I'm on a five-week streak! I wonder what this will do for the numbers. Thank you for reading so far!

Daniel stared at the blinking light, still in disbelief that after over three months he may finally be rescued. He jumped up, rousing Lazuli who had been snoozing in his lap.

"Come on Lazuli, this might be our ticket off this island!"

As they raced to the signal pyre, Daniel fished the primitive pokeball containing the Salamence out of his pocket. He stared at it somberly. Despite its hatred and violence, he couldn't bring himself to abandon it here. With a sigh, he pocketed the pokeball once more, finding the other tumblestone still in his shorts. After rekindling the fire, a difficult task due to the previous rain, Daniel scanned the horizon. He could just make out a small boat with large nets bobbing through the moonlit waves. As it drew near, he saw there was just a single figure lit against the cabin light. The boat glided to a stop offshore and a streak of light formed a Gyarados in the water. Daniel tensed for a moment, inadvertently stirring his aura. He concentrated on the fierce-looking false dragon and sensed no hostility from it. An old man wearing poofy pants, a white tank top, and a sharp captain's cap rode on its back to the shore.

"My stars, lad! What in blazes are ye doing out here?" He asked in a thick accent.

Daniel realized that he couldn't actually answer that question. He didn't know what he was doing out here or how he got here. But he gave a reasonable answer to the old man.

"I was shipwrecked months ago. Please, can you take me and my Pokemon away from here?" Daniel pleaded.

The fisherman scratched his bearded chin thoughtfully. "Aye, I suppose I can. Climb aboard!"

Daniel climbed on the Gyarados' back, surprised at how hard it was. It reminded him of wet, polished hardwood. Lazuli Craned her neck to meet the Gyarados' eyes without a hint of fear or revulsion. Daniel didn't feel quite the same. Although its eyes lacked the Salamence's burning hatred, its fearsome jaws seemed all too similar. The two climbed aboard and the old fisherman led them to the main cabin. It was no luxury liner and smelled strongly of the sea. It was a little cramped with Daniel, Lazuli, and the fisherman all in there. Daniel sat in the corner at a table with a map on it and Lazuli rested in his lap. At least it was dry and well-lit here, he could barely see outside with the remaining twilight. The fisherman took the helm and soon they were sailing away from the island that had been Daniel's prison for so long. He kept scanning the horizon, hardly believing his rescue was real.

"So lad, I didn't catch yer name. Ye can call me Mister Ryoshi."

"Thanks again Mister Ryoshi, and My name's Daniel."

It felt strange answering a spoken question after so long.

"Nice to meet ye, Daniel. So where ye from?"

Oh shit. I didn't think of that.

"Um... I'm from... Hoenn. Rustboro City." Hopefully, that makes sense.

"Hoenn eh? That's rather far from here. I hope ye don't mind me bringing you back to Three Island. Were you heading to the Sevii Islands?"

So I am in the Sevii Islands. "Yeah. I was taking a cruise ship here for a vacation."

"Well I haven't heard about no cruise liners sinking, so how did ye come about being shipwrecked?"

"I must have had too much to drink and fell overboard."

"Well I've been there before lad, but this ain't near any normal sea routes. So how did ye survive drifting hundreds of miles out here?

Damn, this guy asks a lot of questions. Wait. Am I really that far from civilization? Or is he just exaggerating?

"I floated along with Lazuli here" Daniel scratched her head. She was dozing but twitched when she heard her name.

"Ye must rather well off to be taking a luxury liner with a Dratini."

"Well actually..." Shit. I'm going to lie my way into a corner at this rate. Luckily, Daniel's stomach growled over the sounds of the waves and the boat's engine.

"I don't know if you heard that, but my stomach just growled. I'm starving here." Daniel tried not to sound rude.

"By all means lad! Check that chest over there. It's got some vittles ye can eat."

