The Arbok Gang dealt with trafficking Pokemon. Their storage room was full of caged Pokémon, captives waiting to be sold. Some were in Pokeballs, others were simply locked in a cage.
But now the League was raiding the base, and every gang member was running for their life. No one cared about the Pokémon anymore.
It was a stupid risk. But Eric had no choice.
For an orphan like him, getting a Pokémon wasn't like the anime. Starter Pokémon? Only for the well-connected.
For a working-class family, a basic Pokémon was a serious expense. Let alone the cost of training one.
Most households that owned a Pokémon used it for chores or labor, not battle. If a middle-income civilian with real talent decided to become a trainer, they might, at most reach intermediate level.
Going higher required either absurd luck or fated encounters. Money mattered even more here than it ever did on Earth. No matter how talented, reaching for the top without resources or connections felt impossible.
Eric could not accept that. Not after getting a second chance. He knew the value of personal strength. He'd spent too long scraping by at the bottom, powerless and hungry.
To live peacefully, to live the way he wanted, he needed power. The kind that protected him and his interests. So what if it's risky? You can't gain anything without risk in this world.
Fueled by anger and adrenaline, Eric moved through the ruined hallways of the gang's base The place was a wreck. Destroyed walls, debris, scorch marks, but most importantly, it was deserted!
Eric knew where the captured Pokémon were held. He also knew that the League Police is also interested in them. They will probably take these Pokemons to test for their talent and keep the ones with high potential. So Eric has to act faster than them if he wanted to grab one.
On his way to the storage room, he found a room with a broken door. It was one of the gang member's rooms.
Eric quickly went inside to see if he could grab anything useful. In the end, he found 5 Pokeball, some potions, antitodes, and a bit of cash! There was even a bag laying around so he stuffed everything in it and left the room.
Now all he needed was a Pokémon.
But he was too late.
He could hear voices from the corridor ahead. They were coming from near the storage room. The League Police had beaten him there.
"Hope there's at least something usable in this bunch," one said.
He then paused and looked at Growlithe.
"Huh? What's wrong, Growlithe? Is there someone nearby?"
"That's not important now. We've met our objective. Grab the Pokémon first. If they're still there after, we'll chase."
Eric's jaw tightened. Damn it.
He turned and slipped back the way he came. Trying to steal from under their noses was suicide. But now he had to escape the base entirely, and outside lay nothing but a dark, sprawling forest. Without a Pokemon… chances of survival were slim.
He didn't trust the police to hear his situation. Life has taught him never to place your trust in humans.
He made for the exit anyway, feeling a bit of despair in his chest. Why was his luck so terrible? He had transmigrated, supposedly a second chance, only to land in the same miserable situation. The same powerlessness. Same unfair world.
As Eric went on and on in his head, cursing everything he could think of, he was suddenly startled as a shadow emerged from the wall in front of him.
"What the-"
Eric barely stopped himself from shouting loud in shock.
A black sphere wreathed in thick purple haze emerged from the wall.
Gastly!
As he looked at the Pokemon in front of him, a blue screen suddenly appeared in his vision, but he couldn't afford to focus on that now as he Gastly was looking at him with intense fury in his eyes.
It was so intense that Eric could feel the fury in his bones. And yet there was a familiarity to it. It was the same kind of fury that burned within Eric.
"Gastly, wait!"
Gastly didn't listen as he moved to attack Eric immediately. Eric ducked down in time, barely dodging the attack.
"Gastly! I can feel your fury. I know you hate humans. But you should be able to feel mine too. Just listen to what I have to say. Then you can kill me if you still want to."
He barely got the words out, dodging a second strike. He had no idea if Gastly could understand him or sense emotions, like in the anime. But this was his only play. If it failed, he died.
Thankfully, Gastly stopped and moved closer to him, it's eyes still furious but not attacking for now, just staring intently at Eric. Pokemon were far more perceptive about emotions than humans, and it too could feel a similar fury inside Eric.
Eric met its gaze. "I'm not with this gang. They captured me. Tortured me. Made me a slave. And from the fury I feel from you… they did the same to you."
Gastly's form flickered.
I'm furious, Gastly. I hate these humans as much as you do. Hell, I hate most humans. But what I hate most is my own weakness. These thugs are nobodies… and I still couldn't fight back."
Gastly listened intently. Eric's anger resonated with hin. He too despised his own weakness. He had been caged for days, trapped in a prison he couldn't phase out of, like he usually could. A repulsive energy was preventing him.
"You feel it too right? I want to get stronger Gastly. Strong enough to never feel these emotions. I know you do too. But we can't do this alone. Trainer and Pokémon, only when these 2 work together as partners can they achieve their true potential."
He pulled out a Pokeball and held it in front of Gastly.
"So tell me, Gastly. Will you be my Pokémon, no, my partner, and reach for the top alongside me?"
"Gas"
Gastly stared at the Pokéball. And then at Eric. He didn't trust humans. But his feelings resonated with Eric's. He felt like he could trust this one.
He decided and touched the Pokeball.
It spun around and then clicked.
Gastly was successfully captured.
Eric released Gastly immediately.
'Whatever. I'll chalk this up to Pokemon Magic'.
"Thanks for trusting me, Gastly. I won't let you down. But first, we need to make an escape. Let's head to the forest nearby. It'll be dangerous, but I'm not scared. Are you?"
"Gas!" Gastly made a motion that clearly said he wasn't scared.
"Alright then. Let's move."