C5: My First Captured Pokémon
After the initial filming wrapped, Shilo continued working at Pokéstar Studios, the same studio depicted in the Unova arc side materials of Pokémon Adventures. However, he was no longer functioning purely as a stunt double. Because of the string of perfectly executed aerial backflips he had performed during the "Sneasel Ninja" shoot, he had gradually been reassigned to complex wire work, precision falls, and mid-air combat choreography.
Shilo's control over his body was unusually refined. Much like how Black trained his reaction speed before challenging Nimbasa Gym in the manga, Shilo drilled his movements until they became instinct. Every somersault, twist, and impact landing was calculated. This time, he truly understood how professional suit actors felt—risking their bodies behind the scenes while the spotlight shone elsewhere.
At the same time, Shilo continued Aura training under Cecil's Lucario. In the manga, Aura is not merely a projectile technique; Sir Aaron and Riley both demonstrated that it is a perception and reinforcement ability. Following that logic, Shilo learned to condense Aura in his palms to form a rudimentary Aura Sphere, though nowhere near Lucario's output. He also practiced spreading Aura outward as a thin defensive membrane—closer to a detection field than a solid barrier, similar to how Riolu sense emotions.
His schedule was rigid. He arrived at the training hall before sunrise, practiced stamina and flexibility, filmed for half a day, and ended with Aura control drills. The structure reminded him of the disciplined regimens Gym Leaders in the manga maintained behind the scenes. It was exhausting—but fulfilling.
During this period, Shilo gradually gathered knowledge about how this world's training system worked. Unlike the strict competitive stat system referenced in game mechanics, this world resembled the mechanics presented in Pokémon Legends: Arceus. There were no visible IVs or EVs. Instead, Pokémon developed through battle experience and focused training, similar to effort levels that could be raised through repeated use and conditioning.
In Unova, individuals were legally recognized as adults at fifteen. At that point, they could register as Trainers through the League or continue advanced studies, much like the Trainer School model shown in earlier regions of the manga.
The League ranking system in this world followed a structured hierarchy:
Novice Trainer: Registered with at least one Pokémon.
Intermediate Trainer: Holder of four Gym Badges.
High-tier Trainer: Holder of eight Gym Badges.
League Elite (Top 16): Placement within the regional Conference.
Gym-Level Trainer: Strength equivalent to a Top 4 Conference finalist; eligible to apply for Gym authorization.
Senior Trainer: Winner of a regional Conference.
Champion-Level: Passed the Champion-Level Qualification Test.
Elite Four Member: Victorious in the Elite Four Challenge.
Champion Trainer: Conquered the Champion Challenge under full rules.
Master Trainer: Defeated Champions across multiple regions.
Unlike the anime structure, the manga emphasizes that Elite Four members are political and military-grade assets. After the catastrophic war referenced during the Kanto and Johto arcs—when Lt. Surge and others were revealed to have actual wartime experience—"war" became taboo. As a result, League structure evolved into a regulated combat framework to prevent uncontrolled regional conflict.
The Elite Four Challenge allowed challengers to face the regional Elite Four; victory meant replacing a member. The Champion-Level Test required battling the Elite Four and Champion under moderated conditions, with local Pokédex-registered species only. The full Champion Challenge removed item switching and recovery privileges—mirroring the seriousness shown when Champions in the manga fight at full power.
Because Trainers were considered strategic defense resources, the League subsidized Pokémon care. Abandonment rates were statistically lower than encountering a naturally Shiny Pokémon. Only regions like Orre—notorious for lacking wild Pokémon—faced systemic strain.
Cecil had already contacted Professor Juniper to arrange Shilo's official starter registration. Meanwhile, Shilo received a Rotom Phone and League ID. Around this time, Riolu's egg hatched—consistent with how Eggs in the manga require bond-based incubation rather than simple step counts.
When Shilo scanned Riolu, its registered data appeared:
Riolu
Level: 1
Type: Fighting
Gender: Male
Ability: Prankster
Nature: Naive
Although Prankster is extremely rare for Riolu outside specific breeding contexts, the manga has shown unusual Ability distributions before, especially in cases involving special lineage. Riolu's move pool was wide due to inherited techniques from Lucario and early intensive training.
Its effort levels were evenly distributed, with Speed slightly emphasized. Riolu displayed exceptional comprehension—often mastering techniques after a single demonstration. Shilo understood the weight of being entrusted with such a Pokémon.
Cecil's film circle was filled with unusual talents—Psychics like Sabrina, martial specialists, illusion users. Even Brycen—once associated with covert operations in Unova—had experience blending combat and performance. Compared to them, Shilo was ordinary. But he had discipline.
He had no system, no mysterious blessing—only his own effort. Still, crossing over with his physical body intact and earning 1,300 a day with housing provided was already miraculous.
Cecil intended to train him as a permanent "Killing Formation Master"—a battle choreographer capable of designing Pokémon matchups with tactical authenticity. After a previous accident left the crew without one, they needed stability. Brycen preferred grounded, physical exchanges. Sabrina favored overwhelming psychic bombardment. Their styles clashed. Shilo showed the balance required.
His weakness was durability. Because he specialized in evasive movement, he rarely took hits. Unlike Trainers in the manga who often endure explosions or Hyper Beam shockwaves, Shilo lacked impact conditioning. That would need correction. Fortunately, Pokémon world medical care—demonstrated repeatedly in Pokémon Centers—made long-term injury unlikely.
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Route 2 – First Capture
Shilo now stood on Route 2 with Yancy.
Yancy handed him five Poké Balls and demonstrated. She spotted a Pidove and sent out Meowth.
"First, lower its stamina. Meowth, Fake Out!"
Fake Out worked because it struck immediately upon entry. Pidove staggered.
"Next, inflict status if possible. Meowth, Hypnosis!"
Though Hypnosis is not standard for all Meowth, this one had been specially trained—much like unusual move combinations seen in the manga. Pidove fell asleep.
Yancy threw the Poké Ball. It clicked shut. Capture complete.
Shilo searched carefully before targeting a Dunsparce—rare but known for elusive tunnel behavior in Johto's Dark Cave in earlier arcs. He scanned it. Only basic info displayed.
"Detailed stats appear only after capture," Yancy explained.
"Riolu, Low Kick."
Low Kick dealt more damage against heavier opponents; against Dunsparce it was moderate but effective.
Dunsparce countered with Rollout, its tail drill glowing orange as it lunged.
"Detect!"
Riolu's Aura perception flared blue, sidestepping cleanly.
"Cross Chop!"
Riolu struck downward in an X-shaped arc. Dunsparce collapsed.
"Go, Poké Ball!"
The ball shook once… twice… then clicked.
Shilo checked the data.
Dunsparce
Level: 3
Type: Normal
Gender: Female
Ability: Serene Grace
Serene Grace doubled secondary effect chances—a strategic cornerstone. With moves like Rock Smash or future additions like Body Slam, flinch or status probabilities would increase significantly. That was precisely why Shilo chose Dunsparce.
"The capture's complete," Yancy smiled. "Want another?"
Before Shilo could answer, dark grass rustled.
A red silhouette stepped forward.
Shilo narrowed his eyes.
"Riolu—battle stance."