Chapter 4: Get the Show on the Road

"Ash! Come quickly!"

Ash was up immediately, scurrying to his feet and scrambling to get his clothes on.

"That's May, she needs help! Come on buddy!"

"Pika!"

The two rushed out the door and straight to the Princess's bedroom. But to their surprise, there was no trouble to be seen. May was the only person in her room, looking very pleased.

"Excellent! I'm very pleased to know my knight has such quick reflexes."

Ash pouted, not happy to be woken up for nothing. May giggled, and kissed his cheek.

"I'm sorry, Sir Ash, but I do have an actual reason to call for you. After breakfast, my father wanted you to meet our Pokemon Researcher."

"A Pokemon Researcher?'

May nodded.

"Brendan's father. He studies the Pokemon in our kingdom to learn about their habitats and how they interact with humans."

Just like Professor Oak, Ash thought to himself.

After a big breakfast, May led Ash to a smaller room in the castle. Less of a lab, and more like a study, with a few books and study notes strewn across the tables and shelves. But they did not find the Professor anywhere.

"That's odd, he's usually in here at this time of day."

"Maybe he's still eating breakfast?"

"Ash, Princess!"

Just then, Brendan entered the room, looking worried.

"Princess, have you seen my father?"

"I'm afraid not. We're looking for him ourselves."

Brendan groaned, clenching his fist in frustration.

"He must have gone to do research. Damn it, I told him he needs an escort if he's going to do that!"

"Calm down, Brendan. He wouldn't have gone too far into the woods."

Brendan took a deep breath, and relaxed.

"It's just…you know how he gets when he gets. I'm worried he'll get into trouble."

"We'll find him, Brendan. Don't worry."

Brendan nodded.

"Thank you."

After grabbing a few supplies, the trio set off into Petalburg Woods.

"What does your father look like?"

"He's got brown hair, and wears a white lab coat."

Ash nodded, that shouldn't be too hard to find in a forest. Just then.

"AAAAHHHH! HELP!"

"That's my dad! Hold on, dad, we're coming!"

The three ran off in the direction of the scream. Sliding down a slope, they found the Professor running around a tree, being chased by three gray furred dog-like creatures.

"Poochyenas! They're very territorial creatures."

"Dad must have disturbed their den. We need to help him!"

"Right! Go, Torchic! Use Ember!"

"Mudkip, use Water Gun!"

Two Pokemon Ash had never seen before emerged from the Pokeballs at their trainer's commands. One was an orange chicken-like creature, while the other one looked like a blue frog. The two launched their attacks, driving the Poochyena's attention away from Brendan's father. Unfortunately, they then turned their attention towards them.

"Alright, got any ideas?"

"Uh, not really?"

"Pikachu, use Thundershock!"

Before the Poochyena could pounce on them, Pikachu leapt from his shoulder and shocked all three of them. Once the electricity stopped, the Poochyena scampered off, allowing the Professor to catch his breath as they approached.

"Are you alright, Professor?"

"I'm fine, thank you Princess."

Brendan marched right up to his father and slapped him against the face.

"Ow!"

"That's why you need an escort! I told you to wait."

His father chuckled, rubbing the back of his head sheepishly.

"Sorry son, but I just couldn't wait!"

Brendan sighed, knowing exactly how his father was.

"Did you at least think to take your Pokemon with you?"

"Of course, I have it right…here…"

As it turned out, he did not, making Brendan groan.

"Figures."

"Um, well, anyway, thanks for the rescue!"

"You should be thanking Sir Ash here! His Pikachu was amazing!"

The Professor gasped in shock, grabbing Pikachu and examining him thoroughly, much to Pikachu's displeasure.

"Incredible! I've never seen a Pikachu so powerful before, and he obeys your commands? How fascinating!"

"Professor, I wouldn't-"

Before Ash could finish his warning, Pikachu shocked the Professor, forcing him to release the rodent as he tried to remain upright.

"Um, sorry, Pikachu doesn't really like that."

The Professor shook himself off before smiling.

"Ah, I'll keep that in mind. You must be Ash, the person the king told me about. I'm Professor Birch, head of Pokemon research in the Hoenn kingdom."

Birch, Ash thought to himself. Harrison had mentioned getting his starter from a Professor Birch in the Hoenn Region. Maybe this was his ancestor?

"Why don't we discuss this more at my lab before any more Pokemon show up."

Back at the study, Professor Birch began digging around in his desk, searching for something.

"Come on, where did I put the damn thing? Almost…there!"

At last, he retrieved what he was looking for, which was a Pokeball just like he had seen Brendan, May, and the king use.

"I've been looking for someone skilled enough I could trust this little fella too. Come on out, Treecko!"

From the Pokeball came a green, gecko like Pokemon, who eyed Ash curiously as he chewed on a twig in his mouth.

"A Treecko, huh? Is he a Grass Type?"

"Indeed it is! I found his egg in the woods a few years ago, along with May's Torchic and Brendan's Mudkip. I've been taking care of them until I found people who could bring out their full potential. And considering how you could hold your own against The King, I thought you'd be the perfect person to trust."

Ash knelt down to look Treecko right in the eye, giving him a kind smile.

"What do you say, Treecko? You want to join me?"

Treecko looked Ash up and down, sizing him up before nodding.

"Alright! Welcome to the team!"

The Professor smiled, and handed Ash Treecko's Pokeball.

"I'm sure you two will become great friends."

"Thanks, Professor! I promise I'll take good care of him"

"Of course, Ash. Actually, I was wondering if you three could help me with something."

The Professor then walked over to another drawer, and took out fifteen Pokeballs, handing five to each of them.

"Dad, is this…"

"My colleague Professor Laventon and I have been working on the Pokeball for years, and have only recently managed to complete it. Pokemon are such fascinating creatures, but they can also be quite wild. Very few people have been willing to help me with my research, the royal family and my son among them. So I ask you, Ash, will you help me learn more about Pokemon? Catch them, and let me study them?"

Ash thought for a moment, before nodding.

"You can count on me!"

"Excellent! Here's a few to get you started, and this!"

He then pulled out a small toolbox, an apricorn, and a red chunk of metal.

"Now, here's how you make one. You take an apricorn, a chunk of red tumblestone, give it a few whacks with your hammer, an wa-lah! You, my sir, have a Pokeball!"

Ash nodded in understanding, though he did have to wonder how these things were supposed to shrink Pokemon down and capture them. There didn't seem to be any technology whatsoever in them.

"Apricorns can be found growing in the forests, though the shopkeeper usually has some growing so he can sell them. As for the tumblestone, we get a shipment of those every week from the Rustburo mining settlement, though I have heard rumors of deposits growing in the wild as well."

"Thanks, Professor! I'll keep that in mind!"

So with a new mission in mind, Ash, May, and Brendan left the Professor's study, excited to find out all they could about Pokemon.