The [Zero to Hero] Ability.
The effect is that after returning to the party, the Pokémon transforms into its Hero Form.
In the Pokémon world, [Zero to Hero] is the signature ability of Palafin. Its base stat total of 457 jumps to a massive 650 once activated, putting it on par with Legendary Pokémon.
Normally, the Sprigatito line has [Overgrow] or [Protean].
The former is a common, low-tier ability that boosts Grass-type moves when health is low.
The latter allows the Pokémon to change its type to the move it's about to use, though it was nerfed in Gen 9 to only trigger once per switch-in.
While the original abilities weren't useless, they couldn't hold a candle to [Zero to Hero].
Even compared to Palafin, Sprigatito's decent base stats combined with a second-stage Hero Form meant "Meow-man" would be a far superior killing machine.
"Well then, I'm in your hands, Sprigatito."
Looking down at the little creature kneading his chest with her soft paws, Hakuya—who was just celebrating his lucky start—let out a chuckle. He reached out a hand to stroke the plush, warm fur along her back, feeling her vibrate with a purr.
"Nya~"
...
AM 9:00
[Route 101, the shortest road in the Hoenn region.]
According to the Emerald script, his rival Sapphire was currently out conducting field research on wild Pokémon.
To find her and battle, he had to cross two patches of grass on Route 101, pass through Oldale Town, and finally find her on the ridge of Route 103.
For Hakuya, the plot was secondary; the real thrill was hitting the tall grass to see what randomized monsters he'd encounter.
"Finally, the 'wild Pokémon gacha' segment! Let's see what I pull!"
Hakuya rubbed his palms together excitedly and dove headfirst into the brush.
Following behind, Sprigatito tilted her head in confusion, watching her trainer act like an addict.
As a Pokémon, she didn't yet understand the crippling high of "randomized encounter gambling."
"A Shedinja... unless it rolls Sturdy, it's even more useless than its original Wonder Guard. One-shot it."
"A Poliwag? Wait, why the hell does it have Sap Sipper? Sprigatito, use Bite."
"Uh... a Poochyena with Psychic Surge?"
"You're a Dark-type; having this Ability is just a trap to lure in Psychic victims, isn't it?"
Hakuya mocked the scenery as he looked at the dreamlike Psychic Terrain surrounding a dog that had zero business being psychic.
Soon, after slaughtering his way through the route, Sprigatito hit Level 8 as they reached Sapphire.
"Let's see... the Pokémon discovered on Route 103 are..."
Sapphire, busy rummaging through the grass, suddenly sensed movement and whipped around.
Surprise flashed across her pretty face, followed immediately by an expression of pure, radiant joy.
"Hi, Hakuya! It looks like my dad gave you a Pokémon... since we both have them now, let's have a quick battle! I'll show you what it really means to be a Trainer!"
Logically, since Hakuya chose Sprigatito, Sapphire should have the corresponding Ledian.
But after the chestnut-haired girl finished her line, she tossed her Poké Ball, and a divine, titanic figure manifested against the horizon.
—A Lv. 8 Arceus!
Arceus.
Looking at the massive Space Llama in front of him, Hakuya swallowed hard, one thought screaming in his head.
I've been fucking set up!!!
Who the hell am I that the Creator God needs to personally teach me the "meaning of being a trainer"?!
"Nya?"
Even having just trashed a Kyogre, Sprigatito blinked in disbelief.
Why is it another one of these terrifying, oversized monsters???
When Hakuya tried to trigger Sprigatito's [Zero to Hero] ability to fight back, a warning message flashed before his eyes.
[You only have one Pokémon; you cannot switch during battle.]
Hakuya: "..."
Fine, that's actually very fair.
Since this was a game world, he couldn't exploit a bug by recalling and re-sending the ball; he had to actually swap Pokémon to trigger [Zero to Hero].
To make matters worse, it was a total disaster; just as Hakuya decided to have Sprigatito trade blows with [Petal Blizzard], the Arceus seemed to know exactly what was coming. It winked mockingly and moved first with [Thunder Wave], leaving Sprigatito paralyzed and shivering.
That first turn sealed their fate.
Between the god-tier base stats and the randomized [Prankster] ability, Sprigatito stood no chance against the Alpha Pokémon.
"Arceus, use Judgment."
Sapphire gave the cold command, giving Hakuya and Sprigatito zero room to breathe.
...
Three seconds later, Hakuya's vision went black as he and Sprigatito were unceremoniously dumped back home.
—Status: Encountered Sapphire's [Prankster] Arceus on Route 103. Judgment is a beast; tried my best, got absolutely fucked.
As the light returned, Hakuya stood in his second-floor room, staring at the clock. He felt like his soul had left his body as he began to question the meaning of life.
With this level of bullshit right at the start, is this just the Creator God's way of telling me to fuck off?
While the trainer was having a crisis, Sprigatito was sprawled on the bed, moodily drawing circles with her paws.
Even though the game restores your status after a blackout, that Llama's Judgment was brutal; one hit was enough to leave the poor kitten's eyes glazed and distant.
"It's okay. We just weren't ready this time. We won't lose this pathetically next time..."
Hakuya turned and saw Sprigatito's depressed look, reaching out to rub her head to comfort her.
If this were the real world, he wouldn't even dream of a Starter beating a broken monster like the Creator God.
After all, those eighteen plates aren't just for show.
But they were in a game world—there were clear levels, and every Pokémon had a health bar. If it bleeds, we can kill it.
"Nya? Nya!"
Sprigatito nodded, her dazed eyes slowly sharpening with a newfound hunger for revenge.
As the saying goes: don't fear a boss because it's strong; fear a boss that doesn't have a health bar.
Besides, looking at its size, that Llama wasn't even as big as the fat-headed fish they fought first. If she hadn't been paralyzed, she definitely could have taken a bite out of it.
Having restored Sprigatito's confidence, Hakuya didn't waste any time at home. He immediately took her back out to grind in the tall grass of Route 101.