PALLET TOWN
Pallet town was quite these morning. The kind of quiet sun beam peaking through the mist. The rusting of Pidgey wings in the trees. and the soft rush of wind brushing over the rooftop. but in one small house on the edge of town. a storm lived inside a boys hearty.
Jimmy Ketchum sat on the edge of the bed. clutch a worn-out cap in hand. It was faded now. dusted and frayed to the brim. but still carried the voice of adventure and a voice of echo he hadent herd for years. His father. He traced the old Pokémon emblem on the cap with his thumb, as if doing so would bring his father back. His father was non outher then Ash Ketchum.
¨where are you... dad.¨ he whispered.
Jimmy was only six when his dad disappeared. One day, he was sending letters home about his battle in Galar. And the next, he was gone, nothing, vanished without a trace. no champion match, no press conference, not even a goodbye.
Delia Jimmy's grandmother and Ash's mom were the only ones who knew the truth about Ash having a son. To the world, Ash was a lone hero. But in secret, he had come home one day during a quiet winter and spent months with the only woman who understood him. And Deila held the little boy in his arms one night under the stars.
Jimmy had his father's black hair, his mother quitness and his grandmother's softness. Deep down, he carried his father's spirit. the desire to understand Pokémon, to befriend them. and not just train them. And now, after years of questions and silent tears, he has finally ten.
Now Jimmy was old enough to begin his journey. But it wasn't any journey. Jimmy wasn't just chasing badges and fame but shadows. Downstairs was the smell of steamed dumplings filled with chicken. Delia bustled around stow, humming an old tune.
¨Did you sleep well, sweetie¨ she asked as Jimmy came down staires eevee padiling beside him.
Jimmy nodded ¨yeah... kinda¨
Deila gave him a small, gentle smile. the kind that didn't ask too many questions. But always understand. she placest a plate in front of him.
¨Big day to day. ¨ she said brusing his messy hair ¨you finaly heading out.¨
jimmy dident respond right away. he feed a egg to his eevee, who chirped happily and wagged its tail.
Delia lowered her voice ¨you dont have to look for him. You know. you cude just travel to find yourself. ¨
¨I... know ¨ jimmy said quitlu. ¨but... what if he's still out there?. What if he's waiting?. ¨
Delia closed her eyes. ¨then go and listen to your heart. like he always did.¨
AT GATE
A few hours later, Jimmy stood beyond the gates of Pallet Town. His backpack was slung over his shoulder. And Eevee purest on his head. its shoft fure brushing his cheeks.. but jimmy wasent just going alone. Besides, Jimmy was his best friend. Adam Kurai. Adam was shy sensetive like him and also 10 years old.
¨ ready...¨ Adam ask standing beside him, with his green hoodie zipped up and his black duffel bag slung over one shoulder. His starter, a charmander was beside him. prodly at Adams sidea, his fire tail flicking with exidmant.
Jimmy smiled a little ¨ As ready as I ever be. ¨
Adam scratches his head nervously. ¨ You sure we're not rushing these?. I mean... I never been past Route 1 without my mom.¨
¨I haven't either.¨ Jimmy said ¨, but if we wait until we brawe, we never go.¨
That made Adam smile ¨o...okey route 1 it is¨
To gather the 2 boys toke there firtest stepp into the tall wild grass and wandering diret. that whud lead them north of Veriden City. A flock of Pidgey scattered as the 2 walk past. a distent call of a spearow echoed from the trees.
ROUTE 1
By noon, they reach a resting point. under a tree. Jimmy opend hes screatch book. His most prized possession besides Ash's cap. he flippt trow the book filled with drawings of Eevee. he addad a few lines, well, eevee chast his own tail. In the grass.
Adam leaned over ¨thats one good, you even made its ears fluffy.¨
¨thanks¨ Jimmy said, blushing a little.
Adam grinned ¨you ever think about evolving her.¨
Jimmy looked over at Eevee and shook his head. ¨no i think shes perfect. I... want to let her decide for herself.¨
Adam nodded ¨thats kinda... beutiful accely.¨
Charmander is trying to impress Eevee. started breathing tiny controlled ember. forming little circles in the air. Eevee clappt hin delighet. But the moment was interrupted by a growl in the bushes. The boys jump to their feet. From the bushes, a wild monkey angry stept out. It was angry.
¨it... looks angry¨ Adam said
¨Its probibly teratorial¨ Jimmy said ¨and we sitting on its terratory.¨
¨We shud run¨ Adam said ¨we can't... handle that ¨
¨No¨ Jimmy said ¨ we can handle it... togather¨
¨Al... alright lets do it¨ Adam said
Eevee and charmander stod side by side. and the next few secunds was blur of movement. tackel, ember, growl, but in the end, mankey finaly hufft and disappeared into the trees. jimmy dropt and hugged Eevee.
¨you okey¨ Adam ask
¨yh...yeah ¨ jimmy said smiling ¨it was... intens but we manage. ¨
Adam laught rubing charmanders head. ¨ we accely did it. ¨
Both high-fived, shaking from the adrenaline. The first battle felt like a miracle
VERIDEN CITY
Later that day, they reach Veridon City. tired bout proude. The Pokémon Centaur welcomed them with pink light and a soft voice of Nure's joy. After treating there pokemon. Both boys sat on a bench next to fonten.. jimmy lookt at the dark sky and saw stars.
¨do you ever wonder what it would be like if he were still here. ¨ Jimmy asks
¨you dad¨ Adam said
Jimmy nodded. ¨I don't remember his face that well. just his voice and a stupid hat. ¨
Adam was quiet for a moment. ¨ You know I just want to be jealous of you. Having a dad who just to be a hero. Now I just want to help you find him.¨
Jimmy turned, looking at his friend. ¨really¨
Adam grinned ¨ofcoures you're my best friend and your journey is my journey now.¨
Jimmy blinked a few times, then smiled in the moment he didn't feel alone. They walk back to pokemon center to get some rest for the night.
The night in Pokémon Centre. jimmy cudent sleep. he sat by the window at night scetcing again. but these time he wasn't drawing Eevee. He was drawing a figure jacket and cap standing in front of mounten. with a Pikachu on shulder holding a baby. It was a memory that wasn't fading. He was drawing Ash Ketchum and his Pikachu holding Jimmy as a baby.
He whispered. ¨ I find you dad. I promise.¨
Outside, the stars shine brighter. Then usually. and somwhere far away in a cell was a man with birthmarks on cheek, a hat pulled down. pikachu nexst to him waiting. for the right time.