Chapter 3: Visit at Prof. Oak's Lab

Paul took the ride to a ship to Kanto Region, but, it would be a while before he arrived so he took a tour of the ship and found out inside battle area where he meets the Pokemon Trainer Hilda from the Unova Region. The two engage in a Double Battle, Hilda's Pokemon were tough but overwhelmed by Paul's Pokemon and earned him a win. Hilda decides to join Paul on her journey to the Kanto to compete in the Pokemon League. What will come next for these two Trainers read and found out.

The boat soon arrived at the dock outside of Pallet Town.

"Alright, we're finally here!" Hilda exclaimed running off the ship. "Is this Pallet Town?"

Paul nodded his head. "Yes, I traveled here before so." That details got the female trainer more excited. "Does the famous Professor Oak live there?"

"That's right, once we arrive there we'll get some information on the closest gym as for me I need to get the closet Battle Frontier Brain," Paul replied showing no emotion in his eyes.

Hilda jumped in the air. "Alright, let's go!" Paul sweat dropped at the girl's energy. "She's so noisy."

After a few minutes of walking the two finally made it to Oak's lab, there were a lot of gadgets, and the place was enormous with major Pokemon corporations.

"This place is enormous!" Hilda exclaimed. "Just like Prof Juniper's lab!"

That name got Paul's interest. "I'm assuming this Juniper is the one who gives Unova starter Pokemon?" That caused Hilda to pinch the boy's cheek. "That's Professor Juniper to you jerk!"

"Ouch, cut that out!" He yelled removing her hand. "I'll take that as a "Yes"

Hilda then went up to the door and knocked on it a few times just the door opened and a younger man wearing a white lab coat appeared instead of Oak himself. "Hello, I'm Gary Oak, the grandson of Professor Oak."

Hilda smiled kindly. "Hi, I'm Hilda from the Unova Region." That got Gary intrigued. "No way, you came from Unova, Ash just left there!"

That detail caught Paul's interest. "Figures he would go another journey." Gary heard that and turned his attention to Paul. "Ah, you must Paul..." That caused the purpled-haired trainer to raise his eyebrows. "How do you know about me?"

Gary chuckled with his eyes closed. "Heh, heh, Ash told me about you and those he battled in the Sinnoh League, I also watched you both battle on TV and it was quite intense but a great battle."

Despite the praise, Paul didn't smile. "Thanks, I intend to battle Ash again someday which he suggested." Gary smiled. "I see, well I hope to see you both battle again."

"Hey Gary!" A voice called out. "We need to hurry, the pokemon are getting restless!" A young man with a head band came running while carrying some Oddish. "They need be fed too!"

Hilda gasped cutely. "Aw, they're so cute!" She cupped her cheeks. "I'd like to help!"

"Oh company?" The man asked. "Sorry I forgot my name, I'm Tracey I'm a Pokemon Watcher I traveled with Ash, that was sometime before he traveled to Johto."

Gary walked over to Tracy. "Let me handle this, you go on and show our guests around here." Tracey liked the idea. "Sure!"

Tracey escorted the two trainers to the living room where. "Do you want anything to eat or drink?"

BURR

Hilda held her stomach in embarrassment. "My stomach thinks so..." Paul just stared for a minute. "I suppose I'll take something to eat and a drink of water would be nice." Tracey bowed. "Right, plus, you might want to call your Pokemon, I'm sure they're hungry as well."

"Good idea!" Hilda took out her Pokeballs. "Come on out guys!"

"Dewott!"

"Watchhog!"

"Fraxure!"

Tracey was intrigued by the three new Pokemon. "Wow, three new Pokemon!" He took out his sketch and began to draw them. "Gary, do you mind feeding the Oddish, this won't take long."

Gary chuckled. "Sure thing as long as Hilda and Paul help out."

Hilda nodded with a smile while Paul just groaned but went along with it.

A short time later, after feeding the three Oddish.

The trainers went to the living room. They had sandwiches and cups of water while they managed to get their Pokemon their food too "This is good," Hilda said stuffing her face. "Hmm, so yummy!"

Paul was eating slowly. "Hmm, not bad I guess." After finishing he noticed a shelf with a picture of Ash along with Squirtle, Bulbasaur, Pikachu, and Charizard holding the Seven Symbols of the Battle Frontier. This was somehow making his blood boil with anger.

