On his way back to the boys' dorm, Licht couldn't help replaying the events of the day in his head. It had been a little reckless to show off his powers so openly, but honestly, he didn't care. That was just who he was calm, composed, and confident, but never the type to hide behind caution or fear.
Still, he knew he had the luxury to act that way because of his strong support. With Professor Oak one of the most respected researchers in the world and his father, Red, a Champion whose name still carried weight everywhere, Licht had a kind of safety net most people could only dream of. With them behind him, he didn't have much to worry about.
He was still lost in thought when he pushed open the dorm room door and was immediately met with a pillow flying straight at his face.
Thud!
Licht froze, blinking once. A small vein popped on his forehead. Then a grin tugged at the corner of his mouth.
"Oh, that's how we're playing it, huh?" he muttered, snatching the pillow off the floor.
A moment later, the room exploded into chaos. Pillows flew in every direction, laughter filled the air, and shouts of mock outrage echoed as the boys turned the dorm into a full-blown battlefield. Licht dove right in, his quick reflexes and precise throws making him nearly unstoppable.
"Hey, no fair!" someone yelled as another pillow hit the mark.
By the time the chaos died down, everyone was sprawled across their beds, laughing and catching their breath. The air was warm and easy the kind of calm that follows shared fun. Gradually, their chatter turned to stories from their home region, Pokémon, and the adventures they would face once their journeys began.
Licht listened quietly at first, occasionally smiling at the ridiculous tales, but soon joined in, sharing a few experiences of his own. By the time everyone started dozing off, the room was filled with that rare kind of peace that only comes from honest laughter and shared memories.
The next few days at summer camp passed in a blur of activity. Professor Oak had invited other researchers Professors Birch, Elm, Juniper, and Rowan to give lectures covering everything from Pokémon habitats and eggs to move evolution and environmental adaptation. The students were thrilled, soaking in every word.
As the lessons went on, the group grew closer. Licht, who had always kept a bit of distance from others, found himself slowly blending in. It was strange but… nice.
He made friends with people like Yellow, Green, Barry, Tierno, Trevor, Goh, Chloe, Alain, Shauna, Lyra, and Bianca. Yellow was particularly surprised and even a little relieved to learn that someone else shared the same mysterious Viridian powers she had.
Among them, May, Serena, and Dawn stood out. Even after that incident they were energetic, curious, and always dragging him into something whether it was a random Pokémon battle, or the other games hosted in the summer camp.
When the final day of camp arrived, Licht decided to host a farewell party at the Pallet House. It was a last chance to enjoy each other's company before everyone went back to their own regions. Despite only knowing each other for a short time, the bonds they'd formed felt real built on laughter, shared effort, and the unspoken connection of having grown together over those few weeks.
The party was lively. food was everywhere, and the whole place buzzed with chatter. But just when things were winding down, something unexpected happened.
Gary suddenly stood up, looking straight at Green.
"Green! I… I like you! Go out with me!" he blurted.
The room went completely silent. Everyone turned to look at them. Green blinked, clearly taken aback, before shaking her head gently.
"Sorry, Gary. You're a good guy, but… I don't feel that way." Green said, sneaking a glance at Ash.
For a moment, Gary just stood there, frozen. His confident grin faded as reality hit him.
Ash blinked, confused. "Wait… what does 'go out' even mean?"
Licht stared, trying not to laugh. We're not even ten… and you're already talking about love?
Then he snorted and burst out laughing. Ash, still confused, joined in, mimicking Licht's laughter.
"hahaha! Gary, you are looking awful!" Ash said.
"I didn't think you'd actually do it!" Licht gasped between laughs.
Gary crossed his arms, glaring.
"You two are the worst."
"Maybe," Licht said, grinning, "but that was pure entertainment.
Even Gary couldn't hold it in anymore and run away. The room burst into laughter again, and the last bit of awkward tension disappeared.
The next morning, buses lined up outside the camp, ready to take everyone back home. The air buzzed with chatter, goodbyes, and quick photos memories to carry until they met again.
May, Serena, and Dawn exchanged contacts with Licht before they boarded their buses.
"Don't forget us, alright?" Serena said with a bright smile, tilting her head slightly.
"I won't," Licht said, amused.
May crossed her arms with a playful grin. "Next time we meet, I'm beating you in a battle for sure."
Licht chuckled. "I'll hold you to that, May."
Dawn smiled softly. "Just… don't get too far ahead. We'll see each other again soon."
Licht nodded, returning her smile. "Of course. I'll see you soon."
The three girls exchanged amused glances, each smiling in their own way. None of them said anything more, but there was something warm in the air something more than friendship the kind of feeling that made goodbyes linger just a little longer.
Before leaving, Licht turned to Yellow.
"If you ever need help with your Viridian powers, or just want to train, reach out anytime," he said sincerely.
Yellow nodded, her soft smile full of trust. "I will. Thanks, Licht."
As the buses began to pull away, Serena waved from her window, Dawn gave a confident grin, and May shouted one last, "Don't forget about us!"
Licht raised a hand and smiled quietly.
As the buses rolled away, laughter faded into the distance. Licht stood there quietly, watching until they were gone. A small smile formed on his face for the first time in a long while, he felt something warm inside the quiet comfort of belonging, and the memory of a summer he'd never forget
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Three Years Later
Licht had just finished his morning training as usual, and as part of his routine, he helped train Ash in using Aura. After breakfast, the two ran off to Professor Oak's lab.
By now, Daisy had finally set out on her journey to become a Pokémon groomer, leaving Gary and Ash in charge of caring for the Pokémon in the backyard. Meanwhile, Licht and Professor Oak focused on their research after preparing the morning feed.
