Hey there. This is the first piece of fanfiction I've ever written. I've loved both Pokemon and creative writing since a I was a kid, and it just felt like it was time to combine the two. Hope you enjoy ;-;
Green's Adventures in Kanto – Chapter 2: "Who's That Pokemon?"
Green hurried out into the chilly morning, cinching the the collar of his black racer jacket close against his neck, and lugging a worn gray cloth backpack over one shoulder. He headed northeast toward the base of the hill, on top of which stood Oak-Biscayne Research Center (still known simply as 'The Lab'), surrounded by Pallet College and the myriad buildings associated with each institution.
It drizzled, and Green dusted fresh droplets from his stubbornly straight hair before opening his umbrella. He knew right where he was headed. The Center for New Trainers lay at the middle of it all in a gleaming building, whose clean lines and blank expanses were evocative of the still-unwritten journeys of young trainers who entered.
After passing through its doors, Green made his away across a broad, whitewashed lobby and approached a receptionist at the front desk. She sized him up for a moment, then cleared her throat and slammed her pen down to the surface of her desk. With obvious restraint, she muttered, "Wait here for just a moment." She stood immediately, straightened the front of her skirt and left toward a pair of swinging doors to his right.
"Wait," he called out. "My name is Green and I just—"
"Yes, okay, thank you," she interrupted, not turning around. "I won't be long."
Well, great. Green stood alone in the lobby. He stepped from one foot to the another, the tapping noise reverberating from the walls. After a minute of two, a ruffling noise and the sound of voices issued through the doors. They promptly swung open.
A woman whom Green had only ever known from a great distance, whether speaking at crowded town gatherings or hosting league events, streamed through the confining screen of his phone, now stood before him in full white lab attire. Close up and in the flesh, she was taller than he'd imagined. Her dark brown hair spilled over her shoulders.
"P-Professor Biscayne," he stammered, peeling his right hand from the strap of his backpack in order to shake her hand. "I'm Green and I'm here to—"
"I know who you are," she said with a smile. "I knew your father. Still do, actually—in fact I'm surprised he didn't tell me you were coming."
Green was at a loss for words. His father never mentioned knowing the professor. He could only manage a shrug before she continued.
"Never mind that, though. Let me guess. Today's your birthday."
"Yes, professor."
"Call me Mallory," she said, then shot off the like a bullet, back toward the doors, motioning for him to follow. As he caught up to her, she said, "Let's move quickly so that you have time to see them. I would normally have one of my aides meet with a new trainer, but then I heard who it was. I told Hannah to keep an eye out just in case, and, well, here you are."
They charged down a brightly-lit hallway tiled almost entirely in white. "Are we going to see the starter Pokemon?"
"Yes, and I'm afraid you picked a bad day to come. The worst day, actually."
Well, fuck, thought Green. "Can I ask what you mean by that?"
More double doors came up on the left. "I'll let you see for yourself." She stood aside and motioned for him to go in ahead of her. Heart in his throat, Green pushed his way through.
He stepped into a large atrium, slightly warmer than the hall, and humid. Looking up, he saw the massive web of interlocked glass panes that formed the ceiling. Several trees rose up from circular grates in the floor. Small, grassy hills had been built up along the walls and in the room's center. An artificial pond carved out a large corner to the left. "Wow, it's beautiful in here," he said.
"Yes, well, take a look around."
He stepped gingerly toward a young sycamore, and then turned back to face her. "But isn't this where you keep the starters?"
Before the professor could answer, a Pidgey swooped down from an unseen perch, landing at their feet. It called out meekly and pecked at the ground.
"Well hey there," said Green. "You seem awfully friendly."
She pulled a clipboard from the wall. "Let's see, looks like a level three male...well, no, hold on." She frowned. "Says here he's only a level two. Anyway," she said, returning the clipboard to its hook, "these Pokemon have had the past month to warm to humans. That's what I'm getting at—we don't receive the next batch until tomorrow. And even then, it's best for new trainers if the Pokemon have a few days to settle in. Would it drive you crazy to wait four or five days, and come back when the selection is better?"
Green nearly felt sick. Yes, it would drive him crazy. The professor certainly knew how to choose her words. After all this time spent counting down the days, hours—minutes—he was now, unimaginably, being asked to wait once more. What to do? He cleared his throat. "Did you say there are others?"
She laughed. "Just one. This way please."
He followed her through the trees to a contrived rock formation near the back of the room. They circled around to the far side of the concrete structure, gravelly soil now underfoot, and Green saw a knee-high, round opening to a small artificial cave, butting against the wall.
"Just kneel down and have a look. No need to be scared. I doubt she'll be scared of you, either."
As he peeked through, Green noticed a rustling of fur several feet back in the shadows. And then, the unmistakeable round face of a Growlithe came right toward him. As it emerged into the natural light, they nearly bumped noses—and Green saw it. A dark mane. In fact, completely and utterly black. Before he could speak, the thing advanced, giddy, pushing him onto his backside in the dirt, making a quick home in his lap.
The professor laughed. "She likes to hide in here—though as you can see, she's not especially shy. Just a bit sad from waiting around so long."
Perfect, then they already had something in common. Green found he could not keep from giggling as she made repeated attempts to lick his face. "What's going on with her coloring?"
"Right...so it's a mutation. Rare, but not unheard-of. It is not associated with any health risks per se, but Green, wait before you get too attached—and do pay attention to what I am about to say."
He managed to calm her a bit before looking up at the professor.
"She will advance through her levels much more slowly than normal. I have seen cases as extreme as one-third the normal rate. And perhaps more notably, she will likely never evolve."
His heart sunk. Of course there was a catch. The Growlithe began squirming again and emitted a cheerful yip. He looked down into her eyes—definitely a bad move, if his intention was to pass on her. They were large and bright, and stared into him with hope (either real or imagined), as if the Pokemon were aware of opportunity posed by his visit. "Hold on," he said suddenly. "Her eyes are blue."
The professor knelt down beside him. "Yes, that is a co-mutation often observed with the black coloring on the mane. I shouldn't affect her vision."
"Oh." He returned his attention to her, petting down the striped fur of her back, knowing that with each second, he stepped a few feet closer to the edge.
"Green, due to the slow nature of her progression, competitive battling—especially gym battles—would pose severe challenges. Adding to that, her inability to evolve means it's highly unlikely she would ever be championship-team material." She paused, taking in a breath. "I'm afraid I have to officially advise against the selection of this particular Pokemon. It was a personal indulgence to show her to you. My professional opinion is that she is unfit as a starter."
Green studied the professor for a moment. "And what is your personal opinion?"
"My personal opinion is that she is unfit as a starter." She signed, bit her lip, and added quietly, "At least for the typical new trainer."
His eyes locked for an instant with the professor's.
She looked away, pulling out her phone. "Anyway, I really do need to get going. It's almost ten and I have a meeting. I can have one of my aides take my place if you need more time—"
"I'll take her."
;-;