Chapter 2: Unyielding Bond
"It's over! With an upset victory of 0-6 challenger Liam has successfully defeated the upcoming star of the pokemon league Bea without losing a pokemon!" Said the announcer with a surprising reaction from the audience.
Moon's talent in battle is crystal clear to me now. One week of training and sparring with Illuminate has already increased her senses very well. She definitely needs rest after all the hard work she's done in today's battle. I should be able to pick up some ingredients for a curry tonight as a treat for the team.
"Were now live for an interview with challenger Liam who manages to secure an astonishing win streak of 20 wins in a row with only 2 pokemon so far! What's your secret to having such powerful pokemon?" Asked the reporter.
"Er... I feel it just comes from the confidence and the understanding bond between trainers and pokemon that can win battles. Some would call it instinct in this case." I said nervously.
I will admit I'm not a fan of interviews because for some reason I feel nervous when I shouldn't be during one.
"Next question: How did you feel about your opponent today? An ex challenger who got recently promoted to a big-league pokemon gym?" Asked the reporter.
"She was a challenge. I can tell that she spends a great deal of her time bonding with her pokemon." I responded.
To be honest, I would've been in trouble if her Machamp landed her poison jab on Moon. She has a bright future in her as a trainer and as a gym leader.
"Next question: with this win, you will qualify for both the tag cup and the ultra cup for the Galar region! Will you be participating in both cups?" Asked the reporter.
The tag cup is a tournament where you must pair up with another qualified trainer in a series of 6v6 battles for the cup and huge prize money of 1,000,000 poke dollars. The ultra cup is a standard tournament for a chance to compete in the champion cup for those who successfully have completed the gym challenges or has won multiple high profile matches in a row. The ultra cup is where trainers from other regions are allowed to participate as the same goes for people of the Galar region. Gym leaders sometimes participate in the ultra cup.
"Yes. I'm excited to not only battle some powerful trainers but, I also gonna show them the strength that I and my pokemon carry." I respond wanting to gag.
That was way too cheesy even for a person like me.
"That will be all for today." Said the reporter as her crew is preparing for Bea's interview.
Great... I gotta prepare the notes for class today. Today's class is going to be nerve-wracking since Moon isn't really comfortable with other trainers or even people outside of me and Aurea. If she's nervous she hides behind me like a child which makes sense due to having a Timid nature.
On my way to the school, I manage to get some good deal on ingredients for a sausage curry today. They are sure gonna love the treat today. When I reach the school, I saw an unfamiliar face waiting at the front of the school. This was a rather short woman with long black hair and fair skin. By the looks of her, she seems to be a professor from another region. I can feel tugging on my shirt collar only for it to just be Moon hiding behind me. She doesn't like being in a Pokeball so she often just hides behind me due to anxiety.
"Excuse me... are you looking for someone madam?" I asked as she turned around.
Immediately, I can see the look in her eyes and already she seemed excited about what was in her sight.
"Would that happen to be a Gardevoir behind you? Is it your pokemon?" She asked politely.
"Yep, that's my Gardevoir named Moon. She is a very shy pokemon though." I said chuckling.
Her eyes light up as she tries to get a better view of Moon. Moon keeps shifting around not wanting to be noticed. A noticeable habit of Moon is that she actively is reading the emotions of everyone within a 2-mile radius. Judging by her hiding she is not a fan of this woman.
"Incredible! An actual Gardevoir is here! This would be a great story to tell the assistants in Owatta." she said gushing over Moon.
Assistants? My hunch was correct on her being a professor in another region. Owatta region sounds interesting to visit one day.
"Oh my gosh, I didn't even introduce myself. My name is Professor Maple and I specialize in the bond between humans and pokemon and use to specialize in the potential power of pokemon before another professor was much better at analyzing this field than I was." Said Professor Maple proudly.
That Professor sounds a lot like that crazy dude Colress who wants to reach the potential of pokemon. She doesn't seem to be a bad person on one hand.
"Pardon my approach to your Gardevoir rudely. It's just a rarity to see the emotional pokemon to Owattian folk due to the migration seasons. Judging by the way it hugs on you and tucks it's head on your body it really adores you and that your bond is quite something." Said Professor Maple as the door opens.
