Chapter 3

Viridian City had started to change.

The people trapped here—Trainers just like me—were beginning to adapt.

Some had started exchanging items, making trades for Poké Balls, Potions, and status healers. Others went a step further, setting up makeshift shops, selling whatever they had to spare.

A guy with the username Martel waved me over, standing next to a table stacked with supplies.

"Need Potions? I'm selling them cheap!"

I hesitated. A player-run economy?

This wasn't just a game anymore.

It was becoming a real society.

And if we were going to survive, we needed all the help we could get.

After a long day of battling, exploring, and adjusting to this twisted version of Kanto, I decided to check out the Pokémon Center.

As I walked up to the counter, a familiar figure greeted me—Nurse Joy.

She smiled warmly, the same scripted expression as always. "Would you like to book a room for the night?"

I hesitated for a moment before nodding. "Yeah, I would."

A soft chime rang out.

[You have booked a Pokémon Center room. Free for all trainers.]

The system automatically assigned me a room, and the doors slid open, revealing a simple but cozy space—a bed, a desk, a small bathroom, and a storage unit for items.

Not bad.

Curious, I walked into the bathroom and turned on the faucet.

Water gushed out, crystal clear.

I hesitantly placed my hand under it.

I felt it.

Cold. Wet. Just like real water.

A shiver ran through me.

This game's immersion system wasn't just for sight and sound—it simulated everything.

Touch. Taste. Temperature. Even the sensation of being wet.

"This is insane…" I muttered.

After a quick shower, I changed into the simple sleepwear provided and headed back downstairs.

The Pokémon Center café was alive with chatter—players talking, sharing strategies, and just trying to cope with this strange new world.

Then, a familiar scent hit my nose.

Freshly baked bread. Stew simmering over a fire.

My stomach rumbled.

"Guess food works here too," I mumbled, stepping up to the counter and ordering a bowl of soup.

The moment I took a sip, my eyes widened.

It tasted real.

Savory, warm, comforting.

But it didn't make sense.

None of this was real.

And yet… somehow, my brain believed it was.

I sighed, staring down at my spoon.

If this game could perfectly mimic reality, how long until we all started forgetting what was real and what wasn't?

I was still trying to wrap my head around how real everything felt when a soft voice interrupted my thoughts.

"Um… excuse me. Do you mind if I sit here?"

I froze.

That voice…

I knew that voice.

Slowly, I turned, my heart pounding.

Standing there, holding a tray with a small bowl of soup, was a blonde-haired girl in a white dress. Her emerald-green eyes blinked in surprise as she stared at me.

Lillie.

My breath caught in my throat.

"L-Lillie?"

Her eyes widened, and she gasped.

"Ash?"

For a moment, we just stared at each other, completely stunned.

Of all the people in this world… I never expected to see her here.

She hesitated for only a second before sitting down across from me, her hands clutching her spoon tightly.

"I… I can't believe it's really you."

I nodded, still trying to process everything.

"Same here. What are you doing here, Lillie?"

She sighed, lowering her gaze.

"The Aether Paradise received copies of the game too… I was curious, so I decided to try it."

Her expression darkened, her fingers trembling slightly as she stirred her soup.

"But then the Shadow Arceus appeared, and now… now we're trapped."

Her voice wavered.

"It's terrifying, Ash. I don't want to be here."

She looked up at me, searching my face.

"Aren't you scared too?"

I exhaled slowly, setting my spoon down.

"Yeah, Lillie… it's terrifying."

She looked at me, her hands still trembling.

"But…" I gave her a small grin. "It's also exciting."

Lillie blinked, confusion flickering across her face. "Exciting?"

I nodded. "I won't lie, being trapped in here is dangerous. But if we want to escape, there's only one way—defeating Shadow Arceus at the top of the 100th floor."

My fists clenched, determination burning inside me.

"If that's what it takes, then I'll do it."

Lillie hesitated, her hands tightening around her spoon. "I understand… but I'm still worried."

She lowered her gaze. "What will Gladion think? What about Mother and Father? They must be so worried about me…"

That hit me.

Lillie's family must be panicking in the real world.

I quickly pulled up my menu and sent a message to Ray.

