The Master's Tourney

It was still dark outside. The moon shone its last remaining light through the sky, painting the world a shadowy grey and blue. Micah turned down his street, hoping to see some Pokémon on the way to his grandfather's, but at the moment everything was asleep. He walked on for miles and miles over bridges and through forests. Now there were Pokémon everywhere. He saw Pidgey, Diglett, Magikarp, and Poliwag—pretty much everything he could imagine. Some he didn't even know the names of.

Butterflies rose aloft in his stomach. He couldn't wait to get his first Pokémon of his own and train with it every day.

Within a few hours he reached his grandfather's house in Vermillion City. It was small, perched on the top of a mountain overlooking the ocean that docked the S.S. Anne. Brick paved the way up the little mountain to a white sided home. Micah reached the large red door and knocked. In the distance he heard his grandfather call out, "Come in. It's unlocked."

He opened the door and stepped inside. It smelt like home cooked bread and Micah felt himself suddenly feel more awake. He took in the new scent and sat down at the small wooden dinner table. In the distance he could hear his grandfather tinkering with something. He was an inventor and a well known one at that. He had even built some stuff for Professor Oak's famous lab.

A few minutes later his grandfather came walking in, hunched over holding his lower back. He croaked, "I'm too old for this Micah. I really need to retire."

Micah smiled and got up to hug his grandfather who was covered in dust. He hugged his grandfather and said, "Hey pop. Did my mom tell you what happened?"

His pop pulled from the hug beaming at Micah, "You bet. It took you long enough. I set aside some money for you and made a call to Professor Oak. He's expecting you within the next few days at his lab in Pallet Town. Did I ever tell you the story of how I caught my first Pokémon?" He cackled, "Well my only one, but still."

Micah rolled his eyes nodding, "Yes, only a million times pop."

His pop sat there, strumming his long white beard, peering over his small circular spectacles. He was always studying Micah, looking for signs of nervousness or confidence. He sat down and said, "Well Micah I do believe you are ready to start your journey. When you come to battle Lt. Surge I will watch your battle." Nodding he continued, "I think it is time you began, good luck."

Micah's smile faded away and he huffed, "Do I have to walk all the way to Pallet Town? Can't I just teleport?"

His pop turned away, looked at the door leading into the next room, and nodded to Micah. He stood up and grumbled, "Ok, you can use ole' Alakazam, but for the rest of the journey I would avoid teleporting, it's only going to make the trip less fun."

Micah beamed at his pop, "Thanks!" Then he turned to face the same door and called, "Alakazam are you in there? Can you do me a favor?"

Alakazam stepped out through the door, radiating the scent of machinery from which he was working on. When he saw Micah he smiled shouting, "Ala, Alakazam."

Micah returned the grin and said, "It's been a long a time Alakazam. Do you think you could teleport me to Pallet Town?"

Alakazam cheered with joy and reached out to touch Micah. He wanted to say bye and thanks to his pop but before he could he was being enveloped in pure white light then an eerie darkness then back to the white light again.

He had just teleported.

When he landed he shook his head to gain his bearings, but it took a few seconds for his eyes to focus in on his new destination. He then thanked Alakazam who nodded and turned on the spot, vanishing into nothingness. He turned around gazing at the small homes lining the streets. It was nothing like Saffron City with all its massive buildings. No, it was somehow more peaceful, more in touch with nature.

Micah threw on his hood, straddled his backpack and started to walk down towards the main square of the town. He knew he had arrived at Pallet Town because he saw Professor Oak's famous laboratory on the cusp of a nearby hill. He figured now was the best time to head over there. Along the way he passed a few homes, a Mr. Mime in an apron and some other wild Pokémon playing in the sun.

He reached the top of the hill and knocked at Professor Oak's front door. In the distance he heard footsteps muffled up against the carpet floor and the words, "One second…I'm on my way!"

The door opened with a creak and Micah stared at the culprit. He looked up and down expecting a much older man. He questioned the boy, "You're the famous Professor Oak?"

The boy had dark black, almost green, tinted hair and wore a thick orange headband to keep it out of his jet black eyes. He was taller than Micah, and to his estimates seemed to be as old as his brother Nathan. The boy smiled and laughed, "No! I'm Tracey, his assistant. Can I help you with something?"

