Route 1 Temporary Shelter
The rain has fallen steady and heavy. But never violent. By the time it eased off. The forest felt washed clean, every leaf glistening with droplets and the air filled with an earthy after rain scent.
Treecko dropped from the branch he'd perched on landing beside me. As I stretched feeling the stiffness in my legs.
"Guess we're already making memories, huh?" I murmured.
He gave me a faint smirk as if agreeing to my thoughts.
CRACK!!
A sudden bolt of lightning interrupted us, splitting the distant clouds. I flinched at the sound, then stared at the fading afterimage. For a second it reminded me of Pickahu, Ash's Pikachu. A familiar thread in the story I remembered from before this life.
But that wasn't my story.
Before I could dwell on it further, the sky changed again.
A shimmer of rainbow light broke through the clouds, rippling across the forest. I looked up just in time to see it.
High above, through the lingering mist. A massive bird emerged. Scarlet and gold wings carved through the sky. Each beats of its wings leaving a skroke of color in its wake.
"Beautiful.." I whispered fumbling for my Pokegear. With a quick snap, i captured the moment, a rainbow spreading through the sky and the faint silhouette of Ho-Oh soaring into the horizon.
"Our first legendary sighting." I whispered, with a grin on my face. "The perfect way to mark the start of our journey."
Treecko let our a soft sigh with awe reflected in his eyes as the rainbow disappeared into the horizon.
I adjusted my bag straps, a steady determination replacing the awe. "Come on Treecko. We've got our own path to walk."
With that Treecko and I stepped back onto the road. The forest slowly thinning as Route 1 carried us towards Viridian city.
Viridian City Entrance.
The City gates came into view as the sun was setting. I had barely crossed it when a sharp call shout stopped me.
"Hey, you there! Hold it!"
Turing, i wasn't surprised to see a familiar figure: blue hair tucked under a cap and a motorcycle parked nearby. Officer Jenny.
She walked towards me with a stern face and held out her hand "Trainer ID. Viridian's been tense lately, we are checking everyone."
I was nervous for a second before quickly pulling out the Pokedex professor Oak had gave me.
Officer Jenny scanned it, her expression softening as the system confirmed my trainer license.
"Fresh out of Pallet? Figures. You're cleared. But keep you eyes open. Viridian may look calm, but…" her eyes narrowed slightly. "Trouble has a habit of showing up here."
"Thanks for the warning, Officer." I said politely while slipping the Pokedex into my bag.
Treecko flicked his tail glancing at me with quiet resolve.
"Yeah, let's be ready for whatever comes next" I murmured smiling faintly while stepping into Viridian City.
Viridian City
Viridian City wasn't anything like Pallet. The streets were busier, the buildings taller, and the buzz of trainers, merchants, and townsfolk filled the air. But right now, I had one destination in mind: the Pokemon Center.
The red roof of the Pokemon Center stood out like a beacon, and with Treecko perched on my shoulder I pushed the glass door open. The familiar smell of disinfectant mixed with the scent of warm food hit me instantly.
Then I heard a panicked voice "Nurse Joy, please help Pikachu."
Ash was at the counter, panic written all over his face. Pickahu laid in his arms looking exhausted, sparks flickering faintly from its cheeks.
Nurse Joy kept her voice calm but firm as she reached out."Don't worry, we'll take good care of him. Chansey quickly" She nodded to Chansey, who waddled forward, lifting Pikachu onto a strecher before disappearing into the back.
Ash hovered there, fists trembling at his sides as if he wasn't sure if he should run after them. His face was pale, panicked, guilty
"Ash?" I stepped forward and called him.
He spun, eyes wide. "Luna?! You're here too?!" His voice cracked, half-relief, half-shock.
I glanced at the hallway where Pickahu had been taken, then looked back at him. "That's your partner, right? What happened?"
Ash's head drooped, and he scratched the back of his neck, that nervous grin I knew too well creeping across his face. "We got attacked by a flock of Spearow. Pikachu tried to protect me and he got hurt instead. I should've done better."
*You made it here and that's what matters." I said softly. "Pikachu is strong. He will recover."
For a second, Ash blinked at me, then managed a lopsided grin, determination flickering through his eyes again. "Yeah. He's the best partner I could ever ask for."
Satisfied that he will be okay, I left him to answer Nurse Joy's questions and headed to the videophones. Treecko hopped down beside me, arms crossed like he wanted to watch the screen too.
First, I dialed home.
"Luna!" My mother's warm face filled the screen in an instant, her smile radiant. "You're safe, thank goodness."
A second later, my father leaned into frame, adjusting his tie with practiced precision. "We were expecting your call," he said, his tone clipped but not unkind. Behind them, I spotted Rotom flickering faintly in a lamp and the silhouette of Lapras gliding through the pond in the manor.
I exhaled, tension easing from my chest. "Treecko and I made it through Route 1. We even won our first trainer battle."
"That's my girl," my mother said with pride.
Father adjusted his glasses. "Remember, efficiency breeds opportunity. Use what you know wisely, and you'll stay ahead."
Typical buisness advice. I nodded anyway and promised to call again soon, before switching the line to Professor Oak.
The screen flickered and the professor appeared, half-distracted, slurping up noodles from a steaming bowl. He blinked when he noticed me. "Ah Luna! Already checking in?" He dabbed at his chin with a napkin. "That's a good sign."
I couldn't help but laugh. " It's been an eventful start. But I wanted to show you something."
Pulling out my Pokegear, I held up the photo I had taken earlier. A rainbow filled sky with Ho-Oh soaring into the horizon.
Professor Oak's chopsticks froze midair, noodles dangling. His jaw nearly dropped. "Good heavens! That's—why, that's Ho-Oh!" He fumbled his chopsticks, coughing as he tried to recover his composure. "This… this is extraordinary! Even I've never—" He stopped, coughed again, and set his bowl down, though his eyes still shone with excitement.
"Professor," I teased gently, "I just thought it was a good way to commemorate the start of my journey. A lucky omen, maybe."
Professor Oak chuckled, leaning back in his chair at last. "Lucky indeed, my dear. Keep that photo safe. Ho-Oh sightings are no trivial matter."
Treecko smirked, arms crossed as if he already knew we were bound for something special.
And deep down I couldn't disagree.