Chapter 3
Samantha stood there in shock, Bulbasaur in arms. She never quite knew what her father had against Pokémon anyway. She wasn't so shocked that he was standing there; it was more the fact that he held several Poké Balls in his hands.
"Why hello, Kurt!" Professor Oak said, "I can see you got my message"
Kurt stared at his daughter silently. In what seemed like an eternity to Samantha, her father finally smiled at her.
"Samantha", her father said, "I knew you'd come here someday."
"I…uh—well" was all she could manage to say.
"A father wants what's best for his daughter. I've noticed the way you've been reacting to moving. I know you don't want to move to Saffron City honey…so if it's OK with the good Professor, I insist that you stay here—and learn all about your new Pokémon."
"Fine with me. I'll start her out on her own quest just like my grandson…" Oak declared, "Looks like you have a big decision to make Samantha."
Samantha had a lot to take in at once. Her father told her a story on how he used to be a trainer with her grandfather, Kurt Sr. All the let downs, and gym losses—no wonder why he didn't like trainers.
Samantha looked at Bulbasaur the whole time she thought about her decision. Something between the two told her the right thing to say.
"I'll do it Professor! I'll do it daddy! I'll make all of you—and the whole town of Pallet proud!"
Kurt looked at his daughter. "It's settled. You have one week until we leave. I want you to stay here and learn. Then, you can go off on your own journey. When you reach Saffron, stop by Silph Co. and speak to me."
One week passed quickly. Oak explained to her the basics of Pokémon. Things along the lines of: How to catch, handle, etc. As Kurt loaded up the station wagon, Samantha stood silent. When the last bag was packed, Kurt kissed his daughter.
"Good luck honey. Mind yourself. We'll see you and your Bulbasaur in Saffron…"
With that, the family car sped away. Samantha waved, until it disappeared from sight. She walked back into Oak's lab, where he had packed her satchel.
"Here are 20 Poké Balls, 1 Pokégear, and 1 completely updated Pokédex…now what was I meaning to ask you?"
"Bulba!"
"Ah yes! Did you want to give this Bulbasaur a nickname?"
Samantha had given this no thought whatsoever. She looked down at the rare Bulbasaur…
"Bulba…bulba…saur!" he encouraged his trainer.
Samantha repeated, "Bulba…bolba…uh…Bobby?"
"Ah, excellent choice! 'Bobby' it is!" the Professor declared.
Oak waved as Samantha head up towards Route 1. He was somewhat proud to have taught such a talented young lady.
"Take care now Samantha! Take good care of Bobby! Remember, the Viridian Gym is closed, so Pewter City will be your first gym stopover!" he yelled.
Samantha waved back as she departed from sight.
