The powerful stream from Blastoise's water cannons slowly dwindled into weak trickles. The streams broke into stuttering drops until only tiny droplets fell, each catching the sunlight like the glint of a sniper's muzzle, punctuated by a soft "plip plip" as droplets of the remaining water dropped from the nozzles.
Rhydon lay on the ground from the force of the water attack. With a low grunt, it struggled to rise, its wet, muddy body still marked by the previous Hydro Pump assault. Once upright, Rhydon turned its head to locate the source of the attack and met Blastoise's cold, unyielding gaze. That intimidating look sent a shiver down its spine, and Rhydon stomped back into the forest in a hasty retreat.
Not long after, Blastoise and Blue set their eyes on a bipedal blue Pokémon with black fur—and on his trainer, who had taken down the rocky titan with speed and smart strategy despite lacking brute strength. Kai and Caiden watched closely as Blue walked toward them. His hazel eyes studied twelve-year-old Kai carefully as he said, "Your fight was impressive, kid, but you still need more experience."
Kai's face remained stoic as he fired back, "You should have stepped in sooner." Blue and his Blastoise stopped right before Kai and Caiden. With a raised brow and a slight smirk, Blue asked, "What exactly do you mean by that?"
Kai replied in his even tone, "I mean, if you were watching, you could've helped out." His attention shifted briefly to a weakened Pidgeotto lying on the ground. Its ruffled feathers bobbed with each feeble breath. Blue sighed and added, "For your information, I arrived when the battle was already raging. I only step in when absolutely necessary."
Kai's eyes stayed fixed on the injured Pidgeotto. Slowly, he approached it and knelt to gently pet its head. The bird's wild mohawk of red and yellow feathers flowed behind it as Kai's face betrayed a hint of sorrow despite his steady expression. Blue, with his sharp hazel eyes watched the scene. He scanned the interaction, noting silently, "What a strange kid."
Just then, still crouched near the injured bird, Kai pivoted, turning towards Blue, and looking up at him he called out, "Hey, who are you, mister?"
Blue replied with a confident, almost smug smile, "I'm Blue, and I'm a very strong Pokémon trainer. And don't call me mister."
Kai's voice brightened with excitement as he responded theatrically, "Wait... you're Blue? The Viridian City Gym Leader? The Pokémon champion from last year? No way—Professor Oak's grandson?!" Kai paused, his expression in awe. Inside, he already knew. But this was bait, and Blue was biting.
But, hearing the praise, Blue's grin widened, as if his pride could stretch his nose long enough to rival any tale. Blue chuckled, proud. "Heh, you've done your homework. Not bad. Hahahahaha!"
His eyes stayed wide, his smile theatrical—but deep inside, his mind was calculating, he thought to himself, "Wow, he really is a show-off in person." Suddenly, a pixelated message burst onto Gameboy's opaque screen:
I WAS NEVER AWARE OF THE FACT THAT HOST IS TALENTED IN BUTTERING INDIVIDUALS.
Kai's inner voice shot back silently, "Shut up. Just wait—it's all part of the plan." An image of an impish grin playing on his face formed inside.
Caiden and Blastoise exchanged looks as they watched their trainers, one laughing with arrogance and another acting like a hardcore fan, but also looked like scheming something inside.
Blue's laughter died down with an echo in the forest under the canopies as Kai stretched his hand infront of him with a plain smile. Blue inquired this action of Kai, "Why are you stretching out your hand, kid? Do you need something?"
Kai quickly explained, "I need a Poké Ball. We can't carry a large Pidgeotto by ourselves. We have to capture it and take it somewhere safe to heal."
With a quick movement, Blue pulled a small, red-and-white Poké Ball from his back pocket, as he replied, "Sure, quick thinking kid." Then, his eyes shifted between Kai and Caiden as he inquired, "By the way, what's your name? And what's that Pokémon of yours?"
Kai accepted the Poké Ball from Blue with his smile still plastered. "Name's Kai Merkaba, from Pallet Town. And this is my partner, Caiden—the Riolu," he explained as he lobbed the ball at the downed Pidgeotto. With a soft thud, the ball touched the bird's head, a red laser beam flashed briefly, and then the body of the Pidgeotto shattered into tiny particles before being reabsorbed. The ball then settled on the ground with a quiet thud.
Blue looked on, half-amused, saying, "A Riolu? I've heard about them, but this is my first time seeing one up close." The ball began to shake, its red light pulsing before fading to white and then red again. Everyone—trainers and Pokémons alike—watched tensely until a burst of silver dust confirmed the capture. A collective sigh of relief followed.
Kai picked up the Poké Ball as Blue continued, "So, Kai, where are you planning to take that Pokémon?"
Kai turned confidently and replied, "Where else? To your house, I mean—to Professor Oak's."