Daniel obliged, carefully moving Lazuli as he got up. The chest was filled with canned fish and Kingdra brand sea biscuits. They felt like hockey pucks and the eponymous Pokemon was depicted on the wrapper wearing a captain's cap and winking.

"Aye, Ye'll need this." Mister Ryoshi took a multi-tool out of his pocket. "It's got a can opener and you can use it as a hammer. It's got a spoon too."

"What do I need a hammer for?"

"Lad, unless yer going to soak that biscuit fer an hour, yer gonna need a hammer. Crush it when it's still in the wrapper."

Daniel followed Mister Ryoshi's instructions. The hammering disrupted Lazuli's slumber.

"Sorry, Lazuli." Daniel gave her some canned tuna.

The meal was simple, just canned fish spread on chunks of the hardest bread Daniel had ever eaten in his life. The fish tasted like salt and olive oil, a nice change from fish roasted over a fire. The biscuits tasted good, any source of carbs would after what Daniel had been eating. He was really craving some real bread or rice.

"Well lad, seems you've been through quite the adventure! But don't you worry, I'll get you back to port in a jiffy."

Daniel breathed a deep sigh, beyond grateful to finally be rescued. There were sure to be more challenges ahead, but for now, he was content to leave this island behind, borne on the winds of fate toward the distant horizon. The small fishing boat sailed through the night away from the deserted island. Daniel still couldn't believe he had finally been rescued after over three months stranded. The fisherman, who had introduced himself as Mister Ryoshi, reassured Daniel they would reach the port of Three Island by morning and didn't ask too many more questions. So much competed for attention in Daniel's head. What would he do with the Salamence now? Could he become a Pokemon trainer without any records of his existence? Did he still want to battle after what happened? Daniel cleared his mind. He could push off those questions for later. He dozed with his head on the table while Mister Ryoshi Reclined in his high chair near the helm. As the first light of dawn crept over the horizon, a small harbor came into view. Daniel saw a handful of colorful wooden houses clustered around the docks, with more homes dotting the surrounding hillsides. The port was already awake and bustling despite the early hour. Fishermen were hauling their catches ashore while vendors set up stalls along the waterfront. Several small boats were sailing out to sea as the town came to life. Beyond the harbor, green hills covered in trees rose up steeply, with a peak wreathed in mist towering behind. Mister Ryoshi steered his boat expertly between the others crowding the dock and threw out ropes for men to tie them off. Daniel took a deep breath, hardly believing he had finally reached civilization again after so long. As he climbed gingerly ashore on shaky legs, Lazuli slithering behind, the scent of sea-soaked concrete and the sounds of a town awakening almost brought tears to his eyes. He was finally off that island!

Mister Ryoshi clapped Daniel on the back heartily. "Welcome to Three Island, laddie! What are yer plans now?"

Well now that I'm here, I don't know where to start. "Uh, I think I'll try to get in contact with my family." That would make sense, right?

"Aye, and yer lodging until ye head back home?"

"I'll think of something. I'll sleep outdoors if I have to. It wouldn't be that much of a change." Daniel said glumly.

Mister Ryoshi raised an eyebrow. "Well I don't live on Three Island anymore, and I don't think many of the hotels will take ye in looking like that. But maybe Motobu will take you in. You look like a strong young lad that he could throw around."

"Why would he take me in?"

"I said to throw ye around. When we were young he would go straight to training after fishing all day. Now he's a master. Even got a certificate from the government calling him a 'national treasure' or some malarkey. He used to have loads of students. It wouldn't hurt to ask. Tell him Ken Ryoshi sent ye, and that he should get off his ass and come to the Festival this year."

Daniel nodded, beyond grateful for the fisherman's kindness. He knew there were many challenges still ahead, but for now, he was happy just to be among humans once more. As Lazuli chased Wingulls on the dock, Daniel took one last look at the open ocean behind him. Somewhere out there, shrouded in mists, the island that had been his prison remained. But that chapter of his life was closed now. Ahead lay a new horizon overflowing with possibilities.

