Chapter 2: Let the journey begin!
Narrator: Graduation day, a momentous occasion in the lives of every Pokémon trainer. Here at the Oak institute of Pokémon education it seems that very day is now upon us! These lucky young trainers will now have the chance to choose their very first Pokémon and finally start their respective journeys - an event which, in the eyes of Jack Robin and his classmates, could not come any quicker.
"Say cheese!"
The camera flashed, temporarily blinding the small huddle of teenagers stood together in a pack and replacing the broad grins plastered upon their faces with the same universal look of dazed bewilderment.
Professor Samuel Oak ducked out from behind the cover of the camera he was clutching to his face with a nod of approval as he regarded his, as of today, former students.
"Very nice, this'll make a nice addition to the collection... well actually it could use some improvement but it'll do, Robin try not to slouch next time... and you Redburn, at least try to look in the general direction of the camera!" He said with a sigh, examining the photograph closely before placing it in his pocket and eventually becoming distracted in conversation as the group dispersed.
Meanwhile Jack stumbled toward a chair, supported by his two closest friends Benjamin Solas and Sophia Redburn.
"They got you good didn't they?" Benjamin (or simply Ben as he preferred to be called) enquired with concern as he and Sophie eased a spluttering Jack down into a sitting position.
"Oh please!" Sophie interjected with exasperation. "Isn't that obvious Ben!"
"Jeez Soph way to knock a guy for caring."
"Can you guys please give it a rest i don't need an aching head too." Jack butted in putting an end to their quarrelling "It's bad enough that i have to nurse this busted up gut." He added, staring across the room with a bitter glare of resentment.
Across the room a small huddle of students could be seen surrounding a boy aged about seventeen with a shock of greyish-turquoise hair and bespectacled eyes of the same shade set above a handsome yet eerily symmetrical face. This was Justin Elm, one of the newer additions to the class having transferred from a neighbouring region to study under the orders of his father (Johto's very own professor Elm) and had since taken up the position of being an arrogant jerk toward Jack and his friends, which had unfortunately increased his popularity whilst theirs degaraded as a result.
Fittingly it had also been Justin who had administered the sucker punch to Jack's midsection in some crude effort to sabotage his graduation photo, and judging by the smug look on his face he had clearly succeeded.
"That snivelling weasel." Sophie snarled after swiftly piecing together what had transpired. "He better watch it because when i get my hands on him-"
"Easy now." Jack intervened for a second time. "Let's not go picking fights here, especially with the professor around… i'd much rather us just get outta here."
"Ditto." The other two agreed, helping Jack to his feet before cautiously stepping away to ensure he could remain upright.
Once he had regained his footing the group the trio skirted the classroom, sticking as close as they could to the shadows whilst trying their best to avoid not only Justin and his gang of thuggish friends but also professor Oak who was swiftly making his way around each graduate. Eventually they managed to escape the sea of joyful upstart trainers and were halfway down the central school corridor when they heard familiar conceited tones ringing down the hallway signalling the entrance of Justin and his posse.
"Well well well if it isn't my three favourite losers… leaving soon? The festivities are only just getting started."
"Oh great." Ben sheepishly piped up, clearly wanting to contribute something to the confrontation despite his typical cowardly approach in the face of danger telling him otherwise.
"What was that Solas? You'll have to speak up." Justin mocked, smirking to his friends who leered menacingly.
"I..I..you." Ben spluttered foolishly, fuelling the taunting further.
"Looks like poor little Benny can't find his words." Justin cackled "Maybe this ought to jog his memory."
With these foreboding words the boy rummaged briefly inside a carry on satchel that hung at his hip, withdrawing a small red and white ball which Jack immediately recognised to be a Pokéball.
"A Pokémon? how did you-" Sophie questioned with an alarmed intake of breath.
"Well Redburn as the son of the most accomplished professor in Johto." He started, ensuring to put heavy emphasis on his father's title. "I am entitled to certain things in advance, certain things trainers such as yourself can only hope to receive at all." Justin cackled, provoking his friends to do the same.
"If you're still not convinced how about you ask your friend over there." He added gesturing toward Jack. "The son of the great Charles Robin, rambling quack extraordinaire should know more than enough about the difference between you and me."
