The Trainer From Hoenn

Route 101. Green trees, open pathways and an extending forest which spread across the mainland towards Petalburg, Oldale and Slateport Towns and Cities. Many had avoided the dense forest due to how thick and steep the hills got with Pokemon also living inside with natural ecosystems. Hoenn had grown to be very focussed on its environment and conserving it as best possible even with the sea levels rising gradually over the past few years. Land would meet sea constantly, and its relationship was something many locals were proud of and protected with their lives. Passion combined with nature and it blended into a very interesting and beautiful Region to explore and learn about. This particular route would eventually open up into the large valley that contained Oldale Town, spread across it, where different paths could be taken to newer locations. Rod had instantly realised the lack of roads and vehicular transport options, and a more focus on walking and cycle paths that dotted around them. Tourists enjoyed a more closer way of travelling that led to adventure and the discovery of mysterious landmarks and places. In fact, most of the Hoenn monuments and historical aspects had been discovered by tourists and made research much easier and more influential. Rod had spent the morning reading the information from a travel brochure picked up just before departing Littleroot Town towards Oldale Town to investigate any mysterious activity after what had happened the day earlier.

However, this particular morning had Rod up early training his Pokemon as he called out attacks from each one. Bulbasaur fired its much improved Razor Leaf towards Starly in the air as it avoided it acrobatically, colliding into the Steel Wing of Fletchling, before Shinx fired a consuming Discharge. His Pokemon were getting stronger and more adept to battling, but he still lacked proper experience with trainers and hoped he would meet one from Hoenn soon. Vivid memories had appeared in his mind of seeing his father battle trainers that used powerful Pokemon from the Hoenn Region, and he wanted to train stronger Pokemon eventually. Forrest looked up with a smile on his face as he polished his Pokeballs and taking small bites from the sandwiches bought back in Littleroot the day before.

Fletchling flipped over acrobatically high above as he screeched, powering up another Steel Wing before Rod called, "Shinx, use Discharge! Fletchling, deflect it away!"

It was a new technique he had developed over night and using the unique move of Steel Wing which allowed a powerful attack to be adaptable to the situation. Fletchling could land the attack when it wanted and so made it very useful. The Tiny Robin Pokemon watched the oncoming spurt of Discharge as it slashed both wings at it, causing the electricity to separate, and soon the move was completely deflected downwards. Bulbasaur and Starly avoided the move, calling out in fear, as Rod applauded the efforts of his Pokemon and yet another attack style to add to the growing list of techniques.

Forrest stood up, wiping grass from his hiking pants before exclaiming, "That will come in handy some time! Fantastic technique and can give Fletchling an extra advantage over Electric Types!"

Rod nodded as he smiled at the Tiny Robin Pokemon, as it landed on his shoulder, "Hopefully it will give us an edge! Let's give it one more shot."

Fletchling could barely take off into the air before a sickening screech emptied around them, echoing vividly around the area. Rod stumbled, shocked by the loudness, as he gazed around at his Pokemon thinking it was one of them. It sounded like something was in deep pain, and with the sound of footsteps approaching, it would be here soon. Rod returned his team of Pokemon quickly, safely into their shining Pokeballs in the sunlight, before taking a step back wards the shadow of the trees. Forrest did the same and passed Rod's backpack across, as they awaited for what came.

"It was a cry of a Pokemon in pain, we have to explore!" The Oldale Pokemon Centre wouldn't be far away from here, and they could get help for it quickly. Rod began to walk back out, as the screech appeared again, and the rustling of the bushes nearby exploded into what seemed a dozen horns and sparks. Diving down, and feeling them whiz over head, Rod heard Forrest call as he ran out of the shade and tackled what seemed like a young boy that followed suit.

Rod scrambled back to his feet, grass and mud spluttering everywhere, as his eyes focussed on who this figure was. The ground was covered in what seemed black burn marks as a Pokemon hovered over them all, its black outer body covering a small orb underneath – a Pokemon Rod hadn't seen before. The boy pushed Forrest off, his blond hair flailing around as he yelled, "What do you think you're doing? I am chasing one of my Pokemon!"

"Chasing?" Rod questioned confused before the floating Pokemon fired a surprisingly powerful jet of fire towards a small purple coloured Pokemon trying to run ahead in the field. The attack made powerful contact, bursting into flames, as dark smoke appeared with the Pokemon on one side breathing heavily, obviously hurt. Rod retorted naturally, shoving the boy to one side as he angrily called, "What on earth are you doing! You just attacked your own Pokemon!"

