Chapter 1: Wake Up Call

One second, I was closing my eyes to sleep for work tomorrow.

The next, I felt like I was laying on hard rock, which yanked a groan of discomfort out of me. I sat up slowly, wincing as I opened my eyes…

and was greeted by pure darkness — not my soft mattress.

Instinct kicked in. I scrambled upright, noticing how every movement echoed into the black nothingness.

"Where the hell am I…" I muttered, extending a hand and shuffling forward, fingers brushing cold stone.

Had I been kidnapped? Was this some horrible prank?

I patted myself down, only to realize two things: no phone, and no clothes — just underwear.

The freezing air sank its teeth into my skin, and I cursed under my breath.

"Well, I'm basically naked out in the wild. Fantastic."

Rubbing my face, I started trudging along the wall, dragging my hand across it to guide me, praying for something — anything — to make sense.

Eventually, my fingers hit something small and smooth. Curious, I bent down and picked it up.

It was a Poké Ball.

Empty, judging by the lightness and the way it didn't react.

Someone had left a toy in a cave.

"Neat," I muttered sarcastically, pocketing it. "Just what I needed. A paperweight."

Still no clue where I was. No clue who I was, even.

All I could do was keep moving.

The ground shifted underfoot, sloping down. I stumbled a few times, scraping my palms on the rocks, but the wall kept me from pitching over completely.

Then… something. A sound.

Scraping. Skittering.

I froze, heart thudding against my ribs.

Something was watching me.

I turned slowly, peering into the darkness — just in time to startle a small, round figure with jagged fins on its head.

It let out a startled growl, tiny claws flexing.

A Gible.

I barely had time to register that fact before a low growl came from behind me — much deeper, more threatening.

Spinning, I saw it.

A Poochyena, crouched low, muscles coiled to spring.

The thing had been stalking me.

"Shit," I breathed, stumbling back — right into Gible.

Before I could react, the Poochyena lunged —

and Gible moved.

He darted forward with surprising speed, slamming into the Poochyena with a headbutt that sent both of them rolling.

The battle was messy — snapping teeth, flashes of claws, furious growls.

I couldn't do anything but watch, frozen, useless.

Finally, Gible managed to clamp down on the Poochyena's scruff and hurl it away with a toss of his head.

The Poochyena hit the ground hard, whimpered, and slunk off into the dark, tail tucked.

Gible stood there, breathing hard, staring after it.

I swallowed.

"…Thanks, little guy," I said softly.

He turned and gave me a grunt — like, don't get used to it — then started waddling deeper into the cave.

Not about to be left alone again, I followed. Not close enough to annoy him, just enough to stay within sight.

The cave opened up a little as we went, winding downward toward the sound of running water.

I caught glimpses of glowing moss, trickling streams, and… bats.

Lots of bats.

A trio of Zubats dropped from the ceiling with high-pitched screeches, flapping wildly toward me.

I ducked with a yelp, stumbling back as wings buffeted my face.

One tried to bite my shoulder, but Gible was on them in an instant, snapping at wings and driving them back into the dark.

Panting, heart hammering, I leaned against the wall.

"New rule," I gasped. "No touching the wildlife."

Gible snorted like he agreed.

We finally reached the river — a slow, wide current of shimmering water, cool mist curling off it.

My stomach growled loudly.

Food. I needed food.

"Hey," I said, crouching by the bank, glancing at Gible. "Does this cave have an exit? Maybe somewhere I can, you know, not starve?"

Gible just tilted his head, then waddled over and peered into the water.

Following his lead, I squinted into the depths — and spotted something orange and flailing near the surface.

A Magikarp.

Without thinking, I plunged my arms in.

Splash.

Thrashing.

Yelling.

I nearly went face-first into the river trying to wrestle the slimy thing out, but somehow — miraculously — Gible lunged forward and clamped his jaws onto the fish, helping haul it in.

Together, dripping wet and shivering, we collapsed on the bank, the Magikarp flopping weakly between us.

I coughed up water, shoved wet hair out of my face, and stared at our prize.

"Dinner," I croaked triumphantly.

Gible thumped his tail happily.

Now came the hard part: fire.

I scraped rocks together like some caveman nightmare while Gible watched, bored.

After twenty minutes and zero flames, I gave up, throwing the rocks down in frustration.

"Great," I snapped. "Guess I'll just eat it raw and die of salmonella."

Gible rolled his eyes — and casually spat a tiny burst of blue fire onto the pile of sticks.

Instant flame.

I stared at him.

"You could breathe fire this whole time?"

He chirped innocently.

Grinding my teeth, I set the Magikarp over the fire, slowly roasting it.

The smell wasn't half bad, actually. Smoky, greasy, a little disgusting — but edible.

