Imagine a world where the impossible became reality. A world fractured beyond recognition, reshaped by an event so devastating that it defied logic and reality itself. This is the Percentverse—a world where thirty percent of the human population didn't just change; they became something else. Pokémon. Creatures of legend and fiction, now real, now living.

But this transformation wasn't instant. It was slow. Agonizing. If you were awake during it, you felt everything—bones shifting, flesh warping, instincts creeping in where thoughts used to be. But the worst part? The isolation.

Because even though those who transformed retained their minds—still thought, still felt, still spoke—the rest of humanity couldn't understand them. To untransformed ears, their voices became nothing more than the cries of their species. "Pika-Pika," "Charizard," "Gardevoir." No matter what they tried to say, that was all anyone heard.

At first, many clung to their humanity, trying to communicate, trying to prove they were still themselves. But fear is a powerful thing. People turned their backs on them. Friends, families, even entire communities cast them out, treating them as nothing more than animals. And in that loneliness, something inside them began to break.

They could still think. Still reason. Still talk—to each other. But to the world, they were nothing but creatures. And when the world sees you as a beast for long enough… it becomes easier to just be one.

Large portion of humanity, lost. The world, once broken by international conflicts, shattered even further.

But what if there was another world? A different version of the Percentverse, where the transformation affected far fewer people? Would that make it better? Or would it give rise to something even more horrifying?

Let's find out—through the eyes of one who lived it.

Welcome to the world of Low Percentage.

Original story by Jackboy0815.

Journal Entry #162

It was never within anyone's expectations that 1.5% of the world's human population would transform into Pokémon. The phenomenon was unprecedented and beyond comprehension. Fortunately for me, I was unaffected. However, my older brother was not as fortunate—he turned into a Shiny Eevee that day. I cannot even begin to imagine what it must feel like to walk on all fours. One does not truly realize the importance of their hands and arms until they are gone. He did not exactly lose them, but they were transformed into something entirely different. In a way, that is almost the same as losing them.

But the point remains—our lives were permanently changed. One hundred and twenty million people transformed in real time. Had you seen my reaction, you would have understood just how horrifying the transformation process was. There was an infamous video circulating online of an individual in a hospital undergoing a slow transformation into a Serperior. His hands gradually shrank and turned green, his legs merged into a tail, and his entire body reshaped itself. It was grotesque.

Chaos erupted worldwide in the initial days of the transformation. Mass protests formed outside the headquarters of Nintendo and Game Freak, demanding answers. Yet, even they seemed completely at a loss as to how or why this had happened. Some speculated that a scientist—perhaps an overly enthusiastic Pokémon fan—had orchestrated the event. However, the truth remains unknown.

Hungary was hit the hardest, with a staggering 90% of its population transforming. It was no surprise that they became the first nation to fully integrate Pokémon into their society. While their infrastructure suffered massive disruptions in the first few days, they adapted with remarkable speed, recovering in a matter of months—far faster than most other countries. This was likely due to the fact that the vast majority of their population had transformed, leaving very few humans behind to foster discrimination. With little to no "Poké-racism," the newly transformed populace was able to coexist more naturally. I am no psychologist, nor do I specialize in societal studies, but I assume this played a major role.

There is also a prevailing theory that Hungary was the origin of the transformation event. Some believe that a person or group within the country—perhaps a collective of dedicated Pokémon fans—was responsible. Given how severely Hungary was affected, the theory is not entirely unfounded.

Moving on, Western Africa experienced a moderate number of transformations—not as extreme as Hungary, but with far more devastating consequences. Since the Pokémon were unable to communicate and could only speak in Pokéspeak, it made things much worse. Anti-Pokémon sentiments were widespread, and several tribal communities viewed the transformed individuals as cursed beings who "must be killed." Some performed rituals on the bodies, while others… well, some attempted that infamous act involving a Vaporeon. That video is permanently burned into my memory, and I sincerely wish I could erase it. The situation remained dire until the United Nations finally took decisive action to restore order. Ironically, a Pokémon fan proposed the "Power of Friendship" doctrine. As absurd as it sounded, it actually worked.

Surprisingly, the global economy did not suffer as much as initially feared, despite the loss of a significant portion of the workforce. Corporate leaders, of course, wasted no time in devising ways to exploit Pokémon labor for profit, seeking to optimize productivity while reducing costs. However, everything changed three years later, on June 8th, 2022, when Luigi Mangione—a Breloom—killed a healthcare CEO. The CEO was allegedly involved in illegal experiments on transformed individuals, using them to develop new medications that should have been free or affordable but were instead monetized. I am uncertain about the exact details, as our own insurance policies are not as predatory, so I never followed the issue too closely.

