Chapter 1: A New Day
James woke to the gentle touch of sunlight filtering through the window, as if an artist had decided to paint the dawn in golden hues. The melodious song of a bird outside, resonating like a morning symphony, marked the beginning of a new day filled with promises and adventures. He stretched lazily, feeling the warmth of his bed slowly fade away before the cool air coming through the window, bringing with it the scent of damp earth and wildflowers.
With a well-established morning routine, he began his day with a series of stretches that toned his muscles, preparing him for what awaited. After a quick shower that revitalized him, he brushed his teeth and splashed cold water on his face, feeling renewed and alert, as if waking from a deep slumber.
One of the talents he had cultivated during his training was creating Poké Cubes, those nutritious treats that not only delighted his Pokémon companions but were also packed with essential nutrients. With skill and care, he mixed ingredients like fresh berries and aromatic herbs, recalling the happy faces of his Pokémon as they savored those delights. "This will keep them all energized for today's training," he remarked to himself as he placed the colorful cubes into small containers, each shining like jewels in a treasure chest.
With his faithful companion by his side, James gathered his colorful group of Pokémon for their morning outing. Each had a unique personality: the mischievous Gengar always ready for pranks; the wise Exeggutor sharing knowledge about nature; the strong Tauros, fiercely protective; the agile Hitmonlee, always eager to compete; the elegant Pidgeot soaring through the skies with grace; and the clever Golduck, whose mind seemed to be constantly scheming plans. Together they formed a formidable team, a family united by adventure.
Once assured that everyone was ready, James led his team toward Green Forest. The familiar path welcomed them as they ventured into the lush vegetation. The forest brimmed with life: the whisper of leaves dancing in the wind, distant calls of other Pokémon, and earthy aromas filled the air like an intoxicating fragrance. They found a clearing where they could sit and enjoy their Poké Cubes under the sunlight filtering through the branches.
As they happily chewed on their treats, James observed his Pokémon and was overcome by a wave of nostalgia. Memories swept him away into a sea of emotions: their first encounters, battles won and lost, and those moments filled with shared laughter that seemed to belong to another life.
Suddenly, his mind transported him back in time...
Flashback Begins
The scene shifted to five years earlier in the opulent mansion of the Morgan family. The soft scent of lavender flowers filled the sunlit room filtered through silk curtains. James, barely a seven-year-old boy, slowly opened his eyes, overwhelmed by confusion. His mother sat beside him with trembling hands stroking his forehead while his father watched from the door with a mix of concern and frustration. Beside him lay a small puppy barking softly trying to comfort him.
"James, dear, can you hear me?" his mother asked gently.
He blinked slowly as blurry images flooded his mind: unfamiliar places, strange people, and decisions left unmade. A dull pain throbbed in his head as he tried to sit up; however, dizziness forced him back onto the mattress.
"What... what happened?" he murmured weakly.
"You had an accident," his father said firmly but with an ambiguous tone suggesting there was more to the story. "You fell while playing in the garden."
James placed a hand on his temple as if that could help him organize his thoughts. "But... this isn't what I remember," he thought as the puppy snuggled closer with a soft whimper of concern.
As sleep began to reclaim him amidst the pain in his head, James immersed himself in a vivid scene unfolding as if he were truly experiencing it.
The hospital was shrouded in deep silence broken only by rhythmic beeping from monitors marking the delicate balance between life and death. In a small room with sterile white walls lay a young boy on a stretcher. His pale face was marred by scars after weeks of struggle; it reflected both hope and fear. The doctors surrounding him prepared for a procedure; machines hummed ominously while an operating room waited just across.
"This is your chance," kindly said a nurse as she adjusted the IV line connected to his arm. "Everything will be alright."
The young boy nodded weakly clinging to those words as if they were a lifeline. But before being taken to surgery, the door swung open abruptly. A tense-faced doctor entered alongside a man in an expensive suit radiating authority.
"There has been a change in procedure," said the doctor without looking into the boy's eyes. "The organ has been reassigned to another patient."
