Chapter 08: Meeting the Protagonist
Finally, the lecture was over, and I had my Pokémon. Ace was still out of his Poké Ball, perched on my shoulder. One thing I gleaned from this lecture was that while much of the Pokémon lore was familiar, there were significant differences I needed to catch up on quickly. Otherwise, I risked being blindsided by the intricacies of this world.
We descended to the lab's living room.
Gary remained planted on the sofa, radiating teenage thunder. His face was a study in simmering frustration, lips pressed into a thin line, fingers drumming impatiently on his knee. But as we entered, his posture shifted. He unfolded himself from the cushions, a predatory grin spreading as his gaze locked onto me, then flicked dismissively to Ace.
"Pfft! BWAHAHAHA!" The laughter burst from him, loud and unrestrained, echoing in the lab. Gary doubled over, clutching his stomach, punctuated snorts escaping as he pointed a finger – not at me, but directly at Ace.
Irritation flared. "Hey! What's your problem with Ace?" I demanded, stepping forward, Ace puffing up his chest feathers defensively on my shoulder.Gary waved a hand, still catching his breath. "Sorry, sorry," he gasped, though his grin remained firmly in place. "It's just… I didn't realize Pallet Town bred starter Pidgeys now. Thought those were wild Route 1 fodder. Guess some people really are starting at rock bottom. Hahaha!" He punctuated the 'rock bottom' with another sharp burst of laughter.
A hot retort rose to my lips, but Professor Oak's voice cut through the rising tension.
"Now, now, Gary. That's enough." Professor Oak's tone was mild, but held a definite edge of disapproval. "Apologize to your fellow Trainer and his Pokémon. Every Pokémon, Gary, every Pokémon is precious." He emphasized 'every,' his gaze lingering on his grandson for a beat longer than necessary.
"Yeah, yeah, fine. Sorry, Gramps," Gary mumbled, the apology directed anywhere but at me or Ace. Then, with a theatrical eye-roll, he tacked on, "Sorry… Pidgey. Sorry… loser," the last word delivered with a lingering smirk that made my teeth clench. Another suppressed snicker rumbled in his chest.
Professor Oak sighed, a weariness briefly flickering across his face before he smoothed it into his usual warm smile. He launched into a condensed version of the earlier lecture, this time directed at his grandson, the words about respecting Pokémon ringing a little hollow after Gary's display.
"We'll show him, Ace," I murmured, low enough for only my Pidgey to hear. Ace ruffled his feathers against my neck in response, a silent agreement. Beneath the simmering annoyance at Gary's childish taunts, a steely resolve hardened. I would train Ace, and we would prove every sneering brat wrong.
Professor Oak, seemingly satisfied (or perhaps resigned) after his mini-lecture, led us towards the lab's exit. Stepping outside was like breaching the surface after holding my breath. The sun's warmth enveloped me, a comforting promise of the journey ahead. Ace beat his wings gently, his small claws adjusting on my shoulder, vibrating with an eagerness that mirrored my own burgeoning anticipation.
The small crowd from before had not only remained, it had grown. A cluster of girls in bright, matching outfits – cheerleaders, unmistakably – now stood front and center, pom-poms a vibrant splash of color. Behind them, a gleaming red sports car, top down, idled with a uniformed driver patiently waiting behind the wheel. As we emerged, a wave of sound – cheers, whistles, and excited shouts – washed over us. The cheerleaders launched into a practiced routine, their voices rising in a synchronized chant: "Gary, Gary, he's our man! If he can't do it, no one can! Go, Gary, go and win! Pallet Town's pride, let the journey begin!"
Okay. Focus, Alex Trent. This isn't about the spectacle. Still, a flicker of envy, quickly suppressed, pricked at me. That kind of support… that kind of obvious belief… It was a world away from the quiet anonymity of the foster system.
Gary, of course, ate it up. He strode forward, basking in the manufactured adoration, raising a hand in a practiced wave. "People of Pallet Town!" he declared, his voice carrying with surprising projection, "Today, Gary Oak takes his first step on the path to becoming the greatest Pokémon Master the world has ever seen! I will conquer the Gyms! I will defeat the Elite Four! And I will stand victorious over the Champion!"
