XxxxxX
Walking out of the Pokémon center pausing as I looked around. Surrounding me I could hear all sorts of Pokémon cries, a stark difference from the day I arrived at the great lake a place the wild Pokémon tended to avoid.
Nodding to myself as I turned around, watching as Nurse Joy wheeled Pikachu out on a small gurney to Dawn as she waited. Finally getting a good look at the most powerful Pikachu in this world really makes things hard to believe.
This one small ball of yellow fur had the power to go hit for hit with some of the strongest legendary's… really makes you think about life.
Haah… guess I'm doing this huh.
Seeing as Dawn was getting ready to leave, I walked up getting her attention.
"Oh Rusk, did you need something?" Dawn asked puzzled as she picked up Pikachu in her arms.
Nodding at her "yea actually I was wondering, your just starting out on your journey today right? Would it be fine if I joined you on your way back to Sandgem Town? I forgot some supplies and since Jubilife is about a weeks walk from here and I would rather go back and get them." I asked hoping she wouldn't be weirded out by someone she just met asking to accompany her.
She just nodded, "Sure! Traveling by yourself is boring anyways, I could use the company." Smiling as she finished, "although I should probably introduce you to my starter here, come on out! Piplup!" she spoke, grabbing the singular ball out of her bag as she called out her Pokémon.
'Hmm… did Rowan not give her the speech he gave me? Hearing her call Piplup a 'starter' just sounds wrong…' frowning, I interrupt her, "when I was working for the professor he told me something I find rather important." I paused waiting for her to look up from her Pokémon, "the day I got Nova here, he told me this 'Pokémon from my understanding are partners, the term starter always makes it sound like the Pokémon will be forgotten and left behind, but partner? Partners stay with you your entire life through the thick and thin, the good and bad.' Its something that's stuck with me in the two months I've worked under him. Pokémon aren't tools, they aren't pets. They are our partners… our Family."
Finishing my speech/lecture, I could feel Nova turn and face forwards as he began rubbing his head against mine. "Cynda~!" my partner cried out in agreement to my speech.
Dawn frowned as she looked down at Piplup, "partners huh…" the small penguin just chirped in agreement causing Dawn to smile and pat his head.
'Seems my speech worked. I'm glad, people and Pokémon need to realize we grow stronger the closer a bond we have with each other, and I need the people that are gonna help me face off against the legends of Sinnoh to become strong.'
"It seems my advice was helpful." Smiling as I looked at the two, I shrunk down to meet Piplup, "nice to meet you Piplup. I'm Rusk and the fire-type on my shoulder is Nova." As I finished my greeting my partner glanced over from my shoulder and waved at both Dawn and Piplup. "Cyn-Cyn-Da!"
After our introductions we set off on the few hour trek back towards Sandgem town. Where my first stop will be to buy some new shoes. Curse my damn luck! Had I known I was going to be thrown into this world I wouldve put some decent foot-wear on!
XxxxxX
"Haah! Its good to be back!" I sighed thankfully while rubbing my feet, happy I wouldn't have to walk much farther before I could get something more comfortable to wear. Hearing Dawn laugh at my expense I put on a look of fake betrayal causing both her and Piplup to laugh harder.
On the long trek back to town Dawn and I had talked a lot having nothing else to-do as we hadn't stopped to battle any trainers on the way back considering we had to rush and bring Pikachu back to Ash, thankfully Nova was more than willing to share my shoulder while he laid in my jacket hood while the small electric-type rode my shoulder urging us forward whenever we slowed down, and considering we made it back in half the time it took me too get to the center, we went pretty fast.
"Pi! Pika!" Pikachu shook me out of my thoughts, literally I might add. As we rushed back to the lab.
"Whoa we're going, we're going! You'll see your trainer soon Pikachu not to worry. Just point him out to us when you see him, I'd like to meet the guy after all." Sighing as I tried and failed to convince him to calm down as he began frantically looking around for Ash.
Putting my hand on his head in comfort the mouse Pokémon just sighed. "Its okay bud, you'll see him soon, the lab's not far from here. Actually, you can see it just up there." I spoke pointing up to the large building on top of the nearby hill, a windmill on top turning in the wind.
No sooner than I finished speaking he took off towards the lab clearly excited at the prospect of reuniting with his trainer.
