Pokémon : The Perfect Path

Kanto Region - Pewter City

Velkris adjusted Gible in his arms, feeling the warmth of his partner's small yet sturdy body. The battle was over. The dust had settled. Ash and Misty stood in front of him, Ash still fired up, eyes bright with determination after watching the battle.

"Velkris, you're really strong," Ash said with a grin, his fists clenched in excitement. "But don't think for a second that I'm going to let you stay ahead of me! I'll win my own Boulder Badge soon, just watch!"

Velkris let out a soft chuckle, nodding. "I know you will, Ash."

He meant it.

He had seen Ash's journey play out before, had watched the boy grow from an overenthusiastic rookie into a trainer who defied expectations at every turn. Ash was more than just another trainer—he was an anchor to this world, someone whose journey mattered in ways even he didn't fully understand yet.

And Velkris… Velkris couldn't risk changing that.

He took a slow breath, looking at his friend—because Ash was his friend now, not just a protagonist he knew from another life.

"I'm leaving now," Velkris said simply.

Ash blinked, caught off guard. "Huh? Already?"

Velkris nodded, glancing at Misty, who looked a little surprised as well. "Yeah. I know you'll win, Ash. You don't need me here for that."

Ash stared at him for a second, then grinned again, something softer behind the expression. He wasn't upset. If anything, he seemed… grateful. "Thanks, Velkris."

Velkris gave him a small smile. "See you at the Indigo League."

With that, he turned on his heel, stepping away from the Gym.

As he walked, he exhaled slowly, his grip tightening slightly around Gible. This was the right decision. Traveling with Ash any longer, being there for too many of his defining moments, could change things in ways he couldn't predict. He had already made ripples in the timeline, but if he wanted to ensure Ash became the Master he would become, if he wanted to make sure Ash was there to stop the disasters only he could stop… then he had to step away.

For now.

Because Ash Ketchum was the heart of this world. The one who would go on to shape it. And Velkris?

Velkris had his own path to carve.

Velkris walked through the streets of Pewter City, the cool evening air brushing against his face as he made his way to the Pokémon Center. The city was quieter now, the rush of the Gym battle fading behind him. Inside, the warm glow of the Pokémon Center's lights welcomed him, and he stepped up to the counter where Nurse Joy greeted him with a smile.

"Good evening! You look like you've had quite the battle," she said, glancing at Gible in his arms. "Would you like me to heal your Pokémon?"

Velkris nodded. "Yeah. Gible gave it his all."

As he handed Gible over, he could still feel the lingering energy of the battle—the intensity of facing Brock's Onix, the way Gible had broken free of Bind, the strategic struggle between offense and defense. It had been his toughest battle so far, and the road ahead would only get harder.

While he waited, Velkris sat down in the lounge area, leaning back against the cushioned seat. His mind drifted to Ash.

He's going to be fine. He always pulls through.

But Velkris knew his own journey wouldn't be the same. He had no script to follow, no guarantees. Every choice he made from here on out would shape his path in ways he couldn't predict.

Now, the question was—where to next?

If he stuck to the usual path, the next stop would be Mt. Moon. He remembered that Ash had encountered Team Rocket there, along with a scientist named Seymour who was obsessed with Clefairy and the Moon Stone. But that wasn't what interested him.

Mt. Moon was rumored to be a place of mysteries, home to rare Pokémon and ancient stones that held strange energy. If he was going to grow stronger, if he was going to prepare for what lay ahead… then Mt. Moon was the next step.

Velkris tightened his grip on his Poké Ball.

__________________________________

Inside the Pokémon Center, Velkris leaned back in his seat, exhaling as he rested his arms on his knees. The battle against Brock had been intense, and now his Gible was with Nurse Joy, recovering from the match. The victory still sat fresh in his mind, but right now, there was something else he needed to do.

He took out a Poké Ball and released Ralts.

A soft glow filled the dimly lit Center, and as the light faded, his partner stood before him. Small, timid, yet filled with emotions deeper than most.

"Ralts," Velkris said, watching as the Emotion Pokémon looked up at him with curiosity. He could feel its quiet anticipation—it always sensed his emotions, even without words.

"We're heading to Mt. Moon next," he told it. "There are Fairy-types there, like Clefairy and Clefable. You might get to meet others like you."

Ralts perked up at the thought, a subtle spark of excitement flickering in its expression. But it didn't last long. As realization set in, its gaze dropped slightly, and Velkris could sense its change in emotions even without any psychic connection.

It wasn't just about meeting new Pokémon. It was about who they were leaving behind.

Ash. Misty.

Even though it had only been a short journey together, Ralts had grown attached. Velkris knew that—it was in its nature. The Emotion Pokémon didn't just sense feelings; it felt them, intensely, deeply. More than most Pokémon. More than humans.

Velkris sighed, leaning forward slightly as he rested a hand on Ralts' head.

"I get it," he said softly. "You're going to miss them."

Ralts gave a small nod, its tiny hands clenching at its sides.

"They've been good to us. Ash and Misty, they're good people. And we'll see them again someday."

He watched as Ralts' shoulders relaxed slightly, though it still looked uncertain.

"But for now, we have our own path to walk," he continued. "We can't afford to stay still. Ash is going to become the strongest Trainer, I know that. If we don't move forward, we'll just get left behind."

He hesitated for a moment before adding, "And… Gary is out there too."

Gary.

