Disclaimer: Don’t own Pokemon or any intellectual properties tied to its name and franchise, but I own Josie Sheridan and miscellaneous characters I make up for her to battle…except gym leaders :D.

A/N Having thought the whole TM/HM thing through, I’ve decided that in my story HM’s will come naturally, because, for example, things like surf should come naturally to water Pokemon and the like anyway. As for TM’s…well Josie’s already taught Charmander and Rattata dig, so you get where I’m going, TM’s are moves that the trainer teaches the Pokemon. So I'm having gym leaders give out advice on moves rather than TM's. I think it’ll help my character’s bonding with her Pokemon and it’ll make for more training scenes, which I actually enjoyed writing.

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“Phew,” Josie said as they entered the Pewter city Pokemon centre. “Can’t wait to have a good night’s sleep in a proper bed.”

Snap had to laugh. “You’ll get used to the outdoor life soon enough, I’m pretty sure your Pokemon will help you with that.”

“They already are,” she smiled. “Charmander’s great at lighting my fires for me and Spearow found a stream for me to wash in yesterday. I’m glad to have such great Pokemon.”

“Char,” Charmander agreed.

“Well, you look after them and they’ll look after you, that’s Professor Oak’s philosophy I believe,” Snap said.

“Sure is,” Josie said. “Oh speaking of which, I’d better call him, I need to transfer a Pokemon.”

“You have more than six already?” Snap asked. “Pretty good, a Pokemon you’re going to use in your battle tomorrow?”

“No,” Josie said, slightly sad. “I don’t really want to have to trade any Pokemon, but I can only carry six at a time. I want to trade my Pidgey for the Pikachu I caught in the Viridian forest. I need to train it up before Cerulean City and I figured there’ll be Zubats in Mount Moon to train it with.”

“Why you saying it?” Snap enquired.

“Well,” she scratched the back of her head. “I was so caught up in the battle I wasn’t sure if the Pikachu was a boy or a girl.”

Snap sweat dropped a little. “Well I’m sure Oak will tell you. You go call him while I sort out parts of my article, got you and a few other trainers to write about.”

“Yeah thanks,” she smiled, walking up to the vidphone and dialling Professor Oak’s number. The vidphone came to life after a few rings as Professor Oak answered. “Heya Professor,” Josie smiled.

“Ahh Josie,” he smiled in return. “How are you and Charmander doing?”

“Charmander,” the Pokemon yelled happily, which the professor smiled at.

“Good I see,” he smiled. “Are you at Pewter City?”

“Yeah I am,” she smiled. “To be honest I thought it’d take longer to get through Viridian forest.”

“You must have stuck pretty close to the track, it’s a maze but pretty easy to navigate as long as you don’t get too far off track. Oh both your Caterpie and Pikachu are doing fine if that’s what you’re calling about.”

“They are? That’s great!” she exclaimed happily. “Actually I called so I could get my Pikachu.”

“She’s a feisty one that one, very fast,” he said. Josie made an instant note of this. “Who are you sending here?”

“I’m gonna send over my Pidgey if that’s ok Professor.”

“That’s fine,” he laughed. “See the little machine next to the phone? Just place Pidgey’s poke ball in there and I’ll start the transfer.”

Sadly, she unhitched Pidgey’s poke ball looking at it, Professor Oak saw this and smiled.

“Josie,” he said. “I know it’s hard for you to do this, but Pidgey will be well looked after and I’m sure he’ll understand. Pokemon are good like that. You can bring him back anytime.”

“I know Professor,” she said. “Still…” she looked at the ball. “See you later Pidgey, be good for the Professor.” She finally set the ball on the machine.

“Alright,” Professor Oak smiled. “Beginning transfer now.”

Sure enough Pidgey’s poke ball disappeared in a spark of electricity. The vidscreen changed, showing the progress of the transfer. Josie watched fascinated until a new poke ball materialised next to her.

“Got Pikachu Professor,” she said, holding up the evidential ball.

“And I have Pidgey,” he said, releasing the Pokemon for Josie to see.

