XxxxxX
Growing up, I was always told that the more fun your having the faster time seems to pass…
And unfortunately, it seems that is indeed true…
I should probably explain, you see I woke up early this morning cause I was really excited to see how contests actually looked in real life you know? Cause I imagine they are a heck of a lot more impressive than in the games and shows…
So, I woke up around five thirty… you know, like a dumbass. But since I was already up, I figured me and my team could get some early training in, I know my team has pretty much mastered their current move-sets, so I had them working on their type energy.
I guess I should explain that as well… type energy obviously relates to the typing of the Pokémon and their moves, and the more energy they can control and use, the more powerful and more controllable their moves become… so pretty damn important right?
Anyways, Nova was practicing his energy control, and I witnessed something strange, now I'm not certain but it almost seems like a bit of his fire turns purple every now and again, but it flashes away before I get a good look at it… but ignoring the weirdness of that, it seems to add power to his attacks, something I won't deny is incredible to witness. As the difference between his normal fire and the purple-tainted one is like light and day.
Now, may I direct you to the rest of my team before I tell you why exactly its unfortunate for time to have passed so fast…
Aster, my literal shooting star, has learned Tailwind… and no I don't have a goddamn clue how, I think my idea of how moves are learned has been skewed by my time playing the games, and if that's true, I might be able to do some pretty incredible things…
You see, normally Aster wouldve needed to learn Tailwind from a Tm, as she can't learn it from level-up, but I'm assuming that since it's an actual real-life world, that shit don't matter! As long as its possible to learn a move, no matter how difficult, as long as the Pokémon in question can create the effects, type energy, and meet the general bodily requirements. They can fucking learn it!
Either that or I have two outliers but… two? Come on I know for a goddamn fact I'm not that lucky!
Anyways, the move has turned her into a legitimate blur on the field, funnily enough she's still struggling with the move as her body wasn't quite made to fly that fast… causing her to kinda… have issues turning. And when your indoors in a smallish training center, that means hitting the window… hard.
And no, I didn't laugh when it happened… the loud Pong that rang out did not make me snort!
Finally, Aria. While not an outlier like the others she has managed to scare me absolutely shitless numerous times this morning… I swear, I will turn her into the classic Skyrim stealth archer! I can picture it now, teach her dig, double team, leech life… it will be beautiful… ah…
Ahem… sorry about that… anyways lets get back on track, the sheer excitement and awe I had while training with my team (yes I train with them, I might not be buff but you never know when you might have to book it from a wild Pokémon…), and after dropping them all off with Nurse Joy sans Aster as she got the all-clear from her, and yes I was surprised given the loud thwack she gave against the wall. (and yes, it sounded exactly like when a bird hits a house's window… do with that what you will)
And shortly after handing my team to Nurse Joy, I figured it would be a good time to check the time… but like I said, time flies by when your excited or having fun… and I was cutting it extremely close to missing the contest…
Which is why I'm in my current predicament…
"Oh shit, oh shit! Oh Shit!" panicking, I had just rushed up to my room to get changed out of my workout clothes and take an extremely fast and barely classifiable shower.
Donning some new clothes, I had picked up, a dark red turtleneck mainly cause Sinnoh can get pretty cold, and a nice deep blue thermal jacket with black sleeves I picked up yesterday, a pair of jeans, and finally, the part I'm happiest with, a pair of running shoes! And yes, the game was right! though not in how they work but in what they let you do!
While you can obviously run without them, running in them? Oh, it feels like I could do it forever with how nice they hug the feet without chafing them nor rubbing and causing discomfort! They even come in a nice dark grey.
Slinging my bag over my shoulder, I grab Aster's PokéBall and tuck it in my jacket pocket and zip it up.
I know for a fact, that if I let her out right now she will try and get revenge for my laughter… therefore I will delay the inevitable until after I'm not running late.
Checking my room, making certain I haven't left anything behind as I don't plan on spending another night here in Jubilife I shouldn't wait to much longer to deliver, I'll head out after I congratulate Dawn on the contest.
XxxxxX
Going a light jog down the street as I use my phone's newly updated GPS, I find myself only a few blocks away from the Contest Hall.
Checking the time, I have about twenty minutes until I'm too late so I can kill a bit of time getting some food.
Relaxing a bit, I sigh. Clearly I wasn't as late as I might have thought though, that might have been from all the running I did to get here… food for thought I suppose…
Looking around, I find what appears to be a small family breakfast diner. Okay I have to check this out. Breakfast restaurants are top-tier!
