The Main Laboratory
"Here it is, the time has come. Follow me to my main laboratory, and you can choose the starter Pokémon you have always desired."
Ash tailed closely behind the professor, desperately probing him for any hint of new information.
"So, err… Izzy's Ivysaur, it's very strong isn't it…?"
The Professor shot him a rigid but sympathetic stare.
"All choices are great, whichever starter you choose will have strengths and weaknesses, as do all Pokémon. I cannot decide for you, just go with whatever you feel is the right decision."
Ash was annoyed at the Professor's vague response. But, deep down he knew the Professor was right, nobody else could make this decision for him.
They sauntered down a dingy, cramped, windowless hallway, not a room, nor a door on either side. Ash was beginning to wonder whether or not there was a way out of this cold, narrow, isolated place. Just as he was about to give up hope, a tiny flicker of light flashed in the distance.
"Not too much farther" Professor Oak's voice echoed from far ahead. Ash had failed to realise the Professor was so far away, he thought he had seen him just up ahead not too long ago. It was dangerously dark and stuffy, Ash was unsure if the stale air was even safe to breathe. The further he trudged on, the brighter the light shone. It quickly became too bright in contrast to the dim hallway, Ash patiently waited for his eyes to adjust.
Now facing the clean, slick, elaborate entrance, Ash felt like he had travelled through a wormhole into a new dimension. Polished gleaming glass doors with black carbon panelling marked the gateway to the inner sanctum of the Professor's life's work. A sizeable gold panelled sign with large, illuminated block letters spelled LABORATORY just above the glass doors. The sophisticated, pristine laboratory offered a stark contrast to the void, lifeless hallway that people must venture through first.
"This is where I conduct all my important scientific research."
Ash stood speechless, reluctant to move until the Professor motioned him in.
The Professor blustered the word "Open" in a stern, forceful tone.
Voice recognised… Doors opening… Welcome Professor
What a polite computer, Ash thought.
Ash was taken aback by the aurora of professionalism and success that hung in the air. A wide spherical room with silver walls surrounded the perimeter of the laboratory. Small rays of natural light sneaked through the thick panels of white roofing. Whilst most of the light was provided by dozens of hot, luminous skylights, hanging from differing heights. Their sole purpose was to beam out light and warmth for those who spent their days hidden away in the solitude of Oak's lab. A vast, curved bookshelf occupied the far wall, stacked to capacity with all sorts of scientific journals, research reports, field studies, Pokémon observations and data. True to Professor Oak's style, it was categorised alphabetically, then by topic, and finally, by colour… Not a page was even slightly out of place.
Ash lowered his gaze to find eight separate rectangular tables occupying most of the floor space on the lower level. Each was polished black marble, with a touch-screen computer fitted into the centre of each table. Notwithstanding, a full holographic interface was installed in every computer. The sheer level of technology within this lab struck Ash with awe, a sleepy little farm on Pallet housed some of the world's leading technological advancements.
Who would have ever thought.
Ash noticed the lab was two levels high. "What's the upper level for?"
An oval balcony sat halfway up the left wall, protruding a quarter length of the entire lab. Two white spiral staircases gave access at each side.
"That's my personal office, It's really just a simple desk and some books, seldom used. I like to do most of my work out in the fresh air, surrounded by Pokémon. As you've noticed, there's not much to see in here unless you're conducting experiments."
In the dead centre of the lab stood the crowning jewel of Oak's entire enterprise. Ash was taken aback when he laid eyes upon such an impressive monument. This was truly befitting to be salient within, arguably, the most important laboratory in the entire Kanto region. A wide, circular, bowl-shaped object approximately 4ft high was permanently fixed to the floor. A pure acrylic masterpiece, painted three separate colours, split into perfect thirds. The bowl shape was covered with a slightly inwardly curved top, not unlike an inverted dome.
One third of the monument was coloured ocean blue, the other dark green, and the last, bright red.
Ash could contain his excitement for scarcely another moment, in genuine fear of bursting. For so long had he dreamed of this moment, countless times envisioning the biggest choice of his young life. Every fibre of his being shook with nervous anticipation, his first Pokémon stood merely ten steps away.
Professor Oak wandered over "This is the Spiro-Axiomatic Trinidos machine, or Spiro for short."
Ash followed closely behind, his eyes flooding with wonder. The moment had not fully sunk in, firmly stuck in the alluring grip of surrealism.
The Professor carefully picked up a red and white Pokéball, with a detailed leaf symbol printed just above the equatorial line.
Ash noticed there was a screen hovering just above the Spiro. It displayed basic information and data about each starter Pokémon.
#01 Bulbasaur
Gender ratio- Male 87.5 : 12.5 Female
Egg Groups- Monster and Grass
Height- 2'04"/ 0.7 m
Weight- 15.2 lbs/ 6.9 kg
Professor Oak declared "Bulbasaur the Seed Pokémon. 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."
Ash's gaze was fixated upon the Pokéball that lay securely in the Professor's right hand.
So many possibilities, thoughts, ideas all racing through his mind at once.
Professor Oak slid Bulbasaur's Pokéball down into its holding place. Pacing over to the next third of the table, slowly raising the second Pokéball carefully into his grasp. This one bore a fierce flame symbol in the same position as Bulbasaur's leaf.
Ash studied the screen above the Spiro.
#04 Charmander
Gender ratio- Male 87.5 : 12.5 Female
Egg Groups- Monster and Dragon
Height- 2'00"/ 0.6 m
Weight- 18.7 lbs/ 8.5 kg
Professor Oak uttered "Charmander, the Lizard Pokémon. A flame burns on the tip of its tail from birth. It is said that a Charmander dies if its flame ever goes out."
Ash's face remained unchanged, his expressionless stare gave no indication to the thoughts that raced like wildfire within.
The Professor cautiously placed Charmander's Pokéball back into the slightly curved top, in the bright red third. Shuffling over to the third that shone a deep, ocean blue, he delicately scooped a Pokéball into the palm of his hand. A distinct water droplet was situated in the same position as the previous two.
Ash glanced up at the Spiro screen.
#07 Squirtle
Gender ratio- Male 87.5 : 12.5 Female
Egg Groups- Monster and Water 1
Height- 1'08"/ 0.5 m
Weight- 19.8 lbs/ 9 kg
Professor Oak broke the silence "Squirtle, the Tiny Turtle Pokémon. Squirtle draws its long neck into its shell to launch incredible water attacks with amazing range and accuracy. The blasts can be quite powerful."
Still, no change came across Ash's intense stare. Although his skin began to turn pale, and his cheeks flushed red hot. Tough decisions had always made Ash quiver, he much preferred easier, inconsequential decisions like; toast or cereal for breakfast…?
Professor Oak placed Squirtle's Pokéball from his secure grip back into its rightful position. All three unique Pokéballs now lay patiently waiting in their respective third of the Spiro. Each starter Pokémon within, eager to be chosen to begin their first adventurous journey.
Professor Oak glanced over all three Pokéballs that lay motionless in the Spiro. Time stood still for a few moments… the air was thick with anticipation…
The Professor appreciated the unique concoction of elements to produce a special moment. The indecision of a young trainer, the eagerness of all three starter Pokémon to be chosen, and the deathly silence of the lab around them. An unusual combination that would not soon be replicated.
The waiting had been stretched out long enough. Slowly turning to Ash, the Professor outstretched his left hand with an open palm.
"Well Ash… Who's it going to be…?"