Pokemon: Unchained Idiocy Chapter 9: 9 - PokéTube Madness, a pokémon fanfic

The first light of dawn barely began to filter through the thin curtains of Ronin's brother's bedroom, casting a soft, golden hue across the room. Ronin, a small figure moving with quiet determination, carefully pushed the door open. His footsteps were almost silent on the plush carpet as he approached the bed where Vajk lay sprawled, tangled in the sheets, his chest rising and falling in the deep rhythm of dreamless sleep.

"V-Vajk," Ronin whispered, his voice barely audible, a hesitant tremor betraying his nerves. "Vajk, w-wake up."

Vajk stirred slightly, his brow knitting in annoyance even in sleep. "Mmph," he grunted, turning his face deeper into the pillow. "Go away."

But Ronin was nothing if not persistent. He reached out with a small, tentative hand and gently shook Vajk's shoulder. "C-Come on, Vajk. I want to show you something."

Vajk's eyes fluttered open, bleary and unfocused, struggling against the pull of sleep. "What the fuck, Ronin?" he mumbled, his voice rough, annoyed, and gravelly that slightly made Ronin gasp, he wasn't ready for such a curse word. "What time is it?" he continued as his voice is still muffled by the soft pillow.

"I-It's early almost 7 AM," Ronin admitted, a sheepish grin spreading across his freckled face. "B-But I wanted to catch you before I left for school with a bus."

Vajk groaned, pushing himself up on his elbows. His brown hair stuck out in wild tufts, giving him a disheveled, almost comical appearance. "What's so important that it couldn't wait until a decent hour?"

Ronin's eyes darted to the computer sitting on the desk in the corner of the room, its screen dark and silent. "I w-was t-thinking," he began, his words tumbling out in a rush, "t-that maybe I could show you how to u-use my brother's computer. Y-You know, to l-learn more about Pokémon u-until Pokéschool s-starts."

Vajk sat up straighter, running a hand through his unruly hair in a futile attempt to tame it. He fixed Ronin with a look that was equal parts amused and exasperated, the corners of his mouth twitching with the hint of a smile. "Ronin, buddy," he said, his voice still heavy with the remnants of sleep, "I appreciate the offer, but I think I can manage the computer on my own."

Ronin's face fell, his enthusiasm dampened by Vajk's gentle rejection. "B-But I-I thought..." he began, his words trailing off into uncertainty.

Vajk swung his legs over the side of the bed, the mattress creaking softly under his weight. He leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees, and fixed Ronin with a serious, yet kind gaze. "Don't get me wrong," he said, choosing his words carefully, "I definitely need to learn more about Pokémon. But I'm not totally helpless, you know?"

Ronin nodded, a flicker of understanding crossing his face. "I-I guess you're right," he admitted, a sheepish grin tugging at the corners of his mouth. "I j-just wanted to h-help."

Vajk reached out and ruffled Ronin's hair affectionately, eliciting a small laugh from the younger boy. "I know you did," he said, his voice warm with gratitude, "and I appreciate it. But I think I can handle turning on a computer without causing any major catastrophes."

Ronin's eyes widened, a sudden thought occurring to him. "B-But wait," he said, his brow furrowing in confusion, "why d-don't you have to -ggo to school like me? Don't you need to l-learn stuff too?"

Vajk leaned back, a wry smile playing across his lips. "Well," he said, drawing out the word with a mischievous glint in his eye, "let's just say that I've already shown your dad that I'm not exactly struggling in the basics."

Ronin's mouth formed a silent "O" of understanding, his eyes widening with realization. "You mean when you wrote that n-note for him the other day?" he asked, his voice hushed with a mix of awe and conspiracy.

Vajk nodded, a hint of pride flickering across his face. "And when I helped him balance his checkbook," he added, a note of amusement creeping into his tone. "I think he was a little surprised that I could do math without counting on my fingers."

Ronin giggled, the sound bright and carefree in the quiet of the early morning. "D-Dad's face must have been priceless," he said, his eyes sparkling with mirth.

Vajk's smile faded slightly, a thoughtful expression settling over his features. He paused, his mind churning with thoughts he couldn't share with Ronin. 'I think it made him a little suspicious,' Vajk mused inwardly, his inner voice tinged with concern. 'I mean, here I am, this kid who just appeared out of nowhere, and I can read and write in that wierd language... I don't know how but I can do it, and do math like it's nothing. If I told them I got schooling, they'd ask where, and then all the shit I've managed to keep hidden would hit the fan.'

Ronin noticed the change in Vajk's demeanor and cocked his head to the side, curiosity evident in his wide, innocent eyes. "A-Are you okay, Vajk?" he asked, his voice soft and filled with genuine concern.

Vajk snapped out of his reverie, forcing a smile back onto his face. "Yeah, I'm fine," he said, waving a hand dismissively. "Just thinking about all the stuff I need to learn."

