As you can probably guess Hop and I found our way to Route two eventually. We only got lost because we didn't call this road route two.
We always called it Sled Zone.
Most of this path went down hill, which as you can assume, was fantastic for sledding! The races Hop and I had down these hills were legendary! In fact, I might even be able to spot a few of our indentations in the trees on the way down.
We weren't the best at stopping, often using the forest as a means of breaks.
"You know, I never go down this path if there isn't snow on it." I say
"Right? Me too!" Hop snickered. Trudging our way up the top of the hill we take a moment to look down to the lake. We would always ice skate there whenever it froze over during winter.
My Mum even took me on a boat once a few summers ago. It was during a festival here in town and my Mum insisted the best place to watch the fireworks was over the lake.
She was completely correct. The water made the sky seem like a two sided mirror, both illuminating the moment the fireworks went off above us.
I remember I used to scream whenever I heard fireworks. My Mum always made sure I felt safe and hugged me during them. Even buying me big noise canceling headphones.
I wish there were objects set in place for all stress inducing moments. A security blanket for instance, to take with you when you were about to go on a death inducing journey.
Full body bubble wrap suit even.
Finding ourselves coming to the first patch of grass, I eye it carefully. I look at Hop, who shifts his foot subconsciously.
"Still positive you won't turn into a caterpie zombie?" I teased. He nudged me, cheeks red.
"I do feel a craving for leaves suddenly." he slid his hands together, licking his lips as he looked to a nearby tree. "All that greeny goodness~"
I use my finger and cross it over my heart, "I'll keep you safe when you begin your metamorphosis into a true Butterfree and totally won't sell you for scientific research."
"Awe thank you." He snorted, rolling his eyes. Stepping closer to the grass he put his hands to his hips and nodded, looking determined. "Alright, time to fill out our teams a bit-" Hop shrieked when Leon leaped out of the bushes beside him
"And I'm here to show you how!" he declared.
"...Were you just waiting there for us in that bush?' I frowned at him.
He glanced away, "No…"
"Lee." Hop huffed, clutching his heart, "About gave me a heart attack!"
Folding his arms, Leon gave a little smile, "Sorry little brother." clearing his throat, I had a feeling this was going to be a long explanation.
My short attention span and patience had no room for those however! So with a single blink, I let my mind wander.
After all, I had no plan on catching any Pokemon on this journey.
Fun fact: Did you know that during the Gym challenges you need a certain amount of pokemon for certain gyms? The first two gyms require two, and then after that you need more and more until you have a full team.
So, if I never fill up my team then, I'm disqualified by default.
It's bulletproof.
I'll play along, give a smile, and then just claim I'm a really bad pokemon catcher and there was just no getting around it.
BULLET PROOF.
"Alright, so you all understand?" Leon smiles, finishing his speech and smiling like a proud teacher
"Yes sir." I say, you know, like a liar who was totally gonna bomb the test if it was about catching pokemon. Which it was.
"Great!" He patted our shoulders with a proud gleam in his eyes. "You two are ready to set off then. I won't hold you any longer." he gestured to the path with a dramatic flourish of his cape. "Go forth young trainers."
I stood there pointedly just to make it awkward for the poor guy. Eventually his confident pose faltered and he slouched. "U-Unless you have questions?" he wondered. I shake my head.
"No, I don't."
His lip curled slightly, indignant, "Then get going."
"Don't tell me what to do." I point at him, but turn to leave anyway. I enjoyed my time in making Leon's life just a tad harder.
"Hey, Byla." A few feet in, Leon gave a call. When I turned, his eyes were wide, "Your bag…" he trails off, softly smiling, "It's nice. Matches you well."
I grip the straps tight, feeling lighter somehow, "Thanks. Hop got it for me!"
"I like it!" he gave a thumbs up. Not that I need his approval or validation, but the gesture made me happy nonetheless.
Giving a salute I turn around to find Hop was already gone, off into the distance and diving into the grass with vigor.
"Ah yes, alone." I wander around aimlessly, stepping into the tall grass, avoiding any pokemon that so much as glanced my way.
Figuring it was probably best to at least give my pokemon some training I pull out Carn and Umi. They pop up in the grass looking confused for only a moment.
"Okay you two, time to.. Train. I guess." I shrug. "So just- beat up the first thing you see and we'll call it a day."
"Byla." Hop called up on the small 3 foot cliff to my right, his head appearing to frown at me. "That isn't how you train."
"I'm pretty sure it is." I correct, "They attack, defeat a pokemon, and then get experience. Like, points. And those points eventually level them up until they evolve."
Hop was flabbergasted, "This isn't a game!"
"Life is always a game, Hop." I reply, stone faced.
Trudging over the hill side Hop folds his arms and sighs at me, "Listen, training is more than just attacking. It's also learning how to defend, figuring out what moves work best against your opponent, and overall, growing a bond with your Pokemon."
"Is this another lecture?" I grumble.
"Yes." he blinks once before pointing to me accusingly, "Don't you dare tune me out like you did Leon!"
Ah, so he had caught on to that had he?
"Bah." I scoff, scowling. "What does it even matter? Doesn't everyone train differently or something? That is what you told me before."
He faltered, rubbing his chin, "Well, yeah but... I don't really see your way working out."
I lift my finger up, slowly giving a dramatic wave to Carn. "Bear witness." I clap, gaining Carn's attention for a scarce amount of time. "Carn! Go level up!"
Carn gave me a salute, of all things, and then promptly turned to dive bomb into the tall grass. I could faintly see it's path through the shifting green. "There, done."
"No you aren't!" Hop disagreed.
"Ugh!" I tilt my head back with a moan, "This is too complicated for me!"
"It's not at all! Look, I can even give you my strategy book I made from watching Lee's matches." he riffled through his bag to pull out a monstrosity resembling more like a dictionary than a journal.
"I'm not taking that." I shake my head
"It'll help!"
" It will kill me !"
An explosion of fire erupted to our right, Carn's form shooting into the air for a few epic moments before slamming down on whatever poor Pokemon was below.
"Rest in peace." I gave a peace sign in that direction.
Hop slapped his forehead. "Okay. Fine." he sighed, "So you found a way for Carn to train, but what about Umi? You can't just send them off into the grass on it's own."
My attention turns to my feet, where Umi had curled up and was waiting patiently. I purse my lips, "Uh… Umi?"
He blinks.
"Wanna train?"
He blinks again.
"Go train." I shoo him. When he doesn't move I shrug my shoulders, "I've done all I can."
"You have not. Listen, Byla. You are the Trainer. Meaning YOU train YOUR pokemon. You both figure out a training style together."
My face contorts to something akin to disdain. "Uhhh…" I reach down to lift Umi onto my shoulder. "Umi, that sounds like a lot of work." I tell him, as if he was the one deciding whether to be under my teachings or not.
"You do it, together." Hop stresses this again.
I rummage through my bag for a paper and pen, handing them to Umi. He holds them shakily in his grip, confused. His big eyes looked at me like I had just handed him ancient artifacts in which he must use to save the world.
"Okay, Umi. If we're going to do this, let's do this right." I clear my throat, getting serious. "As Hop has deemed me, I am your team facilitator."
Hop quietly spoke to the side, "Oh no…"
"As such, we'll need to chart up a mission statement." I gesture to the paper, wanting Umi to get this down. "This will be our guideline. Our go to, you could say. Our life's purpose!"
Hop's voice got weaker, his face buried in his hands, "Byla, no…"
"Ready? Just write down what I say." I wave my hand to the sky, Umi's little fingers trembling in anticipation as he clutches the pen. "We shall from henceforth; entertain, inform and inspire through the power of unparalleled storytelling, reflecting, iconic catchphrases, creative minds and innovative technologies that shall baffle Galar." I turn my head, "Get that?"
Umi's hand had moved at a slow pace, carefully lifting the paper which held a single straight line and a scribble.
I snatch the paper and praise it with everything I could muster, because I can. "It's perfect Umi! Well done!'
Umi must not have been expecting praise since it also didn't understand a word of what I was talking about, but it sure did appreciate it anyway. Giving a big smile Umi looked at the pen in astonishment.
That's right, my Sobble was a mission statement writing genius.
"What did you think, Hop?" I ask
He gave a slow down turn to his watch, "That this was about three minutes of my life that I will never get back."
My lips pull into a snarky grin, "Of course you won't, because it's mine now. You better run off to do your own thing before I steal more of your precious life away. I'm a glutton, so if you don't leave now you may never escape my clutches."
I'd steal this boy's entire life if I could. Never to part with till our dying days.
Hop breaks into a smile, stepping back with a laugh, "Consider the warning heard." he snorts, turning to run into the next patch of grass.
