Chapter 2: A Pokemon and a Partner
"Here you have three choices." Prof. Oak says as he opens the Pokeballs which shoot out beams of light which manifest into Pokemon. "The Grass and Poison type Bulbasaur, the Fire type Charmander, and the Water type Squirtle." Prof. Oak explains.
Before Tia can get a word out Tom interrupts, "They're so cute!" He sets Cleffa down and watches her talk to the Charmander with a cheery grin on his face.
She laughs awkwardly, "Anyways, who should I choose?" She studies each Pokemon carefully one by one still mulling the decision over in her mind.
"Each Pokemon has its own set of strengths and weaknesses. Bulbasaur has the best type advantage early on, Squirtle has the best defenses, and Charmander is the heaviest hitter not only physically but Special wise too, but suffers from a poor typing early on." Tom says just starting forward at each without taking a second to think. "But you know, that's just one guy's opinion." He smiles looking back up at her.
Tia stares at him stunned. Tia can't help think it's no wonder he's an associate of Prof. Oak. "Well, I know who I'm choosing." She kneels down next to Tom; looking over them all once more before focusing on Bulbasaur. "Will you be my partner Bulbasaur?" She asks it, it responds by jumping in her arms. It affectionately nuzzling itself in her chest. "That tickles," she laughs, holding her new Bulbasaur in her arms.
"You girls will get along great." Tom smiles with a toothy grin before grabbing Cleffa and standing. Tia's surprised he knew its gender; she had no clue Bulbasaur was a girl, but after he analyzed them earlier it shouldn't be that surprising.
"Well it's all settled then, here's Bulbasaur's Pokeball. I know you'll take great care of her." Prof. Oak says as he gives Bulbasaur one final pat on the head before saying goodbye.
"I will professor, don't have to worry about that." She says with a certain determination in her eyes; the kind Oak had seen many times before. The same burning passion every great trainer before shared.
She begins walking out the door, Tom following suit. He quickly turns around, "Nice seeing you again Samuel, tell Gary I said hi." Tom states with that same level of professionalism he used before.
The young trainer take her first steps outside, "My journey starts now, let's go Bulbasaur!" She set her Pokemon down as they start running off and straps the Pokeball to a belt she wore over her skirt.
"Wait!" Tom shouts, making Tia stop dead in her tracks.
"What's the matter?" She looks around in confusion not thinking she might be forgetting anything important for any trainer's quest..
"Where are your supplies?" He asks, hoping she had considered that.
"What do you mean supplies?" She scratches her head, not quite sure what he meant.
"You're kidding right?" He drops the bag he was carrying on his back. "Sleeping bag, potions, Pokeballs, food, change of clothes." He shows her all the basics he carries. "Come on, the wild isn't going to be luxurious." He rubs his forehead at her lack of foresight.
"Oh, guess I didn't think of that." She feels silly thinking about it now.
"Clearly," he says rather dryly, not hiding the fact that he pretty much just insulted her.
"I guess I should go home real quickly then." She says running home, Tom following close behind. She reaches her front door where her mom stood waiting with a warm smile. "Hey mom, I'm just back to pick up some supplies." She smiles, with a goofy grin.
"I know dear, that's why I took the liberty of packing a sleeping bag, pajamas, extra set of clothes, clothesline, some food, a couple potions we had lying around, and a map." She smiles, handing over the bag to her daughter. "Oh who's this young gentleman?" She notices Tom behind Tia.
"Tom, ma'am, I'm glad to see someone was here to help her begin her journey." He says with a condescending glance at Tia, again, like he's some sort of professional.
"Oh, how polite, my daughter can be impulsive and might forget things from time to time." She laughs gently which only makes Tia blush. "Though if it isn't too much to ask, may you please help my daughter get her bearings? I worry you see." She very politely asks like talking to someone of her level.
"No trouble at all ma'am. I know this region like the back of my hand, a very nice place, it reminds me of my home in Hoenn." He says nostalgically. This is news to Tia and she's pretty surprised to hear this.
"Oh, a world travel?" Her mother was very impressed.
"Well, more like a researcher," he says modestly, thinking it's no big deal. "I've been all over the world though." He says humbly, but Tia feels like he's secretly gloating.
"Now wait just a second!" Tia finally breaks in. "I don't need a babysitter, I can handle traveling on my own." She takes offense to being treated like a little kid.
"Really, then where's Bulbasaur?" Tom says looking a little cross.
"Right here." She looks down by her leg where Bulbasaur was sitting. "Oh no where did she go?" Tia panics before spotting her Pokemon nuzzling against her mom's leg.
"Such an affectionate Pokemon." She laughs looking down at it. Tia looks at Tom who had raised an eyebrow to her.
"Fine you win, you can tag along." She gives up grabbing her Bulbasaur. "Now, let's take on Route 1." She declares pointing at the town exit.
"You're just a power plant of energy aren't you?" Tom asks wryly and completely killing the mood. He sighs, "Fine, onward!" He says with dry enthusiasm and runs after her with Cleffa in arms.
A/N: I hope you all enjoyed the second chapter and please feel free to give your thoughts on the story. Next chapter we'll finally be delving into the training aspect where Tia gets her first taste of what Pokemon battles are really like.