Pokémon: The Gaming System

A/N: Guys please get me few more 5-Star Reviews just enough that this fan fic can be rated at least for now. Also tell me your thoughts about it. About the story so far after all we are done with our 10th chapter now.

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After waking up, the first rays of sunlight filtered through the curtains of my Pokémon Center room, painting the simple space in hues of orange and gold. I stretched, feeling the pleasant ache of a body well-rested after a day of intense digital conquest. The quiet hum of the building was a familiar backdrop to my thoughts.

I went through my usual morning rituals—washing up, brushing my teeth, and getting dressed. The cool water on my face was invigorating, sharpening my senses. I pulled on a fresh shirt and jeans, feeling ready to tackle whatever the day, both real and virtual, threw at me. Today was going to be another big one.

I went to check out of the Pokémon Center, nodding a polite farewell to Nurse Joy. The lobby was already bustling with trainers, some excitedly planning their day, others nursing tired Pokémon. I navigated through the crowd with practiced ease, my mind already on the next objective.

And then I went to Cerulean Gym, as probably Ash had already helped her with the show yesterday. I knew the drill.

Ash would have stumbled into the gym, probably gotten into some ridiculous situation with Misty's sisters, and eventually, through sheer plot armor, helped Misty out of her slump. My presence was simply a convenient coincidence, a way to keep the narrative flowing.

After reaching the gym, its giant seashell motif even more prominent in the morning light, I could hear faint shouts and splashes from inside.

It sounded like a battle was either just ending or was in full swing. I pushed open the doors, stepping into the humid, chlorine-scented air.

I went to meet Misty, who looked like she just got a draw with Ash due to Team Rocket's interference. She was standing by the poolside, her arms crossed, a frustrated pout on her face.

Ash was beside her, looking equally exasperated, while Pikachu seemed to be comforting him.

"Oh, hey!" Ash exclaimed, spotting me. "You just missed it! Team Rocket showed up and ruined everything! Misty and I were having an awesome battle, and then boom! They blasted off, but they took out the lights!" He threw his hands up in exasperation.

Misty sighed dramatically. "It was supposed to be my comeback! My sisters were actually impressed for once, and then those three clowns had to show up!"

She glared at the spot where the ceiling lights were still flickering erratically. "Now the gym's a mess, and I didn't even get to finish my battle!"

Not my problem though. I just nodded sympathetically, though internally, I was already calculating my next move.

Their drama was their own; I had badges to collect and a game to finish. The comedic timing of Team Rocket was always impeccable, if inconvenient.

I challenge her. "Mind if I get a quick gym battle in, Misty?" I asked, my voice calm.

"I'm on a bit of a schedule." Her eyes widened slightly, surprised by my directness, but then a competitive glint appeared.

She accepted. "Alright! But don't think I'll go easy on you just because you're Ash's friend!" she declared, striking a pose.

I wanted to argue that we are not friend but I let it slide.

She sent out her Staryu, its gem glittering in the dim light. "Staryu, Water Gun!"

It was an easy fight for my Grovyle. I didn't need to even switch Pokémon. Grovyle, with its natural speed and grass-type advantage, dodged Staryu's attacks with effortless grace. A few Quick Attacks and a powerful Absorb later, Staryu was down.

Misty sent out Starmie, her ace. It was a formidable opponent, but Grovyle, even without a type advantage, was simply too fast and too strong but with type advantage it was super easy. Its movements were blurs, its attacks precise. Starmie's Water Pulse barely grazed it.

One more Absorb, and Starmie, after a valiant effort, fainted. The battle was over in minutes, a swift, decisive victory. Misty stared, her mouth slightly open, a look of utter disbelief on her face.

"No way!" she gasped. "You... you beat me without even switching Pokémon?! And with a single Grass-type against my Water-types?!" She looked genuinely stunned, her usual bravado completely deflated.

I took the badge. Her sisters, who had been observing the battle, approached with a small, knowing smile and handed me the Cascade Badge. It was shaped like a teardrop, cool and smooth to the touch. "Congratulations, young trainer," she said.

Soon Ash and I went out, leaving a bewildered Misty behind. Ash was still buzzing from the battle.

