I'm here! Chapter 20, woo-hoo! Despite the chapter's title, the poll for what Kanto starter Paul should get (his second time through) won't close until after the closing ceremonies of the Sinnoh League end. There will be polls for Paul's future starters (as in Johto and Hoenn), as well as some other characters, too. However, those won't open right away. Also, I have a poll that asks about Charizard's Mega forms. Whoever Charizard ends up with (remember that I just wrote their final forms because I was lazy and that whoever wins that will start with the Pokémon in its first form), I want to know if that particular Charizard (yes, more than one character will own a Charizard) should be Charizard X or Charizard Y. Also, you get a sneak peek (sort of) of what Paul obtains his first time through Kanto and a bit of Pikachu's backstory!
Anyway, the poll asking what Greta and Misty started with is still open and will close after I post chapter 26. I will reveal the results in chapter 28 (and on my profile), despite them not appearing for a while. Greta's starter will be revealed before Misty's and that's all I can really tell you. Now, something big: I HAVE SURPASSED THE 50 REVIEWS MARK! *throws confetti, cheers… clears throat* I couldn't have gotten there without your help. While I'd like to see some different usernames in the reviews for this story, I'm very thankful for the three authors who got me there. So, big shout-out and thank you to QuartzClaw, PokemonOtaku0909, and Contestshipper16! While Quartz and Otaku (I am not telling his real name out of respect) have stuck with me since the very beginning, Anica (once she got the chance) read and reviewed every chapter. You have no idea how much this means to me.
In the last chapter, I said that I'd reveal who the girls are for Paul and I will at the bottom, as well as something else. Also, if I am Beta Reading your story, there's important stuff for you at the bottom, too. The bottom A/N is pretty important and might be longer than this one.
A/N: I only own my OCs and the storyline. Random tirade and short A/N aside, enjoy chapter 20!
Chapter 20: Starters
(Third person P.O.V. A house in Viridian City.)
A boy in a T-shirt and a pair of boxers was sleeping soundly. That is until his father woke him up.
"Trent Keagan Matthews, get up!" a voice shouted.
Trent opened his eyes and looked over to his alarm clock.
'Shoot. I missed my alarm!' he thought to himself. He bolted downstairs and ate breakfast before running off to Professor Oak's lab.
"Did he just leave without a shirt on?" his father asked his mother in disbelief. No sooner than that, Trent came back in.
(Trent's P.O.V.)
'Idiot, idiot, idiot!' I thought to myself. I was wearing red shorts and white sneakers. I opened my closet and threw on a dark gray tank top and red sleeveless hoodie. I also grabbed my helmet and made my way back downstairs. Mom held out a backpack.
"See ya!" I said, grabbing my skateboard. I put on my helmet and began skateboarding to Pallet Town. I arrived at Professor Oak's lab.
"Sorry I'm late, Professor," I said.
"Glad you made it!" a familiar voice said. I turned and saw the source of the voice. Connor. I agreed (reluctantly) to journey with him. Great.
"Well, if I didn't know you like I did, I wouldn't know that you're going to pick Charmander," he said. His attire was somewhat less obvious. He was wearing a green T-shirt with khaki shorts and sandals.
"Ah, Trent Matthews. Connor Ivy. Pleasant of you to show up," an older voice said. We turned and saw Professor Oak!
"Hi, Professor," we said at the same time.
"Follow me to get your starters," he said. We did and Connor looked around.
"Where's Reggie?" he asked. Reggie was coming from the Orange Archipelago.
"He said he'd meet us a little later," I said.
"Reggie already picked up his starter. If I'm right, neither of you boys wanted a Squirtle," Professor Oak said.
"Nope," we said.
He pressed a button with the 2 remaining Poké Balls. One had a blade of grass pictured on it and the other a small fire.
Connor grabbed his first and I grabbed mine.
"Here are your Pokédexes and 5 additional Poké Balls," the professor said. We thanked him and left.
"Charmander, come on out!" I said.
"Bulbasaur!" Connor said.
