Chapter 2: Moki Town
Ash, Serena, and Aurora are now on the ship bound for the Tandor Region, Ash and Pikachu are looking at the ocean with frowns. Serena and Aurora are watching from behind and Serena asks, "Aurora, what is the Tandor Region like?"
Aurora says, "The Tandor Region is a big region that splits into two parts. West Tandor is the larger continent whereas East Tandor is an archipelago of islands. It is home to highly diverse ecosystems including beaches, caves, mountains, rivers, lakes, and tropical rainforests. The place we are heading, Moki Town, is in the south of the Western Tandor. Some of the region's biggest industries include fishing, farming, forestry, and tourism. Notably, a large portion of Tandor is powered by nuclear energy. There are 3 Power Plants in the region, with the largest being to the northwest of Vinoville Town. The regional law enforcement force is the Tandor Ranger Union, which protects the environment and preserves peace in the region.
"I see..." Serena says. "I wonder what the region has to offer, right Ash?" Serena says as she gets closer to him. Ash turns to Serena and forces a smile, he says, "Maybe..."
Pikachu notices that Ash is not like himself, usually, he goes to a new region, and he will be excited. The news of his mother's absence sure takes a toll on him, but who could blame him? His mother was said to be missing for 10 months, and he just knew the news yesterday.
Once they arrive at Moki Town, they go to the Lab and find Professor Bamb'o. The person who greets them isn't wearing a lab coat, but a green jacket with blue shorts. Not only that, he is wearing sunglasses as well.
"Excuse me, are you Professor Bamb'o?" Ash asks.
The person beams and says, "I am Earnest Bamb'o. What can I do for you, young trainers?"
Ash says, "My name is Ash Ketchum, this is my sister Aurora Ketchum, and my friend Serena Yvonne. We are here on a quest to find my mother Delia Ketchum."
"You two are Delia's children?" Bamb'o is surprised, "I heard from Professor Oak that you three will be here. It seems like you have come really early."
"Thanks?" Aurora asks in confusion. Bamb'o says, "You see, today is the day when we have new trainers getting their Starter Pokemon. Why don't you have a seat and you can see how it goes."
The three of them nod as a trainer comes into the lab. The boy has red hair and yellow on the tip. He says, "Professor, I am here for the Pokemon."
"Ah, I see you are here, um, Tommy, was it?" Bamb'o asks.
"Honestly, pops, can't you even remember my name? It's Theo! Theo!" Theo says.
"Right, right...Theo. You're just in time." Bamb'o says. Theo notices Ash and the other two, and he asks, "And who are you guys? I am Theo."
"I am Ash Ketchum, and this is my partner Pikachu." "I am Serena." "And I am Aurora Ketchum, his sister."
"Now that the greetings are done. Ash and Serena, you guys should listen as well. Today is a very special day for all of you. It's your first day at work as Field Research Assistants at Bamb'o Pokemon Research Labs. "
"We are assistants as well?" Ash asks. "But we are not here to be assistants...we are here for our mother, she had been missing for 10 months and I'm worried about her..."
"I know, but Professor Oak has highly recommended you guys, and your job will have you traveling across Tandor, observing and capturing many different kinds of Pokemon to help me with my research on Pokemon Elements." Bamb'o says. "That way, you'll be able to find your mother as well."
"Ash, I think you should do it." Aurora says, and Ash sighs a little, "Fine..."
"I have three Pokemon here that will aid you on your journey. Before you get your starters, though, you will be taking the Pokemon Trainer Aptitude Test." Bamb'o says.
"Test?! I didn't study for any test!" Theo says in a panic. "I thought you were gonna give us a rare powerful Pokemon!"
"Now, now, don't worry...It's not the kind of test you have to study for." Bamb'o says. "It's just a way to determine what kind of Pokemon Trainer you will be. Different Starter Pokemon are better suited for different battling styles. A starter Pokemon will be your lifelong partner, so it's important for you to work well together!" Bamb'o says.
"That is a unique way to choose a starter..." Serena says.
"I agree, that makes this region's starter Pokemon special, right?" Ash asks.
"Yeah, yeah, I get it. Enough talking! I want to get my Pokemon!" Theo says.
"Sheesh, kid, you're not very patient, are you?" Bamb'o says as he takes out three test papers, Aurora says, "I don't think I need a Starter from this region, so I'll leave them to Ash and Serena."
"Is that so?" Bamb'o says. "Very well."
As they look at the test paper, there are four questions. The three of them answer different answers, and in the end, as Bamb'o is checking their papers, they are waiting at the back as Theo says, "Is that a Pikachu? I have never seen one before."
"Pikachu is my first partner." Ash says. "We have been with each other ever since I started my journey in your age."
"That is cool, I want to have a Pokemon like that as well. Since it looks quite strong." Theo says.
"I have analyzed your results." Bamb'o says. "Ash, can you come here first?"
