Chapter 138: Bus Ride (II)

I think the best way to go with this fic is to continue posting chapters, and trickle in flashbacks, as some of you suggested. Thank you all for the input <3.< p>

As such, I will sum up one of the previous chapters to what Pokemon Itsuki, Serena, and Lillie have. I do believe I got every Pokemon, but if I missed one, do let me know!

[Itsuki's Pokemon]:

Partner Pokemon: Alolan Ninetales (Shiny)

Starter Pokemon: Wartortle

Current Pokemon (From Oldest to Newest)

Fearow, Shiny Beedrill, Venomoth, Scizor, Shiny Dartrix, Aerodactyl (Mega), Crobat, Growlithe, Porygon2, Shiny Sylveon, Gengar, Feebas, Snorlax, Paldean Tauros-Water Breed

[Serena's Pokemon]:

Partner Pokemon: ???

Starter Pokemon: Shiny Greninja

Current Pokemon (From Oldest to Newest)

Kantonian Ninetales, Pinsir (Mega), Shiny Incineroar, Alakazam, Shiny Umbreon, Honedge, Shiny Tauros, Miltank, Chansey, Electabuzz

[Lillie's Pokemon]:

Partner Pokemon: Alolan Vulpix

Starter Pokemon: Shiny Brionne

Current Pokemon (From Oldest to Newest)

Shiny Butterfree, Nidoqueen, Clefairy (Eviolite), Jolteon, Lampent, Paldean Tauros-Fire Breed, Kangaskhan, Heracross, Magmar, Rhyhorn.

Some long-awaited pokemon battles are going to come up, and in rapid bursts. Hope you look forward to them!

If you want others' interest to return, then shower this story with some power stones!

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A fancy dark-colored bus soon sped along Route 22. The people inside the bus marveled at the sight of the various wild Pokemon going about their business. Most of Route 22 was blocked off by woodlands or mountains that eventually lead into the Indigo Plateau and Mt. Silver, so unless one wanted to go on a risky adventure, barely any trainers went inside there. Moreover, the Pokemon would sometimes migrate from those steep mountains, making the Pokemon pretty high level compared to the lower leveled Pokemon found around Viridian City and its outskirts. 

This wild zone was not to be entered, to say the least. If a Trainer was too inexperienced, they could easily forfeit their life there.

Thankfully, Indigo Academy was still placed in the safe zone, still in the outskirts of Viridian City. It posed little threat to students and trainers alike. There were several teachers who were active trainers here too. As a fellow Pokemon Professor, I didn't have to worry about students' safety in coming here.

I saw the entrance gate to the large academy as the bus went past it, coming to a halt as it chose a parking space further north. Several buildings composed of study halls could be seen in the front, with a single large field in the center. There were other buildings and even a clock tower to tell the times. This field wasn't the only place where students could battle to their heart's content. Further northeast were the dorms, and had more fields for students to practice pokemon battles.

It's not like becoming a trainer was the only thing that students could partake their studies in. Several professions were available here, just like any other school. Seeing us arrive in another large school, I couldn't help but feel a bit reminiscent.

Ten years ago, one of Professor Oak's recipients of his invitations turned out to be the president of Aether Foundation, Lusamine. Even now, I had my suspicion that doing so wasn't just out of the blue. I didn't feel any nefarious intentions by doing so, but I had no clue that I would be brought into such a world. Was it because Lusamine saw the talent I had kept inside me?

Sure, working at Professor Oak's lab was fun and all, but at the end of the day, it resided in such a small town. It had its limits. Whereas, the Aether Foundation had all of Alola under it, and even beyond. It was like comparing a run-down restaurant to a five-star restaurant. Unfortunately to say, the experiences I had here was a far-cry to what I had learned while being inside the Aether Foundation. And on top of all of that, they had the tech I could use to progress my professorial studies. Professor Oak had limited capacity in that regard.

And before anyone pressed any buttons, the Lusamine I encountered was not her crazy game-counterpart. She was much more civilized and one of the strongest businesswomen on the planet. She grew a giant corporation, and she ruled it with an iron fist, but was welcoming to all at the same time. Once what started as a Pokemon Retreat that housed orphaned Pokemon eventually became a giant corporation. Definitely a lot has happened in the ten years I spent there.

With all of that included, Lusamine was very protective of Lillie. She wanted Lillie to inherit the Aether Foundation in the future, and not her son, Gladion. That placed a heavy expectation on her daughter, but with me being there, my presence definitely helped alleviate that pressure. To the point that allowed Lillie to come back to Kanto to start a journey with Serena and I.

It's only been five or so months since we've left Pallet Town, but Lillie's demeanor has changed greatly. I could see confidence in her eyes, no longer behaving like a frightened cat. If she were to confront Lusamine now, I'm sure her mother would be pleased with how much she had grown in just a half-year's time.

And knowing that also brought a smile to my face as I looked out the window while our bus came to a slow halt.

"You seem to be in a good mood, big brother.", Gary's voice called out to me. The five of us were all the way in the back of the bus. As Gary said that, Serena, Lillie and Green looked my way.

"Haha, I was just thinking of what has happened so far. We've collected four badges you know.", I said, only to take out my badge case. Gary's eyes raised his eyebrows seeing me take it out, and he saw four slots occupied.

"Proof doesn't lie. You really do have four badges. That's splendid, big brother. I'm sure you must have caught plenty of Pokemon to get this far!", Gary said, nodding his head in acknowledgement, seeing the four badges before him.

