(Part VIII: Communication) Written by Brock Stone.
A very important aspect of raising pokemon is understanding what they say. Many trainers have difficulty understanding their pokemon when they start out, and not many people can understand what other people's pokemon say. The closer the two are, the better it is. Of course, psychics and their pokemon are connected telepathically and don't really need to talk. Sometimes non-psychics can be linked in a sense to their pokemon.
Scientists have been working on a way to communicate with any pokemon, at any time and at any place. Success is limited, however. Only pokemon with five fingers can use sign language, and not all pokemon can maneuver flags for semaphore.
Tracey Sketchett, Professor Oak's assistant and a pokemon watcher, brought a small box of supplies into the room with his Venonat. The small bug pokemon with the purple fur and big eyes watched his trainer's actions by his silhouette. The pokemon held up the two flags curiously after his trainer handed them to him.
"Venonat?" He questioned.
"I need you to help me with something, Venonat."
Since there is no single way at the moment, you may teach your pokemon how to communicate with any means necessary...or just become very close to your pokemon.
The purple bug watched as Tracey started reciting the alphabet while positioning the flags. Each time the pokemon watcher paused in the hopes of his pokemon mimicking him. "Come on Venonat, you try."
Venonat attempted to move the flags, but settled on waving them wildly around when he couldn't remember the positions. The flags were thrown from the bug pokemon's tiny hands and hit Tracey in the forehead.
If you try and teach your pokemon semaphore, be aware that the flags may be flung at any moment. Be sure to duck.
Tracey rubbed the small indents on his forehead as he tossed the pens and paper out of the box; Venonat couldn't see writing separate from the paper in order to learn how to read and write. The pokemon watcher then pulled out a small square box with assorted knobs and buttons on it, as well as a microphone and speakers. He set the equipment up and then put the mike in front of Venonat.
"Now all you have to do is speak into this." Tracey indicated the microphone and the bug pokemon chirped. Venonat then began to sing a song into the mike as Tracey began adjusting the settings of the machine.
This proved to be his undoing.
The speakers, receiving information from the box and the microphone, let out a piercing shriek as they tried and failed to project the translation. Or they failed because Venonat can't sing well. Either way, the resulting noise caused the tiny bug pokemon to emit a shriek of his own and dash off the table.
"Wait! Come back Venonat!" It was too late, as the bug had already jumped out the first story window and ran into the surrounding woods. Tracey discarded the failed pokemon speech translator and ran after the pokemon.
Many pokemon have excellent hearing. Do not shout to speak with them; they can understand you perfectly. Also, take care when using an untested pokemon translator. The sound may be set too high.
"Venonat? Venonat!" The pokemon watcher called out futilely. His pokemon was in hiding and Tracey had no real idea of where he went. The pokemon preserve at Oak's Lab had acres and acres of pokemon habitats, each suitable to almost all species of pokemon. It was where many pokemon were observed and cared for; many of which belonged to pokemon trainers.
And because of the safety and protection it offered, the preserve served as a rest stop for many migrating pokemon during almost every season. It was also a very nice mating ground for pokemon, especially the easily irritated ones.
Of course Tracey, being the assistant of the world's best pokemon professor and researcher, knew this. But Tracey was too concerned about his Venonat to remember.
As fate would have it (and being a very cruel personified idea), it happened to be Beedrill, Scyther, and Houndour mating season, and Tracey just happened to be in their territory...making noise by shouting.
If you happen to scare your pokemon off by using a translator, be very careful not to disturb the wild pokemon in the area. As said before, pokemon are sensitive to sound and can be easily annoyed. Especially during mating season.
"AGGGGGGHHHHHH!" Tracey screamed as he sprinted through the underbrush, chased from behind by the Beedrill, Scyther, and Houndour groups. He ran to the nearest body of water, a swimming pond for water pokemon, and dived in. Because bug pokemon can't swim below the surface, and because fire is dampened by water, Tracey hoped he was safe.
It was too bad for him that it was also Magikarp evolution time in that particular pond.
A while later, a wet, scorched, cut up, nearly drowned, and generally maimed Tracey winced as he limped towards the open field area of the preserve. It was about the time that Professor Oak fed the pokemon there, and Tracey hoped he could get a ride back to the lab before going back to search for his pokemon.
"Veno, venonat!" A frantic-sounding chirping caused Tracey to look near the fences. His Venonat was bouncing up and down frantically, chirping madly at Tracey for some reason. "What is it, Venonat?" It was then that the ground began to shake, a loud thundering filling the air. Tracey looked horrified and turned slowly around, his fears confirmed as Ash's thirty Tauros stampeded towards him.
And if your pokemon runs off, be very careful of pokemon stampedes. They can result in much pain.
Hours later Tracey awoke to find himself in one of the lab's hospital beds, with Mrs. Ketchum and Professor Oak hovering over him. Both were very concerned, judging by their facial expressions, and Ash's mom had bandages in her hands. Venonat sat at the foot of Tracey's bed.
"Thank goodness you're awake." Mrs. Ketchum sighed. The professor nodded. "That Tauros herd knocked you out cold, but luckily there were no serious injuries." He indicated Venonat with his hand. "Your Venonat came right to me and told me what happened."
Tracey, looking past his bandaged leg, smirked at the realization: It takes time in order to understand pokemon languages, not machines. Tracey spent a few days in bed recovering from the incident, with Venonat chirping out a song to entertain his trainer. It was unfortunate that Venonat was tone deaf.
(End)Not one of the best segments, but writing Tracey wasn't as easy as people say. Upcoming chapters may include rainy days, airport security, and may involve gym leaders (and a big stress on that last may).
