I walked out of Professor Oak's lab with a purpose, but that didn't exactly prepare me for the send off committee that Delia, my mom, seemed to have prepared.
"Mom?" I asked, seeing her in the front and center of the small crowd.
"Oh Ash, I am so proud of you. You're finally going to fulfill your dreams and start your Pokémon training, but I... I'm gonna miss you so much, oh, my little boy!" Mom sobbed out the last part of it.
"I have a feeling that I'm going to be okay, Mom." I reassured her, the words feeling less like sandpaper at the moment.
I did feel a little guilty that I wasn't the Ash that she raised, but that existential crisis was for another time.
"Pi-ka!" Pikachu exclaimed as he continued to eat his ketchup.
"Oh! By the way, this is Pikachu, my partner. Pikachu, this is my Mom, please treat her kindly." I introduced both Pikachu and my mother to each other as I did a quick check of the system pages.
[PERFECT POKEMON EXPERIENCE SYSTEM]
Version 1.0.0 – Kanto Region Expansion
MAIN STATUS INTERFACE
[HOST IDENTIFICATION]
Name: Ash Ketchum
Age: 10 Years, 0 Months, 0 Days
Origin: Pallet Town, Kanto
Trainer Rank: Novice (0 Badges)
Experience Multiplier: 1.0x (Base)
[ACTIVE TEAM]
[Pikachu Lvl. 5]
[EMPTY SLOT]
[EMPTY SLOT]
[EMPTY SLOT]
[EMPTY SLOT]
[EMPTY SLOT]
[STANDBY / PC STORAGE]
Current Capacity: 0/30
No Pokémon currently in standby.
[GENETIC & SPIRITUAL AFFINITIES]
Aura Power: Level 1 (Dormant)Description: The energy of one's spirit. Allows for communication with Pokémon, sensing surroundings, and eventually creating barriers or offensive spheres.
Progress: 0/1,000 AP (Aura Points) to Awakening.
Psychic Power: Level 1 (Latent)Description: The power of the mind. Allows for telekinesis, telepathy, and mental shielding. High risk of headaches if overused without training.
Progress: 0/1,000 PP (Psychic Points) to Awakening.
Viridian Force: Level 1 (Innate - Locked)Description: The blessing of the forest. Granted to those born in or chosen by the Viridian Forest. Allows for the healing of Pokémon and understanding their hearts.
Requirement: Must visit the Viridian Forest Heart to unlock.
'Okay, so I have the trifecta of human abilities in the Pokemon world. I remember reading something about Viridian Force when I tried to read the manga and Ash was believed to be a descendant of the Aura Guardians and possibly tapped into his Aura for the bond evolution with Greninja in the Kalos seasons. The Psychic Powers might just be the system though. Not complaining, if I remember right, there's a gym leader that is a powerful psychic and can turn people into dolls. That should help. Wait, wouldn't that work like Ki from Dragon Ball?' I thought before I reached out to stop my mother from touching Pikachu.
"Sorry, Mom, but Pikachu doesn't like to be touched without consent. He'll get aggressive and possibly shock everyone here." I explained to my mother before turning to my starter. "No offense, Pikachu." I told the electric mouse, who waved it off and shrugged.
"Oh! Sorry about that, Pikachu. May I pet you? You're so cute!" Mom exclaimed to Pikachu.
"Pika." Pikachu gave the affirmative and Mom reached out gently and scratched Pikachu behind the ears, to which Pikachu melted in her hand.
"That's so adorable!" Mom squealed in delight before pulling her arm back. "But aren't Pokemon usually supposed to stay in their Pokeballs?" She asked somewhat generally.
"Normally, I would say yes, but Pikachu seemed to not like being in a ball from what I saw when he was released." I explained to Mom, who nodded.
"I'm not going to force any of my Pokemon into Pokeballs unless it is an emergency or a life threatening situation. If they want to stay out, that's alright with me, if they want to be in the Pokeball, that's alright with me as well." I explained my stance, both to show my maturity and to show Pikachu that I wasn't going to put him in the Pokeball if he didn't want to be in one.
