In the morning, Ben entered the classroom looking completely exhausted. His hair was a mess, and dark circles hung under his eyes. In his arms, Drilbur squirmed and giggled, full of boundless energy, completely unfazed by his trainer’s lack of sleep.

  Mr. Boon took one look at him and chuckled.

  “Three days in, and he’s already keeping you up all night, huh?”

  Ben groaned. “You have no idea. He made a hole in my dorm room floor the moment he hatched. I’ve barely gotten any sleep since.” He petted Drilbur absentmindedly, but the little Pokémon was already trying to jump from his arms, eager to dig another hole.

  Seeing this, Mr. Boon released his own Sandslash. The seasoned Pokémon gave Drilbur a calm but firm look before gently pressing a claw against his head, keeping him in place. Drilbur huffed in protest but stopped struggling, staring up at Sandslash with wide eyes.

  Mr. Boon nodded approvingly.

  “Good. Now that he’s settled down a bit, let’s talk about him. As I told you before, Drilbur is native to the Forsaken Region. I can’t grant you access to the library’s restricted section, but I’ll make sure a new copy of the information is available to you—without the classified details.”

  He adjusted his glasses before continuing.

  “Now, the basics: Drilbur is a pure Ground-type Pokémon, and as you’ve probably already figured out, he loves to dig. If you raise him well, he’ll evolve into an Excadrill, which is a Ground/Steel-type. That Steel typing gives him a big advantage in battle, making him tougher and much more versatile.”

  With Drilbur finally calmer, Ben let out a deep breath. Three days had passed since he hatched, and it already felt like a full-time job keeping up with him. But as he watched Drilbur settle beside Sandslash, a small smile formed on his face. No matter how chaotic things got, he knew one thing—this was just the beginning.

  After class, John, Nathan, and Amy—Ben’s classmates, whose Pokémon had already hatched—immediately came over and started firing questions at him. They each began talking about how their Pokémon behaved and what they had learned. They might only be one or two weeks ahead of him, but when you haven’t slept for three days because of an overactive Pokémon, even the smallest advice can make a difference.

  Reed spoke first.

  “Star—yeah, I named him Starly. I like to think that one day, we’ll reach the stars together.” He grinned. “He’s pretty chill, so I can’t really give you advice on handling him. But John can. He hid it pretty well, but Ponyta burned his bed. Twice.”

  John shot Reed a glare and responded with a sarcastic tone,

  “Say thanks. You’re lucky. You won’t always get an easy Pokémon. Sooner or later, you’ll get one that makes you wish for a nap. Ben and I are just getting that out of the way early.”

  He turned to Ben.

  “Emberly, my Ponyta, loves to run. But when I don’t let her, she throws a tantrum—and burns things. At least, she used to. I talked to her, and now she mostly burns paper instead. So yeah, my advice? Talk to your Pokémon. Set boundaries. Be a parental figure.”

  Ben, usually the quiet one, nodded seriously. He was always more open when it came to Pokémon.

  “I hear you, John. It’s been rough with Drilbur too. He’s got so much energy, and I don’t know how to deal with it. I’m trying to keep up, but it’s hard. It’s like he’s always looking for trouble. But I’ll make sure to talk to him more and set some rules—like you said.”

  The others looked at Ben with raised eyebrows. They were used to his reserved nature, so it was surprising to see him so engaged.

  John gave a knowing nod.

  “Don’t think I came up with all that myself. I’ve only had her for a week and a half. There’s a League book on newborn Pokémon—ask Mr. Boon for it. You should all read it.”

  Amy and Reed groaned in unison.

  “You didn’t tell us this before.”

  Then Amy spoke up, turning to Ben.

  “I’m with Reed here. Hiro—my Makuhita—is pretty chill. The only thing is, he really likes it when I train with him, even just for a little while. Usually, at this age, Pokémon don’t train. But Fighting-types? It’s in their blood.”

  Ben gave her a thoughtful smile.

  “Yeah… we’ll figure it out. One way or another.”

  That evening, Ben sat in his room with Drilbur while Mike was out playing with the others.

  “Drilbur, you were really good today. You didn’t dig anything or cause trouble. I’m guessing that was Sandy’s influence,” Ben said, looking down at his Pokémon.

