Thank you to my P-buddies: SaffireSpirit13, TheButtGod, Zerak, 9milli9, Bishop7053, Stealthkug, Sgt. Rock, Helios, Grim343, Vincent Mason, Zaccaria Babchia, aj0413, Blahmeh, Fade, , Dave, Sanjay, Jmatt890, roger nascimento rocha, Johnathan Rogers, Jeremy Hernandez, fausto escobar, Jerome, reeen, Kirov Briggs, Michael Thunder, Marco Sachse, Choir, shabbybook, Steve Jullian Perez, Meat 450, Siegfried_SGO, and Jles.
And a special thank you to Joe, you absolute madman.
This chapter is dedicated to Draco.
The day my journey started had arrived, and I faced it with composure and dignity.
"I wanna be! The very best! Like no one ever was!" I sang into the mirror, holding an invisible microphone in front of my mouth.
"Vee! Vee! Eevui!" Vee chimed in, knowing the song as well as I do. Which made sense, considering I've been singing it on and off for the past three days.
"To catch them is my real test! To train them is my cause!"
"Ee! Vee-Vee!"The fox-kit hopped onto the sink counter and sang along to the beats, as I went through the motions of brushing his fur.
"I will travel across the land, searching far and wide!"
"Vee, vee vee-vee!"
"Teach Pokemon, to understand… the power that's insiiiiide! POKEMON!"
This continued on for the next three hours, as we prepared to leave this sleepy town behind, register at Professor Rowan's (because after the invention of the Pokedex, all career trainers receive them at the start of their journey/when they register as such) and catch me a motherfucking Pokemon!
"You teach me, and I'll teach you…"I hummed under my breath as Vee and I went to the front desk of the Pokemon Center for the last time in a long while. "Yo, Nurse Joy, it's time for us to get out of your hair."
Why anyone would pick Officer Jenny over Nurse Joy, I would never understand. Free healing, pleasant theme,pink hair? Jenny just can't compete. Especially when you can justtellthey're genuinely happy to help you, with the smile they're always wearing.
Either that or she's so professional she could be murdered and smile the exact same way, but I'll stick to my delusions and choose to believe in the former.
"Oh, if it isn't Selah." I tried not to twitch at the sound of my name- hearing what was once an anime character saying my name still wigged me out a tad, especially when I could recognize their voice from other media. "Despite how you make it sound, you were a wonderful guest these past few weeks, even if you've been playing your music a bit loud."
Music? I didn't- and just like that I was once again glad I was so dark no one could tell when I was blushing. Holy shit people were actually listening to me sing this entire time?
I could feel Vee giggling in my arms, and was half-tempted to drop his bitch ass on the ground, but instead merely laughed awkwardly and went through the checkout process.
Soon enough, we were done, and everything I owned was on my back or in the bag on it. Nurse Joy pressed her hands together and smiled happily as I turned to leave. "Everyone in Sandgem Town is rooting for you, so go out there and do your best you two! We'll be waiting to hear all about your adventures, especially from the men themselves. Don't be a stranger, now!"
"Ah… don't worry, you'll hear all about the s-stuff we get to when we come to visit. Thank you again!" I was doubly glad I physically couldn't blush, but I refused to duck my head into my shirt-collar. Instead, I waved confidently and said my goodbyes… a tad bit quicker than usual as I headed straight out the door.
Ignoring the smug aura emanating from the ball of fluff in my arms (and flicking him on the side for my own peace of mind), we both headed straight for Professor Rowan's lab tofinallyget this journey started.
Professor Rowan, according to Fetch'it (the Pokemon equivalent of Firefox with a Farfetch'd as it's logo/mascot), had only recently returned from a trip to Kanto. And considering Regional Professors, the leading experts on Pokemon as a science for their region, all choose to sponsor a select number of trainers every year…
Well, Sinnoh's research is at least a few years behind other regions, and Rowan is playing catch up. That's most likely the reason he's accepting these chucklefucks as his newest representatives.
"What did you say about my mom?!" A young woman I couldn't mistake as anyone but Dawn snapped, glowering at a certain purple-covered young man.
"If you can't even hear me when I'm standing right next to you, then it seems incompetence runs in the family." Paul, the anime-exclusive asshole, remarked pointedly as a blonde kid quickly moved to hold Dawn from either strangling him or scratching his face off.