Many Americans rallied in support of Luigi Mangione, hailing him as the "Breloom Hero." Naturally, there were dissenting voices, with some labeling him a monster, a murderer, and an animal that needed to be euthanized. I obviously disagree with such sentiments, but there is no denying the fear this incident instilled within the corporate world.

It is unsettling to think that these Pokémon—individuals who were once human—are now stripped of their rights and subjected to unethical experiments. Their minds remain intact; their appearances may have changed, and they may have developed certain instincts, but at their core, they are still human.

Anyway, moving on—Nintendo urged the public to refer to them as "Elementals" instead of Pokémon. While the term gained some traction, the majority continued to use "Pokémon" due to its deep cultural significance. If anything, the word became even more iconic—but not for good reasons. Even I still call them Pokémon instead of Elementals.

Yeah, I think that is enough writing for today. I have my first job to get to on New Year's.

Five Years After August 21st, 2019 (January 3rd, 2024)

Beep beep beep.

"Ugh, right, right. First day of the job."

Today's the day. Just after New Year's, I finally got my first job. I was just accepted to work at 7/11. Sure, it may not be grand, and my passion lies in literature, journalism, and archiving historical works, but progress is progress. Step by step, as they say.

I recently graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism, and this is my first day of becoming a productive human being. Sure, I could have found a job related to my expertise, but I like the idea of forming a company one day. That will be someday in the future.

I put my thoughts about the future away and focused on getting ready for my morning shift—a full shift from 6 AM to 2 PM. It should be quick and easy. Besides, it's near my boarding house, though I plan to move into an actual house or apartment eventually.

I spent most of 5 AM making breakfast, taking a shower, brushing my teeth, putting on my 7/11 uniform—all the basic hygiene and morning chores you can think of.

By the time I finished, I took my keys, wallet, and other important valuables, stuffing them into my satchel. Then, I went outside and hopped onto my scooter motorcycle. It only took a minute or so to arrive at my destination. Sure, I could have walked since it was within walking distance, but I preferred arriving sooner and getting things done fast.

As I arrived, the morning air was slowly heating up from the sun, so I stepped inside, immediately hit by the cold air conditioning and the familiar smells of brewing coffee, instant noodles, and everything else a regular 7/11 has.

The first thing I saw was the security guard. He waved in acknowledgment. Another employee at the counter was organizing something. One guy waved and said, "Sup," as a greeting. Another was busy with his phone. But what surprised me the most was an Espeon.

She had her own modified uniform and a hat, which reminded me of the Espeon Pokémon Unite outfit.

"You're the new guy here?" A voice entered my head.

I blinked in surprise and shook my head. "Yeah, I am. And, uh, sorry. First time experiencing that."

One of the employees joined in. "You'll get used to it, don't worry. Name's Daniel, by the way."

"My name's Reyes." I introduced myself. Sure, we had name tags, but it's not like we'd always look at them.

"Eleisa." The Espeon introduced herself. "I guess this is your first time hearing telepathy."

"Yeah… I heard about it but never experienced it until now. And besides, this is my first time seeing a Pokémon working."

The security guard joined the conversation. "Yeah, I get it. Had the same reaction when she first started the job." He chuckled.

"And this is only my first week on the job. The government finally allowed us to work in most jobs now."

"Huh, that's great," I said, though a question lingered in my mind. "Also, why are there six of us here? I thought we only had two or three per shift."

The guy with the phone answered. "True, but today's different and will stay that way for a week. There's a festival nearby, and the manager expects a massive rush. So, both morning and night shifts have extra bodies to help out."

"Huh, I didn't know that."

"You don't? You must be new here, then."

"Yeah, been here as a boarder for four years and just recently graduated."

"Heh, makes sense—and, uhh congrats on your success, man," said the guy organizing earlier. "Our girl here graduated quite recently too."

Mildly surprised, I asked, "Really? I thought thousands got expelled—all of them being Pokémon."

Eleisa's telepathy came through, "I was one of the exceptions because of telepathy. Without it, I wouldn't be here right now."

Oh, right… the government's controversial action. "Sorry, shouldn't have said that."

"It's fine," she reassured. "Things are looking brighter for us now."

We continued introducing ourselves and sharing our hobbies in random discussion. It was surprisingly enjoyable despite the ongoing tension of expecting quite a flow of customers, human and Pokémon festival-goers alike.

