Author's Notes:
Hello, everyone! First of all, thank you all for the support (favs, follows, reading, etc.). I'm bearing down for midterms right now so I thank you all again for the patience.
- Chapter 3: Sinnoh -
"Alright, mom, I'm heading out!" shouted Mordekai as he slams the door shut, not waiting for his mother's reply. "Arceus knows she asks me to take a bunch of crap before she lets me out," he thought.
The flight was just as unbearable as the car rides to and from the airports of the two regions. Although fortunate enough to not have that one kid that cried the entire trip, he was unable to get a restful sleep. Mordekai did have his eyes shut for most of the flight, but the thoughts of his adventure and 'pseudo-career choice' kept him awake the whole time. Living off of battle-winnings was as risky as it sounded to him, but Mordekai was one of the lucky ones to have started as a wealthy young adult with a mother in a resort to go back to whenever he needed a place to crash for a while. Other not-so-fortunate Trainers had to stick to camping, the Pokémon Centers, or inns that were around. Running out of Pokédollars was a big issue to them, too; they either had to do some sideline jobs nearby, give up and return home, or pay in…other favors which were looked down upon by the entire Trainer community, but they worked if they worked. Luckily, losing pocket money to Mordekai was like draining a cup-full from a swimming pool. He didn't see it that way, though, since it was technically his family's money and it would dishonor them even more to carelessly gamble it all away.
"First things first. I need to get to 'Jubilee-something City' to get a Trainer ID and register my C-gear for the region. Then, I go to Littleroot Town to get my Sinnoh Pokédex. Ugh, hopefully the lines aren't too long. Aerodactyl, let's go!"
*CLICK* *BWAP* *FWOOSH*
*AAEEE* Aerodactyl let out a deep roar as it hopped out.
Mordekai pulled out his map. "Okay so we go…southwest to- Oh, Jubilife City, right. Fly southwest until we get to a bright city, Aerodactyl."
The Flying-type nodded and awaited its Trainer to climb up onto its back before taking off.
"This is weird. Is the dusk really this quick for the region?" Mordekai questioned as he looked around. Just a while ago as he stepped outside it was fairly bright for the late afternoon; he just noticed how the sky looked like it was housing a storm. "Fly a bit lower, Aerodactyl. We don't want the cold of the clouds or to get hit by lightning," he commanded.
It wasn't long before the duo spotted a bright modern-settlement with dark pavements but well-lit buildings.
"Good job, buddy. Now hover down, big guy."
The city was fairly large. Not as expansive as Castelia, but the region wasn't as large as Unova to begin with. One could tell the homes from business buildings apart, and there were numerous of them all spaced apart. Mordekai wasn't used to seeing cities that were plotted like small rural towns since his home region preferred their urban architectures stuck next to each other. He also wasn't used to crowds packed under and near a big screen.
"-looking at the city from a Flying-type's eye, people are starting to shelter themselves in the Pokémon Center while some, presumably homeowners, are retreating to their homes. Several Trainers, Gym Leaders, and members of the Elite Four are swarming towards the Veilstone Warehouse. Word is, Officer Jennys are now en route to the scene…we'll keep you posted as soon as…," reported the anchor on the large TV screen.
"How do they not know what's going on?" "What's happening?" "Arceus, my sister's in Veilstone."
People's concerned voices piled up on each other. Mordekai could only pick up on what they were saying if he focused on one speaker. Curious, he couldn't help but wonder so he returned his attention on the report.
"-too dangerous to go near and have asked us to stay back. More on that later, Corby, but we'll keep cameras on the city."
The crowed let out their reactions of disappointment; the spicy issue cut off the intrigue of what was going on. Being late to the party, Mordekai was more confused than they were and felt not as much worry either. He looked around and saw no lines on the open Trainer Center.
"Thanks, Aero," he said as he recalled his partner before making his way toward the building to register.
"Oh, here's a new Trainer-to-be…and a foreign-looking one at that. We don't make Trainer IDs unless you have your regional Pokédex which you can get in Littleroot from Professor Rowan. However, we still take applications in setting up C-Gears and classic PokéGear for the region; these cost 1500 and 1000 Pokédollars respectively," the receptionist explained.
"I see. Well, here's my C-gear and here's the pay," Mordekai complied.
"Thank you very much. Repairs for technical issues and damages are free for the first year after you register. Please wait for a few moments," the staff says, taking the C-Gear to a backroom but returning seconds after. "You make take a seat over there."
Mordekai approaches the small lounge to take a seat. He and the receptionist were the only people there which made it very awkward. Thankfully, the staff was typing away at a computer and not staring blankly forward with a smile slapped on the face. Mordekai was left with a few magazines on a coffee table.
