Digital Pokemon - 31
--+--
Chapter 31: Sera’s Resolve
--+--
Two hours later, Sera was back at the hotel, feeding Berries to her companion.
"Ah..."
At the girl's signal, Ogerpon opened her mouth, caught the Oran Berry, and a look of pure bliss washed over her as she chewed.
"Pon!"
"Do you want some more?"
"Poni-oh!"
Sera fed Ogerpon all three of the Oran Berries she had just purchased.
The fresh Berries from the shop were every bit as good as the ones from the system, and seeing the delight on Ogerpon’s face made Sera’s own mood lift considerably.
After realizing that the Ogerpon from the simulator wasn't just digital data, but a living, breathing Pokemon, Sera had accepted the reality, but many questions still lingered in her mind.
Just a moment ago, through Ogerpon’s excited gestures and frantic miming, Sera had pieced together how she had arrived in Goldenrod City.
It was actually quite simple.
A villager from Kitakami who had challenged Ogerpon not long ago had bought her a ferry ticket. Once on board, Ogerpon had been clever enough to find her cabin, where she had survived for two days on nothing but a few shriveled Oran Berries.
Though Sera didn't understand why Ogerpon kept holding up that little doll that looked just like her during the explanation, she felt a wave of gratitude toward that villager in Kitakami for purchasing the ticket.
"...Carmine?"
Sera had seen the name on the ticket Ogerpon handed her.
Ogerpon was real, the villagers were real, and even the Pokemon she had taken on as subordinates back home were probably still wondering where their boss had disappeared to.
At the thought, a faint smile couldn't help but tug at the corners of the girl's lips.
Watching Sera smile, Ogerpon beamed back, then shuffled closer, leaning against her to peek at the information the girl was recording on her phone.
"Ugh..."
Feeling the sudden weight, Sera tilted to the side. With a helpless sigh, she adjusted her posture to make it easier for Ogerpon to lean on her.
The Ogerpon who had been so cute and pint-sized in the simulator was just as charming in reality, but there were physical details she hadn't accounted for before.
She was a clingy little demon who was deathly afraid of being lonely.
Standing only 1.2 meters tall, Ogerpon looked petite, but she weighed nearly as much as Sera—about 40 kilograms. When Ogerpon leaned against her with all her might, the girl definitely felt the pressure.
I need to boost my stats...
Sera, whose physical stamina wasn't exactly top-tier, used her free hand to call up the system menu and added three points to her Stamina in quick succession.
As her Effort Value reserve dropped to 7, she immediately felt the burden of Ogerpon’s affection lighten significantly.
"Poni-oh?"
Ogerpon tilted her head, sharp enough to notice the change. Sera looked back into Ogerpon’s twinkling, star-like eyes and the sharp fangs faintly visible in her small mouth.
Sera couldn't help but pat the little demon’s head.
"Are you satisfied now?"
"Pon!"
For a long time, Ogerpon’s life had been monotonous, with few moments of ease.
Because of this, Ogerpon’s threshold for happiness was incredibly low. Right now, as long as she could lean against Sera, her face would naturally glow with genuine happiness.
Sera was happy too, of course, but now that she had decided to take Ogerpon in, she felt it was necessary to give her a life like no other.
If need be, she would write a list of "100 Things to Make Ogerpon Happy" in her notebook and wouldn't rest until she had completed every single one of them!
Sera had already decided on the first item on that list.
"Let’s make a Poke Ball just for you."
"Poni-oh!"
Ogerpon didn't understand what a Poke Ball was, but that didn't stop her from cheering for Sera. Whatever Sera wanted to do, the little demon would support her unconditionally!
Sera had already picked up the materials for an Apricorn ball on the way back to the hotel.
Although a Pokemon would happily accept any Poke Ball if they were willing to be caught, Sera had been very particular in her choice.
She was going to make a Friend Ball.
As a testament to their bond, a Pokemon caught in a Friend Ball would immediately grow close to its trainer. Plus, the deep, lush green of the Friend Ball matched Ogerpon’s color palette perfectly.
She took out the raw Green Apricorn, split it in half along the center line, and scooped out the flesh, which emitted a faint, roasted aroma.
"Poni?"
Smelling the scent, Ogerpon leaned in, her expression full of curiosity as she had never seen an Apricorn before.
"It’s okay, you can eat it."
Sera smiled and handed the pulp to Ogerpon, who gobbled it up in one bite. Ogerpon shuddered for a second, then made a strange face.
"Poni-oh..."
The pulp of the Green Apricorn was roasted and fragrant, but the taste was intensely bitter. It wasn't until Ogerpon adjusted to the sharp aftertaste that a light, sweet flavor slowly emerged.
"Pon!"
Apricorns were a type of Berry, after all; they were a bit tough for humans to eat raw, but for a Pokemon, they were just right.
Ogerpon had just been surprised by the taste, but once she got used to it, she fell in love with the flavor.
Sera fed her all the pulp from the large Green Apricorn until the shell was hollowed out and the little demon was stuffed to the brim.
After finishing the Oran Berries and the Green Apricorn, Ogerpon could only lie on the bed, unable to move, watching with pathetic, wide eyes as Sera continued her work.
Sera forced herself to ignore Ogerpon’s longing, clingy gaze.
Affection was fine, but coddling was not. Work was work.
She wiped the remaining juice from the inside of the Apricorn and carefully lined the inner wall with specialized silk. As she worked through each step, however, her brow began to furrow.
When the final lining was set and she closed the halves of the Green Apricorn, looking at the nearly finished Friend Ball, she wasn't satisfied.
"...This won't do."
Sera sighed and tossed the ball into the trash can.
Ogerpon, who had just watched Sera treat the Apricorn with such care, let out a gasp of shock.
"Pon?!"
Sera fell into deep thought.
If measured by the standards set by Kurt, this Friend Ball would be considered a qualified product.
But that was all it was—a product.
Having seen the exquisite, top-tier Apricorn balls crafted by experts, Sera couldn't accept a Friend Ball that she had poured her heart into being nothing more than a commercial item.
Besides...
Had she really given it her absolute all?
Sera looked back at the toolkit on the table, and she already knew the answer.
Not by a long shot.
Even now, she still had unused Effort Values, and the focus provided by her Mental Power and the new physical stamina boost hadn't been fully utilized.
--+--
Digital Pokemon - 32
--+--
Chapter 32: The Second Draw
--+--
The morning light trickled through the curtains. A young girl’s eyelashes fluttered; as her eyes opened, she felt a distinct weight resting against her.
"Po..."
Ogerpon, having climbed onto her bed at some point, breathed softly by her ear. A faint, citrus-like scent drifted from the little ogre. Shaking off the lingering daze of sleep, Sera reached for the pillow beside her to check the time.
6:15 AM.
It was much earlier than she had anticipated.
Sera’s mind wandered back to the night before.
After she’d realized the quality of the Friend Balls she’d managed to craft wasn't quite up to snuff, she’d left the rest of the evening to Ogerpon—only to find that the little ogre’s only way of killing time was staring blankly into space.
After the two of them sat there face-to-face for a few minutes, Sera finally made the executive decision to put on a highly-rated movie.
The film was based on the Galar Champion, Leon. It told the story of a genius boy who vowed to become Champion at a young age, battling his way through tough opponents until, at only ten years old, he stepped onto the grandest stage in Galar to face his greatest rival.
It was a surprisingly well-produced film. Even Sera found herself swept away by the climactic, high-octane battle between a Gigantamax Charizard and a Gigantamax Duraludon.
And that was to say nothing of Ogerpon, who had never witnessed such a spectacle in her life.
With stars in her eyes and unblinking focus, Ogerpon had watched the entire film, remaining so energized afterward that she had tried to share her thoughts with Sera until the moment they finally fell asleep.
That was precisely why, even now, Sera felt a lingering sense of fatigue.
The Galar region truly lived up to its reputation for spectacular battles; even the League spared no expense in funding its cultural exports.
But the movie had sparked an idea in Sera.
It was clear that Ogerpon’s understanding of the outside world was severely lacking. While films and TV shows were dramatized, they were a far better bridge for a child-like creature like Ogerpon than dry, confusing news reports. It was essential to help her learn about the world through entertainment.
