Chapter Thirteen: News About The Tryouts

The two small Pokemon loomed over the promotional poster with expressions Kurrin nor Bernard could pinpoint what emotion they were showing. Team Rescue, a name both Gin and Sapphire knew as they were the big organization that created teams of the most strongest Pokemon. Gin was the first to finally look up, his gaze going from Kurrin to Bernard.

"This is real?" The Treecko had a slight shiver to his tone as he directed his question towards the bird. Bernard smiled and confirmed that it was, stating that the posters were displayed all over the main cities and towns in Hoenn. Apparently Team Rescue are in the process of looking into taking on some young Pokemon to become Rescuers. Sapphire soon joined in on their conversation, excitement practically oozing from her voice.

"So we can become an actual team?!" Bernard nodded.

"I suppose you can, but I'm not too sure on all the details to be honest. I figured you two might be interested in at least taking part of the event. I'm sure it's going to be huge." Gin turned his attention back to the poster, reading over the smaller text.

It stated that the event will be taking place in a city called Rustboro in a matter of weeks - three weeks to be exact. The poster was littered with a few images, with Silver and Aliciana being two he could recognize. Apparently, the two Pokemon would be there, as stated, to act as judges themselves. He'd get to meet Silver, the Sliver! For a second, Gin couldn't breath. The mere thought of Pokemon from all over Hoenn coming to test their strength in front of some of the strongest Pokemon around. It was something Gin deeply wanted, but a thought came to his mind. What would Kurrin think about it? With this new attack he couldn't control, he doubted Kurrin would allow him to go. He looked over at his teacher carefully. Kurrin noticed this and could instantly read the smaller Pokemon's mind.

"Are you interested in this?" He asked, voice neutrally toned. He held out his hand, gesturing for the poster as Gin handed it over to him. The Linoone gave a quick look over before returning his gaze back onto Gin.

"A little." Gin replied, rubbing his arm nervously. Sapphire nudged Gin hard, nearly knocking him off his feet.

"Come on Gin, this could be great!" Sapphire beamed brightly at her friend, tail fin wagging from all the excitement.

"I agree, you always talk about growing stronger and I think testing your strength against other Pokemon other than Kurrin would be a learning experience at least." Bernard added. Gin felt a bit embarrassed having all their attention on him.

"W-Well yeah, I think so too, but I just started my training.." Gin sighed, feeling that he was talking himself out of this. Kurrin watched Gin's body language as he spoke and sighed himself.

"I think it would make a great learning experience, like Bernard said," The older Pokemon spoke up, shocking the small Treecko. "But I will be coming along." This caught all of their attention, all eyes going onto him. "What?"

"You," Bernard spoke up. "Are going to leave further than Odale?" His voice hiding a teasing tone to it.

"As Gin said, he had just started his training with me and I can't have him getting hurt if he can't hold his own." Kurrin couldn't help a small quiver at the thought of leaving his home. His arms crossed over his chest, trying to push the overbearing feeling away. Gin needed him to come along. "But this is merely a training opportunity for you." His eyes narrowed down at Gin, the strict, teacher side of him coming out. The small Pokemon stiffened suddenly. "You are not joining anything." Sapphire pouted, but refrained from saying anything, seeing how serious Kurrin was. Gin nodded slowly, already sensing his friend's over-thrilled aura rapidly dissipating. "Sapphire, I advise you to speak to your mother about this if you are to join." She nodded as well.

"Oh don't go and ruin the kiddies' fun, Kurrin." Bernard stuck his tongue out at Kurrin playfully and managed a tiny smile from him. "This is suppose to be fun for them. Oh! Deary me," The Pelipper's feathers ruffled when noticing that he was still on duty. He dug around hectically in his bag, pulling out a few more letters for the residents in Littleroot and handed them to Sapphire, knowing her mother would help distribute them to everyone. "Still got to drop the rest of this stuff off! I'll drop by again soon, I wanna catch up with you, Kurrin, we have a lot to chat about." He directed towards the Linoone and stepped a few feet away, stretching out his long, broad wings and started flapping hard to get himself into the air. He screeched a goodbye once he was far enough and went back to his terribly loud singing.

