Professor Oak walked calmly along the pavement of the small street which was Pallet Town's equivalent to a high street - with two large stores, one being a supermarket and the other being a Pokemart, there was at least everything that you needed. A variety of other, smaller shops which were more locally owned covered the rest of the street, making up about fifteen in all. Oak was just walking past a butchers with Ash in tow plodding alongside him when the professor stopped outside the Pokemart.
"Ah, Ash. I know that we were going to go shopping for you today, but I only need a couple of bits from here if you don't mind." Oak explained as Ash looked at him. "A couple of my assistants came to me after Jenny visited, and have asked for a super repel so they can perform some maintenance and cleaning in the bug forest biome; which as you can imagine is a place where humans get targeted more than most, what with the beedrill and everything. Since they used the last super repel in the rocky enclosure last week and supplies don't come for another four days, I need to go shopping for them! It makes me wonder why I have assistants in the first place..." He trailed off murmuring as Ash tilted his head and then nodded at the man.
The Pokemart was highly recognisable in any town or city for its unique design of being square and made of blue bricks, with a blue Pokeball hanging on the front outside every store. Walking in through the automatic doors, the professor handed Ash a basket from the pile. "Since your now staying with me at the lab, Ash, I'm going to have several things for you to do from time to time. I'm a man who does not believe in idle hands!" The Professor stated in a lively manner. "Now, let's get going."
Pondering down the aisles as Ash carried the smaller basket with him, Oak browsed the shelves of the store before stopping at what he wanted. "Hmm... Pokeball display - no, no, we've got hundreds of the damn devices... protective pads?" Oak mused, about to skip that item before raising an eyebrow as an idea struck him and he looked at Ash. "Say, Ash, would you like to join me when I go into the ranch now and again?"
"Er - yes, very much so, Mr Oak!" Ash nodded his head enthusiastically. "But, isn't it a bit dangerous in the ranch?"
"Oh, a few places my boy." Oak stated. "But you needn't worry. I won't be taking you into the rock enclosure or bug forest biome any time soon. No, the grassy plains area would be perfectly safe for you. But still, better to be safe than sorry..." The professor trailed off as he picked up a plastic-wrapped package of child sized protective pads, a set of three pairs of items including hardened gloves, elbow pads and knee pads, all in a light grey. Shrugging, the professor threw the package into the basket before looking back to the shelves and seeing exactly what he wanted. "Ah! Repels, here we are."
Picking out a couple of bottles, Ash watched in interest as Oak picked out the more expensive, white aerosol cans with the prominent label of 'SUPER' on them. Placing three in the basket, Oak only spent a couple of more minutes in the shop before declaring that his assistants should've gotten these themselves anyway and walked up to the till.
"Ah, Professor Oak! Welcome to the Pokemart! Is that everything you'd like to buy?" The cashier greeted the man with a smile.
"Oh? Er, yes." Oak was awakened from whatever he had been musing about and took the basket from Ash and lifted it on top of the counter which Ash could only just see over.
Taking everything out of the basket and scanning it through the computerised register, the cashier placed it all in a bag and looked to the professor. "That will be $1500 pokedollars, please Professor."
"$1500?!" Oak repeated with an outraged tone. "This should've been $1250!"
"Ah, sorry about that sir. There's been a bit of a shortage of repels recently given the recent population increases of wild bug Pokemon in Viridian forests, Professor. We've temporarily raised the price because of this." The cashier explained somewhat nervously, making Oak release a 'tch' and hand over the money all the same. "Please come back soon!" The cashier spoke after them as Ash followed the Pokemon researcher to the exit.
As Oak walked out onto the street, he had started to talking his mind to Ash. "You'll have to watch out for that when you get older, Ash. Some people really will just pull anything to get you to depart with your hard-earned money." The two crossed the road once the older man had deemed it safe and now stood outside the supermarket. "Well, we got everything I needed. Now let's get some bits for you, Ash." With that, Oak walked right into the shop without any pause, forcing Ash to run a little to keep up with the man as the professor picked up a larger basket for him to carry this time.
"Now, I suppose the first thing you'll need is clothes, young man. You've been wearing those manky things for probably four days now - no, not now." Oak snapped as he brushed past a tourist who was about to question him, the professor having had more than enough of the tourists who came through the town bugging him just because he was famous. Ash meanwhile, looked down at his clothes and didn't know what the big problem was. Sure, they were a bit dirty and creased, smelled a little too, but that wasn't a huge deal.
Stepping into the clothes aisle with the man, Ash just kept silent with his opinion and watched as Oak walked up to the children's shelves. "Now, Ash. What would suit you?" Oak asked as he looked down to the boy, who looked lost at that question.
"Er- I don't know, Mr Oak." Ash responded after a few moments of looking confused. There was quite a bit of choice available, lots of colourful ranges up for display with t-shirts that had a host of Pokemon on them, simplistic small hoodies with a pokeball design and other items.
Giving a sigh, Oak shook his head and looked at the clothes himself. "That's a bit typical really, your a bit like Gary in that regard. Except politer." Oak mused as he then picked up a dark blue hoodie with a Pokeball design on it. "How about this?"
"Yeah, that looks good, professor!" Ash responded with a grin, making Oak raise an eyebrow.
"Looks like we'll have to do it this way then, eh?" Oak questioned rhetorically before turning back to the shelves and picked up a black hoodie of the same design and putting it in the basket since he knew Ash liked it. Browsing to the zip-tops, Oak paused at the red ones before going straight past the disliked colour scheme and instead picking out a striped black one. "And this, my boy?"
Ash nodded his head at the man, who put it in the basket satisfied. Moving along and picking up a pack of white t-shirts since he didn't see the need for such silly printed t-shirts, Oak spent the next fifteen minutes checking with Ash and filling the basket to the halfway point with clothes. Moving into the next aisle, Oak pointed out the last clothing item needed - shoes. "Alright, Ash. What shoes would you like? Let's see, young children do a lot of running about, don't they? What about these running shoes?"
