Shortly after confirming my partnership with Sentret and deciding to head back home, my body seemed to remember something, as a wave of exhaustion and muscle pain took over me.
The same thing happened to Sentret, whose body deflated like a balloon and slumped over my shoulder.
"Ouch!"
"Seeentt!"
I felt the muscle pain, even though I had been training for some time; I still hadn't gotten used to this soreness from more intense training.
'I guess it'll take a while until I get used to it.'
'We better heal ourselves so we can get back quickly.'
"Hey, little guy, how about a quick heal before we head off?"
I ask him while I begin to channel Viridian energy into my hands.
"Sent. Sent Sentret?"
He agrees, making a bit of effort to jump into my hand, then looks at me questioningly.
"Of course, you're coming with me. We're partners now."
I respond as I heal him, then use my other hand to heal myself.
Once healed, I grab my backpack while Sentret tries to find a comfortable spot on my shoulder.
I put on the backpack, and following the path back from the clearing, I begin heading towards the city.
After a few minutes of walking, I can already see Purple City, a small town located near Violet City, more precisely on the way to Ecruteak City.
Purple City has fewer than ten thousand inhabitants and is mainly an agricultural town with a rural atmosphere.
As an agricultural town, its main source of income is the production and export of fruits, which makes fruits sold locally cheaper, allowing Victor to buy enough Aspear Berries for Sentret's meal plan.
Walking through the farmlands outside the city, heading toward the gate, Victor observes the scenes around the fields.
From workers watering fruit trees to farmers using Pidgeottos to chase away Bug-type Pokémon, the landscape was typical of the region.
Looking up, you could see Hoppips and Skiplooms drifting through the sky.
Picking up the pace toward the southern part of the city, an old ranch came into view: Andrew Black's ranch, Victor's paternal grandfather.
Looking up at the ranch gate, the name was clearly visible:
Green Valley Ranch
I can't help but think the name really fits, considering that when Grandpa was young, he bought this ranch along with 200 hectares of land that stretch from the ranch to the mountains, passing through a valley covered with many trees.
Upon entering the house, I see Grandpa sitting in his armchair, resting in the living room and watching TV, with his old but still strong Stoutland lying beside him.
My grandfather, Andrew, even at over 60 years old, is still strong, taking care of the farm. When he was young, he was part of the Bureau of Investigation, going on missions to investigate and fight criminals.
Some time later, he had an accident during a mission, which led him to retire and return to Purple City, where he bought the ranch and settled down.
Stoutland is one of the few Pokémon that survived the accident that forced Grandpa to retire.
"Hi, Grandpa."
"Hi, Stoutland."
As I walk through the living room, I greet them.
"Huhuhohohoho... Hi, my boy. Who's that little guy with you?"
"Stouuuu..."
Grandpa greets me with a warm laugh, while asking about the Sentret on my shoulder. Stoutland greets me with a low, deep bark.
"This is Sentret, the Pokémon I told you about, the one I've been training in the small Winston Woods. Right, Sentret?"
"Sent, Sent, Sentret!"
I reply, as Sentret jumps from my shoulder to the arm of the chair, greeting Grandpa and Stoutland, waving his little arms.
"Hello, little one. It seems like you're doing a great job training him, Victor. He already looks healthier than the Sentrets I usually see."
Grandpa greets Sentret while praising the work I've done with him. This compliment from Grandpa is quite significant, as he was a very experienced Normal-type trainer.
"Thanks, Grandpa."
I say, feeling a sense of pride, because even though I have the knowledge from my past life, I still had to study books on Pokémon breeding.
"What are you watching, Grandpa?"
I ask while putting my backpack on the floor and sitting on the living room rug.
"It's a report. A young man named Bruno is preparing to challenge a position in the Elite Four. These youngsters today are getting stronger and stronger, huhuhohoho..."
Grandpa replies proudly, letting out a laugh.
One thing to mention is that the timeline I'm in is possibly set a few years before the events of the anime, manga, and games.
The Kanto and Johto Leagues are still united under a single Elite Four, with no Champion yet.
Since Professor Oak stepped down from the Champion position, the Elite Four's lineup has remained mostly unchanged for years, except for one member who was already old during Professor Oak's time and retired a few years after Oak claimed the title, allowing the Fire-type Elite to rise to the position.
