I'm sure you've heard about the things that have been going on these past few months. The explosion at Mt. Moon, the closing of the gyms, etc. etc. But I'm sure you haven't heard the true story either. The government had to cover up a lot of things. So I'm going to tell you everything, because I was there. I'm Ishida Satoshi.
A group of students sat in the room, with bored expressions on their faces, when the teacher, Motiyama-sensei, walked in. They couldn't help it, as Math was by far the most boring class. And probably the most difficult too. One kid, wearing a red cap along with the rest of the school uniform, seemed to be the most bored of the bunch.
Ishida Satoshi was the name of the kid with the cap, which covered his messy brown hair, and he wasn't paying the least bit of attention to the teacher or anyone else. He was muttering under his breath, "I wonder what kind of Pokemon I'll get tomorrow. A Male Nidoran, maybe. Although I guess a Poliwag or an Abra wouldn't be too bad."
"Ishida!"
Satoshi's head jerked upwards. "Yes, Motiyama-sensei?"
"Would you mind answering the question I've asked you the past three times?"
Satoshi frowned. "Could you repeat the question sensei?"
The teacher frowned, but before he could say anything else, the bell rang, signaling the end of the day.
Satoshi was grateful that he had escaped the teacher's wrath, but that thought soon left his mind as he began to worry about receiving some pathetic Pokemon. His mood didn't improve as he passed some older students, one of whom was bragging about the fact that he was getting a male Nidoran. Satoshi hoped it wasn't the only one around.
He had to grin though, when he saw Izumi with Takeru and Junpei, who were arguing about something. The three were his best friends. Takeru and Junpei always seemed to be arguing about something. This time it was about the Pokemon match that had been seen on TV last night.
"He clearly cheated," Takeru was saying. "He recalled his Pokemon in a 4 vs 4 match and then sent it out into battle again before using the other three again." Takeru pushed his brown hair out of his eyes, and rubbed his large nose. He was sort of the voice of reason in the group, the one who kept the four of them out of trouble.
"They never said it was 4 vs 4! He was a newcomer, and that guy was pretty experienced. They set up a 3 vs 4 in that guys favor. It's like when you give up a piece in chess!" Junpei retorted. His red hair was so short, his green eyes seemed awkwardly low on his head.
Izumi frowned. She was the only girl who hung out with them on a regular basis, because she had a crush on Takeru, though she never mentioned it. "Is that all you can talk about? I mean honestly! When you aren't playing a Pokemon video game, you're watching Pokemon matches on TV. Your parents must pay a fortune on electricity!" She chewed a tress of her golden hair, and her brown eyes had a strange look in them.
Satoshi joined them. "Come on Izumi-san! Give them a break! Pokemon is cool. They've discovered some one hundred and thirty-nine Pokemon here in Kanto alone!"
"That's all well and good, but some of them really freak me out! I mean, whenever I see a Gastly, Haunter or Gengar on TV, I turn it off. They're always in some stupid horror movie. And-" Izumi was cut off when she saw a Pikachu. It immediately came up to her and began nuzzling her happily.
"I didn't know you had a Pokemon for a pet, Izumi-san," Takeru muttered.
Izumi shrugged. "Yeah, well, it's useful. It scares all the mice out of the house. My mother is a little disapproving right now, but when she got sick a couple days ago, Pikachu comforted her. I think Mother will warm up to it in a couple of days."
"You don't even know it's gender?" Junpei shouted!
"Get over it. In case you haven't noticed, I haven't exactly Impressed it. Unlike trainers, who can communicate with their Pokemon almost telepathically, I have to use verbal commands. I might Impress it in a couple of months though. My birthday is exactly 60 days away. If I do become a trainer, it will be so much fun. I doubt I'll be a trainer though. Father wants me to run the store, as he doesn't 'have a son to carry it on.' It's a little sad."
Takeru shook his head. "I'm a month younger than you. It's so unfair, I won't be a trainer until you, if you are going to be one."
Junpei groaned. "In case you've forgotten Takeru-kun, I'm staying the year. It's the smartest thing to do. Classes are really useful. You should take them.
'And what about you, Satoshi-kun. You staying the year?"
"No way, I'm leaving the first chance I get. Pallet Town is so boring. I have never seen anything exciting here. Entering the police force is like being unemployed with full pay, because there aren't even robbers here. And-"
Satoshi didn't get a chance to finish his sentence. After he'd mentioned 'robbers' the Pikachu got an agitated look on its face, and now had shocked Satoshi, and, because of its proximity to the girl, Izumi as well. Luckily, it wasn't very strong, but it did do some damage.
"You little-" shouted Satoshi. Again, he didn't finish, as the Pikachu darted off. "After it!" he yelled.
The four children dashed after the little mouse Pokemon as quickly as they could. The fact was, it was a lot faster than they were. It almost got away when it turned a corner. Junpei was soon ahead of them, dashing straight towards the Pokemon.
The Pikachu didn't stand a chance. Junpei scooped it up quickly, and quickly tied a leash around it, ignoring the occasional jolts he received from the Pokemon.
When he was finished, he sat down happily. "Wow," he said. "It's almost enough to make me want to go on my Pokemon journey now."
"Well, Junpei-kun, why did you stay?" asked Izumi
Junpei shrugged. "I don't know, I guess I kind of liked the idea of the four of us setting out together. After all, I guess I never really got used to the idea of me setting off on the adventure alone. I always thought we'd go together, battling gym leaders, roughing it, you know, all the stuff that trainers do."
Izumi shook her head. "Sorry Junpei-kun." She sighed, "If I become a trainer, I'd go solo, researching Pokemon and all that. Going with the only strengths I have in school, science."
Takeru offered a suggestion. "You should talk to the guy who lives here in town, that famous researcher... um... what's his name?"
"It's Ookido Hakase," Izumi answered. "I'm not hanging out with the grandfather of Ookido whats-his-face."
"Shigeru? That's Shigeru's grandfather?" Junpei said. "You're kidding!"
"I'm not. I hope that one of the other Hakases shows up. Then I'll get a great job for a trainer. I mean, how many people do you know that actually get to work with the distinguished researchers of Pokemon?"
"And we're the ones obsessed with Pokemon?" Satoshi muttered. He said a hasty good bye, and began heading up north.
He came to the outskirts of town, and wandered on. After going a little ways, he found himself at his favorite spot on the route. A small lake was there, and the occasional Pokemon could be seen, getting a quick drink before dashing back into the wilderness.
He sat down and pulled his fishing rod out from the base of his favorite tree. He cast his rod out without bait, as he wasn't interested in getting another stupid Magikarp from the lake. He wouldn't be able to catch one anyway. He didn't have any Pokeballs.
He was suddenly aware of a long-haired girl sitting next to him. "Hello," she said.
Satoshi turned to look at her. "I've seen you before, I think. Are you a Trainer?"
"Not yet. But I will be one in two days. I'll explain everything to you tomorrow. Just know this, you'll need another Pokemon. I'll see you tomorrow, same time, right here. Be ready." She suddenly smiled. "I hope you get a Pokemon on your birthday tomorrow."
She got up, and started running off. Satoshi shouted, "How do you know so much about me?"
She turned around and shouted back. "I'm one of Izumi's friends!"
The girl turned around, ran off, and didn't look back. Her brown hair waved behind her.