Dear Grandma,
I finally have a full team of six! I added a Jolteon to my team, it got released by another trainer on their journey and was hanging around a battle tournament I entered. I evolved with the Thunderstone I won and I asked it to come with me. I'm in Fuchsia City now, Janine is out of town currently but due back within the week, so I've decided to make camp near the safari zone. My plan is to beat Janine and then get the bullet train to Saffron City to challenge Sabrina. I'm aiming to then head towards Cinnabar and back up to Viridian in the next 3 weeks or so. That gives me another month of training before the junior competition. I'll write to you again when I get to Cinnabar.
Love you
Dustin
I fold the paper into a neat letter and slip it into the envelope, I place it into my backpack. When I head to the centre later to get some supplies, I will post it off home. I stand up from my makeshift camp I had set up just outside the safari zone. The zone had been taken over by the PBC recently after it had fallen on some tough times, they had rebranded as well. They still had the old safari style catching areas of the park which I planned to enter in the next few days. However, the conservation side of things had expanded rather than just being a few enclosures outside the entry point of the park. There were now huge glass domes filled to the brim with different Pokémon of all regions also with camping spots for travelling trainers to set up in. Its cool as it is a way for trainer to see non native Pokémon and their habits, it could be inspiration for trainers on where they might plan to travel for their next journey. It was also nice as the domes had quite a lot of space, each camping spot being around a football field worth of land, it meant that my Pokémon had space to move around and relax. I pull myself up from one of the camping chair Ryan had bequeathed to me, I move towards the camping table and space out each of the Pokémon bowls before filling them with a hefty portion of food. Since evolving Poliwrath and Venusaur diet requirements had substantially increased, it was times like this I was thankful for the trainer grants issued out to new trainers. They're issued as special cards which can be used to buy Pokémon supplies and catching equipment, the marts and vendors then claim it back from the league to get full payment. It only been recently brought in the last 10 years, but they are helpful. I place the bowls out with each of them marked specifically for each Pokémon, I leave Squirtle and Jolteon's bowl on the table as they jump up and eat from there. They had become fast friends in the week since we had left Celadon, they had become almost inseparable, it was nice to see. I hadn't had any problems currently with personalities clashing within the team, Ninetails and Venusaur are very close as are Poliwrath and Starmie however they all seem to get along as a collective well. I stand and prepare myself some food before settling back down into the camping chair. Everyone finishes their food fast and they begin to spread out again within the camping spot, Venusaur find a nice place to sunbathe and is joined by Ninetails who curls up and sleeps beside her. Poliwrath and Starmie dive quickly into the nearby body of water and peacefully bop and float around respectively. Squirtle and Jolteon continue to chase each around relentlessly. I smile looking out over them, I think to myself how lucky I had gotten to obtain such a good team so quickly. I think back to Alvin and his mannerisms. I had checked out his trainer profile after our battle, his profile really was something, he had nearly all fully evolved Kanto Pokemon available to Junior trainers and all at a high level, his mentor had been Callum the current Kanto champion and my hero. From the looks of his profile he had only lost one current match out of 190 battles and that was too me. He had started out with a Charmander which I assume was the Charizard he had used in the first match of the tournament. He was clearly very skilled in raising and battling, it was just a shame about his attitude. Checking out his profile I came across a section where it rated likelihood of winning the junior championship, Alvin currently stood at an 81%, there are a couple of other trainers just behind him including myself who rated as having a 7% chance up from 1.3% after beating Alvin.
The trainer profiles are really in depth, I had read all of the profiles for the 7 current junior Gym Leaders, the Kanto board of the PBC were currently in the process of interviewing for Gym Leaders to take on the eighth spot so Agatha who had now retired from the Elite Four was taking on the role on a temporary basis. The profile were really informative, as I was scrolling I came upon that of Callum the current Kanto league champion and couldn't resist looking through it.
Callum, Trainer Rank: Champion of the Kanto Region
Age 28
Hometown: Pallet Town
Achievements: 87th Kanto Junior Champion, 90th Intermediate Champion, Kanto Hall of Famer, 3rd in Pokemon World Championship 2020
Appearance: Callum is a tall and lean young man, standing at around 6 feet tall. He has short, spiky black hair and sharp, bright green eyes. He wears a green and black jacket over a black t-shirt, black cargo pants, and sturdy boots. He also wears a black bandanna around his neck.
