Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

It took a long time to set in that I was on life number two, but when it did, oh boy, was that an existential crisis and a half. Especially for a 6-year-old, Mom and her Pyroar were worried sick that day. Because, oh yeah, I was in New Bark Town, in the Pokémon World. It took me a bit to really adjust to that, but once I did?

I was ecstatic.

I mean, what person with any fond memories of Pokémon wouldn’t be stoked to find out they get to live out that particular childhood dream? Though obviously there were quite a few changes from the more family-friendly worlds the games and anime often presented. This world is my reality now, and despite the magical creatures, reality is still the harshest mistress. Probably why the age to go on a journey was actually 15 instead of 10, not to mention the rigorous tests applicant trainers needed to undergo.

Being a Pokémon trainer was a very dangerous occupation, it was far from sunshine and rainbows, even in Ho-oh’s regional domain. People died out there every day from threats ranging from violent shifts in weather to rampaging Pokémon that could casually reshape entire landscapes if they stubbed their toe or something. And that's not even counting the Pokémon that will just flat out hunt you for sport like Weavile, or the more mundane problems like being able to properly care for a team, keeping yourself fed, roughing it in the wild for weeks at a time, managing dynamics within the team to make sure your monsters don’t kill each other let alone you.

Yeah, Pokémon training was a taxing career for countless reasons. As a result, most people drop out pretty quickly with a small handful of loyal companions. But the few who could endure? Who could thrive? They were legends in their own right. Lance Blackthorn, Steven Stone, Cynthia Carolina, Alder Vallen, Diantha Carnet and Leon Dande just to name the most notable examples.

And regardless of everything I would have to face, I wanted to stand among them. Luckily, I had several advantages when it came to the tests in the form of all my old life knowledge and the advantage of my new parents being a frankly insane fountain of information on the world I was re-born into. Mom was a retired Pokémon performer from Kalos who had even made it to a few Master Class Showcases with her trusty partners. Dad, on the other hand, was a Johto native and an esteemed researcher specializing in evolution and Pokémon palaeontology. He and Mom had apparently met in Kalos when dad was an apprentice under the regional professor of the time alongside Sycamore. It was love at first sight according to both of them.

Eventually, they returned to Johto to settle down and help Dad’s old college roommate to construct the New Bark town lab after the old Cherrygrove Lab lost funding for some reason, and yes, that does mean my Dad’s college roommate was Professor Adrian Elm himself.

They don't tell you that type of stuff in the games.

So yeah, with all that going for me as well as my own studies, was it any wonder I was acing every mandatory exam to become a trainer there was? And today it was all going to pay off. League season was starting soon, and I was of age to begin a journey all my own.

So, as I geared up to face the world in dark outdoor pants, hiking boots, a white shirt and red hoodie. My Pokégear was fully charged and packed with all the essentials for a life on the road, and, of course, a Johto league branded hat styled like an ultra ball. As I looked at myself in the mirror, I took on the form that has become so familiar to me over the last decade and a half. A solid height for my age, at 5 '8 with an earned swimmer's build of compact muscle and an angular face crowned with an unruly mess of dark hair hidden beneath my cap. And the eyes that looked back were still my own, the same dark blue from my previous life. And if that description sounds familiar, then you know exactly who I wound up reborn as.

“ETHAN BREAKFAST IS READY! C’MON, YOUR PANCAKES ARE GETTING COLD”

A feminine voice with a slight Kalosian accent(It still surprised me just how much like a French accent it was) shouted from elsewhere in the house. With a grin, I turned from the mirror and sprinted downstairs, pancakes waited for no one after all. Especially with Mom’s glutton of a Chesnaught in the house.

“I’M COMING MOM! DON’T YOU DARE LET SPIKE EAT THEM AGAIN!”

As I barrelled into the kitchen, the hulking behemoth of a grass/fighting type looked suitably chastised while a lounging Pyroar looked on from her lavish bed in amusement. The kitchen table was laid out with a truly glorious breakfast spread. The table was being laid by my mother's ever loyal Gardevoir, who bowed in greeting to me as the woman herself finished taking bacon off the grill. She was a bit taller than me at 5’10 with violet hair tied back in a ponytail that reached the back of her neck. She bore the same blue eyes that I did and gazed at me with maternal affection.

“Morning son!” She chirped excitedly. “All set for the big day?”

“Morning Mom.” I greeted her with a smile as I moved to her three partners in the room. “Nala, nice to see you awake enough to see me off.” As I approached the normally lazy Pyroar, her affectionate mewl was all I needed to hear as I scratched the spot behind her ears that she couldn’t get by herself. Let it be known, even fire-breathing lions are still just cats at heart.

A scoff echoed in my mind as Gardevoir’s telepathic voice spoke to us. “As if she would miss you heading out, the big softy will probably miss you the most out of all of us.”

“Oh? Sure you're not projecting a bit there, Jeanne? Not going to miss my cinnamon crunch poke-puffs?”

My mother’s punk of a Gardevoir paused, an expression of horror coming over her face at my grin. “You’ll share the recipe with me, right?”

My evil grin only widened as the Chesnaught next to the table chuckled, but my ribbing of the fairy type did not prevent me from noticing my mother's starter slowly inching a hand towards my breakfast. Again.

“Spike, don’t you dare!”

With a pout, the grass type backed off, as I took my seat and began to dig in. Can’t give that opportunist a third chance after all. Mom and Jeanne joined a few seconds later taking seats for themselves and the meal passed in a peaceful and comfortable silence. We all knew it would be the last meal we would share for a while, until eventually Mom broke the silence.

“So are you going to stick to the plan you laid out, son?”

“I intend to.” I replied, swallowing my final bit of oran pancakes. “Quick trip through Cherrygrove and North to Violet to start my journey.”

Mom hummed in contemplation, a worried frown marring her features. “Are you sure I can’t convince you to travel with Lyra for a bit? I know that she’s getting teleported out to Cianwood and traveling back, but it might be good for you to start out traveling with someone else.”

“Mom.” I sighed, this was hardly the first time we’d had this conversation. “Lyra’s going to visit her uncle in town. They've rarely gotten to see each other, since he became a gym leader, I can't interrupt that. Besides, I'll have a partner with me. I promise I’ll be fine.” I spoke with what I hoped was a comforting smile.

Meanwhile, Mom’s frown only dimmed slightly as she let out a breath in resignation. “I know sweetheart, but a mother worries. Just promise me you’ll be safe, OK?”

“I promise I’ll try to be as safe as possible.”

Jeanne chose that moment to chime in. “Oh please Lexi, we both know he can’t get into more trouble than you and Gordon did. I still haven’t forgotten the Annistar Boutique Incident.” Her smug aura dominating the room. Out of the corner of my eyes I caught Spike and Nala rolling their eyes while my mother blushed and sputtered indignantly.

“Anyway.” I cut in to try and spare my mother any more embarrassment. “I should probably head out, I still need to say goodbye to the other three before I head to the lab. Might as well see Nero off too when I get there. And I still need to meet up with Crystal and Lyra.” As I moved to gather the dishes, Jeanne’s psychic energy grabbed the plate from my hands as well as every other dish from the table and quickly moved them to a sink that was already rapidly filling with soapy water.

“Nuh uh, no chores for you today. Hire us a butler when you’re a champion, eh?”

I shook my head in amusement as I rose from my chair to give my Mom a hug. “Right, I’ll keep that in mind Jeanne.” Mom's arms wrapped around me in a gentle embrace as we simply held each other for a while.

“I love you son. I know you’re going to make us so proud. I know your dad wishes he could see you off today too, but I think you’ll need to give him a call when you get to Cherrygrove. I heard he has a surprise for you.”

Now that got my attention. “Well, I guess I know what I’m doing first. Don’t suppose I’m lucky enough that he was able to swing a fossil for me?”

Mom’s flat look was all the answer I needed to that particular question as I sighed.

“Yeah, that seems about right. OK, I had better say my goodbyes, later everyone! I Love you all.”

In a flurry of motion, I kissed my Mother on the cheek, fist bumped Spike, gave Nala a farewell scratch and finally pulled Jeanne into a hug before she could react. All that earned me was a strangled yelp and a one-way ticket out the open window as the testy fairy type reacted with embarrassed instinct. As I lay on the grass, listening to my mom tear into the embarrassed psychic, I could only laugh. It always amused me how the ‘Embrace Pokémon’ was apparently allergic to hugs.

As I lay there, a questioning chirp came from above me as a shadow loomed over my head and blocked out the sun. The curious yellow eyes of Sonata, my mother's faithful Noivern, looked down at me while Charm, my mothers Pachirisu, could only join me in laughter from their perch between the dragon’s large speaker-esque ears.

I could hear Gummi the Gastrodon letting out a gargling sigh from his spot in a small pool in our front yard. I felt bad for him honestly, he was probably the only sane one in this madhouse while Dad was in Sinnoh.

So as I picked myself up to bid my farewells to the other half of my Mom’s old performance troop, I could only smile. Just another day in the wonderful world of Pokémon.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

As I left my family home before me or my mother could get too emotional in our farewells, I made haste to get to Professor Elm’s lab. I had already gotten a message from my fellow trainers who were receiving starters today that they were waiting for me just at the bottom of the hill where the lab was situated.

Turns out that Newbark town is significantly larger than any of the games conveyed, it was still a small community, but damn if it wasn’t a tight-knit one. Most of them were fellow researchers who flocked to the Elm preserve to study the Pokémon the professors' various sponsors had boarding there. It was a place where normally very rare or temperamental Pokémon could be studied in relative peace, as even the rowdiest of dragons were known to behave themselves on the reserve lest they earn the ire of its effective rulers. The revered ace Pokémon of Elm and my own father, no matter what type of Pokémon was on the reserve, they all had one thing in common.

None wanted an angry Tyrantrum or Slowking on their case.

Honestly, I could never see myself being scared of either of them. Not because an angry hyper-intelligent psychic or super-dinosaur wasn’t a terrifying concept, but because I have only ever known them to be complete goobers. Elm’s Slowking, Merlin, was the definition of an intelligent idiot. Incredibly introspective and philosophical with a sage-like wisdom that would leave monks seeking enlightenment green with envy, yet he still needed the concept of a toaster explained to him on a weekly basis.

Meanwhile, Nero, dear sweet Nero. For the Pokémon equivalent of the most famous and fearsome dinosaur, he acted like an Arceus damn Yamper. The big bastard is large enough to swallow a man whole, but all he wants are hugs. You know maybe an enthusiastic 15ft tall, 2 tonne, predatory rock type reptile charging at you would be intimidating even if you did know he only wanted to say Hi. Ruefully I shook my head, I just knew I was going to get a bruise from one of his affectionate nuzzles.

“Gold c’mon! Get your head out of the clouds, today’s no day to be zonin’ out!”

The sudden yell took me out of my thoughts as I looked forward, a broad grin plastered on my face as I picked up speed to meet with the Unovan accented girl (In a world where the apocalypse could be jumpstarted by Groudon turning in his sleep, why was it the Brooklyn accent that took me the longest to get used to?) who had dragged me out of my own brain.

“Sorry Lyra, you know my heads up there so often I might as well be a flying type!”

Lyra Hudson, another of the lucky few who passed Elm’s exams and one of the oldest friends I have in this second life. Clad in that iconic set of blue overalls, red hoodie and sneakers as well as that poufy white hat. Her brown eyes twinkled with amusement and mischief as her brunette pigtails swayed gently in the wind. The Marill in her arms happily waving at me.

Meanwhile, another of our friends, and the third person to pass Elm’s exams, was watching on with fond exasperation. Clad in a set of yellow sports shorts and a red shirt beneath an open white hoodie, Crystal Nerine was still set to impress with a few minor, but immaculate, applications of makeup to highlight her silver blue eyes and dark hair as much as possible. What else would one expect from an aspiring coordinator?

Me, Lyra and Crystal had known each other since we were kids pretending to have battles on the school playground. All it took was a bit of common ground and, boom, best friends for life. At least the anime logic still holds up in areas like that. Lyra was actually half Unovan and had grown up in Castelia city before moving here when her mom inherited a house. And as I mentioned, her Uncle is the Gym Leader of Cainwood City, Chuck. Yeah, if having that guy in your life didn’t light a fire under you to try and win the Johto League, I genuinely don’t know what would. She was loud, boisterous, and wore her heart on her sleeve. She was perhaps one of the most stupidly brave people I have ever encountered. I mean it takes a special kind of person (and some would say a special kind of stupid) to get between an injured Azuril and a hungry Arbok.

Meanwhile, Crystal was born and raised in Newbark, but had aspirations of being somewhere a bit more grand. Evergrande that is! (A/N: I’ll see myself out….) Her goal had been to become a coordinator ever since she beheld a bout between Wallace, the famous coordinator king of Hoenn, and Fantina, Sinnoh’s Spectral Sensation. Of course, Johto doesn’t actually have a contest circuit yet, but she made her desire to travel the tropics of Hoenn clear from day one. I had no doubt she could do it, she just had a way of grabbing attention and seeing beauty in the most unlikely of places. Even if she did have a tendency to get flustered when something tarnishes her ‘Vision’.

“And here I thought Elm’s golden boy would be the first one to show.” Crystal snarked.

“Sorry Crys, saying goodbye to Mom and the others took a bit longer than anticipated.”

Lyra merely raised an eyebrow as she inspected my admittedly dishevelled appearance as we began walking through the gate into the Elm preserve so we could reach the lab that was situated just a little ways in.

“Is that why you look like you went a few rounds with Nero? Your Ma’ getting as clingy as the big guy now?”

“Actually, Lyra, I was thrown out of a window. So hah.”

That actually brought them up short, as both girls briefly stumbled mid-step before catching themselves. Lyra’s wide-eyed look of incredulity matched only by Crystal’s exasperation somehow getting worse as she let out a sigh that held a degree of tiredness only matched by a minimum wage employee on overtime.

That won us a bit of time to spend in comfortable silence, something I honestly needed. As much as I loved the girls, I also needed to focus, because while this world had differences to the games and shows I knew, there was something I was nigh certain I needed to be prepared for.

So, as amicable chatter about our travel plans began to fill the air, I kept my eyes peeled for the thief I knew could be just lying in wait. After all…

What was Gold without Silver?

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

As we approached Elm’s lab I couldn’t help but feel like something was wrong. Our own discussions of what starter we would pick and the sounds of a few surrounding Pokémon going about their business painted a serene picture as we walked to the door of the small single-story building that the lab was composed of.

But even so, it felt off. It could have been paranoia about Silver’s inevitable appearance, but it felt far too quiet.

“Anyone else have a bad feeling?”

The two girls turned to look at me, dropping the conversation about whether Chikorita or Cyndaquill would be the superior Pokémon for contest appeal rounds to shoot me concerned glances.

“Ethan, buddy. The Distortion are you talking about? It’s so peaceful today.” Lyra asked.

“Yeah Goldie, Lyra’s right. It's honestly been more peaceful than one of our usual walks to the lab. Not even a surprise ambush from Nero yet.”

“Exactly.” I responded. “Just doesn’t it seem too peaceful? Normally, Elm’s existence leads to some manner of chaos going on. When was the last time we walked up this path and didn’t hear some kind of commotion?”

Crystal paused to think, while Lyra just looked at me like I was an idiot. Until Crystal actually opened her mouth, her face had slightly paled.

“By Ho-oh above, I think Gold might be right.”

Scratch that, Lyra was looking at both of us like idiots. As the pair of us bounded past Lyra towards the lab’s door, she took a second to sigh in resignation before racing to catch up with us. As we approached the door, the lack of any sound from within only became more apparent. I tried the doorknob and, luckily, it was unlocked. As the door was tossed open, my eyes widened and my jaw dropped as I was met with a scene I never expected.

I barely heard the startled gasp of Crystal, or Lyra’s sharp inhale as we beheld the prone form of professor Elm, lying unconscious on the laminated lab floor, a small smattering of blood by his head. The only reason none of us rushed in to check on the man himself was the fact that someone had already beaten us to it.

“Morning children, it is my wish that your day has begun more pleasantly than mine, yes?”

The soft-spoken mental voice of Merlin, Elm’s dutiful Slowking, was already by his side. The soft violet glow of Heal Pulse emanating from his hands as the blow to the back of Elm’s head slowly mended under the psychics' efforts.

“Merlin, what happened? Is Elm Alright?” I worriedly approached, constant thoughts of ‘This hasn’t happened before’ running through my head as I tried to examine the room around me. Crystal followed, checking the professor for further injuries, Lyra’s cry that she was going to alert the local officer Jenny, barely registered in my mind as I focused on the rare occurrence before me.

The usually jovial Slowking was scowling.

“I am unsure. I was absent, patrolling the grounds, and found my dear friend as he is now upon my return. Though I think a safe assumption can be made….”

As Merlin's gaze shifted elsewhere in the room, I saw the open window and the machine beside it. A healing bay, a machine normally used in Pokémon centers to heal Pokémon quickly and efficiently to ensure maximum health, though this one was smaller and rather than six indentations for pokeballs to rest, there were only three. And only two held poke balls. The centre one was conspicuously absent.

“Luckily, Professor Companion has only suffered a relatively minor blow, all things considered, a concussion if I remember your medical terms correctly. However, I am sorry to say, children, that I do not believe one of you will be able to receive a starter on this day.”

“It's not your fault, Merlin, I'm just glad the professor is alright. But how in Arcues’ name did they even sneak in here? You can detect anyone within 3 miles of yourself, there should be no way for them to evade you.”

Crystal nodded as she finished her check, grabbing a first aid kit from the nearby cabinet.

“Gold is right Merlin, you’ve done all you can.”

“Alas, I fear you are overestimating my abilities. Even I am blind to those who share proximity to a creature of dark energies. Gentle Tyrant is currently attempting to get their scent, but he has yet to have any luck.”

Speak of the Giratina, and he shall appear. The loud stomping that heralded the Tyrantrum’s approach would normally have been a warning you were about to be greeted by an enthusiastic dragon type with a penchant for nuzzling you into the dirt. But as I exited the lab to get a good look at my father's ace, he radiated an uncharacteristically surly energy. While a brief bit of joy entered his eyes when he saw us, the despot Pokémon’s dark eyes still held a restrained fury at the situation at hand.

The low remorseful groan that emanated from his throat told us all that his search for the interloper had not been successful. As Nero lowered his head to accept some consolation scratches to his earthen scales, I could only accept and whisper that he had done his best. Luckily, by now Merlin's Heal pulse had done its job and Elm was stable, if still knocked out. As the sight of an Officer Jenny speeding towards us on her Arcanine, Crystal clinging to her back, one thing became apparent.

This day was going very differently from how any of us expected.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

By the time Jenny had taken our own statements on what we had seen, the professor was awake again, though a little disoriented. While he went to rest, Merlin was exchanging theories with the officer.

“I believe they most likely had a psychic of some variation to teleport them in and out of our domain. The Gentle Tyrant was unable to find any trace of them. My own psychic senses were also unable to detect them, so they likely had a dark user on hand to hide their presence from myself.”

“That would make sense, though that leaves the question of why they would only take one Pokémon. They had ample opportunity to take the others, or even any of the other valuables you kept here. Some of this laboratory equipment would have sold for a fortune.”

“Perhaps they felt it to be too great a risk, such actions would be lucrative, but they would not be subtle. And our intrepid intruder has certainly proved themselves to be the latter.”

As the officer and the hyper-intelligent Royal Pokémon continued to discuss the case, myself, Crystal and Lyra were huddled around one of the lab tables, one of a minority not covered in a mess of crumpled research papers or delicate equipment, locked in a contemplative silence.

A silence that was broken by Lyra’s deep sigh, a gentle hand stroking her Maril behind its ears in an effort to comfort both herself and her partner.

“What a mess, huh?”

“Yeah this… this isn’t how I was hoping today would go. Do… Do you think it might be Team Rocket? Pokémon stealing is kinda one of their things, isn’t it?”

“No Crystal, at least not this one. If it was, we would definitely be missing three starter Pokémon instead of one.”

“Golden Boy has a point, Crystal, the Rockets take everything and leave nothing but a sign they did it. Pretty far from there MO.”

“But that brings us back to a different problem, kids.” A masculine voice spoke up, Elm himself walking into the room from the back of the lab where he had been resting.

“Professor! The Distortion are you doing up!? You should be resting!”

“Lyra is right Professor, you were just knocked out!”

The Professor only gave a well-natured laugh and smile as he replied.

“Hardly the first time I’ve been knocked out, Nero has probably done more damage to me by accident than whoever did this and Merlin has more than enough experience fixing that.”

“Much to my chagrin, dear friend.”

“I don't suppose you would be up to answering some questions for us professor? I’m sure we would all like to see this crime solved and the perp behind bars as soon as we can.” The professor shot her a slightly nervous grin, sheepishly rubbing the back of his head. “I can certainly do that ma'am, but I would like to turn to a different topic for now.” His gaze zeroed back in on myself, Crystal and Lyra.

“I’ll be honest with you kids, getting a hold of another starter isn’t going to be feasible, the breeding seasons for them are still months out and our lab is only reserved for one of each species. I know you all wanted to start your journeys today, but I’m afraid that because of this, one of you will have to go without a starter from me. I can certainly make up for that with a few other benefits, but I’m afraid there's not much else I can offer to you. I'm really sorry kids.”

