Title: The new gym leader
Alt Title: Interview
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So, real quick. 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 decided to make this after playing Pokémon Violet and remembering a fic about a guy who'd inserted into Volkner as the Sunnyshore Gym Leader.
I can't remember its name for the life of me. If I ever find it again I'll mention it here.
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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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-Pre-Knowledge-
This is a mix of the anime and the games and people go on their journeys at an the age of 15. Not 10.
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To: Drayden of Opelucid City, Unova
Applicant: Blake
Age: 19
Height: 5'7"
Weight: 140 lbs
Hair clr: Dark Purple
Eye clr: Midnight Blue
Region of origin: Sinnoh
Mother: Fantina, Gym Leader of Hearthome City, Sinnoh
Father: Lucian, Elite Four of Sinnoh
Specialty: Ghost
Strengths: Comprehensive understanding of battling. Exceptional handling of Pokémon of all types. Prodigal handling of dark, psychic, and ghost type Pokémon. Good taste in music. A gracious winner and loser.
Weaknesses: Inability to hold back. Likes to taunt opponents. Inability to freestyle.
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In response to you sending a missive of retirement as well as request for replacement. I send this letter of recommendation in hopes to meet your expectation.
Blake is a boy of great promise with a legacy that connects him to the Alolan royal family. When it comes to Pokémon, he does not disappoint. His exceptional handling of Pokémon even extends to that of the noble Dragon types. He's a Champion ranked trainer here in Paldea, graduated Naranja Academy with top marks and ranked second place in the last Sinnoh League Cup. And if you ask me, I can easily see the boy beating Cynthia in a few years time. He is sure to be an asset to any league in every capacity.
On a personal note. I suggest you grab him before there's an opening in Sinnoh. His mother is eager to retire and move full time into her coordination career, She is merely waiting for him to learn how to hold back so he can take her spot. I know that isn't an issue for Opelucid Gym Leaders. And truthfully? His time as my Gym Trainer is wasting his potential.
From: Ryme, Gym Leader of Montenevera City, Paldea.
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Blake POV
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Well now. This place is a bit more advanced than I expected.
"For a city known for its traditional values, I expected it to be a bit more, rustic." I say aloud as I step out of the airport.
It looks like a normal city. A bit more greenery than most. But still just a regular city.
"Cerrrrr." Solis says sagely as he walks beside me.
"Yeah I know." I say with a roll of my eyes.
Solis is a Ceruledge. He's my starter mom and dad got me when he was a Charcadet. The thought being that I'd grow to either specialize in ghost or psychic types. And with Charcadet having two possible evolutions. One being a ghost type and the other psychic.
I once jokingly said I want to specialize in dark types. And mom fainted while dad just muttered his horror at me "Starting my rebellious phase."
Good times.
"Whelp, let's go." I say and march on. "Wonder where the gym is."
Solis points a wispy bladed arm at the pyramid in distance towards the north.
"I was being sarcastic." I say as I start moving.
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-One hour later-
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"Excuse me, I have an appointment with Gym Leader Drayden at noon." I say to the man at the front desk of the gym's lobby. Having already put Solis back in his ball.
"Name?" He asks blandly.
"Blake, of Sinnoh."
As I say that last part. Something about him changes. There's now this, tense air about him.
"Right, through the hall, up the stairs, last door at the very end. Past the viewing box." He points out.
"Thank you sir." I say and follow along the path he set out.
Making my way past and up the stairs. Walking past the viewing boxes where people are watching battles. Likely those from the nearby academy.
I make my to the end after turning a corner. The door displaying Drayden's name on a gold plaque.
I go ahead and knock on the door.
"Come in." I hear a gruff, authoritarian voice resound.
I open the door to see the man who'll determine my future sitting at his desk. A strong build and tall frame. His white hair and beard being the only indicators of him being over seventy. Assuming they're not just naturally white. In that case he probably doesn't look any different than he did in his thirties.
