James slowly opened his eyes, his body feeling light and refreshed. He sat cross-legged on the bed, still enveloped in a soft pink glow that slowly faded as he exhaled.
'Hah... feels like I slept for a full day,' James thought, stretching. Except, he hadn't actually slept. Meditation had removed all the fatigue from his body.
The system's voice echoed in his mind.
[Notice: Psychic Aura has stabilized by 2%. Brainwave activity increased. Current IQ: +7 Boosted Points.]
James blinked. "So my aura training not only gets me stronger... it makes me smarter too?" he muttered, a smile tugging at his lips.
Still shirtless from his meditation, he walked into the bathroom, brushing his teeth while scrolling through his Pokédex with one hand. News headlines scrolled past:
"Electronic malfunctions in Saffron City—Sources trace it to unknown Psychic interference."
'Probably just some random psychic type going wild,' James thought casually. But before he could swipe the article away, the system spoke again.
[Warning: Detected lingering trace of unstable, foreign psychic aura in the vicinity. Exercise caution.]
That made James pause. He stared at his reflection, toothbrush halfway to his mouth.
"Noted," he muttered, rinsing his mouth out.
Pokémon Center Café
The café was bustling as usual, with trainers chatting and Pokémon happily eating at their feet. James sat at a corner table, a tray of pancakes and berries in front of him. Charmander, Eevee, and Wynaut were happily munching on their own food on the table beside him.
"Eat up. We're gonna train again today," James said with a small grin.
Before he could take a bite, a flashy kid with a sparkling red vest and slicked-back blue hair strutted up to his table. His eyes immediately locked onto the shiny Charmander.
"Whoa! That's a shiny Charmander! Are you it's trainer?" the kid asked loudly.
James blinked slowly. "...Yeah?"
"I'm Tyson! And I challenge you to a 2v2 battle right now!" the boy declared, pointing dramatically.
Charmander paused mid-bite, blinking at the loud boy.
James sighed, but smirked. "Fine. You're on."
James vs. Tyson – 2v2 Battle
They stood in a nearby open battle court. A few other trainers gathered to watch.
Tyson sent out a Machop, who flexed its muscles confidently.
James nodded and pointed. "Eevee, let's go."
Eevee leapt forward, tail flicking excitedly.
"Quick Attack!" James called.
Eevee zipped forward, zigzagging as she dodged Machop's Brick Break. With a burst of speed, she slammed into Machop's chest, sending the fighting-type sliding back.
"Bulk Up, then Mach Punch!" Tyson shouted.
But before the muscle-enhancing glow could settle on Machop, James interrupted. "Swift, now!"
Eevee spun, tail glowing as golden stars shot toward Machop. The Mach Punch collided with the stars, shattering them—causing a burst of bright light that temporarily blinded Machop.
"Bite! Now!"
"Mach Punch, forward!!" Tyson shouted in panic.
Eevee took the hit with a painful yelp, but bit down on Machop's neck with surprising force.
"Quick Attack to distance, then keep using Swift!" James commanded.
Eevee blurred backwards and began pelting Machop from range.
Tyson grit his teeth. "Dodge it!"
But Machop was too slow and too melee-focused. It groaned, staggered... and collapsed unconscious.
"Machop is unable to battle!"
James returned Eevee with a satisfied nod. 'Her stamina's still low. I'll need to fix that in training.'
Tyson sent out his second Pokémon: Magnemite.
James smirked and threw his second Pokéball. "Let's go, Charmander!"
"Thunder Shock!" Tyson ordered.
James responded instantly. "Dodge and use Smokescreen!"
Charmander rolled aside, exhaling thick smoke that quickly clouded the field.
"Ember, hit and run!"
From within the smoke, flaming sparks launched at Magnemite, who fired back blindly with Thunder Shock and Electro Ball.
Twice Charmander got hit, sparks crackling over his skin—but he pressed on, staying mobile and hiding in the smoke.
One final Ember hit Magnemite directly.
BOOM!
The steel-type clattered to the ground, fainted.
Tyson grumbled and returned him. "Dang it! I thought I had that…"
James walked over and extended a hand.
"You've got strong Pokémon. Just need to work on strategy."
Tyson blinked in surprise, then shook his hand with a grin. "Next time, I'll win for sure!"
James walked back toward the Pokémon Center, hands in his pockets.
Suddenly, a chill ran down his spine.
His Psychic Aura ignited involuntarily, flickering around him in a soft glow that was invisible to others only due to him taking it back in.
'What the—' he froze, looking around. 'Someone's… watching me?'
A giggle echoed inside his mind—unnatural and cold.
A paper note floated down from the night sky, landing at his feet.
He slowly picked it up.
"Come play with me. Saffron Gym. Midnight."
[Warning: The psychic energy infused in this note is potent. Estimated threat level: Slightly above current host level. Proceed with caution.]
James narrowed his eyes.
'A psychic…girl? Is this who the system warned me about? Maybe she can teach me something. And I can't back down now—not after today.'
He walked back to his room, checked on his Pokémon, and meditated briefly to stabilize his aura.
Midnight at the Gym
The streets of Saffron were eerily silent.
James stood in front of the towering Saffron Gym. Its windows were dark, but the door… creaked open on its own.
A wave of psychic energy washed over him like a tidal wave. It didn't hurt—but it pressed down on him, beckoning him forward.
He stepped inside.
The entire gym was cloaked in darkness.
Except for a single, eerie spotlight.
There, sitting in a small chair, was a pale girl around his age. Her dark green hair was flowing behind her, and her eyes were glowing faintly.
In her arms was a doll—faceless, but… with James's clothes. And slowly, disturbingly, its face was forming to look like him.
The girl smiled.
"I've been waiting… Let's play."
James's Psychic Aura flared to life without his command, reacting instinctively.