TWO YEARS LATER, LAVENDER TOWN.
Lavender Town was a settlement roughly just a bit bigger than Pallet Town was. It had a much bigger economic reach than Pallet did, being not too far (by vehicle) from both Saffron and Cerulean City, as well as good trade. However, it was noticeably hampered by the fact that it was nestled in the mountainous terrain of North-eastern Kanto, discouraging a fair few travellers - but what discouraged most was the not-so-noticeable signs - its reputation.
Lavender Town was notorious for being haunted, a haven for ghost type Pokemon which meant the town's population was smaller than that of Pallet despite the town itself being bigger. Its main features instead were its trade points and warehouses, a stopping point for overnight drivers and its Pokemon facilities - the centre and Pokemart. But most famous of all would be the Pokemon Tower on the outskirts of the town - a burial site for dead Pokemon, and where most of the ghost Pokemon congregated. These facts meant that foot traffic in the night of the town was rare, even for Officer Jenny doing her rounds.
That made it perfect for Red as he lit up another cigarette, patiently waiting in one of the warehouses on the boundaries of Lavender Town. Taking a moment to roam his eyes around the spacious, large room which was just made up of a hardened grey floor, corrugated iron and overhanging lights. A few crates dotted the area, old and slightly rotted as the warehouse had long since become disused since it had been put up for sale. Sunlight streaming in through angled windows set in the massive rectangular roof made up the finishing touches of the vast empty space, as Red merely exhaled cigarette smoke. His eyes turned to view the double doors on the opposite wall to the one he was leaning on open, as he stood up straighter.
A party of nine people walked in then. A brunette woman, as well as two men were each flanked by visibly recognisable bodyguards. All of the bodyguards were tense, and perhaps understandably so - all three of them made up the biggest weapon smuggling operations in Kanto and Johto. Having your competition within arms length was bound to create tension, and it showed as the three groups quickly separated and put space between one another.
"Hey, er, Red, what the hells going on here? Why'd you all call us for a meeting? I never expected you'd ask my competition to show up here too." A man demanded then, the one on the right. Red observed him as he tugged his cap down slightly more to shield his face, the man was smaller than average which made Red a head taller than him - but it seemed ego accounted for his lack in height. A Flareon, the small orange, glowing fox Pokemon at the man's feet, looked inquisitively round.
"You know, the amount of effort it took uncover all three of you, let alone then become a business partner with the three of you for your goods was difficult, I'll admit that. The G-men, national guard and IRD don't make things easy for you." Red mused then unconcerned by the man's outburst, idling on the topic. "Which is why I wish for those efforts to pay off."
"Well, if you could hurry it up, I'm a busy man after all." The second man spoke up then, making the woman look astonished at both men for speaking without such respect to such a notorious figure before them. News abounded within the criminal circles, and Red's name was whispered even if the trails for finding him were cold and empty.
Indeed, Red looked sharply to the man as he calmly spoke then. "You're not busy, Gregory, you're just a coward. Your well known dealings due to your utter stupidity have caused you to become a wanted man in three separate regions, and so you're just desperate to get out of here." Red lashed out verbally then, before just shrugging. "Alas, your business makes you a useful man, and so I'll forget about your little outburst then."
"Who do you think you are-" The man spat out then, before the woman on the left loudly cleared her throat.
"I believe it might be prudent if we got to the business of why we're here please, Mr Ketchum." She stated more politely then, making Red nod as he looked more appraisingly at her.
"Very well. At least someone here isn't a common criminally minded brute." Red spoke as he mocked the others some more, making both men bristle but nonetheless listen in. "I messaged you all to come here today because I have a very good proposal to make."
The short man became more interested - and polite then as he smelled profit. "And what would that be?" He questioned in a friendlier tone.
Red chuckled humourlessly then, before stating his 'proposal'. "You see, for a little more than a decade I've been running a little group." Red spoke in context. "My proposal, per se, is that your smuggling operations immediately become a part of said group, and I receive a much needed expansion in the rate of armament. A winning offer, by all means."
All three criminal heads seemed taken aback by Red's words, before the short man spluttered. "Winning? Good? How is this in any way-"
"Good?" Red finished for him. "I never said it was good for you. It's quite the winning move for me, though."
"Is this some sort of joke to you, Ketchum?" Gregory spoke then, his thick accent riddled with stunned bewilderment, as Red had the audacity to him to issue such a statement. "We are some of the most powerful people in the nation, and you just insult us like this? I would never join you, not when my people are so much more powerful than yours that we could have you killed like a bug - we deal in weapons, after all."
Red actually chuckled then, amusement prevalent now as the man smiled - and walked over to Gregory. Fortunately for the tensing bodyguards, however, they never had to draw their sidearms as Red stopped short a couple of metres. "Oh, I'm well aware, my dear Gregory. I'm aware of how powerful you are, I've paid you my money after all for your goods."
"Excellent. Then you would know not to fuck with us-" Gregory spoke then, before Red actually let out a barking laugh then.
"Like how you fuck with others behind your wife's back, Gregory?" Red spoke with a voice full of mirth as he took another drag on his cigarette, delighting in the man's shocked and quietened expression. "Oh, I'm aware. I'm aware of the fact that your network is made up of exactly 132 men, eight of which are my men, and that it makes 800 million Pokedollars a year on average. I'm aware of exactly where your wife, kids, nieces, uncles and parents live, Gregory." Red stated then in a blasé blackmailing tone. "I'm a hell of a lot more aware than perhaps you are of yourself, Greg."
"W-what-" The man stuttered then, but was silenced as Red tutted then.
"And what your not aware of, is the fact that if you refused, then you are of no more use to me." Red informed then in a more neutral tone of voice, as Gregory's face became pale and his bodyguards began reaching into their coats. "Goodbye, Gregory."
Red's hand raised the silenced Deadlock pistol in his hand and pulled the trigger point blank into the man's forehead, a bullet immediately being discharged with a bright, momentary flash and high-pitched, deadened exit velocity of the bullet sounded out. Gregory's face look daunted as a red wound immediately appeared in the top of it, before the now deceased corpse keeled over. Red didn't even have to move as bursts of silenced gunfire felled the two bodyguards on either side of him.
