The Fantastic Four exchanged intrigued glances, the question hanging in the air. Reed's brow furrowed slightly, a familiar sign that his analytical mind was already turning over possibilities. Ben's rocky features softened with a flicker of curiosity, while Sue maintained a cautious yet open expression, ever the steady anchor of the group. Johnny, however, was practically vibrating with excitement, his eyes wide.
"Are you serious, Owner?" Johnny burst out, barely containing himself. "We can get our own Pokémon? This is gonna be amazing! I call dibs on the coolest one, obviously."
Sue immediately turned to her brother, her expression firm.
"Johnny, hold on a minute," she said, a gentle warning in her tone. "This isn't like picking out a new sports car. Valeria has told us how much daily care Pokémon require."
"Yeah, they need special food, constant attention, and serious training," Valeria chimed in, nodding in agreement. "It's a huge responsibility."
"And you, my dear brother, are not exactly known for your long-term commitments to anything that isn't spontaneously combusting," Sue added, a wry edge to her voice. "What makes you think you can handle a living creature?"
Johnny's fiery enthusiasm dimmed just a touch, replaced by a look of genuine earnestness.
"Hey, I can be responsible," Johnny protested, holding up his hands. "I totally can! I'll feed it, I'll train it, I'll even clean up after it. Promise!"
Sue sighed, a soft sound that carried a lifetime of exasperation and affection.
"Oh, Johnny," she murmured, a faint smile playing on her lips. "Alright, fine. But if I find a single scorch mark on the carpet from a misplaced fireball, you're on cleanup duty for a month."
"Deal!" Johnny exclaimed, his grin returning in full force.
Reed adjusted his glasses, a thoughtful expression on his face.
"I believe it would be beneficial for all of us to experience this phenomenon firsthand," Reed stated, his voice calm and measured. "It provides an invaluable opportunity for research into interdimensional biology and the nature of these unique bonds."
"So, we're all in, then?" Ben asked, a rumbling sound in his chest. "Even you, Stretch?"
"Indeed, Ben," Reed confirmed, a rare spark of eagerness in his eyes. "We will all attempt to acquire a partner."
"So, Sanctuary or lottery?" Orion asked, his voice calm. "The choice is yours."
Sue looked at Reed, then at Johnny, a thoughtful expression on her face.
"I think we should try the lottery first," Sue stated, her voice clear and decisive. "We're not exactly prepared to spend hours convincing a Pokémon in the Sanctuary, not right now. We have… other responsibilities waiting."
She gave a pointed look at Johnny, who suddenly became very interested in the ceiling.
"And while I understand the cost can be significant, the Fantastic Four can certainly afford it," Sue added, a hint of her usual confidence returning.
Orion simply nodded, accepting her decision without question. He handed the tablet to her, his smile gentle.
"Fantastic choice, Sue!" Johnny exclaimed, snatching the tablet before anyone else could react. "Alright, my turn! Time to get something seriously cool."
He tapped the screen with exaggerated flair, his eyes glued to the display as the silhouettes of various Pokémon cycled through. Each one flashed by, a blur of shapes and sizes, until the screen settled on a distinct, fuzzy outline. It looked like a caterpillar, but with fiery tufts.
"What is that? It looks like a bug." Johnny said, a flicker of surprise in his voice.
Orion leaned in, his gaze fixed on the screen.
"You're lucky. You have drawn a Larvesta," Orion confirmed, a knowing smile playing on his lips. "It is a Bug and Fire-type Pokémon, known as the Torch Pokémon. Its final evolution, Volcarona, is revered in some cultures as an embodiment of the sun itself."
Larvesta is a creature constantly absorbing heat to fuel its inner flame, its body a living ember. This larval Pokémon endures extreme conditions, growing stronger with every absorbed ray of sunlight or lick of magma. Its evolution into Volcarona, at Level fifty-nine, marks one of the latest known transformations in the Pokémon world. This metamorphosis is not merely a change in form; it is a rebirth, where Larvesta's humble flame ignites into a blazing sun. This final stage is a creature of immense power, symbolizing transformation and light.
Johnny's jaw dropped, and a look of pure horror contorted his face. His eyes, usually dancing with an inner flame, now stared at the fuzzy image with unadulterated disgust.
"A bug?" he sputtered, recoiling from the tablet as if it might sprout antennae. "Are you serious right now? A bug Pokémon? You expect me, the Human Torch, to parade around with a… a caterpillar?"
He looked around, a panicked glance at his family, then back at the screen.
"No, no, no, this can't be happening," Johnny insisted, running a hand through his perfectly coiffed hair. "Imagine the headlines! 'Human Torch Teams Up With… A Grub!' My social media following would tank. My reputation with the ladies? Gone. Forever."
He dramatically shivered, picturing the absolute nightmare. How would a bug even look in a selfie? Would it get tangled in his hair gel? What would Booster Gold say? Or Beast Boy? They'd never let him live it down. He could already hear the mocking laughter echoing through the Baxter Building.
"Even if it becomes some kind of giant fiery moth later," Johnny continued, dismissing Orion's earlier explanation with a wave of his hand, "it's still starting as a bug. And that's a hard no for my brand, thank you very much."
Orion merely offered a small, understanding shrug.
"It is your choice, of course," Orion said, his voice gentle. "The lottery allows for multiple attempts."
"Great!" Johnny exclaimed, his spirits instantly rebounding. "Let's try that again. Something fiery, something fast, something that screams 'cool superhero sidekick!'"
He snatched the tablet back, his finger hovering over the reset button with renewed, almost manic, energy.
Johnny hit the button again, the screen a blur of colors and fleeting shapes. The digital silhouettes cycled at a dizzying pace, a torrent of potential partners flashing by. Each form, from the majestic to the mundane, flickered through the system's vast database, offering an equal chance to all who sought companionship. The lottery, after all, was designed for fairness, presenting everything from the common Pidgey to the rarest of legendaries. The machine whirred, slowing dramatically, each frame lingering a fraction longer than the last. The shapes grew clearer, sharper, until a new silhouette solidified on the screen. It was small, distinctly monkey-like, and a tiny, flickering flame was clearly visible at the tip of its tail. Johnny's eyes widened, a spark of genuine interest replacing his earlier vanity. Orion watched the screen, a quiet anticipation in his posture.
***
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