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Chapter 41: The Journey Begins
🕑 Added 2024-12-02 18:41:09 +0000 UTCThe sun hadn't even peeked over the horizon when Gladion's eyes snapped open. For a moment, he lay still in his bed, heart pounding with anticipation. Today wasn't just any day – it was THE day. His tenth birthday. The day he and Gwen would officially begin their Pokémon journey.
"Happy birthday to me," he whispered to himself, a grin spreading across his face.
As if on cue, there was a soft knock on his door, followed by Gwen's excited whisper. "Are you awake?"
"Come in," he called quietly, sitting up in bed.
His twin sister slipped into the room, already dressed in her traveling clothes – sturdy pants, comfortable shoes, and a practical jacket with multiple pockets. Her ghost-type aura made her naturally harder to spot in the pre-dawn darkness, but her excited energy was practically tangible.
"Can you believe it's finally happening?" She perched on the edge of his bed, bouncing slightly. "We're actually going to be trainers. Real, official trainers!"
Gladion couldn't help but share her enthusiasm, even as his past-life memories reminded him of the gravity of what lay ahead. "It feels surreal," he admitted, getting up to change into his own journey-ready outfit.
Their quiet conversation was interrupted by a familiar ghostly cackle as Gengar phased through the wall, followed by Aipom swinging in through the window. The two Pokémon had become quite the mischievous duo over the last month.
"Morning, trouble-makers," Gladion greeted them with a smirk. He reached out with his psychic senses, feeling the presence of his own team nearby. They were all awake too, buzzing with excitement.
Downstairs, they found their parents already up and preparing a hearty breakfast. The kitchen was filled with the smell of pancakes, eggs, and bacon – a proper send-off meal.
Their father's Mr. Mime was helping set the table, while their mother's Charizard peered in through the kitchen window, its tail flame casting a warm glow in the early morning darkness.
'Charizard is sure a softy at heart. He is definitely sad about the fact that the two of his servants who brushed his toe nails are going on their journey.' Gladion thought with a smile.
"Happy birthday, you two," Erza said, pulling both children into a tight hug. Her eyes were suspiciously bright, but her smile was proud and unwavering.
"Thanks, Mom," they chorused, settling down at the table.
Ben was trying to maintain his composure, but his emotions were clearly getting the better of him. He kept opening his mouth to speak, then closing it again, busying himself with serving food instead.
"Dad," Gwen said gently, "we're going to be fine."
"I know, I know," he managed, voice thick with some tears in his eyes. "It's just... my babies are all grown up and ready to take on the world."
Gladion felt a lump in his own throat. Despite his mental age and experience from his past life, this family had become his whole world. Leaving home wouldn't be easy, even with all his preparation and excitement. The two kids tried to cheer up Ben with hugs.
The family ate breakfast together, sharing memories and laughing about past adventures. As the sun began to rise, casting golden light through the windows, Erza cleared her throat.
"It's time we headed to the Registration Office," she said. "Your father and I will accompany you there, but after that..." she trailed off meaningfully.
Everyone understood. The journey ahead was theirs alone.
They reached the Pokémon League Registration Office in Moodwood Town.
When their turn came, they approached the counter together. The registrar, a stern-looking woman with kind eyes, greeted them professionally.
"Ah, the Vortex twins," she said, pulling up their files on her computer. "I've been expecting you. Your preliminary paperwork is already in order. Now, please state your registered Pokémon for official documentation."
Gwen went first. "Gengar, evolved from the Gastly given to me by Elite Four member Agatha. Bulbasaur, received as a starter from Professor Oak for academic achievement. Eevee was given to me by by Dad. And Aipom, hatched from an egg under my care."
The registrar nodded, making notes. "And your training certification?"
Gwen produced the documents showing she had trained her Pokémon herself, with guidance from qualified trainers. The registrar examined them carefully before stamping them approved.
This was necessary since League had to make sure that there were no stolen Pokemon on a trainee's team or someone else's Pokemon.
Also to make sure that the kids did not have Pokemon that were trained by their parents and given to them to win the league which would be treated as unfair and the parents of such kids would be thrown to jail and the trainer's license revoked.
"Your turn, young man," she said, turning to Gladion.
Gladion took a deep breath. "Machoke, who joined me as a Machop. Milotic is someone I raised. Pupitar was a Larvitar that hatched from an egg given to me by my late grandfather. Eevee, bred by my father and was gifted to me. And Squirtle, received as a starter from Professor Oak for academic achievement."
The registrar's eyebrows rose slightly at the mention of Milotic – they were still quite rare in Kanto – but she maintained her professional demeanor as she reviewed his training documentation as she shifted the ownership of the Pokemon from the Parents to him.
"Everything appears to be in order," she said finally, stamping his papers. She then produced two brand-new trainer cards. "These are your official trainer licenses and identification. They also serve as your bank cards for managing your trainer funds."
She proceeded to explain the basic rules: the importance of ethical catching and training, battle regulations, emergency protocols, and the proper use of Pokémon Centers and other trainer facilities.
"Remember," she concluded, "being a trainer is both a privilege and a responsibility. Your actions reflect not just on you, but on the entire trainer community."
"We understand," the twins said solemnly.
With the paperwork complete, it was time for the hardest part – saying goodbye to their parents.
Erza pulled them both into another hug, this time letting her tears fall freely. "Be safe. Be smart. And most importantly, be kind – to your Pokémon, to others, and to yourselves."
Ben could barely speak through his tears, but he managed to convey his pride and love in a bone-crushing embrace.
"We'll call regularly," Gwen promised.
"And we'll make you proud," Gladion added.
Their parents stepped back, arms around each other, as Gladion and Gwen shouldered their carefully packed bags. Years of preparation had led to this moment.
"Ready?" Gladion asked his sister.
Gwen's eyes sparkled with determination and excitement. "Ready."
They turned toward the road leading out of Viridian City, their first stop on the path to the Indigo League. Behind them, their parents watched until they disappeared around a bend in the road.
As they walked, Gladion felt the weight of his Pokéballs at his belt, each one containing a partner he'd trained and bonded with. In his past life, he'd played countless Pokémon games and watched hundreds of episodes of the anime. But now, living this reality, he understood that those entertainment versions had barely scratched the surface of what it meant to be a real Pokémon trainer.
This wasn't just a game or a story anymore. This was his life, and he was ready to live it to the fullest.
"Race you to Viridian Forest!" Gwen called suddenly, breaking into a run but Gladion teleported next to her, making her squeal in surprise.
"Hey Gwen, Would you want to make the journey a little more interesting? How about we go on our journeys seperately? And meet in the League, when we battle each other out . Winner gets both the title of champion and Grandpa's room." Gladion said
Gwen give it a thought before smirking and running off "You are on."
She stopped though and turned back to shout "HEY GLADY, BE SAFE OUT THERE! THOUGH, I WOULD NOT MIND CATCHING A PSYCHIC GASTLY"
'You too, Sis' Gladion said in her mind, making Gwen shout "DON'T DO THAT!"
Comments
Durnam Davis
Feels like the end of a book/act. Not sure of that was how it was intended.
