PART I
YOU CHOSE ME!
"Today's the day," Ash told himself in the mirror. "Today's the day I get my very first Pokémon... The moment I've been waiting for all my life! To become a Pokémon Master!"
He was right, he had waited all his life for this moment. Ever since Ash was a child he loved Pokémon. Growing up alone with his mom, Delia, Ash quickly grew fond of the Pokémon he would find just outside his home in Pallet Town. There weren't too many Pokémon around, considering Pallet Town was the smallest town in the Kanto region, but it was still home to a certain few, and Ash relished in it.
Ash had just turned sixteen, which if you're anybody who knows anything, knows that when a teenager turns sixteen, they are eligible to receive a Pokémon license. This special license qualifies individuals to compete in the Gym Leader Challenge, Pokémon Contests, the World Coronation League, and many, many more events. To get a Pokémon license, one needs to have an endorsement, and Ash's was his mom's friend and world-renowned Pokémon researcher, Professor Samuel Oak.
Now, Pallet Town wasn't home to many native Pokémon, but Professor Oak's laboratory was overflowing with Pokémon from all over the world. Depending on the trainer's choice, some Pokémon Trainers kept their Pokémon at Professor Oak's laboratory when not in their six-Pokémon rotation. When Ash was a small child, he would often be allowed to explore Professor Oak's laboratory and interact with all the different kinds of Pokémon. And he loved every second of it.
But for the last four years, Ash was enrolled in the Pokémon Academy, located in Rustboro City in the Hoenn region. There, he studied Pokémon and learned how to be a Pokémon Trainer. Having only returned home to Pallet a few months ago, Ash had been thinking of nothing but getting his first Pokémon. For a new trainer to receive their first Pokémon, they must receive their Pokémon license and be gifted a Pokémon from their endorser. Many times, the region's native Pokémon Professor is their endorsement. Pokémon Professors have selected the region's three most versatile Pokémon for beginning trainers to choose from.
For Ash, he already knew the approved Kanto region starter Pokémon. The grass-type, Bulbasaur; the fire-type, Charmander; and the water-type, Squirtle. Ash wasn't sure which of the three he would choose, but he knew for certain he was going to get his first Pokémon today no matter what.
Ash got on his long dark-coloured pants, his black undershirt with his blue and white vest, and of course, his favourite hat. It was one he won via a contest, in which he sent in hundreds of entries. A red and white hat, with the Pokémon League's signature 'L' on the front. He slid on his pair of red and black sneakers, slung his enormous and heavy backpack around his shoulders (which contained everything he needed), and ran downstairs.
It was still very early morning, but Ash couldn't sleep any longer. He was up even before the Roostic (a newly discovered third evolution, fighting-flying-type Pokémon in the Kanto region) crowed. Ash grabbed himself a cup of coffee and continued to count the minutes down until seven a.m. That was the time he was supposed to meet Professor Oak at his laboratory.
"You're up early," Ash's mom said to his surprise. She wiped her eyes as he came down the stairs.
"Couldn't sleep. All I could think about was what Pokémon should I pick... Which one do you think I should pick?"
"Well," Delia started, pouring herself a coffee, "I always believed that a trainer didn't choose their Pokémon, but rather the Pokémon chose the trainer."
She laughed at Ash's obvious confusion, but she waved it off.
"Don't worry, Ash, you'll figure it out. I promise. And I just want you to know how proud I am of you."
They shared a cup of coffee, reminiscing about all the times they had together. He knew deep down his mom would prefer him to pick a career a little closer to home, but she also knew how much he loved Pokémon. She had once tried talking him out of being a trainer and instead of taking an internship at Professor Oak's laboratory. But Ash's interests were far from books and research, it was in the real lived experience with Pokémon.
With one final hug and a promise to call her every night, Ash set off to Professor Oak's laboratory.
"So, which one will it be?" Professor Oak asked.
Ash stood before a small PokéBall containment unit. Inside were three PokéBalls which homed the three Kanto starter Pokémon. And yet, even standing here in this moment, so confident and full of dreams, Ash had no idea which Pokémon to pick.
"How... how do you know?" Ash asked aloud.