When it was finally cooked, I tore into it like an animal. Gible gobbled his share with little sharklike snaps, looking about as happy as I'd ever seen him.

Afterward, we both collapsed beside the fire, full for the first time in what felt like forever.

The stars above us were wrong — twisted into unfamiliar shapes.

Definitely not Earth.

The realization should've crushed me.

Instead, lying there with Gible curled against my side, breathing slow and steady, I felt… okay.

Not safe. Not even close.

But okay.

The fire crackled low.

The forest whispered around us.

I closed my eyes, letting sleep take me.

Tomorrow would be hell.

But tonight, I had earned my rest.

END OF CHAPTER 1

Chapter 2

The forest pressed in tighter the farther we walked from the river.

Thick trees twisted overhead, blotting out the sky in places, and the ground turned damp and muddy underfoot.

I shivered, clutching the Magikarp's Poké Ball close to my chest.

Gible marched ahead confidently, short legs stomping through the underbrush like he owned the place.

Honestly, it was kind of reassuring.

Every so often, he'd stop, sniff the air, then grunt and keep going — like he was following a scent I couldn't detect.

Me?

I was trying not to think about how easy it would be for something bigger, meaner, and hungrier to come tearing through the trees and make a meal out of me.

I didn't exactly blend in, either.

Wet, half-naked human with a dead-eyed Magikarp slung over his shoulder.

Great stealth mode.

We hiked for what felt like hours.

My legs were burning, my throat dry, my stomach screaming for real food.

Just when I was starting to consider dropping dead under a tree and letting nature take me, Gible stopped.

I stumbled up beside him, blinking blearily — then saw it:

A path.

Or what passed for one.

A narrow trail of flattened grass and broken branches winding off into the woods.

My heart gave a painful thump of hope.

"An actual path?" I croaked.

"Does this mean we're close to… people?"

Gible huffed and started trudging along it without waiting for me.

I scrambled after him, half-jogging to keep up.

Branches whipped against my arms and legs, dirt stuck to my wet feet, but I didn't care.

I didn't care about anything except the possibility of civilization.

Food.

Shelter.

Clothes.

Hell, a blanket would be godly right now.

The path twisted and dipped, growing steeper.

The air smelled wetter, heavier — and then I heard it.

Rushing water.

A river.

No — a waterfall.

We broke through the last line of trees — and I stumbled to a stop, breath catching.

The path opened into a small rocky ledge overlooking a deep pool of water fed by a thundering waterfall.

Mist drifted through the air, catching the morning sunlight and making rainbows shimmer faintly.

It was beautiful.

And freezing cold.

But I wasn't picky.

"Maybe we can set up here for now," I said, voice rough. "Fish. Rest. Regroup."

Gible seemed to approve — he immediately started sniffing around the edges of the rocks, looking for something.

Maybe berries.

Maybe trouble.

I dropped onto a dry patch of grass near the rocks, rubbing my sore arms.

First order of business: eat.

Second: figure out how to cook a fish without a fire.

I stared at the limp Magikarp I'd dragged along.

It flopped weakly once, then lay still again.

Still alive.

Barely.

A part of me grimaced at the thought of eating it raw — but another, hungrier part didn't care.

When in Rome…

I awkwardly set it down and pulled out the Poké Ball again.

My first Pokémon.

It felt surreal.

I turned the ball over in my hands, thumb tracing the smooth button.

Gible padded over and sat heavily beside me, watching in silence.

"You think I can train it?" I asked him, not really expecting an answer.

"Magikarp's supposed to evolve into Gyarados eventually, right?"

Gible tilted his head, giving me a maybe-you're-not-hopeless look.

I laughed quietly, the sound rough in my throat.

"Yeah. One step at a time."

I set the ball carefully beside me, then stared at the waterfall for a long moment.

This world…

It was brutal.

Unforgiving.

But maybe, just maybe, if I didn't screw up too badly — I could survive here.

Maybe even do more than survive.

But first: fire, food, and not dying overnight.

Baby steps.

I stood up stiffly, shaking out my legs.

The cold had sunk deep into my bones now, and without clothes or fire, I wasn't going to last much longer.

"Okay," I muttered, brushing my wet hair out of my face. "Next mission: find some dry wood… somehow."

Gible grunted and padded after me as I started searching the edges of the clearing.

There were plenty of trees nearby, but most of the fallen branches were damp and slimy with moss.

Not ideal.

After a few frustrating minutes, I spotted a small outcropping of rocks — and tucked underneath, blessedly dry, was a cluster of dead sticks and bark.

Score.

I scooped up as much as I could carry and dragged it back to the grass patch near the pool.