—They say that being a Trainer is, in many ways, no different from being a parent.
Recalling some of the rants she had read on the League forums, Sera nodded to herself.
It was true.
In the Electronic Pokemon Raising System, she was constantly thinking about how to properly care for Ogerpon. Back in reality, that role hadn't changed in the slightest.
With that thought, she realized it had been three days since she had last opened the simulator.
Even though Ogerpon had already found her, the Raising slots in the simulator remained under maintenance. Every time Sera opened the app, she was greeted by the same menu:
[Ogerpon (Under Maintenance)]
[Empty Slot (Available for Draw)]
The first slot was grayed out, completely inaccessible, which meant Sera hadn't been able to use the Raising Shop at all.
It was only after losing access that she realized how much she relied on it.
Sera figured that since Ogerpon had managed to find her in the real world, any items she redeemed from the shop would likely manifest right in front of her.
Putting aside the berries that could be bought in local markets, items like a Gible plush or a Lilligant blanket were truly unique—the kind of things you couldn't get with all the money in the world.
However.
The current Ogerpon could no longer increase her level.
The girl’s gaze drifted to the Teal Mask sitting on her nightstand.
Ogerpon’s true power stemmed from the four masks, each imbued with incredible energy. Possessing only the Teal Mask meant Ogerpon was essentially incomplete, unable to even wield her full strength.
The little ogre was innocent, carefree, and entirely focused on being with Sera; she hadn't even begun to consider the problem.
But Sera had to think for her. She had to find a way to make up for the missing masks.
Aside from the Teal Mask, the Wellspring Mask and the Hearthflame Mask were still in the hands of the Loyal Three, and the Cornerstone Mask—the very reason Ogerpon had run away from home in the first place—had been shattered to pieces.
Even if Sera were to set off for Kitakami right now to reclaim the masks, the broken Cornerstone Mask would never be whole again.
Besides, Sera lacked the motivation to expose the truth about the Loyal Three.
While those three scoundrels had caused Ogerpon such pain long ago—and their first act upon being revived had been to seek revenge—the Loyal Three were detestable, but were the villagers who ostracized Ogerpon any better?
Exposing the truth would be simple enough, and winning back the masks might not even be that difficult.
But what would happen once the truth was out?
Kitakami’s economy relied heavily on tourism. The villagers constantly promoted the legends of the Ogre and the Loyal Three to attract visitors. If Sera were to strip that away, the villagers would never let it go.
If they lost their livelihood built upon a false history, the economy of Kitakami would suffer a devastating blow.
At that point, even if the history was a lie, the people of Kitakami would surely double down, clinging to the fiction and continuing to worship the Loyal Three.
After all, Ogerpon had grown to loathe the villagers, while the Loyal Three were currently being well-provided for by them.
—That was exactly why Sera didn't want to get involved.
A lie could never become the truth.
If the Loyal Three could even remotely be called heroes, it would be one thing, but the idea of these scoundrels being objects of worship? A smirk curled at the corner of the girl’s lips.
Sera could already imagine how things would play out.
Three months from now... no, perhaps even sooner, at the next Mask Festival, something interesting was bound to happen.
By then, she could head over, watch the spectacle unfold, and enjoy the show. Wouldn't that be a treat?
As for the masks, Sera already had a plan.
She would craft new masks for Ogerpon herself.
For Ogerpon to harness the power of the masks, she didn't just need to wear them; her heart needed to be filled with the corresponding emotions.
The moment Ogerpon awakened after donning the Teal Mask earlier was precisely because her memories of the time spent with Sera had filled her heart with such pure joy that the mask had Terastallized.
The four masks—Hearthflame, Wellspring, Cornerstone, and Teal—corresponded to Rage, Sorrow, Joy, and Happiness.
Intense emotions also brought negative ones. For now, Sera preferred for Ogerpon to stay as happy as possible, so she would lower the priority of the Hearthflame and Wellspring masks for the time being.
The first mask she would forge would be the Cornerstone Mask.
Sera hoped that by using the Cornerstone Mask, which represented Joy, she could help Ogerpon return to those truly carefree days filled with laughter.
To do that, she couldn't stop moving forward. It was time to unlock the second Raising slot.
Sera rested her finger on the second, empty slot, and without a moment’s hesitation, tapped to confirm.
[No Pokemon currently undergoing training detected.]
[Checking draw cooldown... cooldown cleared. You may proceed with the next Pokemon draw.]
[Pokemon drawing in progress...]
--+--
Digital Pokemon - 33
--+--
Chapter 33: Slither Wing
--+--
Deep within the Paldea region lies the Great Crater of Paldea, where towering stone pillars have stood since ancient times.
Heavy, thick fog perpetually shrouds the area, obscuring the landscape of the massive sinkhole known as Area Zero.
Legends surrounding Area Zero date back to the very dawn of written history, tracing back 2,000 years to the Paldean Empire. At that time, a tyrannical emperor dispatched scouts into the depths, sparking a "Great Exploration Era" that lasted nearly a thousand years.
Although a research station has since been established within the crater and inventions like the Tera Orb have spread to the surface, Area Zero remains a place of profound mystery to the citizens of Paldea—accessible only to authorized researchers.
In the mid-levels of Area Zero, a waterfall plunges from the heights above.
A Slither Wing, resting by the lake and subtly distinct from its kin in the distance, suddenly sensed a disturbance. It opened its eyes just as a glimmer of golden light flickered before it.
"...Puni?"
--+--
[You have drawn the Paradox Pokémon, Slither Wing.]
The dazzling icons spinning rapidly on the screen came to an abrupt halt. The name that appeared before Sera felt entirely unfamiliar.
Paradox Pokémon: Slither Wing.
Sera, now an old hand at this, promptly pulled out her phone to search for the name. To her surprise, results actually appeared.
--+--
《Monthly Occult Journal (August Issue)》
Paldea's Unsolved Files No. 08: The Ancient Volcarona Awakens!? The Mysterious Creature—Slither Wing. An elusive, misunderstood biological entity. Sightings are rare, and it remains shrouded in mystery.
Its name is derived from the renowned and curious tome, the "Scarlet Book." This magazine has previously reported on a Volcarona from the primitive era, and the Slither Wing shares common features with it.
Therefore, one might speculate it was restored from a Volcarona fossil. However, there is currently no record of any such fossil ever being discovered.
--+--
The page was from a Paldean magazine.
Since she had found a starting point, Sera continued her search and uncovered more information. For instance, the general consensus online regarding this magazine was unanimously skeptical.
As for the "Scarlet Book" mentioned in the article, it was quite intriguing. It seemed to be an exploration record written 200 years ago by an explorer named Heath, following his expedition into the notoriously dangerous Area Zero.
Sera only found a few reviews of the Scarlet Book online. Very few copies of the ancient text remained in existence, and judging by the comments, there was no shortage of people who believed the contents of the book were complete fiction.
That was certainly interesting.
By now, Sera fully understood the routine of the Electronic Pokemon Raising System. The Pokémon she drew in the simulator existed as real individuals in the physical world.
This explained why her previous attempts to activate the system failed when she drew those three exceptionally rare, legendary-tier Pokémon.
And yet, right now, she had just drawn a Slither Wing—a Pokémon classified as a "Paradox" one, which the general public seemed to believe didn't even exist.
Sera put down her phone and looked back at the simulator screen, studying the Slither Wing’s appearance. The suspicious magazine described it as an ancient form of Volcarona.
—It did indeed look very similar.
From the three pairs of wings laden with red particles, as resplendent as gold gilded by the sun, to the pair of unique, brilliant golden insectoid horns on its head.
However, in Sera's opinion, this Slither Wing looked more like a shiny Volcarona that had decided to crawl on the ground.
"...Puni?"
The giant bug on the screen was looking left and right, appearing suspicious and anxious. As it let out a cry, Sera received a system notification.
[Slither Wing has sensed your presence.]
It’s more perceptive than Ogerpon, she thought.
Sera recalled that Ogerpon hadn't reacted at all until she touched it. So, what kind of attributes did the Slither Wing, which was likely also a legendary-tier Pokémon, possess?
Not rushing to interact with it, Sera opened the stat panel first.
