C5 Brianna

Work is going to have me busy the next couple of weeks so enjoy this early chapter. None next week sadly.

The morning of my departure had finally arrived. I meticulously went through my luggage one last time, ensuring that everything was in place. Alongside two days' worth of rations and a week's worth of clothing, I had packed my emergency survival kit, my trusty Pokétablet, and my Pokenav, securely clipped to my belt. With my belongings ready, I set out to join the rest of the family for breakfast.

We spent the morning speaking excitedly and after breakfast was cleared they went over the arrangements one final time with Pa.

"Alright, Luke, one last time. Brianna will be here soon so let's make the most of it. It's a two-day flight from here to Sandgem since I've decided on the safer route around Mt. Coronet." I nodded attentively, absorbing Pa's words. "You'll spend the night at Route 207 and continue the following day. Now, Brianna has the necessary equipment for the trip, but I want to make sure you're well prepared. Let's review your pack."

I followed his lead, methodically presenting my kit just as he had taught me. Pa inspected it with a discerning eye, offering an approving hum as he nodded. "Looks good. Now, let's head outside. I can hear Brianna's Pidgeot crying out, signaling her arrival."

Stepping outside the house, our eyes fell upon Brianna, a petite woman with ginger hair completely swept back. She was clad in a blue flight suit, adorned with a reinforced arm brace designed for perching birds, and was meticulously inspecting her equipment. Her gear was securely fastened to a pair of the most massive Pidgeot I had ever laid eyes upon.

"Quite impressive, aren't they?" Belle's voice chimed in beside me. "I like to think of them as one of my finest creations. My time in Kanto certainly paid off, don't you think?"

I nodded in agreement, still captivated by the sight of those majestic Pokémon. After a few moments, Brianna completed her inspection and shifted her attention to us.

"Well, well, look at this. My precious cargo," she said with a playful tone, her gaze eventually falling on Juno. With a soft coo, she addressed my Starly, "Aren't you just the cutest thing?" Juno puffed up with pride under the praise, clearly smitten.

"They certainly are, Brianna," Pa chimed in, his hand landing reassuringly on my shoulder. "Take good care of them."

"You know I will, old man. I'm the best flier there is! And don't think I've forgotten you trying to recruit me," Brianna responded confidently.

"You would've been a valuable asset to the Corps," Pa acknowledged.

Brianna grinned and shook her head. "Nah, that'd be like clipping my wings. I'm meant to soar freely through the skies." Her determination was evident. "Now, enough chatter. Let's say our goodbyes. We need to make it to our resting spot before nightfall to avoid those pesky Zubats."

With that cue, I shifted my focus to Belle and Pa, standing beside me. Their expressions were a blend of pride, concern, and the shared anticipation of what lay ahead.

Belle's voice carried warmth and encouragement as she began, "Remember, Luke, this is a wonderful opportunity to learn from Professor Rowan. Make the most of it."

Pa's hand clamped onto my shoulder, his grip firm but supportive. "And don't forget, we're always here for you. Take care of yourself, and take care of Juno too."

I nodded earnestly, my heart brimming with appreciation and enthusiasm. "I will. Thank you both for everything."

"This isn't goodbye, Luke. We'll see each other soon," Belle assured, wrapping her arms around me in a hug.

"Exactly, son. We're proud of the man you're becoming. These years with us have been a breath of fresh air," Pa added warmly as he embraced me.

Stepping back, I grinned at them. "Yeah, I'll be in touch soon!"

With their words of support echoing in my mind, I turned my attention to Brianna, who beckoned me toward her Pidgeot. Strapping myself onto the powerful Pokémon felt a bit awkward, but Brianna's assured movements reassured me. "Alright, that's you all set. Now go ahead and recall your little birdie. She's not quite ready for this flight," Brianna explained, nodding toward Juno.

I addressed Juno, my voice gentle as I made to activate her recall beam. "You're going to have to wait this one out, girl. But don't worry, I'll let you out as soon as we touch down. You can stretch your wings then." Juno responded with a series of melancholic chirps, not overly fond of being confined to her Pokéball, though she tolerated it..

