When Paths Change

Chapter 2: Goodbye Home

Kodaka and his friend, Lukas, pushed open the door that leads into the laboratory where they saw stacks of paper randomly placed on the floor, cabinets, and the machines.

From behind a large stack of papers on a desk, a husky, middle-aged man wearing a very casual outfit topped with a white lab coat was rapidly signing papers. When the two boys walked into the lab, the man looked up from his work and grinned cheerfully.

"Ah, boys! It's so nice to see you that you finally came!", the man's voice was loud and booming. He stood up from his chair and stretched.

Kodaka and Lukas walked up to the professor with eager but nervous smiles on their faces. "Hey Professor!", they said in unison.

"Oh, just call me Birch no need for formalities," the man let out a laugh, "I'm terribly sorry for the mess, I have a lot of pesky paperwork to do... anyways, are you two ready for today?"

The boys nodded excitedly then Birch laughed,"Well alright then wait here!", he went behind his desk and opened a drawer then took out a small, black case. He then went back to the boys, "Now then time to choose your starter, your new life companion who will be there for you through thick and thin...," after saying that he opened up the case and inside were 3 Pokeballs with a Fire, Water, and Grass symbol on them,"Take your time to choose."

Kodaka and Lukas looked at each other before nodding then they both reached out and grabbed a Pokeball. Kodaka chose the Pokeball with the Water symbol while Lukas chose the one with the Fire symbol.

Professor Birch closed the case and let out a laugh,"Hahaha! I always loved this moment! The moment where you come of age!" The boys weren't listening to him, they were both staring intently at their Pokeballs as if they were nervous. "Listen boys... I know the world out there will be harsh but as long as you two stay together with your Pokemon you can overcome anything. Now go on and enter the outside world!" The boys nodded with grins on their faces and ran out of the laboratory.

After leaving the lab, they each ran to their respective houses to pack up their stuff and say their goodbyes to their families. Soon, they both came out of their homes and stood in front of Route 101. Both of the boys looked at each other before smiling and chuckling a bit nervously.

"Well this is it... our very own journey...," said Kodaka.

"Yeah... it's really that time...," said Lukas.

They both took a deep breath and nodded at each other before they started walking into Route 101...

The boys' fates are now set in motion... and because of those fates they must make their own decisions. A friendship that seems so solid like a fort... will eventually crumble into bitter hatred...