Where… am I?
A young boy, around five years old, slowly opened his eyes. Sunlight filtered into a small, neat bedroom decorated with a wooden study table, shelves lined with toys, and bright posters of Pokémon plastered on the walls.
Right… this is my room.
I blink a few times, trying to gather my thoughts. I remember now… I'm Ryan. I hit my head yesterday, nothing serious, but enough to leave a bandage wrapped neatly around my forehead. My hand rose to touch it.
But… why can I remember everything from my past life too? The same name… the same me.
And then the embarrassing memory returned clearly: I died because of a stupid challenge. Watching every Pokémon episode, over 1,200 of them, without sleeping.
I groaned quietly. Who even tries that?
Well, that was the past. He looked down at his small hands.
Even after living in this body for years… they still felt tiny, unfamiliar.
Just then, the door opened.
A woman in her early thirties stepped in, his mother, wearing a housewife's dress and an apron. Her warm green eyes softened, and her long, slightly wavy blonde hair was tied up in a loose ponytail that bounced with every step.
"Ryan, you're awake, baby." She walked over and gently rubbed his head. "Please be careful next time."
"I will, Mom," I answered with a small nod.
"That's my boy. Now, do you want breakfast here or will you come downstairs?"
"I'll come down."
---
Breakfast
When Ryan went downstairs, he saw his father at the table already eating.
His father was a construction worker, broad-shouldered, tanned skin, always smiling. His short dark-brown hair and deep gray eyes had that usual mix of exhaustion and pride.
Beside him sat his partner Pokémon: a Machop, muscles gleaming proudly under the light.
Seeing Ryan, his father's smile widened.
"So, Ryan… how are you feeling today?"
Ryan looked at him, a small spark in his chest.
"I'm good," he said quietly, but there was excitement hiding behind his voice. "Really good."
Machop waved. "Chop! Ma-chop!"
Meanwhile, his mother was preparing food with her own Pokémon, a gentle Butterfree fluttering near the counter, its wings glowing softly as it circled the kitchen.
"Butterfree~! Freee, freee!" it chimed happily, sprinkling a light calming powder into the air that made the room feel warm and peaceful.
Ryan's heart fluttered with happiness. I love Pokémon. Seeing them in real life still feels like a dream.
He stepped closer and touched Machop's arm. "Wow… you're so muscular…"
Machop puffed out its chest proudly.
"Alright, young man," his mother said before he could poke Butterfree next. "Play with them later. First, eat."
Ryan nodded quickly.
Breakfast was simple: warm soft bread, a bowl of curry, and a plate of berry slices, food arranged neatly, colorful and fragrant. Butterfree helped by carrying bowls with its psychic-like powder grip, humming softly.
After eating, his mother called out, "Get ready for school!"
Oh, right. School.
My memory finally slapped me awake. I actually go to school here… It's not just about Pokémon; they teach normal subjects too until we turn ten and choose our path.
I sighed. School life… never changes. Even in my past life, college was supposed to be "freedom" but all I got was assignments, professors demanding 75% attendance and exam stress.
But Pokémon world schools?
They're actually fun. Plenty of free time. We can even interact with Pokémon.
Motivated, Ryan hurried upstairs and got ready.
In the mirror stood a small boy in a neat school uniform: shorts, shirt tucked in, a tiny tie, clean shoes and socks. His hair was messy but cute, a soft brown that never stayed in place no matter how much he combed it.
His green eyes stared back at him, bright, curious and full of a world he was ready to explore.
Although my parents don't know it yet… I already decided. I'm becoming a Pokémon Trainer.
I'll travel everywhere: across forests, over mountains, through cities I've never even heard of.
This world has so many places to explore and mysteries to discover.
And the best thing is, there are no mosquitoes, no annoying insects… just Pokémon.
Big, cute, amazing Pokémon. And I want to see all of them with my own eyes.
"Ryan, let's go!" his mother called.
"Yes, Mom!"
He grabbed his backpack and ran downstairs.
---
School Life
Days passed peacefully.
His class teacher was Miss Yoshinaga, a beautiful woman with long purple hair tied neatly and gentle glasses sitting on her nose. Her partner Pokémon was a fluffy, elegant Eevee that melted everyone's hearts.
Normally after school, Ryan played with his friends at the park.
Being a kid again… it was strangely fun. No pressure, no expectations. He could run around and win games easily thanks to his older mind.
But today, he didn't join them.
He wanted to explore the city.
Viridian City… Team Rocket has bases. Scary, but Giovanni wouldn't hurt a little kid, right? Surely not…
He walked around, found the grand Viridian Gym, it stood tall and proud.
You needed seven badges just to challenge it.
Tough. So many trainers never get past two or three badges.
But the days flowed by, and curiosity kept growing inside him.
---
The Abandoned Warehouse
Today, near the southern outskirts, closer to the Veridian Forest, he approached an old abandoned warehouse. It had once been active, but was eventually shut down because of the nearby forest and the constant wild Pokémon attacks.
A new warehouse had already been built on the north side, closer to Pallet Town, where the forests were peaceful and calm.
Ryan walked carefully.
Suddenly, footsteps.
Instinctively, he hid behind a stack of broken crates.
"We need to transport those eggs fast to Vermilion City," one man whispered.
"I heard they're being sent to some island. Don't know which," another replied. "Let's finish the work."
Eggs? Ryan felt a chill.
The men opened the warehouse. Inside were dozens of Pokémon eggs stacked in crates.
His small heart pounded. Team Rocket? Or some other criminals? He couldn't tell, he only heard their voices.
Thinking quickly, he looked around.
What can I do…?
Then he spotted a small hole in the wall. Without making a sound, he quietly crawled inside.
As they carried the eggs out to load them into a truck, Ryan made a decision: reckless, stupid, but heroic.
I can't save all of them… but I can save some.
When both men turned away, Ryan dashed forward, grabbed two random eggs, big, warm, and surprisingly heavy and bolted back toward the hole.
He squeezed out and ran.
Ran like his life depended on it.
---
Home
By the time he reached home, forty minutes of nonstop running, he was drenched in sweat, breathing hard. He had taken long back-routes to avoid people.
"Ryan? You're back early today?" his mother called from the kitchen as she heard the door open.
But Ryan didn't answer.
He rushed straight past the hallway, feet thudding softly against the stairs and headed straight for his room.
His mother stepped out from the kitchen, wiping her hands on her apron, a small frown forming on her face.
"What happened to him?"
He had been acting strangely these past few days, wandering around the city, coming home late.
She told herself she had to talk to him soon… and maybe give him a good scolding before he got himself into trouble.
Inside, he gently placed the two large eggs on his bed, then hurriedly pulled two pillows around them, building a soft little nest so they wouldn't roll or get hurt.
He stared at them, chest rising and falling rapidly.
"I… I couldn't save them all," he whispered, his eyes growing wet. "But at least… I saved you two."
He touched them gently.
"Don't worry… you're safe now."
Only then did his tiny body finally give out.
He collapsed on the bed beside them, breathing softly, exhaustion swallowing him whole.