Pokemon: The Gameboy Effect

Half an hour later, John and Daisy were still trudging along the seemingly endless expanse of sea. The horizon blurred into a seamless line, where the sky met the ocean in a breathtaking, almost surreal panorama. The clear sky stretched overhead, its brilliant blue mirrored by the tranquil water below.

John couldn't help but marvel. In his nearly 40 years, he'd never seen anything so beautiful.

The thought struck him—this world, with its harmonious coexistence between humans and Pokemon, was far better than the one he'd left behind. Here, the presence of Pokemon had inspired generations of environmental preservation. He'd even read reports online about Suicune purifying polluted water sources.

"If this were my old world," John muttered, shuddering, "Zygarde and humans would probably be at each other's throats."

"What was that?" Daisy called over her shoulder, perched comfortably on Gyarados's back.

"Nothing," John replied quickly, waving her off. "So, where exactly is this Dragon Nest? I don't see any islands out here."

Daisy shrugged, the picture of calm. "The Dragon Nest doesn't have a fixed location," she explained. "But don't worry—it shouldn't be too far."

John groaned, flopping onto Gyarados's scaly back. "If I'd brought my Gameboy, at least I'd have something to do," he grumbled.

As if the universe had a sense of humor, a dense mist began rolling in from the sea, thick and fast. Within moments, the world around them disappeared, swallowed by an eerie white shroud. John sat up straight, his earlier boredom replaced by a prickling unease.

"Follow me," Daisy said, her voice steady. She nudged Gyarados forward, plunging confidently into the fog.

Without waiting for a command, Gyarados surged after her. The mist was so thick that John couldn't even see his own hands. It was as if they'd stepped into another dimension, one where sight was useless, and sound was swallowed whole.

The journey through the mist felt like an eternity. Just as John started to wonder if they'd been wandering in circles, the fog began to thin. Minutes later, it cleared completely, revealing a massive island that seemed to rise out of nowhere.

John's jaw dropped. Towering emerald-green mountains covered in lush forests stretched across the horizon, their peaks connected by sweeping canopies. A gentle breeze stirred the trees, creating waves of movement that rippled like water. Among the foliage, dragon-type Pokemon darted in and out of view—Dragonite, Salamence, and more, their scales catching the sunlight like gems.

Closer to the shore, the scene was just as lively. A Goodra waddled by, a Sliggoo and several Goomy trailing behind. Two Krabby clashed pincers in a heated brawl, while a Starmie lay sprawled on the sand, its ruby core glittering under the sun like an Ultraman timer.

John turned back and saw the mist standing like a massive wall behind them, an unbroken barrier concealing the island from the outside world.

"We're here," Daisy said with a smile, dismounting Gyarados. "Let's go see the Dragon Kings."

"Dragon Kings?" John echoed, raising an eyebrow.

Daisy nodded. "Every Dragon Nest has a few Dragon Kings. They're the strongest among the species. According to the agreement between Riverstone University and the Dragon Nest, the dragon-type Pokemon you'll catch has to be approved by them."

John blinked. "Wait, what? I thought I got to choose. I was still deciding between Bagon, Gible, and Dratini. Looks like I overthought it."

Daisy chuckled. "You do have some say. If a Pokemon shows interest in you along the way, you can propose it. If it agrees, the Dragon Kings will approve."

John exhaled in relief. "That's good to know."

"But," Daisy added, her tone serious, "if you don't have a special connection with a dragon-type, it's better to trust their choice. They'll pick the one that best suits you."

"Best suits me?" John asked, confused.

She smirked. "Think of it as finding your Pokemon soulmate—one that complements your personality and strengths."

John scratched his head. "So it's like choosing another version of me?"

"Something like that," Daisy said with a grin. "But don't overthink it. Sometimes, the Pokemon picks you."

As they ventured deeper into the island, John's excitement grew. They passed through dense forests filled with dragon-types. Near a cave, a Garchomp mother was demonstrating Dragon Claw to a young Gabite, while a group of mischievous Gibles played tag nearby. The Pokemon were surprisingly unafraid of humans; some even approached to inspect John with curious eyes.

Above them, a group of Altaria nested in the trees. Their fluffy, cloud-like feathers gave the branches a surreal, marshmallow-like appearance.

"Dragon traitors," John muttered under his breath, smirking.

The Altaria immediately turned their sharp gazes on him, their eyes glowing with suspicion.

"Careful," Daisy hissed, pulling him along. "If you provoke them, they'll attack."

"They know about the 'dragon traitor' thing?" John asked, incredulous.

"Of course," Daisy replied, laughing. "Their Mega Evolution changes them to Dragon/Fairy. Fairy-types are strong against dragons, so technically, they're betraying their own kind."

John couldn't help but chuckle. "I knew it. Double agents."

They soon reached the heart of the island, where an enormous lake glistened under the sun. Scores of dragon-types gathered along its shore, drinking peacefully or lounging in the warm light.

At the water's edge stood a colossal horn, ancient and weathered by time. Its surface shimmered faintly, as if imbued with latent energy.

"Blow the horn," Daisy instructed.

John frowned, eyeing the massive instrument. "Blow it? That thing's huge. What if I pass out?"

"Just take a deep breath. It'll do the rest."

With a resigned sigh, John stepped up and placed his lips against the horn. He inhaled deeply and blew.

"Woooo~~"

A deep, resonant sound erupted, echoing across the island like a clarion call. The lake stilled, and the dragon-types froze mid-motion, their gazes locking on John. Somewhere in the distance, a powerful roar answered the horn's call.

John shivered. Whatever awaited him, it was bound to be unforgettable.