Haaa… so much for not worrying. Goddamit I'm gonna have to run all the way now aren't I?
"Haa… alright then, lets hurry up then and get back to the lab. Didn't think we'd be back so soon eh Nova?" I asked with a rather worn-out frown on my face. It hadn't been the plan to rush off right back to were we started. "Cynn-daah…" I could tell my partner was as annoyed as I was but this would be better in the long run.
Jogging all the way from the road into town up to the lab was brutal but we got there in time to see Pikachu jump towards ash.
Thankfully, much older than his anime's counterpart, and hopefully with an increased sense of maturity to match after all, I don't think I could stand traveling with someone so… immature.
Watching as the raven-haired boy swung his partner around, I couldn't help but smile. It was easy enough to see that the two shared a close bond with each other. Looking further I could see the form of former gym leader brock smiling at his friend's happiness.
After letting them have their moment, Dawn and I walked up to the two who were completely oblivious to us, forcing me to cough and gain their attention, "Ahem! Hello there, nice to meet you I'm Rusk and my friend over here is Dawn, she's the one who helped your little friend over there." I smiled at the two, who returned the sentiment with some sheepish grins.
"Ah! Nice to meet the both of you as well, my names Ash, Ash Ketchum." Greeting the two of us, as he sheepishly rubbed the back of his head while reaching out to shake my hand.
Shaking it, I couldn't help but let out a smile, I was meeting my childhood hero in the flesh after all. I might be 18 but I can still show a bit of childish giddy after all.
Watching as Pikachu gave a similar sheepish rub of the head, I laughed. Surprising the two who just raised an eyebrow at me forcing me to explain, "Sorry its just looking at the two of you, its nice to see that a trainer and his partner Pokémon have rubbed off on each other a lot. You both have similar mannerisms is all." I finished, watching as the two looked at each other realizing that they both had done the exact same thing made the both of them chuckle.
"Ha! I guess we do, must have after we've spent so much time together." Ash chuckled as he spoke, grinning at his partner, not far behind him Brock walked up smiling.
"Nice to meet you as well I'm Brock a long-time friend of Ash, oh you have a Cyndaquil huh? Its rare to see one of them in Sinnoh." He introduced himself giving me a firm handshake, worthy of a former rock type gym leader.
"a pleasure to meet you as well Brock, and yea Nova here was given to me by Professor Rowan a few months back. Though I never did ask him where he found him…" I finished off in thought, where did Rowan find a Cyndaquil… he had only just returned from Kanto, so did he find him there? I guess its plausible since both Kanto and johto are right next to each other but… somethings telling me that's not where he found him…
"-ee you finally have a third Pokémon with you. So how about it? Ready for a three-on-three match?" looking up from my thoughts, I see Paul just as stubborn and still just as edgy. Haa this isn't going to end well is it…
"Oh, yea we're ready! I'm gonna show you the true meaning of training Pokémon!" I watched as Ash shouted out his acceptance of challenge, only to sigh as it seemed that Ash was still very easily to bother. Looking at the others, and now Rowan as he joined us and saw that clearly I missed some of what was said as they all were frowning.
Looking at my shoulder at Nova, "what did I miss bud? Clearly something went down?" I asked my partner only to get a shrug in response, "what do you mean you don't know? Only one of us is allowed to space out at once!" I cried out much to the amusement of my friend.
I followed behind everyone wondering what was happening, as they went to the back of the lab. we have a small battlefield nothing, fancy mind you just some rough lines painted on the ground that Nova and I made to get the general feel of battling in an arena.
As we approached Ash and Paul stood facing each other as Brock took the referee position.
'Ah! This must be their first rival battle! I don't recall much of the series but, I do remember this battle… somewhat. Enough to know Ash doesn't win this.
Standing next to Rowan I frowned, watching alongside him as both Ash and Paul sent out their freshly caught flying types.
"Starly, I choose you!" "Starly, Stand by for battle." Both trainers spoke as their Pokémon emerged in the air, taking their post in the sky.
"This battle is between the two trainers, Paul Shinji, and Ash Ketchum. It's a three vs three with no substitutions, the first to reach two wins will get the match! Begin in 3..2…1!" Brock started off calling out the rules of the match, and kicked of the beginning of the match.
