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Pokémon Island, Hunting Zone.
"Shh, everyone be careful, the Sandstorm God is here," Shota whispered to his team as they cautiously traversed the rocky terrain.
Occasionally, small Geodude would spot their approach and tremble in fear, knowing they were heading towards the territory of the hunting zone's overlord—a place usually avoided by everyone.
Shota, a sixteen-year-old short-pants kid, had received his parents' permission to come to the hunting zone in search of his first Pokémon.
He aspired to be a Pokémon Trainer, challenge the eight gyms, win the championship, and ultimately become the Pokémon League Champion.
However, rumors had recently spread in the city that the Sandstorm God, who had never been seen before in the Shrine of Origins, actually resided at the center of the hunting zone's rocky area. This curiosity led many trainers to venture into the hunting zone to catch a glimpse of the deity.
"We're almost there, everyone be careful not to disturb the Sandstorm God," Shota cautioned his team, which included members as young as eight and as old as sixty-eight.
As they drew closer, they began to hear the deep, rhythmic breathing.
The breathing was consistent, indicating that the Sandstorm God was likely asleep, as described in the stories. Hiding behind a large boulder, they cautiously peeked out and finally saw the legendary Sandstorm God—Tyranitar.
"Wow, it's huge!"
"So cool."
"It's bigger than the Leaf God, Nightmare God, and Ice God. Does this mean the Sandstorm God is the strongest deity?" they whispered among themselves.
Despite their awe, they refrained from disturbing Tyranitar and left quietly after a brief observation. Their primary goal was not just to see the Sandstorm God but to find their own Pokémon in the hunting zone.
They agreed to meet back in two hours to share their experiences and split up to search the area.
Shota, having visited the hunting zone several times, was familiar with many of the Pokémon, but today, he was particularly interested in finding a group of Aipom, rumored to live in the forest between three mountains.
Shota considered Aipom a lively and unique Pokémon, and none of the trainers in Alliance City had partnered with an Aipom yet, making him even more eager to catch one.
As Shota reached the designated forest, he noticed another figure already there. It was a large female mermaid—Sharly, a well-known fortune-teller and Arlong's sister.
At nineteen, Sharly still retained a youthful charm, unlike the mature and seductive image often associated with her.
"Uh, Miss Mermaid, what are you doing here?" Shota asked, scratching his head in confusion.
Usually, people from other cities didn't frequent Alliance City, let alone the hunting zone. Was she an employee of the Alliance?
"Come on, tomorrow is the Spring Festival. The city is open to everyone. I still don't have a Pokémon," Sharly replied, slightly exasperated at the younger boy's lack of awareness.
She aimed to join the Pokémon Alliance and open a mermaid café in Alliance City, but the current requirements to join were more stringent than before.
Now, aspiring members had to be Pokémon Trainers, and the bar would only rise in the future, so Sharly was determined to find her Pokémon quickly.
"Oh, right. Are you here to catch Aipom too?" Shota asked.
"Aipom? No, I'm looking for a small white water-type Pokémon rumored to live in a lake connected to the inland sea. I think it might be a Seel," Sharly explained.
"Seel?"
Shota had never heard of that Pokémon, and it didn't pique his interest.
"Yes, Seel usually lives on icy mountains but can sometimes be found in shallow seas. I've been searching for one but they're rare. This is the only lead I've had in a while, so I'm not giving it up," Sharly said with determination.
"Well, I don't want it. I'm after Aipom," Shota said, dismissing the unfamiliar Pokémon.
As they chatted, a strange noise came from the branches above. They looked up to see an Aipom.
"Aipom!" Shota exclaimed joyfully, quickly crouching down to pull out a pink, crystalline square from his backpack—a 'Super Pokémon Bait' from the night market.
"Aipom?" The pink square intrigued Aipom, who approached Shota curiously.
In the hunting zone, Pokémon were not afraid of humans. Dark had assured them that the people here wouldn't harm them and might even offer treats.
"Here you go," Shota offered the pink square to Aipom, who naively accepted and popped it into its mouth.
Sharly couldn't help but laugh, pulling out some cards to make a quick fortune, predicting that Shota was about to be rejected.
"Aipom!"
Slap!
Aipom, furious, slapped Shota's face with its tail before storming off.
"What's going on?" Shota looked at the 'Super Pokémon Bait' in confusion.
"Did you not taste the bait before buying it?" Sharly asked, amused.
"It's for Pokémon, right?" Shota replied.
"That doesn't mean humans can't eat it. These baits are made from berries and are edible for both," Sharly explained.
Shota tasted the bait and immediately his face darkened, "Damn black-hearted merchants!"
"Thanks for the show. I'm off to find my Seel," Sharly said, laughing as she left.
She reached the lake connected to the inland sea near the foot of the snowy mountain and dove in.
Being a mermaid, she could easily enter the water and interact with water-type Pokémon, something humans found challenging.
"I found it!" Sharly soon spotted the plump white Seel and swam towards it.
"Grumble?"
Seel, sensing danger, quickly swam away, but Sharly's speed in the water was unmatched.
"Don't run, you're meant to be mine!" Sharly declared, chasing Seel like a madwoman.
Eventually, Seel, unable to escape Sharly's relentless pursuit, succumbed to her charm and became her first Pokémon.
"You're just too cute not to love," Sharly cooed, cuddling Seel, who shyly wagged its tail.
(End of Chapter)