Gible watched, head tilted, curiosity flickering in his dark eyes.

Now the real challenge: starting a fire.

"Alright," I said, kneeling beside the pile. "How do they do this in movies again?"

I grabbed two dry sticks, positioned one against the other, and started rubbing them together furiously.

Nothing.

Not even smoke.

I rubbed harder, faster, until my palms burned and my arms shook.

Still nothing.

"Of course," I grumbled, tossing the sticks aside. "Why would anything be easy?"

Gible snorted at me — actual laughter this time — and then, without warning, opened his mouth and shot a tiny, controlled puff of flame straight into the pile.

WHOOMPH.

The dry wood caught instantly, and a weak but very real fire crackled to life in front of me.

I blinked at it.

Then at Gible.

"…Show-off," I muttered, but I was grinning.

Warmth seeped into my frozen skin almost immediately, and for the first time since I woke up in this insane world, I started to feel human again.

Gible settled down next to the fire, curling his small body into a loose ball, eyes half-lidded in relaxation.

I set the stunned Magikarp a little ways from the flames, debating.

Cooking fish over an open flame with no pan, no salt, no anything?

It wasn't going to be gourmet — but it was going to be food.

I found a long, sturdy stick nearby, sharpened the end as best I could on a rock, then awkwardly skewered the Magikarp through its thick body.

It twitched weakly but didn't resist.

I tried not to think about it too hard.

Squatting by the fire, I turned the fish slowly, letting it roast.

The smell hit me after a few minutes — smoky, fishy, not exactly mouthwatering, but compared to starving?

It was heaven.

I tore into it as soon as it seemed cooked enough to not kill me.

Burned my fingers.

Burned my tongue.

Didn't care.

I scarfed down mouthful after mouthful until only bones were left.

Gible got some too, of course — I wasn't heartless.

I tossed him a decent chunk of roasted fish, which he accepted with a grunt before devouring it in two bites.

We sat in silence afterward, both of us full — or at least less starving — the fire crackling steadily between us.

For a little while, I let myself relax.

No poachers.

No cave monsters.

No freezing to death.

Just me, a baby dragon-shark thing, a cheap Poké Ball, and a wild world ahead.

My eyes drifted up to the waterfall again, watching the mist swirl and sparkle in the sunlight.

Somewhere out there — past these woods, past this wilderness — there had to be people.

Towns.

Pokémon Centers.

Food that didn't taste like burnt rubber.

I just had to reach them.

And survive the trip.

Piece of cake.

[End of Chapter 2]

[Chapter 3]

The Magikarp flopped helplessly in the shallow water as I stared at it, a deep sigh escaping my lips.

"Well, this is just great," I muttered to myself. "The first Pokémon I catch… and it's this useless fish."

The creature continued to splash around in the water, its movements sluggish and erratic. It seemed happy enough, but it wasn't exactly doing anything impressive. I crouched down beside the creek, watching the Magikarp thrash around, occasionally hitting a rock with a soft plunk.

"Yeah, I get it. You're trying. But I really need you to do more than splash around, buddy." I scratched my head, trying to figure out how I was supposed to bond with this thing, especially when it couldn't even do much.

I looked over at Gible, who was sitting off to the side, eyes half-closed in contentment. It was clear that Gible, unlike the Magikarp, was more than capable of handling itself in a fight. I could feel a little jealousy creeping in. The last thing I needed was to be stuck with a Pokémon that couldn't do anything.

I shook my head, trying to push the negative thoughts away.

"Alright, alright," I mumbled, forcing myself to focus on the task at hand. "Let's see if we can get you to do something useful."

I glanced around, trying to come up with an idea. Then it hit me — I needed to train.

"Hey, Magikarp!" I called out, trying to get its attention. It flopped over toward me, making that splashing noise again. "Alright, listen up. You're gonna have to get better than this if you're gonna be of any help."

Magikarp blinked at me, its mouth opening and closing in an almost goofy way. It looked so… helpless.

I sighed again. "Okay, so maybe I should start small. You're a fish, so how about I teach you to swim properly?"

Magikarp let out another blorp, but it seemed to be listening. I knelt down beside the creek and gently dipped my fingers into the water, tapping it rhythmically.

"Look, you've got a lot of potential. I just don't know what to do with you yet. So let's take this slow. Swim around for a bit, huh?"

Magikarp's small eyes focused on me for a moment before it let out a low splash and slowly began to swim in circles, its motions still a little clumsy but more controlled than before.

"Not bad," I said, nodding in approval. "There you go. That's more like it."

I spent the next hour or so watching Magikarp attempt to refine its swimming, and while it wasn't exactly impressive, it was a step in the right direction. It was still awkward, still goofy, but it was improving.

