Second life as a Pokémon Trainer
Chapter-0
*Ring-ring*...
*Ring-ring*...
"Ahh...uff.. I'm up already stop uuu..."I groan as I reach for the alarm.
"What!?... when did it become so late, if I don't get ready soon I'll it..." I rush out of bed to wash up and change out of my PJs into my faded jeans and t-shirt.
Anyway you might all be wondering what this is all about, well time for some introductions. Hi my name is John, (AN: Forgive my poor naming sense, took me 15 minutes to decide our Mc's name) no second name or some such, then again hardly anyone at St. Michael's orphanage has one and those who do sure like to brag about it. Enough of that back to my intro as I said my name's John, 17 years old, male. Just one more year and I'm out of this place no more cramped rooms shared with 5 other kids, no more long lines to use the restroom or any of that. I already had my life planned out, well sort of, Mr. Smith offered me a fulltime job at his repair shop after I graduate as I am good at mending things and I already work there in my time off, so that's one thing I don't have fret over. Well its not much but working in a repair shop (the only repair shop) in the small town of Pinkerton ensures a steady job.
"Ugh.. I'm seriously gonna be late, if I ever get my hands on Paul I'll wring his neck, always messing with my alarm." I mutter. Of all the days to be late why today when the Gods have smiled on our small backwater town of Pinkerton, yes a horrible name I know. As for what's so special today you ask well there's gonna be a comic and anime convention held in town, why here I don't know, they usually make a stop over by Sun city on their cross country tour, but heck no complaints. As a fan of many comics and anime attending such an event is definitely on my bucket list. All the heroes brave and strong, the many adventures, the good friends and companions, it all fills me with a sense of happiness. As for my favourite anime/game/comic it has to be Pokémon. Ever since I first watched Pokémon with the other kids here in our old beat up TV set I became a fan. Just something about setting off on an adventure with your Pokémon by your side, the freedom, the fun and friends... sigh, to a lonely shut-in it was a dream, a fantasy. Now I might miss out on the convention if the tickets are all sold out, stupid Paul I'll get you back for this one. I curse inwardly as I hastily rushed out the door.
I run towards the town square where a couple of my best friends were waiting for me so we could head out together. I'm just about out of breath as I turn a corner as I see Ken and Brandon waving excitedly at me.
"What took you?"-Ken asks.
"Sorry, problem with the alarm."- I reply lamely.
"Save the apology, how about you buy us the tickets "Mr. I've got a job""-Brandon says as he starts rushing us to the venue.
"Get your tickets yourself you fat pig."I retort as we head towards the ticket counter in front of the convention hall on the other side of the square. Heaven knows how much I had to save for this, I knew Brandon was kidding; he's a nice guy under all that fat. Brandon's father owns the town's only mart and Ken's father is the town school's principal (I know yikes), so its not that they can't get their own tickets. As we wait in line it strikes me as to just how many people attend these conventions even if they are held in this small backwater town of Pinkerton, "snort" and Sister Mary Catherine always tells us that comics and cartoons are waste of time and resources through which no future could be made. Yeah, tell that to the old man in front of us in the line in the bright Pikachu costume, damn he looks just like those Poke-maniacs on my Game boy advanced. I know what you might all be thinking, a fan of Pokémon such as I still using a beat up GBA well it was all I could get at St Michael's, the only reason it was even there was because it was busted, thankfully with my skills I managed to fix it. Brandon and Ken like to brag about owning NDS consoles but are at least nice enough to share it with me sometimes (even they are still out dated what with the 3DS launched nearly a year back... sigh well what do you expect from a small town).
We start discussing about various things as the line slowly progresses such as what stalls might be setup inside, what souvenirs we should to buy, etc etc. Its nearly our turn at the counter as the old "Pikachu" man makes his way to the counter, he surprisingly takes out a $100 bill to pay, I mean I know tickets are usually expensive but since the convention's being held so out of place here the ticket price is just $20 for one. As I peek closer I find that the old man's wallet is packed with a bunch of $100 bills, wow this old guy's loaded. Feeling extremely envious and the bite from the money gone from my pocket we eventually make our way in.
