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A true hero... in training (Pokemon Gym Leader's apprentice quest)
- Thread starter Luxicato
- Start date
[X] Is that… Cynthia?! What is the champion doing here?!
- Location
- Head in the clouds
It's not a traditional hard mode but yeah it'd be. This would likely be the wandering hero gig, without a stable town to depend on for suppor. Also not a guaranteed condition at the end, as the Champion position is inherently fluid as whoever beats Cynthia is Champion - which is a risk to us because what happens to us if Cynthia is beaten during our apprenticeship.
The gym leaders - part of their job is to lose (I suspect that there's guidelines to knowing how far to pull your team back for a fair challenge), to train others and be a community pillar. That last part is where you'd really see the full force of the gym leader in an emergency. If you have a crime syndicate trying to rampage in town - if the leader isn't in some way trying to put it down something has gone horribly wrong. We are likely to have an interesting time with Champion.
We'd likely be going to where either there's no one else or where the fire is hottest. Champion- has multiple definitions. The one everyone knows - the person who comes in first in a competition, the best. But also it is synonymous with warrior and fighter. Another definition is one that fights or does battle fror another. There's a reason for why whoever beats the Champion becomes the Champion - their job is to not lose. They probably act as role model and challenge but when Team Galactic tries to destroy the region or someone is trying to take over a city - they are there to stop it.
Oh this is going to be interesting.
[X] Is that… Cynthia?! What is the champion doing here?!
If it wasn't for the fact that I think we all know what's going on to happen here - I'd be arguing that the gym selection wasn't only a selection of type but of location/challenges. Who are you working with, what would you be working with and what type of emergencies would you be dealing with. (Like for example mining disasters)
Cynthia - we are getting the grab bag with an unknown outcome.
The gym leaders - part of their job is to lose (I suspect that there's guidelines to knowing how far to pull your team back for a fair challenge), to train others and be a community pillar. That last part is where you'd really see the full force of the gym leader in an emergency. If you have a crime syndicate trying to rampage in town - if the leader isn't in some way trying to put it down something has gone horribly wrong. We are likely to have an interesting time with Champion.
We'd likely be going to where either there's no one else or where the fire is hottest. Champion- has multiple definitions. The one everyone knows - the person who comes in first in a competition, the best. But also it is synonymous with warrior and fighter. Another definition is one that fights or does battle fror another. There's a reason for why whoever beats the Champion becomes the Champion - their job is to not lose. They probably act as role model and challenge but when Team Galactic tries to destroy the region or someone is trying to take over a city - they are there to stop it.
Oh this is going to be interesting.
[X] Is that… Cynthia?! What is the champion doing here?!
If it wasn't for the fact that I think we all know what's going on to happen here - I'd be arguing that the gym selection wasn't only a selection of type but of location/challenges. Who are you working with, what would you be working with and what type of emergencies would you be dealing with. (Like for example mining disasters)
Cynthia - we are getting the grab bag with an unknown outcome.
- Location
- Wherever I feel like being
- Pronouns
- He/Him
Plus multiple regions due to her jetsetting ways.
WildCardFool
A Reaction Pic for nearly every occasion
- Location
- Earth
[X] Is that… Cynthia?! What is the champion doing here?!
You can't put an invisitext mystery option and expect me to not vote for it.
You can't put an invisitext mystery option and expect me to not vote for it.
- Location
- United States of America
Honestly not sure how to feel? Part of me was looking forward to being a gym leader in training and the teaching aspect, helping new kids learn lessons and push them to succeed.
Champions cool and obviously now well have more freedom to choose for our team...but..again..I'm sad now that it's no longer a gym quest and more a pokemon adventure quest.
Champions cool and obviously now well have more freedom to choose for our team...but..again..I'm sad now that it's no longer a gym quest and more a pokemon adventure quest.
Luxicato
nº1 Squid Fairy
- Location
- Star sea
Don't worry. The plans I had for the quest are not going to change too much, that's why I decided to do a luck roll. Even if this was the result I just need to modify my plans slightly.
- Location
- UK
- Pronouns
- They/Them
Ohoho, as if luck is enough to determine our fate. Gotta choose fighting spirit every time! For realz though, I like Cynthia and Garchomp's one of my two faves but I prefer a more chill/humble start.