While the professor looked ashamed, before we could even react or discuss between ourselves, a loud scoff from Lyra echoed caught our attention, Marill cradled in her arms.

“Well, that's easy, give ‘em to Krissy an’ the Golden Boy. I already got my first partner right here.” Marill squeaked proudly in her arms.

“Lyra, are you sure? This is a pretty big thing to give up.”

She just rolled her eyes.

“Don’t make me repeat myself, Golden Boy. Out of the three of us, I'm the only one who already has a partner. Y’all are long due one of your ow-off!”

Lyra couldn’t even finish her statement before Crystal ploughed into her, picking her up with a deceptive amount of strength and swinging her around in a tight hug as she squealed.

“THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!”

“Damnit Krissy, put me down! I can barely breathe with your Arbok arms around me!”

It took a few seconds more for Crystal to put her down. Only for me to wrap in her another hug.

“For the love of- Would you two stop with the affection already!?”

“No, not after this. Genuinely Lyra, we owe you big time. Thank you sincerely.”

As Crystal nodded in agreement, Lyra could only blush in embarrassment and pull her hat over her eyes as I released her from my embrace.

“Just take the damn starters before I change my mind, alright!”

As Elm, Merlin and officer Jenny looked at us in amusement, the professor shook his head in fond exasperation though a smile tugged at his lips.

“Well, I guess that’s that then. Alright, Ethan, Lyra? The choice is yours of who goes first.”

I simply nodded my head at Crystal. I didn’t mind which starter I received, I had a soft spot for all of them, so I would be perfectly happy to journey with any of the three.

“Ladies first Crystal, go ahead.”

Shooting me a thankful smile, she stepped towards the two Poké Balls that remained. She stood contemplatively for a moment before grabbing one, a green topped sphere decorated with a quartet of red stripes and a yellow dot near its top. As she clicked on the release mechanism, the burst of white light erupted and revealed the ball's inhabitant.

A light green quadrepedal creature with a short tail, a ring of dark green buds around their neck and, of course, the iconic leaf sprouting atop their head. Chikorita needed no introduction as it let loose a questioning chirp, looking up at Crystal with kind and curious ruby eyes.

It was pretty obvious Crystal was holding in a squeal over the grass-type's cute appearance as she kneeled down to their eye level.

“Hi Chikorita, my name is Crystal. I would really like you to join me on a journey to become a top coordinator in Hoenn. How about it?”

“Chik?”

“Oh, a coordinator is a type of performer. It's all about dazzling an audience with beauty and skill, and I can see in your eyes that you are a born performer! So are you to help me stand at the top?”

“Chik Chikorita!”

Crystal’s smile at the Leaf Pokémon's, excited nodding, was infectious.

“Awesome! Welcome to the family little one, oh we need a name for you!.......You uh, do want a nickname right?”

“Chiko!”

“Alright, how about Petal?”

Excited chirps were the only response the newly dubbed Petal needed to give to confirm her name.

In the meanwhile, I began to reach for the last Poké Ball, one with a blue top half with a red arrow decal over its centre that contained a trio of three yellow lines. It didn't take a genius to guess what monster was contained within. As I pressed the release mechanism, the ensuing flash of energy condensed into a familiar shape. A small blue crocodilian creature with a yellow stripe plastered horizontally over its chest, red spikes ran down its back and short tail. As the water-type starter looked up at me, they bounced happily from foot to foot, a wide grin plastered over its snout as a matching one began to take over my own face. 

“Totodile!”

“Well aren’t you an enthusiastic little guy? I’m guessing you know why I’m here?”

Totodile nodded enthusiastically, shadow-boxing at the air with its stubby arms.

“Excellent, I’m aiming to take on the 8 gym leaders of Johto. They're a bunch of trainers with some really strong Pokémon, and if we beat all 8 we can enter a tournament against the best of the best in the region. And if we win that? We can take on the strongest trainers and Pokémon in the region, and that's exactly what I want to be. The best. It's going to be a long, hard road to walk. Are you up for it, little buddy?”

The Totodile’s eyes widened with awe at almost every word I spoke, and their enthusiasm only heightened. So as I lowered my hand down to them, they jumped and grabbed at it with both hands in an enthusiastic shake. My own grin matched the crocs in magnitude.

“Now all we need is a name for you little guy. So tell me, how do you like the name ‘Riptide’?”

The Totodiles' grin was positively feral as they nodded in agreement.

“Alright then Riptide, welcome aboard. I hope you're ready for the journey ahead.”

And inside I could only hope I would be ready too, things have already changed from what I know. So who knows what's waiting for us out there, but I did at least know one thing as I looked down at my enthusiastic water type as they conversed with Petal, seemingly discussing the merits of their new companions.

'And so', I thought to myself, 'The first step of the journey is taken.'

Chapter Text

The Pokédex, a truly miraculous invention even now, 20 years after its initial creation by the genius ex-champion, Professor Samuel Oak. A digital encyclopaedia of every Pokémon, containing all the knowledge gathered by the Professors' chosen sponsors, and built upon by all the regional Professors, who began adding information on their own regions' native species and even a few design updates.

In the modern day, it is considered the most useful tool an aspiring trainer could have, and here one lay in my hands. A small red square sporting a black and blue Poké Ball symbol on its center is made of a pair of dark semicircles and an extending blue glass within. It was definitely a Kalos model, the most advanced barring the far harder to access models that are capable of housing Rotom. How Galar and Paldea were able to recruit a large portion of their region's Rotom population to inhabit their phones for a lifetime is something I'm still trying to figure out. 

Still holding this as I prepared to scan my first partner outside Elm’s lab? It just felt right. 

“Alright Riptide, I'm gonna give you a quick scan to see just what you can do alright?” 

“Toto!” The little reptile nodded rapidly, enthusiasm seemed to just permeate every action he took. 

As I held the Pokédex up to scan Riptide, the device extended to the size of a smartphone as information flooded across the screen, an artificial female voice speaking up in a deadpan and lifeless tone. 

‘Totodile, the Big Jaw Pokémon. Its powerful, well-developed jaws are capable of crushing anything. Even its trainer must be careful.’

‘This Totodile is Male. It knows the moves: Leer, Scratch, Water Gun, Counter, Aqua Jet and Ice Fang. Its ability is Torrent. This increases the Pokémon's power as well as the strength of Water type moves when the Pokémon is in a tough situation.’ 

Riptide preened, pushing his chest out in pride as I let loose an impressed whistle. 

“That is a very impressive collection of moves, little buddy! A very solid base to work with for the future.” 

“Certainly sounds like you have a little powerhouse on your hands, eh, Golden Boy?” Lyra commented from behind me, tossing an arm over my shoulder as she shot me a rueful grin. 

“Whaddya say we give him an opportunity to test those moves out, yeah? Looks like he needs an opportunity to let some of that energy run free anyhow.” 

I returned her grin in a heartbeat. It was time. 

“Alright Lyra, I see where your head’s at. Riptide, what do you say? Up for a battle?” 

Ah, I was wondering when I would see it. The classic little dance, Ash’s own Totodile made famous as he jumped up in the air, waving his limbs around erratically. You know the one. 

Meanwhile, Lyra just shot us a cocky smirk. 

“Alright then. Seems that challenge was accepted then. Let's get in position, Crystal gonna need you to play ref!” 

Lyra and I darted over to opposite ends of the small field just outside the lab. I only barely caught the exasperated whisper of Crystal as she held A confused Chikortia in her arms as she took a position off to the side of our makeshift arena. 

“Freaking battle Junkies. Should’ve known they’d take the first chance they’d get…” 

As she looked at the pair of eager to fight idiots she proudly/begrudgingly called friends, Crystal cleared her throat and spoke loudly and clearly. 

“This will be a one on one battle between Ethan and Lyra of New Bark Town, standard rules are in effect! When one side's Pokémon is unable to continue, the battle is over! Trainers, release your Pokémon!” 

Naturally, Riptide was already standing proudly before me, bearing his teeth and growling in challenge. Meanwhile, Lyra reached for the classic red and white sphere at her waist, wearing her usual smirk as she called upon her own partner. 

“Come out n’ play Maril!” 

The blue rodent materialized, first shooting me and Riptide a friendly wave, before slapping its belly in challenge. The two water types stood across from one another, eagerness radiating off of them, just waiting for the go ahead to begin. 

“Battle start!” 

At Crystal’s command, both myself and Lyra immediately jumped into action. 

“Riptide, use Aqua Jet!” 

“Defence Curl Marill!” 

As Riptide's body was enshrouded in water, he flew forwards like a torpedo. Before Marill’s Defence Curl could even take effect, Riptide had already crossed the field, barrelling into his opponent as water splashed on the surrounding ground. Marill grit her teeth at the impact, knocked back slightly as her limbs were tucked into her spherical body, a shimmering blue energy surrounding them as Defense Curl took hold. A grin overcame my features at Lyra’s brief grimace. 

“Okay Riptide, we have them on the backfoot. Get in close and hit them with a Scratch attack!” 

Riptide surged forward with a growl, intending to do just that.

“Oh no you don't, Golden Boy, Marill Bubble Beam! Keep him at a distance!”  

Maril inhaled, water building up in her throat, before releasing it in a stream of energy-reinforced bubbles and, with Riptide as close as he was, there was no room to dodge. The attack landed true, bubbles popping on impact with the water types scales and pushing them back as they gargled in discomfort and pain. 

A feral grin spread over Lyra’s face, her Unovan accent becoming even more prevalent as she gave her next order. 

“Atta girl! Keep up the pressure, use a Tail Whip and if he gets close again, use Bubble Beam again to force him back!” 

As Marill tauntingly wagged their tail at Riptide, throwing a mocking look back at him for good measure, my own starter shook his tiny clawed hand at them in anger. 

“Don’t take it lying down Riptide, use Leer into a Water Gun!” 

Riptide shot Marill a nasty, narrow-eyed look before immediately shifting his stance to better fire the Water Gun. The jet of pressurized water flew free from the crocodile’s maw, impacting Marill but not doing much in the way of damage. 

“Hehe Sorry Golden Boy, but you're outta luck on this one! Marill one more Defence Curl, then let's finish this battle with a Rollout!”

 If you’ve never seen a Marill with a feral and battle-hungry smirk, it is a truly disconcerting thing. As the second Defence Curl washed over them, Marill began to spin, bounding forward like a certain famous hedgehog. 

My mind only held one thought as the rolling blue boulder rushed towards my starter. 

'Shit.'

“Riptide get out of the way, she can’t turn while rolling like that! Use Aqua Jet and try to out manoeuvre her, then use Leer again!” 

Lucky for me, Riptide was nothing if not faithful to my orders, even if we had only known each other for less than an hour. The veil of water surrounded him once again, the speed of the move allowing him to strafe out of the oncoming aquatic rodent, shooting Marill another Leer as it dissipated, and his opponent stood on her feet. 

“Rollout again, Marill! All we need is one good hit, and we win this!” 

Marill squeaked in agreement, once again curling in on herself and charging forward like a steamroller, even faster than before. 

My mind raced, trying to find a solution. Riptide couldn’t dodge Marill forever, but Lyra was right. One good hit might be all Marill needed to end this fight, and the more times she used Rollout, the more powerful her rolling death charge would be. I needed to end this now before she built up any more power. 

And then it hit me, a mental lightbulb going off in my mind. 

“Riptide you need to take the hit!” 

Riptide looked back at me, his expression incredulous.

“Please buddy, I need you to trust me!” Riptide’s eyes turned from incredulous to searching, and in that brief second before Marill collided with him, he nodded. He barely had time to cross his tiny arms over his chest and brace as the spinning rodent made impact. Growls of exertion and pain left him as he held his ground, feet digging into the earth. 

“Hold it Riptide!”

The spinning grew more intense, as my starter's pain only got worse. 

“Just a little longer buddy!” 

Lyra looked at me like I was crazy, until her eyes widened in dread. But it was too late, my own grin overcame my concern as I shouted out the command I knew would win us this battle. 

“Now Riptide, use Counter!” The Big Jaw Pokémon's eyes widened before a grin befell his own muzzle. Crimson energy gathered around his body as he uncrossed his arms, the force of which knocked Marill back, landing on her feet as she uncurled from Rollout. 

Much like her trainer, she had no chance to react as Riptide's tiny fist flew forward and impacted Marill’s stomach. All the power from the Rollout, thrown right back at Marill with double the strength. 

Marill was punched cleanly into the ground, a small crater surrounding their body as the iconic swirls took over her eyes while Totodile held his head high, releasing a weak but victorious roar. 

“Marill is unable to battle, the winner is Totodile!” 

I ran onto the battlefield, scooping Riptide up in my arms, holding him close as I laughed in Joy. 

“HAHA! You did it Riptide! That was amazing!” 

Riptide accepted the praise tiredly, still shooting me a satisfied grin but clearly drained from the battle. Meanwhile, Lyra released a sigh, disappointed but still smiling as she held Marill’s Poké Ball up to return her.  

“You did incredibly, Marill. Have a good rest, alright?” 

While we were still celebrating our first victory, it was Lyra herself tapping at my shoulder that brought me out of the euphoric haze me and Riptide were locked in. 

“Alright Golden boy, don’t let one victory go to your heads now."

I came down from my victory high, if only to shoot her a deadpan glance. 

“Lyra. We both know if you had won, I would be seeing one of your many, many, rehearsed victory dances by now.” 

She flushed. 

“How did you know about that?!” 

“I didn’t know for sure until just now, but knowing you? I figured it would be a given.”

I swore to engrave the rare image of Lyra pouting of all things into my mind for the rest of time. 

“Just shut up and let me transfer you your winnings.” 

I think the smirk I gave her as she tapped her Pokédex against mine may just haunt her, judging by the angry mutterings under her breath. Honestly, since it was an unofficial casual bout between trainers with not a single badge between us, there was never much money on the line. Just a baseline 100 Poké. Of course, as experience levels and stakes were raised, so did the potential pay-outs. Though for casual battles, you didn’t even need to put money on the line. But I gave up a long time ago when it came to trying to dissuade Lyra about stuff like this. 

“Well done, both of you. That was very impressive for a first battle!”

Our attention shifted, as standing beside Crystal was Professor Elm smiling kindly and offering a polite clap. It seemed our little match had attracted a small audience of Pokémon. Merlin and Nero watched on with particular curiosity. The Slowking merely mimicked his trainer, while Nero looked to be on the verge of excitedly charging me to make his pride clear, his massive tail wagging uncontrollably from side to side. Thank Arceus, he learned at least a bit of restraint. 

“Professor, you should be resting! I thought we’d already had this conversation!” 

Thank you for distracting Lyra from her current Ire Professor. I promise your sacrifice will not be forgotten. 

“Honestly kids, I promise I’ll be fine. Again, dealing with Nero’s “hugs” has given me a bit of resistance to this type of thing.”

To me this was perfectly reasonable, though the girls seemed to still be a little doubtful, though their expressions softened once they looked at the dinosaur Pokémon in question, still looking like he was restraining himself from tackling someone with affection.

“Besides, I couldn’t just lie back when I still had to see you three off on your journeys. I wouldn’t miss that for the world.” 

Now that brought back smiles to all our faces as we all looked at one another. Crystal had long walked up to stand beside me and Lyra while our respective starters chatted among themselves. 

“So I guess it's time, huh?” Crystal asked, her smile turning a bit melancholy. 

“Ah don’t sound so glum Krissy, we’ll see each other soon enough. I promise we're gonna to tune in for yer first performance when it rolls around!”

“For once you should listen to Lyra, Crystal.” I ignored the offended squawk and continued. “You're going to do great! So chin up, you and Petal are going to take it all the way to the grand festival, and we are going to be cheering you on the whole way!” 

Lyra and I pulled Crystal into a hug for a brief moment as she let out a choked up laugh. 

“Only as long as I see you two duking it out in the Silver conference!” 

Lyra only smirked while I rolled my eyes. 

“As if there's ever gonna be any doubt that the finals are gonna be a battle between me and Golden Boy here. Now get yer ass in gear Krissy, Hoenn waits for no one!” 

“Right, goodbye guys. You better tune in to my first contest in Lilycove! Are you ready, Petal?” 

“Chiko!” the grass type needed no convincing as she once more jumped into Crystal’s arms.

“Sounds like a yes to me! Alright, Merlin, if you would?” 

“It would be my pleasure, child. Just be warned, teleportation can be particularly unpleasant for those not used to it. I am sending you to Rustboro city, till we meet again.” 

With a final wave over her shoulders, I’m not even sure if she registered the 'teleportation can be an unpleasant' part, Merlin touched his single clawed hand to Crystal’s head, and she vanished in a brief flash of blue light. 

The Slowking nodded to himself. “She has arrived safely, now I believe it is your turn young Lyra. Cianwood city, yes?” 

“Got it in one magic man.” She said with a grin. “Arcues above it's been awhile since I’ve seen uncle Chuck, thats gonna be a fun reunion.” 

“Well, don’t let me keep you, Lyra. Get going.”

“Aw trying to get rid of me already, Golden boy? And here I thought you would miss yer best gal pal?” 

“I do.” I pretended to wipe a tear away. “I miss Crystal already.” 

Lyra rolled her eyes and punched me in the shoulder, before pulling me in for a hug. 

“Seriously though, Golden Boy, I had better see you in the conference, otherwise I’m never gonna let you forget it!” 

“Yeah yeah, I know. You already never let me forget that. Seriously though, Lyra, good luck. We’ll see each other soon. Maybe we’ll meet up on the road down the line or something?” 

“He, yeah. I’d like that. See you around Ethan, I'm ready Merlin. Up top!” 

As she charged the Slowking, breaking from our embrace, she raised a hand in tandem with Merlin, and slapped their hands together. Lyra vanished in the same flash that had sent Crystal away before, as Merlin released a mental sigh. 

“Another safe arrival. I believe my services are no longer needed, I shall return to my monitoring duties, though if young Gold requires a Heal Pulse when the Gentle Tyrant is through with him, I will not be far.” 

“Merlin? What do you mean by tha-OOF!”

My question was interrupted by 12 tonnes of rock-covered reptile charging into me, cleanly knocking me over as the affectionate Tyrantrum snuggled against me with a head as large as, well, me. 

“Easy Nero, I know buddy, I’ll miss you too. Can you let me up? Please? And Riptide will you stop laughing!  Oh, Arceus, there goes a lung.” 

It took 10 minutes for me and Elm to get the dragon type to release me, and Riptide was no help. Little bastard laughed the entire time. 

Nero let out a mournful crone as he looked down at me apologetically. 

“It's alright big guy, I know you mean no harm. I’m sure the Professor wont mind me checking in with you like dad does every once in a while. I’ll talk to you soon, I promise, but I need to get going if I want to make it to Cherrygrove by tonight.”

“On that note Ethan.” The Professor adjusted his glasses. “I actually have a favour to ask of you.” 

Now that caught my attention. 

“Sure, Professor, what do you need?” 

“You're planning on heading north to Violet city from Cherrygrove, correct?” 

“That's the plan, guessing you need something done on route?” 

“That's right, I have a contact who lives on that route. He goes by the name of “Mr Pokémon”, though his real name is Sylvester Salin. The man has an uncanny habit of finding the most unique things and often asks me to examine them. I was meant to teleport over to see his latest find in a few days, but I think you’ll understand why I don’t want myself or Merlin away from the lab for too long for the next while.” 

I nodded, it made perfect sense after all. And I had a feeling I knew where this was going. 

“So you need me to take a look at what he has? I’m not sure what scientific insight I can offer, but I can make an attempt.” 

The professor merely chuckled. 

“No, no. Nothing like that. I actually believe you will be quite suited for this task. You’ve always been good with young Pokémon, and I’ve personally taught you how to look after eggs, so you should manage just fine.”

“Wait, Professor, are you implying that….?”

“Yes Ethan, Sylvester found a Pokémon egg. And I think you should be the one to look after it.” Me and Riptide shared a look as we grinned at one another, before looking back to the Professor. 

“Elm, it would be my pleasure.” 

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Route 29 was an almost picturesque path between Cherrygrove and New Bark, lined with trees and hills. The hike between the two towns was actually one of the more popular nature experiences in Johto, due to its gorgeous forest visuals and generally benign Pokémon.  

As I trekked forward, Riptide happily skipping at my feet, I could only bask in it all. The emerald green of the surrounding trees, the rustling of a few Sentret overhead looking for food, and the last motes of sunlight flitting down between the leaves in a few beams of fading light as the twilight set in. 

Me and Riptide had been walking the trail ever since we had left New Bark in the early afternoon, finally I could smell the scent of sea salt on the air. As the trees gave way to the peak of a hill, It was finally in sight. 

Cherrygrove was a reasonably small city, a simple seaside village built against a cove. Cottages of classic stonework leading out onto the sand, as well as a few stores closer to the back. Cherrygrove, in all honesty, was not a place one ventured to for the sake of extravagance. Much like Route 29, Cherrgyrove was visited because of its serenity. A cosy place, the sea to the west and the forests to the north and east.

