Authors Notes: I've been wanting to try a New Trainer fic for awhile now. Two weeks ago I started this fic, not sure where it was going and just now I saw it as an opportunity! The rest of this fic will be in Satoshi's POV. Enjoy! (I hope)

Ketchum: The Journey Continues

"I Choose You . . . !"
Chapter 1

My alarm blared like a bloody fire alarm and I vowed to buy a new one as I hurled the noisy machine out my window. You have no idea how may alarm clocks I go through in a month.
Memory hit me and I remembered that I was gonna get my Pokemon License and Starter today! It was my 12th birthday, at last! I ran down the stairs and inhaled the breakfast mom had ready for me. I was determined not to be late. But which pokemon was I gonna pick?! The three options ran through my head as I took a quick shower, got dressed, and shot through the door on my way to Professor Oak's lab.
When I got there the third kid was just arriving, looking a little dishevelled. I recognized the still panting Taiki and grinned at him. He smiled weakly before catching his breath. I didn't recognize the red-head with the green eyes, but she was pretty.
"Okay children I've got your Pokedex's here. If you'll follow me I'll take you to the pokemon." Prof. Gary Oak said as he led the three of us into his lab where there were three pokeballs. I still hadn't decided!
"Taiki Star. Who's your choice?" He asked.
"Squirtle!" He stated as he picked up the pokeball and released the Pokemon inside, introducing himself.
My rampaging mind stopped on the Pokemon I was going to choose.
"Satoshi Ketchum."
"I choose you, Charmander!" I told him as I took the pokeball off the table. The girl grinned, I guess she had wanted Bulbasaur after all.
"Just like his old man . . ." I heard Prof. Oak mutter under his breath.
"I guess that leaves Bulbasaur with you Musashi." He said as he gave her the last pokeball.
That was her name? Musashi? Hmm, nice name.
I released the Charmander and kneeled down to it's level.
"Hey Charmander, I'm Satoshi, you're trainer. Nice to meet you."
"Char charcharman!"
Remembering what mom had advised me to do when I got my pokemon I whispered a question in it's ear.
"Are you a guy or girl? One nod for guy, two for girl."
It smiled and nodded once.
"Cool, do you want a nickname?"
Charmander thought it over. He nodded.
"Great! I've got the perfect one! Inferno!"
"Char!" He jumped into my arms happily.
"Knew you'd like it! C'mon, let's go meet my mom! Thanks Professor!"
"Here are your six pokeballs Satoshi."
"Thanks again!" I walked out the door, Inferno followed me. I was gonna use my dads method and let him walk with me. Except in the rain, then I'd put him in the pokeball.
As we walked in the door Mom greeted us.
"Hi sweety! Which pokemon did you get? Oh? A Charmander! It's really cute!"
Inferno ran and hugged Mom's leg. It was obvious he liked her.
"His nickname's Inferno."
"Looks like that'll really suit him when he learns Fire Attacks." Mom smiled. "Now go up and get your stuff."
"Right! C'mon Inferno, this the only time you'll be able to see my room in a long while!" I said as I darted up the stairs. I heard him stumble up the stairs as fast as he could and waited in my room for him.
"Chaaarrrr . . ."
"Pretty cool huh? It used to be my dads room." I nearly choked as I picked up a picture of my dad that mom had taken the day before he died.
"Mander Charcharman?"
I wiped a tear from my face.
"Nothin' I'm fine. I'll just grab my stuff and we'll go." I told Inferno as I put the picture in my bag before slinging it on my back. I heard Infeno follow me down the stairs.
"Bye mom! I'll visit!"
Mom picked my up and hugged me tightly.
"I'll miss you Satoshi. Make sure you call me in every town you hit okay?"
"Okay mom, I promise." She unwrapped her arm from around me and I walked to the door. I barely heard her whisper "Take good care of Satoshi Ash.".
I paused briefly before continuing out of the house and on my journey.
"Charcharman?"
"Huh?"
He gave me a confused look.
"I really don't wanna talk about it pal."
"Wait a minute, Satoshi!" I turned around at my name and saw Musashi running toward us with her Bulbasaur trying to keep up.
"What?"
"Can Bulbasaur and I travel with you? Please?" She asked with a smile. I sighed, I guess it would be better than travelling alone.
"Okay."
"Thanks!"
We started on our way to Viridian city along the path. Inferno and Bulbasaur started up a conversation. It wasn't a bad idea.
"So, Musashi. I never saw you around Pallet before today. You new?"
"No, mom and dad brought me so I could get Bulbasaur. I've wanted one since mom told me a story about a kid she used to know with a really strong one. Besides, she's really cute!"
"Oh? You asked Bulbasaur her gender too huh? So did I!"
"Really? Boy or girl?"
"He's a guy, a really neat one too. You training to be a Pokemon Master?"
"Yeah! You too?"
I nodded. I wanted to be just like dad, even though I never knew him mom always told me stories about the adventures they had.
"Look! A Pikachu!"
I came out of my trance and looked at the little Electric rodent. Dad had one, I remember her. She was really strong. I decided to let Musashi have it though. I knew there would be some in Viridian Forest.
"Bulbasaur Tackle!" She ran and tackled the unsuspecting Pikachu who then retaliated with a Thunder Shock. But I was a little preoccupied with the Rattata I was battling.
"Inferno, Scratch!"
The little rat squeaked before tackling Inferno. I called for another Scratch before grabbing a Pokeball.
"Pokeball go!"
The Rattata was sucked in and the ball wiggled, once . . . twice . . . three times before a ding.
"Yes! Rattata's ours! Great job Inferno!"
"Char!"
"Musashi, did you get the Pikachu?"
She nodded and we continued walking. Viridian wasn't that far, it was Curfew by the time we got to the Pokemon Centre.
"Hi Nurse Joy, could you heal our Pokemon?"
"Sure!"
We put our pokeballs on a tray and she walked away.
"Hey Musashi, I gotta go make a call."
"Okay Satoshi."
I walked over the vid-phones and dialled.
"Hello?"
"Hi Mom! I'm at the Viridian Pokemon Centre!"
"That's great Satoshi! How many pokemon have you caught?"
"I caught a Rattata, Pidgey, Spearow and a Pikachu!"
"Wow! Now you've got five Pokemon! Where's Inferno?"
"He's with Nurse Joy. Oh, I want you to meet my friend who's travelling with me! She picked a Bulbasaur. Just a sec." I turned around to Musashi and gestured for her to come over here.
"Mom, this is Musashi. Musashi, this is my mom."
"Hi Mrs. Ketchum."
"Well hello. How did you and Satoshi meet?"
"Mom! She just asked to join me ‘n Inferno! She didn't fish me out of the river like you did."
"That's right." Then she turned and gave me a queer look.
"Well, I'm glad you're safe. But it's bedtime for you son. Good night Satoshi."
"Night mom, love ya."
"Love you too."
Click. I hung up the phone and walked over to Nurse Joy who had finished with our pokemon.
"Here are your Pokemon Satoshi, Musashi."
"Thank you." We said together as we grabbed our pokeballs.
Immediately I let Inferno out.
"Hey pal, feeling better?"
"Char!" He nodded.
We walked over to the bench and I pulled a book from my bag. We both sat down and I began to read.
"Charmander charman Charcharman?"
"Huh?"
He pointed to the book.
"I'm reading my favourite book."
"Charman?"
He looked at the first page. No doubt trying to make sense of all the words and letters. I chuckled and rubbed his head before reading out loud so he would know what the book was about. It was a story about a Charmeleon and his adventures in a world of magic. I loved fantasy and sci-fi stuff. He seemed as engrossed as I was in the story. I didn't even realize when I fell asleep.

