"Has it finally arriaved?" Pikachu asked me excitedly, jumping on my shoulder as I opened the delivery box.
"Yup! We've got a Dusk Stone!" I cheered excitedly. "Doublade will finally be able to evolve into an Aegislash!"
"Nice!" Riolu exclaimed with cheer, on my other shoulder.
We were at Pummelo Island in the Orange Archipelago at the moment. We've been in the islands ever since we were defeated by Cynthia. We sulked a lot, we were so close to being able to defeat a champion... but it did not happen. Charizard took it the hardest, it was his defeat that made us lose our opportunity. Not that any of us blamed him! He faced against one of the most powerful Dragon-types out there! Even Lance has difficulty facing Cynthia's Princess. With time we were able to get through his thick skull and set his determination blazing. He now had a whole new goal, not only did he want to become the strongest Charizard, but now he wanted to defeat Cynthia's Garchomp as well!
My month in the Orange Islands was not a quiet and peaceful one. No, sir. It was hectic and I was flying from one island to the other working. I had meetigs set up with James and my mom, about our business in the archipelago. James' parents were investing in the Archipelago, doing cruises and luxury resorts. I invested a lot of the money I had saved up in the business and allowed my image to publicize the business, as another form of payment. I now owns 30% of the future business. There are also plans I have with my mom to expand her restaurant in the islands and create a chain all over the Archipelago. Only rumors have left the outside of the islands, but Todd has been telling me that everywhere he goes for a photoshot everyone is talking about it and are excited to be the first guests.
Not to mention, the Pokemon rent travel business, which aided trainers so they can travel from one island to another easier. Not everyone had a Lapras at hand. Elite Four Lorelei was also investing in that side project, leaving her Lapras' Pod in charge of the pokemon used for the rent travel business. My Lapras had also contacted her pod and they joined Lorelei's. We already had enough number of pokemon to start, we will need more later, but for now it was enough. It will also aid to collect funds to aid the Lapras, as they are pokemon in danger of extinction. The Orange Islands had the largest pokemon natural reserve of Lapras in the world, where the pokemon are taken care of and made sure that no rogue trainer or poachers try to capture them. The only way to get one is to fins a wild pod, something that was very rare. Especially, since the wild pods tend to be defended by strong leaders. Those that dared to face against my Lapras Pod got pulverized for sure. They have to get stronger, to make sure no trainer can capture them and leave their pod defensless.
Honestly, some trainers just don't care... I thought sadly at the uncaring behavior of others. They just want a rare pokemon.
James, Jessie, and Meowth, were the ones taking the lead on this project and giving out a hand to my mom with starting her own restaurant chain. I felt quite reassured that the project was in their hands, I did not trust anyone more than them.
Wow... how far we've gotten this last year. I thought in wonder. I trusting Team Rocket's craziest trio. Well, they are no longer part of Team Rocket. Another thing that changed, Team Rocket is no more, alongside with Team Galactic.
I also had meetings with Sarah and Josh, not to mention my Kanto and Sinnoh Ghost Teams. Those were the most hectic meetings, as we had to fly from island to island, discussing the best places to built the different Ranger Headquarters and planning the right protocols to follow until the ranger branch is finished. Luckily, Utau took time off from getting used to her Elite Four duties, and came to aid us. She is truly my right hand and with her here, I know I can leave for Unova and feel in peace, knowing that she'll keep everything in order. I believe that my Ghost Teams are more scared of her then of me.
Then again she is a Dragon Master of the highest grade. Stronger than Clair Wataru herself! Her team was nothing to scoff at either: Charizard, Altaria, Kingdra, Dragonite, Salamence, and Flygon. I still can't believe that she is the weakest member of our Elite Four! Then again, Tsubasa, Lance's ex-second in command, is nothing to scoff at either. She has a Feraligatr, Garchomp, Slaking, Alola Ninetales, Mamoswine, and Porygon-Z.
That Ninetales was the death of Utau's team, I shook my head. That Ice/Fairy-type combo is too scary. No wonder Lance hates that pokemon so much! He has to deal with one of them daily! At least, now he'll get a respite.
Then above her we have Lorelei with her Lapras, Slowbro, Dewgong, Cloyster, Jynx, Alola Sandslash.
What's up with that? Alola pokemon are in a boom lately, I complained internally.
Then at the top of the Elite Four we have Drake with his famous team: Dragonite, Ditto, Onix, Gengar, Venasaur, and Electabuzz.
Honestly, what's up with all these stack up teams?! I exclaimed in my head. They are scary!
Sometimes I wonder how I was able to defeat them all... Oh, right! I did defeat the whole Elite Four of the future Orange Archipelago and the second branch of the Battle Frontier. One after the other. I slept for a whole day. My pokemon loved it! Especially, Pikachu, Charizard, and Sceptile, my battle loving trio. But... have mercy on me Lugia! Like honestly! Have I not mentioned the teams of my Elite Four? Are they trying to kill me?!
