After finishing breakfast, Zen leaned back in his chair, rubbing his stomach in satisfaction.
Weedle, now full and energetic, wiggled happily on the table.
Zen watched his partner with a thoughtful expression. "Weedle… I think we need to get stronger." as he watch pokemon battle on the tv.
Weedle chirped in agreement.
But there was one problem.
Zen had no idea how to train a Pokémon.
He frowned, scratching his head. "Where do we even start?"
There was only one person in the orphanage he could ask.
Zen found Miss Clara sweeping the hallway, her usual stern expression in place.
"Miss Clara!" he called.
She glanced up. "What now, Zen?"
"How do I train Weedle?"
Miss Clara paused mid-sweep, blinking at him. "…Train?"
Zen nodded eagerly. "Yeah! To get stronger! Like real Pokémon Trainers do!"
Miss Clara sighed. "Zen, I run an orphanage, not a Pokémon Academy. I have no idea how to train a Pokémon."
(-_-)
Zen's excitement deflated. "Oh… okay."
She shook her head. "Maybe you should ask someone in town."
Zen brightened at the idea. "That's a great idea! Thanks, Miss Clara!"
Before she could respond, he bolted toward the door.
Miss Clara let out a tired sigh. "That boy never get tired…"
The streets of Viridian City bustled with life. Trainers of all ages walked around, chatting, battling, and showing off their Pokémon.
Zen walked through the city, eyes darting around.
So many Trainers…
Some were older kids with powerful-looking Pokémon, while others were younger, playing with their first partners.
Zen hesitated.
Who do I ask?
He didn't want to bother the strong-looking Trainers, and the younger ones probably didn't know much more than him.
Then, in the distance, he spotted something familiar.
The Viridian Gym.
Zen stood in front of the massive Viridian Gym, its quite intimidating.
Weedle sat comfortably on his shoulder, chirping softly.
Zen sighed. "Maybe someone here can help us."
As he approached the gym entrance, an old man stood nearby, leaning on a wooden cane.
The old man smiled at him. "Looking for the Gym Leader, kid?"
Zen blinked. "Yeah! Is he here?"
The old man chuckled. "Nope."
Zen frowned. "Why not?"
The old man shrugged. "Beats me."
Zen sighed, shoulders slumping. "Just my luck…"
Zen looked back at the old man. "Do you know how to train a Weedle?"
The old man glanced at Weedle, a nostalgic glint in his eyes.
"Hmm… afraid I don't, kid," he admitted.
Zen groaned. This was getting nowhere.
Just as he was about to leave, he noticed someone standing in front of the gym doors.
A boy.
He looked a few years older than Zen—maybe 10 or 11. His arms were crossed, and he was glaring at the closed doors in frustration.
Zen took a deep breath and walked over. "Hey!"
The boy didn't even look at him.
Zen frowned but didn't give up. "The Gym Leader isn't here."
At that, the boy's expression darkened. He clenched his fists. "Again?! That idiot is never around!"
Then, without another word, he turned and stormed off.
"Wait!" Zen called, running after him. "Do you know how to train Pokémon?"
The boy ignored him.
Zen gritted his teeth. "Come on! Just give me some advice!"
The boy didn't even glance back.
Zen stood there, watching as the boy disappeared into the city streets.
Defeated, Zen dragged himself back to the old man.
The old man chuckled. "Didn't get much help, huh?"
Zen sighed. "Nope."
The old man hummed in thought before reaching into his pocket. "Here, kid. Maybe this will help."
Zen blinked as the old man handed him a small, worn-out book.
"What's this?"
"Something I found on the ground a few days ago," the old man said. "Figured it might be useful to someone like you."
Zen's eyes widened. "Really?! Thanks!"
The old man just smiled. "Don't mention it."
Zen took the book and waved goodbye as he walked away.
Behind him, the old man watched him go, his expression unreadable.
If Zen had turned around just then…
…he might have noticed something strange about the old man.
Zen returned to the orphanage, heading straight to the backyard, where it was quiet.
He plopped down in the grass, placing Weedle beside him.
"Alright," he muttered, opening the mysterious book.
What secrets did it hold?
As the first page flipped open, Zen's heart pounded with excitement.
His journey was about to truly begin.