June 12th, 20XX
Boy, this has been a hectic set of days. Nova and I have been doing a lot of move training, working on getting up the effectiveness of his current attacks, as well as reducing the time required for moves like growth and leech seed.
Growth now only takes three seconds for him to get off the full effect, which is great progress for us. Going forward we are going to focus on maximizing the benefits he got out of the move, which is great. Mega drain has been slowly getting more effective as well, although it wouldn’t be so strong as to qualify as giga drain yet.
Leech seed’s increased effectiveness has been good for us as well since originally the attack was so slow it was going to be very difficult to hit any flying Pokémon. It’s certainly not any bullet seed yet, but I’m confident as long as the opponent is close he’ll be able to land the attack.
Razor leaf as well has been making decent progress, and is probably Nova’s strongest physical attack at this point. Testing these attacks out in the woods those leaf blades are more than capable of cutting into wood. We aren’t slicing down trees just yet, but given that Sunkern can learn the HM cut I can assume it’s only a matter of time.
In other news, I was surprised to learn that Nova is incapable of learning wrap. While as a Sunkern it sort of makes sense, since he’s just a seed there’s not a lot for him to wrap with and his standard roots aren’t that solid. But even once he evolves into a Sunflora he will never learn the move wrap, not even as a TM or HM. It feels strange to me, given the roots he lays with ingrain are different than his normal ones and quite sturdy. As a Sunflora his whole body becomes what is essentially a viny plant. Not being able to use it to wrap a target feels very odd.
It has given me an idea for a new move though. Nova can’t stop using ingrain once he starts, at least not quickly and without substantial effort. It makes the move a risk to play since he becomes a sitting target. Ranged moves like mega drain and razor leaf make up for that weakness a bit, but it’s still a problem. However, if Nova were able to somehow use ingrain on the enemy Pokémon, not just the terrain, then he would have the same mobility as his opponent while draining their life force directly.
I doubt it will be easy to pull off since he’ll have to not only get on top of an enemy target, but he will also have to grow his inrain roots fast enough to fully grab and restrict them. If he can pull it off he could essentially vampire down his opponent and the ingrain will drop once they are pulled.
There’s no chance we will have something like that ready for Falkner, but it’s something we can work on for later gym challenges. It might not even reach its full potential until after Nova evolves and gains a body better suited for it, but it’s worth looking into.
Talking about moves though, I should cover TM‘s and HM’s since there’s a pretty big difference between the games and reality.
For starters, moves that can only be learned by TM in the games, do not require them in this world. All that is needed is an example to teach the move. For example, if I want Sunkern to learn a move like magical leaf I could simply ask Ethan to have his Chikorita teach it to Nova once she learns it.
Now objectively this is much harder than getting a TM which just inserts the base knowledge and skill to use the move directly into the Pokémon’s mind. TM‘s are more efficient by far, which is why they are so much more expensive, most costing a thousand poké or more, depending on the move.
Not that TM‘s are perfect. They only insert the base knowledge to use a move, none of the experience or practice that comes with mastering. The quality of the TM is whatever determines how extensive this base knowledge will be, but no matter what all moves will require practice and training to master.
HM’s are a different beast. While they are technically the same as TM‘s in everything but name, how they are acquired is very different. A TM can be purchased by anyone with enough money, but HM’s must be earned. They are considered utility moves, things like teleport, flash, cut, and rock smash are all HMs. Of course, there are certain Pokémon that can learn or do the equivalent of these moves naturally. Fly is an ability inherent to most flying type Pokémon after all.
Utility moves are often only handed out by gym leaders or people who run jobs that require those moves of Pokémon in their career paths. Falkner hands out the HM rock smash, as well as a TM of his choice to every victor in his challenge. In the games of course you have to find the HMs from random individuals on your journey, but in the reality of this world, they are distributed by the gym leaders. HMs are important since they are practically the only way for some Pokémon to learn these utility moves. While any bird might be able to fly naturally, to fly in a way that allows smaller Pokémon to carry a trainer would require the HM. Same for a move like surf. Plenty of water types already know how to swim, but only ones that are large enough can carry a trainer. The HM surf makes up for this limitation.
