The sun streamed through the large windows of Pokémon Home, casting a warm glow on the polished floors and colorful displays. It was another day in the ever-evolving world of Pokémon integration, and Orion Oak, ever the optimist, was eager to see what adventures the day would bring.
Latias, in her human form, meticulously organized the shelves, ensuring each Poké Block, Premier Ball, and guidebook was perfectly aligned. Pikachu, ever vigilant, patrolled the front desk, occasionally twitching his nose as if sensing the arrival of new friends.
Business had been slow lately. Sure, the HeroTube video was doing great, but very few people were buying Pokémon.
A young girl, no older than ten, skipped into Pokémon Home, her bright red hair bouncing with each step. She wore a simple dress and clutched a worn plush toy in her hands.
"Good morning, Pikachu! Good morning, Mr. Orion!" May chirped, her voice filled with infectious enthusiasm.
"Well, good morning, May! Back for another adventure in the Sanctuary?" Orion greeted, his eyes twinkling with amusement.
May nodded eagerly. "Yes! I want to see if I can find that cute little Eevee again. It was playing near the waterfall yesterday."
"Excellent! Latias, would you mind escorting May to the Sanctuary?"
"Of course, Orion," Latias replied, her voice gentle. "Come along, May. Let's see what wonders await us today."
Latias and May walked through the portal, leaving Orion and Pikachu to tend to the quiet lobby. Orion watched them go, a thoughtful expression on his face. May was a regular, almost a fixture at Pokémon Home. She was a sweet kid, always respectful of the Pokémon and genuinely interested in learning about them. He didn't even have to charge her since she didn't want to buy any Pokémon. She would always visit for a few hours and leave.
After a few hours, Latias returned alone, her expression serene. "May has departed for the day, Orion. She sends her regards and says she will return tomorrow."
"Ah, another day, another adventure," Orion mused.
Just as the words left his lips, the entrance doors burst open, flooding the lobby with a burst of energy. Valeria Richards strode in, her expression determined, followed closely by her younger brother, Franklin, who bounced with uncontainable excitement.
The atmosphere in Pokémon Home immediately brightened, as if the sheer force of their personalities could banish the gloom.
"Orion! Pikachu!" Valeria greeted with a friendly nod. "Good to see you both again."
Pikachu chirped happily, scampering over to Valeria and nuzzling against her leg.
Franklin, meanwhile, was a whirlwind of motion, his eyes darting around the lobby, taking in every detail with wide-eyed wonder. "Whoa! This place is even cooler than Valeria said! Are those real Pokémon? Can I pet them? Do they battle? Can they fly?"
His words tumbled out in a rapid-fire barrage, leaving Orion chuckling in amusement.
"Easy there, Franklin!" Valeria interjected, placing a hand on her brother's shoulder. "Give Orion a chance to breathe."
Valeria turned to Orion, her expression curious. "Orion, this is my brother, Franklin."
stepped through the shimmering portal, disappearing into the lush greenery of the Sanctuary.
Valeria glanced back at Latias, who she didn't see the last time. "I don't think I've seen you here before. Are you new?"
Latias nodded, her eyes sparkling. "Indeed, I am. My name is Latias. I'm helping Orion manage Pokémon Home."
"Well, it is nice to meet you, too, Latias."
Franklin, momentarily forgotten, tugged on Valeria's sleeve. "Valeria! Can we see the Pokémon now? Please? Pretty please?"
Orion chuckled, his gaze softening as he looked at Franklin. "Of course, Franklin. But first, tell me, what brings you both to Pokémon Home today?"
Franklin didn't hesitate, blurting out the truth with childlike abandon. "Our parents and uncles are on some super-secret, off-world mission! So, Valeria and I decided to take advantage of the situation and use the Fantastic Four credit card to get a Pokémon!"
He puffed out his chest, a mischievous glint in his eyes.
Valeria, on the other hand, could only sigh, her expression a mix of amusement and exasperation. "Franklin! You weren't supposed to say that!"
"What? It's true!" Franklin protested, his voice indignant. "Besides, it's not like they'll find out. Right, Valeria?"