"I guess I'll find a Pokemon center. They have free phones in Hoenn."

"Aye, good luck lad. I've got to head home before my wife really puts me in the doghouse. Find me on Two Island if ye get the chance."

"Thanks for everything." Daniel extended his hand.

"Yer a tough one. I'm sure Motobu will help ye out. Tell him ye were on that island fer training. He'll eat that up." Mister Ryoshi took his hand and gave a firm handshake.

With that, the two men went their separate ways. Mister Ryoshi returned to his boat while Daniel headed into town. He felt a renewed sense of purpose within him. He was back in civilization and he would become a Pokemon trainer. Although he was shaken by the encounter with Salamence, Daniel knew he didn't want to live the same life he did before. He would hunt in the wild and sleep under the stars before earning an hourly wage again. Lazuli darted about the streets of the town with Daniel. She was a curious one and clearly enraptured by all the new sights and scents around her. Daniel's bare feet, tattered clothes, and unshaven head marked him as a vagrant. Hopefully, Lazuli's presence made him look more eccentric than unfortunate.

Leaving the dock, Daniel and Lazuli entered the small town of Three Island. The first thing Daniel noticed was the variety of smells - salty sea air mingled with wafts of grilling fish and the sweet aroma of fresh fruit. The streets were made of smooth cobblestones and were lined with colorful buildings of wood and plaster interspersed with flower boxes and banners flapping in the ocean breeze. As they walked, Daniel saw wrinkled fishermen mending nets on doorsteps, old ladies chatting outside shops and one group of tourists in big hats and colorful shirts. Despite the early hour, the town was already lively and bustling with activity. Small shops selling trinkets, produce and pokeballs spilled their wares onto tables outside. The sounds of casual conversation and Pokemon cries filled the air.

Daniel soon spotted a structure with a distinctive red roof - the Pokemon Center. He entered cautiously, anticipating someone to eject him for his homeless appearance. The sterile white interior was spotless yet homey. Nurses in pink uniforms bustled about tending injured Pokemon. Daniel marveled at the healing machine against the far wall before approaching the nurse in front of it. As his feet slapped against the cold floor, Daniel sensed Lazuli nosing around behind him. He turned to see her checking out the center's myriad treats and puzzles for Pokemon. A jangle of bell balls captured her interest for a time. Daniel smiled a wide, toothy grin. He had never seen her so happy and childlike before. Except...

When Wilson would play with her.

A tinge of pain struck Daniel, and he was acutely aware of the Salamence in his pocket. It was still angry. It seethed in silence, evidently unable or unwilling to leave the pokeball. Daniel refocused on the nurse in front of the healing machine. She wore pink scrubs with a white apron and nurse's cap. She was in her mid to late forties and looked to be local judging by that graying hair, tan skin, and... orange eyes? Daniel had never seen anything like it before. They weren't amber, light brown, or even hazel. They were distinctly orange, like the fruit.

"Can I help you, lad?" Her accent wasn't as thick as Mister Ryoshi's.

"Oh, uh... yes. I was wondering what I had to do to become a Pokemon trainer."

The nurse looked him up and down. "Are you serious, lad?"

"Well I recently had a massive change in my life and instead of returning to my old job I decided to continue with the life changes."

The nurse narrowed her eyes at him, then shrugged. "Well, head to the office over there then. Eddie will get you going. He should be here soon."

Daniel thanked the nurse and then sat on a chair near the indicated office. The name on the door read "Edmund Honda – Administration".

Like the Street Fighter character? No way.

It was indeed a coincidence, as about 15 minutes later a skinny, short, middle-aged man approached the door. He was balding, clean-shaven, wore dark blue traditional Japanese clothing, carried a briefcase, and had distinctive orange eyes like the nurse.

Did Mister Ryoshi also have orange eyes? That trip off the island was a blur.

"Yer looking a little rough there lad." Eddie's accent was thick like Mister Ryoshi's.