'Running shoes' were a popular trend which had swept the continent since their release from Sinnoh, being much like trainers, but made of sturdier material with a better design to allow for easier movements - especially when sprinting, as the name implied. Professor Oak picked up a pair of the dark-coloured shoes, before shrugging and putting them in the basket.
"Are they not expensive, Mr Oak?" Ash asked, worried about how he may be sucking up the researcher's finances.
Oak only chortled before he reassured Ash. "Worry not, my boy. When you get to be as old as I am, and be where I am - having been champion and a current regional professor, you have a large sum of money saved up. This won't even put a dent in my money - how do you think I can care for all those thousands of Pokemon in the ranch?"
"OK. Thanks anyway!" Ash said, getting a smile from the man.
Dumping a pair of normal trainers into the basket, Oak was beginning to walk out of the aisle when something caught Ash's eye. It was a display of hats, a variety of colours and patterns that made Ash really want one - it seemed a lot of kids did, and Ash most certainly did.
"Ah." Oak's voice startled Ash out of his daydreaming as he turned to look at his elder. "You know, a lot of kids want a hat when they're young, thinking it makes them look cool. But then, when it comes to when a kid becomes a Pokemon trainer, they discard it for any variety of reasons, including it being 'impractical'. Not me, not me..." Oak lapsed off again before refocusing on Ash. "Tell me Ash, do you truly want to become a Pokemon trainer as you said a year ago?"
"Yes sir!" Ash replied instantly, seriously and with dedication. The young boy had never wanted anything more in his life. "More than anything, Mr Oak."
"Good, my boy, good." Oak stated as he patted Ash on the shoulder and then walked out of the aisle, to a bit of Ash's confusion. Merely looking round and gesturing at the boy, Oak walked forth some more. "Wait until we're back at the lab, Ash. I have a surprise for you there."
Now that the clothes shopping was out of the way, Oak went ahead and started thinking about what the boy would need for life's experiences. Formulating several ideas, the professor stopped Ash at the school supplies section and began speaking. "Now, Ash, being in a small town as we are and in a highly educational institute already, I've decided that your going to be home-schooled instead of being sent to a place in Viridian City as many in the town do. But for that, we're going to need a few things for you. Now, we don't need to bother with basic stationary, my lab has plenty of that... ah, these will do..."
Oak picked up several basic learning textbooks for Ash's age ranging, including basic language and mathematics, as well as other books including a kids dictionary and atlas of the continent. A few other books and learning bits of equipment were picked up, making the professor grunt at the weight. "You'll be doing a bit of studying in your own time I'm afraid Ash, for my assistants and myself can't help you all the time. I'll order you more learning materials online, but for now these will do." Dumping those in the basket, the professor considered some more before he spotted it. "Oh ho, we can't forget the essential carrying asset for every human on the planet - a bag..." Oak spoke weirdly as he then gestured to a display of backpacks for Ash. "Choose one, my boy."
Ash looked at all the different coloured backpacks, some of weird shapes and sizes, before shrugging and pointing at a black and blue striped one. Oak didn't need three guesses to know what had inspired that in the boy's mind. Not commenting on it, Oak merely picked it up and handed the empty, lightweight rucksack for the boy to carry. "Very good, Ash. Now that we have learning materials and clothes, let's just get a few bits for your room. Bear in mind, you'll have to help me carry some of this though, OK?" Receiving a grateful nod from the boy, Oak led them out of the aisle and into the toy aisle. "Three things, my boy, you can choose three things for now. We'll get more online later."
Thanking Oak again, Ash took a step forth to look round at the aisle which currently had a couple of other children looking round it too. Whilst the other kids were all over the shinier toys and racetracks, excitedly yelling at the toy kits in the ranges of sometimes thousands of Pokedollars, Ash found himself being a bit subdued. Like it reminded the child that he didn't want to be alone with a toy.
Remembering the fun game with Lance, Ash picked up a deck of playing cards. Seeing something else that caught his eye, Ash walked over to the toy vehicle shelf and picked up one of the models. Roughly thirty centimetres long, the plane in his hand was an old-style propeller plane with two sleeked wings and a single-seat, glass cockpit. It was a dark, reflective green made of plastic. Happy, Ash looked about for his last choice - and just shrugged as he picked up a white rubber ball that was just larger than his hand. An expensive plane versus a cheap ball, it equalled out in his mind.
"Is that what you want?" Oak asked, receiving an affirmatory response from the boy. "Good. Now, to finish off things for now, you can get two books and a poster. That's what we can carry back with us, and we'll get a few things from the lab and order the rest online to complete your room and what you need. Come along now."
Finalising up their trip in the supermarket, Oak helped Ash to select a couple of books of intermediate difficulty to ensure the boy had some sort of push when he was reading, and that he wouldn't just digest them within a day. After that, just as promised, Oak stopped aside the poster display with Ash, and wasn't surprised in the least when the boy began browsing the Pokemon themed posters - especially the ones with high end battlers on them.
Oak's eyebrow raised as Ash stopped on a poster with a red background which made a nice theme to go with the champion's hair on the poster - Lance the dragon master was stood in a battle pose, arm thrust forward in the picture with a fluttering cape. Dragonite was seen flying just beside him as the serpentine Pokemon Dratini was coiled near his feet as Lance's name was imprinted in bold near the top of the poster. Oak was much less surprised when Ash pointed enthusiastically at the poster - only chuckling as he considered that of course the boy would go for a hero-like figure he'd spent the day with.
Paying for all of the items at the till, Oak only reassured the boy again at his thanks as a volunteer packed up all their shopping into four bags. Leaving the store, Oak gave out a satisfied sigh before taking a right turn from the shop and begin walking down the pavement at a slower rate than he'd come into town with - Ash plodding alongside him with one of the lighter bags in both his hands.
OAK'S LABORATORY.
"Alright, careful now. Thank you." Oak stated as he saw the two assistants bring in a poster board from the lab storage. "Just nail it to that left wall from the window now, thank you." Taking a few minutes, the two assistants hoisted up the wooden poster board over the dresser opposite the bed, before nailing it securely to the wall. "Now, is everything else I asked for here?"
