Over the next several years
Ash spent more time being informed about Pokemon and studied up on the potential starter Pokemon he would receive after his tenth birthday.
When his tenth birthday rolled around, he finally got the chance to obtain his first starter Pokemon.
Ash headed over to the professor's lab.
"So, what will you choose?" Prof. Oak asked with a smile.
Ash had plenty of time over the last three years to think about it and eventually came to a decision.
"I'll choose Pikachu, Bulbasaur and Riolu." The professor was surprised that he wanted three starter Pokemon.
"Are you sure?" He raised a eyebrow.
"I am." Ash was adamant about his choices.
"Very well." Prof. Oak accepted his decision for starters.
The Poke Balls containing Bulbasaur, Pikachu and Riolu were handed to him.
"And here's your Pokedex." Another object was handed to him.
"Thanks." Ash told the professor.
He then made his way out of the lab with the trio of Pokemon in tow.
"Well Bulbasaur, Pikachu, Riolu. Our journey has just begun. Where should we go first?" Ash asked them.
They came to a grassy path. This was Route 1, directly north of Pallet Town.
"I'm gonna do some fishing." Ash took a fishing rod out of his backpack and cast it into a stream.
He hoped to catch a Magikarp, a notoriously weak water type Pokemon.
After a few minutes, his rod caught hold of something. It was a Magikarp, the Pokemon he wanted to catch.
"Let's hope this works." He threw a Poke Ball at Magikarp.
Magikarp may not be very useful, but it's evolved form Gyarados was another matter entirely.
"My first official capture." Ash stared at the Poke Ball, then got ready to leave.
That was before a scream pierced the air.
"What's going on?" Ash asked out loud.
It would be a good idea to find out what was happening.
He ran to the source of the scream.
A 10 year old girl with red hair had just been splashed by a Gyarados. The Gyarados then swam away up stream.
'A Gyarados.' Ash thought.
He was going to enjoy his Magikarp evolving into it.
Ash helped the girl to her feet.
"Thanks. My name's Misty."
"I'm Ash." He replied.
He then showed Misty his Magikarp.
"Nice." She smiled.
"I'm on a journey to become a Pokemon master." Ash shared his goal.
Misty thought it was a good objective.
"Keep heading this way and you'll find Viridian City." She pointed in the direction Viridian City was.
"Thanks Misty." Ash walked down the hill.
After he left, Misty resumed fishing.
