Chapter 3:
The month that I stayed at Professor Oak's lab was both one of the best I ever had, and very educative, as I learned a lot under Professor Oak, going from taking care of my Pokemon, making my own food for them and how they interacted in both nature and human settlements. Me and Milo had grown closer during the week as well, we had done some plans for the future and suffe- I mean trained doing physical exercises together under the watchful eye of Professor Oak, now my body was as good as it had been when I still took martial arts in middle school and I can confidently say that I got completely adjusted to it's younger size.
I also had the pleasure, or displeasure of meeting Gary Oak, I'm sure that if his ego was a mountain it would be as tall as the Everest. He came to the lab sometimes to talk to Professor Oak, and our only interactions were him talking how better than me he was, and me completely ignoring him, Milo also didn't like him very much, which is very understandable.
During the nights I had spent a good time rewatching the series, thanks to one of my hard drivers that had the entire series inside, which I'm sure every respectable Pokemon fan carries around, and if anyone dares to disagree with me, I would be more than pleased to punch them in the face. My computer also helped me see all moves one Pokemon could learn, of which I used to its full potential already making plans of what to teach Milo, something I was curious is if it would be possible to teach moves from Let's Go Eevee to Milo, but it's a test for later.
Waking up with the soft rays of sun touching your skin is a pleasurable delicacy of which I didn't have, instead I fell out of the bed as Milo jumped on my stomach, and the worst of it is that I think he enjoys my suffering.
"Why must you wake me up like that?"
"It's fun! And we can't be late, today is the day we start our adventure!" This sudden realization was enough to make all the exhaustion leave me. I got up and quickly took a shower, it was finally the day me and Milo started our journey. Dressing up I tried to comb my hair, which ended with little success. I am wearing dark grey shorts, a forest green t-shirt and a soft grey open hoodie. I give a final look in my bag to make sure I have everything I need, before leting Milo jump on my shoulder and we walk out of my room.
"I see you're awake early Aaron, excited to start your journey?" I only nod as me and Milo are already bursting with excitement. Professor Oak smiled and gives me a pokeball. Turning to Milo, and seeing only determination I put the pokeball in front of him, and he softly touches the button and is sucked in, shaking three times it lets out a sound confirming the capture, and I let out my breath that I didn't know I was holding.
"Congratulations on your first Pokemon Aaron" Professor Oak's voice was little more than a background sound as I'm trying to compose myself. This is finally it, I'm starting my journey, looking at the pokeball I smiled softly and added, we are starting our journey, and we are going to be the best, me and Milo.
"Here is your trainer card, five pokeballs for you to capture more Pokemon" I turned my attention back to Professor Oak as he handed me a thin card and five empty pokeballs. Looking at the card I saw that it had my full name, which I had told the professor, my age, my home town and other information about me.
"Thanks Professor, for everything."
"No need to thank me Aaron, it has been a while since I saw someone so enthusiastic to learn more about Pokemon." He gave me a smile, which I returned before throwing Milo's ball in the air and releasing him.
"Ahh, those are strange, don't me back please." Milo said as he directed his puppy dog eyes full force on me.
"Don't worry, I prefer to have you outside." I really didn't see a reason to keep Milo in his pokeball, I would be walking great distances that would be getting pretty boring withouse someone to talk to, ahh how I love being able to understand Pokemon.
"I'll be going now professor, and I'll be sure to keep you informed" I walked out of the lab and made my way out of Pallet Town.
I had already thought of what I was going to do in the first day of mine and Milo's adventure, since I knew Ash was going to aggravate the spearows and see Ho-Oh, I planned to reach the place first and get a glimpse of the legendary, and if really lucky get one of it's feathers.
I continued following the trail that I remember Ash walking in the anime, while humming a tune. It's nice to walk alongside Milo on the road, we were always doing something in the lab, be it training, learning or helping that a pause to relax was appreciated. Our walk ended wen we reached a cliff side that had a beutifull watterfall, me and Milo not beeing dumb enoth to jump a freaking cliff like Ash, took the safe rote aroud it, and continued walking alongside the shore. Milo and I were deep in a discussion about what's the tastiest berry when I saw Misty fishing on the river.
"Nice day for fishing, have you caught anything yet?" She looked at me before answering.
"I did fish some Medicarp, but they aren't what I am looking for.". I hummed, well I wouldn't expect anything else so near Pallet Town, maybe Poliwag, or Tentacool but nothing spectacular, but this is different from the game so it's very possible to find something special or uncommon.
"That's too bad, what are you looking for?" She gave me a quick side glance.
"Any water type Pokemon really, it's just Magicarp that I don't want." Strange, I didn't take Misty for one to not know the potential Magikarp has.
"Are you a water type Pokemon trainer?" her face brightened a bit at that.
"Yes, my dream is to become the best water type Pokemon trainer." I raised my eyebrow a little at that.
"So you must know that if you put time and effort training a Magikarp they can become powerful allies." She seemed to flinch at my statement.
"Oh no, I do know how powerful a Gyarados can be, it's just that I have some problems with that specific pokemon." Now I understand, if I'm not wrong a Gyarados scared her when she was little and she only got over it in the future.
