Within the flames of Ho-OH I was born.
I took my first steps inside Kyurem's cavern.
I was fire and ice reborn.
Stronger than anyone.
Leon? He's strong. But not stronger than me.
I am the strongest after all!
Muahahahahahahah-
"ORION BLACK, WAKE UP RIGHT NOW OR ELSE!"
…Huh?
The divine flames vanish. The ice, the stadium lights, the roar of the crowd, gone. I open my eyes to my ceiling, a crack running across it like some kind of cheap battle scar. My Charizard poster is half peeled off the wall, drooping at the corner. A Pidgey is yelling outside my window. No Ho-Oh. No Kyurem.
Right. My room.
My second life.
"Ughhh…" I roll onto my side and bury my face in the pillow. "I was having such a good dream…"
The door is still closed, but Mum's voice knifes through it again.
"Orion! Don't make me come in there! You know what day it is!"
I groan louder, mostly out of instinct.
"I know what day it is…" I mumble into the pillow. "Judgment Day…"
Then my brain catches up with my mouth.
Oh. Right.
Today.
The day.
My eyes snap open.
For half a second I forget where my hands are and try to sit up, misjudge the edge of the bed, and elegantly swan-dive onto the floor.
Thud.
"…Ow."
A familiar soft chime pops up in the corner of my vision, like a notification only I can see.
[Ding!]
[Journey System] – Good morning, Orion.
Main Quest: Begin your Trainer journey.
Sub-Quest: Receive your first Pokémon from Professor Oak.
Reward: 10 World Points
"Yeah, yeah, I'm up," I grumble, pushing myself off the floor. "You could've reminded me before I faceplanted."
Tip: Strong trainers don't oversleep on starter day.
"Strong trainers also don't get shat on by their own system at 8 a.m.," I mutter.
It's been with me as long as I can remember in this world, this floating, game-like interface that loves giving me quests and dangling rewards in front of my face. Beat a Gym, get points. Beat the Champion, get a lot of points. Someday, if I stack enough of them…
I shake the thought away. One thing at a time.
Right now? There's a single objective.
Starter. Lab. Now.
Mum bangs on the door. "Orion! Red left already! Blue too! If you're late-"
"Got it, got it!" I shout back, scrambling to my feet.
My room is a disaster. Clothes everywhere, books stacked in dangerous towers (thankfully not as twins), notes about type synergy and training drills scattered like confetti. My bag is in the corner, half-packed, because of course past-me decided "eh, future-me will finish it."
Past-me is an idiot.
I yank on the first clean-ish shirt I can find, hop into some shorts, and drag a brush through my hair twice before giving up. My reflection in the mirror makes me seem like a Computer Science student.
Whatever. It's not like Oak's giving the starter to the best-dressed kid.
I grab my bag, check for the important stuff, PokéGear, notebook, pen, a couple of basic potions, my old battered cap, then fling the door open.
Mum is waiting in the hallway with her arms crossed.
She gives me one long look, up and down.
"You look like you lost a fight with a Mankey" she says.
"I won spiritually" I say. It's automatic at this point.
She snorts despite herself, then shoves a piece of toast into my mouth and straightens my collar.
"Eat on the way. And don't start anything with Blue."
"I never start anything with Blue," I protest around the toast.
"You continue it," she corrects.
She's not wrong.
She softens just a little and puts a hand on my shoulder.
"Be careful, okay? It's a big day."
I nod. For all the jokes, my chest feels weirdly tight. Second chances don't come often. This one literally came with a new body and a different universe.
"I will," I say, and I mean it.
The system pings again as I step outside.
Quest Updated: [First Partner]
- Meet Professor Oak at his lab.
- Choose your first Pokémon.
Bonus Objective: Don't make Oak wait too long.
Reward: Extra World Points and improved reputation (Has no effect)
"Why do you sound smug without having a face," I mutter, taking a bite of toast and breaking into a jog.
Pallet Town in the morning is… honestly kind of nice. The dirt paths are still damp with dew, Pidgey hop around pecking at seeds, the old guy across the road is watering his flowers like he has for the last thousand years. The air smells clean in a way my old world never did.
