Down below is Rusks current Roster, you can all thank OFARiolu for reminding me to put it here instead of just in my notes!
It has all of their important details, and while I probably wont do it every time, a small tidbit, memory, or fact about the teammate in question!
XxxxX
Current Roster
Slot 1 – Nova
Species – Cyndaquil
Gender – Male
Type – Fire
Ability – Flashfire – Any fire-based move that hits him raises the power of his own fire-type moves by 50% subsequent hits do not raise the power
Moves – tackle, quick attack, flame wheel, flame charge, ember, extrasensory, leer, smokescreen, defense curl, double team
Tidbit – during the first month with Rusk, Nova could typically be found sleeping in the jacket hood of Rusks sweaters, which is why Rusk's go to ensemble always has a hood for his partner.
Slot 2 – Aster *
Species – Staravia
Gender – Female
Type – Normal/Flying
Ability – Reckless – Reckless increases the power of recoil-based moves by 20% though this also increases the damage taken
Moves – tackle, quick attack, wing attack, endeavor, aerial ace, steel wing, growl, double team, whirlwind, tailwind
Tidbit – Aster has come to take the title Rusk gave her quiet literally, as she wants to truly become a shining star and blast her enemies away with complete power and sheer speed and strength to the point she looks like a shooting star on the battlefield
Slot 3 – Aria
Species – Ariados
Gender – Female
Type – Bug/Poison
Ability – Sniper – Sniper increases the power of critical hits by 1.5x meaning any crit she does will hit with 2.25x times the normal damage making any sneak attacks incredibly powerful!
Moves – bug bite, poison sting, shadow sneak, fury swipes, sucker punch, absorb, infestation, night shade, swords dance, venom drench, focus energy, scary face, string shot, attract
Tidbit – while Aria is certainly a powerful member of Rusks team due to her large pool of moves, her colony had never been ones based upon strength forcing them more to rely on stealth to get their food, this leads into Rusks training for her… the Skyrim specialty – Stealth archer.
Slot 4 – Rukia *
Species – A. Vulpix
Gender – Female
Type – ice
Ability – Snow warning – the user has the power to create a hailstorm when endangered or in battle, lasting upwards of 5 minutes! It can be used to power up the move blizzard and do damage to any Pokémon besides those of the ice typing!
Moves – ice shard, payback, feint attack, powder snow, icy wind, tail whip, fake tears, agility, baby-doll eyes, disable, spite, confuse-ray
Tidbit – While Rusk hasn't had the chance to journey with her yet, its clear she has a strong drive to grow strong and avenge those that had been captured like she has, though he has learned she has a strong liking for sweet poffins
XxxxX
Still stuck in bed, I couldn't help but feel annoyed at my current benefactors. Both Nurse Joy and her Chansey were taking my recovery with utmost care, very bordering on the line of too much.
"I'm just saying, all of my injuries have recovered well enough that I know I'm more than good enough to be walking at least a bit! Heck the worse injury was in my arms, my legs had mostly been fine!" feeling frustrated with the nursing staff, I may have been… acting out on my strict orders by pacing around my room…
"And I'm telling you Mr. Matton that while I very much appreciate what your doing for me, I cant let an injured patient walk around until I'm certain they are perfectly healed!" crossing her arms as she spoke Nurse Joy was giving me an adorably mean glare that was probably meant to make me listen, but I could only feel amused despite my frustration.
Sighing as I sat back down, acquiescing to her orders, "Can you at least let my visitors in, I know at the very least I've got three out there waiting because I was supposed to meet with them the day I got attacked, that and I've got to apologize to the one!" huffing out my request as I felt Nova poke his head out of my hoodie, quite content with not leaving his Partner's side for quite some time.
Brushing his head on my cheek to calm me down some, as we both look up to the Nurse who was sporting a contemplative face. "Hmmm… I suppose you are well enough for visitors… fine, I'll let them know your ready to receive them. I'll be back later today for what should be your final checkup Mr. Matton!" nodding to my request as she leaves.
"Hah… finally eh Nova? I hope Dawn's not to mad about me missing her first show… I mean, I do have a pretty good excuse eh buddy…? I should still apologize, I promised Afterall." Nodding to myself and drumming my fingers on my lap, as I watched the door waiting for my visitors.
