There is absolutely nothing else for me to do in this boring town, so I make my way to the first route. After a brief conversation with a young girl, I step into the route to see Professor Birch being chased screaming by an amorous Zigzagoon. I cock my head in confusion. Certainly a respected Professor wouldn't be intimidated by a zigzaggy raccoon with salacious intentions.
Birch tells me that there are three Pokeballs in his bag, and to choose one. This decision takes me no time at all. Treecko never appealed to me in any way whatsoever, and Mudkip, while cute and offering an easy way through the game, is not a Milotic (not even a little). Clearly, Torchic is the way to go.
Me and my Torchic save Birch's sorry arse with a single scratch, thanks to an opportune crit. Such an occurrence makes one wonder why Birch couldn't send it packing with a harsh word.
No matter. We're brought back to Birch's lab, where he grants me the Torchic as thanks and offers the option to nickname it. My eyes light up. Nicknaming is one of my favorite things to do in Pokemon, and this Torchic promises to be with me for a long while.
After naming the Torchic Captain (after the man that Falcon Punched his way into our hearts in Super Smash Bros), I make my way down Route 101. After beating up the route's population of Poochyenas, I go to Oldale Town and buy a few Potions. Following that, I go to Route 103, and face May. She has a Mudkip, but that's less troubling than it sounds for Captain, as the only attacking move he has at this point is Scratch. Immediately after beating him, he learns Ember! I feel so proud.
Following the fight, I have to schlep all the way back to the lab to get the Pokedex and Pokeballs. After this, mum gives me Running Shoes with oddly specific instructions, and I catch a Zigzagoon that I name Stardust. She promises to be useful for Pickup, but I'm not sure whether to level her up or not. Sure, she'll pick up better items, but...frankly, it's not like she'll set the world ablaze with her combat prowess. (And Zigzagoons are so cute. :3)
Party:
Captain the Torchic, Level 10
Stardust the Zigzagoon, Level 5
(Sorry I didn't get as far as I promised. I'm writing everything up to beating the Rustboro Gym in retrospect.)
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