Chapter 2: Leaving
I've been wandering around Ecruteak for the last two, no, three hours now, with no real destination in sight.
"You will board a plane next Monday and meet with Professor Rowan and treat him with the same respect you would me. He will register you for the Lily Valley Conference."
Next Monday, he'd be traveling to Sinnoh, I'd be meeting with one of the greatest Pokemon minds alive, and I'd be signing up for a Gym Circuit! The mere notion of it was enough to freeze me in place. Others walked by me, staring at me out of the corner of their eyes.
I didn't care.
I was going to Sinnoh!
I was going to compete in a Gym Circuit!
Finally!
How long had it been since I first dreamed of it? Ten years? Twelve? For the longest time, I'd dreamed of traveling through Johto. Things changed. I changed. I grew up. Now, I wanted to go to someplace different, someplace foreign. I wanted to explore! I wanted to see things no one else in my family had ever seen. More than that, I wanted to battle. I wanted to win.
I had to win.
Cold spots began to speck my cheeks, and dots crawled into the edge of my vision. My chest burned.
An unintentional breath invaded my mouth, jamming itself down my throat. I gasped, scratching my throat, panting like a dog. What…
A smirk found me. I'd forgotten to breathe. Man, I thought I'd grown out of that habit years ago. Guess not. I itched my stubble thoughtfully. I really needed to shave. Father might have been okay with me growing a beard, and I might just do that later, but I definitely could not start my journey looking like that.
"If you want to get to the top, little bro, it's gonna be a whole lot easier if you use your connections more. You have privileges and connections that normal people would kill to have. Not using them would be a total waste."
Morty wasn't wrong. Surprise, surprise. He was never wrong with anything. It was strange, really. Morty was like Father that way. They were both creepily wise and seemed to never make any erroneous mistakes. Mom couldn't stand that about Father. She'd go on and on about it. Honestly, I think Father was the first person in history to ever consistently win arguments against his wife.
A thought did draw a laugh from me, and it stung my throat even more. Oh well.
Use my connections, huh? Father had given me his blessing. From here on out, I was a free man. I could quite literally do anything I wanted, go anywhere I wanted…
I gulped. A flutter of anxiousness flooded me. That much freedom made me freeze. I'd spent my entire life preparing for this, fantasizing about it, and now that it was here, I was too damn tentative to take a single step. The whole world was at my fingertips. I was no longer restrained by this beautiful, marvelous, and breathtaking city.
Again, I thought; I could do anything I wanted, go anywhere I wanted. I wasn't in disbelief over it. It wasn't that.
Then what is it?
Was I still just taking in the fact that today was the day? Or was I just in awe of how much freedom I had?
I never felt like I had a lack of it—freedom but I also knew that I couldn't really leave, not without Father or Morty, and whenever we did leave Ecruteak, it was almost exclusively within the Kan-Joh borders. We traveled frequently. I'd all but seen everything Johto had to offer. It was just one of the many reasons why I wanted to travel everywhere else but Johto. I loved this place, I did, but I wanted to see new sights, new people, new cities and brand new pokemon.
Johto was like a book I had read ten times before. It was a great book, one that I adored. But there was this other book. This behemoth just resting on the shelves, ripe for the taking. Everyone talked about it; they sang its praises and now talked about their own experiences with it. Now, I wanted a crack at it. I wanted to experience everything they had and more.
So, that's it, huh? I'm star-struck. How lame.
The entire world was mine to travel and venture. I was overwhelmed. Plain and simple. The world was a truly horrifically gargantuan place. One could journey a single region for a decade and still discover new things. Johto, Kanto, Hoenn, Sinnoh, Unova, Kalos, Alola, Galar and Paldea. So many places, so many regions, so many worlds to grasp.
And greedily, I wanted to tour them all.
All of a sudden, I palmed my face. A light slap echoed off my skin. I grimaced and cracked my neck.
Take a deep breath.
I was getting ahead of myself. If I wanted to make it to Sinnoh and win, I needed to prepare. I had my starter pokemon, I had a date established, and I had a goal. Now, what I needed was the means to make those goals a foregone conclusion, an eventuality.
Use my privileges, huh?
I continued walking down the night streets without a second thought.
The streets were dark and quiet, the only sounds coming from the occasional passing car or the distant barking of a random pokemon. I walked with purpose, not wanting to linger in one place for too long, but stumbled along the way once or twice.
