I Don't Own Pokemon
Hello there, this is the... how we say, introduction to my 'story', so I figured I'd at least introduce myself before we got started with it all. A bit of a prologue if you will.
My name is Cobalt Allister, though that sounds pretentious so I normally just go by Cole these days. Now then for a bit of background information for you.
For my entire life, which wasn't much considering I was only going on twelve, I had one dream in mind. To be a Pokemon trainer, that's it, sure it was simple and plenty of kids wanted to be a trainer as well, but there was something different about me wanting to be one that no one else, or at least not many kids had o deal with.
Sure that sounds a bit like a kid trying to act like he's something special, but that's because my whole situation is special really. Or just different.
The reason for this is because my family, my family who were millionaires who owned plenty of diverse companies in Sinnoh, wanted nothing more for me, their first born, son to be the one who would take over their company. Needless to say, they took one look at my dream, and what I wanted, and more importantly, why I wanted it... and promptly spat on it, telling me to be realistic.
It had hurt, a lot to be ruthlessly shut down like that, their reasons never enough for me and theirs to me, but most importantly, it made me mad. Sure I was a kid at the time, but I was a kid that had a few things going for him, for one, I was rich as hell and while normally this wasn't a good thing, the fact was, my parents cared more about an heir than they did a child to nurture. Meaning they were hardly around if they had to be, and their definition of needed mostly meant yelling at me to give up my dreams. To by I was as stubborn as them, and got both sides of the intelligence that the two had boosted to get as far as they were.
So I did what any nine year old would do, I stole a few thousand and tried to run away to go on a journey. Yeah, ok, it was stupid, but I was honestly only a year younger than most kids that went on to become trainers. And frankly put, I did fine, mostly, I ran through my money a bit to fast, not being use to that actually being a limit, didn't have a Pokemon, and nearly got robbed twice, but on the flip side, I lasted a whole month out in a situation where most kids probably would have died without a Pokemon to protect them.
Doesn't change the fact that the second a team or retrieval people finally found me and forced me back to my house, I had gotten into one of the worst screaming matches of my young life.
Yeah, my family wasn't very happy, there were screams, all from my parents and me, my little brother and the youngest, my sister, both started crying, neither really understanding what was happening beyond everyone was angry and loud. It made me feel plenty guilty but I was too angry at the time to care, to busy screaming at my parents all the reasons why I hated business and didn't want any part of it, just wanting to be a trainer.
I also screamed at them I hated them. I think that's what did it in hindsight, that one moment is when the screaming and yelling ended as my dad just stood there in shock, before my lovely mother backhanded me, seemingly about to scream at me about why I was an ungrateful brat for wanting a life outside of them. Dad pulled her away after that though, still seemingly to stunned to do more as he lead her out of the room.
It had been bad after that though, none of us talked to each other anymore, no real mention about it all, like it never happened but it still weighed on us so much that we never talked about it again for a long time was proof enough of how bad it had been.
At least not directly about it, both, every few weeks, after dumping more and more work on me (like they were trying to burry my dream under my studies that I hated) they would come and talk to me about why it was a good reason to take over for them. It was mostly mom though, Dad was always a bit more silent after that around me.
He's also the one who caught me the second time I was planning something. I had just turned ten a few weeks ago had an been beyond pissed that they hadn't even allowed me to even get a Pokemon of my own without being a trainer, instead it was the third of my birthdays that I got books on economics instead of a present.
Needless to say, I also figured that would happen and so I had started this time, using the last years experience as forewarning, began to plan this time. Using my allowance and figuring out how to separate my purchases away from my family's to buy books or some proper things, like pdfs, online as well as getting a set of pokeballs, just six in the total, but just seeing them nearly made me cry at the time.
It made it all seem more real.
Anyway, I spent weeks putting off anything that would be related to my 'proper' lessons, devoting all my time to learning as much as I could again about the wonderful creatures known as Pokemon, reading about all the amazing things they could do and the amazing places they could be found at. It made my wanting even worse. Seeing glimpse of these things.
It's also when my dad walked into my room one day without warning, catching me at my desk, in front of me one of the pokeballs and a number of the online forms in front of me as I panicked and tried to somehow get rid of the already seen evidence, any feeling of happiness at the time falling away to dread.
