Daisy and I walked into the gate. We were about to head through when the attendant stopped us. "Hold on! Do you two have bikes?" We shook our heads and he frowned. "You can't ride Cycling Road if you don't have a bike, sorry to say."

Daisy crossed her arms. "Why do we need bikes? Can't we just walk? We're trying to get to Fuchsia City!"

The attendant didn't seem that sympathetic to our issue. "I'm sorry, but no. Cycling Road is designed for bikers and is much too dangerous to traverse if you don't have one. It's a straight-shot down a steep hill over water. If you want to get to Fuchsia, you can either take a ship from Vermilion or go down through Lavender Town and the Double Battle Alley."

I could tell that we weren't going to be able to get through. Daisy prepared to argue, but I told her that we shouldn't bother.

The girl sighed. "Fine, let's get out of here then!" Daisy stormed out of the gate. I followed behind her, and the attendant went back to reading a magazine.

Daisy had come to a stop right outside of the entrance. A massive blob of mas was gating off the rest of the path. The Pokémon resembled a cat, with blue fur and tiny ears upon its head. The Pokémon had a round belly that blocked the way back to Celadon City. The Pokémon let out a loud snore, fast asleep.

I remembered hearing about how a few Snorlax would roam around these parts of the region and loved to fall asleep in the most inconvenient spots.

"Are you kidding me?" Daisy shouted into the sky. She was started to grow frustrated, and began to push on the Pokémon's body.  "Hey, Snorlax! Wake up!" 

I sighed and went up to the girl. Don't think that one's going to work. I tried thinking of some way to get the Pokémon to move. Pikachu could probably jolt him awake, but then I'd have to deal with a grumpy Snorlax.

"And now we're stuck! Great!" Daisy threw her hands up and sat down on the grass. She buried her hands in her face. "This is so stupid!"

I sat down next to Daisy. I tried signing something to her, but she wasn't looking at me. I couldn't just sit there, though. My best friend needed someone to talk to her. I shook my head, I could still do something. 

I took Daisy's hand, and she glanced up at me. I wanted to say something. Instead, I just met her green eyes with my own. I squeezed her hand gently.  We'll figure it out, and it'll be fine. We'll just have to stay in the gate, and then Snorlax will get up and leave eventually. I was mainly telling myself, since I couldn't say it to her.

Daisy sighed. "Red, I'm sorry I let myself get like this. I know it's stupid that little stuff keeps getting to me. I wish I could just not but it feels like... like I'm letting you down."

I stared at her, a bit confused. "Like when we got lost in Viridian Forest, that was my fault! It was my stupid brother who did that! And then when we got in trouble with Team Rocket in Cerulean... or just now when I led us over here. I'm always either causing problems or losing."

A few tears streamed down Daisy's face as she shared all of this. I tried to think of what I could do, what I could say to her. Oh Daisy... I glanced down. I was useless for something like this, I wish I could just talk to you. 

The girl's head shot up. "Wh... is someone there?" Daisy began to look around. The idea crossed my mind, but there was no way. Daisy? Can you... hear me?

I watched as my best friend looked directly at me. "Is... is that... you?" Yeah, this is Red. I projected my thoughts into her head, just like I did when communicating with my Pokémon. 

The girl's eyes widened. "How is this possible? This is amazing! This is incredible!"

I felt a bit energized by her jubilation. I've been able to do this with my Pokémon when we're battling. For some reason, I guess I can also reach you. 

Daisy wiped some of the tears from her eyes. "I'm really surprised, but honestly, hearing your voice is pretty amazing. It also fits you." By saying that, Daisy pointed out something that I hadn't thought much about. I had a voice, with a sound. That was a strange thought.

I brought myself back to the topic at hand. That aside though, you don't let me down at all! I'd be hopeless without you! I'd probably run away from Team Rocket all the time, I'd be getting lost, and I'd be really lonely. I wouldn't have anyone to talk to, anyone who put in the effort to be able to talk to me. You're my best friend, Daisy. We're going to figure this out, like always. 

Daisy had been left speechless for a few moments. The girl started to cry again, this time she was smiling. "Thank you, Red. I really appreciate that. It's tough sometimes, not to get into my head." 

