The excitement in the air was almost tangible as Jenna placed three Pokéballs on the desk in front of us. “All right, you two. It’s time to officially catch your Pokémon. This is the first step to solidifying your bond with them.”

I glanced down at Wooper and Joltik, who both stared back at me expectantly. Morgan’s Azurill hopped in circles on the floor, her tail bouncing higher with each jump. Morgan was practically buzzing with enthusiasm, and I couldn’t help but smile a little.

Jenna handed Morgan her Pokéball first. She kneeled to Azurill’s level, holding the ball out. “Okay, Azurill. Ready to make this official?”

Azurill chirped excitedly, bouncing up to tap the Pokéball with its tail. The red light engulfed it, and the ball wobbled briefly before clicking shut. Morgan let out a squeal of joy, holding the ball up. “We did it! Now we’re partners forever!”

“Your turn, Uriel,” Jenna said, passing me two Pokéballs.

Wooper tilted his head, and Joltik crawled onto my shoulder, his small legs tickling my skin. I crouched down, holding a Pokéball in each hand. “So, uh, let’s make this official?”

Wooper slapped his tail on the ground in what I hoped was approval. I extended the ball, and he pressed his nose against it. Like Azurill, he disappeared into the red light, and the ball clicked shut.

Joltik leapt onto the other Pokéball without hesitation, vanishing inside just as quickly. I exhaled, feeling a strange mix of relief and responsibility settle in my chest.

Morgan was already twirling her Pokéball in her hand. “Now comes the fun part: names! Azurill definitely needs the perfect name. What about Splashy?”

Azurill reappeared from the Pokéball, hopping up and down as if in protest. Morgan frowned. “Okay, not Splashy. How about Bubble? No? Hmm… Blueberry!”

Azurill chirped happily, bouncing high enough to reach Morgan’s outstretched hands. “Blueberry it is!” she said with a laugh, cradling him.

I looked down at Wooper and Joltik, who were back on the floor. “All right, you two. Let’s see… For Wooper, what about Swampy?”

Wooper stared at me, unblinking.

“Uh, okay. How about Sludge?”

No reaction.

Morgan giggled. “You’re terrible at this.”

“Fine,” I muttered. “What about Delta?”

Wooper’s tail wagged furiously, and he let out a happy cry.

“Delta it is, then,” I said, smiling. “And for you, Joltik… Spark? Buzz? Neon?”

At the mention of Neon, Joltik crawled onto my hand and clicked his mandibles excitedly.

If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

“Neon,” I repeated, nodding. “Okay, Neon, it is.”

With the nicknames settled, Jenna clapped her hands. “Well done, you two. But we’ve got to keep moving—there’s still a lot to do today. We need to get you registered as trainers and check you and your Pokémon into the Pokémon Center for a health evaluation. Let’s go.”

We said our goodbyes to Rowan, thanking him again for everything, and piled into the car. Morgan was already chatting away about the circuit and what gym they might challenge first, while I stared out the window, my thoughts a tangled mess.

The Pokémon Center in Jubilife City was unlike anything I’d ever seen. It was a massive, sleek building with glass walls that reflected the towering skyscrapers around it. Inside, the lobby was bustling with trainers and their Pokémon. Some were chatting in groups, showing off their partners, while others sat quietly, waiting for their turn at the counter.

Nurse Joy stood behind the main desk, her pink hair neatly styled, and a Chansey by her side handed out forms to waiting trainers. The room was filled with the hum of conversation, the occasional cry of a Pokémon, and the soft ding of machines in the background.

Morgan nudged me. “This place is huge!”

“Yeah,” I said, scanning the area. It felt overwhelming—like stepping into a world I wasn’t sure I belonged in.

Nurse Joy greeted us with a warm smile. “Welcome! Are you here to register as trainers?”

Jenna nodded. “That’s right. They’re new trainers, and their Pokémon need a quick checkup too.”

“Of course,” Nurse Joy said. “Please follow me.”

She led us to a waiting area and gestured to the seats. “It’ll be just a moment. Feel free to let your Pokémon out in the meantime.”

As Morgan released Blueberry, I hesitated before calling out Delta and Neon. The three Pokémon immediately began interacting, with Blueberry bouncing happily around the other two.

I leaned back in my seat, watching them. “Morgan, are we really ready for this?”

Morgan tilted her head, surprised. “What do you mean?”

“I mean, we don’t exactly have a plan,” I said quietly. “Traveling is dangerous. What if something happens to us—or to them? What if this was a mistake?”

Morgan frowned, but her voice was steady. “Uriel, this is our chance. We’ve spent so long just surviving, doing whatever we had to do to get by. This journey… it’s our chance to move past that. To build something better.”

I wanted to argue, but the conviction in her eyes stopped me.

“And besides,” she added with a small smile, “we’ve got each other. As long as we stick together, we’ll be fine.”

I sighed, running a hand through my hair. “I just don’t want to let you down.”

“You won’t,” she said firmly. “We’ll figure it out. Together.”

Before I could respond, Nurse Joy returned. “We’re ready for you now. Please hand over your Pokéballs for the Pokémon checkup.”

After a series of examinations and questions, both for us and our Pokémon, we stood in front of a camera for our trainer ID photos. Morgan struck a playful pose, while I managed a small, nervous smile.

When our cards were handed over, Morgan held hers up proudly. “This is it, Uriel! We’re official now!”

Jenna smiled as she guided us back to the car. “Now, let’s get you signed up for the circuit.”

As we drove through Jubilife City, I couldn’t help but marvel at the towering skyscrapers, the bustling streets, and the trainers practicing battles in small clearings. It was a city of possibilities—but also a reminder of the hardships we’d faced to get here.

I watched a street battle unfold, the trainers shouting commands as their Pokémon clashed. A shiver ran down my spine. This was the world we were stepping into—a world that could be as harsh as it was exciting.

Back at the apartment, we let our Pokémon roam free. Delta waddled around curiously, while Neon crawled onto the furniture. Blueberry hopped into Morgan’s arms, chirping happily.

Morgan flopped onto the couch, grinning. “We’re really doing this, Uriel. Tomorrow, everything starts.”

I nodded, sitting beside her. “Yeah. Let’s make the most of it.”

After a quick dinner, we headed to bed. As I lay there, Delta curled up at my feet, and Neon settled near my pillow. I glanced over at Morgan, who was fast asleep with Blueberry tucked into her arms.

For the first time in a long while, I felt a glimmer of hope. Whatever came next, we’d face it together.