"Yes sir." One of the assistants grunted. "They're in two cardboard boxes outside."
"Excellent. Thank you very much, you can go now." Oak thanked his two assistants who acknowledged him before leaving and exiting the floor altogether. Seeing the two gone, Oak looked at Ash and smiled. "Now Ash, I've got a few bits for you like empty paper and crayons for you to draw on and that. I know there's a desk in here, but I want you to do your studying on the table in the living area, OK?"
"Yes, Mr Oak." Ash acknowledged, smiling at the man.
The professor chuckled softly at that. "Good, good.. Now, let's get this room in order."
Within the hour, the room was as good as it was going to get for the professor, and a brilliant work of art for Ash who could finally feel at home after all he'd been through. After having hauled in the carboard boxes, and depositing them in the middle of the room, it had been the work of quite a while to unpack everything and setting it up to the liking of a seven year old but the common sense of an adult.
A grey analog clock was now hung on the wall opposite the window, just a metre from the doorway so that Ash could always see it apart from when he sat at the desk. A row of pegs, already there, had been left as they were. The poster with Lance and his two dragon-type Pokemon was hung proudly on the left of the poster board, with the pack of playing cards and rubber ball sitting on the dresser. The clothes had been folded and mostly put away into the dresser for Ash's convenience, those that needed hanging up having been done so in the wardrobe.
The two books had been set on the corner of the desk, cushioned chair tucked in neatly to Oak's satisfaction. A digital alarm clock was set on the corner of the desk facing the single, white-sheeted bed that was now Ash's. A pad of white, blank paper and another pad of lined paper sat side-by-side on the desk besides a pack of pens, pencils and crayons. A few other assortments had come out of the boxes, like a box of blocks which had just been put in the corner of the room for now.
"Now, my boy, I know it's a bit bare and not quite up to par with other kid's rooms, but it was the best I could do on an extended lunch break. We'll order some more bits online this evening, I promise-" Oak started, but was cut off as Ash turned to the man star-eyed.
"No, no, it's great Mr Oak! Thanks a lot!" Ash praised the man, getting the older man to chortle slightly and rub the back of his head.
"Yes, it is good, isn't it?" Oak agreed, hands now on his hips. "Just remember to keep it tidy now." The professor stated, getting a nod from Ash before he looked back round the room. "There's just a couple of things missing."
"Huh?" Ash let out as he looked up at the old man confusedly.
Oak only smiled mysteriously, putting a finger in the air for emphasis. "Wait right here, my boy. I did promise you a surprise when we got back, and I've got ten minutes before I'm due in the lab."
Oak was only gone a couple of minutes, coming back in with a smaller, new-looking, official cardboard box, as well as something underneath Oak was deliberately keeping Ash from seeing. "Now, Ash, I've got two things for you here." The Professor started as he shifted the unseen item behind his back as he sat on the bed, instead referring to the box. "This here is a box every potential trainer receives from a mentoring institution in cities, schools or even my own lab here should they submit an application to join a register of applicants to be a Pokemon trainer."
Ash looked over excitedly at the box - subconsciously knowing that this would start him on his journey. "Now, Ash, before you get too excited, there are things to know." Oak's words cut in and made Ash pay close attention. "This box includes a book of all 145 native Kanto Pokemon, excluding legendary class Pokemon, for children to study and learn about. There are leaflets and diagrams within to help aid a potential trainer's knowledge to aid in preparation for a journey, as well as a couple more books such as a survival guide in the wild. All this information is very important, Ash, which is why me and you are going to make a deal."
Ash looked intrigued at the Professor. "What deal is that, Mr Oak?"
Oak nodded at the young boy's seriousness, glad to know that Ash was taking this sincerely. "I want you to spend a year studying all of this on top of what I give you, and your home-schooling, Ash. Once that year is up, I'm going to test you. Should you pass, I can promise you a guaranteed place on my list of upcoming trainers for their starter Pokemon and becoming mentored students by this laboratory - the exact same test I'll be giving my grandson in a year's time, I'm sure you'll be interested to know."
"Wow, really Professor?" Ash asked, gaining a nod from the old man. "That's great! Me and Gary will ace that test, Mr Oak! Don't you worry!"
Oak chuckled. "I look forward to it, Ash." He spoke honestly. "There is one thing in this box, that isn't related to studying, however, that I'm sure you'll like." Oak opened the box and withdrew a folded item. "A poster of Kanto's typical starter Pokemon." Indeed, as Oak unfolded the poster and handed it to Ash, the boy could see the smiling faces of the Pokemon illustrated on it. The orange-red, standing tall lizard that was Charmander, the light blue, turtle Pokemon that was Squirtle and the only Pokemon that was on four legs - the green bulb Pokemon, Bulbasaur.
"Wow." Ash sounded out, lost for words as he gripped the poster. Before he could thank the professor, Oak unveiled the last item from behind his back.
"When I noticed you looking at those hats in the shop, Ash, it reminded me of myself. When I was a young trainer too, at ten years of age, who wore a hat and went on to become champion. Which is why I'm giving you this, because I know you'll take good care of it." Oak held out a cap to Ash, who took it silently as his eyes were wide at the appearance of the hat in the Professor's hands.
It was a slightly fabled hat, the dark blue on the hat that surrounded it having given way to a lighter, nyan blue. The front of the hat was a complete white, with a yellow lightning bolt symbol right in the centre of the front section. The hat was obviously somewhat aged, due to the colours having given way somewhat and the hat looked a little battered - but Oak and obviously taken great care of it, as the seams and stitching were still in good quality and it was a perfectly good hat. Which is why Ash was surprised when Oak spoke again.
"Fifty-two years I've had this hat, Ash. Ever since I was ten." Oak spoke fondly of the hat. "It's been with me ever since I became a trainer. Through my times of raising my Pokemon, travelling the three regions that I did, being a champion and ultimately the transition to being the researcher I am today. It's been with me through thick and thin, you know."
