Hard Enough

Chapter 59: Gary sets out!

Chapter 59: Gary sets out!Gary Oak waved at his adoring crowd as the car slowly rolled down the road. Thank you for coming out to see history in the making! Now Im off to begin my pokemon journey!

He could see Ash talking with Gramps about getting his pokemon. For the life of him, Gary couldnt work out which pokemon hed be given.

Gary already had his first pokemon.

A rather cheerful Squirtle, something that would open a lot of doors for him. After all, Squirtle was clearly the superior choice! It had the best versatility while also allowing Gary to power through some of the roughest areas where strong pokemon would exist. With Brock showing off how strong Rock types could be, Gary had re-evaluated his dream team to eventually include one in the top ten. Maybe a Tyranitar like Brock had? Or maybe hed discover an ancient pokemon in his journey? Or he might discover a new pokemon all by himself!

He was going to be the best thing out of Pallet Town in years!

Maybe even become Champ like his grandfather! People all over the world were going to know the name Gary Oak! Hed be following in his parents' and his gramps footsteps, but that wasnt a terrible thing. From what he remembered of his parents. Theyd been great, and everyone said as much Gary glanced down at the car, his stomach rolling as he sat in the back, a driver handling the actual driving.

There were multiple benefits for driving around in a convertible, beyond just being awesome. Hed never told anyone about his fear of cars after the accident, but his gramps had worked it out when he shied away from them passing by or when he had to go on camps. Gramps had never said anything, just clapped him on the shoulder and said it was perfectly normal.

But today he was overcoming it! He was in the car, moving along. At a walking pace perhaps but still in the car! He felt like he was in control as well. He gave the crowd following along another wave.

They were all locals that hed gotten to know around Pallet Town. His gramps had all but pushed him into mowing lawns, painting fences, walking pokemon, minding kids, and other tasks to justify the allowance he was going to be getting. That had sucked big time, but now he was getting to enjoy the benefits of knowing tons of people who could come cheer him on!

It was great! His life was great! He had his pokemon and he was starting his journey!

When they reached the Oak house that was a ways away from the Lab, Gary leapt out of the car and shot the crowd a wave. Thank you! Thank you for coming! Im going to A backpack was shoved into his gut making him gasp and stop talking.

Daisy grinned at him, Stop being a little glory Growlithe and get moving already!

Daisy! I wasnt doing that! He stomped his foot to emphasise his point. Daisy merely rolled her eyes before looking at the few remaining people in his crowd of fans.

Oh? Hello there ladies, what are you all doing dressed like that? she said.

The group of women all looked at each other before tittering into their pom poms.

Gary puffed up his chest. Theyre my girlfriends!

Daisy stared, open-mouthed. Ha! Thatd show her! As you can see, big sis Im just that good! They were taken in by my winning ways! They know a good thing when they see one and are getting in before Im establisheded His tongue got tied and he quickly changed what he was going to say. While Im building myself up!

Really? said Daisy, her tone dripping with sugary sweetness as her hand drifted to her pokebelt. Gary crossed his arms while nodding before changing his pose to something cooler. One hand on hip the other snapping outwards! Yeah, so much better!

Im just that amazing! I ran into them at Grampss lab! Daisys hand stopped reaching for her pokeball but Gary didnt notice. Hed put a hand under his chin, suavely.

Yeah, they were pretty taken with me! Then theyd asked if he had anyone close to him. Hed never admit hed said his Gramps and Daisy though! Then theyd asked about anyone else like a certain younger or older girl.

Hed said he hadnt had anyone like that! Then theyd told him they were interested in being his girlfriends! All of them! That would show people how amazing he was by having so many girlfriends! Gary had liked the sound of that. It was another thing he had beaten Ash to first! Therefore it had to be good!

One of the girls, Fiona, gushed. His grandpa was so proud of him when he showed up at the Lab with all of us today! Daisy blinked at that as another of the women skipped up.

Fiona leaned closer to Gary and gave him a hug that he stoically endured. That was what all the cool guys did when women threw themselves at them. So it was obviously the best thing to do.

When another of the girls leaned on him, he stumbled and missed whatever it was Sarah handed to Daisy. When he extracted himself from the two women Daisy had an amused expression which meant she knew something he didnt.

Gary narrowed his eyes at her. Whatre you smiling about?

Nothing, nothing. Well, you look like youre in good hands. Fiona coughed. Daisy rolled her eyes at the older girl.

Gary puffed up his chest ignoring their weird girl behaviour. Theyre safe with me you can be sure! Daisys head bobbed up and down before she pat him on the head.

Thats totally what I meant! She then pointed at his backpack, I got you a gift, Gary tore open the package grinning as a mix of differently coloured pokeballs fell out. Sweet! Poke balls, Great balls, and Net balls and even is that a Heavy ball?

Daisy jostled his hair back and forth. This is why I didnt get you a birthday present this year or last year! Youre welcome, little bro.

Gary wanted to bounce in place, run off and use them, or even he pushed the thought down of hugging his sister. That wasnt something cool guys did. He packed them away and rubbed under his nose, Heh, thanks I guess sis, theyre alright!

Daisys smile became a bit forced, but Gary turned away from her. With all my gear ready its time to head out ladies!

Gary leapt over the side of the car into the passenger seat to let the ladies have the backspace to themselves so they could gossip about how cool he was or what sorts of dresses they wanted to buy. Girl stuff. He tried to get comfortable in the front seat which he found oddly stifling. Daisy lowered her fist and stared at him.

