Chapter 3: Trials in Hisu
The next morning, Akari woke up in the small house she'd been allowed to use for the night. Stretching her back out, she groaned as the morning sun hit her face.
"Time to get this over with, I guess…"
As she walked over to the mirror to get ready, she found a strange object sitting on top of the chest used for her belongings.
"What's this?"
Picking it up, she found a message on it from Arceus.
This Arc Phone will help you in your quest. Use it wisely.
"Weird," She shrugged, putting it down so that she could change into the uniform that had been dropped off last night. Just as she had finished changing, Kenny knocked on the door.
"Hey Akari, are you ready?"
"Coming!"
For a second, she considered ignoring the strange object. But she decided in the end to take it with her.
"I guess it couldn't hurt."
Kenny was waiting for her outside the door.
"Morning, Akari. I have to say, The Galaxy Team Uniform looks good on you."
Akari blushed, but tried to hide it.
"Thanks. Anyway, I guess we should get going."
"Oh my! Who might this be?"
Just then, a blonde haired man wearing a different uniform came up to them.
"Oh, Volo! I didn't know you were stopping by today. Akari, this is Volo, a member of the Ginkgo Guild and a merchant. They often come into Jubilife Village to trade with us."
"Nice to meet you, Mr. Volo."
"Oh, don't be so formal! Volo's just fine. So, will I be seeing you more?"
"I hope so. We're about to head over to The Galaxy Hall to get my trial started."
"Ah! Well then, good luck, young explorer. When you succeed, I'll have to introduce you to my own Pokemon."
"Sounds great."
"Come on, Akari!" Kenny interrupted. "You don't want to be late, or Captain Cyllene will throw you out."
"Right! Bye, Volo!"
Volo waved goodbye, watching as they ran off with a glint in his eye.
"Something about that girl… I don't know what it is, but I like it."
They soon reached the Galaxy Hall and found Cyllene's office. The Captain was waiting for them there, as was The Professor.
"You're on time," Cyllene nodded. "Good. It'll serve you well, if you pass."
"About that, Captain," Laventon said nervously. "Are you sure about your selection? Even some of our best have trouble catching those Pokemon."
"IF your story holds true, then she should have no issue catching them," Cyllene said bluntly. "Anything else you'd like to add?"
Laventon wisely chose to remain silent. Cyllene then turned her attention to Akari.
"For your trial, you must catch three Pokemon: A Bidoof, a Starly, and a Shinx."
Akari didn't know why, but she felt like the trial didn't quite live up to the danger Laventon and Kenny made it out to have.
"Alright."
Cyllene nodded, then turned to Laventon.
"Laventon, I leave her in your capable hands. Report back to me when you're done."
With that, she turned around and walked away without another word.
"Is she always this blunt?" Akari asked.
"Usually," Kenny replied.
"Regardless, there is one more matter we need to take care of before we begin," Laventon said. "Follow me."
He led them down to his lab (really more of an office), where he directed them to a table which contained three Pokeballs.
"Are these the same ones from yesterday?"
Laventon nodded.
"Yes, and I'd like you to take one."
Akari was surprised by this, as was Kenny.
"Are you sure Professor? They're your last three, and you're giving them to a near stranger? No offense."
"None taken."
Laventon chuckled, and rubbed the back of his head.
"Well, if her fate depends on being able to catch those three Pokemon, then I should do all I can to help her succeed."
"Wow…thank you, Professor."
"Of course. Plus, this way I can repay you for helping me!"
Taking the three Pokeballs off the counter, Laventon released them, the three Pokemon looking up at Akari differently. Cyndaquil looked up at her curiously while scratching his ear, Oshawott was trying to impress her, and Rowlet…
Was fast asleep. Akari thought for a few minutes before making her choice.
"I'll take Cyndaquil, please."
Oshawott's face fell as Laventon handed her Cyndaquil's Pokeball.
"Aw, don't worry little, guy!" Kenny said, trying to cheer Oshawott up. "I'm sure someone will choose you soon!"
This made the little water type feel better, perking up before he was returned.
"Right then, now that that's settled, let's get going!"
It took them an hour to reach the camp in the Obsidian Fieldlands, where a tent, a small crafting station, and a few guards were waiting for them.
