Chapter II: Meeting the Rookies

"Pokémon abilities can vary greatly depending on their environment. Oceanic Pokémon are often classified as Water types because many of their abilities are based on water. Land dwelling Pokémon can vary on type, however. The most common Pokémon are Normal type, Flying type, Water type, and Bug type. Before Pokémon became scarce, these prevalent types inhabited many parts of the world.

"There were also many other types of Pokémon: Fire; Grass; Poison; Electric; Fighting; Rock; Ground; Steel; Psychic; Ghost; Ice; Dragon; and Dark. These types were less common and often were only found in specialized environments such as mountains or forests. For instance, Ice type Pokémon were normally found in cold places such as the Arctic Circle. Rock types were often found in caves and Grass types were found in forests."

"Hokage-sama will see you now, Takuma." A black haired woman holding a pig stepped in front of him. Couldn't people see he was busy writing?

"Oh. Hokage. Right." Takuma quickly shut his book and stood up. He opened the pouch he had on his waist and picked out one of the small red and white spheres. "Come on out, Aiko, it's time to make an impression!"

The Pokéball opened up and red light projected from it, forming into another Pokémon. This Pokémon's pink form was short and stout with stubby arms and legs. It also had large pink ears with black tips which wiggled as the image solidified.

"Clefairy!" The pink Pokémon cried out, smiling brightly at Takuma. "Fairy Clefairy!"

The Pokémon flexed its now visible small pink wings. One of the wings had a vibrant red ribbon attached to it. The woman gawked at the small fairy Pokémon and the pig stared.

"It's so cute! Tsunade-sama will love it!"

"It's a her," Takuma muttered, annoyed that most people referred to Pokémon as "it".

"Come on in, Takuma-san." The woman said, taking no notice of Takuma's statement. She led him into a room with the easily recognizable Hokage sitting behind a large desk.

"So you're the infamous Pokémon Trainer Takuma? You don't look like much…" Takuma's face reddened at the Hokage's criticism. He wasn't exactly bulky or muscle toned like ninjas, but he could get around.

"No matter, you'll be starting with the instruction tomorror. In the meantime, you'll be staying in the living quarters of this building. A room has already been prepared for your arrival. Now go do…whatever Pokémon Trainers do."

"Yes, Hokage-sama." Takuma dared not say anything else after the Hokage's dismissal. His temper might get the best of him; these people really weren't knowledgeable about Pokémon at all!

"Clefairy Fairy Fair." The small pink Pokémon hopped along beside him as he strode out of the room, chanting ever so happily, oblivious to the fact that the Hokage paid no notice to her at all.

Finally alone, Takuma unpacked his stuff in his room and prepared for an expedition outside. He brought not only his pouch of Pokéballs that were filled with Pokémon, but a fanny pack of home-made empty Pokéballs. He also stuffed some other strange looking items into that pack before heading out.

"Nobu, come on out!" Takuma threw his Pokéball in the air once he got outside.

"Furret!" The red light solidified into an image, revealing a Pokémon with a snake like body with white and light brown stripes. He also had little stubby feet resembling a ferret.

"Let's get tracking, Nobu. These people don't know anything about Pokémon so there aren't likely to be many natives around. It doesn't hurt to check, though."

"Furret!" The small, lengthy Pokémon scurried ahead with its nose on the ground as Takuma treaded along unenthusiastically. After treading a few miles, the Pokémon picked up his head and sniffed the air.

"Did you actually pick up something?"

"Fur Furret Fur!" He glanced to the left, ducking quickly to barely avoid a blurred green object that shot past his head.

"Nobu, look out!" Takuma yelled, grabbing another Pokéball from his pouch. He ducked again as he threw it and it opened up to reveal a familiar dragon-like Pokémon.

"Shou, take care of it…whatever it is!"

That was a Razor Leaf attack…so it must be a Grass type Pokémon!

"Flamethrower! To your left!"

Shou let loose a relatively small stream of flames to his left, making the attacker cry out.

"Oddish! Oddish odd!"

"Oh my…" Takuma muttered, watching the small, round Pokémon fall on its face. He took note of the Pokémon's purple body and the leaves sticking out the top of its head, which were now smoldering dangerously.

"It has been many years since I have seen one of your kind. And I know just what to do with you! You will be perfect for one of my pupils!"