Youre taking a car? she said, her hand turning white as she gripped the edge like she was stopping herself from tearing him out of the car.

Gary nodded tightly, Yup! Im going to skip through the first area cause theres not much thats important there! Then go to route twenty-two for the day to catch some strong pokemon and then work my way through Viridian forest over the next few days! He gave her a thumbs-up that was perfectly steady and not shaking at all.

Youre going in well, Daisy looked to his girlfriends, who all smiled and fluffed their pom poms. Eventually, she nodded. Well, Im glad youre able to get in a car after what happened with Gary grimaced and looked out the side. He didnt want to think about Mum and Dad. But he wasnt afraid! He wasnt!

Daisy patted him on the head. Look after each other ladies. And Gary, good luck on your journey, please call when you can alright?

If I remember! he said while lifting his nose. He again pushed down the thought of hugging her. He didnt want to get out of the car and back in. He didnt like that idea for some reason. See ya sis! Watch out for me on the tv cause Im going to be big!

He pointed forward like a boss. Drive!

The car slowly departed, and Gary waved over his shoulder at his sister. He didnt look back. He was a cool guy, and with the girls in the back seat, he probably wouldnt see anything anyway.

He passed a few trainers who had also collected pokemon on their way. Damian shouted at him. Gary pulled his eyelid down and stuck his tongue at the other guy. He couldnt stand that guy; hed bought his way into getting a Charmander from his Gramps. Gramps wouldnt confirm it but Gary was positive thats what had happened.

He didnt see the other girl who had scored the traditional starter for Kanto but he did see a bucket hat bobbing around in some long grass so maybe she was already catching something weak like a Pidgey or a Rattata? He would have to watch out for her as her Bulbasaur would have an advantage against his Squirtle. Not that itd do her any good!

He watched the countryside pass by and before long they were approaching Viridian. A walk that would have taken a day or two passed in an hour or so. Gary nodded to himself, pleased with his plan to get ahead of his fellow trainers.

Fiona hopped out after him and looked around as the other girls walked around to stretch. They formed a loose circle around him, smiling and waving at the locals as he strutted up to the local pokemart. Whats the plan for today Gary?

Gary shot her a confident look. Im going to get some potions and antidotes in case we run into some poison types. Then Im heading out to route twenty-two. There should be some Spearow, Nidoran and possibly even a Mankey that I can catch! Ill train up Squirtle with some encounters and then camp out before heading out early!

You should probably get some repel in case you lose track of time and need to camp out!

Gary nodded. Yeah, yea goo He jerked to glance around, noting the people that were nearby, I mean! I knew that! Hahaha, good to see you know that though! He then tossed a repel quickly into his basket. When Fiona coughed he bought another two. She coughed again, and he bought four more.

When the shopping was rung up, he exited to find a few of the girls waiting for him along with the driver. Hey, Heather? Do you want to secure us some rooms? Im going to go out and battle some wild pokemon for the rest of the day on route twenty-two.

The woman merely nodded, choosing not to speak before driving the car around the back of the pokemon centre. Gary couldnt help watching it drive off.

Gary? Fiona tapped his elbow and he jolted.

Right! Off we go to catch myself some new pokemon! Gary swung his arm heroically upward.

The girls all bounced in place and beamed at him. Yah! Gary! and so Gary heroically

Did someone say catch a pokemon!? Before Gary knew what was happening an old man barged through their group and had his hands on Garys shoulders.

Young man! I shall teach you how to catch a pokemon! Come!

Hey! No! I know how to catch a pokemon old man! Let go! Gary said as he was dragged along.

Nonsense! Young whipper snappers like yourself are always wandering off into the woods without the slightest clue how to catch a pokemon! Gary swatted at the mans arms only for the man to have a grip of steel.

Look out! Grampas loose and got another trainer! shouted a passerby.

Fiona approached those people while Gary was dragged further towards the fields where some pokemon were idly scratching at the ground.

Gary missed what Fiona and the other man were discussing as instead, he found himself stuck next to the old geezer.

Right! Youngin! Watch closely. When you encounter a pokemon it will either fight or run away. Pokemon that fight are the easiest to catch. If youre after a pokemon that is going to run like an Abra you need to use moves or items that stop pokemon from running off.

I I knew that! Mean Look is the best for stopping pokemon from getting away! Gary said calmly, not at all whining as the man kept one hand on his shoulder.

The old man nodded his head seriously. Indeed! You can also use leashes to entangle them to stop them. Outright using physical traps are banned and Rangers will detain you if you do use them, so remember that! Many a young fool have lost their license from using old Ursaring traps on much smaller pokemon!

He gestured to a Rattata that was not purple but instead a light yellow-gray. Now watch closely as I catch this pokemon!

He reached out and snatch one of Garys pokeballs from garys belt. HEY! THATS MINE OLD MAN!

Shhhhh! Quiet! He pushed Gary back a step before leaping forward against that Rattata. Ha Have at the!

The rat pokemon startled and turned to bare its fangs at the old man. Gary grimaced, his hand shot to his pokeball to withdraw Squirtle to save the old man only for the old man to shift into the perfect pitcher pose.

Take this you pokemon! He then leaned back before letting rip the mother of all pitches. Rattatas eyes bulged as the pokeball howled through the air before slamming straight between the little rats eyes. The pokeball lined up on the rat and a red light shot forth to connect with the downed pokemon. The light swallowed the pokemon and drew it in. The pokeball wobbled once, twice, three times, four times, Oh! Got some fight this one! claimed the old man before the pokeball settled and clicked, signifying