Valeria squints, taking in Orion's odd attire and the bizarre scene before her. "Pokémon Home?" she asks, tilting her head. "What exactly is a Pokémon?"
Orion grins, his eyes twinkling. "Ah, a question as old as time itself!" He pauses dramatically. "Or, well, as old as yesterday, when we first opened our doors." He chuckles softly. "But first, allow me to be frank. I noticed you were having a bit of a… sparky encounter with Pikachu outside."
"Pikachu? Do you mean that yellow rodent? Sparky is one way to put it," Valeria mutters, brushing a bit of soot from her cheek. "Look, Mr. Oak, with all due respect, I'm going to need you to hand over the, uh… yellow mouse."
Orion raises an eyebrow. "Please, call me Orion or Owner if you like. But hand him over? May I ask why?"
"Then, Owner, I suspect it's one of the mutated animals that escaped earlier today," Valeria explains, pulling up a holographic display on her watch. It shows images of the creatures that attacked the city, their forms twisted and grotesque. "Its bio-signature is similar. It needs to be contained."
Pikachu's ears perk up at the mention of "mutated animals." He hops off the counter, landing with a soft thud. His cheeks spark with indignation. "Pika! Pika-CHUUUU!" he exclaims, his voice laced with offense.
Orion chuckles, placing a hand on Pikachu's head to calm him. "Easy there, buddy. I understand your frustration." He turns back to Valeria, his smile gentle but firm. "I'm afraid you've misunderstood, Miss…?"
"Richards," Valeria supplies. "Valeria Richards, of the Fantastic Four."
Orion's eyes widen slightly. "Ah, a pleasure! But to reiterate, you've misunderstood. Pikachu is not a 'mutated animal.' He's a Pokémon." He pauses for emphasis. "And he's my Pokémon."
Pikachu puffs out his chest, crossing his arms with an air of smugness. His cap, perched jauntily on his head, sways slightly with the motion. He nods his head in agreement, as if to say, That's right! I'm way more special than some common mutated beast!
Valeria frowns, lowering her watch. "Okay, you keep saying that word: Pokémon. But what is it? Some kind of… pet?"
Orion laughs, a warm, booming sound. "Pet? Oh, my dear Miss Richards, Pokémon are far more than mere pets! They're creatures of immense power, deep emotion, and incredible diversity. Each with unique abilities and traits. They are partners, friends, and allies."
He gestures around the room, his cane twirling in his hand. "This establishment is dedicated to their well-being and integration into our world. We believe that Pokémon and humans can coexist in harmony, enriching each other's lives."
"So, like… enhanced animals?" Valeria asks, still trying to grasp the concept. "Like, did someone give them superpowers?"
"Not exactly," Orion replies, stroking his chin thoughtfully. "Think of them as beings from another dimension, another reality, if you will. They have their own ecosystems, their own cultures, their own ways of life. They're not just animals with added abilities; they're something… else entirely."
Pikachu nods vigorously, hopping onto Orion's shoulder. "Pika!" he chirps, as if seconding the sentiment.
Orion smiles, scratching Pikachu behind the ears. "Indeed. They are remarkable. Intelligent. Courageous."
Valeria stares at Pikachu, then back at Orion, her mind racing.
Interdimensional creatures? With their own ecosystems?
It sounds like something out of one of her dad's wildest theories. "And this place… Pokémon Home… you just… collect them?"
"Not collect, Miss Richards," Orion corrects gently. "We provide sanctuary. A bridge between worlds. A place where Pokémon can thrive and find companionship with humans who appreciate them. We also offer adoptions."
He beams at Valeria. "Speaking of which, have you ever considered acquiring your own Pokémon, Miss Richards? I have a feeling you and one of our residents would make a fantastic team."
Valeria cocks her head. "Me? Partnered with one of… these things?" She eyes Pikachu, who stares back, unfazed.
