Industrial Cthulhu: Starting as an Island Lord - Chapter 156: The Gradually Moving War Machine

Set in a Pokéverse where the remnants of our civilization's Earth lie buried under the resurgent human/Pokémon societies, this epic Saga follows the protagonist through his journey to the heights of Pokemon Training and beyond, across a planet that was only saved from ecological disaster by an act of Arceus. As Humanity and Pokémon coexist in this fusion of settings, the story will explore themes of war, oppressive cults, and Shadow infusion, in a world where Pokémon healing and battles echo the anime in realistic, but not overtly graphic ways. Pokémon do not rip each other apart in Battles, though it can sometimes happen in the wild.This is a very long journey fic that's kind of a Crossover with everything. But with Pokémon. So you might see characters like Shaggy Rogers, or Izuku Midoriya, but with Pokémon teams. Pokémon legends like Red, Gary Oak, and the reigning World Champion, Ash Ketchum, are also, naturally, present in the setting. Think of this slice of the Pokéverse as one where it's all coming together.

Amid the steam of the industrial revolution, mysteries surge beneath the surface. Cults and secret societies seek the extraordinary in the shadows, while hidden gods gaze upon humanity from the heavens.Forbidden knowledge, sacrificial rituals, and forgotten histories—mystery is everywhere.Dorothy, unexpectedly transported to this increasingly bizarre world, discovers that to survive and move forward, she must adhere to one principle:Knowledge is power.And forbidden knowledge?That’s an even greater power!

The most dependable (sarcastic) assassin -- Gao Xuan.Developing himself with an inventory of powerful gear. A master of biding his time, backstabbing, and brutalizing weaklings.Don’t love me. Nothing would come out of this.I am an assassin without feelings.

At the movie premiere, a curious reporter notices the marks on Xia Siyu’s neck. “What’s that?”

Xia Siyu flicks her hair carelessly. “A mosquito bit me.”

After returning home, Bo Yan pins her against the wall, his voice teasing yet dangerous.

“A mosquito? Do I need to bite you again?”

Xia Siyu gains weight easily and is always fat shamed with words like being “as fat as a pregnant woman”. One day, she is mocked so harshly that she appears on the top searches. While everyone thinks of it as another joke, the movie star, Bo Yan, replies unexpectedly, “Thank you for your well wishes! Our baby is already three months old.”