A fifteen-year-old boy was resting peacefully in his bed, wrapped in his sheets like a cat in winter.
"BRRRRIIIIIING! BRRRRIIIIIING!"
That rest was abruptly interrupted by the sound of the alarm clock. He had gotten used to the noise long ago, but that didn't make it any less annoying.
"BEEP-BEEP-BEEP-BEEEP!" The shrill sound continued, relentless in its duty to wake him up.
The boy, named Ash Ketchum, stretched clumsily, silencing the insistent and irritating device. He stayed lying there for a few seconds, sleepily staring at the ceiling. The morning light filtering through the edges of the curtain painted the walls a pale orange.
*sigh*
'Another day in Pallet Town' he thought as the drowsiness slowly faded away. Getting up without hurry, he looked down at his body—the body of a fifteen-year-old teenager. It still felt strange to look at himself. When he had awakened three years ago, this body had just entered adolescence… which didn't make things better, only more frustrating.
That's right, three years ago, he had suddenly awakened in the body of Ash Ketchum, the protagonist of the Pokémon anime. He had seen his story before: his journey through Kanto, Johto, Hoenn, Sinnoh, Unova, and Kalos. He had even watched a bit of his travels in Alola, though he never finished that season. If he remembered correctly, a new season had recently come out—the one featuring his journey through Galar, the new region.
Besides the anime, he had also played the classics: from Fire Red to Sun and Moon. Unfortunately, he couldn't play Sword and Shield due to lack of money.
He knew Ash, he had seen much of his journey through the regions, but he didn't know his story deeply. He had watched only a few episodes per season, remembering just the key moments in Kanto, Hoenn, Sinnoh, Unova, and Kalos. He barely remembered anything from Johto just the beginning of that season.
"It's been a long time" Ash said, recalling his arrival in this world. And unless you were completely emotionless, anyone would feel disoriented and afraid upon waking up in a strange and unfamiliar world. That was his case. Though many would dream of living in a world full of magical creatures, he had felt genuine fear, not at his appearance, but at his location, and especially, at the power surrounding him. It took him time to adapt, especially when interacting with his new mother. That part had been truly uncomfortable.
Only through perseverance and self-discipline had he managed to live his day-to-day life normally… or at least as normal as this world could offer.
Ash walked to the bathroom, splashing cold water on his face, letting it wake him completely. The mirror above the sink reflected his fase, the one he had learned to accept: messy black hair, a firm gaze, and faint dark circles of someone who spent too many nights thinking.
With a faint smile, he stopped staring at himself and stepped into the shower, letting the cold water slide down his growing body. During his first months in this life, he often wondered if, somewhere deep in his mind, the original Ash still existed...
If he was watching him.
If he was judging him.
Or if he hated him.
Or perhaps their souls had fused, creating a better version of both. Those questions used to haunt him, they tormented him for a long time. Not so much anymore.
In these three years, he had learned a lot about this world and unfortunately discovered it wasn't as colorful as the anime portrayed. It was beautiful, yes, but also dangerous. He had gone from a world plagued by politicians and ordinary criminals to another where criminal organizations wielded creatures capable of destroying entire cities.
Fortunately, there was also goodness. Most people were morally kind and that was largely thanks to Pokémon.
For two full years, he had studied under Professor Oak, a wise and kind man whose knowledge seemed endless. Oak had taught him about the structure of the world, the regional leagues and institutions that regulated coexistence between humans and Pokémon. Each region had its own government, its laws, and its leaders.
Gym Leaders were, in every sense of the word, state officials, responsible for local defense and for guiding trainers seeking to challenge themselves or become combat trainers. The Elite Four and each region's Champion weren't just honorary titles; they represented military power and political stability.
Professor Oak himself was, in essence, one of Kanto's leaders. In his youth, his strength had been legendary, but his passion lay not in battle, but in research. That's why, after five years as Kanto's Champion, he retired and founded his laboratory, where Pokémon habitats, abilities, and behaviors were studied. His most well-known titles were The Strongest Versatile Champion in History and The Revolutionary of Knowledge.
Thanks to his work, he became Kanto's main delegate on the Council for Biological Research and Regulation. Today, Oak's laboratory manages breeding, genetic research, and capture permits. Everything related to Pokémon passed, in one way or another, through his hands.
But even with all that control, crime still existed. Groups like Team Rocket operated outside the law, constantly challenging regional security.
Ash had learned enough to understand that the balance between species, humans, and regions hung by a thread. Routes weren't always safe, and not every trainer survived their first journey.
That was why licenses existed. In Kanto, Johto, and Sinnoh, they were granted at 15; in Hoenn, Unova, and Kalos, between 14 and 16; while in Galar, the minimum age was 18. Alola, on the other hand, followed its own spiritual system, granting licenses under the guidance of the Kahuna.
Not everyone managed to obtain one, and even fewer survived. But those who did could choose their path: Adventurer Trainer, Battle Trainer, Pokémon Coordinator, Breeder, Ranger, Researcher, or Doctor. Each profession played a vital role in maintaining the world's balance.
Ash turned off the shower and, with a towel wrapped around his waist, returned to his room. The sun rose over the hills of Pallet Town, bathing the fields in a golden glow. He looked around his room and remembered how it used to be: full of posters, dolls, and color. Now, however, it was much simpler. He had removed the decorations, replaced the nightstand with a desk and computer (a gift from Professor Oak), and kept only three plushies: a Pikachu, a Charmander, and an Arcanine.
Two years ago, during his studies with Professor Oak, he realized how weak he truly was. From that moment on, he started doing small jobs around Pallet Town, saving up to buy some weights and a full-length mirror.
And that mirror had a purpose. With water still dripping down his skin, he let the towel fall and looked at his reflection. His developing body had grown strong, a result of his effort.
With a faint smile on his face, he briefly closed his eyes, focusing on the feeling of knowing more than what could be seen. When he opened them, a deep blue glow illuminated his irises. A translucent screen appeared before him, floating gently. Letters and numbers unfolded visible only to him. He had confirmed it many times, no one else could see it.
This was his system.
[ Name: Ash Ketchum
Mood: Happy/Excited
Affection: 70
Age: 15 years
Strength: 31
Endurance: 43
Agility: 36
Aura: 10
Psychic Energy: 3 ]