The place just had a serene atmosphere, a calming effect, that took hold of you the second you walked past the worn welcome sign. As I continued into the center of town, the iconic red roof of the Pokémon center making for an unmistakable destination, Riptide waddling after me. 

The crocodilian was seemingly just as taken in by the town's calmness as I was, or maybe it was just tiredness, since he had insisted on walking to the town at my side without resting in his Poké Ball. His formidable jaws stretched wide in a yawn, startling the few people who were still wandering around the town as he smacked his lips. 

“Don’t worry bud, we’ll get some rest soon. I just need to make a quick call, and then we can get a good rest.” 

My starter nodded, his eyelids heavy, as he turned to me, raising his arms upwards in a grabbing motion and releasing a questioning gurgle. It was obvious what he wanted, I rolled my eyes as I obliged the request and held the young reptile under one arm like a sack of potatoes. Despite being 2ft of pure muscle and elemental power, Riptide was actually pretty light. 

“You sure you don’t want to go back into the ball, pal?” 

Riptide’s half-lidded sleepy glare was a definitive enough answer as I let loose a chuckle of my own. As we entered the center, I couldn't help but compare its interior to that of the games I had grown up on in my old life. 

A large lobby laid out before the central reception desk where one of the many diligent, pink-haired, members of the Joy clan kept a visual alongside one of their signature Chansey. A trading facility/transfer station lay in a room to the right, meanwhile a set of five video phone terminals, each set in a private booth, lined the wall of a room on the left. 

To the Lobbies back, just past the reception desk, lay an elevator that presumably led to the upper floors where the rooms any sponsored traveler could use while passing through town, as well as the cafeteria area. The lobby itself was sparsely populated with comfortable couches and coffee tables, a few vending machines lined up near the entryway. 

There were no other trainers currently in the lobby, just myself, which likely contributed to the Joy reacting to my presence nigh immediately. 

“Hello! How may I help you today?” 

I approached the counter in haste. I may not be as droopy eyed as Riptide, but I was just as eager to get some rest. 

“Evening ma’am. Could I get my friend here checked out and a room for the night?” 

“Of course, young man, would you mind returning your Totodile, so Chansey can take a look at him?” 

“Sure.” I placed Riptide down on the counter, to look him in the eye. “Alright bud, see you soon alright?” 

“To….” He gurgles, flashing me a sleepy thumbs up as red light consumes him. Gingerly I pass the lure ball to the perpetually smiling egg Pokémon, who handles it with the utmost care as they waddled on their stubby legs to the back room. 

As that happened, the nurse had already reached below the counter and pulled out a key card coloured in the centre's trademark white with a red Poké Ball emblem. 

“You’ll be in room 158, young man. Meal times are on a board in the cafeteria, though I think dinner service is going on for another hour or two if your hungry.” 

“Thank you Nurse Joy, are there any times for using the video phones?” 

The kind nurse shook her head in the negative. 

“You can go right ahead dear, no trouble there. It's always quiet here during the league season, so you should be fine to take as long as you need. We can keep Totodile with us until your call is done so we don’t interrupt anything?” 

“That would be great. Thank you again, nurse Joy.” 

“No trouble dear!” She chirped. 

As I shot her a thankful smile, I turned on my heel and trudged over to the video phones as I fought valiantly to keep another yawn from escaping me. 

I failed. 

Better make this call quick, otherwise I am going to pass out in the chair. 

Dialling the number into the digital display took nary a second, my fingers moving on instinct as the familiar digits appeared in sequence. The cheery dial-up tone rang out as it showed the 8-bit visual of a Porygon running (Floating?) around the world. 

Sure enough, after a few moments, the screen changed its display to something more real. The background was that of a messy laboratory, not unlike Elm’s on one of its better days, though to the lesser informed the amount of bones that littered the place might be a cause for concern. 

However, my attention was on the figure that took up the majority of the screen. He was a tall, well-built man, his dirt-stained lab coat barely able to close over his broad figure, with a thousand watt smile over his face. Though that itself was difficult to see through his mess of dark and tangled hair, his emerald eyes especially were practically buried under his bushy eyebrows.  

“Ethan, my boy! It's good to see ya lad, finally out on yer journey aye!?” 

I felt a smile come over my own face. I hadn’t seen him in a while due to the different time zones making communications difficult, but it was always good to get a chance to talk with one of my favourite people, even if he was half a world away. 

“Hey dad, how’s Sinnoh treating you?” 

Chapter Text

At 6 '4 and built like a brick shithouse, one would be forgiven for assuming that Gordon Gold was anything but a muscle head, an assumption not helped by an ever-present grin of audacity and boisterous bravado.  

However, under the genuine cheer and rippling muscles, was the mind of one of the greatest geologists and paleontologists the world over. Studied under the esteemed Professor Cedar of Kalos, graduate of Olivine University, and current director of the Oreburgh Museum's newest excavation project. 

It had taken him away from home for two years now, and the time difference between Johto and Sinnoh often made communication difficult. But somehow we all made it work, a few trips to Sinnoh definitely made up for it, as did dad's monthly calls. Though he always made time to talk on special occasions, and my first day on a journey? 

Well, that definitely counted. 

“Ach, Sinnoh’s been the same son! Cold ‘n Dusty!” He barked out a laugh, it was a harsh, but joyful thing. His eyes shining in blatant and unrestrained glee in his thick north Galarian accent, a holdover from his immigrant grandfather. How I never inherited it, I’ll never know. 

 “But now's hardly the time to be complaining about anythin’! How's it feel to be out of the house!? Ah, to be on the open road again! Now where's yer partner, lad?”  

“Easy old timer, I think you might be making the soundproofing here work overtime. And yeah, it feels good to finally be on the journey, it feels like… Freedom.” 

Dad’s eyes softened, his smile turning more nostalgic. 

“Aye. That's the best way to describe it, son. But I’m dying o' curiosity here. Let's hear about this first Pokémon ah yours. Trainer and starter always share that special bond. I still remember getting Romi all those years ago….” 

“Well, Riptide is an energetic little guy, about as feisty and strong-willed as a Totodile can be, I'd wager! We’ve been getting along great, even won our first battle with Lyra.” 

“Ah so you picked the water type, eh? I always figured you would lean towards Cyndaquil ta be honest, but I’m happy you’re bonding an' beating people already!” 

Sheepishly, I rubbed the back of my head. 

“I would have been happy enough to take any of them on honestly, but considering what happened, I’m lucky I even got a partner today.” 

Dad’s joyful demeanour faded into something far more serious.

“What do ya’ mean by that son? Somethin’ happen at the lab? Or did Adrian take on another trainer this year by mistake er somethin’?” 

Sadly, I shook my head in the negative. 

“You didn’t hear about it? I figured the Professor would have called you by now or something.” 

“Son. Tell me what happened.” 

I sighed. 

“Dad, Elm was attacked and robbed. Merlin thinks someone teleported in and used a dark type to mask their presence. Got him in the back of the head and left him with a pretty bad concussion. Then they just… Stole a Cyndaquil and fucked off before Nero could get to them.” 

Dad sighed and clicked his tongue, his usual demeanor now completely absent.  

“By the Towers, what a mess. I’ll need to give 'im a call, get secrutiy updated. Probably talk to Nero too. The big bastard probably aint taking it well that he failed to protect something precious to him. What did your mother have to say about it?” 

I froze, eyes widening in panic.

I hadn’t told her.

Oh shit I hadn’t told her. 

“Oh son…” Dad shook his head, some of his earlier humour finally returning. All at the expense of my inevitable misfortune. 

“Ya realize tha' she'll be out fer yer head now right lad?” 

“It is a fact that has quickly come to my attention, yes.” 

“ETHAN ЀLISE GOLD, GET YOUR BUTT OUT HERE!” 

“NOOOOOOIVEEEEEEEEERN!” 

“Well lad, it was nice knowing you. Hope Lexi still gives you that gift she had for you, or at least has the care ta bury you with it.” 

Panic surged through me, my mother's Kalosian accent was strong in that shout. That meant only one thing. 

Certain Death.

“Wait Dad, c’mon you aren’t going to let me face them alone, right!? I’m sure Mum would love to talk to you! And what do you mean gift? Wait no, not important. Just please don't let me face her alone!” 

“KRCH, What's tha'!?, KRCH, Yer breaking up! KRCHKRCH I think Romulus mus' be chewing on the wires again! KRCH Tell your mother I love her. Bye son, Call me back if ya survive! I do have to send you somethin' mysel' afterall!” 

The smug bastard was grinning a mile wide as the videophone cut out. I swore even if he was still half a world away, I would find a way to get my revenge for this betrayal. But before thoughts of vengeance could be made, I had to deal with the harbinger of doom outside. 

Well. Time to face the gallows I guess….

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

“OW, OW, OW! Mum will you let go of my ear!?” 

“Not until you repent! I mean really!? You witness the aftermath of an assault on a family friend, and you don’t even come home to tell me?!” 

“I’m sorry, OK!? I just didn't think, I just wanted to get to Cherrygrove before nightfall!” 

“Jeanne could have just teleported you here! Easily!” 

“Oh please Lexi, you wouldn’t have let him leave for at least another week with some “criminal thief” on the loose.”

“Hush Jeanne, the principle still matters!” 

The scene in the Pokémon Centre lobby, still thankfully empty sans a half concerned, half amused Nurse Joy and Chansey, was one of my furious mother gripping my ear like a vice while I struggled to get away from my admittedly well-earned punishment. Meanwhile, my starter was giggling at the nurses side, not even trying to hide their amusement, the little traitor. 

Meanwhile, Sonata hovered over us. The Noivern had always been a maternal sort, and her concern was evident. Mum had anger, the dragon oddly enough, seemed to possess the energy of ‘I’m not mad, Just disappointed.’ 

Finally, with supreme effort, I was able to escape my mother's vice grip thanks to Jeanne’s unintentional distraction. Rubbing it tenderly, as my mother's ire turned to the psychic for at least a brief moment. Sonata was immediately at my side, her massive wings fluttering around me as she tried to check me over. Her glare turned unamused as she looked towards her trainer arguing with the fairy. 

A harsh bark from the dragon seemed to snap their attention back to the current situation and Mum let out a weary sigh, regarding me with a tired and disappointed look as some of her anger left her. 

“Look, son. I’m sorry for making a scene, but you do understand why I’m mad, right?” 

I nodded, slouching in shame as Sonata’s wings unwrapped from me, the Noivern walking over to my mothers side. 

“Yeah…. Yeah, I do. I’m sorry Mum, you should have heard it from me. I guess eagerness just got the better of me and I headed off without thinking.” 

“Try not to be too harsh on him, Lexi. I remember you were pretty gung-ho on your journey to. Hell, I joined the team not long after Spike, and you were running from town to town with barely a breather. How often did you get in trouble with your dad for not calling home enough?” 

“Alright Jeanne, I get your point. Just.” Mum paused, drawing in a harsh breath and moving to take me into a swiftly returned hug. “Just promise me you will be a bit more considerate in the future, alright?”

“Yeah, I promise.” 

“Alright then.” Mum pulled back from the hug, a small smile in place now as her ire fully evaporated. 

“By the way, when the season is over, you're grounded for two months.” 

“Yeah, that's fair honestly.” 

“Good.” She nodded contentedly to herself, Jeanne ruefully shaking her head as Sonata chirped in agreement at my inevitable punishment. 

“If you tried to refuse I don’t think I could pass this on to you, tradition be damned.” 

A serene and nostalgic expression came over my mother's face as, quicker than I could even register, she had reached around my neck and I felt a small weight rest against my neck. Looking down, I beheld a circular pendant of brilliant silver. Its design was reminiscent of a compass, small designs of two dragon type Pokémon stylized in red and blue, the visage of the Eon duo was recognized instantly. 

So busy taking in all the minor and intricate details of the pendant, I almost missed mum beginning an explanation. 

“That pendant has been in our family for nine generations now, passed from parent to eldest child at the start of their journey. Supposedly, it holds some great power, but I personally just think it looks pretty. It suits you, you know?”

I didn’t respond verbally, I only wrapped mum in another thankful embrace. 

“Your welcome, son.”

The tender moment lasted for a bit longer, but was interrupted by the curious gurgle of Riptide. His short arms tugging on my pant leg to get my attention, he had evidently wandered away from Nurse Joy and Chansey, who had returned to business as usual, now that the impromptu show was over. 

“Sorry pal, didn’t mean to ignore you.” 

“Tot?” 

“Yeah don’t worry, I’m alright. I’ve already been tossed out a window today, so a little ear pulling is nothing really.” 

I’m not sure if my casual tone was to blame, but regardless, Riptide looked up at me in what I could only describe as a supremely odd mix of concern and admiration, while Jeanne whistled innocently. I didn’t need to look up to know she was avoiding looking anyone else in the eye. 

“Oh, this must be your starter then!” 

Mum promptly crouched down, hands quickly scratching the bewildered crocodilian in an evidently comfortable place as his startled gurgle gave way to contended purring. 

“He’s so cute! Does he have a name?” 

“I guess introductions are in order. Riptide, this is my mother, Alexis Gold. Mum, this is Riptide, the best Totodile there ever was or will be.” 

The reptile still seemed to be coherent enough to puff his chest out in pride and preen under the praise and attention. Especially as the curious Noivern came over and began cooing over him like a mother Pidgeott. Jeanne also took some time to examine the curious croc, before eventually just picking him up in her arms and holding him close to her chest spike like a plush toy while Sonata shot her an incredulous look. 

In contrast, the Gardevoir’s expression was one of the utmost severity. 

“Please tell me neither of you want this little cutie to evolve? He’s adorable as is!” 

“Um, that all comes down to Riptide, Jeanne. If he wants to evolve or not, that's up to him.” 

“Dile!”

I genuinely didn’t know a Totodile’s face could contort into such an affronted expression. Whether that was for being called cute or the implication he shouldn’t evolve I couldn’t tell, but he began thrashing to get out of Jeanne's arms, succeeding in time and dropping to his feet before putting up his dukes in a boxing position, much to the elder mons' amusement. 

“SEE!? Look how freaking precious he is!”

While Riptide’s indignant gurgles and growls only escalated, sounding oddly like Donald Duck in the process, my mother and her two Pokémon continued their cooing over his admittedly adorable antics. I could only sigh and let my shoulders slump. So much for a wholesome family bonding moment… 

‘On the bright side…’ 

I thought to myself, taking in the scene before me again. The little crocodile's angrish began to calm under my mother's gentle scratches to his chin, Sonata watching on passively with amusement in her eyes and Jeanne looking at the crocodile with what had to be stars in her eyes. 

A small smile took over my face.

‘He’s going to fit in with the family just fine.’

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

“So ye survived then?” 

“No thanks to you!” 

After Mum and her team had gotten all their cuteness worship for the young Totodile out of their systems, she had elected to call it a night and head home before Spike cleaned out the pantry for the second time this week, bidding us all a goodnight before taking off into the rapidly darkening sky. 

As promised, I called Dad back after that fiasco. While things did not go as far into the Distortion World as they could have, I still would not forgive his act of betrayal. Vengeance would be mine!

…..Eventually……Probably….

However, Dad's grin showed no remorse for any of it. 

“I hope you realize that when I see you again I am going to do something.” 

“Er, do what lad?” 

I narrowed my eyes into a glare, the Totodile seated in my lap mimicking it as best he could while my father's expression grew ever so slightly nervous. 

“I don’t know Dad. But it will be something. And it will be glorious.” 

“Well hopefully, this will prevent that ‘somehting’ from happenin'. After all, I’m not the only one who wanted ta see ya off today, and while me an’ my team can’t go over there ta wish ya well… Well I don’t think this lass would have it any other way. Ya made a promise after all.”

Hope enveloped me completely while Riptide looked at me in confusion as I practically began vibrating in joy. 

“Wait, she wants to-!? I thought I would need to wait until I visited Sinnoh again to have her join me!” 

Dad barked out a joyful laugh. 

“If there's anythin’ the pair of ya have in common, its being impatience incarnate. Now yer in Cherrygrove aye? I’ll go ahead an' start the transfer in a few. Get yersel' ready lad!” 

His expression became a lot more tender before he continued.

“An' Son? Good luck. No matter how it goes, me an’ yer Ma; are so proud of you. Do yer best lad an’, I know I don’t need ta ask, but treat her right when she gets ta yer side alright?” 

I smiled almost tearfully, it was rare for Dad to be tender and it always had a way of pulling on my heartstrings. 

“Thanks dad. That…It means alot. And yeah, I’ll make sure she does just fine over here. I’ll give you a call after I’ve brought Falkner down to earth. Love you Dad, I’ll speak to you soon.”

“Love you too, Son.” 

As the screen faded back to the default screen, Riptide looked at me with a questioning growl. I matched his gaze with an excited grin. 

“Well pal, it looks like we're getting the next member of our team a little earlier than I expected!” 

That certainly got his attention, his eyes alight with curiosity and friendly enthusiasm as his tail wagged happily. We practically ran across the Pokémon Centre lobby to the transfer stations, as one of the stations began to emit a soft blue light. 

In the small indent, the energy began to take the form of a familiar sphere, until it dispersed, revealing a Friend Ball. The screen read out a small message: 

‘Transfer of pokemon45648 from Gordon Gold to Ethan Gold. \recipient please present trainer ID to finalize transfer.’ 

Following the instructions and hearing the little affirmative beep after presenting my card, I took the Ball in my hand and looked down at Riptide, who eyed it with undisguised intrigue. 

“Ready to meet a new friend pal?” 

“Toto!” 

I grinned as I pressed the release mechanism, the red light shifting and condensing into a small shape of roughly Riptide’s size. A small rosebud-like creature with a yellow face, its dark eyes reflecting nothing but joy. The main bud was surrounded by a pair of entwining vines tipped with red and blue dots, the creature stood on a pair of stubby yellow legs. 

Immediately, the creature trilled in happiness as she locked eyes with me, using a surprising amount of strength to leap at me. I barely reacted in time to catch the affectionate grass type in a hug, a joyful grin tugging at my lips as a strong waft of sweet smelling pollen attacked my senses. 

“Clover! It's good to see you too, girl!” 

“Budew!” 

Chapter Text

“Hey, get away from them!” 

In hindsight, I don’t really know what 13 year old me was thinking. 

‘Yeah, run towards the poor Budew being harassed by a handful of Gastly, that’ll end well!’

But that's what I did, throwing myself between the frightened and whimpering grass type and its spectral tormentors. 

The ghosts, for their part, just laughed, the Budew bearing burns and scuffs from being made to dance around the ghost-types barrage of Will-O-Wisp attacks. 

Their laughter didn’t last long. 

After all, who would let a kid wander Eterna Forest without an escort? 

“LYCAN!”

A torrent of sharpened stones tore through the space the ghosts occupied, much to their ironic fright. Romulus, my father's faithful starter, weaved through the trees with unmatched agility towards the spiteful spectres. 

While a few fired back with the malefic energy of Nightshade, the day-form hound batted them aside with an Iron Tail and growled at them threateningly as more spears of sharpened stone began to take shape around him. 

It was enough of a warning for the remaining spectors to vanish into the twilight. 

While Romulus kept guard against the night, I was fumbling with my pack under the bewildered, but grateful, gaze of the Budew. 

“Oh come on, I know I packed one…. No, that's an awakening. Sitrus berry, Oran berry, Pokégear, flashlight, a harmonica? When did I even pack- No, not important. I swear if Spike ate it, I am going to force-feed that disguised Greedent a bottle of soap-AHA! Found it!” 

Finally, pulling my hand free from the backpack, I held a small heart-shaped berry, its flesh a light blue color with bright emerald leaves growing from its tip. Gently I held my hand out to the little poison type, what I hoped was a reassuring smile on my face. 

“Hey little flower, this should help with the burns those gas bags gave you.” 

The grass type eyed me hesitantly, shooting a questioning look at the Lycanroc that protectively loomed behind me. Romulus gave an affirming growl in response, one of his paws gently clapping me on the shoulder as a small grin overtook his muzzle. 

Internally, I bit back a wince. Lycanroc claws may be retractable and Romulus was always careful to have them hidden away outside a fight, but his paws still felt like getting pelted with a small rock, even with minimal force. 

Still, though, I kept the smile on my face. 

“Don’t worry, We don't want to hurt you, you're going to be OK. I promise.”

Trepidation still tainted the Bud Pokémon's movement, but not as heavily as before, as they waddled forward and took the berry from my hand in a single bite. 

‘Well….. That was horrifying.’

I felt my eyes widen as I traded an astonished look with the equally bewildered Lycanroc, all the while Budew continued happily munching down on the berry’s bitter flesh. 

 As they chewed, the burns quickly healed over with fresh patches of foliage. With a final swallow the berry had done its job, the grass type looking right as rain and letting out a series of happy chirps as they came up to nuzzle against my leg in thanks. 

“Hey, it was no trouble. Hopefully those miserable fart clouds will leave you alone now.”

The grass type’s grin gave way to a frown, chirps turning more sombre. It didn't take much for me to understand. 

“They do this to you often, don’t they?”  

A small, sad nod was my reply.

“Dew….” 

Looking at Romulus, I frowned in contemplation, as the canid rock type offered his comfort to the walking flower bud in the way any friendly dog would. 