"Ah, I-I see!" Ronin beamed, the corners of his eyes crinkling with joy. "So, do you w-want me to s-show you now? I-I mean, I wanted to show you someone who c-could make you learn about Pokémon easily. W-We have a l-little bit of time before the bus comes."

Vajk couldn't help but feel a pang of warmth at Ronin's earnest offer. Despite the boy's naivety, his heart was in the right place. "Thanks, Ronin," Vajk said, his voice softer now, more sincere. "I appreciate that."

Vajk hesitated for a moment, as he wanted to turn down the offer. On one hand, he was confident in his ability to use the computer on his own, having already sneaked a few sessions when no one was around. But on the other hand, Ronin's eagerness to help was endearing, and Vajk found himself wanting to indulge the boy's enthusiasm.

"Alright," Vajk said, pushing himself off the bed and stretching his arms above his head. The muscles in his back and shoulders protested slightly, reminding him of the restless night he had endured. "Let's see what you've got."

Ronin's face lit up with excitement, and he practically bounced on his heels as he led Vajk over to the computer desk. The machine hummed to life as Ronin wiggled the mouse, and the screen flickered on, casting a soft, bluish glow across their faces. The light made Ronin's freckles stand out even more, and Vajk couldn't help but smile at the boy's infectious enthusiasm.

Vajk watched as Ronin's small fingers deftly navigated the keyboard, typing in the password with a speed and precision that belied his young age. The desktop background came into view, and Vajk had to suppress a grimace at the sight of the Pokémon that greeted him.

It was a Muk, a putrid, sludge-like creature that seemed to ooze and bubble even in the stillness of the computer screen. Its eyes, if they could be called that, were little more than malevolent slits set in a face that was all gaping maw and dripping fangs. The image seemed to pulse with a kind of grotesque vitality, and Vajk felt a shiver run down his spine.

'Ugh,' Vajk thought to himself, his inner voice dripping with disgust. 'I forgot how much I hate that thing.'

Out loud, he said, "So, uh, what's with the background? Is that your brother's favorite Pokémon or something?"

Ronin glanced up at him, a sheepish grin on his face. "Y-Yeah," he said, his voice tinged with a hint of embarrassment. "He really l-loves weird-looking Pokémon and stuff like that. I d-don't really get it, but hey, to each their own, r-right?"

Vajk just nodded, a noncommittal "Aha, okay," slipping from his lips. But inside, his mind was reeling. 'What is wrong with that dude?' he thought, his inner voice tinged with a mix of revulsion and disbelief. 'I mean, I get having a favorite Pokémon, but why would you pick one that looks like it crawled out of a sewer?'

He shook his head, trying to clear his thoughts as Ronin navigated to a website that looked strikingly familiar. It was called PokéTube, and the layout was almost identical to the YouTube of Vajk's past world, right down to the red and white color scheme. The only difference was the logo, which featured a star with a Pikachu tail inside a play button.

As the page loaded, Vajk found himself marveling at the sheer number of videos that popped up. There were tutorials on how to care for different types of Pokémon, battle strategies, and even cooking shows featuring Pokémon-inspired dishes... and dishes made out of pokémons... yummy.

'Damn,' Vajk thought, his inner voice tinged with reluctant admiration as he almost drooled seeing that magnificently made dish. 'That Pokémon looked nice... hehe...'

Ronin, meanwhile, was chattering away excitedly, pointing out his favorite videos and creators. "Oh, and this one," he said, his finger hovering over a thumbnail featuring an elderly man with a shock of white hair and a kind, weathered face, "th-this is my favorite channel for learning about Pokémon. H-He's really informative and s-stuff."

Vajk leaned in closer, his eyes scanning the title of the video: "How to be a Pokémon Trainer: #3 Pokémon Type Chart Interactions." The thumbnail showed the old man standing in front of a large, colorful chart, his hands gesturing animatedly as he spoke.

Ronin clicked on the video, and the screen was immediately filled with the image of the elderly man. He was standing in what appeared to be a cluttered study, with bookshelves lining the walls and various Pokémon memorabilia scattered about. The type chart loomed behind him, a complex web of colors and symbols that made Vajk's head spin just to look at it.

"Hello, and welcome back to another episode of 'How to be a Pokémon Trainer,'" the old man began, his voice slow and measured. "Today, we'll be discussing the intricacies of type interactions, and how they can affect the outcome of a battle."

"It is important to understand that... uh... certain types have... distinct advantages over others," the old man continued, pausing frequently. "For example, a Fire-type move... will be very effective against... Grass-type Pokémon... but not so much against... Water-types."

He paused again, his eyes darting off to the side as if he were trying to remember what he wanted to say next. Then, pointing at the type chart behind him, he continued, "The type chart... is a good tool... to memorize these interactions... as it will help you... in battles... to make strategic decisions."

'Damn,' Vajk thought, his inner voice tinged with a mix of boredom and frustration. 'I know I need to learn this stuff, but does it have to be so boring? I feel like I'm back in school, listening to some old fogey drone on and on about something I'll never use in real life.'

