The world was spinning.
Colors bled into one another — blue, gold, green — before settling into a hazy brightness that pressed against a young girl's eyelids.
When she opened her eyes, Niyah wasn't in her hospital room anymore.
She was lying in a field of soft grass that shimmered like it had been dusted with glitter. The air was warm, humming faintly, alive. Overhead, clouds drifted lazily across a perfect summer sky. Somewhere nearby, something chirped, high and rhythmic.
"Wha…what happened?" Niyah murmured quietly.
[System Booting…]
User detected: Niyah.
Synchronizing host consciousness with vessel: Age 12.
Installing starter privileges…
Niyah froze.
Her hands were smaller. Her voice, when she gasped, sounded younger. And when she sat up, her reflection in a nearby pond almost made her heart stop — a 12-year-old girl stared back at her, with bright lavender eyes, dark skin, soft, white curls pulled into two heart shaped Afro-puffs, and a sweater and overall skirt outfit combo, and a backpack that looked brand new.
"This is… impossible," she whispered. "Wasn't I just—"
[Welcome, Niyah.]
You have been selected as the "Infinity Systrm User."
Your adventure begins now.
Starter Pack unlocked!
A translucent blue screen appeared before her eyes, listing items like it was straight out of a game:
[Starter Pack Content]
Rotom Pokédex (Custom Interface): Please Select Color!
"Oh, um, choose a color, maybe lavender?" Niyah hesitantly chose her favorite color. And watched in amazement as the Pokédex shifted from it's original orange color to a soft lavender matching her eyes.
[Starter Pack Content Continued]
Choose Type Specialization(s)
2 Maximum
- Bug
- Dark
- Dragon
- Electric
- Fairy
- Fighting
- Fire
- Flying
- Ghost
- Grass
- Ground
- Normal
- Poison
- Psychic
- Rock
- Steel
- Water
"Type specialist…?" Niyah stared at the screen in as she though over the decision. "Well I love cute things so obviously fairy type, but ghost type sounds cool hmmm."
Noah pouted as she deliberated her choice, "Ooo wait, I can choose more than one!" Niyah gasped in realization as she reread the instructions. "Okay then I chose fairy and ghost!"
[Specialization Confirmed! Starter Pack Content Continued]
10 Luxury Balls
10 Potions
5 Antidotes
5 Paralyze Heals
5 Awakenings
5 Burn Heals
5 Ice Heals
"Wow, this is a lot of stuff…" Niyah looked in disbelief as the system continued on.
5 Oran Berries
5 Sitrus Berries
1 Multi-Setting Flashlight
10 Rare Candies
P 500,000
1 Random Psudo-Legendary Egg Ticket
[Start your journey to be the best Fairy/Ghost specialist! Infinity System~]
Niyah blinked as her backpack suddenly felt a lot heavier. "Okay… this is definitely not Earth."
She hesitantly tried to stand, the grinned in astonishment. "I can stand…? I can actually stand!" Niyah spun in a circle, giggling happily. Her world view was spinning on top of itself, her life suddenly changed from being in her late 20s lying dying in a hospital bed to moving carefree with no worries of falling.
Coming back to her senses, Niyah stopped spinning once again sitting on the ground near the pond and set into looking through her backpack. "Okay, I'm obviously not home and this weird system thing, I'm definitely in the Pokemon world!" She hummed curiously to herself wondering where exactly she currently was before her thoughts were interrupted by a blur appearing in her vision.
"Btzz, btzz, hello new user! I am Rotom Dex V. 2.0! Would you like to give me a nickname?" The little Rotom Dex buzzed, floating close to her head.
"Nickname…", being put on the spot Niyah blurted the first thing that came to mind, "Um, Roty!"
"Btzz, btzz, imputing new name, imputing new name. System updated, now responding to new name Roty!" The newly named Roxy chirped, spinning in a circle as it completed updating.
Ah, not the best name but I guess that's what's going to stick huh. I wonder what this body was doing in the middle of a forest? Wait.. shouldn't Roty have a map! With a plan in mind Niyah turned towards to Rotom Dex floating next to her.
"Okay Roty, you do have a map right?" Niyah asked.
"Btzz, btzz, correct would Niyah like me to pull it up?" Roty buzzed.
"Yes please! Tell me where exactly I currently am." Niyah answered.
