The blue light of the system's teleportation faded, and Ishmaart Shankar found himself standing in a world that smelled like fresh-cut grass and wildflowers. The air was crisp, the sky a vibrant blue that seemed to stretch forever, and the sun warmed his skin like a friendly embrace. He took a deep breath, his lungs filling with air so clean it felt like drinking water after a lifetime of chai.
"Yeh kya jagah hai, Rubina?" he whispered, his voice thick with awe. "Lagta hai hum swarg mein aa gaye hain!"
Rubina stood beside him, her blindfolded gaze scanning the horizon, her sensors whirring as they analyzed the environment. The wind rustled through her silver hair, and for a moment, she looked almost human—almost at peace. "Atmosphere: Optimal. No immediate threats. Flora and fauna: Unfamiliar but non-hostile. This world operates on a different biological and energy matrix than our primary reality."
Ishmaart didn't understand half of what she said, but he didn't care. He was too busy soaking it all in. The rolling hills stretched out before them, dotted with trees that rustled in the breeze. The grass beneath his feet was softer than any carpet he'd ever felt, and the distant sound of rustling leaves was like a lullaby. He grinned, his heart pounding with excitement. "Chalo, Rubina," he said, his voice brimming with energy. "Ab explore karte hain!"
They walked for what felt like hours, though Ishmaart wasn't sure how much time had actually passed. The landscape was breathtaking—wildflowers in hues he'd never seen before, streams that sparkled like liquid silver, and the occasional rustle of unseen creatures in the bushes. Rubina moved beside him, her steps silent, her posture alert. Ishmaart, on the other hand, was anything but silent. He talked nonstop, pointing at every new sight, his curiosity piqued by everything.
"Dekh, Rubina! Yeh phool kitne range hain!" he exclaimed, plucking a flower with petals that shimmered like rainbow dust. "Lagta hai yeh gold se bane hain!"
Rubina didn't respond, but Ishmaart didn't mind. He was too busy taking it all in.
Then, the ground began to tremble.
At first, Ishmaart thought it was his imagination. But the trembling grew stronger, and soon, the distant thunder of what sounded like a hundred stampeding bulls filled the air. He turned just in time to see a massive herd of Tauros charging over the hill, their hooves kicking up dust, their eyes wild with fury. The creatures were huge, their muscles rippling as they ran, their horns sharp and glinting in the sunlight.
"BHAGWAAN KE LIYE, RUBINA—" Ishmaart screamed, his voice cracking with panic.
Rubina didn't hesitate. In one fluid motion, she grabbed Ishmaart and lifted him like he weighed nothing. Her YoRHa-enhanced legs propelled them forward at a speed that made the world blur around them. The Tauros closed in, their hooves thunderous, their breaths snorting like enraged dragons. Ishmaart clung to Rubina, his heart pounding like a dhol in a wedding procession, his breath coming in short, sharp gasps.
"Saale, yeh toh bhaagte hue gaadiyon ka samundar hai!" he yelled over the thunderous hooves. "Kya kar rahe hain yeh log?!"
Rubina dodged left, then right, her reflexes sharper than any Pokémon trainer's. But the Tauros were relentless, their stampede shaking the earth beneath them. Ishmaart could feel the heat of their breath, the vibration of their hooves in his bones. He squeezed his eyes shut, his fingers digging into Rubina's shoulders.
"Rubina, bhaag!" he screamed, though he knew she was already running as fast as she could.
Just as Ishmaart thought they were done for, a familiar voice cut through the chaos.
"PIKACHU, THUNDERBOLT!"
A bolt of lightning streaked across the sky, hitting the ground in front of the Tauros. The herd skidded to a halt, their eyes wide with fear. Ishmaart and Rubina tumbled to the ground, breathless but alive. Ishmaart rolled onto his back, his chest heaving, his hands shaking. He looked up to see a boy with messy hair, a Pikachu on his shoulder, and a grinning face that could only belong to one person.
"Ash Ketchum!"
Ash rushed over, his eyes wide with concern. "You okay?!" he asked, helping Ishmaart up.
Ishmaart dusted himself off, still breathing hard. "Haan, haan, theek hoon. Par yeh saale Tauros kya the?!"
Ash laughed, running a hand through his hair. "Oh, those are my Tauros. Well, were my Tauros. They're a little… excitable."
Ishmaart blinked. "Tere Tauros?!"
"Yeah! Ash grinned. "I caught, like, thirty of them in one go!"
Ishmaart's eyes lit up. He turned to Rubina, his mind racing. "Rubina, sun—"
Before he could finish, a weak, pained moan came from the back of the herd. A single Tauros was lagging behind, its leg injured, its breath ragged. It collapsed onto the ground, whimpering.
Ash frowned. "Oh no—"
Ishmaart didn't think. He ran toward the wounded Tauros, dropping to his knees beside it. The creature looked up at him, its eyes filled with pain and fear. Ishmaart gently placed a hand on its muzzle, his voice softening. "Arre, bhai," he murmured. "Tu toh race jeetega, yaar. Bas thoda rest le."
The Tauros nuzzled his hand, its breathslowing. Ishmaart looked up at Ash. "Kya tujhe Poké Balls hain?"
Ash hesitated, then tossed him one. "You—you want to catch it?"
Ishmaart grinned. "Haan. Business partner banega yeh."
He pressed the button on the Poké Ball and gentlytapped it against the Tauros' head. The ball clicked and opened—then, with a flash of red light, the Tauros vanished inside. Ishmaart pumped his fist. "YES! Bullu, tu ab mere ho!"
Ash stared. "You named it already?"
Ishmaart grinned. "Haan. Bullu. Because it's got bull-like strength, and it's mine now."
As the sun began to set, Ash invited them to stay the night at the nearby Pokémon Center. Ishmaart agreed, but not before turning to Rubina, his eyes gleaming with excitement and something deeper.
"Rubina," he said, lowering his voice. "Yeh duniya toh goldmine hai, yaar. Pokémon pakadke, hum real wealth bana sakte hain. Not just paisa—power. Respect."
Rubina tilted her head, her blindfold hiding whatever emotions might have been in her eyes. "We are not here to exploit this world's resources, Ishmaart."
Ishmaart waved a hand. "*Nahi, nahi—bas partnerships banane hain. Mutual benefit. Like Bullu here. It gets a trainer, we get a powerful ally. And maybe… maybe we find more like it."
Rubina didn't respond, but Ishmaart could see the wheels turning in her mind. She understood more than she let on.
As they walked toward the Pokémon Center, Ishmaart glanced back at the herd of Tauros, now grazing peacefully. He smiled, a plan already forming in his mind.
"Chalo," he said, clapping his hands. "Ab nayi adventures shuru karte hain. And Rubina?" He grinned. "Next time, hum donon ko Pokémon chahiye."
Rubina didn't smile, but Ishmaart knew—she was already on board.