Nextgen Kids: The New Era

Sector $, Part ¥4: The Mechanical Marvel

I bet no one reading this remembers Prince Raleigh. :P Then again, before the Gameverse, no one remembered Carol Masterson either.

Chapter ¥4: The Mechanical Marvel

Six years ago

"Kimia, what is it?" six-year-old Raleigh asked his older sister. Kimia was dressed in a similar fashion as her brother, her hair tied in four large braids.

"This is Magearna." Kimia replied. It was a robotic, child-size creature with a dress and bunny-like ears. "Our ancestors modeled her after the Firstborn."

"Who are the Firstborn, again?"

"They're the children of God Arceus. The most powerful and sought-after beings in the universe. They were the center of a lot of chaos back in 2012, so I heard. King Nikola created Magearna using energy harnessed from the spirits, hoping it would rival the power of the Firstborn and help our kingdom to prosper. Unfortunately, she has long run out of power. Hm hm, and now most of the Firstborn are in the hands of Earth children. I have to wonder how they're being used... Most people who hunt the Firstborn only seek world domination. But if they were put to more productive use..."

"What if we found a real Firstborn, Kimia? Could we power Magearna back up again?"

"It is possible. Not that we actually need her; our kingdom is prospering just fine on its own. Still, it would be nice. It was said that Magearna was also the princess's playmate. I bet that means she was a pretty fun person!"

A robot that was designed like the Firstborn. As I grew older, I began to wonder how it was possible. How could a mortal create a god? I read books about the Firstborn and I read about the elements they control. And I imagined a wide array of inventions that could be made with their chi!

A 10-year-old Raleigh was in his room with his first Pokémon, Swirlix. Using a desk lamp for light, he wore a beaming smile as he drew multiple blueprints. An All-Knowing Tablet that could answer any question in the universe, made from Uxie's chi! Training Simulators programmed with all Azelf's fighting styles! Flawless teleportation devices made from... well, any of their chi! The Firstborn had limitless possibilities! And so, my mission was to study them in person!

Raleigh set off on a Pokémon journey, catching primarily Electric-type Pokémon, but he didn't neglect to give his Swirlix some attention. Eventually, it evolved into Slurpuff, and he managed to win a few gym battles. By the time he turned 12, he made his decision:

A GKND saucer hovered over the outskirts of his kingdom, creating a strong wind that blew Raleigh's jacket. "Are you sure you want to join the Earth Kids Next Door, Raleigh?" Kimia asked him. "You do remember the stories about them, don't you?"

"Of course I am! I trained for two years so that I would be good enough to join them! And since most kids don't even need to HAVE prior training, I'll pass the Cadets Next Door in a heartbeat!" He faced up at the saucer with pure confidence. "This is my chance to see the Firstborn in their prime! When I come back, I'll know everything about them!"

Quahog Park, close to the current time

"Every other Saturday, I like to enjoy a drink of Golden Leaf Whiskey." a drunken Midna said, holding a wine bottle in her left Hair Hand and chugging a drink. "Bleh, sometimes I give shadowbending to the wrong kid... b-but it all... works out in the end, yeah..."

Raleigh hesitantly wrote this down. "Okay, um... does the whiskey give you power?"

"No, but I have a HELLA good time with that...w-with that Crest fellow, oh yeah." She blushed and formed a wide smile.