"Oh, come on, what's this one?" Johnny asked, leaning closer to the tablet, a wide grin spreading across his face.
Orion looked at the screen, a subtle warmth in his blue eyes.
"That, Johnny, is a Chimchar," Orion said, his voice soft, almost a murmur. "A Fire-type Pokémon from the Sinnoh region, known as the Chimp Pokémon. It is one of the revered starter Pokémon, known for their balanced growth and profound bonds with their Trainers."
Orion considered how easily Johnny's earlier disgust for the Larvesta had shifted into eager curiosity for the Chimchar. It truly was a testament to how superficial impressions could guide deeper choices, sometimes revealing more about a person than they intended. A fiery monkey, after all, resonated with the Human Torch's flamboyant self-image much more readily than a humble insect. The lottery, in its own way, had a knack for presenting what a Trainer truly desired, or perhaps, what they truly believed they deserved.
"A Fire-type monkey?" Johnny repeated, his grin widening. "Now that sounds like a solid match. Forget the bug, this little guy looks like he could actually keep up with me! Plus, a starter Pokémon? That's like, top-tier hero stuff, right?"
"Indeed," Orion replied, a small smile touching his lips. "Starter Pokémon are often chosen by aspiring Trainers at the very beginning of their journeys, forming an inseparable bond that grows as they face challenges together."
"Alright, I'm sold!" Johnny declared, practically bouncing on the balls of his feet. "Can I see him? Like, the actual, real Chimchar? Not just a shadow on the screen."
Orion nodded, disappearing behind a frosted glass door for a moment. He returned with a small, orange bundle in his arms, its tail tipped with a lively, dancing flame. The creature, a Chimchar, seemed to vibrate with contained energy, its wide, dark eyes taking in the brightly lit store. It was a picture of vibrant life, a tiny torch against the backdrop of the serene establishment.
"Whoa, look at him go!" Johnny exclaimed, his voice laced with pure delight.
The Chimchar, sensing Johnny's enthusiasm, chittered happily, taking a small leap from Orion's arms. It landed lightly on the polished floor, its tail flame flickering in a playful rhythm. It then turned to Johnny, eyes sparkling with a fiery curiosity, almost as if recognizing a kindred spirit.
"He's like, a mini-me, but with actual fur and a cuter face," Johnny said, a wide grin spreading across his face. "And a tail flame! That's awesome! You know, for a second, I thought it was going to be another bug, but this little guy is perfect."
Johnny knelt down, extending a hand slowly. Chimchar, without hesitation, scampered forward, sniffing Johnny's fingers before gently nuzzling against his palm. Its fur felt warm, almost hot, but not unpleasantly so, a familiar sensation for Johnny. The flame on its tail seemed to pulse brighter, a clear sign of its contentment.
"He totally likes me," Johnny declared, looking up at his family with an almost childlike wonder. "This is a great match. He's fast, he's fiery, and he looks cool. A perfect sidekick for the Human Torch! We're going to be unstoppable."
Valeria and Franklin, ever the scientists, immediately pulled out their Pokédexes. The devices whirred to life with a soft, almost polite hum.
BEEP BOOP
"Scanning... Chimchar," the Pokédexes announced in unison, their synthesized voices crisp and clear. Blue light washed over the small Pokémon, a familiar and reassuring scientific ritual.
Pokédex Entry: Chimchar
Species: Chimp Pokémon Type: Fire Height: 0.5 m (1'08") Weight: 6.2 kg (13.7 lbs) Sex: Male
Moves (From Level 1 to Level 5):
Level 1: Scratch Level 1: Leer Level 5: Ember
Ability:
Blaze — Powers up Fire-type moves when Chimchar's HP is low.
Description:
Chimchar is a lively and curious Pokémon that dwells in mountainous regions. The flame on its tail is fueled by gas produced in its stomach and burns continuously; if the flame goes out, it is a sign that Chimchar is unwell. Agile and energetic, Chimchar uses its speed and climbing ability to evade predators and explore its environment, growing stronger as its fiery spirit burns brighter.
Franklin looked from his Pokédex to Chimchar, his eyes wide with a quiet fascination.
"So, he's got Scratch and Leer already," Franklin murmured, mostly to himself. "And Ember at Level five. That's a good starting set, really balanced."
Valeria nodded, her gaze fixed on the Chimchar, which was now playfully trying to bat at Johnny's outstretched fingers.
"Its flame is quite impressive for its size," Valeria observed, a hint of genuine curiosity in her voice. "The description mentions it's fueled by combustible gas in its stomach. That's an interesting biological adaptation for a creature that small."
"And it never goes out, even in rain," Franklin added, reading from his screen. "That's amazing! Imagine a campfire that just... stays lit, no matter what."
"It seems to be quite a resilient creature," Orion noted, his tone even. "The flame on its tail also serves as a visible indicator of its emotional state, a rather charming, if revealing, trait."
Johnny scooped up Chimchar, holding it carefully, its tail flame bobbing gently. "He's not just resilient, he's awesome! And he's going to be my best buddy. We'll be the hottest duo around."
Johnny, with Chimchar now perched comfortably on his shoulder, turned to Ben, a smug grin plastered across his face. The little Fire-type chittered, its tail flame flickering in sync with Johnny's rising confidence.
"Alright, Ben, old pal, try to keep up," Johnny teased, his voice dripping with playful superiority. "I snagged a starter, a real natural. Wouldn't want you to get stuck with something… less glamorous."
He then playfully pointed a finger at Ben, as if casting a silly hex. "Hope you don't get another bug, Ben. Or maybe a really slow one. Wouldn't want you to feel too left out from all the action, you know?"
Ben's rocky brow furrowed, a low rumble escaping his chest. Johnny's cheerful taunt, laced with that familiar younger-brother mischief, struck a nerve. Ben had been watching Johnny's lucky streak with a mixture of annoyance and begrudging fondness. Now, the smugness was just too much.
Johnny was just trying to get a rise out of him, of course, that was his whole deal.
But Ben wasn't about to let the kid think he had won some cosmic popularity contest.
He stepped forward, his heavy footfalls echoing slightly in the quiet store. A Pokémon for him needed to be tough, sturdy, and reliable—something that wouldn't fizzle out after a single punch, or worse, get easily distracted by shiny objects. He needed a partner, not a prop for Johnny's social media antics. Ben wasn't interested in flash; he was interested in something that could hold its own. He certainly wasn't going to let Johnny have the last laugh.
"Alright, alright, hothead, enough with the chirpin'," Ben grumbled, his voice a low growl. "My turn. And I'm getting something better than a glorified monkey. Watch and learn, wiseguy."
Ben reached out, his massive, rock-covered hand slapping down onto the lottery tablet with a definite thud. The screen shimmered under his touch, ready to reveal its next secret.
Ben, fueled by competitive anger, slammed his hand onto the lottery tablet. The screen shimmered with vibrant colors, and then a series of Pokémon silhouettes began to roll, a blur of shapes and sizes. He watched with a determined scowl, his blue eyes narrowed as the images slowly, deliberately, began to slow. The final image settled, resolving into a large, thickly armored creature with a prominent, drill-like horn.
***
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