Trainer's bond
Cliques and social habits among young trainers,
Licensing Procedures, pt. 2
Note: effectively, game continuity
Diana's eyes fluttered open, and she stared at the lights on her darkened ceiling with relief. She was back home, and she guessed they had won. Hearing her stir, Tangela and Bulbasaur, curled up on her bed, stood up and went over and licked her face. Pidgey was sleeping on a chair but quickly awakened. "All right. Robert got you all healed up," Diana said in relief, "How long have I been out?" She started counting Pokemon, relieved when she hit three, but then her sleep-fogged mind decided to remember recent events. She sat bolt up in bed, and Dratini, curled up into a foot-warmer, stirred slightly as the covers shifted under her.
"Deadly Rocket-trained dragon, huh?" Diana teased. Dratini opened one eye sleepily and then closed it. "What time is it, anyway?" Diana asked to herself, quickly checking the clock. It was actually about four in the morning. Diana blinked in astonishment. She tried to get up early to get in training time before school (once the training journey started, she would be receiving assignments via e-mail), but this was ridiculous, especially considering how she vaguely remembered fainting. Now, she felt more rested than she usually did during the school year.
Noting someone had switched her over to a nightgown, she blearily put on some slippers and wandered over to the door in the darkness, her Pokemon swarming around her, though Pidgey had to peck at Dratini to get her moving. She padded down the hall, trusting her knowledge of her house to get her downstairs, as her parents were probably still asleep. She'd eat breakfast quickly and take advantage of the situation to get in some training time, as her Pokemon seemed pretty alert as well.
Diana sighed. Of course, she was the one who really needed the training. Her Pokemon had done well, even though if the fight had continued, she probably would have lost. But that was just a case of raw power shining through despite her delaying tactics. Getting praise from her opponent, even though they both know he could have won, was very heartening to the neophyte. Diana continued towards the stairwell, petting Tangela when she pushed under her hand, and then paused and frowned as the rest of the Rocket's speech came to her.
Intellectually, she knew what her problem was, and she tried, but water Pokemon tended to send spasms of pain shooting through her scars, and they always reacted badly to her. The Tentacool had frightened her, and Bulbasaur had picked up on that, and things could have gotten very ugly. "I wonder if I'm really ready for this, emotionally," Diana asked herself, and found she really couldn't answer.
When she finally tip-toed down the stairs, she was surprised to see light coming from the kitchen. Wondering what was going on, and as the fog of sleep lifted from her mind, she wondered why, if she fainted, she had been at home. Heading towards the kitchen stealthily, and waving Bulbasaur forward as a guard, she was surprised to hear her parents voice along with Roberts, and what sounded like an older person who was vaguely familiar.
The older voice started first, "I believe that Diana will make a full recovery. She suffered far more grievous wounds before, and it's possible the mental shock of the Tentacool, combined with what was a fairly surprising day, means she simply needs to sleep it off for a while."
Diana's mother said angrily, "Girls in my family don't simply 'sleep it off'. I think it's the Tentacool's fault. The last one injured her, and Athena's whole personality changed after the battle. Diana STILL doesn't know that the Athena she knew died that day, and it's probably the reason she's running around with the Pokemon anyway." Diana, still listening, exchanged surprised glances with Bulbasaur. By the time she'd left the hospital, Athena was long gone on her training journey, just leaving bitterness behind. She decided to risk getting in a little closer and see who the last person was.
Robert said in an interested tone, "I've worked with Athena for quite a while, and admittedly, she's very driven and aggressive, but what she said about her past suggested she was doing it for her family's sake somehow, but then she switched over to the League's counter-terrorism division following her failure to obtain the Marsh Badge." Diana was surprised. Athena had rarely failed at anything. With a few Pokemon of even lower levels than Diana, she had managed to capture the Tentacruel who nearly killed Athena's younger sister. Robert had implied she had blasted through the Gym Challenge before moving over to help stop Team Rocket in Johto.