Walking in, I'm greeted and immediately taken and sat… this some fast as shit service…
Ordering a small breakfast of eggs and bacon, within a minute I've gotten my food… what the actual fuck…
Peaking around the corner into the kitchen, I see a Blaziken wearing an apron and a chef's hat… huh neat.
Slowly eating my food while I watch in awe, the motherfucker slings the pan like a pro! I'm talking flips and spins; this Pokémon is a legitimate chef! I'm certain I could never do half the stuff it is, heck its not even using the stove, its just using its internal fire-type energy to manipulate the heat of the pan… that takes serious concentration…
Finishing my meal, I head over to the waitress, a short but rather cute brunette who was currently sitting at the till. "Ah, Excuse me. I was wondering, who taught the Blaziken in the kitchen? I've never seen such precise control like that and I was hoping to ask for tips to reach that level…"
Grinning at me, "That would be pops partner Diana! He was his first ever team-member, I can call him out if you want? We aren't all that busy right now… most people are over at the contest this morning so it has been pretty slow…" sighing, she stood up and yelled into the back of the restaurant.
Ah.. shit… the contest… but, training tips? Hmmm this is a tough choice…
On one hand, Dawn will be happy I showed up to support her… but on the other hand… a potential training technique that could make or break my Pokémon's control levels…
Sitting down as I nod to no-one in particular, tough choice indeed.
Sending a mental apology to Dawn, I'm practically vibrating in excitement! So What, if I'm as much of a training maniac as my team, techniques like these are important for trainers!
A cough broke me out of my thoughts, looking up, I'm greeted by a large burly man in a chef's uniform, he had a close-eyed stare look, making me feel as if he was eyeing up my very soul…
"Ah hello sir, sorry to disturb you. I was just incredibly impressed by your Combusken's control over its type energy and I was hoping to learn how they managed to get such control?" finishing with a nervous smile, I was really hoping this man wouldn't take offense to my question, many trainer wouldn't even give you the time of day if you asked about their training techniques after all…
A few more moments of dead silence, the man nodded at me. Seemingly finding whatever he was looking for in me, and directed me to follow with his head to the kitchen.
Watching as he walked a few steps, looked back, and gave me a deadpan. Walking back over towards me and pulling me off the stool, nearly making me tip the dang thing over. I realise he wants me to follow him.
Entering the kitchen, he grabs a PokéBall and gestures at me to watch.
Looking as he sends out a Magmar, another rare find in Sinnoh as they don't naturally live here…
He gestures at my eyes and directs my attention to a small piece of metal that he quickly hands over to the fire-type. Confused, I look closer until I'm forced to back away and close my eyes from the sheer levels of heat I'm feeling.
Squinting back down, I look in confusion until I see it. The powerful fire-mon, was etching patterns into the steel… using every ounce of its control to create a beautiful flame-like pattern etched into the bar..
"Incredible… this must take incredible levels of both energy, concentration, and control… it's a perfect way to train a fire-types control over their flames… I- thank you so much for showing me this! I'm eternally grateful for your trust in me!" bowing at the man, I feel a pat on my back and straighten up. I look up and a see a large smirk on the man who just nods at me, and gets back to cooking.
'I have no doubt this old man must've been a powerful trainer in his day… though with a technique like this, he must've been a fire-type specialist…'
Slowly walking back to the front of the restaurant, not seeing the waitress from before a bit of a shame because she was very good looking, I notice a small newspaper clipping of what I can only assume was a picture of the old-man receiving a trophy, a bit too faded to read sadly but it seems like my assumption was correct, as the man has an impressive fire-based team around him… a Combusken on his right, a Magmortar on his left, a Heatmor standing in the back giving a passing glance at the camera, a Talonflame perched on his head crying out happily, one I don't recognize that looks like some sort bell-pepper monster? Ah I suppose its from a region not yet covered by the games… and a preening Ninetails that looks as if it wants to be anywhere but in front of a camera…
Looking at the picture a bit longer, trying to glean any more hidden information from the picture but finding none, I realise that my little side quest for breakfast has in fact left me very few minutes to make it to the contest hall.
Leaving my payment on the till and rushing out, I glance at my phone at take off towards the contest hall praying I make it before they close the doors for the show… wouldn't do to break a promise to a budding friendship right?
Taking off down the street, I hadn't realised how quite things had gotten. That is, until I could see the Contest Hall in the distance and seen the last trickle of people entering the building.
Sadly, running to my destination was what caused a blunder… one that I still very much regret making…
My excitement and cheer for almost making it to the Hall lowered my guard down at the worst possible time.
I could only feel something hard hit the back of my head, knocking me down and out onto the ground, immediately rendering me unconscious….
