I was jolted awake by a terrified woman's scream. It tore me instantly from a pleasant sleep, but as soon as I opened my eyes, I noticed Haunter was gone. Apparently, he'd gone out to "feed" on someone's fear, and judging by the noise, he'd been successful. I slowly rubbed my eyes, threw on my sweatpants, and stepped out into the hallway.
A crowd was already gathering. In the middle of the corridor stood Lily, wearing nothing but her panties, with a Pidgey perched on her shoulder. A group of other kids huddled around her, looking both amused and surprised. Clearly, I wasn't the only one she'd woken up. Her Pokémon was a predictable choice.
„She liked birds, so she got another cock," I thought, amused.
Haunter was nowhere to be seen, but after a moment, I felt that familiar, gentle chill. He slipped from the floor directly into my shadow, and I heard his dark, quiet snicker nearby. At that moment, Lily noticed me. She didn't seem to care at all that she was standing there in her underwear.
"You!" she snapped angrily. "Keep that Pokémon of yours on a leash!"
She wasn't stupid, she just had questionable morals. She noticed the way my shadows were flickering unnaturally. The others watched us with interest, but I couldn't have cared less. I gave a disinterested yawn and turned back to my room without a word. I had a busy day ahead.
Before I closed the door, I caught a glimpse of Haunter leaning out from behind my back for a split second. I don't know where he learned it, but he gave her a rather rude gesture. I was proud of him. Behind me, all that remained was her furious screaming and the loud laughter of the others.
***
It wasn't long before we found ourselves back at our favorite training spot. I decided we'd train until noon and then go shopping. Towards evening, I planned to stop by Lindsay's—to say goodbye. The Pokédex warmed my pocket; I'd decided to turn it on for the first time today.
The display lit up with a quiet beep. I navigated through the simple menu to the Pokémon scanner. I had to admit, the UI/UX of the Pokédex was polished to perfection. Everything was logically arranged and intuitive.
"Haunter, front and center," I commanded.
He immediately drifted out of my shadow and took a position in the air directly in front of me. I aimed the device at him, and after a short loading sequence, it began to speak in a mechanical but clear voice:
"Haunter. The Gas Pokémon. Ghost and Poison type. Average height: one point six meters; weight: approximately zero point one kilograms. It feeds on fear and life energy. Its tongue can cause convulsions and paralysis. It can pass through walls, hide in shadows, and increase its weight at will. It avoids direct light, though it does not cause significant harm."
The Pokédex continued reciting general facts until it finally reached the data that interested me most:
"Subject: Haunter. Height: two point four meters. Estimated base weight: zero point one five kilograms. Auric energy level: 35/100."
"You hear that, Haunter? You're powerful!" I praised him, to which the Pokémon simply offered a joyful grin.
According to the statistical bureau, a freshly evolved Haunter typically had an auric energy level of around 25. However, it didn't work like in the games; this number didn't automatically guarantee victory. The Pokédex simply scanned the Pokémon, compared it to the global database, and determined the average for the specific species. The most powerful Gengar on record reached a value of 100/100. It was an indicator of internal energy capacity, not combat skill. It was common for a Pokémon with a lower level to win if it handled its energy with higher quality. For me, however, it was clear proof of Haunter's massive potential.
"Haunter, your tongue is mostly fine now. But energy efficiency is a long-term goal," I began matter-of-factly. Noticing his confused look, I immediately explained: "I mean, it'll take a long time to reach the level of focus we'll need at the absolute top. For now, we need to expand your arsenal. Lick is combat-ready for close quarters..."
"Haunter!" he nodded enthusiastically, waiting for what came next.
"We either need a way to close the gap instantly, which would be a great combo with Lick, or a proper ranged attack."
Haunter shook his head once and then gave a firm nod.
"So, a ranged attack?" I clarified.
"Haunter!" came the agreement.
He was right, actually. Given how much he could accelerate, getting close to a target shouldn't be that much of a problem. The priority was a ranged move. Only one thing came to mind—Shadow Ball. Theoretically, it should be beyond his strength since he only evolved yesterday, but the principle of the attack was simple at its core.
"Alright. Just concentrate your ghostly energy and try to compress it into a solid sphere. When the attack is ready, hurl it into the water," I ordered.
He obeyed immediately. A swirling blackness began to gather between his palms, gradually condensing to the size of a tennis ball. Some energy was still bleeding out into the air, but once the ball seemed relatively stable, Haunter flicked it toward the surface.
„Genius! On the first try?" I thought even before it could land.
Halfway through its flight, however, the sphere completely fell apart. Nothing hit the water. Haunter growled in disappointment but determinedly tried another one. The result was the same—the attack dissipated again before impact. He looked at me hopefully, as if expecting some miracle answer, but all I could do was motivate him.