--+--
[Slither Wing]
[Classification: Paradox Pokémon]
[Level: 52]
[Gender: Genderless]
[Type: Bug / Fighting]
[Tera Type: Bug]
[Ability: Protosynthesis]
[Nature: Adamant]
[Known Moves: Ember, Bug Bite, Lunge]
[Affection: 0]
[Current Status: Active]
--+--
Sera immediately noticed the ability she had never seen before.
[Protosynthesis: Boosts the user's highest stat when in sunlight or holding a Booster Energy.]
"Hmm..."
Sera held back any judgment on the practical utility of the ability. She was more preoccupied with its description.
While she was used to looking up information online, the content was often a mix of truth and fabrication. When Sera first read about the Slither Wing, her intuition immediately labeled it as fake.
After all, the magazine report used terms like "ancient," "prehistoric," and "primitive era." If the gap in time was truly that massive, how could the Slither Wing look so remarkably similar to a modern Volcarona?
If she were looking strictly at its appearance and type, she would be more inclined to believe the Slither Wing was just a regional variant of Volcarona.
Yet, the system explicitly labeled its ability as Protosynthesis.
It didn't add up.
Sera pondered for a moment before deciding to give up. She wasn't a Pokémon Professor, so why worry so much about academic questions?
Instead of obsessing over the Slither Wing's ability, it was better to use the time to build a rapport with her new Pokémon.
Clearing her mind, Sera tapped her finger against the screen, preparing to touch the Slither Wing to see how it would respond. Just as her fingertip brushed the glass, the simulator began to vibrate.
"?"
[Ding—]
[System maintenance complete. Update announcement as follows:]
[Fixed the issue where the "Electronic Pokémon Raising" was not being "electronic" enough. Future raising will be more in line with game mechanics.]
[Attempted to fix the issue where the first raising slot becomes stuck. The fix failed; it remains in a frozen state. Further repairs will be attempted in the future.]
[That concludes the content of this maintenance update. We hope you enjoy the game!]
Sera's mouth twitched.
Never mind the first fix; the fact that the second one explicitly admitted to failing left her wanting to vent. What kind of game developer breaks the server while trying to fix a bug?
As for the system's claim that the raising wasn't "electronic" enough, Sera only thought that trying to cover it up now was a little too late.
However, after the notification popped up, the imagery on her simulator changed.
The scene, which had been a pixelated, flat display, suddenly narrowed significantly. The map layout on the screen slowly shifted until it stopped. Sera studied the game interface for a moment.
"...I see. It's become a Mystery Dungeon style, hasn't it?"
When she was raising Ogerpon, Sera could frequently tap the screen to guide the little monster's movements.
It seemed that because the system felt she had too much freedom, it had "banned" the original raising mode and replaced it with a system where she could only control the Pokémon's exploration using directional inputs.
Sera didn't really care about the change to the simulator.
She had only just made contact with the Slither Wing, and their mutual understanding was lacking. But, if the Slither Wing was just as real as Ogerpon...
—Would it mind if she just started directing its every move like this?
--+--
Digital Pokemon - 34
--+--
Chapter 34: Slither Wing Wants a Full Belly
--+--
Sera experimented with the controls of the simulator.
As she pressed the forward button, the Slither Wing on the screen shifted its limbs and actually began to walk forward.
—I’ll be darned.
Could it be that the Electronic Pokemon Raising System had actually fixed the bug that made Pokemon feel not-so-electronic?
Sera was still skeptical, but the evidence was hard to ignore; normal Pokemon wouldn’t let themselves be maneuvered around like a doll.
No, I have to test this further.
Sera manipulated Slither Wing to scan its surroundings, discovering no other active Pokemon nearby.
The spawn point was a safe zone, which aligned perfectly with standard game design.
Without wild Pokemon to encounter, there was no way to trigger a battle, which dashed Sera’s plans to test if she could actually command Slither Wing to attack.
Exploring the wider world would take too much time, and considering Ogerpon was about to wake up—and knowing she was no master of time management—Sera quickly hatched a new plan.
Although this new game mode was vastly different from the previous ones, the core system still focused on nurturing Pokemon.
Just as Ogerpon could increase her Attack Effort Values through playing games, Slither Wing also had ways to gain experience outside of combat.
Sera opened the System Shop, navigated to the TM tab, and after a moment of consideration, made her choice.
Flame Charge, purchase!
[TM - Flame Charge: Allows a Pokemon to learn the Fire-type move Flame Charge through repeated training. Effect: The user covers itself in flames to attack the opponent, increasing its own speed while building up power.]
Since there were no wild monsters to grind, she would just have to let Slither Wing practice on empty ground.
Sera opened the settings on the screen’s sidebar, set the training duration to three hours, and spent 3 Raising Points to purchase 30 Oran Berries in one go.
After she clicked confirm, Slither Wing wobbled over to the edge of the lake.
"Puni."
"Puni!"
"Puni..."
[Slither Wing has begun training.]
Sera frowned, putting down the simulator as she fell into deep thought.
Even though the sequence of actions brought back the familiar feel of playing a game, her mood was increasingly conflicted.
Was this just a clever ruse by the system, or had Slither Wing truly become an electronic Pokemon?
Who knows? It’s just too confusing.
After pondering for a while, Sera decided to shelve the issue for now.
Unlike Ogerpon, Slither Wing was currently at Level 52, which seemed quite capable of holding its own. Besides, even if she worried herself sick, there was no way for her to physically travel into Paldea’s Area Zero.
Back to basics: this time, the training would focus on Effort Values!
With that settled, the young girl got up to wash and freshen up.
--+--
Paldea, Area Zero.
The Slither Wing facing the lake was also lost in thought.
...What was that sudden, impulsive urge that kept flickering in its mind?
It was a well-known fact that whether they were Bug or Fighting types, most Pokemon with these attributes weren't exactly known for their intellect.
Fighting-type Pokemon were often competitive and hot-headed, constantly seeking out other Pokemon to battle for the sake of training, so everything inevitably ended with them settling things with their fists.
Bug-type Pokemon were even more hollow-headed; the occasional intelligent individual was an anomaly, and some species were even controlled by parasitic spores and mushrooms, lacking a brain entirely.
Slither Wing stared quietly at its reflection in the water, trying to think and understand, but those fleeting flashes of inspiration had already vanished.
Come to think of it, the thought in its mind seemed to be telling it to cover its body in flames and try to maintain that state; if it ran out of energy, it could eat an Oran Berry to recover.
...What exactly was an Oran Berry?
Slither Wing’s expression grew serious.
After a while, as it struggled to grasp the concept of an Oran Berry, Slither Wing’s stomach began to rumble.
Forget it, thinking is such a hassle.
Abandoning the thought, Slither Wing decided to follow its earlier impulse and train for a bit.
"Puni!"
Sizzling heat rose from the three-meter-tall giant insect’s body, instantly transforming into physical flames that coalesced into a roaring heat flare.
Whoosh!
The flames touched the spring water, creating a ruckus that echoed into the distance, startling the creatures nearby.
At Level 52, it was powerful enough to rival the mainstays of an average Gym Leader in the outside world.
Even a simple Ember, when used by a Slither Wing that didn't share the same type, could create an intensity comparable to Flamethrower.
[Slither Wing used Flame Charge. It failed.]
The clumsy Slither Wing couldn't quickly grasp the concept of Flame Charge; it had only tried to cover itself in embers, and naturally, it failed.
But immediately, Slither Wing tried a second time.
[Slither Wing used Flame Charge. It failed.]
[Slither Wing used Flame Charge. It failed.]
[...]
By the tenth attempt, Slither Wing felt a twinge of fatigue. Before its brain could even process the sensation, a red-and-yellow fruit dropped right in front of its eyes.
"!"
In less than half a second, Slither Wing snapped its jaws shut and devoured the Berry.
The ecosystem of Area Zero was very peculiar; while resources were abundant, the competition was a thousand times fiercer than in the outside world.
If you didn't eat food the moment you found it, it was very easy for another Pokemon to provoke you and try to snatch it away.
Without even savoring the flavor, Slither Wing felt its stamina recover and bucked up again.
So that’s it. Was this the brilliant decision I made on a whim?
As long as I keep training, I can keep getting food. I can get stronger and stay full at the same time.
