Legendary Journey
Nathan looked out of his classroom window and sighed. Rain was bucketing down, a rubbish bin had blown over to reveal very smelly contents, wind battered the school walls, and in the distance he could see a thunderbolt or two hitting earth. If only it was a Manectric or a Jolteon making those bolts, and not the weather. His town, Rawst, was quite bare of any native Pokemon. Pokemon never chose to inhabit the town of Rawst, due to an odd vibe that discouraged Pokemon from living in it. He had heard a faraway region had once had a worse kind of phenomenom called the Effect. There was a small area in the region of Sone that had this effect on Pokemon, and while it was nothing to be frightened of, no scientists had figured out why this happened. Pokemon with trainers were welcome to come to these towns and suffered little apart from slight dimming of senses, but between Rawst, Onino, and Fungsu, no wild Pokemon were found, except one lone old Parasect who had lived there for as long as anyone could remember. As Parasect exhibited negligible senescence, as Nathan recalled from Pokebiology lessons, it would not age, and therefore died only of physical causes. And as no wild Pokemon would stay in the area, Parasect was always safe and sound. But it posed the question, why had it come there in the first place?
“Nathan Lekis, can you answer my question???”
It was Mr. Monotong, the Battling teacher. He sucked all the fun out of Battling class, and nothing could get Nathan to remember what he taught. His monotone was probably to blame.
“Huh? Sorry, I didn't hear you, Sir.”
“Do you care, Mr. Lekis?”
Nathan was tired and frustrated.
“Not if it's you teaching!”
“That is it! Stay back after class finishes!”
Nathan grumbled. He was brilliant in every other class: Maths, Science, Pokebiology, Art, Pokespeech, Technique, Pokemon History and Geography, Friendship Studies and even Gadget Tech. But he always clashed with Mr. Monothong. Always!
As Nathan listened tiredly to Mr. Monothong's lesson on recharge moves, he dreamt of the day he could go on his own Pokemon journey. He was nearly thirteen, but his parents needed him to get 85/100 for Battling, or he wasn't able to leave. They were so protective.
“...and so if my Tangrowth uses Hyper Beam on this Kadabra, the Kadabra will have a free turn to strike with its high Sp. Atk on Tangrowth's low Sp. Def. SO sometimes it is more important when using recharge moves, while strong and often readily available at Pokemarts, to consider which Pokemon to use them on. And that concludes our lesson.”
Everyone quickly jumped up and crammed their books into compression cases, then swiftly vacated. But Nathan just sat there, awaiting his punishment.
“Well, Mr. Lekis,” droned Mr. Monothong. “we need to discuss things. I know you are anxious to pass this subject to a B+ standard for your parents, but you cannot hope to achieve that if you are inattentive in class. I have heard your work in all other subjects is quite good, and I know you are smart, but I do notice you seem to lack a little in Technique...just achieved your parent's mark standard.”
“I'm top of class in Art, Pokespeech and Friendship Studies!” countered Nathan.
“If you ask me, they are the three least necessary subjects ever taught since the Compromise was formed. And only introduced five years ago, all of them! You have to know battling to be a Trainer. Now, I know I drone on a lot and I do disagree with you on many things, but this is vital! Study yourself at home, and do it hard! I may not be endeared to you, but to tell the truth...well I guess I just want you gone from my class!”
Nathan smiled thinly at the poor joke, but wondered if maybe studying his books more intensely would really help.
“Nathan, please do it for yourself! You may go.”
And he walked out into the bucketing rain.
CHAPTER TWO: A POKEMON IN RAWST?
When Nathan arrived home, he noticed his Mum and Dad were waiting at the door nervously for him.
“Hi, honey. How are you?” asked his Mum eagerly.
“Hiya, son!” greeted his laidback dad.
“Uhhhhh, I'm going upstairs to study for Battling exams.
“Huh? O-okay..” replied his confused Mum. Battling homework was usually the last thing Nathan wanted to do.
When Nathan arrived upstairs, he looked at his bookshelf. It was stacked with Pokemon volumes and children's fiction. He looked at the top shelf, where all his books on mythical and mysterious Pokemon were. Since he could read, Nathan had been fascinated by Pokemon shrouded in mystery. If they had secrets, Nathan liked them. His personal favourite Pokemon of all was the legendary Miraqi, seen by only three humans and covered in myths. He gazed at his wallpaper, adorned with multiple Miraqi. The loose aqua ribbons and the sparkling body, small cute arms and legs, four shiny wings, a blade-like tail, and most mysterious of all, the small gem on its head. It was said to grant any wish, like Jirachi, and would become one with its human friend's heart, like Manaphy. It was said to come from the beginning, with Mew and Arceus, creating all of the fabled legendaries: Celebi, Jirachi, Shaymin, Manaphy, Victini, Genosect, Meloetta, Artrystan, Wakaba, Apolyi and Derulisa. Shaking his head, he pulled out a thick dusty volume labelled BATTLING GRADE THREE. He absent-mindedly switched on his PokeGlobal PC and flicked to Pokemon News Channel, listening as he researched the mechanics behind the moves Wring Out and Crush Grip..
