After Ash explained what happen I introduced myself to the other three.

“Well with that our of the way, I’m Iruni Inei a lab trainer under Professor Birch. Nice to meet you.”

“Hello I’m Brock. Likewise.”

“I’m Max.”

“May…”

‘Why is she so nervous? Well not my Problem.’

“Do you want to camp together for today? I doubt we have that much sun light left.” I ask after looking up. Ash answered for the entire group.

“Yes, let’s go!” “Pika!”

‘This kid has too much energy.” I muse while we were searching for a camping spot. After half an hour we finally find one.

“Ah, I nearly forgot. These are my Pokemon: Absol, Poochyena and Seedot. Please do not try to pet them or startle them.” Brock just nods and starts to create a fire pit. May opens her Pokeballs.

“This is Torchic and Wurmple.” “Chic!” “Wurmple.” came their cries.

“Nice to meet you.” Brock looks up and follows suit. “This are Forretress and Mudkip.”

I nod to them and started getting my tent ready. Brock looked up when I sat our the food for my Pokemon. “What did you add to their food before giving it out?” he asked interested.

“Oh that? Well you know how Oran Berries work right?” He nods. “Well I thought that they probably also help repair muscle damage and reduce the training strain if given on the regular. I don’t really have a comparison but I don’t see a reason not to add them.”

“This does makes sense, can I also do that?”

“Sure go ahead, I don’t plan on writing a research paper or something on that.” I chuckle. Brock joins in.

“Thanks, I want to be a Pokemon Breeder or something along those lines. Things like this could definitely help me.”

“Hm, then I should elaborate on one thing. I got Absol when she was very young, while she could have eaten the Oran Berries they wouldn’t have done anything. Because she wasn’t allowed to really train beyond the basics you see. So I don’t think baby or young Pokemon should notice a difference.”

“That’s true, I will just have to try.”

“Yeah, and be sure to check them with nurse Joy. They can be scary if you do something like that wrong.” I add wryly.

“That’s true.” he laughs. Max came wandering over and buts into the conversation.

“Iruni you said you are a lab trainer under Birch, right? But why don’t you have one of the regional starters?” “Yeah, what’s up with that.” Ash and May chime in.

“Simple. I’m too old, those Pokemon are given out to young and promising trainers to let them get a feel on how to train and raise Pokemon. Since I don’t qualify for those thing I only have a normal sponsorship and have to do some jobs for the lab when they pop up.”

“Ah, so you are a flunky.” Max nods as if the world suddenly made sense again.

“Huh? What gives you that idea shrimp?” I ask bewildered.

“Well, you are old and only just start your journey. And since you don’t have a starter you are not a promising trainer.” he said after going a bit red at the ‘shrimp’ comment.

“Why would I want a starter? I mean sure they are strong, but they really aren’t necessary. I prefer my Pokemon anyway. And since I want to specialise in dark types they don’t fit anyhow.” I conclude with a shrug.

“Aren’t dark types dangerous?” Max said while sneaking side glances at my Pokemon.

“Sigh, those books are so bad.” I mutter under my breath. “Every Pokemon can be dangerous, I doubt you would volunteer to get hit by Pikachu’s Thunderbolt, right?”

That shut him up. ‘Finally…’ looking at my Pokemon. “No training today you three. Absol and Poochyena are on guard duty again, you can nap till you need to watch. Seedot come with me, you need your extra food.” Which was just a whole Oran Berry to repair any damages from his starvation. Brock now looks closer at my Seedot and turns to me.

“What happened?”

“Don’t know, he wandered into my camp last night starved. I will need him to get checked by nurse Joy.”

“Guard duty?” Echoed Ash. “What’s up with that?”

I looked at him confused. “Someone has to keep watch that no predatory or thieving Pokemon sneak up to us? Isn’t that common?” I ask looking at Brock.

“No not really. Though it is a good idea, it would be bad to be out of supplies on harder routes.” Brock said.

