Pokemon: Echoes of Adventure

{Hey there, author here! Thanks for checking out my fanfic! If you spot any errors or feel a part could use improvement, please comment to let me know so I can fix it for future readers. I'd also love to hear your thoughts on the chapter—what you enjoyed or didn't—so feel free to share! Apologies if the pacing feels a bit slow at times.}

{Now, on with the chapter!}

"talking"

(Thoughts)

*Sound effects*

{system or author}

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(POV Will)

I squinted against the blazing desert sun as the energy dissipated, revealing a towering shadow that eclipsed the light.

RRRRRRAAAAAAAAAAAA!

The figure flexed dramatically, its form coming into sharp focus. Sunlight reflected off its glossy blue carapace, nearly blinding me with its brilliance.

(Now this is surprising!) Joy surged through me as I took in the sight of my new partner, bathed in radiant sunlight and exuding an aura of raw power.

RRAAA~

It flexed its robust body, striking a pose as if it were stretching. But as the haze cleared further, I realized… it wasn't as towering as I'd first thought—barely a meter and a half tall.

"Oh yeah, I can definitely work with a—"

Crossss~

"—Heracrosssssssss?!"

{Image}

The bipedal beetle turned toward me with an almost comical speed, scooping me up like a father lifting his child.

Its actions would've been endearing if not for the sheer awkwardness of my position. I was curled into a ball, one of its large claws—or were they hands?—supporting my back while the other clasped my legs.

"What are you doing?!" I yelled, squirming in surprise at the unexpected turn of events.

I tried to escape the bizarre embrace, utterly bewildered.

Cross!~ Hera!~

Heracross grinned wide, its expression brimming with delight.

It began hopping from side to side with a childlike exuberance, still holding me as though I were a prized trophy.

Heraaaa~

He- uhhh…he began giving me 'uppies'… actually, these 'uppies' ain't that bad—NO! Will, you are an independent, fully functional adult man. Have some dignity, for god's sake!

Hera~

Looking at its innocent smile, I-…I sighed in defeat, my resistance fading.

"Ah, damnit, you're too cute to scold…." My words were barely a whisper, thankfully so. I didn't want boost its ego or somehow sour the beetle's mood.

The overgrown bug was just… overly excited. Like a giant teddy bear, too thrilled to care about boundaries. Besides, it wasn't hurting me. He was apparently aware of his strength and was being surprisingly gentle, handling me as if I were a delicate teacup.

Amusingly, it struck me how, just some time ago, I'd been fighting for my life against a wild Pokémon. Now, I was cradled in one's arms like a beloved doll.

"Pft-hahaha…" I stifled a dry laugh at the absurdity of the situation. It wasn't so bad—almost like a chaotic amusement park ride.

Heracross, hearing my laughter, seemed to take it as encouragement. It bounced—or danced, I guess—even more enthusiastically.

Heracross~

"Whoa-"

*Swoosh~*

He chucked me probably ten feet into the air before I could react. Before I could even scream, I was back in Heracross's arms.

Hera-cross~

He tried to throw me up again but I just about managed to avoid that outcome.

"…"

With teeth clattering, I latched onto Heracross's arms like a cat to a scratching post, refusing any more games of 'throw the trainer.'

"All right, bud, slow down, would ya?" I chuckled, stroking its horn. The smooth texture of it was surprisingly pleasant.

Herrrra~

A buzzing sound emanated from Heracross, reminiscent of a cat's purr. It finally settled down, placing me gently on a flat rock.

*Sizzle~*

I flinched, accidentally brushing my hands on the blazing hot surface of the stone. It felt like my hand melted…ah shi—welp… there go my fingerprints!

I was slightly startled to find the tips of a few of my fingers lacking fingerprints…. On the bright side, at least I won't be caught if I turn to a life of crime?

Hera?

Heracross was puzzled, quickly taking note of my slightly pained expression.

"Ah, it's nothing~ The rock's a bit hot, is all!" I gave it a fake smile, brushing off Heracross's confusion.

(Fuck, am I glad the system gave me clothes! I would've turned into a grilled sausage.)

With him in front of me, I took note of his height. Excluding his horn, he reached the lower portion of my chest. With it, he stood inches taller than me.

"Had your fun?" I asked, patting the little giant on its back. I took the chance to cool my stinging hands on his cold carapace. Ah~ pure bliss~.

Raaaaa~

Heracross's delighted expression didn't waver as it playfully nudged its horn against my shoulder.

"Hahaha! Stop, that tickles!" I laughed softly, gently pushing him away as I clutched my stomach, trying to calm myself down.

Heracross~

*zzzzz~*

It obediently obliged, backing away while happily buzzing, its elytra twitching open and closed, creating a sort of hum, like a bee.