Velkris' thoughts drifted to him. He wasn't sure where exactly Gary was right now, but he knew one thing for certain—Gary wasn't wasting any time. He'd already started ahead of them, probably capturing strong Pokémon and challenging Gyms without looking back.

Velkris had faced him once before, back in Pallet Town, and even then, he could tell—Gary was talented. And not just because he was Professor Oak's grandson. He was smart, confident, and driven.

If Velkris wanted to keep up, he couldn't slow down now.

But then his thoughts took another turn—toward the rare Pokémon of Kanto.

Not just strong Pokémon. Rare Pokémon.

The kinds that had only been seen in fleeting moments in the anime.

The Crystal Onix. The giant Dragonite. The Pink Butterfree. The Fossil Pokémon of Mt. Moon. The unique Pokémon that had never been caught by anyone. Could he find them before Ash and others did?

For a moment, the thought was tempting. But then he shook his head.

He was getting ahead of himself. Right now, his priority was clear—Mt. Moon.

Velkris looked at Ralts again. It had calmed down now, still slightly sad but no longer weighed down by emotion.

"We'll be fine," he assured it. "We just need to keep moving."

Ralts nodded, and Velkris smiled.

Just then, Nurse Joy called out to him.

"Your Pokémon are fully healed!"

He walked over and retrieved Gible's Poké Ball, thanking her before turning toward the exit. The night was deepening outside, but that didn't matter. He wasn't going to wait.

It was time to leave.

___________________________________

Velkris stepped out of Pewter City and onto Route 3, the path leading toward Mt. Moon. The cool night air brushed against him as he adjusted his bag and walked forward, the dim moonlight casting long shadows on the rocky terrain.

The route wasn't silent.

From the distance, he could hear the soft hoot of a Hoothoot perched in the trees. Zubat screeched faintly in the night sky, flitting between the cliffs, while rustling in the tall grass hinted at Nidoran or Sandshrew moving about. Occasionally, a Rattata darted across the path, disappearing just as quickly.

As he walked, a sudden wave of dizziness hit him.

Velkris staggered slightly, blinking rapidly as the world seemed to tilt around him. His breathing became unsteady, and a strange sense of exhaustion crept over his body.

What the…?

He hadn't felt this way before. It wasn't just tiredness. It was like… his body was forcing him to stop.

He shook his head, trying to push through, but the feeling only worsened. His vision blurred, and a deep, sinking sensation formed in his chest.

Realizing he couldn't keep walking like this, Velkris made a quick decision.

He needed to rest.

Finding a small clearing off the path, he set his bag down and released both Ralts and Gible. The two Pokémon looked at him curiously, sensing something was off, but he just gave them a reassuring nod.

"Just a short rest," he muttered, setting up a simple camp. He rolled out his sleeping bag, gathered some wood for a small fire, and let his Pokémon relax beside him.

As the flames flickered, casting a warm glow against the darkness, Velkris opened his system.

A familiar screen greeted him, along with a notification.

[ System Notification: Mission Complete ]

As Velkris scrolled through his system, his eyes widened slightly when he noticed a new notification.

[Mission Complete]

For a moment, he blinked. Wait… when did this even show up?

Had it always been there? Or had he just been too caught up in his battle with Brock to notice? He couldn't remember ever seeing this before.

Curious, he tapped on it, and the details of the mission unfolded before him.

____________________________________

[ Mission: Pewter's Rock-Solid Trainer ]

• Defeat Pewter City's Gym Leader, Brock, in a Pokémon battle.

• Description: Brock, the Rock-Solid Pokémon Trainer, specializes in Rock-type Pokémon. As the eldest of many siblings, he carries the responsibility of Pewter Gym with unwavering determination. Overcoming his defensive battle style and strategic endurance will prove your strength as a trainer.

• Status: Complete

• Reward: ???

____________________________________

Velkris exhaled, staring at the reward section, which was still locked behind question marks. So I finally cleared my first system mission.

A small sense of accomplishment settled in. He was about to claim his reward when another notification suddenly popped up.

[New Mission Available]

Velkris narrowed his eyes and tapped on it.

_____________________________________

[ Mission: Secrets Beneath the Moonlight ]

• Travel to Mt. Moon and investigate the Moon Rock.

• Description: Mt. Moon, shrouded in myth and wonder, is said to be the landing site of a meteorite long ago. The mysterious Moon Rock at its heart has long been associated with Clefairy and rumored to hold untapped energy. Investigate its properties and uncover the secrets it holds.

• Reward: ???

_____________________________________

Velkris tilted his head.

So now the system is guiding me toward Mt. Moon?

This wasn't unexpected—Ash's journey had taken him there as well, and it was a significant location. But now, with a system-driven incentive, it seemed like there was more to explore than what the anime had shown.

As Velkris examined the newly appeared mission, "Secrets Beneath the Light," his gaze lingered on it for a moment before shifting back to the first mission—[ Pewter's Rock-Solid Trainer ]

Realizing he hadn't yet claimed his reward for the battle, he focused on it, and the system responded.

_____________________________________

[Mission Completed: Pewter's Rock-Solid Trainer ]

-> Reward Acquired: Smooth Rock

____________________________________

A small, polished stone materialized in his hands. It was smooth to the touch, fitting perfectly in his palm, with a faint earthy aura surrounding it. He smirked.

"Heh, fitting. Beat a Rock-type Gym Leader, get a rock."

