*Note: Soon, the chapters will be longer, like 1700 words or even more.
...
A pure white ball, like freshly fallen snow.
"Oh, I'm sorry. Looks like you didn't win anything this time. But no one leaves empty-handed here…" the man said.
Then he reached into a large bag behind him and pulled out a small pack of tissues.
"Here, your consolation prize," he said.
Celeste, clearly annoyed at getting nothing but tissues, took the pack and stuffed it into her pocket.
"Such bad luck…" Celeste sighed.
"That's just how it goes. Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose," Roxanne said.
"I guess…" Celeste muttered.
"Anyway, my turn now," Roxanne said.
The only comfort Celeste had was that maybe one of the others would get the same result—a white ball—so she wouldn't feel so bad.
"Alright," the man said.
Roxanne handed over the money, and the man immediately started turning the crank.
He spun it for a while until suddenly, a ball came out.
A brown one—like copper.
"Oh, not bad at all! You can now choose between the fourth and fifth prize! And don't worry—they're equal in value, even if they don't contain the same Pokémon," the man said.
Even though she had won, Roxanne wasn't entirely satisfied.
Her reason was simple—she loved Rock-type Pokémon, and her goal was to collect them all. What were the chances of getting a Rock-type from a random Poké Ball?
"Why does she get lucky and I don't?" Celeste asked, a little jealous.
"It's all luck," I said with a shrug.
Luck was everything in situations like this.
"Don't worry. It's probably not a Rock-type. If it isn't, I'll give it to you," Roxanne said.
It might sound a bit harsh, but as a Rock-type enthusiast, she couldn't accept a Pokémon that wasn't one. Her Crystal Onix was an exception, mainly because it chose her, and she couldn't refuse. Besides, its original species was Rock-type, so it still fit her preferences.
But that was the only exception she planned to make.
"Promise!" Celeste said excitedly.
She was already imagining getting a new Pokémon without having to catch one herself.
*Note: It's time for Celeste to get her second Pokémon, but instead of choosing it myself, I'll leave that decision to you. Suggest a Pokémon you like that would suit Celeste, and I'll make her catch one of those. This message is for both Patreon and Webnovel readers, and I won't write the capture chapter until this chapter is published on Webnovel.
"So, which one will you choose?" the man asked.
"If they're the same… I'll take the fifth prize," Roxanne said.
"Perfect…" the man replied.
He reached under the table and took out a brand-new Poké Ball.
"Here you go. Enjoy," he said.
Roxanne took the Poké Ball and stored it away. This wasn't the time to check what was inside. That could wait.
"Alright, I'm last," I said.
I had been waiting since Celeste jumped ahead, but since I'm a gentleman—and yes, that matters a lot in this world—I let them go first.
Now it was my turn.
"Very well," the man said.
Celeste and Roxanne watched eagerly.
Would I win the first prize… or just a pack of tissues like Celeste?
After paying, the man spun the crank again.
A few seconds later…
Another brown ball came out.
The same as Roxanne's.
"Oh! Now this is luck! I can't believe you managed to get both the fourth and fifth prizes! Congratulations!" the man said with a smile.
It was already difficult to win any prize at all. Most of the balls inside were white. There was only one yellow, one silver, one red, and two brown ones.
The rest were all white.
So how did these two get so lucky?
"Even Ash too?! I guess today just isn't my lucky day…" Celeste said.
What were the chances of that?
"Congratulations, Ash," Roxanne said.
"Thanks," I replied as I took the Poké Ball and put it away.
"Well then, it was a pleasure. I hope you both enjoy your prizes," the man said.
It would've been rude to say "all three," considering Celeste only got tissues—useful, sure, but not exactly valuable.
"Guys, it's only 6:15 PM. Should we check what Pokémon you got before Ash battles Sabrina? I mean, there's still plenty of time before the Gym closes, and I doubt her match is over yet," Celeste suggested.
"I agree. It's only been fifteen minutes, so Sabrina is probably still battling. Let's grab a snack and meet our new partners," Roxanne said.
"Pika pi!" Pikachu added.
Everyone seemed to agree, so… who was I to refuse?
Besides, I was curious too.
"Alright. Let's do that," I nodded.
After deciding what to do, the four of us headed to the Pokémon Center.
It was a much better place to check our new Pokémon—inside, away from prying eyes, instead of out in the crowded market.
Once inside, we ordered some coffee and pastries.
Then…
It was time.
"I'll go first," Roxanne said.
She took out her new Poké Ball and released the Pokémon inside.
"Solaaa!" a small Corsola cried.
Corsola was a small, pink, coral-shaped Pokémon—Rock/Water type. A perfect match for any Rock-type enthusiast.
"I can't believe it—it's actually Rock-type!" Celeste said, surprised.
"Perfect! A Corsola!" Roxanne said happily.
"It's a great Pokémon. You should be happy," I said with a smile.
"I'm more than happy!" Roxanne replied, beaming.
Without hesitation, she picked up her Corsola and hugged it tightly.
"Solaaa!" Corsola chirped happily.
"I'm Roxanne, your new Trainer and friend. It's nice to meet you—I hope we get along!" Roxanne said.
"Solaaa!" Corsola replied.
Ever since leaving the place where the Pokémon Rangers had cared for her, Corsola knew she would be given to someone new.
The only question was—what kind of person would that be?
But the moment she saw Roxanne, she knew.
She was kind.
And that made her happy.
It seemed her luck had been good after all—she had found a Trainer who would care for her.
How could she know that so quickly?
Pokémon have a kind of sixth sense for these things.
They can tell whether someone has good or bad intentions.
Call it instinct… or something else.
But it's real.
After spending a while introducing ourselves and getting to know Corsola, it was finally my turn.
"I can't wait to see what Pokémon you got!" Celeste said excitedly.
"Pika pi!" Pikachu agreed.
Everyone was excited—and I won't lie, so was I.
So without wasting any time, I took out my Poké Ball.
And the Pokémon that came out was…