In this world, Pokémon were not myths or monsters confined to digital screens. They were the heartbeat of daily life.
"Harmonious coexistence" wasn't just corporate PR—it was the reality.
In the week since Liam Vance had transmigrated here, he had seen it everywhere. A Meowth grooming itself on a bodega awning. A young girl jogging with an Eevee bouncing in her wake. A flock of Pidgey scattering as a bus rumbled by. He had grown used to their presence as background noise.
But "background noise" was all they had been.
Liam had spent 90% of his time locked in his cramped apartment, coding until his eyes burned. Rent was due. The landlord, a man with a suspiciously muscular Machoke, wasn't known for his patience.
So, he hadn't had a real encounter. Until now.
And this encounter was happening in his bedroom, at 2:00 AM.
Liam pressed his back against the wall, his heart hammering a frantic rhythm against his ribs. He stared at the intruder.
It was small. White. Waxy. A single, ominous purple flame flickered atop its head.
A shiny Litwick.
Why is a Ghost-type in my room? Liam's mind raced. And a shiny one?
Ghost-types were rare in cities. They preferred abandoned ruins, graveyards—places soaked in old energy. They were dangerous. Most fed on life force.
According to his memory of the Pokédex: Litwick shines a light that absorbs the life energy of people and Pokémon, which becomes the fuel that it burns.
In other words: If he wasn't careful, this cute little candle would suck his soul out like a milkshake.
One human. One Pokémon. Staring at each other in the silence of the night.
Wait, Liam thought, his panic subsiding slightly. It's just floating there.
He checked his body. No dizziness. No cold sweat. He actually felt... fine? Refreshed, even.
If this Litwick had been feeding on him, shouldn't he feel drained?
He looked closer. The flame on the Litwick's head was sputtering, dim and weak. It looked like a candle on its last breath.
It's starving, Liam realized. It's been here for hours, maybe longer, but it hasn't fed on me.
"Uh... hello?" Liam whispered, raising a tentative hand.
"Liii..."
The Litwick responded with a soft, mournful cry. Liam blinked. He couldn't understand a word.
"Liii! Wick!"
The creature cried again, more urgently this time. The flame on its head bent, pointing like a compass needle toward its own midsection.
Liam squinted. Is it pointing at its stomach?
"Are you... hungry?" he asked.
The Litwick nodded vigorously, its little wax arms wiggling.
"Okay. Stay there. Don't move. I'll get you food."
Liam grabbed his wallet and bolted out the door.
The Litwick watched him go, tilting its head.
The human left? But he said food. Food is good. I'm so hungry... but I can't eat the human. He was nice. Nice humans shouldn't feel cold.
Despite the late hour, Veridia City never truly slept. A 24-hour convenience store downstairs sold everything from instant noodles to Potions.
Liam scanned the shelves. He bypassed the cheap kibble and went straight for the premium section.
[Ghost-Type Special Blend: High-Nutrient Spirit Formula]
It was expensive—over 2,000 Pokédollars a can. It contained synthesized bio-energy designed to mimic life force, satisfying a Ghost-type's hunger without the need for soul-sucking.
Liam winced at the price but tapped his card against the reader. He couldn't let a Pokémon starve, and he definitely didn't want to become a meal himself.
He ran back upstairs, breathless.
"I'm back," he announced, cracking the can open. A strange, metallic-sweet scent filled the room.
He placed it on the floor.
"Liiii!"
The Litwick's eyes sparkled. It dove face-first into the can.
Slurp. Munch. Gulp.
Liam watched in awe. The food vanished at a terrifying speed. It was like watching a vacuum cleaner inhale dust.
Within seconds, the can was clean. The Litwick floated up, letting out a satisfied burp. The flame on its head flared to life, burning bright and strong, casting a healthy purple glow across the room.
"Wick~"
It looked at Liam, its eyes curved into happy crescents.
"You're welcome," Liam smiled, the tension leaving his shoulders. "Expensive, but worth it."
He sat down on the floor, crossing his legs.
"I wish I knew what you were saying," he muttered.
In the anime, Ash seemed to understand Pikachu perfectly. Was that a protagonist power he lacked? Or did he just need to bond more?