I held out my hand to her. That's why I'm here, so you can get out of that. You do the same for me! Daisy took my hand and then pulled me in for a hug. "Thank you, Red. Now, what're we going to do about this?"

I turned to the Snorlax. Anything we do to wake him up will make him angry, so we'll probably have to battle him. Daisy furrowed her brow. "Let's give it our all, then!" Daisy tossed a Poké Ball onto the battlefield, sending out Venonat.

I called out Bulbasaur and prepared for a battle. "Venonat use Poison Powder." Venonat fired purple specks from her hair and they landed on Snorlax. The sleeping Pokémon breathed in and scrunched up its nose. 

The beastly Pokémon lurched to his feet, looking down at us. "Venonat, use Psybeam!" Venonat sent a beam of energy into the face of the titanic Pokémon. Snorlax roared and swung his claws out, slamming into our Pokémon.

Bulbasaur and Venonat went tumbling back while Snorlax was damaged by the poison. "Use Bug Buzz!" Venonat shook her body, sending out a wave of sound into Snorlax's head.

Bulbasaur use Vine Whip! Two vines extended from Bulbasaur's sides and lashed out. The vines wrapped around Snorlax's arms, and the beast threw them into the air. Bulbasaur was launched up, and Snorlax swung his head directly into my Pokémon.

Bulbasaur let go of Snorlax and went flying into the gate's wall. Snorlax then barreled forward, tossing his belly into Venonat. Venonat staggered back from the blow, a bit dazed.

I glanced back at Bulbasaur, who was shaking off the damage he had endured. Bulbasaur, use Razor Leaf! Bulbasaur launched several leaves from his bulb, which pelted Snorlax. The attacks seemed to get the big grump's attention.

Daisy, have Venonat hit him once he's close to Bulbasaur! The girl nodded and waited for Snorlax to begin lumbering over to my Pokémon. "Psybeam!" Venonat launched out another beam of energy that slammed into Snorlax's back. The Pokémon whipped around again. I wasn't sure how long we could keep something like this going.

Bulbasaur, run underneath Snorlax and use Razor Leaf! Bulbasaur charged between Snorlax's legs, unleashing a series of leaves into the attacking Pokémon.

The bully roared and jammed a claw into the ground at his feet, launching Bulbasaur into the air. Snorlax swiped his other claw into my Pokémon, throwing Bulbasaur into a tree. Bulbasaur! I hurried to his side.

Bulbasaur seemed to be surging with energy. Unlike before, this was white energy. My Pokémon looked as if he was trying to fight it off, however.

"Red! Look out!" I glanced over to see Snorlax heading right for us. I braced for impact, but Bulbasaur jumped out to meet the foe head-on.

Bulbasaur collided with Snorlax and was now consumed by the white glow. Bulbasaur you're... evolving? I looked at the Grass and Poison-Type in awe.

His body began to grow, his legs became longer and less stubby. The bulb on his back opened revealing another, smaller bulb. The four parts of his original bulb formed into a flower with four petals.

The Pokémon forced back Snorlax and then looked back at me. Y-you're Ivysaur. Ivysaur's trademark grin wasn't on his face, and he seemed to be upset about something. I was going to ask, but the Snorlax still wasn't defeated.

"Venonat, finish this with Bug Buzz! Full power!" Daisy called to her Pokémon. Venonat fired another wave of sound into the mighty Snorlax. The beast staggered from the poison damage and finally fell over.

The fight was over.

I felt a bit of relief and ran up to Daisy. Great job, Daisy! You were incredible! 

The girl smiled at me. "We did it together. Plus, your Bulbasaur evolved!" I glanced back at Ivysaur. He still had the saddened expression on his face. Ivysaur, what's wrong? Are you alright? Ivysaur didn't give any response.

I felt my other Poké Balls shake, and I sent out the rest of them. Charmeleon, Pikachu, and Squirtle all went up to Ivysaur. The Pokémon seemed to have a conversation, with Charmeleon gesturing to himself and then to Ivysaur. Ivysaur perked up a bit. I wondered what they were talking about.

However, their conversation came to an end and I was able to return all of them. I was about to say something to Daisy when we heard Snorlax begin to groan. We looked at each other, and then ran back to Celadon City.