Of course, a Pokémon still needs to be capable of learning the move for a TM or HM to work. This is an issue for my team since Nova can only learn cut and Pyukumuku can only learn flash. This ends up limiting a lot of my move potential. Thankfully I’m traveling with Lyra, and her Marill and Poliwag give us some coverage for utility moves that will make life a little easier.
Pyukumuku has been doing well lately too. Thankfully it seems that he won’t suffer any permanent damage from fresh water exposure. Never have I been so happy to know Pokémon have ridiculous durability compared to ordinary animals. Nova and I have taken to visiting him every evening when we stop at the Pokémon Center for our evening, although the Center’s Kadabra has refused to give us a psychic link again. I think he’s kind of lazy, but it has given me a chance to learn to understand how Pyukumuku talks.
He doesn’t make noises or calls like other Pokémon but instead does a kind of sign language with the white guts he can shoot out of his mouth. Turns out he has really good control over the pseudo limb and is good at using it to communicate. It’s a little gross but effective.
He gets released tomorrow and he seems excited to start training with Nova and me. We have also decided on a name, and I’ve finally put together a solid plan for what I want for my team. Pyukumuku accepted the name Bastion. I told him that our team needed an unbreakable shield, a stalwart defender to protect and guide us. I let him know that he would be on the front lines, the first out in the battle to soften our foes while preparing our defenses.
He seemed happy to have a role, and getting a quintessential role like tank is important for him. It’s unlikely I’ll get a teammate as defensively bulky as him, much less one that can grab defensive moves like light screen and reflect. He’s missing the health of some of the more standard tanky Pokémon like Snorlax, but with a move like recover in his repertoire, it won’t be a problem.
Thanks to him having a role of tank I’ve been able to decide that’s how I’m going to look for teammates. I want to find Pokémon that fill specific roles on the team. Nova will be the hero since he has a lot of flexibility with his damage potential and survivability to adjust to whatever role I need him to fill.
Pyukumuku is, as I said, the team's tank. He will endure damage and buffer for his teammates, filling a spot as a switch or pivot in important battles. Once his moveset improves he can be used for stall counters and debuffs as well, but focusing on his defensive capabilities will be my priority.
For the rest of my team, there are some important slots I want to be filled. I need a DPS, someone who's fast and can pump out the damage. Type flexibility in their attacks would be important as well. Something like Lokix or Mighteyena would work well, but the Pokémon who can learn or mimic other moves could work too. Sudowoodo and Smeargle jump to mind immediately.
I’ll also need a bard, someone focused on buff and debuff options. Ideally, both but even focusing on debuff is fine given Bastion’s potential to apply buffs later on. I think one of the bug-type lines would be good for this, particularly Beautifly. Venomoth would be great for the role, but they have some pretty major use competitively among gym leaders and even up to the Elite 4. Koga in particular is known to have a nightmare of a Venomoth on his elite team, so that doesn’t quite fit my underdog aesthetic.
Of course, every team needs a mage as well. Mage is a very flexible role and could have a lot of meanings so I will specify. A mage could be anyone who can dish out overwhelming power with preparation but needs setup or protection, but what I’m looking for specifically is someone who fits the thing mages are most known for. Fireball.
Yeah, I’m not an idiot, despite Pyukumuku’s water typing we have no counter for a fire type currently. Pyukumuku could resist a fire type, but most of them have a wide variety of special attacking moves, and Pyukumuku has no way to attack those unless I can find some way to teach him mirror coat.
So what I want is a fire type to cover the vulnerability to fire we currently have, and specifically, I would love a Magcargo. They are probably the most underrated and underutilized fire type out there, and their rock typing will let them counter other fire types perfectly. The difficulty is that Slugma is tough to find in Johto. They can’t even be found here naturally, so I'd have to leave the region or get one sent in somehow. Or stumble across one that’s out of place somehow.
With that kind of luck being there, I’ll probably end up settling for a ground type instead, just to cover weaknesses, but it’s good to have goals. I’ll improvise if I need to, anyone who sticks out to me as fitting in will be invited to join my team after all. But if I could fill the team with my ideal option, the last slot is something I’m torn on. I would either want an assassin or a healer.