Personality: Callum is a determined and focused trainer who always strives to be the best. He is serious about his training and puts in a lot of effort to make sure his Pokemon are well-trained and ready for battle. Despite his seriousness, he also has a fun-loving side and enjoys spending time with his Pokemon outside of battles. He is very loyal to his friends and his Pokemon and will always stand up for what he believes in.
Background: Callum grew up in Pallet Town and developed a love for Pokemon at a young age. He spent countless hours reading about different Pokemon and studying their strengths and weaknesses. When he turned 16, he set out on his Pokemon journey and quickly began collecting badges. He is now a seasoned trainer, having travelled to many different regions and battled countless opponents. He became the Champion of the Kanto region in late 2019 taking the title from Lance who had unified the leagues of Kanto and Johto. He became the youngest ever Champion of the Kanto region at 24 year old. Upon defeating Lance who was also given the ability to choose his Elite Four line up, Will, Bruno, Karen and Koga were selected by Lance to make up the Johto League team. Callum originally had planned for his three Friend Joe, Tom and Ryan who he set off on his Journey with to make up three spots however all three declined to pursue their own goals. Eventually Callum would appointed Morty formerly the Ecreteak City gym leader and Emily (Who would later become his wife) who had studied under Opal as the successor of the Ballonlea Gym in Galar to two positions while retaining Agatha and Lorelei. Agatha would step down a year later and be replaced by Plumeria on the suggestion of then Pokemon World Champion and Callum's friend Ryan.
Pokemon team:
Callum posses close to 40 different Pokemon so his teams vary substantially, below is the team he used in his champion team against Lance
Venusaur: Callum's first and strongest Pokemon. He has been with Callum since he started his journey and has evolved from a Bulbasaur to a powerful Venusaur.
Gyarados: A fierce and powerful Pokemon that Callum caught in the Johto region. It is one of his go-to Pokemon for tough battles.
Pidgeot: A strong and agile Pokemon that Callum caught in the Kanto region. It has a deep bond with Callum and is very loyal to him.
Aggron: A tough and resilient Pokemon that Callum caught in the Hoenn region.
Haterrene: A graceful and elegant Pokemon that Callum caught in the Galar region. It has powerful psychic abilities and is often used for support in battles.
Sceptile: A fast and nimble Pokemon that Callum caught in the Hoenn region
Goals: Callum's main goal is to become the strongest trainer in the world. He is constantly training and seeking out new challenges to improve himself and his Pokemon. He also wants to learn as much as he can about Pokemon and their abilities, and hopes to one day become a professor and share his knowledge with others.
"So cool" I say under my breath, clicking through the videos of the available battles to watch, I watch some clips of his last stand off fight with Lance where it was his Gyarados v Lance's strongest Dragonite, at the end of the clip it pops with other suggested profiles one of which is Ryans. Even as a fan of trainers and while Ryan was current world champion I didn't know too much about him. I had heard lots of people argue over his abilities on a show my Dad used to watch. Other than him winning the World championship I didn't know much other than that. I quickly tap my finger on the pop up and it brings his profile up
Name: Ryan Age: 28
Hometown: Pallet Town/Malie City
Notable Achievements: Current Three time Wrold Champion, Current and Second official Champion of the Alola Region, Johto and Kalos Hall of Famer, Winner of the Orange Islands League Competition, Winner of the 75th Silver Conference, Winner of the 14th Lumiose Conference.
Appearance: Ryan is a tall, lanky man with long, messy black hairthat he pulls up into a bun when battling and kind, blue eyes. He usually wears comfortable clothes such as cargo shorts, a t-shirt, and sneakers however when battling in official matches he wears what he dubs his champions uniform which includes, a long brown trench coat with the Alolan trial stamps embroidered into the fabric with generally a black t-shirt on underneath, heavy black boots which have normally black jeans tucked into them. His wrists are adorned with two bracelets, one containing his Z-Ring and the other his Dynamax Band, he also wear a small silver chain around his neck with his late Grandmother wedding ring, his Late Grandfather Keystone and his own Keystone attached, there is another pebble he has added to the collection but the origins of it are unknown. He always carries a backpack with him that contains his essential items.
Personality: Ryan is a carefree and easy-going person who is always up for an adventure. He loves to explore new places and meet new people. He has a great sense of humour and loves to make people laugh. Despite his laid-back attitude, he takes battling seriously and always gives his best effort. He has a deep bond with his Pokemon something that he has coined as his battle spirit, especially his first Pokemon, Espeon.