“Well, no matter. I will turn in for the night after feeding Seedot. See you tomorrow.”

I could hear the rest of them eating and talking outside of my tent. ‘Yeah gonna split up fast from them. I really don’t want to be dragged into any team Rocket mess.’ Yawning I look at Seedot.

“You wanna stay out or in your ball?” Seedot answers by poking his ball with his head.

“That answers that.” I chuckle while getting comfy.

This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.

The next morning saw me waking up early, blinking I saw that I was up way earlier than usually. ‘Huh, weird.’ Grabbing my Backpack I crawled out of my tent and saw that everything was in order. After checking in on Poochyena who had the last guard duty, I restarted the fire to make some coffee for me. I sat out food for my Pokemon while the water was boiling, that roused my two Pokemon and I let out Seedot.

“There you go guys.” I said while attending to the water to make coffee. While filtration the coffee into my thermal I heard a sleepy “Pika….” . I looked up and saw Pikachu crawling out of a tent.

“Morning Pikachu, Ash not up yet?” Pikachu shook his head, I shrugged and finished making my coffee. After pouring myself a cup I saw Pikachu eyeing the food my Pokemon where demolishing.

“Sorry, I don’t have the right food for you. You gonna have to wait for Ash.” I chuckle. It was during my second cup that Brock emerged from his tent.

“Good morning Brock.” “Morning Iruni.” he replied and started bustling with pans and pots. ‘So he really is the cook of the group.’ I muse while nursing my cup while Absol and Poochyena are napping by my side. After finishing my cup, I looked up the rest of the forest trek on my PokeNav.

“Hmm, how fast do you want to get out of the forest Brock?”

“Why are you asking?”

“Well if you hurry with breakfast you could make it out today. Otherwise you would need to add another day inside. There is a small town at the edge of the forest so supplies shouldn’t matter.” I explain.

“Then there will be no rush probably. The three of them are not early risers.” he chuckle while Pikachu nods along. I nod and pack up my thermos and my PokeNav.

“Well I need to get going to get Seedot to a Pokemon Center. Tell them I said ‘Hi’ ok?”

“Sure, who knows? We will probably run into each other again.”

“That is a possibility.” I nod and pack up my tent and other stuff. I nudged Poochyena and Absol when I finished. “Wake up sleepyheads, we are heading out. You can nap in you Pokeball if you want.” Poochyena took me up on the offer, Absol didn’t. She really doesn’t like Pokeballs. I pick up Seedot and wave Brock a last goodbye.

On the way I told Absol that we will continue with the Iron Tail training tomorrow. The rest of the day passed peacefully, which it should. The routes between Petalburg and Rustboro are heavily patrolled after all. Don’t stray from the route and you are fine mostly.

We made good time and got out of the forest in the early afternoon, so I decided to push onwards. The sight of the bridge to Rustboro in the distance gave me a second push, although I know I won’t make it there till tomorrow.

Which turned out to be true and we arrived in Rustboro the day after. The route we took is one of the shortest in Hoenn after all, only beaten by the bicycle road between Mauville and Slateport. Upon entering Rustboro I had to return Poochyena again, to many new things to check out for him. Absol stayed at my side, aloof as always and Seedot was in my arms.

It was nearly evening when we got to the Pokemon Center, the city really is a big one. “Ahh, you sweet sweet air conditioning.” I joke when the door closed, causing a bit of laughter from the gathered trainers.

“Good evening nurse Joy.” I greeted the ever present nurse when I arrived at the counter.

“Good evening, how can I help you?”

“Could you look over my Pokemon and especially Seedot? I found him starved in the forest, though I don’t know what the cause was.”

“Of course, please put your Pokeballs on the tray and hand me your trainer ID.” I returned my Pokemon, Absol caved after a moment. She knew why she had to be returned and that she would be out again soon.

“Here, could I also get a room? I plan to stay a few days.” Nurse Joy nodded and handed me a key.

