PS: A few words before we begin.
[Not a power fantasy · Not a dark story · Growth-oriented]
This is the story of an otaku who carries a small "cheat" and years of game experience as he steps into the Pokémon world.
The protagonist isn't cold or ruthless, isn't invincible, isn't a mastermind pulling strings from the shadows, and isn't jaded or world-weary. He's just an ordinary person who genuinely loves Pokémon, with a simple dream—to travel the Pokémon world and meet one lovable Pokémon after another.
To me, the Pokémon world is the warmest setting imaginable.
Because of that, there is no "system" or numeric data here—no levels, base stats, or potential that reduce Pokémon to cold numbers. Battles are also not turn-based. I'll do my best to portray them in a more realistic way, while still respecting how moves work in the games.
Lastly, I hope every reader who loves Pokémon will enjoy and support this story!
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Volume 1: Source of Calamity
High in the distant sky, scattered dark clouds slowly gathered together, making an oncoming rainstorm seem inevitable.
Alex instinctively quickened his pace.
Just then—
Rustle…
A sudden, unfamiliar sound came from the bushes beside the road!
Alex's nerves snapped taut.
Although the Pokémon League continued to expand its reach and the profession of Pokémon Trainer had become increasingly common, many wilderness areas under League control had only been partially developed into so-called "numbered routes."
Far from those roads—or in regions with harsh environments—aggressive Pokémon still roamed freely.
Whenever such Pokémon wandered into areas of human activity, they became the stars of the occasional "wild Pokémon attack incident" reported by the media.
An unpleasant experience from the past kept Alex constantly on edge.
He whipped his head toward the sound—and locked eyes with three pairs of crimson, hostile pupils!
From within the bushes emerged three gray-furred hounds. Their dark gray coats were patterned with sharp markings, their bodies low and tense in an aggressive stance. Fangs were bared, low growls rumbling from their throats, tails swaying restlessly behind them.
Poochyena!
This Dark-type Pokémon, infamous for hunting in packs, was known for its gluttony and hypersensitive sense of smell. Any moving target was enough to trigger its urge to attack!
Right now, the three Poochyena glared at Alex with clear hostility, bodies crouched low, teeth exposed—ready to leap at any moment.
Without a second of hesitation, Alex spun around and ran! At the same time, he let out a sharp, urgent whistle that cut through the forest air!
The instant the Poochyena launched themselves forward, turning into three gray blurs—
"Wing—cha!"
A clear, piercing cry shot down from the sky like an arrow!
The sudden sound froze the Poochyena mid-pounce, instantly drawing their attention away from Alex.
Heavy storm clouds churned and pressed low against the horizon.
The wind howled, kicking up dust and carrying the thick scent of rain-soaked earth. The feeling of an imminent mountain storm was almost tangible.
Whoosh—!
A sharp cry cut through the gale.
Blue wings sliced through the air as Wingull dove down like an elegant glider, streaking toward the three snarling Poochyena!
Its wings beat hard, generating a fierce current of air that condensed into a visible blade of wind. The attack struck the sandy ground just inches in front of the Poochyena, carving a deep, unmistakable line!
"Wing—!"
Wingull hovered midair, eyes sharp and unyielding, firmly shielding Alex behind it. Its posture was steady, unwavering.
"You're always reliable," Alex said with a small smile.
His gaze slipped past Wingull and locked onto the three Poochyena still growling and baring their fangs, his expression sharpening.
"Looks like… there's no settling this peacefully today."
He drew a deep breath, the humid air thick with tension filling his lungs.
"Then let's do this, Wingull. This is our first real fight together."
His voice was calm, steady, and resolute.
"Let's show them what all those days of hard work have amounted to!"
---
Time seemed to rewind—to a stormy evening several months earlier.
On a seaside cliff, a violent gale roared like a living beast.
Alex stood at the cliff's edge, watching Wingull struggle in the turbulent wind.
Wingull's small body was tossed about, wings unable to fully extend, tumbling helplessly like a fallen leaf—on the verge of being blown away.
"Don't fight it head-on!" Alex's voice rang out through the storm.
"Feel the wind! Find its rhythm and move with it!"
Wingull steadied its mind, reaching out to sense the ever-present flow of Flying-type energy in the air.
Suddenly, it seized a violent updraft and shot straight upward!
Beneath the roiling storm clouds, Wingull spread its wings wide. Brilliant blue markings gleamed as sharp Flying-type energy gathered at the tips, forming invisible blades that tore open a path through the raging storm!
"Now—Air Slash!" Alex shouted, excitement surging in his voice.
Wingull responded instantly, diving like an arrow loosed from a bow!
---
Back in the present—
The compressed blades of wind screamed through the air, slamming into the three Poochyena.
Two of them yelped in pain, fear flashing across their faces as they instinctively shrank back.
"Awooo—!"
The largest Poochyena suddenly let out a roar laced with Intimidate.
Like an invisible lash, the sound snapped its companions back into position, forcing them to hold their ground and resume their attack stance.
Alex narrowed his eyes, studying the leader closely.
Its thick limbs—especially its powerful hind legs—were far more developed than the others', radiating raw, feral strength.
