Legend speaks of the great war that brought upon the phenomenon known as Mega Evolution. Long ago, Pokémon were seen as nothing more than weapons, sent pointing towards the opposite side without any sense of reasoning or hesitance of what they had been doing to the Pokémon of the region, it wasn't by any means a short amount of time before the Pokémon decided to open up to humans again. Even so out of that war, we were given Mega Evolution as the only positive outcome, allowing for Pokémon and their trainers to change into an entirely new form via bonds of friendship. All my life I couldn't help but wonder, why Mega Evolution...How does that fit into the equation?
"Dusk! Dusk! Dusk Lucas Aquamarine get down here!" A female voice called from downstairs, forcing me to fall onto my floor. It appeared to be the voice...Of my quite annoyed mother, the tone alone wasn't what tipped me off, she used my first, middle, and last name in the string that only concluded to trouble.
"Sorry Mom, I'm coming" I called down to her, rubbing the back of my head to attempt to mitigate the pain from the impact of colliding against my floor. Within moments, I struggled to hurry to my mother's call. "Is something wrong?"
"Dusk, I know how much you spend up in your room researching the world, but don't you think it's about time to go on your own?" I was astounded. She startled me, and forced me to hit my head just to tell me to go outside
"And why would I do that? I have everything I need in my library"
"That's where you're wrong, you have everything except experience, and that's why the region's Pokémon Professor is sending an assistant to interview you"
At first, I didn't like where this was going, but my interest had been attracted when she mentioned the Pokémon Professor, Professor Sycamore. The only problem is I felt like she had planned for me to get a Pokémon, which is something I hoped not to do. "I'll pass"
"That's not an option! Listen Dusk, I know how you feel about Pokémon, but this will be a good experience for you, besides if you do well enough you could work directly under Professor Sycamore"
"What are you talking about? Like someone like him has time for me"
"I've been talking to him lately, he was amazed by you saying he wanted to know your own thoughts straight from your head. And I expect you to make a good first impression!"
"Right, I got it"
"Go upstairs and get ready, get dressed and brush your teeth!"
I nodded, doing as told before heading back downstairs wearing a simple shirt and sweatpants. By no means did I want to seem like more than I was. No matter how analytical I was called, I'm still normal, at least by my standards anyway.
"Good, you're ready, they'll be here any minute now, please be on your best behavior, this could be a great opportunity for you, you just need to take it!"
"Yeah, I know, I won't let you down"
"Good, now please answer the door when they come, I have to prepare lessons for next week,"
That's how my mother is, she's a hard worker with little tolerance for disrespect, which is probably why she's a good teacher, the responsible students loved her, the self-proclaimed 'cool kids', also known as the attention seekers, despised her. Her motto about school was that she refused to help someone who can't attempt it themselves. Until they tried to solve something, she wouldn't do anything but give vague advice. But once they tried to figure it out and still didn't understand, she'd guide them through it.
"Got it" I could tell that this meant a lot to her, so as such I'd have to do my best. It wasn't even a minute after when the doorbell rang, softly echoing through the house. Doing as expected, I pulled it open, finding someone I hadn't expected, the professor himself.
"Now, I hope I wasn't late, was I?"
"Y-you...Y-you're" At this point, I had lost my ability to string together sentences.
"Yes, I'm Professor Sycamore, but just call me Augustine, you don't need to be so formal," He said with a gentle smile "So, shall we get started?"
"U-uh...Y-yes!" I shook my head, going to sit down on the couch, which was set to be facing a chair around five feet away.
"Alright, let's begin, your name is Dusk, correct?"
I nodded, I'd been given that name based on my hair color, being an orangish tint, something close to a peach, but Dusk felt less feminine than Peach, or Peaches. Especially since "Peaches" is something you'd name a Rockruff or Growlithe. Well, my eyes were also two different colors, one a light blue, the other being orange. Not that I showed anyone since I usually had a blue eye contact to cover the orange, even now it was worn.
"I see where the name came from, but tell me how do you feel about Pokémon?"