Professor Oak smiled, "Every journey begins with a single step. It's a big choice, but one you knew you'd have to make. Bulbasaur, Charmander, Squirtle, they are all great Pokémon. Any one of them would be a great partner for you Ash. I know you; you're bold, brash, cunning. What does your heart tell you?"
"My heart?" Ash couldn't even hear his heart over the Butterfree in his stomach.
He reached out towards the PokéBalls, hoping to feel something. Hoping for a sign, no matter how small. But nothing came. Until, from the corner of his eye, a PokéBall rolled off of a shelf.
One of Professor Oak's aides grabbed the PokéBall. He looked at it curiously. He and Oak traded intrigued looks.
"That's... odd." Oak noted.
"What is?" Ash asked.
"Well, you see, this Pokémon refuses to come out of its PokéBall. We don't know why. We keep it out in case somebody comes and it decides to. For whatever reason."
"What Pokémon is it?"
Before answering, Oak took a moment. Instead of words, he chose action. He took the PokéBall from his aide and handed it to Ash.
"Here. Let's just see..." Professor Oak mumbled.
Ash took the PokéBall. And just like that - it happened. A bolt of electricity tore through Ash's veins. He knew. The PokéBall opened, and from the gleaming red energy formed... a Pikachu.
Professor Oak and his aides stared in awe, as Pikachu opened its eyes. Both Ash and Pikachu looked into each other's eyes. Ash was sure the strange feeling he had felt, Pikachu had felt too.
"Pika," Pikachu said questioningly.
Ash had no answer for him. Instead, his lips curled into a small grin.
"Pikachu... did you choose me?" Ash asked.
"Pika!" Pikachu nodded. He had.
"Unbelievable. Pikachu has sat in that PokéBall for months. And now, it seems to want to go with you, Ash. Well, normally I'm not allowed to do this, but I'm willing to let you take Pikachu as your first Pokémon. If you so choose it," Professor Oak told him.
"I do," Ash replied without a second's hesitation. "Pikachu, will you come with me? To travel across Kanto and become the world's greatest Pokémon Master?"
"Pika pika-chu!"
And just like that, a friendship was born. One, that at the time neither of them knew, would be one of the most powerful connections ever formed between Pokémon and Trainer.
Ash took the PokéBall, "Okay, Pikachu -" but before Ash could finish, Pikachu jumped into the air, and smacked the PokéBall from his hands.
Professor Oak chuckled, "after spending so much time in his PokéBall, it looks like he doesn't want to go in there quite yet. Take his PokéBall, but I don't see the harm in letting him travel outside of it with you."
Ash agreed. Professor Oak continued to enroll him into the Pokémon Registry. And just like that, Ash was printed a Pokémon license and given his very own PokéDex. His PokéDex was not only an encyclopedia of all known Pokémon, but a method of communication for him to rotate the Pokémon on his person at a moment's notice, as well as a miniature computer that fit in his pocket.
Ash enrolled in the Kanto region Pokémon Gym Leader Challenge, qualifying him to win badges to enter the Kanto Pokémon league. And with that, a few PokéBalls for the road, Ash was ready.
"The closet gym is in Pewter City. There your first challenge will await you. If you have any questions, feel free to give me a call," Professor Oak told Ash, giving him a pat on the shoulder.
"Thank-you, Professor. I will. I promise you, I'm going to the best Pokémon Trainer in the world. A Pokémon Master!" Ash exclaimed.
"Pika-chu!" Pikachu cheered in agreement.
"I believe you, Ash. Ever since I've known you, you've always had so much heart and passion. Have you thought about the road ahead?"
"Every day for the past six years, Professor."
"My grandson is coming by shortly to get his very first Pokémon as well. He wants to challenge the Pokémon League as well. I'd imagine you two will be great rivals."
Ash knew Professor Oak's grandson Gary. They grew up together and they already had their childhood rivalries. But Ash hadn't seen Gary in years. When Ash went to Pokémon Academy, Gary left to study with Professor Sycamore in the Kalos region. Gary was the smartest person Ash had ever met, besides Professor Oak. To think Gary would be beginning his own Pokémon journey only added more fuel to the fire. They would both be chasing the same dream. He wondered how his childhood friend had been, but now was not the time to wait around.
"Then you'd better get going, Ash! Your very own Pokémon journey is about to begin!"