As I walked, I could feel the weight of my earlier thoughts pressing down on me. I tried to push them away, to focus on the steady rhythm of my footsteps and the cool night air on my skin. I continued down the deserted streets, lost in my thoughts and barely paying attention to my surroundings.
It took me a few minutes of brisk walking, but I reached my destination. It reminded me a lot of the famous Celadon Department Store, and it was every bit as massive as it. The lights inside were still on, indicating that it was still open for business even at this late hour. I stared up at the enormous structure, my hand reaching for the doorknob. My shaking, trembling hand.
Why am I so twitchy?
... Oh.
I reached into my yukata. My fingers vehemently clawed at the paper package in my hand, flipping it open and nearly tearing the top off accidentally. I shoved a cigarette between my lips and struck a match. The tender heat of the flicker flames teased my face. I protected it from the gusts, sucking in air when the faintest bit of tobacco reddened. Soon, it was lit, and I shook my hand, snuffing the light out. Tossing the begrimed match over my shoulder, I gazed up at the store.
The building rose high into the night sky, its multi-storied structure dominating the surrounding streets. Neon lights adorn its sides, casting a vibrant glow that I could see for miles. Its exterior was made up of sleek glass and metal panels, giving it a modern and imposing look. The windows were tall and numerous, reflecting the lights from inside and creating a dazzling display. The architecture was sleek and contemporary, with sharp lines and angles, and the sheer size and grandeur of the building made it impossible to ignore.
It and the Pokemon Center were the only modern structures in the city. Some of the more traditional people here didn't like it. Me, I didn't mind it. I agreed that it would look better without it here, but it wasn't an unsightly building.
It just didn't fit here in Ecruteak.
I gripped the long, wide metallic door handle. My hand did not shake. I took in another bundle of gluttonous puffs before walking inside. A light, cordial beep greeted me.
As I stepped inside, I was hit with a wave of nostalgia. The inside of the store was filled with rows upon rows of shelves, each one filled with various items and products. It felt like I had stepped back in time, back to my childhood days when I used to come here with my parents.
"Sir?"
A tendril of smoke smacked me in the face as I twirled around. I saw a rather unassuming, fairly dressed woman standing behind a counter. Her brown hair was notched up in a bun, same as mine, and she had this rather odd birthmark below her lip. Said lips twinged as if she was chewing on her gums. Her eyes darted from me and to the door like she was nervous. Afraid. Whether or not it was from her knowing who I was or just from my size, I didn't know. It was so damn hard to tell these days.
"You can't smoke in here."
What?
What places didn't let you smoke in them? Every shop, store, and restaurant in Ecruteak let me smoke all the time.
"Why not?"
A lump traveled down her dainty throat. "League policy," she said, and I could have sworn I heard her stutter.
I sighed. This was the exact reason he didn't want to travel through Johto. All people could see when they looked at him Matsuba. His family practically owned Ecruteak and were nigh as powerful as the Blackthorn Family. Certainly just as old as them, that's for sure.
"Sorry."
I cracked open the door and took one last deep, covetous drag before flicking it outside. It spun furiously. I watched the red tip extinguish when it spiked into an insalubrious puddle. The rest of it was hardly as long as my pinky anyway. I wouldn't be here long, either.
"It's okay. I—Is there anything I can help you with today, sir?"
There's the first stutter. I wonder how many I get up to if I just kept talking to her. Part of me wanted to find out.
"TMs, mostly."
I wanted to give Rookidee a head start. Rookidee as a species were relatively lackluster, as were most first-stage bird-like pokemon. They were typically fragile, weak, and tiny. Usually, the only saving grace they had was their average or above-average speed. Once they evolved, however, they almost always doubled, if not tripled, in size and, of course, increased their strength proportionally, making them actually viable instead of liabilities in just about every area. They weren't problematic or complicated to train, which made them a fantastic choice for new trainers.
"And traveling equipment."
Her lips parted, and just when she was about to speak, I unintentionally cut her off.
"And first-aid gear."
"Okay," she said with a laugh, now that she realized I was here to spend quite a bit of money. Can't very well be stuttering and fearful of a high-paying customer. Even I knew that. Traveling equipment was relatively cheap, but first-aid stuff of the pokemon variety, anyway, was not. TMs... well, those went without saying. "That shouldn't be too hard. You sound like you know what you're looking for. You know what you want to look at first?"
The more monotonous stuff first. "Traveling equipment."
