Pride of Your Soul
Chapter 2: Recruitment
AN: And welcome back to Pride of Your Soul! Hope you enjoy chapter 2.
And I should've addressed this in the first chapter. For those of you who are new here:
"-words-" is Pokemon speaking. While they are 'speaking' per say, humans cannot hear or understand them, only hearing their cries etc, save for a select few (i.e. Nate).
Now on with the fight!
Luca and Unfezant were locked into a stalemate; each refusing to be overpowered and trying to overcome the other.
"Tch, they're evenly matched..." Nate muttered. "Fall back and use Aura Sphere!"
Luca quickly jumped back while Unfezant did the same, as she charged blue aura into her paw, before aiming it at the bird.
"-Eat this!-" Luca growled as a stream of blue spheres shot out from it and at Unfezant in rapid succession.
Unfezant flew back at a tremendous speed, avoiding all of the spheres as Luca kept following Unfezant as he flew.
"Retaliate with Air Slash!" Cheren commanded.
As Unfezant got back, his wings began to glow. Unfezant flapped them at Luca, sending a myriad amount of blades of air at the canine.
"Block it with Bone Rush!" Nate yelled.
Luca, in response, clasped her paws together and pulled them apart, where another staff of energy formed between them, which she grabbed and twirled rapidly, shielding herself from the storm of blades before brandishing it.
"As expected, Nate," Cheren mused.
"You got a little better, Cowlick," Nate said.
As Unfezant flied around Luca from up above the air, he proceeded to unleash more air slashes at Luca, who had no choice but to defend while to try and shoot the bird down with her aura spheres. Unfezant kept gaining altitude, reaching a point where Luca's aura spheres couldn't reach him.
"Now, Air Slash on the ground!" Cheren yelled.
Unfezant aimed one of his air slashes at the field and shot it, the resulting impact creating a huge dust cloud, blinding Luca.
"-Damn it!-" Luca cussed as she quickly dispersed the dust with her staff.
By the time she cleared it up, however, Unfezant was already charging at her.
"Return!"
"Damn it, Extreme Speed!"
As Unfezant charged at Luca with great force, Luca brandished her staff and disappeared just as Unfezant was about to make contact, causing the bird to halt in surprise.
"-Wha–!? Where did she–?!-" Unfezant gasped as he looked around.
"Above you!" Cheren yelled.
Unfezant glanced up, where Luca was already descending to the bird; staff ready to smash into his head. Unfezant quickly flew away, avoiding Luca's assault and retreated to his master. The impact from Luca's assault, however, managed to make a large fault in the battlefield, and broke her staff in half. Luca glanced behind her, as Unfezant got in front of Cheren once more, before glancing to Nate for his next order.
"Go in close," Nate commanded. "Use any distractions you need."
Luca nodded as she suddenly hurled the broken half of her staff at Unfezant, before rushing in. Unfezant swatted away the broken piece, but couldn't shield himself as Luca fired more aura spheres at him. As the bird got pelted by the projectiles, Luca rushed in and delivered a powerful knee jab to Unfezant, before following it up with several punches and finishing it by grabbing Unfezant and throwing him over her, slamming him into the ground. As Unfezant tried to recover from the blow, Luca smashed her foot into his gut, before proceeding to stomp on the bird mercilessly.
"Damn it, get out of there!" Cheren yelled.
As Luca mercilessly stomped on Unfezant, the bird pecked at her foot with enough force to stop her from continuing her assault.
"-Kh!-" Luca swore as she tried to ease the pain of her foot.
As Unfezant flew back, Luca prepared another Bone Rush staff before engaging the bird.
"Why use a Ground-type move on a Flying-type?" Cheren muttered, questioning Luca's actions. "Stay sharp, Unfezant!"
"Create cover!" Nate yelled.
Luca obliged by slamming the tip of the staff on the ground, before quickly and violently making a circle around herself, creating another dust cloud, shielding her from Unfezant's sight.
"-Tch!-" Unfezant cursed, shielding his eyes from the dust.
From the dust cloud, Luca's staff shot out like a harpoon, nailing the bird by the head. As Unfezant tried to fly away to safety, Luca stormed out from the dust and jumped, grabbing Unfezant's legs and slamming him to the ground. As Unfezant was in the middle of recovering from being slammed into the ground once more, Luca's staff flew down to her, which she caught in midair and struck at Unfezant with it like he was a golf ball. As Unfezant flew back, Luca pursued the bird, ready to pummel him once more.
"Fall back, Unfezant!" Cheren commanded. "Into the sky! Double Team!"
As Luca was about to strike Unfezant's head once more, Unfezant suddenly duplicated himself into two, avoiding the strike, before vanishing completely.
"-Huh?!-" Luca gasped as she looked around to see where her foe had disappeared to.
"Goddamn it," Nate muttered as he was looking above her.
Luca looked up to see a whole horde of Unfezants, all looming above her and all scattered across the sky.
"-Wha–?!-" Luca gaped at the sight.
"Oh this is gonna be annoying..." Nate muttered.
As the two were battling it out, the students just stood back and spectated the entire battle. They were amazed at how intense the battle was. It kept swaying from one side to another, one side getting the upper hand, to the other side turning the tables, and vice versa and repeat. The challenger and their professor were equal; neither side getting any specific upper advantage. Even if they did it was quickly taken back by their opponent, before wrestling it back.
"Holy shit..." Hugh muttered in shock. "This is way different from our gym battles..."
Snivy, Tepig and Oshawott all just stared at the two powerful Pokémon and their trainers in awe; Tepig being the most entranced out of the three by the boy and his lucario; getting excited when Luca had the upper hand, then becoming a little depressed and worried whenever Luca lost the advantage.
"-Wow...she's pretty and strong...-" Eve said as she observed Luca hurling her staff like a wheel at the horde and taking out three clones, before looking up to Rosa. "-Rosa...?-"
Rosa, meanwhile, was speechless. She refused to believe that this thief was related to her beloved hero. Someone as underhanded and cruel (to her at least) could never be related to someone as brave and noble like Hilbert, even if they did share the same surname. Her hero had more valor than the thief could possibly muster. The thief was much more cynical and manipulative like a snake.
His strength, on the other hand, was something she couldn't deny was stupendous. His lucario was keeping up with her professor's unfezant. The Normal/Flying type was one of her professor's best partners, being one of the party members he had used during his journey with her hero. It was certainly a veteran, and was undeniably powerful when combined with her professor's quick thinking and battling sense. Yet despite this, the thief's lucario, who, by what she could tell, was more or less similar to the boy in terms of personality, was keeping up with the veteran Pokémon, being able to pressure him and get an advantage, while wrestling it back whenever Unfezant stole it from her.
The bun-haired girl clenched her teeth. She refused to believe that this lowlife could possibly be related to her hero. She refused to admit that this lowlife was undoubtedly stronger than her. She refused to admit that maybe, this lowlife, who had humiliated her even more than her classmates, childhood friend, and teacher, was more on the truth than she wished.