"Something wrong?" Hilda asked which took the purple-haired trainer by surprise. "It's nothing." He put the picture back.

He saw other pictures with plaques from different regions he previously gone to.

Kanto: Top 16

Johto: Top 8

Hoenn: Top 8

Sinnoh: Top 4

Paul saw a picture of something called the Orange Islands where he was champion and holding a trophy with his Pikachu, Squirtle, Charizard, Tauros, Bulbasaur, and Lapras.

Just then Tracey noticed this. "Oh, I see you the one of his accomplishments, this when he traveled with Misty and I through the Orange Island." He crossed his arms. "I can tell you and Hilda about the history along with the battles Ash faced."

Hilda was interested. "I would like to hear." She turned to Paul. "How about it Paul?" The boy just stared at me for a minute. "I don't care."

Tracey chuckled awkwardly. "I see, well it starts like this-"

Tracey explained how Ash, Misty, and Brock going to get a mysterious GS Ball from Professor Ivy a friend of Oak. Then he explained Brock decided to work with the female professor and then Ash and Misty get ambushed by Team Rocket in a blimp.

Hilda was stunned to hear this. "This Team Rocket must be such a pest." Tracey chuckled. "Yes as far as I can remember they're so persistent."

Tracey continued his story when Ash and Misty escaped from Team Rocket when the blimp crashed. Then told about the baby Lapras. "You mean the Lapras from the picture?" Paul asked pointing at the Orange Island photo.

Tracey nodded. "Yes, three trainers were being mean to it but Ash's Pikachu shocked their Pokemon and caused them to retreat though I got shocked too." The memory of it made him chuckle a bit especially when he fainted for a while. "Anyway after that was done I went to find Nurse Joy soon later it was taken to the Pokemon Center where it had a large pool which it could rest."

Hilda was touched by this story so far. "Sounds like Ash is kindhearted." Tracey chuckled a little. "Yeah, though I admit he made some mistake and acted recklessly."

Tracey continued to storytelling about Lapras finally trusting Ash and capturing it. Then shared with them about Ash's decision to compete in the Orange League. "Sounds like he was getting cocky," Paul commented. "But he must've been very eager to compete though."

Tracey nodded. "Yes his challenge was at the Mikan Gym and the leader there was a girl named Cissy." He continued the story and explained the type of challenge Ash would take. "Sounds like a crazy challenge!" Hilda commented.

"Yes, it was for Ash and it was different than the water gun challenge ended up in a tie, then the two entered a race, Cissy used her Blastoise while Ash used his Lapras. The two were about to start their water race when Team Rocket appeared as usual however they were sent away flying then the race finally started."

Paul was getting interested by the minute and this was unusual for him. "Go on."

Tracey told the results of the Pokemon Wave ride. Cissy and Blatoise were almost going to win but Ash had his Lapras use Ice Beam to freeze the water directly all way to the shore and climbed on the ice. "Lapras and Blastoise were in a neck and neck, but Lapras won by a nose.

"That's quite the win." Hilda commented with astonishment.

Tracey chuckled. "Yes, it was quite intense but Ash pulled it off. Cissy awarded Ash the Coral Eye Badge.

Tracey told the story of Ash challenging the next gym on Navel Island. The leader was a guy named Danny, he commented on how beautiful Misty is.

"He sounds quite the flatter." Hilda giggled.

Tracey sweat dropped. "Uh, yeah but anyway-" He continued to tell the rules Ash was supposed to follow which was to climb a mountain without using any of his Pokemon. "That sounds hard," Hilda commented.

"Yes, it was and Ash almost blew it until Danny reminded him-" Paul wasn't too surprised about Ash's recklessness. "Sounds like he was really cocky."

Tracey then continues the story when Pikachu is captured by Team Rocket but Danny saves the electric mouse and one of the nearby geysers that sprouts out water hitting Team Rocket away. Then he told Ash's mountain climbing was a test of worth and Ash passed which he needs to do 2 out of 3 challenges.

"The first challenge was to freeze hot water so Danny used his Nidoqueen while Ash used Lapras however Danny won the first. The 2nd was a picture of three views of a sled and tells that to crave a sled like that, Danny used his Machoke, Scyther, and Nidoqueen while Ash used his Pikachu, Bulbasaur, and Charizard however due to Charizard's disobedient Ash almost lost but it used Flamethrower melting the ice into a perfect sled. The third challenge and the two rode down the mountain to the finish line on the beach. Ash chose Pikachu, Bulbasaur, and Squirtle to help steer."