The boy pushed him back as Rod stumbled and fell hard on his back, he responded with the floating Pokemon returning to his side, "I am training with it! Now get out of my way and let me continue! Lampent, use Flame Burst once again!"

Rolling to one side, his instincts taking complete control of his body, Rod released a Pokeball from his pocket and cried, "Shinx! Discharge!"

The small Flash Pokemon appeared once again, sparking with electricity, as it unleashed a trademark Discharge at the Flame Burst causing an explosion. The attacks were at even power and both Pokemon were pushed further away from each other as they growled, ready to attack once again. The boy kicked the ground with Forrest trying to hold him back before he cried, frustration setting in, "You are really asking for trouble! Let me train my Pokemon!"

"Pretty strange way of training your Pokemon if you're attacking them!" Shinx jumped to Rod's side as he replied back, fists drawn, ready to land a hit. As the opposing boy jumped in, Forrest dived between and raised his arms, his stronger body, pushing them aside as they flailed angrily.

Forrest called, "Break it up you two, no point fighting it out here!"

Rod shrugged this friend off, taking a few step backs and pointed at the burnt remains of the fallen Pokemon, "What sort of training method is that? Hurting your Pokemon so much!"

"It wasn't strong enough, and it wouldn't win the battles I had with it! It needs to learn to be strong!" He responded, spitting on the ground, as his Lampent hovered above flaring up occasionally with blue fire.

As both trainers stood aside, Forrest looked at him and shook his head, "I have met so many young trainers like you, but hurting a Pokemon to make it stronger doesn't help. You have to learn about the Pokemon, and how to battle with it."

"You sound so pathetic! It will get stronger with me, and I can prove how my training is correct!"

"How so?" Rod retorted angrily, as the fallen Pokemon regained consciousness and tried to stand up before collapsing again.

"Battle me! Show me how your...methods, are better!"

Adjusting his headband, Rod agreed and returned his Shinx back to its Pokeball before taking a few steps backwards. Forrest seemed impressed with his attitude, nodding and leaving space between them both. Rod took out his Pokedex and aimed at the Lampent as it responded instantly: "Lampent, the Lamp Pokemon, leads Pokemon to the Ghost World to steal their life energy."

A Fire and Ghost hybrid was something Rod had never seen before, but his mind instantly changed to the fallen Pokemon as he looked closer. Recognising it was a male Nidoran, Rod could finally see the extent of its trainings and the numerous bruises suffered. He felt angry, and even more so that its trainer didn't return it to its Pokeball, but left it there to suffer in pain.

The boy cried, "The name is Chris, and I am from the Hoenn Region. This will be a three on three battle. I actually found a couple of Pokeballs this morning floating down a stream, and they are rare Pokemon."

Rod looked on, his mouth gaping as his mind seemed to click with what he said. Looking over at Forrest and understanding the same conclusion they developed, he responded, "Chris...which Pokemon are those? They belong to someone else!"

"If you lose your Pokemon, then they deserve better! They are both Hoenn starter Pokemon, and now I have the complete set of them!"

Forrest cried, pushing his feet hard into the ground, "Those belong to Professor Birch, they were stolen by criminals! Are you associated with them?"

Chris laughed, revealing the two small Pokeballs from his pocket as they shivered uncomfortably in his hands, "Criminal? I have no time for such things. I want to be the greatest trainer in the world, so battle me! Lampent!"

The Lamp Pokemon floated down, flaring up once again, as Rod tried to calculate which of his Pokemon to use first up. He wanted the Nidoran to get healed, and so this battle had to be fast, but the Pokeballs also had to be returned. Taking a Pokeball from his pocket, throwing it high into the air, he cried. "Fletchling, I choose you!" The Tiny Robin Pokemon appeared, but Rod wasn't finished yet as he pointed towards Chris, his Pokemon matching altitudes with its opponent, "If we win, I want those Pokeballs to return to Professor Birch and Nidoran to be brought to the Pokemon Centre. Deal?"

"Whatever, you are not winning. You look like an amateur! Lampent, start this off with Flame Burst!"

