The first thing I felt was the warmth of the sun on my face, filtered through the leaves of a tree above me. It was oddly soothing, like I was lying in the middle of a peaceful park, but that made no sense. My apartment didn't have a park nearby, and I didn't remember falling asleep outside. Slowly, I blinked my eyes open, confusion immediately washing over me.

Where the hell am I?

Sitting up, I rubbed my temples, trying to piece things together. The world around me was bright, vibrant, too real to be a dream. I was lying in tall grass, and there was a dirt path stretching out in front of me. Wildflowers dotted the sides of the path, and the air smelled... fresh, cleaner than anything I had ever experienced in the real world. The faint chirping of Pidgey drifted from somewhere nearby, and a breeze rustled the leaves overhead.

A soft grunt beside me pulled my attention, and my heart nearly stopped.

There, resting on the grass, was a Bulbasaur.

No. Way.

I stared at the little blue-green Pokémon, its body rising and falling gently as it slept. I couldn't help but reach out, my fingers trembling slightly, and gently brush them against its head. The texture of its skin was smooth and cool, and its little ears twitched at my touch, but it didn't wake up.

This is real. This has to be real.

Bulbasaur wasn't some pixelated sprite or animated character on a screen. It was right there in front of me, as real as the grass beneath my fingers and the sun above. My heart raced as I tried to make sense of it all, but no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't come up with a logical explanation.

And then, like a rush of water, memories that weren't mine came flooding into my head.

I wasn't just anyone in this world—I was Josh Sinclair, one of the three kids who got a starter Pokémon from Professor Oak in Pallet Town. I had received this Bulbasaur earlier today. My parents—Josh's parents—had given me an Eevee as well, a gift they'd bought from a breeder to give me an extra advantage. And now I was halfway through Route 1, on my way to Viridian City.

But that wasn't the full story. I wasn't really Josh, was I? I was Jake, a guy from the real world, somehow thrown into this world—Josh's world.

I stood up, my legs feeling unsteady beneath me as I looked around. The landscape stretched out in all directions, a far cry from anything I had known back in my life as Jake. This world—it wasn't a dream or a game anymore. It was real, and I was living in it. My hand instinctively went to my waist, where two Pokéballs rested. I unclipped one, staring at it in disbelief.

I wasn't just living in the Pokémon world. I was living as one of the original trainers who started their journey alongside Ash, Gary and Leaf, the same one who disappeared from the story after the start of the anime.

Josh... or rather, the original Josh, had vanished from history too. He was never mentioned during the Indigo League. No battles, no championships—nothing. He was just a name that faded into the background. Did he quit being a trainer? Did he fail to get all eight badges? Or did he just disappear, like so many other forgotten trainers?

Well, that wasn't going to happen to me. Not now. Not ever.

I wasn't going to let Josh's story end like that. I wasn't going to let my story end like that. This was my chance, my second life. My parents were gone in my old world, and I had no one left to miss me. But here? Here, I had a fresh start. I had a Bulbasaur, an Eevee, and a burning desire to prove myself. I was going to gather all eight badges, enter the Indigo League, and win it. And after that? I'd challenge the Elite Four and, eventually, Lance himself.

It wouldn't be easy, though. Even in the first year, most trainers barely scraped through to the Indigo League. And those who did? Well, making it past the top 128 was an achievement in itself. Ash had reached the top 16, and that was incredible. But me? I wanted more. I wanted to be the Champion.

But first, I needed a plan.

I glanced down at the two Pokéballs on my belt. Bulbasaur and Eevee were a strong start, but I needed more. My mind was racing, thinking about all the places I could go and what Pokémon I could catch. But one place stood out more than the others—Cinnabar Island.

Cinnabar was perfect. The waters around it were home to Horsea, a Water-type that would be a great addition to my team. Plus, I could explore the volcanic region for Fire-types like Magby, Slugma, or Growlithe. I'd spend at least a month training on the island before challenging Blaine. I wasn't going to rush this.

