Indigo League

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CHAPTER I

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"You can't expect to win every single battle, but love's worth fighting for, and if you're brave and courageous and never quit, you can come out a winner, just like me." - Brock

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Red curls and amethyst eyes observed the surrounding area. Looking around her ranch, she smiled softly at the many pokemon roaming it. Her father had very rare specimens, specifically grass-type pokemon, which made it even attractive for the likes of Professor Oak, Bill and many other researchers. She went ahead to the gardens of their ranch, admiring the beautiful grass-typed pokemon, ranging from Florges to Flabébé flying all around. Floral scents filled the area with an aroma that could make anyone addicted to it. Everytime she saw this scene, she couldn't believe she was living in the pokemon universe, but here she was.

...and she was damn well enjoying it.

For over fourteen years, she had been living in this world. And today would mark the day that she would explore the world with her pokemon. After all these years of planning and jotting everything down that she could remember, she was finally ready. More than that, she had her father's permission to journey to her heart's content.

Inhaling loudly, she called out to her Bellossom, "Bellossom!"

And in a flurry of rose petals, her beloved pokemon appeared.

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It was early in the morning, that she walked to professor Oak's laboratory. Bellossom was sitting on her shoulder, enjoying the sunlight. She knew for a fact that the other trainers would not find it fair that she already had a strong Bellossom and would get another rare Kantonian starter. But she wouldn't let that stop her, she earned it by studying very diligently and reaching the top score. Her sight was on Charmander, since she wanted the aspect of flying in her repertoire. Squirtle would be a good choice as well but she could try to find another Squirtle as well. Having a Bulbasaur would also be nice, but since she had Bellossom, it would be fine to skip that starter, no matter how rare.

"Bellossom, are you ready to meet our new Charmander?"

"Bel, som!"

Somewhere in her mind, she could hear the main pokemon theme playing and she became giddy in her steps, even fast walking towards her destination. Once she arrived at the lab, she walked through the automated doors and greeted the other lab assistants warmly, knowing them for a few years. Her sight went immediately to professor Oak and the other two soon-to-be trainers who managed to get a decent score at school. Turning her sight on Gary Oak, she felt herself blush, she had a crush on him for so many years. He was just so cool. And yes, she was fangirling, but could you blame a girl?

Trying to regain her composure, she walked up to them and greeted the two boys. "Hey David, Gary." The two boys murmured their greetings back, sounding more tired than her. She wondered when they went to bed. Turning her attention on the professor, "Good morning professor Oak."

"Good morning Lily. Since you're finally here, we can get started." He became serious, "As you three know, you've been gifted the chance to receive a starter from me since you three did splendidly well at school. Now, Lily, since you reached the top score, you can choose you first starter." His grandfatherly smile made her nervousness simmer and she became giddy instead.

"Charmander, I choose you." She had always wanted to say that, though a tiny blush was apparent on her cheeks.

She had made her first step in becoming the best of the best, now all she needed to do was leave Pallet Town and start her journey.

"Along with the Charmander, you also get the chance to get a pokedex, six pokeballs and a potion for safety reasons." Professor Oak continued while handing said items to her. She thanked him gratefully, knowing that she was going to need all the help she can get in this journey. While she was putting her empty pokeballs in her poke belt, Gary and David were choosing their pokemon. She didn't pay that much attention as her mind wandered to Ash, knowing that he overslept, but he had to get his famous Pikachu. She wouldn't stand for anything else happening, which is why she didn't wake him up.

Journeying through Kanto will give her a lot of experience so she could go to Johto then Hoenn and so on until she did all the regions. It wasn't going to be easy, but she was sure that she could handle it what with her mind being older than the rest. Maybe she could even travel with Ash to experience everything from the show and movies. It would help her to gain an enormous boost. Deciding that now would be a good time to meet her new pokemon, she released Charmander from the confines of the ball. It never ceased to amaze her how amazing the Pokeworld is.

"Char, char!"

Lily smiled at her new pokemon, Bellossom chirping in happiness at the new family member, "Hey buddy, I'm your new trainer, Lily, I'm really happy to meet you. How are you?"

"Char, char!" The fire-lizard hollered out, a smile evident on his face. She knew for a fact that he was male, since Professor Oak had told her so.