Then there's the Battle Frontier... who should I begin with?
With the Tower Tycoon Palmer and his Rhyperior, Dragonite, and Milotic? Did you know that he also has a Regigigas, a Heatran, and a Cresselia?!
I mean... come on?! I moaned in my head. What's with all these Legendaries popping out? Why are trainers so obssessed with them?!
Luckily, against Factory Head Thorton we had to use rented pokemon and I only had to face against a Tyranitar, Bronzong, Ursaring, and Ledian. Normal pokemon... did I just consider a Tyranitar a normal pokemon? Lugia, my concept of normalcy is gone to the Distortion World!
Then there was the Arcade Star Dahlia and her team, which had a Ludicolo, a Blaziken, a Togekiss, a Medicham, a Dusknoir, and, wait for it... Zapdos! Yes, the same Legendary bird. At least, Pikachu enjoyed that battle. Because when that fucking chicken came out, I left the room. I literaly turned around and left the room. When I came back I found Zapdos fainted and Pikachu pumping his fists on the air in victory. I believe that's when I realized that my team, my pokemon, are quite messed up. I mean what normal Pikachu can take down a Zapdos on his own?! Without his trainer!
I gave up then.
My life is so ridiculous that I just don't know what to do anymore. So, when Castle Valet Darach and his Enteri appeared I just released Charizard and told him to have fun. Of course, Darach had other normal pokemon like his Empoleon, Staraptor, Gallade, and Houndoom.
But he just had to have an Entei, didn't he?
Then there was the Hall Matron Argenta and her Dragonite... but do I really need to mention anything more?
On the bright side, the Orange Archipelago will be safe from now on with them there. I can go to Unova without any worry.
At least, Gary was there. Or should I call him Lab Professor Oak? I've always enjoyed battling him. The team he chose to face me was: Blastoise, Arcanine, Umbreon, Alakazam, Electivire, and Magmortar. Finally! I completely normal team! It was a lot of fun too!
What I found funny was that I got to collect the complete set of symbols of the new Battle Frontier in a month, when the previous time it took me a whole year. Another funny thing was that Scott took advantage of the time and built the whole Battle Frontier buildings in the Sevii Islands while I was traveling through Sinnoh. They were ready to open at any moment. If anything, they will open their gates while I am in Unova. I'll have to travel back for the opening event. Scott is planning on making it some kind of festival, similar to the one I did in Alola. But this time it will be the other Battle Frontier Brains battling, and they'll have to go all out. Nothing like I did, by using pokemon depending the trainer's status.
On the bright side, I won't be battling 90 trainers in three days... how did I do that anyways? I don't know how I was able to survive that.
Talking about trainers. I met with my previous rivals! It was so much fun! Even all the work I had to do with them, aiding them to choose the islands they want to open their gyms on, was not daunting. It has been a while since I've last seen them all, so we had a lot to catch up with. Especially, with Ritchie! He's grown up so mcuh! Just like me...
"We are leaving tomorrow," Pikachu commented, as we were heading towards the Pummelo Stadium, where all of my pokemon were training.
"We are," I replied. "As I am not competing on the Unova Pokemon League I won't have many chances to have the rest of our team battle for fun. I hope they are satisfied with all the battling they did this month."
"As if!" Pikachu laughed. "They are your pokemon! Are you satisfied with only this battle junkie?"
"No," I sighed, admiting the dark truth of myself. "But I am tired! It was a hard month! I hope I get to relax for a while in Unova."
"Really?" Pikachu turned to me, raising a judgemental eyebrow.
"I know," I sighed again, admiting the dark truth of my life.
"Who are we taking with us daddy?" Riolu asked me obliviously. I turned my gaze at him, he was looking at me with wide open eyes full of trust and love. He looked so cute! I could not stop myself and took him in my arms, giving him an Ursaring hug. I peppered his face with kisses. "Daddy!" I squealed in happiness, giggling madly. "Stop! I can't breath!"
"Oh," I sighed in dissapointment, I did not get my fill of Riolu. But what can one do? I need to keep my adorable son alive. "We are taking Torracat, Rowlet, Gible, and Dratini. Alongside, with you they are the ones that need the training the most. I also plan to take Doublade with me, I'll aid her to get used to her new body as an Aegislash. Pikachu is also coming with us, like always."
"Cousing Jolteon is not coming?" Riolu asked innocently.
"Nop, she is going to Kalos with Gary and Blackie," I answered. "We took her the complete previous year, this time we are splititng the time equally. However, Princess will start staying with her mom."
"Yay!" Riolu cheered.
So cute! My heart skipped a beat at my adorable son's cuteness.
Once we got to the Pummelo Stadium, every single battle stopped and all of my pokemon turned to me with expectation. Especially, Doublade who floated towards me. I simply raised the Dusk Stone before all of them and smiled when they broke into cheer. Today will be the day my faithful Doublade will evolve into Aegislash, and I can't be happier for her.