The best option would be a healer, even if I already have some healing options on the team with Nova. While he can learn grassy terrain and morning sun, along with leech seed, it’s lacking in power. An Audino would be great, but they are exceptionally hard to find in the wilds and are often bred specifically to work as a healing Pokémon in the Centers and hospitals. They are less popular than the Chansey line though, since their healing is considered to be weaker overall.
However an assassin would be a phenomenal addition to our team, someone who can hide directly on the battlefield and attack from blindspots. Either a Pokémon known for hiding or one that I can lean into critical builds, aiming for weak points and high spikes of damage. Keckleon and Sableye are two that jump to mind since both are known to be able to turn invisible or cloak themselves with their surroundings. Can’t be beaten if you can’t be found on the field.
This is all plans and speculation though. I could have any number of Pokémon on the team, and I would make them work in roles they are suited to. I may have always wanted someone bulky for my team, but I certainly wasn’t expecting it to be a Pyukumuku. Yet I can already tell that Bastion is an amazing addition to our team, come tomorrow he will finally be released from the Center, and we can begin training properly.
Lots is happening tomorrow, not just Bastion’s release. Ethan finally makes it to the city, since he got held up by an incident back at Elm’s lab he was a couple of days slower than he originally planned. He also says he caught another Pokémon, so we may be able to have another battle, possibly a two versus two if Bastion feels up to it.
Lyra is also taking on Sprout Tower tomorrow. She isn’t confident that they will make it very high up the tower, but she seems excited to let Poyo get some practice fighting grass types. Yes, she named her Poliwag Poyo, and yes it is adorable. I’ll probably try the tower myself in a couple of days, before our match just to get some more gauntlet training in with Bastion and Nova. More practice with experienced trainers will be important. These are our final steps before a gym battle. We need to make sure we are as ready as we can be for it.
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Arthur Lindt
I was walking towards the edge of town. It was roughly 8 in the morning, and while Nova and I normally did our run around this time, we had a much more important task this morning. I fiddled with the Pokéball on my belt, the second that sat on my belt now. It was another plain Pokéball, and it currently held Bastion. Originally I considered using the one Net Ball I had for him, but the more I thought about it, it seemed like a bad idea.
Distinct balls for every Pokémon, while nice, make it very easy for any opponent who researches you to know who you're bringing out. It’s a small advantage and one that probably wouldn’t affect anyone at a high enough skill level, but with a team like I was building, I needed every advantage I could get. Making sure my opponent didn’t know what Pokémon was coming out before it was on the field would be something I would lean into, at least until I was confident we didn’t need it.
Nova, as usual, hopped alongside me as we made our way out of the city, walking west toward the edge of Route 36. While I would keep him in his ball on our way to any important battles, he preferred being out in the open, so that’s where he was until I needed him elsewhere. I asked Pyukumuku if he wanted to travel outside of his ball too, but he made it pretty clear he preferred being inside of it, at least while traveling. He’s a pretty slow mover so he preferred the comfort and speed of traveling inside of a ball.
Still, as we reached an empty clearing on the edge of town I released Bastion from his ball, and he shifted around in the spot as he looked around the grass. His body shuddered as he turned to face me, spitting out his insides to form a small hand which he used to give me a thumbs down.
“Oh, what’s the matter? You don’t like being without water?”
The hand rotated to a thumbs up, letting me know I got it right.
“I’m sorry bud, but it’s an important part of your training. Most of our battles will be on dry land, so you have to get used to moving around here. I don’t expect you to ever be fast per se, but you need to be at least able to move efficiently. Too many enemies out there can take advantage of a still target.”
Bastion waved his ‘hand’ in a so-so motion, before giving me another thumbs up. At least begrudgingly he seemed to agree to be on land for training, although I would probably have to keep him in his ball most times outside of that. At least until I could afford some sort of portable saltwater solution he could stay in when we are camping or in the Pokémon Center.
Okay, so I know all the moves you have already since we could scan you with my Pokédex while we were meeting earlier, but I still need to know the limits of your abilities. Can you use harden for me? I want to see how close you are to that ideal 50% increase.”
The Pokédex made my life easier for training like this. Before when testing growth with Nova I had to estimate how much of an increase to his stats he had from one use, which is why we had focused on reducing the amount of time it took to take effect instead. With the Pokédex I’m able to check the actual stage increases.
