Chapter 4 – We're Getting There

Pokémon Tech, Age 11

It took a few weeks to incorporate Bulbasaur's presence into my routine, but once I got the hang of it, it became relatively easy. The little green guy was a little problematic at first; he treated me like a stupid child while he behaved reasonably with the adults. For instance, when the school nurse did his own checkup on him, he remained calm and didn't raise any fuss, but the moment he was alone with me, he would roll his eyes and sigh. It took a lot of help from Eevee for him to realise I was not like the other kids. Unfortunately, that meant his opinion about children in general would not change and he kept acting disdainfully with the other students.

On my end, I looked into all the studies done on his species. There were several experts on the subject, since the Bulbasaur line was quite popular among Kantonians and a common choice for a starter for aspiring trainers. It was mentioned how easy Bulbasaur was to train and raise when compared to the other two.

I also established a friendly rapport with Professor Oak. We spoke of many different things. He claimed to be interested in my unusual way of thinking and believed I could help him by simply discussing things with him. He also provided me with his own findings on my two Pokémon, which helped in improving my relationship with both.

Speaking of relationships, it would seem my friendship with Tim had ended. A few days after I was announced as the winner of the essay competition, and had received a Bulbasaur as reward, many students have started to resent me. To them I was an upstart who did not know my place or simply got lucky. Although I wasn't bullied, they knew better. After all I was many teachers' favourite. Not only I was a bright student, I also did not cause any problems. My maturity allowed for engaging conversations; I could provide detailed explanations while retaining a calm, and polite demeanour. Essentially, I was an intelligent, easy student. As for Tim, he simply stopped interacting with me or ignored my attempts at a conversation. After a few tries, I left him to his own device and focused on my work. I thought of several reasons why he started behaving this way, but did not confront him with them. To be honest, I didn't want to expend a lot of effort on this relationship for the simple fact that I knew he and I would cease all contact upon graduation.

In fact, it would have probably been sooner since when I started my third year at the school in the Intermediate Class, he, who didn't have the necessary grades to move up, had to repeat his second year. In addition, I managed to skip and moved directly to the fourth years. Being in the Intermediate Class had many benefits, especially for the top student. My room had more luxuries and comforts, and I had access to even more facilities and resources for myself and my Pokémon. And so, I dedicated a lot of time to understand Bulbasaur.

I found out he liked to take long walks and long naps in the sun. Unlike Eevee, he did not have any likes or dislikes when it came to food. He would stick with the specialised food for his species; including pellets for grass and poison types. Grass Pokémon tended to obtain their nutrition from sunlight, water, and nutrients in the soil, like a regular plant so Bulbasaur was not difficult to feed. The pellets simply added more nutrients to his diet, like compost to a soil. What really amused me was when I accidently found out his favourite drink. It happened during breakfast on a weekend in the cafeteria. The three of us were eating peacefully when one of the staff was walking near my table with his tray, tripped, and spilled its content a few metres from us. He apologised to his surrounding before leaving to inform the janitor. Bulbasaur smelled something that piqued his interest and approach the dark puddle on the floor. Before anyone could stop him, he lapped the liquid with vigor until only the food remained. My grass Pokémon loved coffee. Further testing revealed he liked it black, no cream nor sugar.

To recap; Bulbasaur disliked children, liked to take long walks, enjoyed day long naps, and had a mild coffee addiction. Upon contacting Professor Oak, I asked him if he was certain Bulbasaur only started to dislike kids after his experience with his former trainer and not before, because he was a middle-aged working man on the inside. That earned me a lot of laughs.

As for his training, I took my time to teach both him and Eevee because I firmly believed that their overall fitness was the number one priority. I remembered in the anime so many times Pokémon just dodged attacks, or had super-strength, or could brush off attacks that should be super effective. Pokémon moves or abilities had nothing to do with those feats, not all the time. So I devised several exercises that improved those skills. For example; having Eevee continuously using Quick Attack and Bulbasaur attempting to dodge that move helps both in improving their reaction time, footwork, etc. I also trained their intelligence so I taught them, using images and videos, theoretical subjects, such as the biology of various Pokémon, and the strengths and weaknesses of types. Of course, there were many things I did not know, so we studied those together. I was pleasantly surprised how much the both of them enjoyed learning with me.

When I returned home for the holidays, Bulbasaur instantly took a liking to my grandparents, especially my grandmother. She was the one who offered me all sorts of advice about raising him. She herself had raised plenty of Oddishes and Bellsprouts, which were staples in several gardens in Kanto so she knew how to communicate with him. Bulbasaur liked to accompany her to her workplace and visit those gardens. Being a grass type, he was more than welcome to do so. On the other hand, my grandfather and him had a strange relationship; they would both sit down on a zabuton and stared at each other in silence for hours. The first to make a noise lost. The Seed Pokémon lost most of the time. Despite his demeanor, he was still young, and nowhere near as patient as my grandfather. He became part of my family just like that.

I had to admit, living this way, without any worries, spending time with my Pokémon, learning stuff I never imagined before, was immensely gratifying. I have found a sense of peace and happiness in this life and I cherished it and everything I have dearly.

The years passed, and I eventually turned fourteen.

