Arin suddenly woke up, his chest tight and heart racing, as if he'd just come up for air after being underwater. He squinted at the bright light seeping through a crack in the grimy alley wall. A mix of confusion and fear gripped him. He realized this place was unfamiliar, not his own world.
He slowly sat up, feeling disoriented. Beneath him lay rough concrete scattered with garbage and a faint smell of decay. Far-off voices echoed through the alleys, mixed with the clatter of a cart and the familiar call of a Pokémon above. It couldn't be real, he thought.
He glanced at his hands, noticing they were smaller and thinner than before. His clothes were worn and strange to him. He checked himself and found only a worn pendant hanging from a cord around his neck. The pendant was strangely warm, though he couldn't recall its origin.
His thoughts raced: had he somehow transmigrated? Though the word was unfamiliar, everything seemed to confirm it. He attempted to recall his death, but only vague flashes of light and pain came to mind. Frustration grew as he searched the empty corners of his memory.
Yet excitement soon rose within him; he was truly in the Pokémon world! He smiled, half-expecting some kind of system interface to appear. He whispered 'System!' but was met with silence. He called out commands like 'Status!', 'Inventory!', 'Menu!', even 'Pokédex!' and 'Cheat code!' but nothing responded. His initial hope faded into disappointment; no chosen one here. He sighed and stood up, realizing this world might not be like a game after all.
Hoping for some luck, he approached a small group of Pidgey feeding near a dumpster. His heart raced as he moved closer, hoping for a better outcome.
He whispered softly, reaching out a trembling hand. The closest Pidgey eyed him suspiciously before pecking his hand sharply. He cried out and pulled back as the birds flew off in protest.
Suddenly, golden text appeared before his eyes, visible only to him:
| Pidgey ♀ |
| Type: Normal/Flying |
| Ability: Keen Eye |
| Level: 7 |
| IV Total: 52 |
| Moves: Tackle, Sand Attack |
| Optimal Diet: Oran Berries, Sunflower Seeds |
He stood frozen, eyes fixed on the glowing data that no one else could see. The information faded as the Pidgey flew away.
His heart raced. So, no system or menus, but he could see data when focusing on Pokémon. It wasn't a cheat, but a subtle advantage in a harsh world.
He felt cold, hungry, and completely alone.
He stood unsteadily, clutching his worn shirt. The world seemed strange yet familiar; Fuchsia City. He recognized the skyline but saw the slums, not the city's bright side.
His stomach ached sharply, reminding him of his weakness. He searched his pockets, finding only lint and the worn pendant. The pendant was warm, though its origin was a mystery. He held it tightly, seeking comfort in the unknown.
He moved through the streets, avoiding wary looks and wild Rattata. People hurried past, eyes downcast and faces tense. Some walked with Pokémon-a scruffy Growlithe nuzzling its owner, a Meowth curled near a child's feet, a Machop with a bandaged arm following closely. Despite the harshness, Arin saw a quiet bond between trainers and their Pokémon, sharing what little they had. But to strangers like him, there were no smiles or help, only wary glances and quick steps.
He attempted to talk to a woman selling corn, but she shook her head and clutched her purse tighter. A boy with a worn cap and a Pidgey on his shoulder looked at him curiously, but fled when Arin smiled.
His hunger worsened. He searched the alleys and found a half-eaten roll in a trash bin behind a noodle shop. He ate it greedily, ignoring the moldy taste, each bite a reminder of his fall.
As he ate, bitter thoughts filled his mind. This world was nothing like the Pokémon world he knew from stories. No kind Nurse Joys, no welcoming Professors, no endless healing items-just hunger and struggle. Here, hunger was constant and the streets smelled of despair. Pokémon were not just friends but lifelines, partners in hardship, sometimes the only family. This city was no adventure; it was a maze of hardship, where trust and kindness were scarce.
He stopped by a cracked window, watching a family laugh as their Clefairy danced in the fading light. For a moment, longing struck him. Had he ever known such warmth? His memories were fragmented-flashes of another life, screens, and falling.
As the sun set, shadows grew long and the slums became more perilous. He saw teenagers corner a small boy, demanding his few coins. Arin kept low, slipping away unnoticed. The streets quieted, the air thickened. A distant siren wailed, joined by a Herdier's angry bark.
Needing shelter, he wandered until he found an abandoned laundromat. Its windows were broken, the sign faded, but the door gave way with a push. Inside, dust floated in the dim light. Rusted machines stood silent, their doors agape like open mouths.
He moved quietly, finding a rickety ladder to a cramped attic in the back. The attic was small, barely enough to lie down, but dry and concealed. He blocked the hatch with a broken chair and curled up, shivering but safe for the night.
He gazed at the city lights through a broken window, distant sirens and wild Pokémon sounds filling the night. He tried to recall how he came to be here, but his memories were hazy. He remembered another world, where he was older, sharper, surrounded by screens and codes, not hunger and cold.
He touched the pendant, feeling its warmth seep into his skin. It was the only tangible thing, a lifeline to a past he couldn't fully remember. He wondered if it held value, if he could trade it for food or shelter. But something inside resisted. It was his, and he would hold onto it.
The night stretched long. Arin slept fitfully, waking at every noise-a crash, Rattata scurrying, a Hoothoot's mournful call. He counted minutes, wishing for dawn.
At one point, footsteps echoed below. He held his breath as the door rattled. After tense moments, the footsteps faded. He exhaled, relief and exhaustion mingling.
He thought of the wary faces he'd seen, the quiet bonds between trainers and Pokémon. He wondered if he'd ever belong or remain an outsider forever.
As dawn broke through the window cracks, Arin silently vowed. He would survive and adapt. This world was harsh, but he had faced worse. He closed his eyes, clutching the pendant, dreaming of a better tomorrow.
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