I barely made it halfway up the stairs before my mother got to me. Both hands, straight to my cheeks and pinching them. My face didn't react as I just relished in her attention, sitting there with my eyes closed.
'Okay, wait, it's starting to hurt.' I wince.
"Koutei, you and Shellos did amazing!" she said, pinching just a little harder than necessary. Father, who was next to her, just gave me a curt nod with a wide smile. Father definitely seemed delighted at my win, which in turn made me happy, I suppose.
I sat down between them, watching the next few battles cycle through as my mother let her hands roam through my scalp. Some ended almost immediately with poor matchups, panicked commands, and Pokémon that just weren't ready yet. While a select few trainers had evolved Pokémon and had a visible difference in attitude.
Spectating over tens of matches, my biggest threats were three trainers with [Burning Jealousy] Thievul or Liepard. Which were fully evolved Pokémon. 'That move surely can't be something both lines naturally learn.' I thought, narrowing my eyes.
Besides that, two other concerning contestants had a Greedent and a Corvisquire, respectively. With Piers also participating with his Galarian-Linoone
Nothing but bad news.
"[Sky Attack] Corvisquire!"
"Thievul! [Burning Jealousy]"
'If I fight any of the experienced trainers, I'm so cooked.' I thought, watching the guy's Corvisquire tank a blast of fire while flying upwards. Just to dive right down, tracking the Theivul who tried to dodge the hit.
You could physically see who was a "trainer" with more sporty and practical clothes. Which did make sense, as of the 32 participants. There are kids who just started out, trainers who've battled for 1-3 years or just guys who battle as a hobby, wearing sweat pants and a hoodie. Having other jobs, such as my first opponent.
The only interesting thing I saw was a relatively shy Pokémon. A girl had an Eevee that was too nervous because of the watching crowd. I personally didn't think the crowd was really loud or intimidating, but I felt really bad for the poor little guy.
There were only around 10 spectators actively watching, not including participants.
'Shellos seemed fine when battling? Maybe a Pokémon's upbringing can affect how this goes. Would Grookey be scared?' Questions started to seep into my mind. Already doubting myself before a battle... How great.
Other than that, people's commands were quite simple. Maybe I'm expecting too much since being a sort of "transmigrator" really put ideas in my head. Or stronger trainers don't need to use complex strategies when overpowering weaker ones. But in general here, challengers just shouted moves without thinking so much about type match-ups.
Dad leaned over. "You holding up, champ?"
"I'm alright dad," I casually reply.
Eventually, the announcer called for the next set of matches, with my number being called up first.
Round two.
I stood, stretching my shoulders once, then headed back down toward the arena floor. Taking a better look at my opponent, he was wearing black shorts, a grey shirt and a lightweight jacket. Interesting combo to say the least, but who am I to judge?
'He used Greedent in the first round.' I thought to myself. Making the executive decision to send out my best bet.
We soon stepped into position with the referee calling out the match. Both of us took out a Poké Ball and nodded at the referee.
"Groo key key (Let's get active)!"
Grookey landed with a small hop, gripping his stick, eyes bright but focused. He tapped the ground once, steadying himself. While on the opposite side, a Sneasel was slowly eyeing up my poor chimp.
"Sneas sneasel (Interesting)..."
Ah shit.
The Pokémon appeared low to the ground, claws flexing, red eyes locked immediately onto Grookey. It was already coiled to move. My thoughts in that split second tried to think of any way to win.
'Too fast to outspeed, four times weak to [Hammer Arm]. But is super effective against Grookey with ice. This will be interesting. Maybe I can keep it at range and chip it with wide attacks, then finish it off.'
"Begin!" The referee shouts, snapping me out of my thoughts.
"[Razor Leaf] now!" I ordered immediately.
Grookey flicked his stick forward, a fan of sharp leaves slicing through the air toward Sneasel. My opponent didn't flinch as he instructed Sneasel to counterattack.
"[Icy Wind] Sneasel, get ready."
Cold breeze rushed outward in a broad wave from the sharp claw Pokémon. The Razor Leaf was shredded mid-flight, leaves freezing and snapping apart mid-air. Watching this, I grimace.
"[Leech Seed]/[Quick Attack]!" We both shout.
Sneasel vanished, making Grookey scan his surroundings in confusion. The impact landed square in Grookey's chest, knocking him backward. He slid across the black pavement, cocking his hand back and throwing.
The seed sped forward, seemingly impossible to dodge right after an attack. But Sneasel last second, side-stepped with ease. I clenched my fist at the miss.
"[Hammer Arm], be careful, Grookey."
Grookey charged, arm glowing with a sienne hue as he swung. Sneasel, seeing the charging chimp, dodges with a cocky smirk. Watching this, I noticed it positioned perfectly beside Grookey, ready to strike. Without any commands, its claws gained a silver hue and slashed downwards.
