I realize that there are going to be quite a few Pokemon being thrown at you so to make sure you can keep up I'm going to take a cue from the mange and add a character "page" (or just a list of the main characters and their Pokemon).

JB: Ruckus - Zubat, Tesla - Eevee

That's it so far! Enjoy!

Chapter Three: Zero the Hero

JB awoke with excitement spreading throughout his body. He looked at Tesla and Ruckus curled up together at the foot of his bed.

"Ok you two rise and shine. We have two hours to get ready before we have to leave to catch the bus for Pallet Town. Let's go! Let's go!"

JB jumped out of bed and headed toward the bathroom to shower. He and his parents had decided that he would take the bus from Viridian City to Pallet Town to meet with Professor Oak as his new courier. JB's father still had summer school to teach and his mother didn't feel as though she could handle saying her goodbyes on her own.

JB was done showering and headed back to his room. He had packed his backpack the night before with the essentials for long hiking trips all he needed now was to pack his clothes. He walked into his room and Tesla and Ruckus were still sleeping. He also noticed a box sitting on the bed. The card on the box read, "To my Delivery Man". It was from his mother. He opened it and inside was 3 sets of clothing. JB packed 2 sets and put the third one on. He looked at himself in his mirror. He looked ready to go. He had his blond hair in his spiky fashion. He was wearing a green hooded sweatshirt with a white screen printed Poke ball on the chest, tan cargo shorts, and a pair of black hiking shoes.

"A great adventure."

He shook Ruckus and Tesla awake and made his way downstairs to the kitchen. His parents were sitting at the table. There were multiple foods prepared to eat and waiting for him.

"I couldn't decide what to make before your first day out so I made a little bit of everything." JB's mother was holding back tears. "How do you like the clothes, dear?"

"They're great Mom. Thank you so much. And this food looks delicious. A home cooked meal is just what I need!" JB placed a bowl of Poke food each on the floor for Ruckus and Tesla. "You two eat up, we have a big day head of us. And now it's my turn!" He sat down at the table and made his self a plate of everything. His mother was a great cook and he wasn't going to miss out on one of her meals before leaving.

JB's father spoke up, "Don't choke on it, you can eat slowly, you have time." He paused for a few moments. "Son, I must say, that I and your mother are really proud of you. We know it was hard to put off your League traveling, but we do appreciate you helping out after your Grandpa died. You were a huge help and will be missed. I know that if he was still here your Grandpa would be equally as proud of you as we are. He was a great Pokemon trainer and teacher, probably one of the best Pokemon teachers around, I know he taught you a lot and I can't wait to see how you are going to use it on your travels."

"Uh mmm hmm mum bmm smm!" JB spoke with his mouth full.

"Chew and swallow, son," his mother interrupted.

JB swallowed his gulp of food. "Sorry. Thanks Dad. I thank Grandpa, too. He did teach me a lot and I have already used some of that information with Tesla and Ruckus. I know their moves and abilities. Plus I was able to identify their genders. And I can tell that although Ruckus is fantastic he is pretty small for your average zubat." Ruckus looked over at JB realizing he was being talked about and let out a screech. "Yeah, I know buddy. Size doesn't always matter."

The family laughed and continued talking while JB ate his food. The conversations kept going until it was time to say their goodbyes. JB's mother gave him the lunch she had packed for him and a few extra snacks for Tesla and Ruckus. They hugged each other and JB whispered into his mother's ear, "Thank you, thank you for always being there when I needed you and for loving me no matter what. I'll be safe. I've got Ruckus and Tesla now. Don't worry too much." They let go of the embrace and JB looked at his mother, she had tears in her eyes. He walked over to his father and gave him a hug. "You are the best dad a kid could ask for. Thank you for all your love and support and helping me become the man I am today." JB let go and backed away. His father was crying. This was the second time he had ever seen his father cry; once at his Grandpa's funeral and now.

"Well I'm off. You two stay classy." JB turns and waves goodbye to his family, holding back tears from flowing. His parents watch on as he disappears around the corner with Ruckus and Tesla following behind.

"It was bound to happen sooner or later," said JB's father.

