Chapter 8: The Start of a Lifetime Journey

The morning of Tom's tenth birthday felt like the beginning of everything he'd been waiting for. As he woke, he immediately felt a familiar weight on his chest—a heavy, comforting warmth that had grown with him over the years. He opened his eyes to see his Lycanroc, now evolved into its Midnight form, still curled up on top of him, watching over him even in sleep. Tom smiled and scratched his Pokémon's thick, red mane. Lycanroc yawned, revealing sharp teeth in a lazy, toothy grin, before hopping off, giving Tom room to stretch.

The last few years had been transformative for Tom and Lycanroc alike. Thanks to the special wish Tom had made with Arceus, Lycanroc's strength was steadily growing beyond what a typical Lycanroc could achieve. The Midnight form's raw, unrestrained power only seemed to intensify each day they trained together. If they kept this up, Tom was certain that Lycanroc would become strong enough to face even legendary Pokémon, an idea that made his heart race with anticipation.

But Lycanroc wasn't the only one who had grown. Tom's psychic abilities, honed through years of secret and disciplined practice, had developed to the point where he could do far more than he'd ever dreamed. While not yet as powerful as Gym Leader Sabrina of Saffron City, he had grown impressively strong. Teleporting a few kilometers at a time was now a possibility, and he'd even unlocked a form of clairvoyance that let him see glimpses of places far away. Yet, his proudest achievement was his ability to communicate telepathically with Pokémon. What had started as simple exchanges of images and intentions had grown into real conversations with Lycanroc and other Pokémon, allowing for a deep and unbreakable bond with his partner.

Of course, Tom's growth wasn't just limited to his powers. Under his father's patient guidance, he had developed his skills in guitar and bass, learning to skillfully play both acoustic and electric. Music had become an unexpected passion, a perfect way to relax and enjoy the present moment with his father. Some songs from his past life still eluded him, but he kept trying. With his birthday gifts—an electric guitar and a portable amplifier from Pierre, along with his very first Rotom Phone from Aurore—Tom felt more ready than ever to begin his journey.

When his mother had asked him a year ago what he wanted to do once he was old enough, Tom had been honest. He wanted a team strong enough to rival any in the world. To make that happen, he would need Pokémon with real grit and potential. A Gible, he had decided, would be one of his future teammates, a Dragon-type with unyielding tenacity and a fierce battle spirit. He'd set his sights on the mountains of the Crown Tundra for the capture, though he'd save that for last. First, he had his eyes on another Pokémon—a Wimpod, which he knew lived in colonies in Galar Mine No. 2. He had already planned his strategy to counter its frustrating ability, "Wimp Out." He'd need plenty of training and dedication to counterbalance that drawback, but Tom was up for the challenge.

Two summers ago, Tom had attended a camp led by none other than Professor Magnolia herself, a research event hosted near Brasswick. The camp had been packed with other eager kids, and Tom had managed to connect with some of them, notably Sonia, Professor Magnolia's own granddaughter, who was sixteen at the time. Sonia had a real gift for handling Pokémon, and she doted on Tom's Rockruff, always sneaking treats and playtime. Tom had cherished his talks with her, learning from her careful Pokémon routines and trading advice about dietary habits and training regimens. He even got to meet Marnie during that summer, a fellow Spikemuth resident whose quiet, reserved nature intrigued him. Marnie, though still only nine, shared a lot of his interests, and over the course of the camp, she gradually opened up. They'd bonded over their shared hometown and often paired up for activities. Tom had a feeling they would cross paths again in the future.

The highlight of that camp had been the night Rockruff evolved. Tom had taken him out for a midnight training session, away from the group, under the light of a full moon. He could still remember the flash of energy, the way Rockruff's form had shifted and grown, transforming into his powerful, crimson-eyed Lycanroc. That moment marked the true beginning of their partnership, one that was strengthened every day since.

Today was spent with his family, celebrating his birthday in the warmth of their home. Aurore had made his favorite breakfast, and they'd all gone out for a long, lazy picnic with their Pokémon. They played, laughed, and ate until the sun began to set. Tom took the chance to test his new electric guitar with his father in the evening, strumming chords and riffs he'd been practicing in secret. That night, as they all gathered for a big family dinner, Tom felt a deep sense of contentment.

After dinner, Tom hurried up to his room to put his new Rotom Phone to use. He carefully wrote a letter to Sonia, including his phone number so they could keep in touch. He also made his way to the Spikemuth Gym to meet with Marnie, hoping to share his contact info with her too. He knew the gym was bustling as usual, but he found her near the entrance, training with her Pokémon.

"Hey, Marnie!" Tom called out, waving as he approached.

She turned, her usual calm expression lighting up slightly. "Oh, Tom. Happy birthday! Heard your folks planned a big day for you."

"They did," he grinned. "And I finally got my Rotom Phone. Thought you might want my number, you know, in case you ever want to chat or… practice music sometime."

She smiled, a small but genuine smile. "Sounds good. I'll text you."

As Tom made his way back home, he felt ready for whatever came next. He still had a few years until he could officially start his journey, and he intended to use that time wisely. The Pokémon Trainer License exam loomed on the horizon, and while he knew a lot about Pokémon already, he wanted to make sure he knew everything necessary for the challenges that lay ahead.

For the next four years, he planned to dedicate himself to honing both his and Lycanroc's skills. They would work on coordination, perfecting key moves, and developing the kind of synergy that would make them a formidable pair. Tom was in no rush; he wanted to be ready, to make sure that when the time finally came, he would be able to stand tall alongside the best.

As he lay down in bed that night, with Lycanroc settled comfortably at the foot of his bed, Tom closed his eyes, letting the excitement and anticipation of his journey wash over him. The dreams of his past life had guided him here, and now, he was ready to make new ones.