A/N: Hello everybody! I am new to the Pokémon fandom! I have previously written fanfiction for Twilight, but since I started watching Pokémon, I became obsessed. Right now, I have just started watching season 3, the Johto Journeys. So excuse my limited knowledge of Pokémon. I have also just started playing Pokémon yellow. Please review and tell me what you think!
"How am I supposed to fit all my possessions in this one bag?" I ask in exasperation.
York, my older brother, shakes his head slowly with a slight smile.
"That, Myrtle," he says, "Is one of the world's greatest mysteries."
His mock-serious tone makes me bust out laughing. The anxiety building in my chest lessens just a bit.
We are sitting in my room, packing my backpack so I am fully prepared to begin my Pokémon journey tomorrow. York started his journey one year ago, and we both aspire to become Pokémon masters.
"Let's begin again," York says, and dumps out the bag's contents. "The key is to pack the essentials first."
So we put my sleeping bag, Poké balls, money, and clothes in the bag. Then York packs a little extra food and water and my hairbrush. "There," he says, "That's all that will fit."
I thank York and he gives me a hug. "Are you sure that you don't want to travel with me?" he asks. I shake my head no. "Alright then. Promise me you'll be careful out there."
"I will," I promise.
York had spent the last year capturing and training his Pokémon. He will spend the next few months going from gym to gym so he can get eight badges. Then he will compete in the Indigo League Championships. But I want to travel a different path. I want to compete in the newly formed Sundew League. I hadn't told anybody, but last month I'd had a dream about winning the Sundew League Championships. The next morning I told my mom and York that I would forgo competing in the closer Indigo League for the Sundew League, which was farther away from Pallet Town. I hadn't told them about my dream, fearing they would dismiss it as foolishness. But I had my heart set and they eventually agreed.
After York leaves my room, I am left alone with my thoughts. I focus on which Pokémon I should choose tomorrow. Professor Oak offers three choices: Charmander, Squirtle, and Bulbasaur. I have no idea which is the best choice.
There is a quiet knock on my door. "Come in," I say.
It is my mother. "Hey, sweetie," she says. "Are you all set for tomorrow?"
I smile at her. "I am, Mom. I really am."
That night, I sleep fitfully. I dream of walking through the woods, surrounded by my Pokémon. I am laughing and happy. We stop at a lake to rest. But then, a massive Gyarados jumps out of the water and snatches my Pokémon. Then he dives back underwater. I scream, and jump in the lake after them, but the water turns black and pulls me to the bottom of its murky depths.
I wake up in a cold sweat. I look at my clock; it is six in the morning. I groan. Knowing there is no way I will fall asleep again, I get up for the day. I dress in comfortable jeans, a T-shirt, and a light jacket. I go downstairs to eat some breakfast and am surprised to see that my mother is already up. "Good morning," she says. "Couldn't sleep well?"
"No," I reply. "Too anxious."
"It's a big day," she replies. "Here, eat some toast."
After breakfast, I go upstairs to get my backpack and to say goodbye to my room. "Ready to go?" my mom asks me. And suddenly I find that the anxiety I had been feeling last night is gone. "Yes," I say. "I'm ready."
My mom smiles at my excitement. "I'll meet you there in half an hour. Choose well!"
"I will!" I say, and dash through the front door. The long dusty path to Professor Oak's lab seems extra long today. But I eventually reach the massive estate. I walk up to the front door and ring the doorbell and bounce excitedly on the balls of my feet impatiently as I wait for him to answer. He finally opens the door. "Ah, Myrtle," he says. "Are you ready to begin your Pokémon journey?"
"I sure am, Professor!" I say.
"Great. Well, let's not dilly-dally. Follow me."
I follow Professor Oak through a couple hallways and into a large, circular room. In the middle sits a metal table with three Poké balls on it.
"You're the first new trainer to show up today, so you get the first pick," Professor Oak tells me.
I look at the three Poké balls. This is it, the time to decide. I stare at them, willing myself to decide. Professor Oak senses my dilemma. He has been giving out starter Pokémon to new trainers for many years.
"Undecided?" he asks kindly. I nod my head yes. "Let me give you a run down on each," he offers. "Thank you," I say. "That would be much appreciated."