Nova on the other hand, looks at his partner confused. Why would he need to apologise for missing the show when it wasn't his fault? He had been caught off-guard and quite literally been put in a terrible position, his mind wont let him even think about what could've happened had Aster not been there and at the Center getting healed up instead…
Nova promised to himself that day he'd knock some sense into his self-blaming partner.
Nary a few moments after she left, the door burst open to reveal the trio of Ash, Brock and Dawn all sporting different levels of worry. Brock nodding with a relieved sigh as he saw Rusk's mostly healed form. Ash doing something similar but with a concerned look at Rusks arm, worried about his ability to throw a PokéBall and compete in battles. The most concerned of the three being Dawn, practically tears in her eyes as she rushed over and hugged him.
The sudden hug, confusing me, as I didn't think we were quite that close but maybe Dawn was just a hugger? "Woah what's with the hug! I'm not that worse for wear!" pulling back from the sudden contact, I could only give her a surprised glance, as I'm not really used to sudden contact.
Rubbing at her eyes as she pulled away, Dawn could only give a concerned once over of her friend. "Stupid idiot! Of course, we'd be worried! Having to hear the reason you didn't show up to my contest was because you got kidnapped and badly hurt! We all thought you might've been dead had Nurse Joy not told us your condition!" punching his good shoulder as she angrily, and justifiably huffed.
"Ah, that's right! I'm sorry I wasn't able to make it to the contest! How did it go?" intrigued, I prompted Dawn to explain how it went, as I'm pretty sure it didn't go well for her in the show.
Shaking her head with a frown, "The contest doesn't matter right now! Do you not understand what could've happened!? Had you not gotten to the center when you did, Nurse Joy figures you would've lost your arm!"
I couldn't help but freeze at that, what the hell does she mean lose my arm?! Nurse Joy never said anything about that! Heck It didn't feel that badly hurt?
A concerned tap from Dawn broke me from my trance, "Ah, no… she never mentioned that to me." a small grimace on his face as he spoke.
Walking up and putting a hand on my shoulder, Brock spoke, "yea, we were all really worried about what had happened when we heard, heck before we found out you were at the center getting treated we had all searched for you after the contest when you never showed up."
Ash spoke up next, "Brocks right, when we heard, Pikachu and I searched all over the spots you mentioned in the city but we saw nothing! We haven't been that worried in a long time…" looking over to his electric partner as he spoke, sharing a mutual saddened look with the other.
Damn, I really had them worried huh… guess that means I need to be stronger, both myself and my team.
A firm resolve settled in my heart, I wont ever settle for second-best, I will follow Ash's dream with one of my own, to become the strongest trainer in the whole world… powerful enough that no-one could ever put me in a position like that again…
Chatting for a while longer, the trio planned to stay another day instead of setting off towards Oreburgh so that I wouldn't have to travel alone as I had told them about the research I was transporting for Professor Rowan and Dr. Shwarz, ensuring anymore danger can be nullified in a group so the chances of me getting my ass handed to myself like this again wont happen.
XxxxX
"Yes, yes. I'll be more careful in the future… yes I'll be sure to get this delivered quickly…" sighing as I used the Pokémon center's video-phone, I couldn't help but sigh at the over-protectiveness of my mentor.
"One more thing Rusk, this accident has made me realise I have sent you on this job with not nearly enough support and backup… and because of this, I've prepared some items for your team. I'll have Bronzong send them over now." the gruff man spoke with an apologetic tone, grimacing as he spoke.
"Oh? What are you sending over Prof?" I asked, both a tad bit confused and excited at something my mentor would send, that he thinks would benefit my protection.
A sudden flash of pinkish light and the Professor's Bronzong, a tall metallic bell-shaped Pokémon, appeared next to me and levitated a small circular case to him.
"That, would be the TM case I recently obtained. It contains a move for each member of your team that should power them up a bit, and one I value greatly that I'm requiring you to teach to all of your Pokémon, Protect. Had I realised the risks, I wouldve sent this to you when you first left for the job…"
Nodding in agreement, I never would have thought the research would have been that important that team galactic thugs would want it… though I suppose it makes sense as from what I recall from the demonstration, it felt like it was bordering on a separate dimension… and Cyrus, well he is trying to recreate the world in his image and he needs both space and time on his side to do so…
Haaa… I'm still not strong enough… I really need to find out how I used Aura…
"Hey professor, do you know anything about Aura?" curious, I really do hope Prof has at least something on the subject.
