Hello, everyone! This is going to be the start of a new Pokemon fanfiction series that I am making called Vivian's Journey. It will be about Ash Ketchum's daughter, Vivian, as she travels the Kanto region in search of the 8 gym badges and tries to become the champion of the region. This is a Pokemon AU where while Ash did begin collecting the Kanto gym badges, he realized that he was just happier exploring the world, so he never became "the very best like no one ever was". Anyways, I hope you enjoy reading this, and please write a review once you're done reading this for suggestions for the next chapter. Have fun :)
"Happy birthday, Vivian!"
Ash Ketchum said to his daughter, Vivian, her 10th birthday finally arriving. She was so excited that she swore that the night before, she didn't get a wink of sleep. Her mother, Serena, had given her a lovely shiny new pink bike as her birthday present.
"Wow, this bike is amazing, Mom!"
"Aw, thank you sweetie. Your father and I made sure we got you the absolute best bike we could for our sweet little girl."
While Vivian was extremly grateful over the bike, this birthday was a special one for her. It was her 10th birthday, meaning that she was going to go to Professor Oak's lab, get a starter pokemon, and set out to collect all of her gym badges and become the champion. Her family had moved from Kalos to Kanto the day before she was born, and yet she felt connected to both regions in their own ways. Her father asked her about the tough decesion she would have to make.
"So, who are you gonna choice?"
"I don't know Dad. I think I might choose either Bulbasaur or Charmander."
"Really? When I was your age, I wanted Squirtle!"
Pikachu winced at the though of Ash picking Squirtle, leaving him alone for the rest of his life.
"Well whatever. I have to get going!"
"You're right sweetheart. You don't want to be late like your father was. Now, I left you a potion in your bag to get you started. You'll get the other items later on."
"Your mother's right Vivian. In fact, you might meet your sweetheart just like I did when I was on my journey."
"Goodbye, Mom and Dad! I'll promise I'll come back one day."
And those were the last words Vivian said to her parents before she took off on her journey, storing her bike alongside her. She was right in her comforting home of Pallet Town, and she was so excited of all of the people and Pokemon that she was going to meet. She ran straight for the lab, imagining what starter she would pick and what she would name it.
Then she ran face first into another trainer also looking to start their journey.
"Oh my god, I am so sorry! I honestly didn't see you there."
"No problem, I'm James! I just moved from the Sinnoh region, and I'm assuming that you're also look to start your journey. What's your name?"
Vivian blushed. From the dirty blonde hair to the freckles on his cheeks perfectly complimenting his tan, James was everything that she could only ever dream of.
"I-I-I.. like your….uh… your tan!"
"Oh uh, thanks! I lived in Sunyshore, so it gets pretty hot out there."
"Oh-Oh..I love your hair-BEAR! I love y-y-your bear."
"You mean my dad's Ursaring?" Oh yeah! He got it when he was my age, and they're both unloading the moving truck now. I was gonna help him, but he said that this was more important."
"Uh, I-I gotta go. Nice to meet you!"
Vivian ran off to behind the lab, feeling embarassed yet flustered. It was like her heart was controlling what she said and what she did, and the conversation was so awkward. Was this what being in love felt like? She couldn't even think, as another girl saw her and walked right up to her."
"What do ya think you're doing?"
"Huh?"
"Don't play dumb with me. I know you were trying to flirt with my man."
"I'm sorry, your man?"
"Am I speaking gibberish 'ere? You were flirting with James, weren't you?
"I…I…"
"Well listen here. I betta not see you talking to him again or we're gonna have a problem. Capeesh?
"Capeesh."
The girl went inside the lab, and Vivian decided to follow her. She wasn't gonna let some stupid city girl's words bother her.
While Vivian had snuck in Oak's lab multiple times, this time it felt different. The scientists seemed more lively, the machines seemed faster, and most importanly, the professor seemed more excited. It was like everyone knew what her birthday was and was preparing for this special moment. The girl from before was arguing with Oak about the starter pokemon.
"I gave you 3 choices. Isn't that enough?"
"No way. Listen 'ere old man, I 'eard that you give some kids Eevee's if they come at the right time. Eevee's!"
"First of all, how dare you. Secondly, I only give kids Eevee's if they had a valid excuse as to why they were late and couldn't get a proper starter pokemon. Waking up late is not a valid excuse."
"Well whatever, I want an Eevee! Don't make me call my cousins, they're lawyers over in Hoenn."
Professor Oak was miffed and a bit surprised, as he had never gotten such a negative reaction from a trainer before. He tried to find someone else to talk to, and he caught Vivian in the corner of his eye.
"Oh hello, young lady! I'm assuiming it's your 10th birthday as well."
"Yeah, you're right. I'm Vivian, but my friends call me Viv."
"Well Vivian, I haven't gotten to say this in a bit, but Welcome to the world of Pokemon! By the way, you look kind of like-
"Ash Ketchum? I get that a lot, and he's actually my dad."
"I knew it! When your father was a boy, he woke up late on his 10th birthday, and I had to give him a spare Pikachu that I had on hand. Luckily, that hasn't happened again, but I don't know what I would do if it did!"
