It's 8 years since Ash first ate that weird fruit. Ash has been training and learning to control his new power. Now though his mastery is far better than when he first started. But that's not on Ash's mind. For you see today is the day that Ash can finally leave this hell hole of a town. Today is the day that he gets his starter. Ash wakes up bright and early packs of stuff and walks out of the orphanage for the last time.
Ash walked briskly down the familiar streets of Pallet Town, the early morning sun casting a warm glow on the quiet neighborhood. The soft chirping of Pidgey and the occasional flutter of Butterfree wings filled the air, while the scent of freshly cut grass lingered from nearby fields. The small houses lined the street, each with well-kept gardens, as Ash madeapproachedfessor Oak's lab at the edge of town. His excitement bubbled within, as today was the day he would finally begin his Pokémon journey. With his backpack slung over his shoulder, he passed by neighbors who waved, wishing him luck. In the distance, the lab's windmill turned slowly, a symbol of the great adventure that awaited him.
As Ash trudged down the worn, dusty streets of Pallet Town, a bitter taste filled his mouth. The familiar sight of neatly lined houses and perfectly manicured lawns only deepened his contempt for the place.
'This town is suffocating' he thought, his fists clenching tightly at his sides.
The neighbors didn't even bother to look his way, just like every other day. To them, he was invisible, the kid everyone ignored or taunted whenever they got the chance.
'Not that it matters', he reminded himself, though the sting of loneliness gnawed at him. There were no friends here, only faces that jeered or sneered whenever he dared to dream aloud about becoming a Pokémon trainer. The kids who didn't mock him outright just dismissed him as a joke, leaving him in the dust.
I'll leave this town and never look back. The distant outline of Professor Oak's lab was his only hope, the first step toward proving them all wrong. And then thought back to the day that he first found that weird fruit. One that gave him the power to stretch like rubber. It was a very interesting fruit, to say the least, and it tasted like crap. But it changed Ash's life forever. He even remembers the fights that he got into or some of the wild pokémon.
Electric types quickly learned not to mess with him as Ash's power from the Gomu Gomu no mi not that Ash knew what it was. Was immune to electric attacks and punches and kicks. Didn't do anything to him either. Ash's strikes got quite strong for a kid his age. Many electric-type pokémon especially Electabuzz were left with some nasty injuries. After a few electric-type pokémon got their asses handed to them. The rest learn too, not to mess with him.
For the rest of The wild pokémon in the forests surrounding Pallet Town Ash was something of a curiosity. Some watched his battles with various wild pokémon. His ability to stretch his body was not normal. That made him stand up from the rest of the humans that lived in the town. And his strengths were far superior to most humans. Especially for one that young, it was weird and unknown how this happened.
It also made Ash Wonder where that fruit came from and how it came to be. Why there were no accounts or reports in the news of more people gaining powers from eating a weird fruit? Perhaps the League was hiding the existence of these fruits. He could see it, especially when criminals would try to do anything to get their hands on one. It made Ash shutter at the thought. Not something he would want to deal with.
Ash also knew that keeping this power of his secret was probably a smart choice. Who knew how other people would react to his ability to stretch? How would other pokémon besides the ones from the forests around Pallet Town? How would they react to this if they ever came across him?
' I'm here' Ash thought to himself as he reached Professor Oaks' lab. There's one saving Grace in this hell hole of a town. It was Professor Oak, he and his assistants were very friendly with Ash. They were probably the only people who even knew he existed. Or didn't treat him poorly, and Professor Oak punished his grandson numerous times. However, that didn't stop. Gary from continuing his nasty streak of picking on ash.
Whatever friendship they may have had in the past. That bridge was burned, there was no going back. Gary had seen that through and Ash had intentions of treating him like a friend. That kid's personality was as toxic as grimers. However, despite his personality, Ash couldn't deny the kid's skill as a pokémon trainer. At least a potential pokémon trainer, as his grades in school reflected.
He was a straight-A kid, and it was like he could read a pokémon's mind. Just from slight differences in their body language. Gary could accurately grasp if they were going to be hostile or not. His abilities in battle too were nothing to scoff at. Kids at the school could go toe-toe with him. Ash too got his butt handed to him multiple times by Gary. This only strengthened Gary's toxic personality and the other kid's relentless attacks on Ash. Not physical attacks but verbal ones.
However, One if there was one good thing that came out of this is that Ash knew how to let insults slide. Nothing even bothered him Ash had thick skin from the various insults. Very few insults could make him lose his anger. Ash knew how to keep his cool and had to keep his emotions in check.
