Pixelated (Rated PG-13 just in case)

[DoubleDeuce]

Pixelated​

Table of Contents going to be up later

Shades of Your Journey Await

"Grant, wake up! You're going to be late," Mom yelled as she shook me.

As I slowly opened my eyes and my surroundings came to me, I jolted up realizing that today was the day! I was finally going to follow in my brother's footsteps and become a Pokemon trainer!

"Do you WANT to be late?"

I ran into the bathroom and grabbed my toothbrush. Hurriedly, I rushed back into my room and got dressed while simultaneously getting dressed. Finally, I grabbed my hat and took off to Professor Oak's laboratory next door.

"Bye Mom!" I yelled as I raced out the door, but I did not hear a response as I was long gone before she could even think of a response.

I pounded through the door to the lab, and I ran smack into a tall, lanky boy. His un-brushed dark blonde hair danced in the wind that came in through the door.

"Hey, watch it!" He yelped. "Oh hey, Grant. You barely made it on time!"

I just smiled at him as I looked around. Most of the children in the neighborhood were here. There was me, Austin, one of my schoolmates named Brian, and a few others that I wasn't very familiar with.

I heard stories from my parents about years ago, when my brother first became a trainer. Each year there were only three children from Pallet Town that got to become Trainers, with each getting a Charmander, Squirtle, or a Bulbasaur. Those three Pokemon were, and still are, known as Starter Pokemon. My brother chose a Charmander. I wanted to be just like him, so of course that's who I wanted.

"I am quite sure that ALL of you know what Pokemon are, and are well aware of the choices you have today. In case you don't, you can choose between the grass-type Bulbasaur, the fire-type Charmander, or the water-type Squirtle," began the Professor, "However, supplies are limited, so if you have one of the last picks, I am dearly sorry, but you may not get the one you desire."

I do not think anyone of us was actually paying attention to him, because I know for sure I wasn't. Soon enough, he stopped talking and the selections were commencing!

"The order you pick in is already decided. First pick is: Tina Lafayette!"

I didn't know Tina very well, in fact I had never spoken to her. I had only seen her around school before. As expected, she screamed with glee. She shouted out SQUIRTLESQUIRTLESQUIRTLE over and over, obviously indicating her choice.

Next up was Brian's pick. He chose the Pokemon I was going to, a Charmander. He released it from its Pokeball and there stood the orangish-red lizard-like creature in all its glory. I couldn't help but smile as I looked at the serene animal; he seemed so calm and innocent.

"All right! The first step to becoming the greatest Trainer ever!" Brian shouted as he ecstatically pumped his fist in the air.

One by one, each of the children picked their Pokemon. Austin ended up picking a Squirtle too, just like that girl Tina. I was growing more and more disheartened when most everyone was picking before me. But before I knew it, it was my turn! I finally got my Charmander. Or so I thought.

"I'm sorry, Grant, but we are out of Charmander."

Those words cut into me like a steel dagger. A painful knot gathered in my stomach, and I actually thought I was about to vomit. After gathering my thoughts, I dejectedly muttered "Bulbasaur," It was better than nothing.

I grabbed the Pokeball he handed to me and, with my head lowered, slowly walked to a corner and hunched down. After everyone had picked, Professor Oak dismissed us. We were now free to journey forth and raise our Pokemon, for the good or for the bad.

 

[Pseudonym]

This is good, it's a typical Pokémon Trainer route which has some extra elements that shows it's got some potential if you make the right choice here. The vocabulary is good, I can't deny it, but try to describe more the characters (both human and Pokémon) as your story develops. Other thing, make sure Grant has someone to travel with or meeting Tina, Austin and Brian and other non-important characters(like GM does with Rival's Story, as I'm sure you're following his story). Also, be sure to clarify some things that aren't clear in the first chapters, but will be in later chapters. That calls the reader's attention.