He started off strong, the truth is I loved Pokémon more than anything, well besides reading, I just always got scared when touching them from parts of my life I care not to talk about, I don't believe even mother knows why. "Well...They're living creatures, each with their own individual qualities and flaws...I love researching them...I-I'm..."
"Go on"
"I-I'm afraid of touching them..."
"It's okay, I was already aware that you were"
"W-what?"
"When I was speaking to your mother regarding you, she mentioned that you loved Pokémon, but one day, suddenly you couldn't touch them. I'm sorry for putting you through that exercise, I intended to test your honesty. Both your mother and I agreed that you would be getting a Pokémon because she believes that you can work past your fears. "
"So...this whole thing was planned?"
"For a while now, It's probably none of my business, but she said you needed friends and someone else to talk to besides yourself. You're logical but lack proper social skills. As such it was planned to give you a Pokémon the same day as two others so you could see the world from a perspective besides your own"
"I see...If I must, then I'll do my best"
"Good! Now if you come with me I'm about to pick up the other two"
"Alright..."
"I see you're a bit nervous, but there's no reason to be unsettled, they're good kids, and I've already spoken to them beforehand. Your mother wanted me to wait in case you started having doubts and didn't show up"
"Right...Sorry"
"Hey, don't be sorry, you've just never been the social type due to your fears, you just need a little push in the right direction," He gave me a look, I guess he could tell I wasn't fully prepared to go just yet "Tell you what, I'll be in Aquacorde, I'll let you get yourself ready since you didn't have much of a warning"
"T-thank you..." I looked away embarrassed about my inability to do what should be considered trivial to others my age, socialism. Using the time I was given, all I could hope to do to prepare myself was grab my old school bag, which I never really used. Filled it with empty journals I had prepared ahead of time, My wallet full of money from my allowance I've saved up, which now totaled up to three-thousand PokéDollars. And the spare box of Bandages. I could tell my mother felt the need to prepare for the day I eventually go on my own.
"S-sorry I'm late" I rasped, attempting to catch my breath before seeing the Professor with two others, a female with a pink shirt sporting several black bowtie designs on it as well as jean shorts, and pink shoes. She had lightly tanned skin with green eyes and brown hair while the other, being a male had been wearing a blue jacket over some skinny jeans and boots. Their skin was fair showing they easily got sunburned as they also wore an outdoors cap and sunglasses over the top of the bill of the hat. Their hair was rather short being a darkish blue, which was rather common.
"Ah, glad you could make it! I'd like you to meet Shauna and Calem." He directed my attention to them "Please, meet Dusk"
"Nice to meet you!" Shauna said with a large smile, she seemed to be the positive type, Calem smiled too, but appeared to be the strong silent type.
"Well, now that we're acquainted, time for your Pokémon" Augustine tossed up three different Pokéballs, each with a unique Pokémon not commonly found in the region. The fire-type Fennekin, the water-type Froakie, and the grass-type Chespin.
"Dusky, you can pick first!"
"D-dusky?"
"Yeah! It's your nickname!"
"O-oh...Thanks...But you can pick first" I wanted to give myself time to mentally prepare myself to pick a Pokémon.
"Well, alright, I'll go with you!" She picked up the small yellow Pokémon, Lifting it up in her arms.
"I'll go with you," Calem said, kneeling down to pick up the blue one, Froakie. All that was left, was Chespin as it energetically ran up to me, attempting to hug my leg as I backed away from it
"N-no, t-t-that's okay, p-please back away..."
"Huh? Dusky? You aren't afraid of Pokémon are you?"
"W-wait it's not like tha-" I started before Chespin jumped onto my leg, hugging it as I froze like a Deerling in headlights.
"Shauna, we all have our fears, Dusk is no exception, If he's afraid of Pokémon, then there's no reason to treat him differently" Calem stated, being the balance between socialistic instinct, and logical mental prowess. Which is something I've strived towards becoming.
"I-I'm not s-scared of Pokémon...I just can't touch them..."
