Chapter 15: Chapter 15: Arrival in Nibi City
It was Gary's fourth day in Viridian Forest. With just one more morning of riding, he would finally leave the dense woods behind. However, his search for a high-potential Pidgey was still fruitless.
"It seems I'll have to use my money for this," Gary muttered.
Although he hadn't found a Pidgey he liked, he wasn't overly concerned. There were many ways to acquire Pokémon. Some trainers caught them in battle, while others built bonds of friendship. However, the simplest and most reliable method, especially for someone with resources like Gary, was purchasing them from breeding houses.
While the Pokémon League strictly prohibited the sale of wild Pokémon, exceptions were made for those bred in licensed breeding houses. These Pokémon were raised by professional breeders and could legally be sold. Many breeders specialized in specific Pokémon, offering high-quality companions for aspiring trainers.
Pidgey, being a common species, was not expensive, and several breeding houses offered them at reasonable prices. Gary decided that if he couldn't find a suitable Pidgey in the wild, he would buy one later.
With this plan in mind, Gary sped up his journey, leaving Viridian Forest behind and arriving at the Pokémon Center in Nibi City by noon.
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Rest and Recovery
"Nurse Joy, please take care of my Pokémon," Gary said as he handed over his Poké Balls.
Although his Pokémon weren't injured, regular checkups were essential. Pokémon Centers not only provided medical care but also routine maintenance and grooming services.
"Don't worry, Mr. Gary," Nurse Joy assured him. "If it weren't for you, the Viridian City Pokémon Center could have faced serious trouble. I'll make sure your Pokémon are well cared for."
Gary nodded, understanding the gravity of the incident back in Viridian City. He knew that word of his actions had likely spread among the Joy family, who ran all the Pokémon Centers in Kanto.
After ensuring his Pokémon were in good hands, Gary headed to the public telephone area. He needed to call Professor Oak, his grandfather and mentor.
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Calling Professor Oak
When Professor Oak's familiar face appeared on the screen, his expression was stern. "Gary, where are you? Why didn't you call sooner?"
Gary scratched his head sheepishly. "Sorry, Grandpa. I've been busy. I just wanted to check in and let you know I'm safe."
He quickly changed the subject. "By the way, do you know anyone in the police department?"
Professor Oak's expression turned serious. "The police? Has Team Rocket targeted you?"
Gary blinked in surprise. "You know about Team Rocket?"
"Of course," Professor Oak replied, his voice grave. "The incident in Viridian City wasn't a small matter. Are they after you?"
"No, no," Gary said quickly, shaking his head. "It's nothing like that. I just wanted to ask if you could help me adopt a Growlithe. You know how hard it is to find wild Growlithe or Arcanine—they're usually raised by Interpol. The only way to get one is by applying through official channels."
Professor Oak relaxed but remained thoughtful. "So, you want to raise an Arcanine... I see. Let me make some calls for you. Wait a moment."
The call ended, and Gary waited patiently. About fifteen minutes later, the phone rang again.
"Grandpa, what's the news?" Gary asked eagerly.
Professor Oak's face reappeared, smiling. "Good news! A nest of Growlithe was recently born at the Cerulean City police station. I've arranged for you to adopt one. When you arrive in Cerulean City, just visit the station and complete the paperwork."
"Thank you, Grandpa!" Gary exclaimed.
It was moments like these that reminded Gary of just how influential Professor Oak was. Even Interpol seemed willing to accommodate his requests.
"By the way," Professor Oak said, "where are you now?"
"I've just arrived in Nibi City. I'm planning to challenge the Nibi Gym tomorrow."
Professor Oak nodded. "The Nibi Gym Leader isn't weak. Even with Squirtle's type advantage, you'll need to be careful."
Gary paused. "Wait, is Brock really that strong?"
Professor Oak chuckled. "Brock is talented, but I wasn't talking about him. The original Gym Leader of Nibi Gym, Flint, is much stronger. He's Brock's father and a highly skilled trainer."
Gary frowned, realizing he had underestimated the gym's difficulty.
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Gym Challenges and History
In truth, most Gym Leaders in the Kanto region were far stronger than they appeared in battles against novice trainers. The acting leaders—like Brock or Misty—were often less experienced. The original Gym Leaders, such as Flint or Misty's father, were trainers of near-elite caliber.
Unfortunately, many of these stronger trainers had stepped back from active duties, leaving their gyms in the hands of successors who sometimes lacked their level of skill.
For example, the Cerulean Gym was once a prestigious water-type training ground. Misty's father had left behind a legacy of powerful water Pokémon. However, his daughters, including Misty, had failed to earn the recognition of those Pokémon, leading to the gym's decline in reputation.
On the other hand, some gyms became too strong for their own good. Blaine, the leader of the Cinnabar Gym, was infamous for battling at full strength in every match. This had discouraged challengers, to the point where the Cinnabar Gym became almost a myth.
"Running a gym is no easy task," Gary thought. "It's a delicate balance of maintaining strength without discouraging trainers from challenging you."
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Preparation for the Gym Battle
"Grandpa, I'll be careful," Gary promised, sensing the concern in Professor Oak's voice.
"Good. By the way, how many Pokémon have you captured so far?"
Gary grinned. "Only four, but they're strong."
He didn't mention his disappointment in not finding a suitable Pidgey or Pidgeotto yet. Instead, he focused on the upcoming battle.
Gary's current team consisted of Squirtle, Metapod, Exeggutor, and Scyther. Each Pokémon had its own strengths, and Squirtle, in particular, had been training hard for this moment.
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Afternoon in Nibi City
After his conversation with Professor Oak, Gary decided to explore Nibi City. It was a quiet town known for its rocky terrain and the Rock-type Pokémon that thrived in the area.
He visited the local Pokémon Mart to stock up on supplies, including Potions and Antidotes. He also purchased some specialty Rock-type feed, hoping it might come in handy after his gym battle.
Later, he stopped by the museum, which was famous for its fossil exhibits. Gary marveled at the ancient remains of Pokémon like Kabutops and Aerodactyl, imagining what it must have been like when they roamed the earth.
"Maybe I'll revive a fossil one day," Gary thought, already envisioning a powerful Aerodactyl on his team.
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Evening Strategy
As night fell, Gary returned to the Pokémon Center. Nurse Joy handed back his Pokémon, assuring him they were all in excellent condition.
Gary headed to his room and began strategizing for the gym battle.
"Brock's team is likely Geodude and Onix," Gary mused. "Squirtle has the type advantage, but I can't rely on that alone. I'll need to be quick and precise."
He also considered using Exeggutor's Confusion to deal with Geodude if necessary, though Onix's sheer size and strength might prove challenging.
Satisfied with his plan, Gary set an early alarm and went to bed, eager to face his first gym challenge.
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Gary's journey was just beginning, but each step brought him closer to his dream of becoming a Pokémon Master. Tomorrow would mark an important milestone, and Gary was determined to succeed.
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