Time skip five years later
Willow stood in the bustling Oak's lab, her heart racing with excitement. The scent of fresh Poké Balls and the faint hum of machinery surrounded her. She had dreamt of this moment ever since that silly argument five years ago, where they all proclaimed themselves the best Pokémon trainers. Now, here she was, about to register her very first Pokémon—Vulpix.
As she placed the Poké Ball on the registration terminal, a soft beep confirmed its addition to her Pokédex. "Vulpix, the fox Pokémon. Known for its adorable appearance and fiery spirit," the device chirped. Willow beamed, envisioning all the adventures they would have together. Professor oak then gave Willow five empty poke balls, and wished her luck on her journey. Before Willow left she stopped by her house and grabbed her backpack full of all the supplies she'll need on her journey even some poke food.
She also grabbed her favorite berry-flavored energy bars and a few packs of Trail Mix into one of the pockets, determined that she wouldn't let hunger slow her down on her adventure. Her mother had also tucked in a homemade sandwich, wrapped in a cheerful cloth. With everything packed, Willow slung the backpack over her shoulder and left for the door, glancing back at her cozy home.
"Goodbye, Mom! I'll make you proud!" she called, her heart racing with excitement and nerves as she stepped outside. The sun was shining brightly, casting golden rays on the path ahead. With Vulpix nestled comfortably in the crook of her arm, she took a deep breath, filled with the scent of blooming flowers and fresh grass, signaling the start of her journey into the world of Pokémon.
As she walked through the familiar streets of Pallet Town, her thoughts began to wander to the various regions she hoped to explore and the Pokémon she wanted to catch. Would she encounter a majestic Gyarados by the river? How about a mysterious Mewtwo? The possibilities were endless, and the more she thought about it, the faster she picked up her pace, eager to leave the town behind.
Willow reached the edge of her hometown, where the tall trees of the Viridian Forest loomed ahead. A chill of anticipation ran down her spine. This was it—the first real challenge of her journey. "Are you ready, Vulpix?" she whispered, lowering her voice as if revealing a secret. The little fox Pokémon responded with a playful flick of its tail and a cheerful "Vul!".
With her spirit ignited like the flames on Vulpix's back, Willow stepped into the shade of the forest, her senses heightened. The sounds of rustling leaves, distant Pokémon calls, and the faint chirp of insects surrounded her. Each step deeper into the forest felt like a leap into the unknown.
Just as she departed, Ash had just awakened and made his way to Oak's lab. Upon his arrival, he encountered Gary, and their interaction unfolded much like it typically does. Before Ash could leave with his Pikachu, Oak handed him a letter addressed to him. Upon reading it, Ash discovered it was from his sister, expressing her anticipation of their future reunion and advising him to avoid foolishness and stay out of trouble.