p class="Normal"A/N- so posts are about to get slower because the first four chapters were done in like three days, and that's just not sustainable. I'm hoping to just chip at it a bit a day, hopefully one segment a day. Since I'm aiming for 3-5 segments in a chapter, that should equate to a chapter at least once a week, but humans are fickle and things change so we'll see./p
p class="Normal"Still looking for a beta reader. I'm correcting the underlined words at the end, but if you are here reading this announcement on chapter 5, you've read more of this than I have./p
p class="Normal"For those impatient with the speed of plot, things will start to move a bit quicker after this chapter. The next Ethan/Lance interaction is next chapter, and the start of Ethan's pokemon journey will began chapter 7/p
p class="Normal"Finally, the Mr Pokemon segments will be occurring in every chapter. If not associated with the plot, it will be an extra tidbit after the chapter/p
p class="Normal"-/p
p class="Normal"Ethan's POV/p
p class="Normal"Waking up on Sunday was a strange affair. I certainly wasn't used to having a good nights sleep, and it also didn't make sense that it would occur after such an awful day. Maybe I should start having those days every now and then so I can finally rest well. After getting out of bed and finishing in the bathroom, I scoop up the still resting Princess and carry her into the kitchen, a soft smile coming to my face when she tries to kick the magical demons she's destroying in her dreams./p
p class="Normal" /p
p class="Normal"Resting her on a chair while I sort out both our breakfasts, she wakes up as the smells start to assault her nose. Immediately perking up like she had three coffees within seven seconds, she springs up and rubs her body and tail on my legs. She would never head to my parents again after being spoiled by the food I supply for her, and she makes it no secret. 'Vii! E-vi'. As I'm chuckling, I place her food down on the ground while I finish up my meal. Finding out which flavours and berries a pokemon liked, and which still fit under a nutritious meal was a lot easier than people expect. You just have to balance a berry's natural flavours with a preset mix of other berries and ingredients. Every berry has certain characteristics, such as whether it is dry or sour, and so the PBA, or Pokemon Breeders Association, created concoctions to balance out each berry. From there, you keep several berries free, and get your pokemon to sniff each one and learn where its priorities lie./p
p class="Normal" /p
p class="Normal"Perfecting this technique is why Princess always had such a lush set of fur on her, and a healthy look in her eye. Most trainers just give a pokemon a bland set of everyday pokemon food, which while it gives sustenance, turns the process of eating into a chore instead of a joy. I learnt about it when my parents first moved out of home and I was left to look after the both of us ourselves. The breeding books turned out to be a huge wealth of pokemon information, and was the gateway to me knowing so much about pokemon in a whole. From habitats to the minimum exercise they should get per day to keep healthy, I knew it for a large portion of the kanto and johto pokemon. In fact, what no one knew, including Lyra and my parents was that for the last year, I have been working once per week at the radio tower on a pokedex show. During the sequence, I go under the alias of Mr Pokemon and am working through the kanto dex one pokemon at a time discussing unique features, odd stories, breeding patterns and the like./p
p class="Normal" /p
p class="Normal"The previous host was caught handing out completely false information on the pokemon, and was putting people in danger with some of the information provided. One of the most notorious pieces of information they supplied the audience with was that if you are ever faced with a seaking coming after you, if you splash it, it will startle and swim off. I'm not quite sure why some trainers decided to try this, but there were quite a few accidents by people trying to replicate the information. All my information was a lot more scientific, with a touch of anecdotal evidence by trainers who have put in their experience with that weeks pokemon. Being in numerical order, it was pretty easy to know what was coming. Tomorrow I'll be going over Poliwhirl, and there was a bit of hype surrounding it as it was a distinct pokemon who could use hypnosis. That was tomorrow's problem though./p
p class="Normal" /p
p class="Normal"As I'm half way through eating breakfast, and Princess has joined me, I hear my pokegear go off in the bedroom and notice that Lyra is calling me. She's probably just checking in on Princess. As I accept the call I give a generic greeting. 'Hey Lyra. What's up?'She seems oddly frantic about something, but I'm sure she'll let me know in a second./p
p class="Normal"'I'm good. By the way you're completely unfazed, I'm assuming you haven't seen the news today?' I shake my head no. 'Ethan, the battle from yesterday was filmed and has spread like wildfire. People are eating up the drama of two celebrities getting into a fight. While a lot of people are taking your side, the punch you threw and the fact you have a rare pokemon with no license is turning people against you. Please don't go out today, the paparazzi will have a field day with you. Worse still is the fact that you can't avoid your parents learning about the full situation now.' She finally stopped for a breath and gave me the concerned look./p
p class="Normal" /p
p class="Normal"As for me, I guess I'm resigned to the situation, but know that it really can't affect me that much. I'm sure the video would have shown me breaking down, and that is probably the worst part of it all. Nothing looks worse than ugly tears on the news, and now I was stuck with that fact. God damn, why did it all have to happen, and the worst part of all? My hand still hurt from the punch I was going to get demonetized for. The same punch that I'm sure hurt me more than it hurt him. Damn that guy was like a brick wall though./p
p class="Normal" /p
p class="Normal"'I can't promise I won't go out today Lyra. I'll get my PR representative to speak to the tabloids and let them fix up the situation. It shouldn't be that difficult really with what was displayed; I was clearly in a dark place at the time. I'll also get them to throw in the fact that Princess is a house pokemon that belongs to me dad. It's not unreasonable to think that a Normal type gym leader would own an eevee, and it is actually the truth. As for dad? I'm guessing that he's probably going to go for Lance rather than me, so that's a relief.' I finish up and she looks quite a bit more appeased./p
p class="Normal" /p
p class="Normal"'It seems like you've got this covered. I have no clue how you can stand the fame and having everyone care what you do, as well as breathing down your neck when you do something wrong. I'd go absolutely insane if that was me!' And she would. For someone that used to dream about owning her own fashion industry, it quickly crumbled when she saw what the high-rollers truly had to deal with./p
p class="Normal" /p
p class="Normal"'You know I do it out of necessity rather than choice. I'd much rather swap jobs with you. Speaking of which, have you asked your grandparents about me helping out?'/p
p class="Normal" /p
p class="Normal"'No, but I'll ask today. Don't expect a response straight away; they love you, but they're do-gooders who wouldn't want to risk breaking the law. Eventually, family should win out, but not before they tumble and turn at night about it'. While the offer sounded amazing, I didn't want to cause them any sort of psychological issues either./p
p class="Normal" /p
p class="Normal"'Are you sure it's good to ask them such a thing if you know they'll struggle with the process of it?'/p
p class="Normal" /p
p class="Normal"'I'm not sure it will be good for them, but you'll make up the issue with the work you do, so I'm not ashamed of putting them in that position. God knows they're getting older and need some extra hands.'/p
p class="Normal"When she puts it like that, I'm still doing them a favour by putting them through it all, so that's good enough for me. 'Ok, as long as you're sure, please go ahead with it. Thank you for everything Lyra, and I'll see you soon'. After hanging up, I finally finish my breakfast./p
p class="Normal" /p
p class="Normal"When I was ready, I called up my PR representative, a woman name Stella Myers, and told her the details of the incident so she could clean it up for me. After doing so, I grabbed Princess and decided to spend such a beautiful summers day down by the complex pool. I was going to enjoy this day no matter what was going on around me./p
p class="Normal" /p
p class="Normal"_/p
p class="Normal"The Next day/p
p class="Normal"Ethan's POV/p
p class="Normal"_/p
p class="Normal" /p
p class="Normal"With the reassurance that Stella had done all she could to minimise backlash, Monday came along and reignited my passion for the model industry and my work life. That passion, however, was a passionate hate, and oh god why do Mondays need to always come and ruin my week? I just needed to get through the work day, and then I could head to the radio tower for my other work./p
p class="Normal" /p
p class="Normal"Doing the average morning dance and routine, I left the complex, making sure that the windows were open so Princess had a nice breeze she could sit under and sun bake. After the short walk into the central business district of town, I walk into the building of Multiscale Supermodels, an industry I had been working with for the last six years when the agency heard of me. They only dealt with those they believed would make it big, and those that would earn them the most money. For a business, that was fairly predictable and could be ignored. This was coupled with the fact that half the models in the industry made it onto a world level, so anyone who was anyone in the industry wanted to be tied in someway or another to the organisation./p
p class="Normal" /p