"Kick his ass, Professor!" Rosa roared.
And thus, she wanted nothing more than for him to taste defeat.
"Well looks like someone doesn't like me," Nate mused as he heard the girl cheering on her professor.
"-Well you did kinda grope her,-" Luca pointed out as she swiped her staff to destroy another clone.
"Hey that was an accident and you know it," Nate defended himself.
"-Regardless,-" Luca said as she jumped over an incoming clone. "-That type is someone who's proud. Arrogant, maybe, but she no doubt has an ample amount of pride in herself, and in her beliefs. And you just had to crush said pride without a bat of an eye.-"
Nate leered at his partner as he watched her jump back and fire off some more rounds of aura spheres at three charging clones.
"...You know that I find those kinds of human beings to be pathetic," Nate scowled. "They think the world revolves around them. They think it will bend to their whim. They don't know suffering."
"-Isn't it a bit hasty to judge that?-" Luca offered her two cents. "-You don't know her or her past. And neither does she know of yours.-"
"...To your left by the way," Nate said, choosing to put what she said elsewhere in favor of focusing on the battle.
Luca jumped to her right, avoiding a clone charging at her from the left and giving her enough room to punch the clone away.
"This is getting us nowhere," Nate muttered as he saw the sea of clones that was unwavering. "Search out the real one."
Luca nodded, before closing her eyes. Her four head appendages began to float, emitting a blue aura around herself.
"Trying to sense the real Unfezant with 'Aura', eh?" Cheren mused, realizing what the lucario was doing. "Then there's no point in hiding. Unfezant! End this now! Sky Attack!"
A strong light began to shine from within the crowd, gaining Nate's attention, while Luca cut off her aura search. One unfezant in the middle of the crowd was cloaked in that same harsh light.
"Bingo," Nate said. "Luca! Stop him before he can finish the attack!"
Letting out a snarl, Luca prepped another Bone Rush staff, as she jumped for the real Unfezant.
"Stop her!" Cheren yelled.
The clones began to swarm at Luca, forcing her down to the ground as the real one continued to prepare his attack. Luca violently swung her staff, bashing as many clones as she can while finding an opening. As she finished off the last clone, she set her sights towards the true Unfezant, who had got out of his resting position, signaling the finish to his preparations.
"Now, Sky Attack!"
Unfezant charged at Luca with all of his might, now surrounded by intense flames from the sheer power and heat of the light. Luca tried to avoid it, but the peck Unfezant had dealt to her foot earlier caused her to wince in pain as she stepped on it wrong, and made her falter in front of the attack.
"-Son of a bi–!-" Luca grunted.
The bird smashed into Luca with all the strength he could muster, sending the dog flying and crashing through a window of the school behind Nate.
"Oh that looked like it hurt..." Nate could only wince at the impact, before noting the shattered window that (did little) to cushion Luca's crash.
"Oh I'm gonna have to take responsibility for that one," Cheren groaned as Unfezant looked at him apologetically.
"Not my fault by the way," Nate quickly called out. "Luca! You alright over there?"
From the rubble of wood and glass, Luca emerged from it, coughing from the crushed rubble and dust.
"-That hurt like hell...-" Luca groaned in pain.
"I would imagine," Nate snickered. "Can you still fight?"
After dusting herself off, Luca cracked her knuckles and got back to her fighting stance.
"Great...I break a wall of the school, and she still manages to recover from it," Cheren sighed. "But at least we were able to do significant damage."
Nate focused back to the battle as Luca took her stance, but began to wobble a little.
"We better finish this up quickly," Nate muttered. "You won't last much longer."
"-I-I'm fine,-" Luca assured him, but her wobbling said otherwise.
"Doubt it," Nate said. "We're finishing this now."
"I agree," Cheren said, noticing Unfezant's fatigue. "Let's end this now! Unfezant, Air Slash!"
As Unfezant prepared to unleash more blades of air at Luca, Luca charged forward.
"Dark Pulse!"
Luca jumped in front of Unfezant as he was about to shoot his air slash and released a wave of dark aura at the bird, stopping his attack, and sending him back a distance.
"Unfezant!" Cheren cried.
"Now, let's finish this! Aura Sphere! Full Charge!" Nate yelled.
Luca stepped back and brought both of her paws together and behind her, where aura from both paws began to charge and concentrate into one, giant orb of aura.
"Unfezant stop her!" Cheren yelled.
But the unfezant didn't budge, seemingly dazed from the attack.
"What the–?! Damn it, Dark Pulse must've flinched him!" Cheren cursed.
By the time Cheren realized that Unfezant had flinched, the aura sphere that Luca was charging reached an abnormally large size and ready to burst at any moment.
"-EAT THIS!-" Luca roared as she shot it at the bird at point-blank range.
The aura sphere blasted the bird, sending it flying and crashing into the podium that Cheren was standing on.
"Unfezant!" Cheren cried.
As the smoke cleared from the impact, Unfezant was sprawled along the floor, completely unconscious, signaling his fainted status.
Nate sighed a little, before calming down.
"That was a lot closer than expected, I'll be honest," Nate said. "You got a hella lot better, Cowlick."
"Thanks, although my name is Cheren," Cheren sighed as he tended to Unfezant. "Well done, Unfezant. You deserve a nice long rest."
As Cheren recalled his unfezant, Nate went over to Luca, who fell down to one knee.
"You alright there?" Nate asked.
"-That was close...-" Luca panted.
"I told you," Nate sighed. "Still...nice job there. I think you should take a rest though."
Before Luca could protest, Nate quickly took out a pokéball and recalled Luca into it. The thief glanced to the side, noticing the crowd who just stood there speechless at their professor's defeat, before noticing Rosa's expression; one of shock, as if she couldn't comprehend what had just happened.
"Like I said," Nate said to her specifically. "There was no way he could go all out against a novice like you."
"What?!" Rosa growled.
"Oh? Did I hurt your feelings?" Nate asked rather mockingly.
"Don't instigate my students," Cheren groaned.
"Whatever," Nate scoffed, completely ignoring the enraged Rosa. "Now, a deal's a deal. I'll just be on my way then–."
As Nate was about to leave, Tepig rushed out from the crowd and tackled him down.
"What the hell?!" Nate blurted as the pig knocked him down. "Huh?! What the–?!"
"-That was so AWESOME!-" Tepig squealed to Nate. "-That lady was like BLAM! And the bird flew around like PEW PEW PEW and the lady kept punching and stomping on him and shooting him! And that last part was so epic!-"
"Uh, thanks, I guess?" Nate responded, not sure of what to say as Snivy and Oshawott decided to join Tepig. "By the way why's there a wild tepig here, anyways?"