Looking to his right and backing up from the bullet-ridden corpses, Red observed the dead bodies of the short man, and his bodyguards who had died with their hands in their pockets, obviously reaching for their weapons. The Flareon itself, having been hissing at Red, laid justa s dead against the hard floor. "What a shame." Red mused as he merely took another drag of his cigarette. "I didn't even get his answer."
After a second, Red exhaled before making a motioning gesture with two of his fingers. Sure enough, heavy thuds sounded out from behind the discarded crate of two approaching personnel from the back of Red. Both figures joined him, one on each side of him, as Red looked at the one on the right out the corner of his eye. The soldier that had joined him was heavily armoured - a full, metal armoured vest was tightly wound around the figure's torso as the soldier switched off their helmet-mounted radio. Lighter, grey-painted synthetic pieces of armour was strapped to their limbs, as they then reached into the vest and pulled out an ammunition magazine, reloading the silenced assault rifle that they carried.
The soldier on the left still had their rifle raised and pointing to something on the left of the warehouse, whilst the other soldier, with an obvious rank denotation beneath the faction's symbol on his armoured vest, only turned and saluted Red. Red only nodded to the squad leader before idly speaking aloud.
"Do you see what happens now when people don't respect one another, Vanessa?" Red questioned as he turned to view, to him, highly amusing scene of a trembling brunette. Her two bodyguards were slowly withdrawing their empty hands from their coats as they saw ten assault rifles pointed in their direction, with nine further soldiers stood in the background, ready. The squad leader stepped in to keep up with Red as the man moved closer to the brown-haired woman. "It means that I now have to take the extra effort to use my men inside their operations to take over, rather than just more simply having the person in charge give it to me. It's just more of a hassle really, and it costs more in the long run."
Red just paused before chuckling. "Always assume I'm aware, Vanessa." Red stated then, in an informing tone like he was giving life-saving advice - which it could well be. "I know that you're the one who was in charge of managing the location, and how you changed it at the very last hour. But I knew, you see - so much in advance that I could gather an assault team in waiting for the lot of you."
"Now." Red spoke in a finalising tone as he grew bored with taunting the weapons smuggler. "All that remains is your answer. You now know what happens to you should you pick either option."
The woman, Vanessa, only shakily nodded. "My operation is yours." She spoke briefly.
"Good. Good." Red spoke then. "See what happens when people get along? Much easier." Taking a moment, Red then began to back up. "My men will know how to take over, they will go with you since there is now nobody else to escort away from here. In just a day's time, I will have your entire network, and you will be paid the grand sum of ten million Pokedollars to retire, be set up for life, spend it with the family, whatever. Just know that you are to stay out of my way in your retirement."
Vanessa nodded once more, making Red look satisfied, before she spoke again. "Why is this necessary, though? Why not just continue the way things were?"
"A good question, actually." Red responded as he turned his back to her, and began walking off. "But things cannot continue the way things were, not when outside circumstances change them for you." He answered as he approached the exit.
"Team Rocket is the leading organisation of crime in Kanto, and head a lot of it within the two regions." Red spoke before flicking away his expended cigarette and pushing open the double doors to leave. "I'm merely playing them at their own game."
ROCKY ENCLOSURE.
Ash faced Lucario and Riolu, the father and son Pokemon gazing back as Synergy stood to the side of the boy. Synergy had already spoken with Lucario and said her goodbyes, now it was just a matter of wrapping up their last ever training session together and saying farewell. Something the robotic Pokemon knew was harder for Ash than he let appear on his features, if the body language of the fourteen year old teenager was any indication.
Merely placing a synthetic hand on Ash's shoulder, Synergy remained quiet as Ash opened his mouth to speak.
"I... wanted to thank you, Lucario, for everything. You've taught me, Synergy and Riolu so much." Ash thanked the canine Pokemon, who only nodded gruffly back.
"It's been a pleasure, Ash. You don't owe me a thing." Lucario responded with a straight face, but Synergy could see from the Pokemon's eyes that he appreciated what Ash had said.
Patting the boy on the head and quietening the boy by making him laugh by ruffling his hair, Synergy spoke then. "I'm afraid I'm going to have to insist that we do, I myself would've struggled to glean knowledge on aura without your guidance, given the lack of even understanding amongst the humans on the subject."
Lucario just nodded at that, both in appreciation and agreement. "Well, there are very few humans capable of doing it, the aura guardians always were rumoured to be made up of no more than twenty..." Lucario trailed off then.
Ash looked confused at the mention of the unfamiliar organisation, but stayed silent as the heavy metallic hand patted his head again, Synergy still staring at the canine Pokemon. She could see in the Pokemon's eyes that there was something he was heavily considering, something he perhaps wanted. It wasn't something she really desired to be obligatory to - given that Ash's journey would start soon, but she did feel rather inclined to, a sense of duty to carry out whatever this was given how much Lucario had done for them.
Lucario's ruminations seemed to have ended as he looked up at Synergy seriously, but then looked to Ash with a considering gaze. Even Riolu was looking up at the taller canine with a curious expression, not knowing what his father was thinking about so deeply upon. Lucario spoke with a deliberate tone of voice then.
"I do have something, a request of sorts to make." Lucario began, looking back to Synergy. The robotic Pokemon just studied the facial expression of her fellow creature with her system's analysing software. "Do you remember how I described this place, as though it is quite safe and well cared for by the humans, it was also remarkably boring?" Lucario stated then, the topic having been quite altered.
Ash cocked his head slightly in confusion, but Synergy allowed the Pokemon his dictation of the conversation. "Yes, I do. You seemed quite frustrated at the lack of suitable opponents, given your specie's notoriety, your own high-end skills and the fact that you can't fight Oak's Pokemon." Synergy intoned as her memory banks immediately brought up the relevant data.
Lucario only nodded, amusement passing across his face before he sighed. "Yes, that still holds true unfortunately. Still, my family and I will await here, whether our trainer needs us or not, as is our duty as a trainer's Pokemon." The canine stated with a resolute tone at the end. "But that is not something I wish for Riolu to experience. He is well past his child years and will soon evolve, and I do not wish for his life to be spent amongst these same rocks."
