After jogging for what felt like hours, but in reality was only five minutes, Lucas arrived at an old, wooden signpost. That definitely should have been replaced a few years back, Lucas thought to himself. "Here goes nothing," he said to Growlithe as he stepped onto the route.
Almost immediately, a call rang out that had him nearly jumping out of his skin. "Hey, you there! Let's have a battle!" the trainer called out, pointing to Lucas with determination in his eyes. The challenger, a boy around Lucas's age, stood confidently with his Bidoof ready at his side.
Lucas smiled, accepting the challenge. "Alright, let's do this! Go, Growlithe!" he exclaimed, releasing Growlithe from her sitting position beside him. He could feel the excitement boiling up inside him. A real-life battle! My first official battle! He could barely contain himself as he took his martial artist's first ready position, stretching out his hand and motioning for the trainer to come at him.
"Errr, okay," the trainer looked at him, tilting their head but then commanded, "Bidoof, use Tackle!"
"Dodge quick then use Ember!" Lucas called, moving into his second pose. Bidoof, not the fastest Pokémon, charged towards Growlithe with its eyes closed, expecting a collision, only to open them in surprise when none came. Growlithe had successfully leapt, albeit clumsily, out of the way and sent an ember into the side of Bidoof, scorching its fur and skin.
Lucas winced at the sight and looked at the trainer in front of him, who slumped a little and called out, "I forfeit." This surprised Lucas, as he had thought that in the games, you battled these types of trainers until they fell unconscious. But after a bit, he shrugged and called Growlithe back to his side, and the trainer returned Bidoof to its Pokéball.
"Good battle," he called over.
"Yeah," the trainer called back. "Good battle." They met in the middle and shook hands. After that, the trainer handed him 50₽ and was about to walk off when Lucas quickly said, "You know, your Bidoof was closing its eyes when it ran at Growlithe. Maybe if it had kept its eyes open, it would have seen her dodge and move to hit it."
The trainer gave him an assessing look then smiled. "Thanks, I'll be sure to work on that." Lucas nodded, and the trainer opened his mouth again. "You know, I've been meaning to ask, what's with all those poses you were doing? You looked like an idiot."
Lucas blanched at that and said in a defensive tone, "Hey, there's no need for that. I just wanted to display my martial artist status." Lucas crossed his arms and narrowed his eyes at the trainer.
The trainer put his hands up in a gesture of peace. "Oh, sorry, I just didn't get that is all." He tapped a finger on his chin while Lucas glared at him. I just beat you, shouldn't you be a little more humble? he thought. The trainer clicked his fingers and said, "I've got it—it's your outfit."
It was Lucas's turn to look confused and tilt his head. The trainer continued, "What you're wearing looks as if you're a casual trainer, not a martial artist." He motioned to his outfit. "Sorry, it just looks dumb doing those poses in a pair of jeans."
Lucas looked down and contemplated. While he had plenty of memories of growing up, his chosen style just didn't add up to the martial artist he aspired to be. He nodded again, and the two trainers walked away from each other.
As he and Growlithe walked along the route, he mulled over what the trainer had said. "Wait, shit, I completely forgot to ask his name!" Slapping a palm to his forehead and earning a chuckle out of Growlithe, after ruffling the fire canine's fur, he looked down at his outfit again.
He wore a plain black T-shirt with a light blue long sleeve button shirt over the top and a beat-up old jacket that he'd tied around his waist. Then he had a comfortable pair of navy jeans with the cuffs rolled up to display black socks and a pair of plain black hiking boots. On his hands, he had a memento of his dad's trainer days with a pair of fingerless gloves that were probably as old as he was. All in all, the trainer had been right, he thought. I definitely need to put getting a proper outfit onto the 'to-do' list.
With a nod to himself, he looked at Growlithe and said, "Come on, girl, let's make it to Sandgem Town before 2, so we can get some lunch." After saying that, he began his jogging again to start conditioning his body as he made his way to Professor Rowan's Lab.
The route to Sandgem Town was a path he had taken many times in his games, but experiencing it in this reality was entirely different. Every rustle in the bushes, every chirp and whistle from the Pokémon hidden in the foliage felt like a call to adventure.
As they made their way along the winding path of Route 201, Lucas couldn't help but stop and marvel at the Pokémon they encountered. A flock of Starly took off from the bushes, their wings beating in unison, while a Bidoof, busy with its morning foraging, paused to give Lucas and Growlithe a curious glance before continuing its task.
These encounters reminded Lucas of the vast and varied world of Pokémon he had stepped into. Each Pokémon, with its own habits and personality, added layers to the tapestry of this world that he had only begun to unravel.
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Growlithe, ever vigilant, stayed close to Lucas, her eyes darting around, ready to protect him at a moment's notice. Lucas appreciated her loyalty and felt a bond strengthening between them with every step they took together.
The path began to slope gently upwards as they neared Sandgem Town, the landscape opening up to reveal fields dotted with wildflowers and the distant outline of the town ahead. Lucas's heart raced with anticipation. The thought of meeting Professor Rowan, a character he had admired for so long, now a reality, was both exhilarating and daunting.
He recalled the countless hours spent playing the games, the strategies and battles, the victories and defeats. All those experiences had led him to this moment, standing on the brink of his own Pokémon journey.
