Pokémon : The Perfect Path

Kanto Region - Pallet town

As both Velkris and Professor Light arrived at the designated spot, they saw Professor Oak engaged in conversation with a spiky-haired boy. Velkris immediately recognized him as none other than Gary Oak from the anime. As they got closer, he overheard Gary speaking in an impatient tone.

"Grandpa, what's taking so long? Shouldn't the starters have been given out by now?"

Professor Oak, ever patient, chuckled. "Calm down, Gary. The trainers who are supposed to receive their Pokémon haven't all arrived yet. We have to wait a little longer."

Velkris, hearing this, quickly realized something—he must be one of the trainers. He did remember registering for the Trainer Program with Professor Oak.

As they approached, Professor Oak noticed them and greeted them warmly. "Ah, welcome! I'm glad to see you both. And Professor Light, I must say, your recent thesis on Pokémon emotions was truly fascinating."

Professor Light scratched the back of his head, looking a little embarrassed. "Ah, well… I just wanted to explore a different perspective. But thank you, Professor Oak."

Gary, standing with his arms crossed, gave Velkris a gaze once-over before stepping forward with a confident smirk."Well, well, if it isn't Velkris. Looks like someone's actually on time for once." Gary smirked, but his tone was laced with a hint of respect. "Guess I'll have to keep my eye on you. You're not as reckless as some other trainers I know, so I'm curious to see just how good you really are." He offered a half-smile. "Let's see if you can keep up when things get real, Because I'm going to be the best trainer of this generation."

Velkris immediately caught the phrasing—"best of this generation." Not the greatest of all time. It didn't take much to figure out why. Red and Blue, both from Pallet Town, were legendary trainers in their own right. Even Gary, as arrogant as he seemed, must have acknowledged that he wasn't at their level.

But the way he said this generation made Velkris realize something else—it was an indirect jab. The only other notable trainer starting this year from Pallet Town was Ash. Gary had carefully chosen his words, implying that among his peers, there was no competition.

Professor Oak chuckled. "Always so confident, Gary."

Gary smirked. "Well, someone's gotta carry on the Pallet Town legacy."

Velkris could already tell—this rivalry was going to be an interesting one.

But then, Velkris began thinking about how to refuse the starter Pokémon from Professor Oak and convince Professor Light to give him one instead. The system hadn't provided any instructions for this, making it clear that it wouldn't simply hand out rewards without effort. Still, this mission seemed relatively easy, likely because it was the first one.

As Velkris was contemplating how to complete his mission, Professor Oak clapped his hands together and said, "Alright, enough dawdling around here! It's time for you all to get started on your journey. Follow me to the lab to receive your first partner."

With that, Professor Oak began walking toward the lab, with Professor Light, Gary, and Velkris following closely behind.

As expected, two other trainers had already arrived ahead of them. However, the presence of one among them was enough to catch both Gary and Velkris completely off guard. Standing there, looking unusually punctual for once, was none other than Pallet Town's infamous oversleeper—Ash Ketchum.

Even Professor Oak seemed momentarily surprised at Ash's early arrival. "Well, this is unexpected," he muttered under his breath, as he eyed the young trainer."

Velkris thought about how Oak must have known Ash would arrive late to receive Pikachu, considering he had used time travel to meet Professor Oak's younger self through Celebi, as depicted in the movie. He also reflected on how Ash's early presence could only be due to his existence here.

"Well, this is concerning," Professor Oak remarked, putting on an act as he looked over the four trainers and the three Poké Balls on the machine. He had already planned to give the three starters to Velkris, Gary, and the other trainer. Pikachu, of course, was reserved for Ash, ensuring that Ash would travel back in time with Celebi to meet Oak's younger self. Oak had to be careful not to cause any butterfly effects by giving Ash a different Pokémon, but for the sake of formalities, he had to make the announcement.

With a sigh, Oak continued, "Ah, I could only arrange these three tamed Pokémon to give out as starters," gesturing toward the Pokémon on the machine. A Squirtle waved its little hand, a Charmander wagged its tail in excitement, and a Bulbasaur lay on its back, sleeping as if it couldn't be bothered by what was going on. "There are more Pokémon, but they aren't tamed enough to be given out as starters. They're either too young or too old to follow your commands... Hmm, this is such a dilemma. Well, there's only one solution: one of you will have to wait to receive the next batch of starters."

After a brief pause, Velkris and Ash both volunteered to wait, surprising Oak. He had expected Ash to step forward—after all, Ash had always shown his selflessness. But Velkris? Oak hadn't expected him to volunteer. After all, Velkris wasn't impulsive or rash like Ash. Oak had only asked the question out of formality, never thinking that Velkris would take the offer.