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The evening glow colored the world in orange as light streamed through a glass window. Inside a neat white concrete house on a high plateau near Pallet Town, papers and documents lay stacked on a desk. Monitors flickered with research, and shelves boasted encyclopedias, evolution charts, Pokédex prototypes, and other mysterious gadgets.
Outside, the setting sun signaled the end of the day; flocks of Pidgeys and Pidgeottos returned to their nests, while a herd of Torus sprinted in the distant meadow with a Growlithe chasing playfully after them.
Within a fenced yard near the house, playful Nidorans darted around with a few Rattatas. A Squirtal rested coolly under an apple tree, a Bulbasaur dozed peacefully, and a Charmander tumbled and played with its companions.
Amidst them stood an old man. His face told stories of many years, and his spiky light bronze hair shimmered with the orange light, which was whitening due to age. With kind yet thoughtful eyes and a clipboard in hand, he observed the Pokémon around him. Dressed in a classic long white lab coat, a maroon button-up shirt, formal trousers, and shoes, he had the look of a dedicated researcher.
Suddenly, his attention was drawn to a figure approaching with a large, bulky blue Pokémon encased in a sturdy shell. With a laugh, the old man recognized the presence of someone he knew. "Hahaha, so the kid knows his way back home," he chuckled, then squinted and added, "Hmm… who's that with him?"
The old man's gaze drifted to another figure—a small, dark-haired boy with sharp crimson eyes—accompanied by a unique blue Pokémon resembling a Vulpix with a black masked face in the eyes. He murmured, "Looks like Blue made a new friend. And that Pokémon…I've never seen one like that before. Today might just be my lucky day." Scribbling something in his clipboard, the old man stepped out of the fence just as Blue and Kai reached the plateau near the white house. Their eyes met, and Blue softly said, "I'm home, grandpa."
The old man smiled gently and replied, "You should visit home more often. And who is this young man?"
Kai bowed his head slightly and began, "It's a pleasure to meet you, Professor Oak—my na…"
Before he could finish, Professor Oak zipped past him, circling Caiden with curiosity. "Oh hoho, what kind of Pokémon is this? This is my first time seeing one like it!" Caiden simply returned a confused yet innocent gaze. Kai froze, unnoticed, while Blue sighed and said, "Sorry Kai, he's always like this when he sees something rare."
Blue looked at the curious professor Oak and spoke with a stern tone, "Grandpa, there is someone greeting you." Professor Oak snapped out of his curiosity trance and looked back at Kai, and spoke with an awkward laugh while scratching the back of his head, "Haha, sorry young man, this old professor still has a lot of things to see. Ahem, so what was your name again?"
But, his words were only met with an empty reply, instead, he felt something thrust into his right hand. He looked down to see what it was, and saw that it was a Pokeball, handed by Kai. Professor Oak's black eyes met Kai's crimson eyes, as Kai spoke with a plain smile, "Sorry Professor, but I'm getting late. I gotta get back home before sunset. Please heal the Pidgeotto inside this pokeball." With a nod, Kai sprinted away as he yelled, "Caiden, let's go!" followed by Caiden, "Riuu!!"
Professor Oak frowned, his brows knitted in surprise as he blurted, "Hey, wait—!!What a strange kid." His dark eyes stayed fixed on the young trainer and his Pokémon, who sprinted down the dirt path of Pallet Town under the deep red glow of the setting sun.
As the Poké Ball settled in Oak's wrinkled palm, a gentle red gleam reflected in his eyes. Inside, the bird rested in healing sleep. Outside, the sunset wrapped Pallet Town in gold, Oak continued "Blue, I hope you can give me an explanation."
Blue then smirked slightly, nodding his head, he explained every detail about Kai's battle against the rocky titan and his kind act in protecting the Pidgeotto. They walked together toward the white lab building, now bathed in the deep red hue of the setting sun.
Inside a glass-enclosed machine, the captured Pidgeotto lay resting. A gentle green glow pulsed over it, healing the wounds from Rhydon's Stone Edge attack.
Outside, Professor Oak rubbed his chin thoughtfully while processing the explanation given by Blue, as he eyed the recovering bird and said, "The young man's name is Kai Merkaba. I'd like to see him again. This Pidgeotto is also very interesting indeed. I have never seen such as one this big. It's a relief that this Pidgeotto is healing quickly and just fine."
After a pause he continued, "That Rhydon roaming in the middle of the Viridian forest is also very strange…hmmmm…" He then suddenly laughed heartily, surprising Blue and even his own Blastoise a little. "What an interesting day!" he declared.
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A morning bright sunlight painting the whole Pallet town in light amber. Fresh air, morning dew on the leaves, and the soft rustle of a Pidgey taking flight set the scene. A few Rattatas scurried near flowered gardens, while Nidorans played near the entrance to Viridian Forest. Suddenly, two figures burst out of the forest, startling the Nidorans with their shouts of "Nidooo!"
