Pokémon : The Perfect Path

Kanto Region - Somewhere Near Mt.Moon

Velkris exhaled sharply as he watched the Poké Ball tremble in his palm before locking with a soft ding. He had successfully captured the Nidoran, but his focus quickly shifted back to something far more concerning—the fallen Primeape.

It lay motionless on the ground, chest rising and falling in shallow, labored breaths. The Nidoking had knocked it out in a single strike, something that shouldn't have been possible under normal circumstances. Primeape were known for their relentless, almost berserk tenacity in battle. Even when critically injured, they always fought to the bitter end. And yet, this one had collapsed without resistance.

Velkris approached carefully, crouching beside the unconscious Fighting-type. His eyes landed on the metal cuff around its leg, attached to the broken remnants of a chain. He reached out and traced a finger along the jagged edges of the snapped links.

"Someone had this Primeape chained up. But why?"

His gaze swept over the Pokémon's body. Now that he had a closer look, something was seriously off. Its fur was damp with sweat, its muscles looked tense yet weak at the same time, and the usual fire in its expression was missing. Even unconscious, most Primeape wore a perpetual scowl, as if ready to lash out at any second. But this one…

It looked dazed.

Velkris frowned and placed a hand near its forehead. The Primeape's temperature was slightly higher than normal. His hand then hovered over its chest, feeling its erratic breathing.

He muttered, "This thing's exhausted… not just physically, but mentally. Almost like… it's been drugged."

He recalled how easily the Nidoking had taken it down—not just because it was strong, but because the Primeape had been too weak to put up a real fight. His mind raced. This was the second time he had encountered Pokémon acting abnormally aggressive or unnaturally subdued.

The first time had been in Viridian Forest, when Beedrills had gone berserk after someone had thrown a pheromone bomb at Professor Light. It had been a deliberate act to cover something up. And now, in this area, this Primeape and even the local Mankeys were acting out.

Was it connected?

He looked at the broken chain again. There was only one conclusion.

This Primeape wasn't wild. Someone had captured it. Experimented on it. And it must have escaped.

Velkris clenched his jaw. This wasn't something he could ignore. If someone was drugging or altering Pokémon, there was no telling what their intentions were.

For now, his priority was getting Primeape to a Pokémon Center. He reached for an empty Poké Ball and lightly tapped it against the unconscious Fighting-type's body. A flash of red light engulfed it, and within seconds, it was secured inside the capsule.

With a glance around the area to make sure nothing else was watching him, Velkris turned toward the distant peaks of Mt. Moon. The nearest Pokémon Center would be there. He tightened his bag straps and set off at a brisk pace.

As he moved along the rough path, Velkris kept an eye out for wild Pokémon. The region between Route 3 and Mt. Moon was teeming with life, and this was a perfect opportunity to observe the natural Pokémon behavior in contrast to the Primeape's abnormal state.

Among the rocky terrain, he spotted a colony of Sandshrew burrowing into the soft dirt, their sharp claws tearing through the earth with practiced ease. A few Rattata scurried between the tall grass, their whiskers twitching as they remained wary of potential threats. Above, flocks of Spearow circled, their sharp cries echoing in the distance.

Further along, he passed by a group of Mankey, clambering over a small rocky outcrop. These ones seemed normal—energetic, territorial, and ready to throw hands at the slightest provocation. It only solidified his suspicion that something was definitely wrong with the Primeape he had caught.

Halfway to Mt. Moon, he saw a pair of Ekans slithering through the underbrush, their forked tongues flicking out as they searched for prey. Nearby, a lone Clefairy cautiously peeked out from behind a rock, quickly retreating the moment it noticed him. Seeing a Clefairy in the wild was rare, but he had no time to stop.

As he climbed higher, the air grew cooler, and the rocky landscape gave way to a few sparse patches of grass. A Geodude perched on a ledge watched him curiously, while a Zubat swarm flitted in and out of a small cave entrance nearby.

Velkris pressed on, eventually spotting the red-roofed building of the Pokémon Center nestled near the entrance of Mt. Moon. Relief washed over him as he picked up the pace, finally stepping through the sliding glass doors.