Down the hill, I can see the red roof of the lab, sun bouncing off its windows.
I pick up the pace.
I've lived here thirteen years. Long enough to know which stones on this path like to roll under your feet, which fences creak, when the wind shifts. Long enough that the idea of "I used to live somewhere else entirely" feels more like a half-remembered dream than a life.
But I still remember the games.
I remember Kanto.
I remember this part.
Starter choice. Route 1. Viridian. First Gym. First wipe. First League run.
Only this time, it's not a save file I can reset. It's not a cartridge I can swap out.
I'm here. And I'm not letting this run go to waste.
I reach the lab doors a little out of breath, finish the last bite of toast, wipe my hands on my shorts, and push them open.
The familiar smell of polish, paper, and Pokémon hits me. Machines hum quietly along the walls. Shelves packed with books and Poké Balls line the sides.
At the centre of the room, on a raised platform, sits a table with three Poké Balls.
Professor Oak stands beside it, talking to two boys my age.
One is tallish with messy dark hair and a red cap, hands in his pockets, quiet eyes taking everything in.
Red.
The other has spiky brown hair, crossed arms, and an expression permanently stuck on "smug."
Blue.
All three of them turn when the door closes behind me.
"Ah, Orion," Professor Oak says, smiling kindly. "Nice of you to finally join us."
Blue snickers. "Overslept again?"
I shrug. "Had to finish conquering the multiverse in my dreams first."
Blue makes a face. "You sound cringe."
"You're just mad my dream has me winning unlike yours," I shoot back.
Red huffs a quiet laugh, just a little exhale through his nose, but his eyes are warm. He gives me a small nod, and I nod back. We've grown up together, the three of us. Played, fought, battled with borrowed Pokémon and ran through many many simulated battles. They both know how I am.
Professor Oak clears his throat, and the air shifts.
"All right, boys. As you know, today is an important day for you. You'll each be taking your first step as official Pokémon Trainers." He gestures to the table. "Inside these Poké Balls are three Pokémon I've been raising. They're all strong in their own ways, but how far they'll go will depend on how you train them."
My gaze locks onto the Poké Balls.
I already know what's inside. Grass, Fire, Water. Venusaur, Charizard, Blastoise… someday.
I also know what I want.
Not the flashiest. Not the obvious "hard mode". The one with the best long-term curve. The one that fits what I'm planning. Sun, support, bulk, pressure. An anchor to build insanity around.
"Since you boys all grew up together," Oak continues, "I suppose it's only fair we let you decide the order among yourselves."
"I call first pick," Blue says instantly. "I got here first."
"You live closer," I say. "That's cheating."
He smirks. "Should've been born in the right house, then."
I open my mouth, then close it. Not worth it. Besides, it doesn't matter. I don't need first pick to get what I want.
Red looks between us, then at Oak. "I don't mind picking second," he says quietly.
I snort. Of course he doesn't. Red would probably solo the region with a Magikarp if you gave him a week.
"Very well," Oak says. "Blue, go ahead."
Blue steps up to the table, eyeing the Poké Balls like they're trophies. He hovers a moment, then grabs one with a satisfied grin.
"Heh. This one's mine," he says. "I'll show you two what a real Trainer looks like."
[Observation]
Blue obtained his starter.
Predictive matchups updated.
The system's small text scrolls in the corner of my vision, only for me. I swipe it away mentally. I already have a good guess what he took.
Red walks up next. He doesn't hesitate much longer than Blue, just studies the remaining two carefully, then takes one and cradles it with quiet care.
I swallow, my heart beating faster.
Two choices gone.
One left.
Oak turns to me. "Well, Orion?"
I step forward.
The last Poké Ball sits alone, reflective surface catching the lab lights. I rest my hand on it and feel the faint warmth through the metal.
This is it.
Not a new file. Not a menu selection. Not "A" on a controller.
My hand closes around it.
The system chimes softly.
[New Partner Acquired]
-Starter Pokémon obtained.
-Quest complete: First Partner
Reward: 10 World Points
New feature unlocked: Partner Bond Tracking
I ignore the interface for now and look up at Oak.