I don't know what I was expecting but the convention was simply amazing, I mean sure it wasn't as big as those seen on TV but still actually being here was really exciting. We soon rush over to a stall showcasing Gundams; simply wow, they all looked so cool. We slowly make our way through the convention checking out all the stalls, we drool at the Naruto ninja shurikens and kunais on display wondering if we could practise using them, we visit the Marvel universe stall checking the latest news and arguing over which Marvel character is better and as we reach the DC universe stall while we discuss the costume contest to be held in the afternoon we spot Billy and Keith over at the Anime memorabilia and souvenir stall as they distract the stall keeper while their gang of goons nick small trinkets off the shelves. The upright and just Ken tries to walk up and expose them but Brandon and I pull him back, it wasn't worth it to get on the bad side of Billy and Keith seeing as they were the kids of the town's Mayor and Sheriff respectively, they behaved like they owned the town and made all the laws which in a way they did. Just as we were cursing them silently the old "Pikachu" man from back in the line shows up on scene and exposes them red handed. Soon the stall keeper and the nearby staff apprehend the lot and force them to turn over everything they nicked, charge a huge fine then unceremoniously drag them out the convention. As they are being dragged out Keith catches sight of us and yells "What'er you lookin at? Think this is funny do ya, just wait Johnny boy you ain't got no place to run." I gulp, Keith and Billy may have some reservations when picking on Ken or Brandon because of their parent's influence but they had no qualms beating me up, I usually became their personal punching bag whenever they want to let off some steam.
Damn, it was such a nice day too. Old "Pikachu" man walks up to us hearing the racket asking "You boys know each other?"
"Wish I could say I don't, Mr..."-I reply.
"Oh where are my manners, you can just call me Damos"-Old "Pikachu" man (Damos) introduces himself.
Damos, I sort of get a vague feeling I've heard that name before although its not a very common name.
"Well that was amazing Mr. Damos, the way you handled those guys."-Ken compliments him.
"Just Damos is fine young man, but I must admit you would have done the same if your friends weren't holding you back."-Damos said while throwing a glance at Brandon and me.
"Please don't judge them, they did so to protect me, Billy and Keith have a lot of influence in this town and can pretty much get away with anything."-Good ol Ken standing up for us.
"Is that so..."-Damos.
"Well its not like I haven't tried standing up to them, it was all futile the only thing I got was a target on my head as a personal punching bag."-I try to explain.
"Its not so bad for Ken and me but going against them could create a lot of trouble for John. In fact it was John who usually stood up to them first before..."-Brandon adds.
"Enough they're gone now, let's not let past events spoil the present."-I cut in.
"Let's all just head to the Pokémon stall and check it out, I heard that there's a new movie about to be released."-Ken says to try and diffuse the tension.
"Oh, well I hope you lads won't mind if I join you I'm a big fan of Pokémon myself."-Damos.
*Oh really, I could never have guessed.* I think to myself, my opinion of Damos is not that great, though I know he's a good guy a part of me blames him for the trouble I'll have to deal with later. We move on accompanied by Damos as we discuss various topics related to Pokémon, mainly the inconsistencies between the anime and game such as why we have to trade some Pokémon for them to evolve, or like why Scyther and some other large flying types can't learn "fly" but small birds like Pidgy or Spearow can, why Pokémon can only learn four moves and why can't the game be more flexible with battles like in the anime where they come up with new combination moves and strategies, even the most basic why can't Pokémon in the game dodge or jump out of the way, etc.
"I mean, the starters can't spawn in the wild what's with that how am I "gonna catch em all" without trading and what's with version specific Pokémon. To top it all of why are there almost no fully evolved Pokémon in the wild huh huh."-Brandon.
"Exactly, not to mention why are ground type attacks ineffective on flying and levitating Pokémon, ok its understandable that moves like magnitude, dig or earthquake might not work but projectile moves like mud shot or mud bomb not working is just rubbish."- I add on.
"Come on if we are taking things that don't make sense it has to be about Pokémon and some of their moves or lack thereof, like how Pokémon without any arms or such appendages can use punch moves, or or the fact that ostriches like Dodrio can learn fly while Yanmega or Scyther can't. It really makes you wonder what was Gamefreak thinking."-Ken.