I heard Connor's Pokédex speak. "Bulbasaur, the Seed Pokémon. A young Bulbasaur uses the nutrients from its seed for the energy it needs to grow. This Bulbasaur is female. Ability unknown. Hidden Ability unknown. Bulbasaur knows the following moves: Tackle and Growl," it said.
I managed to pull mine out and do the same. "Charmander, the Lizard Pokémon. When the tip of Charmander's tail burns brightly, that indicates it's in good health. This Charmander is male. Ability unknown. Hidden Ability unknown. Charmander knows the following moves: Scratch and Growl," it said. We put our devices away and a voice called to us.
"Hey Connor, Trent!" Reggie. He was wearing shorts like us, only his were black and he was wearing a light blue T-shirt with sandals and a watch.
"Hey, Reggie. Check out my Bulbasaur," Connor said. Reggie scanned each of our partners on his Pokédex. His was different, though. It was red, like ours, but it opened like a laptop. It also had a plus sign direction pad and a green light. I fished mine back out to scan Squirtle before asking why his was so different.
"Squirtle, the Tiny Turtle Pokémon. During battle, Squirtle hides in its shell that sprays water at its opponent whenever it can," it said.
"Why is yours so different?" Connor asked.
"Mom called Professor Rowan. I got it last week, as well as my starter," he explained.
"Squirtle isn't your starter?" I said, dumbstruck.
"No. Meet my real one. Starly, come forth!" Reggie said.
"Star!" it said.
"Well, one similarity to Sinnoh is that the first gym is a Rock gym. You and I will have the advantage!" Connor said.
Connor pointed out the route that he had mapped out and sprinted off to the first gym. Reggie and I followed.
(Two years later. Derek's P.O.V.)
I was rifling through the pantry. Unfortunately, I wasn't the only one up.
"Dewek," my six-year-old brother began.
"Forget it, runt," I said, grabbing the cereal I wanted.
"Pwease?" he asked, his eyes meeting mine.
"No!" I shouted, making sure my brown eyes met his blue ones. I then heard an earsplitting wail. My mom walked into the kitchen and got Jacob what he wanted.
"You woke one of the triplets. Derek Jude Matthews, I don't know what to do with you," she said.
I angrily made my bowl of cereal and watched Jacob eat his. My triplet siblings were only two years old. Mom stormed upstairs, presumably to check on the other two or go back to sleep.
Dad came downstairs with two of my siblings and it looked like a bag. He put the bag down and then took care of my sister, handing me my fussy brother.
I looked into his eyes, which were blue, for now.
"Hey, he stopped," I said softly.
"That's great," Dad said before yawning. "Anyway, just change on the patio and head off to Pallet, okay sport?" he continued.
"Yeah, that'll be fine, but I kinda have a toddler in my arms," I said sheepishly.
Dad smiled and Liana finally stopped.
"Thankfully Eileen can sleep through a storm," he said. So Jacob was playing with Liana. I handed Evan to my dad and got dressed on the patio which, thankfully has curtains. I left.
"Well, looks like blondie decided to show up," a voice said. If there was one person more annoying than Harley…
"Aidan, lay off," I said.
"Whatever, blondie," he said, leaving. I grumbled. My hair was dirty blond. I'm the only one out of my siblings that has dirty blond hair. I think I'm adopted. I made my way to Professor Oak's lab.
"Hello, Derek. You know, you must idolize Trent," Professor Oak said. I was wearing a red pair of shorts with a white T-shirt and a red sleeveless jacket and tennis shoes.
"Professor Oak, do you think I'm adopted?" I asked, as he led me back.
"What makes you think that?" he asked.
"My hair," I said.
"Don't be so silly, Derek. Your hair could get darker. The same thing happened to my son, Joseph," the Professor said. That made me feel better. I thanked the professor and left.
(Four years later. Third person P.O.V.)
A boy, much like the first was sound asleep. Except, it was noon and his father didn't wake him up.
"Wakey, wakey, Jakey!" a little girl said, bouncing on the boy's bed. This woke the boy, who, like the first, had blue eyes. Unlike the first boy, his hair was black as opposed to dark brown.
