—No One POV—
April 1, 1882
New York City, United States of America
Manhattan, Ladies' Mile
"Hey, have you heard of that new building that opened up on Ladies' Mile?"
"Yeah, I heard that place sells exotic animals."
"I went there yesterday to see what they sold, and I found this unique creature I wanted. And you know what the shop owner said? It was $40 million! I made a complaint that it was bad for business! I mean, that is basically a small portion of our nation's national budget!"
"Oh my God. The prices must be extremely expensive."
"Don't fall for it! All I saw there were monsters! The devil's minions! Sooner or later, our Lord is going to strike that place down!"
"Are you sure? Because the shop owner has the face of an angel!"
"Hmph! I went there yesterday. Just from his name alone, he sounds like someone from old money who just wanted to make a quick buck. Although his appearance looks like it was sculpted by God."
In this area, many people have heard the rumors about a shop that opened up a week ago, and before long, rumors spread all over Manhattan about a shop called the Pokémon Association, where the owner sells exotic creatures that no one has ever seen before.
Some people say the shop owner is just a con artist selling exotic animals at absurd prices.
—Sirius—
"I swear, can these people stop just coming here to look around and asking if I am a scammer?!"
My name is Sirius Starling. I am 19 years old, and what you would call a transmigrator from a different Earth, a couple of centuries into the future. Right now, I am on a sort of mission for Arceus, and that is to spread Pokémon throughout this other historical world of Earth in the year 1882.
Not going to lie, this past week has been a real pain. People keep coming in to see what the rumors are about, asking if I am scamming people. Even very religious folk have come here, throwing stuff at my store and calling me a heathen or devil worshipper.
"I swear, why couldn't Arceus send me into the late or mid-20th century instead of the late 19th century?"
Well, it's not like I'm complaining. Arceus gave me a very simple system here.
He gave me my own storage with all the Pokémon in it except Mythicals, Legendaries, Ultra Beasts, and Paradox Pokémon.
Of course, for some reason, I can use the Creation Trio to set up other shops across the country and have them connected to this place, so that's a win for me.
There's also a sign-in system where I receive items, building blueprints, etc., and even a chance at getting a Pokémon that isn't in my storage.
And there is also the monthly allowance of one million dollars in gold, diamonds, and other treasures that Arceus sends me every month, along with other gimmicks like the catalog.
I show the customers a catalog of Pokémon they can buy. Of course, picking one for themselves is extremely expensive, with the cheapest one costing around a couple of tens of thousands of dollars.
Of course, Arceus gave me another way for people to obtain a Pokémon, and that is this magical box here. A person puts their hand into this box and grabs a piece of paper from it that'll have a number on it, which will correspond to that specific Pokémon.
The best thing about it is that a first-time customer gets to draw once for free and receive that Pokémon at a good discount, but they will have to pay $25 for the draw fee the second time and so on.
As I was about to doze off, I heard the door open, and a woman with long blonde hair and blue eyes appeared before me in a very refined late Victorian outfit that women of high class wear.
She appeared to be close in age to me, and another woman, who seemed to be in her early twenties and was probably her maid, accompanied her.
"Hello and welcome to the Pokémon Association, Madame. My name is Sirius Starling. How can I help you this fine day?"
"Hello, Mr. Starling. My name is Chloe van Hooft. I heard rumors from some acquaintances of mine about your shop, good sir."
I could tell she seemed curious about this place and a bit nervous.
"I see. Well, if it makes you feel more relaxed, no, I ain't a scammer, nor a sorcerer, and I am not a devil worshipper. I had this place blessed by some holy men just yesterday to help stop people from thinking this is the breeding ground for monsters and demons."
I could tell she gave a small chuckle at my complaint.
"Sorry about that. Well, anyway, what can I help you with, Miss Hooft?"
"Well, sir, I heard you sell exotic creatures here that have never been seen before, and I was hoping to purchase one."
After that, I explained how it works here. She has the option of paying full price for a Pokémon by looking at the catalog or taking a chance at the box.
"And just to warn you, the cheapest Pokémon starts at tens of thousands of dollars."