Riolu seemed taken aback as he was mentioned, as Synergy would've raised an eyebrow if she anatomically could, having predicted where the conversation was now heading. Lucario finally looked down to his son, patting him before looking to Ash. "It would be a great personal service to me if you could take my son with you, Ash. You are fourteen now, an older context for us Pokemon that you humans as well as being fully versed in all the ways of aura I can provide, and still learning. You will soon leave on your journey, and I would request you let Riolu go with you. It is not in our specie's ways to stay in one spot after we have finished training, never seeking challenges or a family to raise. Something he cannot do in this maintained landscape."
It was Ash's turn to be taken aback now, his mouth behind the black mask dropping slightly. From what he thought of the Lucario evolutionary line, it was a species that highly valued loyalty, especially family, above all else. And so it seemed contradictory to him slightly - but taking a look at Synergy, Ash knew there was something he was quite not getting about Lucario's request. With a nudge from Synergy's hand, Ash spoke up then.
"Are you sure? I mean, I don't want to-" Ash started then, feeling slightly pressured as well as not wanting to come between Riolu and his family, no matter how much he'd like his friend to come on his journey with him.
"I assure you, Ash, I am very sure." Lucario interrupted then, gratitude on the Pokemon's face that Ash was being considerate. "I have already spoken with my partner about this, and we both agree that it is time that Riolu began his own adventure, to see new sights and challenges."
Riolu spoke up then, feeling put out about the fact that it was his future that was being discussed and he hadn't had a say so far about this. "Hold on, father. You never spoke to me about this." Riolu exclaimed up to the bigger canine.
Lucario looked down then, and only chuckled. Whilst this raised Riolu's ire somewhat, the Pokemon placated his son by placing his paws on the pre-evolutionary canine and speaking his reasoning. "Because we know you, son. You're more stubborn than your mother is, and it shows in your training to catch up with Ash. That's why we didn't consult you, because we knew you would argue to stay here and help look after the family like the good elder brother you are. But we know better and we've got things quite in hand here, your mother and I, and so it's time you left the den and started making your own decisions."
"But-" Riolu started, only to be silenced by Lucario's paw.
"No buts." Lucario stated. "Your loyalty is admirable, son, but it's time you didn't let that get in the way of your own life. Instead, go with Ash here, and be loyal to him as he turns you into a fine Lucario." The father Pokemon spoke resolutely. "You'll understand one day when you have a family of your own. Now, enough. We still have to wait for Ash's answer."
Ash seemed bewildered in having to make a decision, that to him, was quite big. But after overhearing what Lucario had been saying, he started to understand why the canine Pokemon was doing this. So, without even looking at Synergy then, Ash spoke. "I would love for Riolu to join me, Lucario. I'll take good care of him, he is my friend."
"Excellent. Thank you, Ash." Lucario conveyed his gratefulness before looking down to Riolu again. "You'll enjoy yourself, son. I know you want to go anyway, I can see that. Don't hold yourself back."
Riolu gave it a moment of stubborn consideration before just nodding. "Alright." Riolu spoke, reluctance evidently tinged in his tone, but Lucario could also hear the excitement buried further in it. "Do I really have to get in one of those Pokeballs though?"
"I'm afraid so." Synergy intoned then, making everyone look to her. "It's not that bad, though. It'll make things easier for the road."
Riolu looked at Synergy, before then shrugging and turning to Ash, who was smiling at the smaller canine Pokemon.
OAK'S LABORATORY.
Gary walked into Ash's room after having been let in by his grandfather, and saw Ash who turned around to see one of the few friends he had walk into the room. Looking surprised, Ash was just glad that he still had his black mask on as he looked quizzically at the boy.
"Gary!" Ash greeted. "What are you doing here?"
"Hello to you too, Ashy-boy." Gary spoke in his usual casual tone. "But if you've forgotten, some of us have a test tomorrow, not all of us get the fast pass to being a trainer." Gary stated as he smirked, whilst Ash just blinked at him. "I came here for some last minute studying, and since gramps is busy, you'll do since you swallowed the textbook and info pack."
Ash looked to Gary with a weird expression before shrugging. "OK. What do you want to do first?"
Gary looked contemplative before rifling through his backpack to pull out a few papers. "Pokemon biology. I'm terrible at that."
Ash looked to Gary before motioning for him to sit at the desk as he sat on the bed and plucked up a book entitled Basic Pokemon Physiology - For Trainers. Opening it and remaining silent for a few moments, Ash then looked back up to Gary. "Do you want a general few questions on it or have you got a practice paper or something?"
Gary thought on it before shrugging himself. "The first option sounds good."
Nodding, the two boys began studying for a crucial exam only one of them had to take.
A few hours later and approaching four o'clock in the afternoon, Gary gathered together his materials and then shook Ash's hand. "Thanks, Ashy-boy. You're a great help, even if you say bugger all."
Ash just rolled his eyes, being once more reminded of the differences between the two friends - Gary had always been the more temperament of the two, as opposed to Ash's more quiet nature. Gary blamed his grandfather for probably cramming Ash's head full of his aged rambling.
Ash just readjusted the cloth on his face slightly. "Not all of us have the energy to spew nonsense all day, Gary."
Gary turned round slightly, mouth open and finger wagging as he was about to rebuke the jab, before then closing his mouth and chuckling.
They'd remain firm friends for a long time, Gary reckoned. Beyond them going on their Pokemon adventures at fourteen all the way into the future.
TRAINING FIELD, OAK'S LABORATORY.
Synergy only looked neutrally as she gazed analytically down at the soon-to-be trainer. It was just fourteen hours, thirty-six minutes and fifty-two seconds until Oak was allowed to start handing out official trainer licenses to successful applicants - and the boy would need ten of those to sleep. Leaving only a few hours to make sure that the robotic Pokemon was satisfied with Ash being ready to venture forth.
"Again." She intoned, watching Ash as he struggled for breath but nonetheless nodded. Glancing to the three Pokemon to the right of her, she barked out orders again. "No slacking. Aron, continue to work on your metal claw against either of the two - Riolu, rock smash against them both. Rock smash takes longer, but it has a higher special attack damage and more widespread area of effect. Dragonair, use any sort of tail move. You could all use work with dodging and close combat."
