A gentle breeze rustles the leaves of the potted plants that line the windows of Pokémon Home. Sunlight streams through the glass, casting a warm glow on the polished countertops and the colorful displays of Pokéblocks and Premier Balls. It is a day of peace at Pokémon Home.
Orion leans against the counter, idly polishing his Poké Ball cane with a soft cloth. Latias, in her human form, sips tea and hums a soft melody, her eyes closed in contentment. Pikachu dozes peacefully on the front desk, its tiny chest rising and falling with each breath. The air is filled with a sense of tranquility.
Suddenly, a chime rings out, shattering the stillness. Orion straightens up, his eyes widening as he glances at the tablet resting on the counter. A notification blazes across the screen:
New Mission Available!
[Plant and grow Berry seeds to prepare for a world transformation that will bring in more wild Pokémon.]
[No time limit. Reward: x 1 Pokémon Draw.]
Orion smiles, accepting the mission. Pokémon and berries share a connection. Berries offer nourishment and enhance Pokémon abilities. Each variety yields a unique effect, from healing to stat boosts.
"This task is going to take help," Orion mutters. The city needs to plant the berries. "I'll need to reach out to City Hall. Convincing them may be a hurdle, but Pokémon are worth it."
Orion calls his contact, the mayor's secretary. After a brief discussion, he gets a meeting to discuss the project. This would give Pokémon Home much-needed recognition and a larger role in the city.
Orion taps the "Accept" button on the tablet.
Instantly, the store's inventory system lights up. Thousands upon thousands of different varieties of Berry seeds materialize, filling the digital storage with their potential. Tiny packets of every color imaginable flood the screen, each labeled with exotic names like "Lum Berry," "Sitrus Berry," and "Apicot Berry." The scale of the task hits Orion with the force of a Thunderbolt.
This is going to be more work than I imagined.
Orion runs a hand through his blonde hair, his mind racing.
I'm going to need help from the government, and people are still not used to or knowledgeable about Pokémon.
He lets out a weary sigh, the weight of the mission settling upon his shoulders. He knows it will be a slow and arduous process, filled with bureaucratic hurdles and public skepticism. But he is determined to fulfill Arceus's task, to spread Pokémon culture and harmony throughout this world.
But before Orion can fully form a plan, the bell above the entrance jingles. A burst of energy fills the store as five figures rush inside, their voices loud and excited.
It is the Teen Titans.
"Whoa! This place is even cooler than it looks on HeroTube!" Beast Boy shouts, his eyes wide with wonder as he takes in the vibrant colors and displays.
Starfire floats a few inches off the ground, her hands clasped together in glee. "Greetings, Owner Orion! We have come to learn about the creatures known as Pokémon!"
Cyborg's cybernetic eye scans the room, taking in every detail. "Yeah, man! We saw your videos and had to check this place out for ourselves. This is off the chain!"
Raven floats silently, a small smile playing on her lips. Even Robin's stoic expression seems to soften slightly as he surveys the surroundings.
Orion beams, his weariness melting away at the sight of their enthusiasm. "Welcome, Titans! Welcome to Pokémon Home!" He bows deeply, his Poké Ball cane sweeping gracefully across the floor.
Latias rises to her feet, her eyes sparkling with warmth. "It is an honor to meet the Teen Titans. May your visit be filled with wonder."
Pikachu, awakened by the commotion, leaps from the counter and lands gracefully on Orion's shoulder. "Pika pika!" it chirps, its cheeks sparking with electricity.
Orion chuckles, patting Pikachu affectionately. "Indeed. Now, tell me, Titans," he says, his voice brimming with curiosity. "What brings you to my humble establishment?"
Starfire's orange skin glows brighter with excitement. "We desire Pokémon companions of our own! They seem both strong and delightful!"
Beast Boy nods, transforming into a small green monkey. "Yeah! I wanna be able to turn into a T-Rex and have a T-Rex buddy! Double the dino-power!"
Cyborg pumps his fist. "I could use a little extra firepower, and a tech buddy would be awesome."
Raven merely shrugs, but a flicker of curiosity dances in her violet eyes. Robin, however, crosses his arms, his expression skeptical. "I fail to see the strategic advantage. These 'Pokémon' seem…unpredictable."
Before Orion can reply, Starfire tilts her head, her brow furrowing slightly. "Owner Orion, the last time we visited, you were accompanied by a flying friend. A magnificent creature with red and white feathers. Where is she now?"
Orion smiles gently. "Ah, you mean Latias. She is resting at the moment, after a long trip." He chooses his words carefully, not wanting to reveal too much about her dual identity.
Beast Boy's monkey form leaps onto the counter, striking a pose. "Well hellooooo there, beautiful! You must be new around here, because I definitely would have remembered a face like yours."
Latias giggles, her melodic voice filling the room. "Oh, hello! I'm Latias. I am Orion's assistant." She bows politely, oblivious to Beast Boy's cartoonishly flirty demeanor.
"Latias, huh? Sounds like a name fit for a star," Beast Boy winks, transforming back into his human form.
Cyborg chuckles. "Latias? Isn't that the name of one of those…Poké-dudes?"
Starfire nods. "Yes! Owner Orion spoke of a Latias who could fly. Is that...coincidence?"
Robin scoffs. "A likely story. The human shares a name with a...beast. Illogical." He eyes Latias with suspicion, clearly not buying the coincidence. Raven sighs and rolls her eyes. The Titans are oblivious to the fact that Latias, is indeed the Pokémon they are talking about.
Orion chuckles, redirecting the conversation. "Well, well, well, it seems you're all quite eager to acquire Pokémon partners. So, how can I help?"
Starfire's eyes shine. "Tell us, Owner Orion, how can we obtain these wondrous creatures?"
Orion tapped his cane, explaining that there were two ways to find a Pokémon. The first was a lottery system, where, for a fee, they could try their luck at obtaining a talented Pokémon with an affinity for them. The second path involved venturing into the Sanctuary, where Pokémon roamed free. If they could form a bond with one and convince it to become their partner, they could take it with them.
"The Sanctuary?" Starfire asks, her eyes widening with wonder. "A place where Pokémon roam free? This I must see!"
Cyborg nods eagerly. "Sounds way more fun than a lottery. Let's go check out this Sanctuary, Titans!"
Robin remains skeptical. "A you sure this is safe? What if the Pokémon attacks us?"
Raven shrugs, but a hint of curiosity flickers in her eyes. "I'm in. It could be…interesting."
"Alright, Titans, to the Sanctuary, we go!" Orion declares, gesturing toward a shimmering portal. "Pikachu, you coming?"
Pikachu nods enthusiastically, leaping from Orion's shoulder and perching on his head, its tail swaying with excitement.
As the Titans prepare to follow Orion, he turns to Latias, "Keep watch of the front desk."
"Of course, Owner Orion," she replies, a gentle smile gracing her lips. "Have a pleasant journey."
And with that, Orion leads the Teen Titans toward the shimmering portal, ready to embark on a journey into the heart of the Pokémon sanctuary.
***
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