"Dawn, don't let him get to you! He's just annoying for the sake of it, don't sink to his level." Barry, who is usually portrayed to be annoying, was somehow delegated to being the voice of reason among the three of them.
I looked down to the Pokemon in my arms, who looked up with equal levels of disappointment. "... let's just get the 'dex and balls, and get out of this place." Vee nodded in agreement as I attempted to walk around the three teens who were on the verge of creating a cartoon smoke cloud to kick each other's asses.
Thankfully, my natural stealth was more than enough to sneak around three children on the verge of throwing themselves into a brawl in front of their sponsor's house. Hell, even Paul was too busy being a prick/trying to look cool to notice me walk inside.
I'd comment, but I knew for a fact I could be just as oblivious… okay, Iwasas oblivious as they were.
"You not going to get those three to calm down?" A disheveled looking lab assistant chimed in, messy long hair framing a face that suited a Pancham more than an actual human being. And considering the scent of caffeine emanating from her, I knew without a shadow of a doubt her blood was extra-caffeinated.
So she was probably a new intern.
"Eh, I'm trying to be in and out today. First journey jitters and all that s-" The Pokemon in my arms rumbled like a car engine in warning. "-stuff. I was going to say stuff, you prude." I lied as easily as I breathed, huffing in exaggerated annoyance.
The lab assistant/intern chuckled. "Well, considering your friend there, you must be Selah Visitor. Already have your PokeDex and Pokeballs ready for you." She turned around, far too large white lab coat almost dragging across the ground as I followed her like a Ducklett after a Swanna.
Man, I'm fucking killing these animal to Pokemon comparisons, huh?
The awkward silence, punctuated by the still raging argument outside, quickly became unbearable. "So, what's your name, oh overworked lab assistant?" I asked, idly remembering some garbage I read in a book about 'intelligent minds being able to handle quiet moments'.
The situation it pulled that wisdom from? The protagonist meeting a secret wise man who refused to talk for like seven minutes while his companion was fighting off monsters outside.
I looked down at my partner, wordlessly communicating that he had my express permission to beat my ass if I ever pulled something like that. He looked back up at me, completely unable to comprehend what the fuck I was staring at him for.
"My name is Darla, but it'sMissOverworked Lab Assistant to you. I can hear the capitalization."
"I'm so sorry." I apologized sincerely, unable to comprehend what kind of parent would give a child such a shit-ass name. Apparently Darla knew exactly what I was implying, given she laughed out loud as soon as I said that.
Wiping a tear from her eye, she cut off her laughter with a sigh. "Wow, no one's ever outright insulted my name like that before. I can't even be mad at that."
"Eh, it's a gift." I shrugged, unable to help the smile on my face at someone laughing at my jokes. "So, do I have to meet with the big man before, or…?"
"Yeah, Professor Rowan always makes a habit of meeting the trainers he sponsors or endorses, even if they don't need a starter. Speaking of, what's up with the little guy?"
Vee, naturally, spoke out against the slight against him- he was anadorablelittle guy, and worked damn hard to get that title. Rubbing at the fur on his head got him to lower his volume, just as we entered one of the larger rooms.
There I met Professor Rowan, a sharply dressed old man with snow white hair along with a mustache 'n beard combo, and holding a familiar looking brown briefcase. Sharp blue eyes glanced over at me, before looking over to the woman leading me.
"Are the other three running late?" He asked sternly, a grumbling tone to his weathered voice.
Darla shrugged. "Seems like those three got into a bit of a conflict of personality outside, so I moved the early one up ahead." She nodded towards me, and my opinion of her rose- anyone who let me cut in line was a friend to the end.
"Well then, while it may be a bit out of order, it is still good to meet you." Rowan said respectfully. "I am Professor Maxwell Rowan, and this is my granddaughter Darla."
What.
I looked at the pair of them- while Darla's eyes were a dark green, there was a similar sharpness in their expression despite sleep avoiding her. Wow, can't believe I didn't pick that up faster, I'm usually better with faces.
"I'm Selah Visitor, and this little troglodyte is Vee." I hefted Eevee up a bit, allowing him to wave his paw at the two of them. "It's nice to meet you both."
"Quite." Something in Rowan's expression made it clear he knew how desperately I was holding back every desire to fast-forward this conversation and getout there already. "Well, from what I've seen so far, I don't believe I'll regret giving you these.
