Pokémon : The Perfect Path

Kanto Region - Pallet town

As Velkris made his way to Professor Oak's lab, he looked around at the Pidgeys perched atop the roofs of the houses in Pallet Town, their soft cooing blending with the morning breeze. His mind, however, was elsewhere, preoccupied with the decision that lay ahead—choosing his starter Pokémon. While many trainers picked their first partner based on personal preference or appearance, Velkris approached it with strategy in mind.

He knew that selecting Squirtle or Bulbasaur would give him an easy path through the first Gym in Pewter City, where Brock's Rock-type Pokémon would struggle against Water- and Grass-type moves. Bulbasaur, in particular, had the added advantage of resisting Misty's Water-type team in Cerulean City, making the early-game journey significantly smoother. Squirtle, while not as dominant against Misty, still had no major disadvantages and would eventually evolve into Blastoise, a solid tank with strong coverage options.

On the other hand, Charmander was the riskiest choice. While its final evolution, Charizard, was powerful, the early-game disadvantage was undeniable. Brock's Geodude and Onix would shrug off its Fire-type attacks, forcing him to rely on catching another Pokémon to get past the first Gym. Misty's Starmie in the second Gym would also be a major threat, making Charmander's path much more difficult. However, it would shine later in the game, especially against Erika's Grass-types and Koga's Poison-types.

Then there was the long-term perspective. Bulbasaur had an advantage against Brock, Misty, and even Lt. Surge's Electric-types, thanks to its resistance, but it would struggle against Blaine's Fire-types and Sabrina's Psychic-types later on. Squirtle, while balanced, would find the mid-game Gyms manageable but struggle against Erika's Grass-types. Charmander, despite its rough start, would have an easier time against later Gyms, but the early-game suffering could make things frustrating.

As he mulled over the choices, Velkris couldn't help but recall how, in past playthroughs, he had often defaulted to Squirtle or Bulbasaur simply for the ease of clearing the first few Gyms. It was efficient, sure, but also predictable. He had played through the game so many times that the standard strategies felt stale. Did he really want to follow the same path again, or was it time to challenge himself?

While that was the case in his reality, where Pokémon was just a game, here, in this world, choosing a starter was far more than a mere decision—it was everything. A strong starter meant not only a reliable partner but the foundation of a team that could battle and capture stronger Pokémon, forming a solid lineup for any trainer aspiring to reach the top. The bond with the first Pokémon was crucial, as it set the tone for the entire journey. With that weight on his shoulders, Velkris carefully considered his options.

He eventually settled on choosing Charmander. Despite it being a somewhat cliché choice, he couldn't help but think about all the legendary trainers who had dominated with their Charizards. It wasn't just Ash—Red, Alain, and even Leon, the Champion of Galar, all had Charizard as their ace. A Pokémon with two Mega Evolutions, a Gigantamax form, and a diverse movepool spanning multiple types made Charmander's evolutionary line an incredibly versatile powerhouse. Velkris knew that if he chose Charmander, he would have a team leader capable of adapting to nearly any battle that came his way.

But as he thought more about it, doubt crept into his mind. What if he was making a mistake? Choosing a starter based on its final evolution was a strategy that made sense, but in the world of Pokémon, things didn't always go as planned. He remembered how Ash's Bulbasaur and Pikachu had refused to evolve, stubbornly holding onto their original forms even after all these years. What if his Charmander had the same feelings? If it chose not to evolve, he wasn't sure how he would handle it. Could he still become the trainer he wanted to be if his starter refused to grow into its full potential?

Velkris exhaled slowly, realizing that no matter what decision he made, there would always be risks. But one thing was certain: Charmander would give him the flexibility and power he needed for the battles ahead. He just had to trust that the bond they formed would be enough to carry them through, even if the path wasn't as straightforward as he hoped. With that, he walked into Professor Oak's lab, his decision finally made—though the uncertainty still lingered in his heart.

As he contemplated which starter to choose, he quickly arrived at Professor Oak's lab and stepped inside. The lab was bustling with activity, with interns rushing from desk to desk, handling research equipment and data. Approaching one of them, he inquired about receiving his starter Pokémon. The intern gave him a strange look before leading him upstairs, informing him that the professor was currently tending to Pokémon in the field.