A small frown takes a hold of his face, "While I cant say I know much on the topic as I'm more versed in the study of evolution, I did have the opportunity to study of a Riolu that was near evolution once… perhaps that's an area you can direct yourself? While its certainly a few weeks of travel, I'm certain there's an established clan of the Lucario line somewhere in the whereabouts of the western face of Mt. Coronet. Any specific reason for the sudden intrigue?" an intrigued look etches itself onto his face.
Nodding, I begin to retell my encounter. Having to take a few breaths as I explained the more… difficult, parts that I refrained from speaking about earlier to my friends… Rowan is an incredible helper to bounce your worries off of surprisingly…
I mainly focus on the part of the story where I managed to manipulate aura and bring up how Nurse Joy believes I'm somehow related to an aura guardian of the past.
"You see, I'm still not sure how that works. Nurse Joy spoke about how only people descended from them can manipulate aura to some extent but not very well as most of the training methods have been long-since lost. But there cant be anyway I'm related to them right? I'm from a completely different world, and even with the surprisingly large population of actual psychics in this world, we didn't have anything like that back on my old world."
"Hmmm… that is interesting, maybe that in itself is the cause? Being from another world might have awoken something dormant inside of you, that has long since been slumbering in your people? Or perhaps, the way you arrived to this world altered you on a molecular level to give you a better chance of survival? Hmm… while we could talk about what and ifs all day, I suppose the only important thing as of right now, is that you have the talent for it meaning its another skill you can add to your arsenal as long as you sharpen it.
I can send a research request in to one of the older communities that are around as early as tomorrow if you want, they might yet still have records of that time that can be of use for you?" nodding to himself as he finishes speaking.
Taking a moment to think about it, its not a bad idea… its not like I have that many more avenues to pursue. Though I do think there was a movie about a kingdom somewhere that had a Lucario that was an Aura Guardian or an Aura Guardians partner? Hah… its been too long since I've watched any of the other movies or shows to really recall anything about this world besides the games, and I cant be certain on how much this world is influenced by any of the media portrayals…
I need to be stronger.
A sudden prod to the back of my head alerts me to my Partner who was giving me a determined look.
Ha, I should've realised… I'm not in this alone. I've got my team.
We, we will be stronger… strong enough to stop them.
"Thanks Prof, though if your going to send out for data, I think there's an old kingdom somewhere that has a large history with an Aura Guardian called… Aaron, I think? Sorry its been a long while since I've seen anything to be really helpful.. but I'm almost, like ninety percent certain that's his name. oh! And the kingdom starts with an R… I'm pretty sure. Anyways, I've got to go get my stuff ready before we set off in the morning and I'm still missing a couple of things I'd like to find if I'm heading into a cave. Mainly, a flashlight and some rations that need to be restocked. Just let me know if you here anything alright? Anyways it was a good talk Prof, I'll let you know once I've delivered the research alright?"
Ending the call with a short pleasantry, I rub my partners head, thankful I've got such a kind friend always at my side.
XxxxX
Looking out upon the slightly rising sun, I realise I might have woken up a tad too early as the rest of my party is nowhere to be seen… hearing a slight chuckle from my hood, I give my partner an annoyed glare.
Can you blame me, I mean it's the first time I've had to wait on other people to set out, and I'd rather not hold onto this data any longer than I need to.
Realising that my party wouldn't be showing up any time soon, I started the process of teaching TM's to my team, which was a surprisingly simple process. Pick a TM place the hole of the disc onto the release button of the ball and it essentially downloads the necessary knowledge into the Pokémon's mind and teaches them the basics of the move… a terrifying thought as something like this could easily be used to brainwash Pokémon but according to Rowan fakes are impossible to make due to the production process.
Though it does take some time to complete the process so I'm only having Nova use his two TM's first as I'll have the others learning theirs as we travel so I can have more backup… I'm not getting caught off guard again.
