One Punch 'Mon - Chapter 1

One Punch ‘Mon

A silly Hitmonchan Pokémon SI.

The sun shone brightly upon the city of Saffron. Humans and Pokémon, wild and not, went about their day without worry. Construction work being done with humans guiding and doing the more meticulous tasks, while Machoke, and a Machop or two handled the more physically taxing ones. Growlithe and their police officers walked their assigned routes, smiling as they helped give newcomers and visitors directions to a variety of destinations. Old ladies and their grandchildren fed Pidgey while playing with a Rattata. Electricians worked on fixing conduits with a Magnemite and Voltorb beside them to absorb or redirect electrical energy. Life was normal.

Until it wasn’t.

A powerful explosion of fire erupted from the rooftop of corporate building near the center of the city. Every human and ‘mon stopped with a jolt, looking towards the source in a stunned reaction before more explosion rung out, causing shock, then panic as debris began falling to the ground from the top floors of the building that now burned uncontrollably.

Floating above the burning building, an Alakazam was surrounded by a dark purple aura of malevolent power. It cried out loudly as it raised its hands, spoons shining brightly as star like bolts of energy fired out and impacted into other nearby buildings, exploding windows and sections of the floors within. Doing harm to people and Pokémon alike with the unrestrained assault.

Behind Alakazam flew a man upon a Fearow, who look stereotypically like a maddened scientist. Bedraggled hair, older in age, wearing goggles that covered crazy eyes. He laughed maniacally as more buildings exploded from continued attacks of the powerful psychic Pokémon.

“Yes! Yes! Destroy them all Alakazam! Show them the power of my genius! They called me insane for the booster collar you now wear! Enslavement they called it! Put you into a frenzy they said! Well, look who is laughing now!”

Alakazam paid no mind as he unleashed a wave of force from a telekinetic attack that ended up ripping the top portion of a skyscraper off, making it float into the air in a purple aura before being flung into another building, causing it to shake and then lean into another building. People within the three structures giving into instinct to run from the threat, causing absolute bedlam. Pokémon within said buildings reacted as poorly, the bigger and stronger ones actually becoming aggressive in the protection of their charges, looking for ways to fight back or escape, while smaller and weaker Pokémon sought refuge and protection with their owners.

The mad man stared in awe at the telekinetic feat before laughing even louder.

“The booster has gone beyond even my expectations! HA HA HA~, with this I could become unstoppable! The military, the Pokémon League, even Team Rocket will come crawling to gain my creation!”

Down below, emergency services worked frantically to get people out of the area, while available Pokémon trainers who were pulled in to help used their teams to do a variety of things. From teleporting or flying people and Pokémon out of nearby buildings, to putting out fires with water and ground types, to stabilizing debris as people and Pokémon alike were dug out.

Some trainers took to the air to fight the aggressive Pokémon, only to be slapped down by powerful telekinetic force and even knocked out with hypnosis while in midair. The psychotic scientist cackled as he cheered on the destruction and mayhem, uncaring for the lives he was harming, and even potentially ending.

“More! More! Destroy EVERYTHING!”

The empowered Pokémon moved to comply when suddenly a burst of wind blew by, followed by a powerful concussive wave and deafening bang. All these things forced the Fearow and its rider to adjust as they cried out in surprise and pain.

“What the hell was-“ the mad scientist turned Maniac began to ask before noticing his Alakazam was no longer floating in the air but instead imprinted into the roof of a nearby building, seemingly unconscious.

“What!? HOW DID THAT-“

The sight of a capped figure landing on the roof pulled his attention, and he realized what had just happened. He snarled as he and Fearow zoomed down beside the fallen Pokémon.

He glared down at the fallen Pokémon, shaking in rage before yelling out.

“You dare to attack me and my Pokémon! Who the hell do you think you are you bastard!”

His rage paused in surprise when the capped figure revealed itself as it stood up, showing it wasn’t a person, but a Pokémon. A Hitmonchan. His eyes shifted, looking for its trainer, only to top when the Pokémon…spoke.

“Me? I’m just a Pokémon who plays hero now and then.” The Hitmonchan spoke in fluent…human.

The Maniac stared in shock before he started to giggle, which slowly became a chuckle, and ended in a full cackle.

“A talking P-Pokémon…now that’s either a good prank, or an incredible feat.” The man stated before looking around. “Very clever of you trainer! Now show yourself and face my wrath!”

