The pairs seemed pretty simple. Yes. My class had about 30 students, including Ash. Class 1-A consisted only of them. I imagined that the others would be in Class 1-B, 1-C, and so on.

The first battle was between Ash and another student.

'I'm not first.'

I sighed, feeling relieved—there wouldn't be any good if I were to be the first one to battle. Unwanted attention would be drawn to my Cyndaquil, or would it? I couldn't tell. Maybe a Pokémon from another region wasn't as big of a deal as I was making it out to be. That would be better in my opinion, way better than my current assumption.

It was doubtful that it hadn't already been revealed; I had stupidly scuttled out of my dorm room and into the fields yesterday, with Cyndaquil by my side. Many had seen it, but it was inevitable. They would have seen it, surely—regardless of whether I revealed it or not. Firstly, I was a student of Class 1-A. Secondly, I was ranked first in my iteration, and thirdly, I would have to battle using it anyway.

It didn't matter. I shrugged dismissively.

"First Battle: Ash vs Roy," Professor Frayne announced, standing amidst Ash and Roy.

Ash stepped forward, accompanied by his Pikachu, while Roy matched his move with his Pidgey, wearing a smirk on his face.

"Pikachu, let's do it!"

"Pika, pi!"

"Pidgey! Let's show who's the boss!"

The two Pokémon squared off, ready to go.

There was some slight chatter among the class.

"Pikachu, Thunder Shock!"

Pikachu's Thunder Shock crackled, but Pidgey dodged as per Roy's command, flapping its wings out of the way.

Ash was visibly thinking, and he quickly followed up with another attack.

"Pikachu, use Quick Attack!"

"Pika, pi! Pika-pika! Chuuuuuu!" Pikachu burst forth, slamming itself into Pidgey.

Pidgey tumbled across the ground, then stood back up, readying its wings.

Roy grunted, "Pidgey, Gust!"

Pidgey screeched and flapped its wings out, a whirl of air exploded out of its wings. Pidgey pushed Pikachu backwards, but Pikachu used Quick Attack to dart to the right before the Gust could hit.

"Nice, Pikachu!" Ash cheered.

"Finish it! use Thunder Shock!"

"Pikachu, Pika, CHUUU!"

Pikachu shot out a Thunder Shock, which struck Pidgey. It was knocked down to the ground.

"Pidgey, get up!" Roy commanded. "Come on!"

Pidgey was not so lucky it seemed, as it couldn't stand up. It lay there, twitching, and with a final flash of light, its body turned into sparkles, returning back to Roy's PokéBall.

"Pidgey can't fight! Pikachu and Ash win!"

There was applause from the class, and I joined in.

“Next up, Jenny, with her Pidgeotto, and David, with his Raticate. Step ahead please.”

Jenny stepped forward with her Pidgeotto by her side. On the other side of the field, David stood with his Raticate ready. A crowd had begun gathering at this point, from 2nd year maybe?

The battle was about to commence.

“Start!”

Professor Frayne announced.

Jenny called out her first command, her voice resolute. "Pidgeotto, let's start strong! Use Quick Attack!"

Pidgeotto, fueled by Jenny's command, took to the skies with incredible speed. It darted toward Raticate, leaving a trail of wind in its wake, and struck its opponent with a quick and powerful attack.

Not one to get riled up even when his Pokémon took a hit by the looks of it, David retaliated swiftly. "Raticate, use Bite!"

Raticate lunged forward, its sharp teeth gleaming, attempting to sink them into Pidgeotto. The rat Pokémon's attack connected, delivering a strong bite and causing Pidgeotto to squawk in pain.

Jenny analyzed the situation and formulated her next strategy. "Pidgeotto, shake it off! Use Sand Attack!"

Pidgeotto swooped low, kicking up a cloud of sand from the battlefield with its wings. The swirling grains obscured Raticate's vision, making it harder for the rat Pokémon to accurately aim its attacks.

David, undeterred, had a plan of his own. "Raticate, retaliate with a Quick Attack!"

Raticate darted forward with impressive speed, aiming to collide with Pidgeotto. The rat Pokémon's swift attack connected, pushing Pidgeotto back and dealing a moderate blow.

Jenny's eyes gleamed as she shouted her next command. "Pidgeotto, keep the pressure up! Use Whirlwind!"

Pidgeotto's wings glowed with power as it soared into the air. A coiling shape rose from the ground and swirled around, the wind blowing fast. The impact sent Raticate stumbling backward and hitting the ground.