Ash:
Lillie from Aether Paradise is here. Can you contact the Aether Foundation and let them know she's safe?

It didn't take long for a reply.

Ray:
Already on it. Lusamine and Mohn have been informed. They're moving Lillie to a secure room in Aether Paradise where there won't be disruptions. They'll also monitor her health.

I turned the screen toward Lillie.

She exhaled deeply, her shoulders relaxing. "So they know… That's a little comforting."

I gave her a reassuring smile. "See? You're not alone in this, Lillie."

She looked at me for a long moment, something unreadable in her expression.

Then, she nodded firmly.

"…Then, Ash, if we're really doing this… I want to help."

A grin spread across my face.

"Then let's survive this together."

Looking at Lillie, I was reminded of just how strong she really was.

Back in Alola, she had been the smartest student in the Trainer's School, always absorbing knowledge about Pokémon battles, abilities, habitats—she had learned everything before she even became a Trainer.

But her real strength wasn't just her intelligence.

It was her willpower.

She had stepped out of her comfort zone to become a Pokémon Trainer. She had stood up to Lusamine, determined to save her mother from Nihilego's grasp. And when she learned that her father, Mohn, was missing, she had traveled all the way to the Crown Tundra with her family to search for him.

Lillie was far from weak.

I smiled.

"You know," I said, leaning forward, "I've always admired how strong you are."

Lillie blinked, caught off guard. "Strong?"

I nodded. "Yeah. You never gave up, even when things seemed impossible."

My smile widened.

"That's exactly the kind of strength we need in here."

She looked down, then after a moment, a small, genuine smile crossed her face.

"…Thank you, Ash."

I nodded, leaning back. "So, do you have a place to stay?"

"Yes," she said, setting down her spoon. "I booked Room 303 in the Pokémon Center."

I raised an eyebrow. "No way… I got Room 302!"

Her eyes widened, before she chuckled softly. "I guess we're neighbors, then."

We finished our meal, and I stretched, sighing in satisfaction. "Man, that was good. I feel full."

Lillie nodded. "It's because the visor stimulates the brain's senses. It's not real food, but our minds can't tell the difference."

I stared at my empty bowl, turning the spoon in my fingers.

This world was way too real.

But real or not—

We had to survive.

After finishing our meal, Lillie and I headed back upstairs to our rooms.

The Pokémon Center dorms were simple—a bed, a desk, a small bathroom—but after everything that had happened today, it felt comfortable enough for the night.

I opened my menu and noticed an option to change clothes.

With a single press, my outfit switched to a plain set of pajamas.

Lillie did the same, stretching slightly in her white nightwear.

"I bought these earlier from a vendor," she said, adjusting the sleeves. "They were cheap, but they work fine."

I chuckled. "Maybe as we climb higher floors, we'll find better gear."

She nodded. "That would make sense."

I leaned against the doorway of my room, arms crossed.

"Tomorrow, I think we should start looking for the first boss."

Lillie frowned. "First boss?"

I nodded. "Ray told me that each region has 10 bosses. By defeating them, there's a higher chance of reaching the end of the game."

Her eyes widened slightly, processing the information.

"So… if we want to escape, we have to defeat all of them?"

I smirked. "Looks like it."

Lillie took a deep breath, then gave a firm nod. "Then let's start preparing first thing in the morning."

I grinned. "That's the plan."

Tomorrow, our real journey would begin.

The next morning, Lillie and I set out toward Route 2.

The sun was rising over Viridian City, casting a golden glow on the dirt paths ahead. The air felt fresh, crisp—a small reminder that, despite everything, this world still looked like the Pokémon adventure I once knew.

As we walked, I noticed something.

Lillie had a Poké Ball in hand, and when she released it, a Bulbasaur appeared at her side.

I blinked in surprise. "You picked Bulbasaur as your starter?"

She nodded, gently petting its head. "Yes. I figured a Grass-type would help with survival—healing moves like Leech Seed and status effects like Sleep Powder might come in handy."

I grinned. "Smart choice."

Not wanting to be left out, I grabbed my own Poké Ball and tossed it forward.

"This is mine—Charmander."

With a small burst of light, my orange-scaled partner appeared, its tail flame flickering in the breeze.

