It was almost time for the Sinnoh League Circuit to start.
A full month of getting used to being Paul. A full month of adapting to this life, making sure I didn't screw things up.
Looking back, my progress had been steady—nothing groundbreaking, but every step counted. I'd done a solid job setting up a foundation for my Pokémon's future growth. But there was only so much that training alone could accomplish.
Sooner or later, they needed battles.
Elekid's resistance to sleep had improved significantly over the past month. Against weaker Hypnosis attempts from Alakazam, he could shake off the effects almost immediately. But when Alakazam put real effort into the move, it was a different story. Elekid would struggle—his body swaying, his eyelids drooping—but he fought against it, lasting longer before succumbing. And even when he did fall asleep, he never stayed under for long. He always woke up faster than any of my other Pokémon when afflicted with sleep.
It still wasn't perfect, but it was progress.
Full immunity was going to take time. That was expected. His body was still attuned to Static, his natural ability. What we were trying to accomplish—developing a second ability—wasn't something that could be rushed. Vital Spirit wouldn't just awaken overnight. It needed a foundation, conditioning, a long-term investment of time and effort. But we were taking the right steps. One day, we'll get there.
Chimchar, on the other hand, was coming along well. His physical strength and endurance had improved noticeably. He could push through longer training sessions without tiring as quickly, and his attacks carried more weight behind them. There was a visible difference in his movements—his steps were more explosive, his strikes sharper.
I had Magmar assist with his training, specifically to teach him Fire Punch. Chimchar hadn't developed Iron Fist yet, but introducing one of the punching moves now would build familiarity for when the ability did awaken.
The real breakthrough, though, would come once Dusclops mastered Gravity. Training under heavier gravity would push Chimchar's physical conditioning even further. It would force his muscles to work harder, increasing his strength, endurance, and overall battle performance. Once that happened, his progress would skyrocket.
As for Larvitar, her development was more about refinement. She wasn't slacking behind, but she didn't need drastic changes—just steady improvement. We focused on fundamentals, polishing her technique and sharpening her instincts. Rock Throw wasn't just a basic attack anymore—through rigorous training, she refined it into Rock Slide, turning a simple projectile into a powerful, sweeping attack. She also picked up Stomping Tantrum, giving her a solid Ground-type move to round out her arsenal.
More important than any of that, though, was the bond between us.
It felt strange sometimes, but at certain moments, I could almost understand what my Pokémon were trying to say. Not literally—I wasn't hearing voices or anything—but I was starting to pick up on their emotions in a way I hadn't before. Their microexpressions, the subtle shifts in their body language, the way they reacted to my commands. It wasn't perfect, but it was there.
I couldn't quantify it like a stat, but I could feel it.
We were improving.
With all of this, my team was shaping up well.
I planned to bring Alakazam and Dusclops along for the next stretch of my journey. Alakazam's expertise would be invaluable for Elekid's training, helping refine his mental resistance against status moves. His Teleport would also be a game-changer—whether for quick escapes, scouting, or cutting down travel time, having a Pokémon that could take me anywhere I need to be was an advantage I wouldn't take for granted.
As for Dusclops… his role had already been set. Once Gravity was fully mastered, we'd be able to start the real work.
But something about that bothered me.
At first, I treated Dusclops as nothing more than a tool. A means to an end. And I hated that. That wasn't the kind of person I wanted to be—not in this world, not in any world. So I made an effort. I tried to connect with him outside of training. I joined him in his meditation sessions, sitting quietly beside him, attempting to understand the strange, eerie stillness he seemed to seek. But no matter how many times I did it, there was no change. No acknowledgment. No rejection, either—just… nothing.
It wasn't like with my other Pokémon, where I could read their microexpressions, their emotions, their energy. With Dusclops, it felt like trying to bond with a shadow. I wasn't sure if he was indifferent, or if he simply processed things in a way I couldn't understand.
Maybe Ghost-types just functioned differently.
Maybe I was overthinking it.
Either way, I'd keep trying.
Even so, training isn't my only concern.
Team Galactic is still active.
They aren't running around attacking random trainers in the streets—not like Team Rocket does—but I know where this road leads.
Right now, they're just a lurking shadow, working in the background, gathering resources, testing the waters. But soon, they'll make their move. First, it'll be the Lake Trio—Uxie, Azelf, and Mesprit. I know their plan. They'll capture all three, stealing them from the lakes they're meant to protect. And with them, they'll take the first step toward something much, much worse.
Because once they have the Lake Trio, their next target will be Dialga and Palkia.
And if they succeed… they won't just put Sinnoh in danger. They won't just threaten a single region like Team Rocket or Team Aqua and Magma have. No, Team Galactic is playing on a scale far beyond that.
They want to unmake the world.
Erase reality itself.
Cyrus isn't after power or wealth or control like the other organizations. He wants to rip apart existence and replace it with his own twisted idea of perfection. He'll bend space and time to his will, rewrite the rules of the universe, and in the process, everything—the people, the Pokémon, the world as it is—will be erased.
If no one stops them, there'll be nothing left.
Of course, I already know how the story is supposed to go. Ash, Dawn, and Brock will stop them. They'll battle their way through, take down Cyrus and his commanders, and in the end, the world will keep turning.
But the problem is… this isn't a show anymore.
This is real.
I'm here, living and breathing in it, and for all I know, things could change.
I have power. I have knowledge. And I have a choice.
Can I really just sit back and do nothing?
…No.
If I come across them, I won't turn a blind eye.
__________
The circuit officially starts today.
For most trainers, that means choosing a starter, registering for the league, and planning their journey. For me, it means making my first real move.
