After carefully inspecting the starters, I lowered my hand toward Axew. With its Steel/Dragon typing, it seemed like the perfect choice—a powerhouse that could make Kanto a walk in the park. My fingers hovered over its Pokéball, but then I paused. Something tugged at me.
I turned my gaze to the Ralts. Her eyes, partially hidden beneath her hair, were locked onto mine. Unlike the others, who watched me with curiosity or indifference, this little one's gaze felt... familiar. It wasn't just a Pokémon looking at a trainer. It was something deeper, something that pulled at my chest.
I hesitated. I'd never had a Ralts on my teams before,never even considered one. But those eyes—haunted yet determined—spoke volumes. They weren't pleading or demanding; they were simply... waiting.
"What's wrong little one?" I found myself murmuring. The Ralts tilted her head slightly, almost as if she understood.
Axew gave a low growl, drawing my attention back, but the pull toward Ralts was undeniable.
Then I remembered those eyes—those hollow, grief-stricken eyes. They were the same eyes I had after losing my family in that car crash.
In Ralts' gaze, I saw myself, a broken kid crying in the middle of the road, rain washing over me as blood trickled down my face. The wail of ambulance sirens echoed in my ears as the memory came flooding back, vivid and merciless.
The helplessness. The emptiness. The feeling of the world collapsing around me.
This Pokémon, this little Ralts, had felt that too. She'd lost everything, just like I had. I could see it in her eyes. The weight she carried was the same as mine.
My hand trembled as I reached out, my heart heavy with a mix of sorrow and understanding. "You… you know what it's like, don't you?" I whispered, my voice cracking.
Ralts didn't flinch. She didn't move. She just kept looking at me, her gaze unwavering. And in that moment, I knew.
I wasn't choosing her. We were was choosing eachother.
"Professor Cherry, can I take this Ralts as my starter?" I asked, my voice soft but resolute as I awaited her response.
"Of course, kiddo! From now on, this little one and you will be partners, okay?" she said with a warm smile. Turning her back to me, she rummaged through a desk, pulling out a bag and some other items. "Here, take these. They'll be helpful on your journey."
As she handed over the items, the red screen appeared again in front of me:
[FIRST MISSION COMPLETED]
[REWARD: STARTER KIT]
I blinked at the screen, then glanced at Professor Cherry to see if she noticed it too. But she only tilted her head, a puzzled look on her face.
"What's wrong?" she asked, clearly oblivious to what I was seeing.
(So it's like this, huh?) I thought to myself. (I'm the only one who can see these things.)
Shaking off the thought, I took the items from her hands and smiled. "Thank you, Professor."
"Don't mention it," she said with a grin.
"Inside this bag is the latest model Rotomdex—a Pokédex with a Rotom in it," Professor Cherry explained as she handed it over with a warm smile. "Along with that, you'll find five Pokéballs and five potions. You know, the usual starter kit essentials for any new trainer."
I nodded, gripping the bag tightly. "Thank you, Professor," I said, the weight of the journey ahead sinking in.
Before I could dwell on the excitement—and nervousness—bubbling inside me, the sound of hurried footsteps echoed through the lab.
I turned toward the source, spotting a boy around my age bursting through the door. His face was flushed, and he was panting as though he'd sprinted the whole way here.
I watched him stumble into the room, his energy almost overwhelming.
"Professor Cherry!" the boy called out, his voice slightly frantic. "Am I late? Are there any Pokémon left for me?"
Professor Cherry chuckled softly, waving a hand to calm him. "Relax, Sammy. You're not late. There are still two Pokémon waiting for you," she said, gesturing toward the table where Axew and Bounsweet were watching the scene with curiosity.
Sammy let out a relieved sigh before turning his attention to me. His gaze was sharp, his posture confident as he stepped closer, his sneakers squeaking slightly against the polished floor.
"So, you're the first one to get here, huh?" he said, his tone carrying an edge of challenge. "What did you choose?"
I raised an eyebrow at his directness. "Ralts," I replied simply, glancing at my new partner, who stood there little scared by him next to my side.
Sammy narrowed his eyes slightly, then turned to the table, scanning the remaining Pokémon. Axew tilted its head, its metallic tusks gleaming faintly in the lab's fluorescent light. Bounsweet, meanwhile, bounced lightly in place, its orange-and-brown form exuding a strange but cheerful energy.
Professor Cherry cleared her throat. "Well, Sammy, go ahead and choose. Both of these Pokémon are unique, and I'm sure either one would make a great partner for you."
Sammy's gaze lingered on Axew. After a moment, he pointed confidently. "I'll take Axew."
Axew stepped forward, puffing out its chest proudly. Sammy smirked as he bent down to pat its head. "Looks like I got the strongest one," he said, glancing at me with a smug grin. "Good luck keeping up, Ralts-boy."
I rolled my eyes, biting back a retort. Ralts, however, didn't seem fazed. It simply stared at Sammy and Axew with an unblinking intensity leaving out his scared side to somewhere else, that almost made me laugh.
"Here's your starter kit, Sammy," Professor Cherry said, handing him a bag identical to mine. "Inside, you'll find the same essentials: a Rotomdex, five Pokéballs, and five potions. Use them wisely."
Sammy slung the bag over his shoulder and shot me one last look. "Don't think that just becaude you came early means you're better than me! This will not be the last time we'll meet. I'll prove I'm the better trainer out there."
"Sure," I replied with a shrug, watching as he strutted out of the lab with Axew following close behind like a penguin following his parent.
Professor Cherry sighed, shaking her head. "That boy has always been competitive just like his uncle. Don't let him get to you."
I smiled faintly. "Don't worry, Professor. Ralts and I can handle him."
Ralts gave a small nod, its calm demeanor unwavering. As I glanced at my new partner, I couldn't help but feel a sense of determination.
"Now, what are you planning to do?" Professor Cherry asked with curiosity, a slight smile playing at the corners of her lips.
As I considered my next move, the familiar red window reappeared in front of me once again, hovering like a digital prompt.
[CURRENT MAIN MISSION: BE THE CHAMPION OF KANTO AND JOHTO]
[MISSION FAILURE: DEATH?]
[REWARD: WILL BE DETERMINED ACCORDING TO THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE CHAMPION]
*Looks like what I have to do is clear.*
I thought to myself before smiling a sense of determination settling in. I did not had a chance to say no anyway.
"I will be the Champion of Johto and Kanto," I answered firmly, locking eyes with Professor Cherry, fully aware that I had no other option but to follow through.
Professor Cherry's smile widened, though there was a knowing glint in her eyes. "Then looks like you'll have to battle Sammy on your way, no matter what. He's made it pretty clear he wants to face you too," she said with a playful grin, clearly enjoying the challenge that was now set in motion.
I nodded, accepting the challenge without hesitation as a world champion.I was ready—Ralts and I had a goal now, a shared mission that couldn't be ignored.
"Don't worry Ma'am" I said, meeting Professor Cherry's gaze. "I'll make sure we get there first."
She chuckled, clearly impressed by my confidence.
"I'm looking forward to seeing how far you'll go. Good luck, Alex. And don't forget Your very own tale of grand adventure is about to unfold"
she said with a smile making me remember my first time playing pokemon and hearing this from the man himself.
"Thanks proffesor"