p class="Normal"Even though I had made it big in the industry, I was not the biggest name right now. Modestly, I would probably only put myself in the bottom of the top five names. Could I have been at the top? Perhaps, but I didn't have the cutthroat personality to cut my way to the top. Hell, I didn't even have the passion to begin with, just raw talent and a pretty face. Everyone knew that my drive was lacking in that regards, so I wasn't the target for malicious intent, but I was still a hard worker who threw my best in which was why I was still tolerated by my employers./p
p class="Normal" /p
p class="Normal"As I walk in, saying a polite hello to the security guards and passed all the checkpoints, I made my way up to the office of my manager on one of the middle levels of the building. Thankfully the organisation came with its own managerial teams so everything could be processed in house. I approach the office I needed to attend to and knocked on the respective door. Being invited in, I realise that the office is in shambles yet again. For such an organised person, Leo York was utterly abysmal with housekeeping and maintaining order in his office and life. As I take a look at him, I realise that he's in a particularly bad mood today. Taking a seat, I brace for whatever his mood has in store for me./p
p class="Normal" /p
p class="Normal"'I would ask if you had a good weekend, but the tabloids say otherwise. Do you know just how much of a mess you've made in the 24 hours that people thought you nothing more than a delinquent thug harboring an illegal rare pokemon? Even after the article your representative printed out, people aren't willing to forgive you for hitting one of the five biggest names in the Kanto-Johto bisection. I've had four of your offers pull out for this week, and have barely held on to some of your biggest labels. Did you know that your clauses in the contract with Manectric Designs, the biggest brand you're working with, specifically states that, and I quote, 'the representative must at all times represent the image of the brand, and any anti-social behavior may result in the termination of the contract'? I'm struggling Ethan. I truly am to fix this mess. Anyway, you've only got one photoshoot for today since you've gone and screwed up the other two you were meant to have. Please head to floor 27 where Anne will direct you from there. Now get out.'/p
p class="Normal" /p
p class="Normal"Well no niceties there. I knew he was in a bad mood, but damn that was next level. Not as much as a 'hi', and a get out at the end with no room to apologise or explain? Yikes that was bad. Hearing that one of my biggest brands almost pulled the pin and let me go was also nerve-wracking; if they pulled, it was going to be a scandal, not just in the organisation, but in the tabloids as well. Every since the brand hit notorioty among the youth scene several years back, I was their model of choice. In most towns they had two stores split into their affordable ranges. From their daughter stores 'Plusle's Surplus', to the richer upper class designs of 'Magetric'. Both were at the pinnacle of fashion for under 25's. With free clothing from Magetric with every fashion shoot, it was every diva models dream to be a part of, so if I lost this, I was screwed./p
p class="Normal" /p
p class="Normal"Shooting a quick message to Stella, I hit floor 27 and Anne describes to me what needed to be done. It was an easy photoshoot for a middle sized jewelery chain. I'm glad that I only needed to be here a couple hours and I could disappear again. After getting hair and make-up completed, I complete the fashion shoot within another half hour, and make sure that the photographers with the brand are satisfied with the photos. I didn't need to do this based on the comments and direction they gave, but for the sake of professionalism, I was always going to ensure that they got my best side and what they needed from me. With that completed, I was about to bid farewell to Anne when she told me that Leo wished to see me again before I left the building. Annoyed that I only just missed skipping the building, I head back down to his office and re-enter after a quick knock./p
p class="Normal" /p
p class="Normal"'Hey Leo, you wanted to speak to me again?' I ask, if only out of pettiness at not getting to speak this morning. He looks like he's calmed down again, so this will be a lot more layed back anyway./p
p class="Normal"'Yes. Firstly, between both myself and Mrs. Myers, we've protected Manectric designs, since we've been able to convince them that you were only in a distraught frame of mind, and we cleared up the illegalities of your eevee. I've also managed to convince two of the other cancellations to rethink your use, one of which was meant to be done today, but we've moved it to Wednesday instead'. He finished and I gave a nod to say both that I was grateful for his work, and that I understood both the information and the hidden warning from Manectric designs./p
p class="Normal" /p
p class="Normal"With this, he continued on. 'Furthermore, I recieved a request today for a photoshoot in Ecruteak for next week Sunday. It seems that the famous Kimono Girls saw the video, and were inspired by the bond you share with your eevee, and so set up a contract for you to have a photoshoot with them. I can't tell you what an honor it would be for you to take this opportunity. For a clan famed for the protection of the legends Ho-oh and Lugia to be invested in someone outside their clan is almost unheard of'. And it truly was. I was astounded that such an exclusive clan would ask for me, and me alone to come join them. Princess really did do me a favor on this one, and she deserved to be spoiled tonight, and spoiled in the meeting, because nothing but an angry dragon god was keeping me away from that place./p
p class="Normal" /p
p class="Normal"'I know you would have accepted already, but please do so if you haven't, this will be such an amazing offer! Please cancel my Friday bookings next week as well. I'll travel up on Friday, which should get me there mid-day Saturday. I can't wait! It's been so long since I left town, and for such an honor as well? I'm just about vibrating with joy right now!'/p
p class="Normal"With a smile on his face, Leo stated, 'Yeah, yeah. I know I'm a good manager. Don't forget that you're still in the dog-house for your little stunt, and you better deliver in the next couple weeks to make up for it. Now get out and I'll mail you your new schedule for the week when I have it completed in another hour or so.'/p
p class="Normal" /p
p class="Normal"Only vaguely sobered by that, I bounce out of his office with a 'Bye!', and exit out to go find some lunch. I deserved to treat myself after this. Only one and a half weeks and I go on one of the best holidays I've been on in a long while. I should tell my mum about this, she'll be so jealous that I wouldn't be surprised if she spontaneously took a trip overseas to come with me./p
p class="Normal" /p
p class="Normal"As much as I was excited for the trip, I knew I needed to put it in the back of my head enough to focus on tonight's broadcast. Speaking of which, I'll need to prerecord the boadcast in two week's time sometime around Thursday next week. That will give the audience enough time to get their anecdotes and stories in about abras. I'm a little excited to do a broadcast on a psychic pokemon actually, they were the first ones I had the opportunity to talk about./p
p class="Normal" /p
p class="Normal"Arriving at the cafe for lunch, I grab the notes and book from my bag and start the double checking of all my information to ensure my knowledge is accurate and relevant, not to mention I knew the listener's chosen stories back to front so I can relegate them to the audience listening. With food, a passion, and a joy, I sent myself to work./p
p class="Normal" /p
p class="Normal" /p
p class="Normal"_/p
p class="Normal"4pm same day- Goldenrod tower/p
p class="Normal"_/p
p class="Normal" /p
p class="Normal"With a spring in my step, I arrive at the Goldenrod radio station. A mammoth of a building easily distinguishable among the others on the northern section of the beach. It was here that I felt like I could shed the facade that I placed upon myself in my day to day activites, and become the person that I wished to be and felt I truly was- a pokemon nerd./p
p class="Normal" /p
p class="Normal"First starting 61 weeks ago, I wowed the producers with my passion and knowledge for the source. It doesn't hurt that I particularly llike the kanto starters either since I spent my first two months talking about them. They accepted that I wished to remain anonymous due to my notoriety in life, and dubbed me the name of Mr. Pokemon, a name that I whole-heartedly embraced. The show had also gained a larger following by active trainers as it held information that could truly benefit them, and there were even a few messages that came through about the information saving their lives (knowledge of fearows in particular). Without a doubt, it warmed my heart knowing that I was where I wanted to be, and I was out there helping others./p
p class="Normal" /p
p class="Normal"As I walk in, I show the security guard my id pass, and am allowed access without much trouble. Thankfully, the staff here are all aware of my identity, but none have discussed it with the press. There has been a couple articles about how often I frequent the tower, but nothing conclusive to my relief. I'm shocked that a super fan hasn't pieced the information together since while I go under a different name, there is no distortion to my voice. I guess it's easy to miss considering I'm only known as a pretty face; playing up on the stereotypes that I was nothing but an air-head sure did wonders for my secret life I lead. In fact, the whole incident with Lance, and the widespread knowledge that I'm not a licensed trainer would work to my advantage as well. It wouldn't hurt my job here since I was open about that fact right from the start./p
p class="Normal" /p
p class="Normal"My producer, a man named Daniel Symmons was waiting for me when I got into the room. I still had 15 minutes before we went to air, so I decided to discuss the Ecruteak visit early./p
p class="Normal"'Hey Daniel, I was wondering if I'd be able to do my Monday fortnight's broadcast mid-next week. I've got a job over in Ecruteak next weekend and I don't think I'll be back in time for Monday's broadcast'. He gave a sigh, but I knew he'd be fine with it; he always liked to make people think that they owed him one./p
