"Here are your Pokémon!" Nurse Joy greeted Jackson, as her Pokémon wheeled out a cart with Eevee and Ledyba on it, along with their respective Pokéballs.
A night had past after the night he spoke with Lance. Jackson barely slept at all those nights, too worried about his Pokémon after what happened, but also thinking about Lance's words to him. He wanted to follow his words, and do something about bonding with his Pokémon.
Ledyba and Eevee hopped off the cart, joining Jackson's side as he knelt down to pet Eevee, while raising one hand to Ledyba, rubbing each of their heads. "Hey guys." Jackson greeted the two.
"They should still be recovering, right now." Nurse Joy told Jackson, "Be sure to take it easy with them."
"I plan to." Jackson responded, looking from her to the two, "I've learned my lesson after yesterday's battle." Eevee and Ledyba can sense the somber tone in Jackson's voice, and wondered what's up.
A little bit later, Jackson was wandering towards a destination, his Pokémon out of their balls and wandering right by them. "Listen guys, I'm really sorry for what happened yesterday." He apologized to the pair, "I was aggressively trying to get strong, and pushed you guys into a battle that none of us were able to handle." Eevee and Ledyba called to him, and he looked back at them, continuing, "I am just being honest. The fault lies with me. But don't worry, I plan to be a better trainer to the both of you. And I'll start by learning to understand you. I mean that literally."
(Insert 'Never Give Up' By SONAR POCKET)
Instrumental Opening
(Jackson stands at the top of a cliff, looking out into the vast landscape of the Johto region. He turns to the camera with surprise, grins, then draws his sword and swipes it across the screen, transitioning to white with the logo appearing.)
What tough heart! Once I decided that I'd keep up the fight
My road has never stopped unraveling
(Camera circles around Jackson as he runs along an open-plain path with his Eevee, who after a couple seconds, leaps onto his shoulder as he activates his Extreme Gear and shoots even faster onto the path.)
Carrying a small bit of pride
With my fists clenched
(The screen shows a brief image of Professor Elm, dropping papers from his clipboard, and smiling as he rubbed the back of his head. It shifts to a visual of Kris, Ethan, and their starters, with Ethan punching his fist forward, while Kris spun around with her arms out wide.)
I aim for the goal again step by step
Racing towards it with all my might!
(The screen shifts to Sonic & Tails, the former giving a thumbs up, while the latter waved his hands above eagerly. The screen shifts to Cypher, who glared at the screen with a Pokéball held close to his face.)
Sometimes it'll be a bad day
Where nothing goes the way I want it to
But even if the sky blurs through my tears
(Jackson is sitting by a campfire, his expression full of emotional pain as shadows of his past with red eyes creeped all around him. He curled himself into a ball as the shadow of his father appeared over his head.)
I'm sure my smiles will come back tomorrow
So it's okay!
(Shadows started getting blown away one large piece at a time, until light broke out around Jackson, who looked up to see his Pokémon all standing there, protecting him from his trauma.)
There's nothing out there to fear
I'll keep believing that 'I'm strong'
And get going!
(Silhouettes of the Gym Leaders appeared as the screen scrolled upwards through a gold, silver, and crystal colors behind them. It shifts to the emblem of Team Rocket, with darkened faces of grunts, with the four admins in front, holding their Pokéballs. Jackson readies his blade, as he tosses a Pokéball forward, which opens up and blinds the screen in a white light.)
'With you around, there's nothing to worry about now'
I felt as if the sky was saying that to me with a laugh
(Eevee leapt forward, unleashing a Swift attack from her tail, with Ledyba flying next to her, using his own Swift to join her's. Oshawott and Sneasel shoot through the Swift attack, unleash double Night Slash, slicing the stars, before dismissing their blades, and Oshawott angrily looking at the calm and collected Sneasel.)
With the sweat and tears I build up
I'm sure I'll come out dazzling
(Cyndaquil turns to face the Team Rocket logo, before unleashing his Flamethrower. Cyndaquil sighed in relief as Scyther flew over him, before slashing with his mantis claws like a swordsman.)
