Assignment: Magikarp
In a world where pokemon are assigned to you based on how you do on tests young Ash Ketchum is assigned the worst pokemon in the program, a magikarp. But he's determined to show everyone what he can do.
"Hey Ash, wait up!"
Ash turned to face the caller, seeing the young Gary Oak running up to meet him and he sighed. The two had a friendly rivalry going on and had since the two were babies. "Hey gary, you excited for your assignment?"
"Yeah who wouldn't be? After four years of waiting we finally get to see who were being partnered with. I'm sure that as the best I'll get the best. Maybe a Mew."
"Or maybe you'll be assigned a magikarp. You never know until the test is done."
"Don't joke about that ketchum, can you imagine how embarrassing that would be if the Gary Oak grandson of the famous professor oak were assigned a magikarp? I'd never be able to show my face again."
"Remember what red always says gary, 'All pokemon have worth, you just have to work to bring it out'. Otherwise why would he still have a pikachu instead of a raichu?"
"Yeah I guess"
"So lets just agree that until we see what pokemon we get we wont know what our future is going to be like."
the two had agreed earlier on a practice battle as soon as they got their pokemon, and so had gone to the field with their new pokeballs in hand. One would be filled with their new partner, the other five empty for any other pokemon they wanted to catch.
"On the count of three." Gary said, "one,two three."
the flash of light was nearly blinding but ash's stomach seemed to flip as he saw the pokemon revealed for the first time. Gary's pokemon was a respectable eevee, a pokemon that could evolve into different pokemon based on what was done with it. His own was a pathetically flopping magikarp. Gary's expression went from surprise, to sympathy to a look of condescension.
"My grandfather is one of the testers, i'm sure i could get him to retest you Ash."
"No. I said that all pokemon have worth and i believe it. However i don't think this magikarp is quite at the level to be challenging your eevee yet. Give me a week to meet you in Pewter. We'll battle then."
"Whatever you say Ketchum. Later loser."
Ash stared after his friend as he looked at the magikarp who was now looking at him "its okay, we will train and you will become stronger, i promise."
End chapter