The soft breeze of dawn carried the smell of dewy grass as Kael sat upright near the forest edge, stretching quietly.
Body Status: Slightly Fatigued. Minor stamina recovered.Morning target reached. Awaiting critical encounter.
He glanced over at his companions. Blaze was curled beside him, tail still flickering even while asleep. Nightwing—the calm Hoothoot—perched motionlessly on a nearby tree, watching the eastern sky turn pale gold.
"Starter day," Kael murmured. "Let's see how the legends begin."
He lay back down to squeeze in one more hour of rest. His system monitored vitals automatically.
But just before he slipped into light sleep again, something moved.
Not from the trees. From the silence.
A rustle. Then… stillness.
His hand drifted near Blaze's Pokéball—but not out of fear. He recognized the presence.
A Pokémon. Not hostile. Not hunting.
Just… watching.
It stood in the treeline, cloaked in shade. Unmoving. Low to the ground. Intelligent eyes scanning his sleeping form.
[UNKNOWN PRESENCE: OBSERVING...]Hostility: NoneEmotional Reading: Curiosity (Elevated)
No action taken.
Then, as silently as it had come, the presence vanished into the forest mist.
Kael arrived just in time.
Professor Oak was inside, waiting with three Pokéballs on the table.
Ash stumbled in, yawning. "Did I miss anything? Am I late?"
Oak chuckled. "No, no, you're right on time. Two trainers have yet to choose. Gary will be here any moment."
Right on cue, the door swung open.
Gary Oak strolled in like he owned the place. He shot Kael a glance, surprised but unimpressed.
"You're the early guy?" he said, arching a brow. "Didn't think you'd still be here."
Kael simply smiled. "Just observing."
Gary walked up and picked up a ball without hesitation. "Squirtle. Obviously."
"Then I'll take this one!" Ash exclaimed, reaching for a second Pokéball. "Bulbasaur, let's go!"
Oak cleared his throat. "Ah—actually, that one was already claimed yesterday." He gestured to Kael. "Our early arrival here picked Charmander."
Ash blinked, stunned. "Wait—seriously?"
Oak nodded. "All I have left is... one unique case."
He walked to the back and returned with a Pokéball that sparked faintly with static.
Ash hesitated, then accepted it with both hands.
The moment he clicked it open, Pikachu burst out in a flash of yellow light, cheeks crackling with electricity.
"Pika!"
Ash grinned. "Whoa! You're awesome!"
Kael watched silently. Even with all the differences, some things stayed the same.
As the group exited the lab, Gary stretched and smirked at Ash.
"Well, hope you two don't hold me back. I'll be the Champion before you even beat your second Gym."
Ash looked fired up. "I'll catch up! Just wait!"
Kael took a step forward.
"Gary."
The smug boy looked back. "Huh?"
"I want to battle you."
Gary's expression sharpened. "Now?"
"Now."
Oak raised his eyebrows. "If you're both ready, I'll supervise."
Ash leaned against the fence, excited. "Let's gooo! First real battle of the journey!"
Gary chuckled as he walked to the field. "Alright then. Just don't cry when Squirtle wipes the floor with your lizard."
[SYSTEM NOTICE – MILESTONE BATTLE DETECTED]Opponent: Gary OakStarter: Squirtle (Lv. 5)
Type Disadvantage: ConfirmedTrainer Challenge Rating: High
[BONUS REWARDS ENABLED IF VICTORIOUS]
Kael calmly stepped forward.
"Blaze," he said softly. "Let's do this."
The Charmander appeared in a flash of white, eyes sharp, tail blazing with anticipation.
Gary grinned. "Squirtle, go!"
The tiny turtle Pokémon emerged, spinning once before crouching into a battle stance.
"Squirtle, Tackle!"
"Sidestep, Blaze—then Ember!"
The two Pokémon rushed forward. Blaze narrowly avoided the incoming hit, then countered with a searing flame shot across the field.
Squirtle took the hit but shook it off.
"Withdraw and spin forward!" Gary yelled.
Squirtle curled into its shell and began rolling like a spinning tackle. Blaze braced but was clipped on the side, skidding back.
"Again!"
"Jump—Scratch now!"
Blaze soared above the spinning turtle and slashed across Squirtle's shell, catching an exposed leg.
"Finish it—Ember, point-blank!"
The second Ember exploded into Squirtle's chest. The turtle coughed smoke and collapsed.
[ENEMY FAINTED – GARY'S SQUIRTLE DOWN][YOU WIN!]
Gary looked stunned, then scowled. "No way…"
He returned Squirtle silently, then turned away and stormed off without another word.
Ash's eyes were wide. "That was amazing, man!"
Professor Oak chuckled. "You've got talent, Kael. A calm, methodical approach."
Kael gave a brief nod. "Thanks."
Then—his system pinged.
[SYSTEM MILESTONE COMPLETE]→ Victory over Key Rival: Gary Oak
Choose your reward:
[Rare Gift] – A powerful item to support growth (e.g., stat enhancer, early TM, advanced gear)
[Pokémon Location] – Unlock the coordinates to a rare or limited Pokémon not normally available in early Kanto.
Bonus Reward Earned: +350₽ PokéDollars + "Early Challenger" Badge
Kael stared at the holographic screen.
His finger hovered between the two choices.
One path meant immediate strength.
The other… long-term opportunity.
He closed his eyes, smiled faintly, and tapped—