Digital Pokemon - Synopsis
--+--
I woke up in the Johto region of the Pokémon world and found myself with an Electronic Pokémon Raising System.
As long as I nurture the digital Pokémon the system generates, I can improve my own fundamental skills as a Trainer.
So...
[You have pulled a Legendary Pokémon, Groudon. Groudon has sensed your presence and is beginning to awaken...]
[Awakening progress: 1%... Awakening failed!]
[You have pulled a Legendary Pokémon, Giratina. Giratina has sensed your presence and is attempting to cross over...]
[Crossing progress: 1%... Crossing failed!]
[You have pulled an Order Pokémon, Zygarde. Zygarde has sensed your presence and is beginning to aggregate...]
[Aggregation progress: 1%... Aggregation failed!]
...
Every time a summon failed, I had to wait another year for the cool-down to reset.
After three years of stagnation, I have honed my trade to perfection. I’m ready to just settle down, run a small shop, and raise a few Pokémon to keep me company for the rest of my life.
Before I officially entered retirement mode, I decided to give it one last shot.
[You have pulled a Mask Pokémon, Ogerpon.]
[Ogerpon has sensed your presence.]
[Ogerpon is dashing toward you!]
--+--
Digital Pokemon - 1
--+--
Chapter 1: Three Years and Another Three
--+--
"Silph Co. has announced that Poké Ball manufacturing technology has been upgraded. From now on, the retail price of Poké Balls will be further reduced!"
Johto Region, Azalea Town.
Sera heard the news broadcast on the radio, and her expression stirred.
"Sera."
Not far away, an old man called out to her.
"Help me bring over the Apricorns."
"Coming."
The white-haired girl answered. She set down her tools and handed the partially processed red Apricorn to the old man.
"Very good..."
The old man praised.
"Sera, your craftsmanship is now more than enough to go out and open your own shop."
"That is all thanks to your guidance, Master Kurt."
The white-haired girl smiled modestly.
"These are just basic skills. When it comes to making actual Poké Balls, I am still far behind you."
Kurt was increasingly satisfied with Sera's attitude.
Every elite trainer in the Johto region knew that Kurt of Azalea Town was the best Poké Ball craftsman in the region. However, hand-crafted Poké Balls were becoming increasingly obscure, and young people were simply unwilling to enter the trade.
Even Kurt's own son preferred to join Silph Co. to develop the latest mass-production technology for Poké Balls.
It wasn't until three years ago, when Sera got lost in the outskirts of Azalea Town, that Kurt finally found an apprentice with the talent to learn his craft. By now, Kurt believed he could no longer teach her anything more, yet the girl was still willing to assist him as an apprentice.
"Being too humble won't do."
The old craftsman furrowed his brows sternly.
"If you can do it, you can do it. If you can't, you can't."
"I think you are ready to graduate, and that means you are ready. There's no future in just following me around doing odd jobs!"
No matter how great the debt of gratitude was, three years of labor was more than enough to repay it.
Kurt felt it was time to let Sera go and let the outside world witness the ancestral craftsmanship of Azalea Town's handmade Poké Balls.
But Sera hesitated, wanting to speak but holding back.
Three years had passed since she transmigrated into this world. When she first realized she had ended up in the Pokémon world, she was overjoyed.
Before, she had been a hardcore Pokémon player, mastering every game up through Sword and Shield, and she made sure to complete the Shiny Pokédex in every single title.
What a wonderful thing it would be to truly become a trainer in the Pokémon world!
However, once Sera saw high-level Pokémon battles on television, she realized how ridiculously wrong she had been.
In this world, Pokémon battles were exactly like the anime; they required the trainer to use genuine skill to command their Pokémon.
Morty, the Gym Leader of Ecruteak City in Johto, truly possessed clairvoyance.
Sabrina, the Gym Leader of Saffron City in Kanto, was also famous for her psychic powers.
Knowing the Pokédex inside and out simply wasn't enough to make Sera an excellent trainer.
Furthermore, being a trainer couldn't really be a career. Simply battling others didn't earn much money, and only the most fanatical trainers made a living through tasks issued by the League. Sera had a bit of self-awareness; she didn't want to become cannon fodder in a tournament.
It just so happened that when Kurt saw Sera’s interest in the craft, he took the initiative and asked if she wanted to be his apprentice.
However.
Just as Sera was prepared to focus on learning the lucrative craft of making handmade Poké Balls from Kurt, her "cheat" arrived.
—The Electronic Pokémon Raising System!
In the form of a simulator, the system would randomly draw a Pokémon.
As long as Sera operated the simulator—which looked just like a GBA handheld—and let the electronic pet inside adventure and grow, she could raise her stats as a trainer!
I get it.
It’s a Tamagotchi, right?
Sera was well-versed in these; she’d raised and killed several tamagotchi when she was a kid. But if she took it seriously now, there definitely wouldn't be a problem with raising one to maturity.
Full of confidence, Sera tapped the "Draw" button.
[You have drawn the Continent Pokémon, Groudon. Groudon has sensed your aura and is awakening...]
A Super-Ancient Pokémon! Groudon! The legendary Pokémon that created the land and was also known as the incarnation of the earth itself!
Sera was overjoyed. With such a powerful Pokémon, wouldn't she clear the simulation with ease?
[Awakening progress 1%... Awakening failed!]
Immediately after, the system plastered her face with an error message. The girl, refusing to accept defeat, tried countless times, and as a result, she received countless notifications of failed awakenings.
Five days later, Sera gave up on her first attempt at raising a Pokémon. The cost of abandoning a Pokémon was a one-year cooldown period.
It's fine, she thought, maybe it’s just not meant to be with Groudon.
After letting a year pass, Sera tried for the second time.
[You have drawn the Renegade Pokémon, Giratina. Giratina has sensed your aura and is opening a hole to the Distortion World...]
[Transmigration progress 1%... Transmigration failed!]
This time the prompt changed to a "transmigration failure." Having gained experience, Sera was disappointed, but she didn't take it too much to heart.
She waited another year. Having been prepared by the previous two failures, she adopted a casual attitude and tapped the simulator for the third time.
[You have drawn the Order Pokémon, Zygarde. Zygarde has sensed your aura and is gathering cells...]
[Gathering progress 1%... Gathering failed!]
That's it then.
This simulator was nothing but a half-baked piece of junk. After abandoning the third attempt, Sera reached enlightenment.
If she kept dragging this out, three years after another three years... she was eighteen now, effectively an adult, and in another three years she'd be past twenty!
Once you hit your twenties, you face the curse of nearing thirty.
Sera had already mostly given up on being a trainer; the system’s arrival had only provided a glimmer of hope. Now that the lamp of hope had been extinguished, she didn't dwell on it too much and simply began to think seriously about her future.
--+--
"Please let me think about it for two more days."
"One day."
The old master’s white eyebrows furrowed, and he cut her time in half. "Give me your answer tomorrow."
"...Fine."
Sigh, I suppose it's time to face reality.
Although giving up on her dream was a little sad, Sera had already thought things through over these past three years. If she couldn't be a trainer, going to a Pokémon Nursery and buying one would be fine, too.
A Furret would be nice—a fluffy, little cat-caterpillar thing that would surely be comfortable to hold. Or maybe a Swablu, a Ralts, or an Espurr...
The cost of adopting a Pokémon actually added up to quite a bit. Just thinking about it stirred up her motivation again.
She said goodbye to Kurt and returned to her small, rented apartment. The cramped room didn't have much furniture; other than the essentials, only the computer and the TV could be considered expensive.
Sera changed her clothes, lay on the bed, held the simulator, and took a deep breath.
—This is the last time!
"Draw!"
[Ding—]
[Electronic Pokémon Raising System activated.]
[No Pokémon currently being raised by the trainer detected.]
[Checking cooldown for extraction... It has reached zero, proceed with the next Pokémon drawing.]
[Drawing Pokémon...]
[You have drawn the Mask Pokémon, Ogerpon.]
--+--
Digital Pokemon - 2
--+--
Chapter 2: Ogerpon
--+--
The Mask Pokémon, Ogerpon.
…Wait, which one is that?
A slew of question marks appeared over the girl’s head.