"Hohoho this conversation seems very interesting, I have to admit though what you kids said makes perfect sense but you also can't expect these issues to be fixed. No two Pokémon are the same, their abilities cannot be just defined by stats or broad generalisations due to typing and abilities. To get each and every small detail right is simply not possible."-Damos joins in.
"You say that like you have seen actual Pokmon haha..."-me.
"Well come on now be reasonable if those poor game creators want to make a complete realistic representation it would take a huge amount of time and money and lets not forget to mention the size of your game would be huge as well."-Damos.
"Haha that's true, its simply not practical here and now."-Ken.
"Whose side are you on; I want a completely realistic game where we can have an experience just like the protagonists in the anime. Humph if I could just get a chance I'd show them how to be a real Pokémon master, Ash is really disappointing he barely caught six Pokémon in the last season."-Brandon.
"Oooh so you think you kids could be better trainers if given the chance do you. Hahaha"-Damos.
"Pokémon trainer.. *snort*.. I'd be a Pokémon master in no time, heck I could be Champion of all regions, beat any challenger to the ground, no Pokémon would be a challenge, the Pokémon centers would be filled with my opponent's Pokémon bwahahaha."-Brandon.
"Is it.."-Damos.
"I don't know about battling but I would rather pursue Pokémon research and study their anatomy as well as the technology there."-Ken.
"Wonderful, we now have a new boss of an evil organisation; Piggy of Team Hog and his right hand man Professor Dissection."- I joke around.
*Pfft..* Damos and I can barely hold in our laughter as Ken and Brandon glare at us.
"Haha very funny John, what would you do if you were in the Pokémon world?"- Ken.
"Yeah let's hear your take on it, come on."-Brandon.
"Well I would just be a regular Pokémon trainer and go on an adventure with my Pokémon and human companions, experience all the fun activities bond together, make new friends, help other people and Pokémon along the way, etc etc."-me.
"Well aren't you a goody goody saint."-Brandon mocks.
"Hey just beating up everyone doesn't sound good and neither does being cooped up in a lab somewhere all by yourself with hardly any company, either way Pokémon or no Pokémon you'd start to get lonely."- I defend myself.
Brandon looks like he has something to add but is stopped by an elbow nudge from Ken and as we reach the Pokémon booth I keep wondering why Damos keeps giving me a weird look, is there something on my face?
Once we arrive, my friends and I can't help but drool for the new 3DS consoles and latest games that have mega evolutions. Wuuu... why are there so many posters of megas around, you guys are just mocking a poor kid who only has a beat-up GBA.
"*Sigh* how a Pokémon can mega evolve with just a key stone and mega stone without a strong bond between trainer and Pokémon is beyond me, well I suppose that's another thing they can't replicate in the game."-Damos says as we look around.
Eventually we separate from Damos as he says he wants to participate in the costume contest, so we split up while encouraging Damos that his costume is really good and promising that we'll even vote for him later on.
We wander around the convention checking the various booths and even buy a few souvenirs (not me though). When it was time for the costume contest we gather near the stage to watch. Seeing all the contestants, I was wondering how Damos didn't seem to have the confidence to win, he clearly had the best costume of the lot (the most expensive one as well no doubt), he could win even if we didn't vote for him but still since we were kind of friends and we did promise, we cast our votes in his favour. Not so surprisingly he won and got a $200 coupon (damn the rich just keep getting richer). There were a few more events such as live interviews with some celebrities (none of the really famous ones but still), quiz competitions and some other games. It was early in the evening when we left, still giddy with excitement over the day's events.
Just as we turned around the bend exiting the square, we hear a noise from the side alley up ahead. We proceed towards it as quietly as we can to check what's going on only to find Billy, Keith and their gang have cornered Damos and are threatening him for his cash. We could hear one of their gang say "Don't try to deny it old man I know you're rich so there's no use pretending so just hand it over and we may consider sparing you for ratting us out back at the convention."