The boy tried to speak but words failed him; he could only manage a choked whisper. The suited man looked at him with indifference mixed with disdain before turning away and leaving him behind. Everything blurred as despair seized the boy; the world faded while his heart slowed down.
James jolted awake in his bed drenched in sweat shaken by what felt more than just a dream: a connection that awakened something deep within him. He took a moment to catch his breath before looking at Growlithe still curled up beside him.
At that moment, Hopkins entered with dinner for James and his furry companion.
"Dinner is served," he announced cheerfully.
"Thank you, Hopkins," James replied accepting the tray filled with hot food. He began eating slowly while reflecting on what he had just experienced; the unsettling image of the young boy lingered in his mind like a distant echo.
As he thoughtfully chewed on a piece of chicken while Growlithe nibbled at its own food nearby, James understood something crucial: he was James but also that lost young boy among shadows. Questions floated above him like heavy clouds in a gray sky; however, for now they remained unanswered.
Some time later...
Two weeks had passed since that awakening; during this time he had been organizing memories from both his previous life and those memories as James himself. However, recalling why he had lost consciousness initially had been most difficult.
He managed to remember this...
The bustling party resonated in the main halls where bright chandelier lights illuminated intensely from above. Prominent guests from influential families laughed and toasted while his mother moved among them attending to everyone gracefully. However, for that elegantly dressed boy whose tie choked his neck it was an unbearable burden to weave through the crowd accompanied by Growlithe behind him.
"I don't understand why I have to be here," he murmured navigating long hallways seeking refuge from noise and inquisitive gazes. "I wish I could play with you instead of enduring this."
The hallway where he ended up was much quieter and darker illuminated only by dim lights; at its end was an ajar door emitting deep voices that caught his attention. He cautiously peered inside ensuring not to be seen alongside the puppy. Inside sat his father awkwardly perched on a chair as if out of place while two men conversed: one burly adorned with shiny jewels; another thin figure cloaked in black kept hidden features except for an almost invisible smile beneath a hood.
"The price is reasonable," said the hooded man softly yet threateningly: "A specimen like this doesn't appear often."
He frowned looking toward where that cloaked figure pointed: a small cage hid another injured Pokémon whose disheveled fur broke his heart; he took a step back feeling intense indignation growing within him.
Suddenly bright eyes glimmered from shadows behind before another Pokémon emerged grinning sinisterly causing James to stifle a scream and quickly retreat stumbling over himself crashing onto the floor hitting his head hard; furious barks echoed as everything turned dark leaving only deep echoes resonating around him.
That was truly what happened: he never expected to discover that his father was involved in such Pokémon trafficking; though always seeming serious he also showed great concern for his family… He didn't seem like someone capable of covering up illicit sales...
TWO YEARS LATER...
James had recently turned nine years old and began understanding some truths about the world around him: The Pokémon Alliance had held power for many years when its predecessors obtained direct approval from legendary Ho-Oh to establish it; since then each region had set up its own headquarters maintaining control over them under relative peace. At this moment Kanto and Johto coexisted under one Alliance for reasons still uncertain.
There were also significant changes within high command: neither Lance nor Lorelei nor Bruno were present; only Agatha remained among those figures remembered by James making sense given they seemed to share similar ages.
During this time he had forged a strong bond with Growlithe; he had always deeply loved animals even inheriting that affection towards Pokémon from its original who held great fondness for them. Sometimes he regretted not paying more attention to Pokémon world during those years between surgeries and treatments; having played only until fifth generation greatly limited any advantage stemming from previously accumulated knowledge.
Recently he noticed how parents had meticulously planned out their lives without allowing him much involvement within Pokémon realm; perhaps this was reason behind original James's escape besides matters related to Jessiebelle… Thus began planning for escape too although well aware not simply leaving impulsively but organizing everything carefully… After all, if he managed surviving without Pokémon for ten years before integrating into Team Rocket he could do even better… Or at least that's what he believed…