Chapter 1 – Larvitar of Pallet
Professor Oak's lab was teeming with activity when Ryan arrived. Several assistants in lab coats rushed by with stacks of folders. At the fence, two Rattata chased each other, while a relaxed Growlithe lounged in the sun near the gate, yawning.
As Ryan came closer, the Growlithe lifted its head, sniffed, and warmly greeted him with a cheerful "Gruff." It wagged its tail happily at Larvitar, who looked at it with a bit of suspicion but didn't hide behind Ryan this time.
The sliding doors whooshed open before he could knock.
"Ah, Ryan! There you are," Professor Oak called from across the entrance hall. He was standing at a console with a thin, transparent floating screen in front of him, showing trainer profiles. As he turned, his white lab coat flared slightly. "Right on time. I knew you'd be up early."
Ryan grinned. "We were training. Larvitar nailed Rock Throw."
"Did he now?" Oak's gaze dropped to the Pokémon, who puffed out its chest again.
"Lar!"
"Impressive. That level of control in just a month…" Oak stroked his chin. "You two have been working hard."
Ryan's cheeks warmed.
"Alright," Oak said briskly, closing the holographic display with a swipe. "Let's get the official bits out of the way before Gary gets here and starts yelling about how I'm 'playing favourites.'"
He guided Ryan through a corridor adorned with framed photographs—trainers and their partners, some captured in battle poses, others smiling with trophies. A younger Oak appeared in a few images, standing proudly next to a formidable Exeggutor, with darker, wavy hair and eyes shining with excitement.
"I've taken care of most of your paperwork already," Oak said as they walked. "Perks of being my assistant, hm?"
He pushed open a door into a smaller room that Ryan knew well. This was the registration and communication chamber, filled with consoles, screens, and a gleaming machine set into the wall: the latest model of Pokémon Transfer System. Next to it, like a relic from another era, was a separate console with a slot and cable sticking out—an old-fashioned, but highly reliable, Link Cable unit.
"Remember," Oak said, catching Ryan staring. "Many Pokémon will only evolve when traded using that. We have these set up at most Pokémon Centres now, too. If your journey goes well, I expect to see some fascinating evolutions passing through here."
Oak motioned to a panel at the central desk. "Place your hand there."
Ryan rested his palm on the pad. A soft light passed over it.
"Ryan Shaw," a calm computerised voice said. "Pallet Town. Age: 14. Trainer status: pending. Please confirm acceptance of Trainer License and journey responsibilities."
Ryan cleared his throat. "I accept," he said, trying to keep his voice steady.
"Voice pattern recognised. Trainer status: approved."
The panel blinked green. A small slot opened and spat out a sleek red device and a set of minimised Poké Balls.
Oak picked up the red device and flipped it open. "This is your Pokédex," he said. "It'll catalogue any Pokémon you encounter and provide basic data. Don't rely on it for everything—sometimes experience is more valuable than numbers—but it's an essential tool."
He handed it to Ryan, then pressed five Poké Balls into his hand.
"Five Poké Balls to start," he said.
"Thanks, Professor." Ryan turned the Pokédex over in his hands. It felt heavier than it looked, like all his dreams had been condensed into plastic and circuitry.
"And regarding your starter..." Oak smiled and looked at Larvitar, who had jumped onto a nearby stool to get a better view. "I assume Larvitar is still your preferred choice?"
"He is," Ryan said with pride. He couldn't picture himself without his Larvitar being his first Pokémon.
Larvitar's eyes went wide. It looked between Ryan and Oak, then let out a delighted, almost disbelieving cry.
"Lar!"
The panel flashed again, projecting a tiny hologram: Ryan's photo, his name, Trainer ID, and beside it, Larvitar's image.
"Good." Oak tapped a few commands. "Now it's official. From today on, you and Larvitar are a registered trainer team."
For a moment, Ryan could barely breathe.
This is real, he thought. It's happening.
He looked down at Larvitar. The Pokémon stared back with fierce intensity, as if trying to burn this moment into its memory. Ryan crouched and held out his hand.
"Partners?" he asked
Larvitar slapped its small arm into his palm.
"Lar."
They ended up in Oak's back field for a final demonstration battle. It had become a little tradition over the past few years: each new Pallet Town trainer showed what they could do before setting off.
"Nothing too intense," Oak said, standing at the edge of the field with a clipboard. "But I want to see how you and Larvitar coordinate."
He reached down and unclipped a Poké Ball from his belt.
"I'll use something easy," he added. "Don't want to break the fence again. Come on out, Doduo!"
With a flash of light, a tan, two-headed bird Pokémon materialised, talons digging into the grass. Both heads shook out their feathers and eyed Ryan and Larvitar curiously.
"Do… duo," they chirped in eerie harmony.
Ryan positioned himself at the far end of the field—the scent of recently cut grass blended with a touch of machine oil from Oak's automated sprinklers. Curious residents from Pallet Town had gathered along the sidelines, including the shopkeeper, some kids from nearby, and even his mum, who waved nervously.
His dad stood next to her, hand on her shoulder. He gave Ryan a firm nod that somehow steadied him more than anything he could say.
"Alright," Oak said. "This is just a practice match. No need to hold back, though. Are you ready, Ryan?"
Ryan swallowed and nodded. "Ready!"
"Good. Then let's begin. Doduo, Ryan and Larvitar—let's see what you've got!"
Doduo pranced lightly, both heads bobbing.
"Larvitar, you know the drill," Ryan said, forcing his voice to be calm. "Stay focused. Watch how it moves."
Larvitar planted its feet, staring at Doduo like it was the only thing in the world.
"Doduo, start with Quick Attack!" Oak called.
