Chapter 4- Encounters

The sun barely crested the horizon and I was woken up by a mental nudge once more. I’m anything but a matinal person so the awakening is rough, to say the least. Nike seemed to be the opposite and seemed to want to beat the sun at waking up.

It takes me a good five minutes to shake off the last fog of sleep and be ready for the road. We cooked a quick breakfast and packed the camp before moving back toward route 19 with Nike quickly regaining her usual spot. We hit the road fairly early, so I decided to wait before calling home. Actually, I’ll wait more and include Miss Opal as well.

And so, we walk in what seemed like silence to others, but we are actually training each other. The aim is to be able to talk telepathically with Nike first, relying on my psychic nature and her typing. The results were mixed but nothing training won’t fix.

*

Riolu was training. Well, that alone is obvious. He was always training. Even when other members of his pack rested or took a break, he continued to train for hours before. The only moment he was not training was when his all attention was needed to take the vigil.

When he felt that he felt that his improvement slowed, he decided to travel to another pack that he heard about. One that was rumored to be led by a Lucario. This was a sign of power if he knew one. It took him weeks of travel, fighting, and hiding from a stronger opponent but he made it. The last act was something that hurt his pride. But survival was better.

Yet his destination was no better than his pack. Riolu, much like him trained, but spent the majority resting. He thought it would be different here, but they were even more relaxed. This was a shock to him.

He signaled himself to the pack with a burst of aura. He transmitted his curiosity, interest, and will to meet the pack leader. His aura brushed over the Riolus who froze for an instant. Then he could feel auras bouncing between each other, much more restrained than his. If he had shouted, they whispered.

Not long after the answer came. Acceptance and a request to follow. He obliged. They walked for a few minutes, but they finally arrived. It was a cave, carved from the mountain overhead. Grey rocks littered the ground. Riolus And Lucarios were training. This was more like it.

They walked past, the new aura attracting the attention before they returned to the training. His guides stopped and he continued alone. Even without his guides, he knew his destination. He could feel it. The powerful aura that covered the entire cave. Walking became harder but he welcomed it.

Soon, he found the one he had been looking for. Sat at the far back of the cave. Three aura spheres floated around him. Golden fur awash with energy. Aura sensing organ floating in concentration. He did not need to announce himself, the Lucario already knew he was coming. He stood, watching. Waiting.

You seek strength. He felt the comment.

He simply nodded, incapable of such fine control.

Yet the strength you seek will not be found here. Leave!

Riolu was surprised. Not here? Then where? He wanted to protest.

LEAVE! A torrent of aura pushed him to his knees. Return to your pack.

He did his best to send a feeling of confusion and a bit of irritation. Why would he need to go back when all they were concerned about was playing? He wanted to be strong. Strength was everything!

The type of strength you seek will be found there. But only if you know what to look for. Should you ignore it, you will find others surpassing you.

He could feel a hint of amusement through the aura and was it excitement?

Remember young one. Trust your senses and doubt your prejudices. Now leave. You interrupted my training long enough.

Riolu was perplexed. But he left, nonetheless. He knew the displeasure of someone interrupting your training. He was displeased. But he felt the power and wisdom of the words.

He stood up from his kneeling position and made his way to the exit but stopped. He turned and bowed. He thought he saw the corner of the Lucario rise but left immediately. Strength was awaiting.

*

We moved fast to reach Floccesy. Or at least get closer. It would take one more day to reach it after all. According to the map, it was the hometown of Champion Alder. The only reason the league did not build a gym there was because Alder himself was against it and the people supported him. Maybe it was the other way around, but it was admirable, nonetheless.

Maybe I should also use this opportunity to work my stamina actually. I was not the most active person in either of my lives but if I have to travel around the region, stamina is a must. Let’s do it now.

I quickly put on some shorts and a lighter shirt and started running. The air got cooler as we got close to autumn, and I could already see some leaves browning. Deerling owners will have their work laid for them with all the shedding. This idle thought came about from the herd of deerling led by a Sawsbuck. Their fur was already falling and changing color.

It watched me carefully and I knew that making any move toward the small deer Pokémon, it would kick my butt. So, I gave them a wide berth.

I continued to run with my ‘hat’ on my head. She actually did a good job of hanging on with all the bouncing. Soon it was noon, and we reached a camping site on the road. There are already trainers who took a break like we are doing.

The camp was pretty spacious all things considered. I can even see two trainers having a battle. Based on the Tepig I guess one is a sponsored trainer while his opponent uses a Purrloin.

