Chapter 1: Dewford Town
This was Dewford Town, a small island located in the southwestern part of the Hoenn Region, situated right between Route 106 and Route 107. One could say it served as a midway hub for travelers moving between Petalburg City and Slateport City.
Unlike other towns, it lacked the developed commerce of Rustboro City or the stunning natural scenery of Fortree City. This was simply an unremarkable little island, praised as "a small island floating in the azure sea."
Yet even on such an island, a Gym existed, and the Dewford Gym, which specialized in Fighting-type Pokémon, was located right here. The reason for its existence was the mine situated in the northern part of the island: Granite Cave.
It was precisely because of Granite Cave that countless travelers who loved searching for rare stones and favored Rock-type Pokémon were drawn here. For instance, Steven Stone, the current Hoenn League Champion and a man who loved stones more than himself, could often be found by travelers deep within Granite Cave.
Shiyan Yong, this was Chen Yong's name in this life. His family home in the present life was located right at the foot of Granite Cave, a cool-toned, courtyard-style loft.
His father was Shiyan Toru, a veteran prospector and Elite-level Trainer who currently managed the family mine. His mother was Nakamura Aoi, a junior Breeder who was now Mrs. Shiyan.
Their family's financial situation was not top-tier, but for Chen Yong, who had crossed over with memories of a past life, he was already quite satisfied. Having come to the Pokémon World, at the very least his parents were alive and well, with no worries about food or clothing.
Most importantly, the Shiyan family was an iron ore and stone supplier for the Devon Corporation in Dewford Town, maintaining a long-term cooperative relationship with the Stone family. As one of the giants of the Pokémon World, this status guaranteed that Yong had been a part of the League since birth, allowing him to smoothly walk the path of a Trainer and stay far away from the harassment of dark forces.
People should not assume the Pokémon World was just like the anime, consisting solely of adventures, battles, and clashing with legendary beasts.
Because Granite Cave contained abundant mineral resources, the Shiyan Company's main business was responsible for mining iron ore. Therefore, not far from the courtyard lay the mine, which closely hugged the southern slope of Granite Cave.
Abundant mineral deposits and stones naturally attracted a great deal of Rock-type and Ground-type Pokémon to live here.
Instead, the mine resembled a natural sanctuary for wild Pokémon, which led Chen Yong-having just crossed over into this world-to come into contact with these seemingly cold yet steadfast and steady Rock-type and Ground-type Pokémon from birth, growing to love them.
Aside from Shiyan Toru's two Onix and Golem, which were responsible for security and specifically guarded the numerous Geodude used for mining, there were several other wild Pokémon surviving here.
The more common ones were the Geodude family, Onix, and Machop, while the rarer ones included Nosepass and Shuckle. As payment for living here, these wild Pokémon would also help out with the mining from time to time. Over a long period, they had developed a strong tacit understanding with one another.
Growing up here since childhood, Yong (hereafter referred to as Yong) was influenced by his father and decided to set his sights on becoming a Rock- and Ground-type Pokémon Master.
His fondness for the pocket monsters turned him into good friends with all the Pokémon here.
Seeing his son get along so well with the Pokémon, Shiyan Toru began teaching Yong all sorts of Pokémon knowledge.
Although, as a transmigrator, Yong had been a veteran Pokémon fan in his past life, truly living in this world and looking at living, breathing Pokémon allowed him to feel the difference between reality and illusion.
As an Elite-level Trainer, Shiyan Toru greatly compensated for the inherent mindset Yong had formed from the anime and games.
For example, Onix was Rock and Ground-type, making it quadruple weak to Water and Grass, but this only indicated the data of damage dealt to Onix by moves of the Water and Grass types.
In reality, however, any factor could reduce this damage, such as terrain, Pokémon level, on-the-spot command, and so on. After all, data was data, and reality was reality.
Rigorous training and a Trainer's on-the-spot commands could both effectively avert such damage, which was precisely what reflected a Trainer's capability. This was also why Trainers were divided into Rookie Trainers, Junior Trainers, Intermediate Trainers, Senior Trainers, Elite-level, Gym-level, Champion-level, and Master-level.
What distinguished a Trainer's rank was their mastery over their own pocket monsters, familiarity, training proficiency, and, most importantly, command level.
Rookie-level: First time acquiring a Pokémon, setting out on a journey, possessing a preliminary understanding of Pokémon theory that had yet to be combined with actual combat, virtually devoid of command techniques, and utilizing very crude tactics. Corresponds to ranks around levels 0-10.
Junior-level: Combining theory with practice on a basic level, capable of basically understanding battles and Pokémon, starting to form their own comprehension of combat without yet developing a tactical system, and unable to fully unleash the battle power of their pocket monsters. Manifested by obtaining 1 Badge, commanding Pokémon within levels 10-20, and the initial Pokémon undergoing evolution.
Intermediate-level: Possessing a certain degree of experience, capable of preliminarily incorporating advantageous conditions such as Pokémon Abilities, applying terrain and external factors during battles, reasonably pairing moves, and possessing a set of basic tactics. Manifested by obtaining 4 Badges and commanding Pokémon within levels 20-30.
Senior-level: Skilfully applying various advantageous conditions, pairing different Pokémon moves, possessing a mature technical and tactical system, and capable of responding to emergencies at any time. Manifested by obtaining 8 Badges and commanding Pokémon within levels 30-45.
