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'…' Thought
"…" speech
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The eggs were close to hatching—I could feel it. The Nen-infused shells pulsed faintly with energy, warm in my hands. The question now was: what Pokémon would I get?
Their abilities would likely match their in-game counterparts, which meant I was rolling the dice on fate. I knew the basics—Pokémon were creatures of elemental affinity, each with their own quirks. But my knowledge was… let's say, limited.
I never really watched the anime, just caught glimpses of things like the infamous "Who's that Pokémon?" segment and Team Rocket's bad luck against some over-leveled Pikachu. I knew about Ash, Misty, and the brown Sanji—or Brock, whatever. And of course, there was Meowth, the only talking cat who somehow got stuck with two people who never won a single fight.
Still, I had no idea what I'd end up with. Would my Pokémon be a powerhouse, or would I be stuck with a walking meme?
I glanced at Gings. He was holding his own egg carelessly, rolling it between his hands like a stress ball. "You think you'll get something cool?"
He smirked. "Of course. My luck's insane."
"Your luck got you a daughter that ended by training you , but at what cost?."
"That's ... She also did my laundry."
"…I am ignoring that."
Just then, my AI assistant, the hand sized Pitbull, floated into view—my mr.worldwide, all-knowing mistake. His first words, as always, were:
🎶 "You know you want me! You know I want you!" 🎶
These past days have been mildly annoying but productive.
Making my AI, "Mr. Worldwide," capable of singing? Bad idea. I don't know why I thought it would be cool—now every answer comes with a backing track. But, to give him credit, he's been extremely usefull in answering my deeper questions about this world.
For starters, the total human population sits at around four billion, but the number of Nen users—including nen-geniuses like Neon Nostrade and Komugi—is roughly 400,000, more than I originally estimated.
It seems there's a universal law governing Nen—only one in ten thousand people can naturally manifest it. That limitation isn't just a coincidence; it feels deliberate, like an imposed restriction. And if my conclusions are correct, it's because we, the citizens of Lake Mobius, are trapped within it.
I believe humanity originally fled the Dark Continent, settling here long ago. But we didn't just leave—we were locked out. There's some kind of barrier, something that prevents us from returning. And every time we try to go back, something else manages to get in.
The evidence?
Air balloons exist, but true planes capable of high-altitude flight are suspiciously absent.
There's no real space program. Every attempt at reaching orbit ends in failure.Any time something makes it past a certain altitude, it gets shot down.
It all leads to one truth—we humans are not the apex species here.We aren't free.
We've jailed ourselves inside this world, not out of ambition, but for survival. And so far?
It's worked.
That would mean that every new Nen user comes at a cost, paid randomly by someone else. However, the price seems to favor the strong—perhaps because they are more "valuable" in the grand scheme of survival.
The real reason expeditions to the Dark Continent still happen isn't just for materials to revolutionize humanity or scientific advancements. There's another layer to it:
Dark Continent artifacts aren't restricted by the same laws that bind humanity here. That means if humans ever want to reach space and freely travel between here and the Dark Continent, they need proof that they can handle it.
"The Guides"—whoever or whatever enforces this barrier—judge humanity's worthiness. Each artifact brought back from the Dark Continent seemingly cancels out one of these "prices," allowing humans to take steps toward reclaiming their lost freedom.
When I asked about the strongest humans in Mobius Lake, excluding Don Freecss, the rankings came in as:
1 ??? (The strongest unknown entity)
2 ??? (Second strongest, also unnamed)
3 Isaac Netero
4 Maha Zoldyck
5 Natsubi Hui Guo Rou
I was surprised to see Natsubi on the list, but apparently, raw power isn't the only factor—Nen, influence, and certain inherited abilities also play a role.
There was once a civilization that attempted to forcefully awaken Nen in its people. It ended in complete self-destruction. Only after that catastrophe did scholars start running the numbers and uncover the true limitations and consequences of Nen's existence.
The reason we fled the Dark Continent wasn't just because of the horrors that lurk there—it was also because of ourselves.
Something deep within humanity—a malice so profound it eclipses even the nightmares of the Dark Continent— the cost for us to use a power system based on desire was one of the greatest threats to our existence.
And whatever our ancestors did there... let's just say that even the machines from the Matrix or so-called "evil" alien invaders would look like saints in comparison.
