Digital Pokemon - 21
--+--
Chapter 21: System, Boost My Stats!
--+--
Ogerpon was brimming with energy, far more proactive than she had ever been before.
As the map shifted to Infernal Pass, she didn’t wait for Sera to choose; she began hunting for opponents on her own.
Thanks to the training Sera had provided over the past few days, Ogerpon was taking down her foes with much greater ease.
While her leveling up played a part, the Effort Value bonuses provided by the Gible ball were equally vital.
Moreover, the notifications that popped up from time to time revealed the hidden thoughts brewing within Ogerpon.
[Under your gaze, Ogerpon is full of spirit!]
"Pon!"
Knowing Sera was watching, Ogerpon refused to lose.
Sera felt a deep sense of relief, yet it also brought a touch of annoyance. Because Ogerpon had grown so attached, the system would incessantly send notifications if the simulator was left unattended for too long.
[You haven't visited Ogerpon for half an hour. She really misses you.]
[Ogerpon is calling out to you.]
Because of this, even while processing Blue Apricorns to craft Lure Balls, Sera had to keep the simulator right by her side so Ogerpon could devote her full focus to battle.
Sera had certainly put in her fair share of effort to help Ogerpon reach Level 15 as quickly as possible.
After a full day of training, Ogerpon leveled up once again. At this rate, the three-stage "Oni of Oni Mountain" mission would be completed by the day after tomorrow at the latest, Sera calculated.
If she weren't leaving for her journey tomorrow, she could have finished the mission early by grinding the game for a day.
But since she had already said goodbye to her master, she couldn't exactly linger in Azalea Town.
Sera sighed, whispered a soft "goodnight" to Ogerpon, closed the simulator, and set aside the finished Lure Balls. It was time for final preparations.
The Lure Balls requested as part of the mission reward needed to be handed over to Nurse Joy for inspection and safekeeping ahead of time. Afterward, Sera needed to depart early for Goldenrod City to meet up with the Trainer who had accepted the contract.
Once she stepped onto the train, her official journey would truly begin.
Thinking of her upcoming plans, a flicker of tension stirred in her chest. She couldn't help but worry: if they encountered danger in the wild, would the hired Trainer actually be reliable?
But there was no turning back now. Besides, if she really intended to become a Trainer, she should have started considering how to face potential crises a long time ago.
Wild Pokemon attacks, stumbling upon poachers, or running into some mindless organization members... Scenes from the anime and games flashed through her mind.
System, boost my stats!
[You have consumed 9 Effort Values. Your Psychic power has significantly increased.]
[You have sensed a mental barrier.]
Self-reliance is better than relying on others.
The Effort Values she had saved up were only valuable if she actually spent them. With a total of ten points added to her Psychic ability, Sera could now clearly sense the strength of her telekinesis.
The girl looked up. A suitcase resting on the floor in the distance shuddered, floated upward as her gaze locked onto it, and then set back down gently.
The case held her clothes and potions, but also a specialized tool kit for an artisan, raw materials, and the set of Apricorn balls given to her by Kurt—all told, it weighed several kilograms.
Sera was nowhere near the limit of her telekinetic output; moving things several times heavier would be a breeze. This intensity was likely on par with the "Confusion" move used by Psychic-type Pokemon.
—But she couldn't get cocky.
"Even at this level, it probably doesn't count for much compared to a truly powerful Psychic," she murmured to herself, issuing a silent warning.
In the Pokemon world, Psychics weren't exactly rare.
Although she didn't see much talk about it online, her impression was that even ordinary people could strengthen their psychic powers through meditation.
The system's stat boosts only increased her base potential; currently, Sera’s only way to use her power was the crudest form of telekinesis, lacking anything near the finesse of someone like Sabrina.
Therefore, her priority in danger remained self-preservation. Spending Effort Values was for defense—if she became arrogant and intentionally put herself in harm's way, she would be putting the cart before the horse.
Sera calmed her mind, chuckling at herself. The Electronic Pokemon Raising System was meant to enhance a Trainer's base stats, yet she kept dumping points into her Psychic ability.
At first, it was to help with Apricorn ball crafting, and now, it was for self-defense. Looking at it objectively, she had clearly strayed far from the intended path.
She could justify it by saying she had no actual Pokemon to practice with, but the fact remained: Sera had never seriously considered finding a real-life Pokemon partner.
Still, she felt the need to explain herself.
Ogerpon, within the simulator, satisfied every fantasy she had about Pokemon.
She was like a shut-in from her past life obsessed with 2D characters—even if someone suggested finding a real girlfriend, she’d argue that a 2D girl was clearly superior.
Sigh, 2D culture is a menace. She blamed the system for her predicament.
Ogerpon was growing more dependent on her, and in return, Sera found herself falling more deeply for Ogerpon.
Watching Ogerpon grow step-by-step under her encouragement was rewarding, but the thought of having to find a new partner in reality made her want to shut down.
Why does it have to be an Electronic Pokemon Raising System? Why couldn't it just be a 'Pokemon Raising System' that drops an Ogerpon right into my hands?
If she really had an Ogerpon, she wouldn't be neglecting her dream of becoming a Trainer just to play a game.
With a long sigh, Sera finally faced reality.
Her trip to the National Park for the coming week wasn't just to enjoy the scenery; her primary goal was to see if she could find a Pokemon that caught her interest.
Though she felt deep down that no Pokemon could ever stir her heart the way Ogerpon did, she figured it was worth a shot.
With a complicated heart, the girl washed up and crawled into bed.
--+--
Kitakami, Mossui Town.
Carmine and Kieran, the siblings, had been feeling rather gloomy lately.
It wasn't just because they were about to leave Kitakami to attend Blueberry Academy; the two of them, who usually spent their free time helping their grandparents, had recently been vanishing into thin air the moment they had a spare second.
Both siblings were still thinking of Ogerpon.
Since secretly tailing Carmine and seeing Ogerpon for herself, Kieran had also learned the true history of the mask.
Though Kieran, who had once worshipped the "Ogre," was initially put off by its terrifying appearance and found it harder to muster sympathy like his sister, he agreed that they needed to do something for her.
And so, the two began to sneakily follow Ogerpon. After two days of long-distance observation, they discovered a truth that left them completely stunned.
Ogerpon was incredibly vigilant; the moment there was the slightest movement, she would scout her surroundings.
Only when the sun passed its peak and the Ogre wore her mask to roam would she let her guard down just a little.
It was precisely then that Carmine realized Ogerpon possessed an astonishing level of vitality.
--+--
Digital Pokemon - 22
--+--
Chapter 22: The Plan to Reclaim the Masks
--+--
Carmine discovered that Ogerpon would venture out of Oni’s Maw, heading toward the Infernal Pass to seek out wild Pokémon to challenge and train against.
Once she defeated an opponent, the Ogre would leave behind a Berry to bribe them into becoming her minions.
It was no wonder that no one had managed to find the Ogre in recent years; if Ogerpon had been doing this all along, the entire Oni Mountain might have already become her private backyard.
—Even that Bonsly by her side might have been one of her informants!
Subconsciously stepping away from the puzzled-looking Bonsly, Carmine reached a conclusion that was the exact opposite of the truth.
Getting stronger was a natural instinct for Pokémon. Wild Pokémon would naturally engage in battles to train when their energy levels were high, but the way Ogerpon bribed her subordinates outside of battle truly shocked Carmine and made Kieran feel increasingly afraid.
Nothing happened without a reason. Fear aside, as Kieran watched his older sister lost in deep, troubled thought, a guess slipped out of him.
"...Maybe, the Ogre is trying to get her masks back?"
A word of truth often wakes the dreamer.
Carmine slapped her palm, couldn't help but pat her younger brother on the head, and broke into a smile despite his complaints.
"That's it!"
Exactly!
For a long time, the legend of the Ogre and the masks had circulated throughout Kitakami. Due to years of tradition, it had even evolved into a grand festival known as the Mask Festival.
The time for this year's festival was approaching, but that didn't matter. What mattered was the root of the festival: those three masks that belonged to the Ogre, still kept at the Kitakami Hall.
The Wellspring Mask, the Hearthflame Mask, and the Cornerstone Mask.