Elite-level: Skilfully integrating the Abilities of Pokémon into battles, gradually forming one's own combat style, breaking free from the constraints of Pokémon types, beginning to take control of oneself, and forming a unique "momentum"! Fully unleashing the strength of Pokémon, manifested by entering the tournament stage or even the championship of the League Conference, and commanding Pokémon within levels 45-60.
Gym-level: Powerful Trainers guarding major cities, possessing their own systems and styles, skilfully applying various routines, and having Pokémon begin a profound mastery of the application of typing energy. The "Domain of Momentum" begins a deeper layer of transformation. Manifested as Gym Leaders and upper-middle management of the League, commanding Pokémon within levels 60-70.
Champion-level: Reaching the peak of Trainers, with Pokémon skilfully utilizing typing energy while incorporating and mastering external types of energy, no longer bound by commands and traditional battles. Manifested as figures at the leadership level of the League and heads of important departments, commanding Pokémon within levels 70-90. Note that a massive gap also existed between Champions.
Master-level: The perfect bond between Trainer and Pokémon, ignoring types, Abilities, and move differences, becoming Pokémon Masters who command all energies! Commanding all levels of Pokémon, and even legendary beasts devoid of authority.
Therefore, the gap between every single rank of Trainer was immense, and even when situated at the same rank, disparities in levels would still present obvious differences.
Under the guidance of his Elite-level dad, Yong grew up day by day amidst learning Pokémon knowledge and the companionship of Pokémon, finally reaching 10 years of age and gaining the qualification to obtain an initial Pokémon.
Yong looked at himself in the mirror: blue jeans, a black short-sleeved shirt, and sneakers.
"It's time!"
Packing his backpack and gloves, the youth smiled with satisfaction.
"I can't wait anymore!"
Yong's gaze was filled with excitement; ever since he transmigrated, he had been looking forward to this day!
"Ten years! I can finally take a good look at this world! The Pokémon World!"
He ran swiftly downstairs.
"Mom, Mom, I'm heading out!"
"Slow down, watch out for falling, you're so rash!"
Mrs. Shiyan looked at her excited son, speaking with a mix of helplessness and reluctance to part.
"Have you packed all your things? Check again to see if you left anything out, remember to brush your teeth every day, and give the house a call whenever you arrive somewhere..."
"Agh, I know, Mom, you've already nagged me several times!"
Yong watched as his mother was about to lecture him again, only able to sigh inwardly that, sure enough, old mothers in every world were the same: threads in the hands of a loving mother, garments for the wandering child.
"Don't worry, Mom, I remember it all."
Mrs. Shiyan looked at her son's serious expression and smiled.
"Alright, alright, I won't say anymore. Be sure to pay attention to safety outside!"
Yong also nodded with a smile.
"You just wait for me to become the Hoenn Champion~!"
"Alright, my champion, go on! Dad's still waiting for you at the mine."
"Mm, I'm heading out, bye Mom!"
Bidding farewell to his mom, Yong sprinted toward the nearby mine. From afar, he saw his dad, Shiyan Toru, applying wax to his two Onix. This was a special paraffin wax used to increase rock density and shine.
"Dad, Onix! I'm setting off."
"Roar~"*2
Onix
"You brat!"
Shiyan Toru glanced sideways at his son.
"So impatient, huh?"
Yong gave an awkward chuckle, putting on a calm facade.
"Dad, isn't it because I've been looking forward to this for so long?"
"Hmph hmph, rocks are heavy and steadfast. Look at this rashness of yours..."
Yong straightened his face, affectionately stroking an Onix's body. Looking at the Onix's expression of enjoyment, he said in a deep voice,
"That's why! Me and Onix are the best match!"
"Heh, you punk!"
Shiyan Toru looked at his put-on son and slapped the back of his head with playful annoyance, then looked toward the Onix.
"Alright, I know what you're here for. Onix, I'll leave it to you."
Yong rubbed his forehead, dropping the smile, and said with equal seriousness,
"Onix, don't worry, I'll definitely train it well! In the future, we're going to stand on the very top stage!"
"Roar!"
The mother Onix nodded and looked at the father Onix. The father Onix raised his body, his tail glowing with a white light, and fiercely slammed it into the ground.
"Boom!"
The ground cracked open!
It was Iron Tail!
"Crack!"
Accompanied by the sound, a slightly smaller Onix burst out from the ground behind the Onix. This was their child, and also Yong's childhood playmate and companion.
"Roar~"
As soon as the Onix emerged, it affectionately bumped heads with its parents, then came over to Yong's side and lowered its head.
"Onix, are you ready?"
Yong gently hugged the Onix's head and asked earnestly,
"We're getting ready to leave!"
The Onix parents, Shiyan Toru, and Geodude, Golem, Machop, Shuckle, Nosepass... who had gathered around at some point, all gazed at the boy and the Onix. They were witnessing this moment, witnessing a human and a Pokémon becoming the most reliable partners!
"Roar~"
The Onix gazed into the boy's eyes and nodded its head. Yong smiled happily, taking a black Poké Ball with three yellow rings from his belt. This was a Luxury Ball manufactured by the Devon Corporation, which boosted a Pokémon's friendliness and comfort. Every year, they gave newly produced Poké Balls as gifts to their business partners, a set of six.
Tapping the button, the Luxury Ball enlarged in his hand.
"Then, get inside! My partner!"
Yong held the ball out in front of the Onix. The Onix gently touched the button of the Poké Ball, and a flash of red light pulled the Onix inside. There was no shaking, just accompanied by a soft Click! sound!
Yong happily raised the Luxury Ball.
"Caught, my partner!"
Ding! Host successfully obtained Starter Pokémon, auxiliary system activated!