Opening the briefcase he was carrying, he retrieved a small black device with red pokeball symbols plastered over it and five miniaturized pokeballs.
Without a second's hesitation, I flipped Vee onto one of my straightened arms and let him walk up onto my shoulder (Ash can't copyright holding a Pokemon on his back), and took the items into my hands.
While I quickly pressed my thumb to the white buttons on each device to register them to me, I pressed the button on the side and watched the Pokedex flip itself open like… a Nintendo DS.
"Alright, Vee, showtime." Finding the scanner quickly, I pointed it over my shoulder and waited for the verbal response.
"Eevee, the Evolution Pokemon. Due to it's unstable DNA, intense exposure to certain elements may cause it to evolve. It's ability is Adaptability, and it knows the moves Growl, Leer, Baby-Doll Eyes, Tail-Whip, Tackle, Quick Attack, and Bite. This Pokemon, along with this Pokedex, is registered to Selah Visitor. If lost or damaged, return this device to him or Professor Rowan."
"Well, seems like I won't need to explain how that works, then." Rowan commented, and I nodded rapidly. "I won't keep you long then, but there is one thing I will tell you. Out there, you will people and Pokemon of all types. Some good, some bad, some that are neither. Surround yourself with the good one's, and no matter where you are or what happens, you will find your way."
"... I understand."
"Thengo."
I was already out the door by the time I heard the 'g'.
Absentmindedly humming the Pokemon Theme song under my breath, Vee and I set out on the Route 202 for Jubilife City. The warm wind blew past the both of us as we took in the sights of the untamed land between Sandgem and Jubilife. It would be a long while before thelackof industry when there could be a highway would stop be surprising.
Though considering the living superweapons thatexclusivelypopulated the wildlife, it wasn't a surprise that humanity as a whole decided not to fuck around on the chance they ended up finding out.
The grass was dancing in the wind, various cries were chittering, chirping, or otherwise sounding out from all around as the sheer nature of my surroundings got to me. Was there ever a time when my world was like this, when I was alive?
I flinched away as something cold prodded my neck, and I glanced over to find Vee looking concerned for me. I shook my head, and focused on what was important.
"We're gonna need more teammates if we want to curbstomp Cynthia," A shiver ran down my back as the sound of a piano rang in my ear. "And I've already got two in mind that we can find here. I want to find a Shinx and a Starly."
The fox tilted his head questioningly, and I explained. "I'm not catching them for any specific reason aside frommaybetype coverage. I just think those two would be a good fit for my team."
While one of my favorite anime, Katekyo Hitman Reborn, practically runs off the idea of your enemies becoming your allies once you beat them up I'm not too sure if beating up people to get them to join my gang is a right fit for me.
And with Shinx and Starly, those two are practically the only Pokemon IknowI want to add to my team. While Vee's only weakness is Fighting, I'm not too worried about type coverage and all that. It's just…
Sinnoh was my favorite generation of Pokemon- hell, it still is, just more… literal nowadays. And everytime I run through it, I always catch a Shinx and a Starly. I just really like those Pokemon.
But is that even a good idea? Is looking for a Pokemon based on nostalgia alone a good reason to do it? Is there abadreason for wanting to catch a Pokemon, other than the cartoonishly evil options of course.
While I don't subscribe to the idea that Pokemon battles are one to one equivalents to dog fights- they're a species that develops and grows through combat first and age second-isthere a problem with what I'm doing, morally-
My head was knocked backwards, causing me to stumble as I walked, a cry from Vee telling me the same thing happened to him. I opened my eyes to say something, only for a foul and familiar stench to beat its way into my nostrils.
Rotting berries.
Years of experience playing shooters let me almost immediately spot the motherfucker laughing after hitting two headshots back to back.
Hiding between a pair of bushes, near a pile of sticks it'd used as a catapult and a set of grossly miscolored berries, a bright blue lion cub was cackling to itself. The near rhythmic 'Shi-shi-shi-shinx!' only served to infuriate me faster.
Wiping the berry off my face with a sleeve I was probably going to have to burn, all thoughts of the morality of fighting and catching a Pokemon were thrown out the way. After all, what Pokemon makes tools?
I'd've wanted it for it's ingenuity alone, but the satisfaction of having Vee beat his ass was the single greatest siren song I'd ever heard/
"Vee?" I asked, giving my starter the time to fling the berry off his face. "Let's see if he's up to snuff." The Eevee gave off an excited growl from deep in his chest, before launching off my shoulder towards the Shinx.
