Duel in the Rain

"Hah…" I sigh as I trudge through the woods.

Turning to the direction of the screen, I noticed that I was being shown and reacted accordingly.

"Oh! Hello again! I can see that you guys are now reading this chapter after so long since the author started to write it again. Well, I'll let you guys know that the author was busy going through other things and coming up with a Pokémon team for me to use, and let me say this…" I said by giving a "secret" gesture.

"...he's got a real "purist" mindset regarding how OCs in fanfics should be using a certain "Mon" character given so many official characters are known by using different creatures," I said.

"But enough of that, let's get on with my long walk to Professor Oak's lab and continue this fic onwards! Cause seriously, having the ability to perceive the fourth wall can mess up your sense of time even when the computer is shut off." I finished and turned back to the "narrator" mode.

Surrounding me were rather thick trees and branches as I walked to my intended destination.

The only sounds that are caused in the area are the constant pitter-patter of the raindrops hitting against the leaves and wood of the forest I'm traversing. The sounds that were created from the steps of my shoes were being drowned out by the rain.

My clothes were practically soaked from the rain, and it's far from ideal to travel in wet clothes in rainy weather during what, based on my sense of touch, feels like the fall season.

Though, luckily, I've been through worse for wear despite my body regressing to what I believe is the age of a 14-year-old boy. I stopped by a large water puddle and looked at my reflection despite the dimming light.

It was a face I couldn't recognize. My hair wasn't blond, nor did my eyes look bluish-green, my skin color far from such a pale white. But I can't remember what I once looked like since I apparently told Lugia and Suicune of my choice to erase parts of my memories for a clean start upon being transported to the Pokémon world.

"Hah… what a tasteless joke… I guess I'm similar to those isekai heroes that are all the rage past 2006." I chuckle.

I may not have context, but I do feel that deep aching feeling of something "not-so-ideal" of my pre-memory loss self. But the one thing I can say for certain is that I was never a bully or a rapist.

Now then, back on my miserable track to Professor Oak's lab.

"Fucking… shit…" I whispered.

I swear… out of all the different ways I could've been isekai to the Pokémon world, I've been placed in a secluded spot in a forest that'll take an hour to reach Professor Oak's laboratory by foot.

I could save time by running to my destination, but my body feels weak after the transmigration to the Pokémon world by Lugia and Suicune. And if I'm not careful, I'll probably get lost and have wasted my remaining energy instead of conserving it.

My walk continued for about 45 minutes. After walking up a small hill, I could see a building on the horizon despite the darkening atmosphere in the rain.

"Oh good, just at least a mile left for me until I reached Professor Oak's house," I said.

But on my way, I heard something coming from the bushes.

It was an Eevee. A small, mammalian, quadrupedal Pokémon with primarily brown fur. The tip of its bushy tail and its large furry collar are cream-colored. It has short, slender legs with three small toes and a pink paw pad on each foot. Eevee have brown eyes, long pointed ears with dark brown interiors, and a small black nose.

"Wah!" The Eevee yelp upon seeing me.

It sounded like a feminine one, but I can't be so sure since it could be a male given that Eevee's are usually predominately male than female. But I don't believe the game logic would apply in my current situation.

Still, seeing the Evolution Pokémon before my eyes and not through art, I can see how cute these critters were in real life.

"Huh, never thought I saw how cute these creatures are before my eyes," I said my thoughts out loud.

Frightened by my appearance, Eevee shivered. I slowly raised my hand with a friendly smile to gesture that I'm a friendly person… only for it to call out for help.

"Gengar! Nidoran! A human is here!" It called out.

At the words that came out of Eevee's mouth, I quickly raised my guard due to my senses alerting me of two other presences.

I quickly unsheathed my walking stick to reveal a blade as the idea of facing both a Ghost and Poison-type Pokémon was bad news. Though, if given that my blade is made of a customized hardened steel, I'll have the type advantage since Poison-type Pokémon are weak to Steel-type moves.

I stood at the center of the storm, my blade glistening with water, my breath steady despite the cold. Before me, a Nidoran jumped out of the bushes, baring its tiny fangs, its fur bristling with toxic energy. A deep chuckle echoed through the night as Gengar loomed behind it, its eyes glowing like embers in the darkness. This was no ordinary battle; I could sense the malice in the ghost's presence, the way it thrived in the storm's shadows. The air crackled with tension as Nidoran lunged first, its small but deadly form darting forward with a burst of venomous energy.