—I’m truly a genius.
Not wanting to waste another second, Slither Wing dived right back into training.
"Puni!"
[Slither Wing used Flame Charge. It failed.]
--+--
Sera didn't check on the simulator again after putting it down. Once she finished washing up, Ogerpon also climbed out of bed, rubbing the corners of her eyes.
"Pon..."
"Are you awake? Come here, let me wipe your face."
Sera wiped Ogerpon’s little face with a towel.
Ogerpon remained perfectly still and obedient. Feeling refreshed and bright-eyed, she felt a surge of happiness.
"Pon~"
As per her routine, Ogerpon trotted to the corner of the room to retrieve her precious ball.
Seeing Ogerpon hold up the ball toward her, Sera smiled and shook her head.
"No games today, okay?"
"Pon?"
"We're heading out. We’ll be spending the next few days in the wild."
Ogerpon tilted her head, looking a bit regretful, but she obediently put the ball down.
Now that she had Ogerpon back, Sera could finally pick up her travel plans that had been temporarily put on hold.
Besides, even if the value of a single Apricorn-based Ball wasn't much, it would be a shame not to make good use of it now that she’d given it out.
When Sera walked into the Pokemon Center with Ogerpon in tow, all eyes turned toward the white-haired girl and the unfamiliar Pokemon behind her. As the crowd’s curiosity grew, a sudden gasp rang out.
"Ah!!!"
Sera turned to look, and saw Ryugu standing there, pointing a trembling finger at Ogerpon in stunned disbelief.
--+--
Digital Pokemon - 35
--+--
Chapter 35: The Cutthroat World of Academia
--+--
Ryugu’s exclamation drew a flurry of surprised glances from those nearby.
The blue-haired girl’s cheeks flushed a soft pink as she realized her outburst had been far too conspicuous, but unwilling to let Sera slip away again, she grit her teeth and marched straight over to her side.
"Haha, long time no see!"
"..."
Sera saw the awkward look on Ryugu's face and, guessing her inner turmoil, simply nodded without calling her out.
The nearby trainers, who had been watching the scene unfold, saw that the two had nothing more to say to each other.
After taking a few curious looks at Ogerpon, they lost interest and stopped bothering the two young women who seemed to be reuniting after a parting.
"...Hey!"
Now at point-blank range, Ryugu leaned in, her voice sounding through gritted teeth.
"This Pokemon is following you... does that mean you were intentionally trying to ditch me yesterday?"
"Just a slight misunderstanding," Sera explained calmly.
"You were the one hounding me yesterday, weren't you? Ogerpon was just a little anxious, and in the end, didn't you turn tail and run first?"
"That’s only because of your suggestion!"
At the mention of that, the blue-haired girl’s face turned an even deeper shade of red.
Running away wasn't shameful, but to bolt in a panic without even understanding the situation, only to be called out by her employer later—that was just too humiliating.
Fortunately, Ryugu was good at managing her own ego, and her skin was thick enough to handle it.
Once they found a table in the corner of the Pokemon Center and sat down, Ryugu managed to calm herself and restarted the negotiation.
"I heard you’re looking for a guard escort again."
The blue-haired girl pressed her hands against the tabletop, trying her best to look serious. Ryugu still had vivid memories of yesterday's encounter.
After she had fled, she’d actually returned to the small park in an attempt to find Sera, but by then, Sera had already left with Ogerpon. Ryugu had spent half the day searching to no avail.
Because Ogerpon’s masked appearance was so intimidating, Ryugu had even gone to the Pokemon Center to check with Nurse Joy, only to learn that the previously canceled guard request had been reopened.
So, early this morning, she had come to the Pokemon Center to find Sera, never expecting to run into Ogerpon again.
Ryugu looked at Ogerpon with a lingering sense of unease, but refusing to show weakness, she forced herself to act composed.
"So, the name of this Pokemon is Ogerpon?"
As she spoke, Ryugu pulled out her phone and opened her Pokedex app to scan it.
Whenever trainers traveled and encountered something they hadn't seen before, it was habit to look it up. In the past, people used the standard Pokedex issued by the League, but with the rising performance of smartphones, apps had become a much more convenient option.
"Pon?"
Ogerpon tilted her head. Sera, well aware of the habits of trainers, sipped her tea and silently observed the scene.
[Ding—]
[No corresponding data found. Confirmed as an unknown Pokemon. Please contact a nearby Pokemon Professor to register this data.]
To be polite, the phone had been taken off silent mode for the scan. Consequently, Sera—mid-sip—and Ryugu both heard the app’s notification clearly.
"...???"
The blue-haired girl looked at her phone, then back up at Ogerpon. After repeating this motion a few times, she began to doubt her own reality.
"An unknown Pokemon?!"
"Keep it down," Sera warned calmly.
"If you get too loud and attract a crowd, you'll be the one responsible for clearing them out."
"Oh..."
Ryugu complied, only realizing a moment later: Wait, why am I listening to her?
But the petty frustration in her heart quickly evaporated. Compared to Sera’s commands, she was far more fascinated by a Pokemon she had never seen before.
"...I’ve never once seen a Pokemon not recorded in the Pokedex."
The blue-haired girl’s voice was filled with excitement, even as she tried to keep the volume down.
"What did you say its name was again? Ogerpon?"
Whenever a new Pokemon was discovered by the academic world, it was guaranteed to make waves in the trainer community. To think she was witnessing it firsthand.
As the thought crossed her mind that this moment would become a great story to brag about to others later, the girl completely forgot her earlier grievances.
Ryugu’s reaction was exactly as Sera had expected.
Discovering a new species was no small feat. The modern Pokemon League had already integrated almost all available data; if there were even a hint of something new, academics desperate to publish papers would have their eyes wide open, tracking it down like Sharpedo smelling prey in the water.
When Sera had first transmigrated here, she had wondered if she could earn money by publishing information on undiscovered species.
However, she soon realized that the intelligence of the humans in this world shouldn't be underestimated—all sorts of cutting-edge technology and brilliant ideas appeared one after another.
For instance, the Galar region, which touted Dynamax as its signature feature, even incorporated Dynamax Pokemon into their movies for publicity, making the regional spectacle of stadium battles increasingly popular and generating significant economic benefits.
With Galar doing that, other regions naturally wouldn't fall behind.
Mega Evolution, Z-Moves, and even the Terastal phenomenon released just eight years ago had now become top-tier powers that elite trainers were eager to master.
Beyond the basic Pokedex data, Sera only knew the "what" of most phenomena, but struggled to explain the "how."
Most of the information she held was merely the superficial, external manifestations of Pokemon.
If she truly wanted to shock the academic world, the only path would be to present data on Legendary Pokemon.
—But did the League really know nothing about Legendary Pokemon?
Even with the academic world being this cutthroat, the mythic Pokemon managed to maintain their veils of mystery. That alone suggested some deep-seated conspiracies.
Sera felt the waters here were far too deep, and since her own intellect was no match for the geniuses of this world, she decided to abandon the academic route altogether.
However, having adopted Ogerpon, she now had to face a reality: how to make Ogerpon’s existence seem rational to the outside world.
The most convenient method would be to associate with a research lab.
The hungry academic world would never turn away a newly discovered Pokemon; whether it was Professor Elm in the Johto region or Professor Oak in Kanto, both were excellent candidates.
But if she showed up with Ogerpon, Sera would likely be semi-forcibly invited to stay and cooperate with data collection, which conflicted with her plans for travel.
If that was the case, she would have to change her line of thought.
The plan Sera came up with was to formulate a response strategy based on her current persona.
She was a Poke Ball artisan with no training experience; it would be perfectly normal for her not to understand the inner workings of the League.
As for the unknown Pokemon? That had nothing to do with her.
--+--
Digital Pokemon - 36
--+--
Chapter 36: Ryugu, Who Wants to Hug a Thigh
--+--
In the eyes of the common folk, skilled craftsmen are supposed to carry a certain air of arrogance. Yet, Sera seemed a bit too easygoing for her own good.
Furthermore, Kurt was quite the celebrity in the Johto region’s trainer circles. As his apprentice, it would only be logical for Sera to inherit at least a shred of his temperament.
"That's right, her name is Ogerpon."
