It didn't take long after Gary Oak left; another boy and a girl came to claim Charmander and Bulbasaur respectively.
It was clear that the quality of the Starter Pokémon at Professor Oak's lab was top notch, yet ultimately only Gary and Ash Ketchum would make a significant impact at the Indigo League. Paul could only mentally label the other two as passerby A and passerby B.
* That's right, compared to Ash, those two aren't even worth remembering *.
He rearranged the three empty Poke Balls on the stand. Paul waited until he was almost drowsy before finally, a disheveled figure burst into the laboratory.
At the door, Gary waved goodbye to Paul and left with his entourage of fans. So, the person in pajamas standing before him must be the destined protagonist, Ash Ketchum.
"Hi, Catch your breath, no need to rush," Paul greeted Ash calmly.
"Please give me a Pokémon..."
* Well, Ashs CPU seems to have crashed. Why is there a new NPC in Professor Oak's Lab? *
"Well, don't worry about the details. Professor Oak went upstairs to make a call. I was entrusted with giving out the Pokémon here," Paul shrugged, feigning helplessness.
* Why hasn't Professor Oak come down yet? Just now, I saw the old man practically spitting with excitement. He couldn't be arguing with Professor Sycamore, could he? *
Sycamore replied smugly, "alright, you win."
Professor Oak: My dear Professor, do you know who I am? First Generation Champion of the Kanto Indigo League, with a Dragonite? Don't you know face matters?
Sycamore: Meowth, alright, you win.
"Okay, I'm sorry I'm late! Please give me the Pokémon!" Ash accepted the reality, humbly stretching out both hands and looking pitifully at Paul.
Paul turned and gestured to the three empty PokeBall slots. "As you can see, life is like trying to squeeze onto a crowded bus. If you're late, there's nothing left."
Ash starred in stunned disbelief. "Then what do I do?!! Does this mean I have to start my journey alone?"
* That's right, Ash, the super rookie, has no concept of retreat. Even if it means bare knuckle boxing, he's determined to be a Pokémon trainer! *
"Don't worry, wait for Professor Oak. After all, he invited four people. He must have something prepared," Paul reassured Ash.
At that moment, like a victorious Blaziken, Professor Oak walked down the stairs, chest puffed out, clearly in a great mood. * Turns out Professor Sycamore's research project was not so secret after all *.
"Oh, it's Ash. You certainly arrived late enough," Professor Oak teased with a smile.
"Professor, I know I am late, please give me the Pokémon!" Ash pleaded with a pained expression. Gone, Bulbasaur is gone, Charmander is gone, Squirtle is gone!
Paul scoffed internally. * Quit whining, kid. You'll get your precious starter; fortune always seems to favor you. Just watch. How many rare Pokémon have you managed to get your hands on without even trying? *
* Speaking of which... if he gets a Chimchar later, and I raise a Charizard... isn't that fair? * Paul suddenly felt a mischievous thought bubble up.
"Well, I did prepare one extra," Professor Oak sighed, seeing that Ash acknowledged his mistake.
It was presented as just right, but it was actually prepared specifically for Ash. Because the first time he saw this Pikachu in the wild, Professor Oak recognized it.
Once, many years ago, a young Samuel Oak met a righteous trainer and his partner Pikachu in the Johto region. Together, they saved the mythical Pokémon Celebi who had traveled through time, forging a deep friendship.
Even after so many years, the fond memories of that time traveling adventure remained vivid.
This Pikachu... it can only belong to Ash!
Coming to the table where the Poke Balls were placed, Professor Oak pressed a button, and a hidden PokeBall slowly rose up. The lightning bolt mark shone brightly.
"Well, but there's something... unusual about this Pokémon," Professor Oak reminded him kindly, thinking of Pikachu's temperament.
The moment the Poke Ball appeared, Paul retreated to a corner. Although he wasn't weak, he really didn't want any electrotherapy.
"It doesn't matter, I want this one!" Ash, seeing a glimmer of hope, didn't care about any potential problems. No matter how big the problem, it was more reliable than trying to fight wild Pokémon bare handed, right?
Zap
The moment Ash opened the Poke Ball, a dazzling electric arc appeared, crackling with energy.
Paul already had Elekids Poke Ball in hand, ready to send it out for protection at any moment!
"Pika!"
* That's right, it's him, it's him, our little friend, ahem the yellow electric mouse mascot! *
Ash's eyes lit up instantly. * What could possibly be wrong with this? Such a cute starter Pokémon! Ash just wanted to say, I can handle this! *
"It's so cute! This one is obviously great! How are you, Pikachu!" As someone completely oblivious to social cues, Ash rushed forward and gave Pikachu a tight bear hug.
"Elekid, come out and save me!!" Paul released Elekid immediately.
In the next second, Professor Oak cried out in alarm, "Wait Ash, this Pikachu Ahhhh!!!!"
Wild arcs of electricity danced, and the strong current gave both Ash and Professor Oak a supreme dose of electrotherapy.
"Ele !" Elekids Motor Drive kicked in. Its arms whirred. This surge feels good! Elekid felt its energy increase by at least ten percent!
"Kaka~" Ash coughed out two puffs of black smoke and collapsed. Pikachu comfortably wiped non-existent sweat from its forehead.
* Sir, that's one hundred and eight volts of electrotherapy. Would you like to see our package deals? *
Paul: ... * Pikachu, you're truly something else *.
Professor Oak finally recovered slightly. "This Pokémon is called Pikachu. They are generally shy. If you touch him without permission, this is what happens."