As Velkris stepped into the Mt. Moon Pokémon Center, the cool air inside a welcome contrast to the rough terrain he had just traveled through. The scent of disinfectant lingered in the air, and the soft hum of machines mixed with the chatter of trainers tending to their Pokémon.

At the reception counter, Nurse Joy looked up, offering a polite but somewhat tired smile. "Welcome to the Pokémon Center. How can I help you?"

Velkris walked forward, placing a Poké Ball on the counter. "I caught a Primeape, but it's not acting normal. It was erratic, almost unfocused. Something's wrong."

Nurse Joy tilted her head slightly, raising an eyebrow. "Primeape acting erratic? That's not unusual. They're naturally aggressive Pokémon."

Velkris shook his head. "This is different. It wasn't just aggressive—it was off. And more importantly…" His voice lowered slightly. "It had been captured before and released. There was a broken chain on its leg. Someone held it captive."

Nurse Joy's smile faded, her expression becoming more serious. "A captured Primeape that was released…? Alright, let me take a look." She turned to a Chansey, who was already wheeling over a small stretcher.

Velkris took a deep breath and pressed the release button on the Poké Ball. A flash of red light materialized the Primeape, which remained limp on the stretcher, its body barely reacting to the sudden shift.

The moment Nurse Joy saw it, her entire demeanor changed. Her eyes widened in alarm, and her hands immediately reached for the stretcher, assessing the Pokémon's weak, almost lifeless state.

"Chansey, prepare the emergency treatment room," she ordered sharply, her voice now all business.

The Chansey let out a quick chirp of acknowledgment and wheeled the stretcher away at once.

"This is serious," Nurse Joy muttered, her brows furrowed. "I need to treat it immediately—I don't have time to stand here talking." She glanced at Velkris. "Wait here. I'll let you know once I have more information."

Without another word, she turned and hurried toward the treatment area, disappearing behind a set of double doors.

Velkris exhaled, his fingers unconsciously tightening into a fist.

Something was seriously wrong.

As he sat down in the waiting area, his mind spiraled into uneasy thoughts.

This wasn't supposed to happen. Not in the anime timeline. Not here.

First, the Beedrill incident in Viridian Forest. Now this.

There was a pattern forming, one that made his stomach churn. Someone was interfering with Pokémon, experimenting on them, changing their behavior. But should he even get involved?

Velkris leaned forward, elbows resting on his knees as he stared at the floor.

"Is this really my problem?"

This world—this life—was never supposed to be his in the first place.

"Am I Velkris from my world? Or am I Velkris from this world?"

"Or… am I something else entirely?"

He swallowed hard, feeling an unsettling conflict rise in his chest. Was his will even his own? Or was something influencing his mind?

A small, gentle touch on his leg made him glance up.

Ralts had appeared beside him, placing its tiny hands against his knee.

It lifted its head, staring up at him with its large red eyes, sensing the turmoil in his emotions.

On the floor, Gible bounced around playfully, running in circles before leaping up with a loud chomp at the air, trying to cheer him up in its own way.

Meanwhile, Nidoran, having been let out earlier, simply observed the Pokémon Center. Unlike Ralts, it couldn't sense emotions, but it was clearly trying to make sense of its surroundings.

Velkris exhaled, his hand absentmindedly patting Ralts' head.

"This isn't the time to sit here questioning myself."

He wasn't Velkris from the anime. He wasn't Velkris from the real world.

"I am who I am. I will become a Pokémon Master. And that means I can't shy away from things just because they weren't part of some 'original plot.'"

His fingers curled into a fist.

"Someone is messing with Pokémon. That much is clear. But I need to get stronger before I can take on whoever is behind this."

For now, his journey came first. And if he was going to do anything, he needed guidance.

That meant Professor Oak.

Velkris made his way to the videophone at the Pokémon Center and punched in Professor Oak's number. The screen flickered before displaying the familiar face of Professor Samuel Oak, who blinked in surprise at the call.

"Velkris! I wasn't expecting to hear from you so soon. How's your journey going?"