"I'll take this one," I say.
He beams. "A fine choice, Orion. I trust you'll take good care of them."
I nod, more serious than I've been all morning. "Yeah. I will."
My joking, sleepy, late self fades back a bit as I hold the Poké Ball up, thumb brushing over the button.
I've waited thirteen years in this world for this moment. Another whole lifetime if you count the one before that.
No restarts. No resets.
"Okay," I murmur under my breath. "Let's meet you."
I press the button and toss the ball lightly forward.
In a burst of white light, my first real partner appears.
A small, green, seed-backed Pokémon blinks up at me.
Short, stumpy legs. A roundish body. Red eyes that are way more alert than mine have ever been at this time of day. A bulb sits on its back like a plant that hasn't decided whether it wants to take over the world yet or let it be food for heracross.
"Bulba?" it chirps, tilting its head.
Bulbasaur.
I knew it would be. I'd planned for it. Sun, support, bulk, pressure. Long-term value. All that. But knowing is different from actually seeing him standing there in front of me, flesh and blood and very real.
My chest does that weird tight thing again.
Oh. I'm actually emotional. Gross. Imagine being emotional. Not me. Nope.
"Hey," I say softly, kneeling down so we're eye-level. "Nice to meet you."
Bulbasaur sniffs, then steps closer and nudges my hand with his head. His skin is surprisingly warm. Not game-sprite warm. Real warm.
Something in the corner of my vision flickers.
[Ding!]
[Partner Bond Interface Unlocked]
New Partner Registered: Bulbasaur
Species: BulbasaurType: Grass / PoisonAbility: OvergrowHidden Ability: [Locked]
Bond Level: 0 (Neutral)Trust: CautiousAffection: Mild curiosity
Note: Partners respond best to consistent care, training, and respectful communication.
I resist the urge to immediately dive into the stats like a complete nerd. Later. Bulbasaur is still staring at me, waiting for something?
I reach out and scratch gently under his chin.
"Bulba…" he murmurs, eyes half-closing.
Bond Level ticks up by a microscopic sliver.
Bond Level: 0 → 0.1
Great. Only nine hundred and ninety-nine point nine to go. Very efficient progress.
"Excellent," Professor Oak says, and I realise he's been watching closely. "It seems Bulbasaur has taken a liking to you already, Orion."
I stand up, trying not to look too smug about that.
"I like him too," I say. "We're going to break reality together."
Oak chuckles like he thinks I'm joking. Blue rolls his eyes. Red smiles faintly.
"Right then," Oak continues, turning to the other two. "Red, Blue, why don't you let your partners out as well?"
"Sure," Blue says, already smirking. He tosses his Poké Ball up with a bit too much flair. "Come on out!"
In a flash of light, a small blue turtle lands on the floor, tail curled, eyes bright.
"Squirtle!" it chirps.
Squirtle. That tracks, not to mention Blue already chose his weeks ago, just had the official choosing today to make it fair.
Red follows, more subdued. He holds his Poké Ball carefully, presses the button, and lets his partner out onto the table.
A small orange lizard appears, tail flame flickering peacefully as it blinks at us.
"Char…mander," it says.
Charmander. Of course Red chooses the "hard mode" starter and treats it like it's normal. Metal claw or not. Scratch will not do much against Brock.
Classic Kanto trio, upgraded-world edition.
Blue folds his arms, smug meter already in the red.
"Heh. Water starter," he says, jerking his chin at Red's Charmander. "Type advantage on you, easy."
Then he looks at me. "And yours might have an advantage on me now, but once my team's built? Grass isn't saving you."
"Bold talk from someone whose first opponent is literally me with the perfect anti-Water," I say. "You're speed-running the 'bad matchup' experience."
Bulbasaur glances between us like he's already regretting his life choices.
Oak clears his throat again. "Now, before you boys get carried away, there are a few formalities."
He moves to a nearby machine and presses a couple of buttons. A compartment slides open with a hiss, revealing three sleek red devices and a neat row of miniaturised Poké Balls.