A lot of snuggles.

However, to my regret, I couldn’t focus entirely on the adorable scene in front of me. I was no trainer, so catching her was out of the question, and she was still pretty young by the look of things, she needed to be in the wild a bit longer to pick up the necessary skills for survival. 

As I scoured my thoughts for a way for the little plant to defend herself from her spectral tormentors, I finally had a possible solution. 

“You know, I think you guys can learn Shadow Ball. If you can figure that out, then I’m sure you could scare them off if those creeps decide to show their mugs again.” 

That caught the little grass type’s attention, she looked at me with fire in her eyes and a pettiness in her smile that could only be rivaled by someone who knew exactly what it meant to get back at a bully. 

I felt a smirk begin to overcome my face while Romulus looked between us in evident amusement, trying to muffle his canine laughter behind his paws. 

“Oh? Well, learning those types of moves takes alot of training, ya know? You sure you have the dedication to learn?” 

“Bud Budew!” 

“That’s what I like to hear! Tell you what, I still have a few days before I go back to Johto, but if you need a hand then I’m sure I can give you a hand. But for now I have to get going. You can find us just outside the forest at the building with the red roof, OK?” 

“Dew!”

The bud nodded in agreement, unfurling one of its two spiraling vines for a crude handshake. 

With a grin I couldn’t help but return it, even as I heard my father yelling in the distance that it was time to go. 

“Well, I guess I’ll see you tomorrow then. My name's Ethan, by the way!” 

A sudden thought came to me. If I was going to be working on training her then maybe she’d like to be called something besides her species…

“Actually, would you like a nickname? I’m not a trainer, but I can't just keep calling you ‘Budew’ all the time, can I?” 

The rosebud considered my offer for a moment, using their still unfurled vine to gesture at me in a ‘go on’ fashion. 

“Well, it was really just luck we found you when we did, and there's only one plant I can think of when it comes to luck.” 

I leaned down, placing a gentle hand on the Budew’s head as they listened with interest. 

“How do you like the name ‘Clover’?” 

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

“She showed up at the Pokémon Centre the next day, and she's been able to track me down every time I visited dad in Sinnoh. A week after that first meeting, she started blasting ghosts left and right and decided she wanted to join the team when I finally set out.” 

I shot a smile at my new/old grass-type friend, still preening under Riptide’s wide-eyed look as he sat next to her eagerly listening to our little tale now that we had retired to our room in the Cherrygrove Pokémon centre. 

“Though I didn’t quite think you’d join me this soon, it's still great to have you on the squad, Clover.” 

One of Clover’s vines untangled as they took a mock bow, as Riptide offered a playful clap. Good to see they were getting along, though I do hope that Riptide doesn’t indulge her showboating too much. 

As I held my Pokédex up, a silent question to our newest addition, she waved me on with an eager smile on her face as the dex spoke up in its deadpan tone.  

‘Budew, the Bud Pokémon. The pollen it releases contains poison. If this Pokémon is raised on clean water, the poison's toxicity is increased.’ 

‘This Budew is Female. It knows the moves: Absorb, Shadow Ball, Poison Sting, Life Dew, Poison Powder & Stun Spore. Its Ability is Poison Point, which may non-lethally poison other Pokémon upon physical contact.’

“Damn, you picked up Life Dew since I last saw you? That’s all pretty impressive girl!”  

“Bud Budew!” 

Why did I get a sudden flash of my mother’s accent at her strongest, saying ‘Of course it is Darling!’? 

“Well, we should probably get some rest for tonight and enjoy an actual bed while we can. It's going to take us about 3 days to walk from here to Violet city. But first thing in the morning, I want to try and get some training in on the practice fields while we can, you two up for that?” 

“Dile!”

“Dew!”

The pair's affirmative calls were tinged with a hint of excitement. It seemed no matter what species or personality, training to get stronger was a thing enjoyed by all Pokémon. 

“Right then, I’ll see you guys in the morning. Do you want to rest in your balls for the night, or stay out here?” 

The pair of mon looked at each other questioningly, a silent conversation going on between them before they took comfortable positions on the spare bed. Riptide curled up in a cat-like manner atop the pillow, while Clover grabbed the edge of the blanket with her mouth and rolled herself into a little blanket burrito. 

As I bid them goodnight with a soft smile, their soft gurgles and chirps presumably wishing me the same, I began to drift off. As I did, my mind wandered to the events of the day past. 

‘Got tossed out a window by a Gardevoir, witnessed the aftermath of Breaking, Entering and Pokémon theft, met Riptide, won my first battle, saw my friends off on their journeys, made my way to Cherrygrove, called Dad, got yelled at by my angry Mother, got given some mystery pendant, wound up having Clover join the team thanks to dad, recounted how we met to Riptide and finally, finally going to bed.’ 

‘By Dialga's Dick, It’s only been one day.’

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

While Ethan drifted off into the Dream Weavers embrace, Riptide cracked one of his eyes open to observe the gentle rise and fall of his newfound trainer's chest.  He felt a small grin come over his jaw as he turned his attention to the second member of the team. 

“Oi Clover? Ye still awake mate?” 

It seemed to take a fair bit of effort for the bundled-up grass type to turn herself around to actually face him, but eventually she rolled to the side to face him directly with her mischievous dark eyes, her voice sounded oddly like their shared human's mother, now that he thought about it. 

“For ze time being, Mon Ami, iz somezing wrong?” 

He shook his head in a quick disagreement. 

“Nah, nah. Nothin’ like that mate. Ahm jus’ curious ye see, You’ve known our human ‘ere longer than I have, an’ came all this way just ta join' em. So ah guess ahm jus’ wonerin’ whatcha think of 'em?” 

The walking plant cocked an eyebrow at him, a sleepy smirk pulling at her lips. 

“Well, Mon Ami, I ‘ave found zat our dear Directeur iz a man of morals. After all, it takes a special kind of person to put zemselves between you and your tormentorz for nor reward but all ze risk.”

Her face and voice gradually began to take on a more genuinely fond form, her smirk shifting into a genuine smile as she looked over at her trainer's slumbering form. 

“He did not need to help Moi az he did. He did not need to spend zeveral days teaching Moi how to harness ghost type energyz. And he zertainly did not need to check in on me ze next time he waz in Zinnoh months after ze fact.” 

Finally, Clover's fond gaze turned to the still attentively listening water type, her smile completely genuine. There was absolutely no doubt in her voice as she spoke. 

“I promise Mon Ami, zhat he will do right by you and moi. He iz going to be one of ze best trainers zhere iz, and I shall be right by hiz side.” 

A quiet chuckle left the crocodilian as he nodded in agreement. 

“Yeah, Boss seems like one a da good one's mate. I gotta good feelin’ about ‘im. He said we were gonna challenge the best o’ the best an’ win. One a the first things he tells me in fact. An’ I don’t know why, but I already damn well believe him an’ it hasn’t even been a day. Couldn’t tell ye why, but a do.” 

“He haz quite ze air of assurance to his word, non? I think zat ze spotlight will follow zem throughout zere career, and there iz no place I would rather be zan under ze spotlight!” 

“Ye. Thanks for the talk mate, g'dnight Clover.” 

“Till ze morning Mon Ami, dors bien.” 

It didn't take long for the pair of Pokémon to drift off into comfortable slumber themselves, content in the knowledge and confidence they could confirm their trainer possessed. 

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

True to his word, I chose to start the day early, a quick team breakfast after the group's morning rituals, before taking a trip to the mart for a few supplies for the road. Primarily food and medicine for the trek ahead, but another section drew his attention. While held items were a relative rarity, TM’s were an invaluable resource. While it was possible for Pokémon to learn moves without a TM, it made the learning process significantly easier. They were effectively a tutorial on the move, imparting knowledge on the move and the basics of how to use it.   

I had spent years saving money for my travels, and had thankfully accumulated enough to splurge a bit and buy two of them. As I browsed, I tried to think about which would be the most useful. While I couldn’t put a finger on any moves that the Totodile and Budew lines had in common, I could hazard a guess on at least one. 

Trailblaze was a fairly ubiquitous grass type move due to the number of non-grass type Pokémon that could learn it. A simple charging attack enhanced by grass TE that makes up for a lack of raw power with the benefit of increasing the user's speed. 

It would be a good addition to both members of the team for utility, and it definitely favoured Riptide’s preference for close quarters combat. Sadly, it wouldn't be much of a boon to gym battles any time soon, with both Falkner and Bugsy being the first gyms I was aiming to take on. A rock type move would be ideal to have as an edge against both the flying and bug type trainers. 

While a rock type TM would usually be a bit out of my price range, due to their relative power, the solution presented itself in the form of Rock Tomb. A moderately powerful move that hurls a barrage of small boulders at an opponent, but the level of control over the boulders allows for a large degree of versatility. Traps, shields, projectiles and close range strikes just to name a few. 

The pair of TM's would make a significant dent in his finances, but as long as he won a few battles along route 30 and 31 on the way to Violet city. They would be a worthwhile and recoverable investment, but that didn’t mean he wasn’t struggling to hide a wince as he paid for them. He could already hear his metaphorical wallet weeping.

As he headed out to the training fields, reserved with the aid of the local Joy, he only hoped that his two team members would make the most of it. As he released the pair out onto the field, cheerful growls and chirps in greeting. 

“All right you two, we have about 2 hours before we should hit the road. That should be enough time for you two to get used to your new moves.” 

I already had their attention, but their eyes lit up in excitement at the mention of a new move. Riptide gurgled happily in curiosity, while Clover turned to the water type and began to explain something to him in her high-pitched chirps. 

It made sense, I had told her about TM’s before when I helped her master Shadow Ball. 

“Seems Clover is on the ball, I picked up TM’s on my errand run for you two. Hopefully they should help out, but I’ll need to return you for a minute for the TM to do its thing alright?” 

“Tot!” 

“Dew!” 

As the pair vanished in flashes of red light, I took out a device akin to an old school CD player that was linked to the pokéball by a small, almost invisible, USB port. Inserting the TM disk into the machine, it took only 2 minutes a piece for the knowledge recorded upon the disks, knowledge gleaned from the willing minds of powerful Pokémon who had already learned the move, to be fully imparted upon his team members. 

Releasing them, the pair seemed a bit disoriented but that faded with relative haste. 

“Alright, you both should have Trailblaze now. Riptide you also have Rock Tomb added to your arsenal. Clover, you should already have a naturally strong grasp of Grass Type TE, so I want you to help Riptide with getting a feel for it. After that, Riptide, I want you to work on getting a hold of Rock Type TE and Rock Tomb as a whole. I’ll help you out with that. Clover, I want you to try and strengthen Absorb into Mega Drain, and I’ll be helping you as well. Sound like a plan?”       

Riptide shot his trainer a mock salute before turning to babble happily at the grass type that had (thankfully) become a quick friend to him as she happily tittered under his apparent praise. 

I didn't bother to hide my own fast-forming smile. 

It was time to get to work. 

Chapter Text

Twenty minutes. 

That was all it took for the little savant that was Clover to have a strong grasp on using Trailblaze to enhance her speed, practically dancing around the field. 

Ethan had already known that Clover was something of a genius when it came to learning new moves. I mean, she was able to pick up Shadow Ball from scratch in a matter of days. A grass-type move with the knowledge instilled by a TM must have been child's play for her. 

Riptide, while understandably a bit slower on the uptake when it came to utilizing Grass TE, he was picking it up at a reasonable pace and was alternating between doing that and Rock Tomb. The latter of which he had picked up considerably faster and was using to create something of a pseudo obstacle course to practice on. 

But for now, Ethan’s attention was on his dancing grass-type, whose pride was rather evident. 

“Excellent work Clover, you got that down way faster than expected. So for now let's see if we can get that Absorb up to a Mega Drain, yeah? If your work with Trailblaze is anything to go by, then you should have that ready before we go.” 

“Bud!” 

With Absorb to work off of, Mega Drain should be rather easy for Clover to pick up as a skill. It was more a matter of harnessing more Grass TE to strengthen the draining move into something more. Meditating among the cherry blossom trees that gave the coastal town its name would definitely help. 

While Clover effectively rested, trying to gauge the amount of energy it would take to improve Absorb to Mega Drain. Ethan decided to turn his focus to Riptide, still struggling to handle Trailblaze as he accidentally sent himself tumbling over his own tail and into one of the small boulders he had created earlier with a pained bark. 

Rushing over to lend a hand, and possibly apply a potion to his battered maw, he almost didn’t hear the scoff that harshly cut through the ground's relative calm. While Ethan checked on Riptide, seeing no real damage to the crocodile and his own brief thumbs up gesture. 

Then, his attention turned to the sound of someone else approaching the field. It was a young man who must have been of a similar age to Ethan himself. Dressed in navy blue clothing and bearing neck length, vibrant, red hair styled into a series of points as sharp as the sneer across his lips. 

It was easy for Ethan to make the connection, this person was, of course, one of the most iconic rivals in the franchise he had loved in his first life. 

Silver. 

The son of the currently MIA Viridian City gym leader/ Team Rocket Kingpin.    

But the only thing that Ethan cared about at that moment was that he was just another trainer, albeit a particularly brutal, pragmatic and arrogant one. 

Ethan knew Silver wasn’t in a good place. He knew that he was on an unhealthy path and had the same view of Pokémon as his father. That they were nothing but tools. 

In spite of knowing all of this, that sneer as he looked down at Riptide and Clover was enough to rile Ethan’s own temper. So perhaps as he turned to address him, his two partners at his side, he had a bit more bite in his tone than he would otherwise have intended. 

“Can we help you with something?” 

Silver looked Ethan up and down, examining him just as he had sized up Clover and Riptide, before addressing Ethan directly, his sneer never falling from his face. 

“You can get off the field.”

“Excuse you?” 

“You heard me weakling.” 

‘The audacity of this bitch.’

Ethan thought to himself, his eye twitching as his two partners also looked offended. Riptide slipped into his Donald Duck style angrish, shaking his tiny fist in indignation. Meanwhile, Clover, usually as cheerful and flamboyant as can be, bore a frigid glare and vicious snarl. 

“Yeah. I’m not doing that. If you had asked politely, then maybe I would have been willing to share. But you come out here, make a demand of me, and insult me and my team here?” 

Ethan shook his head in the negative, biting back a snarl. 

“But I am a reasonable guy. So here's a little proposal for you. We battle, two on two, standard rules. You win, we leave, and the field is yours. I win, you apologize to me and my friends here.” 

The redhead's sneer turned into a smirk, practically oozing arrogance as he scoffed, palming one of the four Poké Balls at his waist. 

“You must be delusional if you think you can beat me, you aren’t the only one with some rare Pokémon. But sure, weakling, you’re on. It shouldn’t take long for us to crush you. Maybe I’ll let you stick around and watch some real training. You might learn something.”

“Haha, I’m going to feel bad when my friends here wipe that smug look off your face.”   

As they took positions, Ethan returned Riptide to his ball, shooting an eager grin at Clover. 

“You up for going first girl?” 

The grass type nodded rapidly in agreement, Ethan biting back a sneeze as his companion filled the air with pollen. Across the field, his opponent released a Pokémon of his own. A creature famed and beloved in this world and the last. 

“Don’t disappoint me, Eevee.” 

As the fox kit took the field, it ruffled its fur and immediately took a combative stance. Lips pulled back into the type of viscous snarl that one would more commonly associate with an angry Mightyena than an Eevee, eyes firmly locked on Clover’s own glaring form. 

Silver leaned down and grabbed a stone from the ground, gently tossing it in his palm as his smirk finally faded into a more Stoic mask. 

“We begin when this rock hits the ground. Agreed?” 

Ethan barely had a chance to nod in agreement as Silver tossed the stone high. 

The wait felt like an eternity.

Thunk

The stone hit the ground, and the battle began. 

“Eevee, let's not waste any time, take that runt out with a Quick Attack!” 

The kit vanished in a streak of white, instantly crossing the field and ramming into Clover like a fluffy bullet. Luckily, she kept her footing and held firm.

“Clover, use Poison Sting!” 

Clover’s mouth opened wide, firing off a barrage of venomous needles at point-blank range. Silver attempted to call for the Eevee to dodge with another Quick Attack, but his command was far too late. 

The hail of barbs landed true, nailing the unfortunate kit in the chest as they fought back a bark of pain. Meanwhile, Silver's scowl returned (Was that and the smirk his only facial expressions?) 

“Are you really going to let that little weed beat you? Push through and use Bite and throw them away!” 

Heeding the trainers' order, the Evolution Pokémon pushed through, Dark type energy cloaking their fangs as they leaped forward. Successfully, their teeth found a hold in the vines that intertwined above Clover's head, skidding as they landed on their feet and tossing Clover aside. The Budew left, rolling over the field towards Silver, letting out pained chirps all the while before raising to their feet. 

However, the action did not come without consequences. A purplish hue had overcome the bridge of the kit's nose, whether from the barrage of Poison Stings or Clover’s Poison Point ability, The Eevee was poisoned. 

“Clover are you alright?” Ethan called with concern, but Silver allowed for no quarter. 

“They won’t be for long. Eevee wrap this up with Hyper Voice!” 

Ethan’s eyes widened, that was a powerful move for an early stage Pokémon to have. If that landed, it was game over for Clover, but it also provided an opportunity. 

Eevee was young, and clearly unused to this powerful ability. A truth that forced them to adjust their footing for more stability and take a second to charge their energy, and their poisoning only seemed to exacerbate that. 

And a second was all Clover needed. 

“Clover, get in close with Trailblaze and use Absorb!”

Grass TE shrouded Clover, her face turning grave. With aid from Trailblaze’s enhanced speed, the Budew raced forward, impacting Eevee as they prepared for the potent sound attack. And just as quickly did the Clover begin to drain her target, as Clover inhaled a mighty breath, emerald green energy began to flow out of Eevee and into Clover’s waiting maw, her damaged foliage quickly re-growing and recovering as she took it in. 

But it drained far more than a simple Absorb. 

It seemed Mega Drain really didn’t take her long to figure out. 

Fighting through the pain, the kit prepared to exhale still. The hope was that the extra healing generated would be enough for Clover to ensure the blow. But whether that plan would work was not a question that would be answered today. 

Eevee stilled, there was no great burst of noise as Hyper Voice died in their throat as they collapsed on their side unconscious. 

The additional power of Mega Drain and the lingering effects of poison had worn the normal type down. 

Clover stood tall, well as tall as her short stature would let her, sporting a defiant glare as they stared down their opponent. A message was clear in her eyes as our redheaded opponent looked on in a brief stint of disbelief. 

One did not need to understand the language of Pokémon to hear her message loud and clear.

‘Who’s weak now?'

Silver’s disbelief didn’t last long. Before his, what Ethan honestly just assumed at this point to be, signature scowl marring his face again as he returned the young Normal type with a deep, frustrated sigh. 

“Still a disappointment, I see.”

Ethan shot his opponent a scathing glare. 

“Hey, they did their best for you. Why don’t you show them a bit of respect!?” 

Silver scoffed at that notion. 

“Then clearly her best isn’t good enough if she can’t even take out your little weed, is it? The only reason I haven’t released her yet is because she might have some worth when she evolves.” 

Ethan glared fiercely, the fire in his eyes replaced with an arctic frigidness. 

“With an attitude like that, I think the only weak one between you and Eevee is pretty obvious.” 

Silver’s own glare sharpened as he picked up his next Poké Ball, a dusk ball he noted, from his waist. A single nod from Clover was all Ethan needed to know she wanted to stay in. 

“I’m going to enjoy what comes next. Sneasel, cut them down to size!” 

The Dark/Ice type manifested on the field with a sneer that matched their trainer, brandishing its claws like daggers as Clover glared back. 

Once again, Silver grabbed the errant stone, tossing it in the air. A tense moment passed until the stone touched down to earth once again and the battle began anew. 

“No time to rest Clover, shower them with Poison Sting!” 

“Block with Metal Claw and advance.” 

The hail of toxic needles fired off, but unlike against Eevee, this unfortunately did not prove as effective. The metal sheen of Sneasel’s claws made for an impenetrable shield against Clover’s poison as they carved their path towards their grass type target. 

They closed the distance with the speed of an assassin, and were equally primed to strike. 

“Let's end this quickly, use Ice Punch!”

Ethan bit back a curse as frost overcame the Ice types knuckles, but this wasn’t completely hopeless. Just as the Sharp Claw Pokémon was about to make contact, Ethan only had enough time to make one final call. 

“Stun Spore now!” 

Ethan held back a wince as the frigid fist made contact with his floral friend. Clover didn’t hold out against the super effective blow for long. But they held on long enough to heed Ethan’s last command as they released a cloud of yellowish pollen before Ice Punch launched them right back to Ethan’s feet, completely unconscious. 

The Sneasel coughed and sputtered as they tried and failed to clear the spore cloud. The faint sparks racing across the Ice-type's form confirmed that Clover's final act worked as intended. 

Ethan smirked, Paralysis would definitely make that speed demon easier to handle. Further, it seemed to cut off Silver’s gloating before he could even begin, his smug expression dying a quick death. 

“You did an amazing job Clover, rest up for now. Me and Riptide will finish this.” 

