2 Prologue: End of the Beginning (1/2)
Germany, Frankfurt, somewhere in an Apartment
”I wanna be the very best
Like no one ever was
To catch them is my real test
To train them is my cause
I will travel across the land
Searching far and wide
Teach Pokemon to understand
The power that's inside
Pokemon! Gotta catch 'em all
It's you and me
I know it's my destiny
Pokemon! Oh, you're my best friend
In a world, we must defend
Pokemon! Gotta catch 'em all
A heart so true
Our courage will pull us through
You teach me, and I'll teach you
Pokemon!
Gotta catch 'em all, gotta catch 'em all
Pokemon!”
”Huh, huh, huh, wow, such an intense song. Ahh, but every time I hear it, it feels like a responsibility to sing with the song along!”, said a young man to himself while breathing heavily on his chair in front of his computer.
On his desk lied a red classic GameBoy with the original 'Pokemon Red Edition' already set up. His room was full of Pokemon posters in different colours and with different depictions. In a corner was a cabinet with a glass window to look through. Inside standing still were the last evolution forms of every starter Pokemon ever released to date.
”So many new generations, so many new Pokemon, but the first one. It is still the best. Can't beat that.”
Many years have passed since the first game editions had been published, and many more have been released in recent years, yet this young man, who immersed himself in nostalgia, didn't really care about those of course.
”The developers must be too exhausted. The game principals haven't changed much since the first one, and some Pokemon don't even look like Pokemon anymore but rather commodities or inanimate objects. Maybe the franchise needs some break for a decade or so. Or they have to break away from their old traditions. I wish I could experience something different than a new game with new Pokemon but the same gameplay every time.”, a small sigh escaped his lips,
”Maybe it is time to let go of this wonderful world and move on.”
He looked around his room. So many memories were connected to every image and figure and drawing. He had a great collection of all kinds of merchandise that grew bigger and bigger with every passing year. But his discontent with the flow of the franchise also grew more and more. Maybe it was really time to grow up.
”Let's leave this discussion for another time. First I should finish playing this gem lying in front of me.”, and after he said that his eyes regained their bright green colours and vitality.
After two hours or so, he yawned a little:
His apartment was quite luxurious, and he lived his life fully with satisfaction. When his grandfather died, he left his grandson with a huge sum of the money. Of course, his parents manage the money, but this young man decided to spend the rest of his life pursuing his passion. Playing Pokemon and everything that comes with it.
His parents weren't amused in the beginning. He should at least get himself a job and become a little independent, they said. And so he founded an Otaku Merchandise Trading Company, dealing with all kinds of Otaku Merchandise around the globe, but especially Pokemon. He used the capital from his heritage, and some of his senior employees were subordinates to his grandfather who helped him out managing the company.
It must be said that this young man was qualified enough to manage the company himself, it's just that it wasn't his true passion to lead a company but play Pokemon. His grandfather not only heavily doted on him but also imparted his life experiences and business knowledge to him in the hopes that he could lead the family company in the future to new heights.
But as the heavens decided it, this young man did not plan to embrace his grandfather's expectations. And so his parents took care of it, while he enjoyed his Otaku life to the fullest possible.
Sometimes he had to sign some papers, talk with some important people, take part in celebrations and business festivities, but nothing could bring him more joy and excitement than training his Pokemon, fighting against trainers, and exploring dungeons and caves. He found other like-minded people on conventions and chat groups or forums, and they envied him for the relaxed lifestyle that he leads.
As he entered the kitchen, he went to the fridge and opened it.
”What shall it be, Mars? Snickers? Should I order myself a Döner?”, while he was deep in thought about his next meal, something in his mind prickled,
”My spidey senses are tickling, but what is wrong? What have I missed?”
It was a weird feeling as if something didn't fit in, and the answer laid just in front of him yet he couldn't really grasp it.
As he was about to close the fridge. He noted a red liquid flowing on the ground. It didn't seem like Ketchup, and he couldn't remember having spilt some on the floor. As he got nearer and touched the liquid with his fingers, a strong stench of iron and flesh penetrated his nose. It was blood! His body shook in response to this discovery.
”Why is there fresh blood in here?”, he asked himself. He traced the blood back to its origin. It seemed to have appeared out from nowhere in the corner of the kitchen, and then based on the movement from the patterns, the body from which the blood leaked out must have crawled into the hallway. Big handprints were visible on the second side door of the kitchen.
” Shit!”, he was confused about what had happened,” What is going on? How did someone get in here? The doors were closed, even if I was in my gaming trance, nobody could have sneaked in without me noticing it. Someone is definitely hurt with so much blood on the ground. Should I call the emergency? The police? But what if it is a criminal during his escape? Should I hide in some locker and wait out this situation?”
But before he could take any action, he heard a deep groaning sound coming from the hallway, followed by the dull sound of a body falling on the ground.
He saw it as his chance to at least get an overview of the general situation, as the person should be incapacitated for some time now. But just to be safe he took a sharp knife from the kitchen shelves with him.