Kamala, Doreen, and Tippy-Toe step inside Pokémon Home. The interior is just as colorful and inviting as the exterior, with displays of Pokémon merchandise, training equipment, and interactive exhibits. The air hums with a gentle energy, and the sounds of happy Pokémon can be heard in the background.
"I'm Orion Oak, the owner of this establishment. You can call me Owner," he says, extending a hand in greeting. "Welcome to the Pokémon Home."
Kamala and Doreen exchange a look of disbelief before shaking Orion's hand. "You're… you're the guy from the HeroTube videos," Kamala says, her voice filled with awe. "I can't believe it's really you."
"I am the very same," Orion says with a grin. "And you must be Ms. Marvel and Squirrel Girl, if I am not mistaken."
Doreen squeals with delight. "This is so cool!" she exclaims, practically bouncing on the balls of her feet. "I've seen all your videos! This place is even more amazing than I imagined!"
Standing beside Orion is a beautiful young woman with long red hair and golden eyes. She exudes an aura of gentle warmth and smiles kindly at Kamala and Doreen.
"And this is my assistant, Latias," Orion says, gesturing towards the woman. "She helps me keep things running smoothly around here."
Kamala and Doreen stare at Latias, their minds racing. Is she a Pokémon too? Or some kind of magical being?
"So, is this really the Pokémon Home from the videos?" Kamala asks, still trying to wrap her head around everything. "And are there really Pokémon here?"
Orion chuckles. "Indeed, this is Pokémon Home," he says, his voice full of pride. "And yes, we have all sorts of Pokémon here."
As if on cue, a familiar yellow figure suddenly appears, leaping onto Orion's shoulders. It's Pikachu, his cheeks glowing with electricity.
Kamala and Doreen gasp, their eyes widening in disbelief. "There he is!" they exclaim in unison, pointing at Pikachu. "It's really Pikachu!"
Pikachu, sensing their excitement, lets out a cheerful "Pika!" and strikes a pose on Orion's shoulder.
Orion smiles. "Pikachu is one of our most popular residents," he says. "He's quite the charmer, as you can see."
"It's an honor to meet you, Ms. Marvel, and Squirrel Girl. I'm Latias, and I'm delighted to welcome you to Pokémon Home."
"Well, it's awesome to meet you too!" Doreen says, her enthusiasm infectious. "I'm Squirrel Girl. And this is my bestie, Ms. Marvel."
Kamala nods in agreement. "Yeah, it's great to be here," she says, her initial skepticism slowly giving way to genuine curiosity. "I still can't believe this is all real."
"Believe it, my friend," Orion says with a wink. "The world of Pokémon is full of surprises."
Tippy-Toe, who has been silently observing the scene, suddenly speaks up, chattering excitedly. Squeak! Squeak! Squeak! (Translation: Can we pet the Pikachu? Can we pet the Pikachu?)
Doreen giggles. "Tippy-Toe wants to know if she can pet Pikachu,"
Orion turns to Pikachu, who shakes his head firmly, his cheeks sparking slightly. "Pikachu appreciates the sentiment, but he's not too keen on being touched by just anyone," Orion explains. "He's a bit particular about his personal space."
"Aww, that's a shame," Doreen says, looking disappointed. Tippy-Toe chitters sadly, her tiny shoulders slumping. Squeak... (Translation: Worth a try.)
"So, where are all the other Pokémon?" Doreen asks, eager to see more of the amazing creatures she's only seen on video. "I wanna see 'em all!"
"Most of our Pokémon reside in the Sanctuary," Latias replies, her voice soft and melodic. "It's a vast and beautiful habitat where they can roam freely and live in harmony."
Orion then describes the available options for acquiring Pokémon partners: the random lottery, offering a chance at rare Pokémon, and the sanctuary, a space where one can try to build relationships with wild Pokémon. Just as with Valeria, Harley, and Ivy.
Kamala and Doreen exchange excited glances. "The Sanctuary sounds amazing!" Kamala says, her eyes lighting up. "Can we go see it?"
"I would be delighted to lead you there," Latias offers, her smile warm and inviting. "It would be my pleasure to introduce you to some of our residents."