But this wasn't just any rock—it was a Smooth Rock, an item that extended the effects of Sandstorm. His eyes flickered with interest as he recalled Gible's Primeval Hunger ability.

"That ability boosts stats in harsh conditions… and Sandstorm counts as one. The problem is, Sandstorm usually lasts only a short time, but with this…"

Velkris ran his fingers along the stone's surface, considering its potential. A longer Sandstorm meant Gible would receive its stat boosts for longer periods, making it even more dangerous in battle.

Without overthinking it, he knelt down and presented the Smooth Rock to Gible. The little Dragon-type sniffed it curiously, then—without hesitation—chomped down and swallowed it whole.

Velkris blinked. "...Wait. What?"

Gible let out a pleased burp, clearly satisfied.

Velkris rubbed the back of his head, exhaling. "Well… I guess that's how it works? We'll know when we battle."

He let the thought settle before setting the system aside.

As Velkris focused on equipping Gible with the Smooth Rock, a shadowy figure observed him from high above. Perched on a thick branch, concealed behind the sturdy trunk of an old oak tree, the figure remained motionless, its presence blending seamlessly into the night. Its gaze never wavered, locked onto Velkris with an eerie stillness. Yet, Velkris remained oblivious, preoccupied with setting up his tent and managing his Pokémon.

The cool night breeze rustled the leaves, masking any faint movements from the observer. The distant cries of wild Pokémon echoed in the forest, but something about the air felt heavier now—charged with an unseen tension.

Just as Velkris stood up to stretch after securing the final stake of his tent, a sudden wave of dizziness hit him. His vision blurred for a second, the world around him tilting slightly as his balance wavered. Again? This wasn't just exhaustion—something was affecting him.

Before he could react, Gible roared and leapt forward, its eyes locked onto something in the darkness. Without waiting for a command, it opened its jaws and summoned an immense draconic energy, launching a Draco Meteor with fierce aggression.

Velkris snapped to attention, eyes widening as the brilliant orange orbs shot into the sky before descending rapidly toward a particular tree. The impact was explosive—bark and leaves scattered, and a massive cloud of dust and smoke billowed outward from the point of collision.

Velkris instinctively shielded his face from the debris before narrowing his gaze toward the now-damaged area. As the dust settled, he expected to see something—anything—revealed by Gible's sudden attack. But there was nothing. No sign of movement, no rustling of a retreating Pokémon.

The forest fell eerily silent.

A deep, unsettled feeling crawled into Velkris' chest. Gible was not the type to launch an attack like that for no reason. And then it clicked—he was being attacked.

That's why I felt faint. That's why my body keeps feeling heavy. Something—no, someone or some Pokémon—is targeting me.

Velkris' mind whirled as he tried to piece together what had just happened. Something was watching them. Something was attacking him.

But what kind of Pokémon could do this?

He thought about the effects he had felt—dizziness, faintness, an unseen presence, something lurking just out of sight. It had to be a Pokémon that could manipulate his senses, disorient him, or hide in the shadows without being detected.

His first thoughts were of Ghost-types, Pokémon known for phasing in and out of reality, preying on the fears of their targets. Gengar, one of the most infamous Ghost Pokémon, could easily pull off something like this. If there was a particularly strong or wild Gengar in this forest, it could be playing tricks on him.

But what if it wasn't just a prank? What if this was deliberate?

Then there were Psychic-types. A Hypno or Kadabra could be capable of messing with his head. Hypno's hypnotic abilities were well-documented, and a wild one could be causing his sudden dizziness without him realizing it. Kadabra, on the other hand, was more subtle—its telepathic waves were said to interfere with human brain activity.

Even some Bug-types came to mind. Venomoth could release hallucinogenic spores, making people see things that weren't there. Zubat and Golbat were known to drain energy from their prey, leaving them weak and dazed. If there was a colony nearby, maybe that could explain why he was feeling this way.

But… could it be something even more dangerous?

His thoughts drifted beyond Kanto, to Pokémon from other regions that could pull off something like this.

A Mismagius from Sinnoh could cast illusions that made people lose their sense of reality. A Malamar from Kalos could warp minds and manipulate thoughts. A Spiritomb from Sinnoh was literally composed of cursed souls, and if something like that had been released here, it could be attacking him for reasons beyond his understanding. Even Zoroark could have been using its illusionary abilities to hide in the forest and watch them unnoticed.

The more he thought about it, the more Pokémon came to mind—Pokémon capable of controlling shadows, twisting minds, draining energy. But then, something about that thought process made him stop.

No. That doesn't make sense.

These weren't wild theories. If one of those Pokémon were responsible, it would mean something completely unnatural was going on here. But Kanto wasn't home to Mismagius, or Malamar, or Zoroark. There was no logical reason why any of them should be here.

That meant it had to be something native to Kanto.

And that was when his mind turned toward Legendaries.

A shiver ran down his spine. If this wasn't the work of an ordinary wild Pokémon, could it be something much more dangerous?

His thoughts settled on a single name.

Marshadow.

Marshadow was a Pokémon said to dwell within the shadows of the world, observing unseen, rarely revealing itself. It had appeared in that one movie, staying hidden in Kanto, watching Ash and testing him as the chosen Rainbow Hero. If that were true, then… could it be testing him now?

Velkris stiffened. That can't be right.

If Marshadow was here, then it should be watching Ash, not him. Ash was the one meant to take on that trial, not me.

