Title: Entertaining
Alt Title: You Enjoy This, Don't you
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I put periods in the empty spots where the spaces are because if I don't then FFN squishes all my paragraphs together.
I've tried everything. The sites formatting just hates me.
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I played Pokémon Violet and remembered the fanfic The Sun of Sunnyshore by BANIX. And decided to write this.
Credit to T4ndoris for helping me find it again.
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MERRY CHRISTMAS!
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Ultima-owner: Fear the man so intimidating. That his beard refuses to grow unruly in his presence.
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Disclaimer: I don't own Pokémon or any other characters in this work, other than my OC. All other characters belong to their respective properties.
-Date, Time-
'Thoughts'
"Speech"
[Telepathy]
(Text)
*Sounds/Actions*
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-Two weeks later, Drayden's office-
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Blake POV
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"Congratulations." Drayden says from his desk. "You survived three weeks."
"And?" I press.
"And I have a final test before I'm ready to announce you, my replacement." He says.
It honestly wasn't hard. Outside of the hazing from the first week. Everyone was fairly easy to deal with after the Drugal incident. Drugal was one of the top trainers here. And now he's banished from the city.
He's not legally exiled or anything. But he lost, and everyone knows it. Not only that, but he tried to renege on our deal. Anymore and he'll find himself unable to control his dragons. From their perspective. We had a territorial dispute. One that I won, and he lost.
Dragons are temperamental creatures. And don't take disrespect or misconduct lightly. It's why people like Lance are so strict. He goes out of control? His dragons will take it as incentive to do the same.
Last I'd heard Drugal's been holed up in the Village of Dragons. And his girlfriend refuses to speak to me after she looked into just what a Mimikyu is.
Sore losers. The lot of them.
"And what's this final test?" I ask.
I swear, if it's some bs like he's the final test.
"This is." He says and slides two papers forward.
I look down at the paper. They're application files. For the circuit sponsorship.
I should know. I spent a week organizing them.
"As you know. There is only one sponsorship I can give as Gym Leader." He says. "And, eventually you as well. It is your task to choose who gets the sponsorship and who doesn't. And after that, you'll be responsible for checking in on them and making sure they're doing well. Provide advice, directions, for all intents and purposes, you will be choosing your applicant."
'Okay, that's a bit tougher.' I think to myself as I look at the applicant's photos. One is a boy of fair skin, blonde hair, brown eyes and rbf. The other is a girl with darker skin, blue hair, blue eyes and a bright smile.
"How long do I have?" I ask.
"Three days."
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-1 day later-
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*Knock* *Knock* *Knock*
"Come in!" I say from Drayden's desk.
He's letting me use his office for the purpose of this. Well, if I pass this test. It'll be my office.
The young boy walks in. Flat faced and well dressed.
He cocks an eyebrow at me.
"I apologize." He says. "I appear to have the wrong room."
"Herman of Nacrene City?" I ask.
"Yes, that is me." He says tentatively.
"You have the right room." I say with a gentle smile. "Your interview for your sponsorship."
"I thought that was going through Drayden." He says.
"It's going through the Opelucid Gym Leader." I correct him. "Which in three months, will be me."
His eyes widen at that. Not surprising. Drayden's been Gym Leader since his mid twenties and the head of the academy since his thirties. There are people who were born, lived, went on a journey, came back and had kids all in the span of his tenure.
He's such a constant that the idea of him not being here is foreign to a lot of people in Unova.
"That is, quite the revelation." He says. "Do you have any proof?"
"Look at the name on the door." I say.
He does so, and sees Drayden cleanly on it.
"I've spent three weeks under his tutelage." I explain. "I'd be pretty suicidal to use his office and sit at his desk without his express permission."
The man would throw me out the window and three stories down onto the Gym Arena in the middle of a match if I did. And he'd call it getting off easy for the disrespect.
"A fair point." He concludes and steps forward to take a seat.
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-2 hours later-
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*Knock* *Knock* *Knock*
"Come in." I say.
The young girl comes in with a smile. And I sense it.
She has a dark affinity.
For those with an affinity towards types. We also have an ability to sense others affinities. Granted mine is more honed thanks to my father's instructions. For most they never get the hang of it. A slight gut feeling. Merely letting another know the person across from them has an affinity as well.
For those who've honed this sense. You can distinguish. Though few hone this sense outside of the mind arts trio.
