How Pokemon Cards Saved a Fan’s Life from a Stray Bullet: A True Story
In the quiet corners of rural America, where the sounds of nature often mingle with the occasional pop of a neighbor’s firearm, one Pokemon card collector experienced a moment that would change his life forever. For many, Pokemon cards are a nostalgic hobby—a colorful stack of cardboard that sparks joy, competition, and memories of childhood. But for one Reddit user, known as LolaInSlacks88, these cards became something far more profound: a literal shield against a life-threatening danger.
Via Reddit
This is the incredible true story of how a humble Incineroar theme deck stopped a 9mm bullet from piercing through a collector’s home, potentially saving his life. Shared on Reddit in early April 2025, the tale has captured the hearts of Pokemon fans and non-fans alike, proving that sometimes, the things we love most can protect us in ways we never imagined. In this article, we’ll dive deep into the details of that fateful night, explore the emotional weight of the experience, and reflect on what it means for collectors everywhere. Buckle up—it’s a wild ride.
Via The Mirror
A Quiet Sunday Shattered by Chaos
It was a typical Sunday morning in the countryside, the kind where the world feels slow and peaceful. LolaInSlacks88, a dedicated Pokemon card collector, was fast asleep in his rural home. The rolling hills and open fields around his property offered a sense of calm, a stark contrast to the hustle of city life. But that tranquility was about to be disrupted in a way he could never have predicted.
Via Complex Kari
“I live in the country, so it’s not unusual to hear gunshots,” LolaInSlacks88 later explained in his Reddit post. “Our next-door neighbor likes to shoot, and honestly, it’s just part of life out here.” But this neighbor, as LolaInSlacks88 would soon discover, wasn’t exactly following the safest practices. Unlike professional shooting ranges, which use berms—sturdy concrete walls or embankments designed to catch stray bullets—this neighbor’s makeshift setup had no such precautions.
Via Reddit
As LolaInSlacks88 slept, a series of loud explosions ripped through the early morning stillness. At first, he thought it was just the usual gunfire echoing across the fields. But something about these sounds felt different—closer, sharper, more unsettling. “It was like a string of firecrackers going off,” he recalled. “It startled me awake, and I just lay there for a second, trying to figure out what was happening.”
Then came another noise, one that sent a chill down his spine. “I heard something crash in my closet,” he said. “It sounded like a shelf had collapsed or something heavy had fallen.” Heart pounding, he climbed out of bed, his mind racing with possibilities. Was it an animal? A break-in? Or something else entirely? Barefoot and bleary-eyed, he shuffled toward the closet, unsure of what he’d find.
Via Reddit
A Shocking Discovery in the Closet
The closet in LolaInSlacks88’s bedroom was a treasure trove for any Pokemon fan. Tupperware bins lined the shelves, each one meticulously packed with cards, decks, and collectibles gathered over years of passion for the game. For LolaInSlacks88, these weren’t just pieces of cardboard—they were memories, milestones, and a source of endless joy. “I’ve been collecting since I was a kid,” he shared. “Every card has a story, whether it’s a trade with a friend or a lucky pull from a booster pack.”
Via Reddit
As he opened the closet door, his eyes scanned the familiar stacks of bins. But something was wrong. A small, jagged hole marred the wall, its edges rough and splintered. “I froze,” he said. “I just stood there, staring at it, trying to make sense of what I was seeing.” His gaze followed the hole’s path, and that’s when he noticed one of his Tupperware bins. The plastic was cracked, and a faint wisp of dust hung in the air as if something had punched through it.
Via News Break
With trembling hands, he pulled the bin from the shelf and pried it open. Inside, nestled among his carefully organized Pokemon cards, was something that made his stomach drop: a 9mm bullet, lodged deep within an Incineroar theme deck. The deck—a preconstructed set featuring the fiery, wrestling-inspired Pokemon—had taken the brunt of the impact. The bullet had torn through the box, shredding cards and plastic, before finally coming to a stop.
“I just sat there, holding the deck, trying to process it,” LolaInSlacks88 said. “There was a bullet in my Pokemon cards. A real, actual bullet.” The realization hit him like a tidal wave: this wasn’t just a random accident. This was a near miss that could have cost him his life.
Via Pubity
Piecing Together the Puzzle
As the initial shock began to fade, LolaInSlacks88 started to piece together what had happened. The hole in the wall lined up perfectly with the damaged bin, and the bin’s position was level with his bed. “If that deck hadn’t been there,” he said, his voice tinged with disbelief, “the bullet would have kept going. It could have hit me while I was sleeping.”
The thought was chilling. In the quiet of his bedroom, where he’d spent countless nights sorting cards or dreaming of his next big trade, a stray bullet had invaded his sanctuary. And the only thing standing between him and disaster? A stack of Pokemon cards, packed tightly enough to stop a 9mm round in its tracks.
Via Pubity
LolaInSlacks88’s mind turned to his neighbor, the one who’d been firing shots that morning. “I’ve talked to him before about being careful,” he said. “But he’s always brushed it off, saying he knows what he’s doing.” The lack of a berm or backstop—a basic safety measure for anyone shooting firearms—had turned a careless moment into a life-threatening incident.