“Be good Pidgey,” Josie said. “I’ll call soon ok?”

The Pidgey cooed in understanding, settling on the professor’s shoulder. “Well,” Oak said. “I won’t keep you, rest well and I hope your first gym battle goes well. See you later Josie, Charmander.”

“Char,” the Pokemon replied as Josie waved and the screen went blank. Josie turned to her Pokemon.

“Do you think that was the right thing to do Charmander?”

Charmander smiled in sympathy. “Char-man-der,” it nodded.

“Thanks Charmander,” she smiled. “I just hope Pidgey understands,” she sighed looking at Pikachu’s poke ball. “Anyways,” she said, trying to cheer up. “Lets get signed in for the night eh?”

“Char?” he pointed at the phone again.

“My parents…” Josie trailed off. “Nah lets call them tomorrow, we’ll have a badge to show off then,” she smiled confidently.

“Charmander,” the Pokemon said, seeming to like that idea.

“Still,” Josie said. “You just watch mum over react.”

Charmander laughed, he hoped she would.

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“Welcome to the Pokemon centre,” the Pewter City Nurse Joy smiled as Josie approached the counter.

Josie admitted she had to blink for a second…wow wonder if they ALL looked so alike? “Hiya Nurse Joy, I’m Josie from Pallet Town, just wondering if I could have a bed for the night and a check up for my Pokemon.”

“Of course you can,” the Pewter Nurse Joy said, accepting her Pokemon. “Here for a gym battle?”

“Yep,” Josie smiled. “Hopefully my first badge too.”

“Well I’ll make sure all your Pokemon are ready to go for you first thing,” she smiled reassuringly, pointing to a door. “The dorms are through there, supper is in about two hours.”

“Thanks a lot Nurse Joy,” she smiled, heading through the door as Nurse Joy began the process of checking and healing her Pokemon.

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She settled into the dorm easy, throwing off her pack and sitting, well actually more like flopping onto her bed. A knock on the door disturbed her before she could even begin thinking though.

“Come in,” Josie said, rising to a sitting position as Snap entered through the door.

“Not disturbing anything am I?” he asked.

“Na,” she said reassuringly. “Just settling in, don’t know why I bother, I’ll only be here one night.”

“Well you’ll be pleased to know I’ve compiled and sent out my article,” Snap said, leaning against a wall. “By the time we get to Cerulean the issue should be out. I kept our deal, I only mentioned your parents in passing.”

“I appreciate it Snap, really,” she said. “I just don’t want people thinking I’m better than I am just because of my parents. I know I’m confident in me, and my Pokemon, but I’m still just a rookie.”

He laughed. “I’m sure you’ll make a great trainer Josie, I bet you’ll make the league.”

“Thanks,” she smiled. “Nice to meet someone other than my parents and me who think so.”

“Someone told you there’s no point already? That’s not nice.”

“You can’t be friends and get along with everyone you meet, I suppose I should expect to make enemies, not just friends on my journey.”

“I suppose so,” he said. “Well you’ve got a friend in me. Just out of curiosity, who told you you wouldn’t make it?”

“Kendo Travis of Viridian city,” Josie sighed. “I tried to be nice to him, I really did but…”

“Hey like you said, can’t be friends with everyone. Kendo did see a bit arrogant, he’s one of the trainers that's going to be in my article. I won’t give anything about his team away, that wouldn’t be fair, but you can find out by purchasing the magazine of course,” he smiled wryly.

Josie laughed, she felt much better. “You drive a hard sale Snap, but thanks I feel a lot better.”

“Not a problem,” he said, making a move to leave. “Oh and you can call me Todd, just shush, I don’t let many know my real name, Snap’s kind of like a pen name. Oh and I’ve had to sign in as your travelling companion, non trainers don’t get to stay for free unless they’re travelling with one.”

She laughed again. “If I didn’t know better TODD,” she emphasised his name. “I’d say you were using me.”

“Hey,” he mocked offence. “I’d never do such a thing.” He laughed then. “Freelance work doesn’t pay as much as everyone says.”

