Route 101 is relatively barren. Besides me, there was only one other kid and they were off doing they're own thing. However, there were still some wild Pokemon mostly poochyenas that got a little too close. I let Kwan and Herb handle it alternating between them so they could get some practice. Not even an hour later I was at Oldale Town. Oldale Town was small not two houses, a hospital, and a store small, but definitely less than 300. The first thing I did when I got into town was head to the Pokemon center. Neither Herb or Kwan were particularly hurt, but I wanted to see how it worked.
The Pokecenter was bigger than I expected. There is a large main lobby with a couple of machines to heal Pokemon still in their Pokeball behind a counter with a nurse joy and Chansey nearby. The rest of the first floor is behind closed doors which lead to the actual Pokemon hospital. On the second floor, there are some trainer amenities. There are phones, PCs, vending machines, washrooms, and beds. The entire second floor is like a hostel and as far as I can tell is free. I don't know how that's economically feasible, but I don't know why a society would send ten-year-olds on cross country hikes through the wilderness with no supervision. Regardless I'm glad it's there. I temporarily return Herb and Kwan to their balls then bring them over to the desk to be healed.
"Welcome to our Pokémon Center. We can heal your Pokémon to perfect health. Shall we heal your Pokémon? " To which I hand over both pokeballs to her then wait a couple of moments.
"Thank you for waiting. Your Pokémon are fully healed. We hope to see you again."
"Thank you" I take back both the pokeballs and head outside. Once I outside I release Herb and Kwan again Kwan seems happy to be outside, but Herb seems indifferent.
"Bulbasaur"' I prefer the ball"
"Really?"
"Bulbasaur" "Yes"
"Well alright then" I then hit the recall button on Herb's ball.
"Do you like being in the ball better Kwan?"
"Mudkip" "No way"
"Good let's go"
The next stop was the pokemart. Next to the store was a man with a basket full of potions and he was flipping a promotional sign.
"Hey" the guy yells out to me
"Yea"
"Free potions for all new customer today"
"So what do I need to do?"
"10 potions free with any purchases"
"Alright thanks"
With further motivation to buy stuff, I head inside. The pokemart is, unfortunately, smaller than the pokecenter. It's a general store with a focus on Pokemon gear. It's no superstore like Walmart. Now inside I do see a lot of things that I need to get. I pick up some camping supplies, toiletries, food, and Pokemon care/training supplies. I spent nearly 5k pokedollars and then grabbed the 10 free promotional potions. I am now even more appreciative of just how big the inside of this backpack is as I can just shove everything I bought into my backpack.
From the store, I decided to head north up route 103. However, that routes a dead-end without a Pokemon knowing surf. I mean I guess I may be able to teach Kwan surf, but I don't want to mess around with HM mechanics without knowing how learning moves work. The only reason In going up that way is to check to see if May is up there. I don't get far along the actual route before seeing what looks to be May heading back toward the town.
"Hey, are you May, Professor Birch's daughter?"
She stops walking and looks at me.
"I'm sorry, do I know you?"
"I'm Silva your dad gave me a Pokemon this morning he said his daughter would be around here"
"I'm May nice to meet you. Why did my dad give you a Pokemon?"
"He was being chased by a Pokemon and I used one of the Pokeballs he had dropped to fend it off. Then he let me keep Kwan here because he seemed to like me"
She closes her eyes and lets out a sign
"Yea that sounds like dad. Well since we both have our starters want to battle?"
"Sure versus your Treecko?
" Yep. Alright, let's spread out a little then well go at the count of three."
We both back up to about 10 yards away Kwan is directly in front May's Treecko I bend down to discuss strategy
"Alright, Kwan neither of you can use elemental attacks yet so you're going to be trading physical attacks. You're going to keep trying to tackle him and he's going to try to pound you with his hands. I want you to try to keep to his sides don't get stuck directly in front of him. "
"Mudkip" 'Don't worry I've got this"
"We're ready when you are"
"Ok 3...2....1...fight"
Treecko charges at Kwan and Kwan charges at a diagonal. When it looks like they'll meet Kwan instead stops early then tackles Treecko in his side. This forces them apart slightly. They go back to charging at each other this time Treecko is a little slower from the first hit giving Kwan the edge in speed. This time there is no trick as they meet in a head-on collision Treecko takes the worse hit, but Kean isn't left unscathed. There's one more clash that ends with Treecko unconscious. May then recalls her treecko.
"Ahh man, I lost. I definitely win next time. I'm going to head back to Littleroot"
"Good match, it was nice to meet you"
From there she leaves ahead of me heading back to town.
"You did a good job Kwan"
"Mudkip" "Of course"
Having done everything I wanted to do on route 103 I go back to Oldale. By the time I return it's getting dark so I return to the Pokemon center, have Kwan healed, and then make use of the 2nd-floor hostel.