Doduo blurred, its bodies streaking across the field in a flash of speed, grass whipping under its talons.
Fast. Okay. Think.
"Larvitar, Sandstorm!" Ryan shouted.
Larvitar stomped, and the field erupted in swirling grit. The sand whipped into a mini-storm, obscuring Doduo's path. One of its heads squawked in surprise as it skidded, momentum thrown off.
"Now, Rock Throw—aim for where you hear it!" Ryan said.
Larvitar closed its eyes, listening. Doduo's talons drummed on the ground, and the faint wheeze of its breath cut through the wind. Larvitar twisted, scooped up a chunk of earth, and hurled it into the wall of sand.
There was a solid thunk and a startled yelp. The sand cleared a moment later, revealing Doduo stumbling, one head dizzy, the other glaring.
"Yes!" Ryan shouted, feeling the thrill rush through him. "Again!"
"Impressive," Oak murmured. "Doduo, use Peck to keep your distance and probe its defences!"
Doduo dashed in again, this time more cautiously, jabbing at Larvitar with sharp beaks before darting away.
Larvitar winced as a beak clipped its shoulder.
"Hang in there!" Ryan called. "Let it get close, then Tackle!"
Doduo lunged. Larvitar braced, taking the hit, then hurled itself forward body-first. It slammed into Doduo's chest, knocking the bird sprawling.
Both heads squawked as Doduo hit the ground. It tried to rise, legs trembling, then sagged again.
"That's enough," Oak said, raising a hand. "Doduo, you did wonderfully. Take a rest."
Doduo let out a tired chirp as Oak recalled it. On the other side of the field, Larvitar stood panting, but its eyes shone with fierce pride.
Ryan's mum clapped wildly. His dad applauded more quietly, but his smile was broad.
Ryan jogged forward and knelt beside Larvitar.
"You were amazing," he said. "Seriously. I knew you could do it."
"Lar…" Larvitar leaned into Ryan's hand, then flopped onto its back, exhausted.
Oak joined them, tucking his clipboard under his arm.
"Well done, both of you," he said. "You read the field, adapted quickly, and Larvitar showed excellent control of its moves." He looked at Ryan over the rims of his glasses again. "I really do think you're ready."
Ryan's throat tightened. "Thank you, Professor."
Oak turned and gestured toward the lab.
"There is one last thing before you go," he said. "A few supplies, some advice, and then… Route 1 awaits."
They reconvened in the lab's main hall. Oak handed Ryan a small, sturdy, forest-green backpack with multiple compartments.
"Standard trainer kit," Oak said. "Potions, Antidotes, basic first-aid supplies, a sleeping bag, portable stove… Don't worry, the stove can't explode unless you actually try to make it explode."
Ryan eyed it suspiciously. "Has anyone tried that?"
Oak coughed. "We don't talk about what Gary does when I'm not looking."
He continued, more serious now. "You'll be travelling alone, Ryan. That's your choice, and I respect it. It'll teach you self-reliance, but it also means you must be extra careful. Remember: safety first. Pokémon Centres are your best friends. Use the communication booths to call home, and don't push your team beyond their limits."
Ryan nodded. "I will. I promise."
Oak's gaze softened.
"I know you will. And remember—you don't have to be the strongest trainer on day one. The Indigo League is months away. This journey is about learning and growing with your Pokémon, not just winning."
Ryan hesitated. "I… I do want to win, though."
Oak's smile widened. "Good. Ambition is no bad thing if you keep perspective. Aim for victory in the Indigo League. Train hard, battle smart, and look after your team. Win or lose, you'll make me—and Pallet Town—proud."
Something in Ryan's chest steadied. He took a deep breath and nodded again.
"I'll make it," he said softly. "Larvitar and I—we'll get all eight badges. We'll make it to the League. And we'll win."
Behind him, Larvitar let out an approving growl.
"Lar!"
Oak chuckled. "Spoken like a true trainer. Now, unless I'm mistaken, you have two people waiting to say goodbye before you sprint off into destiny."
He wasn't wrong. When Ryan stepped back outside, his parents were by the path, along with a few neighbours. Someone had tied a small blue ribbon onto the fencepost—a simple good-luck charm.
His mum pulled him into a hug immediately, nearly squeezing the air out of him.
"Call often," she said into his shoulder. "Eat properly. Don't try any dangerous shortcuts. And if you see a scary Ghost-type, run the other way."
"Mum," Ryan mumbled, but he hugged her tighter. "We'll be fine. Professor Oak even said so."
"That's what I'm afraid of," she muttered, but she smiled when she pulled back, wiping at her eyes.
His dad clapped a hand on his shoulder.
"You've got this, champ," he said. "Trust your instincts and your partner. And if you see Gary, don't let him get under your skin. Just beat him on the field."
Ryan grinned. "I plan to."
He looked back at the lab one last time. Oak was standing in the doorway, arms folded, watching. He gave a slight, dignified nod.
Ryan adjusted his backpack, checked that Larvitar was at his side, and turned toward the dusty road that led north.
Route 1 stretched ahead, lined with tall grass, trees, and the promise of wild Pokémon. Beyond that lay Viridian City, Pewter, Cerulean, Vermilion, and all the rest: gyms, badges, rivals, and more.
"Ready, Larvitar?" he asked.
Larvitar trotted up beside him, eyes gleaming, stubby tail swishing.
"Lar!" it barked, voice full of a confidence that seemed to echo right through Ryan's.
Ryan took his first step onto the road out of Pallet Town.
"Let's go," he said, unable to keep the grin off his face. "Our journey starts now."
Together, boy and Pokémon walked toward the horizon, the morning sun rising at their backs and the wide world of Kanto unfolding before them.
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