This world was indeed slightly different from the Pokémon world she remembered. For example, alongside the familiar Galar region, there was now an extra region called Paldea.
Sera had looked it up on her computer and found that this Paldea region was teeming with Pokémon—about as many as you’d find in a mainline game. It was highly likely that it was a new region she hadn’t encountered before.
So, is Ogerpon a Paldean Pokémon?
After guessing for a long while, Sera even climbed out of bed to specifically search for it on her computer.
Naturally, she found nothing.
—This was even stranger.
No matter how rare a Pokémon was, you could usually find at least some information about it online. Yet, the name "Ogerpon" had no records whatsoever, as if it didn’t exist at all.
When Sera turned her attention back to the handheld console, she made a new discovery.
The pixelated, chibi-like Pokémon on the screen stirred, waking from its slumber.
Sera finally got a good look at it.
A grass-green cloak wrapped around its roly-poly body. Its eyes, still half-closed from sleep, revealed star-shaped patterns, and its tiny mouth was slightly open, showing fangs on either side.
"Poni..."
[Ogerpon lets out a yawn.]
The emulator played Ogerpon’s cry through the speakers, accompanied by a bit of narration.
What a cute Pokémon.
Compared to the many Pokémon in Sera’s memory, Ogerpon could definitely be called adorable.
Although she hadn't officially raised any Pokémon yet, she had pretty much figured out the features the simulator offered.
She tapped on Ogerpon’s stats panel.
--+--
[Ogerpon]
[Category: Mask Pokémon]
[Level: 5 (20)]
[Gender: Female]
[Type: Grass]
[Tera Type: Grass]
[Ability: Defiant]
[Nature: Lonely]
[Moves Known: Vine Whip]
[Affection: 0]
[Current Status: Sleeping]
--+--
"...Defiant?"
A female Pokémon with the Defiant ability?
Sera blinked. After confirming she hadn't misread it, she gasped.
Had Game Freak's design philosophy become this bold since she transmigrated?
It was like they were practically trying to manufacture a popular Pokémon!
The Defiant ability: every time a stat is lowered, the Attack stat increases by two stages.
Surely, a Pokémon named Ogerpon wouldn't have a particularly high Attack stat...
Wait!
Since it was the Pokémon she was raising, the higher the stats, the better, obviously!
The girl sternly corrected her own train of thought. As she mused, Sera placed her finger on the screen. Even though she knew she could only touch the glass, she couldn't help but want to pet Ogerpon.
And with that light tap—
"Poni-oh?!"
On the screen, Ogerpon suddenly froze.
[Ogerpon has sensed your presence.]
[Ogerpon is somewhat panicked.]
"…?"
Sera paused, tentatively pulling her hand back.
Ogerpon was still shaking its head from side to side, as if trying to figure out who had just touched it.
Let’s press again.
"Poni!"
[Ogerpon feels very afraid.]
[Ogerpon has fled the Dreaded Den.]
Sera had an epiphany.
This Electronic Pokémon Raising System had far more comprehensive features than she had anticipated. Just like that, by touching Ogerpon through the screen, the latter clearly reacted as if it had truly felt the touch.
Lost in thought, Sera watched as Ogerpon stepped out and began running across the mountainside, her brows knitting together slightly.
She had just noticed the information provided by the system.
The place where Ogerpon had been sleeping was called the Dreaded Den.
Although the cave was cramped, Sera had at least seen grass and bushes outside, and a waterfall not far away—the scenery was decent enough.
But once Ogerpon left and ran to a place called Oni Mountain, all Sera could see was a desolate, barren cliffside.
Is this the kind of place my Pokémon has to live in?
After observing for a while longer, Sera discovered that Ogerpon would encounter wild Pokémon on Oni Mountain.
[Ogerpon encountered a Chingling!]
[Ogerpon chose to flee...]
[Ogerpon encountered a Geodude!]
[Ogerpon chose to flee...]
Without exception, it automatically chose to flee every time.
Sera pulled up Ogerpon's stats again, looked at the level, and found the reason.
[Note: Unable to utilize the power of its masks, Ogerpon’s current level is rated at Level 5.]
Level 5. The same level as the starter Pokémon a player first receives in the games.
What a weak little Pokémon.
Perhaps it was because its level was so low that its living conditions were so poor.
Thinking this, a bright idea occurred to Sera—she figured out a way to increase Ogerpon's affection.
Judging by its level, Ogerpon was currently stuck in a predicament she didn't yet understand. The situation with the masks could wait to be learned later.
But a Pokémon's life, just like a person's, boiled down to food, shelter, and transport.
Sera opened the system shop in the simulator and started browsing.
Since the first day she had obtained the Electronic Pokémon Raising System, she had been earning one Raising Point every day just by signing in.
Originally, these points were meant to purchase items to speed up a Pokémon's growth, but until now, this was the first Pokémon she’d actually had to raise.
Skipping past a series of items that looked fancy but were useless, she flipped to the Berry section. She selected some Cheri Berries and spent one point to buy ten.
"Let me try this..."
Sera dragged a Cheri Berry from her inventory and pressed it onto the screen. Sure enough, the berry dropped right in front of Ogerpon, who was hiding in a corner.
"?"
A question mark appeared over the pixelated Ogerpon’s head.
It seemed a bit startled again.
But this time, Sera didn't recklessly touch it with her hand, so after hesitating for a moment, Ogerpon approached the Cheri Berry.
It tried picking up the berry, holding it up to its face to take a sniff.
"!"
An exclamation mark floated up.
[You fed Ogerpon a delicious Cheri Berry.]
[Ogerpon is happily eating it.]
That's great.
The tiny Cheri Berry was nibbled and savored by Ogerpon as if it were a precious treasure. Just watching it, Sera couldn't help but smile.
There was no need to be stingy.
Sera dumped all the remaining Cheri Berries onto the screen in one go.
[You fed Ogerpon a large amount of delicious Cheri Berries.]
[Ogerpon is very surprised.]
[Ogerpon ponders for a moment.]
[Ogerpon's affection for you has increased!]
[Current Affection: 10]
Affection increased?
Sera felt a pleasant surprise, but then the system chimed again with a series of notifications.
[Ogerpon’s level has increased!]
[Ogerpon has reached Level 6!]
[Due to Ogerpon leveling up, you have gained 1 Effort Value!]
[Note: By consuming Effort Values, you can improve your own aptitude and abilities as a Trainer.]
--+--
Digital Pokemon - 3
--+--
Chapter 3: The Teal Mask
--+--
Ogerpon’s level had increased.
Sera felt a flicker of curiosity. Normally, Berries didn’t grant Pokémon experience, but after digging through the detailed reports provided by the Electronic Pokemon Raising System, she finally found the answer.
Ogerpon was originally supposed to be Level 20, but because it had been unable to harness the power of its masks, its level had dropped to 5.
Now that Ogerpon had developed a favorable impression of Sera, it had managed to regain a tiny bit of its mask’s power, nudging its rating up to Level 6.
A pleasant surprise.
Sera had only intended to take care of Ogerpon; she never expected that a simple act of feeding would actually help it grow stronger.
"Oger-pon..."
On the screen, Ogerpon was still nibbling on a Cheri Berry. It ate with great care, clutching the ones it couldn’t finish just yet to its chest.
While stashing away the berries, it kept darting its eyes around, watching its surroundings.
"Pon!"
[Ogerpon is sensing your presence.]
A single Raising Point was enough to exchange for ten Cheri Berries. Since berries were packed with nutrients, most Pokémon only needed two or three a day to sustain themselves.
Clearly, Ogerpon was planning to hoard the berries to make them last for the next few days.
The place where it lived was a desolate wasteland. On those rocky cliffs where hardly a blade of grass could grow, there was little life to be found.
It had likely been a long time since Ogerpon had tasted food like this.
Ugh, this simulator... why do you have to make it so sad?
Sera felt a pang of indignation in her heart.
The lifelike actions of the Pokémon in the simulator made it difficult for her to simply view Ogerpon as mere data. Just watching the little creature treasure the berries stirred a sense of genuine affection within her.
It’s okay!
Now that it had her, Ogerpon would never have to live a solitary, hiding life ever again!