p class="Normal"'I guess so, but you're going to need to do it Thursday, I don't have time to do it anywhere else in the week, and you'll still need the audience interaction. I'll send some of the stories to you a day earlier than usual so you can plan your broadcast. You're lucky we love you over here, otherwise we wouldn't bend like this and do a playback'. And it was true, while they did a playback during the week of a passed pokemon, the Monday segments were always done live, so they were doing me a favour there./p
p class="Normal"'But what would you do without me? I hear that the guy on the streets who hear he got molested by a jynx is looking for a job. Could be fun?' I see him shudder and I know that he's aware of exactly who I'm talking about. Funny guy, but funny in the sense that you laugh at him, and not with him./p
p class="Normal"'Go get ready you little scamp'. Raising my eye-brow due to the fact that he was only a couple years older than me, I do as ordered and set up my notes and head set ready to go. Finally, I hear the one minute call and ready myself. 'And we're on in 3, 2, 1.' he gives me the salute and off I go./p
p class="Normal" /p
p class="Normal"'Welcome back one and all to another session of The Pokedex Show, with Mr Pokemon. Today we'll be continuing our journey through not only the Kanto pokedex, but through the poliwag evolutionary line. For those new to the show, in this weekly series, we discuss aspect of a pokemon including physical characteristics, habitats, abilities and first hand experiences you, the viewers, have had with such a pokemon./p
p class="Normal" /p
p class="Normal"Today we move to entry 61- Poliwhirl. Poliwhirl, in essence, is a larger, more predatory version of it's base form, poliwag. Poliwhirl is identified as the padpole pokemon, just like poliwag. It grows to an average size of 1m as opposed tp poliwag's 600m, and will continue to grow further upon evolution. While their bodies do grow upon evolution, the significant size difference actually spreads from their legs rather than torso. They will also gain an extra pair of limbs from its torso which in turn become arms with white glove like hands. The final physical change on evolution will be a poliwhirl's eyes; instead of being at the top of its torso, it instead grows on top of the torso now, giving a poliwhirl a much larger field of vision./p
p class="Normal" /p
p class="Normal"In terms of habitat, there is not much of a difference between a poliwag and poliwhirl. They both prefer to live in water, no matter if it is a creek, lake or swamp, but the primary difference is that a poliwhirl can now tolerate living on land significantly better. The only drawback to this is that while it may live on the ground, it still needs to have a source of water available so that it's skin doesn't dehydrate./p
p class="Normal" /p
p class="Normal"For diet, upon evolution, a poliwhirl becomes more so of a carnivore than the herbivorous state of a poliwag. A large porion of their diet consists of other water types, especially the softer variations of pokemon including goldeens and marills. They have been known to start feasting on the likes of krabby and shellder as they become stronger and near the peak of their evolutionary state. With the ability to walk on land, poliwhirls also learn to hunt after bugs. In freshwater areas, they are seen going after caterpies and metapods, while in their preferential habitat of the swamplands, they feast upon yanma, which seem to be a delicacy to the tadpoles. It has also been noted that surskit swarms are often indicative that a family of poliwags will be in the area soon. As both a soft bug, and a water dwelling creature, they are a dream catch for poliwhirls despite being a Hoenn native./p
p class="Normal" /p
p class="Normal"As far as being prey goes, poliwhirl doesn't have many natural predators. This fact is offset by the pokemon being victim of many larger variants of birds. It has been witnessed in the field that fully evolved birds such as pidgeot and fearow are attracted to the concept of a large tadpole. In the defence of the poliwhirl, it's middle spiral undulates constantly throwing off the larger predators visual depth and perception, and can sometime send them to sleep. This is particularly dangerous for birds with the keen eye ability as they see the movement of the belly in more clarity. A poliwhirl also has the ability 'swift swim', which allows it to gain speed in wet conditions. While the birds may be fast, a wet poliwhirl is just as much, but has the benefit of the terrain also./p
p class="Normal" /p
p class="Normal"Joining its swift swim ability are both damp, as well as water absorb. Damp is crucial for a poliwhirl to live on land, because as discussed earlier, it can only stay on land for as long as it stays lubricated. This ties in with water absorb as it can very quickly rehydrate its body upon returning to the water. It is said that an almost completely dehydrated poliwhirl will only need 10 minutes completely submerged in water before it is at full hydration./p
p class="Normal" /p
p class="Normal"As far as attacking moves go, the evolution from poliwag to poliwhirl doesn't open many opportunities. It doesn't naturally use any new moves, but changes how it uses some of them. Of particular note is double-slap and wakeup slap. As a poliwag, it will use its tail which is not a very powerful appendage. On evolution, it gains the two large fists on its arms, and the effectiveness of these moves skyrockets in comparison. It is of note also that a poliwhirl gains the ability to use the tms for both psychic and earthquake. It is believed that the spiral pattern on its body is connected with psychic powers, but it wasn't until recently that scientists discovered that a poliwhirl's psychic capabilities surpassed the use of hypnosis through the spiral on its belly. Earthquake is a more natural occurrence as it gains not only power and weight, but the length and strength of its legs also add to the ability to form the seismic waves. This is an increase of power from its poliwag form where it could only use bulldoze./p
p class="Normal" /p
p class="Normal"Now, for the part of the segment that everyone loves and enjoys, it's time for the listener's stories. Every week, I ask for the stories from all of you out there based on your experience of the broadcast pokemon. Today, we have two entries. One based on a mating dance, and another where the poliwhirl confused itself with its own prowess./p
p class="Normal" /p
p class="Normal"The mating dance story is from Jenny in Vermillion City- Kanto. She said that when she was young, her family used to take weekend trips north of the city in Route 6. One time, when she was 8, the family camped up by one of the rivers in the area. Jenny stated that she once woke up, only to find that across the river were three poliwhirls, two of which were staring intently at each other, while the third looked at the interaction. She said that she didn't understand at the time, but learnt years later what had happened. She discovered that there were two males trying to hypnotise the other to prove to the female onlooker that they were the superior male. This would have been fine, she says, if one of them had actually succeeded. The female, who got cross that two weak poliwhirls would dare waste their time, ended up doubleslapping them both before walking off, perhaps to find a better suitor./p
p class="Normal" /p
p class="Normal"The other story comes from Chris from Two Island, in the Sevii Archipeligo. He states that one time he was up on the peak of the waterfall on the island when one spearow decided to mistake a poliwag for a poliwhirl. Diving upon its prey, the poliwhirl grabbed the spearow out of reflex and watched dumbfounded as it caught the bird. Not sure what to do with it, it sent the bird to sleep, drowned it under water, and went back to floating in the sun./p
p class="Normal" /p
p class="Normal"It's important to note after a gruesome death for the spearow, that humans are also capable of being hypnotised by a poliwhirl. We hear at the Goldenrod Radio Centre do not recommend trying to catch and eat a poliwhirl. It is also recommended that if anyone where to try and catch one to bring a mankey, or to be extra cautious if one is caught./p
p class="Normal" /p
p class="Normal"That's all the time we have today. I hope you've all enjoyed this week's segment, and have learnt some valuable information. Please remember that the station will now be accepting your stories for next weeks pokemon, poliwrath. Until next time listeners, study hard, and stay safe.'/p
p class="Normal" /p
p class="Normal"Phew, all done for another week. I grab something to drink as I found myself ironically parched. Maybe I needed the damp ability too. I'm virtually as aquatic as a poliwhirl. With a clap, I hear that Daniel was satisfied with yet another episode. 'I really don't know where you get your information from, but you are always so well prepared, and come with fascinating information. It's always hard to believe you aren't a trainer when you spout off facts like a renown professor. I'm sure Professor Oak would take you on as an apprentice in a heartbeat./p
p class="Normal" /p
p class="Normal"'It helps having a gym leader for a father, but I study hard to keep on my A game here. It certainly isn't a walk in the park to get it all, and to get it all right at that'. We continue talking for a little bit before heading out. For a day I was so worried about, this day actually turned out pretty well, but I can't wait to just get home and snuggle with Princess for the night. At that, I head home, grateful for those who've helped me out and supported me./p
p class="Normal" /p
p class="Normal" /p
p class="Normal"_/p
p class="Normal"The day after: Tuesday/p
p class="Normal"Goldenrod East slums/p
p class="Normal"Lance's POV/p
p class="Normal"_/p
p class="Normal" /p
p class="Normal"Finally having chosen and prepped the team, Lance had Will, a psychic Ace Trainer teleport the team over to Goldenrod. The team was initially a bit startled since they landed in the ocean, but another quick teleport later, and they reached their intended destination./p
