=Prologue Pt 2=
(A year's worth of lessons)
-Arceus' Memories-
When I first began to teach the young Jacob, I never imagined his thirst for knowledge would be so strong. But where at first I thought what I saw was a dangerous sign, indicating that he might go down a dark path that I did not want to lead him down, I soon learned was an honest effort to learn more about Pokemon.
He is by no means, a prodigal genius, nor is he a quick study, but his determination to learn and understand shadowed every other fault he had.
I would teach this boy everything about Pokemon, from individual types to dual type Pokemon.
I would teach him everything, from the bonds Pokemon forge with their trainer, to their life time loyalty to their trainers, and even beyond.
He would learn about type advantages and disadvantages, from how Pokemon can learn different moves depending on their type and even moves they wouldn't normally learn by natural means, depending on how their trainer raises them.
He would learn of how each Pokemon's uniqueness could lead to great inner power, but only if the bond between Trainer and Pokemon ran deep.
It mattered not how strong a Pokemon was, if its bond with the trainer is weak then both Pokemon and Trainer will become weaker together then they are individually.
I would teach him much, but the one thing that I taught him that would be most important in his life… was curiosity.
He never once stopped asking me questions.
=Day 1=
(Jacob's PoV)
"Bye mom, I'll be back home later tonight!" Jacob said excitedly as he ran out of the house after eating a small breakfast. "I'm off to see Arky for my first lessons!"
"Alright son, take care now!" His mom said happily as she watched him bound out and head off.
Today was an important day and he didn't want to be late for his very first Pokemon lesson. How lucky could any kid his age be, not even Jessy Garnet could boast what he was doing, sure she was learning from her big time gym leader father, but he was learning from an ACTUAL Pokemon! She never learned from a Pokemon like he was going to, how cool was that!
Eager to reach the woods for his first lesson, he ran out of town and raced to the woods where he first met Arky. He didn't know what he would learn or how Arky would teach him, but either way it had to be better then what he was doing before he met him.
The only times he ever learned about Pokemon were from the occasional trainer that stopped by their town for supplies before they headed off to continue their journey. He would ask what he could but they themselves didn't know everything, and what they did know only really concerned how to battle with Pokemon. If he asked how they take care of their Pokemon, they all say something different like, they battle and help them get stronger, or they groom them for contests.
He really wanted to attend Pokemon School, but because his mother only worked as a waitress at a bar, a place he was never allowed near, they barely had enough money to live.
This was a chance he could not believe had happened, the chance to learn about Pokemon from an actual Pokemon, for free! It was a dream come true, and there was no way he would miss it.
As he ran down the road and neared the forest where he met Arky, he wondered exactly where they would go. Would he just teach him in the road or in the field, where are they going to go for his lessons?
"Arky?" He shouted as he neared the spot where Arky saved him from the Mightyena. "Arky… are you here?"
(Yes I am.) A calm voice said inside his head.
Jacob turned to see Arceus, still amazed at the sight of the Pokemon. Arceus, or Arky as Jacob keeps calling him, stood at least three times his size, and he was a fairly tall boy for his age. His coat was white mostly, but a part of his underbelly and part of his head that flowed behind him was a dark grey. He had red eyes on his face, but no mouth that Jacob could see. Yet that wasn't the really got his attention, it was that strange yellow thing wrapped around his belly and back. They looked like golden… somethings… he really didn't have a way to describe what they were, but they were definitely beautiful. He looked like a Pokemon belonging to royalty, especially if the way he looks or the way he walks said anything about him.
He seemed to have that air of one who knew he was great, as if whenever he walked he was telling everyone, 'I am Arceus and I know I'm great'.
"Hi Arky, I came like you said!" Jacob said happily. "Am I late for my lessons?"
Arky smiles… or at least he seemed to smile the way his eyes looked at Jacob, before he knelt down and allowed Jacob to climb onto him. (No, you are never late as long as you come here after sunrise.) He told him with a chuckle, as he rose to his full height and turned toward the woods and walked through the tall grass that wasn't that tall or thick yesterday. (Ready to begin your lessons Jacob?)
"You bet I am!" Jacob said excitedly.
(Then I have a special treat for you tonight, welcome to where you will be learning your lessons from this day forth.) He said after a while, breaking through the tall grass and showing an amazing scene before him.
"Whoa!" Jacob shouted as he looked around.
There was a huge space that he never knew about before; it had to be bigger than his house! There was a crystal clear pond on one side, a lot of pillows and cushions scattered around the clearing, and a lot of fruits and berry trees on one side. It even had a beautiful view of the sky so that light shone in.
"It's amazing Arky, you found this place?" Jacob asked. "I never knew this place was here, where did you find it?"
(Oh, I have my ways Jacob.) Arky said, lowering himself so that Jacob could climb off safely. (Now then let me tell you about this place. First off that pond there, its fresh water so that you can take a drink if and whenever you want. The fruits and berries are also the same, each day new, healthy, and delicious fruits and berries will grow so you can eat if you ever get hungry during our lessons. When we take our lessons there will be times you may be required to sit and observe which is what the cushions are for. I brought them here thinking you may like them.)
"You did all of this for me Arky?" Jacob asked.
(Yes I did, you see I want you to truly enjoy learning about Pokemon, and I want you to be happy and comfortable learning about them.) He said as he stood up and started walking around again. (Now then, we came here to learn about Pokemon, not tour this place all day, so what say we begin our first lessons?)
"Alright!" Jacob said enthusiastically.
(Very well… now the first thing about Pokemon that I'm going to teach you is that no two Pokemon are the same.) He said, circling Jacob as he sat down on one of the cushions. (While one Tailow may look like another from the outside, on the inside they are very different. Each Pokemon is like a human, no two humans are the same… Ah… I can see already that you have a question poking you…)
Jacob nodded as he tried to figure out how best to ask it. "Arky… if no two Pokemon are the same… why do they use the same moves? I saw this one trainer with two Wurmples… and they moved and looked exactly the same."
Arceus nodded at the question, and continued to circle him, only pausing to answer his question. (Each Pokemon learns its moves similarly to another of its species, up until a certain point in its life.) He said. (This is when the Pokemon begins to form that bond with its trainer that I will keep mentioning in the coming lessons. Now I'll explain more about bonds another time, but for now accept that this bond is what gives a Pokemon its true strength. That bond determines how both the Trainer and Pokemon grow from that moment onward, both as individuals and as a team; they grow together as though they were one being. After that happens, then the Pokemon will be able to learn abilities it couldn't naturally learn on its own. For example, a Pikachu learning Iron Tail, an electric type learning a steel move is just one of many examples of this.)
"So… any Pokemon can learn almost anything!" Jacob said excitedly.
Arky chuckled at this and sat down next to Jacob. (No, I'm afraid that even with a strong bond, no Pokemon can learn almost anything.) He said. (For example, a fire type will never learn a water type move and vice versa. But I digress; we were talking about the differences between two identical Pokemon. Now the first thing about identical Pokemon that separates them from one another is…)
=7:34 PM=
To Jacob, that first lesson seemed to go on forever, which was just alright by him, because if he didn't have to return home for dinner and bed, he would have stayed with Arky and continued learning. Yet as it began to get dark, he knew he had to get home. "Thank you again for teaching me Arky!" He said as Arky bent down to let Jacob back onto the ground outside of the forest.
(It's alright little Jacob, we have many more lessons to learn in the future.) He said cheerfully. (Now remember, come again tomorrow sometime after sunrise to this area like today. Don't tell anyone where you are having these lessons, and if you must speak of me around others, call me Arky.)
"Yes Arky, I promise!" Jacob said. "Thank you very much for teaching me about Pokemon!"
Jacob reached up and, with a lot of effort even though Arky bent down, hugged the nice Pokemon around his neck in gratitude. (It's my pleasure Jacob.) He said to him, and stood tall again. (Now run along home, your mother is probably worried about you.)
Jacob nodded and turned to head back home, giving Arky one last smile before leaving his Pokemon teacher.
Today had been an exciting day for him, and he couldn't wait for the next day's lessons!
(Arceus' PoV)
Arceus watched Jacob turn and leave, and recollected the events of the day's lessons. He had barely even begun to scratch the surface of what made Pokemon unique from one another, no matter how identical they looked. While Jacob had clearly not understood everything, he was starting to get the hang of his lessons. What amazed Arceus even more than his willingness to learn was how many questions Jacob had!
He counted at least fifty seven questions by the fifth hour of their lessons for that day.
(He has a long way to go, but we have plenty of time to get there.) Arceus said as he turned to head back into their 'Sanctuary' as he called it. (Plenty of time… plenty of time…)
=Day 18=
(Jacob's PoV)
(Now Jacob… do you know why Tailow are so brave, based on what I told you about them?) Arceus asked as Jacob followed behind him while they walked around the pond.
"Uh… Tailow are really brave because… as kids they leave their nest at an early age?" Jacob answered nervously.
After their first few lessons Jacob was being taught about how individual Pokemon's characteristics represented their species as a whole. Arceus was teaching him first about Tailow because they were quite a common sight near Littleroot, but that didn't make his lessons any less complicated. First he explained that Tailow left their nests practically after they hatch, and because of this they have to learn how to be brave and determined on their own. The parents don't usually see the young again, but that doesn't mean they don't worry about them each day.
(Exactly, and do you know why Tailow have to act so determined, no matter the foe they face?)
"Uh… because… it's their way of growing up?" Jacob said nervously.
Arceus shook his head. (No, the reason Tailow act the way they do is because deep down, they knew that their parents were just like them.) He said. (A young Tailow is no different than an adult Tailow, wanting to prove itself in the world. This is why Tailow is quite a perfect Pokemon for many a young trainer, because the trainer is usually also one who just left his nest, and has no real experience in the world but is still trying to prove themselves just as great as any other trainer.)
"So… a young Tailow is just like me!"
Arceus nodded as he stopped walking around the pond and headed toward the cushions. (Yes, you and a young Tailow are just like one another.) He said, sitting down on the cushion and watching Jacob sit next to him as well. (You both are just leaving the nest, and you have much to prove to yourselves and those around you. If there was ever proof that Pokemon and Humans were similar, now you have it. Pokemon help their trainers grow just as much as trainers help their Pokemon grow.)
"Cool!"
Arceus chuckled at his enthusiasm for the subject. (Well… we've been at this for a while now, I think it's time for a break.)
"Lunch break?" Jacob asked hopefully, he had been getting hungry, and breakfast seemed like such a long time ago.
(Lunch break.) Arceus agreed and stood up to head over to the fruit and berry trees with Jacob.
=Day 57=
(Now Jacob today we will start talking about Pokemon types.) Arceus said after Jacob had jumped down. (You know by now that each Pokemon is different, and no two are exactly the same. Yet this runs deeper because Pokemon have different types. For example, there are flying types, water types, electric types, grass types, fire types, and so on.)
"Yea, this one trainer I met yesterday said he had a ton of different types!" Jacob said, remembering the trainer that he had seen in town showing off his Pokemon before he headed off to meet Arky. "Why do trainers have so many different types? Isn't one type good enough for them?"
(That's true, many trainers have many different types of Pokemon, but it's not about having multiple types, there's another reason behind it.) Arceus said. (The more diverse a team of Pokemon the trainer has, in other words how many types they have, the better prepared for any situation the trainer will be. There are a few trainers out there who barely change their entire team, despite the odds they face. But that is alright, because this shows that the bond the trainer has with his Pokemon is great.)
"But I thought it was always better to have better Pokemon?" Jacob asked curiously.
(It's never better to have better Pokemon… you see there is no such thing as a 'better' Pokemon.) Arceus said, giving him a look that said he was a little upset. (Who told you this?)
"Uh… nobody, I just guessed…" Jacob said, wondering if he had made Arky mad. "Are you mad at me Arky?"
A few seconds later Arceus knelt down to look at him face to face, and no matter how cool or calm he was, that look always seemed to intimidate Jacob. (I'll never get mad at you Jacob, always remember that.) He said calmly, giving him as gentle a look as he could with his eyes. (You are just curious and are asking questions, there is no shame in asking questions.)
Jacob nodded as Arceus stood back up to resume his lessons.
(Now then, back on track, to answer your question before, no, one type is not always good enough.) He said, circling Jacob once again. (You see each type is strong individually, but that strength means that it has a weakness to another type. Now one type that has many type strengths because of the moves it can learn is…)
"Arky can I ask you something!" Jacob asked quickly. "Can we learn about grass types first?"
Arceus looked down in surprise at being interrupted, but the surprise was replaced by curiosity in his tone. (Why do you want to learn about grass types so fast? I was planning to teach you about grass types another day. Why the sudden interest in grass types?)
"Well… it's just that I see a lot of grass types around town, and one trainer said he loved grass type Pokemon the most!" Jacob said, remembering the Bayleef he met that belonged to one trainer.
Arceus thought for a moment before he nodded in agreement. (Very well, I'll make an exception this time and start with my lessons on Types with grass type Pokemon.) He said. (Now as you know, grass type Pokemon are very close to nature in terms of grass, forests, anywhere where plant life grows. This is true for all Pokemon types; flying types are found in the sky, water Pokemon in rivers and other bodies of water, and grass in meadows and forests.)
(Now there is a natural balance between how strong Pokemon are when compared to another type. For example, I'll use a type triangle to represent this relationship.)
"Type Triangle?" Jacob asked, watching as Arceus' eyes glowed and a ball of water, fire and leaves appeared in front of them out of thin air.
(Yes, you see the relationship is one of balance, one type is strong against another, but is in turn weak against another type.) Arceus said as the three spheres floated closer to each other. (Grass type Pokemon are strong against water, this is because water feeds plant life, and grass types absorb that water to become stronger. However grass type Pokemon are weak against fire types, because fire uses grass as a fuel to burn exceptionally strong. Fire is weak against water, because water douses fire and extinguishes the flames.)
Jacob watched as the three spheres touched each other, and sure enough the grass sphere fed off the water sphere, while the fire burned the grass sphere, but the fire sphere smoked as the water touched it. Even as the three spheres touched each other, they never lost their size as each one kept the other two in check. "Amazing!" He said.
Arceus nodded as the spheres vanished. (Yes, now then to continue about grass types…)
=Day 92=
"Pokemon can have more than one type?" Jacob asked Arceus as they sat near the pond.
(Yes, you see there are many Pokemon that fall under two different types.) Arceus said. (Roselia is one such example, Roselia is both a grass type Pokemon and a poison type.)
"So that means Roselia is really good against a lot of Pokemon types right?" Jacob asked eagerly.
Arceus almost laughed at that response, but he still spoke with kindness and respect. (Yes… to an extent Roselia is a very capable Pokemon, however it also means that Pokemon with dual types are susceptible to their dual type's weaknesses.) He said. (For example, Lanturn is both a water type and an electric type.)
"So that means it's not weak to electric type attacks right?" Jacob asked.
(Yes, but that also means it's weak against grass and ground type attacks.) He said. (You see, Lanturn is still part water, so a grass type Pokemon has the advantage against it. Yet despite being a water type, it also has the weakness against ground types, thanks to the fact that it is part electric type.)
"So the type balances out still, it's strong against water and rock types, but is weak against ground and grass types?" Jacob asked wanting to be sure. "It may have multiple types but a Pokemon is still strong and weak against other types. Am I right Arky?"
Arceus nodded and looked pleased at the response. (That's right; it's all about keeping a balance between each Pokemon, so that no single Pokemon is greater than all the others.) He said. (No matter what Pokemon you encounter, they will have their strength and weaknesses. But through it all, no matter what type you encounter you must always remember that Pokemon are living creatures. We don't want to face something that frightens and makes us feel weak. So we tend to avoid fighting that which is stronger than us, and prefer to fight that which we are strong against.)
"I understand…" Jacob said, looking at his reflection.
He wanted to ask Arceus a question, but wasn't sure if he should.
(Is something bothering you little Jacob?) Arceus asked, turning to look at Jacob.
"It's nothing Arky… it's just… well what you tell me nobody else seems to follow." Jacob said.
Somehow Arceus seemed to figure that wasn't the truth of it. (I am your teacher Jacob, if you have a question by all means ask it of me and I will do my best to answer you.) Arceus said. (I will never tell you to not ask a question, I am here to teach you all I can about Pokemon, and if you have a question concerning Pokemon then you need only ask and I'll answer it.)
Jacob smiled and nodded, glad to know Arky would answer his questions even if they sound silly, at least he hoped. "Uh… then can you explain why some trainers always ever use the same type of Pokemon?" He asked. "Earlier I watched a pair of trainers battling, and one kept only using flying types, while his opponent kept using the same electric Pokemon. You said that it's not wise to use the same type because of their weaknesses to other types. So why do some like to train only one type of Pokemon?"
Arceus nodded at the question and silently stared at the water for a while, after a good five minutes he responded. (You see, many trainers have what they call 'favorites' among the Pokemon that they meet.) He said, and Jacob could hear the bitterness in his voice. (They believe that one type is better than every other type, despite the obviousness that they can't win every battle they fight. However it's not their fault either, some trainers just find themselves better suited to one specific type of Pokemon. Yet at the same time, they are also more in tune with those Pokemon types.)
"So… trainers are a lot like their Pokemon then Arky." Jacob asked. "There are many types of trainers as there are Pokemon?"
Arceus looked at him and nodded. (That's one way of looking at it yes; there are many types of trainers as there are Pokemon.) He said.
"So what kind of trainer should I be?" Jacob asked, wanting to know what his teacher thought about the idea.
(I think you should become a trainer who makes good use of every Pokemon he becomes friends with.) Arceus said. (Now let's resume our lesson about dual types of Pokemon, another Pokemon with a unique pair of types, is a Pokemon known as Quagsire. His two types are water and ground, making it a formidable opponent for electric types.)
"Why, wouldn't being a water type make it weak against electric types?" Jacob asked.
(No, you see Quagsire is as I said, part ground type, so that ground type attribute makes it immune to electric attacks.) Arceus said. (So even though water types are weak against electric attacks, if the pokemon is part ground, then that weakness is neutralized. Now, since Quagsire is both water and ground, can you name the one type that is strong against both?)
He thought for a moment, trying to remember what water and ground types were weak against, before he gave his answer. "Grass types?"
Arceus nodded and smiled in approval of his answer. (Correct, Quagsire may be strong against electric types, but his greatest weakness is against grass types.) He said. (Because water and ground types are both individually weak against grass types, this makes the grass type even stronger.)
"So that's true for all dual type Pokemon that are both water and ground type?"
Arceus shook his head. (No, it may seem confusing but you must understand that this isn't true for all Pokemon with dual types. One such example is Kabutops, a Pokemon that is both a rock and water type. Despite being part rock type, which is immune to electric types, it is very weak against electric attacks, and especially against grass types.)
"Wait… why would a rock and water type be weak against electric attacks… shouldn't rock be immune to electric attacks?" Jacob asked, very confused at how two Pokemon that should be similar were very different.
(It should be, but the part of Kabutops that is water, makes him vulnerable to electricity.) Arceus said with a chuckle. (It gets very confusing; believe me when I say that the world is full of complicated rules, especially concerning Pokemon types.)
"You're telling me…"
(Don't think too much about it, but later on in your lessons things will start to make much more sense than they do now.) Arceus said with another chuckle. (Now let's continue with our lesson. Dual types have many advantages and disadvantages, such as the different move types that the Pokmon can learn, Pokemon of dual type natures, can learn moves that normally fall under one type, as naturally as two Pokemon of those different types can. For example, Lanturn can learn Hydro Pump and Thunder, thanks to it being both a water and electric type. Now this is difficult to understand so pay attention to what I have to say. The easiest way to determine what type of attack will affect a Pokemon with dual types the most effective is…)
=Day 124=
(Arceus' PoV)
(Now then the next lesson I am going to you is about psychic type Pokemon and how to understand them.) Arceus explained. (Psychic type Pokemon are by far the most extreme of all Pokemon to ever know, communicate with, and spend any time with.)
Today's lesson was a slow one; Jacob had only just gotten the hang of understanding ghost type Pokemon in the last few minutes. Now Arceus was having Jacob go over psychic types, probably the most difficult type of Pokemon to learn about, raise, and take care of. This was because Psychic type Pokemon tended to form a psychic connection with their trainer, and their powers often frightened trainers to the point that they avoid them altogether. Yet Arceus was hoping that by teaching Jacob about them at such a young age, he won't be afraid of them when he grew up.
(Now like ghost types, psychic types have powers that defy the logic of what a Pokemon can do that you understand. For example, they can move objects without ever touching them, feel and read minds even with physical objects in the way, and even temporarily bend time and space. This makes psychic type Pokemon very powerful, but also very difficult to raise and predict.)
"Why is that Arky?" Jacob asked him as the two of them walked around the perimeter of the Sanctuary.
(You see, when a psychic type enters the equation of any scene, many humans, trainer or not, and even Pokemon tend to put themselves on alert.) He explained, looking at Jacob. (A psychic type is able to read minds once their powers begin to manifest fully, to the point that without even seeing a person's face, they can learn everything about them. They can sense emotions and feelings more easily depending on how strong the Pokemon is, and what kind of Pokemon they are. This makes many nervous; because for them the mind is the last sanctuary one has in their life. Inside their mind is where they can express their thoughts about others silently, without having to express them verbally. However when a psychic Pokemon is present, such thoughts are not hidden anymore.)
"It sounds like I should avoid psychic types then…" Jacob said nervously. "They seem really scary, even scarier than ghost type Pokemon."
Arceus looked down at Jacob, knowing that first impressions were very important. (Are you sure about that, just because they can read minds, thoughts, and emotions don't mean they always will do it.) He said. (In fact many psychic type Pokemon avoid reading other humans and Pokemon's minds, except when it comes to their trainer. You see when they form a psychic connection with their trainer; they become privy to every single worry, fear, and joy that you feel. This is quite a blessing when you think of it.)
"It is?" Jacob asked.
Arceus nodded as they neared the pond of water. (You see the psychic Pokemon that forms a connection with its trainer, will know everything that makes that trainer unique and special.) He said. (It'll know what makes them afraid, it will know what makes them happy, and it will know what inspires them. This connection means that the Pokemon will be even more in tune with it's trainer than any other Pokemon. It also means that the Pokemon that forms this psychic connection will be dissuaded from forming a similar connection with another trainer. Psychic Pokemon do not make such connections at a whim, they only do so with trainers or humans that they absolutely trust, because that connection works both ways.)
"It does?"
(Yes, a psychic type Pokemon that forms such a connection not only becomes knowledgeable to their trainer's thoughts and feelings, but it exposes its own mind to their trainer.) He said, looking at his student's eyes. (Their trainer starts to become more and more privy to the Pokemon's mind as time and the bond between them grows deeper. Eventually the Pokemon's personality begins to change, ever so subtly, to closely resemble their trainer's, while still maintaining its unique identity. It's a beautiful thing for both Pokemon and Human, it shows just how connected the two are, and makes them both stronger and closer than they would be on their own. You see when this connection is formed the Pokemon actually starts to grow even stronger, because it becomes stronger thanks to borrowing the strength of its trainer.)
"Wait, you mean they lend each other their strength?" Jacob asked.
(Indeed, both trainer and Pokemon become stronger together through their travels and trials, and this strength is shared between both of them. However for psychic types they can actually borrow their trainer's strength, thanks to that connection that the two share. When a psychic Pokemon's own strength is not enough, sometimes the strength of its trainer is what it takes to overcome a trial. Of course it won't just take your strength at a whim, it usually only does so with your permission. It's a symbol of trust between the two, the Pokemon trust it's trainer with its mind and the trainer trusts the Pokemon with their strength.)
"So… I shouldn't be afraid of psychic types then?" Jacob asked.
(Never, you should never be afraid of any Pokemon Jacob, because when you start to fear any single type then you ignore what makes that Pokemon shine.) He said as a sudden thought came to mind. (But you should be weary of psychic types nonetheless.)
"Why?"
(Because they can decide to pull pranks like… this!) He said, and used his powers to trip Jacob so that he fell into the pond.
"Hey!" Jacob shouted. "You did that on purpose!"
Arceus chuckled as he saw his student wet from falling into the pond. (I said, be weary of psychic types didn't I?) He said, not attempting to hide his amusement at the scene.
He normally avoided using his powers to perform such silly acts, but because Jacob had been diligent with his lessons, despite never fully understanding them half the time, he decided to treat the boy on occasions. Whether it be making a fool of Jacob to teach him about certain move types, or to demonstrate a lesson he was having a hard time understanding, it was done in good fun and to educate him.
Also he wanted to have a little fun after over a hundred straight days of teaching the boy.
=Day 205=
Arceus brought Jacob into the sanctuary and showed him several large piles of berries that he had brought in for the next month worth of lessons. In total there were ten piles of berries, each one a different type of berry that performed a different benefit for Pokemon that ate them. Unless of course you were making medicine with them, in which case you needed to use multiple berries of the same time to create a medicine. However that would be taught later, for today he was simply introducing him to the berries.
"Whoa, are these all berries?" Jacob asked excitedly as he ran over to the piles. "How come they all look different? And how come they don't look anything like the berries here?"
(These are some basic berries for feeding and taking care of Pokemon.) He said. (The reason why they look different is because they are different, each of these berry piles represent a different kind of berry. Now each of these berries you will no doubt see in your life, and they grow in small trees not unlike the ones you see here in the Sanctuary. However while these berries are just meant for you and me to eat when we get hungry, that is all they do. These berries however, are very special in that they can help a Pokemon when they are eaten by them.)
"Can I eat them?" Jacob asked.
Arceus chuckled. (Yes… you can eat them, but they won't do anything for you besides fill your belly and maybe rid you of a headache or two.) He said. (However what they do for Pokemon is quite a lot. Let's start off with the most basic and by far most common, the Oran Berries.)
Arceus walked over and looked down with Jacob at the right most pile of berries, each one a tiny blue berry that seemed ready to explode its juice at the slightest provocation. (This Oran Berry is full of nutrients and vitamins vital for any Pokemon to grow healthy, and when they eat these on a daily basis, they will become stronger over time.) He said as Jacob picked one up to examine it closer. (Most trainers stock up on them whenever they get the chance, and because they are quick to grow, you can usually find some to harvest wherever you go. They don't taste too bad also, but they really lack any individual taste, so don't expect any Pokemon to be willing to snack on these berries as they are without something to sweeten them to their taste. However their main use is in the short term, those extra nutrients and vitamins help restore strength and stamina, especially after a long and difficult battle.)
Arceus watched Jacob take a few of the berries and eat them, testing how they tasted, and watched him stick out his tongue in disgust. "You're right, they taste terrible!" He said.
(I told you, but don't worry the next one is a little different, and has some flavor. This next berry is a little scarcer but nonetheless is easy to find. They are called Cheri Berries.) He led him to the second pile, a pile of small red berries, each of which was connected to a single curling stem. (These and some of the others her are capable of curing Pokemon of certain afflictions, such as burns and poisons. This particular berry is capable of curing a Pokemon of paralysis, simply by being eaten. A few of these berries is more than enough for most cases of paralysis, but for a severe case you'll need to seek out more powerful solutions. Humans have created special medicine to cure these afflictions, but sometimes the more natural means are better. That and trainers prefer them because these berries are, after all, free and easy to harvest.)
He moved on to the next berry pile in line, a pile of purple berries. "I think I've seen these before, aren't they Chesto Berries?" Jacob asked as he picked one up.
(Yes, and can you tell me what it does?)
"Uh… it cures poison right?" Jacob asked. "I think one trainer was talking about this berry before… I think…"
(No… it doesn't cure poison, what the Chesto Berry does do is make a Pokemon less likely to fall asleep during a battle. This is because it's packed full of caffeine, allowing a Pokemon to shrug off sleep and keep it awake. However you shouldn't feed this to Pokemon on a daily basis because it's not healthy, for Pokemon or humans.)
They moved on to the next pile, comprising of peach colored berries. (These are the berries that cure poisons, they are called Pecha Berries.) He said. (They are very tasty, and they have to be because it inspires Pokemon to eat them. Pecha berries can cure most poisons, and must be eaten in bulk depending on the poison. The more serious poisons however, you'll need to combine these Berries with certain herbs and plants to strengthen the effect.)
The next pile was full of a light blue berry with green leaves poking out. (These are called Rawst Berries, and they are especially useful, especially for trainers who are around fire type Pokemon. The juices in this berry are good for curing burns, and they are effective against all but the most severe burns. You simply have to squeeze the juice out of the berry over the burn for it to take effect. However the more severe the burn, the more juice it will take. Only the most severe of burns are beyond this berry's range, those require more specialized medicine that humans have developed.)
The next pile was comprised of yellow berries, each with green spots on them. "Aspear Berries!"
(Correct, these berries help cure freezing, and are especially needed for trainers who are around ice type Pokemon. Eat one and you'll see why they are effective against freezing temperatures.)
Arceus watched as Jacob ate one of the berries and instantly ran to the pond to take a drink, all the while screaming, "HOT, HOT, HOT, HOT!"
Arceus chuckled again as he watched Jacob running. (That's right; because it's so warm it's best to eat only if you've been in the freezing temperatures for extended periods of time. Or if you were hit by an ice beam, either way suffices.)
=Day 257=
(Jacob's PoV)
Jacob was really happy to be learning about Pokemon, but after nearly a year, he never imagined that there was still so much to learn. It had taken him forever to get the hang of berries and how they could be used. Then Arceus had him learning about how to make on the spot medicine using nothing but berries, leaves, herbs, roots, and rocks to grind the berries into a special mixture that he could bottle and use for later if he had to. It too him a good ten days of practice to learn about the different herbs, and even then he still didn't remember them all, but thanks to that he could create special medicine to help cure poisons and burns. Paralysis however was another story, but Arky said that this kind of knowledge comes with practice and years. He wasn't expected to become a master in under a year, but knowing the basics and knowing how to use these berries was good to learn.
His latest lesson today was about evolution, and how to make sure a Pokemon's evolution from it's basic to its evolved form was a healthy transition for it. Yet despite that he always wondered one thing, which is what he did the moment Arceus began to talk about the lesson. "Why do Pokemon evolve Arky?"
Arceus looked at him, and though by now he should be used to it, the way his face looked just seemed to scream that he shouldn't be asking questions. Arceus looked so serious no matter how much he chuckled or how nice he acted, but this was still Jacob's teacher, and he would always appreciate the lessons he was getting from this Pokemon. A better teacher he could not have asked for.
(That is a very good question Jacob, one I was going to answer anyway.) He said with a smile, or as close as a smile as a Pokemon can give using only it's eyes. (Pokemon evolve for many reasons, but the most basic and common answer is in response to its trainer's heart and actions. Many Pokemon evolve, especially those that travel with their trainers, evolve depending on what happens when they are around their trainers. For most of these Pokemon, that 'something' usually involves a battle, particularly if they feel themselves incapable yet their trainer truly believes in them. For others it's the experience of sharing an experience of some kind with their trainers. And others still evolve because of the emotion they most experience from their trainer for them, and sometimes how they feel for their trainer. Yet there are those that need a little something extra to evolve, and can only do so through the aid of an element stone.)
"Element stone?" Jacob asked.
(Element stones, we'll talk about those another day but, they are stones that help evolve a Pokemon thanks to special energies trapped inside of them.) Arceus said. (Now, back onto what makes Pokemon evolve, we'll discuss the first method, a Trainer's utter belief in them. Many Pokemon during battle find themselves sometimes facing overwhelming odds, and this sometimes pushes them to go beyond what they can normally do. Even though their trainers would normally stop them, even retreat if possible, the Pokemon will try to tough it out, determined to not let their trainer down. The Pokemon can tell that their trainer had faith in them, and if that connection is strong, they will even evolve on the spot with the help of that inner strength that the two share. It rarely happens, but it has been known to occur among Pokemon that travel with their trainers, while enduring difficult challenges with them.)
"So does that mean you can get a Pokemon to evolve just by pitting it against really strong Pokemon?" Jacob asked. "I know it sounds bad but… can you?"
Arceus shook his head as he replied. (No because that will have the opposite effect, if you pit a weak Pokemon against a much stronger one, when it clearly would have no chance of winning, even if you have faith in it. Unless you truly think the Pokemon can win in its current form, it will have absolutely no effect, and it will make your Pokemon truly despise you when it learns that you simply tried to make it evolve through its suffering.)
Arceus walked in a circle around Jacob, who always wondered why he did that. (The second means of evolving, evolution through experiencing a memorable moment that connected the two as partners. This is by far the rarest form, but it can happen. Sometimes memorable events happen that both trainer and Pokemon share, and through those moments, something touches deep inside the Pokemon and its trainer that triggers the evolution to occur. It is difficult to predict or even understand what events will cause this to happen, but when it is going to happen, both trainer and Pokemon will sense it instinctively.)
(The third method, evolution based on the feelings of the trainer for the Pokemon and vice versa, is by far the most common occurrence. You see many Pokemon evolve thanks to the help of their trainers, especially with the help of their emotions for them. When a trainer is happy and shows it visually to them, whether it be through a hug after a tough battle, or even deeper such as saving their life at the risk of their own, these acts can reach into the Pokemon's heart and bring forth that inner power, aiding in their evolution.)
(Tell me Jacob, do you know why it is never wise to anger a Gyrados, especially one raised by a trainer?) Arceus asked suddenly.
"Uh… what's a Gyrados?"
(A Gyrados is a dragon type Pokemon, and one of the most feared evolved Pokemon on the seas.) Arceus said, sounding very serious, more serious than usual. (They are probably one of the most dangerous, most lethal, most violent Pokemon ever to grace existence. Their ferocity is known far and wide across water type Pokemon trainers, because to enrage a Gyrados is to ask for death. I sound serious because I am; never anger a Gyrados, especially one raised by a trainer. Gyrados evolves using the emotion of anger, and it's either directed at its trainer or at trainers laughing at its trainer. Trainers that scorn the Gyrados' previous form more often feel the wrath of the very Pokemon they despised. But those that make fun of the Gyrados' trainer, for raising its unevolved form will face its wrath.)
Arceus continued to stare at Jacob with his intense look, although to Jacob Arceus always looked intense no matter how he acted. (However, there is some good in raising such a Pokemon, for if you manage to be on a Gyrados' good side, it will prove your faith in it worthwhile. For indeed, it will fight an army of Pokemon without hesitation, because of the anger it felt that those that shunned it for being weak and pathetic. This is why I tell you; treat the Pokemon you raise and meet with the same love and devotion you would treat your favorite. Because you never know, what a Pokemon will do to you if you treat it unfairly. We have our own feelings and emotions, always remember that Jacob. Now I won't tell you what Gyrados evolves from, that is something you must learn on your own, understand?)
Jacob nodded, even though he never once thought of Pokemon never having feelings or emotions. As for what Gyrados evolved from, he wasn't entirely sure if he wanted to if it evolved into such a terrifying Pokemon, but he also never forgot what Arceus told him about psychic Pokemon.