Background: Ryan grew up in Pallet Town after his family moved from Malie City when Ryan was 3.He received his first Pokemon, Espeon as an Eevee, from Professor Oak as his starter, alongside his friends, Callum, Joe and Tom. Ryan has trained tirelessly with Espeon, often going on long hikes and exploring new places together. Over time, Ryan became a skilled trainer and eventually entered the Pokemon World Championships. He quickly rose through the ranks and eventually became the current Pokemon World Champion.
Pokemon team: Ryan currently has the largest of roster of Pokemon in the world championships, the total currently stands at 99 however some are not currently situated with him and some are not used in battle. Below is the profile of his team from his first World Championship Final against Leon.
Espeon: Ryan's first and ace Pokemon. It has been with him since he started his journey and has grown into a powerful and loyal partner. It has the unique ability to use a personal Z-Move Ryan has dubbed Soul Searing Shot.
Heracross: A fierce and powerful Pokemon that Ryan caught in the Johto region. It has a strong bond with Ryan and has quickly grown to be considered in the conversation to be Ryan strongest Pokemon. It has the ability to Mega Evolve it is now rarely used
Dragonite: A gentle and kind Pokemon dubbed his second ace by many pundits, Ryan obtained it in the Kanto region through a trade with a friend. It is often used for transportation and is also a skilled fighter.
Cinderace: A fast and nimble Pokemon that Ryan caught in the Galar region. It is a skilled fighter. It has the ability to Gigantamax when used in the Galar region however Ryan has become more reliant on it in its base form
Lycanroc: A powerful and agile Pokemon that Ryan caught in the Alola region. It has a deep bond with Ryan. It has access to its species Z-Move however Ryan opt generally to use Espeon unique Z-move these days
Greninja: A deceptive and cunning Pokemon that Ryan caught in the Kalos region. It is often used to outsmart opponents and gain the upper hand in battles. It ability Battle Bond allows for it to change form when used by Ryan in tough situations
Goals: Ryan's main goal is to continue improving as a trainer and to defend his title as the Pokemon World Champion. He has also stated that he wants to grow the Alola league to become the most competitive on the planet. He also wants to explore new places and discover new Pokemon. Ryan hopes to inspire others to follow their dreams and to show that anything is possible with hard work and determination.
"Wow they really got his personality down to a tee" I think to myself
I skip through a few of the different battle clips on his profile, they have the whole of his first world champion with Leon uploaded on to the site so I sit and watch that propping my phone up on the table, Jolteon and Squirtle join me to watch along too. I sit in awe as I watch Leon's and Ryan's Pokemon duke it out against one another, the movement and power is almost unfathomable. Just as Ryan's Heracross speeds into an attach on Leon's Charizard I hear a shout from the entrance.
"DUSTIN!"
I turn to see the familiar faces of Ryan and Louise, it had been Louise who had shouted before tearing her way up to my makeshift camp. I jump up quickly and dust myself off
"Oh hey, how are you?" I question as she finally makes it to the table as Ryan saunters up behind
"You're really hard to get a hold of you know!" She says pouting.
"oh uh sorry, have you been calling? I've been watching some videos on my phone and had myself on do not disturb" I say waving to the table behind me
"Yes! Me and Ryan have been! We thought you might have been mauled by a Ursaring or something"
"I'd like to point out I didn't think that as I knew from your phone tracker exactly where you were" Ryan says pointing to his phone with a confused face.
"Well whose to know what could have happened" She says crossing her arms looking angrily at our mentor
"Sorry Ryan, I didn't mean to cause any issues" I say bowing slightly.
"No don't worry about it, its my fault really I should have gotten in contact earlier, its time for your appraisal" He says to me with a smile
"Appraisal?" I question.
"Yeah, so its been three months now since you set off so all the mentor have a meeting and go through things with their trainer make sure they are all okay"
"Oh okay make sense" I retort as Squirtle and Jolteon before run up to my side
"Cute!" Louise says crouching down to pet Jolteon who happily calls out.
"Teams looking good if I do say so! You've caught a Squirtle too?" Ryan question looking down at the water type who hiding behind my legs slightly.
"Uh yeah, I've got a full team now which is nice"
"Louise, why don't you send your team out, let them get acquainted with yours" Ryan suggests.
"For sure!" She says taking four balls from her belt and throwing them up in the air.
The ball flash open and her four Pokemon appear; Blastoise, Golem, Butterfree and Pidgeot
They call out and surround Louise before she tells them to go and introduce herself. The two flying Pokemon venture over towards the lake to interact with Poliwrath and Starmie, Golem rolls up to Venusaur and Ninetails chattering away before beginning to sunbathe with them. Blastoise doesn't move too far away from Louise while Jolteon and especially Squirtle stare up in awe at the hulking water type.
