Chapter 07: Ace Takes Flight
"Well then, let's meet your Pidgey," Prof. Oak said, nodding once. I proceeded to press the button in the middle of the Pokéball. Okay, Pidgey, starter Pokémon… this is really happening. But Mt. Moon… Project Eclipse… that's the real goal now, I thought, even as I pressed the button. It opened, releasing a brilliant white light that shot out and began to take the shape of a small bird.
Ding
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[Pidgey]
[Level]: 5
[Gender]: Male ♂️
[HP]: 20/20
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A small, plump-bodied bird with primarily brown feathers, a cream-colored face, underside, and flight feathers appeared. It had a short, stubby greyish-pink beak and feet with two toes in front and one in the back.
"Piiidgey... Pri~" The Pidgey cried out while flapping and stretching his wings.
I bent down to its level, extending my hand in a welcoming gesture. "Hey, buddy, would you like to join me as my partner?"
"Pidgey! Pr~dg!" it cooed happily, nodding and then flying to perch on my right shoulder.
"Oh, it seems Pidgey has taken quite a liking to you! Would you like to give him a nickname?" Prof. Oak asked, his usual warm smile present, though I still sensed a subtle reserve behind it.
"Hmm... I'll call you Ace! Do you like it?" I asked.
Ace nodded approvingly, cooing as he flapped his small wings with pride.
"Okay, Alex, give me your Trainer ID so I can register Ace's Pokéball under your name," Prof. Oak said, taking both my phone and the Pokéball over to his computer.
Ding
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[Quest Complete]
Quest Name: Choose Your Starter Pokémon!
Objective: Selected Pidgey as your starter Pokémon from Professor Oak's offered starters.
Reward:
* EXP Gained: +10
* Starter Pokémon - Pidgey
* Items added to Inventory:
* Poké Balls (x5)
* Potion (x5)
* Pokédex Functionality Unlocked in System Interface
Bonus Rewards (These will be installed by Prof. Oak in your Phone)
* Pokédex Module
* Calls and Contacts Module
* Camera Module
* Pokémon Status Module
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Ding
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[Pokédex Updated]
Pidgey #0016
[Type]: {Flying}{Normal}
• Tiny Bird Pokémon. Very docile. If attacked, will often kick up sand to protect itself rather than fight back.
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Ding
Another shimmer in the corner of his vision.
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[System Notification(s)]
* Inventory Feature Unlocked!
* New System function: Pokémon Status Unlocked!
Access them via the System Interface.
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Curious, Alex focused on the System Interface and noticed two new icons had appeared: [Inventory] and [Pokémon Status]. He tapped them.
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[Inventory]
Items:
* Poké Balls (x5) [Slot 1/2]
* Potion (x5) [Slot 2/2]
[Inventory Capacity: 2 slots. Each slot can hold up to 99 of the same item. 2 additional slots are unlocked per Trainer Level.]
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Poké Balls and Potions… just like the quest reward said. Earlier PokéDex functionality unlocked too, the notification mentioned. Okay, System, I see you. This is getting real.
Before I could check out [Pokémon Status] function, Prof. Oak returned with my phone, Ace's Pokéball, and a small, glassy card with an electronic screen.
The card displayed:
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[Trainer ID] (Unsponsored):
[Name]: Alex
[Age]: 16
[Gender]: Male ♂️
[Hometown]: Not selected
[ID No]: 14462
₽: 1500
[Badges Earned]: None
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Ding
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[System Notification(s)]:
Trainer ID updated in Phone.
User Profile updated in System Interface
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"This electronic card will act as your Trainer ID. It allows access to most towns and cities, and also doubles as a debit card at stores across the region. I've deposited ₽1500 as a small aid to help you get started," Prof. Oak explained.
"₽1500? Why?" I asked, confused.
"Until you find a good sponsor in Viridian City this should help.", commented Prof. Oak.
"Sponsor?"
"A sponsor helps keep a Trainer's life safe from the chaos of public media. A mutually beneficial partnership, where sponsors often profit from telecasting a Trainer's gym or tournament battles. I currently sponsor four kids, including my grandson, Gary," he said. "Since you're an unusual case with no records, I'll inform Nurse Joy at the Viridian City Pokémon Center to help you find a suitable sponsor. They'll help you register that city as your base if needed."
"Thanks, Professor."
"You're welcome, Alex. Oh, and here's a backpack with some essential items for your journey: 6 Pokéballs, 6 Potions, 6 Antidotes, 6 Paralyze Heals, and enough food for both you and Ace until you reach Viridian City," he said.
"Are the Pokémon aggressive in the wild?" I asked, concerned.
"Not usually. But since the Great Migration many Pokemon have limited territory for themselves and can become agressive if you overstep boundaries. Otherwise, most are docile, but certain Pokémon can also become aggressive during breeding seasons. Always be cautious," Prof. Oak advised. "Oh, and I've installed some useful new modules on your phone."
I unlocked my phone to see four new modules:
1. Trainer ID
2. Map
3. Calls and Contacts (New)
4. Camera (New)
5. Pokédex (New)
6. Pokémon Status (New)
"Thanks a lot, Professor. Is there anything else I should know before heading out?" I asked.
Prof. Oak paused to think, seemingly considering if there was anything else. "Ah! What do you know about Pokéballs?"
I listed off what I knew: Great Balls, Ultra Balls, specialty balls like Dusk Ball and Luxury Ball.
"Good, good. You've done your research," Professor Oak nodded approvingly. "But there's one crucial thing many new trainers are unaware of—wild Pokémon caught in the field need to be registered with a Trainer's ID at a Pokémon Center or a Certified Research Lab before they can be used in battle. Unregistered Pokémon can survive in the Pokéball without needing food for about a week, as they enter a sort of stasis within." He revealed this almost as an afterthought, but the implications hung heavy in the air.
Pokéball registration…? Stasis…? This was definitely new, not something from any game or anime I remembered. "This system," Professor Oak continued, "allows Trainers to either keep unregistered Pokémon for non-battle purposes, sell them for research, or even to their sponsors, streamlining Pokédex completion without overburdening trainers with raising every Pokémon they catch."
I blinked, processing this unexpected piece of world-building. It felt… different, more structured, perhaps even a little unsettling. And it's good there exists some limitations.
"Well, Alex, it's about time you set off for Viridian City," Prof. Oak said with a smile. "Remember to prioritize your health and your Pokémon's health at all times. I've added my number to your contacts. Don't hesitate to reach out."
"Right, Viridian City first," I echoed, nodding, though my mind was already racing with thoughts of Mt. Moon and the quest ahead.
After thanking the Professor, Ace and I, we moved to where Gary was waiting.
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End of Chapter 7