Chapter 10: Pedro's Journey through Hoenn

The trio healed their balls after the battling the evil Team Rocket members Toby and Havana in the western garden of Striaton City. Harper, Pedro and Brandon then continue their journey by venturing through a garden and then up north towards the town’s exit. As they passed out of Striaton City and into 'Unova Route 3', Harper approached Pedro.

"Tell me about yourself," she asked him. "I've been travelling with you for the past few days and I don't know any about you."

"I was born in Harlingen. My parents were illegal immigrants, which kind of makes me an illegal alien as well," he replied.

"But you were born in America and not in Mexico. You are a citizen of the United States. Your parents might be illegal aliens but you should be considered a citizen. But carry on," Harper observed.

"Yeah, I was adopted so I don't have to worry about that," Pedro explained. "When I came of age -that is eleven years old – I travelled to Hoenn where I started my Pokémon journey. It was like home. I had got there late so most of the starters had already been taken. However, there was a Mudkip left, which is the one I picked. With that Mudkip I was able to catch my very first Pokémon, a very brave Zigzagoon, which has gone with me everywhere. I think I'm closer to that Pokémon than my starter."

"That is truly weird and bizarre," said Brandon. "Usually, you are the strongest with your starter. But I never gained a starter. I had to catch myself a Sandshrew without a Pokémon. It was hard – trust me."

"Yeah, I am glad I had that luxury," Pedro spoke with a taint to contentment. "The first gym leader I faced was some guy in Petalburg City. He was easy, so I got past him very quickly. Said that his son was some champ of that region but looking at how weak the father was I doubted the son was better. Anyway, I journeyed to Rustboro City where I faced the gym leader there, Roxanne who specialized in rock-type Pokémon. She was no match against my water-type Pokémon Mudkip, and we were able to easily defeat her Geodude. The Pokémon tried to throw rocks at me, but Mudkip's water blast knocked it back to the wall. It was a great sight to see.

"After that, I caught a boat trip down to Dewford Town. The trip took a few days so it gave me a chance to practise against other trainers. I learnt a lot from those few days. A day or two I arrived at Dewford Town. I could smell the salty sea and the seagulls screeching for their stolen meal. It was a peaceful sight in the town. A few shacks here and there. I challenged the gym leader but was defeated. He was also a fighting type trainer so I had to find a flying-type. I managed to borrow one from the local trainers, and with that, I was able to defeat the gym leader Brawly.”

“Are you allowed to borrow Pokemon in Hoenn?” Brandon asked.

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“No, but I was never caught so I guess I’m okay,” Pedro explained. "After that, I took another boat trip to Slateport City. Yet again I spent a few days practising against other trainers. I soon got to Slateport City which was an old sailor's town. An honest sense told me to move since there weren't any gyms there. So, I trekked up north. I was too poor to buy a bike, so I couldn't go down the biking road. Instead, I walked the wild path where I faced many dangerous Pokémon and vicious outlaw trainers ready to steal my Pokémon. Eventually I got to the next town - Mauville City. I faced against Wattson an electric type specialist, but my Zigzagoon was able to beat him to the pulse.”

"Damn, that must’ve been difficult," Harper commented.

"It sure was," said Pedro. "I then I tried to face the desert up north but I had no goggles to protect my eyes. So, I had to turn back."

"I would have been able to get through that with my Sandshrew!" exclaimed Brandon. "Who even needs goggles? My eyes are perfect as they are."

"I'm sure those sandstorms will disagree with you there," Harper placed him down to earth. "Carry on Pedro. I'm sure Brandon won't interrupt again."

"No worries," Pedro said before continuing his story. "So, I had to climb a mountain –which burnt my hand as I grabbed onto the hot rocks. But I was able to obtain special gloves that allow me to climb the mountain without burning my hands - where a battle between two criminal organisations had occurred. Many dead Pokémon were scattered everywhere. It scared me so much that I had to get away as quickly as possible. I soon came to Lavaridge Town where I rested in the spa before challenging the gym leader there, who was called Flannery. She was an easy gym leader to defeat. She thought she was clever to bring out a Torkoal, a fiery tortoise looking monster, but my Mudkip showed her who is boss.

"After that victory, I went back down the mountain and crossed some patch of water and travelled to some jungle. It rained for most of the day. Strange and scary monsters attacked me at all corners. More criminals were prepared to take me on. Just a kid lost in the jungle. It was the worst moment of my entire life.

"I was able to overcome all that. I came to the town that was made of tree huts. I was able to defeat the gym leader there with ease. I soon left the jungle and came to another seaside town called Lilycove City where I defeat the gym leader there as well. I then learnt the ability to surf, and with that move, I travelled with my Mudkip to Mossdeep City. I was aided by a trainer named Noah when it came to defeating the gym leaders. They were twins and insisted on doing a double battle. Therefore, I needed to team up with another trainer. We both gained a badge and travelled together to the last gym.

"The next place to visit was Sootopolis City so I had to borrow a fire Pokémon which Noah gladly gave me. After a quick victory, I moved on to the Elite Four. I managed to defeat the first member, Sidney, but when I came across the second one, Phoebe, I lost the battle and suffered the worst defeat in my entire Pokémon career. We weren't allowed to re-challenge the Elite Four so I returned to America where I decided to travel to this region."

"Gosh, that was so interesting," said Harper. “It’s getting rather dark. We better get to the next town quickly.”

“I don’t think we’ll get there in time,” Pedro replied. “I think we might have to camp here.

“I think there’s a school nearby,” Brandon suggested. “Perhaps they will allow us to stay there.”

The school was happy for them to rest in one of their classrooms. Plenty of trainers was said to travel through there but today there weren't any other than Harper, Brandon, and Pedro. They quickly go set up and then decided to go to sleep.