Thick fog coiled around the trees of Route 210, smothering the landscape in a hazy blanket. Azure sat deep in a mossy cave, cross-legged near a flickering campfire, sharing a loaf of bread with a crowd of wild Psyducks. The bread was going stale back at the orphanage—a perfect excuse to bring it here.
The Psyducks squawked and fought, clawing and snapping at one another. Azure's sharp voice cut through the chaos. "Enough! There's plenty for everyone. You're family. Act like it."
They froze. Heads drooped. The wild Pokémon mumbled apologies, then sat in a circle, tails twitching awkwardly as Azure handed out chunks of bread.
He sighed and sat on a rock beside the fire, tossing a few twigs into the flame. Orange light danced across the cave walls. He inhaled the scents of ash, damp moss, and forest air, and closed his eyes.
"This... this is what I want. Traveling. Nature. Pokémon friends." His gaze drifted to the three Psyducks gobbling up their food. They paused when they noticed him smiling.
Azure stood, cracking his knuckles. "So, Psyduck... who wants to be my first Pokémon, huh?"
The Psyducks blinked. Sweated. And bolted.
"HEY! Get back here, you freeloaders! I FED YOU!"
Chasing them out of the cave, he was stopped cold as a dark blur flashed over his head. He dropped to the ground, heart pounding.
A strange Pokémon darted into a bush. Shaking, Azure got up and gave chase, but whatever it was had vanished.
Then he stepped on something.
Kneeling down, he picked up a small, glowing marble—a golden jewel with swirling red, black, and silver patterns inside.
As his fingers wrapped around it, pain spiked through his skull. Visions burst forth: a woman's smile. A strange, floating Pokémon—red and cream-colored, with golden eyes and a long neck. A blue triangle on its chest glowed as it hovered beside her.
"What... was that?" he muttered, sweat dripping from his temple.
With the sky darkening, Azure shoved the marble into his pocket and ran home. The last thing he needed was the caretaker scolding him again.
The Next Morning
Sunlight filtered through the dusty window of the boys' dorm. Azure groaned and rubbed his eyes. Then he shot upright. Today was the day.
He dressed quickly, grabbed his bag, and crept toward the stairs—only to freeze.
"Leaving so early, Azure?"
The caretaker sipped tea from her chipped mug, soap opera murmuring in the background.
"You can't stop me," Azure said, standing tall. "I'm leaving. I will become a Pokémon Champion. Not you, not Ken, not anyone will hold me back."
She sighed. "What if you fail? What if you learn the truth about your parents and the world? I had dreams once too. I wanted to be a Coordinator. Traveled with my Misdreavus everywhere..."
She looked away.
"One day, it was challenged by a trainer. We lost. Misdreavus was... it never recovered. It died."
Azure was quiet. "I... I'm sorry. I didn't know. What happened to the trainer?"
"Doesn't matter now. Just... don't say nobody warned you."
Celestic Town Pokémon Center
Lines stretched out the door. Teens, desperate and hopeful, waited for their shot at the Trainers' Need Program. Azure stood at the end, stomach growling.
One by one, trainers exited the building—angry, some crying. The process was brutal.
Finally, Azure's number was called.
Inside, Nurse Joy greeted him warmly. "Financial aid? Just fill out this form, please."
Azure sat and filled it out: name, age, region, family status. His hand hovered over the question: Why do you want to be a trainer?
He scribbled his truth.
Form done, he took his ticket and waited. When his number was called again, he was led to a separate area marked Section A.
There, a stern man eyed him. "Ticket? Good. Follow me."
They entered an underground battle arena.
Azure blinked. "Wait—we're battling?"
"The League doesn't hand out aid to just anyone. Show me your worth."
He tossed Azure a Poké Ball. On the other end, the man sent out a Scyther.
Azure summoned an Aipom.
"Scyther, Double Hit!"
"Aipom, Fake Out!"
Aipom darted forward, clapped its hands and tail. Scyther flinched.
"Agility! Then Double Team!"
Aipom blurred, then split into several images. The Scyther growled.
"Vacuum Wave!"
Scyther struck. Aipom flew across the arena, slamming into a wall.
Azure clenched his fists. One more hit and it's over...
He took a deep breath.
"I forfeit."
The man recalled his Scyther, studying Azure.
"Why?"
"Because winning isn't everything. Aipom could keep going, but it would suffer. Your Scyther—it's got Technician. Its Vacuum Wave was too strong. I'd rather lose than break my partner."
A pause.
"You passed."
Azure blinked. "What? But I lost!"
"You showed judgment, care, restraint. Traits of a real trainer. Congratulations. You leave for Sandgem Town in two days. Rowan will endorse you."
Three Days Later - Sandgem Town
Wrapped in new clothes, Azure disembarked. The wind bit through his scarf. A local directed him to Rowan's lab.
Just as he reached the gate—BAM!
It hit him square in the face.
"Maybe don't stand so close next time," said a familiar blond teen.
"I was using the intercom..."
"Wasn't me. That was my Riolu. Testing his Force Palm." He smirked. "Let's go, Riolu. We've got better things to do than waste time on losers."
Riolu giggled. Azure scowled.
Rubbing his sore nose, he entered the lab. Just before walking in, he paused.
Above, a silver Pokémon streaked across the sky, leaving glittering dust. A feather drifted down beside him.
He picked it up, mesmerized.
"What... was that?"
"You must be Azure."
A girl with dark hair and ruby eyes blocked the entrance. She wore a black-and-purple outfit and lipstick to match.
"I'm Veronica. One of Professor Rowan's aides. Follow me."
He introduced himself. She nodded curtly.
They reached the main chamber. Rowan turned around—stern, aged, his face unreadable.
"You are Azure Qutoa. Son of her. I will not give you a Pokémon."
Azure blinked. "What?"
"Your mother's past is dangerous. I won't risk this region."
Veronica gasped. "That's not fair! You can't blame him for her mistakes!"
"I'm protecting him. And the world. Some truths... change people."
Azure clenched his jaw.
"I don't even know my parents. And now I'm punished for it? Fine! Keep your damn Pokémon. Go to hell, old man."
He stormed out. Veronica watched him go, heart heavy.
Rowan said nothing.
He returned to his work.