Andrew walked slowly, trying to absorb everything. The cobblestones beneath his feet felt real. The breeze carried the scent of fresh pastries and motor oil—a uniquely Lumiose combination. His hands trembled slightly as he gripped the strap of his bag.
This is actually happening. I'm really here.
"Excusez-moi! Watch out!"
Andrew stumbled backward as a girl whizzed past, her strawberry blonde hair streaming behind her. She carved a sharp turn, skidding to a stop a few feet away.
"Sorry about that!" She grinned, not looking particularly sorry. Her wine-red crop top and brown denim jacket gave her a casual, adventurous look. White shorts and black sneakers with bright red laces completed the outfit. "You look new here. First time in Lumiose?"
"Uh…" Andrew's brain short circuited . "Yeah. Just arrived, actually."
"Thought so! You've got that 'overwhelmed tourist' look." She skated closer, circling him once. "I'm Taurine. Local guide, Pokémon enthusiast, and professional busy-body. Where you headed?"
"I… don't actually know yet?" Andrew admitted. It was true enough. He knew the game's opening, but standing here, talking to a real person, everything felt different.
Taurine laughed. "Classic. Well, lucky for you, I know this city like the back of my—"
A blur of black and white shot between them.
"Hey!" Taurine shouted.
He spun around to see a Pancham scampering away, his pack clutched in its small arms, a mischievous leaf bobbing in its mouth.
"You gotta be kidding me?!" Andrew took off running.
"Wait up!" Taurine rolled after him, easily keeping pace. "That Pancham's been causing trouble all week! Its trainer lives near the old construction district!"
They chased the Pancham through winding streets, past startled pedestrians and confused Pokémon. The little Fighting-type was surprisingly fast, ducking under café tables and vaulting over low walls. Andrew's lungs burned—he was definitely not in video game shape—but adrenaline pushed him forward.
The Pancham darted into an alley leading to a half-renovated plaza. Construction equipment sat dormant, and makeshift training areas had been set up among the scaffolding.
A young trainer stood there, arms crossed, a smirk on his face. He wore typical street battler gear—worn jeans, a graphic tee, a bandana. "Pancham, nice haul! What'd you get this time?"
"HEY THATS MY BAG!" Then Andrew wheezed, doubled over.
Taurine skated up beside him, hands on her hips. "Marc, seriously? You're still pulling this theft training nonsense?"
Marc shrugged. "Hey, if people can't keep track of their stuff, that's on them. Besides—" He tossed a Pokéball up and caught it. "—they usually learn something from the battle to get it back."
"Battle?" Andrew straightened, his exhaustion forgotten.
"Yeah, new guy. You want your bag? Beat me in a match." Marc's grin widened. "Unless you don't have any Pokémon? Then I guess you're out of luck."
Andrew's jaw clenched. The frustration, the confusion, the sheer wrongness of being pulled into another world. it all crystallized into determination.
"Actually," Taurine said, reaching into her own pack, "I can help with that." She pulled out three Pokéballs, each marked with a colored stripe. "
." She looked at Andrew. "If you're serious about this) about being you'll need a partner."
Andrew's heart hammered. This is it. This is the moment.
Taurine released the three Pokémon in quick succession: a Chikorita, its leaf twitching curiously; a Totodile, snapping its jaws excitedly; and
A Tepig.
Small, round, with bright eyes and little embers flickering from its snout. The Fire-type looked around at the other two, then its gaze locked onto Andrew.
Time slowed
The Tepig's eyes widened. It squealed
, but with recognition—and charged forward, circling Andrew's legs enthusiastically, snorting little puffs of smoke.
"Whoa," Taurine said. "Tepig's usually pretty reserved with new people…"
Andrew knelt down, his hand trembling as he reached out. The Tepig pressed its warm snout into his palm, and something clicked into place. Like finding a piece of yourself you didn't know was missing.
"Yuto," Andrew whispered.
The Tepig's response was immediate—a joyful squeal, flames dancing from its nostrils.
"That settles it, I guess," Taurine said, smiling. "Looks like Tepig chose you."
Andrew stood,
Yutoat his side. He looked at Marc. "Alright. You want a battle? Let's go."
Marc raised an eyebrow. "Confident for someone who just got their starter. Go, Pancham!"
The thieving Pancham hopped forward, dropping Andrew's bag and taking a fighting stance.
"This'll be quick," Marc said. "Pancham, Arm Thrust!"
"Yuto, dodge left and use Tackle!" Andrew called.
The words came naturally, muscle memory from hundreds of battles. But this time, his partner was real. Yuto moved in perfect sync with Andrew's command, sidestepping Pancham's rapid strikes with surprising agility for such a small Pokémon, then slamming into its opponent with determination.
Pancham stumbled back.
"What the—" Marc's confidence flickered. "Pancham, Circle Throw!"
"Ember, quick burst!"
Yuto launched a spray of embers at close range. Pancham yelped, its Circle Throw disrupted as it batted at the sparks clinging to its fur.
"Now, Tackle again!"
Yuto charged, hitting Pancham square in the chest. The Fighting-type tumbled backward and didn't get up.
Silence.
Marc recalled his Pancham, staring at Andrew with new respect. "Okay… that was not what I expected. You battle like you've been doing this for years."
Taurine was watching Andrew with open curiosity. "The synchronization between you two… I've seen experienced trainers with less coordination." She tilted her head. "How long have you been training Pokémon?"
Andrew looked down at Yuto, who gazed back up at him with complete trust. His throat tightened.
It's complicated
The Tepig snorted happily, and Andrew couldn't help but smile.
Taurine studied him for a moment longer, then shrugged. "Well, whatever your story is, you've clearly got potential." She gestured at the construction plaza. "Welcome to Lumiose City, Andrew. Things are about to get interesting."
Marc tossed Andrew's bag back to him. "Fair's fair. You earned it." He paused. "You should sign up for the ZA Royale. With skills like that, you could make some waves."
Andrew shouldered his bag, Yuto standing proudly at his feet. The Rotom Phone buzzed in his pocket—probably tutorial prompts, quest notifications, the game mechanics coming to life around him.
Protect Lumiose and all Pokémon.
He looked at Taurine, at the sprawling city beyond, at his partner who'd found him across worlds.
"Yeah," Andrew said softly. "Let's see where this goes."