Sera reached out and tapped Ogerpon’s head on the screen. The little one froze, dropping two of the Cheri Berries it was holding. But this time, it didn’t run away in fear.
[Ogerpon feels a little happy.]
"Oger-pon!"
After interacting for a while, Sera saw the time icon shift to a crescent moon, and Ogerpon stood up.
[Ogerpon is preparing to head home.]
The time in the Raising Simulator was synchronized 1:1 with reality, but the time in Ogerpon’s world seemed to be two or three hours ahead of hers.
"Judging by the time zone, is this somewhere around Sinnoh?"
Sera did a quick mental calculation, then chuckled at her own thought. How could Ogerpon be a Sinnoh Pokémon? She was confident she knew every Pokémon in the Sinnoh region.
Unless Game Freak had pulled some crazy stunt after she transmigrated—though, given their laziness during the Sword and Shield era, that seemed unlikely.
The Dreaded Den was much quieter at night than during the day. Ogerpon didn't have far to go, and soon, it returned safely to its cave.
"Oger-pon, oger-pon..."
[Ogerpon begins to wipe down the Teal Mask.]
Sera noticed a detail she had overlooked before. In the corner of the narrow stone cave known as the Dreaded Den, a mask was resting.
The young girl leaned in to examine it, and couldn’t help but marvel. It was an exquisite piece. It resembled the traditional Noh masks she knew, but this oni-like, teal-colored mask was nearly half the size of Ogerpon itself—roughly 50 to 60 centimeters.
On the pupils, forehead, and the spots where whiskers would be on the cheeks, there were dazzling crystals embedded that reflected a rainbow-like shimmer.
Because Ogerpon had been in the middle of fleeing earlier, this was the first time Sera had truly seen it. She tentatively tapped on the Teal Mask, startling Ogerpon slightly, but gaining the info she needed.
[Teal Mask: A grass-type mask that contains mysterious power.]
Generally, the classification of a Pokémon is closely tied to its traits. Since Ogerpon was classified as the Mask Pokémon, this Teal Mask was likely the source of its power.
"...Oger-pon?"
On the screen, Ogerpon was still puzzled by Sera’s behavior toward the mask. After a moment of hesitation, it held the mask up.
[Ogerpon is showing you the Teal Mask.]
Is it showing this to me?
Seeing the little creature—its star-shaped eyes half-closed as it fought the urge to look away—Sera couldn't help but smile.
She had already seen the information on the mask, so there was no need to touch it again.
You should treasure your precious things and keep them safe.
Instead, Sera reached out to pet Ogerpon’s head once more. Although she could only feel the cold surface of the simulator screen, watching the little one’s reaction was enough to leave her feeling warm and satisfied.
"Sleep well."
It was already late into the night in the real world, and Sera felt it was time for Ogerpon to rest. She would call it a night. With one final tap on Ogerpon’s head, she closed the simulator.
--+--
"...Oger-pon?"
Kitakami, Dreaded Den.
Ogerpon held the mask up, waiting for a reaction that never came.
"Oger-pon?!"
It tried hard to focus, but the presence that had lingered nearby all day had truly vanished.
Why did it disappear? The little one couldn't understand. It didn’t even know who had suddenly approached it earlier, nor why they had played such a prank on it.
However, that presence had been so gentle. When the person noticed it was hesitant to be touched, they stopped, and then quietly gave it so many berries.
Recalling the delicious flavor, Ogerpon couldn't help but swallow.
The spicy kick of the Cheri Berry brought back memories from long ago. Because it hadn't tasted anything like it in ages, it had instinctively wanted to store the rest of the berries away.
...But could those have been a farewell gift?
Bad memories bubbled up in Ogerpon’s mind.
Even the most delicious food eventually runs out, and food couldn't fill the loneliness in her heart. Just the thought that the presence might have vanished and would never return...
"Oger-pon..."
The little creature curled into a ball, clutching the mask tightly to her chest. She had no one to share her feelings with. The world outside the Dreaded Den terrified Ogerpon, just as Ogerpon itself terrified the people around it.
Even in the Oni Mountain named after it, other Pokémon would instinctively flee when they saw it coming.
Perhaps today’s encounter had just been a wonderful dream.
If I fall asleep... will I be able to feel that gentle presence again?
Ogerpon quickly closed her eyes, drifting into sleep, accompanied by its beloved mask.
--+--
Back in the real world, the screen of the device sitting by Sera's pillow lit up.
[Ogerpon misses you very much.]
[Ogerpon is calling out to you...]
--+--
Digital Pokemon - 4
--+--
Chapter 4: The Graduation Trial
--+--
Sera opened her eyes, her hand instinctively reaching out to the bedside until her fingers brushed against the simulator, reminding her that she didn't need to go searching for it.
Why was she still so nervous? It wasn't as if the simulator needed to be hunted down; it would simply appear in her hand the moment she thought about using it.
Sera knew the answer perfectly well.
It was because of the Pokémon named Ogerpon.
[Ogerpon misses you.]
[Ogerpon is calling out to you...]
Sera activated the simulator, and the system prompts appeared the instant the screen lit up.
"What a clingy little one."
A faint smile touched the girl's face. When she noticed Ogerpon was fast asleep, cradling its mask, she decided not to disturb it.
Yesterday, the system had rewarded her with 1 Effort Value.
According to the system notes, Sera could consume Effort Values to enhance her own capabilities as a Trainer. Things like stamina, reaction time, physical strength, and even psychic or aura abilities—all could be acquired by spending these points.
Of course, the stat boost from a single point wouldn't be anything spectacular.
Effort Values were primarily earned through the leveling up of her Pokémon; for every level her Pokémon gained, Sera would receive 1 corresponding Effort Value.
Additionally, the system would occasionally trigger random missions, which provided further rewards upon completion.
Sera noticed a new random mission had popped up today.
--+--
[The Ogre of Oni Mountain]
[For ages, the world has called Ogerpon a malevolent ogre. To make this reputation truly well-deserved, embark on a path to conquer Oni Mountain alongside Ogerpon!]
[Mission Goal: Defeat 10 Pokémon in Oni Mountain. No level limit. Current progress: 0/10]
[Mission Rewards: Effort Value x1, Raising Points x10]
--+--
"Hmm..."
Sera stared at the mission description, her expression turning subtle.
So, Ogerpon had a nickname like "malevolent ogre"? It was such a cute, lovely little thing—who on earth was spreading these rumors?
Still, the mission rewards looked quite decent. One Effort Value point was better than nothing, not to mention the 10 Raising Points.
If she converted all those points into Apricorns or berries, she would have enough to build a small mountain and bury Ogerpon in it.
—I'll give it a try once Ogerpon wakes up.
Sera made up her mind and began to consider what to do with her Effort Value. There wasn't much use in hoarding them, so after some thought, she set her sights on psychic powers.
She was incredibly curious about what it actually felt like to use psychic abilities in the world of Pokémon.
"Redeem!"
[You have consumed 1 Effort Value. Your psychic powers have been enhanced.]
[You have sensed a faint telekinetic power.]
Information about "Confusion" flashed through Sera's mind. 50 power, 100 accuracy, 25 PP... Of course, it wasn't really like the move in the games.
A single point wouldn't be enough to make her capable of launching actual psychic attacks; this was just standard telekinesis.
Sera found she could now exert a slight mental influence over the physical world. She excitedly imagined the glass on her table moving. According to her will, the glass tipped over, stopping just before it could roll off the edge and shatter on the floor.
At this strength, it was far too weak to be useful in a real battle, but if she continued to earn Effort Values and hone her telekinesis, one day she might reach the level of someone like Sabrina.
The future looked promising!
--+--
After a simple breakfast, the girl headed toward Kurt's house. She needed to give the old craftsman an answer today regarding his request from yesterday.
Even though the sudden activation of the Electronic Pokémon Raising System had been a surprise, Sera had already long since decided on her future path. After a night's rest, her heart was free of any hesitation.
Kurt's house served as both his home and his workshop. As she pushed the door open, the little girl inside was the first to notice her.
"Sister Sera, good morning!"
"Morning, Maizie."
Maizie was Kurt's granddaughter, who would occasionally assist him in making Poké Balls. The old man, however, didn't want his young granddaughter stuck at home working every day and often tried to coax her out to play.