At the end of our shift, we all stepped outside, stretching and chatting about how the day had gone. Only Daniel and the security guard remained behind as the next shift arrived to take over. To be completely honest, I had already forgotten most of their names—except for Daniel and Eleisa—but I figured there would be plenty of time to get to know them in the coming days.

The festival was still in full swing, with crowds of people and Pokémon filling the streets, admiring the traditional displays and performances. The roads remained congested, horns blaring occasionally as drivers navigated through the sea of pedestrians. Despite the chaos, there was an undeniable charm to the atmosphere—a sense of celebration and unity after the insanity of the past five years made it all feel worth it.

Reflecting on the day, I realized that working at 7/11 wasn't as bad as I had initially expected. Sure, it was busy, and the constant flow of customers kept us on our toes, but it wasn't exhausting. In fact, it was kind of fun. The biggest challenge had been the communication barrier between humans and Pokémon, as most of us could only hear them say their species' names—"Pika-Pika," "Vul," and the like. Fortunately, Eleisa's telepathy proved to be incredibly helpful, allowing her to translate and relay what they wanted to us.

She also handled the register with surprising efficiency, using her telekinesis to process payments and bag items. Honestly, she was better at it than most people I knew. Watching her work made me wonder just how much the workforce would change now that Pokémon—or "Elementals," as Nintendo preferred—were becoming more integrated into society.

After chatting for a bit longer, we all parted ways. I hopped on my scooter and rode back to my boarding house, weaving through the bustling streets. I wasn't actually planning to rest or sleep yet—there was a festival happening, and it wouldn't hurt to treat myself and maybe find something cool to buy, as long as it was cheap and worth it, of course.

As I rode through the streets, the festival's energy buzzed around me. Stalls lined the sidewalks, offering everything from traditional delicacies to cheap trinkets and handmade crafts. The scent of grilled meat and freshly cooked street food filled the air, blending with the distant sound of music and laughter. Neon lights and lanterns illuminated the roads, casting a warm glow over the celebrating crowds.

Among the festival-goers, I noticed Pokémon—or, err, Elementals—walking alongside humans, blending into society in a way that would have been unimaginable just five years ago. Some carried shopping bags with their tails, others walked side by side with friends or family, and a few had even taken up roles as vendors, using their abilities to prepare food or assist customers. I spotted a Machamp effortlessly carrying a stack of crates, a Froslass carefully handing out shaved ice treats, and a Blaziken flipping skewers of meat over an open flame with expert precision.

So much had changed in just five years.

Sure, discrimination still existed—there were still people who saw them as animals, monsters, or something less than human. The fact that Elementals had no legal citizenship and limited rights in many countries was a constant reminder of that. But even so, seeing them out here, walking freely, existing alongside humans without fear… it was something no one could have imagined in the chaotic days following the transformation.

Still, I couldn't help but wonder—how were the former humans coping? Those who had once spoken, written, and lived as people, now trapped in bodies that made communication nearly impossible? Some, like Eleisa, had been lucky. With telepathy, she could express herself as clearly as any human. But for the vast majority, all I could hear from them was the same thing over and over again—

"Char! Charizard!"

"Pika-Pika!"

"Gardevoir."

"Lucario."

Their names. Their species' names. That was all.

How many of them had simply given up trying to communicate? How many had found other ways to express themselves? And how many were still struggling, their thoughts and emotions forever locked behind voices they could no longer control?

I passed by a family sitting on a bench—two parents and a child, with a Vaporeon nestled between them. The kid excitedly babbled about something, hugging the Pokémon like a beloved pet. The Vaporeon responded with a soft cry, "Vaa-poreon," and nuzzled the child's arm. It was a sweet moment, a heartwarming sight—yet I couldn't help but feel unsettled.

That Vaporeon might have once been someone just like me. A person with dreams, responsibilities, a life of their own. And now? Were they truly happy in that body, with that family? Or had they simply learned to accept their fate?

The world had changed, and it was still changing. There was progress, but there were still problems—barriers that no one knew how to break just yet.

Lost in thought, I pulled over near a small food stand, my stomach reminding me that I hadn't eaten since my shift ended. Maybe some food would help clear my mind.

AN: Well here I am, I have returned from my slumber. Also this was only a writing exercise for myself to curb my ongoing writer's block. Was given an advice from someone that I should write some one-shots instead of writing a full on series when I get a new and a good fanfic idea and I have taken that to heart.

I actually had this idea for quite a long time now but I had no time, and the motivation to write it and I originally planned it as a fanfic series with many chapters like the usual fanfics but I have decided to make this a short writing exercise to make my hands start to work and move, and hopefully make this a one-shot series. If I even continue that is lol.