Ten birthday pokemon

The day of her tenth birthday arrived and Vali woke up to Ash bouncing on her bed. Groaning softly, Vali stopped Ash's bouncing with a minor spell, "What time is it?"

"Seven!" Ash answered making Vali groan again.

Vali pulled Ash to her after releasing the spell and yawned out, "I don't need to be up for another hour. Go to sleep."

Ash squirmed against her, but eventually decided to go back to sleep. Vali managed to sleep for another hour and a half before a certain dark/fire type decided to pay her a visit. After getting the hell-hound off of her and sending Ash out, Vali got ready for the day. Walking downstairs, Vali headed to the kitchen and found Delia cooking at the stove while Sirius read the paper. Hugging her godfather, Vali yawned out a good morning. He hugged her back, "Good morning and happy birthday, Pup. You have to be at Oak's lab at ten right?"

"Mhmm," Vali yawned softly, "I think I'll go a bit early though. I want to spend some time with Growlithe,"

Sirius chuckled as Vali went to the fridge and pulled out some pinap juice, "He'll be put out when you finally leave."

"I wonder where Growlithe's trainer is," Vali said as she sat down at the table and poured herself a glass of juice.

"Growlithe doesn't have a trainer and Professor Oak hasn't managed to find the perfect person to adopt him out to," Delia informed her earning a frown from Vali, "Growlithe's one of Arcanine's pups, so Professor Oak wants to make sure he'll have the perfect home,"

"Well, I hope he finds one," Vali kind of wanted to have Growlithe with her.

He was her friend and the first pokemon she'd physically met not to mention her most constant companion. She would miss him greatly when she left. Ash walked into the room as Delia began putting breakfast on the table, "Vali, what pokemon are you getting?"

"I want to get a Charmander," Vali told him.

"Why not Squirtle?" Ash asked with a frown, "He's strong,"

"While Squirtle maybe strong, Charmander is too and he can boil water while I'm on the road," Vali explained earning a confused look, "Water that isn't boiled can really hurt humans, so you need to boil water to make sure it's safe to drink. Some natural sources of water are okay, but boiling water is a safe option,"

"Oh," Ash only looked confused.

Instead of pressing that part of the subject, Vali told him, "I also want to get a Charmander because of it's final evolution, Charizard. He can fly at that stage."

"Oh, right!" Ash looked excited, "When your Charmander evolves into a Charizard, can I ride him?"

"Only if your mom says you can and he can handle it," Vali replied earning a pout, "But I have to get a Charmander first,"

Vali headed to the lab with Ash while Sirius and Delia stayed at the house. Reaching the lab, Vali opened the door and one of the lab assistants smiled at her, "Hi, Vali. Here to get your pokemon?"

"Yup," Vali said with a nod, "Ash wanted to be the first to meet my starter,"

"You're a bit early, but I think the Professor won't mind," The assistant said, "Follow me,"

Vali and Ash followed the assistant towards the back of the lab where rows of pokeballs were stored. Professor Oak looked up from a pokeball that he was fiddling with and smiled, "Hello, you two. You're a bit early, Vali."

"I figured it would be easier and give me more time to get to know my starter," Vali said before looking at Ash, "Not to mention, a certain someone decided to wake me up at seven this morning,"

Professor Oak chuckled with a smile, "Well, I might as well begin. First, I want to give you a pokedex. Once you have eight badges, I'll give you the national dex upgrade. What color do you want?"

Vali thought about it before saying, "Dark red, please."

Professor Oak took out a dark red pokedex and hooked it up to a waiting computer before typing a few things. Once a beep sounded, Professor Oak unhooked the pokedex and handed it to Vali alongside six basic pokeballs, "Here you are, it will function as your trainer id. If you lose it or it gets severely damage, you'll need to come back here to replace it. Make sure your memorize your trainer id just in case."

Vali took the pokedex, "It has my full name in it?"

"Yes though I've put in a little notice about your preferred nickname," Professor Oak informed her while walking over to a round machine sitting in the middle of the room, "It will also automatically update your age, the pokemon you catch, and the number of official battles you participate in," He tapped a button and a trio of pokeballs rose up, "Here are the starters I have for you. The fire-type, Charmander," Professor Oak pointed to a pokeball with a flame sticker on it, "The grass-type, Bulbasaur," Professor Oak pointed to a pokeball with a leaf sticker, "And lastly, the water-type, Squirtle," Professor Oak pointed to the last ball, "Which starter do you want?"

"Charmander, please," Vali said earning a smile.