The man continued, his voice never rising above a monotone. "When you look at the chart... you'll see that... Electric-type moves are... super effective against... Water-types and Flying-types. However, they are... not effective against... Ground-types... which are immune to Electric-type attacks."

He paused again, staring off into space before resuming. "It's also important to note that... there are also dual-type Pokémons and they... can have... complex interactions... For example... a Gyarados is... Water and Flying-type Pokémon... making it... weak four times against Electric attacks... while taking neutral damage to grass attacks thanks to his partial Flying-type... This means such type combinations can help or hinder some Pokémon, as it can help take more neutral damages for the price of having four-time weakness or weaknesses for a specific type."

Vajk watched as the man launched into a more detailed explanation of the various types and their strengths and weaknesses. He spoke with the air of a profession, his words precise and academic, but Vajk couldn't help but feel his attention starting to wander.

It wasn't that the information wasn't useful - on the contrary, Vajk knew that understanding type interactions would be crucial if he ever hoped to become a successful trainer-wannabe and get a fucking ID. But the man's delivery was just so... dry. He paused frequently, his eyes darting off to the side as if he were trying to remember what he wanted to say next, and his voice never seemed to rise above a monotone.

Vajk glanced over at Ronin, who was watching the video with rapt attention, even though he must have seen that video thousands of times, his eyes wide and his mouth slightly agape. The boy seemed to be hanging on the man's every word, nodding along and occasionally making little noises of understanding or agreement.

"C-Cool, isn't it?" Ronin said, his voice filled with excitement. "I've learned so much from this guy. He really knows his stuff."

Vajk forced a smile onto his face, not wanting to dampen Ronin's enthusiasm. "Yeah, it's great," he said, his voice sounding hollow even to his own ears. "Really informative."

'Maybe there's someone else on this site who can explain this stuff in a way that doesn't make me want to claw my own eyes out,' Vajk thought, his inner voice tinged with a hint of desperation. 'Someone with a little more energy, a little more personality. Someone who can make learning about Pokémon fun, instead of feeling like a... fucking chore.'

He didn't say any of this out loud, of course. He didn't want to hurt Ronin's feelings or make him feel like his favorite channel wasn't good enough. But as the video droned on, the old man's voice fading into a dull, monotonous hum, Vajk couldn't help but feel a growing sense of restlessness.

As the video droned on, Vajk found himself struggling to maintain his focus. The old man's voice seemed to blend into a dull, monotonous hum, and Vajk could feel his eyelids growing heavy. He was just about to give in to the temptation of a quick nap when Ronin suddenly spoke up.

"Oh shoot, look at the time!" the boy exclaimed, his eyes widening as he glanced at the clock on the wall. "I'm gonna be late for the school bus if I don't leave now."

Vajk blinked, shaking himself out of his stupor. "Oh, uh, yeah," he said, his voice still slightly groggy. "You better get going then."

Ronin nodded, already scrambling to gather his things. "Y-Yeah, I don't wanna miss it," he said, shoving his books and papers into his backpack. "B-But hey, good luck with the learning and stuff. I know you'll do great."

Vajk forced a smile onto his face, trying to match Ronin's enthusiasm. "Thanks, kid," he said, giving the boy a little wave as he headed for the door. "Have a good day at school."

Ronin grinned, his freckled face alight with excitement. "I will!" he said, bouncing on his heels as he reached for the doorknob. "See you later, Vajk!"

And with that, he was gone, the door closing behind him with a soft click. Vajk waited for a moment, listening to the sound of Ronin's footsteps fading away down the hallway. Once he was sure the boy was out of earshot, he let out a long, weary sigh, slumping back in his chair.

'Fuck me,' he thought, his inner voice tinged with exhaustion. 'I don't know how much more of this I can take. If I have to listen to one more lecture from that old fossil, I think my brain might actually start leaking out of my ears.'

He glanced back at the computer screen, where the video was still playing. The old man was droning on about the differences between physical and special attacks, his voice as dry and lifeless as ever. Vajk felt a sudden, overwhelming urge to slam the laptop shut, to run screaming from the room and never look back.

But he knew he couldn't do that. He needed to learn this stuff, needed to understand the ins and outs of the Pokémon world if he ever hoped to get his fucking ID. And as much as he hated to admit it, the old man's videos were probably the most informative resource he had at his disposal.

'There's got to be a better way,' he thought, his inner voice tinged with desperation. 'Someone out there who can make this shit actually interesting, who can make me want to learn instead of making me want to blow my brains out.'

And so, with a heavy sigh and a muttered curse, Vajk turned back to the computer and began to search. He typed in keywords like "Pokémon tutorials" and "Pokémon for beginners," scrolling through pages and pages of results in the hopes of finding something, anything, that would make this torturous process a little more bearable.