Half an hour passes and the sun is starting to truly shine over the horizon no longer hidden behind the forest line, and my friends had finally made their tired appearance, well Dawn and Ash were tired, Brock looked wide awake if his excitement for saying a dramatic farewell was any clue, though its gotta really sting every time he gets hit by Croagunk… dude packs a serious punch…
I had also managed to get Nova's other new Tm finished, a move that could be fairly useful, Will-O-Wisp a sinister blue flame that causes the burn effect and while I'm not sure how well that translates to reality, more than likely means I can use this move to bolster his other fire moves making them more powerful, as its essentially a guaranteed burn as long as it hits, meaning it would have to be hot enough to burn instantly.
Setting off, I have Aster learning Roost, as the tm she was given. An incredibly useful move that heals the user by half when they land, a bit of a shitty trade off but I feel aster might have a chance of using it mid-air with training… I'm excited to see if its possible.
XxxxX
After two days of travel, I can safely say I'm coming to actually like our little group. I was worried Ash's anime personality would be prevalent here, but while still easily excitable, he's mellowed out a bit even if he wants us to rush over to Oreburgh for the gym.
Thankfully the last of my Tm's hadn't taken more than a day as the rest of the group, while interested in my sudden request, were more than willing to let me put them all on and be on guard while I had them downloading the info.
Right now, however, we were coming across a Pokémon Center I had no idea existed… lets just start by saying, while I have some memory of the show… its tiny and fragmented, I remember the movies and some of what happened in them, but other than that… not a lot, I'm just hoping I'm able to see through any team rocket disguise if their anything like the show.
Chuckling as Dawn and Ash started arguing about whether or not we all should stay at the Center for the night, and while I wanted rest from walking, I was more concerned with getting this research off my hands…
"Come on guys… I don't think my feet can take another day of walking! Lets take a break here for the night and then set off again tomorrow morning, you guys can even get a bit of training in before the gym!" pleading to Ash's sense of training, and my own pained feet… I really need some better shoes than these. I swear the sandals were better…
"Nope! No time for waiting Dawn! The Oreburgh Gym is calling Pikachu and I, and I don't plan on making my first Sinnoh gym badge wait! I also want to get there before Paul does. that guy really rubs me the wrong way… especially with how he treats his Pokémon…" he exclaims, though his tone getting darker when he begins to talk about the asshole called Paul.
Brock interjects with what we had all seen coming, or at least I had, "Aww, come on you guys! If we stop now I can see the beautiful figure of Nurse Joy!" spinning around, as he sung the praises of the pinkette. I couldn't relate… not after the sadist Pinkette reset my dislocated nose like that… still gives me the shivers whenever I see one.
Waving my arms I shake my head, I had something more worrying that hurt feet after all, "Sorry Dawn, but I'm gonna have to agree with Ash here. had I not have had this damn research; I would've whole-heartedly agreed with taking a break but I feel its more important to get this off my hands before I stop anywhere." Putting in my two-cents, as I really do feel tired from these past few days of walking…
A betrayed look crosses her face, "Not you too Rusk! Come on, we've been walking for so long already! Surely we can stop for a night at the least?" giving us teary-eyes as she tried to convince us to take a stop. I feel conflicted, I've always had a hard time saying no, to well, anyone really.
But before I can say anything else, a loud and sharp gust of wind blows through the clearing nearly sending us flying.
"What the hell is that?" trying to shout over the large blast of wind, though no one could've heard me over the power of the wind.
After the short blast, we all (and by all I mean everyone but myself, but I followed shortly after as I'd rather not wait to see if I've got any followers) took off towards the blast.
Rushing into a small, overgrown clearing, we spot a pink-haired nurse. Identical to the one we just left behind in Jubilife two days ago, though it was clearly the nurse from the center just a few moments from here.
Watching in…. confusion, as she attempted to soothe the Pokémon that I could now tell was a Nuzleaf.
Strange, as I didn't think Nuzleaf nor its evolutionary line were native to Sinnoh, but maybe it was abandoned? Or maybe I shouldn't be going off the games? Anyways, its clearly injured, tired, and incredibly stressed. I feel ya little dude I do, I really feel ya.
"Ah Nurse Joy! What a wonderful spirit you are! But let me take over from here, as to not let your beautiful figure be harmed!"
Watching, as Brock…. Is Brock, and flirts with the nurse before turning on his Pokémon breeder switch (God is that a horrible name for a profession) and soothingly talks to the Pokémon, gets cried at, and brings out his Bonsly, a Pokémon of his I haven't really had the time to interact with just yet, as for some reason it doesn't seem to like me all that much?