These three masks, filled with incredible power, were rightfully hers, yet they were currently left at the Kitakami Hall as mere display pieces.
Ogerpon must have realized her masks had been stolen by humans, which is why she had been enduring humiliation, training in secret on Oni Mountain, and waiting for the right moment to lead an army of Pokémon down to reclaim what was hers.
The vivid imagination of the youth caused Carmine’s expression to shift repeatedly until her brother asked with unease, at which point she made up her mind.
"We have to find a way to return the masks to Ogerpon!"
Kieran didn't know how many thoughts were racing through his sister's mind, but he agreed that returning something that belonged to the Ogre was the right thing to do.
But then came the question.
How could they retrieve the three masks from the Kitakami Hall?
To the people of Kitakami, whose economy relied on tourism, the Ogre masks—which served as proof of their history—were vital village assets.
As two young children with little influence, it was impossible to take the masks out without going through the rest of the village using standard methods.
—Which meant only non-standard methods would work.
The siblings looked at each other, and a single solution popped into both their heads at the same time.
Steal them!
For Carmine and Kieran, this was currently the only viable plan.
That said, execution was another problem.
With the Mask Festival approaching, the Kitakami Hall, which usually only saw occasional tourists, was now bustling with people. It wasn't just tourists; the villagers were also eager to set up their own stalls.
Most importantly, the Kitakami Administrator would be lurking around the Hall as well.
--+--
After discussing it for a long time, the confidence of both Carmine and Kieran began to wane.
They realized that trying to steal the masks under the gaze of so many people was impossible—unless they possessed superpowers from urban legends and could use Teleport, there was simply no way to pull it off.
"We can't give up!"
Ultimately, Carmine gritted her teeth.
"If conventional methods don't work, then we have no choice but to use unconventional ones."
Of course, she didn't have superpowers, nor the ability to steal the masks in a crowd.
Therefore, she had to think of unconventional ways to remove the obstacles.
"But sister, how are we supposed to do that..."
Kieran clutched his head, unable to come up with a solution.
"I’m going to the Loyalty Plaza and smashing the statues of the Loyal Three!"
Hearing Carmine's words, Kieran’s eyes widened.
Back in the day, the Ogre had fought the three Pokémon who stole her masks to the death.
The villagers had built the Loyalty Plaza at the site of their remains and erected statues to worship them during the festival, calling them the "Loyal Three."
Compared to the Ogre, whose existence remained a legend, the Loyal Three who protected the village were seen by the villagers as sacred guardians.
Carmine’s words alone were enough to cause an uproar if spoken aloud, let alone actually carrying them out—it was an act of pure heresy.
But remembering the shock she felt after learning the true history, Carmine gritted her teeth firmly.
"This is the best way. Unless the statues are destroyed, no one will leave the Kitakami Hall right now."
Carmine forced herself to stay calm, though her slight trembling betrayed her fear.
After all, she wasn't much older than Kieran, and the rest of the village still treated her like a child.
Yet here she was, planning to do something massive, to turn Kitakami upside down.
"Calm down! Do you really think stealing the masks is a small matter compared to smashing the statues?"
Following her usual habits, Carmine glared and lectured Kieran.
"Whether it’s stealing the masks or smashing the statues, the adults will be furious either way. If we’re going to do it, we might as well do it all!"
Having said her piece, Carmine finally stopped trembling.
That’s right.
Both were things that, even if done separately, would be considered grave offenses in the eyes of the adults.
Carmine couldn't give up on the idea of returning the masks to Ogerpon, so why not do both?
She had already harbored deep resentment toward those three ugly Pokémon. Now, being able to vent her anger on their statues actually felt quite satisfying.
Carmine’s mind raced, and the plan gradually became clear.
She would pick a time when the Loyalty Plaza was empty to smash the statues, then use her phone to send photos of the damage to Kieran. Kieran would then pretend to have "discovered" the destruction to raise the alarm.
By the time the adults from the Kitakami Hall rushed over in a panic, she would have already cleared the scene, and Kieran could seize the chance to swipe the masks.
Kitakami didn't have the surveillance systems of a big city; it was just a rural village. Aside from their own internal fears, there was no way anyone could identify the culprit.
Even without Kieran, Carmine could do it alone.
Originally, she didn't want to drag her brother into this, but since Kieran had learned everything along with her, leaving him out might lead him to take secret, impulsive actions that would ruin the plan.
Smashing the statues and stealing the masks were two separate acts, and while it might be better to do them together, that was as far as it went.
"Then let's do it, sister!"
Just as Carmine was wondering how to talk her brother out of it, Kieran spoke up.
The boy summoned courage he had never shown before.
"We'll smash the statues together, and then steal the masks to return them to the Ogre!"
--+--
Digital Pokemon - 23
--+--
Chapter 23: A New Raising Slot
--+--
Sera and Ogerpon could never have guessed that, back in Kitakami, a pair of siblings were secretly concocting a plan to help Ogerpon reclaim the masks that rightfully belonged to her.
The very next day, as the young girl opened her eyes, she pulled up the simulator.
--+--
[Task Objective: Raise Ogerpon to Level 15. Current progress: 15/15]
[Task Completed]
[You have received 5 Effort Values and 30 Raising Points.]
--+--
…Ogerpon already hit level 15?
Sera, who had assumed this would take quite a bit longer, was pleasantly surprised and scrolled back through the logs to see what had happened.
[Ogerpon is having sweet dreams while accompanied by the mysterious doll.]
[Ogerpon’s affection for you has increased!]
[Current Affection: 50]
[Ogerpon has leveled up!]
[Ogerpon has reached Level 15!]
[Because Ogerpon leveled up, you have received 1 Effort Value!]
That mysterious doll, which looked exactly like her, had worked its magic again, helping Ogerpon boost her affection even while she slept.
The thought of Ogerpon missing her so much that it even influenced her dreams brought a warmth to Sera’s chest, and a soft smile tugged at her lips as she read the system notifications.
Though she didn’t quite understand the mechanics behind it, she remembered that early on, it was exactly that 10-point bump in affection that had allowed Ogerpon to regain the power of her mask. It was clear now: affection truly did empower her.
Having pieced together why Ogerpon had suddenly hit level 15, Sera’s attention shifted to the next stage of the quest.
--+--
[The Ogre of Oni Mountain: Part IV]
[Ogerpon, once rumored to be a terrifying oni, has finally recovered the better part of her strength. She trusts you implicitly, but due to the burdens of the past, she cannot progress any further. Please join Ogerpon in retrieving the masks lost to history.]
[Task Objective: Retrieve the lost masks. Current progress: 0/3]
[Task Rewards: 10 Effort Values, 50 Raising Points, 1 Raising Slot]
--+--
[Note: Due to the limitations of the masks, Ogerpon’s level cannot increase further until new masks are found.]
--+--
Sera stared at the final line.
Ogerpon couldn't level up any further?
After reading the task information over and over, Sera furrowed her brow. This quest revealed a wealth of information.
She had previously assumed Ogerpon was classified as the Mask Pokémon simply because she channeled her power through the Teal Mask—after all, it made sense for a Grass-type Pokémon to use a grass-themed mask.
But now, she took another look at the description of the Teal Mask.
[Teal Mask: A grass mask containing mysterious power.]
According to the latest intel from the quest, Ogerpon was actually missing three more masks.
Even just the Teal Mask had been enough to spark Sera's imagination. Since a Grass Mask existed, perhaps there were Fire or Water ones, too?
There were plenty of Pokémon that could change their type based on held items. If other types of masks existed, could Ogerpon possess that same ability?
If that hypothesis was true, then even without the quest, Sera would be determined to help Ogerpon retrieve every single one of them.
Besides, the rewards were incredibly generous.
Leaving the Raising Points aside—after three years of daily check-ins, Sera’s stash was well into the four digits; she couldn't spend them fast enough.
But the 10 Effort Values were a massive incentive. After pouring yesterday’s points into her Psychic ability, she understood just how potent they were. Ten points were enough to grant her power comparable to an actual Pokémon move.
If she used her psychic potential as a benchmark, she estimated that if she saved up another thirty or forty points and dumped them into Aura, firing off an Aura Sphere with her own hands might not just be a pipe dream!
And then there was the most crucial reward: an additional Raising Slot.