Lillie knelt slightly, studying it with a warm smile.

"I remember you had a Pikachu back in Alola," she mused. "It's a little strange seeing you with a Charmander instead."

I chuckled. "Yeah, this time, I got to start the traditional way."

I tapped my menu, pulling up the Pokédex entries for our starters.

Charmander's Pokédex Entry

Obviously prefers hot places. When it rains, steam is said to spout from the tip of its tail.

Bulbasaur's Pokédex Entry

A strange seed was planted on its back at birth. The plant sprouts and grows with this Pokémon.

I looked between our two Pokémon, already picturing how they'd grow stronger together.

Lillie watched Bulbasaur, her expression thoughtful. "I hope we can get stronger soon… especially if we're going after those bosses."

I gave her a reassuring pat on the shoulder. "We will. And with our teams growing, we'll be ready for anything."

She smiled, determination shining in her emerald-green eyes.

With our starters by our sides, we stepped forward.

As we made our way through Route 2, the tall grass rustled with movement. It wasn't long before a small, green Pokémon crawled out, its round eyes staring up at us.

"A Caterpie!" Lillie gasped excitedly.

"Perfect chance to expand our teams," I grinned, grabbing a Poké Ball.

"Charmander, Scratch!"

Charmander dashed forward, claws flashing as they struck Caterpie's side. The tiny Bug-type let out a squeak, struggling to stay upright.

Lillie acted fast. "Bulbasaur, use Tackle!"

A direct hit—Caterpie stumbled, weak enough for capture.

I tossed a Poké Ball.

One shake.
Two shakes.
Three—

Click!

[Gotcha! Caterpie was caught!]

Caterpie's Pokédex Entry

Its short feet are tipped with suction pads that enable it to tirelessly climb slopes and walls.

Lillie smiled, holding up her Poké Ball. "Caterpie may not be strong now, but it evolves quickly."

I nodded. "Exactly. Butterfree will be useful."

But something still bugged me.

Where were the Weedle?

Normally, Route 2 had both Caterpie and Weedle, but so far, we had only seen Caterpie.

Then, it hit me.

I quickly pulled up my Settings menu and tapped Red Version.

The second I did—everything shifted.

The moment we stepped into another patch of grass, a rustling noise came from the side.

A yellow Bug-type Pokémon with a sharp stinger crawled out.

"There we go! A Weedle!" I smirked.

Lillie's eyes widened. "Wait… you changed versions, didn't you?"

"Yeah. That's why we only saw Caterpie earlier—Green Version spawns more of them. But in Red Version, Weedle is more common."

Lillie's expression turned thoughtful. "That means we can change versions to complete the Pokédex easier…"

I grinned. "Exactly. Now, let's catch one."

"Charmander, Ember!"

A small flame shot forward, hitting Weedle directly.

The Bug-type screeched, barely holding on. Perfect.

I tossed a Poké Ball—

One shake.
Two shakes.
Three—

Click!

[Gotcha! Weedle was caught!]

Weedle's Pokédex Entry

Often found in forests, eating leaves. It has a sharp venomous stinger on its head.

With both Caterpie and Weedle in our teams, Lillie and I exchanged determined glances.

"Two new Pokémon each," she said. "We're getting stronger already."

I nodded. "And this is only the beginning."

With our teams growing and the Version Swap trick in our arsenal, we were ready for whatever came next.

With our new Caterpie and Weedle captured, Lillie and I made our way toward the entrance of Viridian Forest.

The towering trees loomed ahead, their dense foliage casting shadows over the gate leading inside. I had been here before in past journeys, but something felt off this time.

I reached for the gate handle and pulled.

Clank.

It didn't budge.

I frowned and pulled again—but the gate wouldn't open.

A red notification suddenly popped up in front of us.

[System Alert]

Access to Viridian Forest is restricted.
Unlock conditions: ?

Lillie stared at the message, then at me. "It's locked?"

I sighed. "Looks like it. Normally, we should be able to just walk in… but this game isn't following normal rules."

Lillie bit her lip, deep in thought. "Unlock conditions… but it doesn't tell us what they are."

I clenched my fists. We needed a way forward.

But without knowing how to open this gate, we had no choice.