"Btzz, btzz, please wait a moment…" Roty's arms went back into its body and the screen extended? "Map opened, btzz, btzz, current location: Slumbering Weald."
"Slumbering Weald? That's in Galar! I'm right outside the starting town in the games." Niyah said to herself before turning towards Roxy, "That's all you can go back to normal now."
Roxy chirped in response, returning to its base form.
"Actually what is everything you can do?" Niyah asked trying to gain all the information she could.
"Btzz, btzz, Roty does indeed have a map!" Roty chirped spinning before coming to rest in front of Niyah, "I can also act as a Pokémon scanner, Pokédex, Camera, Phone, Navigation system, and Information provider."
"Wow, that's a lot, way more than I was expecting!" Niyah hummed in surprise.
"Btzz, btzz, Roty can also be updated with the Infinity System! More quests done more rewards" Roty moved its arms excitedly.
"Quests…?"
A rustling came from the bushes nearby, followed by soft snickering. She turned sharply, heart pounding and that same translucent blue screen popped up again.
[System Notification: Quest Activated]
Objective: Investigate Mysterious Sounds, Find the Source!
Reward: Gain Psychic Ability.
Penalty: Lost in Slumbering Weald for 2 Hours
Time Limit: 2 Hours
Accept/Decline
"Wait, Roty didn't you say that you would be updated from rewards?" Niyah asked the floating Pokédex in confusion.
"Btzz, btzz, Rewards are different I can be updated, you can be updated, or random prizes will be given!" Roty buzzed smartly.
"Ooh those types of quests, hold on, omg Psychic Abilities?! That'd be so cool I could talk to my Pokémon no trouble if I had that!" Niyah bounced in excitement before stopping abruptly, "Lost in this place for two hours if I don't find it…"
Niyah suddenly looked a lot more nervous, "Well it sounded close by so I hopefully won't take long to find it… Alright then, I accept the quest!"
[System Notification: Quest Accepted]
2 Hour Time Limit: Starts Now
1 Hour 30 Minute Warning will be given.
Niyah tightened her backpack straps and glanced around the fog-drenched forest. The Slumbering Weald was quiet, too quiet, except for the faint hum of Roty's sensors scanning the area. Twisted trees leaned inward like nosy old spirits, and a faint mist swirled just above the mossy ground.
"Alright, find the source… find the source…" Niyah muttered, stepping over a gnarled root. "How hard can this be?"
Almost immediately, the air shifted. A rustling came from behind her — quick and sharp, like something darting between bushes.
Niyah spun around. "Roty, did you get that?!"
"Btzz, btzz negative." Roty buzzed in disagreement.
"Right… nothing…" she whispered, though her skin prickled with unease.
Niyah moved deeper into the forest. Every few minutes, something strange happened: her flashlight flickered on and off, her Pokéballs momentarily opened then snapped shut again, and faint giggles echoed in the fog, high-pitched and childlike, but always distant.
At one point, her own voice called back to her.
"Over here!" it whispered from the mist.
Niyah froze. "Wha… Roty, that was me. Like that actually sounded like me."
Roty buzzed nervously. "Btzz, btzz audio mimicry detected. Probability: 76% ghost-type interference."
Her heart thumped faster. "So we're not alone after all…I guess this is what it takes to master ghost types huh.."
The next twenty minutes were a blur of tricks. Roty's map glitched out, glowing arrows pointing her in circles. A fallen log she was sure she crossed moments ago appeared ahead of her again, except now, there were tiny footprints stamped into the mud beside it.
And then her backpack zipper slid open by itself. "Hey! Stop it!" she yelped, clutching it shut.
Something giggled in response.
A flash of yellow darted between the trees. Niyah caught a glimpse of a ragged cloth shape, its edges fluttering like torn paper. The shadow moved awkwardly, like a puppet being tugged by invisible strings.
"Wait— was that—?" Before she could finish, the forest lights dimmed. The translucent screen returned
[System Notification: 1 Hour 30 Minutes Warning, 30 Minutes Remain.]
Niyah swallowed hard. "Great timing, thanks for the reminder."
The mist thickened, curling around her ankles. From the fog emerged faint scratches on a nearby tree, crude, messy symbols that almost looked like smiley faces.
And then… one blinked.