Micah kicked the gravel on the floor gazing at his feet and said embarrassed, "Oh sorry. I'm Micah. Micah Kayne. My pop called Professor Oak the other day and told him I was coming." Micah smiled and continued quickly, "Although I was supposed to come in a few days but with a little help from Alakazam I was able to cut the trip length down to nothing at all!"

Tracey chuckled, "Ok. Come on in. I'll go ahead and fetch Professor Oak for you."

The floor was covered in a burgundy carpet. To the left there was a television flanked by two couches. To the right there were bookshelves that started on the floor, and climbed up to the ceiling, teeming with book spines dipped in red, blue, orange: every color you could imagine. Micah walked past the shelves and stared out the bay window—it was Pokémon paradise. His jaw dropped as he saw Pokémon fly through the air, sift through the trees and bask in the pond. He pasted his face against the window, trying to take it all in.

"Do you like my research facility?" asked a voice in the distance.

Micah ripped his face off the window, and spun around to see an older man, wearing a white lab coat, a red collared shirt, and khaki pants. He had sandy colored grey hair and brown eyes circled by wrinkles. He smiled at Micah's utter bewilderment.

"Hello there, I am Professor Oak," Said the old man as he reached out his hand.

Micah smiled wide eyed and said happily, "Hi, I'm Micah Kayne. You have the most amazing research facility. All those Pokémon, I've never seen so many at once!"

Oak nodded, "Ah, yes. My research facility houses many Pokémon, however some are wild, and many are from Pallet town trainers."

Micah turned back to the window, and asked, "How come I've never seen so many of these Pokémon?"

Oak laughed, "Young man, you are just beginning." He walked up to Micah and continued, "These Pokémon are from other regions, most of which are from one trainer, Ash Ketchum."

Micah just stared, "Wow. He must be amazing."

Before Oak could reply Tracey said, "Yeah, he is. I've never seen a trainer have such a bond with his Pokémon. I was travelling with him when he won the Orange League, beating the previously undefeated Drake in an amazing battle with his trusty Pikachu."

Micah gaped, "A Pikachu?"

Oak cackled, "Yes. Ash's Pikachu could have evolved a long time ago, but it never wanted to, and Ash never forced it. Together they have competed in the Indigo, Orange, Johto, Hoenn, Sinnoh and Unova leagues, as well as the Kanto Battle Frontier."

Micah turned, "I want to battle him…well when I get better of course."

Oak squinted, "Ah yes, your Pokémon. Do you know which one you want?"

Micah seemed puzzled. He scratched his head and answered, "No. Not really."

Oak smiled, "Don't worry. Tracey can you get all three Pokémon."

"Be back in no time."

Tracey left the room to retrieve the Pokémon leaving Professor Oak and Micah alone. Micah just kept staring dumfounding at all the different Pokémon outside. His stomach twisted when he realized how far he was behind.

"Professor Oak" he asked, "How old is Ash?"

Oak scrunched his eyebrows, "I think about fifteen…yes, fifteen."

Micah's jaw dropped, "FIFTEEN! I'm fifteen and I'm just starting. Professor, I'm his age and I don't even have one Pokémon!"

Oak paced slowly back and forth, "Not to worry, Micah. You are right that Ash has done a lot, but he is a remarkable trainer. Many start much older than you. When Ash first came to my lab to get his first Pokémon he was so late he had to get his Pikachu instead of the normal three starter choices. I must admit I did not have the highest hopes for him, but in the end he proved me wrong."

Micah just sighed, "Ok. I guess late is better than never."

Oak smiled, "Correct, young man." Oak turned, "Ah, there you are Tracey."

"Got all three Professor Oak," said Tracey.

Tracey handed over the three gleaming red and white pokeballs to Professor Oak who took them, nodded his thanks, and turned back towards Micah. Micah's eyes lit up and he automatically forgot about being years behind. Oak smiled, his wrinkles showing, and asked, "Micah, do you know which three Pokémon these hold?"

Micah nodded, "Yes, sir. There's Charmander, Bulbasaur and Squirtle. I still don't know which one I'd like though. They are all so different."