But first, I had to get to Viridian City and figure out how to catch a ferry to Cinnabar.

As I stood there, thinking about my plan, Bulbasaur stirred and opened its eyes, blinking up at me sleepily.

"Hey there, buddy," I said, crouching down to give it a gentle pat. Bulbasaur nuzzled against my hand, and I couldn't help but smile.

This was it. The beginning of my journey.

The path ahead was quiet at first, the sounds of wild Pokémon rustling in the grass, but nothing particularly threatening. I took in the sights as I walked, marveling at how real everything felt. This world wasn't just a game or a TV show anymore—it was my reality now. The grass, the wind, the distant call of a Spearow overhead—it was all so vivid.

After about half an hour of walking, I decided to take a break under the shade of a large oak tree. Bulbasaur settled down beside me, and I pulled out the PokéGear that Josh's parents had given me. The thing was surprisingly advanced, almost like a smartphone. I scrolled through its features, finding a section that listed Pokémon habitats and their learnable moves. This was going to come in handy.

I tapped on Bulbasaur's entry, skimming through its potential moves. "Vine Whip, Leech Seed, Tackle…" I muttered to myself. "Looks like we've got some work to do, huh?"

Bulbasaur gave me a curious look, as if it understood what I was saying. I smiled and scratched its head before turning my attention back to the PokéGear.

I needed to plan my next move. The ferry to Cinnabar Island wouldn't leave until tomorrow, which meant I had the rest of the day to reach Viridian City. It wasn't too far, but I couldn't afford to waste time.

Suddenly, a rustling sound came from the tall grass behind us. I stood up, my heart racing as I scanned the area. Bulbasaur growled softly, its eyes locked on the source of the noise.

Without warning, a wild Rattata darted out of the grass, baring its teeth. It wasn't the most intimidating opponent, but I wasn't about to let my guard down.

"Bulbasaur, let's do this!" I called out, taking a step back to give Bulbasaur some space.

Bulbasaur stepped forward, its eyes gleaming with determination. The Rattata lunged, its sharp teeth aimed at Bulbasaur's legs.

"Dodge it!" I yelled.

Bulbasaur moved swiftly, sidestepping the attack before turning to face the Rattata again.

"Use Tackle!"

With a burst of speed, Bulbasaur charged forward, slamming into the Rattata with full force. The wild Pokémon let out a startled squeak as it was knocked back into the grass.

For a moment, everything was still. I held my breath, waiting to see if the Rattata would retaliate, but after a few seconds, it scrambled to its feet and dashed back into the tall grass, disappearing from sight.

I let out a sigh of relief, a grin spreading across my face.

"You did great, Bulbasaur," I said, kneeling down to give it a pat on the head. Bulbasaur let out a happy growl, clearly pleased with itself.

As we continued our journey along Route 1, I couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement. This world was full of challenges, but I was ready for them. I had to be.

As the sun dipped lower in the sky, painting the horizon with hues of orange and pink, I realized just how long I had been walking. The landscape around me was beautiful in its simplicity—rolling hills, patches of wildflowers, and the ever-present tall grass that swayed gently in the wind. Route 1 felt both familiar and foreign at the same time. It was one thing to have seen it through a screen; it was another thing entirely to walk it myself.

Every step felt like a small victory. This was my new life, and with every passing moment, I was beginning to accept it more. I glanced down at Bulbasaur, who was walking beside me, his stubby legs carrying him with surprising energy.

"You're holding up pretty well, aren't you?" I said, smiling.

"Bulba!" he responded with a small, determined nod.

Eevee, on the other hand, was bouncing ahead, darting in and out of the tall grass with a playful energy that I couldn't help but admire. Every now and then, she'd pause to look back at me, her big eyes sparkling with curiosity before she'd dash off again.

