Chapter Text
I booted up my Nintendo Switch in preparation to play Digimon Cyber Sleuth, little did I expect a Pikachu jump out of the screen once I started the game, like it seems to in Pokémon Let's Go Pikachu. It jumped up on my bed, sniffed me, and jumped joyfully back to the television and through the screen. It stopped to stare at me, as if it expected me to crawl on top my entertainment center and follow it inside. I shook my head. Pikachu came back, poked my nose, and shocked me. Afterwards, I suddenly felt drowsy. I fell asleep, dreaming of the opening sequence to the game. The player character was set as the top right; her name was entered as my own, "Lillyan", and the rival's name was entered as "Chase". I awoke standing in front of my television, which now sat on a table in the middle of the room, along with my Switch, at eye level with me.
Lillyan: Whoa, so this is what the Pokémon world is like in-person... Hm? *runs to computer* Cool poster! Gengar against Nidorino, just like the old intro! *looks down at computer screen* There's an email from Chase. "Hey, Lillyan! I can't wait to get started on our journey! Meet me outside once you get this".
Chase: I'm comin' up! Up and at 'em! Morning, Lillyan! What's going on? You've got one weird look on your face.
Lillyan: Huh? Oh, sorry, didn't get much sleep last night, I guess...
Chase: Aw, never mind that. I couldn't wait any longer, so I came to get you. Today's finally the day! We're finally going to get our first Pokémon from Professor Oak and become Pokémon Trainers! I'm gonna book it to the lab, so seeya there!
Lillyan: Not if I beat you there!
*the two race downstairs and through the living room. Upon sight of a differently colored woman in the kitchen, Lillyan stops in the doorway*
Lillyan: Y-... you're not my mommy...
???: *turns around* Well, off you go to Professor Oak's lab! Chase asked him to give the two of you Pokémon of your own, didn't he?
Lillyan: Wh-... who are you?...
cousin: I'm your cousin, silly. You moved in with me a few weeks ago, remember?
Lillyan: … Right. Sorry, I didn't really eat much this morning. Anyway, I should hurry to the lab.
*Lillyan races out of the door and to Oak's laboratory*
Chase: Oh! Lillyan, what took you so long? Were you even trying?
Lillyan: Shut up!
Chase: Anyway, Professor Oak isn't here. Do you think those are the Poke Balls that our Pokémon are in?
Lillyan: They must be. But before we get ahead of ourselves, I'll go look for the professor. He might not be far actually. (If I remember correctly, once I walk into the shrubs on Route 1, he'll show up to stop me in my tracks and take me back to the lab to get my starter.) Hm?
Oak: Well, my good Pidgey, thanks for the help! I think I understand you all a little better now, thanks to this.
*the flock of Pidgey flies away*
Oak: Ah, if it isn't Lillyan! Oh, of course! I promised to give you and Chase your Pokémon today, didn't I? Well, in that case, why don't we head over to--
???: Wait for me!!!!!!
*a small creature dashes side to side through the brush, stopping in front of Lillyan*
???: Huh? There you are! I've been looking all over for you!
Oak: My, my, I surely wouldn't expect a Pikachu to show up around here! And what's more, it can talk!
Pikachu: I can do a lot of things, old man! Anyways, since I'm here, why don't we practice some Pokémon catching? Come at me, lil' lady!
*Lillyan throws a Poke Ball at Pikachu, catching it on the first throw*
Pikachu: *breaks out* Nice throw, kid. Race ya to the lab!
*Lillyan and Pikachu run to the lab. Pikachu crashes into Chase's new Eevee partner*
Oak: Hm, what a strange Pokémon, indeed. It sure doesn't seem to like staying in one place. But it looks as though it's taken a shine to you, Lillyan. Why not give it a nickname?
Lillyan: Hm... Nah, I think I'll keep the name, Pikachu. Now, let's get going!
Oak: Oh! Just one more thing! Now that you two are setting out as Trainers, I'd like to ask your help with something. Take this with you on your journeys.
*Professor Oak gives Chase and Lillyan each a Pokedex*
Chase: What is this thing, Professor?
Lillyan: That's a Pokedex, silly. It'll automatically record data on any Pokémon we see or catch, and make an entry for each. You want us to fulfill your dream for you, right Professor? To make a complete guide to all the Pokémon in the world?
Oak: Precisely! My grandson and a friend of his already got a lot of data. I just need a few newcomers to gather a little bit more.
Chase: Great, then I'm setting out! Lillyan, you should do the same. If you think you're ready, that is.
Pikachu: Oh, we are so ready...
*Lillyan leaves the laboratory, Pikachu follows. Lillyan's "cousin" runs into them at the door*
cousin: Oh, how cute! Is this the one you got from the professor?
Lillyan: Actually, I caught it myself just now.
cousin: Wow, really? Impressive! Did you give it a nickname?
Lillyan: No.
cousin: Well, it's a lovely Pokémon!
Pikachu: Pikachuuu!
cousin: My, how energetic! I suppose that means you two will be setting off on your journey, right! I thought so. I went and got this printed for you last night.
Lillyan: Let me guess, a Town Map? Thanks.
cousin: You're welcome. Safe travels! You and Pikachu be good to each other.
Lillyan: *starts to run off* We will!
*Pikachu catches up to Lillyan as she runs into a Rattata*
Lillyan: Alright, Pikachu, you ready? Use Thundershock!
Pikachu: Uh, one problem. Wild Pokémon have been getting pretty badly hurt by uh... "grinding" as of late, so wild battles have been temporarily outlawed in Kanto, to give the population time to recover. You'll have to catch it as-is.