I turned back toward the path we came from, my mind racing.

"Looks like we're heading back to Viridian City."

Lillie nodded, though I could tell she was just as frustrated as I was.

As we made our way back, one thought kept repeating in my head.

What were we missing?

If the Forest gate was locked, then that meant the answer had to be somewhere behind us.

Viridian City.

Maybe we had overlooked something important.

We needed to figure it out—fast.

As we walked through Viridian City, something caught our attention—a crowd gathering in the town square.

I narrowed my eyes. "What's going on?"

Lillie frowned. "Let's check it out."

Curious, we made our way toward the growing group of Trainers. Whatever was happening, it was important.

A man stood at the center of the square, his confident voice booming over the murmurs of the gathered Trainers.

"My name is Garrett," he announced. "And I have found the first boss!"

The crowd went silent.

Everyone's attention locked onto him as he continued.

"The boss is a Gyarados, lurking in the lake inside the Wild Zone." He paused, scanning the group. "This is our chance. If we want to survive and reach the 2nd Floor, we need to take it down."

A wave of mixed reactions rippled through the players.

Some looked determined.
Others looked uncertain.
But many seemed scared.

Garrett raised a fist.

"Listen up! As the strongest players here, it's our duty to defeat the boss and prove that the game can be cleared! If we do this, we can give hope to those still afraid."

At first, there were murmurs of agreement, then cheers of encouragement.

"But we can't do this alone," Garrett continued. "We need to form parties. A raid group will have a better chance than individuals fighting separately."

The energy in the crowd seemed high—until doubt crept in.

"We already lost a hundred people…" someone muttered.
"What if we just die too?" another whispered.

The moment those words were spoken, fear spread like wildfire.

The memories of those who had already died hung over us like a dark cloud.

Doubt. Distrust. Uncertainty.

Some players even started arguing, their voices rising in frustration.

Then—

A new voice cut through the tension.

"Enough!"

A young man with dark blue hair stepped forward—his name tag read Luke.

His calm, firm voice demanded attention.

"We shouldn't be fighting each other," Luke said, his gaze sweeping over the crowd. "If we don't work together, we'll never escape this game. Arguing won't help anyone."

Silence fell.

He took a deep breath.

"I know some of you are afraid. I am too. But fear can't control us. If we trust each other, we can win."

The tension eased slightly.

Garrett nodded. "Then let's do this together."

For the first time, it felt like we had a real shot at escaping.

Lillie leaned toward me. "A Gyarados… That's going to be a challenge."

I nodded, my grip tightening around my Poké Balls.

"Yeah… but if we want to clear this game, we don't have a choice."

The first real battle was coming.

And I was ready.

Lillie and I joined the raid group, walking alongside Luke as we made our way toward the Wild Zone's lake—the rumored boss arena.

The atmosphere was tense, but there was also anticipation in the air. This was it—our first real test.

As we walked, I turned to Luke. "Hey, Luke, right? I don't think we've met before."

He smiled. "Yeah, I figured I should introduce myself properly. Luke Stone."

I blinked. "Stone? Wait… as in Steven Stone?"

Luke chuckled. "Yeah. I'm his son."

Lillie gasped. "That means… Devon Corp is involved in this game too?"

Luke nodded, his expression turning serious.

"We were given copies of Pokémon World Online, but even my father has no idea how the 2000 beta testers were chosen. There was no selection process—just a random invitation."

A chill ran down my spine.

No selection process? Was Shadow Arceus behind this?

Why us?

I was about to ask more when—

We reached the lake.

The moment we stepped forward—

The water erupted.

A massive, blue-scaled figure shot out from below, its roar shaking the ground.

Gyarados.

Some players screamed, others froze in place.

This wasn't a normal wild Pokémon encounter.

This was a raid boss.

At the front, Garrett didn't hesitate.

"Don't back down! Attack!"

Garrett grabbed a Poké Ball and tossed it forward.

A small, purple-furred Pokémon landed on the battlefield.

…Rattata?

People around us murmured in confusion.

"Wait… is he seriously using a Rattata?"

Then—electricity crackled.

Garrett's Rattata fired a Thunderbolt, the golden energy slamming into Gyarados's body, dealing massive damage.

