[MORNING – ROOM 7, POKÉMON CENTER]
The soft golden light of morning crept through the curtains, brushing over the sheets and casting warm lines across Mia's cheek. Her eyes blinked open slowly, adjusting to the gentle brightness. For a moment, she simply lay there, quiet and still, watching dust motes drift lazily in the air.
It took a second to remember where she was—and then, it hit her all at once.
"Viridian City," she murmured, a smile tugging at her lips. "Still real."
She sat up and stretched, wincing slightly as her back cracked. Her body still ached from the journey through the woods, but the bed had done wonders. "Okay. Let's go, girl," she told herself with a cheerful little clap.
Her clothes, which she'd washed the night before, hung neatly by the window. They were stiff from drying, but clean. She gathered them and padded into the bathroom.
[BATHROOM – MOMENTS LATER]
Steam filled the small space as hot water spilled from the showerhead. Mia stood beneath it, eyes closed, letting the warmth wash over her face and shoulders. She exhaled slowly, deeply.
"Thank you," she whispered to no one in particular, a smile forming.
After a good scrub and a thorough rinse, she dressed in her travel clothes. A little worn, a little faded, but they felt more comfortable than anything else could have. She ran a hand through her damp hair, tied it back, and glanced at her reflection.
"Still standing," she said with a grin, pointing at herself. "Let's go get our babies."
---
[MORNING – POKÉMON CENTER LOBBY]
The Center was bright and calm—soft piano music played overhead, and a few trainers were sipping tea or talking quietly. Mia made her way to the front counter, her boots clicking softly against the floor.
Her eyes lit up when she saw Nurse Joy—alongside her Chansey—gathering supplies in neat little trays.
But what made her stop mid-step was the sight of her Audino and Chansey… standing beside them, carefully sorting items and offering things like little helpers.
Mia blinked. "Wait—guys?"
They looked up.
In the span of a heartbeat, both her Pokémon let out joyful cries and sprinted toward her. Audino's arms wrapped around her waist first, then Chansey flung herself at her legs, nearly knocking her off-balance.
"Oh! Whoa—! Okay, okay, I'm here!" Mia laughed, crouching down to hug them both tight. "Missed you guys so much."
She ruffled their fur and feathers affectionately, eyes bright. "You were helping Nurse Joy?"
"Yes, they were," Nurse Joy said as she approached with a soft laugh. "Honestly, they've been angels this morning. Very helpful. Chansey especially enjoyed having new coworkers."
Her own Chansey gave a cheerful "Chaaansey!" as if to confirm.
Mia beamed, her heart full. "I had no idea they'd be so… good at this stuff."
Joy smiled warmly. "They have wonderful instincts—and clearly a good trainer. They made our morning a little brighter."
Mia scratched the back of her head. "Well… I guess they just like helping people. They liked to take care of me."
There was a brief pause. Mia hesitated, then asked, "By the way, do you know if there's somewhere nearby where I can buy some clothes? And maybe a library? I think I need to… catch up on a few things."
Nurse Joy nodded. "Definitely. There's a general store two blocks down—nothing fancy, but they've got sturdy clothes for travelers. Right beside that is a small public library. It's quiet, but you'll find some good material on Kanto's local species and League rules."
"Perfect," Mia said brightly. "Thank you, Nurse Joy. For everything."
"Anytime," the nurse replied with a warm smile. "Take your time. And if you need anything, we're always here."
---
[LATE MORNING – GENERAL STORE, VIRIDIAN CITY]
The general store was small but cozy, packed with supplies—Pokéballs, maps, travel kits, and a modest clothing section. The man behind the counter gave Mia a friendly nod as she entered, and his Luxio napped by the heater behind him.
She moved through the aisles, carefully picking out what she needed:
- Two plain shirts: one gray, one olive
- One pair of durable brown pants
- Two pairs of undergarments and simple bras
She glanced at the price on the screen when she got to the counter.
1,500 Pokédollars.
Her heart sank a little.
She only got 5,000 Pokédollars from the bag.
"Wow," she muttered under her breath. "That's… steep."