XxxxxX
"OI! WAKE THE FUCK UP" an aggressive voice was part of my awakening, along with a hard hit to the gut snapping my weary focus into a full panic.
Rapidly blinking to clear the blurriness of my surroundings as I caught my breath, I tried to stand to get away from whoever attacked me, but I couldn't move an inch.
"Oh goodie~ look who's finally amongst the living Garth! Our guest~" a different voice from the first… more feminine? Still struggling to regain my full sight, I struggled trying to move.
Feeling with my hands, which unfortunately were bound but that at least told me why I was unable to move…
I've been kidnapped… well shit...
As my eyesight cleared, I took in my surroundings… which were rather sparse
I was in a small room made of what appears to be Sheetmetal of some sort, a large covered box in the corner that I'm pretty sure just moved, ah and of course the two piece of shit Galactic grunts that I'm pretty sure kidnapped me… kind of pathetic I suppose…
Trying to move my head any further and I was greeted by a mind-flinching ache on the back of my head.
"Urgh… fuck you, why the fuck did you kidnap me…?" almost puking from the pain, I could only glare at the grunts in front of me as I finished speaking.
The female grunt just gave an evil grin, "Don't you know its rude to speak to your betters like that? Now quit interrupting and tell us where you left the data! its vital for the boss!" grabbing me by my collar, and driving her fist into my gut. Forcing the air out of my lungs and forcing me into a coughing fit.
"Tch! Brats got a concussion Detra; he might not be of much use… maybe we just cut our losses here… and let out my new pet to play with him~?" the one I'm guessing is called Garth nodded increasingly fast as he spoke, getting another look of disgust from Detra…
"Would you shut up about killing the brat already! Just because the boss lets you do that to your Pokémon doesn't mean you can just kill everyone we're sent to kidnap! At the very fucking least, let me get the fucking data!" snarling as she spoke, I couldn't help but flinch back in fear…
'Maybe I'm not as pathetic as I thought, and more so the fact I should have realised that since the Pokémon were more dangerous in this world… so were the people…'
Holding my breath as the two argued on whether to kill me now or later, I tried to take stock of my situation.
I don't have fuck all on me but my phone and… Aster! Oh, fuck thank God but, how do I get her out of my pocket!?
Shit I didn't think this through… '
Wiggling slightly, in a vain attempt in somehow opening a zipper pocket with my hands still tied behind me. I unfortunately regain their attention.
"Ah, it seems our guest is getting impatient Garth~ I suppose it would be rude of use to keep him waiting now wouldn't it~" inching closer as she slowly rubs her hand along my face making me shudder.
'I'm fucked…. Simple as that…
I'm fucked and once I'm dead they'll find Aster… no… I wont let that happen…
Just gotta find a way out…'
Unfortunately, I was once more grabbed, this time she yanked my face up to face hers. Her nails nearly piercing my skin with the force she was using.
"Listen up kiddo, we need that data your carrying, and we need it now~ so either we get you to open your Silph bag, or you die and we use your cold~ Dead~ Hands~ to do it for us~. Capiche?" giving me an evil grin only a cunt bitch like herself can, I hold my ground…
"Unfortunately, I'm going to have to decline your so very…. generous offer… sadly enough I do have my morals and ethics, and if it means I can keep that research out of your bosses oh-so loving hands for even a few minutes longer than I will." I might die because I dropped my guard but at very least I can give Rowan, Ash, Dawn, and Brock a bit longer to learn about and fight against Cyrus…
'Aster, I'm sorry for laughing at you this morning… I said it was only a snort but no I was crying on the floor laughing…
Nova and Aria, I'm sorry but I wont be able to come back for you both… though you'll probably be sent to Rowan after some time at the center… please forgive me…'
Taking a deep breath in, I give a determined glare at the two grunts in front of me. letting them know I will not yield to anything they do to me.
'I can only hope they don't find Aster…'
The grunt Garth, skips closer yanking my head out of Detra's grasp by my hair causing the pain in my head to triple as he aggravated my injury.
"aww~ does the Wittle kiddy think he's tuff~? Cute… Now! I think its time for me to do things my way Detra!" rapidly clapping his hands in front of his face as he dances around, jumping in sickening glee towards the box I had seen earlier.
An eerie calm overtakes the man, replacing his prior excitement in an instant. "Now kiddo! You'll be the first to witness the second Pokémon I own! He was a gentle giant I stole from a kid a while back. I used to threaten the kid whenever he didn't listen but, lately it hasn't been working so well! It has been rather boring you see, so~ I'm going to give him a shot of something special~ and you're going to become his new chew-toy!"
