Hello guys and bienvenidos to the next update! We've got a lot to cover, including a very important character and a very important decision for both the twins to make! The original part of this third chapter was too short and my attempts to combine both this and the fourth made for an update that was too long. Found a medium that was to my liking. There's a few things that I've changed up from AHHK that I will explain at the closing AN.
Without further ado.
Rian and Jules had been to other places in Paldea before, but when they were far younger as kids. Each place had to have changed since they were previously there and the idea of potentially seeing something new was just as exciting as it was revisiting.
Jules giggled as the sprigatito and quaxly looked as if they were trying to race one another. The fuecoco hung back in between the two humans, glancing at each one. "They're so adorable. I'll admit that I'm having trouble picking."
"Uh huh," Next to her, Rian was only half listening as he kept up, already on his new RotoPhone to explore the new features. So far the only accessible features had been just the barebones with a phone, text message, calculator, weather and a handful of other apps that he'd make sure to check out later. Just Jules's number and that of his parents were on his contacts. He was sure that eventually that list was going to expand.
I'm sure they're all gonna be handy on a journey. Just don't get caught using the phone's calculator in math.
A soft quacking noise brought him out of his thoughts when he realized that Jules was already several steps ahead with the sprigatito and fuecoco. She was in the middle of telling stories and promising all the adventures they'd be going on in the school year.
The quaxly nudged the side of his leg and he couldn't help the giggle escaping his mouth. The pokemon's down was extremely soft and had some sort of glossy film to keep it moist as he pet it.
"My sister's the one who loves to explore and go on the adventure." Rian explained with the small duckling listening eagerly. "I just want to become the strongest trainer I can be. Be an amazing trainer who can go toe to toe with a champion in La Liga."
It was hardly much more he wanted to do. A lot of Champions were among the strong trainers walking today as well as many being incredibly rich and famous. He had already decided in school earlier that if he had the amount of money a champion did, he'd be giving enough to provide for both his parents and sister.
Not to mention all the girls that would fight each other just for your attention. If only I could have the chance to impress Le…
"Rian are you coming?!" Jules was waving and nearly at the end of the block, the sprigatito and fuecoco practically glued to her ankles. The quaxly was halfway between them and glancing back at the boy expectantly.
He shook his head and ran off to join his sister, who was shaking her head in disappointment.
"I was talking to myself for minutes before I knew you fell behind! Rian, are you sure you're okay?"
"Y-yeah. I'm okay Jules. I promise." He sighed. "Just maybe…trying to process this whole thing still."
His sister wasn't totally buying it, but her expression softened. "Right. It's a huge step. But I don't think you can wander off into whatever you were daydreaming about again. The crowds in Mesagoza don't alto."
That was true. Compared to the small town of Cabo Poco where they grew up, Mesagoza was easily many times its size which meant a lot more people and a far different lifestyle. The urban sprawl capital and largest city in the Paldea region existed since the tenth century; Mesagoza was well-known both within and outside as a world-class metropolis with big opportunities for business, families, tourism and education. It was also the seat of the Figueiredo family, the ruling royal dynasty of Paldea for nearly a thousand years before their unexpected disappearance.
There was rumor that spending an entire month in Mesagoza doing something different every single day would not be enough to see and experience half the things it had to offer. It was about to get even more exciting.
It didn't take Rian or Jules very long to locate where Clavell had asked them to meet up with him again. Growing up in Cabo Poco, they knew almost the entire town by heart. They lived in the western residential area which was mixed with locals and wealthy vacationers from big cities who had winter homes with easy access to the beach and scenic ocean views from atop the higher points. Closer to town were the main streets where a lot of businesses were located as well as the preliminary school that they walked to since they were both seven. Occasionally one of their parents would drive them over, most of the time it was their father Gustavo on his way to work but also Gabriela when she wasn't on duty with the Armada.
Closest to the beach however, was a strip of nightclubs and bars that got rather lively during the evenings. Cabo Poco was a vacation town and known for having a very eccentric nightlife with parties at the said establishments that sometimes went into the wee morning hours.
At the very other end of the city, just beyond downtown Cabo Poco was the Luz Sur or literally South Light. Each of the four furthermost points of the Paldea had tall distinct lighthouses that could shine a powerful beam to approaching ships dozens of miles away. Cabo Poco didn't have a large port, so rarely anything larger than a billionaire's occasional luxury yacht ever visited. Most other marine traffic instead went to the ports of Porto Marinada or Levincia.
They took the famous Poco Path, which was a trail that went above the main part of the city and offered another breathtaking view. Parts of it had wound north heading further up the hillside where there was a sign to warn people of encountering abundant numbers of wild pokemon. Wind lightly breezed on their faces and both teens had to adjust the chin cords on their hats to keep them from getting blown off. The starter pokemon kept up, still looking and wandering around with curiosity.
Rian and Jules kept the conversation lively; showing them all about their home and where they grew up. He pointed out their favorite seafood restaurant Plato de Marde that the family would frequently eat at during comida when they were all together. She talked about all the times they had walked along the trail and pointed out all the things they could see, flocks of small wingull birds soaring on the drafts and different buildings in the town.
Both of them agreed on one thing, they had hiked the Poco Path trails hundreds and possibly thousands of times and still continued to see things that they had never seen before.
