OC/SI into a boy in a graveyard in Kanto, his painful life exchanged for a new one, a deathly aura attracting both Ghost and Dark Pokemon to him, his abilities perfect for doing... Whatever the hell he wants - and trolling whoever he wants along the way.
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Pokemon Dark Tidings
- Thread starter JollyHippopotamus
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Chapter 1: Only Mostly Dead.
JollyHippopotamus
Not too sore, are you?
- Joined
- Sep 3, 2021
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Here's chapter 1: Only mostly Dead.
So this was in my snippet thread, but decided to go with it, make it a full story, had some patrons who voted for it as well. Yes, a ninth story, yes, I know.
So the synopsis for the story is that an SI/OC finds himself in Kanto, with a dark/ghost aura due to his death and rebirth and his darker nature.
Although on the side of the angels, mostly… Sometimes the devil just works quicker. This won't be Ash and friendship is magic - more of a trainer shooting for his goals above all else. To create his own gym in Kanto and show everyone that looked down on him that he's the strongest.
And to mess with them.
I'll play a bit fast and loose on Pokemon availability, the first four regions (Kanto, Johto, Sinnoh and Hoenn) being open and some trade and migration having happened, despite Ash not beginning his journey yet.
As usual, I do not own Pokemon or the associated companies that deliver material from it. I'm just playing in the kiddy pool, don't hurt me.
Enjoy!
"Wh-Where a-am I?" Ezra groaned weakly, his head pounding, both of his hands automatically raising up to massage his aching skull. He felt the chill against his back and could feel the cold coarse material he was leaning against through his thin shirt. He could feel his breath misting in the air in front of him, almost tasted the smell of damp grass and muddy soil around him. How? He'd gone to bed early, ready for the new school year to start, how was he outside? And why was it so chilly? It was still warm out when he went to bed.
He squinted, daring to open his eyes just a slight bit, protecting himself from any further shooting pains in his head. He ended up cursing lowly under his breath, both of his hands clamped around his head, as his eyes shot open fully in shock the minute he attempted a squinting look around. What on earth?
Slowly he moved his neck around, gaining a panoramic view of his surroundings. The dark smoky and hazy sky lending an almost depressive atmosphere to his surroundings. The gray and colorless surroundings were eerie and silent, apparently devoid of life, filled with rows and rows of gravestones. He scrambled to his feet, the noise of gravel under his feet echoing in the silence around him. He did his best at ignoring the throbbing pain from his still thundering skull. The chill on his back had been from him resting up against one of said gravestones, he'd been sitting on a grave.
A quick look at least confirmed it wasn't his name on it. That would have been… Yeah…
Not entirely unexpected, all things considered, he'd always expected he'd end up in one soon enough, just not, you know... Alive. Three times in his life he'd been at death's door just for the doctors to manage to bring him back to his half life - his constant struggle. Only the incoming school year and the hope for anything better had kept him alive over the summer and his convalescence from yet another attempt by death to collect him. He wasn't ready yet… Not without a fight.
If there was anything he knew in life, it was to struggle, to refuse to back down, to refuse to give in - to look death in the face and tell it to fuck right off.
"This isn't funny!?" He called out, one hand to his temple as he looked around, nervous and suspicious. Who'd play such a prank anyway… No one he knew would kidnap him from his bed and… Dump him in a graveyard. He didn't even know where the nearest graveyard was from his house! With his ill health he couldn't imagine his few friends doing it either.
"Show yourself!" Ezra demanded, anger overcoming any fear in the moment, his usual habit of bull rushing any problem head on rearing its head. Something that did not usually end well for him - a guy barely able to manage going to school on most days. "If this is some sort of joke…" He swore, wincing as his words echoed across the graveyard, his head was still pounding. Did he hit his head? Usually the pain was more… Everywhere. Constantly.
Nothing but silence answered him. Although he almost felt like the shadows were moving around him, that was probably just his head hurting making his vision blurry… It's not like he had perfect vision anyway, like everything else about his body, it was failing.
Except… Right now he could see clearer then he had for years…
In the distance he could see structures and a tower? "Where the hell is this?" His anger was growing rapidly, barely outpacing his fear. This is not New York! He thought, his breaths coming fast, misting the air around him. Where am I? Why can I see so far… Wait? Why is only my head hurting? Why doesn't breathing hurt!?
"Show yourself!" He demanded again, a hint of desperation now to his demand. If someone would just jump out and go, haha, just a prank. Then it could all make sense again.
His body working again, was freaking him out, had someone kidnapped him and experimented on him? Was he left for dead in a graveyard?
He thought he heard a giggle, he turned around quickly and found nothing, almost falling over, not used to his body twisting that quickly or easily - and more importantly, painlessly. He cursed and turned back around only to shriek and fall on his ass. A shadow getting right in his face, a menacing grin on its visage.
"Geeeengar!" It said smugly, an almost ethereal quality to the voice. The ghost floating in the air ahead of him.
"Ghosts aren't real!" Ezra shouted, as he scrambled backwards, his escape blocked by yet another gravestone as he slammed his back into it, the breath being pushed out of his lungs at the impact.
The universe apparently disagreed visavi the viability of ghosts, as the shadows around the graveyard all seemed to come alive in different shapes and forms, all circling around him. The feeling surrounding him almost felt… Welcome… Like home… Very weird and an uncomfortable realization to have when surrounded by what also felt like death - he could say he and death were almost old friends, always circling each other, but he was winning, and using ghosts was cheating.
The pain in Ezra's head was actually lessening as they got closer. The clarity afforded to him without the stabbing pain right behind his eyes making him realize what he was actually seeing. He'd been used to an aching dull pain, always - it never went away, except now it had. This sharp pain was entirely new, he was glad it was lessening yet not so glad with his understanding of what he was seeing.
"This… T-this is impossible!" Ezra spluttered out, his hands raised before him as a feeble means of protection. There was just no way this was real.
The beings surrounding him were Pokemon, ghost pokemon to be precise. Considering the tower he could see in the distance and the dreary atmosphere and multitude of graveyards… He knew where he was. He just couldn't accept it.
"Lavender town isn't real! Pokemon aren't real!" Ezra shouted angrily at the Haunter that suddenly popped up ahead of him, grinning wildly, bobbing in the air. Ezra choked on air as his statement was punctuated by the absolute eruption of ghost pokemon out of the shadows.
Gastly, Haunter and Gengar amongst them, but even a Marowak popping up, several Misdreavus, Shuppets and Dusknoir scattered amongst the mass of mostly Gastly and Haunter. They all seemed drawn to him, circling ever closer as he panicked. He jumped behind the gravestone, marveling for a second at being capable of jumping, before he freaked out even more, seeing a bunch of dark pokemon standing and watching him from that side. Lavender shouldn't even have those!
"This can't be real, this is a dream! It ISN'T REAL!" He shouted, which only had the effect of an eerie giggle diffusing through the silent graveyard as the majority of pokemon in sight seemed to find this all very amusing. Many of them slowly drawing closer, their eyes shining in the dark, like a mass of glinting lanterns moving through the darkness.
All of a sudden the pain in his head eased, and he felt like something settled over him. Like he was draped in a chilly yet supremely comfortable blanket. Yet he couldn't truly feel comfortable - as he heard a giggle right in his ear. He turned his head, dreading what he would find.
A Shuppet stared at him from within his own shadow - its multicolored eyes meeting his with apparent fascination. Fear finally beat out Ezra's anger. (Perhaps the Shuppet was feeding on the anger?) He had time to think, either way however it happened, his eyes rolled back into his head and he collapsed to the ground in a dead faint.
The ghost pokemon of Lavender Town circled the downed body, feeling a kinship with the boy who'd died and yet was still here, just different. Filled with anger and spite at the world. Not so unlike a ghost pokemon.
The dark pokemon, fewer but no less fascinated, circled at the end of the graveyard, in a tentative truce with the ghost pokemon as they all smelled the amalgamation of death and darkness on the boy. Ghost and Dark together.
They stood watch for the rest of the night, until the people of Lavender Town woke and noticed the gathering, freaking out, amusing the ghosts in particular. Eventually trainers cautiously approached and the ghosts finally dispersed, the dark pokemon slinking into the nearby woods, both sides leaving just the unconscious body of the young man laying there.
The one that felt like them.
For the second time, Ezra woke up without having any real idea where he was or how he was where he was. At least this time without the accompanying opera of pain going off inside his skull. And amazingly without any pain at all, for the first time he could remember since… Huh, he couldn't even remember any time without it anymore. So this was how that felt like… He struggled to keep his emotions at bay, it felt…
…He couldn't even quantify it. How do you describe a world without pain when it's all you've ever known?
"Chan, Chansey!" Came a piercing excitable shriek from right by his ear.
Ezra flinched, eyes flying open as his hands went to his head yet again. "My fucking head!" He hissed out between clenched teeth. Okay, so apparently he wasn't completely okay yet… What the fuck had he gotten into? And was a fully functioning body worth it?
Yes, fuck yes, anything is worth this! He immediately railed at himself inside his head, almost afraid that questioning it would lead to it being taken away.
"Language, young man!" A woman snapped, rushing through the door, no doubt drawn in by that shrieking.
Ezra spluttered, "I'm 21, I can curse if I want….to…." He trailed off, mouth agape as he took in the room and its occupants. By his bedside was a Chansey. An honest to god fucking Chansey. A pokemon. Oh god it wasn't a dream! And coming towards him was Nurse Joy. She was unmistakable, she looked exactly as he remembered from the cartoon. What the fuck is this!? I don't even…
He looked around, trying to avoid the sight of Joy and her Chansey and the existential crisis they were sparking in him. He was in a small room with cream coloured walls with posters of cheery pokemon with cutesy slogans, the wall and door that Joy had entered through were glass and he could see out into what was obviously a pokemon center. The rest of the room was fairly spartan, holding his bed, a chair and a counter with a pair of cupboards with an attached sink.
His malfunctioning body and it's insistence to constantly give dying an attempt, meant he'd spent countless hours playing a game that featured said pokemon centers. They were impossible to mistake for something else. Nurse Joy and the Chansey were enough evidence anyway. What… Why was he here?
And he was cynical enough to ponder, what is the cost I'll have to pay… Someone or something doesn't just break all laws of time and space and drop a cripple into another world for free. Perhaps my working body was just an investment. Which made me wonder how I'd pay the bill for it…
Nurse Joy stopped in front of his bed, an amused look on her youthful pretty face, her pink hair somewhat disheveled like she'd recently had an electric shock. "21?" She asked melodiously, her lips twitching. "Are you sure, young man?"
Ezra frowned, not understanding what was so amusing. Nurse Joy handed him a mirror that she grabbed from the nearby counter and he suddenly understood. Well, understood was an ill fitting word. Because he didn't understand at all! Not only did he look like 15-16 at the most. But he was also just… Creepy looking. He was albino, with almost translucently light skin, short spiky pure white hair, and striking and very creepy red eyes. He pursed his lips, feeling his heart rate shoot up, he didn't look like himself at all! Not to mention having deaged. It truly felt like an out of body experience, he didn't feel totally here. Not really. Because this just couldn't… It wasn't true… It just couldn't be.
He'd never hallucinated something so realistic before though, not that he hallucinated often, but he'd certainly tried some stuff this past summer, anything to dull the pain more, really, but the effects couldn't be this delayed.
Of course… He'd end his time as a wasting cripple and end up as someone that would have people cross the street to avoid. Of course that's how it would be. There's always a catch, nothing good could just happen.
Pain free though… Isn't anything and everything worth it?
Nurse Joy gently removed the mirror from his hands when he started shaking it back and forth, trying to get another view, like the mirror was a magic eight ball and if he shook it enough his real face would show. "You were found in the graveyard, we were all very concerned about you." She coughed delicately, "In fact early tests showed that you had died, but was somehow not dead…" Joy trailed off, crossing her arms under her chest, a wrinkle on her brow, pondering that for a moment, before she smiled cheerfully, disregarding it, "But you're all better now! And definitely alive!" The Chansey bounced up and down adding its own two cents. "Chansey cha!"
Ezra stared at her unsure how on earth she could possibly think that any of that was in any way comforting. He'd died? Well… If he was here somehow… Then yes he understood he'd likely died and somehow appeared in this world…If it was real… For some reason as a teenager… Which alright, it beats being reborn, because just, no, nope. Wait? Did she mean the body he was in now had died!? What kind of creepy teen goes and lays down in a graveyard to die?
Not even he had given up yet… Although he'd been close over the last year or so. Navigating adult life and trying to do the college thing, while basically a cripple that didn't look like a cripple - had been harder than anything he'd done before, and he'd gone through some low times…
He winced as he realized what exactly he looked like now, inherently creepy and off putting. There could be many reasons for a kid like that to want to die… Was he… An orphan to boot then?
God damnit, if he was going to be randomly inserted somewhere where was the damn memory packet for his new life!? Also… Was he possessing a dead body? He stopped brooding as the jolt from that thought ran through his body, his eyes raised to meet those of Nurse Joy, "Wait? Am I dead or alive? Am I possessing myself?" Ezra asked, feeling sick. Starting to face the inevitability that this was real, he could feel too many things for this to be a dream or hallucination.
Nurse Joy hurried to reassure him, sitting down at the side of his bed, grabbing his hands in hers, a compassionate smile on her face, "You're completely alive, young man. For whatever reason your body shut down, I'm not really sure why or how?" She tilted her head, looking slightly chagrined and confused, before patting his hands, "But here you are, living breathing with all the bits and pieces, so definitely alive!"
It was beginning to discomfit him how much Nurse Joy kept putting emphasis on the definitely alive part. Way to sound sure there, thanks a bunch, he thought sarcastically.
"So I died…" Ezra said quietly, trying to come to terms with the fact he'd basically taken over the body of some poor kid who'd either been killed in the graveyard or more likely… Had such a shitty life he'd ended it. Cheery thought. All those ghost pokemon he'd seen… Maybe the kid hadn't ended it? Maybe ghost energy had done him in? But then why was he there in the first place? And why had he seen dark pokemon too? Wasn't Dark super effective to Ghosts or something? Shouldn't they have run away?
Jesus Christ, he was already debating Pokemon logic, just great, give it a week and he'd be deep in the woods jacking off alone in a tent as he hunted for some rare pokemon or something stupid instead of staying sane and keeping indoors.
When moving too much in a day was different levels of excruciating, Ezra had definitely gotten used to the convenience of a mini fridge, a lazy boy recliner, and most of all. Plumbing.
He wasn't a bear. Shitting in the woods wasn't for him.
"Don't think too hard about it, the important thing is you're okay!" Joy said seriously, Chansey patting him on the leg consolingly, thrilling out its name in quick quips which Joy apparently understood - if the quick smile she flashed its way held any meaning.
"The local police couldn't find any records about you, and you're not in the league records as far as we could tell, do you… Remember your name, or any details of why you're here? No one in town recognized you, and, well…" Joy asked delicately, eyes assessing as she observed his response and actions.
Ezra wondered. Could he use his name? If there was no record… The league must have pretty strong records, right? Maybe he could at least keep his name, he sure couldn't remember anything about his body's previous life - so that was out anyway. He snorted quietly to himself - with how he looked, if he was native to Lavender or Kanto for that manner - surely someone would have remembered him. "Ezra Kassian… I don't… Remember anything else…" He said softly, looking down at their interlocked hands, feeling the turmoil inside him seethe at his shitty situation.
At the same time, with the easy breaths he was taking, the steady thrumming of his heartbeat resonating strongly inside him, the feeling of being alive and not just living - he would have taken worse than being an albino orphan and still ended up ahead.
"It will come to you in time, or it won't, either way you're safe now and that's what's important!" Joy said consolingly, patting his arm, she peered at the wall clock, squirming slightly, looking uncomfortable, "Unfortunately, now that you're awake and healed… You can't remain here…" She said, looking conflicted.
Ezra frowned, "Didn't I literally just die? Where would I go?" Does the pokemon world have social services? They must? Right? I'd go out on my own, I'm an adult at least mentally… But… That's probably a bad idea, right? I don't know this world, except from a damn game.
Joy winced, patting Chansey as it crooned quietly. "The pokemon center caters primarily to pokemon trainers and pokemon. We were just closer in your case."
Ezra nodded, hiding his conflicted feelings on the matter. Because he was fairly certain Nurse Joy had just lied to him. The hospital would surely make a lot more sense for treatment. Why would he be brought to a pokemon healing center instead? Surely they at least had a clinic or something? This was a town wasn't it? Even if it had been Pokemon's that killed him, the hospital/clinic must be used to dealing with people hurt by a pokemon. So why here? "How do I become a pokemon trainer then?" Ezra winced immediately after he asked, he had other priorities actually, "Hang on, where am I going if not here? I don't know anything!"
He didn't have memories from his body, how was he supposed to just… Leave here and go on with things? Hopefully she'd have an answer for him, because he didn't know what his next move would be.
Joy's smile was a little brittle as she stood up, straightening her dress, "Ah, there's many careers other than being a pokemon trainer, Ezra." She deflected, she winked at him, "Maybe become a nurse, eh?"
Ezra put on a fake smile, mumbling out some vague agreement. Joy was lying about something in regards to his condition. And she'd completely sidestepped him becoming a trainer. Why? If he was in this world, what else would he do? He had certain advantages over others after all. He knew all the hidden places and pokemon, how to evolve some pokemon in ways that the rest of the world might not even know yet - depending on where in the timeline he was. Him becoming a trainer was in no doubt.
It was the whole… Traveling around thing that he wasn't happy about…
He'd rather get rich through one of the methods he remembered and then set up somewhere, with modern conveniences, and play around with pokemon at home, not in bug infested woods… Get a flying pokemon and he could just fly off, catch some other pokemon, fly home in time for a beer and a shower.
No matter what secret was being kept from him it wouldn't really matter for now. He doubted Nurse Joy was some member of Team Rocket or some such. Or doing it out of any maliciousness. Didn't really seem like her style. So probably one of those for your own good things. He was going to find that very annoying, having finally achieved adulthood only to be back to an age with no say over his life - or at least always talked down to by the adults who of course knows better…
He brooded in his bed for the next hour as Joy and Chansey puttered around looking guilty and attempting stilted small talk. Then Officer Jenny arrived and soon after he found himself dropped off at the local orphanage. A blocky gray building that looked even more depressing than the surroundings.
Lavender Town was certainly bigger than what could fit in a small gameboy game. Thousands of people lived here. And if he wanted to believe it was all a Nintendo style friendship is magic world that he'd entered…. The fact the orphanage was overflowing with kids was a good sign things were not so accommodating.
"Look at that freak!" A large stocky teenager shouted in glee the second Ezra had been left alone by the adults.
As other teens and younger kids gathered around, Ezra sighed forlornly.
It was going to be like that, huh?
Fuck you and your world, Arceus!
Things were definitely… Rough for a while. Ezra literally did not have any knowledge of the world other than what he knew from pokemon games or the show, which in many cases didn't really match.
Oh, sure, Pokemon types and the like were the same, except fairy types were not yet classified as such. That had been the first sign of where in the timeline he'd been, but also not quite matching either. After all, if this was a game world, the only ghosts he should have been able to see in the graveyard were Gastly, Haunter and Gengar, as the first generation had no others.
The Shuppet that had scared him shouldn't have been there. Not to mention the others he'd seen. As he rose through the classes in school, even though he was taking them with children years younger than him - he learned that the region spanning wars had been so calamitous that entire regions had been permanently cut off from each other in the past.
Only in recent years had some opened up again, the forces and violent nature events separating regions lessening enough to allow travel (Maybe Legendaries separating the humans to stop the war?) Although this was a departure from the games as well. Likely because this world didn't work on the concept of game sequels. Because at this point of time only Kanto and maybe Johto, since it was connected more clearly - should be available.
Kanto, Johto, Sinnoh and Hoenn. They were all in communication years earlier than what the 'games' would suggest. Perhaps how some pokemon that shouldn't exist in Lavender town had still managed to be here. Or maybe his dead ass not being dead had drawn them in? Who knows. Kanto and Johto shared a league, although Lance was not yet the champion, putting me in definitely pre-Ash time.
Ezra had been given citizenship in Kanto with his 'birth city' becoming Lavender town. As much as he disliked almost everything about what had happened - mostly because he still had no clue how or why - he grudgingly appreciated what had been done for him. Even as most citizens of Lavender treated him like a pariah at best, he had a roof over his head, free education and he'd been given citizenship - despite having no clue where he was from or how he'd gotten there.
It did smart something fierce though… Watching kids leave on Pokemon journeys, while he stewed in his frustration and anger in the orphanage, already much older than the kids leaving. Not that many from the orphanage were, no, we were all destined for manual labor or retail jobs. The rare few got sponsored, got a scholarship for a pokemon technical school or were adopted (incredibly rare) by someone who could fund their journey.
He didn't want to go on a journey per say… But he wanted the trainers license, because in this world, Pokemon was power. And without them - you had none.
With his meta knowledge he'd literally blown through school in regards to anything to do with pokemon, having to dumb himself down at times, because things he knew - weren't known yet. Although the subjects like history had taken slightly longer as he'd had to start from the beginning. Yet… Any request to even apply for becoming a trainer was denied him. There's no way he could afford a trainers license on his own, they didn't come that cheaply for random orphans. Let alone the most disliked orphan in Lavender town. Curse Arceus for making him an albino freak!
For every day he spent working his ass off on his studies, on studying every scrap of knowledge on pokemon that was available (Ghost and Dark mostly, it's what Lavender had a lot of material on - and it called to him.) - there was a day where he found himself having to fight. He could have backed down from all the bullies and naysayers, but what would that have achieved? He refused to be destined as nothing - to then add spineless and pathetic to it as well, was anathema. For once he had a working body, he wouldn't accept being pushed around anymore.
There was something satisfying about the crunch of crushed cartilage, as he dealt out damage to his bullies - he always lost in the end - for they were many, and he was but one.
But he always made them pay heavily for it…
If they had pokemon maybe it wouldn't have been so bad, he'd definitely go for a pokemon battle anytime… But none of them had any, so it was just regular fists he faced. At least he couldn't say he got no exercise... Of course all the witnesses always said he started it. So he got intimately acquainted with Officer Jenny and the Lavender town police department. (Not that kind of intimate, unfortunately) He usually got accused of everything from vandalism to theft anyway, just for being in the vicinity of good upstanding citizens. Luckily for him, the police refused to actually prosecute him without actual evidence other than kids getting into fights.
They all knew he was other, foreign. His looks hadn't helped him in that aspect. So even with the police not prosecuting him, they also weren't helping.
It wasn't shown in the games, but people were still people. Racism was still a thing, fear of anything other, was definitely still a thing, and of course there had been wars between the regions… So a lot of hatred was stewing behind the scenes.
So yeah… He was grateful to Lavender for taking him in since he had nothing and no one… And he wanted to punch every fucking face in town in - for treating him like garbage. Except Nurse Joy. Joy was cool. Even if still tight-lipped whenever he tried to question her. There was definitely something going on that he was unaware of. He was so far at the top of the class it wasn't funny, even if he was older then all the other kids he should be receiving offers to sponsor or at least go study for a breeder or at a scientific research center if nothing else. But he got nothing…
And maybe he was being spiteful and a bit resentful, not all of Lavender was treating him like the dirt under their shoes. But it sure felt like it…
With no Pokemon, no realistic way to get one yet without getting accused of poaching or something, and no real future to look forward to after he finished school… He was constantly burning with anger and darker feelings. The spite he was carrying around everyday as he faced mutters and dirty looks everywhere he went, became the new normal.
Those feelings would have probably been how he finally figured out that he wasn't alone…
If things hadn't escalated due to pure suicidal stupidity.
It had been over six months since he'd arrived in this world, nothing had really stood out in the morning to tell him everything would change.
It had been a regular shitty day. His breakfast had accidentally been knocked out of his hands by Rocky, Dean and their group of neanderthals ( Both as old as him and more pathetic for it as they had nothing going for them.) Of course he couldn't get seconds after that. It was an orphanage - and everyone would swear up and down he tossed it to the ground on his own if he bothered to complain. So… Off he went to school, hungry. Fine.
It's fine. He was cool about it. No big deal…
His walk to the school was practically a practice in mediation and zen like control of his emotions at this point. He barely even saw the people around him anymore as he sunk into almost a meditative state - achieved after much practice - eyes half lidded as he walked automatically down the road, the darkness building inside him being tightly controlled and soothed. He almost felt like he heard a cackling laugh from somewhere, but he'd arrived at the school so he put it out of his mind.
As he entered the yard outdid the school, he could feel the weight of the stares from his classmates. They knew he was different, they knew the adults didn't like him, and they didn't hesitate to make him feel it. Ezra took a deep steadying breath, trying to keep his emotions in check.
It wouldn't do to break noses at school, he'd probably actually get in shit for that.
Suddenly, he felt a hand on his shoulder. "Hey, are you okay?" It was Mia, one of the few students who had been kind to him since he had arrived in town.
Only one really.
Mia's voice cut through the haze of his dark thoughts, and Ezra turned to look at her. She had a concerned expression on her face, her bright green eyes filled with worry. Mia was two years younger than him, but she had a maturity beyond her years. She had always been kind to him, despite the harsh treatment he'd received from the other students.
She was the kind of person that would find an injured squirrel and nurse it back to health, that would give the shirt off her back to help another - a total softy in other words.
And completely nuts to risk associating with him.
Ezra managed to fake a small smile, appreciative of her concern, but really not needing her to become the next target. "I'm fine, Mia. Just the usual bullshit." He shrugged, trying to downplay the situation. He didn't want to burden her with his problems.
Mia looked at him sympathetically, her face an open book, he disliked the whole situation really, but he could also see it was ultimately temporary, he wasn't a teenager anymore, not really - so he could see the light at the end of the tunnel (heh, death joke!)
"I understand, Ezra." Mia said companionably, her expression entirely honest and warm, "It's not easy, I know. But you're not alone, not really." She glanced around the hallway surreptitiously, making sure no one was listening in on their conversation. "I've noticed something... Strange. Whenever you're around, ghost-type Pokemon seem to appear more often…"
Ezra scoffed, glancing at her out of the corner of his eyes as he continued towards the school entrance, hands in the pockets of his worn jeans. "You're shittin' me, I have never even laid an eye on a single one…" Not since the graveyard anyway…
"It's true." Mia insisted, skipping alongside him, her freckled face gaining a stubborn look that he knew meant she wouldn't drop this. "Like out of the corner of my eye sometimes, I see stuff in your shadow."
"Stuff… Right?" He mocked her lightly, "Sure sounds like a pokemon to me."
He didn't entirely discount her, because who knew? And perhaps he'd have to see if he could catch a glimpse himself, but agreeing with her in any way would just have her stick by him even closer - and that wasn't good for her continued health.
Speaking of the devil… He thought, mood immediately souring as he noticed Rocky's best friend Dean, rushing their way surrounded by a small gaggle of other orphans.
Their conversation was interrupted as Dean gleefully shoved a poke ball under his nose, from the scuffs and dirt on it, he'd likely stolen or come upon one. He sure as hell couldn't afford buying one.
They were the unwanted, all of them - the ones who'd never gotten a journey, a break, a shot at being something special. The ones destined for sewer work, cleaning, and all other undesirable jobs - company pokemon lent to them for tasks, for the ones they wouldn't have to do with their own hands anyway.
Dean sneered at Ezra, holding up the Pokeball and giving it a shake. "Hey look, it's the loser without a Pokemon. What's the matter, can't you even get one of your own?" He chuckled nasally, looking to his friends for approval immediately.
What a moronic taunt, since none of us are allowed one of our own… He thought, staring at the idiot bully with a dull look.
He noticed Dean's attention wavering, switching towards Mia, so he stepped forward, hands still in his pockets. "Who'd you suck off for that then? Never knew you were that into balls, Dean."
It worked like a charm, no one was paying attention to Mia now, every single one of the guys staring at him. Some holding back snickers, as Dean's pimply face turned a puce color as he snarled back at Ezra, "You can't talk like that now, freak, I got a Pokemon!"
Ezra held back the urge to roll his eyes at the childish taunt, yes, he was a freak, come up with something new. He idly noted Mia out of the corner of his eyes, a few steps back, watching the gathering while worryingly gnawing on her lower lip.
He couldn't really pick a fight, couldn't afford to. Not at school, not only for him, but for Mia. She was a sweetheart really, and she didn't deserve to worry about him, or to get caught in the crossfire.
So he turned his back on Dean, dismissively, "Whatever, we got class."
He only realized his mistake when Dean snarled in anger behind him and he heard the sound of a pokeball hitting the dusty ground, what hurts more than anger? Dismissal.
He turned around quickly, giving Mia a shove away from him, "Get out of here, Mia!" He said urgently.
As he'd guessed, Dean had stolen, or found a lost pokeball. Which meant he'd just released what was basically a monster in the school yard, while having no control of it.
The pokemon emerged with a feral snarl, its eyes glowing with a menacing red light. The other students gasped and scattered, even Dean's friends not having expected him to go that far. Which left Ezra and Mia to face the creature alone, only Dean remaining, cheering on 'his' pokemon like the absolute moron he was.
From the looks of it, with the obvious signs of abuse across the Nidorans skin - the idiot had managed to somehow get his hand on a pokemon reclaimed from an abusive trainer. Ezra raised his hands, trying to appear non-threatening, "Hey, it's okay, we're not going to hurt you, you're not with your trainer anymore." He tried, lacking any better options.
In his mind, he dully noted that Mia continued to prove that she had no survival instincts. First trying to befriend the abnormal freak everyone hated - and now not running facing a feral pokemon.
Nidoran snarled, its horn glistening purple as its eyes flickered across the yard, searching for threats.
To Ezra's relief, it didn't seem to see them as such at the moment, so he slowly began to back up, laying an arm across Mia, pushing her back behind him. "Slowly now…" He muttered.
"Do something, you useless thing!" Dean shouted, aiming a kick at the abused Nidoran, making Ezra's hope for humanity sink to new lows. The idiot was dead last in pokemon studies, but surely he couldn't be that dumb?
The Nidoran yelped in pain and anger, as Dean's kick connected, its eyes flickering towards the source of the pain. Ezra could see the anger and confusion in its gaze, and he knew it was only a matter of time before it attacked. Where the fuck are the teachers!?
He quickly scanned the area, looking for something, anything, he could use as a weapon, coming up short.
Their classes had a very simple lesson on what to do about fighting a Pokemon on your own.
Don't.
End of lesson.
"Stay behind me." Ezra whispered to Mia, his eyes never leaving the Nidoran, he refused to be cowed by something the size of a plushie. He knew it had powers that could kill him, but death wasn't a fear of his, failing to live was.
The Nidoran finally decided on a course of action, Ezra pushing Mia to run, not feeling even an ounce of empathy for Dean as the Nidoran gored him with its horn, the teen absolutely howling in agony.
He wasn't a saint, do stupid shit - win stupid prizes. Dean won death all of his own, and Ezra didn't give a shit about it - except for the fact they were now possible targets.
Chancing a quick look behind him, still pushing Mia ahead of him, he blanched as he saw the Nidoran - its horn dripping blood - turn its head their way, beginning to run on tiny legs, but eating up the distance far faster then it should be able to.
If it was a normal animal, but pokemon were not, their bodies didn't have the same limits as physical or common sense would dictate.
Ezra was forced to improvise, sliding to a halt, kicking a garbage can towards the Nidoran, his hand grasping the lid. "Tch." He acknowledged as the Nidoran jumped on top of the garbage can, using it to fly in the air, heading directly at him.
Ezra tried to smack it with his makeshift shield, only to find the Nidoran was heavier than it looked, smashing into his shield, his arms not able to push it away and off as he'd planned. The horn pierced right through it, stopping just an inch in front of his face.
"Fuck off Barney!" He said, scowling, glaring at the purple pokemon as it wiggled its horn trying to push through.
With its momentum slowed, Ezra managed to at least let go of his makeshift shield, taking a few steps back as the Nidoran shook it head, screeching, trying to get the trash can lid off its horn, quickly managing to rip through the cheap metal.
Ezra stared down at the snarling pokemon, its red eyes mad and unfocused. Shit, this might be it… He thought, putting his hands up in a loose boxers pose.
If he was going down, he was going to at least punch this fucking thing in the face before he got gored.
Pain was not new, hell death wasn't new. He'd be damned if he was going to face it like a chump, he'd go out punching death in the face or not at all.
"Leave him alone" A shriek came from the side, an apple hitting the Nidoran in the head.
Both Pokemon and person turned and stared at Mia, one in madness, the other just mad.
It was a good ass throw, no doubt, but it was also just the last thing she should have done, why wouldn't the bitch just run!?
Everyone was shooting for stupid prizes today.
"Mia, no!" Ezra shouted, lunging for the Nidoran, but only hitting dirt, as the pokemon shot forward, rushing towards the girl.
Finally teachers were coming out of the entrance, pokeballs aloft, too late. Far too late. Ezra thought, despairing.
You stupid girl! I don't even really know you, and you're going to make me watch you die!
His anger flared, at the situation, at that idiot Dean, at the incapable teachers, and most of all at the stupid girl who tried to befriend him, and got herself killed for it.
The Nidoran jumped at Mia's throat, the girl screaming in fear, before a shadow ball struck it in the side, sending the Nidoran off course, screeching in pain.
Ezra rose up, feeling a chill in the air, the rush of the teachers had pulled to a stop, their pokemon out, but standing guard, wary.
Ezra could see why…
Shadows played around him, his own shadow draped like a mantle around his shoulders, Dozens of ghost pokemon fluttering in and out of sight, giggling phantasms doing a fly by, over the crowd of teachers and students.
Out of his shadow, a shuppet floated up to hover over his shoulder. Ezra didn't know how he knew, but it was the same one as the one he saw at the graveyard.
The Nidoran stood no chance, a multitude of ghost attacks hitting it at once, making Ezra wince. "Stop!" He yelled, not interested in killing it, especially not in front of witnesses.
The entire group of ghosts all pulled back at his order, and Ezra had no idea what was going on… But he liked it.
Where the fuck was this these last six months? He thought, marveling over what was going on.
As the shadows practically broiled across the ground around him, dark shadowy smoke wafting off his shoulders and limbs, a Shuppet on his shoulder, a cloud of ghost pokemon circling above him, Ezra grinned widely,
Lavender Town wouldn't be able to ignore him now.
Several hours later,
Officer Jenny sat across from him in the interrogation room at the police station, having politely asked him to visit. "We're willing to offer a trainers license if you agree to leave Lavender Town." She said reluctantly, it was obvious it wasn't her call, it came from above her.
With how superstitious people in Lavender could be, and add in his appearance, Ezra wasn't surprised they wanted to get rid of him. Offering the one thing he'd stubbornly kept asking for and continuously was denied was smart.
But, a little too late, and a little too… Well, little.
He wasn't just a no-name orphan now.
Officer Jenny watched Ezra carefully, her expression a mix of concern and determination. The dull hum of the fluorescent lights overhead cast an eerie glow over the room, highlighting the beads of sweat forming on her forehead.
She was uncomfortable being stuck in an enclosed space with him.
Made him wonder why exactly they chose this room to begin with, it's not like he'd have protested if they did it in a field, or the schoolyard or literally anywhere.
Ezra could practically feel the weight of the town's fear and mistrust pressing down on him, even Mia had looked at him with fear in the end - the miasma of ghostly energies and pokemon proving too much for even her charity. He'd gotten what he wanted in a way, but not how he'd wanted it.
Hopefully she'd gain some much needed survival instincts.
Because without a pokemon on her own, she was going to get herself killed with some brave pointless stunt.
He had nothing against being brave, it sure beat being a coward - but like with everything, it needed moderation. He vastly preferred being brave in a situation where he actually stood more than a snowball's chance in hell to win.
He supposed he should be thankful they were willing to just kick him out with a parting gift, and not put him away in some lab somewhere and study his strange affinity to ghosts.
He'd definitely need to keep an eye out. If team Rocket heard about him being some kind of Ghost Pokemon beacon…
He did not want to spend the rest of his life as some sort of battery for fucking Giovanni.
He disliked the man not because he was the enemy in a game he'd played once, but because the coward was a duplicitous fraud without the will to truly go for what he wanted.
If he wanted to be a criminal lord, he should have just done it full stop, not the half measure he did playing gym leader on the side.
"A trainer's license, huh?" Ezra muttered lowly, his Shuppet still hovering over his shoulder, no longer hiding in his shadow.
He could almost feel It now, when it slipped in or around his shadow, connected somehow.
Some ghosts in pokemon had some shitty descriptions, he didn't remember if shuppets were the ones where a kid died and became a pokemon - but he sure as hell hoped not.
If he was lugging around his body's previous soul as a pokemon - that would just be sick.
As for the offer, he could just take it, but he was an orphan, and traveling the wilderness with nary a pokeball, tent or rations on him - sounded self defeating. He also really wasn't one for roughing it. He was a New Yorker, not a wilderness enthusiast.
He never went anywhere where there wasn't a hot dog cart within a block radius.
Besides all that, he really wasn't happy about the whole treatment he'd received in Lavender for something as retarded as his looks - now they have a reason, but before they sure as hell didn't. They might succeed in getting rid of him for the moment - and he was going to make it cost them a bundle… But he'd be back…
Oh, he had plans now…
If he really had this connection with Ghost pokemon? Well, he wanted to train and fight with them, but without schlepping through woods - so why not build his own gym. Get the pokemon experience but not the weeks without showers and bugs in his everything, experience.
A Ghost gym! Even if it didn't get to be on the circuit, he'd still have challengers, someone would always come when there was a challenge available. And he'd get his creature comforts and his pokemon and power at the same time. And who knew, if he got strong enough, maybe he could even get the gym on the circuit, it wasn't like the Cerulean gym was worth shit anyway.
And of course, since Lavender town had fucked with him, and also happened to be ghost capital of the world - what better place to set up? The town was literally built for it, he'd never lack pokemon for the gym, or for handing out starters to annoying tykes.
And he'd make sure each god damn orphan got a chance to own a pokemon too - license or no license.
He'd be back, they could count on it.
But first, he needed to extort the crap out of them. For justice. But mostly because he needed to eat.
"Seems kind of low… Kickin' an orphan to the wilderness and all that, dontcha think?" He said casually, leaning forward on his elbows, a Haunter briefly flickering into being next to him, grinning, before it faded away, mocking laughter echoing around the interrogation room.
Okay, he hadn't asked for that, or planned it - but wicked!
Officer Jenny watched him with a bit more wariness, although she still had an underlying aura of concern around her, "A basic starter kit could be provided." She said agreeably. "A tent, some antidotes and food, cooking supplies."
Wow, I thought you were cool, Jenny - what's with the lowball offer?
Ezra scoffed, not even interested in such a pathetic offer, talk about starting low, "You're gonna give me that crap after I saved a girl's life?" He said with an unimpressed mien, his brow knitted together.
Officer Jenny gave him a stern look, lips pursed, "You're also endangering lives for every moment you remain. There's already been trainers inquiring about how much of a threat you are and if there's a bounty on your head yet."
"Bounty?" Ezra asked, a bit thrown, it was not something he'd run into in his studies, or in the games.
Definitely not something that would fit in a kids game he supposed. Bounty hunters usually weren't easygoing fellas.
Officer Jenny grimaced, "It's not something that we generally advertise, but sometimes people, or pokemon, become a threat to society, and bounties get placed for taking them in."
"Threat to society, huh?" Ezra said thoughtfully, not something he'd have pictured for himself.
He could see it of course, if he could really direct all these pokemon, and they weren't just humoring him or something - he was definitely a threat.
Just not to regular people - he was a bit of an a-hole sure, but he wasn't 100 percent a dick.
"You can see why we don't want any misunderstandings to happen." Officer Jenny said shortly, giving him a measured look.
At least she didn't look ready to attack him, even if she did have her pokemon out for this little meeting. Probably the fact he saved Mia was his one saving grace in this - and why he didn't have some Ace trainers or Rangers throwing Charizards and shit at him.
Ezra nodded, understanding her point, just not… Giving a fuck. "Unless you're telling me you're putting a bounty on me for saving a life, trouble from bounty hunters sounds more like a you problem. Again, you want me gone, then set me up in a way where I can actually leave." He didn't bother with pleasantries just going full on blunt ass - there was no need to be diplomatic now, they both know what they wanted, so it was time to deal.
Like hell he was going to be made to feel guilty for saving Mia, no matter how freaky or spooky he was about it.
Officer Jenny let out a huff, looking towards the one way mirror, before sighing, "Alright, what do you want exactly…?"
Ezra smiled winningly. "Let me take as much as I can carry from the pokemart in town, at the town's expense." He suggested, the Shuppet on his shoulder shaking in laughter.
She tried to haggle him down of course, but he was insistent. Eventually, after some pow-wows with whoever was behind the mirror, she agreed to his request and escorted him to the Pokemart.
Sucked to suck, the Pokemart had recently gotten those new hammerspace bags or whatever they were. The ones you saw in the anime where Ash and co could pull full on cooking sets, tents and shit out of them.
What he could carry with two or three of those bags… Well… He wasn't going to be any more liked in town shortly, but he'd be well set up for his journey.
Perhaps sensing his mischievousness, the ghosts following in his wake went off into a chorus of creepy laughter, freaking out Officer Jenny.
"No worries, Officer. They just like a good joke." Ezra said, trying to hold back a shit eating grin.
Boy were they going to be pissed when he showed back up to put down roots.
This was where he'd been born so to speak.
Like hell he was going to let these losers run him out permanently.
Later that night,
Ezra had set up his tent just a two hours walk from Lavender Town.
He was technically following the 'banishment' As he wasn't in Lavender after all, he was in the wild wilderness - two hours of a slow walk away type of wilderness.
He'd definitely furthered the resentment when he'd robbed the pokemart blind on the taxpayers dollar - but to be fair, he did lay out the terms clearly, and they signed on the dotted line.
He'd walked out carrying four bags with space enlargement mojo in them, absolutely stuffed to the brim with everything he could possibly need.
He now faced the question of what exactly he should do.
He didn't want to travel around the regions, not on foot anyway. Once he had flight, he could just travel from town to town - you know - civilization. Therefore a flying pokemon would be absolutely necessary, one he could evolve quickly for the purpose of flying.
It might not make him the best type of trainer, he wasn't exactly a 'purist' when it came to all the make friends, be happy bullshit Ash portrayed in a kids show.
Dean dying to a Nidoran, the bounties on dangerous pokemon or trainers - told him he wasn't in a kid friendly world. So befriend a pidgey and spend maybe months training it, battling with it against other rookies… He didn't have the sentiment to bother with it.
He'd rather catch one and make it clear from the beginning, we're training for you to be a flier, not a battler. The pidgey would get a nice life of being well fed and taken care of, with just having to fly around a bit now and then - all it had to do was live through the gauntlet of ghosts battling it over and over while they traveled, until it evolved.
He wasn't going to be Ash, the kid, if he existed here, could try his own bs and see how it worked. Ezra was followed by ghosts and dark type pokemon for a reason - and it wasn't his pleasant personality.
He too, just like them, had a good bit of spite in him. A need to tell the world to suck it, to go his own way.
It was probably going to end in tragedy, what quest for power didn't? But he was okay with that, it was about the journey, not the end. As long as he was happy with what he was doing, it wouldn't matter what happened at the end.
So, he'd have to focus on a flying pokemon for a bit, surely there would be some around in any forest.
After that, he had a choice to make.
He needed to find something that would make him a lot of money.
So he could get his snazzy freaky ghost gym, preferably styled like a haunted mansion, with a moat around it, covered in fog - one rickety wooden bridge leading into the unknown. Yeah… That sounded about right.
No point in going the gym leader route if he wasn't going to be a scary as hell one, the kind the filthy casuals don't dare approach because of his rep.
So… Money.
This time in the timeline no one should know about how to evolve Feebas into Milotic, which would be some good cash, but also time consuming. It wasn't like he could rip every prism scale off them as they evolved - he wasn't cruel, just indifferent to the pokemon he didn't care about.
He also knew about the island full of dragonites, selling that information would net him a good sum, but would also attract attention. He also figured that the two who would pay the most for the information would be Lance, the dragon master - and Giovanni because of Team Rocket.
Neither were people he wanted to deal with at this early stage. He'd have to actually train up a team first. Become at least a gym leader level of strength.
His mind was flush with ideas for training, so he didn't think it would be impossible, but not soon enough for his taste to tangle with the likes of Lance or Giovanni.
The crystal Onix was an option, but not an immediate one.
He'd have to put a pin in it, either way, until he could fly, his money making schemes were a non-starter.
He rummaged around in one of his bags, bringing out a set of poke balls.
"Okay, I don't know how much you guys all understand what's going on, but I can't fight with you guys while you're not 'my' Pokemon." Ezra held up several pokeballs, seeing ghosts and dark pokemon skimming by the edge of his campsite, well hidden in the dark.
"Once I have my own gym, you'll all be there, belonging to me and my gym, playing whatever pranks you want and having fun with idiots." Ezra promised, with a smirk on his face, "Until then, who wants to grow strong with me?"
The Shuppet on his shoulder tapped itself on one of his pokeballs, not surprising Ezra overly much considering it had been following him around. The pokeball let out a ding as it officially became his starter.
Out of the shadows, a Cubone, and a Haunter came into the campsite.
He was a little disappointed that more pokemon didn't want to come, but with his current limit of six, it was probably for the best.
He rolled the pokeballs over, and the two volunteers touched them, sucked into the pokeballs without further ado - and officially joined team Ezra.
He held up the three pokeballs, more ghosts swirling around him, the dark type pokemon keeping their distance but still watching him.
"We're going to mess with people so fucking much." He promised them, his face not so dissimilar from a grinning Gengar in the darkness.
Well… If the Gengar was an albino.
Author's note:
So this is basically the premise - a guy who's not the typical in love with all Pokemon's insert who smells all the flowers and adores all pokemon.
A guy with his own flaws, and a bit of a ruthless laziness to him.
Yet intelligent enough to utilize all the cheats and training tools and tips he'd know about through metaknowledge.
Cheers
So this was in my snippet thread, but decided to go with it, make it a full story, had some patrons who voted for it as well. Yes, a ninth story, yes, I know.
So the synopsis for the story is that an SI/OC finds himself in Kanto, with a dark/ghost aura due to his death and rebirth and his darker nature.
Although on the side of the angels, mostly… Sometimes the devil just works quicker. This won't be Ash and friendship is magic - more of a trainer shooting for his goals above all else. To create his own gym in Kanto and show everyone that looked down on him that he's the strongest.
And to mess with them.
I'll play a bit fast and loose on Pokemon availability, the first four regions (Kanto, Johto, Sinnoh and Hoenn) being open and some trade and migration having happened, despite Ash not beginning his journey yet.
As usual, I do not own Pokemon or the associated companies that deliver material from it. I'm just playing in the kiddy pool, don't hurt me.
Enjoy!
"Wh-Where a-am I?" Ezra groaned weakly, his head pounding, both of his hands automatically raising up to massage his aching skull. He felt the chill against his back and could feel the cold coarse material he was leaning against through his thin shirt. He could feel his breath misting in the air in front of him, almost tasted the smell of damp grass and muddy soil around him. How? He'd gone to bed early, ready for the new school year to start, how was he outside? And why was it so chilly? It was still warm out when he went to bed.
He squinted, daring to open his eyes just a slight bit, protecting himself from any further shooting pains in his head. He ended up cursing lowly under his breath, both of his hands clamped around his head, as his eyes shot open fully in shock the minute he attempted a squinting look around. What on earth?
Slowly he moved his neck around, gaining a panoramic view of his surroundings. The dark smoky and hazy sky lending an almost depressive atmosphere to his surroundings. The gray and colorless surroundings were eerie and silent, apparently devoid of life, filled with rows and rows of gravestones. He scrambled to his feet, the noise of gravel under his feet echoing in the silence around him. He did his best at ignoring the throbbing pain from his still thundering skull. The chill on his back had been from him resting up against one of said gravestones, he'd been sitting on a grave.
A quick look at least confirmed it wasn't his name on it. That would have been… Yeah…
Not entirely unexpected, all things considered, he'd always expected he'd end up in one soon enough, just not, you know... Alive. Three times in his life he'd been at death's door just for the doctors to manage to bring him back to his half life - his constant struggle. Only the incoming school year and the hope for anything better had kept him alive over the summer and his convalescence from yet another attempt by death to collect him. He wasn't ready yet… Not without a fight.
If there was anything he knew in life, it was to struggle, to refuse to back down, to refuse to give in - to look death in the face and tell it to fuck right off.
"This isn't funny!?" He called out, one hand to his temple as he looked around, nervous and suspicious. Who'd play such a prank anyway… No one he knew would kidnap him from his bed and… Dump him in a graveyard. He didn't even know where the nearest graveyard was from his house! With his ill health he couldn't imagine his few friends doing it either.
"Show yourself!" Ezra demanded, anger overcoming any fear in the moment, his usual habit of bull rushing any problem head on rearing its head. Something that did not usually end well for him - a guy barely able to manage going to school on most days. "If this is some sort of joke…" He swore, wincing as his words echoed across the graveyard, his head was still pounding. Did he hit his head? Usually the pain was more… Everywhere. Constantly.
Nothing but silence answered him. Although he almost felt like the shadows were moving around him, that was probably just his head hurting making his vision blurry… It's not like he had perfect vision anyway, like everything else about his body, it was failing.
Except… Right now he could see clearer then he had for years…
In the distance he could see structures and a tower? "Where the hell is this?" His anger was growing rapidly, barely outpacing his fear. This is not New York! He thought, his breaths coming fast, misting the air around him. Where am I? Why can I see so far… Wait? Why is only my head hurting? Why doesn't breathing hurt!?
"Show yourself!" He demanded again, a hint of desperation now to his demand. If someone would just jump out and go, haha, just a prank. Then it could all make sense again.
His body working again, was freaking him out, had someone kidnapped him and experimented on him? Was he left for dead in a graveyard?
He thought he heard a giggle, he turned around quickly and found nothing, almost falling over, not used to his body twisting that quickly or easily - and more importantly, painlessly. He cursed and turned back around only to shriek and fall on his ass. A shadow getting right in his face, a menacing grin on its visage.
"Geeeengar!" It said smugly, an almost ethereal quality to the voice. The ghost floating in the air ahead of him.
"Ghosts aren't real!" Ezra shouted, as he scrambled backwards, his escape blocked by yet another gravestone as he slammed his back into it, the breath being pushed out of his lungs at the impact.
The universe apparently disagreed visavi the viability of ghosts, as the shadows around the graveyard all seemed to come alive in different shapes and forms, all circling around him. The feeling surrounding him almost felt… Welcome… Like home… Very weird and an uncomfortable realization to have when surrounded by what also felt like death - he could say he and death were almost old friends, always circling each other, but he was winning, and using ghosts was cheating.
The pain in Ezra's head was actually lessening as they got closer. The clarity afforded to him without the stabbing pain right behind his eyes making him realize what he was actually seeing. He'd been used to an aching dull pain, always - it never went away, except now it had. This sharp pain was entirely new, he was glad it was lessening yet not so glad with his understanding of what he was seeing.
"This… T-this is impossible!" Ezra spluttered out, his hands raised before him as a feeble means of protection. There was just no way this was real.
The beings surrounding him were Pokemon, ghost pokemon to be precise. Considering the tower he could see in the distance and the dreary atmosphere and multitude of graveyards… He knew where he was. He just couldn't accept it.
"Lavender town isn't real! Pokemon aren't real!" Ezra shouted angrily at the Haunter that suddenly popped up ahead of him, grinning wildly, bobbing in the air. Ezra choked on air as his statement was punctuated by the absolute eruption of ghost pokemon out of the shadows.
Gastly, Haunter and Gengar amongst them, but even a Marowak popping up, several Misdreavus, Shuppets and Dusknoir scattered amongst the mass of mostly Gastly and Haunter. They all seemed drawn to him, circling ever closer as he panicked. He jumped behind the gravestone, marveling for a second at being capable of jumping, before he freaked out even more, seeing a bunch of dark pokemon standing and watching him from that side. Lavender shouldn't even have those!
"This can't be real, this is a dream! It ISN'T REAL!" He shouted, which only had the effect of an eerie giggle diffusing through the silent graveyard as the majority of pokemon in sight seemed to find this all very amusing. Many of them slowly drawing closer, their eyes shining in the dark, like a mass of glinting lanterns moving through the darkness.
All of a sudden the pain in his head eased, and he felt like something settled over him. Like he was draped in a chilly yet supremely comfortable blanket. Yet he couldn't truly feel comfortable - as he heard a giggle right in his ear. He turned his head, dreading what he would find.
A Shuppet stared at him from within his own shadow - its multicolored eyes meeting his with apparent fascination. Fear finally beat out Ezra's anger. (Perhaps the Shuppet was feeding on the anger?) He had time to think, either way however it happened, his eyes rolled back into his head and he collapsed to the ground in a dead faint.
The ghost pokemon of Lavender Town circled the downed body, feeling a kinship with the boy who'd died and yet was still here, just different. Filled with anger and spite at the world. Not so unlike a ghost pokemon.
The dark pokemon, fewer but no less fascinated, circled at the end of the graveyard, in a tentative truce with the ghost pokemon as they all smelled the amalgamation of death and darkness on the boy. Ghost and Dark together.
They stood watch for the rest of the night, until the people of Lavender Town woke and noticed the gathering, freaking out, amusing the ghosts in particular. Eventually trainers cautiously approached and the ghosts finally dispersed, the dark pokemon slinking into the nearby woods, both sides leaving just the unconscious body of the young man laying there.
The one that felt like them.
For the second time, Ezra woke up without having any real idea where he was or how he was where he was. At least this time without the accompanying opera of pain going off inside his skull. And amazingly without any pain at all, for the first time he could remember since… Huh, he couldn't even remember any time without it anymore. So this was how that felt like… He struggled to keep his emotions at bay, it felt…
…He couldn't even quantify it. How do you describe a world without pain when it's all you've ever known?
"Chan, Chansey!" Came a piercing excitable shriek from right by his ear.
Ezra flinched, eyes flying open as his hands went to his head yet again. "My fucking head!" He hissed out between clenched teeth. Okay, so apparently he wasn't completely okay yet… What the fuck had he gotten into? And was a fully functioning body worth it?
Yes, fuck yes, anything is worth this! He immediately railed at himself inside his head, almost afraid that questioning it would lead to it being taken away.
"Language, young man!" A woman snapped, rushing through the door, no doubt drawn in by that shrieking.
Ezra spluttered, "I'm 21, I can curse if I want….to…." He trailed off, mouth agape as he took in the room and its occupants. By his bedside was a Chansey. An honest to god fucking Chansey. A pokemon. Oh god it wasn't a dream! And coming towards him was Nurse Joy. She was unmistakable, she looked exactly as he remembered from the cartoon. What the fuck is this!? I don't even…
He looked around, trying to avoid the sight of Joy and her Chansey and the existential crisis they were sparking in him. He was in a small room with cream coloured walls with posters of cheery pokemon with cutesy slogans, the wall and door that Joy had entered through were glass and he could see out into what was obviously a pokemon center. The rest of the room was fairly spartan, holding his bed, a chair and a counter with a pair of cupboards with an attached sink.
His malfunctioning body and it's insistence to constantly give dying an attempt, meant he'd spent countless hours playing a game that featured said pokemon centers. They were impossible to mistake for something else. Nurse Joy and the Chansey were enough evidence anyway. What… Why was he here?
And he was cynical enough to ponder, what is the cost I'll have to pay… Someone or something doesn't just break all laws of time and space and drop a cripple into another world for free. Perhaps my working body was just an investment. Which made me wonder how I'd pay the bill for it…
Nurse Joy stopped in front of his bed, an amused look on her youthful pretty face, her pink hair somewhat disheveled like she'd recently had an electric shock. "21?" She asked melodiously, her lips twitching. "Are you sure, young man?"
Ezra frowned, not understanding what was so amusing. Nurse Joy handed him a mirror that she grabbed from the nearby counter and he suddenly understood. Well, understood was an ill fitting word. Because he didn't understand at all! Not only did he look like 15-16 at the most. But he was also just… Creepy looking. He was albino, with almost translucently light skin, short spiky pure white hair, and striking and very creepy red eyes. He pursed his lips, feeling his heart rate shoot up, he didn't look like himself at all! Not to mention having deaged. It truly felt like an out of body experience, he didn't feel totally here. Not really. Because this just couldn't… It wasn't true… It just couldn't be.
He'd never hallucinated something so realistic before though, not that he hallucinated often, but he'd certainly tried some stuff this past summer, anything to dull the pain more, really, but the effects couldn't be this delayed.
Of course… He'd end his time as a wasting cripple and end up as someone that would have people cross the street to avoid. Of course that's how it would be. There's always a catch, nothing good could just happen.
Pain free though… Isn't anything and everything worth it?
Nurse Joy gently removed the mirror from his hands when he started shaking it back and forth, trying to get another view, like the mirror was a magic eight ball and if he shook it enough his real face would show. "You were found in the graveyard, we were all very concerned about you." She coughed delicately, "In fact early tests showed that you had died, but was somehow not dead…" Joy trailed off, crossing her arms under her chest, a wrinkle on her brow, pondering that for a moment, before she smiled cheerfully, disregarding it, "But you're all better now! And definitely alive!" The Chansey bounced up and down adding its own two cents. "Chansey cha!"
Ezra stared at her unsure how on earth she could possibly think that any of that was in any way comforting. He'd died? Well… If he was here somehow… Then yes he understood he'd likely died and somehow appeared in this world…If it was real… For some reason as a teenager… Which alright, it beats being reborn, because just, no, nope. Wait? Did she mean the body he was in now had died!? What kind of creepy teen goes and lays down in a graveyard to die?
Not even he had given up yet… Although he'd been close over the last year or so. Navigating adult life and trying to do the college thing, while basically a cripple that didn't look like a cripple - had been harder than anything he'd done before, and he'd gone through some low times…
He winced as he realized what exactly he looked like now, inherently creepy and off putting. There could be many reasons for a kid like that to want to die… Was he… An orphan to boot then?
God damnit, if he was going to be randomly inserted somewhere where was the damn memory packet for his new life!? Also… Was he possessing a dead body? He stopped brooding as the jolt from that thought ran through his body, his eyes raised to meet those of Nurse Joy, "Wait? Am I dead or alive? Am I possessing myself?" Ezra asked, feeling sick. Starting to face the inevitability that this was real, he could feel too many things for this to be a dream or hallucination.
Nurse Joy hurried to reassure him, sitting down at the side of his bed, grabbing his hands in hers, a compassionate smile on her face, "You're completely alive, young man. For whatever reason your body shut down, I'm not really sure why or how?" She tilted her head, looking slightly chagrined and confused, before patting his hands, "But here you are, living breathing with all the bits and pieces, so definitely alive!"
It was beginning to discomfit him how much Nurse Joy kept putting emphasis on the definitely alive part. Way to sound sure there, thanks a bunch, he thought sarcastically.
"So I died…" Ezra said quietly, trying to come to terms with the fact he'd basically taken over the body of some poor kid who'd either been killed in the graveyard or more likely… Had such a shitty life he'd ended it. Cheery thought. All those ghost pokemon he'd seen… Maybe the kid hadn't ended it? Maybe ghost energy had done him in? But then why was he there in the first place? And why had he seen dark pokemon too? Wasn't Dark super effective to Ghosts or something? Shouldn't they have run away?
Jesus Christ, he was already debating Pokemon logic, just great, give it a week and he'd be deep in the woods jacking off alone in a tent as he hunted for some rare pokemon or something stupid instead of staying sane and keeping indoors.
When moving too much in a day was different levels of excruciating, Ezra had definitely gotten used to the convenience of a mini fridge, a lazy boy recliner, and most of all. Plumbing.
He wasn't a bear. Shitting in the woods wasn't for him.
"Don't think too hard about it, the important thing is you're okay!" Joy said seriously, Chansey patting him on the leg consolingly, thrilling out its name in quick quips which Joy apparently understood - if the quick smile she flashed its way held any meaning.
"The local police couldn't find any records about you, and you're not in the league records as far as we could tell, do you… Remember your name, or any details of why you're here? No one in town recognized you, and, well…" Joy asked delicately, eyes assessing as she observed his response and actions.
Ezra wondered. Could he use his name? If there was no record… The league must have pretty strong records, right? Maybe he could at least keep his name, he sure couldn't remember anything about his body's previous life - so that was out anyway. He snorted quietly to himself - with how he looked, if he was native to Lavender or Kanto for that manner - surely someone would have remembered him. "Ezra Kassian… I don't… Remember anything else…" He said softly, looking down at their interlocked hands, feeling the turmoil inside him seethe at his shitty situation.
At the same time, with the easy breaths he was taking, the steady thrumming of his heartbeat resonating strongly inside him, the feeling of being alive and not just living - he would have taken worse than being an albino orphan and still ended up ahead.
"It will come to you in time, or it won't, either way you're safe now and that's what's important!" Joy said consolingly, patting his arm, she peered at the wall clock, squirming slightly, looking uncomfortable, "Unfortunately, now that you're awake and healed… You can't remain here…" She said, looking conflicted.
Ezra frowned, "Didn't I literally just die? Where would I go?" Does the pokemon world have social services? They must? Right? I'd go out on my own, I'm an adult at least mentally… But… That's probably a bad idea, right? I don't know this world, except from a damn game.
Joy winced, patting Chansey as it crooned quietly. "The pokemon center caters primarily to pokemon trainers and pokemon. We were just closer in your case."
Ezra nodded, hiding his conflicted feelings on the matter. Because he was fairly certain Nurse Joy had just lied to him. The hospital would surely make a lot more sense for treatment. Why would he be brought to a pokemon healing center instead? Surely they at least had a clinic or something? This was a town wasn't it? Even if it had been Pokemon's that killed him, the hospital/clinic must be used to dealing with people hurt by a pokemon. So why here? "How do I become a pokemon trainer then?" Ezra winced immediately after he asked, he had other priorities actually, "Hang on, where am I going if not here? I don't know anything!"
He didn't have memories from his body, how was he supposed to just… Leave here and go on with things? Hopefully she'd have an answer for him, because he didn't know what his next move would be.
Joy's smile was a little brittle as she stood up, straightening her dress, "Ah, there's many careers other than being a pokemon trainer, Ezra." She deflected, she winked at him, "Maybe become a nurse, eh?"
Ezra put on a fake smile, mumbling out some vague agreement. Joy was lying about something in regards to his condition. And she'd completely sidestepped him becoming a trainer. Why? If he was in this world, what else would he do? He had certain advantages over others after all. He knew all the hidden places and pokemon, how to evolve some pokemon in ways that the rest of the world might not even know yet - depending on where in the timeline he was. Him becoming a trainer was in no doubt.
It was the whole… Traveling around thing that he wasn't happy about…
He'd rather get rich through one of the methods he remembered and then set up somewhere, with modern conveniences, and play around with pokemon at home, not in bug infested woods… Get a flying pokemon and he could just fly off, catch some other pokemon, fly home in time for a beer and a shower.
No matter what secret was being kept from him it wouldn't really matter for now. He doubted Nurse Joy was some member of Team Rocket or some such. Or doing it out of any maliciousness. Didn't really seem like her style. So probably one of those for your own good things. He was going to find that very annoying, having finally achieved adulthood only to be back to an age with no say over his life - or at least always talked down to by the adults who of course knows better…
He brooded in his bed for the next hour as Joy and Chansey puttered around looking guilty and attempting stilted small talk. Then Officer Jenny arrived and soon after he found himself dropped off at the local orphanage. A blocky gray building that looked even more depressing than the surroundings.
Lavender Town was certainly bigger than what could fit in a small gameboy game. Thousands of people lived here. And if he wanted to believe it was all a Nintendo style friendship is magic world that he'd entered…. The fact the orphanage was overflowing with kids was a good sign things were not so accommodating.
"Look at that freak!" A large stocky teenager shouted in glee the second Ezra had been left alone by the adults.
As other teens and younger kids gathered around, Ezra sighed forlornly.
It was going to be like that, huh?
Fuck you and your world, Arceus!
Things were definitely… Rough for a while. Ezra literally did not have any knowledge of the world other than what he knew from pokemon games or the show, which in many cases didn't really match.
Oh, sure, Pokemon types and the like were the same, except fairy types were not yet classified as such. That had been the first sign of where in the timeline he'd been, but also not quite matching either. After all, if this was a game world, the only ghosts he should have been able to see in the graveyard were Gastly, Haunter and Gengar, as the first generation had no others.
The Shuppet that had scared him shouldn't have been there. Not to mention the others he'd seen. As he rose through the classes in school, even though he was taking them with children years younger than him - he learned that the region spanning wars had been so calamitous that entire regions had been permanently cut off from each other in the past.
Only in recent years had some opened up again, the forces and violent nature events separating regions lessening enough to allow travel (Maybe Legendaries separating the humans to stop the war?) Although this was a departure from the games as well. Likely because this world didn't work on the concept of game sequels. Because at this point of time only Kanto and maybe Johto, since it was connected more clearly - should be available.
Kanto, Johto, Sinnoh and Hoenn. They were all in communication years earlier than what the 'games' would suggest. Perhaps how some pokemon that shouldn't exist in Lavender town had still managed to be here. Or maybe his dead ass not being dead had drawn them in? Who knows. Kanto and Johto shared a league, although Lance was not yet the champion, putting me in definitely pre-Ash time.
Ezra had been given citizenship in Kanto with his 'birth city' becoming Lavender town. As much as he disliked almost everything about what had happened - mostly because he still had no clue how or why - he grudgingly appreciated what had been done for him. Even as most citizens of Lavender treated him like a pariah at best, he had a roof over his head, free education and he'd been given citizenship - despite having no clue where he was from or how he'd gotten there.
It did smart something fierce though… Watching kids leave on Pokemon journeys, while he stewed in his frustration and anger in the orphanage, already much older than the kids leaving. Not that many from the orphanage were, no, we were all destined for manual labor or retail jobs. The rare few got sponsored, got a scholarship for a pokemon technical school or were adopted (incredibly rare) by someone who could fund their journey.
He didn't want to go on a journey per say… But he wanted the trainers license, because in this world, Pokemon was power. And without them - you had none.
With his meta knowledge he'd literally blown through school in regards to anything to do with pokemon, having to dumb himself down at times, because things he knew - weren't known yet. Although the subjects like history had taken slightly longer as he'd had to start from the beginning. Yet… Any request to even apply for becoming a trainer was denied him. There's no way he could afford a trainers license on his own, they didn't come that cheaply for random orphans. Let alone the most disliked orphan in Lavender town. Curse Arceus for making him an albino freak!
For every day he spent working his ass off on his studies, on studying every scrap of knowledge on pokemon that was available (Ghost and Dark mostly, it's what Lavender had a lot of material on - and it called to him.) - there was a day where he found himself having to fight. He could have backed down from all the bullies and naysayers, but what would that have achieved? He refused to be destined as nothing - to then add spineless and pathetic to it as well, was anathema. For once he had a working body, he wouldn't accept being pushed around anymore.
There was something satisfying about the crunch of crushed cartilage, as he dealt out damage to his bullies - he always lost in the end - for they were many, and he was but one.
But he always made them pay heavily for it…
If they had pokemon maybe it wouldn't have been so bad, he'd definitely go for a pokemon battle anytime… But none of them had any, so it was just regular fists he faced. At least he couldn't say he got no exercise... Of course all the witnesses always said he started it. So he got intimately acquainted with Officer Jenny and the Lavender town police department. (Not that kind of intimate, unfortunately) He usually got accused of everything from vandalism to theft anyway, just for being in the vicinity of good upstanding citizens. Luckily for him, the police refused to actually prosecute him without actual evidence other than kids getting into fights.
They all knew he was other, foreign. His looks hadn't helped him in that aspect. So even with the police not prosecuting him, they also weren't helping.
It wasn't shown in the games, but people were still people. Racism was still a thing, fear of anything other, was definitely still a thing, and of course there had been wars between the regions… So a lot of hatred was stewing behind the scenes.
So yeah… He was grateful to Lavender for taking him in since he had nothing and no one… And he wanted to punch every fucking face in town in - for treating him like garbage. Except Nurse Joy. Joy was cool. Even if still tight-lipped whenever he tried to question her. There was definitely something going on that he was unaware of. He was so far at the top of the class it wasn't funny, even if he was older then all the other kids he should be receiving offers to sponsor or at least go study for a breeder or at a scientific research center if nothing else. But he got nothing…
And maybe he was being spiteful and a bit resentful, not all of Lavender was treating him like the dirt under their shoes. But it sure felt like it…
With no Pokemon, no realistic way to get one yet without getting accused of poaching or something, and no real future to look forward to after he finished school… He was constantly burning with anger and darker feelings. The spite he was carrying around everyday as he faced mutters and dirty looks everywhere he went, became the new normal.
Those feelings would have probably been how he finally figured out that he wasn't alone…
If things hadn't escalated due to pure suicidal stupidity.
It had been over six months since he'd arrived in this world, nothing had really stood out in the morning to tell him everything would change.
It had been a regular shitty day. His breakfast had accidentally been knocked out of his hands by Rocky, Dean and their group of neanderthals ( Both as old as him and more pathetic for it as they had nothing going for them.) Of course he couldn't get seconds after that. It was an orphanage - and everyone would swear up and down he tossed it to the ground on his own if he bothered to complain. So… Off he went to school, hungry. Fine.
It's fine. He was cool about it. No big deal…
His walk to the school was practically a practice in mediation and zen like control of his emotions at this point. He barely even saw the people around him anymore as he sunk into almost a meditative state - achieved after much practice - eyes half lidded as he walked automatically down the road, the darkness building inside him being tightly controlled and soothed. He almost felt like he heard a cackling laugh from somewhere, but he'd arrived at the school so he put it out of his mind.
As he entered the yard outdid the school, he could feel the weight of the stares from his classmates. They knew he was different, they knew the adults didn't like him, and they didn't hesitate to make him feel it. Ezra took a deep steadying breath, trying to keep his emotions in check.
It wouldn't do to break noses at school, he'd probably actually get in shit for that.
Suddenly, he felt a hand on his shoulder. "Hey, are you okay?" It was Mia, one of the few students who had been kind to him since he had arrived in town.
Only one really.
Mia's voice cut through the haze of his dark thoughts, and Ezra turned to look at her. She had a concerned expression on her face, her bright green eyes filled with worry. Mia was two years younger than him, but she had a maturity beyond her years. She had always been kind to him, despite the harsh treatment he'd received from the other students.
She was the kind of person that would find an injured squirrel and nurse it back to health, that would give the shirt off her back to help another - a total softy in other words.
And completely nuts to risk associating with him.
Ezra managed to fake a small smile, appreciative of her concern, but really not needing her to become the next target. "I'm fine, Mia. Just the usual bullshit." He shrugged, trying to downplay the situation. He didn't want to burden her with his problems.
Mia looked at him sympathetically, her face an open book, he disliked the whole situation really, but he could also see it was ultimately temporary, he wasn't a teenager anymore, not really - so he could see the light at the end of the tunnel (heh, death joke!)
"I understand, Ezra." Mia said companionably, her expression entirely honest and warm, "It's not easy, I know. But you're not alone, not really." She glanced around the hallway surreptitiously, making sure no one was listening in on their conversation. "I've noticed something... Strange. Whenever you're around, ghost-type Pokemon seem to appear more often…"
Ezra scoffed, glancing at her out of the corner of his eyes as he continued towards the school entrance, hands in the pockets of his worn jeans. "You're shittin' me, I have never even laid an eye on a single one…" Not since the graveyard anyway…
"It's true." Mia insisted, skipping alongside him, her freckled face gaining a stubborn look that he knew meant she wouldn't drop this. "Like out of the corner of my eye sometimes, I see stuff in your shadow."
"Stuff… Right?" He mocked her lightly, "Sure sounds like a pokemon to me."
He didn't entirely discount her, because who knew? And perhaps he'd have to see if he could catch a glimpse himself, but agreeing with her in any way would just have her stick by him even closer - and that wasn't good for her continued health.
Speaking of the devil… He thought, mood immediately souring as he noticed Rocky's best friend Dean, rushing their way surrounded by a small gaggle of other orphans.
Their conversation was interrupted as Dean gleefully shoved a poke ball under his nose, from the scuffs and dirt on it, he'd likely stolen or come upon one. He sure as hell couldn't afford buying one.
They were the unwanted, all of them - the ones who'd never gotten a journey, a break, a shot at being something special. The ones destined for sewer work, cleaning, and all other undesirable jobs - company pokemon lent to them for tasks, for the ones they wouldn't have to do with their own hands anyway.
Dean sneered at Ezra, holding up the Pokeball and giving it a shake. "Hey look, it's the loser without a Pokemon. What's the matter, can't you even get one of your own?" He chuckled nasally, looking to his friends for approval immediately.
What a moronic taunt, since none of us are allowed one of our own… He thought, staring at the idiot bully with a dull look.
He noticed Dean's attention wavering, switching towards Mia, so he stepped forward, hands still in his pockets. "Who'd you suck off for that then? Never knew you were that into balls, Dean."
It worked like a charm, no one was paying attention to Mia now, every single one of the guys staring at him. Some holding back snickers, as Dean's pimply face turned a puce color as he snarled back at Ezra, "You can't talk like that now, freak, I got a Pokemon!"
Ezra held back the urge to roll his eyes at the childish taunt, yes, he was a freak, come up with something new. He idly noted Mia out of the corner of his eyes, a few steps back, watching the gathering while worryingly gnawing on her lower lip.
He couldn't really pick a fight, couldn't afford to. Not at school, not only for him, but for Mia. She was a sweetheart really, and she didn't deserve to worry about him, or to get caught in the crossfire.
So he turned his back on Dean, dismissively, "Whatever, we got class."
He only realized his mistake when Dean snarled in anger behind him and he heard the sound of a pokeball hitting the dusty ground, what hurts more than anger? Dismissal.
He turned around quickly, giving Mia a shove away from him, "Get out of here, Mia!" He said urgently.
As he'd guessed, Dean had stolen, or found a lost pokeball. Which meant he'd just released what was basically a monster in the school yard, while having no control of it.
The pokemon emerged with a feral snarl, its eyes glowing with a menacing red light. The other students gasped and scattered, even Dean's friends not having expected him to go that far. Which left Ezra and Mia to face the creature alone, only Dean remaining, cheering on 'his' pokemon like the absolute moron he was.
From the looks of it, with the obvious signs of abuse across the Nidorans skin - the idiot had managed to somehow get his hand on a pokemon reclaimed from an abusive trainer. Ezra raised his hands, trying to appear non-threatening, "Hey, it's okay, we're not going to hurt you, you're not with your trainer anymore." He tried, lacking any better options.
In his mind, he dully noted that Mia continued to prove that she had no survival instincts. First trying to befriend the abnormal freak everyone hated - and now not running facing a feral pokemon.
Nidoran snarled, its horn glistening purple as its eyes flickered across the yard, searching for threats.
To Ezra's relief, it didn't seem to see them as such at the moment, so he slowly began to back up, laying an arm across Mia, pushing her back behind him. "Slowly now…" He muttered.
"Do something, you useless thing!" Dean shouted, aiming a kick at the abused Nidoran, making Ezra's hope for humanity sink to new lows. The idiot was dead last in pokemon studies, but surely he couldn't be that dumb?
The Nidoran yelped in pain and anger, as Dean's kick connected, its eyes flickering towards the source of the pain. Ezra could see the anger and confusion in its gaze, and he knew it was only a matter of time before it attacked. Where the fuck are the teachers!?
He quickly scanned the area, looking for something, anything, he could use as a weapon, coming up short.
Their classes had a very simple lesson on what to do about fighting a Pokemon on your own.
Don't.
End of lesson.
"Stay behind me." Ezra whispered to Mia, his eyes never leaving the Nidoran, he refused to be cowed by something the size of a plushie. He knew it had powers that could kill him, but death wasn't a fear of his, failing to live was.
The Nidoran finally decided on a course of action, Ezra pushing Mia to run, not feeling even an ounce of empathy for Dean as the Nidoran gored him with its horn, the teen absolutely howling in agony.
He wasn't a saint, do stupid shit - win stupid prizes. Dean won death all of his own, and Ezra didn't give a shit about it - except for the fact they were now possible targets.
Chancing a quick look behind him, still pushing Mia ahead of him, he blanched as he saw the Nidoran - its horn dripping blood - turn its head their way, beginning to run on tiny legs, but eating up the distance far faster then it should be able to.
If it was a normal animal, but pokemon were not, their bodies didn't have the same limits as physical or common sense would dictate.
Ezra was forced to improvise, sliding to a halt, kicking a garbage can towards the Nidoran, his hand grasping the lid. "Tch." He acknowledged as the Nidoran jumped on top of the garbage can, using it to fly in the air, heading directly at him.
Ezra tried to smack it with his makeshift shield, only to find the Nidoran was heavier than it looked, smashing into his shield, his arms not able to push it away and off as he'd planned. The horn pierced right through it, stopping just an inch in front of his face.
"Fuck off Barney!" He said, scowling, glaring at the purple pokemon as it wiggled its horn trying to push through.
With its momentum slowed, Ezra managed to at least let go of his makeshift shield, taking a few steps back as the Nidoran shook it head, screeching, trying to get the trash can lid off its horn, quickly managing to rip through the cheap metal.
Ezra stared down at the snarling pokemon, its red eyes mad and unfocused. Shit, this might be it… He thought, putting his hands up in a loose boxers pose.
If he was going down, he was going to at least punch this fucking thing in the face before he got gored.
Pain was not new, hell death wasn't new. He'd be damned if he was going to face it like a chump, he'd go out punching death in the face or not at all.
"Leave him alone" A shriek came from the side, an apple hitting the Nidoran in the head.
Both Pokemon and person turned and stared at Mia, one in madness, the other just mad.
It was a good ass throw, no doubt, but it was also just the last thing she should have done, why wouldn't the bitch just run!?
Everyone was shooting for stupid prizes today.
"Mia, no!" Ezra shouted, lunging for the Nidoran, but only hitting dirt, as the pokemon shot forward, rushing towards the girl.
Finally teachers were coming out of the entrance, pokeballs aloft, too late. Far too late. Ezra thought, despairing.
You stupid girl! I don't even really know you, and you're going to make me watch you die!
His anger flared, at the situation, at that idiot Dean, at the incapable teachers, and most of all at the stupid girl who tried to befriend him, and got herself killed for it.
The Nidoran jumped at Mia's throat, the girl screaming in fear, before a shadow ball struck it in the side, sending the Nidoran off course, screeching in pain.
Ezra rose up, feeling a chill in the air, the rush of the teachers had pulled to a stop, their pokemon out, but standing guard, wary.
Ezra could see why…
Shadows played around him, his own shadow draped like a mantle around his shoulders, Dozens of ghost pokemon fluttering in and out of sight, giggling phantasms doing a fly by, over the crowd of teachers and students.
Out of his shadow, a shuppet floated up to hover over his shoulder. Ezra didn't know how he knew, but it was the same one as the one he saw at the graveyard.
The Nidoran stood no chance, a multitude of ghost attacks hitting it at once, making Ezra wince. "Stop!" He yelled, not interested in killing it, especially not in front of witnesses.
The entire group of ghosts all pulled back at his order, and Ezra had no idea what was going on… But he liked it.
Where the fuck was this these last six months? He thought, marveling over what was going on.
As the shadows practically broiled across the ground around him, dark shadowy smoke wafting off his shoulders and limbs, a Shuppet on his shoulder, a cloud of ghost pokemon circling above him, Ezra grinned widely,
Lavender Town wouldn't be able to ignore him now.
Several hours later,
Officer Jenny sat across from him in the interrogation room at the police station, having politely asked him to visit. "We're willing to offer a trainers license if you agree to leave Lavender Town." She said reluctantly, it was obvious it wasn't her call, it came from above her.
With how superstitious people in Lavender could be, and add in his appearance, Ezra wasn't surprised they wanted to get rid of him. Offering the one thing he'd stubbornly kept asking for and continuously was denied was smart.
But, a little too late, and a little too… Well, little.
He wasn't just a no-name orphan now.
Officer Jenny watched Ezra carefully, her expression a mix of concern and determination. The dull hum of the fluorescent lights overhead cast an eerie glow over the room, highlighting the beads of sweat forming on her forehead.
She was uncomfortable being stuck in an enclosed space with him.
Made him wonder why exactly they chose this room to begin with, it's not like he'd have protested if they did it in a field, or the schoolyard or literally anywhere.
Ezra could practically feel the weight of the town's fear and mistrust pressing down on him, even Mia had looked at him with fear in the end - the miasma of ghostly energies and pokemon proving too much for even her charity. He'd gotten what he wanted in a way, but not how he'd wanted it.
Hopefully she'd gain some much needed survival instincts.
Because without a pokemon on her own, she was going to get herself killed with some brave pointless stunt.
He had nothing against being brave, it sure beat being a coward - but like with everything, it needed moderation. He vastly preferred being brave in a situation where he actually stood more than a snowball's chance in hell to win.
He supposed he should be thankful they were willing to just kick him out with a parting gift, and not put him away in some lab somewhere and study his strange affinity to ghosts.
He'd definitely need to keep an eye out. If team Rocket heard about him being some kind of Ghost Pokemon beacon…
He did not want to spend the rest of his life as some sort of battery for fucking Giovanni.
He disliked the man not because he was the enemy in a game he'd played once, but because the coward was a duplicitous fraud without the will to truly go for what he wanted.
If he wanted to be a criminal lord, he should have just done it full stop, not the half measure he did playing gym leader on the side.
"A trainer's license, huh?" Ezra muttered lowly, his Shuppet still hovering over his shoulder, no longer hiding in his shadow.
He could almost feel It now, when it slipped in or around his shadow, connected somehow.
Some ghosts in pokemon had some shitty descriptions, he didn't remember if shuppets were the ones where a kid died and became a pokemon - but he sure as hell hoped not.
If he was lugging around his body's previous soul as a pokemon - that would just be sick.
As for the offer, he could just take it, but he was an orphan, and traveling the wilderness with nary a pokeball, tent or rations on him - sounded self defeating. He also really wasn't one for roughing it. He was a New Yorker, not a wilderness enthusiast.
He never went anywhere where there wasn't a hot dog cart within a block radius.
Besides all that, he really wasn't happy about the whole treatment he'd received in Lavender for something as retarded as his looks - now they have a reason, but before they sure as hell didn't. They might succeed in getting rid of him for the moment - and he was going to make it cost them a bundle… But he'd be back…
Oh, he had plans now…
If he really had this connection with Ghost pokemon? Well, he wanted to train and fight with them, but without schlepping through woods - so why not build his own gym. Get the pokemon experience but not the weeks without showers and bugs in his everything, experience.
A Ghost gym! Even if it didn't get to be on the circuit, he'd still have challengers, someone would always come when there was a challenge available. And he'd get his creature comforts and his pokemon and power at the same time. And who knew, if he got strong enough, maybe he could even get the gym on the circuit, it wasn't like the Cerulean gym was worth shit anyway.
And of course, since Lavender town had fucked with him, and also happened to be ghost capital of the world - what better place to set up? The town was literally built for it, he'd never lack pokemon for the gym, or for handing out starters to annoying tykes.
And he'd make sure each god damn orphan got a chance to own a pokemon too - license or no license.
He'd be back, they could count on it.
But first, he needed to extort the crap out of them. For justice. But mostly because he needed to eat.
"Seems kind of low… Kickin' an orphan to the wilderness and all that, dontcha think?" He said casually, leaning forward on his elbows, a Haunter briefly flickering into being next to him, grinning, before it faded away, mocking laughter echoing around the interrogation room.
Okay, he hadn't asked for that, or planned it - but wicked!
Officer Jenny watched him with a bit more wariness, although she still had an underlying aura of concern around her, "A basic starter kit could be provided." She said agreeably. "A tent, some antidotes and food, cooking supplies."
Wow, I thought you were cool, Jenny - what's with the lowball offer?
Ezra scoffed, not even interested in such a pathetic offer, talk about starting low, "You're gonna give me that crap after I saved a girl's life?" He said with an unimpressed mien, his brow knitted together.
Officer Jenny gave him a stern look, lips pursed, "You're also endangering lives for every moment you remain. There's already been trainers inquiring about how much of a threat you are and if there's a bounty on your head yet."
"Bounty?" Ezra asked, a bit thrown, it was not something he'd run into in his studies, or in the games.
Definitely not something that would fit in a kids game he supposed. Bounty hunters usually weren't easygoing fellas.
Officer Jenny grimaced, "It's not something that we generally advertise, but sometimes people, or pokemon, become a threat to society, and bounties get placed for taking them in."
"Threat to society, huh?" Ezra said thoughtfully, not something he'd have pictured for himself.
He could see it of course, if he could really direct all these pokemon, and they weren't just humoring him or something - he was definitely a threat.
Just not to regular people - he was a bit of an a-hole sure, but he wasn't 100 percent a dick.
"You can see why we don't want any misunderstandings to happen." Officer Jenny said shortly, giving him a measured look.
At least she didn't look ready to attack him, even if she did have her pokemon out for this little meeting. Probably the fact he saved Mia was his one saving grace in this - and why he didn't have some Ace trainers or Rangers throwing Charizards and shit at him.
Ezra nodded, understanding her point, just not… Giving a fuck. "Unless you're telling me you're putting a bounty on me for saving a life, trouble from bounty hunters sounds more like a you problem. Again, you want me gone, then set me up in a way where I can actually leave." He didn't bother with pleasantries just going full on blunt ass - there was no need to be diplomatic now, they both know what they wanted, so it was time to deal.
Like hell he was going to be made to feel guilty for saving Mia, no matter how freaky or spooky he was about it.
Officer Jenny let out a huff, looking towards the one way mirror, before sighing, "Alright, what do you want exactly…?"
Ezra smiled winningly. "Let me take as much as I can carry from the pokemart in town, at the town's expense." He suggested, the Shuppet on his shoulder shaking in laughter.
She tried to haggle him down of course, but he was insistent. Eventually, after some pow-wows with whoever was behind the mirror, she agreed to his request and escorted him to the Pokemart.
Sucked to suck, the Pokemart had recently gotten those new hammerspace bags or whatever they were. The ones you saw in the anime where Ash and co could pull full on cooking sets, tents and shit out of them.
What he could carry with two or three of those bags… Well… He wasn't going to be any more liked in town shortly, but he'd be well set up for his journey.
Perhaps sensing his mischievousness, the ghosts following in his wake went off into a chorus of creepy laughter, freaking out Officer Jenny.
"No worries, Officer. They just like a good joke." Ezra said, trying to hold back a shit eating grin.
Boy were they going to be pissed when he showed back up to put down roots.
This was where he'd been born so to speak.
Like hell he was going to let these losers run him out permanently.
Later that night,
Ezra had set up his tent just a two hours walk from Lavender Town.
He was technically following the 'banishment' As he wasn't in Lavender after all, he was in the wild wilderness - two hours of a slow walk away type of wilderness.
He'd definitely furthered the resentment when he'd robbed the pokemart blind on the taxpayers dollar - but to be fair, he did lay out the terms clearly, and they signed on the dotted line.
He'd walked out carrying four bags with space enlargement mojo in them, absolutely stuffed to the brim with everything he could possibly need.
He now faced the question of what exactly he should do.
He didn't want to travel around the regions, not on foot anyway. Once he had flight, he could just travel from town to town - you know - civilization. Therefore a flying pokemon would be absolutely necessary, one he could evolve quickly for the purpose of flying.
It might not make him the best type of trainer, he wasn't exactly a 'purist' when it came to all the make friends, be happy bullshit Ash portrayed in a kids show.
Dean dying to a Nidoran, the bounties on dangerous pokemon or trainers - told him he wasn't in a kid friendly world. So befriend a pidgey and spend maybe months training it, battling with it against other rookies… He didn't have the sentiment to bother with it.
He'd rather catch one and make it clear from the beginning, we're training for you to be a flier, not a battler. The pidgey would get a nice life of being well fed and taken care of, with just having to fly around a bit now and then - all it had to do was live through the gauntlet of ghosts battling it over and over while they traveled, until it evolved.
He wasn't going to be Ash, the kid, if he existed here, could try his own bs and see how it worked. Ezra was followed by ghosts and dark type pokemon for a reason - and it wasn't his pleasant personality.
He too, just like them, had a good bit of spite in him. A need to tell the world to suck it, to go his own way.
It was probably going to end in tragedy, what quest for power didn't? But he was okay with that, it was about the journey, not the end. As long as he was happy with what he was doing, it wouldn't matter what happened at the end.
So, he'd have to focus on a flying pokemon for a bit, surely there would be some around in any forest.
After that, he had a choice to make.
He needed to find something that would make him a lot of money.
So he could get his snazzy freaky ghost gym, preferably styled like a haunted mansion, with a moat around it, covered in fog - one rickety wooden bridge leading into the unknown. Yeah… That sounded about right.
No point in going the gym leader route if he wasn't going to be a scary as hell one, the kind the filthy casuals don't dare approach because of his rep.
So… Money.
This time in the timeline no one should know about how to evolve Feebas into Milotic, which would be some good cash, but also time consuming. It wasn't like he could rip every prism scale off them as they evolved - he wasn't cruel, just indifferent to the pokemon he didn't care about.
He also knew about the island full of dragonites, selling that information would net him a good sum, but would also attract attention. He also figured that the two who would pay the most for the information would be Lance, the dragon master - and Giovanni because of Team Rocket.
Neither were people he wanted to deal with at this early stage. He'd have to actually train up a team first. Become at least a gym leader level of strength.
His mind was flush with ideas for training, so he didn't think it would be impossible, but not soon enough for his taste to tangle with the likes of Lance or Giovanni.
The crystal Onix was an option, but not an immediate one.
He'd have to put a pin in it, either way, until he could fly, his money making schemes were a non-starter.
He rummaged around in one of his bags, bringing out a set of poke balls.
"Okay, I don't know how much you guys all understand what's going on, but I can't fight with you guys while you're not 'my' Pokemon." Ezra held up several pokeballs, seeing ghosts and dark pokemon skimming by the edge of his campsite, well hidden in the dark.
"Once I have my own gym, you'll all be there, belonging to me and my gym, playing whatever pranks you want and having fun with idiots." Ezra promised, with a smirk on his face, "Until then, who wants to grow strong with me?"
The Shuppet on his shoulder tapped itself on one of his pokeballs, not surprising Ezra overly much considering it had been following him around. The pokeball let out a ding as it officially became his starter.
Out of the shadows, a Cubone, and a Haunter came into the campsite.
He was a little disappointed that more pokemon didn't want to come, but with his current limit of six, it was probably for the best.
He rolled the pokeballs over, and the two volunteers touched them, sucked into the pokeballs without further ado - and officially joined team Ezra.
He held up the three pokeballs, more ghosts swirling around him, the dark type pokemon keeping their distance but still watching him.
"We're going to mess with people so fucking much." He promised them, his face not so dissimilar from a grinning Gengar in the darkness.
Well… If the Gengar was an albino.
Author's note:
So this is basically the premise - a guy who's not the typical in love with all Pokemon's insert who smells all the flowers and adores all pokemon.
A guy with his own flaws, and a bit of a ruthless laziness to him.
Yet intelligent enough to utilize all the cheats and training tools and tips he'd know about through metaknowledge.
Cheers
Chapter 2: Beginnings.
JollyHippopotamus
Not too sore, are you?
- Joined
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Here's chapter 2: Beginnings.
Just a heads up, I don't need pokemon purists saying - that's not how it's done - those moves don't work like that - that pokemon can't learn that!
Basically my readers, I'm doing this for funzies, and rule of cool, and whatever sounds good. I'll take a gander at a wiki, but I'm not going to spend hours researching to make sure every attack is kosher.
This way, this is all laid out now, and those wanting a faithful canon representation can go to the much better stories out there - and those who just want an edgy shit disturber fucking around in Kanto can stick around.
As usual, I do not own Pokemon or the associated companies that deliver material from it. I'm just playing in the kiddy pool, don't hurt me.
Enjoy!
Officer Jenny felt very uncomfortable as she made her way to the reported encampment, her trusty Growlithe already out and prepared for trouble.
She hadn't been onboard with tossing the kid out on his own to begin with, even if she acknowledged he was… Different, in a way that just felt unsettling.
Working in Lavender Town, she was used to - as used as one can be anyway - Ghost Pokemon and their antics. The way they flocked around Ezra however… She could understand why Lavender Town's elders and town council wanted him gone. She hadn't agreed, but her job wasn't to make laws or regulations, it was to enforce them.
And while they hadn't quite gone so far as to make it illegal for Ezra to stay in town, they hadn't made it easy for him to stay either. Officer Jenny had done what she could, even signing that, in hindsight, lopsided pokemart deal, that had so infuriated the council.
She didn't regret it, thought it was clever of the boy in fact, and regretted not thinking of it herself, low balling the boy with her own first offer in her own thoughtlessness.
He'd left, and she'd thought that was it. She'd quietly wished him luck even then. He'd do better outside the reach of the superstitious townspeople of Lavender Town, she was sure.
Except when he'd left, he'd just barely followed the instructions laid out for him in his banishment.
He'd made camp about two hours away from Lavender Town, and stayed there. Seemingly content to stay and train his Pokemon without going anywhere.
Once that information began circulating in town, brought in by trainers who'd run in to the boy - the council naturally tasked her with the job of impressing on him that the banishment although technically only from Lavender Town, who's city limits he was not within - it naturally also meant he was supposed to leave the surrounding area.
Jenny wasn't sure what she was even going to say to the boy when she got there. He hadn't broken any laws that she knew of, so no matter what flak might come her way from the town, she couldn't actually force him to go anywhere.
That said, as an experienced woman, she could give the young man some advice, and see him off before he got in real trouble.
The council probably wouldn't put a bounty on a kid, they'd have to get that past the league, and she really didn't think the excuse of - he's creepy - would fly past them. His seeming control over Ghost Pokemon was not enough on its own, not unless he actually did something illegal with it.
That said, if the council made enough of a fuss, Jenny knew there were always unscrupulous people around who'd salivate at the thought of a young lonely man with that kind of potential.
Hence why she hadn't protested too hard when she'd been pressured to go deal with him.
He'd seemed an intelligent young man, for all that she'd been forced to continuously bring him in due to overwhelming witness statements against him in the past. She'd never charged him, how could she? When it was always him with more bruises than skin.
No matter how the others would have a broken nose or split lip, only one of them ever came in as if stomped by a crowd. So she'd given him shelter under the guise of holding him. Giving him medical care, food. A respite.
Even if she'd been forced to act like he was some sort of delinquent, or risk losing the ability to do anything as the town pulled their support.
She let out a huff of air, her tired mien watching the sky as her feet led her forward on the well trodden path, who'd have thought policing was so dependent on the townspeople around you… She snarked mentally.
Eventually she stepped off the path, heading to where he'd been reported to have set up camp, not too far off the road.
As Officer Jenny approached Ezra's encampment, an unnatural chill settled over her. The sun, still high in the sky, seemed to struggle against a sudden, oppressive gloom. A purplish mist swirled around the trees, creeping along the ground and giving the air a spectral quality.
She tightened her grip on Growlithe's fur as she pet him, her loyal companion bristling but ready. "Stay alert, Growlithe," She whispered, her breath visible in the cold, thick air.
The path ahead was obscured, each step into the mist feeling heavier than the last. Jenny's instincts screamed at her to turn back, but duty propelled her forward. The first signs of Ezra's camp came into view shortly thereafter.
As Officer Jenny stepped into Ezra's encampment, the eerie atmosphere intensified. The purplish mist thickened, curling around her ankles like spectral tendrils. The temperature dropped noticeably, her breath puffing out in small, frosty clouds. Growlithe, usually brave, pressed closer to her leg, growling softly at the shadows.
Ezra's camp was nestled in a small clearing, surrounded by gnarled trees whose twisted branches reached out like skeletal hands. The ground was uneven, dotted with old tombstones half-sunken into the earth, remnants of an abandoned graveyard. These stones, weathered and cracked, added to the macabre ambiance, each one bearing inscriptions long faded by time.
Did he purposely pick the creepiest place he could? She wondered, an expression of distaste crossing her face.
The campfire at the center of the clearing cast a weak, flickering light, barely piercing the gloom. At least she could tell it was properly built, so she wouldn't have to give him a citation for that. You'd think with fire Pokemon a thing, humans wouldn't still be the major proponent of forest fires…
Not that she was in the mood for citations or any of that anyway, not with how much she just wanted to walk away right now…
She was suddenly glad the Mayor and the council were all too old to be taking jaunts through the woods, because if they saw this, things would definitely escalate.
League of no league, they'd put a bounty on the kid. Which would cause a headache and a half, because only the worst of the worst got bounties - or the most dangerous Pokemon.
Hovering in the mist were various Ghost Pokemon, their forms ethereal and ever-shifting. Gastly's floated silently, their gaseous bodies pulsing with an eerie light. Haunter's hands detached from its body, clawing at the air playfully yet menacingly. A Misdreavus drifted near a tombstone, its red eyes glowing ominously as it let out a low, mournful wail that sent chills down Jenny's spine.
Ezra himself stood near the fire, his silhouette blending seamlessly with the spectral surroundings. His clothes were dark and slightly worn, and he'd found some sort of leather jacket somewhere, he seemed almost a part of the mist, a ghostly figure among ghosts. His presence, though calm and collected, only added to the macabre scene, as if he were a warden of this haunting domain.
She shook her head, no time to get maudlin, I've lived in Lavender for years, it's just Pokemon.
The oppressive silence was broken only by the occasional whisper of the wind and the distant, eerie cries of the wild Ghost Pokemon. Jenny felt the weight of countless unseen eyes watching her every move, the air thick with an ancient energy that pressed down on her like a physical force.
He is doing this on purpose, she realized, all the danger she felt melting away as she realized he was just being edgy.
"Ezra," she said, her voice barely more than a whisper in the ghostly stillness, "You really need to think about what it is you're doing here, think about what I said before." She wet her lips, trying to find the right words, "You were banished, you can't stay just two hours outside the city… You will attract a lot of attention, they won't leave you alone."
Ezra's eyes met hers, and for a moment, the mist seemed to clear just a bit. "I will think about it, Officer Jenny," he replied with a half smile, sounding amused, his voice carrying an otherworldly echo that sent shivers through her.
Yes, definitely playing it up… Arceus save me from teenagers…
With a final, reluctant nod, Jenny turned and began her journey back, the ghostly encampment fading behind her into the mist. She'd done her duty to the letter. She'd informed him that he needed to move. He'd said he'd think about it.
She wasn't sticking around further than that. He'd move on soon enough or he wouldn't, she'd done her duty.
The town called him creepy. Officer Jenny didn't think anyone could argue with that anymore.
It was just a phase anyway surely, when she'd been a teenager she'd had her own, just not…
That.
Ezra couldn't help but chuckle as Officer Jenny left, glancing at the multitude of Ghost Pokemon that kept hanging around, "She's one of the nice ones, you could have been a little less creepy with her." He admonished, without any heat.
He had found it funny after all. From the haunting laughter that echoed through the mists of his little camp, the Ghost Pokemon agreed.
He hadn't exactly meant to have his camp come across as some sort of forest of the damned. His Pokemon just felt more comfortable around graveyards, so when he found a couple of old gravestones in a clearing, he'd figured why the hell not?
The mist and purplish haze came after, as both the wild Ghost Pokemon, and the ones that enjoyed hanging out in his shadow, spread a sort of miasma from all of them gathering together.
With his already creepy looks, it really didn't make him any more approachable. Not that it upset him. He knew he couldn't stay here forever, and a tent wasn't his idea of the height of luxury either.
Perhaps it was the orphan in him, but he craved the finer things. Which meant money. Which meant he needed flight before anything else.
The good news was that he was an absolute cheat. He'd found that as long as it was an order they didn't mind too much, the ghosts following in his wake, were happy enough to obey.
Not something he could use in actual pokemon battles with other trainers. For trawling through a forest and finding a good pidgey or pidgeotto for him to train? It worked like a charm.
Unlike in a game where each area was based on a level, this was reality. So higher level pokemon could be found the further away from civilization you came. Holding territory, building their own primitive little societies. Two hours away from Lavender like he was?
Chock full of the smaller weaker pokemon like Pidgey, Rattata, Caterpie etc.
The weaker pokemon sought shelter close to humanity where they were less likely to be eaten, while the stronger avoided humans preferring their freedom and territory.
So he'd caught himself a Pidgeotto, one of the more powerful pokemon in the area, hunted down by a bushel of gleeful ghosts.
The problem was that he wasn't exactly a Pokemon whisperer, or at least he thought so. He didn't have any intention of using this Pokemon for anything but a convenient way to fly. So how do you convince a Pokemon to work for you when you can't do the friendship is magic thing?
That's what he had been pondering when Officer Jenny interrupted him, a pokeball laying at his side, holding the aforementioned Pidgeotto.
His Cubone, Haunter and Shuppet were all free from their balls, honing their skills just outside his clearing, where he'd set them each their task.
Did he try to teach them new techniques? Did he try to have them master complex maneuvers? No, of course not.
He had them honing what they had. Accuracy, technique energy expenditure, physical stamina - for as much as that mattered with their types, mostly just Cubone on that one. Once they honed their current skills to a knife point, he'd have them work on compressing them even further, on expanding them, on twisting and crafting something extra out of their respective techniques to surprise their enemies.
Ghost Pokemon were more malleable than most - he was sure he could help them harness their energy in inventive ways. It helped that the idea of messing with people by doing the unexpected, really intrigued his pokemon.
He wasn't one to sit and ponder for too long, so with a sigh, he released the Pokemon held in the pokeball.
Ezra sat down cross-legged on the forest floor, his small campfire casting long shadows around the clearing. The oppressive mist of earlier had lightened now that they didn't have an intruder, giving way to the soft, silvery glow of moonlight filtering through the canopy of the trees. In front of him, released from its pokeball and perched on a low branch, was his newly captured Pidgeotto. Its sharp eyes watched him warily, feathers ruffled in a mix of curiosity and suspicion. It still showed the signs of its not so gentle capture.
It hadn't come quietly. Not at all thrilled by the chase of a dozen ghosts taunting and delighting in the chase, until in the end, they'd grown bored, and the Pidgeotto was finally felled.
"Listen, Pidgeotto," Ezra began, his tone calm and steady, "I know this isn't likely what you expected, and if you ever thought about getting caught it's even further from it. I need you to understand that I'm not like other trainers." He leaned forward gaze intent.
He wouldn't be the type who made best friends with every Pokemon he came across. His team, he had no doubt he'd come to cherish them. This Pidgeotto? It was a tool.
That was simply reality, and he would not hide it, these creatures were intelligent enough that negotiation was preferable before subterfuge.
It was too exhausting to even think about acting anything but himself for that long. Who had time for that? In a second life to boot?
Pidgeotto tilted its head, a skeptical gleam in its eyes. It fluttered its wings slightly, ready to take off at the first sign of trouble. Not that it would do shit all, since he still had the pokeball.
Ezra held up a hand, showing the Pokemon a small bag of berries, their enticing aroma wafting through the air. Stomping through the forest did have some advantages, finding berry bushes was one. "I don't want to make you into a battle pokemon, other than what is needed to evolve you... I captured you because I need a strong flying Pokemon, a partner to help me travel. You see, I have big plans. I want to create a gym, a place where Ghost and Dark Pokemon can thrive, and I need your help to get there."
Not exactly anything in it for the Pidgeotto in that plan, but he was being honest. And of course there would be the carrot…
Pidgeotto eyed the berries, its suspicion giving way to interest. It hopped down from the branch, landing gracefully in front of Ezra.
"These are for you," Ezra said, holding out the bag. "And there's more where that came from. I promise you, if you help me, I'll make sure you get a territory of your own to rule over once my gym is established. A whole forest, filled with as many berries as you can eat and as many nests as you can build. You'll be the master of your domain, free from human interference except my own." He met its eyes, his own serious and intent, "I will make it so."
The Pidgeottos eyes sparkled at the thought. It cawed softly, still unsure but clearly tempted by the offer.
Worst case and it said no, Ezra would actually release it and find another. While he didn't intend to use his flying mount for anything else, he also didn't intend to have a reluctant mount. He needed to be able to rely on them.
Using up one of his slots for a purely flying mount instead of a battler might seem like madness. But no matter what world you were in - money talked.
He was sure once he got enough cash in hand, there were ways to expand the limit.
Ezra leaned in closer, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "You won't have to fight unless you choose to after you've evolved. Just help me, help me travel. Be my eyes in the sky. In return, I'll ensure your safety and your future. You'll have freedom and power, more than any other Pidgeotto could dream of, your own forest protected by my gym."
He placed the bag of berries on the ground between them and leaned back, giving the Pokemon space to make its decision. Pidgeotto stared at Ezra for a moment longer, then cautiously pecked at the berries, savoring the sweet taste.
"Is it a deal?" Ezra asked, his tone hopeful. It would be a pain in the ass to move camp and find another alpha of the weaklings, so to speak.
Pidgeotto looked up, its gaze meeting Ezra's. After a long, tense moment, it gave a sharp nod, a sign of its tentative agreement.
Ezra smiled, relief washing over him. "Thank you. I promise, you won't regret this."
The first hurdle had been passed. One, he could negotiate with Pokemon that weren't Ghost or Dark, that was good to know. Two, he had a way to avoid the whole trawling through woods for the next year bullshit.
Ezra clenched his hands into fists, his red eyes gleaming. "Let's see about getting you that evolution, hmm?" He said, his shadow expanding like a cloak, wafting out behind him, dozens of eyes and smiles lighting up, laughter beginning to echo out into the encampment.
"This forest won't know what hit 'em!"
Ezra stood at the edge of the forest, the moon casting an eerie glow over the landscape. The air was thick with anticipation as he prepared for the night's training. His shadow, cast long by the moonlight, seemed to move with a life of its own. From within that darkness, Ghost Pokemon emerged, their spectral forms tethered to Ezra like a living, ethereal menagerie.
He didn't give a shit how creepy it must look - it was so goddamn cool, he felt like an anime character about to do tragic backstory bullshit.
It was a shame this was one anime world which didn't run on tits as its source code. But one couldn't have it all.
"Alright, everyone," Ezra whispered, his voice carrying an edge of command. "Let's give Pidgeotto the training he needs."
He hoped this worked. Obviously leveling up according to a game couldn't be the exact same thing in reality. But Pidgeotto beating up Pokemon, while intent on growing stronger and evolving, surely would work?
From his shadow, a Gastly floated up, its gaseous form pulsing with a malevolent energy. A Haunter's disembodied hands emerged next, followed by the rest of its sinister figure, its grin wide and menacing. A Misdreavus materialized, its eyes glowing with a spectral light, then another Gastly, two, then another Haunter. The Ghost Pokemon, attached to him by some unseen force, awaited his instructions with a silent, almost eerie eagerness.
His own pokemon came to his side as well, having not spent any time in their pokeballs since being captured. His Cubone sat at his feet as the Shuppet and Haunter hovered around him.
He frowned, eyeing his Pokemon, with so many other Haunters floating around, he really couldn't just keep calling his own that, could he? Food for thought for later, he'd have to name it, or something, give it a designation.
Ezra turned his attention to Pidgeotto, perched on a low branch nearby. "Are you ready?" he asked, because this all hinged on him being able to follow the plan.
Pidgeotto gave a sharp nod, its eyes gleaming with determination. It stretched its wings, preparing for the task ahead. It was going to be carried on a speed run. Hopefully it wouldn't take too much of the experience away.
"Good," Ezra said, a hint of satisfaction in his voice. "Gastly's, Haunters, Misdreavus - let's start." He ordered, before looking down to his own Pokemon, "You guys, take the perimeter, keep them from escaping."
At his command, the Ghost Pokemon dispersed into the forest, their spectral forms blending seamlessly with the shadows. They moved swiftly, their presence unsettling the
Pokemon of the forest. Small Pokemon like Caterpie and Pidgey felt the chill of the Ghosts' approach and began to panic, their instincts driving them into a frenzied flight.
Especially as his ghosts specifically made sure to hunt down and bother them in their nests. Not a very nice thing, but hardly monstrous either, just efficient.
Ezra watched as the first wave of frightened Pokemon bolted from the underbrush, their eyes wide with terror as they were harassed by Ghost pokemon, some of the Dark pokemon that followed him on the fringes, apparently having seen his plot and decided to join in the hunt. An unexpected benefit. "Now, Pidgeotto!" he shouted.
Pidgeotto launched into the air, its powerful wings beating with a swift rhythm. It swooped down upon the fleeing Pokémon, its talons outstretched. The forest became a chaotic scene of panic and pursuit, with Pidgeotto diving and striking at the weakened and exhausted creatures driven into its path by the relentless Ghost Pokemon.
If they tried to flee away from the relentless assault they couldn't fight back against, his own Pokemon pushed them back into the killbox. If they tried to send off a technique, the Ghost or Dark Pokemon cut them off at the knees.
A Rattata, its eyes wide with fear, darted out from a bush, only to be caught by Pidgeotto's swift claws. The bird Pokémon carried it high into the air before releasing it, sending it plummeting back to the ground. The cycle continued, with Pidgeotto methodically targeting and overpowering the frantic forest dwellers, its strength and skill growing with each encounter, or so he pictured it, at least.
There was no difference to be seen, except perhaps in the growing exhaustion of his Pidgeotto. He'd likely have to continue this for more than tonight, but it should work. Hopefully within a few days. This wouldn't be a tactic he could use to create elite level Pokemon, the targets too weak. But to simply evolve a Pidgeotto, a few days of it should be enough.
Ezra watched the scene with a mix of satisfaction and determination. He knew this method was harsh, but it was likely to be effective. Pidgeotto needed to grow stronger, and the best way to do that was through rigorous, relentless training. Or in the defeat of Pokemon, which he hoped was a possibility here.
After all the others didn't really harm any of them, they just terrorized them, leaving the Pidgeotto to do all the damage to knock them out. And if he ate a Caterpie or two… Well Ezra wasn't too fond of bugs anyway.
He really didn't want to spend possibly weeks training his Pidgeotto, he wanted to be gone before Lavender Town did more than grumble. So he could come back later to show them all how wrong they'd been.
And really rub their faces in it.
As the night wore on, the forest became quieter, the Pokemon too frightened to move from their hiding places. Pidgeotto landed back near Ezra, its chest heaving with exertion but its eyes shining with a newfound fierceness.
Ezra approached, offering a handful of berries as a reward. "You did well, Pidgeotto," he said, his voice filled with genuine praise. He might not ever see him as more than a tool, but he wouldn't shy away from rewarding effort. "This is just the beginning. Keep this up, and you'll soon get everything you were promised. Your own domain, protected by my people."
Once he had people… No need to say it could be years yet…
Pidgeotto accepted the berries, eating them gratefully. It was tired but invigorated, its confidence boosted by the successful training session.
Ezra looked at his Ghost Pokemon, still lurking in the shadows, their presence a constant, unnerving reminder of this power of his. "Good work, everyone. Let's give Pidgeotto some rest and prepare for tomorrow. There's still much to do."
He'd have to experiment with his own power. Whatever death aura or whatever that he had, that drew these Pokemon in. Even if never useful in ranked battles. Up against something like Team Rocket? They'd be a trump card that would serve him very well.
The Ghost Pokemon receded back into his shadow, their forms merging seamlessly with the darkness. As Ezra sat by the campfire minutes later, Pidgeotto resting beside him, his other Pokemon back to work training, he felt a sense of grim satisfaction. His plan was working. He was sure of it.
Once Pidgeotto evolved, he'd have all of Kanto at his fingertips.
Next day.
Ezra stood in a secluded part of the forest, the early morning light casting a soft, golden glow through the trees. The air was still and cool, perfect for the precision training he had planned. In front of him floated Shuppet and Haunter, both eager and ready to refine their ghostly abilities.
He couldn't spend all his time on Pidgeotto, he didn't want to accidentally injure him nor risk overworking him - that would defeat the point entirely of what he was doing. And besides, he'd need his team to actually be competent if he wanted to succeed in even gaining his start-up capital.
"Alright, Shuppet, Haunter," Ezra began, his voice calm but firm, "Today's training is all about control and accuracy. It's not enough to have powerful moves; you need to be able to direct them precisely. Let's start with the compression exercises I had you guys practice these last few days."
And boy had it been a fun game of charades to figure out some of their move pools, he needed a frigging pokedex pronto. Although they were around, and in use pre-Ash apparently here - they were also expensive, and only the richest or well sponsored trainers could afford one.
Shuppet hovered closer, its cloth-like body undulating slightly. Haunter, with its disembodied hands and mischievous grin, followed suit. Ezra could see the anticipation in their ghostly eyes.
He had no idea if it was because of their connection or if he was actually bonding with them, but none of his pokemon had so far backed down from any of the training.
"Shuppet, I want you to compress your Dark Pulse attack into a tight beam. Imagine it as a needle, sharp and focused. Haunter, you'll do the same with your Shadow Ball. Smaller, more controlled. Ready?"
All three of his pokemon had a decently large and versatile move pool already, making him suspect he hadn't been approached by any rookie pokemon here. Dark Pulse he imagined must have been a technical machine technique for Shuppet, as he didn't remember it being part of its move pool.
Both Pokemon nodded, their forms shimmering with latent energy. They'd been training for twelve hours minimum a day, just getting used to manipulating their energy further and in new ways, Shuppet having the harder time of it as it's chosen technique to play with was a dark type move.
What he'd learned of Pokemon battles in school since arriving here… The vast majority of trainers had absolutely no innovation, only treading already worn ground.
Same with breeders and everyone really. It was the reason why no one had discovered how to evolve Milotic from Feebas, people just did what their forefathers always did.
The ones that didn't?
Well that was your top 1 percenters right there.
Although perhaps it was more like five percenters, the Ace trainers weren't your average idiots.
Ezra took a step back, giving his Pokemon some space. "On my count. One... Two... Three!"
Shuppet's eyes glowed with a dark light as it concentrated, a thin beam of shadowy dark energy forming in front of it with a vicious aura to it. Haunter's grin widened as it summoned a small, dense Shadow Ball, its size reduced but its power more concentrated.
"Hold it... Hold it..." Ezra instructed, watching as both Pokemon strained to maintain their focus. "Now, release!"
The compressed attacks shot forward, Shuppet's Dark Pulse beam slicing through the air with laser-like precision, while Haunter's compact Shadow Ball rocketed forward, both dissipating harmlessly into the sky. Ezra smiled, pleased with their progress.
Sure, at five seconds to form, it was almost useless in most fights, but when they'd started getting the hang of it, the time had been 15 seconds. He was confident they'd be able to get it further down. Which would mean their hits would pack a much heavier punch, necessitating less of them needing to hit the target to incapacitate their opponents.
"Excellent! Now, let's work on your accuracy with it." He reached down and picked up a handful of pinecones, holding them in his hand. "I'm going to toss one of these each in the air. I want you to hit each target as quickly and accurately as possible. Shuppet, you'll use your Dark Pulse. Haunter, stick with Shadow Ball."
Ezra took a deep breath and tossed a pinecone high into the air in front of Shuppet. "Now!" He shouted, even as he used his other hand to throw another one for Haunter.
Shuppet's eyes flashed as it fired a precise beam of its Dark Pulse, the malevolent aura resonating with Ezra, feeling almost homely, the attack managed to strike the pinecone and reduce it to splinters before it hit the ground - on his first try. Ezra noticed that Haunter's Shadow Ball obliterated its own target mid-air, the fragments scattering in all directions as well, also on the first try.
"Great job! Again!" Ezra encouraged, his voice filled with cheer. Inwardly he clocked it as another sign these pokemon had belonged to someone and had been trained.
Just don't let it be my body's former owner, I'm already playing into the creep factor enough as is…
He continued to toss the targets, each time faster and in more unpredictable patterns. Shuppet and Haunter responded with supreme confidence, their attacks becoming more accurate and controlled with each attempt. Shuppet's Dark Pulse beams became razor-thin and deadly precise, while Haunter's Shadow Balls, though smaller, packed a powerful punch and hit their marks unerringly.
They'd managed to shave a quarter of a second or so off compressing their techniques too. Just by being pushed to go faster, each of his throws slowly being tossed out faster to pressure them.
"Keep it up!" Ezra called out, throwing multiple targets at once. Shuppet and Haunter didn't miss a beat, their ghostly forms moving with fluid grace as they dispatched two pinecones each with pinpoint accuracy, although to be fair they were grouped together - two more falling to the ground. They both glared at the offending pinecones.
After several more rounds, Ezra finally called for a halt. "Alright, that's enough for now. You both did amazing."
Shuppet and Haunter hovered closer, their ghostly energies still shimmering from the exertion. Ezra reached out and patted them gently, a proud smile on his face. It felt cold but not unpleasantly so, to touch them.
"You're getting stronger and more precise every day," He said, his voice filled with genuine praise. "With control like this, you'll be able to take on any challenge that comes our way."
Shuppet let out a soft, ethereal cry of delight, while Haunter's grin somehow managed to widen even further.
"Take a fifteen minute break, then try and get that compression down to three seconds, alright?" He told them, walking off, smiling softly as one of the Haunters haunting his shadow, lightly pulled on his hair just to get attention.
Ezra wandered into the nearby clearing, where Cubone stood, its distinctive skull helmet catching the early morning light. Despite not being a Ghost Pokemon, Cubone had always been a special case in his mind, and he'd once had it on his team playing the games. It had connotations of death and loss, and if Ezra didn't misremember, evolving a Cubone at night could result in it becoming a Fire/Ghost Marowak - a perfect fit for his ghostly team.
And if he failed. Well, he'd always wanted an Arceusdamned Cubone, so he'd be fine either way.
Cubone had followed Ezra just as the Ghost and Dark Pokémon had, volunteering to be part of his team even. Its affinity for ghostly phenomena, or perhaps just death itself, made it a promising candidate for Ezra's evolving plans. He saw this as a good omen for its eventual transformation.
Obviously Cubone was already attuned to ghostly energies, or it wouldn't have so easily sought him out.
Ezra approached Cubone with a thoughtful smile. "Alright, Cubone, it's time for your training."
Cubone looked up at him with determined eyes, gripping its bone club tightly. Ezra had decided to go a bit unconventional with Cubone's training - or if he had to be honest - he'd gone entirely left field. It had a tail even if it wasn't much of one, and he was determined to teach it Iron Tail. If it could channel the energy into its tail, perhaps it could eventually do the same with its club, making it a formidable weapon.
It would also surprise the shit out of people for a while, which was just a bonus.
"Let's start with speed and hitting power," Ezra said, picking up a few sturdy logs he'd gathered earlier. "Cubone, I want you to use your club to hit these logs as hard and as fast as you can. Imagine your tail and club becoming as hard as steel."
Cubone was pretty fast, something he was eager to take advantage of, continuing to focus on speed, and of course hitting power was important, as Cubone was a more physical fighter than the others.
Cubone nodded, its resolve clear. It took a deep breath, then swung its club at the first log with a mighty crack, splintering it into pieces. Without missing a beat, Cubone moved to the next log, its swings becoming more forceful and rapid. It's cry heard through the forest as it cried out its victory over the dastardly logs.
"Good, Cubone! Keep it up!" Ezra encouraged, watching the Pokemon's determination with a calculating gaze, he'd lucked out it seemed, his pokemon all having a burning determination. Each swing was stronger than the last as the Cubone just kept speeding up, the sound of wood cracking echoing through the clearing.
After several rounds, Ezra decided it was time to focus on the essence of steel. He knelt down beside Cubone, placing a hand on its tiny shoulder, the little guy almost jumping in shock, letting out a quiet, "Cu?"
"You're doing great, Cubone. Now, let's work on feeling that steely energy. Imagine your tail and your club becoming as hard as metal, unyielding and powerful."
They'd been working on it for days, but seen no progress, probably because it wasn't a natural evolution of technique for Cubone, with a dash of him having had a hard time explaining how the technique worked based on memory.
Cubone closed its eyes, concentrating deeply. Ezra could see the effort etched on its face as it tried to visualize the transformation. He knew this part of the training was challenging, but he had faith in Cubone's perseverance.
It had tons of guts and determination, so everything else would come. Everything else could be taught. You couldn't teach this kind of guts, so starting out with that was already a win in his books.
To help, Ezra began to explain, trying to be more specific than his perhaps too lax explanation previously, "Think about what it means to be steel, Cubone. Strong, resilient, and enduring. Steel doesn't bend easily. It doesn't break. Picture that in your mind."
Cubone's eyes snapped open, a newfound intensity in its gaze. It swung its tail experimentally, and though there was no visible change, Ezra sensed the shift in Cubone's mindset. The grip it had around its club strained as its muscles tensed as it tried to picture steel.
"Alright," Ezra said, standing back up. "Let's try Iron Tail again. Imagine your tail becoming hard as steel and strike." He said, gaze intent on his Pokemon, "You are hard, unbending, everything breaks against your enduring strength. Focus on your tail, focus on steel."
Cubone focused, its tail actually glowing faintly for just a second - with an energy that Ezra hoped would soon become a full Iron Tail. With a fierce cry, Cubone swung its tail at a log by swinging its entire body. The impact was stronger this time, leaving a deeper mark on the wood. It wasn't Iron Tail, by any metric, but he liked to imagine that glow meant it was on its way. The goal was possible.
"That's it, Cubone! You're getting there!" Ezra cheered, his excitement palpable. His cheer also cheered up Cubone, who went back to training with newfound belief.
As the sun climbed higher, nearing the noon mark, marking the end of their training session for now, Ezra knelt beside Cubone once more. "You've made incredible progress today. Keep this up, and we'll unlock your full potential." He smirked wickedly, "People aren't going to expect you at all. It will be glorious."
Cubone looked up at him, its eyes gleaming with a fierce determination. Ezra patted its head gently. "Rest for now. We'll continue this tomorrow."
He could have forced more training today, but with Pidgeotto's gauntlet later, he didn't want his Pokemon too exhausted.
Although he still felt suspicious of his circumstances, because either he was the best trainer ever - or his pokemon were scarily intuitive - or they had previous training.
He didn't want to kid himself on the best trainer thing. He had faith in himself, but not… Iron Tail for a Cubone in just a few days faith.
That was…
Well…
It would all work out in the end.
An hour later,
Ezra was sitting by his campfire, meticulously cleaning his belongings, and contemplating the progress his team had made. The early afternoon sun filtered through the trees, casting shadows across his camp. His Ghost Pokemon floated nearby, occasionally disappearing into the shadows, their presence a constant reminder of his unique bond with them.
He couldn't wait to start experimenting with that when he had his team situated better. Couldn't Agatha like… Do weird ghost shit? He wanted to do weird ghost shit.
He'd do all the weird ghost shit. It would be glorious.
Suddenly, a rustling in the underbrush caught his attention. He looked up to see a young almost adult trainer, maybe a year or two older than him, emerging from the forest. The trainer was tall and muscular, wearing a tank top and shorts, exuding a carefree and confident demeanor. He had a friendly smile on his face, seemingly unfazed by the eerie atmosphere of Ezra's camp.
Which was a first. The first person that had first run into his camp - and likely the one that whined to Officer Jenny - pissed themselves when they ran into his little camp. Apparently not appreciative of the ambiance.
"Hey there!" The trainer called out, waving excitedly. "I saw your camp from a distance, what with all the darkness and smoke and such, and thought I'd come over. Are you up for a Pokemon battle?" He asked, looking utterly cheerful.
Evolution must have gone differently for humanity in a world of pokemon, Ezra would not have run towards smoke and darkness back in his old life. Probably wouldn't do it now either, for that matter.
Ezra looked at the other trainer in some surprise at the offer. He hadn't expected anyone to approach him out here, let alone challenge him to a battle. His heart raced with a mix of excitement and nervousness. This would be his first real Pokemon battle against another trainer. He was older too, so probably experienced.
No, don't be nervous! Just kick ass! He psyched himself up mentally.
"Uh, sure! I'm Ezra," he said, standing up and introducing himself, trying to sound casual.
"Nice to meet you, Ezra. I'm Barney," the trainer replied, flashing a laid-back grin. "I've been traveling around, looking for strong trainers to battle. Your camp caught my eye. Pretty cool setup you've got here." He looked with interest at the surroundings, not batting an eye at the pokemon making malevolent little noises at him from the shadows.
Ezra couldn't help but smile at Barney's nonchalant attitude. Most people would be unnerved by his ghostly companions and the overall creepiness of his camp, but Barney seemed completely unfazed. After having so much of Lavender Town freak out just from his appearance, let alone his newfound ability. It was refreshing to run into someone who just didn't care about any of it.
He would still kick his ass of course, he had a reputation to build. But it was still nice to know not everyone was going to be an ass to him from the start.
Now if they were an ass to him after he was going to totally be an ass to most of them, then that was fair.
He just heavily disliked people who judged someone ahead of time, based on nonsense like skin or some shit.
"Thanks. My Pokemon and I have been training hard. Let's do this," Ezra said, feeling a surge of confidence. With what they'd been doing, surely they'd do alright, he could only see two pokeballs on the other trainer's belt.
He was probably just out for a stroll then, or left the rest at the pokecenter. Almost an adult, he must have more than two Pokemon.
Barney pulled out a pokeball and tossed it into the air. "Alright, let's get this party started! Go, Machop!"
In a flash of light, a muscular Machop appeared, flexing its arms and ready for battle. Barney began flexing, making grunting noises for some reason - the Machop matching his flexing expertly. Leaving Ezra slightly nonplussed for a moment.
A Haunter slipped out of his shadow trying to flex its hands, letting out a mournful little wail when it didn't get the same effect. Ezra patted it on the head, sweat dropping as Barney and Machop clasped hands, stomping the ground in some weird pre game ritual, all the while continuing to grunt.
Ezra quickly considered his options while they… Did whatever that was. He decided to start with Shuppet, who hovered eagerly by his side anyway, ready for battle.
"Shuppet, you're up!" Ezra called, letting Barney know he was ready.
His Shuppet floated forward, letting loose a menacing aura as it faced Machop. Barney raised an eyebrow, but maintained his easy going demeanor.
"Cool, a Shuppet! This is gonna be fun. Machop, let's kick things off with Karate Chop!" Barney commanded.
Ezra had wondered if the cheerful facade hid an idiot, when he'd revealed a Machop to fight what was obviously a Ghost trainer, he'd figured he had learned some more effective moves or something.
Not… This.
Machop charged forward, its hand glowing with fighting energy - totally useless against Ghost types. Ezra reacted swiftly enough anyway. Even if it was ineffective, his pokemon needed to get used to dodging attacks anyway, "Shuppet, dodge with Shadow Sneak and use Confuse Ray!"
Might as well get practice in, if this guy was seriously just going to throw fighting moves against him. He'd expected at least a thunder punch or something.
Maybe he was just getting started?
Shuppet phased out of Machop's path, reappearing behind it in its shadow, and releasing a beam of dark energy. Machop stumbled, clearly affected by the ghostly attack but quickly regained its footing.
Damn, Confuse Ray didn't take, oh well…
"Nice move! Machop, use Low Sweep!" Barney shouted, punching the air excitedly.
Low sweep? Against a floating ghost? What is this guy, who's the rookie here? Am I… Beating up a special needs dude?
Machop aimed a swift low kick at Shuppet, but it just floated just out of reach even without any orders. Ezra took the opportunity to press the advantage, the Machop in a bad position right beneath Shuppet.
"Shuppet, hit it with Dark Pulse!" he ordered, a wicked smile on his face, his pulse quickening. Despite the ease of the battle, this was fun!
Shuppet naturally went with the compressed version, and against a faster pokemon it would have taken too long at 3 seconds now - but the Machop hadn't moved quickly, and Barney hadn't given it another order yet, so Shuppet managed to launch it at Machop without the Pokemon dodging out of the way, the Machop standing in place seemingly bulking up.
The attack struck Machop directly, knocking it back with significant force, slamming it into the ground. Barney's smile never wavered even then.
Normally Dark Pulse and it's debilitating aura was widespread and could even hit several pokemon at once - but compressed, it visibly brought the Machop to the edge of fainting when it brought it low.
