Chapter 3: A New Beginning

The sun had barely risen, casting long, eerie shadows that stretched across the dusty path leading up to Professor Oak's lab. My fingers twitched in anticipation as I stood outside the door, trying to steady my breathing. My black sling bag felt heavier than usual, like it carried the weight of my old life and this new world I'd been thrust into. 

𝘍𝘰𝘤𝘶𝘴, 𝘗𝘶𝘯𝘪𝘵.

It wasn't the first time I'd been at a crossroads like this. In my previous life, decisions held weight—success and failure balanced on the edge of a razor. But here, in this body of a ten-year-old, the stakes felt even higher. In this world, I wasn't just playing a game. No more resets. No more do-overs. 

I reached out, pressing the doorbell. 𝘋𝘪𝘯𝘨-𝘥𝘰𝘯𝘨. The chime echoed, loud in the still morning. My heart pounded in my chest, a sensation both familiar and foreign. Sweat clung to my palms, despite the cool breeze.

Footsteps shuffled behind the door, and it creaked open. Professor Oak's gruff voice followed, "Who's there?" There was a moment of silence, then recognition lit up his face. "Ah, Punit! Come inside, come inside!"

His lab smelled exactly like I'd imagined—old books, Pokémon fur, and something faintly chemical, like the aftermath of a potion brewing session. The cluttered workspace made it feel lived-in, like Oak barely ever left. I could respect that. Dedication was something I knew well.

Oak's steps were quick as he turned on his heel, nearly bumping into me as I stepped over the threshold. "Have you had breakfast?"

The question blindsided me. Before I could answer, my stomach growled, loud and embarrassing. I could feel the heat rising in my cheeks.

Oak let out a hearty laugh, dismissing my embarrassment with a wave. "Then we must eat something first!"

He led me to a corner of the lab where a small table and a mismatched sofa sat. I wasn't sure how casual to act, so I awkwardly took a seat, trying to look relaxed when every nerve in my body was screaming at me to get moving. I had things to do—important things. But Oak wasn't in a rush. He set down bread and milk in front of me, not saying a word until I took a bite.

I tried to swallow my frustration along with the dry bread. Rio, my so-called rival, had already started. He'd taken 𝘊𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳.

"Charmander is gone," Oak mumbled, almost to himself, like a passing thought. "Rio took it as his starter."

The bread lodged in my throat. I coughed, reaching for the milk, but the sting of the realization hit harder than the dry food. That bastard already had a head start. And not just any head start—a 𝘊𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳.

"So... he beat me to it," I muttered, half to myself, trying to suppress the frustration that threatened to bubble over.

Oak shot me a sympathetic glance, but I wasn't looking for pity. I was looking for action. I scarfed down the rest of the bread, my mind racing. Rio may have gotten the first move, but I wasn't going to let him stay ahead for long.

When I stood, I didn't hesitate. "Let's go get my starter now."

Oak raised an eyebrow, impressed, maybe, at my sudden resolve. He led me to the familiar trio of Pokéballs on the desk. Except… there were only two left.

The tension in the air thickened as I stared at the two remaining Pokéballs. My mind calculated, analyzed. 𝘉𝘶𝘭𝘣𝘢𝘴𝘢𝘶𝘳 or 𝘚𝘲𝘶𝘪𝘳𝘵𝘭𝘦. I could feel Oak watching me, studying my choice. It felt like a test. But I wasn't some greenhorn. I had lived through enough to know when a choice mattered.

"I choose Bulbasaur," I said, my voice firm.

Oak nodded slowly, his lips twitching into a small, approving smile. "Why Bulbasaur?" 

"Versatility," I said without missing a beat. "It's strong defensively and offensively. Vine Whip can be a game-changer early on. Bulbasaur can handle a lot of different situations."

Oak seemed pleased with my answer. He pressed the release button, and with a flash of light, Bulbasaur appeared in front of me. It stood there, blinking up at me with wide, unsure eyes. It took a cautious step back, clearly startled by the new surroundings.

Oak crouched down, speaking gently to the Pokémon. "Bulbasaur, this is your new trainer."

I knelt to meet Bulbasaur's level, feeling the weight of this moment more than I expected. Its eyes were still filled with uncertainty, a mixture of fear and curiosity. I stretched out my hand slowly, trying to appear calm. 

"Don't worry, Bulbasaur. We'll be partners," I said, my voice quiet but confident. It took another hesitant step back, eyes never leaving mine. 

"I'll protect you," I added, my voice softening slightly. "Or maybe, you'll protect me."

Bulbasaur didn't respond, but something shifted in its gaze. The fear was still there, but I could see it calculating, weighing me, just as I was weighing it. We weren't friends yet, but there was potential.

Professor Oak handed me my Pokédex and six Pokéballs, including the one that held Bulbasaur. His eyes, usually filled with warmth, carried a deeper seriousness as he spoke. "This Pokédex is more than just an encyclopedia. It's your identity as a trainer."

I nodded, pocketing the Pokéballs and flipping the Pokédex open. The design was sleek, but the gravity of it hit me. This wasn't just a tool. It was my lifeline in this world.

Oak clapped me on the shoulder, a weighty gesture that carried more meaning than words. "You're ready," he said, though his tone carried a warning. "But remember, being a trainer means more than just battles."

I gave him a tight smile, recalling Bulbasaur in a beam of red light. The small Pokémon vanished into the Pokéball, and the lab seemed quieter than before. There was an undeniable gravity to this moment, like the universe was holding its breath, waiting for me to take the next step.

Oak motioned toward the door. "Good luck, Punit. You're going to need it."

I didn't respond, just nodded and headed toward the exit. The world outside felt too bright as the door opened, sunlight blinding me for a second.

Just before I could step out, Oak's voice stopped me. "Take care of Bulbasaur. And yourself."

I paused, letting his words settle in. Then, with a firm grip on the Pokéball, I stepped out into the sunlight.

This was it—the start of my new journey.