A new slot meant Sera could pull a second Electronic Pokemon. As long as the system didn’t glitch out, her efficiency in farming Effort Values could potentially double.
The rewards were too good to pass up, and more importantly, Sera simply couldn’t stand the thought of Ogerpon being wronged or held back.
Retrieving those three masks was non-negotiable.
As she hauled her suitcase out the door, Sera started planning how to tackle the mission. What were the other three masks, and how could she obtain them?
To accommodate users who weren't well-versed in Pokémon lore, the system shop sold "Task Hints" for 10 Raising Points to help guide them.
Sera hadn't paid much attention to them before, but now she realized her own knowledge was limited.
Luckily, she wasn’t short on points. With a tap of her finger, she bought the hint.
[Ding—]
[The locations of the remaining masks have been unlocked!]
A clear directional pointer appeared in the center of her screen. Sera looked closely and realized the pointer was actually composed of three overlapping markers, which was why it appeared so bold.
Are all the masks in the same place?
Sera had been bracing herself for an RPG-style grind—hunting down each mask one by one, likely facing a boss for every single one. Finding out they were all in one spot was a relief.
While Sera was busy tapping away at the simulator, Ogerpon stirred from her sleep.
"Pon~!"
[Ogerpon senses your presence.]
[Ogerpon is very happy.]
Sera recalled that ever since the first day they met, every time she checked the system, it would invariably tell her that Ogerpon was happy.
Does this child ever have a bad day? she wondered.
[Ogerpon wants to play with you.]
"Pon, pon!"
Inside the screen, Ogerpon held up a ball.
Usually, Sera would have immediately jumped in to play along. But she was rushed today; the best she could do was set the simulator aside, ensuring the little oni didn’t feel lonely.
As she handed her suitcase to the security officer, she tapped the screen to touch Ogerpon, trying to convey her mood.
She had discovered that simple taps helped Ogerpon understand her emotions—though sometimes the signals got crossed, she made a habit of trying anyway.
"Pon?!"
[Ogerpon senses your prompt!]
"Pon?!"
Ogerpon noticed that the presence she felt from her trainer seemed a bit restless.
If it were any other day, she would have gently stroked her head and played. But today, after the touch, her trainer just stood there quietly, moving no further.
Has something bad happened?
Ogerpon put the ball down and thought hard. But no matter how she looked back on their time together, her mind was flooded with wonderful memories.
She was more than satisfied with their life; as long as she could be with her trainer, no hardship was too great. Besides, even though her trainer got a bit impatient when going out to meet other Pokémon, she was always very tender and caring.
Could it be… that she had run into trouble?
"Pon!"
At the thought, Ogerpon stood up instinctively, reaching into her chest to pull out her Ivy Cudgel.
--+--
Digital Pokemon - 24
--+--
Chapter 24: The Three Companions
--+--
In the past, if Ogerpon found herself in a hurry, fighting would certainly not be the first thing on her mind.
However, being dragged out of the house for training daily by Sera has left the little demoness a bit more mischievous than she used to be.
—Combat might not solve every problem, but it definitely solves most of them!
Fortunately, Sera managed to calm down quickly. Ogerpon, who had almost whipped out her club to survey the surroundings, sensed the shift in atmosphere. Realizing there were no more negative emotions, she let out a sigh of relief and quietly tucked her club away.
That said, Sera still didn't have much spare time to keep Ogerpon company.
By the time Sera boarded the train and found her seat, she noticed an elderly woman dressed in elegant, wealthy attire sitting nearby, watching her with a smile.
The young girl sighed inwardly, certain she would have to forgo using the simulator for the day.
After all, the simulator was invisible to others, but when she was alone, she could easily hide the device under her phone and pretend to be gaming.
With someone sitting right next to her, that trick wouldn't work.
Sera nodded politely, took her seat, and silently pulled out her phone.
This world actually had no shortage of entertainment. Aside from games, which were a bit monotonous, there was an abundance of movies, animations, and other programs.
Sera put on her headphones and randomly selected a film starring Diantha, a famous actress from the Kalos region who also happened to be its Champion.
I have to admit, the acting skills of a world-class star are truly extraordinary.
Especially with the unique charisma added by her status as a top-tier Trainer, the visual feast provided by Diantha and her signature partner, Gardevoir, quickly drew Sera into the story.
Beside her, the elderly woman had initially intended to strike up a conversation with the cute, young, white-haired girl.
Seeing that Sera was completely immersed in her own world, she could only smile, shake her head, and close her eyes to rest.
Time flew by in the blink of an eye.
Sera watched three movies back-to-back. When she heard the announcement that the train had arrived, the elderly woman next to her stood up along with many other passengers.
Goldenrod City was the largest city in the Johto region. Even if you included the neighboring Kanto region, the only city that can truly compare to it was Saffron City.
Both cities were so widely famous that even people from other regions knew them, making them popular tourist destinations.
Sera mingled with the bustling crowd and dragged her suitcase off the train. For a moment, she felt a bit dazed.
The movie plots had been so thrilling, and combined with the memories of her past life, she found herself momentarily confused as to why no "unexpected incidents" had occurred.
You know, things like terrorist attacks, Pokémon riots, or a Team Rocket raid...
Sera shook her head and chuckled at her own thoughts.
The current Johto and Kanto regions were incredibly peaceful.
While Team Rocket did exist, it was impossible for a criminal organization like theirs to cause major trouble at every turn throughout such a vast area—let alone in a massive metropolis like Goldenrod City.
Even if the games featured an event where Team Rocket besieged the Goldenrod Radio Tower, that was the result of countless conflicts and contradictions piling up. She was just an ordinary person now; what were the odds of her getting caught up in something like that?
Sera felt she must have been thinking this way simply because she had acquired psychic powers and was itching to find a place to test them out.
—Once I get to the hotel, I'll dig out my tool kit and get back to practicing my handiwork.
The girl silently made up her mind and checked the time on her phone.
6:01 PM.
It was dusk—the "hour of the demon" as the folk legends called it.
At this intersection of day and night, where light and darkness mingle, Ghost-type Pokémon awaken and become active, and urban legends are said to occur more frequently.
Come to think of it, one of the movies she had just watched had a plot like that...
Having watched far too many movies, Sera hurriedly shook her head to cast the stray thoughts aside and dragged her suitcase toward the taxi stand.
From Azalea Town to Goldenrod City, the bustling metropolis made Sera feel a sense of familiarity with her past life.
"To the hotel, please."
The girl casually gave the address of her pre-booked hotel. She rested her phone on her knees and secretly activated the simulator.
After not checking for an entire afternoon, how was Ogerpon doing?
Sera looked at the screen.
[Ogerpon is in the midst of a fierce battle.]
[Ogerpon has sensed your presence!]
[Ogerpon summons her strength, gritting her teeth and holding on!]
"...?"
--+--
Time back to half a day ago.
Carmine had decided to carry out her plan at noon.
Although it was easier to conceal one's figure and act in secret at night, Carmine and Kieran had other troubles to consider.
The siblings were still young, and because they had recently encountered a ghost, they had attracted the attention of their grandfather. If they didn't return home for the night, they wouldn't be able to come up with a believable excuse on the spot.
Taking this into account, Carmine had no choice but to choose the daytime, and after a bit of deliberation, she settled on noon.
Generally speaking, people tend to feel a bit drowsy after eating lunch, which naturally causes their attention to drift. It is easy for one's mind to fail to react quickly when an unexpected situation arises at that time.
More importantly, Carmine’s investigations confirmed that there would be almost no one at the Loyalty Plaza at noon.
No one would tour the plaza under the scorching sun, especially during the off-season for tourism, when most locals and visitors stayed in the Mossui Town Community Center, waiting for the Festival of Masks.
Carmine snuck into the Loyalty Plaza and called out a Pokémon.
"Poochyena, keep watch for me. If anyone comes, bark loudly."
"Woof, woof..."
The small, gray-black dog seemed to understand Carmine's intent and responded softly.
As a Dark-type Pokémon, the Poochyena was somewhat excited. It wagged its tail constantly, twitching its nose as it tried its best to observe the surroundings.
With the Poochyena acting as a lookout, Carmine felt her courage swell.