Power corrupts. And as human beings we aren't immune to it, so we limited ourselves to survive.
…
Albeit a little annoying, Mr. WW turned out to be a surprisingly great conversationalist—especially with Gings. The two of them would just take off somewhere, leaving me in peace (which was a miracle in itself). More importantly, Mr. WW actually kept Gings out of trouble more times than I could count.
As for Sky Arena, my record stood at 9-2, while Gings was at 9-3. Our fights were now scheduled once a week, always at the same time—a blatant pay-per-view event orchestrated by the executives to milk as much hype as possible.
Seeing the amount of money we were raking in, I decided to let it slid for now.
Gings and Mr. WW were at it again.
"So, theoretically, if I used my Katana as a conduit for emission, could I shoot compressed air slashes? Like, real anime-style?" Gings asked, flipping his sword between his fingers.
"Ah, mi amigo, you're thinking too basic. Why stop at slashes? Why not make a full-on shockwave? Call it 'Sonic Boom Special'—patent pending."
"I like it."
"Of course, you do. Dale, dale! Always trust Mr. Worldwide."
….
Another time, I caught them discussing some KAREN scams.
"Wait, so if I buy a beach, but technically list it under a 'charitable organization' dedicated to preserving ancient relics—"
"—You get a private beach, and can legally charge people for desecrating ancient relics if they tried to swim near it. Muy eficiente."
"Mr. WW, you're a menace."
"I know, papi."
.....
Then there was the time they talked about faking prophecy .
"So, if I make a vague enough prediction and attach some Nen conditions—"
"—People will believe you're a prophet, you must pay some political donations, and before you know it, boom, cult leader. Just remember, always wear sunglasses indoors. Adds credibility."
"Noted."
I groaned, finally snapping out of my trance.
"Can you two shut up?!" I yelled, gripping my eggs.
"You know you love us," they said at the same time.
I really, really needed these eggs to hatch. Immediately.
I zoned out, eyes flickering between the two eggs resting in my lap, waiting for them to finally hatch.
Meanwhile, in the background, Gings and Mr. WW were deep in yet another one of their weird conversations (or some other nonsense that didn't concern me).
Then the moment had finally arrived. The eggs in our hands began to glow, warmth radiating from them as fine cracks spread across their glossy surfaces. I held my breath.
Gings, sitting next to me, leaned forward, eyes sharp with curiosity. "Finally. Took them long enough. Thought I was just carrying around a rock for no reason."
A bright light burst from my egg first, forcing me to squint. The glow condensed into a small shape, floating slightly before gently landing in my lap. As the light faded, I found myself staring into large, red eyes. A small white body, delicate arms, and a green helmet-like growth covering most of its face.
"Ralts!"
My brain short-circuited for a second. Ralts. Ralts! Of all the Pokémon I could've gotten, I somehow landed one of the most telepathic and emotionally-attuned creatures in the franchise.
Gings whistled. "Looks fragile. Like a green marshmallow with arms."
"Shut up, you don't understand the greatness of what I just got," I muttered, already imagining the potential. Teleportation, psychic attacks, future evolution paths—this was perfect.
Before I could get too deep into my thoughts, Gings' egg burst open with a mini explosion, sending embers flying around us. From the smoke, a small figure tumbled out, landing with a little roll before immediately standing up, chest puffed out.
"Chimchar!"
Gings stared at it. His expression shifted into something unreadable before a wide grin spread across his face. "A monkey. A tiny, fire-breathing monkey."
The Chimchar blinked up at him, its flame-tipped tail flickering as it studied its surroundings. Gings crouched, reaching out a hand. Chimchar didn't hesitate, jumping onto his arm and perching on his shoulder.
"Alright, I like this guy."
"You just like monkeys," I deadpanned.
"And? Look at him! He's fast, agile, and has fire. That's a solid build right there. What can yours do?"
Before I could answer, my Ralts gently tugged at my sleeve. The moment it touched me, a strange feeling washed over me—like I could sense what it was thinking. Not in words, but emotions. A soft warmth, a quiet curiosity, a feeling of trust.
I grinned. "Oh, I think we're gonna have a lot of fun together."
Gings snapped his fingers. "Alright, so mine's clearly an Enhancer type—look at those limbs, built for speed and strength. The fire's probably either emission or transmutation-based. Yours, though? Looks like a conjurer. Or maybe a manipulator, considering the mind stuff."