But in the end he didn't say anything, just stared at me for a long moment before turning and leaving. It felt like a count down, thinking back on it I could swear I heard ticking of a clock striking in the background, as I waited for the inevitable, my mom would come storming in, shouting at me, when I would get just a bit to angry at her and then start yelling myself.
Nothing happened though, even as I sat there in trepidation, staring at the door, wondering if it would be worth it to move and try and hide the items before dad got back, nothing happened. Who knows how long I sat there worried about such an event, but in the end it didn't matter because nothing came of it, and it left me foundering in confusion.
It didn't make sense, at all, but eventually I decided that dad was just to tired of all the arguing, it was almost only me and mom that got into fights now, it just seemed his interest in the matter dropped. I had assumed in the beginning that he figured my interest would pass on it's own, now though? Him seeing it hadn't, and still not doing anything made my mind reel about at the idea of something else.
I didn't let it go anywhere, not wanting at all to get my hopes up, I had done that before and it had led to disappointment.
And so life went on, almost a full year passing of me now too on the look out to trust trying to leave again, just in case my dad had something planned, something that hurt my pride greatly to do, but did all the same. Still studying as much I could about what was needed to be a trainer, determined all the same to get my dream one way or another as I did everything I could, learning from forms about all that was needed for things I hadn't even thought about.
Growing up as a rich kid who lived in a massive house worth half my parents net worth unsurprisingly led to me not knowing what the hell forging was and why it was important, much less that there were tents that apparently weren't water proof, how to deal with heatstroke, and that I might be susceptible to sunburn, or dehydration among other things.
It was an... interesting wake up call that I didn't know anything at all about the outside world, not really. And you know what? It was amazing!
It just made me all the more interested, no, it at least tripled my want and desire, because that's what I wanted, something new, something incredible, something actually meaning to the soul, not just sitting in an office building all day talking about the bottom-line and what to do to keep the gross pay at an average with all the companies. It just... well, it was that or adventure, and even almost three years ago when I first talked about my dream, I knew which one I wanted.
And in the end, almost four months later, I was brought into a room with both my parents, and... it had been the first time both had paid attention to me at one time since I was forced back to the house. Needless to say, it was pretty nerve wracking, but if there was one thing my parents(well the tutors they hired) managed to drill into me in preparation for 'taking over the family business' is was to ignore worry and keep moving forwards calm and rationally.
Admittedly I was still a kid, so my calm and rational usually presented as anger, hence why I fought and yelled so much. It took some time to find a way to get that to present in a more healthy way, but that's not important currently.
Sitting down like I wasn't actually half scared the two would try another thing to get me to give up on my goal. I stared at them, half confused half trying to figure out what they wanted to talk about. I was good with people, or at least reading them, actually interacting... not so much, so I could sort of tell by the air of the room that there was a few things of interest to note.
For one, my mom was not happy, and it seemed to be mostly directed at dad, for a reason I had no idea, but there was more. Dad seemed... Not happy or anything, but more like he was content with what he had managed and I wasn't sure how to feel about it. The only times he looked like that was when he had managed to score big in something in one of his businesses.
"Hey Cobalt" I remember frowning at that, I never liked my name, it just felt like they were trying to assign some kind of a value to me right from birth, it's why I liked Cole better, because it was more common.
"Uh, hey dad... Mom" It came out awkward because honestly we didn't talk, at all, so any form of causal speaking was hard, well not hard, I was fine with talking, I just didn't know how to talk to these two, years of bad communication made everything feel stiff and not right.
"So I'm sure your wondering why we called you here" I just nodded, because my head was already beginning to hurt trying to figure out what the hell they would want, because if it was to stomp on my dreams, mom would have already started with a victorious air about her, no she still seemed much to upset for that to be the case "We have something to tell you, and that's... we've talked a lot and decided that maybe your future, the one you want, might not be so bad"
There could have been a million thoughts that came to mind, and I will admit there was an instant swell of hope in my chest at those simple words, but I gotta admit, that wasn't the first thought on my mind, no... it was 'so that's why mom looks like she bit a lemon'
Of course I didn't say that out loud, if there was one thing I learned growing up surrounded by the top one percent at events and parties, and even in my own family for those older than me, it was that snark wasn't appreciated, doubly so when they were actually doing something for you. It was something I struggled with, but had learned to control over time, so all I said was.