"Wow! That was amazing! Grovyle is super fast!" he exclaimed, his eyes wide with admiration. "You're really strong!"

Brock also joined us as we got out of the city. He met us at the city gates, a new, well-stocked backpack slung over his shoulder. "Ah, there you two are," he said, nodding. "Everything go well at the gym?"

"Yep! He and I won!" Ash cheered.

"Easily," I added, giving a slight shrug. Brock raised an eyebrow, a knowing smile on his face. "I expected nothing less," he replied, then glanced back towards the city.

Misty also came, jogging up to us, her expression now determined. "Hey, wait up!" she called out, panting slightly. She had clearly made a decision.

"Telling that she would join us on our journey." Her voice was firm. "My sisters are being impossible, and I need a break. Besides, you still owe me a bike that you burnt Ash, and... well, you guys are interesting." She gave me a pointed look, a hint of curiosity in her eyes.

But I thought jokes on you, I don't want to. Internally, I groaned. Another tag-along.

My carefully constructed plan of soloing this world, of being a lone wolf exploiting the system, was constantly being derailed by the anime's canon. It was both convenient and incredibly annoying.

Though I didn't say that, as I still needed to follow them. Their presence was a narrative shield, a way to blend in and avoid drawing too much attention to my own extraordinary abilities. Plus, they often stumbled into plot points that I needed to observe or subtly influence.

Then my sacred oath of soloing Pokémon verse. It was a silent vow I'd made to myself, a personal challenge to conquer this world on my own terms, without relying on others.

But here I was, accumulating a travel party like some kind of accidental leader. Oh well, sacrifices had to be made for the greater good of my progress.

Anyway, we getting going. The road stretched out before us, leading towards the next major landmark.

The sun was fully up now, warming our backs as we walked. The journey was long, but filled with the familiar sights and sounds of the Kanto region.

Although many things happened after that, but let me give you a short overview. The days blurred into a montage of walking, battling, and camping.

Ash, ever the eager beaver, challenged every trainer he saw. Misty complained about bugs and dirt. Brock cooked and dispensed wisdom. And I, quietly, continued my own agenda.

First was a foggy day where we met a student from the Elite Pokémon World. The fog rolled in thick and heavy, shrouding the forest in a ghostly white veil. Visibility dropped to almost nothing, and the air grew damp and cold. We were forced to slow our pace, relying on Brock's sense of direction.

Suddenly, a voice cut through the mist, sharp and confident. "Halt! Who goes there? This area is reserved for elite trainers in training!" A figure emerged from the fog, a girl about my age, dressed in a pristine white uniform with an emblem I didn't recognize. She had an air of undeniable arrogance.

She had a perfectly coiffed ponytail and a sneer that suggested she thought very little of us. "I am Cassandra, a student from the prestigious Pokémon Trainer Academy! You are clearly not authorized to be here!" she declared, striking a dramatic pose.

I easily defeated that bratty girl with Grovyle despite her choosing a fire type. She sent out a Ponyta, its mane glowing faintly in the fog. "Ponyta, Ember!" she commanded, clearly expecting an easy win against my Grass-type.

"Grovyle, Quick Attack!" I countered, my voice calm. Grovyle was a blur of green, dodging Ponyta's slow Ember and striking it before it could react. Ponyta stumbled. "Now, Absorb!" Grovyle drained its energy, and Ponyta fainted in two hits.

Cassandra's jaw dropped. "What?! My Ponyta! That's impossible! A Grass-type shouldn't be able to defeat a Fire-type so easily!" She looked genuinely shocked, her perfect composure cracking.

Despite her protests, I insisted on a rematch. "Perhaps it was a fluke," I suggested, my voice dripping with feigned sympathy.

"Let's try again. Best of three?" My internal smirk was wide. I loved watching these arrogant types get humbled.

She reluctantly agreed, her pride clearly wounded. She sent out a Vulpix, then a Growlithe, then a Magmar. Each time, I used Grovyle. Each time, he swept them with effortless grace, dodging their attacks and delivering precise, powerful blows. He was a master of evasion and quick strikes, making them look clumsy.