"A sled race, so cool!" Hilda exclaimed ecstatic.

Tracey chuckled a little. "That's one way to put it. Anyway, the race continued but Team Rocket intervened again, however, the two worked together to defeat Team Rocket using a seesaw, a pack of snowballs, Squirtle, Bulbasaur, and Danny's Geodude, then tossed the snowballs into Team Rocket's balloon basket which got heavy and then Sycther rolls an Electrode and exploded Team Rocket away."

Paul was a little impressed. "I see, go on."

"Ash ends up in a forest and barely avoids a large boulder he flies out of the trees and lands next to Danny his sled shatters into a small disc the two are at neck and neck but Ash hits another rock which speeds him up to pass Danny and win the race." He concluded the race when Ash couldn't stop and zoomed into the water.

Hilda laughed. "Talk about making a win to the water!" Tracey sweatdropped. "Yes, It was a tough challenge and Ash earned the Sea Ruby Badge."

Tracey told the two trainers about Ash battling the Elite Four member Prima(originally named Lorilei). "Hold on a member of the Elite Four!" Hilda exclaimed.

"Yes Ash's arrogance was starting to show and when he saw Prima he asked her for a challenge but she refused so he tried to provoke her."

Paul was surprised but then again he challenged Cynthia to battle so he wasn't the only that did something crazy as Tracey continued his story. "Prima offered Misty, Ash, and I to show her battles at the Mandarian Island stadium. She defeated every Pokemon that she went up against. After the demonstration, Prima invited us to her house for some tea. I remember her words of what she said."

"Everyone has a particular way of acting in and out of battle. In her case she is like water She usually "goes with the flow" " but when she goes into battle she becomes cold as ice. She walks outside and tells Ash that the most important thing is to know where your strength lies. To Ash, he is strong in some ways but he needs to develop more of what comes inside."

Hilda was quite impressed. "Prima is a wise woman."

Tracey nodded. "Yes, eventually Ash challenges her using his Pikachu while Prima uses her Cloyster. The battle was intense for Ash, Cloyster used Withdrew before prevent from getting damaged by Pikachu's Thunderbolt, Pikachu used Agility but was deflected by Cloyster using Reflect, Pikachu then used Thunder which connected Cloyster but then used Rage to make its attack stronger, Pikachu used Quick Attack but was overpowered by Cloyster's Aurora Beam and Take Down."

Paul closed his eyes. "So he lost..." Tracey shared the same reaction. "Yeah, but Prima picked Pikachu up and said the reason she was rough was because she was trying to make a point, she tells Ash does have skills to be a Pokemon Master but he needs to remember that his Pokemon are the ones who win the badges. She lectures him about losing and learning from losing then tells him with his Pokemon and friends at his side he will always succeed. Then she told us that the next Gym is on Trovita Island."

Paul thought of Prima's words. "Is this a little similar to what Brandon told me?"

"Young man was that your true battle! You did an excellent job of raising your Pokemon but you allowed your emotions to betray you on the battlefield! We will battle again when you learn to control them!"

Hilda noticed Paul was in deep thought. "Is something?" The purple-haired trainer turned to her. "Nothing, I'm fine."

Tracey got up from his seat. "In the end Ash won all Orange Island gyms and became the champion after defeating Drake."

Paul smiled softly. "I see..."

Hilda was getting a bit tired. "Yawn!" She stretched out her arms. "I think it's time for a nap." She fell asleep on the couch. "Really?" Paul muttered.

Just then Professor Oak appeared. "Hello, I assume you two are here visit?" Hilda perked up. "Yes, I'm Hilda from the Unova Region!"

The professor was ecstatic about this detail. "Unova, it's rare to see Pokemon from there!"

Dewott, Watchog, and Fraxure approached the professor. "Ah, these Pokemon are intriguing, and each different type!" He looked at the girl. "If you'd like you can transfer your other Pokemon here so that you can call exchange your other Pokemon when you need to."

Hilda jumped excitedly. "Yes, I would love that!" The old professor turned to Paul. "Ah, you're Paul aren't ya?" The purple-haired trainer just stared at the old man. "That's right."

The professor chuckled. "If you want you can transfer some of your Pokemon from Rowan's lab if you want,"

"That would be fine, however, I don't keep my other Pokemon with Rowan I keep them at my brother's house." Hilda was interested. "You have a brother, what's his name?"