We hadn't been walking for too long before I heard a rustling sound from the grass on my left. I stopped in my tracks, my body tensing instinctively. The grass shifted again, and out of the corner of my eye, I saw movement.

I reached for Bulbasaur's Pokéball, but before I could call him back, a small figure darted out of the grass.

It was a wild Pidgey, flapping its wings as it took flight just a few feet in front of us. My heart skipped a beat, but I quickly reminded myself that this wasn't an enemy—it was just a Pidgey.

Still, this was a perfect opportunity for training.

"Alright, Bulbasaur," I said, stepping back a bit to give him room. "Let's see what you've got."

Bulbasaur's eyes locked onto the Pidgey, his stance lowering as he prepared for battle. The Pidgey, noticing us, let out a sharp cry and swooped down, clearly not happy with us invading its territory.

"Bulbasaur, use Tackle!" I called out.

With a burst of speed, Bulbasaur lunged forward, slamming into the Pidgey before it could react. The bird Pokémon let out a startled squawk, flapping its wings in an attempt to escape, but Bulbasaur's weight and strength kept it grounded.

For a moment, I considered throwing a Pokéball. Pidgey wasn't exactly the strongest Pokémon, but it was reliable and could evolve into Pidgeotto later on. Having a Flying-type wouldn't be a bad idea, especially for future battles.

But then, I decided against it. Pidgey could wait. I had bigger plans for my team.

"Let it go," I said, watching as Bulbasaur stepped back, allowing the Pidgey to flutter away into the sky. "We'll get stronger Pokémon later."

Bulbasaur nodded, looking satisfied with the small victory.

As we continued down the path, the sun continued its descent, casting long shadows across the landscape. I could feel a slight chill in the air as the day turned to evening. Route 1 was a lot longer than I had anticipated, but that didn't bother me. If anything, it gave me more time to bond with my Pokémon.

Eevee, still full of energy, bounded ahead of us, her fluffy tail swaying with every step. She'd occasionally stop to sniff at a patch of flowers or chase a passing Butterfree, but she always came back, never straying too far.

I couldn't help but smile as I watched her. She was a gift from my new parents, a symbol of their love and support. And even though I wasn't really Josh, I could feel a strange warmth in my chest when I thought about them. They weren't my parents, but they were Josh's. And as long as I was in his body, they were my parents too.

I pulled out my PokéGear, curious about what else it could do. I hadn't had much time to explore its features, but now seemed like a good moment to check. The screen lit up, displaying a menu of options—Maps, Pokémon Information, Call Log, and more. It was like a smartphone but with all the functionality tailored to a trainer's needs.

I tapped on the "Pokémon Information" option, bringing up a list of my Pokémon. Bulbasaur and Eevee's profiles appeared, complete with their current stats, learned moves, and potential moves they could learn as they leveled up. I skimmed through the list, taking note of what I could teach them.

"Let's see... Bulbasaur can learn Leech Seed soon, and Eevee can learn Quick Attack if we work on it," I muttered to myself. "Looks like we've got some training ahead of us."

Bulbasaur, hearing his name, looked up at me with curious eyes, while Eevee bounced back to my side, as if eager to get started on learning new moves.

"We'll get there," I reassured them. "One step at a time."

Just as I was about to put the PokéGear away, the screen lit up with an incoming call. I froze, staring at the name displayed on the screen.

Mom.

My heart skipped a beat. Josh's mom. My mom now. I hadn't spoken to her yet since I'd woken up in this world. What was I supposed to say? How could I even pretend to be Josh when I barely knew him?

With a deep breath, I accepted the call, bringing the device up to my ear.

"Hey, Josh!" came the familiar voice of my new mom. It was warm, caring, and immediately filled me with a strange mix of comfort and guilt. "How's your journey going so far? Are you on your way to Viridian?"

"Uh, yeah," I stammered, trying to sound as natural as possible. "I'm... on Route 1 right now. Just taking it slow."

