A Fateful Meeting (Flashback)

(Co-written by Gold)

(Five years in the past) Gold was sitting in the Library of Prof. Oak�s lab reading a new book that Prof. Ivy had recently published. "Humm. Maybe I'll travel to the orange islands someday," Gold said. Prof. Oak walked around the Lab looking for Gold.

"There you are Gold. I thought you might to know that Frosty Furimasu is giving a lecture on water pokémon today."

"Who's that?" asked Gold curiously.

"She's Misty Ketchem's niece. Misty was going to help me give the lecture, but got called away on league business, so she asked Frosty to come."

"Well. I could use more info on Water pokémon. It's not my strongest field. Silver would probably like to here it too." Gold took out a cell phone and told Silver about the lecture. Meeting Silver at the door, the two of them went to the classroom.

Frosty packed had packed her bags and done everything else to be ready for this day. She was in Pallet Town, about to meet the famous Professor Oak. He taught classes for local pokemon trainers-to-be and asked a different guest speaker to come and discuss a different type of pokemon each week. It was Tuesday, and Frosty, since she was tied into Cerulean Gym, had come to talk about Water-type pokemon.

It was time; Frosty stepped through the doors and into the main lobby of the lab. There were probably thirty trainers there, some maybe even older than she was. She pushed her misty hair behind her shoulder and stepped in front of the room.

"Thank you all for coming. I�m glad we had such a turnout."

"This should be good. I've always wanted a few water pokémon myself," said Gold.

"She's related to my hero, Misty, too. Maybe I can get her autograph," Silver said.

Professor Oak stood and took his place next to her. "This is Frosty Furimasu, daughter of Cerulean Gym. She has come to teach you about Water-type pokemon. I expect you to pay attention. There well be a test on this later." There was a slight pause and then she took a deep breath and began.

"Water pokemon are very intelligent pokemon, and I don�t mean that all other types are stupid. Their accuracy is almost perfect, and a regular Water Gun attack will hit the target 98% of the time. In or out of water, this type is a really great kind to have."

Professor Oak took his part. "Since ancient times, the water-type pokemon have been gifted each with a unique feature."

"For example, Staryu and Starmie have gems on them and Tentacool and Tentacruel have beautiful red gem-like spots on them, nicknamed the Jewels of the Ocean. Horsea and Seadra and even Gyrados have special needle-like fins on their backs that help them move very fast trough water. As some of you may know, the fastest water-type is Golduck. Its slender body and webbed feet help it dart through water."

The session wore on, and went very well. Frosty was praised for her work, and she felt great. She began packing her things into her bag in the classroom.

"Hey! Frosty!" Frosty turned around a bit startled. Gold stood there, a bit starry-eyed.

"Yes�Can I�help you?" She noticed Silver with him also.

He walked up to her. "I�m Gold." She was a bit confused by this sudden approach, but she shook his outstretched hand anyway.

"Oh wow! You�re related to Misty, right?" Silver seemed to be amazed.

"Er�yes, I�m her niece."

Gold laughed and whispered to Frosty, "Misty�s her idol."

"I can tell."

"Oh, Miss Frosty, can I please have your autograph? Please?" Frosty smiled a bit, still startled but feeling glad to be admired so much. She signed Silver�s pokemon notebook. "Oh! And could we compare notes? I enjoyed your lecture, and I wanted to see your notes�if you don�t mind."

"Sure." Frosty pulled a thick notebook from her bag and handed it to Silver. After thumbing through, she hesitantly began to hand it back. "What is it?" Frosty had a blank look.

"Well�most of your notes in here are for ice-type pokemon�"

She laughed. "Of course! They�re my favorite type!"

"But don�t you have notes for the lecture?"

"I know my water pokemon by heart. You just verbally compared notes."

Silver looked a little disappointed, but Gold cut in. "Could I have some tips and all on catching water-type? You seem to know a lot."

"Yes I do, but you see," she leaned closer, "you�re too young to be out after pokemon." Gold frowned.

"What about you?"

"Me too, of course. But when you�re older, I can help you a little better. Sure, I�ve seen my aunt catch and battle pokemon all the time, but I�ve never caught any. I promise though, I�ll find you in a few years and we can do it together, all right?"

"Yeah!"

Silver looked to Gold. "I�d better make sure to hang with you until then, huh?"

And so it began