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}

*

*

*

*

(POV Will)

Ssssooooooooossssssshhhhhhh...

"I-it's c-cold…" I muttered, my voice trembling.

I lay sprawled near the shoreline, shivering like a popsicle. Even with my jacket draped tightly over me, the freezing air felt relentless.

(Fucking hell! Now I know why it gave me a jacket!) I was actually thankful that the system gave me a jacket now.

In desperation, I grabbed a ridiculously oversized leaf and wrapped it around myself, creating a makeshift blanket.

It didn't help much.

Crosss…

Heracross was fairing just as poorly. He had buried himself in the sand, leaving only his head and arms visible.

Despite the cold, his attention was glued to the starry sky above. His glowing eyes tracked each twinkle, utterly entranced. Was he... counting the stars?- Yep he's making tally marks in the sand.

"Why… does the desert… have to be this cold at night? How does that even make sense!" I grumbled, muffled by the fruit I was chewing.

(I've been eating small pieces of Lum berries every half hour to stave off frostbite. It works, but they taste awful—like a combination of sour slime and chewy leather!)

I winced as another piece of Lum berry assaulted my taste buds, the texture rough and unyielding. It was like gnawing on rock-solid beef jerky that squirted tart, bitter liquid with every chew. My face twisted in disgust, and I nearly choked-Wait shit I am choking!

Panicked, I bolted to the lake, gulping down mouthfuls of water. The sticky piece of shit finally dislodged, but not before leaving my throat sore and raw.

"Gah… stupid berry," I muttered, wiping my mouth. My hands, bright pink from the icy water, trembled slightly. Even in the dim light, I could see how much the cold was wearing me down.

(…The water is safe I guess? No pollution and it's clear as glass, maybe be some bacteria but I can't do shit about that. If I make a fire to try purify it I'll be attracting trouble with the light and smoke.)

The lake shimmered faintly under the stars, the only source of light in this oppressive darkness. Thankfully, Heracross's glowing eyes acted like a pair of very reflective mirrors, guiding me back to him. Honestly I could, quite literally and clearly, see the universe in his eyes.

*Swish…*

"..."

I froze mid-step, my ears straining for any sign of movement. Slowly, I turned back toward the lake, scanning the surface for ripples.

(Must've been my imagination…) I thought, shaking my head and resuming my walk.

*Splash!*

"Heracross!" I yelled, spinning around. 'My' body instinctively dropped into a clumsy martial arts stance.

HERA!

Heracross erupted from the sand like a rocket, kicking up a small smokescreen. He charged through it, sprinting toward me with surprising speed.

I fumbled with the system panel, remembering the flashlight function, waving it around like a flashlight as my eyes darted wildly in search of the source. Finally, I pointed the panel at the culprit—a…

"..."

Wwwwooooo~

I blinked. Standing mere inches from my foot was a Wooper, its tiny body glowing faintly in the system light.

{Image}

Oooo?~

The little creature tilted its head, its beady eyes staring up at me with innocent curiosity.

(CUTE! It's so small I could fit it in the palm of my hand!) I was frozen in awe at the sight of the adorable Pokémon. Even Heracross seemed momentarily stunned—oh, wait. No. He was just waiting for orders.

The system panel updated with a soft ping, displaying the Wooper's info in detail:

{Wooper, Water fish pokemon

Health Bar: Full

Possible Abilities: Damp or Water Absorb

Gender: Female

Behavior: }

(Huh?-ohh I guess if I point it at a pokemon it'll automatically display in info. Neat, I guess?)

"Ahem… uhh, false alarm?" I patted Heracross's back nervously.

Croossss…

Heracross smacked my arm lightly—well, lightly for him. I winced as a dull ache radiated through my shoulder. His expression drifted to subtle irritation, but I knew he was holding back and didn't mean harm.

(That's definitely going to leave a bruise…)

The Wooper, oblivious to the drama, waddled away with an amusing gait: left foot forward. Pause. Right foot forward. Pause.

I let out a dry chuckled under my breath, watching her funny little walk. Curious, I tapped the Dex entry icon.

{This Pokémon primarily lives in cold water. Wooper spends its day underwater, sleeping in riverbeds covered in a blanket of mud. It will leave the water to search for food at night once the temperature drops.}

(Ah, so she's just hungry.) I thought as the monotone voice continued.