“...a thunder strike has occurred near the border of Pokephobia Triangle, comprising the three towns Rawst, Onino and Fungsu. The strike was attracted by a rare Rhyhorn, which wandered out on Route S1, or Sone-One amidst the storm. No Pokemon were harmed in the incident. An Eevee was sighted also on Route S2, a rare occurrence and a very rare Pokemon, and investigation is underway as to explaining Eevee's odd distribution. And finally in Cheri Local News, a wandering unidentified Pokemon was seen stumbling in the direction of Rawst Town, within the Pokephobia Triangle. It is revealed to be a rare Pokemon, but news reporters were bound by Compromise restrictions and could not get close to the Pokemon...”
Nathan jumped up with a start, closing his current page on damage-absorbing abilities. A rare Pokemon in Rawst??? He switched off the PGPC and hurried downstairs.
“Going for a run!” yelled Nathan, grabbing an umbrella and a raincoat and dashing out the door to see a small hobbling shape in the distance.
Ralts was a timid Pokemon whose mood differed based on its Trainer's feelings. They loved to evolve quickly as they coveted the ability to dance. And not much else was known about it, other than it could Teleport and was extremely rare, once believed extinct until specimens were found high in the Payapa Gullies.
“Are you okay?” asked Nathan worriedly.
“Raaaa....alts...” moaned the small Pokemon, its horn flashing.
Nathan remembered to listen to the Poke-speech properly.
“Sleepy...lost...Trainer mean...released...don't catch me yet...ohhhh...”
Nathan cradled Ralts in his arms and raced back home.
When he arrived, the sight of a Pokemon in Nathan's arms aroused some suspicion amongst his elders.
“Oh my goodness, it's a Pokemon! Where did you get it, Nathan?” asked his mum accusingly.
“Mum, it's the Pokemon from the Cheri News! The one that went unidentified. He's sick and needs rest. Look! For a Teleporting Psychic-type to be walking on foot to Rawst? He's obviously not well...”
“Well, we can let him sleep in your basket tonight, then. Oh, don't worry, it's fluffy with clothes and very warm.”
“Well, son,” said Nathan's dad, “we'll file a Missing Pokemon Paper. Until then, enjoy your time together!”
“Raaa...Hungry...”moaned Ralts.
“He's hungry...” translated Nathan to his perfectly comprehending parents.
“I'll bring up some miso soup in a second. For now I think Ralts needs rest. Go on, Nate.”
CHAPTER THREE: RALTS HAS BRAINS
“Nathan, I have the soup. I'm coming up now, dear. Tell Ralts for me.”
“Ummmm, Ralts, Mum is coming up with miso now.”
“Huh???Raaaalll...Sorry, I was sleeping...” yawned Ralts.
Nathan's heart skipped a beat. He was actually talking to an (unofficially) wild Pokemon!
“I feel a little dizzy, but I'm much better now!” smiled Ralts.
The door opened and Nathan's mum placed the miso on the bed.
“Thanks, Mum!”
Ralts picked up its small mug of miso and took a sip.
“Mmmmm, tasty! I feel great now!” chirped the rapidly recovering Ralts.
“So, what were you doing walking in this direction, anyway?” asked Nathan curiously.
“Well, you see...I was captured four days ago after my first Teleport trip from Payapa Gully by a Pokemon Trainer who found the Psycho Ruins. But he discovered I could only use Growl and Teleport, so he ditched my Ball on Route S3 and ran away. A girl came by and set me free, but then she got a call on her Pokenav and hurried off, leaving me in the rain alone. Tired and drained of power, I was forced to walk in the direction of the nearest town, which was Rawst. And that's my story.”
“That's terrible. You aren't going to get much better here, though. This place repels Pokemon, you know.”
“I know. I felt the force as I got closer and closer to the city centre, too. It's weird, like someone wants us gone.” said the small Pokemon.
“Well, uh, I have to study, so......if you need something, just ask, OK?”
“Do you want help? I know quite a bit about how to battle. Master Gallade taught us.”
“Yes please!” rejoiced Nathan. A Pokemon helping with his work! Pretty cool!
And they studied long into the night, from Swift to Skull Bash, Poison to Paralysis, Supersonic to Sludge Wave, and Swift Swim to Synchronise. As Nathan finally drifted off to sleep, he wondered about becoming a trainer, and wondered if Ralts might...go with him...