Gible, who had been watching from the sidelines, suddenly hopped up and walked toward me. I noticed the small Pokémon had a look of concern in its eyes as it glanced at Magikarp.

"What's wrong?" I asked, raising an eyebrow. Gible pointed at the fish with a small growl, obviously irritated by its clumsiness.

"Hey, cut it out," I scolded lightly, looking down at Gible. "Magikarp's still learning. He's not gonna be perfect right away."

Gible huffed but seemed to settle down, crossing its arms and sitting in the grass, clearly a little impatient.

"Yeah, I get it. You're a pro already." I chuckled, giving Gible a playful nudge. "We'll work on it. One step at a time."

The next few hours were a mix of bonding and teaching. I worked with Magikarp on swimming, occasionally throwing in a few basic commands to see if it would respond. At times, it seemed as though the fish just wanted to splash around aimlessly, but I could tell it was starting to understand the rhythm of things.

As the sun began to set, casting a warm orange glow over the area, I decided to call it a day. The fish was tired, and so was I.

Magikarp splashed lazily in the water, while Gible lounged nearby, looking pleased with itself.

I leaned back against a nearby rock, staring up at the stars. The cool evening air settled in, and for the first time since I'd arrived in this strange world, I felt a sense of calm. It wasn't much — just a small clearing by a creek, but it was enough.

"Alright, Magikarp," I muttered, almost to myself. "I don't know what kind of crazy adventure we're gonna go on, but we'll figure it out. Just don't flop around too much, okay?"

Magikarp let out a slow blorp, almost as if in agreement.

I couldn't help but laugh. "Guess we're in this together, huh?"

With that, I leaned back and closed my eyes, letting the sounds of the creek and the peaceful night take over. Tomorrow, I'd have to figure out more about this world, about what I was doing here, and about what kind of trainer I was going to be. But for now, I let the night swallow me whole, knowing that no matter what came next, I wasn't entirely alone.

A faint chirping echoed through the trees as morning crept over the horizon. The first light of dawn spilled across the clearing, golden and soft, making the creek sparkle like a moving ribbon of light.

I stirred awake, groaning under my breath as I sat up. My back ached from sleeping against the rough ground, but all things considered, it could've been worse.

Beside me, Gible was still curled up, snoring softly with little puffs of breath. A few feet away, Magikarp floated lazily in the shallow water, occasionally letting out a sleepy blorp.

I stretched my arms over my head and yawned. "Morning, guys," I muttered, my voice scratchy with sleep.

Gible's eyes cracked open at the sound of my voice. It let out a short grunt, sat up, and gave a huge, exaggerated stretch that almost made it topple over. I chuckled at the sight.

"Yeah, yeah, tough guy. Don't hurt yourself showing off."

Gible huffed, clearly unimpressed with my teasing, and began sniffing the air, probably searching for breakfast. My stomach growled in agreement.

Magikarp gave a lazy flop in the water. I leaned over to check on him.

"Still alive, huh?" I said, half-joking. "Good. Wouldn't want my first catch to keel over after one night."

Magikarp blinked slowly, floating in a lazy circle. It wasn't much, but hey, at least he looked a little more coordinated than yesterday.

I splashed a little water toward him playfully. "Alright, buddy. You ready for round two of not embarrassing yourself?"

Magikarp responded with an enthusiastic splash — which soaked my face.

I wiped the water off and glared half-heartedly at the fish. "Okay, I'll take that as a yes."

Gible snickered behind me, amused at my expense. I shot him a sideways glance. "Don't think you're getting out of training either, pal."

Gible just grinned toothily.

I got up and dusted myself off. "First things first. Food." I glanced around at the surrounding forest. "Then we'll figure out what to do about you two."

The thought of actually having a team — even if it was just a clumsy Magikarp and a snarky Gible — made something flicker in my chest. Hope, maybe.

"Alright, let's get moving."

With Gible trotting at my side and Magikarp flopping along awkwardly in the creek beside us, I started into the woods, wondering where this crazy journey would take us next.

The woods weren't too thick, but they were dense enough to make walking a little tricky. I kept close to the creek so Magikarp could follow along — not that he was fast or anything. He mostly bobbed and flopped downstream, occasionally bumping into rocks and making sad little blorp noises.

Gible moved ahead of me, occasionally sniffing the air, keeping a sharp eye out for anything suspicious. I appreciated it — even if it made me feel a little useless. At least one of us knew what they were doing.

My stomach growled again, louder this time.

"Alright," I muttered, brushing aside a low-hanging branch. "There's gotta be berries or something around here…"

I paused when I spotted a small bush covered in deep purple berries just a few feet off the creek. I squinted at it suspiciously.