The pokemon seemed very interested and stopped to admire the view just like they had many times as they were kids.
"It's amazing huh?" Jules used the momentary pause to stop walking and they took a break. Rian unscrewed the cap of the water bottle in his backpack and took a swig, suddenly aware that it was already quite hot in the morning.
And it's a good thing we're here wearing our Academy's summer uniforms.
He nearly drained his bottle and then offered the last bit to sprigatito. The small green kitten gulped a couple, meowing happily and wiping its mouth with a small paw. There was a little left still, so he offered the rest to the quaxly who happily drank the rest. Nearby, the fuecoco was similarly happy to accept a drink from Jules's bottle.
With the break over, the twins crushed the plastic and slipped it into a pocket on the outside of their backpacks. When they came across a recycling can, they'd dispose of it there.
Their map feature on the RotoPhones showed them the location of where Clavell would meet them, just on ahead. Though they just got the new devices, Rian found them to be more like smart assistants in a jump ahead of the older technology of handheld cells. The pokemon was first discovered in the Sinnoh region as a ghost prankster that possessed electronic devices, however their use was popularized recently when they could use their services to improve machinery and daily life.
Rian led the way on his map while Jules opened the application for newsreels, scrolling through the articles for anything about a loud noise hours ago. While their father was in the loop when something eventful came up, he didn't get notified while with them. Nothing besides Jisu Calerondo's live report just a few hours earlier.
Maybe he's looking into it at work. She thought to herself.
They couldn't be the only ones wondering either.
Another fifteen minutes of silent walking on the upper path and shepherding the small pokemon, they made it to the next residential area. Homes in this part of the neighborhood were a little more elegant, many of which featured manicured lawns, gardens and painted metal fences. They spotted Clavell's Bentley parked in front of one such house in a stone circle drive that surrounded a big gray fountain that had to have cost thousands.
"Looks like this is the place." Jules stared at the open gates, wondering if they were going to be intercepted by someone in a security uniform if they stepped through. "I hope."
"I hope so." Rian echoed and walked past her, looking cautiously around. "It would be a shame if we went to the wrong spot to lose the pokemon."
"Uh Rian?" Her voice's concern caused him to spin around. "About that,"
Behind him, Jules was frantically looking up and down. The pokemon that had been quietly following at their side were nowhere to be seen.
Oh no. Crap! The boy's face blanched. Nonono! The Director is gonna be pissed at us! That wasn't even a joke!
His stomach dropped. Not even a few hours with them, one of which would be his; had already gone missing.
"We're gonna be in so much trouble," Jules cupped her hands to her mouth to shout for one of them when they heard the quaxly from someplace nearby.
Glancing at the opulent fountain, they spotted the little duck as it playfully splashed water around with zero care at all. Movement rippled in the garden next to it and the sprigatito emerged from behind the fountain, sniffing the brightly colored petals in the garden eagerly.
Wait, where is the fuecoco?
The wind picked up and blew several petals away towards the half bushes lining the cobblestone walkway. Moments later, she heard the pokemon in question and a blast sizzling noise as a puff of smoke curled from an orange that had fallen. The fire croc had appeared interested in it and inadvertently sneezed, blackening it to a crisp. They felt a pang of sympathy at its fallen expression in ruining a perfectly edible fruit.
There will be plenty more opportunities for food mi amigo.
"Aww! Oh hola! Bienvenidos! It's been a while yes?" A girl's voice sounded from up the stairs, hidden behind the trimmed hedges over where the fuecoco was standing. The twins saw a hand give an assuring pat to the croc's head before nudging him back towards them.
The three pokemon gathered at the bottom in front of Rian and Jules as the girl walked out from behind the hedge bushes.
Rian's mouth nearly dropped open at the sight of her. She was slightly taller with a trim, athletic frame and a poise that radiated confidence. Like the both of them, she was dressed in the standard purple Academy shorts and gray polo with the seal on the left shoulder and long dark leggings. Her black hair was tied in a ponytail with a dyed green streak in front. Light brown eyes held an open friendly expression as she smiled at them with a hand on her hip. He saw it was in something that looked to be a sleeve or an arm brace, ending in a fingerless glove. As she approached, they could see a light dusting of barely visible freckles against her caramel colored skin. He spotted a small dark piece of jewelry on a finger of the open hand without the brace. Was that a ring?
Rian. Jules glanced over at her brother and it took everything not to laugh at the dreamy look on his face. Before he or the new girl could say anything more, she stepped close to intervene and dug her elbow into the side of his hip. Look at you always being the sucker for love at first sight.
Rian nearly flinched, but snapped out of his smitten daydream and looked away.
Dios mio!
"Are you these three's trainers?" The girl asked as she bounded over to face them directly. Jules tried her best not to look shy, but at the same time the stranger's upfront exuberance made her feel a little bit uneasy. Rian shifted his feet uncomfortably, not sure if he had been caught staring.
The door to the house opened and the twins relaxed a bit, seeing the familiar figure of Director Nicolas Clavell step onto the front. He gave them a wave and started walking over.
"Ah not quite yet senorita." He put a hand to his chin in thought once reaching them. "Master Florian and Miss Juliana here have yet to make their choice, you see. I do wonder which ones they will end up picking."
The pokemon gathered in front of the people. The fuecoco took a moment longer, carrying the charred orange with it. As they stopped and glanced at the humans, it took a nibble and made a throaty gagging noise, dropping the fruit.
