Chapter 4: A New Calling
Previously:
"Sny!" The Snivy suddenly dashes at me and snares my shoulders with thin vines that shot out of his collar.
Wait, is that Vine Whip?! I gape in surprise, I-I thought that was an F-ainian original move! … I guess we got it from somewhere… I wonder about the rest of the basic attacks; are they here too?
Professor Juniper clasps a hand over her mouth. "Oh! I'm so sorry! I guess he must be lonely," Professor Juniper considers, "my other two pokémon were given to new trainers today." A light sparks in her emerald eyes. "I know!" she exclaims excitedly, "what better way for you to learn about pokémon than helping me with my research?!" Professor Juniper spins around and begins to rummage through the cabinets around the laboratory. "Let's see… you'll need this… and of course pokéballs… a Town Map would be helpful… If you want to you can even join the League!"
"I-I wouldn't mind helping you…" I stutter, shocked by her enthusiasm. Besides, I previously worked with a scientist; how different could this be? I scan the assortment spread on the table in front of me.
"This," Professor Juniper says proudly while pointing to a handheld computer, "is a Pokédex. It is a very viable tool, just point it at a pokémon and it will tell you information about it. The Pokédex will collect the data it receives from the pokémon and will send it to me to aid in my research. I gave my other two Pokédexes to Cheren and Bianca earlier today."
"'Cheren and Bianca'?" I repeat, missing something.
"They are the two new trainers that I sent out this morning," she explains, "maybe you will catch up to them sometime. Here." Professor Juniper hands me one pokéball. "You can use this to capture your Wingull."
I take it. "Uh…?"
"Oh. Sorry; when you want to catch a pokémon, you either befriend it or lower its health by attacking, then you throw a pokéball. Shops offer different types of pokéballs with different advantages."
"Okay. Aero?"
Aero flies off my shoulder and hovers in the air in front of me. "Putt-putt…!"
I swallow. I don't feel like throwing a metal sphere at someone is the best way to make friends… but Aero looks excited. "Alright. Now!" I cry, pitching the pokéball like a curveball, "pokéball go!"
My aim is true and the pokéball hits Aero on his left side, causing him to recoil slightly from impact.
The pokéball opens and Aero disappears into a flash of light that envelops his body.
The light retreats into the pokéball, which snaps closed and the front button glows red.
The pokéball drops to the floor and shakes once before the button stops glowing.
"And there you go, your first pokémon!" Professor Juniper exclaims happily, "when the pokéball stops glowing it means the capture was successful!"
My first pokémon… somehow I doubt him to be my last. I pick up the pokéball and hurl it. "Come on out, Aero!"
"Wing-wing!" Aero cries happily and glides around the room.
I am surprised when the pokéball defies physics and flies back to me once it recloses. Catching it, I press the button to shrink it and test my theory.
Sure enough, the pokéball remains fixed against my waist by an invisible force.
Cool, illogical, but cool.
"You can take this too," Professor Juniper says, handing me a pokéball that was attached to her waist, "this is Snivy's pokéball. He doesn't seem to like it much, though."
"Sny." Snivy frowns from his perch atop my head.
"Trainers carry six or fewer pokémon at a time according to the regulations of the Pokémon League," Professor Juniper explains, "so I will give you four other pokéballs to start you off."
I attach them to my waist. "You keep mentioning the Pokémon League." It sounds like it plays a huge role in this dimension. "What is it?"
"Ah." Professor Juniper's eyes sparkle as she opens up a map and spreads it on the table between us. "The Pokémon League defines all the laws for training pokémon in the region. At the top of the map here is their headquarters. The best pokémon trainers make up the League, and the best of the best, the Elite Four and the Champion, defend their titles there. In order to challenge them, aspiring trainers must obtain each of the eight Gym Badges from the Gyms of Unova. Each Badge is delivered by a Gym Leader, each a strong opponent specializing in their own type. What do you say? Will you join?"
Snivy jumps onto the table and does his pose. "Snivy."
Aero lands next to him. "Putt-wing!"
They both appear stoked.
"Looks like they want to," I comment with a smile, covering my serious thoughts. I should join. Traveling around this region in pursuit of Gym Badges may also help my quest for Jurassic. Jurassic's Soul Data would search for the closest powerful entity to make a tamer from; chances are it would end up in a Gym Leader with them being as strong and spread out as she says. "Alright, count me in!"
My pokémon cheer.
Professor Juniper finishes packing the things into a black backpack and hands it to me. "Great!" She pulls some items out of a drawer. "Just sign your name on this card…" While I do so, Professor Juniper slides a thin black and grey metal case towards me. "This Badge Case is for you to keep your badges in. Now you're all set! How do you feel about to set out on your first Pokémon Journey?"
I slide the Case and the card in my pocket. "I dunno'. My emotions are all mixed right now. I guess it hasn't hit me yet."
"Just call me on your Xtransceiver if you need anything," Professor Juniper chirps gleefully as she leads me out the door, my pokémon running/gliding behind me.
"Um…" I stop walking. "…Cross…transceiver…?"
She looks down at me wrists. "You… don't have one… Do you…?"
I shake my head ruefully. "I said I just got here…"
Professor Juniper sighs, "sorry, I don't have one lying around. … My friend Fennel might in Striaton City. Until then, use the phones in the Pokémon Centers."
I nod in understanding and then, Pokédex in hand and Pokéballs on belt, I determinedly take my first steps towards my next destiny.
Onward, Dinoval, towards your next destiny! Things from here on are going to be pretty fast; there will be lots of time-skips after Dinoval adapts to the Pokémon World. I want to trim the fat and leave the meat of the story; but I'm usually a detailed writer when it comes to journeying (there's a quote about the journey and the destination somewhere) so this will be new for me.
R&R! It helps feed the Swallot!
