Time flew by like flowing water, slipping through fingers in a rush.
Ten years later, Twinleaf Town.
A young boy lay quietly on the grass, gazing up at the sky. Under the backdrop of blue sky and white clouds, the lush green grass felt like a soft carpet. Gentle breezes brushed over the wildflowers, painting a natural masterpiece and adding a splash of color to this tranquil world.
Across the blue sky flew a few Starly, gray birds with white spots on their bellies. Occasionally, a Budew—a petite Pokémon with two small yellow-green legs and a closed bud on its head—would scamper through the grass, reminding everyone that this world was anything but ordinary.
"Ahh~ so comfortable."
Skyler yawned lazily and stretched, a tear forming in the corner of his eye. Then... he continued to lie there.
It had been ten years! Does anyone understand the struggle?!
Over the past decade, Skyler had tried every method imaginable to awaken his "honorable" System.
He had devoutly offered up 10,000 Pokédollars—savings he had scraped together for ages—on his desk.
He had secretly stolen a chicken from Lina's kitchen, tied it up, and sent it to the afterlife with a kitchen knife.
He had even buried himself in the library, staying up all night in the ocean of books, hoping to trigger something.
Finally, after exhausting all options, Skyler gave up the struggle.
Turns out, he just didn't have that kind of luck!
In his previous life, he was a hardcore Pokémon fan.
He felt that anyone who watched the show or played the games had, at some point, fantasized about entering the Pokémon world, picking a starter, and conquering the League.
Back then, his favorite arcs were Diamond & Pearl and XY. He couldn't quite get used to the art style of Sun & Moon, and he skipped through Journeys because of Goh.
When Journeys ended and Ash finally lifted the World Champion trophy, Skyler realized that his era of Pokémon had come to an end.
Although new chapters were being written, the characters he knew and loved were no longer the main focus.
"Hey! Skyler! Uncle Aidan told me to call you home!"
Not far away, a cute blue-haired girl waved her arms happily. She wore a white sleeveless top, a short blue skirt, and had beautiful blue hair pinned behind her ear with a yellow clip.
"Oh, it's Dawn. Alright, alright, I know. I'll be right there."
The boy replied as he watched the girl approach, but his body remained glued to the grass, motionless.
"Stupid Skyler, you're brushing me off again, aren't you? I'm serious this time! Uncle said it's urgent and that I absolutely have to bring you back."
The girl put her hands on her hips, pouted, and looked at him with a helpless expression on her cute face.
"Dawn, relax. What urgent business could my dad possibly have? He probably just wants me to take Luxray and patrol the town for him again."
"Or maybe he messed up helping at my mom's breeding center and wants me to go back and share the blame."
The boy had absolutely no intention of getting up. Then... he continued to lie there.
"Ugh, be serious for once! You're always so listless." Dawn stomped her foot in frustration. Realizing she couldn't do anything about him, she smoothed her skirt and sat down beside him.
"Skyler, I have something to tell you."
Sitting on the grass, Dawn tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear. Her tone suddenly became serious, and a hint of nervousness appeared in her beautiful eyes.
"Go ahead. What is it?"
Hearing the seriousness in Dawn's voice, Skyler sat up, shedding his laziness. He looked at her with clear, bright eyes.
"It's about... about the journey."
Dawn's ears turned slightly red under Skyler's gaze, and she spoke shyly.
"Uh... what journey?" The boy didn't quite catch her drift and asked, confused.
"You know! We're supposed to go on a journey in a few years, right? I... I want to travel with you."
After saying it, Dawn turned her head away, her face flushing slightly. Her shyness looked even cuter under the sunlight.
"Oh, is that it?" Skyler nodded.
Thoughts raced through his mind.
In the Pokémon world, turning 14 meant you were legally an adult. If you paid a certain fee to the League annually, you could go to the local Professor to receive a starter Pokémon and a Pokédex.
These League-sponsored Pokémon were usually the Water, Fire, and Grass types known as the "starters," all capable of three-stage evolution.
Many people in this world traveled with their Pokémon. Those who collected badges and challenged Gyms were called "Pokémon Trainers." Those who participated in Contests to win Ribbons were "Coordinators." There were also Breeders, Explorers, Connoisseurs, and more.
Those who couldn't afford the fee could buy a Poké Ball for 200 Pokédollars at a Poké Mart and try their luck in the wild. If they were lucky, they might catch a lone Wurmple or Weedle and start their journey from there.
According to his memories, Giovanni, the Gym Leader of Viridian City and boss of Team Rocket, started with a Beedrill. To this day, that Beedrill was still his ace. It was ridiculous how strong he made it—able to go toe-to-toe with Lance's Dragonite without even Mega Evolving.
Back when Skyler played the games, he would Mega Evolve Beedrill, max out its Speed, and rely on its high Attack and Adaptability ability to one-shot opponents with Poison Jab before they could even move.
Otherwise, with Beedrill's paltry 40 Defense, he wouldn't dare let it take a hit.
"Hey! Hey! Do you agree or not? You just said 'oh' and didn't give me an answer! That's so rude!"
Dawn's voice pulled Skyler back from his memories. He looked up to see that the shy expression was gone.
Her brows were furrowed, her small fists clenched, and her pretty eyes glared at him as if to say, If you don't give me a perfect explanation, I'm going to be mad.
"Uh..."
Skyler broke into a sweat, remembering there was a girl waiting for an answer. His brain kicked into high gear.
"Sorry, Dawn, I didn't mean to ignore you."
"Actually, when you mentioned the journey, I started thinking about what we need to prepare, so I got a little distracted..."
Skyler gently placed his hand on Dawn's head, looking at her with sincere, clear eyes, lying through his teeth without blushing.
"Ah... does that mean... you agree?" Ignoring the hand on her head, Dawn looked at Skyler happily.
"Yeah, of course. Even if you didn't ask, I was planning to travel with you anyway."
"Mainly because someone can't do anything but always says 'No need to worry.' I can't possibly rest easy letting you go on a journey alone, Dawn."
Hearing Skyler solemnly bring up her catchphrase (and implied incompetence), Dawn's happy face instantly darkened.
"Just like that time when we were little... mmmph!"
"Ah!! Don't say it! Don't say it!"
"Forget it! Right now! Immediately!" Dawn panicked and lunged forward, covering his blabbering mouth with her hand.
She could tolerate the first part, but that childhood incident was a lifelong humiliation!
"Mmph... mmph, you... let go... I won't say it." Skyler struggled to breathe under her hand.
"Okay, you promised. I'm letting go."
Seeing Skyler's face turning red, Dawn slowly released her hand.
"Phew... saved. Dawn, seriously, your reaction is still so dramatic."
Skyler gasped for air, feeling like he had just survived a disaster. Who knew the delicate-looking Dawn had such a strong grip? She almost suffocated him!
"Well, who asked you to bring that up? It was so long ago..." Dawn's cheeks were still flushed as she pouted.
"Meh, it's no big deal. We were kids; everyone's probably forgotten about it by now." Skyler waved his hand dismissively.
"That's what you say."
"But next time, you can't just blurt it out. Or else... hmph hmph." Dawn waved her fist, warning him again.
"Alright, alright." Seeing Dawn channeling her inner "angry girlfriend" vibe, Skyler admitted defeat. He quickly stood up to change the subject.
"Anyway, let's go. We should head home. Maybe my unreliable dad actually has something important this time."
"Okay!"
...
T/N: I loved all pokemon anime generations, INCLUDING Black and White (arguably worst though). Sun and Moon might be my second favorite after X and Y. Then third is Diamond and pearl.