Josie laughed back. “It’s ok, I know. See you at supper ok?”

“Sure thing, if you need anything, I’m two doors down on the right.”

She nodded her thanks as he left the room. She chuckled quietly to herself, funny guy, still at least she’d have more company through Mount Moon too, she got a feeling it’d be a great adventure or the both of them, in different ways. She looked out the window, it was dark now, but she could vaguely see a couple of Growlithe on patrol, their path lit by flashlights from the Pewter police force, she wondered if one of the flashlight holders was an Officer Jenny, but she couldn’t see clearly enough. Turning away from the window she though about the trip ahead. Assuming she got her Boulderbadge…no she’d get it she decided, no negativity, she scolded to herself. ONCE she got her Boulderbadge, they’d head to Mount Moon, both Officer Jenny in Vermillion and Todd had said their was suspicious activity in that region, as much as she wanted her new friend to get a scoop, she hoped they wouldn’t get into trouble doing it. She looked at the clock…hmm still well over an hour to kill till supper, might as well have a bath.

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Lying in the soap bubble laden bath, Josie couldn’t help but start thinking about her strategy for tomorrow. It all depended on what Pokemon the gym leader was going to use though. Well nearly every trainer saved their best till last, Diane would probably be best to send out first due to her attacks being weaker, but being faster she was likely to hold her own against the gym leader’s first Pokemon. Derek should be used second, his power would come in handy and most rock Pokemon were naturally slow anyway so with him being small he could have a speed advantage too, plus he’d know the terrain type after that training session to help him. If it came down to a 3 on 3 and both Derek and Diane were out, she had a choice of Rattata or Charmander for back up. Charmander would probably be her best bet, he could dig and use metal claw. So Diane, Derek, and then Charmander if the need arose. She nodded, that was a good idea. Still on the way through Mount Moon there were a few tricks she’d like to try and teach her other Pokemon for Cerulean, after all Trainers were duty bound to help teach their partners new tricks that they might not otherwise learn. She lay her head back, her mind set before sinking into the water slowly to wash her hair, all that thinking meant she only had a half hour to get ready for supper, and, like the typical girl she was, that was so not enough time!

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“Hey Josie,” Todd called out as she ran like a bat out of hell into the lunchroom five minutes late, still brushing her hair. “Thought you’d never get here!”

“Time flies when you’re thinking up strategies,” Josie replied, looking around for Nurse Joy and the food.

“Heh,” Todd said. “You mean time flies for a girl in the bathroom.” He laughed as Josie stuck her tongue out in response. “I got your supper, Nurse Joy is attending an emergency.”

“Oh,” Josie said, taking a seat next to him as he handed her some soup and sandwiches. “Thanks Todd, if I didn’t eat, I get the feeling Charmander would know and ember me.”

“That protective is he?” Todd asked.

“Just keeping a promise he made to my father,” she laughed. “And as my partner.”

Todd smiled. “That’s cool, damn could’ve put that in my article, a Pokemon’s promise.”

“Hey you said you’d keep stuff regarding my parents to a minimum.”

Todd laughed. “Yeah I know, it’d make a great story though.”

“Maybe,” Josie murmured, looking around. “Are we the only ones here or something?”

“Probably,” Todd said. “Not every new Trainer starts out at Pallet to head to here as the nearest gym anymore. The guy at the lab at Cinnabar Island and the guy in the museum lab here give out starter Pokemon on behalf of Oak now too, so a lot are already ahead of you…” Josie gawped…ahead! “Or maybe behind you, can’t see the Cinnabar lot wanting to challenge Blaine right away.”

Josie calmed down then. For a minute there she felt dead last! Todd continued. “Still with travel so good these days, and if you get some good flyers or surfers, you can complete your journey pretty quick these days, assuming you get the badges. Leaves a lot of time to train for the league.”

Josie thought about this, if she could really finish her journey pretty quick it’d be great. The areas around Pallet were great training grounds. There were grassy fields, rocky mountains, lakes, rivers, the sea nearby…pity there was no icy area really, but everything else was there. “Yeah that’d be cool,” she agreed thoughtfully.

