Dewford Town was small, even by island standards, but it was vibrant. The town thrived on the strong bonds between its inhabitants, both human and Pokémon. The ocean breeze was a constant companion, and the sound of Wingull cawing above the waves became a familiar backdrop to Rion’s childhood.
When he turned ten, Rion was enrolled in the local Trainer School. Unlike the light-hearted and somewhat simplistic education depicted in the games, this school was rigorous, focusing not just on battling techniques but also on survival skills, Pokémon biology, and the laws governing Pokémon trainers.
The first day of school was nerve-wracking. Rion was acutely aware of the fact that he was different from the other children. While they were eager and full of dreams about becoming Pokémon Champions or renowned researchers, Rion carried the weight of knowledge from another world. He knew that this was not the safe, sanitized version of Pokémon he had once loved. This was a world where danger lurked around every corner, and where people—both good and bad—could wield power unimaginable back on Earth.
“Alright, class, settle down,” the teacher, Miss Valera, called out. She was a stern woman with sharp eyes that seemed to take in everything at once. Her hair was pulled back into a tight bun, and she carried herself with the authority of someone who had seen her fair share of battles. “Today we’re going to talk about safe routes and why they’re essential.”
Rion listened intently as Miss Valera explained how safe routes were maintained by trainers like his uncle. The routes were patrolled regularly, with stronger trainers ensuring that no wild Pokémon or natural hazards threatened travelers. The class was shown maps detailing the safe routes across Hoenn, and Rion was struck by how different the world looked compared to the maps he remembered from the games.
“These routes are our lifelines,” Miss Valera said, her tone serious. “Straying from them, especially for inexperienced trainers, is asking for trouble. The wilds are unpredictable, and even the most seasoned trainers can find themselves in danger.”
Rion’s thoughts drifted to his uncle, who often returned home late, his Pokémon tired and sometimes injured. Ryker never spoke much about what he faced in Granite Cave, but Rion knew it wasn’t just wild Pokémon. There were rumors of poachers, rogue trainers, and even remnants of the old war who refused to lay down their arms.
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As the class continued, Rion began to see the world around him in a new light. The Pokémon that lived alongside humans in towns and on safe routes were a far cry from those that roamed the wilds. Even seemingly harmless Pokémon could be deadly if provoked or if they felt threatened. Rion’s knowledge from his past life told him that certain Pokémon could only be found in specific areas or under certain conditions, but here, such knowledge was a closely guarded secret.
After class, Rion lingered, lost in thought. He couldn’t shake the feeling that his knowledge made him a target. If others knew what he knew, they might try to exploit it—or him. He needed to be careful.
“Hey, Rion!” a voice called out, snapping him from his thoughts. He turned to see a boy his age with wild brown hair and a wide grin. “I’m Zane! You’re Ryker’s nephew, right? That’s so cool!”
Rion smiled, though it didn’t quite reach his eyes. “Yeah, that’s me. Nice to meet you.”
“Man, your uncle is a legend around here!” Zane continued, oblivious to Rion’s unease. “I bet he’s taught you all kinds of awesome stuff about battling and Pokémon, huh?”
“Something like that,” Rion replied, trying to sound nonchalant. He liked Zane’s enthusiasm, but it only reminded him of how different he really was.
As they walked home together, Zane chatted about his plans to become a great Pokémon trainer. Rion listened, nodding in the right places, but his mind was elsewhere. He knew that Zane’s dreams, while admirable, were built on a foundation of half-truths. The reality of this world was far more brutal than the games had ever shown.
When they reached the edge of town, where the path split towards Granite Cave, Rion stopped. “I’ve got to head this way,” he said, nodding towards the cave.
Zane gave him a puzzled look. “Why? Isn’t that where the wild Pokémon are?”
“Yeah, but my uncle’s there. I help him out sometimes,” Rion explained.
Zane’s eyes widened in admiration. “Wow, you’re brave! I’d be too scared to go near there without a strong Pokémon.”
Rion shrugged. “You get used to it. Anyway, I’ll see you tomorrow.”
As Rion walked the familiar path towards the cave, he couldn’t help but think about the difference between his old life and this one. Back on Earth, he had been a Nuzlocke YouTuber, someone who prided himself on completing the games with self-imposed challenges. But this world didn’t care about challenges or rules. Here, survival was the only thing that mattered.
And Rion intended to survive.