Rubbing his hands together, I could only feel a sense of dread as he rips the canvas off the box, revealing the hulking figure of a battle-worn, scarred, and injured Granbull…
The thing has to be an outlier for its species… its damn near as big as an Ursaring…
A look of terror threatened to spill over my face, thankfully I managed to suppress it. If I'm going to die, I'd rather not give him the satisfaction he's craving…
Yanking against my restraints as I watch him stab a giant needle into the poor Pokémon's arm, I watch as it goes from looking injured and in pain, to looking as healthy as an ox in an instant… but, the intelligence in its eyes is gone, replacing the look of suffering in its eyes with a look of pure, unfiltered, and unchecked rage…
Struggling against my binds, getting a grin out of that sick fuck, I watch as the two leave the room with an audible clunk of the lock behind them…
Trying everything in my damn power to break free of my binds, I manage to partially tip the chair over, locking me in place mostly flipped backwards pinned to the wall with my feet off the ground…
Leaning my head back in resignation, I couldn't help but let out a chuckle…
'All these years… I've been beaten, berated, abused, kicked, punched, Hell I even got Stabbed once… all for nothing… my fighting has amounted to nothing… I never got to prove my bitch of a mother wrong… I never got to thank my dad for the few things he gave me growing up… I never got to apologise to Arlo for vanishing on him… I'm sorry my friend…'
Not wanting to sit and await my fate as I recalled my friend, I know he would've wanted me to at least go down swinging I begin to do everything I can to fight against my bindings, fighting with every fiber of my being to live…
Unbeknownst to me at the time, the pendant I received from Rowan, the one with Cresselia's feather started to glow in response to my will-power, the very essence of my dreams were being taken and boosted, granting me power.
Mustering my newfound strength, I managed to tip myself back upright. Able to watch in horror as the Granbull's skin began to shift, turning bulbous in spots, stretching, and pulling in ways it really shouldn't. Nearly making me throw up the breakfast I had eaten not long before this…
The terror I felt as it began beating against its cage, bending the steel bars as it did…
Petrified, I could only watch in shock as its cage began to fall apart… that is, until I felt a rumble from my sleeve… Aster!
Focusing with every fiber of my being as I tried to get the zipper undone so she could save my sorry ass, something unexpected happened… it started to glow as a faint blue ghostly hand started to slowly unzip the pocket.
A-am I psychic…? I don't know if that's possible as I'm not from this world where psychics actually exist but… if its true… there's no way I'm laying down and not fighting back!
Putting every ounce of concentration, I could in a high-stress scenario onto getting the zipper undone, I could feel blood begin to trickle down my nose as it started to finally bend to my will.
A few seconds later, and the pocket was open and Aster launched herself out to help…
"ASTER QUICK! CUT THE ROPE!" yelling out in panic as she emerged, immediately getting a trill in response as she flew and used wing attack to cut the rope holding me down.
Standing up way to fast has me bowling over onto the floor, damn concussion… pulling myself up I could only curse my luck as the Granbull finally managed to break and bend enough metal to escape its prison…
Freezing, I look in horror as the beast's bloodshot eyes scan the room in bursts, shooting around until they settle onto me.
"Fuck…" the stupid slip of my tongue triggers the beastly Pokémon, as it immediately begins to charge towards my still form.
As my flight sense kicks in, I try to scramble out of the way.
My feet hit the floor hard, and then I hear a crunch come from my arm… which appears to be facing the wrong way?
"ARGHHHHHHHH! MOTHERFUCKER! Aster kick this fucker's ass!" calling out to my fast flyer, she shoots forwards white light surrounding her as she blasts into the side of the enraged Pokémon, doing little more than a passing scratch as the beast's skin is simply to strong for any weak attack to truly damage it…
Hobbling up as Aster holds the beast back, my legs feeling almost ready to collapse after that blow.
My right arm… everything felt like excruciating tv static… even the slightest nudge made me see stars from the pain.
Looking back to the fight Aster didn't seem to be in much better circumstances, normally her speed gave her a huge edge in combat but the warehouse didn't give her enough room to get to those higher speeds, that is unless she let the Granbull focus on me for a few moments in order to do some laps to gain speed…
Fuck me and my damn ideas… "ASTER! I'll distract you gain some speed with Tailwind, then hit him with that combo move we made, Quick Endeavor!" getting a sharp trill in response, Quick Endeavor is a simple move in practice as its simply Quick Attack and Endeavor combined together, but the energies needed are very different in nature, while they both utilize normal-type energy the flow of the attacks are different as quick attack is essentially the boosted form of tackle which focuses energy into the Pokémon using the move, while Endeavor does the opposite, it takes the damage from the Pokémon and essentially replicates the pain and sends it to the target via contact with the enemy, so shifting the energy in such a quick movement is incredibly difficult to pull off and can be dangerous if interrupted… resulting in the damage of the attacker being doubled as the endeavor gets redirected to them instead
Watching as she takes off flying from the frothing Pokémon, it's a sad sight really… most Granbull are extraordinarily timid due to the fear the receive from people because of their large jaws and teeth… and this one is going against those very instincts of timidness and shyness because of the drug…
Looking around at the ground for anything to use against the Pokémon, I spot an old piece of rebar. Grabbing it, I aim and javelin throw it at the creature's head.