p class="Normal" /p
p class="Normal"I'm going to wring his throat at. Truly, I have no idea why he is allowed on the Ace Trainers. A menace with superhuman powers, really. I'd be forever grateful if Sabrina and he could swap. While she may be as emotionally stunted as a child whose parents went berserk from their psychic powers and committed suicide, she was still better than the pathetic, empathetic guy who couldn't teleport to save his life. I know I'm in charge of this mission, but shot gun not being paired together. I'd leave him unpaired if I didn't know he was a hazard, and that I ultimately worked better alone anyway. Time to go order the team around I think./p
p class="Normal" /p
p class="Normal"'Now, I know that we've already gone over the general information, but let's quickly go over our procedure'. Knowing they were listening, I pressed onward. 'Our goal is to solidify the claim that team rocket is operating in the slums of Goldenrod. We shall split into three groups. Will, you'll be with Trina. Trina, you shall be operating as one of the city's middle status citizens. Will, you shall stay out of sight, and use your empathy to study any particular violent auras. Sam and Aaron, you will both be playing the parts of the city's homeless. I want you to find any black markets and drug deals going on within the slums and report how the gangs affect these businesses. For myself, I will go alone and try to worm my way into team rocket myself. Under the alias of Cain, I will achieve this. I would suggest that you all create fake names while you are under cover.'/p
p class="Normal" /p
p class="Normal"'Today, we will all take a quick trip to the Goldenrod department store and find outfits for our time here. We shall need to do it particularly soon as someone decided to drop us in the ocean'. With this, I send a scathing look at Will who seems entirely unperturbed.'You will be expected to work five days in a week, while I shall be working four days, due to the fact that this whole thing is eating into my holiday time. I will still be available during my off days, so do not hesitate to send regular reports through to me. I know that you are all powerful trainers, but do not underestimate the situation.'/p
p class="Normal" /p
p class="Normal"After my rousing speech, we go out and shop our outfits. For myself, I unfortunately had to bypass capes in it's entirety, which was a little soul crushing, but I had enough experience to let go of the matter. The most crucial aspect was to change my hair colour, and hide my muscle. Figuring that going brown with the hair dye and matting my hair was going to be the easiest solution, I went ahead with that. I joined that with some oversized shirts, low hanging pants, and a thick, but obviously fake, chain. I hated myself when I looked in the mirror. I looked like I was impoverished, and that was something I hoped I'd never have to associate with. Giving my team members death threats when they were about to comment shut them up pretty quickly, but I'm sure I heard a snicker or two from the boys./p
p class="Normal" /p
p class="Normal"As we all moved as one through the shops, it was obvious that we were an eye-sore to the upper class shoppers in the centre, but that just went to show how good we were at our jobs, and how not one single person recognised an Elite 4 member right in front of their eyes. Sending the other members to find their assigned lodgings while undercover, I went into the heart of the east to do an initial scope of the area./p
p class="Normal" /p
p class="Normal"On first glance, the east is just a modest town, nothing out of the ordinary. Cookie cutter small homes as far as the eye can see. On second glance though, things start to go wrong. No house seems to be unscathed, whether it be a broken letterbox, a missing window, a vandalized wall; there seems to be a unique story to every house. The streets are littered with human bodies, often looking as if they are settled on their current stretch of the street. Litter as far as the eye can see, and probably some grimer and ratata hiding in every nook and cranny. The strong stench of urine is evident in the air, as well as the sounds of fighting and generally raised voices. I don't know what I was expecting, but this was quite simply disgusting./p
p class="Normal" /p
p class="Normal"I'm now sure of why I was sent here. In this sort of environment, it would be easy for an organisation to prey upon the general thugs and scum in order to boost their numbers. Intuition tells me that there is indeed team rocket members in the area, and it unfortunately fell on me to join their ranks. Thank God this was only a four day gig, otherwise I was going to go crazy and stab something, or really, I'd just become one of the natives here./p
p class="Normal" /p
p class="Normal"I get a few worried glances as I walk on through, knowing that even though I've covered as much of my body up as possible, it's still an intimidating visage. One doesn't simply lose the aura of a noble dragon tamer so easily after all. Realistically, I'm going to be using this to my advantage to be recruited. Naturally, once they hear that promising fresh meat is out wandering the streets, they will be interested in what I have to offer. It also doesn't hurt that Koga lent me a couple of his old retired gym pokemon for me to use, being one of his koffing, and a tentacool./p
p class="Normal" /p
p class="Normal"Coming across a shady looking group, I approach them and begin one of the most shameful acts of my career to date. 'Yo bros, I'm looking for a little pep for my pokemon. You got any?' The group gave me stand-offish looks, but figured that I was either genuine, or that they could take me on in case I wasn't./p
p class="Normal"'What are you looking for? We got a guy who could help'. Well, this could be easier than I thought, I haven't had to beat anything into submission yet./p
p class="Normal"'I'm looking for something to beat that ho Whitney in battle. The little bitch needs to be shown her place, and I'm willing to take the job. Anything you got from black sludge to pokerus syringes for my koffing will do'. They laugh at the degrading comments about Whitney, and that confirms that either they're misogynistic, or she just really isn't popular among the thugs down here./p
p class="Normal"'Don't worry bro, we can get you the goods you need, just come with us. Just make sure you can pay the boss, otherwise things will get messy. You from out of town? Koffing ain't found much round here'. Knowing that he was the leader of the current group I was with, I had no reservations about spreading my backstory./p
p class="Normal"'Nah, I'm from Ecruteak. Came here a couple weeks back to make it big, ya know, but all I found was a bunch of stuck up pompous dicks and nowhere to go, so I've decided that I'm gonna smack round the leader a bit before getting out of here. Guess I'll just travel round, just me an ma koffing just spreadin chaos where-eva we go'. I hate myself so much, but oh well./p
p class="Normal"'Truth, yo. You gotta know the right people round here to get by. Ya know what? The boss I'm takin ya to might be able to help if you're interested. He runs things in this quadrant, so he knows all the best people to make it down here. Here we are'. He knocks four times on the door. 'Oi Barry! It's me. Brought some fresh blood for ya, this one could be promising'. As the door opens, a lanky man in his mid 20's opens the door. For someone around my age, I truly got the looks, the brawn, and probably the brains in life./p
p class="Normal"'This the kid? Seems older than the normal recruit? You sure he aint a snitch?' He gave the guide a piercing look. 'If he turns out to be sour, I'mma make Arbok put eight rounds of poison sting into your arse before it throws an acid spray over your little gang'./p
p class="Normal"Obviously used to such threats, the guide wasn't phased. 'Nah, this one seems legit. Angry at the system, and only looking for a bit of special fire power to put the cow in her place'. The cow? Was that a reference to Whitney, or to her Miltank? Works regardless honestly. 'You got a poison barb, or black sludge in stocks? Kid says he's got da money'./p
p class="Normal"With a raised brow, Billy decided that he may as well oblige a paying customer if they could actually pay. 'I've got poison barb kid, but it'll be 4000P, sure you can afford it?' Shit, that was a lot, but worth the mission./p
p class="Normal"'I can pay for it, but know that if it turns out to be fake, koffing and I will be back, and it won't be pretty. Got that?'/p
p class="Normal"'You threatening me kid? You really must be new if you don't know how the streets work. The way this goes down, is that you street rats listen to your betters, or you wake up with holes in you. Understand, or is that too much for your puny little brain to understand? Know that us rocket grunts are significantly better than you'. Score one to Lance, happy birthday to me. This was even easier to find than that one guy selling fake evolutionary stones a couple years back./p
p class="Normal"All those around me were staring in worried looks, obviously knowing that Billy was starting to get serious. That worked for me. 'It wasn't a threat, it was a promise. You may be a rocket grunt, but my pokemon I can promise you would asphyxiate the common arbok. You might have connections and power around here, but that means nothing when those around you are dead'. I finish by placing my finger over the pokeball on my waste./p
p class="Normal"The tension bubbled around us until finally, Billy cracked up laughing. 'You're alright kid, what was your name?' Telling him that it was Cain, he continued on. 'Well Cain, you were right to be brought here. While I'm in charge of this quadrant, I'm always on the lookout for fresh meat in Team Rocket, and you just might have a future there. Give me 5, and I'll get your poison barb'./p
p class="Normal" /p
p class="Normal"With that, I gave him my contact details, and he said I'd be message in the next few days by one of the recruiters. Finally being done with the whole ordeal, I returned to my hotel using one of Will's abra that I had tucked away in my pocket, and send a report over to the rest of my team. Showering the dye out of my hair and getting back into some respectable clothes, I relax knowing that until I get the message, I can take some time off./p