It didn’t stand back up.

“Raticate can’t fight! Jenny and Pidgeotto win!”

Frayne announced his voice bellowing.

While the battles continued, my mind was consumed with thoughts. In reality, Pokémon Battles amazed me.

Yes, I had witnessed them in my past life, but I had never truly observed a ‘real’ battle firsthand. The ones displayed on the television or the Internet didn't hold any significance; they were mere fabrications. Fake. This, however, this was the real deal. A real Pokémon Battle, as much real as the world I found myself in now.

I was in a fictional world now, tempered as it may be.

A world filled with fantasy and Pokémon and myth and everything in between.

There was a lot to see...

I gazed over the horizon, aware of what lay beyond, yet having not witnessed it in reality. Yet.

The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.

The horizon beckoned me with the allure of the ocean, the cities, the Pokémon, and the Regions. I gazed for a bit. However, my longing gaze was interrupted by the resonating voice of Frayne.

"Next up, we have Ian Wright... and Green!"

The moment had arrived. I drew in a deep breath, my hand brushing against the PokéBall perched on my belt. Cyndaquil.

"Good luck, dude," Reto said to me as I walked forth.

Green stood there, her face adorned with a mischievous grin and her eyes twinkling with a playful glint. Her messy dark brown hair cascaded down her shoulders, framing her face with a wild elegance.

She appeared every bit confident, her spine straight, shoulders relaxed, and chin level.

"Well, if it isn’t Ian Wright, the boy who went viral.”

Viral?

Did I go viral?

How?

I took a mental note to find out later.

“Anyway, sweety, ready to be swept off your feet?

Her laughter tinkled through the air as she said that.

“I do love surprises, Ian. Let's see what you've got hidden up your sleeve. Don’t disappoint me."

Green stepped back, teasingly winking, while her hand rested on the PokéBall attached to her belt.

I grabbed my PokéBall and hurled it.

The field was illuminated by a flash of light as Cyndaquil emerged.

An eerie silence fell over the class as the two Pokémon faced each other.

Green didn't even give a command; she simply looked at Cyndaquil.

"Kiu?"

Cyndaquil's gaze darted back and forth between Green and me.

Green simply shook her head... Did I just notice drool? I must be imagining things.

"My, my, my, you are cute, aren't you?" She smiled, her tone sweet and gentle. "Don't tell me you think you can win against me just by being cute, Cyndaquil."

I looked at her, blinking.

'Is she alright?'

"Anyways... Bulbasaur! I believe in your strength! Let's give it our all!"

She threw her PokéBall, and her Bulbasaur appeared in a flash.

Bulbasaur, a small amphibian-like creature, stared at my Cyndaquil. It had three claws on each foot. Its bright red eyes and sharp teeth contrasted against its light turquoise skin adorned with dark green spots. Notably, a bulb was on its back, accompanied by vines it could effortlessly wield as weapons.

[https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/1119637615436648528/1121793270159265863/001.png]

"Cyndaaaaaa!"

Cyndaquil stood confidently, his eyes staring back at Bulbasaur's. I blinked as his back erupted into spikes of fire, billowing up, making him appear quite intimidating to Bulbasaur, I imagined.

'Is he excited?'

I almost chuckled.

Bulbasaur vs my Cyndaquil, it would be an easy win in my eyes. Bulbasaur was Grass/Poison-Type, while Cyndaquil was Fire-Type. Fire beats Grass, right?

It was as simple as that.

Though I would still try my best.

"Cyndaquil, start with Ember," I ordered. Green's playfulness morphed into a frown as she heard me.

Cyndaquil opened its mouth and shot a burst of flames towards Bulbasaur. The Ember attack connected, causing a small burn on Bulbasaur's leafy back even when it tried to dodge. Cyndaquil's aim and accuracy were good.

"Bulbasaur, counter it with Vine Whip!" Green ordered, clicking her tongue at the bad pair-up between our Pokémon. Cyndaquil was in a type advantage.

"Bulba, buu! Bulbasaur, BAAAA!" Bulbasaur retorted, ready to take on Cyndaquil.

A wisp of smoke slithered out of Cyndaquil's mouth as if he already knew what to do as Bulbasaur readied its vines.

That might hurt.

So, I hastily shouted, "Cyndaquil, Smokescreen!"

"Cyndakiu!!!" Cyndaquil shot out a blast of smoke at Bulbasaur, engulfing it, and everything around it, while simultaneously, he launched himself out of Bulbasaur's field of view.

