The morning sun peeked through Ethan’s window, casting a warm, golden light across his room. He stirred under the covers, stretching lazily as a familiar weight settled on his chest.
“Rattata, get off me,” Ethan muttered, though there was no real annoyance in his voice. His trusty companion had been doing this for years now—pouncing on him the moment it was time to wake up. With a soft chuckle, Ethan gently pushed the small purple Pokémon off and sat up, rubbing his eyes.
Rattata landed nimbly on the floor, tail twitching, before looking up at Ethan with a mischievous glint in its eye. It darted toward his backpack, already packed for the first day of middle school, and gave the strap a playful tug.
“Alright, alright, I’m up,” Ethan laughed, throwing the covers off. He reached down to ruffle Rattata’s fur. “Big day for us, huh? Can’t believe we’re finally heading to middle school.”
Rattata squeaked in agreement, hopping up to his shoulder, where it perched like always.
As Ethan grabbed his clothes and headed for the bathroom, he couldn’t help but smile to himself. It was hard to believe that seven years had passed since he first met Rattata. He could still remember that day so clearly—the day his parents gave him the best surprise of his life.
It was his first day of elementary school. Ethan, six years old and nervous, sat at the breakfast table with his head down, staring at his plate. His parents had tried to cheer him up with pancakes shaped like Poké Balls, but even those weren’t enough to chase away the butterflies in his stomach.
“I don’t wanna go,” Ethan had mumbled, poking at his food.
His mother had knelt beside him, placing a gentle hand on his back. “I know you’re nervous, sweetie. But guess what? We have a little surprise for you. Something to make today a bit easier.”
His father had appeared in the doorway, holding a small box with air holes in the top. When he placed it on the table in front of Ethan, the box wiggled slightly.
Ethan’s eyes had widened in wonder. “What… what is it?”
“Open it and see,” his father had said, grinning.
Ethan had slowly lifted the lid, and there, curled up inside the box, was the tiniest, fluffiest Rattata he’d ever seen. The Pokémon blinked up at him, its big eyes filled with curiosity. And then, without hesitation, it scrambled out of the box and into Ethan’s lap, sniffing at his clothes.
“Whoa…” Ethan had whispered, his heart racing. “Is it really mine?”
“Yup,” his dad had said, ruffling Ethan’s hair. “We thought you could use a friend on your first day.”
Ethan had hugged the little Rattata tightly, already feeling a surge of confidence he hadn’t known before. “Thank you! I’ll take care of him forever!”
From that day on, Rattata was by his side for everything—helping him through the ups and downs of elementary school, comforting him when he felt scared, and even making him laugh on the bad days. They had become inseparable, just like his parents had hoped.
Now, at thirteen, Ethan was about to embark on a new journey—middle school. It felt like the beginning of something bigger, but with Rattata perched on his shoulder, Ethan was sure of one thing: he wouldn’t be facing it alone.
Later that morning, Ethan hurried down the stairs, Rattata clinging to his shoulder like a second backpack. His mom greeted him at the door, handing him a lunchbox. “Big day, huh? Are you nervous?”
Ethan shook his head. “Not with Rattata. We’ve got this.” He glanced at his dad, who was reading the morning paper at the kitchen table. “I bet Rattata could win us a battle at school today if they had Pokémon duels.”
His dad chuckled. “Just remember, school’s about learning. You can save the battling for the weekends.”
Rattata squeaked proudly, puffing out its tiny chest.
As Ethan stepped outside, he turned to Rattata, grinning. “Think you’ll fit in my locker?”
Rattata looked up at him with wide eyes, as if to say, Not a chance.
The air was crisp as Ethan stepped outside, a cool breeze sweeping in from the sea, carrying the scent of salt and wildflowers. It was always like this in Cherrygrove. The small town sat nestled between the coast and rolling green hills, with the gentle sound of waves and the cries of Wingull overhead. Today, the sun shone brightly, casting a warm glow over the familiar cobblestone streets.
