the route. You’re not in a hurry you’re just a scaredy cat. Na na na na na…” Darren was getting steamed. “Okay I’ll battle. One on One.” The girl smiled. “I knew my charms couldn’t be ignored. I’m Melina.” “You mean blackmail…” mumbled Darren. “Go, Squirtle!” “I choose you Eevee.” Said Darren without much enthusiasm. “Squirtle, Water Gun!” The Squirtle aimed carefully and fired. “Eevee, dodge it and use Quick Attack!” Darren was getting into it. Eevee jumped out of the way and sped up to hit Squirtle. “Oh no you don’t Withdraw and Tackle!” Squirtle got in its shell and rolled into Eevee, who fell away into the sand. “Eevee, you can do it! Sand Attack!” Eevee got up and kicked sand into Squirtle’s eyes. Squirtle was blinded. “Now Bite!” Eevee ran over and, with one mighty chomp, bit Squirtle and made it faint. “Wow, you’re good. What’s your name?” “Darren. Darren Westcott.” “Well Darren, you must be headed to Viridian, right? Can I come with you? It’s awfully lonely.” Darren sighed. “Well…” Melina did her best puppy dog face. “Please?” “Okay, but don’t cause-“ “Trouble? Make that double!” Melina and Darren spun around to see Team Rocket! “To win all battles with power and might! To make all people shake with fright! To put your Pokemon in our pocket! Listen world, our name’s Team Rocket!” “Koji!” “Jeni!” “You think you’ll win, but you cannot! We’ll watch you give your best shot!” Melina stared at them. “What, girl?” “That was really corny.” The two villains fell down. “Oh, you’ll see corny! The boss told us to get rid of beginning trainers!” “Hey I’ve got myself six cool Pokemon! I’m no beginner!” The two evil grunts laughed. “And what about your quiet boyfriend?” Melina blushed. “He’s not my boyfriend!” Darren looked at the two Rocket members. “They’re nothing. I’ve read about them.” They fell down again. “Okay, Go Grimer!” yelled Koji. “I choose you Seviper!” screamed Jeni. “Oh, another weird Pokemon!” cried Darren. “This Pokemon is only found in the Hoenn region, kid. Get ready to see its powers!” “That’s no fair! Your Pokemon are at higher levels! Let’s show ‘em, Ratata and Pidgey!” smiled Melina. “Go, Eevee!” yelled Darren. Suddenly they heard a loud squawk. “Fearow, Whirlwind them away!” Some strong wind blew away the Team Rocket grunts. “It looks like we’re blasting off! But we’ll be back!” They cried. A boy about 12 appeared with the Fearow, but it seemed to hate him. “Oh hi, I’m Jared. I was attacked by T.R before, and they stole my Geodude!” Melina was eyeing Jared’s Fearow. “Um, is this Fearow at a high level?” “Yeah, about Level 20. I let it battle in every single battle. If it lost, I would heal it and continue training until it evolved. I’ve been to Pewter, but I need to get to Cerulean.” “We’re headed that way, too. Wanna join us?” Melina seemed to be adding guests to Darren’s party continuously. “Okay, let’s go.” Said Darren.