The Pokémon Home lobby buzzed with new life, a vibrant energy filling the air. Customers, eager to experience the wonders they had seen on HeroTube, lined up at the reception desk, their faces a mix of curiosity and anticipation. Orion Oak, leaning on his whimsical Poké Ball cane, watched the lively scene with a knowing smile. His mission was taking root, spreading the joy of Pokémon far and wide.
Then, his gaze softened as he spotted a familiar young girl entering the lobby. May Parker, her red hair tied in a bouncy ponytail, bounced on the balls of her feet, her eyes sparkling with uncontained excitement. She clutched a worn plush toy, a constant companion.
"May, welcome back!" Orion greeted her warmly, his voice carrying over the gentle hum of conversation. "Ready for another adventure in the Sanctuary?"
May grinned, a bright, honest smile that always melted hearts. "Yes! I want to see the new Pokémon today!"
Beside her, a striking woman with vibrant red hair and expressive green eyes offered a warm smile to Orion. She carried herself with a confident grace, yet her gaze held a deep warmth.
"Hello there," the woman said, her voice a pleasant, measured tone. "I'm Mary Jane Parker, or MJ. May's mother."
Orion's internal processes shifted subtly. Parker. The surname immediately resonated with his knowledge of this United Superverse. He swiftly connected the dots: Mary Jane Parker, Peter Parker. Spider-Man. It was a logical deduction. He also noted May's sharp, observant gaze and her inherent bravery. There was a quiet strength in the child that suggested a deeper potential, perhaps even a latent connection to the very powers that defined her father in this world. The thought was merely an observation, a data point for his ever-growing understanding of this new reality.
"It is a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Parker," Orion said, offering a slight bow. "Your daughter is one of our most cherished visitors."
MJ's smile grew, a genuine warmth radiating from her. "Thank you, Orion. May talks about this place constantly. She absolutely loves coming here, and she always tells me how kind you are."
Orion dismissed her gratitude with a gentle hand gesture. "It is truly our pleasure. May has a wonderful spirit. The Pokémon in the Sanctuary adore her. She approaches them with such gentleness and playfulness, they feel completely at ease in her presence."
May giggled, affirming Orion's words. "The Oddish always share their berries with me!" she added, her eyes wide with delight.
"Mom, can I please, please get a Pokémon?" May's voice held a hopeful plea. "The Oddish were so nice to me today, and the Caterpie even crawled on my arm! I know I can be a good trainer."
MJ's smile softened, a touch of sadness entering her eyes. She knelt, her hands gently resting on May's shoulders.
"Sweetie, you know how much I wish we could," MJ said, her voice warm but firm. "Pokémon are wonderful, truly. But they cost a lot of money, and right now, we just can't afford it."
May's face crumpled into a pout. "But it's not fair! I try so hard in the Sanctuary, and none of them want to come with me. It's always the lottery Pokémon that are good."
Her shoulders slumped. "All my friends are going to have Pokémon soon. I tried to be nice, I really did, but they just run away or splash me. I just want one to be my friend."
Orion, sensing May's deep disappointment, stepped forward. His expression was gentle.
"Do not give up hope, young May," Orion said, his voice reassuring. "The currents of destiny are about to shift. You see, Pokémon will soon appear across this world. It is a transformation, a grand event for everyone."
He looked at MJ, a confident gleam in his eyes. "Wayne Enterprises has partnered with Pokémon Home, providing a large area of land. There, countless wild Pokémon will soon emerge, ready to forge new bonds."
May's eyes widened, her sadness dissolving like mist. "Really? Wild Pokémon? Like, outside?"
"Indeed," Orion confirmed. "When that time comes, all you will need is a Poké Ball. You can find one in our store, quite affordably. Then, you can seek out a partner for yourself, right in your own world."
May bounced on her toes, her plush toy nearly flying from her grasp. "Mom! Did you hear that? I can catch my own! Please, please, please can I have a Poké Ball?"
MJ watched her daughter, a wave of pure joy washing over May's face. The cost was minimal, a small price for such happiness. She knew how much this meant to May, this chance to connect with something magical.
"Alright, sweetie," MJ said, a genuine smile returning. "Just one, for now. But you have to promise me you will be careful."
May nodded vigorously, her ponytail swishing. "I promise, Mom!"
MJ purchased a standard red and white Poké Ball from the reception desk. May clutched the smooth sphere to her chest, her eyes sparkling with anticipation. The future, filled with Pokémon, suddenly seemed much closer.
May and MJ continued their excited conversation, the newly acquired Poké Ball held tight in May's small hand. Their chatter blended with the pleasant hum of activity in Pokémon Home, but as they spoke, another customer entered the lobby. She was a lean, athletic teenager with shoulder-length brown hair that framed a face alive with curiosity. Her hazel eyes darted around the bustling space, taking in the vibrant displays and the diverse crowd. She wore practical, dark-colored attire, hinting at a life of action and movement. Her youthful energy radiated from her, a restless eagerness to explore this new place.
The newcomer, Kitty Pryde, moved with purpose, her quick steps bringing her directly towards Orion. Her expression was bright, an almost childlike wonder in her gaze.
"Excuse me, is this Pokémon Home?" Kitty asked, her voice clear and energetic. "I heard this was the place where you could, like, actually get a Pokémon? Like the ones from the tournament videos?"
Orion, his Aura sensing the vibrant energy and inherent curiosity around her, offered a welcoming smile. "Indeed, this is Pokémon Home. I am Orion Oak, the proprietor. You have come to the correct place, young trainer. The path to partnership with a Pokémon is open to all who seek it."
***
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Advance chapters in P@T0n Najicablitz.