*Clang*
"Groo!" Grookey groaned out in pain, barely up using his knee and arm to keep steady. I felt helpless watching this unfold. Taking a better look, Sneasel seemed to be ready to go for another attack.
"Grookey, get up!"
"You can't let it end like this!"
"Sneasel, finish it off already!"
The sidelines started to clamour at the two Pokémon as my opponent started to spew some commands.
But suddenly, a light flared around Grookey.
'Overgrow?' My thoughts were quickly proven wrong as the glow wasn't green.
It was a bright white.
The arena went silent, with most, if not all, spectators realising what was going on.
Grookey cried out as his body seemingly shifted, stretched in this great light. I just stared in awe, but with a bit of worry tugging at the side of my thoughts. Evolution definitely looked painful from an outside perspective. When the light faded, Thwacky stood where Grookey had been, gripping two sticks instead of one.
"[Icy Wind]!" I hear my opponent call out.
"Dodge to the right, now!" I order.
Thwacky moved a bit faster than his previous self, as he slipped past the wide, stretching cold by inches. I wanted to get in a [Hammer Arm] but was forced to watch Thwackey dodge multiple ice attacks and forced into a corner. Sneasel, after the evoltion wasn't getting in close anymore and was using his speed to maneuver around.
'I can only hope for a last-ditch attack.'
"[Hammer Arm] Thwackey!"
"Thwa (Okay)!" Thwacky's arm started to glow, but at this instant. Sneasel's body disappeared and instantly was beside him. Before I could react, my Pokémon was sent backwards, landing on its back.
The referee, after a few seconds, raised a hand. "Thwacky is unable to battle."
I recalled Thwacky, fingers tightening around the Poké Ball as the red light pulled him back. I did have a smile on my face. Not caring at all about my loss in the slightest because, realistically, I was not winning that.
I'm not Ash, beating a Samurott with a Tepig...
"Good job, buddy," I whisper to the Poké Ball.
I didn't linger near the arena once it was over.
The noise of the tiny crowd blurred together as I headed back toward the entrance to meet with my parents. She had a proud look on her face with arms already opening.
"You did well," she said, hugging me tight.
"Thank you," I mutter, sort of defeated.
Dad came beside us awkwardly before he started to rub my hair. "There's much more training you have to do, champ. With that new evolution, he can learn two moves."
His words immediately took my thoughts away from my loss and Thwackey.
New moves?
Dad knows what's up.
"Really? Dad, you have to tell me!" I say excited. Although I already had some information about this from my Pokedex app, it's better to ask the veteran.
"Haha! Well lets get your team healed up first. Let's head home." He chuckles. Hearing his words, I nod, remembering his Eldegoss usually used [Pollen Puff] to heal my team when training. On top of Rillaboom knowing [Grassy Terrain], which will be greatly missed when I go.
The walk home didn't take long as we just casually talked about what to eat for lunch. For once, I just enjoyed my parents' company. Being beside them and casually chatting, with laughs going all around.
...
---
A few hours later, sitting at the dining table near the kitchen window. Dad was the one who finally broke the silence. "So," he said, setting his spoon down. "What do you want to do, Kenji?"
I looked up with a raised eyebrow. "What do you mean dad?"
His words made my heart skip a beat. I was never one for serious talks, failing to keep any sort of eye contact. Things such as these just felt a little too heavy for me.
"Your future."
I didn't answer right away. He didn't rush me either.
"You've been training every weekday for a month and a half straight without fail, champ," he continued. "Even I've never trained to that degree my whole life. I couldn't be prouder, but I can't see a goal you're reaching for so desperately."
'A mix between awe of having a Pokémon and being able to live in this world & world-ending events. Though I would never tell my parents that. No matter what, even if I trust them the most in the world. Information of the future and my reincarnation must never be told unless it benefits me.' I thought, my eyes wandering.
Mom glanced between us with a worried look, hands folded around her cup.
"I know you've thought about the gym challenge," Dad said.
He leaned back in his chair, sighing. "If you want help, I could do some things to get you as a trainee forest ranger."
Before I could respond, he held a finger up.
"And," Dad added, "Even if you don't go that route, having gym badges helps with any job involving Pokémon. So I'm not trying to pressure you in any way. Champ, what I'm telling you is to go for it." He says a bit melancholic but clearly encouraging.
I stared down at my plate, stirring the soup a little even though I wasn't really hungry anymore.
Images drifted through my head without me trying to summon them. Pixelated forest paths I hadn't visited yet. Cities I'd only seen on screens. Stadium lights. Crowds. Different characters I've seen in media.
I selfishly wanted it all.