Even if I end up feeling anxious after it all
As long as I believe I can do it
(An Aeroblast and Sacred Fire came from the sky, shooting down at Jackson's team, but Jackson stepped in and unleashed several sword beams, countering the attacks and making them explode. He and his team endured the shockwaves and smoke from the explosion, before looking up into the distance, and saw the silhouettes of the Tower Duo flying over the two towers that represented each.)
These footsteps have taught me to
Always
Never Give Up!
(Jackson's Pokémon come to his side as he looked to them, before grinning eagerly, and the group leapt up into the air, taking on the new threat and the new adventure. The screen goes white before showing Jackson standing with his sword stabbed into the ground, his Pokémon companions surrounding him.)
They made their way to a mechanic's shop, the owner fixing up someone's bike, before noticing Jackson approaching. "Oh, you're the boy from this morning." He noticed.
"Hello there, sir." Jackson greeted, "I'm here to help you out. In exchange…"
"Yeah, I know the deal. You wanted to borrow my workshop to build something, right?" The middle aged owner recalled.
"Correct."
"Well, we got a lot of stuff to fix up here." The man told Jackson, "Let me know if you need any help."
"Thanks, but I got it." Jackson answered, wandering into the entrance to pull out the book on the cord attached to the wall, examining what needed to be fixed in the shop.
Just then, he heard the television nearby, as the newscaster, a pink-haired woman with red-rimmed glasses, and the name 'Malva' underneath, started to speak. "In other news, a catastrophic event took place here in the Kalos region. Lysandre, the head of the corporation Lysandre Labs, and now revealed leader of Team Flare, attempted to unleash an ancient weapon with the power of the legendary Pokémon Xerneas and Yveltal. However, his plan was thwarted thanks to the efforts of many individuals, the central character being one Nic Pularis. Lysandre is presumed dead after weapon exploded, and all members of Team Flare have been arrested by local authorities. A ceremony will be made for the heroes who saved not just our region, but the entire world."
"An ancient weapon? Legendary Pokémon?" Jackson echoed, hearing the news.
"Oh, yeah. There had been recent news on the actions of Team Flare in Kalos region." the shop owner told Jackson, "The person who took them on, according to the news, was a pretty young boy, a little older than you, I believe."
"Yeah, what did they call him? Nic Pularis?" Jackson recalled, "Basically became a hero in that region." He then mentally added, 'Let's hope he doesn't give into rage like I did.'
"Anyways, you should get back to work." The man told Jackson, with Eevee and Ledyba going in to explore the many broken vehicles and machines.
"Got it." Jackson answered, looking at the list, "Seems like this fridge is having wiring problems, and can't keep food cool. Got it."
Jackson got to the back of the said fridge, while Ledyba opened up the fridge, and Eevee peered in. "Ah, here's the problem." Jackson answered, digging into his bag, and pulling out his tools, immediately getting the right ones, and fixing up the issue in less than a minute. Once he was done, Jackson grabbed the panel for the fridge nearby, placed it back in, and plugged in the fridge to the wall socket. It turned on, and Eevee felt the cool air come in, cooing in content.
"Done already?" The man asked Jackson, hearing the fridge working again.
"Eh, it was nothing." Jackson answered, rolling up his sleeves, "Onto the next one!"
This was pretty simple to Jackson. After all, he was taught by one of the greatest mechanical engineers in his world, Tails. Thanks to the hard years of studies he had with him, he ended up becoming Tails' protege, and experienced in all things mechanical engineering. Fixing up all these vehicles and appliances? Try fixing up a special jet biplane or create an electromagnetic glove designed to short circuit robots. He did.
"I can't believe you completed all those in such a short period of time." The owner stated in shock, seeing all the fixed vehicles, machines and appliances, "And you're so young, too."
"I learned from the best." Jackson replied, "Now, is it possible for me to use your workshop, sir?"