"Reggie, he was a trainer like me however when lost to Brandon, he decided to become a Pokemon Breeder." He remembered how angry he was about his brother's decision. "I hope to do what my brother couldn't do and that's to defeat the Battle Frontier!"

Professor Oak chuckled which got the purpled-haired trainer. "What is so funny?" The old man recollected himself. "Oh, it's just that determination reminds me of Ash. That caused Paul's eyes to widen. "I mean Ash seems to influence the trainers he meets."

Paul smiled softly. "Whether he did or not doesn't matter, what matters is if I can beat him someday in the future."

Professor just smiled still. "I see, well I'll take a little break so I'll show you and your friend Hilda Ash's Pokemon." That caught Paul's attention but before he declined Hilda jumped in front of him. "Really, let's go then!"

Eventually, they came to a field where there was a rocky area, a lake for water-type Pokemon, and a meadow for all other Pokemon.

Gary then appeared with a box of Pokeballs. "What are these?" Hilda asked. "Ash's Pokemon that he caught previously." The young Pokemon researcher replied. He took out the Pokeballs came Ash's Kanto Pokemon along with his Johto Pokemon, Hoenn Pokemon, and the Pokemon from Sinnoh. One of them was Infernape and saw Paul.

Paul and Infernape just stared at each other which Hilda noticed and was confused as if something was wrong but before she could say anything Infernape then made a sound. "Fern! Infernape!" The fire monkey Pokemon said while smiling at Paul and walking away to play with the other Pokemon. "Uh...he was-"

"Surprised are you?" It was Gary. "I was told that Infernape was yours back when it was Chimchar."

Hilda was suddenly interested upon hearing this. "Is that true?" Paul sighed. "Yes, Infernape was mine previously, but back then I was a different person."

Hilda was even more confused but Gary decided to answer that. "Yes, I heard you released it when it was Chimchar and Ash wasn't too happy with that."

Hilda gasped in shock. "What, is that true?" Paul clenched his hands tightly. "Yes, I wasn't a good person and I admit that but I want to get stronger and I won't give up being the strongest trainer!"

Professor Oak laughed. "That's the spirit, also if you didn't notice I think Infernape has forgiven and hasn't forgotten that you were once its trainer and just wanted to unlock its potential." The old man smiled. "So don't beat yourself up just learn from your past mistakes."

Paul bowed his head without saying a word as he walked away. "Where are you going?" Gary asked.

Paul just continued to walk away until Gary had an idea. "Wait, I would like to battle you!" That stopped the purple-haired trainer but he didn't look back. "I want to see which one of us is the strongest of our rivals."

Paul turned his head to glance at the other rival. "Well alright, one on one." Gary nodded with a smirk on his face.

"I shall be the referee then." Professor Oak said but then he took out three pokeballs. "However I want to send out these there little guys!" Out came Charmander, Squirtle, and Bulbasaur.

"Aw, they are so cute!" Hilda squealed.

"These three will see what a real battle is like. So I thought that I'd let them see this one."

"Alright, I choose Scizor!" Gary proclaimed.

Paul was intrigued as he took out his Pokeball. "I choose Scyther!"

Gray was now intrigued. "Oh a Scyther a Pre-evolved form of Scizor, this should be good."

"Begin!" Oak called out.

"Scizor use Agility!" Gary commanded as his Scizor spread its wings boosting its speed stat as the frequency of its vibrations increased.

"Scyther use Agility too!" Paul commanded as his Scyther spread its wings and boosted its speed stat and its vibrations increased too.

"Now use Swords Dance!" Gary commanded as Scizor did a dance as its claws gained a glossy shine.

"Use Swords Dance too!" Paul commanded as Scizor did the same dance and its Scythe gained a glossy shine too.

"Use Metal Claw!" Gary commanded as its claws glowed a shiny white and flew towards its evolved form.

"Scyther use X-scissors!" The mantis Pokemon crossed his arms into x and the attacks collided but Scyther was overpowered. "What?"

Gray smirked. "I had Scizor way back then since it was a Scyther too, so basically your Scyther isn't on the same level yet."

Scyther got itself back together. "Sy!" The mantis said as it was ready to fight still.

Gary smiled impressively. "I admit that Scyther is gutsy, I can see giving up isn't its style, I assume that comes from you." Paul just stared at him. "Well, either way, let's end this soon!"