Ash stared in awe at the Professor, even his young mind recognising just how much it meant to the man.
So Ash was floored when Oak held it out to him. "It's yours now, my boy." Oak stated resolutely. "I hope it accompanies you on your journey when you ace that test, and brings you the same luck it brought me."
Ash took the hat, lip slightly quivering at the significance of it, before clutching the front of the cap with both hands and shaking his head vehemently. "Mr Oak, I can't accept this! It's yours, you said that it-"
"That it means a lot to me, my boy?" Oak finished, getting Ash to nod. Giving a sigh, the man then smiled. "Well, that's exactly why I'm giving it to you. Because if you keep hold of that fact, it'll mean even more to you. Plus, it helps my ego that if someone was to ever recognise that hat whilst your blazing through Pokemon battles, they'll know your my student. Now, stop spewing nonsense and take it, Ash. It means more to me if you were to have it and have the same successful streak I did rather than it being here, gathering dust as some trophy."
Slowly, Ash put the cap on his head as he turned to Oak who looked at Ash with a proud smile at the action. Not that the boy noticed, but there was a variety of emotions for Oak then - pride in Ash who he was now guardian of, happiness that he would be doing something great with a momento of his, a longing for his own journeys and even a bit of reluctance to hand over such a treasured piece of his life. But, it was the right thing to do for Oak. He was waiting for the boy to speak when he was surprised at an unexpected interaction - Ash had run over and hugged him. "Thanks for everything, Mr Oak!" Ash let out joyfully.
Oak took a second, but then smiled warmly as he patted Ash's shoulder. "No problem, my boy, No problem. All in a day's work for an old geezer like me."
THE NEXT DAY.
"Now Ash, you asked to learn! And let me tell you, it is an absolute pleasure to be able to teach someone like this!" Oak spoke very enthusiastically with even a touch of youth in his tone. The aged professor and boy were currently sitting in Oak's office, with Oak sitting at his desk which was against the wall - swivelled around to face the centre of the room. Ash sat in the middle of the room on a plastic chair with a small desk for someone his size placed in front of him and a lined empty book and pencil on top of it - a wheeled chalkboard having been placed next to Oak. The man seemed to lapse for a bit, mumbling to himself. "If only my Grandson would partake too. Ah, alas!"
"Now, where was I?" Oak spoke louder once more with the same enthusiastic tone. "Ah yes, we were just beginning! Now, Ash my boy, when we have these informal classes, you will refer to me as 'Professor' or 'Professor Oak', OK? We might as well drum some school discipline into that head of yours whilst we're here! Here, let me write that down for you so you know how to spell that-"
Oak picked up a piece of white chalk from his desk and turned in his chair to begin scribbling on the board beside him - before halting and scowling. The problem was instantly clear to even Ash, as Oak seemed to take the moment to lapse again. "Bah, the typical laziness of my assistants strikes again! I left very specific instructions for that when they brought it to my office, it was to be wiped clean! How hard is it? It takes just a few seconds!"
Indeed, the dark space of the board was littered with already-drawn on colours, scribbles of arrows, algebraic symbols and numbers taking up the space. "Never mind, never mind." Oak mumbled to himself as he grabbed a rag off his desk. "Just a few seconds - I can do it myself."
A few seconds of putting his elbow into it had achieved a now clean blackboard, and a now dusty rag which Oak put down with an audible exhale. "OK, so from now on you will refer to me as 'Professor Oak', OK?" Oak stated as he wrote his title down on the board's surface. "From nine o'clock to eleven o'clock in the mornings, you will do some self-study, my boy. Then, you can have a break for an hour, followed by these informal sessions with me for two hours in my own two hour lunch breaks."
"Two hours, Mr- er, Professor Oak?" Ash asked curiously.
Oak only snickered. "The perks of being both old and in charge, my boy. You get to create these benefits for yourself." Giving a cough to clear away his face to a more serious expression, Oak then continued. "Then, finally, I've got an assistant to watch over you for this week and help you learn your maths and literacy skills. That'll be this week's schedule, and if things don't go quite according to plan, then we'll change it for next week. How's that sound?"
"Er, Professor." Ash started. "How will I do something if I'm stuck and on my own? And I don't know any of your assistants!"
"Oh, Ash." Oak stated with a chuckle. "You can ask my assistants any good question, I'm sure. I've employed everyone here personally, and they'll all be friendly to you. And for when your own - tell you what, I'll allow you access to the computer in the living area where you'll do your self-study anyway. If you're ever stuck, just search for help online! But in case this doesn't work out as your worried, well, don't worry - I have a plan for that, next week. Oh, and speaking of the computer, you'd best behave on it young man - I'll be checking!"
"Yes Professor!" Ash agreed then.
"Good, good." Oak spoke, before then picking up one of the textbooks he'd bought in town from the previous day. "Now, this will just be a day of checking where you're up to academically, Ash. Just seeing what you do and don't know, so we know what to focus on. Now, let's check how your basic mathematics, addition, subtraction, multiplication and everything is, shall we?"
Ash nodded as he picked up the pencil in preparation and watched as Oak began writing on the blackboard. "Now, can you tell me the answer to..."
NEXT WEEKEND.
Professor Oak sat at the table in the living room on the upper floor, eating his way through a bowl of cereal as he read the morning newspaper, the weatherman babbling on the TV on the wall for him to also listen in on. Ash was sat at the table too, opposite to the researcher as he scribbled away - drawing on an empty piece of paper. He was currently drawing a Squirtle, from seeing in on the Kanto starter poster now stuck up in his room and from one of the textbooks Oak had gotten him. He stopped shading in the shell, however, when the professor opposite gave a scowl and an audible 'tch'.
"Are you alright, Mr Oak?" Ash asked with some concern at the sight of the usually friendly man scowling.
"Hmm?" Oak let out as he was shook out of his inner ponderings. "Oh, I'm fine, Ash, don't worry. It's just the Pokemon League being in its usual fluctuating state, that's all."
"Why, what's happened?" Ash curiously questioned.