Whatever the Machop had been trying to do, dissipated with the strong strike. bulk up? Ezra thought, Most likely, but without any orders…
This trainer was confusing him. Had he trained his pokemon to work independently, or was he just so bad the pokemon chose on its own?
"Wow, your Shuppet is strong! But we're not done yet. Machop, get up and use Seismic Toss!" Barney said encouragingly.
Machop got to its feet, determined despite the damage it had taken. Seismic Toss was finally an attack that could actually hit Ezra's pokemon - so obviously he wasn't going to just sit around and let him do it.
"Shuppet, Night Shade!" he commanded.
Shuppet's eyes glowed with an eerie light, and Machop's movements slowed as it succumbed to the nightmarish mirage, taking damage before it could begin its own attack. Within moments, Machop was unconscious on the ground.
Barney laughed good-naturedly. "Looks like I'm outmatched this time. Great job, Ezra! Your Shuppet is amazing."
Ezra couldn't help but feel like it had all been too easy. Still, he could be polite at least. "Thanks, Barney. Your Machop put up… An adequate fight for what he was facing, but are you sure we are done? You still have another pokemon, right?"
He couldn't help but be perturbed by this entire encounter, his Shuppet bumping into his head for pets, which he absentmindedly delivered.
Barney recalled Machop and walked over to shake Ezra's hand, and to give him his winnings, something Ezra had forgotten about. 200 pokedollars wasn't a fortune, but every little bit helped. "Thanks for the battle, man. Keep training hard. You've got something special here, you totally wasted me, man." He said happily.
Well… You did walk into a ghostly encampment with only a fighting Pokemon…
Ezra shook Barney's hand mentally shaking his head, feeling a newfound sense of relief. Because now he knew that no matter what, he wouldn't embarrass himself totally on the circuit, not if people like this were around. "I will, thanks for the battle, Barney. Safe travels."
With a final wave, Barney turned and headed back out of the forest, leaving Ezra to reflect on his first successful Pokemon battle.
Maybe this all won't be as hard as I'd thought… He mused.
That night, as the moon hung high and the forest was shrouded in darkness, Ezra prepared for another training session with Pidgeotto. The air was cool and still, perfect for honing the bird pokemon's skills. His Ghost Pokemon flitted about in the shadows, ready to assist in driving the local Pokemon into Pidgeotto's path.
Ezra stepped carefully through the forest, his eyes adjusting to the dim light. Pidgeotto perched on his shoulder, its feathers ruffled slightly in anticipation. He reached the edge of a clearing and was about to set his Pokemon in motion, when something caught his eye.
Lying in the clearing was a figure, motionless and pale in the moonlight. Ezra's heart skipped a beat as he approached, the scene becoming clearer with each step. The figure was a person, unmistakably dead, with a Pokedex lying beside them. No pokeballs were visible, and the area around the body looked like someone had definitely gotten up close and personal.
Odd to leave the pokedex behind though. It wouldn't be that hard to wipe it and re-register it.
Ezra knelt beside the corpse, his eyes narrowing in thought. This could be the work of poachers or even Team Rocket, he reasoned. Whoever it was, they had left no trace of their Pokemon, only this lifeless body and the abandoned Pokedex.
Considering the pokeballs were gone, and since this kid had a pokedex she was definitely a trainer - she'd been jumped for her Pokemon - with the state the body was in, it wasn't that long ago either. She might not even be declared MIA yet.
Honestly he'd suspect poachers after a particular Pokemon personally - unlucky girl probably had something rare. Team Rocket, even if they were as obsessed about capturing other people's Pokemon as in the source material - were a criminal organization and therefore surely knew how to wipe a pokedex. They were worth enough money they wouldn't have left it behind.
Unashamedly, he picked up the Pokedex and examined it. It was a standard model, nothing particularly special about it, but it could contain valuable information. With a quick swipe, he powered it on and scanned through the entries. It might help identify the victim or even give clues about what had happened.
From… Celadon, Ah, there it is, how on earth does a rookie have a ninetales? Or had, I guess. Legacy Pokemon? Either way, got you killed girl, he thought, scrolling through the pokedex, finding nothing else substantial.
Without compunction, he did a complete reset, wiping everything off the pokedex, and then sat down on a nearby rock, going through the set up stages, registering himself as the owner through his training license ID. He wasn't going to turn down a free pokedex, and besides, it wouldn't do the girl any good now.
Finishing, Ezra sighed, and took a deep breath, scrolling through until he hit the pokenet page for the Lavender Town police department. It was time to report this to Officer Jenny. He dialed the number and waited, the dial tone echoing in the stillness of the night. After a few dozen rings, a familiar voice answered, sounding sleepy.
You know… I know they have other members on the force, but why is it only her dealing with things with the public? He wondered.
"Officer Jenny here," came the professional yet tired and concerned voice from the other end.
"Officer Jenny, it's Ezra," He said, trying to not sound too apathetic, it probably wouldn't be a good look, "I'm in the forest, about two hours out from Lavender Town, fifteen minutes west of my camp. I've found a dead body. There's no sign of any pokeballs or pokedex, so not sure if it's a trainer, but she's definitely dead." He eyed the deep rend through her torso, obviously the product of a Pokemon attack, "Very dead." He added.
There was a pause, then a note of urgency in her voice. "Ezra, can you give me your exact location? I'll come out there right away. Don't touch anything else until I arrive." She said rapidly, the sounds of ruffling clothes, and quiet cursing, coming through the phone call.
Had he known she'd be in bed already, he'd have placed a video call instead… Would he get arrested if he asked what she was wearing?
Probably, right?
Ezra quickly described his location as best as he could, giving landmarks and directions, even if his original explanation was enough, in his opinion, "I'll wait here for you," He added, glancing around the eerie clearing with annoyance, because this did slow down his training. "Be careful on your way." He added as an afterthought.
"I will. Stay put and keep an eye out for anything unusual. I'll be there as soon as I can," Jenny replied, her tone brisk and efficient. The barking of her Growlithe echoing through the line.
The call ended, leaving Ezra alone with the body and his thoughts. He looked at Pidgeotto, who seemed uneasy, and gave it a reassuring pat. "Looks like training will have to wait," he murmured.
His Shuppet and Haunter hovered next to him, almost seeming to hang protectively around him, which he appreciated. His Cubone was in its pokeball, having overworked itself behind his back when he was fighting Barney.
With a thought, the pokemon living in his shadow spread out, like a wave, checking the surroundings. Never hurt to be too careful - next time he should probably do that first. Before kneeling down next to the obviously murdered person.
He stood up, scanning the area himself for any signs of movement as his posse? Yeah, his Ghostly posse, had a look around the forest. The forest was eerily silent, the usual night sounds conspicuously absent. Ezra felt a chill run down his spine, but he pushed it aside.
It made sense, he'd been running the wild Pokemon ragged, they were probably all hiding, or had left the area to avoid him. That's why it was so silent.
The forest remained shrouded in an oppressive silence as Ezra waited for Officer Jenny to arrive. His Ghost Pokemon floated around him, their spectral forms flickering in and out of the shadows, providing some company in the stillness of the night. Pidgeotto perched uneasily on a low branch, its eyes darting around, reflecting the tension in the air.
Whether the Pokemon knew something was dangerous due to his own feelings, or because they recognized it on their own - he couldn't tell, but either way they were all prepared for action if anything happened.
Finally, the distant sound of rustling and the soft glow of a flashlight pierced the darkness. Officer Jenny emerged, her Growlithe by her side, the canine's nose twitching as it sniffed the air for any clues. Jenny's expression was grim, her eyes reflecting the urgency and sorrow of the situation.
"Ezra," She called, her voice breaking the silence. "I'm here."
Ezra raised a hand in acknowledgment, stepping away from the body to give her space. "Took you long enough," He muttered under his breath, though not loud enough for her to hear. He just wanted this over with.
Now more than ever he needed Pidgeotto to evolve, this area was obviously not as safe as he'd thought.
Jenny approached the body, her flashlight illuminating the scene. She knelt down beside the lifeless form, her face tightening with a mix of sadness and professionalism. Growlithe stood guard, its senses on high alert.
"This is terrible," Jenny murmured, more to herself than to Ezra. She carefully examined the corpse, noting the deep rend in the torso. "Looks like a Pokemon attack, but this was no wild encounter. She was definitely ambushed." She mused out loud, looking around the clearing, spotting things he hadn't apparently.
But then he wasn't a cop, nor did he have any kind of forensic training.
He wondered if she usually spoke about these things with random kids nearby. Then again, when they were trainers… Probably. The league was kind of weird with that, a training license suddenly making you ready for anything.
Ezra watched her continued work with mild disinterest, his thoughts already drifting back to his interrupted training session. "Yeah, I figured as much, just as I reported. No pokeballs or pokedex around either, so someone probably took them. Poachers or Team Rocket, maybe."
Jenny watched him carefully in the dark clearing, "I notice you have a pokedex suddenly, it's what you used to call me, right?' she asked, carefully.
Ezra cocked his head, "Was there a question in there somewhere?" He asked, purposefully being obtrusive. If he suddenly became all helpful and friendly, she'd notice and think he was lying.
Although she probably wouldn't believe him no matter what. Which was fine - as long as she didn't have anything to actually go on.
"Did you steal the girl's pokedex and use it to call me?" Jenny asked point blank, eyes hard.
Ezra scoffed, crossing his arms, ominous noises, cackling and hissing - coming from around him as the Pokemon under his aegis made their own opinion known. "That's the thanks I get for calling this in, huh? Shoulda just left her, figures, tch."
Seeing her continued staredown, he rolled his eyes, "Had a couple trainers come through, they sold me one of their old ones, I let them capture one of the Haunters that hang around me in exchange."
Jenny nodded slowly, and he wasn't sure if she believed him, but she'd probably be asking all newcomers to Lavender Town about it soon enough, "I see… My apologies." She offered, apologizing for her suspicions.
"So Team Rocket or poachers, huh? That's gotta suck." Ezra said, wanting to move things along. Not having any intention to stand around a body all night.
Jenny nodded, her expression hardening. "It's likely. This area isn't known for high crime, but poachers and criminals like Team Rocket are always a possibility." She glanced up at Ezra, her eyes piercing. "You did the right thing by calling me." She added, a note of apology in her tone, for her previous line of questioning.
Ezra shrugged, not particularly moved by her praise - especially suspecting she didn't believe him, "Just wanted to get it over with."
Jenny sighed, standing up and dusting off her hands. "I know you're not one for rules, Ezra, but this is serious. You can't stay in this area anymore. It's too dangerous, and now there's been a murder. If word gets out, it'll draw more attention, and not the good kind."
Ezra frowned, crossing his arms. "I haven't broken any laws. I'm not in Lavender Town's limits." He reiterated, not willing to tell her he'd already planned to leave since the second he found the body.
He didn't want to come across as too cooperative here, not with all the shit the police department put him through.
"I understand that," Jenny replied, her tone softening. "But it's not just about the laws. It's about safety. For you and for others. This place isn't safe right now, and I don't want to see you get hurt."
Ezra rolled his eyes. "I'm not afraid of a few poachers or Team Rocket grunts. I can handle myself." I hope…
Now that he had a pokedex he could start doing some research. He had no idea how bad they actually were in this world.
Jenny stepped closer, her expression earnest. "This isn't just about you handling yourself, Ezra. This is about preventing more harm. If they come back and find you here, alone... it won't end well. Please, listen to me."
Ezra glanced at the body again, faking a look of discomfort, dialing down on his bravado, letting her believe she'd slowly convinced him. Reluctantly, he nodded. "Fine. I'll move camp tomorrow." He allowed.
If I can get Pidgeotto evolved tonight, I'll just leave…
"Thank you," Jenny said, genuine relief in her voice. "I'll make sure this area is thoroughly investigated. In the meantime, please stay safe and keep a low profile."
Ezra sighed, turning away. "Yeah, sure. Whatever."
He'd hit his limit on being told what to do. Heh, he was a teenager again, so it was only proper for him to act this way.
He could really go for a damn drink though… Could a Ghost pokemon steal alcohol?
Or would a trainer's license even extend that far? Proooobably not, he thought. For police work? Or fighting gods or terrorists, sure. But no drinking, that's the limit.
As Officer Jenny and her Growlithe began to secure the scene, Ezra walked back towards his camp, his pokemon trailing behind him.
Early morning,
"Fuck you world!" A holler called out across the sky, a Pidgeot taking to the sky, a trainer whooping in joy aboard it.
Lavender Town got its wish.
Ezra Kassian was out.
But he'd be back, oh would he ever be back…
Author's note:
So the set up is done, he'll basically starts his own journey now, the ultimate goal money, with a tad of respect and reputation there as well.
He'll do the circuit whenever he feels like hitting a gym, but his main goal is to train his Pokemon and get money at the moment.
This story probably won't be updated more then like a chapter every two months or so, unless patrons want it and vote for it, but I'll keep working away at it either way, whenever I actually finish a story I'll get more time.
With how I do pacing… That might be 2065.
Cheers
Just a heads up, I don't need pokemon purists saying - that's not how it's done - those moves don't work like that - that pokemon can't learn that!
Basically my readers, I'm doing this for funzies, and rule of cool, and whatever sounds good. I'll take a gander at a wiki, but I'm not going to spend hours researching to make sure every attack is kosher.
This way, this is all laid out now, and those wanting a faithful canon representation can go to the much better stories out there - and those who just want an edgy shit disturber fucking around in Kanto can stick around.
As usual, I do not own Pokemon or the associated companies that deliver material from it. I'm just playing in the kiddy pool, don't hurt me.
Enjoy!
Officer Jenny felt very uncomfortable as she made her way to the reported encampment, her trusty Growlithe already out and prepared for trouble.
She hadn't been onboard with tossing the kid out on his own to begin with, even if she acknowledged he was… Different, in a way that just felt unsettling.
Working in Lavender Town, she was used to - as used as one can be anyway - Ghost Pokemon and their antics. The way they flocked around Ezra however… She could understand why Lavender Town's elders and town council wanted him gone. She hadn't agreed, but her job wasn't to make laws or regulations, it was to enforce them.
And while they hadn't quite gone so far as to make it illegal for Ezra to stay in town, they hadn't made it easy for him to stay either. Officer Jenny had done what she could, even signing that, in hindsight, lopsided pokemart deal, that had so infuriated the council.
She didn't regret it, thought it was clever of the boy in fact, and regretted not thinking of it herself, low balling the boy with her own first offer in her own thoughtlessness.
He'd left, and she'd thought that was it. She'd quietly wished him luck even then. He'd do better outside the reach of the superstitious townspeople of Lavender Town, she was sure.
Except when he'd left, he'd just barely followed the instructions laid out for him in his banishment.
He'd made camp about two hours away from Lavender Town, and stayed there. Seemingly content to stay and train his Pokemon without going anywhere.
Once that information began circulating in town, brought in by trainers who'd run in to the boy - the council naturally tasked her with the job of impressing on him that the banishment although technically only from Lavender Town, who's city limits he was not within - it naturally also meant he was supposed to leave the surrounding area.
Jenny wasn't sure what she was even going to say to the boy when she got there. He hadn't broken any laws that she knew of, so no matter what flak might come her way from the town, she couldn't actually force him to go anywhere.
That said, as an experienced woman, she could give the young man some advice, and see him off before he got in real trouble.
The council probably wouldn't put a bounty on a kid, they'd have to get that past the league, and she really didn't think the excuse of - he's creepy - would fly past them. His seeming control over Ghost Pokemon was not enough on its own, not unless he actually did something illegal with it.
That said, if the council made enough of a fuss, Jenny knew there were always unscrupulous people around who'd salivate at the thought of a young lonely man with that kind of potential.
Hence why she hadn't protested too hard when she'd been pressured to go deal with him.
He'd seemed an intelligent young man, for all that she'd been forced to continuously bring him in due to overwhelming witness statements against him in the past. She'd never charged him, how could she? When it was always him with more bruises than skin.
No matter how the others would have a broken nose or split lip, only one of them ever came in as if stomped by a crowd. So she'd given him shelter under the guise of holding him. Giving him medical care, food. A respite.
Even if she'd been forced to act like he was some sort of delinquent, or risk losing the ability to do anything as the town pulled their support.
She let out a huff of air, her tired mien watching the sky as her feet led her forward on the well trodden path, who'd have thought policing was so dependent on the townspeople around you… She snarked mentally.
Eventually she stepped off the path, heading to where he'd been reported to have set up camp, not too far off the road.
As Officer Jenny approached Ezra's encampment, an unnatural chill settled over her. The sun, still high in the sky, seemed to struggle against a sudden, oppressive gloom. A purplish mist swirled around the trees, creeping along the ground and giving the air a spectral quality.
She tightened her grip on Growlithe's fur as she pet him, her loyal companion bristling but ready. "Stay alert, Growlithe," She whispered, her breath visible in the cold, thick air.
The path ahead was obscured, each step into the mist feeling heavier than the last. Jenny's instincts screamed at her to turn back, but duty propelled her forward. The first signs of Ezra's camp came into view shortly thereafter.
As Officer Jenny stepped into Ezra's encampment, the eerie atmosphere intensified. The purplish mist thickened, curling around her ankles like spectral tendrils. The temperature dropped noticeably, her breath puffing out in small, frosty clouds. Growlithe, usually brave, pressed closer to her leg, growling softly at the shadows.
Ezra's camp was nestled in a small clearing, surrounded by gnarled trees whose twisted branches reached out like skeletal hands. The ground was uneven, dotted with old tombstones half-sunken into the earth, remnants of an abandoned graveyard. These stones, weathered and cracked, added to the macabre ambiance, each one bearing inscriptions long faded by time.
Did he purposely pick the creepiest place he could? She wondered, an expression of distaste crossing her face.
The campfire at the center of the clearing cast a weak, flickering light, barely piercing the gloom. At least she could tell it was properly built, so she wouldn't have to give him a citation for that. You'd think with fire Pokemon a thing, humans wouldn't still be the major proponent of forest fires…
Not that she was in the mood for citations or any of that anyway, not with how much she just wanted to walk away right now…
She was suddenly glad the Mayor and the council were all too old to be taking jaunts through the woods, because if they saw this, things would definitely escalate.
League of no league, they'd put a bounty on the kid. Which would cause a headache and a half, because only the worst of the worst got bounties - or the most dangerous Pokemon.
Hovering in the mist were various Ghost Pokemon, their forms ethereal and ever-shifting. Gastly's floated silently, their gaseous bodies pulsing with an eerie light. Haunter's hands detached from its body, clawing at the air playfully yet menacingly. A Misdreavus drifted near a tombstone, its red eyes glowing ominously as it let out a low, mournful wail that sent chills down Jenny's spine.
Ezra himself stood near the fire, his silhouette blending seamlessly with the spectral surroundings. His clothes were dark and slightly worn, and he'd found some sort of leather jacket somewhere, he seemed almost a part of the mist, a ghostly figure among ghosts. His presence, though calm and collected, only added to the macabre scene, as if he were a warden of this haunting domain.
She shook her head, no time to get maudlin, I've lived in Lavender for years, it's just Pokemon.
The oppressive silence was broken only by the occasional whisper of the wind and the distant, eerie cries of the wild Ghost Pokemon. Jenny felt the weight of countless unseen eyes watching her every move, the air thick with an ancient energy that pressed down on her like a physical force.
He is doing this on purpose, she realized, all the danger she felt melting away as she realized he was just being edgy.
"Ezra," she said, her voice barely more than a whisper in the ghostly stillness, "You really need to think about what it is you're doing here, think about what I said before." She wet her lips, trying to find the right words, "You were banished, you can't stay just two hours outside the city… You will attract a lot of attention, they won't leave you alone."
Ezra's eyes met hers, and for a moment, the mist seemed to clear just a bit. "I will think about it, Officer Jenny," he replied with a half smile, sounding amused, his voice carrying an otherworldly echo that sent shivers through her.
Yes, definitely playing it up… Arceus save me from teenagers…
With a final, reluctant nod, Jenny turned and began her journey back, the ghostly encampment fading behind her into the mist. She'd done her duty to the letter. She'd informed him that he needed to move. He'd said he'd think about it.
She wasn't sticking around further than that. He'd move on soon enough or he wouldn't, she'd done her duty.
The town called him creepy. Officer Jenny didn't think anyone could argue with that anymore.
It was just a phase anyway surely, when she'd been a teenager she'd had her own, just not…
That.
Ezra couldn't help but chuckle as Officer Jenny left, glancing at the multitude of Ghost Pokemon that kept hanging around, "She's one of the nice ones, you could have been a little less creepy with her." He admonished, without any heat.
He had found it funny after all. From the haunting laughter that echoed through the mists of his little camp, the Ghost Pokemon agreed.
He hadn't exactly meant to have his camp come across as some sort of forest of the damned. His Pokemon just felt more comfortable around graveyards, so when he found a couple of old gravestones in a clearing, he'd figured why the hell not?
The mist and purplish haze came after, as both the wild Ghost Pokemon, and the ones that enjoyed hanging out in his shadow, spread a sort of miasma from all of them gathering together.
With his already creepy looks, it really didn't make him any more approachable. Not that it upset him. He knew he couldn't stay here forever, and a tent wasn't his idea of the height of luxury either.
Perhaps it was the orphan in him, but he craved the finer things. Which meant money. Which meant he needed flight before anything else.
The good news was that he was an absolute cheat. He'd found that as long as it was an order they didn't mind too much, the ghosts following in his wake, were happy enough to obey.
Not something he could use in actual pokemon battles with other trainers. For trawling through a forest and finding a good pidgey or pidgeotto for him to train? It worked like a charm.
Unlike in a game where each area was based on a level, this was reality. So higher level pokemon could be found the further away from civilization you came. Holding territory, building their own primitive little societies. Two hours away from Lavender like he was?
Chock full of the smaller weaker pokemon like Pidgey, Rattata, Caterpie etc.
The weaker pokemon sought shelter close to humanity where they were less likely to be eaten, while the stronger avoided humans preferring their freedom and territory.
So he'd caught himself a Pidgeotto, one of the more powerful pokemon in the area, hunted down by a bushel of gleeful ghosts.
The problem was that he wasn't exactly a Pokemon whisperer, or at least he thought so. He didn't have any intention of using this Pokemon for anything but a convenient way to fly. So how do you convince a Pokemon to work for you when you can't do the friendship is magic thing?
That's what he had been pondering when Officer Jenny interrupted him, a pokeball laying at his side, holding the aforementioned Pidgeotto.
His Cubone, Haunter and Shuppet were all free from their balls, honing their skills just outside his clearing, where he'd set them each their task.
Did he try to teach them new techniques? Did he try to have them master complex maneuvers? No, of course not.
He had them honing what they had. Accuracy, technique energy expenditure, physical stamina - for as much as that mattered with their types, mostly just Cubone on that one. Once they honed their current skills to a knife point, he'd have them work on compressing them even further, on expanding them, on twisting and crafting something extra out of their respective techniques to surprise their enemies.
Ghost Pokemon were more malleable than most - he was sure he could help them harness their energy in inventive ways. It helped that the idea of messing with people by doing the unexpected, really intrigued his pokemon.
He wasn't one to sit and ponder for too long, so with a sigh, he released the Pokemon held in the pokeball.
Ezra sat down cross-legged on the forest floor, his small campfire casting long shadows around the clearing. The oppressive mist of earlier had lightened now that they didn't have an intruder, giving way to the soft, silvery glow of moonlight filtering through the canopy of the trees. In front of him, released from its pokeball and perched on a low branch, was his newly captured Pidgeotto. Its sharp eyes watched him warily, feathers ruffled in a mix of curiosity and suspicion. It still showed the signs of its not so gentle capture.
It hadn't come quietly. Not at all thrilled by the chase of a dozen ghosts taunting and delighting in the chase, until in the end, they'd grown bored, and the Pidgeotto was finally felled.
"Listen, Pidgeotto," Ezra began, his tone calm and steady, "I know this isn't likely what you expected, and if you ever thought about getting caught it's even further from it. I need you to understand that I'm not like other trainers." He leaned forward gaze intent.
He wouldn't be the type who made best friends with every Pokemon he came across. His team, he had no doubt he'd come to cherish them. This Pidgeotto? It was a tool.
That was simply reality, and he would not hide it, these creatures were intelligent enough that negotiation was preferable before subterfuge.
It was too exhausting to even think about acting anything but himself for that long. Who had time for that? In a second life to boot?
Pidgeotto tilted its head, a skeptical gleam in its eyes. It fluttered its wings slightly, ready to take off at the first sign of trouble. Not that it would do shit all, since he still had the pokeball.
Ezra held up a hand, showing the Pokemon a small bag of berries, their enticing aroma wafting through the air. Stomping through the forest did have some advantages, finding berry bushes was one. "I don't want to make you into a battle pokemon, other than what is needed to evolve you... I captured you because I need a strong flying Pokemon, a partner to help me travel. You see, I have big plans. I want to create a gym, a place where Ghost and Dark Pokemon can thrive, and I need your help to get there."
Not exactly anything in it for the Pidgeotto in that plan, but he was being honest. And of course there would be the carrot…
Pidgeotto eyed the berries, its suspicion giving way to interest. It hopped down from the branch, landing gracefully in front of Ezra.
"These are for you," Ezra said, holding out the bag. "And there's more where that came from. I promise you, if you help me, I'll make sure you get a territory of your own to rule over once my gym is established. A whole forest, filled with as many berries as you can eat and as many nests as you can build. You'll be the master of your domain, free from human interference except my own." He met its eyes, his own serious and intent, "I will make it so."
The Pidgeottos eyes sparkled at the thought. It cawed softly, still unsure but clearly tempted by the offer.
Worst case and it said no, Ezra would actually release it and find another. While he didn't intend to use his flying mount for anything else, he also didn't intend to have a reluctant mount. He needed to be able to rely on them.
Using up one of his slots for a purely flying mount instead of a battler might seem like madness. But no matter what world you were in - money talked.
He was sure once he got enough cash in hand, there were ways to expand the limit.
Ezra leaned in closer, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "You won't have to fight unless you choose to after you've evolved. Just help me, help me travel. Be my eyes in the sky. In return, I'll ensure your safety and your future. You'll have freedom and power, more than any other Pidgeotto could dream of, your own forest protected by my gym."
He placed the bag of berries on the ground between them and leaned back, giving the Pokemon space to make its decision. Pidgeotto stared at Ezra for a moment longer, then cautiously pecked at the berries, savoring the sweet taste.
"Is it a deal?" Ezra asked, his tone hopeful. It would be a pain in the ass to move camp and find another alpha of the weaklings, so to speak.
Pidgeotto looked up, its gaze meeting Ezra's. After a long, tense moment, it gave a sharp nod, a sign of its tentative agreement.
Ezra smiled, relief washing over him. "Thank you. I promise, you won't regret this."
The first hurdle had been passed. One, he could negotiate with Pokemon that weren't Ghost or Dark, that was good to know. Two, he had a way to avoid the whole trawling through woods for the next year bullshit.
Ezra clenched his hands into fists, his red eyes gleaming. "Let's see about getting you that evolution, hmm?" He said, his shadow expanding like a cloak, wafting out behind him, dozens of eyes and smiles lighting up, laughter beginning to echo out into the encampment.
"This forest won't know what hit 'em!"
Ezra stood at the edge of the forest, the moon casting an eerie glow over the landscape. The air was thick with anticipation as he prepared for the night's training. His shadow, cast long by the moonlight, seemed to move with a life of its own. From within that darkness, Ghost Pokemon emerged, their spectral forms tethered to Ezra like a living, ethereal menagerie.
He didn't give a shit how creepy it must look - it was so goddamn cool, he felt like an anime character about to do tragic backstory bullshit.
It was a shame this was one anime world which didn't run on tits as its source code. But one couldn't have it all.
"Alright, everyone," Ezra whispered, his voice carrying an edge of command. "Let's give Pidgeotto the training he needs."
He hoped this worked. Obviously leveling up according to a game couldn't be the exact same thing in reality. But Pidgeotto beating up Pokemon, while intent on growing stronger and evolving, surely would work?
From his shadow, a Gastly floated up, its gaseous form pulsing with a malevolent energy. A Haunter's disembodied hands emerged next, followed by the rest of its sinister figure, its grin wide and menacing. A Misdreavus materialized, its eyes glowing with a spectral light, then another Gastly, two, then another Haunter. The Ghost Pokemon, attached to him by some unseen force, awaited his instructions with a silent, almost eerie eagerness.
His own pokemon came to his side as well, having not spent any time in their pokeballs since being captured. His Cubone sat at his feet as the Shuppet and Haunter hovered around him.
He frowned, eyeing his Pokemon, with so many other Haunters floating around, he really couldn't just keep calling his own that, could he? Food for thought for later, he'd have to name it, or something, give it a designation.
Ezra turned his attention to Pidgeotto, perched on a low branch nearby. "Are you ready?" he asked, because this all hinged on him being able to follow the plan.
Pidgeotto gave a sharp nod, its eyes gleaming with determination. It stretched its wings, preparing for the task ahead. It was going to be carried on a speed run. Hopefully it wouldn't take too much of the experience away.
"Good," Ezra said, a hint of satisfaction in his voice. "Gastly's, Haunters, Misdreavus - let's start." He ordered, before looking down to his own Pokemon, "You guys, take the perimeter, keep them from escaping."
At his command, the Ghost Pokemon dispersed into the forest, their spectral forms blending seamlessly with the shadows. They moved swiftly, their presence unsettling the
Pokemon of the forest. Small Pokemon like Caterpie and Pidgey felt the chill of the Ghosts' approach and began to panic, their instincts driving them into a frenzied flight.
Especially as his ghosts specifically made sure to hunt down and bother them in their nests. Not a very nice thing, but hardly monstrous either, just efficient.
Ezra watched as the first wave of frightened Pokemon bolted from the underbrush, their eyes wide with terror as they were harassed by Ghost pokemon, some of the Dark pokemon that followed him on the fringes, apparently having seen his plot and decided to join in the hunt. An unexpected benefit. "Now, Pidgeotto!" he shouted.
Pidgeotto launched into the air, its powerful wings beating with a swift rhythm. It swooped down upon the fleeing Pokémon, its talons outstretched. The forest became a chaotic scene of panic and pursuit, with Pidgeotto diving and striking at the weakened and exhausted creatures driven into its path by the relentless Ghost Pokemon.
If they tried to flee away from the relentless assault they couldn't fight back against, his own Pokemon pushed them back into the killbox. If they tried to send off a technique, the Ghost or Dark Pokemon cut them off at the knees.
A Rattata, its eyes wide with fear, darted out from a bush, only to be caught by Pidgeotto's swift claws. The bird Pokémon carried it high into the air before releasing it, sending it plummeting back to the ground. The cycle continued, with Pidgeotto methodically targeting and overpowering the frantic forest dwellers, its strength and skill growing with each encounter, or so he pictured it, at least.
There was no difference to be seen, except perhaps in the growing exhaustion of his Pidgeotto. He'd likely have to continue this for more than tonight, but it should work. Hopefully within a few days. This wouldn't be a tactic he could use to create elite level Pokemon, the targets too weak. But to simply evolve a Pidgeotto, a few days of it should be enough.
Ezra watched the scene with a mix of satisfaction and determination. He knew this method was harsh, but it was likely to be effective. Pidgeotto needed to grow stronger, and the best way to do that was through rigorous, relentless training. Or in the defeat of Pokemon, which he hoped was a possibility here.
After all the others didn't really harm any of them, they just terrorized them, leaving the Pidgeotto to do all the damage to knock them out. And if he ate a Caterpie or two… Well Ezra wasn't too fond of bugs anyway.
He really didn't want to spend possibly weeks training his Pidgeotto, he wanted to be gone before Lavender Town did more than grumble. So he could come back later to show them all how wrong they'd been.
And really rub their faces in it.
As the night wore on, the forest became quieter, the Pokemon too frightened to move from their hiding places. Pidgeotto landed back near Ezra, its chest heaving with exertion but its eyes shining with a newfound fierceness.
Ezra approached, offering a handful of berries as a reward. "You did well, Pidgeotto," he said, his voice filled with genuine praise. He might not ever see him as more than a tool, but he wouldn't shy away from rewarding effort. "This is just the beginning. Keep this up, and you'll soon get everything you were promised. Your own domain, protected by my people."
Once he had people… No need to say it could be years yet…
Pidgeotto accepted the berries, eating them gratefully. It was tired but invigorated, its confidence boosted by the successful training session.
Ezra looked at his Ghost Pokemon, still lurking in the shadows, their presence a constant, unnerving reminder of this power of his. "Good work, everyone. Let's give Pidgeotto some rest and prepare for tomorrow. There's still much to do."
He'd have to experiment with his own power. Whatever death aura or whatever that he had, that drew these Pokemon in. Even if never useful in ranked battles. Up against something like Team Rocket? They'd be a trump card that would serve him very well.
The Ghost Pokemon receded back into his shadow, their forms merging seamlessly with the darkness. As Ezra sat by the campfire minutes later, Pidgeotto resting beside him, his other Pokemon back to work training, he felt a sense of grim satisfaction. His plan was working. He was sure of it.
Once Pidgeotto evolved, he'd have all of Kanto at his fingertips.
Next day.
Ezra stood in a secluded part of the forest, the early morning light casting a soft, golden glow through the trees. The air was still and cool, perfect for the precision training he had planned. In front of him floated Shuppet and Haunter, both eager and ready to refine their ghostly abilities.
He couldn't spend all his time on Pidgeotto, he didn't want to accidentally injure him nor risk overworking him - that would defeat the point entirely of what he was doing. And besides, he'd need his team to actually be competent if he wanted to succeed in even gaining his start-up capital.
"Alright, Shuppet, Haunter," Ezra began, his voice calm but firm, "Today's training is all about control and accuracy. It's not enough to have powerful moves; you need to be able to direct them precisely. Let's start with the compression exercises I had you guys practice these last few days."
And boy had it been a fun game of charades to figure out some of their move pools, he needed a frigging pokedex pronto. Although they were around, and in use pre-Ash apparently here - they were also expensive, and only the richest or well sponsored trainers could afford one.
Shuppet hovered closer, its cloth-like body undulating slightly. Haunter, with its disembodied hands and mischievous grin, followed suit. Ezra could see the anticipation in their ghostly eyes.
He had no idea if it was because of their connection or if he was actually bonding with them, but none of his pokemon had so far backed down from any of the training.
"Shuppet, I want you to compress your Dark Pulse attack into a tight beam. Imagine it as a needle, sharp and focused. Haunter, you'll do the same with your Shadow Ball. Smaller, more controlled. Ready?"
All three of his pokemon had a decently large and versatile move pool already, making him suspect he hadn't been approached by any rookie pokemon here. Dark Pulse he imagined must have been a technical machine technique for Shuppet, as he didn't remember it being part of its move pool.
Both Pokemon nodded, their forms shimmering with latent energy. They'd been training for twelve hours minimum a day, just getting used to manipulating their energy further and in new ways, Shuppet having the harder time of it as it's chosen technique to play with was a dark type move.
What he'd learned of Pokemon battles in school since arriving here… The vast majority of trainers had absolutely no innovation, only treading already worn ground.
Same with breeders and everyone really. It was the reason why no one had discovered how to evolve Milotic from Feebas, people just did what their forefathers always did.
The ones that didn't?
Well that was your top 1 percenters right there.
Although perhaps it was more like five percenters, the Ace trainers weren't your average idiots.
Ezra took a step back, giving his Pokemon some space. "On my count. One... Two... Three!"
Shuppet's eyes glowed with a dark light as it concentrated, a thin beam of shadowy dark energy forming in front of it with a vicious aura to it. Haunter's grin widened as it summoned a small, dense Shadow Ball, its size reduced but its power more concentrated.
"Hold it... Hold it..." Ezra instructed, watching as both Pokemon strained to maintain their focus. "Now, release!"
The compressed attacks shot forward, Shuppet's Dark Pulse beam slicing through the air with laser-like precision, while Haunter's compact Shadow Ball rocketed forward, both dissipating harmlessly into the sky. Ezra smiled, pleased with their progress.
Sure, at five seconds to form, it was almost useless in most fights, but when they'd started getting the hang of it, the time had been 15 seconds. He was confident they'd be able to get it further down. Which would mean their hits would pack a much heavier punch, necessitating less of them needing to hit the target to incapacitate their opponents.
"Excellent! Now, let's work on your accuracy with it." He reached down and picked up a handful of pinecones, holding them in his hand. "I'm going to toss one of these each in the air. I want you to hit each target as quickly and accurately as possible. Shuppet, you'll use your Dark Pulse. Haunter, stick with Shadow Ball."
Ezra took a deep breath and tossed a pinecone high into the air in front of Shuppet. "Now!" He shouted, even as he used his other hand to throw another one for Haunter.
Shuppet's eyes flashed as it fired a precise beam of its Dark Pulse, the malevolent aura resonating with Ezra, feeling almost homely, the attack managed to strike the pinecone and reduce it to splinters before it hit the ground - on his first try. Ezra noticed that Haunter's Shadow Ball obliterated its own target mid-air, the fragments scattering in all directions as well, also on the first try.
"Great job! Again!" Ezra encouraged, his voice filled with cheer. Inwardly he clocked it as another sign these pokemon had belonged to someone and had been trained.
Just don't let it be my body's former owner, I'm already playing into the creep factor enough as is…
He continued to toss the targets, each time faster and in more unpredictable patterns. Shuppet and Haunter responded with supreme confidence, their attacks becoming more accurate and controlled with each attempt. Shuppet's Dark Pulse beams became razor-thin and deadly precise, while Haunter's Shadow Balls, though smaller, packed a powerful punch and hit their marks unerringly.
They'd managed to shave a quarter of a second or so off compressing their techniques too. Just by being pushed to go faster, each of his throws slowly being tossed out faster to pressure them.
"Keep it up!" Ezra called out, throwing multiple targets at once. Shuppet and Haunter didn't miss a beat, their ghostly forms moving with fluid grace as they dispatched two pinecones each with pinpoint accuracy, although to be fair they were grouped together - two more falling to the ground. They both glared at the offending pinecones.
After several more rounds, Ezra finally called for a halt. "Alright, that's enough for now. You both did amazing."
Shuppet and Haunter hovered closer, their ghostly energies still shimmering from the exertion. Ezra reached out and patted them gently, a proud smile on his face. It felt cold but not unpleasantly so, to touch them.
"You're getting stronger and more precise every day," He said, his voice filled with genuine praise. "With control like this, you'll be able to take on any challenge that comes our way."
Shuppet let out a soft, ethereal cry of delight, while Haunter's grin somehow managed to widen even further.
"Take a fifteen minute break, then try and get that compression down to three seconds, alright?" He told them, walking off, smiling softly as one of the Haunters haunting his shadow, lightly pulled on his hair just to get attention.
Ezra wandered into the nearby clearing, where Cubone stood, its distinctive skull helmet catching the early morning light. Despite not being a Ghost Pokemon, Cubone had always been a special case in his mind, and he'd once had it on his team playing the games. It had connotations of death and loss, and if Ezra didn't misremember, evolving a Cubone at night could result in it becoming a Fire/Ghost Marowak - a perfect fit for his ghostly team.
And if he failed. Well, he'd always wanted an Arceusdamned Cubone, so he'd be fine either way.
Cubone had followed Ezra just as the Ghost and Dark Pokémon had, volunteering to be part of his team even. Its affinity for ghostly phenomena, or perhaps just death itself, made it a promising candidate for Ezra's evolving plans. He saw this as a good omen for its eventual transformation.
Obviously Cubone was already attuned to ghostly energies, or it wouldn't have so easily sought him out.
Ezra approached Cubone with a thoughtful smile. "Alright, Cubone, it's time for your training."
Cubone looked up at him with determined eyes, gripping its bone club tightly. Ezra had decided to go a bit unconventional with Cubone's training - or if he had to be honest - he'd gone entirely left field. It had a tail even if it wasn't much of one, and he was determined to teach it Iron Tail. If it could channel the energy into its tail, perhaps it could eventually do the same with its club, making it a formidable weapon.
It would also surprise the shit out of people for a while, which was just a bonus.
"Let's start with speed and hitting power," Ezra said, picking up a few sturdy logs he'd gathered earlier. "Cubone, I want you to use your club to hit these logs as hard and as fast as you can. Imagine your tail and club becoming as hard as steel."
Cubone was pretty fast, something he was eager to take advantage of, continuing to focus on speed, and of course hitting power was important, as Cubone was a more physical fighter than the others.
Cubone nodded, its resolve clear. It took a deep breath, then swung its club at the first log with a mighty crack, splintering it into pieces. Without missing a beat, Cubone moved to the next log, its swings becoming more forceful and rapid. It's cry heard through the forest as it cried out its victory over the dastardly logs.
"Good, Cubone! Keep it up!" Ezra encouraged, watching the Pokemon's determination with a calculating gaze, he'd lucked out it seemed, his pokemon all having a burning determination. Each swing was stronger than the last as the Cubone just kept speeding up, the sound of wood cracking echoing through the clearing.
After several rounds, Ezra decided it was time to focus on the essence of steel. He knelt down beside Cubone, placing a hand on its tiny shoulder, the little guy almost jumping in shock, letting out a quiet, "Cu?"
"You're doing great, Cubone. Now, let's work on feeling that steely energy. Imagine your tail and your club becoming as hard as metal, unyielding and powerful."
They'd been working on it for days, but seen no progress, probably because it wasn't a natural evolution of technique for Cubone, with a dash of him having had a hard time explaining how the technique worked based on memory.
Cubone closed its eyes, concentrating deeply. Ezra could see the effort etched on its face as it tried to visualize the transformation. He knew this part of the training was challenging, but he had faith in Cubone's perseverance.
It had tons of guts and determination, so everything else would come. Everything else could be taught. You couldn't teach this kind of guts, so starting out with that was already a win in his books.
To help, Ezra began to explain, trying to be more specific than his perhaps too lax explanation previously, "Think about what it means to be steel, Cubone. Strong, resilient, and enduring. Steel doesn't bend easily. It doesn't break. Picture that in your mind."
Cubone's eyes snapped open, a newfound intensity in its gaze. It swung its tail experimentally, and though there was no visible change, Ezra sensed the shift in Cubone's mindset. The grip it had around its club strained as its muscles tensed as it tried to picture steel.
"Alright," Ezra said, standing back up. "Let's try Iron Tail again. Imagine your tail becoming hard as steel and strike." He said, gaze intent on his Pokemon, "You are hard, unbending, everything breaks against your enduring strength. Focus on your tail, focus on steel."
Cubone focused, its tail actually glowing faintly for just a second - with an energy that Ezra hoped would soon become a full Iron Tail. With a fierce cry, Cubone swung its tail at a log by swinging its entire body. The impact was stronger this time, leaving a deeper mark on the wood. It wasn't Iron Tail, by any metric, but he liked to imagine that glow meant it was on its way. The goal was possible.
"That's it, Cubone! You're getting there!" Ezra cheered, his excitement palpable. His cheer also cheered up Cubone, who went back to training with newfound belief.
As the sun climbed higher, nearing the noon mark, marking the end of their training session for now, Ezra knelt beside Cubone once more. "You've made incredible progress today. Keep this up, and we'll unlock your full potential." He smirked wickedly, "People aren't going to expect you at all. It will be glorious."
Cubone looked up at him, its eyes gleaming with a fierce determination. Ezra patted its head gently. "Rest for now. We'll continue this tomorrow."
He could have forced more training today, but with Pidgeotto's gauntlet later, he didn't want his Pokemon too exhausted.
Although he still felt suspicious of his circumstances, because either he was the best trainer ever - or his pokemon were scarily intuitive - or they had previous training.
He didn't want to kid himself on the best trainer thing. He had faith in himself, but not… Iron Tail for a Cubone in just a few days faith.
That was…
Well…
It would all work out in the end.
An hour later,
Ezra was sitting by his campfire, meticulously cleaning his belongings, and contemplating the progress his team had made. The early afternoon sun filtered through the trees, casting shadows across his camp. His Ghost Pokemon floated nearby, occasionally disappearing into the shadows, their presence a constant reminder of his unique bond with them.
He couldn't wait to start experimenting with that when he had his team situated better. Couldn't Agatha like… Do weird ghost shit? He wanted to do weird ghost shit.
He'd do all the weird ghost shit. It would be glorious.
Suddenly, a rustling in the underbrush caught his attention. He looked up to see a young almost adult trainer, maybe a year or two older than him, emerging from the forest. The trainer was tall and muscular, wearing a tank top and shorts, exuding a carefree and confident demeanor. He had a friendly smile on his face, seemingly unfazed by the eerie atmosphere of Ezra's camp.
Which was a first. The first person that had first run into his camp - and likely the one that whined to Officer Jenny - pissed themselves when they ran into his little camp. Apparently not appreciative of the ambiance.
"Hey there!" The trainer called out, waving excitedly. "I saw your camp from a distance, what with all the darkness and smoke and such, and thought I'd come over. Are you up for a Pokemon battle?" He asked, looking utterly cheerful.
Evolution must have gone differently for humanity in a world of pokemon, Ezra would not have run towards smoke and darkness back in his old life. Probably wouldn't do it now either, for that matter.
Ezra looked at the other trainer in some surprise at the offer. He hadn't expected anyone to approach him out here, let alone challenge him to a battle. His heart raced with a mix of excitement and nervousness. This would be his first real Pokemon battle against another trainer. He was older too, so probably experienced.
No, don't be nervous! Just kick ass! He psyched himself up mentally.
"Uh, sure! I'm Ezra," he said, standing up and introducing himself, trying to sound casual.
"Nice to meet you, Ezra. I'm Barney," the trainer replied, flashing a laid-back grin. "I've been traveling around, looking for strong trainers to battle. Your camp caught my eye. Pretty cool setup you've got here." He looked with interest at the surroundings, not batting an eye at the pokemon making malevolent little noises at him from the shadows.
Ezra couldn't help but smile at Barney's nonchalant attitude. Most people would be unnerved by his ghostly companions and the overall creepiness of his camp, but Barney seemed completely unfazed. After having so much of Lavender Town freak out just from his appearance, let alone his newfound ability. It was refreshing to run into someone who just didn't care about any of it.
He would still kick his ass of course, he had a reputation to build. But it was still nice to know not everyone was going to be an ass to him from the start.
Now if they were an ass to him after he was going to totally be an ass to most of them, then that was fair.
He just heavily disliked people who judged someone ahead of time, based on nonsense like skin or some shit.
"Thanks. My Pokemon and I have been training hard. Let's do this," Ezra said, feeling a surge of confidence. With what they'd been doing, surely they'd do alright, he could only see two pokeballs on the other trainer's belt.
He was probably just out for a stroll then, or left the rest at the pokecenter. Almost an adult, he must have more than two Pokemon.
Barney pulled out a pokeball and tossed it into the air. "Alright, let's get this party started! Go, Machop!"
In a flash of light, a muscular Machop appeared, flexing its arms and ready for battle. Barney began flexing, making grunting noises for some reason - the Machop matching his flexing expertly. Leaving Ezra slightly nonplussed for a moment.
A Haunter slipped out of his shadow trying to flex its hands, letting out a mournful little wail when it didn't get the same effect. Ezra patted it on the head, sweat dropping as Barney and Machop clasped hands, stomping the ground in some weird pre game ritual, all the while continuing to grunt.
Ezra quickly considered his options while they… Did whatever that was. He decided to start with Shuppet, who hovered eagerly by his side anyway, ready for battle.
"Shuppet, you're up!" Ezra called, letting Barney know he was ready.
His Shuppet floated forward, letting loose a menacing aura as it faced Machop. Barney raised an eyebrow, but maintained his easy going demeanor.
"Cool, a Shuppet! This is gonna be fun. Machop, let's kick things off with Karate Chop!" Barney commanded.
Ezra had wondered if the cheerful facade hid an idiot, when he'd revealed a Machop to fight what was obviously a Ghost trainer, he'd figured he had learned some more effective moves or something.
Not… This.
Machop charged forward, its hand glowing with fighting energy - totally useless against Ghost types. Ezra reacted swiftly enough anyway. Even if it was ineffective, his pokemon needed to get used to dodging attacks anyway, "Shuppet, dodge with Shadow Sneak and use Confuse Ray!"
Might as well get practice in, if this guy was seriously just going to throw fighting moves against him. He'd expected at least a thunder punch or something.
Maybe he was just getting started?
Shuppet phased out of Machop's path, reappearing behind it in its shadow, and releasing a beam of dark energy. Machop stumbled, clearly affected by the ghostly attack but quickly regained its footing.
Damn, Confuse Ray didn't take, oh well…
"Nice move! Machop, use Low Sweep!" Barney shouted, punching the air excitedly.
Low sweep? Against a floating ghost? What is this guy, who's the rookie here? Am I… Beating up a special needs dude?
Machop aimed a swift low kick at Shuppet, but it just floated just out of reach even without any orders. Ezra took the opportunity to press the advantage, the Machop in a bad position right beneath Shuppet.
"Shuppet, hit it with Dark Pulse!" he ordered, a wicked smile on his face, his pulse quickening. Despite the ease of the battle, this was fun!
Shuppet naturally went with the compressed version, and against a faster pokemon it would have taken too long at 3 seconds now - but the Machop hadn't moved quickly, and Barney hadn't given it another order yet, so Shuppet managed to launch it at Machop without the Pokemon dodging out of the way, the Machop standing in place seemingly bulking up.
The attack struck Machop directly, knocking it back with significant force, slamming it into the ground. Barney's smile never wavered even then.
Normally Dark Pulse and it's debilitating aura was widespread and could even hit several pokemon at once - but compressed, it visibly brought the Machop to the edge of fainting when it brought it low.
Whatever the Machop had been trying to do, dissipated with the strong strike. bulk up? Ezra thought, Most likely, but without any orders…
This trainer was confusing him. Had he trained his pokemon to work independently, or was he just so bad the pokemon chose on its own?
"Wow, your Shuppet is strong! But we're not done yet. Machop, get up and use Seismic Toss!" Barney said encouragingly.
Machop got to its feet, determined despite the damage it had taken. Seismic Toss was finally an attack that could actually hit Ezra's pokemon - so obviously he wasn't going to just sit around and let him do it.
"Shuppet, Night Shade!" he commanded.
Shuppet's eyes glowed with an eerie light, and Machop's movements slowed as it succumbed to the nightmarish mirage, taking damage before it could begin its own attack. Within moments, Machop was unconscious on the ground.
Barney laughed good-naturedly. "Looks like I'm outmatched this time. Great job, Ezra! Your Shuppet is amazing."
Ezra couldn't help but feel like it had all been too easy. Still, he could be polite at least. "Thanks, Barney. Your Machop put up… An adequate fight for what he was facing, but are you sure we are done? You still have another pokemon, right?"
He couldn't help but be perturbed by this entire encounter, his Shuppet bumping into his head for pets, which he absentmindedly delivered.
Barney recalled Machop and walked over to shake Ezra's hand, and to give him his winnings, something Ezra had forgotten about. 200 pokedollars wasn't a fortune, but every little bit helped. "Thanks for the battle, man. Keep training hard. You've got something special here, you totally wasted me, man." He said happily.
Well… You did walk into a ghostly encampment with only a fighting Pokemon…
Ezra shook Barney's hand mentally shaking his head, feeling a newfound sense of relief. Because now he knew that no matter what, he wouldn't embarrass himself totally on the circuit, not if people like this were around. "I will, thanks for the battle, Barney. Safe travels."
With a final wave, Barney turned and headed back out of the forest, leaving Ezra to reflect on his first successful Pokemon battle.
Maybe this all won't be as hard as I'd thought… He mused.
That night, as the moon hung high and the forest was shrouded in darkness, Ezra prepared for another training session with Pidgeotto. The air was cool and still, perfect for honing the bird pokemon's skills. His Ghost Pokemon flitted about in the shadows, ready to assist in driving the local Pokemon into Pidgeotto's path.
Ezra stepped carefully through the forest, his eyes adjusting to the dim light. Pidgeotto perched on his shoulder, its feathers ruffled slightly in anticipation. He reached the edge of a clearing and was about to set his Pokemon in motion, when something caught his eye.
Lying in the clearing was a figure, motionless and pale in the moonlight. Ezra's heart skipped a beat as he approached, the scene becoming clearer with each step. The figure was a person, unmistakably dead, with a Pokedex lying beside them. No pokeballs were visible, and the area around the body looked like someone had definitely gotten up close and personal.
Odd to leave the pokedex behind though. It wouldn't be that hard to wipe it and re-register it.
Ezra knelt beside the corpse, his eyes narrowing in thought. This could be the work of poachers or even Team Rocket, he reasoned. Whoever it was, they had left no trace of their Pokemon, only this lifeless body and the abandoned Pokedex.
Considering the pokeballs were gone, and since this kid had a pokedex she was definitely a trainer - she'd been jumped for her Pokemon - with the state the body was in, it wasn't that long ago either. She might not even be declared MIA yet.
Honestly he'd suspect poachers after a particular Pokemon personally - unlucky girl probably had something rare. Team Rocket, even if they were as obsessed about capturing other people's Pokemon as in the source material - were a criminal organization and therefore surely knew how to wipe a pokedex. They were worth enough money they wouldn't have left it behind.
Unashamedly, he picked up the Pokedex and examined it. It was a standard model, nothing particularly special about it, but it could contain valuable information. With a quick swipe, he powered it on and scanned through the entries. It might help identify the victim or even give clues about what had happened.
From… Celadon, Ah, there it is, how on earth does a rookie have a ninetales? Or had, I guess. Legacy Pokemon? Either way, got you killed girl, he thought, scrolling through the pokedex, finding nothing else substantial.
Without compunction, he did a complete reset, wiping everything off the pokedex, and then sat down on a nearby rock, going through the set up stages, registering himself as the owner through his training license ID. He wasn't going to turn down a free pokedex, and besides, it wouldn't do the girl any good now.
Finishing, Ezra sighed, and took a deep breath, scrolling through until he hit the pokenet page for the Lavender Town police department. It was time to report this to Officer Jenny. He dialed the number and waited, the dial tone echoing in the stillness of the night. After a few dozen rings, a familiar voice answered, sounding sleepy.
You know… I know they have other members on the force, but why is it only her dealing with things with the public? He wondered.
"Officer Jenny here," came the professional yet tired and concerned voice from the other end.
"Officer Jenny, it's Ezra," He said, trying to not sound too apathetic, it probably wouldn't be a good look, "I'm in the forest, about two hours out from Lavender Town, fifteen minutes west of my camp. I've found a dead body. There's no sign of any pokeballs or pokedex, so not sure if it's a trainer, but she's definitely dead." He eyed the deep rend through her torso, obviously the product of a Pokemon attack, "Very dead." He added.
There was a pause, then a note of urgency in her voice. "Ezra, can you give me your exact location? I'll come out there right away. Don't touch anything else until I arrive." She said rapidly, the sounds of ruffling clothes, and quiet cursing, coming through the phone call.
Had he known she'd be in bed already, he'd have placed a video call instead… Would he get arrested if he asked what she was wearing?
Probably, right?
Ezra quickly described his location as best as he could, giving landmarks and directions, even if his original explanation was enough, in his opinion, "I'll wait here for you," He added, glancing around the eerie clearing with annoyance, because this did slow down his training. "Be careful on your way." He added as an afterthought.
"I will. Stay put and keep an eye out for anything unusual. I'll be there as soon as I can," Jenny replied, her tone brisk and efficient. The barking of her Growlithe echoing through the line.
The call ended, leaving Ezra alone with the body and his thoughts. He looked at Pidgeotto, who seemed uneasy, and gave it a reassuring pat. "Looks like training will have to wait," he murmured.
His Shuppet and Haunter hovered next to him, almost seeming to hang protectively around him, which he appreciated. His Cubone was in its pokeball, having overworked itself behind his back when he was fighting Barney.
With a thought, the pokemon living in his shadow spread out, like a wave, checking the surroundings. Never hurt to be too careful - next time he should probably do that first. Before kneeling down next to the obviously murdered person.
He stood up, scanning the area himself for any signs of movement as his posse? Yeah, his Ghostly posse, had a look around the forest. The forest was eerily silent, the usual night sounds conspicuously absent. Ezra felt a chill run down his spine, but he pushed it aside.
It made sense, he'd been running the wild Pokemon ragged, they were probably all hiding, or had left the area to avoid him. That's why it was so silent.
The forest remained shrouded in an oppressive silence as Ezra waited for Officer Jenny to arrive. His Ghost Pokemon floated around him, their spectral forms flickering in and out of the shadows, providing some company in the stillness of the night. Pidgeotto perched uneasily on a low branch, its eyes darting around, reflecting the tension in the air.
Whether the Pokemon knew something was dangerous due to his own feelings, or because they recognized it on their own - he couldn't tell, but either way they were all prepared for action if anything happened.
Finally, the distant sound of rustling and the soft glow of a flashlight pierced the darkness. Officer Jenny emerged, her Growlithe by her side, the canine's nose twitching as it sniffed the air for any clues. Jenny's expression was grim, her eyes reflecting the urgency and sorrow of the situation.
"Ezra," She called, her voice breaking the silence. "I'm here."
Ezra raised a hand in acknowledgment, stepping away from the body to give her space. "Took you long enough," He muttered under his breath, though not loud enough for her to hear. He just wanted this over with.
Now more than ever he needed Pidgeotto to evolve, this area was obviously not as safe as he'd thought.
Jenny approached the body, her flashlight illuminating the scene. She knelt down beside the lifeless form, her face tightening with a mix of sadness and professionalism. Growlithe stood guard, its senses on high alert.
"This is terrible," Jenny murmured, more to herself than to Ezra. She carefully examined the corpse, noting the deep rend in the torso. "Looks like a Pokemon attack, but this was no wild encounter. She was definitely ambushed." She mused out loud, looking around the clearing, spotting things he hadn't apparently.
But then he wasn't a cop, nor did he have any kind of forensic training.
He wondered if she usually spoke about these things with random kids nearby. Then again, when they were trainers… Probably. The league was kind of weird with that, a training license suddenly making you ready for anything.
Ezra watched her continued work with mild disinterest, his thoughts already drifting back to his interrupted training session. "Yeah, I figured as much, just as I reported. No pokeballs or pokedex around either, so someone probably took them. Poachers or Team Rocket, maybe."
Jenny watched him carefully in the dark clearing, "I notice you have a pokedex suddenly, it's what you used to call me, right?' she asked, carefully.
Ezra cocked his head, "Was there a question in there somewhere?" He asked, purposefully being obtrusive. If he suddenly became all helpful and friendly, she'd notice and think he was lying.
Although she probably wouldn't believe him no matter what. Which was fine - as long as she didn't have anything to actually go on.
"Did you steal the girl's pokedex and use it to call me?" Jenny asked point blank, eyes hard.
Ezra scoffed, crossing his arms, ominous noises, cackling and hissing - coming from around him as the Pokemon under his aegis made their own opinion known. "That's the thanks I get for calling this in, huh? Shoulda just left her, figures, tch."
Seeing her continued staredown, he rolled his eyes, "Had a couple trainers come through, they sold me one of their old ones, I let them capture one of the Haunters that hang around me in exchange."
Jenny nodded slowly, and he wasn't sure if she believed him, but she'd probably be asking all newcomers to Lavender Town about it soon enough, "I see… My apologies." She offered, apologizing for her suspicions.
"So Team Rocket or poachers, huh? That's gotta suck." Ezra said, wanting to move things along. Not having any intention to stand around a body all night.
Jenny nodded, her expression hardening. "It's likely. This area isn't known for high crime, but poachers and criminals like Team Rocket are always a possibility." She glanced up at Ezra, her eyes piercing. "You did the right thing by calling me." She added, a note of apology in her tone, for her previous line of questioning.
Ezra shrugged, not particularly moved by her praise - especially suspecting she didn't believe him, "Just wanted to get it over with."
Jenny sighed, standing up and dusting off her hands. "I know you're not one for rules, Ezra, but this is serious. You can't stay in this area anymore. It's too dangerous, and now there's been a murder. If word gets out, it'll draw more attention, and not the good kind."
Ezra frowned, crossing his arms. "I haven't broken any laws. I'm not in Lavender Town's limits." He reiterated, not willing to tell her he'd already planned to leave since the second he found the body.
He didn't want to come across as too cooperative here, not with all the shit the police department put him through.
"I understand that," Jenny replied, her tone softening. "But it's not just about the laws. It's about safety. For you and for others. This place isn't safe right now, and I don't want to see you get hurt."
Ezra rolled his eyes. "I'm not afraid of a few poachers or Team Rocket grunts. I can handle myself." I hope…
Now that he had a pokedex he could start doing some research. He had no idea how bad they actually were in this world.
Jenny stepped closer, her expression earnest. "This isn't just about you handling yourself, Ezra. This is about preventing more harm. If they come back and find you here, alone... it won't end well. Please, listen to me."
Ezra glanced at the body again, faking a look of discomfort, dialing down on his bravado, letting her believe she'd slowly convinced him. Reluctantly, he nodded. "Fine. I'll move camp tomorrow." He allowed.
If I can get Pidgeotto evolved tonight, I'll just leave…
"Thank you," Jenny said, genuine relief in her voice. "I'll make sure this area is thoroughly investigated. In the meantime, please stay safe and keep a low profile."
Ezra sighed, turning away. "Yeah, sure. Whatever."
He'd hit his limit on being told what to do. Heh, he was a teenager again, so it was only proper for him to act this way.
He could really go for a damn drink though… Could a Ghost pokemon steal alcohol?
Or would a trainer's license even extend that far? Proooobably not, he thought. For police work? Or fighting gods or terrorists, sure. But no drinking, that's the limit.
As Officer Jenny and her Growlithe began to secure the scene, Ezra walked back towards his camp, his pokemon trailing behind him.
Early morning,
"Fuck you world!" A holler called out across the sky, a Pidgeot taking to the sky, a trainer whooping in joy aboard it.
Lavender Town got its wish.
Ezra Kassian was out.
But he'd be back, oh would he ever be back…
Author's note:
So the set up is done, he'll basically starts his own journey now, the ultimate goal money, with a tad of respect and reputation there as well.
He'll do the circuit whenever he feels like hitting a gym, but his main goal is to train his Pokemon and get money at the moment.
This story probably won't be updated more then like a chapter every two months or so, unless patrons want it and vote for it, but I'll keep working away at it either way, whenever I actually finish a story I'll get more time.
With how I do pacing… That might be 2065.
Cheers
Chapter 3: Orange Islands.
JollyHippopotamus
Not too sore, are you?
- Joined
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Here's chapter 3: Orange islands.
Here's chapter 3, it didn't win on Patron, but I was in the mood for it and wrote another chapter anyway. So it's basically just a bonus!
We'll have some more plans revealed, a visit from a cranky old lady, and a frustrated teenage girl who'll hate Ezra a lot for absolutely no fault of his. Technically.
Also, don't drink and Pokemon, people.
As usual, I do not own Pokemon or the associated companies that deliver material from it. I'm just playing in the kiddy pool, don't hurt me.
Enjoy!
Lavender Town lay shrouded in its usual mist, the eerie silence broken only by the occasional whisper of the wind through the ancient trees and the mournful cries of the Ghost Pokemon that lingered there. Today, the air was heavier, charged with an unfamiliar tension.
From the path leading from the Pokemon Tower, a figure emerged, cloaked in shadows despite the midday sun. Agatha, one of the Elite Four, moved with a grace that belied her years, her eyes sharp and piercing beneath the brim of her wide hat. Her presence commanded respect and fear, her very aura seeming to draw the darkness around her like a shroud.
Followed by her apprentice, she swept out of the tower, the sheer disgust emanating from her scaring off anyone who'd usually try to gain an autograph or a picture.
Not that many were usually that daring in the first place. Agatha had a reputation. One she had cultivated specifically to not have to waste time with mouth breathing ignoramuses.
She had come to Lavender Town for answers, summoned by the disturbing reports she had received once the mystics in the tower had clued in due to rumors around town. As she approached the town hall, the air around her grew colder, the Ghost Pokemon that followed in her wake adding to the chill. Her displeasure was palpable, a dark cloud that seemed to hover just above the ground. Her apprentice slowed down, getting some distance between them, shivering in the chill.
She'd have to make sure to train the child in colder environments if such a little thing bothered her, she mentally cataloged.
The town hall was an old, stately building, its weathered facade a testament to the many generations it had served. Agatha pushed open the heavy wooden doors with a force that belied her frail appearance, slamming them into the wall, announcing her appearance, her eyes narrowing as she stepped into the dimly lit interior. The elders and the Mayor were already assembled, their faces pale with apprehension as they awaited her arrival.
The fools should have known better, they should have certainly had the wits to contact her, to make a decision - instead of foolishly believing they knew what they were doing. Like these wastrels had even touched a Pokeball in decades…
Agatha's presence filled the room like a storm cloud as she slowly walked forward. She fixed the Mayor with a cold, penetrating gaze, her lips curling into a thin, displeased line. "Why," She began, her voice low and dripping with controlled fury, "Was I not informed about this boy with ghost energy?" She queried, "Why did you fools conspire to hide it from my vision? Know your place!" She punctuated her hissed final statement by loudly tapping her cane on the hardwood floor, the thud having a finality to it.
Like judgment had been passed.
The Mayor, a portly man with a nervous twitch, wrung his hands together, sweat beading on his forehead. "Lady Agatha, we -"
"Silence!" Agatha's voice cracked like a whip, cutting off his feeble attempt at an explanation. "You had a boy in your midst, gifted with a connection to Ghost Pokemon, and you thought it best to handle it yourselves? Without consulting me?" She sneered, absolutely disgusted.
When she'd heard, she'd had a moment of elation and interest, the boy's circumstances drawing some parallels with her own ages ago - she'd never run into anyone with her affinity for ghosts, and to not have to train for it - just have it naturally? She'd immediately drawn up an apprenticeship in her mind - until she'd read that the feckless idiots had banished the boy.
They had reacted to his amazing gift with scorn. A boy capable of controlling Pokemon without first obtaining them through the Pokeball system, and they'd reached with hate, instead of grasping the golden opportunity with both arms. Fools! Idiots, Fools! She thought having to hold herself back, lest her shadow would lash out and smite the moronic mouth breathers that infested her town.
Her position in the Elite Four was worth too much to allow herself that pleasure however, so she subsided. Slightly.
The elders shifted uncomfortably, exchanging glances but saying nothing. Agatha's gaze swept over them, her eyes like cold, dark embers. "You are all fools. Superstitious fools who let your ignorance guide your actions." She declared.
One of the elders, an old woman with a wrinkled face and trembling hands, dared to speak. "We thought it best for the town, Lady Agatha. The boy… He was unsettling, those red eyes… He was as much a ghost as the Pokemon. The Ghost Pokemon flocked to him, and -"
"And you exiled him." Agatha's voice was now dangerously soft, a sharp contrast to the fury in her eyes. "You sent him away without understanding his potential, without seeking my counsel. Do you have any idea what you might have lost?" She shook her head, the talismans woven into her hair jingling, "This is Lavender, you should be proud of your heritage, you useless fossils!"
Her apprentice coughed quietly in amusement at her calling someone else a fossil, and her face grew positively vicious as she imagined the tasks she'd put her through for thinking such about a finely aged woman as herself.
Had she made her dig holes and fill them yet? Hmm, she thought, yes she had. Well, she'd come up with something sufficiently unpleasant. It wouldn't do to have her apprentice get lazy and fat.
Meanwhile the old woman recoiled as if struck, her face paling further. "We - " She tried to bluster. The other members were at least wise enough to keep their useless flapping jaws shut in front of her.
"You did not think," Agatha interrupted, her tone icy. "You acted out of fear and ignorance, and now you will face the consequences of your actions." Behind her, the shadows deepened across the walls, leering ghosts smiling at the gathered council, the shadows reaching across like overly long thin fingers, cackling heard as it reached for the councilors.
She inwardly smiled as one of the councilors voided his bladder. She still had it.
She raised a hand like she was about to strike them down, the council all white faced, and then a set of papers materialized in her hand, delivered by one of her ghosts. "The League will be sanctioning all members of the council, all Pokemon related issues will henceforth go entirely through the mystics of the Pokemon tower."
People loyal to her. The paperwork had been easy to get for that. The League did not like someone like this boy running around unattached, not with the kind of power he could potentially let loose.
The Champion had been as angry as Agatha, even as he barely fulfilled his duties, training for his upcoming challenger. The idea that such a natural Pokemon tamer slipped out of their hands due to such incompetence… She could probably spank one or two of these fools and get away with it…
They would hardly kidnap the boy, the League didn't have any legal right to him. Yet like her, they were not impressed, as without the council's interference - they could have had him under their thumb, under Agatha's guidance.
Without authority over Pokemon issues, the council and the Mayor would become entirely toothless, dealing with minor bureaucracy matters entirely. She felt it was a fitting punishment - nothing was worse than bureaucracy. That's why she had an apprentice in the first place, so she could do all the useless nonsense instead of Agatha and leave her the important bits.
The Mayor tried again, his voice shaking. "Lady Agatha, please. We didn't mean any harm. We thought - "
"You thought wrong," Agatha snapped. She turned her back on them, her cloak swirling around her like a dark specter. "I will find this boy. I will see for myself what you have cast out. And if he is as gifted as the reports suggest, you better pray he is amenable to joining the League, or your position will become untenable to say the least…"
The room fell silent, the weight of her words hanging heavily in the air. Agatha moved toward the door, her movements fluid and deliberate. As she reached the threshold, she paused, turning her head slightly to fix them with one last, withering glance.
"Pray that he is unharmed and not already caught by undesirable elements. Pray that your foolishness has not cost us a valuable ally. If it has, Lavender Town's council will not soon forget the wrath of the Ghost Mistress."
With that, she swept out of the town hall, the doors slamming shut behind her with a finality that echoed through the empty corridors. The Mayor and the elders sat in stunned silence, the gravity of their actions sinking in with a chilling clarity.
Agatha made her way back through the mist-shrouded streets, her mind racing with thoughts of the boy. She would find him. She would assess his potential. And if he was indeed the natural prodigy she suspected, she would take him under her wing, away from the small-minded fools who had failed to recognize his worth.
And woe to those who stood in her way.
She turned to her apprentice, giving her a gimlet stare, the girl straightening, but keeping a placid expression, she had more backbone then the entire council. Not that it was a surprise. If she hadn't, Agatha would have never bothered with her in the first place.
She tapped her cane on the ground thoughtfully, "Karen, you wanted some independence… Join the circuit, find this boy, stick close, I want to know everything." She ordered.
"... Great, stuck on babysitting duty…" Karen groaned, slumping slightly, a distasteful twist to her lips.
Agatha raised an unimpressed eyebrow, "Yes, I wonder how that feels." She said dryly, pointedly.
Karen glared at her huffily, "It's so not the same, Lady Agatha!"
"I beg to differ, you're all wet behind the ears rookies to me." She sniffed, turning on her heels, slowly sinking into the shadows, disappearing from view.
Karen could take it from there, the boy could hardly have gone far, she'd join the circuit from Lavender and trace the boy's steps.
Within a week she'd surely have a report on what made the boy tick, or she'd have to motivate the girl further…
It wasn't until she returned to her office that she realized the real crime those fools had committed.
With Karen out searching for the boy, there was no one around to do her paperwork!
"Ohohoho…" She cackled quietly, her shadow stretching across the office, frost spreading across the window, "They'll pay, come tax season… Oh will they ever pay…"
If she had to do paperwork, she was going to absolutely drown them in audits and unnecessary dross.
Never let it be said that Agatha wasn't a petty old witch.
Far away from Lavender Town, like really, nowhere near Lavender.
Ezra soared through the clear morning sky, the wind whipping through his hair as he gripped the feathers of his newly evolved Pidgeot. The majestic bird Pokemon's powerful wings beat rhythmically, propelling them forward at a rapid pace. The world below them blurred into a patchwork of forests, rivers, and mountains. Ezra couldn't help but grin at it all - the thrill of flight was exhilarating.
Once he'd get set up properly and retired Pidgeot to a nice forest, he'd have to replace her with a proper dark flying type, because he'd definitely want to fly again. He'd never felt so free, just soaring the sky like this was amazing.
It was cold, wet, uncomfortable and so exhilarating that he didn't care about the first three. Him, that disdained existing outside his creature comforts - that wanted city life over roughing it in the wild. The sky was so freeing that he didn't care about anything else, just enjoying the moment.
Leaving Lavender Town behind felt like shedding a heavy cloak that weighed you down. The haunting memories of his rebirth and the suffocating suspicion of the townspeople were far below him now, almost insignificant. But he knew he had to remain vigilant. The world outside was just as dangerous, if not more so. His encounter with the dead trainer had reinforced that reality.
Whether poachers or Team Rocket, or even dangerous wild Pokemon - this world had threats to his life if he became complacent. Especially once he started making waves with some of his knowledge.
Pryce was currently the champion, he'd read up on his Pokedex. Although not for long in all likelihood, the old ice type leader was facing an Elite Four challenge from Lance the Blackthorn dragon specialist, the winner of the last conference. He hadn't issued the challenge yet, but the online forums all agreed it was only a matter of time, certainly before this year's circuit was done.
Ezra of course knew how that challenge would go, Lance would win and become champion, which meant he was definitely years before Ash was a thing.
There was a lot of chatter online that wasn't very complimentary about Lance and Pryce. The fact that both the Champion and the prospective Champion were from Johto wasn't very popular in Kanto for numerous reasons. It hadn't been helped by the fact that as far as Ezra could tell from skimming articles and forums on the matter, Pryce was just incredibly uncharismatic, and practically flaunting his preference for Johto at all times.
He was the stereotype of clannish noble Johto types, traditional, old and arrogant. The funny thing was that Lance was technically exactly the same but younger and more attractive. The other difference was he was charismatic and smart enough to not advertise his preferences - knowing the Champion was supposed to be above all that.
Hence he was already more popular, despite not even having challenged the Elite Four yet. Even those on the forums that hated Johto, and Lance just for being a Blackthorn - hated Pryce more. Funny to think Lance's popularity would be not so much from anything he'd done, as much as people just being glad to be rid of the old Champion.
Either way, the politics of it didn't matter to him other than for curiosity's sake - and to confirm again around which time in the timeline he was.
With his knowledge on both evolutions no one knew about, as well as knowledge about fairy types who the world didn't even classify as fairy yet - he stood to make bank. It was just a question of making sure he progressed quickly enough in training that his monetary schemes wouldn't be poached by villainous trainers.
Although he had some ideas on how to mitigate that. But those required a partner. And he hardly had anyone he could trust with that at the moment.
And all of it would require some start-up funds. And luckily he knew exactly where to get that. This world, just like any world, had rich people willing to throw insane amounts of money for anything that was unique. Like say a crystal Onix.
Something he knew the general whereabouts for. Oh, he likely wouldn't find it immediately, but that was fine, just meant more battles and training for his Pokemon as he searched. He was in no rush to run to the circuit after all. With flight, he could literally hit up every gym within a week if he so wanted later. There was no rush.
Ezra patted Pidgeot's neck, they'd already flown quite far yesterday before kipping for the night, so they still have a bit to go, but not unreasonably so. "Alright, buddy, let's head for the Orange Islands. We have a special Pokemon to find, step one of getting rich and bad ass enough you'll get your own forest and little harem." Pidgeot let out a triumphant cry, acknowledging the command, seeming to pick up speed from the encouragement.
The journey to the Orange Islands would be long, but Ezra's determination drove him forward. No pain no gain - he'd suffer now to live a life of luxury later. His knowledge would be useless if he sat on it, as someone would eventually discover all the things he knew - making his information worthless if he didn't act on it.
A day passed as they traveled, stopping occasionally for rest and to train his team. The bond between Ezra and his Pokemon continued to grow as they showed a remarkable ability to understand his wishes and move forward in training. He didn't know if this was usual for Pokemon or not, as most training methods were not in fact openly advertised - trainers and clans keeping it close to the vest.
That night, as he sat by the campfire, he played around with his Pokedex, Pidgeot resting, while his other Pokemon all continued their training on harnessing their energy, making their techniques less wasteful, and more focused - the Pokemon well rested as they'd had nothing to do but hang out in Pokeballs all day during traveling.
Trawling through the primitive web he could access through his Pokedex showed very few tips, mostly generic. Actual training tools and tips were kept mum by even the independent trainers, no one willing to give an advantage up. The web itself was clunky and separated, Kanto and Johto for example having a different web requiring a hassle and a half to switch between them to search the other side.
That wasn't even mentioning Sinnoh and Hoenn having just recently opened up trade, and getting on their web took forever, and required a trainer ID, barring anyone else from Kanto to use it at all.
Each Gym and the Pokemon League all had a website, but it was so basic it made him cringe. It definitely wasn't a processing problem, they had enough computing power to transfer Pokemon into data. It just seemed that with the focus so heavily on Pokemon, other pursuits that didn't really involve Pokemon at all - like the web - were lagging behind, the greatest minds inevitably going into Pokemon research, where the money was.
Honestly… If he could get his hands on a Porygon, he'd make a lot of money on creating something like YouTube/twitter/Instagram allowing trainers to post video and pictures of their Pokemon/Pokemon Battles and the like. What they had now was basically scattered little forums that were a pain to find. They needed modernization in this matter - for the sake of Ezra's wallet.
And of course because it would help him gain enough of a reputation to push for his own gym if said app just happened to have an algorithm that pushed his own accomplishments and battles to the front of everyone's feed…
He made a note in his Pokedex notepad, a Porygon would be essential ASAP, as soon as he had the money from the crystal Onix sale. He wasn't by any stretch an ace programmer, but he knew some, and with a Porygon to help, surely he could at least knock out something basic that would be better then some scattered low effort forums.
It was interesting however to note the differences between the Anime and real life here. Pokedex wasn't a new thing by the time Ash would begin, or he wouldn't hold one right now. They just probably began to be cheap enough for more trainers to have them by Ash's time - or that was an entirely separate universe, who knew how these things worked, really?
Some technology that was new by Ash time already existed here, and there were more kinds of Pokemon then the game/anime had for the beginning stretch - which made sense when he thought about it more. Kanto alone was huge, only 150 types of Pokemon was unrealistic for a landmass this large.
He shut the Pokedex down, his evil monetary schemes would have to wait for now. If he focused too much on it, he'd go overboard and introduce Gacha games to the world. Collectible Waifu Pokemon girls in Gacha games, would probably ruin the economy here.
He craned his neck, staring into the darkness where his Pokemon were still practicing, "One hour more, then rest." He ordered quietly, shaking his head at the immediate whining he got from Cubone.
Ever since there'd been some success with iron tail, the little nut had gone all in for training.
He gingerly got up from where he was sitting, his ass and thighs smarting from the long hours sitting on Pidgeot and holding on tight. He walked over towards where Cubone was, bending down and patting Cubone on the head gently, "Hey, we'll be there soon, then we can fight and train all day, but right now, you need to not overdo it while I can't watch over you." He said, glancing at Haunter and Shuppet, both who immediately froze, acting like they hadn't been shooting shadow balls at each other. "And you two, don't think I noticed that sloppy firing sequence, if you're going to play around, get in good habits, perfect your energy, get a higher rate of speed on your shots, and learn to observe and tell what your opponents body language says about where they're going to dodge." He lectured.
He didn't mind at all if they wanted to shoot the shit out of each other, as long as they didn't actually hurt each other enough to faint. But they needed to actually pay attention to what they were doing and draw some measure of improvement out of it.
Haunted and Shuppet both started eying each other more thoughtfully, and Ezra knew they'd think on his words going forward. With so many different body types around, reading body language wouldn't be wholly successful, but experience would add onto it for every enemy they defeated, so the sooner they started thinking about it, the better.
The more his Pokemon would know about battling, other Pokemon, and their habits, idiosyncrasies and techniques, the more they'd be able to react in the heat of battle without him ordering them to. Another reason to set up Pokemon YouTube really.
When his Pokemon wasn't training, they could watch videos of other trainers and their Pokemon and learn, resting their body while activating their minds. Other clever trainers would perhaps think of the same thing - but if he knew people, only the cleverest of trainers would even think of it - so he'd still be in the top one percent.
He patted Cubone on the head again, "I'm going to bed, remember, one hour." He said sternly, before he returned to his tent, pausing just before he entered, speaking to his shadow, "Keep an eye out, keep the camp safe, and if they go over an hour, feel free to prank them into acquiescence." He told the multitude of ghosts that followed him around.
He got a multitude of giggles from that, and he entered his tent to go sleep, safe in the knowledge his camp would remain unmolested, and his Pokemon wouldn't overdo their training without him there to supervise.
He really was just a giant walking cheat code - and he was okay with that.
The next day,
Finally, the Orange Islands had come into view. A cluster of tropical islands, each with its unique charm and danger - the Orange league protecting it, and if he remembered correctly, Lorelei was supposed to hang around somewhere here as well. Ezra directed Pidgeot to land on one of the medium sized islands, guessing that it was Sunburst island from vague memory, the island the crystal Onix called home.
The island was lush and vibrant, with thick jungles and pristine beaches. As Ezra dismounted from Pidgeot, he couldn't help but take in the beauty around him. But he had no time for sightseeing. He needed to find a guide who knew the island well. He could spend his time poking the Orange League, training and looking around at the native Pokemon and such, after he accomplished what he came here for.
After some searching, and getting laughed at by people, Ezra found a local fisherman named Marco, who agreed to take him to the rumored location of the crystal Onix for a small fee - seemingly bemused at the 'tourist' wasting his money on a myth. Marco was an older man, his skin weathered by the sun and sea, but his eyes were sharp and alert. He had a scarred and weathered looking Cloyster at his side.
He also had made no comments about Ezra's particular look, other than to critically tell him to put on more sunscreen if he wanted to not be in agony the next day, with as he said 'skin like that'. Which Ezra could appreciate.
"I've heard the stories and myths of the crystal Onix," Marco said as they trekked through the dense jungle. "But I've never seen it myself, and honestly, it's just a story spread over drinks, based on something one of the local kids had said which then spread on its own. Some say it lives in a hidden cave, deep within the island. Others believe it roams the jungle at night." He shrugged his shoulders uncaringly, "If it was real, someone would have seen it or caught it by now."
Ezra nodded, listening intently. "Do you think it's possible for it to just be hiding underground then?" The fact it's even a story here, a myth, should mean I'm in the right place at least.
Marco shrugged. "Who can say? But this island holds many secrets. If you're determined, maybe you'll find it." The amused quirk to his smile told Ezra the old man was just humoring him for the small amount of coin he'd received.
The journey through the jungle was arduous. The thick foliage and humid air made progress slow. Wild Pokemon occasionally appeared, but Ezra's team handled them with ease. His Haunter and Shuppet flitted through the shadows, while Cubone and Pidgeot kept close, ready to defend against any threats.
The old man and his Cloyster didn't assist, seemingly enjoying letting the youngsters do all the work. Ezra had a feeling the old man was simply going along with this so he'd have a funny story about stupid tourist kids at the bar later.
Ezra would have to make sure to find him later and rub the crystal Onix in his face. Maybe he'd even be able to get a drink out of it. Stupid deaging, stealing alcohol from him…
As they moved deeper into the island, Marco pointed to a dark opening in the side of a hill. "That's the entrance to a series of caves. If the crystal Onix is anywhere, it might be in there." He said with a lackadaisical voice.
Ezra nodded, his excitement building. He thanked Marco and ventured into the cave. Glad for robbing that Pokemart in Lavender of so much miscellaneous equipment, as he had plenty of glow sticks to light the way. The cave was damp and cool, a stark contrast to the sweltering jungle outside. Stalactites hung from the ceiling, dripping water into small pools on the ground as he moved forward.
"Shuppet, front and center, immediately cast confuse rays on any Pokemon that moves to attack us, Haunter, behind us, same thing for anyone attacking from behind, Cubone, circle me, iron tail on anything that gets caught by either of your comrades." He ordered softly, before moving ahead, his Pokemon falling into formation.
Cubones Iron tail was hardly a finished product, but it was respectable enough. Soon enough Cubone might even be able to progress to coating its club the same way if the progress continued. It was kind of ridiculous actually.
Ezra moved cautiously, his senses alert for any sign of danger. The cave seemed to stretch endlessly, twisting and turning like a labyrinth. His Pokemon moved silently around him, their eyes scanning the darkness as well, the glow sticks lighting the way just enough.
Despite being a new trainer, he didn't feel afraid of the possibility of going further down. His Pokemon were stronger then the average beginners, and harder to hurt for the most part, at least his Ghosts. And as a backup he had dozens of ghosts that hung around him seemingly feeding on his aura or whatever it was.
It's why he felt confident he could take the Onix no matter what.
As they moved, they periodically ran into Pokemon, mostly Zubats, Paras and Geodudes, but they all were only glimpses, as the Pokemon showed some intelligence - disengaging immediately and fleeing, instead of attacking the obviously ready party with several Pokemon out.
He didn't know if they could sense his dark aura and the ghosts hiding within. If they could, it would make sense why even the most bold of them never stepped forward to challenge them while Ezra plunged deeper into the wild Pokemon's territory.
Eventually, he called for a break, placing several glow sticks in a circle to light up their area, sitting down on his pack as he took a breather, taking out his water bottle and a quick snack to reinvigorate himself. His Pokemon were still fine, having had no fights. Walking or floating, not doing much to them, unlike Ezra who was still a weak human.
He knew he had to work on that at least a little, as he didn't intend to lose out on stamina forever. But he hadn't had much time yet since he started his journey, and his gains from working out while he was in Lavender, had mostly worked to fix how weak his body had been from the beginning - leaving now for actual proper gains.
"This might take awhile…" He mused out loud to his Pokemon, glancing around the darkness beyond their little circle of light. "We're basically going in blind…" He couldn't remember exactly how the crystal Onix was found, nor what the kid and sculptor who'd fight it when Ash was there were named - not that they likely knew where it was at this time anyway.
But he knew he was on the right island, and Marco had known about the Myth. So now it was simply a matter of exploring this cave system until he found it.
He took another sip of water, putting his water bottle away afterwards. "Alright, let's continue." He breathed out quietly, picking up the glow sticks again, "Same formation, just in case."
They plunged deeper into the darkness.
A day later,
Ezra was beginning to regret his insistence to plunge deeper.
To be fair, he hadn't expected the cave system to be this freaking massive. The tunnels had the hallmarks of being made by Onix, and apparently they'd made a lot of them over the years.
Sleeping down here had been interesting… The distant noises of wild Pokemon and creaking rock had made it pretty difficult, even if he knew he was protected by his Pokemon, there was just something about sleeping under tons of rock that could be shifted by a Pokemon that unsettled him.
Further irritating him, he'd run into actual ruins. Deep under Sunburst island, parts of the cave system had begun to have broken pillars, mosaics, and signs of other man made structures; he didn't remember any of that in regards to the crystal Onix, which made him wary.
He better not be running into an Arceus damn legendary or something… He was not Ash.
With the knowledge that the crystal Onix was definitely somewhere on this island. He continued exploring the ruins, or what was left of them, as time and the Onix created tunnels had wreaked some havoc on the structures.
It took several more hours, and squeezing through some uncomfortably small crevices, but he made it to the deepest chamber, halfway expecting the crystal Onix to be waiting for him.
Instead he was greeted by an attack the moment he stepped through.
His Cubone reacted quicker than him, knocking his legs out with its club, making him fall over, the dark wave passing over him where his head had been. Too close!
Ezra wasn't taking any chances after that, "Disable it!" He shouted, making a gesture, his shadow undulating as it spit out over a dozen ghosts, Misdreavus, Haunters, Gastly, all howling as they came out firing out attacks.
His own Shuppet and Haunter hovered protectively in front of him, gathering their energies, preparing their dense special attacks, Cubone growing as it stood before his prone form, club raised.
No further action was needed, his coterie of Ghosts suppressing the enemy Pokemon through sheer force of techniques, the Pokemon fainting.
Ezra gingerly got up, already feeling a bruise form on his shin from Cubones hit, he patted the Pokemon on the head again, giving it a smile, as it closed its eyes and almost crooned at the headpat. "Good job, Cubone, everyone."
He walked forward and examined the Pokemon, fingering a Pokeball.
It was a Spiritomb.
What were the odds? A Ghost/Dark Pokemon that was an extremely rare find, and here it was in front of him. It had been deep down inside a ruin, which made some sense, but it still seemed suspiciously fortuitous.
If he remembered correctly, it was said to be formed by a combination of spirits, but Pokemon entries like those were notoriously creepy for Ghosts to begin with - and he wasn't sure he believed that they were real here in the real world.
The Pokemon itself was a purple miasma with green dots and lines that almost approximated a face of sorts, all attached to a keystone at the bottom.
There really wasn't much to think about here. Despite the fact he'd actually been attacked for the first time by a dark or ghost type, he tossed the Pokeball over, capturing the Spiritomb. It was a Ghost/Dark type. He wanted a Ghost/Dark type gym. It was a no brainer.
He'd have to wait until he returned to the surface and a Pokemon center to introduce it to the team however. To see if the attack had been a fluke on its home or sanctuary being breached, or if this was actually the first of its type to not be enamored of his aura that he'd run into.
He looked around the area, trying to see if there was anything special about the chamber, any fossils or stones or anything at all to point out what this temple or ruin had been about. There was nothing.
He groaned as he looked at the way back, "Alright, we'll be heading back everyone, this has not exactly gone as planned, so we'll go back to the surface and find another way down after resting up." He decided.
Going through random tunnels all the way down here was unlikely to yield any better results right now. He'd tried plunging deeper, and although Spiritomb was a nice find, he didn't want to spend the rest of his life in a cave.
The crystal Onix had been found closer to the surface he was sure, so he'd go back up, and find another tunnel, and keep exploring different tunnels near the surface. Like he probably should have from the beginning. Why hadn't he done that from the beginning?
He looked down at the Pokeball that held Spiritomb, his thumb gently caressing it. Had he been unknowingly drawn to the Pokemon, just like his aura drew it's kind to him?
He didn't know.
Something he'd need to figure out eventually, for now it could have simply been thoughtlessness in his excitement. Plunging deeper because the Onix tunnels went deeper.
Taking a deep breath, he let go of all unnecessary thoughts, facing the crevice that would take him back, "Let's go." He said, the ghosts sliding back into his shadow, a feeling that soothed him, he hadn't even realized he'd felt slightly empty while they were all out until they returned, a feeling like a cold caress going through his mind.
There was nothing he could do to figure it out right now anyway, so there was absolutely no point in worrying about it. So he put it out of his mind and moved forward. His own Pokemon going back into formation.
They had a long way to go to get back up.
The universe was fucking with him, that was the only explanation.
On the way down he'd marked each wall to ensure he could find his way out again. And he'd followed his way up precisely as it had been marked.
Except he'd never run into this on the way down.
As he stepped further into the chamber in front of him, he felt a faint tremor beneath his feet. His heart raced as he realized he might be close - that by luck, miracle or by design, he'd arrived at the right place after all. He signaled his Pokemon to stay alert and moved forward slowly.
A shimmering light caught his eye as he moved forward, and he saw a large crystal formation jutting out of the cave wall over a pool of water. The light reflected off the crystal, casting a kaleidoscope of colors across the chamber. Ezra's breath caught in his throat as he saw movement within the crystal.
From the shadows emerged a massive Onix, its body made entirely of shiny reflective crystal. The light from the crystal formation reflected through its body, creating a dazzling display of colors. The crystal Onix moved with a fluid grace, its eyes glowing with an otherworldly light as it entered the chamber in front of him, letting out a roar.
Ezra's excitement and apprehension blended into a single emotion as he took in the sight before him. The crystal Onix was real, and it was magnificent.
Collectors would go insane once he posted this, even through the shitty disconnected forums that were available, the word would spread quickly. Connecting to Hoenn's web would be a pain in the ass, but might be worth it, because if he got Steven Stone's attention - money would be tossed his way in ridiculous amounts.
The Onix let out a low, rumbling growl, sliding through the water until it got on land, fifty meters ahead of him.
Haunter and Shuppet moved into position, their ghostly forms blending with the shadows. The crystal Onix roared, its body glinting in the light as it prepared to attack.
"Haunter, use Confuse Ray! Shuppet, follow up with Will-O-Wisp!" Ezra ordered, before immediately following up by cheating massively, "Everyone, disorient and weaken the Onix." His passengers flowing out of his shadow to launch their own attacks.
Haunter's eyes glowed as it launched a Confuse Ray at the crystal Onix, the ghostly energy swirling towards the massive Pokemon. Shuppet followed with Will-O-Wisp, sending out eerie blue flames that danced around the Onix crystal skin.
The crystal Onix roared in frustration, the attacks disorienting it, but it put its head down, preparing to charge through it - that's when the masses attack of a dozen or so Ghosts slammed into it, a bevy of confuse rays, hypnosis and other attacks staggering the Onix which aborted it's attack, running straight into a wall instead, rocks tumbling as it smashed the wall hard.
It couldn't even be called a battle, as he called out, "Hypnosis, everyone!" As the Onix was battered by the attack, unable to muster a defense as it fell under, falling asleep."
Ezra immediately tossed a Pokeball, not able to hold back a cackle of glee as it twitched for three shakes, and then clicked with the sound of a successful capture. "We did it!" He shouted, showering his Pokemon in exuberant joy.
The money to kick-start all his plans - it was his, and so easily.
Real battles in league sanctioned fights would be more difficult, but out in the wild like this? He was a monster. The crystal Onix had not even been able to put up a defense against so many Pokemon launching debilitating attacks on it.
"Let's head back." He said with a pleased smile. This expedition had been incredibly rewarding.
Not even a real trainer yet, with barely a few battles under his belt. He now would have the financial means to really do something. Money was useless sitting around, he needed to put it to work. Which meant he needed to find a partner who could handle the actual work part as he himself took a nice fat cut of the profits.
Because he'd hardly spend the rest of his life as a breeder or something.
He made his way back up top whistling a jaunty tune.
If anyone had seen the practically malicious smile on his lips at the moment, they would have run the other way immediately.
Marco leaned back in his weathered chair, the old wood creaking under his weight as he laughed heartily with his friends. They sat outside a cozy bar on Sunburst Island, the sun dipping towards the horizon, painting the sky with hues of orange and pink. The air was thick with the scent of salt and tropical flowers, a pleasant breeze carrying the distant calls of wild Pokemon. The bar itself was a rustic establishment, its walls adorned with fishing nets, shells, and trinkets collected from the sea. The outdoor seating was a mix of old wooden tables and chairs, some showing signs of repair, but it all added to the charm of the place.
For old timers like them, the new bars with all the steel and such just felt wrong. Didn't feel alive enough to bother spending time in - too cold and impersonal - the chairs here had stories, the tables had personality. Sometimes tradition really was best, and when there was drinking to be done - was always the best time.
"Did you see that kid again?" one of Marco's friends, a burly fisherman named Tito, said with a chuckle. "The one that was talking about finding the crystal Onix. Imagine that!" He shook his head, "They get younger every year, the fools."
Marco chuckled, shaking his own head. "Tourists and their wild dreams. Can't blame 'em though, the myths have been around forever." He said, taking a long sip of his drink, shifting the little umbrella.
Another mark against those new flashy bars. They didn't have the little umbrellas, Marco couldn't imagine a drink without them, it was almost sacrilege really.
Another friend, Luis, a wiry man with a mischievous grin, leaned in. "I told him he'd have better luck finding a Gyarados in his bathtub when he asked me, dunno why you bothered to help the lad, Marco." His hair was adorned with seashells, clicking together as the man chuckled at his own joke.
The group erupted in laughter, their mirth echoing through the warm evening air. Marco took a swig of his drink, a cold fruity thing that felt perfect after a long day at sea. As he set the glass down, he spotted movement out of the corner of his eye. Turning, he saw the kid from earlier, Ezra, making his way towards them. The boy looked exhausted, his clothes disheveled and streaked with dirt, his face pale but eyes gleaming with determination.
Not that it said much about the boy, as he always looked pale. Marco had never seen such a weird looking boy before, and felt some sympathy for the lad. Was it a wonder he was so far from home looking for myths? A lad like that likely had faced some hardship from people.
Marco's laughter faded as he watched Ezra approach, he didn't want to make the lad feel bad by letting him know he'd been part of the merrymaking. He raised a hand, signaling to his friends to quiet down. "Hey kid," he called out, his voice gruff but not unkind. "Finally had enough of chasing myths?"
Ezra shook his head, a tired but triumphant smile playing on his lips. "Not quite," he replied, plopping down on an empty chair with a sigh of relief. The smell was… Noticeable. But they were all fishermen, so they didn't bother mentioning it.
Marco signaled to the bartender, a middle-aged woman named Clara, to bring a drink. "Get the kid a soda, on me."
Ezra frowned slightly. "How about something stronger? I could really use it." He immediately fired, a look of want in his creepy red eyes.
Marco snorted, his lips quirking into a wry smile. "Come back in a decade, and maybe I'll think about it. Last thing we need is a lad like you getting into trouble with booze." He said, feeling a tad hypocritical, considering how young he'd started himself.
When you were out at sea, wasn't anyone policing what a young man did, something he'd taken advantage of in his youth.
But a lad with his particular problems, likely had some demons around, Marco wasn't entirely unaware of the oddity of Ghost Pokemon so easily following someone. With his looks, he'd likely faced at the minimum some bad bullying, so underage drinking was probably a bad idea.
Luis laughed, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "Yeah, Marco's right. You look like the type who'd get into all sorts of trouble with a drink in hand."
Ezra shrugged, seemingly unbothered by their teasing. He leaned back in his chair, accepting the soda that Clara handed him. "Fine, but will you buy me a drink if I find the crystal Onix?" He asked, practically chugging down the soda in one go, making a face of distaste.
Marco didn't know what exactly 'shitty expy of mountain dew' was supposed to mean, nor was he sure the lad meant for anyone to hear his grumbling, but he was more distracted by the almost smug look in the lad's eye.
The fishermen exchanged glances, Marco's gut tightening with a premonition. Tito, always the joker, smirked. "Sure kid, if you find it, I'll buy you ten drinks - any kind you want."
Ezra's smile widened, taking on a mischievous edge. Without another word, he reached to his belt and pulled out a Pokeball, tossing it casually into the street. Marco watched in stunned silence as the ball opened with a flash of light, revealing a massive, sleeping crystal Onix. Its body shimmered in the fading sunlight, casting rainbow reflections onto the cobblestone street.
For a moment there was just silence, and the incredibly smug look on the boy in front of them.
Then shouts of amazement and shock erupted from all around, drawing the attention of passersby who gaped at the magnificent creature, people coming out of their houses and places of business to gawk at it, drawn from the commotion. Marco's mouth hung open, his glass slipping from his hand and clattering to the ground, forgotten.
Ezra stood up, taking a picture of his capture with his Pokedex for some reason. He turned to Tito, who was staring at the Onix with wide eyes. "So, about those drinks?" He said, eyes twinkling.
Tito blinked, shaking his head as if to clear it. "Well, I'll be damned. Alright kid, you earned 'em. Clara, get this kid whatever he wants, on me!" He shouted.
Marco's heart pounded in his chest as he watched Clara nod and head back into the bar. He couldn't believe his eyes. The lad had actually done it. He glanced around, seeing the growing crowd of onlookers, all murmuring and pointing at the crystal Onix.
The myth was real. That was going to cause some commotion amongst the Orange islands. Especially with an outsider being the one to both confirm it, and capture the damn thing.
"This is going to be trouble," Marco muttered to himself, wiping a bead of sweat from his forehead. But as long as it wasn't him buying the drinks, he supposed it couldn't hurt. How much trouble could the lad really get into? And he was just a fisherman, so the other troubles, they really were none of his concern.
Clara returned with a tray laden with drinks. Ezra pointed at a dark bottle. "I'll take that one, the Spicy rum." He glanced at Marco and the others, adding with a cheeky grin, "I'll start slow."
He was lucky that Clara literally gave no shits as long as she got paid, or he wouldn't be getting shit all. The woman just looked amused as she handed him the drink.
The fishermen burst into laughter again, the tension breaking as they marveled at the boy's audacity. Marco couldn't help but feel a grudging respect for Ezra. The kid had more guts than most seasoned trainers he'd known - he'd been gone for over two days, so he'd have spent all that time in the depths, harassed constantly by wild Pokemon. That was no small thing.
"Alright, kid," Marco said, raising his new drink in a toast. "You proved us wrong. Here's to you."
Ezra raised his glass, the dark rum fizzing slightly. "To adventure," He said, clinking his glass against theirs.
Marco stopped him before he could take a sip, and there was a glint of something dark in those red eyes for a moment, before it vanished as Marco plopped a tiny yellow umbrella in his drink, "Can't drink without it, it's not proper." He explained gruffly.
Ezra smirked, but didn't say a word, simply lifting his glass and appearing to savor the drink. Marco hadn't done underage drinking in 50 plus years - but he was pretty sure when he'd been a lad he hadn't had the sense to sip and savor it, instead of gulping it down. It was an oddity, but he supposed the boy was entirely an oddity anyway.
As they drank, the sun continued its descent, casting long shadows across the island. The bar's warm lights flickered on, creating a cozy glow that contrasted with the brilliant reflections from the crystal Onix still sleeping in the street. Marco leaned back, taking in the scene, a sense of wonder mingling with his usual wariness. He'd have a story to tell at the bar for years to come, all thanks to this strange, determined lad.
He had a feeling he'd go far.
Just hopefully far away from the Orange islands…
Decades as a fisherman had given him a keen sense of when trouble was brewing. And this lad definitely seemed likely to stir the pot.
As the drinking wore on, he slipped away from the bar, the Onix already thankfully at that point returned to its Pokeball before it could wake up.
The lad obviously had no idea about alcohol tolerance, and he didn't want to be around when this all cocked up.
Next morning, Sunburst island.
Ezra groaned as he stirred awake, the cold, hard surface beneath him jarring his senses. His head throbbed, a relentless, pounding ache that echoed the rough night he'd had. Blinking against the harsh light streaming through a barred window, he struggled to sit up, his muscles protesting with every movement. As his eyes adjusted, he realized he was in a small, spartan cell. The walls were bare, painted a dull gray, and a single door stood at one end. It didn't take long for him to deduce that he was in some kind of holding cell - a drunk tank, to be precise.
Alright, maybe it hadn't been the wisest idea to celebrate with so many drinks, but dammit I missed being able to have one whenever I felt like…
He'd definitely gone a little overboard, not that he could remember after a few drinks, really, that bartender should be disbarred from bartending, was that a thing?
Ugh, his head was still weird…
A soft, almost serene presence drew his attention to the corner of the room. There, sitting calmly with an inscrutable expression, was a Psychic Pokemon - a Hypno, its pendulum swinging slowly back and forth as it simply watched over him. Ezra stared at it for a moment, trying to piece together the events that had led him here. The Pokemon watched him placidly, as if keeping a vigil over its temporary charge.
He supposed it was nice that they had a Pokemon around to make sure he didn't die choking on his own vomit or something. Or at least one able to call go help, since it was a Psychic type.
Ezra rubbed his temples, wincing at the pain. "What did I do this time?" he muttered, trying to recall the hazy memories of the previous night. He remembered the bar, the fishermen, and the triumphant display of his crystal Onix. But beyond that, everything was a blur of laughter, cheers, and probably increasingly reckless decisions.
He knew himself to know that he'd likely not kept it cool and collected. He could be a right bastard at times. And this body had definitely not had alcohol before.
As he checked himself over to ensure he was in one piece, albeit with the hangover of his life, the door to the cell creaked open. A tall, imposing figure stepped in, his presence filling the small space. The man wore a red and orange vest with a black undershirt that left his arms bare - a Pokeball hanging from his neck on a chain - he had messy dark hair and a narrow face, and his sharp eyes held a mixture of curiosity and authority.
"Good morning," The man said, his voice a deep, pleasant timbre. "I'm Drake, the leader of the Orange League."
Ezra's heart skipped a beat. The leader of the Orange League was here to see him? He tried to shake off his grogginess, his mind racing to figure out why someone of Drake's stature would bother with him. "Uh, hi," He managed, his voice hoarse. "Is it normal for league leaders to visit guys who had a bit too much to drink?"
Because he'd bet it was not in fact normal.
Drake's lips quirked into a dry smile. "It's normal when said guy drunkenly sicks dozens of ghosts to steal every piece of women's underwear in Sunburst and then naps on it like a dragon on its hoard, the ghosts all guarding him."
He scratched his chin, looking faintly amused, "You are very lucky that your Pokemon did not take that to mean underwear currently being worn."
Ezra stared at him, baffled. "I did what?" The absurdity of it all left him momentarily speechless. "How am I not dead from general female hatred?" He wondered out loud, wincing at the thought of the kind of retaliation he would have faced if he'd done worse.
Dammit, he was just like some stupid manga shounen protagonist with a ridiculous trick like that. The hit to his reputation would be immense, if he had a reputation yet. Thankfully he got this nonsense out of the way now, instead of when he was famous.
And no one would ever mention it again. He willed that into the ether, this is dealt with, it's done, it's gone!
Drake snorted, leaning against the doorframe with an air of nonchalance. "You're lucky you're just a weird outsider kid. They were pissed, sure, but mostly they found it stupid and annoying rather than inciting balls-crushing anger. They just want you gone, instead of dead."
Ezra winced, rubbing the back of his neck. "So, you're here to escort me out?" That made at least some sense, even if it was a little ridiculous for the head of the league to do the task.
Drake shook his head, his expression serious. "No, I have other priorities. Like wondering what you were doing with an Orange Island national treasure." He cocked his head, "Care to share?"
Ezra's caution heightened, his mind clearing a bit from the fog of his hangover. "There's no information stating that," He said carefully. "As far as I and everyone I talked to were concerned, it was just a myth." He eyed Drake, suspecting the man was trying to trick him. "You're trying to snow me."
Drake raised an eyebrow. "What does that even mean?" His tone held bemusement as he questioned Ezra's statement.
Ezra sighed. "It means you're trying to deceive me, by exaggerating something."
The league leader chuckled, a deep, rumbling sound. "Kid, I'm the leader of the Orange League. If I say it's a national treasure, it is."
Ezra crossed his arms, a defiant glint in his eyes. "If you try to take it away, I'll petition the Kanto League." He threatened.
The crystal Onix was the gateway into all his plans, the start up fund to pay for it all. He was not giving it up.
Drake waved the threat away dismissively. "That would be useless. But there's no need to go that far anyway." His tone softened slightly, almost conspiratorial. "I have a proposition for you. I want you to go through the Orange League and win. When you leave, and eventually get famous, the crystal Onix will be known as one of your first captures. Even if you sell it, the Orange Islands will be known as the first league you challenged and we will get some of that fame, drawing more tourists looking for myths and attempting to mimic you."
Ezra eyed him skeptically. "You're just using me for a cash grab."
Drake's grin was unrepentant. "Pretty much."
Ezra scowled. "Does that mean you'll all go easy on me for the challenges?"
Drake's eyes gleamed with amusement. "Of course not. We have our pride."
Ezra groaned, rubbing his temples again. "This deal feels pretty unfair." He pointed out sarcastically.
Drake's smile turned saccharine. "It's better than the deal where we just declare you a poacher."
Ezra stiffened, his mind racing. After a moment, he forced a grin. "On further thought, I've always wanted to do the Orange League." He declared.
It wasn't even wrong really, he had been pondering doing it while he was here. Just not quite like this… The challenges wouldn't be impossible, but Drake had a Dragonite didn't he? He was going to have to train smart or he'd be stuck on these islands forever trying to win.
His pride wouldn't allow him to leave having lost. Fucking Ash lose 'em all Ketchum won this league. He was not losing.
Drake nodded approvingly. "Smart choice, kid."
Ezra's mind whirled as he tried to process everything. "So, what's the first step?" He asked, trying to regain some semblance of control over the situation.
Although when he was fabulously wealthy, he'd come back and fucking buy this island and make it a red light district type of island, see about Orange islands nice reputation then… He thought spitefully.
Drake straightened, his expression all business now. "First, you'll need to officially register for the Orange League. Then, you'll start challenging the gym leaders."
Ezra nodded slowly, his mind already strategizing. "Alright. Where do I go to register?"
"The nearest Pokemon Center can handle that for you," Drake replied. "I'll make sure you're escorted there." He smiled pleasantly, "Wouldn't want you to trip and fall and accidentally fly away would we?"
He hadn't actually thought about that, until now that was… Fucking paperwork would stop that though he bet. Some sort of clause that would make him look like he welched on a promise or something to make him look bad if he just took off.
It's what he'd do, minimum. He'd probably make the paperwork much worse actually. But he didn't think Drake had that in him.
He could still leave, but he'd wanted to look around the Orange islands anyway, they had a lot of weird shit going on, profitable weird shit. So although annoying, this wasn't too much of an inconvenience. Except for Drake's Dragonite, and a six on six battle while he didn't have six Pokemon, and two of his were not even supposed to be battlers.
He'd figure it out. Or cheat. This wasn't the Pokemon League. He could get away with a lot more here.
Ezra glanced at the Hypno, still sitting placidly in the corner. "And what about him?" he asked, jerking his thumb towards the Psychic Pokemon. Wondering if he was going to have to be followed around by the Pokemon as some sort of minder. It's what he'd do if he was Drake.
Drake chuckled. "Hypno was here to make sure you didn't cause any more trouble before we had this chat. You should be fine now."
As if on cue, the Hypno stood, its pendulum still swinging lazily. It gave a slight nod to Drake before leaving the cell, its duty apparently done.
Ezra sighed, pushing himself to his feet. "Alright then. Let's get this over with."
Drake led him out of the cell, the heavy door clanging shut behind them. The hallways of the holding facility were dimly lit, the air cool and slightly musty. As they walked, Ezra couldn't help but feel the weight of his situation settling on his shoulders. He had wanted to make a name for himself, but this wasn't exactly how he'd planned it to start.
The journey to the Pokemon Center was relatively short. The Pokemon Center was a modest building, its exterior painted in cheerful reds and whites, in contrast to the more subdued tones of the surrounding buildings. Inside, it was bright and bustling, trainers and their Pokemon moving about, chatting with nurses and each other.
He'd needed to visit anyway, for his Spiritomb and Onix, he supposed he'd have to train them both to be somewhat useful for the next little bit. The sale was now postponed, although it wouldn't hurt to still post the picture and get the appetite of the collectors going - getting the bids rolling in so he could keep jacking the price up.
Drake guided Ezra to the reception desk, where a cheerful nurse greeted them. "Good evening! How can I help you today?"
Ezra glanced at Drake, who nodded for him to proceed. "I'd like to register for the Orange League," He said, trying to keep his voice steady, before he put up two Pokeballs on the counter, "And to heal these two guys."
The nurse's smile widened. "Wonderful! Just fill out these forms, and we'll get you set up." She handed him a stack of papers and a pen. "By the time you're done, I'm sure your Pokemon will be healed." She added brightly, stepping away with the two Pokeballs.
Ezra watched her go warily, wondering if it was wise to leave the crystal Onix, but there wasn't much he could do about it. It was unlikely in any case that the Pokemon center would allow any such theft, not with how the capture immediately fills in on the Pokemon League's system at point of capture.
Ezra sat down at a nearby table, Drake standing nearby with his arms crossed. As he filled out the forms, he couldn't help a twinge of annoyance, the paperwork filled with the dryest forms of legalese ever, confirming that the only special clause was indeed one that confirmed he'd staked his honor on going through the entire League - making running away something less than desirable.
Once he had completed the paperwork, the nurse took the forms and entered the information into the computer. "All set!" she said brightly. "Good luck on your journey!" She handed him his Pokeballs back, "And your friends are all healed up!"
Ezra thanked her, turning to face Drake. "So, where do I start?" He said bluntly, wanting to be gone.
He was itching to let his Pokemon out, not used to having them in their Pokeballs.
Drake handed him a map, pointing to the first location. "Your first challenge will be on Mikan Island. The gym leader there specializes in Water type Pokemon. It should be a good test for you."
Ezra nodded, studying the map. "Alright. Mikan Island it is."
As he prepared to leave, Drake placed a hand on his shoulder. "One more thing, kid. Remember, we're watching you. Don't screw this up by refusing to play ball."
Ezra met his gaze, a determined glint in his eyes. "I won't."
With that, he left the Pokemon Center, the map clutched in his hand. The cool evening air hit his face, refreshing after the stuffy confines of the holding cell. He took a deep breath, trying to steady his nerves. This was it. The start of his journey through the Orange League. He knew it wouldn't be easy, but he was ready for the challenge.
He let Pidgeot out, climbing on. The rest of his Pokemon would have to wait a little longer. He wanted off this island, and away from Drake.
He was going to enjoy rubbing it in the man's face when he conquered his little League easily.
Believe it!
Author's note:
Might seem like Agatha comes on a bit strong, but in this world, the league literally has all the power, and as an Elite four, she is above most anyone.
A town council and mayor can only bow their necks when someone like her swoops down. Although her pleasant attitude explains somewhat why they didn't want her around, so didn't tell her, hoping to push it all away to happen outside Lavender Town. Hoping by then she'd have no reason to come by.
Foolish perhaps, but politicians everywhere like sweeping things under the rug rather than dealing with the unpleasant task immediately.
Of course Karen is going to have an easy time finding Ezra, looking around the Kanto circuit… While he's on Orange islands. Frustrating times are ahead for the young teenage Karen.
Ezra will capture plenty of Pokemon throughout this story, every caught one won't necessarily be part of his so called 'main team' as he is planning on crafting his own gym eventually.
Technically Drake really can't force Ezra to do shit, but he correctly figured he could push his buttons to make him want to fight. The more cred he has behind him, the bigger news he can then make it - if Ezra wins over the gyms, even better if he actually beats Drake himself.
The crystal Onix is just the bait at that point to get people to pay attention.
Cheers
JollyHippopotamus
Here's chapter 3, it didn't win on Patron, but I was in the mood for it and wrote another chapter anyway. So it's basically just a bonus!
We'll have some more plans revealed, a visit from a cranky old lady, and a frustrated teenage girl who'll hate Ezra a lot for absolutely no fault of his. Technically.
Also, don't drink and Pokemon, people.
As usual, I do not own Pokemon or the associated companies that deliver material from it. I'm just playing in the kiddy pool, don't hurt me.
Enjoy!
Lavender Town lay shrouded in its usual mist, the eerie silence broken only by the occasional whisper of the wind through the ancient trees and the mournful cries of the Ghost Pokemon that lingered there. Today, the air was heavier, charged with an unfamiliar tension.
From the path leading from the Pokemon Tower, a figure emerged, cloaked in shadows despite the midday sun. Agatha, one of the Elite Four, moved with a grace that belied her years, her eyes sharp and piercing beneath the brim of her wide hat. Her presence commanded respect and fear, her very aura seeming to draw the darkness around her like a shroud.
Followed by her apprentice, she swept out of the tower, the sheer disgust emanating from her scaring off anyone who'd usually try to gain an autograph or a picture.
Not that many were usually that daring in the first place. Agatha had a reputation. One she had cultivated specifically to not have to waste time with mouth breathing ignoramuses.
She had come to Lavender Town for answers, summoned by the disturbing reports she had received once the mystics in the tower had clued in due to rumors around town. As she approached the town hall, the air around her grew colder, the Ghost Pokemon that followed in her wake adding to the chill. Her displeasure was palpable, a dark cloud that seemed to hover just above the ground. Her apprentice slowed down, getting some distance between them, shivering in the chill.
She'd have to make sure to train the child in colder environments if such a little thing bothered her, she mentally cataloged.
The town hall was an old, stately building, its weathered facade a testament to the many generations it had served. Agatha pushed open the heavy wooden doors with a force that belied her frail appearance, slamming them into the wall, announcing her appearance, her eyes narrowing as she stepped into the dimly lit interior. The elders and the Mayor were already assembled, their faces pale with apprehension as they awaited her arrival.
The fools should have known better, they should have certainly had the wits to contact her, to make a decision - instead of foolishly believing they knew what they were doing. Like these wastrels had even touched a Pokeball in decades…
Agatha's presence filled the room like a storm cloud as she slowly walked forward. She fixed the Mayor with a cold, penetrating gaze, her lips curling into a thin, displeased line. "Why," She began, her voice low and dripping with controlled fury, "Was I not informed about this boy with ghost energy?" She queried, "Why did you fools conspire to hide it from my vision? Know your place!" She punctuated her hissed final statement by loudly tapping her cane on the hardwood floor, the thud having a finality to it.
Like judgment had been passed.
The Mayor, a portly man with a nervous twitch, wrung his hands together, sweat beading on his forehead. "Lady Agatha, we -"
"Silence!" Agatha's voice cracked like a whip, cutting off his feeble attempt at an explanation. "You had a boy in your midst, gifted with a connection to Ghost Pokemon, and you thought it best to handle it yourselves? Without consulting me?" She sneered, absolutely disgusted.
When she'd heard, she'd had a moment of elation and interest, the boy's circumstances drawing some parallels with her own ages ago - she'd never run into anyone with her affinity for ghosts, and to not have to train for it - just have it naturally? She'd immediately drawn up an apprenticeship in her mind - until she'd read that the feckless idiots had banished the boy.
They had reacted to his amazing gift with scorn. A boy capable of controlling Pokemon without first obtaining them through the Pokeball system, and they'd reached with hate, instead of grasping the golden opportunity with both arms. Fools! Idiots, Fools! She thought having to hold herself back, lest her shadow would lash out and smite the moronic mouth breathers that infested her town.
Her position in the Elite Four was worth too much to allow herself that pleasure however, so she subsided. Slightly.
The elders shifted uncomfortably, exchanging glances but saying nothing. Agatha's gaze swept over them, her eyes like cold, dark embers. "You are all fools. Superstitious fools who let your ignorance guide your actions." She declared.
One of the elders, an old woman with a wrinkled face and trembling hands, dared to speak. "We thought it best for the town, Lady Agatha. The boy… He was unsettling, those red eyes… He was as much a ghost as the Pokemon. The Ghost Pokemon flocked to him, and -"
"And you exiled him." Agatha's voice was now dangerously soft, a sharp contrast to the fury in her eyes. "You sent him away without understanding his potential, without seeking my counsel. Do you have any idea what you might have lost?" She shook her head, the talismans woven into her hair jingling, "This is Lavender, you should be proud of your heritage, you useless fossils!"
Her apprentice coughed quietly in amusement at her calling someone else a fossil, and her face grew positively vicious as she imagined the tasks she'd put her through for thinking such about a finely aged woman as herself.
Had she made her dig holes and fill them yet? Hmm, she thought, yes she had. Well, she'd come up with something sufficiently unpleasant. It wouldn't do to have her apprentice get lazy and fat.
Meanwhile the old woman recoiled as if struck, her face paling further. "We - " She tried to bluster. The other members were at least wise enough to keep their useless flapping jaws shut in front of her.
"You did not think," Agatha interrupted, her tone icy. "You acted out of fear and ignorance, and now you will face the consequences of your actions." Behind her, the shadows deepened across the walls, leering ghosts smiling at the gathered council, the shadows reaching across like overly long thin fingers, cackling heard as it reached for the councilors.
She inwardly smiled as one of the councilors voided his bladder. She still had it.
She raised a hand like she was about to strike them down, the council all white faced, and then a set of papers materialized in her hand, delivered by one of her ghosts. "The League will be sanctioning all members of the council, all Pokemon related issues will henceforth go entirely through the mystics of the Pokemon tower."
People loyal to her. The paperwork had been easy to get for that. The League did not like someone like this boy running around unattached, not with the kind of power he could potentially let loose.
The Champion had been as angry as Agatha, even as he barely fulfilled his duties, training for his upcoming challenger. The idea that such a natural Pokemon tamer slipped out of their hands due to such incompetence… She could probably spank one or two of these fools and get away with it…
They would hardly kidnap the boy, the League didn't have any legal right to him. Yet like her, they were not impressed, as without the council's interference - they could have had him under their thumb, under Agatha's guidance.
Without authority over Pokemon issues, the council and the Mayor would become entirely toothless, dealing with minor bureaucracy matters entirely. She felt it was a fitting punishment - nothing was worse than bureaucracy. That's why she had an apprentice in the first place, so she could do all the useless nonsense instead of Agatha and leave her the important bits.
The Mayor tried again, his voice shaking. "Lady Agatha, please. We didn't mean any harm. We thought - "
"You thought wrong," Agatha snapped. She turned her back on them, her cloak swirling around her like a dark specter. "I will find this boy. I will see for myself what you have cast out. And if he is as gifted as the reports suggest, you better pray he is amenable to joining the League, or your position will become untenable to say the least…"
The room fell silent, the weight of her words hanging heavily in the air. Agatha moved toward the door, her movements fluid and deliberate. As she reached the threshold, she paused, turning her head slightly to fix them with one last, withering glance.
"Pray that he is unharmed and not already caught by undesirable elements. Pray that your foolishness has not cost us a valuable ally. If it has, Lavender Town's council will not soon forget the wrath of the Ghost Mistress."
With that, she swept out of the town hall, the doors slamming shut behind her with a finality that echoed through the empty corridors. The Mayor and the elders sat in stunned silence, the gravity of their actions sinking in with a chilling clarity.
Agatha made her way back through the mist-shrouded streets, her mind racing with thoughts of the boy. She would find him. She would assess his potential. And if he was indeed the natural prodigy she suspected, she would take him under her wing, away from the small-minded fools who had failed to recognize his worth.
And woe to those who stood in her way.
She turned to her apprentice, giving her a gimlet stare, the girl straightening, but keeping a placid expression, she had more backbone then the entire council. Not that it was a surprise. If she hadn't, Agatha would have never bothered with her in the first place.
She tapped her cane on the ground thoughtfully, "Karen, you wanted some independence… Join the circuit, find this boy, stick close, I want to know everything." She ordered.
"... Great, stuck on babysitting duty…" Karen groaned, slumping slightly, a distasteful twist to her lips.
Agatha raised an unimpressed eyebrow, "Yes, I wonder how that feels." She said dryly, pointedly.
Karen glared at her huffily, "It's so not the same, Lady Agatha!"
"I beg to differ, you're all wet behind the ears rookies to me." She sniffed, turning on her heels, slowly sinking into the shadows, disappearing from view.
Karen could take it from there, the boy could hardly have gone far, she'd join the circuit from Lavender and trace the boy's steps.
Within a week she'd surely have a report on what made the boy tick, or she'd have to motivate the girl further…
It wasn't until she returned to her office that she realized the real crime those fools had committed.
With Karen out searching for the boy, there was no one around to do her paperwork!
"Ohohoho…" She cackled quietly, her shadow stretching across the office, frost spreading across the window, "They'll pay, come tax season… Oh will they ever pay…"
If she had to do paperwork, she was going to absolutely drown them in audits and unnecessary dross.
Never let it be said that Agatha wasn't a petty old witch.
Far away from Lavender Town, like really, nowhere near Lavender.
Ezra soared through the clear morning sky, the wind whipping through his hair as he gripped the feathers of his newly evolved Pidgeot. The majestic bird Pokemon's powerful wings beat rhythmically, propelling them forward at a rapid pace. The world below them blurred into a patchwork of forests, rivers, and mountains. Ezra couldn't help but grin at it all - the thrill of flight was exhilarating.
Once he'd get set up properly and retired Pidgeot to a nice forest, he'd have to replace her with a proper dark flying type, because he'd definitely want to fly again. He'd never felt so free, just soaring the sky like this was amazing.
It was cold, wet, uncomfortable and so exhilarating that he didn't care about the first three. Him, that disdained existing outside his creature comforts - that wanted city life over roughing it in the wild. The sky was so freeing that he didn't care about anything else, just enjoying the moment.
Leaving Lavender Town behind felt like shedding a heavy cloak that weighed you down. The haunting memories of his rebirth and the suffocating suspicion of the townspeople were far below him now, almost insignificant. But he knew he had to remain vigilant. The world outside was just as dangerous, if not more so. His encounter with the dead trainer had reinforced that reality.
Whether poachers or Team Rocket, or even dangerous wild Pokemon - this world had threats to his life if he became complacent. Especially once he started making waves with some of his knowledge.
Pryce was currently the champion, he'd read up on his Pokedex. Although not for long in all likelihood, the old ice type leader was facing an Elite Four challenge from Lance the Blackthorn dragon specialist, the winner of the last conference. He hadn't issued the challenge yet, but the online forums all agreed it was only a matter of time, certainly before this year's circuit was done.
Ezra of course knew how that challenge would go, Lance would win and become champion, which meant he was definitely years before Ash was a thing.
There was a lot of chatter online that wasn't very complimentary about Lance and Pryce. The fact that both the Champion and the prospective Champion were from Johto wasn't very popular in Kanto for numerous reasons. It hadn't been helped by the fact that as far as Ezra could tell from skimming articles and forums on the matter, Pryce was just incredibly uncharismatic, and practically flaunting his preference for Johto at all times.
He was the stereotype of clannish noble Johto types, traditional, old and arrogant. The funny thing was that Lance was technically exactly the same but younger and more attractive. The other difference was he was charismatic and smart enough to not advertise his preferences - knowing the Champion was supposed to be above all that.
Hence he was already more popular, despite not even having challenged the Elite Four yet. Even those on the forums that hated Johto, and Lance just for being a Blackthorn - hated Pryce more. Funny to think Lance's popularity would be not so much from anything he'd done, as much as people just being glad to be rid of the old Champion.
Either way, the politics of it didn't matter to him other than for curiosity's sake - and to confirm again around which time in the timeline he was.
With his knowledge on both evolutions no one knew about, as well as knowledge about fairy types who the world didn't even classify as fairy yet - he stood to make bank. It was just a question of making sure he progressed quickly enough in training that his monetary schemes wouldn't be poached by villainous trainers.
Although he had some ideas on how to mitigate that. But those required a partner. And he hardly had anyone he could trust with that at the moment.
And all of it would require some start-up funds. And luckily he knew exactly where to get that. This world, just like any world, had rich people willing to throw insane amounts of money for anything that was unique. Like say a crystal Onix.
Something he knew the general whereabouts for. Oh, he likely wouldn't find it immediately, but that was fine, just meant more battles and training for his Pokemon as he searched. He was in no rush to run to the circuit after all. With flight, he could literally hit up every gym within a week if he so wanted later. There was no rush.
Ezra patted Pidgeot's neck, they'd already flown quite far yesterday before kipping for the night, so they still have a bit to go, but not unreasonably so. "Alright, buddy, let's head for the Orange Islands. We have a special Pokemon to find, step one of getting rich and bad ass enough you'll get your own forest and little harem." Pidgeot let out a triumphant cry, acknowledging the command, seeming to pick up speed from the encouragement.
The journey to the Orange Islands would be long, but Ezra's determination drove him forward. No pain no gain - he'd suffer now to live a life of luxury later. His knowledge would be useless if he sat on it, as someone would eventually discover all the things he knew - making his information worthless if he didn't act on it.
A day passed as they traveled, stopping occasionally for rest and to train his team. The bond between Ezra and his Pokemon continued to grow as they showed a remarkable ability to understand his wishes and move forward in training. He didn't know if this was usual for Pokemon or not, as most training methods were not in fact openly advertised - trainers and clans keeping it close to the vest.
That night, as he sat by the campfire, he played around with his Pokedex, Pidgeot resting, while his other Pokemon all continued their training on harnessing their energy, making their techniques less wasteful, and more focused - the Pokemon well rested as they'd had nothing to do but hang out in Pokeballs all day during traveling.
Trawling through the primitive web he could access through his Pokedex showed very few tips, mostly generic. Actual training tools and tips were kept mum by even the independent trainers, no one willing to give an advantage up. The web itself was clunky and separated, Kanto and Johto for example having a different web requiring a hassle and a half to switch between them to search the other side.
That wasn't even mentioning Sinnoh and Hoenn having just recently opened up trade, and getting on their web took forever, and required a trainer ID, barring anyone else from Kanto to use it at all.
Each Gym and the Pokemon League all had a website, but it was so basic it made him cringe. It definitely wasn't a processing problem, they had enough computing power to transfer Pokemon into data. It just seemed that with the focus so heavily on Pokemon, other pursuits that didn't really involve Pokemon at all - like the web - were lagging behind, the greatest minds inevitably going into Pokemon research, where the money was.