Adjusting my bag I feel Umi crawl a little bit towards the back, nestling down against the leather. "Gonna chill back there for a while?" I ask. It replied with a snort. "Cool. Let's go find Carn." braving the tall grass, I part it enough to step in. "Carn!" I call.
I click my tongue, "C'mere Carn!" I try again, taking step after step.
Hearing some shifting I cut left, stepping over a rock in hopes to find my pokemon.
However, instead of Carn it was a Yamper.
"Hey little fella." I coo, kneeling to hold my hand towards it. "Out here all alone?" I inquired in baby talk, "Who is so cute~? You are. Yes you are~"
It sniffed once, a second Yamper appeared from the grass next to it. I gush at how cute they are, squealing when a third pops up.
Then a fourth.
Fifth?
Sixth?
"Whoa whoa…" I pale, slowly standing. More and more arrived, an entire Yamper pack appearing before me. They stood as a consecutive unit, stepping forward as one.
I think I'm about to die.
"Uh…" I take a cautious step back the way I came, giving a weak smile. "Well, my pokemon clearly isn't here so I should probably get going…"
Then, in one fell swoop of cute, they lunged!
I scream bloody murder and dash the other way, the army of Yampers close on my heels. There were at least a dozen, each locked in and gaining ground.
"Umi! Our death is here!" I wail
Umi clung to my bag with all it's might, it's body tossed up and down wildly with each uneven step I took.
I weave a random path, leaping off a small incline to lose them for only a moment before they realize they can just run around.
I find myself wheezing. I hated running.
Why did anyone willingly choose to run?
Taking another turn I trip over a rock and face plant into the dirt, the Yampers on me in a moment. They nipped my fingers, licked my face, their cute tails wiggling like death flags.
The Adorableness would be my end. I was going to perish here. The embrace of sweet little yampers would ensure that I would never be see again.
"Stop~ Stop..!" I laughed, pulling a yamper off my face and holding him at a distance, slobber coating my cheeks. The others circle me, eager for attention and shoving against the others to win it over. "Geez." I giggle. Patting their heads we all pause when Carn emerges from the bushes. Looking victorious in it conquest it paused to stare.
Carn's cheeks puffed, giving a yell to the yampers. Their tail wag innocently. Carn charged forward, yelling and waving their arms to disperse the group, barelling into them like a bowling ball to pins.
"Carn!" I scold, sighing when it crawled onto my shoulder and hugged my face. Perhaps it had been jealous? Hard to say.
"Come on." I get to my feet, waving goodbye to the yampers, who yip, running back into the grass. Chuckling I continue on my way, feeling Carn and Umi hanging off my bag and making little talkative noises. No doubt Carn retelling the dramatic tale of it's adventures in the tall grass.
I think it had been an hour, so surely this was enough "training" for today.
Managing up the cliff side I get a nice view at the top, looking out towards the lake and Professor Magnolia's manner. There was a single path downward leading right to her door. I got about five steps before I saw a small boy, waiting on the side of the road. It was Jake, the local pumpkin thief. He just went around stealing pumpkins.
Stealing my pumpkin.
A pumpkin I worked so hard to carve and had the perfect Wooloo picture engraved on it!
"Jake…" I hiss.
Our eyes met immediately, but he didn't speak until I got within ear shot.
"STOP!" he held his hand up.
"What do you want, Jake?" I grumbled, holding myself back from punting this kid into the middle of the lake. Jake in the Lake… hah…
He crouched a little, daring to claim, "It's common manners for Pokemon trainers to battle when their eyes meet!"
I press Carn's head back down when it peeks out excitedly. I sniff, "No. I don't think so." I adjusted my bag, walking around him. His cocky grin fell, rushing to step in front of me.
"Hey! You can't just deny a challenge!"
"Oh yes I can." Smacking my palm to his forehead I gave him a light shove in the other direction, watching him stumble.
"Owwy! Byla!" He whined.
Carn is, giggling, I think. Amused at the boy. Umi was at least nice and waved goodbye to him.
Just wanting to get to Magnolia's flipping house I trudged onward. A good minute later I could see Lauren, a girl from our class. I tense, stepping behind a tree to eye her carefully. Similar to Jake she seemed to be posted along the walk, waiting for unexpecting travellers to venture past.
Carn tugged on my arm and pointed to her, hoping perhaps this time we could battle. I shake my head. "Trainers aren't normally on this path." I grumble.
Undoubtedly I bet Leon put them up to this to test Hop and I.
What Leon didn't know however was that Lauren was easily distracted!
Prepared for moments like these I pull a marble bag from my pocket. "Watch this." I instruct Umi and Carn. Taking one of the marbles out I give it a good toss, letting it roll right in front of Lauren's feet and into the grass.
A lover of all things shiny and pretty, she squealed. Without even questioning how the marble got there she turned and rummaged through the grass to get to it.
I sprinted past her as fast as I could, pretending not to hear her when she started calling after me.
Sliding to a stop I smirk, "Perfect." I praise myself for the plan working out wonderfully. Carn and Umi clapped, their big smiles making the bubble of pride grow within me.
The only person left who even attempted to stop me was young Benjamin right at the gate to Magnolia's home. I could see Hop a bit past him at the door, staring up at the house in wonder.
Shoot.
If he saw me next to Benjamin I know he'll want me to battle him to get some practice in.
Speaking of the kid, he had spotted me, eyes beaming and rushing towards me. "I couldn't beat Hop but I'll-!" I barrel into the child, lifting him up and tossing him into the nearest bush. He sunk into it, disappearing out of sight right when Hop turned around. Carn was downright ecstatic, giggling a storm on my shoulder at what they just witnessed.
"Byla!" Hop beamed. He paused, lowering his hand and looking away. "Hey, where did Benjamin go?"
I gave an innocent blink of my eyes, "Benji?" I coo, "Was he here? I didn't see him."
Hop rubbed his chin in thought, concluding, "He must have gone back to town to heal up his pokemon."
"Must have." I agreed. Wrapping my arm around Hop's shoulder I guide us both around and back towards the house, faintly hearing the sound of Benjamin crawling out of the bush and looking dazed.
Honestly, avoiding work was a lot of work. Yet I prevail!
"We made it." I gesture to Professor Magnolia, who was out of her home and was talking to Leon on her porch. "Perfect timing too."
"Yeah." Hop gushed, "Were you able to train up your pokemon?"
"Totally." I lied
He frowned, "Did you really?"
"Carn beat up an army of Yampers." I say, gesturing to Carn showing of their muscles.
"...I… guess that is training enough." Hop pursed his lips.
I nods knowingly, "It most definitely is." I agree, but not really. I'm momentarily distracted from Hop's unsure look to listen to Leon.
"So have you uncovered the secrets to the Dynamixing phenomenon yet?" he spoke quietly, Magnolia shook her head somberly.
"Oh goodness no, the whole thing is still filled with so many questions. Everything has gotten quite out of hand." she sighs.
Dynamax phenomenon? Wasn't Dynamaxing normal for Galar? I hadn't realized it was considered an issue.
Noticing the two of us staring, Magnolia cut herself off from saying anything else, "Oh! I hadn't even noticed my guest. Hello there." she greeted with a warm smile, "Hop and Byla yes?"
"Yes ma'am." Hop smiles politely.
With a shaky hand she gestures to her door, "Let's talk inside, shall we? Thank you for coming all this way to see me."
Leon stepped around her to get the door, giving a gentleman like smile as she walked in, us at her heels. It was cozy within.
Potted plant hung from the walls, a big glass dome towards the back of the home filled with even more foliage and such. It was the perfect little home you expected a Grandma to live in.
"Behave." I told Carn and Umi, letting them down to explore the home. the Professor gave them little chuckles,
"What eager little pokemon." she says, smiling when Umi hide behind me shyly. "What are their names?"
"Umi and- that's Carn." I motion to Carn, who was currently pressing their entire body into the pokemon bed that clearly wasn't theirs, but they seemed to be trying to claim anyway.
"Training them well I hope?" her eyes twinkled.
"Oh uh... as well as I can." I say, unsure. "Thanks for having us over though."
"Well thank you for coming all this way just to see me." Magnolia chuckled, "Were you able to fill those Pokedexs of yours a bit on the way?"
"Sure did!" Hop lifted it with pride.
I paled. OH YEAH! We got those…
"Uh…" I pull mine out slowly, staring at the zero entries. "I kind of forgot."
"You didn't even get your own pokemon?" Hop clicked his teeth, scolding me. "They are literally right there!"
"There were yampers and things! I got distracted!" I whine.
"Did you at least get an entry on the yampers then?"
"No! Leave me alone!" I lift the pokedex, taking a picture of Umi and Carn just to get Hop off my back.
The Pokedex read aloud:
Sobble: The Water Lizard pokemon. When it gets wet, it's skin changes color, and this Pokemon becomes invisible as if it were camouflaged.
