Pokemon: Episode 1

It's said that each of us has a calling, a purpose that must be fulfilled. Some wander through their days in search of this, and it may never come. Death may strike them down before they get the chance. But I have answered my calling, and tomorrow I start my journey to gain the wisdom of Pokémon training.

I'm going to be the very best, like no one ever was. Catching them is the real test, but training them is my cause. I will travel across the land in search of these creatures, and face every challenge, every battle, with courage and strength. My name is Ash, and I hereby declare to the Pokémon of the world, I will become a Pokémon Master.

I lay in bed as the moon shines through my window, lighting up the poster of the three starter Pokémon on my wall. Which do I choose? My mind races through the benefits of each while I toss my Pokeball alarm clock up and down. It feels natural in my hand. This comforts me.

Eventually, I fall asleep.

I shoot up in my bed, my shirt sticking to my back from sweat. The sun shines brightly into my window. Too bright for early morning. My alarm clock is smashed to pieces on the floor. Oh my God. I'm late. How can this be happening? I can't be late. My stomach tightens and I feel sick.

I sprint out of the house still in my pajamas, almost falling on the hardwood floor. I barely manage to get my shoes on as I run to Professor Oak's lab. Please let there be Pokémon left for me. There has to be.

I ignore the burning in my chest as I get to the Professor's lab as quickly as possible. I can just see it now; the whole town laughing at me, the stupid kid who can't do anything right.

"If only he were more like his brother. Then maybe his Dad wouldn't be so disappointed in him." They'd say to each other in pity. I force those thoughts away.

I hear a crowd cheering and clapping. My stomach tightens again and I think I might throw up. This is the biggest day of my life, and already I've screwed it up.

"Gary, Gary he's our man. If he can't do it, no one can!" A chorus of voices chants over the cheers and claps of the crowd. They nestled into the landing in front of the Professor's stairs. Gary. I should have known.

People turned to stare at me as I thundered down the path, sweaty and wearing yellow pajamas. I push through the crowd and squeeze through the cheerleaders, pompoms swinging and everything to get to the stairs.

"Sorry," I say, "Excuse me. I'm late and I just need to get through. Excuse me."

I bow my head and push forward until I collide with someone. I feel the wind knocked from my lungs as I fall onto my ass. I look up and see Gary Oak sneering at me.

"Watch where you're going, kid."

"Sorry, I didn't mean to." I get up and brush the dirt from my clothes. I must look like hell. It doesn't matter. I just have to get to the lab.

"Well, you must be Ash. Better late than never, I guess." He says, laughing while his perfect hair rustles in the wind. The cheerleaders carry on with their chants. "At least you get to meet me." What a pretentious piece of shit. I imagine myself slamming my fist into his mouth, feeling teeth shatter and skin split open beneath my knuckles. He thinks that because he's Professor Oak's Grandson that he's entitled to everything.

"Whatever. I gotta go, Gary."

"That's Mr. Gary to you, kid. Show some respect. You snooze you lose. And you're way behind right from the start. I've got a Pokémon and you don't."

"You got your first Pokémon?"

"That's right, loser. And it's right inside this Pokeball." He pulls the ball from his belt and holds it up like some lost relic he recovered.

"Let's go Gary, let's go. Yeah! Yeah!" I wonder if Gary paid them. Wouldn't doubt it.

"Thank you fans, thank you all for this great honour. I promise you that I will become a Pokémon Master and make the town of Pallet known all around the world." I don't stick around to hear the rest of his speech.

I'm bounding up the stairs two at a time to get to Professor Oak. I'll show them. This is who I am meant to be.

To Be Continued…