"The first is the Pokédex," Oak says, handing one to each of us. "It's a high-tech encyclopaedia that records data on Pokémon you see and catch. I'd very much appreciate it if you filled it with as much information as you can on your journey."
The device is warm and solid in my hand. Modern interface, bright screen, multiple tabs. This is definitely not the clunky Gen I model. I flick it open. A small line of text appears:
[Journey System Notice]
Pokédex linked.
New Quest: [Field Research]
– Register new Pokémon in the Pokédex.– Higher data quality → more points.
Reward: Variable World Points.
Of course the system syncs with the Pokédex. Why wouldn't it.
Oak continues, placing five Poké Balls beside each Pokédex. "And these are for capturing Pokémon. Use them wisely. Pokémon are not tools, they're partners. Treat them with care, and they'll exceed your expectations. And remember just because I expect you to catch a large variety of Pokémon doesn't mean you can just catch whatever and dump them away."
I take my set and clip them onto my belt. The weight is small, barely noticeable. But symbolically?
Yeah. Heavy.
"Any questions?" Oak asks.
I open my mouth.
Hundreds of questions about abilities, move tutors, breeding mechanics, post-game areas, inter-regional travel and cross-dimensional system compatibility all crowd into my head at once.
I close my mouth.
"Not right now," I say. "I'll… figure things out as I go."
Oak smiles approvingly, clearly mistaking my restraint for normal teenage resolve and not a tidal wave of nerdy curiosity.
Blue, however, is already practically vibrating.
"So we're official now, right?" he says. "Proper Trainers?"
"Indeed," Oak says. "From this moment on, you three are recognised as licensed Pokémon Trainers."
Blue grins and jabs a thumb at his chest. "Then it's time for a proper first battle. Oi, Orion."
I knew that was coming.
"Outside," he says, pointing dramatically towards the door. "Me, you. Let's see whose starter's better."
Bulbasaur's eyes widen a little. He leans against my leg like he's seeking reassurance.
I kneel down for a second, resting a hand on his head.
"You up for a battle?" I ask quietly. "No pressure. We'll take it slow."
"Bulba," he says. He doesn't look scared, exactly, more so just uncertain. Trust still at 'Cautious', apparently. Fair.
The system chimes again.
[New Quest: First Official Battle]
Objective: Battle Blue.– Outcome: Win or lose, data gathered.– Reward:• Base: 5 World Points• Bonus for Victory: +10 World Points• Partner Bond increase
Note: Do not treat partners recklessly.
"Fine," I say, standing up. "But don't cry when you lose with type disadvantage."
Blue snorts. "I don't need advantage to beat you, mate. You're all theory, no execution. And this isn't a simulation anymore. This time it's real."
Red slips his new Charmander into its ball and follows us quietly as we head outside. Oak comes too, probably to make sure we don't immediately maim each other.
The lab's front yard is a wide, open space with short grass and a few practice dummies set up along the edges. I've played here a thousand times, running mock battles, trading blows with borrowed Pokémon under Oak's supervision. Though admittedly most of the battles itself was the Pokémon themselves fighting rather than commands from me.
Blue strides to one end of the yard; I take the other. Red stands off to the side, arms folded loosely. Oak positions himself between us, hands clasped behind his back.
"All right," he says. "A one-on-one battle, starters only. No items. You may give commands, but remember: this is their first proper battle with you. Don't push them too hard."
I nod. Blue nods too, though his eyes are gleaming. Squirtle stands in front of him, looking eager despite its size.
Bulbasaur steps forward on my side. He looks back once, and I give him a small nod.
"We've got this," I whisper.
The system flickers again.
[Battle Mode – Tutorial]
Display:– Partner HP (approximate)– Status conditions– Environmental notes
Prediction Support:– Minimal (locked)
Note: Experience must be earned, not simulated.
Thanks, I guess.
Oak raises a hand. "Begin!"
Blue doesn't waste a second.
"Squirtle, Tail Whip!"
Squirtle spins around, tail glowing faintly as it swishes it in a playful arc. Bulbasaur flinches at the sudden movement.
Bulbasaur's Defence fell.
Debuff first. Of course. Textbook opener.