As soon as I completed the recall, I turned to Brianna, and to my surprise, she had already secured herself onto her Pidgeot, her face contorted into a toothy, almost predatory grin. "Make sure to close your mouth, kid."

Before I could even inquire about her words, the Pidgeot surged forward with astonishing speed, launching us into the sky. My initial response was a mixture of awe and sheer terror, and an involuntary shout tore from my throat as we ascended rapidly.

Amidst the overwhelming rush of wind and my own panicked yells, I could hear Brianna's raucous laughter, clearly enjoying my predicament. Her amusement only intensified as I inadvertently ingested a few stray bugs, causing me to gag and cough. Eventually, I managed to regain some composure and hastily pulled on a flight mask that Pa had thoughtfully provided. With the mask in place, the journey became significantly more bearable.

As the flight continued, I found myself captivated by the changing landscape below as we veered away from Mt. Coronet. The serenity of the skies enveloped me, and I lost track of time, only realizing the day was waning when the sun began its descent. It had been a thoroughly exhilarating and enjoyable experience.

Brianna signaled to slow down, and as we descended to a more manageable altitude, she lifted her mask to address me. "We're approaching our resting spot, kid. How are you holding up?"

I gave her a thumbs up, the wind tugging at my clothes and hair, and shouted against the breeze, "Doing great! Could use a bathroom break, though!"

"Get ready for descent," she warned, her grin tinged with mischief as she hastily covered her face.

I scrambled to imitate her, but it was futile. I was taken completely off guard. The Pidgeot initiated a rapid descent, hurtling toward the ground at an astonishing rate, and I clung to the bird for dear life. After a heart-pounding few seconds, we landed smoothly and carefully on the ground.

Brianna's laughter rang out as she approached me, ready to unfasten me from her mount. "Hahaha! Oh, Arceus, that was classic! Man, that trick gets 'em every time. Still need to go potty? Hahaha."

Grumbling under my breath, I shot her a glare. "The fuck man. I nearly pissed myself!".

"Aw, quit your griping, kid. You were never in any real danger. Too bad I lost the bet though. The old man wasn't kidding about your determination," she sighed.

My indignation grew. "You bet with Pa on whether I'd piss myself?!"

"Relax, it's all in good fun. Now, go fertilize a tree or something while I set up camp," she ordered, shooing me away.

I huffed, my annoyance simmering as I cursed her unruly hairdo, and ventured into the nearby forest to heed nature's call. In response to her warning of not wandering too far, I very maturely flipped her the bird, and her laughter echoed after me.

After finding some privacy, I released Juno who took a moment to survey her surroundings before chirping excitedly at me. "No, we're not there yet, girl. We still have one more day. This is just our resting spot," I explained to her. She chirped in understanding and perched on a nearby tree branch.

With my business concluded, I made my way back, a quivering leaf on the ground snagged my attention. Juno descended to investigate, and I beckoned to her, "Hold on, Juno. Let's check it out."

Juno halted, fixating on the plant. I approached with caution, the ground crunching beneath my footsteps. The leafy specimen turned toward me, emitting a faint, almost plaintive sound. Lowering myself to the ground, I uncovered a young Budew, unmistakably in the early stages of growth due to its diminutive size. I kept my voice calm and soothing, saying, "It's alright. We're not going to hurt you."

The Budew regarded me with a mix of apprehension and curiosity, its slight trembling continuing. Despite its wariness, it ventured nearer. Retrieving a pair of gloves from my pack, I approached with care, lifting the tiny Budew and ensuring I avoided any potential thorns. Juno perched on my shoulder, intrigued by the scene unfolding before her.

"Why are you all alone out here, little one?" I mused aloud, addressing the Budew. It nestled into my embrace, its shivering beginning to subside. "Feeling cold, are you? Let's get you warm."

With the small Budew cradled in my arms, I retraced my steps back to the clearing where Brianna had already set up a campfire and was in the process of pitching her tent.

"What do you have there?" Brianna inquired with curiosity. "Did you find yourself dinner?"

I shook my head as I approached the fire and gently placed the young Budew near the warmth. "Nope, just a lost baby. Juno, can you keep an eye on her while I set up camp?" Juno chirped in acknowledgment and hopped over to where I had settled the Budew.