"Okay," she said once again, preoccupied as she thoughtfully skimmed over the clipboard. "Traveling equipment... traveling equipment... traveling equipm—ah! Here we are! You'll find everything you need on floor two. If you can't, just ask Angela. She mans the front desk and is an absolute doll. The elevator is on your right. As for TMs, I'm afraid that will be on floor five. Medical stuffs are... on the fourth floor. Is that all you're looking for on this beautiful night?"
I wondered how much of that bubbly personality was actually hers and how much was an instructed front to make customers feel at ease.
"Nope. That should do it. Tell you what, if something comes up, I'll come back down here and let you know."
"Perfect." She made sure to say that with a radiant smile. "I'll see you then."
The doors opened robotically, and I stepped inside the elevator. It was a rather plain-looking one. It didn't have a single discerning feature at all. I clicked "2" and watched as the doors closed and the elevator began to rise.
The elevator ride was short, but it gave me time to gather my thoughts.
When the doors opened, I stepped out into a well-lit hallway lined with various shelves and displays of traveling equipment. Backpacks, tents, cooking supplies, and other essentials were neatly arranged for customers to peruse. I made my way down the aisle, browsing through items and mentally checking off what I needed.
As I walked, a young woman with short blonde hair approached me. She wore a bright smile, and her name tag read "Angela."
"Hello there! Can I help you find anything?" she asked cheerfully.
I smiled back at her. "Actually, yes. Do you have any good backpacks for hiking? Preferably lightweight and water-resistant."
Angela nodded enthusiastically. "Absolutely! We just got some new shipments in last week. Follow me."
She led me to a display of backpacks at the end of the aisle and began pointing out the different features of each one. As she talked, I couldn't help but notice how genuine her smile was. Maybe not everyone here was putting on an act after all.
But...
"These are a little smaller than I was expecting. Is there anything larger?"
She frowned sympathetically. "I'm afraid not. The last model—this one here—" she hefted a brown pack which wasn't small, but it wasn't large enough to carry a two-to-three weeks' worth of supplies. "This is the largest one that I'd be able to label as lightweight."
That was unfortunate. I suppose it was unrealistic to expect a lightweight traveling pack to also be large enough to fit a considerable bit of supplies into.
"Can you show me the full-sized backpacks instead?"
Her smile returned in full force. "Certainly."
Angela led me to another display at the other end of the aisle. Curiosity tugged at my senses as we ventured towards the other end, where a new set of rows awaited my eager eyes.
"These are all our large hiking backpacks. They're heavier than the lightweight ones, but they have more storage space."
Her fingers deftly brushed over the assortment of bags, her touch gentle yet confident, and I examined each one closely, trying to find the perfect balance between weight and size. Angela patiently answered my questions and offered her own recommendations.
After much contemplation, I finally settled on a sturdy dark green pack with multiple compartments and a built-in hydration system. It was slightly heavier than I had hoped for, but it seemed like it would hold everything I needed for my trip. The backpack's straps were sturdy and adjustable, and its pockets were plentiful. I turned the bag over, marveling at the intricate stitching that adorned its exterior. It felt durable, and if it was being sold here, it must have been built to last. The zippers glinted under the store's soft lighting as I tested those as well.
"That's a great choice," Angela said with a smile as she helped me adjust the straps to fit comfortably on my back. "Are you planning on doing some serious hiking?"
"You could say that," I chuckled. "I'm starting my pokemon journey soon."
"Ah!" her middle-aged features brightened considerably. "A lot of hiking and traveling, then. I wish you would have told me that in the beginning. It would have saved us a lot of time."
I did not miss the teasing glimmer in her eye. Before or after her following snicker. I returned her expression with a giggle of my own. "Oh, yes, this has all been dreadfully boring and a massive waste of my time." She tittered again. "This one will do just fine for me."
"Excellent! I gather you'll need more than a traveling pack."
"Much more."
I browsed my own thoughts, discerning what I needed and what I wanted. It was a fairly lengthy list regarding either side of the aisle.
"Do you have any suggestions?"
"Absolutely." She began to walk, silently beckoning me to follow her. We ventured through the store, a tablet resting beneath her breasts. "First, how long are you expecting to remain away from cities and towns at any given time?"
"Two weeks. Three at the most."
"All right," Angela muttered, reaching another corner of the store. "Might I suggest a small portable grill? I've done a little traveling before, and while MREs and nature bars are... great, nothing beats fresh food or, at the very least, warm canned food."
A portable grill sounded like a good idea as any, but I wondered about the weight and whether or not it would be wise to travel with something like that.
