Valeria arrived at the Pokémon Home, the familiar quiet replaced by a lively hum that spilled from the open doors. She could hear a mix of excited chatter and the soft chirps of Pokémon from inside, a sound that felt both welcoming and overwhelming. Stepping through the entrance, she saw the lobby was packed with people of all ages, lining up with an eager, almost reverent patience. Most of them looked to be between ten and forty, a surprisingly broad demographic for what used to be a niche business.
The once quiet lobby, which Valeria considered her own personal sanctuary of scientific wonder, now buzzed like a hive. Teenagers held their phones high, recording every Pokémon that passed by. Older adults huddled together, deep in hushed discussions about battle strategies. Even a few toddlers pointed excitedly at a passing Pikachu, their parents smiling down at them with pride.
It was all a little too public for her tastes.
"Mom, can we get that one?" a little voice squeaked, pointing a chubby finger at a fluffy, white Pokémon with big, curious eyes.
"We'll see, sweetie," the mom replied, her voice soft. "Remember what the nice lady at the front desk said about the lottery?"
"But it's so cute!"
The sheer number of people was a lot. Valeria preferred the quiet hum of her lab to this lively scene. She noticed a group of young women, probably college students, comparing Poké Balls.
Then, her gaze landed on a family. A young mom and dad were doing their best to explain something to their child, who looked to be about six years old.
The kid bounced with energy, probably hyped up on too much sugar, as they loudly asked, "Why can't we just buy a Charizard?"
"Sweetie, it doesn't quite work like that," the mom said gently.
"We have to earn a Pokémon's trust, buddy," the dad added, trying to sound firm but also understanding.
It was a new world, certainly.
Valeria spotted Orion behind the long counter. He stood as a calm center to the happy commotion. His green and white suit stood out against the many colorful shirts and jackets of the customers.
"It's all about finding that natural spark," Orion said, his hands moving like he was painting the air.
His face brightened as he talked with an older woman. He nodded, listening to her, before he started explaining something new.
"Think of it like tending a garden," he added, a wide smile on his face. "Each one just needs the right care to truly blossom."
"Remember," Latias said, moving her hands through the air, "A Pokémon's happiness is the truest measure."
She offered a serene smile.
"So, how do you find one of those… Pokémon things?" one of the kids asked, their eyes wide.
"And where do they sleep?" another chimed in, leaning closer to Orion.
Valeria watched, a wave of relief washing over her. Orion and Latias answered every question with such calm, their voices never wavering.
The scale of this new world, and its impact, was becoming clearer by the day.
Her gaze drifted further into the lobby. She saw Pikachu in the middle of a group of children.
It used a playful Quick Attack, zipping around the children's legs and making them giggle. The quick dashes were just enough to surprise them, but not enough to cause any worry.
Pikachu let out a soft Pika-Pika! as it chased a rolling Poké Ball, its tail a happy blur. The kids shrieked with delight, trying to catch it, their laughter cutting through the general hum of conversation.
"Pika! Pikachu!" it squealed, nudging the Poké Ball with its nose.
Pikachu seemed completely in its element. It radiated a pure, unadulterated joy that was infectious. This simple, innocent side of the world transformation was truly something special.
Orion looked up from a conversation with a young couple. His eyes scanned the crowded lobby. A wide smile spread across his face when he spotted Val.
"Valeria!" he called out, his voice warm and inviting. It cut through the general din, reaching her over the chatter of customers.
Val made her way over, weaving through the eager crowd. She offered a small nod of greeting.
"It's certainly busy here," she commented, her tone a mix of observation and mild surprise.
Orion laughed, a sound of genuine pleasure. "It is indeed. Ever since the Pokémon arrived, people have been intensely interested."
He gestured to the packed room. "The store has been full every single day."
Valeria considered the implications of such sustained public engagement. The sheer scale of it was something even her father, Reed, would have difficulty processing.