p class="Normal"Still looking for a beta reader. I'm correcting the underlined words at the end, but if you are here reading this announcement on chapter 5, you've read more of this than I have./p
p class="Normal"For those impatient with the speed of plot, things will start to move a bit quicker after this chapter. The next Ethan/Lance interaction is next chapter, and the start of Ethan's pokemon journey will began chapter 7/p
p class="Normal"Finally, the Mr Pokemon segments will be occurring in every chapter. If not associated with the plot, it will be an extra tidbit after the chapter/p
p class="Normal"-/p
p class="Normal"Ethan's POV/p
p class="Normal"Waking up on Sunday was a strange affair. I certainly wasn't used to having a good nights sleep, and it also didn't make sense that it would occur after such an awful day. Maybe I should start having those days every now and then so I can finally rest well. After getting out of bed and finishing in the bathroom, I scoop up the still resting Princess and carry her into the kitchen, a soft smile coming to my face when she tries to kick the magical demons she's destroying in her dreams./p
p class="Normal" /p
p class="Normal"Resting her on a chair while I sort out both our breakfasts, she wakes up as the smells start to assault her nose. Immediately perking up like she had three coffees within seven seconds, she springs up and rubs her body and tail on my legs. She would never head to my parents again after being spoiled by the food I supply for her, and she makes it no secret. 'Vii! E-vi'. As I'm chuckling, I place her food down on the ground while I finish up my meal. Finding out which flavours and berries a pokemon liked, and which still fit under a nutritious meal was a lot easier than people expect. You just have to balance a berry's natural flavours with a preset mix of other berries and ingredients. Every berry has certain characteristics, such as whether it is dry or sour, and so the PBA, or Pokemon Breeders Association, created concoctions to balance out each berry. From there, you keep several berries free, and get your pokemon to sniff each one and learn where its priorities lie./p
p class="Normal" /p
p class="Normal"Perfecting this technique is why Princess always had such a lush set of fur on her, and a healthy look in her eye. Most trainers just give a pokemon a bland set of everyday pokemon food, which while it gives sustenance, turns the process of eating into a chore instead of a joy. I learnt about it when my parents first moved out of home and I was left to look after the both of us ourselves. The breeding books turned out to be a huge wealth of pokemon information, and was the gateway to me knowing so much about pokemon in a whole. From habitats to the minimum exercise they should get per day to keep healthy, I knew it for a large portion of the kanto and johto pokemon. In fact, what no one knew, including Lyra and my parents was that for the last year, I have been working once per week at the radio tower on a pokedex show. During the sequence, I go under the alias of Mr Pokemon and am working through the kanto dex one pokemon at a time discussing unique features, odd stories, breeding patterns and the like./p
p class="Normal" /p
p class="Normal"The previous host was caught handing out completely false information on the pokemon, and was putting people in danger with some of the information provided. One of the most notorious pieces of information they supplied the audience with was that if you are ever faced with a seaking coming after you, if you splash it, it will startle and swim off. I'm not quite sure why some trainers decided to try this, but there were quite a few accidents by people trying to replicate the information. All my information was a lot more scientific, with a touch of anecdotal evidence by trainers who have put in their experience with that weeks pokemon. Being in numerical order, it was pretty easy to know what was coming. Tomorrow I'll be going over Poliwhirl, and there was a bit of hype surrounding it as it was a distinct pokemon who could use hypnosis. That was tomorrow's problem though./p
p class="Normal" /p
p class="Normal"As I'm half way through eating breakfast, and Princess has joined me, I hear my pokegear go off in the bedroom and notice that Lyra is calling me. She's probably just checking in on Princess. As I accept the call I give a generic greeting. 'Hey Lyra. What's up?'She seems oddly frantic about something, but I'm sure she'll let me know in a second./p
p class="Normal"'I'm good. By the way you're completely unfazed, I'm assuming you haven't seen the news today?' I shake my head no. 'Ethan, the battle from yesterday was filmed and has spread like wildfire. People are eating up the drama of two celebrities getting into a fight. While a lot of people are taking your side, the punch you threw and the fact you have a rare pokemon with no license is turning people against you. Please don't go out today, the paparazzi will have a field day with you. Worse still is the fact that you can't avoid your parents learning about the full situation now.' She finally stopped for a breath and gave me the concerned look./p
p class="Normal" /p
p class="Normal"As for me, I guess I'm resigned to the situation, but know that it really can't affect me that much. I'm sure the video would have shown me breaking down, and that is probably the worst part of it all. Nothing looks worse than ugly tears on the news, and now I was stuck with that fact. God damn, why did it all have to happen, and the worst part of all? My hand still hurt from the punch I was going to get demonetized for. The same punch that I'm sure hurt me more than it hurt him. Damn that guy was like a brick wall though./p
p class="Normal" /p
p class="Normal"'I can't promise I won't go out today Lyra. I'll get my PR representative to speak to the tabloids and let them fix up the situation. It shouldn't be that difficult really with what was displayed; I was clearly in a dark place at the time. I'll also get them to throw in the fact that Princess is a house pokemon that belongs to me dad. It's not unreasonable to think that a Normal type gym leader would own an eevee, and it is actually the truth. As for dad? I'm guessing that he's probably going to go for Lance rather than me, so that's a relief.' I finish up and she looks quite a bit more appeased./p
p class="Normal" /p
p class="Normal"'It seems like you've got this covered. I have no clue how you can stand the fame and having everyone care what you do, as well as breathing down your neck when you do something wrong. I'd go absolutely insane if that was me!' And she would. For someone that used to dream about owning her own fashion industry, it quickly crumbled when she saw what the high-rollers truly had to deal with./p
p class="Normal" /p
p class="Normal"'You know I do it out of necessity rather than choice. I'd much rather swap jobs with you. Speaking of which, have you asked your grandparents about me helping out?'/p
p class="Normal" /p
p class="Normal"'No, but I'll ask today. Don't expect a response straight away; they love you, but they're do-gooders who wouldn't want to risk breaking the law. Eventually, family should win out, but not before they tumble and turn at night about it'. While the offer sounded amazing, I didn't want to cause them any sort of psychological issues either./p
p class="Normal" /p
p class="Normal"'Are you sure it's good to ask them such a thing if you know they'll struggle with the process of it?'/p
p class="Normal" /p
p class="Normal"'I'm not sure it will be good for them, but you'll make up the issue with the work you do, so I'm not ashamed of putting them in that position. God knows they're getting older and need some extra hands.'/p
p class="Normal"When she puts it like that, I'm still doing them a favour by putting them through it all, so that's good enough for me. 'Ok, as long as you're sure, please go ahead with it. Thank you for everything Lyra, and I'll see you soon'. After hanging up, I finally finish my breakfast./p
p class="Normal" /p
p class="Normal"When I was ready, I called up my PR representative, a woman name Stella Myers, and told her the details of the incident so she could clean it up for me. After doing so, I grabbed Princess and decided to spend such a beautiful summers day down by the complex pool. I was going to enjoy this day no matter what was going on around me./p
p class="Normal" /p
p class="Normal"_/p
p class="Normal"The Next day/p
p class="Normal"Ethan's POV/p
p class="Normal"_/p
p class="Normal" /p
p class="Normal"With the reassurance that Stella had done all she could to minimise backlash, Monday came along and reignited my passion for the model industry and my work life. That passion, however, was a passionate hate, and oh god why do Mondays need to always come and ruin my week? I just needed to get through the work day, and then I could head to the radio tower for my other work./p
p class="Normal" /p
p class="Normal"Doing the average morning dance and routine, I left the complex, making sure that the windows were open so Princess had a nice breeze she could sit under and sun bake. After the short walk into the central business district of town, I walk into the building of Multiscale Supermodels, an industry I had been working with for the last six years when the agency heard of me. They only dealt with those they believed would make it big, and those that would earn them the most money. For a business, that was fairly predictable and could be ignored. This was coupled with the fact that half the models in the industry made it onto a world level, so anyone who was anyone in the industry wanted to be tied in someway or another to the organisation./p
p class="Normal" /p
p class="Normal"Even though I had made it big in the industry, I was not the biggest name right now. Modestly, I would probably only put myself in the bottom of the top five names. Could I have been at the top? Perhaps, but I didn't have the cutthroat personality to cut my way to the top. Hell, I didn't even have the passion to begin with, just raw talent and a pretty face. Everyone knew that my drive was lacking in that regards, so I wasn't the target for malicious intent, but I was still a hard worker who threw my best in which was why I was still tolerated by my employers./p
