" Wisty? A.... Are you okay?*

Wisty didn't reply.

" Wisty?*

" Crystal, can I ask you something?*

Crystal sat on the edge of her best friend's bed. " Anything."

Wisty's Growlithe and Eevee curled up next to their owner, and Wisty sat up to pet them. " What if I told you.... I was planning on retiring from Pokemon. I'll keep the ones I have but I just won't catch anymore."

Crystal's eyes widened. " Wisty?! What's this about?!*

Wisty shrugged. " It just came to me all of a sudden."

" Heyo!" Growlithe added.

" Eveve!!"

Wisty's Togepi and Chikorita hopped onto the bed. " Chikaaa!* Chikorita said happily, rubbing her head against Wisty's cheek.

Crystal stared at her friend in disbelief, hands gripping the edge of the bed. "Wisty, that's crazy! You're one of the most passionate Trainers I know. Why would you even think of quitting?"

Wisty sighed, her gaze fixed on her Pokémon snuggling against her. "I don't know, Crystal. Sometimes I feel like I don't deserve them. Look at them-they're amazing. And then there's me. I don't feel like I'm doing enough to help them grow or be the best they can be."

Crystal shook her head firmly. "No way. That's ridiculous. Wisty, you've given your Pokémon so much love and care. Look at how loyal they are to you! That doesn't happen if you're not a great Trainer."

As Crystal was about to say more, the door creaked open, and Gary popped his head in. "What's all this about crazy? Did I miss something?"

Crystal shot him a look. "Wisty here thinks she doesn't deserve her Pokémon and wants to quit being a Trainer."

Gary's eyebrows shot up. "Seriously, Wisty? That's the dumbest thing I've heard all day. And I just came from a meeting with Team Rocket."

Wisty shrugged, still unconvinced. "It's just how I feel, okay? Maybe my Pokémon would be better off without me catching more or putting them in situations they don't deserve."

Before Gary or Crystal could reply, Wisty's Pokégear rang, and the name "Professor Oak" appeared on the screen. Wisty hesitated for a moment before answering.

"Hello?" she said quietly.

"Wisty, my dear, I heard from Gary that you're considering giving up Pokémon training," Oak's calm and wise voice came through. "I can't say I understand why, but I'd like you to come visit me at the lab. I have something important to show you."

Crystal and Gary exchanged hopeful glances, and Crystal whispered, "Maybe this is what she needs."

Wisty sighed, petting Eevee. "Okay, Professor. I'll come by later today."

As the call ended, Crystal nudged Wisty's shoulder. "See? Even Professor Oak thinks this is worth discussing. You owe it to your Pokémon to hear him out."

Wisty glanced at her team, their hopeful eyes looking back at her. "Fine. But I'm not making any promises."

"That's all we ask," Crystal said with a smile, though she and Gary were already planning to make sure Wisty remembered how much of an amazing Trainer she truly was.

At Professor Oak's lab, Wisty was greeted warmly by the Professor, who was bustling about with excitement. "Ah, Wisty! I'm so glad you're here," Oak began, his tone eager. "Do you remember when I told you about the new trainers who would be choosing their first Pokémon, and the returning trainer who would also pick one?"

Wisty nodded, curious. "Yeah, you mentioned that a while ago. Why?"

Professor Oak gave her a knowing smile. "Well, it just occurred to me that every Pokémon you've bonded with was caught in the wild. You've never actually received an official starter Pokémon from me, like Gary did with Blastoise, or your brother with Pikachu."

Wisty blinked in surprise, the realization dawning on her. "I... I guess you're right."

At that moment, a Pikachu darted into the room, looking at Wisty with wide, curious eyes. Wisty crouched down, reaching out gently. "Pikachu?" she said softly.

The Pikachu's tail wagged excitedly as it leaped into her arms. Just then, the door opened, and in walked a familiar figure: her dear brother.

"Hey, Wisty!" Ash called out, grinning ear to ear. His Pikachu jumped onto his shoulder but cast an affectionate look toward Wisty, clearly adoring her but still deeply loyal to Ash.

Wisty smiled warmly at Ash's Pikachu, stroking its head. "I guess Pikachu runs in the family," she joked.

Ash laughed. "Looks like it! But wait... you're here to pick a starter?"

Professor Oak stepped forward, gesturing toward the table with three Pokéballs. "Indeed. Wisty, I'd like you to officially choose your first starter Pokémon."

One of the Pokéballs opened, revealing a Charmander that looked up at Wisty with bright, hopeful eyes.

Wisty knelt beside it, her heart softening. "Charmander," she murmured, "I think I choose this one." She turned to Eevee, who had been by her side since the very beginning. "Eevee, what do you think? You were my first Pokémon. Do you think we should go with Charmander?"

Eevee looked at Charmander for a moment before letting out an enthusiastic cry. "Eevee!"

Charmander's tail flame burned brightly as it jumped into Wisty's arms, a new bond forming between Trainer and Pokémon. Ash clapped his hands together. "Looks like Charmander is the perfect match!"

Professor Oak chuckled. "Well, Wisty, it seems you've got a fresh start. You see? You're not just a great Trainer-you're also someone who can inspire Pokémon to trust you, even from the very beginning."

Wisty smiled, feeling the first flicker of confidence return. Maybe, just maybe, she was exactly where she was meant to be.

As Wisty bonded with Charmander, Chikorita suddenly let out a distressed cry, her leaf waving frantically. "Chika! Chikaaa!"

Wisty froze, her mind racing. Then she realized-Togepi! She hadn't seen the baby Pokémon in a while.

"Where's Togepi?!" she exclaimed, panic rising in her chest. Just then, a faint, smoky smell wafted through the air, and Wisty's eyes widened in horror. "Oh no... Togepi, get away from that stove!"

She bolted toward the kitchen, Charmander and Eevee on her heels, with Chikorita close behind. Bursting through the door, she found Togepi precariously perched on the stove, its tiny hands reaching curiously toward the knobs. A small pan of scrambled eggs was already beginning to smoke.

"Togepi, no!" Wisty shouted as she hurried forward. Togepi turned its head, looking innocently confused by the commotion.

Eevee and Charmander jumped onto the counter to block Togepi from getting closer, while Chikorita turned the stove off to signal it was no longer dangerous.

Wisty scooped Togepi into her arms, holding the baby Pokémon close. "You scared me half to death, little one!" she said, her voice both scolding and affectionate. Togepi giggled, clearly unaware of the danger it had caused.

Gary appeared at the doorway, rubbing his temples. "How do you even keep up with all of them, Wisty?"

"I don't," Wisty admitted with a small laugh, hugging Togepi tighter. "But that's what makes it an adventure."

Professor Oak arrived just in time to see the chaos resolved, shaking his head but smiling warmly. "Well, if this isn't proof that you're exactly the Trainer your Pokémon need, Wisty, I don't know what is."

Wisty smiled at her team-her chaotic, loving, and perfectly imperfect family. Maybe retirement could wait.