"Absolutely!" He answered, "It's been a while since I had a whole afternoon to myself. Take all the time you need." Jackson bowed in thanks, and he and his Pokémon watched him leave to go spend time outside the shop. After he was gone, Jackson settled at the workshop, pulled out his tablet, and activated the trans-dimensional communicator. After a while, Tails face appeared on screen. "Hey, Jackson! It's been a while." He greeted.
"Hey, Tails. Sorry I hadn't contacted sooner." Jackson replied, "I've been busy getting use to this world."
"So what's it like? Anything interesting there?"
"You…could say that." Jackson answered, as Eevee and Ledyba appeared around him, getting within view of the screen.
"Whoa! Who are they?!" Tails questioned.
"These two are new friends I made. This is Eevee and Ledyba." Jackson waved to the two, and they greeted in their own voices, "They are part of a group of species in this world called Pokémon."
"Pokémon?" Tails echoed.
"Yep. They are amazing creatures." Jackson answered, "They are smart, they have special powers, and people in this world have them as partners, even fight each other with them."
"That's pretty interesting." Tails stated, looking puzzled, "Though, do people really fight one another with these Pokémon?"
"Not to the death. Just first one to knock the other unconscious wins." Jackson explained, "It'll get too complicated if I explained everything. For now, as you can see, they don't speak the same language as me." Eevee and Ledyba started to chirp and cry out in response to this in an excited tone.
"I can see that." Tails understood.
"So what I need to do is develop a translator for me to comprehend them." Jackson requested, "Possibly something small enough to fit in your ear."
"That would be difficult." Tails stated, tapping away at the computer, "I mean, you have no idea how difficult it was to develop that translates Wisps."
"Hey, you at least created that translator." Jackson pointed out, "I'm sure this'll be no problem."
"First, I could use some examples of how these Pokémon speak." Tails told Jackson, "And I'm not just talking about those two, but others."
"Got it. I'll go around this town and record different Pokémon voices." Jackson understood, "And trust me, there are a lot of Pokémon species in this world. I'll get a good bunch, and see what you do with it." He detached a section off the tablet, revealing to be a miniature voice recorder.
"I'll analyze each voice to see if there is a connection, and work around it." Tails responded.
Jackson got up and was about to leave the workshop when Eevee and Ledyba approached him form the sides. Looking at them, he realized that they could be helpful in getting Pokémon to talk. Plus, this could be a good bonding time. "Wanna join with me, guys?" He asked, "I could really use your help." Eevee and Ledyba answered excitedly, and the team raced off together into town.
For the next half hour, Jackson was able to meet and get a lot of Pokémon to speak to him. Some were familiar, like Sentret or Geodude, while others were new, like a blue, saluting, punching bag creature named Wobbufett. There was two kinds of bat creatures, one being a no-eyed small bat named Zubat, while the other was apparently its evolved form, and had eyes and a big mouth, named Golbat. He was able to get Pokémon that looked smaller than the Dragonair Clair used, called Dratini.
"There are plenty voices I was able to gather up." Jackson stated, "I wonder if I should get any more?"
"Hey, Jackson." A familiar voice spoke up. Jackson looked and was surprised to see none other than Lance approach him, with a Pokémon by his side, which looked like a yellow-orange dragon with a cream belly and loose antennae.
"Lance." Jackson greeted, as Eevee and Ledyba approached the dragon, chatting away at one another.
"Deciding to take time being with your Pokémon, I see." Lance noted, seeing his two allies.
"Yeah, I am. Plus, I am trying to develop a way to understand them." Jackson answered.
"Ah, so you are taking my words to heart." Lance understood, pleased at what he was hearing.
"Yep. That's why I have a friend of mine asking me to hear different Pokémon so he can develop a translator for me to understand them." Jackson explained further, holding up the recorder.
Lance was taken aback, as he asked, "You are trying to create a translator? But no one in the world has even made anything close to an authentic translator."
"Never underestimate my friend. He is capable of creating anything." Jackson assured him, pointing the recorder to the dragon, while pulling out his Pokédex, "Speaking of which, what kind of Pokémon is that?"
