Chapter Text
The afternoon sun hung over Viridian Forest with its light breaking through the enormous canopy in scattered patches.
Baam crouched beside a small patch of herbs, carefully pulling one from the soil. “Is this one?”
Rachel glanced over from a few meters away. “No. The leaves are too round.”
“Oh.”
Baam put it back. He moved to the next plant. “What about this?”
Rachel smiled. “That one. Good job.”
Baam brightened immediately and placed it into the small basket between them. They had been in Viridian Forest for nearly two hours. Rachel had told him they needed the herbs for medicine. Baam didn't really know what kind of medicine, but Rachel had asked him to come along, so naturally, he had. The forest didn't bother him. Not when she was beside him. Every now and then, the sounds of Pokémon echoed between the trees. A Pidgey flew above them. Leaves rustled nearby, and once a Caterpie crawled across Baam's shoe before disappearing into the bushes. Baam watched it go.
“Rachel.”
“Hm?”
“Do you think I'll ever get a Pokémon?”
Rachel stopped. For a moment, she didn't answer. Then she smiled. “Of course.”
“When?”
“Soon.”
Baam grinned. “You promise?”
“I promise.”
That was enough for him. He returned to gathering herbs.
A little while later, Rachel stood up. “I think we've got enough.”
Baam looked at the basket. “Really?”
“Yeah. Come on.”
He immediately stood and followed her. They walked deeper between the trees. Baam didn't notice at first that they weren't heading toward the forest entrance.
“Rachel?”
“Hmm?”
“Where are we going?”
“There's another herb I need.”
“Oh.”
So Baam followed. The trees grew thicker. The sunlight became harder to see.
Eventually, Rachel stopped. Baam nearly walked into her.
“What's wrong?”
Rachel looked at him. There was something strange about her expression. Baam tilted his head.
“Rachel?”
“You stay here.”
He blinked.
“What?”
“I'll be back.”
“Where are you going?”
“Just over there.”
She pointed toward a narrow path between the trees. Baam looked at it.
Then back at her. “Can I come?”
“No.”
The answer was immediate. Baam's smile faded slightly.
“But-”
“I'll be quick.”
Rachel stepped away. Baam stared after her.
“Rachel?”
She kept walking.
“Rachel!”
She didn't turn around. Baam took a step forward. Then another. But something stopped him. Her last words echoed in his head. Stay here. So, he waited. A minute passed. Then five. Then ten. The forest became strangely quiet.
Baam looked toward the path again. “Rachel?”
Nothing.
He hugged the basket against his chest. “She said she'd come back.” Another few minutes passed. Baam finally walked to where she'd disappeared. There was no one there. He looked around.
“Rachel?”
Still nothing. For the first time, Baam realized something. He didn't know where he was. He turned in a slow circle. Trees. Bushes. Tall grass. Every direction looked exactly the same.
His grip tightened around the basket. “Rachel?”
A sudden rustle came from behind him. Baam froze.
Two red eyes appeared between the trees. He took a step backward. Baam had no Pokéballs. No Pokémon of his own. And no Rachel. For the first time in his life, Baam was completely alone.
A wild Beedrill appeared. Baam was entirely defenseless. He thought it was one. Nope. It was a whole swarm. He stumbled backward, clutching the basket to his chest. “Wait!”
The swarm descended through the trees, their wings filling the forest with a buzz. Baam shut his eyes.
Then, a soft pink glow filled the clearing. The buzzing stopped.
Baam slowly opened his eyes. A small pink Pokémon floated between him and the Beedrill. It had enormous blue eyes, a long thin tail, and an almost curious expression on its face.
Baam stared. “Huh?”
The Pokémon turned toward him. Baam blinked. “What... is that?”
Mew tilted its head. For some reason, Baam felt no fear. The Beedrill suddenly backed away. Mew simply waved its tiny paw. The entire swarm fled into the forest.
Baam's mouth fell open. “You saved me.”
Mew giggled. Then, before Baam could take another step, its body shimmered.
“Wait!”
A flash of pink. Gone. Baam stared at the empty air.
“Where did you go?”
Footsteps suddenly thundered through the forest.
“HURRY, EVAN!”
A woman's voice.
“PRINCESS YURI, PLEASE WAIT!”
Baam turned. A tall woman burst through the trees, followed by several people struggling to keep up with her.
Yuri stopped abruptly. Her eyes widened. “Did we just miss a Mew sighting?!”
Baam stared at her. “...A what?”
Yuri immediately noticed him.
Her expression changed. “You!”
Baam pointed at himself. “Me?”
“Did you see a pink Pokémon?”
Baam nodded. “Yes.”
Yuri's eyes practically lit up. “MEW?!”
“Umm… I don’t really know it’s name.”
“Show yourself!” She spun around, looking through the trees. “Mew! Come back! I just want to see you!”
Baam watched her in complete confusion. Who was this woman? And why was she yelling at the trees?
Yuri finally stopped. She looked back at him.
“Um...”
She approached. “Who are you, boy?”
Baam hesitated. “I’m Baam.”
“Baam?”