"I'm glad you're getting along! But here are your Pokéballs, They should help you carry your Pokémon easily,"
I was grateful that he was giving us them, just because I felt like if any other Pokémon had touched me, I'd end up fainting, which might sound like hyperbole, but knowing my history with Pokémon, it's not out of the question. I weakly reached my hand out to accept the Pokéball before returning Chespin inside of it as I sighed relief "Sorry Chespin, maybe one day I can return your affection"
"Wait, you already know its name!?" Shauna asked surprised.
"Well you see Shauna," Augustine started "Dusk here might find it difficult to touch Pokémon, but he's got the real makings of a professor himself"
At that moment, I couldn't form even the tiniest fraction of a sentence at the remark. Even so, I can't say I disliked the feeling of being complimented, but I wasn't particularly familiar with being told those kinds of things by anyone but my mother.
"You're gonna be a professor!?" Shauna asked, astounded by my supposed future.
"I guess so..."
"You guess so!? Be more proud of it!"
"You probably shouldn't pressure him with that, Shauna" Calem warned her
"Huh? What do you mean?"
"Well, Shauna, sometimes it's important to take things one step at a time," Augustine said shortly after.
"I-It's really no big deal..." I had hoped that it wasn't turned into anything where I had become the focus of attention, the least favorable conclusion if you ask me. But it didn't seem like they had heard me so it felt like a good time to just walk away. I don't believe they even noticed as I already arrived in Santalune Forest and they were nowhere to be found.
"Well...Chespin sorry about earlier...I'm just not comfortable with touching Pokémon yet...I hope you understand" I said, letting it out of its Pokéball before struggling to reach and pet Chespin. My hand froze just inches away from the top of its head "I-I...Sorry, I'm just not ready yet" I put my hand away before looking in the other direction. I could tell that Chespin felt worried for me, but there wasn't anything I could do, I've been afraid to touch them for several years now, and even though I know it's ridiculous, but my body just freezes on its own when I even come close to a Pokémon.
"I'm fine...Just try to understand, it's nothing against you" The way Chespin smiled back, it was...comforting, showing that even if I couldn't properly show my affection, Chespin knows I cared before pointing its nose into the air and running west.
"Hey! Chespin where are you going!?" I asked, chasing after it, getting winded relatively quickly having to take a breath until I saw that it was in some sort of small society full of Pokémon of the same species as well as its evolutions sharing berries and herbs with one another. "Chespin? Is this your home?" I whispered to it to hide my presence as it nodded to me, going down to the rest of the Chespin before talking to the others. I couldn't understand it of course, but it looked like I was the topic of their conversation. Moments after, it looked like Chespin was being hugged moments before they called me over.
"O-oh, hi there...I-I'm Dusk..." I said softly, afraid that they'd touch me at a moment's notice. "It's n-nice to meet you..." They stayed distant, but they appeared calm and friendly, I guess Chespin told them about my fears. It was then that one of the Chespin's evolution, Quilladin carried a leaf-fashioned bag, laying it out with several berries and medical herbs shown on top of it.
"Is this for me?" I asked seeing Quilladin nod happily "O-oh, thank you! I hope there's some way I can repay you"
It looked like they were gesturing for me to just go on my adventure, taking care of Chespin. To which I gratefully agreed. Which I would have done so anyway. Either way, I was glad to have the support. It was then that I began to think, if I was to become Professor Sycamore's Assistant, then I should record my encounters with Pokémon as I slumped down against a tree, setting down my belongings before pulling out an empty journal. I might not have been the most social, but I had my talents here and there, sketching happened to be one of them. Since I tried to be accurate, I drew out a small box on the corner of the paper, drawing out the Chespin, Quilladin, and their surroundings before describing my encounter. I suppose I must have fallen asleep for my world slowly went dark, and the next thing I heard was the sound of a camera, and then a female voice after.
"Perfect shot! This'll be just right for my album! But...Just in case I should probably get a few more"
"Huh? Who...Who're you?" I asked seeing a woman in a white tank top, grey cargo pants with pockets seemingly filled, brown tennis shoes, and Blonde hair with her side bangs resembling a Beautifly's tongue. She seemed to be holding a camera up to her face, so I couldn't see that.
"Oh, you're awake, call me Viola, sorry about that, I was going to wake you up, but you looked so peaceful..."