"Well, since you asked-" Oak began, before shaking his head. "No, let me put it simply. Basically, the Pokemon League, with the help of quite a few international institutions like the international authority regulators, manage most of the continent. It's been this way for over a century now since the end of the regional wars. But, having a single administration run pretty much the whole world means there's bound to be hiccups, such as now when they've just tightened the rules on Pokemon research again. It'll put a few projects back, which is an annoyance for me, but not too bad since we run everything by the book anyway. It's the hypocrisy of their actions towards trainers for instance, that gets to me most of all..."
"Ho, ho, ho!" A boisterous and loud voice interrupted Oak mid-speech in the living room, causing the professor to sigh at the instantly recognisable energetic and semi-high pitched tone. "It is I, the great and glorious Lance Wataru, returning to the fair land of Kanto as promised!"
Ash could only smile and race to meet the energetic red-headed man who had appeared in the doorway with a swish of his cape during his dramatical greeting. Oak only shook his head, face in his hand right hand as he locked eyes with the Johto champion through the spaces of his fingers. "Do you really have to employ the theatrics every time you come round, Lance?" Oak questioned, but the hint of amusement in his tone let everyone know that he didn't mean anything by it.
"Why, certainly yes Professor!" Lance boomed out, getting Oak to chuckle slightly as he smeared his hand down his face with a few further shakes of it. "Now, where's the young lad I came to see?"
"Mister Lance!" Ash called out as he raced around the table, appearing to the champion whose smile only widened at the boy. "You came!"
"I most certainly did, my boy! I promised to make time for you, and by jove, here I am! Now come here!" Lance spoke as he opened his arms, hugging the boy who jumped at the sprightly man. "That a-boy."
Letting Ash go, Lance put his arms on his hips and looked down at the boy. "Now Ash, what've you been up to whilst I was gone this week?"
Ash threw his hands in the air just as theatrically as Lance did in his actions. "It's been great staying here!" Ash spoke. "But Mr Oak had me doing loads of boring studying, and maths, and science! He didn't even let me see any of what he does in the lab!"
Lance chuckled as Oak paused from reading the newspaper and looked to the boy. "Ash, you know that studying is important for your future, and it's also vital for that Pokemon trainer's test you want to take in a years time. Besides, what with checking up on where you are and making sure you catch up for lost time, there's been no opportunity to show you!"
"Now, now, Ash. I'm sure Professor Oak here is just waiting for a good time to show you everything." Lance pacified the revved-up seven year old, smiling. "Say, that's a good hat. It most certainly looks very familiar... where'd you get it?" He diverted the topic, whilst giving a knowing smile at the Professor who grumbled and went back to his newspaper.
"Mr Oak gave it to me!" Ash chirped.
"Oh? That was very nice of him." Lance stated. "Why don't you sit down and tell me all about it, and what else you've gotten up to?"
Hearing this, Ash gave a nod before an idea struck him. "Hey, Mr Lance, I got my own cards! Wanna play at the same time?!"
Lance gave a chuckle as he ruffled the hair on Ash's head, much to the boy's delight. "Please, my boy, call me Lance! It was cute before, but now you're making me feel old!" Lance spoke theatrically. "And yes, I suppose a game of cards would be a nice way to pass the time. Would the esteemed professor care to join us?" The dragon master asked as he looked over to the Pokemon researcher, who looked up from his paper again.
"Hmm? Oh, sure. Saturdays are my days off." Oak agreed.
"Excellent." Lance spoke. "That'll make four of us then playing a nice round of cards, if you'd be so kind as to fetch them Ash." With a nod, the young boy scarpered off to get the pack of playing cards as Oak looked to Lance with a raised eyebrow.
"Four?" Oak inquired.
Holding up a Pokeball which he enlarged to its proper size, Lance gave a smirk. "Oh yes, however much he likes to lose, my Dragonite is always up for a nice game of cards."
Oak gave a disapproving look before huffing. "So long as she doesn't flip the table in a temper tantrum again."
"Oh, it was only the one time, Professor!"
"And normally, Dragonites are loyal Pokemon who obey their trainers without a fuss, Lance. I don't know where you got such a lively specimen, but please keep her under control."
AN HOUR LATER.
"Now, let's go outside the lab for that surprise I was talking about, Ash." Lance stated with a smirk as he hauled himself out of his chair, recalling his sulking Dragonite in the same fluid motion as he did so.
"Oh? Has it been approved?" Oak questioned.
"Indeed, Professor. So long as they remain here, in your lab under your protection and watch, the League have agreed to my rather unusual request." Lance answered with a smile, ebfore then frowning. "It wasn't easy though, I'll you that. I really had to twist a few people's arms."
Lance watched Ash and the professor leave with a smile, about to follow after them himself when the news reporter on the TV caught his eye, making him pause to watch it for a moment.
"In other news, the unofficial watchdogs in Viridian City have finally released their report compiled on the safety of young trainers, ranging from those who start at the age of ten to twelve year olds. The report's results have been described as 'nothing but disturbing.' by experts." The news reporter started the topic, catching Lance's undivided attention.
"The report has been submitted by the watchdogs to the Pokemon League as a part of a campaign to raise the starting age limit to sixteen for trainers just beginning their journey. Within the report is several statistics which outline the information and back up the solutions they provide within - including the fact that one in fifteen ten-year-olds who have just started their journeys, will sustain a major injury or even be killed within a year of starting it. This has serious implications of course, making many question the previous reasons given by the Pokemon League the last time the topic came up." The news reporter continued.
"Indeed, this follows on with facts such as by pointing out that deaths that occur via Pokemon are statistically 78% higher in the 10-12 age bracket than the next age brackets, given majority reasons such as misunderstanding of a Pokemon's intentions, lack of education, and an inability to properly care for Pokemon; all of which can be dangerous. What this can mean is that-" The TV was cut off then as the screen went black, Lance frowning as he put the remote down. He had a lot to think about as he moved to join the others outside.
OUTSIDE.