Lillyan: Oh, right...
*Lillyan throws a Poke Ball at the Rattata, but it bounces off as it jumps forward*
Lillyan: Oh, sure, but it's allowed to attack me?!
Pikachu: C'mon, it didn't even touch you. Try again.
*Lillyan throws another Poke Ball at the Rattata, successfully catching it*
Pikachu: There ya go! Now, let's get to Viridian City! You remember what we gotta do there, right?
*The two continue through Route 1 to Viridian City. Lillyan approaches two peers and a Meowth*
???: What do you want? You can't pass through here right now! We're in the middle of guard duty, and it's very important!
Lillyan: Right, sorry. *turns corner to Viridian Poke Mart*
clerk: Hey! Did you come up from Pallet Town?
Lillyan: Yeah, why?
clerk: You must know Professor Oak, right? I've got a delivery for him, but I really can't leave the Poke Mart unattended right now. Can I get you to take this to Professor Oak for me?
Lillyan: Oh! Sure, no problem.
clerk: Thanks, kid! Say hi to the professor for me, too.
*Lillyan and Pikachu return to the lab*
Oak: Why, Lillyan! Back so soon? How's little Pikachu doing?
Pikachu: *climbs onto Lillyan's shoulder* I'm fine, Professor! We have a package for you from the clerk at the Poke Mart in Viridian.
Oak: Oh, so my order arrived. Thank you for bringing it to me.
Chase: hey, Professor Oak! It's about my Eevee, it's- Whoa! Lillyan, that's so cool! Pikachu just rides on you like that?
Oak: Ah! And now, we have Chase as well! What fine timing. I've just been delivered some very handy items, which I think I'll share with the two of you.
*Lillyan and Chase are each given a batch of Razz Berries*
Chase: Great, I've been starving!
Lillyan: Same... *already eating Razz Berry*
Oak: I'll stop you two right there! Those are for the Pokémon you catch! You'll find they'll be so happy to have a berry to nibble on that they'll become much easier to catch.
Chase: That was close... I nearly swallowed one up myself...
Lillyan: Yeah, but they're okay for us to eat, right?...
Oak: Oh, you should be fine. Anyways, this whole Pokedex thing is entirely optional. My only request is that you have fun either way.
Pikachu: Will do! Now, we better get makin' like bananas and splittin'.
Lillyan: Wait up, Pikachu! Don't you wanna battle Chase's Eevee?
Pikachu: Night Shade yeah! It's fightin' time again!
Chase: Alright then, let's go, Eevee!
Eevee: Vee!
Lillyan: Pikachu, all or nothing!
Pikachu: Pika-Pika!
Lillyan: Use Thundershock!
*Eevee loses approx. 10 HP from Pikachu's attack*
Chase: Way to take a hit, Eevee! Now, use Tackle!
*Pikachu loses approx. 4 HP from Eevee's attack*
Lillyan: Again! Thundershock!
*This cycle continues for likely 5 turns before Eevee faints from Pikachu's attack*
Chase: What?! Did I lose?
Lillyan: Yeah, but that was fun. Let's battle again sometime.
*Lillyan and her partner leave the lab and head back to Route 1, running into Elaine- Chase's sister- at the entrance*
Elaine: Hey Lillyan. Oh, just look at Pikachu! You two are already looking like great partners. And I've got the perfect gift for such a great team. Here.
*Lillyan opens the box and examines the smaller version of her own outfit. Pikachu sniffs it, and shakes his head*
Lillyan: No thanks. But I'm sure your little brother's Eevee will love it.
Elaine: Oh well. Anyways, be sure to show that Pikachu some love from time to time.
Lillyan: Gotcha.
*The two take a rest at the edge of Viridian City to chat*
Lillyan: So, is this all a dream?
Pikachu: No, I just put you to sleep and drug you through the TV, since you couldn't reach it. If this was a dream, I wouldn't be able to get your help with the Digimon.
Lillyan: Digimon?
Pikachu: Yeah. Pokémon as creatures actually originated from Digimon. But one day, we decided that, instead of taking humans away from everything they cared about in order to save it, we should go to them.
Lillyan: So, basically, you were the first Digimon to attempt to enter the human world.
Pikachu: Sort of. King Drazil wasn't pleased with our decision, so we instead created our own dimension, from which we could reach yours in the form of video games like this one. But not long after, word got out to the rest of the Digital World, so some Digimon used our same technique to try and reclaim us, except starting in the form of virtual pets.
Lillyan: Which is where the Pocket Pikachu game came from.
Pikachu: Right! Anyways, three specific species of Pokémon decided it was time to take the fight back to the Digital World! And thus, Pokémon Let's Go was born!
Lillyan: Three? You mean Psyduck, right?
Pikachu: Yeah, but they kind of dropped out, so it's just me and Eevee! I'm surprised you know that.
Lillyan: Just a bit of trivia about the games that I got from Bulbupedia. Can Chase's Eevee talk, too?
Pikachu: No. The only real reason I can talk is... Well, you know how most Digimon can talk? Well, I- uh... deleted a Koromon and absorbed its data, yeah...
Lillyan: Okay... So, what's the point in bringing me here?
Pikachu: We want to be able to co-exist with Digimon as our own set of creatures. So, we need real-world Pokémon Trainers to go through their typical adventure, but then journey further onward into the Digital World! If we can defeat King Drazil in a battle, maybe we can prove our independence! So what d'ya say!
Lillyan: … I'm in!