The last thing Ren remembered was the screech of tires, the blinding glare of headlights, and a voice—someone else's voice—yelling, "Watch out!" Then, darkness. When he opened his eyes again, he was lying in a sunlit meadow, the air crisp with the scent of blooming Oran berries. A Pidgey chirped overhead.
"What the…?" Ren sat up, his small hands brushing grass stains off a pair of jeans that weren't his. 'Wait, small hands?' He scrambled to a nearby stream, staring at his reflection: a boy no older than 10, with messy chestnut hair and wide, bewildered brown eyes. Panic surged. 'Reincarnation? Isekai? Seriously?!'
Before he could hyperventilate, a translucent blue screen flickered into view:
[System Initializing…]
[Welcome, Host!]
[Livestream System Activated.]
[Current World: Pokémon (Hoenn Region)]
[Objective: Entertain your audience! Rewards scale with viewer engagement.]
[Note: Streaming is optional, but consistency breeds success!]
Ren blinked. A… livestream system? In the Pokémon world? He pinched himself. The Pidgey swooped down, pecked his finger, and flew off. 'Yep. Not a dream.'
The system screen updated:
[First Stream: Begin your journey!]
[Recommended Starting Location: Littleroot Town]
[Reward for First Stream: Starter Pokémon Egg + Viewer Gift Box]
Ren's heart raced. A 'Starter Pokémon?' He'd watched enough anime to know this was his golden ticket. But who exactly was watching? The system answered as if reading his mind:
[Audience: Inhabitants of the Pokémon World (Regions Unlocked as Host Travels)]
[Current Viewer Count: 10]
Ten people. Ten strangers from this world, watching his every move. Weird, but survivable.
---
Littleroot Town – Professor Birch's Lab
Ren stood awkwardly in front of Professor Birch, who squinted at him. "Hmm, I don't recall scheduling a new Trainer today… Did your parents call ahead?"
"Uh, no," Ren lied, channeling every ounce of 10-year-old innocence he could muster. "But I really, 'really' want to be a Trainer! Please?"
Birch sighed, rubbing his temples. "Well, I did have an extra Egg donated recently. Normally, we save these for research, but…" He glanced at Ren's hopeful face. "Tell you what—if you can impress me with your commitment, it's yours."
Ren's system screen buzzed:
[Livestream Started!]
[Title: "My Pokémon Journey Begins!"]
[Viewers: 10 ➔ 27]
A chat log popped up in the corner of his vision:
PkmnTrainerJ: New streamer? Kid's gotta be, what, 10?
ContestQueenLisia: Look at his outfit! Those jeans are so last season.
MudkipFan4Life: BIRCH GIVE HIM THE EGG ALREADY!!!
Ren fought a grin. They had no idea he could see their comments.
"Alright," Birch said, handing him a PokéBall. "Catch a Pokémon in the tall grass. Show me you're ready."
Ren nodded, sprinting outside. The system chimed:
[Mission: First Catch!]
[Reward: 500 PokéDollars + Random Item from Audience]
The tall grass rustled. Ren held his breath—and a small, green-headed Ralts stumbled out, clutching its head like it had a migraine.
PkmnTrainerJ: A Ralts?! In Littleroot?!
ContestQueenLisia: That's rare! Catch it, kid!
Ren hesitated. Ralts were psychic-types, sensitive to emotions. He knelt, speaking softly. "Hey… you okay?"
The Ralts peeked through its fingers. Its eyes widened, as if sensing something about Ren—his otherworldliness, maybe? Then it nodded shakily.
Ren held out the PokéBall. "Want to come with me? I'll get you some berries for that headache."
The Ralts touched the Ball. *Click.*
[First Catch: Success!]
[Reward Received: 500 PokéDollars + [Audience Gift: Lum Berry]]
Professor Birch stared, impressed. "Well, I'll be! You've got a knack for this." He handed Ren the Egg—a speckled blue shell with faint swirls. "Take good care of it."
[Viewers: 27 ➔ 103]
[New Subscribers: 12]
[Donation Received: "MudkipFan4Life" sent 1x Exp. Share! (Attach to a Pokémon to split EXP.)]
Ren's head spun. An Exp. Share? That was 'broken' for early-game grinding! He grinned at the invisible camera. "Thanks, MudkipFan! Let's hatch this Egg!"
As he left Littleroot, the chat exploded:
MudkipFan4Life: KID'S A NATURAL!!!
ContestQueen: Ugh, fine. I'll subscribe. But only if he updates his wardrobe.
PkmnTrainerJ: Where's he going next?
Ren adjusted his bag, Ralts' PokéBall at his hip, the Egg snug in his arms. "Next stop: Oldale Town. Let's see what's out there!"
The system pinged:
[End Stream? Y/N]
Ren selected "N." Let them watch a little longer.
---
End of Chapter 1