Honestly… If he could get his hands on a Porygon, he'd make a lot of money on creating something like YouTube/twitter/Instagram allowing trainers to post video and pictures of their Pokemon/Pokemon Battles and the like. What they had now was basically scattered little forums that were a pain to find. They needed modernization in this matter - for the sake of Ezra's wallet.
And of course because it would help him gain enough of a reputation to push for his own gym if said app just happened to have an algorithm that pushed his own accomplishments and battles to the front of everyone's feed…
He made a note in his Pokedex notepad, a Porygon would be essential ASAP, as soon as he had the money from the crystal Onix sale. He wasn't by any stretch an ace programmer, but he knew some, and with a Porygon to help, surely he could at least knock out something basic that would be better then some scattered low effort forums.
It was interesting however to note the differences between the Anime and real life here. Pokedex wasn't a new thing by the time Ash would begin, or he wouldn't hold one right now. They just probably began to be cheap enough for more trainers to have them by Ash's time - or that was an entirely separate universe, who knew how these things worked, really?
Some technology that was new by Ash time already existed here, and there were more kinds of Pokemon then the game/anime had for the beginning stretch - which made sense when he thought about it more. Kanto alone was huge, only 150 types of Pokemon was unrealistic for a landmass this large.
He shut the Pokedex down, his evil monetary schemes would have to wait for now. If he focused too much on it, he'd go overboard and introduce Gacha games to the world. Collectible Waifu Pokemon girls in Gacha games, would probably ruin the economy here.
He craned his neck, staring into the darkness where his Pokemon were still practicing, "One hour more, then rest." He ordered quietly, shaking his head at the immediate whining he got from Cubone.
Ever since there'd been some success with iron tail, the little nut had gone all in for training.
He gingerly got up from where he was sitting, his ass and thighs smarting from the long hours sitting on Pidgeot and holding on tight. He walked over towards where Cubone was, bending down and patting Cubone on the head gently, "Hey, we'll be there soon, then we can fight and train all day, but right now, you need to not overdo it while I can't watch over you." He said, glancing at Haunter and Shuppet, both who immediately froze, acting like they hadn't been shooting shadow balls at each other. "And you two, don't think I noticed that sloppy firing sequence, if you're going to play around, get in good habits, perfect your energy, get a higher rate of speed on your shots, and learn to observe and tell what your opponents body language says about where they're going to dodge." He lectured.
He didn't mind at all if they wanted to shoot the shit out of each other, as long as they didn't actually hurt each other enough to faint. But they needed to actually pay attention to what they were doing and draw some measure of improvement out of it.
Haunted and Shuppet both started eying each other more thoughtfully, and Ezra knew they'd think on his words going forward. With so many different body types around, reading body language wouldn't be wholly successful, but experience would add onto it for every enemy they defeated, so the sooner they started thinking about it, the better.
The more his Pokemon would know about battling, other Pokemon, and their habits, idiosyncrasies and techniques, the more they'd be able to react in the heat of battle without him ordering them to. Another reason to set up Pokemon YouTube really.
When his Pokemon wasn't training, they could watch videos of other trainers and their Pokemon and learn, resting their body while activating their minds. Other clever trainers would perhaps think of the same thing - but if he knew people, only the cleverest of trainers would even think of it - so he'd still be in the top one percent.
He patted Cubone on the head again, "I'm going to bed, remember, one hour." He said sternly, before he returned to his tent, pausing just before he entered, speaking to his shadow, "Keep an eye out, keep the camp safe, and if they go over an hour, feel free to prank them into acquiescence." He told the multitude of ghosts that followed him around.
He got a multitude of giggles from that, and he entered his tent to go sleep, safe in the knowledge his camp would remain unmolested, and his Pokemon wouldn't overdo their training without him there to supervise.
He really was just a giant walking cheat code - and he was okay with that.
The next day,
Finally, the Orange Islands had come into view. A cluster of tropical islands, each with its unique charm and danger - the Orange league protecting it, and if he remembered correctly, Lorelei was supposed to hang around somewhere here as well. Ezra directed Pidgeot to land on one of the medium sized islands, guessing that it was Sunburst island from vague memory, the island the crystal Onix called home.
The island was lush and vibrant, with thick jungles and pristine beaches. As Ezra dismounted from Pidgeot, he couldn't help but take in the beauty around him. But he had no time for sightseeing. He needed to find a guide who knew the island well. He could spend his time poking the Orange League, training and looking around at the native Pokemon and such, after he accomplished what he came here for.
After some searching, and getting laughed at by people, Ezra found a local fisherman named Marco, who agreed to take him to the rumored location of the crystal Onix for a small fee - seemingly bemused at the 'tourist' wasting his money on a myth. Marco was an older man, his skin weathered by the sun and sea, but his eyes were sharp and alert. He had a scarred and weathered looking Cloyster at his side.
He also had made no comments about Ezra's particular look, other than to critically tell him to put on more sunscreen if he wanted to not be in agony the next day, with as he said 'skin like that'. Which Ezra could appreciate.
"I've heard the stories and myths of the crystal Onix," Marco said as they trekked through the dense jungle. "But I've never seen it myself, and honestly, it's just a story spread over drinks, based on something one of the local kids had said which then spread on its own. Some say it lives in a hidden cave, deep within the island. Others believe it roams the jungle at night." He shrugged his shoulders uncaringly, "If it was real, someone would have seen it or caught it by now."
Ezra nodded, listening intently. "Do you think it's possible for it to just be hiding underground then?" The fact it's even a story here, a myth, should mean I'm in the right place at least.
Marco shrugged. "Who can say? But this island holds many secrets. If you're determined, maybe you'll find it." The amused quirk to his smile told Ezra the old man was just humoring him for the small amount of coin he'd received.
The journey through the jungle was arduous. The thick foliage and humid air made progress slow. Wild Pokemon occasionally appeared, but Ezra's team handled them with ease. His Haunter and Shuppet flitted through the shadows, while Cubone and Pidgeot kept close, ready to defend against any threats.
The old man and his Cloyster didn't assist, seemingly enjoying letting the youngsters do all the work. Ezra had a feeling the old man was simply going along with this so he'd have a funny story about stupid tourist kids at the bar later.
Ezra would have to make sure to find him later and rub the crystal Onix in his face. Maybe he'd even be able to get a drink out of it. Stupid deaging, stealing alcohol from him…
As they moved deeper into the island, Marco pointed to a dark opening in the side of a hill. "That's the entrance to a series of caves. If the crystal Onix is anywhere, it might be in there." He said with a lackadaisical voice.
Ezra nodded, his excitement building. He thanked Marco and ventured into the cave. Glad for robbing that Pokemart in Lavender of so much miscellaneous equipment, as he had plenty of glow sticks to light the way. The cave was damp and cool, a stark contrast to the sweltering jungle outside. Stalactites hung from the ceiling, dripping water into small pools on the ground as he moved forward.
"Shuppet, front and center, immediately cast confuse rays on any Pokemon that moves to attack us, Haunter, behind us, same thing for anyone attacking from behind, Cubone, circle me, iron tail on anything that gets caught by either of your comrades." He ordered softly, before moving ahead, his Pokemon falling into formation.
Cubones Iron tail was hardly a finished product, but it was respectable enough. Soon enough Cubone might even be able to progress to coating its club the same way if the progress continued. It was kind of ridiculous actually.
Ezra moved cautiously, his senses alert for any sign of danger. The cave seemed to stretch endlessly, twisting and turning like a labyrinth. His Pokemon moved silently around him, their eyes scanning the darkness as well, the glow sticks lighting the way just enough.
Despite being a new trainer, he didn't feel afraid of the possibility of going further down. His Pokemon were stronger then the average beginners, and harder to hurt for the most part, at least his Ghosts. And as a backup he had dozens of ghosts that hung around him seemingly feeding on his aura or whatever it was.
It's why he felt confident he could take the Onix no matter what.
As they moved, they periodically ran into Pokemon, mostly Zubats, Paras and Geodudes, but they all were only glimpses, as the Pokemon showed some intelligence - disengaging immediately and fleeing, instead of attacking the obviously ready party with several Pokemon out.
He didn't know if they could sense his dark aura and the ghosts hiding within. If they could, it would make sense why even the most bold of them never stepped forward to challenge them while Ezra plunged deeper into the wild Pokemon's territory.
Eventually, he called for a break, placing several glow sticks in a circle to light up their area, sitting down on his pack as he took a breather, taking out his water bottle and a quick snack to reinvigorate himself. His Pokemon were still fine, having had no fights. Walking or floating, not doing much to them, unlike Ezra who was still a weak human.
He knew he had to work on that at least a little, as he didn't intend to lose out on stamina forever. But he hadn't had much time yet since he started his journey, and his gains from working out while he was in Lavender, had mostly worked to fix how weak his body had been from the beginning - leaving now for actual proper gains.
"This might take awhile…" He mused out loud to his Pokemon, glancing around the darkness beyond their little circle of light. "We're basically going in blind…" He couldn't remember exactly how the crystal Onix was found, nor what the kid and sculptor who'd fight it when Ash was there were named - not that they likely knew where it was at this time anyway.
But he knew he was on the right island, and Marco had known about the Myth. So now it was simply a matter of exploring this cave system until he found it.
He took another sip of water, putting his water bottle away afterwards. "Alright, let's continue." He breathed out quietly, picking up the glow sticks again, "Same formation, just in case."
They plunged deeper into the darkness.
A day later,
Ezra was beginning to regret his insistence to plunge deeper.
To be fair, he hadn't expected the cave system to be this freaking massive. The tunnels had the hallmarks of being made by Onix, and apparently they'd made a lot of them over the years.
Sleeping down here had been interesting… The distant noises of wild Pokemon and creaking rock had made it pretty difficult, even if he knew he was protected by his Pokemon, there was just something about sleeping under tons of rock that could be shifted by a Pokemon that unsettled him.
Further irritating him, he'd run into actual ruins. Deep under Sunburst island, parts of the cave system had begun to have broken pillars, mosaics, and signs of other man made structures; he didn't remember any of that in regards to the crystal Onix, which made him wary.
He better not be running into an Arceus damn legendary or something… He was not Ash.
With the knowledge that the crystal Onix was definitely somewhere on this island. He continued exploring the ruins, or what was left of them, as time and the Onix created tunnels had wreaked some havoc on the structures.
It took several more hours, and squeezing through some uncomfortably small crevices, but he made it to the deepest chamber, halfway expecting the crystal Onix to be waiting for him.
Instead he was greeted by an attack the moment he stepped through.
His Cubone reacted quicker than him, knocking his legs out with its club, making him fall over, the dark wave passing over him where his head had been. Too close!
Ezra wasn't taking any chances after that, "Disable it!" He shouted, making a gesture, his shadow undulating as it spit out over a dozen ghosts, Misdreavus, Haunters, Gastly, all howling as they came out firing out attacks.
His own Shuppet and Haunter hovered protectively in front of him, gathering their energies, preparing their dense special attacks, Cubone growing as it stood before his prone form, club raised.
No further action was needed, his coterie of Ghosts suppressing the enemy Pokemon through sheer force of techniques, the Pokemon fainting.
Ezra gingerly got up, already feeling a bruise form on his shin from Cubones hit, he patted the Pokemon on the head again, giving it a smile, as it closed its eyes and almost crooned at the headpat. "Good job, Cubone, everyone."
He walked forward and examined the Pokemon, fingering a Pokeball.
It was a Spiritomb.
What were the odds? A Ghost/Dark Pokemon that was an extremely rare find, and here it was in front of him. It had been deep down inside a ruin, which made some sense, but it still seemed suspiciously fortuitous.
If he remembered correctly, it was said to be formed by a combination of spirits, but Pokemon entries like those were notoriously creepy for Ghosts to begin with - and he wasn't sure he believed that they were real here in the real world.
The Pokemon itself was a purple miasma with green dots and lines that almost approximated a face of sorts, all attached to a keystone at the bottom.
There really wasn't much to think about here. Despite the fact he'd actually been attacked for the first time by a dark or ghost type, he tossed the Pokeball over, capturing the Spiritomb. It was a Ghost/Dark type. He wanted a Ghost/Dark type gym. It was a no brainer.
He'd have to wait until he returned to the surface and a Pokemon center to introduce it to the team however. To see if the attack had been a fluke on its home or sanctuary being breached, or if this was actually the first of its type to not be enamored of his aura that he'd run into.
He looked around the area, trying to see if there was anything special about the chamber, any fossils or stones or anything at all to point out what this temple or ruin had been about. There was nothing.
He groaned as he looked at the way back, "Alright, we'll be heading back everyone, this has not exactly gone as planned, so we'll go back to the surface and find another way down after resting up." He decided.
Going through random tunnels all the way down here was unlikely to yield any better results right now. He'd tried plunging deeper, and although Spiritomb was a nice find, he didn't want to spend the rest of his life in a cave.
The crystal Onix had been found closer to the surface he was sure, so he'd go back up, and find another tunnel, and keep exploring different tunnels near the surface. Like he probably should have from the beginning. Why hadn't he done that from the beginning?
He looked down at the Pokeball that held Spiritomb, his thumb gently caressing it. Had he been unknowingly drawn to the Pokemon, just like his aura drew it's kind to him?
He didn't know.
Something he'd need to figure out eventually, for now it could have simply been thoughtlessness in his excitement. Plunging deeper because the Onix tunnels went deeper.
Taking a deep breath, he let go of all unnecessary thoughts, facing the crevice that would take him back, "Let's go." He said, the ghosts sliding back into his shadow, a feeling that soothed him, he hadn't even realized he'd felt slightly empty while they were all out until they returned, a feeling like a cold caress going through his mind.
There was nothing he could do to figure it out right now anyway, so there was absolutely no point in worrying about it. So he put it out of his mind and moved forward. His own Pokemon going back into formation.
They had a long way to go to get back up.
The universe was fucking with him, that was the only explanation.
On the way down he'd marked each wall to ensure he could find his way out again. And he'd followed his way up precisely as it had been marked.
Except he'd never run into this on the way down.
As he stepped further into the chamber in front of him, he felt a faint tremor beneath his feet. His heart raced as he realized he might be close - that by luck, miracle or by design, he'd arrived at the right place after all. He signaled his Pokemon to stay alert and moved forward slowly.
A shimmering light caught his eye as he moved forward, and he saw a large crystal formation jutting out of the cave wall over a pool of water. The light reflected off the crystal, casting a kaleidoscope of colors across the chamber. Ezra's breath caught in his throat as he saw movement within the crystal.
From the shadows emerged a massive Onix, its body made entirely of shiny reflective crystal. The light from the crystal formation reflected through its body, creating a dazzling display of colors. The crystal Onix moved with a fluid grace, its eyes glowing with an otherworldly light as it entered the chamber in front of him, letting out a roar.
Ezra's excitement and apprehension blended into a single emotion as he took in the sight before him. The crystal Onix was real, and it was magnificent.
Collectors would go insane once he posted this, even through the shitty disconnected forums that were available, the word would spread quickly. Connecting to Hoenn's web would be a pain in the ass, but might be worth it, because if he got Steven Stone's attention - money would be tossed his way in ridiculous amounts.
The Onix let out a low, rumbling growl, sliding through the water until it got on land, fifty meters ahead of him.
Haunter and Shuppet moved into position, their ghostly forms blending with the shadows. The crystal Onix roared, its body glinting in the light as it prepared to attack.
"Haunter, use Confuse Ray! Shuppet, follow up with Will-O-Wisp!" Ezra ordered, before immediately following up by cheating massively, "Everyone, disorient and weaken the Onix." His passengers flowing out of his shadow to launch their own attacks.
Haunter's eyes glowed as it launched a Confuse Ray at the crystal Onix, the ghostly energy swirling towards the massive Pokemon. Shuppet followed with Will-O-Wisp, sending out eerie blue flames that danced around the Onix crystal skin.
The crystal Onix roared in frustration, the attacks disorienting it, but it put its head down, preparing to charge through it - that's when the masses attack of a dozen or so Ghosts slammed into it, a bevy of confuse rays, hypnosis and other attacks staggering the Onix which aborted it's attack, running straight into a wall instead, rocks tumbling as it smashed the wall hard.
It couldn't even be called a battle, as he called out, "Hypnosis, everyone!" As the Onix was battered by the attack, unable to muster a defense as it fell under, falling asleep."
Ezra immediately tossed a Pokeball, not able to hold back a cackle of glee as it twitched for three shakes, and then clicked with the sound of a successful capture. "We did it!" He shouted, showering his Pokemon in exuberant joy.
The money to kick-start all his plans - it was his, and so easily.
Real battles in league sanctioned fights would be more difficult, but out in the wild like this? He was a monster. The crystal Onix had not even been able to put up a defense against so many Pokemon launching debilitating attacks on it.
"Let's head back." He said with a pleased smile. This expedition had been incredibly rewarding.
Not even a real trainer yet, with barely a few battles under his belt. He now would have the financial means to really do something. Money was useless sitting around, he needed to put it to work. Which meant he needed to find a partner who could handle the actual work part as he himself took a nice fat cut of the profits.
Because he'd hardly spend the rest of his life as a breeder or something.
He made his way back up top whistling a jaunty tune.
If anyone had seen the practically malicious smile on his lips at the moment, they would have run the other way immediately.
Marco leaned back in his weathered chair, the old wood creaking under his weight as he laughed heartily with his friends. They sat outside a cozy bar on Sunburst Island, the sun dipping towards the horizon, painting the sky with hues of orange and pink. The air was thick with the scent of salt and tropical flowers, a pleasant breeze carrying the distant calls of wild Pokemon. The bar itself was a rustic establishment, its walls adorned with fishing nets, shells, and trinkets collected from the sea. The outdoor seating was a mix of old wooden tables and chairs, some showing signs of repair, but it all added to the charm of the place.
For old timers like them, the new bars with all the steel and such just felt wrong. Didn't feel alive enough to bother spending time in - too cold and impersonal - the chairs here had stories, the tables had personality. Sometimes tradition really was best, and when there was drinking to be done - was always the best time.
"Did you see that kid again?" one of Marco's friends, a burly fisherman named Tito, said with a chuckle. "The one that was talking about finding the crystal Onix. Imagine that!" He shook his head, "They get younger every year, the fools."
Marco chuckled, shaking his own head. "Tourists and their wild dreams. Can't blame 'em though, the myths have been around forever." He said, taking a long sip of his drink, shifting the little umbrella.
Another mark against those new flashy bars. They didn't have the little umbrellas, Marco couldn't imagine a drink without them, it was almost sacrilege really.
Another friend, Luis, a wiry man with a mischievous grin, leaned in. "I told him he'd have better luck finding a Gyarados in his bathtub when he asked me, dunno why you bothered to help the lad, Marco." His hair was adorned with seashells, clicking together as the man chuckled at his own joke.
The group erupted in laughter, their mirth echoing through the warm evening air. Marco took a swig of his drink, a cold fruity thing that felt perfect after a long day at sea. As he set the glass down, he spotted movement out of the corner of his eye. Turning, he saw the kid from earlier, Ezra, making his way towards them. The boy looked exhausted, his clothes disheveled and streaked with dirt, his face pale but eyes gleaming with determination.
Not that it said much about the boy, as he always looked pale. Marco had never seen such a weird looking boy before, and felt some sympathy for the lad. Was it a wonder he was so far from home looking for myths? A lad like that likely had faced some hardship from people.
Marco's laughter faded as he watched Ezra approach, he didn't want to make the lad feel bad by letting him know he'd been part of the merrymaking. He raised a hand, signaling to his friends to quiet down. "Hey kid," he called out, his voice gruff but not unkind. "Finally had enough of chasing myths?"
Ezra shook his head, a tired but triumphant smile playing on his lips. "Not quite," he replied, plopping down on an empty chair with a sigh of relief. The smell was… Noticeable. But they were all fishermen, so they didn't bother mentioning it.
Marco signaled to the bartender, a middle-aged woman named Clara, to bring a drink. "Get the kid a soda, on me."
Ezra frowned slightly. "How about something stronger? I could really use it." He immediately fired, a look of want in his creepy red eyes.
Marco snorted, his lips quirking into a wry smile. "Come back in a decade, and maybe I'll think about it. Last thing we need is a lad like you getting into trouble with booze." He said, feeling a tad hypocritical, considering how young he'd started himself.
When you were out at sea, wasn't anyone policing what a young man did, something he'd taken advantage of in his youth.
But a lad with his particular problems, likely had some demons around, Marco wasn't entirely unaware of the oddity of Ghost Pokemon so easily following someone. With his looks, he'd likely faced at the minimum some bad bullying, so underage drinking was probably a bad idea.
Luis laughed, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "Yeah, Marco's right. You look like the type who'd get into all sorts of trouble with a drink in hand."
Ezra shrugged, seemingly unbothered by their teasing. He leaned back in his chair, accepting the soda that Clara handed him. "Fine, but will you buy me a drink if I find the crystal Onix?" He asked, practically chugging down the soda in one go, making a face of distaste.
Marco didn't know what exactly 'shitty expy of mountain dew' was supposed to mean, nor was he sure the lad meant for anyone to hear his grumbling, but he was more distracted by the almost smug look in the lad's eye.
The fishermen exchanged glances, Marco's gut tightening with a premonition. Tito, always the joker, smirked. "Sure kid, if you find it, I'll buy you ten drinks - any kind you want."
Ezra's smile widened, taking on a mischievous edge. Without another word, he reached to his belt and pulled out a Pokeball, tossing it casually into the street. Marco watched in stunned silence as the ball opened with a flash of light, revealing a massive, sleeping crystal Onix. Its body shimmered in the fading sunlight, casting rainbow reflections onto the cobblestone street.
For a moment there was just silence, and the incredibly smug look on the boy in front of them.
Then shouts of amazement and shock erupted from all around, drawing the attention of passersby who gaped at the magnificent creature, people coming out of their houses and places of business to gawk at it, drawn from the commotion. Marco's mouth hung open, his glass slipping from his hand and clattering to the ground, forgotten.
Ezra stood up, taking a picture of his capture with his Pokedex for some reason. He turned to Tito, who was staring at the Onix with wide eyes. "So, about those drinks?" He said, eyes twinkling.
Tito blinked, shaking his head as if to clear it. "Well, I'll be damned. Alright kid, you earned 'em. Clara, get this kid whatever he wants, on me!" He shouted.
Marco's heart pounded in his chest as he watched Clara nod and head back into the bar. He couldn't believe his eyes. The lad had actually done it. He glanced around, seeing the growing crowd of onlookers, all murmuring and pointing at the crystal Onix.
The myth was real. That was going to cause some commotion amongst the Orange islands. Especially with an outsider being the one to both confirm it, and capture the damn thing.
"This is going to be trouble," Marco muttered to himself, wiping a bead of sweat from his forehead. But as long as it wasn't him buying the drinks, he supposed it couldn't hurt. How much trouble could the lad really get into? And he was just a fisherman, so the other troubles, they really were none of his concern.
Clara returned with a tray laden with drinks. Ezra pointed at a dark bottle. "I'll take that one, the Spicy rum." He glanced at Marco and the others, adding with a cheeky grin, "I'll start slow."
He was lucky that Clara literally gave no shits as long as she got paid, or he wouldn't be getting shit all. The woman just looked amused as she handed him the drink.
The fishermen burst into laughter again, the tension breaking as they marveled at the boy's audacity. Marco couldn't help but feel a grudging respect for Ezra. The kid had more guts than most seasoned trainers he'd known - he'd been gone for over two days, so he'd have spent all that time in the depths, harassed constantly by wild Pokemon. That was no small thing.
"Alright, kid," Marco said, raising his new drink in a toast. "You proved us wrong. Here's to you."
Ezra raised his glass, the dark rum fizzing slightly. "To adventure," He said, clinking his glass against theirs.
Marco stopped him before he could take a sip, and there was a glint of something dark in those red eyes for a moment, before it vanished as Marco plopped a tiny yellow umbrella in his drink, "Can't drink without it, it's not proper." He explained gruffly.
Ezra smirked, but didn't say a word, simply lifting his glass and appearing to savor the drink. Marco hadn't done underage drinking in 50 plus years - but he was pretty sure when he'd been a lad he hadn't had the sense to sip and savor it, instead of gulping it down. It was an oddity, but he supposed the boy was entirely an oddity anyway.
As they drank, the sun continued its descent, casting long shadows across the island. The bar's warm lights flickered on, creating a cozy glow that contrasted with the brilliant reflections from the crystal Onix still sleeping in the street. Marco leaned back, taking in the scene, a sense of wonder mingling with his usual wariness. He'd have a story to tell at the bar for years to come, all thanks to this strange, determined lad.
He had a feeling he'd go far.
Just hopefully far away from the Orange islands…
Decades as a fisherman had given him a keen sense of when trouble was brewing. And this lad definitely seemed likely to stir the pot.
As the drinking wore on, he slipped away from the bar, the Onix already thankfully at that point returned to its Pokeball before it could wake up.
The lad obviously had no idea about alcohol tolerance, and he didn't want to be around when this all cocked up.
Next morning, Sunburst island.
Ezra groaned as he stirred awake, the cold, hard surface beneath him jarring his senses. His head throbbed, a relentless, pounding ache that echoed the rough night he'd had. Blinking against the harsh light streaming through a barred window, he struggled to sit up, his muscles protesting with every movement. As his eyes adjusted, he realized he was in a small, spartan cell. The walls were bare, painted a dull gray, and a single door stood at one end. It didn't take long for him to deduce that he was in some kind of holding cell - a drunk tank, to be precise.
Alright, maybe it hadn't been the wisest idea to celebrate with so many drinks, but dammit I missed being able to have one whenever I felt like…
He'd definitely gone a little overboard, not that he could remember after a few drinks, really, that bartender should be disbarred from bartending, was that a thing?
Ugh, his head was still weird…
A soft, almost serene presence drew his attention to the corner of the room. There, sitting calmly with an inscrutable expression, was a Psychic Pokemon - a Hypno, its pendulum swinging slowly back and forth as it simply watched over him. Ezra stared at it for a moment, trying to piece together the events that had led him here. The Pokemon watched him placidly, as if keeping a vigil over its temporary charge.
He supposed it was nice that they had a Pokemon around to make sure he didn't die choking on his own vomit or something. Or at least one able to call go help, since it was a Psychic type.
Ezra rubbed his temples, wincing at the pain. "What did I do this time?" he muttered, trying to recall the hazy memories of the previous night. He remembered the bar, the fishermen, and the triumphant display of his crystal Onix. But beyond that, everything was a blur of laughter, cheers, and probably increasingly reckless decisions.
He knew himself to know that he'd likely not kept it cool and collected. He could be a right bastard at times. And this body had definitely not had alcohol before.
As he checked himself over to ensure he was in one piece, albeit with the hangover of his life, the door to the cell creaked open. A tall, imposing figure stepped in, his presence filling the small space. The man wore a red and orange vest with a black undershirt that left his arms bare - a Pokeball hanging from his neck on a chain - he had messy dark hair and a narrow face, and his sharp eyes held a mixture of curiosity and authority.
"Good morning," The man said, his voice a deep, pleasant timbre. "I'm Drake, the leader of the Orange League."
Ezra's heart skipped a beat. The leader of the Orange League was here to see him? He tried to shake off his grogginess, his mind racing to figure out why someone of Drake's stature would bother with him. "Uh, hi," He managed, his voice hoarse. "Is it normal for league leaders to visit guys who had a bit too much to drink?"
Because he'd bet it was not in fact normal.
Drake's lips quirked into a dry smile. "It's normal when said guy drunkenly sicks dozens of ghosts to steal every piece of women's underwear in Sunburst and then naps on it like a dragon on its hoard, the ghosts all guarding him."
He scratched his chin, looking faintly amused, "You are very lucky that your Pokemon did not take that to mean underwear currently being worn."
Ezra stared at him, baffled. "I did what?" The absurdity of it all left him momentarily speechless. "How am I not dead from general female hatred?" He wondered out loud, wincing at the thought of the kind of retaliation he would have faced if he'd done worse.
Dammit, he was just like some stupid manga shounen protagonist with a ridiculous trick like that. The hit to his reputation would be immense, if he had a reputation yet. Thankfully he got this nonsense out of the way now, instead of when he was famous.
And no one would ever mention it again. He willed that into the ether, this is dealt with, it's done, it's gone!
Drake snorted, leaning against the doorframe with an air of nonchalance. "You're lucky you're just a weird outsider kid. They were pissed, sure, but mostly they found it stupid and annoying rather than inciting balls-crushing anger. They just want you gone, instead of dead."
Ezra winced, rubbing the back of his neck. "So, you're here to escort me out?" That made at least some sense, even if it was a little ridiculous for the head of the league to do the task.
Drake shook his head, his expression serious. "No, I have other priorities. Like wondering what you were doing with an Orange Island national treasure." He cocked his head, "Care to share?"
Ezra's caution heightened, his mind clearing a bit from the fog of his hangover. "There's no information stating that," He said carefully. "As far as I and everyone I talked to were concerned, it was just a myth." He eyed Drake, suspecting the man was trying to trick him. "You're trying to snow me."
Drake raised an eyebrow. "What does that even mean?" His tone held bemusement as he questioned Ezra's statement.
Ezra sighed. "It means you're trying to deceive me, by exaggerating something."
The league leader chuckled, a deep, rumbling sound. "Kid, I'm the leader of the Orange League. If I say it's a national treasure, it is."
Ezra crossed his arms, a defiant glint in his eyes. "If you try to take it away, I'll petition the Kanto League." He threatened.
The crystal Onix was the gateway into all his plans, the start up fund to pay for it all. He was not giving it up.
Drake waved the threat away dismissively. "That would be useless. But there's no need to go that far anyway." His tone softened slightly, almost conspiratorial. "I have a proposition for you. I want you to go through the Orange League and win. When you leave, and eventually get famous, the crystal Onix will be known as one of your first captures. Even if you sell it, the Orange Islands will be known as the first league you challenged and we will get some of that fame, drawing more tourists looking for myths and attempting to mimic you."
Ezra eyed him skeptically. "You're just using me for a cash grab."
Drake's grin was unrepentant. "Pretty much."
Ezra scowled. "Does that mean you'll all go easy on me for the challenges?"
Drake's eyes gleamed with amusement. "Of course not. We have our pride."
Ezra groaned, rubbing his temples again. "This deal feels pretty unfair." He pointed out sarcastically.
Drake's smile turned saccharine. "It's better than the deal where we just declare you a poacher."
Ezra stiffened, his mind racing. After a moment, he forced a grin. "On further thought, I've always wanted to do the Orange League." He declared.
It wasn't even wrong really, he had been pondering doing it while he was here. Just not quite like this… The challenges wouldn't be impossible, but Drake had a Dragonite didn't he? He was going to have to train smart or he'd be stuck on these islands forever trying to win.
His pride wouldn't allow him to leave having lost. Fucking Ash lose 'em all Ketchum won this league. He was not losing.
Drake nodded approvingly. "Smart choice, kid."
Ezra's mind whirled as he tried to process everything. "So, what's the first step?" He asked, trying to regain some semblance of control over the situation.
Although when he was fabulously wealthy, he'd come back and fucking buy this island and make it a red light district type of island, see about Orange islands nice reputation then… He thought spitefully.
Drake straightened, his expression all business now. "First, you'll need to officially register for the Orange League. Then, you'll start challenging the gym leaders."
Ezra nodded slowly, his mind already strategizing. "Alright. Where do I go to register?"
"The nearest Pokemon Center can handle that for you," Drake replied. "I'll make sure you're escorted there." He smiled pleasantly, "Wouldn't want you to trip and fall and accidentally fly away would we?"
He hadn't actually thought about that, until now that was… Fucking paperwork would stop that though he bet. Some sort of clause that would make him look like he welched on a promise or something to make him look bad if he just took off.
It's what he'd do, minimum. He'd probably make the paperwork much worse actually. But he didn't think Drake had that in him.
He could still leave, but he'd wanted to look around the Orange islands anyway, they had a lot of weird shit going on, profitable weird shit. So although annoying, this wasn't too much of an inconvenience. Except for Drake's Dragonite, and a six on six battle while he didn't have six Pokemon, and two of his were not even supposed to be battlers.
He'd figure it out. Or cheat. This wasn't the Pokemon League. He could get away with a lot more here.
Ezra glanced at the Hypno, still sitting placidly in the corner. "And what about him?" he asked, jerking his thumb towards the Psychic Pokemon. Wondering if he was going to have to be followed around by the Pokemon as some sort of minder. It's what he'd do if he was Drake.
Drake chuckled. "Hypno was here to make sure you didn't cause any more trouble before we had this chat. You should be fine now."
As if on cue, the Hypno stood, its pendulum still swinging lazily. It gave a slight nod to Drake before leaving the cell, its duty apparently done.
Ezra sighed, pushing himself to his feet. "Alright then. Let's get this over with."
Drake led him out of the cell, the heavy door clanging shut behind them. The hallways of the holding facility were dimly lit, the air cool and slightly musty. As they walked, Ezra couldn't help but feel the weight of his situation settling on his shoulders. He had wanted to make a name for himself, but this wasn't exactly how he'd planned it to start.
The journey to the Pokemon Center was relatively short. The Pokemon Center was a modest building, its exterior painted in cheerful reds and whites, in contrast to the more subdued tones of the surrounding buildings. Inside, it was bright and bustling, trainers and their Pokemon moving about, chatting with nurses and each other.
He'd needed to visit anyway, for his Spiritomb and Onix, he supposed he'd have to train them both to be somewhat useful for the next little bit. The sale was now postponed, although it wouldn't hurt to still post the picture and get the appetite of the collectors going - getting the bids rolling in so he could keep jacking the price up.
Drake guided Ezra to the reception desk, where a cheerful nurse greeted them. "Good evening! How can I help you today?"
Ezra glanced at Drake, who nodded for him to proceed. "I'd like to register for the Orange League," He said, trying to keep his voice steady, before he put up two Pokeballs on the counter, "And to heal these two guys."
The nurse's smile widened. "Wonderful! Just fill out these forms, and we'll get you set up." She handed him a stack of papers and a pen. "By the time you're done, I'm sure your Pokemon will be healed." She added brightly, stepping away with the two Pokeballs.
Ezra watched her go warily, wondering if it was wise to leave the crystal Onix, but there wasn't much he could do about it. It was unlikely in any case that the Pokemon center would allow any such theft, not with how the capture immediately fills in on the Pokemon League's system at point of capture.
Ezra sat down at a nearby table, Drake standing nearby with his arms crossed. As he filled out the forms, he couldn't help a twinge of annoyance, the paperwork filled with the dryest forms of legalese ever, confirming that the only special clause was indeed one that confirmed he'd staked his honor on going through the entire League - making running away something less than desirable.
Once he had completed the paperwork, the nurse took the forms and entered the information into the computer. "All set!" she said brightly. "Good luck on your journey!" She handed him his Pokeballs back, "And your friends are all healed up!"
Ezra thanked her, turning to face Drake. "So, where do I start?" He said bluntly, wanting to be gone.
He was itching to let his Pokemon out, not used to having them in their Pokeballs.
Drake handed him a map, pointing to the first location. "Your first challenge will be on Mikan Island. The gym leader there specializes in Water type Pokemon. It should be a good test for you."
Ezra nodded, studying the map. "Alright. Mikan Island it is."
As he prepared to leave, Drake placed a hand on his shoulder. "One more thing, kid. Remember, we're watching you. Don't screw this up by refusing to play ball."
Ezra met his gaze, a determined glint in his eyes. "I won't."
With that, he left the Pokemon Center, the map clutched in his hand. The cool evening air hit his face, refreshing after the stuffy confines of the holding cell. He took a deep breath, trying to steady his nerves. This was it. The start of his journey through the Orange League. He knew it wouldn't be easy, but he was ready for the challenge.
He let Pidgeot out, climbing on. The rest of his Pokemon would have to wait a little longer. He wanted off this island, and away from Drake.
He was going to enjoy rubbing it in the man's face when he conquered his little League easily.
Believe it!
Author's note:
Might seem like Agatha comes on a bit strong, but in this world, the league literally has all the power, and as an Elite four, she is above most anyone.
A town council and mayor can only bow their necks when someone like her swoops down. Although her pleasant attitude explains somewhat why they didn't want her around, so didn't tell her, hoping to push it all away to happen outside Lavender Town. Hoping by then she'd have no reason to come by.
Foolish perhaps, but politicians everywhere like sweeping things under the rug rather than dealing with the unpleasant task immediately.
Of course Karen is going to have an easy time finding Ezra, looking around the Kanto circuit… While he's on Orange islands. Frustrating times are ahead for the young teenage Karen.
Ezra will capture plenty of Pokemon throughout this story, every caught one won't necessarily be part of his so called 'main team' as he is planning on crafting his own gym eventually.
Technically Drake really can't force Ezra to do shit, but he correctly figured he could push his buttons to make him want to fight. The more cred he has behind him, the bigger news he can then make it - if Ezra wins over the gyms, even better if he actually beats Drake himself.
The crystal Onix is just the bait at that point to get people to pay attention.
Cheers
JollyHippopotamus
Chapter 4: Orange Crush.
JollyHippopotamus
Not too sore, are you?
- Joined
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Here's chapter 4: Orange Crush.
Story won on Patreon so it comes out earlier than otherwise projected, so enjoy.
So this chapter might annoy some people, I'll reiterate again though, while he's on the side of good guys, he's not really that nice of a person. Oh, he'll make his friends and have his adventures, but he's definitely not what you'd call… Diplomatic.
I'm not really writing a normal Pokemon story here, not that I regularly write normal anything.
This probably should have been two chapters, but I didn't want to stay in the Orange Islands for too long, the arc mostly showcasing how different he is from other trainers in both mindset and skills. It's 16k, so uh, read when you have some extra time.
At least I didn't spend ten chapters and 100 k words on the Orange islands!
As usual, I do not own Pokemon or the associated companies that deliver material from it. I'm just playing in the kiddy pool, don't hurt me.
Enjoy!
Ezra landed on Mikan island, but didn't immediately stomp off to challenge the leader.
He needed to think this through, plan, and then completely annihilate Drake and his coterie for trying to push him around.
He realized he could just fly away, but it didn't sit right with him. Not due to honor or something ridiculous like that. Drake had challenged him, and was trying to use his capture of the crystal Onix as a publicity stunt for his two bit League. He was doing this to garner up some interest, publicity and tourism.
So yeah, Ezra understood what was happening, but out of spite, he was going to turn it around and absolutely humiliate the guy instead.
He was going to be the outsider who captured a rare Pokemon off their lands, and then blitzed their entire league in one day.
He just needed to figure out how first, before he started. He knew that the league didn't have traditional Pokemon battles, not until Drake anyway, so that was his best chance.
Because they didn't play by normal Pokemon League rules, and didn't know about his… Particular abilities. He could cheat. And cheat like hell. He'd planned to go through the league here at his leisure while looking up interesting things around the area anyway, but now, he'd blitz these fools and go grab what he needed and then get the hell out.
He let his Pokemon out of their Pokeballs, except for the crystal Onix. He didn't really want to deal with that one, since he was just selling it. Also he still felt silly for getting into trouble in the first place by showing it off. He really needed to work on his knee jerk reaction of rubbing his success in people's faces.
… At least until he was powerful enough he could get away with it.
The Spiritomb seemed angry still, its purple miasma practically buzzing, although it thankfully didn't do anything like attack him.
He sat down in front of it, frowning slightly, resting his head on a fist. "That was probably your home for a long time, huh?" He asked, his other Pokemon hovering around him protectively. "Probably feels pretty scary to be out and about." At least that's the feeling I get from it, perhaps I can feel their aura better than normal?
Spiritomb's 'face' fluttered into a displeased frown kind of look, and Ezra nodded, "I can understand that, but living in that cave can't have been very interesting either."
The Spiritomb just glared at him, presumably for disparaging its boring ass hole in the ground. Whatever, he got it - even if it's a shit place, it's his shit place.
"I'm not putting you back, sorry, but I'm not really sorry." Ezra said bluntly, not going to sugarcoat things. If the Pokemon couldn't handle him as he was then that was that. "I'm sure you've noticed I have some sort of aura that you guys seem to feed on, you won't get that somewhere else, no other human to my knowledge has it."
Shuppet made a lot of agreeing noises, chirping at the Spiritomb who narrowed its 'eyes', rumbling something back in an eerie screeching noise.
He let them talk it out for a few moments, the Spiritomb seemingly begrudgingly accepting whatever Shuppet was saying. "Life will be a lot more interesting seeing the world, battling other Pokemon, causing havoc and mischief, all I ask is that you try it, and work for it." He said when both Pokemon had calmed down their chatter.
Spiritomb floated in the air silently for a few moments, before letting out a loud breath that sounded like a whoopee cushion more than anything, nodding its ethereal body.
"Welcome to the team." Ezra said, smiling, bringing out his Pokedex, aligning it on the Spiritomb, glad he had the ability to check a Pokemon's actual moves now, instead of having to ask the Pokemon to demonstrate - which didn't work well on moves that weren't an outright attack move.
He grinned as he saw the move pool, "Oh, we're going to be the best of friends, you and I…" He told the Spiritomb.
He had his ace in the hole against Drake's Dragonite, albeit one that would take some work to use, as he probably needed Dragonite to be the last Pokemon left. Which meant he not only needed to take out Drake's other Pokemon easily enough that Ezra still had Pokemon leftover, but not beating them so easily that Drake would think to bring his Dragonite out early.
It was a plan however, and he had faith in his ghosts and Cubone to do well even against Drake. And well, in the worst case scenario, the Onix could be sent out to tank some damage, even if he lasted two hits from the Dragonite that would be enough.
He knew Drake started with a Ditto, and that was probably the same even if he was a bit early compared to Ash, especially as Drake was undefeated that entire time. Ditto probably throwing many trainers off.
Personally he could see several ways of dealing with it. He didn't see the other Pokemon he had as too much of a threat if he could get his plans to work, except if he had that Gengar he'd used against Ash, which he could hope he didn't have yet.
Ghost Pokemon weren't likely plentiful in the Orange islands so it's possible he didn't have it. In that case he'd instead face an unknown Pokemon. Although… With his Aura, would he affect even Ghost Pokemon other trainers owned? Would be an interesting thing to see if Drake did indeed have a Gengar, or a Haunter if it hadn't evolved yet.
Venusaur and Electabuzz would be the last two, and he acknowledged that if he wouldn't be cheating, this lineup would be too much for him. All of them together wasn't a terrible team, good spread of tricks, elemental Pokemon, a Ghost, and a Dragon.
He could see why Drake was undefeated. But this wouldn't be a Pokemon League game, and as long as he didn't get caught by doing something obvious, Drake and the others wouldn't have any idea about what he was capable of.
After spending some time with his Pokemon talking over what he planned for the next few days, he sent them off for training, tasking Haunter and Shuppet with teaching Spiritomb to compress its energy like they had.
He himself got to work setting a bonfire up, taking his time to trek around and gather wood, building up his own stamina as his Pokemon worked. Once the flames were crackling away happily, he waved Cubone over.
"So, you're doing pretty awesome in Iron tail, and I think it's going to develop further the more you fight with it, but right now I have another goal in mind." He rubbed Cubones head slightly, not sure how the Pokemon could even feel it through the bone, but it still closed its eyes happily and chirped at him.
"I have a specific evolution I'm working towards for you, and it's a Fire/Ghost type. Now you don't have any fire type moves, and I can't afford to buy you one yet. But fire energy is something that I think can work on its own even if you don't manage to perfect a technique." He explained.
He brought out his Pokedex, bringing up the grainy video of a Machope using a fire punch. There were very few videos like that online, mostly from rookies, as veteran trainers didn't deign to show off their moves in any manner. "This is a fire punch, a gathering of fire energy in a Pokemons fist before they punch something."
He gestured to the bonfire, "While you train tonight, I want you to stay near the fire, feel its energy, meditate on it, try to copy it in your fists as you work afterwards." He rubbed its head again, "Don't be discouraged if it doesn't work, I don't see this working out anytime soon, the important factor is to get a feel for fire energy, I'm almost positive it is one of the reasons for your evolution."
He didn't expect this to succeed in getting an actual fire punch working, he couldn't build a bonfire every night, but the more Cubone got to feel and internalize what fire energy was, the better his chances of getting a Fire/Ghost type Marowak, what they'd called an Alolan Marowak in the games.
Once his Onix sold, he could just buy Fire Punch and teach it to his Cubone, but he wanted it to have some idea of fire energy before he went that route.
Staring thoughtfully into the fire, he decided he also couldn't keep just calling his Pokemon an it, or the Cubone. They all needed names. Especially his ghosts considering how many similar ones followed in his shadow. Calling for Haunter, when he had at least 5 with him was just confusing.
"Hey, I'm going to call you Rider, okay?" He told Cubone. Since Cubone would evolve into a flaming ghost, Ghost Rider came to mind, so Rider would be its name.
Rider seemed happy enough with the name, chirping at him, waving its bone club in the air, bumping its head against his knee.
"How about you run and get the others, they deserve names as well, hmm?" He said, his eyes on the fire, the light reflecting in his eyes.
Rider ran off immediately, and he sat and just stared into the fire for a few moments. He wasn't sure where the sudden feeling had come from, to name them. To… Perhaps personalize them more?
He wasn't like the normal goody two shoes trainers who loved Pokemon like they were family. But…
Something, he supposed, had just felt wrong with continually calling them by their species, like he'd go around saying chair, table, cat, dog, like they were not important. And it was annoying to have several Haunters together with his own Haunter.
Soon enough they were all gathered in front of him, and he turned away from the fire. "I've decided to give you names." He said bluntly, "Cubone is now Rider. I'll be giving you all names as well, not only to put you apart from anyone else I may capture, but to showcase you're mine. Just as I am yours."
He beckoned Haunter forward, "From now on, your name is Cheshire."
Cheshire grinned widely, laughing silently, before using shadow sneak to appear right behind him, its tongue leaving a cold slimy trail up his neck.
"Yes I get it, you like the name, now fuck off!" He sent Cheshire a mock irritated glance, shooing it off.
Shuppet was practically vibrating in excitement, bobbing up and down in the air, which was precisely why Ezra crooked a finger, beckoning Spiritomb forward instead. He hid a smile as his Shuppet practically deflated, sinking to the ground in defeat.
"I know you're new, and all of this might be a bit much, but you also deserve a name, one that other Pokemon might one day look to in awe or fear." He explained, staring straight into the purple miasma that made up his newest Pokemon. "Your name is Nyx, from a goddess of the night capable of wielding shadows and darkness."
As a Ghost/Dark type, he felt it fit well enough. Besides, naming Pokemon was kind of cringe anyway, so he'd just lean fully into it and make it cool.
Nyx seemed pleased with the name, hovering back into place, smugly looking down on Shuppet, who rushed forward before he could call on it.
He laughed, "Yeah, you want a name too, huh? How about simp?" He teased gently.
Shuppet did not appear to understand the meaning of the word, but she got the gist of his intent, and protested, loudly chirping against the suggestion, while his other Pokemon loudly seemed in favor, mocking their fellow.
"I kid, I kid, how about… Loki?" He said, bending down to look Shuppet in the eyes, "Named so for a god of mischief and cunning."
Shuppet visibly approved of the idea, so Ezra nodded his head, anointing it Loki, not mentioning how Loki was also someone who tended to fail badly at their plotting. Just as Shuppet tended to fall short in any game against Cheshire.
"Alright, that's enough of that!" He clapped his hands together, "Back to training everyone, I'll have some berries scrounged together for when you're done."
They happily went back to training, leaving Ezra to do the domestic work.
He'd be glad when he had the money to just buy everything that was needed.
Soon…
1 day later,
He'd decided to take the week to train his Pokemon, really nail their capabilities down, and practice on getting them to harness every drop of energy, shaving down seconds on their techniques.
He'd gone ahead and called ahead to each of the four Orange island gyms and scheduled a match, all within hours of each other. He'd given himself twelve to sixteen hours to do all four gyms and the travel time between the islands, which thankfully were not far from each other in this archipelago.
He suspected Drake would accept his challenge anytime, so he'd finish them all within that timeframe and then challenge Drake, beating his league in a day.
Just in case, he had scheduled a block with Drake at the end of the day that day through his gym, in case he decided to be stubborn and decline his immediate challenge.
By scheduling ahead, he'd get them talking anyway, as the leaders realized he'd scheduled them all on the same day, it would make it even sweeter to beat them when they'd realize exactly what he was doing as he did.
For now, he was exploring his capabilities with the Ghosts following him, as he'd left his Pokemon behind to train on the beach, as he strode into the jungle for some privacy.
"Alright, let's try some things." He spoke out loud, shaking his limbs loosely like he was going to work out.
He raised a hand, pointing it forward, "Can you use the shadow between my wrist and my clothes?" He asked, feeling the Ghost Pokemon move around him. He felt more than he saw, as the tiny shadow within the space grew heavier.
He moved his arm back and forth, the weight not physical as he felt just fine, more of a mental strain as if the shadow wasn't as connected to him as his own full body shadow was.
"Can you fire off a hypnosis, without touching me?" He asked, putting his arm forward again, palm flat as he held his hand up, leaving more space under his wrist.
His smile grew positively feral as it worked. This… This held so many opportunities for the future. Especially for the Orange League and whenever he'd have a run in with Team Rocket…
Hypnosis wasn't as flashy a technique as most, as a psychic technique, it was an almost entirely intangible attack that was barely visible as it shot forward. In the heat of a battle, especially if one of his Pokemon was already using the attack, another lined up with it would hardly be noticeable.
"How many of you can fit under there?" He asked deviously.
After some experiments, it turned out only three alas, but it still gave him faith that he could give Drake hell. The man wouldn't know what hit him.
"Let's see what else we can figure out." He cackled, the Ghosts all laughing alongside him as they swirled around him, happy with his elation.
A week later, Mikan Island.
Ezra stepped onto the sandy shores of Mikan Island, the opposite side from where he'd been training all week. The air was warm and filled with the salty tang of the ocean. His thoughts were clear, his mind a focused whirlwind of strategies and potential countermeasures. He had planned meticulously, and now, it was time to execute.
Luckily for him, he had the knowledge of what the challenges were already, not only from watching Ash, but from the gym's website. He'd caught a random water Pokemon just for this purpose, as Cissy had an arbitrary rule forcing challengers to use water Pokemon, or at least Pokemon able to use water moves.
He'd just get rid of it after the battle.
The Mikan Gym wasn't far, and he could feel the thrill of the upcoming battle course through his veins - not that it would be much of a battle. He walked purposefully through the bustling marketplace, ignoring the curious glances from locals and tourists alike. His goal was singular - the gym and its leader, Cissy.
The Mikan Gym was an open-air arena, a departure from the typical enclosed buildings he was used to. Its design was simple yet elegant, blending seamlessly with the natural beauty of the island. Tall palm trees swayed gently around the perimeter, and a large pool of crystal-clear water took up the center of the arena. It was clear that this gym specialized in Water type Pokemon.
Which was fine, Ezra didn't mind specialization, it annoyed him that he had to catch a Water Pokemon for this stupidity however. Even if he wasn't going to really do any of this by… Conventional means.
Cissy, the gym leader, stood at the opposite end of the 'arena', her confident posture unmistakable as anything else but the leader of this place. She struck a plain figure compared to many of the gym leaders around the world, her plain auburn hair tied back in a high ponytail, accentuating her sharp, sea-blue eyes. Dressed in a simple halter top and skirt, she looked every bit like a normal woman enjoying the beach. Her gaze met Ezra's as he approached, a smirk playing on her lips.
"So, you're the challenger who's been causing a stir? Bold to challenge us all thinking it would be that easy." She called out, her voice carrying over the sound of the waves gently lapping against the shore nearby, and the hum of the pool controls underneath them.
"That's right," Ezra replied, his tone steady. "I'm here to challenge you for your badge." And to humiliate your rinky dink league…
Cissy's smirk widened. "Well, you've come to the right place. But be warned, our gym battles aren't like the others. We've got our own style here in the Orange Islands. Are you up for a different kind of challenge?"
Ezra nodded, unfazed. "I'm ready for anything." A glint of disgust in his eyes, "Even with these ridiculous rules you force on people…"
"Good," Cissy said, her eyes gleaming with excitement. Before she seemingly caught on to the fact he hadn't followed the usual script, putting her hands on her hip, snapping out, "Hey, the rules make sense, brat! What kind of trainer are you if you can't use a Pokemon outside your specialty, huh?"
"Yes, let's force trainers to capture and train Water Pokemon that they will then immediately get rid of and abandon after your gym, you're right, an excellent idea." He groused, hands in his pockets as he stared her down.
He had no idea if that was what happened, but considering he intended to do exactly that, surely he wasn't the only one who'd done it.
Cissy spluttered, "People don't do that!" She cried out, pointing at him accusingly, "There's something wrong with you!"
He rolled his eyes, he was almost positive he was at least half right, "Whatever, let's get this joke of a gym challenge done." He muttered.
It might have been amusing as an exercise in his skills as a trainer, if he didn't go the route he was going today, but he still thought it was a stupid way to limit a gym.
"Then let's get started. We'll decide this with a Water Gun accuracy test. Whoever hits the most targets during the time limit wins!" She waved an arm excitedly, apparently deciding to power through his gloom with cheerfulness. "This is to show how well you've trained your Water Pokemon, and if you succeed you have proven yourself and earned my badge." She twirled a Pokeball on a finger, smirking almost predatorily for a moment, "My Seadra is a champion at this game… You're not getting a badge today!"
He knew Ash had been forced to do more than this challenge, although he couldn't remember why, but apparently if he beat her in the first test, it would be the only test. Heh, simple enough. Guess he wouldn't need to do the stupid Wave Ride challenge after then, so he'd captured a larger Water Pokemon needlessly it seemed.
Ezra watched as Cissy released her Seadra, its sleek body cutting through the water with ease. Ezra threw his own Pokeball, his arm lined up with the Seadra, and in the spray of water as his Pokemon arrived in the pool, it was impossible to see the Seadra get hit by three different shots of Hypnosis from the Ghosts hidden beneath his sleeve.
"Ready, set, go!" Cissy shouted, and the competition began, Cissy ready to cheer, before she spluttered in confusion as her Seadra apparently decided to take a nap, "Seadra! What are you doing!" She shouted, stomping a foot uselessly.
His Ghosts had practiced using their energy for telekinesis religiously all week, a normally psychic move - they'd focused the entire week on it. In case he'd have to use them to guide his Water Pokemon in a field of Telekinesis, while limiting and messing up his opponents shots, but now that his first gambit had worked, he didn't even need that. It was good for him, in case he'd need his Ghosts to do it later against the other Gyms, the ability tiring them out quickly. Ghosts could do Psychic moves, but they'd never be as good at it as actual Psychic Pokemon.
"Go you fat fuck." He waved casually to the Pokemon he'd bribed by promising it plenty of food if he hung around for a week.
"That is not how you talk to your Pokemon!" Cissy practically howled, a tick mark on her forehead.
"It's not mine, not really. We just made a deal for food for this stupid challenge, then he can go do whatever." Ezra said lazily, watching his temporary ally miss more than he hit, but with his opponent asleep, he had all the time in the world to take down the targets, sure to win as time ticked down on the challenge. Ezra found more amusement in watching Cissy's reddening face at this humiliation, then he did watching this ridiculous challenge.
He was also slightly disappointed in the fact she didn't even think to call out another Pokemon, never having clarified it was only one vs one in the rules. Besides with Seadra obviously incapacitated, she could have argued the point anyway, but she didn't even try. Ezra found her lacking in every way.
Honestly, basing your entire gym on Pokemon surfing or being able to shoot water bullets. How moronic. Nothing would have stopped her from demanding the Wave Ride challenge as well, other than her words at the beginning, which she could have claimed was misspoken.
He supposed he was getting a lesson on what not to do, when he became a proper gym leader. You needed to teach some sort of lesson, not just… Pull a cheap gimmick and call it a gym.
His Seel finally finished the last target, and Ezra turned to Cissy, holding out his hand expectantly.
She fumed as she recalled Seadra, stomping over to him, and handing him his badge, looking like she wanted to throw it at him.
"You cheated somehow." She accused lowly, grabbing his hand by the wrist, as he took the Coral-Eye badge.
He looked her in the eye, smirking, "I only used one Pokemon, just like you, get over yourself." He slapped her hand away, scoffing at her temerity.
Sure he was cheating, but if she sucked so bad she couldn't prove it, she deserved to suffer from it. He'd only used one Pokemon as far as she was aware, so she was just working off guesses.
Speaking of, he grabbed Seel's Pokeball, tossing it to the ground, and then stomping on it, crushing it, as Seel was released from his services - in front of Cissy's gobsmacked eyes.
"Feel free to capture the lazy fuck, all he does is eat anyway." Ezra said carelessly, tossing another Pokeball out, releasing his Pidgeot.
For his entire life, his hatred at his own body, at life around him going on without him, his rage at the unfairness of it all, it had boiled inside him. No one liked a cripple or disabled person who whined about their lot in life after all. So he'd kept everything inside, every day, just trying to eke out a life.
Now… It wasn't going to make him friends, but he found he just didn't care to keep what he felt hidden anymore. He'd say what he meant, and suffer the consequences if they came. He was done hiding himself to appease society.
He'd acknowledge he was an asshole. But he was an honest asshole.
"You… You…" Cissy growled, hands spasming like she wanted to wring his neck.
He climbed onto his Pidgeot, casually waving at her, "Next time, try to be something else then a pathetic one trick pony, just a piece of advice." He said, taking off before she could respond.
He certainly wasn't making friends, but then he wasn't here for that.
He was here to crush the Orange League.
Naval island.
Ezra's heart was racing as he landed just outside Danny's gym on Navel Island. The brisk mountain air was invigorating, and he knew he was likely going to be pressed for time here. He had already conquered one gym, and now he was here for the second. He marched up to the gym entrance, where Danny was waiting for him with a knowing smile.
He'd sent a request when he first scheduled these challenges, he hoped it was heeded, or he would waste a lot of his time on this stupid challenge. Ash had to climb up a mountain, and he just didn't have time for that shit. Hopefully Drake leaned on him to be more receptive, since Drake was the one making him go through this in the first place.
Danny, with his tousled brown hair and athletic build, looked every bit the outdoorsman. His relaxed demeanor, however, was underpinned by a sharp, competitive edge as he shook Ezra's hand, gripping it tightly. "I hear you're on a tight schedule," Danny said, crossing his arms. "You're taking on all the gyms in a day, right?"
"That's right," Ezra replied, making a motion as if looking at a wrist watch, "Let's get to it." He said without preamble, not interested in chitchat.
Danny nodded, clearly annoyed by Ezra's determination to skip the normal rituals. "Alright then, Drake waived my normal first challenge for you, so we need to get there in a different manner. Follow me."
They both took to the skies, flying up the steep mountain that loomed over the gym. The ascent was swift, the wind whipping past them. As they reached the summit, the view was breathtaking - a vast panorama of the ocean stretching out in every direction. But there was no time to admire the scenery. Danny pointed to two geysers behind them, their steam and water rising in great plumes, crashing back down, making thunderous noise.
"For this first challenge," Danny explained, "We'll each freeze one of these geysers. The first to do so wins. I'll use my Pokemon to freeze mine, and you'll use yours."
How utterly stupid, yet again. To base more challenges on only having one type of Pokemon, or one type of attack. They wondered why their trainer tourism was low? It's because no one wanted to deal with this bullshit. People traveling to the Orange League would be trainers who already had a team or a mostly full team - none of which would be impressed at being forced to get a new member just for these challenges if they didn't have one that fit the criteria.
He was going to leave Drake a damn review after this.
101 reasons your league sucks.
Ezra turned his mind to the challenge. He had no Ice type Pokemon or moves. But he did have something else. As Danny sent out his Nidoqueen, Ezra called out Rider, his Cubone, and positioned himself behind everyone. His ghosts, hidden within his shadow, would be his secret weapon yet again.
It wasn't improving as a trainer, not really. But considering the moronic one note challenges he was facing, he didn't see how they improved any trainers either.
Danny wasted no time. "Nidoqueen, Ice Beam!" he commanded. A brilliant beam of icy energy shot from Nidoqueen's mouth, striking the geyser. Steam hissed and crackled as the water began to freeze.
Ezra watched carefully, then nodded subtly, Ezra's hidden ghosts moved into action, their telekinetic abilities honing in on Nidoqueen's head. With an almost imperceptible shift, they redirected Nidoqueen's Ice Beam away from Danny's geyser and towards Ezra's.
Danny frowned, noticing the sudden change in trajectory. "Nidoqueen, focus!" He urged, confused, but it was too late. The geyser in front of Ezra was rapidly freezing over. Frustrated, Danny called out, "Nidoqueen, snap out of it, freeze our geyser!"
He looked towards Ezra, frowning at Rider, who wasn't doing anything, and wasn't a likely caster of a Confuse Ray or similar attack. Which he would have seen anyway. Ezra just smiled pleasantly at his look of abject confusion.
With Rider doing nothing but sitting there as Ezra's Geyser froze over, giving Ezra the challenge, it was obvious Ezra's had done something. But Danny couldn't exactly do much about it, because there were no signs of anything being done by him.
Nidoqueen stopped firing, growling in irritation at having her head forcibly moved and held in a vice, Ezra's Geyser was a solid block of ice already by then. Danny sighed, a hint of confusion in his eyes, along with his irritation. "This challenge is a wash," He declared, showing more brains then Cissy at least, Ezra thought, not too bothered.. "You didn't really use your Pokemon for it. So, we'll move on to the next one as the final test."
Ezra nodded, having figured it was always going to be decided thusly anyway - they technically all had three challenges available, but it all depended on what they put forward with each trainer - like when Cissy had shot herself in the foot by declaring the accuracy test would be enough for a badge. "We're going to make bobsleds out of the ice and race down the mountain," Danny explained. "First one to the bottom wins."
He gestured to Ezra's Geyser, "We'll both use this, and there will be no funny business during this, alright?"
Ezra snorted, "Trust me, I find nothing funny about the stupidity of these so-called challenges that force trainers into only one mold." He shook his head, clicking his tongue, "Tch, you wonder why you're small potatoes? You can't even understand trainers' attachment to their teams. Going by the first two gyms so far, no one except a Water Pokemon trainer would have been eager to come test you both. Requiring Water and Ice as the only avenue forward, can you really say you're surprised when not a single fire trainer or normal type, fighting type - I could go on - comes here?"
Danny glared at him, "Pretty cocky there, kid. There's a dozen brats like you every year on this mountain, I make them eat their words like I will make you eat yours."
Ezra simply deadpanned at him, "So you've been told the same thing before, and still persist. Nevermind, I now find you slightly funny, in a sad way."
"Just make a sled!" He snapped, turning to his own Pokemon, gritting his teeth together.
Ezra turned to Rider. "Use Iron Tail to carve out a bobsled," He instructed, his ghosts aware of what the challenge was and would be using telekinesis to help shape the thing as Rider cut it out of the giant block of ice - Rider definitely did not have the control in his tiny tail to manage it on his own. Rider's tail glowed with a metallic sheen as it struck the ice, carving out a blocky shape. Meanwhile, Ezra's ghosts once again worked in the shadows, using their telekinesis to refine the sled's design as Rider cut, smoothing out imperfections and ensuring it was somewhat aerodynamic as Rider ran around the sled like shape, creating enough dust that it was hard to see how exactly the sled was taking shape.
In mere minutes, Ezra's bobsled was complete. He climbed in, securing himself as best as he could in the uncomfortable thing, Hoping he wasn't about to kill himself with this stupidity. Another mark against the gym. Like mountain climbing wasn't a retarded trainer test to begin with, going down a Arceus damned mountain proved your skill how exactly?
Teamwork and your Pokemon listening to you? You know how else you could prove that? Like the rest of the Arceus damned world, with a Pokemon battle!
Danny, working quickly with his own Pokémon, still hadn't finished his sled as Ezra set off, glaring at him in disbelief.
Ezra's sled shot forward with a push from Rider, the tiny Pokemon jumping in with him immediately after, the wind rushing past his face as they immediately picked up speed. He had little experience with bobsledding, (aka none) but he trusted his instincts and the telekinetic nudges from his ghosts to keep him steady. The mountain's twists and turns came fast and hard, and he gripped the sides of the sled tightly.
Danny, more experienced, quickly closed the gap between them once his sled was finished, speeding down the mountain after him. His sled was gaining speed rapidly, and he was navigating the slopes with practiced ease. It helped that he had a heavy ass Nidoqueen giving him better balance for steering, while Ezra could only steer due to Telekinesis, and at this rate, he'd have to rest his Ghosts for Drake and have them skip the third and fourth gym.
He briefly toyed with the idea of using his Ghosts to throw Danny's sled into a tree but it seemed a bit harsh even for him. And he also didn't want to keep wasting his Ghosts energy. So he held on, believing he had enough of a lead to pull through.
Worst case, he'd have Rider iron tail their damn sled before the finish line, Danny had never said there was no Pokemon moves allowed.
Ezra's sled maintained its course, barreling down the mountain. The finish line came into view, and with a final burst of speed, he crossed it first, Danny just about managing to catch up, but in the end the advantage of starting minutes ahead won the race.
Breathless and exhilarated with the victory, even if he thought it was stupid, Ezra climbed out of the sled. Danny arrived moments later, next to him, frustration evident on his face. But there was also a grudging acceptance - he couldn't say he hadn't ridden a damn sled down the mountain after all. He approached Ezra, holding out a hand. "Well, you did it. You won. Here's your Sea Ruby badge." He sounded very unenthusiastic about it.
Ezra accepted the badge, feeling a rush of triumph at the fact he was ahead of his timeline by hours thanks to this gym skipping the mountain climbing. "Thanks, Danny." He said with a smirk, "Hope you're not too broken up about someone beating you in the specifically designed challenge to give you every single advantage in the world." He couldn't resist one last jab, this whole thing was just too stupid to him.
When he'd thought to do the Orange League it had been as an amusing touristy thing where he hadn't intended to take it seriously. He would have probably had some fun with that. This, acting like it's seriously a gym? Just irritated him.
Danny gave him a baleful look. "Good luck with the rest of the gyms. You're going to need it." He said shortly, "Drake will make an honest brat out of you at the least."
Ezra smirked, already thinking about the next challenge. "I'll be ready." He secured the badge, knowing that with each victory, he was one step closer to his ultimate goal, and with his schedule hours ahead, he could afford perhaps to give his Ghosts a rest to gather their energy before the third or fourth gym. He'd see what seemed most viable.
He sent out Pidgeot again, giving Danny a casual wave that the man didn't return, his baleful look still on his face.
Sucks to suck.
Trovita island.
This was the only gym challenge where he found he might face an impossible to beat scenario.
Not the accuracy test - and really? A second accuracy test? Pathetic.
It was the ridiculous three on three battle, which featured a same type rule. As in grass vs grass and water vs water etc. he did not have the space in his team for that, not unless the gym leader had Ghost Pokemon, which wasn't going to happen.
With Rider, Cheshire, Nyx and Loki on his team, and Pidgeot taking up a slot technically as well, he only had one spot. He'd designated the Onix as not a battler in the system at the Pokecenter, which allowed him to still carry the Pokeball, but he couldn't release him until he was in a Pokecenter and designated him as usable again. Hence why Pidgeot was on the usable list, because flying away quickly was rather impossible if he had to hoof it to a Pokemon center first.
Once he had six slots taken, any further catches, the Pokeball would automatically be designated by itself as not usable, and locked, allowing him to only switch out his team at a Pokemon center. There were licenses to have an expanded team, but such things were really for Ace trainers, not people like him.
Others paid money for boarding instead, transferring their Pokemon over the six Pokemon limit there. He'd keep them with him, since he'd never go too far from civilization anyway. It would allow him to have his Pokemon all on hand, rotating them now and then so no one got stuck in a ball too long.
His Ghosts could hide in his shadow, but the ones he'd caught wouldn't matter either way that way, because they were already logged through the Pokeball, so they'd count to his six even if he didn't keep them hanging in a ball.
So technically, he could have deactivated two of his Pokemon, and caught and trained three elemental Pokemon, if he could have found them in this past week - but that would have been a pain in the ass - and would have defeated the purpose of him training his team the entire week.
He'd wracked his brain for a solution, and finally resigned himself to the fact that he'd have to simply bully his way through, or invoke Drake, as distasteful as it was. Or at least demand a fair challenge, not that any of these challenges so far had been very fair on any poor trainer who'd arrive without exactly the mix of Pokemon the Orange islands would demand of them…
He had half a dozen different plans for how to get through this, but there was still a small smidgeon of stress running through him at the idea they wouldn't work, failing him despite his big words to the other gym leaders. Something he could not stand.
Rudy was a fairly young looking guy with reddish tinted hair and an open and honest face. He was waiting for Ezra outside the small gym, but as soon as Ezra walked up, he waved for him to follow, casually stating, "I don't actually tend to use my Gym for challenges, so come along we'll go somewhere better."
Ezra held back a snarky reply, not wanting to be too confrontational as he still had to argue his way forward. He followed Rudy as he walked to a beach not far away, with a large cliffside nearby, pillars of rock dotting the water.
He clapped his hands, turning around, "Right! So you're taking us all on at once, and already did Cissy and Danny in, after just a few hours." He smirked, dragging a hand through his hair, "That's pretty cool, but you'll be defeated here!" He waved dramatically at a boat moored at a small wooden dock. "You and your Pokemon will board this boat, and while it is moving, you'll face dozens of targets throughout the sea, attached to the rock pillars you see. Hit them all, or you will fail this challenge before you can come before me!"
He was tempted to say, that's it? But again, he needed to play nice until the next stage. So Ezra simply nodded politely, and moved away, towards the boat. Rudy frowning and coming with him, seemingly more put out at his easy acceptance than anything.
Rudy started the boat up, and they picked up speed as he made his way to the rock pillars in front of the cliff side. "Go go go!" He shouted excitedly, as they neared the first targets.
Ezra rolled his eyes, but waved Loki forward, his Pokemon already having been out since the beginning, since he had the best accuracy of his 'mon. "Just get it over with, Loki." He muttered, the spite he'd built up to crush all these challenges just being drained by all this… Banality and stupidity he was running into.
He'd known what these people were like in theory, but it turned out it was all a lot more frustrating in person. He was hardly a die hard Pokemon purist, yet still the way they did things rubbed him the wrong way to the extreme.
Loki had to hit twelve targets, each a bullseye painted on rock pillars jutting out of the water under the towering cliff face. The wind whipped through Ezra's hair as he held onto the railing, his eyes locked onto the targets ahead, he didn't see any real difficulty in this, not with how hard Loki had trained in accuracy.
"Loki, show this guy how it's done." Ezra called over the noise of the boat and the sea.
Loki, his Shuppet, floated beside him, eyes gleaming with determination. The boat accelerated, and the first target came into view. Loki's eyes glowed with a dark energy as it launched a precise shadow ball, compressed to be as small as it could be. The ball hit the first bullseye dead center, shattering the surface of the target, showering stone chips into the sea.
Rudy would have to paint new targets today, it seemed.
The boat sped on, and one by one, the targets appeared and were obliterated by Loki's unerring aim. Each shot was perfect, the dark energy hitting the bullseyes with pinpoint accuracy. Ezra didn't need to give any additional commands; Loki was in the zone, executing each strike flawlessly.
Just as Loki had been trained to do, having to work much harder to fire rapid fire shots, nailing leaves, pinecones and small stones tossed in the air everyday for its training.
Rudy watched from the helm, his expression one of impressed concentration. As the final target exploded into fragments, Rudy slowed the boat to a stop. "Impressive," He said, turning to face Ezra and Loki. "You two make quite a team." He was entirely honest, smiling at them, and for once Ezra didn't snap back with a rude comment.
It was because he needed to make Rudy see things his way soon, it was the only reason. It was still a stupid test, basically a repeat of the first gym.
Rudy began steering the boat closer to the rock pillars. "Next part of the challenge is up there." He pointed to a series of ladders affixed to the rocky columns. "We'll climb up and continue the challenge at the top."
Ezra glanced at the towering pillars, their rough surfaces glistening with sea spray. He took a deep breath, ready for the next challenge. "Let's do it." He'd have to convince Rudy to go along with one of his plans. Because he did not have the Pokemon to perform a 3v3 like type battle.
The two boys jumped onto the nearest pillars, their hands gripping the wet rungs of the ladders. They climbed swiftly, each lost in their thoughts about the upcoming battle. Ezra could hear the distant cries of seabirds and the constant crash of the waves below as he ascended, mulling over which of his plots he'd try and convince the other boy of.
He'd had a week to plan, and unfortunately in this situation, he could only plan for maybes - deciding early on that trying to train up three new Pokemon wasn't worth the hassle, or the risk, because in all likelihood they wouldn't be good enough in a week to win anyway.
Reaching the top, Ezra pulled himself onto the flat surface of the pillar. The view was stunning - a panoramic sweep of the ocean and the surrounding cliffs. He stood up, catching his breath, and looked over at Rudy, who had just reached the top of his own pillar.
Rudy smiled, the competitive glint in his eyes sharper now. "Ready for the final part of our challenge?"
Ezra nodded, "Ready as I'll ever be."
"It will be a 3v3 Pokemon battle on these here pillars, same type against type, you'll need to win all three battles to win my badge. A new Pokemon each round, no re-use." Rudy explained, fingering a Pokeball.
Ezra shook his head, shouting over the sea, and wasn't this just a stupid way to do a battle too, they could barely hear each other. "I only have Ghost types, so unless you have Ghost Pokemon yourself, that isn't happening."
Rudy frowned, looking weirded out, "This has never happened before." He admitted, scratching his head, "Someone always has some Water, Electric, Grass or normal types or around those types."
"How about you do whatever three Pokemon, and I only use one of mine against all three, 1v1, to make up for not having the exact three challengers." Ezra shouted out his first offer. He has several others if this was unappealing, but he hoped putting himself in a perceived weaker position would get the other trainer to pounce on it.
Rudy however hesitated, "It doesn't seem fair to you." He admitted loudly.
Ezra gritted his teeth, Like forcing people to bring along specific combinations of Pokemon when people only have six slots is fair… "If I say it's fair, it's fair, right? Let's do this!"
Rudy seemed to hesitate still, so Ezra gestured Loki forward, to the pillar ahead of them, the 'arena' so to speak, another pillar ahead of Rudy for his own Pokemon.
"Ready when you are." He called out, glaring at the other teen. Just fucking accept it. He mentally told the gym leader.
"Electabuzz, go!" Rudy finally called out, tossing a Pokeball onto the pillar in front of him, several pillars in-between the Pokemon, allowing them some movement and space, but not a ton of it.
"Loki, Shadow Ball." Ezra called out, the speediness of Loki's attack managing to catch the Electabuzz before it could completely dodge, a last gasp Light Screen springing forward, only half formed, slowing down some of the energy as the shadow ball slammed into the top edge of it before hitting the Pokemon, making it slide back on the pillar.
With a gesture of his arm, his Ghosts interceded, telekinetically forcing its footing loose, ensuring he got pushed off the pillar. Rudy recalled his Pokemon with a frown before it could reach the water.
Ezra using his hidden ace again here, meant he wouldn't be able to use them for the fourth gym, they'd need the rest in case he needed them for Drake - which he would. But the fourth gym didn't have the same kind of challenges, it was straight out battling. So he figured he'd be fine.
Besides, with the water gym only doing one challenge, and avoiding the rock climbing with the second gym, he could take 3-4 hours of rest before he faced Drake, further recuperating energy. Worst case, he wondered if they could take energy from him, but it wasn't something he was eager to experiment on.
"Ivysaur, Vine Whip, attach yourself to the pillar, then use Sunny Day!" Rudy threw out his second Pokemon and rapidly set it to task.
He was setting up for a solar beam, and tying himself to the pillar, expecting to tank whatever Loki could throw and stay on top.
It wasn't a bad strategy, Ezra thought, the Ivysaur was corded with muscle, a healthy looking strong Pokemon - he could probably take a few hits from Loki, but… Loki wasn't limited to just brute force attacks. "Loki, Hypnosis!" He called out, while flaring his arm dramatically.
With Sunny day in the middle of being cast, brightness reducing visibility, Rudy couldn't catch the extra Hypnosis attacks that flew along with Loki's attack, impacting Ivysaur.
It might have been able to take a couple shadow balls, and hold on, but status effects were a different ball game, and Ivysaur fell asleep immediately, vines loosening up.
"I can toss him off for your loss, or you can just withdraw him." Ezra called out, offering some level of respect to Rudy, who hadn't been as annoyingly stupid as the other gym leaders.
Rudy nodded, and Ivysaur returned in a flash of red light. "I can see why you've passed through the other two so quickly if this is the skill and teamwork you two possess." He called out, looking thoughtful as his hand hovered over his belt, going from one Pokeball to the next. "On my pride as a trainer, I won't let you keep walking over us however." He picked a ball, tossing it up and down casually, "Charizard, I choose you!"
Ezra held back a curse, glaring up at the beautiful and powerful looking Charizard that took to the skies with a mighty roar. Of course an elemental type trainer like Rudy would have a fire Pokemon, but a Charizard? Guess this will be a challenge after all…
Somehow a grin found its way to his face, as he stared up at the intimidating Pokemon. He might actually lose this, yet… Finally something worthwhile in this league, not just silly gimmicks and arbitrary and limiting challenges.
"Shadow Sneak, then Hypnosis!" He snapped at Loki, a wild grin on his face.
"Fire Spin!" Rudy yelled out, and Ezra used his aura to pull at his connection with Loki, stopping him in his track, barely avoiding the fire spin as Charizard blew out a trail of fire as it flew down majestically in a tailspin.
Loki would have been enveloped in fire if Ezra hadn't been able to pull him back, "Aim for the wings, Shadow Ball, compressed!" He shouted.
Loki, back on the earth pillar, took a second to compress his energy, the shadow ball growing so small it resembled a marble - before it fired off so quickly neither Ezra nor Rudy could catch it. Apparently neither did Charizard, despite Rudy's yelled order to dodge, the shadow ball slamming into one of its wings, drawing a pained roar from the Charizard as its flying wobbled slightly.
The Charizard responded with a deluge of flames down against the earth pillar, "Shadow Sneak back!" Ezra yelled, pressing his intentions along, even as he took the opportunity of the curtain of flames between himself and Rudy, and aligned his arm with Charizard, three Hypnosis attacks again flying forward.
Just because he enjoyed more of a challenge, didn't mean he'd accept losing here, he still had a goal to complete.
Loki appeared behind him, having used a shadow sneak on him, to arrive well out of the way of the fire.
Charizard plummeted down, only to be caught in the red light of his Pokeball, Rudy chuckling, shaking his head, before he met Ezra's eyes, "I didn't even see how you pulled that off, and usually Charizard shakes off status effects pretty well, so good job! You must have trained that Pokemon to be a monster with that Hypnosis."
They made small talk as they got together on the boat again, making their way back to shore. Ezra could have flown away, but he felt it would be rude in this instance. He even felt slightly annoyed at himself that he had cheated in this particular bout now. He wasn't skilled enough, didn't have a strong enough team yet.
He decided he'd be back one day, to fight Rudy for real. This League was ridiculous, but Rudy was… Rudy was okay.
"Here you go, the Spike Shell badge." Rudy said with a smile, as he handed over the third gym badge to him. "You've earned it."
Ezra kind of felt he hadn't, but he still took the badge, pragmatic if nothing else, and it would be stupid to just give up at this point. He still had a point to prove.
And a need to rub it all in Drake's face.
But maybe… Instead of 101 reasons why they suck, he could give Drake… A more reasonable review on why exactly the Orange League only draws a few crazies.
Or he could do both.
He let Pidgeot out, climbing on, giving Rudy a last wave.
Both would work, knock the smug ass down, then show him how he could build it up…
He'd need several hours rest between gym four and Drake anyway, he'd write both up.
And if the reasons you suck list was longer… Well, Drake did push him into his.
Kumquat Island,
Ezra arrived at Kumquat Island, the sun blazing high overhead, casting a warm glow on the luxurious surroundings. The island was renowned for its upscale resorts, pristine beaches, and vibrant marketplaces, a nice contrast to the rugged jungles and humble towns of the previous Orange Islands he'd visited. Ezra's eyes flickered with interest as he made his way through the bustling streets, noting the well-dressed tourists and the lively atmosphere. It was clear that Kumquat Island catered to a wealthier clientele, and the gym, housed within the grand Kumquat Hotel, reflected this opulence.
He definitely liked this island much better already. Especially since its gym actually acted like a gym. It wouldn't be an easy battle by any stretch, but he believed the sneakiness, speed and bang for your buck his Pokemon held, would win him the day.
The Kumquat Hotel itself was an imposing structure, with elegant architecture featuring large glass windows, white columns, and a sprawling courtyard garden. The entrance was flanked by two large statues of Dragonite and Arcanine, exuding a sense of strength and grace. Inside, the hotel lobby was a vision of luxury, with marble floors, chandeliers, and a staff dressed in immaculate uniforms. Ezra made his way to the reception, where a cheerful attendant directed him to the gym, located on the top floor.
As he stepped out of the elevator, Ezra was greeted by a breathtaking view of the ocean through floor-to-ceiling windows. The gym itself was an open-air arena with a retractable roof, allowing for natural light and fresh sea breezes.
Luana was waiting at the center of the arena, her tall, commanding figure dressed in a white blazer and pants that contrasted sharply with her tanned skin. Her red hair was short, barely coming down to her cheeks, and her eyes were sharp and assessing as she watched Ezra approach. Despite her stern demeanor, there was a hint of warmth in her smile, as if she appreciated the challenge that awaited.
She'd know already that he'd blitzed through the other three gyms in hours.
"Welcome to Kumquat Gym," Luana greeted, her voice smooth and confident. "I've heard quite a bit about you today, Ezra. You've been making quite the name for yourself in the Orange League." Her tone became somewhat amused, which was a better reaction than anger.
It seemed at least someone might agree with him that the first two gyms lacked… Sophistication.
Ezra shrugged, nonchalant. "I'm just here to get the badges. No need for the fancy talk." The more rest he could get before Drake the better. That was one battle he wouldn't win without cheating.
Luana's smile widened, showing a flash of white teeth. "Straight to the point, I like that. However, this won't be like the other gyms you've faced. Here, we battle with a different set of rules - double battles. You'll have to use two Pokemon at once. It tests not just strength, but strategy and coordination."
Ezra's expression remained impassive, though inwardly he was already calculating his odds, knowing this would be his first real challenge, and one he couldn't really cheat in as easily. He nodded, pulling out two Pokeballs. "Let's get started, then." He murmured.
She'd know he was a Ghost Pokemon trainer already if the others had reported to her their experiences. So he suspected he wouldn't see exactly the team Ash had, An Alakazam and a Marowak, the team up was a bad one against his Ghosts.
He still suspected the Alakazam would show, because although weak against Ghosts, it had Teleport and Hyper Beam. And as a gym leader, a seemingly proper one, she'd use its strength, while giving him a shot if he could catch it, as it was weak against his team. Even if Hyper Beam itself probably wouldn't take his Ghosts out with one shot as it probably wouldn't even work, or as he suspected - might at the very best be a lot less damage due to typing. Something as powerful as a Hyper Beam likely wasn't entirely stopped by typing.
The question was which other Pokemon would show that would give his team a challenge, or would she have that Marowak and just bet on the teamwork, since it was a double?
Luana inclined her head gracefully at his eagerness to move forward and released her Pokemon - an Alakazam and an… Absol. The Alakazam floated in the air, its eyes glowing with psychic energy, while the Absol stood firmly on the floor of the battlefield, eyes gleaming.
More importantly, this was why he'd not planned to cheat in this battle, more than the fact it was finally straightforward battling - was that Alakazam, if anyone could let their trainer know he was cheating, it was that one.
A dark Pokemon, effective against his Ghosts, and a Psychic Pokemon, weak against his Ghosts, but hard to pin down and with a lot of utility. Ezra raised an eyebrow as the dark Pokemon slowly tilted its head, watching him with apparent fascination, needing a sharp, "Absol!" From Luana to focus again.
So it did work even on trainers Pokemon, at least in catching their attention…
Ezra released his chosen Pokemon - Cheshire, his Haunter, and Loki, his Shuppet. The two Pokemon appeared on the battlefield, Shuppet landing low to the ground, while Cheshire hovered in the air, its ghostly form flickering in the sunlight. Luana raised an eyebrow, seemingly intrigued by Ezra's Pokemon, especially given the type disadvantages.
"Let's see how well you handle this," She said, her tone challenging. "Alakazam, use Disable, Absol, Detect!"
The battle began in earnest. Alakazam's eyes glowed as it used Disable on Loki, at the same time, Absol used Detect, and if he was to guess, any attack at Alakazam while it was vulnerable right now, would now be foreseen and Absol would get in the way.
Ezra frowned as Loki glowed briefly, if he had to wager a guess, they'd gone after shadow sneak, which did if it worked - somewhat ruin his opening gambit. He'd known about the Alakazam, and that if he could get it out, he'd win, so he'd already talked to Loki and Cheshire about how to achieve that.
Luana looked surprised when he didn't say a word, his Pokemon acting on their own, the Absol unforeseen, but they'd had a plan for the Alakazam.
Cheshire's eyes glowed a dark purple as it formed a Shadow Ball, hurling it towards the Alakazam faster than normal, intent on getting it to either Teleport or force its partner to protect it.
Absol, having used Detect to find out what would happen, was already moving, sliding Alakazam out of the way, after which Alakazam had recovered from using its own technique, and Teleported away, which is where Loki was supposed to shadow sneak in behind it when it arrived.
Which didn't happen due to the Disable, Loki just looking frustrated.
"Switch." He said succinctly.
Luana laughed, "I've seen what you tried to do you know? Not a bad plan, but now that I know, you'll never pull it off, Absol, Night Slash on the Haunter, Alakazam hold it."
The Alakazam tried to telekinetically hold Cheshire, as Absol flashed forward, a crescent slash erupting from its head, a dark miasma covered crescent flashing through - where Cheshire had been.
The second Ezra said switch, his Pokemon had known they'd switch purposes. Chesire had immediately prepared Shadow Sneak, and upon Alakazam trying to affect it, had disappeared behind it.
Loki meanwhile, while unable to Shadow Sneak at the moment, took advantage of being seen as the lesser threat, taking on Chesires job of limiting the teleportation area, Loki's Dark Pulse beam cutting through a large area, not aiming for anything in particular, just limiting the area to go to.
Alakazam didn't even need Luana's shout of Teleport, already removing itself from Chesires Shadow Sneak, Absol moving to its partner on her trainers orders.
Except Chesire and Loki already both knew that if this situation were to happen, one of them would limit the entire right side of the field if they could. The other was to fire left.
So as Alakazam disappeared, Chesire appeared right behind where it had been in the now empty area - and there were only so many places Alakazam could safely go in that moment, and Chesire's Shadow Ball was already coalescing in front of it, firing to its left. Missing the first shot, but the second hitting Alakazam straight in the face like a cannon shot, sending it tumbling over.
"Protect!" Came Luana's snapped reply, just a second too late as she switched gears immediately, "Absol, Detect then Crunch, Alakazam Reflect!"
She knew she was on the back foot, and attempted to give herself enough breathing room to get her Alakazam back on its feet, as it struggled to get up, almost certainly just one hit from fainting.
Ezra wasn't going to give her time to reset. "Chesire, Shadow Sneak reverse, Loki, Target Alakazam rapid fire mix, don't let up." He ordered.
He wasn't to the point he could get away with not loudly telling his competition what he was doing, but he did have some plans already made, a Shadow Sneak reverse was one of them specifically for double battles, specifically for this battle. Rapid fire mix told Loki to switch between Dark Pulse and Confuse Ray, forcing the opponent to choose which one to tank. Or so was the hope.
He'd trained his Pokemon for speed of attack specifically, and it showed here, Luana not nearly as quick with her Pokemon, probably never having had to worry about it.
Chesire disappeared, reappearing behind the Absol, forcing it to waste its detect on Chesire who immediately Shadow Sneaked again after a perfunctory weak attack on Absol who's Crunch in retaliation missed as Cheshire disappeared. Alakazam Reflected Loki's attack, Loki crying out from the damage which was returned, but kept firing. Alakazam immediately teleported out on Luana's quick order, which was when Chesire arrived in his second Shadow Sneak, firing a Shadow Ball point blank into Alakazam.
Alakazam didn't stand a chance, the Ghost Pokemon super effective against it, the Pokemon fainted immediately.
Luana didn't even bother continuing the fight, despite still having the type advantage of Dark vs Ghost, albeit in a 1v2 situation, recalling her Pokemon. "That was some impressive teamwork, you barely even had to give orders." She complimented him,
She walked over to Ezra, holding out a hand. "Congratulations, Ezra. You've proven yourself a worthy challenger. Here is the Jade Star Badge."
Ezra took the badge, a small, intricately carved piece of jade shaped like a star. He nodded, a small smile playing on his lips. "Thanks, Luana. It was a good battle."
It was a proper actual battle. So out of four gyms, two were actually half decent, maybe he'd been too harsh on the first two…
No, they still sucked. Their challenges were dumb.
Luana smiled back, a genuine warmth in her eyes. "You fought well, Ezra. I'm looking forward to seeing how you do against Drake."
Ezra nodded, pocketing the badge. Just Drake to go, the heaviest challenge of them all.
Pummelo island, 5 hours after his fight with Luana.
Pummelo Island loomed ahead, with the massive stadium perched at its highest point, an imposing structure visible even from this distance. This was it - the final test, where he would face the League's strongest trainer, Drake.
He'd rested up, fine with waiting until the scheduled time to pester Drake, instead of getting it done early, needing the extra recuperation time. Besides, as he found out from Luana, the other gym leaders and some of the Pummelo locals, would be watching the bout.
Rudy and Luana might even cheer for him, but Danny and Cissy certainly wouldn't - fifty percent of people he meets hate him? Sounds about right, he thought with some dark amusement, not at all broken up about it.
He was on a second life, a better life despite everything, he wasn't going to waste time tied down by social constraints.
Ezra's journey through the Orange League had been unconventional, filled with deceit and bending things to his advantage. He hadn't come to make friends or play by the standard trainer's rules. His aim was to crush the League and showcase his superiority, no matter what it took. He felt a thrill of anticipation. This would be the toughest challenge yet.
The journey was short, and soon Ezra found himself standing at the entrance of the Orange League Stadium. The structure was a blend of traditional and modern design, with towering pillars and an open-air battlefield that allowed the sea breeze to flow through. As Ezra walked through the gates, he knew this was where champions were made, and today, he would etch his name into that history.
For all time after this, Ezra's name would be inscribed here as the first challenger to beat Drake and the Orange League, and all in one day to boot.
Drake was waiting for him in the center of the stadium, his face one of bored amusement. Behind him, the loud sounds of Cissy up in the stands rang out, the woman yelling at him to kick the 'stupid faced ass' off the island and embarrass him, the sound echoing across the stadium. Luana was trying to get her to calm down, but she was fired up, Danny and Rudy staying out of it, just watching him. Although Rudy gave him a surreptitious thumbs up.
He might actually have to share his number with him and Luana, they seemed pretty decent all together. It wouldn't hurt to have them as contacts for the future. Even if he was going to embarrass their league - he thought they wouldn't mind Drake eating crow for once.
"Welcome, Ezra," Drake said, his voice carrying across the mostly empty stadium, only a few dozen people there to watch. "I've been hearing quite a bit about you. You've made quite a splash in the Orange League, albeit with some… Unconventional methods." He sounded a bit exasperated at the end, even as he gave him a look that firmly said, really, you had to make it difficult?
Ezra smirked, unfazed by the thinly veiled criticism. "I'm here to win, Drake. However that happens, it happens, it's all within the rules." He shrugged with forced casualness, "Some people in your circuit here just don't know how Gyms work, you should get on that." He made sure to look up at Cissy in specific, smiling sweetly.
He'd written the two little booklets and he'd leave them for Drake afterwards. He hoped he showed them to Cissy and Danny.
Danny and Rudy had to hold Cissy back as she tried to jump into the stadium, Luana putting her face into her hands. Drake sighed, giving him a long suffering look.
Drake eventually just nodded, speaking up like that little episode hadn't happened, "Very well. But remember, here in the Orange League, we value the spirit of fair competition and the bond between trainers and their Pokemon. Let's see if your methods hold up against me." He smirked as he caressed the Pokeball on a chain that he had around his neck.
Ezra shrugged, already pulling out his Pokeballs. "Let's get on with it." A smirk growing onto his face, "I'm looking forward to you admitting you were an ass, when I beat your entire league in a day without a full team."
The rules were simple this time - a full six-on-six battle, with no restrictions on types or moves. Ezra knew he would need every bit of cunning and strategy (and cheating) to defeat Drake's formidable team. He had already studied Drake's known Pokemon as they were listed on the website, but there was always the element of surprise to consider.
Anything could happen in a battle. The amount of times an evolution happened mid battle and changed the game were too numerous to count.
Drake released his first Pokemon, a Ditto, just as Ezra released Rider, his Cubone. The Ditto immediately transformed into a copy of Rider.
Exactly what he wanted. This Pokemon stumped many of Drake's challengers, and he wouldn't allow it to do the same to him. He might not be the best battler around yet, but he planned it all out better than the rest.
"Rider, Alpha." He ordered, having named his different plans against Ditto by four different numericals, he wasn't about to make it easy for Drake by telling him and his copycat what he was doing.
"Ditto, Copycat." Drake said calmly, arms crossed.
Just as I predicted… Ezra thought, eyes gleaming as the two Pokemon used Quick-Attack to strike at each other. Leaving Ditto close enough for Rider to move into stage two.
Without Ezra giving an order to warn Drake, Rider used Iron Tail, slamming into Ditto's skull, Drake immediately shouting, "Use Quick-Attack to get out of there, Ditto!" Having been caught completely by surprise.
It didn't help the Ditto, who was already woozy from the Iron Tail bashing it's skull, Rider chasing it in another Quick-Attack, taking advantage of Ditto's lowered reaction time to take it out of the game, jumping for joy as the Pokemon got recalled, lifting its bone club in the air and chirping.
"Good job, Rider." Ezra said, feeling a little smug at Drake's sudden frown.
From what the website said, he'd never been the first to lose a Pokemon.
"Well played, Ezra. But this battle is far from over," Drake said, releasing his next Pokemon, an Onix.
The giant Pokemon roared as it was released into the field, dust kicking up, it's body curling up slightly as it rose up, staring down at Rider from high above.
Ezra just smirked, recalling Rider, tossing out another Pokeball in his stead.
"Onix, Rock Slide!" Drake ordered immediately, taking advantage of the time he had before Ezra's Pokemon materialized, even as he looked at him oddly for removing a Pokemon capable of Iron Tail from the field when its opponent was a rock Pokemon.
Ezra just smirked, his hand still raised from tossing his Pokeball, Loki appearing, eyes gleaming with mischief.
The giant rock snake roared, slamming its tail into the ground and sending a barrage of boulders towards Loki. Not the most effective move, even as Ezra winced slightly as Loki did take some damage.
But the dust cloud and debris from Onix's appearance and the Rock Slide, completely hid his actions as he couldn't miss a target that size, Loki joining him, four attacks of Hypnosis hitting the Onix, who immediately succumbed.
"Dream Eater." He ordered Loki immediately, forcing Drake to withdraw his Onix in chagrin, looking surprised at how easily it had succumbed to little Loki's Hypnosis.
"You're doing well, Ezra. But this next one will be tough," Drake said, taking the Pokeball on the chain around his neck off, releasing his third Pokemon, a Dragonite.
Ezra winced, the punishment for my success…. It would have been much better for his strategy if Dragonite came at the end. But he would have to make do.
The Dragonite roared as it took to the sky, its wings flapping powerfully. The atmosphere in the stadium seemed to tense, as if the very air was crackling with energy. Ezra knew this would be a tough battle now - Dragonite was a powerful Pokemon with a wide range of moves.
He'd have to sacrifice Loki to get his plan to work. He couldn't afford to switch right now. If he did, he might lose his ace against this dangerous Pokemon.
"Dragonite, use Thunderbolt!" Drake ordered sharply, not as easy going now that he was on the back foot.
The Dragonite's antennae sparked with electricity as it unleashed a powerful Thunderbolt which crashed to the ground with almighty force.
Loki already knew what to do, having used Shadow Sneak to avoid the attack, but it brought it within Dragonite's reach, Loki's desperate attempt at Hypnosis not taking hold, as Dragonite hit him with a point blank Thunderbolt.
Ezra silently thanked Loki for his efforts, immediately tossing out Nyx onto the field.
"Nyx, use Curse!" Ezra commanded, straining his Ghostly companions and their energy to force the Dragonite to miss dodging, even as Drake shouted at it to dive.
Nyx's form became more solid as it used Curse, sacrificing some of its own life energy to place a powerful curse on Dragonite. The Dragonite shuddered, a dark aura enveloping it as the Curse took hold, its dodge not enough, slowed down by his cheating, even as he winced at the sudden headache - he wouldn't be pulling that off again in this battle.
Drake frowned, recognizing the move, looking irritated. "Dragonite, use Dragon Breath!" He yelled, fingers twitching slightly.
Curse would take a quarter of Dragonite's health each turn, Ezra would have preferred to wait until the end to do this, giving Drake no options. As it was he could still recall Dragonite and concentrate on whittling his Pokemon down, using it as a last battering ram at the end before it ran out of juice. Yet it appeared he was continuing on.
The Dragonite opened its mouth, gathering a massive amount of energy. Ezra knew this was a dangerous moment; Dragon Breath from this powerful Pokemon would be a devastating attack, and there was nothing in Nyx arsenal to really stop this.
"Nyx, Hex!" Ezra shouted, doubling down, as Hex would double the damage of any status effect. Which meant the Dragonite would only last two turns after this. He crossed his fingers, this needed to hit.
He really hadn't expected Drake to bring it out so soon.
Dragonite unleashed the Dragon Breath. The immense breath of energy crashed against the ground causing the arena's barriers to shimmer and flicker. Nyx stood no chance, although it seemed Hex had hit, the Dragonite unable to dodge while using such an intense move like a fully powered Dragon Breath.
Unfortunately taking out the Pokemon that cursed you, meant the curse would do no damage this round. Which meant Dragonite still had two moves in it. Which could theoretically take two more of his Pokemon out of the fight.
Ezra gritted his teeth. Dragonite's were bullshit anyway, he recalled Nyx, thanking his Pokemon for its sacrifice, because if he won this, it would solely be down to Curse and Hex.
If Dragonite had gone last, he'd be able to completely spend his Pokemon on just keeping it busy for a few turns, no worries about it as long as one Pokemon on his side survived it. Now, he couldn't just send Pokemon out to get wasted easily, because Drake would still have three Pokemon to go.
"Smart move with Curse, and that Hex, what a combination." Drake said conversationally, Curse only worked once his Pokemon made a move, so they were safe to talk without rushing into it. "But do you have the capability to survive for two rounds, and still have anything left for my other Pokemon?"
"Kick his ass, Drake!" Cissy called from the stands, waving her arms excitedly.
"Tch, that Dragonite is so troublesome." Ezra complained, hand fiddling with a Pokeball, the Dragonite such a monster that he couldn't even cheat anymore, having spent all his energy on ensuring it got cursed.
He'd wanted to save it for last, or not use it at all, but he supposed he was left with no alternative. He sent out the crystal Onix on the field. "Dig!' he shouted, having absolutely no idea if it would even listen.
Drake, unfazed even as the few audience members let out oohs and ahhs at the sight, quickly issued his next command. "Dragonite, use Dragon Rush!"
Dragonite's body glowed with a bright blue aura as it charged forward with incredible speed, aiming to smash into the Onix with a powerful Dragon Rush. The air crackled with the energy of the impending collision.
Onix stood no chance, barely even beginning to dig when the powerful Dragonite slammed into it, the Onix valiantly trying to resist, but eventually submitting, Ezra recalling it, hoping it didn't get its finish scuffed or anything.
At least it got Dragonite down to its last move before it faints. But he was left with 3 Pokemon left, versus Drake's three after Dragonite, and Dragonite still had a move left.
This is why he'd wanted to go through all his other Pokemon and cheat his ass off before getting to this…
"You're quite resourceful, Ezra," Drake admitted, a hint of respect in his voice. "But the battle isn't over yet, and you've hit your limit, there's only so many tricks you can pull."
"Pidgeot, Sand Attack, then fly away." He yelled as he released his Pidgeot, having already spoken to it before this battle, about the unfortunate necessity of it playing a part.
"Twister." Drake ordered, and Dragonite, used its wings and powerful energy to send a twister spiraling across the sky as Pidgeot desperately clawed at the air, its attempted Sand Attack lost in the chaos before it could have a chance to hit.
It was impossible to see in the storm of air that suddenly took over the arena, but eventually it died down, Dragonite slumping to the ground, the curse taking full effect, forcing it to faint. And by some miracle, Pidgeot descended from the sky, feathers ruffled something fierce, but it had managed to avoid the Twister using Fly, just barely.
Likely due to the Dragonite's very weakened energy while on its last breath.
Drake recalled his Dragonite, slowly caressing the Pokeball with a conflicted look on his face, the audience was dead quiet. No one had ever beaten his Dragonite, Ezra knew.
Drake released his Pokemon moments later, an Electabuzz. The electric-type Pokemon sparked with energy, ready to battle.
"Electabuzz, Thunder Punch!" Drake ordered.
"Massive Sand Attack!" Ezra ordered, a move they'd only practiced hours earlier while his other Pokemon rested.
Pidgeot sacrificed everything to toss a heavy gust forward, showering Drake's Pokemon in sand, even as it closed in and took Pidgeot out with one well placed Thunder Punch.
Ezra immediately released Cheshire, taking advantage of Electabuzz hopefully being affected by the Sand Attack. "Confuse Ray!" He barked, Chesire immediately complying.
"Thunder Wave!" Drake ordered, apparently willing to risk sacrificing his Pokemon to ensure Ezra's second to last Pokemon would have a disadvantage.
Ezra won the encounter, the Confuse Ray hitting the Electabuzz - Cheshire's eyes glowing, sending out confusing energy towards Electabuzz. The electric-type wobbled, its eyes dazed from the confusion. It stumbled around, unable to focus - while its Thunder Wave missed Cheshire in return, barely. "Lick!" Ezra ordered immediately, trying to add paralysis to the confusion.
Drake sighed, as Electabuzz fell under paralysis as Chesire grinned widely, eyes purple as it finished the Pokemon off afterwards. Drake could have recalled it, but he obviously didn't see the point.
He still had a better looking position, if barely. Both of them had two Pokemon left, Drake had three if you count the sleeping Onix, but that could easily be taken care of when let loose again.
"You're full of surprises, Ezra, I haven't been this pushed by a challenger before," Drake said, releasing his next Pokemon, a Gengar. Its eyes gleaming with excitement. "It ends here though…"
"Cheshire, Shadow Sneak, and Shadow Ball, keep it up." Ezra snapped out an order, feeling the pressure, it was looking like he might lose.
"Gengar, it's going to come behind you, Hypnosis." Drake immediately ordered.
Ezra winced, he'd been using Shadow Sneak so much yet he hadn't really prepared his Pokemon for appearing and immediately being attacked.
This could sink him.
Cheshire appeared, Drake grinning, before they all watched in shock as the Gengar just took the super effective Shadow Ball to the face, never firing off Hypnosis.
"Gengar! Focus, Confuse Ray, then Hypnosis!" Drake snapped.
Ezra couldn't help but laugh inwardly as the Gengar seemed focused on him instead, before moving to obey Drake but with a second of delay that doomed it, Cheshire taking it down with another Shadow Ball. The arena was fully quiet, everyone trying to understand what happened. Drake's fortune suddenly turning around in one moment.
Drake bit his lip as he handled his second to last Pokeball, "Venosaur will handle it." He said confidently, but his brow was furrowed, as he tossed the Pokeball forward.
The massive grass-type Pokemon landed heavily on the field, its eyes glowing with determination.
"Venusaur, Sleep Powder!" Drake commanded.
At the same time as Ezra called out, "Confuse Ray, then Shadow Sneak and Shadow Ball." Knowing he'd be unlikely to get many more attacks in, the sleep powder was going to have spread by then.
"Bullet Seed behind you!" Drake called out.
Venusaur's flower opened wide, releasing a cloud of sleep-inducing spores. The spores immediately spread all over the area, Cheshire managing to fire off the Confuse Ray, which seemed to fail, before arriving behind the Venusaur, taking Bullet Seeds straight to the face even as it fired off a Shadow Ball into Venusaur.
Then the sleep powder became too much, and his sluggish Cheshire was taken down by several consecutive Bullet Seed attacks it couldn't dodge and the sleep powder. Barely hanging on, but somehow not fainting.
"Sunny Day." Drake ordered, using the fact Cheshire was asleep and on its last leg to set up the next bout. The arena shone brightly as sunlight coalesced above them, the Venusaur's flower beginning to shine.
Ezra had no choice but to return Cheshire, he couldn't allow Drake to spend a few turns just powering up, "Rider, it's all on you!" He called out, as he let his Cubone out on the field.
"Vine Whip, restrict it." Drake said, clicking his fingers like he'd already won, a relieved smile on his face.
"Quick Attack out of its reach, then Bonemerang!"
Venusaur's vines shot out, trying to ensnare Rider. But he managed to dodge, the bone club striking Venusaur in the face, doing some damage, but not enough. Not nearly enough. The bone club returned to Rider's hands like a boomerang.
He didn't dare have Rider approach with Iron Tail, he'd get caught in the Vine whips. Rider really didn't have enough ranged attacks. He was in trouble. For all his plans, the Dragonite coming out early scuppered them all. He still couldn't feel the ghostly energy he'd been using all through the League, so he couldn't help either.
"Solar Beam!" Drake ordered, pumping his fist, even as the audience cheered, Crissy the loudest of them all.
I'm going to lose! Ezra thought. His Cubone was not really a match for the Venusaur. Coming so far, only to lose! It was a joke! He could not!
"Rider, DODGE! You're not going to lose this!" Ezra shouted hoarsely, mentally willing his Pokemon forward.
Venusaur's flower glowed as it gathered energy from the sunlight. Ezra knew this was the moment of truth; Solar Beam was a powerful move, and Rider likely would not withstand it. He needed to dodge it.
Venusaur unleashed the Solar Beam, a massive blast of energy shooting towards Rider in such a wide circumference he was unlikely to dodge in time. Instead of dodging, Riders bone club turned steely, as it charged straight at the Solar Beam with a warcry, club first.
"What are you doing!?" Ezra shouted, absolutely shocked at Rider's crazy idea. And since when could he pull off steel energy in his club anyway?
The collision was spectacular, a burst of energy and light filling the battlefield. For a moment, everything seemed to stand still, the crowd holding their breath as they waited to see the outcome.
The strain of using such a massive Solar Beam had taken a toll on Drake's Pokemon, and the massive Pokemon slowly sat on the ground, letting out a breath.
Rider however looked on its last legs, barely holding on. Ezra bowed his head, 'You did awesome, Rider." He called out, his voice down, I've lost…. "Get some rest." He raised the Pokeball to recall him, Drake respectfully not making any moves.
Rider raised its bone club as it began to glow, stopping Ezra from recalling him, no… Seriously? Now of all times?
Holding its bone club aloft. The weapon began to glow with an intense, ethereal light, casting an otherworldly glow across the battlefield. Ezra, who had been moments away from recalling Rider, stopped in his tracks, eyes widening in surprise and wonder. The entire stadium seemed to hold its breath, the air thick with anticipation. As the glow intensified, Rider's form began to shift and change. The Cubone's normally somber brown eyes sparkled with a new inner light, reflecting the energy that surged through its body.
The bone club in its hand grew longer and thicker, the dull brown surface transforming into a sleek, polished black. Spectral flames danced along the club, vivid and vibrant, flickering with hues of blue and green. Rider's body elongated and grew, shedding its old form as it transformed into something new and powerful. The previously brown, leathery skin became a rich, dark charcoal color, almost black, with an iridescent sheen that caught the light.
The bone helmet that had always been a symbol of its past loss now reshaped itself, becoming more streamlined and fitted to its new form. The skull appeared more angular and pronounced, giving Rider an aura of power and mystique. From Rider's shoulders, two slender, bony spikes emerged, glowing with the same spectral flames that danced along its bone club. The flames licked up along the length of the spikes, adding a ghostly, ethereal quality to the Pokemon's appearance.
Rider's eyes, once filled with sorrow and with honest curiosity, now shone with a fiery intensity, reflecting the powerful spirit within. The transformation complete, Rider stood tall as an Alolan Marowak, a rare and unique form probably not known anywhere on this continent before now.
He'd only had it train in fire energy for a week, did no one else teach a Cubone about fire energy, ever? He glanced at the sky, the sunny day and Solar Beam's effects having hidden the fact the day had ended, and they'd turned to night, just barely. But apparently it had been enough.
The Pokemon's new form was both beautiful and intimidating. The bone club, now a polished black staff, was crowned with a flame that burned brightly, casting an eerie light around the battlefield. Ezra watched in awe as Rider lifted its club high, the flames roaring to life as if celebrating the transformation. The crowd erupted into cheers, the spectators thrilled by the rare sight of a Pokemon evolving in the midst of such a climactic battle. Even Drake, seasoned and composed as he was, couldn't hide his admiration and surprise at the sudden turn of events. The Alolan Marowak looked back at Ezra, its eyes meeting his. There was a new confidence in its gaze, a silent understanding passing between them.
This was no longer the small, grieving Cubone that Ezra had known, this was a warrior, a guardian of the flames, ready to fight with renewed strength.
He somewhat mourned that idea, out of all his Pokemon, he'd bonded with his Cubone the easiest. Spent the most time personally training and working with him. It kind of felt like he'd lost him, in a way. He quickly shook that thought away, focusing on the now. It was complete bullshit, but he'd gotten a hail Mary just at the end.
Drake lost his awe first, snapping out, "Venusaur, Razor Leaf, then try and catch it with your Vine Whip!"
Ezra didn't even know what attacks Rider had now, so he kept his order simple, pointing at the Venusaur. "Rider. Burn!"
Rider dashed forward, it's staff twirling as he ran through the storm of razor leaves, the flames on his staff burning them to cinders as he passed, a whirlwind of motion, before he slammed the staff into the Venusaur, what appeared to be a flamethrower attack firing point blank into the Venusaur.
Drake immediately recalled it as it fainted, shaking his head, a wry grin on his face, "Well, luck had its part, but every good trainer needs that as well." He nodded at Ezra, "Congratulations."
Ezra cocked his head, "We have Pokemon left." He pointed out.
Drake shrugged, "My sleeping Onix is hardly going to beat your… Marowak…? And you have one sleeping one left in your Haunter as well. You have won, Ezra Kassian, champion of the Orange League." He said formally.
The crowd erupted into cheers at the announcement, not that it was very loud with so few of them.
Rider slammed into his knees, chirping happily, eyes closed in an eye smile, and Ezra felt a great sense of relief. It's still my little buddy.. Thank Arceus…
Drake walked up to him, shaking his hand, "This worked out even better than I had imagined, really." He mused out loud.
Ezra stared at him suspiciously, "Aren't you mad I embarrassed your League?"
Drake laughed quietly, "Oh, you win some, you lose some. We'll be laughed at a little no doubt, but when you then go dominate elsewhere, everyone will know what happened here, and we'll reap the benefits in tourism."
They stood in silence for a moment, Ezra irritably acknowledging that even in beating Drake, he helped Drake profit. Drake spoke once more shortly thereafter. "You've earned this, Ezra. But remember, with this victory comes responsibility to live up to. The title of Champion is not just about strength; it's about honor and the bond you share with your Pokemon. I hope you continue to grow and learn on your journey."
The trophy ceremony took place shortly thereafter, and he particularly enjoyed making Cissy and Danny shake his hand. Later he exchanged numbers with Rudy and Luana, and reluctantly, Drake. You never knew when it would be useful.
The ceremony concluded, and Ezra headed to the Pokemon center, Rider out and chattering at him, playing with its new staff with awe. Rudy walked with him, loudly detailing each portion of the fight.
It wasn't… unpleasant.
It was… Nice.
In the Kanto wilderness, the next morning.
"COME ON! The Orange Islands?" Karen screamed at her pokedex, shaking it as if to make it make sense, the message from Agatha telling her she'd been wasting her time trekking out from Lavender Town.
This brat… She cursed inwardly, teeth gritting together, left eye twitching violently.
"He's only been a trainer for what? Two weeks? How the fuck is all the way over there?" She shouted at nothing, several trainers traveling down the route taking the long way around, looking at her in askance as she cursed and screamed at the air.
And he won the fucking league…
She'd never won a league… As Agatha so snidely pointed out in her message.
Right, that's it, I'm going down there and beating the brat into the ground and dragging him to the old lady face down in gravel the entire way!
She released one of her Pokemon, "Honchkrow, Orange Islands, now!" She hissed out.
She had to get there while he was still busy with his little victory party.
Sky over the Orange islands.
Ezra didn't waste any time, leaving the islands immediately after his victory ceremony,
He had no intention of dealing with Drake anymore then he had to.
Especially when he might face some questions on how the fuck he pulled some of his shit.
Nope, he'd be far away from the Orange Islands by dawn.
The fact Drake wasn't even upset his League got crushed in a day really sucked all the fun out of it…
Author's note:
Orange Island arc begun, and done.
I took some creative liberties with the surroundings, challenges etc, going with mostly the same but not sticking entirely like for like. Mostly because I didn't want to rewatch the whole Orange Island arc.
So Ezra cheats a lot. And seems personally offended that other people aren't doing everything possible to squeeze out an advantage. The Orange League really wasn't ready for him, at least the first stages. And no, he doesn't think their arbitrary challenge rules count as squeezing out an advantage.
Cissy might actually hate him for life for his comments and how carelessly he treated the seel, let alone him rubbing it all in her face.
He'd never be able to pull that stuff off in Kanto, the Pokemon League would be all over him if his matches had a bunch of mysterious happenings, but here, with them not even able to prove he did anything, no Pokemon out to affect anything, he just walks free.
Note that originally he'd intended to just go about the islands and enjoy himself, train his Pokemon before taking on the Kanto League, so he didn't have too many quibbles of catching a water Pokemon or another to play casually in the Orange League, he's just more spiteful now that's he's been told to do it.
Edgy teen character problems.
Although by the end he's not quite seeing things exactly the same.
And ass pull Pokemon evolution is ass pull, it's pretty much normal Pokemon battle bs.
Cheers
JollyHippopotamus
Story won on Patreon so it comes out earlier than otherwise projected, so enjoy.
So this chapter might annoy some people, I'll reiterate again though, while he's on the side of good guys, he's not really that nice of a person. Oh, he'll make his friends and have his adventures, but he's definitely not what you'd call… Diplomatic.
I'm not really writing a normal Pokemon story here, not that I regularly write normal anything.
This probably should have been two chapters, but I didn't want to stay in the Orange Islands for too long, the arc mostly showcasing how different he is from other trainers in both mindset and skills. It's 16k, so uh, read when you have some extra time.
At least I didn't spend ten chapters and 100 k words on the Orange islands!
As usual, I do not own Pokemon or the associated companies that deliver material from it. I'm just playing in the kiddy pool, don't hurt me.
Enjoy!
Ezra landed on Mikan island, but didn't immediately stomp off to challenge the leader.
He needed to think this through, plan, and then completely annihilate Drake and his coterie for trying to push him around.
He realized he could just fly away, but it didn't sit right with him. Not due to honor or something ridiculous like that. Drake had challenged him, and was trying to use his capture of the crystal Onix as a publicity stunt for his two bit League. He was doing this to garner up some interest, publicity and tourism.
So yeah, Ezra understood what was happening, but out of spite, he was going to turn it around and absolutely humiliate the guy instead.
He was going to be the outsider who captured a rare Pokemon off their lands, and then blitzed their entire league in one day.
He just needed to figure out how first, before he started. He knew that the league didn't have traditional Pokemon battles, not until Drake anyway, so that was his best chance.
Because they didn't play by normal Pokemon League rules, and didn't know about his… Particular abilities. He could cheat. And cheat like hell. He'd planned to go through the league here at his leisure while looking up interesting things around the area anyway, but now, he'd blitz these fools and go grab what he needed and then get the hell out.
He let his Pokemon out of their Pokeballs, except for the crystal Onix. He didn't really want to deal with that one, since he was just selling it. Also he still felt silly for getting into trouble in the first place by showing it off. He really needed to work on his knee jerk reaction of rubbing his success in people's faces.
… At least until he was powerful enough he could get away with it.
The Spiritomb seemed angry still, its purple miasma practically buzzing, although it thankfully didn't do anything like attack him.
He sat down in front of it, frowning slightly, resting his head on a fist. "That was probably your home for a long time, huh?" He asked, his other Pokemon hovering around him protectively. "Probably feels pretty scary to be out and about." At least that's the feeling I get from it, perhaps I can feel their aura better than normal?
Spiritomb's 'face' fluttered into a displeased frown kind of look, and Ezra nodded, "I can understand that, but living in that cave can't have been very interesting either."
The Spiritomb just glared at him, presumably for disparaging its boring ass hole in the ground. Whatever, he got it - even if it's a shit place, it's his shit place.
"I'm not putting you back, sorry, but I'm not really sorry." Ezra said bluntly, not going to sugarcoat things. If the Pokemon couldn't handle him as he was then that was that. "I'm sure you've noticed I have some sort of aura that you guys seem to feed on, you won't get that somewhere else, no other human to my knowledge has it."
Shuppet made a lot of agreeing noises, chirping at the Spiritomb who narrowed its 'eyes', rumbling something back in an eerie screeching noise.
He let them talk it out for a few moments, the Spiritomb seemingly begrudgingly accepting whatever Shuppet was saying. "Life will be a lot more interesting seeing the world, battling other Pokemon, causing havoc and mischief, all I ask is that you try it, and work for it." He said when both Pokemon had calmed down their chatter.
Spiritomb floated in the air silently for a few moments, before letting out a loud breath that sounded like a whoopee cushion more than anything, nodding its ethereal body.
"Welcome to the team." Ezra said, smiling, bringing out his Pokedex, aligning it on the Spiritomb, glad he had the ability to check a Pokemon's actual moves now, instead of having to ask the Pokemon to demonstrate - which didn't work well on moves that weren't an outright attack move.
He grinned as he saw the move pool, "Oh, we're going to be the best of friends, you and I…" He told the Spiritomb.
He had his ace in the hole against Drake's Dragonite, albeit one that would take some work to use, as he probably needed Dragonite to be the last Pokemon left. Which meant he not only needed to take out Drake's other Pokemon easily enough that Ezra still had Pokemon leftover, but not beating them so easily that Drake would think to bring his Dragonite out early.
It was a plan however, and he had faith in his ghosts and Cubone to do well even against Drake. And well, in the worst case scenario, the Onix could be sent out to tank some damage, even if he lasted two hits from the Dragonite that would be enough.
He knew Drake started with a Ditto, and that was probably the same even if he was a bit early compared to Ash, especially as Drake was undefeated that entire time. Ditto probably throwing many trainers off.
Personally he could see several ways of dealing with it. He didn't see the other Pokemon he had as too much of a threat if he could get his plans to work, except if he had that Gengar he'd used against Ash, which he could hope he didn't have yet.
Ghost Pokemon weren't likely plentiful in the Orange islands so it's possible he didn't have it. In that case he'd instead face an unknown Pokemon. Although… With his Aura, would he affect even Ghost Pokemon other trainers owned? Would be an interesting thing to see if Drake did indeed have a Gengar, or a Haunter if it hadn't evolved yet.
Venusaur and Electabuzz would be the last two, and he acknowledged that if he wouldn't be cheating, this lineup would be too much for him. All of them together wasn't a terrible team, good spread of tricks, elemental Pokemon, a Ghost, and a Dragon.
He could see why Drake was undefeated. But this wouldn't be a Pokemon League game, and as long as he didn't get caught by doing something obvious, Drake and the others wouldn't have any idea about what he was capable of.
After spending some time with his Pokemon talking over what he planned for the next few days, he sent them off for training, tasking Haunter and Shuppet with teaching Spiritomb to compress its energy like they had.
He himself got to work setting a bonfire up, taking his time to trek around and gather wood, building up his own stamina as his Pokemon worked. Once the flames were crackling away happily, he waved Cubone over.
"So, you're doing pretty awesome in Iron tail, and I think it's going to develop further the more you fight with it, but right now I have another goal in mind." He rubbed Cubones head slightly, not sure how the Pokemon could even feel it through the bone, but it still closed its eyes happily and chirped at him.
"I have a specific evolution I'm working towards for you, and it's a Fire/Ghost type. Now you don't have any fire type moves, and I can't afford to buy you one yet. But fire energy is something that I think can work on its own even if you don't manage to perfect a technique." He explained.
He brought out his Pokedex, bringing up the grainy video of a Machope using a fire punch. There were very few videos like that online, mostly from rookies, as veteran trainers didn't deign to show off their moves in any manner. "This is a fire punch, a gathering of fire energy in a Pokemons fist before they punch something."
He gestured to the bonfire, "While you train tonight, I want you to stay near the fire, feel its energy, meditate on it, try to copy it in your fists as you work afterwards." He rubbed its head again, "Don't be discouraged if it doesn't work, I don't see this working out anytime soon, the important factor is to get a feel for fire energy, I'm almost positive it is one of the reasons for your evolution."
He didn't expect this to succeed in getting an actual fire punch working, he couldn't build a bonfire every night, but the more Cubone got to feel and internalize what fire energy was, the better his chances of getting a Fire/Ghost type Marowak, what they'd called an Alolan Marowak in the games.
Once his Onix sold, he could just buy Fire Punch and teach it to his Cubone, but he wanted it to have some idea of fire energy before he went that route.
Staring thoughtfully into the fire, he decided he also couldn't keep just calling his Pokemon an it, or the Cubone. They all needed names. Especially his ghosts considering how many similar ones followed in his shadow. Calling for Haunter, when he had at least 5 with him was just confusing.
"Hey, I'm going to call you Rider, okay?" He told Cubone. Since Cubone would evolve into a flaming ghost, Ghost Rider came to mind, so Rider would be its name.
Rider seemed happy enough with the name, chirping at him, waving its bone club in the air, bumping its head against his knee.
"How about you run and get the others, they deserve names as well, hmm?" He said, his eyes on the fire, the light reflecting in his eyes.
Rider ran off immediately, and he sat and just stared into the fire for a few moments. He wasn't sure where the sudden feeling had come from, to name them. To… Perhaps personalize them more?
He wasn't like the normal goody two shoes trainers who loved Pokemon like they were family. But…
Something, he supposed, had just felt wrong with continually calling them by their species, like he'd go around saying chair, table, cat, dog, like they were not important. And it was annoying to have several Haunters together with his own Haunter.
Soon enough they were all gathered in front of him, and he turned away from the fire. "I've decided to give you names." He said bluntly, "Cubone is now Rider. I'll be giving you all names as well, not only to put you apart from anyone else I may capture, but to showcase you're mine. Just as I am yours."
He beckoned Haunter forward, "From now on, your name is Cheshire."
Cheshire grinned widely, laughing silently, before using shadow sneak to appear right behind him, its tongue leaving a cold slimy trail up his neck.
"Yes I get it, you like the name, now fuck off!" He sent Cheshire a mock irritated glance, shooing it off.
Shuppet was practically vibrating in excitement, bobbing up and down in the air, which was precisely why Ezra crooked a finger, beckoning Spiritomb forward instead. He hid a smile as his Shuppet practically deflated, sinking to the ground in defeat.
"I know you're new, and all of this might be a bit much, but you also deserve a name, one that other Pokemon might one day look to in awe or fear." He explained, staring straight into the purple miasma that made up his newest Pokemon. "Your name is Nyx, from a goddess of the night capable of wielding shadows and darkness."
As a Ghost/Dark type, he felt it fit well enough. Besides, naming Pokemon was kind of cringe anyway, so he'd just lean fully into it and make it cool.
Nyx seemed pleased with the name, hovering back into place, smugly looking down on Shuppet, who rushed forward before he could call on it.
He laughed, "Yeah, you want a name too, huh? How about simp?" He teased gently.
Shuppet did not appear to understand the meaning of the word, but she got the gist of his intent, and protested, loudly chirping against the suggestion, while his other Pokemon loudly seemed in favor, mocking their fellow.
"I kid, I kid, how about… Loki?" He said, bending down to look Shuppet in the eyes, "Named so for a god of mischief and cunning."
Shuppet visibly approved of the idea, so Ezra nodded his head, anointing it Loki, not mentioning how Loki was also someone who tended to fail badly at their plotting. Just as Shuppet tended to fall short in any game against Cheshire.
"Alright, that's enough of that!" He clapped his hands together, "Back to training everyone, I'll have some berries scrounged together for when you're done."
They happily went back to training, leaving Ezra to do the domestic work.
He'd be glad when he had the money to just buy everything that was needed.
Soon…
1 day later,
He'd decided to take the week to train his Pokemon, really nail their capabilities down, and practice on getting them to harness every drop of energy, shaving down seconds on their techniques.
He'd gone ahead and called ahead to each of the four Orange island gyms and scheduled a match, all within hours of each other. He'd given himself twelve to sixteen hours to do all four gyms and the travel time between the islands, which thankfully were not far from each other in this archipelago.
He suspected Drake would accept his challenge anytime, so he'd finish them all within that timeframe and then challenge Drake, beating his league in a day.
Just in case, he had scheduled a block with Drake at the end of the day that day through his gym, in case he decided to be stubborn and decline his immediate challenge.
By scheduling ahead, he'd get them talking anyway, as the leaders realized he'd scheduled them all on the same day, it would make it even sweeter to beat them when they'd realize exactly what he was doing as he did.
For now, he was exploring his capabilities with the Ghosts following him, as he'd left his Pokemon behind to train on the beach, as he strode into the jungle for some privacy.
"Alright, let's try some things." He spoke out loud, shaking his limbs loosely like he was going to work out.
He raised a hand, pointing it forward, "Can you use the shadow between my wrist and my clothes?" He asked, feeling the Ghost Pokemon move around him. He felt more than he saw, as the tiny shadow within the space grew heavier.
He moved his arm back and forth, the weight not physical as he felt just fine, more of a mental strain as if the shadow wasn't as connected to him as his own full body shadow was.
"Can you fire off a hypnosis, without touching me?" He asked, putting his arm forward again, palm flat as he held his hand up, leaving more space under his wrist.
His smile grew positively feral as it worked. This… This held so many opportunities for the future. Especially for the Orange League and whenever he'd have a run in with Team Rocket…
Hypnosis wasn't as flashy a technique as most, as a psychic technique, it was an almost entirely intangible attack that was barely visible as it shot forward. In the heat of a battle, especially if one of his Pokemon was already using the attack, another lined up with it would hardly be noticeable.
"How many of you can fit under there?" He asked deviously.
After some experiments, it turned out only three alas, but it still gave him faith that he could give Drake hell. The man wouldn't know what hit him.
"Let's see what else we can figure out." He cackled, the Ghosts all laughing alongside him as they swirled around him, happy with his elation.
A week later, Mikan Island.
Ezra stepped onto the sandy shores of Mikan Island, the opposite side from where he'd been training all week. The air was warm and filled with the salty tang of the ocean. His thoughts were clear, his mind a focused whirlwind of strategies and potential countermeasures. He had planned meticulously, and now, it was time to execute.
Luckily for him, he had the knowledge of what the challenges were already, not only from watching Ash, but from the gym's website. He'd caught a random water Pokemon just for this purpose, as Cissy had an arbitrary rule forcing challengers to use water Pokemon, or at least Pokemon able to use water moves.
He'd just get rid of it after the battle.
The Mikan Gym wasn't far, and he could feel the thrill of the upcoming battle course through his veins - not that it would be much of a battle. He walked purposefully through the bustling marketplace, ignoring the curious glances from locals and tourists alike. His goal was singular - the gym and its leader, Cissy.
The Mikan Gym was an open-air arena, a departure from the typical enclosed buildings he was used to. Its design was simple yet elegant, blending seamlessly with the natural beauty of the island. Tall palm trees swayed gently around the perimeter, and a large pool of crystal-clear water took up the center of the arena. It was clear that this gym specialized in Water type Pokemon.