As we turned the corner, my eyes landed on a display of portable grills. Angela grinned at my reaction and walked over to them, picking up one that looked like it would fit in my backpack.
"This one is perfect for your needs," she said, handing it to me. "It's light and collapsible, so it won't take up too much space in your pack."
I examined the grill closely, noting its compact size and sturdy construction. I nodded in agreement as I added it to my growing pile of supplies.
"What else do you suggest?"
"Well, you'll definitely need a good sleeping bag and tent," Angela replied. "Something durable, but not something that will be a pain in the butt to heft around."
She led me to another section of the store where an array of different camping gear was on display. I gravitated towards a bright orange tent that caught my eye.
"This one looks great," I said, inspecting its features.
"Yes, it's a popular choice among campers and hikers," Angela replied with a smile. "It's waterproof and easy to set up."
I tested out the zippers and took note of their lightweight material. It seemed like the perfect tent.
"And for sleeping bags," she continued. "You'll want something that can withstand different weather conditions. This one has a temperature rating of -10 degrees Fahrenheit."
"That's impressive!" I exclaimed as I examined the sleeping bag she was pointing out.
Angela smiled proudly. "Yes, it's one of our best sellers. And it also comes with a compression sack for easy packing."
I nodded in agreement and added it to my growing pile of supplies that were occupying another corner of the store.
"As for the rest of what you may need..." she led him over to another aisle where she pointed at a somewhat large yet compact plastic container. "Should be in here. It has tons of things you'll find yourself using out there. A collapsible shovel, a hatchet, a compass watch, a heating blanket, rope, a solar-powered flashlight, a poncho, a fire starter kit, a month's worth of water purification tablets, light sticks, and a few other miscellaneous items."
It sounded amazing. It would save them both the time of searching for most of those things individually. "Sure, ring it up."
"Awesome. After that... I'm not sure you need much else. Is there anything else I can do for you?" Angela asked, smiling.
"Not that I can think of. Thank you so much. Do you want me to bring all this to the front desk?"
"No need! This little doohickey lets me scan all your stuff and ring it up remotely. It's even got its own credit card scanner. Neat, huh?"
While she rang up all of my supplies, I glanced down at her.
"You seem like you know a lot about camping and hiking," I commented as she scanned each item with ease.
Angela laughed. "Oh, you could say that. I've been hiking, backpacking, and camping since I was a little girl," she said. "Your total will be 863₱. Will you be paying with cash or card, hun?"
I handed her my card, and she swiped it. The purchase went through without a hitch, and she handed me it back along with the receipt.
"Well, it's always been a passion of mine. And it's always great to see others getting out there and enjoying nature too."
"I can't wait," I said eagerly.
"Before you go," Angela said, reaching under the counter and pulling out a small booklet. "Here's our store's guide to local trails and campsites. It has maps, reviews, and recommendations from experienced hikers."
I flipped through the pages, and by her words, it was extensive.
Still, I wasn't planning on venturing through Johto. Nevertheless, I replied, "Thank you."
"It's no problem at all," Angela replied with a smile. "And if you ever have any questions or need any more gear recommendations, don't hesitate to come back in here. Also! Before I forget!" she handed me yet another pamphlet. "Here's a beginner's guide to camping and hiking. It has some useful tips and tricks for your journey."
"Thank you very much for the help. It would have been a whole lot more confusing without you," I said gratefully.
"It's my pleasure," she replied with a smile. "Enjoy your journey!"
"I definitely will," I promised as I gathered up all of my supplies.
I stored them in the traveling sack I'd just purchased and walked into the elevator. I selected the fourth floor and went and purchased the medical supplies he needed. It took half the time it took to purchase my traveling equipment. I bought an emergency first-aid pack for myself and a set of potions that would last me at least a few weeks.
Afterward, I exited the elevator, reached the fifth floor, and went over to the older gentleman to purchase some TMs.
The older gentleman behind the counter greeted me with a warm smile. "Good afternoon, young trainer. What can I do for you today?"
"I'm looking to purchase some TMs."
"Of course, of course. We have a wide variety of TMs available for trainers like yourself," he said, gesturing towards a display case behind him. "Is there a specific type or move you're looking for?"
I took a moment to truly eye his selection. It was... broad, to say the least. Dozens and dozens of different TMs decorated the wall, all protected by a sheet of durable glass. It probably had just about every possible move. He even had two vaulted Hyper Beam TMs. For some stupid reason, I considered purchasing one.
Until I saw the price tag.
My saliva snagged itself on my throat, and I choked.