I wasn't against being a ranger. But that's something to do more in the latter years of my life. Mom cleared her throat softly, making me snap out of my thoughts.
"I'm just…" she began, then paused, choosing her words. "I'm hesitant."
Both of us turned towards her with our full attention.
"I worry," she continued, quieter now. "About you getting hurt. I don't want my baby to leave."
"That's fair, honey...," Dad said, a bit quiet. "Would Kenji beating the gym leader make it any better?"
His words made mother pause for a second. Watching her expression go from sad to serious, she frantically nodded like a chipmunk. It seems like my ticket out of this town was to beat Pier's grandpa and get my first badge.
Alright then.
He looked back at me. I took a breath.
"I'll do the gym challenge," I said with confidence, which made my father get a genuine, wide smile. Mother, who saw this, was satisfied with my conviction and wasn't too opposed to my journey.
Lunch wrapped up after that. Afterwards, I went straight back to training with even more focus. Now with an even clearer goal due to knowing what type Alfred was using, there were things to improve with Thwackey.
Taking my phone out, I looked at the rules and requirements for gym badges.
'I need to register this season, thankfully, it started just today.' I thought, scrolling through the Galar website.
Interestingly enough, every challenger gets a free battle with each gym. With the second battles if you lost being a set entry fee. Minor Gyms also had a set difficulty, which was above the initial start of the minor division.
⊹ ࣪ ﹏𓊝﹏𓂁﹏⊹ ࣪ ˖
[Minor Division Thread]
...
Comments
(ShadowEmperor101: Why is my first Minor Gym so much harder than what major division trainers fight on TV? They're unevolved Pokemon for *** sake. It's not fair when I have to battle a Corvisquire and Skarmory.)
(RideOnThis: @ShadowEmperor101 Sounds like a skill issue to be honest)
(GodBidoof Helper: @ShadowEmperor101 Minor gyms have a higher minimum level but lower challenge ceiling. From past threads about people chatting about difficulty, I'd say 8 minor gym badges is about up to four badges in the major division.
Edit: I've been told the Gym Leaders can adjust the difficulty up to four badges whenever they want. Maybe try a different gym.)
(GordieFan: @GodBidoof, why is there a higher minimum?)
(GodBidoof Helper: @GordieFan Getting your first badge gives the user access to poke jobs on PokeNet. This means that a gym leader deems you strong enough to take on certain levels of jobs for money. It would be on the leader's fault if you got a badge and it was found out you got into trouble without the proper strength.)
(Gardevoirlover69: Getting your first badge shouldn't be that hard! These trainers need poke jobs to get stronger. The Galar league is honestly so dogshit to less fortunate trainers.)
Gardevoirlover69 Timed Out by GotThatWood
(GotThatWood Helper: @Gardevoirlover69, look at your name and reflect on yourself.)
(GodBidoof Helper: @Gardevoirlover69 The league suggests rookie trainers take their time training in their city/town before heading out. Jobs out in the wild are not something anyone can just take on randomly.)
⊹ ࣪ ﹏𓊝﹏𓂁﹏⊹ ࣪ ˖
'Corvisquire and Skarmory? Definitely something to remember for the flying gym this season then.' I thought, making some notes on my phone.
Considering the replies about minor gyms facing greater difficulties when starting out is a bit concerning. Especially because I'm currently in that position, but hey. There's nothing quite like experiencing it for yourself.
Taking a look at the Spikemuth Gym website. It shows that Alfred will be using a Thievul, Galarian Linoone and a Scrafty against 0-4 gym badge challengers. Quite the lineup for starters.
'For now, I should focus on training. Oh, wait, Rookidee can't train for a bit... I'm not sure if he will reach that level anytime soon.' Maybe some other preparations had to be done.
⊹ ࣪ ﹏𓊝﹏𓂁﹏⊹ ࣪ ˖
Species: Thwackey
Level: 17 (Trainer)
Type: Grass
Ability: Overgrow
Attacking Moves: Growl, Scratch, Branch Poke, Razor Leaf, Double Hit, Fake Out (Egg), Hammer Arm (Egg), Strength (Egg), Grassy Glide (Tutor)
Auxiliary Moves: Taunt, Growth (Egg), Leech Seed (Egg)
⊹ ࣪ ﹏𓊝﹏𓂁﹏⊹ ࣪ ˖
'My first trainer-level Pokémon.'
...
Word Count: 2547
Kenji's Pokémon: [Thwackey Lvl.17], [Shellos Lvl.15], [Rookidee ✨ Lvl.8]
[A/N: Pokemon Go has been too fun... Kinda of sad that I have to walk quite far to get any stops though. What do we think of Kenji's initial team composition so far? Do you guys got any strategies you think would work in a real battle scenario?]