"What's your problem man?" Jack directed at Justin, his anger flaring as all hope of avoiding confrontation slowly ebbed away.
"There's no problem here Robin, i just tend to dislike losers such as yourself. Didn't i make that clear earlier?"
Jack clutched his lower chest, biting back a retort, catching Sophie's eye as she shook her head - silently gesturing toward the Pokéball in Ryan's hand.
"Just walk away." She whispered under her breath, leading the charge by turning on her heel and starting down the corridor.
"Hey…HEY, get back here i'm not finished with you yet!" Justin bellowed after them, watching on helplessly as Jack and Ben followed suit.
"I did warn you." The boy sighed, throwing forward his Pokéball which burst open to reveal a stout blue crocodile Pokémon that neither Ben, Jack nor Sophie had ever seem before.
"Totodile, water gun." The trainer chuckled causing Totodile to fire several high speed jets of water at the fleeing friends.
Glancing backwards in time with Justin's shout, Sophie's eyes widened as she turned to the others. "Screw walking away… RUN!"
With that the three of them began to sprint towards the exit, water soaking their clothing as they ran, leaving dark patches of damp on the backs of their school trousers and subtle yet painful bruising scattered across their skin.
The peaceful quiet that had settled itself over the near deserted streets of Viridian city was in an instant broken by the clatter of clumsy feet thundering across stone followed by the metallic thud of doors jumping upon their hinges as the teenagers drove out of the weathered and slightly crumbling school building before tearing at once down the street.
"Close one." Ben panted as the group cautiously slowed down their pace after a prolonged period of frantic sprinting, rubbing the fresh patches of purple bruising on his ankles. "That psycho really won't give us a break will he?"
"I wouldn't count on it." Sophie shrugged. "Still i doubt it matters that much, plus come this time tomorrow we'll be off on our journey and he'll be off on his own… it's unlikely we will cross paths much."
"Yeah i guess you're right." Ben followed on. "I wonder what Pokémon i'll meet."
The two continued to chatter as they walked the humid midday streets; Jack however did not participate, he instead traipsed a short distance ahead of the other two kicking stones down the sidewalk in his subdued quietness and questioning why he all of a sudden did not feel a shred of excitement toward his upcoming adventure.
"You should be back there with them." He scolded himself as he walked.
"You've looked forward to this all your lives and you're seriously going to let Justin Elm ruin it?"
That much was true. The basis of Jack, Ben and Sophie's friendship had often been considered by the three to be a mixture of growing up in close proximity, a general yearning for exploration, the love of Pokémon and especially in Sophie and Jack's case a deep lying passion for battling which meant that naturally the three of them would of course be traveling together on their journey. However it was also true that Justin's snide remarks had put a slight dampener on this mood which Jack could not shake despite his best efforts.
"The son the great Charles Robin, rambling quack extraordinaire should know…" The words echoed in his mind, drowning out all positivity he had previously been experiencing in a rapid mental spiral until a second intermingled voice broke through the storm of emotion.
"Jack! Hey where are you going." The other two called after him.
He jerked his head upwards, spinning around on his heel to see Ben and Sophie stood by a trio of bikes mounted against a nearby wall with somewhat concerned looks on both their faces.
"You alright?" They inquired as he approached, their expressions growing only more troubled when Jack simply responded with a nonchalant "Yeah fine." as the boy vaulted onto the middlemost bike and waited for the others to follow suit.
:***:
They biked in silence for the majority of their journey - observing as the uniform office blocks erected in glistening silver metal, the ever constant hum of activity and the smooth road surfaces of Viridian City fell away to become more traditional wooden structures, harsher earthen tracks underfoot and eventually a serene peacefulness each of them had become accustomed to growing up outside the city. Alongside the gradual metamorphosis of his surroundings Jack's mood also altered until he found himself engaging in light hearted conversation with his friends as they made their way back into the sleepy community that was Pallet Town.
"Looks like its my stop." Sophie eventually said as they parked their bikes temporarily outside a slightly more impressive looking house than most in the area. "I'll meet you guys tomorrow at the professor's lab… let's call it 9am just to be safe." She carried on. "And please don't oversleep either of you and make sure to pack to tonight and-"
"Alright we've got it Soph." Jack grinned, patting her on the shoulder in a gesture of assurance. "When have we ever let you down?"