And then, just as he was about to give up hope, he saw it. A thumbnail featuring a young woman with bright pink hair and a manic grin, her face practically pressed up against the camera. The title of the video read "Pokémon For Dummies!" in bold, colorful letters, and Vajk felt a flicker of excitement in his chest.

'Holy shit,' he thought, his inner voice tinged with disbelief. 'Is this... could this actually be fun?'

As Vajk clicked on the video, he was immediately assaulted by a cacophony of sound and color. The screen exploded with a dizzying array of flashing lights and pulsing graphics, all set to a high-energy electronic beat that seemed to rattle his teeth in his skull. And there, in the center of it all, was the girl that Vajk never, but the whole world knew about, Iono herself, grinning manically at the camera as she launched into her trademark introduction.

"Aaaaaand... ACTION!" she exclaimed, her voice a high-pitched squeal of excitement. "Ladies aaand gentlemens, boys and girls, Pokéfans of all ages! Welcome to the one, the only, the incomparable... IONO ZONE! Your eyeballs are MINE—caught in my Electroweb! Whosawhatsit? Iono the Supercharged Streamer and influencer is HERE!"

She struck a dramatic pose, her arms outstretched and her head thrown back as a shower of virtual confetti rained down around her. "Hey, hey, heyyy! It's your girl Iono, coming at you, unfortunately, not live but direct from the heart of the Pokémon world! And let me tell you, mes amis (my friends), have I got a treat for you today!"

Vajk watched in a mixture of awe and horror as Iono proceeded to launch into a rapid-fire explanation of the day's topic, her words tumbling out in a dizzying mix of languages and pop culture references.

"Alright, alright, alright, let's get down to brass tacks, shall we?" she said, rubbing her hands together gleefully. "Today, we're talking about the crème de la crème (best of the best), the bee's knees, the cat's pajamas of the Pokémon world... the mighty Charizard!"

As she spoke, a massive 3D hologram of the iconic Fire-type Pokémon materialized behind her, its wings spread wide and its maw agape in a fearsome roar. Iono spun around to face it, her eyes shining with manic glee.

"Just feast your eyes on this beauty, mes copains (my buddies)!" she exclaimed, gesturing wildly at the hologram. "With a Feuer-type (Fire-type) move set that would make even the bravest Trainer wet their pantalons (pants) and a Flug-type (Flying-type) mobility that puts the 'fly' in 'fly AF', Charizard is one of the ultimate powerhouses of the Pokémon world!"

She paused for a moment, striking a thoughtful pose with one finger tapping her chin. "Of course, that's not to say that Charizard is invincible," she said, her voice taking on a mock-serious tone. "Wie Sie wissen, meine Damen und Herren (As you know, ladies and gentlemen), every Pokémon has its weaknesses. And for Charizard, that weakness is Wasser-type (Water-type) moves! Put it fears more some stealthy and sneaky pebbles than water to be honest!"

As she spoke, the hologram behind her shifted, morphing into a massive tidal wave that crashed down on the hapless Charizard, sending it tumbling end over end. Iono let out a high-pitched cackle, clapping her hands in delight.

"Oh, snap!" she exclaimed, her eyes wide with glee. "Looks like Charizard just got dunked on by a Surfer-Pikachu! Talk about a wipeout, am I right, dudes?"

Vajk watched in a mixture of fascination and bewilderment as Iono continued her frenetic presentation, her words and actions blurring together into a dizzying whirlwind of energy and enthusiasm.

"But hey, hey, hey, let's not get too bogged down in the détails (details), my friends!" she exclaimed, waving her hands in a dismissive gesture. "Because today, we're not just talking about any old Pokémon. No, no, no, mes amis (my friends), today we're talking about the crème de la crème (best of the best) of the Elektro-type (Electric-type) for beginner trainers like you dearies... the one, the only, the absolutely fabulous... Ampharos!"

As she spoke, the hologram behind her shifted once again, this time revealing the tall, bipedal form of the Electric-type Pokémon. Its yellow and black fur seemed to shimmer and sparkle in the virtual light, and its red gem glowed with an almost hypnotic intensity.

"Just look at this măreț (magnificent) beast!" Iono gushed, clasping her hands together in rapture. "With a movepool that includes such classics as Thunderbolt, Signal Beam, and the absolutely zdumiewający (stunning) Dragon Pulse, Ampharos is a force to be reckoned with on any echipă (team) for rookies!"

She twirled around, striking a series of dramatic poses as she continued her rapid-fire commentary. "But that's not all, mes copains (my buddies)! Ampharos is also one of the most versatil (versatile) Pokémon out there, with the ability to learn a wide variety of moves through TMs and breeding. Chcesz (Want) a Instant delete button for pesky rock-types that maybe also Ground-types? Boom, Focus Blast! Need a little more oomph in your Electric-type arsenal? Bam, Thunder! The possibilities are endless!"

