Pokemon University

Chapter 1

Liko sat at the back of the classroom, absentmindedly staring out the window as Professor Oak go on about Pokémon biology. Her mind wasn't in the lesson, it was elsewhere, wandering into thoughts about her life. At 19, Liko felt stuck. She was attending Kanto University, the most prestigious Pokémon university in the world, but her true passion wasn't in academia. Her real dream was to become a Pokémon trainer, just like Ash Ketchum.

Ash Ketchum's name still echoed in her heart, even after all these years. Ten years ago, he won the title of Pokémon World Champion. But shortly after, he vanished without a trace. For a while, the world went into a frenzy, his fans demanding answers. Where had he gone? What happened to him? But as the years passed, people started to accept that he might be gone for good. Some believed he had died, lost to the wilderness like Champion Red before him. The world moved on. But for Liko, Ash was more than just a legend. He was her Idol. His passion for Pokémon had lit a fire inside her, a fire that burned even now, despite her parent disapproval of her dream.

"Liko!"

Her name was called sharply, snapping her out of her thoughts. She blinked and looked up. The entire class was staring at her, and Professor Oak was watching her with a raised eyebrow.

"Are you with us?" Oak asked.

"Uh... sorry, Professor," Liko mumbled, her face growing hot. She shifted in her seat and tried to focus as Oak returned to his lecture.

As the class wrapped up, Professor Oak cleared his throat. "Before you leave, I have an announcement. Today will be my last day teaching you all."

The room buzzed with whispers and surprise. Liko felt a jolt of shock. She hadn't seen this coming.

"Don't worry," Oak continued. "A new professor will take over starting tomorrow, and I'm confident he'll do a better job than I ever could."

Students began asking questions. "Who is it, Professor? Are they famous? Maybe another Champion?"

Oak chuckled. "You'll find out tomorrow. But I assure you, you'll be in good hands."

The students groaned, some expressing their disappointment, others congratulating Oak on his retirement. Liko, however, felt a sharp pain of sadness. She liked Professor Oak. He was famous not just as a researcher, but also for being the one who gave Ash Ketchum his first Pokémon. Liko had admired him and had always stayed behind after class to ask him more about Pokémon. Now, that would be over.

She quietly gathered her things, keeping her emotions to herself as she left the classroom. She made her way outside, boarding the Kanto City bus that would take her home. The ride felt longer than usual, her mind swirling with thoughts of Ash, Professor Oak, and her own frustrations.

When she finally arrived home, Liko opened the fridge to grab a drink, only to find a note taped to the door. It was from her parents, explaining that they had gone to Alola for a vacation and left a debit card on the counter for her.

Liko clenched her fists, anger bubbling up inside her. Her parents were always going on trips, leaving her behind, yet they refused to let her go on a Pokémon adventure. They claimed it was too dangerous, that she wasn't ready. But here they were, jetting off to tropical regions while she was stuck. She stormed to her room, flopping onto her bed, her frustration turning into tears. She hated feeling so alone. Eventually, exhaustion overtook her, and she cried herself to sleep.

The next morning, Liko woke up with her face stiff from dried tears. She barely had the energy to care. She grabbed her school bag, ignoring the debit card on the counter, and left for the university. When she arrived, most of her classmates were already there. She took her seat in the back, dropping her head onto the desk.

Roy, her childhood friend, noticed her. "Hey, Liko, you alright?"

She didn't respond. Roy opened his mouth to say more, but the door opened, and their new professor walked in.

The room fell silent as everyone watched the man enter. He didn't look like a celebrity or a champion. He was young, maybe in his mid-20s, with black hair and a calm expression. The students exchanged glances, confused.

The professor walked to the board and wrote in neat, bold letters: Professor Satoshi.

"My name is Professor Satoshi," he began, his voice steady. "And since this is a course about Pokémon, it's only fitting that each of you has a Pokémon of your own."

There was a pause as the students processed his words. Liko lifted her head slightly, curious.

"What do you mean?" a student asked from the front row.

"Exactly what I said," Satoshi replied. He reached into a large bag he'd brought with him and pulled out several Ultra Balls. "Each of you will be receiving a Pokémon today."

A murmur of excitement and confusion spread through the room. Satoshi handed the bag to the nearest student, instructing them to take one Ultra Ball and pass the bag along. As it made its way around the room, the students grew more animated. Some were nervous, others excited. Liko's heart raced when the bag finally reached her. She carefully took an Ultra Ball, her mind racing with possibilities.

"Follow me," Satoshi said, gesturing for the class to head outside.

The students followed him to the campus grounds, where they watched in awe as Satoshi summoned five Tropius from their Pokéballs. The towering Pokémon loomed over them, their massive wings casting shadows over the group.

"Climb on," Satoshi instructed, mounting one of the Tropius. The students hesitated for moment, a mix of fear and excitement on their faces. But Liko's heart soared. She had always dreamed of flying on a Pokémon.

One by one, the students climbed onto the Tropius, and with a mighty flap of their wings, the Pokémon took to the sky. The ground below quickly moves away, as they flew higher, the campus shrinking in the distance. Liko's heart pounded in her chest as the wind whipped through her hair. She had never felt so alive.

The flight didn't last long. Soon, they were descending toward a dense forest. The Tropius landed, and the students dismounted.

Satoshi recalled the Tropius into their Pokéballs before turning to the group. "You have one hour to catch a Pokémon. Mewtwo will ensure your safety."

Before anyone could respond, Satoshi summoned Mewtwo. The students gasped in shock. None of them had ever seen such a legendary Pokémon before.

"Mewtwo will use his psychic abilities to mark each of you," Satoshi explained. "If you're in danger, he'll know and teleport to your location."

Mewtwo's psychic power swept over them, and Liko felt a strange tingling sensation as she was marked. The other students murmured nervously.

"Your hour starts now," Satoshi announced.

The students scattered into the forest, some eager, others hesitant. Liko hesitated for a moment, but a wide grin spread across her face. This was her chance. Her adventure was finally beginning.