Chapter 1: A New Dawn in Pallet Town

Holly Ketchum had never quite shaken the feeling that she didn't belong—not in the same way others did. It wasn't that she disliked her life in Pallet Town. It was peaceful, simple, and filled with the golden light of sunsets that bathed the town in warmth. But deep inside, a whisper of another life lingered. Memories that felt distant, like echoes in an empty hall. She knew she had lived before, though the details remained just out of reach. Not as clear as she wished they were. As she got older the memories only became clear when related to the Pokémon games and anime. Her past life still remained clouded in mystery leaving her a little lost and somewhat reserved.

Ash had always been the one chasing the horizon, his heart set on becoming a Pokémon Master. He thrived in the chaos of adventure, in the thrill of battles and challenges. Holly, on the other hand, longed for something different. She loved adventure, yes, but she craved stability alongside it—an artist's life, where beauty could be captured, preserved, and shared.

Now, as the sun peeked over the hills of Pallet Town, its golden light dancing on the leaves outside her window, Holly knew her journey was about to begin. She had packed her essentials the night before—her sketchbook, her camera, her paints. And, of course, her brand-new Poké Balls, resting neatly in her bag. Unlike Ash, she wasn't planning to rush out the door and challenge the first wild Pokémon she saw. Her journey would be different.

A soft knock at the door startled her.

"Holly, you up?" Delia Ketchum's voice carried the warmth of a mother who had been through this before—just yesterday, in fact, when Ash had bolted out with Pikachu.

Holly stretched, pushing aside the lingering dreams of past lives, and got up. "Yeah, Mom, I'm up."

Delia entered, smiling as she placed a small package on Holly's desk. "I know your journey is going to be different from Ash's, so I thought you might appreciate a little extra something."

Curious, Holly untied the ribbon and lifted the lid. Inside was a sleek, high-quality camera with a leather strap. Her fingers ran over the smooth metal body, heart pounding.

"Mom… This is—"

"A gift," Delia said with a wink. "To help you capture all the beauty out there. I know you're not setting off to battle gyms, but that doesn't make your journey any less important."

Holly swallowed the lump in her throat. "Thank you. Really."

Delia nodded knowingly and gave her a hug. "Just don't forget to call home, okay? And don't let Ash's wild stories make you think your path isn't just as exciting."

With a final squeeze, her mother left, and Holly turned to the window, her fingers tightening around the camera.

This was it. Her journey was beginning—not to be the strongest, but to see the world, to capture its wonders, to make something truly beautiful.

Her Poké Balls sat waiting in her bag, each one a promise of companionship, of shared adventures.

Stepping outside, she felt the crisp morning air against her skin. The world was waiting, and for the first time, she was ready to meet it on her own terms.

She just hoped that the journey left her with pleasant memories in the future. The memories of her past may be shrouded the sense of unease and misery she felt from them left her feeling unsettled.