Reshiram, the Vast White Pokémon is a being of truth that the people of Unova have spoken about for thousands of years, yet not a single sighting is recorded, unlike other Legendary Pokémon. All I see in my laptop screen is my reflection: my grey mop of hair needs a touch up...the roots of my fringe are starting to show through. What exactly am I meant to do with this paper!? What am I even doing? I struggle in my chair as I sip my coffee, hearing a perky voice behind me.
“Y'alright, hun?” Here she comes, the charismatic beauty of Nuvema.
“Yeah, Hannah, cheers.” She serves me a Casteliacone. She knows I find them very unsettling, but in politeness I take a scoop.
“You’ve been staring at your laptop for like an hour, my dude, and haven’t done anything. Are you sure that researching a Legendary Pokémon’s good right now? It’s like your first shot and all.” She sits opposite me, twirling her dark curly hair in her fingers. The bistro’s pretty empty for a Saturday afternoon.
“I can’t think of anything else to research, we already know about abilities Pokémon shouldn’t have, we already know about the rise of Fairy types in Kalos, the migration of Pokémon to Unova’s east coast isn’t exactly news. What do you expect me to do if not research a Legend?”
“Why don’t you get a consultation with a professional?”
“I’m fine, Han.” But the sentiment is appreciated, I wipe my blond fringe from my eyes as I sit back in my chair.
“You idiot, I mean a researcher, like Juniper or Fennel?”
I feign choking on my soft serve in retaliation. Why would I waste their time?
“Okay, okay! Point taken.” Point won for Alec. “I just don’t know what you’re expecting to find, like what? You find the Legendary Dragon Pokémon and that’s it? You’re as good as done with your career at 23?” She furrows her eyebrows and takes a sip of her tall glass of lemonade.
“Of course not.” There’s...other regions and Legendaries.
“Look Alec, I can’t keep letting you live in my attic for too much longer y’know.” She steels her violet eyes, peering not into my soul...but my wallet. “It’s hard with all this enviro-terrorism junk going on lately, the café’s not getting as many customers. You’re gonna have to put in more hours to pay your fill, I hope you know that.” Reshiram is said to be a being of truth, and-
“Alec!”
“Sorry, yes?”
“Buddy. I’m signing you on for more shifts this week as a trial, got it?”
“Hannah come on you know I need as much time as possible to-”
“To what? Soak up my wifi? You might as well be living in the Entree Forest with how much you use it.” Point taken, draw.
I started living with Hannah not long after I moved to Unova. She was one of the first people I met in the community and opened me up to how different things are here compared to Galar. She initially approached me because of my hair, of all things, asking me how I dye the fringe blond. We’ve been close friends ever since, with her letting me live in her attic. I do admit though, I’ve turned into a bit of a hermit.
“Alec I’m gonna give you a choice, as your friend. You need to actually commit to finding out about the Dragon Pokémon or put more work in. I want to see you do something great and this isn’t it.” I can feel my heart drop, last time someone said something like that was...
“Thanks? What brought this on though?” She stands, defiant in her stance as her Snivy, Prim, delivers another lemonade to her.
“I said, didn’t I? I just wanna see you do something great.”
***
I want to do something great, I think. Hannah was right. I’ve mooched off what she’s worked hard for and I need to do the same. I’m not even sure where to start but...let’s do it. 23 years old and going on an adventure?
This is a bit ridiculous.
Screw it.
“Alec! You in?” Hannah walks in alongside Prim and another woman. I beckon her over to the dining table.
“This is the Professor, she said she can tip you off about the Legendary Dragon Pokémon! Alec, Aurea. Aurea, Alec.” I swear, why doesn’t she just say Reshiram.
Wait… the Professor!?
I stand out of my chair in order to welcome her into our home properly.
“Don’t worry about formalities! I’ve heard a lot about you from Hannah.” She sits on the sofa, kicking up her feet onto the coffee table. I would have thought she’d be classier, but I guess it’s just Unova. Hannah, puts the kettle on in the kitchen.
“We go way back, little Prim here came from her when I gave contests a shot when I was 16. B-t-dubs, I’m still upset they only did them for a year!” Her Snivy proudly presents her singular contest ribbon, a tiny trinket adorning her tailor-made coat, bright pink and gold.
“You were good! And I told you before it was only because interest was lost from an overseas audience, so the organisers made a cut back.” You know, three years of living with Hannah and never asking her about where she met Prim definitely seems rude of me. No wonder she wants me out!
“Anyway, me and Aurea here were talking, and since the amount of kids getting Pokémon has dropped a little bit, considering the protests that keep happening in Accumula, she was wondering if you wanted to have one!” Wait what? Me? Getting a Pokémon meant for beginners?
“Hannah, look I respect this and what Professor Juniper here is doing but it’s not exactly like I’m the skill level these Pokémon are meant to accommodate to.”
“Oh? Well I’ll have you know that kids aren’t the only ones to get Pokémon from me y’know. You might wanna get that ego in check before you try to go on the whole Reshiram train.” I hate to admit, she definitely just put me in my place…
“So, Mr. Cocky. I think these three would be good choices if you wanna set off sometime today. Hannah told me all about it so here we go!” She presented three Poké Balls.
I recognise all the creatures that emerge from them just from seeing kids run around over the past few years. The first is a small serpentine Grass type who at first glance seems quite shy, averting my eyes, bless. The second is a small rotund Fire type who appears to be friendly enough. And then the third: a round Water type with a shell attached to it's belly. Snivy, Tepig and Oshawott. The three of them line up in front of me, presenting themselves in the best light...except the Snivy, who is shaking at the idea.
“Well, would you like to ask them some questions while we go to the store?” the Professor leaves, grabbing Hannah by the wrist while she was making coffee...good luck Han. I suppose this is what I’m doing now.
***
“So that’s when I said ‘Dad you’re nuts if you think I’m gonna go to Hoenn just to- oh, hello there?” Hannah and the Professor enter the living room to me handing a contract to my new business partner, the other two napping in the kitchen after I had given them dinner. I’m quite chuffed with my decision.
“Alec, are you making that Pokémon...sign a contract?” Hannah stutters in disbelief.
“What? This is a research mission after all, I need to make sure they’re okay with all the ins and outs.” The Professor falls on the floor laughing...not appreciated, but I think we’ve established she isn’t the most professional in demeanour.
“Gosh! I can’t believe this, you’re great! Hahaha!”
“Leave me alone, what did you two get?”
“Some supplies for your first night on the road!” Hannah hands me a black backpack, filled to the brim with food, a tent, a brand new sleeping bag, and lots more. I’m speechless.
“Hannah…?” I can feel my sight wavering.
“Don’t you dare cry, I've gone three years with you showing limited emotion, don’t break this immersion for me.” I hug her, tight. I can see the Professor smiling fondly across from us. She stands up and hands me the Poké Ball.
“Got a nickname for her in mind then?”
“Yeah, we made a list while you were out.” I look down at my new business partner, who seems rearing to go and as confident as I’d seen her. That confidence and pride was what solidified my decision:
“Orla. Orla my Oshawott.”
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