Although Carmine usually wore a stern expression that made her look like a "villain," she had actually almost never done anything truly bad. If we’re talking about causing trouble, she wasn't even as bad as her younger brother, who used to sneak into Oni Mountain alone when he was small.
But now, Carmine was about to pull off an unprecedented stunt.
"So, these are the statues of the Loyal Three..."
Carmine stared at the statues before her.
The Dog, the Monkey, the Pheasant.
Three different companions. When Carmine was young, she had often joined the adults in paying her respects to them.
As soon as those memories surfaced, she felt a wave of nausea. Carmine couldn't imagine what kind of state of mind her grandfather must have been in to go along with everyone else.
"I'm going to smash you all to pieces!"
Carmine found a rock on the ground. She knew she couldn't use her Pokémon, because the fur patterns of her Vulpix were too distinct. Even if the probability was low, if Vulpix left even a single red hair behind while attacking, it would lead to big trouble if discovered.
Carmine kept up with her training and was very confident in her own physique. She raised the rock and smashed it hard against the statues of the Loyal Three.
Bang!
With a crisp sound, the statues collided and crumbled into a pile of rubble just like that.
The task was so easy that even Carmine was a bit surprised. She hurriedly took out her phone, failing to notice that as the statues shattered, there were faint tremors coming from beneath the ground.
--+--
Digital Pokemon - 25
--+--
Chapter 25: Heroes and Wicked Oni
--+--
Carmine was busy editing a text message, getting ready to set Kieran into motion, when the corner of her eye caught a flash of pinkish-purple light.
The broken statues of the Loyal Three began to pour forth a massive, radiant glow, and the ground started to tremble.
Once the energy reached its threshold, a pillar of light shot straight into the sky. Carmine was forced to look away, the brilliance too intense to face head-on.
"Wha—what on earth is going on?!"
Startled, Carmine’s slip into the Kitakami dialect was purely subconscious. Fortunately, the light pillar and the earthquake didn’t last long. Even so, witnessing such a spectacle, Carmine felt she didn't need to send that message to Kieran anymore.
Forget the Kitakami Community Center—the whole region must be able to see this!
Yet, as the dust from the tremor settled, several distinct cries rang out.
Carmine peeked again, and her eyes widened.
Three Pokémon had appeared before her: a sturdy, bipedal dog-like Pokémon with black and green patterns; a lean, purple-faced monkey; and a pheasant of exquisite, otherworldly beauty.
Dog, monkey, pheasant...
Carmine’s face drained of color. She instantly realized the true identities of the three Pokémon standing before her.
"Okidogi!"
The leading dog saw the look of utter disbelief on Carmine’s face and curled its lip into a smirk.
"Munkidori."
"Fezandipiti."
The monkey and the pheasant chimed in with their own shrill cries. Then, ignoring Carmine entirely, they huddled together, whispering to one another in hushed, conspiratorial tones.
Using this brief gap, Carmine tried to steady her racing heart. Though she was trembling, she forced herself to think.
There was no doubt about it: these three were the very heroes of Kitakami legend—the Loyal Three!
The sturdy Okidogi, the clever Munkidori, and the beautiful Fezandipiti.
...But weren't the Loyal Three supposed to have been killed by Ogerpon?
Regardless of how distorted the legends had become compared to the truth, every single version of the story ended with the Loyal Three meeting their demise at the hands of the "wicked" oni.
And yet, here they were, alive and standing right in front of her.
Carmine felt a splitting headache coming on; she couldn't wrap her head around it. They couldn't have just come back to life, could they?
The Loyal Three left Carmine to her own devices, chattering for a long while before suddenly turning and sprinting down the mountain, paying the shattered statues no mind.
"Hey?! Wait up!"
Carmine’s shouts didn't stop them. Glancing at the direction they were headed, she realized immediately that they were bound for the Kitakami Center.
The next moment, her phone buzzed in her hand.
"Sis!" Kieran’s voice was trembling. "I just saw a huge commotion on your end. What exactly is going on..."
"Don't worry about that for now!"
There was no time for a long explanation; Carmine glossed over the details and cut straight to the point. "The Loyal Three just came back to life! I just saw them heading toward the Kitakami Center. I’m afraid they’re going for the masks. Have you seen them?"
"Wha—Sis, I’ve never even heard of the Loyal Three coming back to life before!"
"I don't get it either, that’s why I told you not to worry about it! So, are they there? Do you see them?"
"There's nothing here but—"
Before he could finish, the voice on the other end cut off abruptly.
"Hello? Kieran? Are you still there?!"
"Sis..." Kieran’s voice sounded hollow with disbelief. "I think... I think I really do see them."
--+--
Kitakami, Kitakami Center.
Kieran stood in a corner, clutching his phone, watching as three Pokémon—each with a distinct form that matched the village legends perfectly—flew straight into the center of the plaza.
The adults were struck with terror, but upon recognizing the figures, the village administrator was the first to step forward, bowing in a show of reverence.
Kieran watched, shivering, as the Loyal Three seemed taken aback at first, but upon seeing the humans treating them with such respect—and even watching as someone ran into a building to retrieve the three masks—they all broke into wicked, malicious grins.
On the other end of the line, Carmine kept urging him for answers, but witnessing this unfolding scene, Kieran was too stunned to speak.
It wasn't until a long while later, after the Loyal Three had taken the masks and headed toward Oni Mountain, that Kieran finally managed to tremble out a report to his sister.
Johto Region, Goldenrod City.
Sera frowned, watching the enemies Ogerpon was facing in her simulator.
[Okidogi has initiated an attack on Ogerpon!]
[Munkidori has initiated an attack on Ogerpon!]
[Fezandipiti has initiated an attack on Ogerpon!]
While Sera had been on the train, the system had triggered a random event. As soon as she opened the simulator, she was greeted by these three Pokémon she had never seen before.
The quest hints she had unlocked earlier now featured three arrows pointing directly at the three new arrivals on the screen.
...Does this mean the masks are with them?
The situation was delicate. At first, Ogerpon had been fighting three-on-one, the situation dire and her defenses failing. But the moment Sera logged in, she seemed to draw upon new strength, swinging her Ivy Cudgel to force the three Pokémon back.
After that strike, exclamation marks appeared over the heads of the three Pokémon in Sera's view. They backed away cautiously, and for a moment, a stalemate formed.
The flash of anger Sera had felt when she first saw them ganging up on Ogerpon began to fade, and she started to think rationally.
The masks that belonged to Ogerpon were now, for some reason, in the possession of these sudden arrivals. And these Pokémon didn’t seem like total strangers to Ogerpon—they were wary of her Ivy Cudgel, which proved they knew exactly how dangerous she could be.
With that thought, Sera looked at their names again: Okidogi, Munkidori, and Fezandipiti.
The names sounded like a matched set, and the dog-monkey-pheasant combination felt strangely familiar. Coupled with the traits Ogerpon had shown...
If you added a Momotaro to the mix, wasn't this just the classic folklore from her past life?
Sera’s brow furrowed even deeper.
A wicked oni is defeated by Momotaro... is that why Ogerpon is being surrounded?
Even though she hadn't seen a Pokémon representing Momotaro yet, Sera had a rough grasp of the situation. The system quests had always referred to Ogerpon as a "wicked oni." Perhaps, in the past, she really had done things that made people fear her.
But Sera didn't care. She only knew what Ogerpon meant to her, and she cherished the innocence the Pokémon had shown her, along with the deep trust they shared.
At that moment, the system prompt chimed in.
--+--
[Urgent Event: Revenge]
[The hatred of years past resurfaces. The villains who once stole the masks have returned. Now, they are called the heroes who protected the village. Justice is irrelevant—defeat them alongside Ogerpon.]
[Quest Goal: Defeat the Loyal Three]
[Quest Reward: Effort Values x20, Raising Points x100, Masks x3]
--+--
Digital Pokemon - 26
--+--
Chapter 26: Shattered
--+--
The legends of Kitakami have been passed down for centuries, and for Ogerpon, that past felt like an eternity ago.
Long ago, the ancestors of Carmine and Kieran had crafted four masks for her.
The Cornerstone Mask, representing joy.
The Hearthflame Mask, representing rage.
The Wellspring Mask, representing sorrow.
