C1: Did I Just Travel to Another World?
(Note: The Pokémon move pools in this story will be adjusted; except for legendary-exclusive moves such as Roar of Time or Sacred Fire, most moves will be decentralized. However, don't expect anything as absurd as a Flamethrower Venusaur—Venusaur's natural movepool in canon focuses on techniques like Solar Beam, Sludge Bomb, and Frenzy Plant, as shown in both the games and in battles from Pokémon Adventures.
The stat growth system in this story is similar to Pokémon Legends: Arceus. There are no IVs or EVs like in traditional competitive mechanics. Instead, stats increase through battle experience, focused training regimens, stat-enhancing Mochi introduced in The Teal Mask DLC, candies, and performance drinks. Blank Mochi can reset accumulated stat growth, making it convenient to train Trick Room attackers who benefit from lower Speed or Pokémon that fear moves like Foul Play, which scales off the target's Attack stat.
Hyper Training follows the modern canon established in Pokémon Sun and Moon. A Silver Bottle Cap provides a one-time +1 boost to a chosen stat's growth ceiling. A Gold Bottle Cap provides a one-time +10 boost distributed evenly across all stats. In this universe, using them also stimulates long-term stat growth efficiency.
Pokémon like certain starters that lack an Ability early in the story may later awaken one, similar to how Abilities were gradually introduced in Generation III and how certain characters in Pokémon Adventures displayed latent traits before formal classification. If future updates from Game Freak conflict with this interpretation, Game Freak's canon takes precedence. Consider this version belonging to an era comparable to when Shadow Tag Chandelure briefly existed in competitive theory before being removed.
Original moves may appear in the mid-to-late stages of the story, but they will largely be reskinned or logically expanded versions of existing techniques, similar to how signature moves like Volt Tackle were introduced for Pikachu in extended media without breaking core mechanics.
This story takes place in an alternate universe blending elements from the games, anime (including certain film canon such as Aura lore from Lucario's portrayal), and multiple manga sources beyond just Pokémon Adventures. In the manga continuity, Aura is not merely a legend—characters such as Riley and Lucario can actively sense emotions and life force. Many headcanons regarding protagonists like Hilbert and Hilda are included, so please do not treat everything here as strict canon.)
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"Sigh… I guess I'll keep working as an extra today to make some money."
Shilo is seventeen years old and a middle school graduate. The surname Shi is rare, but Shilo isn't from an ethnic minority; he is Han Chinese.
In elementary school, he trained in gymnastics and Sanda-style free combat. He specialized in leg techniques and aerial jump kicks reminiscent of the move Jump Kick. His boxing was poor—mainly because Shilo's arm span was short, giving him limited reach. His physical fitness had once been above average, but he stopped formal training when he entered seventh grade.
Since birth, Shilo possessed a strange ability. He couldn't fully explain it, but it allowed him to sense his surroundings and the presence of living beings. With concentration, he could even perceive fragments of inner thoughts.
In Shilo's mind, this ability resembled the concept of Aura described in Pokémon lore. In Pokémon Adventures, Aura is treated as a real spiritual energy, and in film canon it is wielded by Sir Aaron and Lucario. However, Shilo had once tried and failed to condense anything resembling an Aura Sphere, so he dismissed the idea.
After all, Aura was something associated with Lucario and select individuals in fiction. How could it exist in reality? At least, that was what Shilo believed.
Shilo's parents were gone.
His father had contracted an STD while visiting prostitutes and passed away after a prolonged illness. During that period, his parents' relationship deteriorated severely. His father also developed a gambling addiction, though he did not leave behind crushing debt. There was just enough money for mother and son to survive for a time.
Later, his mother abandoned him, leaving with a man she had been involved with before. Shilo later learned she died from drug abuse. He was thirteen at the time.
They left some savings behind. Shilo survived on it for several years, but it eventually ran out.
He planned to head to the film crew where he often worked part-time. They provided boxed lunches, and he frequently served as a stunt double for action scenes thanks to his agility.
Shilo stepped into the familiar studio—
—but the interior was completely different.
The architecture resembled the Pokéstar Studios facility in Virbank City, complete with elaborate sets rather than the modest production space he knew.
He walked back outside.
The skyline was unfamiliar.
Industrial structures, harbor cranes, and the salty scent of sea air surrounded him. Neon signage read: Pokéstar Studios.
He had somehow arrived in Virbank City in the Unova region.
"Hello, are you here for the audition?"
A pink-haired girl approached him. It was Yancy, the actress known in Unova and a key figure connected to Pokéstar Studios in the events of Pokémon Black 2 and White 2.
"Hello, my name is Yancy. Please, have a seat."
Shilo's heart pounded. He had traveled worlds. Identity would be an issue. Fortunately, they spoke the same language.
"May I ask what you're here for? Do you have acting experience?"
"I'm mainly looking to earn a living. I've worked as a stunt double before. I studied free combat and specialize in leg techniques."
"I see. Do you have any Pokémon?"
"I don't have any. My family didn't allow me to keep them," Shilo improvised.
"In that case, do you possess any special abilities? Psychic powers perhaps? In Unova, we do have Trainers with such talents."
"I can sense my surroundings and living beings."
Yancy froze.
"To what extent?"
"I can fight blind. I can sense emotional fluctuations too."
Yancy's eyes widened.
"Wait here."
She soon returned with a blue egg and two women.
One was Sabrina—the Psychic Gym Leader of Saffron City in Kanto, who in Pokémon Adventures is portrayed as disciplined and formidable, capable of bending spoons and overpowering opponents mentally.
The other was a stern middle-aged woman dressed in a black trench coat and white scarf. Her aura felt controlled and refined.
The blue egg trembled.
It emitted soft pulses of Aura.
Sabrina removed a spoon. It bent effortlessly, its tip pointing directly at Shilo.
"There is resonance," Sabrina said calmly. "The Riolu egg is reacting. This young man carries Aura."
In canon, Riolu and Lucario are known to sense Aura at birth and bond strongly with compatible partners.
Shilo's breathing grew unsteady.
"If you are an Aura user, can you form an Aura Sphere?" the producer asked.
"I cannot."
"Then training will be arranged. Regardless of the audition's outcome, this Riolu will be yours. An Aura user should not remain partnerless."
Yancy placed the egg in Shilo's hands.
It glowed brighter.
Riolu eggs are known to hatch quickly when emotional bonds are strong.
"Intuition suggests this Riolu is exceptional," the producer said. "Strength seeks strength."
After Sabrina and the producer departed, Yancy sighed.
"She wasn't always so cold."
"What happened?"
"About six months ago, a professional martial arts choreographer she trusted betrayed her. He was later arrested for murder. She was nearly killed."
Shilo fell silent.
"That's tragic."
Yancy nodded.
"Anyway, you'll audition for the Brycen-Man series."
Brycen-Man—the superhero franchise inspired by Brycen, the Icirrus City Gym Leader and former movie star. In Black 2 and White 2, Brycen returns to filmmaking after retiring from Gym duties.
They entered the filming area.
A massive green screen towered overhead. A water tank simulated ocean battle scenes.
Shilo memorized his lines swiftly. Years as a stunt double had sharpened his recall.
For the audition, the producer lent him a Lucario—likely one trained in accordance with Aura discipline similar to those seen under Riley's guidance in extended canon.
This was not a dialogue-choice system like in the games. The script was structured, dramatic, heroic.
Shilo changed into costume.
"Ready!"
"Three… two… one… Action!" Yancy called.
And as the Riolu egg in the corner pulsed with light—
Shilo stepped forward, unaware that his real story in the Pokémon world had already begun.