In fact, I gave her a few more times without changing my Pokémon as she almost cried after been crushed pathetically. Her face grew redder with each defeat, her eyes welling up. By the fifth battle, she was openly sniffling, her elite uniform looking less pristine and more rumpled.

"I... I don't understand!" she sobbed, stomping her foot. "My Pokémon are perfectly trained! You... you cheated!"

+1 point for making a girl cry.

I thought, a small, dark satisfaction blooming in my chest. It was a petty victory, but a victory nonetheless. Ash and Misty looked uncomfortable, while Brock just watched with a thoughtful expression.

Next day we get to secret village. After leaving Cassandra to her tears and bruised ego, we continued our journey. The next day led us to a dense, overgrown forest, far from any established roads. The air grew heavy, and the sounds of distant Pokémon were muffled.

I easily dodged all the traps while the others kept falling for it. The forest was riddled with hidden pitfalls, tripwires, and nets. I could see them, if you look carefully enough, subtle disturbances in the undergrowth. Just my player knowledge, made them obvious.

Ash, however, stepped right into a net, dangling upside down, his Pikachu squawking in alarm. "Aargh! What the—?!"

Misty, trying to help him, triggered a pitfall trap, tumbling into a shallow hole. "Hey! Watch it!" she yelled, covered in leaves.

Brock, ever cautious, managed to avoid a few but still tripped over a not so well hidden vine, landing with a grunt. 

Com'on guys, when you know that there are traps people were supposed to get cautious, not think that, that was the only trap. It was like watching a slapstick comedy.

Every time they thought they'd seen the last of it, another trap would spring. Their lack of caution was baffling, almost endearing in its naivete.

As we followed Bulbasaur, they kept falling for traps while I dodged all. A wild Bulbasaur had appeared, seemingly leading us deeper into the forest.

Ash, eager to catch it, had decided to follow, oblivious to the dangers. The Bulbasaur, however, seemed to navigate the traps with ease, as if it knew every inch of the forest. Completely different form Ash's group which were falling for even most obvious traps.

We meet the girl who tend to the Pokémon in hidden village. Name? I forget and didn't bother to remember.

She was a young woman, perhaps a few years older than me, with kind eyes and a gentle demeanor. She lived in a small, rustic cabin, surrounded by dozens of unevolved Pokémon. They all seemed to flock to her, seeking comfort and care.

The village itself was a peaceful sanctuary, a clearing filled with lush vegetation and a tranquil pond. Un-evolved Pokémon of all types roamed freely, playing and interacting. It was idyllic, almost too perfect.

I was secretly playing the game, getting to Victory Road. While Ash and Misty were cooing over the cute Pokémon and Brock was admiring the local flora and obviously flirting with the girl and failing, I had slipped into my system. My goal was to push through the rest of the Hoenn region, quickly securing my place in the Pokémon League.

I stopped as I heard her shouting. She was talking to the Bulbasaur that had led us there, her voice filled with a gentle but firm resolve. She told Bulbasaur that he can't stay here, he needs to be free. She spoke of the importance of growth and facing the world.

"Bulbasaur, you've grown so much here, but this isn't your true home forever," she said, stroking its head. "You need to go out, see the world, become stronger!"

I stepped forward, interrupting her. My patience had worn thin with this idyllic, yet ultimately detrimental, philosophy.

"If you want him to be free, why are you even here? Helping them? Sounds good, but do you think this makes them strong enough to survive the world?"

My voice was calm, but sharp, cutting through the gentle atmosphere like a knife. The girl turned, startled, her eyes wide.

"Look at them," I continued, gesturing around the village. "No Pokémon here is fully evolved because you are helping them but not pushing them at all. You have become their weakness that they can't survive without relying on someone." My words were brutal, but I believed them to be true.

"Injured? Maybe. But that's where wild Pokémon grow. Even if they are abandoned Pokémon from there previous trainers. They learn how to survive. It's fine if it's life-threatening, but if not and you help them every time? You become their shackle. As you can see, all of them are weak here to survive because of you." I didn't mince words. Her kind intentions were, in my eyes, crippling these Pokémon.

