Chapter 1 – Family

Viridian City, Year 5

After my communion with The Original One, I kicked my studying into overdrive. I looked into everything I wanted, and came with several conclusions.

One, I could not do what Ash did. I could not find rare Pokémon as easily as him. Starters don't just spawn in the wild like that. He has plot armour after all. So, I will have to be more aggressive in finding what I need, and catching the Pokémon that I want.

Two, I would have to study Pokémon biology, behaviour, and so on. With how many there are, not mentioning the changes brought by evolution, I could not study everything, so I focused, for now, on the Pokémon I liked. The reason for that is that I will not have an aspiring breeder as my traveling companion that will take on the bulk of raising and feeding them.

Three, I would have to learn cooking, camping, and all sorts of stuff needed to survive in the wild. I have also taken up kenjutsu. I found swords cool. and I always wanted to learn how to wield and fight with one.

My grandparents were a little concerned by this sudden drive, and I told them that it was my dream to become the best like no one ever was (I was five, and I'm living in the Pokémon world, so leave me alone, dattebayo!).

Speaking of family, I was currently living with my maternal grandparents. My grandfather was a pest controller before he retired. If you needed someone to get rid of an invasion of Ratattas or Zubats, my grandfather was the one you would call. He was cheaper than hiring a trainer, and since he lived in Viridian City, he was readily available and could build a solid clientele. My grandmother was currently a gardener. She worked at a greenhouse in Pallet Town. She would often take calls from people who did not understand why their plants were not growing well. Both were living a good life and never felt the calling of a journey, so they were not familiar with my desire for it. Nonetheless, they did whatever they could to support me in my endeavours.

My grandmother contacted a regular client of hers who had a dojo (and an ancient style garden) that taught kenjutsu.

My grandfather took me on a few trips on the outskirts around Viridian City, to observe Pokémon from a safe distance. He used to camp with his friends when he was young, so he taught me whatever he knew about sleeping outside.

As for why I did not live with my parents, well, my mother passed away when I was barely one. She was a forester; she and her team were in charge on keeping the Viridian Forest and its inhabitants safe and healthy. During a particularly hot and dry summer, a part of the forest burst into flames. Her team tried to evacuate as many Pokémon as they could, but after the fire was put out, half of them didn't make it. My mother died of smoke inhalation along with the few Pokémon she was carrying. Due to the circumstances of her passing, she was honoured as a hero. I wasn't heartbroken as I did not really know her. I did feel sad because of that though, so I mourned her, along with my past life, with detachment and gratitude. Despite in grief themselves, my grandparents made sure I never felt her loss, so they smothered me with their love. Were I not a reincarnated person, I would probably have become a terribly spoiled brat.

My father on the other hand, was a Pokémon Ranger. Yep, the one with the Capture Styler. He traveled a lot to the most dangerous places in the Kanto region. Sometimes to even other regions in case of emergencies. He would come home a few times a year, and would spend as much time with me as he could. He and my grandparents got along well; they were more like friends than family. He did not manage to make it to my mother's funeral. I could see that this bothered him far more than my grandparents and I. We all understood. I think he would have felt better if one of us blamed him. I hoped the Rangers had a psychiatrist to help him with his mental health.

Since his schedule was so unpredictable, we could not speak on the phone often, not to mention the different time zones. Instead, we left each other video messages. We talked about whatever we wanted. He would tell me all sorts of things, some I already knew, some I did not, anything unrelated to his work due to classified information. He learned of my goals, so he started telling me stories for when he was on the road himself, as well as the stories of the trainers he met on his job.

When I was not studying or working out, I attended the neighbourhood's trainer's school. There were many of them all over the city. The school taught the basics of education, such as mathematics, reading and writing, and of course, Pokémon. Everything they taught; I already knew. It came to the point where my teachers wanted me to skip a few grades.

My grandparents were called by the headmaster and were told if they were interested in sending me to an elite boarding school called Pokémon Tech.

I vaguely remember the episode where that institute was shown.

Located between Cerulean City and Vermilion City, this was one of the most challenging schools in the region. I asked the headmaster the fee needed to attend that place, and his answer had me frowning. I initially refused as I did not believe it was worth it, until the old educator told me that if I can keep my grades amongst the best, then I will be eligible for a full scholarship.

After discussing it with my folks, I decided to go. If not for the challenge, then for its resources.

Pokémon Tech, Year 8

Life at Pokémon Tech was boring. While the lessons were as hard as they said, it wasn't for me. Most of the tests required students to memorise the answers. I would rather have lessons that required creative thinking.

I barely had any friends. I was too advanced for most of my classmates and my position as top of my year made me the person to beat. The ones who also excelled did not like me due to my lack of wealth and status.

Every vacation, that is three times per year, I would go back home to my family.

After my first year, when I reached my house, I was greeted by my father who hugged me tightly. His hugs were always painful as he was really strong. Perks of the job, I guess.

"Look at you, Kenta, you've grown so much" he said while grinning.

"Didn't we see each other on Christmas, like four months ago?" I asked.