Pokémon stats can have up to 6 stages in increase or decrease to their stats. Each stage is the equivalent of 50% more power in the recorded stat. Now in the games, this was the limit of that information's usefulness, some moves raised a stat or multiple stats by one stage, some raised by two and a very rare few could even raise a stat by three stages.
In this world, the stages were more used as reference guidelines for the different points a stat could be raised to. No move would guarantee a perfect 50% increase every time and instead, you worked to train how much your increase would be. Harden could take a few uses to reach one stage increase or could hit two with one use, depending on how well someone trained the move. It’s also worth noting that while six stages are considered the maximum, there are reports of certain Pokémon and their trainers able to get increases above that. The most famous would be Champion Cynthia’s Garchomp, which is rumored to be able to reach stage seven with only three uses of sword dance.
The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.
As Bastion recalled his limb back inside of his body and shivered on the spot he shined lightly, before settling still. A scan with the Pokédex unfortunately revealed no changes, and I had him use the move again. Another five seconds or so for the move to take full effect and again there was no change. He still hadn’t hit stage one yet. It wasn’t a great sign, but I had him use the move again to be sure. With one more use of the move and a total of nearly half a minute, accounting for pauses to check his stats, we hit stage one in his defense.
That… wasn’t ideal. Granted Pyukumuku’s already had insane physical and special defense, even without stage increase, but still. Five seconds a use, and three uses just to get one stage increase meant at least fifteen seconds of uninterrupted focus to get a fifty percent increase. Part of the difficulty likely came from how high Bastion’s defense already was, so increasing its stages was likely more difficult for him.
“Well, buddy, three is what got us there. We will be working on how many uses of the move it takes for you to get a stage increase, have you used harden much before?” I figure asking is important, he might not have much experience with the move since he seemed to be relying mostly on counter in the river where I found him. A full shake of his body side to side tells me that no, he did not have much experience with the move at all.
“Well practicing that move will be very important in the next few days. While I’m certain your defense is enough to handle most of Falkner’s flying types, being able to boost your stat will be helpful in case of any surprises. Nova hop in there quick.”
Nova who had been watching with interest from atop my head hopped down to face Bastion.
“I want you to use taunt on Nova okay? Nova resist it the best you can and use growth okay?”
Taunt was a move that forced the target to use actual attacks, no stat moves or status condition effects were allowed. Of course, this effect wasn’t guaranteed, and how long it took to wear off and even whether it took effect at all was dependent on the will of the Pokémon resisting it. Nova had nothing if not will in spades, so I didn’t expect it to have a hold on him for long, if at all but that was the point of testing.
I watched as Bastion glowed with a thick black aura before it flashed across the field and surrounded Nova, sinking into his eyes and causing them to dull in a manner that was visible from where I was watching.
“Okay Nova, remember, use growth.” Nova didn’t respond and instead hopped towards Bastion, closing the distance as fast as his little body could carry him.
“Nova, stop use growth.” Nova continued ignoring me as he slammed into Bastion with a tackle, to little effect.
Bastion didn’t even move from where he was hit, instead looking at me with a glance for what to do. Nova still seemed unresponsive as he attempted to tackle him a few more times. I decided this was as good a time as any to do the last thing I wanted to test.
“Alright, Bastion use counter see if that knocks some sense into him. Sorry Nova.”
Despite my words, Nova was still unresponsive as he threw another tackle toward Bastion who responded with a flash of movement. A white fist flew out of his mouth as his body was compressed by the impact, and Nova was sent tumbling away. He rolled nearly five times before coming to a stop with a shake. The faded look in his eyes cleared and he turned to face Bastion and me before speaking quickly.
“Sun.. Sunkern. Sun-” He was cut off by Bastion waving him off with his hand before turning to face me again. It seems he wanted to apologize for attacking when he wasn’t supposed to but Bastion saw it as no big deal.
“Hey don’t stress about it Nova, we were testing moves there was always a chance it was going to work on you. I’m surprised it was strong enough to compel you to attack though. You have a pretty good handle on both taunt and counter already don’t you?” Bastion nodded his whole body in affirmative at my question, and I felt confident knowing the things we needed to work on.
“Okay, I've changed my mind. Your work with harden will wait until after the gym challenge, I doubt we would be able to make enough progress to justify working on that over your moves that will be useful in the coming battle.” Bastion nodded in either understanding or agreement, it was tough to tell specifically which he was feeling with a nod alone.