A loud crack rings out, shock mars my face as I notice the rebar simply broke as the Granbull managed to catch the metal in its jaws and bite through it like nothing…
Slowly it turn its eyes to face me once again, charging at me once more. As I take off running, I see Aster quickly gaining speed as she flies laps faster and faster around the building.
'Okay, just got to distract the damn thing for at least a minute at the speed Aster's gaining…'
Ducking around a support beam, I can hear the loud boom of its steps as it rushes closer. Peaking around the beam quickly becomes a mistake as I miscalculated the speed of the Pokémon. As it immediately bowled me over and careening into the metal siding of the building, knocking both the wind and my uninjured arm out of its socket…
Reeling from the pain, I hardly notice the beast trample over my broken arm, more than likely shattering whatever bone that hadn't been displaced and giving me a large gash as part of the bone is now jutting out from my elbow…
Wiggling and crying out in pain below its foot as I attempted to escape, I couldn't do a thing but stare in pure terror as the jaws of the beast came closer and closer to my face… is this it?
A couple of inches away time felt as though it had stopped until an enraged series of chirps and cries of Aster came booming from all around, and she came blasting into the beast, sadly due to her enraged cries it managed to prepare a powerful and quick Thunder punch into her, and when the two connected they were both blasted away from each other.
Groaning in pain, and somehow managing to prop myself up, I look in fear for Aster. A strong blow like that could have crippled her, thankfully while very injured she didn't look as injured as I am…
Trying to stand led to some difficulties, my balance had been distorted due to the pain from moving my arms even slightly as I attempted to stand but I managed, looking towards the Granbull as it pulled itself out a stack of crates, I knew the battle was far from over… it looks like it took a decent punch but barely worse for wear…
Fuck…
hopping away as my left leg had completely given out, I manage to get a few steps before I was once more bashed across into the middle of the warehouse. Scrambling backwards as the enraged beast slowly walked towards me its malformed head and body twitching as it walked, it felt as though the reaper was moments from claiming me…
but like a blasting comet, Aster arrived in a blindingly blue light?
"What the? None of her attacks cause blue light… wait… are you evolving?!" looking in awe at the well-timed miracle as Aster's form grows larger, and she flies even faster than before and a greyish energy forms on her wing.
'Is that Steel wing? When did she learn that…?' my habitual attempt at scratching my chin fails to happen as the pain it causes in my arm causes me to wince…
Watching as she blasts further into the now charging Granbull, the evolutionary glow stops and she appears in her full glory, steel energy adorning her now more streamlined form flying almost twice as fast as she slams the attack into the fairy type Pokémon, drilling it into the ground and fainting it…
A sigh escapes my lips as I take a moment to catch my breath…
Getting back up slowly, my savior makes her way over to me, concern adorning every inch of her face as she checks me over before trilling an apology to me, "Staarrr… Ra-ravia…" tilting her head down as she speaks.
A pained chuckle escapes my lips as I do my best attempt at a comforting hug, which plays out more like me laying my head against hers. "There is no need to apologise Aster, you've done nothing wrong… heck you were my literal wishing star out there, flying in like a meteor and defeating the Granbull…" a slight shudder runs through as the memory plays out, fresh in my mind.
Nudging her head against mine in concern I give a more light-hearted laugh, "its nothing. Haah… we better get out of here… think you can sneak up on those pieces of garbage and knock them out for me?" I laugh harder causing me to wince, as a large smile replaces her previous frown.
"Perfect, lets kick some blue-haired piece of shit ass then girl!" limping my way towards the exit, I give a quick glance at the very injured Granbull… that drug and the damage Aster gave to it really hurt it… fuck, if I had thought to bring an extra ball with me I could have caught it and brought it to the center to heal it… Shit, I'll try and get to the center as fast as I can… hopefully they can send someone to help you…
After a few attempts to open the door failed, I glance through the window and see the grunts facing away from the glass. "Aster, I'll pop the door open and you use quick attack to knock them both out alright? Let me know if they have any PokéBalls on them all right? and if you could slip them into my pocket that would be great."
