Big Dreams for the Big City

"It's time!" Tan yelled triumphantly, slinging his pack over his shoulder. The thirteen-year-old boy was in his bedroom on the top floor of his Lavender Town residence. The room was filled with little furniture beyond the basics, but the walls were plastered with many posters of various Pokemon and famous trainers. He had just finished packing for the start of his official Pokemon journey.

His partner, Elekid, stood near the door, his arms spinning in anticipation. Tan grinned as he marched over to the door. "It's time, Elekid! Are you ready?!"

"Ellie, El!" Elekid yelled excitedly, his grin mirroring Tan's. After years of searching, just a few days ago Tan had met Elekid. Since then, he had been preparing to go on his journey. He couldn't wait to get started.

"You know the drill, Elekid," he said, pulling the yellow Pokemon's Pokeball out of his pack. "get in the ball! I wanna be a serious trainer!"

"Elekid!" Elekid pumped a fist in the air as Tan recalled him into the Pokeball. He smiled down at the Pokeball for a moment before tucking it gently back into his pack.

Without warning, he charged out the door and to the stairs, dashing down to the ground floor. His mother was sitting in the main room, watching television. As she heard him coming down the stairs, she stood up. "It's time?" she asked simply.

Tan nodded, trying to run past her. As he ran, however, she reached out and grabbed a hold of him, pulling him in for a hug. "Be safe, Tan. Don't hesitate to call me or your father if you need anything at all." She kissed him on the forehead.

"Yeah, mom, I know!" Tan wiggled out of her grip. He ran over to the door and opened it. Before he headed out, however, he paused and glanced back, giving his mom a thumbs-up. "I'll make you proud, mom!" With that, he ran out the door.

Tan ran through the town. He knew exactly where he wanted to go. He was going to head west, through Route 8, and get to Saffron City. Saffron was much bigger than Lavendar Town, so Tan knew that's where a lot of good trainers would be. He could make his name there, and maybe get started on the Pokemon League challenge.

Tan wasn't afraid of trainers or wild Pokemon! When he finally arrived at Route 8, he saw the world stretch out before him and couldn't help but smile. He was finally on his way! He couldn't let this opportunity pass him by!

He didn't pause to consider his options, charging straight through on the straightest path he could. He could feel the energy that surged through him, the adrenaline pumping as he felt better than he ever had before. Be it trainer or wild Pokemon, he was prepared for any challenge, assured that he could achieve victory.

"Aha!" Tan yelled, spotting the Bellsprout as it lashed out at him. Unfortunately, this did not prevent him from taking a tumble as the vines hit his calves, stinging a significant amount. Tan tumbled forward into the grass, his face slamming into the ground. "Ow..." he muttered, rubbing his head as he pushed himself up. "You're in for a beating, you plant!" he said, reaching back into his pack for Elekid's Pokeball.

"Time to make your battling debut!" Tan tossed the Pokeball into the air, a bright flash of white releasing Elekid onto the ground in front of him. Elekid smirked as he spotted the angry Bellsprout. He began to spin his arms, charging up his electricity. "Let's see what this guy's got! Give him a nice Leer while you're charging up!"

"Elllll!" Elekid yelled, narrowing his eyes and leering angrily at the Bellsprout. His anger at the Bellsprout for attacking his trainer shone through in his glaring eyes.

Elekid's arms stopped spinning as he got slammed with the stream of seeds from the Bellsprout, knocking him off balance. Tan clenched his hand into a fist, pointing angrily at the Bellsprout. "This fool doesn't know who he's messing with! Elekid, get around those seeds with a speedy Quick Attack!"

Elekid dove to the side, holding up an arm to shield himself from further seed bombardment. With incredible speed he suddenly bolted forward, sneering at the Bellsprout he was charging towards. "Elekid!" he yelled as he ran.

Tan cried in triumph as the Quick Attack made contact. "We've so got this! Keep it up Elekid!" His yells were cut short, however, when Bellsprout counter attacked, catching Elekid off guard with a Vine Whip. The plant Pokemon's vines wrapped around Elekid's legs and hoisted him off the ground, swinging Elekid back towards the ground. "Ellll!" the Pokemon yelled, its arms flailing.

"Elekid!" Tan yelled, taking a worried step forward. "Shock 'im! Make him let you go!" Elekid grimaced in concentration as he was slammed into the ground, loosing a Thundershock in an attempt to release himself from Bellsprout's grip. The Thundershock wasn't necessarily aimed at Bellsprout or it's vines, but instead just fired off without aiming.

The Bellsprout continued seemed to be quite pleased with it self, throwing the Elekid hard into the dirt. The Thundershock that was let loose was a much weaker one considering what he could ripped out. The accuracy of the shock was dead on, hitting the Bellsprout with its full force.. The puff of dust and grass exploded as the shock hit. As the dust and dirt began to settle, you could see that the Bellsprout had been finished. Fainted, it squealed one last "Bell~" as it fainted.

With the satisfaction of defeating the Bellsprout, Tan could move on to Saffron to start his pokemon journey.

Elekid gained 10 Exp! Elekid leveled up to level 11!

Tan smirked, running over to make sure Elekid was okay. "You did it, buddy!" he said, holding out his hand to recieve a high-five from his Pokemon. Elekid smirked weakly back, tapping Tan's outstretched palm with its own.

"Ell," he muttered, pushing himself back to his feet. Tan rummaged around in his bag, glancing at the Bellsprout. He pulled out a Pokeball.

"What do you think, Elekid? Is this guy strong enough to join us?" Elekid looked over at the Bellsprout, his hands on his knees as he breathed heavily. He looked at Tan and straightened up, wiping his hand across his mouth.

"Elekid, Ellie, Ellie." he said, turning away from the Bellsprout and folding his arms indignantly.

Tan pushed the Pokeball back into his bag, rummaging around for another Pokeball. "You're right, Elekid. He had spirit, but I don't think he could keep up with us." Tan pulled out Elekid's Pokeball. "Good work, Elekid! I knew you were the perfect partner." With that, Elekid turned into a beam of red light, streaking back into the Pokeball.

Tan pulled his pack back onto his back, taking a final glance at the fallen Bellsprout before taking off again, dashing through the grass. Saffron City, here Tan comes!