Chapter 2: Trainer!

On the gym floor, the battle raged on.

"Magmar! Mag, Mag!" yelled Blaine's Magmar.

"Metapod." The trainer's Metapod said as it dodged another attack from the fire Pokemon.

Up in the stands, Mark was talking.

"That bug's got no chance!" Mark yelled in a certain voice.

"Well, it took out Blaine's Rhydon before. Maybe it can turn this situation around." Rebecca said.

"I doubt it." Zack said "Magmar is Blaine's strongest Pokemon. This looks bad for that trainer."

"Shhhh!" Rebecca and Mark said in unison.

Metapod's back was against the wall. He was cornered by the Magmar. It was over. Magmar delievered another fire blast, and…..Metapod was gone. In it's place stood a large butterfly with huge wings.

"It evolved again!" Mark yelled in disbelief. "That trainer sure has some tricks up his sleeve!"

"Butterfree!" The Butterfly said as she unleashed a heavy dosage of Sleep Powder. Magmar hit the ground, almost unconscious.

"Butterfree! Finish it! Use Psychic!" The Trainer yelled as Butterfree delievered the final blow. Magmar was finished. It fell to the floor, KO'ed.

"And the winner of this match is the challenger from Pallet Town!" The referee yelled in amazement.

"That was a good battle, old friend." Blaine said.

"Same to you." The trainer replied.

The crowd dispersed, and the Trainer exited the gym. Zack ran out, excited to tell his mother how the match had gone. But, again, a door flung into his face.

"you…you…you're that Trainer!" Zack yelled as he noticed the familiar face.

"Could you not call me 'That Trainer' ?" The trainer said to Zack. "Name's Ash. Hey, how old are you?"

"I turn 10 next year. I finally get to begin my journey!" Zack replied.

"I hope to see you then. I already can't wait. I never sensed a trainer's aura as strong as your own since I met Brock and Misty." Ash replied. "Until you catch up to me, keep my hat safe for me, Kay?" Ash said as he took his hat off and gave it to Zack.

1 year later, on that exact spot.

Zack finally woke up. He was so ready! This was the day he would begin his journey. He put on his clothes, the hat Ash gave him, and said good-bye to his mother. He ran to the pier. He couldn't be late! He couldn't! he made it to the dock just in time. Mostly tourists, but Mark and Rebecca were their too.

"Hey, loser!" Mark jeered.

"Hi, Zack!" Rebecca said as she boarded the ferry. Mark ran up the plank that docked the small ferry. Zack got on, and the boat left port.

The crystal-clear waters of the straight that connected Cinnabar Island to Pallet Town look beautiful in the light of the early morning. Tentacruel basked in the warm, tropical waters of the straight. Gyarados swam peacefully through the water. Pigdeot flew overhead, surveying their territory. Cloyster were just waking up in the coral reefs. Kingler and Krabby skittered across the white sands of the few islands. Slowbro lazed through the current. It was a lovely sight. But Zack couldn't see it; because he was too busy deciding what starter Pokemon to pick!

"Let's see. Bulbasaur would be the wisest choice for a beginning trainer. But Charmander would help me later on. Squirtle would be the most balanced choice for me, but, arrrgh! It's too confusing!" Zack said as he pulled out his hair in frustration.

"Take it easy. I already know what Pokemon I'm gonna choose." Mark said in a lazy voice. "Besides, we're already here." He said as the boat dropped anchor. Zack and Mark ran out of the ship, with Rebecca following them. The three reached the lab, where they would be briefed on what lay ahead.

An old man greeted them. "Welcome to the lab. Let's get down to business." The man said matter-of-factly. "I'm Professor Oak. You'll receive your first Pokemon from me." The Professor said as he led the three to a table containing 3 Poke Balls.

Immediately, Mark grabbed a ball. "Like I said, I already know what I want!" He yelled as he threw the ball. "Go, Charmander!" He yelled as a bright-orange Pokemon with a flame on its tail popped out. It would later evolve into a Charizard, the same Pokemon Ash had had.

"Well, in order to counter my bro's Pokemon, I choose… Squirtle!" She yelled as she threw the second ball. Out popped a light-blue turtle with a green shell. Squirtle was a water Pokemon, perfect to combat Charmander.

Zack was last. He just grabbed the last ball. "Uh, there is a slight problem with that one!" Professor Oak yelled as Zack threw the Poke Ball. Out popped a Bulbasaur, the last Pokemon Oak had. It was sleeping.

"That one's affected by its own powders!" Oak said as the sleeping Pokemon snored. "Whenever I open its Poke Ball, it is always asleep, poisoned, or paralyzed."

"HA!" Mark yelled as he cracked up. "You got the worst one!"

"Oh, yeah, well than I challenge you to a battle!" Zack said as he withdrew Bulbasaur. "Right here, right now!"

"Uh, Professor, are you sure that's allowed?" Rebecca questioned nervously.

"Yes, most certainly. It's good for trainers to practice on each other." Professor Oak said. "To the battlefield!"

Pokemon Arena:

"Alright, this match is one on one, one Pokemon each! Is that clear?" Professor Oak stated.

"Yeah, right, lets scare em, Charmander!" He yelled as the fire Pokemon burst out of the ball.

"Time to kick it up a notch!" Zack yelled as he threw the ball. Out popped Bulbasaur, still sleeping.

"LOSER!" Mark yelled as his Charmander jumped forward, scratching Bulbasaur.

"C'mon, Bulbasaur, fight!" Zack yelled as Bulbasaur managed to get up.

"Bul! Bul ba! Saur!" The Pokemon said as it got to it's feet and attempted to perform a tackle.

"Char, Charmander!" Charmander yelled as it countered with another scratch. Bulbasaur fell to the ground. It was too weak. It was over. The battle was over.

to be continued….