“They say your mom's butthole is the size of the pit,” Calvin spoke while chowing down on his ice cream.

  “Bet you won't say that to her face!” Alphen responded back to his best friend's remark. The two of them sat down on Calvin's roof, gazing at the massive crater beside their tiny town of Ophelia. Compared to their hometown, the pit was vastly large with a depth that still remained unknown today.

  “And get fisted by the same Slaking she suspiciously has? I'll pass.”

  “Slakoth was her starter, asshole!” Alphen gave a chuckle, feeling his friend's Litten nudge his hand for more scratches.

  Ever since school ended they both had been hanging out pretty regularly these days. Calvin had just gained his first badge in town, and was getting ready to set out on his own journey with his Litten.

  As much as his friend wanted him to come along, Alphen was never really interested in the gym challenge, yet alone owning a Pokemon. The thought of it simply just didn't appeal to him in any way, and he was never really sure of the reason.

  “What are you planning to do since we've graduated from school?” Calvin leaned himself back as he was asking the question.

  He shrugged before responding. “I don't know. Go to med school, I guess.”

  “Bro,” Calvin sighed heavily. “Your sister is literally the fucking Champion! There's so much potential you can gain from that alone!”

  “I guess so,” He continued to scratch behind Litten's ears. The tiny feline kept nudging his hand everytime he stopped. “I just never cared for battling. Everybody was always so invested in Celeste's journey, that it just seemed like I was going to be riding on her success, you know?”

  “I think you're wasting a big opportunity!”

  It wasn't all that long ago since his sister had became Champion. Within a week she was going on a year since her victory. He could still vividly remember watching her battle on television.

  “Unbelievable! Celestia Primoris, the Radiant Star, has done it! What an absolutely breathtaking battle! Ladies and gentlemen, we have a new Champion of the Astryn region! Celestia has claimed the title in spectacular fashion!”

  She raised her pokeball in the air. Her white outfit was adorned with rainbow embroidery glistened in the sunlight. Long chestnut colored hair danced in the air.

  Cheers of celebration echoed all around her on the stadium. Her smile was proud, and her calm lights brown eyes remained resilient.

  He remembered watching his family burst into tears the moment she was declared the winner. Coming from their tiny town, this very moment was monumental.

  “You’d probably need an Astral band to keep up with her anyway.”

  “Oh, I forgot about those,” Alphen confessed.

  Unlike in other regions that had mega evolutions, Z-moves, and others, Astryn had Astrallization. Under correct conditions, a trainer could activate astrallize where their Pokemon will take on an otherworldly glow and grants them the Astral typing, enhancing their capabilities.

  It's origins still remained a mystery however. There wasn't too many people here that actually had access to an Astral band. Acquiring one often came from professors, yet even so it was very limited.

  “I'll figure something out,” Alphen stood up from his seat, stretching his body. “You're leaving a week from now to travel around Astryn, right?”

  “Yessir! Catch your boy becoming the next Champion!”

  “Yeah sure,” Alphen smiled. As much as he was going to miss hanging out with his friend often, he was happy to see him do something he loved. He was sure he was going to do great. “I'll see you before you leave then.”

  If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

  “Alright man, see you later!”

  “Cya.”

  —

  Alphen opened the front door to walk in, being greeted by their family's Herdier. The Pokemon jumped right into his arms, licking the side of his chin as he was excited to see him.

  “Welcome home, hun!” His mother greeted from the living room. “Were you out with Calvin?”

  “Alph is home?” His dad called from the kitchen, poking his head around the corner.

  “Yes I'm home,” he responded, entering the kitchen. “Yeah I was with Calvin. He'll be leaving next week.”

  “Oh honey that's exciting! How did it go at the gym for him?”

  “Says it was tough but he did it.”

  “Well tell him we wish him the best of luck! We're about to cook dinner in a bit so don't go snacking just yet.”

  “It's like you already read my mind,” Alphen snuck a cookie into his mouth.

  “A package came in for you.”

  “A package?” Alphen questioned.

  “Yes!” His dad pointed up stairs to his room. “From your sister.”