Both Clavell and the stranger girl chuckled as the observing quaxly shook its own head in disappointment.
"Well then." The girl started putting a confident hand on her hip and looked straight at the Almeida-Araújo twins. "Buenas! We haven't met yet, have we?"
Clavell cleared his throat. "I must say, I wasn't expecting to see either of you this soon."
Jules nodded. "Yeah, but our parents had to go and get ready for mama's deployment. They wanted to stay and watch, but couldn't."
The girl squinted her eyes at them in recognition. "Hold on a sec. Director, are they who I think they are?"
"Yes you would be correct Miss Nemona. These are brother and sister Master Florian and Miss Juliana, our academy's newest students. They'll be starting the school year as of today."
"Oh so you're the ones living on the west side of Cabo Poco! I've been dying to find out more about who I was about to take under my wing! Anyways, I'm Nemona!" The girl beamed at them again. "If you want to go for a more elaborate name, it's Nemona Valerie Ozuna-Guererro! Normally I live in the school dorms in Mesagoza, but home is here right in Cabo Poco!"
She lives here? Jules wondered. How come neither of us have seen her before?
"It's uh a pleasure to meet you." Rian cleared his throat and shook his head. "Really it is."
Jules nearly rolled her eyes, knowing the real reason behind his apparent shyness. "Don't mind my brother. He's…a little nervous when he meets new people, at least I think. I'm Juliana, but I just like it shortened to Jules. This is my brother Florian and like me, he prefers to be called Rian."
"Easy to say and easy to get along with. Love it!" Nemona exclaimed, stepping forward and offering a hand for them to shake. "So whaddya say? Wanna be friends?"
I like her. Jules enjoyed her enthusiasm as she returned the gesture. "Sure! We both do! Right brother?"
"Heh…yeah let's be friends." Rian shook her hand firmly, allowing himself to look up and smile. His sister glanced at him and tried her best not to laugh out loud.
Wow. She's really pretty. Okay, now that that's been established…stop looking and talking like you're a nervous wreck.
Nemona was about to bounce up and down with excitement. "I love your enthusiasm. Both of you! We're gonna get along just fine!"
"Miss Nemona here is the president of the Uva Academy Student Council and a champion-class trainer in her own right." Clavell explained. "She's also the residential advisor of your dorm's sector once you two move in. If you have any problems regarding your stay, you'll report them to her."
"Wait, you're the region's champion?" The words blurted right of Rian's mouth before it registered in his brain. It wasn't a far-fetched ask either, some trainers attained the region's champion when they were barely into their teens.
Nemona almost laughed. "Well yes and no. I'm a champion-class trainer, but I'm not THE champion of Paldea. Not yet at least."
Great. Rian thought to himself. Not only is she insanely strong, she's way out of my league to begin with.
"What's your major of expertise?" Jules asked her.
"Battle studies!" Her hands clasped together. "I looooove pokemon battling! In fact we should battle! Right here and now!"
Clavell chuckled, watching the exchange. "Easy now. You may share some classes together, so I'm sure you all will have a chance to battle in due time. And to get to know one another better of course."
"You'll be my classmates too?" As if her excitement couldn't get any more giddy. "That means we'll get to battle all we want! Share strategies and teach all the ropes! I can't wait!"
Jules was pretty sure this Nemona person was ticking off all the boxes in Rian's mind. Not only was she extremely pretty, but she shared her brother's ambition to become an extremely strong trainer. He wanted to become a champion and there was one standing right before him in the flesh.
"In any case, on that note. Master F…I mean Rian. Miss Jules." Clavell gestured to the pokemon before them. "Have you both decided on which pokemon you would like to be your first partner?"
Rian and Jules's heartbeats started to pick up.
It's time.
"Who's gonna pick first?" Nemona clutched her hands to her chest as she practically gushed at them. "This is so awesome! I love seeing this!"
"Jules gets to." Rian told them. "We weren't sure which one we wanted yet and our parents have told us to always make things fair between us our whole lives. Figuring the probability of a random coin flip was the best way and Jules guessed it right." He gestured to her. "So she has the right to pick first."
His sister agreed. "Yeah. The decision was fair. As fair as we could make it. I just hope that I'm not picking the one Rian really wants."
I want them all. He thought to himself. But that's not fair to the other pokemon and definitely not to Jules.
She breathed in slowly and breathed out.
This has to be hard. I imagine Rian wants all of them like I do. But I have to choose.
In a way, she felt that having the first pick between the two felt like she put more pressure on herself. More choices and options meant that there was potentially more regret and chance she made the wrong one. Her eyes furtively darted between the three Pokémon that looked up to her with equally anticipating gazes.
No, I can't think that. None of these pokemon are going to be bad choices.
"I-I'm sorry if I'm taking so long." She stammered, suddenly feeling hot from everyone's eyes on her.
"Don't be." Clavell allowed a small smile in understanding. "This isn't something you can decide on lightly. I know."
"Oh yes, trust me, it's hard." Nemona added. "But also trust when I say the payoff and rewards are absolutely worth it! You're getting a lifelong amigo here!"
"Jules it's okay." Rian patted his sister on the shoulder, trying not to look too discouraged himself. "Don't worry about me okay? I know you'll make the right choice when you pick your first pokemon."