And the Teal Mask, which Ogerpon still carries today, representing mirth.
When those masks were stolen, Ogerpon’s heart was shattered. After the passing of so much time, she found it difficult to feel such complex emotions anymore.
Joy, or rage—it hardly mattered.
The fury that once filled her heart—after being misunderstood, ostracized, losing her companions, and being burdened with a long-standing infamy—could no longer be easily stirred.
As for those sorrows and tears, now that time had washed over them, even if she tried to recall them, she could at most only feel a faint, lingering sadness.
Ogerpon had long since grown accustomed to hiding and running away. Though she often felt lonely, she was even more terrified of encountering humans.
Whenever she wore the Teal Mask, a symbol of supreme bliss, Ogerpon was merely hiding her true expression behind a mask of manic laughter.
But now, Ogerpon’s heart was drumming with an emotion she had never known before.
From the past to the present, Ogerpon had always feared loneliness. Yet, because she feared sadness even more, she had preferred to avoid humans and Pokemon alike, living its life in isolation.
Until Sera summoned Ogerpon.
The girl often thanked Ogerpon in her heart, viewing the little one as the spark that rekindled her dreams and brought her hope. She believed that even if Ogerpon were merely electronic data, she deserved to be cherished with all her heart.
But Sera could never have imagined that Ogerpon’s feelings for her were a thousand times stronger than her own.
To protect the happy life she had obtained after an untold accumulation of luck, the Teal Mask worn by the Ogre suddenly erupted with a brilliant radiance like never before.
Even Carmine and Kieran, breathless as they climbed the mountain in pursuit of the Loyal Three, saw that jewel-like, dazzling beam of light.
Both of them stared, wide-eyed.
--+--
[The memories of living with you until now shall become Ogerpon’s strength!]
As if to signal that this system prompt was unlike any other, the simulator in Sera’s hand trembled violently.
Then, the girl saw a crystalline light.
[Ogerpon is Terastallizing the Teal Mask!]
The Teal Mask, which was normally only half the size of Ogerpon, suddenly expanded under the shroud of light. In the blink of an eye, it grew large enough to cover Ogerpon’s entire body, hovering before it like a shield.
In an instant, plant roots made of energy sprouted from the edges of the Teal Mask, and crystal branches truly resembling an ogre’s horns grew from the top.
As dazzling, fragmented light scattered, Sera saw Ogerpon revealed in an entirely new form.
"Gah-oh! Poni-oh!"
[Ogerpon’s Ability has changed to Embody Aspect (Teal Mask)!]
[Embody Aspect (Teal Mask): Reflects memories within the heart, causing the Teal Mask to shine; every time it enters the battlefield, its Speed rises by one stage.]
Sera had never seen a case in her memory where Terastallization changed an Ability. Thinking back to how the crystals embedded in the Teal Mask looked identical to Tera Jewels, the girl grew pensive.
But right now, aside from Sera, every gaze fixed upon Ogerpon was incredibly tense.
[Ogerpon used Ivy Cudgel!]
The Ogre hid behind the heavy mask and lunged forward.
Ogerpon, already incredibly fast, was even swifter under the influence of Embody Aspect. By the time it sprinted right in front of Okidogi, the hulking, bipedal dog hadn't even had time to react.
"Pon!"
Ogerpon swung the Ivy Cudgel.
Wham!
The heavy cudgel, covered in thorny vines, slammed down with tremendous force. Okidogi scrambled to raise its arms, but under the weight of the blow, its form buckled. It dropped to one knee, causing cracks to spiderweb across the ground.
"Oki... dogi!"
Okidogi groaned in agony. Unlike Ogerpon, its memory of being revived was fresh, and this single strike nearly triggered its PTSD.
Sera, observing the battle through the simulator, took the opportunity to check Okidogi’s information.
A Poison and Fighting-type Pokemon. Its Ability was Toxic Chain, which had a 30% chance of badly poisoning the target when attacking.
Sera frowned as she glanced at Munkidori and Fezandipiti, realizing that aside from their secondary types—Psychic and Fairy, respectively—they also shared the Poison type and the Toxic Chain Ability.
...How troublesome.
Sera had been wondering why Ogerpon’s boosted Ivy Cudgel hadn't one-shot its opponent, but it turned out the enemy’s Poison-type had nullified half the effectiveness.
Even so, barring any accidents, Ogerpon could still easily defeat Okidogi.
But at that moment, the other two Loyal Three intervened.
[Munkidori used Clear Smog!]
[Fezandipiti used Wing Attack!]
Sera’s fingers moved urgently, triggering the QTE mode to clear buttons from the screen and help Ogerpon optimize the details of the fight.
This Munkidori was clearly smarter than the others; it had actually chosen to use Clear Smog to wipe away stat boosts.
Sera couldn't let it get its way.
Although Clear Smog was a guaranteed hit in the original game, the simulator was just like reality: if one reacted fast enough, the rhythm of an attack could be disrupted by countering with other moves.
Ogerpon responded immediately.
[Ogerpon remembered the move Quick Attack!]
The Ogre vanished in an instant. Okidogi let out a breath of relief as the heavy cudgel disappeared from its hands, but nearby, Munkidori was shocked to see Ogerpon appear right beside Fezandipiti.
[Ogerpon used Ivy Cudgel!]
Fezandipiti, which had just unfurled its beautiful wings to show off while attacking, faced the cudgel completely defenseless.
The Loyal Three all had different defensive capabilities, but Fezandipiti’s defense was far worse than Okidogi’s. A strike from the Ivy Cudgel—a move strong enough to shatter rocky ground even through Okidogi’s body—would have catastrophic consequences.
At this critical moment, Munkidori let out a sharp cry.
"Munkidori!"
It reached into its chest and pulled out an object.
Sera’s eyes were sharp; she immediately saw that what Munkidori held was a mask similar to the Teal Mask.
[Wellspring Mask: A Water-type mask containing incredible power.]
Munkidori had realized that the empowered Ogerpon could likely take on all three of them, so it brought out the mask to intimidate it.
But it hadn't expected that Ogerpon, having just regained its Terastallization powers, had no capacity to control its strength—and Fezandipiti was reliving the memory of being killed.
Just as the Ivy Cudgel was about to fall, Fezandipiti let out a shrill scream full of terror.
"Fezan-fiti!"
It scrambled in a panic, pulling out a mask of its own.
Under Munkidori’s horrified gaze, Ogerpon’s Ivy Cudgel slammed into the Hearthflame Mask that Fezandipiti had produced. They collided, and Fezandipiti collapsed to the ground.
CRACK!
The sound of the Hearthflame Mask shattering was etched deeply into the back of Sera’s mind.
--+--
Digital Pokemon - 27
--+--
Chapter 27: The Sealed Raising Slot
--+--
Ogerpon stood stunned.
Fezandipiti, barely clinging to consciousness, was covered in wounds. It didn't dare look at the Ogre's reaction; once so proud of its beautiful feathers, it crawled away in secret, keeping low to the ground.
Okidogi, still capable of movement, followed Munkidori’s signal, holding its breath and tip-toeing away toward the base of the mountain.
Only Ogerpon remained, oblivious to everything else, staring blankly at the Hearthflame Mask before it.
The Hearthflame Mask, representing rage, was now scattered in pieces across the ground. Even the dazzling crystal embedded in it had completely disintegrated.
"The mask... it shattered?"
Kieran, having caught his breath only to witness this scene, was left speechless.
Even without knowing how many traditional crafts his grandfather had inherited from their ancestors, Kieran felt that a mask shattered to this extent was beyond repair.
In other words...
One of the masks that Ogerpon was meant to possess was gone forever.
At this thought, even Carmine couldn't help but look toward the three Pokemon fleeing down the mountain.
"Those guys... they really have no bottom line!"
After destroying the Hearthflame Mask, the other two still kept their masks.
Even though Ogerpon was still wearing the Teal Mask, seeing the manic laughter on it, both siblings felt a wave of pity.
...What must the Ogre be feeling right now?
Even Ogerpon didn't know.
As for Sera, she was currently facing a different kind of crisis.
--+--
[Due to the permanent destruction of a collectable mask, the "Ogre of Oni Mountain: Part 4" quest cannot be completed. Quest failed!]