Diana's father said in a slightly grievous tone, "That would be my fault primarily. I trained her in the old tradition of my family. I didn't realize what effect it would have on one of her bloodline. It's a shame she left so suddenly, as well. There were some items I could have given her, and Diana, despite everything, is far too passive for them."
The older voice said, "Yes, that's right. Your family moved from Saffron a while ago, before the gym certification changed to the psychic's, right? The disciplines traditionally used by fighting trainers and psychic trainers are quite different. You didn't realize-" Diana, pushing against the door with four Pokemon. suddenly stumbled through, falling to the floor.
"Hi mom, hi dad!" she said with false cheerfulness. She levered herself cautiously to her feet, and said, "Hi Robert, thanks for saving me, and Professor Oak!" she said in a shocked tone. The famous researcher was sitting in her parents' kitchen, sipping a cup of tea. Diana had met him once, when he left some flowers and a Poke ball in her hospital room, but the Squirtle inside had wanted to help her, but both had felt some strange antagonism to the other, so Oak had sent a package with Bulbasaur inside.
"Diana!" said her father with surprise, sweeping her into a hug. Diana's father, long ago, had been a trainer, but evidently hadn't made it past the previous master of Celadon's gym, prior to Erika taking over, and given up in defeat, farming out his Pokemon to other trainers. She had never heard of any special training techniques, and her parent's unease towards her becoming a trainer meant she was self-taught to a large degree, plus what she got from books.
"You're finally awake!" he continued, "You've been out for two days. We were worried at first you had a poison relapse from that Tentacool, but the hospital said you were just exhausted."
"Two days!" Diana said in surprise before her eyes widened joyfully, "It's almost the traditional time to start the journey then! The last freeze at this latitude is over!" Her Pokemon cheered behind her. Diana looked towards Robert and asked, "I heard you talk a little about Athena, does this mean she's coming to visit? And what's all this about special training techniques?"
Diana's mother said, "Just some old strengthening exercises passed down through the family. Basically it's the old samurai style stuff of living a spartan lifestyle, going through mountains in shorts, that kind of thing." Diana's eyes narrowed. She wasn't sure if she could trust that or not, her mother was notoriously unreadable, and her mother had little interest in Pokemon even before Athena had left.
Robert interrupted the uncomfortable scene, "Sorry, Diana. I've left some messages in usual drop-off points for Athena, but if she's still busy trying to hide the Pokemon, she may not hear about them for a while." Diana sagged slightly. If she hadn't heard by now, then there was no way to make it in two days all the way from Johto to Pallet Town.
Professor Oak had drawn out a magnifying glass from somewhere, and was peering at Dratini, who stared back curiously, before attempting to take a bite out of the lens. "Dratini! That's not food," Diana looked apologetic, "Sorry. It's probably been a while since you've gotten fed, huh? Now, what do Dratinis eat?"
"Seaweed and fish mainly, with a little grain on the side," replied Oak and Robert at the same time. The Pokemon master and researcher glared at each other for a moment before relenting.
Diana went over and got some bread out, "Let me heat up some tofu, I think that's the best I can really do right now. The others tend to get by on fruit, seeds, and photosynthesis." Dratini shrugged agreeably and quickly devoured the bread, while the others hit the food she laid out afterwards quickly. "Did you guys remember to feed them at ALL while I was out?" Diana muttered, hoping to not be overheard.
Her mother heard anyway and replied, "They were pretty broken up with you not getting up. They just picked at whatever they gave them."
Robert said, "You should be commended for getting so much loyalty so quickly. They like you quite a bit, and I don't know if I mentioned it, but that was a nice tactic set out there."
Diana blushed slightly, "I would have lost," she reminded him, "He had more Pokemon. If you hadn't come there, I don't know what would have happened." Diana's mother seemed ready for an outburst, but subsided with Diana's sober remarks.
"Well, as long as you're aware of how crazy what you did was," her mother sighed. "Now, I suppose sending you back to bed right now would be ludicrous. So, get dressed and do your work-outs, or whatever." Diana bowed slightly in response and grabbed another roll and stuffed it in her mouth as she limped only slightly out of the room.
