Kit arrives in Kanto to start her Pokemon journey, and meets her rivals.
“What?! Someone robbed Professor Elm’s lab?” Satomi asked, shocked.
“Yep!” Kit answered. They were both in the car and halfway to Pallet Town, while she recounted what had happened that morning. “Someone snuck in through the window, snatched one of his Pokémon, and trashed everything up! And even worse, I even met the jerk who did it! I was right in front of his face, and I didn’t even know it! So I couldn’t help the police very much.” She remembered his harsh attitude, and felt a little sorry for the Pokémon he stole. She hoped it would be all right.
Satomi spoke up, “Oh, my… But how did you get your Pokémon? Cyndaquil, right?”
Kit had let Cyndaquil out of its Poké Ball some time before, and it was resting peacefully on her lap. She gently scratched it around the ears. “Well, when I got to his lab, he was out looking for that guy, and Jan asked me to get one of his Pokémon and go after him. That was Cyndaquil. Cyndaquil and I saved him from a bunch of Beedrils–our first battle! And he let me keep Cyndaquil! When we got back, he let me have his other Pokémon, Chikorita, to keep it safe from that thief. Oh, that reminds me–” She pulled out the other Poké Ball from her pocket. “I didn’t even get to see what Chikorita looks like yet!”
Kit tossed up the ball, and it popped open, revealing a small green Pokémon with a cute face and a leaf on its head. It closed its eyes, shook its head, and looked up at Kit with a slight nervous expression on its face, as if wondering whether the girl in front of it was someone to trust. Then, it saw Cyndaquil cuddled up on her lap, and smiled. “Chika!” It climbed onto her lap and snuggled under her arm.
“Nice to meet you, Chikorita…” Kit whispered.
A while later, they pulled up at Professor Oak’s lab in Pallet Town. Kit let Cyndaquil and Chikorita back into their balls, grabbed her pack, and ran up the hill toward the front door.
“Professor! Professor Oak! I’m sorry I’m late! I–ACK!!” She thrust the door open and slammed straight into something hard. Her back hit the floor and she was halfway back on her feet when she realized the thing she hit had shouted and fell as well.
Raucous laughter filled her ears. “Well, well. What have we here? A little ignorant kitten? Or some clumsy, stupid loser of a trainer who came so late that there’s nothing left to train?” Kit recognized the taunting voice. And the person it belonged to. She seethed with anger at how he screwed with her name and called her stupid. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath.
“Shut up, Terry,” she said as calmly as she could, and opened her eyes to see Terry Oak looking down at her. He looked cool, with spiky, short black hair, and he always wore a long gray shirt, black pants, and dark gray boots. A small pendant hung from around his neck. He was Professor Oak’s grandson, and he always acted like he was better than everyone else because of that.
“Ooh, the poor little kitty is mad at me!” Terry replied in a fake scared voice, “Someone help me, please! She’s going to scratch me! Ha ha!”
“She said shut up, Terry!” another voice shot out. Kit looked in front of her and saw the person she smacked into. It was Mira, Terry’s cousin. She had brown hair, and she wore a blue tank top, a red miniskirt, and a white sun hat, with a yellow messenger bag slung across her shoulder. She was another one of Professor Oak’s grandkids, but unlike Terry, she didn’t have the same condescending attitude.
Kit got to her feet and helped Mira up. “It’s okay. He’s just mad that I showed up at all.”
Terry smiled evilly. “You’re still out of luck, just the same. Every starting Pokémon Grandpa had are all taken. Gone. None left for you. ‘The early bird gets the worm,’ as they all say. I’d like to see the looks on everyone’s faces when they find out. I’ll be on my way to be the greatest master ever, while you’ll have to wait another year just to start!” He paused, waiting for Kit’s horrified look, but instead, he saw a smile creep on her face.
To his annoyance, Kit started laughing. “Think you know everything, huh? I’m afraid you’re mistaken there. You see, I’ve already got–” She didn’t have time to finish, since Professor Oak walked in the room at the same time.
“Kit! So you finally showed up!” The professor smiled and extended his hand, “Nice to see you again!” Kit smiled back and shook it. She had visited Professor Oak and his family a few times before, when Satomi had important matters to settle with him. Kit reflected on these visits often, and always thought they would have been perfect if Terry were never around.
“I’m sorry I was late,” Kit spoke up, “I was doing something for Professor Elm back home.”
“Oh, don’t worry, I understand,” Professor Oak replied, “He called me just before you got here to tell me you were coming in late, and that it was his fault.”