(Now then, we'll discuss evolution stones, or as I called them before, element stones, another day. For now let's continue talking about evolution through the other means. Going back to the first method, it only works if you truly have a connection with your Pokemon, or as I keep calling it, a bond. This bond affects how your Pokemon in several ways, and influences how they will evolve by…)
=Day 342=
(Arceus' PoV)
Jacob had turned eight, it was nearly a full year since they began their lessons, and already Arceus could tell that he had much to learn still about Pokemon. He had yet to truly master and understand everything, but that didn't matter, his plan was that they'd revisit subjects that he hadn't quite understood while still covering new subjects.
However now that he had gotten a grasp on what made Pokemon different from one another, how they connected to their trainers and what it was about them that inspired great power inside, it was time to cover the subject that he had wanted to cover since the beginning.
What a 'bond' between a Pokemon and its trainer was.
Arceus looked at Jacob as they both sat on the cushions, having taken a short break before they began the next lesson. Jacob was snacking on one of the fruits that grew in the Sanctuary, which he said were delicious. He was still amazed that this boy had toughed out every lesson Arceus put before him, and never once lost his enthusiasm for the subject as long as it concerned Pokemon.
There were still many lessons for Jacob to learn, some he would have to learn on his own, but Arceus was determined to make sure that every iota of knowledge he could share and teach Jacob, he would give him. Jacob was probably Arceus' last hope to bring a message to all Pokemon and Humans, and he was determined to make the most of it.
Yet after a year of lessons, he had grown very fond of the boy. He actually enjoyed teaching the lessons more and more each day. He had all this knowledge, but almost nobody to share it with. So the fact that he found Jacob was a clear sign that he had made the right choice to pin his hopes on.
However he had a long way to go still, and as the road would be hard, he needed to be as prepared as he could be.
(Alright, shall we begin our next lesson?) Arceus asked as Jacob finished eating his lunch.
"Yea!" Jacob said happily. "So what's the next lesson, more about Pokemon types?"
(No, this next lesson will cover a topic I've been talking about all this time.) He said, not getting up because there was no need to. (Our next lesson is about bonds, specifically the bond that is formed between Pokemon and Trainer.)
"Really?" Jacob asked excitedly. "Are you really ganna talk about what a bond is now?"
Arceus nodded as he thought about how best to explain it. (Yes, as you know Pokemon that spend time with their trainer, eventually form a bond with their trainer. This bond is special to each Pokemon, and it is like every other bond that one forms with another. That is, a work in progress and constantly evolving. How this bond looks depends on how well the trainer treats the Pokemon, with kindness and trust, respect and admiration, love and so on. This bond, forged with friendship, built on companionship, and tested by trials that both endure, is probably what makes a Pokemon stronger than anything could.)
"Even stronger than evolving Arky?" Jacob asked.
(Yes, even stronger than evolving Jacob, such a bond is so powerful that the deeper it runs, the stronger the two become. Yet to form a bond is a commitment that both parties undertake unanimously, to forge such a bond is not easy and cannot be forced. It happens naturally, gradually, and overtime it becomes apparent that such a bond is formed. When it is formed, both Pokemon and Trainer learn to depend on one another, and learn from each other, and eventually grow with each other's help. A deep bond is not easy to break, and it will stand the tests of time stronger than anything else will.)
"Can any Pokemon form a bond Arky?" Jacob asked.
(Yes, it can happen for any Pokemon, in fact many trainers form such bonds with their Pokemon. Even if the two become separated for years at a time, as soon as the two meet up again, the bond is just as strong as it was before. In fact, it's not surprising for one trainer form such bonds with many, many Pokemon. They may vary in strength, but they are still strong and just as connected as any other.)
Jacob was silent as he tried to understand this lesson, but a few minutes later he asked a question to Arceus that he really didn't want to answer. "Can a bond be… broken Arky?" He asked nervously. "I mean… you say it's not easy to break but… can it be?"
Arceus looked at Jacob for a moment, before he looked up at the slowly darkening sky. It was getting late, soon he would have to go home, but still there was time to answer this question.
He just wished he didn't have to answer it.
(Yes… a bond CAN be broken… but only in the most painful way.) He said sadly. (To break a bond, one of you must betray that trust that both Pokemon and Trainer give each other. Betray it so much that either the Trainer's or the Pokemon's entire world about the other is shattered. It's painful for the broken party, because then they almost lose all trust in the other's species as a whole.)
Jacob was silent again, and when Arceus looked again, he saw a saddened look on his face. Clearly Jacob was regretting ever asking such a question. While Arceus didn't want to continue the subject, he had to in order to make sure that Jacob would never, ever, make such a choice.
(A bond you forge is a gift Jacob, a beautiful, strong, and wonderful gift that you and another share. To break it is a sin, a sin that you can never be absolved of. Please… never ever break a bond you forge. You will never encounter a Pokemon that forges a bond, just to break it; it has and never will happen. Only Trainers can break such bonds. Promise me this Jacob; you will never create a bond only to break it?)
Jacob nodded, and swore he would never break a bond.
After that, they sat in silence before Arceus decided it was time for Jacob to return home. Minutes later the boy left and Arceus returned into the Sanctuary, wondering what the second year would bring. (I've taught you much Jacob, but you still have much to learn.) Arceus said as he sat, waiting for the next day to arrive. (You have much to learn, we've barely begun, but you are already showing promise.)