The cityscape gave way to rolling fields and winding dirt roads as Jenna drove us out of Jubilife City. The transformation was striking—gone were the towering skyscrapers and bustling crowds, replaced by open skies and a gentle breeze carrying the scent of grass and flowers. It was a part of the world I hadn’t seen in years, a stark contrast to the urban grind we’d grown used to.

When we pulled into the Pokémon breeder’s facility, the first thing I noticed was the sprawling pasture. A wooden fence stretched for what felt like miles, enclosing fields where Pokémon roamed freely. Tauros with shining coats grazed lazily beside groups of Buneary bounding through the tall grass. A few Staraptor circled overhead, their cries echoing in the peaceful quiet.

The main building was modest but welcoming—a large, farmhouse-style structure with weathered wood siding and a red tin roof that glinted in the sunlight. Hanging above the front porch was a wooden sign carved with the words Verdant Horizons Breeding Co. Flower boxes overflowing with bright blooms lined the windows, and a few Rockruff lounged on the porch, wagging their tails at our arrival.

Jenna parked the car and turned to us with a grin. “Welcome to my husband’s pride and joy,” she said, stepping out.

Morgan and I exchanged a look. “Her husband?” Morgan mouthed, eyebrows raised. I shrugged, stepping out of the car and taking in the idyllic scene.

A man emerged from the building, wiping his hands on a towel. He was tall and broad-shouldered, with a rugged appearance that fit perfectly with the setting. His dark hair was tied back in a loose ponytail, and his kind smile mirrored Jenna’s.

“Welcome!” he called, his voice warm and inviting. “You must be Uriel and Morgan. I’m Rowan, the breeder here.”

Jenna walked over and kissed him on the cheek. “Rowan’s one of the best breeders in Sinnoh,” she said proudly.

Morgan looked around, her eyes sparkling. “This place is amazing!”

“It’s home,” Rowan said, gesturing for us to follow him. “Come on, I’ll show you around.”

Rowan led us through the facility, pointing out various areas—the main pasture, the nursery for newborn Pokémon, and a large barn where Pokémon were cared for during bad weather. As we walked, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of calm here. It was the kind of place where life felt simpler, slower.

At the end of the tour, Rowan stopped by the barn’s wide double doors. “So, do you two know what kind of Pokémon you’re looking for?”

Morgan didn’t hesitate. “I want an Azurill,” she said, her voice filled with excitement. “I’ve been thinking about it for weeks.”

Rowan chuckled. “Azurill, huh? That’s a good choice—loyal and full of energy. What about you, Uriel?”

I hesitated, the weight of the question pressing down on me. Choosing a Pokémon felt monumental, like I was deciding the direction of my entire journey. I looked at Rowan, my voice uncertain. “Do you have… any regional forms? From Paldea, maybe?”

Rowan’s eyebrows lifted, impressed. “Interesting choice. Not many young trainers know about regional forms right off the bat. As a matter of fact, I do. What are you thinking?”

I took a deep breath. “A Paldean Wooper,” I admitted.

Rowan smiled knowingly. “You’ve got good taste. Let me check the records and see if we have one. In the meantime, I’ll have one of my staff show you where the Azurill and their evolutions.”

We followed a young woman in a green apron out to the lake at the edge of the pasture. The water was crystal clear, reflecting the blue of the sky, and surrounded by soft grass and swaying reeds. As we approached, I noticed massive Pokémon lounging in the shallows—Lapras, Wailord, and even a Gyarados resting near the center of the lake.

Morgan’s jaw dropped. “These are incredible…”

The woman led us to a quieter area of the shore where smaller Pokémon gathered. Here, a lively group of Azumarill, Marill, and Azurill played near the water’s edge. Their laughter and splashes filled the air with cheerful energy.

The woman knelt and approached a large Azumarill, speaking to it in a gentle tone. After a moment, she turned back to us. “Please wait here for a moment.”

We watched as the Azumarill waddled toward the group of Azurill, scanning them before gently nudging one forward. The Azurill bounced over, its tiny body trembling with excitement.

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Morgan dropped to her knees, grinning from ear to ear. “Hi there,” she said softly. “You’re perfect. Would you like to come with me?”

The Azurill let out a happy squeak and launched itself toward her, using its tail like a spring. Morgan caught it with a laugh as they tumbled backward onto the soft grass.

“You’re so cute,” Morgan cooed, cradling the Azurill in her arms. “We’re going to be a family, okay? I’m Morgan, and that’s Uriel—he’s my big brother.”

Azurill chirped happily, nuzzling against her. I couldn’t help but smile at the sight. She looked so happy, so at ease.

Still, a small knot of worry tightened in my chest. What if I didn’t get along with my partner? What if I wasn’t ready for this?

Morgan looked up at me, beaming. “Isn’t he perfect, Uriel?”

“Yeah,” I said, forcing a smile. “He’s perfect.”

Even as I said it, I couldn’t shake the doubt gnawing at the back of my mind.