The last thing: I like the story in first person. Mine is in first person too, and I've learned that it's way more challenging than in third person because explaining feelings from other characters is harder if your character can't detect them. Give personality to your characters, and, as bonus, make Grant think something about that description that details how the character really is and how Grant describes it.

I know these things are hard, even I with my story can't afford them all, but try to apply them at the maximum and be sure to keep the plot interesting.

As Fire says: I may be in your poo list, but this is to make you improve in your writing, because believe me: If you read a story that you think is typical but in the end you discover it's not, that'd be great. I'll keep reading.

 

[DoubleDeuce]

This is good, it's a typical Pokémon Trainer route which has some extra elements that shows it's got some potential if you make the right choice here. The vocabulary is good, I can't deny it, but try to describe more the characters (both human and Pokémon) as your story develops. Other thing, make sure Grant has someone to travel with or meeting Tina, Austin and Brian and other non-important characters(like GM does with Rival's Story, as I'm sure you're following his story). Also, be sure to clarify some things that aren't clear in the first chapters, but will be in later chapters. That calls the reader's attention.

The last thing: I like the story in first person. Mine is in first person too, and I've learned that it's way more challenging than in third person because explaining feelings from other characters is harder if your character can't detect them. Give personality to your characters, and, as bonus, make Grant think something about that description that details how the character really is and how Grant describes it.

I know these things are hard, even I with my story can't afford them all, but try to apply them at the maximum and be sure to keep the plot interesting.

As Fire says: I may be in your poo list, but this is to make you improve in your writing, because believe me: If you read a story that you think is typical but in the end you discover it's not, that'd be great. I'll keep reading.

Thanks man. Description is one of my weak points, but I'm ALWAYS looking to improve. I'm going to try and explain things as best as possible, and I've already got a plan for the ending that I THINK is original. It'd be impossible to read through every story on here and find if it's been done before, but I doubt it. Thanks for the constructive criticism.

 

[DoubleDeuce]

Pixel

“What’s wrong, Grant?” asked a strange, yet familiar voice. I turned around to see a beautiful girl. She had long brown hair and sparkling hazel eyes. I recognized her as a girl named Ashlee, one of my schoolmates. “You look upset.”

“It’s nothing.”

“Oh, it’s definitely something. Come on, you can tell me,” She smiled at me.

“Well I really wanted a Charmander like my brother, but all I got was this Bulbasaur.”

“I’m not sure he’d like you talking about him like that. After all, he IS a living being.”

I thought about it, and she was exactly right. Why be upset I didn’t get what I wanted? Who knows, maybe I had something better than a Charmander. This Bulbasaur and I might make the greatest duo in Kanto!

I guess she could sense my sudden change of demeanor, because she giggled and walked off. After her leave, I saw an athletic dark-haired boy walking towards me. This guy was Brian, and he had a determined look in his eyes and a confident smirk on his face.

“I’m glad you didn’t get a Charmander! I don’t want some loser copying me!” He exclaimed.

I clutched the Pokeball on my belt. “Why are you glad? You know I can kick your butt now!”

He noticed my grasp on Bulbasaur, and grabbed his as well. I knew exactly what he wanted. “Sal, GO!”

The cute-cuddly creature I saw earlier in the lab had now become very serious. I guess this was because of the current situation, but I didn’t analyze it too much. One thing I DID notice was that Brian called his Charmander Sal, already giving it a name. I didn’t want to be behind, so I quickly thought about what I could call Bulbasaur. After a few seconds, it came to me.

“Pixel, I choose you!” I tossed the ball onto the ground, and in a flash of light out came my Bulbasaur.

“Pixel? That’s a stupid name!” He roared.

While he was articulating about the intelligence of Pixel’s new name, I took the opportunity to get the first move in. “Pixel, tackle him!”

The teal-colored animal with a plant on his back leaped forwards and pounded into Sal, knocking him backwards in the process.

Brian sneered at me, and commanded a scratch attack.