As one Pokémon returned, Ethan's second Pokémon took the field. His starter took a stretch with a proud gargle, eyes briefly locking with his opponents before turning to look at his trainer. A silent question of the situation. 

“Hey pal, Clover took out opponent number one, but Sneasel took her out. She got a paralysis off beforehand, so we have a small advantage.” 

Riptide nodded firmly, a brief flicker of naked pride in his reptilian slits at his teammates' earlier  victory, before he turned and growled threateningly at his icy opponent. 

For the third and final time, a stone was thrown skyward. The stand-off may not have been long, but it felt like Sneasel and Riptide were locked in a vicious stare-down. The Ice types claws flexed while Riptide's jaw clenched in preparation until….

​Thunk

The stone hit the ground and the two Pokémon exploded into action. 

“Sneasel, Quick Attack!”  

“Riptide, use Aqua Jet to meet them head on!” 

The two were practically blurs, the dark type rushing forward shrouded in the pure white sheen of Normal-type TE until they collided head on with the torpedo of water that covered Riptide in the middle of the field. 

The two struggled, neither giving an inch as the two attacks struggled against each other. An arc of electricity ran across Sneasel's arms, paralysis causing them to briefly lose their ability to push back. 

It cost them dearly.  

That brief lapse was all it took for Riptide’s Aqua Jet to push through, knocking the Sneasel to the ground as Riptide landed firmly on his feet, the water around him evaporating. 

“Don’t let up bud, let's test out Rock Tomb!” 

With a growl, the Big Jaw Pokémon stomped upon the ground, raising a halo of rock behind him. With a swipe of his tail, the stone flew forward intent on pulverizing the prone Ice Type. 

However, Silver had other plans. 

“Quick attack to dodge behind the runt, then use Metal Claw!” 

Paralysis did not impede the Sharp Claw Pokémon this time, the speed granted by Quick Attack practically catapulting them onto their feet. Ducking and weaving between the flying stones, they closed in once more before dancing around the crocodilian and getting behind him before Riptide could even react. 

A set of claws, shining like daggers, came down upon the reptile's back in a viscous slash. As the Big Jaw Pokémon cried out in pain, blood was seeping from his back, before he turned to the Ice type that smirked cruelly down at him. 

Riptide’s scowl soon turned to a smirk as he heard his friend's next call. 

“Counter!” 

Fighting TE built up in his tail, and with a violent swipe did the bulky appendage connect to the Ice-type's mid-section, blasting them back towards the opposite end of the field. However, the ice type did not falter quite yet. 

Silver’s growl was far more animalistic and angry than should ever come from a person. 

“Fine! If we can't get close, then we hammer him from range. Ice Shard, do not let up! If he gets close, then use Quick Attack to regain distance!” 

The blades of razor sharp ice began to fly en masse towards the crocodilian, forming between the Sharp Claw Pokémon’s knuckles, each being thrown with the speed and precision of a master assassin. There was very little chance of Riptide being able to close the distance, and even if he did, Quick attack would get them out of range well before that unless….

A manic grin overcame Ethan’s face. 

“Riptide, try and use Trailblaze to keep dodging and build up speed!”

“Toto!?” 

“I know it doesn’t sound like much of a plan, but please trust me on this, we just need to be patient, alright!?”  

With a nod, the Big Jaw Pokémon began to take evasive action. Grass TE charged the soles of his feet as he began to rush from one side of the field to another, but many frigid blades were still able to land grazing hits or full on strikes.

“Really? You realize you’re just delaying the inevitable at this point, right?” 

Sparks raced across Sneasel’s form once more, their attacks ceasing for a moment. 

But a moment was all they needed. 

Ethan smirked.

“No. Just buying time. Riptide now!” 

The croc didn’t so much as move, as much as he appeared in front of Sneasel. The constant use of Trailblaze having increased the water type's speed threefold. There was no chance for Sneasel to react, even as Silver frantically shouted for a Quick Attack to dodge, the paralysis was paying dividends. 

All the Sneasel could do was watch with wide eyes as victory fell through its claws. 

“Use Rock Tomb!” 

And the halo of stone shot forward. 

They collided with the force of small meteors, leaving the ice type prone and defeated.  

Silver stood stock still, disbelief radiating from his form for a brief moment, before he scowled again and returned Sneasel to their Poké Ball. Riptide turned and zoomed over to Ethan’s side, the lingering effects of Trailblaze still increasing his speed as he happily danced around his trainer. 

“Good job buddy, I’m sure that Clover will be proud too.” 

However, he was swiftly brought out of his ruminations by the loud scoff of an approaching Silver. 

‘Okay, is that scowl his default expression or something? Frown, smile, Sweet Distortion, smirk again for Arceus’ sake!’

Ethan thought to himself as the other trainer came closer. 

“Happy you won, huh? I suggest you enjoy it. It won't happen again.” 

“Are…. Are you just allergic to giving compliments or something?” 

Silver carried on unfazed, the pair pressing their Pokédex’s together briefly for the transfer of the basic prize amount, Ethan’s face shifting to a perfect deadpan as he was ignored. 

“My name is Silver, remember it. I’m going to be the strongest Pokémon trainer in the world.” 

“Sure you are, pal.” 

Silver’s eyes narrowed at Ethan’s blatant dismissal of his claims. 

“Oh, you're doubting me?” 

“Considering the concepts of politeness, self awareness, and facial expressions beyond scowling are beyond you? Yes.” 

Silver rolled his eyes hard, Ethan almost thought they would roll right out of his head like a pair of Voltorb. 

“Oh and what would a weakling like you know?” 

“Enough to beat you, apparently.” 

‘Okay, genuinely can this guy scowl any harder!?’

Before Silver could go off on him, Ethan just sighed. Pinching the bridge of his nose, while Riptide tried (and failed) to mask his laughter, which came out in harsh barks of amusement. 

“Look my guy, I won, you lost. So, as per the bet, I believe you owe my friends here an apology.” 

Silver bit back something far harsher before taking a deep breath, his scowl never lessening as he practically spat his apology towards Ethan’s smug starter. 

“Sorry.” 

Ethan grinned, it was not a good grin. 

“There you go. Now I’m going to go get my friends checked over, and when I come back I had better not find you here. A deal is a deal after all~!” 

Silver turned on his heel, storming off towards the town outskirts and grumbling under his breath all the while, nothing Ethan could hear admittedly. Once he was out of sight, he turned to a still laughing Riptide with a smirk of his own. 

“Let's get you and Clover looked over, then hit the road.” 

“Tot?” 

Ethan’s smirk widened. 

“Yeah we could have just let that Jerk use the field since we were leaving, but he insulted you guys, so no training field for him. It's his own fault really.” 

Riptide practically doubled over in laughter, to the point that Ethan had to carry him to Nurse Joy’s counter. It may have been petty, but hopefully it would teach the arrogant punk a lesson. 

Though the expression he’ll make if Ethan ever tells him that may also make it worth it. 

Chapter Text

No trainer the world over would ever be ungrateful for the work and diligence of the Joy family. Only an hour after the pair's battle with Silver were Clover and Riptide as hale and healthy as they were that morning. 

Though they were a bit tired from the bout, the pair had elected to remain in their respective pokeballs for the time being for a well-earned rest. 

Not after taking time to accept my praise and pat each other on the back. 

I really hope they don’t develop an ego feeding off of each other. 

Well I guess it's a bit late on that front for Clover, but a man can dream. 

Either way, I had started on my road to Violet city, leaving the town of Cherry Blossoms behind me. 

Route 30, otherwise known as the Emerald Path, was another forest path much like route 29 before it. But the lush trees and singing of the Wingull overhead as they flew towards the sea. I took a deep, gratifying breath of the fresh forest air. 

Cherrygrove may have been a beautiful place, but just being on the road again was liberating in ways I couldn’t begin to describe with words. And we would have roughly three days to enjoy it, counting our planned detour. 

Sure enough, about 4 hours into the trek, I had reached a fork in the road marked by a sign that had seen better days. The weathered wood still carries the same carved message. One route led on to Violet city, while another led on to “Mr Pokémon’s Research Facility.” 

Before I could start my walk down to the enigmatic researcher/Pokémon fanatic’s home, I was distracted by something else. Or rather someone else. 

“Hey, you're a trainer, right?! Let's battle!” 

My grin returned full force, I hope my two partners weren't too tuckered out.

“Sounds good, one Pokémon each!” 

The other trainer, a kid dressed in an orange shirt with beige cargo shorts and a backwards cap, scoffed arrogantly. 

“Of course, I only need one! After all, my Rattata is in the top percentage of Rattata!” 

I froze, my entire body as stiff as a statue as his words registered.

‘By Arceus…. Just as the prophets foretold…..’

I forced a smile upon my face. 

“Hey, what's your name, by the way?” 

He let out a haughty laugh, like an arrogant prince amused by a jester. 

“I am the one and only youngster Joey! Behold your opponent and tremble!” 

He released the rodent, a creature that bore the same reputation as many legendary Pokémon in my old life. It looked like a normal Rattata. It sounded like a normal Rattata…. Wait, what was that around its neck? 

…..

My smile shattered. I knew that item. A Focus Sash.

‘Oh dear…’ 

Still, even as I sighed in reluctance I palmed Riptides pokeball, well I guess the duo weren’t going to be developing that ego I was worried about…..

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

As I walked down the path, the wood of a cabin was now in sight beyond the trees. Riptide and Clover were walking alongside me with the former grumbling angrily under his breath to the unending amusement of my grass-type companion. With a fond grin I looked down at my pouting starter, still upset by a loss against that frankly evil Rattata. Thank Arceus Clover knew Life Dew, it made preserving healing items rather easy. 

“C’mon Riptide, it's been 3 hours, and you're still hung up on losing to Joey?” He didn’t look me in the eye as I sighed ruefully, Clover’s chittering laughter echoing around us. 

“Look, we can't win them all pal, you know that. They had a strategy” my voice strained, I could feel a vein in my head throbbing. “Admittedly a really cheap one, but it was a strategy. I promise, we’ll get them next time. Besides, you two have beaten 5 other trainers since we left Cherrygrove. Don’t let one loss get you down.” 

Clover chittered encouragingly at my words, but Riptide continued his pouting, though I could make out a brief glint of pride in his eyes at his other victories of the day. Still, our attention had turned to the cabin before us. 

It was a beautiful single-story building, smoke puffing from a large chimney. Approaching the carved door, I once again turned a look at my companions. 

“Remember we’re guests, and might be handling an egg. So be gentle all right?” 

The pair nodded, though Clover let out a series of excited chirps. I suppose she wasn’t present when Elm had told me and Riptide about his request. With a smile, I took the knocker in the center of the door and gently banged it against the door. 

It wasn’t long before an older gentleman, dressed in a dapper silver suit and fedora with a blue bowtie.  His gray mustache and bushy eyebrows hid his mouth and eyes, but he was unable to hide his smile. 

“Ah, it seems I am quite spoiled for guests today! What brings you to the illustrious home of Mr. Pokémon my boy?” 

His voice was as warm and welcoming as his demeanor. I couldn't help but smile back. 

“Hi Mr Sal-” His smile shifted to a glare, his aura shifting to a sense of warning. 

“Pokémon!, Mr Pokémon. That's what I meant!” 

His smile returned, and I felt pressure lift. 

“Sorry to intrude sir, My name is Ethan. I’m one of Professor Elm’s sponsors. He sent me to check out your newest discovery?” 

He barked out a joyful laugh. 

“Hah! Of course! Adrian had mentioned he’d be sending a sponsor in his stead this time around. Come in, come in! You’re in luck. I just put out some tea for my other guest, you, my boy, are in for a treat!” 

My team and I were powerless against Mr Pokémon’s genuine pep and hospitality as he whisked us inside. The cabin was an open floor plan, but my attention was on the figure sitting by the dining table, and the Pokémon buried in a book next to him. 

My attention was initially drawn to the formidable psychic type, an Alakazam, often considered one of the most adept among Psychic types when it came to utilizing their unique talents. While our host had certainly been as subtle as a flying mallet, the Alakazam did not offer us much regard. Merely raising their head and shooting us a little smile and nod before focusing intently on the fantasy novel they levitated before them. 

Not that I could blame them, Lord of the Plates was a classic. They had good taste evidently. 

However, my breath hitched as I turned to the man seated next to them, a grandfatherly smile upon their wizened faces as they turned to us. 

“Why hello young man, don’t mind Thoth here, he’s been rather difficult to pull out of his books as of late. Regardless, where are my manners?” 

He stood from his chair as he set his tea to rest, putting his hand out for a shake. 

“My name is Professor Samuel Oak. How do you do, Ethan? Adrain has spoken quite highly of you.”

I was speechless, I hadn’t remembered this. 

And now here I was face to face with the grinning visage of the former Indigo League Champion, Inventor of the Pokédex, the most prominent academic figure in the world, mentor to Arceus only knows how many prominent trainers.

And here I was, staring at his hand and gaping like a Magikarp….

At least it seemed to make him laugh?

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

With a blush, as my two partners continued giggling around me, I sipped my tea across from perhaps the most esteemed professor in the world. At least the bookworm of an Alakazam was too distracted to join the teasing. 

Sheepishly, I took a sip of tea hoping it would calm me before turning to the still bemused researcher. 

‘OK Ethan, he’s a really big deal, but he's also just a generally nice guy. You can talk to him, come on you nervous idiot, say something!’

“So Professor, Professor Elm talks about me? Please tell me he only kept to the good things?” 

‘Nailed it.’

The professor nodded, still with his unwavering smile as he petted Clover, who sat quite happily on his lap, the little traitor. 

“Of course, he gushes about your talent with Pokémon of all stripes. Teaching this little one her Shadow Ball without a TM at such a young age is a very impressive feat. Better believe Adrain wouldn’t let me hear the end of it.”

While the professor chuckled at the grass type currently preening under his gaze, I could only flush a touch in embarrassment. 

“So, young man, if I may be bold enough to ask, what led you down the path of becoming a trainer? While you certainly seem to have a talent for it, Adrian shared your trainer exam scores. You probably could have pursued the sciences like your father, with established connections and opportunities. In contrast, being a trainer is far riskier, so why walk this road?” 

There was no judgement in his voice, only a polite curiosity and a twinkle in his eyes. I took a sip of tea, looking down at Riptide as I lay a hand on his head in a gentle pat. His happy growls brought a smile to my face, and banished my shyness if only for a moment while I gave the professor my answer. 

“Well… it's a bit selfish. I’ve always idolized the trainers who made it so far. I mean what kid my age doesn’t? How many people my age are there who want to be the next Lance or Cynthia? I won't lie and say I’m not one of them. I do want to be champion, but that’s not the end of the line.” 

I turned to the professor, bemusement still in both his own eyes and those of the Alakazam who I had unintentionally earned the attention of. 

“The journey to get to that goal, the trials and tribulations I’ll have to face, the friends I’ll make and the rivals we battle? That is what is going to build me up, or break me down. I know it's going to be tough, but I know it’ll strengthen my character. Me and my Pokémon both. These two want to stand at the top too, and I’ll be dammned if I let them down.”

“I see. And you truly believe that your journey will build you all up, rather than break you?” 

I nodded resolutely, Riptide letting out a growl of confirmation, while Clover happily trilled in agreement.

“With them? No question.” 

The professor smiled kindly, the seriousness of his previous question melting off him, while the Psychic at his side nodded in acknowledgment, a small smile on their lips, before returning to their book.  

“That is a much more… mature outlook than I expected from someone your age. I wish my grandson had a modicum of that sense when he started out.” the professor snorted, a small reminiscent smile upon his lips. 

“Gym leader Blue? If memory serves, he did have a bit of an arrogant streak in his first conference.” Arceus on a pike, was that an understatement. “Erm no offense meant of course, professor.” 

“Hah! None taken my boy. Blue practically thought that the sun shined out of his rear and that he was practically guaranteed to fill the championship position, since they weren’t going to promote Lance until after that year's Indigo Conference. I think Green defeating him in the semi-finals was the exact reality check he needed.” 

“You sound quite proud of that.” 

“Well, of course.” The professor's smile widened in nostalgia. “Between Blue becoming a gym leader after Giovanni went missing, Red’s brief stint as champion before his adjudication and Green following my own path of research with Daisy? I am very proud of them, of all of them.” 

There was a shine in his eyes as he spoke, a spark of joy and pride. It was like listening to a doting parent gush about the accomplishments of their children. It was enough to put a smile on any face, but it left me with one question. 

‘Would I make Professor Elm that proud of me one day?’

“You will.” 

The professor's kind words pulled me from my thoughts. I shot him a look in surprise as he elaborated. 

“I know that look, Adrian is already quite proud of the three of you. And if you keep that conviction I see in you? You are going to make him all the prouder.” 

“Well said Samuel!” 

Our attention was taken as the jolly visage of Mr Pokémon returned to the room from a part of the cabin he referred to as his study. The twitching of his elegant facial hair gave away the grin that was surely hidden underneath as he walked to the table, cradling a blanketed cylinder in both arms. 

“Why, I dare say that Adrian would not trust you with this particular task unless he held a great deal of faith in you. Especially if our theories on this particular specimen hold true!” 

He unwrapped the item as he gently placed his cargo upon the table. It was an incubator, a cylindrical machine that emitted a soft orange glow like twilight from within as it bathed its passenger in warming rays of light. 

That passenger, of course, was an egg, roughly the size of a soccer ball with pure white coloration dotted with red and blue triangles. 

“Togepi….” 

The name slipped from my lips without thought as I beheld what lay before me. It was hardly my first time seeing a Pokémon egg. Nero and his mate Minerva, my father's Aggron, had certainly made sure of that. There was definitely a possibility of getting an Aron in the future when dad was home again. And my old knowledge had certainly meant I was expecting a Togepi egg.

But regardless, it was my first time seeing the egg of a Pokémon so rare. The Togepi line was known for scarcity, usually avoiding conflict in all its forms, which usually means that they avoided people in all their forms, as well as Pokémon. 

They never fought with other Pokémon over territory, they simply left and found somewhere new. Most commonly, they were found during celebrations and festivals where they made brief appearances and were, subsequently, very rare to see in the care of trainers. 

They were a protected species worldwide, and could only really function in human society if they were raised around it all their lives. In fact, only three specimens were known to be in the hands of trainers: One belonged to the royal family of the Sinnoh region, another to Gym Leader Opal of Galar and the final to the Sinnoh Champion herself, Cynthia Carolina. 

So lost in my thoughts, I barely noticed the curious stares of my partners, or the two older gentlemen's grins. 

“Indeed, lad, it was quite a find, I must say! It was passed onto me by a dear acquaintance of mine from Ecruteak. Apparently it had been left in the night atop the Bell Tower by a passing Togekiss. Now, eggs are quite outside my realm of expertise, but Adrian certainly puts stock in your expertise, so what do you make of them?” 

Roused to attention, I slipped into what Professor Elm called my ‘Researcher mode’. Look, being around two high-achieving scientists you tend to pick things up, I began performing a few routine checks as I gently removed the incubators' precious cargo and bid my partners to stay back as a precaution. 

“Shell integrity seems fine, healthy coloration, gives off a decent amount of heat, so it's receptive to the incubator. A number of marks indicate the egg was laid only 2 months ago, which makes sense. Togepi can only hatch when surrounded by positivity, and Togekiss are thought to instinctively know what needs to be done for their young to hatch and will leave their eggs in the locations that will lead to the best outcome. And finally-” 

I pressed my ear gently to the side of the egg, closing my eyes and listening carefully. 

Thump - Thump

A soft smile came over my face as I raised my head to look my elders in their eyes. 

“-Heartbeat, the baby is developing healthily from what I can tell.”

“Wonderful news lad, seems you know what you're talking about! No wonder Elm asked me to entrust this little one to you!” 

I looked at Mr Pokémon, an unusual seriousness coming across my features as I felt my face harden. 

“Are you sure? You know I’m willing to leave them in your care. The egg was given to you after all.” 

The enigmatic Pokémon fanatic merely waved me off with a grin. 

“Sure as I am that Solgaleo’s sun will rise tomorrow morning! I’m not as spry as I used to be, and Togepi are quite energetic little things. I’m sure you’ll do just fine.”

“Indeed, additionally, it will be quite an opportunity to see how a Togepi raised in the company of a trainer will compare to their more socially distant kin.” The professor chimed in. 

I sighed slightly, before I smiled again. 

“Alright, as long as you're sure, worst case scenario, I guess they should be fine to be raised out on Elm’s reserve. I’ll take good care of them.” 

A light slap on my arm alerted me to Riptide’s presence. Long displaced from his former perch on my lap, the crocodile had taken vigil on the table next to the egg. His glare and impertinent tapping of his foot made the intention clear, if Clover’s particularly viscous side eye wasn’t already helping. 

“I mean we will take good care of them.” 

“Very good, my boy. You should probably check in with Elm when you get the chance. Your welcome to Camp on the grounds for the evening. I believe dusk is about to set in!” 

“I think I’ll take you up on that, sir, though, if you don’t mind my asking.” 

I turned my gaze away from our shared host to aim a question at the authority of Pokémon research, a grandfatherly smile still planted firmly on his face.

“I don’t suppose you have any interesting stories you’d be willing to share, sir?” 

