Chapter 36: Kanto Starters

"I don't need to do the whole Professor spiel, do I?", Professor Oak said, eyeing three people before him. Who else could they be but Ricky, Serena, and Lillie?

Earlier, they had bid their friends and family farewell. Officially setting off on their very first Pokemon Journey, the trio found themselves walking into Professor Oak's Lab!

Unlike other Pokemon Trainers who typically had zero Pokemon before starting their Pokemon Journey, Ricky, Serena and Lillie already had three Pokemon to start out with. So receiving these Pokemon would make it number four of their Pokemon Roster!

Ricky had a Shiny Alolan Ninetales, a Shiny Rowlet, and now a Shiny Froakie. He was especially excited about the latter. Shiny Greninja was one of Ricky's favorite Pokemon out of the entire thousand! It had a really amazing appearance!

As for Serena, she had a Kantonian Vulpix, a shiny Litten, a Chespin. Lillie had an Alolan Vulpix, a shiny Popplio, and a Fennekin!

"Oh come on, Professor Oak. We're Pokemon Trainers now! How could you not do it?", Serena questioned. She even had a pleading look in her eyes.

"Fine, fine.", Professor Oak immediately answered, and gave a dry cough, drawing the trio's attention.

"Welcome to the world of Pokemon!", Professor Oak began to say, welcoming them officially.

"People call me the Pokemon Professor. As you three know already, this world is inhabited by creatures called Pokemon. People from all around the world have learned to use Pokemon in various ways. Some use them to fight. Some people use Pokemon to assist them in their daily lives. As for me...", Professor Oak continued to say, doing what he always did when he welcomed new trainers.

Ricky, Serena and Lillie were just one of those many trainers Professor Oak is going to welcome. Doing this was second nature to Professor Oak!

"But for me, I research Pokemon! Just like how you've walked the path of researching Pokemon too, Ricky. I research Pokemon habitats, and how they behave in them. You researched how Pokemon behave, regardless of where they live, correct?", Professor Oak asked me.

"That's right. One Pokemon is never the same. Learning how your Pokemon reacts to different scenarios is what prompted me to research that. If your Pokemon is too Adamant, it might be difficult to change its mind once you assign it a move to use. Or if your Pokemon is Timid, it might think twice before it tries to attack.", Ricky explained, nodding his head.

"Uh-huh. You called them, 'Pokemon Natures', right?", Lillie asked.

"That's right. There's around twenty Pokemon Natures a Pokemon could have. Knowing the quirks of your Pokemon will help you develop a closer bond with them too.", Ricky happily explained.

"It's as my boy said. Well put.", Professor Oak replied with a smile. "Pokemon react in various ways, making Trainers and non-Trainers learn how to use them in different scenarios. For you three in particular, you decided to set off on a Pokemon Journey, as trainers!", Professor Oak exclaimed.

In response to his remark, the device in the center of the lab suddenly activated on its own. It soon brought three Pokeballs forward, raising a platform on its own.

"What you three see here are starting Pokemon one can choose when they set off in the Kanto Region! I'm sure you are familiar with these Pokemon already. But going in order, these three Pokemon are Bulbasaur, Charmander, and Squirtle. They will journey alongside you, so I do hope you can develop close bonds with these Pokemon!", Professor Oak explained.

"Oh we will. You can count on us, Gramps. We won't skip out on growing closer with our Pokemon. We'll give them lots of training courses too. We do want to head into the Indigo League, after all.", Ricky responded with a smile.

"That's right! We won't be your average Trainer before long. We'll grow strong!", Serena happily responded.

"It will require lots of work, but I am definitely up for the challenge.", Lillie said too, pumping her arms in vigor. Even she was showing the energy to use on a Pokemon Journey.

"I'll expect no less from you three. I know there are lots of Pokemon out there. Many of them have been discovered, but not a single individual has ever presented me with a completed Pokedex. I know I don't need to issue you three a Pokemon Index, or Pokedex for short, considering you have already received them from Professor Kukui. What I will say instead, is I still hope you can accomplish the dream I've never been able to attain.", Professor Oak said, which drew their interest.

"You mean, completing the entire Pokedex? That's a rather tall order you're requesting of us, Professor. There's over a thousand Pokemon out there now, isn't there?", Serena immediately frowned once the trio heard that.

"I know it's a big request, yes. You can take small steps at the beginning. You don't need to catch every Pokemon you come across, but hopefully you'll be able to fill it out gradually as you find new places!", Professor Oak said. "I am far too old to go on such lengthy adventures, so I have to leave it up to the younger generations, like yourselves.", Professor Oak continued.