"Liana, it's too early," the boy said.
"Nuh-uh! It's noon," the younger girl protested. He looked over to the alarm clock and realized his sister was right.
"Liana, get out of my room!" the boy shouted. His sister complied and he threw the covers off of himself.
"Daddy! Jakey yelled at me!" Liana screamed. A cry was heard. The boy went to the source of the noise and found it, easily.
"Hey, mite," he said, bending down to calm the fussy child. He chuckled, as that seemed to make her stop. He carried her downstairs.
"Jacob William Matthews, why did you yell at your sister?" his father asked.
"She was in my room. I didn't want her to see me shirtless. Then she woke Eileen," he said, making sure the child in his arms was noticed. He wasn't shirtless, but he had a point.
"Just get going. I made you a protein shake and don't forget to take Ditto with you," his father said. Jacob sighed and handed his sister to his father.
Jacob got dressed into a green T-shirt with a white Poké Ball logo on it, black pants, tennis shoes and a black windbreaker. Considering it was a windy day, despite it being June, Jacob chose to wear it. He also put on his cap, which was black and had a V linked to an N, which were white in color, indicating it would be a home game when he wore it. He met up with the Ditto he befriended and went to Professor Oak's lab.
"I'm sorry, Jacob, but there was a break in. Let me just get you your supplies," the Professor said.
"Dit?" his Ditto said.
"I'm okay, Ditto," he said.
"Jacob?" the Professor asked. Jacob stood up.
"Bulba?" the Bulbasaur behind him said. Jacob was putting on his green gloves with black borders that were in his pockets.
"Turns out Bulbasaur was the only one not taken," the Professor said.
Jacob knelt down. "Hi Bulbasaur. I'm your new trainer, Jacob and this is Ditto," he said. Ditto said its name and they chatted in their own languages.
"Here are your things, Jacob. Good luck," the professor said. Jacob smiled and thanked the professor after recalling his 2 new teammates.
(Four more years later. Triplets are 10. Third person P.O.V.)
"Cool, I just got a Charmander!" a boy exclaimed.
"Yeah, well my Bulbasaur is better!" a girl countered.
"You're both wrong, Squirtle's the best!" a boy said.
"I can't say I agree with Gary, but Squirtle does seem interesting," another boy said.
"Liana, Evan, Eileen, I have your Pokédexes for you," Professor Oak said. The triplets turned.
"Whoa, how'd that happen?" another boy said.
"We asked Professor Oak if he we could get custom our Pokédexes. He was fine, but he said to ask our parents. See, mine's green because I chose Bulbasaur," the girl insisting Bulbasaur was better said. This is Liana.
"Mine's orange because I got Charmander," the boy who obtained Charmander said. This is Evan.
"So yours is light blue because you got Squirtle, right Eileen?" another boy asked.
"Right, Ash," she said. The other four are Gary Oak, Ash Ketchum, Alyssa Juniper and Cody Sycamore.
"How do we know it's ours again? I mean, in case police ask or a Nurse Joy," Evan said, blinking.
Eileen sighed. Having already put her device away, she took her brother's and pressed a button.
"I'm Dexter, a Pokédex programmed by Professor Oak for Pokémon trainer Evan Matthews of Viridian City. My function is to provide Evan with information and advice regarding Pokémon and their training. If lost or stolen, I cannot be replaced," the device said. Eileen closed it.
"It should also say how to make brothers less annoying," Liana muttered.
"I heard that!" Evan said, snatching the device from his sister.
"Mine and Liana's say the same thing, except instead of 'Evan', Liana's will say her name and mine will say mine," Eileen answered.
(A few weeks later. The day Ash starts his journey. Early morning.)
(? P.O.V. Viridian Forest)
"Pi-ka!" a Pikachu shouted, trying to defend himself from a flock of angry Spearow.
"Hey, leave that Pikachu alone!" a voice called. Pikachu looked up.
(Pikachu's P.O.V.)
I looked up and saw a human.