"Hm? You didn't bring them here?" Cheren asked Nate, referring to Tepig, Oshawott and Snivy.
"Of course not! These little buggers are the reason I couldn't get free food," Nate grumbled.
"Then...perhaps..." Cheren muttered.
"UM! EXCUSE ME!"
Everyone turned around to the entrance, as a woman with short blonde hair and wearing an orange coat barged in.
"Have any of you seen three small...?" the woman began to ask, before spotting the three tykes in the crowd. "Ah! There they are!"
"I should've known," Cheren sighed.
As the woman ran up to the trio, she noticed Cheren, and instantly paled.
"CHEREN!? Uh–I mean, hi Cheren, fancy seeing you here..." she stammered.
"So these were the set of starters that are supposed to go to the pokédex holders," Cheren said. "And what happened? How did they escape?"
"I uh...accidentally dropped the case that contained their pokéballs..." Bianca began to explain nervously. "And...The pokéballs ended up releasing them and they ran..."
Cheren sighed as Bianca fiddled with her thumbs nervously.
"I'm sorry..." Bianca said quietly.
"It's alright, Bianca," Cheren assured her. "Accidents happen. More importantly are you okay? You said you tripped, so are you hurt?"
"Huh? Oh, I'm fine," Bianca responded. "It was just a small scratch anyways. Nothing to worry about."
"Oh, okay then," Bianca said, before noticing Nate. "Huh?! You're that boy from–!?"
"Huh?" Nate asked, before squinting at Bianca. "Hey, you're that blonde ditz who was friends with Hilbert and Cowlick!"
"C-Cowlick...?" Bianca held back the urge to laugh at his nickname for whom she could only assume is for Cheren.
"You do realize that he called you an airhead, right?" Cheren shot back to her.
"Oh..." Bianca sulked after he mentioned that part.
"Anyways," Nate muttered. "Since I won, I'll just be on my way then..."
Cheren glanced at Nate as he backed away slowly, before suddenly releasing a large, pale green serpentine Pokémon that lunged at Nate.
"What the–!?" Nate blurted as the serpentine wrapped around him, ensnaring him with its tail.
"Nice work, Serperior," Cheren smiled at the snake.
"You bastard..." Nate growled. "We had a deal!"
"Did you honestly expect me to just let you go so easily?" Cheren asked, earning a rather incredulous look from the boy. "Looks like this time I was able to fool you."
"You son of a–!" Nate snarled at the raven-haired teacher.
"Iron Tail."
Before Nate could break free, Serperior's tail began to glow a metallic luster, and smashed it against Nate's head.
"Conniving...little..." Nate muttered before falling unconscious.
"There, that should keep him quiet for a few hours," Cheren said.
"Uh, Cheren...?" Bianca asked, questioning her friend's tactics. "Are you sure that was the best way to handle it?"
"Bianca, you and I both know that the boy is too valuable in terms of information to just let him go so easily, wager be damned," Cheren replied. "And you know what he's capable of. This is necessary to keep him quiet and from running away."
"Well...if you say so," Bianca said uneasily, still questioning Cheren's methods.
"Uh...Professor..." Hugh decided to make himself known. "Who is this?"
"Right," Cheren said, facing his class. "Everyone, this is Bianca Belle. She's a friend of mine who is also working as a research assistant for Professor Juniper."
"Hello!" Bianca greeted the class.
"She's the assistant to Professor Juniper that's supposed to come today?" Rosa asked.
"Yes she is, Rosa," Cheren said. "Bianca, this is Rosa Echoes and Hugh Matis. The two trainers I told you about."
"Oh, so these two are gonna get the pokédexes," Bianca said, before facing them. "Hello there, you two."
"Hello there," Rosa said as she and Hugh stepped up to her.
"Why you two look like fine young trainers," Bianca complimented. "I have a really important request to ask you! Will you help us complete the Pokédex?"
"Of course, Miss Bianca!" Rosa exclaimed.
Hugh simply nodded in acknowledgment.
"Great!" Bianca exclaimed. "And while this isn't the proper way to do it...Ta-daaa!"
She turned their attention to the three small Pokémon that she had been looking for.
"These are the Pokémon that will become your partner for your journey!" Bianca exclaimed, before taking note to Eve and Vibrava. "Although it looks like you already have Pokémon, I hope you'll accept them as well."
"Of course we will, Miss Bianca," Rosa assured her.
"Now, you each can only choose one of them, though," Bianca said.
"Fair enough, and I choose Oshawott!" Rosa instantly declared, surprising the timid otter.
"Wow that was fast," Bianca noted. "Oshawott, eh? Great choice! I remember Hilbert choosing Oshawott as well."
As Rosa picked up the Water-type starter, Serperior couldn't help but note the small otter's timid nature as she was picked up, and couldn't help but chuckle a little. The otter here was a shy creature; a stark contrast to the oshawott he knew personally back in his journey. He was much more barbaric than this one; always quick to pick a fight and prone to having a short temper. It took him evolving into a samurott and the given situation him and his partner was in to finally mature, or mellow out at the very least.
"Hello there," Rosa said to Oshawott. "My name is Rosa. You and I will be going on a journey together, where we'll surely become the greatest of all Unova."
"-R-Really?-" Oshawott asked, unsure of the girl's declaration.
"Now, what to call you," Rosa mumbled, contemplating on a nickname to give to her new addition. "Oshawott...huh...oh I know! I'll call you 'Ottavia'!"
"-O-Ottavia?-" Oshawott asked, confused about her new 'name'.
"Ottavia?" Hugh asked his childhood friend.
"Take the 'ott' from Oshawott, and there you go," Rosa explained herself. "So what do you think? Great, right?"
"-I-I guess it's okay,-" Oshawott, no 'Ottavia', answered.
Meanwhile, Eve, Rosa's eevee, who had been next to Rosa, leaped up onto Rosa's shoulder to greet her new friend.
"-Hi there Ottavia!-" Eve exclaimed. "-I'm Eve! We're gonna be great friends!-"
"-H-Hi,-" Ottavia greeted shyly.
"Ottavia! That's such a great name!" Bianca exclaimed.
"Isn't it?" Rosa beamed.
Hugh simply rolled his eyes as he focused his attention on the remaining two starters available. The grass snake, Snivy, or the fire pig, Tepig. Considering that his main partner, Vibrava, was a Ground and Dragon-type, then choosing Tepig would be the most logical choice; a Fire-type would complement Vibrava greatly, taking care of his severe Ice-type weakness, while Vibrava can handle Ground-types that threaten the Fire-type, thanks to his immunity to the type with 'Levitate', and would fare much better against Rock and Water-types than Tepig would. And Hugh was aware of Tepig's final evolution; the Fire/Fighting warrior, Emboar, which was an even better answer to Ice-types.