As Ethan walked, Rattata perched comfortably on his shoulder, sniffing at the salty air. The path to school was familiar, winding past the old Pokémon Center and a small pond where wild Magikarp often splashed about. Cherrygrove was the kind of town where everyone knew everyone, and it wasn’t long before Ethan ran into a familiar face.
“Hey, Ethan!” called a voice from behind him. Ethan turned to see his friend, Leo, jogging to catch up. Leo was a bit taller than Ethan, with messy brown hair and a Natu sitting calmly on his head, its tiny beak twitching as it scanned the horizon.
“Morning, Leo,” Ethan said with a grin. “You ready for middle school?”
Leo shrugged, glancing nervously at his Natu. “I guess. I heard the teachers are way stricter than elementary school. What about you?”
“I’m not too worried,” Ethan replied. “Rattata’s got my back.”
Rattata squeaked in agreement, standing proudly on Ethan’s shoulder as if it were the king of the world.
Leo laughed. “Yeah, I figured. I don’t think I’ve ever seen you without that Rattata. Do you think they’ll let us have our Pokémon into class?”
Ethan shrugged. “Probably not, but Rattata can chill in my backpack if I have to sneak him in.”
They both laughed at the thought of Rattata curled up inside Ethan’s bag, trying to stay out of sight.
As they continued down the path, the school building came into view—an old brick structure with ivy creeping up the sides, nestled just at the edge of town. The windows were open, and students were already gathering outside, talking excitedly about their new teachers and classes. Ethan felt a familiar twinge of excitement mixed with nerves. Middle school wasn’t just a new chapter; it was a step closer to the future.
“You still planning to become a teacher someday?” Leo asked, nudging him.
Ethan nodded, his eyes set on the school ahead. “Yeah, definitely. I think it’d be cool to help kids learn, especially about history or maybe Pokémon. Plus, if I become a teacher, I can keep battling on the side.”
Leo grinned. “You and your battles. You’d probably make it part of the lesson.”
“Why not?” Ethan said with a chuckle. “You can learn a lot from battling—strategy, teamwork, patience…”
Leo rolled his eyes. “Yeah, tell that to your Rattata. That thing’s been itching for a fight since it saw my Natu this morning.”
Ethan smiled and rubbed Rattata’s head. “We’ll get our battles in, don’t worry.”
Just then, another friend joined them—Maya, a girl with a bright smile and a Skiploom hovering beside her, its flower petals drifting lazily in the breeze. Maya had always been the most optimistic in their group, and today was no different.
“Good morning!” Maya greeted cheerfully. “First day of middle school! Are you guys excited?”
“Yeah, kinda,” Ethan replied. “Ready to get this over with so I can challenge Leo to a battle.”
Leo groaned. “I knew it!”
Maya giggled. “You two are always competing. Save it for after school! We’ve got bigger things to worry about—like finding our classroom.”
Ethan chuckled. “Fair point. But I’ve got a feeling today’s gonna be a good day.”
The three friends walked together, talking and laughing as they made their way to the entrance. Ethan could feel the excitement building. Middle school was new, sure, but with Rattata and his friends by his side, he felt like he could take on anything.
The three friends finally reached the schoolyard, which was buzzing with energy. Students gathered in clusters, catching up after the summer break, while others nervously checked their schedules. The building loomed ahead of them, its old brick walls a stark contrast to the bright morning sky.
Ethan paused at the entrance, his fingers lightly brushing Rattata’s fur as it nestled against his neck. He could feel the nervous energy rising in his chest. New teachers, new classes—it was a lot to take in, but having Rattata by his side made everything feel more manageable.
"Think they'll let us keep Pokémon out in class?" Maya asked, glancing at her Skiploom, which floated lazily just above her shoulder.
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"I doubt it," Leo replied. "But hey, maybe they'll let 'em hang out in the Pokémon care center. It’s supposed to be a thing here, right?"
Ethan smiled, nodding toward the large bulletin board just inside the entrance. "I heard about that too. Looks like they even have outdoor areas for training. Maybe we can check it out later."