Mines not perfect. People can have multiple affinities and I can only sense one.
"Hi! You're Blake, right?" She asks.
"I am, I assume Herman told you?" I ask.
"Yep!" She says. "I'm Sandra!"
"Well Sandra, let's begin." I say and gesture for her to take a seat.
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-2 hours later-
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God this is not easy.
They're both equally qualified. Herman is a generalist without a specialty. But excels in training canid Pokémon. While Sandra is a prodigy with dark types. Much to her parents' dismay. They're both ground specialists.
Top marks, perfect attendance, comprehensive understanding. Hell, Herman's already fully evolved the Lillipup his parents gave him.
And that's the thing. That's the deciding factor. Sandra doesn't have a pokemon or a reliable backup. She has no other preparations in place while Herman's cast his net wide. He already has two other applications. One as a rotationary trainer. And another as a ranger in the event that this fails.
Meanwhile Sandra only has eyes on the circuit. Her family's cut support for reasons she's not willing to divulge. She put all her eggs in one basket.
Generalists are loved by sponsors for a reason. Their ability to deal with all types can make or break a circuit. And more often than not it's the generalists who rank high in the circuits and become champions.
Mustard, Cynthia, Alder, Diantha, Ash, Leon, Geeta. The list goes on.
So, the choice is obvious.
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Bonus
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-Alola-
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Acerola POV
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"Hmm, hmm, hmmmmm." I hum to myself as I organize the library.
It's rare for me to get free time to do this now that I'm an elite four as well as a trial captain. But that's okay. I enjoy the work well enough.
Besides, my Blakey is coming by in a month for his yearly visit! Oh I can't wait! I even put in my vacation hours and scheduled the week off.
And this year! I'll finally confess to him! I've had feelings for him since we were twelve. But we're family, so I never really, did anything about it. Then I learned we're not blood related, and I sent him the traditional proposal! A Pokémon that can act as a signifier of our connection and a ring signifying promise!
And he accepted!
Only I later learned he, didn't know about that, particular custom of Alola.
But that's beside the point.
All good stories have some drama. And looking back that can be a little comedy added in.
*Brzzt*
"Hey Roly!" Roto exclaims as he flies out of my pocket.
"Hmm?" I ask.
"You got a message from Blake!" He exclaims.
"Oh!" I say excitedly. "Play it!"
"Roger!" He solutes and turns to his side and plays the video.
"Hey Ace!" Blake says. "So, had a bit going on in the last few weeks so, sorry for not messaging you sooner."
"That's okay." I say. Though I know it's a prerecorded message.
"Well, I, won't be able to make it to our yearly get together." He says apologetically.
"Eh?"
"Turns out Ryme sent in an application and a recommendation in my stead for me." He continues. "And well, I'm going to be the new Gym Leader of Opelucid City! On the bright side she refunded my vacation days I put in."
"Huh?!" I say in despair.
"Was really looking forward to meeting up again. But I'm swamped and can't afford to leave anytime soon. Drayden's a real slave driver." He continues.
"But, but, my plans!" I say desperately.
I was going to confess! We were going to start dating! I would be an Elite Four and he'd take over as trial captain! Or vise versa! We'd be a power couple and rebuild the Alolan royal family! A story book ending!
"Why?!" I cry.
"Well, maybe next year. For now, love ya!" He says with a smile.
The video ends and Roto turns back over.
"Oof, um, that's rough." He says through the phone. "Do you, want a minute alone?"
"No!" I say. "I'll get my storybook ending! I just need to convince him to quit and move to Alola!"
"Um, I don't-"
"He said he was in Opelucid right?" I say and grab the floating phone. "I'll just head over as a diplomatic liaison to Unova! And stay on with my vacation!"
I type into my phone and book a trip to Unova. One two way ticket. And one, one way back to Alola.
I'll bring my Blakey back with me!
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I'm keeping this here. Mostly for my convenience when writing.
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Current Main Team
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Solis the Ceruledge
Male
Type: Fire/Ghost
Ability: Flash Fire
Item: Muscle Band
Moves:
Swords Dance
Shadow Claw
Bitter Blade
Psycho Cut
How they met
Solis was given to Blake by his parents for his tenth birthday to train and keep him company at Naranja Academy. The idea being that Blake would take after either his mother or father in type specialty. When he was in his third year he managed to get his hands on a set of malicious armor and evolved Solis.