Niyah gasped, stumbling back. The tree "face" tilted slightly, a fabric-covered figure peeking from behind it. Two hollow, dark eyes stared from beneath a jagged Pikachu disguise.
"…Mimikyu," Niyah whispered. "You've been messing with me this whole time, haven't you?"
The creature let out a soft, warbling sound, part giggle, part sigh, and tilted its head again, the fake Pikachu ears flopping crookedly. Then, in a blink, it vanished into the mist, leaving behind a small trail of glittering fairy dust and a single Poké Puff that hadn't been there before.
Niyah blinked at it. "A bribe? Or a trick?"
Roty beeped. "Btzz… probability: 50/50."
She groaned, picking it up carefully. "Okay, little ghost… if this is how you want to play, game on."
[System Notification: Quest Completed]
[Reward Unlocked: Psychic Ability Acquired]
A faint hum filled the air as light shimmered around Niyah. Her hair lifted slightly in an invisible breeze, and a tingling warmth spread through her fingertips.
"Whoa—what's happening? Roty, am I glowing right now?"
"Btzz, btzz, affirmative! Readings indicate elevated brainwave activity, congratulations, Niyah! You are now… mildly psychic!"
"Mildly? That doesn't sound as cool as I hoped," she said, but she couldn't stop grinning. She looked at a loose pebble near her boot and focused hard. The air shimmered—and the pebble rose shakily a few inches before wobbling back into place.
"Oh my Arceus… I actually moved it!"
"Btzz, btzz, user's telekinesis currently limited to small objects and light snacks. Try not to overexert yourself." Roxy gave a small warning.
"Perfect," Niyah said, still beaming. "That's all I need."
She exhaled and tried something else, closing her eyes and reaching out with her thoughts. The sounds of the forest grew sharper. She could feel the faint hum of nearby Pokémon minds like tiny ripples in water. Curious, sleepy, playful… one in particular, however, buzzed with mischief.
"Oh, I can hear you, little troublemaker," Niyah said softly, grinning. "No more hiding now."
[System Notification: New Quest Activated]
Objective: Catch the Mimikyu
Reward: 3 Fairy Gems + 3 Ghost Gems
Penalty: None
Time Limit: None
"Six gems in total, huh? That's a generous reward. Perfect for any future Pokémon I catch! And Mimikyu is the perfect Pokémon, I'm going to specialize in both Ghost and Fairy types anyway!"
She started walking again, following that playful energy signature she could now sense. Every few minutes, the forest seemed to test her, sticks floating on their own, giggling echoes, her hat being gently tugged off by unseen hands.
But Niyah wasn't afraid anymore.
She smirked. "You know, I'm starting to think you're enjoying this."
A whisper tickled her thoughts. 'Heehee… catch me if you can!'
Niyah's eyes widened. "You can talk to me too?!"
The presence giggled again and darted away. She followed through the fog until she found a clearing, where a crude ring of mushrooms glowed faintly pink and gold. In the center, Mimikyu sat swaying side to side, pretending not to notice her.
"Alright, little ghost, I've been running around for hours. You've had your fun."
Mimikyu tilted its fake Pikachu head and let out a tiny squeak, sounding almost innocent.
"Oh no," Niyah said, crossing her arms. "Don't 'pika' me. You think you're clever? I can play tricks too."
Mimikyu tilted again. Curious.
Niyah smirked, gotcha. She focused, whispering telepathically to Roty, 'Hey, let's give it a little show.'
"Btzz, btzz, initiating distraction protocol," Roty said, buzzing quietly and projecting a hologram of Niyah running the opposite direction.
The real Niyah crouched behind a tree, grinning as Mimikyu blinked and began to float curiously toward the fake hologram. The moment Mimikyu reached out to poke it, splat! Ahandful of harmless glowing dust (leftover from one of Mimikyu's own pranks) rained down from a branch above, right onto its cloth head.
"Gotcha!" Niyah shouted, jumping out from her hiding spot. "Caught you in your own trap!"
Startled, Mimikyu stumbled, letting out a squeaky little wail, but then it started laughing, a high-pitched, warbling sound that echoed like tiny bells.
Niyah laughed too, tears in her eyes. "Okay, okay, I win this time, that was too good."
Leaning down she rolled over one of the Luxury Balls, Mimikyu didn't even resist, it just tapped the ball playfully with its ragged paw, and the capture clicked in a single flash.