[x] Maylene. A determined gym leader. Works at Veilstone City and is the gym leader of Fighting type. She looks young, younger than you but the determination in her eyes scares you.
[x] Maylene. A determined gym leader. Works at Veilstone City and is the gym leader of Fighting type. She looks young, younger than you but the determination in her eyes scares you.
- Location
- Somewhere else
[x] Maylene. A determined gym leader. Works at Veilstone City and is the gym leader of Fighting type. She looks young, younger than you but the determination in her eyes scares you.
siflux
Inveterate Lurker
- Location
- Living Inside the Internet
[X] Is that… Cynthia?! What is the champion doing here?!
Yo, champ in making!
But seriously, Cynthia is probably the coolest person on Poké-Hokkaido. Also leaves us able to choose team composition freely. If the cost of that is more risk, less stability, and less of a chance to someday succeed your master? I'll take that for a chance to learn from the best and spend time with Cynthia.
Yo, champ in making!
But seriously, Cynthia is probably the coolest person on Poké-Hokkaido. Also leaves us able to choose team composition freely. If the cost of that is more risk, less stability, and less of a chance to someday succeed your master? I'll take that for a chance to learn from the best and spend time with Cynthia.
Theaxofwar
Definitely not a Bunny Cat in disguise.
- Location
- Standing right behind you
[x] Maylene. A determined gym leader. Works at Veilstone City and is the gym leader of Fighting type. She looks young, younger than you but the determination in her eyes scares you.
Doubt it'll beat Cynthia, but personally I'd rather an actual gym leader.
Doubt it'll beat Cynthia, but personally I'd rather an actual gym leader.
- Location
- Head in the clouds
Maylene wouldn't be a bad pick either, especially as in an emergency it'd probably devolve into us being more of a partnership than apprenticeship with the mc being the coordinator with the city officials due to Mayline not being taken seriously thanks to actually being a kid.
Officials not taken either of us seriously would probably be a problem as Galactic HQ in the games is right in her city - so a tie to the overarching plot right away.
Actually thus likely would become a defacto partnership depending how the votes went since looking Maylene up she is a kid - and her father is a gambling addict. Yeah this easily could become pseudo sibling relationship with Maylene having the gym authority and us backing it up with passing for an adult authority.
Edit: Didn't notice the vote closed.
Cynthia's new apprentice
Luxicato
nº1 Squid Fairy
- Location
- Star sea
Cynthia was there. The champion of the Sinnoh league. The champion undefeated for six years. The best trainer in the region and, if you ask anyone who has fought against her, the world. THAT Cynthia is sitting there where your principal usually is, drinking tea and reading your file.
She smiles at you and waits. You've been standing there for at least a minute just… staring. That was… how and why?
She just keeps smiling, at first it was a polite smile, now you think that she might be enjoying this. "You know… it's not polite to stare at a woman like that. At least close your mouth." She said. Yes. She was having fun with this. You did that and sat down in front of the desk, waiting for her to talk first.
"How are you, Haru?" She asked warmly, like if she was talking to someone she knew for a long time.
"Surprised and really nervous." You said, maybe being too sincere. Cynthia then started to laugh enjoying your reaction.
"Come on. Relax. We will be working together so you don't need to be so stiff. Tell me… you know who I am?" As she talked she started to pour tea into an empty cup for her future apprentice.
"You are Cynthia. Champion of the Sinnho league for six consecutive years. Undefeated and the first trainer in the region to reach Megaevolution." Of course you know about her. She was the closest thing to a queen Sinnoh had. When your government is elected by a yearly competition… Someone who is undefeated for so long is more than a celebrity.
To your surprise she sighs, a bit sad.
"Six years already…? Yes. That's what everyone knows but… not many know the real me. They only know my strength. It's not easy being at the top and it's been too long…" It seems like she had some sort of speech ready but you had to interrupt her because you did have more knowledge.
"Well. I also know about your yearly visits to Lady Caitlin's village. Your favorite color is gold and your favorite food is ice-cream. Specially Unova's ice-cream. Your weight is..." You where the one interrupted this time.
"Wait, WAIT!" Cynthia shouted moving her arms to stop you, her face starting to redden. "How… how do you know all that?"