"Dragonite. The Dragon Pokémon, and the evolved form of Dragonair. Dragonite is capable of circling the globe in just 16 hours. It is a kindhearted Pokémon that leads lost and foundering ships in a storm to the safety of land."
"So this is what that Dragonair turns into?" Jackson asked, looking at it, "That is quite the drastic change."
"Dragonite is my best partner." Lance explained, patting his partner on the shoulder, "He has pulled me through many scrapes for a long time."
"So, this is the ace partner of the Champion." Jackson understood, walking up to it, looking up at its eyes, "Is it okay to touch him?"
"Sure. He won't bite. He doesn't know the move." Lance assured him. Jackson chuckled, and placed his hand on Dragonite's chest. He and Dragonite looked at one another, and Jackson was able to feel something. The experience that this Pokémon had. The aura of how strong it was. It was incredibly strong, and one forged by years of many kinds of battles, and one forged from the trust in himself and his trainer.
Jackson lowered his hand as he looked up at Dragonite, giving a serious glare at him. "What is it?" Lance asked.
"Nothing." He answered, "It's just that…I feel the fighting spirit within this Pokémon. The strength he has. This is the level of a Champion's Pokémon, huh?"
"You're able to feel it?"
"Yeah. I learned to detect the strength within a person since my martial arts training." Jackson stated, thinking back to those days, before getting a chill, "Man, so many of them made Dragonite's aura quite feeble. The Grandmaster's aura nearly killed me with how strong it was!"
"Sounds like you trained with some strong people." Lance stated with a sweat-dropped expression, "I can't imagine what kind of training you went through."
"Well, I remember their lessons, so I do plan to take that and lightly bring my Pokémon into that training." Jackson explained, pulling the recorder away, "But first, I am gonna understand them."
"Well then, I wish you and your friend the best of luck." Lance told him, and he and Dragonite walked away, as they started to get a crowd of people gathering around him. Fans and friends of his.
"Right, time to get a few more recordings." Jackson told himself, "Feeling Dragonite's aura made me seriously excited." He turned to Eevee and Ledyba, stating, "Let's keep going!" The two cried out in response, and they took off through the village.
Evening was just on the horizon when Jackson got back to the workshop, and Tails analyzed all the voices. "These are unusual creature sounds." Tails noted, analyzing each voice, "They just say their own name most of the time."
"Is it too difficult to create a translator for them?" Jackson asked, worried this was too much.
"No, I like a challenge." Tails answered. For several minutes, he was tapping away at his computer, swiping his hand on the touch screen to analyze each cry, finding similarities, going down to the sound wave level of each cry. He was able to see something, and merge the different sound waves together, examining it, before seeing what he was looking for, and in a few short minutes more, was able to reduce and create a single wavelength. "Got it! This is the matching frequency between each Pokémon! With this, you should be able to translate any Pokémon."
"A genius as always, Tails." Jackson commented, "So, how difficult is it to replicate it?"
"Actually, if you are able to create a micro-frequency translator, and finely add in Blue, Gold, and Silver Material into it, you should be able to create the frequency." Tails stated, pulling up the pictures and the frequency of the three materials, "Each Material emulates a certain frequency each, but merging them together…" He melded the three frequencies as one, creating a wave that was the same as the other, "…will create the frequency you need."
"That's brilliant!" Jackson exclaimed, before digging through his backpack, and pulling out a blue gem-like stone, a curved cube silver stone, and a three-sided smooth gold stone, "Good thing I have the materials right here. Can you send me blueprints for a micro-frequency translator, please?"
"You got it. I'll make one a blueprint very quickly for you." Tails answered, tapping away at the computer, looking through is files, "I'll be sure to modify it to show you how much of the material you need."
"Thank you, Tails." Jackson replied, smiling graciously, "How is that I'm so lucky to have friends as cool and smart as you guys, even after all I went through?"
"Because we know you, Jackson." Tails replied, "Besides, you were the one who had the strength and determination to become a hero."