Sophie sighed, clearly recalling many instances. "Just don't be late guys."
With that final plea she pivoted on her heel, striding up to her front door and leaving Ben and Jack alone on her doorstep.
"And then there were two." Ben exhaled, his eyes still fixated on the closed door at the end of the garden path. "How's about we make this fun eh Jackie boy?."
"A race?" Jack returned with a grin.
"You read my mind, first one back wins… let me see… 100 of the loser's Pokédollars and a dozen candies?"
"You're on."
The pair set off almost immediately after, scrambling back onto their bikes and peddling as fast as their already aching feet would allow through the lazy suburbs attracting many angered shouts from residents as they whizzed past disturbing the peace as well as causing several dozing elderly inhabitants to wake from their afternoon porch nap with a start.
A short while later the shrill screeching of rubber could be heard narrowly followed by triumphant boasting as the two boys pulled up for the second time in front of a duplet of homes near identical in appearance separated by a single dividing white fence.
"Unlucky mate." Ben panted as he clambered off his bicycle, offering a hand to his competition as a mark of respect which the latter took appreciatively.
"I can't say it was a close one but then again you've always been the better cyclist." Jack replied, likewise gasping for air.
"What can i say, my skinny body wont win me any fights but it makes biking a breeze… now cough up." Ben demanded.
Begrudgingly Jack opened his backpack and withdrew the promised winnings, pushing them into Ben's outstretched palm.
"I'd be tempted to consider it an unfair advantage." Jack laughed, eventually regaining his composure before kicking open the leftmost gate and wheeling his bike up the path as Ben did the same on his right.
"All's fair in love and war amigo." Ben shot back returning the laugh whist setting aside his bike against front of the house and reaching for the door-handle. "I've got the feeling we'll be experiencing a hell of a lot of the latter if we aren't ready on time tomorrow!"
"What from Sophie?… she'll be fine, she always stresses over stuff like this remember." Jack paused as he likewise placed his hand on the door-handle. "Hey Ben, one more thing." He hurriedly added.
"Hm?"
"I don't know man it's a big world out there and we're just kids at the end of the day, do you think we're ready for it all really?" Jack said honestly.
"You're dwelling on what that snob Justin said earlier aren't you?" Ben replied with a suddenly serious tone. "Jack first of all forget what he thinks, he can continue cling to his dad's legacy like a leech whilst you write your own… and all this about not being ready? Mate if we aren't ready now i don't think we ever will be."
He was of course right. Currently in the Kanto region when a kid reached 10 years of age they could choose from one of two options: they could either start their journey right there and then, leaving home to travel the world and pursue whatever dream they so desired or they could enrol into professor Oak's Pokémon school to receive 7 additional years of education to better their understanding of the world they would be stepping into. Jack, Ben and Sophie had opted for the latter option despite the promise of immediate adventure being an appealing prospect, primarily this was due to a recognisable lack of experience that made adventuring all the more daunting but also the fact Sophie's parents in particular did not want to send their daughter into the wild inexperienced so obviously not wanting to leave their friend behind Ben and Jack had chose to tag along.
So yes overall they were as ready as they'd ever be.
"You know what you're right." Jack concluded after a short period of deliberation. "Cheers Ben i think i needed that."
"Anytime." Ben shrugged. "Anything else you need to get off your chest before we part ways?"
"Nothing springs to mind." Jack said, a grin returning to his face.
"Alrighty I'll so you tomorrow then Jackie boy… adventure awaits!"
Two doors swung open as both boys stepped across the threshold, vanishing from sight as the sturdy wood closed behind them in near unison with a gentle click.
:***:
"I'm home!" Jack hollered down a seemingly empty corridor… no reply.
"Strange." Jack thought to himself as he cautiously crept down the hall, taking the time to analyse his familiar surroundings as he went. The walls were (as they always had been) painted with a rich shade of blue reminiscent of a summer sky and decorated with a dozen hanging pictures depicting various scenes, each including the same four members of his family: there was of course himself - slightly taller in some of the more recent photographs but regardless still maintaining the skinny figure and loose curls curtaining over his brown eyes. Similarly his parents, Charles and Amelia, hadn't changed much either with the only notable changes in terms of looks being slightly more grey hairs; However one person still remained. George Robin had undergone possibly the most drastic alteration in the past nine years: Alongside his increase in size he had also acquired (unlike his brother) more maternal aspects of appearance, this was shown most prominently in his honey coloured hair cut short unlike Jack's which was longer and more messy and also in the sharp blue eyes that were almost a mirror image of his mother's.
