Sinnoh, 12 years before Lucas...
It was the perfect spring day. Riding on her bike was a teenage girl with long blonde hair flying through the breeze.
On the bike's front basket was a Grey, shark-like Pokémon. Sticking out its tongue, Gible seemed to be enjoying the ride unlike it's trainer who wore a troubled frown on her face.
Cynthia was an early bird, especially today as it was her first day as a full-fledged trainer. She cycled all the way from Celestic town and had time to spare.
'It's all because of that truck in Jubilife having good ice cream!' She cried internally while pedaling at full gear.
Phasing rapidly through the route, she was unable to notice a boy travelling on foot to the opposite direction.
Green eyes and brown hair, the white jacket he wore over black turtleneck emphasized the Murkrow perched on his shoulder.
He was playing with a Pokeball, whistling as he took carefree steps.
As he saw the Pokemon inside the basket, the boy's eyes flickered a glint of red.
But he soon began to run as fast as he could, realizing who the person was.
'Gotta stay away as much as I can from her...' Murkrow flapped its wings as the boy began accelerating away, disappearing to the distance.
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"What?! Out of all the starters, he took the one I wanted."
"Well, it is a first-come-first-serve basis among the top-three, so it's fair game, Cynthia. I'm afraid you'll have to give up on getting Turtwig."
In the Sandgem town lab, Cynthia was face-to-face with an old man in lab coat. Prof. Rowan, the well-renowned head researcher in Sinnoh responsible for giving the top-3 rookie trainers that passed the annual qualification exams.
Despite her initial reaction, Cynthia regained her calm easily: "This means I'll have to find and catch a Turtwig of my own then since the qualification exam is a one-time thing."
"How about Chimchar or Piplup?"
The girl eyed both starters, but eventually expressed her disinterest. "I want to be a Ground-type master like madam Bertha. I don't think these little ones will evolve into one."
She caressed their heads and smiled: "Thanks Professor, but I think I'll pass. It'll be better if a trainer passionate in raising Chimchar and Piplup would get them."
"I see, if that's what you wish" said the professor before lending Cynthia two sets of items.
"To your right is your Pokedex, Town map, and Pokeballs. To your left is a parcel I need you to deliver to Maguro, the boy who got here before you."
"Where is he?"
"Maguro mentioned that he'd be out fishing, so you'll most likely find him at Route 218, West of Jubilife city."
"I see. I'll be off then, Professor. Thank you very much!" she smiled.
Prof. Rowan nodded, thinking to himself as the young Cynthia left his lab.
'I wonder how she'll get along with a guy like him. This year's top 3 sure is interesting...'
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2 hours ago...
"Can I borrow my Pokedex?"
"Sure. But you can keep it."
"Thanks."
After Prof. Rowan lended the gadget, the boy in pristine white jacket scanned them without hesitation.
It took Maguro an instant to settle on Turtwig.
"That was fast. No contest huh?" asked Prof. Rowan.
"Yes. Among the three, only Turtwig has its hidden ability — Shell armor. More importantly, it has [Shell Smash] as an egg move. That's more than enough to make up against Chimchar's superior potential.
"I don't know why the league didn't decide to keep this for themselves, but I sure am not complaining."
"That little one was actually donated by Gym leader Bertha to celebrate her promotion to an Elite four member."
The professor explained, the boy nodded as he took the small turtle in his arms.
"I see. Does that mean there are four starters for this year?"
"No. The Turtwig before yours was released back to the wild."
"So I got lucky this time, not bad. Not bad at all." Maguro gave Turtwig a treat before retrieving it back to its Pokeball.
Just in time, his watch started to vibrate. "Well, then. I'll see myself out, professor. It's about time I catch myself a fish."
Before Prof. Rowan could tell him about an important parcel, the boy had already left the building.
"I could've sworn he didn't run. Are kids these days that fast even when walking?"
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Present, Route 218...
'I've spent the past 8 months hunting for the best Magikarp I could find. Even investing in tracking gears and all, I'll make sure to catch you today!!'
After taking off his jacket and setting up, Maguro cast his lure to the waters.
And who needs an old fishing rod when you have Pokémon like Murkrow?
"Murkrow use [Rain dance] then [Gust], go!" the boy commanded.
"Kurr!" Flapping its wings, grey clouds formed above them and water started falling from the sky.
Murkrow continued, and small winds whirled towards each other, eventually forming a small twister. This took about five to seven [Gusts], but Murkrow pulled it off nonetheless.
This wasn't their first time after all.
And the trainer and his Pokémon knew this was only the beginning. All sorts of water Pokémon were reeled in by the twister, the majority of which were Magikarp.
They were flying to the swirl like items caught in a tornado. There were also Finneon, Tentacool, and Poliwag.
"Kawkkk!" A catch! Signalled Murkrow as it used [Thunder Wave] on the Buizel it found, which was soon hit by a Pokéball thrown by Maguro.
"This one's a flop as well. At the very least I'll get a consolation of 100k. Which is minimal at this stage." Checking his special watch, which was a certified waterproof gadget, the target Magikarp had escaped westward to deeper waters.
They spent another 5 minutes without any worthy find.
The rain stopped, clearing up the darkened clouds. On the platform where Maguro stood, there were still a few Magikarp and Finneon flailing around.
A flicker of red enveloped Maguro's eyes for a moment, and he tossed a Pokéball at a few of them.
He left the rest of them, either for the Staravia and Pidgeotto, or to return home.
As he was about to leave the route, a certain girl stood before him. Beside her was a Gible, trying to imitate its trainer crossing her arms.
Cynthia was furious, reasonably so. Because not only was she wet because of the sudden [Rain dance], she was also pretty sure that what had just transpired was a crime.
"You owe me an explaination, sir Maguro."
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[TO BE CONTINUED]