Professor Oak picked up the pokeball and handed it to Vali. Tossing it into the air, Vali called out, "Come on out, Charmander."

A burst of bluish white light left the pokeball as it split open and landed on the ground. As the light began to fade, the pokeball fell back down and Vali caught it before looking at the pokemon that had emerged from the ball. The pokemon was a bipedal reptilian Pokémon with a primarily orange body. Its underside from the chest down and soles are cream-colored. It has two small fangs visible in its upper jaw and two smaller fangs in its lower jaw. Bright blue eyes stared at her from a cute face. Its arms and legs are short with four fingers and three clawed toes. A fire burns at the tip of it's slender tail and twitched as the Charmander stared up at her. Getting onto her knees, Vali held out a hand to the fire-type, "Hi, Charmander. My name is Vali. I know that you don't know me yet, but I'm your trainer. I'm going to go on a journey soon and I'd love to have you by my side. Would you like to come with me? I don't know what I can offer you other than friendship and a willingness to help you become stronger."

Charmander stared at her with a measured gaze before smiling wildly and taking her hand in it's claws while giving a noise of agreement. Professor Oak smiled at the interaction, "Well, I'm glad that worked out. Now, why don't you scan Charmander here while I go take care of something?"

Professor Oak left them and Vali took out her knew dex. She looked at Charmander with a smile, "I'm going to scan you with this, Little One. It'll tell me about you."

Charmander, the lizard pokemon. From the time it is born, a flame burns at the tip of its tail. Its life would end if the flame were to go out.The flame that burns at the tip of its tail is an indication of its emotions. The flame wavers when Charmander is enjoying itself. If the Pokémon becomes enraged, the flame burns fiercely.

This Charmander is Male and has the ability Blaze. This Charmander knows Growl, Scratch, Ember, and Dragon Pulse.

Vali's eyes widen at the last move, "Dragon Pulse?"

"Ah, yes," Professor Oak appeared, "This Charmander's egg move is Dragon Pulse. The breeder that I got him from has a Charizard that learned that move though I'm not sure where,"

"Is it a big deal?" Ash asked her curiously.

"No, but it's unexpected," Vali looked down at her new pokemon, "You're a powerful little guy, aren't you?" Charmander let out a little trill from the back of his throat looking kind of smug, "Well, I'm glad to have you on my side. By the way, do you want a nickname?" Charmander thought about it before nodding and she thought about it carefully before saying, "How about Helios? He was known as a god of the sun?" Charmander shook his head and Vali began running through the names she associated with fire and dragons before finally saying, "Smaug?" Charmander made a noise of pleasure at the name and breathed out a few embers, "Smaug it is then,"

"Where'd that name come from?" Ash asked with a frown.

"I got it from a book back home," Vali explained as she scratched under the now named Smuag's chin earning a pleased purr-like sound that made her smile, "Smaug is the name of a greedy gold loving dragon in the book that acted as one of the villains. There's more, but I can't really remember it since I read that book a long time ago,"

"Well it sounds like a good name for Charmander," Professor Oak said earning a nod from Vali, "Now, I have something for you before you leave today,"

"Oh?" Vali stood up and looked at the Professor curiously, "By the way, where's Growlithe? He's usually here by now,"

"This involves Growlithe," Vali frowned feeling a bit worried for her friend, "As you no doubt know by now, Growlithe doesn't have a trainer,"

Vali nodded, "Yeah, Delia told me that he was one of your Arcanine's pups and you wanted to make sure he went to a good home."

"Indeed," Professor Oak help up a pokeball making Vali's eyes widen, "I do not normally do this especially since you're a new trainer, but I figure that you can handle it. You've become a dear friend to Growlithe and treat him well. You're a wonderful girl and I know that you'll become a great trainer which is something Growlithe needs. Valkyrie Potter, I am entrusting Growlithe to you. Raise him well,"

"Professor," Vali murmured as she held out her hand and felt the pokeball settle in it, "Are you sure?"

Professor Oak nodded with a warm smile, "I am and so is Arcanine. Not to mention, Growlithe would be very put out if you left him behind and no one likes a sad puppy pokemon."