As they entered Sandgem Town, the tranquility of the place struck Lucas. It was peaceful, a stark contrast to the bustling cities he was used to. People greeted him with smiles and nods, a sense of community evident in every interaction.
Reaching the research center, Lucas paused, taking a moment to collect his thoughts. Growlithe nudged his hand, offering support. Lucas smiled, grateful for her presence. The sun was high in the sky, casting a warm glow over the quaint building nestled on the outskirts of Sandgem Town. The lab, a modern structure with sleek lines and large windows, contrasted sharply with the rustic charm of the surrounding area. Its white walls reflected the sunlight, making it appear almost ethereal against the backdrop of lush greenery and the distant mountains.
The air was filled with the scent of the sea, mixed with a hint of something more sterile—clean and crisp, like freshly laundered linens. The sound of the ocean's waves provided a soothing backdrop, but as Lucas neared the building, the soundscape shifted. The faint buzz of machinery and the occasional chirp of a Pokémon from inside the lab became audible, blending with the natural sounds outside.
Lucas hesitated at the bottom of the steps leading to the lab's entrance, an imposing door of polished wood with a brass knocker. The enormity of what he was about to do suddenly weighed on him. This lab, a nexus of knowledge and discovery in the world of Pokémon, felt like a gateway to the unknown. The air around him felt charged with potential, and a shiver of anticipation ran down his spine.
Taking a deep breath, he noticed the smell of the sea growing fainter, replaced by the clean, sharp scent of technology and progress that emanated from the building. The lab's exterior was meticulously maintained, with potted plants adding a touch of green to the stark white façade. Every detail, from the neatly trimmed hedges to the clear, polished windows, spoke of precision and care.
As Lucas moved up the steps, his hand reached out almost of its own accord to knock on the door. The sound of his knock echoed slightly, a sharp, definitive sound that seemed to mark the beginning of his journey. Inside, he could hear the faint sound of footsteps approaching, a reminder that he was about to step into a world where his dreams and ambitions could become reality.
The moment before the door opened was suspended in time for Lucas. He was acutely aware of everything—the warmth of the sun on his back, the slight breeze that ruffled his light blue hair, and the steady beating of his heart. This wasn't just any building; it was a place where his future would start to unfold, where he would take the first real steps toward becoming the Pokémon trainer and martial artist he dreamed of being.
As the door swung open, revealing the interior of Professor Rowan's Lab, Lucas stepped forward, ready to embrace the adventure that awaited him.
Stepping into Professor Rowan's Lab, Lucas was immediately enveloped by the bustling atmosphere of scientific pursuit and Pokémon care. The interior was a stark contrast to the simple elegance of the outside, with every surface bustling with activity. Screens displayed colorful data graphs and maps of the Sinnoh region, while shelves overflowed with books and Poké Balls. The air was filled with a mix of electronic hums and the distant sounds of Pokémon, creating an environment that was both inviting and overwhelming.
As Lucas took it all in, a receptionist spotted him from across the room. She quickly ushered him over to the front desk, her expression a mixture of curiosity and mild irritation. "Why are you here so late?" she asked, her tone implying that his tardiness was an anomaly in the well-ordered world of the lab.
Lucas did a double-take, confusion clear on his face. "I was sure I was on time," he stammered, but the receptionist checked her watch and corrected him, "No, you are one hour, thirty-seven minutes, and—now—twenty-four seconds late."
At this, Lucas winced and apologized, his mind racing. Damn, I really must have been ogling all those Pokémon a lot and wasting time. 'Be more disciplined' on the 'to-do' list, he thought ruefully. The receptionist sighed but didn't comment further, simply instructing Lucas to wait until he was called to claim a starter.
As he sat in the waiting area, Lucas's thoughts turned excitedly to the prospect of receiving a Chimchar. He had always imagined starting his journey with the fiery monkey Pokémon, dreaming of the adventures they would have together. However, after a few more minutes of waiting, filled with anxious anticipation, his name was finally called.
Entering the room to collect his starter, Lucas was met with a surprising sight. Instead of the array of Poké Balls he had expected, there was only one left. Professor Rowan, looking apologetic, explained the situation. "I'm sorry, there aren't any more of the Sinnoh starters left. You should have come here earlier. There was a little mishap involving a couple of grunts from Team Galactic, but I do have one other starter to offer you."
Lucas took a moment to process the information, disappointment mingling with surprise at the casual mention of Team Galactic. The thought of not getting a Chimchar was disheartening, but he quickly recovered, saying, "If I can't have a Chimchar, then the only thing I ask is that it's not a Pikachu."
Professor Rowan looked momentarily confused at the request but shrugged it off. "Don't worry, it's not," he assured Lucas before opening the lone Poké Ball. A burst of light revealed a Torchic, the small fire-type chick Pokémon looking up at Lucas with curious, eager eyes.
The initial shock of not receiving a Chimchar faded as Lucas looked down at the Torchic. The disappointment was quickly replaced by a burgeoning sense of excitement and possibility. Here was a Pokémon from Hoenn, known for its bravery and loyalty, and as it took its first tentative steps towards him, Lucas felt a new chapter of his journey beginning. This Torchic, unexpected and full of potential, was now his partner, and together, they were about to embark on an adventure that would surpass anything Lucas had ever imagined.