"He'll be just fine. He always is," added JB's mother.

JB found his way to the bus top just as the bus was coming down the street toward the stop. The sign on the front flashed the words "PALLET TOWN". JB stops for a moment.

"Ok Ruckus, its time to get into your ball, return." JB held out a Poke ball and pointed it at Ruckus who was hovering in the air. A beam of red light shot out at the zubat and transported him back into the ball. "Now I don't have your ball with me Tesla, so you are going to have to stay in my backpack while we are on the bus. I will open the bag once we get on the bus, but you can't be running around. Ok?"

"Eevee vee."

"I know, but it will only be for a little while. Once we get to Pallet Town Professor Oak will have your Poke ball all fixed and you won't have to be in the bag ever again."

Tesla hopped into the backpack and JB carefully zipped it almost all the way up and then put it on. The bus arrived at the stop just as JB got there. The doors opened and he walked in, placed his money inside the fare container and made his way to a seat. The bus wasn't crowded. The rush for Pallet Town had been a few weeks ago. JB chose a seat by himself toward the back next to a window. He took his backpack off and placed it in his lap and unzipped it. Tesla popped her head out and licked JB's nose. He petted her head as the bus started to move. JB leaned his head against the window and watched as everything flew by.

"A great adventure."

The bus stopped in front of the Pallet Town Pokemon Center. The center was the newest addition to the town. It was a large orange building, built to house not only sick Pokemon, but also those trainers on their journeys. Just like all the other Pokemon Centers. The rooms were low cost and slept multiple trainers to a room and shared separate gender bathrooms. Everyone loved them because most of the time a trainer would just want to crash at the end of the night. But they filled up fast so you needed to grab one early. JB stood in awe as he looked at the center. A passer by bumped into him and knocked him out of his stupor. He looked around to familiarize himself with the town before he headed for Professor Oak's lab. Luckily there was a sign saying "This way to Poke Lab". He followed the signs with Tesla leading the way and was at the lab in no time. As he approached the door, he began to feel major butterflies in his stomach. He was extremely nervous. He was about to knock on the door when it opened and out stepped a young man. The young man didn't see JB standing there and ran right into him knocking him over. JB fell back onto his butt.

"Awe crap. I am so sorry. I didn't see you there. Here let me help you up."

The young man extended his hand out. JB grabbed a hold of it and the young man pulled him up.

"You're pretty strong there. Knock me down and then pull me up. Good thing I'm pretty tough and don't bruise easily. Maybe just my ego. Stupid of me to be standing that close to the door."

"No worries. My fault for not watching where I was going."

From behind the young man came a young girl's voice, "Oh geez Grant, what did you do now?" Hazel walked out from behind her older brother. She had medium length brown hair held back over her ears with a thin black head band, hazel green eyes behind a pair of small framed glasses, a yellow shirt under a blue jean jacket, a dark tan pleated skirt, and yellow tennis shoes. "Oh wow, bro, way to knock a cutie pie down. Hi there, I'm Hazel Giddy and this is my clumsy brother Grant."

Grant gave a wave and slight smile to JB. Grant had short cut brown hair parted on the left side and brown eyes. He was wearing a red zipped up hooded sweat shirt with a large darker red, orange, and yellow flame printed on the front, light blue jeans, and white and blue tennis shoes.

"Hi, I'm JB Hart and this is Tesla," he points to the eevee around his feet. "I'm here to see Professor Oak. And your brother knocking me down was just an accident. Knocking someone down seems to be a good way to meet people," JB said sarcastically.

"Seems we have a comedian here, Grant? Funny stuff this guy. Well we are done with our visit with the Professor so he is all yours. I've got to go collect my 8 badges."

"Good luck on those badges. I hear getting all 8 can be difficult." JB steps to the side of the walk way to let Hazel and Grant pass.

"Thanks, JB," says Hazel. "I'm going to try my hardest." Her and Grant walk by. Grant stops and turns around. He looks back at JB.

"Maybe we will run into each other again. I'll keep my eyes opened next time."

JB waved back and gave a little smile. He walked to the door and poked his head inside.