Upon hearing Ryugu’s question, Sera merely nodded, showing no interest in continuing the conversation.
"We should get moving now. Are you ready?"
"Eh... already?"
Ryugu scrambled to her feet in a panic.
"I... I wanted to organize my items a bit more..."
"Then you can wait here for a moment. I’ll be right back."
Ryugu watched as Sera walked to the counter with Ogerpon to talk to Nurse Joy. The nurse looked quite surprised when she first laid eyes on Ogerpon, and her expression quickly turned rather troubled.
A few moments later, Sera returned as if nothing had happened.
—Damn it! Just what did you talk about with Nurse Joy!
Ryugu was dying of curiosity, but she felt too awkward to ask.
When Sera started walking toward the exit of the Pokémon Center, the blue-haired girl had no choice but to grab her backpack and pout as she followed along.
--+--
National Park.
The first destination of Sera’s journey was located north of Goldenrod City, connected by Route 35.
According to her original plan, Sera intended to hire a trainer to help her capture her very first Pokémon. But plans change; once Ogerpon found her, Sera no longer felt the need to search for another.
Still, even without the intent to capture wild Pokémon, Sera wanted to soak in the natural scenery of the Pokémon world.
Movies and television shows were, after all, processed through an artistic lens, and documentaries were just someone else’s perspective. Sera believed that true, deep understanding could only come from experiencing it firsthand.
As temporary traveling companions, she and Ryugu also needed to re-introduce themselves.
"I’m Ryugu, from the Dragon Tamer clan in Blackthorn City. I’m currently undergoing advanced training in the Dragon-type, and one day I will become a Dragon-specialist Pokémon Trainer!"
The blue-haired girl walked down the main path, her expression noticeably more serious than usual.
In the Pokémon world, there are generally three ways for an ordinary trainer to grow.
The first is the "wild-grown" path—trainers who grew up living in the wild. Usually, they lack professional guidance and simply choose the trainer profession out of raw passion.
However, as the world has modernized, wild-grown trainers are becoming increasingly rare.
Nowadays, every region has specialized academies to teach students the basics, and a trainer who knows absolutely nothing has become all but extinct.
The second is the "academic" path. Through over a decade of professional study, these trainers advance and grow within their schools.
Some students can even earn the qualification to challenge the Pokémon League directly after passing their internal examinations.
Others, who prefer not to be restricted by school life, obtain their eligibility by challenging Gyms. This type of academic trainer is quite common and belongs to the mainstream of today’s young trainer population.
The final category is the one Ryugu belongs to: trainers born into ancient clans.
For instance, the Dragon Tamer clan of Johto, or the Draconids and the Sootopolitans of Hoenn. Perhaps due to the legacy of some long-lost Pokémon bloodline, these individuals—with their deep-rooted backgrounds and unique mythological heritage—often possess certain special traits.
The Dragon Tamer clan, for generations, has had a natural affinity for Dragon-type Pokémon, allowing them to handle the species with greater ease.
"Sera, Apricorn Ball artisan."
Sera nodded, concluding her introduction.
"Pon-pon!"
Ogerpon chimed in from the side. Sera patted the curious little creature on the head, letting her dash ahead excitedly before continuing her conversation with Ryugu.
"So, what Pokémon do you have?"
"A Dratini and a Swablu!"
The girl puffed out her modest chest, pride written all over her face.
Setting the Swablu aside for a moment, Sera grew interested at the mention of a Dratini. This was a rare species that was notoriously difficult to raise, even in the modern era.
To protect the wild population, the League had even banned taking photos of them in the wild. Sera hadn’t seen a trace of one on the internet, let alone in real life.
Considering it wasn't convenient for Ryugu to release a Dratini on the main road, Sera shelved her curiosity for later.
Even so, while Sera had moved on, Ryugu was not about to let the topic drop.
"You said you’re a... an Apricorn Ball artisan?!"
Ryugu’s eyes widened, and she stopped in her tracks to size Sera up.
The white-haired girl simply spread her hands, inviting the inspection. After a moment, the blue-haired girl muttered, "You don’t look like one at all..."
Ryugu’s words died in her throat when she saw Sera pull a vibrant green ball from her pocket.
Though she couldn't make a Friend Ball that satisfied her standards yet, Sera kept up a practice quota of one ball per day. The one she held now was today’s work.
"And what exactly does an Apricorn Ball artisan look like in your imagination?"
Sera found it amusing to see Ryugu’s eyes glued to the Friend Ball balanced on her fingertip.
"Even though I’m still in the training stage, the balls I craft have already been acknowledged by my master. I’m out here under the banner of the Kurt school, so don't underestimate me."
Ryugu didn't actually know what an artisan was supposed to look like—she didn’t have Sera’s hobby of surfing the web—but seeing her fiddle with the ball made her incredibly nervous.
"C-careful!" Ryugu yelped, watching the ball wobble on the girl’s finger as if it might fall any second. "That’s an Apricorn Ball worth ten thousand a piece! What are you going to do if you drop it and it breaks?!"
"If it breaks, I’ll just make another one."
"Fine, fine! I know you're amazing now!"
After much pleading from Ryugu, Sera finally stowed the Friend Ball away. Seeing Sera’s nonchalant attitude throughout the whole ordeal, Ryugu finally grasped what it meant to be a true artisan.
"Um, can I ask you something?"
The blue-haired girl fidgeted for a long while before tentatively asking, "How much does an Apricorn Ball artisan usually make?"
"As you can see, I’ve only just finished my apprenticeship, so I don't know how much my master makes in a year. But for me personally..."
Sera pondered for a moment.
"The money I’ve saved up from my time as an apprentice is already well into the seven figures."
"..."
Ryugu drew a sharp, deep breath.
Then, with no hesitation whatsoever, she tackled the girl and hugged her leg tightly.
"…O Great One, please, let me ride your coattails!"
--+--
Digital Pokemon - 37
--+--
Chapter 37: Slither Wing Wants to Run Away
--+--
For the vast majority of people, being a Trainer was a profession that made saving money nearly impossible.
Ordinary Trainers had long struggled with the problem of unstable income.
The cost of caring for and nurturing Pokémon was exorbitant; even with the free room and board provided by Pokémon Centers, the savings a low-level Trainer might scrape together after a mission often barely amounted to a month’s wages for someone else.
For this reason, a Trainer's best option was to change careers…
But switching jobs was out of the question; only by taking on side gigs could one manage to scrape by.
Some Trainers chose to join a Gym, becoming Gym Trainers. They assisted the Gym Leader with the daily training and care of the Gym’s Pokémon, occasionally filling in for the Leader to test challengers.
Being a Gym-affiliated Trainer was actually a decent job.
As long as the boss (the Gym Leader) was generous, you didn’t just get a stable income—you could also learn exclusive, non-public secret techniques from within the Gym.
However, most young people were too restless to stay put; they preferred to run around.
If you weren't willing to join a Gym, then unless you were strong enough to make a name for yourself at the League Conference, you were usually stuck living a life of tightening your belt.
Trainers who had both strength and fame enjoyed a completely different life compared to the ones struggling at the bottom.
Investors looking to advertise would come knocking, fan groups would buy up merchandise in droves, and a single livestream could lead to a massive windfall.
No matter which world you were in, the pyramid law remained the same.
That was exactly why Sera had given up on becoming a Trainer in the first place.
But now, having stepped back into the Trainer industry with a fortune in her pocket, she felt an extra sense of confidence.
As for Ryugu, who was currently hugging her thigh and elaborating on the hardships of being a Trainer, Sera only smiled faintly.
"Is that so? Then I wish you the best of luck in your future efforts."
A heartless, tearless remark that nearly made Ryugu choke.
—Something was not right.
She was clearly a youthful and cute girl—why did Sera seem completely immune to this coquettish tactic?
Ryugu stood up, pretending as if nothing had happened, and took a sneaky look.
Fine.
If she looked closely, Sera actually seemed even prettier than she was.
The world was truly unfair.
A cynical thought crossed Ryugu’s mind.
How could a profession like a Poké Ball Craftsman exist, where you could make money and travel happily at the same time? If there was a plan, I should learn to do that as a side job too!
Just as Ryugu was plotting to herself, Ogerpon’s call came from afar.