You looked at her confused. She… didn't know? "Your… wiki page. I studied everything I could about the E4 and you… Some of that information is from the trading cards." You fidgeted slightly. The most powerful trainer in the region was in front of you. Flustered.
She quickly opened the laptop on the desk and started to type something as you sat there, awkwardly looking around and drinking the tea. Did you… did you talk too much? Probably. She did say you knew nothing about her but that was dumb. You are too nervous.
Cynthia frowned looking at the screen. "I… Damn paparazzi. I don't weight that much..." She kept typing ignoring you for the moment.
"Um… Cynthia?" Oh god this was so awkward.
"Yes, Haru?" She asked, still typing.
"Are you… editing your wiki page right now?"
"... Yes." With a sigh she closed the laptop and relaxed into the armchair. "It's not easy you know. I have to keep track of too many things. I can't pay attention to little things like that." She shakes her head and stands up. "Follow me."
You did exactly that and soon you were walking in silence through the hallways of the academy. Everyone already left. If they didn't they would be swarming Cynthia to get an autograph… oh, right, you need one of those too. Not right now, of course. She looked… serious.
But you had something to ask right now.
"Why did you call for me, Cynthia? I mean… I'm honored but I don't know what are we doing here." You said trying to calm yourself. Maybe asking something like that was rude but you need answers.
"Being a champion is tiresome. I've been the leader of this region for six years…" She stops. You are in the middle of a hallway inside the academy and the orange rays of the sun shine through the window. The end of the day and you two are alone. "I don't want to be the champion anymore, Haru. It's time for someone else to take up the mantle. I want you to defeat me." And with that, after looking at you with the same face she had during her matches, she kept walking, leaving you stunned and in silence.
The champion wants to quit? That… She is the strongest champion the Sinnoh region has seen. The best leader. Everyone adores her and she managed by herself to keep the region safe for six years.
And she wants YOU to defeat her?
…
Cynthia was outside when you reached her. A little back garden used to private combats. Three pokemon in front of the crouched woman, receiving attention from her. She was incredible as a trainer. You can tell that those pokemon are not trained or even used to humans, but they look so happy as she feeds them…
When you get closer she stands up and smiles. The seriousness from before gone. "Here you are. You should do something about that. You can't just freeze in place every time something surprises you." She chuckles slightly. She was making fun of you but it helped your nerves. Seeing the champion so… casual was still weird.
"What did you mean with defeating you?" You asked. The words made sense by themselves. Made sense together but didn't in the context. She was THE CHAMPION.
"Like I said I'm tired of being the champion. I can't research legendaries, I can't travel as much as I like and I can't fight strong trainers whenever I wish. I've been this region's leader for too long. I want you to be the next champion." She was looking you in the eyes. The champion wasn't lying.
"I don't even have a pokemon!" You shouted but she expected that.
"And that's why we are here. The first step of your training. You will choose one of these three pokemon to be your companion. I picked them myself for you. They are your best bet against me as long as you train them with everything you have." She moves to the side and tells the pokemon to approach you.
Only one of them does. A Swinub that happily moves to your side sniffing around. Looks like a perfectly normal Swinub.
The other two…
One is a Deino. Black hard fur, bruises around his body and is snarling at you, even if it can't see. Oh, boy, he doesn't like you at all. You are sure that Deino just hates everyone except for Cynthia, for some reason.
The last pokemon is a Magikarp. It didn't approach you because it's a Magikarp and they only bounce in place. You are not even sure that Magikarp understand orders in combat. The only thing that makes this Magikarp special is its color. It's a golden Magirkarp. You've seen those on TV. They are a really rare mutation and only the luckiest trainers can catch one. It's even shinier in real life. It also looks… weaker than a normal Magikarp.
"That's a Magikarp. A golden one but still a Magikarp." You deadpan, looking at Cynthia now believing even less her words.
"I see. It seems that your years in the academy taught you everything about pokemon. That is indeed a Magikarp." She said with a smile. Okay now you were sure she was making fun of you.
"But why would you pick a Magikarp as one of my possible starters? Why would I pick the Magikarp?" You glared at her. She was a champion but she was making fun of you. Is she lying about the whole «Defeat me» thing? No… No. She wasn't lying. You are sure.
"Who knows. Maybe you prefer style over power?" She said petting the Magikarp as the Deino seemed jealous and… there was something else there. This decision seemed simple enough but you can't trust anything to be easy with Cynthia. Is this a test?
