if you can, use your scripting skills to make the proffesor being chased around the perimetre of the town by a charmander as soon as you get out of your house(make sure you put an explanation mark on top of your head.)
You help him by going into the lab getting a pokemon then battling the charmander outside, later you battle the rival as if normal!
remember the way it happens should be a bit like ruby but in the town instead of in the route!