One TM.
A whopping 200,000₱.
Fuck that.
I don't even know if I have two-hundred grand to my name.
Reaching into my yukata, I pulled out my phone. "Hey, Rotom, can you pull up my bank balance for me? And, please just show me," I hurriedly added.
The last thing I wanted was to flaunt my money out in the open like that. That's a quick way to get held up with a knife to his throat. I figured that Morty or Father programmed all my information into the phone for me. Seeing as how Rotom were hyperactive supercomputers, they most likely only needed to give my information and social security number to unlock all my accounts. A little frightening to think about, really, but my mind was thankfully preoccupied with other things.
"Sure! Anything to help you, Kisuke!"
My eye twitched.
Was that sarcasm?
Notwithstanding Rotom's acridity, his balance appeared on the screen. 213,000₱ and some change. I'd spent years saving that up to give himself a head start on his journey. 200,000₱ was a lot of money, even for pokemon trainers. It wasn't an amount a lot of people could throw around carelessly. Only veterans and rich kids with their daddy's credit card could afford to do that. Father was a millionaire many times over, and some dormant, filthy part of me entertained the idea of asking him for money so I could purchase more TMs.
It was a powerful yearning because I knew he probably would gift an enormous amount without even asking what it was for.
No. I banished the idea as soon as it festered, like the disease it was. I wasn't some spoiled rich kid who solved all his problems with his parents' money. That's not someone I wanted to be. This money, I earned. I worked for it, just like everyone else, and I sure as hell wasn't going to be one of those sad excuses for trainers.
It wasn't as easy to expel those ideas, however. I liked money almost as much as I liked battling. I wanted to be able to afford nice things. Like fancy technology, all the TMs I could dream of, the best and most advanced potions, and more. It was all I fantasized about, other than battling.
Well, that and sex—
But what teenage boy wasn't?
"Thank you, Rotom."
By good fortune, Rotom turned off and flew back into my pocket without further remarks. The man at the desk chose to be quiet, ultimately deciding he wasn't being paid to be curious. A stark contrast to Angela or the amiable man on floor four.
"Do you have a pokemon you want to give a TM to? The screen in front of you can show you the moves it can learn. Trust me, It'll help a ton with the process of choosing which ones you want."
Confessedly, I didn't do much research about what moves I wanted to teach Rookidee. I was just too excited. "Sure. Just type it in here?"
My finger hovered over the touchscreen pad before me.
"Yup."
I typed in Rookidee's name, and almost immediately, I was... disappointed by the moves he could learn. Sure, he could learn Drill Peck and Brave Bird, both immensely powerful moves on their own, but I severely doubted Rookidee had enough innate power and strength to use those moves at all. Let alone optimally. Aerial Ace was an option, as was Air Cutter, U-turn, Rest and Sleeptalk, Taunt, Substitute, and Nasty Plot.
Instantly, I crossed out Nasty Plot. It was a great move, don't get me wrong. Rookidee was just too weak right now to properly utilize such a move that magnified its special attack by several stages at a time. Maybe as a Corvisquire, it would be worthwhile, and if so, I'd either teach it to him then or buy the TM in the future. Not now. I was trying to give Rookidee a head start, not future-proof himself. That would come later.
Aerial Ace was, objectively, the best choice. Rookidee's Peck and Pluck would be fine moves for now, but Aerial Ace was simply too good of a move not to teach him now, and I was confident I could get him to perform it well within a week or two. U-turn was another fantastic move that I could him now, but then I saw Protect and Agility.
Protect would elevate Rookidee's poor defenses swimmingly, and Agility would improve the only facet in which Rookidee performed well. Not only that, but they were moves that were not going to be outclassed by anything in the future. Protect and Agility were universally admired moves and typically saw as much utilization as any damaging attack.
I selected those three moves and grimaced at the total.
Aerial Ace and Protect with both 25,000₱ each. Agility was even more expensive and rationally so. It sat at 40,000₱. All together? I was staring down the barrel of a 90,000₱ bill. Just looking at that number made me cringe. I thought 200,000₱ was a fair bit of money, but truly, it was a penny in a wishing fountain—just barely enough for me to purchase three mid-level TMs. I knew TMs and other pokemon-related things were expensively, astonishingly so, but I guess I just thought 200,000₱—200,000₱ that I spent years saving—would account for more than this.
I bitterly swiped the card, stomaching the immediate freezing clasp that tugged on my heart.