"Fine by me, Scyther Night Slash!" It swung its right scythe which glowed dark and flew towards Scizor. "Dodge it!" Scizor evaded the attack. "Now Swift!" The steel mantis unleashed countless star shapes from its claws at Scyther. "Agility again!" Scyther disappeared which took Gary and his Scizor by surprise.

"Scizor-"

"Wha-what?"

Scyther appeared behind Scizor and landed a hit using Night Slash on its evolved form back and made crash down the steel mantis got up but got tired and so was Scyther. "I admit I'm pretty impressed," Gary commented. "I can why Ash had a hard time beating you."

Paul just smirked. "Hmph. Enough talk let's end this now."

Gary nodded. "Right, Steel Wing!" Scizor flew towards its pre-evolved form with glowing bright wings. "Scyther, Night Slash!" The green mantis flew towards its opponent. The two mantis Pokémon collided their attacks which caused an explosion and black smoke.

"Looks like a draw!" Hilda exclaimed.

The black smoke began to clear showing Scizor and Scyther standing with injuries and both were panting but staring at each other.

Paul and Gary waited wondering which one of their Pokemon would fall and to their surprise, two of their Pokemon fell down.

"Scizor and Scyther are unable to battle so we have a tie!" Oak proclaimed putting both his arms out.

Paul appeared before his Scyther and knelt. "You did good..." He returned Scyther to its Pokeball.

Gary got his Pokeball out. "Scizor you did great, get some rest." He walked towards Paul. "I admit you are stronger than before, despite that this was a draw, I won't lose the next time we battle."

Paul smiled softly. "If that's the case, when we do battle again six on six next time." Gary smiled. "I forward to that someday."

Hilda then patted Paul on the back which took him by surprise. "That was a good battle!" Paul was a little irritated by the sudden pat. "I know you'll win next time and I want to be there to cheer you on Paul!" The purple-haired trainer grunted. "Hmph, I don't care either."

Oak then walked towards the kids. "Attention, Paul, Hilda, I have a request for you." Beside the old famous professor were Bulbasaur, Charmander, and Squirtle which of them had their Pokeball next to them. "I'd like you to choose one of these to take and train with you guys."

Paul took his pokedex and scanned each other but he looked at Charmander then took its pokeball. "I'll take you." Charmander nodded happily and jumped into the Pokeball.

Hilda put her hand under her chin and looked at Bulbasaur. "I want you!" Bulbasaur smiled happily too and jumped into the girl's arms. "I caught a Bulbasaur!"

Gary wondered something. "Do you know which frontier brain you shall challenge first?"

"One that's the closest," Paul replied.

"Well then I suppose I'll give you this." Gary handed the trainer a map. "This a map of Kanto and I marked the frontier locations."

Paul studied the map for a second. "Hmm, looks like the nearest is Pewter City the battle Factory and the city has a gym as well." Hilda was all perked up. "That's great, I can't wait!"

Paul gave his home number to Oak while Hilda gave Juniper's number. Paul left his Torterra at Oak's lab while Hilda left her Fraxure.

Short time later

Paul and Hilda were on their way to the path towards Pewter City. Paul then glanced at the Oak's lab and noticed Infernape coming out with Gary, Tracey, and Oak.

"See ya, you kids take care!" Oak called out.

"Paul, don't forget our six-on-six battle someday!" Gary called out.

"Infern! Infernape!" Paul's former fire type yelled out waving goodbye.

Hilda and Paul waved and left.

Paul smiled softly. "Infernape has changed more than I thought."

Hilda heard that but didn't hear much. "What was that?" The purpled-haired trainer continued to smile softly. "It's nothing don't worry."

Hilda giggled. "Come on, don't let your guilt get to you, Infernape has forgiven you so just accept, who knows maybe you can borrow it someday."

Paul just grunted but then smiled a little. "Who knows, anyway let's get going."

After a visit at Professor Oak's lab and meeting him along with Tracey and Gary, Paul got to learn about Ash's growth as a trainer and the people his rival met. Paul and Gary had a Pokemon Battle and both end up a draw. Paul chooses Charmander as his new Pokemon and Hilda has gotten Bulbasaur.

The two leave with their new friends seeing them off. As for Infernape, it looks like things between it and Paul have been put aside. What will await Paul and Hilda next time, find out next time.

End of chapter.