The campfire flickered gently as I poked at the flames, lost in thought. Everything from the past day still swirled in my mind—suddenly arriving in this world, meeting Pawmo, and the relief I felt when Professor Birch believed the story about the Ultra Wormhole. That had been the part I’d worried about most, but after seeing Birch’s curiosity instead of doubt, it felt like a weight lifted from my shoulders.
“Looks like that’s the best explanation I’m going to get for now,” I muttered to myself. Even I had started to believe the Ultra Wormhole theory was the most likely explanation for how I ended up here. Whatever brought me to this place, it gave me a chance—a fresh start in a world that always felt like home.
I glanced over at Han, the little Pawmo curled up beside me, snoring lightly. A small smile crept across my face. “I guess it’s time we get serious,” I whispered.
The next morning, I was ready. I had something of a plan, and Han seemed to sense it too. His eyes followed me curiously as I pulled out my Pokédex. “Let’s see what you’ve got, buddy,” I said, scanning him with the device.
“Pawmo, the Mouse Pokémon,” the digital voice announced. “Pawmo uses a unique fighting technique in which it strikes foes with its forepaws and zaps them with electricity from its paw pads simultaneously.”
I glanced over the moves listed on the screen: Quick Attack, Wild Charge, Spark, and Thundershock. “Hmm,” I murmured. Electric moves were great, but some versatility wouldn’t hurt. As i scrolled through the list of moves known to Pawmo’s line, my eyes settled on one move in particular—Arm Thrust.
“Looks like we’ll be adding something new to your skill set,” I said, nodding at Han. “Pawmo!” he chirped, standing at attention.
We found a quiet spot just outside of Littleroot, where the tall grass offered us some cover while giving us enough room to move. I figured it was the perfect spot to avoid drawing too much attention while we practiced.
“All right, Han, let’s start with something familiar—Quick Attack!” I called out, my voice steady but laced with excitement. Han shot forward in a blur, zipping between patches of grass with precision before stopping a few meters ahead.
“Good! Now combine that with Spark. Hit fast, then follow up with electricity,” I instructed. Han nodded, energy building up as sparks began to dance across his fur. In an instant, he was off again, leaving a trail of electricity as he slammed into a tree with a crackling burst of energy.
“That’s it!” I grinned, proud of his effort. “We’ll call that move ‘Surge Strike.’ Remember that name.”
Han puffed up proudly, clearly pleased with himself. The morning flew by as we kept practicing, testing out different combinations of moves. Thundershock into Wild Charge became “Thunder Burst”—a powerful combo that allowed Han to strike from a distance before charging in.
My mind raced with ideas for future battles. These code words would give us an edge, and the versatility of the combinations would make Han a formidable fighter. I wasn’t just thinking about how strong Han could get; I was planning on how we’d outsmart our future opponents.
After a while, Han started to slow down. He was tiring, so I decided it was time to switch things up. “We’ve pushed the electric moves enough for today. Let’s try something new—a fighting-type move,” I said.
Han tilted his head, looking confused but interested.
I knelt beside him and tapped the Pokédex screen. “Arm Thrust. It’s a Fighting-type move. You’ll be using a different kind of energy this time—Fighting type energy specifically, its more physical, more up-close. It’s not about speed or electricity anymore. It’s about strength and precision.”
Han listened intently, faint sparks still flickering around his paws. I could tell he was paying close attention.
“It’s going to be tough at first, but I know you’ve got this,” I encouraged, standing up and demonstrating the motion. “Arm Thrust is all about multiple strikes—quick, powerful blows, one after the other.”
Han mimicked the motion, awkwardly at first, but he was determined. I chuckled as I watched him try, knowing he’d get the hang of it soon enough.
“You’re doing great!” I said, encouraging him. “Once you’ve mastered this, we’ll work on mixing it with your other moves. Maybe we can throw in a Quick Attack or Spark to keep opponents guessing.”
After a solid training session, we took some time to explore Littleroot. I hadn’t spent much time there yet, and it seemed like a good way to get a feel for the local community. As we strolled through the peaceful streets, I was struck by the simplicity of the town.
The houses were small and well-kept, with gardens lining the cobblestone paths. Kids ran by, laughing and playing with their Pokémon—small creatures like Zigzagoon and Wurmple. I watched them with a sense of nostalgia and admiration. This was the kind of place where a journey could begin peacefully, without the chaos of larger cities.
As the day wound down, we returned to our campsite, and I settled down by the fire. Han curled up beside me again, and I couldn’t help but feel content. The day had been productive. Tomorrow, we’d head toward Oldale Town—the next step on our journey. For now, though, I allowed myself to relax. This world, strange and new as it was, felt like where I belonged.
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“Thanks, Arceus, or Dialga, or Palkia… whoever it was that brought me here. I won’t waste this second chance,” I whispered, watching the flames flicker in the darkness. “We’re just getting started.”
And with that, I closed my eyes, letting sleep take me as the fire crackled softly beside us.
‘
‘
The campfire flickered softly in the pre-dawn darkness, casting long shadows across the clearing. I poked at the embers, lost in thought. Everything still felt surreal—Hoenn, the Pokémon world, the journey ahead of me. It was hard to wrap my head around the fact that this wasn’t just a dream. Here, I had real Pokémon to train, real goals to chase, and real challenges ahead.