[Ding—]
[An unknown error has occurred. Ogerpon’s level can no longer be increased. Progression has stalled.]
[This system will now undergo self-diagnostic maintenance. During this time, the first Raising Slot will be inaccessible. As compensation, the system will grant [Raising Slot] +1 before maintenance is complete.]
Sera was caught completely off guard, her heart suffering a blow even more intense than when she saw the Hearthflame Mask break.
Come to think of it, the system had mentioned that Ogerpon needed to collect new masks to continue leveling up.
Because one of the masks was broken, Ogerpon could no longer collect the full set. Was that why maintenance was required?
The system gave the confused Sera no time to think, immediately starting the maintenance countdown.
[Warning: 10 seconds until maintenance begins...]
[Nine...]
Sera didn't have time to consider whether time inside the simulator would continue to pass during maintenance. She quickly activated the simulator and reached out to touch Ogerpon on the screen.
Please, receive my feelings!
Sera didn't know how long the maintenance would last; she could only try her best to convey her support.
[Ogerpon has sensed your prompt!]
The ten seconds passed in a flash. Feeling the simulator in her hand vibrate, the previously bright screen went dark. No matter how many times the girl tapped it, only a new prompt popped up.
[Detected that the Trainer has no Pokemon currently being raised.]
[Checking cooldown for summoning... Cooldown reset. You may perform your next Pokemon summon.]
"Miss, we’ve arrived at your destination."
The driver urged her from the front. Sera had no choice but to stand up, pay, and get out of the car.
Beside the seaside hotel, the ocean breeze hit her head-on. Thanks to that biting cold wind, Sera finally managed to calm down a little.
Since she had known for a long time that the simulator wasn't limited to a rigid script—much like a traditional open-world game—anything could happen.
Objects could be broken; that, too, was a logical possibility.
If Sera had noticed this sooner, she could have intentionally avoided the masks while guiding Ogerpon in battle.
If she had done that, Ogerpon, having already triggered its new battle form, could have easily retrieved the masks.
—If she had, the raising process could have continued.
Her first attempt at raising had ended abruptly.
Though she didn't want to admit it, Sera had to accept the truth. She also needed to face her own carelessness.
So.
What should she do next?
Rationally speaking, Ogerpon was just electronic data. It was her first time, so a failure was reasonable and not the end of the world.
The system prompt had left her an opening; locking the first slot while providing a second as compensation was a clear encouragement for Sera to continue the simulation.
But could she really just move on to a second attempt with a clear conscience?
Sera had always thought of herself as having a very rational personality, but here, she found it difficult to make a choice.
The girl dragged her suitcase, leaning against the railing, and continued to think amidst the sea breeze.
Sera understood her own thoughts very well. If she wanted to become a Trainer, but couldn't reach the pinnacle, blindly chasing the dream was meaningless.
That was why, three years ago, she had apprenticed under Kurt to learn the craft of making Poke Balls.
In the end, it was just that she wasn't as rational as she had imagined. Her past choices had merely been selecting the easiest path among a few options.
Once her heart was swayed by emotion, Sera was just as prone to confusion as anyone else.
How could abandoning Ogerpon ever be an easy thing to do?
Whenever she imagined Ogerpon living in isolation after losing her company, Sera’s heart felt like a taut string.
She desperately wished she could trade that second raising slot for a chance to turn back time—to go back to the moment she guided Ogerpon in battle.
But such a power to traverse time was something that only two kinds of Pokemon in the world possessed.
The Mythical Pokemon revered as the guardian of the forest, Celebi, who could travel through time.
The creator of time, the Legendary Pokemon Dialga, who ruled over the flow of time.
—Should she just take a gamble? What if she summoned one of these two? Perhaps there would be a chance?
Sera felt her head growing hotter the more she thought about it. If this continued, she might actually do something impulsive.
To cool down, the girl took out her phone and aimlessly tapped into a search engine.
She suddenly remembered the three Pokemon she had seen in the simulator.
Okidogi, Munkidori, Fezandipiti...
When she first searched for information on Ogerpon, Sera hadn't found anything. What about these three?
The girl didn't hold out much hope as she typed their names into the search bar.
A moment later, a massive stream of news articles appeared. Seeing those pages, Sera couldn't help but widen her eyes.
[The Kitakami Six—The amazing natural landscapes you must visit in Kitakami!]
[The Festival of Masks is about to begin; before that, here is what you need to know about the legends of Kitakami!]
[The heroes who protect the village, the Ogre that wanders Oni Mountain—the terrifying legends you must know before traveling to Kitakami!]
Ogerpon really didn't exist in any news on the internet.
However, the legendary history that Kitakami had promoted for years was everywhere.
Seeing the familiar words, the girl’s mind blanked for a moment.
--+--
Digital Pokemon - 28
--+--
Chapter 28: Ogerpon, Running Away from Home!
--+--
Kitakami, Dreaded Den.
Ogerpon was busy packing her belongings.
Her Teal Mask, a blanket, a small ball, and a few shriveled-up Cheri Berries. She tucked them all into her arms with the utmost care, let out a soft breath of relief, and stepped out of the Dreaded Den.
Outside, the area was still in shambles.
The aftermath of yesterday’s battle had yet to be cleaned up; in the past, Ogerpon would have tidied everything away before settling down to sleep. But today, she was prepared to leave.
That’s right.
—She was leaving Kitakami.
Ogerpon felt no hesitation in her heart. She knew clearly what she truly longed for, and how trivial those things she once valued had become.
Far below in the village, the rowdy sounds of the festival drifted up, occasionally punctuated by some shouting.
"…Got it."
"…Wishy-washy."
"…Hee-hee-hee."
Ogerpon curled her lip, unwilling to pay them any mind. Clutching her things tight, she headed toward the other side of the mountain.
In the past, whenever lonely Ogerpon heard the lively sounds of the festival from her den, she would put on her mask in the middle of the night and mingle with the other masked festival-goers, watching from the edge of the square.
She had been terrified of loneliness, which was why she desperately tried to cling to any scrap of comfort that could warm her heart.
But now, Ogerpon no longer needed those hollow comforts.
Ogerpon reached deep into her bundle and touched her most cherished possession.
—The doll that looked exactly like her.
No matter where she was, as long as she stared at that doll, Ogerpon felt as if she were still by her side. Even though she hadn't returned for an entire day and night.
Ogerpon still remembered how, before saying goodbye, she had spoken of how reluctant she was to leave.
Something must have happened on her end, which meant she needed to rush to her side immediately.
Ogerpon rubbed her cheek against the doll once more before reluctantly letting go. The doll of the white-haired girl began to emit a faint golden glow, floating in the air and subtly guiding the way for Ogerpon.
"Oger-pon, Oger-pon."
Ogerpon nodded repeatedly, tucked the doll back into her arms, and looked toward the direction indicated.
Is this the way forward?
Trusting the doll's guidance, she broke into a trot along the mountain path without the slightest hesitation.
Behind her, Carmine and Kieran were stealthily trailing her, observing where the "ogre" was headed.
"…That direction, it doesn’t look like it’s leading to the Kitakami Center."
Carmine calculated for a moment, a look of surprise on her face. During yesterday’s great battle, Ogerpon had easily defeated the Loyal Three.
Even though her Hearthflame Mask had been shattered and the Loyal Three had fled the scene, they had returned to the Kitakami Center. After Carmine and Kieran followed them back, all they saw was the trio acting as if they had won, strutting about while being congratulated by the adults.
Those despicable Loyal Three!
Thinking of that unbearable scene made Carmine’s teeth itch with hatred, and she clenched her fists.
Kieran didn't think quite as deeply; he just made a guess based on the path. "That’s the port, right?"
What would Ogerpon be doing at the port? The siblings looked at each other, confused, and had no choice but to keep following.
It didn't take long for them to see Ogerpon standing in the distance, sizing up the ships at the dock.
This…
The intent behind her actions was far too obvious. Carmine and Kieran immediately realized that Ogerpon was likely trying to board a ship and leave Kitakami.
Leaving Kitakami?
The thought stirred a flood of complex emotions in both of them.
