A Trade Too Good?

You didn’t expect much that day.

You’d been stuck with a Magikarp for weeks—no battles, no victories, and definitely no glory. The local trainers laughed. Even the Pokémart cashier raised an eyebrow when you came in asking about Poké Balls.

But then he showed up.

An old man, dressed in a dark coat with strange symbols stitched into the lining. You couldn’t tell if he was a merchant, a traveler, or something else. But he leaned close with a sly grin and said:

“That Magikarp… I’ll take it off your hands. In return, I’ll give you three rare Pokémon. Strong. Special. Top-tier. All yours.”

You blinked. Thinking it was a scam, you asked him that the old man wants the Magikarp for three Pokémon

The old man just chuckled. “A fair trade, my boy. Consider it… fate.”

You didn’t hesitate.

The Poké Balls were ice cold when they hit your palm. And by the time you looked up again… he was gone.

⸻

Back home, you dropped the Poké Balls on your bed, still unsure if it was some sort of joke.

You opened the first one.

Pheromosa.

A tall, elegant Ultra Beast stepped out, her insectoid grace shimmering in the room’s light. She cocked her head and stared at you with unreadable interest.

You swallowed hard.

Second ball—Gardevoir. A soft hum filled the air as the psychic-type appeared, her gown-like form radiant and serene. But those crimson eyes… they seemed to study you, like she knew you before you even existed.

And the third—

Lopunny.

She blinked at you, stretched like she’d just woken from a long nap, then immediately trotted forward and leaned in way too close. A teasing grin crossed her face. She definitely didn’t act like a normal Pokémon.

All three were level 100.

All three were female.

And all three looked at you not as a “trainer”…

…but as someone they want to be claimed by.

You weren’t sure what that old man had given you.

But it wasn’t just power.

It was a bond you didn’t understand… yet.