The Ties that Bond
That fateful day in March began with the obnoxious ringing of an alarm clock. Alex pounds the alarm button furiously, muttering obscenities to himself before pushing back the sheets. “I hate having to give up precious time to sleep.” he mutters before standing up. He smelled the scent of bacon coming from downstairs and trailed it back to its source. “You know exactly how to wake me, Mom.” muttered Alex as he rubbed his eyes. “I raised you for 15 years by myself. I know what makes you tick!” proclaimed his mother as she smiled. “You've got an hour before you're due at the Pokemon Center today.”
“I know mom.. I was up a little later than I should have been last night considering who to choose.” Alex said lazily before grabbing a plate from the cubboard. He then focused his attention to the TV, which showed a battle between the current Champion and his latest challenger. He has a Blaziken, a Pokemon not native to Cerulean City, or Kanto for that matter. “Markus, the challenger, has fought hard, but he seems stonewalled by Garret's Blaziken! The battle isn't over yet! Let's see if his Blastoise can make a comeback!” The announcer proclaimed to the world. “Blaziken, finish this with Sky Uppercut!” Garret commanded. The Blaziken then charged furiously at the Blastoise. “Blastoise, put everything you have into Hydro Pump!” the challenger declared. The Blaziken swiftly sidestepped the powerful blast, homing in on its target and sending it dozens of feet in the air with a jaw-dropping punch. The Blastoise crashed to the ground next to it's trainer, it's shell slightly cracked.
The challenger's expression changed from shocked to solemn, before reaching for his partner's Poke Ball and aiming it at the monster. “Blastoise.. you fought magnificently over the course of our journey. You've earned your rest. Return.” A red light emerged, absorbing Blastoise and inserting him inside the ball. The trainer tapped the button, shrinking the ball before returning it to his belt and making his way towards the center of the arena to be congratulated by the Champion. “You've grown strong, fellow trainer, but there are still new heights you can reach. Continue strengthening the bonds between you and your partners and you will reach them.” The challenger's face gently changed to a gentle smile as he shook Garret's hand and calmly made his way to the exit.
Alex stared in awe of the champion as commercials began airing before the closing ceremony of the annual Pokemon League tournament. He quickly made himself dressed and presentable for a trip to the Pokemon Center, realizing he had spent too much time watching television. “Bye Mom!” He yelped as he bolted out the door and onto his bike. The Center was several blocks away from where he lived, with the Gym being nearby as well. Cerulean is a huge city, and had the population to prove it. Alex weaved his bike through the crowds, desperate to reach his destination in time.
Impulsively, Alex parked his bike in front of the Pokemon Center and rushed in to get to the Transfer System, but in his blind dash, he ran into a tall man with a lean physique, with raven black hair flowing down his back. He turned to see what had hit him, looming down with an irritated look on his face. “Just a whelp.” He said as he calmly left the Center. Alex, after getting his focus back, quickly entered the room where his fate would change. After identifying himself in the computer console, a video appeared of a tall man who appeared to be in his fifties. He wore a white labcoat with a maroon undershirt. “Hello there, Alex. It's a pleasure to meet you. I'm Professor Oak, Pokemon Researcher. I still have plenty of Pokemon for you to choose from.” The Professor then shifts the view to a table with three Pokemon sitting on top of it. “These are the parters you could be with. The one on the left is Bulbasaur, a grass type Pokemon. The Middle one is Charmander, a fire type, and the one on the right is Squirtle, a water type. I'll give you some time to think of your choice, and feel free to ask questions about your choices.”
Alex then smiled gently and nodded, before pondering for a few minutes on who he wanted his partner to be. “The Charmander looks cool, but that's about it.. Bulbasaur seems to be more natural, and it reminds me of when Mom and I lived on the outskirts of Viridian forest.. before Dad left us. Squirtle looks like an interesting choice, and he'll remind me of Cerulean, but.. I think I've made my choice.” Alex then looked up at the Professor, his eyes brightening at the sight of his choice. “I pick Bulbasaur, Professor.” He said as a grin came across his face. “As many new trainers as I've seen, I had a feeling you'd choose him.” the Professor said as he called Bulbasaur back to his ball. “Don't worry, you two will have trainers as well.” He then disappeared from sight, and the transfer machine began to activate moments later. A Pokeball emerged on the table next to the monitor before Oak returned to the screen. “I got a feeling you two will go far in your journey, Alex.” Alex quickly picked up the ball and called out Bulbasaur, eager to meet his new companion.
The Bulbasaur emerged from the ball, staring quietly at his trainer with a disoriented look on his face. Alex then attempted to reach over and pet it, but Bulbasaur swatted his hand with a Vine Whip. The Professor then laughed. “It's going to take some time to get warmed up to you. It's different for each trainer.” He explained. Alex rubbed his hand to ease the pain before calling Bulbasaur back to it's ball. “Thank you for the Pokemon, Professor!” Alex exclaimed. “It's my pleasure, Alex. He simply doesn't know you very well yet. It's natural that he wants some space. With that said, I must prepare for the others that are on their way.” The Professor then waved to Alex, before the monitor went blank. The beginning of yet another trainers journey had begun..