In contrast, choosing Snivy over Tepig would not benefit him much as a whole. While a Grass-type would certainly be interesting, and would help deal with Rock and Water-types, Snivy was also weak to Ice-types, therefore making the snake and Vibrava share a weakness; something Hugh was not too keen on having. And Snivy didn't offer much to complement Vibrava as much as Tepig did in terms of type synergy; Snivy benefitted more from such a partnership than Vibrava does, and Hugh preferred a more balanced synergy.
But Hugh couldn't help but eye the serperior under the command of his soon-to-be former teacher. Serperior was the final evolution of Snivy, and the fastest out of the three Unova starters. Boasting rather high defenses despite being very fast, Serperior was a rather tricky Pokémon to utilize in offense, due to its lackluster offensive prowess when compared to the versatile Samurott, or the heavy-hitting Emboar, usually relying on tactics such as Leech Seed or Swords Dance to aid in getting an advantage. Out of the three, Serperior is definitely the trickiest and most difficult to utilize efficiently due to its traits.
And yet his professor's ace partner was the serperior that easily restrained the thief that bested his unfezant. Hugh could tell that the serpent was Cheren's ace just by looking at it. Its mere presence was intimidating, something that the unfezant, while certainly powerful, didn't pull off. Having chosen the trickiest out of the three and yet still be able to go through what had been known as the 'Plasma Raid', one of Unova's darkest times, and have been an adversary of Unova's hero, Hilbert Warren showcased Cheren's skill and power as a veteran trainer. Hugh didn't need anything else to know that Serperior was an opponent he could not handle no matter what; at least in his current state. Its glare was enough to apply ample amount of pressure to the boy, even though it wasn't directed to him, and it wasn't even a glare at all.
Hugh eyed back to his two choices. Snivy looked at him curiously, while Tepig was more concerned with the unconscious Nate than Hugh.
"I choose Snivy," Hugh decided, getting the snake's attention.
"Really now," Cheren said with much interest in his tone.
"You didn't choose Snivy so you could get the advantage over Ottavia, did you?" Rosa asked him accusingly.
"Of course not," Hugh scoffed. "I just thought it would be interesting to train one."
Hugh cast a quick glance to Serperior, before kneeling down to Snivy.
"So what do you say? You wanna come with me?" Hugh asked Snivy.
Snivy looked up at Hugh with much interested, before nodding in response. Hugh smiled in response.
"Now you've got your Pokémon, so I'll give you this, too–a pokédex!" Bianca exclaimed, taking out two sleek black devices; one with pink designs, while the other with blue designs. "The pokédex is a high-tech device that automatically records the Pokémon you encounter! So Professor Juniper wants you to carry these pokédex, visit a lot of places, and meet all the Pokémon in the Unova region!"
She handed the pink one to Rosa, while handing the blue one to Hugh.
"Self-explanatory," Hugh muttered. "Alright then."
"Well for now, since all of this happened," Cheren said. "Class is dismissed. Rosa, Hugh, you two meet up with us tomorrow at eight. You two should tell your parents about this and get their permission. We'll explain the details of your journey afterwards."
"Yes sir," Rosa and Hugh said.
"Uh, Cheren?" Bianca asked. "What do we do with him?"
Bianca pointed to the still-unconscious Nate, while Tepig was staring at him worryingly.
"Why don't we just call the police on him now?" Rosa asked, more than eager to get rid of him.
"I have other plans for him," Cheren said. "Just trust me on this. Now then, class dismissed!"
As the students began to disperse, chatting among themselves about the events that had unfolded in front of them, Rosa and Hugh remained, while Serperior let go of Nate and released him into Cheren's arms.
"And..." Cheren grunted as he lifted Nate over his shoulders. "There we go. Thanks Serperior."
Serperior nodded in acknowledgment as Cheren recalled him.
"Let's take him to my apartment," Cheren said. "We can discuss things there."
"Okay then," Bianca said. "Oh, before I forget."
Bianca took out two pokéballs and tossed them to Rosa and Hugh, who caught them in their hands.
"Those are Oshawott's and Snivy's pokéballs," Bianca explained.
"Thank you," Rosa said.
"Now then," Cheren said. "Shall we go?"
"Right," Bianca said. "C'mon, Tepig, let's–."
As she turned to get Tepig, the pig was already besides Cheren; specifically the side that was carrying Nate, and was more focused on him. Bianca looked surprised, before giggling a little as she followed Cheren, who had left. Now, it was just Rosa and Hugh.
"I still don't get why we didn't just call the police on that lowlife," Rosa pouted.
"Professor Cheren had his reasons," Hugh said. "Now then, I'm going home."
"Wait what?!" Rosa blurted as Hugh began to leave as well. "Wait! Aren't we going to battle with our new partners?!"
"Tempting, but a lot happened today," Hugh responded. "I'd rather tell my parents about this and let Snivy and Vibrava relax. We'll battle when we get on our journey, alright?"
"Fine..." Rosa grumbled, disappointed that she couldn't see Ottavia's abilities. "I'm holding you on that though!"
"Whatever," Hugh chuckled. "C'mon, Rosa. Let's go."
As Hugh recalled Vibrava and Snivy and left, Rosa sighed in disappointment as she followed him, carrying Ottavia in her arms, while Eve was riding on her shoulder. She was hoping that boy, Nate or whatever, was dealt with by Professor Cheren. Surely he knew what to do with him.
Hours later and dusk was settling in. Hugh and Rosa had returned to their respective homes, intent on telling their parents about their upcoming journey.
"I'm home!" Rosa announced as she took her shoes off.
As she walked down into the living room of her house, a woman with brown hair tied up into a bun above her head was watching television when she heard her daughter come in.
"Welcome back, Rosa," she greeted her daughter. "So did it happen? Did you get your pokédex?"
"I sure did!" Rosa exclaimed with pride as she presented the black and pink device to her mother. "And I even got an oshawott too! Her name's Ottavia."
"That's great, honey!" Ms. Echoes congratulated her daughter, before eyeing Ottavia. "And ooh isn't she just the cutest little thing!"
Ottavia blushed at the compliment, while Eve puffed her cheeks a little.
"Oh don't worry Eve, you're just as cute too!" Ms. Echoes quickly complimented Eve as well, appeasing the Normal-type.
"So Mom, you do know that I'm going on my journey right?" Rosa asked her.
"Oh of course," Ms. Echoes said. "You got your pokédex, so this was inevitable. I even packed your stuff already."
"You did?"
Ms. Echoes went to the closet before taking out a large pink and white handbag with a black strap over it, and handing it to Rosa.
"It's filled with all the essentials," Ms. Echoes said. "Potions, Status ailments, some food and berries, and I even went the extra mile and supplied you with some Revives too!"
"Wow Mom! This is great!" Rosa exclaimed with joy as she accepted the bag. "This must've cost you a lot though."
"Oh please, I was the head nurse of this city's pokécenter, after all," Ms. Echoes scoffed. "They were more than happy to supply me with this."
