Speaking with Professor Oak left me with an odd sense of displacement—as if I'd stepped into the protagonist's role in some grand adventure. His enthusiasm was infectious, his kindness disarming. Despite his age, the professor vibrated with the restless energy of a perpetual student, scribbling notes mid-conversation whenever a new thought struck him.
As our discussion stretched on, I noticed Charizard fighting back yawns. "You've earned your rest," I murmured, recalling my loyal companion to its Pokéball with a tap of the device on my wrist.
Professor Oak's eyes lit up at the motion. "That's quite a striking timepiece," he remarked, leaning closer.
"Oh? You think so?" I played along, though internally I winced. My casual reference to Arceus's gift as a mere "watch" had been careless.
"I've been meaning to replace my old wristwatch," he continued, oblivious to my internal dilemma. "Was this from a specialty store?"
"A... watch?" I hesitated, choosing my words carefully. The true nature of this artifact—a conduit for summoning Pokémon forged by the creator deity itself—wasn't something even the Pokédex's inventor could comprehend. That realization brought a private smile to my lips. Some secrets were meant to be kept.
After parting ways with Oak, I found myself drawn to Viridian Forest's emerald depths. Though notorious as a natural labyrinth where novice trainers often lost their way, the low-level Pokémon population posed no threat. Not that they could—between my stored partners and my own latent power, leveling this woodland would require less effort than swatting a Weedle.
Yet I came unarmed, drawn by nostalgia's pull. This was where countless player journeys had begun, where pixelated adventures first bloomed into life. I needed to breathe its air, to make those faded memories tangible.
The forest welcomed me with a chorus of skittering legs and fluttering wings. Caterpie observed from their perches with beady-eyed suspicion, while their evolved forms, Metapod, clung to bark with stony impassivity—their hardened shells looked capable of blunting steel.
Curiously, wild Pokémon began emerging from the foliage as I wandered deeper. Perhaps they sensed an intruder in their domain, or maybe some primal instinct recognized me as both trainer and something... more. Their cautious approaches spoke of nature's oldest law: challenge the stranger, test their worth.
A dozen violent solutions flashed through my mind in an instant:
Should I have Charizard roast them to a crisp?
Maybe blast them away with Blastoise's Hydro Pump?
Or perhaps test Venusaur's razor-sharp vines?
I immediately dismissed the thoughts with a mental shudder. This was Viridian Forest - a training ground for fledgling trainers and their first Pokémon. If I actually followed through with any of those ideas, I'd become less of a trainer and more of a natural disaster. A single misplaced Flamethrower could turn this entire ecosystem into a glass parking lot.
Instead, I tried the diplomatic approach, fixing the wild Pokémon with what I hoped was a stern look.
Stay back, I thought fiercely. Come any closer and...
To my surprise, the creatures froze mid-approach. Caterpies' antennae drooped. Weedles lowered their poison barbs. A collective shiver ran through the undergrowth before the entire group scattered into the foliage.
Whether they sensed my true nature as a legendary being or simply recognized an overpowered trainer, the result was the same - the forest itself seemed to be holding its breath around me.
My peaceful stroll ended when the path inclined upward, revealing a familiar sight - a shorts-clad youngster standing proudly in the clearing. He couldn't have been more than ten, but his eyes burned with that particular brand of rookie trainer enthusiasm.
"You know what they say!" the boy declared, hands on hips. "When trainers' eyes meet-"
"-a battle begins," I finished automatically, then immediately winced. My tone had come out more patronizing than intended.
The boy's face flushed crimson. "Don't think you can go easy on me just 'cause I'm a kid!" he shouted, pulling a Pokéball from his pocket with practiced flair. "You'll regret underestimating me!"
With a flash of light, his Pinsir materialized - its massive horns gleaming wickedly in the dappled sunlight. The aggressive bug-type scraped its pincers together in clear anticipation of battle.
I sighed, reaching for my own belt. Maybe just a level 5 Bulbasaur would be appropriate here...
This kid is seriously bringing a Pinsir to Viridian Forest? I thought, raising an eyebrow. That was like showing up to a pillow fight with a broadsword—effective, but completely missing the spirit of the place.
Still, if he wanted to play dirty, I could play smart.
I needed a Pokémon that wouldn't completely obliterate him—something small but deceptively strong. Pikachu would've been the obvious choice… but where was the fun in that?
Instead, I reached for a different ball.
"Ta~Q!"
Out popped a pitch-black "Pikachu," its beady eyes gleaming with mischief. Mimikyu—the lonely ghost that hid beneath a ragged disguise, yearning for the love Pikachu received.
The kid blinked.
"Uh… Pikachu?" He squinted. "Why's it look so… creepy?"
I smirked. Oh, you have no idea.
"Pinsir, Body Slam!" he ordered, undeterred.
The massive bug charged, horns gleaming—but Mimikyu didn't flinch. It just stood there, swaying slightly, as if waiting for me to finally speak.
I obliged.
"Shadow Ball."
"Shadow Ball?!" The kid's jaw dropped. "Since when does Pikachu—"
But Mimikyu was already moving. From beneath its tattered disguise, a shadowy claw emerged, swirling with spectral energy. In an instant, it hurled a pulsing orb of darkness straight at Pinsir.
The attack connected with a whump, sending the bug-type skidding backward. The kid's eyes widened in horror.
Yeah, I thought. This might've been overkill.
The Shadow Ball struck Pinsir dead-center with a thunderous boom, sending shockwaves rippling through the air. A cloud of dust and debris erupted, obscuring the battlefield completely. From within the haze came only silence.
"P-Pinsir?!" the boy cried out, voice cracking.
As the dust settled, the devastation became clear. The attack had cratered the earth, leaving Pinsir sprawled at its epicenter—tongue lolling, eyes swirls. The poor bug-type looked like it had been hit by a freight train.
The boy's legs gave out momentarily before he scrambled to his fallen partner's side, hands trembling.
Oh.
Oh no.
I suddenly felt like a champion who'd just curb-stomped a preschooler's first Pokémon. Mimikyu tilted its head innocently, as if asking "Was that too much?"
"G-good work, Mimikyu," I muttered, hastily recalling it before it could accidentally traumatize the kid further.
Switching to my Poké PC, I selected a more... appropriate choice this time.
With a soft chime, my Blissey materialized—her round, pink form radiating gentle warmth, the egg in her pouch practically glowing with restorative energy.
[What happened this time?] she asked, already scanning the area with nurse-trained eyes.
"Uh. Pinsir. Needs... healing?" I offered weakly, gesturing to the annihilated bug-type.
Blissey took one look at the scene—the crater, the whimpering trainer, the unconscious Pinsir—and fixed me with a stare that said "We are having words later."
With a sigh, she waddled over and gave Pinsir a light tap. A rosy aura enveloped both Pokémon as healing energy flowed forth.
I rubbed the back of my neck. Maybe next time I'd start with Blissey before nuking rookie trainers into next week.
Pinsir stirred groggily as Blissey's healing energy took effect. Within moments, the battered Pokémon was back on its feet, though it kept a wary distance from my team.
The young trainer stared at me with wide, shaken eyes - like a child who'd just learned monsters were real. Without a word, he recalled his Pinsir and clutched the Pokéball protectively to his chest.
"I-I'm going to the Pokémon Center," he stammered, already backing away. His earlier bravado had completely evaporated.
As I watched his retreating figure disappear into the forest, an unexpected grin tugged at my lips.
Well... that was more entertaining than I expected.