How was it that everyone he encountered in this world could suddenly talk directly into his thoughts?
"Anyway... thanks for the save." He dusted himself off, eyeing the imposing armored figure. "And as for this whole trainer thing... Miss Blazeblade, I suppose this is our first formal meeting."
Allen glanced around. The clearing had fallen eerily silent. All the wild Pokémon that had once swarmed him had fled, leaving behind only the scorched ground and the chilling aura of his savior.
No one was going to interrupt them now.
[Yes, but I am indeed your Pokémon, and you are indeed my Trainer,] her voice rang again in his mind.
"Then why did you ask me if I was your Trainer? That seems kinda backwards," Allen said, raising an eyebrow. Was she just messing with him?
[It felt more dramatic that way. Like something you'd see on a holo-screen. Besides, it gives our meeting the proper ceremony.]
"...Why do I get the feeling you've known me for a while?"
[Because I have. I've always been there, watching from the shadows.] Her voice was calm, yet solemn. [I was only able to take form now.]
Wait—what?
[Blazeblade is a Pokémon created using a fragment of your soul,] the divine voice from before returned, breaking in.
"My... soul?" Allen blinked.
[Originally, I was going to let you pick from any of the traditional starter Pokémon from all nine generations. You know—Bulbasaur, Cyndaquil, Froakie, the usual. But their power at level 5? Not nearly enough for this situation. And if I boosted their levels, they wouldn't obey you.]
[So I used a piece of your soul to create a Pokémon that would not only obey you but also match the dangers of this world.]
[The kind of Pokémon you'd get was left to fate. You could have ended up with something like Magikarp or Bidoof... or something legendary.]
[You? You pulled Blazeblade. Not the strongest in the meta, but still a strong one. Count yourself lucky.]
Allen's mouth twitched. Yeah, lucky. Could have been worse. At least Blazeblade looked intimidating and capable.
Certainly better than winding up with a Kricketune.
Still... he was vaguely aware of how this Pokémon fared in the competitive scene. Not exactly top-tier like Dragapult or Iron Valiant, but with potential. And who knows? The meta always shifted. Maybe Blazeblade would get some buffs down the road.
"Well then," Allen said, regaining his composure, "Thank you for protecting me. I'm Allen Rivers. Let's work together."
[…Understood, my lord. Just say the word, and I will act.]
"Pretty formal, aren't you? But yeah, this isn't exactly a great place to have a casual chat. Let's find somewhere safer."
[Order received.]
[Hey, so... do you know where we are right now?] Allen asked as they strolled through the forest. With Blazeblade by his side, even the most aggressive Pokémon gave them a wide berth.
He didn't speak aloud this time. Instead, he concentrated his thoughts, forming mental words. If the god could read his mind, might as well take advantage.
[Route 1. Kanto region.]
Allen froze. "Route 1?!" he whispered aloud.
That couldn't be right. Route 1 was the starter path, a peaceful place where beginners caught their first Pidgey or Rattata. The Pokémon here should be under level 10.
But what he'd seen earlier told a different story. That Rattata? Level 30. Even the Caterpie he spotted had a health bar and level number floating above it—level 12.
The system must have kicked in. A new feature. Now that he had his first Pokémon, he could see enemy stats.
It functioned like an in-game HUD—providing level, typing, and sometimes abilities, depending on the bond.
For example, Blazeblade's data now appeared clearly before him:
Blazeblade
Type: Fire/Ghost
Gender: Female
Level: 60
Nature: Jolly
Ability: Weak Armor
Item: Choice Scarf
Moves: Sacred Sword, Swords Dance, Close Combat, Shadow Sneak, Protect, Destiny Bond, Taunt, Psycho Cut, Bulk Up
IVs: Perfect in all except Special Attack
A powerhouse. No wonder the wild Pokémon kept their distance. Still, Route 1 was supposed to be safe. This was nuts.
Even Johto's post-game Route 1 didn't have Pokémon at this level. This was practically Victory Road.
[Yeah, I'm also a bit concerned for the next batch of kids leaving Pallet Town,] the god admitted, tuning back in.
[But don't rely too much on the games. This world's based on reality. Wild Pokémon don't follow game logic. Things here are a bit... tougher.]
Allen glanced to the side and spotted a Weedle biting into a Rattata's neck while a Bellsprout and an Oddish huddled beneath a tree. These weren't Pokémon you'd typically see on Route 1.
This place looked like someone took elements from FireRed, SoulSilver, and Let's Go Pikachu and tossed them into a blender.
[And with a Level 60 partner, nothing around here poses much of a threat. You're good.]
[Yeah, except this isn't what I'd call a tutorial area,] Allen shot back.
[It was a fluke. Temporal disturbance. I was going to start you off safe, but this world's kinda... unstable.]
[So why not just drop me somewhere safe before unleashing all this?]
[Because you needed to experience it. No growth comes from staying inside a lab. You've got a Pokémon now. Learn the world.]
[Also, it's more dramatic this way. You know—the classic 'I got isekai'd, nearly died, but then awakened my power' thing. Very stylish.]
Allen sighed. Of course this divine figure was more concerned about narrative flow than personal safety.
[You're like one of those game devs who throws you into the deep end with no explanation.]
[Besides, you've got plot armor. And someone special's waiting for you up ahead.]
"…Wait, what?"
[You'll see. Let's just say, 'rescuing the girl in the forest' is one of the most classic openers for a reason.]
Suddenly, Blazeblade's voice cut through his thoughts.
[My lord, something powerful approaches.]
Allen turned, scanning the sky.
A piercing cry echoed above the trees. A large bird with a jagged red crest and long beak soared overhead. Its brown feathers were ragged, and a scar cut across one eye.
Fearow.
The evolved form of Spearow. Aggressive. Territorial. And judging by the level indicator blinking in the air—Level 60.
Allen backed up instinctively.
"You've gotta be kidding me! This is my Route 1?!"
He stumbled into a bush as the Fearow dive-bombed toward them, its speed blurring as it circled overhead.
[We've intruded on its domain. I sense no willingness to negotiate. Please give the order!]
Allen hesitated. It felt so sudden. Just moments ago, he was talking about plot beats, and now he was about to die. Again.
In his mind, four options flashed instinctively: Fight. Pokémon. Bag. Run.
Run? Against a Fearow this fast? Useless.
The bird shrieked again and charged, spinning like a drill as its entire body became encased in silver light.
Drill Run.
[A high-priority move. If you respond too late, you lose your edge,] the god whispered in his mind.
[Even with equal levels, Fearow's base Speed is higher than Blazeblade's. And Drill Run has increased priority.]
Blazeblade's Speed was decent, but Fearow was naturally quicker. Plus, Drill Run had a +1 priority. There was only one answer.
"Blazeblade! Use Protect!"
Without hesitation, the knightly Pokémon raised her swords and crossed them. A green, translucent dome shimmered into existence.
The impact came a second later.
BOOM.
The force of the collision sent shockwaves through the forest. Trees cracked, leaves scattered, and dust billowed as Fearow slammed into the barrier and bounced off, shrieking in fury.
Protect, a move with +4 priority, activated just in time.
Allen shielded his eyes from the blast, heart pounding. He looked up.
And saw the battle had only just begun.
***
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