"It felt like four years to me" he laughed. "Go to the garden, your grandparents and I have a surprise for you."

I went to put my luggage in my room before heading to our garden. I found my grandparents waiting. My grandmother hugged me gently, while my grandfather greeted me with a serious nod.

"We've heard of your prowess at school, Kenta, you have made us proud" the elderly man said.

"Thank you, grandpa" I replied.

"For the last three years, you have shown us how serious you were in your ambitions. We were initially concerned you might burn yourself out, or simply changed your mind after a while, as it is common for children your age. However, your hard work and dedication are proof that you deserve this gift" he said pointing towards my father who was holding a small Pokémon.

An Eevee.

Not a regular Eevee, but one with silver fur. A shiny Eevee. Male, judging by his tail.

I was so surprised; I froze.

"Son" my dad started speaking, snapping me out of it. "This is a wild Eevee. Would you like him to become your first Pokémon?"

I stared at my dad, then at the Eevee who looked at me suspiciously.

"He is still very young. Abandoned by his pack" my father explained.

While shiny Pokémon were coveted by many people, in the wild, it was a different story. A shiny Pokémon was often treated as an outcast as it's colouring could attract the attention of predators, or simply because it's parents would think of it as an intruder. Many experts agree that oddly coloured Pokémon were rare due to them being killed in their infancy, either by enemies or their own families.

The Eevee looked crestfallen from my father's words. Probably remembering the moment of his abandonment.

My dad put the Pokémon on the ground as I approached them. I got on one knee and spoke to the Eevee as sincerely as I could.

"My name is Kenta."

"I don't care about your past. I don't care what others think of you." The Eevee looked straight into my eyes, listening to my every word.

"I am aiming for the top. To do that, I need Pokémon that want, more than anything, strength, and power. It is my role to make them strong and smart, but I cannot do that if they don't want it at least as much as I do."

Eevee hadn't moved. He kept staring at me as he was starting to understand what kind of human I was.

"Tell me Eevee, do you wish for strength and power?" I asked.

Eevee blinked. Then looked at the ground in deep thoughts. My family hadn't said a word, watching the both of us, waiting for the Pokémon to make his decision.

Eevee's POV

'Strength and power? How can this runt promise something like that?' Eevee thought.

'He doesn't care that I was discarded?' He remembered begging his parents and siblings not to leave him. Only for his own father to tackle and throw him in the river, with no hesitation.

Survival of the fittest. That's the only thing his father said right before his attack. He remembered what was going through his mind as he was drowning while feeling the pain of the tackle.

'I am weak, and was born as a living target. Unable to hide, while endangering others.' He knew it. He knew this was going to happen. The way his parents and siblings looked at him. Excluded him. Stayed away from him. It was inevitable. But a small part of him held on the hope that his family loved him enough to not allow their rules to break their familial bond. That hope was irreparably shattered.

'If I had strength and power, I wouldn't have been abandoned' he thought. Survival of the fittest. The strongest survives, thrives, and dictate the rules. That is the law of nature.

'Fine then. I'll show you, father. I'll survive, and if we see each other again, I'll make you regret it. I'll make you all regret it.' I looked back at the runt, Kenta, who made me that offer. The look in his eyes tells me that he is waiting for my answer, the one that would change my life forever.

Normal POV

"Eeveeveee!" Eevee exclaimed loudly while nodding at me. His eyes filled with fiery conviction.

"Good" I said. I turned to my dad, who was handing me a Pokéball. His expression told me he understood my thoughts. I took it and pointed it at Eevee.

The latter jumped and hit the button with his head. The Pokéball opened and absorbed Eevee in red light before closing. It shook a bit before the tong sound was audible for all four of us to hear.

I had my first Pokémon. My partner Pokémon.

I turned to my father. "Thank you, dad."

He looked at me with proudly. "You're welcome."

I took Eevee out of his Pokéball. When he appeared, he looked more relaxed than before.

"Everyone, this is Eevee, my partner. Eevee, this is my father, grandfather, and grandmother. They're my family." My folks warmly greeted the small Pokémon.

"Hello Eevee. I'm Yui. It is so nice to meet you" my grandmother said as she approached my new friend.

"Ee" Eevee exclaimed, looking at the elderly lady.

"Kenta, if you can make sure this little one does not make a mess, you can let it roam the house" my grandfather said in his usual authoritative tone.

"Yes, grandpa."

"Mmm. Child" he said as he turned towards Eevee, who immediately looked ready to bolt away. "You are now part of this family. Treat us respectfully and we shall treat you respectfully. There are rules in this house, you will abide by them, is that clear?"

"Ee…eevee" Eevee replied in a barely audible voice.

"Hahaha" my father laughed at the small Pokémon. "Don't worry, little buddy" he said as he started scratching the Pokémon's head. "Kansuke-san looks scary but he's cool when you get to know him."

"Keep your opinion to yourself, Zen" my grandfather growled. We all laughed as we headed back inside the house.

Things were finally getting interesting, I thought as I looked at my first Pokémon.