Chapter 2
We made good time on our hike with idle chatter, mostly dominated by Michelle asking different question about Pokémon. I gave her the rundown on typings along with their strengths and weaknesses. She didn't really seem interested in the battling aspect, but being an animal lover on Earth seemed to transfer quickly to Pokémon.
She quickly befriended the Pidgey I had caught allowing it rest on her shoulder after we had used a potion on it. The Pidgey seemed to enjoy the attention and would often lean in to muzzle against her cheek as we walked.
Soon the familiar location came into view. Identical to the one shown in the show there was a small lab nestled atop a hill. That wasn't the only thing though, at the base of this hill where a path led to the entrance of the lab was a crowd of people cheering. I had to suppress a laugh as I saw a car filled with cheerleaders and the unmistakable figure of Gary Oak as he waved to the people.
"Are Pokémon journey really this big of a deal?" Michelle asked from beside me and i let out a light chuckle.
"Ah well not so much. That kid just happens to be the grandson of the professor who owns this lab. Spoiled rich kid, you know the type." Realization dawned on her as she nodded her head as we continued walking towards the now thinning crowd. It was arranged though. I wasn't sure what I expected but Gary was exactly as he seemed in the show, around 10 or 11 if I had to guess. I don't know why but part of me figured they would be older since this was real and not just a cartoon anymore.
Ignoring it I stopped and held back Michelle when I saw Ash coming out of the lab. Though I didn't see a Pikachu anywhere. My confusion was slightly answered when he withdrew a Pokéball and out came a…
"Bulbasaur?" I unconsciously let out as I tilted my head in confusion.
"What is there something wrong with that one? It's cute though." Michelle said from my side and I shook my head.
"No, nothing is necessarily wrong with it. It's just that's not the Pokémon he's supposed to get. He was supposed to receive a Pikachu."
"Bless you." I turned to her confused again.
"What?" I asked
"You sneezed, I said bless you?" She said though in a questioning tone. Finally understanding what was happening I laughed.
"Hahaha no not achoo I said Pikachu. You know, that little yellow mouse Pokémon?"
"Ohhhh, ya I do remember that one!"
"Ya, anyways Ash is supposed end up with Pikachu since all the other starters were taken."
The crowd began dispersing in front of us as Ash and his mom said goodbye to each other, Bulbasaur proudly walking next to his new trainer and Ash marching gleefully down the dirt path. As we passed Ash and Bulbasaur we couldn't help but smile At ecstatic expression giving a wave a wish of good luck as he went by.
It was now our turn to ascend the path that led into Professor Oak's lab, with me leading and Pidgey safely back inside its Pokéball we quickly reached the top. The doors opened automatically giving us a view inside where we met eye contact with one of Oak's assistants.
"Oh! You two must be Jace Perry and Michelle Baker, correct? Please follow me I'll take you to the Professor." The female aide ushered us in and down a hallway that had many portraits of Oak's family as well his friends. Soon we came to a door that the aide, named Ava, knocked softly and then opened a door that was on the left.
"Come in!" A call came from the other side and Ava opened the door allowing us in before shutting us inside with Professor Oak.
"Ahhh Jace and Michelle I presume? Great, I was beginning to worry you may not make it in time." Oak was dressed in his lab coat and busied himself at a computer before turning away from it in his rolling chair. He faced us with a bright smile as he stood and waved his hand towards a table in the middle of the room.
"Luckily for you two there are exactly 2 Pokémon left." We followed his hand and approached the table he now stood beside. I could see the Pokéball that had a yellow lightning bolt on it. In the brief time it had taken to realize what it meant that Ash had Bulbasaur instead of Pikachu I realized that we were the other 2 trainers from the show. The ones that had taken the Bulbasaur and Charmander before Ash was left with Pikachu. I had been debating who I was going to take the entire walk up the path and through the lab.
I reached for the Pokéball that did not have the lightning bolt on it and held it eagerly.
"Ah Charmander, a good choice as they have the potential to become very strong Pokémon and are fiercely loyal." I nodded at his words as stared at the Pokéball before looking to Michelle. She looked at me and then back to the remaining Pokéball. My decision to leave Pikachu for her was a tough one but when I thought back to the Pikachu from the show I remembered a Pikachu that didn't want to battle. It was only after Ash saved it that it decide to fight.
And while that could be that it just didn't want a new trainer, I think that's why Michelle will be perfect for him. A kind gentle person who's not going to force Pikachu into any battles. He would purely be a company to enjoy the journey with, and I new that he would be a great protector in the future. That's why I had chose Charmander, not too mention I couldn't imagine passing up on a bad ass Pokémon like a Charizard in the future.
However before Michelle could reach for the Pokéball it flashed brightly as a small yellow mouse appeared outside of it with a big yawn as it stretched. Michelle let out a girlish squeal as she cooed over the mouse Pokémon a hand already darting for its cheeks. Me and Oak both reached to stop her but it was too late and I braced for a surge of electricity only for it to never come. I opened my eyes to the sounds of Pikachu nearly purring as it leaned into the scratches and rubs that Michelle was showering him with.
Me and Oak both blinked before shrugging as we watched the 2 get acquainted with each other. I took this time to also let out my new companion to get to know him. With a pop and a flash a small bipedal orange lizard popped out of and began looking around before locking eyes with me.
"Nice to meet you Charmander, I'll be your trainer from now on. What do you say, ready to see the world and become strong? I plan to challenge all the gyms and the league, I could use a Pokémon like yourself by my side." Charmander stared at my outstretched hand intently, then looking at Oak who just nodded. Charmander turned back towards me and nodded seriously letting out a.
"Chaaaarrr!" That caused his tail flame to flair up as well as a smile across my face and we shook. My hand and his paw, our eyes met and I could see the fire that also burned in them. It felt cliche and corny but I was so glad to have my starter Pokémon. He technically wasn't my first Pokémon, but that didn't matter. There's something that just felt right about having a Charmander on my team.
"Well I'm glad to see everything worked out. Both trainer and Pokémon seem satisfied with each other and I can't wait to see what you all accomplish on your journey. " Professor Oak speaks up and me and Michelle stand up with smiles filling our faces. I was glad to see that she was also enjoying herself, hoping that she would eventually acclimate to this new world. Since I really didn't know how long we would be stuck here, if we ever could return home that is.
"Thank you Professor. We will be on our way then so we can make up as much ground as possible toward Viridian before nightfall." He nods at my words and walks towards the door, me and Michelle following close behind along with our Pokémon.
"I know you 2 already have your Pokédex's, so all I can really do is give you some more Pokéballs. Here's 5 more each." He dropped the mini balls into our hand and we quickly stashed them in our bags. With that we were out the door with some goodbyes and well wishes. Descending the path and turning to face the route that would lead us from Pallet town to Viridian city. Our GPS giving us an estimated time of arrival at just under 8pm, right around 9 hours of walking.
I immediately resolved to either get a Pokémon big enough to carry us either by land or air, or maybe even a large off-road vehicle.
"No." I hear from my side and look to Michelle.
"What?" I ask and she shakes her head.
"I already know what you're thinking and no we're not getting a vehicle. Both our bags come with plenty of camping gear and if I'm going to be stuck here I'm at least going to enjoy and explore the outdoors." My jaw dropped and I tried to think of someway to argue, but eventually just relented.
"Fine… Can we at least get a Pokémon that can carry us around?" I asked hopefully and she seemed to think on it.
"Only if the Pokémon actually wants too." I cheered internally at her words as i stride forward with renewed energy. Now all I had to do was find a Pokémon to carry me around.