Chapter 07 Family Issues and the Journey

Opening the door to my home, I'm greeted by Gary in the dark living room. He must have seen the results of the test and started sulking in the dark. He's been very out of character as of late. He's a cocky guy who always seems to excel in whatever he does. He can be a bit snarky at times but he's never gone too far like today.

"Hey Gary. What're you doing in the dark at this time? What's going on with you lately?"

He stays silent for a bit before he decides to respond, still facing away from me. "You know Rian, the amount of times I've seen my parents can be counted on one hand. For as long as I can remember I've been trying to be an outstanding son so that maybe they would come home more often. It made me so angry, feeling like I was less important to them than their research. If they want to be a part of my life it's too late now. I'm going to be my own person, Gary Oak, not the son of former champion Blue, but my own strong trainer. And ever since I've lived in Pallet I've been the best at everything. Since you came along I've been beaten whether it's sports or knowledge. And I'm thankful that you joined this family. Cause, better doesn't become the best by competing against good. Better also becomes the best by competing against the best. Once we start our journey I'm going to keep getting better and better brother. I won't let you leave me behind, because even though I hate to admit it, you've been the closest family I've got." Finally turning around to face me, even in the dark I can see it. The newfound conviction and respect in his eyes.

That was a lot to unpack, whenever I thought about Gary Oak. I'd associate him with confidence and always going for the win. I've never thought of him as someone vulnerable, and I'd never think he'd confide in me. I guess not all families are perfect. His parents are never here, his older sister is 6 years older and started her own journey a while back. Now she only shows up sometimes, and Gramps can't always be here. He's incredibly busy with various research projects. The only reason he's been more present lately is because he set aside more time to do the trainer sponsorship.

I've never been an older sibling to anyone, let alone any type of sibling. My desire to fill the void left by my family caused me to try to add more people in my life. From Gramps, to Daisy, and just today Leaf. Even though he doesn't know it, I've always seen him as a brother and a rival. I had to push myself to overtake him in pokemon knowledge.

"Heh, don't regret admitting that to me Gary. Even though we're not flesh and blood, I'll always be there for you. That's what family is. But don't think surpassing me will be easy. I don't plan on just being an obstacle for you to surpass. I'm a wild wave that'll keep moving forward. And make sure you apologize to Leaf. She didn't deserve you lashing out at her like that. Don't be just a strong trainer but also strive to be a strong person. The truly strong know when to accept their mistakes and apologize. Also, try to talk to your parents, tell them how you really feel. Most people don't know how much they've hurt people they care about until it's too late. It'll never be too late to change things as long as both parties are willing to take a step forward. Goodnight lil bro." With that I walk back to my room to retire for the night. Leaving behind a contemplative Gary.

"Thanks En… Wait a minute. Who are you calling little bro!? You're only slightly older!!"

-January 1st, Day sponsored trainers get their starters-

It's been a month since the test and since Gary opened up to me. He's doing a lot better these days, I think the talk he had with his parents went well. Because a week after that I finally met his mom and dad. It was a pretty tearful reunion filled with apologies, it made me a little melancholy, remembering those old fond memories. Next thing I knew I was dragged into the group hug as well. I already treated the Oak's as a second family so I wasn't that awkward around them.

Another thing is that I figured out the Compass of Desire. It's kinda like the one Jack Sparrow had in that one movie. I just have to think about what I desire and the compass points in the direction to find it. And if it can't be found or too abstract then it'll just spin endlessly. As for the Dino Caps, I successfully made them with some help from Gramps. He mostly just gave me some materials to experiment with. When I showed him the finished product he was flabbergasted by "my invention". It's not ready for mass production but I'll get there eventually. What I decided to store in the few Dino Caps is a secret for now…

And then there were the test results. They were befuddling for more reasons than one. Here were the results…

1st Rian Ambrose

2nd Gary Oak

3rd Jay

4th Leaf Koen

5th Colton

.

.

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10th Ash Ketchum

That's right Ash didn't make the cut, well that would be the case if it weren't for the absolutely ridiculous series of events that followed the announcement of the results. 5th place gave up the sponsorship because he wanted to be a bug trainer. 6th place decided she wanted to pursue botany. 7th place had already signed up for pokemon ranger school. 8th place had decided to go to pokemon tech. Finally 9th place started ranting about Psyduck conspiracies and was admitted to a mental hospital. So 10th place Ash Ketchum got one of the coveted sponsorship spots.

When the clock hit 7am I decided to head to the lab where Gramps would begin talking to the rest of the sponsored trainers. With Zorua in my shirt I made my way to where everyone else was. "*Yawn* Hey everyone, g'morning."

After exchanging pleasantries with the other three, we waited for Gramps to start moving this show on the road. Wait, three? Oh boy it seems that Ash is late, I guess some things aren't meant to be changed. I've already decided I'm not going to take any of the battle ready starters. Instead, I'm going to pick up one of the eggs at the ranch. After all it wouldn't be fair to the others as I already have Zorua, and who knows I might find some rare find.

