being in the Pokemon world

The forest was quiet this morning, too quiet. Mist hung between the trees like ghosts reluctant to leave. The air was damp and cool, soaked in the scent of moss and scorched wood from their fire the night before.

Alex sat with his back against a tree, eyes scanning the clearing while Riolu and Charcadet stood across from each other, breathing hard.

"again" Alex ordered softly.

Riolu darted forward first. His paw glowed with focused power—a shimmering Force Palm crackled like thunder as it collided with Charcadet's raised arm. The Fire-type grunted and slid back, his feet kicking up dead leaves, but he remained standing.

Without hesitation, Charcadet retaliated. His fist ignited into searing red flame as he lunged, delivering a controlled Fire Punch toward Riolu's shoulder. Riolu twisted, barely dodging, and struck Charcadet's ribs with a glowing Quick Attack, fast as a shadow.

They both staggered back, panting but smiling.

"Nice," Alex murmured. "You're reading each other better."

Charcadet's flames flickered excitedly around his hands. He raised them into a stance Alex had never seen before—low, sharp, almost blade-like.

Then, from the tip of one finger, a dark mist began to swirl—dense and jagged. A new attack was forming.

Charcadet roared and swiped in an arc, the dark energy hardening into a crescent slash. It hit a tree and carved a deep, burning gash into the bark.

Alex, surprised "Was that... Shadow Claw?"

Charcadet looked at his hand in disbelief, then turned to Alex with glowing eyes full of pride.

"good job" Alex whispered with a faint grin.

Riolu wasn't going to be outdone. He stepped back, closed his eyes, and began channeling his aura. His paws glowed—but this time, the light spread across his body, more fluid, like water instead of lightning.

He clenched his fists. His entire body shimmered, and suddenly, he dashed forward—faster, stronger. Every movement was sharper. He struck a tree with a powered-up Metal Claw, and it splintered from the impact.

Alex stood slowly. "That's... Swords Dance," he said. "You boosted your strength."

Riolu turned to him, chest rising and falling, but he gave a nod of pride. Charcadet clapped, flames flickering.

They were getting stronger. Day by day. Blow by blow.

But strength didn't feed the stomach.

"Alright, training's done for now," Alex said, grabbing his handmade bone knife and shouldering a cloth sack. "We need food. Water. Let's move."

Charcadet and Riolu followed closely as they headed deeper into the forest. The trees grew taller here, their canopies blotting out the sunlight. It wasn't long before they found a narrow stream trickling through the underbrush.

Alex crouched and dipped his hand in the water. Cold, clear, flowing from somewhere uphill. Safe enough.

"You first," he said, gesturing to Riolu, he began to drank eagerly, splashing a little as he knelt beside the bank. Alex drank last, cupping the water into his mouth. The chill shocked his senses awake.

"Now, food…"

They followed a trail of berry bushes. Alex was cautious, testing each one against his guidebook—luckily found in his bag when he first woke in this world. Most were bitter, but safe.

Riolu found a small bush of Oran Berries, and Charcadet roasted one in his hand, laughing as the berry let off a sweet, syrupy smell. It was a strange sight—two battle-scarred Pokémon sitting in the dirt, roasting berries and eating like children.

Alex didn't say anything, but he smiled a little.

They were surviving.

When the meal was done, they sat under a tree to rest. Riolu leaned on Alex's side again, and this time, Charcadet joined too—sitting across from them, watching the sky through the branches. A few rays of sun broke through and warmed the dirt between them.

"Charcadet…" Alex said, finally breaking the silence. "you we're hurt didn't you?."

Charcadet looked away.

"I don't know how to make that right," Alex admitted, "but if you stay with me, I'll make damn sure no one touches you again."

Charcadet looked back, eyes shining. He nodded.

Riolu placed a paw on Alex's hand. His way of saying he agreed.

For a moment, nothing else mattered—not the blood they'd spilled, the pokemons that waited in the dark, or the traumas that shadowed them.

Just three survivors.

A boy, a wounded warrior of fire, and an aura-born fighter of steel and pain.

Stronger. Every day.

Together.