"Here Nuzleaf, Eat this Oran berry. It will help you feel better." Crouching down as he tries to hand over the berry (I swear they look exactly like a blue orange would!) but it steps back in fear.
Realising his mistake, Brock brings out his Bonsly, "Here, Bonsly. Show Nuzleaf I don't mean any harm would you?" "Bon-Bonsly!" a short chat with the scared Grass-type, and Bonsly managed to convince it the berries were fine by nibbling the one Brock had offered.
Watching in amusement as it took a cautious nibble, and then devoured it, causing its stomach to growl and Brock immediately whips out a large bowl of the same berries. Gotta give the dude credit; he knew his way around a Pokémon's heart.
"That was incredible! I've never seen someone handle a Pokémon like that before… though I do wonder why a Nuzleaf would be this far from its home…" Nurse Joy pondered out loud to us.
Huh, I guess they are in the region… I wonder what other Pokémon I can find here that aren't supposed to be…
My mental ramblings aside, she began to explain that the only place a it could've been from, is their ancient tree home on the other side of the mountain… haa… we've got a lot more walking to do today don't we…
Slowly, we set off towards the other side of the mountain, sadly this isn't the same mountain crossing we were originally heading towards, as its further off to the north than I'd like but it does let us skip out on Oreburgh Gate and any chance not to be stuck in a cave is one I'll take… there are only two caves I'm ever going to risk entering… one I did back on my earth as a dare (PS. It fucked me up bad) and the other being Wayward Cave… don't judge me I want a Garchomp for my team. That is a muther-fucking badass of a Mon.
Walking along as a sudden trio of laughter was heard from above. As it seems like my day cant get worse… haa… it seems like I will never be able to deliver this goddamn research at this rate.
""Listen is that a voice I hear?
Its speaking to me loud and clear.
Floating on the wind…
Past the stars…
In your ear!
Bringing Chaos at a break neck pace…
Dashing hope, putting fear in its place. A rose by any other name is just as sweet…
When everything's worse, our work is complete.
Jessie!
And its James!
Meowth, now that's a name!
Putting the do-gooders in their place…
…Team Rocket….
…We're in your face!
Wooobuffet!
Mime! Mime!""
Looking up at the newest block for my travels, I'm once more reminded as to why I didn't want to travel with my current and only friends (besides my team) in this world. Team Rocket… another organisation I really don't want to deal with but feel as though I know I'm going to be forced to many times on my journey…
"Hello twerps! Oh, you've got another twerp as well? No matter that Nuzleaf is ours!" giving an evil laugh as she spoke, Jessie signalled Meowth and with a press of a button a trapdoor beneath them opened with something shooting out.
"Team Rocket!" "PIKA!" both Ash, and his partner shouted out as a giant hand descend down from their incredibly strange looking balloon… is it a Wobbuffet?
Watching in shock as it grabs the poor Nuzleaf, Bonsly and Brock? "Oh fuck, Aster, Aria! Come on out!" crying out as I release my fast-as-fuck-boi of a flying type, and my Stealth Archer spider, Ash doing the same but with Starly.
Calling out to my Pokémon, "Aria, prep the net, and make it stretchy so they don't get hurt. Aster pop the balloon with a Steel wing!" grinning as I watch them take off, Aster giving Aria a ride to the tree tops where she begins to sling together a web large enough between the tree-tops that should give Aster some wiggle room to drop them into.
Shifting my glance to her, I see her steel wing charge up. Good, I really don't have the patience to deal with another annoying group until I get this stupid job over with… I really shouldn't have agreed so quickly but as long as I get it done, well its been worth it so far… other than the shattered bones but that's besides the point, I've gotten so much free shit!
Watching in amazement as my team works in harmony with one another makes me proud, while I haven't been a trainer for long I'm glad I can make my Pokémon work so well together. Makes me feel competent.
A cry rings out from Aster as she begins to barrel towards her target, piercing the giant balloon much to Team Rockets cries of dismay, but to my laughter, she purposely drifted down with them smirked at Meowth and did the 'sup' nod before whirl winding them into the distance.
""Why is that twerp so strong~! Team Rocket's Blasting Off Again!"" *Shing~
"That's my girls!" shouting out as I kept laughing, much to the concern of my friends though that was more because Brock, Nuzleaf and Bonsly were kind of drifting through the air, but I wasn't worried, as Aria just finished her net, catching the falling group just in time. "Nice job the both of you! Your both getting a treat once we reach Oreburgh!"
