Darkness engulfed everything. There was no ground, no sky, no horizon. Just an infinite, deep, and silent void, so dense it seemed to weigh down on thoughts themselves. In the midst of that nothingness, suspended in eternity, floated a human figure: a man.
His body seemed weightless, as if it no longer belonged to the physical world. There was no wind, no time... only him, trapped in absolute darkness.
That man was James.
After the explosion, his consciousness vanished abruptly, like a candle extinguished by an invisible breath. When he returned to existence, it was here: in this formless, soundless, senseless limbo.
—What is this place...? —he wondered, his inner voice echoing into an abyss with no end.
James had spent over half a century serving the same organization. Half a century of missions, sacrifices, and blind loyalty. Half a century believing everything he did was for a greater good... or at least, for a purpose. But in the end, the truth struck him with the cruelty of a cold blade.
He had been betrayed.
—Who would have imagined...? —he thought bitterly—. The organization to which I gave my life... turned its back on me right after my last mission.
A melancholic sigh escaped his lips, though there was no air to carry it. In that eternal silence, even his thoughts seemed to slowly dissolve.
And yet, amid betrayal and solitude, there was one thing he truly regretted.
—The only thing that really hurts... —he reflected—. Is not being able to see the new Pokémon season...
Throughout his life, amidst battles, secrets, and spilled blood, there was one constant that brought him comfort: Pokémon. It was more than a hobby; it was his escape, his refuge, his quiet joy. During every break, every spare moment, he immersed himself in that world of extraordinary creatures, noble rivalries, and impossible dreams. He read the mangas, watched the episodes, collected figures, cards, and even plushies. In his heart, he was always a devoted fan.
But now, not even that remained.
James didn't know how long he had been there, in that endless abyss. His thoughts began to repeat, distort. Slowly, his sanity started to fray like an old fabric in the wind.
Until...
A white point appeared in the distance, tiny at first, almost imperceptible. But it was real. A light.
James squinted, incredulous at first. He didn't know if it was a memory, an illusion... or perhaps something else.
The light expanded, pulsing like a distant heartbeat, and for the first time in that dark space, something inside him stirred.
—What is... that?
When the light began to dim, like a star exhaling its last breath, a spark of consciousness illuminated the darkness. James opened his eyes.
Everything was confusing. His vision came as if through fogged glass, and the sounds were distant, unreal echoes. He couldn't understand where he was or what had happened to his body... but a soft, feminine murmur cut through the mental haze like a warm caress.
—Congratulations, Mrs. Ketchum. They're healthy babies.
The phrase echoed powerfully in his mind. His vision began to stabilize, and before him appeared a young woman, somewhere between 22 and 25 years old. She had a gentle and serene face, brown hair falling in soft waves, and hazel eyes radiating warmth. Her skin was white, almost milky, and her smile overflowed with unconditional love.
In that moment, James —or at least, the soul that had once been James— understood an impossible but undeniable truth: he had been reborn.
He slowly turned his small head, with the clumsy effort of a newborn, and there he saw him: a baby with black hair and dark, obsidian-like eyes. His skin was slightly tanned, but in his innocent expression, there was something familiar... something that stirred James's soul.
That baby was his twin brother.
—Ash...? —he thought, a mixture of incredulity and awe.
And then, a voice resonated in his mind. It was not human. It was digital, neutral, like that of an omniscient artificial intelligence.
A blue screen appeared in his field of vision, floating in the air as if reality itself were programmed.
Name: Red
Age: 1 hour
Abilities: Aura (LOCKED)
Bloodline: Strategist's Eyes (UNLOCKED)
Luck: Protagonist's Luck (Linked to Ash Ketchum – Brothers of Destiny)
His thoughts raced as he read the description. The name assigned: Red. A symbol, a legacy, a name full of history. But what immediately caught his attention was the term "Strategist's Eyes."
—What does that mean exactly? —he thought, vaguely recalling the dozens of fanfics and novels he'd read in his past life, where systems and special abilities were common currency.
As if his thought had been a command, the interface responded immediately:
System:
Strategist's Eyes is an innate ability that grants advanced analytical capacity during battles or competitions. It allows for reading combat styles, predicting moves, detecting tactical flaws, and formulating the best strategy for victory, even under unfavorable conditions.
It also permits the analysis of emotions, bonds, and weaknesses in both humans and Pokémon.
Drawbacks:
During battles, the user's eyes will change to a crimson red shade.
The user will adopt a cold, apathetic, emotionless state, focused solely on logic.
If overused, this mental state will become permanent, affecting everyday life as well.
James —now Red— gave a faint smile, imperceptible to anyone else but powerful within him.
—Emotions... are a luxury for those who can afford to lose. In battle, they're a hindrance. If that's the drawback, then... it suits me.
While Delia Ketchum embraced her twin sons with infinite tenderness, unaware of the destiny that awaited them, the soul of a veteran was reborn within a fragile body... but with a future full of possibilities.
Ash... his brother. The chosen one of destiny.
And he, Red.