{Author here, NOT the thing from Minecraft! Elytra (singular elytron) are the tough forewings of beetles and hard-shelled bugs. The elytra are not used in flight but are used to protect the more delicate hind wings.}

"Okay, right, uh—introductions then!" I said, clearing my throat.

"My name is Will Wynn, and I'm your trainer. I assume you get that, right?" The beetle nodded enthusiastically, flashing a grin that radiated pride.

Hera! Heracross!

Heracross introduced himself, though I couldn't really understand it. I was happy with him—I mean, it's the thought that counts, no? It even gave a mock salute before resuming the playful nudges.

Heraaa~

(Let's check out this fella's stats…) I thought, pulling up the panel on my system interface.

Tapping one of the many icons, the Pokédex, it opened a tab that resembled a fantasy RPG status screen.

{Name: Heracross (M)

Type: Fighting/Bug

Status: Happy

Abilities: Swarm, Moxie, Guts

Nature: Quirky

HP: 12 | ATK: 7 | DEF: 6 | SPE: 7 | S-ATK: 6 | S-DEF: 6

Moves: Arm Thrust 1/20, Leer 1/20, Harden 1/20, Tackle 1/20}

 "Huh…" I muttered. I guess those numbers meant mastery?

(That's… odd? Why does Heracross have three abilities? Don't Pokémon usually have one? Not that I'm complaining—he's at an advantage—but I definitely need to learn more about this world.)

I was completely intrigued by the status screen, taking in as much info as I could.

(Do other Pokémon also have more than one ability? Is this a common occurrence?—No! Will, stay focused! Food for thought later. Right now, survival shit!)

(Alright, maybe I should give my partner an idea of our predicament before just aimlessly running into the horizon?…)

*Cough*

*Cough*

 "Ahem?"

Hera? Crosss~

Heracross understood the memo and backed off a few steps, listening intently as he quietly buzzed to himself.

"Heracross, as you can most likely tell, we're in the middle of fuc—…uh, 'fudging' nowhere with no food or water," I said, grimacing.

Heeerrraa?

Heracross tilted its head, confused. It pointed toward a distant cactus with one claw-finger.

Uhhh, never mind... "Nope! No way am I ending up like Sokka!" I blurted out, shuddering.

(Pretty sure most cactus water is toxic on an empty stomach… Holy shit, can't believe watching Bear Grylls is actually paying off right now…Thank you Edward Michael Grylls!)

Hera?~

(Oh shit-uh right, reality…)

"…Although, you're partially correct," I admitted. "I think only you could eat that. Me? I'd probably die." I gave the nihilistic comment without much thought.

Hera?!

Heracross waved its arms in alarm, panic written all over its face.

"Whoa! Whoa! Whoa! Mate, calm down!"

I was dumbfounded with nervousness as the giant beetle pulled me into a hug, sobbing into my shirt.

(Shittttt, what do I do!?)

I was panicking internally, awkwardly patting his smooth carapace.

Herraaa~

After a few seconds, I realized he was kinda like a child, so it wouldn't hurt to treat him as one? Right?

(Uhhh… here goes nothing?)

"Shhh, there, there, lad. I'm not dead yet.."

I tried to lighten his mood, doing awkward stretches to show I was in good health.

(Fuckkkkkkk—Why did I pick stretches of all things!? My wounds are killin' me!!!!)

I put on a mask of bravado, screaming internally as I felt my muscles tear a bit.

Cross?

He looked at me with curiosity, mimicking my movements. From his expression, I could tell he was still panicked but noticeably more composed.

It brought an embarrassed smile to my face, but I was happy I managed to pacify him, even if by only a bit…

Did I really look that dumb doing stretches?

"See~ I'm still kicking around! (barely…)"

*Buuzzz~*

Heracross made a buzzing like coo, relived I was (For the most part) doing well.

(Aww, this guy's so innocent. He really holds me in high regard, doesn't he?)

Smiling softly, I patted his head, instantly calming him.

Rrraaaaa…

Faint tears welled in Heracross's eyes as it rubbed its horn against my extended arm.

"So, let's keep me alive a while longer, yeah?" I teased.

Heracross straightened, a look of renewed determination flashing across its face.

Cross!

*Zwippp!*

It flexed its back, unfurling translucent wings, and shot into the air with a dramatic buzz—albeit a bit clumsily.

(Jeez, give me a heart attack, why don't ye…)

I thought, watching as he soared high above the desert, scanning the horizon like a scout.

"…I think I should be careful about my wording around him… Yeah, definitely."

(Maybe the store has something useful…medicine hopefully. I'm not all that certain the potion will work on me…water would be nice too.)

Fatigue was starting to hit me hard—exhaustion from the fight combined with dehydration wasn't exactly a winning combo. Opening the store panel, I noticed two categories: Monthly Goods and Permanent Goods.