"All right, your turn," I say. "Bulbasaur, Growl!"
"Bulba!" Bulbasaur straightens and lets out a surprisingly firm sound. Squirtle hesitates for a heartbeat, its shoulders tensing.
Squirtle's Attack fell.
We go back and forth a couple of turns, trading Tail Whips and Growls like two people taking turns lowering each other's volume. The system tracks minor stat shifts in the corner of my eye, but offers no more help.
After the second round of that, Blue loses patience.
"Enough," he snaps. "Squirtle, Tackle!"
Squirtle lunges forward, shell low, and slams into Bulbasaur's chest.
"Bulba!" Bulbasaur cries, stumbling back.
Something twists sharp and ugly in my stomach.
In the games, I'd register the damage, check HP, keep going. And in those mock battles the most the Pokémon did was just normal play fighting.
Here, Bulbasaur actually cried out. His feet skid on the dirt. I can see the faint scuff on his skin. It's all a lot more real than a HP bar tick dropping.
The system gives me an estimated chunk of HP gone, but my eyes are fixed on Bulbasaur himself.
"Hey," I call, forcing my voice steady. "You okay?"
Bulbasaur shakes himself, sets his feet and nods, more determined now.
Right. He's tough. We prepped for this. Nuzlockes, rom hacks, all of it, damage happens. The point is making sure it means something.
"All right then," I say. "Let's hit back. Tackle!"
Bulbasaur charges. He's not fast, not yet, but he's solid. He slams into Squirtle and knocks the turtle back a step.
"Squirt…!" Squirtle grimaces, sliding slightly.
We trade Tackles after that. No fancy moves, no status yet. Just basic, raw exchanges. Each hit makes my stomach clench a little, but Bulbasaur keeps getting up. Every time. Eyes brighter, breaths heavier.
Blue's grin slowly fades as he realises this isn't going to be the free win he thought, even with my supposed "Grass advantage" not really kicking in yet.
"Come on, Squirtle!" he calls. "You've got this! One more Tackle!"
"Tackle again!" I respond. "Stay low, drive through!"
Bulbasaur actually listens, lowering his centre of gravity before driving in. The impact is heavier this time. Squirtle hits the ground, panting.
Partner Bond: 0.1 → 0.4
Note: Partners respond well to clear, confident instructions and trust.
Blue scowls. "Fine. You want to play like that? Squirtle, use Bubble!"
Ah.
Right. Modern set. Starters get their STAB earlier here.
I'd assumed it was still the old curve considering Bulbasaur didn't know vine whip.
"Bulbasaur, dodge!" I yell.
Squirtle takes a deep breath and releases a small stream of shimmering bubbles. They arc through the air faster than I expect, popping against Bulbasaur's body with sharp little impacts.
"Bulba!" he yelps, staggering.
HP estimate: Yellow.Speed temporarily reduced (minor).
"Again!" Blue shouts, seeing the reaction. "Bubble, don't let up!"
"Move! Get to the side and then Tackle!" I call.
Bulbasaur tries. He manages to avoid a few, but more bubbles connect, bursting against his legs and bulb. Each one is like a little slap of water and air; nothing dramatic on its own, but they add up.
I misjudged. I treated it like early-game Water Gun chip, not this more physical, stunning version.
Bulbasaur's legs wobble, but he stays standing, breathing hard.
"Professor, should we-" Red starts quietly.
"Not yet," Oak says, eyes intent. "Let's see what they decide."
Blue is fully locked in now.
"One more Bubble!" he snaps. "Finish it!"
"Bulbasaur, Tackle through it!" I shout. "Use the momentum!"
It's a stupid, risky call. In a game, I'd check the HP bar, calculate the roll, maybe take it. Here, I'm guessing off vibes and an approximate gauge on my HUD.
Bulbasaur pushes off the ground and charges, running straight into the stream of bubbles. Two hit his face, one his side. His eyes squeeze shut, but he keeps going, ramming into Squirtle with a solid thud.
Squirtle goes flying back, landing on its shell with a startled cry.
For a moment, both Pokémon are still.
Then Squirtle slowly rolls, pushing itself upright.
