My uncle once told me.
"The things you put effort into are better."
I digressed because if I drink a soda that I buy, it is way less tasty than the soda that was gifted to me.
"Anorith." The goofball was busy eating a Magikarp.
He was right. And I hate it.
Having said that, what makes Anorith special is not the effort that I put into working in the gym the last 3 years, but rather the fact that he symbolizes the faith that Roxanne has in me, the belief in a potential that I am not sure I have.
Have someone ever believe in me, even after I start working in the government my family never stop that judgment about the way I live.
If I work it's not what they want, if I study it's the career of their choice, if I go out it's because I go out and if I don't I am too much time in the house, if I clean they said "So that you do it wrong, I'll do it better."
Even my uncle said, "I am tired that you don't live. You don't dream or aspire to anything. It's like living with a plant, waiting to be placed and never moving on its own."
So when I got my first salary, I moved out and only maintained amenities with my family, except with my mother, because as much as I want to blame her, I can't. She isn't the brightest out there. Add it to the fact that she was barely legal when she had me, and it's impossible for me to hate or resent her.
So I fall into the corruption that allows me to live as quietly, as numb I can.
The bribes to the labor union, Selling the rights of the power lines toward the mining companies, organizing lectures in the high school in favor of gold mining, those late Saturday nights meetings in order to raise our salaries, getting rid of the dissenters, threatening the children of the employees that may know too much, and those were only the tip of the things I help with.
I had it coming, it was a surprise how much I come to miss my family, be it good or bad they were always there as a pillar I can fall if things go awry.
Yet I feel glad in my last moments, not because of some sort of atonement for my actions but because I will stop being a bother for those who love me, and the fact that it was a revolution made me hopeful for a better tomorrow for the ones I leave behind.
And here I am, making the same mistakes once again.
When I saw Maxie, my only thought was the fact that I was settled, with his foundation, I could scratch my balls for the next few years without a care in the world. The same old Marcus muting himself with pleasure instead of facing his fear toward responsibility for taking care of something. The same reason, because I didn't have pets or a couple.
"Rith." The Anorith climbs my leg toward my lap before dosing off.
"Come back."
I recall him to his ball so he can sleep in peace while I set things in motion.
A while ago, I was too emotional, so I excused myself to Roxanne and left for the orphanage. After clearing up the situation with Ms Harper, I grabbed the Magikarp from the kitchen and headed toward my room.
My room was renovated by myself after the first year, gone where the bunk beds were, and in their place I single bed, a desk, and a whole lot of shelves were put in their place. My history books and rocks adorn this place, and of course I did not read half of the books they are here to justify my otherworldly knowledge after all.
Of course, this is still an orphanage, so I can't normally do as I please. All this was achieved with a little bribe in the form of oram berry Shuckle wine for Sophia, and the rest was up to her and my status as top of my class. One of the sources of income in the gym are the Shuckles that we have producing berry juice and wine. After all, with a special diet, the Shuckle can augment their fermentation capabilities, resulting in a very expensive wine.
In tears, my mom once told me, "You never look happy. I am sorry that I have failed you." It was never her fault.
I feel the Pokéball with my hand, and bow to not betray Roxanne's faith in me.
Easier said than done tough, I have to think about what to do with the Team Magma situation, but not overly. While extremists their goal pales in comparison to what Team Aqua can do if you leave them unchecked, my best bet will be to gather enough backing to become untouchable, and no matter my gratitude toward Roxanne, she is far from making me that.
Alright, tomorrow I have to speak with Roxanne, Maxie, and Alan, go to the school to look at the latest developments in Prof. Rowan's research, and start the paperwork for a leave of absence from the school. Also in what face I am going to wear when I tell that to Ms Harper.
"Roxanne why did you help me that time."
"What do you mean?"
"When you put me in the gym to gain merit."
"Mmmm, it's true that I didn't have a way to know back then how much help you would be. But I see myself in you."
"Yourself?"
"Yeah, each time you tell someone about anything, you look like a teacher, and you are enjoying doing so."
"I see."
I remember a talk I had some time ago on my way to Alan's home. With the time I spend together with Roxanne plus my implementation of a digital registry of the gym operations, I should not be surprised that she got me a starter, after all, that was the reason I was in the gym in the first place.
*Ring* I press the bell of Alan's home.
It's sad that she was so busy that modernize the gym was something that fly off her radar that long.
*Creak*
"Yeees, MARCUS! *slam* WAIT A SEC!" That was Georgia, Alan's little sister. She have a round face with a brown ponytail.
"Sorry about that, she just woke up." Alan opened the door again, urging me to come in.
"If she wants to be in the gym with the other boys, she needs to get used to waking up on time."
"That never stop you."
"Touche."
"Speaking of that, you were never here this early."
"I got a surprise, get that ugly green tracksuit, Sunny and let's go."