Synergy paused as the other three Pokemon looked to one another with tired expressions, but nonetheless began as the robotic Pokemon lashed out with an arm. Smacking aside a thrust of an aura construct at her side and then only taking a full-powered blow with a kick infused with aura at her leg joint. She briefly assessed how much damage that did - which was next-to-nothing given how she'd already been in a defensive stance and reinforcing her body with her own aura - before latching onto the outreached arm Ash had provided with his feint of a thrust. Merely twisting her body round and tossing Ash to the floor with her much higher levels of strength, Synergy tutted.
"Inadequate." She criticised, before reaching down and hauling Ash up off the asphalt who winced from the stings of landing on such a surface like that. "A feint is a good move generally, but to an opponent like me who would be able to take such hits and also reinforce their body with aura, it's not good enough. You will need to be more strategic, or harder hitting, than that." Synergy lectured as Ash took a step back, listening as Synergy spoke, but he knew something was up. He was proven right as the armoured Pokemon shifted slightly, before the sword extension on her right arm sprang out and locked into place. "Now, let's have a proper, final battle for a minute. Actually try this time."
Ash leapt back as Synergy merely stood her ground, allowing Ash the time to start the battle, before her eyes narrowed as Ash instead pointed to the three Pokemon to the right of Synergy. "You three, quickly! Peeper, use flamethrower on Synergy - Silver, you use screech and Riolu go with force palm!"
Synergy's head snapped right as flames appeared a split second later, washing over the asphalt to actually hit her as Ash's order as their trainer overrode what she'd said. Her computer quickly noted the super-effective damage as she then blocked the flames by springing up aura shield, having been far too late to use protect. A distortion of energised air then hit the shield, however, weakening it majorly before Riolu's glowing fist then slammed into the barrier - propelling the canine Pokemon straight through the construct and about to hit Synergy's face.
An open hand soon stopped Riolu mid-air however, as the limb glowed blue before she then swiped it downwards, making the Pokemon impact right into the ground. Taking advantage of the pause in action, Synergy raised her right foot before stomping right onto the ground - the move earthquake creating a small but deep-running crack in the asphalt from the impact point as the entire ground shook. All three of the Pokemon were knocked down to the ground, however, Synergy had no time to take advantage of that as her own senses blared - just in time for her to twist her torso round for the blue aura sphere to slam into an armour plate.
Stumbling back a bit anyway, Synergy quickly righted herself, before swiping up the sword extension to block the aura rod that clashed against it. Synergy's crimson optical sensors narrowed as Ash's face appeared just behind it, teeth gritted as he poured all his strength into trying to make the hit land. Locked in a stalemate for a few moments, the robotic Pokemon broke it first by quickly withdrawing the sword back into the arm and grabbing both of Ash's hand as he stumbled forward from the sudden removal of the opposing force.
"That'll do." Synergy intoned then, making Ash look relieved as the aura construct in his hands dissipated - before the robotic Pokemon hoisted the teenager up and began carrying him as Ash's knees started to give way. Making a motion with her head for the other three Pokemon to follow her
"Oi, I can walk myself-" Ash spoke from between laboured breaths, having exhausted himself from running about the field all day, ordering his Pokemon and fighting Synergy for hours.
"Likely, but it would take longer due to your exhausted condition." Synergy responded, before eye-smiling. "Good work today, however. Now that was good strategizing - utilising other's help for distracting and inflicting extra damage whilst you prepared a move yourself. I can confidently say you're ready for your journey."
Ash looked at the robotic Pokemon for a moment before letting out a wild smile himself - the sensors on the robotic Pokemon picking that up clearly in the dusk light due to the shifting in the mask and changes in Ash's expression. "Thanks, Synergy."
The armoured Pokemon let out a chuckle. "No problem."
Exhaling a sigh and flopping his head back a bit, Ash spotted the damage in the field from their day's work and Synergy's use of earthquake, he couldn't help but chuckle a little. "Mr Oak's gonna kill us for that damage, especially if he only discovers it when we're gone."
Synergy just eye-smiled again as she walked the group back to the lab. "It's asphalt, a cheap and quick repair for a facility like the Professor's. Besides, the phone call in Viridian City will be something to look forward to."
"Although, I did just have a few criticisms." Synergy pointed out after a minute of walking. "The reason you predominantly failed in your distraction really was because I could anticipate it. Remember not to call out to your Pokemon in battle anymore - you've got aura, use it. There's no such thing as cheating with Pokemon battling like that. Every advantage you can get, use it. Next time, use the aura bond to communicate."
Ash looked contemplative at that, before nodding. It was good advice.
OAK'S LABORATORY, THE NEXT DAY.
Lance guided Ash to the upstairs living room, closing the door and urging the boy to take a seat. Sitting himself opposite Ash and taking a moment to study his apprentice, he saw that Ash was everything he was when he had officially become a trainer. Sure enough, Ash was trying to keep calm and look composed, and was succeeding to a large degree with the mask certainly helping - but Lance had not been a G-man for so long to not see the little things. Ash was fidgeting occasionally and his facial expression was tensed, yet his eyes shone - the boy was both incredibly nervous yet excited for what was going to happen soon.
"You alright, my boy?" Lance asked in a jovial voice, knocking Ash out of his stupor and making him look up at the dragon master with curious eyes. "Are you ready for your big day?"
Ash quickly nodded. "Yeah, I'm ready. I've had a lot of time to prepare, after all."
"That you have." Lance agreed, still in an up-beat tone of voice. "Much of it under my fair tuition, might I add."
Ash found himself feeling better as he laughed slightly at his mentor's words. "Yeah, I guess I owe you a lot."
"Damn right." Lance stated in agreement, pointing at Ash as the boy raised an eyebrow at the abrupt response. "I'll make sure to cash the favour in someday. Now, we've got just under an hour whilst Oak dallies about with his grandson and the other students. So, let's use it wisely and make sure you've got everything."