Maya beamed. "Skiploom would love that! It’s been itching to stretch out in the sun."
As they made their way into the hallway, Ethan's eyes darted around, scanning the faces of unfamiliar students, teachers, and some Pokémon tucked into their trainers’ bags or hovering nearby. There was a slight nervous buzz in the air, but Ethan found it comforting. He wasn’t the only one feeling a bit overwhelmed.
Ethan caught sight of a group of kids gathered near a classroom door, already comparing battle strategies. He couldn’t help but feel a familiar rush of excitement. He loved battles, but he reminded himself he needed to focus on the first day—plenty of time for challenges later.
"Alright, what’s our first class?" Leo asked, fishing his schedule out of his backpack.
Ethan unfolded his own. "Looks like history with Mr. Blake," he said, pointing down the hall. "Room 201."
Leo made a face. "Ugh, history first thing in the morning? That’s rough."
Maya grinned. "I love history! It's like hearing stories from the past. I can’t wait to learn more about ancient Johto battles."
Ethan chuckled. "I like history too. Maybe I’ll get some ideas for my future career as a teacher."
Leo raised an eyebrow. "You’re still set on that, huh?"
"Of course," Ethan said confidently. "I want to help kids like me learn about the world. And, you know, maybe throw in some Pokémon battles in the lessons."
Maya giggled. "Knowing you, Ethan, that sounds about right."
As they reached Room 201, Ethan could see that some students had already settled in, chatting with their friends. The desks were arranged in neat rows, with a large chalkboard at the front of the room and old maps of Johto and Kanto lining the walls.
"Here goes nothing," Leo muttered, stepping through the door.
Ethan and Maya followed, and as they did, Ethan gently lowered Rattata from his shoulder, giving his partner a reassuring pat.
“Sorry, buddy. Looks like you’ll have to hang out in the backpack for now.” Rattata squeaked in protest but didn’t resist as Ethan gently placed him inside.
Maya leaned in. “Don’t worry, Rattata. We’ll be outside soon enough.”
The classroom buzzed with chatter as more students filled in. Ethan found a seat near the middle of the room, next to Leo, while Maya sat in front of them. They exchanged glances as they watched other students file in—some with Pokémon tucked away in their bags or quietly sitting by their feet.
Mr. Blake, a tall man with thinning hair and glasses perched on the end of his nose, walked in with a stack of books under one arm. He set them down on his desk with a thud and surveyed the room.
"Welcome to your first day of middle school," he began, his voice steady and calm. "I’m Mr. Blake, and this is your history class. We’ll be starting with the basics, but don’t get too comfortable. This year, we’ll be covering some of the more complicated aspects of Johto’s past—battles, politics, and the history of Pokémon training."
Leo groaned softly beside Ethan. "Why does it already sound hard?"
Ethan stifled a laugh. "Come on, Leo. You might actually learn something cool."
Mr. Blake glanced at the students, his eyes lingering for a moment on the bags that seemed to wriggle ever so slightly. "And just a reminder—no Pokémon out during class time. If you have any with you, make sure they stay in their bags or pokéballs unless I say otherwise."
Ethan felt Rattata shift a little in his backpack but quickly zipped it up just in case. He could already tell this class was going to be interesting—not just because of the history lessons, but because keeping Rattata under control was going to be an adventure of its own.
The classroom was settling in, but the occasional rustling and chirping sounds from the students' bags made it clear that many Pokémon weren’t thrilled about being confined. A faint buzzing from a student’s Yanma near the window seemed to set off a chain reaction—soon, a Meowth was pawing at the edge of its trainer’s desk, a Totodile was snapping playfully in the corner, and a small Mareep’s wool was crackling with static.
Mr. Blake paused his introduction, clearly aware of the growing chaos. He sighed but didn’t seem particularly surprised.
"Alright, alright, enough of that," Mr. Blake said, raising his hand. "Let’s keep things under control, shall we? I know it’s the first day and your Pokémon are excited, but unless they’re tucked away, it’s going to be pretty hard to get through this class. If you don’t have your Pokémon in a pokéball, please return them now. And there's always the Pokémon Care Center."