"Hmm," was Brianna's nonchalant response. "Well, anyway, make sure you get your tent set up before the sun goes down."

I nodded in agreement and set to work assembling my tent. As the night progressed, I found myself pleasantly conversing with Brianna, realizing that she wasn't so bad to talk to when she wasn't in her usual brash mode. She had a direct and easygoing manner that I found surprisingly refreshing.

"So, what type of trainer are you looking to become? Are you gonna be a geek like Belle, or did Pa manage to convince you to join the Ranger Union?" she asked playfully.

"I'm not ready to commit to anything right now. I want to explore my options a bit," I answered.

Brianna's gaze seemed distant for a moment, and then she shifted her attention back to me. "Yeah, that makes sense. We all deserve a chance to spread our wings, you know?" she mused softly. "Speaking of wings, that's a pretty impressive Starly you've got there. Are you thinking about becoming a Flying-type master?" Her eyes turned to Juno, who was enthusiastically digging into her food.

A genuine smile crossed my face as I glanced at Juno and then back to Brianna. "I won't deny it, I've definitely considered it. Juno's been an incredible partner, and her flying skills are just amazing," I admitted, pride and affection evident in my tone. Juno perked up at the mention of her name but returned to her meal once she realized I wasn't addressing her directly.

Brianna raised an eyebrow, a hint of amusement in her expression. "Fair enough, there's a 'but' coming isn't it?"

"Well, it's not really a 'but'," I said lamely. "I just think other Pokémon are also cool."

Brianna couldn't help but snort at my response, her amusement apparent. "You do know you're not confined to only using flying types, right? I've got a variety of Pokémon in my team besides the birds," she playfully pointed out.

"Oh like what? A Drifloon?" I asked teasingly.

Brianna snorted in response to my teasing, her amusement clearly evident. "Smartass. Yes, I have a Drifloon, and no, not all my Pokémon are Flying types. For example, I've got a pair of Shellos. Slimy little suckers, but I think they're really cool," she said with a fond tone.

As we continued our meal and conversation, the Budew had drifted off to sleep. The atmosphere was comfortable, and the flow of our discussion was easy. After dinner, our conversation lulled for a moment, only to be revived as Brianna turned her attention to Juno.

"So, do you mind if I take a look at Juno?" she asked, attempting to feign disinterest.

I smiled at her playful attempt to hide her eagerness and shrugged in response. "Sure, if she's up for it." I turned to Juno and posed the question to her. "What do you think, girl?"

Juno cocked her head to the side, her curious gaze fixed on Brianna. "Starly," she said in confirmation after a moment of contemplation, then hopped forward, gradually moving toward Brianna's outstretched left hand.

Brianna's smile grew as she gently lifted Juno onto her gloved hand, her right hand carefully inspecting my Starly. "She's more than well taken care of. I'm impressed, kid. She's impeccable, and her plumage is absolutely wonderful."

Juno's response to the praise was evident; she puffed up her plumage, basking in the admiration.

"Yep, nothing but the best for her. We go hunting for the biggest bug and rodent Pokémon we can find every week and make our own version of Belle's blend tailored to her tastes," I affirmed.

Brianna whistled in genuine admiration. "Nice, kid. Not many youngsters have the stomach to feed their Pokémon the way you do."

"Yeah," I drawled, a sense of agreement in my tone. "It's a shame, really. I think it should be the way Pokémon eat in the wild. PokéMart feed is convenient, but you can't beat a high-quality and varied diet."

She hummed in agreement, and as she lifted Juno's wings for inspection, her demeanor shifted. "I wholeheartedly agree." Suddenly, she paused, her focus narrowing on Juno's wings. "Oh? Her feathers are showing some strain. Nothing concerning, but you should ease up on the training before she gets hurt."

"Pff, try and stop her, why don't you?" I snorted, a hint of amusement in my voice. "We're working on Aerial Ace, and we feel we're really close. But we're having trouble with course corrections. Juno refuses to stop until she feels she's accomplished enough."

"Starly Star!" Juno chirped from my shoulder, as if echoing my sentiment.