Fiddling with the door handle for a moment, thankful that is was a twist-bar that pushed towards the grunts and not a round handle, I shove it open and duck as Aster launches by, taking the grunts by surprise as she slams into them, sending them careening into the cement floor.
Taking in the slight pleasure at seeing the fuckers get some well-deserved punishment as their faces very much shattered some of the concrete, and yes they lived, people in this world are much more durable than I thought, though it doesn't seem to fully apply to me…
Getting a trill from Aster, I look as she slips two shrunken PokéBalls into my pocket. Nodding at her, we set off to find our way out of the warehouse, after a few minutes of painfully slow walking from my exhaustion, we make our way out.
Looking around, I don't see a thing familiar and with my hands too injured I cant even check my map to find my way to the center. Mentally cursing, I get Aster to fly up and check where we are.
Giving her a moment as I collect my thoughts, I think about that strange power I felt… am I actually psychic? Such things were fake as shit back in my old world but here? they very much existed and the Kanto gym leader Sabrina was clear proof as to how powerful that ability can make someone, if I can harness it? It would be incredible to save my sorry ass the next time I get attacked…
A trill draws me out of my thoughts as Aster flies down, pointing me towards what I think might be north but I'm too far turned around to tell. All I can do is hobble towards her as she leads me to what I think might be the main street, or at least near it as that's were the Centers are located in every city as it makes it simpler for trainers to find…
XxxxxX
Beep*
Beep*
'what's that noise?' slowly, I start to wake up from my grogginess.
Ah that's right! I got my ass beat… Moving my arms tenderly, I pray to whatever god for the fact that heal pulse can be used on humans as well as Pokémon… I might just have to ask Rowan to look into finding out which Pokémon can learn it…
Yawning as I stretch out my arms, feeling a bit of pain if I move them too fast causing me to grimace and change to look around the small infirmary I'm in. Very…. Clinical…
…I'm sorry but that's really the only way to describe this place, clinical with a salmon pink coat of paint on the walls.
The creaking of the door opening catches my attention as the pinkette Nurse Joy enters the room.
Giving me a small polite smile, she closes the door behind her, checking my vitals as she talks, "Ah good, your awake! How are you feeling? You gave us quite the scare stumbling in like that you know, especially after the police tracked down that warehouse you were in… that poor, poor Pokémon… ah! But don't blame yourself, if it wasn't for those criminals doing those horrible things… neither of you would be in the state you are in now…"
Looking up at her face, I can see her worry as she frets over the condition the Granbull. While I cant blame her for her worry, I'd rather not ever see a Granbull again….
Shivering at the memory, those blood-red eyes will probably haunt my dreams for a while I think…
Though, now that I'm not in danger of dying, I should probably try and find out how I managed to open the zipper on my jacket… there's no fucking way I'm psychic and only now finding out, cause from what I remember of the show children display their psychic talent at a very young age or within the rough first ten years of life… and I aint that young.
Looking up at the nurse I ask, "Nurse Joy, is it possible for someone to suddenly display psychic abilities if they didn't when they were kids? During the fight, when I was trying to get Aster out of my pocket to help, I managed to do… something? Some sort of v" slowly bending my arm to scratch an itch on my other arm, the one now sporting a giant pierce-like scar near my elbow…
Getting a light smack on the hand, causing me to flinch up to look at the perpetrator. Nurse Joy was pointing at me, and now sported a concerned but stern glare. "Now Rusk, it might look all healed up but to much jostling or scratching could cause it to scar worse and create bigger issues down the line. The fact it isn't in a cast right now is already a miracle enough… the sheer level of injury on your body hasn't been seen in this Pokémon Center for almost a decade! Do you know how many ribs you cracked? 6! Know how many you broke? 7!" catching her breath, she straightens her back as she had started to really lean over to make sure I was listening.
Wow… I didn't think I got hurt that badly… I mean, I was pretty hopped up on adrenaline and I did collapse a few feet in front of the building but… I didn't think it was that bad!
Letting out a deep breath, "Now, to answer your question, no. the general belief that anyone can become a psychic after they experience trauma is nothing but a tale for fools, fools that would rather get hurt for power. The general age a child can displays their psychic abilities is around five or six, though the latest recorded was at nine."
Huh… so it can't be psychic powers then but… if not that then what?
As if she could hear my thoughts she spoke, "now that's not to say that there aren't other abilities humans can learn, many centuries ago the Aura Guardians were the equivalent of todays rangers force, though they were much more powerful as they had both their queen's word as authority and Aura. Though much of the knowledge of Aura is lost today, its been said that humans who were related to the aura guardians of long ago can access their own aura in times of great need. Isn't that interesting? You might be descended from a guardian from long ago!"