"…Are those Oran Berries?" I muttered aloud, stepping closer.

Gible was already ahead of me, grabbing a berry and sniffing it cautiously before taking a careful bite. When he didn't immediately keel over, I figured it was safe enough.

I plucked one and bit into it — the taste was tart but sweet, and the juice exploded across my tongue. My stomach practically sighed in relief.

"Alright, jackpot." I started gathering as many as I could into my shirt like a makeshift basket.

Magikarp flopped pitifully nearby, looking at me with wide, hopeful eyes. I crouched down and, feeling a little stupid, held out a berry toward him.

"Uh… do fish eat berries?"

Magikarp stared at the berry, opened its mouth, and tried to bite — missing completely and faceplanting into the water.

I winced. "Okay, that's a no on hand-feeding."

Still, Magikarp floated over and eventually managed to nibble at a berry that fell into the creek. It wasn't graceful, but it worked.

Gible finished his berry and immediately went to pick another one off the bush like a professional scavenger. I shook my head, laughing a little under my breath.

As we ate, I sat back on the grass, feeling a little better. The sun was higher now, bathing the clearing in light, and for the first time since waking up in this weird world, things didn't feel quite so overwhelming.

Magikarp splashed gently in the water, looking a little more lively now that he wasn't starving. Gible lounged by the berry bush, gnawing contentedly on another one.

Maybe — just maybe — this wasn't going to be so bad.

I leaned back against the soft grass, hands behind my head, watching a few clouds drift lazily across the sky.

"So," I said aloud, glancing at my little 'team.' "Guess we better start thinking about where to go next, huh?"

Gible looked up at me and grunted affirmatively.

Magikarp blorped.

I chuckled. "Yeah, I figured you'd agree."

My mind started racing ahead — towns, trainers, Gyms? Did this world even have a League? I didn't even know what region I was in yet.

But first things first: I needed to survive.

Maybe after a little more training.

Maybe after Magikarp figured out which end was up.

Maybe after I stopped feeling like the biggest idiot in the forest.

Baby steps.

I stood up, dusted myself off, and looked down at them.

"Alright, guys. Adventure time."

With that, the three of us set off once again, following the winding creek deeper into the unknown.

[End of chapter 3]

[start of chapter 4]

The morning sun climbed higher, filtering through the trees in golden beams as we followed the creek. My stomach was full — for now — and Magikarp seemed less miserable, bobbing along beside us. Gible stayed ahead, occasionally sniffing the air or growling lowly when he thought he heard something.

I glanced down at the flowing water beside us. "Y'know," I muttered, "it'd be a lot easier if you had legs, Magikarp."

Magikarp answered with a hearty blorp, as if proud of himself.

I chuckled, but my amusement faded as I noticed something up ahead — a worn dirt path cutting across the creek, partially hidden by overgrown grass. It wasn't wide, but it was definitely man-made.

"A trail?" I said out loud, stepping closer. "Finally, something that isn't trees and rocks."

Gible trotted up to my side, peering down at the trail with a suspicious frown. His nose twitched like he was trying to pick up any scents. Magikarp, for his part, flopped lazily in a shallow pool, looking utterly unbothered.

I glanced up the trail. It wound uphill, disappearing into the thick woods ahead. To the right, down a small slope, I caught a glimpse of something dark and jagged — the mouth of a cave tucked into the hillside.

I hesitated, debating which way to go.

"Cave means danger," I said to myself, eyeing the gaping entrance warily. "Trail means… maybe civilization? Food? Answers?"

I bit my lip, thinking.

Still, something about the cave nagged at me — a feeling in my gut I couldn't quite shake. It could just be my nerves. Or it could be important.

I knelt down and splashed some cool creek water onto my face, trying to clear my head.

"Alright," I said, standing up. "New plan. We check out the cave entrance real quick. If it looks like death, we bail and follow the trail."

Gible grunted his approval. Magikarp… flopped uselessly.

With a sigh, I scooped up the fish Pokémon in my arms. "You're coming with us, buddy. Like it or not."

Magikarp wriggled slightly but didn't resist. I hefted him awkwardly under one arm, cradling him like some kind of weird scaly watermelon.

Together, we made our way carefully toward the cave.

The air grew cooler as we approached, the shadows swallowing the sunlight. Moss covered the rocks around the entrance, and the faint smell of damp earth filled my nose. Gible walked cautiously beside me, claws flexing like he was ready for a fight.

I paused at the cave mouth, peering inside.

It wasn't too deep — I could see maybe twenty or thirty feet in before the light faded completely. The floor was rocky but mostly even. More importantly, I spotted a clear trail of footprints leading into it — human footprints.

"Someone's been here," I whispered, heart picking up speed.