"Well it was nice talking to you, but I must go if I want to reach Viridian City by walking today, the name's Aaron"
"Nice talking to you too, I'm Misty" I gave her a nod before signaling for Milo to follow me, he seemed pretty happy that we were leaving, it was probably because he was completely forgotten.
We continued walking down the road talking about random things until we heard a thunder. Looking behind us I saw a storm coming in our direction, thankfully we appeared to be in the exact spot Pikachu and Ash sees Ho-Oh, signaling to Milo to continue walking. I picked my cell phone in my bag, I planned to at least film it, it would make a great memory.
When the rain finally started falling on us, me and Milo were located fairly away from where Ash fought the spearows, if my calculations were correct Ho-Oh would pass right above us.
"I don't understand why we must wait here in the rain for something to happen when we could very well be in the comfort of a pokemon center" Milo really wasn't happy, he hated when his fur became wet, and became quite grumpy when it did, well if someday he evolves we can throw Vaporeon out of the list.
"I just have this feeling that something amazing is going to happen here." Well I couldn't just tell him that I saw an anime and knew the Legendary Pokemon Ho-Oh would appear.
He was probably about to say something very rude about my 'feeling', when we heard a loud thunder sound and the rain stopped falling. Already with my cell phone filming I was able to catch The rainbow forming and Ho-Oh flying alongside it, we weren't exactly under it but I'm proud to say my guess was pretty damn close. As the majestic Rainbow Pokemon flew away I was able to catch with my eyes a tiny object falling down, I hurried to the spot I think it landed and saw a beautiful multicolored feather.
I found it pretty hilarious when Milo couldn't do anything besides gawk at me and rub his eyes to see if what he just saw was real, as I carried him in my arms. Finally he was able to compose himself and stop staring at me.
"How did you know? And what was that?" I smiled at his clearly awed face.
"I already told you, I had a feeling something was going to happen, and I'm pretty sure that was the legendary bird Ho-Oh." He simply shaked his head at my blunt answer.
"We barely started our journey and already saw a Legendary Pokemon, I can't wait for what is waiting on our future!" It seems the encounter with Ho-Oh was able to put him back on his happy energetic self.
After half an hour or so we reached Viridian city, it was definitely bigger than Pallet, and looked almost exactly like the anime had shown. As me and Milo were entering the Town, officer Jenny with a stern look approached us.
"Sorry sir but we are currently in an investigation on some thieves, please show me your ID and you can go." I was already expecting that and had the Pokedex already in my hands. After clicking the right button the mechanical voice from before said "I am Odin a Pokedex programmed for the trainer Aaron Pine of Celadon city, my function is to provide Aaron with information and advice regarding pokemon and their trainer, if lost or stolen I cannot be replaced." Well I may have changed the name of my Pokedex, but really, Dexter is a terrible name.
The officer nodded her head and let us pass, I walked in the direction of the building with a big pokeball on the front. We may not have battled but it didn't cost anything to get Milo checked, also it is where all the drama would happen, something I don't want to miss. Entering the building I noticed that it was relatively warm inside, going to the main desk I returned Milo and gave his pokeball to Nurse Joy.
"May you check my Eevee? He didn't battle but I would be more secure if I knew there's nothing wrong with him." The nurse took Milo's pokeball before putting in a machine that she had on the side of her computer.
"There is nothing wrong with your Eevee, all he needs is rest" I thanked her and moved to sit on one of the couches that the Pokecenter had for trainers to wait, I picked one of the books Professor Oak gave me from my bag and continued from where I had left.
I had almost ten minutes of peace reading about the difference between a Figy and Tamato berry, before Officer Jenny came riding her motorbike inside the Pokemon center with Ash on the passenger seat. Ignoring them completely since I already knew what happened I tried to concentrate on my book that was describing an important part about the difference between the spice of the two berries and their effects on Pokemon. This time I had about fifteen minutes before Misty barged in with her destroyed bicycle and continued to scream enraged at Ash, sadly trying to ignore a screaming Misty is VERY hard. Giving up I put the book I was reading back in my bag and watched Ash and Misty argue waiting for Milo to finish being healed.
"Your Pikachu will be alright Ash, it just needs to rest now, it's good that you got it here so fast" Nurse Joy had gotten out of the emergency room with a Pikachu on a medical bed, she went back to her computer before calling out for me. "Trainer Aaron Pine please come to the front desk your Pokemon are fully healed." getting up I picked Milos' ball and put it on my pokeball belt, finally I turned to face Ash and Misty.
"Hey Misty nice to see you again." I turned to Ash "And you are?" It's strange to ask the name of someone you already know, even if they were a cartoon character.
Ash was about to answer when he was interrupted by the speakers in the Pokemon center who came to life and the voice of Officer Jenny played off them "Your attention, please. Our Viridian City Radar detectors have detected an aircraft belonging to a gang of Pokémon thieves. If you have a Pokémon in your possession exercise extreme caution!"