"Cyndaquil, follow up with Ember! Slightly to your right!"

Cyndaquil followed the command, turning his body slightly before launching out another Ember. It tore through the air and collided with Bulbasaur, exploding outwards into a beautiful flower of orange flames.

"BULBSAAAAAAURRRRR!!" Bulbasaur cried out.

Even though Bulbasaur took the hit it held its ground. Cyndaquil, however, was left a bit winded. I'd used Ember two times.

I saw Green's jaw tensing, and she cried out, "Bulbasaur, don't give up! Use Leech Seed!"

Shit!

A drop of sweat trickled down my forehead as Bulbasaur released small seeds from its bulb, shooting out and zooming towards Cyndaquil.

"Cyndaquil! Dodge!"

I was too late, fuck.

The seeds struck Cyndaquil, causing it to gasp. The seeds took root, and a vine whipped out and wrapped around it, trapping Cyndaquil. The seeds attached themselves to Cyndaquil and sucked out its energy, restoring some health to Bulbasaur.

Cyndaquil seemed to be sluggish.

Clenching my jaw, I ordered, "Cyndaquil, now use Smokescreen again! Move back!"

Cyndaquil shot out another Smokescreen, but it seemed that Green was expecting it now that I had shown that Cyndaquil could use Smokescreen before.

"Bulbasaur! Razor Leaf! Cut through it!" Green said, her tone strict and direct, growling even.

Bulbasaur obeyed, shooting out sharp leaves from its back in a swirl of wind, slicing through the smokescreen. Some of the leaves manage to hit Cyndaquil, dealing moderate damage.

I panicked as the leaves whirled towards Cyndaquil, but I had to remain calm.

Cyndaquil could win this.

"Cyndaquil! Now counter with a Leer to lower Bulbasaur's defense!"

Cyndaquil locked eyes with Bulbasaur, intimidating it with a piercing glare and flaring fire on its back. Bulbasaur's defense lowered, making it more vulnerable to incoming attacks.

‘Fire on the back? Did Blaze get triggered?’

Green's panicking eyes were more than enough for me, I immediately opened my mouth.

"Now, Ember! Shoot out a large blast!"

"Cyndaquiiillll! Cyndaaaquiiiilll!"

Cyndaquil, its fire burning bright, launched a large burst of flames from its mouth, a large torrent of fire that shot out towards Bulbasaur, engulfing it in a blanket of fire.

I saw Green's eyes widen.

The flames roared as they continued to consume Bulbasaur. Bulbasaur fell to the ground and burst into sparkles of light, returning to its PokéBall.

There was a tense silence.

"Bulbasaur is unable to continue! Cyndaquil and Ian win!"

There was a cheer from the crowd of students, and I sighed in relief.

"Kiu, kiu!" Cyndaquil raised his front two paws in celebration and then jumped up at me, snuggling against my arm.

I felt my Cyndaquil as it rubbed its head against me.

I scratched its chin as my heart soared, my smile growing from ear to ear.

Cyndaquil curled into a ball as I continued to stroke him. I could feel his heartbeat as he snuggled into my chest.

Green smiled, but her eyes lacked light and her tone remained flat, as she said, "That was a great match, though you need to learn a lot more."

I felt a slight twitch in my eye.

"You were awesome, dude!" Reto patted me on the back. "I didn't think you would win like that."

"Well, I didn't either. That was a tough battle."

Mostly because making your Pokémon fight in reality hadn't sunk in yet, and to add to that, I had not trained my Cyndaquil at all aside from getting to know him better.

"I agree," Green said, her arms crossed. "But, I do like a good challenge."

There was a pregnant pause, and I opened my mouth. "Is that it for today's battles?"

"Nah, I'm left," Reto said as he looked around, looking for his opponent.

Wait...

"Next up, we have Reto vs Gary!" Frayne announced with a smile on his face.

Fuck. I gave a silent prayer for Reto in my heart and then went back to the crowd to watch.

Reto and Gary walked onto the field, standing across from each other. Gary was confident as usual, Reto was no match for him.

The battle was going to be over quickly.

----------------------------------------

AN: Ian made mistakes, I know. They will be addressed. Don't worry, It's not a mistake on my part. I am traumatized by webnovel readers, so I feel the need to clarify this... even though Royal Road readers have been nothing but nice so far. Best readers on any platform tbh.