"I'll be sure to repay you for this, Mom," Rosa assured her. "Just as soon as I become the Champion."
"Don't worry about it," Ms. Echoes said. "You just focus on enjoying your journey."
"I will Mom," Rosa said. "I still can't thank you enough!"
"Oh, and here's your Xtransceiver," Ms. Echoes said as she took out a rather high-tech pink device with a large screen on it. "I finished repairing it while you were at school."
"Thanks Mom!" Rosa said. "If you need me, I'll be in my room!"
Taking her bag and Xtransceiver, Rosa rushed up to her room. Her mother smiled as she left, happy that her daughter could finally start to achieve her dream.
Rosa entered her room; a rather small room with a bed, a desk, and a laptop, which was pausing a video. She placed her bag and Xtransciever on the desk as she let her Pokémon lay on the bed.
"Oh I'm gonna miss this small humble room," Rosa said. "Now then. Ottavia, make yourself at home, although we will be leaving tomorrow."
Ottavia looked around, as Eve began to roll around on the bed in comfort. Ottavia then noticed the laptop, and the video paused on it. Rosa noticed Ottavia looking at her laptop curiously, and checked to see what was on it. After noting the video on it, Rosa grinned.
"Oh, you're interested, eh?" Rosa asked. "Well then."
Rosa picked up Ottavia and Eve as she sat in front of the laptop with the two on her lap. She resumed the video, where it showed a battle, where a large sea lion-like Pokémon slammed a beige shell-like sword against a large blue dragon with a red head, pushing the dragon back.
"Druddigon! We shall not give up! Outrage!" the dragon's trainer, an old man with outrageously large red hair commanded.
"Samurott! Razor Shell into Megahorn!" the sea lion's trainer, a boy with brown hair and red hat commanded.
The dragon, Druddigon, charged at Samurott in a wild lariat, while Samurott brandished its sword and defended itself with it. Samurott then pushed Druddigon back with its sword, while the horn on its helmet grew and shot out like a spear, stabbing Druddigon at the head.
"Now, Blizzard!"
As Druddigon fell back, Samurott unleashed a harsh blizzard from its mouth, freezing the dragon whole. Samurott then took its sword and slammed it against the frozen dragon, sending it flying and knocking it out.
Ottavia watched the samurott with awe as it proceeded to fight a buffalo with a large afro. The samurott was amazing; he fought with great tenacity and bravado.
"You like?" Rosa asked Ottavia, noticing her obvious awe. "That is the hero of Unova, Hilbert Warren, and his partner, Samurott, arguably the strongest samurott in history. They are fighting the previous champion of Unova, Alder."
Rosa glanced at the video, as Samurott proceeded to finish off the buffalo, before being recalled in favor of a mole with metal claws as the buffalo was recalled for a large eagle-like Pokémon.
"You see, this is what a trainer should be like," Rosa said. "Not like that lowlife who was so condescending and arrogant. They should be noble and heroic as Hilbert. And I aim to become a trainer just like him; strong enough to become the new champion of Unova!"
"-So is this Hilbert person the current champion?-" Ottavia asked.
"-Nah, he left the position for some reason like two years ago, I think,-" Eve explained to her.
Ottavia glanced at the video. The person in it was so calm, serious, and strong. And the samurott was so strong; easily taking on two Pokémon owned by the 'champion', as Rosa explained it. Awe inspiring. Something that she wanted to become. Seeing the newfound determination in Ottavia, Rosa smiled.
"Tomorrow will be a good day," Rosa said. "Tomorrow will begin our journey to become the Champion! And the greatest trainer in Unova! Just like Hilbert!"
Meanwhile, Hugh had reached his own home, where he was greeted by his parents, who were setting the table for dinner.
"Oh, Hugh, welcome back," his mother said.
"Hi Mom, Dad," Hugh said.
"So you got your pokédex or whatever the thing was called?" his father asked.
Hugh displayed the black and blue device in response.
"That's good," his father said. "So you're gonna head out on your journey tomorrow?"
"That's the plan," Hugh responded.
"Oh, they grow up so fast," Hugh's mother said.
"Now, now," Hugh's father said. "C'mon, wash up and call your sister. Dinner's almost done."
Hugh nodded as he walked upstairs to a hall, where he entered into the first door to his left, which was his room. He set his bag down next to his bed, as he released Vibrava and Snivy.
"I'll bring your food later," Hugh told them. "For now, get comfortable."
Vibrava nodded as he rested on Hugh's bed, while Snivy looked around, curious about his surroundings. As Hugh left his room, he noticed that a small girl was waiting for him outside his room.
"Hey Brother," the girl greeted him.
"Hey Val," Hugh said, kneeling down to her height. "What's up?"
"How was your day at school?" Val asked.
"It was alright," Hugh said. "I got a pokédex, and even got a snivy. There was this weird kid who showed up though, you wouldn't believe it. He was so strong; being able to beat Professor Cheren in a Challenge Mode gym battle."
"Wow," Val said. "What happened to him?"
"Professor Cheren took him," Hugh explained. "I don't know why, but I'm sure he can handle the situation."
"…So, you're leaving tomorrow, I guess?" Val asked her brother with a rather sad tone.
"Yeah," Hugh said. "Don't worry though, I'll make sure to stay in touch."
"I know, just be careful," Val said. "And Brother. I know you already know, but take really, really good care of your Pokémon, okay?"
Hugh simply smiled as he rubbed his little sister's head.
"Of course I will," Hugh said. "Now c'mon, dinner's almost ready, so let's go eat."
Val nodded as she walked down the stairs. Hugh smiled at his sister, before the smile turned into a frown.
"Tomorrow's the day, huh," Hugh said to himself, before the frown barred his gritting teeth. "Team Plasma...I'll make them pay. No matter what."
"Ugh...huh...?"
Nate slowly opened his eyes in pain once again.
"What happened...? Ow my fudging head..." Nate grumbled.
"Finally you're awake."
Nate looked up to see Cheren, who was looming over him once again. Nate rubbed his head to soothe the pain, until remembering just what had caused said pain to begin with.
"Oh that's right," Nate said, before lunging at Cheren. "You little piece of shit! Think you're clever, eh?! Knocking me out like that! You're lucky I don't have my knives and Luca's still tired from out battle or else I swear to Arceus–!"
"Calm down," Cheren simply said as he pushed him back, making him land on the couch he had been resting on. "While I do admit knocking you out like that was a little, 'underhanded', it was my only option to make sure you didn't escape."
"Oh, I'm sure you could've come up with something else," Nate muttered. "So where the hell are we, anyways?"
"You're at my apartment," Cheren said.
"So you knocked me out and took me to your apartment," Nate said. "...This totally sounds like some kind of kidnapping/pedophilic scenario–."
"Don't even go there," Cheren said with disgust. "You're not even a 'child' anyways."