Oak walked and sat down on his couch, inviting Micah to join him and said, "Well, Let's bring them all out, one at a time of course. Then we can see if you have a particular favorite." Oak placed two of the pokeballs down and opened another, calling out one of the Pokémon. Out of the misty red haze came a small orange lizard. Micah smiled, "Charmander!"

Oak sat back on the couch, as Micah played with Charmander. Charmander's tail nearly singed a hole in Micah's shirt when he went to examine his tail. "Well how do you like this little guy?" asked Oak

Micah shrugged, "He's really cool. But I don't know about fire, can I see the others?"

"Of course, Micah." Oak called back Chamander, placed down the pokeball and sent out another Pokémon. This time he was a small blue turtle with a light brown shell. "Cool, a Squirtle!" said Micah "What attacks does it know?"

"Ah, good question. I specially bred all three of these Pokémon. Squirtle knows water gun, aqua jet, yawn, and rapid spin." Oak called back Squirtle, and sent out the final pokemon. "This here is Bulbasaur. He was bred from one of Ash's Pokémon and I think you'll notice something special about him."

Micah stared inquisitively, "Its color. It's different than others I've seen."

Oak nodded, "Very good. This Bulbasaur is shiny. Greener than your average bulb and he possesses the move set: earthquake, swords dance, sleep powder and power whip. A very strong one if I do say so myself."

Micah bounced back and forth on the couch. "It's awesome! I want him."

Bulbasaur seemed to understand the command. It jumped from the table onto Micah's lap, leaves shining in the midday sun. Micah stared in amazement, "My first Pokémon. A Bulbasaur."

Oak stood up and handed Micah the pokeball. "Very good choice young man. If you wait one moment I have something else to give you, which I derived from years of research."

Bulbasaur and Micah stared at each other; a connection was there right away. Oak went to the shelf and pulled out a small blue electronic device. He turned and handed it to Micah. "This is a Pokedex, state-of-the-art. You can use it to register data from Pokémon all over the world. Try it."

Micah took the Pokedex happily. His eyes lit up and his scar seemed to prickle from the overload of joy that had come from just the past few minutes. For years he dreamed of being in this situation, but somehow he never thought it would really happen. But the journey had begun now, and it was his journey, not his mom's or dad's or Nathan's. He looked up from his gaze and questioned Oak "So how do I use it?"

Oak laughed, "Oh, I forgot, silly me. You just open it up, and point the red bulb at the Pokémon, and then the data will automatically download.

"Ok" Micah nodded. He held out the Pokedex towards Bulbasaur. It immediately said, 'Bulbasaur, it bears the seed of a plant on its back from birth. The seed slowly develops. Researchers are unsure whether to classify Bulbasaur as a plant or animal. Bulbasaur are extremely calm and are difficult to capture in the wild.' Micah gaped, "Wow. That's so cool."

"Thank you, I developed it myself, with the help of other researchers, of course," Oak assured. "I believe it's time you get going Micah. The Pokémon world is filled with mysteries, doors will lie at ever corner of your journey, but remember, you will always have just the right key." Oak sighed and reached into his pockets, pulling out five pokeballs. "These are for you Micah, so that you can catch and battle with a full team of six."

The whole situation still seemed so surreal to Micah. Just a day ago he was fighting with his parents, and now he was off to travel the world. He picked up his new pokeball and called back Bulbasaur. He clipped the ball on his belt and placed the Pokedex in his backpack. He went to go say his thanks to Professor Oak, but before he could a voice called from the next room.

"Professor Oak, its Mrs. Ketchum. She said Ash is almost home."

Oak jumped up, "I almost forgot he was coming home today! Tell Delia she's welcome to come in if she'd like." Oak turned to Micah, "You're more than welcome to stay for the day as well. Meeting an established Pokémon trainer could be the best thing for you."

Micah didn't need to ponder the request. Why would he not want to stay? Ash was Pallet Town's own hero, meeting him would be amazing. A fire lit in his stomach, "Professor Oak, do you think Ash will battle me?"

"Ah, good to see you are willing to take chances. That is a must in Pokémon battling, I am sure he'll take you up on your offer. I have never known Ash to turn down a battle from anyone, not even someone he's just met."