Strategies
Solis is a speed fighter. Relying on quick movements to stay out of range and set up for devastating hits.
Solis was a member of Blake's Sinnoh League team.
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Glitter the Gholdengo
Type: Steel/Ghost
Ability: Good as Gold
Item: Shell Bell
Moves:
Reflect
Dazzling Gleam
Make It Rain
Light Screen
How they met
Glitter was a box standard Gimmighoul that Blake found collecting coins near a fountain in Mesagoza. When he set out on his Treasure Hunt, a yearly tradition of Naranja Academy students go on starting at age fifteen, Blake made it his hunt to evolve Glitter. Scouring the highs and lows of Paldea to find enough golden coins.
Strategies
Glitter is bulky. With decent speed and high bulk, it's not a matter of Glitter taking down the opponent. It's a matter of outlasting them and getting in opportunity hits to whittle them down.
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Bork the Annihilape
Male
Type: Fighting/Ghost
Ability: Defiant
Item: Punching Glove
Moves:
Rage Fist
Drain Punch
Bulk Up
Poison Jab
How they met
In his second year at Naranja, Blake thought he was ready to venture into the wilds of Paldea despite all warnings he was not. Self assured in his own natural talent he took Solis and Glitter out to explore. It was not long before he got lost and ran into a territorial Bisharp. Solis fell to the Bisharp along with Glitter. That's when a miracle occurred and a Primeape showed up. After the Primeape beat the Bisharp, Blake took it back to be healed. And got detention for two weeks. It was this instance that gave Blake a reality check and showed him that talent is nothing without hard work.
Strategies
Bork is Blakes answer to dark and normal types. With Bork being unusually calm for an Annihilape, on the surface. Bork waits and cages his rage. Until the right opportunity to inflict the most pain arises. Blake has to be careful with this, if he lets Bork store too much rage he becomes feral.
Bork was a member of Blake's Sinnoh League team.
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Autumn the Shiny Decidueye
Female
Type: Grass/Ghost
Ability: Long Reach
Item: Scope
Moves:
Spirit Shackle
Phantom Force
Brave Bird
Seed Bomb
How they met
In a yearly trip to Alola, Acerola and Blake ventured out into the woods to play. There was a shiny Rowlette and they made a competition of catching it. Blake won.
Strategies
A long to mid range fighter. Autumn specializes in antagonizing opponents with physical attacks whilestaying just out of reach.
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Dream the Dragapult
Female
Type: Dragon/Ghost
Ability: Infiltrator
Item: King's Rock
Moves
Dragon Dance
Lock-On
Dragon Rush
Phantom Force
How they met
Dream had actually followed Blake back to Naranja after he was attacked by the Bisharp back when they were a Dreepy. Blake found Dream hiding in his shadow during detention.
Strategies
Dream is the powerhouse ace of Blakes official circuit team. Fast and powerful. Dream stays out of range and dizzies the opponent before setting up for devastating attacks. Sweeping entire elite teams.
Dream was a member of Blake's Sinnoh League team.
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Dyme the Houndstone
Type: Ghost
Male
Ability: Fluffy
Item: Life Orb
Last Respects
Dig
Phantom Force
Rest
How they met
When Blake was seventeen he applied for the Gym Trainer position at Montenevera. As a probationary task he was given a Greavard to take care of. He named him Dyme as a joke towards Ryme.
Strategies
Dyme is Blake's last resort. When all else fails, Dyme comes in clutch and usually sweeps other teams with the previous set ups. Allowing Dyme to take advantage of Last Respects.
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Other Pokémon
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Hook the Dhelmise
Type: Ghost/Grass
Ability: Steelworker
Item: Iron Ball
Moves:
Anchor Shot
Heavy Slam
Sunny Day
Solar Blade
How they met
On a yearly trip to Alola, Blake caught Hook while Mantine surfing.
Strategies
Hook is all bulk. And uses that weight to crush opponents. Literally.
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Squire the Aegislash
Male
Type: Ghost/Steel
Ability: Stance Change
Item: Rocky Helmet
King's Shield
Swords Dance
Night Slash
Air Slash
How they met
While on his Treasure Hunt, Blake encountered a group of Honege in a ruined fort while looking for gold coins. Blake simply caught one.
Strategies
Blake does not use Squire often. Not because Squire is bad at battling. But because Blake prefers trickery and strategy in battle. And Squire is a head on fighter.