"I'm fourteen," Nate said.
"Still not a child," Cheren said.
"Whatever," Nate muttered. "So why am I here, anyways?"
"Like I said, we wish to get information from you," Cheren said. "And you're not leaving before you tell us everything you know."
Nate leered at the raven-haired man, before looking around. The door wasn't too far away from the couch. He could make a run for it; make a distraction somehow. But he could feel that he didn't have Luca's pokéball on him. They must've took it from him while he was out cold. And there was no way he would leave Luca here.
"Alright, first off, where the hell is Luca?" Nate demanded.
"Your lucario is fine," Cheren said. "Bianca insisted on...'washing' her, so they're in the bathroom."
"Well she is a chick, so I guess that's a good call," Nate muttered. "Okay second off, gimme back my knives."
"You have to be retarded to think that I would just give you back your weapons," Cheren said with an incredulous look.
"Hey just because I don't have an institutional education, doesn't make me mentally challenged," Nate growled. "And relax, I won't kill you, if that's what you're worried about. I just don't feel like talking without sharpening my knives."
Cheren narrowed his eyes at the boy. His expression was unwavering, showing no signs of hesitation or loss of calmness. Well he was willing to comply to a certain degree; might as well grant him his request.
Cheren reached into his pockets and removed two set of matching knives, which Nate quickly swiped from his grip.
"Oh that feels so much better," Nate sighed as he twirled them around his fingers to get a better feel, before putting them away. "So, Cowlick. What the hell do you want from me?"
Ignoring the rather irritating nickname, Cheren cleared his throat.
"First of all, do you have any idea why Hilbert and Hilda had disappeared?"
"Like I said back at the school, no. The last tiem I saw them was in fact two years ago."
"Fair enough. Second, why are you looking for them?"
"Someone asked me to find them."
"And who would that be?"
"Ain't telling. I don't snitch."
Cheren studied Nate's expression after he responded. Still no signs of faulting. Cheren decided to leave that issue be. Might as well try to get as much information as the boy was willing to share.
"We'll put that aside for now. How much of the region did you explore?" Cheren asked.
"All of it, except for this portion," Nate answered. "I keep making round trips to see what changes from time to time."
"So you would know what kind of species have been added since the past two years."
"Probably. I only helped with introducing a few of them. I dunno what Park decided to do afterwards."
"Did Professor Andrew Park provide you with the suit and weaponry?"
"Yep, the suit was his creation. Nanomachines or whatever he said. It repairs itself and maintains itself apparently. Gotta love science. Doing work that we pathetic humans are incapable of."
Cheren made a mental note about the sudden spike of malice in Nate's tone when he mentioned 'pathetic humans'.
"Did he provide you with your lucario?"
"Nope, I found Luca myself, when she was still a riolu."
"Where?"
"...No comment. It's...something I don't like to remember."
Cheren arched his eyebrow in curiosity. He would have to look into this later.
"Fair enough," Cheren said. "Why haven't you returned to your family?"
Nate leered at Cheren. Finally, a change in expression.
"They would've accepted you back without hesitation," Cheren said. "So why did you purposely avoid them? Even going as far as declaring that you aren't Hilbert's brother anymore, according to him?"
"...I have my reasons," Nate simply stated. "Reasons that you shouldn't prod at any further if you know what's good for you."
Cheren eyed Nate as he reached for his knife.
"Noted," Cheren said.
"So, is that all?" Nate asked.
"Close," Cheren said. "You see, while you were unconscious, I contacted Professor Juniper. After telling her of the current situation, she decided on an ultimatum."
Nate looked confused, before Cheren quickly tossed something at him. Nate caught it, and glanced to see that it was a pokédex; black with red patterns.
"...Don't tell me..." Nate muttered.
"Oh it's exactly what you're thinking," Cheren said. "Professor Juniper wants to enlist you on her pokédex campaign. And she wants you to supervise Rosa and Hugh's journeys. She wants you to help her complete the newly updated pokédex. You have traveled the entire region already. Why not have an expedition extraordinaire to help her do the job?"
"...You're kidding me, right?" Nate asked. "You're getting a random hobo who tried to steal from you to help a renowned professor with her continental project."
"It's either that, or I call the police and you go to jail," Cheren said without a bat of an eye.
Nate glared at Cheren. So either help them with their stupid project, or get sent behind bars. While either option wasn't too appealing, getting sent into juvie was definitely worse. Meanwhile, while having to be forced to participate in a project he couldn't care any less about, he could still travel the world. He also wouldn't be behind bars. Although with those conditions, it was more than likely that they were set to keep an eye on him, so that he didn't go rogue at some point.
"...Getting arrested isn't something I want to happen," Nate begrudgingly said. "So fine. I'll help you assholes with your stupid project. Under one condition."
"And that would be?" Cheren asked.
"This shit and you al don't get in my way of my business," Nate demanded. "If that doesn't happen, then I won't mind being one of your guinea pigs."
"...Very well," Cheren said. "I'll make sure Professor Juniper knows that."
"Then it looks like that's a deal," Nate said.
As Nate examined his new pokédex, something tackled him and landed on his chest.
"Gah!? What the–?!" Nate yelled, before realizing that the attacker was Tepig.
"-You're awake! That's great Boss!-" Tepig happily squealed.
"'Boss'?" Nate asked, slightly confused about the nickname, before glancing at Cheren for an explanation.
"That tepig was worried about you," Cheren explained. "It seems to have taken a liking to you."
"Really now," Nate said, before facing Tepig. "And what's your reason? I doubt I'm the best role model to look up to."
"-You and Lady Boss were so cool back there when you were fighting Cowlick!-" Tepig explained himself. "-I was amazed at that display! That was just spectacular!-"
"Thanks...I guess...?" Nate responded.
"-Please! I beg of you! You have to let me join your team!-" Tepig pleaded. "-I promise to do you good, Boss!-"
Nate was genuinely surprised at the pig's actions. He was genuinely surprised that someone would actually want to follow him, considering that the little tepig must have witnessed all of his actions since breaking into the school; which were less than admirable, to say the least.
"...And you're sure you want to come with me?" Nate asked in half-belief.
"-Yes Boss!-" Tepig declared proudly.
Nate looked a little unsure of it all, but hey. Who was he to deny a new member to a party? Especially if they were willing to join on their own accord rather than him having to go through the trouble of catching it.
"...Eh, what the hell," Nate said. "I could use another member anyways, since I only have Luca on me."
"-YES!-" Tepig yelled.
"Alright then," Nate said, noting the excitement in Tepig's squeal. "What to call you...let's call you 'Tep'."
"-Yes Boss! I shall be known as 'Tep' from now on!-" Tepig–no Tep saluted to his new trainer.
"Well at least 'til you evolve," Nate chuckled, before catching a pokéball from Cheren. "His pokéball I presume?"