Damn, this is not looking good; right now we are crouched behind a dumpster watching the scene unfold. There's not many people around out and about especially here behind the old abandoned theatre house and let's face it even if someone from town comes across this scene they'd ignore it, I speak from experience. We need to think of a way to help Damos, we exchange glances with each other hoping the other would come up with a better idea than "Let's call the Sheriff." Fat lot of good he'd do. As we're still discussing Billy pulls out a knife and approaches Damos-
"I don't think you understand old man, nobody I mean no one messes with me in my town. Now cough up everything you got or there'll be more than a Pikachu rug on my floor if you catch my drift."-Billy starts to threaten Damos. Keith soon joins him with a knife of his own while laughing sinisterly.
Great just what a pack of deranged psychos need - knifes, these guys have upped their game. The situation is getting out of hand with no solution in sight. Brandon whisper's about trying to get help from people at the convention, it sounds like a good idea but there's not enough time Damos could be in danger any second now. We finally decide to let Brandon go get reinforcements while Ken and I distract Billy and his gang and buy as much time as we possibly can. As Brandon slips away I call out for Damos while changing my voice to sound deeper hoping against hope it works-
"Damos are you here, we need to leave soon or we'll miss the train."- I give my best shot trying to sound older and macho.
Billy and co. seem to freeze, let's just hope my crazy plan works out, but it wasn't meant to be I guess as a voice behind us shouts-"What are you two doing here?". Of all the rotten luck, its a couple of Billy's goons, they must have been on the lookout a little distance off and come to check up on the situation. Our cover is soon blown and we're soon surrounded as well.
"Well well well if it ain't little Johnny and Kenny. What brings ya'll to this dirty little alley on a fine evenin such as this? Surely yous can't be out for a walk."-Keith mocks us.
"*Snicker* And here I was worrying about how difficult it would be to find you after you crawl under some rock, never thought you would just deliver yourself to us Johnny, looks like you've forgotten what our last meeting was like."-Billy targets me in particular.
"How about we teach these goody goodies a lesson they won't forget any time soon, boss."- Random lackey.
"All in good time. Now you old geezer let me give you a demonstration of what happens when you mess with us."-Billy, as he motions for his gang to close in on us.
"You guys won't get away with it, Brandon's already gone looking for help so you better let us go or else."-Ken panics.
"*tch* was wonderin why there was only two of yous all by your lonesome."-Keith.
"Enough, looks like we're in a rush boys. Alright old man my patience is wearing thin, hand over everything you got or I'll gut you here and now."-Billy.
'Things are going downhill real fast almost free falling out of control. Since I'll have to take a beating either way might as well give them hell and see if I can at least cover Ken and Damos.' I decide as I lunge toward Keith who is nearest to me and I try to disarm his knife.
"What are you morons standing there looking around for? Get him!"-Billy yells.
But before anyone has a chance to approach and yank me off Keith, I shove/tackle him into Billy. The three of us loose our balance and trip; I wrestle Billy and Keith on the ground while getting a few shots in as they are still disorientated. My struggle is short lived though as they soon come around and start to fight back, I soon feel a sharp pain from my abdomen and the side of my ribs. I struggle to roll away, each roll causing excruciating pain and making me see stars in front of my eyes. Billy and Keith soon get back on their feet and they look like they spent a rough night on the streets which would've made me feel great if not for my own dire circumstances. I soon realise the reason for the terrible pain as I see the blood stained knives in the hands of Billy and Keith, damn those wastrels they actually stabbed me. I can barely get into a seated position as I'm losing strength in my limbs and I can feel the warm sticky blood drenching my shirt.
Everyone froze even Billy and Keith, of course they might have done a lot of bad things and beat up loads of guys but this was really serious. Some of the weaker willed of Billy's gang straight up turn tail and flee. After spacing out for a few seconds-
"We need to run now."-Keith shakes Billy and starts dragging him away, soon they and the rest of their gang rush out of the alley fast.
Ken and Damos rush to my side to support me up; Ken is downright panicking and half cursing half praying under his breath.
"I'm so sorry I should have helped I'm such a fool"-Ken extremely panicked.
"..Not your fault.."- I manage to wheeze out.
"We need to get him to a hospital, a clinic, a doctor anything."-Ken bordering hysteria.