With a swift step, I pivoted, narrowly avoiding the Poison Sting that cut through the rain like a needle. My blade flashed, tracing a silver arc through the downpour. Nidoran was quick, but not quick enough—my strike connected, sending the creature skidding through the mud. It let out a sharp cry before collapsing, its strength spent. I exhaled, but I had no time to rest. A sinister laugh erupted from the darkness as Gengar made its move, melting into the storm like a phantom. I tensed and sharpened my senses as I tracked the flickering distortions in the air.

A jagged beam of dark-purple energy erupted from the void—Night Shade. I barely had time to raise my blade, slicing through the spectral attack in a flash of steel. The energy scattered, sending droplets of rain flying like shards of glass. Gengar cackled again, its form slipping between the veil of reality and illusion. I knew it was toying with me, waiting for me to drop my guard. But I would not give it the satisfaction. Closing my eyes for a brief moment, I listened—past the storm, past the echoes of Gengar's tricks—until I felt it. A ripple in the air behind me.

I spun on my heel, my blade cutting through the dark just as Gengar materialized. The ghost's sinister grin faltered as steel met shadow, forcing it to solidify against its will. With a grunt, I pressed forward, slashing through the creature's incorporeal body. Gengar howled, its essence flickering like a dying flame as the rain sizzled against its weakened form. It reeled back, its laughter now replaced by a distorted snarl. I advanced, my grip firm and my mind unwavering. I had already defeated one opponent—I would not let this one escape.

Lightning tore through the sky as I lunged, my blade glowing under the storm's electric fury. Gengar tried to retreat into the darkness, but it was too late. With a final, decisive strike, I cleaved through its center, my blade parting the ghost's form like mist in the wind. A piercing wail filled the air as Gengar fell to the ground. The storm roared in response as if acknowledging my victory. I stood motionless for a moment, feeling the weight of battle lift from my shoulders.

The rain continued to pour, washing away the remnants of the fight—the poisoned mud, the scattered shadows, the echoes of a defeated ghost. I turned to the Eevee, only to see its dismay and worry, as I defeated two of its companions without breaking much of a sweat.

"Well, that takes care of that," I said, flicking the rain from my blade before sliding it back into its sheath.

I then calmly walked over to Eevee with my hands raised in peace, but it let out a startled yelp upon seeing me getting closer.

"Now, I know you're scared. But I merely come in p-" But once again, I've been cut off.

"N-NOOO! G-GO AWAY!" It yelled in fright with its eyes closed.

The next thing that happens is her body glowing before a bright flash hits my eyes.

"OH SHIT!" I yelled as I clutched my eyes from the blinding light.

Damn it, this Eevee just used the move, Flash, on me! Man, should've been careful when dealing with a Pokémon that could be easily spooked by larger beings than itself. Something as basic as that when training to survive in a jungle or forest would be ingrained in my mind.

But I guess when you deal with something as mind-blowing as meeting Legendary Pokémon in a world where they should only exist as fiction would cause some things to slip. Fuck, but that won't be a good excuse even for the most hardened veterans.

"Argh, fuck! I can't see!" My eyes were burning a bit from the flash, and I could only see white.

"Gah! You little bitch!" I shouted at the Eevee.

Frighten or not. Self-defense or not. My frustration has hit its limit after having walked through this damn forest in this damn rain and having the awareness that it's been more than a damn week!

Thanks to my honed senses, I can perceive the Eevee despite having my sight compromise. And I didn't waste any time doing my next course of action. I ran up to the Evolution Pokémon, causing it to be surprised that I knew where it was despite my compromised sight.

"Low sweep!" I declared as soon as I stopped right in front of Eevee and sent a strong kick at it.

"GAH!" It yelled in pain from my kick.

The Evolution Pokémon is sent flying right at a tree trunk with a good amount of force, causing a dent into it and damaging the Eevee.

"Ugh… E-Ev-Eevee…" Nidoran softly spoke, which I could hear from afar.

But damn, taking a Flash directly to my face like that. My eyes are currently disabled thanks to that.

God, can this get any worse?

Then, a sharp crack, like a whip snapping, followed by a booming rumble.

BOOOOOOOOOOOM

"FUCK!" I yelled, clenching my eyes shut as I raised my hands to my ears.