Okay. Jules walked in front of each pokemon, slowly petting them all on the head. The fuecoco lolled its tongue out to savor the scratching sensation while the quaxly puffed out its chest proudly.
Jules stepped forward to the sprigatito. "Hey." As she reached out to pet it, the feline gently rubbed its head against her palm, purring in soft delight. She laughed at its affectionate gesture.
"That's sprigatito! A grass-type pokemon! It can use its plant powers to soak up any water you throw at it!"
"You seem to pick much like how they do in Alola. Where the pokemon has to willingly accept the trainer too." Clavell remarked.
"That was the idea." Jules replied. I want the partner that wants to be with me. She stood up and glanced at them once more. "And I've made my decision."
Her finger fell down and pointed directly at her left. "I choose sprigatito."
"Excellente!" The director nodded and produced a poke ball from his pocket, which he handed to Jules. Beside him, Nemona clapped her hands together. "A wonderful choice!"
"Hey buddy. You wanna be my first pokemon?" Jules knelt on her knees as the grass kitten slowly walked forward. She held her hands out and it bounded straight into her arms, eliciting a giggle. "Yes, we're gonna be great together!"
Rian almost breathed out a sigh of relief. Out of the starters, he was fairly certain that sprigatito was the one he wanted the least.
Should I think that? What if Jules picked the one I wanted the most and I had to feel like settling?
"You two look so adorable together!" Nemona told Jules as the sprigatito immediately rubbed its head against the girl's chin. "I know you're going places! What about a nickname? Giving him one?"
"Well of course!" Jules said. "Of course he deserves one…he is a boy right?"
Clavell nodded. "Yes, all the pokemon you see here in front of you are male. Very close friends I might add with one another. However you can inspect your trainer license on your RotoPhone's app to manage your pokemon in your team. You'll be able to see their statuses and other info which also does include gender. Any other pokemon you may catch will be automatically registered to your license, negating the need of the old days where you had to fill forms out by hand to add to a database."
Nemona scoffed. "It's a good thing we don't have to do that now."
"Right." Jules stroked the sprigatito on his back. "I have the perfect nickname for you too. Basil."
The now nicknamed Basil cocked his head to the side before giving off what seemed to be a coo of approval before snuggling close to his new trainer once again. With her free hand, Jules had her Rotom Phone out, giving off a smile to take a selfie picture. Basil seemed to enjoy the attention.
"I'd say he likes it." Rian remarked, genuinely delighted for her. "Congrats sis."
"Gracias! And now it's your turn!"
Right. He glanced at the two remaining pokemon. My turn.
In a way opposite Jules's, Rian felt like the decision was harder now that he had fewer choices. More pressure to pick the right one because of a greater chance it would be wrong.
Don't think that. Just don't. Maybe he had to do what his sister did and see which pokemon seemed to choose or want him more.
"If you did like sprigatito," Clavell cleared his throat after the boy kept his eyes shifting between his options. "I can see if,"
"No gracias Director." Rian told him. "Because of the fairness in our earlier decision between us, I'd like to make my selection of what's been given."
"Very well." He said nothing more, but found that his own personal respect for the boy had grown. The Almeida-Araújo twins reminded him very much of his own nephew and niece when they were kids themselves.
Rian reached out with one hand towards each pokemon. Like his sister, they were very excited and positive. Fuecoco's eyes were lazily half shut while the quaxly brushed its coif and eyed the boy carefully.
I…I can't. I can't decide.
"That's fuecoco! A fire-type pokemon! The burning hot sparks it scatters will fry any and all plants in a flash!"
Fuecoco was his early decision. Knowing the basics of typing, he would have the advantage over Jules if he ever battled her. But at the same time, quaxly would put him at a disadvantage instead. Through it all, he couldn't base his own decision just because of a favored mismatch against his sister. He had to go with what was right for him.
"And that's quaxly. A water-type pokemon! It may seem quiet, but its mighty streams of water can put out any fire! You'll see!"
But he did remember how the quaxly had that innate determination. While not an outgoing pokemon, it seemed more goal oriented and he felt as if their shared goal could take them farther. Maybe?
"I'm sorry," Both Jules and Nemona gasped. Rian shook and hung his head in shame, frustrated at himself for his indecisiveness. "I don't know. I'm worried that I'll be making the wrong choice."
"Rian," His sister set Basil down and walked towards him, the grass cat trotting eagerly at her side. "I'm sorry. I should have picked someone else if this was going to upset you."
"It's not that," He glanced over at her, worried about her genuine concern. Argh! Why does this have to be so hard?! "Please don't feel bad for me Jules…I see you happy and I don't want you to put that aside for me."
Nemona stepped forward to Rian's other side and gently put a hand on his shoulder.
"Hey…it's okay…it's okay if you don't feel decisive."
He refused to meet her gaze.
"Look at me."
Still looking away.
"Don't make me make you."
Wow. Okay then. Knowing she wasn't going to stop, Rian carefully turned, staring up into Nemona's light brown eyes.
"You want to know how hard it was for me to pick my very first partner years ago? It was nerve wracking. Just as hard as it is for you now. So let me give you a little piece of advice."
Okay.
