These are not NPCs

"The migratory pattern has shifted in recent years due to the surge in weather anomalies around Route 129..."

Ayan's eyes widened.

"This… this is like the HeartGold/SoulSilver radio feature," he whispered. "But more advanced. If I tune in to Hoenn channels… does that mean?"

He switched over to Sinnoh Research Talkline. A timer began counting down—15 minutes till the next signal broadcast.

If the mechanics were the same as those games… then listening to these region-locked broadcasts might affect wild Pokémon spawns in the area. Meaning, with the right radio tune, he could potentially bring out species native to Hoenn or Sinnoh—without actually leaving this region. And thus he kept the Sinnoh radio on and walked on. There was still half an hour left before his alarm went off, and thus wanted to make the most of it. 

As Ayan walked further into the thinning grass patches, he heard rustling ahead—not from Pokémon this time, but voices.

"Hey! Hey, you!"

Two kids in oversized bug nets and khaki vests stepped out from behind a cluster of trees. Both had green caps that looked a size too big for them.

"Name's Johnny!" the first boy said with a wide grin, adjusting his net on his back.

"And I'm Kevin!" the other added, slapping a Poké Ball into his palm. "You look like a Trainer!"

"I—uh, yeah. Kinda."

"Then you gotta battle us! Double challenge!"

"Two-vs-two!"

"Bug Catcher rules!"

"Sure, but... only one at a time." Ayan said. These people were really not NPC. 

"Fine by me. Kevin can go after I roast you first!" Johnny said.

A Rattata popped out of his Poké Ball, landing on all fours with a squeaky hiss.

Ayan was about to choose, but—

"Char!"

Charmander was already on the field, tail blazing with anticipation.

"Oh. I guess you're eager, huh?"

"Quick Attack!"

It blurred ahead in a white streak—but Charmander pivoted and met the dash with a fierce Scratch, claws swiping in an arc that knocked the rodent sideways with a yelp.

"Hey! Rattata, Double Team!"

Two copies of the Rattata split off in a shimmering blur.

"Charmander, Ember—wide spread!" Ayan commanded. Since this was reality he needed to be more creative in his attacks. Though he was new he was getting the hang of it pretty fast.

Charmander inhaled sharply and released a fan of small fireballs, scattering the illusions like smoke. The real Rattata stumbled out of the mirage—

"Now! Tackle!"

Too late.

"Scratch—centerline!"

Charmander lunged. His claws raked across the Rattata's chest in one clean strike. The opponent tumbled back, dazed and twitching before collapsing.

"Dude. What the heck." Johnny wasn't happy at all.

"Your Rattata was good. Just… wrong matchup." Kevin's face scrunched up when he saw this and knew that he was facing a tough opponent this time. But Ayan was moved that Kevin didn't move away from the fight and he actually came forward. 

And Kevin used a Caterpie. Ayan wasn't surprised at all. 

"Charmander, do you wish to continue or should I change?"

"Char!" (Don't you dare change me. I need to get powerful fast )

Ayan nodded by seeing his enthusiasm. And Charmander didn't disappoint at all. He overwhelmed Caterpie with just one shot and made the Pokémon unconscious. Both of the Bug catchers were now downtrodden. They came forward and proceeded to give him a total of 315 Poke dollars. 

And just when they were about to hand out Poke balls to Ayan, he asked. 

"Umm do you have anything else other than Poke balls?" 

"You.. You want more from us..." Johnny was a bit scared when Ayan asked that. 

"No.. No.. You understood me wrong. What I mean is instead of Poke balls are there any things that you have which could replace it? Like Poke cubes or berries?" Ayan asked. 

"Umm I have 10 Sweet Poke cubes with me.." Kevin hesitatingly said. 

"Oh. Then you can replace them with that." Ayan said. "Of course it is upto you how much you want to provide. I won't force you to do anything. If you don't want to share those cubes and only Poke balls, that is also fine." 

These words made the two young boys very happy and thus Kevin gave him 6 sweet Poke cubes and left after saying goodbye. Ayan was more than happy to receive those cubes. Though he knew that he didn't need the cubes right now as he had enough for a very long time, it was his test with the NPCs. 

It meant that he could always ask for other replacements and might get lucky with it, instead of just Poke balls. His endeavor proved right. And now he was back on the Route. 

The forest trail ahead was dappled in golden light now, the soft sun finally rising over the treetops. Shadows retreated, and dew glistened like silver threads across the grass. Ayan continued forward with a lighter step, still tuned into the Sinnoh Research Talkline as it crackled softly in the background.

He was just about to check his PokéDex again when a rustle to his right made him pause.

And then… he saw it.

A Pokémon stepped into the trail—low to the ground, electric-blue fur glinting in the morning light. Yellow eyes met his. Black-tipped ears perked up.

Shinx.

Ayan's breath hitched. He blinked once, twice—just to be sure. The feline Pokémon didn't vanish. It was real. It was right there. A Sinnoh-native Pokémon, here, right in front of him.

"It worked," he whispered. "The Sinnoh signal… it actually worked."

Excitement surged through his chest. Shinx was one of his favorites. Not just for its power, but for what it represented—agility, strength, and that glorious evolution into Luxray, a beast with x-ray vision and raw electric might.

He knew he had to catch it.

"Charmander," Ayan said, voice hushed but firm. The fire-type was already on alert, stepping up beside him with a low growl. The Shinx responded by lowering itself slightly, eyes glowing faintly. It was young—maybe level 3 or 4—but it still carried that wild spark, literally.

Ayan checked the PokéDex to confirm.

Level 3. Female.

"Alright, let's not scare her too much. Charmander—use Growl. Let's soften her up."

Charmander let out a low, rumbling growl that echoed across the clearing. Shinx flinched, muscles tensing—but didn't back off.

Then came the counter.