My eyes widen, looking down at Umi. "You can do that?" I pull out my water bottle to test this.
"Byle, don't pour water on Magnolia's floors." Leon scolded, amusement in his voice.
Scornbunny: It has special pads on the backs of its feet, and one on its nose. Once it's raring to fight, these pads radiate tremendous heat.
Looking to the yellow patch on Carn's nose, I reach over. I can feel the heat emanating off the surface. Honestly, I don't think it ever stopped radiating heat, which was concerning.
"Hmm." I frown, "Well, done."
Magnolia chuckled good heartedly, "No worries, dear. You'll have plenty of time to fill it." With that said she slowly walked over to the cabinets, pulling out some matching tea cups and gesturing for us to take a seat. Settling around the circular table she prepares some tea for us, smiling. "Are you all excited for your adventure?"
I kept getting asked that, and the more I did the more I realized I was "supposed" to feel happy about all this. But no.
No no.
"Ready to hit the road." I say with the fakest enthusiasm that honestly, how Hop just laughed and took it as legit excitement, still surprised me.
"Yes, I hear you will even want to compete in the Gym challenges. Are you two ready to Dynamax your pokemon? Or do you not plan to do that?" Magnolia inquired.
I didn't want to battle pokemon when they were normal sized. I definitely didn't want to when they were Godzilla sized.
"I want to Dynamax them!" Hop squealed excitedly. "Can you just imagine? My Wooloo the size of a stadium, taking down enemies?"
I snort, covering my mouth at the thought. A mountain of fluff, beware! Grinning when I laugh Hop gave a pointed look to his brother.
"Of course… that is IF Lee endorses me." he cooed. Leon's smile faded, arms folding stubbornly.
Honestly this was a relief. I hadn't realized Leon was still a bit against this idea! Back home I thought it was set in stone that it was happening. It's only now I realize that I don't actually have the official papers yet.
"You're not going to endorse them?" Magnolia questioned Leon quizzically. "Why in the world not?"
"Well-" Leon frowned, "They only just became trainers. The Gym challenges can be pretty intense for beginners."
"I can handle it!" Hop slammed his hands down on the table as he stood. "I can handle anything that comes my way!" the passion burned in his eyes, leaving Leon struggling to come up with some excuse.
He was desperate to keep his little brother safe I suppose. Things like the Gym challenges often left new trainers disappointed, giving up the career all together.
"If my memory serves me, wasn't your own dream to make sure everyone in Galar could be strong? As strong as you even?" Magnolia gave a sly smile.
I snap my attention to her. No no, don't convince him!
"That is true." Leon frowned. He looked Hop in the eye, his resolve wavering against Hop's big eyes. A struggle I often had to face. "Well…." he sighs, "Okay, how about this. "How about you two battle?"
"What?" I grouch
"If you show me such an amazing and epic battle, one that stirs me to my very core, then I'll sponsor you both." Leon grinned. Carn gasped, attaching to my leg excitedly. No!
I wanted to smack that grin clean off his well groomed face! Once again I was dragged into the situation that only Hop showed an interest in.
"Is that really necessary?" I cringed.
Hop folds his arms, smirking at me with the confidence I often saw in Leon's eyes. "What? Afraid I'll beat you?" he challenged. I could tell he was trying to spur me on, but it really wasn't working.
"I hope you beat me." I say bluntly.
Hop's confidence morphed to worry, "Byla don't say that! What happened to your trainer spirit?"
Bold of him to assume I ever had one of those to begin wtih.
I scowl, "It was eaten by Yampers."
"You can't let that one bad moment affect the rest of your journey." he took my hands, his eyes so deep that I swear I was drowning on air itself. "Come on, battle me! I'll get that spark back for you! I'll show you how fun it can be! I'll show you Hop of a time~ " he winked, taking a page out of his brother's signature "Champion of a time' catch phrase.
And gosh darn it all, it was working.
"That- you can't-" I look away, pursing my lips. Hop leans closer, knowing he had me hooked like a fish and ready to reel me in.
"If you win I'll let you name my new pokemon I caught-"
"Byla 2.0." I say. Hop was taken aback, startled.
"What?"
"Byla 2.0." I say again, "If I win, I name your pokemon Byla 2.0."
Hop blinked once, then smirked, "Deal. And if I win, you have to make a real, legit training regimen for your pokemon."
My cheeks pinched up, scowling, "Ugh, fine…."