"What?!" someone gasped. "How does Rattata know Thunderbolt?!"

Garrett smirked. "Surprise boxes. Opened one, got a TM, and taught it to Rattata."

I grinned. This game really had no limits.

The battle had begun.

And we were in for one hell of a fight.

The battle raged on, the once-calm lake transforming into a warzone.

Trainers commanded their Pokémon, launching attacks from all directions, trying to chip away at the towering beast before us.

Grass-types had the advantage, their Vine Whips, Razor Leaves, and Absorbs striking hard against Gyarados's Water-typing.

But this wasn't just a Water-type battle.

Gyarados was also Flying-type, making some Grass moves less effective—and the best counter, Electric-types, were rare among our group.

I called out, "Nidoran, use Poison Sting!"

My Nidoran leaped forward, its horn flashing purple as it lunged at Gyarados. The attack landed, but the massive Pokémon barely flinched.

Beside me, Lillie's Bulbasaur fired a Leech Seed, wrapping vines around Gyarados's body, draining its health little by little.

Lillie clenched her fists. "We're chipping it down, but it's not enough!"

We were winning—or so we thought.

Suddenly, Gyarados let out a deafening roar.

Its body glowed red, its eyes burned with rage.

A cold chill ran down my spine.

No way… this wasn't just any move.

This was Dragon Rage.

My stomach dropped.

"Watch out!" I yelled.

Garrett didn't react fast enough.

He had rushed in, ready to land the final blow—but Gyarados struck first.

A massive burst of draconic energy exploded from its mouth, engulfing Garrett and his Rattata.

The force of the attack sent shockwaves through the battlefield, knocking several players back.

As the dust settled, a single system notification appeared above his Rattata.

[Fainted]

But that wasn't the worst part.

Garrett had been hit too.

I froze in horror.

Dragon Rage always deals 40 HP of damage… If Garrett had less than 40 HP left…

His body wavered, flickering like static.

"Garrett!" I ran toward him, my hands fumbling for a Potion from my bag.

"Here! Use this—"

But he shook his head.

He knew.

It was too late.

His breathing was heavy, his form glitching more and more. Yet, somehow, he still managed to smile weakly.

"I… I was after the Last Attack Bonus…" His voice wavered. "Guess I got greedy."

My hands clenched into fists.

I understood now.

He was just like me.

He wasn't just fighting for survival—he wanted to win.

He let out a weak chuckle, even as his form continued to distort.

"Ash… you're the strongest here. Finish this for everyone."

Then—

His body shattered.

Like breaking glass, his form disintegrated into countless glowing polygons—

And just like that…

He was gone.

I gritted my teeth, my fists trembling with rage.

"Gyarados… you'll pay for that."

I wouldn't let his sacrifice be in vain.

Garrett was gone.

For a brief second, the battlefield fell silent, the weight of his death sinking in.

But there was no time to mourn—

The battle wasn't over.

Gyarados let out another ear-shattering roar, its serpentine body thrashing violently. It wasn't going down without a fight.

I clenched my fists, my blood boiling. "Lillie! We have to end this now!"

She nodded, determination burning in her emerald eyes. "Right!"

Our Pokémon stepped forward, ready for battle.

"Nidoran, use Double Kick!" I commanded.

"Bulbasaur, Vine Whip!" Lillie followed.

Nidoran dashed forward, leaping onto Gyarados's side, its small but powerful hind legs slamming into its scales. The first kick landed clean, the second one forcing Gyarados to stagger from the impact.

At the same time, Bulbasaur's vines lashed out, wrapping around Gyarados's body, constricting its movements and sapping its strength.

"It's working!" Lillie called out.

But Gyarados wasn't done.

Its eyes flashed red, and its body tensed—

Dragon Rage!

My heart pounded as the familiar blue fireball formed in its mouth. This attack couldn't be dodged easily. If it landed, we'd lose everything.

"Lillie, move!"

She didn't need me to say it twice.

We jumped in opposite directions—right before the massive blast of Dragon Rage exploded where we once stood.

The shockwave rippled through the air, sending players tumbling, but neither of us got hit.

Lillie exhaled, glancing at me. "That was way too close!"