  Drilbur wiggled and squirmed, waving his claws around excitedly.

  “Dril, Dril!” he chirped, striking a dramatic digging pose.

  Ben furrowed his brow, trying not to laugh.

  “You really like to dig, huh?”

  “Bur! Drilbur!” the Pokémon replied with a nod.

  “I know, you’re a digging Pokémon,” Ben said with a soft chuckle. “Mr. Boon said it’s in your nature. But you need to learn to control it. Tomorrow, we’ll head to the training grounds. Maybe we can find a spot where you can dig as much as you want.”

  “Drillllburrr!” Drilbur cheered, leaping onto Ben in excitement.

  Ben laughed. “I guess you approve of that idea, huh?”

  He smiled at Drilbur’s enthusiasm, but then his expression grew more serious.

  “Now, Drilbur… we need to have another important talk. Do you want a name?”

  Drilbur paused and tilted his head, his small face scrunching up in confusion.

  “Dril?” he asked, as though trying to understand what Ben meant.

  Ben chuckled. “Well, in my world, everyone has a name. I’m Ben. People don’t just call me ‘human.’ They call me by name. You’re a Drilbur, but do you want something that’s just for you?”

  Drilbur’s eyes sparkled. He started tapping his claws in a little dance, clearly intrigued.

  “Guess that’s a yes,” Ben said with a grin.

  He thought for a moment, trying a few ideas.

  “What about Digger? Or Claws? Maybe... Clawy?”

  Drilbur shook his head vigorously, unimpressed.

  Ben sighed and smiled.

  “Yeah, okay. You don’t want a name that’s just what you do. You want something personal. Something with meaning.”

  He paused.

  “…How about Gabe?”

  At the sound of it, Drilbur’s eyes lit up. He jumped up joyfully, claws tapping in excitement.

  Ben laughed. “Okay, okay, calm down, Gabe. That’s your name now.”

  Drilbur—no, Gabe—spun in place with uncontainable energy, beaming with joy.

  Ben leaned back with a tired but content smile. For the first time in days, it felt like things were settling into place.

  Three weeks had passed, and everyone had received their Pokémon. Ben had managed to guess another Pokémon’s evolution correctly, bringing his CP total to 1,000. It wasn’t much, but for his age, it was more than enough.

  Today’s class was held without their Pokémon, and Mr. Boon began the lesson.

  “Today, we’re going to talk about what you want from your journey,” he said. “As you already know, anyone who wants to pursue a Pokémon-related profession—whether breeder, professor, professional trainer, or something else—must go on a journey and earn a certain number of badges. Some careers even require you to complete Victory Road.”

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  He paused before continuing, “This law was established 100 years ago by Master Oak—the League President, Head Professor, and a Pokémon Master himself. He passed it based on his own experience, believing that truly understanding Pokémon requires more than study. You have to live with them, travel with them. The League follows his vision to this day, ensuring that anyone who works in the Pokémon world gains real experience in the wild.”

  “So,” he said, glancing around, “who wants to go first?”

  John immediately raised his hand. With Mr. Boon’s nod, he stood up.

  “I want to be a League Enforcer. The League gave me my life back, and I want to do everything I can to protect it. Enforcers serve under the Jenny family, upholding League law. A small part of me even dreams of joining the Jennys themselves one day—the true leaders of law enforcement. But for now, enforcing the League’s laws is the best way I can give back.”

  Ben listened quietly, his gaze drifting.

  League Enforcer, he thought. John really believes in them, huh?

  It wasn’t that Ben didn’t understand the importance of the League—he’d grown up with it. He’d seen how the Jennys kept order in the regions. But to him, the League had always just been part of the system. He didn’t question it or dig too deep. It kept things running. Cult Hunters were part of the League too, but he wasn’t sure how deep that connection went. He always thought of them as a separate elite group, outside the daily grind.

  He didn’t say any of this. Just nodded. His path was different, lonelier—but no less important.

  Mr. Boon smiled at John. “Those are great goals. Enforcers are incredibly important. And if you really want to join the Jennys, don’t let anyone stop you. But just so you know—becoming an Enforcer requires completing the Gym Circuit. For the Jennys, the bare minimum is finishing Victory Road.”