"There you are, Lance!" Oak called out after the caped man who waved at them as he stepped out through the main entrance. "We were just wondering where you go to!"
Lance's straight face quickly morphed into a fake smile. "Don't worry about me, professor. We're all here now."
Oak only nodded, before looking at Ash and speaking. "Well, I suppose we'd best let the boy in on what the fuss is all about."
"Indeed." Lance agreed heartily, before kneeling down and planting a hand on Ash's shoulder, who looked confusedly at the man. "Ash, my boy, tell me - how much of a friend was Synergy to you?"
Ash's face became immediately more interested, as he started to get an inkling as to what was going on. "Synergy was great! She looked after me and everything, then defended me from the scary flaming bird!"
"Yes, yes, there was that I suppose." Lance looked to Oak as he spoke, where the professor looked both slightly down and concerned, and sympathised with the man. Lance knew that the death of a legendary would mean more to the researcher, where the implications would be more known to him. "But, just answer me this, are you sure that all Synergy cared about was looking after you? No other motivations or anything?"
"What?" Ash looked at Lance weirdly. "Of course not! Synergy didn't even know what to do after we were gonna leave that island!"
"Alright, I suppose that answers that." Lance stated in a semi-relieved tone which gave way to apprehension. "What do you think, Professor?"
"I think it'd be very interesting to see Synergy up close." Professor Oak stated, confirming Ash's suspicions who gave an excited grin. "Though try not to get too antsy whilst your at it, Lance. I know what your like, don't go pulling out Dragonite at every sudden move."
Lance gave a small grumble at that, before speaking seriously. "Still, we'd best keep an eye out in case. I'll keep her on hand just to be sure."
"Very well." Oak acquiesced, seeing the sensible caution in that. "Let's get this started, shall we? Mew waits for no one, after all."
"Yes, lets." Lance agreed, before turning back to Ash, and with his free hand pulling out a familiar black and yellow Pokeball. "Well, I'll let you have the honours, Ash. Just give it a decent throw a few metres away." With that, Lance deposited the ultra ball into Ash's hands before standing up and striding over to be next to Professor Oak.
Turning over the Pokeball in his hand, Ash felt some excitement at being able to see his friend again - marred slightly by nervousness from the caution thrown around by the adults and his ponderings on how such a device could hold such a big Pokemon, Ash shook his head. Hefting it up in his hands, Ash leant back before throwing it forth - causing the device to open up with a loud noise in the air and divulge a mass of red light.
Synergy blinked as she looked about and saw none of the darkness she had become accustomed to, her senses re-calibrating within the second to deal with the massive change in surroundings. Looking around, Synergy blinked at the grassy surroundings, the occasional wooden tree amongst the large field from which she could several grass-type Pokemon frolicking about in - Bulbasaur, Oddish, Weepinbell - her system automatically categorising and naming the Pokemon as she analysed the terrain. However, it was on her left that caused her to focus fully on the humans in front of her. Standing up fully, Synergy looked down slightly to analyse their faces.
The old, grey-haired man in a white coat was obviously a researcher of some kind, the old complexion in the man's face tagging him as a potential great source of history and knowledge if it was to be combined with his position. The adult next to him, a more flamboyantly dressed human in a cape with spiky red hair set a warning off in her system - a exclamation mark in a triangle flashing up for potential combat as an image was pulled away from her database and displayed in her eyesight. It was from the night of her fighting with the legendary bird, a stilled grainy image of the champion's face just appearing over the Dragonite which was frozen mid-punch in the image, hand glowing. It was still enough to identify the man with, and Synergy stayed wary of the man as she looked to the human child - and blinked.
Dressed in a black hoodie with a Pokeball design on it, a somewhat fabled hat with a lightning bolt firmly on his head, was her charge - Ash Ketchum. Bending down slightly, Synergy's system re-checked, but it still came up positive - despite the obvious haircut and clothes change, it was Ash.
Synergy's eyes immediately became much more friendly as she eye-smiled at the boy, changing from the apathetic, analysing gaze she had struck the other two men with to a much more welcoming expression. "Ash!" Synergy greeted as she knelt down to the boy's three and a half foot tall height.
"Synergy!" Ash shouted out as he hugged the ran closer to the Pokemon - only to yelp as the robotic Pokemon's padded hands took hold of him under his arms and lifted him up into the air. Shifting his body and weight into her left arm, Synergy continued smiling as Ash hugged her neck as she stood to her full height. "I missed you!"
"Me too, young one." Synergy responded.
Oak watched the scene with a smile on his face, both very glad he had been right and heartfelt for the reunion between friends, hadn't stopped watching as he had grabbed Lance's arm to stop him from doing anything rash. "Just look at them, Lance. Isn't this just touching?" He questioned smiling.
Lance looked at them with a more guarded expression, but still pleasant too. "I suppose, professor. I suppose." The dragon master agreed.
Glancing at Lance, Oak gave a chuckle. "So, would you say your more confident in Synergy's intentions now?" He asked.
Taking a second to watch some more, particularly at the Pokemon's care to have the more weaponised claws and blade attachments avoid the young child, Lance gave a nod. "Certainly, Professor. Yes, I'd say she deserves to be around Ash and to prove herself more to you." Looking a bit more wearily at Oak, Lance only requested one thing. "Just, keep an eye on them, OK? Both to watch the Pokemon, and to keep them both safe. Ash is certainly under risk, but many hunters would be after a potential legendary too."
Oak let go of Lance's arm and gave it a pat before putting both hands in his pocket. "You never had to ask, Lance. As a man of science and a former champion, I'd watch over Synergy anyway. And as Ash's guardian now, it's my very duty to care for him. The question should actually be, how often are you going to visit Ash?"
Prompted by the researcher's words, Lance originally began reaching for his pokegear before then pausing and putting his hand down. "You know what? Screw the schedule." Lance spoke with a resolute tone, making the professor look at the dragon master with interest. "I'll make time for the boy."
