"Holy shit?! We can catch Pokémon now too?"
"I've been drooling over Leaf's Heracross every day, finally I can get my own Pokémon!"
"Waited so long for this day~ Dreamed so long and now the dream comes true~"
"..."
Leon watched the excited players with understanding. When he caught his first Pokémon, he'd been even more thrilled.
What he didn't understand was why these players talked so much and so loudly, nearly scaring all the Pokémon away.
He raised his hands in a downward motion to quiet them.
The players obediently shut up. Nobody dared disobey Leon now - getting disqualified from catching Pokémon would be devastating.
After silence returned, Leon announced: "Let me briefly explain the rules for catching Pokémon today."
"First, you'll need to introduce yourselves to these Pokémon and do your best to gain their favor."
"After you finish speaking, I'll have the Pokémon choose whether they're willing to follow you."
"If any Pokémon wants to follow you, congratulations, you may catch it."
"If not, too bad - you'll have to wait for next time. If you're particularly charming and multiple Pokémon choose you, then you get to pick."
"Those are today's rules. Any questions?"
Leon paused to let players process the information.
"Everyone understand?"
"Duh, who wouldn't? It's basically 'If You Are the One.'"
"Damn, genius! That makes perfect sense now!"
Seeing nods of comprehension, Leon was about to call the first volunteer when Bell raised her hand.
"Um... Lord Leon, can those of us who already have Pokémon like Leaf and me participate?"
"Of course. You've contributed to the territory's development too. Besides, people can own multiple Pokémon if they can afford the upkeep," Leon answered.
"What if we choose not to participate? Any compensation?"
Bell pressed further.
"Non-participants will receive some Pokédollars."
"Then I'll sit this one out, leave the opportunity for others." Bell grinned.
She hadn't even figured out how to properly train her Spinarak yet - no time for a second Pokémon. The compensation would help pay debts anyway. Plus, none of these Pokémon matched her aesthetic. Maybe if there were snake-types...
"I'll pass too."
Leaf also declined, sharing Bell's reasoning about focusing on his Heracross first.
"Good. Collect your Pokédollars from me afterward."
"Any other questions? No? Then let's begin."
"SilentTongue, you're up first."
Leon wanted a strong start by calling upon Ethan Carter.
Ethan didn't disappoint. The moment he stepped forward, a Pokémon came hopping toward him.
"You're... the Oddish I met on my first day?"
Ethan crouched to stroke the Oddish's blue face. This was the first Pokémon he'd ever fed in-game. He was touched it remembered him after so many days.
"Mana~" Oddish nodded enthusiastically while chattering.
"The Oddish says it hopes you'll choose it. It promises to work hard and not disappoint you!" The hovering Rotom Drone translated.
Ethan glanced at the drone, then back at the anxious Oddish staring up at him, clearly worried about rejection.
Touched by its affection, Ethan smiled. "Alright, let's get stronger together!"
He took out his reward Poké Ball and tapped Oddish lightly.
The red beam absorbed Oddish into the ball. Having lived in Leon's courtyard for days, Oddish knew what Poké Balls were, having seen Leon use them often.
After minimal wobbling, the ball clicked shut.
Ethan picked it up, controlling his grin as he turned respectfully to Leon: "Thank you for this opportunity. Oddish and I will contribute to the territory's development."
"Damn, since when did this guy learn to suck up?" Dylan whispered to Lin Murphy.
"Who knows? Maybe he's enlightened."
Lin shrugged.
"No need for thanks. Your sincerity moved Oddish. Now don't just stand there - say the words."
"What words?"
"Territory tradition requires shouting 'I caught [Pokémon]!' in a cool pose after capture."
Leon said seriously.
"Uh... can I skip that?"
Ethan found it embarrassing.
"Sure. It's optional. But skipping might make me think you disrespect traditions... and I dislike such people."
Understood: skipping lowers favorability.
Ethan immediately raised his Poké Ball and shouted: "I caught Oddish!"
Leon nodded approvingly. Now it felt right.
"Nice! Ethan rocks!"
"Congratulations! Come share your luck!"
Players applauded politely, making Ethan cringe harder.
Truthfully, the moments before and after shouting were embarrassing, but the act itself felt strangely satisfying. This tradition must serve some deeper purpose - strengthening human-Pokémon bonds perhaps?
Ethan's imagination ran wild.
"Next! Any volunteers?"
With the successful start, Leon stopped assigning order - partly because some players' names were too cringeworthy to say aloud.
"Me!"
ChickenStewMushroom stepped forward immediately.
"Hey y'all, I'm ChickenStewMushroom from the Northeast. Oh, you probably don't know where that is, but just know we Northeasterners value loyalty."
"Join me, and I guarantee you'll never suffer. My food is your food."
"Plus I'm a chef! Still learning local ingredients, but I'll cook meals you'll love!"
"Seriously, my roasted silkworm pupae are amazing!"
Nearby Weedle and Caterpie recoiled in horror.
"Why retreating? Don't trust me? Back home I could turn weeds into delicious salad!"
Oddish fled too.
"No appetite? No problem! I've got other specialties like—"
"Enough! You'll scare them all away at this rate."
Leon cut off the culinary horror show. This wasn't a catching event - it was an ingredient selection!
Ignoring ChickenStewMushroom's confusion, Leon asked the Pokémon: "Anyone willing to go with him?"
The Pokémon collectively stepped back, terrified of this "Lord of Death."
"Sorry, no one... wait, one chose you."
"Interesting... it had to be that one..."
(Chapter end)