"I see...Well I should be on my way, Chespin, Return"
"Wait! You're a trainer!"
"Yes, and?"
"You should come see me in Santalune! Or rather I should come with you"
"Excuse me?"
"Well, I may be a Photographer, but I'm also the Gym Leader!"
"I'll pass"
"Pass!? Don't you know what a Gym is?"
"I'm well aware, I just have no intention on battling trainers"
"Aren't you an odd trainer, well if you're not going to battle anyone, it's not safe for you out here alone, especially since that Chespin of yours is weak to bug types"
"I suppose you're right..." I said, lifting up my bag after placing my belongings back inside.
"Great! So tell me, what's your name?"
"Dusk" I responded
"Dusk? Well, I see where the name comes from! And How long have you been a trainer?"
"Since this morning"
"Oh, so you're new, that explains how you weren't as prepared as the more experienced trainers. In fact, You look like you haven't had a single battle in your life"
"As I said, I have no interest in them"
"Why's that? Most kids dream of the day they become trainers, and some even battle with their parents' or siblings' Pokémon"
"Look, you seem nice but isn't a bit soon for you to discern who I am"
"Huh? Oh whoops, guess I got carried away"
"It's fine"
"But even if you've no intention on battling, I strongly suggest you come check out the gym, it's like an art museum, plus you seem like the knowledgeable type, it may be a good experience for you to see a gym battle in person"
"I'll think about it"
"Great! But I have to ask, that's one of the three starter Pokémon, does that mean you use the Pokédex?"
"No, I was never given one"
"I see, that's a shame, they're incredibly useful in battles"
"Sorry, not interested"
"Still!? But battles are amazing, it's a time when a Trainer and Pokémon can bond and act as one!"
"Please...Just stop" I clenched a fist, close to the point of shouting out how I couldn't touch Pokémon, but somehow found the strength to control myself.
"Oh...Sorry"
"It's fine, but I just don't want to battle"
"Hey, don't worry, everyone has their own interests, just be sure to do what Chespin wants from time to time"
"Right..."
"Well, it's probably best to camp out for the night, it'll be getting dark soon, and these woods get dangerous at night, wild Pokémon could attack, there could be bandits or thieves who sneak up on us, anything can happen!"
"Right" I nodded, knowing that if one of the situations were to occur, I might have to fight too.
" Dusk, can you get some wood for a fire?" She asked as I nodded, leaving to grab some sticks to use before returning to find her on a hologram device similar to that of a phone as I suddenly felt enraged, glaring at the shell of the device. I shook my head, setting down the wood before looking up at the sky to clear my mind
"Oh! You're back! I was just talking to my younger Brother, Kyat, though I call him Luck, he's excited to meet you!"
"He...He is?"
"Yeah! He has trouble finding friends, but he's always trying"
"Alright..."
"That's it? You don't even want to know what he's like?"
"Not particularly"
"You are so weird!"
"Sorry..."
"Could you at least tell me why?"
"I...I just find it difficult to trust others...I try not to raise my hopes too high"
"Oh...That's kind of sad actually... But it's getting late, It'd be best to eat soon"
"Oh, Dusk you're finally awake, You seemed so peaceful again, so I didn't want to wake you"
"Thanks..." I rubbed my eye for a moment as she began to stare at me, or rather at my eye to which I quickly adjusted my eye contact that was hiding my orange eye.
"Wait, are your eyes orange?"
"N-no! I swear they're not!"
"C'mon just let me see them!"
"Not happening!"
"Why do you want to hide them!?"
"Sorry...But I can't tell you that"
"Oh...Got it..." She looked rather disappointed, I actually felt kind of bad for saying no.
"Alright...You can look, just no pictures..."
"Right!" Her mood changed almost instantly as I took out the eye contact, showing my normal blue eye, and my weird orange one. It felt embarrassing to show my eye, though it sort of felt okay knowing there was one less thing I needed to hide from her.
"Wait, aren't both of your eyes orange?"
"No...Just one"
"That's so cool! I need to take a photo!"
"H-hey! No photos!" I quickly put it back over my eye, covering the orange
"Aww...I've never seen that before, you have to tell me how!"