Orion chuckles. "Skeptical, I see. Well then, how about a little demonstration?" He plucks a plain white ball from a nearby shelf. "Pikachu, old boy, are you ready to electrify our guest?"
Pikachu jumps off Orion's shoulder, landing squarely on the counter. His cheeks spark, and he gives a confident nod. "Pika!"
Orion tosses the ball high into the air. "Pikachu, Thunderbolt!"
In a flash, Pikachu unleashes a blinding bolt of yellow energy. The Thunderbolt streaks upward, hitting the ball with pinpoint accuracy. The ball crackles with electricity before falling harmlessly to the floor.
Valeria's eyes widen. She had seen her uncle Johnny unleash fire blasts before, but this was different. It was raw, untamed energy, focused with incredible precision.
How is that even possible? I knew it could discharge electricity, but at this level…
"Impressive, isn't he?" Orion says, a touch of pride in his voice. "But Pokémon are more than just power. They possess an intelligence akin to our own. They can learn, adapt, and form deep bonds with those they trust."
He turns to Pikachu. "Pikachu, come here."
The Electric-type Pokémon scampers over to Orion, nuzzling against his leg affectionately. Orion pats him on the head. "See? He understands instructions, responds to affection. They are capable of complex emotions, loyalty, compassion…"
"And immense power," Valeria adds, still processing what she just witnessed.
"Indeed," Orion agrees. "The potential for both good and… let's just say, not-so-good, is there. That's why understanding and respect are paramount. With the right guidance, a Pokémon can be a true companion, a protector, a friend."
He extends his hand toward Valeria, Pikachu still nestled at his feet. "Think about it, Miss Richards. Perhaps the solution isn't containment, but understanding. Pokémon are not monsters; they are beings worthy of our respect and compassion."
Valeria stares at Orion's hand, then at Pikachu, then back at Orion. A slow grin spreads across her face. "Okay, you've piqued my interest. But say I was interested, how would I go about getting one of my own?"
Orion's smile widens. "Ah, excellent question! As it happens, there are two main avenues. The first, and perhaps the most direct, is through our lottery system."
"Lottery?" Valeria asks, intrigued.
"Indeed," Orion says, gesturing towards a brightly lit terminal in the corner of the room. "Customers can pull in the lottery five times per week to receive a randomly selected Pokémon. If you find one that resonates with you, you can then proceed with the purchase."
"Sounds… random," Valeria observes. "What are the odds of getting a Pokémon that I actually like?"
"The talent and affinity rates are guaranteed to be high," Orion assures. "You will certainly not find any Pokémon that has low potential. But there's a catch."
"There's always a catch," Valeria says dryly.
"The price," Orion states. "This service isn't cheap, Miss Richards. Our least expensive Pokémon starts at… one hundred thousand dollars."
Valeria's jaw drops. "One hundred thousand dollars? For a Pokémon? Are you kidding me? You can buy a car for that price! Even exotic animals don't cost that much."
Orion nods sympathetically. "I understand your shock. It's quite the investment, yes. The Pokémon are valued for their potential, abilities, and the unique bond they can share with their partner."
He pauses, seeing Valeria's obvious sticker shock. "Fortunately, that's not the only method. We recognize that not everyone has access to such funds."
Valeria perks up, hope returning to her eyes. "There's another way?"
"Indeed," Orion says, his voice becoming more serious. "The second, more challenging, but ultimately more rewarding path is to enter our sanctuary and convince a Pokémon to become your partner."
"Sanctuary?" Valeria asks, her curiosity piqued once again. "What's that?"
Orion smiles, his eyes sparkling with enthusiasm. "The sanctuary is the heart of Pokémon Home. It's a sprawling habitat, meticulously designed to mimic the natural environments of Pokémon from across countless realities."
"We have lush forests, sparkling rivers, volcanic peaks, even underwater grottoes. It's a place where Pokémon can roam freely, interact with each other, and simply… be themselves."
"And I can just… go in there and try to make friends?" Valeria asks, skepticism lacing her tone.