Gible growled lowly, not liking it one bit.

I turned to him. "We'll come back later," I said, backing away slowly. "Trail first. Cave later."

With that decision made, we returned to the dirt trail and started following it uphill, the forest slowly thinning out around us. The air grew warmer again, filled with the sounds of rustling leaves and distant bird Pokémon.

As we climbed higher, I caught glimpses of wide, rolling fields beyond the trees — and, far in the distance, buildings.

A town.

My heart leapt into my throat. "No way… finally!"

Gible gave a satisfied huff. Even Magikarp gave a triumphant blorp from my arms.

I laughed under my breath, excitement surging through me.

Finally. Civilization.

Maybe answers. Maybe a Pokémon Center. Maybe — just maybe — a real chance to figure out what the hell I was doing here.

We picked up the pace, the town growing closer with every step.

The closer we got, though, the more people started noticing me.

It wasn't hard to see why.

I was barefoot, shirtless except for a torn-up oversized button-up clinging to me, my boxers hanging low on my hips, dirt and scratches covering my arms and legs, carrying a half-dead Magikarp, and walking alongside a battered Gible who looked about as wild as I did.

People slowed down to stare.

Some whispered.

Others gave me wide, cautious berths like I was a feral Pokémon about to snap.

I clenched my jaw and kept walking, doing my best to ignore them.

No way was I stopping now. I had a destination.

The Pokémon Center stood near the town's entrance like a bright beacon, clean and inviting.

I bolted toward it without thinking, Gible scrambling to keep up and Magikarp flopping limply in my arms.

Sliding through the automatic doors, I was immediately hit with a rush of cool air and sterile smells — disinfectant, cotton, and something faintly metallic.

It was almost enough to make me sag with relief.

Behind the counter stood Nurse Joy — perfectly composed despite the absolute mess walking into her pristine Center.

She blinked when she saw me — her gaze sweeping from my muddy feet to my ratty clothes to the Magikarp and Gible — but, to her credit, she didn't flinch.

"Uh… welcome to the Eterna City Pokémon Center," she said, voice only slightly strained. "How can I help you?"

I cleared my throat, trying to act like this was completely normal. "My Pokémon… need some help. They're a little roughed up."

Joy smiled — the kind of practiced, soothing smile you gave someone who just barely survived a natural disaster — and motioned for an assistant.

"We'll take good care of them. In the meantime…" She pulled out a small kit and gently nudged it across the counter toward me. "There's a washroom in the back. Please feel free to… freshen up."

I didn't need to be told twice.

Gible reluctantly followed the assistant into the treatment room, and I handed over the barely-conscious Magikarp before speed-walking to the washroom with the care package clutched tightly in my hands.

The second I stepped inside and shut the door, I slumped against it and sighed.

God, what a mess.

I peeled off the grimy remains of my clothes and caught sight of myself in the mirror.

And I froze.

It was me — but not the me I remembered.

Where I used to be softer, a little rounded from a normal life, my body was lean now — wiry muscle running down my arms and torso like I'd spent months surviving in the wild.

My hair was different too — jet black, messy, a little too long, falling into my face.

But it was my eyes that caught me off guard the most.

Sharp, vivid sea-green — almost unnaturally bright under the harsh fluorescent lights — staring back at me with a wary sort of focus.

My skin had darkened into a healthy tan, dusted with old cuts and fresh scratches.

I touched the mirror lightly, half-expecting the reflection to move differently.

It didn't.

Still me.

Just… changed.

A new body, a new life.

Maybe even a new start.

I took a long, scalding shower, scrubbing off days — or weeks? — of dirt and grime, letting the heat soak into my aching muscles.

When I finished, I pulled on the clean clothes from the kit — a simple black t-shirt and some sturdy jeans. There were even sneakers, miraculously my size.

For the first time since waking up here, I felt… halfway human.

When I came back out into the lobby, Nurse Joy was waiting with a clipboard and a patient smile.

"Your Pokémon are doing fine," she said kindly. "They'll need a little rest, but they're strong. In the meantime, could you fill this out for me? Name, hometown, emergency contact — just standard procedure."

My stomach twisted sharply.

Name? Hometown?

I didn't have a hometown here. I didn't even legally exist.

Panic prickled under my skin — cold and sharp — but I forced it down, keeping my face carefully blank.

I cleared my throat awkwardly. "Uh… thing is… I don't really remember."

Joy's smile wavered a little. "You don't remember?"

I gave her a sheepish shrug, scratching at the back of my head like I was embarrassed. "Bits and pieces, but… not really. Just my name. Grem."

Concern flickered across her face, but she nodded. "That's alright. Amnesia isn't unheard of after trauma. You're safe here. We'll help however we can."