Even though I already know everything there is to know about these three Pokémon, I listen politely to the professor and thank him when he's done. Needless to say, I'm still undecided.
"Listen, Myrtle," Professor Oak says kindly, "Each of these Pokémon is great in its own way. There is no wrong choice. Each of these has great potential. Here, try this. Try picking the Pokémon with the personality closest to yours. That way, you will be more likely to be lifelong friends."
"Great idea," I say. I think about each of the three Pokémon. Last year, when York started his journey, he chose a Squirtle. He let it out of its Poké ball before he left on his journey, and I loved it. I thought it was so sweet and happy. However, I got the sense that it would do whatever York would tell it to do. While this is a good trait for a Pokémon to have, I want a Pokémon that has some common sense. If I lead us into disaster, I want it to hopefully be able to lead us out of it. I want to have trust in my Pokémon that it will pick up on any bad decisions I make and let me know if I do.
My cousin Kuri visited us one time when I was eight years old. He had just started his Pokémon journey. He let his new Bulbasaur roam around the house during his visit. While I enjoyed playing with it, I got the impression that it was just a little too fierce for my taste. While I have no doubt that I will capture some very fierce Pokémon during my journey, I want my first Pokémon to be my best friend.
That leaves me with Charmander. I think of the time that a baby Charmander wandered into Pallet Town in the January of last year. The poor little guy was cold and miserable. But he proved to be very smart. He foraged in trash cans for food, and used his flamethrower to make small fires for himself to keep warm. He was strong and healthy by April. Finally a trainer came around and captured it. I think about the advantages of having a Charmander. Clever, kind, and loyal, a Charmander would be a great friend. He would also be useful in starting fires in the forest to keep me warm. And he would eventually evolve into the mighty, powerful Charizard.
I had made my decision.
"Professor Oak," I say with confidence in my voice, "I choose Charmander!"
Professor Oak nods his head in approval. "Charmander it is, then." He turns to the metal table and selects the Poké ball in the middle and hands it to me. "Myrtle, here is your first Pokémon."
I look at the old professor with pride in his eyes. "Thank you," I say. "Thank you so much."
"No problem, Myrtle. Always remember that if you need advice, feel free to call me."
"I'll be sure to."
"Good," he says. "Why don't you let out your Charmander now? It will be essential that you build a good, loving relationship with him."
"Okay," I say. I stroke the smooth surface of the Poké ball. "I choose you! Charmander!" I say, and throw the Poké ball. There is a burst of light, and a shape emerges. The light goes out, and I get my first look at my new Charmander. He is so cute, with his orange coat, bright blue eyes, and sweeping tail with a flame at the end. "Charmander!" he says in his soft voice and runs right at me. I am scared for a moment before I remember that I am his master. He jumps right into my arms and wraps his little arms around my neck. I laugh and hug him back. "Hi, Charmander!" I say. "I'm Myrtle. It's nice to meet you. We'll be great friends!"
"Charmander!" he replies.
Professor Oak laughs. "He seems to like you," he says.
"Char! Char!" my Charmander says. He licks my face with his hot little tongue. I laugh.
"You must build a strong relationship with each and every Pokémon that you catch," Professor Oak says. "You won't be a Pokémon master if you don't treat your Pokémon well. Don't push them too hard, and don't yell at them. Thank them and tell them what a great job they did after each match, even if they'd lost. Always be encouraging, and always cater to their needs."
"I will, Professor Oak," I say. "I promise."
"Good. Now let me give you one more thing." He goes to an old wooden desk, opens the top drawer, and retrieves a red device from it. "This is called a Pokédex. Use it when you encounter a Pokémon that you've never seen before and it will tell you all about it."
"Thanks," I say, and take the Pokédex from him. Then, the doorbell rings.
"Excuse me," Professor Oak says, and disappears into a hallway. He comes back a minute later with Bailey, an irritable, rude girl my age. She completely ignores me when she walks into the room. Her unnaturally blonde hair shines in the fluorescent lights.
"So, Bailey," Professor Oak says, "Do you know which Pokémon you want? Myrtle here has already chosen a—"
"I want a Charmander!" Bailey declares, cutting Professor Oak off.
