It’s finally time. I’ve been waiting 14 years, though the first couple were sort of muddled. It’s time to get my first pokemon. This is something I’ve been wishing for since my first childhood.

I still won’t be a full trainer until I'm 15. New trainers are given their pokemon a year before they can start their journey to ensure they are strong enough to survive traveling.

Well, I only have one choice due to the family I was born in. Woe is me, right?

WRONG! I was lucky enough to be born into the Ortiz family, otherwise known as the caretakers of Charicific Valley. Being the son of one of the main family, I’m allowed my pick of the charmanders in the valley. If they agree to go with me, of course.

This is a huge boon! Needless to say, the charmander line at Charicific Valley is the best in the world. If I was born to an average family, they’d have to spend a lot of money to get a good pokemon, both in terms of pedigree and species. I’d probably have to settle for a more common species without any special heritage.

There was a chance of getting the Indigo sponsorship for a starter, but it was a lucky draw from the highest scoring students of Indigo. It was frowned upon for someone in a wealthy family to apply for the sponsorship, but I was happy with my charmander.

Speaking of my charmander… “Drako!” I yell as I run out of my house towards the charmander rearing section of the valley. I sprint full speed towards the enclosure, which was mainly to protect the charmander from unruly charmeleon or charizard.

Stopping at the gate, I put my hands on my knees and breathe deeply to catch my breath.

*BANG*. Heh, looks like someone else is excited as well.

I open the first gate and can see my charmander at the inner gate bouncing on his feet.

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Drako looks marvelous, with his gleaming orange scales and robust body. I catch a flicker of his tail flame, which is shooting up over his head.

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You see, I kind of cheated with Drako. Last year, in hatching season, there was an egg that was slightly bigger and darker than the rest. When I picked it up I could feel it in my gut that this was supposed to be my partner. We would go through thick and thin, always looking out for each other.

Then the panic hit me! I wouldn’t be able to choose a starter for a year! What if someone wanted my partner!?

I knew that I wouldn’t be able to Blood Bond with charmander until I turned 14, it could be hazardous to the health of both of us. But another factor was that when blood bonding with your first pokemon, it was better to use a pokemon under 6 months of age. This was because when you formed a Blood Bond with a pokemon, both of your energies mesh and enhance each other. If the pokemon is too strong it can overwhelm the trainer causing injuries or death.

All of this flashed through my mind as I held the yet unnamed Drako’s egg. I thought about hiding the egg and raising him in secret, but knew that wasn’t going to work. Furthermore, my mother raised me lovingly and the extended family had only helped me. I didn’t want to spit on their goodwill.

Calming myself, I put down the egg with care and decided to ask my grandpa. My grandpa was the eldest member of the clan and knew the most about pokemon. I briskly walked to his house and knocked on the door.

“Grandpa! Grandpa Ozai!” I yelled.

“What is it, you coot, Orick! Waking me up in my midday nap!” He yelled as he swung open the door. Behind him I could see his behemoth of a charizard resting, looking at me with one eye open.

“Sorry, Grandpa. It’s just that I ran into a problem.” I said with a sigh as I made my way by him and laid down with my back to his charizard.

“Alright, spit it out” He said as he closed the door and sat on a chair.

“Well, I was cleaning the charmander eggs in the main room when I saw one that stood out. I picked it up and it felt like we had a connection, almost as if I could feel the emotions pouring from the egg. Desiring greatness and power, but also friendship and love.” I start rambling. “I…I know this is the charmander for me. But I won’t be able to bond with a pokemon until I turn 14…”

“Huh, in the main room huh. Those are all the eggs from untested pedigrees. Are you sure you want to choose that one?... You know, I haven’t told anyone yet but Elise here is pregnant.” Grandpa gestured to his charizard and she snorted some flame. Her egg should be laid and born in time for your Blood Bond Ceremony.”

My mouth gaped. Elise was one of the strongest charizard in the valley. Any progeny of hers is sure to be astounding. My thoughts were whirling in confusion as I considered my options, but sure enough rising to the surface was the feeling I got while holding that charmander egg.

My face set with grim determination. “If you’re asking me which I want to choose, that means there is a way to keep the egg I found.”

“Haha! Always a smart one. Yes, there is a way. But it hinges on two conditions. First, if the charmander accepts you as a partner without the bond, this will lower the damaging aspects of the Blood Bond.” He said.

“And what’s the second condition?” I ask.

“Whether you are able to handle a lot of pain.” Grandpa Ozai said with a mad grin.