EXAMS AND EXCITEMENT
The first thing Nathan thought when he woke up was: “Exams.” His friend Ralts was yawning in a washing basket beside his bed, fatigued by the mysterious effect that the town had on Pokemon.
“Morning...” groaned Ralts sleepily, but with an eager edge to its voice.
Nathan drowsily put on his clothes, stuffed his books into labelled compression packs, slung his bag over his shoulder and stumbled down the stairs in a shroud of exhaustion. But when he glanced at the clock, the exhaustion was replaced by terror as he noticed that the first exam, Pokebiology was in fifteen minutes. He had to leave now! School was ten minutes walk away, so he would have no time to register if he didn't arrive ASAP!
“Mum! Dad! Gotta run!” he yelled up to the master bedroom. How would he make it, Nathan wondered. But then he recalled something Ralts had said:
“I could only use Growl and Teleport at the time.” Ralts had confided while Nathan had been studying.
Growl and....Teleport! If Nathan could picture the exam hall, he could make it! He hurried up to his room to find Ralts, but he was nowhere to be seen.
“Ralts? Ra-a-alts?” called Nathan anxiously.
“Yes?” giggled Ralts, teleporting to Nathan’s side.
“I have an exam in fifteen minutes! Is there any chance you could zap me to school??? Please???”
“Um…I suppose. But aren’t your parents filing a Missing Pokemon Report? If someone arrives to pick me up, I won’t be here! And I can’t get back to the Payapa Gully until I’m officially released!”
“You said you were allowed to leave the community! Ralts used to sneak around the world in search of adventure and trainers?”
“Well, yes, but…”
“Come on!”
“Oh, all right. Hold tight!”
When his head stopped spinning, Nathan was in a garbage bin outside the exam room, Ralts nowhere to be seen. He checked his Pokenav frantically: 4 minutes to get to registry! Knocking over the bin, Nathan rushed around the corner to the front office, rubbish all over his clothes.
“Nathanlekispokebiologyexamhomeroom25pleasegivemeagrimertabletimcoveredinrawsewageandIhavetogettomyexam,” panted Nathan urently without pausing for air. The Unusually Cool Office Lady, Ms. Moomilch, had never told a student off and was used to all sorts of strange occurences.
“Here’s your Grimer Tablet. The garbage should vaporise. You’re in Exam Room 7. down the corridor. Have a lovely day, Nathan!
“I won’t,” he muttered.
DREARY DAY
Fifty-five minutes later, Nathan was finishing his Pokebiology exam up, not even breaking a sweat as he stared at the considerably complex conundrums on the page.
“How does Flareon expel fire from its body, and what are the detailed functions of the organ it uses to do so?”
Flareon…fire sac! The modified salivary gland inside its throat was full of superheated steam that ignited when exposed to the sodium-laced mucus surrounding the sac. This increased Flareon’s body temperature dramatically and enabled it to breathe fire. The odd fur on Flareon’s body enabled it to withstand the heat, which was a result of Eevee’s fast adaptation to environments! Done!
Nathan cruised through Science relatively easily, faltering only on a couple of odd questions. He just couldn’t remember the chemical formula for ammonium! Maths also went quite well. Nathan was confident of an A. Pokespeech was so simple, Nathan was sure he got 100%! Ms. Moomilch’s Miltank was so much fun to talk to, but the questions and patterns he had to use were very boring. But he felt a chill as he realised what was next…the Battling exam!!! 85% was a tough goal to reach, and Nathan was famous for forgetting his awfully taught information.
Just as Nathan entered the Battling theory exam room, he heard Ralts’ soft voice whisper through his ears: “Battling is so much fun! Remember the theory, and we’ll be unstoppable! You have to do this!”
What? Ralts and him? But the Compromise stated that Ralts needed to be released first! And he’d only known Ralts one night…
“Lekis! Sit down!” warned Mr. Monotong, winking knowingly. Had he heard Ralts’ dulcet tones?
At first, Nathan had a blank, but soon the first question took shape. “List the Poison variant of Surf.” That was…Sludge Wave! “Is Ice/Dragon a beneficial typing defence-wise? How many weaknesses does it have?” Ice/Dragon was an awful defensive typing! Resistance to Grass, Electric and Water in exchange for weaknesses to Rock, Steel, Dragon, Fighting, and neutrality to so much! This isn’t too hard, thought Nathan! When he reached the 3-Star Difficulty, he nearly panicked seeing a chart with secondary effects and added move quirks. He faltered on Wring Out, but managed the rest fine.
When the exam was over, Nathan had been completely unable to answer 6% of the questions. That left him with 9% potential for wrong answers. Was it enough? But there was nothing to do but go forth to Art.