"I'm sorry, Bailey, but Myrtle has already chosen Charmander."
Bailey turns, slowly, her furious eyes meeting mine. She looks down at my Charmander, which is still sitting in my lap and narrows her eyes. She stalks over to us. I feel Charmander tense, sensing danger. Bailey points to the Poké ball in my hand. "Give me that Poké ball. Now" she demands.
I shake my head no. "Not a chance."
"Listen to me! My whole life I've been dreaming of this day. I've been planning to choose Charmander since I was five years old! Give me that Poké ball! Now!"
I stand up, and back away from her. "You can always catch a wild Charmander during your journey," I say, trying to calm her down.
"No! I want a Charmander—now!"
And Bailey charges at me, pulling her fist back, preparing to hit me.
Suddenly, I see a blast of red fire hit Bailey in the face. She screeches and stumbles back. I look down at my Charmander and know I had made the right choice. "Thank you, Charmander," I say. "Charmander! Char!" he replies.
"Alright now, everybody settle down now." Professor Oak says. "Bailey, Myrtle is Charmander's master. You can choose between Squirtle and Bulbasaur."
Bailey scowls. "Gimme Bulbasaur," she quips.
Professor Oak gives her the Pokéball on the left, and then gives her a Pokédex.
"Why don't you let your new Bulbasaur out now?" he asks her.
Bailey throws her Poké ball. "Go, Bulbasaur!"
There is a flash of light, and then a Bulbasaur appears. He looks around the room curiously, and then sees my Charmander. "Bulbasaur!" he says, and goes over to greet Charmander, but Bailey stops him. "No, Bulbasaur!" she says. "That Charmander, and his master are our enemies."
Professor Oak shakes his head and disapproval. "Bailey, you really shouldn't—"
He is cut off by the doorbell. He sighs and goes to answer the door, leaving Bailey and I alone.
"Why don't we have our Pokémon battle?" she suggests.
"No. I just got my Charmander. I'm not making him fight yet."
"Chicken," she sneers. I just shrug.
Professor Oak returns with Jade, a friendly, shy boy my age.
"Jade, there is only one Pokémon left, which is Squirtle." Professor Oak says.
"Good. That's the one I wanted anyway," Jade says with a small smile.
Professor Oak gives him his Poké ball and Pokédex, and then Jade lets his Squirtle out.
"Squirtle, squirt!" Squirtle says, and Jade gives him a big hug.
"Now that you all have your Pokémon, you can begin your journey," Professor Oak says. "But before I go, can each of you tell me where you're going?"
"I'm going to the Sundew League!" I say.
"I think I'll go to the Indigo League," Jade says.
"I'll go wherever I want to go!" Bailey declares.
"You know, Bailey, it's always best to have a plan," Professor Oak says, but Bailey crosses her arms and glares at him.
"Never mind, then. Oh, and before I forget, I should tell you that you can only carry six Pokémon with you at all times. Once you catch your seventh, it will be sent to me, and I will take care of it. If you want to use it, find a transfer station, and you can trade one of your Pokémon for it. Now get out there; adventures await!"
Jade and I thank Professor Oak again and recall our Pokémon. Bailey recalls her Bulbasaur and walks out without saying a word. Outside, I see my mom and York waiting. I go up to them, Poké ball in hand.
"Which Pokémon did you choose, Myrtle?" York asks right away.
"A Charmander!" I reply. "Want to see him?"
"Of course I do!"
So I let Charmander out of his ball and let him meet York and my mom. After they get acquainted, I recall Charmander and attach the Poké ball to my belt.
"Well, this is it, sweetie," my mom says. She's smiling but she has tears in her eyes. "Good luck out there. Call often. I hope to see you soon!"
I hug her, and then York and I leave Pallet Town along the dusty path. About a mile down we come upon a fork in the road. There's a sign in the middle, with two arrows. The path to the Indigo League is on the right, and the path to the Sundew League is on the left.
"Good luck, Myrtle," York says, and he gives me a hug.
"Thanks, York," I say, hugging him back.
And then we break apart, smile, and go our separate ways.
Please review and tell me what you think! I'll update as soon as I can!