Latias leads Kamala, Doreen, and Tippy-Toe towards a shimmering portal, a swirling vortex of colors that seems to hum with energy. "Please, follow me," she says, stepping gracefully into the gateway.
Kamala and Doreen exchange another look, their excitement bubbling over. "This is gonna be epic!" Kamala declares, grinning from ear to ear.
Doreen nods enthusiastically, Tippy-Toe clinging tightly to her shoulder. "Let's do this!"
With a deep breath, Kamala steps through the portal, followed closely by Doreen and Tippy-Toe.
They emerge into a breathtaking landscape, a vast and verdant expanse that stretches as far as the eye can see. Lush meadows are dotted with sparkling streams, towering trees provide shade and shelter, and the air is filled with the sweet scent of wildflowers. Pokémon roam freely, interacting with each other and the environment in perfect harmony.
Kamala and Doreen stand in awe, their mouths agape. "Whoa…" Kamala breathes, her voice barely a whisper. "This is… incredible."
"I can't believe it," Doreen says, her eyes wide with wonder. "It's like stepping into a dream. A Pokémon dream!"
Tippy-Toe chitters excitedly, her tail twitching with anticipation. Squeak! Squeak! (Translation: So many squirrels! Potential allies!)
Pidgeys soar through the sky, their wings catching the sunlight. Caterpies munch on leaves, their vibrant colors a stark contrast to the green foliage. Poliwags frolic in the streams, their tails wagging merrily. A herd of Tauros graze peacefully in the distance, their powerful forms a testament to the strength and beauty of the Pokémon world.
Kamala approaches a group of Oddish, their bulbous bodies swaying gently in the breeze. "Hey there, little guys," she says softly, extending a hand. "You're so cute!"
The Oddish, initially startled, slowly approach Kamala, their eyes filled with curiosity. One of them nudges her hand with its leafy head, and Kamala giggles. "Aww, you like me!"
Doreen, meanwhile, is drawn to a group of Butterfree, their colorful wings fluttering gracefully as they dance through the air. "Oh my gosh, they're so pretty!" she exclaims, her voice filled with delight.
She reaches out to one of the Butterfree, and it lands gently on her finger, its delicate wings tickling her skin. "Hello there, little friend," she says, her heart swelling with affection.
Latias watches Kamala and Doreen with a gentle smile, her eyes filled with warmth. "It warms my heart to see you both connect with the Pokémon so easily," she says. "You both have a natural affinity for them."
As they continue to explore the Sanctuary, Kamala and Doreen are increasingly amazed by the reality of Pokémon. They interact with a variety of creatures, marveling at their unique abilities and personalities. They laugh, they gasp, and they share in the pure joy of experiencing the Pokémon world firsthand.
After a while, Latias suggests they split up to cover more ground. "Perhaps you could each explore different areas of the Sanctuary," she says. "That way, you'll have a chance to meet even more Pokémon."
Kamala and Doreen agree, eager to discover what lies beyond. "Okay, sounds like a plan!" Doreen says. "Let's meet back here in an hour and share our discoveries!"
With a wave, Kamala and Doreen head off in separate directions, their hearts filled with anticipation.
Kamala wanders through a sun-dappled forest, her senses heightened by the beauty and tranquility of her surroundings. As she walks, she notices a small, furry creature with soft brown fur and a fluffy cream-colored collar. It's an Eevee, its large, expressive eyes gazing at her with a mixture of curiosity and caution.
"Oh, hello there," Kamala says softly, approaching the Eevee slowly. "You're so cute! What are you?"
The Eevee tilts its head, its ears twitching slightly. It takes a tentative step forward, then another, until it's standing just a few feet away from Kamala.
Doreen and Tippy-Toe, meanwhile, find themselves in a clearing surrounded by tall trees. Suddenly, a small, rodent-like Pokémon with white fur and black markings glides down from the treetops, landing gracefully on a branch nearby. It's an Emolga, its yellow cheek pouches sparking with electricity.
Tippy-Toe's eyes widen, and she lets out a squeak of delight. Squeak! Squeak! (Translation: It's so cute! I must have it!)
***
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Advance chapters in P@T0n Najicablitz.