Ash nodded, a bit of his nervousness returning as Lance pulled a list out of his pocket. "First and foremost, of course. Your Pokemon - that is something you should check every time you're about to move off from stopping or such." Lance stated. "Doesn't matter how nice the world is, you've still got those Team Rocket nuisances looking to steal whenever they can. So, do you have all four?"
Ash was reminded then of the similarities between Lance and his biological father, at least in terms of methods. They'd never agree with one another of course, but Ash could see the same analytical ways of procedure in both of them. "Of course. I'd never let anything happen to them." Ash stated as he reached into his pocket and withdrew a case with four shrunken Pokeballs on it. Rattling them slightly, he put it back in his pocket.
"Good." Lance spoke. "Now, what about your equipment?"
"All done and accounted for." Ash responded, glancing at Lance with an uninspired look. "You know how Synergy is."
"All the same, you know how I am, too." Lance declared as he brushed aside what Ash said and instead pointed to the backpack Ash had set on the floor. "Now, go over the list and pull out everything so I can see that you have it all."
Staring at Lance for a moment before rolling his eyes and complying, Ash hoisted the bag onto his lap and began running through everything he had. Rifling through it, Ash began saying aloud the things he was pulling out the bag. "Tarp on top for setting up cover. Corresponding wire and pegs. Thin sleeping bag that is strapped to the top of the rucksack." Ash counted off as he placed the waterproof, small canvas tarp onto the table, neatly folded, a little spool of black wire with wooden pegs and a sleeping bag rolled up to the extreme to make it flatter. Lance just watched on in thought
"General Pokemon kibble for all species that should last a few days." Ash spoke as he pulled a clear bag containing said substance. "A few different types of berries to ensure they get all their nutrition, all of which can be found in the wild anyway, as well as a small bag of treats." Holding up another clear plastic bag, this time much smaller but half-filled with small, bite-sized yet multi-coloured cake treats, Ash frowned in thought. "What are these called again? Poke puffs?"
"That's the one." Lance affirmed. "You know they're all the rage in Kalos."
"Sure, so long as Silver doesn't get addicted to them." Ash commented disinterestedly as he pulled more stuff out. "Canned crap for me, enough for four days. A change of clothes, including a towel, another outfit change and plenty of underwear and the like... not much room for the whole wardrobe..."
Lance was doing some musing of his own, however, as he suddenly smiled. "You know, it is quite charming how you've nicknamed all your Pokemon like that. Not many trainers actually do that."
Ash paused as he looked up to his mentor, then shrugged. "It's a better way for me to name them, it's a good way to establish friendship, and it'll have advantages down the line - such as differentiating between species."
Lance raised an eyebrow. "That's one way of putting it, I guess."
Lance quietened as Ash suddenly wagged his finger. "Speaking of which." Ash let out, before pulling out the case containing his set of Pokemon, and selecting the Pokeball in the bottom left corner. Enlarging the device and releasing the Pokemon within in a push of a button, Ash waited for the red mist to coalesce and form Riolu before patting the canine Pokemon on the head.
Looking round, Riolu saw he was in a room with a strange caped man, and his friend and trainer. Looking up inquisitively, Riolu questioned the circumstances. "What's up?"
Ash just looked at the Pokemon for a second before speaking. "Riolu, I just wanted to let you know that I've given the other two a nickname I call them by. I let you out to see if you wanted the same thing?"
Riolu considered that as he scratched his cheek, before nodding in affirmation. "Sure."
"Cool." Ash spoke, before then stating his idea. "What about Blue? It's like Silver for Aron, but it fits you."
"You just took the name of Oak's son, didn't you?" Lance stated in a deadpan tone of voice, not receiving an answer as Ash just made a shooing motion at him and continued looking at Riolu.
Riolu thought on that, before slowly perking up, his stature becoming more cheerful as the Pokemon nodded. "Yeah, that sounds good. I like that."
"Great." Ash responded, before pulling out Riolu's Pokeball - but then pausing as he instead pulled a Poke puff out of its bag. "Here, try this before I return you, see if you like them."
Catching the thrown treat, Riolu looked at it before giving a sniff - and then nibbling it. "Tastes good." Riolu stated as he continued nibbling at it, making Ash laugh a little as he then returned the eating Pokemon and placed the capture device back in the case.
"You do realise I have absolutely no idea what you two were really saying, right?" Lance questioned to Ash, semi-rhetorically. "I mean, you can only ascertain so much from one end of the conversation."
He got an answer anyway. "Good. Got to have some trade secrets to beat you with one day." Ash responded with a brash tone of voice.
Lance burst out laughing at that. "I look forward to it! But don't get too cocky - it'll be years before you can beat me."
Ash smiled then. "We'll see."
SEVENTY MINUTES LATER.
Professor Oak strolled into the room then, taking a moment to look at Ash and Lance who halted their quiet discourse to look at him. The rucksack had long-since already been re-packed with the rolled up sleeping bag strapped back on top, all of it to Lance's admitted satisfaction.
"Sorry I'm late." Oak apologised as he took the seat next to Ash. "I was just saying goodbye to Gary. You know how he can be sometimes."
"Not to worry, Samuel." Lance stated. "I hope you took as long as you need, Gary is your grandson. Besides, I got to talk with Ash for longer anyway."
The aged researcher nodded as he turned to Ash, and then smiled his usual, grandfatherly smile. "Well, here we are, Ash. Your big day has arrived."
Ash nodded as he looked to his adoptive father. "It sure has, Mr Oak." He stated, before smiling slightly. "Thanks for everything."
Oak only beamed as he reached over and ruffled Ash's hair, successfully getting a laugh out of the boy. "No need to say such things, Ash. I couldn't be any prouder of you."
Lance just watched as Oak and Ash interacted, with Ash thanking him multiple times throughout their conversing, and giving a chuckle when Oak eventually scolded him for saying it again. He knew that Ash looked up to him as an icon, but there would always be something about the relationship between the elderly researcher and the new trainer that Lance would perhaps never have, and would never hope to come between.
"Alas, my boy, let's get down to business." Oak stated finally, with a reluctant tone, but resolute as Ash nodded. "Don't want to keep you for too long now, you've been waiting years for this, after all."
