Chris - Route 1
Chris decided to head back and thank the professor and turned around. He walked back to Pallet town and into the lab. He saw Artie thanking the professor and walked over.
"Thanks for the pokedex, Professor" he said.

Arti - Pallet Town

"You got one too Chris? Awesome! We won't let you down professor!"

Prof Moonie looked quizitively at Growlithe who was still outside it's pokeball.

"Oh Growlithe seems to like staying out here...well we better go get started eh Growlithe!"

Chris - Pallet Town
"Hey Artie, you mind if me and Bulby, my Bulbasaur, accompany you guys?" Chris asked him.

Arti - Pallet Town

"Sure! It'd be nice to have some company...I haven't been on my own much before...alrite with you Growlithe?"

Growlithe took the opportunity to cover Chris' face in a layer of slobber. Chris' face screwed up.

"I guess we're going together then", Arti said through fits of laughter.

Chris - Pallet Town

"I reckon so, Arti" Chris said with a smile on his face. He released Bulbasaur and the two pokemon started playing.
"Enough of that, Bulbasaur" Chris said. He recalled Bulbasaur and asked Arti "Shall we get started? We've got a long journey ahead of us".

Arti - Pallet Town

"We sure do! Bye Professor Moonie! we're off now"

Arti and Chris followed the path northwards and for the first time in their lives left Pallet Town without anyone to help them if things got tricky

"We'll be fine - Our pokemon will look after us and we'll look after them - I can't wait to explore this world!"

Chris- Route 1
"I reckon we should head for Viridian City. From there, we can head to our first gym badge in Pewter" Chris said.

Arti - Route 1

"Sounds good..it's a shame the Viridian Gym leader isn't around, we could battle even sooner, but then again maybe having some more time to train will help..."

Growlithe was having fun chasing away the Pidgeys that they so very frequently encountered.

"Hey, what's that over there?"

Chris - Route 1
"It looks like a Pokemon! And it's hurt!" Chris exclaimed.
There was a loud call from the sky and Chris glanced up. "Artie, is that the pokemon I think it is up there? I think it's Ho-oh, but I'm not sure" Chris asked, still looking upwards.

Arti - Route 1

"Huh?" Arti looked up but it had already disappeared. Growlithe however was gazing intently at where Ho-oh had just been, almost in longing to fly one day.

"Chris come quick! It's a Spearow - I think it's wing is damaged...we need to get it to a pokemon center quickly...but Viridian is still so far away..."

"Right. It's good I have some bandages in my bag" Chris said. He walked over to where Artie was.

Arti - Route 1

"Thank goodness, I'm glad you're prepared, Spearow should make it to the pokemon center ok now"

A rattata emerged from the grass, looking angry. It lunged towards the Spearow still lying on the ground.

"Growlithe stop it quick! Tackle it out of the way!"

Growlithe slammed into the Rattata sending it skidding across the ground. The two now faced each other baring teeth.

Chris - Route 1
"I'll take care of the Spearow" Chris said, running over and bending down at the side of the bird pokemon.
"Don't worry, You'll be fine. I promise" Chris said to the pokemon as he wrapped a bandage from his bag around the pokemon's wing.

Arti - Route 1

"Ok then Growlithe! Looks like it's up to us to protect them! Show it your bite attack!"

Growlithe dashed towards the Rattata, jaws ready but the rat dodged out of the way, hitting Growlithe with it's tail in the process.

"It's only a Rattata - try a Roar Growlithe!"

Growlithe's roar rumbled up through his throat. Rattata looked suddenly terrified, and fled the battle.

Chris - Route 1
"Don't worry, Spearow, you'll be fine" Chris said calmly.
He finished wrapping the bandage around the Spearow's wing and stood up with it in his arms. A shadow flew over them and landed nearby. "A Dragonite" Chris and Artie whispered in aw as the rider dismounted and looked at them.
"Hello, Chris" the man said.
"Hello, dad" Chris finally managed to say.
"Chris, Lance is your father?" Artie asked him.
Chris nodded. "Yes. And Claire, of Blackthorn City in Johto, is my mother".