"I don't see our Pokemon Journey ending anytime soon. We won't be stopping with just the Kanto Region, right, Ricky?", Lillie questioned.

"That's the plan. Kanto is just our first step. More than likely, we'll take the bullet train and cut straight through Mt. Silver, and reach the other side. Beyond there is the Johto Region, rich in ancient folklore. Johto's roots are much more traditional than Kanto is. Despite that, we are neighbors.", Ricky explained.

"The Johto Region huh? If you really do head there next, I'll have you send my regards to Professor Elm.", Professor Oak mused, hearing their potential target after the trio finishes the Kanto Region. Nothing was set in stone though, even if they lost the Indigo League, that wouldn't prevent them from going to other regions.

It took Ash several attempts to finally win a League challenge. It took Ash seven whole generations before he received a League trophy.

Ricky inwardly chuckled thinking of that. He definitely didn't want to lose seven times in a row! He was going to come out on top! As Ricky thought that, Professor Oak coughed again.

"Anyways, that's still too far into the future. As long as you can take baby steps to register every single Pokemon in your Pokedex, then that will be enough for me.", Professor Oak continued to say with a smile.

"We can't say for sure we'll accomplish that dream of yours, Gramps. But we'll give it our best shot. If there's something to add to that, we already have a few Pokemon registered each, courtesy of a certain someone.", Ricky responded with a nod.

"Or so I've been told. I also see that look in your eyes. You've already decided on who to pick, haven't you?", Professor Oak mused.

"Hehehe, of course we did! Receiving those Pokemon earlier only helped us reach a decision. By doing that, we'll each have one Pokemon of every starting Typing! Heading out from here should be a breeze for us.", Serena said.

"So that's how it came to be, huh? Well, I do like that determination of yours. It'll be up to you on how to raise these Pokemon. That's part of why Trainers go out on a Pokemon Journey!", Professor Oak happily responded. "And with that being the case, considering you three have already decided on which starting Pokemon to choose, I will not keep you waiting anymore. You heard my spiel, so hop to it.", Professor Oak said, urging the trio to pick their Pokemon.

They simply looked at each other for a moment, before nodding their heads. At the same time, they all walked up to the machine. With a decisive look, they grabbed the three red Pokeballs that were prepared for them by Professor Oak!

"Welcome to the team, Charmander.", Ricky said, welcoming his new Pokemon.

"I hope to treat you well, Squirtle!", Serena happily said.

"Pleased to meet you, Bulbasaur.", Lillie said.

They didn't hesitate. They had already decided on what Pokemon to choose!

"It's good that you could choose which starting Pokemon you want. Please look after them well.", Professor Oak said, smiling at the three. The trio nodded their heads simultaneously. Ricky assured his Pokemon will be well looked after.

They now had three starting Pokemon from three different regions! Some trainers might get jealous by that fact alone, but Ricky had his connections. Through those connections, he's getting a better head start than most trainers. Like Serena said, the beginning half of Kanto shouldn't pose too much an issue. They'll heavily focus on training their new Pokemon, and getting closer with them.

"So what's the plan now, Ricky?", Professor Oak inquired.

"It's now after 12PM, it should only take us an hour or two to cross Route 1. It really is a short route. I'm thinking of getting Lillie acquainted with battling, and going against a Pidgey should suit her. They're known as the easiest Pokemon to battle against once a trainer first sets off on their Pokemon Journey.", Ricky explained.

"Battling a Pidgey, huh? I'm already looking forward to it!", Lillie happily responded, wondering which Pokemon she should start using.

"Then I'll wish the best of luck to you three. From here on, you are officially recognized as Pokemon Trainers!", Professor Oak happily exclaimed.

"Thanks, Gramps. We won't let you down.", Ricky responded, nodding confidently.

Perhaps it took a moment to finally register the entire process of what happened, but this marked the beginning of Ricky's Pokemon Journey. He hadn't a clue what would happen from here on, but just being able to experience the entirety of the Pokemon World was why he chose to come here! He was extremely grateful to the godly being that gave him this opportunity. He's going to enjoy this new life to the fullest!

Both anticipation and excitement grew with each passing step while the trio departed from Professor Oak's Lab, waiting to see where they would wander off to next.

As the saying went, the world was their oyster!

Holding their heads high, the trio departed from Pallet Town, officially arriving at Route 1. Oh, and Ricky made sure not to forget to register their new Pokemon into their Pokedex.

*

POKEMON ROSTER:

Ricky: Shiny Alolan Ninetales, Shiny Rowlet, Shiny Froakie, Charmander.

Serena: Kantonian Vulpix, Shiny Litten, Chespin, Squirtle.

Lillie: Alolan Vulpix, Shiny Popplio, Fennekin, Bulbasaur.