"Sure." Ash says as he walks towards Bamb'o. Bamb'o says, "Ash, you seem to be a trainer that is capable of many different strategies. You prefer to adapt to overcome challenges in your path. Your philosophy is probably to just "go with the flow". Your calm, rational approach will come to aid you in the future. For a Balanced trainer like you... Eletux is the best pick!"
Appears in front of Ash is an average-sized quadruped with horse-like features. Ash says, "I got a Water Type Starter, that's new."
After that, Serena is the next one, Bamb'o says, "For you, Serena. You seem to be a Trainer who likes to play it safe. Patience and endurance are your biggest assets. You know that the best things in life come to those who wait. For a Defensive trainer like you... Orchynx is the best pick!"
Serena gets a kitten Pokemon and she finds it very adorable. She hugs it and it purrs on her. "It sure is hard for a kitten like you."
"Hey, I am tired of waiting." Theo yells at them, Bamb'o sighs as he continues to rant, "Ash and Serena got their starter already, when do I get mine?"
"I'm done analyzing your results, Theo." Bamb'o says. "Well, you certainly know what you want out of life. You're impulsive, impatient, and care mostly about your own desires. But I sense something else in you...Could it be the seed of greatness? The potential to transform yourself completely? Or maybe it's just that you're so young, I can't tell. Regardless...For a trainer like you...Raptorch is the best pick."
Theo gets the Pokemon and says, "Yes! My first Pokemon!" He turns to Ash, "Ash... you have a Pokemon. And now I have a Pokemon, too. You know what this means, right?"
"A Pokemon Battle?" Ash asks as he nods. Bamb'o frowns and says, "Oh, please, not in the Lab... do it outside, please?"
"Sure." The two of them head outside to the research fields as they start their battle. With Raptorch against Eletux, Theo says, "Use Ember."
The Pokemon hits Eletux with the Ember, but it doesn't do well on it. "Use Water Gun." Ash says as the attack just deals a lot of damage to the Raptorch.
Serena says, "I know that the opponent is a Fire Type, but that damage is quite impressive."
"Because Raptorch is also a Ground Type, which means Water is four times more effective to Raptorch." Bamb'o says.
Another Water Gun finally defeats the Pokemon, but Theo just looks with shock until he says, "B-but...How...I'm s'posed to be the b-best trainer ever...That's i-impossible...good trainers never l-lose...I... I... *sniff* Waaaaaahhh!"
Just then, he starts to cry out loud and Ash, Serena, and Aurora are looking at him in shock. Bamb'o says, "Please don't cry, Theo... Here, I'll heal your Pokemon for you."
Bamb'o quickly helps him by healing his Raptorch, Theo just keeps crying, "I w-wanted to be a-an unbeatable Trainer...How come I couldn't win? I really really wanted to win..."
"Well...between your starter and Ash's, theirs has the type advantage." Aurora says. "Water beats Fire, Fire beats Grass, and Grass beats Water. That's the elemental type triangle. Well, one of them, at any rate. Learning to master type matchups is an important part of being a Trainer."
"N-no way! I wanna do-over! How come Ash gets the better starter?!" He starts to cry again and he says, "Uuuuaaaaahhhhh! It isn't faaaaair! I-I'm going home!"
As Theo is leaving the lab grounds, Bamb'o says, "Sigh...He took that harder than I hoped."
"We all lose battles, but don't you think he is overreacting?" Serena asks in confusion. Ash says, "Now I look like a bad person...it sure is not a good start..."
"But, you shouldn't be so quick to judge him. He is just a kid after all." Bamb'o says. "I expect he'll soon discover that training Pokemon isn't as easy as he imagined..."
Bamb'o walks to the gate before realizing something, "By the way, Ash. I am worried about Theo, if you don't mind, can you go to his house to check if he is okay?"
"Sure, we'll go there." Ash says as they bid farewell to Bamb'o. Serena turns to Aurora and asks, "So Aurora, do you have a Pokemon in your team right now?"
"Of course I have. Check it out." Aurora takes out two Pokeballs and throws them, appearing from the ball are a Raptorch and a Spiritomb.
"Is that a Spiritomb? Why would have a Pokemon like that in your team, Aurora?" Ash asks with surprise.
"Spiritomb is a friend of mine from the past. It might have 108 souls inside, but with the Odd Keystone, it isn't going to cause a lot of mischief to us." Aurora says. "As for this Raptorch, I was given the egg of this Pokemon, although it was just hatched a few days ago."
"So that means we have all three Starters on our team." Serena says. "But let's go find Theo. Do you know where's his house?"
"Theo's father is a good friend of mine, I'll show you." Aurora says as they leave the lab.
Here is a new chapter, and in this chapter, I include we have a new rival for the story: Theo. He is just a little kid and sometimes he's a little annoying. As for Ash's Pokemon, like in the other anime, Pikachu will be his only Pokemon in the start, Serena has Sylveon, and Aurora has both Spiritomb and Raptorch. I hope you like this chapter and the next one will begin the journey in the Tandor Region.
Ash's Pokemon: Pikachu, Eletux
Serena's Pokemon: Sylveon, Orchynx
Aurora's Pokemon: Spiritomb, Raptorch