“Tackle !” I ordered. Pixel dove into the Charmander, but as Sal was falling backwards he swiftly swiped his claws across Pixel, who let out a yelp of pain.

“Fight through it Pixel, and tackle him again!” Pixel did just as I asked, and brought Sal to the ground once again. Sal struggled to get up, but once he finally did, he collapsed to the ground unconscious.

“Eh, you got lucky! Sal, return!” Brian opened up the Pokeball and beamed the fainted Pokemon back inside of it. “You won’t win next time!”

Next time. Those words rung through my head. He was so sure that we’d battle again in the future. Thinking it over, so was I. I had officially found my rival, or at least the primary one.

Brian stormed off angrily; he was perceptibly distressed that he lost his first ever battle. I looked down to my little warrior, and saw him grinning up at me, despite having painful bruises on his side. I returned him to his resting place with an enormous sense of self-worth and confidence. I stood there staring into nothing thinking about the legacy I was about to create.

My brief lapse of attention was suddenly brought to a halt by a shouting Austin. “HELP!”

I heard it coming from the town exit. I raced over there to find out what was going on, and he was simply being attacked by a small, wild bird. I recognized it as a Pidgey, and they are generally weak.

“Use your Squirtle, stupid!” I shouted, jokingly.

“I can’t! He ran away!”

I put my palm to my face wondering how Austin could just let his Pokemon escape. But I thought I’d ask later and help now.
“Pixel, take out that bird!” Pixel leaped forward and tackled it to the ground, then proceeded to pummel it until it fainted and disappeared into the long grass. “You okay?”

He nodded. “Now let’s find your Squirtle.”

 

[DoubleDeuce]

Giving Chase


“Which way’d he go?” I inquired.

Austin pointed to a small gap, too small for us to fit through, in-between two trees.

“Is there any way around those things? I don’t see one.” I looked around and around hoping to find a way past them. “Maybe a little bit down Route 1 will have it. I’ll be your personal bodyguard,” I said with a smirk and a wink.

We inched through the tall, tall grass and hoped to not get jumped. However, a few times a purple rat-like Pokemon known as Rattata and more Pidgey came at us. It wasn’t a problem so much as an annoyance, as Pixel took care of them soundly.

Eventually, we made it to a town. It was a large, bustling city, especially when it was compared to the tranquility that was Pallet Town. This was Viridian City. There were many buildings, some of which I recognized, others I didn’t. One of the biggest here was a red-topped building with a Pokeball symbol on it. This was obviously the Pokemon Center, and our best bet to see if anyone knew anything about our missing Squirtle. We walked in there, not only to find out about Squirtle, but also to heal Pixel.

“Welcome to our Pokemon Center. Would you like me to heal your Pokemon back to perfect health?”

I nodded, and handed her my sole Pokeball. She stuck it into the machine and in about five seconds the machine stopped and she returned him to me. “So have you seen a wild Squirtle anywhere around here? He escaped from my friend here, and we are looking for him.”

She shook her head. “I’m sorry, but no I haven’t. Maybe if you ask around town someone will have seen him!”

We nodded, and Austin looked saddened. We turned around, and right before we stepped out of the door, we heard a voice say “A lost Squirtle, you say?”

I looked back, and there stood a massive, middle-aged man. His hairline was beginning to recede, and I could see hints of grey appearing. “I seen ‘em.”

“Really? Are you sure?” Austin questioned. He was practically jumping, apparently very excited.

“I was actually trying to capture him, but the little rascal got away. That Squirtle o’ yours, boy he was determined. He took out most of my party, yes he did. He’s a man on a mission; there was no stoppin’ ‘em.” Austin looked to the ground in sadness.

“But don’t you fret, I gots an idea of where he might be!”

“And just where is that, mister?” Austin asked, still gloomily.

“Cerulean City’d be my guess. Lots of water trainers there, yes there is.” The man answered, and then left the building.