"Yeah…all those years of training and stopping Eggman really went down the drain, didn't it?" Jackson asked, looking somber again.
Tails wasn't sure how to reply. After all, Jackson had to deal with something new to the team. True, there had been close calls, an example being the time Shadow the Hedgehog appeared and everyone thought he was Sonic. But this wasn't mistaken identity. Jackson downright caused deaths when trying to stop a robot. What he did was painful, to many and especially to himself.
"Well, whatever." Jackson dismissed it, "I came here to try to be a better person than who I was. And I need to remember how to trust again. That's why I need this translator. I need to understand my Pokémon, and gain a bond with them."
Tails put on a smile, and nodded in understanding. "Alright, then. I'll get right on it. I'll send it soon."
"Right. Thanks, Tails." Jackson replied, and the screen went blank. Jackson looked at his own reflection, seeing the tired face looking back. For a while, he just stared at himself, thinking on his ordeals, including his failure in battling Clair. However, he slapped his cheeks, refocusing himself. Eevee and Ledyba looked to him with confusion and worry. He turned to them, smiling as he said, "I promise, I will overcome this. That's why I need to hear your voices."
Just then, his tablet alerted him to an oncoming message, and Jackson pulled it up, revealing the blueprints for the communicator. "Right…" Jackson told himself, stretching his hands out, pulling out his toolkit, and prepping himself with all the materials he needed, looking through the blueprints. "Here we go." He told himself, and he went to work.
For the next two hours, it took Jackson to have steady hands and detailed examinations on what needed to be done. He was focused on making the translators, though he did stop for food, both for himself and his Pokémon, as well as bathroom breaks. The owner also came back to the shop to see him working, but noticed that he was creating something far exceeding his knowledge of tech. Ledyba also was falling asleep, so Jackson called him back to his Pokéball to let him rest. Eevee stayed out, wanting to see Jackson continue to work. She even picked up tools for him if he accidentally dropped them. He thanked her for helping him out in this endeavor.
Finally, as the moon started to form in the sky, Jackson placed down his tools back in his kit, and sighed in relief, picking up the miniature translator. "Done!" Jackson sighed in relief, carefully examining it, "Yep, looks like it should work. Time to test it out."
He inserted it into his ear. It wasn't uncomfortable for him, nor did it interfere with his hearing already. He turned to Eevee, who sat on the table once it was cleared for her. "Okay, Eevee. Say something." Jackson requested.
"What do you want me to say?" Eevee asked. While her mouth didn't move exactly to what she had just said, the translator in Jackson's ear made him instinctually believe it was.
"Hey, it works!" Jackson exclaimed, cupping his hand over his ear, "The translator works! I can hear your voice clearly, now!"
"Really?" Eevee asked, "In that case, what's my name?"
"Eevee." Jackson answered happily.
"You can hear me!" Eevee stated in a happy manner.
After a few seconds, Jackson's expression fell. "Eevee, I'm sorry for what happened in the battle against Clair. I didn't know my actions were responsible for our loss."
"It's okay." Eevee answered, "I could already see that you were a troubled human, and that you really felt guilty for our loss. I won't hold it against you."
"Eevee…" Jackson muttered, looking happily at her, "Eevee, I want to get to know you better. That's why I built this translator. I want to hear your opinions, and hear your thoughts on mine. I want to gain that bond and trust with you, so that the next time we fight Clair, we will show her the bond we have, and the strength we gained." Eevee nodded in agreement, and raised a paw to him. Jackson placed his fingers onto Eevee's paw, smiling back at her.
"Oh, right! We should let Ledyba know, too!" Jackson realized, pulling out his Pokéball, prepared to call out Ledyba.
"Hold on! Ledyba should sleep." Eevee stopped him, "In fact, we should all get some sleep."
Jackson took a moment's pause, before putting the ball away, answering, "You're right. Let's wait for the morning."
