Character Ages (I forgot this last time):
Zac and Chris: 11
I will update the ages whenever needed. Like, you know, when new characters are introduced. Or reintroduced. Yeah...
Zac and Chris are running through the town. However, they soon realize how strange they look, running for no apparent reason, so they slow to a walk.
"Hey, you see that big building over there?" Zac suddenly asks.
"Yeah," Chris replies thoughtfully. "What do you think it is?"
"Um... the biggest building in the town... How the hell am I supposed to know?"
"Well, let's go see," says Chris, glaring at Zac for the rude comment.
They turn around and head toward the big building. It is very big and white. Behind it there is a huge fenced-off area with really green grass, a good number of trees, and even a few ponds. There are several Pokemon there. Some are eating, some are playing, and some are just resting. There aren't any Pokemon in the ponds. Maybe it's because it's cold. The two boys just stand there in amazement for a while until a man walks out of the building. He walks up to them.
"Hi there," he says. "Can I help you boys?"
Zac and Chris jump in surprise. They turn to face the man. Zac places him in his mid-50s. He has messy gray hair and a slightly lined face. His skin is relatively tanned from being outside often. He is wearing what appears to be a large white lab coat.
"Um..." Zac says slowly. "We were just looking... at the Pokemon..."
The man laughs. "Yes, I noticed. Are you new here?"
"Yeah... kind of..." Chris replies, scratching his head.
The man holds out his hand. "Well, my name is Professor Oak."
Zac shakes Oak's hand. "Hey, yeah, I know who you are!"
Oak chuckles. "I get that a lot."
While they're talking, Oak is sizing up the two boys. He can tell they are definitely not from around here. In fact, they act as if Pokemon is something completely new to them.
"Hey, uh, boys, where do you live, if you don't mind me asking?"
"Um, well..." Zac says doubtfully. "You've probably never heard of it."
"Try me," Oak replies kindly.
"Okay... um... New Jersey?"
Oak thinks for a second. "Nope, never heard of it."
"Well, it's really hard to explain," Chris says, "but we don't belong here."
"Huh? You don't belong where?"
"This... this whole world," Chris struggles to explain. "I don't know how to explain it, because I don't even know the reason myself, but we're stranded here with no way to get home."
"Oh, my god..." Oak gasps. "Well, what do you kids plan on doing?"
Zac and Chris look at each other. Chris shrugs. "I guess we are going to go on a journey. We need to find a way home."
"A journey, eh?" Oak says thoughtfully. "Well..." Oak knows that these two boys cannot go out into the world unprepared. They have no Pokemon, nor any knowledge on how to catch one. They have no food, no supplies... (There has to be something I can do...) "Listen, why don't you kids come inside my lab for a minute?" "Okay," Zac answers, a little surprised.
Zac and Chris follow Oak, wondering what he wants with them. Oak leads them into the entry hall and into the lab. A few scientists in white coats are seen working on one thing or another. The main room is comfortable and relaxing. It is Oak's own study room, and this is also where he stores all the Pokemon he takes care of and the Pokeball transporter. There are big bookcases with lots of shelves packed with hundreds of books. Zac looks around in amazement; he has never even dreamed of this ever happening to him...
"Well, here we are," Oak says, smiling. "Why don't you kids take a seat?"
Zac and Chris do so. They hear Oak mumbling to himself.
"Well, you two can't go out into the world on your own. It is too dangerous. What you need are Pokemon. Now today happens to be one of the days three kids from Pallet come here and choose which Pokemon they want to start their journey with. The choices are-"
"Bulbasaur, Squirtle, and Charmander," Zac finishes for him. "We know."
"How do you guys know that?" Oak inquires, very confused.
"Well..." Zac explains. "Where we come from, Pokemon is very popular. It is a hit TV series and a really good video game. The main character is Ash Ketchum..."
"Ah!" Oak says cheerfully. "Pallet's own Pokemon Master, Ash Ketchum! He is the winner of the Kanto and Hoenn Leagues. In about a month, the Johto League starts again, and Ash wouldn't miss it for the world!"
"Um... okay," Chris says, not caring too much about Ash's plans for the future.
"Oh, yeah!" Oak exclaims. "I'm getting off track here! Sorry about that. So, anyway, I have made my decision. The kids will be extremely unhappy, but you two need these..."
Oak looks into Zac's eyes... in a non-homosexual way, of course. (Hmmm... he has that same look in his eyes as Ash... This kid is fated to do great things! He could catch up to Ash one day!) "All right, you two; the time has come to choose!"
"What!" Zac exclaims, springing up from his seat. "You mean it?"
Oak grins. "Of course. Like I said, you can't go out there alone."
"But..." Chris says uncertainly. "What about the kids who are supposed to choose?"
"Well, they will be disappointed, but I'm sure they'll understand. I can help them catch their own Pokemon."
"Oh, those poor kids," Zac says sadly. "I wouldn't want to deprive them of this, their lifelong dream, but... I WANT SQUIRTLE! GIVE ME SQUIRTLE!"
"Uh, calm down, you look like an idiot," Chris says indignantly. He politely clears his throat. "I WANT BULBASAUR! UUUH... PLEASE!"
"Okay, okay!" Oak laughs. "You kids sure are excited... Here you go! Take good care of them. Remember, treat them with the love and respect they deserve, and-"
"Yeah, yeah, we get it," Zac interrupts impatiently.
"Sorry he's so rude, Professor..." Chris sighs.
"Hahaha," Oak laughs again. "No big deal. Oh, yeah, one more thing..." Oak walks to a big desk. There are three small unopened boxes. He takes two and hands them to Zac and Chris. They open them. "Your very own Pokedexes. They will really help you, trust me. Just turn them on so they can recognize you as their owners. And... that's it."
"Um, we don't have any money... or food," Zac says, frowning.
"Hmmm... good point," Oak replies thoughtfully. "Well, listen-" He goes into a side room and comes out with two shiny, golden rocks. "-sell these. The first town you will go to is Viridian City. Sell these at the store and that should give you a good start. Also, make sure you battle for money; it's the way all Trainers keep money in their pockets. Okay? And here, 6 Pokeballs for each of you... Make sure to catch your own, okay? And listen... good luck. Here is my card." He hands them a business card. "If you ever need help, do NOT hesitate to call. All right? Also, if I find any information on how to get you kids back home, I'll get in touch with you ASAP."
"Wow... we sure are lucky to have met you, Professor!" Zac says happily. "Thank you SO much!"
"No problem! Oh, yeah, and if you happen to see Ash in your travels... say hi to him for me, okay?"
"Okay, we will," Chris promises. "Bye!"
Oak watches as the kids leave. An aid walks up to him. "So you think those kids will be all right?" Oak doesn't respond. "...Hello? Sir?"
"Huh, wha-?" Oak seems to snap out of a reverie. "Oh, sorry! I guess I was a little lost in thought there. Yeah, they'll be all right. In fact, they will become great Trainers."
The aid shakes her head. "It's amazing how you can tell someone is gonna be great just by looking at them."
Oak chuckles. "I know, isn't it great?"
As the aid walks away, Oak looks out the window. (Good luck, you two. Be careful. Ash, you better watch yourself. You could end up facing your first defeat in 3 years...)
Yeah, that's it for this chapter. There will be action next chapter, I promise. Make sure you review!