Bulbasaur sways on his feet. His front legs buckle.
"Bulba…" he breathes, and collapses.
My whole body goes cold.
The system blares a soft warning at the edge of my vision.
[Partner HP: Critical (Red)]Status: Exhausted, minor bruising
Immediate rest recommended
"Stop!" I shout, already sprinting forward. "Bulbasaur's done!"
Oak is moving too, hand raised. "Battle over! Blue, stand down!"
Squirtle, panting, lowers its arms. Blue blinks, caught between triumph and the dawning realisation that he might have pushed things a bit far.
I drop to my knees beside Bulbasaur.
He's breathing, shallow but steady. No burns, no blood, just a very tired Grass-type baby who took more than he should have because I told him to.
His eyes flicker open as I hover over him.
"Hey, hey, I'm here," I murmur. My throat feels tight. "You did great. That was my call. I overestimated. I'm sorry."
Bulbasaur blinks at me, then lets out a weak "Bulba" and tries to nudge my hand. He barely manages it.
Bond nudges up again, just a fraction.
Bond Level: 0.4 → 0.7
Why is he trusting me more after I got him knocked out?
"Let me see," Oak says, kneeling across from me. He has a small kit already out, hands practiced and gentle as he examines Bulbasaur. "Mm. Overexertion, surface bruising. Nothing severe. You stopped the battle in time."
I exhale slowly. Didn't realise I'd been holding my breath.
Oak sprays a Potion over the worst of the scrapes, and I watch the skin slowly calm, swelling already lessening. Bulbasaur relaxes, tension bleeding out of his tiny body.
"Thank you," I say quietly.
Oak nods. "That's a Trainer's most important job, Orion. Not winning. Protecting their Pokémon."
I swallow.
"Yeah," I say. "I know that. I just -I just forgot how real it feels."
He gives me a searching look at that phrasing, but doesn't press.
Behind him, Blue is rubbing the back of his neck, avoiding eye contact.
"Er... I didn't think Bubble would hit that hard," he mutters. "Squirtle only recently learnt it."
"Battles escalate quickly," Oak says, standing. "You need to be prepared for that. Both of you."
I stand too, cradling Bulbasaur in my arms carefully. He's lighter than I expected.
Blue scuffs his shoe against the dirt. "You battled well," he says, a little stiffly. "For someone who lost with type advantage."
"I misplayed," I admit. No point denying it. "Assumed your moveset was safe. That's on me."
He looks up, surprised at the lack of immediate trash-talk.
Then I smirk.
"Don't get used to being one-up on me, though," I add. "I adapt fast."
He snorts. "We'll see."
The system, of course, picks this moment to chime.
[Quest Complete: First Official Battle]
Result: Loss
Rewards:– Base: 5 World Points– Bonus: +5 World Points (Data Quality: High - you actually thought during the fight, good job.)– Partner Bond increase
New Quest Unlocked: [First Win Against Blue]
Objective: Defeat Trainer Blue in an official battle.Reward:– 20 World Points– Title unlocked: [Not Bottom of the Trio]
"Rude," I mutter under my breath.
Accuracy rating: 87%.
"Ruder."
Red comes over, Charmander's ball clipped neatly to his belt.
"You okay?" he asks quietly, nodding at Bulbasaur.
"Yeah," I say. "We both learnt something today. Mostly: don't assume base game level-up movesets."
He blinks. "What?"
"Nothing."
Red gives me a small smile. "You battled well," he says simply. "You read Squirtle's movement and simply made an error due to lack of information."
"That's the plan: fewer people, more thinking," I say. "Next time I'll think ahead for the Bubble too."
He nods. "I'll look forward to it."
Of course he will. Red's the type who treats every strong opponent as a puzzle, not a threat.
Oak claps his hands once to get our attention.
"Right, boys. That's enough for today. You'll have plenty of chances to battle on your journey. For now, go home, rest, and pack what you need. Come back when you're ready to set off properly."
Blue immediately perks up.
"You mean we can all leave today?" he asks.
