Review Responses:
PsychicEevee0103: I'm glad you enjoyed. I might slip in a few more character cameos, but it won't be very often.
jaguarspot: Thank you for the praise and the follow. Please save all questions for the Q&A sessions.
On with the story!
Chapter 5: Norman
"All right, Kuno, we've got you a bit leveled up from the Pokémon around here, so let's start you on your first Trainer battle."
Kuno nodded.
"You remember my rule?"
Another nod.
AJ nodded back, "Good. There seems to be somebody over there, so let's go."
Kuno and a transformed Wurmple stood facing each other, the Arena between them. The Wurmple looked like an eight-year-old with magenta hair save for a lock over his forehead colored yellow. Freckles sparsely dusted his tan skin and he wore a muscle shirt much like his Trainer, except it was the same color as his hair instead of green. Beige shorts and white shoes completed his rather simple outfit.
The bug catcher, named Rick, shook his head in awe at the sight of his transformed Pokémon, "Cool…"
"I know," AJ added with a smile. "Now, the battle?"
"Ah, right! Buzz, open up with a Tackle!"
"Kuno, fight as you please."
The transformed bug rushed forward with his shoulder forward and Kuno made no effort to dodge, only holding her armguard up.
"What's she doing?" Leif wondered.
Marcella shrugged, "Difference in fighting. We focus on speed and offense, and she must be a defensive type."
The Tackle attack connected with a clonk of wood, and AJ checked to see that Kuno's health had gone down hardly any. Meanwhile, her free hand was held in a sign with two fingers raised as if conjuring something.
A wisp of energy traveled from Leif and Marcella to Kuno and she glowed with a green aura. She pushed Buzz away and immediately closed the distance with a burst of speed, hitting him in the stomach with a punch. While he was winded and took a few steps back, her aura changed to brown with wisps of cream and she lost a bit of speed as she shoulder tackled him.
"Are those… our moves?" the transformed Zigzagoon asked.
Leif held a hand to his chin, "It seems that depending on which of our energies she's using, it alters the power and attributes of her attack, as if we're attacking them ourselves." (1)
Kuno finished the assault with a backhanded fist, her armguard bruising the Wurmple's face. Rick checked his Pokédex worriedly before ordering, "Bind her with String Shot!"
Buzz pursed his lips as he took a deep breath through his nose and blew out through a tiny opening, spitting silk threads towards Kuno in a wide area. She gave no outward reaction as the threads wrapped over her.
"Keep it up, make sure she can't break free!" Rick encouraged.
Soon, Kuno was completely covered with silk and she tried moving only to find herself slowed tremendously. Regardless, her hands slowly moved closer together before she put them in a joined sign, both sets of raised fingers crossed over each other. (2)
"That can't be good," Rick noted. "Tackle quickly, while she can't block!"
Two larger wisps of energy departed from AJ's other Pokémon, along with one from herself, and apparitions of a Treecko and Zigzagoon appeared beside Kuno while one of a Seedot appeared in front, colored silver with a sheen. The Tiny Raccoon Pokémon's apparition scurried forward in a zigzag, confusing Buzz on which direction to dodge before it launched forward and hit him in the shin, making him wince and take a knee. The Treecko leaped over head during that time and came down to attack the Wurmple's head with Pound, swinging his tail to slam into the top. Buzz fell to his side and Rick worried his lower lip while looking at his device's screen.
He waved his hand, "I-I forfeit! That's all he can take."
"I was planning on stopping anyway," AJ shrugged. "And Kuno was mainly keeping the avatar of herself for defense, I think, since it was using Harden. Good match." With that said, the apparition disappeared while Kuno started moving to try getting out of the silk. Leif and Marcella stepped forward to help her.
Rick counted out a portion of his money and handed it to AJ, "Looks like I need some more training."
The teen clicked the deactivation on his Arena and watched as Buzz reverted to his Wurmple form, still quite injured, "In any other situation, that String Shot would've been a good move. Tying up an opponent so that they can't move, I mean. You oughta be more careful in the future, though. As you get further along, you'll find that Trainers will get less merciful. My friend often told me that an unspoken code between high level Trainers was 'There's no running from a Trainer battle.'"
"Yeah," Rick sighed while returning Buzz, "I've heard from my older brother, Taylor. Either way, good fight. Oh, and you might want to watch your Grass-types up ahead. Allen has a Taillow. Pretty weak right now, I've managed to beat it with my binding strategy, but they can get some strong hits in before going down."