"Let me give you a quick tour," Kenny said. "Over there's the crafting station where you can craft Pokeballs and potions, but for right now you don't need to worry about that. Over there's a tent where you can rest, while Jock will heal your Pokemon."
The guard nodded to her.
"And that there is Beauregard. He's part of the Merchant Corps, and offers a few items to make our jobs easier. For a price of course."
"Hi," Beauregard grunted, Akari giving him a nervous wave.
"Don't worry, he just puts on a tough guy act."
"Uh, how am I supposed to pay him?"
"Don't worry," Laventon said. "Once you're an official part of our team, I'll be paying you for the research you provide. Which reminds me…"
He reached into his lab coat and pulled out 10 Pokeballs.
"I'm afraid this is all I can spare right now. Use them wisely."
"I will, thank you."
"Alright Akari, are you ready?"
Akari sighed, and nodded.
"I guess."
"Don't worry," Kenny said with a kind smile. "You'll do great."
Akari returned the smile, and followed him down the hill and into the fieldlands.
Before long, they came to a small field of flowers and bushes.
"So, where should we start?"
"Bidoof are usually found around here."
Sure enough, a small little furry Pokemon popped out of a bush and ran over to a few berries underneath a tree. Akari ginned, and took a Pokeball.
"Well, that was easy."
"Akari, wait."
"Why, what's wrong?"
"If you throw one right now, you'll scare him off. You need to sneak up on them."
"How?"
Kenny stooped down until his body was just barely visible above the grass. Moving on his tiptoes, he was almost invisible.
"See? Trust me, it'll make the job a lot easier."
"Alright," Akari said. "I'll give it a go."
Crouching down, she crept quietly through the grass, Pokeball in hand as she made her approach. Bidoof continued eating his breakfast, completely oblivious to her.
"Alright…here goes…"
Just as Bidoof finished up, the Pokeball hit him from behind, catching him by surprise as he was absorbed into it. After a few minutes of shaking on the ground it clicked, signifying he was caught.
"YES!" Akari shouted. Unfortunately, this scared away several Starly that were nearby.
"Oops," Akari said with a blush.
"Don't worry," Kenny said, waving it off. "You're excited, I get it."
Luckily, another one flew down nearby, making a beeline for some shrubs.
"Perfect."
Before Starly knew what was happening, Akari had already tossed a Pokeball at him, catching him quickly.
"'Two down, one to go!"
"Great job, Akari!"
"Thanks, Kenny. All that's left is Shinx, right?"
Kenny nodded.
"Yes, but it won't be quite as easy. Shinx are rarer than those two, but I know a place where they show up often."
"Then lead the way!"
The two of them made their way deeper into the fieldlands, Kenny guiding her along. He had to stop her from catching any Pokemon that weren't on her list.
"You're only being graded on these three, we can always come back later."
Akari grunted in frustration, but nodded in understanding. After making a right at the bridge, they came to a field of flowers.
"Just a minute…there!"
On cue, a cute little Shinx came running up, sniffing a flower.
"Alright then, let's finish this!"
"Akari, wait!"
But she'd already thrown the Pokeball. But the ball didn't even shake once before Shinx broke out, looking none too happy.
"What?"
"Akari, look out!"
Kenny pushed her out of the way just as Shinx pounced, brushing past them in a ball of electricity.
"Some Pokemon are more violent than others. If you're going to catch Shinx, you'll have to battle them!"
Akari grunted as she climbed back to her feet.
"Alright then, if that's how he wants it. Go, Cyndaquil! Use Ember!"
Cyndaquil burst out of his Pokeball, launching several small flames at Shinx, flinching at the fire hitting his skin. Furious, he charged once more as electricity built up around him.
"Rollout, Cyndaquil!"
Cyndaquil curled up into a ball and rolled towards Shinx, stopping him in his tracks and throwing him back. Seeing that Shinx was weaker, Akari took her chance.
"Go, Pokeball!"
Instantly, Shinx was absorbed, and after several shakes it clicked, indicating her trial was complete. With a sigh of relief, Akari sat down in the grass.
"Thank god that's over!"
"Great work," Kenny said. "Now come on, we'd better go report this to the Professor."
"Right. Oh, by the way…"
As they got up to leave, Akari kissed him on the cheek, making him blush.
"Thanks for the help."
"Yeah…no problem."