"Wow, you've got a full evolved team" I say looking up at Blastoise thinking back to the little Squirtle I saw Louise run off with on our first day.
"I have got some other Pokemon but they're all back at Professor Oaks, I only need four for the Fuchsia City contest"
"How many ribbons do you have?" I ask.
"Four now, I'm heading to Lavender for the contest this weekend hoping to get the fifth. How many badges do you have?"
"I've got 4, Janine isn't about this week so I am hoping to get my 5th when she comes back"
"Look at both of my little apprentices! I think you are both doing excellently!" Ryan booms out in his trademark big voice
"OH AND HERACROSS HAS FINALLY GONE DOWN!"
I look to my phone and Ryan's battle is still playing on my phone, he wanders up to it and picks it up
"Oh wow this brings back memories" He says with a laugh
"What got you watching this?" He questions
"Oh well, its just I'll be honest I wanted to learn a little more about you as a trainer plus the trainer app is so good there so much information on there"
"I'll report back, my friend Mikel and Chelsea were the one's behind it so they will be pleased to hear it going down well with the juniors, I can see I wasn't the first person you clicked on though" He says waving the phone at me with Callum profile loaded up
We both laugh as he hands the phone back to me and I stuff it into my pocket
"So do either of you have any pressing questions you need to ask me at all?" He questions as he throws out three balls, his Boltund, Torkoal and Feraligatr appear.
"I've not got any I haven't already asked" Louise answers as his Boltund, begins chasing around followed closely by Jolteon and Squirtle struggles to keep up.
"Dustin?" He questions looking to me
"Um, well I was planning to maybe catch another team member in the safari zone but I have 6 Pokemon now, where would the 7th go? Would it be Professor Oaks?"
"Yes, that's where they are all stored, any ideas on what type?"
"I think I'd like to get a flying type help to get around" I answer
"Good plan" He says back with a big smile ruffling my hair
"Well lets all take a seat I have some questions I have to ask you" He continues taking a spot on the floor
"Oh I have the other chairs I'll grab them"
"No don't worry, I used to sitting on the floor now" He says waving his hand
Louise take a set cross legged across from him and she pats the ground next to her beckoning me. I shift my clothes around and take a seat next to her as Ryan pull up his Rotom Phone and expands it to tablet form
"Right then, first things first, how are you?" He asks
We both look to each a bit confused
"Is that really the first question?" Louise stammers out with a befuddled face
"No but I would like to know"
She shakes her head with a laugh
"I'm fine, I'm really enjoying things, I've even got over camping" She retorts with a smile
"Uh well yeah I'm doing great, I'm really loving being with Pokemon everyday" I say with a gulp
"Excellent, you're my last two students so just want to keep you on your journeys" He says with a laugh
"So now for the boring questions" He says rolling his eyes
"How have you found the support of the PBC during your journey?"
"Its good" Louise says sharply
"Uh yeah no complaints" I add
He types out on the tablet
He goes on through some more boring questions about the routes and gyms, whether they had enough supports so on so forth
"And that is now all the bring questions done, so now for the fun part, do you have any questions for me about anything?" He says placing his phone back into his pocket
Louise immediately perks up who had been in danger of falling asleep
"Can we come to your exhibition match?" She calls out eyes glowing
He laughs
"What exhibition match?" I question looking between the two
"I have a 3 on 3 battle coming up against Cynthia just after both your junior competitions. I've never beaten her before so there's lots of demand to watch"
"I'm sure you can get me and Dusty two tickets though" She says with a wink
"I'll make you a deal, if you both make it all the way to your junior competitions then yes you can come and watch" He says holding his hand out
Louise immediately takes it and shakes it
He release and then holds it up to me, I take it and shake with a smile
"A good deal as I'm fairly certain not only will you both make it but I think you are both going to do well" He says confidently
"You think?" I stammer out
"Of course! You beat that little brat that Callum has as a student"
"Do you mean Alvin?" Louise spits out
"I cannot confirm who I mean" He says with a wry smile
"Thats a yes then" She adds with a sour face
"Do you not like Alvin?" I question looking towards her
"No he is an asshole, he made multiple people drop out of the competition, he talks down to nearly everyone even then route trainers"
"We are aware, Callum is trying his best but he is difficult" Ryan adds
"I heard his Dad is really high up on the PBC board so he kind of gets free reign" Louise says
"Not true" Ryan says quickly putting the idea down
"Really?" Louise questions looking confused
"Yes, I know Alvin's Dad and that is all I will say on the matter. Anyway focus on yourselves rather than others, you both doing brilliantly on your journeys"
"Any more questions?"
