4 Ch.4

For starters, Leo reached his full size and he was much larger than your average Growlithe already. Normally Hisuian Growlithes are around 2'4"-2'7" (71-79cm) in height and 45-50lbs (20.5-22.7kg). While Leo was 3'7" (109cm) and 65lbs (29.5kg). He was very large, especially since 'normal' Growlithes are smaller than the Hisuian Growlithes. Which seems to explain his higher than normal stats. 

The first test was seeing Leo's potential which was Blue Rank. Which was higher than even my Dad's starter when he got him, Magmar now has a Blue Rank but started out as a Red Rank. My Dad also discovered that Leo was both a Fire-type and Rock-type Pokémon which was something never seen before in the Growlithe line. Though like me he thought to keep that a secret for now as it would allow me to surprise my opponents with rock-type moves in the future. 

Next, we discovered which moves he knew, which are Ember, Leer, Howl, and Bite. Plus his Egg Moves are Wild Charge, Flame Charge, and Stone Edge. With all this new information my Dad made plans that would be good to train Leo. With my help, but mostly my Dad's experience in this field, we made a training plan for Leo. My Dad also made a new food recipe just for Leo, though it was based on his Magcargo's food recipe since both are Fire and Rock Type Pokémon. 

With all this discovered and planned, I began training Leo with my Dad's guidance while still being homeschooled. Now that my starter is this good, my Dad has become more excited along with me for my future as a trainer. Plus my Dad got me someone who would teach me more about how to use my Psychic abilities. Now I could lift things with my mind and talk to Leo telepathically, which I would use in battles. 

Turns out I was a prodigy in Psychic abilities, as it seems I can use them as proficiently as a psychic type Pokémon. It would just take me more training that I would have to do on my own and practice, as the person my Dad had taught me, taught me everything they could. Like that years flew by with me fully focused on training Leo, my psychic abilities, and studying for the Trainer's Exam.

The day after turning sixteen, I headed to the school on the island to take the exam. These past five and half years since I started training Leo, I came to realize just how hard being a trainer is. As Leo was being trained by me and my Dad who is a very experienced trainer and yet his mastery is still not that high for his moves. Plus he still has not increased his Stats since I got him. 

My thoughts remained on the actual difficulty of being a trainer in this world, as I walked inside the school for the Trainer's Exam. Following the directions given to me, I arrived in a classroom filled with twenty-nine other students. The Exam proctor handed out the tests and told us we had four hours to complete the exam. The Exam consisted of various topics, from world history, research topics, training methods, and Pokémon facts. 

It took me a little over two hours to complete the exam, as I went over it a few times to make sure I missed nothing. Once I felt confident about my exam, I handed it over to the proctor in the front of the classroom.

"You will get your results in a week," the Proctor said to me as I handed him my Exam. 

I then headed home, where I tried not to think about the possibility of me failing the exam. So I spent my time training Leo and coming up with my plans once I got my trainer's license. 

"Lucas! Your results are in!" Dad says to me as I was outside with Leo and my Dad's Flareon, who would help train Leo since both are very close friends. 

The three of us rushed inside, as the rest of my Dad's Pokémon came into the kitchen too. Everyone was excited and interested in hearing the results. Taking the package from my Dad, I opened it. Inside was a letter, my Trainer's license, and Pokédex. Seeing that it was not just a letter, but had those two items too I knew I passed without having to even read the letter. However, I still read it and of course, it said I passed with flying colors. 

"I passed!" I said with a happy laugh as Leo howled in excitement and joy, alongside my Dad and his Pokémon congratulating me. 

"We will have a celebratory dinner tonight. Then we can get everything you need tomorrow before you head out on your journey," Dad says to me as I nod my head excited for my journey as a Trainer to begin. 

We all had a large feast to celebrate my official Rank as a League Trainer. The next day we went into town where my Dad bought me everything I would need for my journey. He wanted to do this after the day I passed, I guess for one last day out before I left. A few hours after shopping and getting everything I needed, my Dad walked me to the port where I would be taking the boat to Viridian City. 

"Lucas… I wanted to give you two more things before you leave," Dad says to me as I look at the boat that is boarding before leaving. 

"First, a King Ranked Fire Stone and a King Ranked Fire Scale from Magmar," Dad says to me handing me an extremely rare Fire Stone that would help Leo evolve when I thought the time was right and a Fire Scale that will help Leo's Stats increase over time as he holds it absorbing the fire element in the scale. Plus he gave me several million Pokédollars to help me start my journey. 

"Dad… I… Thank you so much for everything. I love you and will talk to you as often as I can," I say to him giving him a hug as we both hugged one last time before I headed out. 

