With the wire behind me, my brother tied to my chest and my positions on my back I set off into the forest not looking back once.

Once in the forest I fished a torch out of my backpack lighting my way forward through the inky darkness I found myself in. Slowly I begin circling the base to the north side hoping that the distance and the dense forest will stop the psychic from detecting me.

My slow walk being the only noise in the suspiciously quiet forest. The silence led me to flinch at every twig snap. Turning and freezing at any noise wondering if each sound would set off some unseen predator.

As the night turned to day and the journey passed tension withdrew from my body only to be replaced with bone tiredness. All the bruises and fatigue from my daring escape appeared now that I was no longer empowered by adrenaline.

Gone were the slow careful steps I started with, replaced by a determined stumble which paid no heed to the racket I was making. The forest itself was waking up around me with the sounds of birds and insects filling the air, not that I paid it much notice as I remained lost in my own thoughts. Thoughts which reached increasingly dark places as my mind threatened to betray me before my body did.

The only thing pushing me forward was the life strapped to my chest and the hunger for success that pulled me from the afterlife. Failure was not an option. I would not squander my second chance dying in the woods.

That said it was time for a break and maybe a nap, if only to sate the growing hunger in my stomach. Taking my backpack off and resting it on a nearby tree I take a seat on the slightly damp forest floor, internally glad for my waterproof trousers.

Taking a moment to enjoy the wondrous scenery I gazed around at the moss covered trees that bathed in the early morning light. A few small pidove could be seen in their branches whilst a few stray sewaddle roamed the forest floor. Thankfully I went mostly ignored by the surrounding wildlife as though such species were likely friendly I had no experience in dealing with such pokemon.

Next, I open my jacket revealing my baby brother. Carefully I took him out of his sling and gently woke him. He was a little sweaty which made his short blonde hair shine and his face glisten which whilst cute did tell me I should walk with my jacket open for a bit despite the slightly chilly air. His chubby face looked up at me through half closed eyes.

“Hey buddy you hungry?” I ask looking down at his cute face.

“Yes and tired” he responds sleepily.

“Okay buddy just eat something for me and you can sleep all you want after okay?”

“Okay….”

With that I opened his food and began the process of feeding him. Luckily as he was tired it was a simple affair in which he put up little resistance.

“Done!” he announced happily. As he immediately started shifting trying to get comfortable for his sleep.

“Good job” I say, smiling down at him. Then I wipe his face clean then slide him back into his sling letting him get some sleep, leaving me feeling somewhat jealous at his blissful ignorance.

With my brother fed I grabbed a pack of homemade jerky out of the back, thankful again that I was a ‘meat guy’ in my past life or my rations for this journey would’ve been severely limited.

After a quick meal I ultimately decided that moving forward was the best course of action.

Looking at the map and estimating how far I had walked I likely wasn’t too far from a league sanctioned route. Though I had little idea what part of Unova I was in I did know that there was likely a ranger patrol on the route, at least there would be if this was anything like the anime. That said moving through the forest was disorientating and lacked landmarks meaning I didn’t truly know how far it was just that I was travelling in the right direction thanks to my compass.

Packing up my stuff and hoisting my backpack on to my back I continued on. Refreshed from my short break and ready to make the rest of the journey to true civilization.

As the first hour passed into the next the monotony of walking through the forest caused my mind to wander, gone was the wonder I initially had from seeing pokemon for the first time replaced with a tired boredom and a dogged determination to get to the route or as close as I could before night fall.

My mind in its tired and semi delirious state kept thinking back to my last life. Which was a mix of young incompetence and bad luck inevitably leading to unrealised expectations and unfulfilled dreams. I was blessed with suitable ambition and dedication to become a pro rugby player but lacked the physical gifts necessary. I was too short, too slow and had insufficient physical endurance. That said I had a passion for sport which turned into a passion for sports science, if I couldn't go pro myself I could train pros.

After four years of studying in university I had achieved my masters in sports science and was ready to begin my goals but the positions I wanted were few, often required years of experience and poorly paid. Which left me with no option other than to train the rich. They were often nice people if a bit entitled but were fine to be around. Yet the job was wildly unfulfilling as clients were often inconsistent and didn’t understand that fitness was something that needed to be maintained more than just once a week to see significant progress. They knew this of course but merely had other things they prioritised or simply didn’t care. My sessions were mainly used for them to feel better about their lifestyle.

