Ground-Type Trainer

Pallet Town was as quiet as ever today, until a rustle came from a patch of dense grass.

A bone whistled crisply through the air, spinning back and forth. In the distance stood a person and a gray-green Pokémon.

"Cubone!"

The bone spun back, and Shiny Cubone caught it neatly. It faced the boy in a fighting stance and roared a challenge.

Liu Xin said calmly, "I've been trying to catch you for three months. Today, I refuse to fail!"

"Come on, then. What can you do besides attack with that bone?"

That made Shiny Cubone furious. It swung its bone and charged straight at him.

Delight flashed in Liu Xin's eyes. With a grin, he said, "Don't blame me for this. You're going to be my first Pokémon and help me finish this damn beginner's quest!"

Whoosh!

Before Shiny Cubone could dodge, a trap opened beneath its feet.

It fell into a deep pit. A moment later, Liu Xin walked over and dropped a large stone he had prepared in advance onto it.

"Cubo! Cubo!"

Its pained cries continued until the blows knocked it unconscious. Then they fell silent.

Liu Xin's eyes lit up. He threw an ordinary Poké Ball at Shiny Cubone.

Ding!

A flash of red light drew Shiny Cubone into the Poké Ball. As it rocked back and forth at the bottom of the pit, Liu Xin's hopes rose and fell with it.

He had challenged it day and night for three months, and he had spent nearly a week preparing this trap. How could it fail?

It has to work. It must!

Ten seconds later, the light at the Poké Ball's center flashed, and Liu Xin's heart finally settled.

He had caught Shiny Cubone!

Ding! Congratulations to the host for catching his first Ground Type Pokémon. Points +10. The system's beginner's guide is complete. Adventure mode will now begin.

He picked up the Poké Ball, still thinking about the system's words. A flood of emotions washed over him.

He had once been a shut-in on Earth. After staying up all night one too many times, he had woken up in the Pokémon World. More than three years had passed since then.

The moment he opened his eyes, the system had bound itself to him. His body had also become that of an eight- or nine-year-old kid.

Years of reading transmigration novels and watching anime had helped Liu Xin quickly understand his situation.

In the Pokémon World, he had only one goal: catch Pokémon and become the strongest Trainer.

As for when he had arrived, Ash, the chosen one, had already been out on his journey for years. Liu Xin was among the youngest in Pallet Town.

Now that he had caught Shiny Cubone, Liu Xin glanced at the sky. It was getting late; he needed to return to Pallet Town. His parents in this world were waiting at home, and since he had caught a Pokémon through his own efforts, they were sure to heap praise on him.

Still excited about catching his first Pokémon, Liu Xin immediately sent out Shiny Cubone and shouted the cheesy line he had always wanted to say: "I choose you, Shiny Cubone!"

"I've wanted to say that for ages. I can't believe I actually got the chance."

Shiny Cubone emerged from the Poké Ball. It did not attack Liu Xin outright, but its eyes were full of resentment, and it cried, "Cubo! Cubo!"

It was as if it were saying, You have no honor, kid! You ambushed a careless little Pokémon who didn't dodge!

Liu Xin laughed awkwardly. Catching a Pokémon with his own strength was no easy feat, especially when the system's quest specifically required Shiny Cubone.

Otherwise, he would have tried luring a Psyduck away from the lakeside or tricking a Caterpie into following him out of the forest... How much easier would that have been?

With the system's help, Liu Xin could clearly see Shiny Cubone's status panel.

Shiny Marowak:

Level: 1 (evolves into Marowak at level 30)

Attack: 50

Defense: 95

Special Attack: 40

Special Defense: 50

Speed: 35

Abilities: Rock Head (takes no recoil damage from moves), Lightning Rod (draws electric attacks without taking damage). Shiny ability: Battle Armor (cannot be struck by critical hits; evasion is increased, and each successful dodge further raises Defense!)

Moves: Headbutt, Endure, Bonemerang.

Liu Xin was pleased with Shiny Cubone. He nodded. "Not bad. Its Attack stands out, at least."

Just then, the system spoke again.

Ding! The host has completed the beginner's guide quest. This is the Strongest Pokémon System. You may now exchange points for the corresponding tools, items, and Pokémon.

But host, remember: for now, you may only catch Ground Type Pokémon on your journey. Catching Pokémon of any other type is prohibited. Once you become the strongest Ground-Type Trainer, you may add Pokémon of other types.

Liu Xin sighed. "Being limited to one type is going to be rough. But at least Shiny Cubone's physical attacks are strong enough to sweep aside most of the small fry I'll run into early on."

Shiny Cubone saw the troubled look on Liu Xin's face, took it for disappointment, and smacked him with its bone.

System alert: Shiny Cubone used a basic attack, dealing a certain amount of damage to you.

Rubbing his head, Liu Xin winced. "If you hadn't hit me so many times before, that blow would've given me a mild concussion!"

"Besides, I'm not disappointed in you. What are you getting so worked up about?"

"Quit it. That's enough. Hit me again, and I'll get mad."

Bickering and scuffling all the way, the Trainer and his Pokémon returned home.

When they got back to their house in Pallet Town, Liu Xin's parents burst into tears of joy. "Xin, you finally caught your first Pokémon!"

"You could've gone to Professor Oak for a Starter Pokémon three months ago, but you insisted on catching some Shiny Cubone... At first, I thought something was wrong with your head."

"Good thing there wasn't. All those knocks made it tougher, if anything. That's my boy!"

"Enough talking. Sit down! Mom made a huge meal. You'll leave the table full and happy."

After all that effort, Liu Xin was famished. He dug in.

Early the next morning, Liu Xin's parents packed a small backpack for him. In this world, once someone reached the right age and obtained their first Pokémon, it was time to set out on a journey.

"Son, now that you've got your first Pokémon, it's time to go."

"Put on your backpack and start your adventure."

"Oh, right. You're going to challenge the Gyms while you're out there, aren't you?"

"If I remember right, the Viridian City Gym Leader is never around, so you might not be able to challenge that Gym. Try Pewter City first. I hear its Gym is easier to challenge and well suited to new Trainers."

The two of them took turns giving him advice. Once they had said everything they needed to, Liu Xin officially set off on his journey.

The instant Liu Xin stepped out of Pallet Town, the system spoke again.

Ding! The host has triggered a main quest: travel to Pewter City, challenge its Gym, and win every match.

If successful, the host will receive one mysterious treasure chest and 100 points.

Liu Xin sighed as he studied the map in his Pokédex. Pewter City was a long way from Pallet Town. Walking the whole distance would take at least a month and a half.

He felt for the Poké Ball in his backpack and made his plan. "I'll train my Pokémon on the way to Pewter City!"

"First, I'll build up my army of Ground Type Pokémon!"