"Those trainers left them because they were weak but here you helping them stay weak not helping them get back at their trainers by growing even stronger."

Her face crumpled, her eyes welling up with tears. +1 made a girl cry again. I thought, a familiar, slightly guilty satisfaction. This one felt a bit more justified, though. It was for their own good, I told myself.

Bulbasaur tackled me trying to stop me from saying things like that for her. It let out an angry cry, charging at me with its vine whip ready. It was clearly upset, trying to defend its caretaker.

But I dodged him by sidestepping, a fluid, almost effortless movement. Bulbasaur stumbled past me, surprised by my agility. I turned to face it, my expression serious.

I told him. "The reason you are here attacking me, shutting down people, is enough that you are misguided. And it's wrong for your friend herself if you always cover for her. Don't you love her? Then help her grow. Don't let her be the sheltered one here, 'cause right now, the only one sheltered here is her mindset." My words were directed at Bulbasaur, but they were meant for the girl as well.

He stops as well, its anger slowly fading, replaced by a thoughtful, almost confused expression. It looked at me, then at the crying girl, then back at me. The truth in my words, however harsh, seemed to resonate.

"You all need to move on," I concluded, my voice softer now. "Relying is only good enough if you do it in moderation. Don't go taking it for granted. The world out there is tough, but it's also full of opportunities to grow, to become truly strong."

As I said that, all the Pokémon in the village looked gloomy now. The idyllic bubble had been burst. But now there was a fire in their eyes of determination, although small, it was better. A flicker of resolve, a spark of ambition.

It was a start. After all the world is cruel, wasn't I who thought will make big when I came to Pokémon world first thought I thought I would own the world only to crushed by reality of the world.

I leave them to gather their thoughts, turning away from the emotional scene. Ash and Misty looked uncomfortable, while Brock, though silent, had a thoughtful, almost approving look on his face. He understood the harsh realities of training.

Soon enough, as she calmed down, she also agreed that maybe she is in the fault. She approached me, her eyes still red, but her voice firm.

"You're right," she whispered. "I... I never thought of it that way. Maybe I am the one who doesn't want to move on."

She decided to move on. She would help Pokémon, sure. But not hinder their growth anymore.

She would guide them, encourage them, but also push them to face the world. It was a profound shift in her philosophy.

Bulbasaur as well decided to join Ash, doing a battle with him. It approached Ash, its head held high, a new determination in its eyes. Ash, thrilled, accepted the challenge, and after a brief, spirited battle, Bulbasaur willingly entered his Poké Ball.

Though he got caught by Ash, I don't really mind. It was a canonical event, and Ash needed a Bulbasaur. Plus, it meant one less loose end in this "secret village" plotline. My internal mission was progressing smoothly.

Ash and his group thought I was excessively harsh. Ash looked genuinely upset, while Misty glared at me. "That was mean!" Misty accused. "You made her cry!"

Although Brock would have agreed with me if he had not become an idiot for that girl. He just stood there, looking conflicted, probably torn between his usual gentle nature and his understanding of harsh training.

But they didn't interrupt me, as what I was saying was still for their good. They knew, deep down, that there was a truth to my words, however unpalatable. It was a bitter pill, but one they probably knew needed to be swallowed.

Soon all Pokémon that girl and us decided to leave. The once-sheltered Pokémon, now filled with a newfound determination, began to disperse, venturing out into the wider world. The girl, with a final, grateful nod to me, set off on her own journey, ready to face her own growth.

Next day, we saw a Charmander on the road waiting there. The morning was bright and clear, a stark contrast to the previous day's emotional turmoil.

We were walking along a dusty road, the sun warm on our faces, when we spotted it. A lone Charmander, sitting on a rock, its tail flame flickering weakly.

And it seems that Ash wanted to catch him. His eyes lit up, and he immediately pulled out a Poké Ball. "A Charmander! Awesome!" he exclaimed, already envisioning it as part of his team.

As he threw a Poké Ball at him, Charmander swished his tail, striking back the Poké Ball with surprising force. The ball bounced off its tail, landing harmlessly on the ground. Charmander just looked at Ash, its expression unmoving.

