c2: The First Pokémon
Alexander walked over to Meowth and slowly squatted down, eyes level with the feline Pokémon.
Sensing Alexander's quiet approach, Meowth who had been grooming his fur paused. He lifted his head to see what Alexander intended.
"Meowth," Alexander said gently, "I know... you were abandoned before. That's why you don't trust people. But we've known each other for a while now. I'm not like the ones who left you behind. I won't hurt you, and I won't let anyone else hurt you either. I need you now. Will you come with me? Let's work hard, let's grow strong together."
Alexander's voice held the same soft determination that Red once had when he earned Pikachu's trust outside Viridian Forest. After speaking, he extended his hand, revealing a red and white Poké Ball, slightly scratched but still working.
He wasn't forcing anything. If Meowth chose to go with him of his own will, there would be no need for a battle.
Meowth stared at the Poké Ball, eyes flickering with uncertainty.
He remembered cold alleys, shouted curses, and the sting of betrayal. A memory surfaced being shoved into a cage, hearing a human say he was "too weak," then left to fend for himself. Since then, he'd avoided trainers and kept his distance.
But now, Meowth looked at Alexander's face earnest, calm, steady. The warmth in his eyes melted a bit of the caution Meowth had carried for so long.
Moments passed. Then, slowly, Meowth raised his paw and gently tapped the Poké Ball.
Click.
A red light enveloped Meowth, drawing him inside. The Poké Ball trembled once, twice, thrice before going still.
Meowth had chosen.
Alexander's face lit up with joy. He picked up the Poké Ball, clutched it to his chest, and whispered, "Thank you, Meowth. From today on, we'll fight together."
Then he pressed the release button, and Meowth appeared in a soft flash. Alexander scooped him into his arms, lifted him high, and shouted to the blue sky, "I caught a Pokémon! I have a Pokémon now!"
Inside the house, his mother and sister stood by the window, watching.
His mother smiled. She had seen how much her son had endured. She understood what this moment meant, not just catching a Pokémon, but starting a new life.
What mother didn't want her child to live free from hardship?
Even in his happiness, Alexander didn't lose himself in excitement. After calming down, he carried Meowth back inside to share the news.
"This is my first partner," he told his family. Meowth purred softly, hopping down onto the floor and settling near Yan.
Alexander went to the kitchen and brought out some sitrus berry slices for Meowth. Then he retrieved a small, battered notebook and began scribbling in it with a pen.
He was already planning: Meowth's training path, strengths, typing strategies, move combinations, and evolution options. He recalled manga details how Blue trained Eevee using unorthodox methods, how Gold used technique over brute force. Alexander wanted to think ahead too.
He wrote notes about Meowth's agility, potential use of Pay Day, and the possibility of eventually evolving into Persian or even teaching Fury Swipes for battle control.
While Alexander was immersed in his thoughts, his mother came over with something wrapped in cloth.
"Alexander," she said, "to become a Trainer, there's a lot you'll need. Equipment, registration fees, travel money. Take this."
She unfolded the cloth. Inside were two rings one large, one small. Gem-set, elegant, worn by time.
Alexander recognized them instantly. His parents' wedding rings.
When they were exiled from the main family, they left everything behind except for essentials and keepsakes.
After his father's accident, his mother had kept both rings close to her, her last tie to the past.
Back then, they had no idea how to survive in the outside world. She had sold every other piece of jewelry and valuable they had. Only these remained.
Now, she was offering them up.
"Alexander," she continued, "we have nothing else left in this house. To begin your path as a Trainer, you need an ID, gear, a Trainer license. These rings were made by your father himself, specially designed when he proposed. They still carry value. Take them to town and sell them. It should be enough to get you started. Your father and I couldn't give you the life you deserve. Let this be our first step toward helping you build your own."
Tears shimmered in her eyes as she spoke. She knew that once these rings were gone, her only physical connection to her husband would be lost. But for her son to live with dignity, she would let go.
Alexander gripped his mother's hand tightly. His throat ached. His eyes reddened.
"Mom… I can't take them. I'll earn what I need myself. I won't let you give up everything for me. You've done enough. You've always sacrificed for me and Yan. But now… now it's my turn. I'll figure out a way. I'll build my own path, even if I have to start from nothing."
His mother looked at him, silent for a moment. She could see clearly: her child had grown.
But she didn't withdraw her hand. Her voice was soft but firm.
"Alexander, I know you want to shoulder everything. But this isn't just your burden. It's your father's and mine, too. These rings… they're a symbol, not just jewelry. It's the promise we made to each other. And now, that promise is also for you. If your father were here, he'd do the same. He'd sell the world if it meant giving you a chance."
She pushed the rings into his hand.
"Don't refuse. It's not weakness. It's love. Go now."
With that, she turned, picked up her worn bag, and left for town.
Alexander looked at the rings in his hand, his heart aching with weight he couldn't express. These weren't just jewelry—they were the final pieces of his parents' love, forged during better times. He clenched his fists around them, silently making a vow: I will make a name for myself. I'll become a true Trainer, or everything my family gave up will be in vain.
He absolutely did not want to sell his parents' rings.
But reality didn't care about sentiment. To become a registered Trainer in the Kanto Region—just like Red and Blue had done through official League channels required significant funding. His family, exiled and barely scraping by in Lin Yuan Town, simply couldn't afford it.
Alexander sat down at his desk and opened his well-worn notebook. He began listing out the expected costs to start his journey.