We found a spot not too far from the batting duo, but not close enough to interrupt either. Today is the day we train the egg move. I don’t know how hard it will be, but I have to calm down. Using a different type of energy apparently takes time without any TM to introduce the type first.

The TMs are often used as the training wheels, or the ignition needed. Of course, the moves are always welcome. Mystical fire. The move was of fairly high tier also so the energy needed might also be too much, but we won’t know without trying.

“Ok Nike, use Mystical Fire!”

She started to let out a cry as her concentration increased but, in the end, she deflated as if nothing happened.

“It's okay, remember that even confusion took time. We’ll master it eventually.”

She looks up and I try to reassure her with a smile. It seemed to work as the next moment she is fired up once more.

“Hey, you!” came a voice.

Well, that’s a rude way to call on someone.

I turn around to see a black hair kid with green eyes looking at me and Nike. He was wearing black shorts reaching to his knee and a red shirt. Judging by the Tepig at his foot he must have been the one that was fighting. I did not really pay him much, to be honest.

But now I was feeling annoyed by his rudeness.

“What?” I ask dryly. Two can play this game.

“I don’t know your Pokémon. Let’s fight! Hopefully, you will be a better opponent for Tepig and me than the weakling over there.”

I looked in the direction he pointed, and I saw the Purrloin getting treated by one of the Pokemon Center assistants for this route. Without even waiting he turned and walked toward the field as if I already accepted his challenge. Normally I wouldn’t mind a challenge, but the boy’s attitude just makes me sick, to be honest. Well, he is just a kid. We are technically the same age but that’s a detail.

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Seemingly realizing that I was not getting up he turned around and looked at me as if to ask what the heck I was doing. Seemingly agreeing with his master, the Tepig strikes the ground with his hooves. I looked at them for a while before deciding that ignoring him was better than dealing with him.

I mean, I am trying to train, and I don’t have the time to deal with a stereotypical bully or whatever he is on.

“Alright Nike.” I turned to my partner who I realized was silently fuming. Cute! “let’s try once more. Maybe imagining a flame will help? The move is there you just need to figure it out.”

Nike looked up for a moment before smiling again with a spirited “Naa!” and trying once more.

This action, however, seems to displease our guest genuinely stomps on the floor. Wow impressive maybe he will be able to use earthquake eventually. Or maybe he knows Stomp?

“I’m talking to you! I said let’s fight!” he raged.

“Oh yeah! Good for you buddy” I answered, and I heard a couple of chuckles. It appeared our interaction drew attention.

It seems the laugh was the last straw for him and launched a rant.

“Do you even know who I am?”

“Well, you did not introduce yourself.”

More chuckles. Was I always this petty?

“Y…You! Don’t you even know what having a Tepig as a starter means? I am different from the likes of you. I was sponsored because Professor Juniper saw my talent. You should be honored that I even want to fight with you.”

Now the entire clearing has been drawn in by the commotion and for sure I will not be able to train peacefully. Sighing, I got up from my kneeling position and looked at the kid in front of me.

“Wow chill out mister genius of the century. Just as your sponsor reflects on you, what you do affects them, so I’ll give you some advice, calm down before someone reports you to the professor. And just as you can challenge me, I can refuse the challenge. Now move along!”

The guy seemed like he was about to do something, but it seemed my words finally made him realize that he would not be able to act like he wanted. It is true that promising trainers are handed their Pokémon by the professor and receive a stipend of some sort. This stipend can increase depending on the result of the sponsored trainer. But that also means that their behavior reflects on the sponsor. This is why they are required to show their affiliation during official challenges as well.

“I will not forget what happened today. You better pray we never meet each other! Let’s go Tepig.” He fumed before stomping off.

I watched him stomp away after spouting one of the most cliché lines yet and turned to continue our training when I was interrupted again.

“Well done kid. Honestly thought I would be forced to intervene, but you saved me the trouble. I must say you have a good head on your shoulder.”

I turned to face the source of the lazy voice but saw nothing. Until Nike attracted my attention to the tree not far to our right. Look up and lock with a black-eyed blond man. He was wearing an orange, brown outfit- the ranger uniform- and a hat of the same color. Behind him on another branch stood a Mienshao.

I think I can be forgiven for looking dumbfounded. Nike did not notice them let alone me. With an agile hop, both Pokémon and Ranger were in front of me.

“I’m Ranger Mathew, in charge of my area and this is my partner Mienshao.”

“Shao!”