"Well, I'm sure you two got some things to talk about," Sapphire spoke up, breaking the short silence that followed after Bernard's departure. "I need to talk to my momma. Gin," She smiled at the Treecko, a certain light in her eyes that made Gin's heart beat just a bit faster for some odd reason. "I'll talk to you later."

"Yeah, okay." He waved her goodbye before she disappeared back into the berry shop, leaving him and his teacher alone. "So...you're coming along?"

"Yes," Kurrin started the walk back to their home and was followed by Gin close behind. "I knew that little Sapphire had an interest in this stuff, but not you."

"You mean the Rescuer stuff?" Kurrin nodded. "Well, I do find it interesting, but I never wished to join Team Rescue myself." He had gotten the poster back from Kurrin, now looking down at it as they walked. As the excitement slowly died down from the news, a nervousness started to take its place. There were going to be a lot of Pokemon there and he'd be getting judged by someone like Silver. He'd be lying if he didn't say he was a bit scared. But, for now, he'd take things one step at a time and right now he had to worry about his training. His eyes scanned over the deadline for sign-ups. Three weeks. Gin had no idea how far Rustboro was, but he hoped he had just enough time to get even a little stronger, learn a few more things, and try to rid himself of this terrifying attack that he has somehow attained. "Am I going to..are we going to keep training?" He found himself asking softly.

"Why wouldn't we?"

"B-Because of..you know, that." Kurrin looked over to Gin for a second before looking back ahead. Their tree was coming into view.

"Of course we will not stop training over that. If anything, you need more training in order to control it." Gin rubbed at his arm nervously and was about to speak up again, but decided on leaving their conversation there. He didn't want to control it, he wanted to be rid of the move, but he chose to leave it at that since Kurrin did agree that their training would still resume, which was a relief itself.

The two headed inside and Gin felt that he was getting one step closer to his goal.

On The Path For The Journey Ahead

The Jewel of Life. The very being of Arceus, something that needed to be destroyed. Arceus' "gift" of life was nothing but a cruel and humorless joke. That is what they thought, what they believed, what they preached. However, the mortals had ignored them, told them they were insane, foolish to try and test their god. They tried to make a world for them, a world of true freedom, but...they failed.

And now, they were gone. In a place devoid of any life, of any existence.. A place where not even Arceus' light could reach. Here they neither existed or lived, but here is where they stayed. However, something had reached the depths of this place, something they had not heard in a very long time, a voice.

Everything hurt, badly, but he kept going, kept moving and dodging and attacking altogether in order to keep up with the swiftness of his teacher. The Treecko was now resting on a branch, trying to catch his breath and redirect his focus from the pain shooting up his leg. A bolt of thunder to the leg was extremely painful. So far, it had been a solid week into his new training course with Kurrin which now involved cramming sessions and intense full-on battles like this. The Linoone was not letting up on him, which of course triggered his mysterious attack a few times, well, actually only twice since their training intensified. One had managed to graze his teacher, but he showed no signs of being deeply affected by it, just slowed down.

Gin caught sight of his teacher moving in on him and readied a Bullet Seed attack. He inhaled a deep breath and fired when he was close enough, giving him a face-full of the seeds. This slowed Kurrin down, but not for too long as he charged his claws, swinging at Gin with a Slash. The smaller Pokemon quickly dodged it, letting him fall to the ground after his claws crushed the branch. Despite his attacks not having too much of an effect on his teacher, his movements were growing faster, allowing him to dodge Kurrin's attacks more and more. Gin landed on another branch, but leapt into the air above Kurrin while he stirred on the ground below. The Treecko curled up and wheeled down towards him, gaining great momentum for his tail attack, slamming his thick tail hard on Kurrin's head. A guttural growl came from the Linoone as he rubbed at his head.

Gin smirked, now facing him on the forest floor.

"Your attacks.." Kurrin managed through gritted teeth. "Are getting better, slightly more effective than before." He couldn't help but smile, feeling proud of his student and his growth. It had been only a week and Gin was showing small signs of surprising development. The older Pokemon had scheduled for their departure from Littleroot in the remaining week of the deadline, stating that Rustboro was not too far from their town so not as to worry Gin about being late. For now, he told him, the two of them will focus on their training.

Gin didn't mind so much, but he couldn't help but wonder how Sapphire was doing.