One boy with obsidian black hair, catching his breath, apologized as he ran along the dirt path with his blue Pokémon companion close behind, "Sorry Nidoran!!".
Kai and Caiden returned from their morning jog. Out of breath from their training, Kai sped ahead, teasing, "Sorry Caiden, but I'm going to win this time!"
Caiden, not far behind, growled playfully, "Riuu!!" as he also sped up and caught upto Kai.
A few minutes as, their friendly race ended as Kai collapsed by his house, gasping for air. Caiden leaned against him with a wide smile, their eyes sparkling with mischief. Kai squinted and said, "Don't act like that just because you've won twice. I'll beat you someday!"
Suddenly, Gameboy's screen lit up with pixelated words:
I ASK FOR PERMISSION FROM HOST TO SAY SOMETHING.
Between huffs, Kai replied, "Permission… granted…"
The screen then flashed:
DAIJOUBU DESHOU, DATTE KIMI… YOWAI MO~
Kai glared at the screen and retorted firmly, "Shut up, Gameboy."
Inside the house, Charlotte's voice came through, "Oh, yes, sure. I'll tell him. Thank you for watching over him. Thank you, professor." With a click, the conversation ended.
Kai stood, no longer needing to rest in the dust. He opened the door and met Charlotte's warm smile. "Good morning, champ. Back home after training?" she asked.
"Good morning, Mom," he replied softly, returning the same warm smile as Charlotte. After Kai and Caiden, they both entered, Kai asked, "Who were you talking to, Mom?"
Charlotte chuckled, "Oh, did you hear? Professor Oak called. He wants to meet you. It's a great chance—only capable trainers catch his eye!" Her eyes sparkled with excitement. "So don't miss this opportunity. Go to his lab after your bath and breakfast!"
Kai and Caiden exchanged puzzled looks and a quiet "Eh?" from Kai, with Caiden adding a cheerful "Riuu~?"
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Outside, Butterfrees fluttered near flower gardens by Professor Oak's white lab building. Professor Oak himself strolled around, admiring the morning light and murmuring, "What a fine morning. I have a feeling something good is coming."
His gaze then caught a sight: a young boy with damp obsidian hair and a lively blue jackal-like Pokémon trekking toward the lab. His smile broadened. "A good day indeed!" he thought.
As Kai and Caiden neared the lab, Professor Oak greeted them warmly. "Good morning, young man—and you too err, Mister Caiden, is it?" he said.
Kai managed a polite bow and "Good morning, Professor." Caiden echoed with his own gentle nod and a happy "Riuu~."
Oak's eyes lit up, "Oh! This is the first time a Pokémon has greeted me back so smartly. Yesterday I couldn't inqure a lot about your pokemon. May I ask what kind it is?"
"He's a Riolu, Professor Oak. He's from the Sinnoh region," Kai explained with a calm smile.
Oak rubbed his chin and returned, "A Riolu from Sinnoh? You're resourceful, aren't you, young man?" His eyes twinkled as he turned back to Kai. "So, shall we go inside?" Kai nodded, and together they walked into the lab.
Inside, the porcelain white tiles shimmered under bright morning sunlight filtering through large windows. Encyclopedias, books, and gadgets lined the shelves, and a large table sat between two chairs with steaming cups of tea. Professor Oak, seated and focused on of the chairs, asked quietly, "So, how old are you, son?"
Kai answered plainly, "Twelve," from the chair opposite Professor Oak. Next to him, Caiden munched eagerly on the berries and fruits Oak had provided, his quiet crunch blending with the soft murmur of the room.
"And are you interested in Pokémon?" Oak continued.
"Very much so," Kai answered with a small smirk.
Oak leaned forward, his tone turning serious. "What do you think of Pokémons? What are they to YOU?"
For a moment, the stoic mask on Kai's face melted away, replaced by the bright wonder of an innocent child. His eyes flicked to Caiden, who was happily munching on fruits and berries, then back to Oak, a smile slowly forming on his lips, "I always wondered what life would be like if I traveled the world with my Pokémon partners. When we made memories, I wondered—if I were gone—what kind of lives would they lead. And this little guy," Kai said, nodding toward Caiden, "he just hatched from an egg yesterday. I already think of him as my brother."
Oak's eyes widened with surprise, then he burst out chuckling, drawing a few curious glances from Caiden. "Fascinating! Companionship, loyalty, family—that's what truly matters. You'll go far with that kind of bond, son," Professor Oak said, his tone both kind and earnest.
After a moment of quiet understanding, Oak's expression shifted—his voice lowered to a more serious tone, though the subtle smile never left his face.
"Kai," he said, eyes gleaming with curiosity and challenge, "how about a Pokémon battle with me?"