"Being stranded on an island will do that to you." Daniel sighed.

"Are ye serious, lad?"

Daniel chuckled "The nurse at the front said the same thing."

Eddie unlocked the door and held it open for Daniel. "Well step inside, lad. What's yer name?"

"Daniel."

"And how can I help ye, Daniel." The two sat down at Eddie's desk.

"I want to be a Pokemon trainer. I had no idea where to start so I came to the closest Pokemon center after getting rescued from a deserted island."

Eddie stared blankly at Daniel.

"And yes, before you ask, I am serious."

"Well do forgive me if I think yer ribbing me. It ain't every day a man comes in wanting to be a trainer, and such a wild-looking one too."

Daniel touched his beard and looked at his ragged shorts, and dirty shirt's holes. Eddie continued speaking.

"So ye really have no idea what ye need to do to become a Pokemon trainer?"

"No Idea". Daniel shook his head.

"Aye. Did ye complete any trainer courses during yer schooling?"

"No."

"How did ye manage that? Lad, are you serious about..."

Daniel looked into Eddie's eyes. There, Eddie saw determination, a will to survive, and a hint of darkness eating away at the edges.

Eddie sighed. "Alright, lad. I'll help ye out. Ye clearly went through a lot so let's just start at the beginning."

Daniel told the same lie to Eddie that he told Mister Ryoshi. That he got shipwrecked on his way from Hoenn to The Sevii Islands for vacation. He didn't give too many details about living on the island, and Eddie thankfully didn't pry. Then they moved on to paperwork. Daniel filled it out as best as he could, finding very few things that checked if he officially existed or not. Daniel handed the completed paperwork to Eddie, who looked it over.

"Aye, this was the easy part. This will get ye a Class A Trainer Card. With that, ye can catch and register Pokemon with the International Pokemon League Association. What yer going to need is a Class C Trainer Card. That'll let ye use trainer routes and battle in any IPLA-recognized league circuit. But in order to get that, ye need to prove that ye can handle battles and travel out in the wild."

"I don't see a problem with that. I survived three months on an island with basically nothing."

"I don't doubt that and I would gladly sign off on that part of the paperwork."

"Wait. It's that easy? You're just going to give your signature just like that. Won't the higher-ups question that?"

"Heh. If those pencil pushers could find someone who wants to live out here and take my job, I say let them. I could finally retire."

"So you're going to sign off on all the paperwork then?"

"Almost. I need proof that ye can handle wild Pokemon battles as well. Normally, people do that on a field trip when they're students. But for ye, ye can just bring back a Pokemon you caught on one of the local routes. Plenty of fishing spots and tall grass."

Daniel thought for a moment, then checked his pockets. His aura stirred as he took out the pokeball containing the Salamence and placed it on the desk. It radiated a burning, angry aura

"What is that?" Eddie asked.

"It's a pokeball I made containing a wild Salamence. I had to capture it while on the island. It... tried to kill me." Daniel tried to keep his tone calm.

Eddie's jaw dropped. "Daniel, are you..."

The anger radiating off the Salamence infected Daniel. The pain so recently suffered burned within Daniel and he raised his voice.

"Yes, I'm fucking serious. This thing tried its goddamned hardest to kill me. I have the burn on my back to prove it."

"Alright Daniel, calm down." Eddie raised his hands warding.

"Sorry. It also killed one of my Pokemon." Saying the words out loud hurt more than expected. Daniel's aura continued stirring, and he sensed Lazuli in the building beyond the door. She was playing with some other Pokemon, radiating peace and joy.

"I see..." Eddie was quiet for a moment. "May I see it?"

Daniel hesitated. With his aura stirred he could feel the Salamence's boiling anger. It hadn't subsided at all. But he could also feel the child-like happiness from Lazuli. He embraced that joy, trying to drive away the anger within him.

"Don't let it out of the pokeball. It's extremely dangerous and would probably burn down this entire town." Daniel said, anger boiling beneath the surface.