"Calm down, we can't move him in this condition. I'll stay here, hurry and go get help. There might be something for first aid at convention that can help control the bleeding."-Damos instructs as he starts ripping up his costume and pulling out the stuffing to press against my wounds. Ken rushes away following Damos's instructions.
I nearly pass out from the pain when Damos applies pressure to my wounds to staunch the bleeding. "It seems like I was wrong about you, you're braver than you look. Its alright you'll be fine don't lose focus."-Damos encourages but we both know I won't make it, I've lost too much blood, I can't talk anymore and my vision's starting to get blurry and faded.
Damos pulls out a funny looking necklace pendant from under his costume, it sort of looks like a gold wheel with green spots on it, either way I can't tell clearly because of my vision is going funny especially since it looks like its starting to glow. 'Is this it am I going to die here like this, damn I have so many regrets. Why couldn't I come up with a better plan, understand the situation better if not I wouldn't be in this mess...' Acknowledged, acquiring unique skill [Insight]... acquired 'Holy.. what was that? Is Damos playing some kind of recording, not funny man - not funny.*tch* its colder, my vision is fading fast and I seem to be hearing a weird buzzing in my ears. I guess this is it.' Soon my vision goes completely dark and my pain vanishes, I can't feel anything anymore the floor, my body, the air nothing, nada.
After a few moments or what felt like a few moments, as I was wondering where the light that everyone talks about was, I felt pain coming from my head-'Hey I have a head.'- was my first thought. I still couldn't breathe and to make matters worse it felt like someone was trying to rip my head off. Eventually it felt like I was pulled out of the darkness by my head only to find that my mouth and nose seemed to be chocked up with some sort of liquid. I started to cough, wriggle and finally started bawling loudly in a voice that I barely recognized as my own. 'Wait, why am I crying like a baby I mean actually like a baby?' I open my eyes, everything appears blurry at first then slowly things come into focus-'Yaaa help I'm being held by a giant'- not good I try to escape but all my body seems capable of is to wiggle some more. As I look around some more I discover that everyone around me is a giant, no wait its just me who is small but why. When a lady in a nurse's get up comes around with a warm towel to wipe me clean my view is changed and I also chance upon another lady on a hospital bed who seems utterly exhausted. '...wait ... no ..oh nonono... gaaaa.' It suddenly hits me, I have reincarnated as a baby somewhere else after being stabbed to death. ' Why ..how ..what?' All sorts of questions seem to be popping around my head with no signs of finding an answer to these bizarre happenings.
Meanwhile the nurse; after cleaning me up and wrapping me in a fresh blanket takes me out of what must be the delivery room to a man eagerly waiting in the corridor who I guess is my father in this life. He is extremely tan and buff like he works at a forge or something. He becomes extremely excited to see me and rushes over almost scaring the nurse, he's surprisingly gentle while holding me when the nurse hands me over to him. Well that's my first impression but boy was I wrong, within a few seconds of being in his arms he gets carried away rocking me with more force than necessary and much to the horror of the nurse playing upsi-daisy with me. 'Uurgh... I think I'm gonna hurl.. burg... stop... please...uuu.' He finally brings himself under control after being told off by the nurse who threatens to take me away.
I look out the window to calm myself while "my father" is being lectured. Suddenly I spot a strange looking bird outside the window, I mean it didn't look like any crow, sparrow or pigeon I've seen before, it was small, brown and oddly familiar looking but I just couldn't put my finger on it from the short glimpse as it flit past the window. Anyways there appears to be a forest not far from the hospital with really big trees some almost the size of giant redwood trees in the distance. As my gaze is still locked outside the window wondering where I am, I spot another creature that completely takes my breath away- a big butterfly with white wings having black line patterns, rounded purplish body, strange long blue legs, small hand like things and big reddish pink eyes...-
...
...
'What the... no matter how I look at that thing slowly fluttering outside the window it looks like a Butterfree... but how... I..I mean that's a Pokémon a real life living and breathing Pokémon. Could I be in the world of Pokémon.'-I start shivering with excitement, I can feel a warm current flowing from my very being... 'Wait a moment something really does feel warm.' My father apparently feels it too, and that's when I notice-'Why do babies have such poor bladder control?'