The night passed uneventfully.
Aaron got up early the next morning, packed his luggage, and tossed everything into the System backpack. Convenient as ever.
When Aaron went downstairs, he saw his dad, mom, and little sister eating breakfast.
He dropped into a dining chair, picked up a steamed bun, and said as he ate, "Mom, Dad... I'm heading out for a while. I'm going to Crown City!"
The moment Aaron's mom heard that, she snapped, "Son... why are you always running off somewhere? Even delivery guys don't travel as much as you do."
"What are you going to Crown City for this time?"
Aaron's dad and little sister also stopped eating and looked at him, clearly waiting for an explanation.
"Cough, cough..."
Aaron nearly choked on his mom's jab, the corner of his mouth twitching.
Unable to argue, he could only force a smile and say, "Didn't I apply to Pokémon Crown University?"
"The president of Pokémon Crown University called me yesterday and asked me to come to the school. Apparently, he needs my help with something."
Thankfully, Aaron had already prepared an excuse. When in doubt, blame it on school. That never failed.
Sure enough, once they heard that the president of Pokémon Crown University needed their son's help, his parents' faces filled with pride.
A Champion-level Trainer and the president of a prestigious university had personally asked their son for help. If that didn't prove how capable their son was, what did?
Aaron's mom immediately broke into a bright smile and said, "Then you'd better hurry over. If the president needs your help, you have to take it seriously. Do your best and make a good impression, understand?"
His dad nodded in agreement and said, "If the president asked you for help, that means he thinks highly of you. Do a good job and don't let him down."
Seeing her parents change their attitudes faster than someone flipping a switch, Lily rolled her eyes and went back to eating breakfast.
"Okay, okay."
Aaron was secretly delighted. He immediately nodded again and again, patted his chest, and said, "Don't worry, Mom, Dad. I'll handle the president's request perfectly."
Then he turned to his younger sister, Lily, and said, "Lily, remember to feed Growlithe Energy Cubes properly, and don't forget to train its moves every day."
"When I come back, I'll bring you a Fire Stone so your Growlithe can evolve into Arcanine."
Lily's eyes lit up, and she asked happily, "Really?"
"I'll definitely train Growlithe properly!"
"Arf! Arf!"
The Growlithe sitting on his sister's lap barked a few times too, as if telling Aaron not to underestimate it. It trained every day!
It was very hardworking.
Aaron nodded to his sister and said, "When have I ever lied to you?"
"Just wait until I get back!"
Then he reached out and rubbed Growlithe's head. It was smooth and felt really nice.
Aaron thought to himself, "Should I catch a furry Pokémon too?"
"I could pet it when I'm bored. That really does feel good."
Come to think of it, Aaron felt a little helpless. He had six Pokémon, yet not a single one of them had fur.
At this rate, he was going to become a bald Pokémon specialist.
...
In a stretch of fields, a teenager wearing a white jacket and a hat hummed a little tune as he strolled leisurely along with a black Greninja at his side.
That's right. This goofball was none other than Aaron.
He had now officially set out on his journey toward Crown City.
There were planes and high-speed trains, but Aaron refused to take them. He insisted on traveling there on foot while sightseeing along the way.
He was doing it purely for the vibes.
In the Pokémon world, how could he miss out on travel and adventure?
Ash had been traveling for over twenty years and was still that young. Clearly, traveling was the secret to staying youthful. Totally scientific.
Aaron watched the Rattata by the fields stealing grain, Oddish wandering through the grass, and Pidgey flying freely in the sky.
A gentle breeze blew past, leaving Aaron feeling refreshed and clear-headed.
This felt amazing.
"Boo!"
Aaron suddenly shouted at the Rattata stealing grain by the field.
"Squee! Squee!"
Several Rattata were startled on the spot. When they saw that it was Aaron, a two-legged creature, anger immediately flashed in their eyes.
What the hell!? How dare some random biped scare us!?
The Rattata flew into a humiliated rage. They opened their mouths, revealing glowing front teeth, then charged toward Aaron, determined to teach him a painful lesson.
This two-legged creature needed to learn that out here in the wild, sticking your nose where it didn't belong came with consequences.
"WHOOSH! WHOOSH! WHOOSH!"
Three Rattata leaped up at once, their long front teeth shining with white light.
A mocking look flashed in their eyes. Had this two-legged creature frozen in fear?
He was still standing there without moving.
He must have been terrified by the magnificent presence of us three brothers. What a loser!
The Rattata gloated inwardly.
At that moment, the corner of Aaron's mouth lifted. He raised both hands and flicked two of the Rattata right on the forehead.
The two Rattata were instantly sent flying.
The poor little things fainted on the spot.
"Squee! Squee!"
The remaining Rattata was caught directly in Aaron's hand.
It let out a terrified cry and struggled desperately in Aaron's grip, trying to escape this demon's claws.
"Keep squeaking... and I'll beat the crap out of you, little guy."
Aaron wore a bright smile, yet the words coming out of his mouth were utterly brutal.
Rattata swallowed hard, stared at Aaron in fear, and immediately went silent.
"That's more like it."
"What a good, sensible little mouse."
Aaron patted Rattata on the head with a beaming smile.
Rattata held back its tears and endured the humiliation, not daring to move.
"Don't wreck the grain anymore, okay? Otherwise, the next time I run into you, I'll beat the crap out of you."
Just as Aaron was about to let the Rattata go, an angry cry rang out from behind him.
"SQUEEEAK!" Let go of my son!
Aaron turned around and immediately saw a mouse Pokémon about 0.7 meters tall.
It was Rattata's evolved form, Raticate.
It was glaring at him furiously.
The corner of Aaron's mouth twitched slightly.
So he beat up the small fry, and now the boss had spawned?
..