Alex begins his new life in the Pokemon world not as a heroic figure but as a penniless castaway in a clean Olivine City alleyway, staring down a friendly but foul-smelling Trubbish. After being rescued by Marty, a compassionate Pokemart clerk who offers him a warm shower and a bowl of instant ramen, Alex takes a job at the store to establish a legal identity and build up his starting funds. He spends his free time researching on the Pokenet, discovering that this reality is far more dangerous and complex than the games he played in his past life. He learns about the brutal nature of wild Pokemon, the chilling stories of people disappearing into the shadows, and the existence of legendary trainers like Red, who swept the Indigo League before disappearing. Alex decides to specialize in Fairy-type Pokemon to stand out and secure a future sponsorship, since training is incredibly expensive. After six months of hard work and saving every Pokedollar, he bids a heartfelt farewell to Marty and the local regulars, who gift him a Pokegear and a priceless veteran trainer's journal. Armed with these tools and a cheap baseball cap, Alex boards a series of transports to reach the Hoenn region, determined to start his journey in Mossdeep City where he plans to catch his very first Pokemon. He steps onto the humid docks of the island, ready to face the wild caverns and secure a partner that will help him rise through the ranks of the Pokemon League, completely unaware of the challenges and legendary figures that await him in the shadows of this tropical region. As he prepares to venture into the freezing depths of Shoal Cave with nothing but a backpack full of Pokedolls, he must steel his nerves against the terrifying rumors of aggressive predators that lurk in the dark, wondering if his very first step as a trainer will be his last.

Alex ventures into the treacherous, tide-flooded caverns of Shoal Cave with a daring and risky plan to catch an Alolan Vulpix as his starter. Armed only with cheap Pokedolls to distract wild predators, he navigates the freezing tunnels and narrowly escapes a terrifying encounter with a massive, aggressive Glalie. He stumbles into the nesting grounds of a regal Alolan Ninetales, where he is forced to intervene in a brutal battle between the Ninetales and the pursuing Glalie, jumping onto the frozen monster's back to save the majestic fox. His bravery earns the respect of the Ninetales, who allows her young Alolan Vulpix to join Alex as his very first partner. After registering at the Mossdeep Pokemon Center and equipping Vulpix with a rare Never-Melt Ice, Alex travels to Slateport City, where he explores the bustling market and buys a mysterious stone for a mere five hundred Pokedollars. He quickly realizes the stone is a priceless Metagrossite, a key to the legendary power of Mega Evolution, which the public mistakenly believes is a unique form change. His search history alerts the local authorities, and the next morning Alex is confronted by none other than Steven Stone, the Champion of Hoenn and heir to the Devon Corporation. Terrified of being arrested or exploited, Alex negotiates a high-stakes trade,