Velkris didn't waste time. "Professor, I found a Primeape that had been captured and then released. It had a broken chain on its leg, and it was acting completely out of it. Nurse Joy is treating it right now, but something is seriously wrong."

Professor Oak's expression immediately darkened.

"Primeape… with a broken chain?" He leaned back in thought. "This doesn't sound like a simple case of an abandoned Pokémon. If someone captured it and experimented on it, we need to find out why."

Velkris nodded. "Once it's stable, I want to send it to you for further analysis."

Professor Oak gave a firm nod. "That's a good idea. Have Nurse Joy transfer it here once it recovers. I'll examine it myself."

Velkris hesitated for a moment before asking, "Professor… what should I do? Should I investigate this?"

The professor sighed. "Velkris… Professor Light already told me about what happened in Viridian Forest. He informed Lance as well."

Velkris sat up straighter. "Lance? He's already on the case?"

Professor Oak nodded. "Lance has already been investigating this case. In fact, he's been asking about witnesses from Viridian Forest. He's going to want to meet you."

Velkris felt his heart skip a beat. Lance wasn't Champion yet, but he was already one of the most powerful trainers in Kanto. If he was taking this seriously, then this situation was bigger than he had thought.

Oak continued, "Be ready for that. Lance is thorough. He'll want to hear your account directly."

Velkris nodded. "Understood. I'll be waiting for his call."

As he ended the call, his mind whirled with conflicting emotions.

Lance was involved. That meant this wasn't just some minor event.

And deep in his memories, something felt… off. Like there was something missing.

"Once I meet Lance… something will be confirmed."

He just didn't know what yet.

With his path now clearer, Velkris sat back in his chair, waiting for Nurse Joy to return with news on Primeape.

This world wasn't following the original script.

But that didn't matter anymore.

Because he wasn't going to stand by and watch.

Not anymore.

______________________________________

Velkris lay on his bed, staring at the ceiling of his small Pokémon Center room, his mind restless despite his body's exhaustion. The past day had been overwhelming—from receiving Primeape from Nurse Joy and sending it to Professor Oak to dealing with the constant thoughts of Pokémon abductions, mysterious experiments, and the ever-growing enigma of his own existence. He had tried to sleep, hoping to find some respite, but a faint, almost imperceptible humming sound filled the air. It was soft, barely noticeable, yet something about it sent a shiver down his spine.

As he drifted in and out of consciousness, a sudden, sharp pain shot through his skull, like a spike being driven into his mind. He jolted upright, clutching his head as the headache pulsed behind his eyes. With heavy breaths, he forced himself to sit up, scanning the dimly lit room. Nothing seemed out of place, yet a sense of unease clung to him.

Click.

He reached for the light switch and flipped it on, flooding the room with a dull glow. The clock on the wall read 11:00 PM. A sigh escaped his lips as he rubbed his temples, trying to shake off the discomfort.

"Maybe I'm just overthinking everything," he muttered to himself. "All these thoughts about Pokémon experiments, abductions… and that Mysterious Pokémon that keeps giving me headaches… it's messing with my head."

Despite his exhaustion, sleep was nowhere in sight. His mind felt too clouded, his nerves too wired. Something inside him compelled him to get up, to move. He normally wasn't one for midnight strolls, but tonight… something felt different. Almost as if he had to go outside.

With a deep breath, he got up from the bed and quickly changed out of his pajamas. Strapping on his belt that held his Poké Balls, he quietly left the room, his footsteps light against the wooden floorboards. As he made his way to the front counter of the Pokémon Center, a familiar sight greeted him—Nurse Joy, her arms folded on the counter as she rested her head atop them, deep in sleep.

Velkris stopped for a moment, watching her steady breathing. A pang of sympathy welled in his chest. They really dedicate their lives to this, huh? He had always known that the Nurse Joys worked tirelessly to care for Pokémon, but seeing her like this—exhausted, asleep at her post—made him realize just how much they sacrificed. No private time, no peaceful rest… just endless duty.

"They don't even get time for themselves…" he thought.

