A/N - Chapter 3 is here. Please review!

Chapter 3 - The Choice

An old man peered out of the gap between the door and the frame. He had wrinkles on his face, and his hair was completely grey, but his eyes were still full of life. When he saw the boy standing there, he opened the door completely. He was wearing a white lab coat over a red shirt and khaki trousers. Despite his age, he lacked the frail build that comes with age, and his movements were still vigourous.

"Can I help you?" the man asked with a gruff voice. "Oh you must be here to register as a Trainer. Where are the others?" He took a moment to look around. "It's only you then? Follow me. Shut the door on your way in. There's a good lad."

The old man rambled on as he led the way into the laboratory. "I am Professor Oak, but you probably already knew that. You know, I was quite surprised when I was informed that a sixteen-year-old boy would be applying for his license. It's not a common occurrence at all. What is your name again?"

The duo walked through a room with lab assistants working on some sort of machinery, through to a corridor and then past that into another large room with doors that swivelled shut when released. This one was more spacious than the first. There was a table just off centre, on top of which was a tray with three Poke Balls. The Poke Balls were round, like their name suggested. The top half of each was red while the bottom was white. There was a black band separating the two halves where the Ball would open up to capture and release the Pokemon. A small button was at the centre of Ball, half on the red side and half on the white. This was used to shrink the Ball for easy storage on a Trainer's belt, or enlarge it for other practical purposes such as throwing.

The boy tore his eyes away from the Poke Balls. On a table against the far wall was a computer with many monitors, each displaying some data that was constantly changing. The table was also stacked messily with papers. Peeking out from under some sheets, the teen could see a flash of shiny plastic. Is that what I think it is? In another part of the room, a large machine was flashing lights and beeping at irregular intervals. Clearly the professor was a busy man.

"Red."

"Ah yes, Red! Well, Red, today is the day you finally become a Pokemon Trainer. Your mother came to visit me a day after you moved into Pallet Town." It had been only three days since they had moved. The boy had not had time to explore the city as he had been busy setting up the telephone, television, internet and other requirements of civilised life. Mom came to meet him? Why didn't she tell me?

"We had tea together. We chatted for quite a while. She told me all about you. Couldn't stop talking about you, actually. Everything was "My son this, and my son that." I'm glad to see that your mother is so proud of you. I'm thinking of —" Professor Oak was cut off by the sound of running feet in the hallway and the door suddenly slammed open, causing both to turn to see what the cause of the commotion was.

Three people stood at the entrance to the room. All three were younger than Red; they looked to be about eleven and probably were, as it was the starting age for most first was a boy, who was holding the swivel door open with an outstretched arm. He was dressed in green shorts and a matching shirt and hat. There was a red tie around his neck. He looked like a boy scout. On the other side of the doorway was a girl. Her clothes matched the first boy's exactly, right down to their shoes. The last person stood between the others and just behind them. He was slightly taller than the other two, and had a smug look on his face. He was wearing a red track suit. As the three walked in together, the one at the back ran a hand through his longish purple hair.

"We want our Pokemon! I get to choose first!" said the girl.

"No, you don't, I do!" replied her male mirror image.

"Calm down now. You must be the other candidates for a Training license. What are your names?" interjected Professor Oak. The one at the back nudged between the others and stepped in front. Red noticed that he already had his bag and Poke Ball belt ready. This boy was already prepared to leave on his journey.

"I am Rolando. I have studied Pokemon Training extensively and I will be the best Trainer ever! These two are Tina and Ricky. All they are interested in is camping in the woods, the fools" said the boy as he nodded at the girl and the other boy respectively. "We have come from Saffron City to start our journey!"

Professor Oak nodded. "Yes, I was expecting you. I was quite surprised to see Red here standing by himself at the appointed time of 10 am. He was the only one on time. You all realise that you are late, and because of that you will be punished? Let's see. What would be suitable?"

Hearing this, the three newcomers looked alarmed. All three had been looking forward to receiving a Pokemon and this was not a good way to start. Poor kids. They were only a few minutes late. I hope the punishment isn't too bad.

"How about this - I had originally kept four Pokemon aside to give to the four of you. Three of them are the usual Pokemon I give out to starting Trainers, and one is a wild card that is not normally given out." Saying so, Oak placed a Poke Ball on the table along with the others. This one looked a little different though. Instead of a white half, it was completely red. A Cherish Ball! They are only used on special occasions. "I had thought that I would give each of you an equal chance of earning the special Pokemon, but because three of you were late, you do not have that right anymore. You three will be limited to the normal ones."

Rolando, Ricky and Tina, all three of their faces visibly relaxed. It wasn't such a bad deal at all. Heh, it's not a punishment if you take away an unexpected benefit. They really got lucky.

"However" Oak continued, "Red, as he was on time, will get to choose first. He still has access to the special Pokemon. If he picks that one, then the three of you can pick from the three usual starters. But if he chooses not to pick the special one, and instead chooses one of the normal ones, I will not be adding any more Pokemon to the table. One of you will go without a Pokemon."

He waited for the implication to sink in. It hit Rolando first, then Tina and finally Ricky, each about a second apart. All three lost all colour in their faces and ran up to Red. He towered over them, the five year age gap very apparent.

"Red! You have to choose the special one!"

"Red, please choose the special one!"

"Please, please, please!" the three of them begged.

Red was surrounded by the kids as they tugged at his jacket and implored him to pick the special Pokemon. I have been waiting five years for this opportunity. Just because this 'special' Pokemon is not normally given out, does not mean that it is a good choice. The normal starters are Charmander, Squirtle and Bulbasaur. This could be a Pidgey, or a Rattata, or worse — a Magikarp! How can I risk my entire career on the basis of this surprise? On the other hand it could be an Eevee, or a Hitmonchan!

Oak was looking at Red thoughtfully. A ghost of a smile played on his lips, but it vanished as Red looked at him. He stood there with a poker face, determined to not give out any hint. Damn the man! If only he would give me some clue… I don't want any of these poor kids to miss out on being a Trainer, but I don't want to be stuck with a disadvantageous Pokemon either.

Red stood there debating internally for what seemed like eternity. The kids had stopped pleading with him and just stood to a side sullenly staring at him. He had not given any indication as to what his choice would be. Inwardly, he came to a decision and walked towards the table. He examined the Balls there for a few seconds and picked one up.

A/N - Any guesses as to his choice?