[Ding! Congratulations, Pokémon successfully captured. Recording in progress.]
"Ha! It worked! It really worked!"
"La-la, la-laaa~"
Dolores' cheeks flushed with excitement as she bounced on her toes, spinning into a cheerful little dance.
Her bell-like laughter echoed through the forest.
The pink antennae on her head swayed as she turned, proud satisfaction glittering in her eyes.
She could already imagine it— Once she returned to the academy, she'd definitely become the most dazzling Pokémon Trainer out there.
Bang!
A blinding white flash burst from the Poké Ball in Dolores' hand. Raylen stumbled out, hair messy and stuck to his forehead, his whole expression full of misery.
Compared to the girl's joy, he couldn't feel happy at all.
[Activating Ancient Telepathy]
"Can you give me my Poké Ball back?"
Stupid system—couldn't it explain things properly? Four lousy words for something this important? What kind of broken description was that?!
"Ah!"
Dolores gasped and covered her mouth, wide eyes shimmering.
She hadn't expected her newly captured Pokémon to pop out on his own— Even crazier, he could speak directly into her mind.
As expected of a mythical beast.
But give him his Poké Ball? She wasn't that gullible.
"This is mine. And you're already my Pokémon!"
She strutted toward him, circling twice as if inspecting merchandise. Her pink fingertip poked his arm, her eyes filled with satisfaction.
Mm.... Tall build, handsome face—The more she looked, the more she liked what she saw.
Whoosh!
Raylen snatched the Poké Ball and bolted the moment she relaxed her guard.
He barely made it a few steps before—
"You stand right there!"
Her voice rang out, crisp yet commanding. The sound hit him like a shockwave—his whole body locked up, legs frozen to the ground.
What kind of overpowered Poké Ball was this?!This was nothing like the ones he remembered!
Then again…In this world, Pokémon ruled humans, and humans were the Pokémon.
Absurdity was normal.
"Why are you running? Hand it over!"
Dolores planted her hands on her hips, lifting her chin just slightly, a spark of authority in her eyes. It was time to teach this mischievous Pokémon some rules.
Raylen obediently returned the Poké Ball. Seeing her smug, tsundere posture, he couldn't help feeling… oddly familiar.
Thinking back on everything so far, he knew one thing clearly—If he disobeyed, she'd absolutely punish him. No question.
He'd seen how Ash's Pokémon refused to listen or evolve. After all the analysis, the reason was obvious: They just needed a good beating!
"From now on, you're my Pokémon. And don't worry—I won't treat you badly~"
With Raylen finally behaving, Dolores' mood brightened again. Seeing it was almost time to head out, she lifted her hand, ready to return him to the Poké Ball.
But Raylen instantly switched expressions, looking pitiful with reddened eyes.
"Master… please don't…"
You bow your head when you must—he understood that perfectly.
What dignity? What pride?As far as he was concerned, that was all just brainwashing.
Life was simple: live comfortably, nothing else mattered. And if enduring a little humiliation made life easier, who cared?
There was no way a cute Kirlia-girl could resist his perfected "pathetic charm."
And sure enough—
"You… don't like staying inside?"
Dolores paused, puzzled. Her pink antennae drooped slightly as she tilted her head.
"It's super dark in there… and there are scary monsters roaring… it's terrifying…"
Raylen even squeezed out two nonexistent tears.
Girls hated creepy stuff—And she'd never been inside a Poké Ball anyway, so whatever he said became the truth.
"Huh? That scary? No way…"
"It's true! That ball's defective!"
Raylen lied with absolute seriousness.
"This design really is unusual… Where did it come from?" Dolores studied the Poké Ball carefully.
It looked nice on the outside, but inside… apparently horrifying.
"I just picked it up by accident." Raylen smiled harmlessly, though his mind was racing.
As her Pokémon, he couldn't attack her—Otherwise he'd have tried already. No choice but to act pitiful and wait for a better opportunity.
"I'll get you a new Poké Ball later!"
At those words, Raylen's eyes lit up. Pure joy exploded in his chest.
A chance—A chance delivered right to him!
A wise man always waited for the right moment. And he was absolutely right to wait.
Once the ball was replaced, he might finally break free.
He glanced at the adorable Kirlia girl standing in front of him.
Well…Since fate brought them together, she could serve him for now.