I rushed down the stairs with excitement as soon as I heard the SilphPrime delivery truck. A Rattata in delivery uniform was at the door with my shipment of Dive Balls. “For Miss Tentacles, sign here.”
I collected my package, and took the box upstairs to sort into my bag. “Oh shit, I was supposed to meet with Professor Oak about a research project today!” I scrambled back down the stairs, and bumbled over to the Lab next door.
The Professor was nowhere to be found. “Dammit,” I thought to myself, “he probably got tired of waiting and left for the day!” Just then, I saw Green over by the back of the Lab with a smug look on his face. “Hey LOSER, Gramps fucked off already!” God, I hated this guy. Ever since we were kids, he’s been the most insufferable asshole I’ve ever met. The Professor must really need help if he’s enlisting this goon for help.
Resisting the urge to punch Professor Oak’s grandson square in the face, I left the lab and made my way down Route 1. If I was lucky, the Professor would still be walking home. I’d barely made it out of town when I heard the Professor call out to me.
“Hey! Wait, Marina! Don’t go out!” The Professor shout as he ran over to me. “That was close! Wild Pokémon live in tall grass!”
I’m not sure how I managed to pass him, but before I knew it he was practically dragging me back to the lab.
When we got back, Green was still there, furiously typing away on the PC in the back. “Hey Green, get off of Reddit and come over here for a minute” Oak said.
“Gramps, I’m busy moderating a very heated discussion right now! GalarPoors are simping for Leon in r/GenWunnersOnly, and I need to let them know that Lance is the true GigaChamp.” The Professor rolled his eyes and motioned me over to a table with three Poke Balls.
“There are 3 Pokémon here! Haha! They are inside the Poké Balls. When I was young, I was a serious Pokémon trainer! In my old age, I have only 3 left, but you can have one! Go on, choo-“
“Sorry, I brought my own” I interjected.
“You… wait, what?” The Professor was clearly confused.
“I don’t need ’em, give mine to the the armchair warrior over there. He’ll need it more than me anyway.” Just then, I reached into my bag, and produced a Dive Ball containing a Marill.
“Wait that’s not allowed!” Green, practically mouth-breathing at this point, had managed to pry himself away from his Redditor duties. It was unclear if he was just winded from a heated debate with u/LeonsNumber1Bro, or if he was genuinely upset that I had obtained a Pokemon before he did.
“Yeah, just arrived today with my Silph order. I imported her from Hoenn! She’s so cute, and round, and friend shaped!”
“Well, I guess that works…” the Professor, upset that things weren’t going to plan, went over to his desk to find something. “Green, you take your pick, I got a lot to cover and I’m already behind schedule.”
Green grabbed the Charmander, “This one looks tough! Fun fact: Charmander is actually the canon choice for a playthrough of Pokemon FireRed, you see-“
The Professor interjected. “Green, we really don’t have time for another one of your internet conspiracy theories. Now, I want you to each take one of these.”
The Professor produced two PokeDexes. “It automatically records data on Pokémon you’ve seen or caught! It’s a hi-tech encyclopedia! To make a complete guide on all the Pokémon in the world… That was my dream! But, I’m too old! I can’t do it! So, I want you two to fulfill my dream for me! Get moving, you two! This is a great undertaking in Pokémon history! And yes, Green, I expect you to actually leave the house to work on this assignment.”
Ignoring Green’s groans of protest, I thanked the Professor for the Pokedex and proceeded to head out the door.
Before I set off, I checked in with my mom to let her know I’m officially an adult and that I’ll be going on an adventure. I also made a quick stop at Green’s house to kiss his sister Daisy and grab one of her extra Town Maps.
Once again, I set out on Route 1, this time with a whole new adventure ahead of me.