With everything cleaned away, Jackson was able to thank the owner for allowing him to use his workshop, before returning to the Pokémon Center. He went to his room, and went to his bed. Eevee decided to stay out of her Pokéball to cuddle next to Jackson, giving the excuse that she didn't want Jackson to be alone. Her presence did give the young swordsman comfort, and he was able to fall asleep.
The next morning, Jackson was able to get Ledyba out to join him and Eevee. "This is quite nice." Ledyba stated, "So the three of us can understand each other now."
"You don't seem as excited as Eevee was." Jackson pointed out.
"It's not that I am not excited. Trust me, I am." Ledyba assured him, "I'm just a more gentler Pokémon, according to those who know me. So I don't go crazy as you would think."
"Yeah. I guess you both have personalities that I need to understand." Jackson understood, looking between the two, "I even read that certain natures can change the strength of a Pokémon in this world."
"Sometimes." Eevee answered, "But it all comes down to how much training we do that makes us strong."
"Right. I promise you that I will get you guys strong." Jackson told the two, standing up, and placing on his backpack, before pulling out Ledyba's Pokéball, "Time to get a move on." He called Ledyba back to his Pokéball, putting it on his belt.
"Jackson, can I make a request." Eevee asked.
"Sure, what is it?"
Eevee took one leap, and got on Jackson's shoulder, asking, "Is it okay if I can just be with out of my ball like this?"
"You don't want to be in your ball?" The swordsman questioned.
"Well, it is okay, but for me, I want to make sure you have someone by your side. I want to be here for you, okay?"
Jackson felt touched at Eevee's words. She knew that Jackson was mentally struggling, so she wanted to be there as a sort of support in his difficult times. He smiled as he answered, "Sure, Eevee. I'll be glad to have you out with me." She giggled in response, as the two exited the room.
Moments later, the pair was wandering out of the Center and down the street. "I've got all the supplies I need, so next is a destination." Jackson told himself, "I think we should go to Mahogany Town in order to take on the Gym there. To do that, we need to go through the Ice Path."
"You want to go in there?" Eevee asked, looking worried.
"Do you not like the cold?" He asked.
"No, I just never went into a place like that before."
"Then it'll be a test of our endurance from the cold." Jackson replied, "Ledyba wouldn't like it, considering Flying-types can't handle the ice. Ready to tackle it?"
"Sure. I'll do my best." Eevee answered.
"Looks like you're fully prepared to leave." Said a voice nearby. Jackson turned to see Lance with his Dragonite, exiting one of the shops.
"Hi, Lance." Jackson greeted, "Yeah, I am ready to go."
"And your translator?" Lance asked.
"Works like a charm." Jackson answered, tapping underneath the ear the translator was in, "I can understand Eevee and Ledyba fully now."
"Does this mean you can understand what I am saying?" Dragonite asked, approaching him.
"Yeah, I definitely can." Jackson answered, surprising Dragonite.
"Wonders never cease whenever I see you." Lance stated, amazed at his achievement.
"If wonders never ceased, I would've actually stood a chance against Clair." Jackson bluntly stated, "So I'm not all that special."
"Clair said that she won't battle you again in your current state." Lance informed him.
"That's okay." Jackson understood, "I think I'll go out for a while, and try to strengthen my connection with Eevee and Ledyba, and make us strong enough to give her a battle she won't bladin' forget!"
"I look forward to hearing that battle." Lance stated with a smile, "Although, it isn't just those two you should gain a bond with. You should also find other Pokémon to be part of your journey. Search the region for new allies to be part of your group, and become the strongest trainer you can be. When you gain eight badges, fight the Elite Four, and then, face me. I'll hold my position as Champion until you arrive."
Jackson nodded determinately, with Eevee showing the same resolve. "I promise you, Lance, sir. I will do my best." He assured him.
Lance smiled and nodded in understand, and Jackson wandered along, a determined glare as he looked towards the path that would lead him to the Ice Path. 'I am going to become a great Pokémon trainer. I am going to make myself a better person. And I will forge a strong bond with my Pokémon. My true beginning starts now!'