"Thanks, so, uh I get to be a trainer?" I wasn't expecting it at all , my mind to busy going over everything to actually be as 'smooth' as I could have been, there was to much happening, my heart was racing, excitement and honest to god hope was being pulled up after years of pushing it down, and it was overwhelming... So of course, that's when the hammer came down.
"No, your father only said your dream wasn't a completely bad idea" It was like bucket of ice water was drenched down my back, my half forming smile froze in place, leading to the feeling I was much more familiar with. Disappointment and utter resignment to nothing ever being easy. Dad tried to contain the situation, but now it only was the sound of platitudes.
"Now honey, no reason to put it like that. Listen Cobalt, a career in Pokemon is... fine, understandable even with how much of a hold it has on the world in almost every business" He meant businesses that weren't like our family's. Which was known for only uses human employees in the main businesses, only using Pokemon for the secondary companies who needed more manual labor, even then it was very rare.
But there was more to those words than just that. I wasn't an idiot, admittedly not the best with people, and so painfully aware of how naive I was to the world? Sure, I knew those were my failings, but if there was one thing I had in spades, it was recognizing and solving issues that I'm face with, no matter the type. And the way my dad said that, well there was only one real reason he would say that.
"You don't want me to be a trainer still, this is a compromise right? I can't be a trainer, but I can be, what? A breeder? Some move tutor? A fucking nurse or some shit?!" I was quickly losing my temper, because smart for elven or not, I was still eleven and now that my hopes had been properly crushed it felt beyond right to get angry, though in all honestly I was just mad at myself for believing it for even a second while my mom was instantly on her feet, self indulgent righteousness spilling out of her the second she opened her mouth.
"Language!" I opened my mouth, more than ready to just start hammering on her with as many curse words I could recall her screaming at one point in another, when Dad seemed to finally have enough as he shot up as well and yelled over both of us.
"ENOUGH!" The sudden roar honestly did nothing to stop me from continuing to want to keep the yelling to continue, so much more familiar and use to it than the tense and uncomfortable air that had been there before. But Mom just huffed and looked away when Dad gave her a look. Some deal was there, and my mind only just caught it and held onto the motion enough t keep me from ranting and raving as I forced a deep breath into my lungs before asking.
"Well am I wrong?" Dad sighed and practically dropped down into his seat for a long moment before looking up and finally saying.
"Yes... no. Look Cobalt, we... we are never going to be fine with you being a Pokemon trainer-" I already had a remark ready but he cut me off "But, I know you'll just keep trying no matter what, your to stubborn" He glanced at his wife at that, even though he was talking about me, it nearly made me sick at the thought that he was comparing me to her, especially at the moment. "But that doesn't mean we can't compromise right?"
I wanted to scream and yell that, no, we couldn't. That they had no right to stop me from doing this, and it seemed dear old mother had a similar want to talk about how I was being an ungrateful brat, but neither of us spoke. I knew why I didn't, he was right, the anger giving way to a cold steel in the back of my mind, focusing on the problem at hand, because while anger was so much easier, I knew that my mom would never fully give to my dream. It's the whole reason why I had my plans to leave without them noticing and live on my own for a while.
Sure, I hadn't managed that well the last time, but I was in a rush, but even then in only a week I had stolen literally thousands of dollars and managed to in a months time get half way across the region without any real world experience at all from just the small bit of time I had to prepare before reckless made me earlier than I should have. Sure it hadn't turned out well, but that was because I didn't know how to prepare, didn't know what I was missing, I did know now though, and was constantly correcting my misinformation, waiting and planning for my next opportunity. I learned from my mistakes, and the thing I learned from being nine was to be patient, at least for my plans.
At least I was planning for my next chance, and it was still so tempting, but I couldn't rush it, giving up on what my dad was talking about now would just be cutting a path off, and if they give me an opening better than what I would be able to obtain on my own... well why should I not take advantage of the opening they might be giving me, I just needed to be patient, just a bit longer and see if this might be worth it.
It was so very hard. I learned to be craftily and take my time, but nothing seemed to be able to dig under my skin like what the two of them could manage in just a few minutes of talking. But I managed it, keeping quiet on my real thoughts on a 'compromise' and was surprised that my mom didn't say anything on the matter either, just staying quiet, though clearly it was a struggle for her just as much as it was for me.