Realizing that he had arrived too early—the complete opposite of what Ash did in the show—Velkris sighed. Still, he couldn't just stand around lost in his thoughts, or he'd drive himself crazy from the endless debates in his mind. Wanting to make the most of his time, he requested permission to enter the research field and meet Professor Oak himself.

The intern, however, quickly refused. While the Pokémon in the research area were much tamer than their wild counterparts, they could still be dangerous to a 16-year-old who had never handled a Pokémon before. Velkris couldn't hide his disappointment at losing the opportunity to interact with them, but he quickly cheered up. After all, his journey was about to begin, and as a wise man once said, a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. Right now, patience was key.

But it seemed fate had other plans. Just as he was about to respond to the assistant, a voice suddenly called out from behind him.

"Ah… a young trainer here to receive his starter, I presume? Wonderful! Wonderful! And it seems he's quite enthusiastic about the Pokémon in the field as well."

Hearing the new voice, the assistant immediately lowered his head in respect and greeted the newcomer. "Ah, Professor, I wasn't informed that you'd be arriving two days earlier than scheduled."

"Hahahahaha! Don't call me 'Professor'—I'm not one yet. I'm just standing on the shoulders of legends," the man replied with a grin. "I'm here to consult with Professor Oak about Amoonguss and why they mimic a Poké Ball—especially considering that Poké Balls weren't even invented when they evolved. What purpose does this mimicry serve? Why did they develop as predators, luring in prey with a Poké Ball's appearance? Could it be that Poké Balls are inherently enticing to wild Pokémon? I'd been discussing this with Professor Rowan, and he suggested that I consult with Professor Oak regarding the matter as well."

As the professor spoke enthusiastically about Amoonguss, he suddenly paused, as if snapping back to reality. He glanced at the intern, then at Velkris, before a small smile formed on his lips.

"Well, why not let the kid come with me to meet Professor Oak? I have strong enough Pokémon to protect both myself and him," he said confidently. "Besides, I see the fire in his eyes—the desire to learn about and bond with Pokémon. That's not something you see in just any trainer. It's a trait found in those who are truly serious about their Pokémon.

"I've met plenty of elites with that same look in their eyes. When you travel across regions, researching Pokémon from all sorts of places, you tend to come across some truly amazing trainers. And personally, I believe no one should stand in the way of a young trainer's dreams."

He suddenly chuckled, rubbing the back of his head. "Ah, I completely forgot to introduce myself! I'm Professor Light—well, at least I will be, once I finish my research on Pokémon and their connection to emotion, adaptability, and of course, my study on Amoonguss."

As the man introduced himself, Velkris felt a wave of shock wash over him—not just because of the sudden appearance of a professor he had never seen in the anime, but because something even more unexpected was happening.

His vision blurred, a strange tingling sensation spreading through his mind. When his sight cleared, he was no longer just looking at Professor Light—he was staring at a white screen with intricate gold borders, floating in front of him like a holographic display.

A system notification.

His breath hitched. This wasn't normal. This wasn't something that should exist in the world of Pokémon as he knew it. Yet, the glowing text in front of him was unmistakably real.

<——————————————————>

[New Mission: An Unconventional Beginning]

Description: A new force has appeared in this world—Professor Light, a rising researcher with a deep understanding of Pokémon and their connection to emotions and adaptability. Instead of choosing your starter from Professor Oak, fate has offered you a different path. Will you embrace this change and receive your first Pokémon from Professor Light?

Objectives:

Accept Professor Light's offer to accompany him.

Receive your first Pokémon from him instead of Professor Oak.

Rewards:

??? (Anomaly Pokémon) – A unique Pokémon unlike any other, with hidden potential.

Starter Trainer Pack – Includes essential items to aid you on your journey.

Failure Condition: Declining the offer or choosing a starter from Professor Oak instead.

<——————————————————>

Velkris's eyes widened as he read through the mission. An Anomaly Pokémon? That alone made this an intriguing opportunity. And what was this Starter Trainer Pack? If this system was offering rewards, that meant it had knowledge beyond what he could normally access.