"I'd love to help you, Haunter, but you have to master the technique yourself. Power isn't free; everyone has to earn it." I paused for a moment to let my words sink in. "You are exceptionally talented, and I have no doubt that with hard work, you'll master this. Try using less energy at the start, though. It'll be easier to manipulate."
"Haunter! Haunt! Haunteeer!" he nodded with resolve and threw himself back into the work with renewed energy.
Just like me. We both had to grind.
***
In the afternoon, I stopped for a moment and asked Haunter if he wanted to rest. He just shook his head and stubbornly continued his Shadow Ball training. I was starving by then, so I quickly headed to a fast-food joint for my favorite Magikarp fingers and fries.
Five minutes later, I was walking back, satisfied. Haunter had made great progress in that short time. He managed to keep a miniature orb in a consistent shape until it struck the sea surface. On impact, it created at least a small splash of water.
Not bad for a start, I mused. One or two of those and a weaker Pokémon would go down.
According to TV clips, though, I knew an experienced Gengar could trigger a massive wave with such an attack. We still had a long way to go.
I sat with my lunch and watched him. I liked his determination; it honestly motivated me to train just as hard. He was my starter, and I felt like I couldn't have asked for anything better. When I finished eating, I decided to call it a day.
"Haunter, that's enough. We have to go buy supplies for the road."
"Haunter!" he nodded, but he couldn't help himself and tried the technique one last time. This time, he decided to pour much more energy into it. A sphere the size of two tennis balls hit the sea with a dull thud, and a few drops even landed on me. I could see the exhaustion on him; the technique had cost him a huge amount of strength.
"Great work, Haunter. That was a good hit," I praised him sincerely.
He just nodded. He didn't look satisfied; he looked hungrier. He quickly levitated into my shadow, and we were ready to go shopping.
We headed into the heart of the city. For starters, we needed survival gear. The best and highest-quality equipment could be found at the Camp & Catch chain, which had a branch in every major city. They often had sales, and a typical PokéMart stood right next door. As soon as I stepped inside, a salesman in glasses approached me.
"Good day, can I help you with anything?" he asked with a professional smile.
"No, thanks. Just looking around," I replied. I knew exactly what I needed and wanted to consider every item in peace. I took a shopping cart and headed for the clearance aisles first.
I began to fill it:
A durable two-person tent—just in case I ran into pleasant company in the wild.
A warm double sleeping bag—for the same reason, to make cold nights more comfortable.
An electric lighter—with solar charging and a standard connector.
A solid flashlight—also with a solar panel and fast-charging function.
Five meters of heavy-duty rope.
I didn't forget a more luxurious, minimalist cooking set. It was the most expensive item because it featured a micro-button function. Upon pressing it, the entire set shrunk into a small orb and lost almost all its weight. It contained everything: a plate, a cup, a thermos, a pan, a pot, a spatula, cutlery, and a ladle.
To go with it, I picked out a proper backpack. That was also pricey, but it was equipped with a power function for weight reduction and spatial compression. Honestly, I didn't understand how the technology worked, but in this world, I was a trainer, not a scientist. I viewed it as an investment in the future.
I also grabbed a simple bowl in case I caught a new Pokémon for the team. In total, I left about $3,000 in the store. I still had two thousand to spare; I planned to spend one on clothes and keep the other as an emergency fund.
The salesman saw me out with a smile after I paid—I'd clearly made him a nice bonus. I headed straight to the PokéMart next door. I quickly grabbed bandages for injuries and universal Pokémon food. It only cost a few dollars, so my budget was still safe.
I moved on to Victory Apparel. Compared to overpriced brands like PokéFit Gear or Champion's Closet, Victory was significantly cheaper, yet reviews claimed it offered the best price-to-quality ratio. It wasn't as "flashy" and didn't have big-name sponsors, but I didn't give a damn.
A pleasant brunette approached me immediately, but I turned her down just like the salesman before. Honestly, I hated clothes shopping. My other self felt the same—that version usually used About You with a courier to the door. In this world, however, e-commerce in that form didn't exist at all.
Maybe a business idea? flashed through my mind, but I quickly focused on the racks in the men's section.
I looked through the complete outfits. Honestly, I preferred black or dark green. Dark green was better for the forest and matched my eyes and hair. However, the only green set that caught my eye wasn't in my size. The last piece was a Large, and with my build, I definitely needed an XL.
So, black it was. It looked attractive, though as forest camouflage, it was fairly impractical. In the end, the sale price and the material won me over—pleasant to the touch, yet thick and durable. With my strength and conditioning, a few extra grams wouldn't be a problem.
I took two black sets. They fit so perfectly it was as if I were born for them, and I had to admit, I looked pretty fit in them. To that, I added two emerald-colored t-shirts with temperature-regulation technology for maximum comfort and several packs of socks and underwear with the same function. From my other memories, I knew that the army in the other world had the most trouble with socks during long marches. I took extra care with them—a whole day in the wilderness is basically a military march.
