There they stood, exchanging stories and laughs from the past few of years. It had been nearly three years since Ash last visited the orphanage. Recently returning from a run with the Pokemon League he was slowly making his way home to Pallet Town to catch up with a certain professor.
"Ash! You've gotta' tell us about the league!"
"How did you place?"
"Was it hard?"
"Did you see new Pokemon?"
"Where are you going next?!". Battering back and forth you could hardly tell if it was Sam or Jude asking the questions.
Chuckling into his tattered gloves Ash waited out their bombardment with patience. "My travels are boring. What I want to talk about is what is going to happen for you two tomorrow."
With completely blank stares the gravity of their impending journey sank in deeper and deeper. The two had never been outside of Saffron since they arrived at the orphanage. They had been so excited to get on their way the thought of where to go and what route to take had been the furthest thing from their minds.
"What about the two gyms here? Isn't here as good a place as any to start?" asked Jude.
"If you want to get creamed by some psychic types or pummeled by all those gym rats, be my guest". Sulking at his answer Sam slouched into a position that suited a conquered child.
"I'll tell you what. You two can tag along with me until we reach Cerulean City. I have an old friend I need to visit before Pallet Town. That will be a perfect place to start for you two."
Night slowly nestled on the town as the many inhabitants flocked to their homes. One by one the lights began to disappear as if the entire city was filled with giant fireflies. However there was a particularly small light atop the orphanage that flickered on into the night.
Nestled in a tight ball Charmander was perched but not three feet from his newly acquainted partner. Thoughts racked Jude's brain as he gazed off into the growing moonlight. 'Is this really happening? I never thought this day would come…' the door to the roof creaked as it opened slowly, interrupting his ponderings.
"You know, I have these things called ears Jude. You can talk to me. We're in this together, don't forget that" whispered Sam as she glided to the roof's edge just in time to see him throw her a rather disarmed smile.
"I know, trust me. Tomorrow is going to be a big day; for the both of us."