"I got unlucky, that's it"
"Fine, but why do you hate it?"
"I don't feel like you need to know that"
"If that's how you feel, I won't keep bothering you about it"
"Thanks..."
"Well...We should be heading towards Santalune, my brother's probably already overwhelmed with challengers looking for me" I nodded before helping her pack up and following her out of the forest. Which there wasn't much distance to travel. I think she was just trying to get me to open up a bit.
"And! We're here!" She said triumphantly before opening the two front doors of her gym to find Shauna continuing to ask younger boy questions. They appeared shorter than Shauna, by a few inches at least as they had a straw hat, copious amounts of brown hair covering half of his face. Oversized clothes that made it difficult for him to grab things, and somehow a shiny Caterpie on their hat
"I keep telling you, she's not here!"
"Well, then when will she be here!? I wanna show Calem how much stronger I am!"
"I know, but please be patient!"
"But couldn't I just fight you?"
"N-no! I can't battle at all!"
"Hey Luck! I'm back!"
"Sis! Thank goodness you're back! There's a bunch of challengers waiting to battle you!"
"So you're the Gym leader!" She turned around with a gasp "Dusky!? We got worried when you suddenly disappeared! You aren't afraid of us like you are with Pokémon right?" She asked worriedly.
"Huh, you're afraid of Pokémon? No wonder you don't want to battle anyone"
It was already embarrassing enough for her to not only mention my greatest fear but to misinterpret it as well. I didn't want to say anything more as I just stayed silent.
"Still silent huh? Well, don't worry Dusky, I understand completely! She then redirected her attention to Viola " So, can we battle?"
"Let's wait a bit, it's still rather early, so It'd be best to eat breakfast before we start the battles"
"Oh, okay! I could eat! What about you, Dusky?"
I simply nodded as she pulled onto my wrist, a gesture I assume was supposed to be more friendly rather than aggressive.
"I'll watch over the gym!"
"C'mon Luck, give yourself a break, come with us!"
"Oh, okay!"
"Oh, uh, I've never been to this city before, is there a place to eat?" Shauna said, still gripping my wrist.
"Oh, not to worry, I know one where they serve great food here
"Really!?"
"Yup!"
Due to Viola being a Gym Leader, it looked like her occupation had supported a lot of the city, which is probably why she wouldn't have to pay
"Hey, uh...You," She pointed towards Kyat, What's your name?"
"Oh, I'm Viola," She responded before answering her question "This is my brother Kyat, but you can call him Luck,"
"Okay! Luck, can you even see? I mean most of your hair is covering your eyes"
"Oh, you couldn't tell? I'm blind" He seemed to have said it without any negativity "I just cover my eyes since I've been told the scars can be scary to look at" He lifted up his hair showing three scars, two had been from Zangoose's claw, while the last had been from Seviper's tail.
"Wait, you are!?"
"That's right, He tried to stop a fight between a Zangoose and a Seviper when he was a lot younger, which didn't end well...But it was then that he found Caterpie, who helped him home"
"H-hey, you don't need to say all of that!" He said quite embarrassed, though he seemed to still laugh as the others did the same. It's hard to admit but I gave a light chuckle with a small smile.
"Oh, so you do have emotions!" Viola said, quickly catching onto my expression.
"Oh! That reminds me, Dusky, you left so soon, you never got your Pokédex or Pokéballs"
"Oh...I guess I forgot..." She handed a red device with a transparent screen that acted more like a hologram than the other Pokédexes. She also gave five different Pokéballs. "...Thanks"
"So...You two know each other? What kind of relationship? Boyfriend? Sibling? Just a friend?"
"Just a friend! We met yesterday!"
"I see, although you'd you great in a photo together! I have a few photos of Dusk actually!"
"Please don't..."
"Pictures!? Ooh, can I see 'em!"
"Of course! Here!"
From what I was able to see, they were from when I fell asleep at the tree, which was relieving that she didn't take any other pictures. Plus, there wasn't one of my eyes, which was also good. Even with all of the positives, it didn't change anything about how embarrassing it was that she had pictures of me in my sleep.
