Pokemon: The Gameboy Effect

John leaned back against the villa's doorway, arms crossed, as Scarlett's voice echoed in his mind. "Stay anywhere, pick whatever you want." It was her casual yet thoughtful response when he mentioned housing options. Originally, John had planned to rent a small place, but Scarlett's generous offer made that unnecessary. Though he felt a twinge of guilt for not paying his own way, he couldn't deny the opportunity to live on the trial island was a chance worth taking.

Scarlett, after all, wasn't just some casual acquaintance. She was the mentor who had supported him during his early days at Riverstone University. Their bond, though professional at first, had grown into a genuine friendship—a connection John deeply valued.

That afternoon, John visited the island to check out his new home. The Trial Island No. 7, part of a series surrounding Riverstone University, was one of several dedicated to academic research and training. A mere minute's flight on Flygon brought him there, though he had opted against using Garchomp due to its erratic flying and his sore tailbone from a previous mishap.

Trial Island No. 7 housed three distinct buildings: the central hilltop villa, Scarlett's laboratory villa at the mountain's base, and a picturesque seaside villa overlooking the endless ocean. Scarlett lived and worked at the lab, leaving the hilltop villa as her private space. Naturally, John chose the seaside villa. Its location promised serenity and privacy—ideal for his team of Pokemon, whose training sessions often involved considerable noise and commotion.

The villa's position offered easy access to the ocean, a perfect setup for his Water-type Pokemon to practice Surf and eventually learn Whirlpool. That evening, John ordered a few essentials for the house, preparing for a smooth move the following day.

By morning, he was ready. His dorm room, sparsely furnished with hand-me-downs from former students, didn't hold much worth taking. He packed only his personal items, Pokemon training gear, and, of course, his team. With everything tucked neatly into his secret base, he made the short trip to the villa.

"Feels like I'm living in one of those fantasy novels with a magical space ring," John mused, recalling stories from his younger days.

The seaside villa exceeded his expectations. The ground floor featured a sprawling living room, large enough to accommodate his entire team—provided Tyranitar and Steelix stayed outside. Upstairs, the second floor boasted eight spacious bedrooms, significantly larger than the cramped dorms he'd left behind. Delibird and Togepi immediately claimed their usual spots in the new rooms, flitting back and forth between the villa and their favorite haunts at the university cafeteria.

The top floor held two luxurious rooms and a vast balcony overlooking the sea. John envisioned hosting small gatherings there, complete with barbecues under the stars.

The true gem, however, lay behind the villa. Built into the mountainside was a massive cave, its open space stretching half the size of a football field with ceilings soaring six meters high. Originally intended as a backup lab for Scarlett's research, the space was now John's to repurpose. He planned to transform it into a haven for Steelix and Tyranitar, allowing them the freedom to roam outside their Poke Balls and strengthen their bond with him.

"A perfect training ground," John thought, imagining the area filled with his team honing their skills. The spacious cave was also ideal for practicing high-energy moves like Hariyama Dynamic Punch. With everything in place, John couldn't wait to settle in.

"Alright, everyone, come on out and see your new home!" he called, tossing his Poke Balls into the air.

One by one, his Pokemon appeared. Greninja took a single glance before darting off to the ocean, drawn to the waves like a magnet. Blaziken sprang onto the third-floor balcony, then bounded up the cliff, exploring the island with boundless energy. Garchomp, ever the sunbather, found a cozy spot on the balcony and sprawled out, dozing off almost immediately. Slakoth, predictably, located a Pecha Berry tree and reclined beneath it, mouth slightly open, as if waiting for berries to fall directly in.

Lairon positioned itself at the villa's entrance, basking in the sunlight while keeping an eye on Axew and Tyrunt, who chased each other in circles. "Don't let them wander too far," John instructed. Lairon responded with a low rumble, its eyes half-closed but still attentive.

Inside, Wobbuffet and Hariyama made a beeline for the living room, competing to claim the biggest TV. John had anticipated this, equipping several rooms with screens to prevent squabbles. He'd even included a dedicated gaming room and a small gym for his personal workouts.

Outside, Smeargle, inspired by the villa's beauty, began painting on a canvas propped against the villa wall. Meanwhile, Tyranitar wandered to the beach, where it started piling sand into small mounds before promptly devouring them. John shook his head, chuckling. "That should've been my reaction to the saltiness," he muttered.

Only Gardevoir remained by his side, silently following as he explored the villa's interior. When they reached the cave, John released Steelix, whose immense size made it difficult to navigate the villa's narrower spaces. Free at last, Steelix let out a contented roar, spinning in circles before tunneling into the ground to explore.

Satisfied that his team was settling in well, John began preparing for their first meal in the new home. "A barbecue it is," he decided, pulling out a grill from his secret base. Soon, the scent of sizzling food filled the air, drawing his Pokemon together. Greninja emerged from the waves, Blaziken bounded back from the cliffs, and even Slakoth stirred from its spot under the berry tree.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a golden glow over the island, John watched his team gather around, their camaraderie palpable. This villa wasn't just a house; it was the start of a new chapter—a place where they could grow stronger together.

John leaned against the grill, smiling as he flipped a skewer of meat. "Welcome home, everyone."