Okay everyone, there's still time for everyone to vote on which of the three Kanto Starter Pokemon Barriss should get, so if you haven't voted already, please be sure to do so! I hope this chapter was well worth the wait, And by popular demand, the story is going to be centered around the storyline of Pokemon Origins. Once again, I hope everyone enjoys this chapter, and I give thanks to God for giving me the words to write this chapter.
*I still don't own Star Wars: The Clone Wars or Pokemon!*
Starting Your Journey - Difficulty Choosing A Starter!
The day has finally arrived. After a few days of simply resting and recovering, Barriss had decided that she wanted to go on a Pokemon journey as her way of doing a bit of soul searching. A way for her to find a way to repent for her sins. And although her family (she still needs to get used to calling them that) wished that she would wait a little longer, they understood why she was doing what she was doing and supported her on this decision.
As such, they had given Barriss a special necklace with a special pendant attached to it as a good luck charm for her journey. It was a simple necklace. A golden chain with a silver pendant carved to look like a simple circle. But what she didn't understand about the pendant was the small hole in the center of the circle. Oh well. She'll figure that out later.
Right now, she was finishing with getting ready to go on her journey. She was searching through her bag to make sure she had everything she needed to begin her journey.
"Okay, let's see now… Potions? Check. Pokemon Food? Check. Snacks for myself? Check. Awakenings, Antidotes, Burn, Ice, and Paralyze Heals? Check, check, check, check, and check. Good! I think that's everything." Barriss said to herself.
She closed her bag after putting everything away, slung it across her back and began to make her way out of the room. She stopped for a moment when she was halfway out the door and placed a hand on the doorframe. Barriss looked into the house with a feeling of nostalgia. It's only been a few days since she was saved by Professor Oak and her new family, and already this place felt more like home to her than even the Jedi Temple.
She gave a sad smile at the thought of possibly having to leave this place, but if she was going to find a way to truly repent for what happened she would have to leave home. At least for a little while.
"I'm going to miss this old place. But surely I will be back. And when I do come back, I'll have the answers I so desperately need." Barriss said to herself with determination.
With her confidence and resolve hardened, she turned and fully exited the house as she closed the door behind her. Taking a deep breath through her nose to steady her nerves, Barriss began her walk to Professor Oak's laboratory in order to get her very first Pokemon. A Pokemon that she was certain would become her friend forever.
"Ah, there you are, Barriss." said a voice that Barriss instantly recognized.
She turned around to see Professor Oak walking towards him with two Poke Balls clipped to his belt. No doubt these were a couple of new Pokemon he must have caught earlier.
"Coming to get your first Pokemon and start your journey?" Oak asked, even though he already knew the answer.
"Yes sir! I am ready to begin my journey and find my true path in life!" Barriss replied with conviction.
Her face fell a little as she still remembered all of the innocent lives she took in her past. All because she allowed herself to be swayed by the Dark Side of the Force.
"Hopefully I can atone for what I did in the process." she mumbled to herself.
Professor Oak placed a comforting hand on the young girl's shoulder, understanding that she was still going through some healing to get over the mental trauma of what had happened. She may never fully get over it, but with time she may be able to at least forgive herself.
"Well, come along then. My grandson should be waiting for us at my lab." Oak urged.
With that, the two walked to his lab in hopes of getting there with plenty of time before Barriss and Oak's grandson have to go and begin their journeys. It only took them about fifteen minutes to get to the lab, which was actually built in the style of a very cozy looking ranch house complete with a windmill for additional wind energy.
Clean and efficient power for the modern world.
"This is a very nice ranch you have, Professor. Not too shabby." Barriss complimented before asking "But what's it all for?"
"Funny you should ask. You see, I prefer to research how Pokemon behave and interact in their natural habitats, so I had the land around my lab converted into a type of ranch with various environments that simulate the natural habitats where one can find several of these Pokemon in the wild. It also lets the Pokemon themselves get plenty of exercise during the day." Oak explained to Barriss as they entered the lab.
"Well, that certainly sounds like a good idea. For both your research and the Pokemon." Barriss said.
"I'm glad you think so." Oak commented in return.