Art theory was really easy, and the five-minute sketch was actually enjoyable. Nathan portrayed Ralts using Magical Leaf. Gadget Tech was also easy theory-wise, but when the Pokenav Nathan was fixing broke down twice, he was sure that an A+ had been snatched from him. Technique was not too great, but it was all about battling style, so his parents only wanted an 80%. Nathan hoped he’d managed. History and Geography were drab and dull, but in Geography the bonus question was about the fauna of Payapa Gully! A silent whoop went through Nathan’s chest. The final exam, Friendship Studies, was really fun, as he scribed likes of Pokemon and how to behave, and perfectly satisfied an angry Buneary for his prac, avoiding every ear slam it threw. And finally at 8.00, Nathan Lekis stumbled out of school and straight into…a waiting Ralts.
WAITING FOR ADVENTURE
“Ralts! What are you doing here?”
“I knew you wouldn’t want to walk home in the rain! And at this hour! The sun’s almost down! Besides, I need to ask you something! I…know I haven’t known you for long, but I vowed to discover the secret of the Pokephobia Triangle before my ex-Trainer caught me. And I’m sure you want to go exploring as well…so, once you leave, can I…be your partner?”
“What? Of…of…YAY!”
“Is that…a yes?”
Nathan was so ecstatic he could barely speak! He’d known Ralts one night and after being abandoned in the cold and taken from his home he wanted to be with Nathan!
“Of course!”
“Your parents said they don’t mind!”
“You asked them?”
“Ralts! Duhhh!”
When they stumbled throught the door a minute later, Nathan was greeted with ashen faces.
“What’s wrong?”
“The Pokephobia triangle has been revealed to be slowly expanding! Cheri News reports that it has been growing slowly ever since it appeared underneath Rawst’s foundations 150 years ago!”
“Isn’t there something they can do?”
“No, son,” replied his dad. “All they can do is wait for somebody to stumble across the answer. Anyway, nice to see you! Your exam results will be P-mailed tomorrow! Get some relaxation time in now before the big reveal! Ralts, stay here for a while. We need to talk.”
“Night then, Mum, Dad. Ralts, see you soon!”
And he bounded up the stairs, unwitting of what was to come.
GROWING WINGS
”Ralts! Ralts! Get up. Sleepyhead! Your results are in! How could you sleep until 5.00???”
Nathan groggily rolled over to face Ralts.
“That late! Oh dear! MUM, DAD, I’M COMING!!!”
He threw on his clothes and hurtled down the stairs in nervous excitement.
“Morning, Nathan!” chirped his mother, holding a compression pack in her hands.
“Here’s your exam mail! We printed it out for you:”
NATHAN LEKIS BITTERBERRY POKEMON SCHOOL
Trainer+ level results:
ART Ms. Mercurio
96/100 ESSAY 49/50 SHORT ANSWER 23/25 SKETCH 24/25
A+
A well-executed theory essay and intricate, detailed RALTS sketch. A near perfect score, Nathan! If only you remembered the creator of the Cherrim Chapel! Continue to excel! A level suitable for a Pokemon archaeologist or curator!
POKEBIOLOGY Mr. Offenflooph
99/100 MULTIPLE CHOICE 47/50 SHORT ANSWER 50/50 BONUS 2/5
A+
Congratulations on your prodigious level of achievement to take home the best mark in 10 years! Your detailed descriptions and meticulous methological memory have led you to answer every short answer question correctly! Top job!
GADGET TECH. Mr. Cid
87/100 PRACTICAL WORK 38/50 THEORY 49/50
B+
Well done on a good mark for this year! While your theory was impeccable, your Pokenav broke down twice. However, you clearly knew how to fix it and pulled through for a good mark! Continue your Gadgetry, young Chillarmy!
SCIENCE Mr. Shibishira
93/100 MULTIPLE CHOICE 29/30 SHORT ANSWERS 38/40 PRAC. 26/30
A
A fairly good prac mark, good multiple choice and good short answers for a good overall “A” performance. Ammonium!!! Important!!! Do more work! Well done, though you’re not as good as me!!!
MATHS Ms. Fleating
95/100 MULTIPLE CHOICE 47/50 SHORT ANSWER 48/50
A+
Great work Nathan! A solid coverage of every topic, even Porygon’s Laws! This amazing mark is only to be expected from such a star pupil! Continue to consolidate your knowledge and a strong future of Pokemechanics waits!
TECHNIQUE Mr. Boorish
83/100
B PERSONAL PIECE 28/30 THEORY 30/40 PRAC 25/30
Fairly good work, though some of your answers were very vague. I know you detest the conformity of certain styles, but you don’t need to support the subject to open up opportunities. You will appreciate the stuff you’ve learned. I did like the personal piece on your prefence and reasons, but the theory needed polishing and the prac with the E-Board as well. Overall, a good mark, and nurture your love of small Pokemon!
