I reached Apoorv's house early the next morning.
Too early.
The door opened before I could knock properly.
Aunty stood there, hair tied up, dupatta over her shoulder, clearly mid–housework.
"Aakash?" she said in surprise. "I thought you were coming in the afternoon."
I smiled innocently.
"Yes, aunty. I just came to pick up Apoorv. We're going out."
She blinked once.
Then sighed.
"Hah. That boy. He didn't tell me anything again. He's still sleeping like a dead log. I'll wake him up."
I quickly raised a hand.
"No no, aunty. You don't worry. I'll wake him."
Her expression instantly softened into curiosity.
"Oh? How?"
I grinned.
"Professionally."
Before she could ask what that meant, I slipped past her and walked straight toward Apoorv's room.
Apoorv's Room
The curtains were still drawn.
Blanket wrapped tightly around a human-shaped lump.
Phone charging. Fan spinning lazily.
Classic Apoorv.
I quietly released Pikachu.
She landed softly on the floor, tail twitching, eyes already sparkling with mischief.
I whispered,
"Wake him up."
Pikachu looked at the bed.
Looked back at me.
Grinned.
"Pika~ 😈"
ZAP!
A perfectly controlled Thunder Shock crackled across the blanket.
"AAAAAAAA—SHORT CIRCUIT—!"
Apoorv shot straight up in bed, hair standing in every possible direction, blanket flying off as if possessed.
He looked around wildly.
"WHAT—WHY—WHO TURNED ON THE GENERATOR—"
Then his eyes locked onto me.
Standing near the door.
Laughing.
Holding my stomach.
He stared.
Processing.
Realization hit.
"…Aakash."
I waved.
"Good morning."
There was a long pause.
Then he collapsed back onto the bed dramatically.
"I KNEW IT. I KNEW YOU'D DO THIS ONE DAY. I JUST DIDN'T KNOW IT WOULD BE ELECTROCUTION."
Pikachu hopped onto his chest proudly.
"Pika pika!"
Apoorv squinted at her, then groaned.
"You too? I thought you were cute."
I leaned against the doorframe.
"You said yesterday you'd steal my Pikachu if I didn't give you a Pokémon. I'm just… defending my assets."
He sat up slowly, rubbing his hair.
"Bro," he said seriously, "normal people knock."
I shrugged.
"Normal people wake up on time."
From outside the room, aunty's voice rang out:
"Is he awake now?"
Apoorv shouted back,
"YES MA! AND I'VE BEEN ATTACKED BY ELECTRICITY!"
She laughed.
"Good. Go brush your teeth. Aakash is here pick you up."
His head snapped toward me.
"…Wait. You're actually taking me out?"
I smiled wider.
"Of course. You, Arpit, Neha—tomorrow is exploration. Today is preparation."
His eyes lit up instantly.
"…You're serious."
"Dead serious."
He jumped out of bed, suddenly fully awake.
I patted Pikachu's head and turned toward the door.
"Get ready," I said. "You've got ten minutes."
He stared at me.
"…Ten?"
I glanced back.
"Five."
"WAIT—"
Another small spark jumped from Pikachu's cheeks.
"PIKA."
Apoorv saluted instantly.
"ON IT."
I stepped out of the room, already smiling.
This was going to be fun.
_________________________________
By the time Apoorv finally emerged from his room—hair damp, backpack slung over one shoulder, energy restored thanks to his mother's threats and puranpoli promises—I was already waiting outside.
He locked the door, stretched dramatically, and grinned at me.
"So," he said, cracking his knuckles, "where are we going first? Please tell me this isn't another surprise electrocution session."
I smirked.
"No electricity today. Mostly."
"Mostly is a dangerous word."
We climbed into the car and pulled out onto the road.
Apoorv leaned back, staring out the window as Mumbai passed by. For a moment, neither of us spoke. It felt strange—after everything that had happened—to just… sit like this again. Like before the Merge. Before Pokémon, zones, laws, livestreams.
Then Apoorv broke the silence.
"So," he said casually, "are you going to explain why half the country knows your name and I still wake up to electric rodents?"
I laughed.
"Long story."
"I've got time."
"You won't by the end of today."
That shut him up nicely.
We reached Aarey quicker than usual. Security recognized me instantly and waved us through without a second glance.
Apoorv stared.
"Bro," he muttered, "they didn't even check us."
"They know better," I replied. "Also, they know me."
"That's not reassuring."
We didn't head toward the cleared paths or the command area.
Instead, I parked near the edge of the forest and stepped straight into the trees.
Apoorv hesitated.
"Uh… shouldn't we tell someone?"
I glanced back.
"We are the someone."
He swallowed and followed.
The forest felt alive—more than it ever had before. Not hostile. Not aggressive. Just… awake.
Bird calls echoed above. Leaves rustled with unseen movement. The air smelled of damp soil and berries.
As we walked deeper, a familiar chorus filled the air.
Chirp. Chirp-chirp. Flap.
Apoorv looked up.
"Wait… are those—"
The Pidgey flock burst into view.
Dozens of them swooped overhead, circling once before landing on branches and rocks around us. Their movements were sharper now. Wings stronger. Eyes brighter.
They weren't starving anymore.
"They look… healthier," Apoorv said quietly.
I nodded.
"They figured out berry routes. No more fighting over apricorns. Less stress means better growth."
One Pidgey swooped low, chirping loudly, then perched on a branch near my shoulder. Its feathers fluttered with excess energy.
Apoorv squinted.
"Is that one…?"