  John nodded with enthusiasm, a proud smile crossing his face as he imagined the path ahead.

  Next up was Amy.

  “Before I got Hiro, I wanted to be a Pokémon breeder,” she said. “But now, I think I want to be a professor. I saw it with Hiro, Emberly, and Gabe—they all acted mostly on instinct at the start, each one guided by their type or what they were naturally designed to do. I’ve decided I want to study how instinct influences Pokémon in the wild—and how trainers work with or against that instinct.”

  Ben leaned back slightly, her words catching him off guard. He hadn’t really thought about his own goal in such a thoughtful way. Instinct, she’d said. What if there was more to his path than just chasing cultists? Maybe understanding them, or their Pokémon, meant understanding instinct too.

  But no—his goal hadn’t changed. He was going to be a Cult Hunter. He couldn’t afford to waver now. Amy was chasing knowledge. Ben was chasing something else—revenge, maybe. Purpose, definitely. His instinct was clear. His path was set, even if the finer details were still hazy.

  Mr. Boon looked genuinely surprised by Amy’s answer.

  “It’s rare for a 14-year-old to not only want to be a professor, but to already know what they want to study. If that’s your path, you’ll need five badges. Breeders only need three. But with how Hiro trains, I don’t think that’ll be too big a problem for you.”

  Amy beamed. Getting praise from Mr. Boon could make a real difference in the long run.

  Ben listened as Reed spoke next, sharing his interest in journeying to Sinnoh. Ben hadn’t decided where he’d go yet. Kanto was home, but the memories were heavy. Hoenn, Johto, Sinnoh… they all offered something different. He wondered if one of them would feel like a clean break—or if the weight he carried would follow him wherever he went.

  He’d heard about the Crunch before—mostly from his parents, and a bit from school. He knew it mattered, though he wasn’t sure how. The Church of a Thousand Hands—the ones who followed Aru and his pantheon—were everywhere in Sinnoh. His parents said they were part of why Sinnoh was so different, but they never explained much. From what he remembered, the Church had a lot of influence, and the League tolerated them because they gave people hope.

  Still, no one ever explained what the “Crunch” really was. Was it just a religion? Or something deeper?

  Reed’s mention of meeting someone from the Crunch made Ben pause. There was a whole side of the world he hadn’t even touched yet. The way Reed spoke about Sinnoh made it sound like it had more freedom—but Ben wasn’t sure if that was a good thing. Freedom, maybe. Or control, just wearing different robes.

  Johto, on the other hand, felt like tradition locked in stone. Hoenn? That was chaos and politics. Sinnoh… Sinnoh was faith. And Kanto? Kanto was control.

  For now, he didn’t know what to choose. There were too many options, each one pointing in a different direction. He stared down at his desk, searching for clarity. One thing was certain: he couldn’t stay still. He had time to choose—but that choice was looming.

  At the front of the room, Mr. Boon’s thoughts wandered. The Crunch… they’ve stayed out of Pallet for a reason. The Oaks have kept them at bay. But their reach is growing. He kept his voice steady, but a shadow of concern lingered in his eyes.

  “The Sinnoh region is a fine choice,” he said aloud. “But understand that your journey may take you through places where others are watching. There are groups that will try to sway your decisions.”

  Reed blinked, confused. “Yeah, I get it. I’ll keep my eyes open.”

  Mr. Boon nodded, but his tone turned sharp.

  “Good. Just be careful where you place your trust, Reed. Some paths may seem clear—but you need to know who’s leading you down them.”

  Next was Ben.

  “I want to be a cult hunter. I want to destroy the cult. It might be a pipe dream, but I’ll do everything I can to make it a reality,” he said, his voice steady with determination.

  Ben was usually quiet, but when it came to his goal of becoming a cult hunter, a fire lit within him. He was more animated now, a stark contrast to his usual reserved self. His hands, normally still and calm, clenched slightly as he spoke, betraying the intensity of his emotions. Deep down, he knew it wouldn’t be easy. He’d heard the stories—how dangerous cult hunting was, how ruthless the organization could be—but the conviction he felt didn’t waver. Still, a part of him wondered if he was truly ready for the sacrifices he’d have to make.