“Well rest up,” Todd said, patting her back. “You’ll need all your strength tomorrow.” He left at that, to go to his room probably. Once he was gone, she began patting her chest furiously till she finally gulped down a piece of sandwich she was eating when he patted her back. She breathed in deep, right, smaller bites in future…

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Morning came oh too quickly in Josie’s eyes as she finished putting her hair up into a ponytail. One final look satisfied her and assured her that everything was ok, before picking up her stuff and exiting the room. Snap was already waiting in the reception area along with Charmander.

“I have your other Pokemon right here,” Todd said, handing over her poke balls, which she accepted, attaching them to her belt. “Nurse Joy has another emergency, I think it may have a lot to do with the Mount Moon activity as I saw her on the phone to the Nurse Joy at the centre at the base of Mount Moon.”

“Man, I hope nothing bad is happening to the Pokemon up there,” Josie sighed. “Let’s go get my Boulderbadge and we’ll check it out. If it is Team Rocket like I heard we’ll give them what for won’t we Charmander?”

“Char,” it agreed, leaping onto its backpack perch.

“Well then, let’s go,” Todd said. As they walked out the door he added. “I’ve loaded a film into my camera, hope to get some good battle shots.”

Josie flinched. “Eh, just try not to catch me…ok?”

“Geez stop being so camera shy,” Todd laughed.

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“Wo-oh,” Josie said. “Now that is one impressive building.”

They looked at the pure granite structure of the city’s gym. Todd had seen it all before, but Josie was amazed., how the heck did it stay standing? She shook it off.

“Ready?” Todd asked.

“As I’ll ever be,” she said. “Let’s go!”

“Char,” her Pokemon agreed from its perch.

It took both Todd and Josie to push open the solid doors. Looking inside, you could definitely tell it was a rock gym, the terrain was very similar to that of the quarry. Josie sighed with relief, that training session was worthwhile. Josie stepped up towards the field of sand and jagged rocks and saw a figure in the distance, waiting. He had very dark brown spiky hair, wearing a striped green shirt and rugged jeans, he was quite young, though older than Josie. He had a sense of confidence about him from his loose legs and crossed arm pose.

“If you are a challenger please step forward,” the young man said.

Josie did as she was told, standing at the other edge of the field to him. She felt nervous, but confident, but scared, but…Geez a bit of everything! Still she stood tall, she could do this, and her Pokemon could do this. “I am Josie Sheridan of Pallet Town,” she stated in as confident a voice as she could muster with her mixed emotions, it sounded ok though. “I come to challenge the gym leader for a Boulderbadge so I can continue my journey.” Her Charmander patted her back. Was that a well done?

“Then you have found him,” the boy stated. “I am Jiroo, leader of the Pewter City gym and I accept your challenge. This must be your first gym battle seems as you’re from Pallet, but I won’t be easy,” he said.

“I wouldn’t want it any other way,” Josie smiled, getting her rhythm now.

“Good, this will be a two on two Pokemon battle, no time limit, do you accept those terms?”

“I do,” she said nodding.

“Then,” a voice from above said, causing them both to jump a little. “The terms are set!” A man, who looked like an older version of Jiroo jumped from the platform above the field, landing awkwardly on the sidelines.

Jiroo face palmed. “Dad, please stop doing that, it’s embarrassing!”

“Someone has to referee this match,” the dad responded, shaking the numbness out of his legs and clearing his throat as Todd readied his camera, flash off of course. “This is a two on two Pokemon battle, no time limit. Josie Sheridan, the challenger from Pallet Town versus Jiroo, leader of the Pewter city gym. Choose your first Pokemon!”

Jiroo was fast with his ball, the leader of the gym always traditionally chose first. “Go Geodude!”

In a flash of white the Geodude appeared, battle ready and approached the centre of the field, ready.

“Then,” Josie said, taking a ball from her belt. “I choose you, Diane!”