"Trainers Today: Sinnoh Edition, huh neat," he thought, grabbing a clearly new edition of the issue evident in the glossy and unscratched cover. It was filled with the basics of using antidotes and potions while in the field, how to capture Pokémon, and some type-matchups, all of which weren't new to Mordekai. A few particular topics grabbed his eyes though…those about the Gym Leaders of Sinnoh to be exact. All of them had hints on the Gym layouts but Leader ace Pokémon and type specialists were displayed upfront. They were all in order, too: who to beat first and last. Skimming through the pages poked at Mordekai's excitement…until he reached the pages after Volkner, the last Leader.
"The Pokémon League…" he read. "-reached after clearing the Victory Road and sporting all eight Badges. A trainer becomes a Champion provided he/she beats the Elite Four and its current Champion."
It all blew Mordekai's mind. He looked like a Collector geeking over new editions of Pokémon comics. His eyes browsed through Aaron, Bertha, and then…"Flint, fiery appearance that's as flashy as his Battle Style. He is very known for-"
"Excuse me, Mr. Strauss. Your C-Gear is ready," the clerk smiled. Mordekai would have cringed in embarrassment upon hearing himself being called with his surname- no, his father's. Thankfully, he wasn't in Unova anymore…far from others' comparing eyes and upheld expectations – the ones who knew who his father was.
"Thanks. By the way, I was wondering if I could keep this magazine on your lounge…to, you know, help me get started and grow familiar with the Pokémon around here?" he asked.
"It's all yours. As for the list of regional Pokémon, you'd need a Pokédex for that," the receptionist politely chuckled.
"Oh, right. Well, thanks again," Mordekai said as he briskly walked towards the exit in hopes of evading embarrassment…as if starting as a new trainer wasn't already. "Then again," he thought, "there are Maniacs and Pokéfans all around. Those aren't League-aimers though; I should already be an Ace at my age."
He shrugged off the thoughts on his head all while looking back at the screen and crowd earlier. The displays just showed some advertisements and the crowds shrunk in numbers. The murmurs of conversation and gossip lingered, however.
"The program must've ended," he thought. "I wanted to know what that was all about though."
The familiar sounds once again burst out of the red-and-white device. "Aerodactyl, let's get to Littleroot before it gets dark. Head southwest again," the trainer said to which the Pokémon agreed.
The sky was slightly darker this time but Mordekai paid no mind. He just wanted to get his Pokédex and Trainer ID so he could start looking around the region more. In less than a few minutes, the Town in the map that he imprinted in his mind was now in sight. Upon landing and returning Aerodactyl to its Pokéball, he made his way into the longest and largest building in the area. It didn't look like any home nearby, too. Mordekai figured it would be the Pokémon Lab.
The Trainer-to-be walks through the double doors and is then greeted by an empty, gigantic office-looking room with tons of science-y equipment and researchers that were fiddling with them. Among those scientists, however, was a person with whom Mordekai was familiar.
"Professor Juniper?" he spoke out of surprise.
"Huh?" the light-brown haired, tall woman spun around in curiosity to look at whoever was calling her. "Mordekai Strauss?" she returned.
"What are you doing in Sinnoh?" Mordekai couldn't help but wonder what his region's Pokémon specialist was wondering. She was somewhat his mentor. Someone who he'd visit had he any questions about the Pokémon world. Once they met when he was just an adolescent and Juniper's father, Cedric, went with her to the Strauss manor to about some matters with Mordekai's father that were too boring for the younger him. One could say that she'd easily mark Mordekai as a potential Trainer and give him his own Pokédex, but the disapproving Maximillian Strauss made things complicated…and Mordekai insisted that it would be best for her to forget all about the Trainer-transformation idea. That is, until now:
"I was about to ask you the same thing! I'm here to research Pokémon Dimensions with Professor Rowan after all the Team Plasma bullshit in Unova. They have a whole Town dedicated to that, too, with a cave of Mythical Pokémon carved on the walls! " she explained.
"Right…Team Plasma," Mordekai recalled. It was haunting for the whole region knowing how a whole 'liberating' crew used Pokémon battles to free Pokémon from their battle-hungry Trainers and owners from battling- it went on really, but they ultimately tried to use Legendary Pokémon to further their goals…only to be stopped by Unova's finest Trainers.
"…and you?"
"Oh!" Mordekai snapped out of his momentary indulgence of his thoughts, not realizing that he put both himself and the Professor in awkward silence. "I'm actually here to ask for a Pokédex…to get started on being a Trainer, you know."
"What? So you managed to convince your old man? And here I thought you Surfed across oceans all the way from Unova just to follow me here," the Professor joked.