"I promise to help you get stronger until you've become the strongest Charizard ever! You're now part of our little family, welcome buddy!" She reached down to scoop the Charmander in a hug, being mindful of the fire on his tail, enjoying the warmth radiating from the fire lizard. Little arms encircled her as he snuggled into her and she felt at peace. Mulling over those peaceful thoughts, she glanced at Gary as he chose Squirtle and David picking out Bulbasaur. But before she could congratulate them, Gary walked over to her, "I want a full battle with you. You can even use Bellossom if you want."

Lily smiled at the challenge, "You're on, let's go head outside and Professor Oak can be the referee."

David and Professor Oak followed us to the training ground where they both stood opposite of each other.

"I won't be using Bellossom in this match since it won't be fair to have Squirtle battle a third-stage evolution," Lily started, ignoring Bellossom's whining at being left behind, "Bellossom, you know you are too strong for a baby pokemon." She addressed her beloved partner, knowing that she would eventually understand her reasoning.

"This will be a one-on-one match between Gary Oak and Lily Fontaine." Professor Oak shouted as he stood in the middle with a red flag in his hands. When did he even get that flag?

Focusing back on the battle, she looked at Charmander, "Ready for your first battle, buddy?"

"Char, char!" The fire lizard had a challenging glint in his eyes, pumping his fist in the air as he went to stand in front of her.

"Ok buddy, we have the type advantage here, so beware of all water attacks and try to dodge them. Good?"

Fishing out her Pokedex, she could see that he only knew scratch and ember. She could work with that and let him get the experience. This wouldn't be her first battle since she had Bellossom ever since she was an Oddish, courtesy of her father. It took her a few years to get Bellossom to this level and she was sure she was amazingly strong for a beginnner trainer to have. There was a reason she had practically begged her father to receive a pokemon as soon as she was able to walk. Ever since then, she had trainer her Oddish until she finally became a Bellossom.

"Begin!"

Signal given, Lily didn't waste time and shouted, "Charmander, battle on! Ember around Squirtle, full blast!" His tail flared enormously and he shot embers around Squirtle, caging the turtle pokemon. "While the Squirtle is trapped, go for a scratch!"

"Oh no, you don't! Watergun at the lizard!" Gary shouted in defense as the turtle pokemon spit out water towards her pokemon.

"Use Ember to counterattack, followed by Growl to lower the Attack by one stage!" The trapped pokemon couldn't move and once the Growl hit it, you could see that he affected, especially for a beginner pokemon.

"Douse the fire out, and follow that with a Tackle!"

"Dodge that attack and go with Scratch!"

Unfortunately, her Charmander wasn't able to dodge it, but did hit him with scratch. "Charmander, you good?"

Her pokemon gave her a thumbs up and she smirked at Gary, "Seems like you know your way in a battle Gary!"

Gary returned her smirk with a challenging one, "So do you, ginger!"

She narrowed her eyes at that nickname, "Charmander, go for another ember, Squirtle's attack is lowered by your Growl!"

The ember hit the Squirtle and shouted in pain as burns appeared on his body.

"Squirtle, use Tackle again!"

Lily tensed, "Let that attack hit you and use Growl again!"

Her pokemon withstood the attack and let out a Growl, getting hit by the turtle pokemon. She could see that the damage was lowering slowly on. "Good, now use Ember, finish this!"

"Use Water Gun!"

When the two moves collided, wisps of steam appeared, layering the field with a mist-like substance. "Quick, use Scratch!" Lily ordered the fire lizard and watched with a satisfied smile at the attack was dead on. Both pokemon were on the verge of fainting, but Chamander was able to stand a bit more upright as Squirtle's attacks were significantly lowered by Growl. Squirtle let out a pained garble and stumbled until he fell unconscious from the strenous activity.

"Win goes to Lily from Pallet Town!"

And that was her first match of her first ever pokemon journey. "Charmander, you did amazingly good!" Lily picked up Charmander and twirled, laughing in joy as the fire lizard trilled in happiness. When she finally stopped, she went to Gary who was eyeing her with an inquisitive glance. "Gary, thanks for the great match," and she held her hand out, smiling warmly as he shook her hand with a tiny blush. She knew he had a slight crush on her, but she found it rather endearing to be honest. Plus, she could see that he would grow up to be a handsome young man.

"Thanks Ginger, it was a good match."

Said red-head squeezed his hands tighter, earning herself a laugh from the young teenager.

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