Unbeknownst to the 3 trainers, there is a small figure watching them from behind the bushes across the street. Watching with wide eyes and a slight curiosity.

"Professor Oak?" he asked loudly. "Its me JB, from yesterday. I was supposed to come back today."

"Ah yes, JB. Come on in my young courier. Let's go on back to my lab and get you all already to start."

JB follows the Professor though a door in the living room that led into his lab. JB hadn't really noticed the door before. He walked into the lab and was in shock at all the wonderful computers and gadgets the Professor had laying around. Among the lab equipment there were 5 different computer stations, an older model Pokemon transfer machine, and a photo phone. JB was amazed by all the equipment, most of it he had never heard of except from his Grandpa.

"Wow, Professor! This is amazing. You are one lucky guy to have such luxuries."

"Well thanks, JB. I do count my lucky stars that I have such smart and good helpers with my Pokemon research. But enough about that let's get you your equipment so you can be on your way. Let's see here. Where did I put that box?" The Professor looks around the lab by his desk. "Ah, ha! Here we go." He reaches down and pulls out a box marked "special delivery". He starts to pull things out and line them up on the table. One by one he hands JB the equipment. "Here is your Poke ball belt. It carries 6 Poke balls. Any more and your Pokemon would over whelm you. This here is my new invention the PokeReader." The Professor hands JB a handheld rounded rectangular looking phone. The front of the PokeReader has a screen covering all but the top and bottom edges. The back of it was designed to look like an ultra ball, black and yellow on the upper half and white on the bottom half. "Its touch screen! I have downloaded all the region and town maps for you. You can also receive messages from me when I need you to pick up or drop something off. I can send you pictures of the different researchers you will be encountering. It has two cameras, one on the front above the screen and one on the back. And as long as you are at a Pokemon Center you can use it to talk with me like the photo phone without having to wait in line. It's a pretty neat invention if I say so myself. You seem to have a back pack already so you probably don't need this one. Although it is water proof."

"Really? Water proof? Mine isn't, so maybe I can take it. It looks to be a good size and fit al my things."

"Well of course. I did get it for you." Professor Oak hands the new backpack to JB. Its dark blue with a printed envelope sealed with a Poke ball on it. Inside it has been divided into 3 different sections and a hidden area between the first and second sections. "That hidden section is for the super secret stuff you might have to carry."

JB starts to transfer his things from his old bag to the new one. "Umm, Professor? Normally trainers get a Pokedex from you when they start traveling. Am I going to get one? If not, that's cool. I know I'm just going to be your courier and not a traveling trainer."

"Well unfortunately JB, you don't get don't get a Pokedex." JB frowned. "But, that new PokeReader has a built in Pokedex specifically for you. I thought it might come in handy, just in case you run into a Pokemon or two." Professor Oak gives JB a wink. JB's frown turns into a smile and he slides the PokeReader into his shorts pocket. "I think we are all done here. Are you ready to get started?"

"You know it!" JB picks up his backpack and puts it on. He straps his Poke ball belt around his waist and attaches Ruckus' Poke ball. He looks down and Tesla is rubbing against his leg. "Oh yeah. Professor Oak, were you able to fix Tesla's Poke ball?"

"I almost for got," said the Professor. "I was not, but I was able to transfer the main components of her ball in to this quick ball." He handed JB a blue colored Poke Ball with a yellow diamond around the white open button and yellow stripes out of the sides of the diamond connecting around the ball.

"A quick ball?" JB asked.

"Yes, there are many different types of Poke balls out there. Here take a few." Professor Oak handed him 6 different Poke balls. "The PokeReader can tell you all about them when you want to know. Oh and I almost forgot, the last one." He hands JB a cream colored Poke ball with a red button. JB looks at it curiously. "This is yet another invention of mine. It's a transfer ball. I made it specific to the job I need you to do. You can transfer the researcher's documents to me via the Pokemon transfer system, just like you do Pokemon. This way you don't have to always come back here between trips to the different towns. Now be really careful with this one, its one of a kind. There is a special spot for it on the other side of your belt away from the other Poke balls."

JB hooks the transfer ball onto his belt and then calls Tesla into her new quick ball.