Just then, Satomi came in and saw the professor. “Good morning, Professor Oak!” She walked in and gave him a short hug. “It’s good to see you again. It’s been a while since the last time we visited.” She looked at Terry and Mira. “It’s nice to you again, too. My, have you two grown since the last time I came! It’s hard to believe that you’re already starting your Pokémon journeys!” Mira blushed and looked down, and Terry just smiled.
That’s the kind of face he puts on just for the adults, Kit thought, I know the real person behind that smile, and it isn’t nice. She turned to Professor Oak and asked, “Is the opening ceremony already over, Professor? I heard it was supposed to start at 8:00 this morning.”
“Yes, I’m afraid it already is over,” he replied, “And I don’t think there are any more Pokémon left.” Kit could see Terry smirking at her, and tried hard not to notice him. “However,” the professor continued, “Professor Elm did tell me he gave you one of his Pokémon. Am I right?” The smirk disappeared from Terry’s face.
Kit smiled. “He did. It’s one of three Pokémon he’s researching to be starter Pokémon for the Johto League next year. He also gave me one of his other ones to keep safe, since someone broke in his lab and stole one.”
Professor Oak nodded. “Yes, he told me about that.” Kit looked at Terry again and was pleased to see the livid expression on his face. The professor then looked at his grandkids, and Terry’s face quickly turned back into a smile. “So, are you two ready to go? You can wait outside while I get Kit ready.” Both Terry and Mira picked up their packs and walked out the door. When the professor wasn’t looking, Terry shot one last dirty look at Kit before he left.
“And the same to you,” Kit whispered back, grinning. Leaving her Pokégear and pack with Satomi, she then followed the professor to another room. He gave her six empty Poké Balls and told her how to use them to catch Pokémon, and told her how to take care of her Pokémon properly. Then he pulled out a strange red device that looked a lot like a portable handheld and placed it in her hands.
Kit was puzzled. “What’s this?” she asked, staring at it.
“It’s a prototype version of the Pokédex, my life’s invention. It’s a high-tech Pokémon encyclopedia, a complete guide to every Pokémon in existence.” Kit looked at it in awe, turning it over in her hands. “However,” Professor Oak continued, “It’s incomplete. It’s a very difficult job to collect data on every single Pokémon in the world, and I’m afraid I’m much too old to do it. So, if you’ll accept, I would like to entrust this task to you.”
“You want me to collect Pokémon data for you?” Kit asked nervously. She wasn’t sure whether to be delighted or discouraged, and she didn’t quite understand just what he meant.
“You collect data by catching a Pokémon. When you do, information about that particular Pokémon will automatically be recorded. It also tracks every Pokémon you’ve seen to make them easier to find and catch. Once you’ve collected data on every Pokémon around, you can come back and see me, or send all of it to me through your computer link.”
Kit flashed an understanding smile and replied, “Ok! I gladly accept! I’ll make sure to catch all the Pokémon I can! You can count on me, Professor!”
Professor Oak smiled. “I know you’ll do well. Of course, Terry and Mira both have a Pokedex as well. I’m looking forward to seeing the Pokemon each of you will catch!”
Kit smiled back and slipped the Pokédex in her shirt pocket. She expected Professor Oak to formally wish her luck, but instead, he pulled out a Poke Ball emblazoned with a water symbol.
“Just one more thing,” he said, placing the Poke Ball into her hand.
Kit looked down at the Poke Ball in disbelief. “I… I thought you ran out of Pokemon for the new trainers!”
“A little white lie,” Professor Oak said with a wink. “The Trainer who caught the three new species of Pokemon for Professor Elm left an extra Pokemon behind with me. There’s nothing we can do for the Totodile that was stolen, but this Totodile will have a chance to learn and grow with you.”
Kit could barely speak. “Professor… I… thank you. I’ll take good care of Totodile!”
“Just make sure not to mention this to Terry and Mira, understand?” the professor said, “If they knew, they’d never let it rest!”
Kit clipped Totodile’s Poke Ball to her belt alongside Cyndaquil and Chikorita. “Don’t worry, Professor,” she said, smirking, “I won’t say a word!” She imagined Terry scowling till his face turned purple if she ever told.
She and Professor Oak exited the lab to find her mother, Terry, and Mira standing there. Terry was still staring sullenly at her, while Mira just looked impatient.
Satomi went to Kit and handed her the Pokégear. “Here you go. I just finished reprogramming it. It has both Professor Oak’s and our phone numbers, so you can call anytime, in case of emergencies, or if you just want to talk! There’s also a map, clock, and radio on it.”
