The dust settled and the rattata had been caught. Vert ran over and grabbed the pokeball. His aquamarine hair stood out against the partial clay sediment of the arena.
"Vert. You did good, kid. But this is far from over," said Green.
Vert looked towards his test administrator and idol with determination.
"Don't I know it," Vert replied.
Vert didn't hesitate for a moment. Despite never being in a Pokémon battle before, he exuded confidence. Standing straight up, eyes locked on his opponent.
"Very good. The second test will be a practical assessment on Pokémon League official battle procedure. I assume you studied."
"Yup!" Vert readied a pitch.
"Then let's begin." Green tossed out a pokeball, in a flash of bright light, appeared a Pidgey. Its wings flapped, keeping the tiny bird Pokémon aloft.
"My turn!" Vert tossed his ball, through an eruption of light, the intense rattata re-emerged. "Let's go, Rattata!"
The mouse Pokémon shot forward, teeth barred and ready to fight.
"Rattata, use bite!" called Vert.
"Bite?" Green replied.
The rattata jumped at the pidgey, bringing its fangs down on the bird.
The pidgey tried to move but dropped itself back down.
"Tch, looks like it flinched," said Green.
"How do you like that?" shouted Vert.
"This is only the beginning, kid," Green replied. "Pidgey, quick attack!"
Before rattata could get in another attack, the recovered pidgey shot forward, colliding with the rodent, dealing a clean hit.
"Looks like a bite won't keep working. Let's see what else I can do…"
The rattata stood proud, confident in Vert's directions.
"Rattata! Focus up!"
In response the rattata took on a look of determination, its eyes not wavering from its avian opponent.
"That leaves you open for the next attack. Pidgey, Sand Attack!"
With an aggressive coo, the tiny bird kicked up dirt with its powerful wing beats, sending a burst of sand at rattata.
"Looks like this all comes down to luck. Rattata, pay attention to your surroundings. You can handle this!" called Vert.
Rattata braced itself and listened.
"Pidgey, use Gust!" said Green.
The pidgey kicked up the wind sending a small burst at the rattata.
It took the breeze like a pro, only being repelled a few feet before rallying and charging forward.
"Rattata! Use tackle!"
With an approving cry, the rattata leapt towards the Pidgey. The sand in its eyes, but confidence in its trainer it lunged.
Rattatas' ears make them great listeners, and this rattata was using this perk to zero in on the pidgey.
"Pidgey! Use tackle!" ordered Green.
The two Pokémon collided, a clean connection. The force of their tackles repelled eachother back to the ground.
The two laid on the ground, breathing heavily. A silence filled the battle area. When the rattata, struggling, brought itself to its feet. The pidgey, was knocked out.
"It was a critical hit," said Green.
"Vert's the winner!" shouted Vert's mother.
Vert cheered, picking up the rattata in a big hug.
"We did it!" shouted Vert.
"Not bad, kid." Green approached.
"Just one test left." Vert was beaming with pride.
"I have a feeling the last part will be a cinch," said Green.
Thirty minutes later, in the testing room. Vert put down his pencil, and stretched a triumphant stretch.
Moments later, Vert exited the testing room with Green.
"Well, it's official. Vert passed all three tests. You know what that means?" said Green to his pupil.
"I get my license!" Vert cheered.
"Come on, let's go get you settled up."
A few moments later, Green returned with a card in hand.
"Alright, Vert Briston, it is my great honor to officially grant you the title of trainer. Welcome to the Pokémon League, kid." Green hands over Vert's license.
"Finally! I'm a real Pokémon trainer! You see mom?" said Vert.
"I do, I do. Better take care of it. Can't have you losing your license on the first day," she said.
"I will never let this leave my sight."
"Maybe just keep it in your wallet, kiddo," said mom.
"There is one thing left to do, Vert," Green interrupted.
"Right! I almost forgot!" Vert ran into the main lab proper.
