Akira watched as the forms of both Ash and Brock got farther away and before he even knew it his voice was soaring through the air. "Brock. Ash. Wait up!" and before the two boys' even started to turn Akira was already on his way towards them.

It wasn't long before Akira was standing in front of the two gasping for air. "Who...are you...people and what are...these creatures known...as Pokémon." Akira stammered out as he was trying to force enough oxygen into his body to fight off his body's want to collapse.

Hearing Akira's words caused both Ash and Brock to gain a look of surprise upon their faces, which was followed by Ash's voice. "How is it, that you do not know what Pokémon are or that we are Tamers; one of the only defenses that this land has against these creatures?" Ash inquired, his words full of judgement.

Though before Akira was able to respond, Ash's companion intervened. "Ash, not everyone was born to parents who were apart of the Tamer Order and as such not everyone has knowledge on these creatures. So, please refrain from passing judgement in the future based on what you think others should know." Brock explained to his friend, at least Akira thought that the two males were friends. Though once the words were spoken, more followed. "My name is Brock Stone, and this is Ash Ketchum. We are members of the Tamer Order." Brock finished as he turned to look at Akira.

Though Akira wanted to continue to question these strangers, he knew that it would be rude of him not to give his own introduction. "It is pleasure to meet you both. My name is Akira and I am from Pallet Town." Akira responded.

"What about your last..." Ash started, though when Brock gave him a dagger filled look Ash cut his words off.

Though it was already too late as Akira had already figured what the boy wanted to ask of him. "I do not have a last name, as I grew up in the orphanage in Pallet Town and like all abandoned children they did not know what my last name was." Akira explained the best that he could to the pair.

Though no words were said in reply to his lonely background, Akira could tell that the news troubled them by the expressions plastered on them. Not wanting anyone to dwell on his past Akira decided to continue questioning them.

"You say that you are the only defense that we have against Pokémon, but how do you defend us from them?" Akira inquired though almost immediately he started to speak again. "Also, how is it that someone joins this group of yours?"

As usual Ash was the first to speak. "We are trained in capturing and raising Pokémon of our own, which is why you saw us capture as many Vulpix and Ninetales as we could. To answer your second question, you are born into the Tamers, though someone who is born outside the Order who is able to capture a wild Pokémon of their own is also qualified to join..." Ash explained to Akira.

"...you are forgetting there is one other way for someone to join us. If one of our master's find an individual that they find to have potential they are able to recruit them to our cause." Brock clarified for both Akira and Ash.

Though Akira was grateful for the explanation, Ash surely was not. "Damn you Brock. If you would have let me finish then I would have got to that!" Ash barked back as he crossed his arms across his chest in anger.

Watching the two interact caused Akira to contemplate their friendship. "Those two have a strange relationship and though they argue, I can tell that they fond of one another." Akira laughed to himself. Though even as he was considering their friendship he was also thrilled at learning that he was now qualified to join this group based off the fact that he had captured that Vulpix earlier. "So, that means that I would be allowed to join your Order?" Akira questioned and even though he knew those who captured a wild Pokémon could join he was still worried that they may not want him around.

The question immediately caused the two to gain shocked expressions and just as quickly their looks turned to ones of anger, whether they were angered by him or themselves Akira didn't know. Though even the anger didn't last that long.

"Please forgive us. I should have immediately offered to bring you back with us, though with the attack and wanting to get this contract turned in caused me to completely forget about it..." Ash muttered dejectedly, as he bowed his head in apology.

Though Ash was not the only one to speak. "...no, I am of a higher rank, so I should have been the one to extend the invitation." Brock interjected, as he too bowed his head in apology.

All this was too much for Akira as he hasn't ever had anyone look so sincere when it came to them thinking that they insulted him.

"Please, there is no need for that. I'm just grateful that I will be allowed to join you! I don't think I would be able to make it out here on my own." Akira replied. At the sound of his words, both Brock and Ash physically relaxed.

With the introductions between the three over with as well as the invitation to join that Order of Pokémon Tamers, the group was once more on their way.

As the hours passed Akira had spent much of his time speaking to those who were accompanying them. During this time Akira had been able to learn that the base they were going to was just one of many that were present within the land that Akira calls home.

They had exited the forest about half an hour ago and were just now nearing a crossroads. Marking one of the roads was a sign for Pewter City, while the other road was left unmarked. Akira figured that they would be heading towards the city but instead he watched as both Brock and Ash took the unmarked road. Not wanting to be left behind Akira hurried to catch up to his companions he saw that the road didn't go that far as it was surrounded by a compound that was so vast he couldn't see the end of it.

Akira's Pokémon: Vulpix(?)-?

Authors Notes: Thank you to all who read the chapter. As always review with your likes, dislikes and general comments.