"Pon-pon?"
A young man in casual clothes had stopped her. Seeing Sera and Ryugu interacting, he asked with a mix of surprise and bashfulness.
"Um... may I have a battle with this Pokémon of yours?"
Ogerpon looked puzzled, thinking for a moment before she understood the passerby's intent.
—You actually wanted to battle me?
Ogerpon reached into her embrace, ready to pull out the Teal Mask. But Sera reached out and stopped her.
"Pon?"
"Sorry, I don't really count as a Trainer yet."
Sera, who needed to maintain her persona as a Poké Ball Craftsman, pointed to Ryugu.
"Why don't you let my companion battle you instead?"
"Eh? Won't that be a waste of time?"
"Think of it as a break; it’s not that much time."
Sera hugged Ogerpon and found a patch of grass to sit on.
Ogerpon was originally feeling disappointed about the missed opportunity—she wanted to fight for Sera—but tucked into Sera's arms, the little Ogre soon forgot her troubles and began to hum happily.
"Pon-pon!"
Humph, were they using me as a spectator?
Ryugu, who had a flair for the dramatic, felt a tiny bit annoyed. However, she was a battle-loving spirit by nature.
If there was a fight, there was no reason to refuse.
"Let’s battle!"
The blue-haired girl pulled out a Poké Ball.
The two Trainers locked eyes, both entering battle mode.
Sera, distracted while watching from the sidelines, silently pulled out her simulator. She hadn’t checked on Slither Wing for half a day, so she decided to see how things were going.
[Slither Wing is running away!]
"…?"
--+--
"Pu-ni!"
Slither Wing’s four legs moved rapidly, and looking at the posture alone, he looked quite formidable.
But if the perspective shifted to behind him...
"Shhh-boo!!!"
Also a Paradox species, several pink figures with ferocious expressions and drool dripping from their mouths were roaring, their eyes locked firmly on the berry clamped in Slither Wing’s mouth.
Clearly, their target was that exact fruit.
At that point, dropping the berry would have allowed for an easy escape, but Slither Wing clearly didn’t see it that way.
My food—I will absolutely not share it with outsiders!
Because of this, even as psychic energy coalesced behind him, the figures preparing to lunge with Psychic Fangs, Slither Wing refused to let go!
[Scream Tail initiated an attack on Slither Wing!]
Scream Tail?
Sera had a vague impression of the name.
It seemed to have been mentioned in other issues of that suspicious magazine—other Pokémon similar to Slither Wing. One of them was called Scream Tail, rumored to be a Jigglypuff from a billion years ago.
The Scream Tail appearing on the screen behind Slither Wing was exactly as its name suggested; its bangs were unusually long, extending backward like a tail.
Compared to a Jigglypuff, they appeared significantly larger, and the small teeth visible in their mouths emphasized their aggression.
Paradox species again, huh.
Sera had already figured out why these Pokémon were classified as Paradox.
Obviously, if Scream Tail were truly the ancestor of a Jigglypuff from a billion years ago, it would have been impossible for it to look so similar. The logic was clearly flawed.
Seeing that Slither Wing was still a safe distance ahead of Scream Tail, Sera set her mind at ease and let her thoughts wander.
Could it be that Area Zero in the Paldea region was filled with these weird-sounding Pokémon?
Ancient Volcarona, ancient Jigglypuff...
It seemed their levels were consistently and shockingly around Level 50.
It was truly absurd.
Pokémon strong enough to be the core of a Gym Leader’s team were roaming around everywhere in Area Zero.
No wonder the Paldea region had designated Area Zero as a forbidden zone, preventing ordinary people from entering.
She feared that unless one was a Champion-level Trainer, it was questionable whether anyone could have made it back out alive after exploring deep inside Area Zero.
Sera saw the fierce offensive launched by Scream Tail and discarded the notion of wanting to visit Area Zero herself.
During the time Sera was considering this, Scream Tail finally got closer to Slither Wing.
No big deal.
Sera began to control the action manually.
[Slither Wing used Flame Charge!]
The automatic training she had set up previously seemed to have yielded perfect results.
Slither Wing, who had successfully learned Flame Charge, suddenly surged with flames. The entire Pokémon accelerated like a fireball charging forward!
"Pu-ni!"
Swept up in gusts of hot wind, Slither Wing left the others in the dust. His speed increased, and he rushed directly into the distance!
--+--
Digital Pokemon - 38
--+--
Chapter 38: The Paradox of Illusion, Walking Wake
--+--
Slither Wing felt an unprecedented surge of power.
It felt as though a raging fire was consuming its core; crimson flames erupted from its surface, engulfing its entire body, driving its speed higher and higher with every passing second.
"Hmph!"
With a roar to vent the intensity, Slither Wing scrambled forward on all fours, tearing through the landscape like a bolt of lightning. The grass beneath its feet scorched and withered into a charred trail in its wake.
Slither Wing didn’t care; it kept its head down and charged blindly forward. Only when silence finally reclaimed the surroundings did it exhale a long, ragged breath.
...That was terrifying.
Though Slither Wing preferred not to tax its brain in daily life, its instinctual reflexes were a cut above the rest.
If it hadn't reacted on pure instinct just now, erupting with a burst of power to unleash a move it had never used before, it would have surely been in dire straits.
Not only would its prized Leppa Berry have been snatched away, but it might even have suffered injuries from Scream Tail’s onslaught.
Getting hurt in Area Zero was a dangerous game.
At the thought of the Leppa Berry, Slither Wing quickly lowered its head to eat the piece it had dropped when it finally caught its breath.
Since it had gorged itself on the herb all day and felt no lingering spark of inspiration for practicing Flame Charge, it chewed slowly, savoring the spicy, savory flavor.
It didn't notice.
In Area Zero, where there was usually at least some faint ambient movement, the area where it stood was unnervingly silent.
[Ding—]
[Warning!]
[Slither Wing has intruded into a Totem area!]
Sera, who had been watching Slither Wing rampage through the simulator—leaving the Scream Tails so far behind they couldn't even see its exhaust—had finally let out a sigh of relief. She hadn't expected the simulator to immediately issue such an unprecedented alert.
...A Totem area?
Sera looked back at the screen just as the display went dark, followed by a cinematic, CG-like sequence.
The camera zoomed out rapidly as a thin mist began to spread.
Slither Wing, still busy with whatever it was doing, was now facing a vast, boundless expanse of water. Above the surface, a massive figure slowly emerged from the mist.
First to break through the fog was its head.
A dinosaur-like skull with a hexagonal, crystal-like horn atop its forehead; sharp, branched horns extended from the tips. Behind these intricate horns, purple fur, resembling a lion’s mane, covered its neck, fading into a deep, purplish-red at the ends.
As it drew closer, Sera finally saw the full picture.
The bipedal theropod was massive and imposing, standing motionless upon the water’s surface. Two tails, nearly half the length of its own body, swayed in the air like flowing water.
It was so beautiful.
Even knowing it was likely an enemy—now dubbed a "Totem" by the simulator—Sera couldn't help but sigh at the sight of such beauty.
But as she observed further, a strange realization dawned on her.
This unknown Pokémon before her, despite its vastly different body shape, stood over ten meters tall, towering over the nearby trees.
Yet, it looked uncannily like the Legendary Pokémon she knew as the embodiment of the North Wind—Suicune.
[Paradox Pokémon, Walking Wake, is attacking!]
Walking Wake.
As the bipedal dragon-like beast stepped toward Slither Wing, the screen froze, giving Sera a moment to check its data.
A Water/Dragon type, with the ability Protosynthesis.
Was Protosynthesis the standard ability for all Paradox Pokémon?
As Sera’s thoughts raced, her brow furrowed deeper.
She had mostly figured out the principle behind Paradox Pokémon: they were essentially ancient versions of existing species. But this Walking Wake, clearly modeled after the legendary Suicune, truly lived up to the word "paradox."
150 years ago, the Brass Tower in Ecruteak City burned down, and three Pokémon perished inside. Later, the Legendary Pokémon Ho-Oh descended upon the city.
Saddened by the destruction of the tower that symbolized the bond between humans and Pokémon, it decided to leave, but not before resurrecting the three fallen Pokémon.