Iono paused for a moment, her eyes widening as if struck by a sudden revelation. "But wait, there's more!" she exclaimed, her voice rising to a fever pitch. "Did you know that Ampharos is actually part of a trei etape (three-stage) evolution line? That's right, my friends, this big, lovable lug actually starts out as the absolutely adorabil (adorable) little Mareep! Can you believe it?"

The hologram shifted again, this time displaying the fluffy, sheep-like form of Mareep, its wool sparkling with static electricity. Iono let out a high-pitched squeal of delight, bouncing up and down on the balls of her feet.

"Oooh, just look at that face!" she cooed, her voice taking on a babyish lilt. "Don't you just want to scoop it up and give it a big ol' îmbrățișare (hug)? I know I do!"

She paused for a moment, a mischievous grin spreading across her face. "But don't let that cute exterior fool you, my friends. Because once Mareep evolves into Flaaffy, it's a whole different ball game!"

The hologram shifted once more, revealing the pink, bipedal form of Flaaffy, its fleece now more closely resembling a poofy, '80s-style hairdo. Iono let out a cackle of laughter, clapping her hands together in glee.

"Oh my Arceus, can we just take a moment to appreciate the absolute retro-fabulous styling of Flaaffy's coafură (hairdo)?" she exclaimed, gesturing wildly at the hologram. "I mean, come on, it's like the love child of a Mareep and a Chia Pet! I can't even!"

She collapsed into a fit of giggles, her laughter echoing through the virtual space. Vajk watched, his mouth hanging open in a mixture of awe and confusion, as Iono gradually recovered her composure, wiping tears of mirth from her eyes.

"Whoo, sorry about that, my friends," she said, still chuckling softly. "Sometimes the absurdity of the Pokémon world just gets to me, you know? But hey, that's what makes it so much fun!"

Vajk felt his eye twitch slightly at the barrage of memes and catchphrases. It was clear that Iono was more interested in entertaining her audience than actually educating them, and he found himself longing for the more straightforward approach of the old man's lectures.

But Iono was already moving on, launching into a dizzying array of type matchups and battle strategies, all delivered in her signature rapid-fire patter.

"But let's get back on track! If you want to be a true Maître Pokémon (Pokémon Master), you gotta know your type matchups inside and out!" she exclaimed, wagging her finger at the camera. "Feuer (Fire) beats Pflanze (Grass), Pflanze (Grass) beats Wasser (Water), Wasser (Water) beats Feuer (Fire)... it's like a big old game of rock-paper-scissors, but with way more explosions and property damage!"

She paused for a moment, a sly grin spreading across her face. "And speaking of explosions... have you checked out my latest merch drop? I've got t-shirts, hats, even a limited edition Iono-brand Pokéball that's guaranteed to catch 'em all... or your money back! Äh, nicht wirklich. Kein Geld zurück. Aber es ist trotzdem ein toller Deal, oder? (Uh, not really. No money back. But it's still a great deal, right?)"

Vajk could barely keep up with the whirlwind of energy that was Iono. Her rapid-fire delivery and the barrage of colors and sounds were a far cry from the monotonous droning of the old man. Despite the sensory overload, he couldn't help but feel a begrudging admiration for her sheer enthusiasm.

"And don't forget to smash that like button and subscribe!" Iono continued, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "Hit the bell icon so you never miss a single electrifying episode! We're always dropping the hottest Pokémon content right here in the Iono Zone!"

As if on cue, animations of thumbs-up icons and ringing bells danced across the screen, each accompanied by a burst of confetti. Vajk found himself cringing more and more; the presentation was utterly over the top, but it was undeniably engaging... for... some.

Iono leaned closer to the camera, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "And hey, n'ayez pas peur (don't be afraid)! Follow me on all my socials! We're talking, Swatter(Twitter), Klink-Klang(TikTok), and even the brand new PokéGram! Just search for #IonoZoneOfficial, and you'll get a behind-the-scenes look at all the crazy antics that go into making these vids and livestreams!"

A flurry of social media icons flashed across the screen, each one accompanied by a chime. Vajk's mind spun as he tried to keep track of them all. Iono seemed to be everywhere, her presence as pervasive as her personality was flamboyant. Damn, now he feels old as he cannot catch up with all those infodumps.

"And if you're really a super fan," Iono added, her grin widening, "consider joining the channel members, a.k.a. Iono Insiders! For just a few PokéDollars a month, you'll get exclusive access to early content, members-only live streams, and even some sweet, sweet swag! Plus, you'll be helping to support this channel and keep the Iono Zone rocking and rolling!"

She struck another dramatic pose, her arms outstretched as a virtual membership badge hovered next to her. Vajk shook his head in amazement as he started clapping... This woman is a certified descurcareti (go-getter), if Vajk wanted to use Iono language. Iono had turned Pokémon education into a full-blown spectacle, a full money-grab, complete with merchandise and memberships. One thing is sure, she can make money, but not from his—that's certain. It was a far cry from the dry lectures he had endured before in his own world.