Just as Gary reached his crescendo, a figure burst through the dispersing edges of the crowd, a whirlwind of frantic energy and flapping pajamas. A familiar mop of untamed black hair bounced with each stride, the green and yellow stripes blurring as he sprinted towards the lab, breathless and clearly panicked.
Ding
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[Name]: Ash Ketchum
[Age]: 15
[Profession]: None
[Emotional State]: Frantic, Determined, Eager
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Ding
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[Hidden Achievement Unlocked]
★ Meeting The World Protagonist ★
• Special Effect:
The interaction between you and the world protagonist may lead to deviation from the events set in the timeline. This effect introduces unpredictability. Key story events or battles involving the world protagonist may not unfold as they originally would have, causing alternate outcomes. This could include:
∞ Unpredictable Outcomes: Events involving the world protagonist can change, such as battles, storylines, and key decisions. This could result in unexpected challenges, new opportunities, or rare encounters. The timeline may shift in ways that give Alex Trent access to events or items not originally intended for his stage of the journey.
∞ Protagonist's Aura: Alex Trent gains a temporary charisma boost when interacting with major NPCs or key characters.
∞ Charisma Boost: Alex Trent's Charisma (CHA) is increased by +2 for the duration of interactions with important figures (Gym Leaders, rivals, etc.).
XP Gained: +5
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Whoa. My mental gears whirred, processing the sudden system notification. Protagonist? This… Ash? The pajama-clad kid? The implications of "timeline deviation" crashed over me. This wasn't just a game anymore; my choices, my interactions, could ripple outwards, changing the very fabric of this world's story. A shiver of something akin to fear, mixed with a strange thrill, ran down my spine. But… "Charisma boost"? That was interesting. A tangible, if temporary, advantage. Maybe messing with the timeline wouldn't be entirely bad… if I played it smart. Strategic advantage, Alex Trent. Think strategically.
The System, whatever it is, seems to recognize certain individuals as… key figures. It's like they're flagged in the code, designated as having a higher 'impact rating.' This designation might trigger certain… enhancements, subtle nudges to the world around them. This 'Protagonist Aura' is one such enhancement, triggered by my interaction with Ash. It's all speculation, of course, based on the limited data we have about the System.
And "Profession: None"? Clearly, Ash hadn't even officially registered as a Trainer yet. Still… "Protagonist." The word echoed in my mind. This was…significant.
Gary, mid-boast, paused, turning to regard Ash with a sneer that dripped with disdain. "Well, look what the Rattata dragged in. Still in your pajamas, Ketchum? Hah! Better late than never, I suppose. At least you get to witness my glorious departure, Ash. A learning experience for you, perhaps. Observe greatness in action."
"Gary?" Ash blinked, bewildered, his frantic energy momentarily deflated by Gary's casual dismissal."Mr. Gary to you, loser. Show some respect. Ash, you snooze, you lose. While you were drooling on your pillow, I secured a Pokémon. A starter Pokémon. Something you wouldn't understand." Gary punctuated his words by spinning his Poké Ball on his finger with exaggerated flair, the red and white plastic glinting in the sunlight.
The cheerleaders, ever-loyal, amplified the taunt, resuming their chant with renewed vigor.
"Thank you, thank you!" Gary preened, puffing out his chest and striking a pose for his small audience. "Pallet Town, remember this day! Gary Oak is leaving, and I will make you famous! Known throughout the world! As the hometown of a Pokémon Master!" He practically vibrated with self-importance, before finally gesturing to the driver waiting in the sports car. "Driver! To glory!" He dramatically flung himself into the passenger seat, cheerleaders piling in after him, the red car roaring to life and speeding off in a swirl of dust and manufactured fanfare. The small crowd, their entertainment concluded, began to disperse.
"I'll… I'll show him," Ash muttered, his earlier frantic energy replaced by a simmering determination. He balled his hands into fists, watching Gary's retreating car with narrowed eyes.
Professor Oak and I approached Ash, who was still standing bewildered at the lab gates."So," Professor Oak said gently, placing a hand on Ash's shoulder. "You decided to join us… eventually."