Regardless of everything, Ogerpon was a part of Kitakami’s ancient legends, but now she wanted to leave—a result, no doubt, of years of persecution by the villagers. Just yesterday, Ogerpon had even been forced to watch her own mask be shattered because of the Loyal Three’s unprovoked attack.
Perhaps that was the final straw, the catalyst that pushed Ogerpon to decide to leave.
"Ugh, I’m so mad!"
Why was it that Ogerpon had to leave, while those three scoundrels were worshipped by the villagers? The more she thought about it, the more furious Carmine became.
Her expression turned so terrifying that even Kieran, who felt the same way, didn't dare to speak.
But no matter how angry they were, they were still just children. Their words carried no weight, and they lacked the strength to defeat the Loyal Three.
Unable to vent her anger, a frustrated Carmine turned her gaze back to Ogerpon. A ship’s horn blew in the distance, and Ogerpon appeared to grow a bit more anxious.
She must be in a hurry.
After all, Ogerpon was only a Pokémon; it wouldn't be that simple for her to just board a ship. Carmine thought for a moment, sized up Ogerpon’s stature again, and made a decision.
"Kieran, how much money do you have?"
"Huh?" The boy blinked, unsure of her intention, but answered instinctively. "I don't have much allowance. Isn't it all with you, Sis?"
"You're really useless, aren't you?" Carmine clicked her tongue in disdain, but she didn't say anything more. She weighed the thickness of her own wallet, gritted her teeth, and began to walk forward.
Ogerpon heard footsteps and turned to see the two of them.
"Hey!"
No matter how many times she saw that ogre mask, Carmine always felt a shiver of fear, but now she had to bite the bullet.
"I get it. You want to leave Kitakami, right?" Carmine said, walking toward the ship. "Just staring at it won't do anything. I'll help you!"
Carmine didn't dare look back, charging ahead with blind determination.
Only when she heard Ogerpon’s footsteps following behind her did she manage to exhale a breath of relief. She led Ogerpon in a wide circle until they reached the ticket inspector in front of the ship.
"Hi there, I’m seeing my friend off…"
"Boarding?" The inspector glanced at the masked figure behind them. "Is it her?"
"That’s right." Carmine forced a smile and handed over the ticket she’d just emptied her wallet to buy. "This kid is a bit shy, she doesn’t dare board alone. She’s afraid of seeing other people’s faces, that’s why she’s wearing the mask."
"Oh, I understand," the inspector nodded. "It’s one of those masks used in your village's masked festival, right? It looks really nice—shiny and well-crafted. I almost want to buy one for my daughter."
"…I'm sure you'll be able to buy one when you attend the festival."
Though it definitely wouldn't be as exquisite as the original, Carmine thought, secretly grumbling to herself.
She hadn't expected the process to go so smoothly, mostly thanks to the fact that Ogerpon’s height, with the mask on, was about the same as a child’s.
Carmine had realized that if Ogerpon stood at about four feet tall and kept her mask on, no one would look closely enough to realize she was actually a Pokémon.
Having settled the trouble, Carmine turned around and intentionally spoke loudly. "Anyway, you'll have to take care of yourself from here on out!"
She wanted to reach out and pat Ogerpon’s shoulder, but thought better of it and offered a word of encouragement instead. "If you don't like it out there, just come back to Kitakami!"
Carmine didn't know if her feelings had reached Ogerpon, but perhaps it wasn't just her imagination—she saw the "ogre" give a tiny nod before stepping onto the ship.
A friend, huh…
Carmine had fooled the inspector in the name of friendship, never having imagined that Ogerpon wouldn't mind it at all.
Watching the ship pull away as the whistle blew again, she was filled with a thousand emotions.
"Ogre…"
On the other side, Kieran, still unable to stop thinking about Ogerpon, stared at the ship and muttered to himself, "If I had the power… if I were just strong enough…"
--+--
Digital Pokemon - 29
--+--
Chapter 29: Ogerpon, Searching with All Your Might!
--+--
Sera sat on the bed in her hotel room, sorting through the information she had gathered.
First things first.
She had wondered earlier whether Ogerpon might be a Legendary Pokemon.
After all, the simulator had previously pulled three Legendary Pokemon in a row. Based on probability, it was highly likely that Ogerpon was an entity of a similar caliber.
Given the information she had collected—the legends regarding the "ogre" in Kitakami, the historical accounts of the hero who protected the village, and the fact that no specific information about Ogerpon could be found online—her conviction that Ogerpon was a Legendary Pokemon had risen to ninety percent.
The remaining ten percent of doubt stemmed from Ogerpon’s performance in the simulator; after all, when Sera first met her, the little ogre was only at level 5.
Even so, in the original games, there were plenty of Legendary Pokemon that appeared in similar states.
Take Cosmog or Kubfu, for example.
Legendary Pokemon could indeed appear in a weak state, and Ogerpon was already considered quite powerful among them.
At the very least, that Ivy Cudgel move perfectly matched Sera’s vision of what a Legendary Pokemon should be.
—Therefore, I’ll just treat Ogerpon as a Legendary Pokemon.
As she typed the conclusion into her phone’s notepad, Sera’s feelings became increasingly complicated.
Pokemon that existed only in myths and legends were called Legendary Pokemon, or, as fans more commonly put it, "Divine Beasts."
Ever since she transmigrated, once she realized the world she was in closely followed the game’s worldview, Sera had never dared to dream of capturing a Legendary Pokemon.
After all, the Legendary Pokemon in the games were not like those lackluster creatures seen in the animated movies. Counting from the first generation to the eighth, only a few from the last couple of generations were underwhelming.
For a Trainer below the Champion level, they remained completely out of reach.
Before activating the system, Sera hadn't even dared to imagine reaching the pinnacle of Trainers, let alone touching a Legendary Pokemon.
At this thought, the young girl sighed deeply and moved her finger back to the top line of her notes:
Capture Ogerpon.
The moment she realized Ogerpon likely existed in reality, this idea had taken root.
Kitakami had records of where the ogre lived, but because the local residents feared it, almost no one ever went near those places.
Oni Mountain, and the Dreaded Den deep within Oni’s Maw.
Without needing to think, the location she had memorized so clearly appeared in her mind.
That was Ogerpon’s home. As long as she went there, she could see the Ogerpon she had been longing for.
Yet, Sera still couldn't make the final decision.
The Electronic Pokemon in the simulator were just data; the Ogerpon in reality would not have any memories of living with her.
Sera arrived at a rational conclusion:
If she reached out to her, it would be starting entirely from scratch, and a plan to encounter a Legendary Pokemon had not been part of her life’s roadmap.
So, should she give up on Ogerpon?
The moment the thought surfaced, a strong feeling of resistance welled up in the girl’s heart.
And so, Sera understood.
She couldn't possibly give up on Ogerpon.
Sera had already admitted to herself that the first raising error had been her own mistake, and the regret she felt then was anything but fake.
And this time, if she let a little bit of cowardice fester and didn't dare to see Ogerpon again, wouldn't that make her a complete and total coward?
Sera would never allow herself to become that kind of person.
Even if Ogerpon didn't recognize her, Sera already knew her well. That lonely little ogre was likely still living in the Dreaded Den, waiting for someone to save her.
—It would simply mean meeting and getting to know each other all over again.
There were many excuses for giving up, but if she wanted to take this step, just liking her was enough.
Besides, if she didn't go to save Ogerpon, who else could help her?
Sera hadn't forgotten the legend of the Loyal Three.
Although the records in Kitakami said the Loyal Three were dead, if they were to be resurrected just like in the simulator, the lonely Ogerpon would surely be bullied.
Kitakami was located near Sinnoh.
If she traveled from Goldenrod City to Kitakami, a flight would require several transfers. By boat, however, a vessel going directly to Kitakami would arrive at the Goldenrod City port the day after tomorrow.
"A ticket for the day after tomorrow?"
Going to Kitakami meant a major change to her travel plans.
Sera didn't know how much time it would take to get to know Ogerpon, but regardless, the Trainer who had booked her for an escort mission would definitely be stood up.
"...It can't be helped. I'll treat that Lure Ball as compensation."
Sera threw the trivial matter to the back of her mind and bought the ticket.
Tonight was destined to be a sleepless one.
Sera spent the day killing time in the hotel. By noon on the third day, she lazily rose, dragged her suitcase along, and headed for the Pokemon Center.