The man's lips twinged upwards ever so slightly, and he slid the scrupulously packaged discs into a non-descript plastic bag. He slid it through the gap in the broad, impenetrable window.
"A pleasure doing business with you." Yeah, I'm sure. That's the voice of someone who just scored 9,000₱ just off a one-percent commission. "Please, do come again, Mr. Matsuba."
And there it is...
I couldn't have left the Department Store quickly enough. My Rotom Phone was in my palm and I just blankly stared at the five-digit number.
One-hundred and twenty-three grand.
Nearly half my money gone in an instant. I was worth almost less than half of what I was a second before I walked past those doors. For three damn TMs. Not even amazing ones, either, like Dragon Pulse, Swords Dance, Dragon Dance or Hyper Beam.
Yeah, fuck that. I'm gonna get rich or die trying 'cause there is no way that's ever going to happen again.
After that, I decided to grab a bite to eat and just get my mind off that monstrous bill.
Sitting at the rustic wooden table of the steak house, I couldn't help but be captivated by the sizzling steak on my plate. Its alluring aroma beckoned me to take another bite, the flavors dancing on my taste buds with each mouthful.
My gaze wandered around the cozy space as I eyed the inviting atmosphere. Warm lighting cast a soft glow over patrons enjoying their meals while the faint strains of traditional music whispered through the air.
I loved coming here. The atmosphere was amazing, the music was nice, and it was never packed. That and they served the best, most flavorful, juicy, and tender steaks in Ecruteak.
The walls were adorned with delicate silk tapestries. Beautifully carved wooden panels separated the tables, and the comforting aroma of sizzling steaks permeated the air, mingling with the fragrant scents of miso soup and fresh sushi.
"Kisuke-san, is everything to your satisfaction?" a polite waiter asked, bowing slightly in my direction.
"Absolutely," I replied with a smile, nodding in appreciation. "This is one of the best steaks I've ever had."
I, of course, said this every time I visited. I wasn't being disingenuous. It wasn't my fault their steak just kept getting better.
"Thank you very much, Kisuke-san. If there's anything else you need, please don't hesitate to ask," the waiter responded before gliding away with practiced grace.
My fingers wrapped around the warm ceramic cup as I brought it to my lips. The earthy aroma of the tea preceded the first sip, a relaxing warmth that spread from my tongue down to my core. Subtle flavors danced across my taste buds, hints of grass and floral notes mingling with sweet nuttiness and a touch of bitterness.
"Ah~" I murmured to myself, casually leaning back in my chair.
Now that I was finished with my tea, I turned my attention back to the succulent slab of meat on my plate. The knife in my hand glided effortlessly through the tender flesh, releasing a burst of savory juices that pooled around the golden brown edges. The smoky char on the outside of the steak perfectly contrasted with the melt-in-your-mouth tenderness and the savory blend of seasoning.
Salta, pepper, garlic, and a spicier blend as well. Maybe red pepper, cayenne, and... cumin? Maybe. I wasn't sure. What I was sure of was that this steak was nothing short of heavenly.
"Kisuke-san, would you like more tea?" a staff member asked, breaking my reverie.
"Please," I replied, sliding the empty glass towards her as she graciously refilled it. "Thank you."
She bowed and disappeared.
As I took another bite of the delectable steak, my mind wandered a tad bit to my journey. I was free to do as I pleased. The realization still hung with me, even now.
A thought occurred to me as I eased another delectable slice of steak into my mouth.
Why should I wait until I get to Sinnoh to catch a pokemon? Why not just look around Ecruteak or Johto as a whole and see if anything interested me? Better yet, why limit myself to Ecruteak or Johto? The entire world was at my fingertips—I was a two-hour plane ride to Kanto, a four-hour one to Hoenn, an eight-hour flight to Sinnoh, a nine-hour to Unova—
Unova.
I blinked.
Unova.
Flying-types native to Unova.
I had my Rotom Phone in my hand in a flash. It took me a moment to pull up my pokedex, and I scrolled all the way down to Unovian pokemon. The name blinked into existence, settling into the forefront of his mind when he saw the thumbnail of the very pokemon that had popped into his head.
A Rufflet.
All forty centimeters of it, with its fluffy white feathers, its rounded head, large, almond-shaped eyes, and disproportionally large talons. A grin broke out on my face. Braviary were just awesome pokemon in general. They were superb hunters, massive and powerful. They were one of the few apex predators that ruled the skies in Unova.
And I wanted one.
Bad.
The last morsel of steak vanished between my teeth, and I couldn't help but close my eyes for a moment, savoring the final burst of flavor. The deliciousness was almost overwhelming, and I found myself grinning like a fool as if I'd just discovered some hidden treasure. I leaned back in my chair and let out an involuntary sigh, my body relaxing into a state of blissful satisfaction.
"Amazing," I murmured to myself, still grinning. "Truly amazing."
The food and the idea.
I made a decision. I was going to Unova for a few days, and I was going to catch myself a Rufflet.
Retrieving Rookidee's pokeball from my bag, I shifted my focus to the TM discs I had purchased earlier. I carefully removed them from their protective packaging, marveling at their sleek design and ornate patterns. The complex, swirling designs seemed to dance before my eyes, shimmering with a subtle iridescence.
As I held the TMs, I couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement course through my veins. I selected one of the discs and slid it into the pokeball. I watched closely, eager to see the process through. A minute passed, and my breath was still lodged in my throat. Just when I was beginning to grow lightheaded, the silver of the blow took on an iridescent emerald gleam.
"Perfect," I whispered, my confidence swelling along with my excitement. The first one was done, and there were two more to go.
With a steady hand, I picked up the second TM disc and repeated the process. The intricate patterns danced in the dim light of the steak house as I slid it into Rookidee's pokeball. Once again, I held my breath, waiting for that telltale green hue to confirm the success of the unification.
Come on... come on...
As the pokeball's rim turned green once more, I simpered a small sliver.
As I reached for the final TM disc, my fingertips trembled with anticipation. The smooth surface of the disc felt cool against my skin, its etchings creating a delicate pattern that seemed to dance under my touch.
"All right, last one," I murmured, sliding the disc into the pokeball with utmost care.
Time seemed to slow down as I watched and waited, my entire body tense with anticipation. The seconds stretched on like an eternity, but finally, the pokeball's rim glowed green once more.
Now that was done, I reached for my Rotom Phone, activated the pokedex feature, and scanned his pokeball.
"Rookidee, the Tiny Bird pokemon, a flying type, and the pre-evolved form of Corvisquire. Rookidee are feisty and territorial pokemon and will bravely fight against anybody, no matter how big and strong that opponent is. They are able to store some of their own energy after every battle, so they can grow a bit stronger even if they lose.
By practicing against all sorts of opponents, these pokemon learn to adapt their fighting styles to different situations. For instance, Rookidee will use their size and speed to their advantage against bulky opponents, nimbly hopping between their feet to attack weak spots and avoid lumbering strikes. With meeker foes, they will instead try to press the attack to keep them off-balance.
Rookidee will likely get injured often through their scraps, but they are hardy pokemon and can recover quickly. Feisty Rookidee may try to pick fights with hapless travelers they come across; however, they will give up eventually if their targets do not give in to their goading. They rarely mean to cause actual harm to humans, instead aiming only to hone their own skills. They are omnivorous predators, but due to their small size, they sometimes have to resort to lesser means to remain fed. Due to this, Rookidee and Corvisquire primarily feed on nuts, seeds, berries, and small invertebrates.
This Rookidee is male and knows the move(s): Peck, Leer, Hone Claws, Pluck, Fury Attack, Agility, Aerial Ace, and Protect. It has the Egg Move(s): Sky Attack, which is locked until further notice. It's ability is Unnerve, which intimidates weaker pokemon and makes it appear that much more threatening.
Height: 1'01"
Weight: 6.3 lbs."
"Excuse me," I called out to a passing server. As she approached, her eyes questioning, I gestured to my now-empty plate. "That was one of the best meals I've ever had! Thank you."
"You're too kind. I'm glad you enjoyed it," she replied with a polite bow, her cheeks flushing a soft pink at the compliment.
Reaching into my pocket, I pulled out my wallet, carefully counting out the appropriate amount for the bill and then some. Placing the money on the table, I added a generous tip—enough to bring a genuine smile to the server's face as she accepted it with a grateful nod.
"Thank you so much," she whispered, her eyes shining with appreciation.
"Take care," I responded warmly, pushing back my chair and rising to my feet. With one last glance at the familiar surroundings, I took a deep breath, savoring the lingering scent of sizzling beef.
As I stepped out of the steak house and into the cool night air, my stomach content and my spirits high, I reached for my phone and dialed my father's number.
He answered without much waiting.
"Kisuke? Why are you calling at such an hour?"
Father didn't sound weary or sleepy, so I hadn't wakened him. Not that I expected to. Father was always the last one to crash and the first one to rise in the morning.