Which was fine, Ezra didn't mind specialization, it annoyed him that he had to catch a Water Pokemon for this stupidity however. Even if he wasn't going to really do any of this by… Conventional means.
Cissy, the gym leader, stood at the opposite end of the 'arena', her confident posture unmistakable as anything else but the leader of this place. She struck a plain figure compared to many of the gym leaders around the world, her plain auburn hair tied back in a high ponytail, accentuating her sharp, sea-blue eyes. Dressed in a simple halter top and skirt, she looked every bit like a normal woman enjoying the beach. Her gaze met Ezra's as he approached, a smirk playing on her lips.
"So, you're the challenger who's been causing a stir? Bold to challenge us all thinking it would be that easy." She called out, her voice carrying over the sound of the waves gently lapping against the shore nearby, and the hum of the pool controls underneath them.
"That's right," Ezra replied, his tone steady. "I'm here to challenge you for your badge." And to humiliate your rinky dink league…
Cissy's smirk widened. "Well, you've come to the right place. But be warned, our gym battles aren't like the others. We've got our own style here in the Orange Islands. Are you up for a different kind of challenge?"
Ezra nodded, unfazed. "I'm ready for anything." A glint of disgust in his eyes, "Even with these ridiculous rules you force on people…"
"Good," Cissy said, her eyes gleaming with excitement. Before she seemingly caught on to the fact he hadn't followed the usual script, putting her hands on her hip, snapping out, "Hey, the rules make sense, brat! What kind of trainer are you if you can't use a Pokemon outside your specialty, huh?"
"Yes, let's force trainers to capture and train Water Pokemon that they will then immediately get rid of and abandon after your gym, you're right, an excellent idea." He groused, hands in his pockets as he stared her down.
He had no idea if that was what happened, but considering he intended to do exactly that, surely he wasn't the only one who'd done it.
Cissy spluttered, "People don't do that!" She cried out, pointing at him accusingly, "There's something wrong with you!"
He rolled his eyes, he was almost positive he was at least half right, "Whatever, let's get this joke of a gym challenge done." He muttered.
It might have been amusing as an exercise in his skills as a trainer, if he didn't go the route he was going today, but he still thought it was a stupid way to limit a gym.
"Then let's get started. We'll decide this with a Water Gun accuracy test. Whoever hits the most targets during the time limit wins!" She waved an arm excitedly, apparently deciding to power through his gloom with cheerfulness. "This is to show how well you've trained your Water Pokemon, and if you succeed you have proven yourself and earned my badge." She twirled a Pokeball on a finger, smirking almost predatorily for a moment, "My Seadra is a champion at this game… You're not getting a badge today!"
He knew Ash had been forced to do more than this challenge, although he couldn't remember why, but apparently if he beat her in the first test, it would be the only test. Heh, simple enough. Guess he wouldn't need to do the stupid Wave Ride challenge after then, so he'd captured a larger Water Pokemon needlessly it seemed.
Ezra watched as Cissy released her Seadra, its sleek body cutting through the water with ease. Ezra threw his own Pokeball, his arm lined up with the Seadra, and in the spray of water as his Pokemon arrived in the pool, it was impossible to see the Seadra get hit by three different shots of Hypnosis from the Ghosts hidden beneath his sleeve.
"Ready, set, go!" Cissy shouted, and the competition began, Cissy ready to cheer, before she spluttered in confusion as her Seadra apparently decided to take a nap, "Seadra! What are you doing!" She shouted, stomping a foot uselessly.
His Ghosts had practiced using their energy for telekinesis religiously all week, a normally psychic move - they'd focused the entire week on it. In case he'd have to use them to guide his Water Pokemon in a field of Telekinesis, while limiting and messing up his opponents shots, but now that his first gambit had worked, he didn't even need that. It was good for him, in case he'd need his Ghosts to do it later against the other Gyms, the ability tiring them out quickly. Ghosts could do Psychic moves, but they'd never be as good at it as actual Psychic Pokemon.
"Go you fat fuck." He waved casually to the Pokemon he'd bribed by promising it plenty of food if he hung around for a week.
"That is not how you talk to your Pokemon!" Cissy practically howled, a tick mark on her forehead.
"It's not mine, not really. We just made a deal for food for this stupid challenge, then he can go do whatever." Ezra said lazily, watching his temporary ally miss more than he hit, but with his opponent asleep, he had all the time in the world to take down the targets, sure to win as time ticked down on the challenge. Ezra found more amusement in watching Cissy's reddening face at this humiliation, then he did watching this ridiculous challenge.
He was also slightly disappointed in the fact she didn't even think to call out another Pokemon, never having clarified it was only one vs one in the rules. Besides with Seadra obviously incapacitated, she could have argued the point anyway, but she didn't even try. Ezra found her lacking in every way.
Honestly, basing your entire gym on Pokemon surfing or being able to shoot water bullets. How moronic. Nothing would have stopped her from demanding the Wave Ride challenge as well, other than her words at the beginning, which she could have claimed was misspoken.
He supposed he was getting a lesson on what not to do, when he became a proper gym leader. You needed to teach some sort of lesson, not just… Pull a cheap gimmick and call it a gym.
His Seel finally finished the last target, and Ezra turned to Cissy, holding out his hand expectantly.
She fumed as she recalled Seadra, stomping over to him, and handing him his badge, looking like she wanted to throw it at him.
"You cheated somehow." She accused lowly, grabbing his hand by the wrist, as he took the Coral-Eye badge.
He looked her in the eye, smirking, "I only used one Pokemon, just like you, get over yourself." He slapped her hand away, scoffing at her temerity.
Sure he was cheating, but if she sucked so bad she couldn't prove it, she deserved to suffer from it. He'd only used one Pokemon as far as she was aware, so she was just working off guesses.
Speaking of, he grabbed Seel's Pokeball, tossing it to the ground, and then stomping on it, crushing it, as Seel was released from his services - in front of Cissy's gobsmacked eyes.
"Feel free to capture the lazy fuck, all he does is eat anyway." Ezra said carelessly, tossing another Pokeball out, releasing his Pidgeot.
For his entire life, his hatred at his own body, at life around him going on without him, his rage at the unfairness of it all, it had boiled inside him. No one liked a cripple or disabled person who whined about their lot in life after all. So he'd kept everything inside, every day, just trying to eke out a life.
Now… It wasn't going to make him friends, but he found he just didn't care to keep what he felt hidden anymore. He'd say what he meant, and suffer the consequences if they came. He was done hiding himself to appease society.
He'd acknowledge he was an asshole. But he was an honest asshole.
"You… You…" Cissy growled, hands spasming like she wanted to wring his neck.
He climbed onto his Pidgeot, casually waving at her, "Next time, try to be something else then a pathetic one trick pony, just a piece of advice." He said, taking off before she could respond.
He certainly wasn't making friends, but then he wasn't here for that.
He was here to crush the Orange League.
Naval island.
Ezra's heart was racing as he landed just outside Danny's gym on Navel Island. The brisk mountain air was invigorating, and he knew he was likely going to be pressed for time here. He had already conquered one gym, and now he was here for the second. He marched up to the gym entrance, where Danny was waiting for him with a knowing smile.
He'd sent a request when he first scheduled these challenges, he hoped it was heeded, or he would waste a lot of his time on this stupid challenge. Ash had to climb up a mountain, and he just didn't have time for that shit. Hopefully Drake leaned on him to be more receptive, since Drake was the one making him go through this in the first place.
Danny, with his tousled brown hair and athletic build, looked every bit the outdoorsman. His relaxed demeanor, however, was underpinned by a sharp, competitive edge as he shook Ezra's hand, gripping it tightly. "I hear you're on a tight schedule," Danny said, crossing his arms. "You're taking on all the gyms in a day, right?"
"That's right," Ezra replied, making a motion as if looking at a wrist watch, "Let's get to it." He said without preamble, not interested in chitchat.
Danny nodded, clearly annoyed by Ezra's determination to skip the normal rituals. "Alright then, Drake waived my normal first challenge for you, so we need to get there in a different manner. Follow me."
They both took to the skies, flying up the steep mountain that loomed over the gym. The ascent was swift, the wind whipping past them. As they reached the summit, the view was breathtaking - a vast panorama of the ocean stretching out in every direction. But there was no time to admire the scenery. Danny pointed to two geysers behind them, their steam and water rising in great plumes, crashing back down, making thunderous noise.
"For this first challenge," Danny explained, "We'll each freeze one of these geysers. The first to do so wins. I'll use my Pokemon to freeze mine, and you'll use yours."
How utterly stupid, yet again. To base more challenges on only having one type of Pokemon, or one type of attack. They wondered why their trainer tourism was low? It's because no one wanted to deal with this bullshit. People traveling to the Orange League would be trainers who already had a team or a mostly full team - none of which would be impressed at being forced to get a new member just for these challenges if they didn't have one that fit the criteria.
He was going to leave Drake a damn review after this.
101 reasons your league sucks.
Ezra turned his mind to the challenge. He had no Ice type Pokemon or moves. But he did have something else. As Danny sent out his Nidoqueen, Ezra called out Rider, his Cubone, and positioned himself behind everyone. His ghosts, hidden within his shadow, would be his secret weapon yet again.
It wasn't improving as a trainer, not really. But considering the moronic one note challenges he was facing, he didn't see how they improved any trainers either.
Danny wasted no time. "Nidoqueen, Ice Beam!" he commanded. A brilliant beam of icy energy shot from Nidoqueen's mouth, striking the geyser. Steam hissed and crackled as the water began to freeze.
Ezra watched carefully, then nodded subtly, Ezra's hidden ghosts moved into action, their telekinetic abilities honing in on Nidoqueen's head. With an almost imperceptible shift, they redirected Nidoqueen's Ice Beam away from Danny's geyser and towards Ezra's.
Danny frowned, noticing the sudden change in trajectory. "Nidoqueen, focus!" He urged, confused, but it was too late. The geyser in front of Ezra was rapidly freezing over. Frustrated, Danny called out, "Nidoqueen, snap out of it, freeze our geyser!"
He looked towards Ezra, frowning at Rider, who wasn't doing anything, and wasn't a likely caster of a Confuse Ray or similar attack. Which he would have seen anyway. Ezra just smiled pleasantly at his look of abject confusion.
With Rider doing nothing but sitting there as Ezra's Geyser froze over, giving Ezra the challenge, it was obvious Ezra's had done something. But Danny couldn't exactly do much about it, because there were no signs of anything being done by him.
Nidoqueen stopped firing, growling in irritation at having her head forcibly moved and held in a vice, Ezra's Geyser was a solid block of ice already by then. Danny sighed, a hint of confusion in his eyes, along with his irritation. "This challenge is a wash," He declared, showing more brains then Cissy at least, Ezra thought, not too bothered.. "You didn't really use your Pokemon for it. So, we'll move on to the next one as the final test."
Ezra nodded, having figured it was always going to be decided thusly anyway - they technically all had three challenges available, but it all depended on what they put forward with each trainer - like when Cissy had shot herself in the foot by declaring the accuracy test would be enough for a badge. "We're going to make bobsleds out of the ice and race down the mountain," Danny explained. "First one to the bottom wins."
He gestured to Ezra's Geyser, "We'll both use this, and there will be no funny business during this, alright?"
Ezra snorted, "Trust me, I find nothing funny about the stupidity of these so-called challenges that force trainers into only one mold." He shook his head, clicking his tongue, "Tch, you wonder why you're small potatoes? You can't even understand trainers' attachment to their teams. Going by the first two gyms so far, no one except a Water Pokemon trainer would have been eager to come test you both. Requiring Water and Ice as the only avenue forward, can you really say you're surprised when not a single fire trainer or normal type, fighting type - I could go on - comes here?"
Danny glared at him, "Pretty cocky there, kid. There's a dozen brats like you every year on this mountain, I make them eat their words like I will make you eat yours."
Ezra simply deadpanned at him, "So you've been told the same thing before, and still persist. Nevermind, I now find you slightly funny, in a sad way."
"Just make a sled!" He snapped, turning to his own Pokemon, gritting his teeth together.
Ezra turned to Rider. "Use Iron Tail to carve out a bobsled," He instructed, his ghosts aware of what the challenge was and would be using telekinesis to help shape the thing as Rider cut it out of the giant block of ice - Rider definitely did not have the control in his tiny tail to manage it on his own. Rider's tail glowed with a metallic sheen as it struck the ice, carving out a blocky shape. Meanwhile, Ezra's ghosts once again worked in the shadows, using their telekinesis to refine the sled's design as Rider cut, smoothing out imperfections and ensuring it was somewhat aerodynamic as Rider ran around the sled like shape, creating enough dust that it was hard to see how exactly the sled was taking shape.
In mere minutes, Ezra's bobsled was complete. He climbed in, securing himself as best as he could in the uncomfortable thing, Hoping he wasn't about to kill himself with this stupidity. Another mark against the gym. Like mountain climbing wasn't a retarded trainer test to begin with, going down a Arceus damned mountain proved your skill how exactly?
Teamwork and your Pokemon listening to you? You know how else you could prove that? Like the rest of the Arceus damned world, with a Pokemon battle!
Danny, working quickly with his own Pokémon, still hadn't finished his sled as Ezra set off, glaring at him in disbelief.
Ezra's sled shot forward with a push from Rider, the tiny Pokemon jumping in with him immediately after, the wind rushing past his face as they immediately picked up speed. He had little experience with bobsledding, (aka none) but he trusted his instincts and the telekinetic nudges from his ghosts to keep him steady. The mountain's twists and turns came fast and hard, and he gripped the sides of the sled tightly.
Danny, more experienced, quickly closed the gap between them once his sled was finished, speeding down the mountain after him. His sled was gaining speed rapidly, and he was navigating the slopes with practiced ease. It helped that he had a heavy ass Nidoqueen giving him better balance for steering, while Ezra could only steer due to Telekinesis, and at this rate, he'd have to rest his Ghosts for Drake and have them skip the third and fourth gym.
He briefly toyed with the idea of using his Ghosts to throw Danny's sled into a tree but it seemed a bit harsh even for him. And he also didn't want to keep wasting his Ghosts energy. So he held on, believing he had enough of a lead to pull through.
Worst case, he'd have Rider iron tail their damn sled before the finish line, Danny had never said there was no Pokemon moves allowed.
Ezra's sled maintained its course, barreling down the mountain. The finish line came into view, and with a final burst of speed, he crossed it first, Danny just about managing to catch up, but in the end the advantage of starting minutes ahead won the race.
Breathless and exhilarated with the victory, even if he thought it was stupid, Ezra climbed out of the sled. Danny arrived moments later, next to him, frustration evident on his face. But there was also a grudging acceptance - he couldn't say he hadn't ridden a damn sled down the mountain after all. He approached Ezra, holding out a hand. "Well, you did it. You won. Here's your Sea Ruby badge." He sounded very unenthusiastic about it.
Ezra accepted the badge, feeling a rush of triumph at the fact he was ahead of his timeline by hours thanks to this gym skipping the mountain climbing. "Thanks, Danny." He said with a smirk, "Hope you're not too broken up about someone beating you in the specifically designed challenge to give you every single advantage in the world." He couldn't resist one last jab, this whole thing was just too stupid to him.
When he'd thought to do the Orange League it had been as an amusing touristy thing where he hadn't intended to take it seriously. He would have probably had some fun with that. This, acting like it's seriously a gym? Just irritated him.
Danny gave him a baleful look. "Good luck with the rest of the gyms. You're going to need it." He said shortly, "Drake will make an honest brat out of you at the least."
Ezra smirked, already thinking about the next challenge. "I'll be ready." He secured the badge, knowing that with each victory, he was one step closer to his ultimate goal, and with his schedule hours ahead, he could afford perhaps to give his Ghosts a rest to gather their energy before the third or fourth gym. He'd see what seemed most viable.
He sent out Pidgeot again, giving Danny a casual wave that the man didn't return, his baleful look still on his face.
Sucks to suck.
Trovita island.
This was the only gym challenge where he found he might face an impossible to beat scenario.
Not the accuracy test - and really? A second accuracy test? Pathetic.
It was the ridiculous three on three battle, which featured a same type rule. As in grass vs grass and water vs water etc. he did not have the space in his team for that, not unless the gym leader had Ghost Pokemon, which wasn't going to happen.
With Rider, Cheshire, Nyx and Loki on his team, and Pidgeot taking up a slot technically as well, he only had one spot. He'd designated the Onix as not a battler in the system at the Pokecenter, which allowed him to still carry the Pokeball, but he couldn't release him until he was in a Pokecenter and designated him as usable again. Hence why Pidgeot was on the usable list, because flying away quickly was rather impossible if he had to hoof it to a Pokemon center first.
Once he had six slots taken, any further catches, the Pokeball would automatically be designated by itself as not usable, and locked, allowing him to only switch out his team at a Pokemon center. There were licenses to have an expanded team, but such things were really for Ace trainers, not people like him.
Others paid money for boarding instead, transferring their Pokemon over the six Pokemon limit there. He'd keep them with him, since he'd never go too far from civilization anyway. It would allow him to have his Pokemon all on hand, rotating them now and then so no one got stuck in a ball too long.
His Ghosts could hide in his shadow, but the ones he'd caught wouldn't matter either way that way, because they were already logged through the Pokeball, so they'd count to his six even if he didn't keep them hanging in a ball.
So technically, he could have deactivated two of his Pokemon, and caught and trained three elemental Pokemon, if he could have found them in this past week - but that would have been a pain in the ass - and would have defeated the purpose of him training his team the entire week.
He'd wracked his brain for a solution, and finally resigned himself to the fact that he'd have to simply bully his way through, or invoke Drake, as distasteful as it was. Or at least demand a fair challenge, not that any of these challenges so far had been very fair on any poor trainer who'd arrive without exactly the mix of Pokemon the Orange islands would demand of them…
He had half a dozen different plans for how to get through this, but there was still a small smidgeon of stress running through him at the idea they wouldn't work, failing him despite his big words to the other gym leaders. Something he could not stand.
Rudy was a fairly young looking guy with reddish tinted hair and an open and honest face. He was waiting for Ezra outside the small gym, but as soon as Ezra walked up, he waved for him to follow, casually stating, "I don't actually tend to use my Gym for challenges, so come along we'll go somewhere better."
Ezra held back a snarky reply, not wanting to be too confrontational as he still had to argue his way forward. He followed Rudy as he walked to a beach not far away, with a large cliffside nearby, pillars of rock dotting the water.
He clapped his hands, turning around, "Right! So you're taking us all on at once, and already did Cissy and Danny in, after just a few hours." He smirked, dragging a hand through his hair, "That's pretty cool, but you'll be defeated here!" He waved dramatically at a boat moored at a small wooden dock. "You and your Pokemon will board this boat, and while it is moving, you'll face dozens of targets throughout the sea, attached to the rock pillars you see. Hit them all, or you will fail this challenge before you can come before me!"
He was tempted to say, that's it? But again, he needed to play nice until the next stage. So Ezra simply nodded politely, and moved away, towards the boat. Rudy frowning and coming with him, seemingly more put out at his easy acceptance than anything.
Rudy started the boat up, and they picked up speed as he made his way to the rock pillars in front of the cliff side. "Go go go!" He shouted excitedly, as they neared the first targets.
Ezra rolled his eyes, but waved Loki forward, his Pokemon already having been out since the beginning, since he had the best accuracy of his 'mon. "Just get it over with, Loki." He muttered, the spite he'd built up to crush all these challenges just being drained by all this… Banality and stupidity he was running into.
He'd known what these people were like in theory, but it turned out it was all a lot more frustrating in person. He was hardly a die hard Pokemon purist, yet still the way they did things rubbed him the wrong way to the extreme.
Loki had to hit twelve targets, each a bullseye painted on rock pillars jutting out of the water under the towering cliff face. The wind whipped through Ezra's hair as he held onto the railing, his eyes locked onto the targets ahead, he didn't see any real difficulty in this, not with how hard Loki had trained in accuracy.
"Loki, show this guy how it's done." Ezra called over the noise of the boat and the sea.
Loki, his Shuppet, floated beside him, eyes gleaming with determination. The boat accelerated, and the first target came into view. Loki's eyes glowed with a dark energy as it launched a precise shadow ball, compressed to be as small as it could be. The ball hit the first bullseye dead center, shattering the surface of the target, showering stone chips into the sea.
Rudy would have to paint new targets today, it seemed.
The boat sped on, and one by one, the targets appeared and were obliterated by Loki's unerring aim. Each shot was perfect, the dark energy hitting the bullseyes with pinpoint accuracy. Ezra didn't need to give any additional commands; Loki was in the zone, executing each strike flawlessly.
Just as Loki had been trained to do, having to work much harder to fire rapid fire shots, nailing leaves, pinecones and small stones tossed in the air everyday for its training.
Rudy watched from the helm, his expression one of impressed concentration. As the final target exploded into fragments, Rudy slowed the boat to a stop. "Impressive," He said, turning to face Ezra and Loki. "You two make quite a team." He was entirely honest, smiling at them, and for once Ezra didn't snap back with a rude comment.
It was because he needed to make Rudy see things his way soon, it was the only reason. It was still a stupid test, basically a repeat of the first gym.
Rudy began steering the boat closer to the rock pillars. "Next part of the challenge is up there." He pointed to a series of ladders affixed to the rocky columns. "We'll climb up and continue the challenge at the top."
Ezra glanced at the towering pillars, their rough surfaces glistening with sea spray. He took a deep breath, ready for the next challenge. "Let's do it." He'd have to convince Rudy to go along with one of his plans. Because he did not have the Pokemon to perform a 3v3 like type battle.
The two boys jumped onto the nearest pillars, their hands gripping the wet rungs of the ladders. They climbed swiftly, each lost in their thoughts about the upcoming battle. Ezra could hear the distant cries of seabirds and the constant crash of the waves below as he ascended, mulling over which of his plots he'd try and convince the other boy of.
He'd had a week to plan, and unfortunately in this situation, he could only plan for maybes - deciding early on that trying to train up three new Pokemon wasn't worth the hassle, or the risk, because in all likelihood they wouldn't be good enough in a week to win anyway.
Reaching the top, Ezra pulled himself onto the flat surface of the pillar. The view was stunning - a panoramic sweep of the ocean and the surrounding cliffs. He stood up, catching his breath, and looked over at Rudy, who had just reached the top of his own pillar.
Rudy smiled, the competitive glint in his eyes sharper now. "Ready for the final part of our challenge?"
Ezra nodded, "Ready as I'll ever be."
"It will be a 3v3 Pokemon battle on these here pillars, same type against type, you'll need to win all three battles to win my badge. A new Pokemon each round, no re-use." Rudy explained, fingering a Pokeball.
Ezra shook his head, shouting over the sea, and wasn't this just a stupid way to do a battle too, they could barely hear each other. "I only have Ghost types, so unless you have Ghost Pokemon yourself, that isn't happening."
Rudy frowned, looking weirded out, "This has never happened before." He admitted, scratching his head, "Someone always has some Water, Electric, Grass or normal types or around those types."
"How about you do whatever three Pokemon, and I only use one of mine against all three, 1v1, to make up for not having the exact three challengers." Ezra shouted out his first offer. He has several others if this was unappealing, but he hoped putting himself in a perceived weaker position would get the other trainer to pounce on it.
Rudy however hesitated, "It doesn't seem fair to you." He admitted loudly.
Ezra gritted his teeth, Like forcing people to bring along specific combinations of Pokemon when people only have six slots is fair… "If I say it's fair, it's fair, right? Let's do this!"
Rudy seemed to hesitate still, so Ezra gestured Loki forward, to the pillar ahead of them, the 'arena' so to speak, another pillar ahead of Rudy for his own Pokemon.
"Ready when you are." He called out, glaring at the other teen. Just fucking accept it. He mentally told the gym leader.
"Electabuzz, go!" Rudy finally called out, tossing a Pokeball onto the pillar in front of him, several pillars in-between the Pokemon, allowing them some movement and space, but not a ton of it.
"Loki, Shadow Ball." Ezra called out, the speediness of Loki's attack managing to catch the Electabuzz before it could completely dodge, a last gasp Light Screen springing forward, only half formed, slowing down some of the energy as the shadow ball slammed into the top edge of it before hitting the Pokemon, making it slide back on the pillar.
With a gesture of his arm, his Ghosts interceded, telekinetically forcing its footing loose, ensuring he got pushed off the pillar. Rudy recalled his Pokemon with a frown before it could reach the water.
Ezra using his hidden ace again here, meant he wouldn't be able to use them for the fourth gym, they'd need the rest in case he needed them for Drake - which he would. But the fourth gym didn't have the same kind of challenges, it was straight out battling. So he figured he'd be fine.
Besides, with the water gym only doing one challenge, and avoiding the rock climbing with the second gym, he could take 3-4 hours of rest before he faced Drake, further recuperating energy. Worst case, he wondered if they could take energy from him, but it wasn't something he was eager to experiment on.
"Ivysaur, Vine Whip, attach yourself to the pillar, then use Sunny Day!" Rudy threw out his second Pokemon and rapidly set it to task.
He was setting up for a solar beam, and tying himself to the pillar, expecting to tank whatever Loki could throw and stay on top.
It wasn't a bad strategy, Ezra thought, the Ivysaur was corded with muscle, a healthy looking strong Pokemon - he could probably take a few hits from Loki, but… Loki wasn't limited to just brute force attacks. "Loki, Hypnosis!" He called out, while flaring his arm dramatically.
With Sunny day in the middle of being cast, brightness reducing visibility, Rudy couldn't catch the extra Hypnosis attacks that flew along with Loki's attack, impacting Ivysaur.
It might have been able to take a couple shadow balls, and hold on, but status effects were a different ball game, and Ivysaur fell asleep immediately, vines loosening up.
"I can toss him off for your loss, or you can just withdraw him." Ezra called out, offering some level of respect to Rudy, who hadn't been as annoyingly stupid as the other gym leaders.
Rudy nodded, and Ivysaur returned in a flash of red light. "I can see why you've passed through the other two so quickly if this is the skill and teamwork you two possess." He called out, looking thoughtful as his hand hovered over his belt, going from one Pokeball to the next. "On my pride as a trainer, I won't let you keep walking over us however." He picked a ball, tossing it up and down casually, "Charizard, I choose you!"
Ezra held back a curse, glaring up at the beautiful and powerful looking Charizard that took to the skies with a mighty roar. Of course an elemental type trainer like Rudy would have a fire Pokemon, but a Charizard? Guess this will be a challenge after all…
Somehow a grin found its way to his face, as he stared up at the intimidating Pokemon. He might actually lose this, yet… Finally something worthwhile in this league, not just silly gimmicks and arbitrary and limiting challenges.
"Shadow Sneak, then Hypnosis!" He snapped at Loki, a wild grin on his face.
"Fire Spin!" Rudy yelled out, and Ezra used his aura to pull at his connection with Loki, stopping him in his track, barely avoiding the fire spin as Charizard blew out a trail of fire as it flew down majestically in a tailspin.
Loki would have been enveloped in fire if Ezra hadn't been able to pull him back, "Aim for the wings, Shadow Ball, compressed!" He shouted.
Loki, back on the earth pillar, took a second to compress his energy, the shadow ball growing so small it resembled a marble - before it fired off so quickly neither Ezra nor Rudy could catch it. Apparently neither did Charizard, despite Rudy's yelled order to dodge, the shadow ball slamming into one of its wings, drawing a pained roar from the Charizard as its flying wobbled slightly.
The Charizard responded with a deluge of flames down against the earth pillar, "Shadow Sneak back!" Ezra yelled, pressing his intentions along, even as he took the opportunity of the curtain of flames between himself and Rudy, and aligned his arm with Charizard, three Hypnosis attacks again flying forward.
Just because he enjoyed more of a challenge, didn't mean he'd accept losing here, he still had a goal to complete.
Loki appeared behind him, having used a shadow sneak on him, to arrive well out of the way of the fire.
Charizard plummeted down, only to be caught in the red light of his Pokeball, Rudy chuckling, shaking his head, before he met Ezra's eyes, "I didn't even see how you pulled that off, and usually Charizard shakes off status effects pretty well, so good job! You must have trained that Pokemon to be a monster with that Hypnosis."
They made small talk as they got together on the boat again, making their way back to shore. Ezra could have flown away, but he felt it would be rude in this instance. He even felt slightly annoyed at himself that he had cheated in this particular bout now. He wasn't skilled enough, didn't have a strong enough team yet.
He decided he'd be back one day, to fight Rudy for real. This League was ridiculous, but Rudy was… Rudy was okay.
"Here you go, the Spike Shell badge." Rudy said with a smile, as he handed over the third gym badge to him. "You've earned it."
Ezra kind of felt he hadn't, but he still took the badge, pragmatic if nothing else, and it would be stupid to just give up at this point. He still had a point to prove.
And a need to rub it all in Drake's face.
But maybe… Instead of 101 reasons why they suck, he could give Drake… A more reasonable review on why exactly the Orange League only draws a few crazies.
Or he could do both.
He let Pidgeot out, climbing on, giving Rudy a last wave.
Both would work, knock the smug ass down, then show him how he could build it up…
He'd need several hours rest between gym four and Drake anyway, he'd write both up.
And if the reasons you suck list was longer… Well, Drake did push him into his.
Kumquat Island,
Ezra arrived at Kumquat Island, the sun blazing high overhead, casting a warm glow on the luxurious surroundings. The island was renowned for its upscale resorts, pristine beaches, and vibrant marketplaces, a nice contrast to the rugged jungles and humble towns of the previous Orange Islands he'd visited. Ezra's eyes flickered with interest as he made his way through the bustling streets, noting the well-dressed tourists and the lively atmosphere. It was clear that Kumquat Island catered to a wealthier clientele, and the gym, housed within the grand Kumquat Hotel, reflected this opulence.
He definitely liked this island much better already. Especially since its gym actually acted like a gym. It wouldn't be an easy battle by any stretch, but he believed the sneakiness, speed and bang for your buck his Pokemon held, would win him the day.
The Kumquat Hotel itself was an imposing structure, with elegant architecture featuring large glass windows, white columns, and a sprawling courtyard garden. The entrance was flanked by two large statues of Dragonite and Arcanine, exuding a sense of strength and grace. Inside, the hotel lobby was a vision of luxury, with marble floors, chandeliers, and a staff dressed in immaculate uniforms. Ezra made his way to the reception, where a cheerful attendant directed him to the gym, located on the top floor.
As he stepped out of the elevator, Ezra was greeted by a breathtaking view of the ocean through floor-to-ceiling windows. The gym itself was an open-air arena with a retractable roof, allowing for natural light and fresh sea breezes.
Luana was waiting at the center of the arena, her tall, commanding figure dressed in a white blazer and pants that contrasted sharply with her tanned skin. Her red hair was short, barely coming down to her cheeks, and her eyes were sharp and assessing as she watched Ezra approach. Despite her stern demeanor, there was a hint of warmth in her smile, as if she appreciated the challenge that awaited.
She'd know already that he'd blitzed through the other three gyms in hours.
"Welcome to Kumquat Gym," Luana greeted, her voice smooth and confident. "I've heard quite a bit about you today, Ezra. You've been making quite the name for yourself in the Orange League." Her tone became somewhat amused, which was a better reaction than anger.
It seemed at least someone might agree with him that the first two gyms lacked… Sophistication.
Ezra shrugged, nonchalant. "I'm just here to get the badges. No need for the fancy talk." The more rest he could get before Drake the better. That was one battle he wouldn't win without cheating.
Luana's smile widened, showing a flash of white teeth. "Straight to the point, I like that. However, this won't be like the other gyms you've faced. Here, we battle with a different set of rules - double battles. You'll have to use two Pokemon at once. It tests not just strength, but strategy and coordination."
Ezra's expression remained impassive, though inwardly he was already calculating his odds, knowing this would be his first real challenge, and one he couldn't really cheat in as easily. He nodded, pulling out two Pokeballs. "Let's get started, then." He murmured.
She'd know he was a Ghost Pokemon trainer already if the others had reported to her their experiences. So he suspected he wouldn't see exactly the team Ash had, An Alakazam and a Marowak, the team up was a bad one against his Ghosts.
He still suspected the Alakazam would show, because although weak against Ghosts, it had Teleport and Hyper Beam. And as a gym leader, a seemingly proper one, she'd use its strength, while giving him a shot if he could catch it, as it was weak against his team. Even if Hyper Beam itself probably wouldn't take his Ghosts out with one shot as it probably wouldn't even work, or as he suspected - might at the very best be a lot less damage due to typing. Something as powerful as a Hyper Beam likely wasn't entirely stopped by typing.
The question was which other Pokemon would show that would give his team a challenge, or would she have that Marowak and just bet on the teamwork, since it was a double?
Luana inclined her head gracefully at his eagerness to move forward and released her Pokemon - an Alakazam and an… Absol. The Alakazam floated in the air, its eyes glowing with psychic energy, while the Absol stood firmly on the floor of the battlefield, eyes gleaming.
More importantly, this was why he'd not planned to cheat in this battle, more than the fact it was finally straightforward battling - was that Alakazam, if anyone could let their trainer know he was cheating, it was that one.
A dark Pokemon, effective against his Ghosts, and a Psychic Pokemon, weak against his Ghosts, but hard to pin down and with a lot of utility. Ezra raised an eyebrow as the dark Pokemon slowly tilted its head, watching him with apparent fascination, needing a sharp, "Absol!" From Luana to focus again.
So it did work even on trainers Pokemon, at least in catching their attention…
Ezra released his chosen Pokemon - Cheshire, his Haunter, and Loki, his Shuppet. The two Pokemon appeared on the battlefield, Shuppet landing low to the ground, while Cheshire hovered in the air, its ghostly form flickering in the sunlight. Luana raised an eyebrow, seemingly intrigued by Ezra's Pokemon, especially given the type disadvantages.
"Let's see how well you handle this," She said, her tone challenging. "Alakazam, use Disable, Absol, Detect!"
The battle began in earnest. Alakazam's eyes glowed as it used Disable on Loki, at the same time, Absol used Detect, and if he was to guess, any attack at Alakazam while it was vulnerable right now, would now be foreseen and Absol would get in the way.
Ezra frowned as Loki glowed briefly, if he had to wager a guess, they'd gone after shadow sneak, which did if it worked - somewhat ruin his opening gambit. He'd known about the Alakazam, and that if he could get it out, he'd win, so he'd already talked to Loki and Cheshire about how to achieve that.
Luana looked surprised when he didn't say a word, his Pokemon acting on their own, the Absol unforeseen, but they'd had a plan for the Alakazam.
Cheshire's eyes glowed a dark purple as it formed a Shadow Ball, hurling it towards the Alakazam faster than normal, intent on getting it to either Teleport or force its partner to protect it.
Absol, having used Detect to find out what would happen, was already moving, sliding Alakazam out of the way, after which Alakazam had recovered from using its own technique, and Teleported away, which is where Loki was supposed to shadow sneak in behind it when it arrived.
Which didn't happen due to the Disable, Loki just looking frustrated.
"Switch." He said succinctly.
Luana laughed, "I've seen what you tried to do you know? Not a bad plan, but now that I know, you'll never pull it off, Absol, Night Slash on the Haunter, Alakazam hold it."
The Alakazam tried to telekinetically hold Cheshire, as Absol flashed forward, a crescent slash erupting from its head, a dark miasma covered crescent flashing through - where Cheshire had been.
The second Ezra said switch, his Pokemon had known they'd switch purposes. Chesire had immediately prepared Shadow Sneak, and upon Alakazam trying to affect it, had disappeared behind it.
Loki meanwhile, while unable to Shadow Sneak at the moment, took advantage of being seen as the lesser threat, taking on Chesires job of limiting the teleportation area, Loki's Dark Pulse beam cutting through a large area, not aiming for anything in particular, just limiting the area to go to.
Alakazam didn't even need Luana's shout of Teleport, already removing itself from Chesires Shadow Sneak, Absol moving to its partner on her trainers orders.
Except Chesire and Loki already both knew that if this situation were to happen, one of them would limit the entire right side of the field if they could. The other was to fire left.
So as Alakazam disappeared, Chesire appeared right behind where it had been in the now empty area - and there were only so many places Alakazam could safely go in that moment, and Chesire's Shadow Ball was already coalescing in front of it, firing to its left. Missing the first shot, but the second hitting Alakazam straight in the face like a cannon shot, sending it tumbling over.
"Protect!" Came Luana's snapped reply, just a second too late as she switched gears immediately, "Absol, Detect then Crunch, Alakazam Reflect!"
She knew she was on the back foot, and attempted to give herself enough breathing room to get her Alakazam back on its feet, as it struggled to get up, almost certainly just one hit from fainting.
Ezra wasn't going to give her time to reset. "Chesire, Shadow Sneak reverse, Loki, Target Alakazam rapid fire mix, don't let up." He ordered.
He wasn't to the point he could get away with not loudly telling his competition what he was doing, but he did have some plans already made, a Shadow Sneak reverse was one of them specifically for double battles, specifically for this battle. Rapid fire mix told Loki to switch between Dark Pulse and Confuse Ray, forcing the opponent to choose which one to tank. Or so was the hope.
He'd trained his Pokemon for speed of attack specifically, and it showed here, Luana not nearly as quick with her Pokemon, probably never having had to worry about it.
Chesire disappeared, reappearing behind the Absol, forcing it to waste its detect on Chesire who immediately Shadow Sneaked again after a perfunctory weak attack on Absol who's Crunch in retaliation missed as Cheshire disappeared. Alakazam Reflected Loki's attack, Loki crying out from the damage which was returned, but kept firing. Alakazam immediately teleported out on Luana's quick order, which was when Chesire arrived in his second Shadow Sneak, firing a Shadow Ball point blank into Alakazam.
Alakazam didn't stand a chance, the Ghost Pokemon super effective against it, the Pokemon fainted immediately.
Luana didn't even bother continuing the fight, despite still having the type advantage of Dark vs Ghost, albeit in a 1v2 situation, recalling her Pokemon. "That was some impressive teamwork, you barely even had to give orders." She complimented him,
She walked over to Ezra, holding out a hand. "Congratulations, Ezra. You've proven yourself a worthy challenger. Here is the Jade Star Badge."
Ezra took the badge, a small, intricately carved piece of jade shaped like a star. He nodded, a small smile playing on his lips. "Thanks, Luana. It was a good battle."
It was a proper actual battle. So out of four gyms, two were actually half decent, maybe he'd been too harsh on the first two…
No, they still sucked. Their challenges were dumb.
Luana smiled back, a genuine warmth in her eyes. "You fought well, Ezra. I'm looking forward to seeing how you do against Drake."
Ezra nodded, pocketing the badge. Just Drake to go, the heaviest challenge of them all.
Pummelo island, 5 hours after his fight with Luana.
Pummelo Island loomed ahead, with the massive stadium perched at its highest point, an imposing structure visible even from this distance. This was it - the final test, where he would face the League's strongest trainer, Drake.
He'd rested up, fine with waiting until the scheduled time to pester Drake, instead of getting it done early, needing the extra recuperation time. Besides, as he found out from Luana, the other gym leaders and some of the Pummelo locals, would be watching the bout.
Rudy and Luana might even cheer for him, but Danny and Cissy certainly wouldn't - fifty percent of people he meets hate him? Sounds about right, he thought with some dark amusement, not at all broken up about it.
He was on a second life, a better life despite everything, he wasn't going to waste time tied down by social constraints.
Ezra's journey through the Orange League had been unconventional, filled with deceit and bending things to his advantage. He hadn't come to make friends or play by the standard trainer's rules. His aim was to crush the League and showcase his superiority, no matter what it took. He felt a thrill of anticipation. This would be the toughest challenge yet.
The journey was short, and soon Ezra found himself standing at the entrance of the Orange League Stadium. The structure was a blend of traditional and modern design, with towering pillars and an open-air battlefield that allowed the sea breeze to flow through. As Ezra walked through the gates, he knew this was where champions were made, and today, he would etch his name into that history.
For all time after this, Ezra's name would be inscribed here as the first challenger to beat Drake and the Orange League, and all in one day to boot.
Drake was waiting for him in the center of the stadium, his face one of bored amusement. Behind him, the loud sounds of Cissy up in the stands rang out, the woman yelling at him to kick the 'stupid faced ass' off the island and embarrass him, the sound echoing across the stadium. Luana was trying to get her to calm down, but she was fired up, Danny and Rudy staying out of it, just watching him. Although Rudy gave him a surreptitious thumbs up.
He might actually have to share his number with him and Luana, they seemed pretty decent all together. It wouldn't hurt to have them as contacts for the future. Even if he was going to embarrass their league - he thought they wouldn't mind Drake eating crow for once.
"Welcome, Ezra," Drake said, his voice carrying across the mostly empty stadium, only a few dozen people there to watch. "I've been hearing quite a bit about you. You've made quite a splash in the Orange League, albeit with some… Unconventional methods." He sounded a bit exasperated at the end, even as he gave him a look that firmly said, really, you had to make it difficult?
Ezra smirked, unfazed by the thinly veiled criticism. "I'm here to win, Drake. However that happens, it happens, it's all within the rules." He shrugged with forced casualness, "Some people in your circuit here just don't know how Gyms work, you should get on that." He made sure to look up at Cissy in specific, smiling sweetly.
He'd written the two little booklets and he'd leave them for Drake afterwards. He hoped he showed them to Cissy and Danny.
Danny and Rudy had to hold Cissy back as she tried to jump into the stadium, Luana putting her face into her hands. Drake sighed, giving him a long suffering look.
Drake eventually just nodded, speaking up like that little episode hadn't happened, "Very well. But remember, here in the Orange League, we value the spirit of fair competition and the bond between trainers and their Pokemon. Let's see if your methods hold up against me." He smirked as he caressed the Pokeball on a chain that he had around his neck.
Ezra shrugged, already pulling out his Pokeballs. "Let's get on with it." A smirk growing onto his face, "I'm looking forward to you admitting you were an ass, when I beat your entire league in a day without a full team."
The rules were simple this time - a full six-on-six battle, with no restrictions on types or moves. Ezra knew he would need every bit of cunning and strategy (and cheating) to defeat Drake's formidable team. He had already studied Drake's known Pokemon as they were listed on the website, but there was always the element of surprise to consider.
Anything could happen in a battle. The amount of times an evolution happened mid battle and changed the game were too numerous to count.
Drake released his first Pokemon, a Ditto, just as Ezra released Rider, his Cubone. The Ditto immediately transformed into a copy of Rider.
Exactly what he wanted. This Pokemon stumped many of Drake's challengers, and he wouldn't allow it to do the same to him. He might not be the best battler around yet, but he planned it all out better than the rest.
"Rider, Alpha." He ordered, having named his different plans against Ditto by four different numericals, he wasn't about to make it easy for Drake by telling him and his copycat what he was doing.
"Ditto, Copycat." Drake said calmly, arms crossed.
Just as I predicted… Ezra thought, eyes gleaming as the two Pokemon used Quick-Attack to strike at each other. Leaving Ditto close enough for Rider to move into stage two.
Without Ezra giving an order to warn Drake, Rider used Iron Tail, slamming into Ditto's skull, Drake immediately shouting, "Use Quick-Attack to get out of there, Ditto!" Having been caught completely by surprise.
It didn't help the Ditto, who was already woozy from the Iron Tail bashing it's skull, Rider chasing it in another Quick-Attack, taking advantage of Ditto's lowered reaction time to take it out of the game, jumping for joy as the Pokemon got recalled, lifting its bone club in the air and chirping.
"Good job, Rider." Ezra said, feeling a little smug at Drake's sudden frown.
From what the website said, he'd never been the first to lose a Pokemon.
"Well played, Ezra. But this battle is far from over," Drake said, releasing his next Pokemon, an Onix.
The giant Pokemon roared as it was released into the field, dust kicking up, it's body curling up slightly as it rose up, staring down at Rider from high above.
Ezra just smirked, recalling Rider, tossing out another Pokeball in his stead.
"Onix, Rock Slide!" Drake ordered immediately, taking advantage of the time he had before Ezra's Pokemon materialized, even as he looked at him oddly for removing a Pokemon capable of Iron Tail from the field when its opponent was a rock Pokemon.
Ezra just smirked, his hand still raised from tossing his Pokeball, Loki appearing, eyes gleaming with mischief.
The giant rock snake roared, slamming its tail into the ground and sending a barrage of boulders towards Loki. Not the most effective move, even as Ezra winced slightly as Loki did take some damage.
But the dust cloud and debris from Onix's appearance and the Rock Slide, completely hid his actions as he couldn't miss a target that size, Loki joining him, four attacks of Hypnosis hitting the Onix, who immediately succumbed.
"Dream Eater." He ordered Loki immediately, forcing Drake to withdraw his Onix in chagrin, looking surprised at how easily it had succumbed to little Loki's Hypnosis.
"You're doing well, Ezra. But this next one will be tough," Drake said, taking the Pokeball on the chain around his neck off, releasing his third Pokemon, a Dragonite.
Ezra winced, the punishment for my success…. It would have been much better for his strategy if Dragonite came at the end. But he would have to make do.
The Dragonite roared as it took to the sky, its wings flapping powerfully. The atmosphere in the stadium seemed to tense, as if the very air was crackling with energy. Ezra knew this would be a tough battle now - Dragonite was a powerful Pokemon with a wide range of moves.
He'd have to sacrifice Loki to get his plan to work. He couldn't afford to switch right now. If he did, he might lose his ace against this dangerous Pokemon.
"Dragonite, use Thunderbolt!" Drake ordered sharply, not as easy going now that he was on the back foot.
The Dragonite's antennae sparked with electricity as it unleashed a powerful Thunderbolt which crashed to the ground with almighty force.
Loki already knew what to do, having used Shadow Sneak to avoid the attack, but it brought it within Dragonite's reach, Loki's desperate attempt at Hypnosis not taking hold, as Dragonite hit him with a point blank Thunderbolt.
Ezra silently thanked Loki for his efforts, immediately tossing out Nyx onto the field.
"Nyx, use Curse!" Ezra commanded, straining his Ghostly companions and their energy to force the Dragonite to miss dodging, even as Drake shouted at it to dive.
Nyx's form became more solid as it used Curse, sacrificing some of its own life energy to place a powerful curse on Dragonite. The Dragonite shuddered, a dark aura enveloping it as the Curse took hold, its dodge not enough, slowed down by his cheating, even as he winced at the sudden headache - he wouldn't be pulling that off again in this battle.
Drake frowned, recognizing the move, looking irritated. "Dragonite, use Dragon Breath!" He yelled, fingers twitching slightly.
Curse would take a quarter of Dragonite's health each turn, Ezra would have preferred to wait until the end to do this, giving Drake no options. As it was he could still recall Dragonite and concentrate on whittling his Pokemon down, using it as a last battering ram at the end before it ran out of juice. Yet it appeared he was continuing on.
The Dragonite opened its mouth, gathering a massive amount of energy. Ezra knew this was a dangerous moment; Dragon Breath from this powerful Pokemon would be a devastating attack, and there was nothing in Nyx arsenal to really stop this.
"Nyx, Hex!" Ezra shouted, doubling down, as Hex would double the damage of any status effect. Which meant the Dragonite would only last two turns after this. He crossed his fingers, this needed to hit.
He really hadn't expected Drake to bring it out so soon.
Dragonite unleashed the Dragon Breath. The immense breath of energy crashed against the ground causing the arena's barriers to shimmer and flicker. Nyx stood no chance, although it seemed Hex had hit, the Dragonite unable to dodge while using such an intense move like a fully powered Dragon Breath.
Unfortunately taking out the Pokemon that cursed you, meant the curse would do no damage this round. Which meant Dragonite still had two moves in it. Which could theoretically take two more of his Pokemon out of the fight.
Ezra gritted his teeth. Dragonite's were bullshit anyway, he recalled Nyx, thanking his Pokemon for its sacrifice, because if he won this, it would solely be down to Curse and Hex.
If Dragonite had gone last, he'd be able to completely spend his Pokemon on just keeping it busy for a few turns, no worries about it as long as one Pokemon on his side survived it. Now, he couldn't just send Pokemon out to get wasted easily, because Drake would still have three Pokemon to go.
"Smart move with Curse, and that Hex, what a combination." Drake said conversationally, Curse only worked once his Pokemon made a move, so they were safe to talk without rushing into it. "But do you have the capability to survive for two rounds, and still have anything left for my other Pokemon?"
"Kick his ass, Drake!" Cissy called from the stands, waving her arms excitedly.
"Tch, that Dragonite is so troublesome." Ezra complained, hand fiddling with a Pokeball, the Dragonite such a monster that he couldn't even cheat anymore, having spent all his energy on ensuring it got cursed.
He'd wanted to save it for last, or not use it at all, but he supposed he was left with no alternative. He sent out the crystal Onix on the field. "Dig!' he shouted, having absolutely no idea if it would even listen.
Drake, unfazed even as the few audience members let out oohs and ahhs at the sight, quickly issued his next command. "Dragonite, use Dragon Rush!"
Dragonite's body glowed with a bright blue aura as it charged forward with incredible speed, aiming to smash into the Onix with a powerful Dragon Rush. The air crackled with the energy of the impending collision.
Onix stood no chance, barely even beginning to dig when the powerful Dragonite slammed into it, the Onix valiantly trying to resist, but eventually submitting, Ezra recalling it, hoping it didn't get its finish scuffed or anything.
At least it got Dragonite down to its last move before it faints. But he was left with 3 Pokemon left, versus Drake's three after Dragonite, and Dragonite still had a move left.
This is why he'd wanted to go through all his other Pokemon and cheat his ass off before getting to this…
"You're quite resourceful, Ezra," Drake admitted, a hint of respect in his voice. "But the battle isn't over yet, and you've hit your limit, there's only so many tricks you can pull."
"Pidgeot, Sand Attack, then fly away." He yelled as he released his Pidgeot, having already spoken to it before this battle, about the unfortunate necessity of it playing a part.
"Twister." Drake ordered, and Dragonite, used its wings and powerful energy to send a twister spiraling across the sky as Pidgeot desperately clawed at the air, its attempted Sand Attack lost in the chaos before it could have a chance to hit.
It was impossible to see in the storm of air that suddenly took over the arena, but eventually it died down, Dragonite slumping to the ground, the curse taking full effect, forcing it to faint. And by some miracle, Pidgeot descended from the sky, feathers ruffled something fierce, but it had managed to avoid the Twister using Fly, just barely.
Likely due to the Dragonite's very weakened energy while on its last breath.
Drake recalled his Dragonite, slowly caressing the Pokeball with a conflicted look on his face, the audience was dead quiet. No one had ever beaten his Dragonite, Ezra knew.
Drake released his Pokemon moments later, an Electabuzz. The electric-type Pokemon sparked with energy, ready to battle.
"Electabuzz, Thunder Punch!" Drake ordered.
"Massive Sand Attack!" Ezra ordered, a move they'd only practiced hours earlier while his other Pokemon rested.
Pidgeot sacrificed everything to toss a heavy gust forward, showering Drake's Pokemon in sand, even as it closed in and took Pidgeot out with one well placed Thunder Punch.
Ezra immediately released Cheshire, taking advantage of Electabuzz hopefully being affected by the Sand Attack. "Confuse Ray!" He barked, Chesire immediately complying.
"Thunder Wave!" Drake ordered, apparently willing to risk sacrificing his Pokemon to ensure Ezra's second to last Pokemon would have a disadvantage.
Ezra won the encounter, the Confuse Ray hitting the Electabuzz - Cheshire's eyes glowing, sending out confusing energy towards Electabuzz. The electric-type wobbled, its eyes dazed from the confusion. It stumbled around, unable to focus - while its Thunder Wave missed Cheshire in return, barely. "Lick!" Ezra ordered immediately, trying to add paralysis to the confusion.
Drake sighed, as Electabuzz fell under paralysis as Chesire grinned widely, eyes purple as it finished the Pokemon off afterwards. Drake could have recalled it, but he obviously didn't see the point.
He still had a better looking position, if barely. Both of them had two Pokemon left, Drake had three if you count the sleeping Onix, but that could easily be taken care of when let loose again.
"You're full of surprises, Ezra, I haven't been this pushed by a challenger before," Drake said, releasing his next Pokemon, a Gengar. Its eyes gleaming with excitement. "It ends here though…"
"Cheshire, Shadow Sneak, and Shadow Ball, keep it up." Ezra snapped out an order, feeling the pressure, it was looking like he might lose.
"Gengar, it's going to come behind you, Hypnosis." Drake immediately ordered.
Ezra winced, he'd been using Shadow Sneak so much yet he hadn't really prepared his Pokemon for appearing and immediately being attacked.
This could sink him.
Cheshire appeared, Drake grinning, before they all watched in shock as the Gengar just took the super effective Shadow Ball to the face, never firing off Hypnosis.
"Gengar! Focus, Confuse Ray, then Hypnosis!" Drake snapped.
Ezra couldn't help but laugh inwardly as the Gengar seemed focused on him instead, before moving to obey Drake but with a second of delay that doomed it, Cheshire taking it down with another Shadow Ball. The arena was fully quiet, everyone trying to understand what happened. Drake's fortune suddenly turning around in one moment.
Drake bit his lip as he handled his second to last Pokeball, "Venosaur will handle it." He said confidently, but his brow was furrowed, as he tossed the Pokeball forward.
The massive grass-type Pokemon landed heavily on the field, its eyes glowing with determination.
"Venusaur, Sleep Powder!" Drake commanded.
At the same time as Ezra called out, "Confuse Ray, then Shadow Sneak and Shadow Ball." Knowing he'd be unlikely to get many more attacks in, the sleep powder was going to have spread by then.
"Bullet Seed behind you!" Drake called out.
Venusaur's flower opened wide, releasing a cloud of sleep-inducing spores. The spores immediately spread all over the area, Cheshire managing to fire off the Confuse Ray, which seemed to fail, before arriving behind the Venusaur, taking Bullet Seeds straight to the face even as it fired off a Shadow Ball into Venusaur.
Then the sleep powder became too much, and his sluggish Cheshire was taken down by several consecutive Bullet Seed attacks it couldn't dodge and the sleep powder. Barely hanging on, but somehow not fainting.
"Sunny Day." Drake ordered, using the fact Cheshire was asleep and on its last leg to set up the next bout. The arena shone brightly as sunlight coalesced above them, the Venusaur's flower beginning to shine.
Ezra had no choice but to return Cheshire, he couldn't allow Drake to spend a few turns just powering up, "Rider, it's all on you!" He called out, as he let his Cubone out on the field.
"Vine Whip, restrict it." Drake said, clicking his fingers like he'd already won, a relieved smile on his face.
"Quick Attack out of its reach, then Bonemerang!"
Venusaur's vines shot out, trying to ensnare Rider. But he managed to dodge, the bone club striking Venusaur in the face, doing some damage, but not enough. Not nearly enough. The bone club returned to Rider's hands like a boomerang.
He didn't dare have Rider approach with Iron Tail, he'd get caught in the Vine whips. Rider really didn't have enough ranged attacks. He was in trouble. For all his plans, the Dragonite coming out early scuppered them all. He still couldn't feel the ghostly energy he'd been using all through the League, so he couldn't help either.
"Solar Beam!" Drake ordered, pumping his fist, even as the audience cheered, Crissy the loudest of them all.
I'm going to lose! Ezra thought. His Cubone was not really a match for the Venusaur. Coming so far, only to lose! It was a joke! He could not!
"Rider, DODGE! You're not going to lose this!" Ezra shouted hoarsely, mentally willing his Pokemon forward.
Venusaur's flower glowed as it gathered energy from the sunlight. Ezra knew this was the moment of truth; Solar Beam was a powerful move, and Rider likely would not withstand it. He needed to dodge it.
Venusaur unleashed the Solar Beam, a massive blast of energy shooting towards Rider in such a wide circumference he was unlikely to dodge in time. Instead of dodging, Riders bone club turned steely, as it charged straight at the Solar Beam with a warcry, club first.
"What are you doing!?" Ezra shouted, absolutely shocked at Rider's crazy idea. And since when could he pull off steel energy in his club anyway?
The collision was spectacular, a burst of energy and light filling the battlefield. For a moment, everything seemed to stand still, the crowd holding their breath as they waited to see the outcome.
The strain of using such a massive Solar Beam had taken a toll on Drake's Pokemon, and the massive Pokemon slowly sat on the ground, letting out a breath.
Rider however looked on its last legs, barely holding on. Ezra bowed his head, 'You did awesome, Rider." He called out, his voice down, I've lost…. "Get some rest." He raised the Pokeball to recall him, Drake respectfully not making any moves.
Rider raised its bone club as it began to glow, stopping Ezra from recalling him, no… Seriously? Now of all times?
Holding its bone club aloft. The weapon began to glow with an intense, ethereal light, casting an otherworldly glow across the battlefield. Ezra, who had been moments away from recalling Rider, stopped in his tracks, eyes widening in surprise and wonder. The entire stadium seemed to hold its breath, the air thick with anticipation. As the glow intensified, Rider's form began to shift and change. The Cubone's normally somber brown eyes sparkled with a new inner light, reflecting the energy that surged through its body.
The bone club in its hand grew longer and thicker, the dull brown surface transforming into a sleek, polished black. Spectral flames danced along the club, vivid and vibrant, flickering with hues of blue and green. Rider's body elongated and grew, shedding its old form as it transformed into something new and powerful. The previously brown, leathery skin became a rich, dark charcoal color, almost black, with an iridescent sheen that caught the light.
The bone helmet that had always been a symbol of its past loss now reshaped itself, becoming more streamlined and fitted to its new form. The skull appeared more angular and pronounced, giving Rider an aura of power and mystique. From Rider's shoulders, two slender, bony spikes emerged, glowing with the same spectral flames that danced along its bone club. The flames licked up along the length of the spikes, adding a ghostly, ethereal quality to the Pokemon's appearance.
Rider's eyes, once filled with sorrow and with honest curiosity, now shone with a fiery intensity, reflecting the powerful spirit within. The transformation complete, Rider stood tall as an Alolan Marowak, a rare and unique form probably not known anywhere on this continent before now.
He'd only had it train in fire energy for a week, did no one else teach a Cubone about fire energy, ever? He glanced at the sky, the sunny day and Solar Beam's effects having hidden the fact the day had ended, and they'd turned to night, just barely. But apparently it had been enough.
The Pokemon's new form was both beautiful and intimidating. The bone club, now a polished black staff, was crowned with a flame that burned brightly, casting an eerie light around the battlefield. Ezra watched in awe as Rider lifted its club high, the flames roaring to life as if celebrating the transformation. The crowd erupted into cheers, the spectators thrilled by the rare sight of a Pokemon evolving in the midst of such a climactic battle. Even Drake, seasoned and composed as he was, couldn't hide his admiration and surprise at the sudden turn of events. The Alolan Marowak looked back at Ezra, its eyes meeting his. There was a new confidence in its gaze, a silent understanding passing between them.
This was no longer the small, grieving Cubone that Ezra had known, this was a warrior, a guardian of the flames, ready to fight with renewed strength.
He somewhat mourned that idea, out of all his Pokemon, he'd bonded with his Cubone the easiest. Spent the most time personally training and working with him. It kind of felt like he'd lost him, in a way. He quickly shook that thought away, focusing on the now. It was complete bullshit, but he'd gotten a hail Mary just at the end.
Drake lost his awe first, snapping out, "Venusaur, Razor Leaf, then try and catch it with your Vine Whip!"
Ezra didn't even know what attacks Rider had now, so he kept his order simple, pointing at the Venusaur. "Rider. Burn!"
Rider dashed forward, it's staff twirling as he ran through the storm of razor leaves, the flames on his staff burning them to cinders as he passed, a whirlwind of motion, before he slammed the staff into the Venusaur, what appeared to be a flamethrower attack firing point blank into the Venusaur.
Drake immediately recalled it as it fainted, shaking his head, a wry grin on his face, "Well, luck had its part, but every good trainer needs that as well." He nodded at Ezra, "Congratulations."
Ezra cocked his head, "We have Pokemon left." He pointed out.
Drake shrugged, "My sleeping Onix is hardly going to beat your… Marowak…? And you have one sleeping one left in your Haunter as well. You have won, Ezra Kassian, champion of the Orange League." He said formally.
The crowd erupted into cheers at the announcement, not that it was very loud with so few of them.
Rider slammed into his knees, chirping happily, eyes closed in an eye smile, and Ezra felt a great sense of relief. It's still my little buddy.. Thank Arceus…
Drake walked up to him, shaking his hand, "This worked out even better than I had imagined, really." He mused out loud.
Ezra stared at him suspiciously, "Aren't you mad I embarrassed your League?"
Drake laughed quietly, "Oh, you win some, you lose some. We'll be laughed at a little no doubt, but when you then go dominate elsewhere, everyone will know what happened here, and we'll reap the benefits in tourism."
They stood in silence for a moment, Ezra irritably acknowledging that even in beating Drake, he helped Drake profit. Drake spoke once more shortly thereafter. "You've earned this, Ezra. But remember, with this victory comes responsibility to live up to. The title of Champion is not just about strength; it's about honor and the bond you share with your Pokemon. I hope you continue to grow and learn on your journey."
The trophy ceremony took place shortly thereafter, and he particularly enjoyed making Cissy and Danny shake his hand. Later he exchanged numbers with Rudy and Luana, and reluctantly, Drake. You never knew when it would be useful.
The ceremony concluded, and Ezra headed to the Pokemon center, Rider out and chattering at him, playing with its new staff with awe. Rudy walked with him, loudly detailing each portion of the fight.
It wasn't… unpleasant.
It was… Nice.
In the Kanto wilderness, the next morning.
"COME ON! The Orange Islands?" Karen screamed at her pokedex, shaking it as if to make it make sense, the message from Agatha telling her she'd been wasting her time trekking out from Lavender Town.
This brat… She cursed inwardly, teeth gritting together, left eye twitching violently.
"He's only been a trainer for what? Two weeks? How the fuck is all the way over there?" She shouted at nothing, several trainers traveling down the route taking the long way around, looking at her in askance as she cursed and screamed at the air.
And he won the fucking league…
She'd never won a league… As Agatha so snidely pointed out in her message.
Right, that's it, I'm going down there and beating the brat into the ground and dragging him to the old lady face down in gravel the entire way!
She released one of her Pokemon, "Honchkrow, Orange Islands, now!" She hissed out.
She had to get there while he was still busy with his little victory party.
Sky over the Orange islands.
Ezra didn't waste any time, leaving the islands immediately after his victory ceremony,
He had no intention of dealing with Drake anymore then he had to.
Especially when he might face some questions on how the fuck he pulled some of his shit.
Nope, he'd be far away from the Orange Islands by dawn.
The fact Drake wasn't even upset his League got crushed in a day really sucked all the fun out of it…
Author's note:
Orange Island arc begun, and done.
I took some creative liberties with the surroundings, challenges etc, going with mostly the same but not sticking entirely like for like. Mostly because I didn't want to rewatch the whole Orange Island arc.
So Ezra cheats a lot. And seems personally offended that other people aren't doing everything possible to squeeze out an advantage. The Orange League really wasn't ready for him, at least the first stages. And no, he doesn't think their arbitrary challenge rules count as squeezing out an advantage.
Cissy might actually hate him for life for his comments and how carelessly he treated the seel, let alone him rubbing it all in her face.
He'd never be able to pull that stuff off in Kanto, the Pokemon League would be all over him if his matches had a bunch of mysterious happenings, but here, with them not even able to prove he did anything, no Pokemon out to affect anything, he just walks free.
Note that originally he'd intended to just go about the islands and enjoy himself, train his Pokemon before taking on the Kanto League, so he didn't have too many quibbles of catching a water Pokemon or another to play casually in the Orange League, he's just more spiteful now that's he's been told to do it.
Edgy teen character problems.
Although by the end he's not quite seeing things exactly the same.
And ass pull Pokemon evolution is ass pull, it's pretty much normal Pokemon battle bs.
Cheers
JollyHippopotamus
Chapter 5: Winning.
JollyHippopotamus
Not too sore, are you?
- Joined
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Here's chapter 5: Winning.
A patron winner again, so here's another chappie earlier than projected.
It's quite possible I'll make mistakes with Pokemon moves and such, I'll try and get it right, but sometimes my memory gets things wrong and I don't wiki every move, so we'll see.
Enjoy 12k of Ezra's wacky adventures.
As usual, I do not own Pokemon or the associated companies that deliver material from it. I'm just playing in the kiddy pool, don't hurt me.
Enjoy!
Ezra soared through the sky on his Pidgeot, the wind whipping through his hair and the lush greenery of Johto spreading out below him. He enjoyed the feeling of freedom that flying provided, a sense of being untethered from the worries of the world below - as long as it was brief, anyway. The flight from Lavender to the Orange islands had been a pain in the ass, quite literally.
As they approached Cherrygrove City, the dense forest gave way to a quaint riverside town nestled along a sparkling blue river that snaked through the forest. Johto was closer to the islands then Kanto, and he wasn't in a rush to get started on the league quite yet anyway, so he figured it was as good as any place to slow down for a day or two and get his Onix sold.
He'd already posted a picture of it online on several different forums, marking it for sale. He would let word spread before accepting any bids, hopefully Steven Stone would notice it and bid, without Ezra having to give himself a bad bargaining position by going to him first.
If Stone thought he had competition, he'd be likely to pay a lot more after all. He also had other ideas brewing there, but he'd have to think on it.
Pidgeot began its descent, the wind rustling the feathers of its powerful wings as it gracefully glided down towards a clearing just outside the city. Ezra patted Pidgeot's neck appreciatively as they touched down, the bird Pokemon cooing softly in response.
"Good job, Pidgeot," He said, returning the Pokemon to its Pokeball. Just because Pidgeot was more of a tool to him, didn't mean he shouldn't be appreciative of its help. He took a moment to adjust his pack and smooth his clothes, which were slightly ruffled from the flight.
That done, he let Rider out, the guy chirping happily, eyes closed in what he was beginning to think of as his signature smile, as he investigated the tall fragrant flowers everywhere around them. He quickly released Nyx, Chesire and Loki as well, although he shuffled them into his shadow before moving forward, aware that it was considered rude to have more than one Pokemon out outside of emergencies, while in a town.
With his shadow, he could break the rule, have his 'mon with him at all times, and no one would be the wiser. Everyone won. Especially him, in case someone tried anything. He was kind of looking forward to Team Rocket sending some poor goon after him at some point.
They'd get all the surprise Ghosts up their asses.
The path leading into Cherrygrove was lined with cherry blossom trees, their pink petals fluttering down in a gentle breeze as he walked on without a hurry. It created a picturesque entrance to the city, one Rider enjoyed as he ran around Ezra's legs pointing at things excitedly with his flaming club. It was cute, Ezra had to admit, lips twitching against this will as Rider acted like a puppy, out for its first proper walk.
As they walked, Ezra took in the vibrant surroundings. Unlike the more industrial towns of much of Kanto, Cherrygrove had a quaint, almost old-world charm still alive and well within the city limits. The buildings were a mix of traditional Japanese architecture and more modern structures, their roofs curved elegantly upwards, painted in various hues of red or pink, with a splash of green here and there.
Definitely more colorful than Lavender Town, he had to say, enjoying the view, not feeling nearly as stressed now that the Orange Islands were behind him, and the Onix was his. Financial stability was already practically secured, so he took the time to smell the roses so to speak.
From the sky Cherrygrove had looked like several modern ten story buildings peeking out of a forest, but now that he was on foot, he could see the old style houses that surrounded the modern buildings, greenery everywhere in sight, the road itself cut in two as the middle of it was for trees and benches, with the odd fountain every hundred to a hundred fifty yards or so.
The streets were bustling with people, and Ezra noticed immediately how different their attire was compared to those in Lavender. The clothing was more colorful for one, with intricate patterns and bright fabrics that likely reflected the local Johto culture. Many women wore yukatas with floral designs, while a lot of the men were dressed in casual kimonos or brightly colored shirts. Interspersed with them were men and women in smart business attire, really giving the sense the small town was somewhat in a transition from rural to modern.
The city itself was a blend of natural beauty and human craftsmanship. Cobblestone streets wound their way through the town off the main avenue, flanked by carefully manicured gardens and small parks. The air was fresh and carried the faint scent of the sea from the river running right by it, mixing with the fragrance of blooming flowers and cherry blossoms. Small wooden bridges arched gracefully over clear, babbling brooks that ran through the city, fed from the river, adding to the serene atmosphere.
He probably couldn't have found a town so opposite on the spectrum from Lavender if he'd tried. Even the weather shone down on them like the sun was happily smiling like some kids cartoon, instead of the perpetual gloom Lavender lived under. People here… Would probably be disgustingly cheerful, he thought with a grimace.
Well that's one reason to not linger too long… They're probably all morning people too. He thought, grumbling slightly at the idea. Cheerfulness was fine… In low doses. But it was extremely annoying in groups.
He passed by a series of banners strung up between lamp posts, each one advertising an upcoming Pokemon tournament, starting the next day. The vibrant colors and bold lettering caught his eye. It seemed the whole town was gearing up for the event, with stalls and decorations lining the main thoroughfare. Ezra made a mental note to check out the tournament schedule later; it could be a good opportunity to test his skills and earn some prize money.
If it was money that they gave out anyway. He vaguely remembered tournaments often had prizes like Pokemon techniques or Eggs. For the winner at least. It was worth a look, even if the prize wasn't something he personally needed.
As he made his way towards the Pokemon Center, Ezra's stomach growled, reminding him that he hadn't eaten since he left the Orange Islands. He glanced around and saw a row of food stalls set up along the street, the enticing aromas of grilled meats and other delicacies wafting through the air. One stall in particular caught his attention, its sign proudly proclaiming "Best Meat Skewers in Johto!"
Unlikely to be true, but anyone willing to be that confident in their signage, probably didn't sell garbage. With money coming in soon, he didn't worry about spending whatever little he had left. He probably preferred the fact that the stall didn't advertise exactly what the meat was. Mystery meat was probably better than finding out he was eating something he'd once obsessively collected.
He approached the stall, where a cheerful vendor was expertly grilling skewers of meat over an open flame. The vendor, a middle-aged man with a wide-brimmed hat and a bright smile, greeted him warmly. A Pikachu was lazing on a pillow by the grill, briefly twitching as it looked over at Ezra and Rider, before sinking into its pillow with a happy, "Chuu~"
"Welcome! Would you like to try our famous skewers? Freshly grilled and absolutely delicious!" The man said enthusiastically, lowering Ezra's mood as he confirmed the obvious cheerfulness of the town.
Ezra dug into his pocket and pulled out a few coins, the size of the skewers meant he wouldn't need to buy many, it was almost the size of a whole roasted chicken, pieced out and slathered with some sort of sauce that made it glisten, the skin crackling on the grill in a way that made his mouth water.
"I'll take two," He said somewhat cautiously, handing over the coins, not wanting to set off any bombastic answers.
The vendor nodded and quickly prepared two skewers, handing them over with a flourish. "Enjoy! And good luck in the tournament, if you're participating!"
Ezra thanked him and took a bite of the first skewer. The meat was tender and flavorful, a perfect blend of spices that made his taste buds sing, the sauce reminded him of Asian BBQ sauces back home. He savored each bite as he continued his walk towards the Pokemon Center, enjoying the sights and sounds of Cherrygrove City. It was good to be back in a city, he just wished it had less actual people in it.
Rider sniffed the air curiously. Ezra chuckled and held out the second skewer. "Here you go, Rider, got it for you guys, I think you'll like this." Most Pokemon were omnivores. There were specific diets and Pokemon food that were 'ideal' for different Pokemon - but almost all of them could eat other food just fine.
Rider took the skewer eagerly, gnawing on the meat with visible delight. The sight drew the attention of several passersby, who pointed at the adorable Pokemon. Children especially seemed fascinated by Rider, some of them whispering excitedly to their parents. There were enough Pokemon around that people didn't immediately clue in to the fact Rider was a never before heard of Pokemon - once he officially began fighting in the league, he was sure he'd get some questions about it though.
The world had a lot more than 150 piddly Pokemon after all, and the regular citizen or trainer wouldn't realize how special Rider was, unless they happened to have a fascination with Cubone's and Marowaks.
Periodically, chunks of the meat would disappear as Rider got close to his shadow, the nice boi sharing with the rest of the team. Ezra patted him on the head, smiling as Rider seemed torn between continuing eating, or focusing on headpats.
He had to hide a chuckle as his 'mon decided the best course of action was to stuff the rest of the food in his mouth and enjoy the headpats, leaving him looking like a chipmunk.
They soon neared the Pokemon Center, plenty of signage having shown them the way. Ezra pushed open the glass doors and stepped inside, greeted by the cool, sterile air and the gentle hum of machinery.
Nurse Joy was at the counter, her pink hair and welcoming smile instantly recognizable. "Welcome to the Cherrygrove City Pokemon Center. How can I help you today?"
"I'd like a room for the night." Ezra asked politely, he wasn't going to mess with the Joys, "Maybe two nights, depending on how things go. And do you have any information on the upcoming tournament?"
Nurse Joy took his trainer ID before taking a look at her computer monitor, typing something in quickly, sliding him a key with the number 7 on it. "Of course! Enjoy your stay! The tournament starts tomorrow actually so you're in luck. It's a 3v3 elimination style competition, and trainers from all over the area are here to compete. You can register right now if you wish?" She asked with a peppy attitude.
Ezra nodded, feeling a spark of curiosity to see how he matched up with 'regular' trainers. "Thanks, definitely sign me up." He told Joy, who took down his name, trainer ID, and Pokemon, signing him up on the spot.
Ezra thanked her, before he headed for the computer area, having to wait ten minutes for a free station. While his Pokedex was able to go online, an actual Pokecenter computer was far superior in being able to conduct business quickly. He went through his mail, finding several dozen offers already for his Onix, but none of them were from Stone yet, so he held back on doing anything about it for now.
He had time, and everything he remembered about the man suggested he'd want the one of a kind Pokemon.
He stepped outside soon afterwards, the morning sun casting a warm glow over the city. With his Pokemon at his side and his hunger sated, he felt ready to explore more of Cherrygrove and mentally prepare for the upcoming battles.
As he walked through the city, he couldn't help but notice the festive atmosphere for something that was in all likelihood a regular occurrence. Small tournaments like this always took place throughout the league season, every city had them, they weren't anything special, mostly locals half the time, yet the city was acting like it was a big deal. Banners and posters for the tournament were everywhere, and trainers were milling about, some practicing battles in the open fields, others chatting animatedly about strategies and previous matches as they traversed the markets, shopping or hanging out.
In his short time in this world, Lavender Town had already had three minor tournaments like this, it was cheap entertainment, and a good way for the people who don't leave the city to get some battles in. Unless there was a big prize on the line, most serious trainers eschewed these types of events.
Ezra wandered through the market area, where vendors sold a variety of goods ranging from Pokeballs and potions - to handmade trinkets and souvenirs. He stopped at a stall selling berries and other Pokemon treats, buying a small bag of Oran berries for Rider and his other Pokemon.
He continued his stroll, eventually finding himself at the edge of the river. The water was a stunning shade of blue, glistening under the sunlight. Boats bobbed gently at the docks, and a few old fishermen were casting their lines a ways down, hoping for a good catch.
Ezra took a moment to sit on a bench overlooking the water, enjoying the serene view. Rider hopped up next to him, munching on an Oran berry contentedly.
"Beautiful place, huh, Rider?" Ezra said, patting the Marowaks head.
Rider chirped in agreement, his eyes reflecting the sunlight. With no one particularly close by to complain, he let his other Pokemon out to frolic in the bushes and trees, playing a game of tag above his head.
"Cheshire is behind that tree." He said calmly, pointing at the Haunter who gave him a look of betrayal, as Nyx and Loki gave out battle cries, flying after Cheshire, Rider jumping off the bench to join in, with a war cry of his own.
"You know you're not supposed to have them all out within city limits, right?" A raspy sardonic voice asked, and he turned, already prepared to tell the busybody to fuck off.
It was a girl around his age, or maybe closer to eighteen - it was hard to tell with the makeup, she'd somehow made herself comfortable at the other end of the bench, making it within five feet of him without him noticing.
She had a striking appearance that immediately set her apart from the locals. Her hair was jet black, and dyed purple at the tips, styled in a way that left her left side over her ear shaved, while the hair cascaded down over her face on the right side. It was a bit nostalgic for him, reminding him of Cyberpunk 2077, one of the main girls having had the exact same hairstyle, if differently colored.
Black lipstick and heavy eyeliner contrasted sharply with her pale skin and amber eyes, she couldn't be more then 5'4 at most, but she was stacked, like, anime style stacked to go with it. She wore a spiked choker around her neck, a black leather jacket with patches sewn onto it to go with the leather pants that were painted on her they were so tight, and a black t-shirt with a Pikachu roasting on a spit on it, the print saying - Cuter this way. Her nose and her bottom lip were both pierced with studs, and she wore a bored, almost disdainful expression on her face as she leaned back, with her elbows over the backrest of the bench.
This girl… It's like she looked up all the ways to rebel against authority or society and went ahead and did all of them…
"You look like you care so much about rules." Ezra said dryly, finally speaking up, as the girl's expression became flatter and flatter as he didn't bother to hide how he looked her over from head to toe.
"Rules are important." She deadpanned, putting one leg over the other. Her boots looked like they were steel toed ones, Ezra wondered if that was supposed to be a subtle threat.
Honestly… It only made him want to poke at her more. If she wanted to toss out all the bad girl vibes, she could take it, right?
"So call Officer Jenny over to come fine me." He challenged, even as Rider came back from his chase, bumping his head against his knee. Ezra smirked at her, even as he rubbed Riders head, "Or are you already so well acquainted with her that you don't want the police involved?"
She snorted, resting her cheek on one hand, "That's stereotyping." She said in the same kind of deadpan tone.
He gave her a flat look, "You're a walking talking stereotype, now why the hell are you bothering me?"
She was hot, no doubt about it. A definite short stack with attitude. Smoking hot. 9/10 for sure, probably a ten if she didn't dress like she was trying to outedge everyone. But if there was anything he could take from his old life and transfer to this new life, it was one life lesson.
The hotter the girl. The bigger the issues. The more trouble in your life.
Heard of don't stick your dick in crazy? Well Ezra subscribed to - High level hot - equaled high level maintenance - and high level costs.
Not that he'd had that much experience with it, Having been a filthy cripple. But he'd seen it enough with friends and acquaintances too. The cute girl next door was safe. The hot girl was undoubtedly a vampire that would suck out all your sanity and mental stability in exchange for a few good fucks.
All the no.
A rebel girl like her too? No way she sought him out because she enjoyed chatting with strangers. These kinds of girls didn't do small talk for the hell of it with random strangers. Challenge him to a Pokemon battle? That he could believe… Seeking him out just for a chat? It Seemed far-fetched to say the least, so his suspicions were piqued.
"You're weird looking, dress almost as cool as me, and you have a - I don't give a fuck attitude - that I can vibe with." She said with a sly smirk playing on her lips, "This town is full of Jigglypuffs, I just wanted a few minutes with a Houndoom to recharge from all the sweetness." She idly played with the bottom of her t-shirt as she watched his reaction.
Ezra did have a black leather jacket on, but he refused to agree to any other comparisons, he was nowhere near as weird as her. "Fuck you too." He grouched, giving her a gimlet stare, "I just look like this naturally, you choose to look weird."
She smirked, tilting her head, part of her face hidden by her hair, "Take your compliment you salty bitch."
"Didn't sound like a compliment to me." Ezra snarked back, annoyed at the fact he kind of… Agreed with her. This conversation was preferable to going back into town with all the cheerful smiles and bombastic greetings and just plain niceness that just made him feel icky. And he'd just arrived. If she'd been here longer, looking as she was, she'd probably be worse off.
It was weird, the way people in Cherrygrove pretended he wasn't weird looking so far. That they pretended that his red eyes weren't off putting - greeting him cheerfully on the street, not staring at him, no one asking him about it. He felt more at home now that she'd brought it up. Was it him? Or was Cherrygrove just that accepting?
Even on the Orange islands people had at least commented on it, even if they also hadn't made a big deal out of it. He wasn't used to people just… Ignoring his peculiarity, it made him itch, waiting for the other shoe to drop.
She shrugged lightly, "Not my fault if you can't follow along, I'd dumb it down, but I don't know if I can go down that far." She said sweetly, her raspy voice challenging.
She wants to duel, huh? Ezra thought, eyes narrowing. Two can play that game!
"You sure? From the look of you, you go down pretty often." He fired off, sneering at her.
Her lips twisted into a wry grin, as she relaxed back where she sat even further, "What are you? Thirteen?" She drawled, "I know I said I'd dumb it down, but kid, don't make me write your material too, did you just discover sex now, huh? Do I make it tingle?" Her voice turned absolutely mocking, "In your little special place?"
"I'm sixteen!" He said, mortally offended. Kid? Fuck right off with that! I want to be back to 21, dammit! He also realized her mocking game was very strong, annoying him further.
She straightened up smugly, jutting her chest out, a victorious glint in her amber eyes, "So younger than seventeen then, ~kid…" She crowed.
"Bitch!" He spat out, although his lips twitched minisculely.
She buffed her purple nails off her shirt, "Yeah, a better bitch than you." She said smugly.
"Fuck you. I'm Ezra." He introduced himself, unable to keep a smile away, amused despite his own thoughts of caution against her.
"In your dreams kid, I'm Shae." She said, offering him a fistbump, which he obliged.
"So, in town for the tournament?" Ezra asked, gesturing to the Pokeballs on her studded belt.
Shae scoffed, even as she nodded, "No other reason to be here, really." She gestured to their surroundings, "It's just plain boring, if the tournament prize wasn't at least half decent I would have taken off already."
Ezra hadn't even checked what he'd signed up for yet, so he was immediately attentive, "What's the prize? I signed up but I never checked it out…"
Her eyes flickered to Rider, and then back to meet his gaze, "You have a Marowak evolution I've never seen before, yet you're the kind of dumbass who signs up without reading what you've signed up for?" She shook her head, "You really are a kid, kid."
She also notably didn't answer him, the bitch.
He scowled, "Hey, I'm gonna start calling you tits if you keep that up, I'm no kid!" He was more cautious now, eyeing her thoughtfully.
If she'd recognized Rider was special, she might have been lying about why she came over. She might have seen the Pokemon first and was simply scoping him out. It made more sense then the excuse she gave.
"Yeah? Try calling me that, I dare you." She said, suddenly cold, face going blank, her eyes boring into his.
"Tits." He said slowly and drawn out, meeting her gaze and not hesitating for even a second, because he wasn't a punk ass bitch.
"Heh… Snrk!" Shae snorted, before she began snickering, "I can't believe you did that!" The snickers turned to laughter, raspy and throaty, "People always back down like little bitches, but you just went for it!" Her hands went to her midsection as she laughed, taking way too much amusement from this, in his opinion.
Ezra eyed her oddly for a minute afterwards, getting whiplash from this whole meeting, "I'm getting the feeling I should have just walked away when you sat down." He said, inwardly cursing himself for not following his own advice. No hot girls allowed. Cute only!
"Aww, don't be like that, kid, everyone needs a friend, and people like us ain't gonna find many like-minded ones." She said, amusement still clear on her face.
"I don't." He grumbled, not sure he trusted her intentions. People didn't do that, right? Just walked up to people and tried to make friends?
She fished in her back pocket for a moment, lifting her butt off the bench, surprising Ezra in that the painted on pants had pockets in the first place. She cried out in triumph as she brought out a lipstick tube, black, of course. "Here, have some, if you're going to be edgier than me you need something a little bit extra." She cooed, smacking her black painted lips for effect.
Ezra stood up abruptly, "And that's my quota of socializing met for the week." He gestured for Rider to follow him, stepping away to take a route through the bushes, so he could surreptitiously collect his Ghosts, who'd all hid when the other trainer showed up. She'd already seen something, but that didn't mean he needed to confirm what each Pokemon he had was.
She gave a lazy wave, stretching out on the bench, "Later, kid."
He sighed, knowing he would absolutely be fighting her in the tournament tomorrow. "Later, tits."
His comment only made her snicker again, and he left the area feeling like he'd come up short in that conversation.
Well, the best way to not lose that game in the future, was to not play the game at all.
He collected his Pokemon and left the area, wondering how much Shae might have seen before she approached, especially as he hadn't even cottoned on until she was right there - a feat considering she was dressed to be seen. Worst case, she literally knew his entire team, while he knew nothing about hers.
He'd learn more when he fought her. But he had a feeling something was up. Hot girls didn't just randomly approach weird dudes like that. Not without a reason.
So the question was… What was the reason?
Back at the Pokemon Center shortly thereafter, he settled into one of the trainer rooms, Rider curling up at the foot of the bed as his Ghosts poked at different things in the room, bored. Ezra lay back, staring at the ceiling, he'd find out more tomorrow, and that would have to be that. He'd be leaving soon enough anyway, so the mystery girl wouldn't be a problem for long.
He'd been jumping between tasks and training without rest, so he and his team would rest for the day, figure things out tomorrow.
They'd fight, and beat Shae, because he had no doubt she'd make it far into the tournament.
Shae, if that's even your real name… You won't swindle me…
The next morning,
Ezra awoke to the sound of chirping birds and the gentle hum of activity outside his window. The morning sun cast a warm, golden glow over Cherrygrove City, making the cherry blossom petals sparkle as they floated down to the cobblestone streets. Ezra felt a surge of determination rise within him. Today was the day of the tournament, and he was ready.
It was time to see how he stacked up against other normal trainers. Ghosts were an advantage to begin with, but he needed to learn and improve his strategies - and the only way to do that was through more battles.
After a quick breakfast at the Pokemon Center, he gathered his belongings and headed out. The path to the tournament site was lined with colorful banners and stalls, vendors already busy hawking their wares. The scent of freshly baked pastries and roasted nuts mingled in the air, drawing in passersby. Ezra walked through the lively streets, taking in the festive atmosphere. The energy of the town was loud and boisterous and not really to his liking, but these were the kind of things he had to get used to.
The tournament grounds were set up on a large grassy area beside the river. Wooden stands had been erected around the battlefield, filled with spectators eagerly chatting and cheering. Temporary vendors lined the perimeter, selling everything from snacks and drinks to Pokemon accessories and memorabilia. The vibrant colors of the stalls and the lively crowd created a cheerful, bustling scene.
It kind of reminded him of high school football games, really, sans the cheerleaders. Wait, didn't Gary have cheerleaders? Can I get cheerleaders? He thought it over, and then immediately discarded it for how annoying it would get after the first amusing time.
Ezra approached the registration booth, a small tent with a cheerful banner reading "Tournament battlers get your fight card here!" A young woman behind the counter greeted him with a bright smile, not even blinking an eye at the albino in dark clothing.
Honestly, it was beginning to freak him out a bit. Lavender town was the spookiest place on the continent, yet were they the only ones that gave a crap about how weird he looked?
"Good morning! Are you here to find out your battle order for the tournament?" She asked.
"Yes, I am," Ezra replied tersely, handing over his trainer ID. He'd rather just start this already, he itched to battle and work out some frustrations.
She quickly checked his information on a laptop. "Great! You're all set. Your first battle is scheduled for an hour from now. In the meantime, feel free to watch the other matches and enjoy the festivities."
Ezra thanked her and moved away from the booth, deciding to scout out the competition. He found a spot in the stands with a good view of the battlefield and settled in to watch the early matches, his Pokemon in their balls for once, as to not give anyone other than Shae any heads up.
The first few battles were fairly uneventful, mostly local kids who were enthusiastic but lacked real skill. The crowd cheered them on anyway, encouraging their efforts. Ezra watched with mild interest, but his mind was already strategizing for his own battles. This really is the definition of local. I mean that one kid had three weedles! Three!
Then, a movement at the edge of the battlefield caught his eye..
The crowd reacted with a mixture of disapproval and curiosity, the older spectators whispering among themselves. Ezra found himself watching with interest as Shae took her place on the battlefield, blowing kisses at the crowd to rile them up. She had also accessoried her outfit with several chains attached across her hips for some reason, he rolled her eyes at how ridiculously edgy she was shooting for.
Apparently looking weird was fine for him, but they were much more disapproving of a girl doing it. Typical. There were still a lot of old fashioned beliefs in the world. Trainers might be equal, but there were certain expectations on behavior he supposed. The world was still based on Japan to a certain extent, so standing out in such a rebellious way as Shae did, it wasn't appreciated by the older generation he could see.
He remembered thinking about it in Lavender, the uniformity with which a lot of people dressed, behaved and socialized. It was nowhere as rigid as Japanese society, but it certainly wasn't as 'modern' as the western world either.
He focused back on the fight, Shae's opponent was a local boy by the amount of cheering he was receiving. Probably no older than thirteen-fourteen, and he had a determined look on his face. He sent out his first Pokemon, a Pidgey, which fluttered its wings and chirped confidently.
Shae rolled her eyes and lazily tossed a Pokeball into the air. "Let's get this over with, Pride."
The Pokeball opened to reveal a large, menacing Arbok. Its hood flared, displaying its intimidating pattern, and it hissed at the Pidgey. The crowd gasped, clearly not expecting such a powerful looking Pokemon.
"Pidgey, use Gust!" The boy shouted, his voice tinged with nervousness as he eyed the Arbok.
Pidgey flapped its wings rapidly, creating a whirlwind aimed at Arbok. The snake Pokemon barely flinched, its eyes locked on its target, the winds buffeting it to no real effect.
Ezra hummed, leaning back, her Pokemon are just on a level where that kind of weak Pokemon won't even scratch it.
"Pride, use Poison Sting," Shae commanded with a imperious wave of her hand, her voice steady and bored.
The Arbok launched a barrage of poisonous needles at Pidgey, striking it repeatedly even as the boy screamed for it to dodge. The small bird Pokemon cried out in pain, its movements becoming sluggish as the poison took effect.
"Pidgey, hang in there! Use Quick Attack!" The boy urged, desperation creeping into his voice.
Pidgey tried to comply, darting towards Arbok with all the speed it could muster. But the poison had already weakened it significantly, and its attack was slow and uncoordinated.
"Wrap it up, Pride," Shae said with a cocky smirk.
Arbok moved with lightning speed, coiling around Pidgey and constricting it tightly. The bird Pokemon struggled, but it was no match for the powerful snake. Within moments, it was unconscious.
The boy recalled his Pidgey, a look of frustration on his face. He sent out his second Pokemon, a Rattata, which bared its teeth and squeaked aggressively.
Oh boy, you should have just surrendered if that's the lineup you've got, kid. Ezra thought. That Arbok was no joke, it's skin looked shiny and tough, and the ripple of muscles in its long body hinted at harsh training.
I want to fight her. He realized, even as he continued to watch with interest, even if the match was already decided.
"Rattata, use Quick Attack!" The boy shouted. Because if something failed, do it again? Ezra supposed he couldn't expect more from some random local kid who probably wasn't even doing the circuit.
Rattata darted towards Arbok, moving faster than Pidgey had. But Shae was unfazed, if anything being nice enough to let the kid yell out an order before she stomped him into the ground.
"Pride, use Dig," She commanded, crossing her arms, one foot tapping on the ground.
Arbok swiftly burrowed into the ground, disappearing from sight. Rattata skidded to a halt, looking around in confusion.
"Stay alert, Rattata!" The boy called, his eyes darting around the battlefield. He should have ordered it to move around, he's just a target now…
Seconds later, Arbok erupted from the ground beneath Rattata. The snake Pokemon didn't waste any time, striking with its fangs, biting the rat Pokemon, and injecting it. Rattata was quickly poisoned, its movements becoming sluggish just like Pidgey had, with the added caveat of what looked like Crunch, taking a nice bite out of it.
"Finish it with Wrap again," Shae said, her tone still bored.
Arbok wrapped itself around Rattata, constricting it tightly. The local boy's face fell as he realized his Pokemon had no chance.
"I surrender," He said reluctantly, recalling his Rattata, not even bothering to bring out his third Pokemon.
The crowd's reaction was mixed, with some murmuring disapproval and others clapping politely - notably it was the younger generations that applauded the winner. Shae didn't seem to care, returning the Arbok to its Pokeball and walking off the battlefield without so much as a glance at her defeated opponent.
Ezra watched her closely, noting the efficiency and ruthlessness of her battle style. She clearly knew what she was doing, and her Arbok was well-trained. He wondered what else she had.
As she walked past the stands, she caught Ezra's eye and smirked. He felt a flicker of curiosity and challenge in her gaze. She was clearly used to getting disapproving looks and seemed to revel in it.
The morning continued with more matches, but none were as memorable as Shae's. As the sun climbed higher in the sky, the crowd grew larger, the excitement building for the later battles, the early morning featuring a lot of the scrubs. Vendors continued to shout their wares, the smell of street food mingling with the earthy scent of the river.
He would have probably been in with the scrubs, but no doubt his Trainer ID showcased his Orange League victories already. As for Shae… She probably had the luck of someone older deciding her match ups. No way was she a rookie. It wouldn't surprise him if she had several gym badges.
When the time for his battle approached, Ezra made his way to the battle area. He took a deep breath, centering himself. I got this, compared to Drake, this is a cakewalk.
As he walked towards the battlefield, he caught sight of Shae again. She was leaning against a tree, arms crossed, watching the matches with a bored expression. When she noticed him, she gave a slight nod, a glint of something in her eyes.
So of course he completely snubbed her, walking past her, pretending she didn't exist. From the throaty laughter behind him, she just found it amusing.
Ezra stepped onto the battlefield, the sun shining brightly overhead. The crowd hushed in anticipation as he took his position, the referee having announced him as a winner of the Orange League. He clicked his tongue, annoyed that his trainer ID so easily let people know such things.
The girl facing him, almost looked like she was going to pee herself, suddenly finding herself in front of a League winner, however minor.
She then released a Caterpie, and he struggled to not just walk away and call this all a waste of time.
Sighing, he chose Chesire as his battler. If he was just going to bully kids, Cheshire would at least have fun.
…
Kids these days are weak. I mean, crying? He wasn't even fighting seriously!
How many fights until the final?
He'd have to go through at least four matches. Joy… Well Cheshire would have fun, he supposed.
Several hours later, and lots of tears.
Ezra and Shae had swiftly battled through the locals, their Pokemon demonstrating a level of skill and power that set them apart from the competition. The early rounds were little more than warm-ups for the two trainers, their victories decisive and their strategies not tested in the quick and ruthless battles. The crowd quickly began to anticipate their matches, eagerly awaiting the inevitable clash between them.
It was obvious by now that no one that was seriously doing the circuit had even shown up for this tournament. Except him, and Shae.
When the final match was announced, a palpable excitement rippled through the crowd. Ezra and Shae stepped onto the battlefield, the sun now high in the sky, casting long shadows on the grassy arena. The stands were packed to the brim, the air buzzing with anticipation. Vendors shouted over the noise, trying to make last-minute sales as the final battle would soon commence.
Shae stood confidently at one end of the field, her punk aesthetic even more striking in the bright daylight. She glanced at Ezra, her eyes filled with a mix of challenge and confidence. Ezra, standing tall with Rider by his side, nodded at her. This was the moment they had both been waiting for, the actual fight.
Not this show and tell with the little kids that they'd been doing.
The referee raised his flag and signaled the start of the battle. Shae wasted no time, sending out her first Pokemon, a Koffing. The purple, levitating ball of gas hovered menacingly, its toxic fumes wafting through the air. "You know what to do, Envy."
Is she really naming her Pokemon after the seven deadly sins? He thought, but his mind was more focused on something else, above that realization. It was the first time today she used something other than the Arbok, and Ezra narrowed his eyes as he stared her down. Ekans/Arbok and Koffing are Team Rocket Pokemon…
Now there weren't really any specific Pokemon that were classified as typically Team Rocket style Pokemon. But when you read about them in the news, there sure were a lot of Ekans, Arboks, Koffings, Grimers, Raticates, etc.
If you were a rebel against normal society like Shae seemed to be, would you join an organization like that? Am I being too paranoid? She couldn't have followed me from the Orange Islands, but if someone there contacted the mainland… Cherrygrove is the closest city to the islands, bar New Bark town… It's not hard to place one agent in each town in case I'd show up…
He could just be seeing things, attributing things to her due to her style and attitude… But the Pokemon choices… Naming them after the seven deadly sins? Which was weird that this world even had that, but really?
Was she hiding in audacity? Or was it all a giant coincidence? I don't trust coincidences…
Ezra nodded to Rider, who stepped forward with his bone club ignited in eerie flames. Rider's ghostly appearance and fiery weapon drew gasps from those in the crowd who hadn't noticed him before, he could hear the wave of - who's that Pokemon? Pass through the crowd.
"Envy, use Sludge Bomb!" Shae commanded, amber eyes intense, her bored mien of the day, completely absent.
At the same time Ezra calmly ordered, "Tac 3." Having set up tactics ahead of time to deal with a poison Pokemon, albeit it was Arbok, it would do here as well. Tac 3 was shorthand for tactic 3, Tac 1 and 2 not as effective against a hovering Pokemon.
Koffing released a barrage of toxic sludge at Rider, who was already running wide, nimbly dodging the attack, arm already stretched back, whizzing his flaming club forward in a Bonemerang, the effect looking like a spinning wheel of fire as it approached the Koffing.
Shae immediately snapped out orders, "Smokescreen, Toxic spikes!"
The Koffing bellowed out smoke in a manner that pushed it back, narrowly avoiding the Bonemerang as it whiffed by, before returning towards Rider, managing to clip the Koffing for minor damage as it went by. The smokescreen completely covered Shae's area of the field soon after, preventing sight of the toxic spikes the Pokemon was laying down at that moment.
A poison specialist enjoying laying down traps, how surprising, he thought sarcastically, knowing his ghosts wouldn't even be threatened by such, but for Rider it would make things more difficult. Tactic 3 was all about keeping distance and keeping on the move, avoiding getting poisoned while hammering away. His eyes narrowed, the smokescreen would also make it impossible for the Koffing to aim at Rider. "Change of plans, Rider, Focus Energy."
Rider immediately stopped in place, taking a stance, his bone club held in both hands in front of him as he focused, glowing slightly with energy.
If Shae wanted to hide away, he'd use the time to power up. Even if he had to have Rider firing Bonemerang blindly into the smog, eventually he'd hit, and with his power amped up, one hit would likely be enough.
Shae snapped her fingers, a small smirk on her face, "Guess you're not entirely stupid, kid."
Ezra immediately snarked back. Even if he should avoid engaging with her, it was just a knee jerk reaction that he couldn't hold back, "It's easy with you here, since you monopolize all of the stupid to yourself!" Then he added, "Focus Energy again, then Bonemerang, do a wide sweep."
Shae clicked her tongue, "How annoying, forcing me into this." She proclaimed, not sounding very annoyed, if anything she was wearing an amused smirk, "Let's end this, Envy. Use Self-Destruct!" Shae called out, a fierce determination in her voice.
Ezra raised an eyebrow, what's the point of that? Rider isn't even near the smokescreen. Besides, normal moves won't work anyway…
The ground near Rider broke, the Koffing rising, already beginning to glow ominously - before it detonated in a massive explosion. The shockwave sent dust and debris flying, and when it settled, Rider lay unconscious on the ground, having taken the full brunt of the attack, the Koffing also knocked out. The crowd erupted in cheers and gasps, impressed by the sheer power of the move, and the trickiness behind it - even if it could only get a double knockout.
"How…?" He demanded, shocked that it worked.
Shae smirked, buffing her nails on her jacket, "I knew you had Ghost Pokemon, so I already told Envy that if I ordered him to dig, he was to use Foresight, and wait for my order to then Self-Destruct." She said smugly, "Don't need line of sight for Foresight to work."
She taught the Koffing Dig… The Smokescreen was a twofold trap, if my Pokemon entered, he'd run into the toxic spikes, but the second part of the trap was making me believe the Koffing was still inside… Ezra was reluctantly impressed. Shae had realized that any attack on Rider would need to be an instant knockout or the retaliation would beat her, so she'd sacrificed the Koffing to ensure Rider with his two power ups wouldn't be in play anymore. Foresight allowed a normal type move to work on Ghosts, so she'd planned ahead well.
Ezra would have done it differently, thinking about it. It wasn't a bad play, but she could have given Rider a Sludge Bomb or Toxic to the face, ensuring Rider would be heavily poisoned for any further moves, the Koffing would perhaps be knocked out right after, but there was also the chance the poison would make Rider miss, allowing her the chance to take out Rider and keep her Pokemon.
He supposed it was all about how daring one was willing to be. It told him somewhat about her playing style, because for all her daring attire, she didn't fight the same way. She wasn't willing to bet it all from the beginning, preferring hedging her bets.
Ezra recalled Rider, a determined look on his face, his heart thrumming with excitement in a way it hadn't in the Orange League. That had almost been work, what with his goals for that endeavor, this? This was fun! "Good job, Rider. Nyx, it's your turn." He called out, tossing out the Pokeball.
Nyx, his Spiritomb, materialized on the battlefield, its eerie purple and green visage causing a murmur of awe from the crowd. He knew Ghost trainers were exceedingly rare, it was likely most here had never seen one. Ghosts tended to be… Temperamental. Shae recalled her fainted Koffing and sent out Arbok next. The snake Pokémon hissed menacingly, its hood flaring.
"Pride, use Glare!" Shae commanded quickly.
Arbok's eyes glowed with a paralyzing light, but Nyx seemed unaffected, its ethereal form making it immune to such tricks. A mark of inexperience against her there, she didn't remember in time that a normal move like Glare wouldn't work despite what just happened. Or she fell back on habits without accounting for the Pokemon type, Glare one of her go to's. He thought critically.
"Nyx, Shadow Ball switch!" Ezra called out, the move Shadow Ball was something that all his Ghost Pokemon had worked on the most during training. Cheshire and Loki having helped Nyx become respectable at it.
And again he hid a second command, one Shae wouldn't know what it entailed. Ezra was glad his Pokemon were fairly intelligent, able to memorize tactics just as easily as anything else.
Nyx formed a dark, pulsating ball of energy quickly, about half the size the move usually was, and hurled it at Arbok. The attack struck Arbok head-on, causing it to recoil in pain.
"Pride, Mud Shot then close in and use Crunch!" Shae shouted, her voice edged with irritation at herself.
The Arbok slammed it's tail into the ground, turning it muddy before hauling it forward in a giant throw, but it was already too late, Nyx already performing the second part of Ezra's order.
The Arbok lunged after its Mud Shot to get at Nyx, its fangs bared, but Nyx vanished into thin air before the mud got close, reappearing a moment later behind Arbok, having used Shadow Sneak, a second Shadow Ball already materializing in front of its leering face.
"Nyx, finish it," Ezra said calmly.
Nyx's eyes glowed, and the Arbok stood no chance, taking a charged up Shadow Ball straight to the back, after already having suffered through one. It fell flat, still in the fight on a technicality, not fainted, but in no state to fight back.
Once he got to the big leagues, he'd have to diversify a little, as Nyx, Loki and Cheshire had too similar a moveset. Although teaching them something new with the boatload of money he was going to get could mitigate that somewhat.
Shae gritted her teeth, recalling Arbok rather than have it take another unnecessary hit to remove it from play. She fingered her Pokeballs, sending Ezra a fierce look, before sending out her final Pokemon, and it was a Croagunk.
The Croagunk, a toad like Pokemon, had its poison sacs inflating and deflating rhythmically as it hopped onto the battlefield. It eyed Nyx with a calculating gaze. "It's all on you, Greed!" Shae called out, sounding determined.
"Curse two." Ezra said simply, ensuring that even if he lost this round, he won. By adding two to the order, he was informing his Spiritomb that instead of just firing off the curse, he wanted it to use an opportune moment to Shadow Sneak behind the other Pokemon and ensure the curse hit, even at the risk of taking a hit in return.
"Croagunk, Flatter!" Shae ordered, looking frustrated at not being able to tell what exactly Ezra had told his Pokemon.
Nyx vanished, as Shae shouted urgently, "Behind you!" The Croagunk turning quickly, the two attacks both hitting, the Croagunk being cursed, and Nyx taking Flatter straight to the face, becoming confused and becoming ripe for the taking.
"Nyx, Shadow Ball!" He ordered, on the off chance it would wake Nyx up, but Nyx just hovered confusedly in place.
"Croagunk, use Sucker Punch!" Shae snapped out, a relieved glint in her eyes.
Croagunk lunged at Nyx, its fist glowing with Dark energy. The jab struck Nyx, it wasn't super effective due to Nyx' Dark/Ghost typing, but considering Nyx had already given up half its 'life' energy to power the curse, Nyx fainted anyway.
Ezra recalled Nyx, whispering praise to the Pokeball, because he had faith his last Pokemon could either outlast Croagunk for the few moves necessary for it to faint from the curse - or outright defeat it. So Nyx had set up his victory.
"You're too tricky, kid." Shae breathed out, shaking her head, although she wore a smirk on her painted lips, "Best fight I've had since I joined the circuit."
"I'm not a slut, you'll have to butter me up a lot more for me to tolerate you." Ezra deadpanned, tossing out another Pokeball as she laughed at his rebuttal, "Loki, take it home!"
Since Cheshire had gotten to play with all the scrubs, Loki got to handle the actual fight worth a damn. The Shuppet crowed in delight, hovering on the battlefield, eyes gleaming with viciousness as it stared down the Croagunk.
Shae didn't bother waiting, "Sucker Punch, now!" She snapped, taking initiative, "If it vanishes, switch to attack behind you!"
Someone's scared of a little Shadow Sneak, Ezra thought smugly, before giving his own orders. "Switch two." He ordered, taking advantage of Shae's order.
Loki crooned eerily, before vanishing from Croagunk's sight as it threw itself forward, fist glowing. It immediately pivoted, throwing a backhand behind it, only for Loki to appear and disappear, immediately going into another Shadow Sneak, appearing in front of the Croagunk. "Hypnosis!" Ezra ordered.
Croagunk was off his footing, and immediately fell under Loki's spell, ending things anticlimactically. "Your loss? Or I can have Loki shoot off some Shadow Balls while the curse works its way through your Croagunk…"
Shae recalled Croagunk, a small smile on her face, even as her face fell slightly, "Ah, can't win them all, I guess." She perked right up, pointing her fist at him, a cocky smirk right back on her lips, "Next time brat! I'm wise to your tricks now!"
Ezra twitched at having graduated from kid, to brat. "Fuck right off with that, loser tits."
Shae just scoffed at him, crossing her arms, "You still suck at that, get better insults."
The crowd erupted into cheers and applause, having been somewhat delayed as they watched their back and forth, with part amusement, part scandal. Ezra had a feeling their discussion wasn't really how the two finalists usually talked with each other.
As the crowd continued to cheer, Ezra and Shae walked off the battlefield together, the intensity of their battle lingering in the air. It had been the only worthy battle of the tournament.
They were brought up onto a cheap wooden podium, the Mayor of Cherrygrove using the occasion to do what politicians do best - Uselessly drone on about things no one there cared about. Eventually he finished, and gave them their prizes.
For Shae, as the runner up, 5000 Pokedollars and six Great Balls. She didn't look overly enthused about the prize, accepting it while trying not to grimace, obviously not having fought this tournament for that prize.
Ezra however got a technique, Fissure. Which blew his mind a little. It was the equivalent of a little league team filled with brats barely able to swing bats yet, winning their little piddly league, and instead of getting a pizza party as a prize together with a fake trophy, they instead got 50 000 dollars.
He knew Pokemon battling was everything here, but to have a little tournament like this, filled with kids whose major achievement was being able to point their Pokemon in the right direction - have a prize of that kind of level - it was just wild.
Upper end techniques like Fissure, Hyper Beam etc, were expensive, like buying a house instead, levels of expensive. He practically sleep walked through the rest of the ceremony and for his walk out of the battling area, thinking it over. Tournaments suddenly were worth a second look when he'd begin taking the circuit seriously. He'd be rich enough soon to buy techniques, sure. But if piddly tournaments like this had Fissure. What did an Area wide tournament offer?
As he walked out of the fighting area, his thoughts turned back on Shae. She was also too good to fight in a tournament like this. And when he'd received the Fissure technique, she hadn't even looked that interested, and definitely not upset about losing out on it. So why was she here?
The sun began to set soon after, casting a golden glow over Cherrygrove City. The festivities continued, the townspeople celebrating the day's events with renewed vigor. Vendors continued to sell their goods, children played in the streets, and trainers discussed the battles with excitement.
Ezra felt a sense of accomplishment as he walked through the lively streets, Loki by his side and his other Pokemon resting in their Pokeballs. He had proven himself in the tournament, he did know how to fight, his use of code words or just hiding his tactics did work, and the experience had only strengthened his resolve to continue his journey and that he was on the right track.
As he approached the Pokemon Center, he saw Shae leaning against a lamp post, her expression thoughtful. She looked up as he approached, a hint of a smile on her lips.
"Hey," She said, pushing off from the lamp post. "That was fun. We should do it again sometime."
Ezra just nodded silently, watching her carefully. If there was any time she'd ambush him or pull something, it was now. Two of his Pokemon were down, and he was in an assumed weaker position…
If she was Team Rocket, this was the time. That or she'd attempt to hang onto him, offering to travel together. He prepared himself to reject her handily.
Shae ran a hand through her hair, stretching in a way that pushed her chest out, a twinkle in her eyes as his eyes were immediately drawn there. Damn puberty still going on… He groused.
"Well, see you sometime." She said languidly, before walking off with a casual wave.
Leaving Ezra standing there in shock.
Where's the ambush? The questions? The begging to travel with me?
Was I… Wrong?
Later that night,
Ezra slid into the seat in front of the computer in the Pokemon center, after having ascertained that no one was around.
"Make sure no one interrupts." He ordered softly, as his shadow undulated, releasing several Ghost Pokemon who formed a perimeter.
Steven Stone had reached out to him, wanting a video conference to convince him to sell the Crystal Onix to him, and it gave Ezra a unique opportunity.
He had a lot of knowledge that stood to make him a lot of money. The problem was that he didn't have a partner he could trust. And with his somewhat prickly personality and trust issues, finding someone to say, farm Milotics for him - was a non starter.
Unless…
He could cut a deal with Steven Stone. A man with his reputation, with Devon Corps reputation on the line - would not break a contract. If Ezra negotiated something with the man, he'd have his Pokemon farms, his evolution secrets and tips - put to use for his monetary gain. While he took a nice cut, Steven would have to actually run the place. Albeit through staff, Ezra wasn't stupid enough to think the man himself would do any of the work.
If he could contract with the Devon Corps, he could get all the protection for his secrets he needed. Because it would be their secrets as well. And he'd get paid forever. Sure, at a lesser percentage then if he did it himself. But say 30-40 percent forever, without doing any of the actual work? Not a bad deal.
Ezra leaned back in the uncomfortable chair, his eyes fixed on the computer screen as the connection stabilized. The Pokemon Center was quiet, its usual bustle reduced to a faint hum of machinery and the occasional flicker of light. His Ghost Pokemon, hidden in the shadows, formed a vigilant perimeter around the room, ensuring he wouldn't be disturbed.
The screen flickered, and then Steven Stone's face appeared. The man was as impeccably dressed as he'd expected, his hair perfectly styled, and his eyes sharp and focused. Steven exuded an air of calm authority, but there was an underlying intensity that told Ezra this was a man who didn't waste time. Good, I don't waste time either.
"Good evening, Ezra," Steven greeted, his voice smooth and measured. "I appreciate you making time for this discussion. I understand you've recently come into possession of a Crystal Onix. I'm very interested in acquiring it." He flashed a smile, small and smug, "I don't really think there's a need for an auction, they won't beat me anyway."
Ezra didn't bother with pleasantries. "Let's get to the point then, Mr Stone. The Crystal Onix is rare, possibly one of a kind. I know what it's worth, and I know you wouldn't be reaching out if you didn't think so too." He leaned forward, a shark-like grin on his face, "I'm well aware that having the only thing of something, is worth its weight in gold."
Steven's smile was slight, but it didn't reach his eyes this time. "Indeed. I'm prepared to offer a substantial sum for it. I'm aware of its rarity, and Devon Corp has the resources to properly study and preserve such a unique specimen." Like you're not just going to show it off to prove how rich you are, heh. Although maybe… Does he know how to evolve them into Steelix yet?
Ezra leaned forward slightly, his gaze unyielding. "How much are we talking?" He just knew he was getting low balled first, it's how discussions like these usually went.
Steven's fingers tapped lightly on the desk before him, as if weighing his words. "Ten million Pokedollars. It's a fair offer, considering Onix in itself isn't a very interesting Pokemon."
Ezra's eyes narrowed. "Ten million is a lot, but not enough. You and I both know that the research alone on this Onix could lead to breakthroughs in Pokemon evolution or even new defensive applications. I'm not just selling you a Pokemon - I'm giving you a potential goldmine."
Probably not, or there would have been a crystal type or something already, but he doesn't know if that is a possibility.
Steven's smile faded slightly, replaced by a more serious expression. "I won't deny the potential." He acknowledged, giving him a small nod, "However, it's still speculative at this point. There are risks involved, and it could take years before any substantial results are seen. That's time and money Devon Corp will be investing."
Ezra didn't flinch. He knew this was his moment to pivot the conversation. "That's exactly why I'm not interested in just a lump sum. I'm looking for something more… enduring. I want a partnership, Mister Stone. Something that benefits both of us in the long run."
Steven raised an eyebrow, a condescending look on his face. "Go on." He offered.
Ezra took a deep breath, choosing his words carefully. "I have more than just the Crystal Onix. I know how to evolve a Pokemon into a Milotic, which if farmed would bring in substantial profits in prism scales let alone in selling the Pokemon itself. I also know how to ensure specific Eeveelutions - including some that haven't been seen yet, and I have access to several other rare evolutions that aren't well known. With the right setup, I can make sure these evolutions happen consistently. What I need is someone who can take care of the logistics - setting up and running a Pokemon farm, security, marketing, the whole package."
It was a risk, admitting all this, but Ezra found it more likely that Stone would agree to partner - over trying to steal him away and milk him for everything he had. The man, while a corporate behemoth, was also a champion, or would be champion.
He released Rider, making sure Stone caught the look of his Pokemon on camera, "This is a small bit of proof that I know what I'm talking about. A Ghost/Fire type Marowak, unheard of." He smirked, patting Rider on the head, "Until me."
Stone's eyes gleamed with interest, but he remained cautious. "That's quite a claim. Consistent, controlled evolution of rare Pokemon is no small feat - let alone claiming to be able to do so with unknown evolutions. You're proposing a large-scale operation, Ezra. One that would require significant investment, infrastructure, and ongoing management." The way he was looking at Rider, and hadn't shut down the discussion, proved he was at least Interested.
Ezra nodded, inwardly pleased, prepared for this line of reasoning. "Exactly. And that's where you come in. Devon Corp has the resources and expertise to manage this, and you know how profitable it could be. I'm offering you a chance to get in on the ground floor of something huge. We split the profits fifty-fifty."
Stone let out a short, quiet laugh. "Fifty-fifty? You're asking me to take on all the financial risk, handle the logistics, the security, the staff, and you want half of the profits? That's not realistic, Ezra. Devon Corp would be shouldering the bulk of the work. Your knowledge is valuable, if it's true, but it's the infrastructure and operations that will turn that knowledge into profit."
Ezra expected the pushback. "I understand you're taking on a lot of the burden, but without my knowledge, there's no farm, no consistent evolutions, and no profits. I'm not just handing over information - I'm creating a new market for you."
Stone nodded thoughtfully, but he was already shaking his head. "I can't agree with fifty percent. That's too high considering the scale of the operation we'd need to set up. I could offer you twenty percent, and that's generous."
Do you think I'm a dumbass? That's just insulting.
"Twenty percent is a joke," Ezra shot back, his tone calm but firm. "You're underestimating the value of what I'm bringing to the table. The rarity of these evolutions alone would guarantee high returns. Forty-five percent, plus a licensing and royalty fee for every new evolution process I bring to you."
Stone's expression hardened slightly, his gaze calculating. "Forty-five percent is still steep. The costs on our end would be considerable - buying land, constructing the facilities, hiring and training staff, security, ongoing care and feeding of the Pokemon, and not to mention the risk of something going wrong. We'd be looking at millions of Pokedollars in upfront investment, and that's before we even see a return. I could go up to thirty percent, but no higher."
Ezra wasn't ready to concede just yet. "Thirty-five percent, plus a licensing fee of one million Pokedollars for each new evolution technique I reveal as a one time payment. And I want three percent royalty on any sales on new evolutions beyond Milotic and Eevee Evolutions that I bring to the table."
Stone leaned back in his chair, considering the offer. "The licensing fee is acceptable, but three percent on additional evolutions is problematic. Each new Pokemon type would require new research, new facilities, and potentially new staff. It's not as simple as just tacking on extra profits. How about this: thirty-two percent on profits, one million Pokedollars licensing fee per new evolution, and two percent royalty on additional evolutions."
Ezra's mind raced, calculating the potential earnings. He had to be careful not to push too hard, but he wasn't ready to drop below thirty-five percent so easily either. He knew Stone would want this more than he was showing. "Thirty-two percent is close, but I can't go that low. I'll meet you at thirty-five percent, with a one million Pokedollars licensing fee per evolution, and two and a half percent on additional evolutions."
Stone's eyes narrowed slightly, fingers tapping away at his desk. "Thirty-two and a half percent, one million per evolution, and two percent on additional evolutions. That's my final offer."
Ezra stopped for a moment, thinking it through. He could accept that. It was still amazing money. But part of him refused to let the other man dictate to him in that way. He was the one with the money making ideas here. Sure Stone would have to spend money first, but with his larger cut, he'd make it back rapidly, and then rake in profits for a long time.
Any Devon Corp facility would have enough security to ensure everyone else didn't learn how to do the same evolutions. Although some of the Eevee evolutions would likely eventually be discovered anyway - the ones he had on tap beyond that wouldn't be discovered any time soon meaning consistent profits.
"Then hear my final offer." He said softly. "Take my last offer, or I go offer it to Silph co instead. And for trying to short change me, you'll still have to pay ten million for the Onix instead of getting it free as part of the deal." His heart was hammering in his chest as he gave the ultimatum, but he had a gut feeling Stone wasn't going to drop this opportunity, and Silph co wasn't necessarily a bad choice either, worst case.
Stone's smile returned, this time more genuine as he gave a rueful shake of the head, "I must say, it's rare I find a young man so ruthless in business. I find myself forced to accept." He continued with a flourish, "I think this will be the start of a very profitable partnership, Ezra. I'll have my legal team draw up the contracts, and we can finalize everything within the week."
"Looking forward to it," Ezra replied, trying to hide his elation, but from the chuckling the older man let loose, he hadn't succeeded.
"If you need funds right now, we can finalize the transfer of ten million for your Onix." He offered, seemingly having no hard feelings at all about being put on the spot in negotiations.
Using the transfer system in the Pokemon center, within minutes, the Crystal Onix was gone, and Ezra had ten million Pokedollars in his account. Considering the many many evolutions he knew that wouldn't be known in the world for a decade at least if it ran even slightly similarly to the games - this ten million would be chump change for him.
He'd have to hire a lawyer before Stone sent over the contract, to ensure everything was done to his specifications, just in case. He looked over at Stone, "How do you feel about letting Devon Corp break into Kanto's economy?" He asked.
Stone raised a surprised eyebrow, lips twitching, "And here I thought your ambitions were already surprisingly vast, you do realize what kind of trouble you're asking for?"
Ezra smiled, and if it was a little nasty, well… "Lavender Town and its surroundings would make for a great location, in the future I intend to create a gym there, so I would be around to protect both our investments as well." He'd hide his involvement in the business until he returned, wouldn't that be a shock for Lavender? "Once you mention the evolutions you will farm, the League will step in and allow you to buy land, they won't want to lose out on it." He said, fairly self-assured.
Kanto might be somewhat isolationist at the upper level of government, but more Pokemon types was an advantage they wouldn't say no to, couldn't. Even if it was a Hoenn company building on Kanto soil. The Pokemon League would force it through.
Stone smiled, "I think this partnership will be very interesting. You'll hear from me within the week."
As the call ended and Steven Stone's image faded from the screen, Ezra leaned back, exhaling slowly. The deal was done, and he had secured a future filled with both security and potential wealth. Now, all that was left was to deliver on his promises - and ensure that he stayed one step ahead of everyone else.
If Steelix wasn't a thing yet, he could use it to ask for further favors from Stone later.
He didn't need to give away everything he knew after all.
It would be good to always have something in his back pocket to use for further advantages.
Today had been a very good day…
Orange Islands,
Karen was calm. The picture of serenity, she was like the ocean, calm, cool, just floating.
One tick mark appeared. No, I'm calm, cool, it's not a big deal… A vein pulsed. Calm, I'm calm! I'm fucking calm!
"We don't know where he was going, but he seemed in a hurry."
The calm ocean erupted into a category nine hurricane, "WHAT THE FUCK!?" She yelled, face red, eyes staring daggers at Luana, the Orange League gym leader being the only one who'd answered her request to meet immediately. "HOW DO YOU NOT KNOW WHERE HE WAS GOING!?"
"He didn't say." Luana said with a wry smile, "Are you alright, dear?" She asked, finding something amusing.
Karen forcibly bit back a reply that would have likely brought Agatha all the way here to put her over her knee. "I'm perfectly fine." She bit out, steam practically erupting from her skin with how hot she was running.
"Just… Just tell me about his Pokemon." She asked, slumping her shoulders in defeat. This brat… When I find him…
…
Karen left the Orange Islands the same night, heading towards Pewter at full speed. If the brat intended to do the circuit, he'd have to hit up Flint in Pewter soon. So instead of scouring all of Kanto for him, she'd set up an ambush.
Then she'd drag the brat kicking and screaming to Agatha. Her cheek twitched as she smiled maniacally. Not necessarily in one piece…
She had her plan, and it was a good one. That brat had to come by Pewter, she would have him within the week, she was positive.
This time she'd outsmarted him, she thought viciously.
There was no way he could travel through Kanto and not run into her now.
Cherrygrove city, Johto.
Ezra hummed in thought, looking over a map of Johto, there really was no rush to get to Kanto was it?
He was sure there were some interesting things he could do here in Johto first.
Author's note:
As you can see, Karen is going to continue to be frustrated!
Ezra gets a feeling for fighting, and realizes that above the fact he uses Ghosts, which is practically cheating as it is with how rare and difficult they are for normal people - he's also a decent battler as is.
A deal with Seven Stone is pretty much the best he could shoot for, because while he'd get a lesser cut then he'd really want, he also gets the security in knowing he'll always get his cut. No backstabbing.
Although how happy Kanto will be with him when he's bringing Devon Corp around and making them richer is another question.
Basically the deal he made was he gets thirty-five percent of all profits, but on any evolutions he coughs up besides Eeeve and Milotic - he gets an extra two and a half percent, so 37.5 of the profits, plus one million Pokedollars as a one time payment for each evolution.
Not too bad when he'll have to do absolutely none of the work, or the security.
And of course he wants it in Lavender Town, it's totally just so he can protect his investment later, he's absolutely not going to rub it all in.
Cheers
JollyHippopotamus
A patron winner again, so here's another chappie earlier than projected.
It's quite possible I'll make mistakes with Pokemon moves and such, I'll try and get it right, but sometimes my memory gets things wrong and I don't wiki every move, so we'll see.
Enjoy 12k of Ezra's wacky adventures.
As usual, I do not own Pokemon or the associated companies that deliver material from it. I'm just playing in the kiddy pool, don't hurt me.
Enjoy!
Ezra soared through the sky on his Pidgeot, the wind whipping through his hair and the lush greenery of Johto spreading out below him. He enjoyed the feeling of freedom that flying provided, a sense of being untethered from the worries of the world below - as long as it was brief, anyway. The flight from Lavender to the Orange islands had been a pain in the ass, quite literally.
As they approached Cherrygrove City, the dense forest gave way to a quaint riverside town nestled along a sparkling blue river that snaked through the forest. Johto was closer to the islands then Kanto, and he wasn't in a rush to get started on the league quite yet anyway, so he figured it was as good as any place to slow down for a day or two and get his Onix sold.
He'd already posted a picture of it online on several different forums, marking it for sale. He would let word spread before accepting any bids, hopefully Steven Stone would notice it and bid, without Ezra having to give himself a bad bargaining position by going to him first.
If Stone thought he had competition, he'd be likely to pay a lot more after all. He also had other ideas brewing there, but he'd have to think on it.
Pidgeot began its descent, the wind rustling the feathers of its powerful wings as it gracefully glided down towards a clearing just outside the city. Ezra patted Pidgeot's neck appreciatively as they touched down, the bird Pokemon cooing softly in response.
"Good job, Pidgeot," He said, returning the Pokemon to its Pokeball. Just because Pidgeot was more of a tool to him, didn't mean he shouldn't be appreciative of its help. He took a moment to adjust his pack and smooth his clothes, which were slightly ruffled from the flight.
That done, he let Rider out, the guy chirping happily, eyes closed in what he was beginning to think of as his signature smile, as he investigated the tall fragrant flowers everywhere around them. He quickly released Nyx, Chesire and Loki as well, although he shuffled them into his shadow before moving forward, aware that it was considered rude to have more than one Pokemon out outside of emergencies, while in a town.
With his shadow, he could break the rule, have his 'mon with him at all times, and no one would be the wiser. Everyone won. Especially him, in case someone tried anything. He was kind of looking forward to Team Rocket sending some poor goon after him at some point.
They'd get all the surprise Ghosts up their asses.
The path leading into Cherrygrove was lined with cherry blossom trees, their pink petals fluttering down in a gentle breeze as he walked on without a hurry. It created a picturesque entrance to the city, one Rider enjoyed as he ran around Ezra's legs pointing at things excitedly with his flaming club. It was cute, Ezra had to admit, lips twitching against this will as Rider acted like a puppy, out for its first proper walk.
As they walked, Ezra took in the vibrant surroundings. Unlike the more industrial towns of much of Kanto, Cherrygrove had a quaint, almost old-world charm still alive and well within the city limits. The buildings were a mix of traditional Japanese architecture and more modern structures, their roofs curved elegantly upwards, painted in various hues of red or pink, with a splash of green here and there.
Definitely more colorful than Lavender Town, he had to say, enjoying the view, not feeling nearly as stressed now that the Orange Islands were behind him, and the Onix was his. Financial stability was already practically secured, so he took the time to smell the roses so to speak.
From the sky Cherrygrove had looked like several modern ten story buildings peeking out of a forest, but now that he was on foot, he could see the old style houses that surrounded the modern buildings, greenery everywhere in sight, the road itself cut in two as the middle of it was for trees and benches, with the odd fountain every hundred to a hundred fifty yards or so.
The streets were bustling with people, and Ezra noticed immediately how different their attire was compared to those in Lavender. The clothing was more colorful for one, with intricate patterns and bright fabrics that likely reflected the local Johto culture. Many women wore yukatas with floral designs, while a lot of the men were dressed in casual kimonos or brightly colored shirts. Interspersed with them were men and women in smart business attire, really giving the sense the small town was somewhat in a transition from rural to modern.
The city itself was a blend of natural beauty and human craftsmanship. Cobblestone streets wound their way through the town off the main avenue, flanked by carefully manicured gardens and small parks. The air was fresh and carried the faint scent of the sea from the river running right by it, mixing with the fragrance of blooming flowers and cherry blossoms. Small wooden bridges arched gracefully over clear, babbling brooks that ran through the city, fed from the river, adding to the serene atmosphere.
He probably couldn't have found a town so opposite on the spectrum from Lavender if he'd tried. Even the weather shone down on them like the sun was happily smiling like some kids cartoon, instead of the perpetual gloom Lavender lived under. People here… Would probably be disgustingly cheerful, he thought with a grimace.
Well that's one reason to not linger too long… They're probably all morning people too. He thought, grumbling slightly at the idea. Cheerfulness was fine… In low doses. But it was extremely annoying in groups.
He passed by a series of banners strung up between lamp posts, each one advertising an upcoming Pokemon tournament, starting the next day. The vibrant colors and bold lettering caught his eye. It seemed the whole town was gearing up for the event, with stalls and decorations lining the main thoroughfare. Ezra made a mental note to check out the tournament schedule later; it could be a good opportunity to test his skills and earn some prize money.