"Ah, youth," Robert said with a grin.
"Sure, laugh it up, kiddo," Diana's mother said darkly, "She's probably going to end up like Athena. Yes, she's powerful and does a lot of good, but there's SO much wasted potential."
"Athena doesn't want to be a gym leader. She doesn't have the patience or the business skills the job demands," replied Robert.
"She did, once," said Diana's mother, and left it at that.
***********************
Friday rolled around too quickly for the parents of the new trainers and far too slowly for everyone else involved, especially Diana. Nothing more had come out of her parents, and Diana could feel herself spiraling back down into depression, once more cut off from everyone. Something had happened, Robert thought it was fine, but he didn't know Athena, he just worked with her. Diana wanted to throttle her parents, but she doubted she'd get anything. So, instead she prepped for the journey like everyone else.
Many trainers wouldn't get past Viridian, the next city to the north and the traditional first goal for Pallet town trainers, the problems of the road dragging them down. Some would make it all the way to Indigo and beyond. For now, however, the sun was shining and the northern roads were certain to be clear. One could walk anywhere in Kanto for the next several months. A variety of Pokemon, bought or given by parents, along with those that Oak had chosen for his continued attempts to get more Pokedex information, had gathered near the north end of Pallet Town. Professor Oak wanted to say a few words before they left.
Diana waited impatiently, and checked her gear once again. Robert, who wanted to see the new Pallet Town trainers, who, more or less were some of the best in the business, had mentioned she looked like she was out catching butterflies. Equipped with a sun hat, and moderately heavy jacket and jeans as it could still get cool, plus hiking boots for some additional protection, she definitely looked ready to safari. Right now, she was pulling on some fingerless gloves at her father's suggestion. The lack of fingers would help mobility while she could still shield her palms. Luckily her scarring didn't extend to her hands, as Diana doubted she would even be able to hold a Poke ball in that situation. Her backpack was loaded with food, camping supplies, and enough water purification gear to kill a squadron of Muk. Her walking stick was tied to the bottom of the backpack, ready to be pulled out.
"Diana! You're actually going through with it!" said a slightly younger male trainer. Brad was one of the youngest trainers this year, and hadn't even been walking when Ash won the championship. He had already joined a group with two other trainers in preparation for the journey. Diana had figured no one wanted to be hobbled by her, and simply kept aloof from the younger trainers.
Flashbulbs were going off around them as parents proudly took pictures before Oak's speech. Especially since one of the Pokemon masters was in the area, and Robert was doing a good job circulating with the crowd, to the utter delight of the young children in attendance. And a few others, as well.
"I can't believe it!" a boy, older than Diana, and probably Robert's age, came running out of the crowd. "A Pokemon Master, and one of the League's top operatives! I've read your biography in the League computers!" The boy was wearing glasses, and Diana was surprised to see a few Poke balls hanging at his belt. The boy, however, was simply pumping Robert's hand up and down. With the same amazing energy, "And this is Athena! The person Team Rocket probably hates the most of any trainer. It's an honor," the boy paused and adjusted his glasses, "Wait a minute. You're too short to be Athena."
Diana said, "She's my sister. How much do you know about her?" Diana had to admit to being slightly impressed by the boy's energy.
"I'm sorry, miss," said the boy, "I really should work on my manners. My name's John. I'm sorry I don't know a lot about you, but most of my information comes from recent research, and they didn't include family in the League database. I'm in training to be a researcher, and when I heard Oak was going to speak, I had to take passage here to Pallet to see it. I'm afraid all my information I can give comes from the League's public archives. There's quite a few of her anti-terrorism exploits, here in Kanto and on Johto that have been de-classified. Pretty impressive for a thirteen year old."
"She's ON-LINE?" Diana said incredulously, "Is this why you're always busy on the computer, mom?" John started to back up. He wasn't good at relationships per se, but he knew enough to avoid getting into this. *Must change subject!* John thought to himself.
He examined the girl closely. Either the young girl was surprisingly lumpy on the sides of her waist, or "You have more than one Pokemon?" he exclaimed. "That's very impressive."