"So that's it…" Alex muttered. "You're on a whole different level."
"Wingull, pull back!" he ordered decisively.
Wingull beat its wings and shot upward, gaining safe altitude.
"Use Growl—draw their attention!"
A sharp, penetrating sound wave rippled outward across the battlefield.
The move disrupted their focus, sapping their aggression and locking their attention onto the blue-and-white figure in the sky.
The Poochyena snapped and howled upward in agitation.
"Now chain it—Supersonic!"
Wingull's throat vibrated as high-frequency sound waves—far beyond human hearing—followed the path of Growl and slammed directly into the Poochyena's sensitive ears!
"Whu… awooo—!"
All three began spinning in place, eyes unfocused as confusion set in.
Now!
"Water Gun!"
Wingull gathered pure Water-type energy before its beak and unleashed a powerful jet, striking the three disoriented Poochyena head-on!
Thud! Thud!
They were blasted off their feet and slammed into the ground.
The confusion was even more effective than expected.
"Whoosh—!"
The two smaller Poochyena suddenly panicked, instincts overtaking reason. Tails tucked, they kicked up sand and fled deep into the forest.
Run Away?
Alarm bells rang in Alex's mind as he snapped his gaze back to the remaining Poochyena.
Too late!
The leader's yellow-red eyes gleamed savagely. Its fur stood on end as its blood surged.
Despite the confusion, its hind leg muscles bulged grotesquely, veins popping beneath its skin.
Quick Feet!
Speed boosted under a status condition!
It became a streak of gray lightning, lunging straight at Wingull just as it finished Water Gun. Yellow electrical arcs crackled wildly around its fangs—
Thunder Fang!
"Dodge it—now!" Alex shouted.
But it was too fast.
The electrified fangs scraped violently across Wingull's tail feathers!
"Wing—cha—!"
Wingull cried out in pain, crashing into the muddy ground like a broken kite.
The air reeked of ozone—proof of raw Electric-type energy tearing through the storm.
Electric-type attacks were deadly to a Water/Flying Pokémon like Wingull.
"Wingull!" Alex rushed forward without hesitation.
Scorched feathers marked its body, and worse—its small frame trembled uncontrollably.
Paralysis.
Electric currents wracked its body, every twitch draining its strength. Against the Poochyena leader's terrifying speed, the battle had turned dire.
Then—
A cold, rain-heavy wind slapped across Alex's face.
He looked up at the boiling storm clouds hanging impossibly low—and a flash of realization cut through his panic.
"Fly!" he shouted, his voice firm beyond doubt.
"Look at the sky! Remember that storm back then! That power—it belongs to the storm, and to us! It's calling you!"
Wingull's dulled eyes snapped wide.
The memory of that seaside storm surged back!
"Wing—cha!"
With a defiant cry, Wingull forced its wings to move, pushing through the paralysis and lifting itself back into the air.
Without hesitation, it fired a jet of water straight into the densest part of the clouds!
---
Time overlapped.
Just like that rainy evening from its memories, silver droplets began to fall, connecting into countless shining threads.
A single cold raindrop landed on Wingull's scorched wing.
Buzz—!
A soft, pale-silver glow spread from the point of contact, enveloping Wingull's entire body.
The paralysis melted away like snow under sunlight.
Hydration activated!
In the rain, all status conditions were cured!
"Lii—!"
Wingull cried out powerfully, vitality surging through it as the rain poured down.
It spun midair, wings stirring the storm itself!
Guided by Gust and infused with Water Pulse, six violent water vortices erupted around it, magnified by the heavy rain!
The Poochyena leader was swept up helplessly, flung through the air, and smashed into the mud over ten meters away.
It struggled to rise, terror finally flooding its eyes.
Before it could react, a pale-green Air Slash, honed to razor sharpness, stopped mere centimeters from its nose.
The chill cut to the bone.
Alex and Wingull didn't press the attack.
The Poochyena's fighting spirit finally shattered. With a weak whimper, it turned and fled, soaked and trembling, disappearing into the forest just like the others.
The power of the weather had decided everything.
"Wing—︿(￣︶￣)︿!"
Wingull's joyful cry rang through the rain as it dove straight into Alex's open arms.
They tumbled together into the mud, rain, sweat, and dirt splattered everywhere—but neither cared.
They laughed, breathless and exhilarated.
Survival.
First victory.
Trust forged through battle.
All of it spilled out in that laughter.
"Wing wing~"
Wingull pecked lightly at Alex's jacket, then glanced toward his backpack.
Alex smiled knowingly and pulled out a pristine white Poké Ball with a vivid red ring—
A Premier Ball.
Wingull bowed its head gently and tapped the button with its beak.
Ding.
The ball opened, warm red light enveloping Wingull and drawing it inside.
Alex wiped the rain from his face, gazing at the Premier Ball in his hand with a soft, solemn smile.
"From here on out," he said quietly,
"let's take care of each other, Wingull."
The ball trembled slightly.
As Alex stood there, his fingers unconsciously brushed the Stone Fish Pendant hanging against his chest.
That nightmare had come back again this morning—
The same one that had haunted him for six long years…