The bright sun shining through the window woke me up the next morning. I noticed there was a weight on my lap and opened my eyes to see Inferno sleeping soundly. I realized that the flame on the tip of his tail wasn't burning me. I guess it was the same situation as a Ponyta, it didn't burn me because he trusted me. That was a nice thought. But the blanket over the two of us was a puzzle. I didn't remember grabbing one last night. Nurse Joy probably did it though.
"So, you're finally up! Come on! Let's go get breakfast, I'm starved!" Musashi told me impatiently. "Fine fine! Hey buddy, time to get up and eat." I smiled as I tickled his neck.
"Charrrrr . . ."
I picked up the deep sleeper off of my lap and carried him to the mess hall where I hoped at least the smell of food would wake up the lazy lizard.
"Pidgey, Spearow, Rattata, Pikachu go! It's time to eat!" They all came out of their pokeballs and tried to wake up Inferno while I got their food.
When I came back with their bowls I saw that Inferno was finally up.
"Gee, and here I thought nothing short of a natural disaster would wake you up." I chortled as I put down their food and they all dug in, except Pikachu.
"What's the matter Pikachu? Not hungry?"
It pointed to it's food and stuck out it's tongue in disgust. Okay, it tastes awful, what to do about it though? I sighed and thought for a moment before my eye settled on a bottle of ketchup. Just maybe . . . I grabbed the bottle and poured the red stuff on the Pika-kibble. Dads Pikachu wouldn't eat anything unless it was smothered in ketchup.
"Try it now." I urged the little Electric mouse. It sighed and tried a chunk.
"Pika!" It exclaimed before swiping the ketchup and chowing down on the ketchup covered food.
"Charmander!" I looked and saw that when I grabbed the ketchup I had knocked some sort of powder into Inferno's food. I looked at the label and sweatdropped. It was five alarm Chili Powder, and Inferno was really enjoying it.
"Very nice Satoshi. How did you know it would like the ketchup?" Musashi asked with a grin.
"Ahhh . . ." I put my hand behind my head. "It was a guess really. My dad's Pikachu loved ketchup. She would even sleep with a bottle of it under her arm."
She gave me a weird look and continued eating. Inferno, meanwhile had swiped the chili powder from the table and covering his food with it. I grabbed an omelette with hash-browns on the side and ate. Noticing from the corner of my eye that Musashi was just finishing her third helping. Man, what an appetite!
"Aren't you done yet you slowpoke?!" She asked. Obviously impatient.
I sighed inwardly, she probably had a short fuse too. Almost all red heads did.

Once I finished I recalled my pokemon, except for Inferno. She did the same, including Bulbasaur. We made a quick stop at the Pokemart to pick up pokeballs, antidotes, potions, ect . . . I bought a few bottles of ketchup and the five alarm chili powder, having a feeling that Inferno wouldn't eat his food without it. He cheered as he saw me put it in my bag.
"Okay! Look out Viridian Forest! Here I come!" I shouted as I shouldered the bag and ran of with Inferno behind me and Musashi yelling at me to slow down.

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