"Hello?" Jack tried again, continuing his advance toward the kitchen at the end of the hall. "Anyone home?"
Again no response could be heard.
"I swear if this is some sort of joke it isn't funny!" He spoke out into the darkness as he stepped into the unlit kitchen, a creeping unease washing over him as he did so.
"It's not a joke dear." A voice he instantly recognised as his mother's rang out from the murky haze. "It's a surprise!"
The lights flicked on suddenly to reveal his mum and little brother huddled around the table set in the middle of the room, broad smiles on each of their faces pointed solely in his direction. It was then he began to better take in his surroundings, a homemade banner stretched the length of the room embroidered with the words: Congratulations Jack you graduated! meanwhile a delicious looking buffet had been laid out on the table featuring all Jack's favourite things - overall nothing extravagant really, but he appreciated it all the same.
For a moment Jack could only stand there in stunned silence; however he eventually returned to his senses, allowing a warm feeling to drown out any uncertainties and doubts he had previously been feeling as he beamed back at them.
"Guys you really shouldn't have." He said gratefully.
"That's what i said!" George moaned. "Mum why did we have to do all this decorating again?"
"Shut it you." Amelia snapped. "It's your brother's graduation day and we're gonna celebrate… plus i didn't see you complaining when i was making all this food."
"That's because it smells so good mum, can't we just get to eating already? I'm starving."
"Well i was going to wait for your father but it looks like he's not going to make it after all." Amelia sighed. "I suppose he wouldn't mind, alright boys grab a fork and dig in!"
As their mother had instructed Jack and George both took a fork and knife and began to attack the vast spread laid out before them, an assault that took the better part of an hour ending only when the door swung open for a second time that night allowing for a man wrapped in a trailing coat to step into the household.
"Where's my boy!" Charles bellowed as he slipped off his coat and entered the kitchen with his arms outstretched. "Terribly sorry i'm late, things have been hectic at the lab as of late… however i believe we are on the verge of a revolutionary breakthrough."
"That's great Dad!" Jack smiled as he rushed forward to greet his father. "Does this mean the project is gonna be a success."
"We'll see kiddo, there's still work to be done after all… the genesis engine still isn't fully up to scratch and- i've said too much." He stopped himself suddenly.
The project in question was named project genesis and was strictly classified, despite this however Charles - who had for many years now worked on genesis alongside a small team of scientists based at a similarly small laboratory on the outskirts of Viridian City, putting his knowledge of Pokémon acquired through years of traveling to work as a researcher for a reclusive private corporation - often unintentionally let slip minor details of his work around the house.
"Oh come on dad tell us more!" George pleaded though mouthfuls of food, diverting his attention from the plate in front of him. "It's hardly the best kept secret in the world!"
"You'll have to wait and see son." Charles winked much to the annoyance of George. "Anyway like i said it's been a long day and i'm hungry… let's eat!"
He took his seat at the head of the table as the family struck up conversation ranging from talk of Jack's journey to what was for dinner the following day - this carried on for the majority of the night until eventually Jack found himself lying in bed for what may have been the last time in years
:***:
Morning broke early over the rolling hills enveloping Pallet Town the following day, the sun rising high into the sky in the east to flood the waking settlement with light. Despite this however Jack did not wake from his slumber - instead it was only when the digital alarm clock at his bedside issued a shrill chorus did he untangle himself from the comfortable cocoon of blankets with a start, instinctively swatting the clock across the room where it burst open to reveal a mess of shattered components.
Jack cursed as he sleepily rubbed his eyes before regarding, for what would be the last time in a long while, the interior of his bedroom. Everything was as it should be, his clothes were still lying in an unceremonious pile within a set of open drawers, his slightly childish Pokéball patterned curtains hung slightly ajar allowing a thin beam of sunlight to enter, posters of various different Pokémon and trainers were stuck to the cream coloured walls at odd angles and of course the shattered alarm clock laid in pieces upon the carpeted floor as the newest addition to the scene.
