Chapter 2: Vs. Seadling

"Now, I have a favor for you all," Professor Redwood says, shuffling through the drawers in his desk. "I would like you to record all 892 Pokémon with these." Professor Redwood holds up a red device with a touch screen center, a home button in the center and an analog stick on the bottom left hand corner. It's a simple design, really, but when he turns it on, the entire screen flashes brightly showing empty spaces within on the screen. Those must be where the Pokédex entries go. "Now as you can see, this is a Pokédex, a device that allows a trainer to record a Pokémon that was previously unknown to them. These three devices were given to me by an old friend in the Kanto Region. He's recently passed and I've been graciously given the task of continuing his work, through you guys. So you each get one. I've made a few modifications to fit this day of age." Redwood hand a Pokédex to each trainer. Xander flips open his new Pokédex and looks at the contents. It's obviously the newest model and its slick, futuristic design gives the impression that the Professor wanted people to have something easy to use and virtually weightless for easy carrying.

Xander thanks Redwood for the Pokédex. He turns the device on, pressing a button on the side of it. It lights up, turning the home screen showing a Pokéball rocking side to side while dots signify loading underneath. The Pokéball opens and a yellow colored menu pops up listing actions in small black letters: Scan Pokémon, Pokédex Entires, Pokémon Obtained, Pokémon Travelling, Pokémon Status and Settings. Xander goes to the "Scan Pokémon" choice, presses a button that reads "SCAN" in bold, all-capitalized letters on the bottom center of the touch screen, and aims the camera at Sealot. A flash of green light moves around Sealot from side to side and it blinks off. Bing! The Pokédex has made a new entry!

"Sealot, the Seal Pokémon," it says in a very natural, very human male voice despite being a machine. "Sealot are mostly dim-witted and their IQ is close to that of a Quagsire. Their thick skin allows them to resist the harsh, cold temperatures of the Artic."

Jada scans his Pokémon after Xander shows him what to do. He got confused trying to navigate such a straightforward device. The Pokédex scans Jada's Saebcub. "Saebcub, the Small Cat Pokémon. Saebcub are very playful Pokémon, but since they use their claws while having fun, people misunderstand and assume they are attacking. Be careful around their mouths for they are teething."

Herald scans his Pokémon, rejecting help from both Jada and Xander. "Seadling, the Blossoming Pokémon. Seadling emit a very nice smell from their flower. When the petals fall, it is a sign they are close to evolving."

"Well, now that I've finished, you all should prepare for your journey," Professor Redwood suggests, sitting down at his desk.

"I want a Pokémon battle!" Herald yells, looking at Xander with intensity.

"Um, sure, but not here though," Redwood replies, looking around his cramped room. "Let's go somewhere else.

Later, somewhere else, Jada and Redwood sit in the Pokémon rehabilitation center in the makeshift arena where Pokémon try to use their abilities again. Herald and Xander stand on opposite ends. Xander has an indifferent look on his face and it's making Herald angry.

"Okay, I'm sure you both know how a battle works, but I'm going to explain the rules to you simply," Redwood says, getting up. "I will be the referee and the battle goes on until a Pokémon faints, understood?"

"Yeah," Herald says, Xander nodding. "Let's get on with it!"

"Voice control, Herald," Redwood says. "Alright, when the Pokéballs hit the ground, the battle begins!" Xander and Herald take out their Pokéballs, pressing the center button to enlarge them. They throw the devices in the air and when they hit the ground, a flash of light escapes the Pokéballs.

"Seal-LOT!"

"Seadling!"

"Begin!"

Herald checks his Pokédex and presses the "Pokémon Status" option. Along with health and stats, it also gives him a list of the Pokémon's moves. Seadling: Tackle, Growl. Xander does the same: Sealot: Pound, Growl.

"Seadling! Use Tackle."

"Growl," Xander says. The Seadling charges. Sealot emits a loud, guttural sound that pushes Seadling back a couple inches, but it still tries to finish the command. Sealot doesn't move and takes the hit from the grass Pokémon. It doesn't seem to do much damage. "Pound." Sealot quickly turns around and slaps Seadling with its tail. The grass Pokémon flies back to Herald's side, rolling on the ground in pain. It struggles to stand, but it manages.

Xander and Sealot wait for the next attack. Knowing how transparent Herald is, Xander is going to wait for him to do the same thing. "Seadling, use Tackle again!" Seadling charges once more, and Xander repeats the same attack commands and Herald's Seadling finds itself rolling back to its owner. Herald's face turns red. He knows he's going to lose.

"Herald, a tip, command the Pokémon to dodge the Sealot's attacks," Redwood says.

"Don't tell me what to do, I got this!" Herald repeats the same command again. And Sealot has Seadling rolling back to him. This time, however, Seadling doesn't get up. It's fainted.

"Seadling cannot get up! Xander wins!" Redwood announces, even though it's unneeded. It was obvious Herald was going to lose. "Herald, I would like to talk to you afterwards."

"I want a turn!" Jada shouts, excitedly jumping up from his seat. He runs over to where Herald is standing.

"I don't see why you would want to battle. You'd be a terrible trainer!" Herald attacks, peeved at his loss.

"I'm not the one who lost." Jada says, pushing past his brother who is at a loss for words. He clenches his fist and then stomps away, returning his fainted Seadling to its Pokéball in anger.