The battle was over. The Pokémon Center was safe.Yet Aaron couldn't move.
He stood there, staring at the small, golden-eyed Pokémon sitting at his feet.
Shinx, completely unbothered, continued licking its paw, as if it hadn't just revealed itself in the middle of a battle.
Aaron's thoughts refused to align.
Shinx is supposed to be in the forests outside Pallet Town.
Shinx was never caught.
Shinx followed me.
Shinx just fought alongside me.
Rufflet, still perched on his shoulder, let out a confused chirp, tilting his head at their unexpected new companion.
Shroomish, who had watched everything, simply blinked—completely uncertain what to make of this.
Nurse Joy's voice broke through Aaron's daze.
"Is everything alright?"
Aaron snapped his gaze up.
Nurse Joy was still smiling, as if nothing unusual had happened. "Your Shinx was incredible during the battle," she continued. "If it hadn't acted when it did, we might not have stopped Team Rocket in time."
Aaron felt his stomach twist.
"My… Shinx?" he repeated.
Nurse Joy nodded. "Yes. You must have raised it well."
Aaron's mouth opened. Then closed.
He looked at Shinx. Shinx looked back.
Aaron stared hard at the Electric-type. "I never caught you," he said slowly, as if needing to hear it out loud.
Shinx blinked. Didn't deny it. Didn't react at all. Just kept sitting there, tail flicking.
Aaron exhaled sharply, running a hand through his hair.
"Okay," he muttered. "This is happening. This is real."
Ash and Lyra, who had been watching in amusement, finally stepped closer.
Ash grinned. "You know, most people would be happy if a strong Pokémon like that was with them."
Aaron shot him a dry look. "Forgive me for being confused that a Pokémon I never caught decided to follow me to an entirely different city and help in a battle."
Lyra crossed her arms, smirking. "Seems like it made its choice."
Aaron knew that. He just didn't know what to do about it.
Shinx had been watching him for days. He had known it was lingering in the wild—but he never expected it to leave the forest.
Never expected it to step forward on its own.
And that meant this wasn't an accident. Shinx had chosen him.
Aaron exhaled, crouching down to its level. "Alright," he said, locking eyes with the Electric-type. "I don't know what's going on in your head, but let's be clear—you're saying you want to come with me?"
Shinx tilted its head slightly. Then, slowly, it stood up.
And without hesitation, it pressed its forehead against Aaron's knee.
Aaron took a deep breathe. That was all the answer he needed.
Shinx had chosen its leader.
Now, it was up to Aaron to accept. After a long pause, he pulled a Pokéball from his belt.
Not just any Pokéball. An Ultra Ball.
Aaron held it out.
"If you're sure," he said quietly.
Shinx stared at the ball for a long moment. Then It pressed its paw against it.
The Pokéball snapped open. A flash of red light enveloped Shinx.
The ball wiggled once.
Then—click.
Shinx had made its choice long before this moment.
Aaron slowly picked up the Ultra Ball, staring at it.
For the first time in his just started journey, he hadn't captured a Pokémon.
A Pokémon had chosen to follow him. A strange warmth settled in his chest.
Shinx had found its leader. And now, Aaron had to prove he was worthy of that trust.
With Team Rocket gone and the Pokémon Center back in order, Aaron, Ash, and Lyra finally took a moment to properly catch up.
They sat together at one of the dining tables, their Pokémon beside them.
Shinx had been released from its Pokéball, now sitting calmly near Aaron's chair, tail flicking in contentment.
It had already made itself at home.
Ash was still grinning. "Man, I can't believe your Shinx just followed you all the way here. That's awesome."
Aaron sighed. "I'm still processing it."
Lyra smirked. "Well, you better start processing fast, because you have a strong Pokémon on your team now."
Aaron glanced at Shinx.
It wasn't just strong. It was sharp. Calculating. Relentless.
And more than that—it was a leader in its own right. Which meant, if Aaron wanted to keep up, he had to be just as strong.
He exhaled. "Guess I don't have a choice."
Shinx let out a quiet huff, clearly amused.
Rufflet, sitting on Aaron's other side, still looked confused.
It wasn't used to seeing another Pokémon so boldly claim a spot beside their trainer.
And Shroomish?
Shroomish had given up trying to understand anything about Aaron's team dynamics.
It simply accepted things as they happened.
As the night wound down, Aaron returned to his room at the Pokémon Center.
For the first time since leaving Pallet Town, his team was complete.
Rufflet perched on the headboard, watching over the room.
Shroomish curled up in the corner, breathing evenly.
And Shinx?
It had settled at the foot of Aaron's bed, fur barely shifting as it slept.
Aaron leaned back, staring at the ceiling.
His journey had barely started.
And already, he had been chosen by a Pokémon before he could choose it.
It wasn't just about training anymore. It was about leading.
Aaron exhaled slowly, closing his eyes.
Tomorrow, his journey would continue.
But tonight?
Tonight, he finally understood. He wasn't just traveling anymore. He had a team now. And that changed everything.