Pokémon Tech, Age 14

I did it. I graduated with Top grades from Pokémon Tech. There was a ceremony for just a few of us as I took my final exams in the middle of the year. I was granted this opportunity due to both my grades and attitude. My teachers praised my intelligence and initiative, and told me they looked forward seeing me at the Indigo Plateau Conference. I thanked them, careful not to mention my actual plans, and went to my room to pack my things. My grandparents came to the ceremony and filmed the whole thing for my father who could not make it as he was in the middle of a mission.

I admit; I was not going to miss this place. Despite all the resources it provided me, I did not like it here. This school was never a significant place for me, just merely a layover to my journey. I'd always looked forward to the holidays because Viridian City was my home. I always felt happier there than anywhere else. My family and my neighbours were warm and kind. Both Eevee and Bulbasaur shared my opinion. The former because most people here were unfriendly. The latter might be because there were more adults there or too many kids here.

Before leaving, I wanted to do something I'd put off for awhile.

"Hey, Tim" I told the teen who was reading under his favourite tree.

The years had not been kind to him. Despite reaching sixteen, he was still in the Beginner Class. His parents and the teachers have given up on him. The other students did not want to be around him. He was even seen as too pathetic to bully. I heard from the grapevine that his grandfather, the head of his family, was still paying his studies, not because he still had hope for him but because he was waiting until his grandson turned eighteen, the age where all parental responsibilities could lawfully be terminated. Despite all that, he showed no sign that he cared. He kept going on with his daily routine, with no motivation or indication he was worried about his future.

"Before I leave, I just wanted to ask; were we ever friends?"

He kept quiet, his expression unchanged. He did not even look up from his book. I waited a few minutes until I nodded in calm acceptance.

"Alright. This is goodbye. Thank you for the first two years. I have a feeling you'll just be fine" I said as I turned around.

"We were" I heard him said in a low voice. I stopped but did not turn back.

"We were friends. Maybe even best friends. But things happened, and I did not want to be around you anymore."

With those words, I turned towards him, and we looked into each other's eyes. He had the most serious gaze I ever saw on him. It pierced even beyond his thick glasses.

"You know me. You know I have no interest in this school or relationships in general. However, if there is one thing that I pride myself in knowing, it is Professor Oak. He is my hero. I read all I could on him. His life story, and his accomplishments, anything I could find. I looked up to him so much, I dreamed of his approval. More than my family's. So when he made that essay contest, I put in more effort in my writing than I ever had in anything else in my life. I was convinced I would win, because let's face it, I'm pretty smart" he said with a self-depreciating smile.

"Or I thought I was. When you won, I felt betrayed, resentful, and jealous. I've always felt I was better than those fools. They're nothing but entitlement in human skin. Just like they despise you for not being one of them, I despise them for who they are. Everything they have; grades, awards, Pokémon, all was handed to them. They've earned nothing. They're worth nothing. But you, I know you, you're not like that. You're just that good. You work harder than anyone else in this stupid place, and you face any hardships instead of avoiding them. You make me feel like I'm one of them. Perhaps I am. I broke our friendship before you did, because I would hate to be friends with someone like me."

I didn't know what to say to that. It wasn't about me.

"There you go. That's it. That's the ugly truth. Make of that what you will" he finished before returning to his book.

I stood there, thinking carefully about what I could say to him.

"Tim, I have a challenge for you" I told him. He looked up at me.

"Find something you want to do. Get out of your comfort zone, and try as many things as you can. It doesn't have to be your studies. Just put as much effort in them as you can. It doesn't matter if you fail as long as you like it. I will visit you one day, and when I do, I want an answer, do you accept?"

He stared at me for awhile. I patiently waited.

"Okay" he barely whispered.

I turned around and left.

I found my grandparents waiting for me with my luggage.

"Have you finished with your farewells?" grandfather asked. I smiled.

"Yes. Let's go home."

Viridian City, Age 14

A few days after I've returned home, my grandparents and I discussed what my next step was. I informed them of my intention to travel through the region collecting badges. Initially surprised, since I didn't need to, I explained to them my intentions and my plans. They acquiesced and gave me their blessing.

"It is a little too late for you to participate in this year's competition. You'll have to wait for next year's" my grandfather pointed out.

"I know. I don't mind" I replied.

"In that case, what do you intend to do until then?" grandmother added.

"I spent a lot of time improving Eevee and Bulbasaur. They are more than ready to tackle the gym challenge. I, on the other hand, need to get stronger too. I must become physically fit for my journey. I spoke to dad about it. The Rangers have a program to train their new recruits. In exchange for doing some grunt work, I can participate in it, while also earning a small wage. My Certificate from Pokémon Tech, and dad's recommendation, have expedited my application. I've already been accepted."

My grandparents stared at me for a moment before my grandmother said "when did you grow up so much?"

Grandfather and I laughed at that.

A few weeks later, I set out to Fiore, the location of the Pokémon Rangers' HQ, alongside Eevee since I was only allowed one Pokémon to accompany me. While a little sad, Bulbasaur agreed to stay with my grandparents. I was sitting in an airplane, chatting with my partner who was giddy to visit a new place.

"Well, Eevee. I'll be counting on you."

"Eevee" he nodded.