"You're really just going off appearances, huh?"
"Worked for you, didn't it?" he shot back.
I couldn't argue with that.
Chimchar let out a playful cackle, hopping off Gings' shoulder and dashing in circles around us. My Ralts stayed close, pressing against my side, radiating soft, soothing energy.
For the first time in a while, I felt something settle in my chest—excitement, satisfaction, maybe even a bit of attachment.
"Alright then," I said, standing up. "Welcome to the team."
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Insert vs. Leon ( Transmuter )– 10th Win Fight
The crowd roared as I stepped into the arena. The lights overhead cast long shadows across the polished stone floor, and I rotated my wrist, gripping the Power Pole tightly.
Across from me, Leon—a wiry, sharp-eyed fighter—rolled his shoulders, a lazy smirk on his face. His hands flickered with crackling, yellow-green energy, distorting the air around them.
"You're the kid with the stick, huh?" Leon sneered, shifting his stance. "Heard you're fast, but a fight is all about unpredictability. Let's see if you can keep up."
I exhaled, tightening my grip. His aura was erratic—unstable in a controlled way. A trickster type. I'd have to be careful.
Ding! The fight started.
Leon vanished from sight. Not with Zetsu, just raw speed. He reappeared at my flank, his hand coated in that buzzing aura, aiming for my ribs.
I twisted my hips, the Power Pole already extending with a sharp CRACK. The sudden length increase forced him back, narrowly avoiding a full-body slam.
"Oh? It stretches? Neat trick."
I didn't answer. Instead, I used Ko, reinforcing the tip of my staff before driving it into the ground and vaulting into the air. Mid-air combat against a transmuter was risky, but I'd learned something here in Sky Arena—height means control.
Leon's fingers snapped. His aura shifted, shaping into whip-like tendrils of energy that shot towards me like serpents.
"Tch." I twisted the Power Pole, using it to mid-air pivot. The whips slammed into empty space, and I descended fast, channeling Shu into the staff, reinforcing it with my aura.
BAM!
The moment I landed, the floor cracked beneath me. A feint. Leon had already circled around, ready to strike again. But I was already one step ahead.
The Power Pole retracted in an instant, my grip shifting into a reverse stance as I spun.
Wham!
It connected with his ribs. He coughed, staggering back, but his aura surged, acting as a cushion.
"Heh, not bad," Leon admitted, wiping his mouth. "But I adapt fast."
His aura flickered again, this time coiling around his arms. He clenched his fists, and suddenly, his forearms hardened into a glass-like material, crackling with inner energy.
Shit. A counter-state transmutation ability?
He grinned. "Let's see if your stick can handle this."
I didn't wait. Rushing forward, I thrust the Power Pole forward, feinting an overhead smash. Leon sidestepped—but I had already anticipated it.
With a sharp flick, the Power Pole bent unnaturally mid-air, redirecting the force mid-strike.
Leon's eyes widened. He barely managed to block, but the force still sent him skidding.
"Hoh..." He huffed. "You're not just some brat swinging a stick, huh?"
I didn't respond. Observing. His ability was reactionary. Meaning—
I rushed in again, feinting another high strike. As expected, his arms hardened again to counter.
That's when I collapsed my Power Pole mid-swing.
The sudden shift in weight threw off his timing, and I used Ryu, shifting more aura into my legs to pivot and drive my elbow straight into his chest.
BAM!
Leon choked, stumbling backward. Before he could recover, the Power Pole extended again—this time, slamming into his gut.
His aura wavered. His stance broke.
I spun the staff, reinforcing it with Ko, and slammed it down.
BOOM!
The impact sent Leon crashing into the ground.
The arena was silent for half a second.
Then—
Ding! Winner: Insert!
The crowd exploded into cheers, but I was already walking off, twirling my Power Pole.
Gings was waiting at the exit, arms crossed. "You could've finished that faster."
I rolled my eyes. "Sure. And you could shut up."
He grinned. "Fair enough."
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Leon's Nen Ability – "Adaptive Voltage" (Transmutation)
Leon's ability, Adaptive Voltage, allows him to transmute his aura into an electric-glass energy that changes properties based on how he reacts to his opponent's attacks. This makes him a counter-oriented fighter who grows stronger as the fight progresses.