"Ye don't need to tell me twice. I can actually scan it with this device here." Eddie took out a pad the size of a VCR with a wire connecting it to his computer. Both looked straight out of the nineties with their yellow faded plastic. The mouse even had a trackball. He placed the pokeball gingerly on the pad and clicked a few times on his computer. Eddie's eyes bulged.

"Well, I'll be damned. There really is a Salamence in here. It ain't in good shape either."

"It's covered in scars. That's probably why it hates humans."

This raised Eddie's eyebrows. "Huh, well damn me again."

"What is it?"

"The Pokemon Rangers put out an advisory fer a Salamence matching that description. Said it encroached on Mount Ember and got driven off by the Moltres there. They were worried it was going to start attacking other islands. Let me make some calls real quick. Can I keep it fer a bit?"

Daniel was stunned. This Salamence was a threat to the islands and he just happened to catch it? This better get him that Class C Trainer Card.

"Uh, sure. I should go check on Lazuli."

"Wait, are ye talking about the Dratini out there?"

"Yeah. Why."

"Lad, I think I'll be signing off on yer papers here soon."

Daniel headed back to the lobby of the pokemon center. His feet felt frigid on the cold tile floor. He had been without air conditioning for three months, so Daniel appreciated the sensation. The slapping sound of his bare feet drew looks from the nurses.

That and the homeless look.

Daniel found Lazuli in the Pokemon area playing with a Chimchar. They were chasing each other around a tiny jungle gym that looked sturdy enough to survive a bombing. Lazuli was slithering circles around the Chimchar, who looked increasingly frustrated. Daniel couldn't help but smile.

"What are you up to, Lazuli?"

Lazuli ignored Daniel and continued dodging the Chimchar's attempts to catch her. She had a hard time listening when she was playing. Daniel decided to let her keep playing and sat down on a nearby bench. He noticed the pokemon center theme coming from an old CRT TV. It was playing a video about donating to and volunteering at your local Pokemon center, starring Nurse Joy of course.

Huh. So that's where the theme came from. This place feels retro. They probably don't get too much funding.

Daniel took in his surroundings. It all seemed so... normal if a little antiquated. The fake plants in the corners. The stacks of magazines on coffee tables. The yellowing computers lined up at the walls. It could have been a hospital in Daniel's world were it not for the conspicuous presence of real, live Pokemon and the Healing machine. It was a massive device with several cubby holes that each could hold six pokeballs.

How does something like that work? How long does it take to completely heal a Pokemon? What kind of wounds can't heal?

Daniel looked at his feet, and the scar on his left foot looked back. He looked at his hands, and the tiny cuts from chipping stones reminded him of the Salamence's scars. He looked around, noticing for the first time, that the center was getting busy. A group of fishermen dressed similarly to Mister Ryoshi retrieved pokeballs from the front desk. People were releasing Pokemon into the area that Lazuli was playing in. Magby, Elekid, Meowth, the play area was getting crowded, but Lazuli looked excited to meet new friends. A group of old ladies sat at a coffee table and whispered among themselves while eyeing Daniel.

Probably gossiping about me.

Feeling self-conscious, Daniel went to the bathroom to clean up.

Oh, how I've missed running water and electricity.

The bathroom looked like any other bathroom. Plastic stalls where you could see the occupants' feet, urinals, liquid soap, faucets in front of mirrors, a paper towel dispenser, and even a baby changing station. It had a Komala in a diaper on it like the koalas on the ones back in Daniel's world. No one else was in the bathroom as Daniel went up to the mirror to wash his face. The face that looked back was almost his, but not quite. He had grown quite the beard, and it really did make him look like a caveman. It didn't help that his hair looked to be in as many knots as he used to tie things together back on the island. His face was tan, not as dark as the locals, but he could maybe pass as a relative of one. His eyes though, seemed completely different. They were weathered, tired, and burning with anger beneath the surface.

