A true hero... in training (Pokemon Gym Leader's apprentice quest)

Start of the next chapter might be later tonight. Just in case I don't finish it... Here. Some lore on how humans, pokemon and animals work.

Also how humans managed to not go extinct. This is some of the things Haru learned at the academy.



Pokemon and powers:

There are three kind of beings in the world. Animals, humans and pokemon. There are some differences in the level of intelligence, strength, etc… But the main difference is their level of type energy.

Pokemon are connected to something some scientist call the "plane of energy". It's another dimension made purely of power. Every pokemon has a connection to it in some way or another. Connections can show themselves in different ways and that's why they have types. That's what fuels their moves and strength. What makes them as smart as humans but also their weakness. They can be captured thanks to that strong connection. Most of pokemon technology only works on pokemon thanks to that.

On the other hand, animals are the creatures that have zero connection to that plane. They can't use moves, have no intelligence and will never be as strong as pokemon. They are often considered more of a natural resource. Pokemon and humans use animals for food because is a lot easier than eating each other.

And then there are the humans. They are the half point between animal and pokemon. They have a connection to the plane of energy but is so weak that most don't ever show any kind of power. The energy is what helped humanity get intelligence and thanks to the connection being so weak they managed to use tools to control only pokemon. They were the only species capable of being smart enough to use Apricorn and be safe doing it. That's how pokeball started. With the discovery of a plant that used the connection to the plane of energy as a method for survival, affecting only pokemon that tried to eat their fruit.

"Why are you SO slow?" Asked the pokemon floating in front of your group.

"Well, some of us have to actually touch the ground to move around." You grumbled, carrying a big bag full of supplies. The problem wasn't that the bag was heavy, you bought a lot of things but they are light, the real problem was that Cynthia suggested you took the off-road route to Lake Valor. The path was not an easy one. Sinnoh was a pretty humid and cold region so the forest was always muddy. If you weren't careful your feet would sink into the ground, tiring you even more with each step. You even had to put Maelstrom inside his pokeball. He was getting used to move around on dry land but this terrain would be too much for him.

For a moment you heard a yelp from behind you. Violet tripped on a fallen branch. She was going to fall but a purple aura surrounded her, stopping her fall. Lily was constantly keeping an eye for her.

You tripped too, distracted by Violet.

Of course, Lily doesn't stop YOUR fall.

Your clothes are muddy. Your feet are tired. You haven't seen a single pokemon and Lily is laughing at you.

And it's only been an hour since you started this trip.

At least the morning was better… Kind of.


…


[Earlier that morning]

You were full of energy and ready. Your backpack is full of stuff and your new egg buddy is inside its case. You are totally ready.

"Do you have a tent? It will get cold at night." Said Violet when you were almost outside. You might not be ready. "We can… Share mine if you don't hav…" Started to say Violet just to be interrupted by her pokemon.

"No, no. He is NOT sleeping in our tent. It only has space for two. Not three." Lily said glaring at you like it was your idea or something.

"Well. You could sleep inside your pokeball." You replied. You weren't arguing to sleep with Violet, but pokemon usually sleep inside their pokeballs.

Lily just glared at you. Not an insult, not a smart reply, not even a psychic push. She just… glared at you and floated away.

Okay… She… seems mad. You've never seen her inside her pokeball more than when it's strictly necessary, but she hates it that much? You looked at Violet, puzzled. She had a sad look in her eye.

"She… was inside the pokeball when that happened, years ago." Violet said softly after seeing your confused look. "She now refuses to stay there for long, just in case."

And she walked outside the house too, with her pokemon. She… was mad too? No, no. She wasn't but Lily needed her now, or the city needed Violet to calm Lily down to save itself from destruction, who knows.

Maelstrom bounced next to you. You looked at him and he looked at you.

"Karp" He said.

"Seriously? But I didn't do anything." You replied to him, looking back at the door.

"Karp, karp!" Maelstrom said bouncing in place a bit.

"Yeah, yeah. I get it… I guess I should apologize or something. I didn't know but she feels bad. Butting heads it's not going to solve it." You sighed, petting your pokemon. You got used to pet the fish, even if he was humid and slightly cold sometimes.

"Karp." Said Maelstrom content with your answer.

"Well, time to go. I can't just apologize directly to that type of girl, so I will do something different. Thanks for telling me what to do Maesltrom." You said and then started walking followed by your pokemon. You had absolutely no idea what he was trying to say but it was fun to just act like you know sometimes. You already had the idea of apologizing to her but being told to do it by a fish makes it a lit easier on yourself instead of just admitting you were wrong.

You join Violet and Lily outside and start walking to the shopping mall before starting your trip. Lily isn't messing with you. It's almost peaceful. Too peaceful. She seems lost in thought.

When you arrive you start shopping. They only allow adult tier pokemon inside the mall so Maelstrom has to go inside his pokeball. Lily, being a psychic type, can be around with no problem.

Once inside, Violet helps you pick the best things to buy. The mall is huge and there are all kinds of shops. You are tempted to buy an egg warmer but Violet assures you that the egg can hatch without it. You want to make it hatch earlier but… You need the money right now and that thing is expensive.

You buy a tent for yourself, potions and other pokemon supplies for Maelstrom, some useful things like a rope and a water filter… and a super potion.

Lily scoffs at you when you buy that last thing. "Aren't you being a little too optimistic? I'm pretty sure that Maelstrom is not strong enough to benefit from one of those."

You just looked at her and smiled. She activated your trap card. "It's not for him. It's for you. Just in case something happens and you need help I want to be ready."

She stares at you for a moment. Was she reading your mind? Well, you actually want to have this for her just in case. It's not only as an apology. She turns her head to look away.

"Y-you idiot. Violet is already there for me. If we are in a situation where YOU are my only hope we are probably doomed already." And with that she started to float away.

Hey. She is calling you an idiot again. Apology accepted you guess.


…


[Present]

"No, no. Not like that. You are doing it wrong again." Said Lily next to you, trying to teach you how to mount the tent, Violet's orders. "Are you even taking this seriously?"

It almost was better when she was mad and ignoring you.


…


The whole day was just your group walking. You are now halfway the route, traveling inside the forest. Not too far from the most traveled path just in case but far enough that you could see a pokemon. Cynthia told you to catch one in this trip. Or two.

Violet is starting to lit a fire to cook something and Lily is helping her. You are in one of the few real dry places inside the forest. The ground a lot more solid and less cold. There are also a lot more pokemon around. They usually stay away from your group… except for a couple of them that you see approaching.

They are three Shinx. You know that they live in packs close by but usually led by a more evolved one, not just Shinx. They are trying to be sneaky, approaching from behind the tents, crouched and hidden by the tall grass. You only saw them because they are not really good at it. Is this their first hunt and you are the prey? Or are they after the food inside your bags?


[] Stand up and shout at them before they get too close.
[] Sit there and wait to see what they do.
[] Ready Maelstrom for a fight. You want to capture one.
[] Just... offer them food? They look hungry.