Kit took it, slung it around her neck, and put on her pack. “Thanks, Mom!” She looked over at Terry and Mira, then at Professor Oak. “Do we all have to go everywhere together?” She secretly hoped not.
To her relief, the professor shook his head. “You don’t have to. Even though you’ll start at the same place and time, you can travel and train wherever and whenever you want, at your own pace. As long as you’re ready for the Pokémon League Championships when you’re done, anything goes!” He then looked at the three of them seriously. “Now, are all of you ready to start?”
Both Terry and Mira nodded, said their last goodbyes, and started walking along the path. Kit hung back a little, then gave her mother one last hug.
“I’ll make sure to do my best, I promise,” she murmured, “I’ll try really hard to be someone you’ll be proud of.”
“I’m proud of you already, Kit. More than ever.”
Kit looked up at her. “You don’t have to worry about me, Mom. I’ll be fine. I’ll call you whenever I get the chance.”
“Right.”
“And be careful at home, okay?” Kit smiled mischievously. “We both know how a lot of your experiments go. I don’t want to come home and find everything in ruins!”
Satomi laughed. “I understand. Now you’d better get going, or else we’ll be here forever!”
Kit smiled, hugged her again, then walked over to Professor Oak. “You don’t have to worry, either. I’ll make sure to get that Pokédex done!”
The professor nodded. “Good luck.”
After one final wave, Kit started down the path, watching her mother and Professor Oak until they disappeared from view.
She had been walking for only a few minutes more when she heard something rustling in the bushes. She froze, her hand closing on a Poké Ball, staring at the spot the noises were coming from. Suddenly, something jumped out!
“Cyndaquil, GO! Ember!!” Cyndaquil popped out and hit whatever it was head–on. Then, the thing tackled Cyndaquil hard in the face, causing Cyndaquil to tumble to the ground. “Ah! Return!” Kit recalled Cyndaquil and looked at whatever it was that tackled it. It was…
“Bulbasaur! Return!” a familiar voice called. A bright red light shined around Bulbasaur and it disappeared. Then, the same voice laughed harshly. “Well, that was a surprise. I didn’t think you’d respond that quickly!” The bushes moved away to reveal Terry.
Kit glared at him. “That wasn’t funny, Terry.”
“It sure wasn’t!” another voice screamed out. The bushes shook again as Mira crashed through them. “He did the exact same thing to me, and beat up my Squirtle!”
Terry smirked. “That’s because you weren’t ready for it. At least Kit knew what was coming. You didn’t stand a chance!”
“Shut up!” Mira shouted. Terry flashed her a nasty smile.
“I’ve been watching,” he continued, “and I have a pretty good idea who the losers of this group will be.”
“Aside from you, who are the others?” Kit asked, sarcastically. Terry glared at her. Uh, oh, Kit thought, Here it comes.
“Very funny, Kit. From what I’ve seen, you’d look like a good trainer to others, but you’d still be easy for me to beat. And as for you–” he looked at Mira, “You’ll never make it!”
Mira was trembling in anger now. “Shut up!! You’ll be sorry you ever said that, you–you…”
Kit took a step back and fell silent. When it came to Terry and Mira arguing, it was best not to take sides. Since she only visited Professor Oak once in a while, Kit was able to throw off some of Terry’s taunts. Mira, however, could never ignore them, possibly because she had to deal with Terry every single day and his mocking was much worse for her.
“I’m going now, Terry,” Mira continued, “You make me sick!” Then, she looked at Kit. “Kit, the next time we meet, I hope you’re good. ‘Cause I’d rather beat you than lose to him.” With that, she turned around and walked off.
Terry laughed again. “If that’s what she believes, then there’s no hope!”
Kit couldn’t help but feel a little hurt. She and Mira weren’t really friends, but when it came to resisting Terry the Terrible, they always teamed up. By saying those words, Mira had turned herself into a rival, and Kit would rather beat up Terry than hurt her feelings.
“Terry,” Kit said calmly, “The next time we meet, I hope you’re good. Otherwise, I’ll make you shove all those words back down your throat! And–” she caught him trying to interrupt, “As for who’s going to win or lose, we’ll leave that up to the Pokémon League to decide. We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it.”
Terry glared at her again. “Humph. I’m outta here. I have much better things to do than spend my time with losers like you. See ya around.” He walked away and didn’t look back.
Kit stared at him angrily and stuck out her tongue. “Jerk…” Then she remembered the red-haired boy she ran into back home. He and Terry would get along so well. She thought about it again while walking and whistled. “Wow… It’s just been a few hours, and already there’s three people who hate my guts! What a day…”