Diana could feel herself blushing. Her Pokemon training wasn't brought up around the house, and most trainers either had a few Pokemon as pets or had left Pallet Town for other things. It was a nice place to raise a child, but it was as boring as watching paint dry around here! All the sudden attention, from enemies, from a Pokemon Master, and someone who seemed knowledgeable was almost too much.
"N-not really. I've had Bulbasaur for a few months, and I've caught some locals, and one's a present. I haven't even managed to think up some nicknames yet," she said bashfully. She quickly hit the releases. Brad gaped at the Dratini. One of the rarest Pokemon in existence, no one knew everywhere they existed, but Diana must really know what she was doing.
His next door neighbor had once been a nice quiet girl. Calmly and patiently waiting until the age of getting a Pokemon, and hanging around the older trainers like a wraith, picking up advice. Since her two year older sister was willing to put up with Diana as an audience, Diana had adored her older sister's attention, as their parents were usually working. Then the accident happened, and Diana had been withdrawn when she finally returned, barely able to walk. Especially as her sister had disappeared in the meanwhile halfway through her therapy, and Diana had simply cut herself off but for her Pokemon.
But the sad thing was, it wasn't Diana's fault. She had come to school, ready to renew her old friendships, as she hadn't been able to take visitors through most of her therapy. However, everyone's suddenly fresh reactions to the new way that Diana looked, something she had come, barely, to accept, hurt her far worse than the Tentacruel had. After a few days, Diana stopped initiating conversation. It ached, sometimes, to see someone you knew for much of your life wall themselves up.
Now, she had through careful quiet progress moved to the point of having a decent team established. Brad had only recently gotten Sandy, his female Sandshrew. Diana had more time to start her training, and evidently, she had received recommendation from person after person. But right now, she looked terribly vulnerable, easily as much as she had when she first returned home.
"Diana, are you sure you're okay? I'm sure you're up to this physically, but mentally it means leaving everything. I don't know if my group would take you, but do you want me to ask? I could always come with you?" Brad asked softly.
Brad's first question was exactly what Diana had been thinking over and over again, and it was just too much after the stress of the last week. Diana sat down, too quickly, as she felt her side burn, and then simply let the tears flow into her lap. "Brad, you're still one of the most empathic people I know," she said after a quiet moment, people hovering around her. "And this is very selfish of me, but you're the first person who's asked about MYSELF rather than the luck of being in the right place at the right time, or just because of who my sister is." John had the decency to look ashamed. Her Pokemon crowded around her, and Diana hated herself as she soaked up their worry for her.
John shook his head and pointed at the snuggling Pokemon, "I apologize for mistaking you, but if you must know, you have twice the number that Athena did, and my Magnemite and Meowth are all I have after a year."
Diana looked up through tear-reddened eyes, and took a moment to try and realize it was an attempt at high praise to a trainer. "You really don't get out much, do you?" she asked. John blushed, and Diana quickly stammered an apology, finishing, "After all, I don't a lot either." Diana got uneasily to her feet, and for the first time John saw the left side of her face out from under the shadow of her hat. He didn't understand a lot of the empathy with Pokemon, as his simply worked with him to help take down samples for a quick study and then releasing them. However, he did understand poison wounds on humans, who were a bit slower to heal.
"Oh. I understand the problem now. Please accept my deepest apologies if I've made a mockery of your situation," John bowed down to the ground, "I should have realized from the hints dropped. I'm not very good with people, unfortunately," John seemed to think this was a great confession, and Diana's mother laughed, until Pidgey glared at her. John continued relentlessly, "Is there someway I could make up for my faux pas?"
"That's all right. You had no way of knowing," Diana said quietly, "And it's not like I advertise it. Brad? Why don't you, John, and I go over and meet your friends for a little while? My injuries haven't been acting up this morning, and I could use a warm-up for the hike today." The three moved out of earshot of Diana's parents.