It seemed that long moment was taken as confirmation by the only other adult in the room as he let out a sigh of what was probably relief before saying.
"Alright, Cobalt, we don't want you to not be happy, you know that" I knew no such thing since my entire life revolved around being forced to study business books and being groomed to interact with the 'elite', only ever getting time for myself when I carved it out for myself, but I didn't say that as he continued. "But being a trainer is...dangerous to say the least, it's the profession that has the most casualties per year by a wide margin. There are hundreds of things that could go wrong"
And that was the whole reason I wanted it! Not to die, but to actually do something that had stakes, not just some stiff boardroom that I hated being inside of. It seemed the twitch on my face told him to continue quickly as he did, probably thinking my temper was raising again, and he would be right.
"But that doesn't mean we're against it fully, I just think you at such a young age shouldn't go on your own much less without any training or learning. So... What we propose is sending you to a trainer school, it's a three year course, and if you want to still be a trainer afterwards, once your fifteen... we'll allow it, but in exchange you must keep up with your studies, and if you do anything, then you will be forced to come back"
It... it was insulting, the only reason I didn't instantly flip the table and scream about how much I hated the idea was the fact that my mind was unfortunately much faster than my mouth. And the immediate idea of a plan had pushed itself into the corner of my mind and it wasn't leaving me, forcing me to shut my mouth that had opened to deny such a plan, as I thought about the notion, thinking about every little thing that my brain could deem important at the time.
In the end I came to two conclusions. But those weren't near as important as my answer to the expectant look on my dad's face at his idea.
"Where, and what happens if I finish early" I was only eleven but I was placing at an freshman high school level, meaning that I was smart, and was constantly being forced to a higher standard. So what if the course took three years for some idiots that go there, if I devoted my time to it, I was sure I could probably get through the studious side of things in a year, maybe two at most.
"On an island outside of Unova, call Liberty Garden, it's a trainer school that is recognized by most regions known as The Liberty Center, there will be a number of students from all over the world there. And... if you finish early, which if you rush enough that your grades drop you will be pulled no matter what, but if you managed, then maybe we can talk about you leaving before fifteen" The two conclusions became sharper in my mind, as I replaced and moved around the 'board' in my head that had all my ideas and plans on it as I thought over the idea once more.
It was a massive decision, if I went for this, then things would be a lot smoother, even if I decided the school was a waste of time, Unova was almost half a world away from Sinnoh, by the time word got back to my family that I went missing... Basically pulling another escape attempt would be much easier if I felt it needed. Not to mention this was a guarantee, the second conclusion.
If there was one thing that I learned from my parents, it was that they kept their word, they needed to, so if they said they would let me go if I went to something as stupid as a Pokemon school... Well it was better than staying here and working on more uncertain terms, and they would also get suspicious if I did say no, or at least my mom would, and no doubt that would lead to delay in my ideas...
Over all, it was simply the smartest option, and it hurt my pride so much to do this, but in the end I finally nodded and said.
"Fine, I accept your terms"
It was that moment that I had sealed the direction of what would become my life's crazy, and sometimes considered legendary when I wasn't being humble, story, and while this might sound dramatic, I must say. Looking back on it, I would have done so many things different, made so many different choices, because I made so many mistakes, but going to Liberty Center was one choice I would never change.
Welcome to the real beginning story I guess.
And get ready for one hell of a ride. Because fuck knows I wasn't.
Hey, Pokemon story, isn't that just fun! I have a lot of ideas for this one to be honest, I mean a lot of them. In my first story about Pokemon, well that was a character study more than one with world building and grand scale adventures and stakes. This one is that though, I have a lot of ideas on what I want to do, dozens of characters in mind, a few world ending events I could throw in later down the line, among other things, but all stories have to start off somewhere right? So I figured, fuck it, main character is a rich and kind of spoiled brat, can only go upward from there development wise right? Jokes aside, most of my stories start off with characters who have nothing and have to claw their way to the top or make their own allies themselves throw effort and talking, so I figured it would be fun to have a charcater who has literally everything someone could want, and sa fuck it, I don't want any of that, give me this instead. And Cobalt 'Cole' was created. I like him so far, and he will grow and mature more into a well rounded person later on, but this is going to be a long pace story, like very long, we got to get through three years of school apparently before we get to the adventure stuff for fuck sakes, so chill out and give it time. Anyway, See ya.