chapter 1

Ash Ketchum – POV

Pallet Town was quiet that morning, softer than usual beneath the orange-gold sky.

Ash stood outside his house with Pikachu perched on his shoulder, his bag strapped tight across his back. The breeze smelled of damp grass and spring dust, and the air buzzed with something he couldn’t name—excitement, maybe. Nervousness. It was the first time he’d be gone this long.

One full year.

A specialized training program—invite only, high-level, supervised by one of Sinnoh’s top professors. The kind of thing future Champions attended. The kind of thing Paul would attend.

Ash hadn’t thought of him yet. Not really.

His mom hugged him tightly, voice warm but watery.

“You’ve done so much already,” she whispered. “I hope you remember to rest sometimes, too.”

Ash laughed softly into her shoulder. “I will. And I’ll come back stronger.”

Delia pulled back with a small smile, brushing his hair away like he was still ten.

“You always do.”

On the Train

The route to Sinnoh took hours. Ash watched the trees blur past the windows, his hand resting lightly on Pikachu’s head as the train rocked beneath them. He passed the time thumbing through the official pamphlet again—the glossy cover showing the steep cliffs and rugged training fields of Mt. Nirai, where the camp was held.

“High-Intensity Training. Physical Endurance. Mental Discipline. Pokémon Synchronization.”

Ash grinned to himself.

He was ready.

In Jubilife Station

Stepping onto the bustling station platform, Ash heard his name shouted across the crowd.

“Ash!”

He turned—eyes lighting up.

“Brock! Dawn!”

They hadn’t seen each other in months, but it didn’t matter. Brock’s steady grin and Dawn’s bright eyes were the same as ever. Brock clapped him on the shoulder, and Dawn hugged him before looping her arm through his.

“Looks like we’re all going to suffer together for a whole year,” she joked.

“Think they’ll let us breathe between drills?” Brock asked.

Ash grinned. “If we’re lucky.”

They boarded a chartered ferry to Mt. Nirai, the mountain hidden behind thick fog and sheer cliffs. The ride was quiet—other trainers murmured, reading the rules, staring out into the distance.

Ash noticed the diversity of the group: older teens, young adults, all handpicked. Champions-in-the-making. Rivalries waiting to happen.

But none of them mattered—not really. Not until he saw a name on the cabin assignment list.

Cabin 6B – Ash Ketchum

Cabin 6B – paul sinzi

He stared at it.

Something in his chest shifted—uncertain if it was irritation or anticipation.

“Of course,” he muttered.

Dawn peeked over. “That the same Paul?”

“Yeah,” Ash said flatly. “Same one.”

She raised an eyebrow. “Should we be worried?”

Ash smirked. “Only if he is.”

Mt. Nirai – First Glimpse

When the ferry finally docked and the group began the winding hike up the stone path, Ash found himself breathless—not from exhaustion, but awe.

The mountain rose like something ancient and wild, half-shrouded in mist. Wooden cabins dotted the trail, and far above, the glint of a high tower—a research center, maybe—cut into the grey clouds.

Ash couldn’t stop staring. This wasn’t like any League training he’d done before.

It felt bigger. Sharper. A storm waiting to break.

Nightfall

Their first night, the air was cold.

Ash unpacked slowly, glancing around the small two-person cabin. One bunk. Two desks. Shared space.

Pikachu curled up on the bed while Ash stared at the door.

He hasn’t arrived yet, Ash thought.

He stood, stretched his arms behind his head, and glanced out the window. Fog was thick now. Lamps flickered outside. The kind of quiet that came before something else.

Something big.

Something strange.

Something wrong.

He turned back to his pack. Unaware that someone had been standing outside, just out of sight.

Watching.

Waiting.

And that this night—this simple, cold, uneventful night—would be the last time he would ever be truly alone.

🖤 end of the chapter

...****************...

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***



