Morning light trickled through the treetops, spilling over the clearing where Niyah sat cross-legged with Roty hovering nearby. Mimikyu swayed lazily in the cool air, while Litwick perched on a rock, his tiny flame flickering proudly.
"Alright, you two," Niyah said, pulling a small pouch from her bag. "You've both worked hard lately, so I think you've earned a reward."
She opened the pouch to reveal a small handful of shimmering blue crystals, each one pulsing faintly with energy.
"Rare Candies," she explained. "They're packed with pure experience energy. They taste different for every Pokémon, your bodies basically convert them into strength."
Roty buzzed helpfully, "Btzz, btzz warning: side effects may include rapid level increase, heightened hunger, and mild sugar rush."
Mimikyu's head tilted. 'Sugar rush sounds fun.'
Litwick's flame flared skeptically. 'What if it melts my wax?'
Niyah giggled. "It won't. Just one to start, promise."
She handed one candy to each of them. Mimikyu sniffed hers first, the crystal shimmered, smelling faintly of spun sugar and moonlight. Hesitant, she nibbled the edge… and her eyes went wide.
'It tastes like… lightning and marshmallows!' she squeaked, immediately cramming the rest into her mouth.
Roty hummed approvingly as Mimikyu began to glow faintly, her energy rising like a soft tide. "Btzz, btzz level increased to 18… 19… 20. All current move mastery confirmed."
Niyah clapped. "Nice!"
Litwick eyed Mimikyu's blissful expression before looking back at his own candy. 'Hmm, he muttered doubtfully, then popped it into his mouth.'
For him, it tasted like warm cinnamon and ember smoke. His little flame flared bright orange, crackling happily. 'Yum!' he exclaimed, immediately grabbing another.
Moments later, both Pokémon were glowing with radiant light, the energy pulsing outward in soft waves. When it faded, they stood taller, stronger, Mimikyu's cloth disguise now mended and smoother, her aura sharper. Litwick's flame burned cleaner and brighter, the tip shimmering like a candle touched by moonlight.
"Alright," Niyah said proudly. "Level twenty! You two just got a serious upgrade."
Mimikyu floated in a little circle, showing off. 'I feel unstoppable!'
Litwick smirked. 'I feel flammable.'
Niyah grinned. "Then let's put that energy to use. Route 1 is calling."
—
The path between Postwick and Wedgehurst was quiet, rolling hills of golden grass, wild Wooloo grazing lazily, and the occasional young trainer wandering by with beginner Pokémon.
It didn't take long for Niyah's team to find opportunities.
The first trainer they spotted was a nervous young boy studying his map upside down. His tiny Blipbug crawled up his sleeve in confusion.
"Uh… this way to Wedgehurst?" he mumbled aloud.
Niyah and her Pokémon exchanged a look.
'Target acquired,' Mimikyu whispered.
"Alright," Niyah said telepathically, smirking. "Let's be 'helpful.'"
Using her teleportation, Niyah appeared a few meters behind the boy. "Hey! You're going the wrong way! It's over that hill!" she said cheerfully, pointing toward a patch of tall grass.
Relieved, the boy thanked her and walked straight into the grass, where Mimikyu, invisible in the shadows, used Double Team to create four flickering silhouettes darting between the weeds.
"Wh-what was that?!" the boy squeaked.
Then Litwick appeared, his small flame rising dramatically. "Liiit-wiiick~," he crooned, making his flame flare like a campfire ghost story.
The boy screamed, his Blipbug jumping straight onto his head. "SPIRITS! THE SPIRITS ARE REAL!" he cried, running back down the hill.
Niyah collapsed laughing, holding her sides. Mimikyu's cloth head flopped from giggling too hard.
Litwick smirked, his flame twirling smugly. 'He asked for directions. We gave them.'
Roty sighed. "Btzz, btzz emotional trauma inflicted: minor. Entertainment value: maximum."
