Chapter 4: Chapter 4
Ray Ketchum, with his new partner Charmander, chose an alternate route back home. It was one less traveled, away from the usual paths. He wanted to avoid an encounter with his brother, Ash, not ready to face a barrage of questions or reveal that the three starter Pokémon had already been claimed. Deep down, Ray knew Professor Oak would ensure Ash received a Pokémon with great potential, but the thought of his brother's potential disappointment weighed on him.
As he neared his home, the tranquility of his thoughts was shattered by a sudden, chilling presence. A shadowed figure emerged from the twilight depths, standing ominously in his path. The air around him seemed to grow colder, and the familiar sounds of the forest hushed in anticipation. Ray tensed, his hand instinctively reaching for a Pokéball, but he paused as the figure whispered something indistinct.
In an instant, Ray's vision was engulfed in darkness. A whirlwind of images flashed before his eyes, feeling both dreamlike and eerily tangible. He saw himself as a champion of the Pokémon League, standing triumphant and revered. Then the vision shifted, showing him capturing the legendary Pokémon Latias and Latios in a moment of glory.
But the visions took a darker turn. He witnessed Ash, his brother, captured by poachers, fear etched on his face. His heart raced as he saw himself weeping in a Pokémon cemetery, consumed by grief. The sight of Ash in a Team Rocket uniform flickered by, leaving Ray shaken. Apocalyptic scenes followed, with Pokémon wreaking havoc on cities and towns.
Other scenarios unfolded, revealing Ray dealing with poachers and navigating the dark underbelly of the Pokémon world. Each vision painted a future filled with danger and moral ambiguity.
As quickly as they appeared, the visions dissipated, leaving Ray in the dim light of evening. He looked around, but the shadowed figure had vanished as if it had never been there.
Standing alone, Ray struggled to make sense of the experience. Were these illusions or glimpses of a possible future? The weight of these haunting possibilities bore down on him. He realized that his journey as a Pokémon trainer would be marked by choices far beyond battles and badges.
With a newfound resolve and Charmander beside him, Ray continued home, his mind still swirling with the images he had seen. The adventure ahead would challenge his courage, morals, and resolve to protect those he loved from the lurking shadows of the Pokémon world.
Upon arriving home, Ray was immediately engulfed in a flurry of excitement and questions. His two grandmothers and his mother, Delia, greeted him with beaming faces full of curiosity and affection.
"Ray! What Pokémon did you choose?" his maternal grandmother asked eagerly, her eyes sparkling excitedly.
"Did you get a strong one?" his paternal grandmother inquired, her gaze filled with anticipation.
Before Ray could respond, Delia wrapped him in a warm hug.
"We're so proud of you, Ray. We've prepared some gifts to help you on your journey," she said, her voice radiating love and pride.
They gathered in the living room, where Ray was presented with an assortment of thoughtful gifts. His grandmothers handed him 10 Pokéballs and a set of potions, essential tools for any trainer. Then, his mother brought out a tent and a remarkable space backpack with technology that reduced weight.
"It's like having a bedroom on your back without feeling the weight," Delia explained, her eyes twinkling with excitement.
But the most meaningful gifts were yet to come. His paternal grandmother handed him a book, a treasured relic from Ray's missing father, about Aura training. "Your father would have wanted you to have this," she said softly, her eyes misting with emotion.
His maternal grandmother then presented another book on Pokémon tactics, authored by Ray's grandfather, a former Gym Leader. "He was quite the strategist. You might learn a thing or two from his experiences," she said, her voice laced with pride.
Overwhelmed by the love and support of his family, Ray felt a warmth that eased the worries and uncertainties of his journey. As he flipped through the books, a light-hearted joke escaped his lips.
"Guess I'll be the first trainer to put a Pokémon to sleep with granddad's long-winded tactics," he quipped, eliciting a round of laughter from the room.
"And don't forget to use your father's Aura techniques to wake them up again!" his maternal grandmother retorted, her laughter mingling with the others.
The evening was filled with laughter, stories, and a sense of togetherness. Despite the mysterious and challenging path that lay ahead, Ray felt a renewed sense of purpose, bolstered by the unwavering support of his family. With his new gifts, his faithful Charmander, and
the love of his family, Ray was ready to face whatever the Pokémon world had in store for him.
As the evening wound down, Delia glanced at the clock and a look of concern crossed her face. "It's getting late. Have you seen Ash? He should have been back by now," she asked, her voice tinged with worry.
Ray, knowing his brother's eagerness for adventure and recalling his own avoidance earlier, suggested,
"Maybe he's at Professor Oak's lab. Ash wouldn't miss his chance to start his journey."
Without a moment's hesitation, Delia, accompanied by both grandmothers, hurried out the door, their expressions a mix of anxiety and determination.
"We must find him before it gets any later!" Delia called out as they hastened towards the lab.
Watching the scene unfold, Ray let out a small sigh, a half-smile on his face. The sight of the three women, so full of energy and concern, running off to find Ash, was both heartwarming and amusing. He knew Ash was in good hands with their family's matriarchal brigade on the lookout.
Ray turned to the Pokeball with Charmander as the door closed behind them.
"Looks like it's just you and me now, buddy," he said softly. With his family off on their mission, Ray had a moment to himself, a moment to reflect on the day's events and the journey ahead.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone