Chapter 4: Alder's Training and Hitting the Gym

Inferno (Pignite) Lv 17 / Male / Careful (Flame Charge, Tackle, Ember, Arm Thrust)

Xena (Flaaffy) Lv 15 / Female / Lonely (ThunderShock, Tackle, Thunder Wave, Cotton Spore)

Lucky (Purrloin) Lv 6 / Male / Modest (Scratch, Growl, Assist)

Bumble (Sewaddle) Lv 2 / Male / Lonely (Tackle, String Shot)

Lee (Riolu) Lv 5 / Male / Mild (Foresight, Quick Attack, Endure)

Remember how I was gonna bypass Alder? Well…

"Oh! It looks like you've given that Town Map to your friend."

Shoot. Well, I'm caught.

"Hrm… You were only gone a moment, but you and your Pokemon have grown. Why, I could almost mistake you for someone else!"

Well, at least he seemed pleased. Can I go now?

"Well then. Instead of training you, I would like you and your Pokemon to give me a hand!"

No. No. No no. NO! I'm tired, I'm hungry, I just helped people! I'm done. Ask me tomorrow!

I ran to the Pokemon center, threw myself inside the doors, and sighed in relief. Safe. Time to find a room and get some slee —

"You're…"

What? I look over at the man in Pokemon breeder clothes with a red bandanna, staring at me. He looks like he's seen a ghost.

Who the hell is this gu —

And then the world flickered out.

…

Thank you, my friend. Return to the peaceful life you lived before.

Wha? Was that me talking? I mean, I don't think it was.

"Lord N. Why are you releasing your Pokémon?"

Okay, I sure as hell am not some 'Lord N'. I blinked to clear the blackness from my vision. For some reason, I'm in a cave, watching the last of a shadowy cluster of Pokemon disappear into the darkness.

I can't... I just can't keep Pokémon confined in Poké Balls! Also, if they stay with their Trainers, Pokémon will battle, and they will be hurt... Even if it is for changing the world to protect Pokémon... It's too hard for me to put them through such pain...

"But... Ever since we were young, we've caught Pokémon and made them battle. That's just how the world works, isn't it?"

I turned around, without deciding to move my body, mind you, and saw a Plasma grunt behind me, dorky knight outfit and all. His face looks vaguely famili — wait a minute! That's the breeder dude who was looking at me like I had Haunters flying out my nose!

Who decided that catching Pokémon and making them battle each other is how the world works? That wasn't how things were before Poké Balls were invented... The rules that govern this world are wrong!

What happened? Lose a lot of battles? I don't know what this mystery voice was blathering on about, but he was wrong. I've only been a Trainer for a day, and I can already feel the connection I have with Inferno. And the demon sheep too. And, to a lesser extent, the cheer squad.

"Th-that's true... Well, I guess I'll let my Pokémon go, then."

Bootlicker. Oh, I just felt my head shake.

Not yet! The world hasn't changed yet! The time to free your Pokémon will be when I befriend the Unova region's legendary Dragon-type Pokémon, surpass the Champion, and become the hero!

Well, I guess I figured out who Mystery Voice is. The King of Team Plasma himself, N. But how the hell am I seeing a vision of the past, anyway?

"Well then, I'll head to the next destination."

The dork in fake chainmail tromped out the exit of the cave. My uncontrolled gaze shifted back to staring broodily into the darkness.

I will separate Pokémon and people, and black and white will be clearly distinct! Only then will Pokémon become perfect beings! But then why... Why did those Pokémon seem so sad to leave me?

My head shook again, and my fist clenched in front of my gaze.

Hibert! Is it because of that Trainer that my heart wavers now? Were the words of the Pokémon in Accumula Town really true? Does that mean Hibert is an ideal Trainer?

Wait? The Champion Hilbert (still dumb name)? Oh, looks like I'm pacing now!

The cries of the suffering Pokémon filling that room... The borderline between Pokémon and humans... I exist on that line. I live in the margins between everyone, so I will save them! I will change the world! And to that end, I must fight to the finish with Hilbert!

As my feet carried me out of the cave, the blackness swirled around me again… oh, I'm back.

I found myself staring into the punchable face of the Plasma Grunt turned Pokemon breeder.

"Sorry…" he muttered. "I thought you were someone else." Without another word, he pushed past me and half ran out of the Pokemon Center.

What. The. Hell!?

Let's unwrap this. I locked eyes with a former grunt, had a friggen vision where I was N, Fallen King of Plasma, and… what? What now? Where does that leave me?

...I'm too tired for this.

[Nate saved the game.]

A new day, a new adventure! My second day as a Trainer.

...Let's not think about what happened yesterday evening. I… I don't think I want to try to rationalize that vision.

This promised to be an exciting day. Just me, my Pokemon, and no one el —

Shit. And there's Alder, standing in the lobby of the Pokemon Center, tapping his foot. Ooo boy… here goes nothing.

So, anyway, Alder dragged me back to his place. I honestly didn't know what I expected to see. Chains and metal bars? Strange hi-tech training contraptions? A room full of Dragon types?

Nope, what I got was… well, actually a classroom. Huh, guess this wasn't his house. It had a cozy feel, with low wooden tables and cushions. Inside were a pair of school-aged kids, a boy and a girl. They looked up when I entered behind Alder.

"Oh! Are we going to help train that person, sir?" the girl asked.

"Really? But that Trainer looks really tough!" the boy commented.

Nice to be acknowledged. I knew the rashguard looked badass.

Alder stepped forward to answer them. "That's right! This Trainer may be tough, but you can learn from losing as well. More importantly, haven't I been telling you just to enjoy Pokemon battles?"

Oh, now I wish I had him as my Trainer school teacher. Ms. Lawrence had been all about drills, drills, drills! Memorize type matchups, memorize status conditions, memorize common attacks! What a hardass. I mean, I have a good head for types, but I'm not gonna recite the five weaknesses of Rock fifty times. What were those again, anyway? 'Fighting and Ground knock Rock around! Steel type cuts Rock with a swipe!' Umm… 'Water and Grass kick Rock's ass'? I'm pretty sure the last one isn't the rhyme we learned in school.

Wait, what? Oh, Alder just asked me to battle the kids while I was zoning out. Cool, not too hard.

The boy went first. He had some dumb name like See-more, or something. The Pokemon he sent out looks like if broccoli and a monkey had a baby.

Shrug. Inferno, Flame Charge.

Aaaand, it's down. Piece of cake. Alder makes a big show of healing Inferno, even though the big ham doesn't have a scratch on him. The girl's up next.

Anyway, the girl, Cassie, sent out another monkey, this one blue. Lemme guess. Water, right?

Eh, Inferno can take it. Ms. Lawrence would be so disappointed in me, heh heh.

Time to try out Arm Thrust!

Wham! Wham! The blue monkey was left barely hanging on. Its attack, Lick I think, basically did nothing to Inferno.

You know what? Let's up the absurdity to the logical conclusion. Finish it with Ember! Take that type matchups!

Aaaand, we win. Seweet.

Alder began blathering on about how important type matchups are, but in the face of Inferno's type-defying K.O., he admitted that they don't decide everything.

"But, listen!" the girl spoke up like a tried and true teacher's pet. "When a Pokemon uses a move that matches its type, the move becomes more powerful!"

Bahaha! Alder completely ignored her! Instead, he was busy congratulating Inferno, and giving him a spritz of Potion. He gave me a pat on the back too, so I'm taking that as my cue that I can go now.

Freedo — what now?

Some weirdo in white with red rimmed glasses and a combover was apparently waiting for me outside of Alder's school. He immediately rushed over when I exited.

"I know this is sudden, but nice to meet you! Now, don't say anything. Just take this!"

The weird old guy slapped a blue case into my hand. What the…?

"This is a Medal Box!"

No, it's plastic!

"And, people call me Mr. Medal! ...By the way, do you know a competition called the Medal Rally?"

No, no I haven't. Do I care? I don't, so I'll just pretend I heard of it.

"Whether you know it or not, I'll explain it to you!"

Dammit…

"The Medal Rally is…"

Aaaand that's where I zone him out. Basically, you do stuff, you get medals. I think it's linked to the League Program or something, but I kinda zoned out until he slapped a gold star into my case.

"This is a First Step Medal!"

Cool. Shiny. Still don't care. He pushed some Hint Medals I can spend onto me as well, but I was just waiting for him to finish up and leave.

Oh, he just did. Did he say anything else important? ...Probably not. Moving on now.

Flaming Chimchar asses! Alder again! He snuck up behind me!

"Nate! As for the newly opened Pokemon Gym in Aspertia City…"

Wait. We have a Gym?! How long has that been there?

"...I heard a new Gym Leader has arrived there. You should go and test how strong you've become!," he finished.

Oh. Well… thanks, Alder. I actually didn't know that.

A Gym… Well, I did want to have a Pokemon adventure… and I never did get the chance to do the League Challenge as a kid… Yeah, I'm battling the Gyms. That was easy.

Inferno looked fired up too. Wait! How does he know what a Gym is? Well, I guess he's a Professor bred Pokemon, so it makes a bit of sense.

I guess… home, here I come!

[Nate saved the game.]

...After another interruption.

"Nate!"

I looked up to see that somehow, Alder had not only gotten ahead of me, but was also back at the top of the cliff by the entrance of Floccesy town. He jumped again! Damn, Alder, are your legs made out of steel or something?

"Excuse me!" he said after he landed, not even out of breath. "I forgot to tell you something important! First, take these!"

He pressed a handful of blue berries into my hand. Oh, they're Oran Berries. Yuck. They taste like dinner-smoothie. Too many flavors.

"Those are Oran Berries!"

I know, Mom.

"If you give one to your Pokemon, its injuries will be healed."

Wait, what? Those shitty berries have that effect? How? Why?

"What's more, you can give your Pokemon a Berry to hold!"

I'm pretty sure Inferno would just squish it, unless I put it in a pouch around its neck or something. Though that is a thought, so he can heal himself in battle.

Alder continued giving me encouragement, something about fighting stronger Trainers and believing in my Pokemon, basic stuff. Dude, I already made up my mind on taking the League Challenge.

Oh, he's gone. Hope he didn't say anything important.

Anyway, the trek back to Aspertia was uneventful. When I got there, I began looking for the Gym. Well, I would have, but Mom called me first, so I decided to stop back home. She was chatting with Bianca about how much of a 'nice young man' I am when I got there, so I decided to run back out as soon as I could.

Where the hell is that Gym? And… wait…

How long has there been a big fancy building with a plaque reading 'Aspertia Gym' right next to the Pokemon Center?

I entered the building which may or may not have been there yesterday, and was greeted by… wait…

This was just my old Trainer school, renovated!

Jeez, they still even taught classes in there, judging by the desks and blackboard. Is the new Gym Leader a total nerd?

So, I walked through the classroom, and behind it… here we go! A doorway flanked by two Pokemon League Gym statues. Gym Leader Cheren.

Time to annihilate a nerd!

I stepped through the doors… which led out to the recess yard. Kinda… anti-climactic. Some chill-looking man with sunglasses patted me on the shoulder as I walked out. However, he speaks like the most caffeinated customer service rep in existence.

"Hello! I'm Clyde, the guide for Trainers who challenge Pokemon Gyms. Thank you for taking on the Gym! Take this to commemorate your debut!"

Dude handed me a bottle of water. Really? That's it? You could have at least given me a medal, like Comb-over did earlier.

Clyde began explaining more about Pokemon Gyms and whatnot, but I just tuned him out, walking past to where three people gathered in the center of the recess yard-cum-battle arena.

The preppy-looking nerd in the center noticed me, walking up to greet me.

"You must be a challenger!"

The girl and boy on either side of him also noticed my presence. Really? I wasn't being that stealthy.

"Welcome to Aspertia City's Pokemon Gym. I'm Cheren, the Gym Leader!"

As usual, my nerd sense was right on point.

"Hm? Well, maybe I'd better say I just became the Gym Leader."

So, you're a noob too, huh?

"More importantly, we need to prepare before welcoming you to the Gym."

Dude, get your balls out and fight. What do you need to prepare? A mariachi band?

The newbie Gym Leader turned to the other two beside him. "We have a challenger! You two, take your places!"

He then turned to me, making a gesture like he's trying to push up his glasses. Despite him not wearing any. Just switch over to contacts, man?

"If you can defeat these two, then I'll be your opponent!"

One wimp, three wimps, Inferno can take 'em all! Damn, I've only had him a day, and I'm already this sure he'll win.

So, I walk up to the first kid, standing in a chalk outlined battlefield. He started boasting, or something, but I wasn't really listening. Ready, Inferno? Kick his ass!

He sent out a — my Arceus, another fucking Patrat! Kill it! Kill it with fire!

Well… that was about as weak as I expected.

The kid sent out a Lillipup next. One of those little puppy Pokemon, like Bianca's. It went down much the same way, but to a flurry of Arm Thrusts.

Welp, one down.

Next up was the girl. I'm guessing that's her name, since the first kid even said 'next you have to defeat the girl'. Eh, I've heard better.

So, The Girl sent out yet another Lillipup. It went much the same way as the previous one. Why are all these Pokemon so weak? What's next, another — oh hell no!

Die Patrat! Diiiiiiiie!

Well, that's all over and done with. All that's left is the Gym Leader.

I walk up the Gym Leader's platform to face Nerd Cheren himself.

"Just as this is your first Gym challenge, this is my first Pokemon battle as a Gym Leader."

I kinda guessed that.

"Let's both do our best and have a battle we can be proud of!"

As long as you don't send out a Patrat.

We squared off across the battlefield. Inferno was pawing the ground, ready for — fuck, no, not again!

Kill. It. With. Fire!

Dude. Please. No more Patrats.

Really? He sent in a Lillipup? Do all the Trainers here have the exact same team?

...Sure. Arm Thrust. It fainted.

Wow. That was easy. Go Inferno.

Cheren seemed way too psyched up after the battle. I mean, Inferno and I basically stomped him into the ground before he could move. But, hey.

Basic Badge, won!

The guy also passed me a TM. I should really check it out later. And that one I got from the creep in the woods.

Cheren kept talking about something, Pokedexes and friends and whatnot, but I was done here. Got my Gym Badge, time to go.

Now, let's get back to Floccesy before —

"Heeey!"

Shit! Green hat alert! It's Bianca!

"How was it? How did your Pokemon battle with the Gym Leader go?"

Umm… I destroyed him. I flash my badge for emphasis.

"Oh! If it isn't the Basic Badge!"

If it 'isn't the Basic Badge', it was a very clever forgery.

"Wow! Amazing! And you just set off on your journey with your Pokemon! You definitely have potential as a Trainer! I'm sure of it!"

I don't need you to tell me I rock. But it's nice to hear.

"This is from me!" Bianca pressed another TM into my hand. "It's the TM for the move Return."

Another TM? Damn, I should use some of those. Bianca briefly explained the move. Apparently it's a 'friendship is power' sort of move.

Suddenly, Cheren the Nerd emerged from the Gym, calling out to Bianca.

"Bianca! It's been two years, hasn't it?"

Bianca's eyes went wide behind her glasses. "Oh wow!" She turned pink and fidgeted. "W-what's up?"

Oh. My. Arceus. Ladies and Gents, here we have it, never before seen in the wild. Nerd Love!

While Cheren smoothly asked for Bianca's Xtransciever number, I began sorting through my TMs. Frustration, which I got from the masked freak, seems to be an anti-Return. Work Up, which I got from Mr. Smooth there, is a stat booster. Oh snap, now they want my number too? Why am I in the middle of this?

Oh? Bianca registered an extra number on my Xtransciever. Professor Juniper?

Shit! It's ringing!

