With a flourish of his cane, Orion steps through the portal, Pikachu perched atop his head. The Teen Titans follow close behind, their eyes widening as they take in the breathtaking sight of the Pokémon sanctuary.
Starfire gasps, her orange skin glowing even brighter. "This place is magnificent! It is like a paradise for creatures!" She twirls around, taking in the lush greenery, the sparkling river, and the towering volcanic peaks in the distance.
Beast Boy transforms into a hawk, soaring above the trees. "Whoa! Look at all those Pokémon! I've never seen so many different kinds in one place!" He circles around a flock of Pidgey, chirping excitedly.
Cyborg scans the environment with his cybernetic eye. "The environmental controls are off the charts. The air is clean, the water's pure… impressive."
Even Raven seems slightly impressed, though she does her best to hide it. "It's… calming," she admits, her voice barely above a whisper.
Robin, ever the pragmatist, surveys the scene with a critical eye. "Still, it's a contained environment. Hardly a true reflection of the Pokémon's natural habitat."
Orion chuckles, unfazed by Robin's skepticism. "Ah, but it's a start, young Titan. A place where humans and Pokémon can connect, learn from each other, and perhaps… find a bond that transcends worlds."
He raises his cane, gesturing towards the vast expanse of the sanctuary. "Now, then, Titans, I shall give you a time of three hours to explore the sanctuary and befriend a Pokémon. I will inform you of the rules."
Orion lists the rules. The rules are designed to ensure the safety and well-being of both the Titans and the Pokémon, and he emphasizes the importance of respecting the creatures' boundaries and approaching them with kindness.
Once Orion finishes explaining the rules, Starfire is the first to dash off, eager to meet the Pokémon. "Farewell, Owner Orion! I shall return with a new friend, I promise!"
Beast Boy transforms into a cheetah, speeding after Starfire. "Wait up, Star! I don't want you hogging all the cool Pokémon!"
Cyborg nods to Orion and Raven. "See ya later, folks. I'm gonna go check out those volcanic peaks. Maybe I'll find a Fire-type that can help me upgrade my cannon."
Raven sighs, shaking her head at her teammates' enthusiasm. "I'll be in the forest. Don't bother me unless you're on fire." With that, she disappears into the shadows, blending seamlessly with the trees.
Robin hesitates, his gaze fixed on Orion. "I still have my doubts about this whole enterprise, but I'll give it a shot. Three hours, you said?"
Orion nods. "Precisely. May you find a companion who will challenge you, inspire you, and perhaps… teach you a thing or two about the true meaning of partnership."
With a curt nod, Robin turns and strides off in the opposite direction, his cape billowing behind him. He is determined to approach this task with logic and strategy, but even he cannot deny the excitement that stirs within him as he enters the lush wilderness of the Pokémon sanctuary.
Starfire, propelled by her boundless enthusiasm, ventures into a quieter, wooded section of the Sanctuary, away from the more open and bustling areas. Sunlight filters through the canopy, creating dappled patterns on the mossy forest floor. The air is filled with the gentle sounds of chirping Pokémon and the rustling of leaves.
She slows her pace, savoring the tranquility of the environment.
"This place is so full of the happiness! I am feeling the joy-screams of nature!"
Suddenly, her radiant green eyes spot something amiss. A small bird's nest lies in disarray, scattered leaves and twigs strewn around it like a miniature tornado had touched down. Starfire gasps, her brow furrowing with concern.
She approaches cautiously, her bare feet making soft thuds on the earth.
"Oh no! What villainy has occurred here?" Her heart aches at the sight of the disturbed nest, a clear sign of some sort of struggle or disruption.
As she examines the nest more closely, her eyes fixate on something perched precariously on the edge of a small cliff overlooking a rushing stream. It's an egg, unlike any she has ever seen before. Its shell is mostly white, speckled with red and blue triangular markings.
The Togepi egg teeters back and forth, threatening to tumble over the edge into the swirling waters below. Starfire's breath hitches in her throat, her instincts kicking into high gear.