"Besides, having them stay out of their Pokeballs could lead to faster bonding!" I exclaimed and gave a big smile that seemed like something Ash would do.
"I guess that makes sense." Mom nodded with what I said and her shoulders lowered slightly. "Can I walk you to Route 1 so I can properly see you off?" She asks and I nod.
'I guess that she was worried that I was different. I mean, I am different from the Ash she knows, and that's what worries me. She'll find me out sooner or later, I think. If I keep going to new regions fairly quickly like the original Ash supposedly did, then there really shouldn't be a chance that she catches me.' I thought to myself as I walked alongside my mother and then decided to check the next system page.
SYSTEM SHOP (MARKETPLACE)
[CURRENCY: SYSTEM COINS (SC)]
Current Balance: 6,100 SC (5,000 SC New User Bonus)
[DAILY DEALS - REFRESHES IN 14:22:01]
Oran Berry (Bundle of 5): 100 SC
Escape Rope: 250 SC
Rare Candy (Limit 1/Day): 1,000 SC
TM 17 (Protect): 5,000 SC
[CONSUMABLES]
Poké Ball: 200 SC
Great Ball: 600 SC
Ultra Ball: 1,200 SC
Potion: 300 SC
Super Potion: 700 SC
Revive: 1,500 SC
[PERMANENT UPGRADES & ITEMS]
Exp. Share (Global): 25,000 SC
Shiny Charm: 100,000 SC
Oval Charm: 50,000 SC
Ability Patch: 75,000 SC
Hidden Ability Capsule: 30,000 SC
[SKILL BOOKS]
Aura Cultivation (Basic): 10,000 SC
Psychic Meditation (Basic): 10,000 SC
Wilderness Survival Guide: 2,000 SC
Pokemon Chef's Handbook: 5,000 SC
'I guess I won't have to worry about supplies when I'm in the middle of nowhere.' I thought as Mom and I made it to the edge of Route 1.
Mom hugged me out of nowhere and I could feel tears hitting my shoulder. "Oh Ash. I'm going to miss you! Please be careful on your journey! Pikachu, please take good care of Ash. Call me once you reach Viridian City, there are video phones in almost every Pokemon Center. Goodbye, my sweet boy!" Mom rambled and I let her before she kissed me on the cheek and gently pushed me towards the road of route one.
"I'm going to miss you too. I will be as careful as I can be on my journey. I will call you once I reach Viridian City. Bye Mom!" I said in response to her rapid fire ramblings as I set off on my journey and looked at the next system page.
III. LOTTERY SYSTEM (THE GACHA HUB)
[LUCK OF THE DRAW]
Single Pull: 500 SC
Multi-Pull (10x): 4,500 SC (10% Discount)
[PITY COUNTERS]
Next Pokémon Guaranteed: 10 Pulls (Current Progress: 0/10) Note: Guaranteed Pokémon will be randomly selected from the National Pokedex (Base Stage).
Next Mythical Guaranteed: 100 Pulls (Current Progress: 0/100) Pool includes: Mew, Celebi, Jirachi, Victini, etc.
Next Legendary Guaranteed: 1,000 Pulls (Current Progress: 0/1,000) Pool includes: Articuno, Zapdos, Moltres, Mewtwo, Lugia, Ho-Oh, etc.
[CURRENT DROP RATES]
Common Items (Potions, Berries): 70%
Uncommon Items (Balls, TMs): 20%
Rare Items (Evolution Stones, Rare Candies): 8%
Pokémon Encounter Tokens: 1.9%
Mythical/Legendary Shards: 0.1%
'This is going to either be the evidence of the fruits of my labor, or the bane of my existence.' I thought as I walked with Pikachu on my shoulder and went down a hill, out of sight from my mother.
I decided to do an 11-pull (a 1-pull and a 10-pull) to see what I get. I'm guaranteed a base stage Pokemon from the National Dex. Maybe I can get a grass or water type before I get to Pewter City and face Brock.