"If you're prepared," Oak says. "This isn't a game. Once you leave Pallet, things will be more dangerous. Wild Pokémon, tough Trainers, long routes. I trust you three to handle it, but don't rush out with nothing but enthusiasm."
Blue smirks. "I've been ready for years. I'll be Champion before you even get your second badge."
"Cool ambition," I say. "Shame about the part where I exist."
He flips me off behind Oak's back. I grin.
Red simply nods. "I'll head home, then," he says. "Mum will want to know."
"Same," I say, adjusting my grip on Bulbasaur. "And I need to sort my bag out before the System starts giving me a 'Hoards Useless Junk' debuff."
Debuff suggestion noted.
"Don't you dare," I whisper.
Blue heads off first, calling Squirtle back to its ball with a flashy spin. Red follows at a slower pace. I linger for a moment.
"Professor?" I say.
Oak looks up from putting away his kit. "Yes, Orion?"
"Thanks for the Pokémon," I say. "Really."
He smiles, softer this time.
"Take good care of Bulbasaur," he says. "You've always had a... creative mind for battles. I'm curious to see what kind of Trainer you'll become with a partner of your own."
Creative. That's one way to describe 'painfully optimised romhack gremlin'.
"I won't let you down," I say, then look down at Bulbasaur. "Or him."
Bulbasaur blinks up at me and gives a tiny, determined nod.
Bond ticks up again.
Bond Level: 0.7 → 1.0
Status: Bond Established (Basic)
New passive unlocked:– Bulbasaur will try to follow your intentions even if commands are imperfect.
Good. I'll need that. My commands are rarely imperfect, of course, but reality likes to bully me.
I head back down the hill towards home, cradling Bulbasaur like he's made of glass. He's not, obviously, he is after all sturdier than I am. But after that battle? I'm not taking chances.
Pallet Town feels different with a Pokémon in my arms. Less like a backdrop. More like the start of a route.
"So," I say quietly as we walk. "Game plan. You and me. We're going to fix that Water matchup, make Grass Great Again. Get you faster, thicker skin, better positioning. Then we bully half the region with sleep and seeds until they surrender. Sound good?"
Bulbasaur lets out a soft, happy "Bulba," eyes closing as he relaxes into my hold.
[New Micro-Quest: First Training Session]
Objective: Design and execute a safe, effective training session for Bulbasaur before leaving Pallet Town.Reward:– 5 World Points– Small stat increase (Partner)– Bond gain
The System, for once, is actually aligned with my instincts.
"Yeah," I murmur. "We're doing that. No slacking when it comes to you lot. Everything else can wait."
My house comes back into view. The front door is slightly ajar; Mum's probably been waiting, worrying.
I step inside and call out, "I'm home!"
Mum appears from the kitchen, wiping her hands on a towel. She sees Bulbasaur and freezes.
"Oh," she breathes. "Is that…?"
"Bulbasaur," I say, unable to keep the pride out of my voice. "My Bulbasaur."
Bulbasaur blinks and gives a polite little "Bulba," like he's introducing himself.
Mum's expression melts.
"Oh, you're adorable," she coos, stepping closer. "Can I…?"
I nod. "Gently, please. He just had his first battle."
Her head snaps up.
"What."
I explain. Briefly. Her eyes narrow dangerously at the mention of Blue. I make a note never to let her within ten metres of him while she's holding a frying pan.
"And you?" she asks once I'm done. "Are you all right?"
"I lost," I say. "Misplayed. But I learnt more from that loss than I would have from steamrolling him."
It's not something I would have said in my first life. Back then it was all about win streaks, rankings, perfect runs.
Mum searches my face, then nods slowly.
"As long as you and Bulbasaur put your safety first," she says. "Battles can be learnt. Lives can't be replaced."
I lift Bulbasaur slightly. "Hear that? You're officially more important than the badge count."
"Bulba," he says, clearly approving.
We spend the next hour fussing. Mum insists on double-checking Bulbasaur's injuries, even though Oak already treated them. I unpack and repack my bag properly this time. No more "future-me will fix it."