"Tesla, lets try this out. Return!" JB points the ball at Tesla and a beam of red light transfers the evolution Pokemon into the ball. "I guess it worked." He hooks the ball onto his belt. "What's my first assignment Professor?"

"I need for you to pick up some research work for me in Pewter City. My associates are gathering it up now and I will let you know who has it before you get there. And I need you to take this bag of stones to Mrs. Tesla in Viridian City on your way there." Professor Oak opens JB's backpack and places the bag of stones in the secret pocket. "If you hurry you might be able to catch up to Hazel and Grant so you don't have to walk alone. They are new to Kanto so they may even need a guide."

"I'm good on my own with Ruckus and Tesla."

"It's always good to be in the company of friends when traveling. Makes the time fly by."

"I'll keep that in mind." And with that JB waves goodbye to Professor Oak and heads on out the door. He gets up the street a ways and stops. "Hmm, why do I feel like I'm being watched?" He looks around. "Tesla! Ruckus! Come on out!" JB lets his Pokemon out of their Poke balls. "Do you guys feel like we are being watched?" The 2 Pokemon look around and shake their heads. "It must just be my nerves. Let's get going." He walks off toward Route 1 with Ruckus and Tesla following behind.

From behind them an orange paw pushes the bushes out of the way. The small figure watches them intently.

The day has gone by smoothly and JB has made his way to the middle of Route 1. Tesla had been put back into her Poke ball so she wouldn't get too tired and Ruckus was perched on JB's shoulder. Every once in a while JB would stop and look around. He still had that feeling he was being watched. He thought he saw something one time, but it turned out to be a dead tree. He was throwing a Poke ball up in the air when he heard yelling coming from behind him.

"I've got you now," said an angry male voice. "You won't get away that easily you stupid looser."

JB could hear the anger and hostility in the sound of the voice and was worried. He decided he would go check it out. "Ruckus, return!" He put Ruckus back in his Poke ball. "I don't want you to get hurt buddy. If I have to make a quick get away, it will be easier for me to do it on foot by myself. But if I need you I'll call you out." He made his way to screaming voice.

"Get over here you big zero! Stop running away!"

JB crossed through the wood and into a clearing. There was a young man stomping through the bushes shouting. The young man had black military cut hair and blue eyes. He was wearing a black shirt with a military camouflage jacket over top of it, camouflage pants and black combat boots.

"Get out here now before I crush you!"

"Excuse me!" JB yelled. "Are you ok? Is there something wrong?"

"Is something wrong?!" the camo-geared man shouted back. "Of course something's wrong. I was going to catch this loser of a Pokemon and it keeps running away from me."

A boot laid down another quick stomp and an orange blur ran out from the bushes to JB. The orange blur grabbed JB's leg and hid behind him.

"That's my Pokemon! You can't have him!" shouted the camo man.

"Umm, I don't think he is any one's Pokemon at this moment and you seem to be scaring the little fellow." JB reached into his pocket and pulled out his PokeReader. He pointed the camera at the small orange lizard like Pokemon with a cream under belly and a flame at the tip of it's tail. A scan button appeared on the screen so he pressed it. The PokeReader spoke in a woman's voice.

Charmander the lizard Pokemon. The flame on its tail indicates Charmander's life force. If it is healthy, the flame burns brightly.

JB looked at the flame and it seemed to be pretty bright, but the little guy was scared. He had a scar that ran diagonal across his face above his nose and just below his right eye.

"I knew it was a charmander. Hey there Charmander," JB knelt down beside the orange lizard, "I see you have a scar on your face. You ok?" The charmander jumped onto JB holding him around his neck. The charmander was trembling. JB pried him off and held him in his arms. "Are you scared of this guy? He's loud and a bit angry. I can see why you would be."

"Hey that's my charmander! I found him. He is coming with me. Put him down."

"I'm sorry? Are you giving me orders like we are in some kind of army? Do I look like I am in the military?"

"No, you look like a big old zero to me. You and that zero of a charmander. My name is Mason Vice and I'm going to be the number one Pokemon champion in all Regions starting with Kanto. I've been traveling through the regions gathering my Pokemon army. They are strong and can take out puny zeros like you. I can make that zero charmander a first place winner. Now hand him over!"

