Chapter 2

Several hours later, we were done unpacking. Ajax's father, a quiet man named Norman, did a majority of the work before leaving to go see his employers in a city two towns over. He left Ajax and his mother to unpack the rest of their and his room. When all the blankets were placed and clocks adjusted, they called it a night.

-The Next Day-

Ajax woke from a dream that had explosions and bright lights the next day.

Unsure of why he had that dream, Ajax got dressed. He instead put on a black knit cap with multiple white flecks in it. He wore a white shirt, a black collared shirt on the outside. He'd been given it from his mother when she went to go visit her sister in Kalos. Pulling on a pair of blue slacks and a pair of black running shoes, he then strapped a black bag around his back. This was what he was used to wearing, and was immensely happy to wear something familiar.

He came downstairs, and went into the kitchen to see his mother drinking a cup of coffee and holding a phone to her ear. Quickly jumping back behind a wall, he listened to the conversation.

"-hasn't come back yet. Might send Ajax...Oh! You do!? Hmm, in that case, I'll send him right over."

He heard a soft thud, and then came around the corner. He came face to face with his mom. Surprised, she jumped back, hand over her heart, with a slight yelp of terror.

"OH! Ajax, honey, what do I tell you all the time? Don't scare me like that," she said, then continued," anyway, I was about to come and get you for-"

"An errand that concerns Dad?" Ajax interrupted.

Mom nodded."Yup. He hasn't come back yet, and I'm worried. I was wanting to send you to go get him, but you don't have a Pokemon yet. I know you were supposed to get one 3 years ago, but-"

"Yeah, I remember Mom."

"Okay. Anyway, a friend of your father's named Professor Birch has offered to give you a Pokemon! Isn't that nice?"

Ajax's face lit up. He had been waiting for this moment for years. "Of course it is! Can I go now?"

"Of course, baby. He lives in the most southern house in town. Go on!"

Quickly hugging her, Ajax bolted from the house, and out into town.

It was a relatively small town, with only a few small houses. However, Birch's lab was easy to locate, as it was easily the biggest building in the town. Ajax dashed to the lab, and, catching his breath, opened the door.

The lab was well lit, and was wall to wall with books, machines, and assistants. In the back of the lab, a man in a large lab coat, brown hair, and a pair of safety goggles. He had a Pokeball in his right hand and a book in his left hand. He nodded, as if just understanding something. He looked up, then got a serious look on his face.

Ajax walked through the lab, seemingly unnoticed by assistants and the professor alike. As Ajax got closer, the professor then threw the Pokeball at the wall. It didn't release a Pokemon, or do anything, except bounce off the wall and hit the professor square between the eyes. Ajax rushed forward, and helped the professor up. He got up, and rubbed his head. He shook his head, and muttered,"...no, no, no. Calculations are still off. Hmm, maybe if I call Silph..."

He glanced up, and seemed to notice Ajax for the first time. He seemed to realize he hadn't introduced himself, and said, "Oh! I nearly forgot. You must be Ajax!" He outstretched a hand, and said, "I am Professor Birch, but you can call me Birch or Professor." He had a silly grin, as if he'd made the greatest joke in the world.

Ajax liked him immediately.

"Nice to meet you, Professor," Ajax said, shaking his hand.

"Now, let's get straight to business, shall we?" he said, clasping his hands together. He turned to face a table with 3 Pokeballs on it.

"Now, Ajax. Who'll be your partner?"