Once I become a trainer, everything will get better.

On the league circuit was where he would find a new purpose. Winning fame and fortune as a Pokemon trainer. Surely every kid in this world had the same dream at one point, but Daniel was different. He had nowhere to go but up, and he was free to take any path he could find. But until then, he had to wash himself in public bathrooms. Daniel exited the bathroom to see a local girl with short hair pick up the Chimchar that Lazuli had been playing with. She seemed to be the youngest person at the Pokemon Center.

Everyone else looks 45 and up.

A voice rang over the PA system. It chimed just like one you would find in a hospital. "Daniel, please return To Mister Edmund Honda's office. Thank you". The announcement ended with a click.

I think Lazuli should be there when I get my trainer card.

Daniel fetched Lazuli from the Pokemon play area. She was reluctant to go and even ignored Daniel at first. After a few stern words though, Lazuli was slithering behind Daniel as they entered Eddie's office. Eddie greeted the two with a grin.

"Aye. I've got good news for ye. Yer getting a Trainer Card!"

Daniel beamed. "Awesome! When will I get it? Does it come with any benefits? Can I use it as an official ID?"

"Whoa, slow down there lad, there's a catch."

Daniel sighed, ticked off that it wasn't going to be so simple.

"How bad is it?"

"It depends on how much ye want to keep this here Salamence. It turns out that I can only sign off on a class B card, the head Ranger on One Island is the closest person who can get ye yer class C."

Daniel paused. While he didn't want to keep the Salamence, he didn't want it falling into the wrong hands. People could get hurt if he didn't handle this right.

"What will happen to it?"

"Kellyn said It'll be sent to a rehab center."

The Salamence could burn in hell for all I care. But I can't just let it loose to hurt others again.

"Is this Kellyn trustworthy? I don't want a powerful Pokemon falling into the wrong hands."

"Aye. He's a top ranger he is. Made his career defeating Team Dim Sun and saving Almia's Pokemon!"

That sounds an awful lot like the protagonist of a Pokemon game. I guess it would be alright.

Daniel was strangely reluctant to be rid of the Salamence. After everything it had done, why keep it around?

I want to hate it. I want it to pay.

It had killed Wilson. It destroyed the first home Daniel had in this world. It would have taken more from him. He felt Lazuli nudge his leg.

But it didn't take everything.

In time he would get over those events. And perhaps this was the first step.

"Alright. It would be for the best."

"Great! I'll get ye a Trainer Card in about a month. Just in time fer the circuits to start!"

"Does it usually take so long?"

"Well, usually folks get theirs during their school days."

"I see."

"So where should I send the card?"

"What? Oh. I'll let you know when I figure that out." Daniel said hesitantly.

"Do ye mean to tell me ye ain't heading back to Hoenn?"

"I don't plan on it. I'm sick of tropical climates."

"Aye. So where are ye heading?"

"I think I need to gather some funds before thinking about that. How much do you think I can make gathering berries in the Berry Forest?"

"Berry Forest? A single berry from there could easily earn you 10 Pokedollars a pop! You actually need a Class C Trainer Card to enter, but I think you can handle it. I'll let the fellas know."

10 Pokedollars? Is that a lot? By his tone, it sounds like a lucrative venture.

"It's filled with Hypno, right? I should be able to handle it. Thanks for everything, Edmund."

"Please, call me Eddie. Yer quite the character Daniel. I'm sure I'll be hearing about ye. The ladies of Three Island have had nothing to talk about for years now. I suppose I'll just have the card sent here."

"Ok. Thanks. I'll see you later."

"Farewell, Daniel."

Alright! Human interaction! I had a lot of fun writing the Sevii Island accent. You might also have noticed a massive shift in quality over the course of this story. I hope it's for the better and that the quality remains high. What could be lurking in the Berry Forest for Daniel to stumble upon? I'll give you a hint. It's Pokemon. Thank you for reading!