Pikachu got to talk with it and found out that he was waiting for his trainer here. Pikachu chirped and chattered with the Charmander, its ears twitching as it listened intently.

Then it turned to Ash, relaying the message. "Pika-pi... Chu, Chu..." it explained, pointing back down the road. Making faces telling us the story in his own way.

Although I knew the story, I decided not to get involved with this one, as it could be solved without me, and I would just probably overcomplicate it.

This was a classic Ash plotline, a test of his compassion and perseverance. My interference would only disrupt the emotional arc.

As we got into Pokémon Center, the next town was a small, quiet place, but it had a Pokémon Center. We booked a room, and I immediately headed to the reception desk to get online.

We also found the owner of the Charmander. He was a loud, obnoxious trainer named Damian, surrounded by his equally boorish friends. He was bragging, loudly, about his "training methods."

"Yeah, I just left that weak Charmander on the rock," Damian boasted, puffing out his chest. "Told it to wait there. If it's strong enough, it'll survive! If not, good riddance to weaklings!" His friends guffawed, slapping him on the back.

Telling his deed how he left an idiotic weak Charmander of his, how he told it to stay there, he will be back soon and that idiot is probably still there waiting, he said as he and his friends laughed. His words were cruel, dismissive, and utterly infuriating.

Ash and Misty got into an argument with him. Ash's face turned red with rage. "That's horrible! How could you do that to your Pokémon?!" he yelled, his voice trembling with indignation.

Misty, equally furious, added, "You're a terrible trainer! Charmander deserves better!"

Damian just sneered. "Mind your own business, twerps! It's my Pokémon, I can do what I want!"

One of the girls in that group, a tall, haughty blonde with too much makeup, started yelling at me. She had been observing me with a sneer, clearly disliking my quiet presence and poor outfit.

"And what's it got to do with you losers?!" she shrieked, pointing a perfectly manicured finger at me.

"You just stand there, looking like a bump on a log! Probably don't even have any strong Pokémon, you dirt poor trainer!" Her voice was shrill, dripping with disdain.

I go near her, smiling. My smile was slow, deliberate, and utterly devoid of warmth. It was the kind of smile that promised trouble. She seemed to misinterpret it as weakness, or perhaps a facade.

She started insulting me more and more, like I was an idiot and my clothes looked dirt poor and such insulting as now I was standing in front of her smiling like an idiot.

"What are you smiling at, you freak?! You probably live in a ditch! Look at your pathetic clothes! You don't belong here, you nobody!" Her words escalated, growing more venomous with each breath.

What did I do? I punched her without holding back directly into the face. The sound was a sickening CRACK.

Her head snapped back, and she stumbled, a look of utter shock and pain replacing her sneer. She hit the floor with a thud, clutching her nose, a trickle of blood already seeping between her fingers.

The cafeteria fell silent. Ash, Misty, Brock, Damian, and his friends all froze, their mouths agape. Even Nurse Joy and Chansey looked stunned. The sheer, unexpected violence had shocked everyone into silence.

"How dare you," I said, my voice low and dangerously calm, a stark contrast to the sudden explosion of violence. My eyes, however, burned with a cold fury.

"It's fine if you insult my friends or other Pokémon, but me who was not even involved? Do I look like a weakling who will become a punching bag?" My voice rose slightly with each question, the anger simmering beneath the surface.

I said angrily as I take my Moltres out. The Master Ball flashed, and Moltres materialized in the center of the Pokémon Center, its immense fiery form filling the space.

The air instantly grew hot, shimmering with its presence. Its wings spread wide, casting a blazing shadow over the stunned crowd.

"Wanna see who is the weakling, you dirt? Show me then", I said angrily as Moltres behind also looked with rage in its eyes, ready to turn them into ashes.

Its ancient eyes, usually calm, were now blazing with a terrifying, unholy light, reflecting my own fury. A low, guttural roar rumbled in its chest, a sound that vibrated through the very floor.