A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

Slowly my passion for training was ground down to nothing so I took my talents and put them to use trying to enrich myself building a pt business. Initially this was somewhat successful as I started with a list of possible clients from my last job and with some connections and reviews from old clients I got off to a flying start. The problems started when I expanded and hired employees. As we mainly trained in public gyms these gyms started to want a cut and would take away my permission if I refused with several gyms making it against policy for any pt’s not in their direct employ to work from their gyms. After that the problems piled up with increased costs and several employees quitting (often taking their clients with them) my business was forced to shut down or face bankruptcy.

Shortly after that I fell into a depression with my business gone, no family to speak of and my passion tainted. I felt I had nothing to live for. So I was lost to alcoholism, left alone drowning my sorrows. My death was pathetic and insignificant and happened when I veered off the road into a tree. Yet now having been given a second chance I was determined to push again and to actually reach the highest heights this time.

Which is why I was thankful I was reincarnated into the world of Pokemon as if it was anything at all like the anime I watched as a kid. This was a world where power couldn’t be overlooked even when talent could be. In my old world you could be the most talented sportsman in the world but if you weren’t scouted there was no way you could go pro. Of Course often you would get scouted but if you accidentally annoyed the wrong person you could also be swept under the rug. Yet in this world it didn’t matter if you were disliked if you had a Dragonite able to destroy mountains you couldn’t be swept under the rug.

Though there were undoubtedly advantages given to the rich and their children even in this world that was fine. As Pokemon were everywhere and if the shows were correct they had a natural instinct and drive for strength.

Snapping out of my thoughts I focus on my surroundings again with my mind settled the journey seemed to pass quicker.

Around midday I heard the sounds of a battle from the forest in front of me.

‘I have two options, one I can ignore and go around, two I can go towards and see if there's a trainer. Though option two was higher risk and there may not be a trainer and if there is one they might not be friendly.’

After a moment of consideration I realised It was worth the risk as though I was following the right direction I was fundamentally lost out here just heading the right way.

With my choice made I stealthily move towards the fight. As I approached the sound of metal hitting metal rang out into the forest causing the pidove to fly and the patrat to run. Yet though the sounds of conflict I heard salvations call.

“Excadrill use iron head”

Still despite my excitement at a trainer's voice I continued quietly wary of meeting the wrong person. Slowly I crept through the trees nervous about who I would find. As I got closer a small clearing revealed itself to me. In it was a woman who looked to be in her early twenties, she had light brown hair and wore a stylish blue walking outfit. Her belt held six pokeballs and she was surrounded by three strong looking pokemon and Excadrill that was sparing, its partner a Crustle all whilst a Bisharp stood next to her protectively.

“What's that noise? Brother make it stop!” my brother yell having been awoken.

“Shit” I move to cover his mouth but the damage is already done. The spar stops immediately. The trainer turns and the Bisharp moves to guard her.

“Who are you? And what possessed you to bring a baby out HERE!” she yelled.

I froze, unsure of what to say or do. For a moment we stood there like that just staring at each other in silence before she continued.

“Well answer me.” she demanded her tone strict and harsh.

“Urr, help?” I still respond somewhat in shock.

“What do you need?” she responded somehow with equal concern and judgement.

“I’m lost and need help getting to the nearest league affiliated town.” I respond with my voice still a little shaky.

“Whose she?” my brother butts in before she can respond, a lot happier now the noise had stopped.

“I am ace trainer Karly,” she says kindly to my brother before shifting her focus to me and saying.

“I can help you but first you have to answer my questions”

“That's fine but first can I have a seat I’ve been walking for hours” I respond.

With that I take a seat at her camp and tell her what I am doing and why I left. All whilst my brother, who I let out of his sling, was playing with her Pokémon. Much to my amusement and concern.

Though that is not to say I told her everything. Just that I was from abusive parents and being shunned in my isolated home village.

She clearly felt for my story and told me that she would take me to the nearby Nacrene City where I would be registered by the league and afforded certain benefits.

She also said that I shouldn’t be too concerned as whilst not common isolated villages were known to be throughout Unova (though she didn’t know of one in the Pinwheel forest) with the dragon clan being the most notable example.

Then she went on to chastise me for what felt like hours about bringing my brother with me into the forest. Though that ended when I answered with ‘well I couldn't just leave him behind’. She grumbled at that clearly not liking it but at least understanding it was necessary.

With that we sat in silence just watching my brother play (annoy) her Pokémon.

“Well then we better get the tents set up, I’ll fly you back tomorrow, as Unfezant needs rest and Skarmory isn’t big enough to carry everyone. Do you have your own tent or do you need my spare?”

“I have my own, didn’t know how far the journey was” that earned me a pitied look.

With that I pitched my tent next to hers and collapsed into sleep almost immediately with the reassurance of Karly and her team watching over me.