If it was money that they gave out anyway. He vaguely remembered tournaments often had prizes like Pokemon techniques or Eggs. For the winner at least. It was worth a look, even if the prize wasn't something he personally needed.
As he made his way towards the Pokemon Center, Ezra's stomach growled, reminding him that he hadn't eaten since he left the Orange Islands. He glanced around and saw a row of food stalls set up along the street, the enticing aromas of grilled meats and other delicacies wafting through the air. One stall in particular caught his attention, its sign proudly proclaiming "Best Meat Skewers in Johto!"
Unlikely to be true, but anyone willing to be that confident in their signage, probably didn't sell garbage. With money coming in soon, he didn't worry about spending whatever little he had left. He probably preferred the fact that the stall didn't advertise exactly what the meat was. Mystery meat was probably better than finding out he was eating something he'd once obsessively collected.
He approached the stall, where a cheerful vendor was expertly grilling skewers of meat over an open flame. The vendor, a middle-aged man with a wide-brimmed hat and a bright smile, greeted him warmly. A Pikachu was lazing on a pillow by the grill, briefly twitching as it looked over at Ezra and Rider, before sinking into its pillow with a happy, "Chuu~"
"Welcome! Would you like to try our famous skewers? Freshly grilled and absolutely delicious!" The man said enthusiastically, lowering Ezra's mood as he confirmed the obvious cheerfulness of the town.
Ezra dug into his pocket and pulled out a few coins, the size of the skewers meant he wouldn't need to buy many, it was almost the size of a whole roasted chicken, pieced out and slathered with some sort of sauce that made it glisten, the skin crackling on the grill in a way that made his mouth water.
"I'll take two," He said somewhat cautiously, handing over the coins, not wanting to set off any bombastic answers.
The vendor nodded and quickly prepared two skewers, handing them over with a flourish. "Enjoy! And good luck in the tournament, if you're participating!"
Ezra thanked him and took a bite of the first skewer. The meat was tender and flavorful, a perfect blend of spices that made his taste buds sing, the sauce reminded him of Asian BBQ sauces back home. He savored each bite as he continued his walk towards the Pokemon Center, enjoying the sights and sounds of Cherrygrove City. It was good to be back in a city, he just wished it had less actual people in it.
Rider sniffed the air curiously. Ezra chuckled and held out the second skewer. "Here you go, Rider, got it for you guys, I think you'll like this." Most Pokemon were omnivores. There were specific diets and Pokemon food that were 'ideal' for different Pokemon - but almost all of them could eat other food just fine.
Rider took the skewer eagerly, gnawing on the meat with visible delight. The sight drew the attention of several passersby, who pointed at the adorable Pokemon. Children especially seemed fascinated by Rider, some of them whispering excitedly to their parents. There were enough Pokemon around that people didn't immediately clue in to the fact Rider was a never before heard of Pokemon - once he officially began fighting in the league, he was sure he'd get some questions about it though.
The world had a lot more than 150 piddly Pokemon after all, and the regular citizen or trainer wouldn't realize how special Rider was, unless they happened to have a fascination with Cubone's and Marowaks.
Periodically, chunks of the meat would disappear as Rider got close to his shadow, the nice boi sharing with the rest of the team. Ezra patted him on the head, smiling as Rider seemed torn between continuing eating, or focusing on headpats.
He had to hide a chuckle as his 'mon decided the best course of action was to stuff the rest of the food in his mouth and enjoy the headpats, leaving him looking like a chipmunk.
They soon neared the Pokemon Center, plenty of signage having shown them the way. Ezra pushed open the glass doors and stepped inside, greeted by the cool, sterile air and the gentle hum of machinery.
Nurse Joy was at the counter, her pink hair and welcoming smile instantly recognizable. "Welcome to the Cherrygrove City Pokemon Center. How can I help you today?"
"I'd like a room for the night." Ezra asked politely, he wasn't going to mess with the Joys, "Maybe two nights, depending on how things go. And do you have any information on the upcoming tournament?"
Nurse Joy took his trainer ID before taking a look at her computer monitor, typing something in quickly, sliding him a key with the number 7 on it. "Of course! Enjoy your stay! The tournament starts tomorrow actually so you're in luck. It's a 3v3 elimination style competition, and trainers from all over the area are here to compete. You can register right now if you wish?" She asked with a peppy attitude.
Ezra nodded, feeling a spark of curiosity to see how he matched up with 'regular' trainers. "Thanks, definitely sign me up." He told Joy, who took down his name, trainer ID, and Pokemon, signing him up on the spot.
Ezra thanked her, before he headed for the computer area, having to wait ten minutes for a free station. While his Pokedex was able to go online, an actual Pokecenter computer was far superior in being able to conduct business quickly. He went through his mail, finding several dozen offers already for his Onix, but none of them were from Stone yet, so he held back on doing anything about it for now.
He had time, and everything he remembered about the man suggested he'd want the one of a kind Pokemon.
He stepped outside soon afterwards, the morning sun casting a warm glow over the city. With his Pokemon at his side and his hunger sated, he felt ready to explore more of Cherrygrove and mentally prepare for the upcoming battles.
As he walked through the city, he couldn't help but notice the festive atmosphere for something that was in all likelihood a regular occurrence. Small tournaments like this always took place throughout the league season, every city had them, they weren't anything special, mostly locals half the time, yet the city was acting like it was a big deal. Banners and posters for the tournament were everywhere, and trainers were milling about, some practicing battles in the open fields, others chatting animatedly about strategies and previous matches as they traversed the markets, shopping or hanging out.
In his short time in this world, Lavender Town had already had three minor tournaments like this, it was cheap entertainment, and a good way for the people who don't leave the city to get some battles in. Unless there was a big prize on the line, most serious trainers eschewed these types of events.
Ezra wandered through the market area, where vendors sold a variety of goods ranging from Pokeballs and potions - to handmade trinkets and souvenirs. He stopped at a stall selling berries and other Pokemon treats, buying a small bag of Oran berries for Rider and his other Pokemon.
He continued his stroll, eventually finding himself at the edge of the river. The water was a stunning shade of blue, glistening under the sunlight. Boats bobbed gently at the docks, and a few old fishermen were casting their lines a ways down, hoping for a good catch.
Ezra took a moment to sit on a bench overlooking the water, enjoying the serene view. Rider hopped up next to him, munching on an Oran berry contentedly.
"Beautiful place, huh, Rider?" Ezra said, patting the Marowaks head.
Rider chirped in agreement, his eyes reflecting the sunlight. With no one particularly close by to complain, he let his other Pokemon out to frolic in the bushes and trees, playing a game of tag above his head.
"Cheshire is behind that tree." He said calmly, pointing at the Haunter who gave him a look of betrayal, as Nyx and Loki gave out battle cries, flying after Cheshire, Rider jumping off the bench to join in, with a war cry of his own.
"You know you're not supposed to have them all out within city limits, right?" A raspy sardonic voice asked, and he turned, already prepared to tell the busybody to fuck off.
It was a girl around his age, or maybe closer to eighteen - it was hard to tell with the makeup, she'd somehow made herself comfortable at the other end of the bench, making it within five feet of him without him noticing.
She had a striking appearance that immediately set her apart from the locals. Her hair was jet black, and dyed purple at the tips, styled in a way that left her left side over her ear shaved, while the hair cascaded down over her face on the right side. It was a bit nostalgic for him, reminding him of Cyberpunk 2077, one of the main girls having had the exact same hairstyle, if differently colored.
Black lipstick and heavy eyeliner contrasted sharply with her pale skin and amber eyes, she couldn't be more then 5'4 at most, but she was stacked, like, anime style stacked to go with it. She wore a spiked choker around her neck, a black leather jacket with patches sewn onto it to go with the leather pants that were painted on her they were so tight, and a black t-shirt with a Pikachu roasting on a spit on it, the print saying - Cuter this way. Her nose and her bottom lip were both pierced with studs, and she wore a bored, almost disdainful expression on her face as she leaned back, with her elbows over the backrest of the bench.
This girl… It's like she looked up all the ways to rebel against authority or society and went ahead and did all of them…
"You look like you care so much about rules." Ezra said dryly, finally speaking up, as the girl's expression became flatter and flatter as he didn't bother to hide how he looked her over from head to toe.
"Rules are important." She deadpanned, putting one leg over the other. Her boots looked like they were steel toed ones, Ezra wondered if that was supposed to be a subtle threat.
Honestly… It only made him want to poke at her more. If she wanted to toss out all the bad girl vibes, she could take it, right?
"So call Officer Jenny over to come fine me." He challenged, even as Rider came back from his chase, bumping his head against his knee. Ezra smirked at her, even as he rubbed Riders head, "Or are you already so well acquainted with her that you don't want the police involved?"
She snorted, resting her cheek on one hand, "That's stereotyping." She said in the same kind of deadpan tone.
He gave her a flat look, "You're a walking talking stereotype, now why the hell are you bothering me?"
She was hot, no doubt about it. A definite short stack with attitude. Smoking hot. 9/10 for sure, probably a ten if she didn't dress like she was trying to outedge everyone. But if there was anything he could take from his old life and transfer to this new life, it was one life lesson.
The hotter the girl. The bigger the issues. The more trouble in your life.
Heard of don't stick your dick in crazy? Well Ezra subscribed to - High level hot - equaled high level maintenance - and high level costs.
Not that he'd had that much experience with it, Having been a filthy cripple. But he'd seen it enough with friends and acquaintances too. The cute girl next door was safe. The hot girl was undoubtedly a vampire that would suck out all your sanity and mental stability in exchange for a few good fucks.
All the no.
A rebel girl like her too? No way she sought him out because she enjoyed chatting with strangers. These kinds of girls didn't do small talk for the hell of it with random strangers. Challenge him to a Pokemon battle? That he could believe… Seeking him out just for a chat? It Seemed far-fetched to say the least, so his suspicions were piqued.
"You're weird looking, dress almost as cool as me, and you have a - I don't give a fuck attitude - that I can vibe with." She said with a sly smirk playing on her lips, "This town is full of Jigglypuffs, I just wanted a few minutes with a Houndoom to recharge from all the sweetness." She idly played with the bottom of her t-shirt as she watched his reaction.
Ezra did have a black leather jacket on, but he refused to agree to any other comparisons, he was nowhere near as weird as her. "Fuck you too." He grouched, giving her a gimlet stare, "I just look like this naturally, you choose to look weird."
She smirked, tilting her head, part of her face hidden by her hair, "Take your compliment you salty bitch."
"Didn't sound like a compliment to me." Ezra snarked back, annoyed at the fact he kind of… Agreed with her. This conversation was preferable to going back into town with all the cheerful smiles and bombastic greetings and just plain niceness that just made him feel icky. And he'd just arrived. If she'd been here longer, looking as she was, she'd probably be worse off.
It was weird, the way people in Cherrygrove pretended he wasn't weird looking so far. That they pretended that his red eyes weren't off putting - greeting him cheerfully on the street, not staring at him, no one asking him about it. He felt more at home now that she'd brought it up. Was it him? Or was Cherrygrove just that accepting?
Even on the Orange islands people had at least commented on it, even if they also hadn't made a big deal out of it. He wasn't used to people just… Ignoring his peculiarity, it made him itch, waiting for the other shoe to drop.
She shrugged lightly, "Not my fault if you can't follow along, I'd dumb it down, but I don't know if I can go down that far." She said sweetly, her raspy voice challenging.
She wants to duel, huh? Ezra thought, eyes narrowing. Two can play that game!
"You sure? From the look of you, you go down pretty often." He fired off, sneering at her.
Her lips twisted into a wry grin, as she relaxed back where she sat even further, "What are you? Thirteen?" She drawled, "I know I said I'd dumb it down, but kid, don't make me write your material too, did you just discover sex now, huh? Do I make it tingle?" Her voice turned absolutely mocking, "In your little special place?"
"I'm sixteen!" He said, mortally offended. Kid? Fuck right off with that! I want to be back to 21, dammit! He also realized her mocking game was very strong, annoying him further.
She straightened up smugly, jutting her chest out, a victorious glint in her amber eyes, "So younger than seventeen then, ~kid…" She crowed.
"Bitch!" He spat out, although his lips twitched minisculely.
She buffed her purple nails off her shirt, "Yeah, a better bitch than you." She said smugly.
"Fuck you. I'm Ezra." He introduced himself, unable to keep a smile away, amused despite his own thoughts of caution against her.
"In your dreams kid, I'm Shae." She said, offering him a fistbump, which he obliged.
"So, in town for the tournament?" Ezra asked, gesturing to the Pokeballs on her studded belt.
Shae scoffed, even as she nodded, "No other reason to be here, really." She gestured to their surroundings, "It's just plain boring, if the tournament prize wasn't at least half decent I would have taken off already."
Ezra hadn't even checked what he'd signed up for yet, so he was immediately attentive, "What's the prize? I signed up but I never checked it out…"
Her eyes flickered to Rider, and then back to meet his gaze, "You have a Marowak evolution I've never seen before, yet you're the kind of dumbass who signs up without reading what you've signed up for?" She shook her head, "You really are a kid, kid."
She also notably didn't answer him, the bitch.
He scowled, "Hey, I'm gonna start calling you tits if you keep that up, I'm no kid!" He was more cautious now, eyeing her thoughtfully.
If she'd recognized Rider was special, she might have been lying about why she came over. She might have seen the Pokemon first and was simply scoping him out. It made more sense then the excuse she gave.
"Yeah? Try calling me that, I dare you." She said, suddenly cold, face going blank, her eyes boring into his.
"Tits." He said slowly and drawn out, meeting her gaze and not hesitating for even a second, because he wasn't a punk ass bitch.
"Heh… Snrk!" Shae snorted, before she began snickering, "I can't believe you did that!" The snickers turned to laughter, raspy and throaty, "People always back down like little bitches, but you just went for it!" Her hands went to her midsection as she laughed, taking way too much amusement from this, in his opinion.
Ezra eyed her oddly for a minute afterwards, getting whiplash from this whole meeting, "I'm getting the feeling I should have just walked away when you sat down." He said, inwardly cursing himself for not following his own advice. No hot girls allowed. Cute only!
"Aww, don't be like that, kid, everyone needs a friend, and people like us ain't gonna find many like-minded ones." She said, amusement still clear on her face.
"I don't." He grumbled, not sure he trusted her intentions. People didn't do that, right? Just walked up to people and tried to make friends?
She fished in her back pocket for a moment, lifting her butt off the bench, surprising Ezra in that the painted on pants had pockets in the first place. She cried out in triumph as she brought out a lipstick tube, black, of course. "Here, have some, if you're going to be edgier than me you need something a little bit extra." She cooed, smacking her black painted lips for effect.
Ezra stood up abruptly, "And that's my quota of socializing met for the week." He gestured for Rider to follow him, stepping away to take a route through the bushes, so he could surreptitiously collect his Ghosts, who'd all hid when the other trainer showed up. She'd already seen something, but that didn't mean he needed to confirm what each Pokemon he had was.
She gave a lazy wave, stretching out on the bench, "Later, kid."
He sighed, knowing he would absolutely be fighting her in the tournament tomorrow. "Later, tits."
His comment only made her snicker again, and he left the area feeling like he'd come up short in that conversation.
Well, the best way to not lose that game in the future, was to not play the game at all.
He collected his Pokemon and left the area, wondering how much Shae might have seen before she approached, especially as he hadn't even cottoned on until she was right there - a feat considering she was dressed to be seen. Worst case, she literally knew his entire team, while he knew nothing about hers.
He'd learn more when he fought her. But he had a feeling something was up. Hot girls didn't just randomly approach weird dudes like that. Not without a reason.
So the question was… What was the reason?
Back at the Pokemon Center shortly thereafter, he settled into one of the trainer rooms, Rider curling up at the foot of the bed as his Ghosts poked at different things in the room, bored. Ezra lay back, staring at the ceiling, he'd find out more tomorrow, and that would have to be that. He'd be leaving soon enough anyway, so the mystery girl wouldn't be a problem for long.
He'd been jumping between tasks and training without rest, so he and his team would rest for the day, figure things out tomorrow.
They'd fight, and beat Shae, because he had no doubt she'd make it far into the tournament.
Shae, if that's even your real name… You won't swindle me…
The next morning,
Ezra awoke to the sound of chirping birds and the gentle hum of activity outside his window. The morning sun cast a warm, golden glow over Cherrygrove City, making the cherry blossom petals sparkle as they floated down to the cobblestone streets. Ezra felt a surge of determination rise within him. Today was the day of the tournament, and he was ready.
It was time to see how he stacked up against other normal trainers. Ghosts were an advantage to begin with, but he needed to learn and improve his strategies - and the only way to do that was through more battles.
After a quick breakfast at the Pokemon Center, he gathered his belongings and headed out. The path to the tournament site was lined with colorful banners and stalls, vendors already busy hawking their wares. The scent of freshly baked pastries and roasted nuts mingled in the air, drawing in passersby. Ezra walked through the lively streets, taking in the festive atmosphere. The energy of the town was loud and boisterous and not really to his liking, but these were the kind of things he had to get used to.
The tournament grounds were set up on a large grassy area beside the river. Wooden stands had been erected around the battlefield, filled with spectators eagerly chatting and cheering. Temporary vendors lined the perimeter, selling everything from snacks and drinks to Pokemon accessories and memorabilia. The vibrant colors of the stalls and the lively crowd created a cheerful, bustling scene.
It kind of reminded him of high school football games, really, sans the cheerleaders. Wait, didn't Gary have cheerleaders? Can I get cheerleaders? He thought it over, and then immediately discarded it for how annoying it would get after the first amusing time.
Ezra approached the registration booth, a small tent with a cheerful banner reading "Tournament battlers get your fight card here!" A young woman behind the counter greeted him with a bright smile, not even blinking an eye at the albino in dark clothing.
Honestly, it was beginning to freak him out a bit. Lavender town was the spookiest place on the continent, yet were they the only ones that gave a crap about how weird he looked?
"Good morning! Are you here to find out your battle order for the tournament?" She asked.
"Yes, I am," Ezra replied tersely, handing over his trainer ID. He'd rather just start this already, he itched to battle and work out some frustrations.
She quickly checked his information on a laptop. "Great! You're all set. Your first battle is scheduled for an hour from now. In the meantime, feel free to watch the other matches and enjoy the festivities."
Ezra thanked her and moved away from the booth, deciding to scout out the competition. He found a spot in the stands with a good view of the battlefield and settled in to watch the early matches, his Pokemon in their balls for once, as to not give anyone other than Shae any heads up.
The first few battles were fairly uneventful, mostly local kids who were enthusiastic but lacked real skill. The crowd cheered them on anyway, encouraging their efforts. Ezra watched with mild interest, but his mind was already strategizing for his own battles. This really is the definition of local. I mean that one kid had three weedles! Three!
Then, a movement at the edge of the battlefield caught his eye..
The crowd reacted with a mixture of disapproval and curiosity, the older spectators whispering among themselves. Ezra found himself watching with interest as Shae took her place on the battlefield, blowing kisses at the crowd to rile them up. She had also accessoried her outfit with several chains attached across her hips for some reason, he rolled her eyes at how ridiculously edgy she was shooting for.
Apparently looking weird was fine for him, but they were much more disapproving of a girl doing it. Typical. There were still a lot of old fashioned beliefs in the world. Trainers might be equal, but there were certain expectations on behavior he supposed. The world was still based on Japan to a certain extent, so standing out in such a rebellious way as Shae did, it wasn't appreciated by the older generation he could see.
He remembered thinking about it in Lavender, the uniformity with which a lot of people dressed, behaved and socialized. It was nowhere as rigid as Japanese society, but it certainly wasn't as 'modern' as the western world either.
He focused back on the fight, Shae's opponent was a local boy by the amount of cheering he was receiving. Probably no older than thirteen-fourteen, and he had a determined look on his face. He sent out his first Pokemon, a Pidgey, which fluttered its wings and chirped confidently.
Shae rolled her eyes and lazily tossed a Pokeball into the air. "Let's get this over with, Pride."
The Pokeball opened to reveal a large, menacing Arbok. Its hood flared, displaying its intimidating pattern, and it hissed at the Pidgey. The crowd gasped, clearly not expecting such a powerful looking Pokemon.
"Pidgey, use Gust!" The boy shouted, his voice tinged with nervousness as he eyed the Arbok.
Pidgey flapped its wings rapidly, creating a whirlwind aimed at Arbok. The snake Pokemon barely flinched, its eyes locked on its target, the winds buffeting it to no real effect.
Ezra hummed, leaning back, her Pokemon are just on a level where that kind of weak Pokemon won't even scratch it.
"Pride, use Poison Sting," Shae commanded with a imperious wave of her hand, her voice steady and bored.
The Arbok launched a barrage of poisonous needles at Pidgey, striking it repeatedly even as the boy screamed for it to dodge. The small bird Pokemon cried out in pain, its movements becoming sluggish as the poison took effect.
"Pidgey, hang in there! Use Quick Attack!" The boy urged, desperation creeping into his voice.
Pidgey tried to comply, darting towards Arbok with all the speed it could muster. But the poison had already weakened it significantly, and its attack was slow and uncoordinated.
"Wrap it up, Pride," Shae said with a cocky smirk.
Arbok moved with lightning speed, coiling around Pidgey and constricting it tightly. The bird Pokemon struggled, but it was no match for the powerful snake. Within moments, it was unconscious.
The boy recalled his Pidgey, a look of frustration on his face. He sent out his second Pokemon, a Rattata, which bared its teeth and squeaked aggressively.
Oh boy, you should have just surrendered if that's the lineup you've got, kid. Ezra thought. That Arbok was no joke, it's skin looked shiny and tough, and the ripple of muscles in its long body hinted at harsh training.
I want to fight her. He realized, even as he continued to watch with interest, even if the match was already decided.
"Rattata, use Quick Attack!" The boy shouted. Because if something failed, do it again? Ezra supposed he couldn't expect more from some random local kid who probably wasn't even doing the circuit.
Rattata darted towards Arbok, moving faster than Pidgey had. But Shae was unfazed, if anything being nice enough to let the kid yell out an order before she stomped him into the ground.
"Pride, use Dig," She commanded, crossing her arms, one foot tapping on the ground.
Arbok swiftly burrowed into the ground, disappearing from sight. Rattata skidded to a halt, looking around in confusion.
"Stay alert, Rattata!" The boy called, his eyes darting around the battlefield. He should have ordered it to move around, he's just a target now…
Seconds later, Arbok erupted from the ground beneath Rattata. The snake Pokemon didn't waste any time, striking with its fangs, biting the rat Pokemon, and injecting it. Rattata was quickly poisoned, its movements becoming sluggish just like Pidgey had, with the added caveat of what looked like Crunch, taking a nice bite out of it.
"Finish it with Wrap again," Shae said, her tone still bored.
Arbok wrapped itself around Rattata, constricting it tightly. The local boy's face fell as he realized his Pokemon had no chance.
"I surrender," He said reluctantly, recalling his Rattata, not even bothering to bring out his third Pokemon.
The crowd's reaction was mixed, with some murmuring disapproval and others clapping politely - notably it was the younger generations that applauded the winner. Shae didn't seem to care, returning the Arbok to its Pokeball and walking off the battlefield without so much as a glance at her defeated opponent.
Ezra watched her closely, noting the efficiency and ruthlessness of her battle style. She clearly knew what she was doing, and her Arbok was well-trained. He wondered what else she had.
As she walked past the stands, she caught Ezra's eye and smirked. He felt a flicker of curiosity and challenge in her gaze. She was clearly used to getting disapproving looks and seemed to revel in it.
The morning continued with more matches, but none were as memorable as Shae's. As the sun climbed higher in the sky, the crowd grew larger, the excitement building for the later battles, the early morning featuring a lot of the scrubs. Vendors continued to shout their wares, the smell of street food mingling with the earthy scent of the river.
He would have probably been in with the scrubs, but no doubt his Trainer ID showcased his Orange League victories already. As for Shae… She probably had the luck of someone older deciding her match ups. No way was she a rookie. It wouldn't surprise him if she had several gym badges.
When the time for his battle approached, Ezra made his way to the battle area. He took a deep breath, centering himself. I got this, compared to Drake, this is a cakewalk.
As he walked towards the battlefield, he caught sight of Shae again. She was leaning against a tree, arms crossed, watching the matches with a bored expression. When she noticed him, she gave a slight nod, a glint of something in her eyes.
So of course he completely snubbed her, walking past her, pretending she didn't exist. From the throaty laughter behind him, she just found it amusing.
Ezra stepped onto the battlefield, the sun shining brightly overhead. The crowd hushed in anticipation as he took his position, the referee having announced him as a winner of the Orange League. He clicked his tongue, annoyed that his trainer ID so easily let people know such things.
The girl facing him, almost looked like she was going to pee herself, suddenly finding herself in front of a League winner, however minor.
She then released a Caterpie, and he struggled to not just walk away and call this all a waste of time.
Sighing, he chose Chesire as his battler. If he was just going to bully kids, Cheshire would at least have fun.
…
Kids these days are weak. I mean, crying? He wasn't even fighting seriously!
How many fights until the final?
He'd have to go through at least four matches. Joy… Well Cheshire would have fun, he supposed.
Several hours later, and lots of tears.
Ezra and Shae had swiftly battled through the locals, their Pokemon demonstrating a level of skill and power that set them apart from the competition. The early rounds were little more than warm-ups for the two trainers, their victories decisive and their strategies not tested in the quick and ruthless battles. The crowd quickly began to anticipate their matches, eagerly awaiting the inevitable clash between them.
It was obvious by now that no one that was seriously doing the circuit had even shown up for this tournament. Except him, and Shae.
When the final match was announced, a palpable excitement rippled through the crowd. Ezra and Shae stepped onto the battlefield, the sun now high in the sky, casting long shadows on the grassy arena. The stands were packed to the brim, the air buzzing with anticipation. Vendors shouted over the noise, trying to make last-minute sales as the final battle would soon commence.
Shae stood confidently at one end of the field, her punk aesthetic even more striking in the bright daylight. She glanced at Ezra, her eyes filled with a mix of challenge and confidence. Ezra, standing tall with Rider by his side, nodded at her. This was the moment they had both been waiting for, the actual fight.
Not this show and tell with the little kids that they'd been doing.
The referee raised his flag and signaled the start of the battle. Shae wasted no time, sending out her first Pokemon, a Koffing. The purple, levitating ball of gas hovered menacingly, its toxic fumes wafting through the air. "You know what to do, Envy."
Is she really naming her Pokemon after the seven deadly sins? He thought, but his mind was more focused on something else, above that realization. It was the first time today she used something other than the Arbok, and Ezra narrowed his eyes as he stared her down. Ekans/Arbok and Koffing are Team Rocket Pokemon…
Now there weren't really any specific Pokemon that were classified as typically Team Rocket style Pokemon. But when you read about them in the news, there sure were a lot of Ekans, Arboks, Koffings, Grimers, Raticates, etc.
If you were a rebel against normal society like Shae seemed to be, would you join an organization like that? Am I being too paranoid? She couldn't have followed me from the Orange Islands, but if someone there contacted the mainland… Cherrygrove is the closest city to the islands, bar New Bark town… It's not hard to place one agent in each town in case I'd show up…
He could just be seeing things, attributing things to her due to her style and attitude… But the Pokemon choices… Naming them after the seven deadly sins? Which was weird that this world even had that, but really?
Was she hiding in audacity? Or was it all a giant coincidence? I don't trust coincidences…
Ezra nodded to Rider, who stepped forward with his bone club ignited in eerie flames. Rider's ghostly appearance and fiery weapon drew gasps from those in the crowd who hadn't noticed him before, he could hear the wave of - who's that Pokemon? Pass through the crowd.
"Envy, use Sludge Bomb!" Shae commanded, amber eyes intense, her bored mien of the day, completely absent.
At the same time Ezra calmly ordered, "Tac 3." Having set up tactics ahead of time to deal with a poison Pokemon, albeit it was Arbok, it would do here as well. Tac 3 was shorthand for tactic 3, Tac 1 and 2 not as effective against a hovering Pokemon.
Koffing released a barrage of toxic sludge at Rider, who was already running wide, nimbly dodging the attack, arm already stretched back, whizzing his flaming club forward in a Bonemerang, the effect looking like a spinning wheel of fire as it approached the Koffing.
Shae immediately snapped out orders, "Smokescreen, Toxic spikes!"
The Koffing bellowed out smoke in a manner that pushed it back, narrowly avoiding the Bonemerang as it whiffed by, before returning towards Rider, managing to clip the Koffing for minor damage as it went by. The smokescreen completely covered Shae's area of the field soon after, preventing sight of the toxic spikes the Pokemon was laying down at that moment.
A poison specialist enjoying laying down traps, how surprising, he thought sarcastically, knowing his ghosts wouldn't even be threatened by such, but for Rider it would make things more difficult. Tactic 3 was all about keeping distance and keeping on the move, avoiding getting poisoned while hammering away. His eyes narrowed, the smokescreen would also make it impossible for the Koffing to aim at Rider. "Change of plans, Rider, Focus Energy."
Rider immediately stopped in place, taking a stance, his bone club held in both hands in front of him as he focused, glowing slightly with energy.
If Shae wanted to hide away, he'd use the time to power up. Even if he had to have Rider firing Bonemerang blindly into the smog, eventually he'd hit, and with his power amped up, one hit would likely be enough.
Shae snapped her fingers, a small smirk on her face, "Guess you're not entirely stupid, kid."
Ezra immediately snarked back. Even if he should avoid engaging with her, it was just a knee jerk reaction that he couldn't hold back, "It's easy with you here, since you monopolize all of the stupid to yourself!" Then he added, "Focus Energy again, then Bonemerang, do a wide sweep."
Shae clicked her tongue, "How annoying, forcing me into this." She proclaimed, not sounding very annoyed, if anything she was wearing an amused smirk, "Let's end this, Envy. Use Self-Destruct!" Shae called out, a fierce determination in her voice.
Ezra raised an eyebrow, what's the point of that? Rider isn't even near the smokescreen. Besides, normal moves won't work anyway…
The ground near Rider broke, the Koffing rising, already beginning to glow ominously - before it detonated in a massive explosion. The shockwave sent dust and debris flying, and when it settled, Rider lay unconscious on the ground, having taken the full brunt of the attack, the Koffing also knocked out. The crowd erupted in cheers and gasps, impressed by the sheer power of the move, and the trickiness behind it - even if it could only get a double knockout.
"How…?" He demanded, shocked that it worked.
Shae smirked, buffing her nails on her jacket, "I knew you had Ghost Pokemon, so I already told Envy that if I ordered him to dig, he was to use Foresight, and wait for my order to then Self-Destruct." She said smugly, "Don't need line of sight for Foresight to work."
She taught the Koffing Dig… The Smokescreen was a twofold trap, if my Pokemon entered, he'd run into the toxic spikes, but the second part of the trap was making me believe the Koffing was still inside… Ezra was reluctantly impressed. Shae had realized that any attack on Rider would need to be an instant knockout or the retaliation would beat her, so she'd sacrificed the Koffing to ensure Rider with his two power ups wouldn't be in play anymore. Foresight allowed a normal type move to work on Ghosts, so she'd planned ahead well.
Ezra would have done it differently, thinking about it. It wasn't a bad play, but she could have given Rider a Sludge Bomb or Toxic to the face, ensuring Rider would be heavily poisoned for any further moves, the Koffing would perhaps be knocked out right after, but there was also the chance the poison would make Rider miss, allowing her the chance to take out Rider and keep her Pokemon.
He supposed it was all about how daring one was willing to be. It told him somewhat about her playing style, because for all her daring attire, she didn't fight the same way. She wasn't willing to bet it all from the beginning, preferring hedging her bets.
Ezra recalled Rider, a determined look on his face, his heart thrumming with excitement in a way it hadn't in the Orange League. That had almost been work, what with his goals for that endeavor, this? This was fun! "Good job, Rider. Nyx, it's your turn." He called out, tossing out the Pokeball.
Nyx, his Spiritomb, materialized on the battlefield, its eerie purple and green visage causing a murmur of awe from the crowd. He knew Ghost trainers were exceedingly rare, it was likely most here had never seen one. Ghosts tended to be… Temperamental. Shae recalled her fainted Koffing and sent out Arbok next. The snake Pokémon hissed menacingly, its hood flaring.
"Pride, use Glare!" Shae commanded quickly.
Arbok's eyes glowed with a paralyzing light, but Nyx seemed unaffected, its ethereal form making it immune to such tricks. A mark of inexperience against her there, she didn't remember in time that a normal move like Glare wouldn't work despite what just happened. Or she fell back on habits without accounting for the Pokemon type, Glare one of her go to's. He thought critically.
"Nyx, Shadow Ball switch!" Ezra called out, the move Shadow Ball was something that all his Ghost Pokemon had worked on the most during training. Cheshire and Loki having helped Nyx become respectable at it.
And again he hid a second command, one Shae wouldn't know what it entailed. Ezra was glad his Pokemon were fairly intelligent, able to memorize tactics just as easily as anything else.
Nyx formed a dark, pulsating ball of energy quickly, about half the size the move usually was, and hurled it at Arbok. The attack struck Arbok head-on, causing it to recoil in pain.
"Pride, Mud Shot then close in and use Crunch!" Shae shouted, her voice edged with irritation at herself.
The Arbok slammed it's tail into the ground, turning it muddy before hauling it forward in a giant throw, but it was already too late, Nyx already performing the second part of Ezra's order.
The Arbok lunged after its Mud Shot to get at Nyx, its fangs bared, but Nyx vanished into thin air before the mud got close, reappearing a moment later behind Arbok, having used Shadow Sneak, a second Shadow Ball already materializing in front of its leering face.
"Nyx, finish it," Ezra said calmly.
Nyx's eyes glowed, and the Arbok stood no chance, taking a charged up Shadow Ball straight to the back, after already having suffered through one. It fell flat, still in the fight on a technicality, not fainted, but in no state to fight back.
Once he got to the big leagues, he'd have to diversify a little, as Nyx, Loki and Cheshire had too similar a moveset. Although teaching them something new with the boatload of money he was going to get could mitigate that somewhat.
Shae gritted her teeth, recalling Arbok rather than have it take another unnecessary hit to remove it from play. She fingered her Pokeballs, sending Ezra a fierce look, before sending out her final Pokemon, and it was a Croagunk.
The Croagunk, a toad like Pokemon, had its poison sacs inflating and deflating rhythmically as it hopped onto the battlefield. It eyed Nyx with a calculating gaze. "It's all on you, Greed!" Shae called out, sounding determined.
"Curse two." Ezra said simply, ensuring that even if he lost this round, he won. By adding two to the order, he was informing his Spiritomb that instead of just firing off the curse, he wanted it to use an opportune moment to Shadow Sneak behind the other Pokemon and ensure the curse hit, even at the risk of taking a hit in return.
"Croagunk, Flatter!" Shae ordered, looking frustrated at not being able to tell what exactly Ezra had told his Pokemon.
Nyx vanished, as Shae shouted urgently, "Behind you!" The Croagunk turning quickly, the two attacks both hitting, the Croagunk being cursed, and Nyx taking Flatter straight to the face, becoming confused and becoming ripe for the taking.
"Nyx, Shadow Ball!" He ordered, on the off chance it would wake Nyx up, but Nyx just hovered confusedly in place.
"Croagunk, use Sucker Punch!" Shae snapped out, a relieved glint in her eyes.
Croagunk lunged at Nyx, its fist glowing with Dark energy. The jab struck Nyx, it wasn't super effective due to Nyx' Dark/Ghost typing, but considering Nyx had already given up half its 'life' energy to power the curse, Nyx fainted anyway.
Ezra recalled Nyx, whispering praise to the Pokeball, because he had faith his last Pokemon could either outlast Croagunk for the few moves necessary for it to faint from the curse - or outright defeat it. So Nyx had set up his victory.
"You're too tricky, kid." Shae breathed out, shaking her head, although she wore a smirk on her painted lips, "Best fight I've had since I joined the circuit."
"I'm not a slut, you'll have to butter me up a lot more for me to tolerate you." Ezra deadpanned, tossing out another Pokeball as she laughed at his rebuttal, "Loki, take it home!"
Since Cheshire had gotten to play with all the scrubs, Loki got to handle the actual fight worth a damn. The Shuppet crowed in delight, hovering on the battlefield, eyes gleaming with viciousness as it stared down the Croagunk.
Shae didn't bother waiting, "Sucker Punch, now!" She snapped, taking initiative, "If it vanishes, switch to attack behind you!"
Someone's scared of a little Shadow Sneak, Ezra thought smugly, before giving his own orders. "Switch two." He ordered, taking advantage of Shae's order.
Loki crooned eerily, before vanishing from Croagunk's sight as it threw itself forward, fist glowing. It immediately pivoted, throwing a backhand behind it, only for Loki to appear and disappear, immediately going into another Shadow Sneak, appearing in front of the Croagunk. "Hypnosis!" Ezra ordered.
Croagunk was off his footing, and immediately fell under Loki's spell, ending things anticlimactically. "Your loss? Or I can have Loki shoot off some Shadow Balls while the curse works its way through your Croagunk…"
Shae recalled Croagunk, a small smile on her face, even as her face fell slightly, "Ah, can't win them all, I guess." She perked right up, pointing her fist at him, a cocky smirk right back on her lips, "Next time brat! I'm wise to your tricks now!"
Ezra twitched at having graduated from kid, to brat. "Fuck right off with that, loser tits."
Shae just scoffed at him, crossing her arms, "You still suck at that, get better insults."
The crowd erupted into cheers and applause, having been somewhat delayed as they watched their back and forth, with part amusement, part scandal. Ezra had a feeling their discussion wasn't really how the two finalists usually talked with each other.
As the crowd continued to cheer, Ezra and Shae walked off the battlefield together, the intensity of their battle lingering in the air. It had been the only worthy battle of the tournament.
They were brought up onto a cheap wooden podium, the Mayor of Cherrygrove using the occasion to do what politicians do best - Uselessly drone on about things no one there cared about. Eventually he finished, and gave them their prizes.
For Shae, as the runner up, 5000 Pokedollars and six Great Balls. She didn't look overly enthused about the prize, accepting it while trying not to grimace, obviously not having fought this tournament for that prize.
Ezra however got a technique, Fissure. Which blew his mind a little. It was the equivalent of a little league team filled with brats barely able to swing bats yet, winning their little piddly league, and instead of getting a pizza party as a prize together with a fake trophy, they instead got 50 000 dollars.
He knew Pokemon battling was everything here, but to have a little tournament like this, filled with kids whose major achievement was being able to point their Pokemon in the right direction - have a prize of that kind of level - it was just wild.
Upper end techniques like Fissure, Hyper Beam etc, were expensive, like buying a house instead, levels of expensive. He practically sleep walked through the rest of the ceremony and for his walk out of the battling area, thinking it over. Tournaments suddenly were worth a second look when he'd begin taking the circuit seriously. He'd be rich enough soon to buy techniques, sure. But if piddly tournaments like this had Fissure. What did an Area wide tournament offer?
As he walked out of the fighting area, his thoughts turned back on Shae. She was also too good to fight in a tournament like this. And when he'd received the Fissure technique, she hadn't even looked that interested, and definitely not upset about losing out on it. So why was she here?
The sun began to set soon after, casting a golden glow over Cherrygrove City. The festivities continued, the townspeople celebrating the day's events with renewed vigor. Vendors continued to sell their goods, children played in the streets, and trainers discussed the battles with excitement.
Ezra felt a sense of accomplishment as he walked through the lively streets, Loki by his side and his other Pokemon resting in their Pokeballs. He had proven himself in the tournament, he did know how to fight, his use of code words or just hiding his tactics did work, and the experience had only strengthened his resolve to continue his journey and that he was on the right track.
As he approached the Pokemon Center, he saw Shae leaning against a lamp post, her expression thoughtful. She looked up as he approached, a hint of a smile on her lips.
"Hey," She said, pushing off from the lamp post. "That was fun. We should do it again sometime."
Ezra just nodded silently, watching her carefully. If there was any time she'd ambush him or pull something, it was now. Two of his Pokemon were down, and he was in an assumed weaker position…
If she was Team Rocket, this was the time. That or she'd attempt to hang onto him, offering to travel together. He prepared himself to reject her handily.
Shae ran a hand through her hair, stretching in a way that pushed her chest out, a twinkle in her eyes as his eyes were immediately drawn there. Damn puberty still going on… He groused.
"Well, see you sometime." She said languidly, before walking off with a casual wave.
Leaving Ezra standing there in shock.
Where's the ambush? The questions? The begging to travel with me?
Was I… Wrong?
Later that night,
Ezra slid into the seat in front of the computer in the Pokemon center, after having ascertained that no one was around.
"Make sure no one interrupts." He ordered softly, as his shadow undulated, releasing several Ghost Pokemon who formed a perimeter.
Steven Stone had reached out to him, wanting a video conference to convince him to sell the Crystal Onix to him, and it gave Ezra a unique opportunity.
He had a lot of knowledge that stood to make him a lot of money. The problem was that he didn't have a partner he could trust. And with his somewhat prickly personality and trust issues, finding someone to say, farm Milotics for him - was a non starter.
Unless…
He could cut a deal with Steven Stone. A man with his reputation, with Devon Corps reputation on the line - would not break a contract. If Ezra negotiated something with the man, he'd have his Pokemon farms, his evolution secrets and tips - put to use for his monetary gain. While he took a nice cut, Steven would have to actually run the place. Albeit through staff, Ezra wasn't stupid enough to think the man himself would do any of the work.
If he could contract with the Devon Corps, he could get all the protection for his secrets he needed. Because it would be their secrets as well. And he'd get paid forever. Sure, at a lesser percentage then if he did it himself. But say 30-40 percent forever, without doing any of the actual work? Not a bad deal.
Ezra leaned back in the uncomfortable chair, his eyes fixed on the computer screen as the connection stabilized. The Pokemon Center was quiet, its usual bustle reduced to a faint hum of machinery and the occasional flicker of light. His Ghost Pokemon, hidden in the shadows, formed a vigilant perimeter around the room, ensuring he wouldn't be disturbed.
The screen flickered, and then Steven Stone's face appeared. The man was as impeccably dressed as he'd expected, his hair perfectly styled, and his eyes sharp and focused. Steven exuded an air of calm authority, but there was an underlying intensity that told Ezra this was a man who didn't waste time. Good, I don't waste time either.
"Good evening, Ezra," Steven greeted, his voice smooth and measured. "I appreciate you making time for this discussion. I understand you've recently come into possession of a Crystal Onix. I'm very interested in acquiring it." He flashed a smile, small and smug, "I don't really think there's a need for an auction, they won't beat me anyway."
Ezra didn't bother with pleasantries. "Let's get to the point then, Mr Stone. The Crystal Onix is rare, possibly one of a kind. I know what it's worth, and I know you wouldn't be reaching out if you didn't think so too." He leaned forward, a shark-like grin on his face, "I'm well aware that having the only thing of something, is worth its weight in gold."
Steven's smile was slight, but it didn't reach his eyes this time. "Indeed. I'm prepared to offer a substantial sum for it. I'm aware of its rarity, and Devon Corp has the resources to properly study and preserve such a unique specimen." Like you're not just going to show it off to prove how rich you are, heh. Although maybe… Does he know how to evolve them into Steelix yet?
Ezra leaned forward slightly, his gaze unyielding. "How much are we talking?" He just knew he was getting low balled first, it's how discussions like these usually went.
Steven's fingers tapped lightly on the desk before him, as if weighing his words. "Ten million Pokedollars. It's a fair offer, considering Onix in itself isn't a very interesting Pokemon."
Ezra's eyes narrowed. "Ten million is a lot, but not enough. You and I both know that the research alone on this Onix could lead to breakthroughs in Pokemon evolution or even new defensive applications. I'm not just selling you a Pokemon - I'm giving you a potential goldmine."
Probably not, or there would have been a crystal type or something already, but he doesn't know if that is a possibility.
Steven's smile faded slightly, replaced by a more serious expression. "I won't deny the potential." He acknowledged, giving him a small nod, "However, it's still speculative at this point. There are risks involved, and it could take years before any substantial results are seen. That's time and money Devon Corp will be investing."
Ezra didn't flinch. He knew this was his moment to pivot the conversation. "That's exactly why I'm not interested in just a lump sum. I'm looking for something more… enduring. I want a partnership, Mister Stone. Something that benefits both of us in the long run."
Steven raised an eyebrow, a condescending look on his face. "Go on." He offered.
Ezra took a deep breath, choosing his words carefully. "I have more than just the Crystal Onix. I know how to evolve a Pokemon into a Milotic, which if farmed would bring in substantial profits in prism scales let alone in selling the Pokemon itself. I also know how to ensure specific Eeveelutions - including some that haven't been seen yet, and I have access to several other rare evolutions that aren't well known. With the right setup, I can make sure these evolutions happen consistently. What I need is someone who can take care of the logistics - setting up and running a Pokemon farm, security, marketing, the whole package."
It was a risk, admitting all this, but Ezra found it more likely that Stone would agree to partner - over trying to steal him away and milk him for everything he had. The man, while a corporate behemoth, was also a champion, or would be champion.
He released Rider, making sure Stone caught the look of his Pokemon on camera, "This is a small bit of proof that I know what I'm talking about. A Ghost/Fire type Marowak, unheard of." He smirked, patting Rider on the head, "Until me."
Stone's eyes gleamed with interest, but he remained cautious. "That's quite a claim. Consistent, controlled evolution of rare Pokemon is no small feat - let alone claiming to be able to do so with unknown evolutions. You're proposing a large-scale operation, Ezra. One that would require significant investment, infrastructure, and ongoing management." The way he was looking at Rider, and hadn't shut down the discussion, proved he was at least Interested.
Ezra nodded, inwardly pleased, prepared for this line of reasoning. "Exactly. And that's where you come in. Devon Corp has the resources and expertise to manage this, and you know how profitable it could be. I'm offering you a chance to get in on the ground floor of something huge. We split the profits fifty-fifty."
Stone let out a short, quiet laugh. "Fifty-fifty? You're asking me to take on all the financial risk, handle the logistics, the security, the staff, and you want half of the profits? That's not realistic, Ezra. Devon Corp would be shouldering the bulk of the work. Your knowledge is valuable, if it's true, but it's the infrastructure and operations that will turn that knowledge into profit."
Ezra expected the pushback. "I understand you're taking on a lot of the burden, but without my knowledge, there's no farm, no consistent evolutions, and no profits. I'm not just handing over information - I'm creating a new market for you."
Stone nodded thoughtfully, but he was already shaking his head. "I can't agree with fifty percent. That's too high considering the scale of the operation we'd need to set up. I could offer you twenty percent, and that's generous."
Do you think I'm a dumbass? That's just insulting.
"Twenty percent is a joke," Ezra shot back, his tone calm but firm. "You're underestimating the value of what I'm bringing to the table. The rarity of these evolutions alone would guarantee high returns. Forty-five percent, plus a licensing and royalty fee for every new evolution process I bring to you."
Stone's expression hardened slightly, his gaze calculating. "Forty-five percent is still steep. The costs on our end would be considerable - buying land, constructing the facilities, hiring and training staff, security, ongoing care and feeding of the Pokemon, and not to mention the risk of something going wrong. We'd be looking at millions of Pokedollars in upfront investment, and that's before we even see a return. I could go up to thirty percent, but no higher."
Ezra wasn't ready to concede just yet. "Thirty-five percent, plus a licensing fee of one million Pokedollars for each new evolution technique I reveal as a one time payment. And I want three percent royalty on any sales on new evolutions beyond Milotic and Eevee Evolutions that I bring to the table."
Stone leaned back in his chair, considering the offer. "The licensing fee is acceptable, but three percent on additional evolutions is problematic. Each new Pokemon type would require new research, new facilities, and potentially new staff. It's not as simple as just tacking on extra profits. How about this: thirty-two percent on profits, one million Pokedollars licensing fee per new evolution, and two percent royalty on additional evolutions."
Ezra's mind raced, calculating the potential earnings. He had to be careful not to push too hard, but he wasn't ready to drop below thirty-five percent so easily either. He knew Stone would want this more than he was showing. "Thirty-two percent is close, but I can't go that low. I'll meet you at thirty-five percent, with a one million Pokedollars licensing fee per evolution, and two and a half percent on additional evolutions."
Stone's eyes narrowed slightly, fingers tapping away at his desk. "Thirty-two and a half percent, one million per evolution, and two percent on additional evolutions. That's my final offer."
Ezra stopped for a moment, thinking it through. He could accept that. It was still amazing money. But part of him refused to let the other man dictate to him in that way. He was the one with the money making ideas here. Sure Stone would have to spend money first, but with his larger cut, he'd make it back rapidly, and then rake in profits for a long time.
Any Devon Corp facility would have enough security to ensure everyone else didn't learn how to do the same evolutions. Although some of the Eevee evolutions would likely eventually be discovered anyway - the ones he had on tap beyond that wouldn't be discovered any time soon meaning consistent profits.
"Then hear my final offer." He said softly. "Take my last offer, or I go offer it to Silph co instead. And for trying to short change me, you'll still have to pay ten million for the Onix instead of getting it free as part of the deal." His heart was hammering in his chest as he gave the ultimatum, but he had a gut feeling Stone wasn't going to drop this opportunity, and Silph co wasn't necessarily a bad choice either, worst case.
Stone's smile returned, this time more genuine as he gave a rueful shake of the head, "I must say, it's rare I find a young man so ruthless in business. I find myself forced to accept." He continued with a flourish, "I think this will be the start of a very profitable partnership, Ezra. I'll have my legal team draw up the contracts, and we can finalize everything within the week."
"Looking forward to it," Ezra replied, trying to hide his elation, but from the chuckling the older man let loose, he hadn't succeeded.
"If you need funds right now, we can finalize the transfer of ten million for your Onix." He offered, seemingly having no hard feelings at all about being put on the spot in negotiations.
Using the transfer system in the Pokemon center, within minutes, the Crystal Onix was gone, and Ezra had ten million Pokedollars in his account. Considering the many many evolutions he knew that wouldn't be known in the world for a decade at least if it ran even slightly similarly to the games - this ten million would be chump change for him.
He'd have to hire a lawyer before Stone sent over the contract, to ensure everything was done to his specifications, just in case. He looked over at Stone, "How do you feel about letting Devon Corp break into Kanto's economy?" He asked.
Stone raised a surprised eyebrow, lips twitching, "And here I thought your ambitions were already surprisingly vast, you do realize what kind of trouble you're asking for?"
Ezra smiled, and if it was a little nasty, well… "Lavender Town and its surroundings would make for a great location, in the future I intend to create a gym there, so I would be around to protect both our investments as well." He'd hide his involvement in the business until he returned, wouldn't that be a shock for Lavender? "Once you mention the evolutions you will farm, the League will step in and allow you to buy land, they won't want to lose out on it." He said, fairly self-assured.
Kanto might be somewhat isolationist at the upper level of government, but more Pokemon types was an advantage they wouldn't say no to, couldn't. Even if it was a Hoenn company building on Kanto soil. The Pokemon League would force it through.
Stone smiled, "I think this partnership will be very interesting. You'll hear from me within the week."
As the call ended and Steven Stone's image faded from the screen, Ezra leaned back, exhaling slowly. The deal was done, and he had secured a future filled with both security and potential wealth. Now, all that was left was to deliver on his promises - and ensure that he stayed one step ahead of everyone else.
If Steelix wasn't a thing yet, he could use it to ask for further favors from Stone later.
He didn't need to give away everything he knew after all.
It would be good to always have something in his back pocket to use for further advantages.
Today had been a very good day…
Orange Islands,
Karen was calm. The picture of serenity, she was like the ocean, calm, cool, just floating.
One tick mark appeared. No, I'm calm, cool, it's not a big deal… A vein pulsed. Calm, I'm calm! I'm fucking calm!
"We don't know where he was going, but he seemed in a hurry."
The calm ocean erupted into a category nine hurricane, "WHAT THE FUCK!?" She yelled, face red, eyes staring daggers at Luana, the Orange League gym leader being the only one who'd answered her request to meet immediately. "HOW DO YOU NOT KNOW WHERE HE WAS GOING!?"
"He didn't say." Luana said with a wry smile, "Are you alright, dear?" She asked, finding something amusing.
Karen forcibly bit back a reply that would have likely brought Agatha all the way here to put her over her knee. "I'm perfectly fine." She bit out, steam practically erupting from her skin with how hot she was running.
"Just… Just tell me about his Pokemon." She asked, slumping her shoulders in defeat. This brat… When I find him…
…
Karen left the Orange Islands the same night, heading towards Pewter at full speed. If the brat intended to do the circuit, he'd have to hit up Flint in Pewter soon. So instead of scouring all of Kanto for him, she'd set up an ambush.
Then she'd drag the brat kicking and screaming to Agatha. Her cheek twitched as she smiled maniacally. Not necessarily in one piece…
She had her plan, and it was a good one. That brat had to come by Pewter, she would have him within the week, she was positive.
This time she'd outsmarted him, she thought viciously.
There was no way he could travel through Kanto and not run into her now.
Cherrygrove city, Johto.
Ezra hummed in thought, looking over a map of Johto, there really was no rush to get to Kanto was it?
He was sure there were some interesting things he could do here in Johto first.
Author's note:
As you can see, Karen is going to continue to be frustrated!
Ezra gets a feeling for fighting, and realizes that above the fact he uses Ghosts, which is practically cheating as it is with how rare and difficult they are for normal people - he's also a decent battler as is.
A deal with Seven Stone is pretty much the best he could shoot for, because while he'd get a lesser cut then he'd really want, he also gets the security in knowing he'll always get his cut. No backstabbing.
Although how happy Kanto will be with him when he's bringing Devon Corp around and making them richer is another question.
Basically the deal he made was he gets thirty-five percent of all profits, but on any evolutions he coughs up besides Eeeve and Milotic - he gets an extra two and a half percent, so 37.5 of the profits, plus one million Pokedollars as a one time payment for each evolution.
Not too bad when he'll have to do absolutely none of the work, or the security.
And of course he wants it in Lavender Town, it's totally just so he can protect his investment later, he's absolutely not going to rub it all in.
Cheers
JollyHippopotamus
Chapter 6: Hello Darkness my Friend.
JollyHippopotamus
Not too sore, are you?
- Joined
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Here's chapter 6: Hello Darkness my Friend.
Won on Patron again, beating out D&C by a few votes.
On suggestion of a reader, I'm going to be adding the list of Ezra's named Pokemon up here, so people don't have to try and figure out who is who every chapter if it's been awhile.
Cheshire - Haunter
Loki - Shuppet
Nyx - Spiritomb
Rider - Alolan Marowak
As usual, I do not own Pokemon or the associated companies that deliver material from it. I'm just playing in the kiddy pool, don't hurt me.
Enjoy!
Goldenrod, Johto, a few days after the Cherrygrove tournament.
Ezra descended from the sky on his Pidgeot, the wind rustling his hair as the sprawling metropolis of Goldenrod City spread out below. Unlike the quaint charm of Cherrygrove, Goldenrod was a bustling urban center, the largest city in Johto, known for its towering skyscrapers, sprawling avenues, and throngs of people moving with purpose through the busy streets.
It was civilization, and he already felt more at home just from seeing the city in front of him. Roughing it out in the wild really wasn't his favorite thing. Give him a nice hotel anytime.
In the distance as he began to land, he could spot the towering Goldenrod Radio Tower, knowing one day they'd be broadcasting his victories, his success, for all to see. He couldn't wait! He didn't want to just be somebody, he wanted to shake things up.
To begin with, making a gym with more than one specialty was going to be different, he didn't intend to leave it at just that. He wanted to make everyone both fear and desire battling his gym.
With Steven Stone onboard, although the whole thing still needed to go through the lawyers - financial independence was already sorted, now all that was left was to collect more Ghost and Dark Pokemon, and train them up to the proper quality, before taking the League by storm.
Pidgeot touched down gracefully in a small park near the edge of the commercial district, and Ezra took a moment to smooth out his clothes, ruffled from the flight. He patted Pidgeot's neck appreciatively, then returned the bird to its Pokeball with a quiet "Good job." The full extent of his communication with this Pokemon at this point.
He'd need to find a proper Dark Pokemon to fly with eventually, but he'd keep his promise either way to Pidgeot, he had no reason not to really. Pidgeot had been the MVP so far, getting him to everything he needed without him having to spend months walking like a plebeian.
He'd come to this city mainly for two things. And Goldenrod was famous for many more - the Game Corner, the Magnet Train, the Radio Tower, and of course, the sprawling Goldenrod Department Store - which was one of his two targets today. Ezra had done his research - this was the best place in Johto to stock up on TMs, and he intended to load up on the best ones he could find. He had money to burn, and no reason to wait.
He'd read some stories where people refused to use the 'cheat' of buying techniques, and he absolutely refused to be that stupid.
Could a Pokemon possibly create a more powerful technique if they did it on their own from the beginning? Perhaps. Even likely.
But that was ignoring the fact of how much training and finessing one could do with a Pokemon while not wasting time on that technique.
If he was to teach Rider Fire Blast. And it took him a few weeks to learn from scratch, even at an optimistic outlook - that would be a few weeks he'd only be focusing on that - for a possible percent or two of higher performance.
Or… He could learn the technique immediately, spend a few weeks perfecting it and his fire control, while also training on other things potentially - leading to a stronger overall Pokemon.
Which one led to a stronger Pokemon over its lifetime?
If he had plenty of time, then probably the first, but it would mean wasting weeks and months on simply practicing a few techniques from the ground up.
He intended to be gym leader, he did not only have his team which he had to train into powerhouses, but if he wanted to impress and showcase he had what it took, he also needed to begin gathering and training more Pokemon.
He needed to be ready to step in as a gym leader from day one to convince anyone he could do it. So with so many Pokemon he'd eventually have to split time between, that one or two percent of efficiency or skill, just wasn't worth it.
Besides, he had faith that his training could squeeze out that percentage in benefits in other avenues, like how he'd managed to get his 'mons Shadow Ball's to be much faster, denser, and more deadly.
As he thought it over, he made his way through the city, just enjoying the ambient noise of a proper city as he walked, heading towards the department store.
The department store was a colossal building, its exterior a mix of sleek glass panels and ornate stonework that gave it a modern yet not too artificial look. The large entrance was framed by stone pillars, and a steady stream of people flowed in and out, each one carrying bags filled with purchases. Ezra made his way through the crowd, weaving between groups of trainers, shoppers, and the occasional Pokemon, until he reached the grand entrance.
Inside, the Goldenrod department store was a hive of activity. The interior was large enough to fit a modern mall and well-lit, with high ceilings and polished floors that gleamed under the bright lights. A large chandelier hung from the center of the ceiling, casting a warm glow over the entire area. Escalators crisscrossed the open space, taking customers to different levels, while signs directed them to various departments: clothing, electronics, Pokemon supplies, and, most importantly for Ezra, TMs.
He made his way to the escalators, riding up to the fifth floor, where the TMs were sold. The floor was dedicated to all things Pokemon, with aisles filled with Pokeballs, potions, berries, and other essential items. But it was the large glass display cases filled with TMs that caught Ezra's eye. Behind the counter, rows of brightly colored discs were arranged meticulously, each one representing a different move. There were common TMs like Water Pulse and Thunder Wave, but what Ezra was really after were the more rare and powerful moves.
He could teach his Pokemon simple moves on his own, he felt. Especially with how smart they'd turned out to be. Rider had managed Iron tail quickly after all, and had already transitioned that towards Iron Head and Iron Club, all on his own, playing around with the energy during training time.
He wasn't sure if it was how much focus he was putting on having his Pokemon constantly work on better harnessing their energy and feeling it out - or if he just had very clever 'mon, that was behind that development.
He approached the counter, where a middle-aged man with a receding hairline and a friendly smile greeted him. The man's uniform identified him as the store manager, and his eyes lit up as he saw the look of intent on Ezra's face.
A retail slave knew the look of someone willing to spend money.
"Looking for some TMs, young man?" The manager asked, his tone friendly but businesslike. Only his eyes showed the greed for the possibility of a big sale, not quite to the level of animesque dollar signs for eyes - but not that far away from it.
"Yeah, I'm in the mood to splash some cash, old timer." Ezra replied distractedly, his eyes scanning the rows of discs behind the man. "I'm looking for the best you've got. I've got a lot of Pokemon to outfit, so I'm going to need a variety."
The manager's smile widened slightly, while his eyes grew brighter. "You've come to the right place young sir. We've got a fine selection here for all your Pokemon needs. Anything in particular you're looking for?"
Ezra nodded, his gaze settling on a few of the discs. "I'm definitely interested in Earthquake, Ice Beam, Thunderbolt, Fire Blast, Psychic, and Hyper Beam, to start."
The manager's eyes widened slightly, clearly very happy, especially since he'd added the qualifier to start. With the price of high value techniques starting at around 50 000 and up, he was making one hell of a sale today.
Ezra looked over the display, mulling over what he saw, "Add Drain Punch there too…" He muttered, mostly talking to himself. He had vague plans to get a Primeape and evolve it to an Annihilape, although it wouldn't be easy with the qualifier for that evolution. Drain Punch would fit as a move for the Fighting/Ghost type, allowing it to deal damage, while being healed back for fifty percent of the damage dealt.
He had a decent team as was, but as much as it would suck, the four on the team right now might not all make it onto his 'top' team in the end. It was all a matter of flexibility. His Haunter for example couldn't really do anything that special that his Shuppet or Spiritomb couldn't do as well.
So while buying, he needed to think of the future as well. He wasn't as attached to his 'mon as some trainers no doubt were, and as a future gym leader he couldn't be. Whether Cheshire stayed on the team or ended up one of the high level challenges for his gym, would remain to be seen - but with literal dozens of Pokemon needed to run the gym, he wouldn't be able to treat them all like they were his special babies.
Although Rider would probably keep a special place in his heart. Cubone's were one of his favorites after all, and being an Alolan Marowak now was just amazing.
The manager quickly gathered the TMs, stacking them neatly on the counter, almost vibrating with joy, although he also kept them out of reach until he saw the cash, not entirely stupid then. "You've got quite the collection here, young sir. Is there anything else you'd like?"
Ezra considered for a moment before nodding his head. "Yeah, throw in Toxic as well." It wouldn't fit all his Pokemon, but it was a good tool in his arsenal. "Add Giga Impact as well."
Hyperbeam and Giga Impact were both normal moves, but he'd have Dark Pokemon capable of using one or the other at some point, and Giga Impact might be possible for Annihilape to learn. Worst case and he couldn't find a good use for them, he'd give them as prizes for the opening of his gym one day.
He also adds about a dozen of more minor utility techniques, quickly pointing them out.
The manager took the discs out, and Ezra nodded decisively, "That should do for now. How much?"
The manager took a moment to tally up the price. "Well, you're looking at a substantial order here, Nine high-tier techniques, 13 minor ones... Altogether, that'll come to… 565,000 Pokedollars."
Ezra's expression didn't change, but inwardly he winced at the price. He had expected it to be expensive, but this was more than he had anticipated, then again he had chosen all the most expensive techniques. He leaned casually on the counter, looking the manager in the eye. "That's quite a bit. I'm buying in bulk here, giving you quite the windfall. How many of these do you sell a month? Not many, right? Surely you can knock the price down a bit."
The manager smiled, clearly used to this kind of negotiation. "I understand, but these are some of the best TMs available. We don't get discounts on them often." Which wasn't an outright no.
Ezra raised an eyebrow, playing it cool. "I'm sure you could make an exception, especially for someone who might bring in repeat business. How about 500,000 even?"
The manager chuckled softly, shaking his head. "500,000 is a bit too low for this order. How about we meet in the middle as a favor for a valued customer? 550,000." He offered.
Ezra considered it, making a face, how is that in the middle? He was getting a decent deal anyway, but he wanted to push just a bit more. He wasn't one to meekly accept anything, not when there was any chance to push ahead. "530,000, actually more in the middle, and I'll pay in cash, right now."
With the cost of the techniques, the guy probably saw one or two high end ones sold a month, until the end of the circuit where he might sell a dozen as trainers flush with cash rush to prepare for the Indigo League. This would probably make his year, so Ezra felt confident he could afford to push for the lower fee.
The manager hesitated, weighing the offer. Finally, he nodded. "Alright, you've got a deal young sir." He said, unable to hide his pleasure at the deal, and his windfall. "You drive a hard bargain, young man, a hard bargain indeed. Very interesting."
Ezra smirked, satisfied with the deal. He counted out the money and handed it over, having pulled a sweet million out of the bank before leaving Cherrygrove. He watched as the manager carefully packed the TMs into a sleek black case. Once the transaction was complete, Ezra picked up the case, feeling the weight of the discs inside. These TMs would be invaluable in strengthening his team in the future.
With his new TMs in hand, Ezra made his way back to the ground floor, his mind already strategizing how to best incorporate the new moves into his Pokemon's arsenals, including the ones he planned to catch in the future. As he reached the exit, he stopped by the information desk, manned by a young woman with a bright smile, an Eevee curled up in her lap, which perfectly led into his second target in the city.
"Excuse me," Ezra began, "I'm looking for an Eevee breeder in the city. I heard there's a good one around here, but I couldn't find an address when I looked online." Really the net is shit, gotta work on that when I have time..
The woman's smile widened, petting her Eeeve's head, likely a family Pokemon or caught in the wild, since buying from breeders were ridiculously expensive. "You must be talking about Aaron's family. They've been breeding Eevees for years. Their place is on the outskirts of the city, near Route 34. It's a bit off the beaten path, but if you follow the road out of town and keep an eye out, you'll find it."
Ezra nodded, making a mental note of the directions. "Thanks. I'll head over there now."
With his purchases secured and a new lead on finding the Eevee breeder, Ezra stepped out of the department store and into the bustling streets of Goldenrod once more.
Umbreon awaited.
Once he got his hands on an Eevee it was only a matter of time.
Shortly thereafter, Route 34
Ezra's footsteps crunched on the gravel road as he approached the Eevee breeder's ranch, the expansive estate coming into view as he crested a small hill on the outskirts of Goldenrod City. The ranch house was large, almost mansion-like, with a sprawling yard that extended far beyond what the eye could see. The property was surrounded by a tall iron fence, and as Ezra drew closer, he noticed the subtle but unmistakable signs of heavy security.
Cameras were positioned strategically along the perimeter, their lenses glinting in the afternoon sun. Trainers patrolled the grounds, although he wasn't sure if it was simply family members or hired security. It was clear either way that this place took its security seriously, and for good reason - Eevees were among the most sought-after Pokemon in the world.
Their potential for multiple evolutions made them highly desirable, and this ranch was likely one of the few places in Johto/Kanto where they could be obtained. Although the evolutions wasn't even their main sticking point he'd wager. Girls and women buying Eevee's because they were cute, likely accounted for the majority of sales.
Not everything was about battling.
Ezra couldn't help but smirk as he took in the sight of the ranch. One day soon, if all went according to plan, he'd be putting breeders like this out of business, or at least limiting their capacity to simply selling Eevee's for their cuteness to local women. His partnership with Steven Stone would allow him to mass-produce rare Pokemon evolutions, including several Eeveelutions that hadn't even been discovered yet.
Once that got rolling, buyers would flock to them, and even simple Eeeve's or known Eeveelutions like Flareon and Jolteon would be purchased from his farms, as customers got used to buying from him. People with lots of money tended to want to buy from the best - if nothing else for bragging rights about how their Pokemon came from the premier breeder.
The world didn't even know about Umbreon, Espeon and Sylveon yet. And despite the knowledge of how to evolve Eeeve's to Flareon and Jolteon, the amount of Glaceon and Vaporeon out there seemed of limited quantity. Evolution stones were not cheap. Weirdly enough he hadn't found anything on Leafeon, despite the evolution being exactly the same as the others, just with a leaf stone instead of fire/ice/water etc.
Well, he'd cash in on it all when all of Kanto and Johto would flock to his farm for all the rare Evolutions on sale. They could even afford to sell for lower prices to kill ranches like this, upping the prices once the competition was dead - thanks to the money they'd make on prism scales and selling Milotic's.
But that was for the future, and for now, he needed an Eevee - specifically, one he could evolve into an Umbreon. And for that, he needed to get inside and bully or bribe himself into it, as he doubted they had one for sale so easily.
Breeders likely had their Eeeve's sold before they were even born after all.
He approached the tall, wrought-iron gate that served as the entrance to the ranch. A small security booth was situated next to it, and as he neared, one of the guards stepped out to meet him, hand resting casually on one of the Pokeballs at his hip.
Ezra studied him critically, I could take him, he decided arbitrarily, mostly due to the fact he didn't like his face.
Weasely looking guys were generally weasels.
"Can I help you, brat?" The guard asked, his tone itching for an excuse to do something.
Ezra, who was beginning to tire of being called kid or brat by nearly everyone he met, forced a smile that might have had more teeth then what was strictly necessary for a smile. "I'm here to buy an Eevee," He replied, keeping his tone friendly but direct, for now…
He really didn't like this dude's face.
The guard shook his head, his expression narrowing in distaste. "Sorry brat," He said mockingly, not sounding all that sorry, "But we only sell to people who have pre-booked appointments. If you don't have one, I'm going to have to ask you to leave, or else..."
Ezra snorted, we? The man in a security booth at the edge of the property was like the equivalent of the minimum wage worker, hardly involved in the Ranch's business. We… Someone thinks highly of themselves…
Seeing the man's face redden as he fingered his Pokeballs more intently, Ezra settled for a more diplomatic approach. As much fun as it would be scaring the crap out of this idiot, or beating him in a Pokemon battle - that would likely end his chances at negotiating for an Eevee.
Ezra's eyes narrowed slightly even as he faked a polite smile. "I'm willing to pay extra," He offered, hinting that there was something extra in hand for him too, "I don't mind waiting if you have to clear it with the owner, but I'm not leaving without at least talking to him, there's a lot of money involved here…"
The guard regarded him for a moment, clearly weighing his options, likely wanting to kick his ass to the curb. The lure of money or the fear of his boss finding out he stopped a lucrative deal from even reaching the door likely kept him back. Finally, with a disgusted sigh, he gestured towards the security booth. "Wait here. I'll see if the boss is available." He muttered angrily.
Ezra nodded with fake pleasantry, watching as the guard retreated into the booth to make a call. He knew this wasn't going to be easy - people who ran operations like this weren't usually swayed easily. But Ezra was determined, and if there was one thing he'd learned in this world, it was that persistence often paid off. Or at least audacity…
Like any world based on a game or anime, never giving up wasn't just a decent character trait - it was an actual superpower.
After a few minutes, the guard reemerged, his expression sour. "The boss will be out in a moment. But don't get your hopes up - like I said, we only sell by appointment." He sneered down at him, his weasely face growing even uglier, "You'll be sent packing soon enough…"
Ezra nodded again, already putting the weasel out of his mind, his mind already turning over possible strategies. He knew from checking online before he came to Goldenrod that Eevees typically sold for between 100,000 and 150,000 Pokedollars for the unevolved kind, but he was prepared to offer significantly more if that's what it took.
He didn't necessarily need an Umbreon right now. But he damn well wanted one, and he didn't want to wait, now that he was flush with cash.
A few minutes later, the ranch's owner emerged from the main house. He was an older man, perhaps in his late fifties, with graying hair and a neatly trimmed beard. His eyes were sharp, and he carried himself with the confidence of someone who had been in the business for a long time. As he approached, the guard stepped back, allowing him to address Ezra directly.
"I hear you're looking for an Eevee," The man said, his tone measured and cautious. "As my guard likely told you, we only sell to customers with pre-booked slots. Our next available slot is over a year from now."
Ezra didn't miss a beat. "I understand that, but I'm willing to make it worth your while to push one of those slots back. I'll pay 200,000 Pokedollars for an Eevee today."
As a breeder, the man could easily tell one of his customers they'd get a later slot because unfortunately one of the little ones died or whatever excuse he'd need to make up. A wild Pokemon flew down from the sky and ate it would suffice as an excuse as well. Ezra just needed to push it until the man chose to go that avenue and lose maybe just a little bit of reputation.
The man's eyes flickered with interest, but he shook his head. "I appreciate the offer, but we have a reputation to uphold. People book slots with us because they know we're reliable. Pushing someone's slot back would damage that trust."
Not an unreasonable stand to take. But Ezra had seen that flicker of greed, of interest. The man wasn't as unwilling as he appeared, he had a price. Like most men did.
Arceus knows Ezra could be bought to do any number of things if someone was willing to offer a crazy enough price.
Ezra could see the man was tempted, so the easy choice was to tempt him further. "How about 225,000?" Ezra offered, keeping his voice smooth. "I'm not asking you to give up your reputation - just to make a small exception, this one time, slowing down things for one of your minor customers in return."
The owner frowned, his eyes narrowing slightly as he considered the offer. "It's not just about the money," He said slowly, almost drawn out. "It's about the principles of running a business. If word got out that we were taking bribes to move customers up the queue, it would damage us in the long run."
Ezra sighed inwardly. He was so close, but he could see the man's hesitation writ on his face. "I'm not bribing anyone," He totally was, "I'm just offering a fair price for a rush order." He pressed, trying a different angle. "Just push one person's appointment back a bit. They'll still get their Eevee, just a little later than expected. No one needs to know how that happened, and you make 300,000 Pokedollars today."
The man remained silent, his eyes locked on Ezra's. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, he spoke. "300,000," He said, his voice pondering. "If you can give me that now, today, cash in hand… Then we have a deal."
Ezra didn't hesitate. "Deal." He said, reaching forward to shake his hand.
With Hammer space bags, it had been easy transporting his cool million, although with his two spending sprees it would be down quite a lot.
The owner nodded, appearing satisfied with the agreement. "Wait here. I'll have one of the Eevees meant for sale in the next cycle brought out."
Ezra felt a wave of happiness come over him as he waited, keeping his expression neutral despite the victory he felt inside. A few minutes later, one of the guards returned with a Pokeball, which he handed to the owner.
Ezra gave him his cash, privately grumbling about how much easier an electronic transaction would be. But he'd been advised by the bank in Cherrygrove after he received his ten million from Stone, that most citizens and private businesses would not do large deals in anything but cash.
If you were dealing with the League or national corporations it was different, but Kanto and Johto citizens were slow to fully switch to a more modern convenience when it came to payments.
The older man inspected the money briefly before passing the Pokeball to Ezra, his Pokedex giving out a ding, as the owner sent over the verification that the Pokemon was now transferred into his ownership.
He needed to get himself some Porygons and begin to really build up the net a little, the more people that used it, the easier it would become to do business electronically. At least Steven Stone didn't live in the stone age…
Ezra took the Pokeball, feeling its cool, smooth surface in his hand. He could already imagine the possibilities this little Pokemon would open up for him, his first Dark Pokemon, Spiritomb was a mix and didn't count. "I won't say a word, pleasure doing business with you…"
I'll get that 300,000 back when I buy your ranch for a pittance when I run you out of business anyway, he thought somewhat callously.
He wanted it all, power, fame, influence.
And you didn't become a billionaire by caring about every little business you crushed on your way to the top. His evolution business with Stone wasn't his only idea either. Just the easiest one to get off the ground.
He had lived a life that promised to leave absolutely no mark behind, his passing likely even a relief to family and friends who'd had to see him suffer, or waste their time helping him. He would ensure everyone knew his name in the end.
The owner nodded. "Good. I hope you understand why we don't usually make exceptions like this."
Ezra gave a small nod, already distracted. "I do. Thank you for making this one." He muttered, looking down at the Pokeball in his hand.
He'd only let Eevee out at night from now on, training and befriending the Pokemon, until it was an Umbreon. Without seeing a single ray of daylight, surely it wouldn't take too long…
With the transaction complete, Ezra turned and began the walk back towards the city.
As the ranch house faded into the distance, Ezra couldn't help but grin. Today was a success, but tomorrow? Tomorrow would be even better.
And he'd continue to do that, improve his situation, day by day,
Until he stood at the top.
Unforgettable!
That evening, Goldenrod City.
Goldenrod City was alive with energy as the evening set in, the bustling metropolis glowing under the soft lights of streetlamps and neon signs. The city, known for its thriving commerce, had a way of drawing people in, making them forget about the world outside its borders. Ezra found himself enjoying the luxurious atmosphere as he sat in one of the city's finest restaurants, a place where the elite of Johto came to dine.
It cost more than it should, as any restaurant catering to the rich and famous, but he wasn't too worried about expenditure.
The restaurant itself was made to attract the snobbery of the ultra rich. Crystal chandeliers hung from the high ceilings, casting a warm, golden glow over the richly appointed room. The tables were draped in fine embroidered linens, and the chairs were upholstered in plush, velvet fabric. Waiters moved silently between tables, their movements smooth and practiced as they served impeccably plated dishes to the well-dressed patrons.
Ezra sat at a table near a large window that overlooked the city, enjoying the view as much as the meal before him. The food was exquisite, each bite a burst of flavor that spoke of the chef's skill. He had allowed himself this indulgence, knowing that with the money from his recent sale of the Crystal Onix, he could afford a little luxury.
He was midway through his meal, savoring a particularly tender cut of meat, when his Pokedex buzzed in his pocket, interrupting the peaceful moment. Ezra frowned, pulling the device out and glancing at the screen. His eyes widened slightly in surprise as he saw the caller ID.
Professor Oak.
Ezra hesitated, his finger hovering over the accept button. Oak was a legend in the Pokemon world obviously, the man responsible for some of the most important research in the field, and someone whose reputation extended far beyond Kanto. But the idea of talking to the vaunted professor was not something Ezra had been expecting, nor was it something he was particularly eager to do. He was enjoying his night, and Oak's sudden interest could only mean one thing - questions. And Ezra wasn't sure he was ready to answer them.
He let the call go to voicemail, slipping the Pokedex back into his pocket and returning his attention to his meal. But no sooner had he picked up his fork than the Pokedex buzzed again, the screen lighting up with the same name.
Ezra frowned deeper, ignoring it once more. He wasn't in the mood for this, not now, not here. But when the Pokedex buzzed a third time, Ezra let out a sigh, realizing that the professor was not going to give up so easily.
"Damn it," Ezra muttered under his breath. He couldn't ignore it forever, not without drawing even more attention to himself. He glanced around the restaurant, then made up his mind. If Oak wanted to talk so badly, he'd get his wish - but on Ezra's terms. He wouldn't be giving anything away for free.
He wasn't one of the adherents worshiping at his feet. Ezra's knowledge was pay to play. No freebies.
He pushed back his chair, standing up and leaving the table. The waiter noticed his movement and approached, but Ezra waved him off with a quick, "Just need to freshen up, I'll be back."
He made his way to the bathroom at the back of the restaurant, pushing open the door to find it blessedly empty. The bathroom was just as opulent as the dining area, with marble countertops and polished fixtures that gleamed under the soft lighting. Ezra stepped inside and locked the door behind him, ensuring that he would have the privacy he needed for this conversation.
A flicker of amusement ran through him at the thought he'd likely be the first person to ever discuss things with the Professor in a public bathroom.
With a resigned sigh he waited for the fifth call to start as he pulled out his Pokedex and finally accepted the call. The screen flickered to life, and the familiar face of Professor Oak appeared, his eyes bright with excitement and a wide smile on his face.
"Ezra Kassian?" Oak exclaimed, his voice practically bubbling with enthusiasm. "I've been trying to reach you all day! I hope I'm not interrupting anything too important."
All day? It's been like five minutes, chill a bit old-timer…
Ezra leaned against the marble counter, his expression carefully neutral as he pondered how he was going to play this exactly. "I was in the middle of something," He said, his tone polite but distant, as he decided he had no reason to be overly friendly. "What's this about, Professor?"
Oak's smile didn't waver, though there was a glint in his eyes that told Ezra the man was not easily put off. "Straight to the point, I see. Well, I suppose there's no use in beating around the bush. I've been hearing some fascinating things about you, Ezra. Specifically, about a rather unique Marowak you have in your possession - a Ghost-type, if I'm not mistaken?"
Ezra's eyes narrowed slightly. Of course, word had spread fast. He had known it was only a matter of time before someone like Oak caught wind of Rider, but that didn't mean he was ready to spill all his secrets. Drake probably blabbed about it, or the Orange League win going into the system might have also had his Pokemon entered, he hadn't stayed long enough to know the details.
"That's somewhat correct, although I suspect he's a Ghost/Fire dual type in actuality." Ezra said cautiously, dangling at least a little bit of information as bait to prepare the trap. "What about it?"
Oak leaned closer to the camera, his excitement almost palpable. "Even if it's not, a Ghost-type Marowak! It's unheard of! This could be a significant breakthrough in Pokemon science, a dual type would just make it even more exciting! I'd love to know how you managed such a transformation. Was it a special environment? A unique item? A particular training regimen?" A notebook and pen was suddenly in his hands, his mien almost manic.
Ezra resisted the urge to roll his eyes. Did this usually work on people? "Professor, with all due respect, I'm not inclined to share that information."
Oak blinked, clearly taken aback. "Not inclined…? But, Ezra, think of the implications! If we can understand how this transformation occurred, it could open up new avenues for research, for training. We could help other trainers achieve similar results, improve the bond between humans and Pokemon. This is important work, my boy!"
Ezra's expression hardened, if he disliked being called kid or brat, being called my boy was even worse... "Important work that could also ruin me," He said bluntly. "I'm going into business, Professor. I have several rare evolutions lined up that aren't even known yet, and if I start sharing all my secrets now, I risk losing everything I'm building. I can't afford that."
Oak's brow furrowed, his enthusiasm dimming as he listened. "I see. So it's about business, then." He paused, clearly trying to find the right words. "Ezra, I understand your concerns, but surely you can see the greater good here. Pokemon research is about more than just making money - it's about advancing our understanding, about sharing knowledge so that everyone can benefit. If you were to share your findings, I could sign a non-disclosure agreement. I wouldn't publish any of it, not until you're ready. I just want to know, to learn."
Ezra regarded Oak with a cool, calculating gaze. The professor's argument was sound, but Ezra had learned to be cautious. He didn't trust easily, and he wasn't about to risk everything on a promise, no matter how reputable the source. Whatever Oak said, the knowledge he had was the lynchpin of his business, and giving it to Oak in any manner, risked that business.
"What's in it for me?" Ezra asked, his tone sharp and direct, making no bones about it. What can you offer for me to take this risk?
Oak looked surprised by the question. "What's in it for you? Isn't the satisfaction of knowing you've contributed to the advancement of Pokemon sciences enough?"
A former champion should not be this naive, or is he playing me?
Ezra rubbed his fingers together in a gesture that was unmistakable, scratch, moolah, money. "Not really," He said, his voice flat. "You're asking me to take a risk. I'm asking what I get in return. If I tell you how I did it, how do I know it won't leak, even accidentally? How do I know I won't be undercut by someone else?"
Oak's expression turned stern, his earlier enthusiasm replaced by a more serious demeanor. "Ezra, I'm not in the habit of paying off trainers for information. That's not how this works." He chided.
Ezra shrugged, unbothered by the professor's disapproval. "Then how about a favor?" He offered, willing to grasp an opportunity. Rider's evolution likely wouldn't be a high seller anyway, so he could risk that one, for the right price. Only that one.
He wasn't entirely as unwilling as he played it. But pushing Oak where he wanted was a long shot, hence playing very unwilling from the start.
Oak's eyes narrowed. "What kind of favor?" His voice was definitely not as cheerful anymore.
Ezra didn't hesitate, striking for the jugular. "You put your voice behind me to become a gym leader when the time comes. Once I've beaten the gym leaders of Kanto and proven my worth, you use your influence to help push for my appointment. That's my price."
He hoped it wasn't too much to ask, since if he failed to even beat the gym leaders, Oak was off scot-free.
Oak's expression shifted to one of discomfort. "I don't get involved in that sort of thing anymore, Ezra. It's not my place to interfere in the League's decisions." He said, immediately dismissive.
Ezra nodded slowly, showing no disappointment, it had been a long shot anyway. "Then I guess we don't have a deal. But if you ever change your mind - say, after I've introduced ten or so new evolutions to the world - let me know." He said with a bit of a smirk, "Although this deal would only be for one evolution, or course."
Oak looked conflicted, his mouth opening as if to say something more, but then he closed it, a frown settling on his face. "You're an odd boy, Ezra," He said, his tone gruff. "I'm not used to this kind of negotiation."
Ezra smiled faintly, a hint of amusement in his eyes. "You learn something new everyday, Professor. We all have to adapt to survive and grow."
Oak sighed, his shoulders slumping slightly. "Well, I suppose this conversation is over for now. But remember, Ezra - knowledge is meant to be shared. Don't lose sight of that, profit is one thing, to a point, but the world needs knowledge to be spread around and shared."
Ezra dearly wanted to point out that when Oak had invented the Pokedex, he sure as hell hadn't shared it for free with the other Professors, the League, or anyone else, his recent research being performed partly from the profit of the sale of the machines. Calling him a hypocrite probably won't have him crawling back and offering that favor later… So I'd better not.
Ezra gave a slight nod to show he'd heard the man, showing none of his thoughts. "I'll keep that in mind. Goodbye, Professor."
He ended the call, the screen going dark as the connection severed. For a moment, Ezra just stood there, staring at his reflection in the marble countertop. The encounter had left him feeling uneasy, but he knew he had made the right decision. He wasn't ready to trust anyone with his secrets. There was too much at stake.
This wasn't the Anime where Oak was the nice old scientist always eager to lend a hand or some advice. This man had been a monster, and while softer now, could still probably tear down mountains. He did not want to become dependent on his generosity if he shared too much.
With a deep breath, Ezra slipped the Pokedex back into his pocket and turned to leave the bathroom. He had a meal waiting for him, and he intended to enjoy it - after all, he didn't get the chance to dine like this every day.
Although in the future… He would.
Perhaps he'd bring fine dining to Lavender himself…
Two days later,
The sun hung low in the sky as Ezra approached the Ruins of Alph in Johto, the ruins casting long shadows that stretched across the desolate landscape. The ruins were ancient, their origins lost to time, and even from a distance, they radiated a palpable sense of mystery and unease. Unlike the vibrant and bustling atmosphere of Goldenrod City, the Ruins of Alph felt like a place frozen in time, where the past lingered just beneath the surface, whispering secrets to those brave enough to listen.
The path leading to the ruins was overgrown with weeds, the cobblestones cracked and uneven from years of neglect. Gnarled trees lined the road, their twisted branches reaching out like skeletal fingers, creating a canopy that filtered the dying light, making it seem as though the night had already fallen. As Ezra walked, he could feel the temperature drop, the air growing colder with each step he took toward the ancient site. A sense of anticipation tingled at the back of his mind, mixed with an almost primal caution.
He'd known about the Ruins of Alph thanks to foreknowledge. The ruins were the home to the enigmatic Unown, Pokemon that took on the shapes of letters and symbols. Ezra had no interest in disturbing the Unown. His goal was far more practical - the ruins' eerie atmosphere and dark aura made it the perfect place to train his Ghost Pokemon, and perhaps, if he was lucky, draw in some new additions to his team.
The closer he got to the ruins, the more foreboding the atmosphere became. The ruins themselves were partially submerged in the ground, as if they had been swallowed by the earth over centuries. The stone walls were covered in moss and ivy, and large chunks of the structure had crumbled away, leaving gaping holes that hinted at the labyrinthine tunnels and chambers below. Strange symbols were etched into the stones, some of them worn and faded, while others looked as though they had been carved only yesterday. The entire area was suffused with a sense of dread, as though the very air was thick with the weight of ancient secrets.
Ezra stopped at the edge of the ruins, taking in the sight before him. He could feel his pulse quicken, not out of fear, but out of excitement. This was exactly the kind of place he had been looking for - a place where the boundary between the world of the living and the world of the dead seemed thin, where the veil that separated reality from the unknown was almost transparent.
"This will do nicely," He muttered to himself, his voice low. He could already feel the stirrings of something deep within him, a connection to the dark that had always been a part of him since he arrived on this world.
He found a small clearing just outside the ruins, far enough away to avoid any unwanted attention but close enough to feel the pulse of the ancient energies that lingered here. The ground was uneven, with patches of dead grass and exposed roots, but it was flat enough for his purposes.
Ezra began by releasing his Pokemon from their Pokeballs, one by one. First was Rider, his loyal Marowak, who appeared with a quiet growl, its flaming bone club casting an eerie glow across the clearing. Next was Nyx, his Spiritomb, who materialized in a swirl of dark energy, its 'face' shifting and muttering floating above the keystone. Loki, his Shuppet, floated above the ground, its mischievous eyes gleaming in the dim light, while Cheshire, his Haunter, emerged from Ezra's shadow, its wide grin filled with sharp teeth. The Ghosts seemed to revel in the environment, their forms flickering and pulsing with energy as they absorbed the ambient darkness of the ruins.
Ezra kept Pidgeot and his newly acquired Eevee in their Pokeballs. This wasn't the kind of environment they were suited for, and he didn't want to bring the Eevee out in the daytime either. It would soon be night, but this was hardly suitable for a first training session for his new Pokemon, so he'd abstain until he was somewhere safer.
The air grew colder still as Ezra settled into the clearing, meditating on his shadow for a few hours as his Pokemon trained just outside the clearing, the shadows deepening as the last vestiges of sunlight disappeared beyond the horizon. The ruins loomed ominously in the background, their ancient stones bathed in the pale light of the rising moon. This was a place of power, a place where darkness thrived, and Ezra intended to harness that power to strengthen his Pokemon - and himself.
"Alright, let's get started," He said, mostly to himself. His Pokemon already knew their routines, already working at their techniques, their energy expenditure and efficiency, practicing religiously.
Tonight was more about him.
Ezra closed his eyes, reaching out with his senses, feeling for the darkness that was always just beneath the surface. It was easier here, in this place, where the shadows seemed almost alive, pulsing with energy that was ancient and primal. He focused on his shadow, willing it to move, to shift and bend to his will. Slowly, it began to respond, stretching out from beneath him, growing longer and more distinct until it no longer mirrored his form but moved independently.
The shadow rippled and twisted, and Ezra could feel a connection between it and the surrounding darkness. He concentrated harder, pushing his will into the shadow, trying to coax it into doing more. He had already learned to hide his Ghost Pokemon within it, but he knew there was more he could do - more he could learn. He just had to figure out how.
"Come on," He muttered under his breath, his brow furrowing in concentration. "There's got to be more..."
The shadow responded, shifting and coiling like a living thing. It stretched out across the ground, forming tendrils that reached towards the edges of the clearing, intertwining with the roots and stones. Ezra could feel the darkness within him, the same darkness that had allowed him to connect with Ghost and Dark-types, and he pushed that feeling into the shadow, willing it to become stronger, to draw in the power that surrounded him.
Nyx and Cheshire seemed to sense what he was doing and joined in, their ghostly forms flickering as they merged with the shadow, becoming part of it. The air around them grew colder, the shadows deepening further as the Ghosts lent their energy to Ezra's efforts. Loki hovered nearby, its eyes gleaming with amusement as it watched the spectacle, while Rider remained focused on its training, like the special boi he was.
Ezra gritted his teeth, feeling the strain of his efforts. He was pushing his abilities further than he ever had before, but he knew this was the place to do it. The ruins seemed to be a nexus of dark energy of some sort, and he could feel that energy responding to him, feeding into his shadow, making it stronger, more tangible.
He tried to push the shadow further, attempting to lift one of the large stones that littered the clearing. The shadow trembled, reaching out like an invisible hand, but it faltered, the energy slipping away before it could gain a proper hold. Ezra let out a frustrated growl, his fists clenching as he pushed harder, willing the shadow to obey.
As the shadow returned to its normal state, Ezra turned his attention back to his Pokemon. The Ghosts had been watching him intently, their eyes gleaming with interest. They always became more active whenever he'd actively use his shadow.
"Alright," Ezra said, his voice steady and confident. "Let's see if we can draw in some company." He'd practice more with his shadow lately, he felt pretty drained now.
He closed his eyes again, focusing on the dark aura that had always surrounded him. It was a part of him, something that had grown stronger since he had started training Ghost-types. It was more than just an affinity - it was a connection, a bond with the darkness itself - a bond with death, he assumed.
One of the benefits of having died, perhaps. And from what he'd seen, it drew Dark and Ghost types to him, even those owned by other trainers having a hard time taking their eyes off him.
Ezra let the aura seep out of him, slowly at first, like an invisible mist spreading through the clearing. The temperature seemed to drop further, and the shadows around him seemed to grow darker, more defined. His Pokemon, already attuned to the darkness, seemed to feed off this energy, their forms becoming more distinct, more powerful.
Cheshire floated closer, its wide, unsettling grin growing even more pronounced. The Haunter's hands crackled with dark energy, tendrils of shadow trailing from its claws as it drifted through the air. Nyx's face shifted into multiple faces, their expressions menacing, as if feeding off the eerie energy that Ezra was exuding. Loki cackled softly to itself, its normally mischievous demeanor taking on a more sinister edge as it danced through the shadows. Even Rider, the most grounded of Ezra's team, seemed more intense, its flame burning brighter, its eyes glowing with a fiercer light.
Ezra's heart pounded in his chest as he pushed his aura further, letting it extend beyond the clearing, out into the surrounding forest and toward the ruins themselves. He wasn't sure what he was hoping to attract - wild Ghost Pokemon, perhaps some Dark-types drawn to the power he was radiating. This place, so close to the ruins, felt like the perfect place to test his limits.
He knew places with an unsettling aura like these ruins would be rife with Ghost and Dark types. Just like they fed on his aura, they fed on places like these.
There was a reason these types were found in ruins, desolated lands, and places like Lavender, and not just in any patch of tall grass. Hence also why most people didn't have the capability of training them or the wish to try. They had a bit of a bad reputation.
He imagined the aura as a net, cast wide to snare anything that might be lurking in the shadows. The forest around him was silent as he pushed himself as hard as he could, his breathing coming fast and heavy. The usual sounds of wildlife were stifled by the oppressive atmosphere he was creating. Even the wind seemed to hold its breath, waiting.
If he was drained of energy by working on his shadow, it was nothing to what he felt right now, feeling like he was expending his soul, or to quote Bilbo, like butter scraped too thin over bread.
Minutes passed, each one stretching out into eternity as Ezra maintained his focus, holding the aura steady. His muscles ached from the effort despite not being used. The tension in the air was palpable, like the moments before a storm breaks, and Ezra could feel the energy building, intensifying with every passing second.
Then, finally, he felt it - a presence at the edge of his awareness. Something was there, lurking just beyond the circle of trees, just outside the range of his vision. Ezra didn't move, didn't break his focus, but he directed his aura toward the presence, probing it, inviting it to come closer.
The presence hesitated, and for a moment, Ezra thought it might retreat. But then it began to move, slowly, cautiously, as if testing the waters. The air grew colder still, the darkness around Ezra seeming to thicken, to take on a life of its own as the presence drew nearer. Ezra could feel the tension in his Pokemon, their senses heightened, their eyes locked on the trees at the edge of the clearing.
And then, out of the shadows, it appeared.
A Duskull floated into the clearing, its single red eye glowing like a beacon in the darkness. Its body was shrouded in a tattered cloak of shadows, its movements slow and deliberate as it approached the edge of the clearing. The Duskull's eye fixed on Ezra, and for a moment, the two of them simply stared at each other, each one assessing the other.
He could sense more presences now, drawn to the clearing by the power he was radiating. They were small, flickering lights on the edge of his awareness, but they were there, watching, waiting. Ezra knew that if he pushed harder, he could draw them in, bring them to him. He could expand his team even further, strengthening his bond with the darkness.
But he also knew that there was a risk. The more he pushed, the more power he drew in, the harder it would be to control. He was already feeling the strain, the edges of his consciousness fraying as he held the aura steady.
But that was the point of this training, wasn't it? To push his limits, to see how far he could go before he broke. He had already learned so much tonight - about his shadow, about his aura, about the connection he could form with the darkness. But there was more to learn, more to discover.
With a deep breath, Ezra pushed harder, letting the darkness flood out of him, letting it seep into every corner of the forest, every crack in the ruins. The energy swirled around him, thick and suffocating, the air so cold it burned.
And then, the presences began to move.
They came from the forest, from the ruins, from the shadows themselves. A swarm of Ghost Pokemon, drawn to the power that Ezra was radiating. They moved like a wave, swirling around him, their forms flickering in and out of existence as they merged with the shadows.
A Sableye skittered through the shadows, its gemstone eyes reflecting the dim light of the moon. A Shedinja flitted in and out of his sight. Misdreavous and Yamask danced in the air. Litwicks and Lampents lit up the clearing. There was even a Mimikyu peeking around a tree at the edge of the clearing. His jaw dropped when a Dreepy floated into sight, his hand twitching towards a Pokeball.
He was beginning to suspect he was getting help from somewhere, because even if his aura was addictive, this was beyond his wildest dreams.
Ezra could feel them all, their energy feeding into his own, amplifying his aura, making it stronger, more potent. The darkness around him pulsed with power, the air vibrating with the sheer intensity of it.
But with the power came the risk. Ezra could feel the edges of his control slipping, the darkness threatening to overwhelm him. His mind was spinning, his breath coming in short, ragged gasps as he struggled to maintain his focus.
He had to pull back, had to rein in the power before it consumed him. I've reached my limit…
With a supreme effort of will, Ezra began to draw the aura back in, pulling it out of the forest, out of the ruins, back into himself. The Ghost Pokemon resisted for a moment, their forms flickering with disappointment as the darkness receded, but they didn't fight him. They understood that the moment had passed, that the power was no longer theirs to enjoy.
That's when he was surprised yet again, as from the darkness of the forest, emerged the Dark Pokemon that had apparently been silently watching, as the Ghosts approached him first.
A Murkrow flew in first, Ezra's gaze watching it hungrily. It was followed by several Houndor and Poochyena, a Skuntank, a Zorua and then a Deino.
Now he knew for sure, that some legendary was behind all of this, behind his appearance on this world. Because him just finding a Dreepy and a Deino, the Ghost/Dragon and Dark/Dragon like this - was impossible. Like not improbable and it would just be very difficult… No this was impossible with a big fat fucking exclamation mark, one did not just run into these two Pokemon side by side in the same small area.
He'd planned to spend the next six months searching for Pokemon in-between gym battles. This, this changed everything.
He'd need to buy some land somewhere and register a Pokemon stable, so that he could begin working on all of them, because the six Pokemon travel limit wouldn't cut it. Not by a mile.
This…
He drew a hand down his face, the hand shaking slightly, this was insane!
Most of these Pokemon shouldn't even be in Johto! He knew everything wasn't like the games, hence why he could find Pokemon in Kanto that weren't supposed to be there - but not to this extent…
Someone, something, wanted the Pokemon world shaken and stirred, and he was the catalyst.
Did it change anything?
No… He thought, watching as the gathered Pokemon just sat and enjoyed his aura, all of them perfectly docile, despite the fact they shouldn't be. Their typing alone said they should not be this comfortable.
He was going to shake the world up no matter what. So what if someone was helping him along?
There would be a cost. There always was, but…
He looked at the gathering of Pokemon in front of him. The cost would surely be worth this…
He got his hammer space bag out, "Alright… I'm not even sure I have enough Pokeballs…" He eyed them all up, "Deino and Dreepy, you first." He said, voice only cracking slightly.
A minute later, he stared down at the two Pokeballs, fighting the urge to cackle. The Kanto circuit won't have any idea what's going to hit it when I'm ready!
"Alright, who's next?" He called out, a wide grin on his face.
The next morning.
Ezra woke to the soft light of dawn filtering through the trees, the ancient ruins of Alph looming in the distance. The night had been still and uneventful, the only sounds, those of the forest settling into its natural rhythm. He had spent the previous day pushing his limits, training his Pokemon in the eerie atmosphere of the ruins, hoping to draw in the dark energies that surrounded the place. Now, he was ready to continue.
Sadly his new captures were all locked due to the six Pokemon limit, but he'd fix that soon enough, he had enough money to register a stable, and certainly enough to buy a small plot of land somewhere for the purpose of slowly building them all up.
It would have to be a balancing act, as he couldn't spend too much time on whichever Pokemon wouldn't make it onto his final six for the League. Although this would massively improve his chances to argue for a gym, a decent chunk of Pokemon already available for gym duties.
After a quick meal, he packed up his camp and began his morning training. As the sun climbed higher, he corraled his Pokemon who'd been allowed free rein during the night.
Ezra worked his Pokemon hard, running them through their moves with precision and focus. Rider practiced his Iron Club attacks, the flames dancing as he swung with deadly accuracy. Nyx unleashed Shadow Balls, practicing on getting the speed and energy expenditure just right, the dark energy pulsing through the air as it targeted imaginary foes. Loki and Cheshire floated around the clearing, practicing their Hypnosis and Confuse Ray techniques, the air shimmering with their ghostly power, playfully trying to catch each other at times.
But as the morning wore on, Ezra began to feel a sense of unease, like a warning. It started as a prickling at the back of his neck, a feeling that something was off. He paused in his training, glancing around the clearing. The ruins stood silent in the distance, but the forest around him seemed to have grown quieter, as if holding its breath.
And minutes later, an explanation arrived, as out of the trees, several figures emerged.
There were six of them - three men and three women, all dressed in the familiar black uniforms of Team Rocket. The large red 'R' emblazoned on their chests made their affiliation unmistakable. They approached with casual confidence, spreading out to form a loose semicircle around Ezra and his Pokemon, seemingly not worried, which told him they'd come prepared.
They'd known what they were looking for.
Ezra's eyes narrowed, and he subtly shifted his stance, preparing for whatever was to come. He wasn't surprised to see them - his reputation had likely started to catch their attention after the Orange Islands. But their timing was inconvenient, interrupting his training.
It was a bit surprising they'd tracked him to the ruins though. The city he could understand, as no doubt the terrorists had a presence in each city, but all the way out here?
Must be a Pokemon of some kind.
One of the men stepped forward, his expression amiable but with an edge to it. "Morning, kid," He greeted, instantly making an enemy for life without knowing it, a friendly tone masking something more dangerous. "We've been watching you, and we think you've got some real potential. Ghost-types, huh? That's not something you see every day. We could use someone like you in Team Rocket."
As far as recruitment pitches went, that was particularly pathetic, Ezra thought, keeping his face neutral. Ezra didn't respond right away either, taking a moment to assess the situation. He could feel the tension in his Pokemon, especially Rider, who was already gripping his club/staff tightly.
The Rocket members were trying to come across as friendly, but there was no mistaking the intent in their eyes. They were predators, and they saw him as prey - though they were sorely mistaken in that regard.
They'd really messed up coming after him somewhere with no witnesses. He'd have to hold back in public. Here? He could let loose.
"I'm not interested," Ezra finally said, his tone cold and dismissive. He had no patience for their games, and he wasn't about to waste time pretending otherwise. They might as well begin the fight now.
The man's smile faltered slightly, but he pressed on. "Come on, don't be like that. You're clearly not like the other trainers out there. You understand what real power is - Ghost-types are all about control and domination, about bending the rules. That's what we do in Team Rocket. Together, we could accomplish a lot."
Ezra's gaze hardened as he loudly scoffed at that pile of manure of a pitch. "I don't need your help, and I certainly don't need to join a bunch of petty criminals. I have my own plans, and they don't involve taking orders from anyone." He smirked cooly, "Especially from people who are the equivalent of pimpled teens flipping burgers in said organization."
The man's demeanor shifted, the friendly facade dropping as his eyes narrowed. "Watch your mouth, kid. We're offering you an opportunity here. It'd be wise to take it."
Ezra's expression remained impassive, but his voice took on a sharper edge. "I'm not interested in your so-called 'opportunity'. And if you think you can intimidate me, you're mistaken." He grinned with a hint of bloodlust, his Pokemon all backing him up, "If anything I'm suddenly looking forward to your brief lesson in not biting off more than you can chew."
One of the women stepped forward, her face twisting into a sneer that turned a decently attractive woman into looking like a horse faced housewife. "You've got a big mouth for someone who doesn't know what they're up against. Team Rocket doesn't take no for an answer, and if you don't wise up, you're going to regret it." She threatened, laying a hand on a Pokeball.
Ezra's patience had run dry, he was ready to educate them now. "I think the ones who are going to regret this are you… For a very short time anyway. You think you can just walk up to me and make demands? How about this - You all get on all fours and kowtow to me, begging forgiveness, and I won't have to show you why you don't mess with me."
The tension in the air was palpable now, the Rocket grunts' expressions turning from annoyance to outright anger. Their hands went to their Pokeballs, their intent clear. They were done talking.
"Big mistake, kid," The leader growled as he and the others prepared to release their Pokemon. "We'll show you what happens when someone disrespects Team Rocket."
But before they could act, something dark and sinister shifted in the clearing.
Ezra's shadow, which had been lying still at his feet, suddenly sprang to life, expanding outwards like a living thing as the grunts threw down their Pokeballs. The dark tendrils surged forward, and in the blink of an eye, they snatched the Pokeballs away, swallowing them whole into the darkness.
Ezra blinked, having just intended to rip them away, not aware he could swallow them up like that, but he didn't let his confusion show on his face, instead affecting a superior smirk. Perhaps last night he shouldn't have tried to pick up rocks, and just swallowed them? He'd have to continue to study what his shadow could do.
The Rocket members all froze, their eyes widening in shock as they realized what had just happened. Their first Pokeballs were gone, absorbed into the inky blackness of Ezra's shadow. Something they'd never encountered before.
Ezra smirked, his eyes gleaming with cold amusement. "Oh, did you need those?" He asked mockingly, his voice dripping with disdain. He could feel the power thrumming through him, the darkness responding to his anger, feeding off his intent.
The shadow continued to pulse, dark and menacing, as those of Ezra's Ghost Pokemon who weren't caught, emerged from its depths. A Haunter was the first, its wide grin even more unsettling as it floated forward, hands crackling with ghostly energy. A Misdreavous followed, its form shimmering with dark power as it hovered beside Ezra, leering at the Rocket grunts. Several Gastly darted in and out of the shadows, their eyes gleaming with malevolent glee, other Pokemon being spat out of his shadow, hovering around him, forming almost a cloak of pure Ghost Pokemons.
The Rocket grunts were almost paralyzed with fear, their hands fumbling uselessly for more Pokeballs. But Ezra wasn't going to give them the chance to recover. Not that they were a threat to him anyway.
"Let's show them what happens when they mess with us," Ezra said quietly, his voice laced with menace. For Team Rocket, there would be no mercy. He smiled at their fearful faces, "Don't worry, the demonstration will be very brief."
At his command, his Pokemon surged forward, moving with terrifying speed and precision - he kept his own Pokemon back, not wanting to needlessly blood them if it wasn't necessary. The Haunter was the first to strike, darting toward the leader slamming a Dark Pulse straight into his eyes.
Humans were somewhat resistant to Pokemon techniques through evolution over the years. But not that resistant. His skull exploded from the inside out, peppering his compatriots with bone fragments and brain matter as they screamed, hands fumbling for Pokeballs frantically.
The Misdreavous targeted one of the women, its dark energy coalescing into a powerful Shadow Ball that struck her full force. The blast knocked her off her feet, sending her crashing to the ground where she lay stunned and vulnerable, she could only scream in fear as the Gastlys all surrounded her and let loose, their techniques ripping her apart.
Of the other four, two were already running while the dumber types, the other two - finally launched Pokeballs.
Ezra lazily gestured towards the two Pokemon, a Muk and a mean looking Pikachu. "Deal with the sideshow."
Silly Rockets, acting like this is a match, you should have released ALL your Pokemon, and at least make it a challenge.
His four Pokemon descended on the two Rocket Pokemon, utterly defeating them, causing them to faint within just a few moves.
Meanwhile the two runners had perished, the Ghosts rocketing them back and forth between them like ping pong balls, using low energy shadow balls to do damage but not lethal damage, to knock the two back and forth. Like cats playing with mice.
He noted both had broken necks, purely by accident he suspected, simply from rough play. Which left the last two, as all the Ghosts converged.
Both of them fell to their knees, begging. "PLEASE! WE'VE SURRENDERED!"
Ezra made a show of thinking it over, before shrugging, "I'm just a kid, what do I know about this, I'll let the Ghosts decide." Too bad the leader died first and didn't get to hear that one…
The Ghosts descended with cackles, making quick work of the last remaining Rockets.
With all of them dead, it was like a dark film was pulled away from his eyes, and he stumbled slightly as he looked at what he'd wrought.
He turned around and vomited, holding his stomach as he expelled everything he'd eaten.
"Fuck…" He muttered, weakly.
He'd gotten carried away. While he wasn't opposed to killing Team Rocket members who'd surely hold no mercy for him, he'd never done anything like that before.
And he hadn't needed to be cruel, to that extent. He could have also just used hypnosis by sneaking his armada of Ghosts behind them - and they would have never figured out what happened.
"If I'm going to murder someone, it's gotta be my choice." He swore to himself, as he wiped his mouth with his sleeve.
I can't lose control like that… I've played too much with the darkness and my shadow, I need to explore a lot more… Carefully.
He'd gather up the Pokeballs, return them to the police, in case any of the Pokemon could be rehabilitated.
Killing Team Rocket members in self defense was legal, due to their status as a terrorist organization, so he wouldn't get in trouble.
Yet…
He looked at the carnage again, slightly green.
I don't need to be like that, I can be stronger than that.
1 week later, Pewter, Kanto.
Karen grimaced as she got a call from Agatha, she briefly thought of not answering, but Agatha could teleport and would no doubt come bend her over her knee if she did.
"I don't have any updates yet." She said immediately upon answering the call, stubbornly staring at the older woman, her arms crossed. Never back down, don't make excuses, she's like a sharpedo in bloodied water.
Agatha hummed, a crooked smile on her weathered face, "Oh dear, oh dear, no updates at all you say?"
Karen felt her blood freeze, no… He can't have done something else, he has to come by here! He can't do the circuit without hitting Pewter!
"You've been sitting on your pretty little ass this entire time, while you could have been doing m-your paperwork, and you have no updates at all, Karen?" Agatha said almost cheerfully.
Karen gulped, knowing she treaded in treacherous water. Those who knew Agatha knew that when she was a cold imposing bitch, nothing was wrong - that was just her default. If she was happy or cheerful though… Hide. Hide very far away. "A-ah, I mean… He has to come by here, I-I'm setting a trap!"
"Interesting." Agatha said, holding her head up so that her crooked nose looked down on her, "Very interesting. Explain to me however, child, why you're trapping Pewter, when the brats last known location was Goldenrod city, in Johto!"
Karen's brain stuttered to a full stop. She couldn't compute. It had NOT happened again. She refused that reality. He was not on a different fucking continent, AGAIN! "What?" She managed to weakly spurt out, knowing Agatha was waiting on an answer.
"The little brat Lance spanked Pryce across the arena yesterday." Agatha said, like that wasn't a huge piece of news to just dump unceremoniously on her, "Bah, so we have a new Champion, who cares." She waved a hand dismissively, "He did have the time to ask about our quarry who's apparently made the papers twice in Johto." Agatha's expression was intense as she twisted the knife in Karen's gut, mercilessly. Karen could feel her soul leave her body as the Ghost Mistress continued.
"Once in Cherrygrove due to his unusual Marowak Ghost evolution…" Agatha's face grew bigger on the screen as she loomed over Karen even across the distances between them, "I don't have a Ghost Marowak, girl… Why don't I have the boy with a Ghost Marowak at my fingertips right now?"
Karen only managed to weakly splutter, there was too much stuff in such a short time, just too much.
"Then…" Agatha said slowly, like she was enjoying prolonging Karen's suffering, "Then, he appeared in Goldenrod, with the Pokeballs of six Rocket grunts, the brat having taken down six terrorists. Naturally, Lance noted that fact down, asking about the Kanto native, gallivanting around Johto. Why aren't you in Johto already!?"
Karen yelped, immediately beginning to move with frenetic pace, packing her stuff up, "I'll leave right away!"
Seriously, what is this kid? The Orange League, unknown evolutions, fighting six terrorists? Can I even… Can I even take him in? She thought, as she packed.
Agatha clicked her tongue, "If you don't find him soon, I'll have to find an appropriate punishment, perhaps once he's my apprentice, you can be his." She hissed out, a devious smirk on her face, before she just cut the connection.
Karen changed her mind. She definitely could take him.
In fact, she'd take him down so hard he wouldn't even be able to look at Dark Pokemon ever again due to her actions, and he'd switch to a career as a Jigglypuff juggler.
She would not, could not fail again.
Her reputation depended on it.
Author's note:
So, this is obviously not going to be a normal Pokemon story. He'll still eventually be going through the Kanto gyms, but he'll also be building himself an economic power base,
Having died and been resurrected, in a dead teen's body, his affinity for the dark and dead is like catnip for all these Pokemon - that said, there's obviously a hand moving behind all this, because it's not that easy to get Pokemon.
Also, I am generally bad at pacing, and knew if I was going to spend several chapters chasing Pokemon, we'd be at 200k words before he could even begin doing something.
The team will grow and change for what he needs, the six Pokemon available for battles being swapped in and out for different gyms as he'll have more than six he'll train to be truly elite.
His proper team will be named, the other Pokemon will not.
This fic shouldn't get too super dark, (by my standards anyway) but yes, in some cases useless trash like Team Rocket grunts may end up dead.
Agatha haven't just upped and called him, because she wants to be in control of their first meeting, and in a phone/video call she runs the risk of him just hanging up on her.
Especially as by now she'd have the deets of what went down in Orange islands and knows he's a bit... Impolite.
Cheers
JollyHippopotamus
Won on Patron again, beating out D&C by a few votes.
On suggestion of a reader, I'm going to be adding the list of Ezra's named Pokemon up here, so people don't have to try and figure out who is who every chapter if it's been awhile.
Cheshire - Haunter
Loki - Shuppet
Nyx - Spiritomb
Rider - Alolan Marowak
As usual, I do not own Pokemon or the associated companies that deliver material from it. I'm just playing in the kiddy pool, don't hurt me.
Enjoy!
Goldenrod, Johto, a few days after the Cherrygrove tournament.
Ezra descended from the sky on his Pidgeot, the wind rustling his hair as the sprawling metropolis of Goldenrod City spread out below. Unlike the quaint charm of Cherrygrove, Goldenrod was a bustling urban center, the largest city in Johto, known for its towering skyscrapers, sprawling avenues, and throngs of people moving with purpose through the busy streets.
It was civilization, and he already felt more at home just from seeing the city in front of him. Roughing it out in the wild really wasn't his favorite thing. Give him a nice hotel anytime.
In the distance as he began to land, he could spot the towering Goldenrod Radio Tower, knowing one day they'd be broadcasting his victories, his success, for all to see. He couldn't wait! He didn't want to just be somebody, he wanted to shake things up.
To begin with, making a gym with more than one specialty was going to be different, he didn't intend to leave it at just that. He wanted to make everyone both fear and desire battling his gym.
With Steven Stone onboard, although the whole thing still needed to go through the lawyers - financial independence was already sorted, now all that was left was to collect more Ghost and Dark Pokemon, and train them up to the proper quality, before taking the League by storm.
Pidgeot touched down gracefully in a small park near the edge of the commercial district, and Ezra took a moment to smooth out his clothes, ruffled from the flight. He patted Pidgeot's neck appreciatively, then returned the bird to its Pokeball with a quiet "Good job." The full extent of his communication with this Pokemon at this point.
He'd need to find a proper Dark Pokemon to fly with eventually, but he'd keep his promise either way to Pidgeot, he had no reason not to really. Pidgeot had been the MVP so far, getting him to everything he needed without him having to spend months walking like a plebeian.
He'd come to this city mainly for two things. And Goldenrod was famous for many more - the Game Corner, the Magnet Train, the Radio Tower, and of course, the sprawling Goldenrod Department Store - which was one of his two targets today. Ezra had done his research - this was the best place in Johto to stock up on TMs, and he intended to load up on the best ones he could find. He had money to burn, and no reason to wait.
He'd read some stories where people refused to use the 'cheat' of buying techniques, and he absolutely refused to be that stupid.
Could a Pokemon possibly create a more powerful technique if they did it on their own from the beginning? Perhaps. Even likely.
But that was ignoring the fact of how much training and finessing one could do with a Pokemon while not wasting time on that technique.
If he was to teach Rider Fire Blast. And it took him a few weeks to learn from scratch, even at an optimistic outlook - that would be a few weeks he'd only be focusing on that - for a possible percent or two of higher performance.
Or… He could learn the technique immediately, spend a few weeks perfecting it and his fire control, while also training on other things potentially - leading to a stronger overall Pokemon.
Which one led to a stronger Pokemon over its lifetime?
If he had plenty of time, then probably the first, but it would mean wasting weeks and months on simply practicing a few techniques from the ground up.
He intended to be gym leader, he did not only have his team which he had to train into powerhouses, but if he wanted to impress and showcase he had what it took, he also needed to begin gathering and training more Pokemon.
He needed to be ready to step in as a gym leader from day one to convince anyone he could do it. So with so many Pokemon he'd eventually have to split time between, that one or two percent of efficiency or skill, just wasn't worth it.
Besides, he had faith that his training could squeeze out that percentage in benefits in other avenues, like how he'd managed to get his 'mons Shadow Ball's to be much faster, denser, and more deadly.
As he thought it over, he made his way through the city, just enjoying the ambient noise of a proper city as he walked, heading towards the department store.
The department store was a colossal building, its exterior a mix of sleek glass panels and ornate stonework that gave it a modern yet not too artificial look. The large entrance was framed by stone pillars, and a steady stream of people flowed in and out, each one carrying bags filled with purchases. Ezra made his way through the crowd, weaving between groups of trainers, shoppers, and the occasional Pokemon, until he reached the grand entrance.
Inside, the Goldenrod department store was a hive of activity. The interior was large enough to fit a modern mall and well-lit, with high ceilings and polished floors that gleamed under the bright lights. A large chandelier hung from the center of the ceiling, casting a warm glow over the entire area. Escalators crisscrossed the open space, taking customers to different levels, while signs directed them to various departments: clothing, electronics, Pokemon supplies, and, most importantly for Ezra, TMs.
He made his way to the escalators, riding up to the fifth floor, where the TMs were sold. The floor was dedicated to all things Pokemon, with aisles filled with Pokeballs, potions, berries, and other essential items. But it was the large glass display cases filled with TMs that caught Ezra's eye. Behind the counter, rows of brightly colored discs were arranged meticulously, each one representing a different move. There were common TMs like Water Pulse and Thunder Wave, but what Ezra was really after were the more rare and powerful moves.
He could teach his Pokemon simple moves on his own, he felt. Especially with how smart they'd turned out to be. Rider had managed Iron tail quickly after all, and had already transitioned that towards Iron Head and Iron Club, all on his own, playing around with the energy during training time.
He wasn't sure if it was how much focus he was putting on having his Pokemon constantly work on better harnessing their energy and feeling it out - or if he just had very clever 'mon, that was behind that development.
He approached the counter, where a middle-aged man with a receding hairline and a friendly smile greeted him. The man's uniform identified him as the store manager, and his eyes lit up as he saw the look of intent on Ezra's face.
A retail slave knew the look of someone willing to spend money.
"Looking for some TMs, young man?" The manager asked, his tone friendly but businesslike. Only his eyes showed the greed for the possibility of a big sale, not quite to the level of animesque dollar signs for eyes - but not that far away from it.
"Yeah, I'm in the mood to splash some cash, old timer." Ezra replied distractedly, his eyes scanning the rows of discs behind the man. "I'm looking for the best you've got. I've got a lot of Pokemon to outfit, so I'm going to need a variety."
The manager's smile widened slightly, while his eyes grew brighter. "You've come to the right place young sir. We've got a fine selection here for all your Pokemon needs. Anything in particular you're looking for?"
Ezra nodded, his gaze settling on a few of the discs. "I'm definitely interested in Earthquake, Ice Beam, Thunderbolt, Fire Blast, Psychic, and Hyper Beam, to start."
The manager's eyes widened slightly, clearly very happy, especially since he'd added the qualifier to start. With the price of high value techniques starting at around 50 000 and up, he was making one hell of a sale today.
Ezra looked over the display, mulling over what he saw, "Add Drain Punch there too…" He muttered, mostly talking to himself. He had vague plans to get a Primeape and evolve it to an Annihilape, although it wouldn't be easy with the qualifier for that evolution. Drain Punch would fit as a move for the Fighting/Ghost type, allowing it to deal damage, while being healed back for fifty percent of the damage dealt.
He had a decent team as was, but as much as it would suck, the four on the team right now might not all make it onto his 'top' team in the end. It was all a matter of flexibility. His Haunter for example couldn't really do anything that special that his Shuppet or Spiritomb couldn't do as well.
So while buying, he needed to think of the future as well. He wasn't as attached to his 'mon as some trainers no doubt were, and as a future gym leader he couldn't be. Whether Cheshire stayed on the team or ended up one of the high level challenges for his gym, would remain to be seen - but with literal dozens of Pokemon needed to run the gym, he wouldn't be able to treat them all like they were his special babies.
Although Rider would probably keep a special place in his heart. Cubone's were one of his favorites after all, and being an Alolan Marowak now was just amazing.
The manager quickly gathered the TMs, stacking them neatly on the counter, almost vibrating with joy, although he also kept them out of reach until he saw the cash, not entirely stupid then. "You've got quite the collection here, young sir. Is there anything else you'd like?"
Ezra considered for a moment before nodding his head. "Yeah, throw in Toxic as well." It wouldn't fit all his Pokemon, but it was a good tool in his arsenal. "Add Giga Impact as well."
Hyperbeam and Giga Impact were both normal moves, but he'd have Dark Pokemon capable of using one or the other at some point, and Giga Impact might be possible for Annihilape to learn. Worst case and he couldn't find a good use for them, he'd give them as prizes for the opening of his gym one day.
He also adds about a dozen of more minor utility techniques, quickly pointing them out.
The manager took the discs out, and Ezra nodded decisively, "That should do for now. How much?"
The manager took a moment to tally up the price. "Well, you're looking at a substantial order here, Nine high-tier techniques, 13 minor ones... Altogether, that'll come to… 565,000 Pokedollars."
Ezra's expression didn't change, but inwardly he winced at the price. He had expected it to be expensive, but this was more than he had anticipated, then again he had chosen all the most expensive techniques. He leaned casually on the counter, looking the manager in the eye. "That's quite a bit. I'm buying in bulk here, giving you quite the windfall. How many of these do you sell a month? Not many, right? Surely you can knock the price down a bit."
The manager smiled, clearly used to this kind of negotiation. "I understand, but these are some of the best TMs available. We don't get discounts on them often." Which wasn't an outright no.
Ezra raised an eyebrow, playing it cool. "I'm sure you could make an exception, especially for someone who might bring in repeat business. How about 500,000 even?"
The manager chuckled softly, shaking his head. "500,000 is a bit too low for this order. How about we meet in the middle as a favor for a valued customer? 550,000." He offered.
Ezra considered it, making a face, how is that in the middle? He was getting a decent deal anyway, but he wanted to push just a bit more. He wasn't one to meekly accept anything, not when there was any chance to push ahead. "530,000, actually more in the middle, and I'll pay in cash, right now."
With the cost of the techniques, the guy probably saw one or two high end ones sold a month, until the end of the circuit where he might sell a dozen as trainers flush with cash rush to prepare for the Indigo League. This would probably make his year, so Ezra felt confident he could afford to push for the lower fee.
The manager hesitated, weighing the offer. Finally, he nodded. "Alright, you've got a deal young sir." He said, unable to hide his pleasure at the deal, and his windfall. "You drive a hard bargain, young man, a hard bargain indeed. Very interesting."
Ezra smirked, satisfied with the deal. He counted out the money and handed it over, having pulled a sweet million out of the bank before leaving Cherrygrove. He watched as the manager carefully packed the TMs into a sleek black case. Once the transaction was complete, Ezra picked up the case, feeling the weight of the discs inside. These TMs would be invaluable in strengthening his team in the future.
With his new TMs in hand, Ezra made his way back to the ground floor, his mind already strategizing how to best incorporate the new moves into his Pokemon's arsenals, including the ones he planned to catch in the future. As he reached the exit, he stopped by the information desk, manned by a young woman with a bright smile, an Eevee curled up in her lap, which perfectly led into his second target in the city.
"Excuse me," Ezra began, "I'm looking for an Eevee breeder in the city. I heard there's a good one around here, but I couldn't find an address when I looked online." Really the net is shit, gotta work on that when I have time..
The woman's smile widened, petting her Eeeve's head, likely a family Pokemon or caught in the wild, since buying from breeders were ridiculously expensive. "You must be talking about Aaron's family. They've been breeding Eevees for years. Their place is on the outskirts of the city, near Route 34. It's a bit off the beaten path, but if you follow the road out of town and keep an eye out, you'll find it."
Ezra nodded, making a mental note of the directions. "Thanks. I'll head over there now."
With his purchases secured and a new lead on finding the Eevee breeder, Ezra stepped out of the department store and into the bustling streets of Goldenrod once more.
Umbreon awaited.
Once he got his hands on an Eevee it was only a matter of time.
Shortly thereafter, Route 34
Ezra's footsteps crunched on the gravel road as he approached the Eevee breeder's ranch, the expansive estate coming into view as he crested a small hill on the outskirts of Goldenrod City. The ranch house was large, almost mansion-like, with a sprawling yard that extended far beyond what the eye could see. The property was surrounded by a tall iron fence, and as Ezra drew closer, he noticed the subtle but unmistakable signs of heavy security.
Cameras were positioned strategically along the perimeter, their lenses glinting in the afternoon sun. Trainers patrolled the grounds, although he wasn't sure if it was simply family members or hired security. It was clear either way that this place took its security seriously, and for good reason - Eevees were among the most sought-after Pokemon in the world.
Their potential for multiple evolutions made them highly desirable, and this ranch was likely one of the few places in Johto/Kanto where they could be obtained. Although the evolutions wasn't even their main sticking point he'd wager. Girls and women buying Eevee's because they were cute, likely accounted for the majority of sales.
Not everything was about battling.
Ezra couldn't help but smirk as he took in the sight of the ranch. One day soon, if all went according to plan, he'd be putting breeders like this out of business, or at least limiting their capacity to simply selling Eevee's for their cuteness to local women. His partnership with Steven Stone would allow him to mass-produce rare Pokemon evolutions, including several Eeveelutions that hadn't even been discovered yet.
Once that got rolling, buyers would flock to them, and even simple Eeeve's or known Eeveelutions like Flareon and Jolteon would be purchased from his farms, as customers got used to buying from him. People with lots of money tended to want to buy from the best - if nothing else for bragging rights about how their Pokemon came from the premier breeder.
The world didn't even know about Umbreon, Espeon and Sylveon yet. And despite the knowledge of how to evolve Eeeve's to Flareon and Jolteon, the amount of Glaceon and Vaporeon out there seemed of limited quantity. Evolution stones were not cheap. Weirdly enough he hadn't found anything on Leafeon, despite the evolution being exactly the same as the others, just with a leaf stone instead of fire/ice/water etc.
Well, he'd cash in on it all when all of Kanto and Johto would flock to his farm for all the rare Evolutions on sale. They could even afford to sell for lower prices to kill ranches like this, upping the prices once the competition was dead - thanks to the money they'd make on prism scales and selling Milotic's.
But that was for the future, and for now, he needed an Eevee - specifically, one he could evolve into an Umbreon. And for that, he needed to get inside and bully or bribe himself into it, as he doubted they had one for sale so easily.
Breeders likely had their Eeeve's sold before they were even born after all.
He approached the tall, wrought-iron gate that served as the entrance to the ranch. A small security booth was situated next to it, and as he neared, one of the guards stepped out to meet him, hand resting casually on one of the Pokeballs at his hip.
Ezra studied him critically, I could take him, he decided arbitrarily, mostly due to the fact he didn't like his face.
Weasely looking guys were generally weasels.
"Can I help you, brat?" The guard asked, his tone itching for an excuse to do something.