"Great." He mumbled sarcastically. "What a start to the day."
It then hit him exactly what day it was.
The boy scrambled out of bed in a frenzy, yanking open drawer after drawer and hastily throwing item after item into his backpack that had been lazily hung over the foot of his bed the previous day all the while wondering why on earth he hadn't followed Sophia's advice and packed the night before. When he eventually finished he checked the contents (a few sets of relatively clean clothes, a pouch containing some saved up money, snacks and a military style re-fillable water flask) before shedding his pyjamas, cramming them inside the already tightly packed bag and attempting pick out a suitable outfit - eventually settling on some worn grey jeans, a contrasting orange hoodie, his favourite jacket (plain black with a pair of white stripes forming a band around each arm) and finishing the look with a pair of black and white running shoes and his old baseball cap.
After finishing his hurried preparations Jack made for the door, stopping suddenly to take one last look at the place prior to leaving the room and making his way downstairs to say his goodbyes to his family.
"Morning champ!" Charles winked over his morning cup of coffee as Jack entered the kitchen, overall he looked a lot more lively than yesterday Jack noted as he took his place at the table.
"Morning Dad." Jack nodded back with a grin. "How's the coffee?"
"Good as ever… perhaps even better today… after all you are setting out on your travels." He said with a hint of pride.
"Sometimes i think your father wishes he were still on his Journey." Amelia said, swooping in with a plate of bacon and eggs after finishing the washing up she had been doing.
"Well you know me kiddo i've always been partial to life on the road." Charles directed at his son. "Obviously i'm going to be encouraging when one of my boys chooses to do the same."
"Yeah it'll be like you're right there with me." Jack said through mouthfuls, waving his cap around with his free hand as he wolfed down the plate of food in front of him.
"Yes i suppose it does." Charles chuckled. "It's just a shame i didn't get George one too ready for when he inevitably sets out...where's he got to anyway? I feel like i haven't seen him all morning." He added, directing the last part at Amelia.
"Last time i checked he was in the living room dear… watching a battle re-run i assume, it is scary how much like you the boys are." She replied airily before turning to Jack. "You should go check up with him before you leave Jack or i doubt he'll forgive you if you leave without saying goodbye."
So after cleaning his plate and dumping it in the sink, Jack stood up and made his way toward the living room where George was lounging, idly observing a Pokémon battle in which a Gengar and Nidorino were locked in close quarters combat.
"Hey." He said, sticking his head around the door. "I was just about to head out."
George jumped at the sound of his brother's voice, breaking his focus on the match as he swiftly looked at Jack. "Already?" He asked with disappointment.
"Well it was mainly Sophie's idea but yeah, you've got to be early to these kind of things, you'll find out soon enough when you start your journey."
"You better get going then." George grinned. "Oh and big bro-" He started when had Jack turned his back on him to leave. "Good luck i guess."
Jack gave his brother a quick two fingered salute before dashing out into the hallway, hitching his backpack higher onto his shoulder as a familiar boyish excitement filled every part of his being.
"Jack Robin! Where do you think you're going without saying a proper goodbye?"
Amelia's voice combined with the dull thudding of footsteps made the boy stop dead in his tracks before pivoting around to face his mother and father.
"Nowhere mum, obviously." He said sheepishly.
"Right answer." She replied, easily clearing the gap between them to lock her son in a rib-breaking bear hug. "Stay safe dear won't you… make sure to brush your teeth twice a day and always change your underwear and-."
"Easy Amelia let the boy breathe." Charles chipped in from behind the entwined pair.
"Yes yes of course, sorry Jack love." Amelia apologised in a flustered manner. "It's just my boy's all grown up." She added, tearing up slightly.
"I know, but that's good of course, he's becoming a man." Charles said, striding over to put a reassuring arm around his wife. "Now kiddo i'm sure you'd like to be on your way but before you do could i have a quick word?"
"Sure." Jack said, feeling rather perplexed as they walked a short distance down the corridor leaving his mother standing alone dabbing her eyes with a handkerchief.
"How're you feeling champ? nervous? i know i was back in the day." Charles whispered once they had some privacy.
"I'm fine Dad, really i'm more excited than anything."
"Good... that's great kiddo, listen before you get on your way i just wanted to give you something, now your mother doesn't strictly need to know i'm giving you this because technically we still use it for travel but i figure you need it more than me."
