A New Hero's Journey
Okay, so this is my first FanFiction, so I don't know if this is good or not. But at least I'm getting good at writing stories; speaking of which, check out my stories on Fiction Press, you can just follow the link on my profile. Anyway, I've been a fan of Pokémon ever since it first came out in late 1997 in the U.S. (I was in 4th Grade). I've always wanted to write a fanfic. I've always been a long time reader, and so, I'm testing my waters in fanfiction, Oh yeah, we all know the disclaimers, so to Satoshi Tajiri, to you and Game Freak Inc., thank you for Pokémon; if it wasn't for you I wouldn't learned the original Pokémon Rap or the original theme song, and the practice drawing them helped improve my manga drawing. Summary: A young kid, who aspires to be like his top-tier favorite Pokémon trainer, Ash Ketchum, hails from the outskirts of Crimson City (A metropolis where the roads are northeast from Pallet Town (route 47), southeast from Pewter City (Route 48), southwest of Cerulean City (route 49), and west from Celadon City (Route 16)), and he is about to start his own journey, quite similar to his hero.
Capture One – Off on the Wrong Foot
Picture the opening of a game, a Pikachu facing off against a Magmortar, the fiery biped swiping at the yellow mouse, the electric rodent dodging, then leaping in the air. Change from the video game to a TV broadcast, the Pikachu was in the air, charged up for the attack then unleashed a fierce Thunder to which the Magmortar stepped back, the commentator sounding off the play-by-play, "Oh and that was a close one! Ash's Pikachu just missed that attack by an inch. Paul's Magmortar appears to be very well trained. Both trainers…" A young, ten-year-old, dark brown-haired boy, dressed in his PJ's, was in room, watching the battle with so much intent, riddled with excitement, cheering on the boy from Kanto, Ash Ketchum. Already with his official certification completed, the youngster was set to begin his journey the next day, that's if he was well-rested, instead of staying up late, watching a Pokémon battle. He was absolutely psyched, "I, Zach Gettum, will not back down from any challenge, any battle, any obstacle, or any Pokémon. With will, determination, courage, and perseverance, I will win. No matter what, I will be the greatest master, of all time!"
The door burst open, and a nineteen-year old, beautiful, slender, with a Snorlax-sized, harsh attitude, dressed in a very long, green, unrevealing, nightshirt, stood in the doorway, "Zachary Gettum! Are you still up! Didn't Mom tell you! You're supposed to be in bed, getting rest, just so you won't be late to be at Prof. Oak's lab to start your journey, not staying up late watching a Pokémon battle!" the girl shouted.
"Well sis, you know that I wanted to see this battle, Ash Ketchum is fighting Paul in the Sinnoh League Quarterfinals."
"Well, if you wanted to see that battle, you could've asked me to tape it for you, but since you're already up, when the battle is finished, switch the channel to Poké Education TV for the late night showing of Prof. Oak's lecture of starter Pokémon."
"Yeah, Yeah, I know, Fiona, I hear ya, loud and clear." Zach sarcastically commented.
"You better watch! You're going to become a trainer tomorrow, Zach; you know you're supposed to be more responsible." Fiona lectured.
"I know," Zach had said, feeling annoyed.
"So, who's winning, Ash or Paul?" Fiona wondered.
"Well Sis, so far, Paul."
"Okay, well, remember what I said." Fiona reminded.
"Yeah, yeah, I know. After this battle, Poké Ed TV with Prof. Oak, then bed." Zach acknowledged.
After the exciting Pokémon battle and the informative, televised Professor Oak lecture was over, Zach was fast asleep dreaming about the his decision to pick between Bulbasaur, Charmander, and Squirtle as his first Pokémon. After flailing his arm, banging it against the wall, his Pokéball alarm clock with the cuckoo Pidgey fell from the shelf into his hand. In his slumber, around 3:00 in the twilight of early morning, he threw the clock like a Pokéball, dreaming that he was calling out a starter, thus destroying it. "Go … Choose it or lose it," he drowsily spoke before crashing his head back into his pillow. As the sun had risen beyond the hills to the east, a Dodrio crowed the wake-up call from a rooftop, but with the three-headed ostrich a mile away and his alarm clock smashed, Zach was already miring himself in his own sleepy setbacks before ever starting on his own journey.
"WHAAAA, I'M LATE! I'm late, I'm late, I'm late!" Zach frantically panicked, trying to rapidly change from his pajamas to his normal clothes.
"That's what you get for staying up late," his sister humorously chimed aloud from downstairs.
"Yeah, yeah, Sis; I don't want to hear it. By the way, Fiona, did you know where I put my backpack?" Zach asked as he literally jumping the steps. He landed on his feet wearing a black tee shirt with the Official Pokémon League logo in red, a deep ocean blue hooded zip-up sweater with an ice blue interior and accents, the sleeves cut off, dark blue denim jeans with cargo pockets on both sides, red tennis shoes with white laces and black; orange; and yellow accents, and a deep red Official Pokémon League cap with a black center and an orange Pokéball emblem.
"Slow down! it's ever there on the corner by the backdoor. I double checked for you and made sure that you had all the proper necessities and a few extra amenities." Fiona informed.
"I understand the extra rations, but there's a portable rice cooker, a wok skillet, a wooden plate, a serving spoon; why would I need these?" as Zach inspected the bag.
"Why else did Mom and I have help up in the kitchen? We knew this day was coming and so we had to teach you to cook for yourself, you know. Oh, I also stocked you with extra Potions, Paralyze Heals, and Antidotes. And next to your pack, there should be 15,000 Yen (approx. $150 USD) that for your initial expenses that Mom won at the Celadon Game Corner." Fiona explained.
"Oh okay, thanks Sis, I'm gonna head out now. Oh yeah, is Mom back home from Celadon City, yet? I was hoping that she would see me off too."
"Oh, she isn't back yet but I just talked to her, and she wishes you the best of luck, Zach."
"Oh okay, so I better get going now." Zach said, feeling a little downtrodden.
"Yeah, you better, Zach. You're already late." His older sister smiled.
"Alright, Sis, I'm off to Professor Oak's lab, I'll see you later! Tell Mom I'll miss her, 'kay?"
"Okay, just come back a master!"
"I'll be better than Ash, bet on it!" Zach shouted, giving the thumbs-up.
With that, Zach got on his bike, speeding down Route 47, peddling as hard and as he could en route to Pallet Town to see Professor Oak to receive his first Pokémon; whether it either was to be a leafy green dinosaur in Bulbasaur, a fiery lizard in Charmander, or an aquatic blue turtle in Squirtle, it was the first one for him, the Pokémon to help him start his journey.
Well, this is my very first fanfic chapter, basically a fluff with some build up, so read and review, please. I feast lavishly upon constructive criticism, especially upon the latter chapters. The very, very important question will be answered next chapter, "Which Pokémon will Zach choose?" Here's the hint: "History repeats itself". So stay tuned and find out, fellow Pokémaniacs!