NOVEL NEXT Chapter 20: Pallet Town
It's been a month since Ethan started his journey, and today, new Pokémon trainers from Pallet Town were set to begin their own adventures.
Gary was packing his stuff, excitement buzzing through him. He made his way to Professor Oak's lab to get his starter Pokémon. Outside the lab, he ran into a familiar face.
"Green! You ready to start your journey?" Gary asked, a confident smirk on his face.
"Of course, Gary. Let's see who gets the better starter," Green replied, equally determined.
They headed inside the lab together. Professor Oak greeted them warmly.
"Ah, Gary, Green! Come in, come in. It's time to choose your first Pokémon."
Gary stepped forward first. After a moment of thought, he picked up a Poké Ball. "I'll take Squirtle."
Green smiled and chose next. "I choose Bulbasaur ."
Just as they finished their selection, Pink walked into the lab.
"Hey, Professor! I'm here for my Pokédex," Pink said cheerfully. Her family had already arranged a Pokémon for her before she started her journey.
Professor Oak handed out the Pokédexes. Gary, always curious about Ethan , asked,
"Grandpa, how's Ethan doing?"
Professor Oak smiled. "Ethan is doing great. He's already won two gym badges. And he caught a remarkable Pokémon which he left here for research."
Intrigued, Gary pressed on. "Can we see it?"
Professor Oak nodded. "Follow me."
He led them to a nearby lake. As they approached, the air felt different, almost magical. The light danced off scattered crystals, creating a mesmerizing effect.
"What's with all these crystals?" Green wondered aloud.
Then, with a dramatic rumble, the water's surface broke. Rising from the depths was an enormous, glimmering Onix, its body made entirely of crystal.
The sun hit its surface, causing a dazzling array of lights to scatter in every direction. It was almost blinding.
Gary, Green, and Pink stood in awe, their mouths agape.
"No way... That's an Onix?" Gary muttered, stunned.
"It's a Crystal Onix," Professor Oak explained, pride evident in his voice. "A variant of Onix that even I haven't seen before. Ethan caught it and left it here for research."
Green couldn't take her eyes off the Crystal Onix. "It's beautiful. And huge!"
Pink nodded. "Ethan must be an amazing trainer to catch something like this."
Professor Oak chuckled. "Ethan has shown a lot of promise. This Crystal Onix is a testament to his skill and determination."
Gary, usually full of confidence, looked a bit shaken. "I guess Ethan's setting the bar pretty high."
They continued to admire the Crystal Onix, sharing their thoughts and speculations about its abilities and rarity.
The Onix let out a low, rumbling sound before submerging back into the lake, leaving the group in awe.
As they walked back, they were still buzzing with excitement and curiosity about Ethan's journey.
Pink suddenly asked, "Hey, why didn't Ash come to the lab? Doesn't he start his journey today too?"
Gary and Green looked at each other, realizing they hadn't seen Ash.
"Probably slept in, as usual," Gary chuckled. "He'll wake up late and rush over here."
Bidding farewell to Green and Pink, Gary waited outside, knowing Ash would show up eventually.
Green and Pink set off on their journeys, full of excitement.
Soon enough, Gary's prediction proved accurate. Ash came running towards the lab, still in his night suit.
Gary couldn't resist. "Overslept again, Ash? Good luck catching up!"
Ash, panting, stopped in front of Gary. "I didn't oversleep! I... just had trouble with my alarm clock!"
Gary smirked. "Right. Just admit it, Ash. You'll always be one step behind me."
Ash glared at him. "We'll see about that, Gary!"
Gary chuckled and started his journey, leaving Ash to handle his late start.
Ash hurriedly entered the lab, where he found Professor Oak sitting on his chair. Seeing Ash, Professor Oak stood up and approached him.
"Professor Oak, I'm ready for my journey. I've come to choose my starter Pokémon," Ash said, excitement evident in his voice.
Professor Oak pressed a button, releasing three Pokéballs onto the table. "Go ahead, Ash. Choose one."
Ash eagerly picked up Squirtle's Pokéball, but it was empty.
"A trainer who came earlier already chose Squirtle," Professor Oak informed him.
Disappointed but undeterred, Ash picked up Bulbasaur's Pokéball, which was also empty.
"That one was also taken by an early trainer," Professor Oak explained.
Ash then reached for Charmander's Pokéball, only to find it empty as well.
Crestfallen, he turned towards Professor Oak, who sighed and said, "There is still one Pokémon left."
Before he could finish, Ash eagerly agreed to take it. Professor Oak handed him a Pokéball, which contained Pikachu.
As soon as Pikachu was released, it shocked both Ash and Professor Oak.
With a doubtful look, Professor Oak wondered if Ash could handle Pikachu.
Determined, Ash reassured him, "I can handle it," and bid goodbye to Professor Oak, heading out to start his journey.