Ever since Sera had arrived, Maizie barely spent any time in the workshop at all.
Sera greeted her with a smile, while at the other end of the workshop, Kurt wiped his hands on a towel and walked over.
"Sera, have you thought it through?"
"Yes." The girl nodded. "Master Kurt, I’ve decided to set out on a journey as a Poké Ball artisan."
She couldn't stay in Azalea Town forever. The old craftsman was getting on in years, but he still cherished the craft of hand-making Poké Balls; it was both his livelihood and an indispensable joy in his life.
If Sera opened a competing workshop in town, she would only be stealing business from her mentor. For that reason alone, she knew she couldn't stay.
Moreover, Sera had always been curious about the outside world. She had only kept that curiosity in check because she lacked a Pokémon, choosing instead to stay in Azalea Town to hone her skills.
Now that she had mastered a faint telekinetic ability—though admittedly useless in battle for now—it would be enough to get by on her travels once she strengthened it a little further.
"A journey, you say?" The old man pondered for a moment before nodding slightly. "As long as you've thought it through, I won't press you. But if you want to set out in the name of my apprentice, you must complete one final test."
She had thought yesterday that she was already finished with her apprenticeship, yet here he was, asking for another test. Sera couldn't help but sigh inwardly.
"Go deliver this order to Bugsy," Kurt said, oblivious to her thoughts, his arms crossed. "He sent a request a while back for a Fast Ball. I want you to craft one independently and deliver it to him yourself. Complete this, and I will consider your apprenticeship officially concluded."
She realized what he was doing immediately. Bugsy was the Gym Leader of the Azalea Gym, and there were very few artisans in the entire Johto region who could craft custom Apricorn Balls.
If Sera could produce a high-quality Fast Ball, Bugsy would surely recognize her talent. With that connection established, it would open the door for plenty of future orders.
The old man was simply worried that she wouldn't have any business right after striking out on her own, so he was handing her one of his own clients.
"No problem." Sera nodded seriously, her expression determined. "I will craft that Fast Ball with the utmost care and pass your test."
Kurt’s expression softened. He looked at the petite, white-haired girl before him, recalling the day they first met.
Sera had always been different from the other youths. From the very beginning, Kurt knew she was the most suitable person to inherit his craft.
Hand-making Poké Balls required both patience and experience. Sera had truly dedicated herself to learning under him for three years.
Kurt was looking forward to her traveling the world and showing everyone outside of Azalea Town the ancestral techniques of their craft.
As for whether Sera would fail her final test? Kurt hadn't even considered the possibility.
--+--
Digital Pokemon - 5
--+--
Chapter 5: Playing with Ogerpon
--+--
"Sera!"
As the young girl stepped out of the house, a little girl came running out after her. Maizie held out a bag of round apricorns.
"Sera, these are the ingredients Master Kurt asked me to give you, along with your tools."
--+--
So, Master Kurt really was worried I wouldn't be able to finish the job, Sera thought.
The white apricorns used for making Fast Balls were quite expensive to buy elsewhere. Sera decided to accept the old craftsman's kind gesture for the time being.
"Make sure you do a good job! Don't go embarrassing the craft of Azalea Town," the little girl said, intentionally deepening her voice to mimic the old man. As soon as she finished, both of them burst into laughter.
"Are you leaving now, Sera?"
"Yeah. Even though I haven't decided exactly where to go yet, I won't be staying in the workshop from here on out."
Since she claimed to be finished with her apprenticeship, staying in the workshop would have just made her feel uneasy. Besides, Poké Balls could be made anywhere; craftsmanship relied on the artisan’s skill, not industrialized machinery.
"Well... just do your best!" Maizie thought for a moment before pumping a tiny fist into the air to cheer her on.
Children didn't harbor much sadness over goodbyes. After all, even if Sera left, they had already exchanged contact information. This wasn't the final goodbye; just the next step.
Sera returned to her apartment, bag in her left hand and tool kit in her right. Once home, she set the items down and immediately opened the simulator. It had only been half a day, but she already missed her Ogerpon.
--+--
"...Oger-pon?!"
In Kitakami, inside the Dreaded Den, Ogerpon felt the familiar, gentle presence return and jumped up in surprise. She was so excited that she completely forgot she was still inside the stone cave; she jumped right into the ceiling.
"Oger... pon-ooo..."
Ogerpon clutched her head. While she wasn't actually hurt, the lingering dizziness made her stumble and spin in circles.
Snicker.
She wasn't sure if she was imagining it, but Ogerpon could have sworn she heard a faint, girl-like giggle. Moments later, she felt something touch the top of her head.
"Oger-pon-oh!"
Great, she thought, it wasn't a dream after all.
She enjoyed the gentle petting for a little while, but suddenly, the sensation vanished. The presence, however, remained.
After a short pause, Ogerpon saw something drop in front of her. It was just like the Cheri Berry that had appeared out of thin air yesterday, but today, it was a round, bouncing ball.
"Oger-pon?"
--+--
[Ogerpon has sensed your presence.]
[Ogerpon is very happy.]
[You have tossed a Gible-style toy ball to Ogerpon.]
Sera dragged the newly purchased ball onto the screen. Compared to berries, items in the toy category were quite pricey; the Gible ball was one of the cheaper ones, yet it still cost Sera 3 Raising Points.
Toys from the system allowed Pokémon to gain Effort Values (EVs) during playtime, and the Gible ball specifically provided a minor boost to Attack.
Sera didn't know Ogerpon's exact base stats, but given her "Defiant" ability, Attack was bound to be her most important attribute. Sera tapped the ball, and it began to bounce in front of Ogerpon.
"Oger-pon!"
The pixelated Ogerpon on the screen immediately caught the ball and tossed it back toward the direction of the screen.
[Ogerpon has begun playing with you.]
The process was like a mini-game. Sera had to keep tapping the screen to catch the ball and toss it back. It wasn't just about timing; she had to aim carefully. If the toss was too easy, the combo counter wouldn't increase, and if either Sera or Ogerpon missed, the combo reset to zero.
Ogerpon wasn't very skilled at catching the ball at first, but after ten minutes of play, she mastered the technique. Once the combo reached ten, the system prompted:
[Daily play benefit reached. Ogerpon's Attack effort value has increased slightly by 1 point!]
Is that it?
Sera was still having fun and held onto the ball, hesitating.
[Ogerpon wants to keep playing with you.]
"Oger-pon-oh!"
Ogerpon hopped up and down on the spot.
--+--
Well, let's keep going then.
Sera continued to toss the ball to Ogerpon. The system was so realistic that Sera had long since stopped thinking of these as just data points. She enjoyed the joy of playing with Ogerpon and didn't care about the efficiency.
They played for another half hour until the system chimed again:
[Ogerpon is getting a little tired.]
"Oger-pon..."
Ogerpon panted, clutching the ball. She cherished it, placing it carefully in the corner next to her mask. Sera noticed a few Cheri Berries that looked a bit dried out sitting beside it as well.
No matter how many times she thought about it, Sera was still amazed.
Even if she was just playing a game, the "Electronic Pokémon Raising System" blew every other Pokémon game from her past life out of the water.
This vivid, lifelike sense of raising a creature truly made Sera feel like she was looking after a real Pokémon.
[Ogerpon is quietly keeping you company.]
Even when she did nothing but watch the screen, the system would send notifications from time to time.
‘How can Ogerpon be this cute!’
The little sprite on the screen swayed, spinning in circles, seemingly very happy. However, as much as she enjoyed the quiet company, Sera remembered today's random quest.
--+--
[Quest: Ogre of Oni Mountain]
[For years, Ogerpon has been called an evil monster by the world. To make that name ring true, set out on the path to conquer the Oni Mountain with Ogerpon!]
[Objective: Defeat 10 Pokémon on the mountain. Any level is acceptable. Current progress: 0/10]
--+--
Sera had never seen Ogerpon fight. So far, the Ogerpon she knew seemed soft, timid, and afraid of the outside world.
But if the system lore called her an "evil monster," then either there was a misunderstanding, or Ogerpon had a side that Sera had yet to see. Perhaps that side would emerge in battle.
That’s it! I’ll guide Ogerpon to battle!