--+--
Johto Region, Goldenrod City Port.
Ogerpon, drawing curious stares from countless people, jumped off the cruise ship.
"Is that... a Pokemon?"
"I’ve never seen that type before..."
"Why would it jump off a cruise ship?"
The Johto region didn't have the customs of Kitakami.
Still wearing her Teal Mask, Ogerpon looked quite strange to the passersby; she certainly didn't look like a human child. But Ogerpon was too fast.
Before anyone could get close, she had already dashed toward the streets.
After arriving in Goldenrod City, the aura that Ogerpon could originally only vaguely sense became clearer and clearer.
—It’s here!
Ogerpon was certain she was very close to her destination, and her heart was filled with joy.
But then, Ogerpon got lost in the bustling metropolis.
The number of residents and tourists in Goldenrod City far exceeded that of Kitakami. Just by sensing the crowds, Ogerpon began to shrink back. Not daring to walk on the main roads, she could only keep searching for alleyways.
The doll of the young girl she held in her arms was no longer responding, looking as if it had burned through all its energy and lay motionless.
Where could she be...
Ogerpon’s mood turned somewhat dejected. Avoiding the crowds, she spotted a small park filled with plants.
Her eyes lit up, and she hurried toward the greenery. Feeling the natural aura, her mood eased up a little.
Although the search was fraught with difficulties, Ogerpon would not give up!
Just then, the little ogre suddenly heard a noisy commotion.
"...I’ve already told you, the request is void. Just take the commission payment and consider it a day."
The voice was heard for the first time, yet it made Ogerpon feel incredibly familiar, causing the little ogre to freeze in her tracks.
--+--
Digital Pokemon - 30
--+--
Chapter 30: Ogerpon, Finally Meeting!
--+--
Ogerpon snuck along, hiding within the bushes, her eyes fixed intently on the silver-haired young woman.
The girl’s features were delicate, like fine porcelain, and her gaze was clear. Although she wore an expression of helplessness while talking to someone else, just looking at her face made Ogerpon unable to help herself from covering her mouth.
"Pon..."
This is definitely the one who has always been by my side!
Ogerpon was already impatient and wanted to leap out of the bushes, but the girl was still in the middle of a conversation.
I mustn't cause trouble for her.
Ogerpon finally managed to suppress her excitement, continuing to observe with cautious care.
--+--
"...I’ve already told you, the commission has been cancelled. Just take the reward and pretend this never happened."
Sera let out a long sigh.
"I absolutely will not!"
Before her, a cute, petite blue-haired girl placed her hands on her hips, pouted, and glared up at Sera.
Sera felt helpless.
She truly hadn't expected such a simple matter to become so complicated.
She had only gone to the Pokemon Center to cancel the commission, yet she had bumped into the Trainer who had accepted it waiting in the lobby—and she had overheard everything.
With so many Trainers in Goldenrod City, how on earth did I run into her?
Not only that, this girl was even more stubborn than Sera had anticipated.
"There’s no logic in taking a reward for a commission I didn't complete! I went through all the trouble of getting ready for this. If you don't want to cancel, then just take me with you wherever you're going—I'll beat up whoever you need me to!"
Ryugu shouted loudly.
Despite being half a head shorter than Sera and looking quite childish, her tone carried a hint of "fierce-but-cute" attitude.
Recalling the background of this particular Trainer, Sera couldn't help but marvel.
Are all members of the Dragon Clan this belligerent?
Sera complained inwardly, though she still tried her best to refuse on the surface.
"I’m heading to another region. It wouldn't be convenient to bring you along."
"An... another region?!"
The blue-haired girl’s expression faltered significantly. Obviously, she hadn't expected that Sera intended to travel to another region after cancelling the commission.
But the words were already out, and taking them back would be terribly embarrassing.
"No problem! I was just looking to see the strength of Trainers in other regions anyway!"
Sera really wanted to point out that she could clearly see the sweat beading on her forehead.
She was willing to talk things through with Ryugu only because backing out of a deal felt dishonest, but Ryugu wouldn't give up even after it reached this point.
If this dragged on any longer, she was going to miss her boat.
I need to find a way to refuse her once and for all.
Sera’s thoughts raced. Just as she was about to speak, the sound of rustling grass echoed from not far away. Both of them subconsciously looked toward the noise.
A verdant green figure burst through the wind. In that instant, Sera caught a scent reminiscent of citrus, and she couldn't help but sniff the air, only to hear the intruder's cry immediately after.
"Pon!!!"
It was a voice so familiar, yet it had no business being here, leaving Sera stunned.
As for Ryugu, who was facing the intruder head-on, she began to panic.
"Wh... what?!"
She stared at the creature before her, which was dragging a large club covered in thorny vines toward her. The sound of the club scraping against the grass made a grating noise, and Ryugu’s anxiety spiked.
So terrifying!
Seeing the manic, laughing ogre mask on the creature's face, the little girl began to feel real fear.
This is too much for me.
I just wanted to complete a simple commission; why are all these demons and monsters showing up?
Ryugu couldn't help but gulp, her voice dry as she scrambled to change her tune toward Sera.
"I-I-I... I say."
The blue-haired girl’s voice had become stuttering.
"If I help you beat this thing back, does that count as me completing the commission?"
"Gaa-oh... Pon-oh!"
As if sensing the provocation in her words, the Ogre brandished its club with a grand, intimidating display.
Thud!
It slammed the club into the grass, creating a pit and eliciting a shriek from Ryugu.
"Eeee!!!"
By the time Ryugu was terrified to the point of collapse, Sera finally snapped out of her shock.
"...I think there is no need for this fight to happen."
The girl’s tone was subtle.
"How about you run away first? I’ll go the other way."
"S-s-say... that’s right!"
Ryugu nodded frantically.
Even if she were destined to be the world's top Dragon-type Trainer, one had to know when to retreat.
Running away once wouldn't ruin her lifelong reputation. Besides, the plan was someone else's idea; she was just, ever so slightly, going along with it.
"Then I’m running!"
The blue-haired girl turned around without a second thought and bolted toward the exit of the small park.
Seeing Ryugu’s swift and determined escape, Sera couldn't help but smile. Then, she turned to face the Ogre, who had turned its mask toward her.
"I knew it..."
The silver-haired girl walked up to the quietly standing Ogre, reached out to stroke its head, and then guided her fingers toward the mask.
Behind the mask, its orange, star-shaped eyes were already misty.
Sera wiped away the tear drops, her voice half-helpless and half-relieved.
"...This Electronic Pokemon Raising System... truly never had a single reliable aspect from start to finish, did it?"
What "electronic" system?
There is absolutely nothing electronic about this at all.
Before Sera could pull her hand back, the Ogre had already opened its arms, returning the hug to the crouching girl.
"Pon~"
The grievance of not seeing each other for over two days was fully released in this moment.
"It’s okay... it’s okay."
Sera knew very well what kind of emotions the little one in her arms was holding.
Not long ago, she had been fueled by that same persistence, wanting to rush to Kitakami to see Ogerpon again.
She just hadn't expected...Ogerpon had made up her mind even earlier than she had.
Before Sera had even taken a step, Ogerpon had already come racing toward her.
It’s just too good to be true.
There was no need to start from scratch.
So, the Electronic Pokemon she had drawn from the system were real existences.
From the very beginning, the one Sera had been raising was the real Ogerpon.
There was not a shred of resentment in the girl’s heart for the system’s false advertising; only pleasant surprise remained.
And now, the little Ogre, emitting that citrus scent and being thousands of times cuter than the pixelated version in the simulator, was right there in her embrace.
"Pon... Pon-oh..."
As Sera felt Ogerpon’s true, tangible warmth, Ogerpon was greedily soaking up the girl’s body heat.
In this warm embrace, listening to the girl’s gentle tone—this was a luxury experience she hadn't dared to dream of, yet it had turned into reality.
"You don't have to be afraid anymore."
Both Sera and Ogerpon had so much more they wanted to say.
But Sera calmed herself first, speaking in a soft, tender whisper.
"I am right by your side, and from now on, I won't leave you for even a single step."
"So, let's head back first, and have a good chat about our plans for the future."
--+--