older than Erik by several years. He wasn’t too much taller, though, and they had similar

builds. He had mid-length hair that was just brushing his eyebrows, dyed a bright blue.

The boy’s eyes were a startling purple, and they seemed to glow. He was standing in the

field, patiently waiting for something. It almost seemed as if he were waiting for Erik.

He had on long, baggy blue jeans, held up by something that was concealed by his

black shirt. Over the shirt was a brown vest, with black pockets and seams. The black of

his vest matched the boy’s tennis shoes. Even the shoestrings were black.

He stood much as Erik was standing now. After a moment of silence, the boy

spoke.

"Come with me." He said, turning and walking into the woods.

"Yeah, sure. First TR tries to kill me, knocking out almost all my Pokémon, and

then I’m supposed to follow some kid I don’t even half know into the woods. Great

day." He mumbled, but followed.

When he caught up with the boy, Erik glanced at the older boy. Whoa, Erik

thought, major purple. It was all he could do not to stare at the eyes. They seemed to

command attention.

As for the older boy, he simply brushed some hair aside, and continued in silence.

After a few moments, he lead Erik into a building.

It was hardly a building; it was a one room hut, unfurnished except for a knee-

high table. Into one of the walls was built three shelves. One held books, and the others

all held different kinds of things. Erik guessed they were for Pokémon, because he

recognized several from the Viridian City Mart.

The boy walked to the shelves and pulled out three Super Potions and three

regular Potions.

"Heal your Pokémon." He said. "And then we will battle." He held the items out,

and Erik used them to heal all of his Pokémon to full health. The boy again led him,

wordlessly, outside, and back to the field Erik had first met him in.

"Thank you." Erik said. The boy looked at him strangely.

"No thanks is required." He said. "I know you will need help to understand this

world, and that is why I’m here. But I will not join you unless you beat me in a Pokémon

battle."

Erik nodded, eager ton have a friend to travel with. "Then let’s get going."

The boy spoke, pulling out a Pokéball. Erik did likewise. "We will have an all-

out battle. No limit to the number of Pokémon used, and no time limit. Understood?"

Erik grinned and nodded. "Very well. "Matt chooses, Pidgeot!" he yelled, throwing the

Pokéball. As it hit the ground, a Pidgeot streamed up, forming from energy as it flew

above them.

Erik reared back. "Are you ready? Buttergirl, let’s go!" Erik called, throwing

Buttergirl’s Pokéball onto the ground. Buttergirl squealed as it was released.

"Free euiee!" it said.

"Pidgeot!" Matt called. "Wing Attack!"

Pidgeot dove down towards Buttergirl. Buttergirl moved aside, but Pidgeot hit it

hard with it’s wing.

"Buttergirl!" Erik called, concerned. Buttergirl got back up, determined to win.

"Fly!" Matt yelled, and Pidgeot Flew up to where it was just a dot.

"Buttergirl! Fly up near it and use Whirlwind!" Erik called.

Matt laughed as Buttergirl flew up to Pidgeot. As Buttergirl started to create a

strong wind, he started to say, "Don’t you know Whirlwind only blow wild Pokémon

away? I’m gonna-" he was cut short by Pidgeot being blown down and crash landing at

his feet. Buttergirl floated down, joyous with winning.

Matt stared at Pidgeot for a moment. Then he looked at Erik. Thrusting out a

Pokéball, he grimaced. "Pidgeot, return." He said. Returning Pidgeot to his belt, and

pulling out another Pokéball, he threw it, calling "Alright! Flying is down, so let’s go

Onix! Dig!"

The Pokéball struck the ground, split, and froze, releasing a large amount of

energy. Erik felt his mouth slowly opening as a two story, rock snake appeared. Its face

had perpetually angry eyes, complete with a horn.

"Buttergirl, return!" Erik called. The red beam hit Buttergirl dead center and

brought her back. Pulling another Pokéball, he threw it, crying, "Bulby, let’s end this

now. Go!"

Bulby was released, and it looked like a pebble next to Goliath. But, size

mattered not, for Erik knew that the Grass type had an advantage over the Rock type.

"Bulby! No chances! Solar Beam, now!" he cried. To his complete surprise, he

made out Matt’s face paling.

As for Bulby, it hunched back on its hind legs. The sun seemed to glow ever so

much brighter, and light, seemed to bend. But, a wind started to kick up, and the green

bulb on Bulby’s back started to get brighter and brighter until it was almost white.

Suddenly thrusting his weight forward, a two foot wide beam of pure light energy blew

it’s way through the air with a deafening rip. The beam struck Onix, and blew the giant

rock Pokémon back, the beam continuing where it had been. Onix fell slowly down,

crashing to the ground beside its trainer, causing what Erik considered a three-point-

something earthquake.

Matt recalled Onix, and jogged over to shake Erik’s hand. "Good match." He

said. "Good match."

They continued together, Matt grabbing his pack from the hut, locking the door

behind him. Not that it would have helped. It was practically falling apart anyway.

They continued, and Matt explained one thing, mostly keeping quiet.

"I was once told, ‘The second line is: Who am I? What do I do? You’ll find out

once you get all ten clues!’ and told to give you this." He said, handing Erik a small piece

of green metal. It was like the one Erik had on his medallion, but it had a different

symbol. Erik pulled out his medallion and placed the piece next to the first one. There

was brief burst of light, and it was sealed in place.

Together, talking about their lives, they walked, on towards Pewter City, and the

first of the eight Gyms. Soon, Erik thought, Soon.