Stop for supplies

You pass a few other Team Rocket grunts on the way out of the building. No one stops you; you're well known here and have lived in the building for over a year. It's never truly been "home" to you, just a place to sleep, and now that's over. From the creepy interaction with Pete, you're more sure than ever that it's time for you to make it on your own. 'Sorry, Dad. I know you didn't want this life for me, but it's all I have left.'

The Viridian Forest looms to the north. Dark and imposing to some, the trees and paths are all too familiar to you. Having walked the route over two dozen times, your only concern is the wild Pokemon that might attack a weak or inattentive traveler. In truth, most of the Pokemon in that forest are fairly harmless. The Weedle incident was just you being careless. But it is embarrassing.

Knowing how tough it can be on the road, however, you make a point to stop at the local Poke Mart before your departure, and spend most of the little money you have on food, some potions, an antidote for Pidgey, and two shiny new Pokeballs. They're expensive, but you know you'll never make it with just a Pidgey. You learned enough from your time hanging around the Poke School to know that.

When you take your things to the cashier, he greets you pleasantly. "Ah, potions, Pokeballs, antidote? You must be an experienced trainer. Most of the kids who come through don't think of antidote. The stories I've heard from my pal at the Center. It's all too common for a youngster to watch their Pokemon succumb to some poison while they try to race to the aid of a nurse. Always tragic, that."

"That's awful..." you say softly. You can't imagine having to watch your Pidgey die like that. Would she die? Could that really happen? You're not sure if it would be a fatal event or just a fainting. Either way, you remember the students at Poke School often said "At least one!" as the answer to most questions dealing with proper inventory for a traveling trainer. At least one. You just saw the antidotes and took one without thinking about it. Now you're having doubts about the reality of this world you've chosen to set out in.

"Your trainer card, please, miss." The cashier's question brings you out of your worries.

"My what?"

"Trainer card. It's standard for all trainers... wait, are you new? My apologies, I didn't even think to ask. Most newbies are, well, children." He pulls a case from beneath the counter and opens it. "I see you have a Pokeball on you already, and I can't sell you more unless you're a trainer. New policy. I can register you, of course. No charge."

That's no policy you've ever heard of, but if it requires registration to buy Pokeballs, then so be it. "Ah, oh. Okay, then. Yes, I need to register."

"Great. Hold still." He scans your face with a device in the case, then returns it and pulls out some kind of flexible strap, like a hospital bracelet. "Give me your left hand, please."

"Uh, sure." You extend your hand and he wraps the band around your limb. It turns out to be some advanced technology, cinching itself to a comfortable size around your wrist. "This will be your I.D. and your wallet, as well as keep a record of your battles and allow you to use the banking and computer systems in each town. It can be removed, by pressing here," he shows you how to open and close the thing so you can remove it. "It's keyed to your fingers now, so only you can open it, but I recommend leaving it on; it's very expensive to get a replacement, and you'll have to go all the way to Saffron City to do it. There! Now it just needs your name."

You give the man your name and he finishes your trainer registration. With a tap on your band, you see a little hologram projection with your name, face, and some information about you. This is really pretty neat, but you just want to get out of town. "Okay, can I buy these supplies now?"

"Of course! Just tap your trainer card here..." He shows you how to use your bracelet to deposit your cash into a digital account and make a purchase. It's all very streamlined and convenient, but the total takes a good chunk of your life savings; you're left with about 90 Poke Dollars to your name. When he's done, he wishes you well on your journey with a smile and a friendly wave.

It's official, you're a Pokemon trainer now.