…Right?

Doubt wormed its way into his mind. Could he have somehow interfered with events so much that Marshadow's focus had shifted? Was he being watched because he had changed things in a way he didn't yet understand?

But just as quickly, he exhaled sharply and shut that thought down.

No. That's ridiculous.

None of the events from that movie had played out here. There was no Lycanroc, no Incineroar, no arrogant trainer who challenged Ash. Ash hadn't even acquired his Charmander yet, let alone anything that would tie him to Ho-Oh.

That story simply did not exist in this world.

He was overthinking it. That's all.

Before he could dwell on it further, he felt a soft tug at his sleeve.

Blinking, he looked down to see Ralts staring at him with worried eyes.

He paused. Right—Ralts was the Emotion Pokémon. It must have been sensing his turmoil and fear more intensely than anyone else.

Velkris let out a slow breath before kneeling down beside it, resting a hand on its head. Ralts shivered slightly under his touch, clearly sensing his unease.

"It's alright," he murmured, his voice calmer now. "No matter what happens, we'll face it. Together."

Ralts blinked before leaning into his touch, though its concern didn't fully fade.

Velkris then turned toward Gible, who still stood alert, growling at the spot where it had fired its Draco Meteor moments ago.

"Good job, Gible," Velkris said, his voice firm with appreciation. "I don't know what's out there, but you sensed it before I did. That's impressive."

Gible let out a short grunt, waving its tiny arms with a proud smirk.

Even as he reassured his Pokémon, though, the unease lingered.

He had been too careless. The world of Pokémon wasn't just a game or a show anymore—it was real, dangerous, and there were things lurking in the shadows that he might not be prepared for.

As he settled into his tent, lying on his sleeping mat, his mind continued analyzing the possibilities. The more he thought about it, the heavier his eyelids felt.

This isn't over, he thought. Whatever it is, it's still watching.

But for now, his body gave in to exhaustion, and he slowly drifted into sleep, with Ralts curled up beside him and Gible keeping watch near the entrance of the tent.

Somewhere out in the forest, hidden in the darkness, the shadow remained.

And it was waiting.

_____________________________________

The first rays of sunlight crept over the horizon, casting a golden glow over the Forest as morning broke. The air was crisp, carrying the faint scent of damp earth and fresh leaves, and the distant chirps of Pidgey and Spearow filled the atmosphere.

Velkris stirred within his tent, his mind slowly surfacing from sleep. The lingering unease from last night's mysterious presence was still there, but the warmth of the morning sun helped ease his nerves.

As he sat up, Ralts, who had been nestled close to him in the sleeping bag, let out a soft sound, stirring awake. Velkris glanced down and gave it a small smile, gently patting its head.

"Morning, little one."

Ralts blinked up at him with drowsy eyes before stretching its tiny arms, clearly still waking up.

Gible, on the other hand, was already awake—standing near the entrance of the tent, gnawing at a small rock it had apparently found overnight. The little Dragon-type paused mid-bite as it noticed Velkris moving and gave a satisfied grunt, as if to say, Finally, you're up.

Velkris let out a soft chuckle before shaking off the last traces of sleep. Today was a new day, and his journey needed to continue.

After a few minutes of stretching and waking up properly, Velkris got to work packing up his camp. He rolled up his sleeping bag, folded the tent back into his bag, and made sure there was no trace of his stay left behind—he wasn't about to start leaving messes everywhere like some careless travelers.

Ralts stood by his side, watching as he worked, while Gible seemed more focused on looking around, occasionally sniffing the air as if searching for something interesting.

"We've got a long way ahead," Velkris muttered to himself as he hoisted his bag onto his back. "Mt. Moon is next."

>> Route 3

Velkris set off toward Route 3, the next major stretch of road leading to Mt. Moon. The path was vastly different from the dense, shadowy corridors of the initial Forest. Here, the land opened up into wide, rolling grasslands, scattered with a few rocky outcrops. A dirt path wound through the landscape, occasionally leading toward small clusters of trees or steep inclines.

The sky was a brilliant blue, with a few stray clouds lazily drifting across it. In the distance, he could see a few trainers already engaged in battles, their Pokémon kicking up dust as they sparred on the open fields.

As Velkris walked along Route 3, his mind wandered, taking in the landscape around him. The rocky terrain stretched ahead, with patches of tall grass rustling in the morning breeze. It was a peaceful moment, but then a thought struck him—he hadn't caught a new Pokémon since Gible.

That realization made him pause for a moment. As a trainer, he couldn't just keep moving forward without expanding his team. Sure, Ralts and Gible were strong, but relying only on them wasn't a smart move. Besides, it didn't always have to be an Anomaly Pokémon. A well-trained, carefully chosen Pokémon could be just as valuable, especially one that could bring new strengths to his team.

That made him think—which Pokémon on Route 3 were actually worth catching?

His first thought was Mankey. A pure Fighting-type, known for its speed and sheer aggression. It evolved into Primeape, which was already a solid powerhouse, but if the Annihilape evolution existed in this world, that would make it even better. A Ghost/Fighting-type would give him serious type coverage, and Annihilape's reputation for raw strength was undeniable. That alone made Mankey an appealing option.

Then, he considered Ekans and Spearow. Arbok had some decent tricks, especially Glare to paralyze opponents, but it lacked the overwhelming power he was looking for. Fearow had speed and Drill Peck, which made it an excellent Flying-type attacker, but compared to other potential choices, it didn't feel essential.