"Orion," Val said, her voice dropping a little as she spoke. She leaned closer to make sure her words were not overheard. "Can you spare a few minutes?"
She emphasized the urgency and importance of what she needed to discuss with just a slight tilt of her head.
Orion, sensing the shift in her tone, turned to Latias.
"Latias, can you handle the front desk for a short while?" he asked.
Latias offered a gentle nod. Her thoughts reached Orion, a soft assurance of her capability.
Orion then led Val to a private room, a quiet space away from the bustling lobby. The door clicked softly shut behind them, dimming the sounds of the crowd.
"What do you need to talk about, Val?" he asked.
Valeria pulled out her Pokédex, its sleek frame a familiar comfort in her hands. Her fingers moved across the screen, bringing up a detailed entry. She turned the device toward Orion, presenting the information like a meticulously prepared dossier.
Orion's eyes widened, a flicker of genuine surprise crossing his usually calm features. His gaze settled on the image of the legendary Pokémon, its sharp, yellow plumage crackling with static. The data scroll detailed its Electric/Flying typing, its immense power, and its solitary nature.
"Zapdos," Orion breathed, the name barely a whisper. "Where did you acquire this data?"
His voice was low, filled with an astonishment that was rare for him. The sheer unlikelihood of someone obtaining such information was clearly registered in his mind.
Valeria quickly explained the encounter. "Kamala, Doreen, and some of their friends encountered it in the Aurawood Preserve's mountains."
She paused, her expression becoming more serious. "And it's not just the Zapdos. An organization called HYDRA is after it."
The name hung in the air, a cold, sharp note against the background hum of the Pokédex.
"They're actively hunting it," Valeria added, leaving no room for doubt. She looked at Orion, a silent question in her eyes. "Do you know anything about it? About Zapdos?"
Orion listened intently as Val spoke, his expression turning serious. He nodded slowly, a thoughtful frown settling on his face.
"Yes, I know of Zapdos," Orion confirmed, his voice low. "It is a legendary Pokémon, one of the three Kanto birds."
He paused, a hint of surprise in his tone. "Though its appearance here, so soon after the world transformation, is unexpected."
Valeria observed him, noting the subtle shift in his demeanor. It was a quiet acknowledgement, yet it conveyed a deep understanding of something far beyond simple Pokédex data. His unique connection to the world's unfolding events seemed to grant him insights others lacked.
"To hear that HYDRA is actively hunting it... that is a serious concern," Orion said.
He stepped away from the counter, his cane tapping softly on the floor. He began to pace slowly as he spoke, his voice taking on a resonant, almost mythical quality.
"Zapdos is a creature of storms, a living conduit of raw electrical power," Orion explained, his gaze distant. "Legends say it descends from thunderclouds, its wings sparking with static."
He continued, "It is one of the three Legendary birds of Kanto, embodying the element of lightning."
"Its movements alone can stir the skies, bringing forth tempests and thunderclaps," Orion said. "It draws strength from lightning strikes, absorbing their power to fuel its own might."
Valeria listened, captivated. The data on her Pokédex screen now held a far greater meaning. It was not just scientific information, but a fragment of ancient myth.
"In ancient times, people believed Zapdos to be a divine force, a spirit of the heavens," Orion added. "Its presence ensured the balance of electrical currents in the world."
"To disturb such a creature, to attempt to control its wild energy… that would invite great discord," Orion finished, his eyes returning to Valeria.
Valeria was completely absorbed. The surprise of a legendary Pokémon appearing so close was now compounded by the depth of Orion's explanation. She had heard of such creatures in stories, of course, but to know one was real, and actively being hunted by an organization like HYDRA, was astonishing.
The gravity of the situation settled over her. This wasn't just a powerful animal; it was a living legend, a force of nature. Its fate could truly impact the entire world. The thought was a mix of wonder and apprehension. This new world was even more complex than she had imagined.
***
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Advance chapters in P@T0n Najicablitz.