Chapter 3. The Mighty Oak

Professor Oak sat at a table slowly sipping coffee while reading the report that Steven had written. Steven could still not speak, even when he tried his hardest no sound would escape from lips, so he had to write anything down that wasn't a yes or no question. Every couple of minutes the professor would stop reading, stare at him for a little bit and then continue perusing the article in his hands. Finally after what felt like a millennia he finally spoke," Young man" he said as he slowly put down the paper he was reading," I have read this three times but I am still unclear about your origin, however you have what it takes to become a trainer." Stevens' eyes lit up and he became earnest once more, shaking his head fervently as if to say 'yes I want to become one!'. Oak looked at the eager young man and decided that he would give the young lad two tests to determine if he was truly worthy of becoming a trainer. Oak leveled him with a glare," Even though I do not know where you come from, your compassion has seen through to me, your quick thinking and intuitiveness has intrigued me and your character has spoken to me. I will allow you to become a pokemon trainer, on two conditions that will show me whether you have what it takes."

Steven looked at the man before him with hesitation, these tests had not been a part of the main game and he was very nervous. What if professor Oak asked him to do something that was so difficult that he would never pass his tests? Where would his adventure be, what he craved for so long would just be gone down the drain! As Oak stared at him, he continued to get more and more anxious but after a bit of thinking he resolved himself to do whatever it takes. Not just for himself but also for ralts, he had made his promise that he would wipe out their entire team, and this was something he would not give easily. To him, even when playing the games he always hated team rocket, this time it would be different and he would be the catalyst that set it all off. With a more determined mindset, he took a deep breath and stared back into the professors eyes with determination.

The professor had watched him grow more and more anxious and then all of a sudden stevens gaze leveled out with his own, this was the look of someone who could shake the world, and the professor wanted to know what kind of person this young man truly was. "You may not know this, but my lab is where a lot of young trainers such as yourself start their journey, and where they receive their first companion to grow stronger with," Oak said as steven gave him a quick nod to indicate he understood. " As you have stated you are only 14 years of age and the minimum to start your journey is 15 years according to league rules," oak said and then his voice turned serious, " However, in order for me to see just how serious you are i am going to give you tests."

Steven looked at Oak and shook his head to indicate that he was ready, he would face the challenges ahead.

Oak continued," I have pokemon here that never get to go out and stay sheltered for their whole lives, and I would like you to train one of them for one year,'' Oak said as he saw the joy the boy had in reaction to his first test. "The second test is a mystery to me as well honestly and ive tried a lot of different things, but this one is hard even for me, so I won't fault you for not being able to do it. The mystery in question is an egg" Oak said as he stood up and walked over to what looked to be a storage container with lights in it. He lifted out an egg in a glass and metal container a little bigger than Oak's head. "This is an egg I received a while back from a fellow professor from another region of the world, he doesn't know what it is other than that it's an egg. If you pass my first test to an acceptable level i will permit you to take the pokemon you have raised from me on your journey as well as some starter goods such as pokéblocks and camping supplies for yourself, however if you do manage what i could not with the egg i will fully endorse you under my name as a professor. How does that sound?"

As soon as he stopped speaking, Steven hurriedly got up and started shaking Oak's hand and bowing to respect such an astute and caring man. Oak looked at him with care but also worry because for him this was a bit of a gamble and only time would tell if this was a good decision or not. Oak guided him over to a table with three pokeballs on it and released all three pokemon.

Oak looked at the three pokemon and smiled because each of these pokemon had the potential to become great companions and then he looked at steven," these are pokemon that i give to new trainers, starting from the left going right, you have bulbasaur, squirtle and charmander." Oak said as he pointed at each pokemon as it corresponded to the names he was saying.

Steven couldn't believe it, in front of his eyes were the starters he had always known and loved and he would get to pick one of them as a companion. Then a thought struck him, what if this is a test from oak? What if this is something he did to test the boy's skill and also reaffirm his character? Plus he wasn't doing this to be the very best of them all, no he realized he wanted to do something for the broken pokemon like the ralts who are persecuted and hunted for sport and money. Then he did something he himself was not expecting and wrote on a nearby piece of paper, "are there any injured pokemon here at your facility? I want to help those who are broken. That is my dream". He looked at what he wrote as the professor stood over by the pokemon looking curious as to what he was doing. He then handed Oak the paper and held his breath.

Oak looked at the paper and smiled genuinely for the first time since Steven got here. " My boy, I have a lot of pokemon that would love the opportunity!" He said happily as he guided him through a hallway after returning the other three into their balls. They walked down a corridor as Oak said " We are now passing the back ranch area, look at the pokemon here and tell me if one of them catches your eye, although if I believe it to be too high level for you I wont say yes".

Steven looked around the ranch area and gazed in wonder at all the pokemon here, yanma, marrill, and even ponyta all living happily. Then his wonder stopped, he felt as if something was tugging at his vision, he looked around but couldn't find it and he slowly walked around the ranch. Oak looked on as Steven walked around seemingly randomly and then he started to get closer to a pokemon that even oak had forgotten was here.

Steven looked at the corner of the ranch and saw an orange looking dog huddled in a corner, shivering and whimpering. He looked down at the poor creature and realized the state the poor thing was in. His front right leg was missing and he had a huge scar over his left eye. Oak walked over as Steven looked at the poor creature who he currently had locked eyes with. Right as Oak was about to speak, Steven looked at him and pointed at the creature with a determined look.

Oak looked at the pokemon and then back at Steven " This Pokemon is much like a starter right now i will admit to you but he has seen some gruesome horrors in his short life. He witnessed his father and his father's trainer get murdered by a thief and he was beaten by humans. When he arrived here we had to perform emergency surgery which cost him his leg. He is a broken pokemon just as you have asked for and gaining his trust will not be easy, do you still wish for him to be your companion?"

Steven looked straight at the pokemon and then looked back at Oak with a determined look. Steven nodded his head and Oak then said to him,Well then you can use the cabin near the edge of the village on the west side for training, you have one year to show me results, I look forward to what you will bring me. As for you little one," Oal said as he looked at the pokemon with compassion in his voice," I hope you are able to live a fruitful and wonderful life, growlithe".