Sera tapped the mask in the corner of the screen and tried to drag it. She didn't have a physical body in the raising interface, but dragging the screen served a similar purpose.
--+--
Ogerpon suddenly felt the mask in the corner being nudged, and the presence beside her began to move away.
"Oger-pon-oh?"
This was the first time the presence had actively moved away from her. Ogerpon didn't have time to ponder why; she hurriedly stood up, eager to follow.
But as she realized the presence had left the cave and was heading toward the mountain, she hesitated for a moment, remembering how the presence had touched her mask before leaving.
Is this... a sign for me to put the mask on?
--+--
Digital Pokemon - 6
--+--
Chapter 6: Ogerpon Is a Little Jealous
--+--
Ogerpon put on the mask.
Not just brought it along, but actually wore it.
Sera watched as Ogerpon pressed the mask to its face. Even though she had been prepared for this, a surge of surprise still rippled through her.
Since Ogerpon was classified as the Mask Pokémon and possessed items like the Teal Mask, it only made sense that it would have an appearance for when the mask was actually donned.
Crystalline stones embedded in the mask radiated a dazzling brilliance, shimmering as Ogerpon stood right in the center of the screen.
If the Ogerpon before donning the mask had struck Sera as a naive and innocent little creature, the masked version was different. All she could see now was the wild, manic grin carved into the Teal Mask.
Just staring at that expression, which seemed to radiate extreme joy and bliss, left the young girl lost in deep thought.
Where, exactly, did this mask come from?
Only now did she begin to seriously ponder the question.
The Teal Mask, containing such incredible power—it was clearly more than just a simple accessory.
"Poni?"
[Ogerpon is worried about you.]
Sera snapped back to reality, realizing Ogerpon had scooted closer to the screen. It was peering out from slightly behind the mask, its star-shaped eyes filled with concern.
Oh well.
It wasn't something she needed to worry about right now.
Sera smiled, feeling a sense of relief, and tapped her finger against Ogerpon’s head on the screen to soothe the little creature. She then dragged the screen to change the map.
Passing through the path of floating rocks at the exit of the Dreaded Den, Sera noticed the map label change to Oni Mountain's teeth-like cave.
On the small, pixelated map, quite a few Pokémon appeared.
There was a Geodude rolling across the rocky surface and Bonsly hiding in various corners. Beyond these Pokémon she had already seen yesterday, she also spotted Noibat and Morpeko.
"Even Pokémon from the Galar region are here?"
Sera was a bit surprised.
She was becoming increasingly confused about which game version this environment actually belonged to.
Just as Sera noticed the wild Pokémon, they noticed Ogerpon, too.
"!"
At the same time, Ogerpon looked left and right, immediately appearing as if it were searching for a place to hide.
That won’t do.
The girl shook her head and reached out to tap on the nearby Geodude.
A Rock and Ground-type Pokémon, Geodude was known for having a foul, stubborn temper and being rather rough. These Pokémon were quick to anger and loved to pick fights with others whenever they were riled up.
As soon as Sera tapped the Geodude, it was jolted awake from the rocky surface. It let out a roar, its eyes widening as it glared at Ogerpon.
"Geodude!"
[Geodude has initiated a battle with Ogerpon!]
The simulator screen shifted instantly, entering battle mode.
That said, it was really just the familiar scene of her own Pokémon standing with its back to the Trainer, while the opponent stood in front.
"Poni-oh?!"
Suddenly attacked, Ogerpon waved its arms frantically in a panic, almost instinctively trying to run away.
But if Ogerpon ran off, today’s mission would be a total bust.
Sera pressed down on Ogerpon’s head, causing the little creature to freeze. Seizing the opening, the Geodude launched its first attack.
[Geodude used Tackle!]
The rock-like Pokémon hopped and bounded toward Ogerpon.
The Geodude Sera had chosen wasn't a high level; by the system's calculations, it was only two levels higher than Ogerpon. Forget Ogerpon—even if Sera encountered this in real life, she could dodge it just by stepping aside.
But Sera still felt a twinge of worry.
Ogerpon’s personality was truly too timid, and she hadn’t seen it fight before.
Could that Tackle actually land?
The young girl watched the simulator in her hand, her heart slowly tightening.
--+--
"Geodude!"
Ogerpon stared blankly at the Geodude barreling toward it.
In a moment, it would be hit.
Ogerpon didn't want to fight other Pokémon, but just a moment ago, its head had been gently petted.
The person watching didn't want it to run away.
...Why?
Ogerpon racked its brain to figure it out.
It didn't have a very clever head. Up until now, Ogerpon had always lived a life of drifting with the tide, never needing to think.
But now, if it couldn't find an answer, that presence might disappear suddenly, just like it had last night.
A sharp pain suddenly tugged deep within Ogerpon’s heart.
It realized something.
If I can't stay close without fighting, then I'll fight!
"Poni-ah!"
--+--
[Ogerpon used Vine Whip!]
Ogerpon, which had been standing frozen before the Geodude, suddenly sprang into action.
It swung its sleeves, and slender, winding vines extended from beneath its mask. Moving with incredible speed, they lashed out, striking the Geodude before it could even complete its approach!
Though Ogerpon looked petite, the Vine Whip didn't carry much of a display of power.
Yet, under Sera’s gaze, it managed to hold off the Geodude’s tackle and then whip it right back!
[It’s super effective!]
"Geodude—!"
[Geodude is out of stamina; battle concluded.]
Sera was stunned all over again.
She had specifically chosen the opponent, but even though Geodude was four times weak to Grass, these types of Pokémon usually had decent physical durability.
And yet, despite being two levels lower, Ogerpon had defeated the Geodude in a single hit.
That's some serious power.
But this was good news.
Since Ogerpon’s offensive capability was this impressive, completing the mission to defeat ten Pokémon would be simple.
Keep up the good work, little one!
Sera was still thinking purely in terms of the mission.
Still, as encouragement, she petted Ogerpon’s head again, causing the little one to let out a cry.
"Poni-oh~!"
[Ogerpon lets out a sigh of relief.]
[Ogerpon is feeling very happy.]
Before pushing the advantage to pick the next opponent, the girl looked at the Geodude that had been knocked away by Ogerpon, and fell into thought.
[You fed the Geodude a delicious Oran Berry.]
Pokémon don't disappear after being defeated?
Sera watched with emotion as the Geodude stood up, picked up the Oran Berry, and began to chew. A moment later, with its strength restored, the Geodude called out toward Ogerpon.
"Geodude!!!"
[Geodude has acknowledged Ogerpon; Ogerpon’s prestige has increased slightly!]
Oh, ho? There’s a prestige system too?
The girl nodded, quite satisfied with her own move.
If she was going to dominate Oni Mountain, bribing minions was clearly part of the strategy.
Sera was never short on berries; giving one to a Geodude was a total breeze.
Just as Sera was feeling smug about her strategy, the simulator suddenly chimed with a notification.
"Poni-ah—!"
[Ogerpon is a little jealous.]
[Ogerpon is jumping up and down in front of you.]
"..."
[You fed Ogerpon a delicious Oran Berry.]
[Ogerpon is happily eating it!]
[Ogerpon’s affection for you has increased!]
[Current Affection: 15]
--+--
Digital Pokemon - 7
--+--
Chapter 7: Crafting Poké Balls
--+--
[Task Goal: Defeat 10 Pokémon in the Dreaded Den. Level limit: None. Current progress: 10/10]
[Task Complete]
[You have gained Effort Value +1, Raising Points +10]
--+--
After defeating the Geodude, Sera took the momentum and challenged every wild Pokémon she encountered one after another.
Ogerpon did not disappoint, successfully taking down each opponent in turn.
Just as they defeated the final level 10 Morpeko, the little one had exhausted most of its energy and sat down on the ground.
[Ogerpon is very tired.]
It truly had been a tough day for Ogerpon.
Feeling a pang of sympathy, Sera tapped the screen and touched Ogerpon’s hand, lending it a bit of strength to pull it up from the ground.
"Poni-oh!"
[Ogerpon has regained a bit of energy.]
[Ogerpon has undergone plenty of exercise!]
[Ogerpon leveled up!]
[Ogerpon has reached level 7!]
