Chapter 5: Skill From Future
Ekans opened its gigantic mouth, venomous fangs glistening in the light, mere inches from Jason's face. There was absolutely no way he could escape the situation—at least, if he were any ordinary Pichu.
His mind raced. He wasn't ordinary.
In a split-second decision, Jason darted his head downward, diving into the water just as Ekans lunged forward. The serpent's jaws snapped shut on nothing but empty air.
Ding
…
[You have dodged Ekans' Bite attack.]
[You gained 1 EP.]
…
Jason barely registered the notification, his focus entirely on the immediate challenge—surviving. The semi-transparent blue screen flashed before his eyes, a distraction in a moment that demanded clarity. He shook his head, trying to push it away.
His eyes scanned the murky water around him, desperately searching for Ekans. But the predator had vanished. His heart pounded in his chest as he struggled to stay calm.
'A snake has an advantage in water... I need to get out of here.'
Just as the thought crossed his mind, a gigantic mouth emerged from beneath the water, barely visible from the surface… and in a blink of an eye…
Bite!
Ekans clamped down with a powerful bite, grabbing Jason tightly. The mouth was large enough to engulf his entire body, and it seemed to grow even bigger, as if it was preparing to swallow the Pichu whole.
Jason felt his life flashing before his eyes. A significant amount of HP vanished instantly as a warning notice appeared in front of him.
[Warning!]
[HP is less than 20%]
[Advice: Please use 1 EP gained to use the skill Thunderbolt from the future.]
???
In the midst of the turmoil and pain, Jason struggled to read the information on the screen. Yet, the voice echoed directly in his head, ensuring he understood the message.
'I can use Thunderbolt? Heck, then what are you waiting for??? Use Thunderbolt!'
"Thunderbolt, please!"
It was a desperate shout. He wanted to survive… badly.
Ding!
[1 EP has been consumed.]
[You can use Thunderbolt, a move you will learn in the future, immediately at 1% of its power. Would you like to use it?]
[Yes/No]
"HECK YES!"
Yellowish-golden sparks began to appear around his cheeks, spreading across his body. Before he knew it, his entire body was charged, his fur sticking out as all the electricity stored within him discharged in one powerful burst.
1% of Thunderbolt shouldn't be very effective. It couldn't possibly take out all 30 HP of Ekans and kill it, could it? The thought nagged at him, but the attack worked perfectly.
Thanks to Ekans being in the water, the attack was super effective. The bolt traveled through every nook and cranny of Ekans, delivering a shock so intense that it immediately released its grip on Pichu and retreated deep into the water.
Ding.
[You've dealt a critical hit.]
[-25 HP]
[HP: 5/30]
Ekans was severely injured and escaped… and Jason, on the other hand, survived… just barely.
Being light, he floated to the bank while he stared at the sky. He was now resting on the bank, thinking back on what had happened.
'It's not safe… nowhere is safe… I will die.'
He learnt it the hard way. If not for the system notification, he was as good as dead.
'Thunderbolt… did I have such skill? From future? What?', his mind was everywhere.
But the system decided to answer it for him.
Ding.
[EP - Evolution Points. Accumulating these points gives the host a chance to evolve. Additionally, the user may use the points to use one of the moves from the future. The user can use a maximum of 100 EP at a time, for 100% power of the move from the future.]
This was good… very good. He decided immediately that he would collect this left and right.
'I see… Hmm, by the way, could you display me my status screen? Like the profile…'
[Command accepted. Displaying profile…]
…
[ Profile ]
Name: ??? [Pichu]
Type: Electric
Species: Tiny Mouse Pokémon
Sex: Male
Age: 6 days
Height: 0.3 meters
Weight: 0.4 kg
Ability: Static
Pokédex Number: #172
…
[ Stats ]
Level: 1
Evolution: Pichu → Pikachu → Raichu
HP: 8/20
SP: 7/10
Exp: 0/20
Atk: 10
Def: 25
Speed: 19
Int: 35
Energy: 3/20
EP: 0
Nature: Timid
Held Item: None
…
[ Behavior ]
Though small and innocent in appearance, Pichu has great potential to evolve into a powerful Pikachu and eventually Raichu. It stores small amounts of electricity in its cheeks, but being a baby Pokémon, it is sensitive to its own electrical discharge. Playful but timid, it can be unpredictable in battle.
Stat Points: 0
…
[ Skills Information ]
[ Pokémon Skills ]
1] Tail Whip Lv.1
1. Type: Normal
2. Effect: Lowers the opponent's defense stat by wagging its tail cutely.
2] Charm Lv.1
• Type: Fairy
• Effect: Lowers the opponent's attack stat by using a cute expression.
[ System Skills ]
1] Cold Resistance Lv.1
• Effect: Grants basic resistance to cold environments, preventing frostbite and lowering damage from ice-type moves.
2] Heat Resistance Lv.1
• Effect: Grants basic resistance to hot environments, preventing burns and lowering damage from fire-type moves.
3] Shock Resistance Lv.1
• Effect: Reduces the damage taken from electric-type moves, allowing Pichu to better handle its own electrical discharges and those of others.
…
Pokédex Entry Details:
• Pokédex Description: Pichu charges electricity while it sleeps. It often shocks itself accidentally and lets out sparks when excited. Despite its small size, it has the potential to grow much stronger with training and care.
• Behavior Notes: This Pokémon can bond well with trainers, particularly those who are patient and understanding. It grows more capable as it matures and is likely to evolve through friendship.
• Habitat: Pichu is often found in forests and grasslands but can adapt to many environments.
…
'This is interesting… very interesting,' Jason thought as he read through the information. He even chuckled at the idea of being a Pokémon with a Pokédex, which, for some reason, struck him as funny.
Then his attention shifted to the place where it showed '???'. His name was missing.
'Hmm, my name… do I enter it or what?'
Ding
…
[Please choose a name for yourself.]
…
The system prompt popped up, and Jason wasted no time.
"Jason."
Ding
…
[The host has chosen the name Jason]
[Yes/No]
…
"Yes."
Ding
…
[Confirmed. The host has successfully become a named Pokémon.]
…
Ding
…
[Congratulations, you have completed a hidden mission: Become a named Pokémon]
[Reward: TM168 - Volt Switch]
…
'Volt Switch? TM?' These terms were new to him. He hadn't played a lot of Pokémon games, so he wasn't entirely sure what they meant, but he could guess.
'Is it a new skill or something?'
[Affirmative.]
'Wait, so did I just get a new skill?'
[The host has gained a new TM with which he can learn the new skill. Note: Each TM has an incubation period which is represented by the number. TM168 has an incubation period of 168 minutes—this means your body will be inactive for 168 minutes if you choose to learn the skill. After 168 minutes, you will have a new skill which you may use freely.]
'I guess it's better to use it later when I'm in a safe place…'
And with that, he was a step closer to the system, and in the conquest of becoming stronger.
https://www.patreon.com/Tristor55