10 YEARS LATER…
"So… which Pokémon will you choose, Gil?" asked the old man wearing a white lab coat.
I looked at the three Pokémon in front of me. Even after living in this world for ten years, moments like this still felt unreal. In my previous life I had only seen Pokémon through games, dolls, and anime. Now they were real… and one of them was about to become my partner.
The first Poké Ball opened slightly, releasing a small flash of light.
A green Pokémon appeared.
"Bulba…"
Bulbasaur stood calmly on all fours, watching me with steady eyes. It barely moved, looking patient and reliable.
The second Poké Ball opened next.
A small blue turtle popped out with a confident expression.
"Squirtle!"
Squirtle puffed out its chest and crossed its arms proudly, as if already sure of its strength.
Then the final Poké Ball opened.
A small orange lizard stepped forward, the flame on its tail flickering softly.
"Char… Charmander…"
It didn't immediately show off like Squirtle. It looked at me for a moment before glancing away, one claw lightly rubbing against the other. Its tail swayed slowly behind it.
After a second it peeked back up again, curiosity shining in its big blue eyes.
I studied the three Pokémon carefully.
Bulbasaur's body stayed low to the ground, the large bulb covering most of its back and upper body. From this angle there was no easy way to tell anything about its gender.
Squirtle wasn't much clearer. Its shell covered most of its body.
But Charmander stood upright on two legs. Its posture made more of its body visible, and from the smooth area between its thighs, with no bulge, just a neat, inviting slit, proved it was clearly female.
Their behavior made the difference even more noticeable.
While Bulbasaur remained steady and Squirtle acted tough, Charmander kept glancing at me with quiet curiosity, as if trying to figure me out.
When our eyes met again, she froze for a moment before looking slightly to the side.
Her tail flame flickered a little faster.
A small smile formed on my face.
The decision was already made.
"I choose Charmander."
Her head snapped up.
"Char…?"
For a second she just stared at me in surprise.
Then her eyes lit up.
"Charmander!"
She hurried forward across the lab table, but slowed down just before reaching the edge, suddenly a little shy again.
I reached out across the table and gently patted the top of her head. My palm lingered there longer than needed, fingers slowly spreading to feel the warm, smooth scales along her skull.
The heat soaked into my skin, soft yet firm. I pressed just a bit firmer, savoring the subtle give of her body, my mind flashing to how that same heat would feel lower down, tighter, wetter…
The urge to slide my hand down her neck, along her side, to trace that inviting slit between her thighs hit hard. I fought it back, pulling my hand away before I could give in and let my fingers wander further.
"Welcome to the team, Charmander."
Her face brightened.
"Char!"
The old man chuckled softly and picked up the Poké Ball. He simply handed the ball to me.
"Take good care of Charmander," he said warmly.
"I will."
Behind us, Bulbasaur lowered its head slightly, accepting the choice without complaint. Squirtle uncrossed its arms, shoulders slumping a little, then gave a small huff and turned its head away, looking a bit disappointed but still proud.
Then old man reached into a drawer and pulled out a small red device along with several Poké Balls.
"These will help you on your journey," he said as he handed them over. "A Pokédex and some empty Poké Balls. Good luck out there."
"Thank you, Professor Oak."
Gil slipped the items into his pocket and turned toward the door.
Charmander hurried after him, her small claws tapping eagerly across the floor, tail flame bobbing with pure, trusting excitement.
As the lab door shut behind them and the warm sunlight hit her scales, Charmander ran happily behind him, completely unaware of the fate awaiting her…