In an instant Ash called out to his Pokémon, "Go Starly! Use Quick attack!" he cried as he attempted to prove his skill as a trainer.
The young bird, nodded its head as a white light engulfed its body and it began to shoot forward in a burst of light.
In a calm manner the purple headed teen just smirked, "Dodge Starly, then counter it with aerial Ace!"
The small bird dodged, narrowly avoiding the attack as it began to charge a bluish light on its wing as it chased behind its enemy as the two birds began circling higher and higher in the air becoming almost impossible to track due to their movements.
The circling came to a halt when Paul's Starly managed to strike his target forcing the opposing bird on a spiral down.
As the Pokémon came worryingly close to the ground, it managed to catch itself and glide back up.
"Yea Starly, nice save! Now use Wing Attack!" ash cried out another attack hoping to get some revenge for that last move.
Starly began to charge its attack as a light glow took over its wing on its ascent, gaining more and more speed as it flew towards its enemy, a slight glare on its face as it rose. "STAAAAARRRRLLLY!" it cried out as it got closer to its target.
Paul finally called out mere seconds before the attack hit, "Use double team Starly!" narrowly saving the bird from a direct attack as Ash's Starly flew through where it had been not even a second prior.
Watching as its opponent flew by the small bird chirped out a laugh, confident in its victory as it shot forward with its copy, wings charged with a blue light as it quickly caught up to his opponent and unleashing a flurry of swipes against it, causing it to fall down to the ground once more, unfortunately for Ash and his teammate, this time it had fainted.
'Damn… that little birds got some spunk…' watching as it took a victory lap around the arena until Paul recalled it while scowling, clearly something about what it did angered him for some reason… turning to look at ash, I could see him holding his Starly's PokéBall after retrieving it whispering what I could only imagine be words of encouragement as he narrowed his eyes at Paul.
"Paul Shinji takes the first match! Call out your next Pokémon!" brock called out, as the to trainers nodded reaching for their second Pokémon and releasing them.
"Chimchar, Stand by for Battle!" Paul called out, sending out a small timid fire type. Chimchar was clearly nervous as it looked around at the battlefield.
"Aipom! I choose you!" I could hear ash call out, watching as he scanned the opposing trainers Chimchar with his pokedex.
"Alright trainers begin in 3…2…1…GO!" brock yelled out once more starting the match off, I could only watch as the two Pokémon took off towards each other.
"Alright Aipom! Use Swift!" ash cried out to his Pokémon, as the small purple monkey whipped his tail around launching a volley of glowing stars towards the flaming chimp.
Shaking his head Paul just stared, "Chimchar! Use ember on that attack, destroy it!" he shouted, making Chimchar flinch at the sound before launching several small bursts of fire, tagging each shining star causing a large explosion and forcing both Pokémon back from the blast.
Forcing my eyes closed from the blast as I shielded my face with my arms, I could tell I stood to close to the match as I could feel my forearms burning from the heat the explosion gave off.
"Goddamn! That's a strong explosion, I didn't think that meek looking guy could pack that much of a punch!" I shouted out in excitement, surprised by the sheer intensity of the fight that was taking place before me.
"If that's how you want to play it fine, Aipom! Use Focus Punch!" Ash shouted out his order as Aipom's tail quickly began to give off an orangish glow.
Before he even had the chance Paul spoke, "Chimchar dodge and use flame wheel." Nodding at his trainer's order, Chimchar began to cartwheel in place until a large flame began to overtake the wheel, as he began to speed forward directly into Aipom sending him flying back.
"Chim! Chim-Char!" the fire type cried out happy its attack worked as it looked back at Paul for praise only to get a scowl in return, realising that it wasn't getting any praise from his trainer, he grew a sad look on its face as he faced his opponent once more.
'Damn that's cold…' shaking my head I could only wonder why any of Paul's Pokémon listened to him anyway. If that's how he treated both of his more recent captures.
"Ah! Aipom! Are you okay?" ash called out worried over his friend, watching as he slowly rose up from the ground causing Ash to cheer. "Alright Aipom! Lets use Double team and follow it up with a Focus Punch!" he began as Aipom split into multiple copies just like Paul's Starly from before.