"We sure did! We have a few hours to burn before we need to return to the airport, so we can show off our Pokemon to you two. You and Green also said you already have your own starting Pokemon?", Serena asked with interest.

Hearing that, Gary's expression became a smug face. He reached into his pocket, and sure enough, a red Pokeball came out of it. Pressing its button, the Pokeball enlarged, expanding enough size to enter his palm.

"We haven't started our journey yet unlike you guys, but Gramps gave an exception, and allowed the three of us to get our starting Pokemon early. We've had them for a good month or two. He knew that you were eventually going to make your way here to Indigo Academy, which is a prime spot to have a Pokemon battle. You interested, big brother?", Gary asked, keeping that playful grin.

"How could I not be? Hopefully you didn't slouch in your studies. Seeing that your final year is ending in the coming week or two, I personally will see to it how much you've grown while taking those trainer classes, Gary. You're on.", I said, closing my badge case, and stored it back into my belongings.

"You mentioned you three. So that means on top of Gary, Green and also Ash got a starting Pokemon too?", Lillie asked with interest.

"Uh-huh. Ash wasn't left out when Professor Oak invited the three of us. His situation, however, is a bit special. You might be surprised to see what starting Pokemon he has. He definitely has grown during these few years of classes, but Ash is still Ash. He was too excited last night knowing you three were coming, and didn't wake up, hehe.", Green said. As she said that, she reached into her own pocket and grabbed out a red Pokeball, signaling that she too had a Pokemon to call her own.

Just like how a basketball player would spin a basketball over their fingers, Green began to do the same, spinning her Pokeball on her fingers with a similarly smug look, just like how Gary's expression was.

Ignoring their smug faces for a moment, that was something to take into consideration.

When we headed out for Gramps' lab, I was the only one to leave with a starting Pokemon. Serena and Lillie opted not to choose one. Serena's situation was different, considering she was already in contact with Professor Sycamore, and subsequently earned a shiny Froakie from him. Lillie, on the other hand, had hand-picked Pokemon, likely courtesy of Professor Kukui, seeing her determination back in Pewter City. Lusamine presented those Pokemon to us.

Through that, the three of us earned the Alolan starters. Out of everything, Serena and I walked away with two starting Pokemon, with Lillie having one.

Why did I bring this up?

It was because I chose Squirtle. While not being born in Kanto, I was still raised in Kanto, and I opted to choose a Kantonian starter to start my journey, and that was Squirtle.

With neither Serena nor Lillie choosing the remaining starters at Professor Oak's lab, that meant that Charmander and Bulbasaur were still on the table. I am not sure if Professor Oak still had more squirtle, but if these two chose from the same batch I did, it was possible Gary and Green ended up with those two Pokemon. 

Moreover, there was still Ash to consider. That meant there were a total of three Pokemon on the table to choose from. 

Since I had Squirtle, that meant Gary wouldn't be able to choose what was in the original story, unless Gramps gave him a different Squirtle from another batch. 

With Squirtle out of the picture, would Gary end up with Charmander, or Bulbasaur? Once I know one, I will be able to know the other. If it went anything like it did in the anime, Ash's starting Pokemon should have already been decided, even though he has yet to start his journey.

As I thought that, a smile crept on my lips, looking back at Green as she twirled a Pokeball over her finger.

"It's just like Ash to get overly excited about something. If Ash is still still asleep, how about I give him a good wake-up call? Moreover it's not good to sleep in too late seeing that you guys are students. Don't you have finals coming up?", I asked, wondering. 

Here, schools were majorly held in three terms, very similar to that of the Japanese. But just like the United States, school terms started in September. The first term went from September to December. The second one went from January to March, while the third term went from April to June.

So Gary, Green, and Ash were in their final term of their final year. Their childish demeanors were no longer present. I could see blossoming adults before me, just like how I see Serena and Lillie beside me. Gary's rough attitude has lessened, and I could see both Gary and Green having confidence in their eyes.

"We just finished, actually. They're letting us stay in our dorms before we head out and return home. You missed graduation, sadly.", Gary said, shrugging his shoulders as he said that.

"Unfortunate. We can still host a big party in celebration of you guys finishing school at least.", I suggested.

"That sounds great! From what I've heard so far, the three of you are on a tight schedule? We could always celebrate our graduation and Ash's birthday together back in Pallet Town.", Green suggested back at us. We nodded our heads at her words.

"Yeah. Once we pick up Liko, it's going to be back to back gym battles and intense training for us, if we are to clear the rest of Kanto in these next two to three weeks.", Serena answered, giving the plan to the two.

"Sheesh. No leaving room for the weary eh? Well, on that note, thanks for spending the time to come out here, Itsuki. You two.", Gary said with a serious look.

"Oh it's no trouble. Our books might be filled, but we can always make some room for our friends, right Itsuki?", Lillie happily responded.

"Of course. You better not disappoint me in our battle, you hear me, Gary?", I said with a playful grin.

"Hehe, I'll try not to.", Gary responded back with confidence.

As we chattered for a bit, the bus finally came to a complete halt. Once other people started to disembark the bus, it was finally our turn. We were sitting in the last row, so we had to wait for everyone to get off first.

The five of us soon saw a large campus appear before us. The entrance was off to the side, and I could see other students, likely graduates like Green and Gary here, make their way toward the campus.

To my surprise, however, I could see an aged woman standing next to the entrance, which my gaze was immediately drawn to. I could see a professional air about her. She could be seen patiently waiting, as if she was waiting for someone, greeting students that entered the campus...