Some of the students looked around sheepishly. A few Pokémon, like the Totodile and Mareep, reluctantly returned to their trainers' sides, but it was clear that some kids weren’t prepared. A girl near the back tried unsuccessfully to coax her Jigglypuff into her arms, while another boy with a Hoothoot perched on his head simply looked baffled.
Mr. Blake caught the look on the boy’s face. "Don't have a pokéball, do you?"
The boy shook his head slowly, while Hoothoot hooted softly in response.
"Yeah, I figured as much," Mr. Blake said, rubbing his temples. "Listen up—if you don’t have a pokéball for your Pokémon, you’re not going to make it through school. And, frankly, you’re not going to be much of a trainer without one."
He walked over to his desk and opened a drawer, pulling out a small box filled with spare pokéballs. "Lucky for you, I always keep extras on hand for first-timers. If you don’t have one, come up here and grab one."
A few students, including the girl with the Jigglypuff and the boy with Hoothoot, scrambled to the front to collect their pokéballs.
As they returned to their seats, Mr. Blake continued, "Now, let me explain something important. Having a Pokémon with you is more than just fun or companionship—it’s about training and forming a strong bond. Catching a Pokémon in a pokéball is a crucial part of that bond. It’s a symbol of trust, and it allows you to help them grow stronger. So, for those of you who think it's just a ball... it's much more than that."
Ethan glanced over at Leo and Maya, who were already handling their own pokéballs. Rattata wriggled slightly in his backpack, but Ethan knew his partner would have no problem staying in the pokéball, so he called him back. Leo, with a casual flick of his wrist, tapped his pokéball against the side of his bag, recalling his Natu with a soft click. Maya followed suit, returning Skiploom to its pokéball with a cheerful hum.
Mr. Blake, satisfied with the classroom settling down, grinned. "Now, to introduce myself properly."
He reached for a pokéball of his own, casually tossing it into the air. It popped open with a metallic hum, and a large, floating Bronzong materialized in the center of the room, its bell-like body gently swaying as it hovered.
"This is my buddy, Bronzong," Mr. Blake said, resting his hand on the floating Pokémon’s side. "We’ve been together for years, and let me tell you—Bronzong’s been through it all with me. Now, I thought we could start the day off by introducing ourselves and our Pokémon. This way, we get to know each other before we dive into the history lessons."
He glanced around the room, making sure the students were paying attention. "Why don’t we start with... Ethan, right? Go ahead and introduce yourself."
Ethan felt a sudden rush of heat rise to his face as all eyes turned toward him. He cleared his throat awkwardly, reaching for the pokéball in his pocket. He pressed the button, and with a small burst of light, Rattata appeared on his desk, looking around eagerly.
"Uh, I’m Ethan," he said, his voice a little shaky at first. "And this is Rattata. We’ve been together since I was six, so... we’re pretty close."
Rattata chirped proudly, puffing out its chest.
Mr. Blake smiled. "A classic partnership. Nothing wrong with that. Nice to meet you, Ethan—and Rattata."
Leo was next. "I’m Leo, and this little guy is my Natu." Leo released his Pokémon, and Natu appeared beside him, giving a lazy chirp before slumping onto the desk, looking entirely uninterested in the proceedings. "He’s, uh, not exactly a morning Pokémon."
The class chuckled, and even Mr. Blake couldn’t help but smirk. "Natu’s got the right idea. Sometimes mornings are rough."
Maya followed, releasing her Skiploom into the air again. "I’m Maya, and this is Skiploom! We’ve been training together for a while, and she loves sunny days like today."
Skiploom floated happily above Maya’s head, spinning gently in the air.
As each student took turns introducing themselves and their Pokémon, the classroom slowly filled with a mixture of laughter, excitement, and the occasional Pokémon cry. Ethan felt a warm sense of belonging—it was comforting to be surrounded by others who cared so much for their partners.