Instead, Lance held up the ultra ball he'd picked up off the ground from where it'd been thrown. "Well, now that that's all sorted, there's just the matter of this. Professor, do you accept custody of Synergy here?" Lance asked as he held out the device to the regional professor.
However, Oak never got to speak a word as Synergy let out a hiss, and with much sharper reflexes than any human, shot her hand put and seized the ultra ball that was her prison. Taking a step back and glaring at the Pokeball, Synergy's attention was diverted as Oak once again grabbed Lance's arm to stop him doing anything.
"Don't be stupid, Lance!" Oak scolded the champion, who looked at the older man with some disbelief. "Look, just don't do anything rash. It might upset what we've established so far."
Looking at the Professor with some concern, Lance took his hand away from his Pokeballs again and gestured forth, getting a grateful nod from Oak. Stepping forth slightly, Synergy's attention focused upon the Professor and cleared his throat. "Ah, Synergy." Oak began. "Would you please mind-"
"Plasteel." Synergy interrupted. "I know Ash likes the two of you, that much is obvious. But I don't know or trust you, and neither does my system. Call me Plasteel."
"OK then, Plasteel." Oak agreed, caught somewhat off-guard but recovering quickly and sending a reassuring glance to Lance who nodded back. "We would just like to ask, what exactly do you - well, want to do from here?"
Synergy looked from the Professor to Lance, and then gestured to him, causing Oak to raise an eyebrow at the sudden diversion in the conversation. "You, you want me to remain in this infernal capture device, don't you?" Synergy questioned with a masked tone so then they couldn't glean anything from her voice.
Looking to the robotic Pokemon, Lance schooled his features and stepped forth calmly. "Well, for a number of reasons including pacifying the powers at be, I believe it would be best for everyone present that that remains so, yes." Lance stated bluntly, not covering the truth whilst simultaneously lifting some of the blame from present parties.
Synergy stared at Lance for a moment, who calmly gazed back without flinching, causing an impressed glint to enter Synergy's optic senses. "My system does have some knowledge upon these topics, and so I can understand it from you perspective." Synergy spoke out, causing some relief to appear on Oak's face and for Lance's calm visage to become noticeably more happier. Tossing the ultra ball up once, Synergy looked back at Lance. "Very well. It shall remain so - on one condition."
Both Professor Oak and Lance looked to one another, before Oak gazed at Synergy with an interested expression and gestured to her. "Please, go ahead Plasteel."
Holding out the ultra ball in front of her with only an extended wrist motion, Synergy replaced all hopes of giving back the Pokeball to them with a fair bit of intrigue as instead Synergy handed it to Ash in her arms. Looking at the Professor and Champion with a blank glace, Synergy made her intentions clear. "I will become a Pokemon for Ash. I trust no one else at this present time."
Gazing at Lance who nodded satisfied to him, Oak glanced back with a relieved smile. "To be honest, that had always been a future intention of ours. That can most certainly done, especially as Ash is now staying with me anyway."
Glancing between the two men, Synergy only gave a nod before looking to Ash. "Then we have reached a satisfactory resolution, gentlemen." Synergy spoke, before giving a dismissive wave. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I wish to chat with Ash here."
Oak only gave his most expressive agreements, not that the robotic Pokemon was listening as she had already begun walking over to a tree ten metres away. Looking back to Lance, Lance only gave a raised eyebrow to Oak before shrugging.
At least things had been settled to a more than satisfactory resolution to him.
AN HOUR LATER.
Lance looked to Oak who sighed and sat in the chair of the living room as Ash dragged off the robotic Pokemon to see his room - which was actually more like Ash tugging on Synergy's hand and the Pokemon faithfully following behind the boy. Taking a seat himself, Lance put an elbow on the table and rested his head on it. He waited a few moments before initiating the conversation.
"So, how's the boy been?" Lance asked with an easy-going tone.
Oak looked over to Lance, before chuckling slightly. "Ash has been an absolute delight, my friend. He certainly livens the place up for an old geezer like me whose only company is a bunch of squabbling assistants and the calls of inquiring fans and researchers. It's great seeing him when my own son hasn't in ages, and even the visits from my grandson are occasional. Don't get me wrong, I love my family, but being a regional Professor whose only use is a source of knowledge sometimes can be discouraging."
Lance only got a sympathetic nod, before changing the topic. "I understand." Lance stated as he switched subjects. "Anyway, Professor. Are you sure you'll be fine with this new Pokemon of Ash's?"
Oak gave a grunt as he looked at Lance dryly, before waving off his concern. "For the last time, Lance, yes. I will be completely fine with watching over Plasteel's actions."
Giving a nod, Lance reached inside his jacket and pulled his pokegear partway out to check the time, before a small look of shock graced his features. "Arceus, look at the time! I've only a couple of hours left before I have to go, that ate up more time than I thought."
Chuckling again, Oak raised his voice. "Ash, come back on through! Lance has only two hours before he leaves!"
"Coming!"
EVENING.
Lance smiled down at Ash as he prepared to say goodbye to the young man on the fringes of the laboratory. "Well, Ash, this is where we must depart I'm afraid. It's been great being around, but champion business as well as more official business makes me a very busy man." Lance stated to Ash, getting the boy's face to turn sad. "Not to worry though. I've taken a real liking to you, you know? Here, take these."
Ash's frown disappeared as he held out his hands instinctively as Lance reached out with two items. A red and white ball - a pokeball - as well as a Pokegear, the trainer's utility version of a portable phone, was deposited into Ash's hands. The Pokegear looked just like a normal flip phone, except with the decoration of a Pokeball on the front and the fact that it was a deep blue. Lance's smile widened as he ruffled Ash's hair, causing Ash to give him a look of grateful wonder. "I hope you enjoy. They'll be very useful in your adventures to come - but don't open them now!" Lance stated as he saw Ash look back at the items. "Professor Oak can help you there, just as he will set you off on your journey. Should you ever need help on your journey, Ash Ketchum, you need only to give me a call." Lance stuck out his hand. Professor Oak, stood nearby, only smiled at the scene as Synergy stood a metre away, analysing and committing the actions to memory.