I rounded out the purchase with black durable gloves made of dyed Tauros leather. They were tough, and who knew what Pokémon I'd encounter on the road. I didn't forget a raincoat either. I briefly considered a baseball cap, but I never liked them, so I skipped it. Instead, I took a bandana to cover my mouth and nose—in a forest full of poison types, it would be a necessity.
After paying, I had a final $500 left outside of my reserve. I hoped it would be enough for some decent steel with a sheath.
I knew I didn't want to buy a weapon in the city center where just anyone could wander in. For that, I needed a specialized, non-mainstream shop. As it happened, I knew a blacksmith in a poorer district to the east. I used to help him with grunt work—carrying and cleaning—and I knew he always had some weapons for sale. In Pallet Town, crime was minimal despite the population, but somewhere like Viridian? With that many people, the situation was significantly worse.
So, I went to see him. It wasn't long before I found myself in the shop. He had a forge in the back where he usually hammered iron and steel, but today he wasn't working and was sitting quietly behind the counter.
"Hey, Patrick! Finally here for some real steel?" he asked with a smile that froze instantly the moment he noticed my flickering shadows.
"Yeah. I need something reliable for the forest. Can you offer me something?"
He nodded with a stiff expression, stood up, and walked over to me. "What do you have in mind? I've got swords, spears, daggers, axes, bows, needles... You know the drill, you worked for me."
"I need a sword and a dagger with a sheath," I replied matter-of-factly.
He gestured to the right side where blades were displayed with prices. I could afford the dagger, but I was short for the sword, even though I needed it desperately. A dagger was essential for skinning game and butchering, but a sword was about survival.
"Can you recommend something? Reliable and cheap. I don't have much money, but with a discount, I'd take both," I put on a charming tone and winked at him.
He blinked in surprise. He was used to my introverted behavior, which was now long in the past. After a moment, he recovered.
"Exactly how much do you have? Let's see what we can do."
I wasn't afraid he'd cheat me. Argus was loud and vulgar, but he was an honest man.
"I have five hundred extra; in a pinch, I'll pull a hundred from my reserve," I admitted. He studied me seriously for a moment. I'd done good work for him, and he knew it. Although he called me a prick if I messed something up, he appreciated my effort.
He immediately pulled a simple dagger and sword from the racks. After a bit of rummaging in a cabinet, he fished out two sheaths of approximate size.
"Six hundred for the set," he blurted out with an earnest look.
"Are they good weapons?" I asked. I didn't know how to handle a sword yet, but I trusted my new instincts. All fighting is about movement, and I was confident I'd learn before I hurt myself.
He didn't hesitate for a second. "Best for that price. The sword is balanced, honest solid steel. It'll hold up in a fight." He paused for a moment and, with slightly reddened cheeks, added: "The dagger is a bit unbalanced, though... I'd had a few when I was working on it," he admitted with a crooked grin. "You won't feel it for defense or butchering, though. And the sheaths aren't exactly new, but I hope you don't mind."
I nodded. Argus spat on his palm and held it out to me. I looked at it with some distaste for a second, then did the same and shook it. At that moment, Haunter's mischievous laughter echoed through the shop. Laughing at me, the little bastard.
***
I quickly dropped my haul off at the orphanage and, after a refreshing shower, headed over to Lindsay's. It was time for our promised walk.
I gave their doorbell a short ring. Her mom opened it and immediately turned back inside with a smile, shouting, "Lindsay! Patrick's here!"
Then she looked at me: "Come on in, I think she's going to be a while."
I followed her into the living room, where she sat me down. She offered me tea, and assuming she was right about Lindsay's prep time, I accepted. The tea had time to get cold, and I'd finished it before Lindsay finally appeared. Her mom had kept me busy with questions about how I was doing.
Lindsay had really gone all out. Blood-red lipstick, a short black crop top, and sexy tight shorts.
"Hi, Patrick!" With a joyful hop, she threw her arms around my neck.
I caught her pleasant, fresh floral scent. While she was sexy, her looks were mostly down to her parents' genes, but she'd chosen that scent herself—and in my eyes, that was the best compliment. I returned her hug with a smile while her mother watched us with an amused expression.
"Hey. You smell great," I complimented her, immediately asking: "Ready for that walk?"
She nodded enthusiastically and pulled me outside. Behind us, we could hear her mother's voice with a laugh in it: "Home by ten, young lady! And no hanky-panky, you lovebirds!"
"Uugh," Lindsay muttered once we were on the street. She quickly turned curious, though: "So, where are we going?"
I still had some money for coffee, but this late, I preferred a more private walk through the evening city. Ideally towards the sea, back to where I'd been training. So, we headed for the coast.
***
Author's note:
A little bit of training, a little bit of shopping, and a lot of Haunter being a menace. I wanted to balance the "slice-of-life" moments with the preparation for the journey.
How do you think the date with Lindsay will turn out? Our MC is hitting the road very soon, and things are about to get a lot more intense.