"Anyways, can I decide my starter Pokemon?"
"Why, of course!"
Professor Oak began going through the various starter options, being careful to note the benefits of every one.
"This is Bulbasaur, the Seed Pokemon! The bulb on its back is useful not just for show, but also for attack, with its vine whip being quite deadly on some opponents!
"Ok, Ok. Whose in that Poke Ball on the far right?
"Oh, that's Charmander, the Lizard Pokemon! It can produce fireballs at temperatures up to 350 degrees Farenheight and spit them out of its mouth, and not to mention he's a real cutie."
"Interesting. Who's in the middle Pokeball?"
"That's Squirtle, the Tiny Turtle Pokemon! It hides in its shell when it senses predators to protect itself, and its armored body protects it from bites and scratches!"
"Ok, then. I think I'm ready to make my choice."
Vivian thought for a minute, then picked up the Poke Ball that contained the Pokemon she wanted.
"Ah, you want Bulbasaur I see! Well, he's all yours!"
"Eeeee! Oh my god, Oh my god, Oh my god! We're gonna be the best of friends, Bulby.
Vivian shodily threw a pokemon at a wall, where Bulbasaur popped out, having a wide grin on his face.
"Baaaa! Baaaa!"
"Hi, Bulby! I'm Vivian, and I'm gonna be the best trainer I can possibly be to you."
All of a sudden, the sound of laughter appeared. Vivian knew exactly who it was.
"Ah, quit the act! You know he doesn't actually care about you, right?"
"No, Pokemon love their trainers and their trainers love them back! I learned that before I even learned to walk."
"Ehh, that's a bunch of bullshit that Mommy and Daddy want you to believe. Pokemon don't care about us, and they never will. I just want an Eevee so I can show off to my friends."
Bulby frowned as he heard that, and Professor Oak decided to step in.
"Excuse me, that's enough young lady! Please exit the lab now!"
"Geez, what are you, the PPA? I'll go, but don't me such a dick next time."
The girl left the lab, and Vivian and Bulby looked visibly upset after the conversation. James walked into the lab, and found Vivian on the floor frowning.
"Hey, don't listen to Dalia. Her parents have always been a bunch of assholes, so she was raised that way. Want me to help you up?"
"Yeah, sure. Please."
James helped Vivian up off of the floor, and they began talking about what they were going to do on their journeys.
"What starter Pokemon did you pick?"
"Oh, I picked Bulbasaur. Sorry if you wanted him."
"No, it's fine. I wanted to pick Charmander actually. I know it's strong against your Bulbasaur, but I hope you don't mind."
Vivian didn't mind. She would have had James chose a Mewtwo if it meant that he would talk to her again.
"Yeah, so my plan is to catch as many Pokemon as possible and complete the Pokedex! That's what my dad wanted to do when he was my age, but he never could have."
"Well, I actually want to become champion of the Kanto region! I know it'll take a lot of effort, but I think being the first female champion of the region would be such a cool title to have."
"You two kids come here. I'm going to give you something incredibly important."
Professor Oak had interrupted their conversation, which Vivian was only mildly annoyed about. She was more surprised than anything, being able to have a normal conversation with James and all that. They went to where Professor Oak was standing, with Bulby following close behind Vivian.
"This is a Pokedex. When you encounter a Pokemon, you collect the Pokemon's data in your Pokedex. While the Pokedex needs to actually see the Pokemon in order for it to give you the data for it, it is still a lovely resource that all trainers should have."
"I have a question, Professor Oak?"
"Yes, James?"
"My mom told me that you always say to every trainer that your dream was to complete the Pokedex, but you never got the chance to, so you tell us to do it. But what was stopping you from doing it?"
"Well, it's a mulititude of factors, but one of them is because the technology was simply too limited. Back then, Poke Balls were handmade, not produced in a factory, and they often took days to complete. And that was just for a single one! Imagine trying to get 10 or 100… you get the idea."
Vivian was starled by this factoid. She realized just how grateful she was to live in the modern era, where Poke Balls were much easier to come by. James said goodbye to Professor Oak, and he made his way onto Route 1. While Vivian was going to follow him, she decided to ask Professor Oak one important question.
"Professor Oak, how do I know if I succeeded in my journey?"
Professor Oak took a minute to think, then he responded back.
"Well, the great part is that I don't know! You decide when you have succeded on your journey, whether thats by completing the Pokedex or just simply by catching your favorite Pokemon."
"Ok, Professor Oak. Thanks for answering my question. Goodbye!"
"Goodbye, Vivian, and may your journey be your forever happiness!"
Vivian slowly walked out of the lab, feeling unsure about what was to come. When she was younger, she just thought that every trainer had the same objective in their journey. And while it was true that she did want to become the champion of the Kanto region, she wasn't even sure about that. What if she wasn't good at battling? What if her Pokemon didn't like her? What if she lost her first Pokemon battle horribly?
Vivian sighed. She got on her bike and cycled onto Route 1.