"That's good! I hope you're taking care of Bulbasaur and Eevee. They're such special Pokémon, and we know you'll do great things with them."

I swallowed hard, my mind racing to find the right words. "Yeah, they're doing great. We, uh, had a couple of battles. Bulbasaur's really strong, and Eevee's got so much energy."

"That's wonderful! Don't forget to rest when you need to, okay? And make sure you eat! You get so focused sometimes, I worry you'll forget to take care of yourself."

I chuckled awkwardly. "Yeah, I won't forget. Thanks, Mom."

The word felt strange on my tongue. She wasn't really my mom, but I had to play the part. This was my life now, and I had to make sure I didn't slip up.

"Well, I won't keep you for too long," she said, her voice softening. "Just wanted to check in and make sure everything's going okay. You'll call us when you get to Viridian, right?"

"Yeah, I'll call when I get there," I promised.

"Great! Stay safe out there, okay? We love you."

"I... I love you too," I said, my voice catching slightly.

The call ended, and I stood there for a moment, staring at the screen. My heart was still pounding, and I could feel a strange tightness in my chest. That had been... harder than I expected. But it was over now, and I'd managed to get through it without making a fool of myself.

Taking a deep breath, I clipped the PokéGear back to my belt and looked down at Bulbasaur and Eevee, both of whom were watching me with curious eyes.

"We've got this," I said softly, more to myself than to them. "One step at a time."

The path to Viridian City stretched on, the distant lights of the town just barely visible on the horizon. I could feel the fatigue setting in, but I knew we were close. Bulbasaur and Eevee seemed to sense it too, their steps slowing as the day's exertions caught up to them.

But just as we were about to pick up the pace, another rustling sound came from the tall grass to our right. This time, it was louder, more aggressive. I tensed, reaching for Bulbasaur's Pokéball, but before I could react, a wild Spearow burst out of the grass, its sharp beak aimed directly at us.

"Bulbasaur, get ready!" I shouted, stepping back as the bird Pokémon swooped toward us.

Bulbasaur growled, lowering itself into a defensive stance as the Spearow dove at him, its wings flapping furiously.

"Use Tackle!"

Bulbasaur lunged forward, slamming into the Spearow mid-air. The bird let out a startled cry, its momentum faltering as it was knocked off course. But it wasn't done yet. Spearow circled back, its eyes narrowed as it prepared for another attack.

"Stay sharp, Bulbasaur," I called out, my heart pounding in my chest. The wild Spearow hovered in the air for a moment, its sharp eyes locked onto us as it circled for another attack. Bulbasaur growled low, shifting its stance, waiting for my command.

The Spearow wasn't going to make this easy. It was fast, darting through the air with surprising agility, but I had faith in Bulbasaur. We'd already handled the Pidgey and Rattata earlier, but this was different. Spearow was aggressive, and its beak looked sharp enough to cause some real damage if we weren't careful.

As the Spearow dived toward us again, I saw my opening.

"Now, Tackle it!"

Bulbasaur sprang into action, leaping to the side just as the Spearow swooped down. The wild bird screeched in frustration, its talons scraping the dirt as it missed its target. Before it could pull back into the air, Bulbasaur charged forward with a burst of speed, slamming into Spearow with its full weight.

The impact sent the bird tumbling backward, flapping wildly as it tried to regain its balance. For a moment, it looked dazed, but then it shook itself off and glared at us, clearly not ready to give up yet.

Spearow flapped its wings harder, lifting itself back into the air, and let out a piercing cry. My pulse quickened—it was going in for another attack, and this time it looked even angrier than before.

"Bulbasaur, get ready!" I shouted.

But before I could give another command, the Spearow dove straight for us, its beak glowing with a fierce energy. A Peck attack. If that hit, it wouldn't be pretty.

"Dodge, Bulbasaur!"

Bulbasaur shifted at the last second, narrowly avoiding the Spearow's sharp beak. The bird soared past, its momentum carrying it several feet away before it could circle back for another round.