I thought about the path ahead. The gyms, the battles, the trainers I'd face—Hoenn wasn’t going to be easy. I didn’t even know what lay beyond this small patch of woods, let alone the powerful trainers waiting in cities across the region. And it wasn’t just about fighting. I’d have to learn to be strategic, make connections, and find ways to survive out here with my team. There was a whole world of Pokémon I still had to understand—territories to explore, wild encounters to brace for.
Was I ready for all of it? Could I rise to the challenge?
I glanced over at Han, still curled up and breathing softly in his sleep. He had been such a natural fit, but what about the others? What kind of Pokémon would join us next? Would they all share the same fire and determination? Or would I have to earn their trust slowly? Either way, the road ahead was long and full of unknowns. But there was a strange comfort in that. This journey was my second chance—not just to fight and win, but to build something meaningful with a team of my own. Something far bigger than just winning badges or tournaments.
I exhaled slowly, watching the sky lighten with the first hints of morning. “We’ve got a lot to do, buddy,” I whispered to Han, knowing that this was just the beginning of something far greater than I could even imagine.
By mid-morning, Han and I were back in the grassy clearing we’d found yesterday, practicing his moves. The way he darted back and forth, electric energy crackling at his paws, was impressive. But suddenly, a rustling in the bushes caught our attention. A wild Zigzagoon darted out, locking eyes with us. It looked determined like it wanted to test its strength against Han.
Perfect. This would be the chance to see how much progress we’d made.
“Han, Quick Attack—stay close!” I called out, my heart racing. Han became a blur, darting toward the Zigzagoon. The wild Pokémon was quick, but Han was faster, closing the distance in seconds.
“Now, Spark!” I added. Han’s body lit up with a crackling charge as he struck the Zigzagoon. Electricity rippled through the air, and the Zigzagoon yelped in surprise. It shook it off quickly and charged back with a Tackle.
“Follow up with Arm Thrust!” I commanded. This was the moment I’d been waiting for—the chance to see if all our hard work on Arm Thrust had paid off. Han hesitated for a split second, as if switching gears from electric attacks to the new fighting move. Then, with a determined growl, he rushed forward, landing a flurry of quick punches on the Zigzagoon.
The hits weren’t as strong as they could be, but they were enough. The Zigzagoon, clearly shaken by the sudden physical attack, backed off and disappeared into the bushes.
“Good job, Han!” I praised, my voice brimming with pride. “That was great for your first real Arm Thrust. You’re getting it.”
As Han caught his breath, I couldn’t help but smile. I could see it now—the future I’d dreamed of. Becoming a Fighting-type specialist wasn’t just about using strong moves; it was about strategy, power, and discipline.
My thoughts drifted back to my old life, the one I’d left behind. I used to box. It wasn’t just a hobby, it was a passion. The rhythm of the fights, the calculated moves—it was all about outsmarting your opponent. That’s what drew me to Fighting-types. They weren’t just about brute force. They were about balance, endurance, and strategy. I wanted a team that reflected those ideals, one that could go toe-to-toe with anyone, no matter how tough.
I glanced at Han, standing tall with his chest puffed out in confidence. “We’re going to build something special, Han. Just you wait,” I said softly, already imagining what lay ahead. “Maybe next we’ll find a Machop or Makuhita—someone who can take hits and hit just as hard.”
My mind wandered, thinking about our future team. If Han was all about speed and quick strikes, we’d need balance—someone who could absorb hits and dish them out with equal force. Every member of our team needed a unique style. Sticking to just one strategy would limit us in the long run, even if it felt easier at first. A well-rounded team would keep us adaptable—and with how i’d be specializing in one type, i'd need all the advantages i could get.
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The morning passed quickly in a blur of training and as we made our way to Oldale Town it was already well into the afternoon. Thankfully, the journey wasn’t too long, with the walk from Littleroot to Oldale taking only a few hours at most. The quiet path was lined with tall grass, wild Pokémon rustling in the distance. Han darted ahead, his small form blending in with the grass before popping out again. He was always moving, always full of energy.
“We’re making good progress, don’t you think?” I asked, and Han chirped back in agreement, eyes shining with determination. We had come far in just a few days, but I knew we still had a long road ahead of us.
As we neared Oldale, a bright poster caught my eye. It was tacked to a signpost near the entrance. Curious, I approached and read the bold text: Petalburg City Rookie Tournament in Two Weeks!
My heart skipped a beat. This was perfect—a rookie competition for trainers with one badge or less. The prize money wasn’t bad either. Enough to cover supplies for at least three weeks.
“This is it,” I muttered, excitement bubbling up inside me. “Two weeks. We can do this.” Han seemed to sense the opportunity, nodding energetically.
It wasn’t just about the prize. This was my chance to prove myself—to see how far Han and I had come. It reminded me of the boxing tournaments I used to compete in, fighting through round after round with grit and determination. But this was different. This was about building something bigger—something I had always dreamed of.
“Han, we’re going to train like never before,” I said, looking ahead. “Two weeks until Petalburg. We’re not just competing. We’re winning.”
We set off again, determined to reach the Pokémon Center in Oldale. Tomorrow, training would begin again, and we’d be more focused than ever. The road ahead was long, but with the tournament in sight, I felt the fire of competition burning brighter than ever.