“Well, we now have a destination. Let’s go straight to Cerulean and find my Squirtle!”

“What do you mean we?” I said.

“Aren’t you coming with me?” He was blatantly horrified.

“I’m here to beat gym leaders and win badges, not go on a goose hunt. You know where to go; you can find him yourself.”
“How am I gonna get there? I need a bodyguard! You can’t just abandon your friends!”

“Either find someone else to take you, or stay with me but go at my pace.” He angrily stormed off, unsure of where he was going. I simply shrugged it off. After all, this was the real world; we need to look out for ourselves.

Before I could plan my next move, my phone began to ring. I looked at the caller ID, and it was an unknown number. “Hello?”
“Hello, Grant, this is Professor Oak calling. I’d like you to return to my lab as soon as possible because I have something for you. That is all.”

My face lit up. What could he possibly have for me? I grabbed my gear, and rushed off back to Pallet Town, just perplexing over what it could be.

 

[DoubleDeuce]

The Pokedex​

Upon arrival in Pallet Town, I noticed most of the trainers who received their starter were here. Did the Professor have something for all of them? We all managed to squeeze inside the lab, where Professor Oak was standing firm. He had a suitcase, presumably with what he had for us inside.

“Hello Trainers. I’ve called you all back here because in my old age, I’m getting senile, and I forgot to give you perhaps the most important object of your journeys.” He said with a jolly laugh. “I almost forgot about the Pokedex! I’m sure you are all well aware of what it is, but if you aren’t, it is an invaluable tool given to trainers of exceptionable potential. It is a high-tech encyclopedia that stores information about every Pokemon in existence. However, they are VERY expensive to make so we have a limited supply. Four to be exact.”

“Well then, who gets them?” Brian shouted out.

“I was getting to that,” Professor scolded. “Since there are twelve of you, only the best four can get a Pokedex. Therefore, we are going to hold a tournament of sorts to determine who truly deserves it. Since you are all beginning your journeys, we aren’t going to hold it today. It shall be in one week’s time, so report here in a week and give it your best! Until then, goodbye!”

We all exited the lab and were going to continue our journey, when I walked up to Austin.

“Sorry about back in Viridian. My anticipation got the best of me.”

“Whatever,” he said, still mad.

“But I have got one question: how exactly did you get back without me guarding you?” I was actually curious.

“I guilt-tricked the owner of the Mart to give me a Pokeball,” he said with a mischievous grin. “So I went out and caught me a Weedle.”

“A Weedle? Really? They’re one of the weakest Pokemon out there!” I jokingly put him down. It appears he had now gotten over the incident in Viridian City, and now we were joking around like good buddies again.

“Well, we need to hit the road. Neither of us are gonna win this tourney if we don’t train!”

Just a few hours after departing Pallet Town, we had once again arrived in Viridian City. On the trip over, we found some money and split it so that we could hit the Poke Mart. We each bought the usuals including potions, antidotes, Pokeballs, and things like that.

We both decided to not battle any Gym Leaders until (hopefully) getting a Pokedex. We would focus entirely on training and gaining new Pokemon. Of course, I most likely wouldn’t know many Pokemon at all because of the lack of a Pokedex. This made winning the tournament a necessity and the extraneous training would make the first few Gym battles exponentially easier.

“So where should we start training? Route 1 or 22?” Austin inquired.

“I think we should hit up 22. After all, I’m pretty sure we’ve seen all the first route has to offer with that being a bunch of Pidgey and Rattata.”

Austin concurred, so we left west out of Viridian. My mom had already told me much about the world and the region of Kanto. I knew Route 22 lead to the Pokemon League, where you could face off against the Elite Four. That would be impossible now, not just because we are beginners, but also the fact that they will not let you in without all eight badges of Kanto. So this was practically a dead end, but it was good for the experience.
So what happens next? Find out in the next chapter of Pixelated!

***Sorry for the short chapter, it’s just filler for what comes next***