Ezra, who was beginning to tire of being called kid or brat by nearly everyone he met, forced a smile that might have had more teeth then what was strictly necessary for a smile. "I'm here to buy an Eevee," He replied, keeping his tone friendly but direct, for now…
He really didn't like this dude's face.
The guard shook his head, his expression narrowing in distaste. "Sorry brat," He said mockingly, not sounding all that sorry, "But we only sell to people who have pre-booked appointments. If you don't have one, I'm going to have to ask you to leave, or else..."
Ezra snorted, we? The man in a security booth at the edge of the property was like the equivalent of the minimum wage worker, hardly involved in the Ranch's business. We… Someone thinks highly of themselves…
Seeing the man's face redden as he fingered his Pokeballs more intently, Ezra settled for a more diplomatic approach. As much fun as it would be scaring the crap out of this idiot, or beating him in a Pokemon battle - that would likely end his chances at negotiating for an Eevee.
Ezra's eyes narrowed slightly even as he faked a polite smile. "I'm willing to pay extra," He offered, hinting that there was something extra in hand for him too, "I don't mind waiting if you have to clear it with the owner, but I'm not leaving without at least talking to him, there's a lot of money involved here…"
The guard regarded him for a moment, clearly weighing his options, likely wanting to kick his ass to the curb. The lure of money or the fear of his boss finding out he stopped a lucrative deal from even reaching the door likely kept him back. Finally, with a disgusted sigh, he gestured towards the security booth. "Wait here. I'll see if the boss is available." He muttered angrily.
Ezra nodded with fake pleasantry, watching as the guard retreated into the booth to make a call. He knew this wasn't going to be easy - people who ran operations like this weren't usually swayed easily. But Ezra was determined, and if there was one thing he'd learned in this world, it was that persistence often paid off. Or at least audacity…
Like any world based on a game or anime, never giving up wasn't just a decent character trait - it was an actual superpower.
After a few minutes, the guard reemerged, his expression sour. "The boss will be out in a moment. But don't get your hopes up - like I said, we only sell by appointment." He sneered down at him, his weasely face growing even uglier, "You'll be sent packing soon enough…"
Ezra nodded again, already putting the weasel out of his mind, his mind already turning over possible strategies. He knew from checking online before he came to Goldenrod that Eevees typically sold for between 100,000 and 150,000 Pokedollars for the unevolved kind, but he was prepared to offer significantly more if that's what it took.
He didn't necessarily need an Umbreon right now. But he damn well wanted one, and he didn't want to wait, now that he was flush with cash.
A few minutes later, the ranch's owner emerged from the main house. He was an older man, perhaps in his late fifties, with graying hair and a neatly trimmed beard. His eyes were sharp, and he carried himself with the confidence of someone who had been in the business for a long time. As he approached, the guard stepped back, allowing him to address Ezra directly.
"I hear you're looking for an Eevee," The man said, his tone measured and cautious. "As my guard likely told you, we only sell to customers with pre-booked slots. Our next available slot is over a year from now."
Ezra didn't miss a beat. "I understand that, but I'm willing to make it worth your while to push one of those slots back. I'll pay 200,000 Pokedollars for an Eevee today."
As a breeder, the man could easily tell one of his customers they'd get a later slot because unfortunately one of the little ones died or whatever excuse he'd need to make up. A wild Pokemon flew down from the sky and ate it would suffice as an excuse as well. Ezra just needed to push it until the man chose to go that avenue and lose maybe just a little bit of reputation.
The man's eyes flickered with interest, but he shook his head. "I appreciate the offer, but we have a reputation to uphold. People book slots with us because they know we're reliable. Pushing someone's slot back would damage that trust."
Not an unreasonable stand to take. But Ezra had seen that flicker of greed, of interest. The man wasn't as unwilling as he appeared, he had a price. Like most men did.
Arceus knows Ezra could be bought to do any number of things if someone was willing to offer a crazy enough price.
Ezra could see the man was tempted, so the easy choice was to tempt him further. "How about 225,000?" Ezra offered, keeping his voice smooth. "I'm not asking you to give up your reputation - just to make a small exception, this one time, slowing down things for one of your minor customers in return."
The owner frowned, his eyes narrowing slightly as he considered the offer. "It's not just about the money," He said slowly, almost drawn out. "It's about the principles of running a business. If word got out that we were taking bribes to move customers up the queue, it would damage us in the long run."
Ezra sighed inwardly. He was so close, but he could see the man's hesitation writ on his face. "I'm not bribing anyone," He totally was, "I'm just offering a fair price for a rush order." He pressed, trying a different angle. "Just push one person's appointment back a bit. They'll still get their Eevee, just a little later than expected. No one needs to know how that happened, and you make 300,000 Pokedollars today."
The man remained silent, his eyes locked on Ezra's. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, he spoke. "300,000," He said, his voice pondering. "If you can give me that now, today, cash in hand… Then we have a deal."
Ezra didn't hesitate. "Deal." He said, reaching forward to shake his hand.
With Hammer space bags, it had been easy transporting his cool million, although with his two spending sprees it would be down quite a lot.
The owner nodded, appearing satisfied with the agreement. "Wait here. I'll have one of the Eevees meant for sale in the next cycle brought out."
Ezra felt a wave of happiness come over him as he waited, keeping his expression neutral despite the victory he felt inside. A few minutes later, one of the guards returned with a Pokeball, which he handed to the owner.
Ezra gave him his cash, privately grumbling about how much easier an electronic transaction would be. But he'd been advised by the bank in Cherrygrove after he received his ten million from Stone, that most citizens and private businesses would not do large deals in anything but cash.
If you were dealing with the League or national corporations it was different, but Kanto and Johto citizens were slow to fully switch to a more modern convenience when it came to payments.
The older man inspected the money briefly before passing the Pokeball to Ezra, his Pokedex giving out a ding, as the owner sent over the verification that the Pokemon was now transferred into his ownership.
He needed to get himself some Porygons and begin to really build up the net a little, the more people that used it, the easier it would become to do business electronically. At least Steven Stone didn't live in the stone age…
Ezra took the Pokeball, feeling its cool, smooth surface in his hand. He could already imagine the possibilities this little Pokemon would open up for him, his first Dark Pokemon, Spiritomb was a mix and didn't count. "I won't say a word, pleasure doing business with you…"
I'll get that 300,000 back when I buy your ranch for a pittance when I run you out of business anyway, he thought somewhat callously.
He wanted it all, power, fame, influence.
And you didn't become a billionaire by caring about every little business you crushed on your way to the top. His evolution business with Stone wasn't his only idea either. Just the easiest one to get off the ground.
He had lived a life that promised to leave absolutely no mark behind, his passing likely even a relief to family and friends who'd had to see him suffer, or waste their time helping him. He would ensure everyone knew his name in the end.
The owner nodded. "Good. I hope you understand why we don't usually make exceptions like this."
Ezra gave a small nod, already distracted. "I do. Thank you for making this one." He muttered, looking down at the Pokeball in his hand.
He'd only let Eevee out at night from now on, training and befriending the Pokemon, until it was an Umbreon. Without seeing a single ray of daylight, surely it wouldn't take too long…
With the transaction complete, Ezra turned and began the walk back towards the city.
As the ranch house faded into the distance, Ezra couldn't help but grin. Today was a success, but tomorrow? Tomorrow would be even better.
And he'd continue to do that, improve his situation, day by day,
Until he stood at the top.
Unforgettable!
That evening, Goldenrod City.
Goldenrod City was alive with energy as the evening set in, the bustling metropolis glowing under the soft lights of streetlamps and neon signs. The city, known for its thriving commerce, had a way of drawing people in, making them forget about the world outside its borders. Ezra found himself enjoying the luxurious atmosphere as he sat in one of the city's finest restaurants, a place where the elite of Johto came to dine.
It cost more than it should, as any restaurant catering to the rich and famous, but he wasn't too worried about expenditure.
The restaurant itself was made to attract the snobbery of the ultra rich. Crystal chandeliers hung from the high ceilings, casting a warm, golden glow over the richly appointed room. The tables were draped in fine embroidered linens, and the chairs were upholstered in plush, velvet fabric. Waiters moved silently between tables, their movements smooth and practiced as they served impeccably plated dishes to the well-dressed patrons.
Ezra sat at a table near a large window that overlooked the city, enjoying the view as much as the meal before him. The food was exquisite, each bite a burst of flavor that spoke of the chef's skill. He had allowed himself this indulgence, knowing that with the money from his recent sale of the Crystal Onix, he could afford a little luxury.
He was midway through his meal, savoring a particularly tender cut of meat, when his Pokedex buzzed in his pocket, interrupting the peaceful moment. Ezra frowned, pulling the device out and glancing at the screen. His eyes widened slightly in surprise as he saw the caller ID.
Professor Oak.
Ezra hesitated, his finger hovering over the accept button. Oak was a legend in the Pokemon world obviously, the man responsible for some of the most important research in the field, and someone whose reputation extended far beyond Kanto. But the idea of talking to the vaunted professor was not something Ezra had been expecting, nor was it something he was particularly eager to do. He was enjoying his night, and Oak's sudden interest could only mean one thing - questions. And Ezra wasn't sure he was ready to answer them.
He let the call go to voicemail, slipping the Pokedex back into his pocket and returning his attention to his meal. But no sooner had he picked up his fork than the Pokedex buzzed again, the screen lighting up with the same name.
Ezra frowned deeper, ignoring it once more. He wasn't in the mood for this, not now, not here. But when the Pokedex buzzed a third time, Ezra let out a sigh, realizing that the professor was not going to give up so easily.
"Damn it," Ezra muttered under his breath. He couldn't ignore it forever, not without drawing even more attention to himself. He glanced around the restaurant, then made up his mind. If Oak wanted to talk so badly, he'd get his wish - but on Ezra's terms. He wouldn't be giving anything away for free.
He wasn't one of the adherents worshiping at his feet. Ezra's knowledge was pay to play. No freebies.
He pushed back his chair, standing up and leaving the table. The waiter noticed his movement and approached, but Ezra waved him off with a quick, "Just need to freshen up, I'll be back."
He made his way to the bathroom at the back of the restaurant, pushing open the door to find it blessedly empty. The bathroom was just as opulent as the dining area, with marble countertops and polished fixtures that gleamed under the soft lighting. Ezra stepped inside and locked the door behind him, ensuring that he would have the privacy he needed for this conversation.
A flicker of amusement ran through him at the thought he'd likely be the first person to ever discuss things with the Professor in a public bathroom.
With a resigned sigh he waited for the fifth call to start as he pulled out his Pokedex and finally accepted the call. The screen flickered to life, and the familiar face of Professor Oak appeared, his eyes bright with excitement and a wide smile on his face.
"Ezra Kassian?" Oak exclaimed, his voice practically bubbling with enthusiasm. "I've been trying to reach you all day! I hope I'm not interrupting anything too important."
All day? It's been like five minutes, chill a bit old-timer…
Ezra leaned against the marble counter, his expression carefully neutral as he pondered how he was going to play this exactly. "I was in the middle of something," He said, his tone polite but distant, as he decided he had no reason to be overly friendly. "What's this about, Professor?"
Oak's smile didn't waver, though there was a glint in his eyes that told Ezra the man was not easily put off. "Straight to the point, I see. Well, I suppose there's no use in beating around the bush. I've been hearing some fascinating things about you, Ezra. Specifically, about a rather unique Marowak you have in your possession - a Ghost-type, if I'm not mistaken?"
Ezra's eyes narrowed slightly. Of course, word had spread fast. He had known it was only a matter of time before someone like Oak caught wind of Rider, but that didn't mean he was ready to spill all his secrets. Drake probably blabbed about it, or the Orange League win going into the system might have also had his Pokemon entered, he hadn't stayed long enough to know the details.
"That's somewhat correct, although I suspect he's a Ghost/Fire dual type in actuality." Ezra said cautiously, dangling at least a little bit of information as bait to prepare the trap. "What about it?"
Oak leaned closer to the camera, his excitement almost palpable. "Even if it's not, a Ghost-type Marowak! It's unheard of! This could be a significant breakthrough in Pokemon science, a dual type would just make it even more exciting! I'd love to know how you managed such a transformation. Was it a special environment? A unique item? A particular training regimen?" A notebook and pen was suddenly in his hands, his mien almost manic.
Ezra resisted the urge to roll his eyes. Did this usually work on people? "Professor, with all due respect, I'm not inclined to share that information."
Oak blinked, clearly taken aback. "Not inclined…? But, Ezra, think of the implications! If we can understand how this transformation occurred, it could open up new avenues for research, for training. We could help other trainers achieve similar results, improve the bond between humans and Pokemon. This is important work, my boy!"
Ezra's expression hardened, if he disliked being called kid or brat, being called my boy was even worse... "Important work that could also ruin me," He said bluntly. "I'm going into business, Professor. I have several rare evolutions lined up that aren't even known yet, and if I start sharing all my secrets now, I risk losing everything I'm building. I can't afford that."
Oak's brow furrowed, his enthusiasm dimming as he listened. "I see. So it's about business, then." He paused, clearly trying to find the right words. "Ezra, I understand your concerns, but surely you can see the greater good here. Pokemon research is about more than just making money - it's about advancing our understanding, about sharing knowledge so that everyone can benefit. If you were to share your findings, I could sign a non-disclosure agreement. I wouldn't publish any of it, not until you're ready. I just want to know, to learn."
Ezra regarded Oak with a cool, calculating gaze. The professor's argument was sound, but Ezra had learned to be cautious. He didn't trust easily, and he wasn't about to risk everything on a promise, no matter how reputable the source. Whatever Oak said, the knowledge he had was the lynchpin of his business, and giving it to Oak in any manner, risked that business.
"What's in it for me?" Ezra asked, his tone sharp and direct, making no bones about it. What can you offer for me to take this risk?
Oak looked surprised by the question. "What's in it for you? Isn't the satisfaction of knowing you've contributed to the advancement of Pokemon sciences enough?"
A former champion should not be this naive, or is he playing me?
Ezra rubbed his fingers together in a gesture that was unmistakable, scratch, moolah, money. "Not really," He said, his voice flat. "You're asking me to take a risk. I'm asking what I get in return. If I tell you how I did it, how do I know it won't leak, even accidentally? How do I know I won't be undercut by someone else?"
Oak's expression turned stern, his earlier enthusiasm replaced by a more serious demeanor. "Ezra, I'm not in the habit of paying off trainers for information. That's not how this works." He chided.
Ezra shrugged, unbothered by the professor's disapproval. "Then how about a favor?" He offered, willing to grasp an opportunity. Rider's evolution likely wouldn't be a high seller anyway, so he could risk that one, for the right price. Only that one.
He wasn't entirely as unwilling as he played it. But pushing Oak where he wanted was a long shot, hence playing very unwilling from the start.
Oak's eyes narrowed. "What kind of favor?" His voice was definitely not as cheerful anymore.
Ezra didn't hesitate, striking for the jugular. "You put your voice behind me to become a gym leader when the time comes. Once I've beaten the gym leaders of Kanto and proven my worth, you use your influence to help push for my appointment. That's my price."
He hoped it wasn't too much to ask, since if he failed to even beat the gym leaders, Oak was off scot-free.
Oak's expression shifted to one of discomfort. "I don't get involved in that sort of thing anymore, Ezra. It's not my place to interfere in the League's decisions." He said, immediately dismissive.
Ezra nodded slowly, showing no disappointment, it had been a long shot anyway. "Then I guess we don't have a deal. But if you ever change your mind - say, after I've introduced ten or so new evolutions to the world - let me know." He said with a bit of a smirk, "Although this deal would only be for one evolution, or course."
Oak looked conflicted, his mouth opening as if to say something more, but then he closed it, a frown settling on his face. "You're an odd boy, Ezra," He said, his tone gruff. "I'm not used to this kind of negotiation."
Ezra smiled faintly, a hint of amusement in his eyes. "You learn something new everyday, Professor. We all have to adapt to survive and grow."
Oak sighed, his shoulders slumping slightly. "Well, I suppose this conversation is over for now. But remember, Ezra - knowledge is meant to be shared. Don't lose sight of that, profit is one thing, to a point, but the world needs knowledge to be spread around and shared."
Ezra dearly wanted to point out that when Oak had invented the Pokedex, he sure as hell hadn't shared it for free with the other Professors, the League, or anyone else, his recent research being performed partly from the profit of the sale of the machines. Calling him a hypocrite probably won't have him crawling back and offering that favor later… So I'd better not.
Ezra gave a slight nod to show he'd heard the man, showing none of his thoughts. "I'll keep that in mind. Goodbye, Professor."
He ended the call, the screen going dark as the connection severed. For a moment, Ezra just stood there, staring at his reflection in the marble countertop. The encounter had left him feeling uneasy, but he knew he had made the right decision. He wasn't ready to trust anyone with his secrets. There was too much at stake.
This wasn't the Anime where Oak was the nice old scientist always eager to lend a hand or some advice. This man had been a monster, and while softer now, could still probably tear down mountains. He did not want to become dependent on his generosity if he shared too much.
With a deep breath, Ezra slipped the Pokedex back into his pocket and turned to leave the bathroom. He had a meal waiting for him, and he intended to enjoy it - after all, he didn't get the chance to dine like this every day.
Although in the future… He would.
Perhaps he'd bring fine dining to Lavender himself…
Two days later,
The sun hung low in the sky as Ezra approached the Ruins of Alph in Johto, the ruins casting long shadows that stretched across the desolate landscape. The ruins were ancient, their origins lost to time, and even from a distance, they radiated a palpable sense of mystery and unease. Unlike the vibrant and bustling atmosphere of Goldenrod City, the Ruins of Alph felt like a place frozen in time, where the past lingered just beneath the surface, whispering secrets to those brave enough to listen.
The path leading to the ruins was overgrown with weeds, the cobblestones cracked and uneven from years of neglect. Gnarled trees lined the road, their twisted branches reaching out like skeletal fingers, creating a canopy that filtered the dying light, making it seem as though the night had already fallen. As Ezra walked, he could feel the temperature drop, the air growing colder with each step he took toward the ancient site. A sense of anticipation tingled at the back of his mind, mixed with an almost primal caution.
He'd known about the Ruins of Alph thanks to foreknowledge. The ruins were the home to the enigmatic Unown, Pokemon that took on the shapes of letters and symbols. Ezra had no interest in disturbing the Unown. His goal was far more practical - the ruins' eerie atmosphere and dark aura made it the perfect place to train his Ghost Pokemon, and perhaps, if he was lucky, draw in some new additions to his team.
The closer he got to the ruins, the more foreboding the atmosphere became. The ruins themselves were partially submerged in the ground, as if they had been swallowed by the earth over centuries. The stone walls were covered in moss and ivy, and large chunks of the structure had crumbled away, leaving gaping holes that hinted at the labyrinthine tunnels and chambers below. Strange symbols were etched into the stones, some of them worn and faded, while others looked as though they had been carved only yesterday. The entire area was suffused with a sense of dread, as though the very air was thick with the weight of ancient secrets.
Ezra stopped at the edge of the ruins, taking in the sight before him. He could feel his pulse quicken, not out of fear, but out of excitement. This was exactly the kind of place he had been looking for - a place where the boundary between the world of the living and the world of the dead seemed thin, where the veil that separated reality from the unknown was almost transparent.
"This will do nicely," He muttered to himself, his voice low. He could already feel the stirrings of something deep within him, a connection to the dark that had always been a part of him since he arrived on this world.
He found a small clearing just outside the ruins, far enough away to avoid any unwanted attention but close enough to feel the pulse of the ancient energies that lingered here. The ground was uneven, with patches of dead grass and exposed roots, but it was flat enough for his purposes.
Ezra began by releasing his Pokemon from their Pokeballs, one by one. First was Rider, his loyal Marowak, who appeared with a quiet growl, its flaming bone club casting an eerie glow across the clearing. Next was Nyx, his Spiritomb, who materialized in a swirl of dark energy, its 'face' shifting and muttering floating above the keystone. Loki, his Shuppet, floated above the ground, its mischievous eyes gleaming in the dim light, while Cheshire, his Haunter, emerged from Ezra's shadow, its wide grin filled with sharp teeth. The Ghosts seemed to revel in the environment, their forms flickering and pulsing with energy as they absorbed the ambient darkness of the ruins.
Ezra kept Pidgeot and his newly acquired Eevee in their Pokeballs. This wasn't the kind of environment they were suited for, and he didn't want to bring the Eevee out in the daytime either. It would soon be night, but this was hardly suitable for a first training session for his new Pokemon, so he'd abstain until he was somewhere safer.
The air grew colder still as Ezra settled into the clearing, meditating on his shadow for a few hours as his Pokemon trained just outside the clearing, the shadows deepening as the last vestiges of sunlight disappeared beyond the horizon. The ruins loomed ominously in the background, their ancient stones bathed in the pale light of the rising moon. This was a place of power, a place where darkness thrived, and Ezra intended to harness that power to strengthen his Pokemon - and himself.
"Alright, let's get started," He said, mostly to himself. His Pokemon already knew their routines, already working at their techniques, their energy expenditure and efficiency, practicing religiously.
Tonight was more about him.
Ezra closed his eyes, reaching out with his senses, feeling for the darkness that was always just beneath the surface. It was easier here, in this place, where the shadows seemed almost alive, pulsing with energy that was ancient and primal. He focused on his shadow, willing it to move, to shift and bend to his will. Slowly, it began to respond, stretching out from beneath him, growing longer and more distinct until it no longer mirrored his form but moved independently.
The shadow rippled and twisted, and Ezra could feel a connection between it and the surrounding darkness. He concentrated harder, pushing his will into the shadow, trying to coax it into doing more. He had already learned to hide his Ghost Pokemon within it, but he knew there was more he could do - more he could learn. He just had to figure out how.
"Come on," He muttered under his breath, his brow furrowing in concentration. "There's got to be more..."
The shadow responded, shifting and coiling like a living thing. It stretched out across the ground, forming tendrils that reached towards the edges of the clearing, intertwining with the roots and stones. Ezra could feel the darkness within him, the same darkness that had allowed him to connect with Ghost and Dark-types, and he pushed that feeling into the shadow, willing it to become stronger, to draw in the power that surrounded him.
Nyx and Cheshire seemed to sense what he was doing and joined in, their ghostly forms flickering as they merged with the shadow, becoming part of it. The air around them grew colder, the shadows deepening further as the Ghosts lent their energy to Ezra's efforts. Loki hovered nearby, its eyes gleaming with amusement as it watched the spectacle, while Rider remained focused on its training, like the special boi he was.
Ezra gritted his teeth, feeling the strain of his efforts. He was pushing his abilities further than he ever had before, but he knew this was the place to do it. The ruins seemed to be a nexus of dark energy of some sort, and he could feel that energy responding to him, feeding into his shadow, making it stronger, more tangible.
He tried to push the shadow further, attempting to lift one of the large stones that littered the clearing. The shadow trembled, reaching out like an invisible hand, but it faltered, the energy slipping away before it could gain a proper hold. Ezra let out a frustrated growl, his fists clenching as he pushed harder, willing the shadow to obey.
As the shadow returned to its normal state, Ezra turned his attention back to his Pokemon. The Ghosts had been watching him intently, their eyes gleaming with interest. They always became more active whenever he'd actively use his shadow.
"Alright," Ezra said, his voice steady and confident. "Let's see if we can draw in some company." He'd practice more with his shadow lately, he felt pretty drained now.
He closed his eyes again, focusing on the dark aura that had always surrounded him. It was a part of him, something that had grown stronger since he had started training Ghost-types. It was more than just an affinity - it was a connection, a bond with the darkness itself - a bond with death, he assumed.
One of the benefits of having died, perhaps. And from what he'd seen, it drew Dark and Ghost types to him, even those owned by other trainers having a hard time taking their eyes off him.
Ezra let the aura seep out of him, slowly at first, like an invisible mist spreading through the clearing. The temperature seemed to drop further, and the shadows around him seemed to grow darker, more defined. His Pokemon, already attuned to the darkness, seemed to feed off this energy, their forms becoming more distinct, more powerful.
Cheshire floated closer, its wide, unsettling grin growing even more pronounced. The Haunter's hands crackled with dark energy, tendrils of shadow trailing from its claws as it drifted through the air. Nyx's face shifted into multiple faces, their expressions menacing, as if feeding off the eerie energy that Ezra was exuding. Loki cackled softly to itself, its normally mischievous demeanor taking on a more sinister edge as it danced through the shadows. Even Rider, the most grounded of Ezra's team, seemed more intense, its flame burning brighter, its eyes glowing with a fiercer light.
Ezra's heart pounded in his chest as he pushed his aura further, letting it extend beyond the clearing, out into the surrounding forest and toward the ruins themselves. He wasn't sure what he was hoping to attract - wild Ghost Pokemon, perhaps some Dark-types drawn to the power he was radiating. This place, so close to the ruins, felt like the perfect place to test his limits.
He knew places with an unsettling aura like these ruins would be rife with Ghost and Dark types. Just like they fed on his aura, they fed on places like these.
There was a reason these types were found in ruins, desolated lands, and places like Lavender, and not just in any patch of tall grass. Hence also why most people didn't have the capability of training them or the wish to try. They had a bit of a bad reputation.
He imagined the aura as a net, cast wide to snare anything that might be lurking in the shadows. The forest around him was silent as he pushed himself as hard as he could, his breathing coming fast and heavy. The usual sounds of wildlife were stifled by the oppressive atmosphere he was creating. Even the wind seemed to hold its breath, waiting.
If he was drained of energy by working on his shadow, it was nothing to what he felt right now, feeling like he was expending his soul, or to quote Bilbo, like butter scraped too thin over bread.
Minutes passed, each one stretching out into eternity as Ezra maintained his focus, holding the aura steady. His muscles ached from the effort despite not being used. The tension in the air was palpable, like the moments before a storm breaks, and Ezra could feel the energy building, intensifying with every passing second.
Then, finally, he felt it - a presence at the edge of his awareness. Something was there, lurking just beyond the circle of trees, just outside the range of his vision. Ezra didn't move, didn't break his focus, but he directed his aura toward the presence, probing it, inviting it to come closer.
The presence hesitated, and for a moment, Ezra thought it might retreat. But then it began to move, slowly, cautiously, as if testing the waters. The air grew colder still, the darkness around Ezra seeming to thicken, to take on a life of its own as the presence drew nearer. Ezra could feel the tension in his Pokemon, their senses heightened, their eyes locked on the trees at the edge of the clearing.
And then, out of the shadows, it appeared.
A Duskull floated into the clearing, its single red eye glowing like a beacon in the darkness. Its body was shrouded in a tattered cloak of shadows, its movements slow and deliberate as it approached the edge of the clearing. The Duskull's eye fixed on Ezra, and for a moment, the two of them simply stared at each other, each one assessing the other.
He could sense more presences now, drawn to the clearing by the power he was radiating. They were small, flickering lights on the edge of his awareness, but they were there, watching, waiting. Ezra knew that if he pushed harder, he could draw them in, bring them to him. He could expand his team even further, strengthening his bond with the darkness.
But he also knew that there was a risk. The more he pushed, the more power he drew in, the harder it would be to control. He was already feeling the strain, the edges of his consciousness fraying as he held the aura steady.
But that was the point of this training, wasn't it? To push his limits, to see how far he could go before he broke. He had already learned so much tonight - about his shadow, about his aura, about the connection he could form with the darkness. But there was more to learn, more to discover.
With a deep breath, Ezra pushed harder, letting the darkness flood out of him, letting it seep into every corner of the forest, every crack in the ruins. The energy swirled around him, thick and suffocating, the air so cold it burned.
And then, the presences began to move.
They came from the forest, from the ruins, from the shadows themselves. A swarm of Ghost Pokemon, drawn to the power that Ezra was radiating. They moved like a wave, swirling around him, their forms flickering in and out of existence as they merged with the shadows.
A Sableye skittered through the shadows, its gemstone eyes reflecting the dim light of the moon. A Shedinja flitted in and out of his sight. Misdreavous and Yamask danced in the air. Litwicks and Lampents lit up the clearing. There was even a Mimikyu peeking around a tree at the edge of the clearing. His jaw dropped when a Dreepy floated into sight, his hand twitching towards a Pokeball.
He was beginning to suspect he was getting help from somewhere, because even if his aura was addictive, this was beyond his wildest dreams.
Ezra could feel them all, their energy feeding into his own, amplifying his aura, making it stronger, more potent. The darkness around him pulsed with power, the air vibrating with the sheer intensity of it.
But with the power came the risk. Ezra could feel the edges of his control slipping, the darkness threatening to overwhelm him. His mind was spinning, his breath coming in short, ragged gasps as he struggled to maintain his focus.
He had to pull back, had to rein in the power before it consumed him. I've reached my limit…
With a supreme effort of will, Ezra began to draw the aura back in, pulling it out of the forest, out of the ruins, back into himself. The Ghost Pokemon resisted for a moment, their forms flickering with disappointment as the darkness receded, but they didn't fight him. They understood that the moment had passed, that the power was no longer theirs to enjoy.
That's when he was surprised yet again, as from the darkness of the forest, emerged the Dark Pokemon that had apparently been silently watching, as the Ghosts approached him first.
A Murkrow flew in first, Ezra's gaze watching it hungrily. It was followed by several Houndor and Poochyena, a Skuntank, a Zorua and then a Deino.
Now he knew for sure, that some legendary was behind all of this, behind his appearance on this world. Because him just finding a Dreepy and a Deino, the Ghost/Dragon and Dark/Dragon like this - was impossible. Like not improbable and it would just be very difficult… No this was impossible with a big fat fucking exclamation mark, one did not just run into these two Pokemon side by side in the same small area.
He'd planned to spend the next six months searching for Pokemon in-between gym battles. This, this changed everything.
He'd need to buy some land somewhere and register a Pokemon stable, so that he could begin working on all of them, because the six Pokemon travel limit wouldn't cut it. Not by a mile.
This…
He drew a hand down his face, the hand shaking slightly, this was insane!
Most of these Pokemon shouldn't even be in Johto! He knew everything wasn't like the games, hence why he could find Pokemon in Kanto that weren't supposed to be there - but not to this extent…
Someone, something, wanted the Pokemon world shaken and stirred, and he was the catalyst.
Did it change anything?
No… He thought, watching as the gathered Pokemon just sat and enjoyed his aura, all of them perfectly docile, despite the fact they shouldn't be. Their typing alone said they should not be this comfortable.
He was going to shake the world up no matter what. So what if someone was helping him along?
There would be a cost. There always was, but…
He looked at the gathering of Pokemon in front of him. The cost would surely be worth this…
He got his hammer space bag out, "Alright… I'm not even sure I have enough Pokeballs…" He eyed them all up, "Deino and Dreepy, you first." He said, voice only cracking slightly.
A minute later, he stared down at the two Pokeballs, fighting the urge to cackle. The Kanto circuit won't have any idea what's going to hit it when I'm ready!
"Alright, who's next?" He called out, a wide grin on his face.
The next morning.
Ezra woke to the soft light of dawn filtering through the trees, the ancient ruins of Alph looming in the distance. The night had been still and uneventful, the only sounds, those of the forest settling into its natural rhythm. He had spent the previous day pushing his limits, training his Pokemon in the eerie atmosphere of the ruins, hoping to draw in the dark energies that surrounded the place. Now, he was ready to continue.
Sadly his new captures were all locked due to the six Pokemon limit, but he'd fix that soon enough, he had enough money to register a stable, and certainly enough to buy a small plot of land somewhere for the purpose of slowly building them all up.
It would have to be a balancing act, as he couldn't spend too much time on whichever Pokemon wouldn't make it onto his final six for the League. Although this would massively improve his chances to argue for a gym, a decent chunk of Pokemon already available for gym duties.
After a quick meal, he packed up his camp and began his morning training. As the sun climbed higher, he corraled his Pokemon who'd been allowed free rein during the night.
Ezra worked his Pokemon hard, running them through their moves with precision and focus. Rider practiced his Iron Club attacks, the flames dancing as he swung with deadly accuracy. Nyx unleashed Shadow Balls, practicing on getting the speed and energy expenditure just right, the dark energy pulsing through the air as it targeted imaginary foes. Loki and Cheshire floated around the clearing, practicing their Hypnosis and Confuse Ray techniques, the air shimmering with their ghostly power, playfully trying to catch each other at times.
But as the morning wore on, Ezra began to feel a sense of unease, like a warning. It started as a prickling at the back of his neck, a feeling that something was off. He paused in his training, glancing around the clearing. The ruins stood silent in the distance, but the forest around him seemed to have grown quieter, as if holding its breath.
And minutes later, an explanation arrived, as out of the trees, several figures emerged.
There were six of them - three men and three women, all dressed in the familiar black uniforms of Team Rocket. The large red 'R' emblazoned on their chests made their affiliation unmistakable. They approached with casual confidence, spreading out to form a loose semicircle around Ezra and his Pokemon, seemingly not worried, which told him they'd come prepared.
They'd known what they were looking for.
Ezra's eyes narrowed, and he subtly shifted his stance, preparing for whatever was to come. He wasn't surprised to see them - his reputation had likely started to catch their attention after the Orange Islands. But their timing was inconvenient, interrupting his training.
It was a bit surprising they'd tracked him to the ruins though. The city he could understand, as no doubt the terrorists had a presence in each city, but all the way out here?
Must be a Pokemon of some kind.
One of the men stepped forward, his expression amiable but with an edge to it. "Morning, kid," He greeted, instantly making an enemy for life without knowing it, a friendly tone masking something more dangerous. "We've been watching you, and we think you've got some real potential. Ghost-types, huh? That's not something you see every day. We could use someone like you in Team Rocket."
As far as recruitment pitches went, that was particularly pathetic, Ezra thought, keeping his face neutral. Ezra didn't respond right away either, taking a moment to assess the situation. He could feel the tension in his Pokemon, especially Rider, who was already gripping his club/staff tightly.
The Rocket members were trying to come across as friendly, but there was no mistaking the intent in their eyes. They were predators, and they saw him as prey - though they were sorely mistaken in that regard.
They'd really messed up coming after him somewhere with no witnesses. He'd have to hold back in public. Here? He could let loose.
"I'm not interested," Ezra finally said, his tone cold and dismissive. He had no patience for their games, and he wasn't about to waste time pretending otherwise. They might as well begin the fight now.
The man's smile faltered slightly, but he pressed on. "Come on, don't be like that. You're clearly not like the other trainers out there. You understand what real power is - Ghost-types are all about control and domination, about bending the rules. That's what we do in Team Rocket. Together, we could accomplish a lot."
Ezra's gaze hardened as he loudly scoffed at that pile of manure of a pitch. "I don't need your help, and I certainly don't need to join a bunch of petty criminals. I have my own plans, and they don't involve taking orders from anyone." He smirked cooly, "Especially from people who are the equivalent of pimpled teens flipping burgers in said organization."
The man's demeanor shifted, the friendly facade dropping as his eyes narrowed. "Watch your mouth, kid. We're offering you an opportunity here. It'd be wise to take it."
Ezra's expression remained impassive, but his voice took on a sharper edge. "I'm not interested in your so-called 'opportunity'. And if you think you can intimidate me, you're mistaken." He grinned with a hint of bloodlust, his Pokemon all backing him up, "If anything I'm suddenly looking forward to your brief lesson in not biting off more than you can chew."
One of the women stepped forward, her face twisting into a sneer that turned a decently attractive woman into looking like a horse faced housewife. "You've got a big mouth for someone who doesn't know what they're up against. Team Rocket doesn't take no for an answer, and if you don't wise up, you're going to regret it." She threatened, laying a hand on a Pokeball.
Ezra's patience had run dry, he was ready to educate them now. "I think the ones who are going to regret this are you… For a very short time anyway. You think you can just walk up to me and make demands? How about this - You all get on all fours and kowtow to me, begging forgiveness, and I won't have to show you why you don't mess with me."
The tension in the air was palpable now, the Rocket grunts' expressions turning from annoyance to outright anger. Their hands went to their Pokeballs, their intent clear. They were done talking.
"Big mistake, kid," The leader growled as he and the others prepared to release their Pokemon. "We'll show you what happens when someone disrespects Team Rocket."
But before they could act, something dark and sinister shifted in the clearing.
Ezra's shadow, which had been lying still at his feet, suddenly sprang to life, expanding outwards like a living thing as the grunts threw down their Pokeballs. The dark tendrils surged forward, and in the blink of an eye, they snatched the Pokeballs away, swallowing them whole into the darkness.
Ezra blinked, having just intended to rip them away, not aware he could swallow them up like that, but he didn't let his confusion show on his face, instead affecting a superior smirk. Perhaps last night he shouldn't have tried to pick up rocks, and just swallowed them? He'd have to continue to study what his shadow could do.
The Rocket members all froze, their eyes widening in shock as they realized what had just happened. Their first Pokeballs were gone, absorbed into the inky blackness of Ezra's shadow. Something they'd never encountered before.
Ezra smirked, his eyes gleaming with cold amusement. "Oh, did you need those?" He asked mockingly, his voice dripping with disdain. He could feel the power thrumming through him, the darkness responding to his anger, feeding off his intent.
The shadow continued to pulse, dark and menacing, as those of Ezra's Ghost Pokemon who weren't caught, emerged from its depths. A Haunter was the first, its wide grin even more unsettling as it floated forward, hands crackling with ghostly energy. A Misdreavous followed, its form shimmering with dark power as it hovered beside Ezra, leering at the Rocket grunts. Several Gastly darted in and out of the shadows, their eyes gleaming with malevolent glee, other Pokemon being spat out of his shadow, hovering around him, forming almost a cloak of pure Ghost Pokemons.
The Rocket grunts were almost paralyzed with fear, their hands fumbling uselessly for more Pokeballs. But Ezra wasn't going to give them the chance to recover. Not that they were a threat to him anyway.
"Let's show them what happens when they mess with us," Ezra said quietly, his voice laced with menace. For Team Rocket, there would be no mercy. He smiled at their fearful faces, "Don't worry, the demonstration will be very brief."
At his command, his Pokemon surged forward, moving with terrifying speed and precision - he kept his own Pokemon back, not wanting to needlessly blood them if it wasn't necessary. The Haunter was the first to strike, darting toward the leader slamming a Dark Pulse straight into his eyes.
Humans were somewhat resistant to Pokemon techniques through evolution over the years. But not that resistant. His skull exploded from the inside out, peppering his compatriots with bone fragments and brain matter as they screamed, hands fumbling for Pokeballs frantically.
The Misdreavous targeted one of the women, its dark energy coalescing into a powerful Shadow Ball that struck her full force. The blast knocked her off her feet, sending her crashing to the ground where she lay stunned and vulnerable, she could only scream in fear as the Gastlys all surrounded her and let loose, their techniques ripping her apart.
Of the other four, two were already running while the dumber types, the other two - finally launched Pokeballs.
Ezra lazily gestured towards the two Pokemon, a Muk and a mean looking Pikachu. "Deal with the sideshow."
Silly Rockets, acting like this is a match, you should have released ALL your Pokemon, and at least make it a challenge.
His four Pokemon descended on the two Rocket Pokemon, utterly defeating them, causing them to faint within just a few moves.
Meanwhile the two runners had perished, the Ghosts rocketing them back and forth between them like ping pong balls, using low energy shadow balls to do damage but not lethal damage, to knock the two back and forth. Like cats playing with mice.
He noted both had broken necks, purely by accident he suspected, simply from rough play. Which left the last two, as all the Ghosts converged.
Both of them fell to their knees, begging. "PLEASE! WE'VE SURRENDERED!"
Ezra made a show of thinking it over, before shrugging, "I'm just a kid, what do I know about this, I'll let the Ghosts decide." Too bad the leader died first and didn't get to hear that one…
The Ghosts descended with cackles, making quick work of the last remaining Rockets.
With all of them dead, it was like a dark film was pulled away from his eyes, and he stumbled slightly as he looked at what he'd wrought.
He turned around and vomited, holding his stomach as he expelled everything he'd eaten.
"Fuck…" He muttered, weakly.
He'd gotten carried away. While he wasn't opposed to killing Team Rocket members who'd surely hold no mercy for him, he'd never done anything like that before.
And he hadn't needed to be cruel, to that extent. He could have also just used hypnosis by sneaking his armada of Ghosts behind them - and they would have never figured out what happened.
"If I'm going to murder someone, it's gotta be my choice." He swore to himself, as he wiped his mouth with his sleeve.
I can't lose control like that… I've played too much with the darkness and my shadow, I need to explore a lot more… Carefully.
He'd gather up the Pokeballs, return them to the police, in case any of the Pokemon could be rehabilitated.
Killing Team Rocket members in self defense was legal, due to their status as a terrorist organization, so he wouldn't get in trouble.
Yet…
He looked at the carnage again, slightly green.
I don't need to be like that, I can be stronger than that.
1 week later, Pewter, Kanto.
Karen grimaced as she got a call from Agatha, she briefly thought of not answering, but Agatha could teleport and would no doubt come bend her over her knee if she did.
"I don't have any updates yet." She said immediately upon answering the call, stubbornly staring at the older woman, her arms crossed. Never back down, don't make excuses, she's like a sharpedo in bloodied water.
Agatha hummed, a crooked smile on her weathered face, "Oh dear, oh dear, no updates at all you say?"
Karen felt her blood freeze, no… He can't have done something else, he has to come by here! He can't do the circuit without hitting Pewter!
"You've been sitting on your pretty little ass this entire time, while you could have been doing m-your paperwork, and you have no updates at all, Karen?" Agatha said almost cheerfully.
Karen gulped, knowing she treaded in treacherous water. Those who knew Agatha knew that when she was a cold imposing bitch, nothing was wrong - that was just her default. If she was happy or cheerful though… Hide. Hide very far away. "A-ah, I mean… He has to come by here, I-I'm setting a trap!"
"Interesting." Agatha said, holding her head up so that her crooked nose looked down on her, "Very interesting. Explain to me however, child, why you're trapping Pewter, when the brats last known location was Goldenrod city, in Johto!"
Karen's brain stuttered to a full stop. She couldn't compute. It had NOT happened again. She refused that reality. He was not on a different fucking continent, AGAIN! "What?" She managed to weakly spurt out, knowing Agatha was waiting on an answer.
"The little brat Lance spanked Pryce across the arena yesterday." Agatha said, like that wasn't a huge piece of news to just dump unceremoniously on her, "Bah, so we have a new Champion, who cares." She waved a hand dismissively, "He did have the time to ask about our quarry who's apparently made the papers twice in Johto." Agatha's expression was intense as she twisted the knife in Karen's gut, mercilessly. Karen could feel her soul leave her body as the Ghost Mistress continued.
"Once in Cherrygrove due to his unusual Marowak Ghost evolution…" Agatha's face grew bigger on the screen as she loomed over Karen even across the distances between them, "I don't have a Ghost Marowak, girl… Why don't I have the boy with a Ghost Marowak at my fingertips right now?"
Karen only managed to weakly splutter, there was too much stuff in such a short time, just too much.
"Then…" Agatha said slowly, like she was enjoying prolonging Karen's suffering, "Then, he appeared in Goldenrod, with the Pokeballs of six Rocket grunts, the brat having taken down six terrorists. Naturally, Lance noted that fact down, asking about the Kanto native, gallivanting around Johto. Why aren't you in Johto already!?"
Karen yelped, immediately beginning to move with frenetic pace, packing her stuff up, "I'll leave right away!"
Seriously, what is this kid? The Orange League, unknown evolutions, fighting six terrorists? Can I even… Can I even take him in? She thought, as she packed.
Agatha clicked her tongue, "If you don't find him soon, I'll have to find an appropriate punishment, perhaps once he's my apprentice, you can be his." She hissed out, a devious smirk on her face, before she just cut the connection.
Karen changed her mind. She definitely could take him.
In fact, she'd take him down so hard he wouldn't even be able to look at Dark Pokemon ever again due to her actions, and he'd switch to a career as a Jigglypuff juggler.
She would not, could not fail again.
Her reputation depended on it.
Author's note:
So, this is obviously not going to be a normal Pokemon story. He'll still eventually be going through the Kanto gyms, but he'll also be building himself an economic power base,
Having died and been resurrected, in a dead teen's body, his affinity for the dark and dead is like catnip for all these Pokemon - that said, there's obviously a hand moving behind all this, because it's not that easy to get Pokemon.
Also, I am generally bad at pacing, and knew if I was going to spend several chapters chasing Pokemon, we'd be at 200k words before he could even begin doing something.
The team will grow and change for what he needs, the six Pokemon available for battles being swapped in and out for different gyms as he'll have more than six he'll train to be truly elite.
His proper team will be named, the other Pokemon will not.
This fic shouldn't get too super dark, (by my standards anyway) but yes, in some cases useless trash like Team Rocket grunts may end up dead.
Agatha haven't just upped and called him, because she wants to be in control of their first meeting, and in a phone/video call she runs the risk of him just hanging up on her.
Especially as by now she'd have the deets of what went down in Orange islands and knows he's a bit... Impolite.
Cheers
JollyHippopotamus
Chapter 7: Home away from Home.
New
JollyHippopotamus
Not too sore, are you?
- Joined
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Here's chapter 7: Home away from Home.
Beating out D&C by an inch, we get another Dark Tidings chapter voted in by Patreon.
Although coming out this quick, I got D&C done this week anyway and it should be out shortly. It did come in third.
This is another chapter of more set up, no Pokemon fights here, although that should change next chapter.
Named team:
Cheshire - Haunter
Loki - Shuppet
Nyx - Spiritomb
Rider - Alolan Marowak
As usual, I do not own Pokemon or the associated companies that deliver material from it. I'm just playing in the kiddy pool, don't hurt me.
Enjoy!
The Indigo Plateau stood like a fortress at the edge of the world, nestled high in the mountains where the air was thin and the sky seemed close enough to touch. It was a place of legends, where the strongest trainers from all regions came to prove their worth, to battle the Elite Four, and to challenge the Champion.
The Plateau itself was a sprawling complex, built into the natural landscape with a blend of ancient architecture and modern facilities. The towering peaks provided a dramatic backdrop to the grand stadiums and sleek office buildings, giving the entire area an air of gravitas that few places in the Pokemon world could match.
Ezra arrived in the early morning, the sun just beginning to peek over the horizon, casting long shadows across the Plateau. The crisp, cool air was invigorating, carrying with it the faint scent of pine and the ever-present hum of activity that surrounded the League headquarters. As he made his way through the main entrance, he couldn't help but feel a twinge of excitement at the vista, mingled with a healthy dose of apprehension of what might lay ahead for him. This was the heart of the Pokemon League, a place where the most powerful trainers in the world gathered, and he was about to delve into its bureaucratic depths.
In a way it was ironic that he was here not as a Pokemon trainer, really. But as a landowner. He really hoped bureaucracy was streamlined in this world compared to his old one.
The Pokemon League offices were located in a massive, imposing structure at the center of the Plateau, its stone walls and grand pillars giving it the appearance of a temple dedicated to the art of battle. The building was abuzz with activity, trainers and officials moving about with purpose, their footsteps echoing off the polished floors. The interior was equally grand, with high ceilings adorned with intricate carvings depicting legendary Pokemon, and large windows that let in streams of natural light. The atmosphere was one of beauty and importance, but also of daunting formality - a place where everything had its place, and where order was maintained with an iron grip.
It was also clearly separated by the more Pokemon battles oriented business, and the business which was not, the doorway into the offices of the licensing bureau practically hidden in a corner of the grand entrance hall. A small plaque denoting what it was.
Ezra pushed open the heavy doors of the licensing office and stepped inside, his gaze sweeping over the bustling scene before him. He was here for a specific reason - to secure a stable license, a legal requirement if he wanted to house and train all of his Pokémon in one location. After spending several days scouting he'd found the perfect plot of land near Pewter City - a small, secluded area that would give him the privacy he needed - he had purchased the property for half a million Pokedollars. Now, all that remained was to navigate the labyrinthine process of League bureaucracy to make it official.
The fact was that with him having caught all the Pokemon that showed up for him near the ruins in Johto, he couldn't train them properly as it was with just a six Pokemon limit. The chances of him upping that limit right now were laid at approximately zero. So the other option was to find a location to create a stable.
Stables were used by a lot of trainers to take care of their superfluous Pokemon - most trainers catching more than six at some point, and not everyone able to send them home to be taken care of. The difference here was that he was doing this so that he could release all his Pokemon at this location, allowing him to train them all, instead of just leaving them all behind somewhere, or constantly rotating out Pokemon.
The waiting area of the office was a familiar sight to anyone who had ever dealt with government paperwork - a sea of uncomfortable chairs, a row of stern-looking clerks seated behind a long counter, and a giant digital screen displaying numbers that seemed to change at a glacial pace. It was a place where time itself seemed to slow, where the very air was thick with the scent of ink and the sound of impatient sighs.
In a word. It was Hell.
Ezra glanced at the screen and then at the slip of paper in his hand. His number wasn't even close to being called. He let out a resigned sigh, resigned to the reality that this was going to be a long day.
He found an empty chair and sat down, trying to make himself as comfortable as possible. The minutes ticked by with agonizing slowness as he watched the numbers on the screen inch forward. Occasionally, a clerk's monotone voice would call out a number, and someone would shuffle to the counter, clutching a stack of papers like a lifeline. Ezra had no choice but to wait, his mind wandering as the monotony of the office began to take its toll.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, his number was called. He stood and approached the counter, where a middle-aged woman with a stern expression and glasses perched on the edge of her nose awaited him. Without so much as a greeting, she thrust a stack of forms toward him.
"Fill these out and take them to window five," she said curtly, already moving on to the next person in line, "Make sure to take a ticket again." She added, making Ezra slouch slightly in pure defeat.
Whoever invented this system was wrong in the head.
Ezra took the forms and made his way to a nearby desk, after getting a new ticket of course, whereupon he spent the next several minutes painstakingly filling out each section. The forms were dense with legal jargon and required an absurd amount of personal information which he mostly had to make up, but he completed them with the kind of efficiency that came from years of navigating worse bureaucratic processes - those for disability benefits. When he was done, he gathered the papers and headed to wait for window five.
An amazingly quick thirty-nine minutes later, (not that he was counting) his number was called.
The clerk at window five was a younger man, but his bored expression and lethargic movements indicated he had long since lost any enthusiasm for his job. He took the forms from Ezra, barely glancing at them before stamping each one with a heavy thud. "Take these to window nine," He muttered, handing the papers back.
If that's all you needed to do, why couldn't the other lady have a stamp!? He wanted to scream, but knew that any such action would avail him of nothing in this purgatory.
Ezra just gritted his teeth and nodded, holding back a sigh as he moved on to the next line, grabbing another ticket. This process repeated itself several more times - each window representing a new hurdle, each clerk more disinterested than the last. By the time Ezra reached an actual licensing office, where his eligibility for the license would be reviewed, his patience was wearing very thin.
The clerk in the office was a middle aged man, with graying hair and a pinched bland expression that suggested he fit right in with this drab plain office of suffering - his name tag just said John, the name suited him, bland and impersonal. He adjusted his glasses as he looked over Ezra's paperwork with a scrutinizing eye.
"Everything seems to be in order," The man said slowly, as if weighing each word. "But I have a few questions before we proceed. You're quite young to be applying for a stable license. What's your background? Where did you acquire the funds to purchase the land?" All asked in a dry monotone like he really didn't care, but felt the questions needed to be asked due to protocols.
He bet the man took a shit according to protocols too.
Ezra kept his expression neutral, though inwardly he was bristling, his patience almost entirely at an end. He had anticipated this kind of probing of course, but it didn't make it any less annoying. "I've been successful in a business venture," He replied smoothly. "It has ensured financial stability. As for my background, I've filled out that paperwork already, and I should be in the system as well."
He tried to keep his voice as bland and formal as everyone here, knowing how petty little bureaucrats could be. He didn't want to risk anything going south because of his tone, or something equally idiotic.
The man's eyes narrowed, clearly not satisfied with Ezra's vague answers, but he also moved on to the next question, showing he didn't care, and this was all ticking off boxes on an imaginary check list. "And how did you come by so many Pokemon at such a young age? It's unusual for someone your age to have the resources or the experience to manage a stable." He said drolly, not even looking at Ezra as he asked, instead sorting paperwork.
Ezra resisted the urge to roll his eyes. "I'm resourceful," He said simply. "And I've had a lot of success in my travels. I've worked hard to build my team, and I'm fully capable of managing a stable. The paperwork is in order, isn't it? So can we move forward with this?"
Even knowing he needed to remain polite, he was beginning to seethe, hours in this place was driving him mad, and he needed to be careful he didn't ruin things at the finish line. He plastered a politely curious look on his face, wiping away the obvious annoyance.
The bureaucrat pursed his lips, clearly not accustomed to being spoken to in such a direct manner. He tapped the papers with his fingers, as if considering whether to press the issue further. "Your attitude is concerning," He said finally. "This is a serious responsibility, and I need to be sure you're taking it seriously."
Shit. He's that kind of bureaucrat..
Ezra bit back a sharp retort, forcing himself to stay calm. He was too close to let this slip through his fingers now. "I apologize if I've come across as dismissive," He said, choosing his words carefully. "But I assure you, I understand the importance of this license. I've invested a significant amount of time and money into this, and I have every intention of complying with all regulations. I'm ready to proceed, if you are."
Arceus save him from power tripping small minded bureaucrats.
The older man studied him for a long moment, as if searching for any sign of deception. Finally, he nodded slowly, albeit reluctantly. "Very well," He said. "But let me remind you, the six Pokemon limit is still in effect. You may only release all of your Pokemon within the boundaries of your stable. Outside of that, the standard rules apply."
Ezra nodded, though the reminder was unnecessary. He had done his homework and knew the rules inside and out. But he wasn't about to antagonize the man further by pointing that out. "Understood," He said. "Thank you for your time."
The man gave a curt nod and stamped the final approval on the forms before handing them back to Ezra. "Take these to licensing office B4 down the hall," He instructed. "They'll issue your official license and provide you with the documentation for your stable."
Ezra took the papers with a sense of relief, offering a polite nod before turning on his heel and leaving the office behind. The moment he stepped out of the waiting area and into the hallway, he felt a weight lift off his shoulders. The hard part was over. Now, all that was left was to finalize the paperwork and get out of this bureaucratic nightmare.
The actual licensing office was much quieter than the main waiting area, with only a handful of clients and clerks present. The woman behind the counter was efficient, processing his papers and issuing his license with minimal fuss. Within minutes, Ezra was holding the official documentation for his new stable, the culmination of days of planning and the oh so tedious paperwork.
He glanced at the license, a small smile of satisfaction tugging at the corners of his mouth. It had been a hassle, but it was worth it. Now he had a place to house his growing team, a place where he could train without restrictions, and a base of operations that would serve him well in the days to come.
It wouldn't do to keep all his eggs in one basket after all. Who knew if Lavender would pan out in the end? It was good to have a fallback spot. As for the expenditure, he never saw much point in the idea of having numbers in a bank account as the whole idea of being rich.
If you weren't spending it, what was the point of being rich in the first place?
Ezra didn't linger after he got his license. He had no desire to spend another minute in the oppressive atmosphere of the licensing offices. As soon as the license was safely tucked away, he made his way out of the building, the cool mountain air a welcome change from the stifling interior that had almost drained him of the will to live.
He didn't waste any time in taking to the skies. Pidgeot, who had been resting in its Pokeball during the ordeal, emerged with a powerful flap of its wings, ready to fly. Ezra mounted up and directed Pidgeot to take them back to Pewter, to the plot of land that was now officially his.
As they soared over the mountains, the Indigo Plateau receding into the distance behind them, Ezra wondered with some amusement, just how many places in Kanto and Johto he'd end up visiting before even fighting one gym…
He was definitely doing this whole thing in an unconventional way.
Agatha's office,
Agatha frowned as she stamped another useless document. How was it that changing out the Champion required her to do paperwork.
That nonsense had nothing to do with her. Although Lance struck her exactly as the type to have a dragon 'accidentally' eat his paperwork and then push the fix downwards. Shit always floated downstream - hence why she'd bothered with an apprentice - who would be the ultimate shit collector at the bottom of said stream.
Her computer pinged at her, and she peered at it with annoyance, until she saw that it was the notice a nice young man from IT had set up to ping her whenever anything mentioning Ezra Kassian popped up in the system.
She scooted closer, a finger stabbing at the computer screen as she almost lost all decorum. He's right here on the plateau! She noted his profile had several more Pokemon added, jolting in surprise at the ??? as the only identifier on some of them. Interesting…
She sunk into the shadows immediately, chair and all. I've got you now, boy! She cackled.
…
John was a simple man at heart. He didn't care for excitement, nor did he care for Pokemon, or Pokemon battles. It had made him an oddity, and ostracized him.
To young John's utter joy.
Because he hated people, so his ostracization was the best thing that ever happened to him.
When he'd found that the licensing bureau was hiring - despite the fact it was the Pokemon League, he'd been first in line. Strangely enough, despite the fact he entered the line twelve hours before they opened, his competitors never showed up for the interview, and he was hired on the spot.
It was nice boring work. And he got to make things difficult for people without having to actually interact much with them.
He frowned as he walked back to his office, a cup of coffee in hand - black, because sugar and cream was too exciting for a work day.
He didn't often have to deal with children. Or teenagers he supposed. Trainers rarely came here, and those that did, tended to be older by the time they were wanting to get a license for breeding or stabling Pokemon.
He could have kept the boy for hours with minutiae like he normally did - but he didn't like children much, and had decided it was better to just see him off.
He walked up to his office just as all light seemed to be sucked out of it, an ominous wind scattering paperwork as low eerie cackling was heard across the offices - people stopping what they were doing and staring in sudden fear.
Right in front of John, Lady Agatha of the Elite Four materialized out of the floor, Ghost Pokemon at her shoulders as the shadows themselves spat her out, no doubt finding her unpalatable, John thought, shivering at the sight of the wrinkly old monster.
"Where is Ezra Kassian!?" She said with a wicked smirk on her face, staring straight at John.
John dropped his coffee cup, letting out a meep.
He was pretty sure he was suffering from a heart attack.
That was most definitely too exciting.
Pewter city, Kanto.
Ezra soared over Pewter City, his Pidgeot gliding effortlessly through the crisp morning air. Below him, the city gave way to rolling hills and dense patches of forest, the landscape dotted with small farms and secluded homes. It wasn't long before he spotted his plot of land, a modest yet picturesque stretch of countryside nestled on the outskirts of the city, far enough from the main roads to ensure privacy but close enough to access civilization when necessary.
As Pidgeot descended, the full scope of the property came into view. The land was bordered by tall, well-kept hedges interspersed with low stone walls, not designed to keep Pokemon in, but rather to set the boundaries and stop any curious passersby from wandering onto the property.
The hedges were thick and neatly trimmed, a dark green contrast to the natural stone. Beyond the hedges, the land sloped gently downward, leading to a cluster of buildings that made up the heart of the property.
The main building was a sturdy, farmhouse-style structure with a slate roof and walls of weathered stone. It had a rustic charm, with wide windows and a large, covered porch that wrapped around the front and side. The building was more than large enough to house Ezra and provide space for indoor training sessions or Pokemon care. Adjacent to the house was a large barn, its red paint slightly faded by the sun, but the structure itself was solid. It was clearly designed for storage and the housing of larger Pokemon, with spacious stalls and an open area for supplies.
The plot had been a stable before, hence his interest in buying it up. It saved him the hassle of having to have something built on another plot - cheaper perhaps in the long run - but he'd happily pay a premium for something that worked now.
The surrounding landscape was just as ideal. Dark heavy forests stretched out behind the buildings, with the front side being open fields. A small pond gleamed in the morning light, its surface calm and inviting, perfect for if he caught himself any Ghost/Dark water hybrid Pokemon - or simply as a serene spot to relax.
The land was fertile, with plenty of room for expansion if needed, and it was clear that the previous owner had taken good care of it. Ezra could see the potential here - a place where he could train his Pokemon in peace, away from prying eyes.
As Pidgeot landed softly in the dirt path leading to the farmhouse, Ezra dismounted and took a moment to absorb his surroundings. This was his land now, a place where he could build something of his own, where he could train and develop his team without the restrictions he'd faced elsewhere. It was isolated enough to be secure, but not so remote as to be inconvenient. It wasn't perfect. But it was close enough.
The first thing that caught his eye was the delivery truck parked near the front gate. Several large crates were stacked beside it, each labeled with the names of different types of Pokemon food. He had ordered the supplies ahead of time, ensuring that his Pokemon would have the sustenance they needed as they settled into their new home.
Ezra walked over to inspect the delivery, noting the variety of food types. Each crate was clearly marked and securely packed. Waving the delivery truck off as they'd just finished unloading as he arrived.
Despite the thoroughness of the delivery, Ezra knew that the amount he had ordered was far less than what most stables would require for a team as large and diverse as his. His Pokemon, particularly the Ghost types, seemed to draw more sustenance from his aura than from physical food. It was an unusual phenomenon, one that he had yet to fully understand, but it made logistics easier in some ways.
Even his Dark Pokemon seemed to enjoy his aura, so feeding them on the road wasn't an issue. Yet he'd still ordered the food for the necessity of feeding his Pokemon when he wasn't around himself.
He popped open one of the crates, pulling out a small sample of the food and inspecting it closely. The pellets were fresh, high-quality, and exactly what he had specified. Satisfied, he closed the crate and began moving the supplies toward the barn, cheating and working out at the same time as his shadow split into tendrils, helping drag crates along. It seemed as long as he was lifting/dragging something as well - his shadow didn't struggle with it.
Once the supplies were stored away, Ezra took a final walk around the property, his eyes scanning the landscape, noting the best spots for training and where he could make improvements. There was a certain peace to the land, a quiet that allowed him to think clearly, to plan for the future. It was a blank slate, ready for him to shape into whatever he needed it to be.
He might be taking a different route to fight towards victory than most trainers - focusing less on battles, more on training and setting up an operation around them.
He would show them all in the end.
Next day, Pewter city, Kanto.
The sun was just beginning to rise over Pewter City as he approached, casting long shadows across the rocky landscape and giving the town its characteristic gray hue. Pewter was an old city, one of the first to be established in Kanto, and its architecture reflected its history. Buildings were constructed from stone and mortar, sturdy and practical, blending seamlessly with the rocky terrain that surrounded them. The city had a rugged charm, with cobblestone streets winding between the buildings and leading up to the impressive silhouette of the Pewter Gym, perched on a hill overlooking the town.
Ezra walked through the streets, his mind focused on the tasks ahead. The night before, Steven Stone had sent over the initial paperwork for their business partnership, and Ezra knew that it was essential to have a competent lawyer look it over before he signed anything. The contract was long, detailed, and filled with legal jargon that, while familiar, was not his expertise. If there was one thing Ezra had learned in his previous life, it was the importance of thoroughly understanding any document before putting his name on it - especially when dealing with a corporate titan like Stone.
Pewter City had been known for its mining industry in the past, and the people here were still known for their tenacity and practicality. That extended to their lawyers, who had a reputation for being as tough as the rocks that surrounded the city. Ezra needed someone who could match Stone's team of corporate sharks, someone who could find and eliminate any hidden clauses that might put him at a disadvantage.
If you had to hire a lawyer, it was best to hire someone who'd refuse to give up on principle - because they were just that stubborn.
As he passed by the various shops and businesses that lined the main street, Ezra kept an eye out for the law office he'd been told about. Pewter City was smaller than, for example, Saffron or Celadon, but it was still a bustling town, with a surprising number of law firms considering its size. It wasn't long before he found what he was looking for - a small, unassuming building with a plaque that read Boulder & Associates - Legal Expertise as Solid as Stone.
Ezra smirked at the tagline and pushed the door open, stepping inside. The interior was just as no-nonsense as the exterior, with plain stone walls, sturdy wooden furniture, and a few framed documents hanging on the walls that attested to the firm's various accolades and certifications. A woman sat behind the reception desk, her expression focused as she typed away on a computer. She looked up as Ezra entered, her eyes sharp and assessing.
"Good morning," She greeted, her voice brisk but not unfriendly. "How can we assist you today?"
"I'm looking for legal representation," Ezra replied, stepping up to the desk. "I need someone to review a business contract and advise me on any potential pitfalls. Preferably someone who isn't afraid to push back against a big name."
The woman's eyes narrowed slightly, as if sizing him up. After a moment, she nodded. "You'll want to speak with Mr. Marcus then. He's our senior partner and specializes in contract law. Please, have a seat, and I'll see if he's available."
He'd have to give them that. She hadn't asked if he could afford it/where his parents were, or anything like it. She looked like she'd thought it. But she hadn't asked. As far as Ezra was concerned, any place that didn't immediately dismiss him as a kid, was a good place to start with.
Although with how he kept interacting with services no one his age regularly dealt with - it was no wonder he kept running into the issue.
People his age were generally still trainers on the circuit or had joined up with the gyms/league - or they worked low end jobs having never gone on a journey. Neither needed licensing bureaus, lawyers or negotiations to buy land.
Ezra took a seat in one of the wooden chairs, waiting while his mind was already turning over the upcoming discussion. He didn't have to wait long before the woman returned, gesturing for him to follow her down a short hallway. She led him to a modest office at the end of the hall, where a man in his early forties sat behind a large oak desk, papers spread out before him. He looked up as they entered, his sharp, brown eyes immediately locking onto Ezra.
"Mister Marcus, this is the young man that is here for a contract review," The receptionist said before stepping back and closing the door behind her.
The man - Mr. Marcus - stood up and extended a hand. He was tall and lean, with a stern expression softened only slightly by the touch of gray at his temples. His handshake was firm, and his gaze never wavered from Ezra's face.
Ezra introduced himself quietly, idly noting that the lawyer seemed to already be aware of who he was. The lawyer who drew up the real estate contract on their end perhaps?
Ezra had simply rented a lawyer's time for an hour for that contract, it had been simple enough not to need one at all, but he'd wanted to make sure. No wonder the real estate agent had recommended the man if he did work for them.
"Mister Kassian, welcome. Please, have a seat," Marcus said, motioning to the chair across from his desk. "Tell me, what can I do for you?"
Ezra sat down, placing the folder containing Stone's contract on the desk between them, having printed it out beforehand. "Thank you. I've recently entered into negotiations with Steven Stone and the Devon Corporation, and I want to make sure the contract they've sent over is airtight - on my end, that is." He spent a few more minutes explaining the particulars of the deal, to give the lawyer the background needed to understand his position.
Marcus's eyebrows rose slightly, a flicker of interest crossing his features as Ezra finished. "Steven Stone, you say? That's quite a client to be dealing with. I take it this is regarding some form of business partnership?"
The fact he knew who Stone was, with how little Hoenn and Kanto interacted - made Ezra feel even better about hiring him. The man was obviously either well connected - or well learned. Either way it was good for him.
"That's right," Ezra confirmed, pushing the folder toward Marcus. "I'm looking to establish a breeding and evolution business, focusing on rare and unknown Pokemon evolutions that I have sole knowledge of - at least as far as I know. Stone is interested in a partnership, but I want to ensure that I'm not signing away anything more than I intend to."
Somewhere in the world someone likely had an evolution or two that he was going to 'discover'. But since they hadn't published the fact, it didn't matter. It wouldn't even surprise him if some researcher somewhere had most of the Eeveelutions, but was too busy researching more to actually tell anyone yet. Their loss, his gain. Once his business was up and running, he'd actually be able to sue anyone that just gave away information for free on any 'proprietary knowledge' he had.
At least in Kanto or Johto, who both had very clannish laws - his business wasn't a clan, but thanks to Silph, it was basically the same thing.
If Oak was anyone but who he was - he would have found a lot more difficulty in his profession due to pressure from the clans. Spreading information on Pokemon was fairly new after all, the Pokedex was a fairly new thing as well - spearheaded by Oak and his allies.
It was thanks to Oak that the 'basic' knowledge about most known Pokemon was widespread.
Marcus nodded, already flipping through the pages of the contract with practiced ease. "Smart move. Too many inexperienced men and women get caught up in the excitement of a deal like this and don't think to check the fine print. Devon Corp is a reputable company, but that doesn't mean they won't protect their own interests above all else."
Ezra watched as Marcus scanned the document, his eyes darting back and forth across the text. The lawyer's expression remained neutral, but Ezra could see the wheels turning in his mind as he dissected each clause.
"This is a well-crafted contract," Marcus said after a few minutes of silence. "But that's to be expected from a company like Devon. They've covered their bases, but there are a few points here that could be adjusted to better protect your interests." Marcus raised an eyebrow, lips quirking slightly, "If you're interested in retaining my services of course.
Ezra nodded his head slowly, this man would do as well as any other, and he had impressed so far in their limited interactions. "I'd like to hire you on as a retainer in that case, not just for this contract, because I'm likely to continue to need a lawyer."
He'd of course take the contract for a second opinion later before signing anything anyway. The man was a lawyer after all. Trust but verify. For all he knew the reason he knew anything at all about Steven Stone was due to being on the man's payroll to look for interesting things in Kanto.
Unlikely, but Ezra wasn't about to take chances with the business which would be his major money maker. And with him soon having a business, and already having stabling rights, having a lawyer on retainer was just common sense.
Marcus brought out a simple sheet of paper, "We can draw up a retainer contract later, this is simply to acknowledge that you've hired my services for an hour in regards to this contract."
Ezra looked it over quickly, it was as simple as he said, and he signed it immediately, glad that this world's fascination with young people traveling the world alone - meant he was legally able to sign contracts. Without that, the last week or two of business would have been a lot more difficult to pull off if the Lavender orphanage still held parental rights over him…
Ezra leaned forward slightly once he'd signed, his attention fully on the lawyer. "What kind of points were you talking about?"
Marcus tapped one of the pages with a pen. "First, the profit-sharing agreement. As it stands, they've structured it so that Devon receives a slightly higher percentage of profits once a certain revenue threshold is met. It's a common clause in these types of contracts, but it's something you might want to negotiate down as I doubt you brought that up in the first negotiation."
Marcus smiled sardonically, "It's a regular little ploy by corporations to slip something like that in. You're the one providing the expertise and the unique Pokemon. Additionally, there's a clause regarding property rights - specifically, the ownership of any new Pokemon evolutions that result from this partnership. As written, Devon would retain full ownership of any discoveries made during the course of the business, even if the initial knowledge came from you - I assume you negotiated some sort of shared profit arrangement, but with this they'd hold all the power in case there were any issues as the literal owners of the information and its products."
Ezra frowned. That was exactly the kind of thing he had been worried about. "How do we fix that?" He'd negotiated the profit share with the idea that he'd still own that percentage.
"We amend the clause to specify that any new Pokemon evolutions or techniques discovered as a result of your initial knowledge will remain split in the percentage you negotiated. Devon can retain the rights to research and production, but the ownership would remain split so they couldn't make unilateral decisions without your input. This way, if the partnership were to dissolve in the future, you'd still retain some control over your discoveries."
Ezra nodded slowly, considering the lawyer's advice. "That sounds like the right move. What else?" He was also somewhat amused that they were calling the Pokemon products - the softer trainer types would flip their lid at that if they heard.
Marcus continued to go through the contract, pointing out various clauses that could be adjusted in Ezra's favor. Some were minor, like tweaking the terms of payment as the cost of trying to slip in the extra clauses, while others were more significant, such as ensuring that Ezra would have a say in any major business decisions like any potential sale of the business in the future. By the time they were finished, Ezra felt much more confident about moving forward with the deal.
"I'll have my secretary draft up the necessary amendments," Marcus said, closing the folder and looking at Ezra with a measured gaze. "Once you've reviewed them and we've made any further changes, I'll send the revised contract to Devon Corp for their review. It's possible they'll push back on some of the points, but that's where negotiation comes in."
Ezra nodded, satisfied with the outcome. "I appreciate your thoroughness, Mr. Marcus. I'd like you to draft that contract to keep you on retainer as well, if that's something you're still open to."
Marcus smiled, the first real honest looking expression he'd shown during their meeting. "I'd be happy to represent you, Ezra. And please, call me Mark."
Mark Marcus?
Ezra stood and shook Mark's hand once more, shaking his head at the man's parents. "Thank you, Mark. I'll look forward to working with you, I intend to have a lot of business for you..."
Just as he was stepping out, he paused, looking back, "Would you be able to point me in the direction of where I could get several Porygons?"
Mark raised an eyebrow in surprise, "Possibly, it wouldn't be easy, you're talking about a newly discovered Pokemon… But for the right price, possibly."
Ezra smiled, and then explained to his lawyer, after making sure to sign the retainer contract - how he intended to use the Porygon to revolutionize the web, bringing social media to Kanto and Johto, describing a mix of twitter and YouTube as the template to the surprised man. To his credit, he immediately saw how that would catch on with all the trainers - especially the younger ones.
As soon as he got a bead on some Porygons he'd let Ezra know, and in the meanwhile he'd study up on the very limited laws that governed the web. Every trainer with a pokedex being able to potentially stream their fights would be huge - let alone the Gyms potentially getting in on it.
The lawyer got a wide shark-like grin on his face as Ezra casually brought up a question - what were the betting laws like? Especially for the online process.
He had a feeling the man would try very hard to find those Porygon.
Of course he'd have to set up a payment system as well, but… That only meant more money for him if he could pull it off. As long as the Porygon could pull off a lot of the work for it, because he definitely couldn't.
With the contract in capable hands, Ezra left the law office and made his way back through the city, his next destination clear in his mind. The Pewter Gym was an iconic landmark, its towering stone facade a testament to the strength and resilience of the trainers who called it home. Flint was still the official Gym Leader, but it wasn't Flint he was going to see.
He wasn't ready to take on the circuit yet.
Ezra had contacted the gym shortly after securing his stable license, putting out feelers to see if any of the trainers there were interested in part-time work. The prospect of working with rare and unknown Pokemon was usually enough to pique the interest of any serious trainer, but Ezra had a particular candidate in mind - Brock. If he could convince Brock to work at his stable, even temporarily, it would be a significant boon.
Someone needed to take care of his Pokemon while he was gone, and he'd prefer to hire someone he knew wasn't likely to screw him or attempt to run off with them. The instinctual fear of Ghost Pokemon some had could be easily worked through, especially once he showed how docile his particular Pokemon were.
The walk to the gym was short, and as Ezra approached, he took a moment to appreciate the building's architecture. The Pewter Gym was constructed from massive slabs of stone, each one meticulously cut and placed to create an imposing structure that seemed to rise organically from the ground. The front entrance was flanked by towering statues of Onix, their serpentine forms coiled in a show of strength and power.
Ezra pushed open the heavy doors and stepped inside, the cool air of the gym a welcome contrast to the warmth of the day. The interior was just as impressive as the exterior, with large, open spaces filled with rocky terrain designed for Rock-type battles. Trainers were scattered throughout the gym, some engaged in battles, others focused on training their Pokemon in the rugged environment. The walls were lined with banners and trophies from past victories, showcasing the gym's long history and its reputation as one of Kanto's most respected battle arenas.
Most trainers didn't immediately go for the gym leader, it was the job of the different gym trainers to test and battle newcomers - and teach them. It wasn't odd for a trainer to take a year or two off to be a gym trainer, sharpening their team while learning from the gym leader.
Most people that went far in the conference had taken this route. Some rookie trainer going all the way, or far into the conference, was rare. No matter how good you were by natural instincts or skill alone, the trainers that went up through the gyms first just had more advantages.
Ezra intended to be that one in a million rookie.
Although he definitely also looked forward to one day having gym trainers or his own, not only to share his expertise with at that point, but to continue to showcase how obviously superior Ghost and Dark Pokemon were.
Ezra made his way across the stone floor, his footsteps echoing in the cavernous space, until he reached the main training area. A group of younger trainers was clustered around a large boulder, watching as a Geodude practiced its Rock Throw under the guidance of an young, dark-haired man. His broad shoulders and strong build gave him the appearance of someone who had spent his life working with powerful Rock types.
Even from behind, Ezra immediately recognized him as Brock. And wasn't surprised to find that he was helping younger trainers out. He'd always seemed the helpful sort, from what he could remember.
It didn't take long for him to notice Ezra's approach. He turned, wiping sweat from his brow, and offered a friendly smile. "You must be the one who inquired about part-time work," He said, his deep voice carrying easily over the noise of the gym. "I'm Brock. I heard you've got some rare Pokemon that need looking after." An aura of excitement overtook him at that, his smile growing more genuine, "I'm always willing to learn more about Pokemon, especially in taking care of their needs." He said enthusiastically.
Ezra would have asked how he recognized him so quickly… But… Albino, 'nuff said.
Ezra returned the smile although his was not nearly as honest, nodding in confirmation. "That's right. I'm Ezra Kassian. I recently purchased some land outside Pewter, and I'm setting up a stable for my Pokemon, who tend to be of the rarer and harder to find variety. I'm looking for someone willing to help care for them when I'm not around, and I figured a local would work best." He idly looked at the staring young faces, before craning his neck somewhat awkwardly, "Is there anywhere we can talk about it?"
Brock sheepishly rubbed the back of his head, before gesturing for him to follow, quickly making his apologies to the coterie of young trainers. As they walked, Brock gave him a curious squinting look, "Did you run into Karen by any chance?" He asked.
Ezra raised an eyebrow, "What?" Because really, that needed a bit more explanation.
Brock smiled sheepishly, "Ah, I suppose not then. She's a cute girl that hung around Pewter for a few days, she had the biggest crush on you."
Ezra's steps faltered, "What!?" He repeated, because there was some missing piece of information here that would make this all make sense, surely?
Brock frowned, "You don't know what I'm talking about do you?"
Ezra gave him an annoyed look, "What clued you in? My complete lack of comprehension of what you're talking about?"
"Yes, that." Brock said, the sarcasm flying right over his head, "The cutie was all over town and all she could talk about was you, like literally. I tried to flirt with her and she went into a ten minute rant about you." He tilted his head hesitantly, "I mean, it was pretty uncomplimentary, but girls can be like that about their crushes sometimes."
"I've never met this girl in my life." Ezra said flatly. The only one he could think would chase after him to yell at him was from the Orange islands, and was definitely not named Karen.
"She's a pretty big deal." Brock said lowly, as he opened a door into some sort of staff room, currently empty, "She's the apprentice of one of the Elite Four."
Ezra walked in, his mind turning over this new tidbit. He recognized the name Karen now, she'd ended up an Elite Four herself, hadn't she? She had Dark Pokemon, and was apprenticed to Agatha the Ghost Mistress. If she was heavily into dark and ghosts and that scene - perhaps she'd seen some of what he could do in the Orange islands and developed a crush?
He did kind of pull off that aesthetic, even without his Pokemon. And the Albino thing might be a turn on if she was some sort of goth chick.
He couldn't fathom any other reason why she'd be looking for him and chatting with strangers about him. If it was official business they would have just called him or summoned him to the indigo plateau. It wasn't like he could turn down an Elite Four calling for him.
"Huh, and she just left, you said?" He asked Brock, not sure how he felt about a girl he'd never met crushing on him. It was very… Anime.
Brock nodded, "Suddenly took off like she had a herd of zubat on her tail, didn't even say goodbye." His eyes narrowed, which for Brock was quite the feat. "Treat her well, she's a very nice girl." He hesitated a bit again, before finishing lamely, "Underneath the prickly bits." In the following silence, Brock managed to also mumble out, "And wear a cup." Very quietly, wincing in remembered pain.
"I don't even know her." Ezra said, shaking his head, not about to give Brock any promises. "Let's get back to why I'm here, I'm willing to pay very competitive wages for someone to look after my Pokemon, some of which are pretty rare, you were named as someone I could trust." Flattery usually worked on 'normal' people, and Ezra figured it wouldn't hurt.
Brock's eyes lit up with curiosity again, clearly intrigued by the offer. "Rare Pokemon, huh? That's not something you hear every day. What kinds of Pokemon are we talking about?" He said, rubbing his hands together eagerly.
Ezra knew that this was the moment that could ruin Brock's interest if he didn't word things carefully. "It's mostly Ghost types and a few Dark Pokemon that I have in my stable, unlike how their reputations are, they are remarkably docile, and could give a lot of experience and information to a young trainer if Pokemon rearing or breeding holds any interest. It's a pretty diverse group, and they require a lot of attention and specialized care."
Brock's expression shifted from curiosity to some trepidation. "Ghost and Dark types, you say? That's definitely unusual, especially in this region. Most trainers around here stick to the basics - Rock, Normal, Bug, the occasional Grass type. I've always been interested in learning about different kinds of Pokemon, especially the ones you don't see every day, but..." He made a hand gesture seemingly lost for words.
Ezra got the gist however. Scary Pokemon.
Ezra tilted his head slightly, studying Brock. "I had been told you needed experience raising Pokemon, that battling wasn't your main passion? I'm willing to pay quite well, enough you could use the money afterwards to perhaps take some courses in breeding or rearing. I simply need someone who can keep an eye on them, make sure they're healthy and happy, and handle any issues that might come up while I'm away. I'm only looking for part-time help, so you wouldn't have to spend all your time there."
Whenever he intended to be gone for long stretches of time, would be the only time he would really need Brock - for short trips for a few days he could just take them all with him and rotate them in and out at a Pokecenter.
He really would rather prefer Brock, but if he was too hesitant, he'd find someone else. Docile his 'mon might be. But they were still Pokemon of their typing, and if Brock walked in terrified, they'd eat him alive.
Not literally. He hoped.
Brock crossed his arms, considering the offer carefully. "I'm… Interested." He said slowly, "Depending on how many hours, pay, and the like. Although I admit I'm not that well read on these particular types." His cheeks pinked a little, "I know a little about Dark Pokemon, studying up on them for a bit when Karen arrived."
Ezra appreciated the directness, Brock wasn't wasting his time at least. He could appreciate that Brock wasn't the type to jump into something without understanding the full picture, and that was exactly what Ezra needed in a caretaker. "I've got a lot on my plate right now," Ezra explained. "I'm working on a few different projects that will take me out of town pretty often. When I'm away for a week or two the odd times, I need someone reliable to take over. I'll pay you full gym trainer wages for only part-time work, and you'll basically work a week or two here and there when I need you, and have the rest of the time off. Paid time off." He reiterated, wanting to seal the deal with his number one pick.
Brock nodded slowly, taking it all in. "I see. Well, I won't lie - I've been looking for something a little different. My dad's the Gym Leader here, and I've got some free time on my hands. Running a stable for rare Pokemon sounds like a great opportunity, especially if it's just part-time for now."
He seemed to think it over, rubbing his chin, before looking at Ezra seriously, "I am willing to give it a shot, but it would probably be best if I meet them first and see if this can even work out."
Ezra had anticipated this. Brock wouldn't want to sign on for something he couldn't do, "Of course," Ezra said. "I wouldn't expect you to agree without seeing the setup first. How about you come by the stable this afternoon? I can introduce you to the team, show you the property, and answer any questions you might have."
Brock smiled, his interest now fully piqued. "Sounds like a plan. I've got a few things to wrap up here at the gym, but I can be over there by mid-afternoon. Just give me the address, and I'll be there."
Ezra pulled out a small notebook and scribbled down the address of his property, tearing off the page and handing it to Brock. "I'll see you then. And Brock - thanks for considering this. It means a lot that you're willing to try something outside of your expertise."
Ezra was going to vomit soon if he had to keep smiling and complimenting people. But Brock was one of those honestly good people that infested the Pokemon world. It would be like kicking a puppy if he was his usual acerbic and snarky self.
Maybe later, when the guy got used to him.
With that, the two parted ways, Brock returning to his duties at the gym while Ezra left with a sense of satisfaction at getting his way, even if he felt that he was increasingly faking things too much. Things were starting to fall into place however. He had a competent lawyer reviewing his contract with Devon Corp and looking into Porygons, and now he had the potential of hiring Brock to help manage his Pokemon when he couldn't be there.
Once he was finished up in Pewter, he'd go find a tournament in Johto again, while pursuing his interests there, and go back to being his snarky lovable self, making fun of idiot trainers. Maybe he could even have a rematch with Shae?
By the time Ezra arrived back at his property, the sun had climbed higher in the sky, casting a warm glow over the land. He took a moment to appreciate the quiet solitude of the place, the way the hedges and stone walls provided a sense of seclusion without feeling closed off. It was the perfect environment for what he had planned - a place where he could focus on training his team and building his business without distractions.
At least until he was ready to ride victorious into Lavender Town and establish his gym.
Ezra spent the next few hours making sure everything was in order for Brock's visit. He checked on the Pokemon, ensuring they were all settled in and comfortable, and made a mental list of the things he wanted to discuss with Brock. It was important to be thorough, to cover all the bases and make sure there were no misunderstandings.
When mid-afternoon arrived, Ezra was waiting at the front gate, keeping an eye out for Brock's arrival. He didn't have to wait long. A few minutes later, he saw the figure of Brock approaching, walking up the dirt path with an easy, confident stride. The closer Brock got, the more Ezra could see the genuine excitement in his expression, coupled with the nervousness of someone trying something new for the first time.
Ghosts and Dark Pokemon definitely had a reputation in Kanto.
"Welcome to the stable," Ezra greeted as Brock reached the gate. He opened it and motioned for Brock to follow him inside. "I've set everything up so you can get a good look at the place and meet my Pokemon."
Brock nodded, his eyes already scanning the surroundings with a keen eye. "Thanks, Ezra. I'm looking forward to seeing what you've got here, the old owners were pretty isolationist, I don't think anyone ever was allowed inside while they ran the place."
As they walked through the property, Ezra pointed out the various features - the barn where the supplies were stored, the open fields and heavy forests where the Pokemon could roam, and the small pond that provided a natural water source.
He gestured to the barn, "Currently my Dark Pokemon are resting in there, while my Ghosts prefer to haunt the forest. Your main job besides feeding them, would basically be to keep them entertained and active, so they don't get into too much trouble."
Brock nodded, having a notepad and pen out, and to Ezra's bemusement, seemed to be transcribing what he was saying, word for word. "Doesn't sound too impossible." He muttered, "I can make up some games, even simple ones like tag should be interesting with Ghosts in the mix."
"Ready to meet them?" Ezra asked, hiding a smirk.
Brock nodded decisively, "Of course!"
"Say hello to Loki." Ezra drawled, as Brock felt something ghost past his shoulder.
Brock turned his head, coming face to face with the Shuppet, which blew him a raspberry.
He turned back to Ezra, some nervous sweat on his brow, only for Cheshire to be right in his face, giving him a long lick.
"They like you already." Ezra said wryly.
"This isn't too bad." Brock said nervously.
Over the next few hours Brock was run ragged by the Pokemon, but never in a mean way. The mischievousness of his 'mon not able to throw Brock overly much.
The rock type trainer taking it all with aplomb, and handling them with care even as he ensured they didn't go too far.
In the end, he was willing to give it a try, and Ezra was pleased with his capabilities vis-a-vis his 'mon.
So another deal was struck.
That evening, Ezra's stable, Kanto.
The sun was high in the sky over Ezra's secluded plot of land, casting a warm glow across the landscape that was rapidly chilling as they headed towards nighttime. The air was thick with the earthy scent of pine and soil, a gentle breeze rustling the leaves of the surrounding trees. It was a perfect evening for training, and Ezra was determined to make the most of it.
He had his Pokemon divided into two groups, carefully organized based on their types and the specific training they needed. On one side were his Ghost types - lead by his team, with the Sableye, Duskull, Mimikyu, Dreepy and the rest all waiting for his orders.
I can't wait to see Lance's face one day when I take down a Dragonite with Mimikyu… He thought as he smiled at the Pokemon, now wearing a much better looking Pikachu disguise after Ezra picked up some crafts materials.
Lighting wouldn't be a problem tonight either with the Litwicks and Lampents present.
On the other side, he had his Dark types - Murkrow, Houndour and Poochyena, Skuntank, Zorua, and Deino - all of them eagerly awaiting his attention.
Ezra wasn't focused on techniques today. He had trained his team of Pokemon in their moves extensively, and they were already formidable in battle. And he'd get there with the rest of them, but first they needed to go through what his team had already been working on since he got them.
Something deeper, something that could give them an edge beyond what most trainers considered. He was going to help them hone their energy, the very essence of their being that fueled their powers and defined their abilities. It wasn't just about getting stronger; it was about refining that strength, understanding it, and learning to wield it with precision.
He'd already taught his team how to mess around with it, compressing techniques, making them denser. Making them lighter and faster in exchange for less oomph - how to manipulate the energy.
And he must have been doing something right with it, considering how quickly they picked it up - for example how quickly Cubone had both harnessed steel energy and fire energy.
Focusing on the actual power behind the techniques rather than the techniques themselves. They could start throwing Shadow Balls and the like once they knew themselves and the techniques inside and out.
"Alright," Ezra called out, his voice firm but encouraging. "Today, we're not focusing on moves or battles. We're going to dig deeper. I want each of you to connect with your energy, to feel it, understand it, and learn to control it in a way you haven't before. This is going to take patience and focus, but it's going to pay off in the long run." He gestures to Loki, who quickly created a Shadow Ball, the tiny ball a tenth of the size of a normal attack, impossibly dense. "That is what you can learn when you learn how to use every iota of your powers."
Loki sent the Shadow Ball off, and it cracked a tree in half as it hit, the speed greater as well, Loki cheering as he did a little pirouette in the air.
His new Pokemon responded with a mix of determination and curiosity, basking in his aura. He wondered if his aura was helping them understand better, if that's why his team had picked things up so quickly.
Either way, aura or him, it was only to his benefit. His Ghost Pokemon would train with their energy until they ran out of gas, at which point they would come and snack on him, before getting back to it.
Something he'd have to train with at some point, because if he could surreptitiously stretch out his aura to reinvigorate his Pokemon in battle, that would be the ultimate cheat.
For his Dark Pokemon, they'd have a different training regime. A harsher one in a way. But they were exactly the type to take it and come and ask for more. Dark types weren't the kind to lay down and give up.
They were physical where the Ghosts were not, so while also focusing on their energy and learning every bit they could on how to squeeze everything out of it - they would be physically training, some of them for speed, especially the Houndor and Poochyena. And some for strength or stamina.
Ezra sent the Dark types off, having given each of them a short training regime to try earlier in the day. While they began with that, he walked amongst his Ghosts, offering encouragement, utilizing Loki, Chesire, Nyx and Rider as assistants of sorts, to coax the new Pokemon into pulling their energy out without using a technique for it.
Ezra watched them carefully, offering quiet encouragement and adjustments as they worked. This wasn't the kind of training that showed immediate results, but it was the kind that built a strong foundation. By learning to control their energy, his Ghost types would become more efficient in battle, less likely to exhaust themselves, and more capable of precision with their abilities.
He already had an advantage in typing against most, but he didn't want to rest on those laurels. He wanted his Pokemon to be strong enough to tackle even a type disadvantage one day, and fire back something twice as hard.
After ensuring his Ghost types were on track, Ezra turned his attention to his Dark types. Dark energy was a powerful force, often tied to emotions like anger, fear, at least to the general populations ideas of it. But they were not entirely wrong. Ezra would affix it with the moniker of hunger if he had to pick one thing.
It needed to be channeled effectively to avoid becoming wild and strike back against its user. Using Dark energy took a certain mindset, hence why many Pokemon couldn't learn those types of moves.
He walked over to where they were all practicing, speaking softly as he walked amongst them, Nyx following, as his Pokemon with the most experience with Dark energy. "Your energy is all about power and dominance. It's raw and aggressive, but that doesn't mean it can't be controlled. I want you to focus on harnessing that energy, letting it flow through your body while you move. We're going to work on physical exercises to help you connect with it on a deeper level."
As with many things, he was guessing based on what felt right to him, but it seemed to be working so far, so he had no reason to stop. He certainly wasn't going to ask Oak for advice. If Dark energy was like a hunter, hungry and predatory, then he figured sitting still like in meditation like most of his Ghosts practiced theirs - wouldn't work as well.
Murkrow spread its wings wide, the dark feathers shimmering as it prepared to take flight. "Start with flight drills," Ezra instructed. "I want you to focus on maintaining your dark energy while you're in the air. Keep your movements smooth, but don't let that power drop for even a second. Hold onto it, feel it, try to use it to help your flight if you think you can."
Murkrow took to the sky, its wings beating in a steady rhythm. Ezra watched as the Dark type energy pulsed through Murkrows body, he could feel it, his own attunement easily picking it up. The Dark bird Pokemon soared above the training field, banking and diving with practiced ease, all the while struggling with keeping its energy stable. This wasn't about speed or agility - it was about maintaining a constant flow of power, for now.
Meanwhile, the Houndour and Poochyena were focused on speed and endurance. Ezra had set up a series of obstacles for the Dark-types to navigate, each one designed to test their physical limits. "Houndour all of you, Poochyena too. I want you all to push through these obstacles, but I want you to do it while focusing on your dark energy. Let it fuel you, give you the strength to overcome each challenge, let it fill every muscle, every ligament. If you have to take it at a walking pace to get it down, it's fine, we don't need to rush this, learn first, run later."
The Pokemon growled softly in acknowledgment, none of them able to run across the obstacles as it was, all of them struggling to do something that was normally instinctual. Ezra wanted them to learn it, to learn how to harness it. He could feel his own dark energy and knew it always wanted more. Like something that was always hungry. So he wanted the Pokemon to get a hold of that aspect of it, because who knew what the limit was, could their energy start craving more speed? Only one way to find out.
Dreepy and Deino, both young and still growing into their power, were given exercises that focused on coordination and control for now, the two would be in his team going forward for obvious reasons, but he didn't want to push them too hard either. "Dreepy, you're going to work on agility. I want you to float through this course, weaving between the obstacles while maintaining your energy. Don't let it scatter - keep it close, keep it steady."
Dreepy's small, ghostly form darted through the air, moving quickly between the obstacles with a fluid grace. Its energy pulsed rhythmically, and Dreepy focused on keeping that pulse steady, not letting it fluctuate as it maneuvered through the course. It was a test of both agility and energy control, and Dreepy was doing admirably for a first try as it was determined to succeed.
Deino, on the other hand, was focused on power. "Deino, same exercise for now, I want the two of you to partner up, learn together, grow together." He patted its head softly, "You'll both be fearsome dragons together on my team, learn from each other."
Deino growled softly, before setting off, pushing against the obstacle course to catch up to Dreepy's floating form Ezra watched the two of them, content with letting them practice their energies and float/run around for now. They'd grow more rapidly then the others soon enough - as he'd actually use them for battle. Dragapult and Hydreigon were going to be game changers.
He knew that in the Pokemon world, most regular trainers relied on their Pokemon's natural abilities, honing their techniques through practice and battle. But Ezra was looking for something more - an advantage that would set him apart from the others. By helping his Pokemon master their energy, how to cycle it through their bodies, their techniques at perfect output and efficiency, he was ensuring that they would be able to maintain their power throughout a battle, striking with precision and conserving their strength for when it mattered most.
The training continued for hours, the sun slowly dipping toward the horizon as Ezra's Pokemon pushed themselves to their limits. They were tired, but not exhausted, their energies refined and more focused than they had been before, his own aura helping replenish them, which was rapidly tiring him out.
It seemed he had limits as well when it came to the darkness inherent to him.
Finally, as the light began to fade and the shadows grew longer, Ezra called the session to an end. "That's enough for today," He said, his voice filled with satisfaction. "You've all done incredible work. This is just the beginning, but I can already see how much you've improved. We'll keep refining your energy, keep building on this foundation, and soon enough, you'll be unstoppable." His grin was savage as he looked across his Pokemon.
His Pokemon gathered around him, their eyes reflecting the pride and satisfaction they felt from the day's work, their grins were no less savage as they looked up at him. Ezra smiled, reaching out to pat Rider on the head, best boi having immediately sought him out for praise.
He'd dedicate tomorrow to training, then he'd fly off again, leaving Brock to try his hand at his new job for a week as he returned to Johto to explore a tournament or two.
He was looking forward to letting loose again.
A day later, Ezra's stable.
The morning sun had just begun to burn away the mist that clung to the fields surrounding the Pewter stable when Brock heard a firm knock on the front door. He had been busy organizing the supplies Ezra had ordered, the routine of the task keeping him grounded in the peaceful atmosphere of the countryside.
The knock at the door felt out of place, as if it carried with it the weight of something significant. He knew no one came by here, so he wondered what it could be? Maybe Karen is back? He thought somewhat optimistically.
Brock wiped his hands on a cloth and headed for the door, curiosity gnawing at him. When he opened it, he found himself staring into the sharp, ice-blue eyes of a woman he recognized instantly - Agatha, the Ghost type master of the Elite Four. Her presence was like a sudden drop in temperature, and the air around her seemed to still, as if nature itself was wary of her.
"Good morning, young man," Agatha said, her voice carrying a chilling edge despite the pleasantry of her words. "I'm looking for Ezra Kassian. Is he here?"
Brock felt a jolt of shock at the sight of her, his mind racing to process why one of the most powerful trainers in Kanto would be standing on the doorstep of a modest stable. "M-Miss Agatha," He stammered, stepping back to let her enter. "Ezra… He left about an hour ago."
Agatha's expression didn't change, but there was a slight tightening around her eyes, a flicker of resignation that told Brock she had somewhat expected this outcome. "I see," she said quietly, more to herself than to him. "And do you know where he went?"
Brock shook his head, trying to maintain composure in the face of her icy demeanor. "He didn't say."
The silence that followed was thick with unspoken thoughts. Agatha's gaze flicked around the interior of the stable entranceway, her eyes missing nothing as she assessed her surroundings. The old Ghost master was known for her formidable power, but it was her sharp mind and even sharper intuition that had earned her a place among legends.
"And why are you here instead of him?" She asked, turning her full attention back to Brock. There was no accusation in her tone, but the question carried an undercurrent of curiosity, as if she was trying to piece together a puzzle.
Brock hesitated, unsure of how much he should reveal. "I'm working here part-time," He admitted, scratching the back of his head sheepishly. "Ezra needed someone to look after his Pokemon while he's away. I've got experience with that kind of thing - albeit with children and trainers - so it seemed like a good fit."
Agatha's eyes narrowed slightly, a spark of interest lighting them. "Is that so?" She murmured, her tone now contemplative. "And these Pokemon… Anything interesting and never seen before hiding amongst them?" She pressed, "I was stuck doing paperwork for the past two days and couldn't arrive sooner, the work of an Elite Four is never done, but I'm here now…"
Brock swallowed, feeling the pressure of her gaze. "I'm not sure what you've heard, Miss Agatha, but Ezra's Pokemon are… Unique, yes." He shifted uncomfortably under her scrutiny. "But I can't just show them to anyone. Ezra left me in charge, and he trusts me to look after them properly." His jaw set, as he straightened his back, meeting the Elite Four's eyes.
Agatha's lips thinned into a line, her patience visibly fraying. "Surely you understand that I'm not 'just anyone,' young man. My interest in Ezra's Pokemon is… Professional. I won't harm them, nor will I do anything untoward. I simply wish to see what he's been working with."
But Brock stood firm, despite the chill that seemed to seep from Agatha's very presence. He respected Ezra's wishes, and had accepted payment to work for him - there was no way he would betray that trust - not even for an Elite Four member. She could call Ezra himself. "I'm sorry, Miss Agatha," He said, trying to sound as respectful as possible. "But I really can't do that. Ezra was clear about who could interact with his Pokemon, and right now, that's just him and me."
For a moment, it looked like Agatha might press the issue. Her eyes flashed with something dark, a glimpse of the power she wielded, but then she let out a long, slow breath, the tension easing from her shoulders. She nodded, more to herself than to Brock, and the chill in the air seemed to lift slightly.
"Very well," She said, her voice chilly. "You're a loyal young man, Brock. That's a good quality, though not always a wise one. But you're right - this isn't the time or place to press the issue. I'll see those Pokemon soon enough, once I have Ezra where he belongs."
Brock didn't quite know how to respond to that, so he simply nodded, hoping the conversation was at an end. The sooner Agatha left, the sooner he could return to the relative calm of his work. He had a feeling he had the fact he was Flint's son to thank for the Elite Four member not pushing further.
Had Ezra thought of that? Is that why he was hired?
Agatha glanced around the stable entrance way once more, her expression inscrutable. "I won't bother you any longer, then. But do let Ezra know that I'm looking forward to seeing him. Sooner, rather than later."
With that, she turned and made her way out of the stable, her presence leaving a lingering chill in the air even after she had gone. Brock watched her go, a mixture of relief and anxiety washing over him. He knew that dealing with someone like Agatha was far beyond what he had signed up for, and he could only hope that Ezra knew what he was doing.
As Agatha disappeared from view, Brock let out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding. The stable felt warmer already, the oppressive weight of her presence finally lifting. He couldn't help but wonder what it was about Ezra that had drawn the attention of such a formidable figure.
He put it down to a Ghost trainer being interested in one of its kind.
Thankful that the situation was over, and that he'd receive no more scary visitors.
Dealing with the Elite Four hadn't been in the job description…
Author's note:
So Dark energy etc and all that might not work like that in games/anime etc. But I've already said before I'm doing whatever the hell I want with the Pokemon world, so live with it.
Obviously Deino and Dreepy will be part of the main team, although other then fighting someone like an Elite Four, he'll eventually be rotating members around, but those two are likely to be mainstays - because fuck mothering dragons.
So now even Agatha is getting in on the Karen shenanigans. Wonder how long until she breaks and just calls him.
Karen's apparently in love too. Wonder if Agatha will tell her if she'd stayed in Pewter like she'd planned that would have actually worked.
Probably not.
Cheers
JollyHippopotamus.
Beating out D&C by an inch, we get another Dark Tidings chapter voted in by Patreon.
Although coming out this quick, I got D&C done this week anyway and it should be out shortly. It did come in third.
This is another chapter of more set up, no Pokemon fights here, although that should change next chapter.
Named team:
Cheshire - Haunter
Loki - Shuppet
Nyx - Spiritomb
Rider - Alolan Marowak
As usual, I do not own Pokemon or the associated companies that deliver material from it. I'm just playing in the kiddy pool, don't hurt me.
Enjoy!
The Indigo Plateau stood like a fortress at the edge of the world, nestled high in the mountains where the air was thin and the sky seemed close enough to touch. It was a place of legends, where the strongest trainers from all regions came to prove their worth, to battle the Elite Four, and to challenge the Champion.
The Plateau itself was a sprawling complex, built into the natural landscape with a blend of ancient architecture and modern facilities. The towering peaks provided a dramatic backdrop to the grand stadiums and sleek office buildings, giving the entire area an air of gravitas that few places in the Pokemon world could match.
Ezra arrived in the early morning, the sun just beginning to peek over the horizon, casting long shadows across the Plateau. The crisp, cool air was invigorating, carrying with it the faint scent of pine and the ever-present hum of activity that surrounded the League headquarters. As he made his way through the main entrance, he couldn't help but feel a twinge of excitement at the vista, mingled with a healthy dose of apprehension of what might lay ahead for him. This was the heart of the Pokemon League, a place where the most powerful trainers in the world gathered, and he was about to delve into its bureaucratic depths.
In a way it was ironic that he was here not as a Pokemon trainer, really. But as a landowner. He really hoped bureaucracy was streamlined in this world compared to his old one.
The Pokemon League offices were located in a massive, imposing structure at the center of the Plateau, its stone walls and grand pillars giving it the appearance of a temple dedicated to the art of battle. The building was abuzz with activity, trainers and officials moving about with purpose, their footsteps echoing off the polished floors. The interior was equally grand, with high ceilings adorned with intricate carvings depicting legendary Pokemon, and large windows that let in streams of natural light. The atmosphere was one of beauty and importance, but also of daunting formality - a place where everything had its place, and where order was maintained with an iron grip.
It was also clearly separated by the more Pokemon battles oriented business, and the business which was not, the doorway into the offices of the licensing bureau practically hidden in a corner of the grand entrance hall. A small plaque denoting what it was.
Ezra pushed open the heavy doors of the licensing office and stepped inside, his gaze sweeping over the bustling scene before him. He was here for a specific reason - to secure a stable license, a legal requirement if he wanted to house and train all of his Pokémon in one location. After spending several days scouting he'd found the perfect plot of land near Pewter City - a small, secluded area that would give him the privacy he needed - he had purchased the property for half a million Pokedollars. Now, all that remained was to navigate the labyrinthine process of League bureaucracy to make it official.
The fact was that with him having caught all the Pokemon that showed up for him near the ruins in Johto, he couldn't train them properly as it was with just a six Pokemon limit. The chances of him upping that limit right now were laid at approximately zero. So the other option was to find a location to create a stable.
Stables were used by a lot of trainers to take care of their superfluous Pokemon - most trainers catching more than six at some point, and not everyone able to send them home to be taken care of. The difference here was that he was doing this so that he could release all his Pokemon at this location, allowing him to train them all, instead of just leaving them all behind somewhere, or constantly rotating out Pokemon.
The waiting area of the office was a familiar sight to anyone who had ever dealt with government paperwork - a sea of uncomfortable chairs, a row of stern-looking clerks seated behind a long counter, and a giant digital screen displaying numbers that seemed to change at a glacial pace. It was a place where time itself seemed to slow, where the very air was thick with the scent of ink and the sound of impatient sighs.
In a word. It was Hell.
Ezra glanced at the screen and then at the slip of paper in his hand. His number wasn't even close to being called. He let out a resigned sigh, resigned to the reality that this was going to be a long day.
He found an empty chair and sat down, trying to make himself as comfortable as possible. The minutes ticked by with agonizing slowness as he watched the numbers on the screen inch forward. Occasionally, a clerk's monotone voice would call out a number, and someone would shuffle to the counter, clutching a stack of papers like a lifeline. Ezra had no choice but to wait, his mind wandering as the monotony of the office began to take its toll.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, his number was called. He stood and approached the counter, where a middle-aged woman with a stern expression and glasses perched on the edge of her nose awaited him. Without so much as a greeting, she thrust a stack of forms toward him.
"Fill these out and take them to window five," she said curtly, already moving on to the next person in line, "Make sure to take a ticket again." She added, making Ezra slouch slightly in pure defeat.
Whoever invented this system was wrong in the head.
Ezra took the forms and made his way to a nearby desk, after getting a new ticket of course, whereupon he spent the next several minutes painstakingly filling out each section. The forms were dense with legal jargon and required an absurd amount of personal information which he mostly had to make up, but he completed them with the kind of efficiency that came from years of navigating worse bureaucratic processes - those for disability benefits. When he was done, he gathered the papers and headed to wait for window five.
An amazingly quick thirty-nine minutes later, (not that he was counting) his number was called.
The clerk at window five was a younger man, but his bored expression and lethargic movements indicated he had long since lost any enthusiasm for his job. He took the forms from Ezra, barely glancing at them before stamping each one with a heavy thud. "Take these to window nine," He muttered, handing the papers back.
If that's all you needed to do, why couldn't the other lady have a stamp!? He wanted to scream, but knew that any such action would avail him of nothing in this purgatory.
Ezra just gritted his teeth and nodded, holding back a sigh as he moved on to the next line, grabbing another ticket. This process repeated itself several more times - each window representing a new hurdle, each clerk more disinterested than the last. By the time Ezra reached an actual licensing office, where his eligibility for the license would be reviewed, his patience was wearing very thin.
The clerk in the office was a middle aged man, with graying hair and a pinched bland expression that suggested he fit right in with this drab plain office of suffering - his name tag just said John, the name suited him, bland and impersonal. He adjusted his glasses as he looked over Ezra's paperwork with a scrutinizing eye.
"Everything seems to be in order," The man said slowly, as if weighing each word. "But I have a few questions before we proceed. You're quite young to be applying for a stable license. What's your background? Where did you acquire the funds to purchase the land?" All asked in a dry monotone like he really didn't care, but felt the questions needed to be asked due to protocols.
He bet the man took a shit according to protocols too.
Ezra kept his expression neutral, though inwardly he was bristling, his patience almost entirely at an end. He had anticipated this kind of probing of course, but it didn't make it any less annoying. "I've been successful in a business venture," He replied smoothly. "It has ensured financial stability. As for my background, I've filled out that paperwork already, and I should be in the system as well."
He tried to keep his voice as bland and formal as everyone here, knowing how petty little bureaucrats could be. He didn't want to risk anything going south because of his tone, or something equally idiotic.
The man's eyes narrowed, clearly not satisfied with Ezra's vague answers, but he also moved on to the next question, showing he didn't care, and this was all ticking off boxes on an imaginary check list. "And how did you come by so many Pokemon at such a young age? It's unusual for someone your age to have the resources or the experience to manage a stable." He said drolly, not even looking at Ezra as he asked, instead sorting paperwork.
Ezra resisted the urge to roll his eyes. "I'm resourceful," He said simply. "And I've had a lot of success in my travels. I've worked hard to build my team, and I'm fully capable of managing a stable. The paperwork is in order, isn't it? So can we move forward with this?"
Even knowing he needed to remain polite, he was beginning to seethe, hours in this place was driving him mad, and he needed to be careful he didn't ruin things at the finish line. He plastered a politely curious look on his face, wiping away the obvious annoyance.
The bureaucrat pursed his lips, clearly not accustomed to being spoken to in such a direct manner. He tapped the papers with his fingers, as if considering whether to press the issue further. "Your attitude is concerning," He said finally. "This is a serious responsibility, and I need to be sure you're taking it seriously."
Shit. He's that kind of bureaucrat..
Ezra bit back a sharp retort, forcing himself to stay calm. He was too close to let this slip through his fingers now. "I apologize if I've come across as dismissive," He said, choosing his words carefully. "But I assure you, I understand the importance of this license. I've invested a significant amount of time and money into this, and I have every intention of complying with all regulations. I'm ready to proceed, if you are."
Arceus save him from power tripping small minded bureaucrats.
The older man studied him for a long moment, as if searching for any sign of deception. Finally, he nodded slowly, albeit reluctantly. "Very well," He said. "But let me remind you, the six Pokemon limit is still in effect. You may only release all of your Pokemon within the boundaries of your stable. Outside of that, the standard rules apply."
Ezra nodded, though the reminder was unnecessary. He had done his homework and knew the rules inside and out. But he wasn't about to antagonize the man further by pointing that out. "Understood," He said. "Thank you for your time."
The man gave a curt nod and stamped the final approval on the forms before handing them back to Ezra. "Take these to licensing office B4 down the hall," He instructed. "They'll issue your official license and provide you with the documentation for your stable."
Ezra took the papers with a sense of relief, offering a polite nod before turning on his heel and leaving the office behind. The moment he stepped out of the waiting area and into the hallway, he felt a weight lift off his shoulders. The hard part was over. Now, all that was left was to finalize the paperwork and get out of this bureaucratic nightmare.
The actual licensing office was much quieter than the main waiting area, with only a handful of clients and clerks present. The woman behind the counter was efficient, processing his papers and issuing his license with minimal fuss. Within minutes, Ezra was holding the official documentation for his new stable, the culmination of days of planning and the oh so tedious paperwork.
He glanced at the license, a small smile of satisfaction tugging at the corners of his mouth. It had been a hassle, but it was worth it. Now he had a place to house his growing team, a place where he could train without restrictions, and a base of operations that would serve him well in the days to come.
It wouldn't do to keep all his eggs in one basket after all. Who knew if Lavender would pan out in the end? It was good to have a fallback spot. As for the expenditure, he never saw much point in the idea of having numbers in a bank account as the whole idea of being rich.
If you weren't spending it, what was the point of being rich in the first place?
Ezra didn't linger after he got his license. He had no desire to spend another minute in the oppressive atmosphere of the licensing offices. As soon as the license was safely tucked away, he made his way out of the building, the cool mountain air a welcome change from the stifling interior that had almost drained him of the will to live.
He didn't waste any time in taking to the skies. Pidgeot, who had been resting in its Pokeball during the ordeal, emerged with a powerful flap of its wings, ready to fly. Ezra mounted up and directed Pidgeot to take them back to Pewter, to the plot of land that was now officially his.
As they soared over the mountains, the Indigo Plateau receding into the distance behind them, Ezra wondered with some amusement, just how many places in Kanto and Johto he'd end up visiting before even fighting one gym…
He was definitely doing this whole thing in an unconventional way.
Agatha's office,
Agatha frowned as she stamped another useless document. How was it that changing out the Champion required her to do paperwork.
That nonsense had nothing to do with her. Although Lance struck her exactly as the type to have a dragon 'accidentally' eat his paperwork and then push the fix downwards. Shit always floated downstream - hence why she'd bothered with an apprentice - who would be the ultimate shit collector at the bottom of said stream.
Her computer pinged at her, and she peered at it with annoyance, until she saw that it was the notice a nice young man from IT had set up to ping her whenever anything mentioning Ezra Kassian popped up in the system.
She scooted closer, a finger stabbing at the computer screen as she almost lost all decorum. He's right here on the plateau! She noted his profile had several more Pokemon added, jolting in surprise at the ??? as the only identifier on some of them. Interesting…
She sunk into the shadows immediately, chair and all. I've got you now, boy! She cackled.
…
John was a simple man at heart. He didn't care for excitement, nor did he care for Pokemon, or Pokemon battles. It had made him an oddity, and ostracized him.
To young John's utter joy.
Because he hated people, so his ostracization was the best thing that ever happened to him.
When he'd found that the licensing bureau was hiring - despite the fact it was the Pokemon League, he'd been first in line. Strangely enough, despite the fact he entered the line twelve hours before they opened, his competitors never showed up for the interview, and he was hired on the spot.
It was nice boring work. And he got to make things difficult for people without having to actually interact much with them.
He frowned as he walked back to his office, a cup of coffee in hand - black, because sugar and cream was too exciting for a work day.
He didn't often have to deal with children. Or teenagers he supposed. Trainers rarely came here, and those that did, tended to be older by the time they were wanting to get a license for breeding or stabling Pokemon.
He could have kept the boy for hours with minutiae like he normally did - but he didn't like children much, and had decided it was better to just see him off.
He walked up to his office just as all light seemed to be sucked out of it, an ominous wind scattering paperwork as low eerie cackling was heard across the offices - people stopping what they were doing and staring in sudden fear.
Right in front of John, Lady Agatha of the Elite Four materialized out of the floor, Ghost Pokemon at her shoulders as the shadows themselves spat her out, no doubt finding her unpalatable, John thought, shivering at the sight of the wrinkly old monster.
"Where is Ezra Kassian!?" She said with a wicked smirk on her face, staring straight at John.
John dropped his coffee cup, letting out a meep.
He was pretty sure he was suffering from a heart attack.
That was most definitely too exciting.
Pewter city, Kanto.
Ezra soared over Pewter City, his Pidgeot gliding effortlessly through the crisp morning air. Below him, the city gave way to rolling hills and dense patches of forest, the landscape dotted with small farms and secluded homes. It wasn't long before he spotted his plot of land, a modest yet picturesque stretch of countryside nestled on the outskirts of the city, far enough from the main roads to ensure privacy but close enough to access civilization when necessary.
As Pidgeot descended, the full scope of the property came into view. The land was bordered by tall, well-kept hedges interspersed with low stone walls, not designed to keep Pokemon in, but rather to set the boundaries and stop any curious passersby from wandering onto the property.
The hedges were thick and neatly trimmed, a dark green contrast to the natural stone. Beyond the hedges, the land sloped gently downward, leading to a cluster of buildings that made up the heart of the property.
The main building was a sturdy, farmhouse-style structure with a slate roof and walls of weathered stone. It had a rustic charm, with wide windows and a large, covered porch that wrapped around the front and side. The building was more than large enough to house Ezra and provide space for indoor training sessions or Pokemon care. Adjacent to the house was a large barn, its red paint slightly faded by the sun, but the structure itself was solid. It was clearly designed for storage and the housing of larger Pokemon, with spacious stalls and an open area for supplies.
The plot had been a stable before, hence his interest in buying it up. It saved him the hassle of having to have something built on another plot - cheaper perhaps in the long run - but he'd happily pay a premium for something that worked now.
The surrounding landscape was just as ideal. Dark heavy forests stretched out behind the buildings, with the front side being open fields. A small pond gleamed in the morning light, its surface calm and inviting, perfect for if he caught himself any Ghost/Dark water hybrid Pokemon - or simply as a serene spot to relax.
The land was fertile, with plenty of room for expansion if needed, and it was clear that the previous owner had taken good care of it. Ezra could see the potential here - a place where he could train his Pokemon in peace, away from prying eyes.
As Pidgeot landed softly in the dirt path leading to the farmhouse, Ezra dismounted and took a moment to absorb his surroundings. This was his land now, a place where he could build something of his own, where he could train and develop his team without the restrictions he'd faced elsewhere. It was isolated enough to be secure, but not so remote as to be inconvenient. It wasn't perfect. But it was close enough.
The first thing that caught his eye was the delivery truck parked near the front gate. Several large crates were stacked beside it, each labeled with the names of different types of Pokemon food. He had ordered the supplies ahead of time, ensuring that his Pokemon would have the sustenance they needed as they settled into their new home.
Ezra walked over to inspect the delivery, noting the variety of food types. Each crate was clearly marked and securely packed. Waving the delivery truck off as they'd just finished unloading as he arrived.
Despite the thoroughness of the delivery, Ezra knew that the amount he had ordered was far less than what most stables would require for a team as large and diverse as his. His Pokemon, particularly the Ghost types, seemed to draw more sustenance from his aura than from physical food. It was an unusual phenomenon, one that he had yet to fully understand, but it made logistics easier in some ways.
Even his Dark Pokemon seemed to enjoy his aura, so feeding them on the road wasn't an issue. Yet he'd still ordered the food for the necessity of feeding his Pokemon when he wasn't around himself.
He popped open one of the crates, pulling out a small sample of the food and inspecting it closely. The pellets were fresh, high-quality, and exactly what he had specified. Satisfied, he closed the crate and began moving the supplies toward the barn, cheating and working out at the same time as his shadow split into tendrils, helping drag crates along. It seemed as long as he was lifting/dragging something as well - his shadow didn't struggle with it.
Once the supplies were stored away, Ezra took a final walk around the property, his eyes scanning the landscape, noting the best spots for training and where he could make improvements. There was a certain peace to the land, a quiet that allowed him to think clearly, to plan for the future. It was a blank slate, ready for him to shape into whatever he needed it to be.
He might be taking a different route to fight towards victory than most trainers - focusing less on battles, more on training and setting up an operation around them.
He would show them all in the end.
Next day, Pewter city, Kanto.
The sun was just beginning to rise over Pewter City as he approached, casting long shadows across the rocky landscape and giving the town its characteristic gray hue. Pewter was an old city, one of the first to be established in Kanto, and its architecture reflected its history. Buildings were constructed from stone and mortar, sturdy and practical, blending seamlessly with the rocky terrain that surrounded them. The city had a rugged charm, with cobblestone streets winding between the buildings and leading up to the impressive silhouette of the Pewter Gym, perched on a hill overlooking the town.
Ezra walked through the streets, his mind focused on the tasks ahead. The night before, Steven Stone had sent over the initial paperwork for their business partnership, and Ezra knew that it was essential to have a competent lawyer look it over before he signed anything. The contract was long, detailed, and filled with legal jargon that, while familiar, was not his expertise. If there was one thing Ezra had learned in his previous life, it was the importance of thoroughly understanding any document before putting his name on it - especially when dealing with a corporate titan like Stone.
Pewter City had been known for its mining industry in the past, and the people here were still known for their tenacity and practicality. That extended to their lawyers, who had a reputation for being as tough as the rocks that surrounded the city. Ezra needed someone who could match Stone's team of corporate sharks, someone who could find and eliminate any hidden clauses that might put him at a disadvantage.
If you had to hire a lawyer, it was best to hire someone who'd refuse to give up on principle - because they were just that stubborn.
As he passed by the various shops and businesses that lined the main street, Ezra kept an eye out for the law office he'd been told about. Pewter City was smaller than, for example, Saffron or Celadon, but it was still a bustling town, with a surprising number of law firms considering its size. It wasn't long before he found what he was looking for - a small, unassuming building with a plaque that read Boulder & Associates - Legal Expertise as Solid as Stone.
Ezra smirked at the tagline and pushed the door open, stepping inside. The interior was just as no-nonsense as the exterior, with plain stone walls, sturdy wooden furniture, and a few framed documents hanging on the walls that attested to the firm's various accolades and certifications. A woman sat behind the reception desk, her expression focused as she typed away on a computer. She looked up as Ezra entered, her eyes sharp and assessing.
"Good morning," She greeted, her voice brisk but not unfriendly. "How can we assist you today?"
"I'm looking for legal representation," Ezra replied, stepping up to the desk. "I need someone to review a business contract and advise me on any potential pitfalls. Preferably someone who isn't afraid to push back against a big name."
The woman's eyes narrowed slightly, as if sizing him up. After a moment, she nodded. "You'll want to speak with Mr. Marcus then. He's our senior partner and specializes in contract law. Please, have a seat, and I'll see if he's available."
He'd have to give them that. She hadn't asked if he could afford it/where his parents were, or anything like it. She looked like she'd thought it. But she hadn't asked. As far as Ezra was concerned, any place that didn't immediately dismiss him as a kid, was a good place to start with.
Although with how he kept interacting with services no one his age regularly dealt with - it was no wonder he kept running into the issue.
People his age were generally still trainers on the circuit or had joined up with the gyms/league - or they worked low end jobs having never gone on a journey. Neither needed licensing bureaus, lawyers or negotiations to buy land.
Ezra took a seat in one of the wooden chairs, waiting while his mind was already turning over the upcoming discussion. He didn't have to wait long before the woman returned, gesturing for him to follow her down a short hallway. She led him to a modest office at the end of the hall, where a man in his early forties sat behind a large oak desk, papers spread out before him. He looked up as they entered, his sharp, brown eyes immediately locking onto Ezra.
"Mister Marcus, this is the young man that is here for a contract review," The receptionist said before stepping back and closing the door behind her.
The man - Mr. Marcus - stood up and extended a hand. He was tall and lean, with a stern expression softened only slightly by the touch of gray at his temples. His handshake was firm, and his gaze never wavered from Ezra's face.
Ezra introduced himself quietly, idly noting that the lawyer seemed to already be aware of who he was. The lawyer who drew up the real estate contract on their end perhaps?
Ezra had simply rented a lawyer's time for an hour for that contract, it had been simple enough not to need one at all, but he'd wanted to make sure. No wonder the real estate agent had recommended the man if he did work for them.
"Mister Kassian, welcome. Please, have a seat," Marcus said, motioning to the chair across from his desk. "Tell me, what can I do for you?"
Ezra sat down, placing the folder containing Stone's contract on the desk between them, having printed it out beforehand. "Thank you. I've recently entered into negotiations with Steven Stone and the Devon Corporation, and I want to make sure the contract they've sent over is airtight - on my end, that is." He spent a few more minutes explaining the particulars of the deal, to give the lawyer the background needed to understand his position.
Marcus's eyebrows rose slightly, a flicker of interest crossing his features as Ezra finished. "Steven Stone, you say? That's quite a client to be dealing with. I take it this is regarding some form of business partnership?"
The fact he knew who Stone was, with how little Hoenn and Kanto interacted - made Ezra feel even better about hiring him. The man was obviously either well connected - or well learned. Either way it was good for him.
"That's right," Ezra confirmed, pushing the folder toward Marcus. "I'm looking to establish a breeding and evolution business, focusing on rare and unknown Pokemon evolutions that I have sole knowledge of - at least as far as I know. Stone is interested in a partnership, but I want to ensure that I'm not signing away anything more than I intend to."
Somewhere in the world someone likely had an evolution or two that he was going to 'discover'. But since they hadn't published the fact, it didn't matter. It wouldn't even surprise him if some researcher somewhere had most of the Eeveelutions, but was too busy researching more to actually tell anyone yet. Their loss, his gain. Once his business was up and running, he'd actually be able to sue anyone that just gave away information for free on any 'proprietary knowledge' he had.
At least in Kanto or Johto, who both had very clannish laws - his business wasn't a clan, but thanks to Silph, it was basically the same thing.
If Oak was anyone but who he was - he would have found a lot more difficulty in his profession due to pressure from the clans. Spreading information on Pokemon was fairly new after all, the Pokedex was a fairly new thing as well - spearheaded by Oak and his allies.
It was thanks to Oak that the 'basic' knowledge about most known Pokemon was widespread.
Marcus nodded, already flipping through the pages of the contract with practiced ease. "Smart move. Too many inexperienced men and women get caught up in the excitement of a deal like this and don't think to check the fine print. Devon Corp is a reputable company, but that doesn't mean they won't protect their own interests above all else."
Ezra watched as Marcus scanned the document, his eyes darting back and forth across the text. The lawyer's expression remained neutral, but Ezra could see the wheels turning in his mind as he dissected each clause.
"This is a well-crafted contract," Marcus said after a few minutes of silence. "But that's to be expected from a company like Devon. They've covered their bases, but there are a few points here that could be adjusted to better protect your interests." Marcus raised an eyebrow, lips quirking slightly, "If you're interested in retaining my services of course.
Ezra nodded his head slowly, this man would do as well as any other, and he had impressed so far in their limited interactions. "I'd like to hire you on as a retainer in that case, not just for this contract, because I'm likely to continue to need a lawyer."
He'd of course take the contract for a second opinion later before signing anything anyway. The man was a lawyer after all. Trust but verify. For all he knew the reason he knew anything at all about Steven Stone was due to being on the man's payroll to look for interesting things in Kanto.
Unlikely, but Ezra wasn't about to take chances with the business which would be his major money maker. And with him soon having a business, and already having stabling rights, having a lawyer on retainer was just common sense.
Marcus brought out a simple sheet of paper, "We can draw up a retainer contract later, this is simply to acknowledge that you've hired my services for an hour in regards to this contract."
Ezra looked it over quickly, it was as simple as he said, and he signed it immediately, glad that this world's fascination with young people traveling the world alone - meant he was legally able to sign contracts. Without that, the last week or two of business would have been a lot more difficult to pull off if the Lavender orphanage still held parental rights over him…
Ezra leaned forward slightly once he'd signed, his attention fully on the lawyer. "What kind of points were you talking about?"
Marcus tapped one of the pages with a pen. "First, the profit-sharing agreement. As it stands, they've structured it so that Devon receives a slightly higher percentage of profits once a certain revenue threshold is met. It's a common clause in these types of contracts, but it's something you might want to negotiate down as I doubt you brought that up in the first negotiation."
Marcus smiled sardonically, "It's a regular little ploy by corporations to slip something like that in. You're the one providing the expertise and the unique Pokemon. Additionally, there's a clause regarding property rights - specifically, the ownership of any new Pokemon evolutions that result from this partnership. As written, Devon would retain full ownership of any discoveries made during the course of the business, even if the initial knowledge came from you - I assume you negotiated some sort of shared profit arrangement, but with this they'd hold all the power in case there were any issues as the literal owners of the information and its products."
Ezra frowned. That was exactly the kind of thing he had been worried about. "How do we fix that?" He'd negotiated the profit share with the idea that he'd still own that percentage.
"We amend the clause to specify that any new Pokemon evolutions or techniques discovered as a result of your initial knowledge will remain split in the percentage you negotiated. Devon can retain the rights to research and production, but the ownership would remain split so they couldn't make unilateral decisions without your input. This way, if the partnership were to dissolve in the future, you'd still retain some control over your discoveries."
Ezra nodded slowly, considering the lawyer's advice. "That sounds like the right move. What else?" He was also somewhat amused that they were calling the Pokemon products - the softer trainer types would flip their lid at that if they heard.
Marcus continued to go through the contract, pointing out various clauses that could be adjusted in Ezra's favor. Some were minor, like tweaking the terms of payment as the cost of trying to slip in the extra clauses, while others were more significant, such as ensuring that Ezra would have a say in any major business decisions like any potential sale of the business in the future. By the time they were finished, Ezra felt much more confident about moving forward with the deal.
"I'll have my secretary draft up the necessary amendments," Marcus said, closing the folder and looking at Ezra with a measured gaze. "Once you've reviewed them and we've made any further changes, I'll send the revised contract to Devon Corp for their review. It's possible they'll push back on some of the points, but that's where negotiation comes in."
Ezra nodded, satisfied with the outcome. "I appreciate your thoroughness, Mr. Marcus. I'd like you to draft that contract to keep you on retainer as well, if that's something you're still open to."
Marcus smiled, the first real honest looking expression he'd shown during their meeting. "I'd be happy to represent you, Ezra. And please, call me Mark."
Mark Marcus?
