Chapter 4: Showdown

"Gastly!" my new Pokemon proclaimed as it burst out from the ball. I couldn't help but laugh at it as it floated around nonchalantly, gnashing together it's two very pointed teeth on either side of its demonic grin.

"Aha!" laughed the professor, smiling widely as Gastly made its way around the room, and came to settle in front of the roaring fire that still hadn't burnt itself out. "Made up of 95% poisonous gas, so do be careful when around it. But alas, it is a good choice, Dan!"

I thanked him, before putting my new Pokemon back inside its Poke Ball. I had already made a silent vow to myself to let it roam free around the area as much as possible, rather than contain it within a small space.

"So what do I do now?" I asked, placing the ball inside of my trouser pocket, feeling it wiggle slightly as my Gastly moved around, presumably trying to escape again. It seemed to have a very playful nature, but short temper too.

"You will have your first lessons tomorrow, which is where your Gastly will come in to be very useful. You will need to build up a strong relationship with it, if you wish to succeed at this school."

"I understand, professor." I felt the need to divulge the one fear I had at that time to him. "It's just that…"

The professor cocked an eyebrow. "Do go on."

"Well…I'm scared that I won't be able to be as close to my Pokemon as people like Ash Ketchum get to be."

The professor laughed gaily.

"I will not lie to you, Mr Davis, it is very clear that Mr Ketchum is destined for great things, and he and his Pikachu are the closest I have ever seen a battle pairing together. However, consider for a moment, how the other Pokemon will feel when he eventually catches others."

"They will feel left out." I answered, frowning at the simplicity of his question.

He raised a finger, and beamed. "Precisely! It is known in Pokemon lore that if a trainer loses his closest Pokemon, then he is destined to lose the battle. The others will simply not want to battle for him – and that is where trainer-pokemon relationships come into play. I cannot express enough how you will need to become close with your little Gastly here." He beckoned towards my pocket.

But now, I have heard news that Mr Ketchum is rather perturbed by what happened on your first day!"

I tried very hard to stifle a scoff. I knew I had outplayed him, but he just would never come to accept the terms of that defeat.

"He's challenged me to a battle, professor. All on his own terms."

"Ah, well. As unfortunate as that may be, when the battle does happen, and I am forced to step in to end it, be assured that I will still be silently rooting for you, Mr Davis. There is no reason why you cannot outmatch the great Ash Ketchum!"

And with a small glimmer in his eyes, he sent me on my way, my pocket bulging now I had my first Pokemon.

A Gengar…

I was a little surprised, but could understand why the machine had chosen him for me. We both loved to have a bit of fun, but at the same time, there lurked a serious and angry side that could be released without a moment's hesitation. I felt that we might get on well; and also that I needed to start training him up as soon as possible.

I need to ask around to see if there are any good training spots, away from everywhere else…I told myself, striding through the school corridors with an extra spring in my step.

Until I saw him.

Ash Ketchum, looking intently at me, with an evil glint in his narrowed eyes. That stupid cap of his cast a dark shadow over his teenage face, but I could still see his mouth edged in a snarl.

I looked at his right arm. It was encircled around a girl, who looked familiar. She was facing the other way.

"Ah, Davis!" he announced, purposefully raising his voice. The hustle and bustle in the corridor died down instantly – replaced with a tangible tension. "I have decided where we're gonna fight. On the veranda, 3 o'clock tomorrow. No backing down; or I'll see I get my revenge in a very…different…form."

He started to move on, but the girl was still facing the other way, looking down the corridor. He pulled on her arm, the jumper she was wearing ripped slightly around her wrist.

She spun around, and locked eyes with me, still in the cold embrace of Ash.

It was Gaia.

With a fearful, pleading look in those perfect eyes, she was dragged away. Away from me.