In the legendary Professor Oak's laboratory—a large, well-lit space filled with monitors, bookshelves, and strange machines humming with activity. In the center stood the iconic starter selection capsule, a high-tech, semi-transparent dome with three platforms inside, each designed to hold a Poké Ball. The setup looked almost futuristic compared to the sleepy town outside.
"Come in, guys!" Oak beckoned as he led Gary, Red, and Leaf into the heart of the lab. Rina, arms crossed, waited just outside the doors, not wanting to mix in with the kids.
Oak approached the capsule, his excitement clear. "Now then…" He pressed a glowing blue button, and with a smooth mechanical hiss, the top opened. Three Poké Balls rose into view from their compartments.
"Gary, Red, Leaf…" Oak beamed. "These are your partners!"
The three young trainers leaned in, eyes sparkling with anticipation. This was it. The moment every kid dreamed of.
Inside those Poké Balls… were their very first Pokémon.
But then—
"Riolu! Where the hell do you think you're going?!"
A shout interrupted the moment as Rael came skidding into the lab from the back room, chasing a blue blur. He lunged forward and grabbed Riolu by the arms, lifting him into the air as the small Pokémon's legs kept running in place like a cartoon character.
Riolu pouted—and then chomped Rael's hand.
"OW! You little—!" Rael flinched in pain, releasing Riolu, who landed nimbly and bolted around the lab again.
"Riolu! Get back here!" Rael shouted, sprinting after him.
Gary blinked. "Uh… Grandpa?"
Leaf narrowed her eyes. "Our Pokémon won't be like that, right?"
Even Red nodded slowly, looking mildly concerned.
Oak laughed nervously, scratching the back of his head. "Hehehe… I can't promise you anything…"
Sigh...
The three collectively sighed just as Rael finally tackled Riolu again, the two rolling into a cloud of smoke filled with yelps, grunts, and cartoonish flailing limbs.
"Okay, now…" Oak cleared his throat and tried to ignore the chaos in the background. "Guys, move back a little."
The trio stepped aside as Oak took the three Poké Balls. With a flick of his wrist, he threw them high into the air.
Pop! Pop! Pop!
Three brilliant flashes of red light later, a Charmander, a Squirtle, and a Bulbasaur appeared in front of them.
The room went quiet as the starters looked up at their potential trainers.
"Wow…" Leaf whispered, kneeling down with a soft smile. "They're so cute!" She didn't hesitate to wrap Bulbasaur into a big hug, the little Pokémon letting out a delighted "Saur!"
"This one looks pretty strong," Gary said confidently, crouching beside Squirtle and patting his head. Squirtle gave a proud little flex.
Red stepped forward silently, locking eyes with Charmander. There was no need for words. He gently picked up the small fire-lizard, who gave a soft, approving "Char…" The two simply clicked.
"Good…" Oak smiled warmly. "It seems you all already found your partners. I thought it would take longer for you to choose."
"Hey, guys…" came a tired voice. Rael walked back over, his face covered in tiny scratch marks and bite marks from Riolu. He looked at the three peacefully bonding with their Pokémon and frowned.
"…Why are your Pokémon so obedient—"
Wham!
Riolu tackled him from the side, sending them both sprawling into another puff of smoke as their fight continued.
"Ahh! You again?! I just healed from last time!"
Leaf giggled, her arms still around Bulbasaur. "Pft…"
Bulbasaur joined her with a delighted chuckle, "Bulba~!"
"Guys…" Professor Oak called, drawing everyone's attention. He turned to a nearby desk and picked up four sleek, red electronic devices. "This is a Pokédex," he said, holding one up proudly. "An essential tool for any Pokémon trainer. I created it with the help of some of the most brilliant minds in the world."
He pressed a button, and the screen lit up with digital beeps. "It contains all known Pokémon knowledge up until now. When you catch a Pokémon, it will automatically unlock its related data. If you scan a Pokémon, it will also show you something more advanced—its prowess in numbers. It even reveals your Pokémon's genetics, nature, and ability."
"Woah… That's incredible!" Leaf said, eyes sparkling with genuine wonder.
Oak smiled and handed out a Pokédex to each of them. Red and Gary received theirs quickly. Leaf held hers with both hands, eyes already scanning the screen.
Then it was Rael's turn.
Oak looked at the puff of smoke in the back where Rael and Riolu were still tangled up in a cartoonish tumble of limbs.
With a tired sigh, the professor simply bent down and gently placed Rael's Pokédex on the floor, safely out of range. "I'll just… leave this here."
Next, he took out a small box filled with Poké Balls. "Here. These are for catching Pokémon. Use them well." He handed out five Poké Balls to each of the three, then again, quietly dropped Rael's set into the box and slid it toward the chaos zone.
Finally, Oak clapped his hands together. "Alright, everyone. You're all officially ready to start your Pokémon journey!"
"Thanks for everything, Professor!" Gary, Red, and Leaf said in unison, bowing respectfully.
Red and Gary turned and left the lab, full of determination.
Leaf lingered.
"Ehm… Rael?" she called softly.
At once, Rael and Riolu froze mid-fight like two guilty kids caught by their mom. Rael blinked and turned, face flushed from exertion—and something else.
"What, Leaf?" he asked, standing slowly. A blush formed on his cheeks. 'She looks so good from here—'
He shook his head, scolding himself. 'No, Rael! This Lust System is turning you into a pervert!'
Leaf took a step closer, cheeks pink but her voice steady. "I just wanted to tell you something…" Her gaze dropped for a moment before she turned, beginning to walk away. "I like you."
"W-What?" Rael's eyes widened in shock. Did she… like him back?
But as she neared the door, Rael scrambled off the floor and chased after her. "Wait, Leaf! I like you too—!"
"Don't talk," Leaf said quickly, her blush deepening as she turned around. "We'll see each other in Viridian City. And if I win against you in a Pokémon battle… you'll become my boyfriend."
She raised her empty Poké Ball with a smirk as Bulbasaur circled her feet.
Rael stared, stunned. "And… what if I win?"
Leaf turned even redder. "Then I'll… do everything you want me to."
Rael's heart skipped a beat.
In that moment, a fire of pure determination ignited in his chest.
He had to win.
To be continued...
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How was this chapter? Good?
Also, sorry for being dragging this out a lot, but whoever read one of my fics before knows that I love dragging story out.