Rod knew his words were true, he was an amateur, but if he was going to compete at Pokemon Gyms, then these were battles he had to win. Lampent spiralled around firing jets of fire towards Fletchling as it instinctively avoided them, the attack alighting the ground below before sparking out into ash. Knowing he had to respond, Rod commanded, "Fletchling, keep that speed up! Quick Attack!"

Fletchling screeched, flashing white as it moved quickly to avoid the last of the Flame Burst attack, but to Rod's shock, it went literally straight through Lampent, its ghostly body fading in and out of view. Fletchling seemed quickly surprised as it struggled to regain balance, and a final Flame Burst attack made contact sending it spiralling downwards. Rod could barely move in shock as his Tiny Robin Pokemon hit the ground, trying to move as Lampent hovered above sensing victory.

Chris shook his head before laughing loudly as Forrest looked on, frowning, "You really are an amateur! Using an attack like that on a Ghost Type? You just talk big! Lampent, use Fire Spin and wrap this up!"

Fletchling screeched in pain as the flame engulfed it completely with Rod gazing on hopelessly as he grabbed a Pokeball from his pocket and returned the Tiny Robin Pokemon safely back knowing he had lost. The Fire Spin stopped as the Nidoran looked towards Rod, their eyes meeting, with inspiration suddenly appearing in a mind so confused. He had no idea that Ghost types had immunity to physical normal moves such as Quick Attack, and this battle had tilted away from him very quickly. Chris returned his own Lampent, still laughing, as he pulled out the next Pokeball from his pocket and gazed at it.

He called, "This one will be over quickly. Let me introduce you to my starter: Treecko!"

Forrest looked closely as the Wood Gecko Pokemon appeared, its speed instantly being shown, as it jumped around the field with sporadic agility. He turned to Rod and called, "Rod...you have to be careful, Treecko are really impressive in battle!"

Rod had heard of this Pokemon before, but never had seen one in real life before. A Grass Type with amazing speed, and it was also in its natural habitat with the trees surrounding. If Chris wanted a battle with starters, then he would give him one, "Bulbasaur, I need your help!"

His Seed Pokemon appeared, looking fired up and ready for battle, as it screeched at its opponent which whizzed around in front of it. Bulbasaur was much slower, but it was able to take more hits due to its sheer weight and size. Chris called the first attack again, bellowing out, "Treecko, show them a real Quick Attack!"

Treecko sprang forward and landed a full blooded shoulder barge on Bulbasaur as it slid backwards trying to shake off the damage. It responded, under Rod's command, with a Vine Whip but the Wood Gecko opponent was much to quick as it dived between them all and landed an accurate Slam attack with its thick tail. Bulbasaur continued to take damage as Rod's calls for attacks failed constantly, his opponent's face full of laughter and arrogance. Frustration set into Rod's body knowing that so much was on the line here, and he just couldn't pull it together! Bulbsaur hit the ground again, struggling to get up as Treecko remained untouched and ready for another round as Nidoran looked on helplessly nearby. It caught Rod's eyes again as he knew he had to do something to save it, and get it's trainer to take it to a Pokemon Centre.

Rod adjusted his headband and called, his voice rippling now with sweat dripping down his neck, "Bulbasaur! Use Vine Whip on the ground, get into the air!"

Treecko had been good on the ground, but how would it manage with an aerial attack? Chris looked surprised with the move, but his arrogance took over as he looked on smugly. The Seed Pokemon launched itself into the air, this time regaining its balance perfectly, before landed a powerful Tackle attack on Treecko. It failed to register where to avoid as Bulbasaur had finally gotten in close, smashing it to one side with a Vine Whip attack with Chris faltering in confusion. He called, "Treecko, what are you doing? Finish this thing off, use Slam!"

"Your Treecko has no space to move now! Razor Leaf!" Rod commanded, feeling more confident as Forrest applauded silently to the side, a smile etched onto his face as he closely watched. Treecko tried to take a step back to make the leap into the air, but Bulbasaur unleashed a consuming bout of sharp leaves from underneath its bulb as the Wood Gecko opponent fell to one side unable to move. Bulbasaur roared in victory as its opponent slumped over, fainted and bruised, and incapable of battling onwards.

Chris called out, anger firing from his voice, "Treecko! That was dreadful! Return now!"

Forrest applauded again and called, as Treecko was returned safely to its Pokeball, "Looking better Rod, but you have to maintain momentum."