"Well Mason Vice, this charmander doesn't want to go with you and I don't blame him. You can't treat your Pokemon like they are weapons. Yes, we may battle with one another, but in the end we are all still friends."

"That sounds like something a loser would say. How about this, you and I battle and if I win I get the charmander and if I lose I will leave. And I'm not going to lose."

JB puts the charmander down and looks at him. "What's it going to be Charmander? Want to teach this angry Neanderthal a lesson?"

"Char! Char char!"

"Ok Mason, it's a deal." JB stood at one end of the clearing while Mason stood at the other. Mason grinded his teeth with his fists clenched. "Ready Charmander, let's go!"

Mason pulls a Poke ball from his belt and tosses it into the air. "Don't think I'm going to go easy on you. Charlemagne, crush them!" Out of Mason's Poke ball appears a large green dinosaur like Pokemon with what seems to be an armor like hide, large spikes on it's head, back and tail, sharp claws, and gray armor pieces covering it's belly and back.

JB scans it with the PokeReader: Tyranitar the armor Pokemon. Tyranitar is extremely strong. It has an insolent nature that makes it not care about others.

"Ok Charmander we are in for a tough battle. I hope you are speedy and agile because we are going to need it for this big guy. Let's give them a smokescreen!" Charmander sprays out thick gray smoke covering the battle field. "We will have to use this to our advantage."

"No need to try such silly tricks. Charlemagne, earthquake!" The giant green Pokemon lifts his foot and slams it into the ground. A shockwave rumbles through the dirt and Charmander goes flying through the air and lands against a tree. "Ha! That's how you do it Charlemagne. Next time I want to see more power!"

"Charmander are you alright?"

Charmander picks himself up and brushes the dirt off. "Charmander! Char!"

"That's right buddy. You are still in this. Let's give smokescreen try another." Charmander covers the field in even more smoke.

"Charlemagne, sandstorm!" The tyranitar growls and slams his arms together creating a wind tunnel of dirt and smoke.

Charmander holds onto the ground from being sucked into the whirlwind. "We can use this. Charmander, use ember! Shoot them into the wind tunnel." The small orange lizard spits out a ball of fire. "Keep it going, Charmander! Fire as many embers as you can!" Charmander spits fire ball after fire ball until he can't spit any more. The sandstorm has now become a small spinning fire tornado. "I know you are tired Charmander, but you have to ride that fire tunnel until I say jump." Charmander lets go of the ground and is sucked into the fiery wind tunnel. He is spinning around and around, going higher and higher with every twist.

"What are you doing you crazy loser!" Mason shouts.

"Now, Charmander! Jump onto Charlemagne and try to push him into the wind tunnel." Charmander flings out of the burning wind tunnel and lands on the tyranitar. The charmander then swings around the tyranitar's neck and push off with his feet, trying to push the tyranitar into the wind tunnel, but the charmander is not strong enough.

"Char!" Charmander roared and a blue flame poured from his mouth blasting the tyranitar in the back of the head making it stumble in to the fiery wind tunnel. The tyranitar screamed. The heavy pummeling of fire from the sandstorm was too much for the tyranitar to handle and it fell to the ground fainted. The collapse of the large green dragon causes the fire tornado to dissipate.

Mason calls back his tyranitar. "Charlemagne, you worthless oaf, return."

"Great job Charmander. That dragon rage attack was awesome!" JB ran out onto the battle field and picked up the charmander. He could tell the charmander was tired. "Well Mason, I think you need to leave now. You lost to us two zeros."

Mason walks up to JB and punches him in the stomach. JB drops to his knees onto the ground. The air knocked out of him. "I didn't lose anything you big zero. This charmander is mine." Mason then took out an empty Poke ball and was about to throw it…

"Hey, jackass! What do you think you are doing? Get away from JB." Grant stepped out of the woods, Hazel following behind him. "My sister and I watched the whole battle from over here. That was a dirty trick you just pulled. Looks to me like you need to leave without the charmander."

"Oh yeah, who's going to make me? You?" Mason steps up to Grant nose to nose.

