Kato Shin stood at the back of the line, his eyes fixed on the neat rows of Pokéballs resting on the carts. The fluorescent lights buzzed faintly above, throwing a cold glare across the polished floor. Every sound carried—shuffling feet, nervous whispers, and the sharp clack of Domino's heels. The metallic tang of recycled air filled the chamber, heavy and suffocating.
Children advanced one by one, each revealing their nerves in different ways. Some snatched Pokéballs without looking. Others hesitated, hands trembling as if the choice might decide their fate. A few shouted commands the moment their Pokémon appeared, voices cracking with fear. Through it all, Shin's expression remained calm, measured, and unreadable.
Domino paced before the line, a whip coiled loosely in her hand. Her heels struck the ground with a steady rhythm, the sound sharp against the steel walls. The whip never moved, yet its presence alone felt alive, a reminder of the punishment waiting for hesitation.
"Move faster," she commanded. Her voice was clipped, deliberate, and without patience.
A grunt pointed at the first child. "You. Step forward."
The boy stumbled, nearly tripping, before grabbing a Pokéball at random. A flash of red light erupted, releasing a Spearow that screeched and flailed wildly. The boy shouted panicked orders, but the bird ignored every word.
Shin did not watch the struggle for long. His eyes instead scanned the Pokémon lined before him, quietly running calculations in his mind. Most were weak—bronze, silver, shallow golds. Disposable. Predictable. Designed for numbers, not survival.
Then two stood out.
[System Scan Result]
Pokémon: Ekans ♂
Level: 8
Aptitude: Deep Gold
Ability: Shed Skin
Moves: Wrap, Leer, Poison Sting, Bite
Pokémon: Zubat ♀
Level: 7
Aptitude: Gold
Ability: Infiltrator (Hidden Ability)
Moves: Supersonic, Astonish, Absorb, Wing Attack, Confuse Ray, Shadow Ball
Ekans drew his attention first. Strong aptitude, already beyond most choices here. Venomous, resilient, and a natural predator. In time, it could become an Arbok—feared and dangerous. But Shin knew the cost. Ekans did not trust. It hunted without loyalty, feeding on smaller Pokémon, animals, and even humans if desperate. Training one was not a partnership. It was survival against its instincts.
Zubat seemed weaker at a glance. Lower level, lower aptitude. Just a bat. Forgettable.
But Shin knew better.
Zubat thrived in darkness where others faltered. Blind, yet never lost. Echolocation let it sense what eyes could not—hidden predators, unseen ambushes, dangers others would miss. A skill like that could save his life more than raw strength ever would.
And its evolution—Crobat. Lightning fast. A creature able to strike first and vanish before enemies could react. Not brute force, but survival perfected.
Then there was Shadow Ball. A move Zubat should never have learned, paired with the hidden ability Infiltrator. A bat that could slip through barriers and strike at those who thought themselves safe. For survival, no option was better.
"Step forward," a grunt barked.
The call snapped Shin from his thoughts. His body responded at once—not with fear, but with reflex. He moved steadily toward the carts, fingers hovering over the Pokéballs. Ekans glimmered under his gaze, tempting him with immediate strength.
But Shin's choice was already clear.
He reached past the Ekans Pokéball and closed his hand around Zubat's instead. Cold. Smooth. Alive. He stepped back into line, pressing the Pokéball lightly against his chest. Domino's lips curved faintly, but she said nothing. Her heels clicked again, commanding the next child forward.
"Next."
Domino turned to face the crowd, her presence filling the chamber.
"What you have done today is only the first test," she said, voice smooth but cutting. "Those who can bond with their Pokémon will survive."
The word carried weight. Survival. Heavier than any threat.
"Those who fail," Domino continued, her voice dropping colder, "will be demoted. Lower ranks. Work detail. Forgotten and nameless."
Children stirred uneasily. Some imagined themselves rising quickly through the ranks. Others paled at the thought of being discarded.
Domino paused, letting silence settle before speaking again. "For those who succeed, there is a reward. Rocket Points. First to bond: 1,500. Second: 1,000. Third: 500. Fourth: 10. After that… nothing. Only survival, or failure."
The announcement struck the room like a jolt. Whispers filled the air—greedy, feverish. Eyes darted, calculating, already imagining shortcuts to secure the reward. Some children began shouting louder commands, desperate to prove dominance.
Shin noted the change immediately. Ambition and fear twisted the air. Recklessness spread like fire. He shifted slightly, moving toward the shadows at the wall. Others like him—cautious, observant—did the same. Survival meant avoiding the chaos. Protecting themselves. Protecting their Pokémon.
The grunts and Domino watched without interference. Failure here was its own punishment. Cruelty was the lesson.
Shin rested his hand lightly against Zubat's Pokéball. His heart remained steady. The test was clear: two weeks to bond. Survival first. Points later.
The line was called again. A grunt ordered them to follow down a dim tunnel lit by pale lamps along the walls. The group entered a circular chamber where three grunts sat behind computers.
"Names for registration. Step forward. Receive your room key," the lead grunt instructed.
Shin gave his name, collected a sleek black card, and continued down the hall. His assigned room was simple—a bed, a desk, and a chair. On the desk lay three Rocket uniforms and a digital watch.
He examined them carefully. Black, flexible, weather-resistant. Practical. He dressed quickly, then strapped the watch to his wrist. More than a timepiece, it carried his ID, communication features, and access to the T-Market.
He sat at the desk, scanning through options, and purchased four essentials:
A bowl for feeding.
A steel cage for trapping.
A torchlight for guiding Zubat in darkness.
Blood from a cow
and ear canceling headphones
One hundred points spent. Tools ready.
The silence of the room pressed in as Shin leaned on the desk. Beyond these walls, the world was harsher still. Pokémon were not the only creatures alive—cows, sheep, chickens, and rabbits roamed, often as prey for hungry Pokémon. The League's polished image of berries and friendly meals was an illusion. Reality was survival, raw and unfiltered.
A knock broke his thoughts.
"Delivery," a voice called.
The items arrived with a grunt's handoff. Shin checked them carefully, arranging each on the desk. Pokéball beside the bowl, torchlight at its side. Inventory complete. First step finished.
He sat on the bed at last, gaze drifting to the small window high on the wall. The test had begun. Survival depended on Zubat.