I answered the Xtransciever, where the other two seem to have started a conference video call with me and some smoking hot lady in a lab coat. Wait… they were standing right next to me! Couldn't this just be a single line?

"Hi there, Nate! I'm Professor Juniper!" the lady said. "Bianca told me you accepted the Pokedex! Thank you so much!"

Suuure. I mean, I'm not too annoyed about toting around the Pokebrick. I did get Inferno because of it.

"Thanks to you, we will all know more about Pokemon and be able to get along with them even better!"

...How? How does looking up Pokemon in the Pokebrick help the scientific community to learn anything new. They're all just common, everyday, Pokemon. And you already wrote an entry on each one I encountered.

Bianca began to chat with her mentor and Cheren while I mentally cussed out the red hunk of plastic. Oh! Hot Professor is talking to me again!

"Oh, and Nate? The Pokedex might be important… but first, enjoy your journey with your Pokemon to your heart's content!"

Click. She signed off.

"Hey, Nate!" Bianca nudged me. "Isn't Professor Juniper cool?"

Bianca, what have I told you about using the word 'cool' in that hat. All joking aside, the Professor… yeah, she's alright.

Both Bianca and Cheren reminded me that I can call them at any time, but I don't think that I'll take them up on it. Now, I just need an escape…

"Hey! Are you the Gym Leader?"

Oh, Hugh, you wonderful fir tree, you came to my rescue!

"One, two, three — let's battle!" Hugh yelled, thrusting out his Pokeball.

"You look like a tough Trainer," Cheren commented while I tried to keep myself from cracking up. "Understood. Please come into my Pokemon Gym!" He turned and headed back inside.

"What was that weak answer?!" Hugh yelled, fired up. "I'm definitely going to take you down!"

Freak love?

Bianca shook her head. "Being a Gym Leader is even harder than I imagined." She turned to me. "The next thing is to make it so you can use the C-Gear."

She helped me set up the C-Gear, which seems to be some kind of communication network for Trainers. Neat, but I'll stick to battling face to face, instead of those kind of virtual battles.

Well, at least she gave me my next goal. Virbank City, just past Floccesy Town. There's another Gym there. I'm ready. Inferno is on a roll, and nothing can stop us!

[Nate saved the game.]

At the Pokemon Center, Combover accosted me and shoved a handful of medals into my case. Weirdo.

The trip back to Floccesy was uneventful. So was the trek through town. However, the moment I left town…

"Heeey!"

Dammit, Bianca caught up with me!

"I'm sorry! I forgot to upgrade the Pokedex I gave to you!"

The… Pokebrick has an upgrade? Cool. I just hope it doesn't start talking.

Bianca took my Pokedex and upgraded it with the Habitat List. Now the thing actually let me scan Pokemon habitats, which is pretty handy. I can see which Pokemon I caught in which habitat, and which I haven't. She also said something about rustling grass, but I didn't catch it.

Well, that was… something. She left, leaving me to my travels. Let's see what lies beyond the ranch!

Well, the first thing was a hiker with a Riolu. Xena took some damage from Quick Attack, but managed to ThunderShock it until it fainted. Jeez… two steps outside of the ranch and already I'm running into stronger trainers.

Well, after beating him and a preschooler with a Psyduck, I got interrupted… again!

"Nate! Wait!"

Cheren and Hugh came running up behind me.

"Come with me, you two," Cheren ordered.

He dragged us off to a darker area of the tall grass. Standing at the edge, he explained that it was an area where Pokemon swarm. Sometimes, multiple Pokemon will attack a Trainer at once. Yikes. I'll be careful.

He also passed up Pecha Berries, explaining that they might help with our next gym battle, before leaving. Hugh stuck around for another moment, before running off to the dark grass. He seemed more driven than ever. Good for him.

I took a quick stroll through the dark grass, ran into a flock of angry Pidoves, and ran back out. But I tripped over something on the way, something round.

Hey… what is this? A Poke — no! A Great Ball! Seweet!

My prize in hand I exited the demon spawning bed. Now just to have an uneventful journey to Virbank City.