Deino is of course the strongest but seems difficult to train. They usually are but this one looks even more dangerous than a normal Deino.
The Swinub would be the correct choice in a type test. Ice and Ground. Can learn earthquake. It would be perfect to fight against her Garchomp and Lucario. Her two strongest pokemon.
And… The Magikarp. A golden Magikarp was extremely rare, but who in their right mind would pick that pokemon as their starter? Even if it was golden… Only someone who really likes to collect weird pokemon. It seemed an easy decision but… It had something else. You could recognize how huge its potential was. Even for a Magikarp. Something deep inside told you that this Magikarp could end up as strong as any pokemon. It looks really weak but it has an amazing growth potential.
And Gyarados are cool, of course.
But… What is the correct answer?
[]Golden Magikarp
Rank G (-10 to all rolls)
Trait: Huge potential.
Trait 2: Shiny.
Initial Relationship: 3/10
<Challenge mode>
[]Swinub
Rank F (+5 to all rolls)
Trait: Tracker.
Trait 2: Gluttonous.
Initial Relationship: 1/10
[]Deino
Rank E- (+15 to all rolls)
Trait: Berserker.
Trait 2: Prideful.
Initial Relationship: -3/10
She smiles at you and waits. You've been standing there for at least a minute just… staring. That was… how and why?
She just keeps smiling, at first it was a polite smile, now you think that she might be enjoying this. "You know… it's not polite to stare at a woman like that. At least close your mouth." She said. Yes. She was having fun with this. You did that and sat down in front of the desk, waiting for her to talk first.
"How are you, Haru?" She asked warmly, like if she was talking to someone she knew for a long time.
"Surprised and really nervous." You said, maybe being too sincere. Cynthia then started to laugh enjoying your reaction.
"Come on. Relax. We will be working together so you don't need to be so stiff. Tell me… you know who I am?" As she talked she started to pour tea into an empty cup for her future apprentice.
"You are Cynthia. Champion of the Sinnho league for six consecutive years. Undefeated and the first trainer in the region to reach Megaevolution." Of course you know about her. She was the closest thing to a queen Sinnoh had. When your government is elected by a yearly competition… Someone who is undefeated for so long is more than a celebrity.
To your surprise she sighs, a bit sad.
"Six years already…? Yes. That's what everyone knows but… not many know the real me. They only know my strength. It's not easy being at the top and it's been too long…" It seems like she had some sort of speech ready but you had to interrupt her because you did have more knowledge.
"Well. I also know about your yearly visits to Lady Caitlin's village. Your favorite color is gold and your favorite food is ice-cream. Specially Unova's ice-cream. Your weight is..." You where the one interrupted this time.
"Wait, WAIT!" Cynthia shouted moving her arms to stop you, her face starting to redden. "How… how do you know all that?"
You looked at her confused. She… didn't know? "Your… wiki page. I studied everything I could about the E4 and you… Some of that information is from the trading cards." You fidgeted slightly. The most powerful trainer in the region was in front of you. Flustered.
She quickly opened the laptop on the desk and started to type something as you sat there, awkwardly looking around and drinking the tea. Did you… did you talk too much? Probably. She did say you knew nothing about her but that was dumb. You are too nervous.
Cynthia frowned looking at the screen. "I… Damn paparazzi. I don't weight that much..." She kept typing ignoring you for the moment.
"Um… Cynthia?" Oh god this was so awkward.
"Yes, Haru?" She asked, still typing.
"Are you… editing your wiki page right now?"
"... Yes." With a sigh she closed the laptop and relaxed into the armchair. "It's not easy you know. I have to keep track of too many things. I can't pay attention to little things like that." She shakes her head and stands up. "Follow me."
You did exactly that and soon you were walking in silence through the hallways of the academy. Everyone already left. If they didn't they would be swarming Cynthia to get an autograph… oh, right, you need one of those too. Not right now, of course. She looked… serious.
But you had something to ask right now.
"Why did you call for me, Cynthia? I mean… I'm honored but I don't know what are we doing here." You said trying to calm yourself. Maybe asking something like that was rude but you need answers.