[Due to Ogerpon’s level increase, you have gained 1 Effort Value!]
The system notifications chimed in succession.
Sera noticed that when she had defeated the previous Pokémon, there were no notifications about gaining experience. According to the system report, Ogerpon leveled up because it was wearing its mask, allowing it to adapt to a portion of the mask's power during combat.
Originally, it was level 20, but due to certain reasons, it couldn't use the mask, causing it to drop to level 5.
However, since Sera had increased Ogerpon’s affection yesterday, the little one had managed to reclaim a tiny bit of the mask's power.
In other words, Ogerpon’s leveling now had two paths: increasing affection and combat adaptation.
The Electronic Pokemon Raising System focused primarily on letting the Pokémon grow. Today, Sera had simply completed one quest with Ogerpon and already reaped two Effort Values.
This was all thanks to Ogerpon.
Sera didn't feel like she had done much from start to finish. Even though Ogerpon was just electronic data, she still felt grateful and couldn't help but give it a few head pats.
"Poni~"
[Ogerpon feels quite happy.]
What an easy little one to please.
After playing the game for a while, Sera looked out the window in the real world. The horizon was already painted with the fiery glow of the sunset.
It was about time to head home.
Sera rotated the camera, tapped Ogerpon’s hand, and guided it back toward the Dreaded Den.
[Ogerpon is following you home.]
--+--
"Poni, poni-oh~"
Holding an invisible hand, Ogerpon cradled her mask with the other and hummed a little tune as it walked along the road.
Today felt more fulfilling than any day before!
She carefully savored the events of the day.
She received a gift and then played together. She walked out of her home and had a bit of a scuffle with other Pokémon.
Those Pokémon seemed a lot more amiable than before; because they had accepted the berries, they even made sure to say goodbye before leaving!
Although the presence soon faded away after she returned to the Dreaded Den, Ogerpon was no longer as fearful as she had been yesterday.
She believed that the presence would surely return—tomorrow, the day after, and every day thereafter.
Thinking about that kind of future, if she could keep going like this, Ogerpon’s heart was filled with joy.
--+--
Sera closed the simulator.
The sky was getting dark, and she still needed to prepare dinner. Besides, the White Apricorns she had just brought home needed processing.
After a simple meal, she cleaned the dishes and tidied up the table, moving the White Apricorns onto it.
To craft handmade Poké Balls, raw Apricorns are essential.
While modern manufacturing techniques for Poké Balls have replaced the use of Apricorns, industrial methods still couldn't replicate the Apricorn Balls that the craftsmen in the Johto region were so proud of.
These unique, specialized Poké Balls were highly sought after by elite Trainer groups; their high price was secondary. Because they were time-consuming and inefficient to make, even an old craftsman like Kurt could only manage to produce about one a day.
Well, let's give it a try.
It had been a while since Sera had made an Apricorn Ball on her own. Her technique wasn't as polished as Kurt's. If it were the old master, he could consistently craft a Fast Ball using a White Apricorn.
For Sera, she only had about a fifty-fifty chance; for the other half, depending on the circumstances, she would likely end up with a byproduct like a Premier Ball or a Timer Ball.
To craft a handmade Poké Ball, you first have to hollow out the Apricorn.
Sera took a small knife from her toolkit and split the White Apricorn in two along its midline. As it was cut open, juices seeped out from the pulp inside.
While many people don't know it, the pulp of an Apricorn is actually edible. Apricorn juice has the effect of briefly boosting a Pokémon's physical fitness; in some places, people specifically make and use it.
Different types of Apricorns have different scents, though the White Apricorn in Sera's hand didn't have any fragrance at all.
Having no interest in eating it, she dug out the pulp and tossed it aside.
Once the pulp is cleared, you need to master the internal structure of the Apricorn. You have to carve Tumblestone into thin threads and carefully layer them to match the inner network structure, which is what forms the unique capture mechanism in the end.
This is the step where the failure rate for beginners skyrockets.
Sera’s hands were steady, much more so than the average person, but when Kurt made his balls, he could hold the shell with one hand for half an hour without a single tremor—all without the help of tools.
If you made a mistake while placing the Tumblestone threads, the special effects of the final Poké Ball would be greatly diminished.
However, today, Sera found her progress was exceptionally smooth.
Not only did she avoid damaging the inner wall while digging out the pulp, but the process of using tweezers to pick up the Tumblestone threads and lay them against the inner wall felt as fluid as if she were moving with her own thoughts.
Could it be...
The girl paused her movements.
She turned her thoughts inward, and the Tumblestone threads on the table moved slightly in response.
"So that's how it is."
She hadn't expected the Psychic power she hadn't paid much attention to would have such an unexpected effect at this moment.
Because Sera was used to concentrating when crafting Apricorn Balls, she hadn't intentionally used her powers, but the Psychic energy had flowed naturally, making her hands steadier and more precise.
You see, a normal person's mental energy is limited. Even Kurt couldn't expend his focus the way he did when he was younger.
In this case, her Psychic power had become a tool, allowing her to speed up the manufacturing process without draining her focus.
"At this speed..."
The girl made a quick estimation of her current progress, and before long, a strange look appeared on her face.
"...I could finish an Apricorn Ball in about an hour?"
One ball an hour—if Sera didn't leave, she would be driving every other business in town out of work.
And this was only with the 1 point of Effort she had added to her Psychic ability.
If she leveled it up further, perhaps at some point, she could rely purely on her mind to handle the crafting instead of her hands.
--+--
Digital Pokemon - 8
--+--
Chapter 8: Bugsy of Azalea Gym
--+--
Sera stood staring at the freshly manufactured Fast Ball before her, lost in thought.
The Poké Ball was a striking blend of red and white, inlaid with yellow gemstones on both sides, with a jagged lightning bolt pattern etched in yellow Tumblestone across the top.
It was, beyond a shadow of a doubt, a Fast Ball—one of the legendary Apricorn balls.
As a member of the Apricorn ball family, the Fast Ball was designed to snag speedier Pokémon with ease, significantly boosting capture rates.
Because traditional craftsmanship was labor-intensive and mass production impossible, Apricorn balls were incredibly scarce on the open market.
While private collectors might pay a fortune, Kurt typically sold them for anywhere between a few thousand to ten thousand pokedollars. After all, the cost of the raw Apricorns wasn't cheap, and since Kurt crafted them primarily for the joy of the trade, he rarely bothered to gouge prices.
Sera had once been curious and looked into the secondary market, only to find these balls being scalped for tens or even hundreds of thousands.
—She honestly felt those people had far too much money. If they were that desperate, they could have just bought a plane ticket to Azalea Town and paid the master craftsman directly; that amount of money would have been enough to commission a whole dozen.
Still, it spoke volumes about just how coveted these items were. A special ball that had to be handcrafted and could never be replicated by mere technology would always be in high demand.
"An hour to make one, ten hours a day for ten balls... Even at Master Kurt's modest prices, that’s one hundred thousand a day, three million a month..."
Sera did some quick mental math and was momentarily stunned by the result. At this rate, she could practically call herself the "Sage of Azalea's Apricorn Balls."
But she was just joking with herself. Sera had no intention of spending her entire life hunched over a workbench.
Part of the allure—and the reason for the high price—was the rarity.
If she were to suddenly flood the market with these, she would effectively be putting every Poké Ball artisan in Johto, including Kurt himself, out of business.
—That would be nothing short of betraying her mentor.
With that thought, she immediately snuffed out the urge to put her two remaining Effort Values into Psychic.
She was a bit of a packrat; back when she played Pokémon games, she was the type to hoard items until the very end, never wanting to use them.
Now that she had finally scraped together two Effort Values, she figured she’d just save them until she had a clear, necessary use for them.
Sera found a box in her house, lined the bottom with silk, and carefully placed the Fast Ball inside before shutting the lid. Since this was meant for Bugsy, the Gym Leader of Azalea Gym, she figured she should at least make the presentation look professional.
With everything prepared, the young girl washed up and headed to bed.
The night passed without incident.
The next morning, Sera woke up right on cue with her biological clock. The first thing she did was open her simulator.
Ding...
[Ogerpon is fast asleep.]
Little zzz's floated up from the small creature's head.