Hitmonchan stared flatly, as if it had suffered this regularly.

“I said COME OUT NOW!” the Maniac showed irately “Before I destroy this Pokémon for your impudence!”

“Ain’t happening pal. I’m my own ‘Mon, thank you very much.” Hitmonchan replied casually, forcing the Maniac to stare at the Pokémon, and realizing it was actually speaking. The gears in his head churned for a moment before a grin grew.

“Geez. That’s one crazy stare you got bub. Now…you wanna stop doing what you’re doing now?” Hitmonchan asked.

“Stop!? Foolish Pokémon! I’m in possession of great power thanks to my invention, and no trainer, or Pokémon is gonna stop me. After I deal with you, I’ll see about experimenting on you, and see what makes you so different! Fearow! Aerial Ace!”

The bird Pokémon, whose own collar reacted to the order, followed the order. Visible wisps of wind appeared about the bird, and it struck with lightning speed. An explosion of wind, and light resounded across the roof top.

“As if a fighting type was ever a match for a flying type! Especially with my Booster Collar increasing a Pokémon’s power by ten times! Nothing can stop-“

The body of Fearow impacting into the roof, imprinting itself beside Alakazam, blowing dust and wind in all directions, cut the tirade of the Maniac off. His maniacal expression frozen in shock, as his mind played catch up to reality. When it did, he jolted with a frightened yelp, flabbergasted at the two Pokémon having been rendered unconscious.

“Was that it? Those collar things didn’t make them very strong at all.” Hitmonchan announced as he stepped out of the dust the attack kicked up. “Then again, that was the point of all my efforts.” It mumbled, as if reminding itself of an important fact.

Fear and anger raged in the Maniac, and he snarled as he pulled out his last Pokeball.

“You think you’re strong! Well then face my strongest Fighter! Go Snorlax!”

The ball exploded open in light, revealing not only a Snorlax, but a very large one, that had a collar on it.

“My Snorlax isn’t your average Snorlax! He’s what one would call an Alpha Pokémon! Bigger, and stronger! The Apex of his species! And with my Booster Collar, ten times stronger than even that! A true Monster!”

Snorlax, its eyes red, and seemingly without life in them, growled out a cry of aggression that shook the roof. Its aura blew away the dust, kicking up wind, causing the lab coat and debris to billow wildly. The Maniac chortled with malice at the sheer power of his greatest Pokémon.

Hitmonchan just stared at it, impressed at the spectacle.

“Now, Snorlax, show this fooltrue power! GIGA-IMPACT!”

Snorlax growled out, and its body flashed with power before charging, and slamming into Hitmonchan. The impact thundered through the air, causing nearby windows to shatter, and the roof to crumble under the force.

The Maniac grinned, in awe at the power displayed.

“Nothing can stop me. Nothing. Especially some random, talking Pokémon calling itself a part-time hero.”

He paused when he noticed that Snorlax began shaking.

“What? Snorlax, what’s wrong?”

Suddenly, Snorlax was lifted up and tossed into the air. The Maniac’s eyes goggled in realization as it was flying at him, and he jumped out of the way just in time. It didn’t stop the Snorlax from impacting, imprinting, and falling through the roof to the floor below, unconscious like the other Pokémon.

“What…but…how…”

“I have to say. That wasn’t bad.”

Slowly, the Maniac turned to stare at the Hitmonchan dusting itself off, with no damage to it whatsoever.

“But fortunately…I trained to not be hurt that easily.”

“But…that’s…impossible!” The Maniac shouted.

“I’m a magical animal thing that shaped like a man, with boxing gloves for hands, that can literally punch near the speed of light.” Hitmonchan replied dryly.

Then suddenly its features…sharpened, glaring at him.

“Impossible is for people like you.”

The Maniac felt terror in that instant, before his vision was filled with red from a gloved fist, and then darkness.

===

https://i.redd.it/z03p90ypwk021.png
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d-sMiaE4aW4

===

“Continuing our top story, for the viewers just tuning in, Saffron City had suffered an unprovoked terrorist attack by a former Pokémon Engineer named “Edward Folsten”. His reasoning for his actions was to strike back at society and his company for firing him, mainly due to his controversial ideas. Among them was the creation of a “Booster Collar” that would increase the power of a Pokémon many times beyond their normal abilities, but seemingly at the cost of a Pokémon’s ability to keep control of itself. Essentially putting the Pokémon into a “Frenzy”, rendering the Pokémon mindless, but controlled by the collars. This had caused outcry within the company, and by groups aware of-“

Hitmonchan ignored the TV as he cooked his dinner, rice and stir-fry in his small cubbyhole of an apartment in the slum-side of the city.