POKEMON HISTORY and GEOGRAPHY Mrs. Moomilch
94/100 HISTORY/ 100/100 GEOGRAPHY
AVERAGE 97/100
A+
Good stuff, Nathan! Full marks on Geography and the only one to know the answer to the Payapa Gully question! History was also exceptional but a couple of questions on famous Pokemon battlers and the one on marine biologist Freida Jip needed some further revision. I won’t fault you though: for such an eccentric hasty person to love these topics so much is a true achievement. From Miltank and I, go forth and conquer!
FRIENDSHIP STUDIES Ms. Nicetty
105/100 PRAC 40/40 SHORT ANSWER 50/50 TABLE 15/10
--S--
Wow! You blew me away, dearie! You know exactly what to do regarding every Pokemon, person, condition…wow~! The table was so exceptionally splendiferous I had to give you those extra marks! And Miltank loves the way you treat her! You’ll make a compassionate Trainer, my friend!
POKESPEECH Mr. Cid
100/100 PRAC 60/60 TABLE 10/10 SHORT ANSWER 30/30
--S—
Always perfect, Nathan! Your grasp of the basic Pokespeech patterns is astounding and the affection you show touches my heart, despite my technical exterior! The table linked each point to another with panache. Good job! No Pokemon will lose you for words at this rate!
BATTLING Mr. Monotong
85/100 MULTIPLE CHOICE 27/30 THEORY 39/50 TABLE 8/10 BONUS 1/3
B+
Well, it seems you made it! Don’t think this makes you a good battler! Many people surpassed you yesterday! An overall (but surprising) score of 84/100 was boosted by your bonus credit for explaining in much detail the drawbacks of Shell Break. Your theory was patchy and your multiple choices need a tad more attention. And FYI, dumpy mushroom, Wring Out does not remove Water-typing!!! Anyway, hope you stay alive through your childhood! Bye!
Nathan read through with anticipation. Everything was great except Technique, but that was still above the standard. And Battling…a B+!!! Hooray! That meant…Ralts and he were a team!!!
“Yahoo!”
Nathan leapt around the room, crashing into the lounge and knocking it over.
“You deserve this, then! Your compression pack full of what you need, and a starting fund!
“Raal! Congrats!”
And after giving his parents a massive hug and an artwork to remember him by, he raced upstairs to get ready.
LEAVING!
“Goodbye, honey!” wailed Nathan’s mum, while his dad looked at the ground sadly and wiped away a concealed tear.
AUTUMN OF UNOVA
As Nathan walked along Route R1, Ralts silently bouncing beside him, he wondered what awaited him up the road. To enter the League Championships was one thing, but discovering the cause of the Pokephobia triangle would be something.
‘Raaal!’
Alerted by Ralts, Nathan looked up to see a large cloud drifting towards the Shuca Sandpits in the distance.
‘Was that…?’
‘Landorus?’
Nathan peeked around the corner to see a lightly dressed girl around 13 years old gazing up at the sky in awe.
‘Um…hi!’ he blurted awkwardly.
‘Oh, hi! I’m Autumn! I’ve come on the ship from Unova. You know, the Royal Isshu?’
‘But it doesn’t come in for two days!’
‘I got some help at the last minute from my Pokemon. I couldn’t wait to get here. My parents just…left me a couple of weeks ago, so I thought I’d scoop up their drinking money stash and get a ticket here. One-way, of course. Oh, is that a Ralts? I heard they’re really scarce!’
‘Raalts! Actually, we just come from a remote location. Nice to meet you!’ chirped Ralts, before using its telepathy to warn Nathan she had every intention of joining up with him.
‘It’s okay, Ralts. She can tag along with us. We have no clue what we’re doing anyway!’
‘Huh? How did you…Well, thanks! I’m quite the strategic expert, so I’ll be of help. Besides, you owe me for confirming your Legend sighting.’
Not really, thought Nathan. For someone as hasty as this girl, she sure had a harsh decisiveness about her.
‘So, what’s this mystery Pokemon’s identity, then? Your friend from Unova?’
‘Oh, right. Come on out, Woobat!’
A small bundle of fur with a heart-shaped nose in the middle emerged from her Pokeball and fluttered around Nathan eagerly.
‘He smells nice! Yummy!’
‘I just caught him! I got a Trainer Card from a strange frazzled woman in glasses as I was poking around my village. She had a Mincinno with her. But the best part is, she gave me…a Pokedex!!!’