"I know you were looking forward to this moment." She started, "In fact, a lot of pokemon trainers that get to pick starters feel it's among the hardest decisions they have to make. Even those champions you see at the top of their game had once started where you are at yourself at this moment. So maybe don't think about the here and now. Don't think about all those fundamentals of battling...there's going to be plenty of time for that. Think about yourself as you go across this region on all sorts of adventures, meeting new people and tons of other new pokemon. There's so much to see and do! Now which partner pokemon do you see at your side? You don't have to tell me, your sister or anyone else. Think about the things you'll do together, experience and grow…and pick from there."
Rian closed his eyes and sighed, doing what she asked.
A pokemon at my side on this journey. Try to see it.
I got it.
"Better?"
"Yes better." Rian's voice had a newfound firmness to it as he opened his eyes once more. His mind was made up as best he could and he could only hope that it was right. "And I've made my decision."
I hope I don't regret this. He pointed at his partner of choice. "I'm going to choose quaxly."
Clavell's reaction wasn't the same as Jules' surprise, but he appeared to understand how more thorough and thoughtful he had been to sway his decision. Another poke ball was taken from his belt and he handed it to Rian, who cradled it in his hands. Quaxly stepped forward carefully before tugging its white colored wings at his leg.
Rian giggled and scooped him up. "Hey there buddy. I'm sorry that I looked so worried there. Guess it's you and me."
Quaxly shook its head and used a wing to proudly smoothen out its coif as it sat on his elbow. For a small pokemon, it was a bit heavier than he expected.
"Are you going to nickname yours too?" Nemona asked.
"Yeah of course I am!" Rian hummed in thought. "Hmm,"
Shoot this might be harder than actually picking the pokemon. He did see out of the corner of his eye that the fuecoco had a rather dejected expression and he did feel a pang of regret in not choosing the one he had originally wanted.
If I chose fuecoco, what's to say that quaxly here wouldn't be bummed?
"And I got the best one." Rian saw his pokemon look at him expectantly. "How about Baron? Or more formally; Baron von Quaxly?"
The pokemon cocked its head to the side, almost the same way Basil had with Jules when she gave him his own nickname. He softly quacked and nodded, accepting it.
Nemona laughed as Clavell gave a nod of approval. "You two picked great nicknames! And they're like both a perfect fit!"
"Yes, sprigatito and quaxly have taken quite a liking to the both of you." The director said. "As your first pokemon, please treat it with love and care. And of course be sure to keep it safely tucked away in its poke ball that I have given you."
"Si Director." Rian and Jules said at the same time. "Thank you. We won't let you down."
I can't believe it. She looked down at Basil, rubbing his head against her ankle in a gesture of affection. My very own pokemon.
"Director," Nemona started. "Can I choose to take this fuecoco too?"
Huh?
Clavell was clearly not expecting to be asked that. He faced her with a frown. "Oh, I was led to believe you had received a pokemon when you first entered the Academy."
"Well not back then, I was raising other pokemon at the time. But now I think I'd like to raise a new one as Rian and Jules here grow with their own partners!"
They all watched as the Director closed his eyes, to think it over. Rian secretly hoped that he would agree, especially after seeing the distraught look in the fuecoco's eyes after both he and Jules had passed him over.
He is gonna be in good hands with a champion trainer raising him.
"Very well." Clavell finally said. As he agreed, the fuecoco growled in delight and jumped up into the air. "A splendid idea indeed. If you wish to raise a pokemon on equal footing with Master Rian and Miss Jules, then I will allow it."
"Sweet!" Nemona pumped a fist as Clavell handed her another poke ball. "Alright buddy, you're gonna have a home after all! I'm gonna call you Saeta! Welcome to the team!" Fuecoco nodded in agreement as he accepted his own nickname.
She turned around to the twins. "So now that we all have a pokemon, we HAVE to battle! I'll wait for you guys down at the beach!"
"But we do-" Rian started, but Nemona was already out of earshot, sprinting towards a flight of stairs that looked to lead down towards the sandbar. She disappeared faster than he could even get the words out of his mouth.
Don't know how to battle…now I have to face a champion trainer with a pokemon I just got?
Clavell broke the uncomfortable silence. "As you two may have noticed, Miss Nemona is quite fond of pokemon battling. But I do hope you will join her for one. It is a very good opportunity to get to know your pokemon after all."
"Oh we've noticed." Rian said.
"That sounds exciting, but neither of us know how to battle." Jules pointed out. "And we're supposed to go up against a champion ranked trainer?"
"Yes. That is true. I'll have to remind her of this fact."
"So which one of us is gonna battle her?" She asked. Basil squeaked softly and nuzzled his trainer's leg.
Jules pointed at Rian. "I think you should. You've always dreamt of having a proper battle as a trainer."
"And not you?"
"Maybe one day. Besides, I got to pick first so it's only right you get to use your pokemon in battle first."
And totally not because of other reasons.
"What do you say Baron?" Rian looked at his pokemon, who still sat diligently on his shoulder. The small duckling pokemon proudly puffed its chest out in agreement. His brand new partner. Maybe he wasn't the wrong choice after all. "Are you ready to battle and start to be the greatest trainer we can be?"
A lot went through Rian's mind as he and Jules walked down the circling flight of stars that led to a platform just over the sandbar. The water was even closer now and the weather was just warm enough to feel like it would be inviting for a swim. Before heading down, he had wanted to get a feel for how to return them back to their ball, done by pressing firmly down on one of two panels on the upper rim of the device's clamshell design.