Sera checked her phone; it was only six in the morning, but she was already wide awake. She fished some leftover curry from the fridge, popped it into the microwave, and began eating while browsing the news.
"The opening ceremony for this year's Silver Conference is about to begin! The Indigo League has officially announced that Champion Lance and the League Chairman will be delivering the opening speeches!"
Seeing a familiar face, the spoon in Sera's hand paused mid-air.
—Indigo League Champion, Lance.
This man had been a constant presence throughout her childhood. In her past life's memories, Lance appeared in both the games and the anime, with his role shifting depending on the version.
To this day, Sera still wasn't sure if the Pokémon world she now inhabited was based on the game, the anime, or some hybrid of both.
She hadn't seen any news regarding a "protagonist" from any region, but then again, she hadn't run into a boy from Pallet Town named Ash Ketchum, either.
"Champion Lance, huh..." the girl muttered, lost in reflection. "Thank goodness the Champions are all still around and things in the regions are stable. Otherwise, just thinking about those Legendary Pokémon showing up later... every single one of them sounds like a massive headache."
But, the sky falling wasn't really her concern. She was just a frail, weak-bodied Poké Ball artisan, not a Trainer with the strength to fight back.
Rather than worrying about the future, she was better off figuring out how to raise the little demon in her simulator.
After breakfast, Sera headed out toward Azalea Gym.
The gym was located on the outskirts of Azalea Town, far from the city center and nestled right against the forest. Since Azalea Gym specialized in Bug-type Pokémon, being near the woods made cultivating and sourcing new Pokémon much more convenient.
Because of its remote location, in the three years Sera had lived in Azalea, she could count the number of times she’d visited the gym on one hand. As for Bugsy himself, she had never actually met him.
"Hello, I'm an apprentice of Kurt’s, my name is Sera," the girl said, greeting the guard at the entrance. "I’m here to deliver an order for Gym Leader Bugsy. Is he in today?"
She remembered that in the original stories, Bugsy often spent his time in Ilex Forest or the National Park, searching for rare Bug-types.
Fortunately, the guard confirmed he was currently in the gym, or else she would have had to entrust the delivery to the staff.
—Wait, if the guard had taken it, wouldn't I have been able to go home immediately and play with Ogerpon?
While she was lost in thought, the guard made a quick call. A moment later, a purple-haired boy carrying a bug-catching net appeared before her.
"You're the apprentice from Kurt’s workshop?"
Bugsy looked even younger than Sera. He propped the handle of his net against the ground and studied her.
Seeing the delicate, beautiful features of the white-haired girl and noting her youth, he seemed just as surprised as she was.
"I’ve heard your name. Master Kurt mentions you occasionally, saying you'll definitely be a great artisan one day."
That was news to her. Kurt had lived in Azalea for years and was the most famous artisan in Johto; it was no surprise that Bugsy knew him well. But the idea that the old man would talk about her? She’d been working as his understudy for three years and this was the first time she’d ever heard of him bringing her up.
...Was she really that much of a shut-in?
"A great artisan? I don't dare call myself that just yet," the white-haired girl replied, offering a polite, practiced smile. "But Master Kurt asked me to craft a Fast Ball for Gym Leader Bugsy, and I’ve brought it here today."
"Oh, oh! That was much faster than I expected!"
Bugsy leaned his net against the wall and took the box with both hands, looking quite formal. He had been looking forward to this Fast Ball for a long time.
At her nod, he opened the lid, revealing the Fast Ball, which lay quietly inside, reflecting a brand-new, polished luster.
--+--
Digital Pokemon - 9
--+--
Chapter 9: The Mysterious Doll
--+--
Bugsy held the Fast Ball in the palm of his hand, feeling the unique, cool texture of the brand-new Poké Ball. A spark of excitement flickered in his eyes.
Click.
He snapped the button, peering inside to examine the jade-colored mesh structure.
Bugsy only had a vague understanding of how Apricorn Balls were crafted, but the internal net structure of this Fast Ball was surprisingly intricate.
Even among the various Apricorn Balls he had seen in the past, this one was remarkably well-made.
—Wait, did Sera say just now that she made this herself?
"I'll take it!"
Sera watched as Bugsy tossed the Fast Ball upward, then caught it with a backhand grip, looking absolutely thrilled.
"I’m very satisfied with this Fast Ball!"
It looked like this transaction was officially closed.
After confirming the quality, Bugsy pulled out his phone, added Sera as a contact, and promptly transferred the payment to her account.
Checking her balance, Sera confirmed she had made a profit of 9,000 Poké Dollars from this single Fast Ball.
"May I ask, Gym Leader Bugsy, which Pokémon do you intend to capture with this?"
Bugsy was still turning the Fast Ball over in his hands, clearly unable to put it down. In a great mood, he answered Sera’s question directly.
"I'm going to use it to capture a Scyther!"
Because the Scyther he had been training had reached a bottleneck, Bugsy had consulted with his partner Pokémon and decided to use a Metal Coat to evolve his main Scyther into a Scizor.
However.
Since the Azalea Gym focused primarily on Bug-type Pokémon, Bugsy wanted to catch a new Scyther before evolving his current one, just to ensure he didn't have any gaps in the variety of Pokémon kept in the Gym.
As it happened, the Scyther he had been scouting showed excellent potential, which is why he had specially requested a Fast Ball to ensure the capture wouldn't fail.
"I see. In that case, I wish you a smooth hunt, Gym Leader."
Having received the answer she wanted, Sera said her goodbyes to Bugsy and watched as the young man headed toward the forest, clutching his bug-catching net with infectious enthusiasm.
With the information she had just gathered, a new thought took root in Sera's mind.
The real world wasn't a game. Every NPC she knew from the game was a living, breathing person here.
Trainers, Gym Leaders, members of the Elite Four, even the Champion...
These people, whom players constantly defeated in the original story, were all capable of growing and improving in reality.
Take Bugsy, whom she had just met. This Gym Leader, nicknamed the "Bug-type Pokémon Encyclopedia," was also constantly optimizing and adjusting his main team, always striving to improve.
Although Bugsy would eventually hit a power ceiling when he pushed himself to his limit, it at least suggested that the plotlines Sera was familiar with might not unfold in such a rigid, predictable way.
"Maybe I should just write an anonymous tip to the League about the bad things Team Rocket is planning..."
Sera pondered this for a moment.
She was currently in the Johto region, and after some thought, the only trouble she was likely to encounter was the schemes plotted by the criminal organization Team Rocket.
A crime syndicate operating under the name of Team Rocket, these people were guilty of every evil imaginable.
They were hated by everyone throughout the Kanto and Johto regions. But because they were powerful and held tight to their web of interests, the League hadn't yet been able to root them out.
However, if Sera provided some critical intel, the League might be able to land a lethal blow on Team Rocket at a decisive moment.
"...Anyway, I'll find time to organize my intelligence once I'm home."
The girl made a silent resolution.
She disliked trouble, but rather than worrying when it arrived, it was better to find an opportunity to nip it in the bud.
As for now...
Sera pulled out her phone, looked at the new numbers in her account balance, and felt her mood soar.
This joy must be shared with my Ogerpon!
Already addicted to the game, the girl quickened her pace, headed straight home, and pulled out her simulator.
Electronic Pokemon Raising System, activate!
As the screen lit up, Sera heard the familiar, endearing cry.
"Pon~"
[Ogerpon is welcoming you.]
The outside world was so dangerous, but the little demon at home was always so heart-warming.
No matter when or where, Ogerpon could always put Sera in a great mood.
It was a pity that while Sera could hear Ogerpon’s cries, she couldn't share her joy with the Pokémon through words.
But, well.
Even if she couldn't speak, Sera could still communicate with Ogerpon through actions.
--+--
Ogerpon had fully adapted to the "presence."
Although it couldn't see the true form of the presence and could only vaguely sense her arrival, Ogerpon could immediately tell that she was keeping it company.
"Pon, pon~!"
Thinking that she was watching over it with such gentleness, Ogerpon couldn't help but spread her arms and trot in circles around her.
Just running around her was enough to fill Ogerpon with pure joy.
As it ran, Ogerpon suddenly caught the faint scent of a fragrance.