Professor Juniper, Nathan reasoned. She was known for her kindly offers to bereaved children, as a result of her Purrloin’s attachement to sad feelings allowing her to detect them. And a new Pokedex 3.2, with all new cruelty-free functions allowing data transfer upon wild sighting and Trainer matches.
‘I’ve got all that too!’
‘Hi? Let’s go already! Nothing to see here!’
Well, apart from Landorus, anyway. This was a phenomenal sighting, but as he had nothing to think about further than this, Nathan pulled up his pack and began to walk stiffly next to his new ‘companion’, psychic Pokemon trailing behind.
A BATTLE AND AN ALOOF,COLD COMPANION
‘So this is Onino City? Smells like onions, too!’ smirked Autumn as they passed a greengrocer.
Neatly stacked condominiums lined the verdant streets as stall vendors politely advertised tasty wares. To the far right, Nathan could see the Pokemon Gym shrouded in dark cloth to represent the theme.
How can a place this verdant house such a forbidding place? thought Nathan to himself.
To the left was a Pokemart, which they would need to visit and to the near right was a…Pokemon Center! It was every bit as awesome-looking and inviting as on the television!
‘Um, don’t you need to get your official registration sorted out?’ reminded a previously quiet Ralts.
‘Oh, yeah! Hey, where’s Autumn?’
But of course, she’d already rushed off to do the practical thing.
When he got inside, Nathan was amazed. He could see public PCs, phones, a café, tables, bookshelves, and the emergency room: everything was here! He also saw a stunning Nurse Joy registering Autumn at the Trainer Hotspot with her Chansey. Woobat flew over to meet them.
‘Um..hey! Autumn’s registered, and the Nurse wants to see you now, so you can get Ralts officially transferred to your account!’
Ralts, you told her about me, didn’t you?
Might’ve! Hee-hee!
Thoughtspeak was all well and good, but it wouldn’t get his registration over and done with, so he walked over to the nurse.
‘Good morning, young man! Now, cani have your blank Trainer Card?’
She printed on the basic electronic data, then asked for his age.
’13.’
‘D.O.B?’
‘10th March!’
‘OK, thanks! Now, I’ll just input your legal records, score, money, Pokedex count and basic info, then we’ll take a look-see at this Ralts!’
As it turned out, Ralts had been legally released already, so all Joy had to do was input his Capture function and inspect his C-Gear, and they were off to have a look around before dusk.
‘And here we are! Noir Glade! If we go through the Carbonite Woods we can get to the next town! We should be passing through here again tomorrow. Just inside the woods is a great lake that always has water shining like crystals. They say the cavern in the middle is home to Mesprit, but nobody’s ever seen it come out for years!’
‘It’s beautiful!’ exclaimed Nathan in delight. ‘But Ralts, how did you know all that?’
‘Ralts! Because I trained as an explorer in Payapa Gully, remember? But…it’s nothing really…’
‘Don’t be so modest!’
‘Well, he does have a Modest nature!’ replied Autumn. ‘It should suit a Gardevoir, with extra Special Attack and less physical strength.’
How does she know so much? he thought to himself.
‘Watch out!’ yelled a mysterious voice all of a sudden.
Then a Murkrow swooped out of the trees towards him.
‘Go, Ralts!’ said Nathan, to which Ralts teleported in front of him to defend against Murkrow.
But Murkrow looks like a Dark-type, and Ralts only has Confusion, so…
‘For goodness sakes!’ yelled the voice again, as a boy about Nathan’s age charged out with a Clefairy.
‘Clefairy, use Pound!’
The small pink fairy leapt at the Murkrow mid-flight and hit it to the ground. It lay there, dazed for a second and then hopped up again, Pecking its foe in retaliation.
‘Mimic, Clefairy!’
This time, the Clefairy absorbed light from the Murkrow, and then shaped its claws into a beak.
‘Peck, then Pound!’
Before the Murkrow could even take off, it was struck by Clefairy’s beak-mimic and then smacked to the ground. This time it simply formed a black mist and slunk off into the trees.
‘A Level 5 Clefairy with Pound, Growl, Mimic and Wish? You must have bred for a Cleffa, then?’ asked Autumn.
‘Huh? Oh, yeah.’
‘Uh, thanks for helping my Ralts out there! What’s your name?’
‘Luneth. I come from a breeding ranch. I also collect Pokemon, because the PC sends them straight to the ranch, so they’re cared for and raised while I journey. But I just started. I only have 3 Pokemon, one back at home. Not that I care. Clefairy and Meditite are pretty useful, though.’
The usually quiet Woobat remarked ‘He acts cold and compassionless but his Cleffa evolved through friendship, so don’t take it at face value.’
Ralts added in thought-speak: ‘And he wants to come with us! He also wants his aunts to now he has friends, so he’d like it if you sent your extra Pokemon there!’
