My Johto Journey

Chapter 1

Day 1

"Mom do I have to go?!" A broken voice going through puberty is heard as we see a boy trying to change his mother's mind as she was packing clothes and other necessities in a backpack.

"Yes dear, you're twelve years old now. You were supposed to go when you were ten, but because of your fear of socializing with others, you stayed. I believe this journey will help you overcome them." She says as she puts away his toothbrush.

"But I'm still nervous and scared. What if I get in an accident? What if I get robbed or kidnapped?" The kid says as he starts shaking like a leaf.

"Don't worry that's why you'll have your Pokémon to protect you." She says as a matter of fact as she continues to pack things into a backpack.

"But I don't even own a Pokémon." The boy says as he comes up with a solution to his problem.

"That's why I talked with professor Elm and he said he'll give you one if you do an errand for him while you are on your journey. So go and visit him while I finish." She responded as she incredibly put a foldable bicycle into the small bag.

"Bu-but do I have to talk with him?" He said nervously.

"Oh honey, does he still make you nervous? But he's been our neighbor for 5 years now." She says as she looks at her son.

"Ya sorry." He says looking down.

"All the more reason why you have to go." She says with determination. "Now go and see professor Elm."

"Yes, mom." He says with depression.

As soon as he walks out of the front door he sees his childhood friend Lyra walking with her Marill to her house. He starts feeling like he should talk to her, but soon embarrassment comes at full force, making him freeze and starts running to the lab.

When he was in front of the lab, he noticed a red-haired boy looking through the window of the professor's home. The boy wore black clothing and looked suspicious as he watched through the window. A part of him wanted to confront the guy, but soon his fears won out and walked through the door.

When he enters the door, he starts noticing the expensive equipment with the Professor's assistant and interns looking through files and computers. Luckily he has been here before and knows the layout of the lab and the people would ignore him. He quickly goes to the back without making a noise.

"Hi, Izzy! I've been waiting for you!" said Prof. Elm as he lowered a book he finished reading.

"H-hello Pro-professor." Izzy says with an uneasy smile while looking at the brown haired man.

"Sorry. I still make you nervous?" Elm says with a sweatdrop.

"I-it's fine. It's not your fault professor." Izzy said, trying to make the atmosphere less awkward.

"Ahem. Anyways I want to ask. Do you know anything about my research?" Elm said as he looked at Izzy, but the look on Izzy's face said it all. "As you know, Pokémon are carried in Poké Balls these days. But before the Poké Ball was invented, people used to walk with Pokémon. Just like your friend Lyra does! Poké Balls are great because you can carry many Pokémon. But walking with Pokémon must have some advantages. It could have something to do with how a Pokémon grows or evolves... And thanks to your mother for recommending you. You are going to get a Pokémon to help further my research!" Elm says happily.

"Yay." Izzy says in a low volume so no one can hear as Elm keeps talking.

"Can you walk beside this Pokémon to see if this brings any special feeling or bonds between Pokémon and people?" Elm asked.