Chapter 1 : The Pallet Trio
It had now been 5 years since Ash parted with Serena.
10 years of age.
It was finally time for his journey to begin.
The Kanto region, unlike other regions, had Trainers as young as 10 years begin their adventure.
Normally, a Trainer must be 15 years old to receive their first Pokémon.
However, there exist a special examination conducted by the renowned Professor Oak in Pallet Town where if one were to score with flying colours, they are granted permission personally by the Professor to start their Trainer career early.
The conducted test was to judge whether the child could be trusted with a Pokémon as well as take care of their needs.
Both Trainer and Pokémon.
To say the examination was difficult was an understatement.
Since its establishment, no children managed to complete its intended objective.
And so, it became common sense that a rookie Trainer would at the very least be of 15 years of age...
Until 3 children from Pallet Town did.
"Not surprised Blue managed to pass but Red? Your luck for your entire life definitely just ran out," Gary sneered jokingly.
"I'm surprised I haven't choked you in your sleep," Ash shot back with a glare.
"Boys, stop fighting or else I'm going to call Mr. Samuel," Blue warned.
"Yes, ma'am," the boys immediately shut.
Since Ash's declaration to Gary, the two began sparring with their Pokémon.
Sometimes when things get heated, Blue will always be there to stop them.
A sort of mediator between the two hot-blooded boys.
"Well then, let's begin the selection, kids." Oak called out.
Oak set 3 Pokémon on the table for them to see:
A green creature with a bulb on its back: Bulbasaur.
A blue turtle with a swirly tail: Squirtle.
And finally, an orange lizard with the tip of its tail alight: Charmander.
The 3 children looked in awe at their would-be starters.
"Blue should go first," Ash said, looking at the gloves his friend wore.
"Choose the one you like best. Gary and I will pick the others."
"Red's right. You can have first pick, Blue. We're alright with that," Gary confirmed with a grin.
The boys knew Blue had developed a phobia of Pokémon ever since she was accidentally caught in a crossfire between Ash's Pikachu and Gary's Eevee.
This was made better when they got her a pair of white gloves.
Although this did not solve her fears, it would do for now.
After that incident, the two boys felt guilt at what they had done.
From then on, they would always care for her well-being.
Especially Gary.
"Thanks guys. Then… you look cute, would you like to come with me?" Blue asked Bulbasaur with a smile.
"Bulbasaur!"
With that, there were only two.
"Then I'll-"
"Let's go, Squirtle!" Gary interrupted.
"Squirtle!" the blue turtle answered jovially.
"…pick Charmander," Ash continued, extending his arms towards the fire lizard.
"Charmander!"
Finally, after being given their own PokéDex, the three Pallet Town Trainers began their journey.
"Hey, Red!" Gary called out outside Ash's room.
Ash was just finishing packing his things from Oak's lab, where he lived for his entire life.
He dressed himself with a red vest with a white collar and underneath was a white T-shirt as well as denim trousers with red shoes, just like his childhood namesake.
He turned to meet Gary whilst carrying his yellow bag with Pikachu perched on his shoulder.
"What do you need, Green?" Ash asked, adjusting a red and white baseball cap on his unruly raven-black hair.
"In a year's time, the Indigo Grand League's gonna start so you better collect those badges so I can beat you in front of the whole world!" Gary spoke with a haughty tone.
The Indigo Grand League was a prestigious event that was held once every decade.
Nicknamed the 'Grandfather of Leagues', the Grand League was an immensely popular event that every region in the Pokémon world would always watch without fail, views skyrocketing every time it was held.
"Heh, you got yourself a promise!" Ash replied with fire in his eyes.
'She could see me there…,' Ash thought while fiddling the silver locket around his neck before putting it into his T-shirt.
Gary was no stranger to teasing but even he drew a line whenever he caught Ash thinking about a certain girl.
After all, since she came along, his rival became prone to smiling and a lot more energetic than usual.
A logician he may be and as much as Ash's innate strength irritated him, Gary could not help but be happy at his friend.
He secretly thanked the mysterious girl who changed his friend for the better.
"You still thinking about your sweetie~?" a sweet voice mocked.
Blue was a different story.
Ever since she heard about her friend's encounter with the straw hat girl, she will always find a way to tease Ash, something that annoyed him to no end.
Since then, he would learn from experience and tried to keep his habit in check.
"Lay off, will you?" Ash groaned with a slight blush.
"Hehe. Anyways, the IGL, right?" Blue asked, changing the subject.
The boys looked at her quizzingly.
"I'll take part in that as well! It's no fun unless we're all together," she declared with a grin.
"Hah, suit yourself," Gary answered with a cocky tone but was visibly happy.
"Alright! Pikachu and I are gonna go above and beyond so watch out!" Ash answered with a determined toothy grin.
"That settles it, I'll see you guys when I see you!" Blue said excitedly.
"You're not travelling with Green?" Red asked, confused.
"N-n-no… I-I want to explore Kanto with Bulbasaur and catch every Pokémon I find," Blue replied with some incoherent babbling and a flushed face.
Gary looked away coughing with a slight blush on his face.
Ash was still confused.
The boy was denser than a rock.
A kiss would not change that.
"Pika…" Pikachu sighed at his Trainer's obliviousness.
"Anyways, don't be a stranger if you guys see me," Ash said to dispel the awkwardness.
"Yeah, stay in touch, alright? Especially you, Red," Blue replied.
"Don't lose before I beat you, Red, you got that?" Green said with a grin.
"Yeah, yeah. We doing Green's thing on 3?" Ash asked.
"Sure."
"1"
Eternal friendship
"2"
The first step to greatness
"3"
Chapter 1: The Pallet Trio
"Smell you later!"