Chapter 1: Larry's First Catch in Years

(Quick note. It's too late to edit the original, but I want to say the woman at the restaurant is NOT Larry's wife, even in this. I personally disagree with it but was going to leave as is. I regret that.)

I'm in South Province (Area 3), looking to make a new addition to my team. I spent all night thinking about how I want to become champion, and the first thing I decided to do was change up my team.

Geeta made my teams, letting me only choose a few Pokémon on them. Don't get me wrong, I love my Pokémon. But I want a team that I made and Geeta won't see coming. The only old Pokémon that will stay on my future team is my trusty Staraptor.

I climb up one of one the rocks to get to a higher surface. As I get to the top, my whole body is shaking and I'm struggling for breath. I look around and see a bunch of people riding Cyclizars through the area. This would be so much easier if I had a Pokémon to ride on.

Come to think of it, Cyclizar is a Normal type. I could have caught and used one. I'll have to keep that in mind in case fails and I'm forced to continue as a Gym Leader.

I stand in place for a minute, catching my breath. I scan the area for a Pokémon I could catch. To be honest, I'm not entirely sure what to do when I find a Pokémon. It's been years since my last catch, so I'm as out of shape with catching as I am physically.

As my eyes scan the land, I notice something small and red behind a rock. I quietly creep up to it and look. It's a Charcadet and its back is turned to me. I look down at the PokeBall in my hand and then back at the Fire type. I then throw the ball at the unsuspecting Charcadet, which flinches upon impact. The red and white orb absorbs it in a beam of red light, dropping to the ground.

One shake… two shakes… three shakes… DING!

I crouch down and pick it up. "That wasn't too hard," I mutter to myself. I let it out of the ball and it begins looking around frantically. I squat down to be closer to its height.

"Hello," I tell it. "I'm Larry, Paldea's Normal Type Gym Leader and third member of the Elite Four. I'm on a mission to become champion so I can get a better life and I'm hoping you will help me with this cause."

The little Fire type looks up at me with a confused expression. It then makes a sound that I think was a "what?" I sigh. "Would you please join my team," I ask it simply. It contemplates for second then shrugs, hopping onto my shoulder.

"I'll take that as a yes," I mumble. I stand up straight and look around at the area. I can see other Pokémon that might prove useful to have on my team, but after all this climbing I'm tired and hungry.

"Let's go get some lunch and tomorrow we'll begin training," I tell my Charcadet, which nods happily in agreement. I pull out my phone to call a Flying Taxi, but… "No service," I say with a sigh. Looks like I have more walking to do.

…

It took hours to find an area with service, and by the time I did I was close enough to Medali that using a Flying Taxi would have been pointless. Honestly, I think it wasn't actually a service problem and more of a phone problem. I've had the same one for about 25 years, unable to afford to get a new one. That will change soon, though.

I enter the Treasure Eatery. "Natalie," I call. "I'd like a serving for 11!"

Her eyes widen with surprise. "Why so much," she asks as she begins to cook. I take a seat.

"I need one for me and each of my Pokémon," I tell her, letting them all out. The place is currently empty, so I know they won't be a problem. Natalie immediately notices my new catch.

"Well, well, somebody has something new," she states. "And it doesn't match the types you use."

I nod. "Yes, I know. You see, when I battle Geeta, I want a team that she won't see coming," I explain. "So, I'm branching out. Using more than my usual types. I'm making an almost entirely new team, the only Pokémon staying being Staraptor."

She nods along. "You're first partner," she says, me humming in agreement. We sit in silence after that, everything already being explained so no need to talk. She serves us our meals (which I put on my tab) and I begin to eat. I don't even get three bites into my delicious meal before getting interrupted.

"LARRY," a girl shouts, bursting into the building. I sigh, already knowing who it is.

"What is it, Izzy," I ask, turning to her. Izzy has light brown hair that is currently in a romantic tuck (author here: the Sw/Sh style). She's not in her Uva Academy outfit like usual, instead in a white T-Shirt and black jeans. Her brown eyes are sparkling with excitement as she dashes to me.

"So," she states, plopping into a chair next to mine, "word on the street is you caught a new non-Normal Pokémon." She looks up at me, her eyes filled with curiosity. "Why's that?"

I raise an eyebrow. "Who told you that," I question. If someone told Izzy then that means the word will spread easily, and my new team won't be a surprise when I battle Geeta."

"Okay, so nobody actually told me," she says slowly. "I watched you do it."

"Why were you watching me," I ask. "Do you stalk me?"

Izzy dramatically places a hand on her chest, her eyes wide and mouth open. She scoffs. "Larry," she states, acting offended. "How could you accuse me of such a thing! I was just in the area, saw you there, and though 'There's a guy that would be fun to follow!'"

"You followed me, which is stalking," I state.

"But it didn't start out that way," she exclaims.

"But by in the end…" I leave it open for her to answer. She sighs.

"Okay, fine, I stalked you," she admits. "Let's get over that and move on. Why are you making a new team?"

"I'm going to battle Geeta and take her title as Primera so that I can get more money and time," I respond simply. This seems to fill the girl with more excitement.

"Well, by making a new team it sounds like a new journey," she says with a smile. "And every new journey requires a Pokémon be given to you." She pulls out three PokeBalls, offering them to me. "Choose one."

I eye the balls. "What's in them," I inquire. Her smile grows wider, her eyes shimmering with mischief.

"I'm not telling. Pick one and be surprised," she tells me excitedly.

"But I want to know so I can make the best choice," I state. She shakes her head.

"Just trust your gut," she exclaims. I sigh with annoyance.

"Will you go away after I pick," I ask. She nods. I sigh again and look at the three unknown options. "This one," I say as I grab the middle one. Izzy closes her hand.

"Good choice," she tells me. She then leaps out of her chair and dashes away. "Adios!"

"Something's wrong with that kid," I mutter after she leaves. Natalie laughs. I then look down at the PokeBall she gave me. Time to find out what I got.

I open the ball and a Quaxly pops out, sliding a feather through its hair. "She gave me a starter Pokémon," I say, stating the obvious. The duck quacks happily. I smile down at it.

Maybe Izzy isn't too bad.

I'm about to repost the Prologue but it's just fixing the part at the top

I'm not entirely sure who's all reading this, but I remember @fineasmatei and @UnovanZorua

If you're reading, let me know and I'll tag you next time

Enjoy!