"I'm home, Sister Anna!"
Her full name was Officer Anna Jenny. As always, she was busy in the kitchen when Mark arrived, while her loyal Growlithe sat faithfully at her side, the same Pokémon she relied on during her patrols.
"You're back! How was your day?" Anna's smile brightened the room. After more than five years together, she treated Mark as if he were truly her younger brother.
"Everything's great," Mark said, barely able to hide his excitement. "In just a few days, I'll finally be able to receive my first Pokémon. Professor Oak promised he'd prepare a very good one for me. I can't wait!"
"That's wonderful," she replied, though her expression dimmed with a trace of melancholy. "But once you leave, this house will feel so empty."
She was reluctant to let him go—Mark could feel it. He wanted to comfort her, but words failed him. At last, he clenched his fists and spoke with determination:
"Don't worry, Sis. I'll return as the strongest Trainer there ever was. And when you're on duty, you'll command Pokémon I've raised myself—they'll shine with pride."
Anna laughed softly. What a strange way to comfort someone. Yet her heart swelled at his ambition. What kind of sister would she be if she held him back? She brushed away her sadness, offering a gentle smile. "You'll succeed, Mark. I believe in you."
Time slipped quickly by. Soon, the day of choosing his starter was almost upon him. That night, Mark was so restless he could hardly sleep. Just then, a voice echoed in his mind:
"Host, this system has finished compiling most of the data of this world. Please review at once."
Mark blinked. "Oh right… I'd nearly forgotten you even existed." The system had always been so low-profile, but at times like this, it proved useful. He opened the flood of information it sent into his mind.
In this world, Trainers and Pokémon alike were ranked according to strength:
Novice Trainer
Regular Trainer
Elite Trainer
Gym-Level Trainer
Quasi-Elite Four
Elite Four
Champion
And the final, Master-level Trainer, which had never been achieved..
Each rank was further divided into Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced stages. Pokémon themselves were measured in the same way, with an additional evaluation of potential—the maximum they could grow—and aptitude, or the speed of their growth. Aptitude was divided into:
InferiorCommonRareEpicMythicSupreme
The closer a Pokémon's aptitude was to Supreme, the rarer it became.
Mark's thoughts drifted toward his soon-to-be partner. What kind of Pokémon will my starter be?
The next morning, still buzzing from excitement, he rose early. He refused to repeat Ash's infamous mistake of oversleeping on his first day. Anna had already prepared breakfast, smiling warmly.
"Eat up," she said. "Don't worry—your starter won't run away." Growlithe barked twice beside her, tail wagging.
That reminded Mark of something. Wait, my system has a Pokémon scanning function, right? I haven't tried it yet.
Pointing at Growlithe, he activated it:
Growlithe – Male, Puppy Pokémon.
Ability: Flash Fire.
Nature: Bashful.
Height: 0.9 m. Weight: 20 kg.
Potential: Gym-level, with room to grow if evolved using a high-quality Fire Stone.
Aptitude: Rare.
Current rank: Elite Beginner.
Mark nodded thoughtfully. Pretty average overall. Next time, I'll get her a top-grade Fire Stone. That'll make her so happy.
Unable to wait any longer, Mark hurried to Professor Oak's lab.
"You're here bright and early, Mark!" the Professor greeted warmly. "This year's starters from Pallet Town are truly exceptional—better than those from most other towns. And as for your partner, everything's settled. I'm certain you'll be pleased."
By then, four others had gathered in the lab: Mark, Gary, a girl named Kaya, and a boy named Kage—two Trainers who hadn't appeared in the original story. Only Ash was missing.
"Grandpa, let's not wait for that idiot," Gary said impatiently. "He's late again. Just let us choose first."
Oak sighed but nodded. It was Ash's own fault for being late, and besides, five Pokémon had been prepared. Even if Ash arrived last, he wouldn't be left out—though his partner might be a little… unusual.
The Professor opened four Poké Balls at once. Out came Charmander, Squirtle, and Bulbasaur—the classic trio. But the fourth Pokémon left Mark stunned.
It was small, with a green body and sharp eyes that glinted with determination. A Treecko—from the Hoenn region! Clearly, Oak had contacted Professor Birch for help.
"Go ahead, each of you, make your choice," Oak said.
Gary didn't hesitate, snatching up Squirtle's Poké Ball. He had decided on this long ago. Mark secretly scanned it with his system: Top-Tier aptitude, Elite Four-level potential. An incredible choice.
"Of course, Gary," Oak said with pride.
Kaga immediately chose Charmander. Kaya hesitated between Treecko and Bulbasaur. Not knowing much about the foreign Pokémon, she picked Bulbasaur.
That left Treecko. Mark's heart soared. He stepped forward, holding the ball with a steady hand.
"Treecko, from now on, you and I are partners. Together, we'll reach the summit."
Treecko met his gaze for a long moment, then nodded, acknowledging its new Trainer.
Treecko – Male, Grass-type, Wood Gecko Pokémon.
Nature: Serious (balanced).
Ability: Overgrow.
Height: 0.7 m. Weight: 6 kg.
Aptitude: Mythic.
Potential: Elite Four-level.
Current rank: Novice.
Moves: Pound, Leer, Absorb.
The data left Mark deeply satisfied.
After distributing Pokédexes and six Poké Balls to each new Trainer, Oak smiled. But in Mark's mind, the system chimed again:
"Host has officially become a Trainer. Distributing Beginner's Gift Pack… Reward: 100,000 Pokédollars, six Great Balls, two Ultra Balls, and—one Top-TierPokémon Egg."
"A Pokémon Egg?!" Mark's eyes widened. The system had outdone itself. A Top-Tier Egg meant something extraordinary. He didn't know what Pokémon lay inside, but the mystery only made his anticipation grow.
Not long after, Giselle and Kage departed eagerly on their journeys. Gary lingered, insisting he'd wait to taunt Ash. Mark chuckled. For all his bluster, Gary just couldn't bear to leave before seeing his rival.
At last, a boy in gaudy pajamas came sprinting up—the one and only Ash Ketchum. Both Gary and Mark breathed a sigh of relief.
"Well, well, if it isn't Ash," Gary sneered, pulling out his Poké Ball. "Late again! And you still dare call yourself my rival? Hah! You'll never keep up with me."
Ash flushed in embarrassment. "Wait—what? You already have your Pokémon? What about you, Mark? Did you get one too? What kind did you choose?" His eyes were wide with curiosity.
Gary smirked, shaking his head. "Not telling. Fifth place belongs to you, Ash. I'm off to begin my journey. Do your best to catch up—if you can!" With that, he hopped into a luxury car and sped away.
Mark sighed. Travel isn't about luxury rides. It's about the hardships, the growth that comes from overcoming them. Gary's still too naïve. Only after facing defeat at the Indigo League will he truly mature.
Meanwhile, Ash rushed to Professor Oak, practically dragging him into the lab. Mark followed close behind. Time to witness Ash's fateful meeting with Pikachu.
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