[System Notification: Mimikyu Caught!]
[Reward Claimed: 3 Fairy Gems + 3 Ghost Gems]
"Btzz, btzz, Niyah congratulations! Would you like to give the newly caught Mimikyu (Female) nickname?" Roty buzzed excitedly around her head.
"Yes I would, hmmm, how about Mimi? She won't evolve so I don't have to worry about the name not fitting." Niyah asked the floating Rotom Dex.
"Btzz, btzz, nickname selected, welcome to the team Mimi! Would Niyah like to look at Mimi's summary?" Roty buzzed.
"Sure, let's see it!" Niyah looked excitedly at Roty's screen.
[Pokémon Summary]
Name: Mimi
Gender: Female
Personality: Mischievous
Species: Mimikyu
Category: Disguise Pokémon
Type: Ghost/Fairy
Height: 0'5" (Average 0'08")
Weight: 1.3lbs (Average 1.5lbs)
Potential: Elite-Tier
Ability: Disguise (Disguise allows the bearer to avoid damage for one attack, in a similar way to Substitute)
Hidden Ability: Levitate (Raised Pokémon are not affected by Ground-type moves, Spikes, Toxic Spikes, and Arena Trap)
Moves: Astonish (Mastered), Shadow Sneak, Scratch, Wood Hammer, Double Team (Mastered), Thunder Wave, Draining Kiss (Mastered)
Level: 13
Training Plan:
Focus on disruption strategies to keep Disguise Ability in place.
Decrease rest time between Thunder Wave and the next attack.
Increase speed of retreating into Shadow Sneak for a dodge/attack combo.
Strengthen Astonish's flinch chance, work on combining into one move with Shadow Sneak.
Feed a diet of Salac Berries to increase speed and Ginsio Berries to increase evasion.
"Levitate, since when does Mimikyu have leviate?? Look at all those moves, at only level 13 too! I know I wasn't a Pokemon fanatic in my last life but I've never heard of these berries before. Also Elite-tier… what does that mean?" Niyah looked at the various items flashing across the screen in confusion.
"Why does Mimi have two abilities, I didn't think that was possible? And why is one of them levitate?" Niyah looked at a compete lost.
"Btzz, btzz, some Pokemon depending on potential, have the power to unblock a second ability in addition to their primary one." Roty then commented, "this particular Mimikyu seems to exhibited an interesting amount of spiritual energy, allowing her to continuously float.
Niyah hummed softly before asking, "Alright, I guess that makes sense." Then, "Roty, what does the Elite-tier mean?"
"Btzz, btzz, a Pokémon's potential represents the level of ease it can reach certain levels." Roty explained patiently.
"Could you give me a list of the tiers?" Niyah inquired.
"Btzz, btzz of course, loading…loading…loaded!" Roty exclaimed.
Pokémon Potential List
Levels
Infant: Egg - Level 4
Beginner: Levels 5 - 15
Standard: Levels 16 - 30
Advanced (Most don't Pass this Tier): Levels 31 - 40
Pseudo-Elite: Levels 41 - 50
Elite: Levels 51 - 60
Champion: Levels 61 - 70
Low-Tier Legendary: Levels 71 - 80
Mid-Tier Legendary: Levels 81 - 90
High-Tier Legendary: Levels 91 - 100
"Oh wow, and this little Mimikyu is Elite-Tier? That's kinda hard to believe…" Niyah doubtfully said.
"Btzz, btzz, size has very little to do with potential. A Pokémon's innate talent is wha decides how easily one can grow." Roty chided calmly.
"Okay then," Niyah hummed, holding the Luxury Ball to her chest, smiling warmly. "Welcome to the team, you little menace."
A soft voice brushed her thoughts again. 'Hee… partner in crime?'
"You bet."
—
As night settled over the Slumbering Weald, Niyah built a small campfire beneath a massive oak. Mimikyu floated beside her, swaying gently as it toasted a berry over the flames with a stick almost as big as it was. Roty hovered overhead, recording their first night as a team.
Niyah stretched, gazing up at the stars twinkling through the mist. "You know, Mimi, we're gonna pull the best pranks together. No one will escape."
Mimikyu's cloth head tilted, and a faint glow shimmered beneath it like a shy smile.
"Goodnight, partner," Niyah whispered.
The forest was quiet again—but this time, it felt friendly.