“Well. That’s that then. Another day in the life.”

On one hand, he was glad things ended well. On the other, he was irritated by his own actions. Putting himself into the spotlight where people can see him, possibly, and then bother him to become a partner or a battler, when all he wanted was to be a hermit.

Well…maybe not a hermit, but to be left alone at any rate. He worked his ass off just to be able to live that way after all.

His thoughts went back and once again was amazed at the time that has gone by.

“Hard to believe it’s been two years. Man. Time flies.”

Setting the stove to low-burn, allowing the rice to cook, Hitmonchan got lost in his thoughts. Once again thinking back to the day he first awoke into this world, as the Pokémon he is.

=== Two Years Ago ===

The city was lit up, night having arrived and giving it an orange glow.

Hitmonchan, face gaunt from hunger, stress, and exhaustion dug through the dumpster behind the restaurant. Pulling out the tossed spaghetti and bread that was fresh from the table, he chowed down greedily, not caring that the food had been eaten previously. Coming back to reality, he quickly placed the food into a plastic bag, and left quickly before anyone came out and accosted him, or attacked him outright as he had been a few nights before.

Finding a shadowy place, he continued to eat, more sedately, but cautiously as he watched for roaming Pokémon.

Despite being hidden, the night was when the aggressive and territorial Pokémon came out. He had gotten his ass kicked by a pack of Meowth, and nearly eaten whole by a roaming Muk that thought he was garbage due to the spot he slept.

His caution wasn’t enough as a voice sounded out, making him almost choke in fear.

“Well, well, well. Look at this, boys. We got a trespasser.”

Hitmonchan looked up, and saw red eyes. Dozens. With purple bodies to go with them. Rattata. At the head, a Raticate, leering down at him.

It jumped down before Hitmonchan, towering over the sitting fighting type. Sharpened teeth capable of tearing through steel before his eyes as he stared up hopelessly at the stronger Pokémon.

“And just what do you think you’re doing here? Didn’t you know this place is our turf punk?”

Hitmonchan looked down. “Not really. I only just got here. I don’t know nothing about anything.”

“Hmmm? Is that so?” The giant rat replied, sniffing, before looking down.

“That food looks mighty good. Since you’re a new comer, and I can smell you telling the truth by the way, I’ll let you being here slide this one time, if you hand over the food without a fuss.”

Without a thought, Hitmonchan slowly place it down before the Raticate before wrapping his arms around his knees.

“Now this is how things are done! That’s a good boy.” Raticate laughed in a mocking tone.

“So, what’s a Pokémon like you doing here? You fighting types are usually around them humans, being their pets and all.”

Not seeing any reason to make things harder, Hitmonchan answered.

“To be honest, I don’t really even know.”

“Hmm?”

“I only just woke up awhile ago. Alone, in an alleyway, and without a clue to where I was, or what I was. Now I’m just wandering the streets, finding food where I can, and hunkering down where I can without getting beaten up to badly before I can figure out what to do. Given how it’s going so far, I don’t think I’m gonna last very long. You could kill me right now and I couldn’t really stop it.”

The Rattata giggled and laughed lightly, but Raticate grinned evilly before picking up the bag of food.

“Y’know kid. I was gonna kick your ass for fun despite the food, but I can sense the hopelessness in you. Your eyes are hollow. Seeing a fighting type like this was enough to entertain me, so I’ll really let you off the hook for tonight. I’ll even give you a free piece of advice since you’re so new. These alleyways belong to us, and other Pokemon. So stay out of them if you wanna stay in one piece, especially with me. Because the next time, I’ll definitely give you an ass kicking since you obviously didn’t value what I’m saying to you now.”

Turning to the pack of rats, the Raticate shouted.

“Let’s go boys! We got more hunting tonight!”

Then seconds later, the pack was gone, and Hitmonchan sat alone in the dark.

He glared into that dark, angry at his weakness, at not being able to use any abilities that come with being a Pokémon, at being afraid. He stood up and smacked his glove shaped hand into the brick wall, leaving a loud smack echoing into the air.

“…I will get stronger…so that I will never be the weak one again!”