—
Further down the route, they came across a flock of Wooloo blocking the road, their fluffy bodies squishing together like giant cotton clouds. A frustrated girl farmer was trying to herd them back into their pen.
"This'll take forever…" she groaned.
Niyah squinted thoughtfully. "We could help. Or… we could help."
Mimikyu and Litwick nodded eagerly.
Step one: Mimikyu used Thunder Wave — not enough to hurt, just enough to make the Wooloo's wool stand on end. The static made their curls puff twice their normal size.
Step two: Litwick floated to the side and released a soft Will-O-Wisp, making little fire orbs dance gently among the herd.
The Wooloo, startled but unharmed, began to roll away like giant glowing tumbleweeds.
"Ah! My Wooloo!" the farmer cried, chasing after them as the flock rolled perfectly down the path toward their pen, every single one safely contained by the time she caught up.
She blinked, confused but grateful. "Huh… I guess that worked?"
From the hill above, Niyah, Mimikyu, and Litwick were silently laughing themselves silly.
'We're like ghostly sheepdogs,' Mimikyu said between snickers.
'Fiery ones,' Litwick corrected, his flame burning with pride.
—
Near a rocky patch off the side of the path, Niyah spotted a wild Sizzlipede basking in the sun, coiled and content.
"Bet we could spook that one," Niyah said with a grin.
Litwick floated forward eagerly. 'Let me handle this one.'
He dimmed his flame until it nearly vanished, then sneaked up close. With a puff of ghostly smoke, he flared his fire bright and roared, well, squeaked, in imitation of a Charizard.
The Sizzlipede uncoiled in terror and zoomed off so fast it left a trail of dust.
Niyah and Mimikyu were crying with laughter, while Litwick smirked proudly. 'See? Fire and finesse.'
Roty muttered, "Btzz, btzz 'Finesse' detected: debatable."
—
Their final victims of the day were a trio of wild Rookidee perched on a fence.
Niyah whispered, "Double Team + Will-O-Wisp combo. Let's make it look like a whole haunted army."
Mimikyu multiplied into six shadowy figures while Litwick summoned ghostly blue fireballs that hovered like eyes in the mist.
The Rookidee cawed angrily at first, until the flames formed eerie faces, swooping toward them. The birds screeched, flapping into the air and vanishing into the clouds.
Niyah collapsed to her knees, laughing uncontrollably.
Mimikyu floated smugly beside her. 'Scared them good!'
Litwick twirled his flame like a victory flag. 'Haunted army indeed.'
Even Roty sounded amused this time. "Btzz, btzz, ghost-type productivity: surprisingly high today."
As the sun began to set, the group continued toward Wedgehurst, their laughter and mischief echoing down Route 1, leaving behind a trail of confused trainers, flustered Pokémon, and one very satisfied team of pranksters.
—
By the time Niyah and her Pokémon reached the cobblestone road leading into Wedgehurst, the sun had started to dip below the hills. The glowing lights of the city shimmered like scattered jewels, lampposts lined with vines, neon shop signs flashing in pastel pinks and greens, and the hum of conversation filling the air.
Niyah froze on the crest of the hill, her breath catching.
"So this is… Wedgehurst," she whispered in awe.
It wasn't a massive metropolis, not like Hammerlocke or Motostoke she'd seen on the Nintendo Switch back in her old world, but compared to the quiet calm of Postwick and the eerie hush of the Slumbering Weald, it felt alive.
Trainers walked hand-in-hand with their Pokémon, merchants shouted about Poké Snacks, and flocks of Rookidee soared overhead, cawing as they disappeared into the sunset.
Roty floated beside her, voice buzzing softly. "Btzz, btzz, population density: moderate. Safety rating: 8.2 out of 10. Probability of prank opportunities: 98%."
Niyah smiled, eyes shining. "It's perfect."
Beside her, Litwick floated nervously, his small flame flickering lower than usual. 'So many lights…' he muttered, trying to keep his usual smug tone. 'Mine's obviously the best one, though.'