Mordekai flustered Tamato-red in heavy embarrassment. He did have a fairly obvious crush on Juniper during his likes-older-women-specifically-just-his-mentor phase in his teens. He grew out of it of course, but she and her colleague Professor Fennel refused to let him forget. Sometimes, this would push him to not want to meet any of the two even if the hunger for knowing about Pokémon would gnaw at him all day long.
"No, really! I-"
"Yeah, I know!" Juniper giggled. "Professor Rowan isn't here. He was called urgently somewhere…looked like an emergency. He even told me to read his journal on 'Creation Myths' while I wait for him to return…but it doesn't look like he'll be back anytime soon. You should probably ask for him tomorrow since it's near nighttime."
"Dang, all right," Mordekai replied. "I guess I will come back tomorrow. 'Was good seeing you, Professor."
"I'm sure it was. Don't wait up for me at home, honey!"
Mordekai pretended not to hear that as he bolted outwards once again. At this point, he would have mastered evading humiliation by exiting conversations through doors. Hoping that she wouldn't rush out after him (if for some reason she would), Mordekai summoned Aerodactyl and quickly commanded it to return home…much to the Pokémon's interest.
Soaring just below the evening clouds, the aspirant Trainer and his Pokémon could barely see below them. Only lit up tall buildings were visible, many of which were in Jubilife City where Mordekai hoped to head towards had he only gotten his Pokédex. While heading to retreat to the Resort Area, Aerodactyl hovered over a large building that was lit. It wouldn't have piqued his interest if the structure wasn't the only building lit up.
"Wait, isn't this the building from the screens? Hold on, Aerodactyl, go back a bit," Mordekai ordered. He looked around for the news reporter buzzing over the town, but he saw no one. Curious and a bit concerned, he and his Pokémon lowered their altitude to scout the area.
"AAAAIIIIIIEEEE," screamed a woman in the distance, gathering Mordekai and Aerodactyl's heads to turn to the direction of the yell. "Follow that, bud," he whispered. The Pokémon obeyed and flapped its wings slowly as if sneaking midair was made possible. It then perched on top of a building.
"Shut the fuck up, bitch. Hand over that Eevee or I'll let Skuntank Fury Swipes the guts outta' ya," said a deep and raspy voice below the edge of the building. Mordekai dismounted and peered over the outlook…two men with grey bowl-cut hair with odd white-and-black matching G-labeled outfits were menacing a huddled young lady who seemed to be covering a Pokémon with brown fur.
"Leave her! Admin'll catch us out of post!" said one of them. The other, closer to the woman, replied, "they won't notice! They recalled everyone back to HQ it's not like they'll do a headcount for the entire squad! Besides, do you want to miss out on a rare-ass Pokémon and a piece of fuck-able meat?"
"Arceus-dammit! Make it fucking quick, then. I don't want to be left out on orders again especially if they decide to move out."
"Haha, don't worry. My girl don't call me minuteman for nothing."
"What?"
"What?"
In a haste, Mordekai whispered to his Pokémon close-by. "Use Rock Tomb on that Skun…Skun-something purple Pokémon."
Out of nowhere, a ton of pebbles and rocks rammed into each other to form several boulders above the air. The sounds of clashing and grinding rocks startled the goons and the Skuntank, but they weren't able to react quick enough before Aerodactyl let out a soft roar as it released the rocks on and around the purple Pokémon.
*THUMP* *THUMP* *THUMP*
The rocks-turned-boulders form a small cave over the shocked Skuntank.
"What the-" the owner reacted. The other sent out his balloon-like Pokémon. "Drifblim, get over here!"
"Get me down there quickly!" Mordekai shouted. Clearly the thugs didn't plan on playing fair and took the opportunity to gang up on Aerodactyl.
After gently gliding its owner down on the ground, Aerodactyl returned airborne. "Get outta here, lady!" the newbie shouted. The woman understood what was going on despite the chaos and took off running.
"Ooo you're lucky we can't go after the bitch! Skuntank use Dig to get outta there!" The furred Pokémon burst out of the ground just inches past the rock formation. In a bit of a panic, Mordekai commanded "Aerodactyl use Takedown on that balloon Pokémon!"
The grey hardy Rock-type charged mightily to the Drifblim…but its body whizzed past. "Wha-"
This pulled a laugh from both goons. "Someone's not from here! Can't wait to show you some Sinnoh hospitality! Drifblim use Bounce!"
"Oh, we're doing this? Alright, Skuntank, cling on Drifblim's straps and use Bite!"
As the round Ghost-type curled its body, Skuntank raised its paw to its extremities. Both were now heading toward Aerodactyl.
"Aero use Stone Edge!" The incoming hazard was too fast, however, and they easily reached the inexperienced Aerodactyl before it could harden like earth. Driblim knocks Aerodactyl back while Skuntank is thrown towards it, where it locks its jaw momentarily on its grey wings.