Abilities and Mechanics:
Shock Tendrils – He can extend his aura into whip-like energy that strike opponents from a distance, conducting paralysis effects if they land. However, they are not purely electrical—they are a unique transmuted force that mimics electricity rather than real voltage
Reactive Glass Armor – If Leon perceives an incoming attack, his aura automatically hardens around the point of impact into a glass-like structure, dispersing damage. However, this only works when he actively sees and expects an attack, making him vulnerable to feints.
Overload Counter – The more attacks he blocks, the more residual energy he stores. After reaching a limit, he can release it as a shockwave blast from his body. However, this is a last-resort move, as it depletes a large portion of his aura and leaves him exhausted.
Why He Lost to Insert:
Predictability: His power relies on reacting to attacks. Insert used feints and sudden weapon manipulations to throw off his timing, preventing him from properly activating his defenses.
Extended Reach: The Power Pole's unpredictable range made it difficult for Leon to gauge attack distances, causing his Reactive Glass Armor to misfire or activate inefficiently.
Aura Shifting (Ryu): Insert used precise aura control to increase his physical strikes, surprising Leon when he expected only weapon-based attacks.
Leon had a strong ability, but Insert's technical skill and adaptability proved superior in the end.
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Ging's Tenth Fight – Versus an kael ( Emitter)
The moment the match began, Kael took a low stance, palms glowing faintly before fading to nothing. Gings, with his usual smirk, drew his katana lazily, analyzing his opponent.
Kael struck the ground with his palm. Nothing happened.
Gings raised an eyebrow. "A bluff?"
Kael rushed forward with a flurry of palm strikes, aiming for Gings' chest and arms. Gings dodged the first few but caught one to his shoulder. Still, no damage.
Gings grinned. "That's it? No power behind them?"
Kael stepped back, smirking. BOOM.
An invisible explosion detonated exactly where Gings had been standing, sending a shockwave through the air. The same spot on Gings' shoulder erupted in a controlled burst, forcing him to slide back. Delayed impact.
Gings rolled his shoulder, wincing slightly. "Oh, I see now. That's annoying."
Kael clapped his hands together, sending out another wave of "invisible palms," planting markers all over the arena floor and on Gings' body. The katana user narrowed his eyes, feeling the subtle aura residue left behind.
"You like setting traps, huh? Let's see how you handle them yourself."
Instead of backing away, Gings rushed forward. Kael, expecting another easy hit, grinned and stepped aside to let his marks detonate.
Except Gings was already moving differently.
Step One – Observation:
He'd been watching Kael's stance, recognizing that his palms left residue only when fully open. Meaning—Kael needed a clear hit for it to stick properly.
Step Two – Precision:
As Kael tried to strike again, Gings angled his katana downward, sweeping it toward the ground. The tip barely scraped the floor—sending out a crescent of aura-infused wind.
Step Three – Reflection:
Kael instinctively dodged, stepping onto one of his own trapped areas. Before he could react—
BOOM.
The shockwave he had placed detonated beneath his own foot, sending him flying.
Gings didn't let him breathe.
Before Kael could recover mid-air, Gings adjusted his grip, twisted his blade, and struck with the back of the katana. The hit connected against Kael's ribs with a burst of reinforced aura, sending him crashing into the ground.
Kael tried to rise, but Gings was already standing over him, katana pointed lazily at his throat.
"Boom," Gings said flatly.
The ref called the match. Winner: Gings.
Opponent: Kael "Storm Palm"
Kael was an Emitter specializing in shockwave projection. Unlike standard Emitters who launch their aura directly, he focused on delayed shockwaves, striking at a distance while appearing passive. His punches and palm strikes left invisible markers on surfaces, releasing explosive bursts a few seconds later.
His signature move, "Storm Palm," allowed him to plant multiple delayed explosions on his opponent, forcing them into a defensive game where every movement could trigger a blast.
Post-Fight Analysis:
Gings countered Kael's ability by forcing him to step into his own explosions.
He used his katana's range to prevent Kael from landing more delayed hits.
His quick adaptation neutralized Kael's strongest advantage—controlling the battlefield.
Kael was a strong opponent, but in the end, Gings' intelligence and swordplay won the day.
PS: what type of fight did you like best