Anomaly

Prologue

Prologue

I never thought I’d be this nervous. Sitting on the plane, watching the clouds roll by through the small window, my heart raced. LaRousse City was far behind me now, and ahead lay a whole new chapter in my life—Springlake Town in the Itoriko Region. I glanced down at my fingers, which were fidgeting with the hem of my jacket. I was excited, sure, but the anxiety was creeping in, too. What if I wasn’t ready? What if I made a mistake coming here?

No, I told myself. This is what I want. I had dreamed of becoming a Top Pokémon Coordinator for as long as I could remember, just like my mom. She had left a huge legacy in the world of contests, and I wanted to follow in her footsteps, to make my own mark. But still, the uncertainty made my stomach flip.

The plane’s purser gave their final remarks over the intercom, welcoming us to the Itoriko Region. “Thank you for flying with us. We hope you enjoy your stay in our beautiful region, especially the sights of Springlake Town. Be sure to visit Professor Arbutus at the Pokémon Lab if you’re starting your journey with us!”

That last part caught my attention, and my heart jumped a little. I was just a short trip away from getting my starter Pokémon. The thought of it was both exhilarating and terrifying. What kind of Pokémon would I choose? Would we bond right away, or would it take time? There were so many questions, and no clear answers. I didn’t even have a real plan beyond visiting the professor’s lab.

As the plane began its descent, I looked out the window again. I could see the tops of cherry blossom trees swaying gently in the wind, their pink petals painting a dreamy landscape below. It was so different from LaRousse, where sleek skyscrapers and technology ruled everything. Here, everything seemed softer, more peaceful, and in that moment, a small wave of calmness washed over me. Maybe this would all work out after all.

Once we landed and the seatbelt sign went off, I grabbed my bag from the overhead compartment and headed for the exit. My hands were still a little shaky, but excitement bubbled just beneath the surface. Stepping off the plane and onto the tarmac, I was greeted by a warm breeze and the sight of more cherry blossoms fluttering in the air. The airport was busy, but it felt more laid-back compared to the chaos of bigger cities.

Before anything else, I figured I should freshen up. My journey was just beginning, and I didn’t want to look like I’d been on a plane for hours, even though I had. I made my way to the restroom, juggling my backpack, my small duffel, and my handbag. Inside, I quickly washed my face, fixed my hair, and checked that all my things were in place—Pokéblocks for future contests, my makeup pouch, clothes for the road. I couldn’t believe I was actually doing this. By the time I left the restroom, I felt more put-together, but the nervous energy still buzzed under my skin.

Then, out of nowhere, I heard a commotion.

Before I could even process what was happening, something gray and furry darted right toward me, fast as lightning. I froze in place, eyes wide. It took a second for me to realize it was a Pokémon—specifically, a Glameow. And it was panicking.

“What the—” I didn’t even finish the thought before the Glameow lunged at me. In my shock, I flung my bags into the air, sending everything flying—my Pokéblocks, clothes, makeup, all scattered on the floor.

The Glameow, breathing heavily, darted through my belongings as if it was searching for something. Its movements were quick and frantic, and I just stood there, stunned and unsure of what to do. Then, to my utter disbelief, the Glameow stopped in front of a dusty old Poké Ball that had fallen out of my bag. My heart skipped a beat as I realized which Poké Ball it was—one I’d kept from when I was younger, hoping someday I’d use it for my first Pokémon. But this… this wasn’t how I imagined it happening.

Before I could move or say anything, the Glameow clicked the button on the Poké Ball with its paw. The red light flashed, and just like that, it was captured. I blinked, staring blankly at the Poké Ball in front of me. Did that really just happen?

For a solid minute, I didn’t move. My mind was racing, trying to process what had just unfolded. A Glameow—a Pokémon I didn’t know, didn’t choose—had just caught itself in my Poké Ball. What did that mean? Was this my Pokémon now?

The sound of footsteps approaching snapped me out of my daze. I quickly scooped up the Poké Ball and stuffed it into my pocket. My heart was pounding again, but for a different reason now.

A group of people in black uniforms came rushing toward me, their eyes scanning the area as if they were searching for something. One of them—a tall, burly guy—stopped in front of me and barked, “You! Have you seen a Glameow around here?”

I tensed, my mind scrambling. They’re looking for Glameow? My instinct told me not to trust them, not with the way they were looking at me. “Uh… no, I haven’t,” I said quickly, trying to keep my voice steady. “I think I saw something run in that direction, though.” I pointed toward the far end of the airport, away from where we were standing.

The man narrowed his eyes at me, clearly suspicious, but after a moment, he motioned to his team, and they took off in the direction I pointed.

As soon as they were gone, I exhaled a breath I didn’t even realize I was holding. I knelt down, hastily shoving my belongings back into my bag, my mind racing. Those people were after Glameow. That much was obvious. But why? What could they possibly want with a regular Glameow?

I glanced at the Poké Ball in my pocket. It didn’t feel real, but here I was, on my first day in Itoriko, and I already had a Pokémon. I wasn’t sure if I should feel lucky or terrified.

I zipped my bag closed and stood up, glancing around to make sure no one else was coming. The group in black uniforms had disappeared, at least for now. But I had a feeling this wasn’t over. I wasn’t exactly sure what I’d gotten myself into, but one thing was clear—this journey was going to be a lot more complicated than I had expected.

With a deep breath, I headed toward the exit, my heart still racing but my steps more determined. I wasn’t just a girl from LaRousse anymore. I was a trainer. Sort of. And whether I liked it or not, this Glameow was now my responsibility.

As I walked toward Springlake Town, the cherry blossoms swirling gently in the wind, I couldn’t help but wonder: What happens now?