Nemona was sitting on one end of the long battle court eagerly talking to Saeta, her new fuecoco. The fire croc seemed lazily paying attention, but she didn't seem to care. She rubbed it on the head and returned it back to its ball as the twins approached.
"Yes! This is gonna be so fun!" Nemona said as Rian hesitantly approached. "Your very first pokemon battle! Anyone can be a pokemon trainer as long as they have pokemon by their side! And it's our duty as trainers to help those pokemon grow stronger through battling!"
"I…I don't really know how to battle," Rian softly said.
"Oh come on, it's easy. You stand on one end of the court," Nemona gestured to the flat surface she stood on. Rian saw within the largest square there were two halves, each extending towards one side and a divided circle painted in the center. "And issue commands. As you get stronger and form bonds with your pokemon, eventually they'll be able to battle more autonomously on their own."
She gestured towards his RotoPhone and he pulled it out, scrolling to his Trainer ID as instructed.
"So when you open the standard trainer's app; you'll be able to see the status of each of your pokemon here on hand. It's got health markers that's fairly reliable and accurate; something we didn't have years ago and you'll also be able to see the list of moves your pokemon has learned."
Rian looked at Baron's ID, it showed that the quaxly was male and knew the moves pound, growl and water gun. He thumbed over each move and a separate tab popped up to indicate the move's power, typing and effects, similarly another description was available to be read on Baron's passive ability.
"Each pokemon has an ability that innately can be used." Nemona explained. "Some have abilities can become much more powerful because of it while come in handy at the right time. Keeping mind of abilities is just as important as moves and other things. Don't forget that sometimes abilities can be a hindrance as much as they are helpful!"
"Got it." Rian saw that Baron's was Torrent, which gave a power increase to water type moves when he was significantly damaged.
Interesting. I'd rather not purposefully hurt him to do that, but it's definitely a helpful little thing if we're ever on the ropes.
"So Rian. Do you think you're ready to battle me?" Nemona asked after he sorted through his phone for a couple more minutes.
"Y-yeah. I think so."
"Perfect!" Nemona pumped a fist and jumped into the air. "Then let's do it! I'm so excited! So go and take your spot over there! We'll throw out our pokemon and battle once we're both ready to start!"
Rian saw a small painted box at the end of the court's floor, guessing that was where the trainer would stand. Jules watched him walk over and slowly turn around to face Nemona standing opposite him.
"Let's have us a fruitful battle! Now I think I'm going to use-"
"Miss Nemona." They heard the stern voice of Clavell as he slowly descended the stairs where they had come down just a few minutes earlier. "Do take into account that Master Rian has become a trainer as of a few minutes ago. He is wholly inexperienced in pokemon battling."
Wait what?
On the other side, Nemona gave a wistful sigh. "Heh…that's a good call Director."
She turned back to him, "I was about to send in one of my usual partners right off the bat."
I was this close to being a dead man. Rian did his best not to let the color drain from his face. Next to Clavell, Jules nearly stifled a laugh.
"But you're right. This is probably a good chance to try out my new buddy!"
"I shall officiate the battle." Clavell stepped forward and glanced at the twins. "Should no person be present to do so, there is also an added application to all standard issue RotoPhones that can act as one itself."
He gestured his arms to both sides. "The battle between trainers Rian and Nemona is to begin. It will conclude once one sides' pokemon is incapable of battling further. One pokemon per side. Trainers, do you accept these terms?"
"Yes." Nemona said. Rian wasn't sure what to say and remained silent.
"Rian," Jules said. "You're supposed to give some sort of acknowledgement."
"Huh? Oh right. Uh si, I'm ready."
"Very good. Both parties accept. I want a fair and clean fight. Send out your pokemon. Battle begins on my signal."
"Okay Saeta, let's go and do this!" Nemona grunted, using her right hand in an awkward tossing up motion. The ball sailed off course, but split open to reveal the fire croc pokemon. He landed on the ground, acting lazy like before, but snapping to attention quickly.
"Heh," The trainer opposite him giggled in a bit of embarrassment. "Even a champion ranked trainer like myself still has a little bit of a hard time in perfecting a poke ball throw. I've even caught one of my longtime partners because I was aiming for the wrong pokemon."
The twins found themselves laughing at that. Funny how things worked.
Rian gripped Baron's poke ball in his fist. Glancing down at the device, it was made of a synthetic material that was a mixture of some plastic and metal bits, reinforced over the years due to the constant wear and tear on them. Like many trainers starting out, he knew the basics of throwing and activating at the same time, hitting the button in the center to release the pokemon from the capture matrix inside. Baron's had no scuffs or dings on its smooth surface.
"Okay Baron let's go!" He threw the ball in a sidearm pass, but like Nemona, his aim was off and it went to the left side a bit.
Okay yeah, I have to get some more practice in. That's only my very first time as a trainer.
Yet he was still successful. Baron landed on the ground deftly on his small feet and he bristled for battle, a little surprised that his opponent was his close friend that had walked with a new trainer and his sister just a half hour ago. Rian felt the ball return to his throwing hand as if it were a boomerang, nearly flinching in surprise.
Clavell chopped his hand down. "Begin."
"I know this is our first pokemon battle together, so let's just aim to have some fun!" Nemona gestured. "Saeta, tackle!"