“So instead we are going to work on your mobility and fully mastering counter. While you’re already really good at getting nearly double the damage out of the attack, we need to make sure you can always use it without fail. Being able to let out the attack whenever you get from any direction, no matter how fast the attacker or how they hit you. Does that make sense?” Another nod from Bastion made it clear to me that he was ready to work.
“Sunkern?” Nova let out a question from where he was resting, drawing my attention.
“Don’t worry Nova I haven’t forgotten about you, your training is going to help Bastion with his.” Right now I want you to master razor leaf as best you can before the coming fight. Maximize its speed and cutting effectiveness. More than that though, we are going to work on how well you can shape the grass type energy for the attack.”
“Kern?”
“Yes, basically I want you to work on directing your leaves. Instead of just sending them out in a straight line at your target, try and control the type energy to bend the path leaves. You’ll be attacking Bastion, using your faster speed to hop around him as well as trying to control the leaves to hit him from multiple angles as fast as possible.”
Nova looked excited at the suggestion of some new training, and having them work together to practice would be beneficial to building teamwork and trust in our team. Bastion looked confused at the suggestion of the training, and I realized I hadn’t explained his role yet.
“Bastion your job is easy. Razor leaf is a physical attack, so you should be able to counter the leaves. At some point, we will test how far away you can hit a target with the counter, but right now it’s all about mobility, I want you to take a hit from one of the leaves, and use the impact to counter the next leaf before it hits you. If you can master this then you should only actually get hit by half of the total attack, and your reaction time should improve greatly.” Bastion nodded at my explanation, sticking out his hand to give a thumbs up.
“Good, but one thing before we start. Bastion I need you to use Harden as many times as you can. Either until you can hit stage 6 or until you can’t anymore okay? Your defense is high, but you're still a water type Pokémon. Taking a bunch of razor leaves in a row would take you out sooner rather than later. Maximize your defense before we start and we can go longer. Then once you are worn out we will call it for training. Good?” Another nod confirmed they were ready. And I stepped back to watch as Bastion began repeated uses of Harden.
I pulled out my Pokétech and went to the timer function. I held my Pokédex in my other hand and watched Bastion for that goal of stage 6. In the end, after nearly ten minutes of constant use of the move, Bastion stuck out his hand to wave at me. He was feeling burnt out of the move harden and was pretty sure he wouldn’t be able to get any more use of it. I glanced at the Pokédex before speaking.
“All done? Okay, that’s perfect buddy, take a second to catch your breath, and just let Nova know when you want to begin. Nova, once he gives the signal you can start. Remember, razor leaf only. No standing still, and try your best to curve the leaves.” While we were waiting for Bastion to finish with his use of harden, Nova had been trying to curve leaves with type energy. Unfortunately, he had been having no luck with it whatsoever. He was looking a bit frustrated but picked up when I told him to get ready to start.
We waited for Bastion to catch his breath and get ready, and I thought it was probably taking longer than normal for him since we were on land and not in his usual environment. Even with that he wasn’t complaining and was doing his absolute best. I had to respect that and was happy with how lucky I was to find someone who suited my team and training style well.
We had lots to work on though. I didn’t want to get Bastion down before focusing on what would likely be difficult training, but despite putting everything he could into it, he only got to stage four with harden increases. Ten minutes for a three-times increase, give or take. It’s not like it’s the worst that it could be, but it would be something to work on. At least having him use it to its maximum potential before every counter training session would be a quick way to give him some practice, even if it wasn’t the focus.
It was also interesting to see Nova struggle with something like controlling the leaves. Everything we had trained so far had always come so naturally to him, but he had made what seemed like zero headway on it at all while we were waiting for Bastion. Not that he used it long, or that I expected it to come easily to him.
The real reason for trying to have him learn control over the leaves was to evolve the move razor leaf into something else. Magical leaf is a move that Sunkern can technically learn, although it’s one of those aforementioned moves that is typically taught with a TM or a teacher. Having him try and learn the move from scratch should be almost impossible, but I had faith in my little buddy’s talent and the kind of effort he puts into things. Worst case scenario it will serve as a good baseline until we can afford the actual TM.