p class="Normal" /p
p class="Normal"As I walk in, saying a polite hello to the security guards and passed all the checkpoints, I made my way up to the office of my manager on one of the middle levels of the building. Thankfully the organisation came with its own managerial teams so everything could be processed in house. I approach the office I needed to attend to and knocked on the respective door. Being invited in, I realise that the office is in shambles yet again. For such an organised person, Leo York was utterly abysmal with housekeeping and maintaining order in his office and life. As I take a look at him, I realise that he's in a particularly bad mood today. Taking a seat, I brace for whatever his mood has in store for me./p
p class="Normal" /p
p class="Normal"'I would ask if you had a good weekend, but the tabloids say otherwise. Do you know just how much of a mess you've made in the 24 hours that people thought you nothing more than a delinquent thug harboring an illegal rare pokemon? Even after the article your representative printed out, people aren't willing to forgive you for hitting one of the five biggest names in the Kanto-Johto bisection. I've had four of your offers pull out for this week, and have barely held on to some of your biggest labels. Did you know that your clauses in the contract with Manectric Designs, the biggest brand you're working with, specifically states that, and I quote, 'the representative must at all times represent the image of the brand, and any anti-social behavior may result in the termination of the contract'? I'm struggling Ethan. I truly am to fix this mess. Anyway, you've only got one photoshoot for today since you've gone and screwed up the other two you were meant to have. Please head to floor 27 where Anne will direct you from there. Now get out.'/p
p class="Normal" /p
p class="Normal"Well no niceties there. I knew he was in a bad mood, but damn that was next level. Not as much as a 'hi', and a get out at the end with no room to apologise or explain? Yikes that was bad. Hearing that one of my biggest brands almost pulled the pin and let me go was also nerve-wracking; if they pulled, it was going to be a scandal, not just in the organisation, but in the tabloids as well. Every since the brand hit notorioty among the youth scene several years back, I was their model of choice. In most towns they had two stores split into their affordable ranges. From their daughter stores 'Plusle's Surplus', to the richer upper class designs of 'Magetric'. Both were at the pinnacle of fashion for under 25's. With free clothing from Magetric with every fashion shoot, it was every diva models dream to be a part of, so if I lost this, I was screwed./p
p class="Normal" /p
p class="Normal"Shooting a quick message to Stella, I hit floor 27 and Anne describes to me what needed to be done. It was an easy photoshoot for a middle sized jewelery chain. I'm glad that I only needed to be here a couple hours and I could disappear again. After getting hair and make-up completed, I complete the fashion shoot within another half hour, and make sure that the photographers with the brand are satisfied with the photos. I didn't need to do this based on the comments and direction they gave, but for the sake of professionalism, I was always going to ensure that they got my best side and what they needed from me. With that completed, I was about to bid farewell to Anne when she told me that Leo wished to see me again before I left the building. Annoyed that I only just missed skipping the building, I head back down to his office and re-enter after a quick knock./p
p class="Normal" /p
p class="Normal"'Hey Leo, you wanted to speak to me again?' I ask, if only out of pettiness at not getting to speak this morning. He looks like he's calmed down again, so this will be a lot more layed back anyway./p
p class="Normal"'Yes. Firstly, between both myself and Mrs. Myers, we've protected Manectric designs, since we've been able to convince them that you were only in a distraught frame of mind, and we cleared up the illegalities of your eevee. I've also managed to convince two of the other cancellations to rethink your use, one of which was meant to be done today, but we've moved it to Wednesday instead'. He finished and I gave a nod to say both that I was grateful for his work, and that I understood both the information and the hidden warning from Manectric designs./p
p class="Normal" /p
p class="Normal"With this, he continued on. 'Furthermore, I recieved a request today for a photoshoot in Ecruteak for next week Sunday. It seems that the famous Kimono Girls saw the video, and were inspired by the bond you share with your eevee, and so set up a contract for you to have a photoshoot with them. I can't tell you what an honor it would be for you to take this opportunity. For a clan famed for the protection of the legends Ho-oh and Lugia to be invested in someone outside their clan is almost unheard of'. And it truly was. I was astounded that such an exclusive clan would ask for me, and me alone to come join them. Princess really did do me a favor on this one, and she deserved to be spoiled tonight, and spoiled in the meeting, because nothing but an angry dragon god was keeping me away from that place./p
p class="Normal" /p
p class="Normal"'I know you would have accepted already, but please do so if you haven't, this will be such an amazing offer! Please cancel my Friday bookings next week as well. I'll travel up on Friday, which should get me there mid-day Saturday. I can't wait! It's been so long since I left town, and for such an honor as well? I'm just about vibrating with joy right now!'/p
p class="Normal"With a smile on his face, Leo stated, 'Yeah, yeah. I know I'm a good manager. Don't forget that you're still in the dog-house for your little stunt, and you better deliver in the next couple weeks to make up for it. Now get out and I'll mail you your new schedule for the week when I have it completed in another hour or so.'/p
p class="Normal" /p
p class="Normal"Only vaguely sobered by that, I bounce out of his office with a 'Bye!', and exit out to go find some lunch. I deserved to treat myself after this. Only one and a half weeks and I go on one of the best holidays I've been on in a long while. I should tell my mum about this, she'll be so jealous that I wouldn't be surprised if she spontaneously took a trip overseas to come with me./p
p class="Normal" /p
p class="Normal"As much as I was excited for the trip, I knew I needed to put it in the back of my head enough to focus on tonight's broadcast. Speaking of which, I'll need to prerecord the boadcast in two week's time sometime around Thursday next week. That will give the audience enough time to get their anecdotes and stories in about abras. I'm a little excited to do a broadcast on a psychic pokemon actually, they were the first ones I had the opportunity to talk about./p
p class="Normal" /p
p class="Normal"Arriving at the cafe for lunch, I grab the notes and book from my bag and start the double checking of all my information to ensure my knowledge is accurate and relevant, not to mention I knew the listener's chosen stories back to front so I can relegate them to the audience listening. With food, a passion, and a joy, I sent myself to work./p
p class="Normal" /p
p class="Normal" /p
p class="Normal"_/p
p class="Normal"4pm same day- Goldenrod tower/p
p class="Normal"_/p
p class="Normal" /p
p class="Normal"With a spring in my step, I arrive at the Goldenrod radio station. A mammoth of a building easily distinguishable among the others on the northern section of the beach. It was here that I felt like I could shed the facade that I placed upon myself in my day to day activites, and become the person that I wished to be and felt I truly was- a pokemon nerd./p
p class="Normal" /p
p class="Normal"First starting 61 weeks ago, I wowed the producers with my passion and knowledge for the source. It doesn't hurt that I particularly llike the kanto starters either since I spent my first two months talking about them. They accepted that I wished to remain anonymous due to my notoriety in life, and dubbed me the name of Mr. Pokemon, a name that I whole-heartedly embraced. The show had also gained a larger following by active trainers as it held information that could truly benefit them, and there were even a few messages that came through about the information saving their lives (knowledge of fearows in particular). Without a doubt, it warmed my heart knowing that I was where I wanted to be, and I was out there helping others./p
p class="Normal" /p
p class="Normal"As I walk in, I show the security guard my id pass, and am allowed access without much trouble. Thankfully, the staff here are all aware of my identity, but none have discussed it with the press. There has been a couple articles about how often I frequent the tower, but nothing conclusive to my relief. I'm shocked that a super fan hasn't pieced the information together since while I go under a different name, there is no distortion to my voice. I guess it's easy to miss considering I'm only known as a pretty face; playing up on the stereotypes that I was nothing but an air-head sure did wonders for my secret life I lead. In fact, the whole incident with Lance, and the widespread knowledge that I'm not a licensed trainer would work to my advantage as well. It wouldn't hurt my job here since I was open about that fact right from the start./p
p class="Normal" /p
p class="Normal"My producer, a man named Daniel Symmons was waiting for me when I got into the room. I still had 15 minutes before we went to air, so I decided to discuss the Ecruteak visit early./p
p class="Normal"'Hey Daniel, I was wondering if I'd be able to do my Monday fortnight's broadcast mid-next week. I've got a job over in Ecruteak next weekend and I don't think I'll be back in time for Monday's broadcast'. He gave a sigh, but I knew he'd be fine with it; he always liked to make people think that they owed him one./p