Shaking his head, he pushed the thought away and quietly stepped outside, shutting the door behind him with a soft click.

The night was eerily silent.

No rustling grass. No distant calls of Noctowl or Zubat. Not even the usual hum of Bird Pokémon flapping thier wings. Just an unnatural, absolute silence.

The moon hung high in the sky, its pale glow casting long shadows across the landscape. The Pokémon Center stood at the edge of Mt. Moon's territory, its familiar red-roofed structure contrasting against the rocky backdrop of the mountain range. The path leading up to Mt. Moon's entrance stretched before him, illuminated only by the moonlight. The cavern's mouth loomed in the distance, a gaping void that seemed to breathe in the darkness.

Velkris took slow, measured steps toward the cave entrance, his instincts on high alert.

Then—

A shadow moved in the corner of his vision.

He froze.

A figure stood on the branch of a nearby tree, perched like a predator waiting to strike.

Velkris' breath caught in his throat as he turned to look at it directly. He expected it to vanish, to be nothing more than a trick of the night.

But it didn't.

It stood there, staring straight into his soul.

The figure was small, humanoid in shape, but shrouded in inky darkness. Its golden eyes glowed ominously, piercing through the night like embers. The gaze was unreadable—not hostile, yet not entirely friendly either.

Unlike the mysterious headaches he had suffered before, something strange happened this time. Instead of fogging his mind, the presence of this creature made his thoughts clearer. The noise in his head—the doubts, the confusion, the turmoil—vanished in an instant.

Velkris clenched his fists and took a slow step forward.

"Who are you?" he called out. "Reveal yourself!"

The shadow did not move.

A tense moment passed.

Then—

The creature's form shrank, folding in on itself before vanishing.

Velkris' muscles tensed. His instincts screamed for him to prepare for an attack, but before he could react—

It reappeared.

Right in front of him.

Velkris staggered back a step, eyes widening in shock.

It was Marshadow.

The mythical Gloomdweller Pokémon, known for moving through shadows unseen, watching from the darkness.

Velkris' heartbeat thundered in his chest. Of all the Pokémon he could have encountered tonight… why Marshadow?

The Pokémon stared at him, unblinking.

The silence between them stretched, heavy and suffocating.

Velkris' mind raced. Why is it here? Is it following me? Or… has it been watching me this whole time like I expected?

Whatever the case, this night had just become far more mysterious than he could have ever anticipated.

Velkris' breath hitched as he stared at the Pokémon before him. Though startled, he wasn't entirely surprised—it had to be Marshadow. The way it moved seamlessly through the darkness, how it lurked within the shadows, and more importantly, the strange headaches he had been experiencing—he should have expected this.

His mind drifted back to the events of Pokémon: I Choose You!, where Marshadow had demonstrated its ability to influence and control Pokémon, sending them into a berserk rage. If it could manipulate emotions so easily, then causing simple headaches would be effortless for it.

Velkris swallowed his hesitation and stepped forward, determination settling in his chest.

"Why have you been following me? Why do you keep disturbing me?" he asked, his voice steady despite the lingering unease.

Marshadow remained eerily silent, its golden eyes locked onto him. Then, without a word, it extended its shadowy hands, and from the darkness, something began to materialize—a pendant, black as midnight, yet polished like a gemstone. The moment Velkris laid eyes on it, something inside him shifted.

The pendant looked like black jade, its surface reflecting the moonlight with an unnatural gleam. The instant he saw it, a strange possessiveness washed over him.

"That belongs to me."

The thought came unbidden, overwhelming his rational mind. It wasn't a logical feeling—it was pure, instinctual greed. He needed that pendant. It was his. It was meant for him and him alone.

Then, just as quickly as it had come, the feeling vanished.

Velkris inhaled sharply, shaking off the sudden, consuming desire. His fingers twitched at his sides, and he took a careful step back, regaining control over himself.

"What... was that?" he muttered under his breath. His mind, still wary, flickered to fiction from his previous world. "This almost feels like a Horcrux… but that can't be possible."

Steadying himself, he narrowed his eyes at Marshadow.