The System occasionally pings small reminders:
Pack list suggestion:– Potions– Antidotes– Spare notebook– Portable charger (for PokéGear)– Snacks (for both you and Pokémon)
Note: Low blood sugar reduces tactical thinking.
"Are you calling me useless when I'm hungry?" I mutter.
Data suggests correlation.
"You're not wrong, but stop attacking me with facts."
By the time the sun starts dipping lower in the sky, my bag is ready. Properly this time. Potions, basic medicines, changes of clothes, a rain jacket, a folded training schedule for Bulbasaur tucked into a notebook.
I step outside with Bulbasaur trotting at my side instead of being carried now. His gait is steadier. The earlier exhaustion is gone, replaced with a quiet bounce.
We walk to the small patch of open grass behind the house. The one I used to run around in as a toddler. The one where, in another life, I'd have pretended to throw Poké Balls at imaginary Pokémon.
Now there's nothing imaginary about it.
"All right," I say, flipping open my notebook. "Training Session One."
Bulbasaur tilts his head, curious.
"Goal for today: basic movement, dodging, and stamina," I say. "No hard impacts, your body's still recovering. We're going to get you comfortable reacting to sudden calls. Short bursts, lots of breaks."
The System approves, which is a weirdly satisfying feeling.
[Training Plan – Approved]Risk level: LowExpected gains: Small but stable
Starting session log…
For the next hour, we work.
I call out directions; Bulbasaur moves. Forwards, back, left, right. Quick sidesteps, tiny sprints, controlled stops. We take frequent breaks - water sips, small rests in the shade.
It's simple, nothing flashy. But I can already see the difference in how Bulbasaur carries himself. Less hesitation. Sharper responses.
He messes up sometimes, of course. Trips over his own feet once. Misjudges a turn and almost runs into a tree. Each time, instead of getting frustrated, he looks back at me like, "Did I do bad?"
And each time, I kneel, correct gently, we try again.
I have been the guy who reset an entire run because of a single misplay.
I'm not resetting this one. There's no reset button here. There's only teaching, learning, and trying again until it sticks.
By the time the sky shifts to orange and the first cool breeze rolls in from the sea, Bulbasaur is panting but happy. His eyes glow with a quiet, determined light.
[Training Complete]
Rewards:– 5 World Points– Bulbasaur:• Speed + small increase• Stamina + small increase– Bond Level: 1.0 → 1.4
"Not bad for Day 1," I say, flopping back onto the grass. "At this rate we'll be bullying Gym Leaders in no time."
Bulbasaur waddles over and headbutts my side gently before curling up next to me.
The stars start to prick through the darkening sky. Somewhere out there, Red and Blue are probably getting ready too. Sharpening their own styles. Setting their own goals.
Blue wants to be Champion first. Red probably just wants to test himself.
Me?
I stare up at the sky, thinking about regions I haven't set foot in yet. Sinnoh's snow. Hoenn's seas. Galar's stadiums. Worlds beyond this one, all locked behind an invisible counter in my vision.
World Points: 30
Next Unlock Threshold: [????]
Long way to go.
But for the first time since waking up in this world thirteen years ago, it doesn't feel impossibly far.
I have a partner now. A starting point. A loss that actually meant something. A System that, while annoying, is pushing me forward.
"Oi, future Champion of like... ten universes," I tell the sky. "Don't slack off."
Then I close my eyes for a moment, listening to Bulbasaur's soft breathing beside me.
Tomorrow, we head out properly. Route 1. Viridian. The real start of the run.
No restarts. No resets.
Just me, my Pokémon, and a very long list of challenges to clear.
And honestly?
I wouldn't have it any other way.
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//Just posting it for fun lmk how it is. If it does well I might make it a regular update. Just tryna relive my childhood by imagining myself being there while playing the games.
Just note if I do update again. It will not be this long like 3k words max and not frequent updates. I did double check the grammar and everything so it should be good.
To triple check I did run it through gpt to read and clear out any errors and maybe tweak a few sentences. Most just descriptions of pallet town tbh and line spacing for the system updates so its more compact. Lmk if its good cos if its not I might as well write it raw and post it and use ur guys feedback to change it around.
uh ig thats it for now cya until whenever.