Grant grabs the Poke ball out of Mason's hand and tosses it into the woods. "Looks that way."

Mason pauses and grinds his teeth together. "I don't need this from the loser club. Keep your pathetic charmander. He got lucky. See you around JB. I will definitely be seeing you around bean stalk. As for the pretty lady over there, it was a pleasure for you to see me in action." Mason blew Hazel a kiss. Hazel stuck her tongue out at him. Mason walked off into the woods.

Grant knelt down at JB's side while Hazel searched through her backpack. "How's the stomach, JB? You going to live?"

"Not as bad as being knocked over onto my butt."

"Really?" Grant asked surprisingly.

"No. Not really. Its worse." JB laughed slightly.

Grant helped him up. "That was some pretty impressive battling back there. You may have a shot at being League Champion."

"Thanks. I never thought about it before. Not sure I am too interested in it, but maybe."

"Undecided, I see. Don't want to give your secrets a way to your fellow trainers. I get it."

"No, that's not it at all," JB started to say.

"I'm just joking with you. Don't be so serious." Grant nudges JB in the side causing him to cringe. "Sorry, I forgot. The memory is not what it used to be."

"Is Charmander ok?" asked JB. The charmander ran over to JB and hugged his leg.

"I've got something for him," Hazel spoke up as she pulled he head out of her backpack, "give me a second to find it. It's a mess in here." She pulls of a sac of small blue colored berries. "These are oran berries from my garden back home. Here have a few for Charmander." She hands three berries to JB.

"Thanks, Hazel." JB bends down and hands a berry to the charmander. "Here you go, little guy. This should help you out." The charmander eats the berry and then rubs his belly. "Here take the last two." He eats them.

"Charmander! Char. Char."

"You're very welcome. Well you are free to go on your way. That Manson guy shouldn't bother you any more. But I would suggest going in the other direction to be on the safe side." JB pats the charmander on the head.

The charmander grabs JB's leg and squeezes him. "Char. Char char. Charmander."

"You want to go with me Charmander? Really?" The charmander shakes his head yes.

"You two did make a pretty good team," Grant pipes in.

"And you don't want to leave him here just for Mason to double back after we leave and terrorize him again," Hazel adds as she pushed her glasses up on her nose.

"Wow, my very own charmander. I am a lucky guy! Ok Charmander, you can come along with me." JB bends down and faces the charmander. "Mason called us quite a bit of names, but one stood out to me the most. My parents are school teachers and when I was in school the kids and I had this saying; Zero the Hero! And that's what you were today. You were a hero and stood up for yourself even with Mason picking on you and calling you names. So to remember this moment how about I call you Zero? Zero the Hero!"

"Charmander! Char!"

"Ok, Zero. Let's find you a Poke ball." Without looking JB reaches into his backpack and pulls out an empty Poke ball. This Poke ball has a white bottom section and a blue upper section with 2 red slashed on the sides.

JB scans it with his PokeReader: Great ball. The great ball has a higher catch rate than a normal Poke ball.

"Looks like you are going to have a great ball as a new home. Zero, you did an awesome job today. You deserve a rest." JB holds the great ball in front of Zero. Zero reaches out his paw and touches the white release button. A red light flashes and Zero disappears into the ball. JB attaches the great ball to his belt. He then turns to Hazel and Grant.

"Thanks for helping me out. I don't think I could have handle Mason after that sucker punch he gave me. That was pretty amazing the way you stood up to him, Grant."

"Not a problem. I've dealt with my fair share of jerks. Let's call it even for me knocking you down."

"Oh, no. Its going to take more than that. My butt still hurts." JB laughs and Grant and Hazel join in.

Hazel breaks the laughter, "We are headed to Viridian City to challenge the Gym Leader. Do you want to travel with us?"

JB pauses he looks down at his feet and then back at the siblings. "Sure, I could use the company and maybe a few new friends."

Another Pokemon added to JB's team! And not to mention our main characters have finally met up! Did you enjoy the power hungry Mason? We may just see him again down the road. Hope you enjoyed the chapter. The next one will be a bit of a filler chapter and deal with Grant's background. Please dont forget to review! Until next time!