Aside from that, looking around I see his office is very militant and minimalist. White walls, white ceiling, oaken desk. It has no, personality to it. Like everything here is functional and that's it.
"Blake I presume?" Drayden asks. "Take a seat."
"Very well sir." I say and do so. Sitting in one of the two seats across from him.
"Now then, you've come here to take my spot as Gym Leader of Opelucid City." He says, wasting not a moment of time as he tackles the immediate matter. "Why should I let you?"
"Well sir, you put it out that you're retiring." I start. "The Opelucid City Gym is one of the final gyms in the Unovan Gym Circuit. Always taking seventh or eighth spot consistently. As a strong battler I believe I would suit the role quite well."
I have no idea what I'm doing. Last interview I had was a year ago and that was for the Gym Trainer position.
"A Gym Leader must entertain younger and less experienced trainers as well as those in the upper ranks. Your letter of recommendation says you lack an ability to hold back. How can you be trusted with such a role if you can't tailor your strength to that of your opponents?" He asks the hard question with a glare.
'Damn it Ryme!' I mentally curse.
Truth is I didn't want this job. Ryme set me up without telling me. Said I was wasting my potential just entertaining the circuits and that I need to start taking life seriously. Before firing me and not giving me a choice. Though love is what she called it.
"Well sir, I believe that question to be a bit unfair." I respond.
His brow furrows in focus. As though he were challenged and the mere insinuation is insulting.
"Elaborate." He demands slowly.
"The Opelucid Gym is renown for being perhaps the hardest gym In Unova. So much so that the lowest badge given out to first time circuiters is seventh." I explain.
"The Opelucid Gym stands with dragons. Boy." He gives back, tone and posture turning aggressive. "It's only right that we show others why that feat is a strong one."
"And walking with ghosts is not impressive?" I shoot back, not willing to be so easily insulted.
"A mere affinity is needed with ghosts. For dragons that affinity will only get you so far before they stop respecting you." He counters.
"The same goes for all typings. If it were just dragons that required more than an affinity then there'd be elite specialists by the boatloads." I push back. "For ghosts it's a matter of understanding. They're mischievous and if left unchecked can become malicious. Let them get the better of you too many times or gain their ire and you'll find yourself going nowhere. And ghosts can hold a grudge for a long time. So dealing with that is paramount."
It's true. Ghosts have a bad rep of being otherworldly reapers and vicious spirits. But it's just that their sensibilities are alien to most. Even more so than the enigmatic fairies.
For example. Solis is a Ceruledge. They have a reputation for spite and viciousness. Truth is they just enjoy battling more than the average Pokémon. And they're easily hyped up by challenging opponents. So much so that if they're beaten, they'll keep seeking out that opponent. Not because of a grudge, but because they want that thrill of being pushed to their limit.
But instead there's a misconception that they're vengeful and trainers should avoid them. Because if they do take them on. They'll find themselves with a Pokémon that'll hold a grudge against those that beat it. And possibly its trainer for being a poor one.
That being said ghost types do have a tendency to hold grudges. Just, not the way people think. Mess with a Gengar, even unintentionally, and it will stop at nothing to return the favor. After it does, you're good in its book. Unless you're a sore loser and take the scare badly. Then you need to be taught how to take a prank.
But if you're gracious about it and take it in stride, then you and the Gengar are even steven. Hell, you might even earn a friend for being such a good sport.
"Hrmm, I don't think you understand who's in power here." He growls as he stands up to his full height.
'Hmph, bitch please.' I think to myself as I relax and cross a leg over my knee.
I literally spend all my time with ghost types. If intimidation is what he's going for. He'll need to step up his game.
"If you don't want me here, you can just say so and I'll leave." I say tiredly. "We can skip this whole, get out of my office shtick you're doing."
"You dare take that tone with me!?" He roars, slamming his hands onto the desk to stare down at me.
"Double triple and with a cherry, on, top." I say with a smile. "I've no respect for those who don't respect me."