"Help!" I said, waving my arms, but all the human could hear was me saying parts of my name.
"Squirtle, Machop, Mankey, come on out!" the human said.
"Where's the fire?" the Squirtle asked.
"Fire?" the Machop asked.
"No, you two!" the Mankey said, furiously before attacking.
"What's up with him?" I asked.
"He gets kinda mad sometimes," the Squirtle answered as the Machop began fighting.
"Pikachu, can you attack?" the human asked.
I used Thunder on a few Spearow. The flock was growing smaller. I think.
"Oh, this isn't working! I know!" the human said. I turned and watch the human put a sticker on the ball before enlarging it. As I looked, I got hit.
"Poké Ball, go!" were the last words I heard.
(? P.O.V.)
"Eat some of this," I said, throwing some berries at them. They finally went away. I smiled and picked up the ball.
"I caught a Pikachu!" I said, pumping my fist into the air.
"Squirtle, Squirt," Squirtle said, hitting his chest.
"Ma-chop!" Machop said.
"Mankey!" Mankey said.
"I'm gonna take him to Professor Oak. He should be up," I said, recalling my team.
I walked to Professor Oak's lab and knocked on the door.
"I'm surprised you're up," he said, opening it after a couple of minutes.
"Professor, this Pokémon I caught is hurt," I said.
"You should be taking it to a Pokémon Center. You know better," he said.
"It's a Pikachu," I said. Professor Oak had been wanting to study a Pikachu.
"Why didn't you say so?" he said. I let him treat Pikachu.
"Professor, why are there only 3 balls here?" I said.
"Oh, no. I left my spare starter," he began. "They'll be here any minute," he said. He then looked at me, then Pikachu.
(Five minutes later. Pikachu's P.O.V.)
This was torture! Why couldn't I stay? What did I do? Oh, I am so shocking the Professor when I get out of here!
(Hours later. Pikachu's P.O.V.)
I woke up and said my name. I looked at the kid and he was still in his pajamas. I shocked him and the Professor. This kid's an idiot.
(A few years back. Paul's P.O.V.)
"Congratulations, Paul. You have a healthy Turtwig," Nurse Joy said.
"Thanks," I said.
"You're the first trainer in a while to try and take on the Pewter gym leader with two Pokémon that have an advantage over his Pokémon," she said. I thanked her again and left.
"Turtwig, stand by!" I said, tossing the ball.
I tossed the other one.
"If memory serves, both of you might be helpful," I said, looking at my Kanto and Sinnoh starters.
Done! Wow, that was interesting. So who do you think caught Pikachu for Professor Oak? Let me tell you right now, it wasn't Gary. Okay, I know what you're thinking. In a previous chapter, I stated that Reggie owned a Charizard and in another previous chapter, I said he owned a Charmeleon. If I see a review (and if you haven't read those two chapters [one of them is chapter 3 by the way] read them) about me lying about Reggie and Trent's starters, it WILL be deleted. I will edit those chapters, like I did with chapter 8. Anyway, onto appearances. I know you're probably wondering why I've given Derek dirty blond hair. His hair gets closer to brown as he gets older and when it's more of a rustic brown appearance, he will have blond highlights that are natural. This happened to a couple of my cousins. They had blond hair when they were younger and as they were older, their hair darkened. I didn't go too into Gary, Alyssa, Cody, Eileen, Evan and Liana's attire because you will actually see that in a future chapter.