Under Permanent Goods, I found standard items like Pokéballs, potions, and berries. Regular Pokéballs were 5 system points, and even the cheapest berries cost 10 system points for just a handful. There were also camping materials, but the tent alone came to a whopping 20 system points. At least the quality looked worth the price.

Sighhh…no water and normal food though. Just empty canteens and cooking utensils. 

Then I switched to the Monthly Goods tab…

"…huh?"

…What the hell is this shite?!

I gawked at the screen, utterly dumbfounded.

A Mega Venusaurite Keystone for 300,000 system points! An Expert Belt for 3,000 system points. An all-terrain vehicle—capable of traveling by air, land, and water—for 10,000 system points. WTF!?

And the kicker: A Master Ball listed at a jaw-dropping 1 million system points.

I stared at the absurd prices, my mouth hanging open as the sheer insanity of it all sank in.

"…How do I even get system points?"

I would have loved to explore the functionality of the system more but the dehydration induced migraine kicked in, I could barely read of make out any of the icons…

"Argh…I-…I think I'll just lay down for a bit…" Clutching my head I tried massaging it though I think I made it worse honestly…Where are pain killer when you need them!?

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*Buzzz~*

After a few minutes of circling overhead, Heracross descended in a controlled spiral. It landed with a slight wobble but managed to stay upright, its wings buzzing faintly before folding back under its carapace neatly.

Without hesitation, it bounded over to me and catapulted me to my feet using its horn.

"Aye, aye, aye! What's the big idea?"

I grumbled, brushing sand off my clothes as Heracross lightly shoved me… umm, if the sun's moving that way, it'd be… westward?

Heracross!

The beetle gestured emphatically, pointing ahead as if to say, 'Follow me!'.

"You found something, didn't ya?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.

Crooooosssss~

Walking beside me, Heracross began gesturing wildly, using exaggerated arm movements to describe whatever it had spotted.

I couldn't help but chuckle at his antics, reaching out to pat his smooth head.

"Good job, Heracross!"

His face lit up at the praise, and he puffed out his chest with pride as we trudged onward through the desert.

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Several Hours Later…

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*Splash!*

"WHAGHFJH—"

I jolted awake, coughing and spluttering as cold water splashed over me—wait… water?

My fingers grazed the surface of cool, crystal-clear liquid. Blinking in disbelief, I realized I was half-submerged in a shimmering oasis. Without a second thought, I cupped my hands and drank to my fill. The water was a revelation, quenching not just my thirst but my mental exhaustion.

Splashing around, I let myself fall onto my back, making ripples of 'water angels.'

"Hahaha! Water!" I laughed, letting the relief of finding salvation wash over me.

Memories of our arduous journey here started to flood back.

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Heracross and I had walked for what felt like an eternity through the relentless dunes. The searing heat, the constant breaks to catch my breath, and Heracross's frequent pit stops at random cacti for snacks tested both of us. The desert wasn't kind. Shifting sands made every step an ordeal, and we had to remain vigilant to avoid wild Pokémon that could've easily ended us.

Thankfully, besides the occasional Spearow or Pidgey flock passing by, we met nothing.

With little else to do, Heracross and I spent the time trying to communicate, learning bits about each other. The language barrier made it tricky, but we found workarounds. Simple yes-or-no questions became our mainstay, with Heracross nodding, shaking his head, or crossing his arms to respond.

I'd been surprised to discover his favorite flavor was bittersweet. Who knew?

By the time my body gave out, Heracross had resorted to dragging me across the desert floor by my legs.

"Heyyy… Heracross…" I slurred, barely able to keep my eyes open. "We're almost… there, right…?"

Crossss.

Heracross shook his head, his determined gaze fixed ahead. He kept pulling me onward, leaving drag marks in the sand that the wind quickly erased.

*Thuk!*

"Rock." My body was too weak to react to the pain, everything just felt so...dull, I guess.

Hera…

Heracross gave me an apologetic look, signaling 'sorry' with one hand claw thingy.

I was too tired to even massage my head. Thankfully, it was a blunt one.

Sigh… I murmured, gazing up at the cloudless sky. There was something peaceful about it, even as exhaustion overtook me.

(…I'm so lucky to have gotten Heracross. I mean with my situation even if I got a fucking Rayquaza I doubt it would've listened to me, hell it might just take a bite outta me cause it just felt like it.)

(Heracross is loyal, friendly, easy to read, and reliable to top it all off. Once again I reiterate that even if I got a legendary if they couldn't take orders or we couldn't communicate on the same wavelength, I might as well be six feet under the sand.)

Blink…

Blink…

"Hey, bud… I'm just gonna…pass ou-…'sleep' for a bit, don't… worry about… me…" suddenly I just felt heavy, as if a wave of crushing weight flooded through my entire being.