Clearing his throat, Oak put his hand inside his lab coat and shifted it about for a bit, before pulling out a black, rectangular device. A white Pokeball imprint was visible on the front cover of it, before Oak flipped it open and went over the inside of it. A keypad was visible on the right side of the device which was legible when the device was held on its shorter side so it looked like it was facing up, several buttons above the keypad - a couple of them related to the camera built into it. A grey reflective screen took up the majority of the left side of the device then.
Snapping it shut and then wagging it in his hand, Oak looked amused as he spoke to Ash. "Now, Ash, I am required by law to question if you have both read and understood the updated laws and regulations surrounding Pokemon trainers, all of which you received in your information pack?"
Ash just looked weirdly to the Professor before nodding. "Yeah. It was boring, but I got most of it."
Lance let out a laugh at that. "Basically you got the gist of it then."
Ash shrugged as he looked a bit embarrassed. "Yeah." He muttered.
Lance looked to Oak with a smile, the Professor looking back amused. "Well, Oak, that's a more honest answer than I'm sure most of your students gave you."
Oak chuckled himself then, before responding. "Indeed it is." Flourishing the device theatrically for a moment, Oak then held the black Pokedex out to Ash. "Well, my boy, congratulations are in order. You're officially a trainer as soon as you take this Pokedex, now yours, out of my hands."
Ash's eyes widened as he paused a moment, staring at the black device as Lance and Oak looked on, before he slowly reached out and picked up the Pokedex delicately. Bringing it closer to him and turning it over to get a good look over it, Ash then opened it up. Taking it all in, Ash then pressed the power button the device - and blinked as the screen suddenly lit, displaying the Pokemon League logo for a moment as it loaded before it then faded.
The small bulb next to the keypad began to flash as the device spoke in a feminine tone. "Hello. This Pokedex has initiated it's start-up sequence after being processed and tagged by Professor Oak." Ash looked up to the man who smiled back at him, before glancing back as the device began speaking again. "Please go over the following details to confirm correct acquisition of this Pokedex."
Ash watched as the screen on the left began to flash, before it spoke again. "This Pokedex has been assigned to the trainer Ash Ketchum. Please confirm if the recipient of this device is Ash Ketchum."
The screen showed what the Pokedex was saying in a text format as it spoke, eventually culminating in a blinking, low dash on the screen as it awaited an answer. Figuring it out, Ash then typed in 'Yes' into the keypad.
"Answer received." The Pokedex spoke, before then seeming to churn over that information. "Please hand the Pokedex back to its assigned mentor, Professor Oak, to confirm this."
"I detest this lengthy process of handing out Pokedexes, I really do." Oak grumbled as he took the device back and entered in an admin passcode into the device.
"Security is security, my friend." Lance chastised then. "It's better this way, or people would be able to lay their hands on any Pokedex they want."
Oak eyed Lance as he handed the Pokedex back to Ash. "It still doesn't make the process any less bothersome."
Ash laughed slightly at the grumbling adults, but his attention was quickly recaptured by the black Pokedex. "Hello, Ash Ketchum, and congratulations on becoming a Pokemon trainer! This Pokedex will be your guide on your journey, providing information on all relevant aspects of your journey, such as Pokemon, food and what to do in the wild. This device also has other purposes, such as navigational aid when relevant mapping and directional software has been downloaded. Note - the region of Kanto has been pre-installed onto this Pokedex. Other purposes include acting as a camera, survival guide and distress beacon."
"Please note a crucial feature of this Pokedex. This acts as your trainer's license and bank processing unit under the Pokemon League, and cannot be changed beyond this start-up sequence. Note - if lost or stolen, this cannot be replaced for security reasons." The Pokedex said aloud, making Ash look contemplative.
"It's right, you know." Oak spoke then, drawing attention to him. "It's all hard-coded into it. The only way those details can be changed is if it's reverted back to factory default mode using the admin program in my lab here. It's the same thing for if you lose the device, you can only replace if you come all the way back to Pallet Town." Letting out a chuckle and a smile, Oak leant back into his chair as he informed Ash. "Best advice I can give? Don't lose that at all costs. It has your ID and money on it."
Ash nodded as he thought on that. It was true - the identifying information on the device was, according to the Pokemon League and Oak's own ramblings, just as hard-coded onto the Pokedex as every other bit of code is. The banking feature on the device was a relatively new feature, acting just like a bank card in that it could be used at any Pokemart or Centre and most major stores. It was overseen by the League, and had replaced the old way of giving cash to winners of Pokemon battles - instead, you entered an agreed amount of money for transfer to the winning trainer into the program, ready to be sent the next time a connection was available.
"Please confirm the following details about yourself, trainer. These identification and bank details cannot be changed later." The Pokedex spoke then as a whole ream of information suddenly opened up on the screen, and Oak frowned as Ash's face went taut as he saw his picture come up. It was a recent picture of the boy without his mask on, leaving the ugly, deep scar highly visible on his face - a constant sore point for Ash.
But Oak couldn't quite help that - it was better Ash went through some discomfort than be grilled over by Officer Jenny because his picture looked suspicious.
Seeing that his age, date of birth and the personal information was all correct, Ash instead looked to the bank details - and looked puzzled. He'd never bothered to really memorise any of the information of that sort other than the pin for his bank card.
"Don't worry, Ash. The bank account for you under the League is all correct there, I checked beforehand." Oak reassured, making Ash nod as he hit the enter button on the keypad.
"Are you sure you wish to save these details? Remember, they cannot be changed later." The Pokedex warned as the blinking, low dash returned, forcing Ash to manually type out the answer to confirm it. "Details saved. Now, we approach the end of the start-up sequence with the most exciting part - the Pokemon! Please scan your starter Pokemon so this Pokedex can register it as yours. Note - this process requires a viable internet connection to background check this information against Pokemon League records."
Clearing his throat, Lance then gestured towards the Pokedex. "Now, ah, Ash, due to the fact that you already had Pokemon, you of course weren't issued a starter. Though, I'm not sure quite what to do about that..."
Oak meanwhile, slapped his face before shaking his head. "How could I be so forgetful..." The Professor muttered to himself, before reaching out his hand again. "Sorry, my boy, I clean forgot about that. If you could hand the device back to me, I'll have that sorted..."