Mimikyu giggled. 'Sure, Mr. Candlelight.'
Litwick bristled, his flame puffing up like a tiny torch. 'I'll have you know—'
"Guys," Niyah interrupted, still staring in amazement. "We're really here."
The crowds pressed around them, trainers chatting, Pokémon yipping, a Yamper chasing its tail down the street. Mimikyu darted between people's legs invisibly, eyes sparkling with curiosity.
'So many humans,' she murmured telepathically. 'And so many pockets.'
"Mimi…" Niyah warned.
But it was too late. Mimikyu's shadow snuck under a woman's handbag, then under a man's coat. A few moments later, she floated back to Niyah holding a wad of bills in her tiny claws, looking smug. 'Look what I found!'
Niyah blinked. "Mimikyu! You can't just—"
"Btzz, btzz, how much?" Roty buzzed flatly.
Niyah sighed, counting the pokédollars in her hand. "Two hundred and ten."
Litwick laughed, a mischievous glint in his flame. 'She's learning from the best.'
Niyah rolled her eyes but couldn't help smiling. "Fine, fine. But that's going toward snacks, got it?"
—
Wedgehurst was full of wonders — and the trio was determined to explore all of them.
Their first stop was a PokéMart, where Niyah admired the walls lined with glossy potions, Poké Balls, and shiny battle items. While she browsed, Mimikyu snuck onto the shelves, mimicking a plush toy to startle shoppers every time they reached for a potion.
A young woman screamed when the "stuffed Mimikyu" suddenly moved, and Niyah had to grab her partner mid-laugh before security noticed.
Next was the Berry Shop, where the sweet smell of Pecha and Oran berries filled the air. Litwick drifted by the displays, pretending to be a decorative candle until his flame accidentally roasted a few berries.
The shopkeeper blinked, sniffing. "Is something burning?"
"Uh, nope! Totally not!" Niyah said quickly, shoving Litwick into her bag.
'They were under-ripe anyway,' Litwick muttered from inside.
Their final stop was the Pokémon Accessory Boutique, a colorful little store filled with bows, scarves, and charm necklaces for Pokémon.
Mimikyu spun around in delight. 'I want the sparkly one!'
She picked up a small lavender bow and awkwardly tied it to her cloth ear, striking a dramatic pose.
Litwick scoffed. 'Overly sparkly. But maybe I'll take one of those silver wicks… classy, like me.'
Niyah snorted. "You're literally made of wax."
'Exactly,' he said proudly. 'Presentation matters.'
By the time they stepped out of the boutique, Niyah was carrying a small bag of new accessories, some Poké Snacks, and a faint headache from laughing too hard. Mimikyu happily twirled with her new ribbon.
Wedgehurst's lanterns glowed brighter as night fell, and the sound of night began to echo between the houses. Niyah looked up at the stars peeking through the clouds, her heart full.
"This world's really something else," she murmured quietly to herself.
Mimikyu floated close, resting on her shoulder, while Litwick's warm glow lit the path ahead.
For the first time since waking in this world, Niyah felt it, that she belonged here. Mischief, laughter, and all.
—
The Wedgehurst Pokémon Center stood proudly at the corner of a cobbled street, its red roof glowing like a beacon under the rising moon. The automatic doors slid open with a whoosh as Niyah and her team stepped inside, the cool air washing over them after a long day of exploring.
Inside, the warm lights reflected off polished tile floors. Trainers chatted quietly at the café corner, a group of Wooloo napped in a pen nearby, and the faint hum of machines gave the place a calm, homey feeling.
Niyah sighed in relief, stretching her arms. "Finally, somewhere quiet."
'Quiet?' Mimikyu whispered through their telepathic link, eyes darting toward the other trainers. 'There's so many humans in here!'
Litwick hovered closer to Niyah's shoulder, his flame flickering brighter as he looked around. 'They're all staring… probably jealous of my light,' he muttered smugly, though his tone wavered just enough for Niyah to know he was nervous.