Uh oh. Rian didn't realize that battling was going to go at this fast of a pace. "Baron, uh."
Oh no.
Before he could issue a command of his own, Saeta had charged forward on two small stubby legs and threw his entire body weight into Baron's side. The quaxly let out a cry of pain as he hurdled backwards.
"Rian!" Jules called from the side. "Your phone gives you a list of moves that Baron can use! Pick one and call it out! Communication is key!"
Communication. Right. The boy brought out his phone and quickly opened the trainer app. Baron knew pound, leer and water gun.
"Baron use pound!" Woah...that was my first move as a trainer!
Saeta was still retreating when Baron dashed forward, raising his small wings and delivering a blow that was powerful enough to send the other pokemon reeling.
"Don't let him get away with that!" Nemona said, her stance clear that she was very much into the action. "Ember!"
Woah these are faster pace than I expected!
"Baron look out! Dodge!" Rian called as Saeta opened its large mouth to shoot a small glowing ball of fire. Baron glanced up just in time and jumped to the side to avoid it. Could I even tell it to dodge if it's not even a move? "Good! Now use water gun!"
No sooner had he fully dodged when he opened his own mouth to shoot a small thin stream of water. Nemona countered with another ember attack, which hit and blocked the majority of the water, all evaporating into wisps of white steam.
"Tackle again!"
"Use pound!"
Both pokemon charged at one another, but the fuecoco was quicker in using his heavier weight to strike first. Baron got a hit in as well, but Rian could tell that he wasn't going able to last much longer.
I gotta do something.
"Water gun!"
Saeta was still somewhat close when Baron opened his bill and blasted him with another fine stream of water. The fire croc yelped in pain, a much more noticeable effect in toppling over, but it was still in the fight.
"You've been studying up Rian, smart move!" Nemona called out to him. "Water is strong against fire!"
"Go Rian!" Jules called from the sides. "You got this!"
Nemona too, was encouraging her pokemon to stand, which it did. Saeta was first; his entire body beginning to glow a crimson red as his mouth gathered up fire again to launched another ember, this one coming too quick for Baron to dodge or counter himself. The flames splashed over his down as if they were liquid of their own as it knocked the duckling back onto the ground.
No!
Rian's heart fell when he saw his first pokemon tumble backwards, spinning around to lie on his front. His eyes were shut, feathers slightly tattered and it was evident the blow had knocked him out and caused him to faint.
His heart dropped.
No…My very first battle. I lost. Water strong against fire and I still couldn't win?! Did I make a mistake on my choice?
"Baron is incapable of battling further." Clavell said with an emotionless manner, waving a hand towards Nemona's side. "Saeta is the winner, clinching the victory to champion Nemona!"
Rian saw her make a victory fist as Saeta turned around, dashing back to his trainer for praise.
As Nemona was busy exclaiming how proud she was of her pokemon winning his first battle, he didn't have any to give to his own.
But it's not like I can yell at my pokemon for losing like that. That's on me too. Still. Quaxly isn't as powerful or what?
Jules saw her brother step up to cross over the battle court while she absentmindedly scratched Basil on the back of the head as he meowed softly in concern for his own friend.
Rian gently put his arms down and cradled his pokemon. Baron started to regain consciousness and he looked up at his trainer. He could feel the disappointment. Was it aimed at him or something else?
I…I don't know what to say.
Nemona took a step forward, but was quickly stopped by Clavell, who held a hand out to prevent her from going further.
Rian didn't notice the gesture.
"It's okay buddy." He whispered softly. "It was only our first battle."
Would this mean I picked wrong?
"Here." Clavell now approached and held out an item Rian recognized as a potion. "This will fix him right up."
The boy took off the safety seal and sprayed the medicine onto the quaxly's wounds. Within moments, the small pokemon perked up and looked like its optimistic self once more.
"Rian," Nemona finally walked up, an unusually worried frown on her face. "Are you going to be okay?"
Rian swallowed as everyone looked to him expectantly.
I'll be okay. I promise.
"Yeah. Yeah, I'll get over it." Despite the overwhelming embarrassment of losing his battle and tears threatening to spill over his eyes, he had to take it in stride. No sense in trying to take it back now. There would be many more battles to win and lose and he couldn't judge his entire career as a trainer just by his very first match. "I just became a trainer, so I can't be too hard on myself for not losing."
"I was worried that I crushed your spirits," Nemona said quietly. "But you weren't bad for a rookie trainer starting out! Really! You're gonna be strong for sure! I know it!"
"Uh thanks. I guess?" Saeta had walked over on his stubby legs, growling softly at Baron. The duckling pokemon patted the fuecoco's blunt snout and seemed to be in good spirits, showing no hard feelings from earlier.
"Care to try one more battle? I wanna do another strateg-"
"Miss Nemona," Clavell interrupted her with a stern voice tone that allowed no room for debate. "Master Rian is still processing his most recent defeat at your hands. And I believe his pokemon are still recovering from that last battle."
"Ay por dios," She sighed with her face falling, her upset quite apparent. "I'm sorry. I tend to get caught up when I'm excited to battle someone strong. Siento Rian. Same to your quaxly too."
He slowly nodded, feeling a bit better from her sympathy. She's actually really cute like that. "It's alright. Let's battle again soon!"