I took the extended hand and introduced myself as a new trainer and Nike as my partner.

“Ah! It’s that time of the year” He laughed. “I must admit I am rather bad with time. Anyway, your Pokémon is quite the unusual one, mind telling me where you caught it?

A faint light flickered in his eyes as he said that, and I can’t help but feel a little tense. Seems this easygoing-looking ranger is still a ranger through and through. Is he suspecting me of poaching or something? No that should not be your first guess when meeting a young person with a rare Pokémon. Then?

“Yes, she is the best. And I did not catch her, but she hatched a few weeks ago.”

I decided to tell the truth but also make sure he gets that Nike is not an ‘it’. Pokémon are your family. He seems to catch my drift and smile once again.

“I’m sorry if it touched a nerve. You have the right mindset for a trainer. I was curious though what were you trying to do?”

With that, I relaxed and decided to answer honestly. “We were training for a new move. As I told you she hatched a few weeks ago and as it turned out she has an egg move. A pretty powerful one too so we are trying to figure it out.”

I could see his eyes widen a bit as he heard that, and he looked at Nike with a new light as did his partner. The little Pokémon for her part is positively puffed up with pride. I smiled as is her antics and picked her up causing a giggle.

The ranger eyed me for a minute before asking again. “Do you mind telling me the type or the name?”

“Sure, it’s a fire-type move called mystical fire.do you have any tips, sir?” I asked him.

He whistles “Little missy here is a rare case. A Galarian Pokémon with a move that was thought to be exclusive to a Kalosian starter. I’ll be damned!”

Wow, this guy knows his stuff. For him to know that much he is really qualified.

“Anyway, for your question you have to let her get used to the fire type energy first and the best way for that is TMs but seeing your grimace I guess it’s out of the options?”

“Yes, a bit out of budget for now” I confessed.

Those things are expensive! If I was a sponsored trainer and presented enough results, they might be willing to pay for one, but I could not. Sure, I could ask Nana and Pops but if I wanted to rely on them every time, I might as well stay in Aspertia.

“Thank you for your help, I guess we have to be patient Nike.” The little Pokémon quite literally deflates but understand.

“Now hold on. That’s not the only way, just the fastest. Geez! What do they teach you in school nowadays? Unova is known for its crystallization of type energy I’ll remind you.”

Saying so, he pulled out something from his pocket and threw it at me. I caught it and was surprised about how I could forget about that. In the game, you could find so many of them, but I never used them. In my hand now rests a reddish-orange gem that seemed to shimmer from the inside. A fire Gem.

“This one is a fire Gem. It contains fire type energy and can be used for your little friend to get accustomed to the type. It is normally used to boost fire type moves but with the energy inside and some training, the move will eventually click in place.”

I continued to watch the gem in my hand before lifting my head. And giving it back. “Thank you but I cannot accept it.”

While not crazy expensive, you could quite literally pick some if you knew where to look, it was still a reasonable price. Taking it for free felt a bit weird, to be honest.

“Bah! I just happened to pick it up not long ago. Don’t worry I did not spend anything on it. If you insist just consider it a thanks for showing me a rare Pokémon and sparing me from dealing with the entitled brat.”

Well, if he insists, it would be rude to refuse it. I smiled. “Thank you, ranger Mathew” I mock saluted putting my right hand to my fist. That was the ranger salute that I read about in a book.

He looked at me for a bit before bursting into laughter and returning the salute. That was a pretty crisp salute if I do say so myself. I can see his partner covering their mouth with their long whip-like hands.

“Kid you are a real one for that. Thank you for the chat, I must be on my way. I hope to meet you again, kid. And be careful.” He advised.

With that, he nimbly jumped back into the tree shortly followed by his Pokémon. Can humans really jump like that? Before I even finished my thought they were out of sight, and I found myself alone with the gem in my hand and Nike on my head.

“Well, baby girl looks like you will have a new toy for a while,” I told her.

My answer is a wave of joy and anticipation. I really want to be able to talk to her so we will work on that. For now, let’s eat and try to reach the next rest area before nightfall.

*

“Ahh…”

Standing on a tree branch, ranger Mathew looked at the young man, Nexon, making his way toward the next city. He recalled the previous interaction and could not suppress a shiver as he took out his transceiver.

His mission, and that of all other rangers in proximity to a city with a gym, was the same as usual around this time of the year. Identifying possible talented trainers or possible trainers at risk. The Unova region is not as safe as the public thinks. After a couple of rings, the other side picked up the call.