'Thinking of Brock, will I still be traveling with him and Misty this time around? I don't plan to allow the Spearows to attack Pikachu this time, so there's no reason to steal Misty's bike and have it charred. That is what happened to get Misty to originally join Ash in the first place if I remember right. I think Brock joined because his father came back and allowed him to become a Pokemon Breeder, but was that a random occurrence or did Ash have something to do with that? I remember that Pikachu learned Thunderbolt after the first failure against Brock, but what caused it? Was it special training or a different technique that Ash used on the orders of someone else? Ash doesn't seem like he would think of something like that on his own, especially in the early seasons.' I shook my head. 'The 11-pull. Let's do it.' I thought and willed the 5,000 SC into the Lottery Mechanic.
A transparent blue screen popped up in front of me with eleven glowing orbs of different colors, although some are the same color, but one is shining gold.
[Lottery Prizes]
[1-pull]:
[RESULT: RARE ITEM](BLUE)
ITEM: MOON STONE
Description: A peculiar stone that makes certain species of Pokémon evolve. It is as black as the night sky.
System Note: This item has been moved to the [Evolutionary Materials] tab of your System Inventory.
[10-pull]:
[RESULTS: 1-9]
(White) Oran Berry(Common) — Restores 10 HP.
(White) Poké Ball(Common) — Standard capture device.
(White) Antidote(Common) — Cures poison.
(Blue) [RARE] TM 17 (Protect)— Enables the user to evade all attacks. It may fail if used in succession.
(White) Pecha Berry(Common) — Cures poison.
(White) Potion(Common) — Restores 20 HP.
(Blue) [RARE] EXP. CANDY S— Grants a small amount of Exp. Points to a single Pokémon.
(White) Poké Ball(Common) — Standard capture device.
(White) Escape Rope(Uncommon) — Instant exit from caves/dungeons.
[RESULT: 10 (PITY GUARANTEE)] (GOLD)
POKÉMON TOKEN: NIDORAN♀
Rarity: Standard (Kanto Native)
Level: 5
Nature: Rash (+Sp. Atk, -Sp. Def)
Ability: Poison Point (Contact may poison the attacker)
Moves:
Growl
Poison Sting
Scratch
Tail Whip
System Message: Would you like to CRUSH the token and summon Nidoran♀ now?
I mentally pressed each of the glowing orbs and the items showed on a list and went into my system inventory, all except for the Nidoran♀ token.
"So I break this and get a female Nidoran? Neat! Does it come with a Pokeball?" I asked the system, earning a questioning look from Pikachu. "I'll explain later, just keep it a secret from other Pokemon and people unless I tell them first, okay?" I asked and Pikachu chirped in affirmative.
As I was talking with Pikachu, the system responded.
[Pokemon from the system automatically come in a Cherish Ball (which won't seem strange even if you didn't buy any Cherish Balls) and the past will retroactively reassert itself to fit how you say you acquired them]
I was surprised by that last little part, but it shouldn't really matter right now, as I can just say that I caught it before I got to Viridian City.
I broke the female Nidoran's token and a Cherish Ball appeared before me and I had to catch it before it hit the ground.
"Pi?" Pikachu was curious about how the ball appeared out of thin air.
"Tell people and Pokemon that I caught this female Nidoran on our way to Viridian City." The moment those words left my mouth, I felt a wave of Déjà vu and had memories of catching the female Nidoran just a few moments ago.
I shook it off and ignored the implications of such a power and looked at the next system page.
TRAINER QUEST SUBSYSTEM
[MAIN STORY QUESTS]
Quest: First Steps in a New World
Objective: Reach Professor Oak's Lab and claim your first Pokémon.
Rewards: 1,000 SC, 10x Poké Balls, and a 'Starter Pack' (includes held items and a random Pokemon from the National Dex).
Status:COMPLETE (Rewards are in System Inventory. NOTE: Items/Pokemon in Inventory cannot be returned once withdrawn).