"There you are Liam, congratulations on getting into the ultra cup! Professor Maple this is the trainer I wanted you to meet." Said the boss giggling.
My boss is a rather kind person. She knew what I was before hiring me and still took me in to gather information needed from the wild area. She was kind enough to also give me the equipment and even my camping gear during a troubled time. Although she does have a habit of poking at anyone's flaw's when the opportunity arises.
"This is him? Interesting seeing how I've heard about your days as a team plasma member. You were close to the king N and wanted to liberate pokemon from trainers you deemed horrible. You've committed quite a few crimes that affected Unova especially being apart of Ghetitis's plan." Said Professor Maple with terrifying aura around her.
What the hell... this aura is that of a serious trainer who's seen the horrors of the pokemon world before. A professor can have this kind of terror hiding in plain sight?
"...I'm not happy with some of the crimes I've actually committed but, I thought it was going to be the right thing for pokemon. My arrogance and selfishness cost me dearly." I said feeling the sting of defeat in my mouth.
"You still are selfish by the looks of it. Do you honestly care about your pokemon or do you still view them as tools Liam?" Said Professor Maple.
I felt angry about hearing those words coming out of her mouth. I already hated trainers who treated their pokemon horribly to a point of it being abuse. I loved pokemon as if they were family to me even when I was confused and left to defend myself in Unova after prison. The pokemon I carry with me were abandoned or left to fend for themselves and I took them in so they wouldn't feel lonely. How... how...
"As I thought. The decisions, actions, and your fractured mind have made it significantly difficult to achieve the bond you really want with your pokemon. The flames that scarred Unova was what affected you for so long that your friendship with them is artificial. If you truly loved your pokemon then your Eevee would've already evolved into an Espeon, Umbreon, or even a Sylveon." Said Professor Maple as my boss looked worried.
"..."
She read me like a book. She even knew what pokemon I had in my party. I do love the pokemon that I have with me and I would never part ways with them even if they were weak. Maybe I wasn't ready at all despite wanting so much to let go of the past. Huh... I can't feel Moon's hands or head on my back anymore. Wait... when did she get in front of me?
"Er... can we please settle down?" Said the boss worried.
"Damn it... I won't give up! We worked so hard to achieve the impossible even when the odds were stacked against us. I won't abandon them even if our bond isn't that great yet!" I said as Moon looks back at me.
"Well, Sally you sure picked up a stubborn young man as a lab assistant. I can at least say that you are seeking out to improve yourself for the sake of your pokemon. Come with me and I'll help you out." Said Professor Maple as we enter the pokemon school.
We went towards a room with a huge grey door that I've yet to see in the pokemon school and stop in front of the door.
"Behind this door is a room that will test trainers who were worthy of being endorsed by the original Hammerlocke gym leader. In her long career as a gym leader, only two people were given an endorsement from her and both went on to do incredible things around Galar." Said Sally giving a little history lesson.
Only two... damn it's gonna be a huge challenge to overcome then. I should be able to handle the task with careful thought and the teamwork between me and my pokemon.
"This test should prove whether the bonds with your pokemon are strong or weak." Said Sally as she opens the room.
"I'm ready..." I stopped as the room was pitch black.
"Good luck then. May you succeed in the test." Said Sally as I enter the room and she closes the door.
It's dark in here. I need to figure out how to gain some vision of the area. I got it I can use my phone as a flashlight to see within the darkness. Eh... I can feel something tugging at my feet. I reach for my phone to open a flashlight feature to find Sunlight tugging at my feet. When did she get out of her pokeball?
"Sunlight? Are you okay? How are your rear legs?" I asked as I bend down to check on her.
Sunlight is still showing some struggles of keeping her balance. I put my phone in my front jacket pocket to keep some form of light around and then pick up Sunlight and hold her in my hands. The darkened room is now slightly more clear thanks to the flashlight. In front of my vision is what seems to be a mirror with my reflection on it.
"Liam... let the flames of truth consume you!" said an eerie voice as the room started to feel hotter than before.
It can't be possible?
"The truth will consume you! Let it's flames soothe your soul!" said the eerie voice as a big ring of fire surrounds us both.
A fire pokemon is lurking in the room? Is this an Illusion? What is going on?
"Ideals don't belong in this world, Liam! Only truths can carry the weight of the world." Said the eerie voice as the flames get hotter.
"Ideals and Truths can co-exist. If anything taught me this thesis is the people and pokemon in my life!" I said as the flames become more intense.
"So be it then. Let's see if you will overcome thy flames!" Said the eerie voice as the flames form a familiar dragon.
As I thought, it's the illusion of my very fears. The same dragon that scared me with the horrors of truths. The same dragon that separated me from Solar and the pokemon I held dear to my heart. The same dragon that leads me to my pain. I won't lose to you again, Reshiram!
"Let's go!" I said reaching for Moon's pokeball.
As I attempt to summon Moon, she couldn't come out of her pokeball. Is she afraid? I reach for Illuminate's pokeball and attempt to summon him only for him to also not come out of his pokeball. I have to figure out then how to beat him without getting Sunlight hurt.
"Futile!" said the dragon as it shoots out a fire blast.
I roll out of the way tucking Sunlight to my chest to prevent her from getting burned. Crap I was barely scraped by the fire and already feels as painful as frostbite from Winter. I've got to figure out something fast. Sunlight suddenly breaks free from my grip as she stands in front of me ready to battle.
"Sunlight! Alright... Use Shadow Ball!" I commanded as an orb of purple shadows merge from Sunlights mouth.
Sunlight's shadow ball was immediately countered by a fire blast as I push Sunlight out of the way again barely scrapped by the intense fire. Crap the pain is getting worse. How are we gonna get through his fire blast? Sunlight continues to fire Shadow balls in an attempt to land a hit on the dragon only for the attack to do so little damage. Sunlight's balance was starting to falter as she falls down from all the stress added to her legs.
"Weak! This is the end!" Said the dragon throwing a fire blast at Sunlight.
I run immediately to Sunlight and prepare to use myself as a shield for her.
"You won't harm my Pokemon! I won't – agh!" I yell feeling the intense flames scorching my back and falling down from the sheer pain.
Sunlight came out unscratched... thank god. Man, I got myself in such a bad spot taking a fire blast from a dragon type pokemon... how insane. I can see Sunlight crawling towards me crying at the sight of my weak breathing and scorched back. I reach my hand out to her as I cough out in pain. She reaches my hand and nuzzles it as I'm starting to lose consciousness.
"...I'll put you out of your misery!" Said the dragon preparing another fire attack.
I'm sorry Sunlight... In the end, I was too weak to even protect you... the last thing I could see is a light surrounding the crying sunlight. Could it be her evolving? Before I could see her again I passed out from the pain.
"You're a monster"
"You have shamed the name of Elden"
"You're nothing but scum brother, goodbye forever!"
They abandoned me completely without even hearing me out about what happened. The people I looked up to left me to crawl and fight on my own to make a living. I can't recall the number of times I was mocked, laughed, beaten, and the number of times sent to a hospital for injures. I hated it... I felt so helpless and a husk of a trainer I use to be. The most painful feeling of all... was being separated from them all.
"Worthless scum"
"You shame a line of incredible trainers with your addiction for freedom!"
"No one will miss you"
They are probably right... no one would miss me if I were to die now. At least my pokemon should be safe.
"Is he alright?"
"his condition is pretty unknown... he's only hanging in there due to the power of wish."
"It can't be... he was pretty good at battling how could this happen."
Aurea?
"He was struck with a powerful blaze that scorched his whole back. He's scarred for life with that severe burn."
"...He can't die..."
"Is he important to you?"
"He... he's my rival."
Rival? Agh... damn that burn's gonna sting for a long time. I slowly open my eyes to see the ceiling. I'm alive? I turn my head to the left to see a white ribbon wrapped around my wrist and a four-legged white pokemon with blue ears and tail next to me napping. I've never seen this pokemon before in my life yet it looks familiar. I turn my head to the right to see Moon, Illuminate, and Winter asleep next to each other. Where's Sunlight though?
"Sunlight... Sunlight?" I cried out panicking.
The white ribbon pokemon's eyes open up to my cry only for it to have tears in its eyes. The white ribbon pokemon... could it really be Sunlight?
"Is this what you became now Sunlight? Are..." I stopped as my hospital room opened.
"Liam you're alive!" Yelled Aurea as she runs towards my hospital bed.
"Aurea... where's -" I stopped as Professor Maple entered the room.
"You are insanely reckless for a trainer. You are very lucky that your partner evolved into a Sylveon to save your life." Said Professor Maple scolding me.
Did sunlight evolve into a Sylveon? This is honestly the first time I saw one so, it's like exploring an unknown species of pokemon. I wonder if her evolving also fixed her rear legs.
"I just couldn't let Sunlight get burned to a crisp my that Illusion Reshiram's flames. I just couldn't live with myself if the pokemon that chose to stay with me through the roughest storms died because of me." I said tearing up.
"You have proven enough... I can see the great effort you took to bond with your pokemon. Not many trainers would go the extreme lengths to protect their pokemon. I can say you have achieved quite a trusted bond between you and your pokemon. There is still much to improve though but, for now, you have succeeded the task." Said Professor Maple.
Ugh... well at least Sunlight has achieved her final form is a great start. I should now be able to focus on everyone together without any trouble or leaving them behind. I see Sunlight snuggling up to my hand as it cries lightly. Man, I made her worried sick for all the reckless actions I've been going for lately. Everything should be calming down now though.
"I heard you were gonna challenge the ultra cup? You won't stand a chance in that cup with all the powerful trainers that are participating. Especially, with the guest of honor there." Said Professor Maple with a serious look.
"Hmph... I've got some training to do then... agh!" I said accidentally lifting my back up and feeling the burns on my back.
"Before you start training I would suggest having a party of 6 pokemon first. As strong as your pokemon are, they will struggle to handle heavy amounts of battles with powerful pokemon out there. I would suggest picking up very powerful pokemon to cover your weaknesses." Said Professor Maple.
I should tell her that I actually can only own 6 pokemon since criminals were banned from gaining access to a PC to store pokemon in. In that case, the remaining 2 choices for pokemon I catch or receive must be chosen carefully.
"Liam... I'm sorry for all the trouble I put you through in the test. I never thought that the fears that came from the illusion would that severely intense. Please take this as an act of apologies and I won't take no for an answer. After all, you are my reckless assistant who makes their pokemon cry." Said Sally entering the room holding a love ball.
"Eh? You making me sound like a horrible trainer who deliberately wants to make my pokemon cry? Either way, I'm just happy that my pokemon are safe and sound." I said as my pokemon surround me.
"So you woke up? Your pokemon's wish came true then. I should be able to let you go home tonight seeing how you woke up with only the burns. That can be treated fast though." Said the doctor with his Audino holding a bell in the air.
I feel the sudden burn pain weakening which enables me to move my body once more. It still hurts don't get me wrong but, it's bearable. I slowly get off my bed and to my surprise and joy Sunlight was able to walk around with no struggle anymore. Tears fell from my eyes as I felt genuinely happy for her dreams to come true.
"Here. I'm gonna hold it to you that the pokemon I give you here will be as loved as your party members. If not then you are gonna feel something worse than that burn bud." Said Sally revealing the other half of her nature.
I don't know what to say... I can genuinely feel happy for the first time in what felt like forever. I hold the pokeball out and summon the pokemon in the ball. Coming out of the pokeball was a pretty small Lapras which matches my height at 5'6 ft tall. The Lapras looked at me approaching and remained still. I place my hand on top of Lapras's head and smile.
"Welcome to the team buddy. I'm sure you'll get along with the pokemon that you can call family." I said to Lapras as it nods.
What should I name Lapras? Lapras seems calm and seemingly energetic. I got an idea for a name.
"Lapras I'm giving you the nickname Crescendo! It seems like a name that would fit you perfectly." I said with my Pokemon rushing to meet the newest team member.
Crescendo seems to be enjoying the newfound attention it got from my pokemon. While giving my pokemon time to get used to the newest member, I find out from the professors that in that test room was a Zoroark who usually tested trainers' ambitions, relationship to their pokemon, and their ideals. I passed the test of that Zoroark but, apparently didn't hold back with using flamethrower to burn my back. Sunlight was apparently strong enough to knock it out with just one dazzling gleam and immediately went into using wish to keep me alive. Damn, she got pretty strong with her evolution. I can take a couple of days to give my pokemon some more attention that's for sure.
END