But time waiting was over, as Bastion waved to Nova their training began in earnest. They would grow and make progress, and when the time came to face Falkner in a few days he wouldn’t even know what hit him. I was looking forward to it, and as my two partners trained I opened my Pokétech to check my messages. Ethan would get to the city later today, and Lyra and I were both interested in meeting his new Pokémon.
After that, maybe I would take Pyukumuku up Sprout Tower, see how far he could make it on his own, and give him some proper battling experience. As long as I climbed the tower after Ethan did, I would be able to avoid Silver. Ethan didn’t mention any Lab break-in or anything, so that was a little concerning. It made sense that Elm wouldn’t mention anything, since a stolen Pokémon looks bad for a lab, but Ethan being silent about it was… well actually that was in character too. He didn’t talk much.
I’m sure he would tell us in person all about it. And if he doesn’t… Well, I guess I just had to hope I didn’t accidentally change anything too important without meaning too. It’s not like I did anything serious right, how big an impact could my mere existence have?
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Two Weeks Earlier
Silver
It had taken weeks to get across the border to Johto. Despite what people have said about unity since the war, there were barely any well-patrolled land routes. You either had to brave the wilds or charter a boat or flight. Either it wasn’t cheap, or it wasn’t safe. The two regions were divided by the natural environment, and the lack of effort to bridge that gap in any meaningful manner showed how unified the two regions actually were. They might have shared a Champion, but that was all.
There was a reason why most of Team Rocket fled there after their collapse. Even my father… even That Man, was lying underground somewhere west of Mt. Silver. Biding his time, waiting to return. Of course, Lance and his minions would argue that Rocket was dealt with, that their organization had been dispatched by Elite trainers.
Lying bastard. He was just taking advantage of what happened. I didn’t know my father's role, although I should have. The money we had wasn’t something normally accessible by Gym Leaders, no matter how strong they were perceived. When that kid, Red came to the Gym and confronted my father, I watched. I wasn’t supposed to, but I witnessed the whole thing. My father argued and complained, all about how some upstart kid had thwarted years of hard work. He was amazed by the strength the child possessed to be able to best countless grunts and executives and expose an organization that had been quietly slipping under the radar for a decade.
I heard what could only amount to a confession, and watched as my father was defeated. How he was silent in his loss, and contemplative. How he left gave Red the badge as his position demanded, and a show of respect for beating him, before leaving. He didn’t say goodbye to me, didn’t say anything. One day he was coming home every night to the gym, teaching me about strength and power, and the next he disappeared.
It took a year of digging to figure out where he went. How he went underground in Johto to buy time until things were ready for his return. Using old rocket frequencies I figured out the rest of his organization was just waiting for his return. However, some executives were getting tired of waiting. They wanted to do something big, show the world that Team Rocket was back and ready, and make Giovanni come back to the light.
I learned about these plans, and I knew how my father worked. Such an event would work on him, he would be impressed by their loyalty and strength without him and would return to lead them. A new wave of terror would wash over a region as my father rebuilt a criminal empire, far less hidden this time.
I could have told someone. I know Lance was having me watched, and if I told him he might be able to stop them. But I couldn’t. If he did they would either arrest, or… Either way, I would lose my father. I knew how he behaved, even if he valued strength and wealth over most things, he was still my father. If I could only speak to him, if I could only show him his weakness I could make him stop.
We could be family, no crime, no running or hiding. He just had to be shown he was wrong and had to be spoken to by his son. That’s what it took. But to do that I would need strength that could even rival Red. I researched his journey, how he got a Pokémon from a lab professor, and bested everyone he came across. I would never be given a lab Pokémon though. My father’s history left a black stain on my future. I hated the idea of it, but to get the strength I needed to beat my father, I would need to steal a Pokémon.
I couldn’t steal one from Kanto though, Professor Oak was the Champion before Lance and had some monstrous Pokémon in his lab for security. That’s what led me here, to New Bark town. Their Professor was named Elm, and he was notorious for being airheaded and not caring about Pokémon battles. The Pokémon he would give to his lab trainer would be strong, but unguarded. This kind of Professor wouldn’t even think about something like theft in the face of his research.