"Ponyo?"
She stopped and looked curiously at the bright red, petal-patterned blanket that had appeared before her.
--+--
[You have delivered a Lilligant-style blanket to Ogerpon.]
Sera had decided to tidy up Ogerpon's living space.
Since the first time she saw Ogerpon, she had been concerned about the rock den it lived in.
Aside from the Teal Mask, Ogerpon’s home was completely bare and incredibly cramped. If it didn't seem like Ogerpon was already accustomed to the Dreaded Den, Sera would have helped it find a new place to stay.
Since Ogerpon didn't want to leave the Dreaded Den, Sera decided to renovate it instead.
The first thing was the blanket.
When Ogerpon slept, it just laid down on the hard ground. Not only would it get covered in dust, but the cold, jagged rock surface didn't look comfortable at all.
So, Sera spent 3 Raising Points to purchase a Lilligant-style blanket.
This blanket constantly emitted a sweet aroma, which would heal the soul and soothe the mood of any Pokémon that caught a whiff of it.
"Ponyo!"
[Ogerpon accepts the gift and begins to decorate the Dreaded Den.]
The little demon actively placed the blanket on a flat stone ledge in the corner that looked like a makeshift bed, and then, under Sera's watchful eye, tried lying down on it.
[The comfort level of Ogerpon's dwelling has increased. Ogerpon feels very happy.]
Sera looked at the notification, an involuntary smile spreading across her face.
"Not finished yet."
Muttering to herself, Sera looked at the recommended items in the system shop and clicked to purchase.
[Mysterious Doll: A doll that possesses a strange aura; it has the effect of continuously increasing the friendship level of your Pokémon.]
Although the item icon in the shop looked a bit blurry, it certainly seemed like a powerful item.
Deliver!
--+--
"...Pon?"
Ogerpon saw a new item appear before it once again, but this time, it sensed an unusual aura.
The little one took a closer look at the object to see what it was.
It was a doll shaped like a young girl.
--+--
Digital Pokemon - 10
--+--
Chapter 10: Ogerpon, in Danger!
--+--
Ogerpon shook the doll in her hands. For some reason, she felt a vague sense of familiarity toward it. After studying it for a moment longer, a flash of realization crossed her mind.
"Poni, poni-oh!"
It’s that scent! The scent of that aura!
Ogerpon quickly examined the doll in detail. It was shaped like a white-haired girl with a gentle smile, her right hand resting against her chest.
"Poni~!"
--+--
[You have gifted the Mysterious Doll to Ogerpon.]
A subtle feeling stirred in Sera's heart. On the screen, the doll cradled in Ogerpon’s arms looked exactly like her. She never imagined she would be turned into a figurine one day... and a toy for Ogerpon, at that.
"Do you really like it that much?"
Sera mumbled as she reached out to tap the doll in Ogerpon’s arms.
"Poni~!"
Ogerpon answered with her actions, pulling both the doll and her mask into a tight hug with a beaming smile.
[Ogerpon can’t put the Mysterious Doll down!]
[Ogerpon’s Affection has increased!]
[Current Affection: 30]
It had taken quite a bit of effort for Sera to raise that affection to 15, but the doll had instantly doubled it.
...Should I be flattered that it’s a figurine of me?
Sera composed herself and moved her finger toward the Gible ball nearby. It was time for today’s play session. Ogerpon immediately reacted, tucking her mask and doll away into her embrace.
[Ogerpon has started playing with you.]
After a session that went slightly over the usual limit:
[Ogerpon is feeling a bit tired.]
Sera noticed that Ogerpon was being particularly clingy today. Even though the system indicated she was exhausted, she still reluctantly picked up the ball, holding it up toward the screen with a squeak.
"Poni... poni..."
Playing had to have its limits. Ogerpon was already tired, and normally, she wouldn't have the energy to continue. This was surely an effect of the increased affection.
Ogerpon wasn't necessarily clinging to her to play with the ball; she wanted to keep interacting with Sera.
A new thought crossed Sera’s mind. Yesterday, she had helped Ogerpon take down ten wild Pokémon.
According to the Prestige System, the "Little Ogre" was now "somewhat famous" in the Oni Mountain area. Sera thought this would be the perfect time to see the practical results.
She tapped Ogerpon and dragged the map. Having learned from yesterday, Ogerpon understood the intention immediately. She reached into her arms, pulled out her mask, and set it on her face.
"Poni-oh!"
[Ogerpon is ready to go out with you.]
She was no longer afraid of the Pokémon outside. As long as that aura was by her side, Ogerpon had the courage to face any challenge.
Wearing the grinning Teal Mask, Ogerpon stepped out of the Dreaded Den. Seeing her imposing demeanor, Sera felt a difference from the previous days.
That’s my Ogre!
Sera nodded with satisfaction and shifted the map to the Oni's Maw they had visited yesterday. As soon as they arrived, a few Geodude gathered in front of Ogerpon.
"Ge-ge!"
[The Geodude are reporting to Ogerpon...]
[...]
[Ogerpon has received new information!]
"Poni-oh?!"
A large exclamation mark appeared over Ogerpon’s head.
[Based on the new information, you have received a new limited-time mission.]
--+--
[Ogre of Oni Mountain · II]
[The Ogre of Oni Mountain has begun to show its fangs. The boss of Oni's Maw has learned of the Ogre's actions. To maintain its status, it intends to hunt down the Ogre!]
[Mission Objective: Defeat the Geodude leader of Oni's Maw]
[Mission Reward: Effort Values +3, Raising Points +20]
--+--
It’s the second phase of the previous mission already.
Sera felt a flicker of nervousness when she saw the "Boss of Oni's Maw," but as she finished reading, she couldn't help but make a "not impressed" face.
A Geodude leader? Seriously?
It wasn't that Sera looked down on Geodude, but their strength generally had a ceiling.
In the games, they usually evolved into Graveler at level 25. That meant this leader was likely under level 25, yet it still dared to rule the cave.
Well, look at you, kid. You really think you can take my Ogerpon's spot as the boss?
Sera couldn't let that slide. Putting aside the generous rewards offered by the system, she had to ensure Ogerpon fought for her status as the ruler of Oni's Maw. There was no way a proper Ogre would let her own backyard be taken over.
--+--
"Ge-ge!"
It happened fast. As the Geodude huddled together, the screen began to vibrate. Exclamation marks popped up over the group.
[The Geodude leader has initiated an attack on Ogerpon!]
[Ogerpon has chosen to fight!]
"Poni-o!"
Ogerpon, wearing the Wellspring Mask, took a step forward to block their path.
Geodude were Pokémon known for constantly comparing their hardness with their peers; despite being the same species, they didn't have the same camaraderie as other groups.
Since his subordinates had defected to Ogerpon, the leader’s avatar pulsed with visible veins—he was absolutely furious.
The battle was about to erupt.
--+--
Ogerpon felt a bit nervous. Even though she wasn't afraid and had accepted the challenge, she was still worried about the outcome. Her own combat experience felt like a distant, faded memory.
Currently, the only move Ogerpon could use was Vine Whip, but the leader was different.
As the battle commenced, the Geodude's body was suddenly enveloped in a crystalline glow. When the light dispersed, the leader’s body radiated a dazzling energy.
"Ge-ge-ge!!!"
With a crown-like Terastal jewel glowing atop its head, the leader looked incredibly intimidating. Ogerpon watched her opponent, dazed for a moment. She had a vague, lingering impression of this kind of spectacle.
Before she could think it through, the leader launched its attack.
--+--
[The Geodude leader has Terastallized! Its type has changed to Fighting!]
[The Geodude leader used Dynamic Punch!]
The situation shifted violently. Sera didn't even have time to formulate a strategy; her face paled with worry.
She had heard of Terastallization. It was a phenomenon unique to the Paldea region, one that had only been discovered by Professor Sada in recent years.
Because she had specifically researched Paldean information, Sera had found some details online. It had been too sudden, and she couldn't recall everything, but one fact stood out clearly in her mind:
Terastallization changed a Pokémon's type.
That meant the Geodude leader was now a Fighting-type. Not only was it no longer four-times weak to Grass, but its Fighting-type moves were now boosted.
Ogerpon was in serious danger!
--+--