Ash obediently handed the Pokedex back to his adoptive father who began typing away onto the keypad, once more inputting his admin passcode. "Override accepted." The Pokedex announced. "This Pokedex will instead pull all relevant information from the files of trainer Ash Ketchum for pre-recorded Pokemon under his care. One moment please."
"Does that thing really have to announce what it's doing all the time?" Lance grumbled this time.
"No." Oak stated simply, making Lance look unimpressed at him. "There's a mute button on it. It just helps me to think on what I'm doing if it says it aloud."
"Warning. Classified entry detected, protected by authorisation of Champion Lance Wataru." The Pokedex barked aloud then, making Oak frown at the screen before looking over to the dragon master, who hummed in realisation of what it was talking about. "Please enter the relevant authorisation credentials to list this entrant upon this Pokedex, otherwise it will not be accepted. A further three entries have been downloaded as Pokemon under trainer Ash Ketchum's care - Dragonair, Aron and Riolu."
The blinking, low dash appeared again, at which point Oak just fussed at Lance. "You put Synergy's file under restriction, didn't you, Lance?"
"To be fair, a legendary Pokemon is big news. For one like Synergy, people would be nagging Ash or even trying to steal from the boy if they knew the details. They can know there's a new legendary Pokemon, but I restricted the details right up to what the species name for Synergy is to Champion level." Lance informed them. "You've already got a copy of Synergy's file here, so it doesn't matter for you. Plus, it'll help Ash pull a big surprise in this year's tournament."
Oak jabbed a finger at Lance as he spoke triumphantly. "I knew there was no reason to restrict her file so heavily. You just wanted to give Ash an advantage to let your apprentice have a big surprise up his sleeve on his journey."
Lance merely smirked as he clasped his fingers together and responded calmly. "And so do you."
Oak looked like he wanted to argue, but didn't as he merely instead grumbled and entered his admin passcode into the Pokedex for a third time. However, he was a bit shocked when the Pokedex spat back in his face. "Credentials not recognised. Two attempts remaining."
Lance frowned then, before gesturing to Oak who had been about to re-enter his details in case he had typed them wrong. "Here, let me try. When I said Champion level, perhaps the system took that very literally..."
Typing in his own login details for the Pokemon League system, Lance gave a nod as the Pokedex screen suddenly shifted. A close-up picture of Synergy's face and torso appeared into view along with the relevant stats and name of 'Plasteel' above the picture. "Credentials recognised. Plasteel is now a recognised Pokemon of Ash Ketchum. Note - this applies only to this Pokedex. Please consult Champion Wataru if you wish to edit these restrictions."
"Perfect." Lance stated as he gave the device back to Ash. "Looks like you're almost good to go with that, my apprentice."
Ash smiled as he hit the enter key on the device once more, making all four of his Pokemon's pictures appear on screen as it spoke again. "Download complete. Is the four Pokemon of - Aron, Dragonair, Plasteel and Riolu - the correct Pokemon belonging to Ash Ketchum?".
Ash typed in an affirmative answer as the screen shifted once more, before the Pokedex began its last step of the sequence. "The final step is here! The last stage of the start-up sequence is simple - please enter twice your desired passcode for this Pokedex."
Two lines appeared then, as Ash thought about a good answer before smiling slightly. "I've got a good one." Ash stated, typing in his new passcode twice.
Lance looked curious, but a warning look from Oak stopped him from inquiring as the Pokedex gave a excitable trill, signalling the end of the start-up sequence. "Congratulations! You have successfully completed the start-up sequence for your Pokedex, binding it to you and becoming an essential tool for your journey. For more detailed information on my functions, please see the 'help' section in the main menu - which will appear the next time you switch it on. For now, from your mentor and the Pokemon League, we wish you the best of luck on your journey!"
The screen fell silent then as it returned to its previous grey, reflective state, signalling that the device had switched itself off. Ash looked at it for a bit, before then closing the Pokedex and sliding it into the same pocket as his Pokegear.
"Thanks, Mr Oak!" Ash let out then as he turned to the old man, making him chuckle.
"No problem, Ash." Oak responded, amused. "Congratulations to you for becoming a trainer." Pausing, Oak then smiled. "I hope you weren't planning to leave immediately, because me and Lance wished to have a celebratory lunch with you before you left on your journey."
Ash's enthusiastic nods was all the other two men needed to see.
TWO HOURS LATER, LABORATORY ENTRANCE.
Ash clutched the straps of his backpack as he stood facing the dragon master and renowned researcher. The three were currently stood outside the lab, with Lance and Oak standing close to the entrance doorway as Ash was about to embark on his journey.
"Now, Ash, you'll be needing these-" Oak began as he pulled a small box out of his pocket. Rattling it, he opened the lid to reveal nine normal Pokeballs sitting within it. "-To catch any Pokemon you want. Since you've already got a fair few, I won't give you the standard five - how about three instead?"
"That will be great, thank you." Ash responded as Oak pressed three of the capture devices into his hands, which Ash just put in his pocket for now.
"And for my own personal gift, of which I gave the exact same to Gary - an ultra ball." Oak presented the yellow coloured Pokeball, which he also then held out to Ash. "I had to pay for that out of my own pocket you know - they're at least six times as expensive as a normal one!"
Before Ash could thank the man for that, Lance held out his own package as well. "Here, my young apprentice, this will help on the road. I knew you had forgotten something, and that was the basic healthcare and necessities! Inside, you'll find a couple of repels, potions and the like, as well as the fact that I added $5000 Pokedollars to your account to help you get started on your journey."
Ash accepted both with a grateful expression on his masked face, before nodding. "Thank you, Mr Oak and Lance. You've both helped me so much."
Oak just smiled his patented grandfatherly expression as he closed his eyes. "My boy, you don't have to do a thing. Just making me proud would be payment enough for me."
Oak was suddenly overtaken by surprise as he let out an 'oof!', looking down to see that his adoptive son had ran up and hugged him. Smiling more softly this time, Oak returned the gesture. "Thanks dad." Ash let out then quietly, but Oak still heard. Whether a more subconscious action or not, Oak still smiled more deeply as he got a truer insight than ever before as to how Ash viewed him.