"Hey, gramps,"
Barriss looked to see a human boy about her age walking towards her and Oak. He had spiky brown hair, brown eyes, and pale skin. He wore a pair of sneakers, an unbuttoned green shirt over a black undershirt, a necklace with a single charm on it, and a pair of purplish blue pants.
"Who's this girl?" asked the boy.
"Ah, Geki! You're early." Oak said as he set down the bags. "Barriss, this is my grandson, Geki. Geki, this is Barriss. She just moved here to Pallet Town, and she's becoming a Pokémon trainer like you today."
The now named Geki seemed to light up at this.
"No foolin'? Sweet! It'd be pretty boring having to go on this journey without some decent competition!" Geki said before extending his hand. "Nice to meet you, Barriss. I'm Geki, and I'm gonna be the world's greatest Pokémon Master!"
"Nice to meet you too, Geki." Barriss replied as she and Geki shook hands. "Hey, professor, if you don't mind me asking, what exactly is in that box anyway?"
Professor Oak grinned as he looked down to the brown box held under his arm that Barriss seemed to only JUST notice.
"I'm glad you asked, Barriss." Oak said.
He opened the parcel and removed the contents of the box. He held an object out to Barriss, who looked a bit confused.
It was a flat, rectangular device with a blue bulb at the top left corner, and a yellow triangle that faced to the right on the left side. It was big enough to fit into the palm of Barriss' hand, even though it was a good two inches bigger than her palm. If anything, it looked like some sort of mutated video game system.
"This is the Pokédex." Oak said.
"The Pokédex?" Barriss asked.
"Yes. It automatically records the data on any Pokémon you've caught." Oak explained as he handed Geki a Pokédex. "It's a high tech encyclopedia."
The Pokédex in Barriss' hand flipped open to reveal a screen with a yellow data pad on it.
"Wow, technology sure is advancing fast, isn't it?" Barriss asked in awe.
"Sure is!" Geki replied.
"Barriss, Geki, listen up. I'm going to give you each one Pokédex. I'd like you to do something very important for me." Oak said. "To create a complete guide to all of the Pokémon in the world; that has always been my dream."
Barriss was astounded that a man as old as professor Oak was able to hold onto such a dream for so many years. Having been raised in the Jedi Temple for her whole life, Barriss has never had such big dreams. More along the lines, she had goals for later on in life, but never dreams. But this man's words were somehow finding their way into her heart without even trying.
"It's been your dream?" Barriss asked.
"Yes, but the thing is, I'm too old to do this myself. It's quite difficult to travel all around the world seeking all kinds of Pokémon." Oak said, continuing his explanation. "So now I want the two of you to help fulfill my dream. Can I count on you?"
Barriss didn't even need to think about it.
"Absolutely! I'll help you in any way I can!" she declared.
"Now, gramps, you haven't forgotten about your promise, right? In exchange for us helping you do this?" Geki asked.
Oak just smiled at the two.
"Don't worry, I haven't forgotten it." Oak assured.
Barriss just stood there biting her lower lip in anticipation. Were they finally going to choose their very first Pokemon now? She seriously hopes they are, because the suspense is killing her! The lights next to the professor lit up to reveal a desk that had three Pokéballs on it.
"As you can see, there are three Pokémon here. I'd like to give each of you the opportunity to choose one." Oak said.
A light shone down on one of the Pokéballs, and the Pokémon that was inside appeared on a screen. This Pokémon looked like an orange bipedal lizard with a flame burning at the end of its tail.
"The fire Pokémon, Charmander,"
A second light shone to reveal a Pokémon that looked a lot like a bipedal turtle with light blue skin and a curly tail.
"The water Pokémon, Squirtle,"
The third light shown down to reveal a quadrupedal Pokémon that looked like a cross between a mammal, a dinosaur, and a frog with light blue skin, green markings, and a big green flower bulb growing out of its back.
"The plant Pokémon, Bulbasaur. Now then, you may choose the one that you like." Oak said.
Barriss and Geki were practically trembling with excitement. Their very own Pokémon… It was like a dream come true! Although Barriss does still one day want to become a great healer. Maybe she'll figure something out while she's out doing her soul searching.