Diane flew out of her ball, psyched and ready for battle, she too approached the centre line and stood, staring at her rocky opponent.

Both Jiroo and Josie looked ready too, waiting for the old man to declare the battle started. “Geodude versus Nidoran,” the dad announced after what seemed like forever. “Begin!”

“Geodude, tackle attack!” Jiroo immediately commanded, wasting no time.

“Diane, jump and use double kick!” Josie commanded as a counter.

It was right on the money, Geodude weren’t really all that fast so when Diane jumped into a double kick it stood no chance as he tackled straight into it. Geodude was visible shaken as Diane somersaulted landing on her feet.

“Good work Diane,” Josie shouted. “Now poison sting, lets see if we can get them!”

Jiroo looked shocked, he hadn’t expected such strategy from a rookie trainer, especially not one who had no particular type advantage. The poison sting hit it’s mark and got to work, but Geodude still had life in him yet.

“Not bad,” Jiroo said to Josie. “Your Nidoran is very fast.”

She nodded a thanks but wasn’t about to get distracted by compliments now.

“Geodude, use rock throw,” Jiroo commanded and his Geodude immediately went to work throwing rocks that were scattered around the field.

“Dodge them Diane, poison sting’s wearing him down,” Josie said.

She was too late with that command as the first rock hit Diane, but it was a relatively small one and Diane then began to move as quick as she could, bounding round the terrain, a lot faster than Geodude could throw, some of the smaller ones hit her, but she recovered well to Josie’s shouts of encouragement. Jiroo could see Geodude wearing down, one last attempt was all he had.

“Geodude, throw that rock,” Jiroo pointed at a huge rock, which the Geodude lifted with relative ease. Josie’s eyes widened as he prepared to throw it.

“Diane use it to our advantage, try and jump on the rock then go for a double kick!”

They were both using high-risk strategies here, if Geodude hit, he’d win, if Diane even only dodged it, she’d win. Both trainers, the referee and Todd watched anxiously as the rock was thrown. For Josie it seemed to go in slow motion as Diane jumped as ordered. For a second Josie thought she wouldn’t make it, but as she saw Diane’s feet connected with the rock, and she jumped over it as it slammed harmlessly into the ground Diane spun and double kicked Geodude, who fell to the ground, defeated.

“Ah Geodude!” Jiroo mourned as Josie stared in amazement at Diane.

“That was awesome Diane!” Josie shouted. “You rule!”

“Nido!” she cheered, somersaulting.

“Geodude is unable to battle,” the dad said. “First match goes to Josie and her Nidoran.”

Josie smiled, as did Todd, wow these were gonna make great pictures for his portfolio. Charmander also cheered, having jumped down from her backpack.

“Return, Geodude,” Jiroo commanded, recalling his defeated Pokemon back to its ball. “You did well Geodude.” He put the ball away, producing another. “Josie, you’ve done well but I’m afraid that your Nidoran will be no match for my Onix!”

He threw the ball ant the rock snake Pokemon appeared. Wow he was huge, he took centre stage next to him, Diane looked tiny, oh boy!

“Next round,” the dad said. “Onix versus Nidoran. Begin!”

“Onix slam that Nidoran now!” Jiroo ordered, boy was he quick with commands.

“Dodge and poison sting!” Josie commanded, which Diane just barely managed to do.

Damn, Jiroo was expecting double kick, Onix’s slam used its tail, which could have blocked poison sting. Never mind, Onix was a hardy Pokemon. “Onix go underground!”

His Onix immediately obeyed, digging under the field. Uh-oh…”Diane, climb up onto a rock quick!”

Diane did so, but Jiroo smirked. “Onix surface and smash that rock!”

What! Onix hit Diane dead on, she tumbled and fell to the ground. “Diane try and get up!”

Try as she might though it was no use. “Victory in this round goes to Jiroo and Onix!”

Onix roared in triumph, as Josie recalled Diane to her ball. “Good job Diane, that attack will have taken a lot out of him with your poison, have a good rest.” She unhitched her next Pokemon. “Let’s do this, Derek, come on out!”

