Chapter 1: Dreams of Becoming a Pokémon Master
The flickering glow of the television screen bathes the modest living room in a pale, wavering light. Shadows dance across the worn carpet, their movements mimicking the tense battle unfolding on the screen. The air is thick with anticipation, punctuated only by the crackling hum of Gengar's Shadow Ball as it hurtles toward its target. Blaze Ketchum, standing just behind the sagging couch, narrows his amber eyes, every muscle in his lean frame coiled with focused intensity.
On the screen, Nidorino digs its claws into the dirt-stained battlefield, bracing for the impact. The Shadow Ball slams into the purple Pokémon, sending it skidding back across the scuffed ground. A low growl escapes Blaze's lips as he watches the older, grizzled trainer on the screen clench his fists, his face a mask of determination. He shouts a command, voice rough with the strain of battle. Nidorino's horn begins to glow, energy building for a desperate counterattack.
Blaze's mind races alongside the battle, analyzing every move with ruthless precision. He knows what he would do—Nidorino's power is formidable, but it's battered, worn down by Gengar's relentless assault. The trainer on the screen makes a quick decision, recalling Nidorino into its Poké Ball with a flash of red light. Blaze's lips twitch into a slight nod of approval. A good call—pull back before it's too late. His gaze remains locked on the screen, his thoughts already a step ahead, imagining how he would have handled the situation.
The battlefield trembles as Onix emerges from its Poké Ball, towering over Gengar with an imposing presence. The massive rock snake coils and uncoils, its segmented body grinding with the sound of boulders colliding. Onix's eyes burn with determination, and the ground beneath Gengar fractures under the sheer weight of its opponent. Blaze's hands tighten into fists, his mind darting through possible counters. Onix is a powerhouse, but Gengar's speed and intangibility are its true weapons.
Gengar's response is swift and strategic. The ghost-type flickers like a phantom, its form becoming ethereal as it slips through Onix's Rock Throw, the boulders passing harmlessly through its body. A mischievous grin spreads across Gengar's face, its eyes glinting with dark amusement before it vanishes into the shadows. Onix thrashes in frustration, its massive tail smashing into the ground. Blaze smirks, appreciating the tactical retreat—Gengar knows when to strike and when to disappear. But Blaze's competitive spirit burns hotter—he would have pressed the advantage, not let his opponent slip away.
Blaze's younger brother, Ash Ketchum, sits cross-legged on the carpet, his wide eyes glued to the television. He grips a Pikachu-shaped pillow tightly, his face lit up with pure, unfiltered excitement. The contrast between the two brothers is stark—where Ash's expression is open and full of energy, Blaze's is measured, his gaze calculating. Yet, there's a shared intensity in their focus, a bond forged in their mutual love for Pokémon battles.
Onix's failed Rock Throw echoes in Blaze's mind, and he murmurs to himself, his voice low and analytical. "Gengar's speed is its biggest asset. Onix needs to go on the defensive, wait for Gengar to materialize, then strike hard." His tone is direct, a reflection of his relentless drive to improve, to see through every move on the battlefield. His sharp amber eyes remain locked on the screen, absorbing every detail, every strategy. In his mind, he's already refining his own techniques, thinking of ways to counter such a massive opponent, to turn weakness into strength.
The living room brightens suddenly as Delia Ketchum, their mother, steps in from the hallway, her hand on the light switch. The warm smile on her face carries the gentle authority that only a mother can wield, her presence a comforting contrast to the tension of the battle. "Alright, boys, that's enough for tonight," she says softly, yet firmly. Her voice, always so full of warmth, holds a note of finality. Blaze straightens up, the tension in his shoulders easing slightly at his mother's presence. He admires her support, even if there's a part of him that itches to keep watching, to keep learning.
Ash's face falls, a whine escaping his lips as he clutches the pillow tighter. "But Mom, the match isn't over yet!" His eyes flick back to the screen where Onix is preparing another move, desperation creeping into his voice. The disappointment in his tone is palpable, a mirror of the excitement he had just moments ago. Delia's smile fades slightly, and she reaches for the remote. Before she can turn off the TV, Blaze places a hand on Ash's shoulder, his grip firm but reassuring.
"Tomorrow's a big day, Ash," Blaze says, his tone calm but carrying the weight of his words. "We need to be at our best." There's an authority in his voice, a protective edge that shows how much he cares for his younger brother, even if he expresses it through calculated reasoning rather than gentle coaxing. His words are a reminder of what's to come, the journey that lies ahead, and the challenges they will face together.
The channel flickers to a brightly lit studio, where Professor Oak stands beside three pedestals, each holding a Poké Ball. A leaf symbol adorns one, a water droplet another, and a flame the third. Oak's voice, warm and informative, fills the room as he describes the strengths and quirks of each Pokémon—Bulbasaur, Squirtle, and Charmander. Blaze's eyes narrow as he watches, his mind already racing with strategies for each potential starter. The calm setting of the lab is a stark contrast to the gritty battlefield from earlier, yet it holds its own intensity—a different kind of battle, one fought with knowledge and choice.
That night, the Ketchum brothers lie in their shared bedroom, the soft morning light filtering through the window as they drift into sleep. But even in their dreams, the battle continues.
Ash's dream is vivid, a sunlit field stretching out before him, tall grass swaying gently in the breeze. He stands confidently, a Bulbasaur at his side, its eyes gleaming with readiness. In his sleep, Ash mumbles about the advantage of Leech Seed, the corners of his mouth curling into a small smile as he imagines draining his opponent's strength. The dream is peaceful yet charged with potential, capturing the boundless optimism that defines Ash's approach to challenges.
Meanwhile, Blaze's dream is more structured, more strategic. He stands by a serene riverbank, directing a Squirtle to use Water Gun to douse a fiery opponent. The water sprays forth with precision, extinguishing the flames with a hiss. Blaze's smile in his sleep is more of a smirk, his voice steady as he whispers about how a Squirtle's water attacks would dominate in battle against Fire-types. Even in his dreams, his mind is a battlefield, every move calculated, every decision deliberate.