I step outside, adjusting the strap of my bag. The air is crisp, the sky clear. Good conditions for travel. I glance at Alakazam, who stands calmly beside me, hands resting behind his back in his usual composed manner.
"We're going to Sandgem Town," I tell him. "Teleport."
Without a word, Alakazam's eyes glow blue. In an instant, the world around me distorts, my vision warping into a blur of colors. There's a weightless sensation, like I've been pulled through space itself—then, suddenly, solid ground returns beneath my feet.
I glance around, quickly taking in my surroundings. The town is small and peaceful, just like I remember from the games and anime. A few houses dot the area, and off in the distance, I can see the distinctive shape of Professor Rowan's lab.
Dawn should be getting her starter today. I don't know exactly when, but it'll be soon.
My real objective isn't the lab, though. It's Lake Verity.
I adjust my bag again and start walking. The path is familiar—just a simple route leading out of town, lined with patches of tall grass and the occasional tree. It's quiet. Peaceful. The kind of place that almost makes me forget about Team Galactic and all the chaos they'll eventually bring.
Almost.
But that's not what I'm focused on right now.
Dawn has a brief encounter with Mesprit at the lake.
In the anime, it's quick—just a fleeting moment. She sees it, and then it's gone. But that moment means something. Mesprit is a mythical Pokémon. The embodiment of emotion itself. The chance to witness something like that in person…
I have to see it for myself.
I don't know if it'll show up. Maybe Dawn's presence is what triggers it, and without her, nothing will happen. Maybe it only appears under specific conditions. Maybe it won't appear at all.
But I'm not going to miss the chance.
I keep moving, my pace steady. The dirt path beneath my feet slowly gives way to grass as the trail winds closer to the lake. A gentle breeze rustles the leaves overhead. The air feels different here—crisper, cleaner.
Sacred, almost.
I can see the lake in the distance, its surface shimmering under the soft morning light. The closer I get, the stronger that feeling grows—that quiet, almost reverent weight in the air. It's as if the lake itself is aware of what rests beneath it.
But as I step closer, something makes me stop.
There's someone else here.
A man stands at the water's edge, staring out across the lake. His posture is rigid, his hands clasped behind his back. Blue hair. Pale skin. Cold, sharp eyes.
I know this man.
Cyrus.
At first, I thought this was an anime world. Seeing Ash at the League confirmed his existence—and Ash doesn't exist in the games. But now?
Cyrus was here at the start of Pokémon Platinum.
This world isn't just the anime. It's something else.
I stand frozen in place, watching, listening. His voice is low, almost a whisper, but I can still hear him.
"...The flowing time..."
"...The expanding space..."
"I will make it all mine one day... Cyrus is my name. Remember it..."
"Until then, sleep while you can, legendary Pokémon of the lake bed..."
His words are eerie. Empty. Like he's speaking to something that isn't meant to answer.
Then, he turns. His gaze falls on me.
For a brief moment, I feel pinned in place.
Then he starts walking.
I tense, my fingers twitching toward my Poké Balls. Would he attack me? No—Cyrus isn't like that. At least, not yet. He doesn't waste time on battles unless they serve his goal.
As he gets closer, his expression remains unreadable. When he finally reaches me, he stops just short and speaks.
"Allow me to pass. Step aside."
That's it.
No threats. No interest. Just a simple command.
I step aside. Not because he told me to, but because I don't know what else to do.
Cyrus walks past without a second glance, disappearing into the trees. I stand there, motionless, long after he's gone.
I hate how long it takes me to move again.
The wind picks up, breaking me from my trance. Then, from deeper in the woods, I hear something—a battle.
Dawn.
That must be her and Piplup fighting Ariados. That means… she'll be here soon.
I take a breath, then quickly move to the other side of the lake, keeping low, out of sight. If I stay here, I'll be able to observe without being noticed.
A few minutes pass before I see her. Dawn steps toward the lake, Piplup at her side. She still looks a little shaken from the battle, but her focus is drawn elsewhere.
She looks out over the water.
And then—it happens.
The winds shift. The air hums with something unseen. A presence.
I don't hear anything, but I feel it.
Then, above the water, it appears.
At first, it's faint—almost transparent. Like a mirage, barely there. But its form is unmistakable.
Mesprit.
I watch, my breath caught in my throat.
Even though I know this would happen, even though I came here for this moment, actually seeing it is something else entirely.
The way it hovers above the lake, weightless, untouchable. The way the air itself feels different in its presence. This isn't just another rare Pokémon. This is something beyond.
Dawn sees it too.
She gasps, eyes wide with wonder. For a second, neither of us move—not that she knows I'm here. She's completely transfixed, just as I am.
Then, as suddenly as it appeared, Mesprit vanishes.
Dawn flinches, stepping forward as if to chase after it. But it's too late. It's gone.
She stands there for a while, staring at the spot where it had been, before finally turning away.
I stay hidden as she leaves. Only when I'm sure she's gone do I exhale.
I actually saw Mesprit.
And yet, I can't focus on that.
My mind keeps going back to Cyrus.
He was here. He stood at the lake, talking about time and space, just minutes before Mesprit appeared.
If he had stayed a little longer, would he have seen it?
Would that have changed anything?
I shake my head. It doesn't matter.
What matters is that when I saw him, I froze.
The moment he looked at me, my mind went blank. I couldn't move, couldn't think. If he had decided to battle, would I have been able to handle it?
Probably not.
Alakazam and Dusclops are strong, but Cyrus isn't just some trainer. I don't know his full team anymore, but I know he's dangerous.
I let out a slow breath, steadying myself.
I need to be stronger.
Because next time I see Cyrus, I won't let myself freeze.