It would seem the mistakes he made with Blue had not been repeated. "No problem, son." Oak returned. He couldn't ruffle Ash's hair as his old hat sat perched on Ash's head, and instead took to just patting the top of the cap. "My lucky hat will serve you well."
Lance smiled as the adoptive father and son duo stood apart, before he held out his own hand. "Well, my apprentice, a hug won't be necessary for me." Lance stated. "Unfortunately, this is where the education part of our apprenticeship ends, but it has been an absolute pleasure to teach you over these past six or seven years."
Ash smiled at the man too. "Thanks, Lance. The same to you." Ash spoke as he gripped the man's hand as hard as he could and shook it - making Lance actually wince as he applied a subtle amount of aura to his grip, making Ash smile a bit more mischievously.
The conversing continued for the next five minutes as their goodbye was, predictably for all of them, prolonged. However, Ash was soon walking down the path away from Oak's laboratory, waving back at Lance and the Professor. Soon, to the two adults, Ash had walked all the way along the path and disappeared into Pallet Town, where he would most likely take Route 1 towards Viridian City.
Oak actually dabbed the corner of his eyes with a tissue, remembering Blue and Gary's departures as he saw Ash walk off into the distance.
"Cheer up, Oak. You can always just call him on the Pokegear, or video chat when he reaches a Pokemon Centre." Lance reassured the man, making his friend nod.
"Yes." Oak agreed. "I just didn't know that I was less ready to see him go than I thought after so long."
He was broken from his emotions as Lance let out a laugh and began to guide him back to the lab. "Come now, Professor. You've spent the last seven years preparing him for this. He'll be right as rain."
Oak only smiled as they themselves passed through the entrance and disappeared from view.
ROUTE ONE FOREST.
The forest surrounding Pallet Town's northern edge and the corresponding route that led right to Viridian City was small in height, but very large. It would take at least a day and a half for a trainer who walked at a reasonable pace to traverse the smooth dirt path, which didn't account for the fact that a lot of the route had tall grass and overhanging branches along it.
Perfect spots for anybody to ambushed by a mischievous, threatened, aggressive or even just battle-thirsty Pokemon.
Ash looked back from the entrance of the forest at the motley of buildings that made up his home town, getting a last glimpse, before he turned back and began striding into the forest. Plucking out a Pokeball as he walked, he made the device bigger in his hand.
"Come on out, Silver!" Ash spoke aloud then, throwing up the Pokeball to expunge a mass of red light - which quickly formed the stubby, short armoured figure of his nicknamed Aron.
"Oh, has your journey begun already?" Silver asked excitedly, quivering his body in excitement.
"Yeah." Ash affirmed, before calming the Pokemon down. "Listen, I'll let the others out when we stop for the night. For now, I just want your help. Basic Pokemon live in this wood, predominantly flying and bug types. You'll be useful for fighting any trainers we come across and bug types - I'll take care of the flying types."
"Sounds good." Silver agreed, and they were about to go off down the wooded trail.
"A good plan." A voice spoke out then, making the two pause as Ash snapped round at the sound of the familiar voice. "Just remember that not everything revolves around the typing of a Pokemon."
Sure enough, as Ash looked at the tree on his right, there stood his biological father, leaning against the tree. Red was looking at his son, calm and collected as he brought himself up off the tree and walked over.
"Father." Ash greeted. "What are you doing here?"
"Well, it's not everyday your son goes off on their Pokemon journey." Red responded, before smiling slightly at Ash. "I came to see you off for the start of it, son."
Ash smiled slightly at that. "Thanks dad."
"Now, I may sound a bit like Lance here, but I just want to make sure you have the things I gave you." Red requested then, making Ash blink before nodding.
"Yeah." He answered, forcing his voice to be just as calm as his father's. He discarded the thought questioning how Red knew what Lance had done.
"Fully assembled?" Red pressed the question.
Ash just lifted the black hoodie he was wearing, allowing a lump under his t-shirt to be seen. "It's all together." He stated.
"Good. You can never be too careful, especially in the upcoming future." Red warned. "Just mind that nobody else sees it unless you have to use it."
A seconds silence went by before Ash looked at his father and spoke. "You don't have to worry, you know. Lance already checked over everything before I left." He tried to affirm, but Red waved it off.
"I'll worry about you all I like, son. You're one of the only good things I got left." Red spoke then, resolution in his tone. "Now, I got you a gift too. Another thing to keep you safe, and you'll find it'll come in very handy too in the wild."
Red held out a sheathed knife then, the black polymer handle of the tool being pressed into Ash's hand as he looked at it. "It's a hunting knife. Not quite something I would use, but you're not quite legally allowed what I use. You have to get even a permit to use that as it is in today's soft world, but I pulled a few strings. Just don't make anyone look at your permit record, or they'll start questioning the legitimacy of it."
Ash gripped the hardened plastic sheath and pulled out the knife from within it, withdrawing three inches of glinting, high-quality steel from what must've been a six inch long sheath.
Red just nodded to Ash as the boy tucked away the knife out of sight. "You know what to do with it should you need to use it to keep you safe, I've taught you enough about aura. Plus, instead of using sharpened sticks, you can use that to prepare a campfire and use the steel to strike a fire. Good for cooking meat with, too."
Ash just nodded. "Thank you, father."
Red just patted his son's shoulder as he put a cigarette into his mouth using the other hand. "Well, I won't be keeping you from your journey now, son." The man spoke. "I wish you the best of luck for it, and make the most of it now. Just... be safe." Red finished with a nod, before disappearing with a blue flash as he used his aura to teleport.
Spiking his own aura and sensing the spent aura his father had left behind, Ash sensed the trail went sharply east - probably to Mount Silver where he was said to normally reside. Ash may not be as close to his father as others were to theirs, but it was definitely enough to make him happy to have heard him say that.
Startled somewhat as his pocket suddenly vibrated, Ash plucked out the Pokegear from his pocket to see what the notification was about. Ash let a small smile grace his face as he saw the message on it.
Remember, Ash! Me and Oak are just a phone call away if you want us. I'm just a thirty minute dragonite flight away too if you really want to see me!