"Almost there," I said. "A couple of weeks, maybe less. You'll start seeing Pidgeottos popping up naturally."
Apoorv exhaled slowly.
"This place changed fast."
"So did we."
We didn't linger. The flock watched us go, chirping farewell as we continued toward the lake.
The Lake — Old Rituals
The forest opened up, sunlight reflecting off calm water.
The lake was peaceful—unnaturally so. Arcanine's presence still lingered here, an invisible pressure that kept aggressive Pokémon in check.
Apoorv stopped dead.
"…Okay. This is definitely not a normal picnic spot."
"Good instinct."
I stepped forward, cupped my hands, and called out:
"Poliwrath!"
The water rippled.
Then—SPLOOSH!
Poliwrath leapt out like a torpedo, landing in front of us with practiced ease.
Apoorv instinctively stepped back half a pace.
"…That's Poliwhirl's evolution, isn't it."
"Yes."
"WRAAATH!"
He spun his arms enthusiastically, then pointed at me, then at the water, then started shadowboxing.
Apoorv stared.
"…Is he challenging you?"
I sighed.
"Customary."
Before Apoorv could react, Poliwrath lunged.
I didn't even release a Pokémon.
Instead, I sidestepped, letting him splash past me, then tapped his belly lightly with Evergreen Power.
He froze.
Blink.
Blink.
"…Wrath?"
"Later," I said. "You'll get your fight later."
Poliwrath deflated dramatically, then plopped down on the grass like a sulking child.
Apoorv was staring at me like I'd just insulted physics.
"You just… told him no?"
"He understands."
"That's terrifying."
I turned serious.
"Poliwrath," I called.
Poliwrath inclined his head toward me.
I nodded back, then gestured toward Apoorv.
"This is Apoorv. He's looking for a partner."
Apoorv straightened awkwardly.
"H–Hi."
Poliwrath studied him for a long moment. Then looked back at me.
I continued.
"Do you remember the Piplup that fought my Pichu back then?"
Poliwrath's eyes flicked toward the deeper part of the lake.
A faint smile tugged at his mouth.
He nodded once.
"Would she like a partner?"
Poliwrath considered it.
Then turned, waded back into the water, and disappeared beneath the surface.
Apoorv exhaled loudly.
"…Did we just ask a Pokémon to set me up on a date?"
"More like an interview."
"That's worse."
While we waited, I opened my bag and pulled out a small pouch.
I handed it to Apoorv.
Pokéblocks.
Pink. Yellow. Transparent.
He took them carefully, like they might explode.
"What do I do?"
I sat on a rock, watching the water.
"Don't rush. Don't command. Don't assume."
He frowned.
"That's very unhelpful."
I looked at him.
"Pokémon don't respond to authority the way humans do. Especially wild ones. They read intent, posture, patience."
I pointed at the pouch.
"Those aren't bribes. They're conversation starters."
He nodded slowly.
"Okay…"
Minutes passed.
Then bubbles surfaced near the center of the lake.
SPLOOSH.
Poliwrath re-emerged.
And beside him—
A small blue penguin Pokémon waddled onto shore.
Piplup.
Her eyes were sharp. Curious. Guarded.
She looked at Poliwrath. Then at me. Then at Apoorv.
Apoorv froze.
"Oh god. She's judging me."
"She should," I said calmly. "So should you."
I gestured subtly.
"Go ahead."
Apoorv swallowed, then stepped forward slowly, kneeling a few feet away from Piplup.
He didn't reach out.
Didn't speak.
He simply placed a Pink Pokéblock on the ground between them… and slid it forward gently.
Piplup didn't move.
Seconds stretched.
Apoorv resisted the urge to fidget.
Finally, Piplup waddled forward, sniffed the Pokéblock, then glanced up at Apoorv again.
Her gaze was sharp—calculating.
She pecked the Pokéblock once.
Then again.
Then grabbed it and backed away, munching happily.
Apoorv let out a breath he'd been holding.
"That… worked?"
I nodded.
"For now."
Piplup finished the block, then waddled closer.
She tilted her head.
Apoorv smiled nervously.
"Hi."
She poked his shoe.
Then his knee.
Then hopped onto his lap without warning.
Apoorv froze completely.
"…Am I allowed to breathe?"
Piplup chirped softly.
I smiled.
Poliwrath crossed his arms, satisfied.
"She's choosing," I said quietly. "Not you."
Apoorv looked down at the small Pokémon sitting comfortably on him, her weight warm and solid.
"…I won't mess this up," he whispered.
Piplup looked up at him.
Then nodded once.
I stood, walking closer.
"Piplup," I said gently. "If you choose him, it won't be easy. Training. Danger. Responsibility."
She looked at me calmly.
Then back at Apoorv.
Then placed one flipper on his chest.
Apooorv laughed softly, eyes stinging.
"I guess that's a yes."
I handed him a Pokéball.
"Is.. Is that a pokeball? I thought they were rare." Apoorv asked.
"They are, but not for us. Not for India." I said shrugging.
He looked confused "Should I use it on piplup.?"
"Not yet," I said. "Spend the day with her first. Learn her habits. Let her learn yours."
He nodded immediately.
Poliwrath stepped forward, placing a heavy hand on Apoorv's shoulder.
The message was clear.
Protect her.
Apoorv met his gaze seriously.
"I will."
The lake rippled peacefully behind them.
I leaned back against a tree, watching my oldest friend take his first step into a world I'd already been running through.
This was why I did it.
Not the money.
Not the power.
Not the fear.
But moments like this.
One person at a time.
One Pokémon at a time.
__________________________
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