“TITAN!”

“MUDSBRAY!”

“ARE YOU REA—

“WALTER O’BANNON IF TITAN BREAKS ANYTHING ELSE IN MY HOUSE YOU WON’T GO ON YOUR JOURNEY UNTIL NEXT YEAR!”

“SORRY MOM!” Walter says rubbing the back of his head sheepishly. “Well Titan this is it time for us to set out.” Reaching out he runs his fingers through Titans mane. It has the texture of course sand so it is an interesting experience. For him though it is a soothing feeling. His father’s Mudsdale had once sheltered him from a wild Pokemon attack. Well Walter always said it was an attack but really it was just a pidgey he startled swooping at him. But Mudsdale, his father never named him because “You can fix perfect” whatever that meant, stood over him. Head held low so his mane would cover the young Walter. He ran his fingers through His mane and knew two things. The first was that he was absolutely safe, and the second is that he wanted a Mudsbray as his starter.

He had since learned just how wrong that first statement was. In the wonderful world of Pokemon there were very few single Pokemon that could keep you completely safe, and good luck catching Arceus. Not that he would, that would be blasphemous. Though it was still hard to go wrong with a stronge Mudsbray by his side. While they could be found in the wilds of Galar still not everyone can afford the upkeep of a Pokemon as large as a Mudsdale. So there were always jobs posted at local Pokecenters for travelling trainers. The Leauge even gave people tax breaks just for using giving traveling trainers work. Walter is lucky that his family is sponsoring his journey for at least his first year. Thanks to raising Mudsbray his family has plenty of space to house his Pokemon. However he would have to prove himself as a trainer first. For every badge he earned his parents would house two Pokemon for him. If he makes it all the way to the Rookie Finals of this years gym league they will house as many Pokemon as he can make a good argument to have. They would also pay for all of his and his Pokemons necessities. Though again anything beyond that would require him doing well and proving himself. Not to say they wouldn’t help him out, but one of his father’s ‘nuggets of wisdom’ was that “Everything feels better when you earn it”. He seemed rather proud of that one. So he would also get TMs, battle items, or training equipment for earning Gym Badges or getting so many wins. Walter didn’t mind too much because his father would gladly get him anything he wanted if Walter put in the effort. It drove him to do better, he would be the best trainer he could. His parents offered to sponsor his traveling partner with the same deal. Rory has been Walter’s best friend since they could walk, it doesn’t hurt that Rory’s parents also work O’Bannon Barns. Galars premier Mudsdale breeders. So there was a little pressure for Titan to do well, just a little. But if they ca—

“Bray.” Titan nudged Walter bringing him out of his thoughts. “Thanks bud, let’s get going.” Picking his Silph Co. Bag up of the bed slinging it over his shoulder. It really was a marvel his messenger bag can carry thousands of items with no weight. That alone probably cost as much as it did to run the farm for a year. And with the 8 mating pairs of Mudsdale that was not cheap. Putting his bucket hat he took one last look in the mirror at 17 he was already about 6 foot tall. Working on the ranch has kept him in good shape he didn’t go to the gym but he felt reasonably prepared to the physical challenges of travelling across Galar. His black hair had been cut short for ease of care while traveling in the wilds. Other than that he looked like his normal self perfectly average. Together with Mudsbray he stepped out of his room for possibly the last time. Journeying through the wild areas of Galar could be treacherous. Even the areas patrolled by rangers could be dangerous. Not to mention the less explored areas. Walter paused as he closed the door.

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“Hey Titan, it’s like we are closing the door on our childhood.” Titan’s only response was to snort. His meaning was clear though, “Obvious”. “Yeah I know you figured it out already it just felt right to address it Mr. I’m too cool to let my trainer enjoy a big moment.” Titan’s tail playfully swatted Walter in response to his teasing. A playful slap from a Mudsbray was still enough to send him stumbling. Due to coating his body in mud the end of his tail and mane tended to get caked in mud. A good coating of mud and sand is good for them but they needed to be washed every so often so they can get a fresh layer. It increased their connection with earth type energy or TE. He didn’t understand how it worked but trusted his parents years of experience with them. Finally closing his bedroom door he made his way to the kitchen to have breakfast.

“Good moring Mom, Dad.” Opening the door so Titan could go out and have breakfast with his family. Sitting at the table he piled his plate high before enjoying a peaceful breakfast with his family. “So Walter” his dad, Bruce, began “today is the big day. I’ve seen the work you have already put in with helping Titan with his moves. I know you have what it takes to make a great trainer. I’m proud of you.” Before he had a chance to respond his mom, Candace cut it. “Did you pack all of your new underwear? What about shirts, socks, clothes for all occasions?” Walter shuddered at the flashback to all of the clothes he stuffed into his bag. “Yes Mom, it’s a good thing I have a Silph bag or I would never be able to carry that mountain of clothes.” Candace snorted, “You will thank me when you vist those fancy trainer parties. You don’t have to just rely on us you know. When you get invited to parties like that you can make a lifetime of connections it’s how your father and I made it so big as Mudsdale breeders. When a profesor says that you breed peak Pokemon it helps. You never know who you will meet, but remember it’s not a one way street. Be kind, help others when you can.” Walter’s face hardened into a resolute expression. “Of course! That is a trainer’s duty!”

Walter was raised on the ideal of a trainer that helps where they can. A trainer who steps up when they see injustice. He knew better than to stick his nose into anything dangerous until he had a much stronger team of Pokemon around him. His goal was to become an Ace Trainer. They were the League's elite trainers. They were given training as rangers and in subduing criminals. They roamed the region rooting out poachers and worse cults.

Reading her sons thoughts on his face Candace embraced him. “Oh Walter, I can see it in your eyes. Be careful out there and don’t jump into danger. I know you want to go after the people from Cult Abyss, but please wait until you have at least 6 Pokemon with you. They are dangerous people even one on one, and we know they never fight fair.” A few years back members from the cult started robbing and beating people in town. It went on for a while with the police a local Aces cracking down harder and harder, with the cult getting more violent in return. It was a self-perpetuating cycle that came to a head one evening. 20 cult memembers stormed the local Mall, ordering their Pokemon to attack people. Nigel, Candace’s father, stepped up along with some other trainers in the crowed to hold them off until the local Aces could arrive. Unfortunately he was killed a long with a few others before the Aces arrived. The time they bought however saved the lives of multiple people. Their were now two plaques in the mall for that day. One for the innocent lost. The other for the heroes who lost their lives defending the defenceless, there he would go and touch his grandfather’s name. Saying a prayer for his grandfather to be at peace and thanking him for stepping up that day.

“I will Mom. I know I’m not ready, but one day my team and I will grind Cult Abyss into dust. Their members will be the ones afraid to walk the streets. I will personally put them in jail and make sure they can never hurt anyone again.”