Finally, his thoughts settled on Nidoran♂ and Nidoran♀. These Pokémon had incredible versatility. Once evolved into Nidoking or Nidoqueen, they gained access to a wide movepool, including moves like Thunderbolt, Ice Beam, Flamethrower, and Earth Power. That kind of type coverage was rare, and if they had the Hidden Ability—Sheer Force, it would boost their attacks even further at the cost of secondary effects. That meant pure, devastating firepower.

The more he thought about it, the clearer it became—Nidoran was an ideal choice. Powerful, adaptable, and capable of fitting well into his growing team.

With his decision made, Velkris sharpened his focus. He needed to find either a Mankey or a Nidoran before reaching Mt. Moon.

Velkris moved steadily along Route 3, his boots pressing against the dry, uneven ground as the warm morning air carried with it the distant hum of nature. The towering cliffs to his left and right framed the winding dirt path ahead, leading toward the looming silhouette of Mt. Moon in the distance.

The route was lively—the rustling of bushes, the occasional chirps of passing Spearow, and the scurrying of unseen Pokémon beneath the undergrowth blended into a natural symphony. Yet, amidst the usual wild sounds, something stood out.

A sharp cry.

Then another.

The unmistakable sounds of distress.

Velkris halted. His body stiffened, instincts sharpening as he tilted his head, focusing on the source.

It was faint at first—a mix of high-pitched squeals, growls, and the heavy thuds of something hitting the ground, hard.

His brows furrowed. That wasn't just any wild Pokémon scuffle.

He turned his gaze toward a rocky incline to his right. The sounds were coming from beyond it, further off the main route.

Something big was happening.

Carefully, he stepped forward, keeping his footsteps measured and quiet. He climbed up the incline, his hands briefly gripping at the rough stone as he pulled himself up to a vantage point. Peering over, his eyes immediately locked onto the scene unfolding below.

A clearing, partially shaded by jagged cliffs, stretched out before him. The dirt was disturbed and uneven, as if multiple Pokémon had already clashed there. Deep claw marks and trampled earth told of a prolonged struggle.

And in the center of it—

A group of Nidoran, both male and female, their small bodies tense as they tried to hold their ground.

Opposing them—a Primeape and a swarm of Mankey.

The Primeape stood at the head of the invading force, its fur bristling with rage, fists clenched, body twitching with erratic, battle-hardened energy.

Mankey surrounded it, their numbers overwhelming, their feral eyes locked onto the Nidoran pack.

Velkris' expression darkened.

A battle for territory.

It made sense. Both species were naturally aggressive. Both were territorial Pokémon that wouldn't hesitate to defend what they claimed as their own.

And yet, this was strange.

Something about this wasn't just an ordinary skirmish.

Why here?

Why now?

His eyes carefully scanned the battlefield.

The Nidoran weren't just defending themselves—they were being forced back, driven toward the rock wall behind them.

This wasn't a battle.

It was an invasion.

His gaze flickered toward the center of the Nidoran group—where one Pokémon stood apart.

A Nidoran♂, slightly larger than the others, its ears flattened back, its body low in an aggressive stance.

It was wounded but unwavering.

Velkris narrowed his eyes, studying it.

Every movement it made was deliberate, every attack it landed harsher than it should have been.

It didn't just fight. It fought with a relentless intensity—every hit carried an unnatural strength, and every time it was struck, it refused to back down.

A realization settled in his mind.

Hidden Ability : Hustle/Sheer Force.

It had to be.

A rare ability that removed the secondary effects of moves but drastically increased their power.

A strong trait for a Pokémon. A dangerous one.

Velkris remained still, observing.

His mind turned over the situation.

That Nidoran was strong—but it was also outmatched.

Sooner or later, it would collapse.

And that would be the perfect moment to strike.

He could wait. Let the Primeape and Mankey wear it down. Let them do the hard work for him. Then, when the Nidoran was too weak to resist—he could capture it easily.

It was logical.

Efficient.

And yet—wrong.

A cold weight settled in his chest as the thought fully formed.

His fingers twitched.

Why had he even considered that?

That wasn't strategy. That wasn't careful planning.

That was cruel.

His stomach twisted, his pulse beating slow and heavy in his ears.

When had he started thinking like this?

And then—a darker thought crept in.

Was it really just his own reasoning?

Or…

Was something else pushing him toward this line of thinking?

His mind flashed back to the presence he had felt before.

The one that was watching him. The one that had set its sights on him.

The Pokémon that had targeted him.

A Dark or Shadow Pokémon—lurking in the background, unseen but not unfelt.

Was it influencing him? Twisting his thoughts?

A flicker of warmth pulled him from the cold spiral.

His gaze shifted slightly—Ralts was watching him, its soft glow barely perceptible.

A steadying pulse of calm.

A reminder of what was right.

Velkris exhaled.

There was no more hesitation.

His decision was already made.

He stepped forward.

Not rashly. Not recklessly.

Calm. Focused. Ready.

The battlefield trembled under the weight of chaos.

The Primeape loomed over the Nidoran♂, muscles tensed, fists glowing as it prepared to strike. Around them, the Mankeys howled, eyes wild with fury, their forms darting in unpredictable bursts of movement. The Nidoran♂, despite its size, stood defiant, battered but unwilling to fall.

Velkris, watching from a distance, took a slow breath.