With a scowl on his face Paul called out, "use ember to find the real one then use scratch!" immediately the fire-type set off launching another volley of fireballs at the large amount of Aipom's dancing around the arena, until one dodged out of the way as the others disappeared from the blasts. Running forward at his target Chimchar's claws started to glow a bright white and scratched against the Aipom's back only for that one to poof as well confusing Chimchar.
"Behind You!" Paul yelled out, annoyed his Pokémon didn't notice the second Aipom that dodged the hit of the embers.
Crying out in surprise, watching as Aipom's tail came closer to it bathed in a light orange glow.
"AIIPOOMMM!" he cried out, swinging his tail with as much force he could muster into his enemy, launching the fire chimp out of the arena against a tree knocking it out cold.
Smiling Ash shouted out, "Awesome job Aipom, you did amazing!" as both trainer and Pokémon grinned like idiots until Ash recalled him and as Paul's scowl grew while looking at his downed Pokémon. "How about that one Paul? Ready to admit that I was right about the way to treat your Pokémon?" Ash taunted.
'…. its one of those types of Ash isn't it… the stupid ones I mean.' Sighing as I thought, 'At least now I know why this fight started, I must've missed Paul release the 'useless' Starly and Ash getting angry, and while neither are in the right here I agree with both. It was definitely not a good thing Paul did as that's really cruel to the Pokémon he caught, but… there are better ways to do what he wants to accomplish.'
Paul just ignored Ash's taunt as he readied his last PokéBall, "Alright trainers this is the last match, Ready your Pokémon!" brock called out looking between both competitors.
"Alright Pikachu your up buddy!" ash called out as Pikachu jumped off his shoulder onto the arena grounds sparks flying from his cheeks as he grinned.
Nodding, Paul threw his PokéBall into the air, "Elekid, stand by for battle!" just as he finished a small yellow Pokémon with a plug shaped head appeared on the battlefield crying out its name, "ELE-ELEKID!" arcs of electricity flying off as it did so.
"Begin in 3…2…1…GO!" brock shouted out as the intensity of the match even starting to get to him as well.
"Pikachu, use thunderbolt!" Ash cried out as Pikachu began charging electricity only to unleash it in a hug electrical arc spanning the entire field slamming into Elekid but… not doing anything?
"Huh? Why did Pikachu's attack not damage Elekid?" ash asked, scratching his head in confusion.
Looking over towards him I spoke, "its because some powerful electric types can completely absorb another's attack, even if the attacker is more powerful, all Elekid here had to do was be grounded and the rest of the energy would disperse through him into the ground." Pointing to Elekid's feet as I finished.
"If that's the case, hit him with a volt tackle Pikachu! Get him up off the ground!" Ash shouted out towards his Partner. Getting a nod in response as Pikachu took off towards Elekid in a flash of light, sparks and bolts of electricity flying off him as he got closer to his target.
"Block it with Protect Elekid!" Paul shouted out to his Pokémon, getting a cry as an answer as a dome of light surrounded him tanking Pikachu's hit and throwing Pikachu backwards with an incredible force making him cry out in pain.
"Pikachu use iron tail! / Elekid use brick break!" both trainers called out in sync with each other as the two Pokémon started going hit for hit, tail for fist, blow for blow. Until Elekid charged up a thunder punch and attempted to hit Pikachu.
"Elee…. / Chaa…" both electric types cried out in exhaustion as they collapsed, fainting on the ground. "Stop! That's match over! The battle is a draw!" Brock shouted out as Paul recalled his Elekid and Ash ran over to pick Pikachu up and check on him.
"You tried your best buddy, thanks." Ash whispered to his Partner, petting his head as he picked him up. "I don't think this was a draw, Pikachu hit the ground first. Paul won the match." He spoke out dejectedly as he looked down at the Pokémon in his arms.
Scowling at his words, Paul snarled out, "it was called a draw so it was a draw. Keh!" clicking his tongue in annoyance as he grabbed his Starly's PokéBall in anger, and started the release sequence on the PokéBall.
'Are you fuckin kidding me!? he's gonna release it because it took initiative to finish the battle!? NO, I'm putting a stop to this stupidity right now!' stomping over to Paul I grabbed the ball from his hands, "Are you a goddamn moron?" I asked as calmly as I could (looking back it wasn't very much) as I glared straight into his eyes, causing him to flinch back.
