It is time—time at last to step beyond the safety of four walls and into the vast, unfamiliar world I now inhabit, a world carefully chosen and granted to me by ROB, a world where I am no longer bound by the limitations of my past life. This is the beginning of something new, something uncertain yet exhilarating, and for once, I am not stepping forward alone. I have companions now—loyal, powerful, and waiting patiently within me.
My appearance has changed to suit this new body I've been given, fitting more naturally into this reality than the one I left behind.
Brown pants stretch neatly down to my feet, paired with sleek black trainer shoes that tap softly against the floor when I move. A crisp white shirt is tucked properly into my pants, giving me a modest yet clean look, and layered over it all rests a large poncho-like coat that drapes comfortably across my shoulders. My grey-ash hair remains untouched, falling freely to my neck in messy, bird's-nest waves that refuse to be tamed. It's different—yet strangely, it feels right.
My clothes are set, my satchel secured snugly at my side, and my items meticulously organized within the space only I can access. Everything is prepared. Every strap tightened, every possibility considered. All things considered, I was ready—truly ready—for my first outing into the outside world.
Robin had returned to wherever he resided, though I knew he was but a single call away should danger arise. Hopefully, nothing drastic would occur so soon. I have endured more than enough misfortune in my previous lifetime; I would very much prefer if this one began on a calmer note.
"Alright, team… let's go."
With that quiet declaration, I cast one final lingering glance at the apartment—my temporary sanctuary—before stepping out and closing the door behind me.
[3rd POV]
The bustling city greeted Lloyd with overwhelming intensity. It bore a striking resemblance to Gearen City, the starting town of Pokemon Rejuvenation, and Lloyd couldn't help but notice similarities scattered here and there like faint echoes of familiarity.
Countless pedestrians filled the sidewalks. Cars honked impatiently in the streets below towering skyscrapers. The sun bore down harshly from above, and a faint unpleasant smell lingered in the air—pollution thick enough to taste.
It was similar… yet distinctly different. Unlike the smog-choked city he once knew, this place felt more alive but also more congested. The people moved with mechanical precision, flowing around one another seamlessly as if part of some grand, synchronized system. No one stopped. No one hesitated.
Lloyd walked with them, matching their rhythm, oddly enjoying the sensation of being just another cog in the machine. His gaze wandered upward toward the glass giants that scraped the heavens and then back down to the crowded streets pulsing with energy.
He inhaled deeply—
—and instantly regretted it.
The polluted air clawed at his lungs, forcing him into a violent coughing fit.
"Note to self… don't breathe in toxic fumes," he wheezed weakly, clutching his chest as he fought to regain composure.
As he steadied himself, a subtle tug brushed against his mind. It wasn't malicious or dark, yet it was undeniably directed at him. The sensation tightened as he resumed walking, weaving through the crowd in hopes of shaking off whoever—or whatever—was trailing him.
But the presence remained persistent.
Even through the dense sea of bodies, Lloyd could feel it. Watching. Following.
He refused to cause a scene on his very first day in this new life, so he decided to handle it quietly.
With deliberate casualness, Lloyd turned into a narrow alleyway tucked between two buildings. The confined space would limit escape routes and reveal whoever was tailing him. As far as anyone could see, he carried nothing of value. His sellable items rested safely within his personal inventory, accessible only to him through the dimensional link tied to his bags. The satchel at his side was, in truth, completely empty.
When he reached the deepest part of the alley, the presence concealed itself from his sight—but not from his strange new sense. He didn't fully understand why he possessed such awareness, attributing it to whatever modifications ROB had made to his body.
"I know you're there," Lloyd called out calmly. "I don't know why you started following me, but I have nothing on me."
To prove his point, he tossed the satchel toward the hidden stalker. It hit the pavement with a hollow, empty thud.
"So if you would kindly leave, that would be great."
Silence lingered.
He prepared himself nonetheless. A thought was all it would take to summon one of his team or activate a Plate if things escalated. He preferred not to escalate matters—but he would not hesitate.
Then she stepped into view.
A beautiful woman emerged from the shadows, moving with feline grace. Her pure white hair was tied into a sleek ponytail, contrasting sharply against her all-black outfit accented with white tufts along the arms and legs. A black mask concealed most of her face, leaving only sharp grey eyes visible—eyes gleaming with playful mischief.
"Come now, dear," she purred sweetly, her voice smooth as honey. "You being on guard makes me seem like the bad one here."
Lloyd did not lower his stance. He had dealt with charming manipulators before—smooth talkers who hid daggers behind smiles. A quick battle would suffice in a game. But this wasn't a game.
"I'm not the one stalking people into alleyways," he replied evenly. "Like I said, I have nothing. That bag is all I have."
"And you honestly expect me to believe that?" she laughed softly, stepping closer with deliberate sway. "No one walks around without money. Especially someone as charming as you."
She circled nearer, her movements deliberately enticing.
"Come on, baby," she whispered. "Show me something good… and I'll give you something better."
Lloyd instinctively stepped back. His teenage body betrayed him slightly, hormones reacting against his better judgment. Still, he forced himself to focus.
"Sorry, ma'am," he said firmly. "You're not my type."
She hummed in mock disappointment. "That's a shame. You are quite handsome. I'd hate to ruin that face."
Metallic claws slid from her gloves, glinting dangerously.
"But business is business. Hand it over, pretty boy… or this cat sinks her claws deep."
The tension sharpened instantly.
Lloyd weighed his options. Release one of his Pokémon? Attempt escape? There was really only one choice.
"You don't want to do this," he warned quietly.
"I have to," she replied—and pounced.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
High above the city skyline of New York City, concealed beyond the clouds and far from civilian eyes, a colossal aircraft hovered steadily.
The Helicarrier of S.H.I.E.L.D. drifted silently through the sky—a technological behemoth serving as a mobile command center.
Within its command deck stood its director: Nick Fury.
"Get me an update on Black Cat," Fury ordered, his tone brooking no delay.
Moments later, footage filled the screens, displaying none other than Black Cat—Felicia Hardy herself.
The cat burglar's thefts were of little concern to Fury. Petty crime belonged to the police. What concerned him was her recent entanglement with one of the city's crime lords—a man with direct ties to Kingpin.
Fury needed leverage. Information. A thread to pull.
The footage showed Felicia stalking her mark—a grey-haired young man moving cautiously through the city streets. Fury leaned forward as the man subtly attempted to shake her tail. Interesting.
Then the alleyway confrontation unfolded.
Fury expected the usual outcome: unconscious civilian, stolen wallet, Felicia gone without a trace.
Instead—
A creature burst forth from the young man's chest.
An enormous, owl-like beast materialized in a single fluid motion, slamming Black Cat into the pavement and pinning her down effortlessly. Its talons dug into concrete as if it were paper.
Fury's single eye narrowed.
The owl glanced back at the man, awaiting instruction.
The man shook his head.
The creature obeyed instantly, releasing Felicia before dissolving back into the young man's body as if it had never existed.
Silence filled the Helicarrier's command room.
"Find me that man," Fury ordered at last, voice low and resolute. "I want everything."
Somewhere in the city below, unaware of the storm gathering above him, Lloyd walked away from the alley.
A new player had stepped onto the board.