{When walking on land, it covers its body with a cool viscous slime that prevents dehydration from their very heat sensitive skin. This membrane also functions as their primary defense. When stressed, the slime turns poisonous, causing intense pain upon direct contact.}

(...Thank God I didn't pet her!) I shuddered at the thought.

{Wooper rarely travels alone. They form groups of three or four to assist each other with tasks.}

(Aww a tiny brigade of Woopers! Wait... Brigade of Woopers?-As in plural?)

*Splashing~*

Before I could finish processing, the sound of soft splashes caught my attention.

Wooopa~

Paaa~

Oooopaaa~

Three more Woopers emerged from the water, marching in perfect sync. Their heads bobbed rhythmically, as if they were in a military parade.

(I guess the first one's the leader or scout?) I watched in silent amusement, imagining cartoon music accompanying their march toward the foliage.

"Oh, maybe I can…"

(I saw it when I first got the system, where is it- Aha!)

Switching to the camera app, I noticed a new button labeled Follow Subject. Intrigued, I tapped it and aimed the panel at the Woopers. A small square detached from the device with a soft buzz, hovering silently before locking onto the group.

*Click!*

The panel displayed a crystal-clear photo of the adorable Woopers, their funny march immortalized in perfect detail.

Then each time the 'drone' stopped angling itself it released a click, following the click a stunning photograph on the panel.

(This is amazing!) as I swiped through several photos of the Woopers, each different from one another. Some of them goofy some serious and some somber. But no matter the tones the photo captured it was undoubtably the cutest think I'd ever seen.

Excited, I aimed the drone at Heracross, who had returned to staring at the stars. The device adjusted itself, snapping a majestic shot that captured the curiosity in his glowing eyes.

I was experimenting with the camera, snapping photos of the oasis, the dunes, the night sky, and anything else that caught my eye. It was a rare moment of peace toady, and I intended to savor it.

Woopppa!

*Thud. Thud. Thud. Thud.*

The sound jolted me out of my photo frenzy. My fingers flashed the glowing panel toward the source of the noise.

Paaa!

*Thud. Thud. Thud. Thud.*

My eyes locked onto the Woopers, maybe twenty meters away, now gathered in a tight circle around a tree. They were… slamming their heads against it?

(What the… Oh right, they came out for food!)

(I suppose they're trying to knock the fruit down?)

Heracross must've caught on as well because he immediately buzzed over to the base of the tree. He exchanged what I could only describe as an animated discussion with the Woopers.

Cross, cross, hera!

Pa? x4

Hera.

Oooppaaaaa!

The quartet responded in unison, their squeaky voices echoing like a comical choir.

Taking advantage of the situation, I switched the drone's settings to record a video and locked its focus on Heracross.

Hera….CROSS!

Heracross squared up to the tree and delivered three rapid jabs with his fists, each strike reverberating through the air with a resounding *THWACK*.

[Heracross used 'Arm thrust'!]

A brief pause, and then the tree let loose a cascade of apple-like fruits, raining them down on the group.

Woooooopppppaaaaaaaaaa!

The Woopers broke into a gleeful frenzy, hopping up and down as if they'd just won the lottery. Meanwhile, Heracross stood there awkwardly, trying to bask in their appreciation without cringing.

He flexed his arms, like in those old superhero comic, clearly unsure of what else to do.

Heerrraaaa?…

"…Pft-HHAHHAHAHAHHA!"

The sight was too much. I doubled over, clutching my side as uncontrollable laughter burst out of me. My knees wobbled as I slapped them, trying to steady myself.

Heracross shot me a look that could only be described as strained panic. His eyes screamed, 'HELP ME! WHAT DO I DO!?'.

The Woopers, oblivious to his discomfort, continued their joyful celebration, hopping around him like he was a hero in a parade.

"hehe…ahh haven't laughed like that in ages~"

I walked over to Heracross, wiping tears of laughter from my eyes as I approached him.

"Hey, hey, hey now! Let's give our 'hero' some space and enjoy these fruits, yeah?"

Crouching down to their level, I placed a handful of fruits in front of the Woopers. Their little heads turned toward the offering, and with gleeful nods, they began munching away, freeing my boy Heracross from their circle of adoration.

Wwwoooo! x4

The Woopers chorused their delight, their tiny bodies wriggling with excitement.

Heraaa…

Heracross gave me a thankful glance as he gave me a quick nudge with his horn before turning his utmost attention to the Woopers.

(He grew fond of them quick…)

I chuckled, giving Heracross a sly grin as I polished a fruit against my jacket sleeve, inspecting it like a connoisseur.