p class="Normal"'I guess so, but you're going to need to do it Thursday, I don't have time to do it anywhere else in the week, and you'll still need the audience interaction. I'll send some of the stories to you a day earlier than usual so you can plan your broadcast. You're lucky we love you over here, otherwise we wouldn't bend like this and do a playback'. And it was true, while they did a playback during the week of a passed pokemon, the Monday segments were always done live, so they were doing me a favour there./p
p class="Normal"'But what would you do without me? I hear that the guy on the streets who hear he got molested by a jynx is looking for a job. Could be fun?' I see him shudder and I know that he's aware of exactly who I'm talking about. Funny guy, but funny in the sense that you laugh at him, and not with him./p
p class="Normal"'Go get ready you little scamp'. Raising my eye-brow due to the fact that he was only a couple years older than me, I do as ordered and set up my notes and head set ready to go. Finally, I hear the one minute call and ready myself. 'And we're on in 3, 2, 1.' he gives me the salute and off I go./p
p class="Normal" /p
p class="Normal"'Welcome back one and all to another session of The Pokedex Show, with Mr Pokemon. Today we'll be continuing our journey through not only the Kanto pokedex, but through the poliwag evolutionary line. For those new to the show, in this weekly series, we discuss aspect of a pokemon including physical characteristics, habitats, abilities and first hand experiences you, the viewers, have had with such a pokemon./p
p class="Normal" /p
p class="Normal"Today we move to entry 61- Poliwhirl. Poliwhirl, in essence, is a larger, more predatory version of it's base form, poliwag. Poliwhirl is identified as the padpole pokemon, just like poliwag. It grows to an average size of 1m as opposed tp poliwag's 600m, and will continue to grow further upon evolution. While their bodies do grow upon evolution, the significant size difference actually spreads from their legs rather than torso. They will also gain an extra pair of limbs from its torso which in turn become arms with white glove like hands. The final physical change on evolution will be a poliwhirl's eyes; instead of being at the top of its torso, it instead grows on top of the torso now, giving a poliwhirl a much larger field of vision./p
p class="Normal" /p
p class="Normal"In terms of habitat, there is not much of a difference between a poliwag and poliwhirl. They both prefer to live in water, no matter if it is a creek, lake or swamp, but the primary difference is that a poliwhirl can now tolerate living on land significantly better. The only drawback to this is that while it may live on the ground, it still needs to have a source of water available so that it's skin doesn't dehydrate./p
p class="Normal" /p
p class="Normal"For diet, upon evolution, a poliwhirl becomes more so of a carnivore than the herbivorous state of a poliwag. A large porion of their diet consists of other water types, especially the softer variations of pokemon including goldeens and marills. They have been known to start feasting on the likes of krabby and shellder as they become stronger and near the peak of their evolutionary state. With the ability to walk on land, poliwhirls also learn to hunt after bugs. In freshwater areas, they are seen going after caterpies and metapods, while in their preferential habitat of the swamplands, they feast upon yanma, which seem to be a delicacy to the tadpoles. It has also been noted that surskit swarms are often indicative that a family of poliwags will be in the area soon. As both a soft bug, and a water dwelling creature, they are a dream catch for poliwhirls despite being a Hoenn native./p
p class="Normal" /p
p class="Normal"As far as being prey goes, poliwhirl doesn't have many natural predators. This fact is offset by the pokemon being victim of many larger variants of birds. It has been witnessed in the field that fully evolved birds such as pidgeot and fearow are attracted to the concept of a large tadpole. In the defence of the poliwhirl, it's middle spiral undulates constantly throwing off the larger predators visual depth and perception, and can sometime send them to sleep. This is particularly dangerous for birds with the keen eye ability as they see the movement of the belly in more clarity. A poliwhirl also has the ability 'swift swim', which allows it to gain speed in wet conditions. While the birds may be fast, a wet poliwhirl is just as much, but has the benefit of the terrain also./p
p class="Normal" /p
p class="Normal"Joining its swift swim ability are both damp, as well as water absorb. Damp is crucial for a poliwhirl to live on land, because as discussed earlier, it can only stay on land for as long as it stays lubricated. This ties in with water absorb as it can very quickly rehydrate its body upon returning to the water. It is said that an almost completely dehydrated poliwhirl will only need 10 minutes completely submerged in water before it is at full hydration./p
p class="Normal" /p
p class="Normal"As far as attacking moves go, the evolution from poliwag to poliwhirl doesn't open many opportunities. It doesn't naturally use any new moves, but changes how it uses some of them. Of particular note is double-slap and wakeup slap. As a poliwag, it will use its tail which is not a very powerful appendage. On evolution, it gains the two large fists on its arms, and the effectiveness of these moves skyrockets in comparison. It is of note also that a poliwhirl gains the ability to use the tms for both psychic and earthquake. It is believed that the spiral pattern on its body is connected with psychic powers, but it wasn't until recently that scientists discovered that a poliwhirl's psychic capabilities surpassed the use of hypnosis through the spiral on its belly. Earthquake is a more natural occurrence as it gains not only power and weight, but the length and strength of its legs also add to the ability to form the seismic waves. This is an increase of power from its poliwag form where it could only use bulldoze./p
p class="Normal" /p
p class="Normal"Now, for the part of the segment that everyone loves and enjoys, it's time for the listener's stories. Every week, I ask for the stories from all of you out there based on your experience of the broadcast pokemon. Today, we have two entries. One based on a mating dance, and another where the poliwhirl confused itself with its own prowess./p
p class="Normal" /p
p class="Normal"The mating dance story is from Jenny in Vermillion City- Kanto. She said that when she was young, her family used to take weekend trips north of the city in Route 6. One time, when she was 8, the family camped up by one of the rivers in the area. Jenny stated that she once woke up, only to find that across the river were three poliwhirls, two of which were staring intently at each other, while the third looked at the interaction. She said that she didn't understand at the time, but learnt years later what had happened. She discovered that there were two males trying to hypnotise the other to prove to the female onlooker that they were the superior male. This would have been fine, she says, if one of them had actually succeeded. The female, who got cross that two weak poliwhirls would dare waste their time, ended up doubleslapping them both before walking off, perhaps to find a better suitor./p
p class="Normal" /p
p class="Normal"The other story comes from Chris from Two Island, in the Sevii Archipeligo. He states that one time he was up on the peak of the waterfall on the island when one spearow decided to mistake a poliwag for a poliwhirl. Diving upon its prey, the poliwhirl grabbed the spearow out of reflex and watched dumbfounded as it caught the bird. Not sure what to do with it, it sent the bird to sleep, drowned it under water, and went back to floating in the sun./p
p class="Normal" /p
p class="Normal"It's important to note after a gruesome death for the spearow, that humans are also capable of being hypnotised by a poliwhirl. We hear at the Goldenrod Radio Centre do not recommend trying to catch and eat a poliwhirl. It is also recommended that if anyone where to try and catch one to bring a mankey, or to be extra cautious if one is caught./p
p class="Normal" /p
p class="Normal"That's all the time we have today. I hope you've all enjoyed this week's segment, and have learnt some valuable information. Please remember that the station will now be accepting your stories for next weeks pokemon, poliwrath. Until next time listeners, study hard, and stay safe.'/p
p class="Normal" /p
p class="Normal"Phew, all done for another week. I grab something to drink as I found myself ironically parched. Maybe I needed the damp ability too. I'm virtually as aquatic as a poliwhirl. With a clap, I hear that Daniel was satisfied with yet another episode. 'I really don't know where you get your information from, but you are always so well prepared, and come with fascinating information. It's always hard to believe you aren't a trainer when you spout off facts like a renown professor. I'm sure Professor Oak would take you on as an apprentice in a heartbeat./p
p class="Normal" /p
p class="Normal"'It helps having a gym leader for a father, but I study hard to keep on my A game here. It certainly isn't a walk in the park to get it all, and to get it all right at that'. We continue talking for a little bit before heading out. For a day I was so worried about, this day actually turned out pretty well, but I can't wait to just get home and snuggle with Princess for the night. At that, I head home, grateful for those who've helped me out and supported me./p
p class="Normal" /p
p class="Normal" /p
p class="Normal"_/p
p class="Normal"The day after: Tuesday/p
p class="Normal"Goldenrod East slums/p
p class="Normal"Lance's POV/p
p class="Normal"_/p
p class="Normal" /p
p class="Normal"Finally having chosen and prepped the team, Lance had Will, a psychic Ace Trainer teleport the team over to Goldenrod. The team was initially a bit startled since they landed in the ocean, but another quick teleport later, and they reached their intended destination./p
p class="Normal" /p