"Aber warte, da ist noch mehr! (But wait, there's more!)" Iono exclaimed, her voice reaching an even higher pitch. "Every week, we do a live Q&A where I answer your burning questions about Pokémon, battling, and about ici-picit rólam(a little bit about me), and everything in between! So make sure to drop your questions in the comments, and you might just get a shoutout in our next video!"

The screen filled with a scrolling list of comments and questions from her adoring fans, each one punctuated by animated emojis and colorful text. Vajk marveled at the sheer volume of interaction; Iono's fans were clearly as passionate as she was.

"És a shoutoutokról beszélve, (And speaking of shoutouts,)" Iono continued, her eyes twinkling mischievously, "let's give egy nagy Iono Zone üdvözletet (a big Iono Zone greeting) to our newest subscribers! You guys are the real MVPs, the true PokéMasters in the making!"

A series of usernames flashed across the screen, each one accompanied by a burst of confetti and a blaring fanfare. Vajk couldn't help but squint his eyes as the confetti were just spammed non-stop as the almost endless waves of names rolled down, like how the hell did she manage to put all those names in it? Maybe a program made for such, well, let's hope that's the answer, because he would feel bad for the editor if he needed to put all those names into the video.

Vajk couldn't help but groan at the shameless plug. It seemed like every other sentence out of Iono's mouth was a thinly-veiled attempt to sell something, and it was starting to wear thin. He found himself reaching for the mouse, ready to click away and find a more reputable source of information...

But then, just as he was about to give up on the video entirely, Iono's demeanor suddenly shifted. Her manic grin faded, replaced by a more serious, almost somber expression.

"Écoutez, mes amis, (Listen, my friends,)" she said, her voice low and earnest. "I know I joke around a lot, and I know I'm always trying to sell you something. But at the end of the day, I'm here because I genuinely love Pokémon, and I want to share that love with all of you."

She took a deep breath, her eyes shining with sincerity. "When I was a little girl, Pokémon was my escape. It was the one thing that made me feel like I could be anything, do anything, as long as I had my trusty team by my side. And now, as a Gym Leader and an influencer, I have the chance to share that feeling with the world."

Vajk felt a lump forming in his throat at Iono's heartfelt words. As much as he had been annoyed by her constant shilling and memeing, he couldn't deny the genuine passion and love that shone through at that moment.

But then, a realization hit him like a Thunderbolt. "Wait, she's a Gym Leader? How?" he muttered to himself, confusion and disbelief mingling in his mind. "She literally doesn't have the qualities, like muscles, to be a... a Gym Leader..."

His thoughts drifted back to the Gym Badges he had seen just two days prior, as it was stated that you needed 8 gym badges to enter to the tournament. "Wait! Does that mean... Maybe... those 'gym badges' things have some connections to this? To the Gym leaders?" he thought, his curiosity piqued, but the video continued even as he thought about this.

"So, whether you're a seasoned veteran or a total noob, whether you're in it for the battles or just for the cute critters... know that you're always welcome here in the Iono Zone," she said, a soft smile playing at the corners of her mouth. "Because in the end, we're all just a bunch of kids at heart, chasing our dreams and trying to be the very best, like no one ever was."

And with that, the video came to a close, the screen fading to black as Iono's voice echoed in the silence. "Until next time, mes amis! Your eyeballs are MINE—caught in my Electroweb! Whosawhatsit? Iono the Supercharged Streamer and influencer! Catch y'all later!"

Vajk sat back in his chair, his mind reeling from the whirlwind of information and emotion that had just washed over him. He had to admit, as grating as Iono's style could be at times, there was something undeniably compelling about her enthusiasm and sincerity.

He stared at the screen, the faint glow illuminating his thoughtful expression. 'Maybe she's not so bad after all,' he mused, a small smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. 'A little too extra for my tastes, but her heart seems to be in the right place.'

The clock on his computer screen indicated that only 15 minutes had passed. It struck him how much Iono had packed into such a short amount of time. He realized that at least a third of the video had been dedicated to advertising her various channels, memberships, and merchandise. It should have been annoying, but somehow, it wasn't. There was something about the way she delivered everything with such relentless energy and genuine passion that made it hard to fault her.

'Guess I should probably watch the old man's vids,' he thought, stifling a yawn as he reached for the mouse. The sensible part of him knew that the old man's videos, though dry, were packed with valuable information. But just as he was about to navigate away, another thumbnail caught his eye.

It was Iono again, her vibrant hair framing her face as she hold his hand to his head as she looked at her frog-like Pokémon who doesn't seem to be so... alright, an electric spark seemingly dancing in its eyes. The video was titled, "10 Things You Should NOT Do If You Use Electric-Type Pokémon."

'But first, maybe just one more video…'

With a sigh that was part resignation, part anticipation, Vajk clicked on the thumbnail. The moment the video started, he was greeted by Iono's high-energy introduction, her voice a mix of excitement and authority. It was as if she had a magnetic pull, her infectious enthusiasm drawing him in despite himself.