"I don't want to hear that, Mr. First Dead, than use a short."
Saying that he retreat to his room in order to get changed.
"Marcus!"
"Georgina."
"You know, the other day, Mr Norton praised me for my test in math. He said that I was like you." I don't think that was a praise.
"Your brother and I are going to park, wanna come?"
"YES! Ah, I can't, mom, tell me to wait for her." she deflates quickly.
"Too bad, next time okay"
"Yes." She then runs off toward her room.
"What's with her?" Alan crosses her coming down.
"She wanted to come."
"Nudge nudge wink wink."
"Not happening."
"But we will be brothers."
"Still no."
"You take the spice out of life."
"Let's go."
Once we arrive at the school grounds, we sit down to eat the breakfast we bought on the way.
"Is that the surprise?" Alan comments, eyeing the fresh Magikarp I got at the market.
"No, this in the other hand." I say taking the Pokéball from my pocket and unleashing Anorith.
"Rith?"
"No way." The eyes of my blond friend widen in excitement.
"Roxanne gifted him to me yesterday." I tell him that while giving my bugger his food.
"What is he?"
"An Anorith, he is a fossil Pokémon."
"A fossil, aren't that things like super expensive."
"Rare too, I can't even imagine how she get him."
One of the major problems with reviving fossils is the fact that they cannot reproduce, the whole ordeal kills their fertility.
"Sunny come out."
"Noone."
The Linoone regard curiously my Pokémon. Alan's dad is a ranger, and when he gets home, he allows Alan to train Sunny with his team, which in a natural progression of events led to her evolution.
"Sunny he is Marcus Pokémon. He is called… what's his name?"
"Let me think, mmm Roberto."
"Roberto?"
"El que te dejo el culo abierto."
"?"
"Sorry, it was stronger than me."
"Okay?"
"But yes his name is Roberto."
"What does it mean?"
"I don't think it has a meaning, ancient Paldean its like that?"
"Paldean?"
"Paldea is a far away region, not important right now, I wanted to ask you something."
"Tell me."
"Can you get gossip about the gym leaders Gardenia and Candice from Sinnoh."
"Of course who you think are talking to, but only them?"
"What do you mean I never ask for rumors or gossip?"
"You know, Champion Cynthia is a history buff like you."
"I am not delusional, if I want to know more about that I can always read her books."
"I feel like you are water flavor." Agh that hurt a little.
"Good one."
"Thanks, but what do you want to know?"
"About their rooster, if they got any new Pokémon or things like that?"
"Okay, I'll tell you when I know."
"Perfect, Roberto come here."
"Anorith?" He looks confused.
"Your name is Roberto, is that fine to you?"
"Rith." he answer and came crawling to my body before settling in my shoulder.
"I'll take that like a yes. I am leaving." I tell Alan.
"Already?"
"Sorry, I want to speak to Roxanne about a offer that came into my hands."
"An offer?"
"Yep, I want to confirm the details before telling you."
"You and your mysteries."
"I'll take you to eat, Later."
"Better take my sister."
"Not happening."
"Sorry buddy, I need you inside for now."
I recall Roberto before entering the school library.
"Ah Marcus, why are you here on Saturday? Go enjoy life a little." Larry, the man in charge of this place, lectures me.
"This time is important, do you have the last research of Prof. Rowan?"
"Give me a sec… Yes its with the others reports of the scientific committee."
"Thanks."
I leave Larry and quickly go toward the section exclusive to research and the latest scientific findings. While this place is a trainer school, it also serves as a college for more deep Pokémon careers like breeding or environment.
Okay let's see… Here the Prof. Rowan announce the results bla bla bla, new Pokémon species Tangrowth, Mamoswine and Yanmega further research is being made to see if the method used can affect other Pokémon.
Goddammit, there goes my easy way. Of course, they don't list the evolution method because information is heavily regulated by the league and trainers. The same thing happened with Froslass and Mismagius in this world. The edge that comes from having unique Pokémon is a tool that no region wants to lose. Legendary Pokémon can't be controlled, so the fear of provoking one of them and the regulations are what maintain the peace, and after the last war, nobody wants another.
That being said thanks god that the first four regions are close allies that make information gathering a lot easier, but what I do. There is not much to abuse in Hoenn if only I was in Sinnoh or Johto.
There are Pokémon with unknown evolutions in Hoenn. Gallade knows how to exist but not how to evolve right now. No, it goes against my beliefs that any Ralts on my hands become anything other than a Gardevoir.
If Norman were here maybe I can convince him to let me evolve a Ursaring or Standler, maybe I can try the safari but for that I would have to rely in Maxie and that beats the purpose of doing this in the first place.
While thinking about my plan of action, I was drawn to my Pokéball, Anorith. A bug/rock type... Perhaps the faith Roxanne put in me was not misplaced.
AN:
You can support in the forbidden P page /MrZaiek