"Heracross, catch!" I called, tossing the fruit his way.

He caught it deftly on his horn, blinking in surprise at the unexpected gift.

Hera!

"Don't think you've tried this one before. It might be sweet," I teased, stifling a laugh as he awkwardly tried to balance the fruit on his horn without letting it drop.

Heracross, clearly done with my games, flicked the fruit into the air with a swift motion. As it descended, he caught it expertly in his mouth, chomping it down in one satisfying bite.

For a split second, I caught a glimpse of his teeth—flat, stone-chisel-like incisors at the front and thick, zigzagging molars at the back.

(That's… interesting, I guess?)

My eyes drifting to the Woopers. Unlike Heracross, they had no teeth at all, just strong gums capable of munching down their fruit with surprising efficiency.

"The anime really made me think most Pokémon had human-like teeth…" I muttered, biting into a fruit myself.

The flavor hit me: tart and crisp like a green apple, it also had a sort of- uh sort of-hmmm…mango! Yeah! A slight mango aftertaste, but with a texture that was oddly reminiscent of a half-frozen grape.

(Ah~ just what I needed to cleanse my palate from that stupid berry…)

I chewed thoughtfully, letting the gears in my head turn.

"Got it. Grapples! I'll call them grapples!" I declared with a self-satisfied grin. (Sometimes, I'm just a genius…)

*

*

*

The Woopers, Heracross, and I spent the rest of the night fooling around, passing time under the starry desert sky.

I sighed, watching the Woopers splashed around the oasis playing like the toddlers they were, apparently from a more detailed system analysis, they've just about reached the three month margin.

I had been wondering where the parents were, leaving their babies alone like this.

After digging into the system pokedex I got a quite simple answer…or a complex one, depends on how you look at it.

{Under harsh climate conditions, Quagsire are known to behave much differently from those living in normal conditions. Due to Quagsire not sharing the heat-sensitive skin of their pre-evolution, they can spend as much time as they want outside of water.}

{They can lay up to 40 eggs per clutch. Unlike normal Quagsires, who protect their eggs and nurture them to adolescence, Quagsires under harsh conditions don't raise their young at all.}

{To increase chances of survival in harsh climates, a male and female Quagsire will periodically migrate around the biome they inhabit during mating season. Whenever they find a suitable ecosystem to foster a baby Wooper into an adult Quagsire, they'll leave a small number of eggs there before journeying to the next ecosystem.}

{The parents won't come back. Once left alone, the Woopers are independent from birth.}

As much as I wanted to catch one-no all of the little guys, and become the father they never had, I unfortunately knew better.

(They wouldn't survive out there away from water for long, even in a Pokéball…)

"Hahhhh~ man, I'm tired…"

Heracross and I slumped under a nearby palm tree, its bark and leaves offering some relief from the chilly air.

(As much as I'd love to close my eyes… the moment I do, some Garchomp or equally terrifying bullshit will show up. I swear, the universe hates me sometimes.)

I groaned, the thought of sleep slipping further from my grasp.

(I really need coffee right now…) I looked at Heracross who although wasn't dead tired as me was notably less energetic.

"Sighhh… Kids, am I right? Oh, wait—you're one of them too, matter a fact they're older than you~" I teased, glancing at Heracross. He rolled his eyes with a tired huff and turned away, gazing at the shimmering sky.

(Might as well explore this system's functions…)

My finger hovered over the glowing interface until a tiny vinyl player icon labeled {Music} caught my eye. My chest tightened with a spark of excitement.

"Well, well… guess this thing isn't all that evil after all."

I tapped the icon, and a sprawling playlist unfolded before me, filled with songs I recognized and others that were utterly foreign. Bittersweet curiosity tugged at my chest as I selected a random track.

{Dark Red – Steve Lacy}

Softly, the music began. The gentle rhythm of drums and guitar leaked from the panel, barely audible to anyone a few feet away. I hummed along, my eyes fluttering closed as the melody seeped into my core.

Something bad is 'bout to happen to me~

Might be so sad, might leave my nose running~

The singer's voice rippled across the silence, weaving through the night like a breeze. Heracross perked up, his antennae twitching as he glanced around for the source.

"Relax, it's just the music," I muttered.

Even as I spoke, my gaze lingered on the Woopers splashing in the distance. Their carefree joy struck a raw nerve. In a few days, this would just be a memory—a fleeting fragment I might even lose to time. Yet, in this fragile moment, I clung to the slim hope that someday, somehow, I'd return to this oasis and take them with me to see the world.