"Awww! Dusk you looked so cute! Why don't you travel with Calem and me! I mean, that is what the Professor intended"
"I suppose I could..." I said quietly before she suddenly went for a hug, trapping me with her coils of friendship.
"Don't just say suppose! We're friends now!"
"Right...That's well and all, but do you think you could let me go?"
"Huh? Oh whoops, I tend to hug my friends a lot, my bad" She seemed apologetic, but I get the feeling it's not the last time that'll happen.
"...You're not letting go..."
"Oh, whoops! Got carried away!" She let go and backed off a bit. But not before I heard the click of a camera with a flash from Viola's direction
"This is perfect! You two look great together in this! Although, Dusk you could look a little happier"
"Please stop..."
"What!? It's not like I'm wrong! You could smile more"
"Well, I'm sure he's fine without smiling"
"I'm just saying, when he was sleeping, he had a smile, and it's much more adorable than without"
"No...I'm not"
"Besides that, can we battle?" Shauna asked Viola, prepared to win, even if she hadn't had a plan.
"Right, of course! Luck, can you and Caterpie set up for us?"
"Right! C'mon Caterpie!"
"Are you sure you should send him to set things up? After all he can't see"
"He's blind, yes. But he's always been reliable. Some people find it hard to believe he's even blind" Viola explained as I glanced over at his Caterpie. It seemed to move on his hat just before he would change directions. I think his Caterpie is the reason he's able to run casually without worry of tripping. It just felt like everyone was just so comfortable with Pokémon, and yet I still couldn't even touch them.
"Well, we should go ahead and head that way" Viola said, setting out a thousand Poké as a tip for the waiter.
"Alright, are both sides ready?" Kyat asked waiting for conformation before he could announce the battle to begin. Caterpie continued looking to both sides as it would be the one observing the battle while Kyat was the one who spoke English.
"Yup!" Shauna replied
"I'm ready!"
"Very well, battle begin!"
"Come into the spotlight, Butterfree!" She said as the flying Pokémon appeared from the Pokéball seeing it happily dance as if it was performing a dance on stage.
"A Butterfree I see... Very well, Vivillion, let's go!"
"Uh...Let's see..." She pulled out her Pokédex, having it scan the Vivillion" Okay, got it, Butterfree, use Gust!" Butterfree charged at the Vivillion, creating medium sized gusts of wind to cut at the opponent.
"You think flying moves will help you? Vivillion cancel it out with your Gust!"
"I won't lose! Butterfree, hit them with Confusion, then attack with Wing Attack!" Butterfree attacked with a beam of psychic energy, stunning it for a short period of time before it dove down striking its core with a powered wing. Causing for it to flutter towards the ground, leaving it just weak enough for Butterfree to attack once again with Wing Attack
"Caterpie? The results?" Kyat asked, waiting for its response before feeling how it moved on his hat "Alright, Shauna the Challenger, wins!"
"Oh man, Well done Shauna!"
"Thanks! Dusk, are you gonna battle too?"
"No thanks" I called back, closing the journal I had out sketching out the battle and writing down qualities of both sides.
"He doesn't like battling apparently" Viola said with a sigh, "It's a shame though"
"I'm still not interested"
"Ah, figures..."
"Well, he's afraid of Pokémon, naturally he wouldn't battle"
"I suppose that's true, well maybe one day he'll get over it"
"Well, here's hopin'"
"Hey Dusk, I'm gonna go find Calem, why don't you come with us!"
"Alright..."
"Great! I'm sure he'll be happy to see you! I think he went ahead to Lumious City"
"Lumious? Why would he go there?"
"I think he wants to help research Mega Evolution for Professor Sycamore"
"I see..."
"C'mon, let's go!" She pulled onto my wrist, proving her strength to be greater than mine as I had no choice but to follow.
"C'mon Dusk, you're not exhausted already, are you?"
"You...You ran all the way here..."
"Why wouldn't I, Calem's waiting!"
"Oh...I guess"
"It should be the building with two Pokéball pillars, and Oh there it is!" I braced myself before she pulled my wrist, rushing into the building.