“As always, you have seven days free and after that you need to pay a fee.” I nod, pocket the key and walk towards the elevator. A fee after a week was only fair, it gave trainers a sense of urgency to beat the gym. The league want as many trainers as possible for their various jobs, this weeded out the ones that weren’t fit for trainer life.

After a refreshing shower and donning my last clean set of clothes I collected my Pokemon downstairs.

“Here you go Iruni. Your Poochyena and you Absol are in prime condition, your Seedot on the other hand needs to get his weight up before you can do any training with him.” She explained and handed me a paper. “Here is a formula that is special for these kind of circumstances, just hand the receipt to the Pokemart employee and you will get it. I figure you gave him a standard mix for grass types till now?” I nod and explained everything I have done with him and to be transparent with my other two Pokemon.

“Yes, that would explain what I observed. The Oran berries did help your Seedot, but the formula is better. As for the other two, I can’t really see a difference. At least not yet, it doesn’t hurt them at least.”

“Thanks, do you have any of the formula on hand? I really don’t want to wander the city in the evening.”

“Yes, we have some for these kind of situations. Please note that you will only get one dose.” She explains while handing me a box with the formula. I thank her and got back to my room where I sat out the food for my Pokemon.

“Seedot this is especially for you, with it you will be fit in no time.” Seedot nods and tries the formula. He makes a face and looks to me. “Not your taste?” he shakes his head. “Hm. I could try some Oran berry slices, but that’s it. You will have to bear with it.” Seedot reluctantly nods his head. After everyone had eaten I explained the plan for the next days to my Pokemon.

“Alright, listen up. Seedot can’t join training until he is cleared by nurse Joy. That means that Absol and Poochyena will fight in the gym.” both nodded with enthusiasm.

“Of course that means that we will need to perfect Iron Tail before that. I don’t think we have time for something else, we will just circle through your other moves in mock battles to stay sharp.” both nodded again.

“Good, tomorrow I will see when we can get the match scheduled. So get some sleep and be ready to train tomorrow.”

The following day saw me walking to the trainer school after a hectic morning. Seedot was grumpy when I didn’t had his food out when I fed the others. So I ran to the mart, which took way to long, to appease him. Then Absol demanded a fur brushing that I couldn’t decline and I decided to also brush Poochyena so that he doesn’t feel left out. That prodded Seedot to also demand something similar, which I of course couldn’t do since he had no fur. The little guy wheedled two whole Oran berries out of my in return, yeah he will grow into a dark type for sure.

Nurse Joy gave me the directions and instructions on how to reserve a battle with Roxanne. It turned out the anime was right and you really had to go to the trainer school for that. How the teachers could hold class with so many trainers visiting I didn’t know but wasn’t really my problem.

Arriving at the trainer school and asking the guard for directions, I returned my Pokemon because I really don’t want to deal with Poochyena and kids. And really really don’t want to deal with Absol and kids, who often times don’t think. Kids loosing fingers or more wouldn’t look good on me.

At the classroom, it appeared that Roxanne had an open door policy, I saw a video image of Professor Oak giving the lecture. Leaning against the frame of the door I listened in, who knows maybe I would pick something up.

“… regarding the most recent types, Steel and Dark, we can mostly say something about the behaviour of steel types. They mostly behave in line with rock types, as long as not disturbed. The notable exceptions are Skarmory, who are defensive of their territory and Scizor which we don’t see in the wild. Regarding dark types, you need to be careful. They are notorious for being deceitful and tricky. They won’t hesitate to hit you when you just dealt with another Pokemon.”

I snort loudly and only realise it after the fact. I look up and everyone is looking at me, even Professor Oak.

“You beg to differ young man?”

“Yes I do, but how much time is left on class? This could take a while.”

“Don’t worry, it is a double slot anyway.” said Roxanne with a smile way to sweet.

“Alright” I said and walked to the front, I then saw that the kids where around 10 years old. That should be enough to be informed about the real life outside of the city.

“Well let’s not start with dark types but with the areas that are of route.” I started.