My mind raced. I needed to end this fast before Bulbasaur got hurt. Spearow was relentless, but we couldn't afford to let it keep diving at us like this.

I quickly searched my memory for Bulbasaur's available moves. Tackle was solid, but we needed something else—something that would stop Spearow in its tracks.

And then it hit me.

"Bulbasaur, use Growl!"

Bulbasaur let out a deep, rumbling growl, the sound echoing through the area. The Spearow faltered mid-air, its eyes widening slightly as the intimidating sound washed over it. It wasn't enough to deal damage, but it slowed the bird down, giving us a chance to strike back.

"Now! Tackle again!"

Bulbasaur charged forward with all its strength, catching the Spearow off guard as it tried to regain its composure. This time, the Tackle hit even harder, sending the bird sprawling across the ground. It let out one final, pitiful screech before collapsing in the grass, defeated.

I let out a breath I didn't realize I had been holding.

"We did it," I said, dropping to one knee to check on Bulbasaur. He was panting, but otherwise looked fine. His eyes gleamed with a mix of pride and exhaustion.

"Bulba!" he growled happily, nuzzling against my hand.

"You were amazing, buddy," I said, scratching him behind the ears. "Let's take a break. You earned it."

I sat down on the grass, letting the adrenaline wear off. Eevee had stayed a little farther back during the battle, watching intently but not engaging. She trotted over to me now, her tail wagging as she sat beside me.

"You'll get your turn soon enough, Eevee," I promised, giving her a pat. "But you've got to be patient."

As I sat there with my Pokémon, watching the sun dip lower in the sky, I couldn't help but smile. This was only the beginning, but I already felt like I was starting to bond with Bulbasaur and Eevee. They weren't just my tools for battle—they were my partners.

After a few minutes of resting, I decided it was time to keep moving. Viridian City wasn't far now, and I wanted to get there before nightfall. I stood up, stretching my legs before recalling Bulbasaur and Eevee into their Pokéballs. They had earned some rest, and I had a feeling we were going to need all the energy we could get for tomorrow.

The last stretch of Route 1 was quieter. The occasional rustling in the grass reminded me that there were still wild Pokémon lurking nearby, but none of them seemed interested in challenging us now. As the sky turned a deep shade of purple, the lights of Viridian City came into view.

Relief washed over me as I picked up the pace. My legs were sore, my feet aching from the long trek, but I was almost there.

The Pokémon Center's warm glow stood out against the evening light as I approached. I stepped through the automatic doors, and the familiar sound of the healing machines and soft hum of activity filled the air. There were a few other trainers sitting at tables, chatting quietly or watching their Pokémon rest beside them.

I made my way to the counter, where Nurse Joy greeted me with her usual warm smile. "Good evening! Would you like me to heal your Pokémon?"

"Yeah, that'd be great," I said, handing over Bulbasaur and Eevee's Pokéballs.

As Nurse Joy placed them in the healing machine, I let out a deep sigh of relief. The day had been long, but it had been worth it. I was one step closer to my goal.

"Here you go," Nurse Joy said after a few moments, handing the Pokéballs back to me. "Your Pokémon are all healed up."

"Thanks," I said, clipping them back to my belt. "Do you know if there's a ferry to Cinnabar Island tomorrow?"

Nurse Joy nodded. "Yes, there's a ferry that leaves from the Viridian docks early in the morning. It's the only one each day, so you'll want to make sure you get there early."

I nodded. "I'll be there. Thanks again."

With that, I made my way over to one of the tables and sat down, pulling out my PokéGear. I had been using it a lot today, but it was such a useful tool that I couldn't help but check out its features again.

I pulled up the map of Kanto, looking over the route to Cinnabar Island. It seemed simple enough—take the ferry from Viridian, then spend the next month training on the island before challenging Blaine. The thought of adding new Pokémon to my team, especially a Fire-type and a Water-type, made me excited. But I knew I had to pace myself. Training wasn't something I could rush.