"Precisely!" Orion exclaims. "You can spend up to three hours inside, observing the Pokémon, interacting with them, and attempting to forge a connection."
He pauses, his expression turning serious. "However, I must stress this point, Miss Richards: you cannot force a Pokémon to become your partner. They must be willing. They must choose you."
"And how do I do that?" Valeria asks. "Just walk up and say, 'Hey, wanna be my friend?'"
Orion chuckles. "It's not quite that simple. Each Pokémon is different. Some are drawn to strength, others to kindness, others to intelligence, courage, and compassion. You must find a way to resonate with them, to show them that you are worthy of their trust."
"And if I try to force one?" Valeria asks, a hint of defiance in her voice. "What happens then?"
Orion's smile vanishes, replaced by a steely gaze. His voice drops to a low, warning tone. "Let me be clear, Miss Richards: any attempt to coerce, intimidate, or otherwise force a Pokémon into partnership will not be tolerated."
He pauses, letting his words sink in. "Not only will you be permanently banned from Pokémon Home, but there will be… lethal consequences."
Valeria's eyes widen, a shiver running down her spine. "Lethal?" she repeats, her voice barely a whisper.
Orion nods grimly. "Pokémon are powerful beings, Miss Richards. They are capable of defending themselves and others. And I, as the owner of this establishment, have a duty to protect them."
He softens his tone, placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "I don't say this to frighten you, but to ensure that you understand the gravity of the situation. Pokémon are not toys or tools; they are living creatures with their own agency. They deserve to be treated with respect and dignity."
He smiles again, though it's not quite as warm as before. "But don't let that deter you! The sanctuary is a wonderful place, and the bonds you can forge with Pokémon there are truly extraordinary."
He winks. "Just remember, kindness goes a long way. And perhaps a few snacks. Pokémon do love their snacks."
Valeria weighs her options. A hundred grand for a lightning mouse? Nope. Trying to make friends with strange creatures in a magical habitat? Intriguing. And a whole lot cheaper.
"Alright, Owner, I'll try the sanctuary," she declares, a spark of excitement in her voice. "Lead the way."
Orion beams, clapping his hands together. "Excellent choice, Miss Richards! I have a feeling you won't regret it."
He gestures toward a shimmering, metallic door at the back of the room. As they approach, the door slides open automatically, revealing nothing but a blank, white wall. Valeria peers inside, trying to make out what lies beyond, but the light reflecting off the surface makes it impossible to see anything.
"Step right through, Miss Richards," Orion says, his voice full of encouragement. "On the other side awaits a world unlike any you've ever seen."
"Is that some kind of teleportation device?" Valeria asks, her eyes widening in surprise. "I didn't realize Pokémon Home had tech like that."
First, the alternate dimension creatures, now this? What is this place? Her curiosity spikes. This was getting more interesting by the second.
She takes a deep breath and steps through the doorway. A brilliant flash of light engulfs her, forcing her to squeeze her eyes shut. It felt like passing through some sort of energy field, a tingle running through her entire body.
When she opens her eyes again, she gasps. Gone was the sterile white of the teleportation room. She stands beneath an impossibly vast, blue starry sky. Instead of city sounds, the air buzzes with chirps and rustles. She is standing on a grassy plain, and not too far away there is a lush forest and a shimmering lake.
What takes Valeria's breath away is the sight of the Pokémon. Everywhere she looks, there are Pokémon roaming free. Pidgeys swoop and soar overhead, their wings catching the starlight. A group of Oddish scamper through the grass, their bulbous bodies bouncing with each step. Caterpies crawl along the branches of trees, their green bodies blending in with the foliage. Krabby and Seel splash and play in the lake, their cries echoing across the water.
Valeria feels like she has stepped into a whole new world. It's a world filled with wonder, with magic, with a sense of peace she hasn't felt in a long time.
***
Give power stones to support this book.
Advance chapters in P@T0n Najicablitz.