Valeria pinched the bridge of her nose, bracing herself for the inevitable fallout. Franklin's recklessness was going to get them in trouble. Again.
Orion, however, simply chuckled, unfazed by Franklin's confession. "Well, I admire your initiative, Franklin. But I must warn you, using your parents' credit card without their permission is generally frowned upon."
"Yeah, yeah, I know," Franklin mumbled, his enthusiasm slightly dampened. "But it's worth it! I'm finally going to get my own Pokémon!"
Orion's eyes twinkled. "Well, the first step to getting a Pokémon is choosing a Pokémon. So, what will it be?"
Orion gestured towards the portal leading to the Sanctuary. "Will you try your luck befriending one in the Sanctuary? Or would you prefer to test your fate with the lottery?"
Franklin, ever the pragmatist, perked up at the mention of the Sanctuary. "The Sanctuary! Definitely the Sanctuary! It's free, right?"
"As long as you do not buy anything, it is," Orion confirmed with a nod. "But remember, Franklin, befriending a Pokémon takes patience, kindness, and understanding. You can't just walk in there and expect them to instantly become your partner."
"I know, I know," Franklin replied, waving his hand dismissively. "I've seen Valeria try. I'll be super nice and friendly. I'll even share my snacks."
Valeria decided to give it another shot. She had Beldum, but she couldn't find any other Pokémon to partner with last time.
"I'll go with Franklin," Valeria announced, her voice firm. "I think I need a bit more practice."
"Excellent!" Orion exclaimed, clapping his hands together. "Latias, would you mind showing Franklin and Valeria to the Sanctuary?"
"Of course, Orion," Latias replied, her smile radiating warmth. "Come along, you two. Let's see what adventures await us."
Valeria and Franklin thanked Orion and followed Latias towards the portal. Before stepping through, Valeria paused, reaching into her backpack and pulling out two bags of fruit.
"We bought some fruit to share with the Pokémon," she explained, holding up the bags for Orion to see. "Hopefully, this will improve our chances."
Orion nodded approvingly. "Excellent! A thoughtful gesture can go a long way."
With a final smile, Valeria and Franklin stepped through the portal, disappearing into the lush greenery of the Pokémon Sanctuary.
Hours passed, the sun slowly arcing across the sky. Orion and Pikachu tended to the quiet lobby, occasionally glancing towards the portal, waiting for the return of the Richards siblings.
Finally, just as the afternoon shadows began to lengthen, Valeria and Franklin emerged from the Sanctuary, their expressions dejected and their hands empty.
"No luck," Valeria sighed, shaking her head. "I gave away all the fruit, but no Pokémon seemed interested in partnering with me."
Franklin was even more disheartened, his shoulders slumped and his voice flat. "I didn't even find any Pokémon I liked. They were all either too shy or too boring."
Orion listened patiently, his expression sympathetic. "Ah, I see. It seems the Sanctuary was not meant to be for you today."
"I guess so," Franklin mumbled, kicking at the floor. "I really wanted a Pokémon, but I'm not sure if I can do this."
Orion placed a comforting hand on Franklin's shoulder. "Don't give up, Franklin! There are many ways to find a Pokémon partner. Perhaps the lottery is more your style?"
Franklin's eyes lit up at the suggestion. "The lottery? You mean I can just tap a screen and get a random Pokémon?"
"It is, although the Pokémon you get are usually very expensive," Valeria noted.
"But I don't have to buy any berries, Moomoo Milk, and Poké Blocks," Franklin shot back.
Orion chuckled, sensing Franklin's eagerness. "Indeed! It seems fate is calling you, Franklin. Latias, would you do the honors?"
Latias stepped forward, her smile radiating warmth and anticipation. She held out the lottery tablet to Franklin, her eyes sparkling with encouragement.
Franklin stared at the tablet, his heart pounding with excitement. This was it. His chance to finally get his own Pokémon. He took a deep breath, his finger hovering over the screen, ready to unleash the lottery and find his destiny.
***
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