Shaken and unsteady, Aerodactyl shows signs of giving in but manages to keep afloat anyway. "Hit that floating Pokémon with a Rock Tomb!" Reusing the boulders from earlier, Aerodactyl needed not gather another slew of rocks around it. Boulders were sent flying toward Drifblim which knock it down a bit and encases it.
"Night Slash now, Skuntank!" With that, the Pokémon turns into a purple blur before slashing Aerodactyl, who had its lacking Speed hinder its performance. Thrown aback by the claws, Aerodactyl was now hurtling towards the ground before it is taken by unconsciousness.
"Heh, should've brought more Pokémon before trying to take us on, dumbass!" grinned the thug. "Now hand over-"
*ZOOM*
A straight beam of pink and red shot through the trapped Drifblim and, miraculously, Skuntank as if they were lined up. The blast was strong enough to blast off the rocks that captured the balloon Pokémon, which would free it except it was knocked out cold. The ray hit Skuntank, but it remained standing like pointing a laser at a stone wall. It merely turned its head from the blinding flares cast by the Psychic attack.
"Now use Earthquake, Bronzong," shouted the man from across the path. He stood with a trapezoid shaped, metal Pokémon that had flat limbs extending from its top. The wind from the bright red blast brushed against the man's purple and wavy hair that complemented his tall figure and violet glasses.
"Zong," the Pokémon nodded as it planted its arms to the brick ground. The area shook mildly before the ground under Skuntank imploded. The earth that burst out launched the Poison-type towards the air where it fell violently as the flooring returned to its original and undamaged state.
Without waiting to see if Skuntank was defeated like its partner, the grunt withdrew him. "Let's fucking book it!" The other followed and took his Drifblim as well. They bolted fast into the nearby forest. Seemingly out of nowhere, two motorcycles hosting Officer Jennys zoomed after them…leaving a trail of deafening engine sounds and clouds of smoke.
"It's not good to leave your Pokémon lying fainted," the man bluntly stated.
"Arceus…" Mordekai cursed as he shakily hoisted Aerodactyl's Pokéball. "Sorry, pal."
"Why are you here? I thought I told Maylene to shelter outsiders in the Center?"
"I was Flying by. A woman screamed over here and I thought I'd help. I actually thought I could take them, the petty pricks," remarked Mordekai.
The purple-haired Trainer said, "It's never good to underestimate opponents. Those weren't everyday hooligans, either. They're part of a terrorist group named Team Galactic." Mordekai nodded in understanding while shifting his gaze away.
"Take your Pokémon to the Center over there," the man pointed. "Judging from your appearance, I hope you can forgive me for claiming that you are not from this town or region."
"Your judgment is right."
"I see. Well, please take care of yourself in the foreseeable future. Do not go to the Three Lakes, the Elites and I need to flush the gangsters out of there. I hope we meet under more favorable conditions, selfless stranger."
Mordekai couldn't reply as the man and his Pokémon sprinted toward the distant group of people and Officers. The guy didn't seem like a cunt despite his pretentious and straight-edged manner of speaking. He seemed fairly humble, too.
"Did he mention 'Elites'? Is he the Fourth member?" Mordekai thought to himself. It was fairly obvious given his earlier statement and the fact that he knocked out two barely-damaged Pokémon within a minute. He just hadn't finished the Trainer magazine. Perhaps it would be wise to read the rest in the Center while he heals his fallen partner.
A number of people were clustered near the entrance, mumbling amongst themselves with audible hints of worry. In that group was a winged-haired girl with a nasal-strip slapped on her nose-bridge and an athletic get-up. This was undoubtedly Maylene, the third Leader shown in the magazine.
After handing Aerodactyl's Pokémon to Nurse Joy and receiving it back soon after, Mordekai figured it would be good to call Aerodactyl out to relax a bit while he goes over Trainers Today again. The center was barely populated not counting himself and Nurse Joy, finding a good table in the large building wasn't hard. Fitting a Pokémon as big as his Fossil partner wasn't difficult either given that the Pokémon Center in the town was huge. Excited to confirm if the person he met earlier was, indeed, an Elite, Mordekai reached into his pack…only to grab on to a whole lot of disappointment.
"Are you fucking kidding me I didn't grab it?" he swore in his thoughts. He must've wanted to quit out of the conversation with the clerk that the thought of going to the magazine buzzed through him. Unbeknownst to Mordekai, who was smacking his forehead with his palm, a young lady approached him.
"Hey! You're the one that helped me and Vee-vee with those Team Galactic thugs!"
Another longer-than-I-thought chapter is here! Sorry for not being able to update the story as quick as I did in the last chapter, but thanks to you again for reading!
cougar Juniper ffm harem?