Ash smiled up at the dragon master before gripping the hand and shaking it as strongly as a seven year old could. "Thanks, Lance! You've been super helpful! Thanks for everything! How can I help you in future?!"
Lance smiled warmly back. "I've got an idea or two, but that's for the future to decide! Now, Ash, I really must be off. I wish you much luck in the future." With that, Lance unveiled his Dragonite from a Pokeball, the strong orange Pokemon roaring happily as it was revealed. Climbing onto the Pokemon's back, Lance gave a wave before giving the Dragonite a nudge, the Pokemon chirping happily before shooting straight off into the sky.
"Thanks, Lance!" Ash waved after the Johto region champion, watching the man and his dragon get smaller into the distance as the sheer speed the Dragonite flew at astounded the young boy. He watched them become a speck in the sky before turning around and running off towards the Professor's laboratory - not daring to turn towards the town, and anywhere near to where his family house used to be. Oak only gave another chuckle, having waved after Lance and already said his goodbyes as he plodded along after Ash, Synergy stomping after - very audibly to everyone present.
Lance meanwhile, had also watched his perspective of the child get smaller in the distance before opening up the red pokegear phone of his own and dialling a number.
"Hey." Lance spoke into the device. "Yes, it's me, Lance. Listen, I gave away one of the older Pokemon from the recuperating pens - Yes, I'm aware of how valuable one of those Pokemon are." Lance paused to listen into the phone before taking a firmer tone with whoever was on the other end. "No, I don't care for that. It ties into who I've just seen - I'm sure you will at least start agreeing with my decision when you find out." Another pause. "Yes, they were someone on the priority list. Who I just saw was Ash Ketchum, the seven year old from Pallet Town."
A lengthier pause this time occurred as Lance allowed the voice on the other end to get out their side of the conversation. "It would indeed be his son. There we go, you agree with me." Lance nodded as the phone took a friendlier strike of conversation in their debate. "Now, listen. Forget the Pokemon that took him for now, its good. Here's what I want you to do. Compile together a priority report on Ash Ketchum - don't file it under any potential suspicious stuff, it's all good on that front. The kid may be a bit disturbed right now, but I'm sure he'll come off right. Rather, put it under the watchlist for potential G-men recruits. We shall be seeing more of him in future, I'm sure of it, whether due to his life being in danger or him becoming as great as I know someone like him can be. All because of who his father is." Lance turned around again, phone still to his ear in the forceful winds as they flew - catching the last few glimpses of Pallet Town as he raced away from it.
Walking back into the lab, Ash gave a yelp as Synergy picked him up with an eye-smile, as both Pokemon and Professor walked up the stairs to the living sections of the lab. Hands behind his back, Oak watched as Synergy crested the stairs with the boy in her arms - and further reassured himself that this was the right thing to be doing.
Clearing his throat, Oak dipped his head as both boy and Pokemon looked to him. "Well, it's been an eventful day. I bid both of you a goodnight." Oak didn't inquire into anything further as he walked into the master bedroom and closed the door.
Putting the boy down in his room, Synergy merely walked over to the window and began looking out as Ash got ready and then into bed. She was about to sit in the desk chair when Ash spoke.
"Hey Synergy." Ash called out to her, causing the crimson orbs of the Pokemon to turn to look at the boy with interest. "You're here to stay, right?"
Synergy looked at Ash for a second before giving an eye-smile. "Of course, Ash." Synergy answered warmly. "I'm your friend and Pokemon now, remember?"
"Oh, good." Ash answered tiredly with a happy tone. "Goodnight then." Synergy responded in kind as the silence returned comfortably, Ash thinking about everything as he tried to get to sleep.
As Ash was pondering, he saw both the mystery Pokeball Lance had given him, and the ultra ball that was Synergy's on the desk where he'd put it, the moonlight glancing off of it's dark, reflective casing. Ash smiled as he remembered that Synergy was technically his Pokemon now, but then frowned as he realised he never got his friend's opinion on that matter. He itched to ask Synergy about it now, but it was late and he was tired, unwilling to get into such a conversation now. His frown turned perked up though, as he remembered something he'd been spending quite a bit of time thinking about.
Ash picked up the Pokegear from where it sat on the windowsill as he sat up on the bed, falling back and staring at the dark, blank screen before looking out to the moon which was rising ever so slowly over the blackened horizon in hesitancy. Synergy said nothing as she looked interestedly at the boy's actions, being able to see everything unlike the boy who was squinting at the dark device. Ash didn't know if he should really be asking the man this, feeling distinctly embarrassed and like he shouldn't bother him with something like this, but at the same time, he really wanted to. He wanted to know.
Switching on the screen, Ash scrolled through and began typing. He finished his short message, pausing a bit over the send button before he gathered his courage and thumped the button.
Mr Lance, do you think I can be like you? Could I be a champion?
Looking back to the night sky, Ash could only nervously run scenarios through his head. He was chewing his cheeks in worry for a bit, wondering what Lance would think of him for asking such a thing and ever pondering if he should just delete the message before he saw it. However, he didn't have to sweat for long as the device buzzed in his hands. Switching it on and looking at the lock screen notifications, Ash saw Lance's response.
Ash, it's not a question of if for me, but rather when. I know you can be champion. And the very day you do so, I will be there to cheer you on.
Ash could only open his mouth into a wide grin of elation, hugging the device to his chest as he felt happy. In that moment, Ash Ketchum found his idol. Synergy raised an internal eyebrow at the peculiar behaviour of her charge, before dismissing it as she was happy for the boy. Seeing the boy beginning to drift off, device against his chest, Synergy prepared to do so as well. Gently prying the communication tool from Ash's hand and returning it to the windowsill, Synergy then sat down in the desk chair and entered an inactive state to conserve energy; sensors left switched on just in case.
Ash slept much more peacefully than he ever had in those past few nights. Who needed to be a Pokemon master when you could be just like your idol and have a good friend by your side? Not to mention having a regional Professor of all things be your adopted father.
Gary would be jealous when heard.