I exhaled slowly, smiling back even though it felt tight and fake. "Thanks."

Inside, guilt gnawed at me.

Lying to her felt wrong.

But what else could I do?

Tell her the truth — that I wasn't from this world, that I shouldn't even exist?

No.

Better to stay quiet.

Better to survive.

As she scribbled something onto her clipboard, I sat down heavily in one of the Center's padded chairs, rubbing my face with both hands.

New world. New life. New rules.

And somehow, some way, I was going to figure it out.

I was just starting to relax, letting the soft hum of the Pokémon Center ease my nerves, when Nurse Joy returned, holding a tablet and wearing an even more professional smile.

"Grem," she began carefully, sitting down across from me, "there's a few things we should go over — just to make sure you're properly set up."

I straightened a little, sensing the shift in tone.

"To officially own and care for multiple Pokémon," she said, "you'll need to have a registered Trainer's License. Without one, you're only legally allowed to carry a single Pokémon for companionship, not for battling."

My stomach sank.

Figures there'd be paperwork.

Joy continued, oblivious to my internal screaming. "Normally, a Trainer's License application requires ID — proof of age, residency — but in special cases like yours, where memory loss is involved, there's a provisional exam you can take. It's mostly to prove you can safely command Pokémon and aren't a danger to yourself or others."

An exam.

Great. Another thing I could totally fail at because I barely knew how this world even worked.

"And until you're officially registered," she added, "you're technically homeless."

That word hit like a punch to the gut.

Homeless.

Joy tapped the tablet, pulling up a basic-looking form. "The Pokémon League provides a basic stipend for displaced individuals, but it's minimal. Enough to cover a few days of lodging here at the Center, basic meals, and some starter supplies. After that… you'd need to find a way to earn money — battling, working odd jobs, or even assisting Rangers."

I slumped deeper into the chair, dragging a hand down my face.

This just kept getting better and better.

She softened her voice a little. "If it helps, Eterna City is one of the more welcoming towns. There's a Trainer School nearby where you can take your License exam, and… if you need part-time work, the Center sometimes needs extra help."

I nodded slowly, my mind spinning.

Okay.

Step one: get a Trainer's License.

Step two: figure out how to survive without getting arrested for vagrancy or tossed out of town.

Step three: maybe — if I had anything left in me — start earning badges like a real Trainer and carve out a life here.

"Thanks, Nurse Joy," I said, forcing a small, tired smile. "Seriously."

She smiled back, genuine this time. "You're welcome, Grem. You're not the first person to start from nothing. You won't be the last."

I looked down at my hands, clenching them into fists and then relaxing them again.

Start from nothing, huh?

I'd done it once already.

What was one more time?

[. ]

The next morning, I woke up in a small, clean dorm room tucked inside the Pokémon Center.

It was basic — just a narrow bed, a battered desk, and a window that looked out over the gray streets of Eterna City — but it was warm and safe, which was more than I could ask for after wandering around the wilderness half-naked.

I swung my legs over the bed, stretching with a groan. Gible was curled up by the foot of the bed, snoring softly, while Magikarp floated lazily in a small rental tank Joy had set up beside the desk.

For a moment, I just sat there, taking it all in.

This was real.

I wasn't waking up from some weird dream.

I was in Sinnoh. I had no identity. No money. Two Pokémon. And one chance to claw my way up from nothing.

Time to move.

After a quick shower and throwing on the same Center-provided clothes, I made my way downstairs where Nurse Joy was waiting, holding a slim folder in her hands.

"Morning, Grem," she said brightly. "I checked the Trainer School schedule. There's a Provisional License exam happening tomorrow. You'll have to pass it if you want to legally keep more than one Pokémon."

I tried to keep my face neutral. Inside, I was freaking out just a little.

"Until then," Joy continued, handing me a thin packet, "you're considered a Provisional Applicant. The packet has all the study materials, but the real prep will be at the Learning Station."

She led me to a side room — half classroom, half battle arena — where a machine stood against the wall like a vending machine crossed with a giant touchscreen.

"This is the Trainer Learning Station," she explained. "It'll cover the basics you'll need for tomorrow's exam at the Trainer School."

She handed me a small plastic card with my name printed on it: Provisional Trainer Applicant - Grem.

"Study well," she smiled. "And don't worry too much. Most of the basics are common sense."

After she left, I slid the card into the machine and sat down, the screen lighting up with a cheerful chime.

[WELCOME, GREM.]

[TRAINER FUNDAMENTALS COURSE - BEGIN.]

The first lessons were simple — "Pokémon are creatures that bond with humans."

"Trainers catch and care for Pokémon using Poké Balls."

