Pain. That was the first thing he felt. A dull, throbbing ache pulsing at the back of his head, spreading through his skull like a slow-moving poison. His body felt heavy, as if he had been asleep for far too long. A cool breeze brushed against his skin, carrying the scent of fresh grass and damp earth.
He groaned and forced his eyes open. The sky above was a perfect blue, a few wisps of white clouds drifting lazily overhead. The sunlight was warm but not harsh, filtering through the leaves of towering trees that swayed gently in the wind.
Where… am I?
Panic gripped his chest as he tried to recall anything about himself. His name, his home, his past—nothing. His mind was a vast, empty void. No memories, no identity. Just… nothing.
He sat up, rubbing his temples as if that would somehow jog his memory. But it was useless. The more he tried to remember, the worse the headache became. He took a deep breath, trying to steady himself.
That's when it hit him.
Pokémon.
It came rushing in like a flood. Type matchups, evolution methods, move sets, item mechanics—he knew them all. He remembered the games, the strategies, the thrill of catching rare Pokémon, the agony of a close battle lost. He knew about gym leaders, the Elite Four, breeding mechanics, even niche trivia about obscure Pokémon species.
But that was it.
Nothing about who he was. No memories of family, friends, or a life before this moment. Just Pokémon knowledge.
He let out a shaky breath and finally took in his surroundings. A dense forest stretched behind him, dark and uninviting, while a narrow dirt path lay ahead, winding through rolling green hills. There were no signs of human civilization nearby.
Okay… okay. Don't panic. Think.
He was in the Pokémon world. That much seemed obvious. The environment, the vibrant colors, the strange weightlessness in the air—it all felt different, almost surreal. It wasn't Earth.
As he struggled to process everything, a soft chime echoed in his mind, and suddenly, a translucent blue screen materialized in front of him.
---
> [Gacha System Activated]
You may summon 1 Pokémon every month.
---
His breath caught in his throat. A gacha system?
He had played enough mobile games to know what that meant—randomized luck. No starter Pokémon choice, no guarantees. He might summon a powerhouse like Garchomp… or he might get a Sunkern.
A second prompt appeared.
---
> Would you like to summon your first Pokémon?
[YES] [NO]
---
His fingers twitched. A mix of excitement and anxiety surged through him. This was it. His first Pokémon. His first companion in this world.
He exhaled sharply and pressed YES.
The air in front of him shimmered. Golden light burst forth, twisting and swirling into shape. A small, familiar form took shape within the glow.
When the light finally faded, a Riolu stood before him.
His heart skipped a beat. Not bad.
Riolu wasn't overpowered, but it had potential. It could evolve into Lucario, a powerful Fighting/Steel-type with Aura abilities. With the right training, this could be an excellent start.
The Riolu blinked up at him, tilting its head slightly. Then, without warning, a strange warmth washed over him—faint, but unmistakable.
Aura.
He sucked in a breath. It was sensing him. Judging him.
For a brief moment, he worried. What if Riolu rejected him? Pokémon in the real world weren't just digital companions; they had personalities, instincts, and emotions. If Riolu sensed uncertainty or weakness in him, would it even follow him?
The little Pokémon studied him for another second before nodding slightly, as if coming to a decision.
Relief flooded through him.
"Looks like we're partners now," he muttered.
Riolu gave a firm nod.
He let out a small, breathy laugh. He still didn't know who he was, where he was, or how he ended up here. But at least he wasn't alone anymore.
His stomach growled loudly, shattering the moment.
Riolu tilted its head again, then let out a soft bark—almost like a chuckle.
"Yeah, yeah, I get it," he muttered, rubbing his stomach. "First order of business—food."
He glanced around. The forest looked dense, and while there were plenty of trees, he had no idea what was safe to eat. Berries existed in the Pokémon world, but his game knowledge wasn't perfect. He knew Oran Berries were edible, but what if the real-world version had side effects?
His thoughts were interrupted as Riolu suddenly perked up, ears twitching. Then, without hesitation, it dashed ahead.
"Hey! Wait up!"
He scrambled to his feet and followed. Riolu moved fast, darting through the grass with ease, but it wasn't trying to outrun him. Instead, it stopped near a small bush filled with bright blue berries.
Oran Berries.
"Good eye," he said, kneeling down. He hesitated for a moment before plucking one. The game version restored 10 HP—useless information in real life, but it at least meant they weren't poisonous.
He took a cautious bite. The berry was tart but refreshing, like a mix between blueberries and citrus.
A small notification popped up in the corner of his vision.
---
> [Oran Berry consumed: Minor HP restoration. Slight stamina boost.]
---
His eyes widened. So the system wasn't just for summoning Pokémon.
He grabbed a few more and tossed one to Riolu, who caught it effortlessly and ate it in a single bite.
As he sat back, he let reality settle in. He had no memories of his past life, no idea where he was, and no resources except for a monthly Pokémon summon. Raising a team would take time. In this world, Pokémon weren't just battle partners—they required food, care, and training.
If he wanted to survive, he had to be smart.
He exhaled. "Alright, Riolu. First goal—find civilization. Second goal—figure out what the hell is going on."
Riolu grinned, tail wagging slightly.
For the first time since waking up, he felt something other than confusion.
Hope