"That was incredible Rusk! The way you sent Team Rocket blasting was amazing! Though it is getting annoying how they keep following me everywhere…" Ash laughed out as he watched his old nuisances fly off, changing to a frustrated tone at the end.
Recalling the Pokémon after giving them the appropriate head scratches, as it would be cruel not to, as both seemed to glow under the affection and praise. As I began to walk over and help untangle the trio stuck in Aria's net.
A few moments later and not even a scratch was on them!
"So, how was the ride?" smirking as I extended my hand to Brock, laughing as he gives me a deadpan but takes my hand anyways.
"I'd have preferred a less… bumpy ride but, thanks for the save." Sighing as he spoke, checking on the two Pokémon with him and finding nothing wrong with either except them both being spooked from the sudden grab then fall.
A small chuckle rings out from my partner, who hadn't bothered to leave his perch in my hood. Causing a small smile to grow on my face, "You know, you could've helped right? I don't think it needs to be said that you can react to things without me telling you to." giving him a side-eye glance, only to hear a larger laugh come from him. Hah… I sometimes forget how much of a lazy bones my partner can be.
Shaking my head as we attempted to set off, only this time our path was blocked as a Shiftry burst onto the scene, flying towards brock.
""Brock Watch Out!"" the three of us called out, watching in shock as it shot forwards, only a small and sturdy Bonsly in its path, a Bonsly that had begun to glow, catching the Shiftry's leafy palms in its own hands, blocking what would have been a powerful whirlwind from hitting Brock.
"SUDOWOODOOO!" it called out as the light had finally vanished leaving the newly evolved Pokémon in its place. Ah that's right! this is the episode where Brocks Bonsly evolve! I knew it felt familiar!
Still its incredible to witness the sheer difference in power and size a simple evolution can grant a Pokémon. Bonsly had barely been able to go on the defensive in battle just this morning, despite that after its evolution, its in a deadlock with an older, and more experienced Shiftry!
"Sudowoodo use Hammer Arm!" Brock called out, excitement and pride clear in his eyes.
Immediately Sudowoodo backs off, prepping its newfound limb for a devastating attack, only the Shiftry wasn't letting up, sending a large blast of razer leaf towards the rock type Pokémon.
"Oh no Sudowoodo! Dodge quick!" he called out once more just in time as Sudowoodo managed to avoid the worst of the attack.
"Brock, I think Shiftry thinks we kidnapped Nuzleaf, hurry and show him to the Shiftry!" calling out, using what little I remember from the show, thankful its from an episode I had properly watched and not just put on in the background while I played games.
"Good idea Rusk! Shiftry, we didn't kidnap Nuzleaf, in fact we were traveling this way to return him home!" he called out, causing the attacking Pokémon to stop and look over to his friend getting a frantic nod in response.
Thankfully the battle was stopped, and we didn't have to go all out against an experienced Pokémon.
We grouped together and talked it out, deciding to send Nuzleaf with Shiftry, thankfully they agreed and went off towards their home, leaving us just passed the Oreburgh gate and not having to go farther North, and ensuring we don't need to spend another day in the woods… as long as we rush for a bit anyways.
"Last one to Oreburgh is a rotten egg!" yelling out as I ran, laughing when I hear the outraged cries of both Dawn and Ash, only for myself to be surpassed quickly by Pikachu. Personally, I believe Its fine to be a bit childish sometimes.
XxxxX
That's the end of the chapter! Thank you for reading! While this chapter is short, you can expect Rusks first gym battle in the next chapter or if necessary, the one right after that!
Question of the chapter - how are you all liking the story so far?
And before any of you say anything, I'm not going to have Rusk travel with the group for much longer as I really don't want to follow the 'canon' of the series too much as it's a pain to re-read the plot summaries and try to keep the story somewhat in line with them, I do see potential with keeping alongside it. Especially considering one of Rusks main goals of not leaving the battle of Legends to Ash, Brock and Dawn alone…
Though there are going to be times were I see it necessary for Rusk to be involved in the storyline, were approaching a spot were Rusk will be going off canon and off game-canon for his own plot! One im hoping none of you see coming!