"Really, why don't you guide me through what you do?" Brianna asked, tossing Juno into the air in a gentle arc.

Juno fluttered to a rest on my shoulder, and I chuckled at the situation. "You want to help? Huh, didn't think you'd offer."

"Normally I wouldn't," Brianna admitted as she selected a Poké Ball from her belt. "But I'm bored, and your care of Juno tipped the odds in your favor."

"Well, I'm not one to pass up on this opportunity," I replied, scanning the ground for a few suitable sticks. "Alright, Juno, let's show her our hard work."

"Starly!" Juno responded eagerly, ready for some action.

"We usually practice with colored items, but sticks will have to do for now," I explained as Juno took to the skies. Once she was in position, I signaled for her to begin her descent and threw the sticks into the air. "Left!" I shouted, guiding Juno's path toward the stick I had called out. She glowed with white energy for a moment before swiftly dashing off towards the stick, her talons slicing it with precision.

"Nice work, Juno," I commended her as she perched on my outstretched forearm. I turned to Brianna, who seemed genuinely interested in our training session, and explained, "Our idea is that if Juno can correct her flight pattern, then Aerial Ace will naturally develop. So we're using Quick Attack as the foundation for learning Aerial Ace."

"Brianna responded with a knowing smile. "Ah, the rookie mistake. Don't worry, many trainers have thought the same thing. Quick Attack is a great move for learning how to pick up speed, but it's not the focus you need for Aerial Ace. It's an entirely Flying-type infused move."

Juno chirped her disagreement, and Brianna raised a hand in a calming gesture. "I know, I know, but listen. When developing a move, other attacks can serve as inspiration, but they shouldn't be the basis. Each energy type has its unique mechanics, movement, energy flow, and concentration due to their natural attributes. You're better off building a move from the ground up, or if you're using another move as a starting point, make sure it's from the same energy type. Oh, and stay away from Technical Machines."

"Why's that?" I inquired, intrigued by her advice.

"Technical machines pass on the move onto a Pokemon. Through technical mumbo jumbo." Brianna explained, preemptively cutting off any further questions. Nope, don't know, don't care, ask Belle." I frowned slightly at the abrupt response. "The thing is, while Pokémon can learn the move, they'll always perform it at a weaker level. Don't ask me why, though. It's just how it is."

My mind was already racing with potential explanations, and I couldn't help but blurt out my thoughts. "Maybe it's because they haven't fully grasped the energy type, or perhaps it's because the move doesn't align with their instincts. Oh, wait, what if it's a Pokémon that has mastered the energy type? Mmm, could be that they're not tapping into the move's true potential and are just using it robotically." I babbled on, caught up in my own speculation.

"Yeah, no, stop," Brianna interjected, playfully bonking my head with a light tap of her knuckles. "Like I said, don't care. Now, pay attention. You'll only get this one freebie from us."

"Us?" I questioned, rubbing my head where she tapped me. She grinned mischievously and reached for a Poké Ball, summoning a Pokémon with a red flash. It revealed a large purple bat with four wings, a Crobat.

"Yep, this is Vlad. I caught him when he took a nibble out of me in a cave," she said fondly, the Crobat letting out a playful giggle. "Now, back to the lesson. Quick Attack is a versatile move. It's great for escaping, closing in on an opponent quickly, and catching them off guard. But that's not what you need for Aerial Ace."

Vlad suddenly launched into action, demonstrating a Quick Attack that brought him right beside me before I could even process his movement. He chuckled and playfully smacked me with his wing, retreating once again before I could even process what just happened.

"It empowers the muscles in our partner's body so that they have a burst of speed and enough energy and momentum carried over to damage the enemy. To the inexperienced eye, Aerial Ace appears to be the same but in the sky. Except it isn't," she explained, anticipation in her voice.

This time, Vlad launched himself into the darkening sky, his wings cutting through the air with precision as he seamlessly executed a dazzling display of acrobatics. His movements were a symphony of speed, control, and power—a breathtaking performance that held me captivated.

