Gadge pokemon crossover?
In Pallet 12 if you were between the ages of twelve and eighteen, you were put into a lottery and every year three children's names were pulled and they could choose Pokemon and become Trainers. If you didn't have your name pulled and were nineteen, it meant you couldn't become a Trainer, that the odds weren't in your favor, and you had to devote your life to another trade.
People could say they didn't want to become Trainers, and opt out, and another name was pulled. This did happen— the year before it happened to Primrose Everdeen, who wanted to be a Healer instead of a Trainer. Interestingly, the next name pulled was her sister, Katniss, who did want to be a Trainer and thus received her Pokemon, a loyal, fiery Growlithe.
This year, three names were pulled by people who did want to be Trainers: Peeta Mellark, Madge Undersee, and Gale Hawthorne.
Gale scowled as they approached the Professor's office. He really didn't like Madge Undersee for many reasons— one: because she was the richest girl in town, while he and his family struggled endlessly. Two: she probably didn't even want or need to be a Pokemon Trainer. She didn't need the fame or the money, the former of which he didn't care about, but the latter he needed desperately. And three: her father was the famous Professor Undersee, a world renowned Pokemon expert, and Gale knew her father would probably have Madge choose first, Peeta second, and then Gale last, just because he was the poorest.
The office— well, more of a lab, really— was neatly stocked and filed, papers and books filling several bookcases to the brim. At his desk, the Professor heard the door opened and smiled.
"Come in," he said, waving them in jovially. It wasn't a grand affair, picking these Pokemon, which Gale was relieved about. It just was. There was a reporter here to speak with them, to report and file the information away— they would be in the next monthly Pokemon Life newsletter, and there were some more serious individuals out there who would be watching their training careers, speculating on who would be the next best trainer— who would be able to defeat the Elite Four.
The Professor directed them to a table which held three Pokeballs on it. Gale's breath caught. Inside one of those Pokeballs was his Pokemon. His new companion. His new best friend.
The Professor gave his little speech, the one he did every year, about the responsibilities of a Trainer and the honor it meant to their country. Gale was bored. All they did in school was talk about Pokemon it seemed like. They had been trained and prepped for this their whole lives, it seemed.
"Now," the Professor beamed, clapping his hands together, one he finished his speech. "Who wants to go first?"
No one said anything, both boys assuming Madge would go first. And sure enough, she spoke up. "I want to go last, please," she said.
Gale saw Peeta's mouth drop and was sure his was as well. He didn't expect this at all.
The Professor, however, didn't even blink. It's like he expected it from her. "Very well," he said. "But that still doesn't answer my question." He caught Gale's eye, which was eyeing the Pokeballs eagerly. "Mr. Hawthorne! How about you?"
Gale nodded, stepping up to the table, wiping his hands on his pockets. He picked up each ball, weighing it in his hands. Then, on each, he pressed the circle in the middle, releasing them.
He heard Peeta and Madge gasp. Before them were three Pokemon: a Bulbasaur, a Charmander, and a Squirtle. These weren't ordinary Pokemon one saw in the grasses or ponds. These were rare.
The Professor smiled. "I had to pull a few strings," he said, "but I wanted the batch this year to be especially good."
Probably for Madge's sake, Gale thought bitterly, but pushed the thought away. Their names were already called yesterday. There was no way the Professor could've known… unless he pulled those strings, too?
Pushing that thought away, Gale examined all of them. They all had happy, wide, innocent eyes, and he recalled what he knew of them.
Bulbasaur. Grass and poison type. Known for a steady disposition, calm. Would evolve into Ivysaur, then Venusaur.
Squirtle. Water type. Playful, happy-go-lucky type. Would evolve into Wartortle, then Blastoise.
Charmander. Fire type. Playful, yet shy. Sweet. Would evolve into Charmeleon, then Charizard.
All of them were excellent Pokemon and would evolve into strong types. They were very lucky today. Some Towns could only get Pidgey's and Caterpie's. Not a good start. Not for good odds.
But Gale was always a fiery type, and liked the idea of being able to fly on a Charizard.
"I pick Charmander," he said, in a strong, clear voice.
"Excellent choice," the Professor said diplomatically. Gale recalled the Charmander into his ball and held it in his hands, like a precious jewel.
"Mr. Mellark?"
Decisively, Peeta picked the Bulbasaur, which left the Squirtle for Madge.
She smiled, widely, as if this was what she wanted all along. If it really was, Gale would never know.
After getting their Pokedex's, Peeta was nearly out the door in two seconds— Probably trying to catch up to Katniss, Gale thought snidely of the boy's crush, but Gale and Madge lingered, Madge hugging her father good-bye. Gale thanked the Professor and left.
Silently, Gale and Madge left the same time. Outside the doors, Madge held out her hand to him. "Good luck," she said simply, her eyes holding no mocking or malice.
But for some reason, Gale wasn't feeling charitable. There was something about her that was too good and it made him feel awful. "You, too, Undersee," he said. "Say, how do you feel about… testing these two out?"
Madge frowned. "What do you mean?"
"You know, have a battle right here. Let's make it clear right now who the better trainer is."
Madge frowned more deeply. "I don't know…" she said. "I don't think that's a good idea."
"Why not?" Gale taunted. "Scared I'm going to lose?"
Her frown melted and her face was calm. "Not a chance," she said coolly. "Squirtle, go!"
Her Pokemon leapt out in a beam of light.
"Charmander," Gale called and soon his little flame was visible.
Gale smirked. This girl didn't have what it took to be a Trainer, and he was going to prove it to her, Professor or not for a father.
000
The battle was over in minutes.
He lost.
She had the gall to look contrite afterwards, but Gale didn't want to hear of it, he was so embarrassed. Even worse, that damned reporter was there to capture it all and now Gale's reputation was of a cocky, arrogant son-of-a-bitch, and that's not what he wanted at all.
He scowled, unsure if he was more angry at himself or at Madge.
Since then, they were painted as the largest rivals of the region, no matter how much Gale regretted that first encounter, and it seemed they were destined to stay that way.