Ash, still numb, complained. "Why didn't you say so sooner..."
Professor Oak took out the Pokédex and empty Poke Balls. "Here are your Poke Balls and Pokédex. Hurry along now."
Ash held Pikachu under one arm and took the supplies with the other. Seeing that Ash still hadn't let go, Pikachu decisively delivered another shock.
Pikachu shouted angrily, "Pika Chu!!!"
"Zap! Zap! Zap!!!" Ash and Professor Oak were hit hard again.
* Urgh, I can't watch anymore! Professor Oak is too old for this; he's going to wet himself! * "Elekid, separate them!"
Paul directed while covering his head.
Elekid leaped forward. "Ele !"
A palm strike descended from above, cleanly separating Pikachu and Ash.
"Oh? You actually learned Brick Break?" Paul's eyes lit up. * As expected of my Elekid *.
After the successful strike, Elekid happily raised its arms, the Fighting type energy lingering around them.
"Not bad. You get an extra meal later," Paul patted Elekid in satisfaction.
"Oh, my old bones... Thank you, Paul," Professor Oak finally managed to get up.
Ash: "Um, Professor Oak"
"It's okay, just get going on your journey quickly," Professor Oak waved him away dismissively.
"Okay, then just wait for my good news!" Ash didn't hesitate, grabbing Pikachu and setting off happily.
"Then I'll take my leave too." Thinking of his own plans, Paul hurriedly bid farewell to Professor Oak and followed Ash.
"Ash, I'm also traveling in the Kanto region. Want to travel together for a while?" Paul caught up to Ash and asked.
Ash nodded happily. "No problem, Paul! Your Elekid is really powerful. But Pikachu and I won't lose to you!"
"Haha Then let's both do our best. Once you get familiar with Pikachu, we can try having a battle."
An inexperienced Ash and Pikachu... Paul definitely wouldn't miss such a golden opportunity.
"Okay, just wait! I'll bond with Pikachu in no time!" Ash's whole being lit up at the mention of battling; he was a battle maniac through and through.
Outside, as expected, Ash's mother and neighbors were blocking the entrance to Professor Oak's Lab again. The send off crowd was no smaller than Garys.
Still wearing his pajamas, now slightly singed, Ash hugged Pikachu and faced the crowd.
"Mom"
Kacha. Something broke. That's right, it was Ash's innocent boyish heart. It was too embarrassing. Paul felt that Ash's social awkwardness had reached new heights at this moment.
Delia Ketchum waited, holding a green backpack. Seeing Ash and Paul come out, she stepped forward. "Okay, okay, don't look so down. Although it's your fault for being late on your first day, since we'll be apart for a while, I've prepared your travel gear."
While talking, Delia wiped away tears, but Ash, the oblivious fool, didn't notice at all.
"Ash, your mother is very kind. Cherish her, and listen to what she has to say," Paul nudged Ash towards his mother.
"Look, here are your clothes, pants, and sneakers," Delia began taking items out one by one.
Ash finally snapped from embarrassment and grabbed the backpack. "Mom, no need! It's too much, gathering so many people! You should welcome me back triumphantly after I become a powerful Pokémon trainer!"
Delia nodded. "That makes sense."
Then Delia noticed Pikachu at her son's feet. "Who is this Pokémon?"
Ash said shyly, "This Pikachu is my Pokémon!"
Pikachu turned away with a huff, "Pika~" Doesn't want to talk to this trainer.
Ash hurriedly continued, flustered, "I want to use this Pikachu to catch all the Pokémon in the world!"
Paul snickered silently nearby. You'd better mean that. I'll be watching. Yes, might as well do Gohs job first, so he has nowhere to go!
At this time, Delia asked the critical question: "Normally, Pokémon are kept in PokeBalls. Why isn't he?"
Ash was taken aback. "That's right. Pikachu, get in?"
Saying that, he tossed the PokeBall at Pikachu. Paul covered his face again. Generally, you don't need to throw the ball to recall your own Pokémon!
Sure enough, Pikachu, happy to defy him, batted the ball back instantly. "Pi Ka Chu."
Ash threw it; Pikachu hit it back. This happened repeatedly.
Delia, not understanding, happily thought they were playing. "You two have such a good relationship! Are you playing catch?"
At this point, Ash absolutely couldn't admit he and Pikachu aren't getting along. He hugged Pikachu tightly and explained to everyone, "Yeah, we have a great relationship!"
Paul covered his face and backed away silently, even pulling Professor Oak, who had come out to watch the spectacle, with him.
Pikachu was visibly furious.
Delia looked at Pikachu's expression. "This Pokémon looks... rather cross."
Ash looked startled. "Cross?!"
Looking back, sure enough, Pikachus' anger had reached its peak.
"Pika Chuuuu!!!!"
Well, Ashs family and friends group... total party wipe...
Professor Oak kindly reminded from a safe distance, "Ash, those rubber gloves your mother packed are useful! They don't conduct electricity!"
After much chaos and commotion, Paul and Ash finally bid farewell to everyone in Pallet Town and quickly set off down the road.
As for why they were moving at the speed of a turtle... Ash had tied Pikachu with a rope and was dragging him forward like an ox, while Pikachu dug his heels into the ground, face full of resistance. Progress was painfully slow.
Pikachu also let out complaining noises the whole way. Paul was speechless.
* Master Ash was almost at Viridian Forest. Please start your legendary journey properly. I'm already getting tired of this *.