"Where's Espeon?" I ask
"Shes with Daisy, they'll probably be here shortly. We are headed to Seafoam Islands as a juvenile Articuno has been spotted and Daisy wants to attempt to catch it"
"Wow, so cool!" I coo
"If she catches it will she keep it?" Louise asks
"Oh no, she tags it and releases it back into the wild, she keeps it registered so others cannot capture it, its quite common. A lot of elite trainers have Legendaries but don't use them on their team"
"Do you have any?" I question
He stirs on the spot and smiles
"I do, obviously I have Melmetal and Naganadel, I can't remember if they are considered Mythical or Legendaries now a days, same goes for Zeraora. I have a Latias too but the only one I keep with my team is Melmetal"
"Where are the others?" Louise asks
"Zeraora roams, last time I checked he was near Mt Silver, Naganadel is with the Ultra recon squad and Latias last time I checked was in Alto Mare" He says calmly
"Do you think its a good thing to own them?" I ask
He turns his head and looks to me
"What makes you ask that?"
I squirm a little and feel a hot feeling over take me
"Oh its just something I read as a kid, about how legendary Pokemon are a step above normal Pokemon, their power is on the level to be considered deities and maybe we shouldn't mess with them"
He stirs and considers this
"I do tend to agree, I never intentionally went out of my way to capture them, they all except perhaps Melmetal got thrust upon me, especially Latias"
"How did you capture it?" Louise questions
"Some hunter were tracking it alongside my Absol, they were about to capture it so I stepped in and caught it myself and ran"
"Wow, you've taken on hunters?" She continues
"Yeah, talking of hunter, that Bruce guy who you both ran into is still at large, we think he may be part of a bigger group so if either of you see him again let us know please"
We both nod back to him
"Good to hear, so any more questions" He asks as Louie yawns
"Not me, are you okay for me to do some cooking on your stove Dustin?"
"Uh yeah sure"
"Thanks" She says with a big smile and jumps up before beginning to cook
"Any questions from you?" Ryan says looking towards me
I stir and think
"Um well, do you know if we get a family box if we get to the championships?"
He smile widely showing his teeth off
"If you get to the quarters you do, depends on how many people enter the tournament, I had a chat with your Grandma and Mum actually"
I baulk slightly
"When? How?" I stammer out
"After what happened in Vermillion with that Bruce guy I thought it best to make contact to show that I was looking out for you, I spoke to your Grandma on the phone but it was a tough experience, so I made a home visit"
"Oh, uh was Mum okay?" I question
"Yeah, she explained about her illness, sorry to hear kiddo" I say putting his hand on my shoulder
"But she is really proud, I could tell just by the way she talks about you"
"I agree"
We both look up to see the figure of Daisy flanked by a Raichu I assume is hers and Ryans Espeon upon her shoulder, Espeon jumps across to Ryans
"You met her too?" I question
"Yes, I was representing the PBC, Charles Goodshow the chairman is my uncle so he asked me to attend in his place. All the energy she had was used to talk so fondly about you" She says with a soft smile before walking off and placing some bags on the table before questioning Louise
I choke and gulp to try and stifle my tears down
"I'll make sure she gets to see you at the championship okay" Ryan says giving me a wink
"Tha..nks" I choke out wiping my eyes
"OI!"
We both look up to see Daisy quite irate at the table
"I told you to tell then I was cooking them a feast!"
"Oh damn must have slipped my mind sorry!" Ryan says with a laugh
Venusaur (Lv43) Female
Attacks
Sludge Bomb
Leaf Storm
Solar Beam
Giga Drain
Ninetails (Lv43) Female
Attacks
Flamethrower
Dig
Fire Spin
Extrasensory
Poliwrath (Lv43) Male
Attacks
Ice Beam
Mud Shot
Waterfall
Brick Break
Starmie (Lv43) Genderless
Flash Cannon
Psychic
Surf
Thunderbolt
Squirtle (Lv41) Male
Hydro Pump
Skull Bash
Rapid Spin
Aura Sphere
Jolteon (Lv37) Male
Hyper Voice
Shadow Ball
Thunderbolt
Quick Attack