Velkris, however, had already decided. He had come to a quiet understanding with himself that this moment wasn't about him receiving his starter right away. He had his own reasons for wanting to wait, but he was also aware of how important this moment was for Ash.

It wasn't surprising to Velkris that Ash volunteered; he knew Ash well enough to understand that his friend would always put the needs of others first, no matter what. Ash's empathy and kind-hearted nature often took precedence over his own desires. Velkris had always respected that about him, even if Ash could be a bit savage at times—a trait that was thankfully in the past. Or was it? Velkris chuckled quietly to himself, knowing Ash's unpredictability.

The other trainer, relieved by the decision, sighed softly, happy that they wouldn't have to wait. But just before Professor Oak was about to announce Ash as the one who would wait and convince Velkris to select a Pokémon, Velkris spoke up, his voice steady and calm.

"Professor, although I was excited to receive my starter, I won't be dissatisfied with waiting. This is something I learned from Professor Light today: 'You never stand in the way of a young trainer's dream.'"

Velkris said it with a quiet confidence that caught the attention of everyone in the room, including Professor Light.

As the room fell into a brief silence after Velkris spoke, Professor Light observed him quietly, clearly impressed by the maturity Velkris had shown. It was a rare sight—a young trainer with the composure to not only recognize the importance of someone else's dream but also to set aside his own desires for the greater good. Professor Light couldn't help but smile at the young trainer's decision.

"Velkris," Professor Light began, his voice filled with respect, "I'm impressed by how you've handled this. You've demonstrated that a young trainer's dream should never be stopped. That's something I respect deeply."

He paused for a moment, looking at the situation thoughtfully. Then, with a knowing glance at Professor Oak, he spoke again, offering an alternative. "However, I believe there's another way to approach this. If you're willing to wait, that's admirable, but I can offer you a solution now. You've proven your patience, but there's no need to go without your starter, not when I can arrange something for you."

Professor Light smiled warmly at Velkris. "Why don't I let you pick your starter from the starter's that I give out, as a reward for showing such selflessness? This way, you can still start your journey today, while also respecting Ash's chance to get his Pokémon when the time comes."

Velkris thought for a moment. He had successfully Achieved his goal, There was no need to delay any longer before the situation changed.

"I appreciate your understanding, Professor," Velkris replied, nodding respectfully. "I'll accept your offer. I won't turn down the chance to begin my journey."

Professor Light chuckled softly, clearly pleased with Velkris' decision. "Then, Professor Oak, May I give out a starter to him in your place ?" Professor Oak readily agreed to the suggestion, "Then it's settled. Let's get you started."

"I, unlike other professors, travel around a lot to explore different regions and Pokémon habitats. Hence, I have three Pokémon here from different regions. All three have different types, and you can choose one of them."

Professor Light nodded toward Professor Oak and then motioned for Velkris to follow him. They walked away from the main group, making their way down a quieter hallway of the lab. The sounds of the bustling lab began to fade as they moved into a more secluded area.

After a moment, Professor Light stopped and turned to Velkris. He reached into his bag and pulled out three Poké Ball.

The lab was filled with an air of anticipation as Velkris stood, focused and eager to meet the Pokémon that Professor Light had carefully selected for him. Professor Light, ever calm and collected, smiled as he stood beside the table where three Poké Balls were arranged. Each one contained a Pokémon that would soon play an important role in Velkris' journey.

"Alright, Velkris," Professor Light said with a knowing grin, "I've chosen three Pokémon that I believe will suit you well. Let's meet them, shall we?"

With a simple press of a button, the first Poké Ball opened, releasing a small, fluffy Pokémon that bounced into view—Buneary. Its large ears twitched as it glanced around the room before looking up at Velkris with bright, curious eyes.

"This is Buneary," Professor Light began, a fond smile on his face. "It's a Normal-type from the Sinnoh region. Buneary is known for its agility and speed, able to perform quick, powerful kicks with its powerful legs. While it may seem playful, it's a tough fighter when trained properly."

Buneary gave a small hop, its energetic movements showing off its dexterity as it quickly darted around the lab. Velkris observed its speed, noting how it seemed to have a natural talent for evasion and mobility.

Looking at Buneary, Velkris considered its evolutionary potential. If it evolved into Lopunny, it could become a much stronger fighter, able to hold its own in battle with powerful moves like Jump Kick or High Jump Kick. But, Velkris couldn't ignore its relatively fragile defenses. It would need to be carefully trained and well-timed to avoid taking hits that could lower its speed.