=== Present ===

Hitmonchan stared at nothing as he thought of the times then. He left those alleyways and began his journey. It was tough. Having to learn to read a new language, and to speak human again instead of just variations of his own name, actually learning to do tasks with his damned glove shaped hands, and all the while training himself to the bone to be the strongest Pokémon he can be. Learning every technique and move he was capable of doing. Now, he was strong. Strong enough to not be threatened, or in some cases, even harmed by battles anymore.

It occurred to him that he was more or less becoming the meme he remembered from his old life as a human. Hitmonchan and Saitama in that crossover comic from once upon a time in his life left behind. While it wasn’t what inspired him to become strong, he couldn’t help but remember it once he was able to think about things without worrying about being captured or beaten in a real fight. He got himself a cape for the hell of it.

Now, much to his occasional amusement, but mostly self-deprecating observations, he was that character now.

The alarm sounded, interrupting his thoughts as he turned off the stove and removed the food from the wok and pot.

“Hmm…I’ll see about berries tomorrow.”

=== Next Day ===

The forest was silent, when normally it would be filled with the sound of wild Pokémon doing their daily routines.

The swarm of Beedrill flying through revealed why that wasn’t the case.

The Beedrill were bleeding ichor and flapping erratically as they buzzed through the forest directionless. Their minds were filled with fear, and they worked as a singular unit to keep their enemies from catching them, and to protect the singular egg the Praetorian Guard carried. A larger than normal egg that seemed to be shinier than normal.

They had been about to fly over a creek when their enemy suddenly appear from the sky, and screeched. The Beedrill panicked and flew about wildly while their enemy expertly flew and attacked. Beedrill were suddenly cut to pieces, flying apart as the Praetorian Guard literally flew to their death to protect their charge. The attacker laughed as it cut them apart, splattering ichor across itself and shuddered at the scent and taste of its kill.

“Yes. This is glorious!” It cried out in joy as it sought to kill more.

The remaining Beedrill that kept their minds focused communicated to the Praetorian in their own way to run, they would fight.

Without a word, but the chemical scent of understanding, the two remaining Pokémon flew off, egg in stinger arms, as the remnants closed in, knowing they may die, but buy time for the hive to survive.

“Running won’t save them! It just means they’ll be the last ones!” the killer jeered as it struck.

===

Hitmonchan punched the tree, and all of the berries came falling to the ground. The small group of wild Pokémon, Rattata, Pikachu, Caterpie, and more, cheered as they came and took their share. They helped gather berries up and gave Hitmonchan his larger share for helping them harvest the trees.

“This is a lot of food! Sure you need it all?” A Sandshrew asked as Hitmonchan placed his share of berries into his hyper-dimensional backpack.

“It sets me up for a good while. Plus, it helps me stay independent.” He replied.

“Man. Wish I could do that.” The Sandshrew replied enviously.

“Find a trainer. They’re not that bad you know.”

“No way! I want the food, but I don’t want to lose my freedom!” Sandshrew scoffed. Some Pokémon agreed with him.

Hitmonchan just shrugged, before pausing as a buzzing sound filled the air.

“Beedrill?” he asked rhetorically, and noticed the group of Pokémon suddenly take off running, or flying, or digging in the case of the Sandshrew.

Hitmonchan stood and glanced over towards the buzzing and saw two Beedrill flying fast with a large egg. They hit an open field when suddenly a shriek filled the air, and the two Beedrill were cut into pieces. The egg landed and tumbled in the tall grass, but came to a stop when a green clawed foot stepped on it.

Hitmonchan’s eyes narrowed at the Pokémon that just appeared. The arm bladed Pokémon, Scyther.

It…she cackled. “That was a fun hunt! A whole hive slaughtered, eggs crushed, Weedle and Kakuna smashed.”

It leered down at the egg under her clawed foot, and grinned wickedly. “Except for this one. I think I’ll eat you instead. I’ve earned a royal meal after all.”

She raised her foot and smashed down, only for her foot to meet dirt and grass.

“…Eh?”

The rustle of grass alerted her, and she whirled around, blades ready, and saw her meal and Hitmonchan.

“Isn’t that a little much? I mean, hunting is one thing, but it sounds more like you just slaughtered them.”

“What?” she replied, bewildered. ‘Who the hell is this guy!?’

“I mean, if you were hungry, there are better ways of getting food. Plus, now you’ve destabilized the whole system here. Someone has to fill in that space the Beedrill had now. That gonna be you?” the Hitmonchan asked.