[DAILY COMMISSIONS]
The Early Bird: Wake up before 9:00 AM. (Reward: 100 SC) – COMPLETED
Healthy Body: Walk 5,000 steps. (Reward: 200 SC)
Bonding Time: Feed your Pokémon a hand-made snack. (Reward: 150 SC)
[ACHIEVEMENT MILESTONES]
First Catch: Catch your first wild Pokémon. (Reward: 500 SC)
First Victory: Win a battle against a rival or trainer. (Reward: 500 SC)
The Boulder Badge: Defeat Brock at the Pewter City Gym. (Reward: 5,000 SC, 1x Lottery Multi-Pull)
Regional Champion: Become the Kanto League Champion. (Reward: 1,000,000 SC, 1x Master Ball, 1x Legendary Pull)
'So I get another Pokemon just for getting Pikachu? That's a bit odd, but I'll deal. Open 'Starter Pack' please.' I thought to the system and I got the following items and Pokemon.
I got the following:
Item: Effect: Best Use
Leftovers: Slowly restores HP during battle: Bulky Pokémon that stay on the field.
Focus Sash: Prevents a 1-hit KO if the Pokémon has full HP: Frail, high-damage "Glass Cannons."
Life Orb: Boosts move power by 30% but drains 10% HP: Fast attackers that need extra punch.
Choice Scarf: Boosts Speed by 50% but locks you into one move: Outspeeding opponents to secure a KO.
Assault Vest: Boosts Sp. Def by 50% but prevents using status moves: Pokémon with high natural Defense and HP.
Rocky Helmet: Damages the attacker when hit by a physical move: Defensive tanks like Ferrothorn or Garchomp.
Heavy-Duty Boots: Prevents damage from entry hazards (Spikes, Rocks): Pokémon weak to Rock (like Flying or Ice types).
Choice Band: Boosts Attack by 50% but locks you into one move: Physical powerhouses that want to "wallbreak."
Eviolite: Boosts Def & Sp. Def if the Pokémon can still evolve: Strong mid-stage Pokémon like Chansey or Porygon2.
Expert Belt: Slightly boosts the power of super-effective moves: Pokémon with wide "coverage" (lots of move types).
POKÉMON TOKEN: ROWLET
Rarity: Starter (Alola Native)
Level: 5
Nature: Jolly (+Speed, -Sp. Atk)
Ability: Overgrow (Powers up Grass-type moves when HP is low)
Moves:
Leafage
Peck
Growl
Astonish
The items went into my inventory, but Rowlet's token was in my hand, which I broke and spoke aloud as I caught the Cherish Ball:
"I found Rowlet injured and nursed it back to health with the potions that I had on me and it decided to stay with me." The moment the words left my mouth, the memory flooded my senses to make it real.
Before I let out the female Nidoran and the Rowlet, I checked the next page of the system.
DETAILED MECHANICS & GLOSSARY (SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION)
[THE EXPERIENCE SYSTEM]
The Host, Ash Ketchum, gains "Experience" not just for her Pokémon, but for his own personal development.
Training Experience: Gained by practicing Aura or Psychic abilities.
Battle Experience: Gained by defeating wild Pokémon or trainers.
Knowledge Experience: Gained by identifying new species or learning world lore.
Note: As the Host levels up, new features in the System Shop and higher-tier Quest rewards will unlock.
[AURA, PSYCHIC, AND VIRIDIAN FORCE SYNERGY]
The System tracks three distinct energy paths. While most humans possess none or only one, the Host has the potential to master all three:
Aura (Spirit): Focuses on physical enhancement and "knowing" intent. High Aura levels allow the Host to share stamina with her Pokémon in battle.
Psychic (Mind): Focuses on information processing. High Psychic levels allow for mental commands, making reactions faster than any vocal command.
Viridian Force (Nature): Focuses on sustainability. This allows the Host to heal injuries without a Pokémon Center and increases the growth rate of young Pokémon.
