"But seriously—did you pick them because your family already has their Mega Stones at home? Those aren't exactly easy to get."
After cracking a small joke, Ethan Rivers steered the conversation back on track.
In this parallel world, the Pokémon system was already mature. Evolution lines and methods had been thoroughly mapped out.All 18 types were studied to the limit. Mega Evolution, Z-Moves (powered by Z-Power via Z-Crystals), and Dynamax had all been explored and put to use.
After being "reborn," there was no way to reach the top by exploiting information gaps. Especially since, in his previous life, Ethan hadn't been a deep-diver. He wasn't just a casual, but once he cleared a game, he'd shelve it.I mean—who, while playing, really digs into how Fossil Pokémon are revived?Who studies how fossils form?Who pores over the physics behind Z-Crystals?
Collecting?Mmm… sure, a little interest—but not enough to look like a try-hard.
Competitive battling?Not interested. He hated relying on tricks; he preferred to play straight. That mindset doesn't win tournaments. Sometimes the opponent's cheesy tactics just made him sick.
To Ethan, the point of a match was fun. Why gross people out with gimmicks?If you disgust others, someone will disgust you back.Resentment breeds resentment—where does it end?
Best to stay zen.
With that attitude and a vaguely Buddhist outlook, Ethan was stunned to find himself transported to a Pokémon world. Even landing in some grimdark "people-are-expendable" manga might have been simpler—danger would push him, he could act on impulse, maybe snag a quirky cheat, flip on the protagonist halo, and feel powerful.
But here? He feared he'd be ordinary forever, repeating his old life.
So he studied Pokémon like crazy, hoping knowledge alone could carve out a better future.
When Ethan's thoughts drifted again, Zack Holt finally answered his question.
"My family's got a few Mega Stones, but none tied to the Starter Trio."
Ethan's eyebrow twitched. A thousand curses, nowhere to put them. Yep—rich-kid energy.
"But it's not that hard," Zack went on. "The Aurelia League is packed with ancient ruins. If my family hires a good archaeology team to survey a few more sites, we're bound to find something. Worst case, we trade through our contacts. We'll get what we need."
He said it so casually that Ethan had to admit it: money moves mountains.
Ethan had once asked why, with all that cash, Zack still chose a county-level middle school. Zack's answer was blunt: he hated studying, hated the spoiled rich-kid scene, so he hid out somewhere small.
That reminder pulled other curiosities about this world into focus:
Dynamax Battles are the hallmark of the European League—but since research is still shallow, they only work in specific zones. Outside Europe, Dynamax isn't very practical.
Z-Power reigns in the Hawaiian League. Backed by four Legendary Pokémon and a strong Z-resource trade, Hawaii won independence and has quietly grown formidable.
Mega Evolution flourishes in the Aurelia League. Even though Kalos (France) is the birthplace of Mega Evolution, Aurelia dug deeper.(Kalos originated Mega Evolution, but it doesn't have many native Mega-capable species; that's how this setting took shape.)
Aurelia's dense web of ancient sites means Mega Stones keep turning up, so the region produces a lot of Mega-focused trainers.
…
The nurse's office wasn't far, and they arrived after chatting a while.
Strangely, the pain in Ethan's left wrist had faded by the time they got there. The school clinic didn't have advanced equipment and found nothing wrong. The nurse simply advised a hospital checkup.
"See? I told you I'm fine," Ethan said as they stepped out. "Probably slept on it weird. Give it a bit—no need to hit the hospital tomorrow."
"Hospital, or take the starter I'm giving you. Pick one."
Zack wasn't letting this go. The birthmark thing bothered him—what if it was something serious?
Ethan could only surrender. "Fine."
"That's better," Zack grinned, slinging an arm over Ethan's shoulder. "Let's go back to the dorm and queue up a few games. Last day—who can focus on lectures?"
Talk of games made Ethan smirk. "I'll run Togekiss support for you. With Serene Grace + Air Slash, they won't get to move."
Zack's face fell. Clearly, this wasn't the first time he'd been flinch-locked."Bro, please—take it mid if you have to. Just… we still don't even know who's actually the support here…"
"Don't be like that. We're brothers—I'm not leaving you alone mid. That's boring."
"Okay, but at least buy support items…"
"Relax. You've seen my Togekiss damage. I don't need support gear."
Nothing terrifies newbies like being 1v9'd—so they drag a friend into the disaster.
Zack: "…"
So… which of us is support again?
They played until evening. Unsurprisingly, Zack nearly lost his mind to Ethan's flinch-happy "airplane."Finally, their dorm mates rescued him by dragging both of them to a farewell party.
It was the last day of middle school. After this, everyone would split onto different paths. Fewer chances to meet—so of course there had to be a send-off.
The next day, Ethan still couldn't escape the hospital. Zack picked up the entire bill without blinking.
Ethan glanced at the price list and didn't argue; the package cost more than his monthly living expenses.
They ran bloodwork, X-rays, even had an orthopedic specialist look at his wrist—nothing. Only then did Zack give up.
Afterward, Zack asked his driver to take Ethan home.
Near the village entrance, the dirt road turned rough. The sedan's low chassis groaned; the young driver winced.
"Mr. Lawson, stop here's fine," Ethan said quickly, hopping out. He thanked him and reached for the trunk.
