The sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm glow across the sprawling landscape of Alola. The air was thick with the scent of yellow hibiscus blossoms, a familiar aroma that filled the air around the cozy cottage nestled on the outskirts of Hau'oli City. Inside, a young boy named Ken sat at the kitchen table, his gaze fixed on a worn down notebook. His fingers traced the intricate illustrations of various Pokémon, his heart filled with a mix of excitement and anticipation. 

Ken was born and raised in Alola, a region known for its stunning natural beauty and diverse Pokémon population. His family, though not wealthy, lived a comfortable life, their home a testament to the hard work and determination of his parents. His father, a skilled fisherman, spent his days navigating the azure waters of the Alola islands, while his mother, a lab assistant at Professor Kukui's newly constructed research facility, dedicated her time to understanding the intricate workings of the Pokémon world. 

 As a reincarnated/transmigrated, Ken had been fascinated by Pokémon since he was very young. He spent countless hours sketching their forms in his notebook, trying to jot down as much information about them as his rapidly fading memories of his past life would allow. Often spending hours at the local library, cross referencing what he remembered versus the literature of the world he was now in. His mother, recognizing his passion, often brought back fascinating stories from the lab, sharing her insights into the latest research on Pokémon moves and training methods. 

He was particularly captivated by Professor Kukui's unconventional approach to training, a philosophy that emphasized the importance of understanding and nurturing the unique strengths of each Pokémon, developing and expanding their move pools to allow for better adaptation to different scenarios. This resonated deeply with Ken, he knew that he wanted to embark on his own Pokémon journey, but he also knew that he wanted to approach it differently. He didn't want to follow the traditional path of simply collecting every strong Pokémon he met and leaving them at a daycare for the rest of their lives once they left the main roster. He wanted to cultivate a deep bond with his Pokémon and fully understand their strengths and weaknesses.

Inspired by Professor Kukui's research, Ken began formulating his own unique philosophy. He envisioned an elite Pokémon team that focused on being able to thrive in any scenario, where each member would cover another's weakness, as well as bring out each other's strengths. He knew that this approach would require dedication, patience, and a willingness to accept that most battles would be facing an uphill challenge, but he was determined to prove that a different path to becoming a Pokémon Master could be just as effective, if not more so. 

To this end, Ken had to decide on a core Pokémon, his ace and starter. Flipping through his dog-eared notebook, he finally landed on a page with the sketch of an Annihilape. This would be his Trump, a great physical attacker boasting a massive movepool that covered 14 of the 18 types, only missing out on moves of Fairy, Steel, Water and Psychic type. Although Annihilape has four weaknesses, Flying, Psychic, Ghost and Fairy, it also has decent defensive and HP stats along with 2 great immunities to Normal and Fighting moves. It was convenient then, that he knew a colony of Mankey, Annihilape’s first form, lived not far from his house, in the woods that lined Route 3, just outside Melemele Meadow.

For weeks, Ken had done nothing but observe the Mankey colony, admiring their acrobatic antics and aggressive nature. Each day, he would climb to his favorite spot, a sturdy branch of a nearby tree, and watch them dart to and fro, engaging in playful but vicious melees, foraging for food, and jumping between trees with astonishing agility.

He made no rush in choosing his first Pokémon. In Ken's eyes, this was a momentous decision; the bond between a trainer and their first Pokémon was sacred. He believed that waiting for the right connection was just as important as the battle prowess of the Pokémon itself.

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As each day passed, Ken grew more captivated by one particular Mankey—a large male whose size dwarfed that of his companions, making him easily recognizable from his brethren. His fur was a striking shade of sandy brown, and his eyes sparkled with wisdom and intelligence. Ken had named him “Koa” in his mind, a fitting name that means warrior in Alolan.

The other Mankeys seemed to respect his authority, often hanging out around him, his presence seeming to calm their more aggressive instincts. Yet, Koa was aloof, often perched atop a branch far above the rest, sitting in a meditative stance, surveying his domain with an air of indifference.

Ken noted that Koa was quick-witted, but there was a layer of caution in his demeanor, a hint of a warrior who had faced challenges and emerged stronger. Ken felt an inexplicable pull toward him, believing that if he could form a bond with Koa, they would be unstoppable.

Weeks turned into a month, and Ken had developed a routine. Each day, he brought the Mankey colony snacks, carefully selecting as wide a range of berries he could find. He would sit quietly at the base of the tree, waiting for Koa to notice him.

At first, Koa was skeptical, often eyeing Ken with a mixture of curiosity and restraint. The other Mankeys would dash down to snatch the berries, which often degenerated into a brawl for their favorite berries, but Koa would remain perched up high. Ken understood that he had to earn Koa's trust, and that this could not be rushed.

He began to share stories aloud, recounting his dreams of becoming a different kind of Pokémon master, his philosophy of building up a small team of elites and of developing each member of his team to the limit. He spoke of the adventures he would go on to search and track down specific Pokémon and the bonds he wished to forge, not only with Koa but with the other Pokémon he envisioned on his dream team.

One sunny afternoon, after weeks of patience, Ken brought along a rare treat—a freshly picked Liechi Berry, known for its Spicy but mildly sweet flavor. He placed it on a smooth rock beneath the tree and sat back, waiting.

Koa’s gaze shifted, the tantalizing scent wafting through the air caught his attention. After a few tense moments, Ken could hardly breathe as Koa descended slowly, inching toward the berry. Ken remained still, heart pounding with excitement, watching as Koa approached the offering.

Koa sniffed the berry delicately, then grabbed it, taking a confident bite. Ken smiled softly, overwhelmed with joy. Little did he know, this was a pivotal moment in their relationship.

The next day Ken returned and was met with a surprise. Koa was waiting for him at his spot. The large Mankey swung down from his perch, his posture relaxed and friendly. Ken’s heart raced as he extended his hand out, offering another berry.

To his astonishment, Koa accepted it, taking it gently from his grasp. It was a small gesture but held immense significance. Ken knew they were on the right path.

Weeks passed, and Ken and Koa grew inseparable. Ken shared with Koa his origins, how he had been born again and had knowledge of the Pokémon world that came from another, and in return Koa encouraged Ken to train physically. Every morning at 6 am, Ken would meet up with Koa at the edge of the forest on Route 3, and run a circuit around Melemele Island. After the run, they would sit by the sea at Ten Carat Hill and Ken would brainstorm with his trusty notebook, jotting down ideas of every kind, what Pokémon would best compliment Koa’s future typing, how to train moves of different types, etc. and Koa would sit by his side in meditation, controlling the anger that his species was most notable for.

One night, instead of heading back into the trees of Route 3, Koa made his stance clear by grabbing onto Ken's hand, and they headed back home together, where Ken had prepared a premier ball weeks ago. 

"Mankey is a wonderful choice for you, Ken," his mother said, a warm smile on her face. "They are known for their unwavering loyalty and incredibly wide move pool, on par with that of a Normal type despite their Fighting type. But remember, training is not just about pushing them to their limits, it's about understanding their needs and guiding them to reach their full potential."

Ken nodded, grasping Koa’s premier ball tightly in his hand. This was the first step of his dream, and he had taken it.