It didn't take long before our first challenger appeared.
The dirt road widened as we entered the forest proper, sunlight filtering through the canopy in broken beams. A shadow passed overhead. Before I could react, a Pidgeotto landed on a low oak branch ahead of us, its talons digging into the bark with a sharp crack.
The bird was bigger than I expected almost as tall as me (Or maybe I was small), its wings half spread with each feather catching the light. Its crest stood up stiff, a jagged crown of red brown feathers.
"Get ready," I said, reaching for Vulpix's Pokéball. The Pidgeotto stared right at me, ignoring Mew completely, and let out a challenging cry.
"It wants to fight you," Mew said, moving back to give us room.
Skitty stopped playing with pollen and turned to watch. Her tail flicked like this was no big deal, like she knew the bird just wanted a fair match, though she was still ready in case something went wrong.
"Okay Vulpix, let's go," I said, releasing her. She appeared with a sleepy stretch, then snapped alert when she saw the Pidgeotto, putting herself between me and the bird, tails flaring out.
Pidgeotto let out an amused trill at Vulpix, its sharp eyes glinting with something between challenge and playfulness. The air between them crackled with some slight tension.
Then the atmosphere changed.
One second, Pidgeotto was perched on a low branch, tilting its head. The next, its wings snapped open with a whoosh, stirring up dust and dry leaves. Its talons flexed against the bark, claws digging in like it was anchoring itself for—
Oh crap.
"Vulpix, dodge left!" I barked.
The Pidgeotto lunged, a blur of feathers and momentum. Vulpix twisted mid-air, but not fast enough—the bird's wing clipped her side, sending her tumbling into the grass with a yelp.
Skitty shot to her feet, fur bristling. Mew, still lounging nearby, didn't even bother sitting up. "Ooooh, that's gotta hurt," she mused.
Pidgeotto landed gracefully, puffing out its chest. It didn't look hostile—more like it was testing us.
Vulpix scrambled up, shaking off dirt. Her tails flared, embers sparking at the tips.
"You—" Her growl was more offended than hurt.
I swallowed a laugh. Pride wounds burned worse than scratches, apparently.
"Alright, let's go," I muttered, rolling my shoulders. My aura prickled under my skin, restless. "Vulpix, Ember—aim for its wings!"
She spat a stream of fire, but Pidgeotto barrel-rolled mid-air, the flames licking harmlessly past its feathers. With another powerful flap, it shot upward, then dove—
"Now, Quick Attack into it!"
Vulpix blurred forward, a streak of reddish fur slamming into Pidgeotto's underside. The bird squawked, knocked off-course, but twisted mid-fall to retaliate with a sharp Peck.
Vulpix skidded back, wincing.
I clenched my fists. The static in my chest surged.
"Again!" I yelled.
This time, when Pidgeotto dove, Vulpix feinted right—then spun, slamming her tails into its side. The bird's balance faltered, and she didn't let up, chasing it with another Ember.
The flames grazed Pidgeotto's wingtip. It screeched, flapping erratically to shake off the heat—
And then, just as suddenly as it started, the bird pulled up. It hovered for a moment, chest heaving, before letting out a low, approving croon.
…Wait.
Approving?
Pidgeotto tilted its head at Vulpix, then at me, before flapping once, hard, and soaring off into the trees.
Silence.
Skitty blinked. "What just happened?"
Vulpix huffed, tails still smoking. "I think we passed its stupid test."
Mew finally sat up, grinning. "Aww, you made a friend! Sort of, I'd be careful now if i were you," She turned to me, grinning. "Also, your aura spiked real nice when you panicked. We should do that more often."
I exhaled, running a hand through my hair. My pulse was still racing. "Yeah, we should."
But as Vulpix trotted back, smug despite the dusty fur, I couldn't help smiling.
Mew was right about one thing—high stakes did make my aura clearer.
■■■SAVING■■■
Camp, Ren pov:
We walked until we reached a small campground. As the sun reached its peak, we decided to camp and celebrate Vulpix's first victory.
Mew and I had gathered plenty of berries along the trail. Their absurd abundance should have choked out every other plant, yet the ecosystem thrived - probably thanks to Pokémon inhaling them by the bushel.
While setting up camp, I prepared a stew using the chef's recipes. The grizzled old man at the Pokémon Center Cafeteria had taken a surprising shine to me last night, though I couldn't imagine why. Between grumbling about "kids these days," he'd slipped me a handwritten recipe book and a parcel of spices.
Vulpix sneezed in her sleep by the fire, her dirty fur still smelling faintly of smoke. The Pidgeotto had given her a proper fight, but she'd earned her rest - and hopefully, the stew would be edible enough to celebrate.
Soon, the food was ready. I woke Vulpix and called Skitty over from where she was playing with a wild Oddish.
After we finished eating, the two Pokémon ran off to continue a game with the Oddish.
Mew, back in her Pokémon form stretched lazily before turning to me. "Alright, let's continue your aura training."
She floated in front of me, her tail flicking thoughtfully. "Your control has improved—just a little, but it's progress. Now that you have a basic grasp, I need you to focus as much energy as you can into your head. Don't worry about hurting yourself—aura can't harm its user unless they want it to."