Mr. Blake clapped his hands together once the introductions wrapped up. "Alright, looks like we’ve got a great group here. Now that we know each other a little better, let’s get started. Lessons come next."
Ethan glanced at Rattata, who gave him an encouraging nudge. He couldn’t help but feel like this was going to be a good year.
Mr. Blake glanced around the room, tapping a finger on his desk as if he were mentally counting. He furrowed his brow and cleared his throat, catching the attention of the class.
"Hold on a second," he said, surveying the room with a thoughtful look. "I count fifteen of you... but only fourteen Pokémon. Someone's missing a partner."
The students exchanged glances, murmuring among themselves. Ethan looked around and noticed a girl near the back, sitting quietly with her hands clasped on her desk. She seemed a little nervous, her cheeks flushing under the weight of Mr. Blake’s gaze.
"Hey, you in the back," Mr. Blake said, his tone softening as he pointed to her. "What’s going on? Didn’t bring your Pokémon today?"
The girl shifted in her seat and looked down, clearly uncomfortable with the sudden attention. "I... I don’t have one," she admitted quietly.
The class fell silent for a moment, and Ethan couldn’t help but feel a little bad for her. He knew what it was like to feel out of place, especially when everyone else seemed to have it all together.
Mr. Blake didn’t seem upset, though. He nodded, giving her a kind smile. "That’s alright. What’s your name?"
"Rachel," she replied, her voice just above a whisper.
"Well, Rachel," Mr. Blake began, "not everyone starts with a Pokémon, and that’s perfectly fine. Some trainers catch their first Pokémon later, and it’s never too late to start building that bond." He paused, eyeing the class with a spark of an idea. "Tell me, have you thought about catching one yourself?"
Rachel nodded, her nervousness fading slightly. "I’d love to, but it just never really occurred to me before."
"Then today’s your lucky day," Mr. Blake said, clapping his hands together with a grin. "Because I’ve just decided that during lunch break, the rest of the class will help you catch your first Pokémon."
There were a few surprised gasps and whispers, but most of the students seemed excited by the idea. Ethan, especially, could feel a surge of enthusiasm. He leaned forward, grinning at Leo and Maya, who were already looking as excited as he was.
"Really?" Rachel asked, her eyes widening in surprise.
"Really," Mr. Blake said with a nod. "We’ve got plenty of strong trainers in this class, and they’ll be more than happy to lend a hand. Catching your first Pokémon is a special moment, and it should be shared with friends. So, during lunch, we’ll head outside and make sure you leave today with a new partner by your side."
The room buzzed with excitement, students murmuring to each other about which Pokémon might appear nearby and how they’d help Rachel. Ethan felt his heart race at the thought of it. Not only was he eager to help, but he also couldn’t help but admire Mr. Blake for how he handled the situation. A history teacher who understood both lessons and people.
"That’s so cool," Ethan whispered to Leo. "I didn’t think he’d do something like that on the first day."
Leo grinned, nudging Ethan’s arm. "Looks like Mr. Blake might be alright after all."
Maya smiled as well. "It’ll be fun helping Rachel catch her first Pokémon. I wonder what we’ll find around here."
"Whatever it is, it’ll be exciting to see," Ethan said, his thoughts already racing ahead to lunchtime. He glanced at Rattata, who was still perched on the desk, twitching its nose with curiosity. The idea of helping someone catch their first Pokémon filled Ethan with a sense of purpose. This wasn’t just about schoolwork—it was about friendship and adventure, two things he loved most about being a trainer.
Mr. Blake, meanwhile, continued to speak, his tone now more instructional. "Alright, class, that’s settled then. We’ll head out at lunch. Until then, let’s focus on the lessons. History may not be as exciting as catching a Pokémon, but trust me, it’s still pretty important. Now, who can tell me the significance of the Bell Tower in Ecruteak City?"
Ethan could hardly focus on the question. His mind was already buzzing with thoughts of the upcoming lunchtime adventure and the bond Rachel would soon share with her very first Pokémon.