As the latest video came to an end, Vajk blinked, his eyes refocusing on his surroundings. He glanced at the clock and felt his heart skip a beat. It was already noon. He had been watching Iono's videos for hours, completely lost in her electric world of Pokémon tips, tricks, and trivia.

A wave of panic washed over him as he realized just how much time he had wasted. He leaped to his feet, his chair clattering to the floor behind him as he began to pace the room, his hands tugging at his hair in frustration.

"What the hell am I doing?" he muttered to himself, his voice edged with self-recrimination. "I just spent hours watching this chick talk about... what? The top 10 cutest Electric-type Pokémon? How to style your hair like she does? What was I thinking?"

He looked at the screen as just like in a mirror he could saw his reflection. Staring at his reflection with a mixture of disbelief and disgust. His hair was still a mess, his eyes bloodshot from staring at the screen for so long. He looked like he had just pulled an all-nighter cramming for a test he was doomed to fail.

"You idiot," he said, jabbing a finger at his reflection. "You complete and utter moron. You've got a mission, remember? You need to learn about Pokémon, not waste your time watching some influencer's videos just because she's got a cute smile and a way with words."

He turned away from the screen, his stomach churning with a mixture of anger and shame. He had always prided himself on his discipline, his ability to stay focused on his goals no matter what. But somehow, Iono had managed to break through all of that, to draw him in with her infectious enthusiasm and keep him hooked for hours on end.

As he thought back over the videos he had watched, he realized with a sinking feeling that he hadn't actually learned anything useful. Sure, he now knew that Bellibolt's favorite food was, and that Voltorb could be used as a makeshift soccer ball in a pinch. But what good was that information in the grand scheme of things?

He had been so caught up in Iono's world, so entranced by her larger-than-life personality and her seemingly endless supply of energy, that he had completely lost sight of his own goals. And now, he had nothing to show for it but a few measly likes on her videos and a sinking feeling of regret.

"Damn it, Vajk," he said, his voice a low growl of frustration. "You're better than this. You're smarter than this. How could you let yourself get so caught up in her bullshit that you forgot what really matters?"

He sat back down at the computer, his head in his hands as he tried to gather his thoughts. He knew he needed to refocus, to get back on track before it was too late. But even as he tried to summon the willpower to close out of Iono's channel and move on, he found himself hesitating.

Despite everything, despite the wasted time and the lack of any real substance, there was still something about Iono that drew him in. Her passion, her energy, her sheer force of personality... it was like nothing he had ever encountered before. And as much as he hated to admit it, there was a part of him that wanted to keep watching, to see what other secrets of the Pokémon world she might reveal.

'No,' he thought, shaking his head firmly. 'No more distractions. No more excuses. It's time to get serious.'

With a final, determined click, he closed out of Iono's channel and pulled up a new search window. He took a deep breath, his fingers hovering over the keys as he tried to focus his mind on the task at hand.

"Okay," he said, his voice a low murmur of concentration. "Pokémon Basics. Let's see what we can find out about that."

And with that, he began to type, his brow furrowed in concentration as he dove headfirst into the vast ocean of information that was the internet. He knew he had a long way to go, and that there would be plenty of distractions and dead ends along the way. But he also knew that he couldn't afford to lose focus again, not if he wanted to achieve his goals.

After two more hours of intense focus, punctuated only by a brief but delicious lunch prepared by Johnson's wife, Vajk leaned back in his chair, a sense of accomplishment washing over him. He had managed to make some real progress, finally starting to grasp the fundamentals of the Pokémon world that had eluded him for so long.

The Type-Chart, which had once seemed like an incomprehensible jumble of colors and symbols, now made perfect sense to him. He could easily recite the strengths and weaknesses of each type, from the fiery power of Fire to the chilling might of Ice. He knew that Water doused Fire, that Ground shrugged off Electric attacks, and that Dragon stood alone, weak only to itself and the... Fairy type? I dunno, it seems a bit out of the order... as well as Vajk.

But it wasn't just the types themselves that he had mastered. He had also delved into the intricacies of dual-typing, learning how the unique combinations could create surprising strengths and unexpected weaknesses.

He had even taken the time to memorize some of the most iconic Pokémon of each type, from the electric mouse Pikachu to the ghostly Gengar to the psychic and steel powerhouse of that Metagross that he saw with that ex-champion dude. He could picture them in his mind's eye, their distinctive silhouettes and signature moves etched into his memory.

As he sat there, his mind buzzing with newfound knowledge, a sudden surge of confidence washed over him. He felt like he could take on the world, armed with the power of Pokémon at his fingertips... He felt like... he reached heaven.

Almost unconsciously, he found himself shifting in his seat, his posture changing to one of casual dominance. He leaned back, one elbow resting on the arm of the chair, his hand coming up to rest under his chin. His legs were crossed at the ankles, his feet propped up on the desk in front of him. It was a pose that radiated confidence, a sense of effortless cool that seemed to say, "I've got this."