This piqued Jack's interest as he listened more intently to what his father had to say.
"I used to use this way back when." Charles said, pulling from his pocket a compact square made of some lightweight metal. "It's called a town map, useful for finding your way around… and of course for finding your way home if you ever need to."
"Wow nice one Dad." Jack grinned, happily taking the map from Charles. "This'll come in handy for sure."
"I'm sure it will." Charles said returning the grin before being caught off guard when he was suddenly embraced by his son.
"Thanks Dad, i'll do you proud." Jack said as the pair pulled away.
"You already have." Charles smiled, adjusting the cap on Jack's head. "Now get going otherwise there won't be any Pokémon left to choose from!"
With that they returned to the door together with Jack allowing his mother one more hug for the road before placing his hand upon the door handle and yanking it open, sprinting out into the street whilst calling goodbyes over his shoulder and leaving his waving parents stood together on the doorstep wearing the same look of intermingled pride and sadness.
:***:
A short while and an even shorter walk later Jack found himself at the gates to Professor Oak's lab, a quaint little building resembling a windmill situated on a raised hill overlooking the rest of the town.
As planned there by the gate were his friends. Ben - who was dressed in his usual oversized red hoodie paired with tan cargo shorts and white trainers which oddly complemented his olive complexion, messy black hair and subtly green eyes - was leant (in typical Ben fashion) against a wall clearly daydreaming; meanwhile Sophie - who had decided upon a simple white t-shirt and jean shorts combination finalised with a pair of tan hiking boots and a light blue pokéball pattern baseball cap through the back which she had pulled a ponytail of burgundy hair out of the way of her hazel coloured eyes - paced to and fro with visible nervousness.
"Where the hell have you been?" She scolded as Jack approached cautiously.
"Probably saying goodbye to his family… you know the one he probably won't see for at least a year?" Ben shot back, jumping up from his idle daydreaming to once again take the heat for his friend. "Anyway i don't suppose it matters, we're here now after all." He said gesturing up at the lab.
"I suppose." Sophie sighed as her nervous rage slowly ebbed away. "Sorry Jack… just don't keep me waiting like that again." She said playfully punching him in the arm.
"It's fine Soph really… let's just get up there and get our Pokémon!" Jack replied, taking the lead as the group climbed the great stone staircase leading up the hill and stepped inside the building.
When inside they drew a collective breath as they marvelled at the interior of the facility.
Oak's lab was unlike anything the three had ever seen, first of all most objects scattered around the single enormous chamber seemed to be either connected or surrounded by the many black cables that snaked their way around the room, then of course there was the scientific machinery: each screen blinking with a variety of reports, every towering server flashing its many lights and of course the circular pedestal in the centre of the room holding the three Pokéballs laid out for new trainers to select.
"I was wondering when you three would be showing up." The white haired man dressed in red and brown under a sweeping lab coat who they had come to know as Oak greeted them from atop a flight of spiralling stairs placed in the corner.
"Professor Oak!" Ben said, stooping down in an odd bowing gesture that did not come as any surprise to the other two.
Ben had often been considered more of a scientist than a Pokémon trainer, showing moderate skill in battling compared to his peers but at the same time excelling in areas such as identifying Pokémon's genders and abilities as well as basic first aid, therefore because of this affinity he had grown understandably fond of the professor, a worship only fuelled by the mentoring role the professor had adopted in regards to him recently.
"Solas." Oak nodded. "How are we today? I do hope you've packed plenty of potions like i told you, after all it'll be useful to have a resident doctor along the way."
"Yes sir!" Ben piped up. "I've got it all ready here."
"Good lad." Oak acknowledged before addressing the group as a whole. "When you're all ready please join me over here." He said gesturing toward the pedestal in the middle of the room.
The group gathered around as Oak took his place opposite them, taking one of the Pokéballs in his hand and clicking the small button on the front to release the first Pokémon on the floor at the trainer's feet.
Charmander, a small but fiery orange lizard Pokémon, materialised before them firing a small ember from it's mouth as the roaring flame on it's tail flared.
"This here is Charmander, the lizard Pokémon and a fire type." Oak told them.
Next the professor took another Pokéball, repeating his previous action until a second Pokémon resembling an upright blue sea turtle stood in front of them.