Those three became the Legendary Pokémon later known as the Legendary Beasts: Suicune, Raikou, and Entei.
Suicune’s origin was undeniably tied to the Burned Tower incident 150 years ago. Yet, here in the remote reaches of Paldea’s Area Zero, Sera was looking at a Paradox Pokémon that bore a striking resemblance to it.
An ancient Suicune?
It was truly a paradox.
[Walking Wake has launched an attack on Slither Wing!]
As Sera pondered, the scene changed once more.
Slither Wing, still focused on its Leppa Berry, finally realized the danger, but it was too late. Walking Wake had already struck.
"ROAR!"
[Walking Wake used Hydro Steam!]
The Paradox Pokémon, its level clearly displayed as 75, let out a roar. Its twin tails slammed into the water, and suddenly, the current surged into boiling waves. A deluge of steam and scalding water erupted, rising from behind Walking Wake to crash down upon Slither Wing.
It was an overwhelming, suffocating tide of boiling water.
—This was a move Slither Wing could never survive.
There was no time to consider what would happen if Slither Wing was defeated. Sera’s pupils constricted, and she tapped the system shop instantly.
Consume item: Escape Rope. Purchase!
50 Raising Points vanished in a flash.
Use!
The Escape Rope, capable of forcibly extracting a Pokémon from a crisis, activated. The moment the tide was about to engulf it, Slither Wing curled up and vanished.
"..."
[Walking Wake has sensed your presence.]
Click.
Sera shut down the simulator.
She felt a lingering fear, not even bothering to check where Slither Wing had been teleported to. The simulator would vibrate if her Pokémon were in danger anyway.
When she had read reports about Area Zero online, Sera had always thought the Paldea League was exaggerating.
But seeing the undeniable existence of Paradox Pokémon in the simulator, she now thought it was perfectly reasonable that humans weren't allowed to wander into Area Zero on their own.
When the Paradox Suicune appeared, Sera decided to clear her head.
—That was way too intense.
What exactly was going on in this Area Zero? How did it have such a collection of monsters and spirits hidden inside?
Thinking about how even a level 52 Paradox Pokémon—the mighty ancient Slither Wing—was in constant mortal danger in Area Zero, Sera just wanted to calm her nerves and find some peace.
She had originally thought that Ogerpon living alone on Oni Mountain was already "Hard Mode," but it seemed there was always a higher mountain to climb.
"...What should I do now?"
Not far away, Ryugu had successfully defeated her opponent and was hopping over, cheering and showing off.
Sera waved and smiled back, but her mind was elsewhere.
Although the Slither Wing had been teleported to a safer location after the use of the Escape Rope, the simulator’s restrictions meant it was still trapped within the confines of Area Zero.
This ensured that Sera could continue to upgrade and raise Slither Wing through the Mystery Dungeon-style mode.
So, how was she supposed to help Slither Wing navigate such a completely foreign and hostile environment?
--+--
Digital Pokemon - 39
--+--
Chapter 39: The Extreme Speed Dratini
--+--
Slither Wing cautiously poked its head out from behind a rock, peering ahead.
Thanks to the brilliant glow emitted by the gems scattered everywhere, Slither Wing could see the surrounding rock walls covered in blossoming Glimmora.
Suddenly, the rock wall shuddered slightly. A two-segment Dudunsparce burrowed its way out, causing a few Glimmora to tumble down and stirring the rest into a frenzy.
They detached from the wall in unison, opening their crystalline petals to unleash Power Gem simultaneously.
A barrage of beams engulfed the Dudunsparce, who scurried away with its head tucked in, not daring to look back as it retreated along the path it had come.
"...Pfft!"
Watching from the sidelines, Slither Wing felt even more terrified. It curled into a ball and shrank back, not daring to move a muscle.
It was utterly bewildered.
All it had done was take a moment to eat a Leppa Berry, so how on earth did it end up in this completely unfamiliar place the moment it looked up?
...Wait, did it have some vague memory of this?
Slither Wing sank into thought, but after a long while, it gave up on digging through its memories.
Anyway.
It was in a major crisis and had no time to ponder nonsensical things.
This place looked completely unsuitable for its survival; not only was there no food, but it was also crawling with aggressive Pokémon.
Slither Wing thought and analyzed the situation calmly before reaching a conclusion:
—In any case, just stay still and keep observing.
Thankfully, it had eaten plenty today, so it could hold out for a few days even if it went hungry.
Curled into a tight ball, Slither Wing remained motionless, trying to blend in with its surroundings.
--+--
Johto, National Park.
As the morning light graced the grass, Sera emerged from her tent. Behind the curtain, Ogerpon was also waking up, rubbing her eyes.
Ryugu, having stirred before the girl, was already boiling water and preparing instant noodles for breakfast.
"Morning!"
Catching sight of Sera, Ryugu lifted the breakfast in her hands.
"Would you like a bowl, Boss?"
Ever since learning just how much savings Sera had, Ryugu had adopted this sycophantic attitude.
Sera, for her part, gladly accepted the flattery.
"Make two for me while you're at it."
"You got it!"
No matter how much Ryugu buttered her up, Sera wouldn't just give her a raise, but this way of interacting made the girl feel—for the first time in a while—that she was indeed still a young person.
It must be said that the monotonous life of a craftsman truly grinds down one’s spirit; setting aside her past life's age, the current Sera was actually only eighteen.
One should act young when the moment calls for it, after all.
While Ryugu neatly arranged three cups of noodles on the table, Sera wasn't idle, returning to the tent to bring out the little ogre.
Ogerpon’s biological clock hadn't quite caught up to Sera's yet; after all, she had grown accustomed to a leisurely life while living alone on Oni Mountain, essentially waking up naturally whenever it pleased.
Even though it was trying her best, Ogerpon still sat beside Sera swaying slightly, looking like she hadn't fully woken up.
"Pon..."
Seeing this scene, Ryugu couldn't help but crack a joke.
"Sometimes I really can't tell if you're taking care of Ogerpon or a small child."
After spending a day together, Ryugu had realized that Ogerpon wasn't as terrifying as she had imagined.
Beyond her imposing and frightening appearance at their first meeting, Ogerpon usually just clung to Sera, and Sera indulged the little ogre's neediness.
"In my heart, Ogerpon is just a child."
Sera didn't mind Ryugu's teasing.
"Besides, I'm not a Trainer, so it’s more important to just keep Ogerpon happy."
"Sigh, fine."
Ryugu shrugged. She just felt it was a shame not to train Ogerpon properly, given her potential.
Still, with Sera being so wealthy, there was truly no need for her to become a Trainer.
—Actually, it's probably better to keep things as they are. That way, I'll still have chances to take on commissions from Sera in the future.
Ryugu lifted her prepared cup of noodles, her mind wandering.
Since Ogerpon still hadn't fully snapped awake, Sera took out a Cheri Berry, sliced it open with a small knife, and added it to Ogerpon’s noodles.
"Oh..."
Seeing Sera’s bold move, Ryugu couldn't help but gasp.
The taste of a Cheri Berry was notoriously spicy. Under the stimulation of the hot water, just smelling that flavor made Ryugu feel a tickle in her nose.
But when Ogerpon caught the scent, its eyes lit up, widening into stars.
"Pon~!"
Delicious food!
And it was the spicy flavor Ogerpon loved most. Even before taking a bite, the little ogre was already eager to dig in.
"Go ahead and eat."
Sera offered encouragement.
Ogerpon was wonderful in every way, but it usually lacked a bit of initiative.
Sera hoped that Ogerpon could express itself more freely around her, though this wasn't something that could be rushed; it would take the right catalyst to help Ogerpon change.
This trip to the National Park might just provide that very catalyst.
While Sera was deep in thought, Ogerpon began to savor the seasoned noodles.
"Pon-oh~!"
If the Electronic Pokemon Raising System interface had been active, a notification would have likely sounded:
[You fed Ogerpon delicious Cheri Berry noodles.]
[Ogerpon is eating happily.]
The brief breakfast time concluded, and Ryugu went back to tending to her own Pokémon.
During yesterday’s roadside battle, Ryugu had only used her Swablu. It was only now that Sera finally got to see a real-life Dratini.
"How about it? My Dratini is pretty big, right?"