Just as I was about to put the PokéGear away, the screen lit up with an incoming call. I froze, staring at the name displayed on the screen.

Mom.

I hadn't expected another call so soon. I'd only spoken to her once before, earlier today when I was still on Route 1, and that conversation had been awkward enough. I still wasn't used to this—pretending to be Josh, talking to parents that weren't really mine. The guilt sat heavy in my chest.

But there was no avoiding it. Taking a deep breath, I tapped the screen and brought the PokéGear to my ear.

"Hey, Josh!" came the cheerful voice of my new mom. There was that warmth again, the kind that made it hard to keep pretending everything was normal. "How's everything going? Did you make it to Viridian City yet?"

"Yeah, I just got here," I replied, trying to keep my voice steady. "It took a bit longer than I expected, but we're here."

"That's wonderful! I hope Bulbasaur and Eevee are doing well. I knew they'd be a great team for you."

"They're doing great," I said, swallowing the awkwardness. "Bulbasaur's been handling the battles well, and Eevee... well, she's been full of energy, as usual."

Mom chuckled softly. "That's my boy. I knew you'd be just fine. So, what's the plan now? Are you heading toward Pewter City tomorrow?"

Here it was—the moment I'd have to break the news. She still thought I was going to follow the typical route—Viridian to Pewter, then onward to Cerulean. But I had my own plan, and I needed her to understand.

"Actually... I've been thinking," I began, hesitating for a moment. "I'm not going straight to Pewter. I'm going to head to Cinnabar Island first."

There was a brief pause on the other end of the line, and I could practically hear the surprise in her voice when she spoke again.

"Cinnabar? That's a bit... out of the way, isn't it? Why the sudden change of plans?"

I took a deep breath, already prepared with my explanation. "I've been thinking about my team. I want to make sure I'm well-prepared before I face my first gym, and I think I need more balance. Cinnabar's a great place to train, and there are some specific Pokémon there that could really help round out my team."

There was another pause, and for a moment, I wasn't sure how she would react. I could tell she was concerned, but there was also a hint of pride in her voice when she spoke again.

"Well, that's certainly an interesting approach. You've always been one to think things through carefully." She sighed, though not out of disappointment, more out of motherly concern. "Just promise me you'll be careful, okay? The journey to Cinnabar isn't the easiest, and you've only just started."

"I'll be fine, Mom," I assured her, though the words felt heavier than I intended. "I'll take my time and make sure I'm prepared. I just... I want to give myself the best shot I can."

She didn't say anything for a moment, but I could almost feel her smile through the call. "Alright, Josh. I trust you. Just make sure to call us when you get there, okay? Your father and I want to know how you're doing."

"I will," I promised. "I'll let you know when I've settled in."

"And Josh?" she added softly. "We're so proud of you. I know this is a big journey, but we believe in you. You've got this."

My chest tightened at her words. "Thanks, Mom. I... I'll do my best."

The call ended with a quiet beep, and I let out a long breath, leaning back in my chair. That hadn't been easy. The awkwardness, the guilt of pretending—it was all still there, heavy on my shoulders. But I had made it through without slipping up, and for now, that was enough.

With the conversation over, I glanced down at my PokéGear, realizing just how much responsibility I had taken on. This wasn't just a game anymore. I had people—parents—counting on me, and I couldn't let them down. Not when they were so proud of me, even if I wasn't really their son.

Tomorrow, I'd be heading to Cinnabar Island. It wasn't the typical path for a new trainer, but it was the right choice for me. I'd train hard, catch the Pokémon I needed, and build a team that would take me to the top.

But for now, I needed to rest. The real journey was just beginning.

I got inspired to write this after reading The Other Trainers of Pallet by MAJORMATT1234 and These Silver Eyes By JustAProblem.