"To talk to you, of course," I replied flippantly.
"I would hope so, or else this would be a waste of my time."
I chuckled. "Ma, ma. No need to get testy. I'm just calling to tell you that I'm traveling to Unova for a few days."
Not even a second later—
"Very well. I'll have Kawata-san schedule a first-class flight to Unova first thing in the morning."
"That's it? You're not going to ask why I'm going to Unova?"
"No. This is your journey, Kisuke. You're no longer a careless infant; you're a grown man now."
I pouted. Even though we weren't video chatting, I knew that Father knew I was pouting. "You don't have to take all the fun out of it for me."
Distinctly, I heard him sigh. Wow, he must have been exhausted. He never would have shown that much displeasure if he wasn't. Father's most defining trait was his supreme rationality and self-control. He only showed emotion to those he believed were deserving of seeing it. Heh. I bet that's why he never hesitated to show me whenever I pissed him off. He must have loved me that much.
Or so I liked to think.
"Where are you planning on visiting in Unova?"
Ah.
I snapped out of my thoughts and said, "The Celestial Woods. The northern stretch, anyhow. The Unova Rangers believe that the largest concentration of Rufflet live there, so that's where I'm going to go."
I heard his fingers furiously patter away on his keyboard. Father sure shattered the cliche and trope of old men not being tech-savvy. He could type even faster than me, and that was saying something. The person with the least tech experience was, humorously enough, Morty. That short-stack couldn't even fix flip-phone if I smacked him over the head with the manual.
"So you have done your research."
I frowned pitifully. "Is that surprise I hear? It is, isn't it?!" I hung my head, a raging storm of depression gathering above my crown. "C'mon! You have such low expectations of me!"
"I will not dignify that with a response." Once more, I pouted. "You will arrive at Icirrus City. It's a small city, much smaller than ours. I suggest stocking up on whatever supplies you will need now, before leaving. I doubt that a city as small as Icirrus will have what you need."
"Seriously!" I moaned, absently twirling the chopsticks I'd nabbed from the restaurant. "You have absolutely no faith in me! I already took care of all that boring stuff."
"Good."
For a second, that's all I thought I was getting before he inevitably hung up.
But—
"Good luck on your journey, Kisuke. Contrary to what you believe, I do have faith in you. I know you will make this family proud."
A smile lit up across my face. Call me cliche or just underwhelming, but I loved my father's praises. They were rare, unlike his criticisms. I didn't need them. I wasn't so weak that I would fall apart if I did not have his approval. But... it was nice to hear him say things like that every now and again. It reminded me that he wasn't just the taskmaster that everyone else knew him to be. He was my father, and he would love me no matter what I chose to do.
"Thanks... I only hope I'll live up to your expectations."
"You will."
The phone line went dead. I hung onto it for a minute, staring off into the night sky, counting the potently glimmering stars.
My smile stretched even further across my lips.
"Yeah... I will."
So, Kisuke is heading to Unova first with an actual goal to boot!
You know, something I've noticed is that a lot of Pokemon MCs, in fanfiction and in the anime, I suppose, rarely take any initiative. They're always just wandering around, waiting for something to fall into their laps. Sure, they might have a goal, but it's always just one singular goal besides, obviously, taking down the evil team in their region. The other goal is just to claim eight gym badges and/or beat their rivals. Don't get me wrong, their great dreams and goals, but it just doesn't seem like many MC's have much initiative to do much else beyond that and just wandering a region and hoping a pokemon or opportunity just falls in their laps.
And it seldom seems like they have plans, either. My last point sort of touched on that. Like, if they want to catch a strong or rare pokemon, they just wait for it to drop in their laps and for the universe to smile down on them, giving them the greatest luck imaginable. Instead of, you know, searching for the pokemon you want and spend some time looking for it. Have a plan. Stick to it.
Anyways, rant over. It's just something I noticed after reading so many pokemon fanfictions. One thing is for certain; however, Kisuke will not be idle. He has goals, he has dreams, and he has desires and he's determined and selfish enough to see them brought to life. He's not going to just wait around for months until something falls into his lap. He's going to be constantly taking steps toward whatever goals he may have. He's a proactive and competent main character. I know, a rarity in anime/manga series'.
If you could all go down and give me a review, that would be great. I'd love to hear your feedback, positive and negative alike. If you enjoyed the story and haven't done so already, please favorite and follow the fic! This is only the beginning of a pretty long journey. Anyhow, cheers! You all have a nice day.