1. The Start of the Game

The Start of the Game

It all begins in the Orreregion, a desert region of Hoenn. You are Wes, a 17-year-old boy, whom you named however you liked before starting the game (as in any self-respecting Pokémon RPG).

In this region, Team Snagem is trying to subdue the population… and has developed a “Snag Machine” that can steal (snag) Pokémon very easily.

But you, Wes, manage to break into the Team Snagem base (your former employers) by planting 2 bombs… and you manage to steal their famous Snag Machine. And that is where it all begins…

The Gas Station

Fleeing on your motorbike, you arrive at a sort of train-shaped gas station. Two rather shady guys are talking: it is Trudly and Folly. You will have to deal with them later…

For now, go into the bar. On the TV, you learn that the police have found Team Snagem’s secret hideout completely destroyed, and that its occupants have vanished without a trace.

By talking to the people in the bar, you pick up some information about Team Snagem. Never mind, head back outside.

As you step out, a trainer, Billy, challenges you to a battle.

After beating him (very easily), Billy tells you that you should head to Phenac City, an oasis… You are sure to find some information there.

=> Go to your motorbike and set off for Phenac City.

Phenac City

Once you arrive, you run into Trudly and Folly carrying a bag… This time it is too much, and they challenge you to a battle! (well, only Trudlydoes, the other one does not fight) Once you have beaten his two Whismur, you meet Rui, a girl whom Trudly and Folly were about to kidnap.

She admits that she is being chased by guys from various teams becauseshe has the power to detect other people’s Shadow Pokémon . She asks if she can follow you, because she believes you can make the Pokémon “nice” again. Accept her offer.

Two other trainers can be beaten in Phenac City if you look carefully… It can give you a bit of training.

Climb up to the second level of the city, on the left, and you will find the mayor’s house.
Before you go in, the leader of Team Cipher approaches you… and runs off. Nothing serious.

Enter the mayor’s house. He wishes you good luck on your quest with Rui. His first piece of advice is to go to the Stadium, on the 3rd level of the city, to start winning official battles. Go there.
When you get there, the lady tells you that a competition is already underway in the stadium… You will have to come back later.

As you leave the stadium, you meet 3 Team Snagem grunts ! They ask you to give back their Snag Machine. Naturally, it ends in a Pokémon battle. After you beat them, they leave…

Rui did not know that you had a Snag Machine! She then tells you that you absolutely need some Poké Balls ! You have to go back down to the first level of the city and visit the Poké Mart. (the building with SHOP written on it)

Talk to everyone in this shop… A woman tells you that Poké Balls are out of stock here… You have to go outside the city, to the gas station, to find some.

=> Leave the city.

Back at the Gas Station

Talk to the clerk in the train-shaped bar. He says there are no Poké Balls here because there are no Pokémon to catch, but he has some in stock anyway. He agrees to give you 5 for free and to sell extra Poké Balls for 200 Poké Dollars each.

Listen to the news on TV. The reporter tells us that the Snag Machine really is used to steal other trainers’ Pokémon.

=> Go back to Phenac City

Phenac City

Go straight to the mayor’s house.
There you find Trudly, Folly and 3 Cipher Peons (red, blue and green) of Team Cipher, as well as Miror B., their leader.

This time Folly fights you… (in the mayor’s superb office that stretches on forever…)

One of his Pokémon, Makuhita (level 30), can be snagged. Weaken it, throw a Poké Ball, and there it is, caught! Rui congratulates you on your very first Snag; thanks to it you will be able to help a Shadow Pokémon become nice again.

Your journey is only just beginning…