"My, that is extremely expensive!"
Both she and her maid were startled by the cost of a Pokémon from the catalog.
"Now, don't worry. You can try your luck by using the box. Just stick your hand inside the box and grab a piece of paper with a number on it, and that'll be the Pokémon you can get at a very, very discounted offer. But remember, the first time is free, while other chances cost $25 to draw."
"Sure, that seems fun! It feels like a game of chance."
I took out the box and leaned it towards her so she could pick a sheet of paper.
"Please, Lord, help me pick a good one."
It looked like she was praying to God before she stuck her hand into the box. After rummaging inside, she took out a piece of paper that had the number 333.
"Good pick, Miss."
"Really? Is number 333 a good choice?"
"I'll show you first."
I immediately took a Poké Ball out from under the counter and showed it to her.
"Is that what I get?"
"No, Miss Hooft. The creature is inside. Let me show you."
I immediately opened the Poké Ball, and from a flash of light came out Swablu. They both seemed a bit frightened by what happened, so I decided to quickly calm them down before they ran away.
"It's alright, Swablu won't hurt you. This is the Pokémon I mentioned, and please don't run away."
"Mi-Miss Hooft, please stand back! I believe it is best we leave this place."
I couldn't let them leave, as it would only further worsen my store reputation, which was already in the gutter.
"Stop, stop, stop!"
They both turned to me, a bit startled and nervous at my outburst. I cleared my throat to reassure them.
"Forgive my outburst, Miss Hooft, but this isn't something like sorcery or witchcraft, nor is it the work of demons or the work of God. As you can tell by this unique bird, it is a creature called a Pokémon."
'That word again.'
By her look, I could tell she had many questions about this. She then looked at me with a serious expression.
"Mr. Starling, you keep on saying Pokémon, and call these creatures Pokémon. What exactly are they, and who are you exactly?"
Should I tell her that I am from another Earth that is a couple hundred years into the future and that I was sent to this Earth's time period to spread Pokémon as a mission given to me by Arceus?
Well, the Pokémon part, yes; I'll leave the whole time-travel stuff aside and make some hints here and there.
"Well, you see, Miss Hooft. Pokémon are fantastical creatures in the Pokémon World. They can be found everywhere in the world, roaming the land, swimming in the vast sea, and flying in the endless sky. Heck, there are even some that live amongst the stars. And others that live, well, someplace else.
"They come in all shapes and sizes, but the one thing you should know is that Pokémon are intelligent creatures who have feelings too.
"Well, that is the simple way of explaining Pokémon, and who I am exactly, well, it is kind of hard to explain, but I was sent here to this world by a being that created the Pokémon World. He tasked me with a mission to spread Pokémon across this world."
From their looks, I could tell they were shocked and overwhelmed by what I said. Which makes sense. I mean, come on, it is 1882. Science is advancing steadily, but superstition is still common at this time.
"You said Pokémon World? As in another land that hasn't been discovered yet!? And you said someone created them and tasked you with spreading them across the rest of the world?"
"My lady, that should be impossible. We are in the New World. This should be the last place that has been discovered, and there are maps that detail the whole world too."
Right, I forgot. Well, if they think it is somewhere in this world and someone created them, oh well. I'll just go with it until this small misunderstanding clears itself up in due time.
"Basically, yes, Ma'am. Also, may I go back to explaining this Pokémon that you drew?"
"Y-Yes! You can continue. In truth, this bird does look cute, and I am wondering what type of species it is."
"Well, then, why don't you find out yourself?"
From under the counter, I took out a first-generation Pokédex and gave it to her. I went ahead and explained that this is science and that the ball from which the bird came out of was also science from the land where these Pokémon come from.
She and her servant both had shocked expressions at it. I went ahead and showed her how to use it.
"Just point it at the Pokémon, and it'll show its basic information on it."
"Like this?"
"Yes."
Beep. Beep.
[#333, Swablu
Normal/Flying
Cotton Bird Pokémon
Female
Description:
Swablu has light and fluffy wings that are like cottony clouds. This Pokémon is not frightened of people. It lands on the heads of people and sits there like a cotton-fluff hat.