Suddenly, the golden System text materialized in his vision.
[Detected: Host desires to understand Pokémon language.]
[Recommendation: Pokémon Language Translation Module (Basic)]
[Effect: Allows the Host to understand the speech of any Pokémon. Additionally, enables the implementation of realistic Pokémon vocalizations and dialogue into created games.]
[Cost: 100 Emotion Points.]
Liam's jaw dropped. There's a module for this?
And it wasn't just a translator—it was a game dev tool. Realistic audio was crucial for immersion.
He checked his balance: 662 Points.
"Unlock it," he commanded mentally.
[Purchase Successful. Remaining Balance: 562 Points.]
A subtle warmth washed over his ears. The world didn't look different, but when he looked at the Litwick, the sounds changed.
"Are you full?" Liam asked.
"Liii! Wick!"
Liam heard the cry, but overlaid on top of it, clear as day, was a child-like voice: [I'm full! Thank you, human!]
Liam grinned. "It works."
He leaned forward. "So, Litwick. How long have you been in my room?"
"Liii... wick wick." [A long time! You were playing with the big light-box. I waited for you to sleep... so I could eat you.]
Liam froze. Okay, that's honest. And terrifying.
"Then why didn't you eat me?"
The Litwick floated closer, hovering just inches from his face.
"Liii... lii." [Because... if I eat, the human feels cold and sick. I don't want you to be sick. You smell nice.]
Liam stared at the floating candle.
It starved itself... because it didn't want to hurt me?
His heart melted.
This was a shiny Ghost-type. Rare. Powerful. And apparently, incredibly sweet.
Liam didn't hesitate. He extended his hand.
"Hey. If you stay with me, I promise you'll never be hungry again. I'll buy you all the cans you want. You won't have to eat anyone's soul ever again."
"Will you be my partner?"
The Litwick's eyes widened. It bounced in the air, glowing with joy.
"Wick!" [Yes! Human is good! Thank you!]
It zoomed forward and tackled him in a hug.
"Oof!"
Liam caught the creature. It felt surprisingly solid—like warm, soft wax. It was comforting.
"You're warm," Liam laughed. "Actually... really warm."
He looked down.
"Wait."
Smoke was rising from his chest.
"FIRE! I'M ON FIRE!"
Five Minutes Later.
Liam stood in the middle of his room, shirtless, dumping a pile of charred fabric into the trash bin.
He sighed. "Note to self: Fire-types are flammable."
Litwick was dozing in the corner, its flame dimmed to a safe, low flicker. It looked peaceful.
Liam sat back at his desk, exhausted but happy. He checked his computer.
Sales: 2,125 Copies.
The surge from Cynthia's stream had tapered off, but the number was steady.
Income: ~450,000 Pokédollars.
He was rich. Well, not rich rich, but rent-is-paid rich. He could afford premium ghost food now.
But money wasn't the endgame.
Liam looked at the System panel. He had over 500 points left. He scrolled through the module shop.
[Card Game Module]
[Roguelike Module]
[4K Graphics Module]
[Hi-Fi Audio Module]
All useful. All around 300 points.
But his eyes locked onto one specific item.
[Intelligent AI Module (Basic)]
[Description: Imbues game NPCs and Pokémon with advanced, responsive artificial intelligence. Allows them to react dynamically to player actions, dialogue, and strategies, simulating living consciousness.]
[Price: 500 Points.]
It was expensive. It would drain nearly all his points.
But Liam thought back to his childhood playing Red and Blue. He remembered wishing he could talk to his Charizard. He remembered wishing the Gym Leaders felt like real people, not scripted robots.
In this world, not everyone could be a Trainer. Most people worked 9-to-5 jobs, too poor or too busy to travel the world. They loved Pokémon, but they could only watch from the sidelines.
My games, Liam thought, his hand hovering over the purchase button, can give them that life.
If he bought this module, the NPCs in Emerald wouldn't just be lines of code. They would feel alive. The Pokémon would have personalities.
"Realism," Liam whispered. "That's the key."
He pressed [Purchase].
[Module Unlocked.]
Liam smiled, watching the code on his screen shift and evolve.
"Let's make a world," he said, "where the embers never fade."