Damn, Kalos?

The night was calm and serene. The streets were deserted, not even a stray dog in sight. It's in moments like these that one finds the space to reflect on life.

I found myself walking down this empty street, lost in the memories of my past. My part-time job as a waiter at a hotel a few miles from home often required night shifts, frequently keeping me working until 1 AM. Without the means to afford private transport, I made do with walking home, savoring this tranquil solitude.

I've always been an avid Pokémon fan. I got my first Pokémon game during my early school years, and from then on, I followed the franchise religiously, playing every subsequent release. Eventually, I discovered that the games had an accompanying animated series, which marked the beginning of my journey into the world of anime.

These days, I'm replaying Pokémon X and Y, one of my favorite entries in the series. I look forward to playing it again when I get home from work, although I'll have to see if I have the patience left to grind through Victory Road.

Speaking of the anime, they've really been dropping the ball lately. The Masters 8 tournament having 3-on-3 battles? Don't get me wrong, I'm excited, as anyone would be—watching our favorite characters and the strongest trainers from each region duke it out is something special. But I can't help but feel disappointed. A tournament of this caliber deserves full 6-on-6 battles, not these shortened formats.

The silence around me reminded me of my solitude.

Man, it's times like these when you wish you had your best friend walking beside you.

I reached home.

"I'm home," I called out, only to be met with silence—the same silence that had filled this house for the past year.

My parents passed away when I was five. I was raised by my grandparents after that. Although they were deeply affected by my parent's deaths, they did their best to care for me just as they had cared for my parents. But, like my parents, they, too, are gone now. Two years ago, my grandmother passed away, and just a year later, my grandfather followed.

With the inheritance they left me, I've been paying for my college education and saving the remainder for future needs or emergencies. I took the job at the hotel for some extra pocket money.

Their deaths and my situation led to me being bullied during the latter part of high school and now in college as well. The so-called "cool kids" – mostly the wealthy ones – targeted me because of my financial situation and the fact that I'm an orphan. Anime, games, and fanfiction became my solace during those difficult times. Initially, I would come home, lock myself in this room, and cry myself to sleep.

But over time, I grew used to it. I refused to let those jerks have the satisfaction of breaking me. Determined to defend myself, I joined a martial arts training center and learned to fight. I didn't want to just beat them physically—I wanted to outsmart them, too. I adopted a new, more assertive persona inspired by Gojo Satoru—a strong, enigmatic character that would keep others at a distance and help me avoid trouble.

Switching off the shower, I ended my train of thoughts. I stepped out, got dressed, and took my usual spot by the window with my Nintendo console, ready to dive back into the grind. Just then, my phone pinged with a notification.

"A new chapter update – Fan Fiction"

A smile spread across my face.

Well, well...

Who knew that all those fanfictions were true?

Because they were. Somehow, I've found myself in the world of Pokémon—specifically, Kalos.