"John," she then whispered urgently, "It really isn't a problem. I know you were trying to make me feel better, but even if I'm not ready, I HAVE to get out of here. My parents just keep closing me in tighter and tighter, and it seems I can't even relate to them any more. Something's up. But if you want to make it up, I'd appreciate what you know about my sister."
"There's not much to tell. Served with distinction, and is almost a weapon that can be pointed at Rockets, utterly demolishing them no matter what the odds. The only thing you could call a blemish is that after stomping on every gym along the traditional pattern, Saffron City stopped her cold, and was practically her first recorded loss. She then joined the Pokemon League, and has been bringing in Rockets and others the League considers undesirable for the last year."
"So, basically, she's just another good Pokemon trainer with a larger dose of luck than usual?" Brad said.
John nodded, "Agreed. Except she keeps winning. The League throws problems they figure will only end in bloodbaths at her, and she succeeds brilliantly, with no casualties on either side. She's gotten some powerful Pokemon over the years, naturally, like most trainers who are at it for a while. The file photo isn't that good, probably to protect her, but you look a lot like her picture, especially since it's an older one."
"Something's up with my parents, and I'm terrible at getting information out of them," Diana declared, and then shrugged, "Best thing, I guess, is to get out and get more information. I really don't know," she finished lamely.
"They say that the only real experience comes from going out an doing it," John said,
"That's why I was coming up here. I thought I could see the gym's in action, and the more I could learn about Pokemon behavior patterns, especially under stiffer conditions, would do me a lot of good."
"You could SAY you wanted to bond closer with your Pokemon," Brad advised.
"Didn't I? I'm sorry if I wasn't clear. Still, after Professor Oak, I'm ready to move in the steps of the old great masters. I've done the research on common Pokemon in areas and the weakness and strength portions."
"Hmm. I only know about the local stuff, and a little bit about each gym specialty. I'm not quite sure what I wound find around the Safari Zone. How about you Diana?" asked Bard.
"Sorry. I know something about each of the gym's, and I'm fairly good on the local landscape. I know where most of the local Pokemon nests but no, I'm not telling you where they are, Brad," Diana said in an amused tone. Brad snapped his fingers in mock exasperation. The trio quickly found Brad his group and spent a few moments in easy conversation over hiking trips as parents fussed.
Finally, Professor Oak came out of his house with a small speaker stack and a remote microphone. It took him holding the microphone up to the speaker and some painful feedback to get everyone's attention, but eventually he was able to start his remarks.
"Gathered trainers of Pallet and honored guests. Today is a very special day for the young trainers. Traditionally at this time, Pallet's gates were opened, allowing commerce with the North to resume. Now, of course, we can trade whenever we want. Instead, we send our youth out to gain knowledge and maturity. Remember, statistics show most trainers never complete the gym challenge, let alone Indigo. I know at your age, you believe statistics are other people. Keep to that belief, and you'll go far." Oak pulled a small pistol out of his pocket and raised it to the air, "With the power invested in me by the League Council, I now declare the restrictions on your licenses null and void, giving you full access to Kanto. Begin!" Oak fired off the starter-gun, sending a flare of light in the air.
Children began to head off, some running, others moving purposefully towards the North. "So it begins," said Robert, trying to be mystical as Oak came down the stage, but he instead merely ended up dodging a mock-punch from Oak.
"A team, at least until Viridian?" Brad offered, looking at the two newcomers after the shot. It had turned out one of Brad's team members hadn't quite broken in his boots beforehand, so they'd be moving slowly so he wouldn't reduce his feet to hamburger. The researcher and the hydrophobe agreed, and they took their first steps on what would, hopefully, be a long trip.
To be continued...
Author's notes: This is the best ending place I could find for an 'episode'. I have some plans for next time, but I have to do a little more research. No battles or anything, just more character and introduction and a lot of stuff, I will, in time, construct a plot from.
I believe I stole Robert's last line from Kosh the First on Babylon Five. The idea of Oak intoning something profound could leave threatening overtones. A fifteen-year old is a bit different. ^_^
Next time: The track to Viridian, personnel decisions, and some old faces.
Whenever I get it done!