  Surprisingly he was a little shocked his sister had gotten him a gift. Since she became Champion, she hardly visits them at all. He could only assume she was just often too busy in her new role.

  “She came by?”

  “No hun,” His mom responded as she got up from her seat in the living room. “The package was left outside the front door.”

  “I see.”

  “Well go grab it, kiddo! Let's see what she got you.”

  Alphen went upstairs, hearing Herdiers little paws scramble upstairs with him. Opening the door to his room, the first thing he immediately noticed was a tiny black box sitting on his bed.

  The box itself had intricate unique symbols that he's never seen before. On top of the box was a small envelope taped to it, with his name written on it.

  The writing seemed identical to his sister's writing, but he couldn't exactly remember what her writing looked like. It was hard to determine whether it was her's or not.

  Grabbing the envelope, he carefully opened it and pulled out a small note.

  Where the darkest of stars shine, awaits you at the bottom.

  “Darkest of stars? What the fuck?” Alphen raised an eyebrow, unsure of what to make of this message. It felt almost cryptic to him.

  Turning back to the box, he opened it slowly, revealing a tiny black pokeball. It was matte black, and almost had a faint glimmer to it. Not unlike any Pokeball he had ever seen before. The same symbols were faintly present around it as well.

  “Did you open the box, hun?” His mother called from downstairs, making her way up to his room with his dad following behind.

  Alphen quickly slid the letter under his pillow. He was sure his parents would feel some sort of way with an odd message like that.

  “Uhm, yeah,” He responded as he turned to see his parents entering his room. Both their eyes grew wide at the sight of the Pokeball, a smile spreading across both their faces.

  “She got you a Pokemon?” His dad eagerly questioned. “Never seen a Pokeball like that before!”

  “I'm guessing so.”

  “It's beautiful!” His mom got a closer look, examining its odd symbols engraved around it.

  Grabbing the Pokeball, he held it firmly in his hand. For whatever reason, he felt strange holding it. Gently tossing the ball, an energized light released the Pokemon stored inside.

  A Zorua appeared in the center of the room, yet it's features were different. A black and blue tipped mane that resembled shadows. It's tail also resembled a black and blue smoke that flowed like it was liquid. Purple and blue eyes that resembled the moon, curiously looked up at Alphen. The same small symbols that were on the Pokeball, were also on the Zorua, faintly glowing blue and purple.

  “It's a Zorua!” His mother was ecstatic.

  “Why does he look so different though?” His dad questioned, arching an eyebrow. “He seems to have similarities to a Hisuian Zorua, but isn't exactly one.”

  Alphen awkwardly picked up the Zorua, examining him closer. It's been seventeen years and he's never imagined of having a Pokemon of his own.

  “Zohh-?” His eyes stared right into Alphen's, almost like he was trying to understand who he was, just as he was trying to do the same.

  “He's cute! Are you gonna nickname him?”

  “Uhm, no.” Alphen placed the Zorua back on the ground. Herdier got closer to the Pokemon, sniffing him suspiciously. “I don't even feel like it's the same type as the other Zoruas?”

  “Well he's cute regardless!” His mother turned to walk back down the stairs. “We're gonna get started on dinner, why not take him outside in the meantime?”

  “Might as well get to know your new partner while you're at it!” His dad followed behind her.

  Alphen grabbed the letter from under his pillow. His newly acquired Zorua hopped onto his bed as soon as he noticed the letter, sniffing it curiously.

  “Hey, get off the bed!” Alphen spoke, only to see the tiny fox ignore him. He hopped right onto his pillow, making himself comfy. Alphen sighed as he sat on his bed. His eyes couldn't help but scan over the letter again.

  Where the darkest of stars shine, awaits you at the bottom.

  “What does that mean?” He asked himself quietly. He reached into his phone, and called his sister's phone.

  Calling Celestia…

  No response. She hadn't even really responded to his text message a week and a half ago. Yet thinking about it, why would she drop off a package with an odd type of Zorua, and not say hi to the family?

  Dialing Calvin's number, he figured he'd get his input on the situation.