Ryugu’s tone was filled with pride.
"Mhm..."
Indeed.
It was, frankly, much larger than Sera had anticipated.
"Dra~"
Once Ryugu released it from its Poké Ball, the Dratini blinked its cute, round eyes at Sera, its jagged ear fins twitching.
Its body was slender like a snake, lacking limbs, with blue scales along its back and head, and a white underbelly and snout.
Although it was named Dratini, its actual size could reach 1.8 meters. It hadn't been obvious from the few images she had seen in the Pokédex or online, but seeing it in person, Sera could only marvel that Dratini was hardly "mini" at all.
However, since it had been brought out of the Dragon’s Den in Blackthorn City, it was highly likely that this Dratini had already molted and grown many times over.
Ryugu was smug, unaware that Sera’s knowledge of Dratini was no less profound than her own.
Dratini were born with immense vitality, which was why they molted and grew continuously after birth. Although weak when first hatched, they naturally grew stronger as they repeatedly molted, approaching the threshold of evolution.
In game terms, provided they were in an environment suitable for growth, Dratini would raise their levels naturally on their own.
Moreover, the clan of Dragon Tamers that managed the Dragon’s Den in Blackthorn City specialized in raising Dragon-type Pokémon.
"Does this Dratini know any Egg Moves?"
"Oh, you actually know about Egg Moves?"
Ryugu sighed, though she didn't dwell on it.
"My Dratini knows Extreme Speed! Pretty impressive, right?"
--+--
Digital Pokemon - 40
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Chapter 40: State of Mind
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Although Sera had mentally prepared herself, she couldn't help but feel surprised when Ryugu mentioned that her Dratini had inherited the move Extreme Speed.
Extreme Speed is a Normal-type move that only a tiny fraction of Pokémon can naturally master.
In the games, it's famous for its guaranteed priority—specifically, a +2 priority level. But in reality, its tactical significance is far harder to ignore.
Because the attack is so fast that it's impossible to react to, it essentially means that avoiding it or canceling it out with another move is nearly impossible.
In the turn-based battles of the games, you can take a hit and keep fighting as long as your HP hasn't hit zero. But reality is different.
Once you take a hit, your offensive stance might be broken, and the pain and resulting injuries will inevitably affect a Pokémon's performance. That is precisely why Extreme Speed is so exceptional.
Of course, even if it carries more tactical weight than in the games, mastering such a move is no walk in the park.
According to the proficiency grading system provided by the Electronic Pokémon Raising System, it was hard to say whether Ryugu’s Dratini could even reach the level of "basic usage," let alone expand on how to use it in more complex ways.
"Don't let my status as a three-badge trainer fool you; I'm actually incredibly strong!" Ryugu boasted. "It’s not just the Dratini—my Swablu also inherited Dragon Rush!"
While it doesn't hold the same legendary status as Extreme Speed, Dragon Rush is still a heavy-hitting move among Dragon-types. And, by extension, just as difficult to wield.
"Mmhmm, sure." Sera replied dismissively. Instead of listening to Ryugu’s bragging, she reached out to greet the Dratini.
"Hey, watch out! My Dratini isn't really the type to get close to strangers..." Before Ryugu could finish her warning, she heard a sweet, melodic sound.
"Dratiniii~"
The Dratini had nuzzled its cheek against the girl’s slender fingers of its own accord.
Sera scratched the Dratini’s cheek with her fingertip and looked back at Ryugu. "What were you saying?"
"..."
Seeing her own Pokémon acting so affectionate and spoiled under someone else's touch, Ryugu felt a mix of confusion and frustration.
That’s strange. Isn’t my Pokémon supposed to be incredibly proud and generally unwilling to let people touch it? Is Sera really that different from everyone else?
On the other side, Ogerpon saw Sera petting the Dratini and could no longer sit still.
"Pon!"
The little oni dashed back into the tent and ran out again, clutching her Gible-themed ball. She held it up and shook it energetically in front of Sera.
"Pon, Pon-o!"
It had been a while since she’d played ball with Ogerpon—back when the simulator was still active. With a regretful smile, Sera pulled her hand away from the Dratini and took the ball.
When Ryugu saw the design of the ball in Sera's hand, she couldn't help but marvel. "I used to play with toys like this with the other kids back home all the time."
"Do they have Gible in the Dragon's Den, too?"
"Of course! We're the Dragon-tamer clan; we introduced other Dragon-type species a long time ago!" The blue-haired girl puffed out her chest proudly, hands on her hips.
"We have connections in Hoenn and Unova, so trading for a few Dragon-types isn't a problem. We don't have a massive amount yet, but our leaders—the big boss and the head lady—have been raising a few, and things are definitely only going to get better from here."
It took Sera a long moment to realize who Ryugu was referring to.
The current Champion of the Indigo League, Lance, and the Gym Leader of Blackthorn City, Clair—the two signature figures the Dragon-tamer clan took so much pride in.
"I see... that makes sense."
True Champions, Elite Four members, and even Gym Leaders don't just stick to one permanent roster; they are always striving to get stronger.
Because Dragon-type Pokémon were scarce in the early game generations, Lance—despite being famous for his Dragon-type specialty—was often mocked as the "Flying-type Elite Four" because his team was largely composed of Flying-types when faced by players.
But few people knew that by the time the game generations reached the Black & White/Unova era, the teams Lance and Clair used in the World Tournament were fully realized, dedicated Dragon-type squads.
Whether these two masters had reached that point yet, Sera wasn't entirely sure. Still, since both Lance and Clair stood on the side of justice, knowing they were continuing to grow stronger was good news.
At the very least, compared to the nightmarish situation in Area Zero of Paldea, the Johto and Kanto regions, where only Team Rocket was active, seemed remarkably peaceful.
Feeling a bit more relaxed, Sera found an open space and started playing ball with Ogerpon. Unlike the simulator, where you only needed to tap a screen, playing in reality was far more physically demanding.
Fortunately, Sera’s own fitness wasn't bad, and after investing three points into her Effort Value for Stamina, she could keep up with Ogerpon without needing to resort to her psychic powers.
Half an hour later, Ryugu stood frozen in shock, watching the ball zip back and forth through the air.
Wait... you guys call this "playing ball"?!
In Ryugu's mind, "playing ball" was supposed to be a harmonious, heartwarming interaction where a trainer happily tosses a ball and the Pokémon runs to fetch it. But looking at Sera and Ogerpon:
"Pon-o!"
Ogerpon had a brilliant smile on her face, but she held nothing back. With a sharp slap, the Gible ball shot toward Sera at lightning speed.
Yet, facing such a dangerous situation, the girl didn't even change her expression. She reacted instantly, leaping to catch it, and then whipped it right back at Ogerpon.
What on earth is that ball made of? Ryugu began to wonder seriously.
Such a durable ball... she felt like bringing a few back for the kids at home would be a great idea.
"Let's call it a day for now," Sera said, her voice cutting through Ryugu's thoughts. "Ryugu, it's time for us to head out and explore."
"Oh... right!"
Remembering her duties as a bodyguard, Ryugu stood up and recalled the Dratini, which had been watching the excitement for a while, back into its Poké Ball.
Ogerpon, having finally burned off the energy accumulated over the past few days, followed behind Sera with a look of pure satisfaction.
"Boss, what’s the goal for today's exploration?"
"First, we'll look for wild Apricorns. I want to pick some fresh ones. Help me keep an eye out for any good targets."
"Understood!" Ryugu saluted.
Through her previous attempts at crafting Poké Balls, Sera had developed a vague sense of where the defects lay. Since she had already proven her skills by successfully forging steel, her technique was definitely not the issue.
So, where was the problem? If the technique wasn't the problem, then there had to be something beyond the technique that could be optimized.
Up until now, Sera had been buying her berries at random, processing them, and then making Poké Balls using the method her master taught her.
From a normal perspective, there was nothing wrong with that. But if she pushed her thinking further, she felt that she hadn't poured enough of her own "heart" into the Apricorns and the other materials.
In her previous life, such a thought would have been dismissed as superstition. But in the world of Pokémon, the power of the "heart" was real, and it was crucial.
Sera wanted to try it out. She wanted to see if that "heart" could lead her to craft even better Poké Balls.
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