"You know, I'm feeling like a gentleman today, so ladies first." Geki said.
Barriss turned to Geki. Was he serious? Is this just his way of showing chivalry, or does he have some kind of ulterior motive to doing this? It wouldn't be the first time something like this happened, what with how Count Dooku and the Trade Federation operate.
"Go ahead and choose first, Barriss." Geki insisted with a wink.
"Now think carefully before you choose." Oak advised.
Barriss looked back to the Pokéballs in front of her. During her time with her new family, she's learned a lot about the three Starter Pokemon for Kanto and has pretty much figured out that each one evolves into a Pokemon that is a powerhouse in its own right. But all she really knows is that they're different.
Bulbasaur is a Grass and Poison Type Pokemon that has well-rounded and balanced stats and is the easiest to raise among the three Starters. With time and the right amount of training, it will evolve from Bulbasaur to Ivysaur and finally to Venusaur, the Seed Pokemon. Venusaur relies on its above average Special Attack and Special Defense in a fight, rarely ever using physical combat. It's also capable of learning the two most powerful Grass Type moves in all of the planet: Solar Beam and Frenzy Plant!
But then there's Squirtle, the Tiny Turtle Pokemon. It's definitely one worth raising, as it learns a wide variety of moves that mostly focus on water power. As it becomes stronger, Squirtle will eventually evolve into Wartortle and finally into Blastoise, the Shellfish Pokemon. And while it boasts the greatest defensive power of the three starters, it won't be winning any marathons. It's species as a whole is almost as slow as a tortoise. Which makes sense… unlike the GIANT GUNS sticking out of its back!
And the final Starter Pokemon evolves from Charmander to Charmeleon and finally to Charizard, the Flame Pokemon. If Barriss is being totally honest, she would SO ride that into battle if she could! Though it would be tough to do. A fully grown Charizard is only five feet and seven inches tall. That kind of disappointed Barriss for a moment. She wanted to ride a dragon to burn the villages of her enemies, not hang out with it on the sofa. But she knows that Charizard boasts the greatest attack and speed out of the three starters and has quite the diverse moveset, ranging from the obvious Fire Type attacks to Flying, Normal, Steel, Dragon, and even Ghost Type attacks. However, Barriss also understands that Charizard has traded its great attack and speed for unfortunate frailty, essentially making them glass cannons. But they're so fast and agile, it might just overpower its enemies before they know what hit them.
Barriss sighed and shook her head. It's so hard to choose.
"I'm sorry, guys, but I just can't decide which of the Starter Pokemon I want. They're all incredible, so it's difficult to pick just one." Barriss said. "And besides that, I don't even know the first thing about Pokemon battles."
Professor Oak nodded in understanding. He too knows how hard it can be to choose one's first Pokemon. But he also knows that when you do choose one, that Pokemon and their trainer form a special bond that is near impossible to break.
"I understand your dillema, Barriss. However, you shouldn't let a Pokemon's type or stats decide who your partner will be. Just go with what your heart tells you." Oak advised.
Barriss turned back to the three Poke Balls on the table, heeding the professor's words. What does her heart tell her to do?
*To Be Continued…*
Okay, that's a wrap! I hope everyone enjoyed it, because I did a lot of thinking when it came to this chapter. Also, please don't forget to leave a review for the chapter, and don't forget to leave your votes on the poll. Now, here's a couple of questions for you guys before I go.
1.) Depending on which Starter Pokemon wins the poll, should I change the name of this story depending on that Pokemon's type? (Grass = Green, Water = Blue, Fire = Red)
2.) Which Pokemon do you want on Barriss' Hall of Fame team? (Please be sure to include the fully evolved starter Pokemon you voted for, and stick with Pokemon found in the Kanto Region. No Alolan Forms allowed.)
3.) Should any of the other Jedi get into Pokemon battles when they get to this planet? If so, please list the Jedi you would like to have become trainers.
4.) Should I include Mega Evolution? (If Charmander wins the poll, I'll go with my gut in regards to its Mega Evolution.)