With a "choo-choo" sound, smoke billowed from the train's chimney before it came to a stop at its destination, Rockridge City.
"Let's go, Ralts. This is the first stop on our road to the Championship."
"Ralts."
Ralts nimbly jumped into Shinichi Miki's arms, settling in as they followed the crowd off the train.
Stepping onto the solid granite pavement, a distinct mineral scent filled the air. Shinichi looked into the distance at towering buildings adorned with rocky textures and patterns.
"Pika pika."
Hearing the sound, Shinichi turned to see a Pikachu climbing onto a young girl's shoulder as she slowly walked away, carrying heavy luggage.
"Let's go too, Ralts. First, we'll head to the Pokémon Center to register for the League." Shinichi smiled, breaking into a light jog with Ralts.
He felt a sense of freedom, like the sky was vast enough for any bird to fly.
Having lived in the family estate with endless studying, this moment felt truly liberating.
"Here I come! This world." He cheered silently in his heart.
Ralts looked up at his face, tilting her head curiously.
They didn't notice, but from an unseen corner, a yellow Pokémon was quietly observing them.
"Hmm… z."
It seemed puzzled.
"Welcome to the Pokémon Center."
The transparent automatic doors slid open, accompanied by Nurse Joy's gentle voice.
"No matter which world, Nurse Joy remains the same," Shinichi mused to himself.
A familiar yet unfamiliar person.
"Welcome, how can I help you?" Nurse Joy said kindly.
"Hello, I'd like to register for the League competition," Shinichi replied.
"For that, you'll need to use the self-service machines on the second floor. You'll see them right after taking the elevator. Oh… your Ralts?" Nurse Joy's gaze fell on Ralts's broken horn, and her expression turned serious.
Her look toward Shinichi now regarded him as some kind of villain. Her hand moved under the counter toward what might be an alarm button.
"She was born like this," Shinichi quickly explained.
The Ralts in his arms nodded toward Nurse Joy, then lowered her head somewhat dejectedly.
"A Ralts born with a broken horn?" Nurse Joy withdrew her hand from the alarm, scrutinizing the pair.
As if remembering something, she said, "You must be the young master from the Miki family."
"You know me?" Shinichi was surprised.
"We thank your father for his support to the Joy family. And we are truly sorry we couldn't help Ralts." Nurse Joy placed a hand on her chest, her face full of apology.
Shinichi understood. His father must have visited the Joy family at some point, leveraging his financial influence to seek a cure for Ralts.
After this brief interlude and a few more pleasantries, Shinichi took Ralts to the second floor.
Stepping off the elevator, a row of registration machines came into view.
"Please present your ID." He walked to an unused machine and began the registration process.
Shinichi removed his backpack, pulled out his identification card, and placed it on the machine.
"Shinichi Miki, from Verdant Leaf Town, age fourteen. Conditions met."
"Uploading trainer information now."
"Welcome, new trainer."
The words "Registration Complete" flashed on the screen, followed by a badge case rising from beneath the ID card.
The badge case was glossy black with the League emblem at the center, with slots for badges on either side.
"The first step toward the Championship is done!" Shinichi waved the badge case in front of Ralts's eyes.
Ralts's eyes followed the movement up and down.
She knew that collecting eight gym badges would allow them to participate in the Silver Crown Tournament at "Mt. Silver Crown."
The Kuni Region currently had fourteen official gyms: Poison, Dragon, Steel, Water, Fire, Dark, Grass, Bug, Ground, Rock, Fighting, Flying, Ice, and Normal.
The eight widely recognized major gyms included the Rock Gym of Rockridge City. The remaining seven were Fighting, Flying, Dark, Bug, Steel, Ice, and Dragon.
They might not be the absolute strongest, but they were undoubtedly the most authoritative.
"Ralts!"
She clenched her small fists, filled with determination.
Seeing her like this, Shinichi smiled and ruffled her head.
He then placed the badge case and ID back into his backpack.
Noticing the Miki family emblem on his backpack, he finally realized why Nurse Joy had recognized him so instantly.
Returning to the first floor and seeing Nurse Joy busy, he quietly left the Pokémon Center.
Walking down the street, Shinichi held Ralts with one arm and scrolled through gym information on his phone with the other.
The Rock Gym of Rockridge City — an ancient gym, standing firm like a rock, awarding the Stone Badge.
"The Pokémon used in battles are mostly Geodude and similar. It's also known as a beginner-friendly gym. With a little training, Ralts can definitely win."
Shinichi showed her actual pictures of the gym battles. The Gym Leader primarily used Geodude in matches.
A fiery fighting spirit burned in Ralts's large eyes.
She would definitely not let Shinichi down!
"Ralts!"
"But before challenging the gym, Ralts, you need some special training." Shinichi stopped, looking up at a multi-story shopping mall ahead.
"Ralts?"
Shinichi didn't explain, entering the mall and heading straight for the training equipment section.
Navigating through the crowds, he stopped in front of a display of small wooden boards.
"Punching Power Boards."
The small boards were pricey; a single one cost 200 Pokédollars, roughly equivalent to two Poké Balls.
Shinichi didn't blink, picking up a bundle of twelve tied together.
He paid at the counter and left.
Although he hadn't taken the family card when he left, he had brought his personal savings card. It wasn't a huge amount, but it was more than enough to support Ralts.
Arriving at a training field in the park, he set Ralts down on the ground and handed her one of the boards.
"Today, we'll practice Ice Punch. Remember the Technical Machine we watched before? Try to use it on this board."
Shinichi instructed patiently.
Because of Ralts's innate condition, she couldn't use Psychic-type moves like Confusion.
Therefore, her options were limited to Fire Punch, Thunder Punch, and Ice Punch.
Ice Punch would be most effective against the Rock Gym, so they prioritized practicing that.
Ralts had been taught extensively; she had learned everything possible from TMs. Pokémon from the Miki family received early education, with expensive TMs being part of the daily curriculum. So-called egg moves were also not missing from her repertoire.
It was just that this particular Ralts, due to her inherent limitations, couldn't manifest any of them.
"Ralts!"
Ralts held the board with one hand and clenched her other fist.
She recalled the lessons from the TM she had watched before.
After concentrating for a long time, only a faint white mist gathered around her fist.
Shinichi reached out to feel it. It was a bit cold.
But roughly on par with ice cream.
"It's okay, take your time. We're in no rush." Shinichi encouraged her.
Ralts nodded earnestly.
Ralts would strive to get stronger!
Then, together with Shinichi, she would win the League Championship!
For now, she was weak. But one day, her fist would strike the head of a legendary dragon.
"A Ralts with such poor innate talent… yet she wasn't abandoned?"
"And she's flawed too."
From the shadows, the yellow-skinned Pokémon watched and pondered.
But even with its high intelligence, it couldn't truly empathize, nor could it fully understand.
Note: I'm new to translating so please be kind and tell me any mistakes you all find, I will try to release a chapter a day but don't expect much
Please support the original author: 失渝光
Raw:宝可梦:我的冠军老婆沙奈朵