Roty buzzed softly. "Btzz, btzz standard Pokémon Center protocol: heal Pokémon, acquire room key, sleep cycle initiation recommended."
"Right," Niyah said, walking toward the front desk.
Behind it stood Nurse Joy, the familiar pink-haired woman in a spotless uniform, though her eyes narrowed slightly when she noticed the young girl approaching. She typed something on the computer, glanced up at Niyah's face, then smiled in a way that was just a little too polite.
"Good evening, sweetheart," she said sweetly. "You're traveling awfully late for someone your age. Are you here to heal your Pokémon?"
Niyah hesitated for only a second before flashing her brightest smile. "Nope!" she chirped. "Just checking in for the night."
Joy blinked. "Not… healing them first?"
"Nope! They're perfectly fine," Niyah said, leaning casually against the counter. Mimikyu hovered innocently beside her, and Litwick pretended to inspect a nearby flowerpot, trying not to melt it.
Joy's eyes flicked to the Luxury Balls at Niyah's belt, then to her Rotom Dex floating nearby. "I see… You wouldn't happen to be Niyah, would you?"
Niyah froze, her grin faltering. "Uh… maybe?"
Joy chuckled softly. "Thought so. The Postwick Nurse Joy sent a note about you earlier today." She turned her monitor slightly, showing the message. "Something about a mysterious young trainer with unusual Pokémon, a Rotom Dex, and a tendency to avoid questions."
Niyah gave an awkward laugh. "Wow, word travels fast, huh?"
Joy arched a brow. "Indeed. So, mind telling me where you came from? Or how you managed to catch a Mimikyu that strong at your age?"
"Trade secret," Niyah said quickly, then added, "Oh! But I can show you my Rotom Dex as proof that I'm, uh… official."
Roty buzzed proudly, screen flashing:
Trainer ID Verified. System: Active.
Joy sighed, the faintest trace of amusement tugging at her lips. "You're quite the handful, aren't you?"
"Depends on who you ask," Niyah said innocently.
The nurse leaned back in her chair, crossing her arms. "And that Litwick of yours, its data is also rather… irregular. Did you know it has Acid Armor? That's not a move you see in wild ones. Did you breed it?"
Litwick puffed himself up proudly, flame dancing brighter. 'I'm naturally talented,' he said through telepathy, his tone dripping with smugness.
Niyah smirked. "Guess he's just special."
Joy pinched the bridge of her nose. "Of course he is." She typed something quickly, muttering under her breath as she added to the previous note:
Trainer System Update: Trainer Niyah now accompanied by an unusually strong Litwick. Displays rare Egg Move (Acid Armor). Continues to deflect questions regarding background. Proceed with observation.
Finally, she handed over a key card with a weary smile. "Here. Room 203, second floor. Complimentary stay for registered trainers… and please, at least pretend to rest, alright?"
Niyah saluted dramatically. "Aye aye, Nurse Joy!"
As she walked away, Mimikyu whispered, 'She's totally suspicious of us.'
Litwick snickered. 'She should be. We're terrifying.'
Roty sighed. "Btzz, btzz… terrifyingly uncooperative."
—
Their assigned room was cozy — soft pink curtains, one large queen-sized bed, and a small table by the window overlooking the quiet town.
Niyah set her bag down and stretched, exhaustion catching up with her at last. Mimikyu floated to the corner, curling into a little cloth bundle, while Litwick's gentle flame dimmed to a warm flicker near the nightstand.
Roty hovered by the wall socket, connecting with a faint click. "Btzz… charging mode: active."
Niyah flopped onto the bed with a soft thud. "Tomorrow's going to be another big day…"
Mimikyu murmured something sleepy and affectionate. Litwick's flame pulsed once, cozy and bright.
Niyah smiled drowsily. "Goodnight, guys."
The room glowed faintly with Litwick's soft light, shadows dancing gently on the walls as the trio drifted off, a mischievous little family finally finding a moment of peace before whatever adventures waited beyond sunrise.