“Yes. The Twenty-Fifth Baam?”
“And why did Mew show itself to you?”
“I... don't know.”
Yuri stared at him. “You don't know?”
Baam shook his head. “It just appeared.”
Yuri looked him up and down. No Pokéball. No Pokémon. No backpack. Not even proper equipment for traveling through Viridian Forest.
Her eyes narrowed. “Where are your Pokémon?”
Baam lowered his head. “I don't have any.”
Yuri's expression dropped. “...You don't have any?”
“No.”
She looked around. “And you're alone?”
Baam nodded. “Rachel was with me.”
“Rachel?”
“My friend.”
“Where is she?”
Baam pointed toward the trees. “She went that way.”
Yuri stared at him for a few seconds. Then she slowly turned toward Evan. “Evan.”
“Yes, Princess?”
“This kid's practically defenseless.”
Evan looked Baam over. “Practically?”
Yuri raised an eyebrow. Evan sighed. “Completely defenseless.”
Baam looked between them.
Yuri crouched slightly so she was closer to his eye level. “Baam.”
“Yes?”
“Do you know how dangerous this forest is?”
Baam shook his head. “No.”
Yuri glanced toward the direction Rachel had supposedly gone. Then back at him. She turned to Evan.
“Evan.”
“Yes, Princess?”
“Give him a starter.”
Evan blinked. “Princess-”
“I'll handle it.”
Yuri reached for a Pokéball at her belt. “Baam.”
“Hm?”
“Look at this.”
An Absol appeared beside her. Baam's eyes widened. “Whoa...”
Absol stood calmly at Yuri's side, its red eyes scanning the forest. Yuri smiled proudly. “This is my partner.”
Baam slowly approached. “It's beautiful.”
“Isn't it?”
Yuri held up a Mega Stone. “Want to see something even better?”
Baam nodded immediately. Yuri touched the stone. “Let's go, Absol.”
A brilliant burst of energy surrounded the Pokémon. Its form changed. The fur around its head became darker, longer and more dramatic, its appearance becoming even more striking as the Mega Evolution settled.
Baam stared. “Woah...”
Yuri grinned. “Mega Absol Z.”
Baam couldn't take his eyes off it. “This... is a Pokémon?”
“My partner.” She crouched beside him. “You want one like this?”
Baam looked at Absol. Then at Yuri. “Um... yeah.”
Evan sighed. “If her explanation has convinced you, Princess, perhaps we should actually give the boy a choice before you start showing him every Pokémon you own.”
Yuri laughed. “Fine, fine.”
Evan stepped forward. “Baam.”
“Yes?”
“You'll need a Pokémon of your own if you're going to travel safely.”
He took three Pokéballs from his bag. “Fortunately, I have just the thing.”
He tossed them forward. Three flashes of light appeared.
A small green Pokémon stood on one side. A bright orange Pokémon stood beside it. And a blue Pokémon looked around curiously.
Baam stared. Evan gestured toward them. “The Kanto starters.”
Baam slowly stepped closer.
“Bulbasaur. Charmander. Squirtle.”
The three Pokémon looked back at him. “You can pick one of these.” Baam stared at the three Pokémon. Bulbasaur looked cheerful. Charmander seemed energetic. Squirtle simply stood there, looking up at him with a curious expression.
Baam crouched down. Squirtle tilted its head. Baam smiled. “I choose Squirtle.”
Evan paused. “Squirtle?”
Baam nodded. “Yeah.”
Squirtle happily raised one tiny fist. “Squirtle!”
Yuri grinned. “Good choice.”
She reached into her bag and pulled out two objects. Evan's eyes widened.
“Princess, don't-”
Yuri placed a Mega Stone into Baam's hand. Then she handed him a Key Stone. Baam stared at them.
“What's this?”
“Your Mega Stone and Key Stone.”
“...What?”
Evan nearly choked. “PRINCESS!”
Yuri looked completely unbothered. “What?”
“You can't just give a new trainer a Mega Stone!”
“Why not?”
“Because those are extraordinarily rare!”
Yuri shrugged. “He'll need it eventually.”
Baam looked down at the stones. “Does this mean Squirtle can become like your Absol?”
Yuri smiled. “Someday.”
Squirtle excitedly jumped onto Baam's shoulder. Baam laughed. “I'll take care of you.”
Evan rubbed his forehead. “This is unbelievable.”
Yuri turned toward the forest exit. “Well, we're not leaving him here.”
Baam looked up. “Where are we going?”
“Back to Viridian City.”
“Viridian City?”
“Yep.”
Yuri pointed ahead. “We'll get you somewhere safe, get you registered as a trainer, and figure out what you're going to do next.”
Baam looked back at the forest. Rachel still hadn't returned. His smile faded slightly.
“Do you think Rachel will be there?”
Yuri glanced at him. “We'll look for her.”
Baam nodded. He tightened his grip around Squirtle's Pokéball.
“Okay.”
And so, with Yuri, Evan, and a newly acquired Squirtle beside him, Baam finally left Viridian Forest. For the first time in his life, he was heading toward a world he had never known existed.
And his journey had begun.