I know they were just James, and Jessie, that are two dunces, but I couldn't help being angry at them from being part of Team Rocket. The glass on the ceiling shattered and two pokeball fell releasing an Ekans and a koffing, who generated a thick foul black smoke.
"Who are they?" Ash shouded.
"Don't be frightened little boy~" "Allow us to introduce ourselves" "to protect the world from devastation." "To unite all people within our nation." "To denounce the evils of truth and love." "To extend our reach to the stars above." "Jessie" "James" "Team Rocket blast at the speed of light" "Surrender now or prepare to fight" "Meow, that's right!"
"What are you two talking about" Ash asked
"They are Team Rocket, a group of Pokemon thieves that only know how to cause problems" I decided to interrupt, Milos's pokeball already on my hand.
"Oh, James it looks like one of them knows of us~" Jassie said in a sickening sweet tone.
"Yes Jessie, it seems we are famous"
"Wait, you two are robbing pokemons?! You won't take Pikachu!" Ash shouted, as he understood that a robbery was taking place.
"How cute, a boy and his rat" Jessie said as she looked to Ash and rolled her eyes, "we don't want your electric rat boy"
James smirkled "We only take rare and powerful pokemon, and your electric rat happens to be neither."
I'm getting enough of these two "Team Rocket won't be taking anything on my watch, Milo battle stance" I threw Milo's pokeball releasing him. This is our first real battle, in Professor Oak laboratóry we only practiced the moves he already knew and formed some battle plans, but I think it's enough to defeat these two dunces.
"That's what I'm talking about, Eevee are very rare pokemon, pass it up boy" Meowth said and Milo growled, likely recognising the big red R in their uniforms. That only angered me more, pass Milo? Oh they were going to pay, I could feel the adrenaline rushing as I concentrated and gave my first command.
"Milo let's show what we do to Team Rocket members!" Milo roared approvingly at my decision, "Start with Quick Attack on Ekans, be careful of its mouth, Ekans best weapon it's their bite." Milo shot at Ekans direction, while being wary of its head.
"Oh no you don't! Ekans use Wrap." Jessie shouted in retaliation.
"Milo when you get close, jump on its head and use Bite!" Ekans threw itself at Milo trying to wrap around him, but he jumped up and bit Ekans neck.
"Get that pest out of you Ekans!" Ekans tried shaking its head, but it turned to be a fruitless effort as Milo continued to hold firm while biting. "Don't just stand there James, do something."
"Right, Koffing use Tackle" Koffing quickly threw itself at Milo.
Waiting for the perfect moment I shouted "Now Milo, jump!" Milo let go of Ekans and jumped, making Koffing hit Ekans and send the two rolling back. Sadly Koffing has a high defence and Milo doesn't have any special moves yet, I really need to teach him swift.
"Ahhg, Koffing use Smokescreen! After recovering Koffing started to expel a thick black smoke that covered the entire Team Rocket.
"Milo close your eyes and use your ears, hear them and when you locate them use Quick Attack!" Nodding in acknowledgment Milo closed his eyes and used his ears to locate them, after a couple of seconds he tackled into the smoke. I was confirmed that Milo had succeeded in hitting them when the entire group went flying on the other side, what I didn't predict was that they ended up hitting a machine that exploded and sended them flying off.
"Team Rocket is flying off again!" they screamed, I guess canon finds a way.
Letting out my breath that I didn't notice I was holding, I picked up Milo who was painting from the battle while smiling, happy with his first win. "You were incredible Milo, those Team Rocket scum didn't have a chance." He snuggled in my chest before closing his eyes and falling asleep, the adrenaline of the battle fading and the exhaustion catching up. Putting him in a comfortable position on my arms I turned around to see the three other people in the room looking at me with wide eyes.
"Uuuhh, you all can stop staring now." That seemed to get them out of their transe, Ash immediately came barreling at me with questions and telling how awesome me and Milo were.
"Thanks for the compliments, but Milo and I still have a long way before us, to tell the truth we just started our journey today and this was actually our first battle" Ash looked surprised at that.
"What, you too? But you are so strong." I wouldn't say strong, but I do like to think of myself as a strategist, using Pokemon knowledge and strategy to train and win battles.
"You started your Pokemon journey today? Then you must be one of the kids from Pallet that started along with Gary, my name's Aaron. I stayed a while in Professor Oak laboratóry." A look of recognition passed in his face.
"I remember Gary did say something about you, but I don't remember seeing you there."
"I only stayed at the professor's lab for a week, also I mostly stayed helping with the Pokemon outside or studying, so it's no surprise."
"Are you saying you lived and studied with the famous Professor Oak?!" It seemed Misty decided to join our converçation.
"Well, it was only for a week." I scratched my cheek, almost everything Professor Oak teached me was about Pokemon relations, care and food.
"Well it's nice to meet you Aaron, my name is Ash Ketchum, also thanks for fighting those thieves, I was really scared they would take Pikachu" I gave him a small smile.
"Don't worry, thow I think it's time I follow Milo and get some sleep, it's already pretty late." After getting a room with Nurse Joy I took a quick shower and hit the bed, to immediately fall asleep.