[THE LOTTERY MECHANIC]
The Lottery is the primary way to obtain Pokémon and items not native to Kanto.
Pokémon Tokens: When "pulled," they appear as physical tokens. Breaking the token summons the Pokémon, which is then registered to the Host.
Regional Variance: All pulls have a 5% chance of being an "Alolan," "Galarian," "Paldean," or "Hisuian" variant.
[THE SYSTEM SHOP ECONOMY]
System Coins (SC) are the universal currency. They can be converted from PokéDollars (at a rate of 1 PD : 100 SC) but are primarily earned through Quests. Prices are fixed, but "Seasonal Events" may offer Mega Stones or Z-Crystals later.
[THE QUEST SUBSYSTEM]
Quests are generated based on the Host's current location and goals.
Urgent Quests: Marked in red. These have time limits and failure penalties.
Hidden Quests: Triggered by interacting with certain NPCs or visiting landmarks.
'So this is an information page? Good to have in case I forget about some functions down the line.' I thought to myself as I held the two Cherish Balls in my hands.
"Let's meet our new friends." I said lightly and released the Pokemon from their balls.
"Nido?"/"Row?" Both Pokemon questioned their surroundings for a moment before seeing me and rubbing up against my legs.
"Hello, you two. Nice to formally meet you. I hope you two are ready to begin this journey with me." I smiled down at the two Pokemon, who both had quite the fighting spirits.
"AAAAH!!!" A girl screamed not too far from where I was.
"Rowlet, fly into the air to find the source of that scream. There might be someone who needs out help." I commanded my Pokemon, recalled the female Nidoran into her Pokeball, and started running towards the source of the scream, or where I thought it was.
Rowlet took to the skies and signaled that he found the source rather quickly.
I followed Rowlet and saw a flock of Spearow attacking a familiar girl near the river.
I grabbed Pikachu. "Pikachu, you use Thunder Shock! Rowlet, you use Leafage! Target the Spearows!" I yelled at the two Pokemon as I threw Pikachu towards the flock.
"Pika-chuuuu!" / "Row-leeet!" Both Pokemon let out their battle cries as they released their attacks.
Thunder Shock landed first and made all of the Spearows paralyzed and then Leafage swept them away from Misty while doing damage.
I ran in and lifted Misty up from the ground and grabbed her fallen, broken, bike and bolted away from the Spearow flock.
Pikachu and Rowlet followed me as well and we stopped at a nearby cave, where I laid Misty down on the cave floor and pulled out some potions out of my bag.
I sprayed all visible wounds on Misty, but she was still unconscious after I finished healing her.
I covered her with my jacket to give her some warmth from the cave while I looked at Misty's bike, which was bent at multiple spots, the chain was broken and hanging limply on the gears, and the handlebars were barely hanging on as it was.
I declared the bike a lost cause, I didn't know how to repair the chain, and everything else would need a professional bike repair-person.
As Misty was still unconscious, I decided to check out the next, and final, system page.
PROTOCOL & ASSISTANCE
Voice Assistant: Currently set to Silent.
Notification Settings: Critical Only.
Auto-Loot:Enabled (Items found in the field will be automatically moved to System Inventory).
Scan Function:Enabled (Host can look at a Pokémon to see its Level, Type, and Gender. Moves and Ability are hidden until the Pokémon is captured or observed in battle).
'I guess that is fun. I wonder if the system is responsive to questions if it can talk. Change 'Voice Assistant' to Active, or at least not silent.' I thought to the system and heard a 'Ding' go off in my mind.
"Hello, Host. How may I be of assistance?" A feminine voice sounded in my mind.
'First, can you hear me when I think to you?' I asked the system, having had my first question answered.
"Yes. Should I wait on 'Standby' until you have need of me?" The system asked me.
'That would be for the best right now. Sorry I don't I anything for you to do.' I apologized to the system.
"It's fine, Host. Ask for me any time." The system told me and clicked off.
"Hnng… Ow…" Misty said as she started waking up.