The neon lights of Valora City buzzed with energy as Aiden wandered through the vibrant streets, the towering buildings casting long shadows over the busy crowds. The fresh scent of food, the chatter of local vendors, and the distant sound of Pokémon battles filled the air. He could hear the clang of Pokéballs being tossed in nearby alleyways, the high-pitched squeal of a Pidgey flapping its wings near a stall selling bird-related accessories, and the rhythmic patter of various Pokémon's feet against the cobblestone streets. There was an undeniable sense of excitement, of life, in this part of the city.
Aiden felt a thrill of anticipation building in his chest as he walked further into the bustling city center. But before he could fully get lost in the excitement of the environment, he spotted a familiar sign—a simple, but easily recognizable, wooden sign adorned with a bright red Pokéball logo. Pokemart.
The entrance was wide, and a faint hum of music filled the air as the sliding glass doors opened with a soft swoosh. Inside, the store was arranged like a typical convenience mart, though this one catered exclusively to trainers and their Pokémon. Rows of shelves lined the walls, stocked with everything from basic supplies to rare, high-tech gadgets. Aiden's eyes widened as he took in the sheer variety of items.
Pokéballs of all kinds were neatly stacked on shelves, their shiny surfaces glistening under the fluorescent lighting. Nearby, a section was dedicated to potions, berries, vitamins, and food, as well as several aisles lined with luxury items for Pokémon, such as special treats and costumes. And beyond that, there was a section selling rare recipe ingredients, an area most trainers usually only visited once they were more established.
He stepped forward, adjusting the straps of his bag. It had been a long journey, and his supplies were running low. It was time to stock up before his next leg of the adventure.
Aiden walked slowly down the aisles, taking his time to study the different products available. There were so many different options, some of which he had never seen before. He felt both excited and overwhelmed by the choices.
Pokéballs: The first thing that caught his attention were the rows of Pokéballs. There were so many types, and each seemed to have a different purpose.
Standard Pokéball — 200 Pokédollars: The most basic Pokéball. Reliable and widely used by rookie trainers. Ideal for capturing lower-level Pokémon.
Great Ball — 600 Pokédollars: A more advanced version of the Pokéball with a higher success rate. It's a popular choice for trainers who are just starting to build their teams.
Ultra Ball — 1,500 Pokédollars: A premium Pokéball with a significantly higher capture rate. Ideal for catching tougher or rarer Pokémon.
Master Ball — 20,000,000 Pokédollars: The ultimate Pokéball. Guaranteed to catch any Pokémon, no matter how rare or powerful. Only available to top-tier trainers with specialized credentials.
Aiden's eyes lingered on the Master Ball. The price was astronomical, far beyond anything he could afford. He sighed, not even imagining the day he could own one.
A few aisles down, Aiden found a large section dedicated to healing and boosting items for Pokémon. There were standard potions for quick fixes, and even items that could enhance a Pokémon's abilities for battle.
Potion — 300 Pokédollars: Heals a Pokémon's HP by 20 points.
Super Potion — 700 Pokédollars: Heals a Pokémon's HP by 50 points.
Hyper Potion — 1,200 Pokédollars: Heals a Pokémon's HP by 120 points.
Max Potion — 3,000 Pokédollars: Fully heals a Pokémon's HP.
Aiden grabbed a few Super Potions. It was good to be prepared, especially if he ended up in a tough situation. But what caught his attention most were the Vitamins.
Carbos — 1,500 Pokédollars: Increases a Pokémon's Speed stat. Often used before important battles or tournaments.
Calcium — 1,200 Pokédollars: Increases a Pokémon's Special Attack.
Proteins — 1,300 Pokédollars: Increases a Pokémon's Attack stat.
Zinc — 1,400 Pokédollars: Increases a Pokémon's Special Defense.
He picked up a few, unsure if he should use them right away. His team was still growing, and the thought of pushing them to grow faster with these items felt a bit too much for now. But it was always good to have a few on hand for when they were ready.