"I'll keep that in mind, thanks. Marcella should be able to-"
"Boooss…" the Pokémon in question called.
AJ turned his head to see that all three of his Pokémon were stuck together now, Kuno stoically standing in the middle while Leif and Marcella looked embarrassed.
"Oh, uh, yeah…" the bug catcher commented awkwardly. "You don't wanna try pulling that off, you just get stuck when it dries. It washes off with water pretty easily, though."
Shaking his head, AJ waved his Pokémon towards the pond he'd seen earlier on the route, "All right, let's get you three cleaned up."
After defeating Allen with Marcella and taking another Trainer's Zigzagoon with Kuno, using the Arena each time, AJ was about to arrive in Petalburg City. He'd also found some berry bushes and plucked them clean before planting a new one in their place, along with receiving a Repel that Marcella found. He thanked her, since the marts didn't sell Repels to Trainers without any badges.
The sun had begun approaching the west as he got closer to the end of Route 102, training his Pokémon along the way. The teen turned around to address his Pokémon right before turning the corner of the path to arrive.
"Okay, we're about to arrive at the town where my father lives, so I'm going to have to change you back to your Pokémon forms for now," he explained.
Leif tilted his head in confusion, "Can we get a reason why?"
"I'd prefer him not to know about the transformations until after we leave Petalburg. Not even a chance of a rumor reaching him. I'll change you back at the Pokémon Center, once we're there for the night," AJ continued. "I asked the previous nurse to phone ahead to the other Pokémon Centers and let them know about you guys. I'm not worried about them since they're under oath to not disclose Trainers' information."
He took out his game player and opened it, "So, we all in agreement?"
Leif, Marcella and Kuno waited outside of the Poké Mart in their Pokémon forms. Marcella just looked around Petalburg, having never seen any other city besides Oldale. Kuno just sat quietly, staring at nothing in particular.
The Treecko, however leaned against the wall with his eyes closed and his arms crossed in meditation, pondering what he'd heard and comparing it with what he knew.
'So his parents don't seem to be on good terms with each other, but AJ doesn't seem to really like or dislike his father either way,' Leif observed. 'But he also doesn't seem willing to tell him about what he can do. Did he make that transformation device in secret, or against his father's wishes? Both? Neither? Augh, there's too many gaps. Then again, I don't really know a lot about AJ as a person. I've only known him for a day, after all. I'll need more information before I can draw any conclusions…'
The automatic door opened, and AJ stepped out with his hands in his pockets, "Welp, all done with shopping—plenty of Potions and Antidotes for the Petalburg Woods and a couple extra Poké Balls. Now, let's head off to see the old man."
His Pokémon followed behind, Kuno having a little trouble keeping up with her short stride. Leif noticed and picked her up to carry on his back. Even though they were the same height, he could hold her if he supported her with his tail as well as his arms. The Acorn Pokémon remained silent as Leif put on a little bit more speed to catch up.
Once they saw a building modeled like a dojo, they stopped and Kuno shifted until Leif let her down to stand on her own. Two people stood in front of the building, one teen Trainer in average clothes with black hair looking mildly depressed and the other a man in a maroon coat and a white shirt with gray slacks and geta on his feet. AJ easily recognized the man, even with different wardrobe, to be his father, the Gym Leader of Petalburg City, Norman. He'd know the navy hair and typically serious expression anywhere. As he approached with his Pokémon, they could hear the tail end of their conversation.
"…put up a good battle," Norman comforted. "I'm sorry for your loss, but your other Pokémon will be released, and you can try again next year. Who knows? You may meet them again."
The Trainer nodded and turned around to leave.
"[Boss, what's he talking about 'next year'?]" Marcella asked.
"When Trainers lose all six of their 'party' Pokémon in any given battle, their license is suspended for a whole year and all of their Pokémon in the PC storage system are released," AJ answered.
Leif raised an eyebrow, "[All of them? Isn't that a little harsh?]"
"It prevents any one Trainer from spending the year training up their Pokémon to be too powerful," AJ shrugged. "If they could spend their suspension training then it would give them an unfair advantage against other Trainers. In any case," he raised his voice to call, "hey, dad."
Norman turned around from the entrance of his Gym in surprise. Once he saw AJ, he smiled, his typically severe expression lightening.
"Ah, Ave-" The Gym Leader paused at AJ's frown and cleared his throat, "AJ, son, it's nice to see you here! I was expecting you soon, but admittedly not today."
The Trainer shrugged, "I helped Professor Birch out of a little pickle and got Leif here. I asked him to keep quiet so I could surprise you."
"Well, what a pleasant surprise, son," Norman smiled. "Would you like to come in? I can prepare some tea."
AJ paused. 'I hate to get his hopes up like this, but…' he mused. 'Why not let him have his moment?' The teen nodded and let his father lead him and his Pokémon into the building. As they went up a staircase into the living quarters, Norman looked back at AJ's outfit.
"You know, AJ, I'm flattered that you would wear my hand-me-down to you, but aren't you blazing hot in it?" Norman asked in a concerned tone. "Hoenn is far warmer than Johto…"
AJ waved off his concern with a smile, "I'm fine. Plus this jacket has tons of pockets, so it's very useful for my Pokémon journey."
"True enough, but when did you start coordinating the rest of your outfit to…" Norman trailed off at his son's dour expression as the teen suddenly found the wallpaper very interesting. "I see. Do you still take Pecha tea with a slice of Aspear?"
"Yup."
They arrived at a traditional tea room with seat cushions and a low table. A kitchenette was built in on the side with Berry Pots containing various berry trees growing. Norman set to filling a teapot with water and putting it on the stove to heat up while he got some mugs and set the teabags in them.
AJ took a seat, sitting cross-legged on one of the cushions while his Pokémon just sat nearby on the floor. They were interested in the conversation between the two humans, Leif for information, Marcella for seeing what kind of person her Trainer's father was. Kuno didn't seem all that concerned, but her eyes moved to whoever was speaking as the two continued.
"And how's Marissa?" the Gym Leader asked.
"Mom's fine, thank you for asking," AJ replied. "She was sad to see me go, but knew that it was the step that everyone takes. Well, not everyone, but most people."
"So you're starting off as a Trainer, then?" he asked with a smile while sitting across from AJ on his knees. He took a look at AJ's Pokémon and nodded approvingly, "Well it seems you're off to a good start. Of course, that does mean that we're going to battle someday…"
AJ chuckled as the kettle started to whistle, "Even back in Johto, we would've had to battle, dad. You were a Gym Leader there too."
"Yes, but Goldenrod didn't want a relic like me around anymore," the Petalburg Leader sighed while standing up again. "They just didn't appreciate the traditional styles that I used for my Gym, and I hear my successor has given it a more… modern touch."
"Dad, you're not in public, you don't have to sugarcoat it. You and I both know it looks like an eyesore of a dollhouse designed by somebody obsessed with the color pink," AJ outlined in deadpan.
Norman stifled a laugh as he brought the filled mugs on a tray with one having an Aspear wedge on the rim, but scolded, "Son, you shouldn't be so blunt. Luckily, Petalburg's rural setting allows for a more subdued theme."
AJ took out the teabag and set it on the rim of the glass where the berry slice used to rest and added the juice before stirring it around with the spoon. He then set the silverware aside with the teabag in the utensil's bowl.
"I tell it like it is, dad. You know that," he shrugged while picking up his mug and blowing on it. He took a sip, "I just don't see the point in trying to soften the truth."
"Right… Well, on that note," Norman said, his expression growing a bit serious, "did the moving process go smoothly? Neither of you were seen?"
AJ smiled, "No, actually. My good friend Ethan has made a lot of noise for them, and they couldn't focus on finding me, even if they thought to look in a nowhere town like Twinleaf. We got to Olivine safely, boarded a boat, rented a moving truck and here we are now. I've told you about Ethan, right?"
"Yes you have," his father nodded, expression softening again with relief. "An up-and-coming Trainer, apparently. Last you told me, he was already well in the Kanto region, collecting badges to compete for the title of Champion against Lance."
"Yeah, apparently the Kanto badges allow someone to try directly for Champion at the Indigo Plateau, but people from Johto need to get all badges from both regions," the teen commented with another sip. "Doesn't make much sense to me. Maybe Johto holds its Trainers to a higher standard."
"On the subject of badges-" Norman started before a knocking sound cut him off.
Both looked along with AJ's Pokémon and saw green hair peeking from behind the doorway. A timid voice spoke up, "H-hi. Sorry to interrupt, but, um, Mr. Norman? I-I'm here to get a Pokémon, and it's almost dark out…"
"Ah!" the Gym Leader exclaimed. "Forgive me, Wally. I'd forgotten about our appointment. Please, come in."
A boy around AJ's age stepped in cautiously. He had a subdued shade of tea green hair with light blue eyes, a combination new to AJ, and pale skin telling of sickly health. His outfit was also monochrome like the brunet, a slate jacket with a white shirt collar showing from underneath and a set of platinum slacks. He even had white shoes with platinum patterns.
AJ nodded approvingly, "Nice outfit. I could never really pull off the lighter shades of gray, but they work well with your hair."
Wally blinked in surprise and seemed unsure of how to respond to that. Norman luckily intervened and said, "Wally, this is my son, AJ. AJ, Wally here will be moving to his relatives in Verdanturf Town and asked me about catching a Pokémon for some company. I'm not exactly allowed to leave the Gym before closing time. Son, would you mind overseeing him, just to make sure that it goes well?"
"Sure," AJ nodded. "Should only take a few minutes for him to meet his first Pokémon."
"Then I'll leave it to you," Norman nodded back. He handed two Poké Balls to Wally and pointed to each, "This one contains a Pokémon for you to weaken whichever one you meet, and this is an empty one to catch them."
Wally nodded and AJ stood up with his Pokémon. The brunet waited until Wally turned around and tilted his head for them to go. After pocketing the two shrunken spheres, he followed AJ out the Gym and to Route 102. Leif picked up Kuno again so that she could keep up and AJ explained on the way about how to catch a Pokémon.
"So I look in the tall grass for a Pokémon?" Wally asked.
AJ chuckled, "Yeah, but it's more like they'll find you. Anyway, we're here."
The two teens stood before several patches of tall grass and Wally gulped nervously. AJ patted him on the back, "Don't worry, my own Pokémon will be at the ready in case something goes wrong." He gently pushed him forward, "Now, in you go."
Wally stumbled slightly, but regained his footing and looked around as he walked between the sparse turf. He took out the Poké Ball containing Norman's Pokémon and expanded it to hold for comfort.
One of the bushes rustled, and Wally tensed up as a Ralts came out.
AJ whistled, "A Ralts! You're quite lucky, Wally. They're a bit too fragile for my tastes, but can be quite powerful if raised right."
"Uh, right," Wally hesitantly replied. He opened the Poké Ball and a Zigzagoon came out.
"[Your dad has good taste in Pokémon,]" Marcella commented to her Trainer.
Norman's Zigzagoon waited for orders and Wally anxiously commanded, "T-Tackle!"
The Tiny Raccoon Pokémon charged forward and knocked Ralts back with a full-body tackle. AJ took out his Pokédex and scanned the health of the two battling Pokémon. Ralts took a little less than half of his total health.
The Feeling Pokémon let out a soft growl, and AJ called out, "That was Growl, Wally. It should be safe for you to use another Tackle."
"Right," the new Trainer nodded. "Tackle, again, Zigzagoon."
Zigzagoon did so, and Ralts supported himself on the ground with his arms. Wally recalled Norman's Pokémon and took the empty sphere out of his pocket, "Now, I throw a Poké Ball, right?"
"Correct."
He did so, and it opened upon contact to contain the Psychic-type. The ball fell to the ground and shook a few times. The light on the button went out and Wally smiled, "I-I did it! I caught Ralts!"
AJ smiled, "That you did. Congratulations. Would you like to nickname your newly caught Pokémon?"
"Nickname?" he asked.
"Yeah. It would be confusing to just call your Pokémon 'Ralts', wouldn't it?" AJ gestured to each of his Pokémon, "That's Leif, Kuno, and Marcella." In order of introduction, each of them reacted differently. Leif waved, Kuno gave a curt nod, and Marcella stood proudly.
Wally looked at his Pokémon contemplatively, "I'll call him… Simon. Thanks, AJ."
"No prob," the brunet replied easily.
Back at Petalburg Gym, the sun nearly finished setting outside as Norman accepted his Pokémon back and thanked AJ for helping Wally. The new Trainer also thanked AJ and asked to see his PokéNav Plus. Once he received it, he put a thumb drive into the side and pressed a few buttons. After the device beeped, he unplugged it and handed the PokéNav Plus back.
"I updated it with the PlayNav app," Wally explained. "It'll let you play games with your Pokémon and grow closer with them." He inclined his head slightly, "Well, my parents are expecting me home soon, bye."