Great. Now, my hearing is compromised as well from the sound of a lightning strike coming down during a heavy downpour nearby.

All I could see for an entire minute straight was white and a high-pitched ring. But during that interval, my other senses became heightened to the point where I could perceive my surroundings by painting an impression of the world à la Daredevil, alerting me to a large tree falling right on top of the incapacitated Eevee.

Well, now is a good time to quickly gain a Pokémon's trust by saving them from getting killed. Grabbing my sword's handle, I performed Iaijutsu with my right as the tree trunk was near the top of me.

SRRRNG!

In the brief moment as the flash and sound of the lightning hit the area, bright multiple slicing motions came down on a collapsing tree trunk that was about to fall upon me and the injured Eevee. The fallen tree trunk was cut up into multiple pieces and harmlessly hit the muddy ground.

"W-Wha?" The Eevee said in surprise, confused by my action.

Not only Eevee but its two companions were also surprised upon seeing me slice apart the fallen tree and save the Evolution Pokémon.

I stood like a badass with my sword positioned next to my hip after cutting down the tree. I then twirl my sword with great dexterity, deflecting the rain that fell before sheathing it back into my wooden scabbard. I let out a breath and slowly re-open my eyes, with my sight and hearing no longer compromised. I look over to Eevee, who stares at me now with little fear but also awe and curiosity.

"W-Why? Why did you-" Eevee

"Why did I save you? Simple, because you were about to be killed." I told the Evolutionary Pokémon.

Much to its surprise, Eevee noticed that I could understand its words. "Wait a minute… you can… understand me?" It asked.

"Uh yeah, I can understand exactly what you and other Pokémon are saying. Not that shocking for me given what I've been through so far." I replied.

Granted, that was somewhat of a lie as I'm really surprised by my understanding of Pokémon, but I'm rolling with the punches given that my current situation is much, much different than what people would consider normal.

"Look…" I started as I slowly knelt down in front of Eevee. "...I get you and your companions have dealt with some pretty bad people. And in turn, it led to the three of you attacking me out of nowhere despite the fact I was simply passing through. But I can tell you right now that you don't need to worry about me capturing or killing you guys because I just demonstrated how easy it was for me to deal with all of you without using Pokémon myself. And, I don't have any Poké Balls on my person that'll allow capture." I explained in a gentle tone.

While the trio of Pokémon was muddling over the sincerity of my words, they seemed to have calmed down and wanted to hear what I had to say next. This is good as we can now finally move this plot onwards.

"Instead, how about we all just head to the nice Pokémon Professor who lives a mile away from where we are so we can heal up?" I offered.

A moment of silence happens for us besides the pitter-patter rain.

"And why… should we trust you?" The voice belonging to Gengar spoke up, along with a stern glare and lack of smile.

"Humans… humans have harmed us in many ways," Gengar said as it glared at the ground a bit, remembering the poor treatment it endured along with how its companions also had similar dealings.

"So why should we accept your word that you will not do us harm or trick us?"

The trio of Pokémon looks at me as if to hear my next words, so I obligate with a smile… along with action.

"Because…" I started before drawing my blade out again and slit the palm of my hand deeply.

The trio of Pokémon wince a bit at my sudden action and seeing my now wounded hand with blood dripping onto the ground. Then, to their astonishment and curiosity, the wound immediately closed and healed up in seconds.

"...humans are also not above deceiving and harming each other as well," I finished.

TAP TAP TAP

"Now who could that be?" An elderly voice said from the kitchen.

This old man is none other than the famous Professor Samuel Oak. It was just another day in the busy lab for the old Pokémon Professor until a lightning storm hit Pallet Town. For a while, Professor Ohkido still went on his day as the storm was simply like any other bad weather until he heard a couple of knocks on the door.

The kind old Pokémon Professor got up from his chair as he heard the door to his lab being knocked. Once he got to the door, he opened it up and was met with quite the sight.

Standing outside is a young man who looks entirely soaked from the rain. In his arms were a Gengar, a Nidoran, and an Eevee, and each of them had been in a rough shape.

"Hello, Professor Oak! My name is Dio Brando, and can I please come in, it's fucking soaking out here." The young man now known as Dio, said to him in a rather blasé tone.

For the Pokémon Professor, however, it seems that a certain revelation is about to happen.