A small, satisfied smirk played across his lips as he stared off into the distance, his eyes narrowed in a look of intense focus. The light from the computer screen cast an eerie glow across his face, illuminating his eyes, gleaming like two orbs of pure energy.

"I'm... ready..." he said, his voice a low, menacing rumble that seemed to echo in the stillness of the room.

He could feel the power coursing through him, the knowledge he had acquired humming in his veins like an electric current. He knew that there were still challenges ahead, that the world of Pokémon was vast and ever-changing. But at that moment, he felt like he could take on anything, like he could bend the very fabric of reality to his will.

He took a deep breath, savoring the feeling of invincibility that washed over him. Then, with a final, decisive nod, he turned back to the computer, ready to continue his journey... Until...

"O-Oh, Vajk! You're still studying?" Ronin's voice cut through the darkness of the room, shattering the illusion of invincibility that had enveloped Vajk just moments before as Ronin turned on the lights.

Startled, Vajk hissed like a vampire caught in the sudden glare of light. He shielded his eyes with his hands, squinting against the harsh fluorescent glow that flooded the room as Ronin flipped on the light switch.

"Gah! The light! It burns!" Vajk exclaimed, his voice a comical mixture of annoyance and theatrical agony. "Turn it off! Ahhh!"

Ronin rolled his eyes, a bemused smirk playing across his lips as he took in the sight of Vajk, still frozen in his dramatic pose, his feet propped up on the desk and his hand clutching his forehead like a swooning damsel.

Ronin quipped, tossing his backpack onto his bed with a soft thump. "W-What are you doing, s-studying in the dark like some kind of d-diglett?"

Vajk scowled, lowering his hand and blinking rapidly as his eyes adjusted to the sudden brightness. "I'll have you know that I was deep in the throes of Pokémon mastery," he said, his voice a comical mixture of indignation and self-importance. "I was communing with the spirits of the great trainers of old, absorbing their wisdom and their power."

Ronin chuckled, shaking his head as he watched Vajk recover from his overdramatic reaction to the light. "You might want to commune with your clock next time. We've got to get to Pokémon School, and it starts in half an hour."

Vajk's eyes widened in surprise, the weight of reality crashing down on him as he looked at the clock. "Half an hour?!" he exclaimed, his previous air of confidence dissolving into frantic urgency. "Why didn't you say so earlier?"

Ronin raised an eyebrow, smirk still firmly in place. "I just did, didn't I?"

With a groan, Vajk scrambled out of his chair, his once casual and dominant posture replaced with hurried chaos. He darted around the room, grabbing his school uniform from the back of the door and tossing it onto his bed.

"I mean, Why didn't you say it sooner?" Vajk grumbled as he pulled off his t-shirt and swapped it for the crisp white shirt of his uniform.

"I-I just got home... I f-figured you'd be ready..." Ronin replied, leaning against the doorframe with an amused expression.

Vajk shot him a glare as he fumbled with his tie, trying to knot it correctly. "Very funny. Now help me with this, will you?"

'Uh, why do they need uniforms... AND WHY DID IT NEED A FUCKING TIE!' He thought to himself as he struggled.

Ronin stepped forward and deftly tied the knot, giving Vajk a pat on the shoulder. "T-There, n-now you're starting to look like a proper s-student again."

"Thanks," Vajk muttered, grabbing his blazer and slipping it on. He glanced at the clock on his desk. "Twenty-five minutes. We can still make it if we hurry."

He snatched up his backpack, quickly checking to make sure he had all his books and supplies. His eyes landed on his Poké Ball, sitting on the desk where he had left it. He grabbed it and clipped it to his belt, feeling a sense of reassurance at its familiar weight.

"R-Ready?" Ronin asked, already heading for the door.

"Yeah, let's go," Vajk replied, following him out of the room and down the hallway.

- TO BE CONTINUED -

A/N Notes: Hey, Lonewolf1836,

I really appreciate you taking the time to share your thoughts and experiences. It's awesome to hear that you're enjoying the story.

I totally get what you mean about the complexities of Pokemon mechanics like IVs, types, abilities, and egg moves. It can be a lot to wrap your head around, especially if you're newer to the franchise. I remember when I first started getting into Pokemon back when I was a 5 grader as I played Pokémon Gold online. Damn, it was such a good time playing pokémon as you try to understand the game itself... I always thought somehow that Psychic was very effective against Ghost types and vice-versa as Gengar. Haunter, and Gastly were half-poison types, taking supereffective damage and for me, it was kinda logical(as exorcists expel ghosts) so that's why it remained in me for a few years until I started playing Pokémon Showdown online.

I already Installed PokéOne as it seems interesting, I tried it out already and it is really fleshed out. I like it already, but I have so much stuff to do that it may be a bit hard to play.

Anyway, I'm really glad you liked the story so far and I hope you had a nice read!