After forty minutes of watching Morgan play with Azurill and its family, I felt a strange mix of emotions. She was glowing with happiness, spinning around with the tiny Pokémon as its siblings and parents watched, occasionally joining in. Meanwhile, I sat nearby, quietly observing how the Pokémon lived together—the way the Marill helped the Azurill balance on their tails, how Azumarill kept a watchful eye, and the joyful camaraderie between them all.

It was a kind of harmony that felt foreign to me, though not unwelcome.

The staff member who had brought us to the lakeshore glanced at her phone and smiled. “It’s time to meet Rowan,” she said, looking at Morgan and Azurill. “But let’s give Azurill a moment to say goodbye to its family first.”

Morgan nodded and set Azurill down gently. “Go on,” she whispered.

Azurill hopped over to its family, chattering excitedly. Marill patted its head with a flipper, and Azumarill leaned down, touching noses with the little one. It was a tender, heartwarming moment, and when Azurill turned back to Morgan, its tail seemed to bounce higher with each leap.

“They’re so sweet,” Morgan murmured as Azurill nestled back into her arms.

We followed the staff member back toward the barn, where Rowan was waiting. When I saw him, his broad smile and easygoing demeanor made the knot of worry in my chest loosen, if only a little.

“Looks like you two are having a great time,” Rowan said, his eyes twinkling as he looked at Morgan and Azurill. “I’m glad you’ve already bonded so well. That’s what this is all about.”

Morgan grinned. “He’s perfect,” she said, giving Azurill a little squeeze.

Rowan turned to me. “And you, Uriel—you’re in luck. We do have a Paldean Wooper for you.”

My heart lifted at his words. For the first time since stepping foot in this place, I felt genuine excitement instead of nervous anticipation.

Rowan led us to a muddy area near the edge of the property. A dense forest loomed ahead, and the earthy smell of damp soil and leaves filled the air. “Careful,” Rowan warned. “It gets slippery here.”

We tread carefully through the mud, the squelching sound of our footsteps breaking the quiet. As we ventured deeper, I spotted a Paldean Wooper rolling gleefully in a shallow puddle of mud. Its dark, muddy skin contrasted with its cheerful demeanor, and it looked completely at home.

But something felt odd. There were webs scattered on the ground, glistening faintly in the dappled light filtering through the trees. Before I could ask about them, Wooper noticed us. It tilted its head to the side and waited patiently, its tail wagging slightly.

Only I stepped closer, crouching down to meet its gaze. “Hey there,” I said softly. “I’m Uriel. I’m starting my journey, and… I’d like you to be my first Pokémon.”

Wooper blinked at me, its expression unreadable but curious. “I’ll be honest,” I continued. “I’m nervous about this—about making the right choices. But I know that choosing you isn’t a mistake. I think we’ll make a good team.”

For a moment, Wooper remained still. Then, slowly, it waddled toward me, its tiny mouth latching onto my shirt.

“Hey! What—” I yelped as it tugged, pulling me toward the forest’s edge.

I got to my feet, dusting off my hands. “All right, all right,” I said, half laughing. “Show me what you want.”

Wooper led me closer to the trees, stopping just short of the forest line. Before I could wonder why, something small and yellow launched itself out of the leaves, landing squarely on my chest.

“Ah!” I yelped, falling backward and landing with a thud—thankfully on soft grass instead of mud.

The tiny Pokémon scurried up my shirt, its legs tickling me. When I finally managed to look down, I found myself face-to-face with a bright-eyed Joltik. It blinked at me, tilting its head as if curious.

Morgan and Rowan rushed over. Morgan helped me to my feet while Rowan sighed, shaking his head. “I was worried this might happen,” he muttered.

“What do you mean?” I asked, brushing mud off my pants.

Rowan gestured to Wooper and Joltik, who were now chattering at each other in what seemed like excitement. “That Wooper of yours has a protective streak. One day, it found Joltik injured and abandoned near the forest. It brought Joltik back here and has been looking after it ever since. If you want Wooper, you’ll have to take Joltik too—they’re inseparable.”

I looked at the two Pokémon, their bond obvious. Wooper seemed proud, while Joltik crawled back toward me, climbing onto my arm.

Doubt crept back into my mind. Could I handle the responsibility of two Pokémon? Was I ready for this?

Then I glanced at Morgan, who was cradling Azurill, and something clicked. Wooper and Joltik were like us—partners, family, watching out for each other. Who was I to separate them?

“If you think I can take care of both,” I said, looking at Rowan, “then I’ll do it.”

Rowan’s grin returned. “I don’t see why not. You’ve got the right heart for this.”

Morgan nudged me. “Go on,” she said with a grin. “Introduce yourself to Joltik properly.”

I held out my hand, and Joltik scrambled onto it, chirping happily before climbing into my hair. I laughed despite myself as its tiny legs tickled my scalp. Wooper, meanwhile, waddled to my side, its tail swishing in satisfaction.

Together, we followed Rowan back to the main building. Jenna was waiting for us in a bright, modern room that looked like a classroom, complete with desks and screens displaying maps and trainer guides.

“Ready to get started?” she asked, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

I looked at Wooper and Joltik, then at Morgan and Azurill. For the first time in a long while, I felt ready.

“Let’s do this,” I said.