"Being a champion is tiresome. I've been the leader of this region for six years…" She stops. You are in the middle of a hallway inside the academy and the orange rays of the sun shine through the window. The end of the day and you two are alone. "I don't want to be the champion anymore, Haru. It's time for someone else to take up the mantle. I want you to defeat me." And with that, after looking at you with the same face she had during her matches, she kept walking, leaving you stunned and in silence.
The champion wants to quit? That… She is the strongest champion the Sinnoh region has seen. The best leader. Everyone adores her and she managed by herself to keep the region safe for six years.
And she wants YOU to defeat her?
…
Cynthia was outside when you reached her. A little back garden used to private combats. Three pokemon in front of the crouched woman, receiving attention from her. She was incredible as a trainer. You can tell that those pokemon are not trained or even used to humans, but they look so happy as she feeds them…
When you get closer she stands up and smiles. The seriousness from before gone. "Here you are. You should do something about that. You can't just freeze in place every time something surprises you." She chuckles slightly. She was making fun of you but it helped your nerves. Seeing the champion so… casual was still weird.
"What did you mean with defeating you?" You asked. The words made sense by themselves. Made sense together but didn't in the context. She was THE CHAMPION.
"Like I said I'm tired of being the champion. I can't research legendaries, I can't travel as much as I like and I can't fight strong trainers whenever I wish. I've been this region's leader for too long. I want you to be the next champion." She was looking you in the eyes. The champion wasn't lying.
"I don't even have a pokemon!" You shouted but she expected that.
"And that's why we are here. The first step of your training. You will choose one of these three pokemon to be your companion. I picked them myself for you. They are your best bet against me as long as you train them with everything you have." She moves to the side and tells the pokemon to approach you.
Only one of them does. A Swinub that happily moves to your side sniffing around. Looks like a perfectly normal Swinub.
The other two…
One is a Deino. Black hard fur, bruises around his body and is snarling at you, even if it can't see. Oh, boy, he doesn't like you at all. You are sure that Deino just hates everyone except for Cynthia, for some reason.
The last pokemon is a Magikarp. It didn't approach you because it's a Magikarp and they only bounce in place. You are not even sure that Magikarp understand orders in combat. The only thing that makes this Magikarp special is its color. It's a golden Magirkarp. You've seen those on TV. They are a really rare mutation and only the luckiest trainers can catch one. It's even shinier in real life. It also looks… weaker than a normal Magikarp.
"That's a Magikarp. A golden one but still a Magikarp." You deadpan, looking at Cynthia now believing even less her words.
"I see. It seems that your years in the academy taught you everything about pokemon. That is indeed a Magikarp." She said with a smile. Okay now you were sure she was making fun of you.
"But why would you pick a Magikarp as one of my possible starters? Why would I pick the Magikarp?" You glared at her. She was a champion but she was making fun of you. Is she lying about the whole «Defeat me» thing? No… No. She wasn't lying. You are sure.
"Who knows. Maybe you prefer style over power?" She said petting the Magikarp as the Deino seemed jealous and… there was something else there. This decision seemed simple enough but you can't trust anything to be easy with Cynthia. Is this a test?
Deino is of course the strongest but seems difficult to train. They usually are but this one looks even more dangerous than a normal Deino.
The Swinub would be the correct choice in a type test. Ice and Ground. Can learn earthquake. It would be perfect to fight against her Garchomp and Lucario. Her two strongest pokemon.
And… The Magikarp. A golden Magikarp was extremely rare, but who in their right mind would pick that pokemon as their starter? Even if it was golden… Only someone who really likes to collect weird pokemon. It seemed an easy decision but… It had something else. You could recognize how huge its potential was. Even for a Magikarp. Something deep inside told you that this Magikarp could end up as strong as any pokemon. It looks really weak but it has an amazing growth potential.
And Gyarados are cool, of course.
But… What is the correct answer?
[]Golden Magikarp
Rank G (-10 to all rolls)
Trait: Huge potential.
Trait 2: Shiny.
Initial Relationship: 3/10
<Challenge mode>
[]Swinub
Rank F (+5 to all rolls)
Trait: Tracker.
Trait 2: Gluttonous.
Initial Relationship: 1/10
[]Deino
Rank E- (+15 to all rolls)
Trait: Berserker.
Trait 2: Prideful.
Initial Relationship: -3/10
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