Before I passed out entirely, I caught a glimpse of Heracross looking back at me not with irritation, not with his usual joyous glint in his eyes I'd come to know in the time we've known each other. But rather a somber expression with a reassuring smile said it all: Leave everything to me.

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"I guess we arrived at our destination…an oasis, I believe?"

Seeing my reflection in the water, I blinked. I looked… thirteen? Maybe fourteen? Gotta say—damn, am I fine.

*Whistle~*

(I guess it wouldn't be farfetched to say that the system also made me younger…heh heh 'farfetched' cause I'm in pokemon… seems it also removed the acne from back then… Did I always look this good?)

My hair was moderately long for a guy, a wild mess reaching my nape, even blocking my vision slightly. Glad it stayed black—don't think I could have pulled off any other color.

I wasn't exactly fat in my old life. I was well-built but still had some bulk. Now? My face was… angular. No hint of fat at all. My deep brown eyes had turned an alien shade of bright amber. Cool. No complaints there.

Honestly, I looked like I'd been carved by Greek sculptors. My muscle tone hadn't changed much from my past life, though the proportions had been… adjusted.

I slowly got to my feet, wobbling slightly as my clothes dragged me down. Twisting the water out of them, I took note of my surroundings.

The lake wasn't massive—maybe 70 meters across—but it was a miracle in this wasteland. A thin fringe of foliage surrounded part of the shoreline, including palm trees, bushes, and some peculiar oak-like trees dotted with vibrant berries. Lum Berries, if I wasn't mistaken.

Judging by the sky's hues, evening was approaching. The pinkish-orange glow of the setting sun painted everything in warm, surreal tones.

(Where's Heracross…?)

Scanning the area, my eyes landed on Heracross perched atop a rocky mound. The jagged outcrop rose from the endless dunes like a lone sentinel.

He stood motionless, bathed in the fading hues of the setting sun. The sky above bled into layers of orange, pink, and deepening indigo, streaked with the last wisps of daylight. The air had cooled slightly, carrying a faint whisper of the desert's dry stillness.

Heracross tilted his horned head, staring intently at the horizon as if trying to understand its distant secrets. Even from down here, I could see the wonder radiating from him.

"Enjoying the view?" I called out, my voice softer than usual as I climbed onto a flat rock beside him. "Mind if I join?"

Crossss…

He hummed in acknowledgment but didn't shift his gaze. His eyes, bright and reflective like polished amber, flickered with curiosity and awe.

(This is all so new to him…)

The desert stretched endlessly around us, its rolling dunes now cast in long, dramatic shadows. On the horizon, a faint line of palm trees and lush greenery marked the oasis—a miracle in this barren wasteland.

Above us, the first stars punctured the sky, their soft glow slowly replacing the sun's fiery dominance.

In many ways, Heracross was like a newborn. He'd come into existence via the system with a basic understanding—he knew who I was, what trainers and battles were—but seeing the world with his own eyes was different.

(It's like snow… You can know what it is, how it feels, how it looks… but nothing compares to the magic of seeing it for the first time.)

I glanced at him again.

Today had been monumental for him—his first steps, his first taste of sunlight, his first meal, and his first breath of life itself.

(I guess I'm proud of him… Is that weird? Is this how people view their pets?...their children?)

Heracross shifted slightly, his carapace gleaming under the fading light. His expression, though subtle, carried a depth of emotion I hadn't noticed before—pure, unfiltered amazement.

"We've had quite the hell of a day, huh?" I murmured, a gentle smile tugging at my lips.

Heracross let out a faint buzz, a sound somewhere between a hum and a sigh.

The air grew cooler as the stars multiplied above us. The desert now seemed alive in a different way—the sand glimmered faintly in the starlight, and the occasional whistle of the wind added to the stillness.

"Day one in this crazy world, and I'm already a father, hahaha… haahhh…"

I muttered with a chuckle, turning my head toward the sky.

Heracross finally glanced at me, his horn tilting slightly in a curious gesture. Then, with surprising delicacy, he nudged my shoulder, as if reassuring me.

I laughed, patting his smooth carapace.

"Thanks, bud. Let's keep going. There's a lot more out there for us to see."

Heracross buzzed again, a low, melancholic sound, as we sat quietly, soaking in the wonder of a world that felt, to me for the first time, boundless.

(Beautiful, isn't it?)

No city noise 24/7, no sky greased over with fumes blocking the sky, no rush or any sort of due payment to stress over… Just a quiet chilly landscape illuminated with the type night sky only described in our wildest fantasies.

The desert, once an endless expanse of heat and torment, now felt almost poetic under the setting sun.

"Hey Heracross, lets...lets just stay like this a bit longer..."

Cross...

We survived the whole day didn't we? What's a few minutes more taking a break star gazing.

Moments like this… were worth holding onto.

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Thanks for reading and if you don't mind please share your thoughts of the chapter. 

Sorry if the story is slow!