But at the same time… this was a deviation from the original path.

Taking his starter from Professor Oak was supposed to be the standard beginning. If he accepted this mission, his journey would change completely. Was that a good thing or a bad thing? He had no idea.

He clenched his fists, staring at the glowing screen. This was his choice to make.

Would he follow the familiar path? Or step into the unknown?

As Velkris absentmindedly nodded at both of them, the professor began walking toward the field, and Velkris followed. His mind was torn apart by the weight of the choices ahead of him. What starter should he choose? Should he lean toward one of the classics, like Bulbasaur or Squirtle, or take a more unconventional path? Despite the swirling doubts, he found himself oddly calm. After enough contemplation, he decided to accept whatever came his way. He had to. He already knew this rebirth was a gift—whether from Alba Andes or Arceus—and if such a system had been granted to him by Arceus, then he had no choice but to embrace it.

Even if this mysterious system hadn't been given to him, Velkris was confident in his own abilities. He'd rise to Elite Four-level strength in this world, regardless of what it threw at him. He already knew how repetitive training the same Pokémon from the games could get. This time, it was different—this time, it felt like a new challenge, something that would push him to his limits.

As they walked through the research field, Velkris couldn't help but be captivated by the vibrant life all around them. He glanced at the Pokémon that roamed freely, some of them interacting with each other in ways that felt almost human. A Rattata hopped past him, its ears perked up as it tilted flicked its head at him. A nearby Pidgey took flight, circling in the air above them before settling back onto a nearby post.

It was a peaceful, yet lively environment, and for a moment, Velkris found himself in awe of the diversity of life. Professor Light was talking excitedly about his latest research, but Velkris barely heard him, his attention split between the Pokémon and the thoughts swirling in his head.

"What if I got an Amoongus?" Velkris mused, considering the professor's uncontainable passion for the Pokémon. It seemed like Amoongus was something the professor had a particular interest in, almost as if it were his pet project. Velkris couldn't help but wonder what it would be like to work alongside a Pokémon that was so intricately linked to its environment, almost like a mimic, blending in with the surroundings to lure prey. He imagined the mystery and intrigue that would come with studying such a Pokémon.

His curiosity only deepened as he remembered what he'd learned about Amoongus: its ability to mimic Poké Balls and lure prey with that very mimicry. Was it a strategy for survival, or something more complex? And how could he use such a unique Pokémon to his advantage in battle? He began to mentally explore the strategies he'd need to adopt if he ended up with an Amoongus as part of his team.

Amoongus wasn't just any Pokémon; it was a trickster. Velkris could already see how the Spore move would be invaluable in disabling his enemies, making it the perfect setup for his other Pokémon to strike. With Regenerator, he could use it as a switch-in to absorb hits and heal back damage. It was clear to him now: Amoongus could serve as the perfect disruptor, throwing off opponents with status effects like Toxic or Spore, while setting up hazards with Toxic Spikes.

Velkris also thought about Amoongus's bulk—how it could absorb hits that would otherwise cripple a weaker Pokémon. Its Poison typing was a mixed blessing, giving it extra resistances to Fairy and Fighting moves but also making it vulnerable to Psychic types. Velkris would need to balance that with a careful team composition. He'd have to make sure he had something to cover for the Psychic weakness, perhaps choosing a dark-type or ghost-type partner to round out his team.

Velkris thought as he listened to the professor talk about the research. He could tell that the professor's focus on Amoongus wasn't just about the surface level—there was something more beneath it.

"Ah, we're here!" The professor's voice snapped Velkris back to reality, and he realized they'd reached the edge of the field, where a group of Pokémon were gathered. There was a Togepi gently nestled in the grass, a few Caterpie weaving through the trees, and even a Mankey playfully hopping between rocks.

As Velkris looked around, his thoughts still on Amoongus, he felt something stir inside him. No matter what starter he received, this world was going to push him to think in new ways, make new connections, and most importantly, embrace the unknown. Whether it was a new Pokémon like Amoongus or something more familiar, Velkris was ready for whatever challenge awaited him.

"This is going to be one incredible journey," he muttered to himself as he followed Professor Light toward the next chapter of his adventure.