Chapter 6

Content Warning: Social Interaction & Friend Making is Described in Detail in This Chapter. Reader Discretion Advised.

Well, actually, it started a little while after. Roughly an hour or so of Mira giving me supplies and making sure I know how to act. I guess it would be more accurate to say the PROLOGUE started. Nevertheless, pages finally began turning. And, it was at this moment, I realized something.

I had no means of knowing my enemy.

To clarify, I mean I have no clue what these gym leaders could use. I have 0 means of looking it up. I could always do research at the town and/or city they reside at, but- oh dear me, look at that. Mild agitation, my life long companion, you have returned. Sorry if I sound unenthused, I literally can't sound any other way currently. Hm, wait, no, there are more important matters at hand.

"Would you prefer staying inside or out of the ball? Fair warning, I won't be carrying you; part of your training will be cultivating your speed. Nod for staying in the ball, shake your head for staying out of it."

That being the black-&-blue dog man(?) following me. That was still looking at me like some kind of mythological zombie thing. Thankfully, they nodded to this; they provided little trouble to me when I bonked it's head gently with the ball. Oh, bother & damnation, I also need to look up the encounter charts. Got to make myself a smogon-approved team, after all. I AM meant to be "the very best; like no one ever was", right? I just hope this region has multi-use TMs.

...wait. I am a Nobody. I have CoDs. I can just tell physics to fuck off and spam teleportation. I can be a lazier fuck than before.

All aboard the Darkness Train, but don't stay too long or you won't leave the same.

Ah. thank god, or Arceus, or whoever I need to that I won't need to stay in that forest for TOO long. CoD made sure I got through in a timely manner. Wait, does that count as Phantom Force? Notes for later. Either way, time to figure out where on Pokearth Carmen Sandiego is.

"Ahem, excuse me, sir, do you know where I could find a map? A library, perhaps?"

The person I attempted to acquire information from seemed initially spooked, but seemed more than willing to hel-

"Oh, yeah! I can take you there if you want!"

Too willing, too willing.

"There's no need for that, just give me directions and I'll be on my way."

"Nonsense, I was heading there myself to read up on Canter Forest, we can both study up!"

Ugh. Damn you plot devices...

"Oh, are you on a journey too?! Who's your starter?"

"Less of a journey, more so a linear path of battles. In fact, I had to be forced out to do this. My first pokemon is a Riolu, plan on making them a mixed sweeper."

A moment a look of pure amazement laid on the other trainer's face, but as I told them my plans, they got a bit... Confused. No way, don't tell me-

"What do you mean, 'Sweeper'? Why would you want to teach them how to sweep?"

...I hold possession of a great power. Smogon, I salute you.

"Ahem, a Sweeper is a term I came up with, meaning a fast and heavy hitting but fragile pokemon. Since Lucario are notoriously strong and fast, it seemed natural."

"Huh. A bit odd that you thought so hard about how you would fight with them, but those who know their partner best usually perform the best, so good for you. What's your plan?"

"Hmm... Well, I need to get a Wall- that being a highly defensive pokemon- and I've heard that shucke are amazing at that, and it can learn sandstorm, meaning I could build a sandstorm-based team. But, I have no clue where to find one. Baltoy is another option, with screen setting and Cosmic Power, but again, where would I find one? So, really, my options are limited to what I can realistically scrounge up."

The trainer I was talking to had a look that seemed like a mixture of fascination and slight fear. I fear I may have said something wrong.

"I... meant your travel plan."

Oh.

"I was simply going to go the path of least resistance. Scout out the areas surrounding Gym's, see if any have pokemon their type is weak to around them. If they do, start with them. Otherwise, go around a ways, catch a suitable team for each gym, win, and go up to the elite four with my strongest pokemon."

The look had devolved into horrified intrigue. What was I doing wrong?

"Oh... kay. Uh, I was planning going the usual path. But, that is a, definitely smart plan. Maybe we can travel together, teach each other things?"

"If it wouldn't trouble you, I don't see why not. After all, training partners will help strengthen our teams."

"Okay, good. That sounds nice."

Okay, I will admit, I ought to be the last girl to comment on people being weird, or looking like they were in the wrong skin. But I can't help it; they look like a robot in human skin. The fact that they effortlessly managed to reduce living creatures in roles for combat does not help them out all. And the way he broke down a decades-old tradition into something so pristine & clinical, like it wasn't a life changing adventure and was just part of a job, was... Depressing and horrifying.

The dead-Magikarp stare sends a number of shivers down my spine, and I fear I may get anxiety attacks again if I stay with them, but... I also have the distinct, completely irrational fear that he might end up unwittingly ABUSING pokemon, simply because he desires efficiency. In fact, I- I think they might even be abusing themself, what with how hollow their voice is. Well, either way, I made the commitment, just gotta hope he understands the concept of "Friendship", at least.

But, at the very least, since he IS so results-driven, he should know a number of effective training techniques. And, if any seem too dangerous, I can stop him from hurting his pokemon. Wait, idea.

"Oh, wait, before I forget; how do you feel about Pokemon?"

Huh. He paused for a moment.

"Pokemon... Pokemon are creatures that are far too varied to make a fair assumption of. I would be remiss to make any overarching claims about them, despite having very little contact, and so I will not make one. But, I will say, I hold no qualms about this Riolu. And, as Lucario are a strong species, I have high hopes."

How is it that THAT managed to be the scariest thing he said so far?