  Mr. Boon chuckled softly. “Well, I see nothing’s changed with you, Ben. Your goal is a noble one. Cult hunters are a rough bunch, but they make the regions safer. You’ll need at least 8 badges—but I’d recommend waiting until you’re ranked in the top 100 at the Conference before you apply. You’ll gain more experience and be better prepared, but also get a stronger starting position.”

  Ben nodded, absorbing the advice. The road ahead was longer than he’d expected. He’d always envisioned completing his journey with 5 or 6 badges, joining the League, and pursuing his role. But now he understood his path would be far more demanding.

  The cult, once a vague shadow in his mind, now seemed massive and deeply rooted. He knew they had destroyed his town with a single Pokémon. But the scope of their reach... that was still sinking in.

  Eight badges. Conference top 100. That was the bar.

  The moment he gained access to the PokéNet, he’d have to pour everything into learning about them. This wasn’t just a personal goal anymore. It was war. And he had to be ready.

  Still, it was another lesson in patience—a journey that stretched further with every new piece of advice. But Ben didn’t mind. He had come this far. Nothing would stop him. Not now. Not ever.

  Time passed, and only Nathan was left to speak.

  He had become the most distant of the group, often keeping to himself. Usually found in the library, reading whatever material he could get clearance for. The others didn’t really know what to say to him anymore. Ever since the attack, he’d closed himself off. Today, they all silently hoped they might finally understand a little more.

  Mr. Boon gave him a kind, reassuring look, his tone soft. “Nathan, it’s okay. You can speak freely. Everyone here cares about you. These are your childhood friends—we’re all here to listen.”

  Nathan shifted in his seat, eyes on the floor, avoiding everyone’s gaze. His fingers tapped on his notebook, a silent fidget.

  “Kanto’s... been tough,” he began, voice quiet and frayed. It cracked, but he pushed through. “The attack... I was just a kid. I don't know if I’ve ever really gotten over it.” He swallowed hard. “It just feels like everything changed that day. I used to think I understood what I was supposed to do... now it feels like I’m just surviving.”

  He paused, staring out the window, as if the answer might be there. “I thought maybe I’d go to Johto... get away from it all. Maybe it’s different there. I don’t know. I don’t even know what I want anymore.”

  Nathan clenched his fists, knuckles going white. “Everyone keeps saying it’s the cult... that they did this, that they’re behind everything. But it doesn’t feel like that’s the whole story. I’m not dumb. I just... can’t shake the feeling that there’s more. I just need something—anything—that tells me this isn’t how it’s supposed to be.”

  He finally looked up, meeting Mr. Boon’s eyes for a moment, his own full of frustration and quiet grief. “I don’t expect the League to fix everything. I’m not even sure what I’m asking for. But I need to know that what happened... wasn’t for nothing. I can’t just pretend I’m fine.”

  The room went silent.

  Nathan’s words hit hard. Everyone wanted to support him, but no one knew how. They were all still processing the trauma of the attack in their own ways—but Nathan, it seemed, had taken the worst of it. For some, the destruction had forged purpose. For Nathan, it left cracks that had never healed.

  And no one, not even the school, had truly noticed.

  Ben had always thought he knew why he wanted to destroy the cult. They had killed his parents. Destroyed his home. That was simple. But now, Nathan’s words made him hesitate.

  He remembered the cult hunters he’d seen once—scarred, limping, missing limbs. But one of them… something was missing behind his eyes. It wasn’t rage. It wasn’t resolve. It was something hollow.

  Even as a child, Ben had seen it and thought: they’ve been through hell.

  And yet they kept going.

  He always assumed it was revenge that kept them moving. That made sense. But what if revenge wasn’t enough? What if it broke you before it ever saved you?

  Mr. Boon had told him to wait, to be ready. Ben hadn’t thought much of that before.

  But now… he understood more than he wanted to.

  Maybe he was still just a kid.

  Mr. Boon finally spoke, his voice low but steady. “You are our responsibility, Nathan. And we failed you.”

  He took a breath. “We thought giving you space would help. We were wrong. I’ll talk to the school psychologist. We’ll make sure you get the support you need. Don’t give up. Keep moving forward.”

  His eyes swept the room.

  “This isn’t just for you—it’s for all of you. For me. For the school. For the League. You are the future. And we’ll make sure you’re prepared.”