Only now did it notice our attention falling onto it, which caused it to smirk at the pair of us and begin high-tailing away.
"Leer into Quick Attack!" I barked out, and just by being caught in the peripherals of that malicious stare I could feel goosebumps raising all over my body.
I could also see the Shinx stumble at he was hit with the effect, and I couldn't blame him considering he was getting it full force without warning. Vee launched himself off my shoulder, surrounding himself in a white aura before rushing towards Shinx.
Unfortunately for both of us, it quickly recovered and returned to it's full-sprint stride away from us. I groaned as Vee single-mindedly pursued his target- Quick Attack tunnel vision is a total bitch- before running after the pair of Pokemon into the trees.
Possibly due to the rapidly increasing denseness of the forest, the uneven ground due to roots and upturned stones, but somehow I was able to keep both of them in sight- barely when it came to the small electric type we were chasing.
I could hear branches low to the ground smack into Vee as he went, the abundance of obstacles he had to avoid almost promising he'd eventually crash into something.
"Cancel into Corruption!" I huffed out, still working on improving my athleticism but nowhere near capable of matching pace with two Pokemon. The white streak of light I'd been following sputtered out, and instead I heard Shinx squawk and trip over himself as he was hit with two debuffs at once.
While I'm not certain if the effect carries over onto stronger or more well-trained Pokemon, getting hit with a debuff tends to mess with your senses, causing everything to catch on itself. So, naturally, I stacked two debuffs on top of each other in hopes of hard-cancelling another Pokemon's move.
It didn't work, but it sure as hell keeps a Pokemon from running away apparently. Shinx's legs had locked and that ended withhimtripping over headfirst as he ran into a tree root.
"Close in and Bite!" The fox did exactly as I ordered, rushing in as fast as he could while black aura spilled from his maw like smoke. He opened his mouth right as he made his final jump-
And aflashof blinding light filled the clearing, and I could barely cover my eyes in time. But Vee had to deal with that up close and personal.
I heard the sound of wood being crushed and splintered into oblivion as I blinked the spots out of my eyes, to spot Shinx off to the side. He'd rolled over at the last second to dodge the attack. The lion cub panted as he quickly stepped away, catching his breath as Vee shook the wood out from his mouth… with his eyes still shuttight.
What kind of Solar Flare bullshit is this?!
Unfortunately Shinx recovered especially quickly as he went to Tackle from way up close.
"Vee, aerial side roll, two o'clock!" And then the fox hopped up and over the charging lion cub, spinning in the air until he landed on his feet.
Pft. What kind of idiot doesn't teach theironly Pokemonhow to fight blind when almost every Pokemon knows fucking Sand Attack?
Shinx was right next to Vee, having to manually stop after whiffing his charge and not quite recovering enough to respond. "Side Tackle, nine o' clock!"
And then Shinx got shoulder checked from behind by a blind and angry Vee. His fate was practically sealed as he was sent flying forward, before slamming into another tree face-first.
Seeing the fresh concussion he just experienced, I quickly chucked my Pokeball at him while he slid down the tree bark like a poorly pinned poster. It hit him in the back of the head, and sucked him in in a flash of red light.
The ball fell onto the ground, and I immediately missed my ability to mash A and practically guarantee the ball would work.
At least here Pokeballs are reusable, and don't break.
The red and white ball fell to the ground, the button on it's center glowing red. It shook once. Twice. Thrice….
Click.
I practically fell over at the sound of that last click, signifying we'd captured Shinx. Arceus, who knew the adrenaline crash was what made trainers so tired after battling?
"Alright, battle won. Your eyes okay, Vee?" I asked, picking up the ball where Shinx was contained. Looking over, Vee was slowly but surely opening his eyes bit by bit, though it seems like it'll take a while for him to get ready to see the world. "You did great out there, now let's make camp and get started on lunch-"
… Which direction did we come from again?
After thirty minutes of guessing, and some advice from a helpful Wurmple or two, we ended up back to the trail and set up camp in a clearing along the way.
Vee, having finally recovered from being flashbanged, was now drooling as I prepared a pretty heavy lunch for the two/three of us.
It was mostly pasta and cooked ground beef, made with a portable stove powered by a low-level Fire Stone. Yeah, it was crazy to find out that evolution stones are actually everywhere and practically power everything in the Pokemon world.