She tilted her head. "Humans aren't that different from Pokémon at their core, and just like them, they have types. Given my influence, you're probably Psychic-type."
I blinked at the sudden info dump. I kinda understood the lore—humans and Pokémon being fundamentally similar wasn't news. But what did she mean by her influence?
I'd suspected for a while that she'd done something when she healed me—maybe even changed my appearance. My memories from my EMPTY days were hazy, but I did remember looking different. Not that I minded. If anything, it helped—no past to chase me, and my story as a Faller had solid ground to stand on.
I focused inward, reaching for that familiar static energy. It still moved sluggishly, like molasses resisting my guidance. There was that strange sensation again - a subtle pull from my chest, near my heart, as if trying to draw the aura inward. But with effort, I managed to coax a portion of it upward to my head.
The effect was instantaneous. My mind expanded, the world snapping into sharper focus - colors brighter, sounds clearer. Thoughts came faster, more fluidly. Most startling was the new awareness of emotions around me - I could feel Skitty's playful excitement as she chased the Oddish, Vulpix's contented amusement at their game. The wild Pokémon registered fainter, like distant radio signals. Strangest of all, Mew might as well have been made of wood for all I could sense from her—absolutely nothing.
"Okay, you can stop now," Mew interrupted.
I released my hold on the energy. Most of it dissipated, though some remained pooled in my head. That odd suction in my chest returned, weaker now, barely noticeable.
Vulpix approached, her head tilted in that curious way of hers. "What was that?" Her voice came through clearly now after the battle, I could say now that I could speak to Pokémon.
"I'm psychic now," I explained, lifting her onto my lap. Mew watched with a proud smile that somehow managed to be both genuine and mischievous.
"Congratulations on your new psychic powers!" she cheered. "I'm sure you've noticed that weird suction - don't worry about it for now. It'll be useful later." She tapped her chin thoughtfully. "You're still weak, but you'll grow stronger with time and practice. Though..." Her grin turned dangerous. "Stress can accelerate the process. Maybe if I dropped you into a Beedrill nest-"
"Slow is perfect!" I cut in before Mew could finish her terrifying thought.
"Phooey, you're no fun," she said with an exaggerated pout, floating upside down in midair. Not that I minded her antics—I had a feeling I'd deeply regret it if I let her run wild with her "training methods."
Vulpix, still covered in dirt and ash from the battle, shook herself off with a huff. A cloud of dust poofed into the air, making Skitty sneeze violently.
"You're disgusting," Skitty muttered, flicking her tail.
"Says the one who licks her own paws," Vulpix shot back.
I sighed. "Alright, bath time."
The two of them froze.
"No."
"Absolutely not."
Mew cackled, twirling in the air. "Oh, this I gotta see."
■■■SAVING ■■■
Forest river, Ren pov:
I managed to herd Skitty and Vulpix toward a shallow stream nearby. A small group of Oddish watched us from the bank, their round eyes wide with curiosity.
"Uh, mind if we borrow the water for a bit?" I asked.
They nodded, one gave what I assume is a shrug, "Yeah go ahead, but be careful, it's cold."
"I'll keep that in mind," I said, picking Skitty up and approaching the water.
The Oddish flinched, "Y–you can understand me?"
"Mostly," I admitted. "It's a recent thing."
They whispered among themselves before nodding and shuffling aside.
Skitty, ever the pragmatist, dipped a cautious paw into the water—then immediately recoiled. "Cold!"
Vulpix, on the other hand, looked at the stream like it was her mortal enemy. "Fire types and water don't mix."
"Yeah, well, neither do fire types and mud," I said, picking her up before she could bolt.
What followed was a chaotic, splash-filled ordeal that left all three of us soaked. Vulpix yowled like I was torturing her, Skitty retaliated by shaking water directly into my face, and Mew laughed so hard she fell out of the air.
By the time we were done, Vulpix's fur was clean (if slightly fluffier than usual), Skitty's ribbon was damp but untangled, and I was definitely regretting not stripping off my outer layers first.
"Next time," I muttered, wringing water out of my sleeve, "we're using a damp cloth."
Mew, still giggling, floated over and poked my cheek. "Aww, but where's the fun in that?"
■■■SAVING ■■■
Camp, Ren pov:
Back at camp, I changed into dry clothes while Skitty and Vulpix basked in the sun, their fur slowly drying.
Mew, now sprawled on a rock like a lazy Meowth, grinned at me. "Soooo, what's next? More aura practice? A nap? Ooooh, what if we—"
"Food," I interrupted. "Food is next."
Skitty's ears perked up. "Finally, someone with sense."
As I rummaged through our supplies for berries and travel rations, I caught Vulpix eyeing the stream warily—like it might leap up and attack her.
"Relax," I said, tossing her a Pecha berry. "No more baths today."
She caught it mid-air, her tails wagging. "Good."
Mew sighed dramatically. "Fine, fine. But tomorrow? Definitely Beedrill training."
I threw a berry at her. She caught it with her power and ate it smugly.
Somehow, I knew this wasn't the last time I'd end up soaked.
________________________________________________________________________________
AN: Okay so I have a pic of the mc's appearance, here it is.
Also if you have any ideas or suggestions for how the story should go, I would appreciate if you inform me.