"Did you catch that? The speed, the precision? That's all Vlad. Aerial Ace is a precise move, not a reckless charge like Quick Attack. It comes from honing instincts, focus, and reactions for tight, efficient, and pinpoint adjustments. Watch closely, Vlad!" She called out.

With incredible finesse, Vlad executed a flawless 90-degree turn, gliding seamlessly towards a nearby tree. He embarked on a series of aerial maneuvers that defied logic, making impossibly sharp movements as he weaved between the branches with breathtaking precision. As if to conclude his performance, he delicately plucked a single leaf from a branch as he passed by.

Brianna's grin was infectious as she explained, "This is the essence of the move, maximum focus and control."

"That's amazing! And insightful. But what does that mean for us? What are we missing?" I inquired, Juno bobbing along in agreement with my curiosity.

Brianna leaned in, her gaze steady. "It's not about missing something, kid. It's about shifting your focus. Instead of just empowering Juno's body, help her attain perfect control over her movements. Let her energy heighten her awareness, allowing her to lock onto her targets. Her natural abilities will take care of the rest." With a beckoning motion, she nodded toward Vlad. "And don't abandon your previous training either. You might find a way to combine it into a potent combo move in the future. Now, give it a shot and practice."

Vlad took the lead, guiding Juno through several rounds of practice. Brianna eventually called a halt to the exercise, citing Vlad's need to be in peak condition for his lookout role.

As the day's events caught up with us, I signaled for Juno to join me as I excused myself from the fire and retreated into my tent. To my surprise,the Budew didn't hesitate to follow us unprompted. I welcomed its presence, and sleep came easily that night.

Morning arrived with a symphony of clattering pots and pans, marking the beginning of Brianna's breakfast preparations. Groggily, I rubbed my eyes and sat up, met with her familiar teasing tone.

"Morning, princess," Brianna jested, eliciting a tired yawn from me as I stretched my limbs. "Time to rise and shine, kid. We've left Mt. Coronet's biting winds are behind us, and Sandgem isn't too far away now."

I acknowledged her words with a nod, my mind gradually shaking off the remnants of sleep. I proceeded to pack up my belongings, getting ready for the day ahead. Once I was done, I joined Brianna for breakfast, our easy conversation weaving through the morning air as we shared a meal. Her gaze shifted to the Budew by my side, and she inquired, "So, what's the plan for the little sprout?"

Glancing at the Budew, which was happily munching on a berry alongside Juno, I shrugged. "Honestly, I didn't give it much thought yesterday."

Brianna leaned back, considering my response. "Well, decide soon. We need to hit the road." With that, she extinguished the remains of the fire and began preparing the Pidgeots for the day's journey, leaving me to my own devices.

I shifted my attention to the small Pokémon and locked eyes with it, facing the onslaught of the cute little baby eyes, a decision formed easily in my mind. Sighing softly, I reached into my bag and pulled out a Poké Ball, offering it to the Budew. Juno, perched nearby, seemed to sense what was happening and watched with curiosity.

"Well, little one, you were out there on your own, shivering in the cold. How about joining us on our journey?" I offered, my voice gentle. The Budew let out a happy cry and nuzzled against the Poké Ball in response. The familiar chime of capture rang out as the Ball sealed shut, and I couldn't help but smile. "Looks like we've made our first friend, Juno."

Juno responded with a joyful chirp and a celebratory dance, hopping from side to side. I let her celebrate for a moment, glancing over at Brianna, who seemed to be quite amused by the scene. "Alright, Juno, time to return for now. We'll be in Sandgem soon," I said as I recalled her into her Poké Ball. It was time to hit the road again.

Completing my preparations, I let out a sigh of readiness. I swiftly adorned my flight gear, a preemptive move that earned a grumble from Brianna. She playfully accused me of robbing her of the excitement as she fastened me, which I met with a mock glare.

The moment of takeoff still caught me off guard. Brianna's wink was the only warning as my Pidgeot sprang into action before she even started to secure herself.

The team's composition will be varied but it starts out with "weaker" mons. I always liked how the show portrayed ability over brute strength and I'd like for that to start that way before we go into DBZ-like beam battles. Legends are end game anyway.

Active Team:

Juno - Starly (F)

? - Budew (?)