Allen stared at the Poké Ball in his hand, the red-and-white capsule that had just clicked shut
He blinked.
"Did I just... catch her?"
[Achievement Unlocked: First Capture.]
Well, that answered that.
"Snap!" A sudden burst of light popped the Poké Ball open again, and Blazeblade emerged, flames crackling softly along her armored shoulders.
[My lord, allow me to remain at your side. I can protect you more effectively this way. If needed, I can even merge with your shadow.]
Her voice rang clearly in his mind again, calm and unwavering.
Allen scratched his head. It wasn't that he disliked her enthusiasm, but he couldn't shake the feeling that he was being... managed.
[Also, I've found something interesting,] Blazeblade added, changing topics before Allen could respond. [A Pokémon that survived the recent battle.]
"Interesting?" Allen raised an eyebrow, then followed her gaze to a nearby tree.
There, half-buried in the roots, clinging tightly with its stubby limbs, was a Pokémon shaped like a pinecone. Its green shell was cracked in places. Its eyes were wide and slightly crossed. Somehow, it looked both cartoonish and solemn at the same time.
Blazeblade continued, [Most of the surrounding wild Pokémon fled or were knocked unconscious by the shockwaves. But this one clung on. Its body is weak, but its spirit remains.]
[It intrigued me.]
Allen's gaze sharpened as he focused on the data hovering next to the creature.
Pineco
Level: 28
Gender: Male
And the moment he thought of it, his brain filled in the potential moves: Spikes. Stealth Rock. Toxic Spikes. Explosion. Volt Switch…
Allen's eyes gleamed.
"I'm definitely interested."
With a utility movepool like that, Pineco could become a tactical cornerstone. And conveniently, his most recent achievement had rewarded him with five extra Poké Balls and a standard trainer belt.
He plucked one of the Poké Balls from the new slot and approached cautiously.
"Hey there, little guy. Interested in joining up with me? I can offer food, a safe place to rest, maybe even help you meet a nice female—maybe a Butterfree?"
From a distance, Pineco's eye twitched.
What?
He'd been minding his own business, just hanging from a tree and sipping sap, when a battle unlike anything he'd seen tore through the forest. He'd barely held on. The Fearow that used to rule the area got taken out, just like that.
And now, a human and a flaming knight were walking toward him? Talking about... matchmaking?
What kind of human just walks up and offers free housing and a girlfriend?
Pineco began to shake nervously. Was this some kind of scam? He was small, squishy, and had a natural inclination to explode when startled. Normally, that would be enough to keep trouble away.
But they were still coming.
He considered detonating. That was always an option. But the other Pokémon hadn't managed to dent the knight at all. She'd blocked everything. He'd just end up unconscious, then what?
Captured anyway.
And now the human was crouching in front of him.
"You understand me, don't you?" Allen asked. "You stopped glowing like you were about to blow up. That means you're listening."
Pineco didn't respond, but he didn't explode either.
"That's good. Look, you've seen what Blazeblade can do. You know we're strong. But I'm not here to hurt you. I'm offering a partnership."
Still no explosion.
Allen took a breath and pulled a Potion from his bag—the basic spray medicine he'd earned earlier—and misted it gently toward Pineco.
The healing particles sparkled across the Pokémon's cracked shell. Slowly, the damage faded. The deep cracks in its plating began to mend. Pineco blinked in confusion.
He was healing. It was real.
"There," Allen said. "Now, how about a fair fight? I'll prove I'm worthy. Or, if you're convinced already, you can just hop in the Poké Ball and come with us."
Pineco hesitated. Blazeblade stepped forward, her blue flames burning brighter.
The pinecone shivered.
There was no point in fighting. If this human wanted him gone, he would've been gone already.
Maybe... maybe this wasn't so bad?
The idea of free food and shelter wasn't a lie. And if they were really strong enough to beat Fearow...
Maybe they could protect him too.
[My lord, Pineco said he's willing to join you,] Blazeblade reported calmly.
Allen blinked. "Really? That worked?"
He gently tapped the Poké Ball on Pineco's body. The light absorbed the Pokémon in a flash, and the ball trembled once, twice—
Ding.
Caught.
Allen stared at the Poké Ball for a moment before a grin stretched across his face.
He'd just caught his first wild Pokémon.
Pineco
Gender: Male
Level: 28
Type: Bug
Nature: Relaxed
Ability: Sturdy
IVs: HP, Attack, Defense – Excellent
Held Item: None
Moves: Self-Destruct, Spikes, Toxic Spikes, Protect, Bug Bite, Stealth Rock, Rapid Spin, Double-Edge, Endure, Natural Gift
An incredible toolkit. It would allow for flexible defense and stall strategies. Pineco wasn't flashy, but its utility could shift the tide of any tough battle.
[Honestly, I'm impressed,] the god chimed in. [Most new Trainers would chase after something like Pidgeot or Talonflame. You picked a utility wall.]
[What am I supposed to do with a bird that learns a decent move only after level 38?] Allen muttered.
Pidgeot might've looked majestic, but its early moveset was a joke. Gust. Whirlwind. Feather Dance. Twister. Not exactly inspiring. Not compared to a Pokémon that could set up hazards and take hits.
He'd pick practicality over flair any day.
[Besides, I know Pineco has potential. With enough training, maybe even an Everstone for stability, he'll be unstoppable.]
[Now you're just flattering him.]
Allen chuckled.
"So," he said aloud, clipping Pineco's Poké Ball to his new belt. "That makes two."
[By the way, remember what I said earlier? There's someone up ahead who could use your help.]
"Yeah, yeah. The girl you mentioned."
[Exactly. She's nearby. You could walk away... but there is a reward.]
Allen paused.
"...Details?"
[You'll see.]
Allen rolled his eyes.
But already, his steps were lighter. He had a team now—two Pokémon at his side.
This journey was just beginning.
***
Advance chapters on patreon.com/IzzyTL