Squire was a member of Blake's Sinnoh League team.
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Mimi the Gengar Mimikyu
Female
Type: Fairy/Ghost
Ability: Disguise
Item: Soothe Bell
Moves:
Play Rough
Thunder Wave
Phantom Force
Draining Kiss
How they met
Mimi was a gift given to Blake from Acerola along with an ornate gold and purple ring that Blake wears on his right hand.
Strategies
Mimi is one of, if not the trickiest of Blake's Pokémon. Zipping around the battlefield, laughing and angering opponents by not taking them seriously. Then debilitating them and taking them down with ease.
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Yuki the Froslass
Female
Type: Ice/Ghost
Ability: Snow Cloak
Item: Nevermelt ice
Moves:
Snowscape
Blizzard
Confuse Ray
Shadow Ball
How they met
During Blake's tenure as one of Ryme's Gym Trainers. Blake and three others were sent out to deal with a Froslass that was attacking travelers. After a battle that killed one of the other Gym Trainers in the chaos. Blake finally took down the territorial Froslass. And found its wounded Snorunt child. Yuki is that child.
Strategies
Yuki is another of Blake's trickier Pokémon. If she can manage to set up the terrain. It's over. She hides in the snowstorms and attacks out of sight. Confusing the opponent and setting the stage for a clean victory.
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Bones the Alolan Marowak
Male
Type: Fire/Ghost
Ability: Cursed Body
Item: Thick Club
Moves:
Shadow Bone
Flame Wheel
Bonemerang
Bone Rush
How they met
On the same yearly trip Blake caught Hook. Blake caught a Cubone. The next year he returned to train it and evolve it into an Alolan Marowak.
Strategies
Bones does not like battling. So Blake doesn't make him. Instead Bones likes dancing.
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Skips the Rotom
Type: Ghost/Electric
Ability: Levitate
Item: Electrifier
Moves:
Charge
Thunder Wave
Discharge
Shadow Ball
How they met
Skips is Blake's original Rotom phone. After the phone broke he kept the Rotom and just got an empty Rotom phone Skips could swap into.
Strategies
Skips does not battle.
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Wisp the Basculegion
Male
Type: Water/Ghost
Ability: Adaptability
Item: King's Rock
Moves:
Phantom Force
Wave Crash
Scale Shot
Aqua Jet
How they met
When venturing near the great crater of Paldea on his Treasure Hunt. Blake ran into a school of oddly colored Basculin's. Believing them to be a rare, undiscovered regional variant. He caught the school and sent them home for Professor Rowan to study. Only for Rowan to find the method to evolving them. Something the red and blue Basculins are entirely incapable of. Blake requested one of the Basculins back and trained it himself and went through the arduous task of evolving it.
Fun Fact: Due to not being able to find any more schools of White-Striped Basculins. They were not given the regional variant moniker.
Strategies
Wisp is another of Blake's powerhouses. Wisp is deceptively calm, waiting and moving slowly, even allowing itself to be hit before catching opponents off guard with massive bursts of speed.
Wisp was a member of Blake's Sinnoh League Team.
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Lake the Gengar
Male
Type: Ghost/Poison
Ability: Cursed Body
Item: Gengarite
Moves:
Hypnosis
Dream Eater
Toxic
Venoshock
How they met
On a trip to Lake Acuity with his mother on Gym Leader business. Blake unknowingly upset a Gengar. After weeks of his things going missing, his food being eaten, and his furniture being rearranged. Blake finally caught the culprit. After a laugh and a friendly exchange, Lake chose to stay with Blake.
Strategies
Lake is prankster down to his core. Using status move to debilitate and then using moves that work of those.
Lake was a part of Blake's Sinnoh League team.
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A/N
I have another fic based on the Worm series by Wildbow.
It's over 350k+ words.
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QUESTIONS!
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QUESTIONS FOR NEWB!
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QUESTIONS FOR BLAKE!
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Dragonofthe: do you plan to get regional ghost Pokémon like a litwick?
Blake: Perhaps. I have few strong special attacker. And Chandelure is infamous for its near mastery over ranged attacks. A bit slow for my personal liking. But nothing I can't work with.
A Cofagrigus is another on my radar. Their ability and high defense give me ideas.
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Leave a comment and tell me what you think. I'm motivated by positive comments and constructive criticism.