"I choose Charmander," exclaimed Ash with a grin and joy in his eyes.
"Charmander," the surprised Oak questioned. "A good choice to be sure, but I was almost certain you wouldn't hesitate to pick a Pokemon with as much potential and choice as Eevee. Are you sure Ash?"
Ash smiled and explained. "I did consider it Professor, but to be honest, I have had my heart set on a Charmander for some time. I don't know why, but it feels right. Besides, as a future Pokemon Master, I am sure I will catch an Eevee someday," Ash said with confidence and his trademark grin.
"Very well" said the professor. Handing over one of the 3 Pokeballs, the professor began a clearly prepared and often repeated lecture. "This is Charmander's Pokeball. A Pokeball, as you know, serves as the storage space and capture device for Pokemon. In addition, I have 5 empty Pokeballs to help you get started Ash," Oak said as he handed the capsules over. "You will have to buy more on your own. Defeating trainers out in the field will result in you winning prize money, which you can then use to resupply and buy other useful items. Lose too often and you may be forced to return home, or face starvation out in the wild," Oak stated in a serious voice. "In addition, you can only carry a maximum of six Pokemon with you at a time. Any other Pokemon you catch will automatically be transported back to the lab. You need only contact me at a local Pokemon center any time you want to trade a team member out. Did you get all that Ash?"
"You bet. Thanks Professor! I really appreciate it and can't wait to get started," said Ash as he slowly began to turn towards his Charmander.
"HOLD IT RIGHT THERE YOUNG MAN," the professor loudly exclaimed. "I still have one more gift for you." Out of his coat pocket, the professor procured a red handheld device. "This is your Pokedex. It will serve many purposes on your journey. It can act as a dictionary, giving out many facts on Pokemon, record new data based on your observations during your journey, and also serves as your personal trainer ID. Take it and be sure not to lose it."
Properly admonished, Ash held a serious demeanor and gave the professor a solid nod. After observing the young man seriously for a few moments, the Professor's smile returned. Oak grabbed the the remaining Pokeballs and recalled the other two Pokemon. "Now I am going to take these two with me downstairs to wait for the other two trainers. Why don't you stay here for a bit and get to know your new Pokemon hm?" With that the Professor grabbed his coffee and headed down the stairs, leaving Ash and his new Charmander.
Alone at last, Ash finally got a good look at how Charmander was dealing with the situation. The Pokemon was eyeing the boy nervously, shifting back and forth. Careful not to make any sudden movements, Ash got down on one knee and looked the Pokemon in the eye. "Hi Charmander! I'm Ash Red Ketchum, but just Ash is fine. It is my dream to be the world's greatest Pokemon Master, but it isn't something I can do alone. I need Pokemon who want to be strong and give one hundred percent. I need partners who won't quit when things get hard. Most of all, I need friends who will stick with me till the end!"
Ash stuck his hand out. "Will you be my friend Charmander?" The Pokemon studied the boy, looking deeply into his eyes. There was a fire there. An inner fire that matched the fire burning within Charmander's little body. The boy was sincere and with his help, Charmander could grow strong. "Charmander," shouted the little fire type as it tackled its new trainer in a hug, knocking them both over.
Ash was slightly astonished at being knocked over, but this feeling was swiftly replaced with one of triumph. "Awesome Charmander! Together you I will be unstoppable. In fact, want to go see if one of the other new trainers wants a quick battle," the boy enthusiastically asked.
"Char char!"
"Great! Lets get down there then." Ash picked himself off the floor and sprinted down the staircase with Charmander quickly following.
He arrived to an irate boy with blue hair, a brown vest, and a gaudy pink shirt. The boy in question was yelling at the professor. "What do you mean another trainer picked Charmander! I had my heart set on him. Not some crummy little plant!"
"The early bird gets the worm, or well The Pokemon," replied the irritated Professor oak. "Besides, Bulbasuar is a perfectly good Pokemon. Now stop throwing a tantrum, or you will walk away empty handed!"
The blue-haired boy ignored the warning and was about to say something nasty when he spotted Ash and the coveted Charmander. "So you're the sneak who went and stole my Charmander ain't ya" proclaimed the boy with a finger pointed at Ash.
Annoyed at the boy's tantrum, Ash heatedly responded, "I didn't steal anything! I woke up early and picked Charmander fair and square. My name is not sneak either. It's Ash!"
"I don't care what you call yourself kid. Hand over the Charmander if you know what's good for you," demanded the boy as he began to approach the Charmander.
"Damien stop this outlandish behavior at once," shouted Professor Oak! "If you take one more step, I am throwing you out empty-handed!"
The blue-haired boy, or rather Damien, paused at this. Then a smug grin returned to his face. "Hold on now. I ain't going to just snatch it out of his hand. How about this then Ash? I challenge you to a battle! When I win, I get Charmander and you can keep the plant. I'll even use it to put you in your place twerp."
Ash was dumbfounded at the boy's offer. Why would he risk Charmander? "No deal Damien. Charmander is already my friend and partner. Why would I risk that in a battle?"
"Oh... I guess that spiky hair kid had it right then when he told me you were a spineless joke of a trainer. Yeah I wouldn't want to be embarrassed either," laughed Damien as he started to walk away and grabbed Bulbasaur's Pokeball.
One would think Ash would be mature enough to let the insult slide... Well that person had clearly never hung around Ash on a regular basis. A childhood full of bullying from his rival Gary, his inherited outgoing personality from his mother, and his young age produced a predictable response. "Fine! Charmander and I will wipe the floor with you!"
"Now Ash," started Professor Oak, but Ash quickly interrupted him.
"No Professor! I am going to teach Damien some manners. You have seen how hard I have worked. Have some faith in me," said the boy in a resolute tone.
Professor Oak knew Ash wouldn't be swayed and reluctantly nodded.
Damien turned around now leering at Ash. "You're going to regret that kid."
The two stared each other down for what felt like ages until the Professor finally stepped in to reestablish some semblance of order. "Now this lab is no place for a battle so settle down. Follow me out back and you can hold your battle in the ranch."
Striding forward, Damien returned the Bulbasaur to his Pokeball, passed both the Professor and Ash, and headed outdoors, maintaining his confident smirk.
Ash and Professor Oak followed close behind with the latter giving worrying looks towards his young companion.
The group soon made it outside and the two trainers stood opposite each other on a long grassy field. Professor Oak took his position in the center to serve as a referee. "This will be a one on one battle. The battle will end when one Pokemon is unable to continue or the trainer forfeits." Before signaling the start of the match, Professor Oak gave one final look to both boys.
Damien was cocky and assured of his victory with a vicious smile on his face and a manic gleam in his eyes. Ash, on the other hand, just stood there in a calm and collected manner. What Oak did notice was the look in Ash's eyes. That calculating look that exuded a great strength. It was a look he hadn't seen in almost 11 years.
END CHAPTER
I know I mentioned Pikachu showing up here, but next chapter for sure!
Thank you to my very first reviewer CoolGuy001 - Eevee was a good guess, but it was meant to serve as the Pokemon for the currently unknown 4th Pallet trainer and nothing more. Ash will still probably get an Eevee at some point though. As to why I chose Charmander, I saw it as a way for Ash to follow in the footsteps of a certain somebody. Plus, it sets up for a good battle with one of the biggest scumbags in the Anime.
How do you think the Battle will go? Remember to review with your thoughts and critique :)
