I awoke the following morning around 8 am. Still not adjusted to the blinding light, I pulled the blanket over my head and groaned. Half asleep, I realized it was still bright out and bolted upright. Pulling off the blanket, I looked around to see I was still in Littleroot Town.
"Wow, I guess this is then. I made my decision last night and this is now my reality." A few tears welled up in my eyes as I thought about my friends and family. "I guess this means I'm never going to see them again. I...I just hope they are all ok. Whatever happened to me, I hope they are able to carry on with their lives. As I will...". I wiped my eyes and sat for a while just reflecting on the major decision I made. After a while, I got up to get a shower.
As I let the warm water fall on me, my mind drifted once again to my new reality. "So this is it, I have the opportunity to become a Pokémon trainer. I mean, I have 2 weeks that I need to use to study but still. I have spent most of my life just getting by and never really putting full effort into anything. I know it's my own fault and the only person I have to blame is myself. Even still…This could be a fresh start for me, a chance to apply myself and do something I'll enjoy. I can't let myself fall into my normal mentality of "just enough to get by." I need to take this seriously and do it right. My team will be counting on me."
The reality of having a Pokémon team finally dawned on me. I could build my dream team like I always wanted. I could live the life I always wanted to in the games. I began to make a long term plan, even though I had more pressing things to worry about in the immediate future. "So, I don't want to go out and catch every pokemon I see. That's not fair to them, to be caught and put into a pc to most likely never have contact with again, just to say I caught them. No, if I catch a Pokémon, it's to be a partner, to stay by my side for my entire journey. So, who to have on my team? Well, I'm hoping Eevee will be the first. Since I'm in Littleroot town, the first one I'll most likely add will be...". My train of thought was interrupted by a knock on the bathroom door.
"Alex! Are you soon finished? You're supposed to meet Professor Birch soon" my mom called out.
"Yeah, sorry about that mom. I'll be ready in a few minutes." I quickly finished up and got dressed. My parents were waiting at the bottom of the stairs for me. "Sorry guys, got lost in thought."
"It's ok son" my dad said. "I'm sure you have plenty on your mind. Let's get you to the lab so you can see what you need to do." I nodded, as we headed to the car and headed to the lab.
As we arrived at the lab, Zinnia was outside to greet us. "Good morning Alex, Mr. and Mrs. Pyrite. Professor Bitch is expecting you." She turned and led us into the lab and back towards Birch's office. She knocked on the door and he asked us to enter. We took our seats as he typed away on his computer. A moment later, he turned to face us.
"Well Alex, I'm glad you decided to return. With the ambition and knowledge you showed yesterday, on top of all your performance before ...this happened, I think you have great potential." He looked at my parents. "Now I know you guys have your reservations, especially John. However, I feel Alex truly understands what it will take to become a great trainer." He turned back to me. "Now, don't think you're just gonna become champion in a few months."
The hairs on the back of my neck stood up at that, like he knew it was that easy in my experiences. "No sir,'' I said. "It can take years, even decades to get to the role of a gym leader, nonetheless a member of the Elite Four or even the Champion. I want to challenge both myself and my team, form strong bonds, and see how far it will take us."
Professor Birch nodded as I said that. "Very good Alex. You are going into this with an attitude and wisdom that many don't learn until, well they get close to my age wahahaha. Now, while I am enjoying this conversation, I do have to head out shortly, so here are your tasks." He handed me a sizable file folder. "Now, feel free to message me or Zinnia if you have any questions. You are to report back here the Saturday after next. If all goes well, I will issue you your trainer license, Pokédex, and starter Pokémon that Sunday and you will begin your adventure on Monday. That way you have time to get prepared and begin to form a bond with your Pokémon. Now, I must be off. Any last minute questions?"
"No sir" I said. Thank you so much for your time and this opportunity. I will see you in about two weeks." I reached out to shake his hand. We shook and he gave me a smile, just as Zinnia came in with the equipment. We bid our farewells as we all walked out together. As I got in the car and the Professor began to head towards Route 101, a cheeky thought came to me.
"Oh, and Professor Birch?" I said innocently. He turned with an interested look. "Watch out for the Poochyena. I hear they can be quite troublesome." He looked at me with equal parts confusion and shock. He looked like he was about to say something, but just broke into laughter and waved as he headed off. I broke into a fit of laughter as well, which prompted looks of confusion from my parents.
"What was that about?" Said my dad.
"Oh, nothing. Just something from a story he told me." My dad cocked an eyebrow, but just shook his head with a smile and we headed home.
On the way, I had a thought. "Hey guys, I have a question. Is there a gym in Littleroot?"
My mom turned to me with a confused look. "Well no dear, Littleroot is too small for a gym. The closest gym is in Petalburg City,
It took until she said Petalburg City to realize I had misspoke. "No, no...sorry, I phrased that wrong. I meant like a fitness center, where I can go to exercise." My parents looked at each other and laughed.
"Sorry, that really shouldn't be as funny as it was. It's just I've never heard them referred to as gyms. They'd always been called fitness centers, though I guess you may have forgotten that...". The mood switched to sullen for a moment.
"Well, the reason I asked was because I thought it may be a good idea to spend some of my time there to get ready. I'm not sure what kind of shape I'm in, and I know traveling across the Hoenn region will be tough. Plus, I'm sure some of the materials Professor Birch gave me could be studied while on some cardio equipment."
"Yeah, there's a small center a few blocks away". Said my mom. We can call them and see about a membership for you."
"Thanks guys. I'm not sure what the cost is, but I'll try to cover it if I can." The moment I said that, I realized something. I have no idea how much money I have! "Umm guys, this may be a stupid question, but I actually don't know where or how much money I have. Would you guys know?"
"Yeah, you have a savings account with Hoenn Bank and Trust. The plan was once you got your Trainer License, you were going to migrate your account to PTRCU, or Pokemon Trainer Regional Credit Union. Since they have branches across all the regions, you'll be able to access your money no matter where you are. All trainers do that now. I imagine you also have some cash stored in your wallet from odd jobs and allowance. We can take a look when you get home."
"Oh, ok. That sounds good." In my head, that came as a surprise. "Huh, I never really thought there were banks in the Pokemon world. Seemed like everyone just carried cash around all the time, but I guess it would make sense." After we arrived home, I headed up to my room to look over the material Professor Birch gave me.
"Ok, so let's see here. A syllabus for the Pokémon Trainer Academy's final exam, Pokemon League rules and regulations, Basic laws in the Hoenn region and beyond, Pokemon type matchups, and an item guide. Well, this actually shouldn't be too bad. I imagine most of the laws will be similar to our world, and a lot of the trainer stuff I have a good idea about. Ok, so I'm gonna start on that stuff tomorrow. Let's find out about my money situation and maybe hit the gym...erm, I mean fitness center."