The next aisle held a variety of Pokémon food. Some of it looked like standard kibble, while others were more exotic and smelled quite good. But then, he spotted the Pokéfood Recipes section. His mouth watered slightly at the thought.
Pokémon Food (Basic) — 300 Pokédollars: Standard Pokémon food. Keeps Pokémon satisfied and healthy for a while.
Gourmet Pokémon Food (Special Recipe) — 1,500 Pokédollars: A high-end food designed for Pokémon that require more specific nourishment. Increases happiness and bond with Pokémon. It's a favorite of trainers looking to raise Pokémon with care.
Berries (Multiple Varieties) — 200–500 Pokédollars: Different berries offer various effects, from healing status conditions to enhancing a Pokémon's abilities temporarily.
But the Pokémon-Specific Recipes were what caught his eye. These dishes were incredibly expensive, priced in the millions. They were designed to cater to specific types of Pokémon or even individual species' tastes, enhancing their abilities and growth.
Electric-Type Special Recipe — 5,000,000 Pokédollars: A gourmet meal that significantly boosts the health and power of Electric-type Pokémon.
Dragon-Type Special Recipe — 10,000,000 Pokédollars: A rare, luxurious meal for Dragon-type Pokémon that increases their battle potential and enhances their natural instincts.
Fire-Type Feast — 8,500,000 Pokédollars: An exotic, high-calorie meal designed to boost the Fire-type Pokémon's energy, making them stronger and faster in battle.
Water-Type Special Recipe — 6,000,000 Pokédollars: A delicious and enriching recipe for Water-type Pokémon that enhances their special moves and agility.
The prices were staggering. Even though Aiden couldn't afford anything remotely close to that, he found himself staring at the price tags in awe. These meals weren't for regular trainers like him, that much was clear.
Aiden made his way through the aisles, trying to make the best decisions with his limited budget. After a quick mental calculation, he decided to buy a few things to make sure his Pokémon were well-prepared for whatever lay ahead.
He picked up:
3 Super Potions — 2,100 Pokédollars.
1 Carbos — 1,500 Pokédollars (for Sneasel, to enhance its speed).
1 Calcium — 1,200 Pokédollars (for Budew, to increase its Special Attack).
1 Pokémon Food (Basic) — 300 Pokédollars.
The total came to 5,100 Pokédollars, which he could afford with the balance he had. He was left with about 15,000 Pokédollars after the purchase. It wasn't much, but it was enough to get him through the next few days.
He made his way to the counter, where a friendly cashier greeted him with a warm smile.
"Got everything you need?" the cashier asked as Aiden placed his items on the counter.
"Yeah, I think so," Aiden replied, handing over his Pokédollars. "I'll be traveling soon, so I wanted to make sure I'm stocked up."
The cashier nodded. "Smart move. You never know when you'll get into a tough battle. Best to be prepared. You also get some points for your purchase, which you can use for discounts next time you're here."
Aiden raised an eyebrow. "Points?"
"Yep. Every time you buy something here, you get points for future discounts. It's part of the rewards program for trainers who come often. You can redeem them for discounts on things like Pokéballs, Potions, or even rare items when you're a regular customer."
"That's good to know," Aiden said, taking his items and putting them in his bag. "Thanks for the info."
The cashier smiled. "No problem. Safe travels, and take care of your Pokémon."
Aiden left the PokéMart with a sense of satisfaction. His Pokémon were set for the journey ahead, and he had learned a lot about the prices and systems in place for trainers in Valora City. But as he stepped out into the bright sunlight, he couldn't help but wonder how many more surprises this city had in store for him.
With his purchases complete, Aiden felt a sense of relief. He had the essentials, and with his Pokémon healed and ready for the journey, he was one step closer to discovering what lay beyond the city. There was a world full of new adventures, trainers, and Pokémon waiting for him—and he was determined to be ready for whatever came next.
As he made his way back to the Pokémon Center, Aiden felt the pull of the open road once more. But this time, it was different. He was no longer just a rookie trainer. He was growing, and with each new encounter, he was becoming more attuned to what it meant to be a Pokémon Trainer.