This wasn't a fight he could ignore.

"Ralts, help it!"

The small, white figure floated forward, her red eyes narrowing, a faint pinkish glow radiating from her body. She had been out of her Poké Ball, and at Velkris' command, she acted instantly.

One of the Mankeys lunged at Nidoran♂, claws outstretched—

"Confusion!"

A ripple of psychic energy surged forward, catching the Mankey mid-leap. Its body stiffened, eyes widening as it was suddenly suspended in the air. The force of the attack twisted it around before launching it backward, sending it crashing into another Mankey.

Velkris had no time to waste.

He grabbed Gible's Poké Ball and sent it flying into the fray.

The ball spun—

But before it could open, a Mankey leaped up and snatched it from mid-air, its nimble fingers curling around it.

The Mankey blinked, tilting its head, as if trying to understand what it was holding.

Then—

A dark shadow loomed above it.

A draconic grin, gleaming white fangs, and a body wreathed in a silver glow.

Gible had already descended.

"IRON HEAD!"

The impact was brutal.

A resounding clang echoed as Gible's hardened skull collided with the Mankey's head.

The unfortunate Pokémon let out a strangled screech, its grip on the Poké Ball instantly loosening as it collapsed to the ground, unconscious.

Gible landed with a thud, turning toward the battlefield with a predatory smirk.

Then, it turned to Nidoran♂.

For a moment, the smaller Pokémon hesitated, uncertain about this new arrival.

Then, Gible smirked and let out a deep, rumbling growl, the sound thick with challenge and amusement.

The Mankeys flinched.

Nidoran♂ understood.

These weren't enemies.

They were allies.

___________________________________

Velkris quickly analyzed the battlefield, his mind racing through the possibilities. Gible was powerful, that much was certain. But it needed space—room to unleash its true potential. Here, surrounded by wild Pokémon in close combat, its movements would be restricted. It could use Sandstorm to tilt the battlefield in its favor, enhancing its evasion while activating its anomaly ability, but that would also make it harder for Ralts and Nidoran to fight effectively. He discarded the idea.

Rock-type moves would have the advantage against Primeape, and Gible's Stone Edge could be a game-changer. But as Velkris observed the fight more closely, something felt off about the opponent. Primeape wasn't just wildly attacking—it was precise, its movements calculated, dodging attacks from Ralts with an almost unnatural ease. That wasn't normal for a wild Pokémon.

Someone or Something had trained it, forced it into battle long enough that it had learned how to counter them. There was no telling what kind of battles it had endured or how it had developed its fighting style. But there was no time to dwell on that.

Meanwhile, Nidoran♂ was holding its ground, and Velkris could see its Hustle in action. Every attack it landed carried an unnatural weight, a raw power that made even the wild Mankeys hesitate. But no matter how strong it was, it was outnumbered. If Velkris didn't take control of the battle, the tide could easily turn against them.

He had to manage all three Pokémon at once. Gible needed room to attack. Ralts needed to shut down the Primeape before it could land a decisive blow. And Nidoran—Nidoran needed a way to keep fighting without being overwhelmed. The battlefield was chaotic, but Velkris had already started forming a plan.

"Gible, take out the Mankeys!" Velkris ordered.

The Land Shark Pokémon grinned and charged forward, sand-colored scales glinting under the dim light.

A trio of Mankeys sprang toward it, attempting to dogpile it with raw numbers—

"Dragon Rush!"

A shroud of blue draconic energy erupted around Gible as it plowed straight through the first Mankey, sending it soaring into the air.

The second one tried to counter, fists glowing—

But Gible twisted its body, sidestepped, and lashed out with Crunch, sinking razor-sharp fangs into its arm.

The Mankey screeched in agony, struggling against the vice-like grip.

But Gible didn't let go.

Instead, Velkris saw an opening.

"Throw it!"

Gible's jaws snapped open, flinging the Mankey like a ragdoll—

Directly into the third one.

Both crashed into the ground in a tangled heap, groaning in pain.

Two down.

One left standing.

But Gible was far from done.

"Scale Shot!"

The Land Shark reared back, its body shimmering as sharp, dragon-infused scales detached from its skin and launched like a hailstorm of knives toward the final Mankey.

The unfortunate Pokémon barely had time to react before the scales cut across its body, leaving small but deep gashes. It stumbled backward, panting.

It didn't get back up.

Velkris turned toward Ralts' battle.

Something was wrong.

Primeape should have been struggling against a Psychic-type, yet it was dodging too well.

Velkris narrowed his eyes, watching its movements.

It wasn't just reacting—

It was anticipating Ralts' attacks.

Ralts released a Confusion blast, and Primeape rolled to the side, avoiding the psychic energy with an almost practiced motion.

It wasn't just strong.

It had fought Psychic-types before.

And that meant—

Velkris' eyes snapped to its leg.

A chain.

Old, rusted, but still visible.

This Primeape had been captured before.

"It's an escapee," Velkris murmured.

The implications could wait.

For now, he had to win.

"Ralts, Double Team!"

Ralts flickered, her form splitting into multiple copies, each one moving in sync.

The Primeape grunted, fists clenching as it tried to read the real one—

"Disarming Voice!"

A sudden burst of Fairy energy rang through the air, a shimmering cry that disoriented the Primeape.

It flinched, staggering backward as the sound waves rippled through its body.

"Now, Fairy Wind!"