Ezra stood and shook Mark's hand once more, shaking his head at the man's parents. "Thank you, Mark. I'll look forward to working with you, I intend to have a lot of business for you..."
Just as he was stepping out, he paused, looking back, "Would you be able to point me in the direction of where I could get several Porygons?"
Mark raised an eyebrow in surprise, "Possibly, it wouldn't be easy, you're talking about a newly discovered Pokemon… But for the right price, possibly."
Ezra smiled, and then explained to his lawyer, after making sure to sign the retainer contract - how he intended to use the Porygon to revolutionize the web, bringing social media to Kanto and Johto, describing a mix of twitter and YouTube as the template to the surprised man. To his credit, he immediately saw how that would catch on with all the trainers - especially the younger ones.
As soon as he got a bead on some Porygons he'd let Ezra know, and in the meanwhile he'd study up on the very limited laws that governed the web. Every trainer with a pokedex being able to potentially stream their fights would be huge - let alone the Gyms potentially getting in on it.
The lawyer got a wide shark-like grin on his face as Ezra casually brought up a question - what were the betting laws like? Especially for the online process.
He had a feeling the man would try very hard to find those Porygon.
Of course he'd have to set up a payment system as well, but… That only meant more money for him if he could pull it off. As long as the Porygon could pull off a lot of the work for it, because he definitely couldn't.
With the contract in capable hands, Ezra left the law office and made his way back through the city, his next destination clear in his mind. The Pewter Gym was an iconic landmark, its towering stone facade a testament to the strength and resilience of the trainers who called it home. Flint was still the official Gym Leader, but it wasn't Flint he was going to see.
He wasn't ready to take on the circuit yet.
Ezra had contacted the gym shortly after securing his stable license, putting out feelers to see if any of the trainers there were interested in part-time work. The prospect of working with rare and unknown Pokemon was usually enough to pique the interest of any serious trainer, but Ezra had a particular candidate in mind - Brock. If he could convince Brock to work at his stable, even temporarily, it would be a significant boon.
Someone needed to take care of his Pokemon while he was gone, and he'd prefer to hire someone he knew wasn't likely to screw him or attempt to run off with them. The instinctual fear of Ghost Pokemon some had could be easily worked through, especially once he showed how docile his particular Pokemon were.
The walk to the gym was short, and as Ezra approached, he took a moment to appreciate the building's architecture. The Pewter Gym was constructed from massive slabs of stone, each one meticulously cut and placed to create an imposing structure that seemed to rise organically from the ground. The front entrance was flanked by towering statues of Onix, their serpentine forms coiled in a show of strength and power.
Ezra pushed open the heavy doors and stepped inside, the cool air of the gym a welcome contrast to the warmth of the day. The interior was just as impressive as the exterior, with large, open spaces filled with rocky terrain designed for Rock-type battles. Trainers were scattered throughout the gym, some engaged in battles, others focused on training their Pokemon in the rugged environment. The walls were lined with banners and trophies from past victories, showcasing the gym's long history and its reputation as one of Kanto's most respected battle arenas.
Most trainers didn't immediately go for the gym leader, it was the job of the different gym trainers to test and battle newcomers - and teach them. It wasn't odd for a trainer to take a year or two off to be a gym trainer, sharpening their team while learning from the gym leader.
Most people that went far in the conference had taken this route. Some rookie trainer going all the way, or far into the conference, was rare. No matter how good you were by natural instincts or skill alone, the trainers that went up through the gyms first just had more advantages.
Ezra intended to be that one in a million rookie.
Although he definitely also looked forward to one day having gym trainers or his own, not only to share his expertise with at that point, but to continue to showcase how obviously superior Ghost and Dark Pokemon were.
Ezra made his way across the stone floor, his footsteps echoing in the cavernous space, until he reached the main training area. A group of younger trainers was clustered around a large boulder, watching as a Geodude practiced its Rock Throw under the guidance of an young, dark-haired man. His broad shoulders and strong build gave him the appearance of someone who had spent his life working with powerful Rock types.
Even from behind, Ezra immediately recognized him as Brock. And wasn't surprised to find that he was helping younger trainers out. He'd always seemed the helpful sort, from what he could remember.
It didn't take long for him to notice Ezra's approach. He turned, wiping sweat from his brow, and offered a friendly smile. "You must be the one who inquired about part-time work," He said, his deep voice carrying easily over the noise of the gym. "I'm Brock. I heard you've got some rare Pokemon that need looking after." An aura of excitement overtook him at that, his smile growing more genuine, "I'm always willing to learn more about Pokemon, especially in taking care of their needs." He said enthusiastically.
Ezra would have asked how he recognized him so quickly… But… Albino, 'nuff said.
Ezra returned the smile although his was not nearly as honest, nodding in confirmation. "That's right. I'm Ezra Kassian. I recently purchased some land outside Pewter, and I'm setting up a stable for my Pokemon, who tend to be of the rarer and harder to find variety. I'm looking for someone willing to help care for them when I'm not around, and I figured a local would work best." He idly looked at the staring young faces, before craning his neck somewhat awkwardly, "Is there anywhere we can talk about it?"
Brock sheepishly rubbed the back of his head, before gesturing for him to follow, quickly making his apologies to the coterie of young trainers. As they walked, Brock gave him a curious squinting look, "Did you run into Karen by any chance?" He asked.
Ezra raised an eyebrow, "What?" Because really, that needed a bit more explanation.
Brock smiled sheepishly, "Ah, I suppose not then. She's a cute girl that hung around Pewter for a few days, she had the biggest crush on you."
Ezra's steps faltered, "What!?" He repeated, because there was some missing piece of information here that would make this all make sense, surely?
Brock frowned, "You don't know what I'm talking about do you?"
Ezra gave him an annoyed look, "What clued you in? My complete lack of comprehension of what you're talking about?"
"Yes, that." Brock said, the sarcasm flying right over his head, "The cutie was all over town and all she could talk about was you, like literally. I tried to flirt with her and she went into a ten minute rant about you." He tilted his head hesitantly, "I mean, it was pretty uncomplimentary, but girls can be like that about their crushes sometimes."
"I've never met this girl in my life." Ezra said flatly. The only one he could think would chase after him to yell at him was from the Orange islands, and was definitely not named Karen.
"She's a pretty big deal." Brock said lowly, as he opened a door into some sort of staff room, currently empty, "She's the apprentice of one of the Elite Four."
Ezra walked in, his mind turning over this new tidbit. He recognized the name Karen now, she'd ended up an Elite Four herself, hadn't she? She had Dark Pokemon, and was apprenticed to Agatha the Ghost Mistress. If she was heavily into dark and ghosts and that scene - perhaps she'd seen some of what he could do in the Orange islands and developed a crush?
He did kind of pull off that aesthetic, even without his Pokemon. And the Albino thing might be a turn on if she was some sort of goth chick.
He couldn't fathom any other reason why she'd be looking for him and chatting with strangers about him. If it was official business they would have just called him or summoned him to the indigo plateau. It wasn't like he could turn down an Elite Four calling for him.
"Huh, and she just left, you said?" He asked Brock, not sure how he felt about a girl he'd never met crushing on him. It was very… Anime.
Brock nodded, "Suddenly took off like she had a herd of zubat on her tail, didn't even say goodbye." His eyes narrowed, which for Brock was quite the feat. "Treat her well, she's a very nice girl." He hesitated a bit again, before finishing lamely, "Underneath the prickly bits." In the following silence, Brock managed to also mumble out, "And wear a cup." Very quietly, wincing in remembered pain.
"I don't even know her." Ezra said, shaking his head, not about to give Brock any promises. "Let's get back to why I'm here, I'm willing to pay very competitive wages for someone to look after my Pokemon, some of which are pretty rare, you were named as someone I could trust." Flattery usually worked on 'normal' people, and Ezra figured it wouldn't hurt.
Brock's eyes lit up with curiosity again, clearly intrigued by the offer. "Rare Pokemon, huh? That's not something you hear every day. What kinds of Pokemon are we talking about?" He said, rubbing his hands together eagerly.
Ezra knew that this was the moment that could ruin Brock's interest if he didn't word things carefully. "It's mostly Ghost types and a few Dark Pokemon that I have in my stable, unlike how their reputations are, they are remarkably docile, and could give a lot of experience and information to a young trainer if Pokemon rearing or breeding holds any interest. It's a pretty diverse group, and they require a lot of attention and specialized care."
Brock's expression shifted from curiosity to some trepidation. "Ghost and Dark types, you say? That's definitely unusual, especially in this region. Most trainers around here stick to the basics - Rock, Normal, Bug, the occasional Grass type. I've always been interested in learning about different kinds of Pokemon, especially the ones you don't see every day, but..." He made a hand gesture seemingly lost for words.
Ezra got the gist however. Scary Pokemon.
Ezra tilted his head slightly, studying Brock. "I had been told you needed experience raising Pokemon, that battling wasn't your main passion? I'm willing to pay quite well, enough you could use the money afterwards to perhaps take some courses in breeding or rearing. I simply need someone who can keep an eye on them, make sure they're healthy and happy, and handle any issues that might come up while I'm away. I'm only looking for part-time help, so you wouldn't have to spend all your time there."
Whenever he intended to be gone for long stretches of time, would be the only time he would really need Brock - for short trips for a few days he could just take them all with him and rotate them in and out at a Pokecenter.
He really would rather prefer Brock, but if he was too hesitant, he'd find someone else. Docile his 'mon might be. But they were still Pokemon of their typing, and if Brock walked in terrified, they'd eat him alive.
Not literally. He hoped.
Brock crossed his arms, considering the offer carefully. "I'm… Interested." He said slowly, "Depending on how many hours, pay, and the like. Although I admit I'm not that well read on these particular types." His cheeks pinked a little, "I know a little about Dark Pokemon, studying up on them for a bit when Karen arrived."
Ezra appreciated the directness, Brock wasn't wasting his time at least. He could appreciate that Brock wasn't the type to jump into something without understanding the full picture, and that was exactly what Ezra needed in a caretaker. "I've got a lot on my plate right now," Ezra explained. "I'm working on a few different projects that will take me out of town pretty often. When I'm away for a week or two the odd times, I need someone reliable to take over. I'll pay you full gym trainer wages for only part-time work, and you'll basically work a week or two here and there when I need you, and have the rest of the time off. Paid time off." He reiterated, wanting to seal the deal with his number one pick.
Brock nodded slowly, taking it all in. "I see. Well, I won't lie - I've been looking for something a little different. My dad's the Gym Leader here, and I've got some free time on my hands. Running a stable for rare Pokemon sounds like a great opportunity, especially if it's just part-time for now."
He seemed to think it over, rubbing his chin, before looking at Ezra seriously, "I am willing to give it a shot, but it would probably be best if I meet them first and see if this can even work out."
Ezra had anticipated this. Brock wouldn't want to sign on for something he couldn't do, "Of course," Ezra said. "I wouldn't expect you to agree without seeing the setup first. How about you come by the stable this afternoon? I can introduce you to the team, show you the property, and answer any questions you might have."
Brock smiled, his interest now fully piqued. "Sounds like a plan. I've got a few things to wrap up here at the gym, but I can be over there by mid-afternoon. Just give me the address, and I'll be there."
Ezra pulled out a small notebook and scribbled down the address of his property, tearing off the page and handing it to Brock. "I'll see you then. And Brock - thanks for considering this. It means a lot that you're willing to try something outside of your expertise."
Ezra was going to vomit soon if he had to keep smiling and complimenting people. But Brock was one of those honestly good people that infested the Pokemon world. It would be like kicking a puppy if he was his usual acerbic and snarky self.
Maybe later, when the guy got used to him.
With that, the two parted ways, Brock returning to his duties at the gym while Ezra left with a sense of satisfaction at getting his way, even if he felt that he was increasingly faking things too much. Things were starting to fall into place however. He had a competent lawyer reviewing his contract with Devon Corp and looking into Porygons, and now he had the potential of hiring Brock to help manage his Pokemon when he couldn't be there.
Once he was finished up in Pewter, he'd go find a tournament in Johto again, while pursuing his interests there, and go back to being his snarky lovable self, making fun of idiot trainers. Maybe he could even have a rematch with Shae?
By the time Ezra arrived back at his property, the sun had climbed higher in the sky, casting a warm glow over the land. He took a moment to appreciate the quiet solitude of the place, the way the hedges and stone walls provided a sense of seclusion without feeling closed off. It was the perfect environment for what he had planned - a place where he could focus on training his team and building his business without distractions.
At least until he was ready to ride victorious into Lavender Town and establish his gym.
Ezra spent the next few hours making sure everything was in order for Brock's visit. He checked on the Pokemon, ensuring they were all settled in and comfortable, and made a mental list of the things he wanted to discuss with Brock. It was important to be thorough, to cover all the bases and make sure there were no misunderstandings.
When mid-afternoon arrived, Ezra was waiting at the front gate, keeping an eye out for Brock's arrival. He didn't have to wait long. A few minutes later, he saw the figure of Brock approaching, walking up the dirt path with an easy, confident stride. The closer Brock got, the more Ezra could see the genuine excitement in his expression, coupled with the nervousness of someone trying something new for the first time.
Ghosts and Dark Pokemon definitely had a reputation in Kanto.
"Welcome to the stable," Ezra greeted as Brock reached the gate. He opened it and motioned for Brock to follow him inside. "I've set everything up so you can get a good look at the place and meet my Pokemon."
Brock nodded, his eyes already scanning the surroundings with a keen eye. "Thanks, Ezra. I'm looking forward to seeing what you've got here, the old owners were pretty isolationist, I don't think anyone ever was allowed inside while they ran the place."
As they walked through the property, Ezra pointed out the various features - the barn where the supplies were stored, the open fields and heavy forests where the Pokemon could roam, and the small pond that provided a natural water source.
He gestured to the barn, "Currently my Dark Pokemon are resting in there, while my Ghosts prefer to haunt the forest. Your main job besides feeding them, would basically be to keep them entertained and active, so they don't get into too much trouble."
Brock nodded, having a notepad and pen out, and to Ezra's bemusement, seemed to be transcribing what he was saying, word for word. "Doesn't sound too impossible." He muttered, "I can make up some games, even simple ones like tag should be interesting with Ghosts in the mix."
"Ready to meet them?" Ezra asked, hiding a smirk.
Brock nodded decisively, "Of course!"
"Say hello to Loki." Ezra drawled, as Brock felt something ghost past his shoulder.
Brock turned his head, coming face to face with the Shuppet, which blew him a raspberry.
He turned back to Ezra, some nervous sweat on his brow, only for Cheshire to be right in his face, giving him a long lick.
"They like you already." Ezra said wryly.
"This isn't too bad." Brock said nervously.
Over the next few hours Brock was run ragged by the Pokemon, but never in a mean way. The mischievousness of his 'mon not able to throw Brock overly much.
The rock type trainer taking it all with aplomb, and handling them with care even as he ensured they didn't go too far.
In the end, he was willing to give it a try, and Ezra was pleased with his capabilities vis-a-vis his 'mon.
So another deal was struck.
That evening, Ezra's stable, Kanto.
The sun was high in the sky over Ezra's secluded plot of land, casting a warm glow across the landscape that was rapidly chilling as they headed towards nighttime. The air was thick with the earthy scent of pine and soil, a gentle breeze rustling the leaves of the surrounding trees. It was a perfect evening for training, and Ezra was determined to make the most of it.
He had his Pokemon divided into two groups, carefully organized based on their types and the specific training they needed. On one side were his Ghost types - lead by his team, with the Sableye, Duskull, Mimikyu, Dreepy and the rest all waiting for his orders.
I can't wait to see Lance's face one day when I take down a Dragonite with Mimikyu… He thought as he smiled at the Pokemon, now wearing a much better looking Pikachu disguise after Ezra picked up some crafts materials.
Lighting wouldn't be a problem tonight either with the Litwicks and Lampents present.
On the other side, he had his Dark types - Murkrow, Houndour and Poochyena, Skuntank, Zorua, and Deino - all of them eagerly awaiting his attention.
Ezra wasn't focused on techniques today. He had trained his team of Pokemon in their moves extensively, and they were already formidable in battle. And he'd get there with the rest of them, but first they needed to go through what his team had already been working on since he got them.
Something deeper, something that could give them an edge beyond what most trainers considered. He was going to help them hone their energy, the very essence of their being that fueled their powers and defined their abilities. It wasn't just about getting stronger; it was about refining that strength, understanding it, and learning to wield it with precision.
He'd already taught his team how to mess around with it, compressing techniques, making them denser. Making them lighter and faster in exchange for less oomph - how to manipulate the energy.
And he must have been doing something right with it, considering how quickly they picked it up - for example how quickly Cubone had both harnessed steel energy and fire energy.
Focusing on the actual power behind the techniques rather than the techniques themselves. They could start throwing Shadow Balls and the like once they knew themselves and the techniques inside and out.
"Alright," Ezra called out, his voice firm but encouraging. "Today, we're not focusing on moves or battles. We're going to dig deeper. I want each of you to connect with your energy, to feel it, understand it, and learn to control it in a way you haven't before. This is going to take patience and focus, but it's going to pay off in the long run." He gestures to Loki, who quickly created a Shadow Ball, the tiny ball a tenth of the size of a normal attack, impossibly dense. "That is what you can learn when you learn how to use every iota of your powers."
Loki sent the Shadow Ball off, and it cracked a tree in half as it hit, the speed greater as well, Loki cheering as he did a little pirouette in the air.
His new Pokemon responded with a mix of determination and curiosity, basking in his aura. He wondered if his aura was helping them understand better, if that's why his team had picked things up so quickly.
Either way, aura or him, it was only to his benefit. His Ghost Pokemon would train with their energy until they ran out of gas, at which point they would come and snack on him, before getting back to it.
Something he'd have to train with at some point, because if he could surreptitiously stretch out his aura to reinvigorate his Pokemon in battle, that would be the ultimate cheat.
For his Dark Pokemon, they'd have a different training regime. A harsher one in a way. But they were exactly the type to take it and come and ask for more. Dark types weren't the kind to lay down and give up.
They were physical where the Ghosts were not, so while also focusing on their energy and learning every bit they could on how to squeeze everything out of it - they would be physically training, some of them for speed, especially the Houndor and Poochyena. And some for strength or stamina.
Ezra sent the Dark types off, having given each of them a short training regime to try earlier in the day. While they began with that, he walked amongst his Ghosts, offering encouragement, utilizing Loki, Chesire, Nyx and Rider as assistants of sorts, to coax the new Pokemon into pulling their energy out without using a technique for it.
Ezra watched them carefully, offering quiet encouragement and adjustments as they worked. This wasn't the kind of training that showed immediate results, but it was the kind that built a strong foundation. By learning to control their energy, his Ghost types would become more efficient in battle, less likely to exhaust themselves, and more capable of precision with their abilities.
He already had an advantage in typing against most, but he didn't want to rest on those laurels. He wanted his Pokemon to be strong enough to tackle even a type disadvantage one day, and fire back something twice as hard.
After ensuring his Ghost types were on track, Ezra turned his attention to his Dark types. Dark energy was a powerful force, often tied to emotions like anger, fear, at least to the general populations ideas of it. But they were not entirely wrong. Ezra would affix it with the moniker of hunger if he had to pick one thing.
It needed to be channeled effectively to avoid becoming wild and strike back against its user. Using Dark energy took a certain mindset, hence why many Pokemon couldn't learn those types of moves.
He walked over to where they were all practicing, speaking softly as he walked amongst them, Nyx following, as his Pokemon with the most experience with Dark energy. "Your energy is all about power and dominance. It's raw and aggressive, but that doesn't mean it can't be controlled. I want you to focus on harnessing that energy, letting it flow through your body while you move. We're going to work on physical exercises to help you connect with it on a deeper level."
As with many things, he was guessing based on what felt right to him, but it seemed to be working so far, so he had no reason to stop. He certainly wasn't going to ask Oak for advice. If Dark energy was like a hunter, hungry and predatory, then he figured sitting still like in meditation like most of his Ghosts practiced theirs - wouldn't work as well.
Murkrow spread its wings wide, the dark feathers shimmering as it prepared to take flight. "Start with flight drills," Ezra instructed. "I want you to focus on maintaining your dark energy while you're in the air. Keep your movements smooth, but don't let that power drop for even a second. Hold onto it, feel it, try to use it to help your flight if you think you can."
Murkrow took to the sky, its wings beating in a steady rhythm. Ezra watched as the Dark type energy pulsed through Murkrows body, he could feel it, his own attunement easily picking it up. The Dark bird Pokemon soared above the training field, banking and diving with practiced ease, all the while struggling with keeping its energy stable. This wasn't about speed or agility - it was about maintaining a constant flow of power, for now.
Meanwhile, the Houndour and Poochyena were focused on speed and endurance. Ezra had set up a series of obstacles for the Dark-types to navigate, each one designed to test their physical limits. "Houndour all of you, Poochyena too. I want you all to push through these obstacles, but I want you to do it while focusing on your dark energy. Let it fuel you, give you the strength to overcome each challenge, let it fill every muscle, every ligament. If you have to take it at a walking pace to get it down, it's fine, we don't need to rush this, learn first, run later."
The Pokemon growled softly in acknowledgment, none of them able to run across the obstacles as it was, all of them struggling to do something that was normally instinctual. Ezra wanted them to learn it, to learn how to harness it. He could feel his own dark energy and knew it always wanted more. Like something that was always hungry. So he wanted the Pokemon to get a hold of that aspect of it, because who knew what the limit was, could their energy start craving more speed? Only one way to find out.
Dreepy and Deino, both young and still growing into their power, were given exercises that focused on coordination and control for now, the two would be in his team going forward for obvious reasons, but he didn't want to push them too hard either. "Dreepy, you're going to work on agility. I want you to float through this course, weaving between the obstacles while maintaining your energy. Don't let it scatter - keep it close, keep it steady."
Dreepy's small, ghostly form darted through the air, moving quickly between the obstacles with a fluid grace. Its energy pulsed rhythmically, and Dreepy focused on keeping that pulse steady, not letting it fluctuate as it maneuvered through the course. It was a test of both agility and energy control, and Dreepy was doing admirably for a first try as it was determined to succeed.
Deino, on the other hand, was focused on power. "Deino, same exercise for now, I want the two of you to partner up, learn together, grow together." He patted its head softly, "You'll both be fearsome dragons together on my team, learn from each other."
Deino growled softly, before setting off, pushing against the obstacle course to catch up to Dreepy's floating form Ezra watched the two of them, content with letting them practice their energies and float/run around for now. They'd grow more rapidly then the others soon enough - as he'd actually use them for battle. Dragapult and Hydreigon were going to be game changers.
He knew that in the Pokemon world, most regular trainers relied on their Pokemon's natural abilities, honing their techniques through practice and battle. But Ezra was looking for something more - an advantage that would set him apart from the others. By helping his Pokemon master their energy, how to cycle it through their bodies, their techniques at perfect output and efficiency, he was ensuring that they would be able to maintain their power throughout a battle, striking with precision and conserving their strength for when it mattered most.
The training continued for hours, the sun slowly dipping toward the horizon as Ezra's Pokemon pushed themselves to their limits. They were tired, but not exhausted, their energies refined and more focused than they had been before, his own aura helping replenish them, which was rapidly tiring him out.
It seemed he had limits as well when it came to the darkness inherent to him.
Finally, as the light began to fade and the shadows grew longer, Ezra called the session to an end. "That's enough for today," He said, his voice filled with satisfaction. "You've all done incredible work. This is just the beginning, but I can already see how much you've improved. We'll keep refining your energy, keep building on this foundation, and soon enough, you'll be unstoppable." His grin was savage as he looked across his Pokemon.
His Pokemon gathered around him, their eyes reflecting the pride and satisfaction they felt from the day's work, their grins were no less savage as they looked up at him. Ezra smiled, reaching out to pat Rider on the head, best boi having immediately sought him out for praise.
He'd dedicate tomorrow to training, then he'd fly off again, leaving Brock to try his hand at his new job for a week as he returned to Johto to explore a tournament or two.
He was looking forward to letting loose again.
A day later, Ezra's stable.
The morning sun had just begun to burn away the mist that clung to the fields surrounding the Pewter stable when Brock heard a firm knock on the front door. He had been busy organizing the supplies Ezra had ordered, the routine of the task keeping him grounded in the peaceful atmosphere of the countryside.
The knock at the door felt out of place, as if it carried with it the weight of something significant. He knew no one came by here, so he wondered what it could be? Maybe Karen is back? He thought somewhat optimistically.
Brock wiped his hands on a cloth and headed for the door, curiosity gnawing at him. When he opened it, he found himself staring into the sharp, ice-blue eyes of a woman he recognized instantly - Agatha, the Ghost type master of the Elite Four. Her presence was like a sudden drop in temperature, and the air around her seemed to still, as if nature itself was wary of her.
"Good morning, young man," Agatha said, her voice carrying a chilling edge despite the pleasantry of her words. "I'm looking for Ezra Kassian. Is he here?"
Brock felt a jolt of shock at the sight of her, his mind racing to process why one of the most powerful trainers in Kanto would be standing on the doorstep of a modest stable. "M-Miss Agatha," He stammered, stepping back to let her enter. "Ezra… He left about an hour ago."
Agatha's expression didn't change, but there was a slight tightening around her eyes, a flicker of resignation that told Brock she had somewhat expected this outcome. "I see," she said quietly, more to herself than to him. "And do you know where he went?"
Brock shook his head, trying to maintain composure in the face of her icy demeanor. "He didn't say."
The silence that followed was thick with unspoken thoughts. Agatha's gaze flicked around the interior of the stable entranceway, her eyes missing nothing as she assessed her surroundings. The old Ghost master was known for her formidable power, but it was her sharp mind and even sharper intuition that had earned her a place among legends.
"And why are you here instead of him?" She asked, turning her full attention back to Brock. There was no accusation in her tone, but the question carried an undercurrent of curiosity, as if she was trying to piece together a puzzle.
Brock hesitated, unsure of how much he should reveal. "I'm working here part-time," He admitted, scratching the back of his head sheepishly. "Ezra needed someone to look after his Pokemon while he's away. I've got experience with that kind of thing - albeit with children and trainers - so it seemed like a good fit."
Agatha's eyes narrowed slightly, a spark of interest lighting them. "Is that so?" She murmured, her tone now contemplative. "And these Pokemon… Anything interesting and never seen before hiding amongst them?" She pressed, "I was stuck doing paperwork for the past two days and couldn't arrive sooner, the work of an Elite Four is never done, but I'm here now…"
Brock swallowed, feeling the pressure of her gaze. "I'm not sure what you've heard, Miss Agatha, but Ezra's Pokemon are… Unique, yes." He shifted uncomfortably under her scrutiny. "But I can't just show them to anyone. Ezra left me in charge, and he trusts me to look after them properly." His jaw set, as he straightened his back, meeting the Elite Four's eyes.
Agatha's lips thinned into a line, her patience visibly fraying. "Surely you understand that I'm not 'just anyone,' young man. My interest in Ezra's Pokemon is… Professional. I won't harm them, nor will I do anything untoward. I simply wish to see what he's been working with."
But Brock stood firm, despite the chill that seemed to seep from Agatha's very presence. He respected Ezra's wishes, and had accepted payment to work for him - there was no way he would betray that trust - not even for an Elite Four member. She could call Ezra himself. "I'm sorry, Miss Agatha," He said, trying to sound as respectful as possible. "But I really can't do that. Ezra was clear about who could interact with his Pokemon, and right now, that's just him and me."
For a moment, it looked like Agatha might press the issue. Her eyes flashed with something dark, a glimpse of the power she wielded, but then she let out a long, slow breath, the tension easing from her shoulders. She nodded, more to herself than to Brock, and the chill in the air seemed to lift slightly.
"Very well," She said, her voice chilly. "You're a loyal young man, Brock. That's a good quality, though not always a wise one. But you're right - this isn't the time or place to press the issue. I'll see those Pokemon soon enough, once I have Ezra where he belongs."
Brock didn't quite know how to respond to that, so he simply nodded, hoping the conversation was at an end. The sooner Agatha left, the sooner he could return to the relative calm of his work. He had a feeling he had the fact he was Flint's son to thank for the Elite Four member not pushing further.
Had Ezra thought of that? Is that why he was hired?
Agatha glanced around the stable entrance way once more, her expression inscrutable. "I won't bother you any longer, then. But do let Ezra know that I'm looking forward to seeing him. Sooner, rather than later."
With that, she turned and made her way out of the stable, her presence leaving a lingering chill in the air even after she had gone. Brock watched her go, a mixture of relief and anxiety washing over him. He knew that dealing with someone like Agatha was far beyond what he had signed up for, and he could only hope that Ezra knew what he was doing.
As Agatha disappeared from view, Brock let out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding. The stable felt warmer already, the oppressive weight of her presence finally lifting. He couldn't help but wonder what it was about Ezra that had drawn the attention of such a formidable figure.
He put it down to a Ghost trainer being interested in one of its kind.
Thankful that the situation was over, and that he'd receive no more scary visitors.
Dealing with the Elite Four hadn't been in the job description…
Author's note:
So Dark energy etc and all that might not work like that in games/anime etc. But I've already said before I'm doing whatever the hell I want with the Pokemon world, so live with it.
Obviously Deino and Dreepy will be part of the main team, although other then fighting someone like an Elite Four, he'll eventually be rotating members around, but those two are likely to be mainstays - because fuck mothering dragons.
So now even Agatha is getting in on the Karen shenanigans. Wonder how long until she breaks and just calls him.
Karen's apparently in love too. Wonder if Agatha will tell her if she'd stayed in Pewter like she'd planned that would have actually worked.
Probably not.
Cheers
JollyHippopotamus.
Chapter 8: Love at first sight?
New
JollyHippopotamus
Not too sore, are you?
- Joined
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Here's chapter 8: Love at first sight?
This story remains popular it seems, winning again on Patron, even beating out HammerTime this time.
Time to train, and prepare, plus, new tournament to show off in soon.
Hopefully I can keep entertaining you all with Ezra's hijinks.
Named team:
Cheshire - Haunter
Loki - Shuppet
Nyx - Spiritomb
Rider - Alolan Marowak
As usual, I do not own Pokemon or the associated companies that deliver material from it. I'm just playing in the kiddy pool, don't hurt me.
Enjoy!
Azalea town, Johto.
Azalea Town, nestled quietly in the southern part of Johto, was a quaint, almost sleepy village surrounded by dense forests and clear rivers. As Ezra approached on his Pidgeot, the sight of the town below him was a different view to the more active cities he'd been through recently. Here, the houses were simple wooden structures with thatched roofs, painted in faded pastel colors that had weathered the elements over the years. Small, winding dirt roads connected the homes, and a large, majestic oak tree stood proudly in the center of town, its branches spreading wide as if embracing the village in a protective canopy.
The aroma of freshly baked bread from a nearby bakery and the sound of a distant mill wheel turning added to the town's rustic charm. Pokemon and people moved about leisurely, going about their daily routines without any of the rush he was used to seeing in larger towns.
Ezra landed Pidgeot just outside the Pokemon Center, giving his loyal bird a pat on the neck as they touched down. "Good job, Pidgeot. Rest up," He said, returning Pidgeot to its Pokeball, knowing he'd eventually be replacing it when he evolved his Murkrow. He stepped inside the Pokemon Center, which was a modest building with a warm interior. The soft glow of the lamps and the clean, comforting scent gave the place a cozy atmosphere even as it surprised him to see a Pokemon center that wasn't exactly the same as the rest. Nurse Joy was behind the counter, her familiar smile welcoming as always.
I gotta look into that one day, it's still weird. No way any family has that many identical kids…
It was just a passing interest, but if someone was cloning people, he'd definitely want to know about it. They cloned Pokemon a few years ahead in the future, so the possibility was there, however remote.
"Good day, Nurse Joy," Ezra greeted as he approached the counter. "I need to make a quick switch."
The Pokemon centers were really a clever idea, healing, room and board, and access to the PC to call and video call someone was all a major boon for any traveling trainer. Although unlike in the games, transferring Pokemon wasn't as easy as logging into the PC, you had to give them to Nurse Joy, the Pokemon Center having the technology that allowed the Pokeball and Pokemon to transfer into data and traverse the distances required.
Many league buildings also had the same capabilities, and so did many of the larger stables as well, allowing trainers to easily access their Pokemon. Ezra's stable did not have such a machine as of yet however.
Of course in Ezra's case, he simply needed the switch from Pokemon he already had on hand, one needing to go inactive, while another went active - due to the six Pokemon limit.
"Of course," She replied kindly, scanning his trainer ID efficiently. "Which Pokemon would you like to swap?"
Ezra handed over Pidgeot's Pokeball and paused for a moment. "Could you switch Pidgeot to inactive for now, and this one to active." He handed her Dreepy's ball, not sharing the name of the Pokemon.
He'd taken a look at his own profile in the Pokedex and had realized several of his captures were labeled as ???, so he wasn't going to reveal them that easily, by telling a Nurse Joy their breed.
Nurse Joy nodded, and within moments, she had Pidgeot safely locked away from use and Dreepy's Pokeball ready for him. "Here you go, young man. It is all set." If she had any curiosity about his Pokemon, she didn't show it.
"Thanks," Ezra said, taking the Pokeballs and attaching them to his belt. He gave a polite nod before heading back outside, ready for his next journey. Unfortunately he would no longer have an easy escape avenue, with Pidgeot locked away, but he needed to keep training his actual fighting team.
So with his team now complete, Ezra left the town of Azalea on foot, making his way west toward the Ilex forest. The path leading from Azalea to Ilex was narrow and winding, bordered by tall grass and wildflowers that swayed gently in the breeze. He released his Pokemon one by one, wanting them to enjoy the open air and stretch their legs. Loki hovered close, its eyes darting around with curiosity. Cheshire floated lazily beside him, occasionally sticking out its tongue playfully at the passing wild Pokemon who wisely kept their distance. Nyx drifted along the ground, its ethereal form shifting slightly with each step, while Rider walked at his side, its bone club resting confidently on its shoulder.
Dreepy and Deino, the newest additions to his party, moved a bit more cautiously, sticking closer to Ezra for guidance. Dreepy floated just above the ground, its spectral tail leaving a faint, shimmering trail behind it, while Deino trotted along with its head moving back and forth, its blind eyes not preventing it from taking in the world through other senses.
As they traveled further from Azalea, the trees began to grow taller and denser, their branches intertwining to form a natural archway that marked the entrance to the Ilex forest. The light dimmed as the thick canopy above blocked out the sun, casting them in darkness, something they were all comfortable with. The air grew cooler and filled with the rich, earthy scent of moss and damp leaves.
Walking deeper into the forest, the sounds of chirping Pidgey and rustling leaves filled the air, creating a somewhat tranquil yet vibrant symphony of nature. Ezra kept a steady pace, allowing his Pokwmon to explore their surroundings. Loki and Cheshire played a game of tag through the trees, their ghostly forms weaving effortlessly between branches. Nyx moved more slowly, occasionally pausing to inspect a particularly interesting root or stone. Rider, ever vigilant, kept an eye on their surroundings, suspicious of every noise or movement.
Dreepy and Deino, still adjusting to being outside their Pokeballs for an extended period as part of the team, followed closely behind Ezra, watching the others, but not participating in their antics.
Ezra took a deep breath, inhaling the crisp, fresh air of the forest. This wasn't exactly where he felt most comfortable, away from the cities and surrounded by the tranquility of nature. But the needs for training away from prying eyes, and the benefits he alone held - made a few days of roughing it worth it in the end.
Here, he could focus on his Pokemon, on his training, and on the journey ahead. As they continued deeper into the forest, Ezra couldn't help but feel a sense of calm wash over him. For now, at least, everything felt right in the world. He had a plan, he had the tools to get to where he wanted to be - and he was going to cheat like a motherfucking beast.
Again.
He paused eventually, calling his Pokemon to a halt, the towering trees around him forming a natural barrier that seemed to isolate this part of the world from the rest of Johto. The forest was alive with the sounds of rustling leaves and distant calls of wild Pokemon, but there was a strange stillness to it as well. A forest of Pokemon was not the same as a forest of animals back home.
It was more alive in a way, but at the same time quieter, as the Pokemon had a level of intelligence normal animals didn't possess, and were much better equipped to keep the forest silent while avoiding invaders.
"Alright," He muttered mostly to himself, "Time to get to work."
He rolled his shoulders, letting his aura run more freely, signaling quietly to the ghosts in his shadow to come out.
From the depths of the shadow, ghostly forms began to emerge immediately after he loosened his hold. A Misdreavous was the first, its spectral body slipping free from the darkness like a wisp of smoke. Its eyes glinted mischievously as it hovered just above the ground, looking around eagerly for something to scare. Next came a trio of Haunters, the wide, unsettling grins seemingly stretching even further as they rose from the shadow.
His own team greeted them enthusiastically, at least the first four, the two newest additions a little shyer, although in Deino's case, the Pokemon was standing quite aggressively, looking ready to fight. Ezra gave it a calm wave, "Don't worry, this is all normal." He soothed, allowing his aura to stretch, the Pokemon snuffling as it got a good feel of it.
A Gengar appeared next from behind him, its swirling form coalescing from the shadows like mist solidifying into stone. Other spectral shapes followed, wisps of ghostly energy forming into Duskulls, Gastly and more, each one slipping from the shadowy pool that was Ezra's aura. All in all two dozen Pokemon swirled around him now.
The scene was almost hypnotic, the way the ghosts moved like they were still part of the darkness, yet separate, ethereal forms breaking free from a physical constraint. They floated up, lingering around Ezra, their eyes glowing with eerie light, waiting for his command. This is what power feels like, he couldn't help but think, smiling as ghosts almost caressed his face as they circled around him.
Ezra shook his head, gathering his focus, his eyes on the cavalcade of ghosts before him. "You know what to do," He instructed, his voice calm but firm. "We need to toughen up Dreepy and Deino. I want you to find the weaker Pokemon in the forest - no need to hurt them too much, just drive them towards us. Funnel them in. The team will take it from there."
He'd used this tactic previously to evolve Pidgeot, and he didn't see why it wouldn't work to give his newest Pokemon some experience, some practice - and help them gain strength through victories, however assisted that they were.
The ghostly Pokemon nodded - or rather, many of them seemed to nod, their forms shifting in acknowledgment. Without another word, they dispersed, melting into the shadows of the forest, their presence becoming a whisper of cold air and a fleeting shadow. Ezra watched as they disappeared into the trees, his heart steady. He had done this before with his main team, and they had grown significantly stronger from the experience. Now it was time for Dreepy and Deino to learn the same lessons.
From his shadow, Ezra summoned tendrils of darkness, thin but strong, weaving them through the underbrush around him. He could feel the energy flowing through him, his aura extending out into the forest, searching, probing, and preparing for what was to come. His Pokemon wasn't the only one needing training.
He had his shadow, this darkness he could control. It would be foolish beyond the extreme to not utilize it, train it. He needed to become better, as they became better.
Not long after, the forest erupted into chaos. Ezra could hear the distant rustle of leaves and the sound of startled Pokemon fleeing from his ghosts. Loki and Cheshire, invisible in the shadows right ahead of them - were doing their job well, scaring and herding the weaker Pokemon the others were harassing - towards the clearing where Ezra waited.
Through the trees, he saw flashes of color as various Bug type and Grass type Pokemon darted between the trunks, fleeing from some unseen terror. A cluster of Caterpie and Weedle scrambled over roots, their tiny bodies trembling in fear. An Oddish bolted past, its leaves quivering as it tried to escape the relentless pursuit of the ghosts.
Ezra watched intently, his eyes scanning the forest as he stood calmly in the clearing. The first wave of wild Pokemon broke through the underbrush, a mix of Weedle, Caterpie, and Pidgey, all looking harried and exhausted. They burst into the open, their eyes wide with fear, driven forward by the relentless presence of Ezra's Ghost types.
"Now!" Ezra said calmly, pointing them out to Deino and Dreepy, who had been waiting eagerly. "This is your chance, strike!"
Deino snarled, sensing the movement of the wild Pokemon. It charged forward, its compact body surprisingly quick as it barreled into a Caterpie, sending it sprawling with a single tackle. Nearby, Dreepy hovered low to the ground, its form shimmering as it shot forward with surprising speed, using the move Infestation several times in a row on several exhausted Pokemon. The bug type move was something Dreepy had from the start, and it was effective in this kind of fight, inflicting damage and then trapping the opponent, causing them to get more damage over time.
With several Pokemon running into this gauntlet, Infestation would give Dreepy several 'kills' for low effort. It pleased Ezra to see, because it meant his mock battles and what they taught, something he'd barely been able to start so far with his new additions before this - was actually sinking in.
It especially worked well when Dreepy had a partner in Deino, who with cheerful aggression clomped down on the trapped Pokemon.
The two young Pokemon worked well together, the momentary hesitation at seeing the many Pokemon funneled through completely gone now. Deino's raw power and aggression paired with Dreepy's agility and moveset made for a formidable combination. They moved through the clearing, knocking back Pokemon after Pokemon - taking them out with relish, each victory bolstering their confidence.
Ezra kept his focus sharp, watching every movement, every strike. He could see the improvement with each encounter as the weakened Pokemon tried to fight back - Dreepy's movements becoming more fluid, Deino's strikes more precise, wasting less effort. This was exactly what he wanted to see. It wasn't just about winning these small skirmishes - it was about building their strength, their endurance, their instincts.
Dreino in its aggression would bleed stamina by wasting energy on unnecessary motions and moves as it raged across a battle, and with so many Pokemon to fight, Deino knew it. Which forced Deino to hold back, to only do the exact amount of damage needed and then move on. Teaching restraint in a way it would have probably taken Ezra weeks in a normal setting to hammer into the Pokemon's head.
For Dreepy, it was a lesson in battle control for the more flighty Pokemon, with so many moving parts, and Deino to keep a track of, it taught Dreepy to be aware of everything around the battlefield.
Really his Ghost gauntlet was an excellent cheat, something other trainers could do as well in a limited fashion by utilizing most of their team to train a newer member. If they weren't so limited in thought to never imagine harassing a bunch of Pokemon for XP.
Now the world didn't work on XP, but he could literally feel his Pokemon improving doing this, so it wasn't that far off.
The forest continued to yield more Pokemon, his ghostly team harassing and driving them towards the clearing in waves. A small group of Bellsprout stumbled into the open, their leaves flailing as they tried to regain their balance. Deino and Dreepy moved in quickly, Deino using a headbutt to knock one aside while rushing forward to tackle another, Dreepy using Astonish to decent effect, managing to make the Bellsprout desperately trying to hit Deino's flank as it ran through its friends, flinch. Deino finished its Tackle just to turn around to use Bite on the lone Bellsprout.
This is going excellently. Couldn't have had a better first time, Ezra thought, pleased.
Ezra's other Pokemon, Cheshire and Loki, made sure the incoming Pokemon came in small manageable waves, Nyx keeping them from running off their flank. They were all using techniques to scare the Pokemon into the funnel, keeping them from scattering too widely - shooting the techniques into the ground to force them into a set direction, also training their own stamina and technique. Rider stood close to Ezra, its bone club ready, its eyes never straying too far from Ezra, as if daring any wild Pokemon to try and get close.
In desperation, even a weak wild Pokemon might get the idea to take out the human. Normally humans weren't attacked like that unless it was a particularly aggressive Pokemon, or they got near a nest of some sort. But this wasn't a normal situation.
The strategy was working well so far. Deino and Dreepy were gaining valuable experience, learning to fight as a unit and honing their abilities in real-time. They grew more confident with each victory, their movements more assured, their attacks more potent.
Above all that, it was the experience from real battles that was the most valuable. So called low level 'mons biggest detriment were the fact they don't fight as much, learn as much. Even with a trainer they usually spend a lot of time being trained up before they get many battles under their belt, and even then that is under full direction from a trainer for their every move in battle.
Ezra had given them guidance before this, told them what would likely work, and what would not. But just like with his Ghosts - the main point here was to teach them that although they follow him and his orders, they could also anticipate what would happen, react, and become more intuitive of the flow of battle so that if a Sandstorm took over a battlefield in the League for example - they would be better suited to operating on their own, without orders.
It was early days still, and this slaughter was nothing against a real battle, but it was a start.
Just then some of the more desperate wild Pokemon tried to break through the line, probably thinking that their best chance lay in a direct attack on the human obviously orchestrating this chaos. A trio of Aipom jumped over Deino's lunge, aiming directly for Ezra, ready to strike.
Ezra was ready for the eventuality. The dark tendrils of his shadow shot out like whips, snatching two of the Aipom out of the air before they could reach him. With a flick of his wrist, he flung them back into the clearing, Loki and Cheshire falling on them with vengeance in their eyes. Ezra supposed this exercise was never going to finish without casualties.
The last one he never worried about, Rider had already moved to intercept the moment it was clear who their target was. The Alolan Marowak spun its club with practiced precision, knocking the Aipom out of the air and sending it tumbling to the ground, the club taking on a steely glint as Rider smashed it down with a vicious chirp of derision.
"Good work, Rider," Ezra called out, nodding in approval. The Alolan Marowak gave a solemn nod, then began to circle Ezra protectively, its eyes scanning the forest for any more threats.
As the training continued, the wild Pokemon became more frantic, their movements more erratic as they realized they were being driven towards a losing battle. But Ezra's ghostly team was relentless, corralling them with unyielding determination, funneling them into the waiting claws and teeth of Deino and Dreepy.
The clearing was soon littered with exhausted or fainted wild Pokemon - with a few casualties joining the Aipoms. Deino and Dreepy crowed as they looked over the battlefield, victorious, their eyes bright with pride and exhilaration. They had faced numerous opponents, and while they were tired, they had grown stronger, more confident in their abilities.
Ezra walked over to them, offering quiet praise and a gentle pat on each of their heads. "You both did great," He said, his voice calm, even as he smirked proudly. "This is just the beginning, but you're already showing how strong you can become."
Deino let out a satisfied growl, nudging Ezra's hand with its head, while Dreepy floated closer, its eyes shining with determination. They were tired, but they were also eager for more, ready to continue their training and prove themselves further. Ezra wouldn't let them, not right now. There was no point in overdoing it either. An injured Pokemon over foolishness would be a setback.
While the Pokemon Center could easily heal fainting and minor ailments in seconds without ever taking a Pokemon out of its Pokeball, more serious injuries had to be treated in a different manner, and usually took time to fully heal. He wasn't going to overdo it here, these two still had physical bodies that could suffer from overexertion.
"Alright," Ezra said, his voice steady and reassuring. "Let's call it a day. You've all earned a rest. We'll keep at this and get even stronger. But for now, let's head back."
As he turned to lead them out of the forest, Ezra couldn't help but feel a surge of pride for his team. They were growing stronger every day, and soon, they would be ready for whatever challenges lay ahead.
His own training wasn't going as well, the use of his shadow incredibly draining still. But he'd persevere.
It would be perfect to scare the crap out of uppity trainers once he had his gym.
Ilex Forest, days later.
On the third day of training, the air in the Ilex forest was thick with tension. Even though they used a different area each day, the Pokemon were now aware of them in a manner they hadn't been before. Ezra had continued pushing his team, testing the limits of Dreepy and Deino with each session. Today had started no differently than the days before - his Ghost types had fanned out through the dense forest, herding wild Pokemon towards his younger charges. Dreepy and Deino were becoming more confident, their attacks sharper and their coordination improving. Ezra watched them with a faint smile, pleased with their progress.
Then, without warning, the forest exploded into chaos.
A deafening roar shattered the tranquility, and from the shadows of the trees, a pack of Mankey burst into the clearing. Their eyes were wild with rage, and their fur bristled as they charged forward, flailing their limbs in a frenzy. Ezra's eyes widened in surprise as he counted their numbers - at least a dozen, maybe more.
Leading the charge was a massive Primeape, its eyes burning with unrestrained fury. Its muscles bulged beneath its fur, and every step it took sent vibrations through the ground. The Primeape's movements were erratic, driven by an uncontrollable rage that made it lash out at anything in its path.
Ouch, including one of the Mankeys which was just punched into a tree, eyes spinning. Ezra's mind snapped into focus as he realized he'd overstayed his welcome in the forest. This was no ordinary pack of wild Pokemon - this was a coordinated assault led by a Primeape gone berserk. He had to act quickly to protect his team.
"Dreepy, Deino, fall back!" Ezra shouted, his voice cutting through the chaos. The two young Pokemon immediately obeyed, retreating to a safer position behind him. Deino did not look happy about it however.
The Mankey swarmed toward his Pokemon, their eyes filled with fury, but Ezra was already issuing orders. "Loki, occupy the Primeape! Frustrate it, lead it away from its minions!" He commanded. "Nyx, Cheshire, use Confuse Ray and Hypnosis, free targets! Rider, bowl them over with Iron Head, scatter them, and then circle back to pick off any stragglers!"
The good thing about berserkers was they lacked coordination, the Mankeys getting in their own ways more than not, especially as Loki and Cheshire began hitting the ones in front of the pack, forcing them to run into their suddenly sleeping mates, or find themselves in a fight as a suddenly confused Mankey started punching whatever was closest.
Loki, his mischievous little Shuppet, cackled with delight as it darted forward to face the raging Primeape. With a sudden burst of speed, it weaved through the air, its ghostly form making it difficult for the Primeape to land a hit as it winged it with a quick Shadow Ball that did little damage, but drew its attention. Loki's eyes glowed with a ghostly light as it shot a Confuse Ray directly into the Primeape's face, causing the wild Pokemon to stagger back, disoriented.
Either way, it's focus was now entirely on Loki, and the Primeape wasn't leading the charge anymore. Reducing the threat of the small horde as his ghosts got to work. The ghosts who hid in his shadow and who had harried the weak Pokemon through the forest, returning to his flared aura, taking the group of Mankeys in the rear.
Meanwhile, Nyx and Cheshire moved with practiced coordination, their spectral bodies gliding through the air as they kept casting Confuse Ray and Hypnosis on the advancing Mankey. Some of the Mankey immediately slowed, their eyes glazing over with confusion, while others stumbled to the ground, overcome by a sudden, irresistible drowsiness. Which kept fumbling up the group each time.
Into this confused and hodgepodge group, Rider leapt in with a fierce determination, its bone club spinning in its hands flaring with fire. With a powerful swing, it knocked several Mankey off their feet, as it rushed into the group, lowering it head like a bull, a steely gleam to it as Rider bowled right though, coming out on the other end, circling back to strike at any Mankey that managed to avoid the others' attacks.
The battle quickly descended into chaos as the Mankey pack became completely disorganized. Taking attacks from every corner. With some of them under the effects of confusion and others asleep, their once-coordinated berserks rush fell apart. Rider continued to dart in and out, striking at any Mankey that tried to escape the confusion, his other Ghosts taking the Mankeys out one by one.
Ezra turned his focus on Loki, who was doing an admirable job of keeping the Primeape occupied. Loki darted in and out, using Shadow Sneak to hit the Primeape from behind with Confuse Rays. Each time the Primeape tried to retaliate, Loki would vanish, reappearing a few feet away, taunting it with a ghostly laugh, apparently having the time of its life.
The Primeape, already in a frenzy, became even more enraged as Loki continued to elude it. It swung wildly, smashing its fists into trees and the ground, its punches crackling with energy as it tried to hit the elusive ghost. Loki, however, was quick, always one step ahead, leaving the Primeape frustrated and disoriented and really really pissed off.
But then, in its blind rage, the Primeape managed to predict Loki's next move as Loki got sloppy and did the same move twice in a row. Just as Loki emerged from the shadows for another Confuse Ray, the Primeape spun around with surprising speed, its eyes blazing with fury. Its fist crackled with electricity as it delivered a devastating Thunder Punch directly into Loki's side.
Loki let out a cry of pain as the Thunder Punch connected, electricity coursing through its spectral form. The impact sent it hurtling back, its body trembling with paralysis. For a moment, it hung in the air, stunned by the blow.
Ezra's eyes widened in alarm, but he reacted quickly. Drawing on his aura, he reached out with his energy, sending a surge of rejuvenating power towards Loki. "Loki, get out of striking distance and pepper it with Shadow Balls!" He commanded, his voice steady but urgent.
Loki shivered as Ezra's aura washed over it, the paralysis fading away as it regained its strength. With a determined glint in its eyes, Loki quickly floated out of the Primeape's reach, dodging another Thunder Punch. It immediately began forming Shadow Balls, firing them at the enraged Primeape with a rapid barrage.
The Primeape roared in frustration, swinging its arms wildly as the Shadow Balls struck it, each one hitting with more force than the last. The ghostly energy battered the Primeape, but it refused to back down, its rage fueling its relentless assault. It charged at Loki again, fists swinging with reckless abandon, but Loki was ready this time.
Ezra's other Pokemon had already dealt with the rest of the Mankey pack by then. The forest clearing was littered with Mankey, most of them either asleep, confused, or fainted from their relentless assault. With the battle against the Mankey effectively over, Ezra's team turned their attention to the Primeape.
"All of you atta-"
He was interrupted by a furious chirp from Loki that stated in no uncertain terms that this was Loki's fight.
"Alright everyone," Ezra said, holding up a hand as his team moved to assist Loki. "Let's give Loki a chance to finish this. You can do it, Loki! Kick its ass!"
He'd give him a chance, the Primeape shouldn't have the reach to harm Loki now anyway. If things turned south, he'd send everyone in, Loki's feelings be damned.
Loki chirped happily in response, a fierce determination burning in its eyes. It floated higher into the air, its gaze never leaving the Primeape as it continued to launch Shadow Balls at the enraged Pokemon. The Primeape swung wildly, but each strike hit only empty air or a nearby tree, its confusion making it difficult to target Loki effectively. Whether due to the Confuse Ray or it's rage, it was only using Thunder Punches, and not whatever else it might have in its repertoire.
Finally, the Primeape managed to steady itself, shaking its head to clear the lingering effects of the Confuse Rays it had taken earlier. It let out a furious roar, its muscles tensing as it prepared to charge at Loki with everything it had, eying a particularly large tree as an avenue perhaps to get up high. But Loki was ready, its eyes glowing with a fierce light as it summoned a massive Shadow Ball, larger and denser than any it had created before.
With a defiant cry, Loki hurled the Shadow Ball at the charging Primeape. The attack struck the Primeape square in the chest, the force of the impact sending it crashing back into a tree with a thunderous impact. The ground shook with the force of the collision, and for a moment, the forest was silent.
The Primeape struggled to its feet, its breath coming in ragged gasps. It was battered and bruised, its energy all but spent, but it refused to give in. It took a shaky step forward, its eyes still burning with defiance.
Loki floated down, its eyes locked onto the Primeape, its expression one of steely determination. It had come too far to lose now. With a final surge of ghostly energy, Loki launched itself at the Primeape, its body glowing with a dark, ethereal light. It struck the Primeape with a final Shadow Ball at point-blank range, right in its face, as the Primeape weakly tried to hit Loki, the force of the attack sending the Primeape crashing to the ground, unconscious.
As the dust settled, Loki hovered in the air, slightly battered but triumphant. Ezra watched with a proud smile as a dark aura began to surround Loki. The shadows around it begin to stretch and warp, drawn towards the ghostly Pokemon like iron filings to a magnet.
A faint, unsettling hum filled the air, a sound that seemed to come from deep within Loki. The Pokemon's body shivered and pulsed, the soft purple hues darkening to a deeper, more menacing shade. The glow from its eye intensified, a sharp, eerie light glowing brightly, almost blinding Ezra to the rest of the process.
As the transformation took hold, Loki's form started to twist and contort, the wispy edges of its body pulling inward, compressing and solidifying. The cloak like form pulled tighter around it, becoming less ethereal and more corporeal, stitching itself into a rough, patchwork fabric. Threads of energy, like spectral needles, weaved through the air, binding together the shadows that clung to Loki, reshaping them with an almost frantic urgency.
Suddenly, the fabric ripped open along a jagged seam, revealing a row of jagged, grinning teeth. The sound was like a whisper in reverse, a chilling hiss that echoed in the stillness. The single eye split into two, each now filled with a cunning, malevolent glint. Limbs sprouted from the new body - a pair of wiry arms ending in sharp, claw-like fingers that flexed and twitched with a newfound life. The transformation continued as the energy around it crackled and sparked, a final surge of power sealing the change.
In a breathless instant, the evolution was complete. His Shuppet had become Banette, a sinister, puppet-like figure with a zipper mouth, its expression frozen in a perpetual, malevolent grin.
Ezra grinned. "Well done, Loki," he said, his voice filled with pride. "You did it. You evolved!"
Loki, now a Banette, let out a victorious cackle, its new form crackling with energy. It turned to face Ezra, its zipper-like mouth curving into a wide, unsettling grin.
He had no idea how exactly it worked, a ghostly Shuppet suddenly becoming a ghostly possessed doll, it didn't make any sense, but that was 'mon for you. Especially Ghost ones - they rarely made any sense. He really doubted there were any dolls laying around in this forest for example.
"Nice work," Ezra said, walking over to his newly evolved Banette. "You've earned this evolution." He praised, tossing Loki a berry, which the Banette eagerly grasped. He reached into his bag and pulled out a Pokeball, turning his attention to the unconscious Primeape. "This one's got potential. Let's see if it's interested in joining us."
Ezra tossed the Pokeball at the Primeape, the ball striking the unconscious Pokemon and absorbing it in a flash of light. The ball wobbled on the ground for a moment before clicking shut, signaling a successful capture.
He picked up the Pokeball, turning it over in his hand with a satisfied smile. "An Annihilape in the making," He muttered to himself, tucking the ball away. "That's going to be fun."
Turning back to his team, Ezra couldn't help but feel a surge of dark pleasure. They had come a long way in their training, and today's unexpected challenge had only made them stronger. He had no doubt that they were ready for whatever lay ahead - he was going to crush all opposition.
Part of him almost wanted to hide his entire team somehow until the conference, and give old Agatha a heart attack when he suddenly unveiled all the new Ghost types in front of her eyes.
"Alright, everyone," He called out, his voice carrying through the forest. "Let's head back. We've got a lot more work to do, but you all did great today."
Ezra strode back into the Azalea Town Pokemon Center. The training session with his Pokemon had been intense, and they'd made progress, but he had to keep up with the practicalities too. There was always work to be done.
He made his way to the far side of the lobby, where a row of computers lined the wall, designed for trainers to contact friends, family, and in his case, business associates. He pulled out a chair and sat down, logging into the system. The screen blinked to life, and he quickly navigated to the video call function. Brock had likely done well looking after his Pokemon, but he needed to make sure the new addition wouldn't cause any problems in his absence - as in keep Brock from messing with his plans for it.
After a few rings, Brock's face appeared on the screen. He looked slightly disheveled, as if he'd been in the middle of a workout or dealing with a difficult Pokemon. His expression brightened when he saw Ezra. "Hey, Ezra! How's it going out there?"
Ezra leaned back in his chair, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "Going well. Just wanted to give you a heads up about a new capture I made today. It's a Primeape. A bit of a wild one, so I'm going to need you to keep it in its Pokeball until I get back, I'll be transferring it over to Pewter's Pokemon center for pickup."
Brock's brow furrowed in confusion. "A Primeape, huh? I can handle it, no problem. Why keep it in the ball, though? I'm sure I can help it settle in and calm down. It's not like I haven't dealt with temperamental Pokemon before."
Ezra appreciated Brock's confidence, but this wasn't a matter of managing an unruly Pokemon. "No, it's not about your ability to handle it," Ezra clarified, his tone even. "I trust you, Brock, really. But I'm trying something different with this Primeape. It's got a lot of anger in it, and I want it to stay that way. If you try to calm it down or get it to adjust to the stable environment, it'll ruin what I'm planning."
He didn't mention his real intentions. The truth was, he wanted the Primeape to keep its rage burning, to foster that fury into something more potent. Anger, in the right hands, could be a powerful tool, and he had plans for that Primeape that wouldn't involve it becoming a docile stable dweller. He needed it to become so enraged it would literally reject death and evolve into an Annihilape.
He wasn't absolutely sure it would take all that, but it seemed too weak a reason for it to evolve just from using a particular move twenty or so times - he'd find out in the end, but just in case, he wanted that rage burning.
Brock nodded slowly, though he still seemed puzzled by Ezra's instructions. "Alright, if you say so. I'll leave it in the Pokeball until you get back. Just seemed like it might be good for it to get used to the place."
Ezra appreciated Brock's inclination to nurture Pokemon, especially his, but this was different. "Thanks, Brock. I knew I could count on you." I made the right choice picking him, even if it is only temporary.
There was a brief pause on Brock's end, and he seemed to hesitate before speaking again. "Hey, Ezra, can I ask you something?"
Ezra raised an eyebrow, sensing the shift in Brock's tone. "Sure, what's up?"
Brock scratched the back of his head, clearly choosing his words carefully. "Are you… acquainted with Lady Agatha of the Elite Four?"
Ezra's expression shifted to one of surprise, followed by a slight frown. "No… I know who she is, of course, but I don't know her personally. Why would I?" Did I call this into being by thinking of giving the old bitch a heart attack?
Now he respected her ability, how couldn't he? She was the premier Ghost Mistress after all. But anyone that controlled that many high level Ghost Pokemon without his inherent advantages was most definitely a complete monster.
Brock sighed, glancing around as if to make sure no one was listening in. "She visited the stable a few days ago, right after you left. Wanted to speak with you. When I told her you weren't there, she asked to inspect your Pokemon, well less asked and more pressuring."
Ezra felt a spark of anger ignite in his chest, his fists clenching unconsciously. His eyes narrowed as he fixed Brock with a hard stare. "And did she?" She better not fucking have!
Brock quickly shook his head, raising his hands defensively. "No, I refused. You don't just let someone inspect someone else's Pokemon without their permission, not even an Elite Four member. Unless they have a warrant or something official, they can't just barge in like that. I told her I couldn't allow it."
Ezra's anger simmered down, replaced by a grudging respect. Brock could have easily been intimidated by Agatha, but he had stood his ground. "Good. That couldn't have been easy, telling Lady Agatha to buzz off. You're getting a bonus added to your pay for that." You're a bro, Brock, you deserve it.
Brock looked genuinely taken aback by Ezra's words. "A bonus? Come on, Ezra, I was just doing my job. You don't have to pay me extra for that." The tips of his ears pinked as he looked embarrassed, glancing away from the screen.
Ezra's lips curled into a small, teasing smile. "It's already decided, you're getting a bonus. I don't go back on my word. Besides, you wouldn't want to make me a liar, would you?"
Brock chuckled, though he still seemed a bit uncomfortable with the idea. "Alright, alright, if you insist. But seriously, it's no big deal. Just didn't seem right to let her in without you being there."
Ezra nodded, his expression softening slightly. "I appreciate it, Brock. I'll be back by the end of the week. Just keep things running smoothly until then."
Brock nodded. "Will do. Take care out there, Ezra."
Ezra waved before ending the call, the screen flickering back to the main menu. He sat back in his chair, a thoughtful expression on his face. Agatha's sudden interest in him was concerning. Was it because of his Pokemon that showed up as question marks in the system? Or… Did Lavender finally get off their asses and report his peculiarity.
The first was manageable, the second was more… Annoying. Who knew what the League would want with his abilities if they came fully to light.
Lavender only knew he had an affinity for Ghosts. That minimal information wasn't too bad. But what he could actually do, he couldn't reveal that. And someone like Agatha might have the best chance to suss that out if he was around her for too long.
Whatever, he'll deal with it when it comes up, the League doesn't conscript people, so he could always just say no to whatever she wanted. It wouldn't be entirely without consequences. She was an Elite Four, it could make his gym idea more untenable if she took offense… But this wasn't a dictatorship. He could still just say no.
Pushing the thought aside for now, he navigated to his email to check for any new messages. His eyes lit up with satisfaction as he saw a notification from Mark, his lawyer. He opened the message and quickly read through it, a smile spreading across his face. Devon Corp had accepted the amendments Mark had proposed, and the agreement was ready to be signed when he returned to Pewter.
That was quick. Seemed Steven Stone really did want this to happen. Normally contract negotiations like that would probably be more drawn out, especially after Mark had found them trying to sneak in some extras.
Ezra allowed himself a moment of satisfaction. Things were coming together. With the contract ready and the business about to get off the ground, he was one step closer to achieving his goals. And with his team growing stronger by the day, he felt more confident than ever in his abilities as a trainer.
He glanced at the clock on the computer screen. It was getting late, and he had a tournament to attend the next day, with flying time involved he'd had to get up very early. He needed rest if he was going to be at his best. But first, he logged out of the computer and stood up, stretching his arms above his head. The Pokemon Center was quiet, most trainers either resting or tending to their Pokemon. He walked over to the front desk, where Nurse Joy was busy organizing some paperwork.
"Excuse me, Nurse Joy," Ezra said politely. "I'd like to reserve a room for the night." He handed her his ID card.
Nurse Joy looked up and gave him a warm smile, taking the card and scanning it quickly. "Of course. We have plenty of space. You'll be in Room 5, just down the hall."
"Thank you," Ezra replied, taking the keycard she handed him, he also handed her Primeapes inactive Pokeball, "And can you transfer this to Pewter City's Pokemon center, with pickup privilege for Brock the son of Flint." He asked.
Nurse Joy had no issues with that, just requiring him to fill out a quick electronic form confirming the information, before she sent the Pokeball through to Pewter.
He made his way to his room, his mind already turning over the events of the day and what lay ahead. As he opened the door and stepped inside, he took a deep breath, letting the familiar scent of a Pokemon Center room wash over him. It was comforting in a way, the smell of clean linens and the faint scent of berries.
He set his bag down on the floor and flopped onto the bed, staring up at the ceiling. Tomorrow was another day, another step on his journey. He had a tournament to attend, battles to fight, and more Pokemon to train. After that, it was back to Pewter to sign the contract and get his business officially off the ground.
And, most likely, he'd have to deal with Agatha at some point. Whatever she wanted, he doubted she would just give up. But he'd cross that bridge when he came to it. For now, he needed to focus on the task at hand.
With a tired sigh, Ezra closed his eyes, letting himself drift off to sleep. Tomorrow would be another busy day, but he wouldn't have it any other way.
Olivine city, Johto.
Ezra landed in Olivine City, the wind from Pidgeot's wings scattering dust across the street as his feet hit the ground. The city was bustling with activity, a blend of sailors, tourists, and trainers, all mingling under the bright midday sun. The seaside town had its own charm - the salty breeze, the cries of Wingull circling above, and the distant chime of the lighthouse bell, but he preferred the bigger cities if he was completely honest. He quickly recalled Pidgeot into its Pokeball and made his way towards the Pokemon Center.
Inside, the familiar hum of activity greeted him - trainers were lounging around, chatting, or tending to their Pokemon, it was pretty full, no doubt due to the tournament. He approached the counter where Nurse Joy was busy organizing some files.
"Hello, Nurse Joy," Ezra greeted, giving her a polite nod and sliding over his ID card. "I'd like to switch my Pidgeot to inactive for this one." He held out Dreepy's Pokeball.
Nurse Joy smiled warmly. "Of course Give me just a moment." She turned to the computer behind her and started typing with one hand, while swiping her ID card with the other. Within moments, she handed him Dreepy's Pokeball back, as well as Pidgeots inactive one. "Here you go! Good luck in the tournament."
"Thanks," Ezra replied, tucking the Pokeballs into his belt. He left the Pokemon Center, ready to make his way toward the Battle Tower just northwest of Olivine, where the tournament was set to take place. A smart choice really, where else would you manage to get a lot of battle maniacs easily without even having to advertise?
The route outside the city was scenic, with the sea on one side and the dense greenery of the forest on the other. The path was lined with trainers and spectators, all heading toward the tournament grounds. Ezra had signed up online earlier, so all he had to do was show up and pay his entry fee to participate. As he walked, he thought about his strategy for the matches ahead, his mind already buzzing with plans.
He was halfway there when a sharp, angry shout pierced the air behind him. "You! Stop right there!"
Ezra turned around, frowning as he saw a woman stomping toward him. Her long, silvery-blue hair flowed wildly in the wind, her expression a mix of glee and pure fury. Her silvery blue eyes were ablaze with emotion, and her posture screamed confrontation. She was wearing a sleeveless black top that hugged her figure, paired with black pants and combat boots that looked well-worn from travel. Her gaze was intense, and her lips were set in a determined line as she marched up to him, her boots crunching on the gravel.
Ezra quickly put two and two together. This must be Karen, the woman Brock had told him about. As she got closer, he could see the almost predatory glint in her eyes, and it confirmed everything he'd heard. Karen was an attractive woman, no doubt about that, but there was a dangerous edge to her, something wild and untamed. She had an aura of confidence and strength that was hard to ignore. He'd gotten himself the weirdest kind of fan girl…
Before he could say anything, Karen stabbed a finger in his face, standing so close she was nearly towering over him. "You're coming with me, right now, you annoying pest!"
Ezra blinked and roughly pushed her finger away from his face. "I'm flattered, really," He said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "But I don't have time for a relationship right now. And in the future, you might have better luck asking for dates without making such a public spectacle of it."
He gestured around them, where several trainers had stopped to watch the scene unfold, whispering and chuckling to each other. With how she acted just now, he had a feeling Brock had misinterpreted everything, but he couldn't help but troll her anyway. He didn't like her attitude.
Karen's face turned crimson with fury and embarrassment, her eyes wide with a mix of rage and disbelief. "A date!? Are you out of your mind? I'm not asking you for a date, you insufferable brat!"
Ezra leaned back slightly, his expression mockingly thoughtful. "You're very… Passionate," He observed, his tone teasing. "And I've been told you've been following me, so what else could it be? Especially with you so passionately requesting me to come with you?"
The crowd's murmuring grew louder, some of the onlookers starting to laugh at the unfolding drama. A group of girls nearby giggled and whispered to each other, clearly entertained by what they thought was a lover's spat.
Karen's eyes flicked around, her face so red it looked like a tomato, steam practically coming out of her ears. "Stop fucking with me!" She growled, grabbing his collar and getting right up in his face. "I'm not here to play games, Kassian!"
Ezra had to control the reflexive reaction of the ghosts in his shadow from interfering. He could feel their agitation, their readiness to lash out in defense, but he kept them in check. He met Karen's furious gaze with a calm, almost bored expression. "I am trying not to 'fuck' you, but you won't take no for an answer," He said, sounding long-suffering. "I'm too young to have a fangirl really, choose someone else."
Alright, he might be having a little bit too much fun with this…
Karen spluttered, her words caught in her throat. She seemed to realize how close she was and immediately stepped back, clearing her throat. "You're coming with me back to Indigo," she demanded, trying to regain some dignity. Her eyes were stabbing daggers into him as she leaned closer again, hissing low enough that the crowd couldn't hear, "Call me a fangirl again and I'll feed you to my Pokemon!"
Several trainers in the crowd started whispering again, some of them clearly enjoying the show. "On-again, off-again relationship," One of them said with a chuckle. Another girl nodded, "Definitely some unresolved tension there." A third adding, "See how she can't stop getting into his face? She's totally waiting for him to just kiss her and make up!"
Ezra smirked, looking into her eyes, "If I give you a kiss will you stop stalking me?"
Karen's face went an even deeper shade of red, looking like she might explode. She jerked forward and grabbed his arm, starting to drag him away. "Just shut up and come with me before I knock you out!"
Ezra weighed his options for a moment, thinking over whether he should really continue antagonizing her or just go along to find out what Agatha wanted. But… He did have a tournament to attend, so antagonizing it was. He called out loudly, his voice completely deadpan, "Help, someone help! Rape! I'm being dragged away by a crazy woman!"
Karen's eyes flared with anger, and she looked like she was about to punch him out when Officer Jenny, who Ezra had spotted approaching from a distance, finally arrived and put a firm hand on Karen's shoulder.
"I don't know what's going on here," Officer Jenny said in a stern voice, "But I've witnessed enough to know that you've been screaming and putting your hands on this young man, and from what I just heard, even if I doubt he was serious… I need you to come with me."
Karen stood up straight, turning around to face Officer Jenny with a cold, steely expression. "I am the apprentice of Lady Agatha of the Elite Four - "
But before she could continue, Officer Jenny tightened her grip on Karen's shoulder, holding her firmly in place. "That makes it worse because you should definitely know better, young lady. Now, while I can't classify this as an assault, you will be joining me to speak about public decency and to de-escalate this situation."
Officer Jenny looked at Ezra, her expression softening slightly but still serious. "You can move along, and if this type of situation happens again, don't make light of it. Just ask for assistance." She chided him, her tone firm but not unkind.
Ezra nodded, putting on a contrite expression. "Yes, ma'am. Thank you for your help." He turned to leave, giving Karen a smug smile as he walked away, enjoying the look of fury on her face as she glared daggers at him.
I'm probably paying for that later… But I bet she'll be in the tournament… His blood was up, and he felt a thrum of excitement. How would he stack up against an apprentice of the Elite Four?
The crowd started to disperse, the trainers who had stopped to watch the drama unfold now moving on with their business, though Ezra could still hear snippets of their conversations, most of them amused by what they thought was a lover's spat. I'll never let her live that down, he thought with amusement.
As he walked away, Ezra couldn't help but chuckle to himself. He wasn't about to be dragged off to Indigo or anywhere else without knowing what he was getting into, and he certainly wasn't going to let someone else dictate his actions. Whatever Agatha wanted, he would deal with it on his own terms. If it was important, the woman knew how to call him.
Ezra made his way to the tournament registration booth, shaking his head with a wry grin. He handed over the entry fee and confirmed his participation, then walked onto the sprawling front lawn of the Battle Tower, where rows of makeshift battle arenas had been set up for the tournament. Trainers were bustling around, some warming up with their Pokemon, others strategizing in small groups.
He looked around at the crowd, his eyes scanning the various trainers. Karen might show up later, but that would be fine with him. He was ready for whatever challenge came his way.
With a final glance back in the direction where Officer Jenny was still lecturing Karen, Ezra turned his focus fully to the tournament. He had battles to fight, Pokemon to train, and a reputation to build. Whatever came next, he was more than ready.
Twenty minutes later, one hour before his tournament slot.
He found himself an unoccupied tent, the tables and containers laid out obviously hinting that it would end up as some sort of refreshment tent for when the tournament kicked off.
Apparently his Orange League victory had made him somewhat interesting to people, and when his trainer ID had been seen by the organizers, he'd been chosen to start the tournament off with the first match. It definitely wouldn't be as easy a tournament as last time out. This time actual badge holders were competing.
He let his entire team out, letting Deino and Dreepy out before him, the rest of the team in a half circle behind them. "We're about to have our first real battles as a full team, although you two will likely only face the first few easy trials, you both need names first."
Both Pokemon seemed excited for the occasion, preening slightly as they looked up at him.
"Dreepy, as you are a female, I'm naming you Morrigan, after a goddess of death and war." He smirked down at her, "And because when you're all grown up, you're going to make people piss themselves all across Kanto and Johto, won't you girl?"
Morrigan looked proud at the name, a gleam in her eyes that showed Ezra she was looking forward to it.
Deino at this point was practically vibrating, Ezra chuckled as he patted his head, "I haven't forgotten about you, how about a name of a powerful Dragon, hm? One called the World Eater?"
Deino jumped in place, butting against his hand, chirping in a way he could only take as, tell me, tell me! Deino was usually more aggressive than his other Pokemon, in the short time they'd had, so he thought of a name that would fit.
"You are now Alduin, and when you're big and strong you'll show them that World Eater isn't far from your capabilities." Ezra said, grinning down at Alduin.
Alduin puffed out his chest, looking thrilled with the name, the ghosts all cheering for them in their own way. Dreepy protesting as Cheshire gave her a long lick up the back of her head.
"Alright, we'll do battle soon, and you'll be introduced to the world, or at least this area, as Alduin and Morrigan." Ezra said, with satisfaction, before pulling them back in their pokeballs, so they'd be a surprise for the first trainer he'd encounter in the tournament.
He'd given them strong names, partly because he knew how strong they'd become, and partly to fuck with everyone who was going to wonder what these Pokemon were - and wouldn't even get a breed name out of him.
It sucked to suck.
Betcha you'll call me again soon, Professor Oak…
With Karen,
She was humiliated, she couldn't have imagined a way for that to have gone worse. She'd been so elated at finally finding the brat, so pissed off at even the sight of his face at the same time.
She'd forgotten herself, her position.
She'd embarrassed herself, and Lady Agatha.
Her hands clenched around a Pokeball, as she huffed angrily, it's all his fault….
At least he was participating in the tournament, so this time he couldn't just fly off on her. She smiled a satisfied and vicious smile. She'd get to face him, no doubt.
He had won a league, surely he'd make the final here… She'd get to face him.
And destroy him!
All her frustrations, all her stress… It would soon be over as that brat cried at her feet after suffering a monumental defeat. Proving her superiority, earning herself Lady Agatha's esteem.
This stupid boy would never supplant her as the apprentice.
She'd prove it, destroying his Pokemon one by one.
This is going to be sooooo satisfying. She thought, cackling quietly to herself.
League winner or not, he was a new trainer. He didn't stand a chance.
The Orange League wasn't that big of a deal anyway.
She could definitely take him.
Author's note:
So the hunt had to end eventually, now that he has Pewter they would find him anyway.
Of course Ezra being Ezra, he took what Brock said and ran with it.
He's not exactly going to crawl to Agatha just because someone says so, especially someone he can so easily wind up as Karen.
It's going to be an interesting tournament.
And Primeape get, because of course he needs an Annihilape eventually.
Wonder how long Oak is going to be able to hold back once Ezra keeps revealing new Pokemon like this?
And Agatha might really have a heart attack at all the new Ghosts. Imagine her ordering Karen to seduce the young man to her side? Lol.
As for the Eevee he picked up a bit ago, he's waiting until he can give it personal attention to train it, or it won't become an Umbreon anyway.
Cheers
JollyHippopotamus
This story remains popular it seems, winning again on Patron, even beating out HammerTime this time.
Time to train, and prepare, plus, new tournament to show off in soon.
Hopefully I can keep entertaining you all with Ezra's hijinks.
Named team:
Cheshire - Haunter
Loki - Shuppet
Nyx - Spiritomb
Rider - Alolan Marowak
As usual, I do not own Pokemon or the associated companies that deliver material from it. I'm just playing in the kiddy pool, don't hurt me.
Enjoy!
Azalea town, Johto.
Azalea Town, nestled quietly in the southern part of Johto, was a quaint, almost sleepy village surrounded by dense forests and clear rivers. As Ezra approached on his Pidgeot, the sight of the town below him was a different view to the more active cities he'd been through recently. Here, the houses were simple wooden structures with thatched roofs, painted in faded pastel colors that had weathered the elements over the years. Small, winding dirt roads connected the homes, and a large, majestic oak tree stood proudly in the center of town, its branches spreading wide as if embracing the village in a protective canopy.
The aroma of freshly baked bread from a nearby bakery and the sound of a distant mill wheel turning added to the town's rustic charm. Pokemon and people moved about leisurely, going about their daily routines without any of the rush he was used to seeing in larger towns.
Ezra landed Pidgeot just outside the Pokemon Center, giving his loyal bird a pat on the neck as they touched down. "Good job, Pidgeot. Rest up," He said, returning Pidgeot to its Pokeball, knowing he'd eventually be replacing it when he evolved his Murkrow. He stepped inside the Pokemon Center, which was a modest building with a warm interior. The soft glow of the lamps and the clean, comforting scent gave the place a cozy atmosphere even as it surprised him to see a Pokemon center that wasn't exactly the same as the rest. Nurse Joy was behind the counter, her familiar smile welcoming as always.
I gotta look into that one day, it's still weird. No way any family has that many identical kids…
It was just a passing interest, but if someone was cloning people, he'd definitely want to know about it. They cloned Pokemon a few years ahead in the future, so the possibility was there, however remote.
"Good day, Nurse Joy," Ezra greeted as he approached the counter. "I need to make a quick switch."
The Pokemon centers were really a clever idea, healing, room and board, and access to the PC to call and video call someone was all a major boon for any traveling trainer. Although unlike in the games, transferring Pokemon wasn't as easy as logging into the PC, you had to give them to Nurse Joy, the Pokemon Center having the technology that allowed the Pokeball and Pokemon to transfer into data and traverse the distances required.
Many league buildings also had the same capabilities, and so did many of the larger stables as well, allowing trainers to easily access their Pokemon. Ezra's stable did not have such a machine as of yet however.
Of course in Ezra's case, he simply needed the switch from Pokemon he already had on hand, one needing to go inactive, while another went active - due to the six Pokemon limit.
"Of course," She replied kindly, scanning his trainer ID efficiently. "Which Pokemon would you like to swap?"
Ezra handed over Pidgeot's Pokeball and paused for a moment. "Could you switch Pidgeot to inactive for now, and this one to active." He handed her Dreepy's ball, not sharing the name of the Pokemon.
He'd taken a look at his own profile in the Pokedex and had realized several of his captures were labeled as ???, so he wasn't going to reveal them that easily, by telling a Nurse Joy their breed.
Nurse Joy nodded, and within moments, she had Pidgeot safely locked away from use and Dreepy's Pokeball ready for him. "Here you go, young man. It is all set." If she had any curiosity about his Pokemon, she didn't show it.
"Thanks," Ezra said, taking the Pokeballs and attaching them to his belt. He gave a polite nod before heading back outside, ready for his next journey. Unfortunately he would no longer have an easy escape avenue, with Pidgeot locked away, but he needed to keep training his actual fighting team.
So with his team now complete, Ezra left the town of Azalea on foot, making his way west toward the Ilex forest. The path leading from Azalea to Ilex was narrow and winding, bordered by tall grass and wildflowers that swayed gently in the breeze. He released his Pokemon one by one, wanting them to enjoy the open air and stretch their legs. Loki hovered close, its eyes darting around with curiosity. Cheshire floated lazily beside him, occasionally sticking out its tongue playfully at the passing wild Pokemon who wisely kept their distance. Nyx drifted along the ground, its ethereal form shifting slightly with each step, while Rider walked at his side, its bone club resting confidently on its shoulder.
Dreepy and Deino, the newest additions to his party, moved a bit more cautiously, sticking closer to Ezra for guidance. Dreepy floated just above the ground, its spectral tail leaving a faint, shimmering trail behind it, while Deino trotted along with its head moving back and forth, its blind eyes not preventing it from taking in the world through other senses.
As they traveled further from Azalea, the trees began to grow taller and denser, their branches intertwining to form a natural archway that marked the entrance to the Ilex forest. The light dimmed as the thick canopy above blocked out the sun, casting them in darkness, something they were all comfortable with. The air grew cooler and filled with the rich, earthy scent of moss and damp leaves.
Walking deeper into the forest, the sounds of chirping Pidgey and rustling leaves filled the air, creating a somewhat tranquil yet vibrant symphony of nature. Ezra kept a steady pace, allowing his Pokwmon to explore their surroundings. Loki and Cheshire played a game of tag through the trees, their ghostly forms weaving effortlessly between branches. Nyx moved more slowly, occasionally pausing to inspect a particularly interesting root or stone. Rider, ever vigilant, kept an eye on their surroundings, suspicious of every noise or movement.
Dreepy and Deino, still adjusting to being outside their Pokeballs for an extended period as part of the team, followed closely behind Ezra, watching the others, but not participating in their antics.
Ezra took a deep breath, inhaling the crisp, fresh air of the forest. This wasn't exactly where he felt most comfortable, away from the cities and surrounded by the tranquility of nature. But the needs for training away from prying eyes, and the benefits he alone held - made a few days of roughing it worth it in the end.
Here, he could focus on his Pokemon, on his training, and on the journey ahead. As they continued deeper into the forest, Ezra couldn't help but feel a sense of calm wash over him. For now, at least, everything felt right in the world. He had a plan, he had the tools to get to where he wanted to be - and he was going to cheat like a motherfucking beast.
Again.
He paused eventually, calling his Pokemon to a halt, the towering trees around him forming a natural barrier that seemed to isolate this part of the world from the rest of Johto. The forest was alive with the sounds of rustling leaves and distant calls of wild Pokemon, but there was a strange stillness to it as well. A forest of Pokemon was not the same as a forest of animals back home.
It was more alive in a way, but at the same time quieter, as the Pokemon had a level of intelligence normal animals didn't possess, and were much better equipped to keep the forest silent while avoiding invaders.
"Alright," He muttered mostly to himself, "Time to get to work."
He rolled his shoulders, letting his aura run more freely, signaling quietly to the ghosts in his shadow to come out.
From the depths of the shadow, ghostly forms began to emerge immediately after he loosened his hold. A Misdreavous was the first, its spectral body slipping free from the darkness like a wisp of smoke. Its eyes glinted mischievously as it hovered just above the ground, looking around eagerly for something to scare. Next came a trio of Haunters, the wide, unsettling grins seemingly stretching even further as they rose from the shadow.
His own team greeted them enthusiastically, at least the first four, the two newest additions a little shyer, although in Deino's case, the Pokemon was standing quite aggressively, looking ready to fight. Ezra gave it a calm wave, "Don't worry, this is all normal." He soothed, allowing his aura to stretch, the Pokemon snuffling as it got a good feel of it.
A Gengar appeared next from behind him, its swirling form coalescing from the shadows like mist solidifying into stone. Other spectral shapes followed, wisps of ghostly energy forming into Duskulls, Gastly and more, each one slipping from the shadowy pool that was Ezra's aura. All in all two dozen Pokemon swirled around him now.
The scene was almost hypnotic, the way the ghosts moved like they were still part of the darkness, yet separate, ethereal forms breaking free from a physical constraint. They floated up, lingering around Ezra, their eyes glowing with eerie light, waiting for his command. This is what power feels like, he couldn't help but think, smiling as ghosts almost caressed his face as they circled around him.
Ezra shook his head, gathering his focus, his eyes on the cavalcade of ghosts before him. "You know what to do," He instructed, his voice calm but firm. "We need to toughen up Dreepy and Deino. I want you to find the weaker Pokemon in the forest - no need to hurt them too much, just drive them towards us. Funnel them in. The team will take it from there."
He'd used this tactic previously to evolve Pidgeot, and he didn't see why it wouldn't work to give his newest Pokemon some experience, some practice - and help them gain strength through victories, however assisted that they were.
The ghostly Pokemon nodded - or rather, many of them seemed to nod, their forms shifting in acknowledgment. Without another word, they dispersed, melting into the shadows of the forest, their presence becoming a whisper of cold air and a fleeting shadow. Ezra watched as they disappeared into the trees, his heart steady. He had done this before with his main team, and they had grown significantly stronger from the experience. Now it was time for Dreepy and Deino to learn the same lessons.
From his shadow, Ezra summoned tendrils of darkness, thin but strong, weaving them through the underbrush around him. He could feel the energy flowing through him, his aura extending out into the forest, searching, probing, and preparing for what was to come. His Pokemon wasn't the only one needing training.
He had his shadow, this darkness he could control. It would be foolish beyond the extreme to not utilize it, train it. He needed to become better, as they became better.
Not long after, the forest erupted into chaos. Ezra could hear the distant rustle of leaves and the sound of startled Pokemon fleeing from his ghosts. Loki and Cheshire, invisible in the shadows right ahead of them - were doing their job well, scaring and herding the weaker Pokemon the others were harassing - towards the clearing where Ezra waited.
Through the trees, he saw flashes of color as various Bug type and Grass type Pokemon darted between the trunks, fleeing from some unseen terror. A cluster of Caterpie and Weedle scrambled over roots, their tiny bodies trembling in fear. An Oddish bolted past, its leaves quivering as it tried to escape the relentless pursuit of the ghosts.
Ezra watched intently, his eyes scanning the forest as he stood calmly in the clearing. The first wave of wild Pokemon broke through the underbrush, a mix of Weedle, Caterpie, and Pidgey, all looking harried and exhausted. They burst into the open, their eyes wide with fear, driven forward by the relentless presence of Ezra's Ghost types.
"Now!" Ezra said calmly, pointing them out to Deino and Dreepy, who had been waiting eagerly. "This is your chance, strike!"
Deino snarled, sensing the movement of the wild Pokemon. It charged forward, its compact body surprisingly quick as it barreled into a Caterpie, sending it sprawling with a single tackle. Nearby, Dreepy hovered low to the ground, its form shimmering as it shot forward with surprising speed, using the move Infestation several times in a row on several exhausted Pokemon. The bug type move was something Dreepy had from the start, and it was effective in this kind of fight, inflicting damage and then trapping the opponent, causing them to get more damage over time.
With several Pokemon running into this gauntlet, Infestation would give Dreepy several 'kills' for low effort. It pleased Ezra to see, because it meant his mock battles and what they taught, something he'd barely been able to start so far with his new additions before this - was actually sinking in.
It especially worked well when Dreepy had a partner in Deino, who with cheerful aggression clomped down on the trapped Pokemon.
The two young Pokemon worked well together, the momentary hesitation at seeing the many Pokemon funneled through completely gone now. Deino's raw power and aggression paired with Dreepy's agility and moveset made for a formidable combination. They moved through the clearing, knocking back Pokemon after Pokemon - taking them out with relish, each victory bolstering their confidence.
Ezra kept his focus sharp, watching every movement, every strike. He could see the improvement with each encounter as the weakened Pokemon tried to fight back - Dreepy's movements becoming more fluid, Deino's strikes more precise, wasting less effort. This was exactly what he wanted to see. It wasn't just about winning these small skirmishes - it was about building their strength, their endurance, their instincts.
Dreino in its aggression would bleed stamina by wasting energy on unnecessary motions and moves as it raged across a battle, and with so many Pokemon to fight, Deino knew it. Which forced Deino to hold back, to only do the exact amount of damage needed and then move on. Teaching restraint in a way it would have probably taken Ezra weeks in a normal setting to hammer into the Pokemon's head.
For Dreepy, it was a lesson in battle control for the more flighty Pokemon, with so many moving parts, and Deino to keep a track of, it taught Dreepy to be aware of everything around the battlefield.
Really his Ghost gauntlet was an excellent cheat, something other trainers could do as well in a limited fashion by utilizing most of their team to train a newer member. If they weren't so limited in thought to never imagine harassing a bunch of Pokemon for XP.
Now the world didn't work on XP, but he could literally feel his Pokemon improving doing this, so it wasn't that far off.
The forest continued to yield more Pokemon, his ghostly team harassing and driving them towards the clearing in waves. A small group of Bellsprout stumbled into the open, their leaves flailing as they tried to regain their balance. Deino and Dreepy moved in quickly, Deino using a headbutt to knock one aside while rushing forward to tackle another, Dreepy using Astonish to decent effect, managing to make the Bellsprout desperately trying to hit Deino's flank as it ran through its friends, flinch. Deino finished its Tackle just to turn around to use Bite on the lone Bellsprout.
This is going excellently. Couldn't have had a better first time, Ezra thought, pleased.
Ezra's other Pokemon, Cheshire and Loki, made sure the incoming Pokemon came in small manageable waves, Nyx keeping them from running off their flank. They were all using techniques to scare the Pokemon into the funnel, keeping them from scattering too widely - shooting the techniques into the ground to force them into a set direction, also training their own stamina and technique. Rider stood close to Ezra, its bone club ready, its eyes never straying too far from Ezra, as if daring any wild Pokemon to try and get close.
In desperation, even a weak wild Pokemon might get the idea to take out the human. Normally humans weren't attacked like that unless it was a particularly aggressive Pokemon, or they got near a nest of some sort. But this wasn't a normal situation.
The strategy was working well so far. Deino and Dreepy were gaining valuable experience, learning to fight as a unit and honing their abilities in real-time. They grew more confident with each victory, their movements more assured, their attacks more potent.
Above all that, it was the experience from real battles that was the most valuable. So called low level 'mons biggest detriment were the fact they don't fight as much, learn as much. Even with a trainer they usually spend a lot of time being trained up before they get many battles under their belt, and even then that is under full direction from a trainer for their every move in battle.
Ezra had given them guidance before this, told them what would likely work, and what would not. But just like with his Ghosts - the main point here was to teach them that although they follow him and his orders, they could also anticipate what would happen, react, and become more intuitive of the flow of battle so that if a Sandstorm took over a battlefield in the League for example - they would be better suited to operating on their own, without orders.
It was early days still, and this slaughter was nothing against a real battle, but it was a start.
Just then some of the more desperate wild Pokemon tried to break through the line, probably thinking that their best chance lay in a direct attack on the human obviously orchestrating this chaos. A trio of Aipom jumped over Deino's lunge, aiming directly for Ezra, ready to strike.
Ezra was ready for the eventuality. The dark tendrils of his shadow shot out like whips, snatching two of the Aipom out of the air before they could reach him. With a flick of his wrist, he flung them back into the clearing, Loki and Cheshire falling on them with vengeance in their eyes. Ezra supposed this exercise was never going to finish without casualties.
The last one he never worried about, Rider had already moved to intercept the moment it was clear who their target was. The Alolan Marowak spun its club with practiced precision, knocking the Aipom out of the air and sending it tumbling to the ground, the club taking on a steely glint as Rider smashed it down with a vicious chirp of derision.
"Good work, Rider," Ezra called out, nodding in approval. The Alolan Marowak gave a solemn nod, then began to circle Ezra protectively, its eyes scanning the forest for any more threats.
As the training continued, the wild Pokemon became more frantic, their movements more erratic as they realized they were being driven towards a losing battle. But Ezra's ghostly team was relentless, corralling them with unyielding determination, funneling them into the waiting claws and teeth of Deino and Dreepy.
The clearing was soon littered with exhausted or fainted wild Pokemon - with a few casualties joining the Aipoms. Deino and Dreepy crowed as they looked over the battlefield, victorious, their eyes bright with pride and exhilaration. They had faced numerous opponents, and while they were tired, they had grown stronger, more confident in their abilities.
Ezra walked over to them, offering quiet praise and a gentle pat on each of their heads. "You both did great," He said, his voice calm, even as he smirked proudly. "This is just the beginning, but you're already showing how strong you can become."
Deino let out a satisfied growl, nudging Ezra's hand with its head, while Dreepy floated closer, its eyes shining with determination. They were tired, but they were also eager for more, ready to continue their training and prove themselves further. Ezra wouldn't let them, not right now. There was no point in overdoing it either. An injured Pokemon over foolishness would be a setback.
While the Pokemon Center could easily heal fainting and minor ailments in seconds without ever taking a Pokemon out of its Pokeball, more serious injuries had to be treated in a different manner, and usually took time to fully heal. He wasn't going to overdo it here, these two still had physical bodies that could suffer from overexertion.
"Alright," Ezra said, his voice steady and reassuring. "Let's call it a day. You've all earned a rest. We'll keep at this and get even stronger. But for now, let's head back."
As he turned to lead them out of the forest, Ezra couldn't help but feel a surge of pride for his team. They were growing stronger every day, and soon, they would be ready for whatever challenges lay ahead.
His own training wasn't going as well, the use of his shadow incredibly draining still. But he'd persevere.
It would be perfect to scare the crap out of uppity trainers once he had his gym.
Ilex Forest, days later.
On the third day of training, the air in the Ilex forest was thick with tension. Even though they used a different area each day, the Pokemon were now aware of them in a manner they hadn't been before. Ezra had continued pushing his team, testing the limits of Dreepy and Deino with each session. Today had started no differently than the days before - his Ghost types had fanned out through the dense forest, herding wild Pokemon towards his younger charges. Dreepy and Deino were becoming more confident, their attacks sharper and their coordination improving. Ezra watched them with a faint smile, pleased with their progress.
Then, without warning, the forest exploded into chaos.
A deafening roar shattered the tranquility, and from the shadows of the trees, a pack of Mankey burst into the clearing. Their eyes were wild with rage, and their fur bristled as they charged forward, flailing their limbs in a frenzy. Ezra's eyes widened in surprise as he counted their numbers - at least a dozen, maybe more.
Leading the charge was a massive Primeape, its eyes burning with unrestrained fury. Its muscles bulged beneath its fur, and every step it took sent vibrations through the ground. The Primeape's movements were erratic, driven by an uncontrollable rage that made it lash out at anything in its path.
Ouch, including one of the Mankeys which was just punched into a tree, eyes spinning. Ezra's mind snapped into focus as he realized he'd overstayed his welcome in the forest. This was no ordinary pack of wild Pokemon - this was a coordinated assault led by a Primeape gone berserk. He had to act quickly to protect his team.
"Dreepy, Deino, fall back!" Ezra shouted, his voice cutting through the chaos. The two young Pokemon immediately obeyed, retreating to a safer position behind him. Deino did not look happy about it however.
The Mankey swarmed toward his Pokemon, their eyes filled with fury, but Ezra was already issuing orders. "Loki, occupy the Primeape! Frustrate it, lead it away from its minions!" He commanded. "Nyx, Cheshire, use Confuse Ray and Hypnosis, free targets! Rider, bowl them over with Iron Head, scatter them, and then circle back to pick off any stragglers!"
The good thing about berserkers was they lacked coordination, the Mankeys getting in their own ways more than not, especially as Loki and Cheshire began hitting the ones in front of the pack, forcing them to run into their suddenly sleeping mates, or find themselves in a fight as a suddenly confused Mankey started punching whatever was closest.
Loki, his mischievous little Shuppet, cackled with delight as it darted forward to face the raging Primeape. With a sudden burst of speed, it weaved through the air, its ghostly form making it difficult for the Primeape to land a hit as it winged it with a quick Shadow Ball that did little damage, but drew its attention. Loki's eyes glowed with a ghostly light as it shot a Confuse Ray directly into the Primeape's face, causing the wild Pokemon to stagger back, disoriented.
Either way, it's focus was now entirely on Loki, and the Primeape wasn't leading the charge anymore. Reducing the threat of the small horde as his ghosts got to work. The ghosts who hid in his shadow and who had harried the weak Pokemon through the forest, returning to his flared aura, taking the group of Mankeys in the rear.
Meanwhile, Nyx and Cheshire moved with practiced coordination, their spectral bodies gliding through the air as they kept casting Confuse Ray and Hypnosis on the advancing Mankey. Some of the Mankey immediately slowed, their eyes glazing over with confusion, while others stumbled to the ground, overcome by a sudden, irresistible drowsiness. Which kept fumbling up the group each time.
Into this confused and hodgepodge group, Rider leapt in with a fierce determination, its bone club spinning in its hands flaring with fire. With a powerful swing, it knocked several Mankey off their feet, as it rushed into the group, lowering it head like a bull, a steely gleam to it as Rider bowled right though, coming out on the other end, circling back to strike at any Mankey that managed to avoid the others' attacks.
The battle quickly descended into chaos as the Mankey pack became completely disorganized. Taking attacks from every corner. With some of them under the effects of confusion and others asleep, their once-coordinated berserks rush fell apart. Rider continued to dart in and out, striking at any Mankey that tried to escape the confusion, his other Ghosts taking the Mankeys out one by one.
Ezra turned his focus on Loki, who was doing an admirable job of keeping the Primeape occupied. Loki darted in and out, using Shadow Sneak to hit the Primeape from behind with Confuse Rays. Each time the Primeape tried to retaliate, Loki would vanish, reappearing a few feet away, taunting it with a ghostly laugh, apparently having the time of its life.
The Primeape, already in a frenzy, became even more enraged as Loki continued to elude it. It swung wildly, smashing its fists into trees and the ground, its punches crackling with energy as it tried to hit the elusive ghost. Loki, however, was quick, always one step ahead, leaving the Primeape frustrated and disoriented and really really pissed off.
But then, in its blind rage, the Primeape managed to predict Loki's next move as Loki got sloppy and did the same move twice in a row. Just as Loki emerged from the shadows for another Confuse Ray, the Primeape spun around with surprising speed, its eyes blazing with fury. Its fist crackled with electricity as it delivered a devastating Thunder Punch directly into Loki's side.
Loki let out a cry of pain as the Thunder Punch connected, electricity coursing through its spectral form. The impact sent it hurtling back, its body trembling with paralysis. For a moment, it hung in the air, stunned by the blow.
Ezra's eyes widened in alarm, but he reacted quickly. Drawing on his aura, he reached out with his energy, sending a surge of rejuvenating power towards Loki. "Loki, get out of striking distance and pepper it with Shadow Balls!" He commanded, his voice steady but urgent.
Loki shivered as Ezra's aura washed over it, the paralysis fading away as it regained its strength. With a determined glint in its eyes, Loki quickly floated out of the Primeape's reach, dodging another Thunder Punch. It immediately began forming Shadow Balls, firing them at the enraged Primeape with a rapid barrage.
The Primeape roared in frustration, swinging its arms wildly as the Shadow Balls struck it, each one hitting with more force than the last. The ghostly energy battered the Primeape, but it refused to back down, its rage fueling its relentless assault. It charged at Loki again, fists swinging with reckless abandon, but Loki was ready this time.
Ezra's other Pokemon had already dealt with the rest of the Mankey pack by then. The forest clearing was littered with Mankey, most of them either asleep, confused, or fainted from their relentless assault. With the battle against the Mankey effectively over, Ezra's team turned their attention to the Primeape.
"All of you atta-"
He was interrupted by a furious chirp from Loki that stated in no uncertain terms that this was Loki's fight.
"Alright everyone," Ezra said, holding up a hand as his team moved to assist Loki. "Let's give Loki a chance to finish this. You can do it, Loki! Kick its ass!"
He'd give him a chance, the Primeape shouldn't have the reach to harm Loki now anyway. If things turned south, he'd send everyone in, Loki's feelings be damned.
Loki chirped happily in response, a fierce determination burning in its eyes. It floated higher into the air, its gaze never leaving the Primeape as it continued to launch Shadow Balls at the enraged Pokemon. The Primeape swung wildly, but each strike hit only empty air or a nearby tree, its confusion making it difficult to target Loki effectively. Whether due to the Confuse Ray or it's rage, it was only using Thunder Punches, and not whatever else it might have in its repertoire.
Finally, the Primeape managed to steady itself, shaking its head to clear the lingering effects of the Confuse Rays it had taken earlier. It let out a furious roar, its muscles tensing as it prepared to charge at Loki with everything it had, eying a particularly large tree as an avenue perhaps to get up high. But Loki was ready, its eyes glowing with a fierce light as it summoned a massive Shadow Ball, larger and denser than any it had created before.
With a defiant cry, Loki hurled the Shadow Ball at the charging Primeape. The attack struck the Primeape square in the chest, the force of the impact sending it crashing back into a tree with a thunderous impact. The ground shook with the force of the collision, and for a moment, the forest was silent.
The Primeape struggled to its feet, its breath coming in ragged gasps. It was battered and bruised, its energy all but spent, but it refused to give in. It took a shaky step forward, its eyes still burning with defiance.
Loki floated down, its eyes locked onto the Primeape, its expression one of steely determination. It had come too far to lose now. With a final surge of ghostly energy, Loki launched itself at the Primeape, its body glowing with a dark, ethereal light. It struck the Primeape with a final Shadow Ball at point-blank range, right in its face, as the Primeape weakly tried to hit Loki, the force of the attack sending the Primeape crashing to the ground, unconscious.
As the dust settled, Loki hovered in the air, slightly battered but triumphant. Ezra watched with a proud smile as a dark aura began to surround Loki. The shadows around it begin to stretch and warp, drawn towards the ghostly Pokemon like iron filings to a magnet.
A faint, unsettling hum filled the air, a sound that seemed to come from deep within Loki. The Pokemon's body shivered and pulsed, the soft purple hues darkening to a deeper, more menacing shade. The glow from its eye intensified, a sharp, eerie light glowing brightly, almost blinding Ezra to the rest of the process.
As the transformation took hold, Loki's form started to twist and contort, the wispy edges of its body pulling inward, compressing and solidifying. The cloak like form pulled tighter around it, becoming less ethereal and more corporeal, stitching itself into a rough, patchwork fabric. Threads of energy, like spectral needles, weaved through the air, binding together the shadows that clung to Loki, reshaping them with an almost frantic urgency.
Suddenly, the fabric ripped open along a jagged seam, revealing a row of jagged, grinning teeth. The sound was like a whisper in reverse, a chilling hiss that echoed in the stillness. The single eye split into two, each now filled with a cunning, malevolent glint. Limbs sprouted from the new body - a pair of wiry arms ending in sharp, claw-like fingers that flexed and twitched with a newfound life. The transformation continued as the energy around it crackled and sparked, a final surge of power sealing the change.
In a breathless instant, the evolution was complete. His Shuppet had become Banette, a sinister, puppet-like figure with a zipper mouth, its expression frozen in a perpetual, malevolent grin.
Ezra grinned. "Well done, Loki," he said, his voice filled with pride. "You did it. You evolved!"
Loki, now a Banette, let out a victorious cackle, its new form crackling with energy. It turned to face Ezra, its zipper-like mouth curving into a wide, unsettling grin.
He had no idea how exactly it worked, a ghostly Shuppet suddenly becoming a ghostly possessed doll, it didn't make any sense, but that was 'mon for you. Especially Ghost ones - they rarely made any sense. He really doubted there were any dolls laying around in this forest for example.
"Nice work," Ezra said, walking over to his newly evolved Banette. "You've earned this evolution." He praised, tossing Loki a berry, which the Banette eagerly grasped. He reached into his bag and pulled out a Pokeball, turning his attention to the unconscious Primeape. "This one's got potential. Let's see if it's interested in joining us."
Ezra tossed the Pokeball at the Primeape, the ball striking the unconscious Pokemon and absorbing it in a flash of light. The ball wobbled on the ground for a moment before clicking shut, signaling a successful capture.
He picked up the Pokeball, turning it over in his hand with a satisfied smile. "An Annihilape in the making," He muttered to himself, tucking the ball away. "That's going to be fun."
Turning back to his team, Ezra couldn't help but feel a surge of dark pleasure. They had come a long way in their training, and today's unexpected challenge had only made them stronger. He had no doubt that they were ready for whatever lay ahead - he was going to crush all opposition.
Part of him almost wanted to hide his entire team somehow until the conference, and give old Agatha a heart attack when he suddenly unveiled all the new Ghost types in front of her eyes.
"Alright, everyone," He called out, his voice carrying through the forest. "Let's head back. We've got a lot more work to do, but you all did great today."
Ezra strode back into the Azalea Town Pokemon Center. The training session with his Pokemon had been intense, and they'd made progress, but he had to keep up with the practicalities too. There was always work to be done.
He made his way to the far side of the lobby, where a row of computers lined the wall, designed for trainers to contact friends, family, and in his case, business associates. He pulled out a chair and sat down, logging into the system. The screen blinked to life, and he quickly navigated to the video call function. Brock had likely done well looking after his Pokemon, but he needed to make sure the new addition wouldn't cause any problems in his absence - as in keep Brock from messing with his plans for it.
After a few rings, Brock's face appeared on the screen. He looked slightly disheveled, as if he'd been in the middle of a workout or dealing with a difficult Pokemon. His expression brightened when he saw Ezra. "Hey, Ezra! How's it going out there?"
Ezra leaned back in his chair, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "Going well. Just wanted to give you a heads up about a new capture I made today. It's a Primeape. A bit of a wild one, so I'm going to need you to keep it in its Pokeball until I get back, I'll be transferring it over to Pewter's Pokemon center for pickup."
Brock's brow furrowed in confusion. "A Primeape, huh? I can handle it, no problem. Why keep it in the ball, though? I'm sure I can help it settle in and calm down. It's not like I haven't dealt with temperamental Pokemon before."
Ezra appreciated Brock's confidence, but this wasn't a matter of managing an unruly Pokemon. "No, it's not about your ability to handle it," Ezra clarified, his tone even. "I trust you, Brock, really. But I'm trying something different with this Primeape. It's got a lot of anger in it, and I want it to stay that way. If you try to calm it down or get it to adjust to the stable environment, it'll ruin what I'm planning."
He didn't mention his real intentions. The truth was, he wanted the Primeape to keep its rage burning, to foster that fury into something more potent. Anger, in the right hands, could be a powerful tool, and he had plans for that Primeape that wouldn't involve it becoming a docile stable dweller. He needed it to become so enraged it would literally reject death and evolve into an Annihilape.
He wasn't absolutely sure it would take all that, but it seemed too weak a reason for it to evolve just from using a particular move twenty or so times - he'd find out in the end, but just in case, he wanted that rage burning.
Brock nodded slowly, though he still seemed puzzled by Ezra's instructions. "Alright, if you say so. I'll leave it in the Pokeball until you get back. Just seemed like it might be good for it to get used to the place."
Ezra appreciated Brock's inclination to nurture Pokemon, especially his, but this was different. "Thanks, Brock. I knew I could count on you." I made the right choice picking him, even if it is only temporary.
There was a brief pause on Brock's end, and he seemed to hesitate before speaking again. "Hey, Ezra, can I ask you something?"
Ezra raised an eyebrow, sensing the shift in Brock's tone. "Sure, what's up?"
Brock scratched the back of his head, clearly choosing his words carefully. "Are you… acquainted with Lady Agatha of the Elite Four?"
Ezra's expression shifted to one of surprise, followed by a slight frown. "No… I know who she is, of course, but I don't know her personally. Why would I?" Did I call this into being by thinking of giving the old bitch a heart attack?
Now he respected her ability, how couldn't he? She was the premier Ghost Mistress after all. But anyone that controlled that many high level Ghost Pokemon without his inherent advantages was most definitely a complete monster.
Brock sighed, glancing around as if to make sure no one was listening in. "She visited the stable a few days ago, right after you left. Wanted to speak with you. When I told her you weren't there, she asked to inspect your Pokemon, well less asked and more pressuring."
Ezra felt a spark of anger ignite in his chest, his fists clenching unconsciously. His eyes narrowed as he fixed Brock with a hard stare. "And did she?" She better not fucking have!
Brock quickly shook his head, raising his hands defensively. "No, I refused. You don't just let someone inspect someone else's Pokemon without their permission, not even an Elite Four member. Unless they have a warrant or something official, they can't just barge in like that. I told her I couldn't allow it."
Ezra's anger simmered down, replaced by a grudging respect. Brock could have easily been intimidated by Agatha, but he had stood his ground. "Good. That couldn't have been easy, telling Lady Agatha to buzz off. You're getting a bonus added to your pay for that." You're a bro, Brock, you deserve it.
Brock looked genuinely taken aback by Ezra's words. "A bonus? Come on, Ezra, I was just doing my job. You don't have to pay me extra for that." The tips of his ears pinked as he looked embarrassed, glancing away from the screen.
Ezra's lips curled into a small, teasing smile. "It's already decided, you're getting a bonus. I don't go back on my word. Besides, you wouldn't want to make me a liar, would you?"
Brock chuckled, though he still seemed a bit uncomfortable with the idea. "Alright, alright, if you insist. But seriously, it's no big deal. Just didn't seem right to let her in without you being there."
Ezra nodded, his expression softening slightly. "I appreciate it, Brock. I'll be back by the end of the week. Just keep things running smoothly until then."
Brock nodded. "Will do. Take care out there, Ezra."
Ezra waved before ending the call, the screen flickering back to the main menu. He sat back in his chair, a thoughtful expression on his face. Agatha's sudden interest in him was concerning. Was it because of his Pokemon that showed up as question marks in the system? Or… Did Lavender finally get off their asses and report his peculiarity.
The first was manageable, the second was more… Annoying. Who knew what the League would want with his abilities if they came fully to light.
Lavender only knew he had an affinity for Ghosts. That minimal information wasn't too bad. But what he could actually do, he couldn't reveal that. And someone like Agatha might have the best chance to suss that out if he was around her for too long.
Whatever, he'll deal with it when it comes up, the League doesn't conscript people, so he could always just say no to whatever she wanted. It wouldn't be entirely without consequences. She was an Elite Four, it could make his gym idea more untenable if she took offense… But this wasn't a dictatorship. He could still just say no.
Pushing the thought aside for now, he navigated to his email to check for any new messages. His eyes lit up with satisfaction as he saw a notification from Mark, his lawyer. He opened the message and quickly read through it, a smile spreading across his face. Devon Corp had accepted the amendments Mark had proposed, and the agreement was ready to be signed when he returned to Pewter.
That was quick. Seemed Steven Stone really did want this to happen. Normally contract negotiations like that would probably be more drawn out, especially after Mark had found them trying to sneak in some extras.
Ezra allowed himself a moment of satisfaction. Things were coming together. With the contract ready and the business about to get off the ground, he was one step closer to achieving his goals. And with his team growing stronger by the day, he felt more confident than ever in his abilities as a trainer.
He glanced at the clock on the computer screen. It was getting late, and he had a tournament to attend the next day, with flying time involved he'd had to get up very early. He needed rest if he was going to be at his best. But first, he logged out of the computer and stood up, stretching his arms above his head. The Pokemon Center was quiet, most trainers either resting or tending to their Pokemon. He walked over to the front desk, where Nurse Joy was busy organizing some paperwork.
"Excuse me, Nurse Joy," Ezra said politely. "I'd like to reserve a room for the night." He handed her his ID card.
Nurse Joy looked up and gave him a warm smile, taking the card and scanning it quickly. "Of course. We have plenty of space. You'll be in Room 5, just down the hall."
"Thank you," Ezra replied, taking the keycard she handed him, he also handed her Primeapes inactive Pokeball, "And can you transfer this to Pewter City's Pokemon center, with pickup privilege for Brock the son of Flint." He asked.
Nurse Joy had no issues with that, just requiring him to fill out a quick electronic form confirming the information, before she sent the Pokeball through to Pewter.
He made his way to his room, his mind already turning over the events of the day and what lay ahead. As he opened the door and stepped inside, he took a deep breath, letting the familiar scent of a Pokemon Center room wash over him. It was comforting in a way, the smell of clean linens and the faint scent of berries.
He set his bag down on the floor and flopped onto the bed, staring up at the ceiling. Tomorrow was another day, another step on his journey. He had a tournament to attend, battles to fight, and more Pokemon to train. After that, it was back to Pewter to sign the contract and get his business officially off the ground.
And, most likely, he'd have to deal with Agatha at some point. Whatever she wanted, he doubted she would just give up. But he'd cross that bridge when he came to it. For now, he needed to focus on the task at hand.
With a tired sigh, Ezra closed his eyes, letting himself drift off to sleep. Tomorrow would be another busy day, but he wouldn't have it any other way.
Olivine city, Johto.
Ezra landed in Olivine City, the wind from Pidgeot's wings scattering dust across the street as his feet hit the ground. The city was bustling with activity, a blend of sailors, tourists, and trainers, all mingling under the bright midday sun. The seaside town had its own charm - the salty breeze, the cries of Wingull circling above, and the distant chime of the lighthouse bell, but he preferred the bigger cities if he was completely honest. He quickly recalled Pidgeot into its Pokeball and made his way towards the Pokemon Center.
Inside, the familiar hum of activity greeted him - trainers were lounging around, chatting, or tending to their Pokemon, it was pretty full, no doubt due to the tournament. He approached the counter where Nurse Joy was busy organizing some files.
"Hello, Nurse Joy," Ezra greeted, giving her a polite nod and sliding over his ID card. "I'd like to switch my Pidgeot to inactive for this one." He held out Dreepy's Pokeball.
Nurse Joy smiled warmly. "Of course Give me just a moment." She turned to the computer behind her and started typing with one hand, while swiping her ID card with the other. Within moments, she handed him Dreepy's Pokeball back, as well as Pidgeots inactive one. "Here you go! Good luck in the tournament."
"Thanks," Ezra replied, tucking the Pokeballs into his belt. He left the Pokemon Center, ready to make his way toward the Battle Tower just northwest of Olivine, where the tournament was set to take place. A smart choice really, where else would you manage to get a lot of battle maniacs easily without even having to advertise?
The route outside the city was scenic, with the sea on one side and the dense greenery of the forest on the other. The path was lined with trainers and spectators, all heading toward the tournament grounds. Ezra had signed up online earlier, so all he had to do was show up and pay his entry fee to participate. As he walked, he thought about his strategy for the matches ahead, his mind already buzzing with plans.
He was halfway there when a sharp, angry shout pierced the air behind him. "You! Stop right there!"
Ezra turned around, frowning as he saw a woman stomping toward him. Her long, silvery-blue hair flowed wildly in the wind, her expression a mix of glee and pure fury. Her silvery blue eyes were ablaze with emotion, and her posture screamed confrontation. She was wearing a sleeveless black top that hugged her figure, paired with black pants and combat boots that looked well-worn from travel. Her gaze was intense, and her lips were set in a determined line as she marched up to him, her boots crunching on the gravel.
Ezra quickly put two and two together. This must be Karen, the woman Brock had told him about. As she got closer, he could see the almost predatory glint in her eyes, and it confirmed everything he'd heard. Karen was an attractive woman, no doubt about that, but there was a dangerous edge to her, something wild and untamed. She had an aura of confidence and strength that was hard to ignore. He'd gotten himself the weirdest kind of fan girl…
Before he could say anything, Karen stabbed a finger in his face, standing so close she was nearly towering over him. "You're coming with me, right now, you annoying pest!"
Ezra blinked and roughly pushed her finger away from his face. "I'm flattered, really," He said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "But I don't have time for a relationship right now. And in the future, you might have better luck asking for dates without making such a public spectacle of it."
He gestured around them, where several trainers had stopped to watch the scene unfold, whispering and chuckling to each other. With how she acted just now, he had a feeling Brock had misinterpreted everything, but he couldn't help but troll her anyway. He didn't like her attitude.
Karen's face turned crimson with fury and embarrassment, her eyes wide with a mix of rage and disbelief. "A date!? Are you out of your mind? I'm not asking you for a date, you insufferable brat!"
Ezra leaned back slightly, his expression mockingly thoughtful. "You're very… Passionate," He observed, his tone teasing. "And I've been told you've been following me, so what else could it be? Especially with you so passionately requesting me to come with you?"
The crowd's murmuring grew louder, some of the onlookers starting to laugh at the unfolding drama. A group of girls nearby giggled and whispered to each other, clearly entertained by what they thought was a lover's spat.
Karen's eyes flicked around, her face so red it looked like a tomato, steam practically coming out of her ears. "Stop fucking with me!" She growled, grabbing his collar and getting right up in his face. "I'm not here to play games, Kassian!"
Ezra had to control the reflexive reaction of the ghosts in his shadow from interfering. He could feel their agitation, their readiness to lash out in defense, but he kept them in check. He met Karen's furious gaze with a calm, almost bored expression. "I am trying not to 'fuck' you, but you won't take no for an answer," He said, sounding long-suffering. "I'm too young to have a fangirl really, choose someone else."
Alright, he might be having a little bit too much fun with this…
Karen spluttered, her words caught in her throat. She seemed to realize how close she was and immediately stepped back, clearing her throat. "You're coming with me back to Indigo," she demanded, trying to regain some dignity. Her eyes were stabbing daggers into him as she leaned closer again, hissing low enough that the crowd couldn't hear, "Call me a fangirl again and I'll feed you to my Pokemon!"
Several trainers in the crowd started whispering again, some of them clearly enjoying the show. "On-again, off-again relationship," One of them said with a chuckle. Another girl nodded, "Definitely some unresolved tension there." A third adding, "See how she can't stop getting into his face? She's totally waiting for him to just kiss her and make up!"
Ezra smirked, looking into her eyes, "If I give you a kiss will you stop stalking me?"
Karen's face went an even deeper shade of red, looking like she might explode. She jerked forward and grabbed his arm, starting to drag him away. "Just shut up and come with me before I knock you out!"
Ezra weighed his options for a moment, thinking over whether he should really continue antagonizing her or just go along to find out what Agatha wanted. But… He did have a tournament to attend, so antagonizing it was. He called out loudly, his voice completely deadpan, "Help, someone help! Rape! I'm being dragged away by a crazy woman!"
Karen's eyes flared with anger, and she looked like she was about to punch him out when Officer Jenny, who Ezra had spotted approaching from a distance, finally arrived and put a firm hand on Karen's shoulder.
"I don't know what's going on here," Officer Jenny said in a stern voice, "But I've witnessed enough to know that you've been screaming and putting your hands on this young man, and from what I just heard, even if I doubt he was serious… I need you to come with me."
Karen stood up straight, turning around to face Officer Jenny with a cold, steely expression. "I am the apprentice of Lady Agatha of the Elite Four - "
But before she could continue, Officer Jenny tightened her grip on Karen's shoulder, holding her firmly in place. "That makes it worse because you should definitely know better, young lady. Now, while I can't classify this as an assault, you will be joining me to speak about public decency and to de-escalate this situation."
Officer Jenny looked at Ezra, her expression softening slightly but still serious. "You can move along, and if this type of situation happens again, don't make light of it. Just ask for assistance." She chided him, her tone firm but not unkind.
Ezra nodded, putting on a contrite expression. "Yes, ma'am. Thank you for your help." He turned to leave, giving Karen a smug smile as he walked away, enjoying the look of fury on her face as she glared daggers at him.
I'm probably paying for that later… But I bet she'll be in the tournament… His blood was up, and he felt a thrum of excitement. How would he stack up against an apprentice of the Elite Four?
The crowd started to disperse, the trainers who had stopped to watch the drama unfold now moving on with their business, though Ezra could still hear snippets of their conversations, most of them amused by what they thought was a lover's spat. I'll never let her live that down, he thought with amusement.
As he walked away, Ezra couldn't help but chuckle to himself. He wasn't about to be dragged off to Indigo or anywhere else without knowing what he was getting into, and he certainly wasn't going to let someone else dictate his actions. Whatever Agatha wanted, he would deal with it on his own terms. If it was important, the woman knew how to call him.
Ezra made his way to the tournament registration booth, shaking his head with a wry grin. He handed over the entry fee and confirmed his participation, then walked onto the sprawling front lawn of the Battle Tower, where rows of makeshift battle arenas had been set up for the tournament. Trainers were bustling around, some warming up with their Pokemon, others strategizing in small groups.
He looked around at the crowd, his eyes scanning the various trainers. Karen might show up later, but that would be fine with him. He was ready for whatever challenge came his way.
With a final glance back in the direction where Officer Jenny was still lecturing Karen, Ezra turned his focus fully to the tournament. He had battles to fight, Pokemon to train, and a reputation to build. Whatever came next, he was more than ready.
Twenty minutes later, one hour before his tournament slot.
He found himself an unoccupied tent, the tables and containers laid out obviously hinting that it would end up as some sort of refreshment tent for when the tournament kicked off.
Apparently his Orange League victory had made him somewhat interesting to people, and when his trainer ID had been seen by the organizers, he'd been chosen to start the tournament off with the first match. It definitely wouldn't be as easy a tournament as last time out. This time actual badge holders were competing.
He let his entire team out, letting Deino and Dreepy out before him, the rest of the team in a half circle behind them. "We're about to have our first real battles as a full team, although you two will likely only face the first few easy trials, you both need names first."
Both Pokemon seemed excited for the occasion, preening slightly as they looked up at him.
"Dreepy, as you are a female, I'm naming you Morrigan, after a goddess of death and war." He smirked down at her, "And because when you're all grown up, you're going to make people piss themselves all across Kanto and Johto, won't you girl?"
Morrigan looked proud at the name, a gleam in her eyes that showed Ezra she was looking forward to it.
Deino at this point was practically vibrating, Ezra chuckled as he patted his head, "I haven't forgotten about you, how about a name of a powerful Dragon, hm? One called the World Eater?"
Deino jumped in place, butting against his hand, chirping in a way he could only take as, tell me, tell me! Deino was usually more aggressive than his other Pokemon, in the short time they'd had, so he thought of a name that would fit.
"You are now Alduin, and when you're big and strong you'll show them that World Eater isn't far from your capabilities." Ezra said, grinning down at Alduin.
Alduin puffed out his chest, looking thrilled with the name, the ghosts all cheering for them in their own way. Dreepy protesting as Cheshire gave her a long lick up the back of her head.
"Alright, we'll do battle soon, and you'll be introduced to the world, or at least this area, as Alduin and Morrigan." Ezra said, with satisfaction, before pulling them back in their pokeballs, so they'd be a surprise for the first trainer he'd encounter in the tournament.
He'd given them strong names, partly because he knew how strong they'd become, and partly to fuck with everyone who was going to wonder what these Pokemon were - and wouldn't even get a breed name out of him.
It sucked to suck.
Betcha you'll call me again soon, Professor Oak…
With Karen,
She was humiliated, she couldn't have imagined a way for that to have gone worse. She'd been so elated at finally finding the brat, so pissed off at even the sight of his face at the same time.
She'd forgotten herself, her position.
She'd embarrassed herself, and Lady Agatha.
Her hands clenched around a Pokeball, as she huffed angrily, it's all his fault….
At least he was participating in the tournament, so this time he couldn't just fly off on her. She smiled a satisfied and vicious smile. She'd get to face him, no doubt.
He had won a league, surely he'd make the final here… She'd get to face him.
And destroy him!
All her frustrations, all her stress… It would soon be over as that brat cried at her feet after suffering a monumental defeat. Proving her superiority, earning herself Lady Agatha's esteem.
This stupid boy would never supplant her as the apprentice.
She'd prove it, destroying his Pokemon one by one.
This is going to be sooooo satisfying. She thought, cackling quietly to herself.
League winner or not, he was a new trainer. He didn't stand a chance.
The Orange League wasn't that big of a deal anyway.
She could definitely take him.
Author's note:
So the hunt had to end eventually, now that he has Pewter they would find him anyway.
Of course Ezra being Ezra, he took what Brock said and ran with it.
He's not exactly going to crawl to Agatha just because someone says so, especially someone he can so easily wind up as Karen.
It's going to be an interesting tournament.
And Primeape get, because of course he needs an Annihilape eventually.
Wonder how long Oak is going to be able to hold back once Ezra keeps revealing new Pokemon like this?
And Agatha might really have a heart attack at all the new Ghosts. Imagine her ordering Karen to seduce the young man to her side? Lol.
As for the Eevee he picked up a bit ago, he's waiting until he can give it personal attention to train it, or it won't become an Umbreon anyway.
Cheers
JollyHippopotamus
Chapter 9: D-D-Duel!
New
JollyHippopotamus
Not too sore, are you?
- Joined
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Here's chapter 9: D-D-Duel!
A winner again on Patron, seems people really want to see Ezra vs Karen!
Or just to see him absolutely frustrate the crap out of her, could be some of that too.
And we once again will get actual Pokemon battles in this Pokemon story! Just in time for me to skip them for another chapter or two, maybe.
Named team:
Cheshire - Haunter
Loki - Shuppet
Nyx - Spiritomb
Rider - Alolan Marowak
Morrigan - Dreepy
Alduin - Deino
As usual, I do not own Pokemon or the associated companies that deliver material from it. I'm just playing in the kiddy pool, don't hurt me.
Enjoy!
Johto,
The sun hung high over the Battle Tower's front lawn, casting bright rays across the rows of makeshift battle arenas. Ezra stood confidently on his side of the field, rolling his shoulders and cracking his neck. The crowd buzzed with anticipation, excited to see the first match of the tournament begin. He could feel their energy humming through the air like an electric current.
With both himself, a League winner - even if most here had hardly even heard of the Orange League - and Karen, the apprentice of an Elite Four, there was an amazing buzz going through the tournament at the moment.
Across from him, his opponent was a bug type specialist, sporting a cocky grin and holding three badges pinned to his vest as a show of pride. Ezra noted the badges - Violet City's Zephyr Badge, Azalea Town's Hive Badge, and Goldenrod City's Plain Badge. Not too shabby, at least compared to his last tournament. The bug trainer (who's name he'd already forgotten - because really, bugs?) already had his first Pokeball in hand, eagerly awaiting the start of the match.
Karen, sitting in the stands with her arms crossed, watched Ezra with a dark expression. Her eyes were locked on him, her jaw tight. She wasn't hiding her annoyance, not after the morning's embarrassing encounter. Ezra spotted her in the crowd and couldn't resist the opportunity. With a mischievous grin, he blew her a playful kiss, causing a few spectators around her to chuckle. Karen's glare only intensified, her hands balling into fists.
She was really making it all too easy for Ezra. She was wound up way too tightly, especially for someone in her position. Although he supposed she had a lot of growing up to do still before she took over one of the Elite Four slots.
The referee called a start to the match, Ezra just cooly watching his opponent, fingers stroking one of his Pokeballs.