"Yeah," Cheren said. "It should register you as his trainer now."
"Got it," Nate said as the pokéball registered Nate as its owner. "Alright, now where the hell's Luca?"
"-NAAAAAAAAAAATE!-"
Nate, Cheren and Tep jumped at the scream that came from the bathroom, where a drenched and soapy Luca burst out from it and tackled Nate.
"What the hell?!" Nate blurted.
"-Stop that blonde devil! Keep her away from me!-" Luca bawled as she hid behind him.
"Wait, I'm not done yet!" Bianca yelled as she ran out of the bathroom to chase Luca, completely drenched as well.
"What the hell are you doing?! You're scaring her!" Nate yelled, defending Luca. "Also, what the hell did you do to scare her!?"
"I was just washing her since she smelled," Bianca defended herself. "She started to freak out all of a sudden."
"-She tried to wash me...d-down there!-" Luca stammered.
"Huh...?" Nate asked, before giving it some thought and realizing what she was talking about. "Oooh. Oh–oh...I'm just gonna say this...Luca didn't like you invading her personal space."
Bianca looked clueless on what Nate meant, as Luca shuddered and continued to hide behind Nate.
"I'll tell you later," Cheren told Bianca. "And you have a change of clothes?"
"Huh?" Bianca asked.
Cheren glanced down at her, before turning away. Curious, Bianca followed the direction that Cheren had briefly glanced at, before seeing that her white shirt was drenched, and was revealing whatever was under it. Bianca quickly realized this, and covered her chest with her arms while blushing a brilliant shade of red.
"I'll lend you a shirt," Cheren said. "Just change out of that in the other room. There should be a spare shirt in there."
"Th-thanks," Bianca stuttered as she entered the room Cheren had mentioned.
"And you," Cheren said, facing Nate. "Since the ladies are done with the bath, you take one now."
"What? Why?" Nate asked.
"Because you stink," Cheren said bluntly. "I'll wash your tights too, so take a bath. They're safe to wash, right?"
"Fine, fine," Nate muttered as he headed for the bathroom. "Yeah you can wash them, pretty sure..."
As he entered the bathroom, his tights came flying out from it momentarily, hitting the table, followed by his shoes that hit the wall, before suddenly producing sharp blades out from the lower sides of them and stabbing the floor.
"What kind of shoes does he have...?" Cheren said as he collected the tights and carefully pried the shoes out of the floor. "I should have something for him to wear...I mean it's pretty cruel to make him go across the region in just these pair of tights."
"I'm done!" Bianca called out as she came out wearing a polo shirt, while carrying her original shirt in her arms. "Here you go."
"This shouldn't take too long," Cheren said as he accepted the shirt. "I'm pretty sure I can just wash these together."
As Cheren headed for the washing machine, he also grabbed a towel and tossed it to Luca.
"Dry yourself off with that," Cheren said as he left.
Luca caught the towel and began to dry herself off, as Tep waddled up to her.
"-Hm? Can I help you?-" Luca asked Tep.
"-Hiya, Lady Boss!-" Tep exclaimed. "-I'm Tep! I just joined the Boss's party!-"
"-'Lady Boss'...? Nate caught another Pokémon...?-" Luca asked as she wiped herself with the towel. "-Oh well, he must've had a good reason. The name's Luca. Nice to meet you.-"
"-Aye! I shall be under your care Lady Boss!-" Tep responded eagerly. "-I won't let you and the Boss down!-"
"-Well that's good to hear,-" Luca chuckled.
Bianca watched the two Pokémon converse and giggled to herself. Seeing Tep act so energetic and eager to his new trainer and friend was interesting as she remembered her own tepig, who was more shy and modest. Tep reminded her of a certain oshawott she had become an acquaintance of.
"Ah...this feels so nice..." Nate muttered as he unwound himself in the bathtub. "It's been ages since I had something like this...when was the last time I had a hot bath? When I was four? Somewhere around there, I guess..."
Nate let himself sink in the bathtub full of scalding water, as he looked up to the pearly white ceiling. The steam from the bath filled up the room, leaking out into an open window. As he enjoyed the hot bath, he began to contemplate on what had happened in the day, and what was to unfold now that he was (forcibly) included into this campaign around the region. While he was thankfully not sentenced to jail, he was now working (against his own free will) for Professor Juniper to complete her pokédex. Not too big of an issue, since Nate didn't accomplish anything here anyways, so he would have left regardless.
But now he had an extra errand to run in the form of the pokédex. No doubt Cowlick and Klutz would keep an eye on him, giving him less leniency than he would have wanted. They could even catch onto his true motives...
No. He needn't to worry about that possibility for now. They couldn't figure it out even if they tried. For now at least. It was less likely that they even know him.
For now, he'd play along with their stupid little game. It may even prove to be useful in terms of getting his own information and more valuables. As long as they didn't interfere with his own work, then there would be no problems.
Maybe...just maybe, he can even find him during this journey.
"...I guess he was right that there was some intel in this city after all..." Nate grinned a very malicious grin.
The night had passed, and soon enough, morning had reached the skies once again. Rosa adjusted her visor as she put on her shoes.
"Alright Mom, I'm going," Rosa said.
"Alright now," Ms. Echoes said. "Make sure you stay in touch! Make sure you call me when you reach the next town!"
"Mom, I'll be fine," Rosa assured her.
With that, Rosa left her house to rendezvous with her Professor and his friend to officially embark on her journey.
"Be careful out there!" Ms. Echoes called out.
"I will Mom! I love you!" Rosa called back as she left. "I'll make you proud!"
As Rosa headed on, she saw Hugh up ahead on the street, seemingly waiting for her.
"There you are," Hugh said. "So, you ready?"
"Of course I am, Hugh," Rosa scoffed. "I've been waiting for this for years."
Hugh snickered as Rosa ran up to her, before they headed for the school together.
"So how's your oshawott?" Hugh asked.
"Ottavia's doing fine," Rosa said. "And your snivy?"
"He's a quiet one, but I'm sure he'll start to open up eventually," Hugh said.
As the two made idle talk on their way, they eventually reached the school. In front of them was their now former professor, Cheren, and his friend and Professor Juniper's assistant, Bianca. But to their surprise, they saw one more person. His messy dark brown hair was now supported by a red tennis visor that sat on his head while covering his eyes and he was wearing a blue short-sleeved jacket and baggy beige shorts over his blue and black dri fit swimsuit-like tights. A white messenger bag was carried over his right shoulder, and he had a red Xtransceiver on his wrist. On his shoulder was Tepig, as they were checking out the pokédex.
"Wha–?! You!" Rosa yelled, pointing at the boy accusingly.
"Nate?" Hugh asked. "What's with the get up?"
"Apparently I need to wear actual clothing now," Nate muttered before glancing at Cheren.
"Oh come now, they look good on you," Bianca said.