“I was angry, but mostly I was scared,” LolaInSlacks88 admitted. “I kept thinking, ‘What if I hadn’t been so lucky? What if the bullet had gone a few inches to the left or right?’” He looked down at the mangled Incineroar deck, its once-vibrant artwork now scarred by the bullet’s path. “That’s when I realized how close I’d come to not waking up at all.”
Via Screen Rant
A Guardian Angel Named Incineroar
For Pokemon fans, every card holds a bit of magic. Whether it’s a rare Charizard or a common Pidgey, each one carries a spark of the game’s universe. For LolaInSlacks88, the Incineroar theme deck was no longer just a part of his collection—it was his protector, his “guardian angel Pokemon,” as he later called it.
Via Reddit
Incineroar, a Fire/Dark-type Pokemon known for its fierce demeanor and wrestling-inspired moves, seemed like the perfect hero for this story. “If any Pokemon was going to stop a bullet, it’s Incineroar,” LolaInSlacks88 joked. “That guy’s all about toughness and grit.” The deck, which included 60 cards designed for casual play, had absorbed the bullet’s force, its layers of cardboard and plastic acting like an impromptu bulletproof vest.
Via RACV
“I’ve never been happier to have piles of cardboard in my closet,” he said. “You always hear people say, ‘Oh, Pokemon cards are just a waste of money.’ But that deck? It was worth every penny.”
LolaInSlacks88 carefully extracted the bullet from the deck, marveling at how something so small could cause so much chaos. He set the damaged cards aside, unsure whether to frame them as a memento or tuck them away as a reminder of his brush with fate. “I’m not sure what I’ll do with them yet,” he said. “But they’re special now. They’re not just cards anymore.”
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Sharing the Story with the World
Like many collectors, LolaInSlacks88 was an active member of online Pokemon communities, where fans swapped stories, showed off their collections, and debated the finer points of the game. That afternoon, still reeling from the morning’s events, he decided to share his story on Reddit. “I just needed to get it out there,” he said. “I figured other collectors would appreciate how wild this was.”
Under the username LolaInSlacks88, he posted a detailed account of the incident, complete with photos of the bullet hole, the damaged Tupperware bin, and the Incineroar deck with its unmistakable wound. The post, titled something along the lines of “My Pokemon Cards Stopped a Bullet,” quickly gained traction in the Pokemon subreddit, drawing hundreds of upvotes and comments within hours.
“Talk about a critical hit,” one commenter wrote, referencing the game’s term for a powerful attack. Another joked, “I’m going to show my wife this as justification to buy more cards!” The lighthearted responses brought a smile to LolaInSlacks88’s face, but it was the outpouring of concern that touched him most. “In all seriousness, so glad you’re okay,” the same commenter added. “That’s insane.”
Others were curious about the aftermath. Had he confronted his neighbor? Reported the incident to the police? “I did!” LolaInSlacks88 replied. “The police came out, took statements, and looked at the damage. Of course, no one admitted to firing the shot, but they’ve stopped using their property like a shooting range, so hopefully they learned their lesson.”
The Reddit thread became a space for reflection, humor, and camaraderie. Fans shared their own stories of close calls, while others marveled at the sheer luck of the situation. “Your Incineroar deserves a medal,” one user wrote. “That’s the ultimate MVP.”
The Legacy of the Incineroar Deck
As the weeks passed, LolaInSlacks88 began to settle back into his routine, though the incident was never far from his mind. He replaced the damaged Tupperware bin and patched the hole in his wall, but the Incineroar deck remained untouched. “I can’t bring myself to throw it out,” he said. “It’s like a piece of history now.”
He considered framing the deck, bullet and all, as a conversation piece for his home. “It’d be a heck of a story to tell guests,” he said with a grin. For now, though, it sits in a special box, a reminder of the day his hobby became his hero.
The incident also changed the way LolaInSlacks88 approached his collection. “I used to stress about keeping everything in mint condition,” he said. “But now? I’m just happy to have them. A few dings or scratches don’t matter as much anymore.” He’s even started buying more theme decks, including another Incineroar one to honor his “guardian angel.”
A Lesson in Gratitude and Resilience
At its core, LolaInSlacks88’s story is about more than just a bullet and a stack of cards. It’s about finding meaning in the things we love, even when the world feels unpredictable. For LolaInSlacks88, Pokemon cards have always been a source of comfort and creativity, a way to connect with others and escape the stresses of everyday life. Now, they’re a symbol of resilience, a reminder that even the smallest things can make a big difference.
“I’ll never look at my collection the same way,” he said. “Every time I open a pack or sort through my binders, I’m going to think about that night. It’s like my cards were looking out for me.”
For the millions of Pokemon fans around the world, this story is a rallying cry—a celebration of the unexpected ways their hobby can shine. Whether you’re a casual player, a competitive deck-builder, or a collector with bins full of cardboard, LolaInSlacks88’s experience is a reminder to hold tight to what brings you joy. After all, you never know when it might just save your life.