… I completely forgot Aura was a thing that existed…
Wait how the fuck would that work?! I'm not from this world so I can't be related to anyone here! but what if she says is true… and I can learn to harness aura? That would be incredible!
Drumming my finger on arm, I try and remember just what Aura could do…
I'm pretty sure it can make the equivalent of light-based objects? Like aura-sphere and the bone move from the anime… umm then there was the aura-vision… can't remember what that did… oh! There was some sort of empathy ability I think, and I'm pretty sure Ash's Greninja had access to it… I think? Because the battle-bond ability makes zero sense otherwise. Oh-Shit! I should be looking for mega-stones as well!
A faint call breaks me out from my musings, as a very concerned Nurse Joy begins to shine a small pen-light in my eyes.
Pushing the light away gently, "Sorry, what you said had me thinking. Maybe I do, have some connection to an Aura Guardian? I mean. I don't know much about my dad's side of the family, so I was thinking maybe that's where it comes from?" giving a partial truth as I really don't know much about my dad's side of the family other than that they were farmers from generation to generation.
"No apology necessary, I may have said too much while everything is still very fresh in your mind… now! I've got to take one more x-ray on that arm of yours, and then you should be good as long as its set right, though I have to tell you not to put too much pressure on it as its still in a softer state right now and it will most likely take another day to fully harden. While Heal pulse is a miracle in a move, it does leave the body a bit softer than before, making it much easier to hurt yourself in overconfidence." Nodding at me with a happy smile, she proceeds to give me a list of nutritional pills to take once I'm checked out of the infirmary to ensure that everything heals stronger than before.
After another half hour of waiting for the X-ray to finish and to get the all-clear, I remember another thing from the fight, "Nurse Joy? I forgot to ask, what happened to the two Pokémon I grabbed off the criminals? I never had the chance to check on them before I got here and well I've been in a gown since then… I was hoping to find out if they were okay."
A look of understanding comes over her face as she leaves the room, and a moment later comes back with a tray holding four PokéBalls on top. "Thank you for reminding me! your team is in perfect health and your Staravia's evolution was a real surprise! She is an incredible example of her species, even her plumage is gorgeous, I've never seen such a rich earthy color on her species before!" setting the tray down on the bed-table, I look up at her in confusion. I only have three Pokémon on my team…
"Ah! Nurse Joy, I think you've brought someone else's Pokémon here. I've only got three Pokémon on my team. There's a fourth PokéBall here I don't recognize." Explaining my worry to her, as a small laugh came from the pinkette had me even more confused than before.
"No need to panic Rusk, the fourth Pokémon, is the second of the two Pokémon you rescued from those Team Galactic thugs. The first, a young Hoppip, was sent back to his Trainer in Kanto who had been robbed on the cruise heading over there. This one right here… we found her trainer all right." her tone changing from happy to angry had me worried immediately, was the trainer dead? Murdered? Missing?
"Her trainer, or rather, the woman that captured her is a recently wanted Pokémon poacher known as Hunter J. After doing some research, we've learned she started her poaching career in Alola and we believe the Pokémon you saved was from one of her first hunts in Alola. A young Vulpix, now the reason she was poached was not purely because of her kinds already difficult to find not to mention capture status, no it was due to her unique coloring. She, similar to your Staravia, is what has been given the coined term, shiny. An incredibly rare sight to see for certain and makes them prime targets for people such as Hunter J…"
Sighing as she leans her head on her hand, "Now, this is asking a lot of you as you have already been put in a dangerous situation due to your encounter with Team Galactic. But I was hoping you could take her into your team… while I would love to keep her here, due to her own situation, it would make this Pokémon center a target for high-game poachers, now I wouldn't ask this unless I was certain and I had something to benefit you or your team so, if you accept I will give you these, as well."
She hands me the Vulpix's PokéBall, a seal case, and a super rod…? The seal case is kinda useful as I can better identify my Pokémon's PokéBalls, when I need to tell them apart as the fee for transferring a Pokémon into a specialty PokéBall is ridiculous! Maybe later down the line I'll transfer them into nicer looking PokéBalls or ones that match their designs, but for now! cool stickers that give them special effects will do! Plus, I can train my favourite Alolan Pokémon as a cherry on top!
"Nurse Joy, while I would have taken her either way, I will gladly take the other things as well. I've been looking for a good fishing rod for a bit, same with a way to identify which PokéBall on my belt is which as it can get a bit confusing if you take them all off." Smiling in gratitude at her, she places the things alongside the tray on my stand, wiping a tear off her cheek.
