Pokémon: Global Invasion

After making up his mind,

Ryoma began to recall Sandshrew’s stats, abilities, moves, and the plot from the anime…

First, Sandshrew's strengths should be attack and defense. As for stamina and speed, they could only be considered passable, while special attack and special defense were utterly weak.

Next was Sandshrew's abilities. If he remembered correctly, they should be Sand Veil and Sand Attack. Sand Veil could increase evasion in sandstorm weather, while Sand Attack could increase speed in sandstorm weather; both abilities were related to sandstorm conditions.

Thinking about sandstorm weather reminded him of traditional weather teams. If used properly, a weather team could definitely achieve victory over stronger opponents, even taking down a Legendary Pokémon wouldn’t be impossible.

Moreover, the real world is not like a game—every Small Pokémon can learn more than just the fixed four moves. Therefore, every Small Pokémon capable of learning weather moves could serve as a weather setter!

For instance, in the game, a sandstorm team could only rely on Tyranitar or Hippopotas with their sand-raising abilities. However, in reality, any Small Pokémon that can use Sandstorm could serve as a weather setter. He remembered that Sandshrew could learn this move as it leveled up.

This made his mind race with ideas. If he could actually create a sandstorm team as he envisioned, it would certainly help him rise quickly!

He quickly jotted down the keyword “Sandstorm Team” in his notebook and recalled more information about Sandshrew.

In terms of moves, Sandshrew mostly knows ground-type moves. Notably, Defense Curl and Rollout could combine to create a classic Rollout Strategy.

Defense Curl could raise the user’s defense by one stage, and when followed by Rollout, that attack would double in power.

Rollout allows Small Pokémon to continuously attack the opponent with a rolling attack for five turns, increasing in power each time it strikes.

According to Ryoma’s theory, the five-turn limit in the game was merely a game mechanic. In reality, as long as the Small Pokémon kept rolling, it should theoretically be able to maintain its rolling form for continuous attacks, though this would need to be tested.

Aside from Rollout, what interested Ryoma the most was the move Sand Attack.

In the Pokémon Special manga, Ash Ketchum caught a Sandshrew and used Sand Attack in a battle against Magmar to immobilize it with sand, which impressed Giovanni.

Therefore, Ryoma felt that Sand Attack would be an exceptionally useful move in reality. Besides Ash’s usage of it, it could also be used to obstruct an opponent’s vision or create sand walls to block attacks.

In addition to these two strategies, he recalled that Sandshrew could also learn Rapid Spin, which is an incredible move for removing entry hazards, and it seemed that Sandshrew could lay down spikes as well…

After considering all of this, Ryoma realized that Sandshrew seemed quite formidable! 

…

Three days passed in this manner.

With great anticipation, Ryoma was finally notified by the Alliance staff to go and choose his Sandshrew.

In the clearing outside Yukimura Village, families intending to select Sandshrew formed a circle around a trembling group of hundreds of Sandshrews.

These were the carefully selected Sandshrews deemed very suitable for new Trainers by the Alliance.

“Wow, wow, wow! These are live Small Pokémon! Which one should I choose?” 

“Come on, obviously you should pick the strongest one! That way, it’ll be strong enough to work!”

“That’s true… Hey, look, why does that Sandshrew have a different color? Could it be a genetic mutation?”

“Different color? It really is! What's going on with that green Sandshrew?”

“I guess it might be malnourished. Isn’t there an idiom that means ‘pale and thin’? I think this Sandshrew must be in the same situation!”

“Exactly, exactly! Lean and green, it makes perfect sense!”

The villagers began discussing the Sandshrew, and Ryoma naturally heard their conversation. Looking over, he indeed spotted the green Sandshrew they mentioned; it was exceptionally weak compared to its peers!

In that instant, Ryoma’s heart raced. Forget the pale and thin description—this is a shiny Small Pokémon!

Rolling his eyes, he realized what the problem was. Clearly, in the short time since Small Pokémon civilization had merged with this world, people had not yet recognized the rarity of shiny Small Pokémon.

Due to their different coloration, shiny Small Pokémon are often rejected by their peers. They generally live solitary lives without the protection of a group, leading to much poorer development compared to their counterparts.

However, in Ryoma's view, since these shiny Small Pokémon could survive alone without the protection of companions, they must possess their own unique qualities.

Shiny Small Pokémon are not necessarily strong, but those that survive the harshness of life must have remarkable abilities!

“Phew, while no one has noticed the unique qualities of the shiny Small Pokémon, I must grab it!” Ryoma nervously scanned the area, fearing that someone would snatch up the shiny Sandshrew!

Soon, the staff, having prepared, began to read from a list, calling out the names of families. Those named eagerly went up to select their Small Pokémon but, without exception, completely ignored the small, weak shiny Sandshrew, all opting instead for the biggest ones!

Actually, there’s nothing wrong with that strategy. Individuals with better development generally have much greater potential than their peers.

Fortunately, Ryoma’s family had registered early, so they were among the first ten. Soon, it was his turn.

“I choose that green Sandshrew.” Ryoma stepped forward and pointed directly at the shiny Sandshrew without hesitation.

Upon hearing Ryoma's choice, his father’s expression changed drastically. He quickly stepped in front of Ryoma and said, “You silly kid! With so many strong Sandshrews, why would you pick this scrawny one?”

“That's the one! I feel a connection with it!” Ryoma contemplated for a moment before saying.

A connection?

Ryoma's father looked bewildered. Had they only just met? 

Could it really be love at first sight?

“Anyway, it's that one! My sixth sense is very strong, and this Small Pokémon is definitely a very promising one!” Ryoma was unsure how to explain himself to his father and could only speak with firm conviction.

He decided to disregard everything else and go for it!

“Hey, hurry up! There are people waiting behind!” 

The villagers waiting to choose were all delighted to see Ryoma opting for that ‘inferior’ Sandshrew. Especially the person behind him, who was worried that Ryoma would choose the Sandshrew that he had his eye on, and he started urging them on fervently.