‘Hey, I know you have no direction and don’t know what’s happening, so you can come with us! In return for us helping you get started out with us, you can let us use your ranch. I’m sure it’s big enough. I know most Pokemon join trainers to get stronger, but I don’t want my friends to fester while I journey.’
‘Um…Okay, then…’
When they neared the Pokemon Center, Luneth a little awkward after the abrupt invitation, Autumn heard a faint shout for help.
‘Woobat, Miracle Eye!’
Woobat suddenly turned purple and sent a beam of light straight through the multitude of buildings in the direction that was obviously towards the scene.
‘This way!’ said Autumn anxiously.
Nathan had heard the shout too, and followed Autumn, Ralts asleep on his shoulder. Luneth brought out Clefairy, who enveloped him in blue light and sped down the road next to Nathan and Autumn.
If only Ralts could be woken, wished Nathan, craving Teleport, but remembering Autumn telling him once a Ralts slept, it could not be woken for three hours.
As they got closer, a faint blue glow began to appear in the air over the tops of condominiums, and more shouting could be heard.
And then something swooped into the air and shrieked.
Legendary Whirlwind
‘What’s that?!?’ yelled Luneth in shock.
A huge blue genie on a cloud was bearing down upon the city, sending gales of wind in every imaginable direction.
‘It must be Tornadus!’ Nathan replied over the gale of wind. People began streaming out of their houses in fright and surprise, running down the street away from the building tornado.
Ralts, wake up! We need your Teleport now!
Muun…yaahn…huh? What?
Autumn screamed as a huge steel bolt was ripped from a building and flew towards her, jumping just in time, while Luneth ordered Clefairy to psychically move the flying objects.
‘That’s it!’ yelped Autumn in surprise. ‘We all have psychically gifted Pokemon! Use them to divert the flying objects!’
But Ralts still hadn’t fully awoken, and Nathan was left hiding behind Luneth.
‘Here! Take Meditite!’
Nathan was surprised to hear Luneth talking so frantically, but released the Meditite from its ball immediately. It flew through the air and landed with a thump on the ground.
‘Um…uh…’ What moves did Meditite know at a low level?
‘Uh…Confusion?’ stuttered Nathan as an apple hit him on the head.
Meditite just sat and stared into space vacantly, though oddly was not being blown away.
Suddenly, a bolt of purple energy was loosed from its eyes and flung all the surrounding objects back into the sky, one hitting the distant, high genie. It yelled in rage and threw a bolt of thunder down at the earth.
‘It’s no use! We’re the only ones left here! We have to run!’ argued Nathan.
‘If we don’t, we’ll be smooshed!’ roared Luneth.
‘But it’s destroying the city!’ argued Autumn. ‘And what’s a legendary Pokemon doing h…’
Her words stopped as a brick rammed into her chest.
Ralts, wake up! We need a Teleport now!
Ralts floated into the air, still asleep, and transported the three of them and their Pokemon to the PokeCenter.
‘Autumn! Ralts! Answer me!’ cried Nathan, but neither answered.
‘Out of the way, young man! We have an emergency situation here! Hundreds of residents and Pokemon are swarming to our top-security basement as I talk and we don’t have time! If they’re hurt, get Chansey to take them to Emergency! We can’t do everything at once!’
‘Excuse me, Chansey? We’d like a stretcher for these patients! They need urgent medical assistance!’
At Luneth’s behest, the Chansey raced to a stretcher, leapt over to Autumn and Ralts and quickly lifted Autumn onto her back while Nathan put Ralts down softly behind her. Chansey then immediately rushed into the Emergency Room, uttering quick cries of worry.
‘You can always count on Chansey, huh?’ asked Luneth meekly.
‘Thanks!’ replied Nathan.
But outside, the storm still raged, and as Nathan went down into the basement he wasn’t sure if the city would be there to greet him the next day.
Aftermath and Aftermath
After a long and troubling night in the crowded PokeCenter basement, Nathan awoke to a sharp pain in his face.
‘Uwah?’ gurgled Nathan sleepily.
As his sight came into focus, he could see a Chansey Doubleslapping his left cheek vigorously.
‘What is it?’ he yelped, jumping rapidly off the futon and dodging Chansey’s final slap.
‘Chansey! This way!’ she smiled innocently. He quickly flung on some clothes from his pack, making sure to keep his undergarments on, then rushed after Chansey, weaving between the bustling crowd who were packing up and returning to what was left of their homes. When they reached the top of the stairs, a relieving sight came into view. Autumn was smiling thinly at him and Ralts was snoring loudly on her lap. Woobat fluttered nervously around the room.
‘Well, hi!’ said Autumn in a small voice.
