The world changed at 3:02 PM on a Tuesday. The change was fast and silent, coming as a blinding wash of deep green light.
Red was sitting on his bed, still as a statue, when the light hit. It pressed on him, making his ears pop. When the green light went away, everything was wrong.
The street seven floors down was gone. Instead, there were sharp, purple-colored rocks and strange, thick green moss. The air smelled of metal and wet earth. The worst part was the sounds: loud, animal roars and the hungry clicking of unknown creatures.
Red didn't panic. He was known for his cold focus. He looked at the chaos and waited.
A massive, glowing blue screen appeared right in front of him.
[SYSTEM ALERT: WELCOME TO THE NEW EARTH]
The Great Transition is complete.
Important Rules for Survival:
Universal Money: Gold (G). You are granted 1,000 G.
Trainer ID Issued: This card is your proof of status.
Survival Stage I: The Learning Curve. Wild Pokémon of Level 1-20 will appear.
Wild Pokémon Danger: EXTREME (85% Hostility). Treat all encounters as a fight for life.
[STARTER POKÉMON SELECTION] is now ready.
Initial Inventory: 6 Poké Balls (Basic Grade).
— Good luck.
Red read the text twice. A tutorial stage was good. Level 1-20 enemies meant he could learn the rules without instantly dying. But 85% hostility meant there was no time to relax.
The screen changed, showing three spinning lights.
Pick Your Starter Pokémon:
[Bulbasaur] - Grass/Poison Type (Support/Plant)
[Charmander] - Fire Type (Attacker/Heat)
[Squirtle] - Water Type (Defender/Shell)
Red knew his choice. Fire was power. Fire meant fast wins and less damage taken in the long run. He focused his eyes on the bright orange sphere.
[Starter Pokémon Acquired: Charmander (Level 5)]
The Fire-type appeared on the floor in a flash of light. It looked small and confused, shaking its head. The flame on its tail was small and weak. It looked up at Red, waiting for a sound or a word.
Red never spoke. He just locked his gaze onto the lizard and gave a quick, firm nod. Then, he pointed down the hall toward the apartment door. Your job is to be my weapon. Are you ready?
Charmander's eyes met Red's. The small flame on its tail instantly tripled in size. It turned and stood ready between Red and the door. It understood the unspoken order.
Another system screen popped up, floating near Charmander.
[Charmander - Status Window]
Name: Charmander
Level: 5
Type: Fire
Nature: Jolly (Raises Speed, Lowers Special Attack)
Ability: Blaze (Fire moves are stronger when HP is low)
Current Moves: Scratch, Growl, Ember
Jolly, Red noted internally. Fast and aggressive. Perfect for quick strikes.
Red checked his own wrist. The black band was there, showing his floating card.
[Trainer Card - ID: RK4578]
Name: Red
Rank: Unranked
Gold: 1,000 G
He grabbed the six Poké Balls. It was time to move.
He opened his apartment door silently. The hallway was dark, and the weird metallic smell was stronger.
Suddenly, a loud, angry voice broke the silence from the apartment across the hall.
"It won't listen! Get out there and attack, you useless weed!"
Todd, Red's loud neighbor, was trying to force a small, green creature out his door. It was a Bulbasaur, and it was shaking.
[Pokémon Spotted: Bulbasaur (Level 5)]
Nature: Timid (Raises Speed, Lowers Attack)
Red instantly knew why Todd was failing. Timid Nature. It doesn't want to fight. Todd's yelling only makes it worse.
From the end of the hall, a creature crawled out of the wreckage. It was large, round, and covered in bristly blue hair, with a single, glowing red eye. It was furious.
Wild Pokémon Spotted!
Species: Venonat (Level 4)
Hostility: EXTREME
Type:bug/posion
The Venonat immediately spotted the easiest target: the loud, panicking man. It lunged at Todd.
Todd shrieked. "Bulbasaur! Tackle!"
The Timid Bulbasaur flinched and ducked behind Todd's leg.
Red did not wait. The second the wild Venonat took its attention off the door, Red made a single, sharp chopping motion with his hand toward the Venonat.
Charmander didn't need to be told the move name. It saw the threat, took a breath, and launched a small jet of fire.
[Charmander used EMBER!]
The Venonat stopped its charge and cried out as the fire hit its furry body.
[EMBER struck Venonat!]
[Result: SUPER EFFECTIVE!]
[Damage Dealt: 18% HP]
Red instantly brought his fist forward and closed it slowly. Again. Do not let it move.
Charmander obeyed, launching another Ember. This one was hotter and more focused, aiming at the creature's single eye.
[Charmander used EMBER!]
[Result: Venonat is now Burnt!]
The creature screamed, thrashing on the floor, the burn effect slowly eating away its health.
Todd, safe but furious, stared at Red. "Wait, you attacked! That Gold is mine! You can't just steal my—"
Red pointed two fingers at his Charmander, then swept his hand in a hard, short circle. Full power. End the threat.
Charmander knew the order. It gathered fire, and a decisive, powerful blast of flame hit the Venonat's chest.
[Charmander used EMBER! (CRITICAL HIT!)]
The Venonat collapsed into a puff of dark ash.
[Wild Venonat has Fainted!]
[Charmander Gained 28 EXP.]
[You Gained: 65 Gold]
Red didn't look at Todd. He gave Charmander a quick glance, a silent confirmation of a job well done. Charmander stood taller, tail flame huge and confident.
Red then pointed his index finger at Todd and angled it sharply downward. Go inside. Stay quiet.
Todd was boiling with rage, but one look at Red's unmoving face and the smoking ground where the Venonat had been was enough. He was no match. He slammed his door shut and just so our future champion reigned victorious in his first battle.