"What is this? Why does it feel so… powerful? Why did it affect me like that?"

Marshadow didn't speak. It simply lifted the pendant higher, offering it to him.

Velkris hesitated. Every rational part of his mind screamed at him not to take it, but another part—one far deeper—urged him forward. Slowly, cautiously, he extended his hand and grasped the pendant.

The moment his fingers made contact, a jolt ran up his arm, like static electricity biting into his skin. He clenched his jaw and swallowed the discomfort.

"Should I really wear this?" he wondered, staring at the dark relic in his palm. If it could influence his emotions just by looking at it, then putting it on could be dangerous. But...

He glanced at Marshadow, whose expression remained unreadable.

If Marshadow truly meant me harm, it wouldn't need to go to such lengths. If it wanted to attack, it could have done so at any time.

Velkris knew Marshadow's nature. It wasn't an inherently hostile Pokémon. In ancient times, it had been chosen by Ho-Oh to test and guide the Rainbow Hero—the one worthy of wielding Ho-Oh's power.

Then… is this another test?

With a deep breath, Velkris placed the pendant around his neck.

The effect was instantaneous.

A piercing headache exploded in his skull, far more intense than before. His knees buckled as he clutched his head, teeth gritted in pain. At the same time, his Poké Balls burst open, releasing his Pokémon against his will.

A flash of white light revealed his Ralts, Nidoran (Male), and Gible.

The moment Gible locked eyes on Marshadow, it growled aggressively, stepping forward with an intense glare. The little Dragon-type had sensed this Pokémon before—it remembered its presence in the shadows—and it did not trust it one bit.

Nidoran, though less experienced, instinctively followed Gible's stance, lowering itself into a defensive posture.

But Ralts…

Ralts sensed something different.

Unlike the others, it didn't react with hostility. Instead, it gently lifted its tiny hands and projected a soft, calming psychic wave. The rising tension dissolved.

Gible and Nidoran hesitated, glancing at Ralts, who shook its head as if saying: There's no malice here. No need to fight.

Despite their initial aggression, Gible and Nidoran reluctantly stepped back, though they remained wary.

Velkris barely noticed their exchange. His mind was being flooded with memories—memories that weren't his.

Scenes played out in his mind, vivid yet foreign.

He saw himself… or rather, someone who looked eerily like him. But the person beside him—he knew that face.

Sir Aaron.

The legendary Aura Guardian.

The memories continued, unraveling a history he had never known.

He saw Sir Aaron and the stranger working together, standing before a blinding golden light. Ho-Oh.

Ho-Oh, the one who had chosen Aaron as the Rainbow Hero.

But Velkris' attention was drawn to the other figure. The one standing slightly behind Aaron. The one the memories whispered about.

The Shadow Guardian.

Marshadow's true companion.

Velkris watched as the Shadow Guardian followed Aaron, much like how Marshadow had followed him tonight. The bond they shared was undeniable. The duty they carried… unshakable.

Then—

The memories shifted. Darkness crept in.

The once-proud figure of the Shadow Guardian changed.

Betrayal.

Velkris saw him abandon his post.

He saw the corruption, the moment when the Shadow Guardian chose power over duty.

Marshadow's power, once meant to guide, was twisted into a weapon. The Shadow Guardian had taken its abilities, using them for control.

Pokémon, their eyes glowing with a dark aura, moved at his command. The battlefield burned, chaos reigning unchecked.

And then—a blinding light.

The last thing Velkris saw was the Shadow Guardian's destruction.

Then, the vision ended.

Velkris gasped, his body trembling as he collapsed to one knee, sweat dripping from his forehead. His Pokémon immediately rushed to his side, their eyes filled with concern.

His breath came in ragged gulps.

"What… was that?"

He clutched the pendant, still resting against his chest.

Those weren't just memories.

They were his memories.

Or at least… they should have been.

Velkris looked up at Marshadow, whose golden eyes seemed to hold an ancient sadness.

"Who am I… really?"

Silence answered him.

For the first time since he had arrived in this world…

Velkris truly didn't know.