I tap it, curious.
- Begin Journey Mode
- Catch five different species
- Build a team of three Pokémon
- Complete a Gym Challenge
- Evolve one Pokémon
The objectives go on and on—one hundred in total.
Looks like the system wants us to train through simulated experiences. After how I did in the evaluation, I can’t say it’s a bad idea. I have a long way to go when it comes to species knowledge, type interactions, and move theory.
I select Journey Mode, and the screen shifts. A small avatar appears in a cozy room. There’s a game controller plugged into the terminal. I grab it.
A short tutorial prompt appears: “Explore. Catch. Battle. Learn. Your journey begins here.”
Pressing Start brings up a familiar menu—Pokédex, Pokémon, Bag, Map, Profile—but most options are grayed out for now.
I walk the avatar to the door and step outside.
New Bark Town fades into view, pixelated and bright. A label appears at the top of the screen, confirming the setting.
I pause, fingers still on the controller.
New Bark.
I’ve been here before. In real life.
I remember the smell of cherry blossoms near the lab gates, the hum of Pidgey wings above, the way Mom's hand gripped mine a little too tightly as we approached the building. I must’ve been five. She brought me here to visit an old friend—Professor Elm.
Back then, the lab seemed like a castle of glass and steel. Elm gave me a toy Poké Ball with a Totodile sticker on it and told me to “practice my throw.” I kept that thing for years.
I step into the virtual lab. It’s smaller than I remember, simpler, with clean white tiles and rows of bookshelves. There’s a man at the far end—Professor Elm, his sprite hunched slightly as he stands beside a table lined with Poké Balls.
I walk up and press A.
“You have received Totodile.”
The menu pings. The Pokémon tab is now unlocked. I check Totodile’s summary—Level 5, with Scratch and Leer. No water-type moves yet. A little disappointing, but expected.
This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.
Two lab assistants give me starter items: ten Poké Balls, three Potions. Enough to begin.
I head out to Route 29. The path winds through grass patches, pixel trees, and open trails. An NPC stops me, offering a tutorial.
“Do you want me to show you how to catch Pokémon?”
Yes
The demo begins. The screen shifts to a battle scene: a Level 5 Growlithe versus a Level 3 Sentret.
The NPC selects Fight, uses Ember, then opens the Bag and catches the Sentret with ease.
“Weaken the wild Pokémon to improve your chances of catching it.”
Got it.
Back in control, I walk into the tall grass. A wild Pidgey appears—Level 4. I command Totodile to use Scratch. It’s simple, turn-based, quick. Pidgey fights back with Tackle, but Totodile shrugs it off.
We win.
A sliver of light fills the experience bar. Another battle or two and—
“Totodile has reached Level 6. Totodile learned Water Gun.”
Now we’re talking.
I spend the next half hour exploring Route 29, battling and catching every new species I find. Sentret. Pidgey. Rattata. Hoothoot. Each one added to the team, each one giving me new data to explore.
When Totodile starts running low on HP, I guide my avatar back to New Bark. Inside the lab, Professor Elm heals my team with a short animation and a soft jingle. Classic.
I lean back in my chair, surprised at how fun this is. It’s simple, sure, but it works. I’m learning—without realizing it.
The egg in my lap shifts again. It's been doing that more often lately. Restless. Eager. Just like me.
I glance around the room. Flavio and Melody are locked into their screens, expressions focused. I wonder how they did in their evaluations. I’ll ask them later.
The hour slips by, and eventually, Instructor Jordan stands from his desk, clapping once to get our attention.
“Alright, students,” he says with a smirk. “Hope you had fun today. Before you go, I’ve got two weekend assignments.”
A ripple of groans and mutters spreads across the room.
“First,” he says, raising a hand, “tonight, you'll be receiving your personal partner Pokémon from home—finally. And I expect each of you to battle at least three classmates this weekend. The arenas will be open. Minimum bet: one point per match.”
That gets people’s attention. Mine too.
“Second,” he continues, “the computer room will stay open all weekend. I expect each of you to complete the first Gym Challenge in Journey Mode. Completing system objectives earns points.”
He pauses, scanning the room.
“And in case you’ve forgotten—your class rankings will be updated on Sunday at 18:00 sharp.”
There's a wave of tension now. Everyone's thinking the same thing: this weekend sets the tone.
“Before we wrap up,” Jordan adds, “congratulations to everyone who reached Grade-1 on the evaluation. That level of knowledge is equivalent to a four-badge trainer.”
Some heads lift, some eyes narrow.
“But I want to give special recognition to one student who reached Grade-2—the equivalent of a six-badge trainer. Well done, Miss Irene Redstone. You’ve earned two bonus points.”
Scattered applause. Irene, sitting straight-backed near the front, doesn’t even smile. Just nods slightly, as if she expected nothing less.
I watch her in silence.
She’s sharp. Disciplined. Focused. She plays to win. And apparently, she’s already steps ahead of the rest of us.
I tighten my grip on the controller.
She’s a good rival.
Exactly the kind I need.
I look down at the egg, still resting in my lap. It shifts again, a little stronger this time.
Soon, I’ll have Totodile at my side—not just in the simulation, but for real.
I don’t need to catch up to Irene in one weekend.
But I do need to start moving.