"Now this one is called Squirtle, the tiny turtle Pokémon and a water type." He explained.
Taking the final Pokéball Oak completed the roster by sending out the final Pokémon: an green frog given a rather odd appearance by the substantial floral bulb protruding from its lower back.
"Finally we have Bulbasaur, the seed Pokémon and a grass type." Oak concluded whilst stepping back to allow the three some space to decide. "Please do take your time, this is a big decision after all!"
Jack stepped forward whilst the other two regarded the Pokémon with intense focus.
"Professor i already know which Pokémon i'm gonna choose... in fact i've had my mind made up for a long while now." Jack said eagerly.
Vivid imagery of the fiery battle he had witnessed nine years prior ran through his mind as if it were a movie being shown in a cinema, depicting scenes of a magnificent orange dragon clawing victory away from the jaws of defeat in a blazing torrent of flame as an awe inspired version of his younger self watched on in amazement.
"I choose Charmander professor." Jack grinned, crouching down to look his new Pokémon in the eye. "You and me we're gonna get so strong together."
"Char!" The Charmander chirped with glee as it began to dance around in circles.
"In that case i've made my decision too." Sophie said shortly after, scooping up the Squirtle sat directly at her feet and holding it in her arms.
"Well i guess it's just you and me then Bulbasaur." Said Ben as he too retrieved his first Pokémon. "I'd have wanted a Bulbasaur anyway, i hear that their spores can be used for medicinal purposes so it's only fitting." He added.
"Fitting choices all round." Oak applauded. "Robin, that Charmander has a fiery appetite for battle which leads me to believe you two will get along just fine… you too miss Redburn, i can sense that Squirtle will grow to become a fine Pokémon to serve you well in many a battle and finally Ben, as you so finely put it, Bulbasaur is the best choice for a prodigious doctor such as yourself." He said to them each in turn as he handed them their pokéballs alongside a holstered belt with six individual slots for storage.
"Thanks professor." They said in unison, allowing the pokéballs to minimise before clipping them onto their belts.
"Now one more thing… i would like to give you these before you set off on your way." The professor said, withdrawing from his pocket three identical machines that resembled small red electronic notepads as well as a handful of empty pokéballs. "I'm sure you're aware of what a pokéball is by now but as for the other little gadget… that is a pokédex, a useful trinket that will record and store information on all the Pokémon you may encounter on your journey."
"Wow that's awesome." Ben exclaimed, holding pokédex up to his eyes as he examined all aspects of its interface.
"I thought you'd like that one Solas." Oak chuckled. "That should be just about everything i have for you, as of now you're now officially graduates of the Oak institute of Pokémon education, congratulations all of you i expect to hear great things… and of course don't forget to give me a call if you need!"
The trio once again thanked the professor for his gifts prior to leaving the lab, the morning feeling especially fresh as a newly liberated sense of freedom and possibility filled the air as they set off up the road in a cluster - each fighting for a view of the town map Jack had fished out of his backpack.
"Looks to me like we'll have to loop back through Viridian City, after that it should be a trek through the woods toward Pewter City where if i'm not mistaken there is a Pokémon gym." Jack said. "Either way it looks like we're in for a long walk."
"Who said we were gonna walk?" Sophie smiled as they reached the summit of the hill that lead the way north out of Pallet Town. "Race you there."
At that she set off at a sprint leaving the two boys behind in the dust.
"Hey that's my line!" Ben shouted after her before turning to Jack. "Alright Jackie boy what do you say? ready to lose again?"
"You wish." Jack teased back.
And so they set off after her, leaving their quiet lives in Pallet Town behind to chase whatever new adventures surely awaited on the horizon.
End of Chapter 2
Hey there!
First of all let me say that i am absolutely delighted with the following for this new project after just one chapter which honestly does mean a lot and inspires me to write better and better for you the reader.
Also i acknowledge that publishing week behind schedule is admittedly not great but hey it was a pretty long chapter to write so i hope it was worth the wait.
I've not much to say this time other than expect to see chapter three on time next Wednesday and as always feel free to drop me either a PM or review to tell me your thoughts or ask any further questions.
Destros.
Changes: Charles no longer sick, Sophia is now Sophie, Ryan is now Jason elm from Johto.