"Thank you," Vali murmured before looked down at Smaug, "Smaug, it looks like we'll have another teammate to start our journey. He's an old friend of mine. Do you want to meet him," Smaug considered it before nodding, "Come on out, Growlithe," Vali released her friend and he shook his head before catching sight of her, "Hey, Growlithe," He yipped and darted over to her, "Nice to see you too, Buddy," Vali bent down to scratch behind his ears before saying, "Growlithe, do you know why I'm the one that called you out?" Growlithe blinked before shaking his head, "Professor Oak decided that I could be your trainer. Do you like that idea?" Growlithe barked and licked her face, "Quit it, Growlithe," He stopped but wagged his tail, "Now, you aren't the only member of my team. This," She pointed to Smaug who was eyeing the puppy pokemon warily, "Is Smaug. My Charmander and starter,"

Growlithe approached Smaug and sniffed at him as the reptilian pokemon did the same. They conversed with some yips, barks, hisses, growls, and trills. Ash looked confused by the interaction, "What are they doing?"

"They're getting to know one another," Professor Oak explained as he went over to his computer and did something, "I've added Growlithe to your trainer id,"

"So all pokemon can understand one another like that?" Ash asked earning a shrug from Vali.

"Yes, though Electric types can converse using their electricity," Professor Oak answered before looking at the conversing duo, "I need to get back to what I was doing. Why don't you take those two home?"

"Right," Vali smiled lightly as she observed her pokemon, "Professor, when is the guy supposed to arrive?"

"He should be arriving late tonight and will be staying in one of my guest rooms," Professor Oak replied earning a nod from Vali, "Come by the lab at noon to meet him,"

"Of course," Vali turned to her two pokemon, "Smaug, Growlithe," The two paused and looked at her, "The Professor wants us to leave, so we should get going. Do you two want to travel outside your pokeballs for now," The two thought about it before nodding, "Then follow Ash and I,"

They left the lab and started heading back to the Ketchum/Potter/Black residence. Ash looked at her curiously, "So what are you going to do until tomorrow?"

"Get to know my pokemon, see what they can do, and make sure I have everything ready," Vali explained as they reached the front yard before pausing, "Smaug, this is my adoptive little brother, Ash,"

Smaug looked at him and Ash looked at the fire-type in return. Smaug finally smiled and nodded to Ash earning a grin from the four year old. They headed inside with Ash calling out, "Mom, Sirius! We're home!"

"Smaug? Really?" Sirius asked as he looked at the Charmander who was currently enjoying the attention Delia was giving him.

"He chose it and I didn't really have many options left," Vali replied with a shrug.

Sirius looked at Growlithe who was laying across Vali's lap, "What about Growlithe?"

Growlithe perked up and Vali asked him, "Do you want a nickname, Growlithe?"

The puppy pokemon nodded and Vali began offering names to the puppy. Sirius finally suggested, "How about Balto?"

Growlithe barked and wagged his tail. Smiling, Vali said, "Balto it is. I should scan him too."

Vali took out her dex and scanned the now named Balto.

Growlithe, the puppy pokemon. Very friendly and faithful to people. It will try to repel enemies by barking and biting. Growlithe has a superb sense of smell. Once it smells anything, this Pokémon won't forget the scent, no matter what. It uses its advanced olfactory sense to determine the emotions of other living things.

This Growlithe is Male and has the ability Flash Fire. This Growlithe knows Bite, Roar, Ember, Leer, Odor Sleuth, Helping hand, and Morning Sun.

"Morning Sun?" Ash asked looking confused.

"It means that Balto can heal himself though the amount depends on the weather," Vali explained with a light smile, "Not a bad move set and he's probably perfected most of them considering how old he is,"

"So, what do you want to do?" Sirius asked her curiously.

"I want to get a feel for their moves and their general condition. From there, I can work on setting up training schedules," Vali said as she scratched behind Balto's ears, "I know that I'm going to be training their speed. Charizard are fairly slow on the ground unless they use their wings to propel themselves, so training Smaug to get as fast as possible in his lower forms is important though both Charmander and Chameleon are fairly quick already. Growlithe and Arcanine are speed demons even without Extreme speed. Power is a definite, but that comes with time and training not to mention evolution when they're ready. Defense is a definite..."

Vali trailed off as she opened up the notes section in her pokedex and began typing down her plans much to the amusement of Sirius and Delia.

Balto and Smaug walked beside Vali as she headed towards Professor Oak's lab. The two fire-types hadn't returned to their pokeballs since she'd released them yesterday. Balto darted around her legs though he made sure not to get close enough to trip her. Smaug watched his teammate with amusement alongside Vali. Vali smiled lightly though it dropped as they reached the hill that Professor Oak's lab sat on. Walking up, she felt her stomach churn a little and her palms start to sweat as she got closer to the lab. Balto and Smaug looked at her in concern when they reached the door and she didn't open it. Balto whined and Smaug patted her leg earning a strained smile, "Sorry guys, I'm just a bit nervous is all. Let's head inside."