Samuel Oak merely chuckled. 

“I would be glad too. Give me a moment. I think I still have a photo of the time my cousin revealed what Alolan Exeguttor was to Lance.” 

And so the night continued until the professor left for Kanto, his Alakazam able to travel across regions nigh effortlessly. And Mr Pokémon retired to bed as I set up the camp for the first time. 

It was a humble thing, but as I slept under the stars by the lingering warmth of the extinguished fire, Clover and Riptide snuggled up around the egg now in our custody, I knew one thing in my heart. 

No matter how different it was, this little camp still felt like home. 

Chapter Text

“Alright, everything's still fine.”

“Bud, Budew?” 

“No Clover, I am not being paranoid. Thank you very much. Can you maybe go help Riptide with getting a hold of Trailblaze’s speed increase before he runs into a tree-” 

THUD

“-again.” 

“Dew.” 

The grass type rolled her eyes at me before walking over to the toppled and dazed water type at the opposite end of the clearing we had commandeered for a short rest. We had left Mr Pokémon’s grounds early on and had been traveling for several hours by this point. A brief stop for lunch and some light training was long overdue, and I had opted to take some time to do a few follow-up checks on the egg that had been placed in my care. And maybe, just maybe, I was a bit obsessive about it. 

I just wanted to make sure that it's healthy, but all I’m getting is sass from the grass type. At least Riptide wasn’t giving me any grief. 

With a sigh, I returned my attention to the egg. If Riptide was injured again, then Clover had Life Dew, and began to do a few more checks just to ensure the unborn Spike Ball Pokémon would eventually hatch hale and healthy. 

THUNK

“DEW!” 

I bit back a flinch before letting loose a sigh and bundling up the egg back into its incubator and into the pack, thank Arcues that Silph CO bags had egg tailored spaces, before turning on my heel to tend to my probably bruised starter. 

However, it seemed someone else had beaten me and Clover both to healing the rambunctious crocodile. 

Standing over him as he lay on his stomach, hands cradling his head, was another Pokémon of similar height. The majority of its body was covered in a yellowish cream-coloured wool, four blue legs poking out from the fluff and ending in cloven hooves. A short, black and yellow striped tail swayed gently behind the Pokémon as it released a bright golden light and soft ringing noise from the orange orb at its tip. The Pokémon’s head was blue and bore little more detailed features aside from its black button eyes that held a great deal of concern for the water type before them. Its Beedrill striped, cone-like ears twitching as the light faded.

Soft question bleats came from the sheep Pokémon as the light faded, they seemed to be asking if Riptide was alright. As I made my way over, I pulled out my Pokédex and took a scan of the electric type before me. 

‘Mareep, the Wool Pokémon. Mareep’s fluffy coat of wool rubs together and builds a static charge. The more static electricity is charged, the more brightly the lightbulb at the tip of its tail glows.’

‘This Mareep is female. It knows the moves: Heal Bell, Thundershock, Thunder Wave, Growl, Tackle, Shockwave & Electric Terrain. Its ability is Static, which may paralyze Pokémon upon physical contact when in combat.’

I paused in my stride for a brief moment, that was definitely a pretty solid move-set for a wild Pokémon. Terrain altering moves in particular were quite rare to see outside of trained Pokémon. Shaking that thought off, I continued on, concern for my starter outweighing my curiosity towards our unexpected visitor. 

“Riptide, you okay there buddy!?” 

A thumbs up gesture came from where the water type lay as he picked himself up, dusting himself off as he gurgled a thank you to the electric type as he pointedly ignored Clover’s chittering laughter. 

Breathing a sigh of relief, my attention turned to the electric sheep who suddenly seemed a little nervous under my gaze. With a genuine smile, I leaned down and pulled out an Oran berry. 

“Thank you for helping my friend girl, do you want to stick around for lunch as a little thank you?” 

Forget any power over electricity, that adorable little smile and happy baa could probably power a city. 

She was adorable. 

She also ate the Oran berry in a single bite, much like Riptide could. I swear her jaws unhinged like some kind of Seviper. It would have been downright eldritch if she wasn’t adorable. Though, somehow, I could hear my food budget wailing from my non-existent wallet. 

But that smile was worth it. 

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Lunch was a peaceful thing, Mareep seemed to slip into a casual rapport with Riptide and Clover. Though my wallet was definitely suffering its anticipated drain because of Sweet Distortion the lamb could eat, she might have been the largest Pokémon at the proverbial table but Holy Arceus. 

She was already on her 4th bowl of Pokechow, Clover seemed disturbed while Riptide just looked impressed. It was a real good thing I bought a bunch of extra food back in Cherrygrove.

At least the genial electric type seemed to be the helpful type, gathering dishes and bringing them over to me to be cleaned in the basin my starter had already filled up, tail wagging softly behind her. 

Gently I petted them on the head, carefully avoiding the vast amounts of statically charged wool, the sheep leaning in with a gentle bleat. 

“Thanks Mareep, you’re a helpful little one aren’t you?” 

The sheep Pokémon nodded and bounced enthusiastically, braying in happiness the entire time. 

My smile only grew wider. 

“Is that why you came over here? To help Riptide when he was hurting himself practicing?” 

Good Arceus, you don't need to nod that quickly, how has her head not flown off!? 

“Well, thanks for that, you’re a real sweetheart, you know that?”

Oh, thank goodness, she went from nodding to sheepishly rubbing a hoof in the dirt. 

Hoping I was coming across as welcoming, I let out a chuckle as I leaned down to her eye level. 

“Would you like to join us? Me, Riptide and Clover are going on a journey to become strong and battle some of the mightiest Pokémon in Johto. You’re more than welcome to tag along if you want to be part of our little family?” 

Blinding. 

Note to self: Learn to weaponize that smile!

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

“So do you want a nickname like the others?” 

“Reep!” 

The wool Pokémon bleated enthusiastically, she had accepted a role on the team to a great deal of fanfare from our original trio. Riptide and Clover seemed quite happy to have their new friend get upgraded to a family member. 

A habit I had continued from my original life to have each team member in a different type of poke ball, so I had gathered quite the selection and since Mareep was joining with no battle, I had opted to let her choose her own. 

Fittingly enough, given her first interaction with Riptide, she had chosen the Heal Ball. 

Regardless, my attention was on trying to come up with a nickname for my newest companion. 

“Lets see…. Electricity, lightning…. Maybe something to do with power or measurements? Tell you what, how about I just start saying a few?” 

Mareep nodded seriously, contrasted by her happily wagging tail. 

“Tesla?” 

“Ma.”

“That's a no… How about Astrape?” 

“Re reep.” 

“Really? OK, how about Taffy?” 

“Mareep?” 

“What, it's a cute name!” 

“Eep!” 

“Oh c’mon, what about...”

And so we continued on, while initially watching on bemused, Clover and Riptide quickly grew bored and returned to their training. I could hardly blame them. Mareep was a picky sheep. 

Eventually, after a further half hour of spit balling, our search came to a fruitful end. 

“Joules?” 

My favourite sheep, at this point, expected refusal never came. Instead, she seemed thoughtful, before happily and firmly nodding with a happy bleat, while I barely held back a sigh of relief and instead showed a warm grin. 

“Right then, Joules it is.” 

My hand came down in a gentle pat on the sheep's head as Riptide and Clover celebrated. 

“Now then, we had best get a move on. Violet City awaits!” 

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

It had only been two days, but it felt like Joules had been a member of the team from the beginning. Even if that beginning honestly wasn’t that long ago. 

Her presence was a definite boon, she bounced off Riptide’s eager and headstrong self as easily as she indulged Clover’s arrogance and bouts of eccentricity. And her caring and sisterly personality slipped into the fold just as easily. 

Luckily, her gentle nature did not result in her being unwilling to fight when the time came. She had a pretty even record against Riptide and Clover in training and had won her fair share of battles against random trainers. 

Not to mention she had made an excellent repellent against flying types that seemed to become more prevalent as we approached Violet City.

The only real downside was the fact that her appetite did not diminish from day one. Like I said, the little sheep can eat something fierce. I was going to need to start stocking double the amount of food. I mean, yeah, Mareep are grazers and can survive on grass, but I have standards. Joules deserves better than just normal grass. That and I think she might have an addiction to Oran berries. The one time I asked about it, she may have been smiling serenely, but I could feel the aura of death around her. 

A shiver ran down my spine just recalling it. 

Never Again.

Still, those trials and tribulations would soon be behind us. The sky splitting from of Violet City's famous Sprout Tower dominated the horizon as we trekked forward. Riptide and Clover having chosen to remain in their balls for the time being, it was only Joules at my side for the time being. 

Time passed quickly, the final hours of the journey filled with light-hearted conversation and plans for the newest member of our little family's training. I had already taken the liberty of teaching her Trailblaze from the TM, the thought of possibly grabbing Rain Dance or Dazzling Gleam down the line was quite prevalent. 

However, it seemed that the Wool Pokémon was leaning more towards support than offense, though they were definitely not shy about throwing themselves into fights. 

But that conversation would need to be tabled for now, as the dirt trail led to the concrete steps of the city checkpoint. Every major city, or every city with a gym, rather, had one, so they could keep track of trainers and the Pokémon currently present in the city. 

Best to be prepared in case Joe the wandering musician lets his buddy Tyranitar out for a stroll. This way, the officers don't need to understandably freak out about the pseudo-legendary perusing the local berry salesman's wares. 

Checking in was, luckily, quite quick. All you really needed to do was make a quick scan of your trainer ID and done. So as I exited the gatehouse, all three of my companions released to take the first step together towards our first major obstacle. I took a deep breath as I took that next step forward alongside my friends.

We were greeted by the city's famous architecture, the standout, of course, being Sprout tower and the slightly smaller, yet significantly more imposing, Violet gym. 

I felt a grin come over my face, as I looked down at the awestruck faces of my companions. 

“Alright everyone, we get ourselves checked in at the Pokémon centre and then we train. We have a gym badge to earn!” 

I was greeted by the cheers of my team, determination colouring their voices and an eager spark in all their eyes. I felt my grin become slightly more feral.

‘Falkner won’t know what hit him!’

Chapter Text

Of course, the first order of business in any new town was a visit to the Pokémon center, this one boasting the same facilities as Cherrygrove, though the center itself was constructed to resemble the more traditional Johtonian architecture that Violet City was famed for. 

The center itself was much larger than Cherrygrove’s and was bustling with activity. At least a further twenty people and even more Pokémon dotted the reception area without even counting the staff. As I trudged towards the front desk, I picked up brief shards of conversation from other trainers as they conversed. 

“Did you get hit by The Guardian too?”

“Yeah, I thought the type advantage would be enough, but they beat Graveller into rubble” 

“Yikes, at least you're not the only one. You think the League will send anyone out to relocate it?” 

“Doubt it, they're going to be buried with all the first-year trainers flooding the circuit. One semi-territorial Pokémon that doesn’t attack unless challenged probably won't be high up on their radar.” 

So engrossed in my eavesdrop- information gathering. Information gathering. 

Yes, that was definitely what I was doing. 

I almost didn’t notice that I had reached the reception, one of three Nurse Joy’s only, distinguished by a slightly different hairstyle, this one boasting a long ponytail that reached her waist. However, all three seemed to share an overall haggard appearance, complete with dark bags under their eyes. 

“Hello young man, healing I imagine?” Her breath carried a minor scent of coffee and her voice was tinged with a level of exhaustion only a college student in finals week could even begin to understand. 

“Um…no ma’am. Just hoping to check in for a room?” 

Her eyes lit up, some bleariness banished, at least for the time being. 

“Oh, thank goodness, Trainer ID please?” 

Presenting it and allowing her to do as she needed, I couldn’t help but indulge my curiosity once more. 

“Are you alright? You seem a little….” 

“Exhausted beyond belief?” the nurse cut him off, a sleepy smile on her lips. 

“Not how I’d put it but… Yes.” 

The nurse chuckled, a subdued and quiet thing. 

“It's alright. It's just between Falkner having to beat back challengers by the dozens daily, and others trying to challenge the fabled Guardian of Route 32.” 

“I'm sorry, the what?” 

The nurse sighed, cradling her face in her palms. 

“An unusually powerful Growlithe that's been fighting challengers that approach its den. I don’t think anyone has beaten it yet. The only upside is that they aren’t going out of their way to fight anyone. But, well, a powerful wild Pokémon is like Meowthnip to fresh trainers.” 

I had to bite back a wince as I took back my ID and the accompanying key card. That would definitely lead to the surplus of work the Joys were clearly suffering. 

“If it's any consolation, I’m only planning on fighting one of those two.”

Joy rolled her eyes. “Just as long as you know what you're doing, maybe take some time to train up at Sprout Tower? It should be a pretty decent training area for you.” 

“Thank you, Nurse Joy, I'll take that under advisement.”

It was still only the early hours of noon, enough time to pay a visit to the gym itself and get myself booked in for our inaugural gym battle. It was not a long walk to reach our new destination. The gym, as with many towns, was effectively the center point of the community. 

A tower of mahogany wood, while still dwarfed by the figure of Sprout tower at the town's edge, standing tall, surrounded by the park that made up the town center. A few trainers milled about and enjoyed the midday sun, perhaps the most attention-grabbing being an older trainer probably on their 4th circuit judging by age and the slumbering form of a mighty Steelix coiled around a tree and basking in the shade as a curious Hoothoot perched upon their head. 

Luckily, the gym itself was relatively quiet bar a few trainers in line. A brief 5-minute wait was all it took before a date was set for a battle with Falkner. 10 am in three days' time, enough time to get some training in and hopefully prepare a few counters. 

There was no telling how different Falkner’s team would be from his counterparts. Flying definitely held an exceedingly diverse roster of Pokémon for the first gym of Johto to pick from. 

Still, for now, our attention gave way to Sprout Tower. 

The ancient landmark was one of many sentry towers built in the old days before the International League, or hell, even the Johto League, was formally established. But as time marched on, and the world changed, the towers endured. While you could find one in every town in Johto as a shrine to the region's guardian legendary Pokémon, Sprout tower was the first. 

While the practice of venerating legendary Pokémon as deities was still practiced, it was nowhere near as common as it once was. However, Sprout Tower maintained a unique relevance to modern trainers. Not as a religious site, though it still was one, but as a training ground. It was widely known that Champion Jimmu, the first champion of the Indigo league and the man who ushered in the unification of Kanto and Johto, had trained here. Even taking a Bellsprout for his own team, its descendants still wandering the tower's grounds to this day. 

In honour of that, the monks and sages of the tower offer their assistance to trainers passing through Violet City. Offering their services as training matches, move tutors and the infamous Tower challenge. A gauntlet meant to test a trainer's strategic wit and put one's mind to the test just as much as their Pokémon. Of course, there was the promise of a reward to the few able to best the challenge at the tower's apex.

As such, trainers at the start and end of their journeys alike flocked to the tower to hone their skills, though some also came for the tower's own rich history and plethora of stories, some fascinating and some ....a bit outlandish. 

Particularly the old tale that the tower itself was actually made from a giant Bellsprout was…. Questionable, even in a world as fantastical as this. The tower shared the style of a Jinja Shinto shrine, the entrance marked by a large Torii gate carved of acacia wood, and beyond it lay the gardens that surrounded the tower, where its titular population of Bellsprout roamed and rested. 

In the morning hours it was being tended to by a lone monk, bald unless one counted his moustache of faded grey and a truly magnificent unibrow that hid his eyes from view. My approach caught his attention as he looked up from his gardening duties, perfectly expressionless as they rose to their feet, a basket of freshly plucked berries in hand as they greeted me with a traditional bow.

“Greetings young man, welcome to Sprout Tower. I am Sage Jin. Tell me what brings you to our hallowed halls?” 

Almost by instinct, I found my body's posture shifting into a bow of my own as I replied. 

“Good afternoon, Sage Jin. I would like to take on the Towers challenge if that is possible?” 

The sage hummed in acknowledgment. “Of course, young man, you would be the second to take the challenge today, so we are still quite prepared. Follow on, if you would.” My eyes briefly flashed to the Bellsprout by the sage’s feet, one quickly darting away ahead of us into the bowels of the tower, likely to alert the other denizens to prepare. As Jin led me in, the interior of Sprout tower was just as awe-inspiring as the gardens. 

Of course, the central focus was a large shrine to Ho-oh and the legendary beasts, framed by elaborate wall paintings depicting the infamous tale of the Burned Tower and the miraculous resurrection of Ho-oh’s most devout servants. 

The tower itself was some of the finest woodwork I had ever seen, a spiral staircase ascending in the left while a ladder lay to the right, where Jin gestured for me to ascend. 

“The ladder will lead you to the first of the tests you must face, young trainer. However, I must inform you that you may only use your Pokémon and any items you earn in the tower to pass your trials. Doing otherwise will see you fail, do you understand?”

I nodded in the affirmative and Jin huffed in acknowledgment before continuing. 

 “Then I wish you luck. If anything, I hope you do better than the last challenger. No manners on that boy, I swear.” 

Oh wow, why did that sound familiar? 

“We will try our best Sage Jin, happy gardening.” 

For the first time, a smile scraped through Jin’s Stoic visage as he clasped my hand in a firm two-handed shake before turning on his heel and departing for the gardens from whence he came. Though not without leaving a hefty weight in my hand. A large and perfectly ripe pecha berry, its shape that same cartoonish love heart and flesh a vibrant pink, the sweet smell wafting off its leaves almost overwhelming but no less calming. With a smile, I quickly placed it in my bag before ascending the ladder where the first of the tower's challenges awaited me. The trap door that barred my way at the top of the ladder didn't require much effort to open, but all I was met with was an abyss of darkness. With a sigh I hefted myself up, the trapdoor slamming behind me and banishing my one source of light. I didn’t even bother to bite back my sigh as I fumbled for Joules’ Poke Ball. 

“I was expecting to be flying blind here, but come on!”

It took a solid minute just to release the Wool Pokémon, her startled baa bringing a grin to my face, not like I had to hide it in these conditions. 

“Hey Girl, think you can light the place up a bit?” 

While I couldn’t see her physical response, a dull orange light began to shine from the tip of her tail. Without knowledge of Flash, it was barely enough to see my favourite sheep, let alone the rest of the room. Though it was enough to make out the slabs of wood that blocked off all but a single branching pathway. I could physically feel my shoulders slump. 

“A maze. A maze in the dark. Alright, sure, let's do this!” 

As I took the first step, Joules right at my side, I heard a spectral giggle echo in the air around me as a strained grin overtook my features and a shiver forced its way down my spine. 

“Oh and it's haunted, great! Love that!” 

Joules’ reaction was a bit less subdued in comparison. 

Though her jumping into my arms like Scooby-Doo was certainly pretty funny, I just hoped she wouldn’t shock me in her apparent fight. However, briefly, as I took a more cautious step onto one of the branching paths, a few stray thoughts rattled in my brain. 

‘Wait, isn’t this just Morty’s gym puzzle? Does he still have that? Can he sue for puzzle infringement?’

The train of thought was just as quickly halted as a Gastly appeared to helpfully inform us we had gone the wrong way.

And by that I mean scream in our faces and spook Joules into releasing a Thundershock while she was still in my arms. Electricity raced through my form as I fell flat on my back. Thank Arceus anime logic was doing the trick and a bit of minor electrocution could be walked off with a quick application of Heal Bell and sheer stubbornness. 

As my fluffy friend let loose a torrent of apologies, I could only mentally come to one conclusion. 

We were going to be here for a while. 

—----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Two hours. 

Two. Hours. 

All spent wandering the dark, running into mocking ghosts every fifteen minutes or so, resulting in even more frightened bleating and panicked shocks from the Wool Pokémon still cradled in my arms. 

I am really glad humans in this world are pretty resilient, otherwise I’d be suffering pretty severe nerve damage at this point. 

Still, it was worth it, the ladder in front of me illuminated by the glow of Joule’s tail. It was a quick ascent to the next floor, thankfully illuminated by lanterns. With a sigh of relief, I set the electric type down from my single-armed hold as she refined a bit of strength in the light, shooting me a sheepish (heh) look. 

“Reep…” 

A small smile came to me as I leaned down to give her a gentle scratch behind her…ears? Cones? Horns? Honestly, I was never sure what exactly those were. 

“It’s alright girl, all in the past now.” 

The glint of apology faded from Joules’ eyes as she leaned in to the scratch before letting out a relieved bleat. 

“Though we are going to need to work on that fear of ghosts going forward, you know? I mean one of the Gym Leaders does specialize in them.” 

At that moment, she went stock still, a look of betrayal in her features and horror in her eyes. Before I could offer any encouragement, a gust of wind suddenly batted against us, buffeting hair and wool alike, as my head was suddenly left bereft of the Pokémon protagonists' symbol of power, their most sacred of artefacts….

The Hat. 

I barely caught a glimpse of the culprit, a soccer-ball-sized blur of black and yellow that seemed to bounce from wall to wall, before finally coming to a stop before a ladder that led to the towers next level, a loud buzzing emanating from their wings, still constantly in motion. 

The creature itself resembled a super-sized cicada bearing the colours of a bee, two large, grey forelimbs jutting out from its insectoid body while it gazed at us, amusement leaking from the twin red pearls it called eyes as it let loose a buzzing jeer. 