Currently, among the Elite Four are: Agatha, the Ghost-type specialist; Pryce, the Ice-type; Blaine, the Fire-type; and Isaac, the Rock-type.
Among them, Isaac is the oldest, and judging by his appearance, he could possibly be related to Brock.
With white hair similar to Brock's, dark skin, and the characteristic half-closed eyes that made Brock so recognizable in the anime, plus being a resident of Pewter City.
"Who is he going to challenge, Grandpa?"
I ask, curious to know which of the three Elites Bruno would challenge, already ruling out Agatha because she would remain an Elite until Ash's time.
"He's going to challenge Isaac, 'The Mountain.' After all, Isaac has been considering retirement for a while and has mentioned it several times in interviews. He's been an Elite since before Professor Oak became Champion."
Grandpa replies after thinking for a moment.
'Isaac... possibly in the coming years, Lance and Lorelei will succeed Blaine and Pryce.'
'I just hope they're not the versions from the special episode, because if they are, it's going to be a pain dealing with them.'
I think while watching the TV.
"Mr. Bruno, what do you expect from the battle against the Rock-type Elite, Isaac?"
On TV, a blonde reporter asks Bruno, who is dressed in his full martial arts attire, different from his future version, where he only wears pants along with wristbands and anklets. He is accompanied by his ace, Machamp.
"What do I expect, huh? I expect a tough battle because even though I have the type advantage, he has experience on his side. And Master Chuck taught me to never underestimate an opponent. Mr. Isaac's aces, Tyranitar and Rhydon, are definitely something I won't take lightly."
"We're going after that victory, right, Machamp?"
Bruno says in a tone full of determination.
"CHAMP!"
Machamp responds, flexing his powerful muscles.
Taking my eyes off the TV, I look at Grandpa and ask:
"When is the match, Grandpa?"
"It will be in a few days, at Pewter Stadium."
Grandpa replies, reclining in his armchair.
'Hmm... This is a battle I can't miss. Even after spending eight years in the Pokémon world, battles of this level are rare to witness.'
I think as I continue watching the rest of the interview.
A few minutes later, the interview ends, and Grandpa gets up from the chair to return to work, taking care of the Mareeps on the ranch.
The Mareeps are one of our main sources of income, along with the fruits.
Accompanying Grandpa to check on the Mareeps, he comments:
"I just remembered, Victor. Your parents called and apologized for not being able to come to your birthday last week."
"They also said they'll come next week. They asked what you'd like for your birthday present."
Hearing Grandpa, I think about my parents in this life. Unlike Grandpa, they didn't follow the path of trainers.
My dad is a Poké Ball developer for Silph Co., and my mom is a breeder specializing in potions, also for Silph Co. They like me, and I like them, but they are the kind of people deeply devoted to their work. I lived with them until I was a little over seven years old, and then we grew apart because of their work.
We had to move to Saffron City, and I missed the fresh air of Turquoise Town. After living seven years in the countryside, I couldn't adjust again to the busy life of a metropolis, even though I had spent most of my previous life in a big city.
Some time after the move, they realized I wasn't adapting and asked if I wanted to go live with Grandpa Andrew.
That's when I came to live with him on the ranch.
Snapping out of my memories, I respond to Grandpa:
"I want a laptop!"
"If they call again, please tell them that."
"Okay, kiddo, hahahaha."
He nods with a laugh.
We spend the rest of the day taking care of the Mareeps and the fruits from the ranch.
Later that night, in my room, as I get ready for bed, I say goodnight to Sentret, who quickly falls asleep as if he had been sprinkled with sleep powder.
Lying in bed, almost asleep, I suddenly turn, startled, looking at Sentret.
I hadn't noticed before, but something came back to my memory.
'That's impossible!'
'Sentrets normally wouldn't have Tidy Up as an egg move, unless they inherited it from a Maushold or the Minccino line. But the Minccino line would also have to inherit that move.'
I think, watching Sentret, who sleeps comfortably in a small nest made from some of my clothes.
'I think I'll ask him about it tomorrow.'
With that thought in mind, I turn over again and close my eyes.
I fall asleep, welcoming a new day.