A soft, glowing gust of pink wind burst forth, spiraling toward the staggering Primeape.

It howled in pain as the Fairy-type energy slammed into its chest, sending it tumbling across the ground.

It struggled to rise—

But Velkris saw it.

Its arms were shaking.

One more hit—

And then—

The air grew thick with movement.

Velkris' stomach dropped.

A new wave of Mankeys had appeared.

Dozens.

The ground shook beneath their footsteps.

They weren't attacking yet, but their gazes locked onto him and his Pokémon.

Velkris' breath slowed as he assessed the situation.

One Primeape.

Multiple Mankeys.

Three Pokémon on his side.

The battlefield crackled with tension, the dust still swirling from Gible's last attack. Primeape remained on one knee, its ragged breathing a testament to the beating it had taken. Ralts hovered protectively near Nidoran♂, her eyes sharp and focused, while Gible let out a low, guttural growl, baring its fangs at the encroaching horde of Mankeys. The battered, unconscious bodies of their fallen comrades lay sprawled across the forest floor, but the new wave that had arrived was far greater in number.

Velkris clenched his fists. This wasn't good. The Mankeys weren't attacking yet, but they had the advantage in sheer numbers. Even with his Pokémon's strength, a drawn-out battle against a swarm of them would be reckless. His mind raced, analyzing every possible move.

Then, the air shifted. A thunderous roar ripped through the battlefield, deep and guttural, carrying with it a force that shook the very ground beneath them. Velkris turned sharply, and the sight that met him sent a chill down his spine.

From the shadows of the rocky cliffs, a massive purple figure emerged, its muscular frame outlined against the setting sun. The King of the Wilds had arrived.

Nidoking.

Its piercing red eyes swept over the battlefield, landing on the injured Nidoran♂, and a low, dangerous growl rumbled from its throat. The meaning was clear. This was personal.

Behind it, several Nidorino and Nidorina stepped forward, their sharp horns gleaming under the dim light. A pack. This wasn't just a rescue. This was retribution.

The Mankeys, sensing the shift in power, shuffled uneasily. Their eyes darted between Primeape and the approaching Nidoking. For the first time, their aggression wavered.

Then, in a split second, Primeape made its decision. With a furious snarl, it slammed its fists against its chest and charged—not at Velkris, not at his Pokémon, but straight at Nidoking.

Velkris took a step back. That was a mistake.

Nidoking barely reacted. It stood its ground, watching with eerie calm as the raging Primeape lunged toward it. Only when the very last moment arrived did it move.

Its clawed hand shot forward and caught Primeape mid-air, gripping it by the throat. Primeape thrashed, snarling, clawing at Nidoking's thick hide, but it was no use.

With a terrifying lack of effort, Nidoking lifted Primeape off the ground, its muscles coiling like springs. Then, with a single, devastating motion, it hurled the struggling Primeape straight into the nearest rock formation.

The impact was brutal.

A loud crack echoed through the clearing as Primeape's body collided with the stone, leaving a deep crater where it had landed. Dust and debris flew everywhere. When the dust settled, Primeape lay motionless, half-buried in the rubble.

A stunned silence fell over the battlefield. The remaining Mankeys stood frozen, their eyes locked on their fallen leader.

Then, one of them twitched.

And like dominoes falling, panic spread through their ranks.

The first Mankey turned and fled into the forest, screeching. Another followed. Then another. Within seconds, the entire horde dissolved into chaos, scattering into the trees in a desperate attempt to escape.

Velkris exhaled, tension leaving his body as the battle came to an abrupt end.

The battlefield, which had been filled with chaos and conflict just moments ago, was now eerily quiet.

Nidoking turned its gaze toward the injured Nidoran♂. For a long moment, it simply stood there, its heavy breathing the only sound in the silence. Then, slowly, it took a step forward.

Nidoran♂, who had been watching everything unfold with wide, uncertain eyes, finally moved. Hesitantly, it took a shaky step toward Nidoking. Then another.

When it finally reached Nidoking's feet, it lifted its head.

The great beast stared down at the smaller Pokémon, its expression unreadable. Then, after a brief moment of silence—

Nidoking lowered itself and nuzzled Nidoran♂ with a rare, gentle touch.

Velkris watched the reunion in silence, his mind still processing everything that had happened. This wasn't just a battle. This was a moment of survival, of reclaiming what had been lost.

Ralts floated closer to him, her small hand lightly touching his arm. Gible let out a grunt, glancing between the retreating Mankeys and the Nidoking. The tension in the air had completely changed.

The fight was over.

Velkris let out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding.

Velkris stood still, his gaze locked onto the quiet exchange between Nidoking and the small Nidoran♂. The moment was almost surreal—the sheer contrast between the towering, battle-hardened beast and the small, wounded Pokémon before it. Nidoking's intimidating presence had completely shifted, its once fearsome posture now replaced by something almost… protective.

A faint sigh escaped Velkris' lips. I guess I can't catch Nidoran now. He had considered it for a moment, but with Nidoking here, it wasn't happening. There's no way Nidoking would let me take it. It had come all this way to find its kin—Velkris doubted it would accept some outsider taking one of its own.

He shifted slightly, preparing to step away. But just as he turned—

A sharp cry pierced the air.

Velkris froze mid-step. Slowly, he turned his head, eyes narrowing as he saw the blue figure of Nidoran♂ staring at him. The Pokémon was trembling, but there was something firm in its gaze—determination, not fear.

