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Johto Region
New Bark Town
"Rex, have you made your decision yet? **Chikorita, Cyndaquil, or Totodile—**which one will you choose as your partner?"
Inside Professor Elm's Laboratory, Professor Elm looked kindly at the young man standing before him.
The young man seemed momentarily stunned, his expression distant and unfocused.
Rex stared at the professor, unsure how to describe the emotions swirling inside him.
Two days ago, Tianshen Technology released a brand-new Pokémon AR game pod worldwide. The moment it launched, Pokémon fans everywhere rushed to buy one, and the devices sold out instantly.
As a devoted Pokémon enthusiast, Rex was lucky enough to get one.
But tonight at 7 PM, when the game officially launched worldwide, something unexpected happened.
Every player who logged into the game became trapped inside it.
Logging out was impossible.
After spending two hours reluctantly accepting this reality, Rex followed the other players to Professor Elm's lab to receive their starter Pokémon.
Just as the professor was about to introduce the available Pokémon to him, a notification suddenly appeared in Rex's mind.
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System Bound: Legendary Pokémon System
The system granted him four abilities.
1. Master's Power
Any Poké Ball handled by him would have a 100% capture rate when used on Legendary Pokémon.
2. Legendary Power
Each time he captured a Legendary Pokémon, he could obtain one of that Pokémon's moves.
3. Charm Aura
Once a Pokémon became his partner, all of its stats would continuously increase without limit.
4. Legendary Perception
If a Legendary Pokémon existed within one mile, he would sense its presence.
The closer he got, the stronger the sensation would become.
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However, Rex wasn't stunned because of the system itself.
The real reason was that the moment the system finished explaining his abilities…
He immediately sensed a Pokémon nearby.
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"What are you spacing out for? Hurry up and choose! There are plenty of people waiting behind you!"
Behind Rex, a long line of players waited to receive their starter Pokémon. Seeing him standing there in a daze, several of them began complaining impatiently.
Snapping out of it, Rex said,
"Professor, could you give me a few empty Poké Balls first? I want to go catch a wild Pokémon."
"You don't want to choose one of our starters? You'd rather catch one yourself?" Professor Elm asked in surprise.
"Yes. Please, Professor. Just give me a few Poké Balls." Rex's tone was firm.
Seeing his determination, Professor Elm didn't argue further. He picked up five Poké Balls from his desk—strung together—and handed them to Rex.
"If you fail to catch anything," the professor said kindly, "you can always come back and choose your partner."
"Thank you, Professor."
Rex grabbed the Poké Balls and ran out of the lab.
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As he passed by some of the players in line, their mocking voices followed him.
"Seriously? This guy's hilarious! He refuses a starter Pokémon and instead grabs five empty Poké Balls to catch a wild one. What does he think he's holding—a Master Ball?"
"Maybe he thinks Pokémon are idiots and will just get caught the moment he throws one!"
"Don't laugh too hard. He probably hasn't even played Pokémon before—"
"Pfft… nope, I can't hold it in anymore—HAHAHAHA!"
"Hey, you guys keep my place in line. I'm going to follow him and watch the show."
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Leaving the laboratory, Rex followed the direction given by Legendary Perception and soon arrived at a grassy field.
Many children were playing there with their Pokémon.
There were Nidoran, Oddish, Growlithe, and others.
Guided by the sensation in his mind, Rex slowly walked forward until he stopped in front of a Pidgey.
The small bird Pokémon was playing with several Oddish.
When Rex approached, the Oddish quickly scattered and ran away, leaving only the Pidgey staring at him in confusion.
The bird tilted its head.
It couldn't understand why the human in front of it was trembling all over and gulping nervously while staring at it.
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Is it Mew?
It's Mew… right?!
It has to be!
Legendary Perception wouldn't mistake an ordinary Pidgey for a Legendary Pokémon!
Rex stared at the Pidgey, whose head was still tilted in confusion, his mind racing wildly.
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"Hahaha! Kid, what are you trying to do?"
"You're not seriously planning to throw a Poké Ball at a full-health Pidgey, are you?"
At that moment, the players who had mocked Rex earlier arrived as well.
Seeing him staring at a Pidgey with an extremely excited expression, they immediately burst into laughter.
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Rex glanced at them and reached for the Poké Ball at his waist.
He pulled one out.
Then—without hesitation—
he threw it.
The Poké Ball opened midair, releasing a flash of red light that engulfed the Pidgey.
The bird vanished inside.
The Poké Ball dropped to the ground and began to shake, its red light blinking.
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System… please don't screw me over, Rex prayed anxiously in his mind.
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"You actually just threw the ball like that! Man, you're talented—HAHAHAHA!"
The onlookers laughed again.
But their laughter lasted only three seconds before abruptly stopping.
Because after the Poké Ball shook three times…
…it suddenly clicked and stopped moving.
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Rex's eyes lit up with excitement.
He immediately picked up the Poké Ball and ran away at full speed, looking as though he was afraid the others might chase after him.
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Ten minutes later, he arrived at a quiet little grove.
After checking his surroundings and confirming no one had followed him, he finally let out a breath of relief.
Looking down at the Poké Ball in his hand, he pressed the white button in the center.
A flash of light appeared—
And from it emerged a small pink Pokémon.
It looked like a kitten, with triangular ears and large blue eyes.
After appearing, it tilted its head curiously and looked at Rex.
Then it let out two soft cries—
"Mew… Mew…"
Adorable beyond words.