Don't you give me up, please don't give up~

The words struck deeper than the melody, echoing louder in my chest than in the air. I let out a shaky laugh. "Yeah… wishful thinking," I whispered to no one, brushing away the ache rising in my throat.

On me, I belong with you and only you, baby~

Only you, my girl, only you, babe~

Looking back, my thoughts drifted to the life I had left behind. The truth hit me hard—a stone to the chest. There wasn't much of a life to mourn.

Only you, darling, only you~

The memories were distant and hazy, like looking through a fogged window: city streets I barely strayed from, creeks I'd visited, a forgotten field trip to the beach. My past life… meaningless.

What if she's fine?~

It's my mind that's wrong~

What was left of me in that old world? Sacrifices for a stupid degree I'd never get to use now that I'm here in another world.

And I just let bad thoughts~

A job at the docks no one would miss me at.

Linger for far too long~

An apartment that would be raided by my landlord as soon as she noticed I wasn't paying rent.

What if (if), she's fine? (Fine)~

Rick might care. A little. Only because I was labor for him to boss around. He'd just shuffle someone new into the schedule and move on. My coworkers? They wouldn't even notice I was gone.

It's my mind that's wrong~

The stray dogs under the bridge, the ginger cat at my favorite coffee shop, and the robins who fed at my broken birdfeeder—they'd miss me more than any human ever did.

And I just (just), let bad thoughts (thoughts)~

I sniffled softly, curling into myself as the song played on. Tears streaked my cheeks, though a weak smile crept through.

Linger for far too long~

One by one, the sounds around me—splashes, wind, music—faded into the background until all that remained were my heartbeat and thoughts.

The system… it was right.

The truth hit harder than I expected: in just one day here—despite nearly dying, repeatedly might I add—I'd found more warmth, more connection, than I had in a lifetime back there.

"…"

Being plucked away form that world was the only good thing that ever happened to me.

(Holy shit I sound so emo right now…) I tried to lighten my food, smiling slightly as I try to cheer up my gloomy thoughts with a bit of sarcasm…*Sighhh* didn't seem to work…

Tears rolled freely, but they weren't born of grief of the life I 'lost'. Nor gratitude to the 'new one' presented. They were something else entirely—determination.

Determined to make bonds, relationships that'll last lifetimes.

Determined to explore this vast world, etch my name into every part of it.

Determined to uncover the unknown, for it's in my nature to learn.

Determined to protect what's mine, for they belong to only me.

Determined to embrace everything this world had to offer.

Determined to live the life I'd never even dared to dream of.

"I want to live a life I can look back on…one I'll engrave in history!"

Raising my head, I noticed Heracross blocking the moon's glow.

Hera…

He was staring at me, concern etched into his gaze. His elytra clicked open and close releasing worried chirps and buzzes.

"Yeah—sniff… I'm fine…" I muttered, rubbing my tears away as the world slowly filled back with color and life.

"Thanks, bud…" I grasped his claws—or whatever they were—as he helped me to my feet.

Cross!

He smiled, dusting sand from my back with a gentle pat.

"To a better future…" I murmured so softly, not even Heracross could hear it.

(ahhh! That was so embarrassing!) I was internally strangling myself by the neck for acting so vulnerable! Ahhhhh! That was the most cringe and emo internal monologue I ever had! Fuck someone kill me now!

The stars seemed to flicker brighter than before, but something odd caught my eye.

A patch of stars would vanish momentarily, obscured by something gliding silently through the sky.

My breath hitched.

(A plane?-I'm saved!-)

"HEY OVER HERE! HELP! DOWN HERE-…?"

(Wait…No its flying to low and its too small —? A bird maybe-..…)

Then it clicked.

...

A pokemon…

Glowing dark red eyes, sharp and unblinking, honing on the lake's edge like a predator sizing up its prey.

The Woopers froze mid-splash, their cheerful cries silenced as a suffocating tension filled the air.

Hoooooo…

The guttural screech sent shivers through me. The silhouette grew clearer, its wings stretching wide like a dark omen against the starlight.

Heracross straightened, his gentle gaze hardening into a fierce determination. His body coiled, ready to defend.

"Shit…"

The melody still played in the background.

Something bad is 'bout to happen to me…

*

*

*

{WHO'S THAT POKEMON?!}

*

*

*

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

Sorry if the story is slow!