Now, I know this story might lose some readers because it is not and will not be an Ikari fic. I can understand that you wouldn't want to read it, but my hope is that you check out any Ikari story I post. Oh, and I also decided that although I may not like Ursula, I really shouldn't just leave her out of the poll and lose any MockShippers. Anyway, the girls for Paul are: May, Ursula, Zoey, Angie, Zinnia (gen 6), Melodi, Leona, Noelle, Holly, Minnie, April, and Shelby. April and Shelby are OCs. Melodi is the girl who had the Kirlia and Gardevoir from the episode Hunter J debuted in. Now, I did change a scene in chapter 18 and there's a reason why. I thought about it, and while I have two possible yaoi story ideas on my profile, I don't know what the fate of this story will be with Paul's relationship. If you've visited my profile and saw what I said on the first, you read right. I will consider making His Distance a yaoi fic. Paul will meet some of the girls before he goes through Kanto again, and the others afterwards. Since I don't want this A/N to be any longer than what it needs to be, I will tell you the guys in the next chapter. By the way, what I first described Reggie in was what he wore in Kanto his first time through. Obviously, his attire changes when he takes on the Battle Frontier, but that's not gonna happen just yet. Anyway, Jacob said "Dewek" instead of "Derek" because he was born with a speech impediment, despite him being six. Liana said "Jakey" because she couldn't say "Jacob" quite yet. Yeah, I know I only revealed Trent, Derek and Jacob's middle names because you'll see the triplets' later. Oh yeah, and Jacob called Eileen "mite" because she's small. You know like a dust mite. By the way, Leona is the girl that Dawn and Kenny knew back when they were little kids, Noelle was one of Johanna's students, Holly was Brock's Hearthome Tag Battle partner, and Minnie was the girl with the Scizor who debuted in the episode that Brock caught Croagunk in.
Now I said there was something important for those who have a story I'm Beta Reading: if you haven't made it to my profile or you have and just didn't feel like reading it, this is it. If I am a Beta for your story and you want to keep working with me as I revise, rewrite and update, that is fine by me, but you will have to wait until I am between updates for me to reply to you. I will look at the document (I have to anyway because it has to be downloaded within 7 days of reception) and either write down mistakes or just briefly skim it. I will not send you a PM without corrections. On the other side of the coin, if you don't want to keep working with me as I revise, rewrite and update, send me a PM saying so. If you choose to do that, find another Beta Reader BEFORE you remove me from your connections list. If you want to find another Beta, just let me know that you've found one. I promise, I won't be offended, just shocked. I will only reply to guest reviews and look at my inbox (my regular one) when I am in between updates. I will also be posting in forum chats when I can. I also need to finish working on the entries for the Coronis
Pokédex before I type that little series up.
Okay, that's that. Now, I know I told some of you that I have health problems. I'm not dying, I've gotten better. For the most part. I don't know how many more updates I will be capable of doing this week because of health issues. For the select few that know me enough, I will tell you the results in a PM if I get the chance. Once I rewrite chapter 3 (and any other chapter that cited Reggie with a different starter I mentioned), a large chunk of this A/N will be removed and will not count as a revision.
…That's pretty much it, y'all. Read, review, fave, vote and ask! Oh, and happy Father's Day!
Can't believe this got whited out, but here are my questions for this chapter: who do you think caught Pikachu? Who do you think Paul's first Kanto starter was?
Bye!
Small notice: I had to go back and rewrite ages because if the triplets were babies at the time Derek started his journey, that would've meant that Derek and Trent are the same age, but they're not. The triplets were babies at the beginning of Trent's journey. There are two years in between Trent and Derek, so the triplets would have been two when Derek began his journey. There's a four year barrier between Jacob and the twins, so when he (Jacob) was 10, the triplets would've been six. That means that I have incorrect ages listed at various points, but I WILL rewrite those chapters so it is correct. Their ages are correct here. You're probably under the impression that Jacob is very strong for a ten-year-old. Well, to a degree, you're right. However, since the triplets were born prematurely, they had various delays, one being size. So, despite them being six and capable of walking, they were small for their age and they caught up shortly before they turned 7. I'm also aware that I've shown them (the triplets) younger than 7 and walking with no problems. Trust me, they had their obstacles.. Oh yeah, I just looked back at an earlier chapter and something caught my eye. Chapter 7 states that Jacob's middle name is "Devin" whereas in this chapter, I state that it's "William". Chapter 7 is on the rewrite list and has some inaccuracies. Please disregard (for now) that chapter 7 revealed Jacob's middle name to be Devin. Jacob's middle name is William. Any complaints in the reviews about that will get deleted.