"Licht," Professor Oak began, glancing up from a pile of research notes, "next month, you kids will finally begin your Pokémon journey."
Licht looked up and smiled. "Yeah… I've been waiting for that day for years."
Oak chuckled warmly. "Time really flies, doesn't it? Soon, it'll be your turn to chase your dreams." He stroked his chin thoughtfully, then added, "Actually, Licht, I've been meaning to ask if you don't mind, could you collect some data for me while you travel?"
Licht frowned slightly. "I don't know if I'll have much time for that, Professor. I'll be spending most of it training and exploring."
"Oh, it's nothing complicated," Oak assured him quickly. "Just a bit of field research. Take pictures of habitats, Pokémon you meet, that sort of thing. You'd be helping me out a lot."
Licht thought for a moment before nodding. "Alright, that's fine. I'll be doing that anyway for my own notes, so I can send them to you."
Oak smiled. "That's good to hear. By the way, have you decided which Pokémon you'll choose as your starter?"
Licht paused briefly, then said with certainty, "Of course its going to be Charmander."
The professor smiled knowingly, nostalgia flickering in his eyes as he remembered a certain young trainer and his Charizard from years ago. Before he could say anything, Licht continued, "Actually, Professor… since all the Charmander come from the Charicific Valley, could I go there to choose mine personally?"
Oak stared at him for a moment, considering. "Normally, that wouldn't be possible," he said slowly. "The League has strict rules regarding starter Pokémon distribution. But since you've contributed so much to the League's research and you're already a certified professor yourself… I'll see what I can do."
Licht's face brightened. "Thank you so much, Professor!"
When Ash and Gary found out, they immediately tried to ask Professor Oak for the same privilege only to be firmly turned down. Oak explained that Licht's situation was unique because of his research contributions, while the League's officials always handled the standard starter selection.
Dejected, Ash and Gary could only groan as Licht grinned from ear to ear, clearly enjoying the moment. But inside, Licht sighed quietly. If Ash doesn't meet Pikachu, the whole timeline could shift beyond recognition…
After the brief moment, Licht and Ash headed back to their home. The walk was quiet, each lost in their own thoughts. Licht's mind kept returning to the Charicific Valley request.
Once inside, Licht waited patiently for Professor Oak's response, feeling a mixture of excitement and anticipation. Every passing minute made the thought of choosing his first Pokémon even more real.
A week later, Professor Oak informed him that the League had approved his request. Licht was cleared to visit the Charicific Valley and select a Charmander from the group trained to become starter Pokémon.
Overjoyed, Licht borrowed Professor Oak's Alakazam and teleported directly to the valley. He was met by Liza, the valley's caretaker, who looked skeptical at first. After confirming his identity with the League, she welcomed him warmly.
Although Licht was well-known in academic circles for his research papers, few had actually seen him in person. Only top League members and fellow professors truly knew what he looked like.
"I never imagined that the famous Professor Licht would be this young," Liza said teasingly.
Licht sighed in mock exasperation. "Yeah, I get that a lot."
Liza chuckled, but before she could say anything, a Charizard swooped down gracefully beside her. She reached up and stroked its neck affectionately. "This is Charla. I've been raising her since she was just a little Charmander."
As Licht stepped forward, the passive effect of his Viridian energy radiated gently, and Charla immediately felt a sense of warmth. She moved closer, lowering her head to let him pat her.
"Nice to meet you, Charla," Licht said softly, smiling as he placed a hand on her head. "I'll be in your care, then."
Liza blinked in surprise. "That's the first time I've ever seen Charla act so friendly toward someone new."
Licht smiled faintly. "Pokémon usually like me."
Charla let out a low, approving rumble, nudging Licht gently as if to affirm it.
Liza nodded and led him deeper into the valley. The air was warm and alive with the sound of wings Charizard soared gracefully across the sky, while Charmander and Charmeleon basked in the sunlight or sparred playfully among the rocks.
"They look strong," Licht remarked, watching them closely.
"Of course," Liza said proudly. "These Charmander were all born and raised here by some of the most powerful Charizard in the region. Even Champion Leon's Charizard came from this very valley before joining him."
"Really?" Licht said, impressed. "Then this is the perfect place to find my first partner."
When they reached the nursery area, Licht saw several young Charmander some playing, others training with fiery determination. He extended his Aura, quietly sensing their condition and energy.
Then his eyes widened. Off to the far right sat a larger Charmander, isolated from the rest. Its aura pulsed stronger than any other's.
"Um… maybe not that one," Liza said quickly, noticing where he was looking. "That Charmander's been a problem. He's powerful, but he never listens. Every time a trainer chose him as their starter, he attacked them. The League eventually decided to send him back each time."
Licht nodded, still observing. "He looks different from the others. Could that have something to do with his parents?"
"Maybe," Liza said, glancing toward the distant volcano. "Charla found that egg during one of her flights and brought it back. We couldn't find any trace of its parents, but the aura around it was… strange. Some of the elders here believe it came from a wild pair that vanished years ago Pokémon that lived deep inside the volcano, where no ordinary ones could survive."
She paused, lowering her voice. "If that's true, the fire inside that Charmander might be unlike anything we've ever seen."
Licht's eyes narrowed slightly, a confident smile tugging at his lips. "Then it's decided he'll be my first partner."
Liza opened her mouth to argue but stopped when she saw the quiet determination in Licht's eyes.
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Authors Note:
Hey everyone! The next chapter is finally here the journey begins!Let me know if you'd like to see Licht and Yellow traveling together, with Licht teaching her the power of Viridian.
And, as always, thank you all for your support!!!