"Professor Cheren! What is the meaning of this!?" Rosa demanded. "Why is he here!? I thought you said you would deal with him!"
"And I did," Cheren said. "He will be participating in the pokédex campaign as well and will be joining you two on your journey."
"WHAT?!" Rosa screamed.
"Tough luck, I know," Nate rolled his eyes.
"So I'm guessing that Tepig now belongs to you?" Hugh asked.
Nate nodded as Tepig raised his head high. Nodding, Cheren took out his Xtransceiver and dialed a number.
"Hello?" the other line answered.
"Hello Professor Juniper," Cheren responded. "I have brought them."
"Oh good!"
Cheren faced his Xtransceiver to the three kids, where a woman with green eyes and light brown hair tied up into a swirled bun was on the screen.
"Hi there, you three! I'm Professor Juniper!" the woman introduced herself. "Cheren and Bianca told me you all accepted the pokédex! Thank you so much! Thanks to you, we will all know more about Pokémon and be able to get along with then even better!"
"You're Professor Juniper?!" Rosa gasped.
"Gee, I don't know. Maybe you should've paid attention to the part where she said her damn name," Nate chided, earning a spiteful glare from Rosa.
"Moving on," Hugh said before Rosa could do anything. "Hello Professor Juniper. I am Hugh Matis, this is Rosa Echoes, and that's Nate Warren. Thank you for allowing us the pokédex."
"I should be the one thanking all of you," Professor Juniper said. "With your support, the pokédex will be one step further to becoming complete."
"Hi Professor Juniper!" Bianca called out. "It's really interesting over here! There're sooo many Pokémon we couldn't prove were here two years ago!"
"Thank you for going so far for this errand, Bianca," Professor Juniper said. "And Cheren! I forgot to ask earlier, but how're you enjoying being a gym leader?"
"The Gym Leader position is quite interesting to say the least," Cheren said. "As you already know, these three had already fought and bested me; Nate here even beating me with my usual partners."
"Is that so," Professor Juniper said. "Nate, I would like to thank you personally for accepting the offer to help complete the pokédex."
"Hmph, I didn't have that many options presented to me. And I'd rather not be in jail," Nate simply replied.
"Well regardless, thank you," Professor Juniper said.
"I'm sure that it'll be fine, Professor!" Bianca said. "Cheren's a new Gym Leader, I'm an Assistant Pokémon Professor, and these three are new trainers–well two new trainers and an experienced one, but we always have Pokémon by our sides!"
"That's right, Bianca! Our world is a world where we live with Pokémon," Professor Juniper said. "Everyone! Keep that in mind as you pursue your dreams with your Pokémon!"
"You don't have to tell me again, Professor," Rosa said. "I will become the next champion!"
Nate simply rolled his eyes.
"Alright, here's some last minute advice," Professor Juniper said. "The pokédex may be important, but… First, enjoy your journey with your Pokémon to your heart's content!"
"Will do Professor," Hugh responded.
"Oh and Nate," Professor Juniper said, getting his attention. "Are you sure you don't want to at least talk to your mother? She's worried sick about you, you know."
"...No," Nate simply grunted.
"If you say so," Professor Juniper sighed. "Alright then. Take care now!"
With that, Professor Juniper cut off the call, where Cheren was able to put his Xtransceiver down.
"Isn't Professor Juniper cool?" Bianca asked the three. "If you talk to her on the Xtransceiver, she'll evaluate the completeness of your Pokédex or tell you a lot about how Pokémon evolve! And you can call us, too, of course! I'll tell you how well you and your Pokémon are getting along, OK?"
"Bianca, they need your number if you want to do that," Cheren pointed out.
"Oh...right...ehehe..." Bianca replied nervously.
"Speaking of which," Cheren said. "You should all have my number on your Xtransceiver already. Nate I already have my number, Bianca's number and the professor's number registered onto your Xtransceiver."
"Wait, you gave him an Xtransceiver?" Rosa asked.
"Well he would need one, and he is poor after all," Cheren said. "Regardless. With this, you can communicate with me from your Xtransceiver. I'll tell you what I know about Pokémon Abilities and type match ups."
"Oh, I should register my number to you two as well," Bianca said to Rosa and Hugh.
Agreeing, the three of them exchanged numbers, Nate shuffled through his pockets to find that they were empty.
"I could've sworn I had a wallet in here..." Nate muttered. "Unless..."
Nate turned to Cheren, who only had an innocent smirk on his face.
"Hey the spare Xtransceiver cost a lot," Cheren said smugly.
"Oh you son of a bitch," Nate said. "Good move though. I'm starting to like you a lot more now."
"And before you leave," Cheren said, while taking out a badge and a disc. "Here. You did beat me in a gym battle, so here's the Basic Badge. This should by your first badge. And the TM is No. 86, Work Up. Hopefully this should prove useful."
Nate accepted the items and put them away in his bag.
"And done," Bianca said as she took out three discs. "And here's a present from me! TM 27! That contains Return. The more the Pokémon that knows it gets along with the trainer, the more powerful it becomes!"
The three accepted the discs and put them away in their bags.
"Great! Now we can start our adventure!" Rosa exclaimed.
"That's the plan," Hugh said.
"Then let's not waste any more time!" Rosa declared.
With that, Rosa rushed off ahead to the gate out of the city to the neighboring route.
"And there she goes," Hugh sighed as he followed him.
"Wow, they remind me of us, when we began our journey," Bianca giggled.
"They sure do," Cheren chuckled.
Nate simply glanced at the pokédex in his hand and let out a deep sigh.
"Let's go, Tep," Nate sighed. "Like we have any other choice in the matter, anyways."
"-Aye Boss!-" Tep responded.
With his new addition hoisted on his shoulder, the thief lazily followed after Rosa and Hugh, somewhat curious to see what this rather unwanted journey would hold for him.
To be continued
AN: And with that, their journey begins, whether they wanted them to happen or not, and all with different motives. Hope the battle wasn't too short, but then again, it was a one v one match, so it shouldn't have taken too long. Hopefully it was good though.
Now for character personalities, while Rosa is pretty self explanatory, you might have noticed that Hugh is significantly more calm than his canon counterpart. While he still does have his immense hatred for Team Plasma, I toned his overall anger down just a little and added a lot of deadpan snarker in him to balance out the rather haughty Rosa. Oh don't worry though. He still has an extreme amount of Plasma hatred in him. And then there's Nate, who, you can probably tell, is hiding a lot more and has a lot of agendas on his plate than he lets on. You can more or less piece together just what kind of person Nate is though.
And to keep track, here's a listing on the main trio's current teams. It'll keep getting updated with each chapter:
Nate: Luca (Lucario) / Tep (Tepig)
Rosa: Eve (Eevee) / Ottavia (Oshawott)
Hugh: Vibrava / Snivy
Hope you enjoyed this. Tell me what you think in the reviews, and see ya next time!