"Oh definitely!" Nemona's expression brightened once more. "We'll absolutely be battling again!"
"You three seem to become fast friends even though you just met." Clavell ushered Jules over. "Miss Nemona, can I entrust you to see our newest students under your wing? I am sure both will be learning a great deal from a Champion-class trainer such as yourself."
"You bet! Oh by the way, since you're new to training pokemon, there's an app you'll both definitely need. I'll share it from mine!"
Nemona's Rotophone whipped out of her pocket and floated in front as Rian and Jules had theirs out.
"And done!" The twins saw their screens light up as a new application was installed in the blink of an eye. "This is the pokedex app, accessible right from your Rotophone! Quite the nice advancement from those older clunky ones."
Huh. Jules opened the newly downloaded app to explore the features.
"The pokedex app will automatically record every pokemon you encounter and register any that you catch." Nemona explained. "It's a must have for all pokemon trainers! A very handy app, made by our very own Mister Jacq, who's gonna be our homeroom teacher!"
"Oh cool!" Jules grabbed her phone, "Let's check it out!"
She opened the app and set it to scan mode on Basil. Rian did the same, showing the pokemon in the front camera.
Scanning…match found. Sprigatito. Grass cat pokemon. Grass type. The sweet scent this pokemon's body gives off is mesmerizing. The scent grows stronger when this pokemon is in the sun.
The app showed the average species' height, weight and pokedex number in Paldea's official system. Additionally there was another page that showed the range of habitat where that particular pokemon could be found in the wild. Of course Sprigatito's entry showed that it had no data on its habitat range.
That's not surprising. Starter pokemon are incredibly rare to find in the wild anyways.
Additionally, the 'Dex app also had a feature that could instantly swap over to the trainer data where she could see the individual characteristics and summary of the species she had scanned.
Basil is a male and knows the moves scratch, tail whip and leafage. His ability is overgrow which increases the power of grass moves when at low health.
Rian turned the camera to Saeta. Scanning…match found. Fuecoco. Fire croc pokemon. Fire type. It lies on warm rocks and uses the heat absorbed by its square shaped scales to create fire energy. Fuecoco enjoy eating fruits and a laid back behavior.
Lastly was Baron. Like Basil and Saeta, Baron's own habitat range had no data.
Scanning…match found. Quaxly. Duckling pokemon. Water type. Its strong legs easily allow it to swim around even in fast flowing rivers. This pokemon migrated to Paldea from distant lands long ago. A thin film of water and grime repellent gel is secreted from its feathers.
Clavell chuckled while watching them. "Back in my day, we had to use ordinary pen, paper and handwritten notes to compile our pokedexes. It is quite the age we live in now."
"Filling out a pokedex by hand?" Jules asked, looking a bit horrified at such a task. "I can't even imagine how much work that would take." Behind her, both Rian and Nemona voiced similar agreements.
Clavell smiled thinly again. "Heh. No I suppose you can't. Yet no matter how much time changes, the wonders of meeting new pokemon never does. That is a truly timeless pleasure. And the more pokemon you meet, the more you'll find yourself growing and changing. I do hope you will all work towards the goal of completing your pokedexes."
"Yes sir."
"You can count on it." Jules told him.
"Very good." Clavell nodded and turned around. "Miss Nemona, I still have a few matters to continue discussing with your parents. Can I depend on you to see Master Rian and Miss Jules to Uva Academy safely?"
"Si. You can depend on it." She stood a little taller and sharply nodded in affirmation.
"Very well. Then I leave them in your capable hands." The director gave a short bow. "Until then."
"Maybe I outta make more time to work on my pokedex along with my battling." Nemona muttered to herself as Clavell climbed the stairs until he was out of sight. "Oh well. Schedule's always busy."
"So what now?" Jules asked. By then, the trainers had recalled their pokemon into their balls. Nemona had shown them that their school uniform belts included integrated clips where the backside had a set of small sockets where they could be magnetically attached at a trainer's hip. The sockets could also be customized to a wearer's preference so that an entire pokemon team could be fitted to one side.
"Now," Nemona started back the way Clavell had just left and waved an eager hand for the twins to join her. "We make our way up to Mesagoza where our Academy awaits, and I'll also show you guys on how to catch your very own pokemon! We'll do that before we head over. Vamos, come on!"
That wraps up this chapter! Rian and Jules have their very first pokemon and prepped to be on their way to their very first day at their new school! All seems nice, but somehow even a regular trip up isn't without an adventure or other shenanigans of their own!
Now the first major difference I'm inputting in compared to AHHK is that the twins don't have a sassy haunted PokeDex following them around. The RotoPhone is silent for the most part with a lot more functions than its predecessor. In addition, I'm also going to compile a list as well to touch base on which pokemon species that have been logged for 'Dex entries. This is more for myself than anything so that I don't end up putting in the same pokemon twice on different occasions.
Logged 'Dex Entries: Sprigatito, Fuecoco & Quaxly.
Spanish Translations:
Buenas - Hello!
Senorita - Miss. Refers to an unmarried girl/woman.
Amigo - Friend.
Dios Mio! - Goodness gracious!
Alto - Stop/Halt
Por Dios! - For heaven's sake
Siento - Sorry
Vamos - Let's go!
As always, thank you for reading and reviewing. You give my writing purpose!
Brav