The driver hurried to help—this was the young master's friend, after all—but Ethan refused the help and hefted his own luggage.
"Ethan! Summer break already? Haven't seen you in ages—you've shot up!"
"Really? Mrs. Summers, I didn't even notice," he laughed, genuine warmth on his face.
"Mr. Carter, fresh haul today?" Ethan called to a weathered man with a bamboo basket. "Those Oran Berries look great. What's the buying price like this year?"
The man tipped up his frayed straw hat and, seeing who it was, wiped his brow with a grin."Knew I recognized that voice. Been a while, kid. Long ride? You must be hungry—here, take one."
He fished out a blue Oran Berry and offered it.
Ethan quickly waved it off. "I can't, sir. Those are your livelihood."
These days, most farmers didn't go out for day labor—not because they earned more, but because they didn't need to. Pokémon had replaced manpower in many jobs: construction favored the Machop line for hauling, while foremen handled the plans.
So Berry farming had become the main source of income. In this village, Oran Berries were the staple crop, averaging 10 credits each wholesale.
Ethan's family also grew Oran. Their annual income was about 40,000 credits—roughly four thousand berries sold a year. He wouldn't take one lightly; that was Mr. Carter's hard-earned money.
"Don't be so polite," the man chuckled. "This year's crop is top-notch—buyers are paying about 12 credits each. I can spare one."
He gently forced the berry into Ethan's hand, tugged his hat brim down, and turned away.
"Thank you, sir!"
After a few steps, the man paused, as if remembering something."Ethan—are you getting your own Pokémon? My girl's Shadow has an egg about to hatch. Swing by in a few days. If you don't mind, that pup can be your starter."
"Mr. Carter, I can't. If I take it, Lena won't have one—and she starts next year."
Shadow, their family Poochyena, was reserved and wary. From Ethan's observation, it had a Timid nature. More importantly, the line evolved twice, and Mightyena could have the Hidden Ability Moxie—a massive boon. For Ethan, that egg was better than anything he'd planned.
"Don't fuss about that girl," Mr. Carter waved him off. "I don't want her going trainer anyway. And you'll be a real trainer by then—can't you catch her something good yourself? I'm not making a losing deal here. It's settled—if you want it, come by and pick it up."
He strode off laughing, leaving Ethan with the offer hanging in the warm air.
"Speaking of warm… it hasn't rained in a while. It's been strangely hot," the man muttered to himself as he walked. "Feels like it's just our area. Odd…"
"Hot?" Ethan frowned, staring at the lowering sun. The village felt way hotter than the county. That didn't make sense."And it's nearly evening. Staying this hot is… strange."
He couldn't help thinking about historical droughts caused by powerful Fire-type Pokémon."Still, we're nowhere near any of those territories," he said, shaking his head.
When he got home, his parents weren't back—still busy in the orchard. Ethan stowed his luggage and checked the fridge.
"Really? They cooked this much again? Eating leftovers all the time isn't healthy…"
They worked dawn to dusk. Usually they cooked a big breakfast, then reheated it for lunch and dinner. Ethan had lectured them about it, but habits stuck.
He wouldn't waste food, though. He warmed the dishes and headed to the garden to grab a few tomatoes for tomato-and-egg.
Eggs? Yes—eggs—but chickens here were artificial livestock engineered from Pokémon genetics.If humans could create a Pokémon like Porygon, then breeding non-powered livestock strains was child's play for scientists.
Most human food came from these engineered animals: carp with Magikarp genes, cattle with Tauros traits, sheep lines inspired by Wooloo/Dubwool, and so on.As society advanced, eating actual Pokémon became taboo—Pokémon were too intelligent, too close to family.
As he plucked a ripe tomato, a half-meter-tall gray dog trotted up and rubbed his leg.
"Awoo… awoo…"
"Hey, Buddy. Mom and Dad should be back soon, huh?"
"Awoo!"
Ethan set the tomato down and scratched the dog's head fondly. Their family mutt ate at home but usually slept out in the orchard to guard the trees.Sadly, he was already grown (and a male), so not a good candidate for Ethan's first partner.
His parents returned as he finished cooking, and the three of them sat around the round table for dinner.
As usual, his mom peppered him with questions; his dad, Mark Rivers, ate quietly, only chiming in now and then.
"Alright, save the small talk for later," Mark finally cut in. "The boy dawdles the moment he comes home."
"Sure, sure—like your words fix everything," Mom shot back, rolling her eyes.
Mark set down his chopsticks and looked Ethan in the eye."You'll be in high school soon. Have you decided?"
Ethan dropped his gaze. He shouldn't choose the trainer's path—it would only burden the family.He had no "golden finger," no special knowledge. In his past life he'd been an ordinary office worker; a second life didn't change that.And this wasn't his original world—major events didn't line up. He couldn't predict trends and ride the waves.
The scene echoed the past: a late-night talk, a difficult choice. Back then, his father's health had already declined. After a serious illness, he could only lift a spoon with his right hand; his thoughts came slowly, words slower still.Ethan remembered deciding… and his father squatting in the garden, smoking alone.
…
Silence stretched. Ethan gathered his courage.
"Dad… I want to become a Pokémon trainer."