Professor Oak's lab had a simple yet distinguished appearance. The building is rectangular with clean, whitewashed walls and a traditional red-tiled roof, blending into the quaint, rural surroundings. Large windows along the sides allow plenty of natural light inside, while a prominent sign near the entrance bears the Professor's name, signaling the importance of the facility. The lab is surrounded by lush greenery, including tall trees and bushes, giving it a peaceful, natural feel. A pathway leads up to the main entrance, which often sees young trainers arriving to begin their Pokémon journey. Ash walks up the path and eventually reaches Professor Oaks's lab and rings the doorbell. Eventually, after a few minutes of waiting, footsteps can be heard approaching the door. The door opens and reveals Professor Oak standing there.
" Ash, nice to see you. I'm assuming you're here for your starter pokémon" Professor Oak greeted with a smile.
" Morning Professor Oak and yes I'm here for my starter" Ash answered.
" Very well follow me" Professor Oak nodded and proceeded to lead Ash through his laboratory. The interior of Professor Oak's lab is spacious, organized, and filled with advanced technology and scientific equipment. The main room is dominated by large, sleek countertops covered in computers, monitors, and research tools, all used for studying Pokémon. Shelves lined with books and research papers on Pokémon biology and behavior fill the walls, while Poké Balls and various gadgets are neatly arranged. The lab has a central desk where Professor Oak works, often surrounded by stacks of data. In one corner, there's a special device for holding and examining Poké Balls, likely where new trainers receive their first Pokémon. The environment is bright, thanks to ample lighting and large windows, creating an atmosphere of scientific inquiry and discovery. Professor Oak leads Ash to that corner where he sees three Pokeballs sitting there.
" Ash, I do have one question for you if you don't mind me asking" Oak turned to Ash.
" What is it professor," Ash asked.
" Do you have any intention of returning to Pallet Town? If not, I completely understand, The way you were treated here is unforgivable." Professor Oak sighed. Try as he may He couldn't get his grandson Gary to treat Ash with respect. Nor could he get the town and the people inside of it to at least treat Ash with at least some humanity. Honestly, Professor Oak wouldn't blame Ash for not wanting to ever return to this town. For Ash Professor Oak was the one bright spot in this hell hole. He a treaty dash with respect and humanity and never once ignored him or mocked him.
Professor Oak tried his best but Gary's toxic personality was never tempered. Professor Oak, figure that perhaps I going out into the wider world. Gary would change for the better. Gary always thought himself the best and Professor Oak knew that Gary was a big fish in a small pond.
Professor Oak used to be a pokémon trainer himself. So he knew that there was always a better trainer out there. It was a vast world with numerous possibilities and he could remember every trainer that he helped send out who never made it past the first year. A lot of these trainers were arrogant and always thought themselves the best. But when push came to shove, they didn't have what it took to become a pokémon trainer.
Some of them were crushed in the indigo plateau. Some of them never took being a pokémon trainer seriously and couldn't even get past the gym leaders. Brock and Misty did not do that. It was Lieutenant Surge who brought the crushing weight of reality down onto their heads. The few who made it past Lieutenant Surge continued until they got wiped by the likes of Sabrina or even Erica. Those two helped sort those who had the willpower to keep on going and those who only saw pokémon training as a way to earn money and Fame.
Those who didn't take Pokemon training seriously never made it to the likes of Blaine or Giovanni. Giovanni was in a league of his own, very few managed to beat him and earn that last badge. He made sure that only those who had the potential be really good. Pokémon trainers made it through to the Indigo Plateau. He also remembers all the complaining and whining from some of those pokémon trainers. They constantly complained about how unfair it was or just how unbeatable some of those gym leaders were.
He knew that those types of people never made it very far in pokémon training. If they made it through their first year then they were lucky. Professor Oak shook his thoughts out of his head though and returned to what he was doing.
" Honestly Professor Oak probably not" Ash answered. Professor Oak nodded completely understanding.
" Very well, I suppose it's time to get you your starter pokémon. Since you're the first one here, you can have one of three choices." Professor Oak gestured to the three Pokeballs sitting on the table.
" I'm sure you're very well aware of the three starter pokémon in the Kanto region," Professor Oak said. Ash nodded in response.
" Charmander, Bulbasaur, and Squirtle" Ash listed off the three starter Pokémon.
" The decision is yours" Professor Oak then moved to the side. Ash already knew which pokémon he was going to grab. Bulbasaur gave him the type advantage and the first two gyms. Brock with his rock-type pokémon and Misty with her water-type pokémon. Bulbasaur being a grass type gave him an edge in the typing matchup. However, Ash wasn't dumb enough to believe that he could win on type advantage alone. These were gym leaders and they have strategies in place to deal with type disadvantages.
" I choose Bulbasaur," Ash says.
" Very well here are some extra Pokeballs as well as your Pokedex" Professor Oak handed Ash the items he mentioned. Ash graciously accepted the items for grabbing a starter pokémon and heading out for his adventure.