He also thought about the future: Lopunny could even achieve Mega Evolution, gaining enhanced speed and offensive capabilities. With the right strategy, a Mega Lopunny could be a powerful asset in battle, but its frailty would still be a limiting factor. It was something to keep in mind, especially in a world where all Pokémon could learn a vast array of moves from level 0 to 100.

Professor Light then gestured toward the second Poké Ball. With a soft click, it opened, revealing a small, dark figure—Zorua, a Dark-type Pokémon from the Unova region. The mischievous little Pokémon gave a playful, sly grin before transforming, shifting its form into a perfect imitation of Velkris himself.

"This here is Zorua," Professor Light said with a slight chuckle, clearly amused by the Pokémon's antics. "Zorua is known for its ability to create illusions. It's a tricky Pokémon, using its illusions to deceive opponents and gain the upper hand in battle. Zorua has the potential to evolve into Zoroark, which further enhances its ability to use illusion to outwit opponents."

Zorua's quick transformation back into its normal form caught Velkris' attention. He could already imagine how much potential it held for creating strategic advantages. With the ability to change appearances and deceive opponents, Zoroark would be an excellent Pokémon for a trainer who preferred strategy over brute strength. But he also realized that Zoroark's relatively low defenses could make it vulnerable if not used carefully. It would need a keen mind and precise timing to maximize its capabilities.

Velkris thought for a moment about the idea of Zoroark's Mega Evolution. Its deceptive nature could become even more potent with a power boost, making it even harder for opponents to predict its moves. But in a world where every Pokémon could access all moves from levels 0 to 100, Zoroark would have to be used with the utmost caution. He would need to balance out its illusionary tactics with careful decision-making, especially against more direct attackers.

Finally, Professor Light reached for the last Poké Ball. With a soft, glowing flash, it opened to reveal a small, quiet Pokémon—Ralts, a Psychic-type from the Hoenn region. Ralts floated gently above the ground, its eyes glowing faintly with an aura of psychic power.

"This is Ralts," Professor Light explained, watching the Pokémon gently float in place. "Ralts is a Psychic-type, known for its sensitivity to the emotions of those around it. It evolves into Kirlia, and then, depending on its bond with its trainer, it can evolve into either Gardevoir or Gallade. Both are exceptional in their own right, with Gardevoir being a powerful special attacker and Gallade excelling in physical combat."

Velkris studied Ralts, watching the way it seemed so attuned to the atmosphere around it. He was struck by how calm and composed the Pokémon was, exuding a quiet sense of strength. He could see the potential in both Gardevoir and Gallade. Gardevoir, with its psychic powers and strong special attacks, would be a formidable choice in long-range battles, while Gallade, with its martial spirit and physical prowess, could take a more direct approach, utilizing powerful moves like Close Combat.

The idea of having a Psychic-type like Ralts appealed to Velkris, especially given its potential to not only read emotions but to control the battlefield with powerful psychic moves. He knew that Gardevoir, with access to Mega Evolution, could become a special attacking powerhouse, while Gallade would gain physical strength to hold its own in close combat. Either choice would offer a well-rounded addition to his team, but the question was whether Ralts' early fragility would be too much of a challenge at first.

Velkris stood quietly for a moment, thinking about the options before him. He could see how each Pokémon had unique qualities, and each of them would shape his journey in different ways.

Buneary, with its speed and agility, was an exciting choice, but Velkris wasn't sure if its frailty would be a hindrance in the long run, especially in battles where endurance was key. Zorua, with its ability to deceive and trick opponents, could be a perfect fit for someone who relied on strategy, but its defenses were low, and it would need careful handling to make the most of its deceptive powers.

Ralts, on the other hand, seemed like the most balanced option. Its psychic abilities and potential for both special and physical prowess in the form of Gardevoir and Gallade gave Velkris a wide range of battle strategies to consider. Ralts might be weak early on, but with the right training, it would grow into a powerful partner.

Velkris thought about the fact that in this world, where every Pokémon could learn all moves of it's species, the combination of Ralts' psychic abilities and the access to hundreds of possible moves made it an intriguing choice. He could tailor its move set to suit different situations, from psychic attacks to physical strikes. Plus, with the potential for Mega Evolution, Ralts had the kind of flexibility that could evolve with him as he grew.

"Professor," Velkris finally spoke up, his voice steady with certainty, "I've made my decision. I choose Ralts."

Professor Light nodded approvingly, a proud smile spreading across his face. "A wise choice, Velkris. Ralts will grow into an incredible partner for you. I'm sure you'll both accomplish great things together."