being in the Pokemon world

The sun hung low in the sky, casting long amber beams across the canopy as Alex trudged through the forest, his bloodstained shirt stiff and reeking of ash. Riolu walked quietly beside him, still sore from training, his steps uneven but determined. Every now and then, Alex glanced at him, eyes shadowed by worry.

"You should be resting," Alex murmured.

"Ri," the little Pokémon grunted, shaking his head. Rest could wait. There was more to do. More to become.

They were searching—not just for food, but for purpose. The fire from the last night still lived in Alex's chest, equal parts guilt and resolve. He had killed, yes. Out of necessity. But it still felt like something sacred had been broken.

Suddenly, a strange sound caught their attention—crackling, faint but sharp. It wasn't firewood or birds. It was… panting? Heavy, unsteady. Labored.

Alex raised a dagger he have made before to protect himself, alert. Riolu stepped in front of him instinctively, ears perked.

Through the trees, they found it.

A small figure lay slumped against the roots of a massive tree, breathing shallowly. At first, Alex thought it was just a flicker of firelight reflecting on bark—but then the figure moved.

Charcadet.

Its armor was chipped and blackened, the flames from its shoulders barely flickering. Its body was bruised, trembling from exhaustion. Its eyes flared weakly as it saw them approach, but there was no fight left in it—only fear.

Alex froze. "What the hell…? This isn't a Sinnoh native."

He crouched slowly, keeping his hands visible. "Hey. It's okay. I'm not gonna hurt you."

Charcadet hissed, trying to push itself upright, but collapsed again. Its body was covered in burns and welts, some fresh, others long healed. Around its ankle was a snapped restraint, a metallic band with a piece of chain still clinging to it.

Alex's jaw clenched. "You were kidnapped, weren't you? From Paldea."

The little Pokémon stared at him, eyes flickering with suspicion and pain.

"I don't know who took you," Alex said softly, "but they're not here now. I won't hurt you."

Riolu stepped forward. Slowly. He made a soft noise—gentle, sympathetic. Their eyes met. In that moment, something passed between them.

Charcadet lowered its head.

Alex gently offered some water the lake beside them. "Drink. Please."

It hesitated. Then drank greedily.

That was the moment it changed. A new friendship made by something so small but so big at the same time

Later, after tending to Charcadet's wounds as best he could, Alex found a small hollow where they could rest. The sun dipped lower, and just as peace seemed possible, a thunderous roar split the air.

The earth shook.

From the trees burst a massive Ursaring, its fur ragged, claws caked with dried blood. Its eyes were wild—territorial. Hungry.

Alex barely had time to raise his dagger before it charged.

"MOVE!"

He shoved Charcadet behind him as Riolu leapt into action, intercepting the beast with a glowing Force Palm. It struck the Ursaring's chest—but the bear hardly flinched, swatting Riolu aside like a ragdoll.

"RIOLU!"

He hit a tree hard, sliding to the ground, dazed.

Charcadet stood now, trembling. Not just from pain—but from rage.

"Charcadet—listen to me," Alex said, voice low and urgent. "I need you. We fight together, okay? We protect each other."

The little fire Pokémon nodded, its flames sparking brighter. It stepped forward beside Alex.

Ursaring roared again and charged.

Alex didn't hesitate.

"NOW!"

Charcadet lunged with a blazing Fire Punch, slamming into the bear's leg. Ursaring roared in agony, twisting to claw at it—but Alex was already moving, distracting the beast with a thrown rock, just enough time for Riolu to recover and leap in with another Force Palm, this one landing square on the creature's snout.

Staggered, it flailed—but not down.

"Charcadet—try Night Slash!"

The fire-type's eyes flared violet, shadows condensing around its hands. With a cry, it slashed across the Ursaring's chest, leaving deep black wounds that sizzled unnaturally.

The beast howled—and finally, it turned and fled into the woods, crashing through the underbrush in defeat.

Silence.

Alex dropped to one knee, gasping.

Riolu limped back to his side, and Charcadet… Charcadet stood tall. Scarred. Shaking. But victorious.

"You two..." Alex breathed. "You saved my life. Again."

He looked at them—these small, broken warriors who had no reason to trust him, yet fought for him anyway.

He reached into his satchel, pulled out an empty Poké Ball he have found on the forest after seeing a dead body, and held it toward Charcadet.

"I'm not going to force you. But... if you want to stay with us… I't would be good to have you."

Charcadet stared at it.

Then, slowly, it touched the button.

The Poké Ball clicked. Sealed.

A new bond. A new beginning.

Alex exhaled, smiling for the first time in days.

"Welcome to the team, Charcadet."

That night, by the fire, the three of them sat close—burned, bruised, and bloody, but not broken.

And somewhere in the dark…

Eyes watched once again.

Hungry. Curious.

Because something new had been born that day—not just a team…

But a family.