Chris spat on the ground again and spoke with a smug look, trying to shake his defeat off, "Is that guy your coach or something? Can't battle on your own?"

Rod turned to Forrest and cracked a smile before his friend continued, "I am the Gym Leader of Pewter City in Kanto, Chris. You wouldn't survive a second in my Gym, and Rod here has defeated me once already."

"Nice joke, Mr. Gym Leader! My last Pokemon will be Nidoran, now get up you lazy rag!" Chris' voices snarled as Rod's Bulbasaur flared up at his detestable words with Rod agreeing. Tightening his fists, they all looked towards Nidoran who tried to hear its trainers call, but could barely stand up before falling again. Rod felt terrible for it, as it tried to listen to its trainer but struggled to move, its body shivering before continuously falling down. Chris called once again, "Hurry it up, we have a battle to win here."

Rod returned his Bulbasaur, but raised his hands in the air instead of taking another Pokemon out for battle. Chris looked up, confusion on his face as he questioned with a snigger, "What are you doing? You're not under arrest you know."

Rod shook his head and gestured towards Nidoran, still trying to crawl towards its trainer, "I am not battling a Pokemon in that state. Take it to a Pokemon Centre first, it cannot battle."

Forrest agreed, walking into the middle of the burnt up battlefield of grass, "You cannot battle with a Pokemon like that, it cannot battle to its full potential and it is injured."

Chris threw his hands down, almost like a small child not getting a toy from the shop, before yelling out, "You guys are wasting my time. Just a huge waste of time. Take these two pathetic Pokeballs, and you know what, take the Nidoran as well. If it cannot battle at my call, then I can't be bothered!"

Raising a hand in complete ignorance, he chucked two small Pokeballs onto the ground along with a third which flashed blue around Nidoran before landing. It looked broken as its trainer walked back down the path of Route 101 muttering furiously under his breath before laughing. Rod shook his head before running over towards the Poison Pin Pokemon, its ears full of tears as its hard skin revealed heavy bruising. It called loudly, but Chris didn't stop and just continued moving onwards with Oldale Town in the distance behind them all. Forrest gathered the two small Pokeballs from the ground and placed them safely away before reaching the injured Nidoran as Rod tried to hold it back.

As soon as Chris left from sight, the Poison Pin Pokemon collapsed once again into a quiet and unconscious state as Rod called, "We have to get to Oldale Town, the Pokemon Centre!"

"We'll have to carry it, it's Pokeball won't work unless you catch it." Forrest quickly grabbed the rest of his supplies, stuffing it into their heavy backpacks, before leading the way in a sprint up the Route 101 path. Rod held on tight to the Pokemon, feeling its bruised body shake and shiver after each step he took, but he knew their destination was not far away at all. The afternoon sun began to dawn above them as mud spluttered from the grass with Chris still nowhere in sight. Rod's mind was in many places, but he could not ever forget seeing a trainer abandon a Pokemon like that in front of it.

Nidoran peeked open one eye as it caught Rod's again before darkness consumed the world around it...

…

Giovanni was losing patience with everyone around him as work was simply not being completed fast enough. Kanto was now sealed off to the rest of the world, their forces much to strong to be broken by trainers or any government, and they had full economic control as well. They imported more Pokemon instead of food and the remaining citizens were immediately forced to work with the Team Rocket aim. Camps had been set up to rebuild many of the structures seen as unfit by Giovanni, and included the infamous Silph Co and Pokemon Tower. However, Blue still had not been caught yet, and his whereabouts remained hazy and uncertain. Red would lose his patience soon and Giovanni would be left powerless to him, and so this task had to be complete.

Damon had reached Hoenn successfully, but forces would take time to grow over there with the aim of gathering Blue's son, Rod. He couldn't run anywhere, and Damon was much too strong a trainer to be defeated by a mere amateur.

Giovanni picked up his transceiver once again and started a call, "Daniel...we need things to move faster. Find Blue, and I will search Mt. Silver myself for Red."

"Agreed sir."

Giovanni hung up even before the response was given before an email appeared on his computer in front of him. Clicking on it immediately, he realised it was yet another message from Kalos regarding an incident that hard occurred. Shaking his head, Giovanni dragged the email into the trash bin and stood up deciding to ignore all future contact with them. Whatever was happening in Kalos, they could fix it on their own, he had larger problems on his hands.