Advance Couple and the Manager: Choosing a Starter

Our story truly begins a month later in Littleroot Town inside the Hoenn Region. In what was now the Ketchum home Ash yawned loudly as he got up and smiled at the calendar and today’s date was marked with a star. Today he picks his Starter Pokemon and begins his journey as a future Pokemon Master! Rushing downstairs he saw Delia dishing out the breakfast with Mr Mime and Meowth already sitted.

“Glad to see you up twerp, today is the day you go from being my host’s son to being my first client as a Pokemon trainer manager!” Meowth said with glee as Ash sat down on his seat and the two began tucking in at the breakfast. “You know I was thinking you might need a nickname.” Meowth told him once he was finished “I heard of this water Pokemon trainer back in Kanto who was known as ‘the Tomboyish Mermaid’ and this gym leader who went by ‘the Nature Loving Princess’!” Meowth said as Ash was finishing his breakfast.

“Before you get changed Ash, I picked out this outfit for you to go on your journey.” Delia said handing Ash some clothes. Ash thanked her as he went upstairs with Delia telling Meowth that she picked out something for Meowth as well. Ash soon got changed into the clothes his mother had given him and took a look in the mirror.

He was wearing a red and white cap, black shirt, dark blue short sleeved jacket with white lines, black fingerless gloves, red wrist bands, grey pants and sneakers that were red, black, white and blue. Ash walked downstairs to see Meowth wearing a purple bowtie that Delia put on him which he did not seem to mind. “That’s us going to the lab to get my first Pokemon mum.” Ash told Delia as they waved to her.

“Come back to show me what you picked and I will have packed some essentials for your journey.” Delia told as they gone through the front gate and she shut the door sighing that her son was growing up. Ash loved talking about how he could not wait to become a trainer and today is the day his new life begins.

Ash looked into his pocket and got out Professor Oak’s number which he took with him before he went downstairs, Professor Oak gave it to him so they could keep in touch once he began his journey. “Will have to remember to give a call to Professor Oak today, now where is Professor Birch’s lab?” Ash questioned as Meowth stopped his daydream of being a high profile trainer manager to realise he did not know where it was either.

“Okay so we lost some time getting some directions, but at least we are here. But next time twerp let’s make sure we know where we are going before we go there.......” Meowth said looking up to Ash as they arrived at the outside of Professor Birch’s lab. “As soon as you go in there and choose your starter twerp, we will be going out and start planning an illustrious career that will lead to fame, fortune.....” Meowth said but his monologue was interrupted by the arrival of a girl rushing by and stopping on her bike.

Meowth had jumped into Ash’s arms and he put him down with Meowth wanting to give this girl a piece of his mind. The girl got off her bike and Ash saw that she had short brown hair, a red and white bandana, a black and red shirt, white and black gloves, black shorts, white skirt and red and yellow shoes. “Hi, are you here for your starter as well?” Ash asked in a friendly tone but Meowth did not look so friendly to the girl.

“Yeah, sorry if I scared your Pokemon and I am surprised you caught him if you don’t have your starter yet.” The girl said and looked confused as Ash groaned. Ash looked at Meowth and knew he was about to erupt.

“I WAS NOT CAUGHT, I JUST LIVE WITH HIS FAMILYA ND I AM GOING TO BE HIS MANAGER! ANYWAY, WHAT IS THE BIG IDEA IN TRYING TO RUN ME OVER ANYWAY?” Meowth screamed and the girl looked scared at Meowth’s outburst. Ash glared at Meowth as he put him down and asked him to calm down.

“Sorry about Meowth, my mum and I took him in and he is going to be my manager when I become a Pokemon trainer.” Ash explained and the girl looked surprised. “I’m Ash Ketchum.” Ash said offering his hand which the girl took.

“Thanks, my name is May Maple and once again I am sorry for scaring you’re.......... Manager.” The girl said with a sheepish look as she considered the last word carefully. “Do you want to go in and pick our Pokemon together?” May asked and Ash nodded as they went inside with Meowth not too far behind.

“You must be Ash, Professor Oak a month ago told me to expect you since you were moving here.” Professor Birch said shaking Ash’s hand and then looked down at May. “Yes he did say you found a talking Pokemon who is apparently going to be your manager.” Professor Birch said smiling down at the proud looking Meowth again.

“Nice to see you again May, I can see how much you have grown since I last saw you.” Professor Birch said and May waved to him. Seeing the look on the faces of both Ash and Meowth, Professor Birch then explained “May here is a daughter of a friend of mine, I was expecting here to come here as well. If you follow me then I can show you to the Hoenn Starters.”

Professor Birch then showed him to his desk and gave them both strange devices, “These are your Pokedexes, everytime you see a new Pokemon their date will instantly be stored into them. They can also act as your identification for contests and tournaments.” Professor Birch told them as the two kids looked at their new devices in awe. “Now here the time to choose your starters are here.”

Professor Birch then took out three Pokeballs and threw him in the air which caused three Pokemon to come flying out. “Mudkip the water Pokemon, Torchic the fire Pokemon and Treecko the plant Pokemon.” Professor Birch told them as Ash and May looked at the three Pokemon. Meowth was eyeing the three Pokemon very carefully.

“The first of your Pokemon team twerp, we need to make sure that we pick a real champion.” Meowth said with his paws to his chin but Ash was trying to decide on his own. Ash looked towards the Treecko and it seemed to want to come near Ash.

“Do you want to be my Pokemon, Treecko?” Ash asked the plant Pokemon and it gave an excited sound. “I think I want to pick Treecko here.” Ash said as Professor Birch then recalled Treecko and gave the Pokeball to Ash.

“Okay the Grass one huh, I guess we can work with him.........” Meowth said noticing that May looked alarmed looking at the other two as if something was bothering here. “Wonder what is wrong with here.............” Meowth said as May was now looking at Torchic.

“He looks cute; I want to pick Torchic please.” May told Professor Birch as Torchic was also recalled into his Pokeball and given to May. Mudkip seemed to be a bit disappointed that he wasn’t picked but Ash looked down to him and told him that he was sure he would get his own trainer soon. This seemed to cheer the Mudkip up as it was then recalled into his Pokeball.

“Now here are some Pokeballs for your journey, they are always available in Marts if you run out.” Professor Birch said handing them the Pokeballs which they put away. “Now you two are ready for your Pokemon journey.”

“I guess I will see you again sometime May.” Ash said walking off with Meowth waving to her as she was getting on her bike and waved back. After getting back to the house Delia gave Ash a bag filled with money, food and spare clothes for his trip. “I guess that means we can start our journey now.........” Ash said and Meowth walking in the streets not knowing about what was going to happen............