Steven was sprawled on the Stone Manor veranda the next morning, flipping through the news feed on his PokéNav.
His eyes widened when he saw the headline:
"Albert Hugo – Receives First Priority Starter Selection in Littleroot Laboratory."
The boy nearly dropped his device. "Albert gets first pick for another Pokémon?!" His jaw slackened, then he jumped to his feet, storming inside in search of Joseph.
"Dad!" Steven burst into the study, waving the PokéNav in his hand. "This isn't fair! Albert gets another Pokémon, and I don't even have one yet!"
Joseph looked up from his paperwork, brow arched. "You already have access to Devon's breeding pens, Steven. You're hardly lacking for options."
"That's not the same!" Steven protested, stamping a foot. "Albert's going to Littleroot to get a Pokémon from Birch himself. Birch! From the official government program! If he gets something amazing, I'll be left behind!"
Joseph sighed, setting his pen down. "And what exactly do you expect me to do?"
"Give me my starter now!" Steven demanded, crossing his arms stubbornly.
"I want it before Albert gets his. If he's going to be walking around with his second Pokémon, then I'll— I'll…" He faltered for a second, then straightened his shoulders. "I'll prove I can keep up!"
Joseph regarded his son in silence for a moment, then allowed a small chuckle. "You're as pushy as your mother when she wants something. Very well. I'll arrange for your starter this week. But remember, Steven—having a powerful Pokémon is meaningless if you don't match it with discipline."
Steven grinned triumphantly. "Yes! Thanks, Dad!" He dashed off immediately, muttering excitedly under his breath about what kind of partner he'd get.
Meanwhile, Albert boarded a ferry to Littleroot City, the salt wind whipping at his coat as he leaned on the railing.
Eevee perched on his shoulder, eyes bright with curiosity.
After an hour, Littleroot City came into view on the horizon—a sleepy coastal city surrounded by greenery, with the iconic dome of Birch's lab standing out against the rolling hills.
Albert stepped out of the Littleroot ferry dock and adjusted the strap of his satchel.
The salt-sprayed breeze of the city was warmer than Evergreen's crisp air, thick with the smell of pine and ocean.
Eevee, perched neatly on his shoulder, inhaled curiously and gave a soft trill.
"Smell that?" Albert said with a small smile, stroking her back. "That's the scent of the future."
The dirt path leading into town was quiet, interrupted only by the occasional Wingull cry overhead.
Littleroot itself wasn't a bustling city, but a sleepy coastal village where every house leaned slightly toward the sea breeze. And at its heart stood Professor Birch's laboratory—wide, dome-roofed, half research station and half natural preserve.
Albert pushed open the double doors, the faint hum of cooling systems mixing with the earthy scent of potted plants inside.
Screens blinked with habitat data, and assistants in white coats hurried about cataloguing samples.
When Albert entered, an assistant in a lab coat greeted him briskly.
"You're Albert Hugo, correct? Congratulations on your achievement. Professor Birch is expecting you."
Albert inclined his head. "Thank you."
The assistant led him down a short corridor until they stood before a pair of wide sliding doors. "Inside is the Evergreen Island's Starter Reserve. It's a controlled environment where our Treecko, Torchic, and Mudkip are raised. Trainers are to enter alone. You may spend as much time as you need. Once you've chosen, bring your partner back to the main hall, where Professor Birch will confirm your choice."
Albert gave a curt nod and stepped inside.
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The doors slid open, revealing a lush enclosure alive with sound.
Towering trees stretched toward a refracting glass ceiling. A brook wound through the grass, its waters shimmering with darting shapes.
Treecko leapt between branches, Torchic pecked in the undergrowth, and Mudkip splashed happily in shallow pools.
Albert took a slow breath. Not three Poké Balls on a table like the games. Birch is smarter than that. This is a test of vision and insight.
Eevee hopped down and padded forward, tail high. Albert followed, gaze sharp.
"Rotom," he said quietly.
Rotom zipped free of his device in a burst of sparks. "BZZZT! Ready to scan!"
"Full habitat sweep. Alert me only if you detect Blue Potential or higher."
"Roger! Filtering engaged!" Rotom chirped, darting away with sensors glowing.
Rotom zipped above the pond first. A cluster of Mudkip splashed together, wrestling playfully in the shallows.
Rotom scanned them one by one:
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Mudkip ♂ [Light Green]
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Mudkip ♀ [Green]
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Rotom chirped quietly but did not alert, per Albert's filter.
Another Mudkip swam beneath, tail flicking powerfully.
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Mudkip ♂ [Blue]
Level: Rookie (11)
Nature: Brave
Type: Water
Ability: Torrent
Held Item: None
IV: HP (29), Atk (30), Def (23), Sp.Atk (20), Sp.Def (22), Speed (26)
Moves:
(Genetic) Bite, Counter, Mud-slap, Stomp, Yawn
(Learned) Growl, Tackle, Water Gun, Rock Smash
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"BZZZT! Blue Potential detected!" Rotom cried.
Albert approached the pond. The Mudkip in question floated calmly at the edge, eyes bright with awareness.
It paddled closer, unafraid, and blinked at Albert.
"Confident, but approachable," Albert murmured.
He crouched, letting it sniff his hand. Mudkip gave a cheerful gurgle, then swam away.
"Log it, Rotom. Candidate one."
"Logged!"
Moving on, Albert entered a sunny clearing where Torchic foraged. Most scanned at Orange or Yellow, but then—a Torchic scuttled suddenly across the field.
"BZZZT! Green Potential Torchic detected!" Rotom buzzed.
Albert watched the fiery chick strut with surprising sharpness, wings flaring when another Torchic brushed too close. "Strong will. But green isn't what I'm looking for."
He moved deeper.
Near the treeline, a Treecko hung upside down, staring directly at Albert with unblinking golden eyes.
"BZZZT! Blue Potential Treecko detected!"
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Treecko ♀ [Blue]
Level: Rookie (14)
Type: Grass
Nature: Adamant
Ability: Overgrow
Held Item: None
IV: HP (29), Atk (26), Def (24), Sp.Atk (25), Sp.Def (23), Speed (23)
Moves:
(Genetic) Absorb, Double Kick, Slash, Worry Seed, Synthesis
(Learned) Leer, Pound, Quick Attack, Detect
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Albert's lips tugged faintly.
The Treecko dropped lightly before him, gaze unblinking, posture cool.
"You're sharp," Albert murmured. "Too sharp for most."
Eevee padded forward, sniffing at the Treecko, who neither fled nor fought, merely watching. Then it leapt back into the trees.
"Log it," Albert said.
"Logged! Candidate two!"