Nidoran♂ turned its head back toward Nidoking, as if communicating with it. It let out another cry, this time softer, almost questioning. And to Velkris' shock—

Nidoking responded.

The massive Pokémon let out a low, rumbling growl, a sound that wasn't threatening, but rather… contemplative. Its red eyes flickered toward Velkris, then back at Nidoran♂. There was no anger in its gaze, only understanding.

Velkris furrowed his brows. What's going on?

And then, before he could even process it—Nidoran♂ turned and sprinted toward him.

Velkris' eyes widened in surprise. Why…?

Instinctively, he knelt down, lowering himself to Nidoran♂'s level as the small Pokémon skidded to a stop in front of him. Its ears twitched, its tiny chest heaving slightly from the exertion. Then, with a determined gleam in its eyes, it let out a soft cry.

It was trying to tell him something.

Before Velkris could even begin to decipher it, a familiar warmth brushed against his mind.

He glanced at Ralts, who had floated closer to his side. Her eyes glowed faintly with a soft, psychic shimmer. The bond between them thrummed with gentle energy, and in the next moment—

He understood.

Emotions that weren't his own flooded his mind.

Frustration. Helplessness. Resolve.

Memories that weren't his own flashed before his eyes.

The panic of being surrounded, outnumbered, forced into battle. The fear of being weak, unable to protect itself. The feeling of being saved—not just once, but again and again.

Nidoran♂ had been powerless to fight back. It never wanted to feel that way again.

And then, the emotions shifted.

Awe. Admiration. Hope.

It had seen Velkris' Pokémon fight. It had watched as Ralts stood against Primeape without fear. As Gible crushed Mankeys far stronger than it. It had seen what true power was—and it had made its decision.

It wanted that strength.

It wanted to fight alongside them.

It wanted to go with Velkris.

Velkris inhaled sharply as the flood of emotions faded, the connection with Ralts easing back into a gentle hum. He blinked, looking at the small Pokémon before him with newfound understanding.

This… This is exactly what I wanted.

A strong Pokémon, not just in ability, but in spirit. One that sought out strength on its own, that had the will to grow. That wasn't just running away from its past—but charging toward its future just like he was.

Velkris' lips curled slightly. He reached for his belt, fingers brushing against the smooth surface of an empty Poké Ball.

"Alright," he murmured, his voice calm but firm. He met Nidoran♂'s gaze, searching for any hesitation, any doubt. He found none.

He tapped the Poké Ball against Nidoran♂'s forehead. A flash of red light engulfed the small Pokémon, pulling it inside. The Poké Ball wobbled slightly, just once—

Ding.

The capture was complete.

Velkris exhaled, feeling a strange sense of satisfaction settle in his chest as he lifted the Poké Ball. Another strong ally.

A sharp chime rang from his Pokédex. Without missing a beat, Velkris flipped it open, watching as the screen lit up with Nidoran♂'s status.

___________________________________

Pokémon: Nidoran♂ – The Poison Pin Pokémon

Gender: Male

Ability: Sheer Force – Removes additional effects of moves, but increases their raw power.

Moveset:

Standard Moves:

• Peck – A quick, sharp jab with its beak.

• Double Kick – A fast double-footed kick that strikes twice.

• Poison Sting – A small poisonous jab that may poison the target.

Egg Moves:

• Toxic Spikes – Lays poisonous spikes on the ground that poison foes switching in.

• Disable – Prevents the target from using its last move.

• Sucker Punch – Strikes first if the foe is preparing an attack.

• Counter – Retaliates with double the damage taken from a physical hit.

Tutor Moves:

• Sludge Bomb – Hurls toxic sludge at the target. May poison.

• Dig – Burrows underground, then strikes on the next turn.

_____________________________________

As Velkris scanned his newly caught Nidoran♂, his eyes narrowed at the information displayed on the system screen.

Ability: Sheer Force

His brows furrowed. Sheer Force? That was… odd. Nidoran♂ wasn't supposed to have Sheer Force—it should have either Poison Point or Rivalry. Even if it had a Hidden Ability, it should've been Hustle, not this. Sheer Force was an ability that only Nidoking was supposed to have.

A creeping thought formed in his mind. Could this Nidoran be an Anomaly? He quickly brought up the system's classification, only to find the answer staring back at him in plain text:

[Anomaly Status: None]

Then what the hell is this?

Velkris exhaled sharply. His first instinct was to assume some kind of system error, but that didn't make sense. The system had been precise with Gible. It had outright classified it as an Anomaly and detailed its unique traits. Yet here, nothing. No special classification, no explanation. Just a regular Nidoran♂… with the ability of its final evolution.

A realization settled in. Maybe there are levels to this. Maybe not all abnormalities qualify as Anomalies.

Could it be something rarer than an Anomaly Pokémon? Or maybe something completely different? His grip on the Poké Ball tightened. Whatever the case, this Nidoran♂ wasn't normal, and that made it all the more valuable.

Velkris stared at the screen, eyes flickering over the information. Sheer Force. That was an incredible ability—one that turned every attack into a pure powerhouse. And its movepool…

A slow, satisfied grin spread across his face.

"Not bad, Not bad at all" he muttered under his breath, snapping the Pokédex shut. He held the Poké Ball up slightly, feeling the weight of it in his palm.

Nidoran♂ had made its choice. And Velkris would make sure it never regretted it.