Opening the door, Vali let her pokemon enter first before following them. She found one of the assistants, "John, right?"

"Ah, Vali," The aid smiled at her, "Professor Oak's in the corral with the new comer. He told me to tell you to go there when you arrived,"

"Thank you," Vali told him before looking at her pokemon, "To the corral, I suppose,"

"No problem," John said before he walked off.

They walked through the lab towards the door that led to the corral and exited onto the deck that was set up at the back door. Walking onto the deck, Vali heard the calls of pokemon and smiled lightly. She loved to corral as it always had so many diffrent types of pokemon running around. Balto sniffed around before yipping and darting forward. Vali quickly returned Smaug before following after Balto knowing that the Growlithe had gotten the Professor's scent. Vali followed after Balto for five minutes before he finally slowed down near the top of a hill. Vali panted softly as she stopped beside him, "Next time, how about you slow down a bit? I'm not used to running after you at full speed."

Balto yipped and nodded making her smile. She scratched behind his ears earning a pleased groan before she stopped and they continued heading up the hill. Professor Oak turned and smiled as he spotted them, "Ah, Vali! You're just in time. I hope you didn't have a hard time finding us."

"Thanks to Balto here, it wasn't that hard," Vali said while patting Balto's head making the Growlithe bark and wag his tail clearly pleased at the praise.

"Balto, that's a nice name for Growlithe," Professor Oak admitted as they reached him, "Now, Steven should be back in a few moments. He wanted to let Skarmory stretch his wings,"

"Is he like you thought he'd be?" Vali asked wanting to know a bit more about her supposed traveling partner.

While she would meet him before making her final decision, Vali wanted to know more about him before then. Professor Oak understood what she was asking, "Yes. Steven Stone is exactly what I'd thought he be. I'm sure that if you travel with him, he can give you tips on raising your pokemon though he is trying to become a Steel type master."

Vali's eyes widened at the last part. A steel type master? While not as hard to raise as Dragon types, it still took a lot of patience since Steel types were slow to grow. It took a special person to be able to raise them to their fullest potential which made Steel type masters only a little more common than Dragon type masters. Vali was a bit more eager to meet him and felt some of her nervousness fade. The sound of metal feathers and a heavy wing beat filled the air as a piercing cry sounded. Balto growled beside her as she covered her eyes with an arm as the wind caused by the landing pokemon kicked up a lot of dust. When it settled, she put down her arm and stared at the Skarmory standing not even ten feet from her.

Metallic silver coated most of large body. Crimson red covered the sheet metal-like feathers underneath the metallic silver wing covers. Dark grey metals covered a majority of its neck save for a few inches below its head. A similar grey metal covered most of its feet save for its sharp claws. Its sharp looking tail was a deeper grey than the other parts of it's body, but still gleamed in the sunlight. Vali's eyes met the obsidian colored eyes in the sea of yellow and felt like she was being judged. A cultured voice spoke, "Sorry if we took a bit longer than I said, Professor. Skarmory found some nice updrafts and I thought it would be best to let him enjoy it while he could."

Vali's eyes snapped towards the teen that got off of Skarmory's back. Aristocratic features were the first thing she noticed outside of his icy blue hair and bright sky blue eyes. He wore a a white undershirt with a black overcoat that has purple zig-zag streaks going down and a red tie. On the ends of his sleeves, he has silver cuffs. He also wears black pants with dark-purple dress shoes. Professor Oak spoke and she focused on the Professor, "It's fine, Steven. You're right on time."

"Oh?" He caught sight of Vali and Balto, "Who are these two?"

"Steven, this is Valkyrie Potter and one of her pokemon, Balto," Professor Oak introduced before gesturing to Steven, "Vali, this is Steven Stone and one of his pokemon, Skarmory,"

"It is a pleasure to meet you, Miss Vali," Steven held out his hand and Vali took it only to flush as Steven lifted it to his lips before pressing a kiss to the knuckles, "Professor Oak's been telling me about you. I would be happy to travel with you for awhile,"

"It's nice to meet you as well, Mr. Stone," Vali said with a smile as Steven let go of her hand, "Please call me Vali,"

"Then please call me Steven. Mr. Stone reminds me of my father," Steven replied earning a laugh from Vali, "So shall we get to know one another? I understand that you want to get a proper gauge of me before going out into the wilderness with me. I will be doing the same as well,"

"Let's head inside then," Professor Oak advised, "It will give me time to get Steven's starter ready and make sure his pokemon are ready to travel,"

The two agreed and they all headed inside.