I grinned. "Yeah, but we're still in this!"

Gyarados snarled, weakened but still standing. This was it—the final stretch.

I turned to Lillie. "Let's end it together!"

She nodded, a determined smile forming. "Right!"

Gyarados let out a final, furious roar, its body battered and weak.

I clenched my fists. "Nidoran, end it with Horn Attack!"

Nidoran's horn sharpened with a bright glow, and it charged full speed toward Gyarados.

"Bulbasaur, Tackle!" Lillie shouted.

Bulbasaur sprinted forward, using its vines for extra momentum.

The two Pokémon struck at the same time—

A powerful impact to Gyarados's head.

The massive sea serpent froze in place.

A second later, its body shattered into countless glowing polygons, dissolving into the sky like flickering stars.

VICTORY!

A massive notification appeared in front of every player's screen.

For a moment, there was only silence.

Then—

Cheers erupted.

Players threw their fists in the air, shouting in celebration. Some fell to their knees in relief, while others hugged their teammates.

The first floor boss was defeated—proof that we could clear the game.

I exhaled, checking my rewards.

Rewards Obtained:

✔ Wooden Sword → Enables use of Normal-type moves (Beginner Level)
✔ 500 Pokédollars
✔ Special Gear (?)

I held up the Wooden Sword. It was simple, lightweight, but I could already tell it was part of the game's weapon system.

Lillie looked over. "A weapon? So Trainers can fight too?"

I smirked. "Looks like it. There must be a whole system built for this."

There were five levels of weapons Trainers could use alongside Pokémon.

So even we could fight alongside our teams…?

This game was just getting started.

Lillie, Luke, and I stood together, catching our breath after the intense battle.

The crowd was still cheering, celebrating the first boss victory of the game.

But then, a sharp voice cut through the excitement.

"Why did you let Garrett die?!"

I turned, spotting a furious player stepping forward, their expression twisted with anger and grief.

"He could've been saved! But instead, you just stood there and watched!" another player shouted, and soon, murmurs spread through the crowd.

"And how come you knew the boss was here, huh? Why didn't you tell the rest of us earlier?"

The mood shifted.

Some people who had been cheering a moment ago were now glaring at me.

Lillie clenched her fists. "Ash didn't withhold anything! He—"

"Enough."

Before Lillie or Luke could argue, I did something unexpected.

I laughed.

The players paused, confused by my reaction.

I smirked, crossing my arms.

"You want to know why I knew?" I asked, my voice confident. "Because I'm a Pokémon Master."

Whispers spread through the crowd.

"I've spent my entire life battling Pokémon," I continued. "I've fought in countless tournaments, faced Champions, and trained alongside the strongest Pokémon in the world."

My eyes narrowed.

"You think this game is the same as the ones you used to play? This isn't just a video game—this is Pokémon Training at its core. And you?" I gestured toward them. "You're just gamers playing pretend."

A wave of resentment rolled through the crowd. Some people looked furious, while others scoffed in disbelief.

"That's unfair!" someone shouted.

"He's a Code Trainer! No wonder he's ahead of us!"

I raised an eyebrow. "Code Trainer?"

A few players nodded. "It means you're basically cheating because you have real-world experience. That's why you're so strong!"

I chuckled. "Fine. Call me whatever you want. Code Trainer? Sounds cool to me."

I pulled out the Special Gear from my inventory and equipped it.

My casual attire shifted—replaced by a black combat shirt and a flowing dark cape.

I grinned, feeling the fabric flutter behind me.

"But don't confuse me with the trainers who only have experience in battling."

Lillie huffed, stepping beside me. "I can't believe how ungrateful some of them are."

I shrugged. "It doesn't matter. What matters is that we defeated the first boss and there are nine more."

Luke nodded. "And after seeing the Gyarados fight… I think we all realize something."

I smirked. "Yeah. There's a limit to what a solo player can do."

Lillie blinked. "Are you saying we should…?"

I crossed my arms. "Yeah. We need to form a guild."

This world was just beginning to take shape.

If we were going to survive, we had to be more than just players.

We had to become leaders.

Here is a new chapter, and you can see from this part that we have finished the first area. I hope you like this chapter.