p class="Normal"I'm going to wring his throat at. Truly, I have no idea why he is allowed on the Ace Trainers. A menace with superhuman powers, really. I'd be forever grateful if Sabrina and he could swap. While she may be as emotionally stunted as a child whose parents went berserk from their psychic powers and committed suicide, she was still better than the pathetic, empathetic guy who couldn't teleport to save his life. I know I'm in charge of this mission, but shot gun not being paired together. I'd leave him unpaired if I didn't know he was a hazard, and that I ultimately worked better alone anyway. Time to go order the team around I think./p
p class="Normal" /p
p class="Normal"'Now, I know that we've already gone over the general information, but let's quickly go over our procedure'. Knowing they were listening, I pressed onward. 'Our goal is to solidify the claim that team rocket is operating in the slums of Goldenrod. We shall split into three groups. Will, you'll be with Trina. Trina, you shall be operating as one of the city's middle status citizens. Will, you shall stay out of sight, and use your empathy to study any particular violent auras. Sam and Aaron, you will both be playing the parts of the city's homeless. I want you to find any black markets and drug deals going on within the slums and report how the gangs affect these businesses. For myself, I will go alone and try to worm my way into team rocket myself. Under the alias of Cain, I will achieve this. I would suggest that you all create fake names while you are under cover.'/p
p class="Normal" /p
p class="Normal"'Today, we will all take a quick trip to the Goldenrod department store and find outfits for our time here. We shall need to do it particularly soon as someone decided to drop us in the ocean'. With this, I send a scathing look at Will who seems entirely unperturbed.'You will be expected to work five days in a week, while I shall be working four days, due to the fact that this whole thing is eating into my holiday time. I will still be available during my off days, so do not hesitate to send regular reports through to me. I know that you are all powerful trainers, but do not underestimate the situation.'/p
p class="Normal" /p
p class="Normal"After my rousing speech, we go out and shop our outfits. For myself, I unfortunately had to bypass capes in it's entirety, which was a little soul crushing, but I had enough experience to let go of the matter. The most crucial aspect was to change my hair colour, and hide my muscle. Figuring that going brown with the hair dye and matting my hair was going to be the easiest solution, I went ahead with that. I joined that with some oversized shirts, low hanging pants, and a thick, but obviously fake, chain. I hated myself when I looked in the mirror. I looked like I was impoverished, and that was something I hoped I'd never have to associate with. Giving my team members death threats when they were about to comment shut them up pretty quickly, but I'm sure I heard a snicker or two from the boys./p
p class="Normal" /p
p class="Normal"As we all moved as one through the shops, it was obvious that we were an eye-sore to the upper class shoppers in the centre, but that just went to show how good we were at our jobs, and how not one single person recognised an Elite 4 member right in front of their eyes. Sending the other members to find their assigned lodgings while undercover, I went into the heart of the east to do an initial scope of the area./p
p class="Normal" /p
p class="Normal"On first glance, the east is just a modest town, nothing out of the ordinary. Cookie cutter small homes as far as the eye can see. On second glance though, things start to go wrong. No house seems to be unscathed, whether it be a broken letterbox, a missing window, a vandalized wall; there seems to be a unique story to every house. The streets are littered with human bodies, often looking as if they are settled on their current stretch of the street. Litter as far as the eye can see, and probably some grimer and ratata hiding in every nook and cranny. The strong stench of urine is evident in the air, as well as the sounds of fighting and generally raised voices. I don't know what I was expecting, but this was quite simply disgusting./p
p class="Normal" /p
p class="Normal"I'm now sure of why I was sent here. In this sort of environment, it would be easy for an organisation to prey upon the general thugs and scum in order to boost their numbers. Intuition tells me that there is indeed team rocket members in the area, and it unfortunately fell on me to join their ranks. Thank God this was only a four day gig, otherwise I was going to go crazy and stab something, or really, I'd just become one of the natives here./p
p class="Normal" /p
p class="Normal"I get a few worried glances as I walk on through, knowing that even though I've covered as much of my body up as possible, it's still an intimidating visage. One doesn't simply lose the aura of a noble dragon tamer so easily after all. Realistically, I'm going to be using this to my advantage to be recruited. Naturally, once they hear that promising fresh meat is out wandering the streets, they will be interested in what I have to offer. It also doesn't hurt that Koga lent me a couple of his old retired gym pokemon for me to use, being one of his koffing, and a tentacool./p
p class="Normal" /p
p class="Normal"Coming across a shady looking group, I approach them and begin one of the most shameful acts of my career to date. 'Yo bros, I'm looking for a little pep for my pokemon. You got any?' The group gave me stand-offish looks, but figured that I was either genuine, or that they could take me on in case I wasn't./p
p class="Normal"'What are you looking for? We got a guy who could help'. Well, this could be easier than I thought, I haven't had to beat anything into submission yet./p
p class="Normal"'I'm looking for something to beat that ho Whitney in battle. The little bitch needs to be shown her place, and I'm willing to take the job. Anything you got from black sludge to pokerus syringes for my koffing will do'. They laugh at the degrading comments about Whitney, and that confirms that either they're misogynistic, or she just really isn't popular among the thugs down here./p
p class="Normal"'Don't worry bro, we can get you the goods you need, just come with us. Just make sure you can pay the boss, otherwise things will get messy. You from out of town? Koffing ain't found much round here'. Knowing that he was the leader of the current group I was with, I had no reservations about spreading my backstory./p
p class="Normal"'Nah, I'm from Ecruteak. Came here a couple weeks back to make it big, ya know, but all I found was a bunch of stuck up pompous dicks and nowhere to go, so I've decided that I'm gonna smack round the leader a bit before getting out of here. Guess I'll just travel round, just me an ma koffing just spreadin chaos where-eva we go'. I hate myself so much, but oh well./p
p class="Normal"'Truth, yo. You gotta know the right people round here to get by. Ya know what? The boss I'm takin ya to might be able to help if you're interested. He runs things in this quadrant, so he knows all the best people to make it down here. Here we are'. He knocks four times on the door. 'Oi Barry! It's me. Brought some fresh blood for ya, this one could be promising'. As the door opens, a lanky man in his mid 20's opens the door. For someone around my age, I truly got the looks, the brawn, and probably the brains in life./p
p class="Normal"'This the kid? Seems older than the normal recruit? You sure he aint a snitch?' He gave the guide a piercing look. 'If he turns out to be sour, I'mma make Arbok put eight rounds of poison sting into your arse before it throws an acid spray over your little gang'./p
p class="Normal"Obviously used to such threats, the guide wasn't phased. 'Nah, this one seems legit. Angry at the system, and only looking for a bit of special fire power to put the cow in her place'. The cow? Was that a reference to Whitney, or to her Miltank? Works regardless honestly. 'You got a poison barb, or black sludge in stocks? Kid says he's got da money'./p
p class="Normal"With a raised brow, Billy decided that he may as well oblige a paying customer if they could actually pay. 'I've got poison barb kid, but it'll be 4000P, sure you can afford it?' Shit, that was a lot, but worth the mission./p
p class="Normal"'I can pay for it, but know that if it turns out to be fake, koffing and I will be back, and it won't be pretty. Got that?'/p
p class="Normal"'You threatening me kid? You really must be new if you don't know how the streets work. The way this goes down, is that you street rats listen to your betters, or you wake up with holes in you. Understand, or is that too much for your puny little brain to understand? Know that us rocket grunts are significantly better than you'. Score one to Lance, happy birthday to me. This was even easier to find than that one guy selling fake evolutionary stones a couple years back./p
p class="Normal"All those around me were staring in worried looks, obviously knowing that Billy was starting to get serious. That worked for me. 'It wasn't a threat, it was a promise. You may be a rocket grunt, but my pokemon I can promise you would asphyxiate the common arbok. You might have connections and power around here, but that means nothing when those around you are dead'. I finish by placing my finger over the pokeball on my waste./p
p class="Normal"The tension bubbled around us until finally, Billy cracked up laughing. 'You're alright kid, what was your name?' Telling him that it was Cain, he continued on. 'Well Cain, you were right to be brought here. While I'm in charge of this quadrant, I'm always on the lookout for fresh meat in Team Rocket, and you just might have a future there. Give me 5, and I'll get your poison barb'./p
p class="Normal" /p
p class="Normal"With that, I gave him my contact details, and he said I'd be message in the next few days by one of the recruiters. Finally being done with the whole ordeal, I returned to my hotel using one of Will's abra that I had tucked away in my pocket, and send a report over to the rest of my team. Showering the dye out of my hair and getting back into some respectable clothes, I relax knowing that until I get the message, I can take some time off./p