From what I looked into, the Evolution Stones are actually just specific minerals that have been over exposed to certain types of aura, to the point they were capable of producing it on their own. The reason evolution stones are so expensive is because it needs to have a metricfucktonof energy for it to actually let a Pokemonevolve.
… Oh, there was also cornbread and some apple juice.
Ignoring all logic, I planned on splitting some of the human food and giving it to Vee- considering he seemed practically fucking hypnotized when I was making it. But, even though it's now done and being left out to cool down, there was still one last item on the list.
Pulling out the Pokeball containing Shinx, I tossed it up into the air and let it crack open in a flourish of light. A twitch of my hand sent the ball careening back into my palm with a slam. I hissed quietly, knowing I was going to have to get used to that if I planned to make battling my career.
Shinx blinked up at me, looking both inquisitive and wary. Which was fair, considering the next thing I did was spray him down with a Potion. He, naturally, sputtered at suddenly being doused in a strange purple liquid by the guy who ordered him to be beaten unconscious.
"Sorry sorry, just wanted to heal you up before we actually started talking." I apologized, the little bits of swelling on his form now completely gone. "Anyway, do you want to join my team?"
Shinx narrowed his eyes at me, before pointing a light blue paw at the Pokeball I was holding. I rolled my eyes in response. "Yeah, I know I have your Pokeball, but I'm not going to force you to work with us if you don't want to."
"Shinx?"
"Ah, well, me and Vee here are on our way to… see the world, get strong enough to make the claim of being the very best. Y'know, have a whole-ass adventure of a lifetime."
"Vee!" My starter interrupted, turning away from my still-cooling plate to instead lambast my vernacular.
"Ah, shut it and let me talk for once!" I shouted right back at him, causing his ears to flick in irritation as he instead focused solely on staring intently at me. I turned away. "Anyway, that's not the kind of thing you can just half-" The fox was now growling. "-way finish. It's going to be tough, and I'm not forcing anyone to go along with our goals. So, here's your one and only out. If you don't want to be part of that, of us, you can leave. We'll take you back to where we found you, and you'll never see us again."
I placed the Pokeball on the ground between us. "Or you can stay, and we work together to teach the whole world what we're made of. We strive for heights that no one has ever achieved. We become theVery Best, and prove to the world why we deserve that title. Your choice."
Shinx looked up at me, then down at the Pokeball between us. Stepping over, he placed his paw on top of the device, rolling it this way and that for so long I wasn't sure if he was just contemplating or gave into his feline instincts to play with random objects.
And then he rolled the ball over to my feet, locking eyes with me before giving off a massive, cocky grin. I matched the expression perfectly. "Welcome to the team, Nyx." I said easily, reaching over and scratching him behind one of his big-ass ears. "Now, for lunch!"
I turned around to get started on the meal, spotting Vee doing the same with a happy smile on his face-
Only to spot an empty plate, literally picked clean by the Starly sleeping on top of the plate. My face froze in a smile, tears filling my eyes at the realization that I would have to cook lunch all over again.
Another Pokeball slammed into the side of the Starly's head, and the sleeping fucker was quickly sucked into the ball. It clicked almost instantly, before I sent it back out as it looked around, feathers sticking out in it's frazzled state.
"Wakey wakey Star, welcome to the team. Now, why don't we starttraining? Vee, sicc 'em." And then Vee, with the sorrow of a man denied his lunch, launched up onto the table to sink his fangs into his newest teammate.
Star, the glutton, squawked in fear as she tried to fly .
"Oh, what's this? It seems eating a meal meant for someonefifteen times your sizedoesn't make you very aerodynamic,does it?" My words were cutting as the bird could barely keep herself out of the fox's reach, teeth nipping at it's comically round stomach. "Don't worry, we'll help youlose those pounds."
While the trainer threatened their newest teammate, and the starter did his best to make it known why you don't steal his food (even if it was actually the trainer's), Shinx watched the events unfold from the ground. Where he curled up, laughing at the antics his new pride was already getting into.
Shinx- no, Nyx knew he'd made the right decision.
A/N: Ah, there's nothing quite like the nostalgia of rewriting fics long past to make you remember times long past.
I hope everyone enjoys the antics of the already half-filled team, and acknowledges the fact that the SI has no plans for the final three teammates.
Thank you all for reading, Peace.
