???

I train for a bit, and suddenly, Garrison realizes the power of rapidly flinging razor-sharp leaves out of its head. I have to wonder where they come from exactly.

But I have no time to contemplate it further. A great feeling of destiny seizes me.

False alarm; it was just this guy again.

We stare at each other for a while. At least, I do. I think he says something about me being a pathetic wimp, but I'm too lost in his eyes.

But this is no time for captivation, as suddenly he casts a Satanic spell.

Oh, how I love those freakish mutant hands of his. The way they seemingly are magnetized so a PokéBall just sticks to their palms - so breathtaking. I don't even know his name, but it is surely something beautiful.

He pits his squashed rodent against my elite soldier Garrison.

The battle's transcription must have looked something like:

Garrison used TACKLE!

CYNDAQUIL used TACKLE!

Garrison used TACKLE!

CYNDAQUIL used TACKLE!

It was truly brutal.

But we escape mostly unscathed~

Oh. You don't know your name either. Er wait, is it really "???"? How do you even pronounce that? "Question mark question mark question mark"? Or perhaps it is said with just a puzzled glance.

He tells me some day he shall be the world's greatest trainer. I want to tell him that the position has already been filled by yours truly, but he just kicks me to the side before I can say anything.

It hurt physically, sure.

But the emotional toll... That was something I had never before experienced.

Back at the lab, there's a blue-clad guy with a neurotic look about him. He tells me that a boy my age with long red hair stole one of Elm's Pokémon.

It occurred to me that with everyone in the lab and the perpetual folk outside, someone would have seen this happening, but I keep my mouth shut about it.

I start to tell the officer that it was "???" - but I stop. I sense an opportunity here.

His name can be whatever I want it to be. And by naming him, I shall create him.

I shall create him in the image of my twisted sense of perfection.

And of course, the policeman buys it.

The labcoat whom I barely noticed before stops me on my way out. He says he has something that will help me on my quest - awesome! Always good to get freebies.

What? Just one? I thought you said "these"... That's a bit of a letdown, sir...

As if I need help with anything.

I stop at the mart in Cherrygrove. Something in my gut tells me that I won't be getting very far with just one PokéBall.

And something else tells me that I'm going to be perpetually broke.

NEXT TIME: Frez does some things! Jimminy Christmas!