"Conquer the Battle Frontier – Special Pallet Town Ash Edition"
"Pfft, !" Luther nearly choked, spraying water all over the table.
Setting his cup down with a thud, he grabbed the magazine and took a sharp breath.
"After three grueling battles, Ash Ketchum from Pallet Town has emerged victorious! In a climactic showdown, Pikachu defeated Regice, securing Ash's win against the Battle Pyramid's formidable leader, Brandon. With this triumph, he has officially conquered the Battle Frontier!"
The article was accompanied by a photo of Ash, Brock, May, and Scott standing in front of Brandon's towering Battle Pyramid, all grinning triumphantly.
"Date, date!" Luther muttered frantically, his hands trembling as he flipped to the final pages. The magazine was from three months ago.
Calm down…
Luther forced himself to breathe. There were subtle but undeniable differences between this world and the Pokémon anime he remembered. For one, Ash didn't have that eternally ten-year-old look. Judging by the images, he seemed closer to thirteen or fourteen.
If events were following the storyline he knew, then after conquering the Battle Frontier, Ash, the master of unorthodox type matchups, would soon set off for the Sinnoh region. And if the anime wasn't lying to him, Sinnoh would be where Ash displayed his highest level of battle intelligence yet.
If he has any sense at all, he'll reunite with his strongest Pokémon before the Sinnoh League. But of course, the writers couldn't just let this fully powered Ash become Champion. That's why they threw in Tobias, an unavoidable roadblock with a Legendary-heavy team, conveniently preventing Ash from taking the title.
Three months had passed since this issue was published. Had Ash already arrived in Twinleaf Town and met Dawn? Or was he still on the road?
'So it's confirmed… I've crossed into the world of anime.'
Luther began pacing anxiously.
What now?
Should he track down Ash, introduce himself as a die-hard fan of his unpredictable battle style, and somehow join the main cast?
No… No, that'd be way too suspicious. Ash might be oblivious, but Brock and Dawn would definitely find it odd.
What if he became Ash's rival, like Paul? Challenge him and push him to improve?
…Nope. Bad idea.
After a while, Luther stopped pacing, suddenly realizing that in his excitement over Ash's journey, he'd lost sight of his own.
He took a deep breath. No need to rush. He had a plan.
The closest logical step? Head to Sandgem Town and meet Professor Rowan. If he could get his hands on a Pokédex, that would be his first step toward something meaningful.
For someone who had grown up watching the Pokémon anime and playing the games, becoming a Trainer, or even a Pokémon Breeder, wasn't just a career choice. It was a dream. A symbol of belonging in this world.
Luther soon found himself outside an office door. He hesitated only briefly before knocking.
"Come in."
Pushing the door open, he saw Director Shiran hunched over, using a screwdriver to tinker with a large grandfather clock. As soon as Director Shiran spotted Luther, he set his tools aside, wiped his forehead, and gestured for him to sit.
The rhythmic ticking of the newly adjusted clock filled the silence as Director Shiran chuckled wryly.
"As it gets older, it needs more care to keep running properly," he mused.
Luther wasted no time. "Director Shiran, I want to go to Sandgem Town to meet Professor Rowan. I want to become a Pokémon Trainer."
Director Shiran's sharp gaze fixed on him. Ever since Luther had overcome his fears earlier that afternoon, Director Shiran had sensed that something within him had changed. But he hadn't expected him to act this quickly.
With a long sigh, Director Shiran leaned back in his chair. "I see. But I have to be honest with you… it might be too late."
Luther frowned. "Because of my age?"
Director Shiran nodded.
"You have to understand, the rule allowing ten-year-olds to start their Pokémon journeys wasn't just made on a whim. Fifty years ago, a war between humans and Pokémon left entire regions struggling to recover. With the population dwindling, the Pokémon League implemented the Trainer eligibility law, allowing children to start young. It was a necessity at the time, even if it was never widely debated."
He folded his arms. "Of course, sending kids into the world so early had its downsides. But over the decades, the system balanced itself. The world flourished. The Pokémon League, Gym Challenges, and Tournaments became more than just competitions, they became aspirations, pushing Trainers to master their skills and chase the title of Pokémon Master."
"But, Luther… you're twenty years old now. You may have found new confidence, but you have to ask yourself, is this really the right path for you?"
Director Shiran's expression was serious. "The competition out there is relentless. Hundreds of thousands of Trainers dream of becoming Champions or joining the Elite Four, but only a handful ever make it."
Luther had heard this before. His parents had said something similar when they urged him to pursue a more stable career.
The same conversation, over and over…
And the frustrating part?
They weren't wrong. They were speaking from experience.
Luther reminded himself that he wasn't special.
