(Hayden's POV)
The moment Hayden stepped into Professor Oak's lab, the air shifted.
Not metaphorically — literally.
A faint breeze rippled through the room, stirring loose papers and brushing past Alex's hair. The aides paused mid‑task. Even Oak blinked, sensing something subtle but undeniable.
Hayden walked forward with slow, deliberate steps, hands still in his pockets, eyes glowing faintly blue like a dormant storm waiting for a reason to awaken.
Alex turned to face him fully.
Their eyes met.
Two futures collided.
Two destinies crossed.
Two boys — both ten years old — but carrying ambitions far larger than their age.
Hayden smirked. "You didn't think I'd let you start without me, did you?"
Alex returned the smirk. "Wouldn't be as fun."
Oak clapped his hands together. "Excellent! Both of you are here. Now we can begin the official starter selection."
The three Poké Balls on the table gleamed under the lab lights, each one holding a potential partner, a potential future, a potential legend.
Charmander.
Bulbasaur.
Squirtle.
Alex's hand hovered over Charmander's Poké Ball, but he didn't touch it yet. He wanted to see what Hayden would do. He wanted to understand the rival who had suddenly become sharper, smarter, more dangerous than before.
Hayden stepped forward, eyes scanning the Poké Balls with a calm, analytical gaze.
'Charmander… flashy, aggressive, strong late‑game. Bulbasaur… balanced, tactical, reliable. Squirtle… defensive, adaptable, deceptively powerful.'
He already knew his choice.
He had known for years.
But he let the moment breathe.
He let the tension build.
He let Alex wonder.
Oak folded his arms. "Hayden, since you arrived second, Alex may choose first. But you may examine the starters if you wish."
Hayden shook his head. "No need."
He stepped forward, placing his hand on the Poké Ball in the middle.
Bulbasaur.
Alex blinked. "You're choosing Bulbasaur?"
Hayden smirked. "Of course."
Oak raised an eyebrow. "May I ask why?"
Hayden's eyes glowed brighter — a pulse of blue, like a heartbeat of power.
"Because Bulbasaur is underestimated. Everyone sees Charmander as the flashy pick. Squirtle as the safe pick. But Bulbasaur… Bulbasaur is the one who grows quietly, steadily, relentlessly. The one who becomes a monster when trained right."
He lifted the Poké Ball.
"And I'm going to train him right."
Alex felt a chill.
Not fear.
Excitement.
This was the Hayden he remembered from his past life — the rival who never backed down, who always pushed him, who always forced him to grow.
But this Hayden was sharper.
More focused.
More dangerous.
Oak smiled warmly. "Very well. Hayden, your partner awaits."
Hayden pressed the button.
Click.
A burst of green light shot out, swirling and forming into a small quadrupedal Pokémon with a plant bulb on its back. Its eyes were bright, intelligent, and full of potential.
Bulbasaur.
It looked up at Hayden, sniffed the air, then nodded as if approving of its new trainer.
Hayden crouched down, placing a hand gently on its head.
"Bulbasaur," he said softly, "we're going to the top."
Bulbasaur's eyes glowed faintly — mirroring Hayden's.
Alex felt the spark of rivalry ignite fully.
This wasn't a casual competition.
This was destiny.
Oak turned to Alex. "Now then, Alex. Your turn."
Alex didn't hesitate.
He placed his hand on Charmander's Poké Ball.
His voice was steady, confident, burning with ambition.
"I choose Charmander."
He pressed the button.
Click.
A burst of fiery orange light erupted, swirling into shape. A small lizard Pokémon appeared, flame burning brightly on its tail, eyes sharp and determined.
Charmander.
It looked at Alex with a fierce, almost proud expression.
Alex knelt down.
"Charmander," he whispered, "we're going to surpass every Charizard in history."
Charmander's flame flared — as if accepting the challenge.
Oak clapped again. "Excellent choices! Both of you have chosen partners that reflect your spirits."
Hayden stood, crossing his arms. "So, Alex… Charmander, huh?"
Alex smirked. "You already knew that."
"Of course I did," Hayden replied. "You're predictable."
Alex raised an eyebrow. "Predictable? Or consistent?"
Hayden stepped closer.
Alex didn't move.
Their faces were inches apart.
Charmander and Bulbasaur watched silently, sensing the tension.
Hayden's voice dropped to a low, confident tone. "Just remember something. You're not the only one aiming for the top."
Alex's eyes sharpened. "Good. I'd hate to be alone up there."
The air crackled.
Not with electricity.
With ambition.
With rivalry.
With the birth of something legendary.
Oak cleared his throat loudly. "Ahem! Before you two start battling in my lab, let's finish the registration process."
The boys stepped back, but their eyes never left each other.
Oak handed them each a Pokédex and five Poké Balls.
"Your journeys begin today. Treat your partners well, train hard, and never forget — the world is vast, full of wonders and dangers. But with courage and heart, you can achieve anything."
Alex nodded. "Thank you, Professor."
Hayden nodded as well. "We won't disappoint."
Oak smiled. "I know you won't."
As they walked toward the exit, Hayden spoke without looking back.
"Alex."
Alex paused.
Hayden turned slightly, blue eyes glowing faintly.
"When we battle — and we will battle — I'm not holding back."
Alex smirked. "Good. Because I'm not either."
Hayden stepped outside, Bulbasaur following him.
Alex watched him go.
Charmander tugged at his pant leg, looking up with fiery determination.
Alex smiled.
"Yeah, buddy. I know. We're going to beat him."
Charmander's flame flared brightly.
Alex stepped outside into the sunlight.
The wind blew across the hill.
Two boys walked separate paths down the same road.
Two starters walked beside them.
Two destinies began to move.
And somewhere, deep in the world, something ancient stirred — as if sensing the birth of a rivalry that would shake the future.