‘You sound awful!’
It was Luneth, also ready to go and grinning nervously with Clefairy smacking his legs.
‘Clef! I need food to work, so get me some, you jerk!’ she sang rudely, taunting him.
‘How are you? You really seem sick!’ fretted Nathan.
‘Oh, I’m fine. Just a bit dazed and tired. But that’s no excuse to slack off training! Next stop, Noir Glade! That beautifully clear lake might be good for a swim!’
‘Uh, you realise the city could be chewed up and the glade with it? Shouldn’t we be lending a hand?’
‘Look, Mummy! The Noir Glade’s repairing itself by magic!’
A small child had spotted the far-off Glade, and as the trio stepped outside (Ralts in his PokeBall, Nathan could see it was true. The trees were righting themselves and clouds cleared, winds ceased and boulders rolled as the forest returned to normal.
How is this happening? thought Nathan curiously.
‘Look! It’s…it’s…Celebi!’ yelled the small boy in excitement.
‘Don’t be silly!’ scolded his mother, amongst an eager crowd now as they swarmed through the doors. But while it seemed the boy was the sole member of the group to see it, from the corner of his vision a small green shine flew off into the distance.
As they walked through the partly ruined city, Ralts now awake, Autumn and Luneth discussed the damage to the buildings, a few of which no longer existed at all, but oddly, the storm seemed to have ravaged only one third of the city, part of the residential area.
‘Looks like Tornadus got bored, then!’ remarked Ralts, who had, of course, slept through the whole ordeal before sleep-teleporting the group to safety..
‘Oh yeah! How did you get us out of here while you were asleep?’ queried Nathan.
‘I am a Psychic-type. We Ralts can sense when our Trainer is in mortal peril and escape to safety. It’s a great mechanism. Trainers are there to make us strong, and preserving them for further training is a good idea. That’s how it works, anyway. The Longevitis Principle. I actually like you a lot, so don’t worry about me being emotionless. My Pokedex entry even says I have highly developed emotions. Besides, we would all have died out there.’
So Pokemon DO want Trainers just to get strong. Ralts can’t just be here to get pumped. He said so himself…worried Nathan anxiously.
‘Well, it looks like everything can be rebuilt in one week! Would you believe? They’ve hired Haunter, Kadabra, Machoke and Graveler to help move things around!’ chirped Woobat, who had used its sonar to pick up a policeman’s report.
‘Great! Does that mean we’re OK to train? We’ve got supplies and all!’
‘Maybe we’ll see Celebi, too!’ remarked Luneth excitedly, having overheard the little boy’s outburst.
‘Don’t be stupid!’ laughed Autumn.
But I saw Celebi, and we’ve already seen two enraged genies…Nathan thought to Ralts.
I believe you. I sensed it in the air. And something isn’t right. Celebi protects the forest, but the genies are out of control. replied Ralts.
‘Here we are again! Noir Glade!’ announced Autumn.
‘Let’s train!’
‘Clef!’
‘Woo!’
‘Raal!’
‘Ewww! What is that otherworldly perfume I smell?’ grimaced Nathan jokingly.
‘Your fart, you stinky Stunky!’ laughed Autumn.
‘No, it’s just a Stunky, actually!’ yelped Nathan in reply as a small black skunk-like Pokemon leapt out of the bushes, spraying Clefairy with ‘juices’.
‘Clefclefclef! Waah!!’ yelled the outraged fairy, countering with a quick Pound.
‘Hey, Clefairy! Wait! I want that Stunky!’ said Luneth gently, but it was too late. Clefairy had already knocked out the skunk before it could so much as Scratch.
‘Well, I guess that’s done. Clefairy’s a little stronger now.’
But before it crawled into the bushes, the Stunky exploded with a terrible burst of fumes that completely overwhelmed the pink fairy and sent it reeling into the tall grass.
‘Clefairy!’ yelled Luneth.
‘That was Aftermath. When the foe faints, it gets a last-minute retaliation in through a spontaneous reaction like exploding before running off. Stunky and Drifloon are two users of the ability.’ Stated Autumn as she read her Pokedex. Meanwhile Luneth treated Clefairy with an Antidote and sprayed on some Potion to heal its wounds.
‘Can we go inside, now, please? We’ve got data for Stunky and Dark-types are useless for Ralts, who can’t even touch them,’ pleaded Nathan.
And so they finally began their training proper.
Took us time, didn’t it Ralts? thought Nathan as he smiled at the fact he was finally a real Trainer.
Second to One
‘There are seven confirmed Pokemon species in the immediate area on the field terrain,’ announced Autumn as they looked around at the near-empty field, the occasional Trainer dotted here and there, and one lone figure swimming in the lake.
‘Seven? I see none!’