Looking in the window to the lab, I could see those Pokémon now. They were perfect for what I needed. Energetic and strong, ready to battle and grow. The kid who was receiving one of the Pokémon was there with friends. They both had their own Pokémon but were weak in comparison. Only a Sunkern and a Marill. Pathetic really, this lab trainer would steamroll them with any Pokémon he chose. One was perseptive though, and I had to duck out of the window frame as one glanced in my direction.
It was only after I took a minute to calm my breathing that I glanced back through the window. I couldn’t risk being caught looking in. It seemed no one had noticed me, and I watched as the two friends of this kid left the lab with their Pokémon, leaving the lab trainer to decide on his starter. If he was smart he would go with the Totodile or the Cyndaquil, since they were clearly the most ready to battle and grow stronger. Instead, for some reason he chooses the Chikorita. I was shocked, but when I saw the professor's happy expression I realized it must have been a test.
Similar to the sort of tests of judging power my own father would put me through. While the other two Pokémon appeared the strongest, the Chikorita was. It was why it didn’t bother playing or showing off. It knew its strength was great enough that fooling around was beneath it. In such a case I should attempt to steal the Cyndaquil since it too played weak only to trick the Totodile. I had almost fallen into such a clear trap, I was foolish.
As the kid left the lab, I watched as Elm followed. Moving toward the front of the building I could glance around to see everyone gathered in a group and talking. The lab trainer was challenging the other boy to a battle. It was good he had the instinct to battle right away. And he was challenging his strength. Ignoring the easy win he would have against the Marill, he challenged the grass type. He would be a worthy rival.
Of course, the lab Pokémon would still destroy the Sunkern, type didn’t matter to that kind of difference in power.
They began moving away from the building, and I was surprised to see the Professor follow them. This was perfect, the exact opportunity to steal a Pokémon. I made my way back to the window before stopping. I wanted to do this quickly yeah, but I did have some time before Team Rocket began making moves. And the opportunity to see how the strongest of the lab Pokémon battled would serve as an excellent baseline to strive towards. Father also preached preparation was power. He underestimated his opponent because they were a child, and he lost. I would not make the same mistakes.
I could break in later, investigating my rival was more important. I made my way in secret through the tree line towards where they had gone. I made it just as they started the battle. I stayed to watch the entire fight. As they finished battling, they made their way back to the lab. I didn’t follow them. I stayed where I was, staring into the field where they had battled. I was clenching my fists tightly, so much so that my nails bit into my skin and blood flowed.
“How? How is it fair? All this work to get here, all this planning and preparation and the strongest Pokémon this lab has couldn’t beat a fucking Sunkern.” I was raging. It was one thing if it was an experience difference, but that Sunkern was straight-up stronger than the Chikorita was. It wasn’t even fair to call what happened a battle. It was a one-sided beatdown.
All this planning and that’s what I had to work with. Pathetic Pokémon that couldn’t even beat one of the weakest Pokémon in existence. How was I even going to beat a gym leader, much less my father if that’s what I was working with?
I knew the answer already. I couldn’t. It wouldn't be possible. The anger turned to a wave of sadness and disappointment. I risked everything to get here, just for the chance to be able to face my father. Could I just give up, accepting that such a goal was impossible for someone like me? I need a strong Pokémon, a perfect starter. That’s the only way I could rival Red, could best my father.
Red…
I turned to face the only thing that rose above the trees in this town. A mountain, far to the North. The mountain I was named after, Mt. Silver. Rumors among rocket channels said that Red was on the mountain training in seclusion. It’s why they felt comfortable enough to make the moves they were planning. The Pokémon on Mt. Silver were considered the strongest out there. Strong enough that they could rival the youngest champion-level trainer to ever exist. If I needed a strong partner, that was the only place I could look.
It was dangerous, but if the Pokémon there could rival Champions, then maybe their offspring would be strong enough to defeat my father. I was cowardly to think stealing a Pokémon would grant me power. Power only came with great risk or proper planning. My father told me that. If proper planning failed me, then my only option left was a great risk.
I made a vow, then and there. When I eventually came back down from that mountain, It would only be with a Pokémon that could shake the very mountains. I would show everyone what a truly powerful starter looked like, and my father would learn where he should have focused his resources. Power only had one form, wealth and crime were only substitutes for those who lacked true strength, and I would have strength in spades.