"Respect is earned." He seethes. "Not given."
"And you earned my respect with your reputation. And lost it with your attitude." I say and stand up to meey his leering gaze. "If that'll be all. I'll take my leave."
We stare each other down for a good minute before he, nods? Leans back and sits back doen in his chair.
"You start Monday." He says and picks up a pen and begins writing on a few forms. "You'll be on probationary work for three weeks while I teach you the ropes. After which if I still deem you right for the job you'll be instated officially as my replacement. At which point you'll be a three month introductory period to flesh out your training."
'Huh?' My mind blanks. "I'm confused here. I got the job?"
"You are the first applicant of twenty to see me in a meeting, and stand your ground against me." He says looking back up to me. "You'll need that kind of spine to work here. As I'm sure you'll soon learn."
"What do you mean by that?" I ask as I sit back down.
"The people of Opelucid are a stubborn bunch. Prideful and strong willed. Before me this city was far more traditional. Modern buildings were few and tradition ruled." He says. "And before me there has not been a Leader who was not from the Village of Dragons."
"I thought you were though?" I question. His official profile has him as a member of the village.
"My wife was. I married in. And that was only in my thirties. She passed some five years ago." He says softly.
"Oh, I'm sorry." I say in response.
"It's fine, she was always saying she didn't have much time left despite being in good health. Just another thing she'll lord over me when we meet again." He says, his softening ever so slightly at her memory. Before hardening again, honing in on me. "Regardless, this city and its people are a stubborn lot. It took me forty years of my life to get us to where you see us now. And I don't want that undone. So, I need someone new to replace me. Someone the people will come to respect in time."
"What do mean by that? If they're not willing to respect me now as you're claiming, what could make them change their mind?" I ask.
"Your background. You have a legacy and come from two prominent trainers. A Gym Leader, and an Elite Four member. Not only that, but you have a distant tie to the Alolan royal family."
"That, really doesn't mean anything." I point out.
Acerola is my, sixth or fifth cousin a few times removed on my mothers side. We have no real blood relation. Just a common familial connection. Technically making me royalty by way of one of my ancestors brothers marrying an ancestor of Acerola. Or, something like that. I, never really kept track. It's neat little fun fact about me and my mother and nothing else.
And just means I visit Alola once a year to keep in touch. Acerola, doesn't have anyone left. Me and mom are her only family left.
"Maybe not to most. But to us, the people of this city, it shows you have legacy. A long standing one too. And you graduated Naranja, the academy famous for teaching its students to respect tradition." He continues. "In truth, you're nearly perfect."
"Nearly perfect implies there to be someone better." I point out.
"I had a successor lined up, but she went off and became the champion." He says.
'Iris.' I immediately realize.
"And so you need a new one. But no one here met your criteria." I conclude.
"I'm seventy eight years old. If I don't find a replacement myself soon, I fear whoever replaces me will ruin this city." He says with a nod. "I've got maybe ten years left in me. Fifteen if I'm lucky. So I'm retiring early, so that I can spend those last few years insuring my replacement is competent. And all of the trainers here are too complacent and assured of themselves. They put too much stock into their legacy and ancestry. And none have the spine to stand for themselves, they're prideful and arrogant. All talent and no effort."
"That's, a rather harsh assessment." I say with a look of surprise.
"I don't believe in waxing poetics and I'm too old to play games. I call it as I see it." He says. "Go to the receptionist. He'll point you to the Gym Trainers room. Expect a lot of hazing. Not only will you be the first Gym Leader of this city with no connection to the Village of Dragons, you'll also be the first non-Unovan and the first to not specialize in dragons. So you better keep that spine you showed me." He says as he moves on to another paper.
"Well sir, if anything, you can trust me to stay out of spite."
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A/N
I'm putting this out there so that I stop procrastinating it. Had the idea for a while. Wrote this a few months ago and just never posted it.
Leave a comment and tell me what you think. I'm motivated by positive comments and constructive criticism.