"Oh, precious little one! You are in the danger!" Her immediate urge is to help, to protect something so small and vulnerable. She knows she has to act quickly, before the egg falls and its potential life is extinguished.
"I must save the egg!"
Without a second thought, Starfire extends a hand, her fingers glowing with a soft, golden light. She moves with deliberate slowness, hoping not to startle the egg or cause it to roll over the edge. The rushing stream below seems to mock her, daring her to make a single mistake.
The slope is steeper than it looks, and the ground beneath her feet is treacherous. Each step she takes sends small pebbles tumbling down toward the stream. Starfire, drawing on her Tamaranean agility, moves with a grace that belies the danger. She angles her body, digging her heels into the earth to maintain her balance.
Suddenly, a loud crashing sound echoes through the trees. A massive Heracross bursts from the undergrowth, its powerful horn glinting in the sunlight. It stomps its feet aggressively and blocks her path.
"Oh, dear! It is an angry beetle!"
She doesn't want to hurt the Heracross, but she can't afford to be delayed. She needs to get to that egg.
"Greetings, kind beetle!" Starfire says, her voice ringing with sincerity. "I am not wishing to cause the trouble, but the little egg is in the peril!"
The Heracross, however, is unmoved by her words. It lowers its head, ready to charge. Starfire sighs inwardly. Sometimes, diplomacy simply isn't enough.
"I am not wanting to fight, but I will protect the egg!"
With a burst of speed, Starfire unleashes a volley of starbolts, aiming them harmlessly to either side of the Heracross. The energy blasts erupt in harmless displays of light and sound, creating a temporary distraction.
The Heracross, startled by the sudden burst of energy, pauses for a moment, giving Starfire the opportunity she needs. With a nimble leap, she bypasses the confused Pokémon and continues her descent.
Loose rocks continue to tumble from beneath her feet, and chunks of earth crumble away as she progresses. Starfire grits her teeth, pushing through the increasing peril. The egg is so close now, she can almost feel the joy it radiates. The stream roars below, waiting to claim the tiny, defenseless treasure.
Just as Starfire closes in, a chunk of earth gives way beneath the egg. It tips forward, beginning its fall. Time seems to slow as she lunges forward, her fingers outstretched. With a triumphant gasp, her hand closes around the smooth, cool shell, catching it mere inches from the edge.
"I have saved it!", her heart pounding with relief. Carefully, she pulls the egg close to her chest, cradling it gently in her arms. She takes a moment to catch her breath, her body trembling with a mix of adrenaline and gratitude.
Once she is steady, she examines the egg, her brow furrowed with concern. Her glowing green eyes scan the shell for any signs of damage. She rotates it slowly, her fingers tracing the delicate patterns of red and blue triangles.
"Oh, please be okay, small friend!" Her voice filled with worry. After a thorough inspection, she breathes a sigh of relief. The shell seems intact, without so much as a scratch.
With the egg secure, Starfire turns her attention to the original nest site. She needs to find out what happened, why the nest was abandoned, and whether the parents are still nearby. She scans the surrounding area, her eyes searching for any clues.
"Where is the home? Where are the parents?" she wonders, her voice laced with worry. The scattered debris of the nest suggests a hasty departure, possibly caused by a predator or some other disturbance.
She circles the area, carefully examining the ground for any signs of a struggle. She spots a few small footprints, but they are too indistinct to identify what kind of Pokémon might have been there.
Starfire frowns. The more she looks, the clearer it becomes that the nest has been completely abandoned. There are no signs of the parents, no comforting scent of familiar Pokémon, nothing to indicate that they will be returning. A wave of sadness washes over her.
"Oh, no! They are not coming back! The little egg is all alone!"
The realization sinks in that the Togepi egg is now an orphan, left to fend for itself in the wild. She glances down at the egg in her arms, her heart swelling with a mix of pity and determination. She knows that she can't just leave it here. It needs her help.
What is she going to do?
***
Give power stones to support this book.
Advance chapters in P@T0n Najicablitz.