“Ranger Mathew, status report!” Came the female voice of the operator. He knew this voice.

“I’m good thank you for asking dearest sister.” He answered with a sneer.

“Status report” was his only answer.

“Ahh fine. Potential alpha target located. Pass the info along. The name is Nexon Grimwald. I repeat potential Alpha category.”

The line on the other side went silent and he understood why. Code alpha revers to a trainer with amazing potential AND rare Pokémon. Which unfortunately makes them a prime target for a terrorist organization operating throughout Unova, Plasma.

Mathew himself was not privy to the details but he knew that they tried to interfere with the champion challenge. The situation was silenced as soon as the rumor spread. Only higher up knew exactly what happened.

“Hold, I am transferring your call.”

And he waited.

That kid Nexon, will be a monster when he blooms…the worst is, he doesn’t even realize. Maybe I should have given him my number. Bah, I’m sure I will meet him again since he did not take the first gym challenge.

Then the connection with the call clicked and Mathew's heart leaped in his chest. In the call were all the currently active gym leaders of the entire region, the professor, the entire elite 4 members, AND the champion. He was definitely not getting paid enough to join them all.

“Please report the interaction that led to the classification as alpha” The soft voice of the professor was the first to echo through the call.

It took him a second to collect himself and organize the events in the order he intended to present them.

“Firstly, his first Pokémon and partner is a Hatenna which as you know is from Galar. He was apparently there for holidays and the egg reacted to him.” He stopped there to let them absorb the fact, yet he found that they were not even surprised.

“Continue.” The gym leader Drayden stated curtly.

“Yes! That Hatenna apparently possesses the signature move of a kalos starter as an egg move, Mystical fire.” Now he could see some interest in what he was saying, and he continued. “What he did not mention was the talent of the young Pokémon. While Mienshao and I were interacting with him, Porygon told us that the talent he Traced was Magic Bounce which after research is the hidden ability of the species.”

“What?” This time, it was the Psychic elite who woke up and asked the question.

“I understand that the Pokémon seems to have potential that should only warrant a gamma or maybe beta if the trainer is talented why did you report it as alpha?” the champion interrupted with his gruff voice.

“Yes sir! There was an …incident with one of the trainers at the rest spot” he looked briefly at the professor before continuing. “One of the esteemed professor’s sponsored trainers seemed to cause an argument with others in the rest area and challenged Nexon to a duel which he refused.” He gulped here.

He eyed the reaction of Professor Juniper, but if she was affected, she did not show it. He immediately continued to avoid dragging the call.

“The trainer then got angry at the situation until Nexon stood up. I don’t think it was intentional or even if he noticed but at that time, the aura of the boy changed significantly. I myself briefly sensed it and Porygon drew my attention to the situation. In addition, his mind was shielded from Porygon.

I thought it was the doing of his partner, but Porygon was able to get a read on her. We came to the conclusion that the boy had a psychic block in place or…”

“He himself could be a psychic~~” came a sleepy voice. “I would like to meet him before we move further. If he is a psychic, we will be able to sense it.” She yawned.

The call was silenced once more. Elite four member Caitlyn who usually preferred to sleep in her tower wanted to make a move. What did he get himself into?

“Thank you, ranger Mathew, for your report. You will be contacted if it is necessary to make a move. Also, make a report regarding the lab-sponsored trainer separately.” Said the professor.

Before he had time to react, he was ejected from the call.

“What is going on?” he wondered.

*

Back in the call, Caitlyn regretted waking up. Let alone speaking. Questions were pouring and she did not want to answer. She just wanted to sleep. Actually, she was already falling back asleep… until champion Alder mentioned her name.

“That is unusual for you to volunteer Caitlyn, are you that worried about that?”

“Hum I am not worried” she had to stymie a yawn before continuing. “I was saying I am simply curious~”

She waited until gym leader Cheren spoke.

“If it is okay with you Miss Caitlyn, I will let you know when he comes for his challenge. I should be the closest one.”

“Thank you~~. I’m going back to sleep~~~”

She exited the call as soon as she said that. She only attended because Gothitelle insisted.

Around her, her Pokémon looked at her and a quick mind link brought them all to speed. She loved talking to them. It required no energy. And thanks to Musharna she could even do it when she slept.

‘I shall inform you when the signal is received.’ The cold voice of Metagross resounded.

‘Thank you, dear.’

With that, she finally went back to sleep peacefully with only a remark before sleep claimed her.

This season will be quite entertaining.