“Congratulations on graduating, son!”

  Both of my parents pulled me into a hug, and—for once—I didn’t mind the public affection. All around us, other families were doing the same. Graduation was one of those rare moments where being smothered by your parents wasn’t just allowed—it felt right.

  The ceremony was short. A handshake, a certificate, a photo. Just like that, we were qualified to begin our journeys as official Pokémon trainers.

  The top three students were called last and given one of Kanto’s starter Pokémon—Bulbasaur, Charmander, or Squirtle. I watched Terry Green, my self-declared nemesis, smugly walk up and pick first. That should’ve been me. If I hadn’t gotten unlucky with group stage matchups—twice facing trainers with type advantage over Bobo, my Phanpy—I would’ve made top three. I almost beat Terry. Almost.

  But almost didn’t count.

  Ceremony over, the sun was already setting on my school years. Tomorrow, I’d take my first steps into the world. Since Cerulean City wasn’t the smartest place to begin—its Gym Leader specialized in Water-types—I’d decided to start my badge journey in Pewter City, heading through Mt. Moon.

  “Son, do you really have to leave tomorrow?” Mom asked, a quiet worry in her voice.

  “It’s okay, Connie,” Dad said gently. “He’s ready. We’ve prepared him.”

  Dad’s a hiker and a certified Mt. Moon route guide. He’d taken me through the safe trainer paths a few times already. He trusted me to find my way.

  “I’ll be careful, Mom,” I added. “And it’s not like I’m going alone. Gladys and Jimmy will be with me.”

  That was one of the big rules for rookies: never travel alone. Our school made us train in three-person teams. Gladys, Jimmy, and I had been partners for three years. We were tight. We trusted each other. We’d agreed to stick together for our first season.

  That night, after a family dinner, I packed my things. Dad had given me a proper hiker’s backpack—too big, really, but with enough space for everything I could need. Headlamp, first-aid kit, camping gear, food rations. Three extra sets of clothes. And of course, Bobo, curled up next to my bed, fast asleep.

  My first partner. My best friend.

  *

  “Wake up, son!”

  Dad’s voice broke through my sleep. The door creaked open, and sunlight bled into my room.

  “What time is it?” I groaned, blinking against the light.

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  “Five. I’ve got an early shift. I’ll be heading up into the four-badge zone.”

  That got me fully awake.

  “You’re not following us, right?”

  He smirked. “Of course not. I’ll be out of your hair. Just… nearby. Keeping the big threats away from the safe route.”

  I nodded. I’d never say it out loud, but knowing he’d be around—even from a distance—calmed the nerves already gnawing at my stomach.

  When he left, I sat in silence for a while. Today was the day. The real beginning.

  *

  Mom made breakfast. Her hands were steady, but I saw the tension in her shoulders. She tried not to cry when she hugged me at the door.

  I let her hold on longer than usual.

  *

  “Morning, Gladys,” I said as my friend arrived, dressed and ready, a backpack slung over one shoulder.

  “Hey! You ready?” she asked, bouncing slightly on her heels. “We just need Jimmy.”

  “He should be here soon,” Mom called from the kitchen. “His mom said he already left.”

  Sure enough, a knock came moments later, and Jimmy’s grin appeared through the window.

  We hit the road early. Route 4 was quiet this time of day, with most rookie trainers still lining up outside Cerulean Gym. I couldn’t blame them—but for us, the real path was west.

  “Hey, you two sure you want to skip Cerulean?” I asked as we walked. “Jimmy’s got type advantage, and I’ve seen Gladys’ Krabby in action.”

  “We already agreed,” Gladys said firmly. “We do the Gym challenges together.”

  “Besides,” Jimmy added, “I’ve got something else planned.”

  I raised an eyebrow. “Do I want to know?”

  “There’s a spot just off-route where Mankey sometimes gather,” he said. “Paid a local tracker for the location. I want to catch one.”

  “You’re serious?” Gladys looked ready to scold him. “Off-route already? We’ve been trainers for five minutes.”

  “It’s just five minutes off the path,” Jimmy said defensively. “And I need this. Bell’s great, but she’s not exactly a fighter.”

  He meant it. Jimmy had ranked near the bottom of our class—through no fault of his own. Bellsprout wasn’t what he wanted, but it was what his family could give. I knew catching that Mankey wasn’t just about strength. It was about proving something.

  Gladys and I exchanged a glance.

  “Alright,” I said.

  “Five minutes off-route, tops,” she warned.

  Jimmy nodded, grateful.

  *

  The spot was a quiet clearing near a creek. We sat back in the brush, watching for movement. After twenty minutes, Jimmy started to look defeated.

  “Maybe today’s not my day,” he said quietly.

  “Shh,” Gladys whispered, pointing.

  A rustle in the trees.

  Two Mankey dropped down near the water.

  Jimmy froze. He’d been hoping for one.

  “Okay,” I whispered. “I’ll keep one busy. You get the other. Gladys, watch our backs.”

  Three Poké Balls clicked open.

  “Bell, Sleep Powder,” Jimmy murmured.

  Blue spores shimmered through the air. One Mankey dropped immediately. The other… didn’t.

  Vital Spirit.

  It bared its fangs and locked eyes with Bell.

  “Bobo, intercept!”

  My Phanpy slammed into the Mankey before it could strike. The two Pokémon clashed, Bobo absorbing a Low Kick with a braced Defense Curl. Fury Swipes followed, but Bobo held strong.

  Jimmy tossed a Poké Ball. The sleeping Mankey vanished inside.

  The other one snarled and lunged for him.

  “Bulldoze!”

  Bobo’s aura flared orange. He stomped hard—sending a shockwave through the earth that knocked the Mankey back into a tree trunk.

  “Got it!” Jimmy shouted, holding the Poké Ball high as Bell squeaked excitedly beside him.

  “We need to go,” Gladys called from the treeline. “That much noise will attract attention.”

  We ran. No one looked back until we hit the main route again.

  *

  “That,” I panted, “was exciting.”

  “Let’s not do that again,” Gladys muttered, glancing over her shoulder.

  Jimmy just stood there, clutching the Poké Ball to his chest, grinning like a fool.

  No words needed.

  He’d gotten what he came for.