The doors to the lab slid open. Before the new trainer, was a machine that held three pokeballs.
Vert approached it, his mother and Green looking on.
Standing by the machine stood another living legend, Professor Oak.
"Welcome, Vert. My grandson says you aced your exam with flying colors," welcomed Professor Oak.
"Yes sir," Vert replied.
"Wonderful! Well, nothing left to do but allow you to choose your first Pokémon. Do you know what you want?" said the professor.
Vert approached the machine. In the Kanto region, trainers typically had the option to start with either Bulbasaur, Charmander or Squirtle.
"This is an important choice for any new Pokémon Trainer. So take all the time you need, my boy," Oak continued.
Vert took a deep breath. He looked around the room.
"Well… I think I know. No… I definitely know." Vert stared at the choices, knowing in his heart that there was only one choice.
~
Five years earlier.
"Dad, are you sure you need to go?" asked Vert.
"Yeah, spud. I took a new job at the Cinnabar Island research lab. And well, your mom and I... Look, Vert. I know it's not going to be easy. But I promise you, kiddo. Everyone will be happier in the long run."
"I don't get it. I won't." Vert cried. He leapt off the porch and ran off into town.
Vert ran for what felt like hours to a five year old, before dropping to his feet. He was so distraught that he hadn't even noticed it was pouring.
"I don't want this thing. He's lame! I want a Charmander, mom!" barked an entitled ten year old.
Vert looked up. Somehow he had found himself outside the Pallet Town Pokémon Lab. Standing by the entrance was a fancy looking lady and a boy dressed in a suit and shorts, next to them was Bulbasaur, with a diamond shaped spot by its left eye, looking confused at his trainer. One of Professor Oak's aides was standing in the doorway trying to placate the mother and child.
Vert tried to stand when the muddy footing beneath him caused him to tumble back to the ground.
The bulbasaur watched this happen and ran over. It nudged Vert. Letting out a concerned growl.
"Are you making sure I'm okay?" asked Vert, reaching out to the bulbasaur and petting its head. "Thanks, little guy."
"See? That creature is defective. He won't even listen to us. Take it back," the mother ordered.
"Uh, I'll see what I can do," said the aide.
The aide came over and guided the Bulbasaur back into the lab.
Vert stood up, trembling, but not from the cold, he was seething.
"You know, you had a choice," Vert yelled.
"What's that?" scoffed the mother.
"If you wanted a Charmander, nothing stopped you from choosing one. Pokémon aren't just toys you can exchange when you're bored," said Vert. His voice wavered, but he clinched his fists.
"You don't know what you're talking about, little kid," replied the ten year old. "Mind your own business!"
At this point Vert's dad appeared.
"Vert, are you okay?" he asked.
Vert ran and hugged his dad.
The mother and son walked into the lab. As the door slid shut, the bulbasaur was looking out.
~
Vert opened his eyes.
"Looks like you've made your decision," said Professor Oak.
Before Vert could talk, thunderous stomps could be heard barreling down the hall.
"What in the world?" Professor Oak turned towards the doors in the back.
They flung open as an aide rushed out.
"Sir, I am so sorry, I couldn't contain him!"
"You don't mean—" Oak started.
As Oak looked back, a surprisingly large bulbasaur charged out behind the aide.
Vert's eyes widened.
The bulbasaur rushed to Vert, stopping just before him. He sniffed the boy.
Vert inspected the Pokémon before him. Easily double the size of your average bulbasaur, but most striking, by its left eye, a diamond shaped spot.
"Wait, are you–"
The bulbasaur tackled Vert to the ground and began nuzzling him.
"Hey little guy, you got huge!" Vert laughed petting the bulbasaur.
"Wait, do they know each other?" asked Green walking up to Vert.
"It looks like it," said Professor Oak.
The bulbasaur let up and Vert got back on his feet. The pair looked like a match set next to each other.
Vert placed his hand on the bulbsaur's head and turned to the others.
"If it's alright… I choose him."