Instead of replying, Scyther just rushed and struck out with her blade, intending to disembowel the interloper. Instead, the blade was caught in its gloved hand, and her eyes widened in shock.

‘He caught my attack!?’

“And given the way you attacked me, something tells me you’re some kind of a bitch.” Hitmonchan said wryly.

Scyther began to do an excellent impression of a Scizor as rage colored her face red from the insult.

“What I do is none of your business! Nor do I care what happens to this forest! I hunt where and what I like! And now, I’m gonna hunt you!” Scyther shrieked in his face before pulling out of his grip.

“Oh! Wow! That wasn’t bad.” Hitmonchan grinned, impressed at her breaking of his grip.

“Oh, you have no idea!” She jeered as she began sharpening her blades, wisps of orange light in the shape of sword blades appearing about her. Purplish light appeared about her as well, before she struck out with a blade with a blood thirst cheer.

Only for her blades to be caught again.

She gasped in shock, and quickly broke the grip again. Hitmonchan just giving a dumb grin as she did so.

It only made her angrier.

“Alright! No more holding back! I’ll show you why I’m the greatest hunter!”

“Okay.”

She growled as orange and pink light flowed over her again and again, until she sighed, and grinned wickedly.

“My power and speed are at their highest!”

She disappeared from sight, only a blur of her form appearing in the air around the field, and many seemingly at once.

“My speed makes me untouchable now! My blades can cut through even human steel! Not even you can catch my attacks now. DIE!”

She shrieked her warcry as she flew in to strike. A Scyther of her level knew many attacks, and she had the right one for this one. She crossed her blades for an X-Scissor attack and struck. The grass was cut, and the earth rended into the air with a metallic clash that ended with a boom.

She laughed hard, until Hitmonchan leaned over her shoulder, causing her laughter to end with a ‘Gurk’.

“Wow. That was impressive. I can see why you got all those Beedrill.”

She jolted in panic and flew out of his range quickly, floating in the air as her wings buzzed. She panted as her heart rate flew among the clouds, her eyes wide as dinner plates.

“How…did you...”

“Hmm? Oh…I just stepped out of the way. I mean, you were right behind me and diving in. It was pretty obvious.” He replied casually.

“Obvious.” She repeated lightly for a moment, before rage filled her. Her eyes went completely white as she began to go into a frenzy and screeched as she went for the kill.

A fist met her face, and she was sent flying through the woods, and into the distance.

“…crazy bug girl.” Hitmonchan grumbled.

The sound of cheering filled the air, and he looked over to see a crowd of Pokémon. The same ones who allowed him to get his berries in their territory.

“That was amazing!” shouted a Pikachu.

Hitmonchan rubbed the back of his head awkwardly, embarrassed.

“It was, though I believe you now have another enemy.” Came a female voice.

Looking up, Hitmonchan saw the leader of the territory. A pink Butterfree.

“Yeah…it’s no big deal though. Not anymore anyways.”

Butterfree sighed. “You never let things be, do you.”

“Well…she was gonna kill a kid. I have a thing about that.”

“Yes. Speaking of which, what are you gonna do with the egg now, since you’ve taken responsibility for it?”

Hitmonchan froze, and slowly glanced at the egg in question.

“uhh…” then he looked pleadingly at Butterfree.

She simply giggled. “You are too easy at times. Do not worry. I will take care of the young one within. She will become a new queen in time.”

Hitmonchan felt relief. “Thanks. I can’t really take care of a kid like Weedle.”

“It’s no issue. Though I think you should leave…mmm…a quarter of your share in exchange.” She said, her eyes shiningly in amusement.

Hitmonchan drooped. “Of course.”

===

It was night in Saffron City, and Hitmonchan walked tiredly homeward through its streets and alleys when a voice sounded out.

“Hey punk! This is our turf!” shouted a pair of wild Machoke. They flexed and looked tough as Hitmonchan walked towards them.

“Pay the toll and we won’t-“ one was speaking before both suddenly were sent flying with a resounding pow of a punch. Both landed, and were unconscious, and Hitmonchan kept walking, yawning as he looked forward to his bed.

“Just another day in the life.”

===

The forest was alive with the sounds of nocturnal Pokémon going about their nightly tasks, when a sudden gasp filled the air. Panting followed, and Scyther looked about.

“Where…why am I?...”

Memories came to the fore, and with it, rage…and then happiness...and hunger.

“…Oh…the Hunt is on.”