Wally left, and Norman addressed his son again, "Now, AJ, as I was saying before, the first Gym is in Rustboro City. A trip north through Petalburg Woods on Route 104 will see you right at its borders."
"Thanks, dad. It's a bit late for me to go anywhere tonight, though, so I'm going to go get a room at the Pokémon Center."
"Very well, then," Norman nodded. "It's always good to see you, son."
He seemed to be hesitating about something, so AJ smiled and walked over to hug him. Norman's eyes widened, but he returned the hug, seeming unsure that it was real.
"Love you, dad."
Norman rested his trembling right hand over the back of AJ's head, "I… Son, I'm…"
AJ patted him on the back, "I know, dad. But it wasn't your fault. You couldn't have known. I forgave you a long time ago."
The teen's Pokémon felt a little awkward waiting for the affection between the two to die down, but understood that interrupting would break the moment.
They pulled away after a brief moment, and AJ waved with a grin. Norman smiled back and waved back, "Love you too, son."
AJ nodded and gestured for his Pokémon to follow him. He left the Gym and headed for the Pokémon Center. He walked slowly, so Kuno didn't need Leif's help to keep up, and the Treecko tugged at his Trainer's pants leg.
"[What was all that about?]"
"My father is a good man who tries to be a good parent, and family is all you have left at the end of the day," AJ answered. "Just because I'm doing something he wouldn't approve of doesn't mean I have to rub it in his face. He doesn't deserve that. But while he may not like it, I'm not going to change my mind about this."
"[And what is this?]" Marcella asked as they stepped into the Pokémon Center.
AJ chuckled, "Nothing you need to concern yourselves with right now." He took out his modified game player, "Now, who wants to be transformed for the night?"
Extra 4: Who Is He?
AJ's three Pokémon sat in their hybrid forms without their weapons and items at a booth in the Pokémon Center's dining area. AJ had excused himself to see what his PokéNav's new app was about. Leif and Marcella ate while Kuno simply sat staring at the moon outside.
"Aren't you hungry?" Marcella asked between bites of her sandwich.
The transformed Seedot shook her head without turning to face her teammate. Leif took the liberty of explaining.
"Certain Grass-types can live off nutrients from the sun alone, or some other source of energy," he detachedly said while picking at his salad. "Since she's a Seedot, she likely has all the energy she'll need for a while stored up from her time on a branch."
Marcella looked at the Wood Gecko Pokémon and rolled her eyes before putting her sandwich down. She slapped her hands on the table to get his attention and raised an eyebrow, "Alright, what's up with you, Leif?"
Leif blinked and sighed, "It's just occurred to me how little we actually know about our Trainer."
"We've only known Boss for a day," the Zigzagoon pointed out. "Did you expect him to just spill his life story out?"
"No, but I feel like he's keeping secrets from us," he said while putting his fork down.
A new voice interrupted them, "They are his to keep if he chooses."
Both Pokémon were confused before their eyes widened and they turned to face Kuno. The Seedot hadn't given any indication that she'd moved or said anything, and her mask kept them from seeing her expression.
"Yyyeah, like Kuno said," Marcella hesitantly agreed. "If it's something to do with why his father apologized, or was going to, then it's really none of our business."
"But he has this technology and is doing something that his father doesn't seem to support, but his mom does," Leif persisted. "If not why he's doing it, then what is he doing?"
"Well, whatever it is, it doesn't seem to be doing anyone any harm," Marcella shrugged.
Leif looked down with a slight frown before picking up his plate, "I won't ask him tonight, but I'm not dropping this."
He left and Marcella glanced at Kuno staring out the window before she picked up her sandwich again. Feeling like she should say something, she commented, "You know, you have a nice voice. I don't know why you don't, but you should use it more often."
The Grass-type gave no indication that she'd heard and simply continued what she was doing. Marcella took a napkin and left some chips on there next to Kuno before continuing to eat.
Aaand cut! Pretty long chapter for this one, eh? Was it what you expected? Let me know what you think in a review, please. I've been busy with school, so this one was the first one I could finish.
Notes:
1. In the games, it shows the user of Beat Up lurching forward to strike with every blow instead of even blob figures attacking the opponent. So this is my interpretation of the move Beat Up.
2. Yes, it's that sign to create them as separate entities. Believe it!
See you when I see you.
-AJ203