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The first icon appeared as a flickering red flame swaying gently in the wind, carrying a faint scorching heat.
The second resembled a pair of snowy white wings shaped like clouds, radiating agility and lightness.
At the center glowed a reddish-brown fist of raw strength, domineering and unyielding.
The fourth was a hollow hexagon, like a metallic nut from some piece of machinery, gleaming with silvery hardness.
The last icon looked like a rugged stone fragment, shining with heavy yellow light.
"Hmm… [Fire], [Flying], [Fighting], [Steel], [Rock], is it?"
Kael identified the symbols instantly.
Truth be told, he was a little disappointed.
His ideal attributes ranked, in order: [Dragon], [Ghost], [Psychic], and [Fairy].
But none of the five options came close.
Considering there were only eighteen known types in total, the probability of rolling two of his desired ones was 2/9.
But with five random draws… still nothing.
"Sigh…"
He knew the luck had already been spent earlier in the shop. No use regretting it now.
He forced aside his disappointment and turned his focus fully to the choice before him.
Looking carefully, these five weren't bad.
[Flying]: unmatched mobility, natural dominance of the skies. In lower-tier battles, near invincible.
[Fire]: high burst damage, relentless offense. Among all eighteen types, Fire ranked in the upper tier for sheer power.
[Fighting]: devastating physical strength, raw explosive force, and signature moves like [Aura Sphere] capable of forming entire battle styles.
[Steel]: few weaknesses, immense resistances. Nearly half the Pokémon types struggled against it.
[Rock]: balanced offense and defense, incredible toughness. The largest land-based Pokémon species often fell under Rock.
Kael's mind wavered. He had no real prejudice here. He could accept any.
But decisions had to be made with synergy in mind.
First, [Zamazenta's Heart (Incomplete)].
If he wanted to maximize its terrifying damage reduction, he'd need a type with naturally high HP and defense.
"Which means…"
[Fire] and [Flying] were out. They leaned offensive, not defensive.
That left [Fighting], [Steel], and [Rock].
Then Kael recalled the other treasure he'd acquired: [Terrakion's Fortress Shoulder Guard]
Its [+20% Physical Attack] boost harmonized perfectly with an offensive, martial path.
Decision made.
He pressed his finger onto the icon shaped like a fist.
Buzz—
A faint tremor ran through him. Hot-blooded vigor surged in his chest, raw fighting spirit erupting from within.
"Haah! Now that's the Fighting-type for you."
The void before him shifted.
A swirl of ghostly azure mist spun into being, scattering flecks of violet-blue light.
Gorgeous, dreamlike yet beneath its beauty lurked decay and malice, like a dream hiding nightmare truths.
The pull was sudden, irresistible.
Kael's phantom body dissolved into pale white light and was swallowed whole.
---
Inside a modest apartment block.
Bzzz bzzz—
A black touchscreen smartphone buzzed noisily on the bedside table, its alarm breaking the silence.
The sleek standing air conditioner hummed softly, circulating cool air.
"Sigh."
A hand fumbled out from the blankets, seized the phone, and shut it off.
Hart groaned, burying himself deeper beneath the covers. Weekend alarms were the worst, but he had only himself to blame for forgetting to turn them off.
Just as he started drifting back to his dream—
Pat, pat.
Soft footsteps approached the bed.
Expecting trouble, Hart pulled the blanket tighter over his head.
Shff!
The curtains flew open. Blinding sunlight flooded the room.
"Arghhh! Can't you let me sleep a little longer, Lotad!?"
"Lota!"
Cheerful and full of energy, the small Pokémon stood proudly in the sunlight. Its green, moist skin glistened with dew, its short ears twitching, red beak-like mouth grinning mischievously.
Perched on its head, a broad lotus leaf soaked up the rays, photosynthesizing happily.
Seeing its trainer still stubbornly hiding in bed, Lotad smirked and swept its thin arms forward.
"Zzzzt!"
A jet of water splashed straight onto Hart's face.
---
Later, the clink of silverware echoed through the apartment.
Hart sat at the table, wet hair dripping, stabbing angrily at a fried egg. His pajamas clung damp to his body.
Lotad, on the couch, was all smiles, munching on a bowl of grass-type Pokémon feed from Mango Pokémon Foods Co.
On the wall, a large flatscreen TV played the morning news.
"Led by famed explorer Cole, a team of archaeologists has discovered an ancient ruin near Violet City, dating back to the Silver Era, five centuries ago."
"Elsewhere, the recent Pokémon riot at the world-renowned Hall Ranch has been quelled by League enforcers. Experts believe the cause may have been a newly-mutated Pokémon virus."
"Yesterday, in—"
Click.
The screen went black.
Lotad froze mid-bite, staring wide-eyed at its reflection.
"Lota!?"
It spun around, glaring at Hart who sat smugly with the remote in hand, smirking.
Lotad puffed up with rage, water gathering at its beak.
"Wait! I'm sorry!" Hart yelped, throwing up his hand.
---
By midday, the blazing sun scorched the crowded streets like a furnace.
Hart trudged wearily, dragging his feet, while Lotad bounced happily at his side, tugging him forward.
"Why couldn't we wait until evening when it's cooler? What's wrong with staying in the AC all day?" Hart muttered bitterly.
"Lota!"
Lotad only grew more excited in the sunshine, hopping toward their destination.
Ahead, between skyscrapers, a strange cubic building shimmered its translucent blue walls glowing with neon letters: City Aquarium.
"My weekend…" Hart groaned. But with Lotad as his starter, he'd long given up control over days like this.
Then—
His eyes caught a glimmer: an ice cream shop.
A plan sparked instantly.
Ten minutes later, Hart strolled the street with a broad grin, ice cream in hand, while Lotad slurped its own happily beside him.
"See? This is the good life."
He barely got the words out when the ground trembled violently.
"Earthquake!?"
Hart stumbled, nearly falling if not for Lotad steadying him.
But Lotad wasn't moving. It stood frozen, staring skyward, eyes wide.
Confused, Hart followed its gaze—
Plop.
His ice cream slipped from his hand, splattering against the asphalt.
Above, the sky fractured like shattered glass, cracks spreading like spiderwebs.
At the center, a gaping black void yawned open, spilling tendrils of purple-black mist, dripping with malice.
"AUHHHHHHHH!!!!"
A draconic roar thundered across the Sky.
"RAYQUAZA!?"
"WHAT THE FU—"
Hart's voice broke, face pale.
From the cracked sky, a long black shape fell. Its green body twisted weakly, golden blood raining from countless wounds, like holy rivers spilling from heaven.
"UHRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!!"
The legendary dragon writhed, burning faintly with flames its body broken, its voice a keening wail.
And beside Hart, Lotad's pure eyes suddenly gleamed scarlet.
---
Rayquaza fell.
The darkest era had begun.
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~ Cliffhanger?
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~Support with 200 PowerStones = 1 Bonus Chapter
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P-atreon/iamxeno
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