Still, she handed over the money with a tight smile. "Gotta have clothes."
Her remaining funds? 3,500 Pokédollars.
She thanked the shopkeeper and turned to leave—only to realize her Pokémon weren't following. She glanced back and saw them frozen in front of a jewelry display near the register.
Audino was staring at a small and round stone about the size of a large marble. Its color shifts between hues of rose quartz and soft lavender, like the fading sky at twilight. Embedded within its core are delicate, thread-like wisps of white and silver, curling and twisting inside like strands of wind or whispering mist.
Chansey, meanwhile, was fixated on a small silver bell hanging on a chain.
Mia stepped closer, voice soft. "What are you two looking at…?"
She followed their gaze. Her chest tightened.
"No way."
She crouched and picked up the bell necklace first. It was delicate but sturdy. The tag read Calm Bell – 1000 Pokédollars.
Then she lifted the stone.
Her hand shook slightly as she turned it over in her palm. A real Mega Evolution Stone. Audino looked at her with quiet anticipation—not eager, not demanding. Just… hopeful.
Mia breathed out slowly. "You want to this…?"
She didget an answer. Not a spoken one. But it was there in the softness of Audino's gaze, and the way her Chansey leaned against her gently.
She swallowed. "Okay. Okay."
Her fingers were trembling as she brought the items to the counter.
The clerk smiled. "Nice picks. A Calm Bell and a marble—your Pokémon have good taste."
She managed a small laugh. "Yeah… they really do."
Total: 1300 Pokédollars.
Her wallet was nearly empty now, but she didn't regret it.
---
[NOON – ROOM 7, POKÉMON CENTER]
The door clicked shut behind her.
Mia exhaled softly as she stepped into the calm of her room, the hum of the city just barely audible beyond the window. She set the small paper bag gently on the desk, almost like it might break if she wasn't careful. Then, slowly, reverently, she pulled out the two items inside.
The Calm Bell
And the Mega stone that is possible an Audinite.
Audino and Chansey sat nearby, watching her with quiet, curious eyes.
Mia held the Mega Stone in both hands, the soft pink and lavender surface catching the light like a gem in a fairytale. A gentle warmth pulsed in her palms—subtle, but unmistakable. It was as if the stone itself was… aware.
She glanced at Audino, her expression softening. "Hey… do you feel something from this?"
Audino tilted her head slightly. Then, without hesitation, she walked closer and gently placed a paw on the stone.
Her eyes locked onto it—calm, focused, certain.
Mia felt a quiet stillness settle over the room. A feeling like standing in a gentle breeze that only touched your heart.
She looked down at the stone again, then back to her Pokémon. "You… you feel connected to it. Don't you?"
Audino nodded once.
There was no doubt in her gaze. Not fear, not pressure—just quiet readiness.
Mia sat down on the edge of the bed, the weight of the moment settling on her shoulders. She stared at the stone, the bell, and then at her friends.
"This is… something big. I still don't know if mega evolution is a thing already."
Chansey let out a gentle hum, padding forward and nuzzling her trainer's knee, while Audino sat beside her, calm and steady as always.
After a long pause, Mia reached forward and carefully held out the Calm Bell to Chansey.
"For you," she said with a smile. "Something to help you stay grounded. You've been my rock so many times."
Then she turned to Audino, lifting the Audinite with both hands and placing it gently in her Pokémon's paws.
"And this... this is yours. We'll figure it out together, okay?"
Audino clutched the stone close to her chest and gave a small, emotional hum.
Mia watched her for a moment, eyes shining but steady. "Tomorrow… we'll go to the library. I need to read some stuff to filled up some blank in my memory. And maybe I'll ask Nurse Joy if she has a laptop I can borrow."
She leaned back in the chair with a long exhale, smiling up at the ceiling.
"Looks like we've got some homework."
Outside the window, the late afternoon sun had begun to dip, painting the rooftops of Viridian City in shades of peach and gold. The world felt big again.
But this time, she wasn't overwhelmed by it.
This time, she had a direction.
--
To be continued...