Interrupting her as she goes to talk, "You don't have to apologise for 'burdening' me with a helpful teammate, I've always wanted an Alolan Vulpix on my team so this feels more akin to a fated meeting rather than anything bad. The fact she's a shiny has nothing to do with the fact I would've taken her in, in a heartbeat. Heck anyone that even thinks about trying to steal her will get a swift kick in the groin… I've always had a soft spot for both ice and ground types, heck I'm planning on trying to find and catch some ground types down the line, or maybe find someone willing to let me buy an egg of one to raise…" smiling at her, I grin as she starts gives me a small chuckle at my eagerness.
"Thank you Rusk, I was very worried I was making a mistake but it seems I misplaced my worry. Though, before you kick anyone in the groin, you might want to make sure you can defend yourself a bit better in case they come looking for revenge." Giving me a serious look, she chuckles once more as she turns and leaves me and my team alone for the night.
Looking over to the tray, I spot the one PokéBall that looks a bit less used than my own, I don't know why a team galactic grunt would have an unused looking PokéBall on them but hopefully that means she's a recent acquirement and wont be traumatised or aggressive…
Palming the ball for a moment and enlarging it, I figure I better have Nova out, just in case you know? Nurse Joy never said how she acted when they checked her out so better to be on the safe side.
Nodding to myself, I send out my partner and explain the situation to him, and tell him that I'd explain everything that happened to him and Aria after we finished dealing with our new teammate.
Getting a worried but agreeing cry in response, I send out the snow fox.
The red light beams out, and in its place… the slightly pink Vulpix pops out jumping atop the desk she was released next to, eyeing the whole room up in suspicion.
"Hey, its alright… My names Rusk, and my partner here is Nova, we rescued you from that team galactic grunt last night… I'm sorry to hear about your circumstances and I wanted to offer you a couple of options." Holding my hands up in front of me as I spoke, letting her know I wasn't going to try anything, continuing once she stopped scanning the room and looked at me in suspicion. Her eyes were like literal pink gems with how bright they were.
"Option one, I talk to the professor I'm working for who should be able to contact the regional professor of Alola and get you sent back home, but if that happens you might just get poached again." Getting a growl in response to that I continue,
"Option two, you join my team and become strong enough to fight back against poachers and go home." getting a slightly better response to that I keep talking,
"Finally, Option three. You join my team, and I help make you strong and we work together to stop poachers like Hunter J, and villainous organisations such as Team Galactic from wreaking havoc on our homes." I can tell that options the winner, as the fire in her eyes forms her face into a grin. Clearly, she's the most battle-hungry of my team now.
Smiling at her, I pet her head, getting a swipe of the paw. I start to think of a name, though one trumps them all as the name is from a Ninetails I received from my long-time friend Arlo, as when we played sun and moon he traded her to me for a version exclusive that I cant remember… her name?
"Rukia, that will be your name. An old friend of mine gave me the idea for the name a long time ago, and I think it fits you rather well. While it means flow and current, I think it fits you better as your going against the current, fighting against those that wanted nothing more than to drag you down, forcing you to experience horrible things. You will rise against the notions people will try to force upon you, and I will make sure your capable of pushing further!" grinning at her, and receiving an agreeing yip in response as she holds out her paw for me to shake.
"it's a partnership then!" and with that I introduced her to the rest of my team, Nova and Aria's reaction to Aster's evolved form was hilarious as she was previously the smallest among the three. now, much larger than Cyndaquil surprisingly enough.
XxxxxX
That's finally chapter 6 folks! Sorry it took so long for release, I've been editing, rewriting, and just hemming and hawing over it for a long time now, mainly because I wasn't sure what direction I wanted to take it. Rusk's journey will be more dangerous than he first thought, though he will be safe for a short while… and he might get some tips and tricks on how to use Aura soon enough…
Anyways, I've gotten his roster all figured out its just a matter of getting to them in the story, as I don't want to rush his team, he wont be getting anymore team members until after Roark, and that's not till Ch 8 or 9… after that well I don't want to spoil anymore but their WILL be an OC character coming soon so I want you all to vote on who their ace will be!
While I'm not naming them, I will be giving types for each one.
Either comment the number or give a suggestion.
Bug, Fighting
Poison, Dark
Ground, flying
Psychic, Fairy
Dark
Personally, I'm leaning towards a couple of them more than the rest, but all of these fit the character I want to introduce pretty well, it only alters the backstory for them.
Now, do you think their going to be a good guy, or a bad guy? ;p
Don't forget to vote on the OC's Ace Pokémon!