Just because he had crossed into this world didn't mean he had some kind of advantage. He had no hidden power, no special system guiding him, and no rare opportunities falling into his lap. His foundation as a Pokémon Trainer was weaker than most.
Those teenagers who had been training for years? They were already far ahead.
The battle strategies he knew from watching and playing Pokémon could be learned through proper training in this world. But real battle experience? That was something he lacked entirely.
So what right did he have to compete with them?
Rationally, he understood this. He knew what the logical choice was.
But still… he refused to accept it.
He had spent his previous life running from challenges. If he let hesitation win again, then what was the point of getting a second chance?
'If I do nothing now, am I any different from a Magikarp refusing to swim?'
Luther clenched his fists.
"I want to be a Pokémon Trainer." He spoke each word with firm conviction.
For a moment, Director Shiran's sharp gaze cut into him, assessing him, testing him. It was the kind of look that could make weaker men falter.
But Luther didn't back down.
If he shrank away now, he would be no different from his past self.
Director Shiran sighed, then reached into his desk drawer, pulling out a Poké Ball and a Great Ball.
"I respect your decision."
He pushed the two Poké Balls toward Luther, then stood up. Without another word, he led him outside, toward the Pokémon Center's artificial pool.
The moonlight reflected off the water's surface, casting a soft glow over the area.
Pokémon were scattered around, enjoying a peaceful night.
By the pool, an Oddish giggled as a Marill and Wooper playfully splashed water over it. A Roserade rested with half its body submerged, soaking in the calm waters.
On the grass, a group of Jumpluff huddled together, eagerly awaiting a gentle shower from a nearby Ralts.
A shimmering ball of water lifted from the pool, floating delicately through the air before bursting over the Jumpluff like a tiny rainstorm. The Jumpluff twirled joyfully in the mist before drifting away with the breeze.
In the trees, several Ghost-types lingered, Gastly, Misdreavus, and Shuppet, watching quietly from the shadows.
Luther was captivated.
In his past life, scenes like this had only existed as pixelated sprites on a handheld screen or carefully scripted moments in an animated episode.
But this? This was real.
The tranquil, dreamlike atmosphere felt almost mythical, like a glimpse of Mew itself.
"You may choose one," Director Shiran said, his voice filled with quiet expectation. "Just one."
Luther turned to face him.
"Your father was my student," Director Shiran continued. "He always hoped that one day, you would stand up like this, on your own, and take your first step as a Trainer."
He sighed, his expression tinged with nostalgia.
"It's a shame he isn't here to see it… but at the very least, I get to witness this moment. So go on, Luther. Make your choice."
Luther scanned the Pokémon before him.
He passed over the fully evolved ones, some had lost their youthful charm, and others seemed too independent to start fresh with a new Trainer.
Then his gaze landed on Ralts.
Perfect.
Ralts was an incredible partner. Whether male or female, its evolutions, Gallade and Gardevoir, were formidable in battle. Smart, strong, and versatile. It was an ideal first Pokémon.
Luther made his decision.
Carefully, he approached the Ralts still floating water droplets with its psychic power. But his movement startled it. The water suspended in the air suddenly burst, drenching both Ralts and himself in a chilly splash.
Luther laughed softly, then knelt down and gently placed his hands on Ralts' small, trembling frame.
He lowered his forehead to meet Ralts' and whispered, "Do you want to come with me?"
There were no grand promises. No declarations of becoming the strongest Trainer.
Just a simple question, one filled with endless possibilities.
The world was vast.
For so long, Ralts had lived here in the Pokémon Center, comforting patients, easing their worries, bringing them joy. But was that all it wanted?
Would this little Pokémon, too, have a restless heart, longing to see what lay beyond these walls?
A tiny, warm nudge against his forehead answered his question.
Luther smiled.
"Do you even know how to use a Poké Ball?" Director Shiran's voice broke the moment.
"Of course I do," Luther replied with a grin.
Taking out a Poké Ball, he gently tapped it against Ralts' head. A soft red light enveloped the Pokémon as it disappeared into the ball.
Then, without hesitation, Luther tossed the ball again.
Ralts reappeared on the grass.
Luther scooped it up and set it on his shoulder. "I've decided, I'll keep it out."
Director Shiran paused, then chuckled.
"That reminds me of another young Trainer who passed through here not too long ago… He had a certain electric mouse that he never kept inside its Poké Ball."
Luther blinked. "You mean Ash?"
Director Shiran nodded. "He and his friends left for Sandgem Town to see Professor Rowan three months ago."
Luther's heart skipped a beat.
"Director Shiran… could I ask you for a favor?"
Shiran raised an eyebrow. "Oh?"
(End of Chapter)