Everyone even forgot to breathe. The sheer terror in the room was palpable. Damian and his friends, who had been so arrogant moments before, were now pale, trembling, their eyes wide with abject fear. The girl I had punched was whimpering on the floor, even peed right there, forgotten in the face of the legendary bird.

"So you loser girl who can only talk, cat got your tongue now?" I taunted, my voice still low, but laced with contempt.

"Come now, say another word now. I dare you." She just stared in fear, her eyes fixed on Moltres, unable to utter a sound.

Although we were inside the wood-style Pokémon Center, Moltres, being an absolute beast, controlled its fire to not even get anything hot, much less catch fire, despite its raging eyes.

The heat was intense, but it was contained, a testament to its immense power and my control. Not a single spark flew astray.

"Go scram away while I am being good enough," I commanded, my voice a cold dismissal. "And never, ever insult someone you don't know again. You have no idea who you're talking to."

Damian and his friends scrambled to their feet, tripping over each other in their haste to escape. They practically flew out the door, leaving the punched girl behind.

As they left, I took the Moltres back, its fiery form dissolving back into the Master Ball. The air immediately cooled, and the tension in the room slowly dissipated. Nurse Joy and Chansey, though still wide-eyed, seemed to regain some composure.

But I, after calming down, suddenly felt a bit of a regret now. The adrenaline faded, leaving behind a hollow feeling.

I had shown Moltres. In a public place. To a bunch of random, albeit obnoxious, trainers. It was a massive breach of my own secrecy. Well it was for my safety so i don't mind it too much after all it's not just there sit back while I was bullied.

Sure enough, Ash and his group swarmed me with questions. Ash, ever curious, was the first. "Whoa! What was that?! Was that a Moltres?! You have a Moltres?! How did you get it?!" His questions tumbled out in a rapid-fire succession.

Misty, though still a bit shaken, was equally curious. "I've only seen pictures of Moltres! How... how did you get it to appear like that?" Brock, ever the calm one, simply looked at me with a deep, searching gaze, clearly looking for answers.

"Look guys," I started, trying to sound as convincing as possible, already formulating the lie. It had to be simple, believable, and appeal to their sense of empathy.

"It's not much. One day, I was just doing my work, exploring, when I found it wounded and taken care of it."

I continued, weaving the tale. "It was badly hurt, barely able to fly. I spent days, weeks, nursing it back to health. It was a long, difficult process, but I couldn't just leave it."

I put on my most sincere expression, trying to convey the emotional weight of the fabricated story.

"From that time, it was with me," I concluded, looking at them with a solemn expression. "It chose to stay, out of gratitude. It's incredibly loyal, and very protective."

Yeah, I lied without any shame, believing my own lie as I spoke it. It was a good story, a classic Pokémon narrative.

As they finally got the picture of me saving it and it staying with me, their initial shock and questions turned to awe and admiration.

Ash's eyes welled up. "Wow! That's amazing! You're so kind!" Misty looked impressed. Brock nodded slowly, a thoughtful look on his face, seemingly accepting the explanation.

Soon enough, rain started. A sudden downpour, heavy and cold, began to lash against the windows of the Pokémon Center. The sky outside turned a bruised purple.

So the three of them went to check on Charmander to see if it was still there. Ash, ever the compassionate one, immediately thought of the abandoned Charmander.

"Oh no! Charmander! It'll be out in the rain!" he cried, already heading for the door. Misty and Brock, despite their earlier arguments with Damian, followed him, their concern evident.

I denied to follow them, shaking my head. "You guys go. I'll stay here." I had my own plans, and getting soaked in the rain for a canonical event wasn't one of them.

But I told them that I will help if need. "If you run into any trouble, or if Charmander's in real danger, just let me know. I'll be here." I offered, knowing they wouldn't need my help.

As they went, I already knew that it would be fine. Charmander would be saved, its loyalty rewarded, and it would join Ash's team.

It was all part of the script. My interference wasn't necessary for this particular plot point.

And I went to my room, planning to complete my Pokémon Emerald today if possible. The Hoenn League awaited. My two level 150 legends were ready.

It was time to finish what I started, and then, perhaps, truly explore the boundaries of this incredible, evolving world. The night was young, and my digital destiny beckoned.