"I love you too son," Dad says to me and even with my past life's memories, I came to see this man as my true father and would do anything to help him. 

"Now get out of here, before I find a way to make you stay here forever," Dad says to me joking a bit while he tears up some. 

His Pokémon all gave me and Leo one last goodbye as we both boarded the boat. Like Ash, I rarely put Leo in his Pokéball rather than having him walk next to me. For two reasons, to help protect me and because I enjoyed his company. It was also funny to see people look at Leo with curiosity and women with eyes that wanted to grab him in a hug. Leo was a very soft and fluffy boy and he gave off heat that would make even the coldest nights warm and comfy. 

"Leo, if we weren't focused on becoming the strongest in the world. I'd use you to get with all the women," I say as he and I are looking out at the water with the small fish Pokémon swimming along the boat. 

"Grow-growlithe," Leo says nodding his head while wagging his tail. 

"Right, so once we get to Viridian City we will explore it for a day. Then we will head out to the Viridian forest. I want to spend at least a couple months there," I say taking out my map of Kanto and going over our plan one last time as Leo nods his head. 

This world is much larger than portrayed in the anime or games, the routes between the cities were direct and very safe. But for trainers most went through the wilderness to explore, train, and catch Pokémon to either keep or sell. The Viridian forest was dozens of miles long and wide while taking the route between Viridian City and Pewter City would take a normal person a week on foot. A day by car and a few days by bike, while flying Pokémon could do it in half a day. 

The routes had many rest stops and hotels along them, along with Experienced and Advanced Ranked Trainers patrolling the route to make sure it remained safe. This is what allowed people to move from city to city freely and safely while not all being trainers. While trainers usually flew there with their Pokémon or went through the wilderness on foot. 

Plus unlike the games or anime, trainers couldn't force each other to battle according to the laws, though there were some rule-breakers obviously. However, it was a serious offense to battle someone without their approval. Only criminal organizations or rogue Trainers would fight someone without their opponent's approval. However, if both parties accepted the battle, they could bet Pokédollars, items, or even Pokémon. The Pokédex would accept the wager and ensure the items, money, or Pokémon were sent to the winner. 

The boat trip took two days to reach Viridian City, but once we arrived Leo and I explored the city. We booked a hotel room for the day. The city was huge, the largest city in Kanto reminding me of New York City from my old life. People were constantly going from place to place, with all sorts of stores and places for people to battle one another. 

With this very busy city, people didn't even bat an eye at Leo's unique appearance. Only a few trainers looked at him curious at his appearance. We were just looking around sightseeing when we saw the Viridian Gym, and from the looks of it, someone was challenging the Gym. 

"Let's see this battle," I say to Leo who barks in confirmation. 

I sat in the bleachers where you could watch the battle. There I saw a young man around my age with pink-reddish hair, wearing a red leather jacket, red leather boots, jeans, and a navy blue cape. The Pokémon he was using was a Dratini, now seeing this I knew this was Lance, the future Pokémon Champion of the Indigo League. He was challenging Giovani the gym leader of this City. 

The battle was quick, as Lance lost quickly since he just appeared to be testing the waters here. While Giovani held nothing back treating every battle as his last. At his defeat, Lance didn't appear sad, but smiled and thanked Giovani for the battle before taking his leave. 

"Well… Leo, we have a lot of training ahead of us before we challenge any gym leader," I say to Leo who just quietly nods his head after watching that battle alongside me. 

As the next day came, I gathered my things and headed to the Viridian forest with Leo. On the way there I saw Lance head into the forest too. But before Leo and I could walk into the forest too, I heard a shout behind me. Turning I see a Officer Jenny running over to me. 

"Excuse me, I was just wondering if that is a Growlithe?" Officer Jenny asks me as her Growlithe is sniffing Leo, with Leo sniffing hers in return. 

"Yeah, this is my partner, Leo," I say as she nods her head while looking at him. 

"I've never seen a Growlithe like him before… I'm guessing you found him in the wild?" Officer Jenny says to me as I nod my head. 

"Yeah, found him when he was in an egg… Though we should be going," I say since I want to start my journey in the Forest. 

"Oh, right sorry. There was just a rumor in the city among our officers that someone had a new type of Growlithe and I saw you. So I just wanted to see if it was true… anyway have a safe journey," Officer Jenny says to me and I nod my head as we both head into the forest. 

"She smell nice?" I ask Leo once we are a few hundred feet from the city. 

"Grow-grow," Leo says nodding his head, since he can smell the emotions of people. If someone has negative feelings toward us, he would bark at them informing me of trouble. 

"Good… then let's start this journey!" I say as we both jog deeper into the forest. 

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AN: I added a page for Lucas's Pokémon team in the aux chapters.