“Jask jask jask!” 

And of course, on its head, rested The Hat. Though my attention briefly diverted to the key dangling from a rope around its neck(? I honestly didn’t think they even had a neck, but where the head met the body) as it gestured to the wall behind us, turning we were met with a simple plaque with inscribed instructions. 

To progress to the next challenge, you must steal the way forward.

Joules and I shared a look before unceremoniously releasing Riptide and Clover, the two quickly taking stock of our surroundings as the speedy Bug type erratically shifted positions, wildly slinging its forelimbs in ‘Come at me’ gestures as it impatiently waited for the game to begin. 

“Right then.” I matched the Ninjask's impatient glare with my own. “Everyone? Trailblaze.” 

The trio of crocodile, plant and sheep exploded with forward momentum as grass-type energy built up in their feet, a cheer coming from our opponent as they practically vanished in a blur of speed. 

“Riptide, try and keep on him! Use Trailblaze as much as you can handle to keep pace! Clover take the right, set up clouds of Stun Spore and try to slow them down! Joules, I want you on the left, use Thundershock to try and corral them towards the Stun Spore cloud!” 

The commands came naturally, and the Pokémon followed them without hesitation, Clover and Joules strafing to the sides while Riptide remained in hot pursuit. The grass type began to twirl and dance, a thick haze of yellow powder began to build up, quickly starting to cover half the room. 

Bolts of electrical energy began to fly like sniper rounds from Joules’ tail, leaving scorch marks in the many wooden pillars of the room as they missed the speedy Bug type as they rushed around the room, only pausing to deliver taunts I couldn’t understand in its high-pitched chirps. 

No, I didn’t need to understand it. Joules' offended bleats were enough of a clue.

Riptide continued his pursuit, and his continued use of Trailblaze had increased his speed exponentially, becoming a blur of cerulean as he chased the airborne bug at a pace that could almost match them. 

Almost. 

Riptide was hardly used to that level of speed, constantly ramming into the pillars and very nearly losing control and running into one of the others. Meanwhile, Ninjask was a master of it, their manoeuvrability unrivalled as their speed continuously rose passively. 

Speed Boost was a frightening ability, allowing the Pokémon in question to flood its systems with adrenaline to increase not just its physical speed, but its mental processing, letting them process information at an unprecedented rate. But as with all things, there was a limit. Maintaining that level of speed required a constant supply of energy that only got more taxing the longer it was maintained and, even then, the Pokémon could only handle so much of the mental and physical strain before they just gave out. 

Beating a Pokémon with Speed Boost is a test of patience more than anything, something I learned after watching Elite 4 Aaron’s Yanmega dismantle a particularly impatient opponent in an exhibition match. So I waited, and watched. The blur of an insect may have been fast, but the room was small and its area of movement shrinking as the Stun Spore cloud, electrical lances of Thundershock and a constantly trailing crocodile closed in. We had to overwhelm and tire them out. 

And with less space? 

Their path became predictable. 

And eventually, the pieces aligned and all it took was one last move. 

“Riptide, Aqua Jet now!”

There was nowhere to run, a Thundershock cutting off the insects' forward advance, the burst of further momentum from the priority attack launched the young crocodile directly into the insect, the blow enough to knock the bug type into the stun spore cloud Clover had whipped up. 

Paralyzed, drained and exhausted, Ninjask crashed to the floor. Pulling my shirt over my nose just to avoid any accidental spore enhancement, I grabbed my hat while Clover grabbed the key with her mouth. Riptide had finally come to a stop; The speed boosts from continuous Trailblaze use had left him more than a little disoriented while Joules attempted to keep him steady, the soft chime of Heal Bell slowly easing his vertigo. Leaving an Oran berry at the still-exhausted bug type's head, I grabbed the key and gave Clover a gentle pat as I began to return my trio of partners. 

“Good job everyone, rest up and recover for now.”

With the key in hand, and my partners returned, I ascended the next ladder, the key unlocking the trapdoor above me leading into another room of near identical design, except for the wide-open sliding doors, allowing me to see the beautiful view the upper floor of the tower provided, the sun slowly beginning to descend as the last of the days light bathed the land. 

However, my attention was instead drawn to a single podium where a closed box rested. The podium itself bore an inscription carved into its wood. 

'Skin of rose, 

And knows no woes,

Born of a tree, 

From its flesh you shall find the final key.' 

“Oh great, we have riddles now…..” 

Unfortunately, riddles were never my strongsuit, so I took a seat and began to think. Time to settle in for the longhaul….

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

“‘Flesh of rose’? Does it mean Budew? But why would the key be in her flesh? That makes no sense!” 

It had been half an hour, and I was no closer to figuring out the riddle. All I was getting was hungry. As my stomach released a growl and I decided on at least grabbing a snack from my bag, digging through  for a Sitrus berry I instead plucked out a Pecha Berry, the same one Jin had given back at the start. 

Wait….

“SONNUVA……!” 

Pulling the peach-like berry in half, its soft flesh tearing with ease and juices splashing my hands, and in the center of one half lay a single large seed, or pit if you wanted to be pedantic. 

Quickly scarfing down the sweet berry, I raised the pit to my eyes before taking another look at the box. Right where a keyhole would be, was an unusual indentation, the exact size and shape of a Pecha pit. With an almost fanatical desire to move on, I rammed the pit into the indentation, the shifting of mechanisms allowing me to turn it like a key. The box’s lid flew open to reveal its contents. A, well, actual key. 

All at the low, low price of sticky hands…..

Climbing up the final ladder, a particularly large one that could probably have been counted as a trial on its own, I found myself on the tower's final floor, an open rooftop garden and battlefield being tended to by a lone figure, like Jin he bore monk-like robes, although with the addition of a golden sash around his waist. The sound of the trapdoor being opened caught his attention as he set down a watering can, crossing his arms as he turned to address my…. Less than dignified form as I lay there trying to catch my breath, a flash of amusement crossing his stoic features. 

“Greetings challenger, I congratulate you on making it this far, the final test of our challenge. I am Elder Li, the Abbot of this sacred place.”

Finally regaining some semblance of composure, I dragged myself to my feet, and greeted the monk with a bow. He nodded in acknowledgment before continuing. 

“You have passed out trials of courage, creativity and cunning. But now, I believe it is time for us to test your mettle.” 

His geta sandals clacked against the woodwork of the tower floor until they found themselves in the earthen terrain of the battlefield, his hands bruising against the pokeballs at his hip while I took my place opposite him, the waning twilight illuminating the field. 

“This shall be a two on two battle, the first move of each round, as the challenged party, shall be mine. We begin on my mark.”

As the elder's wise features hardened, his hand plucking a Nest ball from his sash, I reached for Joules’ ball. Simultaneously, at the Elder’s command, we released our chosen combatants. 

“Joules, time to light ‘em up!” 

“Take flight Hoothoot.” 

Sheep and owl stood on opposing sides as the orb-shaped owl Pokémon took to the sky on wings that were almost comically small, its red eyes looking down at the determined electric type with an almost whimsical curiosity. 

A moment of tense silence passed, before the Elder called out their first attack. 

“Hoothoot, use Confusion!” 

A wave of psychic force buffeted against the Wool Pokémon as the owl’s eyes were overcome with a pale blue light. The force knocked the electric-types back a bit, but they quickly regained their bearings. 

“Alright, if they want to stay in the air, then let's keep'em off the ground! Electric Terrain into Thundershock!”

Joules reared up on her hind legs before slamming her forelimbs back down, electric energy promptly infusing the battlefield, and her, in its entirety as errant golden sparks began to dance in the twilight. 

Lightning shrouded her, the normal sparks of Thundershock empowered into a beam of golden electricity that raced through the sky before making impact with the flying-type. With the way the owl nearly fell right to the ground, I almost thought it had been taken out in a single shot, but it recovered its position before crash landing, regaining some height despite obvious heavy damage.  

The elder stroked his moustache as his Pokémon ascended. 

“Impressive, however, you will find Hoothoot will not go down so easily. Air Slash and adjust the position!”  

A single beat of its wings was all it took for the owl to send a blade of sharpened wind cutting through the sky, racing towards the Electric-type. While it seemed to surround itself in the same pale blue glow of psychic energy as its speed increased, I lost track of it instead focusing on the incoming strike.

“Joules use Trailblaze to get out of the way!” 

Emerald energy gathered in her hooves and Joules blurred forward right out of the way of the razor of wind, only for a smug Hoothoot to appear right in front of them. Another Air Slash was ready to fire, and that is exactly what they did. 

The electric type was blasted backwards, but was still able to shrug it off, standing tall as the Flyong type once more blurred upwards. Still, that would not save it, as the final sparks of Electric Terrain were about to give out it could still provide enough power to end this. 

“Joules, Shockwave!”

Electricity burst forward from the sheep Pokémon’s maw, arcs of intertwining blue and gold parting the air in pursuit of Hoothoot. No matter how it twisted and turned, ducked and weaved, the blast swerved to remain in pursuit before finally making impact. 

This time, when the flying type fell to the earth, it did not correct itself as unconsciousness claimed it. Elder Li raised his hand and returned Hoothoot with a slight grin. 

“Exceptional work as always old friend, and the same could be said for you young man. I don’t see many taking advantage of terrain-altering techniques.”

His features once more turned serious.

“However, that will not help you this time. Come Bellsprout!” 

The Flower Pokémon manifested in a flash, its lithe stem-like body supporting its comparatively large pitcher plant head. Its beady dark eyes glaring fiercely towards us with an internal fire. 

“Joules, get ready…” 

I had a bad feeling about this, and evidently Joules sensed that as well. This Bellsprout gave off a weird aura of power and experience, its movements perfectly calculated. Joules lowered herself into a ready stance as we waited for the battle to begin at Elder Li’s command.

We did not have to wait long. 

“Let's see if Ninjask taught you something about speed, my boy. Bellsprout, Sunny Day!”  

From its pitcher, the grass-type launched an orb of bright yellow light into the air. Artificial sunlight flooded the sky in place of the waning twilight. The plant Pokémon’s roots shifted into a confident runner's stance. And in what felt like a single moment, the grass type closed the gap between it and Joules. 

“Thunderwave!” I yelled desperately. 

“Sleep powder.” The elder called out, Joules’ brief pulse of electricity avoided by Bellsprout as they jumped over her, releasing a fine, green, powder from their mouth, overwhelming her mind with only one thing. 

Sheer, uncontested, drowsiness. I could only watch as Joules collapsed in slumber, while Bellsprout landed behind them. 

“C’mon Joules wake up, we need you here!” 

No response beyond her admittedly cute snores. 

“Bellsprout, Sludge Bullet.”

I felt my jaw drop, a combo move. Combining attacks was a relatively common practice among trainers, but they take an incredible amount of dedication and skill to master. The Bellsprout reared back before a barrage of purple-tinted seeds exploded outwards from their maw, impacting the sleeping sheep. 

Her pained yowl was the last sound she made before unconsciousness claimed her, the kickback of the fused attack enough to send her rolling to her feet, while Bellsprout took their place before their trainer once again. 

Gently, I laid a hand against Joules’ forehead while pulling out her Pokeball. 

“You did incredible girl, take a rest. You have more than earned it.” 

With Joules safely stashed, I was left with a choice against who to use as my final Pokémon in this battle. Riptide definitely had a strength advantage and a devastating move in Ice Fang, but he would easily lose strength in the sun and had no way to match Bellsprout’s increased speed from its Chlorophyll ability. And that's not even getting into his type disadvantage and the status moves he could be afflicted with. 

Though to be fair, neither could Clover. But her greatest advantage was that, as a grass type, she was immune to the arsenal of status inflicting ‘Powder’ moves, and could fire back with Poison and Ghost attacks. 

Ultimately, I opted to go with the better defensive option. 

“Clover, it’s up to you!” 

My Budew appeared in a flash, stubby legs entering a ready stance as she released a chirp of challenge. The elder raised an eyebrow in curiosity, before his face rapidly shifted back to his impassive visage. 

And in a moment, the battle began anew. 

“I'm afraid that if you were hoping to match me in Grass-type combat, then you are vastly overestimating yourself. Bellsprout, close in and use Weather Ball.” 

“Oh you have got to be kidding! Clover, Trailblaze, get out of the way asap!” 

Panic shot through me, the pitcher plant closing in as an orb of shimmering flame appeared at the edge of one of its leaves. Its twig-like legs once again carried them at a ludicrous speed as they ran forwards, intent on ramming the Fire Type attack into Clover. It was only thanks to luck and adrenaline that Clover dodged successfully, Trailblaze carrying her out of close range, the blaze instead scorching the earth where she once stood. 

“Try and build some distance girl, then use Shadow Ball!” 

Grass TE, still empowering her legs, Clover rushed meters away before gathering the ball of malignant, distorted, energy at their mouth before launching it forward. Despite it not being a move that fitted her natural type affinities, Shadow Ball was one of her favourite attacks as it was the one that allowed her to stand up for herself and led to the foundation of our bond. 

But that did not mean it was enough. 

“Overwhelm the attack with Solar Beam!” 

‘What is this fucking Bellsprout!?’

With no charge up, the beam of pure radiance and Grass TE easily overwhelmed the ghost attack and blasted Clover clean off her feet with a pained chirp. 

Desperation tinged my voice. “Come on Clover, get up! I know you can win this!” 

Sure enough, after a moment to catch her breath, Clover pulled herself up. Determination in her features as she made eye contact with me from across the battlefield, before a brief smile crossed her features. 

“Budew….” 

And then the field was shrouded in a brilliant, white light. 

I felt a manic grin come over my face, as Clover’s form blurred blue and white, evolution taking hold. She began to grow taller, form shifting and changing. The two vines above her head transformed into genuine arms ending in large blue and red roses, her head growing large as three thorns sprouted like a crown from the top. 

The light faded and Clover stood tall and reborn, power rushing through her new form as her dark eyes opened. With a graceful twirl like a master ballerina, she proclaimed her new self to the world. 

“Roselia!”

Pride and elation. There were no other words to describe how I felt seeing one of my oldest friends evolve for the first time. While I wanted to run over and hug her, we were still mid-battle, and she seemed to know that better than me. She shot me a grin over her shoulder (She had shoulders now!) a message in her own proud eyes. 

‘Leave this to me.’ 

She wanted me to trust her judgement. 

Like I ever had any doubt. 

“Alright girl, I’ll let you handle this on your own for a bit.” 

“An impressive display of trust.” Elder Li and his Bellsprout nodded at us in mutual respect. However, something that can be expected of an evolution that relies on a strong bond. However, don’t expect it to save you. Bellsprout, use Sludge Bullet!” 

As the hail of toxic bullets rained down upon her, I bit my tongue and held back my trainer instincts. Clover wanted to handle this on her own, so I would let her. 

That faith was swiftly proven to be well-founded, Trailblaze building up in her now more developed legs in a dance equal parts elegant and dangerous, her speed getting her out of range easily before she suddenly closed the distance, appearing on her opponents' left, red rose held up to their head before the Bellsprout could adjust their aim. 

And under the twilight sun, flame burst forth from a rose. 

By Lugia’s wings….

“DID YOU LEARN WEATHERBALL JUST BY WATCHING THEM DO IT ONCE!?” 

The small fireball blasted the opposing Pokémon back, smoke coming off its form, while Clover herself spun into a pirouette as she danced backwards before shooting me the smuggest expression she had ever shown me. 

It carried only one response. 

‘But of course I did.’ 

“THIS EXPLAINS NOTHING CLOVER!” 

She wasn’t going to tell me, was she? 

Oh wait, shit, we’re still in a battle! 

I think the only reason Bellsprout didn’t kick our teeth in was because they, and Elder Li, were just as bewildered by Roselia’s spontaneous learning of Weather Ball. Don’t blame them in the least.

I’m still trying to figure that out too! 

“Well, "I’m just in for many surprises tonight, aren’t I?” 

“You and me both Elder, you and me both….” 

Clover just became more Smug. 

However, it seemed that Bellsprout was done gawking, as was his trainer, the two seamlessly springing back into action. 

“Alright then, Bellsprout use Sludge Bomb!” 

“Intercept with Poison Sting!” 

Poison attacks collided, Bellsprout’s large glob of venom against Clover’s hail of needles causing the pair of attacks to explode on contact, a haze of foul-smelling miasma descending on the field as the battle's deciding factor came into play. 

Sunny Day faded, the field once more under the moon's observation as the artificial sunlight faded. 

“Bellsprout, Sunny Day once again!”

“Clover, use Trailblaze to get in close!” 

I wasn’t about to let that speed demon regain that advantage. The emerald energy followed through Clover’s legs, her newfound speed carrying her into a shoulder check against the pitcher plant.

As artificial light once more shined on the battlefield, a command was given simultaneously from myself and the Elder. And then the plants mustered flames, twin Weather Balls fired at point-blank range. 

The two grass types were knocked back, smouldering and coughing, but both were still standing though weakly. It was clear that both combatants were on their last legs, it was only a question of who would fall first. 

But in that regard, Clover held one massive advantage.

“Lifedew, Clover.” 

Self-healing. 

Moisture was pulled from the night air, gathering around the living bouquet as she began to glow a faint blue. The scorch marks began to quickly heal over, a relieved chirp leaving her as her injuries alleviated. 

But Bellsprout wasn’t done yet. 

“Come old friend, let's end this! Sludge Bullet!” 

“Clover, one more Weather Ball!”

Bellsprout rose on quaking roots, its body frail, but eyes firm and unwavering with determination, something Clover matched, flame building in her roses while toxins began to build in the opponent's throat. 

The attacks launched. Crimson flame met bullets of venom and, in the end, under the dying light of Sunny Day, Flame won out. 

Before fire consumed them, I saw Bellsprout give a nod of respect, accepting its defeat. With the Flower Pokémon succumbing to unconsciousness, Sunny Day petered out once again, night finally taking hold over the last bastion of daylight. 

The Elder raised his Poke Ball, returning his long-standing partner with a proud grin. 

“Rest well old friend, you did wonderfully as always. As for all of you, excellent! Simply excellent, my congratulations on overcoming our final trial.” 

Tension flooded out of me, my shoulders slouching in relief as my newly evolved Grass Type began dancing around my feet. A smile came to my lips as I kneeled down and gave Clover an affectionate pat on the head, minding the thorns that had sprouted since evolution. 

No words were needed to express my pride in her and her hard-won victory. A proper celebration would be in order once we got back to the center, but for now our attention was brought to the approaching Elder Li. 

“Thank you, Elder, but all the credit goes to Clover here.” 

The floral dancer chirped. ‘You’re damn right!’ she seemed to say, an eager demand for more praise sparking in her eyes. 

“Indeed, you have both earned your choice of reward. Now you do have a few options.” 

Clover and I perked up, paying clear attention. 

“We always give the TM for the move Flash with the addition of something else. One option would have been the option to catch one of our personally bred Bellsprout, provided compatibility between trainer and Pokémon is good, of course. Though I imagine you won't have much need for another grass type any time soon.” He shot a look at Clover, who merely puffed out her chest in pride as the Elder continued. 

“However, we can also offer an additional TM, or a held Item such as a Miracle Seed or Mystic Water.” 

I looked down at the grass type. She had won us the day so it only felt right to give her the main reward.  

“I think we’ll take that Miracle Seed, thank you.”

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 

Walking back out of the tower through its gardens, now illuminated by lantern light, Clover fiddled slightly with the royal purple bandanna around her neck, a pale golden seed acting as a clasp. 

Held items were a rarity in this world, often created as a by-product by powerful Pokémon as they marinated their territory in their power and aura. According to the Elder, this seed was taken from a grove where the first champion of the Indigo league’s own Victreebel had once roamed, and it was now infused with that Pokémon's aura, bolstering Clover’s own might. 

“We did damn good today girl, let's get some pizza and celebrate, yeah?” 

Happy chirps were all the response I needed. 

Today was a good day, and for the night we would rest. But come tomorrow? 

We would start training hard. We only had another three days until our first gym battle.

It was time to put our game faces on. 

Chapter Text

Three days hardly felt like enough time to properly prepare, but it was all they had. 

So drowned in training it almost made the events of Sprout Tower seem like little more than a distant memory. Even now, with the gym battle mere hours away, they trained. 

The Miracle Seed was a serious boon. Combined with her evolution, it made her power over grass far more potent. To no surprise, she had taken it upon herself to begin work on Giga Drain and Energy Ball as her next focus after Flash, courtesy of Elder Li’s TM. 

But she was far from the only one giving it her all. 

Clover’s recent evolution had galvanized Riptide and Joules, both unwilling to be left behind in the power department. With Riptide choosing to focus on range with Water Pulse, thanks to a newly purchased TM, as well as getting Bite under his metaphorical belt. 

As for Joules, like Clover, she had the addition of Flash to her movepool, but had, with Riptide’s aid, begun to learn how to use Rock TE and had formed the groundwork for Power Gem. And from what she had demonstrated so far, it was a very solid start. It was close enough to complete, in fact, that it was already ready for combat.