Her male Nidoran appeared with a practical roar. The fact he was out meant Diane was beaten. “Focus Derek, we’ll do this!”

“Nidoran,” he nodded, taking his place on the field.

“Another Nidoran,” Jiroo enquired. “Variety is the spice of life you know.”

“Derek is as different to Diane as you are to me,” Josie said. “You’ll see!”

“Final battle,” the father called. “Onix versus Nidoran. Begin!”

Josie was gonna be first this time. “Derek horn attack the mid section.”

Derek promptly did as he was told, although the damage wasn’t that great despite Derek’s power, the force of the blow caused Onix to reel back a little, just what she wanted. “Now Derek, double kick the head and jump back as far as you can!”

Derek obeyed, the force of the blow caused Onix to reel right backwards, landing flat on his back. No digging from that position. Derek landed too near his tail for comfort though.

“Iron tail Onix,” Jiroo commanded. The blow hit it’s mark just barely, Derek landed far enough away so that he didn’t feel the full force of the blow. That poison should have really taken a hold by now.

“Derek jump into double kick before it gets up!”

“Harden Onix!” Jiroo shouted. “Then try and get up!”

The double kick connected but the harden helped Onix enough to survive the blow as Derek landed, Josie got one last idea. “Derek, focus energy!”

Derek did as he was told and began gathering together his power for one last big attack.

Jiroo did as Josie was hoping. “Slam Onix!”

As the Pokemon’s rock body began it’s drop Josie gave one final order. “Now Derek double kick!”

Derek obeyed connecting with Onix’s falling body, the focus energy had done its work, allowing Derek’s kick to push Onix’s power back against itself and it again fell on its back. A cloud of dust rose with the force of the Pokemon’s fall, and when it settled…

“Onix is unable to battle,” the dad declared. “The winner of this match is Josie Sheridan and her Nidoran."

Josie blinked, she couldn’t believe it…really. “Derek, you did it!” she said finally regaining her senses and running up to, and hugging the Pokemon. Charmander too, shouted its congratulations from the sidelines.

“Nidoran! Nido!” the Pokemon said, happily.

“Thank you Derek, you have a quick rest and once we’ve finished up here and got out of Pewter city, we’ll celebrate with a big lunch ok?”

“Nido,” he smiled, going back into his ball.

“Those are two well trained Nidoran, and different, just like you said,” Jiroo commended walking up to her having recalled his Onix for a rest. “Well done Josie, I present you with this.” He handed her a polished granite circle and $1500. “The Boulderbadge proves you beat me, congratulations on taking your first steps towards the Indigo league.”

“Thank you so much,” Josie smiled. “It was a great battle, I really enjoyed it, thank you.”

“Hey its what I do,” Jiroo said. “Before you go, a tip on Rock Pokemon, should you get one. Earthquake is a great move for a rock Pokemon to learn, but have them just try throwing their weight around in different terrain. It has different effects each time, it’s a move learnt and taught in Johto called Magnitude.”

“Thanks a lot,” Josie smiled.

“Char,” Charmander also said thanks.

“Not a problem,” he smiled. “Oh and tell your photographer friend he’d better have got my good side.”

Josie sweat dropped. “I’ll be sure to tell him,” she laughed. “Bye!”

She motioned to Todd that they were leaving as Charmander jumped onto her backpack again. As the trio left, the father came over to the son.

“I think she’ll do ok,” Nidoran are good choices against rock types, if she carries on making the right choices, she’ll go far.”

“Yeah,” Jiroo agreed. “I think she thought ahead, unlike Ash, remember that dumb luck!”

The father laughed. “Hey, some people are just born lucky!”

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“Great battle Josie,” Todd commented. “Got some great shots too, at the next Pokemon centre I’ll print you out a few.”

“Thanks,” she smiled. “Oh before we go to Mount Moon, just gotta stop by the mart for more poke balls ok?”

“Not a problem,” he said. “Race ya!” He ran off laughing.

Josie rolled her eyes, starting to run after him. “Cheater!”

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