In a forest shrouded by towering trees, life moved in vibrant chaos. Birds darted between branches, their wings flashing like jewels. Strange cries echoed through the canopy. To an ordinary human's eyes, the creatures here were abnormal — but to a certain kind of fan, they were instantly recognizable.
Pokémon.
Beings of incredible power. A mouse that could level cities with lightning. A dragon whose roar could split mountains. A balloon that stole children in the night. And yet, in another world, these gods and terrors were companions… for ten-year-old kids.
At that moment, deeper in the forest, chaos unfolded.
A Dreepy zipped through the underbrush, its translucent tail flickering with panic. Behind it thundered a stampede of Wooloo, their fluffy bodies bouncing like rolling boulders. At the head of the herd, a Dubwool charged, eyes locked on the mischievous ghost-dragon that had clearly crossed a line.
Unfortunately, their path led straight toward an unconscious human sprawled in the grass.
Al.
The man stirred only when something dark and shapeless crawled from his shadow and kicked him hard in the ribs. The shadow slipped back into place before his eyes snapped open.
"Ghk—! What the hell…?" Al groaned, clutching his side. His head swam, his body felt heavy. He pushed himself upright, scanning the woods.
Instinctively, he tried to transform — wings, claws, anything that would give him higher ground. But nothing happened. He blinked, tried again. Nothing.
"…What the Distortion? Why can't I transform?" His voice was tight, uneasy.
His hands trembled as he checked himself over. That's when the real shock hit him. Around his neck — empty. No familiar weight.
"Pocket…? No… No, no, no…"
His breath quickened until his fingers brushed something metallic in his coat. Tugging it free, he found a golden chain, and at the end of it — a pocket watch. Painted with the classic Poké Ball colors.
"Huh? Pocket… you in there?"
The watch clicked open. A voice answered.
[Yes, User. I am currently online.]
Al's relief lasted barely a heartbeat before Pocket's voice continued.
[Warning, Sir Al. A stampede will arrive in approximately ten seconds. Herd of Wooloo, led by a Dubwool. Pursuit target: Dreepy.]
"…Wait." Al's eyes went wide as he looked down the path. "Oh, crap."
The ground was already rumbling. Branches shook, leaves scattered.
Al's lips parted as the realization dawned.
"I'm in… the world of Pokémon."
The Wooloo burst into view like a wall of fuzz and fury, the Dreepy darting just ahead of them — and Al, still disoriented, had seconds to decide what to do.
---
The Dreepy's tiny body trembled as tears welled in her eyes. She darted past a tree — only for it to be ripped from the ground as the stampede crushed through it.
Why did I do this?
She had been traveling with her kin, migrating toward safer waters. But she'd gotten separated, lost in the forest. Hungry and tired, she stumbled across the herd. And then, in a moment of weakness, she nipped at the Dubwool's wool. Just to fill her belly.
That was the mistake.
Now the whole flock was after her, fury in their eyes and hooves pounding like thunder.
She swerved again, narrowly missing another trunk, and suddenly the ground dropped — a crater scarred the earth ahead. She rose higher, ignoring it, desperate to flee.
But the world twisted. Her vision blurred, weightless, and then — a hand closed gently around her.
The little dragon flinched, expecting pain. Instead, she was lifted to the safety of a thick branch above the stampede.
Al.
He sat hunched on the branch, chest heaving, sweat running down his temple. In his palm, the Dreepy wriggled, staring at him with wide, watery eyes.
'A… new species? Or something ancient that just woke up?' Al thought, studying her carefully.
The Dreepy froze. This… this isn't a Pokémon?
Al finally let out a breath and loosened his hold, letting her hover just in front of him.
"Hello, little one," he said, his voice soft despite his panting. "Looks like you got yourself into trouble, huh?"
The Dreepy averted her gaze, a faint whimper escaping her throat. That was all the answer he needed. Al chuckled under his breath.
Below, the herd thundered past, oblivious to the unlikely pair perched in the branches above.
"Well, goodbye," Al muttered as the last of the Wooloo disappeared into the distance. "I'll be going now."
He dropped lightly from the tree, landing in a crouch, and started walking deeper into the forest.
"Pocket," he whispered, his tone shifting back to sharp focus, "status update."
---
A minute later, Al walked along a grassy path, the wind tugging at his clothes as if urging him onward. His gaze was fixed ahead, but his thoughts lingered heavy.
"Sir," Pocket's voice chimed softly from the watch, this time carrying a note of something Al rarely heard — worry. "Are you sure we can't just… stay here?"
Al slowed to a halt, staring down at the dirt beneath his boots. He exhaled slowly, shoulders sagging, before lifting his eyes to the horizon.
"We could," he admitted quietly. "But I've already lost one family. I'm not losing another."
The words lingered in the air, firm and resolute.
Before the silence could deepen, something nudged against his leg. Al blinked and glanced down.
The little Dreepy floated at his side, blinking up at him with her wide, curious eyes.
A rare smile tugged at his lips. He bent down, scooping the tiny dragon into his palms.
"Well now… aren't you a cute one?"
The Dreepy nuzzled against his thumb, a soft hum of contentment escaping her. Al chuckled, the tension in his chest easing in an instant.
He studied her for a moment, then tilted his head, his voice softer than before.
"Do you… Want to be my companion?"
The Dreepy perked up, her tail wagging with excitement as she let out a high-pitched trill. Her answer was clear.