Ability: Cloud Nine
Moves: Growl, Peck, Disarming Voice...
...]
After the Pokédex was done informing her of the Pokémon Swablu, Swablu flapped its wings and gently perched on top of Miss Hooft's head. I had a small smile at this scene, since she looked very cute with a Swablu on her head like that.
"So, Miss Hooft, what do you think? Is Swablu the one? Or do you wish to try again, or do you plan on leaving instead?"
"How much?"
Score. Finally, after a gruesome week of being called a scammer and such, I finally am about to make a sale.
"Well, let me see. The catalog price for a Swablu is about $24,000, and this is also due to the fact it has a Hidden Ability, as when a Pokémon has a Hidden Ability, their price is doubled from their original price. But since you obtained it through the box, Swablu is just $240 by itself, but since Swablu will need food that Pokémon eat, I'll have to add at least a month's worth of food to it.
"With a free Pokédex, Swablu Poké Ball, and a trainer's guide on Pokémon, your total is $280. How will you be paying today, Miss Hooft?"
Just looking at her maid's expression, I could tell this was basically two months' worth of her salary. I mean, we're basically in the late 19th century. An average worker's monthly salary is basically $100–$800 here, I think.
"Excuse me, Mr. Starling. When I was reading this Pokédex you called it, what does it mean by types and moves? And what do you mean by trainer?"
And here we go, the question on what Pokémon and trainers are about. Best to give her the simple version.
"It is simple, Miss. There are over 18 types a Pokémon can be. As an example, think of the natural elements of fire, water, and grass. Fire burns grass, while water stops fire, and water makes grass grow."
It seems her maid was still a bit confused about it, but it seems she understood it to a good enough extent.
"Okay, then what about trainers?"
"Yes, trainers are people who forge bonds with Pokémon. They bring out their full potential by helping them grow through battles, creating a strong bond with them, and sharing many experiences together helps them grow. They even have some other things too, but I believe everything you need to know is in the trainer's guidebook."
"I understand, Mr. Starling, but what I don't understand is what do you mean by battles? Do I have to send my Swablu to war!?"
I see, so that is what she is truly worried about. I mean, in this time period, when people hear battle, they probably mean war.
Of course, I will never let that happen, but all I can do is dissuade them from using them for war. After all, that is the job of that Pokémon from stopping people from using them for war.
"No, Miss, I assure you, I don't mean war. Think of it as more of a competition between two people who use Pokémon to fight in a friendly competition. It's like those brawl fights you would see outside taverns between men—"
"How dare you! Think my lady would go anywhere near those types of places!"
And before Chloe's maid could say more, Chloe immediately stopped her from saying anymore. I mean, I don't care if people shout at me or call me stuff, because I know I'm in the past, and this is when people's reputations and virtues are more important to the public than in modern times.
"Please forgive my servant for her harsh words, Mr. Starling."
"Don't worry about it, Miss Hooft. Now, shall we finish our transaction?"
"Yes, let's."
I swear, she has a cute smile when she is happy.
So, after finishing up the transaction with Chloe, I informed her to come by if she has any questions for her Pokémon and to come by for health checkups for it too. And to tell all her friends about my shop.
"Well, it seems that my luck might just be starting to get better now! Yes, finally, this is my first step to spreading Pokémon across the world!"
As I was celebrating, I immediately stopped and pulled myself together as another customer came.
"Hello, good sirs. Welcome to the Pokémon Association. How may I help you fine gentlemen today?"
Just from their getup, they are police officers, but they seem to have a shocked face, just like everyone else. My appearance might have something to do with it, since I am 6'2" tall, have short white hair, and clear blue eyes, and can be considered one of the most handsome men in any era.
Which is all thanks to Arceus for allowing me to recreate my appearance before sending me here.
"Yes, good day, sir. Are you, by chance, the owner of this shop?"
"Yes, is there a problem, sir?"
"Yes, we received some complaints from people saying you're a con artist."
"I see... Wait, what!?"