"Oh! Professor Oak!" Ash's head snapped up, his earlier dejection instantly replaced by a renewed surge of enthusiasm. "Professor! Where's my Pokémon? Am I too late?!" His voice was a rush of passion, practically vibrating with eagerness.
"Your Pokémon?" Professor Oak raised a questioning eyebrow, a hint of amusement in his tone.
"Yes! I'm ready! Really ready!" Ash insisted, puffing out his chest with a seriousness that was almost comical in his rumpled pajamas.
"You look more ready for bed than Pokémon training, Ash," Professor Oak chuckled, shaking his head. "I do hope you weren't planning to begin your journey in those." He gestured pointedly at Ash's green and yellow striped attire.
A flush crept up Ash's neck, staining his cheeks a bright red as he finally glanced down at his pajamas, a sheepish grin spreading across his face. I couldn't help a small chuckle escaping my own lips at his expense.
Ash's gaze swiveled to me and Ace, his eyes widening with genuine delight. "Oh! Wow! Did you get your Pokémon today? That's amazing! And… is that a Pidgey? They're so cool!" His enthusiasm was utterly disarming, completely sincere.
Taken aback by his unfiltered excitement, I scratched the back of my neck, a smile tugging at my lips despite myself. "Uh, yeah. Hey. I'm Alex Trent. Just Alex is fine. And this over-enthusiastic puffball is Ace." Ace puffed out his chest again, letting out a proud "Pr'dg!" as if understanding the compliment.
"Alex! Ace! Awesome!" Ash grinned, extending a hand with an eagerness that was almost puppy-like. "I'm Ash Ketchum! And I'm gonna be the best Pokémon Master, ever!" He declared his dream with the same unrestrained passion he'd used with Professor Oak, his eyes shining with unwavering belief.
Okay… definitely enthusiastic. "Nice to meet you, Ash," I replied, shaking his hand, a genuine smile now breaking through my own reserved demeanor. "Hope we can be… friends. And rivals."
"Me too! Friends and rivals! That's the best!" Ash beamed, nodding enthusiastically.
Professor Oak gently steered the conversation back on track. "Well, Ash, rivals or not, you still need to actually get a Pokémon, young man. And yes, you are undeniably late." He turned to me, a subtle shift in his demeanor, a touch of professional briskness replacing the grandfatherly warmth. "Alex Trent, I'll take Ash and see what we can arrange for him. It really is time for you to depart for Viridian City. Don't waste precious daylight. Remember everything we discussed – your health, Ace's health, always prioritize them both. And," he added, a hint of that earlier 'concerned' emotion flickering in his eyes again, "don't hesitate to call if you need anything. My number's in your contacts."
I nodded, a fresh wave of determination washing over me, eclipsing the earlier awkwardness with Gary.
"Right, Viridian City first." Though, even as I said the words, my mind snagged again on the whiteboard notes, on Mt. Moon, on Project Eclipse. Viridian City was the destination on the map app… but Mt. Moon… that felt like the real goal now. And those three months… a countdown… to something.
"Thanks, Professor," I said, offering a genuine smile. Ace chirped his agreement, nuzzling against my neck.
Professor Oak nodded in return, then gently guided a still-slightly-flustered Ash back towards the lab doors.
As the lab door clicked shut behind Ash, a moment of quiet reflection settled over me. I had met him. The protagonist. And the System had practically screamed at me that our interaction had… consequences. Timeline deviations. Charisma boosts. A strange, unsettling mix of power and uncertainty settled in my stomach. This wasn't just my story anymore. It was… intertwined. Perhaps I could influence Ash's path, subtly nudge him away from some of the darker turns I knew awaited him… But the system warning… unpredictable outcomes… echoed in my mind. Too much meddling… too much interference… and who knew what chaos I might unleash? Best tread carefully, Alex Trent. Strategic advantage, remember? Not reckless heroism.
"Let's head to Viridian City, Ace," I declared, the quiet resolve solidifying into firm determination. "We have our own path to forge. And… maybe… just maybe… influencing things from the sidelines is a path in itself."With Ace beating his wings in agreement, a small flurry of comforting feathers against my cheek, I turned my back on Pallet Town and stepped onto the dusty road, the worn path leading onward, towards Viridian City… and whatever mysteries, and challenges, lay in wait beyond.
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Chapter End