"All right, Rai, I think we should go to Oak Ridge to see dad." Zero told his first Pokemon. He was sure that his dad would be able to give him last minute advice before he set out on his journey. Zero was smart, but his dad had lots of experience, both in Pokemon and in life in general. Zero respected his dad, and thought he had better see him one last time. After all, he could die for crying out loud!
They got in Zero's car and began the drive. Luckily, Oak Ridge is just about a 20 minute drive from where Zero lives, so before long they were getting out of the car and walking into the lab where his father worked.
As soon as he got out he clenched his stomach. It was roaring, and it was only until now that Zero realized that he was so caught up in starting his quest that he forgot to eat breakfast. It was already lunchtime now. Hopefully this meeting with his father would be short. Orion hopped out of the car too, and followed Zero's lead into the building.
Zero knew exactly where to go, he had visited before on tours with his school, and by himself a couple of times to see his father. Sure enough, he was working at his station, just fixing to leave for his lunch break.
"Ah, Zero my boy! Glad to see you're taking it easy on your first day of freedom! How's life treating you today?" his father asked.
"Pretty good so far. Although I am pretty hungry, you want to go get something to eat?" the boy responded.
"Yeah, let me just tell Jerry that I'm leaving the station up to him." his father said, turning to his long time friend as he took his lab coat off.
30 minutes later Zero and his father were finishing up their lunch. "Being a Pokemon Trainer feels great!" Zero thought to himself. It seemed at last that people were treating him as an equal, something he never got in school. The freedom and lack-of-jeering were pretty good too.
He walked his father back to his work. He was going to just leave straight from lunch, but his father had something to give him. They walked back to his father's station in the lab, where he reached under his desk and pulled out a big bag of something.
"Here, Zero, I want you to take this. As you know, Pokemon also need to eat. Pokemon can eat any Pokemon food found at Pokemarts, however, they will do best if they are fed food that matches their own specific tastes. This food is geared towards a Modest natured Starmie like you have there.
"Thanks dad, I was just about to go to a Pokemart after I stopped by your lab. I'm sure Orion will love this." Zero replied, smiling as he took the bag.
"I'm also giving you some money to start your journey. You know, some gas money and money for supplies. But don't think I'm going to be your own personal bank. You're going to have to learn to fend for yourself, you hear?"
"Yeah, I know, dad. Well, I'm going to go to the mart to buy a few more supplies that I might need for my trip. Thanks for the food and money!" Zero said over his shoulder, heading out the door.
"I think we're going to have a blast together, Rai." Zero told his Pokemon as he exited the parking lot.
"Hyah" the Starmie agreed, already taking its first big bite of 'Starmie Food'.