This Is Definitely Pokémon

"Dragonite is just not cutting it anymore! This season has way too many overpowered Pokémon, and there are so many viable strategies now. Without Z-Moves or Dynamax, Dragonite is at such a disadvantage!"

"Exactly! Look at Charizard—it has two Mega Evolutions! Now that is a real Dragon-type Pokémon!"

Gabriel gritted his teeth as he stared at the screen, unable to find the words to retort the comments from the online crowd.

As a small-time streamer focusing on Pokémon games, Gabriel's skills were just average—neither outstanding nor terrible. Pokémon wasn't exactly niche, but in China, it was overshadowed by esports hits like League of Legends or PUBG. Even older games like CrossFire were more popular.

Still, Pokémon had its advantages. Despite its relatively small player base, the franchise was famous. Plenty of viewers would tune in to his streams out of curiosity, even if they didn't play the games themselves. Thanks to Gabriel 's serious attitude, he managed to build a small but loyal audience.

Lately, though, he'd hit a plateau. To attract more viewers, he needed better results. But after countless hours grinding on the ranked ladder, he was still stuck.

"Ugh! Blissey again?! Is this guy trolling me on purpose? I'd rather face two Fairy-types than deal with this thing!"

Defeat.

Once again, his Dragonite fell victim to the opponent's endlessly frustrating Blissey. With a sigh, Gabriel resigned himself to yet another loss.

"LOL! Streamer's skills are so bad. With gameplay like this, maybe you should find a job tightening screws instead!"

"Yeah, seriously. Why are you still using Dragonite? That team is so outdated!"

"Dragonite isn't meta anymore. Switch it up! Your mechanics are solid—you should be able to climb with a better team."

Do you think I don't want to switch? Do you?!

Gabriel clenched his teeth, his heart bleeding as he read the comments. Who forced him to proclaim himself a Dragon-type specialist, boasting about his unbeatable Dragonite? That declaration had turned into his personal curse. No matter what team he ran, he always had to include Dragonite—it had become his trademark.

Most viewers only tuned in to laugh at his struggles.

Thinking about it made his heart ache.

Who could have predicted that Dragon-types, once dominant, would fall from grace? Dragonite used to be a pseudo-legendary, boasting a massive 600 base stat total. But now, without access to Mega Evolution or Dynamax, it had become just another ordinary Pokémon.

"Pokémon designers, look at Dragonite! Charizard has two Mega Evolutions, and Dragonite doesn't even have one! Eat my Dragon Rage!"

Fueled by frustration, Gabriel flipped his chair in a fit of rage. In his fury, he accidentally hit the back of his head on the corner of the desk.

"Ow!"

His vision went black, and a wave of dizziness overtook him before he passed out.

Am I going to die?

When Gabriel opened his eyes, he felt warmth surrounding him.

"Am I being rescued? Who's sitting on my face?"

Struggling to push the weight away, Gabriel was startled to see tiny, baby-like hands instead of his own.

Wait... are these my hands?!

"Dear, why isn't the baby feeding properly?"

"Give him a moment. He just arrived in this world; let him adjust."

Suddenly, Gabriel found himself lifted by a pair of large hands. A handsome man's face came into view.

Did I... reincarnate?!

...

Ten years later.

In the garden of a sprawling estate, Gabriel crouched behind some bushes, his eyes locked on a small, green worm chewing on a leaf.

Caterpie, one of the weakest Pokémon, lived cautiously, always on alert for predators like Pidgey or Spearow that might swoop down for a snack.

Gabriel held a bug-catching net in his hands, ready to strike.

But just as he was about to swing, a loud voice startled the Caterpie, sending it scurrying into the bushes.

"Young Master! Where are you?"

Frustrated, Gabriel tossed his net to the ground.

I was so close to catching my first Pokémon!

"What do you want, Elle? I almost caught a Caterpie!"

Pouting, Gabriel emerged from the bushes and confronted the servant who had interrupted him.

"Young Master, your father is coming soon. Today is your 12th birthday! You need to clean up and look presentable!"

Grumbling, Gabriel reluctantly followed the servant's instructions.

After a thorough cleanup, Gabriel stood before a mirror, admiring the handsome young boy reflected back at him.

Not bad at all.

At the birthday celebration, Gabriel's mother, Jarvie , rushed to embrace him the moment he entered the room. She planted a big kiss on his cheek, leaving a noticeable mark.

"My precious boy is growing up so fast! You're even more delicious now!"

"Enough, dear. Don't scare him," his father, Antonio, said with a laugh.

Freed from his mother's grasp, Gabriel immediately ran to his father's side.

"Dad, what's my birthday present this year?"

"Oh? You're eager, aren't you?" Antonio chuckled, ruffling his son's hair. "All right, let me show you."

From behind his back, Antonio brought out a large, shimmering object—a Pokémon Egg.

"This, my boy, is your birthday gift."

Is this... a Pokémon Egg?!

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