"Battles must be agreed upon by both Trainers."

I took messy notes across the scrap paper Joy had given me, even though most of it was straightforward.

The rules I hadn't known were the ones that mattered:

•A Provisional Trainer could only own one Pokémon.

•Without a license, carrying multiple Pokémon was illegal.

•Once licensed, I could hold six at a time.

•Money from official battles or Gym Challenges could only be claimed if I had a Trainer ID.

•Housing assistance existed — but again, only for licensed Trainers.

Halfway through the course, Gible woke up and wandered over, peeking at the screen and letting out a low, unimpressed grumble.

"Yeah, I know," I muttered. "It's boring. But it's necessary."

Gible snorted, laying down next to me.

Magikarp floated against the glass, bumping it lightly like he was rooting for me.

Hours blurred together.

I learned about Gym battles, safety codes, basic Trainer conduct, how to register for tournaments, and more.

I also found out exactly where we were:

Eterna City.

Home of Gardenia, the Grass-type Gym Leader — the second Gym Leader on the Sinnoh circuit.

If I passed this test, I could officially challenge her.

The sun was dipping low outside when I finally leaned back, my brain feeling like scrambled eggs.

I had the basics down now. It would have to be enough.

Gible climbed into my lap without asking, heavy and warm, while Magikarp gave a lazy blorp from the tank.

I let my eyes drift closed.

Tomorrow morning, at the Trainer School, I would take the Provisional License Exam.

Pass — and I could start moving forward.

Fail — and I was screwed.

Either way, there was no going back.

As the evening descended, the Pokémon Center grew quieter. Trainers trickled in for the night, their Pokémon in tow. The soft hum of the building's lights mixed with the occasional chatter as I sat there, still trying to absorb everything I'd learned today.

I watched the setting sun filter through the windows, casting long shadows across the room. The calming glow of the light almost made the weight of my situation seem a little lighter. Almost.

Gible was curled up on my lap, half-asleep, while Magikarp floated in its tank, lazily swirling around in circles. Both Pokémon were oddly calming — even if Magikarp still had the intelligence of a soggy towel.

But the longer I sat there, the more I realized something:

I had no clue what I was doing here. What I was supposed to do. No idea why I was actually brought to this world. I didn't have a clear goal. A destination.

I reached for the little Provisional Trainer packet Joy had given me and flipped through it again. There were details about upcoming tournaments, recommendations for new trainers, and Gym Leaders scattered across the pages. Gardenia, the Grass-type Gym Leader of Eterna, was on the list. It all seemed pretty straightforward — a path many others had walked before me.

But was that enough?

Sure, I had Pokémon now. Sure, I was trying to be a Trainer.

But what did I really want out of this world?

Did I just want to become some Gym Challenger, battling my way to some Champion title I didn't even know I cared about? Was that even a thing here?

And what was I even doing in this world? It was like a new chapter of my life had started without me having any say in it.

I sighed deeply, running my fingers through my hair.

"Where do I go from here?" I muttered to myself. "What am I supposed to do here?"

Gible shifted, looking up at me with its big, round eyes.

It seemed like it understood — or maybe it just wanted me to stop talking and feed it. Either way, it nudged my arm with its head, and I chuckled softly.

"Yeah, I hear you." I gently scratched behind its ears. "You want me to figure this out, huh?"

I glanced at Magikarp, still lazily floating in its tank. I guess it wasn't much different from me — it had potential, sure, but it wasn't really living up to it. Maybe… maybe that was how I was feeling, too.

I had no idea what this world had in store for me, but I knew one thing: I needed to find some direction.

I wasn't just going to let my life be some aimless series of battles. I wasn't just going to wander around, struggling with no clear goal. I needed more than that.

I needed purpose.

I stood up, stretching as I glanced at Gible and Magikarp. "Alright, you two. We've got work to do tomorrow, but that doesn't mean we're just sitting around here."

I had passed the first hurdle — getting here. Getting registered as a Trainer. The next part was taking the exam tomorrow at the Trainer School.

But after that?

What would I do with myself?

I knew I wasn't going to be some run-of-the-mill Trainer. I couldn't be. I had more potential than that — whether it was in this world or another, I wasn't going to waste it.

There had to be something more.

I didn't have any memories beyond my name, but I wasn't just some lost kid without a past. I had my own skills, my own goals — whatever they might be. And this world? I would figure it out.

I would find my place.

Tomorrow would be the start.

Tomorrow, I would pass that exam and take the first step toward whatever my future was in this world.

I wasn't going to drift anymore.

I was going to carve my own path. No matter how long it took, no matter the challenges.

With that, I took a deep breath. I had no idea where the road would lead, but I was ready to walk it.