The dense forest stretched wide in every direction, sunlight filtering weakly through the thick canopy. Miles pedaled along a narrow trail, still feeling the thrill of his recent bond—his Pokémon had fought fiercely, and their connection had deepened. He was confident, yet cautious, knowing the game's warnings echoed in his mind.
Suddenly, a warning message appeared on the holographic display hovering in front of him. It flickered with an alert tone. A panel labeled [Wild Encounter Pending] flashed into view, accompanied by a soft beep.
The message read:
[Warning: You are entering a wild Pokémon habitat. Be prepared for possible encounters. Battle readiness recommended.]
Almost immediately, a second panel popped up, detailing the first potential fight. It showed a small, animated model of his Pokémon, the Shroomish, alongside its current move panel.
The panel displayed:
Shroomish
Tackle (Normal)Absorb (Grass)Leech Seed (Grass)Growth (Status)
Below the moves, a brief note explained:
[Abilities: Effect Spore. Can cause paralysis, sleep, or poison if touched.]
Current Status: Slightly hurt from earlier battles but ready to fight.
Miles watched the options flicker as his Pokémon moved slightly, sensing the imminent challenge. He nodded to himself, remembering the tutorial message he'd received earlier.
[In this world, every encounter is a fight, and each move counts. Choose wisely, and trust your bond.]
He slowed his bike and scanned the surroundings. The warning was accurate—the environment was teeming with small Pokémon. His gaze settled on a nearby branch, where a Pidgey was preening. Suddenly, the bird sensed him. Flicking its head, it gave a sharp cry and took off into the trees, wings fluttering aggressively.
The Pidgey's wings flapped in frustration and territorial instinct. It wasn't just a simple bird—this was a wild Pokémon defending its space, and it saw Miles and his Pokémon as intruders.
The system panel appeared again, overlaying the scene.
Battle Mode Activated
[Prepare for wild Pokémon encounter]
The holographic panel shifted to show four moves with their types, power, and a brief description, matching the game interface Miles was used to. The moves for his Pokémon Shroomish were displayed clearly, ready for him to select.
Options:
Tackle (Normal, 40 Power)Absorb (Grass, 20 Power, heals some HP)Leech Seed (Grass, Status, saps HP over time)Growth (Status, boosts Attack and Special Attack)
The Pokémon, sensing the imminent threat, let out a determined cry. It was battered from the recent fight but clearly ready to stand its ground. Miles trusted his bond and knew that how well he managed this fight could influence their growth.
He quickly selected [Tackle], remembering that in the game, the move panel pops up when a Pokémon faces a fight for the first time. The control interface flickered brightly, confirming his choice.
[Shroomish used Tackle.]
The Pokémon lunged with surprising speed, aiming a straightforward hit at the Pidgey. The bird reeledback slightly, wings beating faster as it retaliated with a sharp peck, the system displaying the damage inflicted.
The battle was fast but intense. Each move and counter was precise, and Miles kept his focus. His Pokémon's abilities played a vital role—its effect spores could cause paralysis or sleep, giving it a strategic edge if lucky.
A quick follow-up panel showed Shroomish's health bar drooping, but it fought on. Miles's grip tightened on the handlebars. This was more than just a game. It was a real test.
The Pidgey swooped down again, ready to attack. Miles remembered the system instructions: in this game, correctly timed moves, type advantages, and ability effects determined success. He watched as the move panel flickered once more, hinting at the next options—[Absorb] for healing, or [Growth] to boost attack.
He selected [Growth], boosting his Pokémon's attack and special attack stats. The tiny Pokémon puffed up slightly, looking more confident. The system display confirmed the buff. His bond was strengthening with every command.
The Pidgey hesitated, wings flapping nervously. Then, with a sharp cry, it charged again. Miles's Pokémon responded instinctively, dodging with agility and landing a final Tackle. The Pidgey's energy waned, and it fluttered away, defeated but more cautious.
[Opponent fainted]
System panels cleared, leaving only the quiet night and the faint glow of stars. Miles's Pokémon, battered but victorious, looked at him with a mix of pride and fatigue. Its tiny body was scratched and dirt-streaked, but its eyes shone with a newfound confidence.
Miles slowly dismounted his bicycle, walking over to his Pokémon and kneeling down. He reached out gently, placing a reassuring hand on the little Pokémon's head. "You fought well," he said softly. "You really showed what you're made of. No matter how small you seem, you stood your ground and fought for us. That's what real strength is about."
The Pokémon let out a soft, happy chirp, leaning into his touch. Miles could see the faint exhaustion in its eyes, but there was also an undeniable spark within—a spark of resolve that hadn't been there before. It was a sign that facing adversity, even against a simple wild Pokémon like this, was helping it grow stronger—inside and out.
The strange thing, however, was how quiet the system was. No level bar, no experience points, no indicator of how close they were to leveling up or evolving. It felt so surreal—like playing a game without the usual UI elements to show progress. Miles's mind flickered with confusion. Back in the previous worlds he'd known, every fight, every situation was measured by a level bar ticking upward, progress counters, experience points. Here, it was just... trust and effort. It was raw, unfiltered growth, and that felt almost alien.
He checked the virtual panel that appeared briefly in his mind's eye, displaying his Pokémon's current stats. Its health was low, but it was still standing. The system suggested a move to heal or strengthen, but Miles decided to play it smart.
"Let's head back now," he whispered, speaking more to himself than anyone else. "That was a tough little fight, but it's just the beginning. We'll face more, and every challenge will make us better."
He gently stroked his Pokémon one last time, then climbed back onto his bicycle, adjusting his grip on the handlebars. The night's calm returned, disturbed only by the occasional distant call of a Pokémon in the woods. The path back to town was smooth, the darkness illuminated by the faint glow of streetlights ahead.
As they rode through the quiet night, Miles thought about that odd absence of the usual game indicators. It was strange—almost unsettling—to be fighting without knowing exactly how much experience or progress he'd gained. He remembered how, in previous games and simulations, the level bar or experience points kept him motivated—an easy way to measure progress. Here, it felt entirely different. Like every battle, every moment of growth, was happening on a deeper, more personal level—something intangible, yet incredibly real.
He reflected inwardly that this was part of the mystery of ReGenesis: a system that seemed to strip away the familiar mechanics, leaving nothing but raw effort, trust, and connection. And while it unnerved him at first, he understood that this might be part of the deeper truth they needed to uncover.
With every push of the pedals, he reaffirmed his resolve. This was more than just a game now. It was their reality. Their adventure had only begun, and he was eager to discover what awaited them in the darkness beyond the woods.
He glanced at his Pokémon in the basket one last time, feeling a quiet pride. "We're just getting started," he whispered. "And I know we're going to find something worth fighting for out there."
The stars shimmered overhead as Miles pedaled onward into the night. Their journey into the unknown was just beginning. Every challenge, every discovery, every battle was a step closer to the truth—and to becoming something truly stronger.