First: Trainer registration with the Pokémon League. According to League protocols, it required 20,000 Alliance Coins for the license, identity number, and Pokédex access (if applicable).
Next: Poké Balls. A standard team would eventually include six Pokémon, but catching Pokémon wasn't guaranteed. Based on average catch rates, he estimated he'd need at least ten Poké Balls, totaling 5,000 yuan, even at market price for standard-grade balls.
Then came Pokémon food. While berries could sometimes be found during travel, they weren't reliable. Meowth needed one can of food a day. At 10 yuan per can, he would need 30 cans for a month, equaling 300 yuan just for one Pokémon.
He skipped listing a Pokédex for now. Although the device was immensely helpful, it offered move data, species analysis, and trainer notes. it cost 100,000 yuan at the Alliance-run Mart. That was out of the question.
Next: Camping gear essential for outdoor living. Unlike League elites who could afford hotels or Pokémon Center rooms, he'd need to rough it. That meant a backpack, tent, sleeping roll, emergency kit, all of which would likely run another 4,000–5,000 yuan.
Then there were healing supplies. Potions, Revives, Antidotes—indispensable when out in the wild without access to a Pokémon Center. They'd add another few thousand yuan, minimum.
Finally, he factored in regular Pokémon Center services. Even with subsidies, using healing machines and renting out battlefield space added up.
After summing it all, Alexander concluded that launching his journey would require a minimum of 50,000–60,000 yuan.
He stared at the rings again. Selling them could cover the cost. But in his heart, he was still unwilling.
That afternoon, Alexander began familiarizing himself with Meowth's capabilities in the yard. Lacking a Pokédex, he had to rely on firsthand observation. He gave simple battle commands and watched Meowth demonstrate.
He quickly identified three moves: Growl, Scratch, and Fake Out.
Based on this set, he estimated Meowth's level to be around Lv. 7–9. The Fake Out move was especially promising quick and guaranteed to flinch if used properly. He remembered how Gold's Aipom in the manga used Fake Out to disrupt enemy openings during early battles.
Alexander thought back to what he knew: Meowth was a Normal-type, with high speed and surprising versatility. Unlike more rigid Pokémon, Meowth could learn a variety of move types—Dark, Ghost, Electric, Water, and even Steel with the right TM.
"Meowth will be a physical attacker," Alexander mused aloud as Meowth crouched and swiped at the air. "His move pool should focus on high-damage physical attacks, preferably with multiple type options to counter different matchups. I chose right."
With the testing done, Alexander packed up and walked with Meowth toward the center of town.
His destination: to check prices and options for Pokémon gear. And maybe, just maybe, see if any TMs were within reach.
Lin Yuan Town was a satellite settlement under Rainbow City's jurisdiction. With a population in the tens of thousands, it was calm and modest—no big industry, just families, market vendors, and the occasional Pokémon enthusiast.
Alexander's first stop was the Pokémon Center. Inside, he found the front desk clerk and asked about becoming an official League Trainer.
"To register," the nurse replied with a practiced smile, "you'll need to pay 20,000 Alliance Coins, pass a basic Pokémon knowledge assessment, and already have at least one Pokémon in your care."
Alexander nodded silently and thanked her. The test was new information clearly something that was overlooked in hearsay. He would need to brush up on type matchups, item functions, status conditions, and Trainer Code if he wanted to pass.
He stepped out and headed to a Poké Mart, a small shop located across the square, selling Trainer equipment.
The moment he entered, he was met with a barrage of color. The shelves were lined with Poké Balls, Potions, Antidotes, Repels, and even a few high-end items.
The first shelf featured the classic red-and-white Poké Ball, the blue-striped Great Ball, and the black-and-yellow Ultra Ball. Only these three types were available, more advanced balls like Dusk Balls or Quick Balls weren't in stock.
Further inside, there was a wall of medicinal sprays and field kits. But Alexander's real goal was further in.
He approached the counter.
"Excuse me," he asked the attendant, "do you sell skill discs here?"
"Ah, you mean TMs?" the clerk nodded. "Yes, they're in the back cabinet."
Alexander walked to where she pointed and saw a locked glass display with several TMs inside. Each disc was labeled with the move name, type, and price.
Cut – Normal-type – 30,000 yuan
Karate Chop – Fighting-type – 50,000 yuan
Bite – Dark-type – 40,000 yuan
Mega Drain – Grass-type – 50,000 yuan
Water Pulse – Water-type – 60,000 yuan
Flamethrower – Fire-type – 100,000 yuan
Protect – Normal-type – 150,000 yuan
Sing – Normal-type – 30,000 yuan
Earthquake – Ground-type – 100,000 yuan
Alexander felt his breath hitch.
Tens of thousands for just one move. In the manga, only Trainers from major cities or sponsored by Gym Leaders could afford such luxuries. No wonder Blue often had superior coverage in early battles.
He quickly realized that buying a TM now was out of the question. They were luxury items in this town. And it wasn't like Meowth could learn most of these at his level.
As he turned to leave, Alexander noticed a display near the front. A few held items were on sale.
He scanned the names. Most were simple Oran Berries, X Attacks, and Antidotes until his eyes landed on one item behind the glass:
Focus Sash – 200,000 yuan
That price stung worse than any battle loss.
He let out a bitter chuckle. "Guess only the elite get to prepare like champions."
The shop's meager stock reminded him: in Lin Yuan Town, he wouldn't find the high-end gear or support items used by Trainers in Saffron or Celadon.
If he wanted strength, he'd have to earn it the hard way.
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