From his spot on the edge of the training field, Ethan observed passively, ready to offer any advice or aid as needed. Riptide practiced his aim, grapefruit-sized spheres of liquid water flying across the field into a few stone targets he had created with Rock Tomb. However, Riptide had also been able to develop quite the trump card for the fight ahead with one of his Egg Moves. 

Lightning sparked from Joules’ tail as lances of electrical energy shot into the sky, interchanging with amethyst gemstones formed of raw energy that varied in size and power. 

Clover, fully used to her new form and the fact she had arms. Elegantly dancing, almost skating really, thanks to Trailblaze and firing off Shadow Ball attacks at more of Riptide’s stone targets. 

“Alright everyone, let's call it there! Take a breather, we don’t want any of you tired out for the gym battle.” 

Luckily, logic seemed to prevail despite the group's collective urge to continue training, and they came running, motivated by a promise of water and the bowls of food Ethan had proactively laid out for the trio. 

In Ethan’s mind, a brief meal and respite was well-earned after all the effort his team had been putting in. 

And it was about time to see if it had all been worth it. 

—--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Breakfast was a quick affair, though with gluttons like Riptide and Joules that was commonplace. 

At least Clover had manners. 

But now the group found themselves before the gym once again. After climbing Sprout Tower, the place's height no longer seemed as imposing, seeing as Sprout Tower must have been double its height. 

Idly, Ethan wondered if that ever bothered the town's famous Flying experts, but that was neither here nor there. 

Steeling his nerves, the young trainer strode forward through the doors. The Violet Gym, like the majority of buildings in town, was constructed primarily of mahogany wood and was styled in a manor akin to a traditional Shinto temple illuminated by paper lanterns depicted with aerial Pokémon flying before a rising sun. A large receptionist's desk, a square ring in the center of the floor, behind them lay a pair of twinned staircases that led to one of few modern innovations this lobby possessed. 

Elevators that led into the public stands that allowed the public to observe gym battles at their leisure. While Johto’s gym circuit hardly attracted the same level of public attention as the likes of Galar’s infamously massive audiences. 

Or Arceus forbid one of Iono’s streams. Let it be known, streaming personalities are just as popular and, honestly, as chaotic, in this world as they were in Ethan’s original. 

However, that did not mean it was quiet; there was definitely quite a line to the elevators. Though Ethan did his best to ignore them, now was not the time to get stage fright. 

Though Clover would probably revel in the attention, the little diva. 

For now Ethan did his best to focus on the receptionist, a middle-aged chestnut-haired woman in semi-professional attire. Quickly, she looked up from her desk, greeting the young man with a casual smile. 

“Hi there, how can I help you?” 

Her tone was peppy and cheery. Clearly, she was quite used to this job. In the face of it, Ethan could only respond in kind. 

“Hi, I have a match scheduled for today. It should be under Ethan Gold?” 

“One moment please.”

Fast as a Quick Attack, she looked up the name on her computer before chirping back in the affirmative. 

“Alright Dear, I see you. You have a few minutes, so just follow me, and I’ll take you to a prep room.” 

“Thank you.” 

Following behind her, the receptionist led Ethan into a backroom. It was a relatively simple waiting area with a large wooden square in the middle of the room, a monitor on one wall to send out the alert for go time. 

Left to his own devices, the young trainer took the scant few minutes he had available to try and focus himself. 

Before long, the screen flashed and one thing became clear. 

It was time. 

With a final grasp at his companions at his waist, capsules shaking eagerly as he took a step onto the wooden platform. As if awakened by the pressure, it began to slowly rise, a set of propellers pushing it upwards at a gentle speed. 

It only took a maximum of two minutes for the elevator to rise to its apex, sunlight streaming down from the open sky. The tower had a collapsible roof that had been pulled back to reveal the naked sky. 

Rows of filled seats sat against the western and eastern walls, located further back from the field, which was suspended  by a series of sturdy ropes and a lone pillar beneath the field, fittingly enough giving the appearance of the field floating in mid-air. 

As if fighting in front of a crowd wasn’t nerve-wracking enough. 

Trying in vain to block out the crowd's eager chattering, Ethan instead focused on the figure of his opponent. Clad in a light blue jacket, tied with a white sash above a set of indigo shorts that had their hems tucked into a pair of ankle-height dark boots. 

His single exposed eye was a dark blue, while the other was hidden by the bangs of his neck-length cobalt hair. Despite his youth, last Ethan had checked Falkner was only three years his senior, he bore the stern visage of a man twice his age. 

His voice, likewise, was very no-nonsense. 

“Greetings challenger, I welcome you to the Violet City gym. Are you prepared?” 

The crowd turned silent as their Gym Leader began to speak, while Ethan let out a breath he didn’t know he was holding, slipping into a ready stance on his side of the field. 

“As prepared as I can be.” 

A small, nigh unnoticeable smile flickered across the Flying type expert's face for the briefest of moments as a referee took their place at the side of the field, riding up from beneath the floating structure on the back of a Xatu. 

“Good. Experience is the greatest teacher. However...” 

The gym leader's eyes narrowed as Xatu raised barriers of psychic energy around the field to protect the crowd, anticipation and tension building even as the ambient noise they generated was suddenly muted. 

“I am afraid that the only thing you will experience today will be loss.” 

Ethan’s own eyes narrowed in response. 

“I could say the same to you.”

There was no time for Falkner to respond as the referee began to relay the rules. 

“This will be a three on three battle between Gym Leader Falkner of Violet City and the challenger, Ethan Gold of New Bark Town! The challenger will be allowed substitutions, while the gym leader will not! The use of items aside from a Pokémon’s held item is forbidden!” 

His gaze swept across both trainers,

“Are these rules understood?” 

We both nodded, hands grasping at the pokeballs at our waists. 

“Very well. Both combatants, release your Pokémon!” 

“Clover, Center Stage!” / “Take Flight Wingull!” 

The two selected Pokémon only had a brief window of time to get a measure of their environment, Clover twirling into a ready stance while hovering just above the ground, the pair exchanging glares as tension mounted. The only noise present was of Clover’s needle-like feet scratching against the ground until the referee once more spoke up. 

“The first match will be between Roselia and Wingull. Let the match begin!” 

Cheers, dulled by the psychic barriers to a low rumble upon the side-lines, rang out. And the two Pokémon exploded into motion.  

“Wingull, let's end this quickly. Use Agility, then close in with Aerial Ace!” 

The water type’s form blurred briefly as they circled above, never out of view of Clover’s watchful eyes. In an instant they closed the gap, wings cloaked in white streaks of energy that slammed into the grass-type's midsection. 

“Clover, use Poison Powder!” Biting back a pained trill, a noxious plume of spores was spouted from her roses as she allowed her opponent's momentum to bring her into a twirl as Wingull took to the skies through the veil of toxin. 

The tell-tale purple blush across their beak was a clear indicator the poison was doing its job. 

Falkner’s face never shifted. 

“You think a bit of poison is enough to put us down? Wingull, use Swift!” 

“Fire back with Shadow Ball!” 

Clover paused her dance, standing firm as spectral energy gathered in her red rose before she launched it through the hail of star-shaped projectiles that Wingull had whipped up with their wings. 

The two ranged attacks made impact. However, Clover, grounded as they were, was able to regain their balance far better than their airborne opponent and, as they readjusted their position, it provided the smallest window of opportunity. 

“Quick Clover, use Life Dew and recover while you can!” 

Moisture was pulled from the atmosphere, the grass types' usual flair dismissed to focus on efficiency. Cloaked in a blue glow, the damage Clover had taken began to mend. The bruising around their midsection from taking the Aerial Ace hit rapidly fading, as did the scratches from Swift. 

It wasn’t a complete heal, but it certainly left Clover better off than she had been.

“Impressive, but not enough! Wingull it's their turn to be off balance! Use Supersonic!” 

The air began to distort as the Flying type screamed, rings of condensed noise shot towards Clover, however Supersonic had one weakness. 

It was slow moving and that made it very easy to dodge. 

“Clover, Shadow Ball on the ground! If they want to keep things even, then let's get on their level!” 

Spectral energy once again gathered, a point-blank shot at the ground launching the poison-type into the air with a large amount of force. Supersonic dissipating as a baffled Wingull and Falkner could only look on in befuddlement at the flying grass type, locked once more in a ballet-esque spin as they flew higher up than even Wingull had flown.

“Well. That's certainly new.” Falkner spoke, a small grin coming over his stoic features. “But now you don’t have anywhere to run. Wingull, let's end this with one more Aerial Ace!”

Wingull’s strength was beginning to fail, the flaps of their wings becoming weaker as Poison still coursed its way through their body. Still, with effort, they began to close the distance from below.

And that is when Ethan began to smirk.

“I wouldn’t be so self-assured if I were you. Clover, Poison Rain!” 

While Fusion Techniques like Elder Li’s Sludge bullet were still beyond reach, but making something new out of what they did have, definitely wasn’t. Still locked in their aerial pirouette, Poison Sting was fired en masse. A barrage of toxic needles raining down on everything below. 

Wingull included. 

They tried to duck and weave through the venomous hail, but exertion was catching up and the sheer amount of darts made it impossible to evade for long. Needle after needle made impact with the Wingull as Clover descended. 

With the last of their strength, a final defiant flap of their wings led Wingull into one last Aerial Ace that knocked Clover out of the air and back to the ground. Lightly picking themselves up, with a grunt of effort. The Grass type stood tall. 

And Wingull crashed to the floor unconscious. 

Three seconds passed before the referee raised a hand. 

“Wingull is unable to battle, the winner is Roselia! Leader Falkner, please release your next Pokémon!” 

With gentleness, Falkner took his companion’s pokeball and returned them. 

“You did excellently, thank you for your service.” 

He spoke in a comforting tone before raising his eyes to stare down his opponents. His grin was a bit more evident, and his tone congratulatory. 

“I must admit, that was rather ingenious. Overcoming a type disadvantage is always possible, but it's rare for a rookie to be able to.”

His eyes sharpened in focus, his mouth falling back into a flat line as he pulled a Great Ball from his waist.

“But this battle is far from over! Take flight Tailow!” 

Another bird emerged as he threw the ball, this one clad in navy blue feathers with a white underbelly. Its face and upper chest a distinctive robin red, pitch-black eyes glaring out in defiance towards his opponents. 

“Leader Falkner has selected Tailow as his second Pokémon! Challenger, do you wish to make a substitution?”

Ethan and Clover exchanged a look. They both knew that being a flying-type gym, Clover was at a massive disadvantage, but her eyes held a steely message. 

‘I’ve made it this far, and until I fall, my show must go on!’ 

A tense second passed before Ethan nodded, the grass type letting out a happy chirp with thankful eyes. 

“No sir, we’ll be staying in.” 

“Very well! The next match will be Tailow Vs Roselia, let the battle begin!” 

Wingull, may have been a speedy threat with Agility. But Tailow. They were that fast naturally.

“They’re already damaged Tailow, let's wrap this up fast with Wing Attack!” 

Shooting forward, wings cloaked in energy, the avian closed in rapidly for a potentially crippling blow. Though it left Ethan a bit baffled, he wasn’t one to look a gift ponyta in the mouth. 

“Don’t you remember what happened last time you got in close? Clover, Poison Powder!” 

A haze of purple spores once more erupted around the grass type, but this did nothing to deter the speed demon as they crashed forward, arms chopping into Clover’s shoulders, knocking them backwards and stumbling.

“I remember perfectly actually, in fact…” 

Falkner smirked slightly, Taliow inhaling the toxic dust, poison beginning to pump through its veins. 

“I was counting on you doing the same thing. Tailow, Quick Attack!” 

The swallow Pokémon was like a meteor cloaked in white, with no time to react or respond as they caught up before Clover had even regained balance. Ramming right into her gut, Clover was left careening before crashing at Ethan’s feet, knocked out. 

“The winner of this match is Tailow! Challenger, please select your second Pokémon!” 

Swiftly returning Clover, Ethan’s gaze shifted to the poisoned bird, his mind whirring with thoughts before he realized in dread exactly what made the Tailow line such dangerous predators of poison types. 

A little ability he had inadvertently activated, one called Guts.  

When under a status condition, it causes the Pokémon to undergo a massive spike in adrenaline, and subsequently, attack power. 

Needing to end this fast, Ethan reached for the Pokémon on his team that held the greatest advantage. 

“Joules, let's get to work!” 

The Mareep appeared with little fanfare on the part of her or her trainer, their avian opponents glare as venomous as the toxins currently fueling their strength. The tension was swiftly broken by the ref. 

“The next match shall be Mareep Vs Tailow! Let the battle begin!” 

There was no room for hesitation, with the Tailow’s Guts boost and Joules’ type advantage, neither side could spare a second of hesitation. 

“Joules, Shockwave!” / “Tailow, Aerial Ace!” 

In a split second, the flying type made impact while cloaked in flying-type energy, Joules biting back a bleat of pain as a pulse of electrical energy blasted outwards. The blow sending the swallow Pokémon back, sparks briefly racing across its form as it regained its stability in the air. 

Despite the resistance, the boost from Guts was powerful, a bruise rapidly forming beneath her fur from the hit. Still, she stood strong, luckily the electric move had done even more damage to her opponent. The trade-off to that power was, of course, the poison that would soon overwhelm Taillow, and that was a fate quickly approaching. 

“If you think a type advantage will be enough to overcome us, then you are sorely mistaken!” Falkner scoffed. “Let's end this, Taillow use Boomburst!” 

A single thought rang through Ethan’s mind as the flying type inhaled a deep breath of air. 

‘Oh Shit.’

“Joules, Intercept with Thundershock! Max Power!” 

Energy built up in Joules' tail before they released it in an arcing blast. And Taillow screamed, honestly with how small of a creature it was, the fact it could unleash a screech of such magnitude really spoke to how much of a middle finger to biology Type Energy really was. 

But hey, that's Pokémon logic for you. 

Lightning met Sound, the two opposing forces pushing against and through each other. Sweat began to build on Joules’ brow, their entire body began to tremble as they pushed more and more energy to their tail. 

Golden electricity increased in potency as the sheep's Pokémon was bombarded by sound waves, and with a final cry, Thunder Shcok gave way to Thunderbolt. The two attacks pushed through each other, the blast of sound overwhelming Joules, as, in turn, the blast of lightning brought Taillow to the ground. 

Both Pokémon collapsed onto their undersides, trembles racking their body as they both finally descended into unconsciousness. Seconds passed in stunned silence until the ref made their call. 

“Both Pokémon are unable to battle! This match is a draw!” 

The crowd went wild. The battle may have been brief, but draws were not all that common in Pokémon battles. 

As the opposing trainers returned their partners, words of thanks leaving their lips before turning to face each other, mutual glints of respect in their eyes, before grasping the final pokeballs at their respective waists. 

“Trainers, please release your next Pokémon!” 

“Riptide, It’s all on you!” / “Soar, Skarmory!” 

Ethan’s starter manifested, a feisty snarl on his lips, as he looked upon his opponent. Talons of sharpened steel digging into the battlefield as the bladed raptor extended their wings and released a screech, one that sounded like a sword scraping against a shield, in challenge. 

Falkner’s Skarmory was clearly a well-trained fighter, its silver armour glinting under the light and bladed feathers almost audibly sharp. Their golden eyes held a combination of battle lust and strategic wisdom. The two fighters leered at each other, muscles tensed and waiting for their trainers' command.

“The final match will be between Totodile vs Skarmory! Let the battle begin!” 

The second the referee threw down the gauntlet, the trainers and Pokémon simultaneously sprang into action. 

“Riptide, get in close with Aqua Jet!” / “Skarmory block with Steel Wing!” 

In a blink Riptide crossed the field like an aquatic missile, the Steel type barely having time to raise a wing in defense. Seemingly feeling no pain, the armour bird's wing turned more rigid and sharp as it was cloaked in silver energy as they simply batted away Riptide as if swatting a bug. 

“Rock Tomb bud, don't give them a chance to breathe!” 

Recovering from the spiral their opponent had knocked them into, Riptide snarled as he gathered rock-type energy around him, condensing them into boulders to slam down upon his adversary. 

“Iron Defence.” 

As the rocks came down, Skarmory’s entire body glowed a soft silver, once again shrugging off any damage as if it was nothing more than a light breeze. Their molten eyes glinted with smugness. 

“Now use Flash Cannon!” 

Still airborne, as Skarmory leaned forward and released a blast of silver energy at nigh point-blank range, Riptide was launched backward with enough force to blast him back to the edge of the arena. 

“Close in and strike them down with Aerial Ace!”

Wreathed in energy, the flying arsenal closed in before Riptide could even regain their footing. One of their bladed wings caught Riptide in the midsection as he bit back a growl of pain. 

“Latch on to them with Ice Fang!” 

It was only the devotion that existed between trainer and Pokémon that led Riptide, teeth coated in frost, a bite down onto what was effectively a sword. Falkner scowled and clicked his tongue. 

“Take to the skies and try to shake them off!” 

Rising at almost a perfect 90 degrees, the flying type began to corkscrew. Valiantly, Riptide attempted to hold on, but the force was too much and in a great swing of their wings, Skarmory sent Riptide careening towards the field. 

“Toto!” 

In an understandable concern for a creature that was never meant to fly, Riptide began frantically flapping his arms as the metallic missile closed in from above. 

“Skarmory, let's end this. One final Aerial Ace!”

Ethan took a deep breath, before locking gazes with his starter from his grounded position. 

“Riptide, hold the charge.” 

The Big Jaw Pokémon's eyes widened before they narrowed in focus and a feral smirk overcame his muzzle. A smirk that remained even as Skarmory once more made contact, and like a comet they both plummeted to the field below in a streak of flying-type energy. 

As the dust cleared, Skarmory had Riptide pinned in a small crater underfoot. However, the clearing dust also revealed that Riptide had become nigh completely coated in crimson energy, smirk fully intact despite being on the verge of unconsciousness. 

And Ethan? 

His smirk matched his starter in every way. 

“Release the Charge! Use Counter!” 

The damage from Skarmory’s previous attack combined with the impact from the fall had built up, and with a simple tap against the metal bird's ankle that energy was released. It was effectively a love tap, but it made no difference. Energy exploded from that small point of impact, the avian sent careening through the dirt as Riptide slowly came to their feet. 

“One final Water Pulse, let's end this!” 

With the grace of an expert baseball pitcher, the orb of water collided with Skarmory just as their tumble came to an end, rising just in time to be met by a condensed orb of highly pressurized water and energy. 

And then it made contact, like the world's most dangerous water balloon, bursting with energy and water. With a final screech, Skarmory collapsed into the dust. 

“Skarmory is unable to battle, the winner is Totodile! All of Gym Leader Falkner’s Pokémon are unable to battle. The winner of the challenge is Ethan Gold!” 

As the psychic barriers dropped, the cheers of the crowd filled the air. Tension lifted as Ethan released a breath he didn’t know he was holding, his limping starter slowly making their way to stand at his side. A tired, but victorious, smile graced Riptide’s maw as he held his claws out in a fist bump. It wasn’t until he extended his own fist to meet it that Ethan noticed the tug in his cheeks, his own grin having formed before he could even register it. 

“Riptide you did incredible. You all did. Take a rest for now, partner, you’ve earned it.” 

There was little fanfare; The crocodile seemed quite content with being returned for the time being. Probably craving a well-earned nap after taking that heavy beating. In the interim, Falkner had returned his own ace. 

The two trainers met in the middle of the field, clasping their hands in a firm shake. Whatever they had thought of each other beforehand had been replaced with a solid respect. 

“Well done challenger, I have to admit it's rare that I feel the need to send Skarmory into the fray. Besting her is far from an easy feat. You have more than earned the Zephyr Badge!”

The crowd's cheers reached a higher crescendo as Falkner pressed the badge, a pair of silver wings in an upside-down U shape. It was as light as the feathers it represented, but it seemed to hold so much more weight in his hands. 

“Thank you, Falkner. It was one heck of a fight. You really gave us a run for our money.”

His stern visage cracked, his grin small, but it was probably the most he could smile given what Ethan had seen. 

“Well, that is my job. I’ll not keep you. Talk to our receptionist on your way out, and she will reward you with your cash prize and a copy of a favourite TM of mine. Now I imagine your team will thank you if you get to the Pokémon Center post-haste.” 

Unsurprisingly, Ethan was quite eager to follow that advice. Trainers were always given some leeway to get ahead of any crowd-goers who decided to leave so they could avoid getting mobbed. 

So a quick trip, reward grab and congratulations from the desk worker later, Ethan was quickly on his way to Nurse Joy and turning over his team for a thorough exam while he checked over what he had earned. Of course, the badge was the highlight, but the payout for beating a gym was certainly a high one, his available funds had effectively tripled. 

Of course, the TM was nothing to sneeze at either, as Falkner had clearly demonstrated that Aerial Ace was an invaluable technique in any arsenal. But learning it would have to be put on hold, Nurse Joy wanted to keep the team as a whole under observation for the rest of the day. 

For now, only two things mattered as far as Ethan was concerned. Rest, and a reward for a team that had absolutely earned them. And with more time than available, it was decided that Ethan would undertake a mission,

Construct the perfect victory meal for his team.

With a head held high, and his metaphorical wallet all the heavier, he embarked for the nearest market to put their winnings to good use.

It was time to put his mothers cooking lessons to good use.