"What the hell are you talking about? Its my Pokémon why cant I release cause I don't want it anymore!?" Paul began shouting the longer he spoke, "I don't want it anymore if its not going to listen to me, or showboat. I refuse to train a Pokémon that weak when there are million stronger than it willing to listen." He finished off with a snarl and anger in his eyes, clearly pissed someone was telling him what to do.
Shaking my head in anger, "I don't give a fucking shit what you think about strength or training none of that shit matters to me." I spoke out still staring right in his eyes, "what I care about is this Starly here, being forcibly taken from its home, and then tossed aside when it was deemed 'no longer good enough'. I've dealt with SO many people like you, my own Mother gave up on me because I didn't meet her standards. Do you know how that feels to be taken in and then tossed away like garbage by someone who's supposed to help teach and raise you? No, of course you wouldn't, if you did you wouldn't be doing that to that poor Starly or any other Pokémon for that matter!" I couldn't help myself as the more I continued the more the hate and anger came out, I hadn't realised I held on to so much anger form my mother.
Panting as I finished, we stood there staring at each other for what felt like forever until the little shit spoke, "Psh! See if I care, keep the useless thing why don't you, its not like it will listen anyway." He finished and Bowed to Rowan, "thanks for letting me use the battlefield sir." As he finished speaking he turned to face me, glaring and then walked out towards town bypassing the lab entirely.
Still glaring as I spoke, "I really hate people like him." Looking down at the PokéBall in my hand, and calling out my new partner. "Come out Starly." I calmly called out as the bird took form in the air in front of me. she looked different, if that made sense. While before the two birds were in the sky I didn't notice it, but now with her in front of me I could tell something about her colouring was off, instead of the darker feathers a normal Starly had, hers were a light brown bordering tan.
The idiot Paul caught a shiny Starly and never noticed…. I began bursting out in laughter as the everybody around me looked on in concern, Starly with a more irritated glean.
"Sorry, I'm just laughing at the idiot that decided abandoning a beautifully rare specimen like yourself was a good idea, Heh, Ha." Still chuckling while I talked, I took a breath to calm myself.
Smiling at the beautiful gift I was just given, "Starly you having your beautiful plumage is a 1 in a 8192 odd chance. So rare just about everyone goes their entire lives without seeing, and that idiot Paul took that for granted, where I come from Pokémon with shiny coloration spend decades searching just for one Pokémon with that sort of difference. We see them as sacred, on a higher level than there more common counterparts. Even just disregarding that factor, he had the gall to get rid of you, even after you kicked Ash's Starly's ass, Sorry not sorry Ash. Just because you saw a chance and took it, anyone with intelligence would praise you for that. so, how about we show that idiot just what kind of an amazing Pokémon he just lost?" I finished while catching my breath not having meant to give such a long-winded speech.
I could tell Starly was a little shocked as she just stared at me with her beak hanging open, until I spoke again, "and since you're joining my team, if you want to that is. I would like to give you a name." I finished catching her attention, I could see a fire burning in her eye as she thought over what I was saying.
Nodding at me, "Star-Star-LY!" she cried out landing on my arm staring with a burning determination at my eyes.
Grinning at her enthusiasm I nodded, "Just what I wanted to hear, your new name will be Aster, it's the name of a flower where I'm from that means Star, it symbolizes wisdom, faith, love, and color. All things I think stand out incredibly when it comes to you. A name that matches with you and will create shock as you take your rightful place in the heavens!" I finished grinning like a lunatic alongside the newly dubbed Aster, who began flying around me in glee.
XxxxxX
Hello everyone I'll bet your shocked I posted again so soon. Thankfully I recently got a blast of writing energy and since I wanted to use it while it lasted I pumped this bad boi out pretty quick. Fair warning, I have no guarantee that I will be able to post this fast again but here she be.
Also, Rusk finally got his next Pokémon, Aster the Starly. I figured id make some changes to her by making her shiny and no its no for boasting reasons, I found trying to right two identical Pokémon battling against one another to be very annoying so I refuse to have them be similar and therefore~~ shiny Starly
Also to those who commented on the next Pokémon obviously I picked the easier one to add in but don't worry I have something planned for Rusks next encounter ;D