Gramps makes his way into the room and stands in front of us. "Hmmm, there was supposed to be 5. They might be running late but unfortunately for them we must be getting started. I'm sure you all are excited to begin your journey, but first some words from me… Hello young trainers! My name is Oak, and people call me a pokemon Professor. This world as you know is inhabited by creatures called pokemon! For some people, pokemon are pets. Others use them for fights. Myself, I study pokemon as a profession. With the help of trainers that have stood here before you I have completed my masterpiece, the Pokédex! It's a device of collective data on pokemon that I and others have studied. It will help you along your journey to identify pokemon as well as keep track of your own pokemon's information. *Hands out the Pokédexes* These have been set to your information and will work as your Trainer ID. Now, your very own Pokemon legend will unfold! A world of dreams and adventures with pokemon await! Now let's go!"

After Gramps' long speech we finally got to the part everyone was waiting for, the starter pokemon. I was first to choose, informing gramps that I wanted to pick out an egg. Next up was Gary, he ended up picking Squirtle in homage to his dad. I'm sure if he didn't make up with his parents he'd choose something different in spite. Then came Jay. He chose Charmander, something about having the firepower to take down bad guys. Even though he's serious most of the time he also can be quite hotheaded. Last was Leaf, who was crying tears of joy that she managed to get Bulbasaur. She loves grass type pokemon and wants to be a mono type specialist. Which comes with its own advantages and disadvantages. The main one being that the caretaking is easier because less variety is required for one type. The downside, type matchups. With everyone done choosing their starter there is only one pokeball left with a little electric symbol. It seems Ash will have a pikachu. Along with a pokemon we also got a basic trainer kit. Which included 10 pokeballs, 4 potions, and a campset.

While I left with Gramps to choose a pokemon egg, the rest left to say their goodbyes to their family and friends before their journey. We made a small promise to meet at the Indigo League Competition. With that I went to the nursery center in the lab. There was a large variety of pokemon eggs, and with my scan ability I could see what pokemon it was. Most of them were three star pokemon with a few four star. However, one egg stood out to me from the rest…

[Charmander (Shiny)

Fire

Lvl.1

Potential: ✧✧✧✧✧ 5 Stars

Bond: 0%

HP: 21

Attack: 14

Defense: 11

Sp. Attack: 12

Sp. Def: 12

Speed: 14

Moves: Scratch, Growl, Dragon Dance, Dragon Tail, Dragon Rush, Metal Claw

Evolution Requirement: Lvl.18]

Not only is this a 5 star pokemon, it also has 4 egg moves. To give a reference point I had scanned Jay's Charmander earlier.

[Charmander

(Owner: Jay)

Fire

Lvl.5

Potential: ✧✧✧✧ 4 Stars

Bond: 20%

HP: 20

Attack: 9

Defense: 10

Sp. Attack: 13

Sp. Defense: 11

Speed: 13

Moves: Scratch, Growl, Ember

Evolution Requirement: Lvl.16]

Based on the information I've gathered so far, a pokemon's potential can affect a few things. Stat growth and evolution requirements. Pokemon with higher potential tend to have higher stats than other pokemon at the same level. Also it seems they need more levels before evolution to stabilize their strength before evolution and to maximize their growth. However, I'm not entirely sure how this affects pokemon that have evolution requirements outside of levels, like Eevee and the stone evolutions. My working guess is that because of the multiplicative nature of evolution and stats, the higher level before evolution the bigger the increase in strength. There has to be a limit though otherwise if you evolve a Lvl 100 Eevee then it would be the strongest of it's eeveelution automatically. Mysteries I'm going to leave for future me to figure out.

After choosing the egg, I got an incubator that showed the egg would hatch in 2 weeks. I'm now fully ready to begin my journey, I had already packed the day before. Everyone else already said their goodbyes and were now ahead of me. Well everyone except for Ash, it's only 9 am, and I'm guessing he won't wake up until 11. I'm not really in any rush, so I'll go at my own pace.

Moving along the route towards Viridian City from Pallet, I entertain myself by talking to Zorua. She can be such a good listener. "Can you believe it Zorua? People are so obsessed with giant harems, like this one guy who traveled to a new world to visit his phone friend. Then not only made her his lover but then all the girls in the girls-only sect. At the end of the journey in that world he had like 10,000 women! But he wasn't done because he continued to pick girls like market fruit to 'feed the harem'. At that point I had to quit because it was simply ridiculous. I mean wish fulfillment is fine and all, but where is the realism!? Where's the love?! Isn't that so scummy?"

"Kyuu!! *angry face*"

"Glad you're on my side Zorua. Huh? What's that over there?" Along the way I saw someone fishing in the river that ran along the path. They looked oddly familiar, but soon I was informed of who by another well timed sound.

(A/N: Familiar person)

*Ding*

[New Quest!

On the path of life you've come across a familiar redhead! This is the start to your own protagonist journey, and what's a hero without the hero's party? So you're faced with three choices and three different rewards.

Choice 1: Ignore her and move on, she's kinda annoying anyway. Girls, who needs em!?

Rewards:

TM Frustration, Book (How To Be a Social Person)

Choice 2: Come out of your chrysalis and be the social butterfly you can be. Befriend the fiery redhead.

Rewards:

Reliable Fishing Rod, TM Return, Full Restore x1 (You too can be a good trainer)

Choice 3: Impress the water pokemon lover by catching something in the river. Convince her to join you on your journey.

Rewards:

Water Pokemon evolutionary item, Special custom pokemon food (platinum quality), TM Surf]

So many choices, I can even get rewards for walking away. Even if they're kind of insulting. Well no use overthinking it, I'll…