"Ready, Ezra?" the bug trainer called, not waiting for an answer before he began anyway, "Alright, let's see what you've got. Go, Scyther!" the bug trainer shouted, tossing his first Pokeball onto the field.
With a flash of light, a Scyther appeared, its twin scythes gleaming under the sun. It sliced the air with a few practice swings, showing off its speed and sharpness. Ezra considered his options. He knew bug types had an advantage over dark, but he felt Alduin could handle himself fairly well if needed, but that didn't mean he couldn't use Morrigan first to his advantage, softening the enemy up a little.
Bugs might be dangerous for his little dark dragon, but against his ghostly dragon, they would fall. He tilted his head idly, watching the Scyther, a thought coming to him. Perhaps he could do Brock a favor and get him a Kleavor? He would have to source some black augurite, but it shouldn't be impossible. Another one to add to the list for his Pokemon breeder farm. Brock would get it for free, of course - he'd stood up to an Elite Four for him, a completely new bug/rock evolution was a nice enough thanks.
"Let's start with you, Morrigan," Ezra called, releasing his Dreepy onto the field. Morrigan hovered slightly above the ground, her spectral form shimmering in the sunlight, her eyes sharp and focused.
The crowd murmured in surprise, all of them unfamiliar with the unique form of a Dreepy. "What's that?" One of the spectators called out. "Looks like some kind of ghost type…"
Karen leaned forward slightly, intrigued despite herself. Morrigan, eh? So he's the kind of loser who names his Pokemon? Tch… So this new type is what he's been hiding…
"Scyther, Quick Attack into X-Scissor!" the bug trainer ordered. Scyther moved with blinding speed, becoming a blur of green and silver as it closed the gap between them in an instant.
"Morrigan, use Quick Attack to dodge, Confuse Ray on your previous location!" Ezra commanded calmly. Just as Scyther was about to strike, Morrigan disappeared in a blur as well due to her Quick Attack, before reappearing, curled up and chirping as she fired a Confuse Ray that hit Scyther even as his trainer shouted for it to dodge.
Unfortunately for Ezra, the Confuse Ray didn't seem to stick very well, the Scyther shaking it off to the cheers of the bug trainer.
"Nice try, but that won't stop us! Scyther, Fury Cutter, watch out for Quick Attacks!" The bug trainer clenched his fist in excitement as Scyther threw itself forward, slashing at Morrigan.
"Tank it and Bite." Ezra ordered, not overly worried, the bug move wouldn't be super effective and he believed Morrigan would do more damage back with the Scyther within reach.
The Scyther slashed at Morrigan, while Morrigan gathered the dark energy necessary, her small jaw gleaming as she sinuously stretched around the strikes to Bite Scyther's left shoulder, something giving away with a loud crackling crunch.
The Scyther let out a cry, backpedaling even as his trainer shouted worriedly, Morrigan barely damaged from the Scyther's strikes. Ezra also knew that with Morrigan having the ability cursed body, there was even a chance the Scyther's attack would have disabled Fury Cutter going forward. Not that it would matter.
Ezra didn't flinch at the Pokemon's cry. He was already moving ahead with the next move. "Morrigan, use Dragon Tail!"
Morrigan darted forward with surprising speed, her tail glowing with a brilliant draconic energy. Scyther barely had time to react before Morrigan's tail slammed into its chest, sending it skidding back across the field, tumbling uncontrollably, fainted already. The trainer immediately called Scyther back to its Pokeball, looking like he was caught off guard, fumbling to grab his next one.
Unlike Alduin, Morrigan had immediately taken to draconic attacks, especially Dragon Tail, likely because Morrigan was practically all tail to begin with.
"What the - ? Fine, let's go, Butterfree!" The bug trainer shouted, tossing out his second Pokeball.
Butterfree appeared in a burst of light, fluttering above the field with its wings glistening in the sun. It let out a soft, melodic cry, ready to fight.
"Morrigan, switch out!" Ezra called, recalling Dreepy and immediately throwing out his next choice. "Alduin, it's your turn!"
Alduin would be harmed easier by bug type moves which is why he hadn't started with him, but Butterfree was mainly useful for two things, status moves, and psychic moves. Psychic moves would be useless, and Alduin was agile and quick enough to hopefully not run into problems - he needed the experience anyway.
Deino burst onto the field, a fierce growl escaping its lips as it bared its teeth, eager for the fight. The crowd cheered at the sight of another Pokemon they'd never seen before. It was really throwing the announcer off, a guy Ezra barely paid attention to, other then to note with amusement his confusion about Ezra's Pokemon.
"Butterfree, Sleep Powder!" The bug trainer ordered quickly, predictably, trying to regain control of the match. Butterfree's wings began to flutter rapidly, releasing a shimmering cloud of powder that drifted towards Alduin.
"Counter it with Dragon Breath!" Ezra said lazily. Alduin inhaled deeply and released a focused burst of blue, fiery energy from its mouth. The blast cut through the air, dispersing the cloud of Sleep Powder and striking Butterfree head on. Butterfree screeched as the Dragon Breath hit, sending it spinning through the air.
Alduin wasn't the greatest with his control of the draconic energy yet however, so it neither took the Butterfree out, nor fully dispersed the cloud, due to being a more focused weaker beam, which meant the Sleep Powder would be slowly drifting down shortly, spread out, instead of concentrated, but still a concern.
"Butterfree, into the air, Sleep Powder again! Fill the field!" The bug trainer yelled out.
"Scary Face, Bite!" Ezra continued without missing a beat. Alduin used Scary Face, making the Butterfree stagger slightly, slowed down in its ascent, before he charged forward leaping into the air. He clamped his jaws down on Butterfree's wing, dragging the bug-type down to the ground with a solid thud.
The crowd gasped, impressed by the ferocity of the attack. Butterfree struggled, its wings fluttering weakly as it tried to break free.
"Come on, Butterfree, use Confusion!" The bug trainer called desperately. Butterfree's eyes glowed with a psychic energy. But the dragon/dark Pokemon held firm, its jaws locked tightly around Butterfree's wing, a psychic move wasn't going to be enough, especially with the dark energy suffusing Butterfrees wound.
"Alduin, finish it with Bite!" Ezra commanded. Alduin released the Butterfree just long enough to unleash another powerful bite around its face. Butterfree let out a pained cry before collapsing to the ground, fainted. Ezra couldn't help but shake his head, the kid should have recalled his Pokemon when it was caught.
Well, not that he overly cared anyway.
The referee raised a flag, as the announcer called out, in an overly hyped way, "Butterfree is unable to battle! Is there no end to the surprises Ezra Kassian will bring us!"
The crowd erupted in cheers, some of them shouting in excitement due to the new Pokemon. Ezra could hear a few voices in the stands calling out in surprise at how quickly the battle was turning in his favor. He was still badgeless after all.
Ezra clicked his tongue, like badges are a true measure…
Karen watched with narrowed eyes, her expression a mix of frustration and begrudging respect. The kid's not bad… but I've seen better. This doesn't change anything. Her eyes were fixated on the Pokemon he had on the field however. She could recognize a dark type when she saw it. She wanted one.
The bug trainer gritted his teeth, recalling Butterfree and quickly sending out his final Pokemon - luckily the waste of time had blown away most of the sleep powder, although Alduin was still clearly affected. "Beedrill, I choose you!" The bee-like bug type zipped onto the field, its twin stingers ready and gleaming, buzzing angrily as it took flight.
Ezra decided it was time to switch tactics again, Alduin would be sluggish anyway. "Alduin, come back. Morrigan, you're up again!"
Morrigan reappeared on the field, her ghostly form flickering as she floated above the ground, her eyes locked onto Beedrill immediately, an absolutely delighted thrill erupting from her at the sight of another enemy.
"Beedrill, use Fury Cutter then Poison Sting when you disengage!" The bug trainer shouted. Beedrill darted forward, its stingers glinting in the light as it thrust them towards Morrigan with deadly precision.
"Quick Attack behind and use Confuse Ray!" Ezra countered. Morrigan seemed to almost phase out of existence for a split second, avoiding the attack entirely, then reappearing in a Quick Attack behind Beedrill, her eyes glowing with a sinister light. A burst of ghostly energy shot out from her eyes, enveloping Beedrill and causing it to wobble in mid-air, its movements erratic and uncoordinated as it got confused.
"Beedrill, snap out of it! Poison sting! Now!" The bug trainer yelled, frustration clear in his voice. Ezra thought he needed to be quicker to immediately counter his own orders, something he'd found a lot so far. People weren't quick on giving up on what they'd already ordered. They needed to be more willing to drop an already failed strategy to adapt to a changed circumstance.
Well, something to work on when he had brats sniveling all across his hall when he was a gym leader…
"Let's finish this, Morrigan. Use Dragon Tail again!" Ezra ordered calmly, the fight already over. Morrigan darted forward, her tail glowing brightly as she slammed into Beedrill, sending it crashing into the ground with a loud thud. Beedrill buzzed weakly, trying to rise, but it was clear it was too exhausted to continue, and eventually it just put its head down.
The referee raised the flag again, the announcer screaming into a microphone, "Beedrill is unable to battle! The winner is Ezra Kassian, the Orange League champion moves on!"
The crowd erupted into cheers, a wave of excitement rippling through the stands. Ezra stood tall, a satisfied smile on his face as he recalled Morrigan back to her Pokeball. He glanced up at the stands, catching Karen's eye once more. He blew her another playful kiss, his grin widening as he saw her eyes narrow in annoyance.
In the stands, Karen folded her arms and leaned back in her seat, her expression dark but still remaining composed. "You got lucky this time facing a bug loser, Kassian. Don't get too cocky," She muttered under her breath. But despite her irritation, she couldn't deny that he had handled the battle decently for a rookie. There was more to him than she initially thought - he was still no match for her, though.
She couldn't wait to beat some respect into his face.
Although… Those new Pokemon… Her eyes narrowed as she stood up, exiting the stands. As annoying as it is, Lady Agatha will rip me a new one if I don't find out what they were.
Minutes later,
Ezra moved briskly through the winding paths behind the stands, his mind buzzing with the adrenaline rush of his recent victory. The air was thick with the excitement of the crowds and the mingling scents of freshly popped corn and spicy skewers, filling his nostrils as he navigated past food stalls and vendor carts. The sun beat down harshly on them, but the shadows cast by the stands offered a bit of a reprieve where he was. His stomach rumbled, reminding him he hadn't eaten for a while.
"Guess it's time for some refreshments," Ezra muttered to himself. He could still hear the roars of the crowd, the battles continuing on the field, but he allowed himself this brief moment to unwind. Winning the first round felt good, and seeing Karen fuming in the stands was a bonus he hadn't anticipated but relished nonetheless.
As he approached a small, less crowded corner near the back of the stands where a drink stall stood, a familiar, sharp voice cut through the din, stopping him in his tracks.
"Ezra Kassian! You have some explaining to do!" Karen's voice was tight, a mix of anger and frustration. She stepped out from the shadows of the stand's support beams, her expression a stormy mix of determination and annoyance.
Ezra turned slowly, a deliberate, amused smirk playing on his lips. "Karen," He greeted, feigning surprise. "What a pleasant surprise. To what do I owe the pleasure?"
Karen stormed up to him, her face flushed with either anger or the heat - or maybe a bit of both. "Don't play dumb with me! I want to know what the hell kind of Ghost Pokemon that was. And that Dark Pokemon! And why could they use a Dragon type move?"
Ezra's smirk widened into a sly grin as he raised an eyebrow. "Dragon type move? I'm afraid I have no idea what you're talking about." He said with a casual shrug, deliberately keeping his tone light and dismissive. "You must be mistaken."
A more fun way, in his opinion - to say none of your business.
Karen's eyes narrowed, her jaw tightening. "Don't lie to me, you brat! I know what I saw. Your Pokemon used Dragon Tail and Dragon Breath! They're obviously a Ghost and a Dark Pokemon, how did you teach them Dragon moves?"
Heh, apparently it's still too unbelievable to believe they could possibly be a dragon and a ghost/dark Pokemon. Ezra thought, deciding there was no point in satisfying her demands.
"Oh, that," Ezra said nonchalantly, waving a hand as if brushing away a fly. "Must have been your imagination. Morrigan and Alduin are just regular Ghost and Dark Pokemon, nothing special about them, perhaps you're suffering from heatstroke?"
Karen's fists clenched at her sides, her knuckles turning white. "I'm not stupid, Kassian. I know what I saw, stop hiding it. Stop messing with me!"
Ezra put on an expression of mock innocence, placing a hand on his chest. "Me? Messing with you? Hiding something? I would never!" He looked at her with wide, exaggerated eyes. "I'm an open book, Karen. Really, you should learn to trust people more." He leaned forward, as if to share a secret, "You keep frowning like that you'll get wrinkles."
Karen's face was starting to turn a deeper shade of red, her frustration clearly mounting. "You're infuriating!" She spat, stepping closer to him. "I won't let you mess with me like this. I'm going to figure out what you're hiding, one way or another. There's no way you got two new Pokemon like that, I'll find out who's backing you, you insufferable brat!"
Ezra chuckled softly, taking a step back to keep a polite distance. "Hey, your face is getting awfully red. You sure you're okay? Let me buy you a drink to cool down. I'm a nice guy like that, after all."
Before she could protest, Ezra turned to the drink stall, ordering two cold lemonades. The vendor handed them over with a cheerful smile, somehow unaware of the tension in the air. Ezra turned back to Karen, holding out one of the cups. "Here, drink up. It's on me."
Karen snatched the cup from his hand, her eyes never leaving his face. "You're trying to make me lose my cool, aren't you? That's your strategy. You don't think you can beat me, so you're trying to set me off, make me make mistakes."
Ezra took a slow sip of his drink, his smile never fading. "If you say so," He replied, his tone deliberately casual, almost indifferent.
Karen's eyes narrowed further, her suspicion growing. "You won't fool me, Kassian. This is all an act. You're trying to wind me up."
Ezra raised his eyebrows slightly, his smile widening just a fraction. "I'm sure you're right," He said, his voice smooth and agreeable. "You seem to have everything figured out, Karen."
Karen's face twitched with irritation, her fists clenched tighter. She could feel the heat rising in her cheeks, and she hated that he was getting under her skin so easily. But she refused to let him see just how much he was affecting her any longer, she was better than this. She crossed her arms over her chest, trying to regain some semblance of control. "I'm not going to fall for your mind games, Kassian. You can't get to me that easily."
Ezra just nodded, taking another sip of his drink. "Of course not. I wouldn't dream of it."
The nonchalant response only made Karen's anger flare hotter. She growled low in her throat, feeling her composure slipping. She hated how he seemed to be enjoying this, how he was so calm and collected while she was seething inside. She forcibly calmed herself down, refusing to show her frustration any further.
She was sure now, he was scared of her battle prowess, and he was trying to force her into making mistakes in anger later.
Ezra watched her with calm amusement, his eyes twinkling with mischief. He knew exactly what he was doing, and he was enjoying every moment of it. Karen was so easy to provoke, her reactions so predictable. It was almost too easy to mess with her.
Karen finally let out a frustrated huff, turning on her heel to leave. "Fine! Play your little games. But this isn't over, Kassian. I'll find out what you're hiding, and when I do, you'll regret it."
Ezra gave her a little wave as she stormed off, a satisfied smile on his lips. "Looking forward to it," He called after her, watching as she disappeared into the crowd.
He turned back to the drink stall, taking another sip of his lemonade. "What an interesting girl," He muttered to himself, shaking his head. "So easy to rile up. She's practically doing half the work for me." How she ever got to become Agatha's apprentice of all people I can't understand.
As he stood there, enjoying his drink and the brief respite from the tournament, he couldn't help but feel a sense of deeper satisfaction with how things were progressing. He knew he was getting under Karen's skin, and that was exactly what he wanted. She was clearly on edge, and if he could keep her off-balance, it would make things much easier when they eventually faced off in battle.
Her knowing that was what he was doing wouldn't change that - her temper had too much of a hair trigger for her to control yet. She wasn't an Elite Four, and was years away from that version of her. If anything he was helping her by making her see her own flaws so early.
That was his story, and he was sticking to it.
He leaned back against the stand, watching the crowd bustle around him. The atmosphere was electric, the excitement of the tournament clear in the very air as the crowd constantly cheered. Trainers and spectators moved through the area, their voices a constant hum of chatter and laughter. Ezra took it all in, enjoying the moment of calm before the storm. He wouldn't have his next match for hours yet, and then the next two the next day, saving the semi-final and the final for the third day.
He glanced over to where Karen had disappeared, a thoughtful expression on his face. She was a tough one, no doubt about that. But he wasn't worried. He knew how to handle people like her. All it took was a little patience, a little strategy, and a lot of bullshitting.
And Ezra had all three in spades.
With a final sip of his drink, he pushed off the stand and made his way back towards the tournament grounds. There were still more battles to see, more challenges for Morrigan and Alduin to test their teeth on. And he was ready for all of them.
Victory would taste all the sweeter this time around thanks to Karen…
Final day of the tournament.
Ezra sat in the stands, eyes narrowed in concentration as he watched the battles below unfold. It was the third day of the tournament, and he'd managed to crush his way through to the finals with relative ease, mostly relying on Morrigan and Alduin. Cheshire had come out a few times, but more as a show to keep his opponents guessing rather than out of necessity. He'd observed Karen's battles when he could, finding her strategic ruthlessness to be both impressive and disappointing in turn - she was also mired in the proper way of doing things, despite being a dark Pokemon trainer. Though she had not openly acknowledged him since their last heated encounter, he could feel the tension between them simmering every time they crossed paths.
For some reason the girl really didn't like him. And he'd been so kind too…
Karen had made it to the semifinals without much difficulty. Her style was sharp and unforgiving, much like a honed blade. She had cut through her competition with a mix of cunning and overwhelming force, mostly the latter if he was honest. He knew she was a favorite to win - as an apprentice to the Elite Four, she was a cut above the rest of the competition.
He just couldn't beat back the slight feeling of disappointment. She wasn't an Elite Four, sure, and wouldn't be for a long while yet. But he'd somehow expected more. She was definitely vicious, cunning and had the fundamentals down to a tee. What she wasn't, was creative.
Everything she was doing, he'd already seen or thought of, there were no surprises. He was hoping it was a case of her taking it easy on the scrubs, or their fight would be a cakewalk.
Especially with his cheaty aura which he already knew affected even trainers Dark Pokemon.
Ezra had spent much of his time outside the tournament training in the forests around the Battle Tower, honing his skills and preparing his team for the final match. He hadn't been keeping up with the other competitors much, figuring that Karen would handle them easily enough. But as the announcer's voice boomed through the arena, he leaned forward with interest. The day's final semifinal match was about to begin, and Karen would be facing Shae, the punkish girl he'd met before.
He hadn't even realized she was here.
The sight of her made him narrow his eyes in thought. Shae. He hadn't expected to see her again, especially not in the semifinals of this tournament. She must have been doing well to make it this far - and she hadn't approached him, despite likely having seen him battling... Did that make her more suspicious or less? He watched her stroll onto the field opposite Karen, her leather jacket and spiked choker standing out amongst the competition. Her expression was calm, almost bored, but even from his position, Ezra could see the intensity behind her eyes. She had a way of hiding her seriousness behind that nonchalant exterior, much like himself.
Albeit he tended to go from nonchalant to asshole from one second to the next.
Karen, on the other hand, looked as fierce and determined as ever. Her silvery blue hair fell around down her back in waves, and her eyes were sharp, focused. She was a striking contrast to Shae's more rebellious look - poised, with an air of authority. The crowd was abuzz with anticipation, the chatter growing louder as they watched, eager for what would likely be an excellent fight.
Ezra leaned forward in his seat, his interest piqued. This might be the first match where Karen would actually have to break a sweat. He wanted to see how Shae would handle herself against someone of Karen's caliber too. The announcer's voice rang out again, signaling the start of the battle.
"This will be a three-on-three match! Trainers, send out your first Pokemon!" The normal statement was immediately followed by the man making a dramatic sweeping motion, almost swallowing the microphone as he yelled out, "Will this rebellious punk throw down the princess of the dark! Let's find out!"
Not surprisingly, both Shae and Karen threw him disgusted looks, before focusing back on each other.
Karen wasted no time after that. She threw her Pokeball into the air with a confident flick of her wrist. "Honchkrow, let's go!"
In a flash of light, her Honchkrow appeared on the field, its glossy feathers shimmering under the bright stadium lights. It cawed loudly, its red eyes fixed on Shae with a predatory gleam.
Shae smirked and sent out her own Pokemon. "Envy, it's your turn!"
Her Koffing materialized, hovering in the air with its usual toxic fumes slowly seeping out. The gas cloud seemed thicker this time, almost as if Shae had been preparing it for something special. Training him up for a rematch with me, maybe? Ezra through, eyes on the match intently.
Karen didn't waste any time. "Honchkrow, use Air Cutter, take to the sky, stay out of range, evasive maneuvers!" She commanded.
Honchkrow's wings glowed as it swooped up in the air, before whirling at Koffing, slashes of air shooting towards the Pokemon, moving with blinding speed. Shae's eyes narrowed.
"Envy, use Smokescreen V2, then push yourself out of the way with Belch!"
Koffing spewed out a thick purplish cloud of smoke, obscuring itself just as Honchkrow's attack closed in. A loud Belch was heard immediately, and the Pokemon must have moved itself with the force of the Belch, because as the attack from the dark bird Pokemon sliced through the smoke, there was no sound of pain indicating a hit.
"Nice try, I saw you mix that smokescreen with poison gas." Karen called out, smirking, before slashing down with one arm, "Honchkrow, Hurricane!"
The crowd leaned forward, gasping at the fast-paced exchange. Shae was clearly playing a tactical game, using her Koffing's abilities to create a defensive wall and keep Karen's Honchkrow at bay. And now Karen was moving to remove said obstacle.
Honchkrow flapped its powerful wings and darted around over the smokescreen with swift, precise motions, wind whirling around inside the smokescreen as it surrounded the Koffing in a hurricane, pulling the gas and smokescreen both into it. Except, Shae didn't look worried, Ezra chuckling as he realized she'd pulled a fast one again, just like she'd done against him.
Koffing wasn't in the smokescreen anymore.
"I guess you got me!" Shae called out, making Karen's eyes narrow, as she studied the field, trying to see what she'd missed, immediately cottoning on to something being wrong, Shaw calling out, "Toxic!"
Despite Honchkrow's agility, it could not avoid the attack entirely as Koffing erupted from the earth and spat out a deluge of toxin straight at it. Karen's eyes narrowed, seeing the faint purple tint spread across Honchkrow's feathers. Poisoned. Badly poisoned at that.
Ezra's smile widened. This was more like it. Shae was fighting smart, using every advantage she could. But Karen was no pushover, and he knew she would retaliate fiercely. If he wasn't mistaken, Shae had once again used Koffing as a specific set up, having studied Karen. That purplish smokescreen hadn't been poisoned as Karen had thought, that had, pardon the pun, been a smokescreen.
She'd focused Karen on the smokescreen calling it V2 to make Karen think exactly what she'd done, while to Koffing V2 meant dig and wait for her command. The Koffing would have had to be pretty close to the surface to catch that, hence why Shae hadn't wanted Karen to look away from her smokescreen.
"Honchkrow, use Perish Song!" Karen commanded, her voice steady and calm despite the fact the first round was practically her loss. Perish Song would ensure Koffing went out with Honchkrow at least as long as Honchkrow could hold on that long. As badly poisoned as the bird was, it would have been unlikely to defeat Koffing on its own before fainting otherwise.
Honchkrow immediately began to sing an eerie and haunting melody, the crowd quieting down for a moment, just listening.
Ezra knew that unlike a game mechanic where just switching out the Pokemon ended a Perish Song, here, it worked no matter what, within 2-3 minutes. Which was about the time it would take Pokemon to fire off 2-3 full attacks - after which both Pokemon would faint.
It was a good enough move from Karen, making sure a falling asset took the other side with it. Making up for her getting caught off guard and almost losing the first round uncontested.
"Envy, we go on our own terms!" Shae shouted. "Use Explosion!"
Ezra blinked, somewhat exasperated by the unnecessary attack brought out by Shae's sheer ruthlessness. She was going for the double knockout on her terms. The Koffing began to glow ominously, building up energy, sitting almost directly below the Honchkrow.
Karen had time to order the Pokemon to fly away, but showing her own ruthlessness, did not do so. Considering both Pokemon were destined to faint within the next minute or two anyway, she obviously didn't see a point.
Ezra approved.
No need to act like they were dying or anything. They were just fainting, best to get it over with. Now if her Pokemon had a move to change the terrain or lay a trap before fainting, that was a different matter…
Koffing detonated, the explosion sending a shockwave through the arena. Dust and debris filled the air, and the crowd gasped in shock and thrill at how the first round of their fight came to an end. When the dust settled, both Pokemon lay fainted on the ground. A draw for the first round.
Both trainers recalled their Pokemon. Shae was still smirking, clearly unfazed by the loss of her Koffing, likely feeling like she'd still come out ahead in the mental battle. Karen, however, looked more serious than before.
She'd been skating through so far in the tournament, so likely this was a bit of a wake up call.
"Let's see how you handle this," Karen muttered, throwing her next Pokeball. "Sneasel, let's make a meal out of the punk's Pokemon!"
A Sneasel appeared, crouching low with its claws outstretched, eyes gleaming with malice. It hissed at Shae, who only grinned in response, not appearing bothered in the slightest.
"Alright, Pride, time to shine!" Shae called, releasing her Arbok. The snake Pokemon hissed loudly, its hood flaring out to reveal the intimidating pattern. The crowd cheered, clearly excited by the match-up.
"Sneasel, use Snowscape!" Karen commanded without hesitation.
Sneasel practically cackled, as a snowstorm erupted over the field, reducing visibility, and buffing Sneasel's ice attacks going forward. At the same time as Karen called out her attack, Shae had called out her own, the moment the word Snow - exited Karen's mouth.
"Pride, use Dig, plan three!"
Arbok slithered quickly, as it burrowed underground, avoiding the snowstorm in totality. Karen loudly clicked her tongue, annoyed by her opponent's propensity to dig underground.
Ezra privately thought Shae would be destroyed by anyone with Earthquake or similar techniques if she kept fighting with the same type of moves. Or perhaps she's just being tactical. After all, the odds of a Honchkrow and a Sneasel having those types of moves were practically zero.
"Get ready, Sneasel," Karen said, eyes sharp. "Light feet."
Ezra watched with interest. With the way the Pokemon reacted to Karen's order. Ezra had a feeling Karen as well was finally playing the same game - hiding her order behind something else.
Arbok erupted from the ground behind Sneasel, fangs bared, lit up with fire energy as it executed a Fire Fang. Sneasel cried out at the effective move, before its claws seemed to blur, as it struck back, the Arbok tossed back hissing in pain, curling up on itself a few feet away.
Counter. Ezra thought, enjoying the match. Karen knew an attack was coming and that she'd likely take some damage even if she ordered Sneasel to dodge, so she primed Sneasel to hit back twice as hard, take damage, but damage the enemy more. A calculated risk.
The Arbok was hissing in pain but quickly recovered, coiling around to face Sneasel. Both trainers called out orders at the same time.
"Pride, use Glare!" Shae shouted, no doubt hoping to ensure Sneasel couldn't use its greater agility against her.
At the same time Karen called out, "Ice Beam!"
Arbok's eyes glowed a menacing red, and Sneasel froze in place just as it was starting to fire an Ice Beam, paralyzed. Karen's face tightened in frustration. If the Ice Beam had gone off, in the snowstorm that was raging and enhancing Sneasel's attacks, Arbok would have been done for.
Shae had a lot of luck in this round, Glare only had a minor chance to so fully paralyze the opposing Pokemon.
"Finish it with another Fire Fang!" Shae commanded, a cool smirk on her face, as she winked teasingly at Karen, making the girl grit her teeth in frustration.
I'm not the only one who's noticed how easily riled up she is… Ezra thought with some amusement. It's likely Agatha beat that out of here by the time she took over her spot.
Arbok lunged at the immobile Sneasel, its fangs glowing with fire energy. The attack struck true, and Sneasel crumpled to the ground, completely done. The referee raised his flag, signaling the end of the round, Shae now having two Pokemon left. Karen - one.
The crowd erupted into cheers and gasps, clearly impressed by Shae's performance and shocked at the fact Karen was losing. Ezra couldn't help but smile. He wasn't sure if Karen could pull back or not, but if she did - this humiliation - or at least it would feel like it for her - would only further prime her to be off her game when fighting him.
Fighting Shae in the final instead, with Karen watching impotently from the side… Had its own charm too.
Karen recalled her Sneasel, her face calm but her eyes blazing with determination. "You're better than I thought," She muttered, loud enough for Shae and the audience to hear, thanks to the microphones, some self recrimination in her voice.
Shae just grinned, clearly enjoying the fight. "You're not bad yourself, Princess," She taunted, using the announcer's moniker for her.
Karen ignored the jibe and released her final Pokemon. "Weavile, let's end this."
Smart, Sneasel set up the field, it should last for another couple attacks at least. She might be down in Pokemon count, but she has field advantage and an already weakened Pokemon, Ezra began feeling more confident that Karen might pull this off.
He did want that fight after all.
Her Weavile emerged, growling lowly as it glared at Arbok. The crowd murmured, sensing the intensity of the battle about to unfold - knowing that Karen was up against the wall.
Again they called out their orders simultaneously, "Fire Fang!" From Shae, and "Ice Beam!" Snapped out by Karen.
Arbok didn't stand a chance, Shae had picked the wrong move this time, all it did was make sure Arbok was right in the face of Weavile when the overpowered Ice Beam hit it point blank.
Shae recalled her Arbok, looking chagrined at her own faulty decision, and sent out her final Pokemon. "Greed, it's your turn!"
Her Croagunk appeared, its eyes darting around the field as it bounced lightly on its feet. Ezra's eyes narrowed in thought, she's using the same three Pokemon, so I wont have any idea what else she has to use against me in the final if she wins… It puffed up its cheeks, its bright orange fingers flexing as it prepared for the coming battle. The crowd grew silent, sensing the tension in the air. Both trainers knew that this match could go either way, and neither was willing to give an inch.
Karen wasted no time, her voice clear and commanding. "Weavile, Blizzard!"
In the midst of the icy battlefield, Weavile crouched low. With a swift, fluid motion, it raised its clawed hands to the snowy sky, summoning a swirling storm of snow and ice. The temperature dropped rapidly as the blizzard began to form, the wind howling with a fierce intensity. With a sharp cry, Weavile unleashed its Blizzard attack, sending a torrent of frigid snowflakes and shards of ice crashing toward its opponent. The air crackled with the chill of the freezing onslaught, as the relentless storm threatened to overwhelm anything in its path.
Shae remained calm. "Greed, Dig and Snipe!" She ordered, the moment Weavile began its attack.
Just as the Blizzard exploded across the field, Croagunk dove underground, narrowly avoiding the blast. The ground froze over completely where the Blizzard struck, and a plume of snow rose up, temporarily obscuring the battlefield.
Ezra leaned forward, eyes narrowing as he tried to anticipate the next move. This battle was now down to who got a decisive strike in first, with both trainers trying to outthink the other. Karen's face was a mask of concentration, while Shae's expression remained unreadable. Her use of dig in every fight was going to work against her, Ezra suspected.
There was no way Karen would allow herself to be hit the same way again. Still, she was also vulnerable, as Croagunk was a Fighting/Poison type, and fighting was very effective against Weavile.
"Stay on your toes, Weavile," Karen called out, her voice steady. "Wait for it..."
Weavile tensed, its body low to the ground, muscles coiled and ready. The earth rumbled slightly, beneath its paws, signaling Croagunk's imminent reemergence.
"Endure and Avalanche!" Karen shouted just as Croagunk burst from the ground behind Weavile.
The Croagunk slammed into Weavile with a Cross Chop, the move super effective, Weavile groaning around the strike, but with a sinister grin on its face. Due to Endure, Weavile couldn't faint from this attack, and right after, Avalanche slammed into the Croagunk, the nice doubling in damage due to Weavile taking damage first, and then likely tripling or quadrupling due to the last vestiges of the snow storm.
Croagunk didn't stand a chance.
And just like that. With Weavile on literally its last legs. 1 HP left, if talking game terms.
Karen won.
The referee raised his flag, the announcer screaming out, face red, eyes bulging as he face hugged the microphone "Croagunk is unable to battle! The winner is Karen and her Weavile! The princess of the dark is evolving into a Queen!"
The crowd erupted into applause, many cheering and some still whispering in shock at the intensity of the battle. Karen let out a sigh of relief, recalling her Weavile with a slight nod of appreciation. Shae recalled her Croagunk, her expression a mix of disappointment and pleasure at a well fought battle.
Ezra stood up immediately, making his way down to the edge of the field. His eyes were focused on Shae, a hint of a smirk on his lips. He could see Karen watching him from the corner of her eye as he got down onto the field as they both began vacating it, her expression darkening as he approached.
As he reached the exit where the two girls were leaving, he completely ignored Karen, who was glaring daggers at him. Instead, he walked straight up to Shae. "Nice to see you again," He said with a respectful nod, even as he eyed her carefully. "You fought well. Almost beating an apprentice to the Elite Four is quite the feather in your cap, even if it was just Karen."
Okay, so he had two reasons to approach Shae, what with Karen nearby, he could do more than one thing at a time - he was good like that.
Shae glanced at Karen's reddening face with a wry smile, then looked back at Ezra, a knowing look in her eyes. "Too bad we didn't get a rematch," She lamented. "Would've been a lot more fun."
Ezra nodded, smirking as he specifically didn't look at Karen. "I agree. It would be much more interesting to fight you again. But I guess I'll have to 'make do' with the opponent I have." He sighed theatrically, in a what can you do manner, Shae outright chuckling.
Karen's face flushed with anger, her hands balling into fists at her sides. She refused to engage however, managing to hold herself back. Stomping off with an irate huff. Ezra watched her go, amusement clear in his eyes.
Shae raised an eyebrow at him, clearly entertained by the exchange. "Is it wise to piss off your opponent right before a big match?" She asked, arms crossed under her chest in a way that accentuated her curves.
Not that Ezra noticed or anything.
Ezra's eyes flicked to her, then back to Karen's retreating form. "It's always wise to piss off an opponent," He replied with a casual shrug. "Makes them more likely to make stupid decisions."
Shae hummed thoughtfully, her eyes following Karen's figure as she disappeared into the crowd. "Maybe, but it might not be wise to piss off this particular opponent," She warned, her tone teasing. "Claws might come out." She added as a warning.
Ezra's confidence didn't waver. "I know what I'm doing."
Shae snorted, a smirk on her face. "That's what every man says before a woman crushes his balls. But whatever, win or lose, I'll enjoy watching it." She teased, her voice laced with both amusement and a hint of a challenge.
Ezra's confidence didn't falter. "Winning is the only outcome," He declared, determinedly. He couldn't help but notice the playful glint in her eyes as she leaned back slightly, her posture relaxed but still very much aware. Is she a plant for me, I'm dying to know…
Is she Team Rocket?
He probably shouldn't be poking her with a stick to see how she reacts, but he was very bad at holding back his impulses to begin with.
"Sure, sure," Shae replied with a lazy drawl, her tone teasing. "Just don't come crying to me when she wipes the floor with you." She gave him a wink and started to walk off, but not before turning back one last time. "Good luck, by the way, love seeing you perform." She said with a flirty smile.
Ezra watched her go, his expression shifting into something more serious, his smile fading as he considered the situation. Despite her playful demeanor, there was something about Shae that still didn't sit right with him. This conversation hadn't been able to shake off the feeling that she might be more than just a tough trainer with a punk attitude. She was suspicious, no doubt about it.
Not long after meeting her, Team Rocket had tracked him down - noted him as a person of interest. Coincidence? That's what he was wondering…
He couldn't ignore the possibility that she was affiliated with Team Rocket or some other organization, keeping an eye on him for reasons unknown. It wasn't entirely unreasonable for her to be fighting in this tournament. But Johto is big enough it's odd that she, with her skill, happened to be where he was twice now.
She should be doing the circuit, kicking ass and taking names.
Whatever her motives, he couldn't afford to let his guard down. He had a tournament to win, and after that, he'd be heading back to Pewter City to continue his journey. There was no point in dwelling on Shae's intentions more now - he'd act if she mysteriously followed him again. He had a more immediate challenge to focus on.
Karen.
As he turned away from the battlefield and made his way back to the stands, Ezra's thoughts shifted back to his upcoming match. Karen was no ordinary trainer despite some of her less then desirable habits. Her connection to the Elite Four made her a formidable opponent in sheer knowledge available to her if nothing else, and she had shown time and time again that she was willing to do whatever it took to win.
He could see that from the way she commanded her Pokemon with such confidence and precision, never hesitating, never showing any sign of doubt in her decision, that she was a fighter through and through.
She likely thought she had all the advantages right now, Dark after all was effective against Ghosts. To the crowd, and to Karen. There was absolutely no way Ezra could win.
That attitude was exactly what he wanted.
There was a break, as Karen got the opportunity to heal her Pokemon, not that Ezra suspected she'd use the same ones now. So he hung around the edge of the stands, just waiting.
The final was here soon, the most important match.
The sun was beginning to set across the fighting area as the final preparations for the final match went into motion, the announcer hyping everything up. The crowd buzzed with excitement and plenty of betting could be seen taking place, making Ezra more confident that online betting on Pokemon matches would make him filthy rich once he got it going.
This was what they had all been waiting for since the first match. The climax of the tournament, the Orange League winner versus the Dark Apprentice.
As he made his way to the competitors' area, he caught a glimpse of Karen standing off to the side, her arms crossed over her chest and her eyes focused on something in the distance. She looked calm and composed, but he could sense the tension radiating off her in waves. She was angry, that much was clear, and he knew that her frustration could either be an advantage or a liability, depending on how he played his cards.
He wanted her angry, frustrated, likely to lash out, but not so angry she got coldly focused, taming it for her purpose and using it to her advantage instead of his.
He decided to keep his distance, not wanting to provoke her any further before the match. He needed her to be off her game, to be thinking more about him than about the battle ahead.
As he watched her from across the field, he couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement too. This was it - the moment he had been waiting for during the last three days. A chance to prove himself against one of the supposed best, to show that he was more than just a novice trainer with a few tricks up his sleeve. He was here to win, and nothing was going to stand in his way.
Don't cry too hard, Karen, daddy's only going to spank you a little…
…
Arceus, I'm glad I didn't say that out loud, Ezra cringed, looking away from Karen.
The hour-long break before the final match had felt stretched out, filled with restless energy of anticipation. The crowd were extremely loud and filled with excitement, the stands a sea of color and noise as vendors moved through the aisles selling refreshments and souvenirs. The organizers worked hard to hype up the final, their voices amplified by speakers, extolling the skills of the two finalists and building the tension to a fever pitch.
Ezra watched all of this from his spot in the competitors' area, a calm smile playing on his lips. He knew what was coming. Karen was a fierce opponent, and she would not hold back now. But he felt confident in his own abilities and those of his Pokemon. His hand moved almost unconsciously to the Pokeballs at his belt, his fingers brushing over their cool surface. She might be strong, but he had strength of his own. And advantages she couldn't comprehend.
He'd seen Karen's battle against Shae, and he understood the game she was playing. Just like him, Karen had been holding back, only for her it had almost cost her. She hadn't used her best Pokemon, conserving her strength and hiding her team for the final showdown. Shae had forced her to reveal a little more, but he knew that he hadn't seen everything she could do yet. He wasn't fooled by the near-defeat, it had been a case of Karen underestimating the opposition - Karen was a lot more formidable than she appeared.
Against him, it wouldn't matter.
He had his own plans for this battle, his own strategies that he had been saving for this moment. He was ready to face her strongest Pokemon with his own. He stroked the Pokeballs again, feeling the weight of them in his hands, a subtle smile playing at his lips. She'd face much stronger Pokemon in this final, too. Loki, Nyx, and Rider had been patiently waiting for this.
A loud horn sounded, signaling the competitors to take their places. Ezra stood up, stretching his arms above his head, and began his walk to the field. The crowd's noise swelled around him, a wave of sound that seemed to carry him forward. Across the field, he saw Karen stepping out from the opposite side. Her face was set in a determined expression, her jaw tight with focus.
Then she stopped, her eyes widening for just a moment as she took in the sight of an elderly woman now seated in the VIP section. Ezra recognized her immediately as he glanced that way - Lady Agatha of the Elite Four. The ghost type master, renowned and feared across Kanto and Johto alike, her presence alone enough to send a chill down the spine of even the bravest trainers.
Notably the seating around her section was suddenly a lot sparser.
Karen's pale face showed her surprise, clearly she hadn't been expecting her mistress to be here. It seemed Agatha had come on her own accord, her sharp eyes watching the proceedings, watching him.
Ezra caught Agatha's gaze, and for a brief moment, he felt the full weight of her scrutiny. Her eyes were like cold steel, piercing through him as if trying to see into his very soul. He suppressed the urge to shiver under that intense stare. He knew better than to show any sign of intimidation. Instead, he gave her a slow, respectful bow of his head, a gesture of acknowledgment and respect. He might enjoy messing with Karen, but Agatha was a different matter entirely.
Lady Agatha was one of the most powerful trainers in both regions, her influence and authority unmatched by all but a few. She commanded respect, and Ezra was not foolish enough to antagonize her unnecessarily. If she had come all this way to watch the final, it meant she was interested in something - perhaps in Karen's performance, or perhaps in his, since she'd been tracking him apparently. Either way, he knew this wouldn't end with the battle. He would have to talk to her, whether he wanted to or not. And how that conversation went would depend heavily on what happened next.
If he didn't dominate here, he'd be in a weaker position when Agatha laid out her demands, whatever it was she was pushing for in sending Karen chasing after him.
Karen seemed to recover quickly from her initial shock. Her face hardened into a mask of determination, her eyes never leaving Ezra's as she resumed her walk to the field. She looked even more serious than usual, her mouth set in a thin line, her shoulders squared. She was prepared to give it her all, no matter the outcome. Ezra could see it in her posture, in the way she moved with a fierce purpose.
Ezra took his place at his end of the field, his mind already running through the various scenarios that could play out. He could feel the weight of Agatha's gaze on him, a constant reminder of what was at stake.
He took a deep breath, exhaling slowly as he centered himself. He could do this. He had to do this. His position, his future, his very dreams depended on it - he couldn't be shackled to Agatha, which he suspected is why she sent Karen after him. He knew that Karen would come out strong, but he was ready for her. He had prepared for this, and he would give her everything he had - and he would crush her.
He would show Agatha that he wasn't some idiot rookie. That she couldn't just do what she wished with him.
The referee raised his hand, signaling the start of the match. The crowd fell into a hushed silence, the anticipation hanging thick in the air like a storm about to break. Ezra locked eyes with Karen across the field, a confident smile on his face. She returned his gaze with a look of fierce determination, her eyes burning with a competitive fire.
This is it, Ezra thought. Time to win.
The tournament's final match was about to begin, and the atmosphere was electric as the announcer screamed so hard into his microphone he became unintelligible. Spectators leaned forward in their seats, eager to see who would come out on top. Karen stood tall and confident, her lips pressed together in a tight line. Ezra faced her with a calm expression, his eyes cold and calculating.
The referee raised his flag, signaling the start of the battle. "Trainers, release your Pokemon!" The announcer screamed, before finally, mercifully, shutting up.
Karen acted first, sending out an Absol in a flash of white light. The Disaster Pokemon landed gracefully on the ground, its white fur shimmering under the stadium lights, the blade-like horn on its head gleaming with a deadly sharpness. Karen gave the Absol a nod of confidence, clearly relying on her Pokemon's agility and strength to overpower Ezra early in the fight and take a commanding lead.
Ezra, however, had a different strategy in mind. He released Nyx, his Spiritomb, onto the battlefield. The ghostly Pokemon materialized in a swirl of dark energy, its eerie purple and green visage eliciting murmurs from the crowd. Nyx floated above the ground, its hundreds of spectral dots shifting into faces and whispering in a haunting chorus.
Karen hesitated for a moment, her brows furrowing at the sight of the Ghost/Dark type. Not that she likely knew that, Ezra thought, the Spiritomb was not a well known Pokemon at this time.
She had confidence in her Pokemon's speed and power. "Absol, start with Taunt, then move in with Bite" She commanded, her voice firm.
Not a bad move, stopping Nyx from using status moves and then getting in close now that she can't be hit by Confuse Ray and the like, Ezra acknowledged. Unfortunately for her, that hadn't been his plan to begin with. Bite also wouldn't be as effective as she had planned if it hit, because Nyx was also a Dark Pokemon.
Absol leaped forward, its teeth glowing with a dark aura as it charged toward Nyx after having let out a cry, using Taunt. The crowd gasped at the Pokemon's speed, the air around Absol crackling with energy. But Ezra remained unfazed. "Nyx, Phantom Force," He said calmly.
Nyx's eyes glowed with an otherworldly light, before the Pokemon just disappeared, Absols attack missing, as there was nothing to hit. Suddenly Nyx reappeared again, the ghostly energy hitting Absol, who let out a cry, jumping back.
First blood, so to speak, Ezra thought, watching Karen with a smirk, what will you do?
Karen seemed incensed to have taken the first hit like that, her Pokemon not able to do anything. "Absol, Double Team and Night Slash, keep moving, don't let it surprise you"
Absol tried to follow her command, creating multiple afterimages of itself to confuse Nyx after firing off a Night Slash. But Ezra was one step ahead. "Nyx, SS2!"
Nyx disappeared, avoiding the Night slash, before appearing behind the Absol in a Shadow Sneak, immediately releasing a wave of dark energy that spread across the battlefield - a Dark Pulse. The attack hit all of Absol's afterimages, instantly revealing the real one. The Dark Pulse also struck Absol head on, sending it skidding back across the dirt a few feet, the Absol growling in anger.
As dark and ghost moves were both only half effective, Nyx hadn't done overly too much damage yet.
"Quick Attack and Bite, watch your back!" Karen called out, frustrated with the pace of the fight being entirely against her.
Ezra decided it was time to turn the battle decisively in his favor. His lips curled into a subtle smile. He flared his aura slightly, just enough to be felt by Absol. There was no visible sign of his action, but he saw the immediate effect. Absol, in the middle of a Quick Attack, hesitated, as it sensed the aura from him directly, stuttering to a halt. Leaving it wide open.
Karen's eyes widened in frustration. She didn't understand why Absol was acting so strangely, failing its move. "Focus, Absol! Use Quick Attack!" She called out, trying to get her Pokemon back on track.
But it was too late, Nyx was already right on it. "Nyx, Hypnosis," Ezra ordered softly, his aura actively pushing on Absol to not fight the technique.
The Taunt only lasted for the energy it took to fire off three attacks, or three turns in game terms. Which Nyx had already done. So status moves were back into play.
Nyx's eyes glowed once more, sending out hypnotic waves that enveloped Absol. The Pokemon's movements slowed, its eyes fluttering shut as it fell into a deep sleep. The crowd murmured in surprise - the match had only just begun, and already Karen was at a significant disadvantage.
Ezra looked at her, tilting his head, a pleasant smile on his face, "You can withdraw, or perhaps you want to see if Absol will wake up while Nyx uses Dream Eater."
At the word of the attack, Nyx immediately began, glowing with ghostly energy, which also enveloped Absol. Now Psychic type moves weren't very effective, Dark Pokemon resistive to them, but it was more of the point he was making.
I'm beating you with non-effective moves.
Karen clenched her fists, her frustration growing. She had underestimated Ezra, and now she was paying the price.
But she wasn't out of tricks yet. She could have switched Pokemon, and left the Absol for last, in hopes it would wake up as a Hail Mary if she was pushed that far, but instead she withdrew it, letting the referee know.
It was a pragmatic choice, ensuring Nyx wouldn't be able to either buff up, or prepare another technique while Karen switched. An immediate replacement forthcoming instead.
She quickly sent out her next Pokemon - a Gengar. The Ghost/Poison type emerged from its Pokeball with a mischievous grin, its body flickering like a shadow as it cried out its name, licking it's lips.
Ezra raised an eyebrow, knowing this was likely one of Karen's stronger Pokemon, trained by Agatha as she was - although not a Dark Pokemon - it was a fact that most specialists regularly had an ace or two in their back pocket. He decided to keep Nyx on the field, confident in his strategy and to be totally honest… His huge aura advantage.
Gengar's grin widened, eyes narrowing as it prepared to strike, just waiting on its mistress' orders.
Nyx was Dark as well as Ghost. Karen wasn't about to have a good time.
"Gengar, use Confuse Ray, then keep your distance and use Shadow Ball!" Karen commanded, her voice sharper now, no longer willing to take Ezra lightly. But, it was possible she was now being too careful.
Distance didn't matter overly much to Shadow Sneak. Not in a small field like this. "Nyx, Shadow Sneak out of the way." He ordered.
Nyx disappeared, the Confuse Ray missing, Karen immediately snapping out, "Turn around, attack!"
Gengar had already formed a dark ball of energy between its hands and immediately turned and hurled it toward Nyx. Ezra remained calm. "Nyx, Protect," He said quietly.
A translucent barrier appeared around Nyx just in time, absorbing the impact of Gengar's Shadow Ball. The crowd cheered at the display of defensive prowess. Karen's frustration was evident, she had yet to even hit him.
"Don't give it any breathing room! Gengar, use Sludge Bomb!" She shouted, doubling down on her attack, now that Nyx was right there.
Gengar prepared to launch a volley of toxic sludge at Nyx, aiming to overwhelm the protective shield. But Ezra anticipated her move. He flared his aura once more, and just as before with the Absol, Gengar's focus wavered, the attack slowing down as the Ghost Pokemon hesitated mid-through.
"Nyx, switch to Shadow Ball," Ezra ordered swiftly.
Nyx dropped its protective barrier and countered with its own Shadow Ball. The attack collided with Gengar in midair, causing a small explosion of ghostly energy. The force of the blast sent Gengar reeling back, and the crowd gasped at the intense exchange.
Karen's frustration turned into outright anger. She could feel Agatha's eyes on her from the stands, watching her every move. She couldn't afford to lose this match. "Gengar, regroup and use Thunderbolt!" She snapped out, switching to elemental attacks.
But Ezra was relentless. "Nyx, Shadow Ball again." His aura confused the Gengar, making it slow to react.
It wasn't fair. It wasn't nice. But winning was what mattered. And winning decisively mattered more.
Nyx released another ball of tightly compacted ghostly energy, and the Gengar, still momentarily distracted by Ezra's aura, was too slow to react. The attack hit it squarely, sending it crashing to the ground. Karen could only watch in disbelief as Gengar struggled to get back up.
She'd still failed to connect a single attack on Nyx.
Ezra seized the opportunity to finish it off. "Finish it with another Shadow Ball," He ordered, even as Karen shouted out, "Destiny Bond!" Trying to get something out of this.
Nyx gathered its energy and launched another Shadow Ball at Gengar. The attack struck with precision, and Gengar collapsed before it could finish its own last gasp attack, unable to continue. The referee raised his flag, signaling Gengar's defeat.
Karen was left with one Pokemon. She was backed into a corner, and Ezra had yet to lose any of his. She recalled the fainted Gengar, her jaw tight with frustration. She was furious, but she refused to let it show any further then that. She wouldn't give Ezra the satisfaction.
Karen sent out her final Pokemon, a Shiftry. The Grass/Dark type materialized on the field, its leafy hands swaying slightly as it sized up Nyx. Karen knew she had to turn this battle around, and quickly.
Ezra recalled Nyx, deciding to change tactics - he also didn't want to leave his next Pokemon pouting for the next week for not getting to play. He sent out Rider, his Ghost Marowak evolution. The crowd gasped at the sight of the unique Pokemon, its flaming bone club ignited with an eerie blue flame. Rider stood ready, eyes locked on Shiftry.
A Ghost/Fire type was a bad matchup for a Grass/Dark type. Karen was in for a quick finish.
Karen wasted no time. "Shiftry, Nasty Plot then hit it with a Sucker Punch!" She commanded.
Ezra wasn't about to let her have the time to pull both moves. "Rider. Fire Blast." He ordered with finality.
Rider was new to the move, so the fire blast was more compact, flying forward in a thin spray of white hot fire instead of a more all encompassing blast.
Karen's eyes widened in surprise. She hadn't expected Rider to toss out a fire attack, nor one of that caliber. "Shiftry, Protect!"
It was as easy as breathing to reach out and delay the Shiftry just that one critical second, the Pokemon crying out as the Fire Blast hit. Karen watched in absolute stupefaction, as she was beat without ever scoring a hit. Recalling her Pokemon rather than letting it continue suffering under the fire.
The crowd erupted in cheers as the referee raised his flag to signal Shiftry's defeat. The match was over. Ezra had won. There was a subdued quality to the cheer however. The crowd was almost confused at the easy victory, not to mention all the people who'd lost their bets.
Karen stared at the field in disbelief, her hands clenched into fists. She couldn't believe it. She had lost so easily. She had assumed too much, and Ezra had outmaneuvered her at every turn. Her face flushed with anger and embarrassment, but she refused to be a sore loser. She refused to humiliate herself more than she already had.
With a stiff expression, she walked across the battlefield to Ezra and extended her hand. "Good match," She said through gritted teeth, her voice taut with barely suppressed frustration.
Ezra accepted her handshake, feeling the strength in her grip as she tried to crush his hand. He met her gaze with a calm, unbothered expression, his grip firm but not retaliatory. "You fought well," He replied evenly.
She never stood a chance, but for once, he kept that to himself. There was such a thing as being a troll, and then there was beating a dead horse. He had some decency.
Karen's back remained rigid, her eyes fixed on Ezra's face as they shook hands. She was furious, but not just at him - she was angry at herself for underestimating him and letting her emotions get the better of her. She refused to look back toward the stands where she knew Lady Agatha was watching. The shame of losing in front of her mentor burned hotter than her defeat itself.
Just as Karen was about to release Ezra's hand, she felt a sudden, chilling touch on her shoulder. She jumped, her breath catching in her throat, and turned to see Lady Agatha standing behind her, as if she had appeared out of thin air. The elderly woman's face was expressionless, her eyes sharp and unreadable.
"You did as well as you could, considering the circumstances," Agatha said, her voice cool and measured. There was no judgment in her tone, but Karen could sense the underlying weight of her words. It was hard to tell if Agatha was disappointed or simply stating a fact.
Karen bit her lip, unsure of how to respond. She felt a mix of shame and frustration, but she knew better than to argue with her mentor. Before she could gather her thoughts, Agatha raised a wrinkled hand and cuffed her lightly on the back of the head.
"Girl, when I say something, it's the truth," Agatha snapped, a slight smile playing on her lips. "Don't make me repeat myself."
Karen nodded stiffly, her cheeks flushing as she fought to maintain her composure. "Yes, Lady Agatha," She mumbled, feeling like a scolded child.
The fact it was happening in front of Kassian made it one hundred times worse.
Meanwhile, Ezra had been trying to inch away from the uncomfortable scene, not wanting to draw any unnecessary attention to himself. He knew better than to get involved in whatever dynamic was at play between Karen and her mentor. But just as he was about to turn and slip away, he felt the weight of Agatha's gaze fall upon him.
"Ezra Kassian," Agatha said, her voice cutting through the noise of the crowd like a blade. "You're a hard young man to find. Come, let's chat, you and I."
Notably, the tournament should be having a prize ceremony, but no one seemed to be willing to approach them and disturb Agatha.
Ezra's body tensed. He had expected this moment but hoped it wouldn't come so soon. "Can't we just chat right now?" He asked, trying to keep his tone light while belatedly adding, "Lady Agatha," To maintain a semblance of politeness. And to remain in public view, where Agatha couldn't do anything too crazy if he flat out turned her down on whatever she wanted.
Agatha gave him a look that could have curdled milk. "I'm old, boy. I'm going to find a nice cushion to sit on before dealing with you," She replied, her smirk not quite reaching her eyes. She pointed a bony finger at him, and for a moment, Ezra wondered if she might actually zap him - like she was one of her Ghost Pokemon. "Karen, fetch us refreshments. I'll take over the referee's tent for now."
Karen's lips twitched in irritation, and she muttered under her breath, "I'm not a damn servant."
"What was that?" Agatha snapped, her tone sharp as a whip.
Karen yelped and immediately straightened up. "I'm on it, Lady Agatha!" She blurted out before rushing off to comply with her mentor's orders.
Agatha snorted softly, shaking her head as if bemused by Karen's behavior. "Youth, wasted on the young," She muttered, more to herself than to anyone else. Her gaze flickered back to Ezra. "You a smart mouth too, boy?"
Ezra considered lying, but really, what was the point? He gave a slight shrug and answered truthfully, "Of course." He wasn't enthused with being called boy, but he supposed when you got to Agatha's level of power - you could do, and say, whatever the fuck you wanted.
Because really? Who was going to stop her? He certainly wasn't going to pick a fight over just words.
Agatha sighed, leaning heavily on her cane. "Of course you are," She repeated, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. "Now, lend me your arm. Let an old lady lean on you as we walk."
Ezra hesitated, knowing full well that Agatha didn't need his assistance. She was one of the most formidable trainers in the region, if not the world, and her physical frailty was more an illusion than reality. But he couldn't refuse without being blatantly rude, and he had a feeling he would need every ounce of goodwill he could muster for whatever was coming next.
He forced a polite smile and offered his arm. "Of course, Lady Agatha," He said, trying to keep his tone respectful.
As they walked toward the referee's tent, the crowd parted for them, whispers and curious glances following in their wake. Ezra could feel the tension in the air, a mix of awe and apprehension directed at the elderly member of the Elite Four and the young upstart who had just bested her apprentice.
There's no way this conversation ends well…
Author's note:
Unfortunately for Karen, this was never going to end well for her in fighting Ezra. He's too well aware of Dark Pokemon, plus he had his cheaty aura to assist in confusing and distracting her Pokemon. The fact he has rare and unusual Pokemon didn't help. She didn't know Nyx was Dark, nor did she know Rider was Fire.
She also erroneously still held him in slight contempt for the way he acted, and underestimated his skills as a trainer. A lesson to learn, because with the information she had - she really shouldn't have. But it just means Ezra's mind games were working.
They won't on Agatha, so he'll have an interesting conversation ahead.
Sorry to those who expected an epic fight between the two. With her being a Dark Pokemon trainer - it just wasn't ever going to go down like that. Unless Ezra suddenly became chivalrous or something.
Cheers
JollyHippopotamus
A winner again on Patron, seems people really want to see Ezra vs Karen!
Or just to see him absolutely frustrate the crap out of her, could be some of that too.
And we once again will get actual Pokemon battles in this Pokemon story! Just in time for me to skip them for another chapter or two, maybe.
Named team:
Cheshire - Haunter
Loki - Shuppet
Nyx - Spiritomb
Rider - Alolan Marowak
Morrigan - Dreepy
Alduin - Deino
As usual, I do not own Pokemon or the associated companies that deliver material from it. I'm just playing in the kiddy pool, don't hurt me.
Enjoy!
Johto,
The sun hung high over the Battle Tower's front lawn, casting bright rays across the rows of makeshift battle arenas. Ezra stood confidently on his side of the field, rolling his shoulders and cracking his neck. The crowd buzzed with anticipation, excited to see the first match of the tournament begin. He could feel their energy humming through the air like an electric current.
With both himself, a League winner - even if most here had hardly even heard of the Orange League - and Karen, the apprentice of an Elite Four, there was an amazing buzz going through the tournament at the moment.
Across from him, his opponent was a bug type specialist, sporting a cocky grin and holding three badges pinned to his vest as a show of pride. Ezra noted the badges - Violet City's Zephyr Badge, Azalea Town's Hive Badge, and Goldenrod City's Plain Badge. Not too shabby, at least compared to his last tournament. The bug trainer (who's name he'd already forgotten - because really, bugs?) already had his first Pokeball in hand, eagerly awaiting the start of the match.
Karen, sitting in the stands with her arms crossed, watched Ezra with a dark expression. Her eyes were locked on him, her jaw tight. She wasn't hiding her annoyance, not after the morning's embarrassing encounter. Ezra spotted her in the crowd and couldn't resist the opportunity. With a mischievous grin, he blew her a playful kiss, causing a few spectators around her to chuckle. Karen's glare only intensified, her hands balling into fists.
She was really making it all too easy for Ezra. She was wound up way too tightly, especially for someone in her position. Although he supposed she had a lot of growing up to do still before she took over one of the Elite Four slots.
The referee called a start to the match, Ezra just cooly watching his opponent, fingers stroking one of his Pokeballs.
"Ready, Ezra?" the bug trainer called, not waiting for an answer before he began anyway, "Alright, let's see what you've got. Go, Scyther!" the bug trainer shouted, tossing his first Pokeball onto the field.
With a flash of light, a Scyther appeared, its twin scythes gleaming under the sun. It sliced the air with a few practice swings, showing off its speed and sharpness. Ezra considered his options. He knew bug types had an advantage over dark, but he felt Alduin could handle himself fairly well if needed, but that didn't mean he couldn't use Morrigan first to his advantage, softening the enemy up a little.
Bugs might be dangerous for his little dark dragon, but against his ghostly dragon, they would fall. He tilted his head idly, watching the Scyther, a thought coming to him. Perhaps he could do Brock a favor and get him a Kleavor? He would have to source some black augurite, but it shouldn't be impossible. Another one to add to the list for his Pokemon breeder farm. Brock would get it for free, of course - he'd stood up to an Elite Four for him, a completely new bug/rock evolution was a nice enough thanks.
"Let's start with you, Morrigan," Ezra called, releasing his Dreepy onto the field. Morrigan hovered slightly above the ground, her spectral form shimmering in the sunlight, her eyes sharp and focused.
The crowd murmured in surprise, all of them unfamiliar with the unique form of a Dreepy. "What's that?" One of the spectators called out. "Looks like some kind of ghost type…"
Karen leaned forward slightly, intrigued despite herself. Morrigan, eh? So he's the kind of loser who names his Pokemon? Tch… So this new type is what he's been hiding…
"Scyther, Quick Attack into X-Scissor!" the bug trainer ordered. Scyther moved with blinding speed, becoming a blur of green and silver as it closed the gap between them in an instant.
"Morrigan, use Quick Attack to dodge, Confuse Ray on your previous location!" Ezra commanded calmly. Just as Scyther was about to strike, Morrigan disappeared in a blur as well due to her Quick Attack, before reappearing, curled up and chirping as she fired a Confuse Ray that hit Scyther even as his trainer shouted for it to dodge.
Unfortunately for Ezra, the Confuse Ray didn't seem to stick very well, the Scyther shaking it off to the cheers of the bug trainer.
"Nice try, but that won't stop us! Scyther, Fury Cutter, watch out for Quick Attacks!" The bug trainer clenched his fist in excitement as Scyther threw itself forward, slashing at Morrigan.
"Tank it and Bite." Ezra ordered, not overly worried, the bug move wouldn't be super effective and he believed Morrigan would do more damage back with the Scyther within reach.
The Scyther slashed at Morrigan, while Morrigan gathered the dark energy necessary, her small jaw gleaming as she sinuously stretched around the strikes to Bite Scyther's left shoulder, something giving away with a loud crackling crunch.
The Scyther let out a cry, backpedaling even as his trainer shouted worriedly, Morrigan barely damaged from the Scyther's strikes. Ezra also knew that with Morrigan having the ability cursed body, there was even a chance the Scyther's attack would have disabled Fury Cutter going forward. Not that it would matter.
Ezra didn't flinch at the Pokemon's cry. He was already moving ahead with the next move. "Morrigan, use Dragon Tail!"
Morrigan darted forward with surprising speed, her tail glowing with a brilliant draconic energy. Scyther barely had time to react before Morrigan's tail slammed into its chest, sending it skidding back across the field, tumbling uncontrollably, fainted already. The trainer immediately called Scyther back to its Pokeball, looking like he was caught off guard, fumbling to grab his next one.
Unlike Alduin, Morrigan had immediately taken to draconic attacks, especially Dragon Tail, likely because Morrigan was practically all tail to begin with.
"What the - ? Fine, let's go, Butterfree!" The bug trainer shouted, tossing out his second Pokeball.
Butterfree appeared in a burst of light, fluttering above the field with its wings glistening in the sun. It let out a soft, melodic cry, ready to fight.
"Morrigan, switch out!" Ezra called, recalling Dreepy and immediately throwing out his next choice. "Alduin, it's your turn!"
Alduin would be harmed easier by bug type moves which is why he hadn't started with him, but Butterfree was mainly useful for two things, status moves, and psychic moves. Psychic moves would be useless, and Alduin was agile and quick enough to hopefully not run into problems - he needed the experience anyway.
Deino burst onto the field, a fierce growl escaping its lips as it bared its teeth, eager for the fight. The crowd cheered at the sight of another Pokemon they'd never seen before. It was really throwing the announcer off, a guy Ezra barely paid attention to, other then to note with amusement his confusion about Ezra's Pokemon.
"Butterfree, Sleep Powder!" The bug trainer ordered quickly, predictably, trying to regain control of the match. Butterfree's wings began to flutter rapidly, releasing a shimmering cloud of powder that drifted towards Alduin.
"Counter it with Dragon Breath!" Ezra said lazily. Alduin inhaled deeply and released a focused burst of blue, fiery energy from its mouth. The blast cut through the air, dispersing the cloud of Sleep Powder and striking Butterfree head on. Butterfree screeched as the Dragon Breath hit, sending it spinning through the air.
Alduin wasn't the greatest with his control of the draconic energy yet however, so it neither took the Butterfree out, nor fully dispersed the cloud, due to being a more focused weaker beam, which meant the Sleep Powder would be slowly drifting down shortly, spread out, instead of concentrated, but still a concern.
"Butterfree, into the air, Sleep Powder again! Fill the field!" The bug trainer yelled out.
"Scary Face, Bite!" Ezra continued without missing a beat. Alduin used Scary Face, making the Butterfree stagger slightly, slowed down in its ascent, before he charged forward leaping into the air. He clamped his jaws down on Butterfree's wing, dragging the bug-type down to the ground with a solid thud.
The crowd gasped, impressed by the ferocity of the attack. Butterfree struggled, its wings fluttering weakly as it tried to break free.
"Come on, Butterfree, use Confusion!" The bug trainer called desperately. Butterfree's eyes glowed with a psychic energy. But the dragon/dark Pokemon held firm, its jaws locked tightly around Butterfree's wing, a psychic move wasn't going to be enough, especially with the dark energy suffusing Butterfrees wound.
"Alduin, finish it with Bite!" Ezra commanded. Alduin released the Butterfree just long enough to unleash another powerful bite around its face. Butterfree let out a pained cry before collapsing to the ground, fainted. Ezra couldn't help but shake his head, the kid should have recalled his Pokemon when it was caught.
Well, not that he overly cared anyway.
The referee raised a flag, as the announcer called out, in an overly hyped way, "Butterfree is unable to battle! Is there no end to the surprises Ezra Kassian will bring us!"
The crowd erupted in cheers, some of them shouting in excitement due to the new Pokemon. Ezra could hear a few voices in the stands calling out in surprise at how quickly the battle was turning in his favor. He was still badgeless after all.
Ezra clicked his tongue, like badges are a true measure…
Karen watched with narrowed eyes, her expression a mix of frustration and begrudging respect. The kid's not bad… but I've seen better. This doesn't change anything. Her eyes were fixated on the Pokemon he had on the field however. She could recognize a dark type when she saw it. She wanted one.
The bug trainer gritted his teeth, recalling Butterfree and quickly sending out his final Pokemon - luckily the waste of time had blown away most of the sleep powder, although Alduin was still clearly affected. "Beedrill, I choose you!" The bee-like bug type zipped onto the field, its twin stingers ready and gleaming, buzzing angrily as it took flight.
Ezra decided it was time to switch tactics again, Alduin would be sluggish anyway. "Alduin, come back. Morrigan, you're up again!"
Morrigan reappeared on the field, her ghostly form flickering as she floated above the ground, her eyes locked onto Beedrill immediately, an absolutely delighted thrill erupting from her at the sight of another enemy.
"Beedrill, use Fury Cutter then Poison Sting when you disengage!" The bug trainer shouted. Beedrill darted forward, its stingers glinting in the light as it thrust them towards Morrigan with deadly precision.
"Quick Attack behind and use Confuse Ray!" Ezra countered. Morrigan seemed to almost phase out of existence for a split second, avoiding the attack entirely, then reappearing in a Quick Attack behind Beedrill, her eyes glowing with a sinister light. A burst of ghostly energy shot out from her eyes, enveloping Beedrill and causing it to wobble in mid-air, its movements erratic and uncoordinated as it got confused.
"Beedrill, snap out of it! Poison sting! Now!" The bug trainer yelled, frustration clear in his voice. Ezra thought he needed to be quicker to immediately counter his own orders, something he'd found a lot so far. People weren't quick on giving up on what they'd already ordered. They needed to be more willing to drop an already failed strategy to adapt to a changed circumstance.
Well, something to work on when he had brats sniveling all across his hall when he was a gym leader…
"Let's finish this, Morrigan. Use Dragon Tail again!" Ezra ordered calmly, the fight already over. Morrigan darted forward, her tail glowing brightly as she slammed into Beedrill, sending it crashing into the ground with a loud thud. Beedrill buzzed weakly, trying to rise, but it was clear it was too exhausted to continue, and eventually it just put its head down.
The referee raised the flag again, the announcer screaming into a microphone, "Beedrill is unable to battle! The winner is Ezra Kassian, the Orange League champion moves on!"
The crowd erupted into cheers, a wave of excitement rippling through the stands. Ezra stood tall, a satisfied smile on his face as he recalled Morrigan back to her Pokeball. He glanced up at the stands, catching Karen's eye once more. He blew her another playful kiss, his grin widening as he saw her eyes narrow in annoyance.
In the stands, Karen folded her arms and leaned back in her seat, her expression dark but still remaining composed. "You got lucky this time facing a bug loser, Kassian. Don't get too cocky," She muttered under her breath. But despite her irritation, she couldn't deny that he had handled the battle decently for a rookie. There was more to him than she initially thought - he was still no match for her, though.
She couldn't wait to beat some respect into his face.
Although… Those new Pokemon… Her eyes narrowed as she stood up, exiting the stands. As annoying as it is, Lady Agatha will rip me a new one if I don't find out what they were.
Minutes later,
Ezra moved briskly through the winding paths behind the stands, his mind buzzing with the adrenaline rush of his recent victory. The air was thick with the excitement of the crowds and the mingling scents of freshly popped corn and spicy skewers, filling his nostrils as he navigated past food stalls and vendor carts. The sun beat down harshly on them, but the shadows cast by the stands offered a bit of a reprieve where he was. His stomach rumbled, reminding him he hadn't eaten for a while.
"Guess it's time for some refreshments," Ezra muttered to himself. He could still hear the roars of the crowd, the battles continuing on the field, but he allowed himself this brief moment to unwind. Winning the first round felt good, and seeing Karen fuming in the stands was a bonus he hadn't anticipated but relished nonetheless.
As he approached a small, less crowded corner near the back of the stands where a drink stall stood, a familiar, sharp voice cut through the din, stopping him in his tracks.
"Ezra Kassian! You have some explaining to do!" Karen's voice was tight, a mix of anger and frustration. She stepped out from the shadows of the stand's support beams, her expression a stormy mix of determination and annoyance.
Ezra turned slowly, a deliberate, amused smirk playing on his lips. "Karen," He greeted, feigning surprise. "What a pleasant surprise. To what do I owe the pleasure?"
Karen stormed up to him, her face flushed with either anger or the heat - or maybe a bit of both. "Don't play dumb with me! I want to know what the hell kind of Ghost Pokemon that was. And that Dark Pokemon! And why could they use a Dragon type move?"
Ezra's smirk widened into a sly grin as he raised an eyebrow. "Dragon type move? I'm afraid I have no idea what you're talking about." He said with a casual shrug, deliberately keeping his tone light and dismissive. "You must be mistaken."
A more fun way, in his opinion - to say none of your business.
Karen's eyes narrowed, her jaw tightening. "Don't lie to me, you brat! I know what I saw. Your Pokemon used Dragon Tail and Dragon Breath! They're obviously a Ghost and a Dark Pokemon, how did you teach them Dragon moves?"
Heh, apparently it's still too unbelievable to believe they could possibly be a dragon and a ghost/dark Pokemon. Ezra thought, deciding there was no point in satisfying her demands.
"Oh, that," Ezra said nonchalantly, waving a hand as if brushing away a fly. "Must have been your imagination. Morrigan and Alduin are just regular Ghost and Dark Pokemon, nothing special about them, perhaps you're suffering from heatstroke?"
Karen's fists clenched at her sides, her knuckles turning white. "I'm not stupid, Kassian. I know what I saw, stop hiding it. Stop messing with me!"
Ezra put on an expression of mock innocence, placing a hand on his chest. "Me? Messing with you? Hiding something? I would never!" He looked at her with wide, exaggerated eyes. "I'm an open book, Karen. Really, you should learn to trust people more." He leaned forward, as if to share a secret, "You keep frowning like that you'll get wrinkles."
Karen's face was starting to turn a deeper shade of red, her frustration clearly mounting. "You're infuriating!" She spat, stepping closer to him. "I won't let you mess with me like this. I'm going to figure out what you're hiding, one way or another. There's no way you got two new Pokemon like that, I'll find out who's backing you, you insufferable brat!"
Ezra chuckled softly, taking a step back to keep a polite distance. "Hey, your face is getting awfully red. You sure you're okay? Let me buy you a drink to cool down. I'm a nice guy like that, after all."
Before she could protest, Ezra turned to the drink stall, ordering two cold lemonades. The vendor handed them over with a cheerful smile, somehow unaware of the tension in the air. Ezra turned back to Karen, holding out one of the cups. "Here, drink up. It's on me."
Karen snatched the cup from his hand, her eyes never leaving his face. "You're trying to make me lose my cool, aren't you? That's your strategy. You don't think you can beat me, so you're trying to set me off, make me make mistakes."
Ezra took a slow sip of his drink, his smile never fading. "If you say so," He replied, his tone deliberately casual, almost indifferent.
Karen's eyes narrowed further, her suspicion growing. "You won't fool me, Kassian. This is all an act. You're trying to wind me up."
Ezra raised his eyebrows slightly, his smile widening just a fraction. "I'm sure you're right," He said, his voice smooth and agreeable. "You seem to have everything figured out, Karen."
Karen's face twitched with irritation, her fists clenched tighter. She could feel the heat rising in her cheeks, and she hated that he was getting under her skin so easily. But she refused to let him see just how much he was affecting her any longer, she was better than this. She crossed her arms over her chest, trying to regain some semblance of control. "I'm not going to fall for your mind games, Kassian. You can't get to me that easily."
Ezra just nodded, taking another sip of his drink. "Of course not. I wouldn't dream of it."
The nonchalant response only made Karen's anger flare hotter. She growled low in her throat, feeling her composure slipping. She hated how he seemed to be enjoying this, how he was so calm and collected while she was seething inside. She forcibly calmed herself down, refusing to show her frustration any further.
She was sure now, he was scared of her battle prowess, and he was trying to force her into making mistakes in anger later.
Ezra watched her with calm amusement, his eyes twinkling with mischief. He knew exactly what he was doing, and he was enjoying every moment of it. Karen was so easy to provoke, her reactions so predictable. It was almost too easy to mess with her.
Karen finally let out a frustrated huff, turning on her heel to leave. "Fine! Play your little games. But this isn't over, Kassian. I'll find out what you're hiding, and when I do, you'll regret it."
Ezra gave her a little wave as she stormed off, a satisfied smile on his lips. "Looking forward to it," He called after her, watching as she disappeared into the crowd.
He turned back to the drink stall, taking another sip of his lemonade. "What an interesting girl," He muttered to himself, shaking his head. "So easy to rile up. She's practically doing half the work for me." How she ever got to become Agatha's apprentice of all people I can't understand.
As he stood there, enjoying his drink and the brief respite from the tournament, he couldn't help but feel a sense of deeper satisfaction with how things were progressing. He knew he was getting under Karen's skin, and that was exactly what he wanted. She was clearly on edge, and if he could keep her off-balance, it would make things much easier when they eventually faced off in battle.
Her knowing that was what he was doing wouldn't change that - her temper had too much of a hair trigger for her to control yet. She wasn't an Elite Four, and was years away from that version of her. If anything he was helping her by making her see her own flaws so early.
That was his story, and he was sticking to it.
He leaned back against the stand, watching the crowd bustle around him. The atmosphere was electric, the excitement of the tournament clear in the very air as the crowd constantly cheered. Trainers and spectators moved through the area, their voices a constant hum of chatter and laughter. Ezra took it all in, enjoying the moment of calm before the storm. He wouldn't have his next match for hours yet, and then the next two the next day, saving the semi-final and the final for the third day.
He glanced over to where Karen had disappeared, a thoughtful expression on his face. She was a tough one, no doubt about that. But he wasn't worried. He knew how to handle people like her. All it took was a little patience, a little strategy, and a lot of bullshitting.
And Ezra had all three in spades.
With a final sip of his drink, he pushed off the stand and made his way back towards the tournament grounds. There were still more battles to see, more challenges for Morrigan and Alduin to test their teeth on. And he was ready for all of them.
Victory would taste all the sweeter this time around thanks to Karen…
Final day of the tournament.
Ezra sat in the stands, eyes narrowed in concentration as he watched the battles below unfold. It was the third day of the tournament, and he'd managed to crush his way through to the finals with relative ease, mostly relying on Morrigan and Alduin. Cheshire had come out a few times, but more as a show to keep his opponents guessing rather than out of necessity. He'd observed Karen's battles when he could, finding her strategic ruthlessness to be both impressive and disappointing in turn - she was also mired in the proper way of doing things, despite being a dark Pokemon trainer. Though she had not openly acknowledged him since their last heated encounter, he could feel the tension between them simmering every time they crossed paths.
For some reason the girl really didn't like him. And he'd been so kind too…
Karen had made it to the semifinals without much difficulty. Her style was sharp and unforgiving, much like a honed blade. She had cut through her competition with a mix of cunning and overwhelming force, mostly the latter if he was honest. He knew she was a favorite to win - as an apprentice to the Elite Four, she was a cut above the rest of the competition.
He just couldn't beat back the slight feeling of disappointment. She wasn't an Elite Four, sure, and wouldn't be for a long while yet. But he'd somehow expected more. She was definitely vicious, cunning and had the fundamentals down to a tee. What she wasn't, was creative.
Everything she was doing, he'd already seen or thought of, there were no surprises. He was hoping it was a case of her taking it easy on the scrubs, or their fight would be a cakewalk.
Especially with his cheaty aura which he already knew affected even trainers Dark Pokemon.
Ezra had spent much of his time outside the tournament training in the forests around the Battle Tower, honing his skills and preparing his team for the final match. He hadn't been keeping up with the other competitors much, figuring that Karen would handle them easily enough. But as the announcer's voice boomed through the arena, he leaned forward with interest. The day's final semifinal match was about to begin, and Karen would be facing Shae, the punkish girl he'd met before.
He hadn't even realized she was here.
The sight of her made him narrow his eyes in thought. Shae. He hadn't expected to see her again, especially not in the semifinals of this tournament. She must have been doing well to make it this far - and she hadn't approached him, despite likely having seen him battling... Did that make her more suspicious or less? He watched her stroll onto the field opposite Karen, her leather jacket and spiked choker standing out amongst the competition. Her expression was calm, almost bored, but even from his position, Ezra could see the intensity behind her eyes. She had a way of hiding her seriousness behind that nonchalant exterior, much like himself.
Albeit he tended to go from nonchalant to asshole from one second to the next.
Karen, on the other hand, looked as fierce and determined as ever. Her silvery blue hair fell around down her back in waves, and her eyes were sharp, focused. She was a striking contrast to Shae's more rebellious look - poised, with an air of authority. The crowd was abuzz with anticipation, the chatter growing louder as they watched, eager for what would likely be an excellent fight.
Ezra leaned forward in his seat, his interest piqued. This might be the first match where Karen would actually have to break a sweat. He wanted to see how Shae would handle herself against someone of Karen's caliber too. The announcer's voice rang out again, signaling the start of the battle.
"This will be a three-on-three match! Trainers, send out your first Pokemon!" The normal statement was immediately followed by the man making a dramatic sweeping motion, almost swallowing the microphone as he yelled out, "Will this rebellious punk throw down the princess of the dark! Let's find out!"
Not surprisingly, both Shae and Karen threw him disgusted looks, before focusing back on each other.
Karen wasted no time after that. She threw her Pokeball into the air with a confident flick of her wrist. "Honchkrow, let's go!"
In a flash of light, her Honchkrow appeared on the field, its glossy feathers shimmering under the bright stadium lights. It cawed loudly, its red eyes fixed on Shae with a predatory gleam.
Shae smirked and sent out her own Pokemon. "Envy, it's your turn!"
Her Koffing materialized, hovering in the air with its usual toxic fumes slowly seeping out. The gas cloud seemed thicker this time, almost as if Shae had been preparing it for something special. Training him up for a rematch with me, maybe? Ezra through, eyes on the match intently.
Karen didn't waste any time. "Honchkrow, use Air Cutter, take to the sky, stay out of range, evasive maneuvers!" She commanded.
Honchkrow's wings glowed as it swooped up in the air, before whirling at Koffing, slashes of air shooting towards the Pokemon, moving with blinding speed. Shae's eyes narrowed.
"Envy, use Smokescreen V2, then push yourself out of the way with Belch!"
Koffing spewed out a thick purplish cloud of smoke, obscuring itself just as Honchkrow's attack closed in. A loud Belch was heard immediately, and the Pokemon must have moved itself with the force of the Belch, because as the attack from the dark bird Pokemon sliced through the smoke, there was no sound of pain indicating a hit.
"Nice try, I saw you mix that smokescreen with poison gas." Karen called out, smirking, before slashing down with one arm, "Honchkrow, Hurricane!"
The crowd leaned forward, gasping at the fast-paced exchange. Shae was clearly playing a tactical game, using her Koffing's abilities to create a defensive wall and keep Karen's Honchkrow at bay. And now Karen was moving to remove said obstacle.
Honchkrow flapped its powerful wings and darted around over the smokescreen with swift, precise motions, wind whirling around inside the smokescreen as it surrounded the Koffing in a hurricane, pulling the gas and smokescreen both into it. Except, Shae didn't look worried, Ezra chuckling as he realized she'd pulled a fast one again, just like she'd done against him.
Koffing wasn't in the smokescreen anymore.
"I guess you got me!" Shae called out, making Karen's eyes narrow, as she studied the field, trying to see what she'd missed, immediately cottoning on to something being wrong, Shaw calling out, "Toxic!"
Despite Honchkrow's agility, it could not avoid the attack entirely as Koffing erupted from the earth and spat out a deluge of toxin straight at it. Karen's eyes narrowed, seeing the faint purple tint spread across Honchkrow's feathers. Poisoned. Badly poisoned at that.
Ezra's smile widened. This was more like it. Shae was fighting smart, using every advantage she could. But Karen was no pushover, and he knew she would retaliate fiercely. If he wasn't mistaken, Shae had once again used Koffing as a specific set up, having studied Karen. That purplish smokescreen hadn't been poisoned as Karen had thought, that had, pardon the pun, been a smokescreen.
She'd focused Karen on the smokescreen calling it V2 to make Karen think exactly what she'd done, while to Koffing V2 meant dig and wait for her command. The Koffing would have had to be pretty close to the surface to catch that, hence why Shae hadn't wanted Karen to look away from her smokescreen.
"Honchkrow, use Perish Song!" Karen commanded, her voice steady and calm despite the fact the first round was practically her loss. Perish Song would ensure Koffing went out with Honchkrow at least as long as Honchkrow could hold on that long. As badly poisoned as the bird was, it would have been unlikely to defeat Koffing on its own before fainting otherwise.
Honchkrow immediately began to sing an eerie and haunting melody, the crowd quieting down for a moment, just listening.
Ezra knew that unlike a game mechanic where just switching out the Pokemon ended a Perish Song, here, it worked no matter what, within 2-3 minutes. Which was about the time it would take Pokemon to fire off 2-3 full attacks - after which both Pokemon would faint.
It was a good enough move from Karen, making sure a falling asset took the other side with it. Making up for her getting caught off guard and almost losing the first round uncontested.
"Envy, we go on our own terms!" Shae shouted. "Use Explosion!"
Ezra blinked, somewhat exasperated by the unnecessary attack brought out by Shae's sheer ruthlessness. She was going for the double knockout on her terms. The Koffing began to glow ominously, building up energy, sitting almost directly below the Honchkrow.
Karen had time to order the Pokemon to fly away, but showing her own ruthlessness, did not do so. Considering both Pokemon were destined to faint within the next minute or two anyway, she obviously didn't see a point.
Ezra approved.
No need to act like they were dying or anything. They were just fainting, best to get it over with. Now if her Pokemon had a move to change the terrain or lay a trap before fainting, that was a different matter…
Koffing detonated, the explosion sending a shockwave through the arena. Dust and debris filled the air, and the crowd gasped in shock and thrill at how the first round of their fight came to an end. When the dust settled, both Pokemon lay fainted on the ground. A draw for the first round.
Both trainers recalled their Pokemon. Shae was still smirking, clearly unfazed by the loss of her Koffing, likely feeling like she'd still come out ahead in the mental battle. Karen, however, looked more serious than before.
She'd been skating through so far in the tournament, so likely this was a bit of a wake up call.
"Let's see how you handle this," Karen muttered, throwing her next Pokeball. "Sneasel, let's make a meal out of the punk's Pokemon!"
A Sneasel appeared, crouching low with its claws outstretched, eyes gleaming with malice. It hissed at Shae, who only grinned in response, not appearing bothered in the slightest.
"Alright, Pride, time to shine!" Shae called, releasing her Arbok. The snake Pokemon hissed loudly, its hood flaring out to reveal the intimidating pattern. The crowd cheered, clearly excited by the match-up.
"Sneasel, use Snowscape!" Karen commanded without hesitation.
Sneasel practically cackled, as a snowstorm erupted over the field, reducing visibility, and buffing Sneasel's ice attacks going forward. At the same time as Karen called out her attack, Shae had called out her own, the moment the word Snow - exited Karen's mouth.
"Pride, use Dig, plan three!"
Arbok slithered quickly, as it burrowed underground, avoiding the snowstorm in totality. Karen loudly clicked her tongue, annoyed by her opponent's propensity to dig underground.
Ezra privately thought Shae would be destroyed by anyone with Earthquake or similar techniques if she kept fighting with the same type of moves. Or perhaps she's just being tactical. After all, the odds of a Honchkrow and a Sneasel having those types of moves were practically zero.
"Get ready, Sneasel," Karen said, eyes sharp. "Light feet."
Ezra watched with interest. With the way the Pokemon reacted to Karen's order. Ezra had a feeling Karen as well was finally playing the same game - hiding her order behind something else.
Arbok erupted from the ground behind Sneasel, fangs bared, lit up with fire energy as it executed a Fire Fang. Sneasel cried out at the effective move, before its claws seemed to blur, as it struck back, the Arbok tossed back hissing in pain, curling up on itself a few feet away.
Counter. Ezra thought, enjoying the match. Karen knew an attack was coming and that she'd likely take some damage even if she ordered Sneasel to dodge, so she primed Sneasel to hit back twice as hard, take damage, but damage the enemy more. A calculated risk.
The Arbok was hissing in pain but quickly recovered, coiling around to face Sneasel. Both trainers called out orders at the same time.
"Pride, use Glare!" Shae shouted, no doubt hoping to ensure Sneasel couldn't use its greater agility against her.
At the same time Karen called out, "Ice Beam!"
Arbok's eyes glowed a menacing red, and Sneasel froze in place just as it was starting to fire an Ice Beam, paralyzed. Karen's face tightened in frustration. If the Ice Beam had gone off, in the snowstorm that was raging and enhancing Sneasel's attacks, Arbok would have been done for.
Shae had a lot of luck in this round, Glare only had a minor chance to so fully paralyze the opposing Pokemon.
"Finish it with another Fire Fang!" Shae commanded, a cool smirk on her face, as she winked teasingly at Karen, making the girl grit her teeth in frustration.
I'm not the only one who's noticed how easily riled up she is… Ezra thought with some amusement. It's likely Agatha beat that out of here by the time she took over her spot.
Arbok lunged at the immobile Sneasel, its fangs glowing with fire energy. The attack struck true, and Sneasel crumpled to the ground, completely done. The referee raised his flag, signaling the end of the round, Shae now having two Pokemon left. Karen - one.
The crowd erupted into cheers and gasps, clearly impressed by Shae's performance and shocked at the fact Karen was losing. Ezra couldn't help but smile. He wasn't sure if Karen could pull back or not, but if she did - this humiliation - or at least it would feel like it for her - would only further prime her to be off her game when fighting him.
Fighting Shae in the final instead, with Karen watching impotently from the side… Had its own charm too.
Karen recalled her Sneasel, her face calm but her eyes blazing with determination. "You're better than I thought," She muttered, loud enough for Shae and the audience to hear, thanks to the microphones, some self recrimination in her voice.
Shae just grinned, clearly enjoying the fight. "You're not bad yourself, Princess," She taunted, using the announcer's moniker for her.
Karen ignored the jibe and released her final Pokemon. "Weavile, let's end this."
Smart, Sneasel set up the field, it should last for another couple attacks at least. She might be down in Pokemon count, but she has field advantage and an already weakened Pokemon, Ezra began feeling more confident that Karen might pull this off.
He did want that fight after all.
Her Weavile emerged, growling lowly as it glared at Arbok. The crowd murmured, sensing the intensity of the battle about to unfold - knowing that Karen was up against the wall.
Again they called out their orders simultaneously, "Fire Fang!" From Shae, and "Ice Beam!" Snapped out by Karen.
Arbok didn't stand a chance, Shae had picked the wrong move this time, all it did was make sure Arbok was right in the face of Weavile when the overpowered Ice Beam hit it point blank.
Shae recalled her Arbok, looking chagrined at her own faulty decision, and sent out her final Pokemon. "Greed, it's your turn!"
Her Croagunk appeared, its eyes darting around the field as it bounced lightly on its feet. Ezra's eyes narrowed in thought, she's using the same three Pokemon, so I wont have any idea what else she has to use against me in the final if she wins… It puffed up its cheeks, its bright orange fingers flexing as it prepared for the coming battle. The crowd grew silent, sensing the tension in the air. Both trainers knew that this match could go either way, and neither was willing to give an inch.
Karen wasted no time, her voice clear and commanding. "Weavile, Blizzard!"
In the midst of the icy battlefield, Weavile crouched low. With a swift, fluid motion, it raised its clawed hands to the snowy sky, summoning a swirling storm of snow and ice. The temperature dropped rapidly as the blizzard began to form, the wind howling with a fierce intensity. With a sharp cry, Weavile unleashed its Blizzard attack, sending a torrent of frigid snowflakes and shards of ice crashing toward its opponent. The air crackled with the chill of the freezing onslaught, as the relentless storm threatened to overwhelm anything in its path.
Shae remained calm. "Greed, Dig and Snipe!" She ordered, the moment Weavile began its attack.
Just as the Blizzard exploded across the field, Croagunk dove underground, narrowly avoiding the blast. The ground froze over completely where the Blizzard struck, and a plume of snow rose up, temporarily obscuring the battlefield.
Ezra leaned forward, eyes narrowing as he tried to anticipate the next move. This battle was now down to who got a decisive strike in first, with both trainers trying to outthink the other. Karen's face was a mask of concentration, while Shae's expression remained unreadable. Her use of dig in every fight was going to work against her, Ezra suspected.
There was no way Karen would allow herself to be hit the same way again. Still, she was also vulnerable, as Croagunk was a Fighting/Poison type, and fighting was very effective against Weavile.
"Stay on your toes, Weavile," Karen called out, her voice steady. "Wait for it..."
Weavile tensed, its body low to the ground, muscles coiled and ready. The earth rumbled slightly, beneath its paws, signaling Croagunk's imminent reemergence.
"Endure and Avalanche!" Karen shouted just as Croagunk burst from the ground behind Weavile.
The Croagunk slammed into Weavile with a Cross Chop, the move super effective, Weavile groaning around the strike, but with a sinister grin on its face. Due to Endure, Weavile couldn't faint from this attack, and right after, Avalanche slammed into the Croagunk, the nice doubling in damage due to Weavile taking damage first, and then likely tripling or quadrupling due to the last vestiges of the snow storm.
Croagunk didn't stand a chance.
And just like that. With Weavile on literally its last legs. 1 HP left, if talking game terms.
Karen won.
The referee raised his flag, the announcer screaming out, face red, eyes bulging as he face hugged the microphone "Croagunk is unable to battle! The winner is Karen and her Weavile! The princess of the dark is evolving into a Queen!"
The crowd erupted into applause, many cheering and some still whispering in shock at the intensity of the battle. Karen let out a sigh of relief, recalling her Weavile with a slight nod of appreciation. Shae recalled her Croagunk, her expression a mix of disappointment and pleasure at a well fought battle.
Ezra stood up immediately, making his way down to the edge of the field. His eyes were focused on Shae, a hint of a smirk on his lips. He could see Karen watching him from the corner of her eye as he got down onto the field as they both began vacating it, her expression darkening as he approached.
As he reached the exit where the two girls were leaving, he completely ignored Karen, who was glaring daggers at him. Instead, he walked straight up to Shae. "Nice to see you again," He said with a respectful nod, even as he eyed her carefully. "You fought well. Almost beating an apprentice to the Elite Four is quite the feather in your cap, even if it was just Karen."
Okay, so he had two reasons to approach Shae, what with Karen nearby, he could do more than one thing at a time - he was good like that.
Shae glanced at Karen's reddening face with a wry smile, then looked back at Ezra, a knowing look in her eyes. "Too bad we didn't get a rematch," She lamented. "Would've been a lot more fun."
Ezra nodded, smirking as he specifically didn't look at Karen. "I agree. It would be much more interesting to fight you again. But I guess I'll have to 'make do' with the opponent I have." He sighed theatrically, in a what can you do manner, Shae outright chuckling.
Karen's face flushed with anger, her hands balling into fists at her sides. She refused to engage however, managing to hold herself back. Stomping off with an irate huff. Ezra watched her go, amusement clear in his eyes.
Shae raised an eyebrow at him, clearly entertained by the exchange. "Is it wise to piss off your opponent right before a big match?" She asked, arms crossed under her chest in a way that accentuated her curves.
Not that Ezra noticed or anything.
Ezra's eyes flicked to her, then back to Karen's retreating form. "It's always wise to piss off an opponent," He replied with a casual shrug. "Makes them more likely to make stupid decisions."
Shae hummed thoughtfully, her eyes following Karen's figure as she disappeared into the crowd. "Maybe, but it might not be wise to piss off this particular opponent," She warned, her tone teasing. "Claws might come out." She added as a warning.
Ezra's confidence didn't waver. "I know what I'm doing."
Shae snorted, a smirk on her face. "That's what every man says before a woman crushes his balls. But whatever, win or lose, I'll enjoy watching it." She teased, her voice laced with both amusement and a hint of a challenge.
Ezra's confidence didn't falter. "Winning is the only outcome," He declared, determinedly. He couldn't help but notice the playful glint in her eyes as she leaned back slightly, her posture relaxed but still very much aware. Is she a plant for me, I'm dying to know…
Is she Team Rocket?
He probably shouldn't be poking her with a stick to see how she reacts, but he was very bad at holding back his impulses to begin with.
"Sure, sure," Shae replied with a lazy drawl, her tone teasing. "Just don't come crying to me when she wipes the floor with you." She gave him a wink and started to walk off, but not before turning back one last time. "Good luck, by the way, love seeing you perform." She said with a flirty smile.
Ezra watched her go, his expression shifting into something more serious, his smile fading as he considered the situation. Despite her playful demeanor, there was something about Shae that still didn't sit right with him. This conversation hadn't been able to shake off the feeling that she might be more than just a tough trainer with a punk attitude. She was suspicious, no doubt about it.
Not long after meeting her, Team Rocket had tracked him down - noted him as a person of interest. Coincidence? That's what he was wondering…
He couldn't ignore the possibility that she was affiliated with Team Rocket or some other organization, keeping an eye on him for reasons unknown. It wasn't entirely unreasonable for her to be fighting in this tournament. But Johto is big enough it's odd that she, with her skill, happened to be where he was twice now.
She should be doing the circuit, kicking ass and taking names.
Whatever her motives, he couldn't afford to let his guard down. He had a tournament to win, and after that, he'd be heading back to Pewter City to continue his journey. There was no point in dwelling on Shae's intentions more now - he'd act if she mysteriously followed him again. He had a more immediate challenge to focus on.
Karen.
As he turned away from the battlefield and made his way back to the stands, Ezra's thoughts shifted back to his upcoming match. Karen was no ordinary trainer despite some of her less then desirable habits. Her connection to the Elite Four made her a formidable opponent in sheer knowledge available to her if nothing else, and she had shown time and time again that she was willing to do whatever it took to win.
He could see that from the way she commanded her Pokemon with such confidence and precision, never hesitating, never showing any sign of doubt in her decision, that she was a fighter through and through.
She likely thought she had all the advantages right now, Dark after all was effective against Ghosts. To the crowd, and to Karen. There was absolutely no way Ezra could win.
That attitude was exactly what he wanted.
There was a break, as Karen got the opportunity to heal her Pokemon, not that Ezra suspected she'd use the same ones now. So he hung around the edge of the stands, just waiting.
The final was here soon, the most important match.
The sun was beginning to set across the fighting area as the final preparations for the final match went into motion, the announcer hyping everything up. The crowd buzzed with excitement and plenty of betting could be seen taking place, making Ezra more confident that online betting on Pokemon matches would make him filthy rich once he got it going.
This was what they had all been waiting for since the first match. The climax of the tournament, the Orange League winner versus the Dark Apprentice.
As he made his way to the competitors' area, he caught a glimpse of Karen standing off to the side, her arms crossed over her chest and her eyes focused on something in the distance. She looked calm and composed, but he could sense the tension radiating off her in waves. She was angry, that much was clear, and he knew that her frustration could either be an advantage or a liability, depending on how he played his cards.
He wanted her angry, frustrated, likely to lash out, but not so angry she got coldly focused, taming it for her purpose and using it to her advantage instead of his.
He decided to keep his distance, not wanting to provoke her any further before the match. He needed her to be off her game, to be thinking more about him than about the battle ahead.
As he watched her from across the field, he couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement too. This was it - the moment he had been waiting for during the last three days. A chance to prove himself against one of the supposed best, to show that he was more than just a novice trainer with a few tricks up his sleeve. He was here to win, and nothing was going to stand in his way.
Don't cry too hard, Karen, daddy's only going to spank you a little…
…
Arceus, I'm glad I didn't say that out loud, Ezra cringed, looking away from Karen.
The hour-long break before the final match had felt stretched out, filled with restless energy of anticipation. The crowd were extremely loud and filled with excitement, the stands a sea of color and noise as vendors moved through the aisles selling refreshments and souvenirs. The organizers worked hard to hype up the final, their voices amplified by speakers, extolling the skills of the two finalists and building the tension to a fever pitch.
Ezra watched all of this from his spot in the competitors' area, a calm smile playing on his lips. He knew what was coming. Karen was a fierce opponent, and she would not hold back now. But he felt confident in his own abilities and those of his Pokemon. His hand moved almost unconsciously to the Pokeballs at his belt, his fingers brushing over their cool surface. She might be strong, but he had strength of his own. And advantages she couldn't comprehend.
He'd seen Karen's battle against Shae, and he understood the game she was playing. Just like him, Karen had been holding back, only for her it had almost cost her. She hadn't used her best Pokemon, conserving her strength and hiding her team for the final showdown. Shae had forced her to reveal a little more, but he knew that he hadn't seen everything she could do yet. He wasn't fooled by the near-defeat, it had been a case of Karen underestimating the opposition - Karen was a lot more formidable than she appeared.
Against him, it wouldn't matter.
He had his own plans for this battle, his own strategies that he had been saving for this moment. He was ready to face her strongest Pokemon with his own. He stroked the Pokeballs again, feeling the weight of them in his hands, a subtle smile playing at his lips. She'd face much stronger Pokemon in this final, too. Loki, Nyx, and Rider had been patiently waiting for this.
A loud horn sounded, signaling the competitors to take their places. Ezra stood up, stretching his arms above his head, and began his walk to the field. The crowd's noise swelled around him, a wave of sound that seemed to carry him forward. Across the field, he saw Karen stepping out from the opposite side. Her face was set in a determined expression, her jaw tight with focus.
Then she stopped, her eyes widening for just a moment as she took in the sight of an elderly woman now seated in the VIP section. Ezra recognized her immediately as he glanced that way - Lady Agatha of the Elite Four. The ghost type master, renowned and feared across Kanto and Johto alike, her presence alone enough to send a chill down the spine of even the bravest trainers.
Notably the seating around her section was suddenly a lot sparser.
Karen's pale face showed her surprise, clearly she hadn't been expecting her mistress to be here. It seemed Agatha had come on her own accord, her sharp eyes watching the proceedings, watching him.
Ezra caught Agatha's gaze, and for a brief moment, he felt the full weight of her scrutiny. Her eyes were like cold steel, piercing through him as if trying to see into his very soul. He suppressed the urge to shiver under that intense stare. He knew better than to show any sign of intimidation. Instead, he gave her a slow, respectful bow of his head, a gesture of acknowledgment and respect. He might enjoy messing with Karen, but Agatha was a different matter entirely.
Lady Agatha was one of the most powerful trainers in both regions, her influence and authority unmatched by all but a few. She commanded respect, and Ezra was not foolish enough to antagonize her unnecessarily. If she had come all this way to watch the final, it meant she was interested in something - perhaps in Karen's performance, or perhaps in his, since she'd been tracking him apparently. Either way, he knew this wouldn't end with the battle. He would have to talk to her, whether he wanted to or not. And how that conversation went would depend heavily on what happened next.
If he didn't dominate here, he'd be in a weaker position when Agatha laid out her demands, whatever it was she was pushing for in sending Karen chasing after him.
Karen seemed to recover quickly from her initial shock. Her face hardened into a mask of determination, her eyes never leaving Ezra's as she resumed her walk to the field. She looked even more serious than usual, her mouth set in a thin line, her shoulders squared. She was prepared to give it her all, no matter the outcome. Ezra could see it in her posture, in the way she moved with a fierce purpose.
Ezra took his place at his end of the field, his mind already running through the various scenarios that could play out. He could feel the weight of Agatha's gaze on him, a constant reminder of what was at stake.
He took a deep breath, exhaling slowly as he centered himself. He could do this. He had to do this. His position, his future, his very dreams depended on it - he couldn't be shackled to Agatha, which he suspected is why she sent Karen after him. He knew that Karen would come out strong, but he was ready for her. He had prepared for this, and he would give her everything he had - and he would crush her.
He would show Agatha that he wasn't some idiot rookie. That she couldn't just do what she wished with him.
The referee raised his hand, signaling the start of the match. The crowd fell into a hushed silence, the anticipation hanging thick in the air like a storm about to break. Ezra locked eyes with Karen across the field, a confident smile on his face. She returned his gaze with a look of fierce determination, her eyes burning with a competitive fire.
This is it, Ezra thought. Time to win.
The tournament's final match was about to begin, and the atmosphere was electric as the announcer screamed so hard into his microphone he became unintelligible. Spectators leaned forward in their seats, eager to see who would come out on top. Karen stood tall and confident, her lips pressed together in a tight line. Ezra faced her with a calm expression, his eyes cold and calculating.
The referee raised his flag, signaling the start of the battle. "Trainers, release your Pokemon!" The announcer screamed, before finally, mercifully, shutting up.
Karen acted first, sending out an Absol in a flash of white light. The Disaster Pokemon landed gracefully on the ground, its white fur shimmering under the stadium lights, the blade-like horn on its head gleaming with a deadly sharpness. Karen gave the Absol a nod of confidence, clearly relying on her Pokemon's agility and strength to overpower Ezra early in the fight and take a commanding lead.
Ezra, however, had a different strategy in mind. He released Nyx, his Spiritomb, onto the battlefield. The ghostly Pokemon materialized in a swirl of dark energy, its eerie purple and green visage eliciting murmurs from the crowd. Nyx floated above the ground, its hundreds of spectral dots shifting into faces and whispering in a haunting chorus.
Karen hesitated for a moment, her brows furrowing at the sight of the Ghost/Dark type. Not that she likely knew that, Ezra thought, the Spiritomb was not a well known Pokemon at this time.
She had confidence in her Pokemon's speed and power. "Absol, start with Taunt, then move in with Bite" She commanded, her voice firm.
Not a bad move, stopping Nyx from using status moves and then getting in close now that she can't be hit by Confuse Ray and the like, Ezra acknowledged. Unfortunately for her, that hadn't been his plan to begin with. Bite also wouldn't be as effective as she had planned if it hit, because Nyx was also a Dark Pokemon.
Absol leaped forward, its teeth glowing with a dark aura as it charged toward Nyx after having let out a cry, using Taunt. The crowd gasped at the Pokemon's speed, the air around Absol crackling with energy. But Ezra remained unfazed. "Nyx, Phantom Force," He said calmly.
Nyx's eyes glowed with an otherworldly light, before the Pokemon just disappeared, Absols attack missing, as there was nothing to hit. Suddenly Nyx reappeared again, the ghostly energy hitting Absol, who let out a cry, jumping back.
First blood, so to speak, Ezra thought, watching Karen with a smirk, what will you do?
Karen seemed incensed to have taken the first hit like that, her Pokemon not able to do anything. "Absol, Double Team and Night Slash, keep moving, don't let it surprise you"
Absol tried to follow her command, creating multiple afterimages of itself to confuse Nyx after firing off a Night Slash. But Ezra was one step ahead. "Nyx, SS2!"
Nyx disappeared, avoiding the Night slash, before appearing behind the Absol in a Shadow Sneak, immediately releasing a wave of dark energy that spread across the battlefield - a Dark Pulse. The attack hit all of Absol's afterimages, instantly revealing the real one. The Dark Pulse also struck Absol head on, sending it skidding back across the dirt a few feet, the Absol growling in anger.
As dark and ghost moves were both only half effective, Nyx hadn't done overly too much damage yet.
"Quick Attack and Bite, watch your back!" Karen called out, frustrated with the pace of the fight being entirely against her.
Ezra decided it was time to turn the battle decisively in his favor. His lips curled into a subtle smile. He flared his aura slightly, just enough to be felt by Absol. There was no visible sign of his action, but he saw the immediate effect. Absol, in the middle of a Quick Attack, hesitated, as it sensed the aura from him directly, stuttering to a halt. Leaving it wide open.
Karen's eyes widened in frustration. She didn't understand why Absol was acting so strangely, failing its move. "Focus, Absol! Use Quick Attack!" She called out, trying to get her Pokemon back on track.
But it was too late, Nyx was already right on it. "Nyx, Hypnosis," Ezra ordered softly, his aura actively pushing on Absol to not fight the technique.
The Taunt only lasted for the energy it took to fire off three attacks, or three turns in game terms. Which Nyx had already done. So status moves were back into play.
Nyx's eyes glowed once more, sending out hypnotic waves that enveloped Absol. The Pokemon's movements slowed, its eyes fluttering shut as it fell into a deep sleep. The crowd murmured in surprise - the match had only just begun, and already Karen was at a significant disadvantage.
Ezra looked at her, tilting his head, a pleasant smile on his face, "You can withdraw, or perhaps you want to see if Absol will wake up while Nyx uses Dream Eater."
At the word of the attack, Nyx immediately began, glowing with ghostly energy, which also enveloped Absol. Now Psychic type moves weren't very effective, Dark Pokemon resistive to them, but it was more of the point he was making.
I'm beating you with non-effective moves.
Karen clenched her fists, her frustration growing. She had underestimated Ezra, and now she was paying the price.
But she wasn't out of tricks yet. She could have switched Pokemon, and left the Absol for last, in hopes it would wake up as a Hail Mary if she was pushed that far, but instead she withdrew it, letting the referee know.
It was a pragmatic choice, ensuring Nyx wouldn't be able to either buff up, or prepare another technique while Karen switched. An immediate replacement forthcoming instead.
She quickly sent out her next Pokemon - a Gengar. The Ghost/Poison type emerged from its Pokeball with a mischievous grin, its body flickering like a shadow as it cried out its name, licking it's lips.
Ezra raised an eyebrow, knowing this was likely one of Karen's stronger Pokemon, trained by Agatha as she was - although not a Dark Pokemon - it was a fact that most specialists regularly had an ace or two in their back pocket. He decided to keep Nyx on the field, confident in his strategy and to be totally honest… His huge aura advantage.
Gengar's grin widened, eyes narrowing as it prepared to strike, just waiting on its mistress' orders.
Nyx was Dark as well as Ghost. Karen wasn't about to have a good time.
"Gengar, use Confuse Ray, then keep your distance and use Shadow Ball!" Karen commanded, her voice sharper now, no longer willing to take Ezra lightly. But, it was possible she was now being too careful.
Distance didn't matter overly much to Shadow Sneak. Not in a small field like this. "Nyx, Shadow Sneak out of the way." He ordered.
Nyx disappeared, the Confuse Ray missing, Karen immediately snapping out, "Turn around, attack!"
Gengar had already formed a dark ball of energy between its hands and immediately turned and hurled it toward Nyx. Ezra remained calm. "Nyx, Protect," He said quietly.
A translucent barrier appeared around Nyx just in time, absorbing the impact of Gengar's Shadow Ball. The crowd cheered at the display of defensive prowess. Karen's frustration was evident, she had yet to even hit him.
"Don't give it any breathing room! Gengar, use Sludge Bomb!" She shouted, doubling down on her attack, now that Nyx was right there.
Gengar prepared to launch a volley of toxic sludge at Nyx, aiming to overwhelm the protective shield. But Ezra anticipated her move. He flared his aura once more, and just as before with the Absol, Gengar's focus wavered, the attack slowing down as the Ghost Pokemon hesitated mid-through.
"Nyx, switch to Shadow Ball," Ezra ordered swiftly.
Nyx dropped its protective barrier and countered with its own Shadow Ball. The attack collided with Gengar in midair, causing a small explosion of ghostly energy. The force of the blast sent Gengar reeling back, and the crowd gasped at the intense exchange.
Karen's frustration turned into outright anger. She could feel Agatha's eyes on her from the stands, watching her every move. She couldn't afford to lose this match. "Gengar, regroup and use Thunderbolt!" She snapped out, switching to elemental attacks.
But Ezra was relentless. "Nyx, Shadow Ball again." His aura confused the Gengar, making it slow to react.
It wasn't fair. It wasn't nice. But winning was what mattered. And winning decisively mattered more.
Nyx released another ball of tightly compacted ghostly energy, and the Gengar, still momentarily distracted by Ezra's aura, was too slow to react. The attack hit it squarely, sending it crashing to the ground. Karen could only watch in disbelief as Gengar struggled to get back up.
She'd still failed to connect a single attack on Nyx.
Ezra seized the opportunity to finish it off. "Finish it with another Shadow Ball," He ordered, even as Karen shouted out, "Destiny Bond!" Trying to get something out of this.
Nyx gathered its energy and launched another Shadow Ball at Gengar. The attack struck with precision, and Gengar collapsed before it could finish its own last gasp attack, unable to continue. The referee raised his flag, signaling Gengar's defeat.
Karen was left with one Pokemon. She was backed into a corner, and Ezra had yet to lose any of his. She recalled the fainted Gengar, her jaw tight with frustration. She was furious, but she refused to let it show any further then that. She wouldn't give Ezra the satisfaction.
Karen sent out her final Pokemon, a Shiftry. The Grass/Dark type materialized on the field, its leafy hands swaying slightly as it sized up Nyx. Karen knew she had to turn this battle around, and quickly.
Ezra recalled Nyx, deciding to change tactics - he also didn't want to leave his next Pokemon pouting for the next week for not getting to play. He sent out Rider, his Ghost Marowak evolution. The crowd gasped at the sight of the unique Pokemon, its flaming bone club ignited with an eerie blue flame. Rider stood ready, eyes locked on Shiftry.
A Ghost/Fire type was a bad matchup for a Grass/Dark type. Karen was in for a quick finish.
Karen wasted no time. "Shiftry, Nasty Plot then hit it with a Sucker Punch!" She commanded.
Ezra wasn't about to let her have the time to pull both moves. "Rider. Fire Blast." He ordered with finality.
Rider was new to the move, so the fire blast was more compact, flying forward in a thin spray of white hot fire instead of a more all encompassing blast.
Karen's eyes widened in surprise. She hadn't expected Rider to toss out a fire attack, nor one of that caliber. "Shiftry, Protect!"
It was as easy as breathing to reach out and delay the Shiftry just that one critical second, the Pokemon crying out as the Fire Blast hit. Karen watched in absolute stupefaction, as she was beat without ever scoring a hit. Recalling her Pokemon rather than letting it continue suffering under the fire.
The crowd erupted in cheers as the referee raised his flag to signal Shiftry's defeat. The match was over. Ezra had won. There was a subdued quality to the cheer however. The crowd was almost confused at the easy victory, not to mention all the people who'd lost their bets.
Karen stared at the field in disbelief, her hands clenched into fists. She couldn't believe it. She had lost so easily. She had assumed too much, and Ezra had outmaneuvered her at every turn. Her face flushed with anger and embarrassment, but she refused to be a sore loser. She refused to humiliate herself more than she already had.
With a stiff expression, she walked across the battlefield to Ezra and extended her hand. "Good match," She said through gritted teeth, her voice taut with barely suppressed frustration.
Ezra accepted her handshake, feeling the strength in her grip as she tried to crush his hand. He met her gaze with a calm, unbothered expression, his grip firm but not retaliatory. "You fought well," He replied evenly.
She never stood a chance, but for once, he kept that to himself. There was such a thing as being a troll, and then there was beating a dead horse. He had some decency.
Karen's back remained rigid, her eyes fixed on Ezra's face as they shook hands. She was furious, but not just at him - she was angry at herself for underestimating him and letting her emotions get the better of her. She refused to look back toward the stands where she knew Lady Agatha was watching. The shame of losing in front of her mentor burned hotter than her defeat itself.
Just as Karen was about to release Ezra's hand, she felt a sudden, chilling touch on her shoulder. She jumped, her breath catching in her throat, and turned to see Lady Agatha standing behind her, as if she had appeared out of thin air. The elderly woman's face was expressionless, her eyes sharp and unreadable.
"You did as well as you could, considering the circumstances," Agatha said, her voice cool and measured. There was no judgment in her tone, but Karen could sense the underlying weight of her words. It was hard to tell if Agatha was disappointed or simply stating a fact.
Karen bit her lip, unsure of how to respond. She felt a mix of shame and frustration, but she knew better than to argue with her mentor. Before she could gather her thoughts, Agatha raised a wrinkled hand and cuffed her lightly on the back of the head.
"Girl, when I say something, it's the truth," Agatha snapped, a slight smile playing on her lips. "Don't make me repeat myself."
Karen nodded stiffly, her cheeks flushing as she fought to maintain her composure. "Yes, Lady Agatha," She mumbled, feeling like a scolded child.
The fact it was happening in front of Kassian made it one hundred times worse.
Meanwhile, Ezra had been trying to inch away from the uncomfortable scene, not wanting to draw any unnecessary attention to himself. He knew better than to get involved in whatever dynamic was at play between Karen and her mentor. But just as he was about to turn and slip away, he felt the weight of Agatha's gaze fall upon him.
"Ezra Kassian," Agatha said, her voice cutting through the noise of the crowd like a blade. "You're a hard young man to find. Come, let's chat, you and I."
Notably, the tournament should be having a prize ceremony, but no one seemed to be willing to approach them and disturb Agatha.
Ezra's body tensed. He had expected this moment but hoped it wouldn't come so soon. "Can't we just chat right now?" He asked, trying to keep his tone light while belatedly adding, "Lady Agatha," To maintain a semblance of politeness. And to remain in public view, where Agatha couldn't do anything too crazy if he flat out turned her down on whatever she wanted.
Agatha gave him a look that could have curdled milk. "I'm old, boy. I'm going to find a nice cushion to sit on before dealing with you," She replied, her smirk not quite reaching her eyes. She pointed a bony finger at him, and for a moment, Ezra wondered if she might actually zap him - like she was one of her Ghost Pokemon. "Karen, fetch us refreshments. I'll take over the referee's tent for now."
Karen's lips twitched in irritation, and she muttered under her breath, "I'm not a damn servant."
"What was that?" Agatha snapped, her tone sharp as a whip.
Karen yelped and immediately straightened up. "I'm on it, Lady Agatha!" She blurted out before rushing off to comply with her mentor's orders.
Agatha snorted softly, shaking her head as if bemused by Karen's behavior. "Youth, wasted on the young," She muttered, more to herself than to anyone else. Her gaze flickered back to Ezra. "You a smart mouth too, boy?"
Ezra considered lying, but really, what was the point? He gave a slight shrug and answered truthfully, "Of course." He wasn't enthused with being called boy, but he supposed when you got to Agatha's level of power - you could do, and say, whatever the fuck you wanted.
Because really? Who was going to stop her? He certainly wasn't going to pick a fight over just words.
Agatha sighed, leaning heavily on her cane. "Of course you are," She repeated, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. "Now, lend me your arm. Let an old lady lean on you as we walk."
Ezra hesitated, knowing full well that Agatha didn't need his assistance. She was one of the most formidable trainers in the region, if not the world, and her physical frailty was more an illusion than reality. But he couldn't refuse without being blatantly rude, and he had a feeling he would need every ounce of goodwill he could muster for whatever was coming next.
He forced a polite smile and offered his arm. "Of course, Lady Agatha," He said, trying to keep his tone respectful.
As they walked toward the referee's tent, the crowd parted for them, whispers and curious glances following in their wake. Ezra could feel the tension in the air, a mix of awe and apprehension directed at the elderly member of the Elite Four and the young upstart who had just bested her apprentice.
There's no way this conversation ends well…
Author's note:
Unfortunately for Karen, this was never going to end well for her in fighting Ezra. He's too well aware of Dark Pokemon, plus he had his cheaty aura to assist in confusing and distracting her Pokemon. The fact he has rare and unusual Pokemon didn't help. She didn't know Nyx was Dark, nor did she know Rider was Fire.
She also erroneously still held him in slight contempt for the way he acted, and underestimated his skills as a trainer. A lesson to learn, because with the information she had - she really shouldn't have. But it just means Ezra's mind games were working.
They won't on Agatha, so he'll have an interesting conversation ahead.
Sorry to those who expected an epic fight between the two. With her being a Dark Pokemon trainer - it just wasn't ever going to go down like that. Unless Ezra suddenly became chivalrous or something.
Cheers
JollyHippopotamus
Informational: Ezra's Pokemon.
New
JollyHippopotamus
Not too sore, are you?
- Joined
- Sep 3, 2021
- Messages
- 427
- Likes received
- 18,225
So because this will simplify things, here will be the post that will keep track of Ezra's Pokemon.
Most of it works, only a few Pokemon fighting me on this still, big thanks to @Moran for helping me figure out how to do this.
Named Team:
Gender: Female
Ability: Bad Dreams
Nature: Serious
Met: Buried temple, cave system, Orange Islands
Debut: Chapter 3
Gender: Male
Ability: Levitate
Nature: Naughty
Met: Lavender Town graveyard
Debut: Chapter 1
Shuppet-Banette
Gender: Male
Ability: Prankster
Nature: Impish
Met: Lavender Town graveyard
Debut: Chapter 1
Cubone-Alolan Marowak
Gender: Male
Ability: Battle Armor, Moxie
Nature: Brave
Met: Lavender Town graveyard
Debut: Chapter 1
Gender: Female
Ability: Clear Body, Cursed Body
Nature: Jolly
Met: Outside Ruins of Alph, Johto
Debut: Chapter 6
Gender: Male
Ability: Pure Power
Nature: Rash
Met: Outside Ruins of Alph, Johto
Debut: Chapter 6
Primeape - Annihilape
Gender: Male
Ability: Anger Point, Defiant
Nature: Rash
Met: Ilex Forest, Johto
Debut: Chapter 8
Dark Pokemon owned:
Gender: Female
Ability: Rivalry, Shadow Tag
Nature: Sassy
Met: Outside Ruins of Alph, Johto
Debut: Chapter 6
Gender: Male
Ability: Fur Coat
Nature: Adamant
Met: Outside Ruins of Alph, Johto
Debut: Chapter 6
Gender: Female
Ability: Insomnia
Nature: Serious
Met: Outside Ruins of Alph, Johto
Debut: Chapter 6
Gender: Male
Ability: Oblivious, Receiver
Nature: Hardy
Met: Outside Ruins of Alph, Johto
Debut: Chapter 6
Gender: Female
Ability: Soul-Heart
Nature: Quirky
Met: Outside Ruins of Alph, Johto
Debut: Chapter 6
Ghost Pokemon owned: (Note: Does not count what's in his shadow)
Gender: Female
Ability: Keen Eye
Nature: Mild
Met: Outside Ruins of Alph, Johto
Debut: Chapter 6
Gender: Male
Ability: Grassy Surge
Nature: Lonely
Met: Outside Ruins of Alph, Johto
Debut: Chapter 6
Gender: Female
Ability: Cursed Body
Nature: Impish
Met: Outside Ruins of Alph, Johto
Debut: Chapter 6
Gender: Male
Ability: Mummy
Nature: Rash
Met: Outside Ruins of Alph, Johto
Debut: Chapter 6
Gender: Male
Ability: Infiltrator, Cursed Body
Nature: Jolly
Met: Outside Ruins of Alph, Johto
Debut: Chapter 6
Gender: Male
Ability: Flash Fire
Nature: Serious
Met: Outside Ruins of Alph, Johto
Debut: Chapter 6
Gender: Female
Ability: Disguise, Illusion
Nature: Lonely
Met: Outside Ruins of Alph, Johto
Debut: Chapter 6
Gender: Female
Ability: Chilling Neigh, Levitate
Nature: Hasty
Met: Outside Ruins of Alph, Johto
Debut: Chapter 6
Miscellaneous Pokemon owned:
Gender: Female
Ability: Adaptability
Nature: Sassy
Met: Breeding farm outside Goldenrod City, Johto
Debut: Chapter 6
Pidgeotto-Pidgeot
Gender: Female
Ability: Gale Wings
Nature: Sassy
Met: Forest outside Lavender Town
Debut: Chapter 1
Pokemon sold/no longer with him:
Most of it works, only a few Pokemon fighting me on this still, big thanks to @Moran for helping me figure out how to do this.
Named Team:
Gender: Female
Ability: Bad Dreams
Nature: Serious
Met: Buried temple, cave system, Orange Islands
Debut: Chapter 3
Gender: Male
Ability: Levitate
Nature: Naughty
Met: Lavender Town graveyard
Debut: Chapter 1
Shuppet-Banette
Gender: Male
Ability: Prankster
Nature: Impish
Met: Lavender Town graveyard
Debut: Chapter 1
Cubone-Alolan Marowak
Gender: Male
Ability: Battle Armor, Moxie
Nature: Brave
Met: Lavender Town graveyard
Debut: Chapter 1
Gender: Female
Ability: Clear Body, Cursed Body
Nature: Jolly
Met: Outside Ruins of Alph, Johto
Debut: Chapter 6
Gender: Male
Ability: Pure Power
Nature: Rash
Met: Outside Ruins of Alph, Johto
Debut: Chapter 6
Primeape - Annihilape
Gender: Male
Ability: Anger Point, Defiant
Nature: Rash
Met: Ilex Forest, Johto
Debut: Chapter 8
Dark Pokemon owned:
Gender: Female
Ability: Rivalry, Shadow Tag
Nature: Sassy
Met: Outside Ruins of Alph, Johto
Debut: Chapter 6
Gender: Male
Ability: Fur Coat
Nature: Adamant
Met: Outside Ruins of Alph, Johto
Debut: Chapter 6
Gender: Female
Ability: Insomnia
Nature: Serious
Met: Outside Ruins of Alph, Johto
Debut: Chapter 6
Gender: Male
Ability: Oblivious, Receiver
Nature: Hardy
Met: Outside Ruins of Alph, Johto
Debut: Chapter 6
Gender: Female
Ability: Soul-Heart
Nature: Quirky
Met: Outside Ruins of Alph, Johto
Debut: Chapter 6
Ghost Pokemon owned: (Note: Does not count what's in his shadow)
Gender: Female
Ability: Keen Eye
Nature: Mild
Met: Outside Ruins of Alph, Johto
Debut: Chapter 6
Gender: Male
Ability: Grassy Surge
Nature: Lonely
Met: Outside Ruins of Alph, Johto
Debut: Chapter 6
Gender: Female
Ability: Cursed Body
Nature: Impish
Met: Outside Ruins of Alph, Johto
Debut: Chapter 6
Gender: Male
Ability: Mummy
Nature: Rash
Met: Outside Ruins of Alph, Johto
Debut: Chapter 6
Gender: Male
Ability: Infiltrator, Cursed Body
Nature: Jolly
Met: Outside Ruins of Alph, Johto
Debut: Chapter 6
![URL]](/proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2F%5BURL+unfurl%3D%2522true%2522%5Dhttps%3A%2F%2Farchives.bulbagarden.net%2Fmedia%2Fupload%2F5%2F56%2F608Lampent_Dream.png%5B%2FURL%5D&hash=fe81a873c7e0cc899a508568be9dd006)
Gender: Male
Ability: Flash Fire
Nature: Serious
Met: Outside Ruins of Alph, Johto
Debut: Chapter 6
Gender: Female
Ability: Disguise, Illusion
Nature: Lonely
Met: Outside Ruins of Alph, Johto
Debut: Chapter 6
Gender: Female
Ability: Chilling Neigh, Levitate
Nature: Hasty
Met: Outside Ruins of Alph, Johto
Debut: Chapter 6
Miscellaneous Pokemon owned:
Gender: Female
Ability: Adaptability
Nature: Sassy
Met: Breeding farm outside Goldenrod City, Johto
Debut: Chapter 6
Pidgeotto-Pidgeot
Gender: Female
Ability: Gale Wings
Nature: Sassy
Met: Forest outside Lavender Town
Debut: Chapter 1
Pokemon sold/no longer with him:
Last edited:
Chapter 10: Is this Marriage?
New
JollyHippopotamus
Not too sore, are you?
- Joined
- Sep 3, 2021
- Messages
- 427
- Likes received
- 18,225
Here's chapter 10: Is this Marriage?
Here we go, Agatha conversation coming up,
Karen getting another shock,
And Ezra just trying to ensure the big bad wolf doesn't eat him… While also trying to be his usual self and not give away anything for free.
Although with less trolling, because he's not stupid.
Named team:
Cheshire - Haunter
Loki - Banette
Nyx - Spiritomb
Rider - Alolan Marowak
Morrigan - Dreepy
Alduin - Deino
As usual, I do not own Pokemon or the associated companies that deliver material from it. I'm just playing in the kiddy pool, don't hurt me.
Enjoy!
Ezra held open the flap of the referee's tent, allowing Lady Agatha to step through first. He followed her in, feeling the weight of the encounter hanging over him like a fog. The inside of the tent was dimly lit, and it smelled faintly of grass and the earthy musk of the tournament grounds. The table in the middle was cluttered with papers, empty water bottles, and a few discarded towels.
Agatha made a sound of irritation, tapping her cane against the ground as she moved to sit in a worn chair, one hand clutching her cane and the other brushing aside some debris on the table. Despite her frail appearance, Ezra knew better than to underestimate her. Agatha of the Elite Four - the Ghost Mistress - was one of the most powerful trainers alive, and her influence spread far beyond the battlefield at this point.
She sat down with a sigh, then gave Ezra a pointed look. "Come, sit. Let's not pretend either of us enjoys this, but there's business to discuss."
Ezra eyed the other chair, then sat down across from her, his expression carefully neutral. His mind raced, though, already trying to anticipate what angle she'd take. He didn't like this situation. Not one bit. There weren't many reasons for Agatha to hold an outsized interest in him, and the only one he could fathom was his aura.
Agatha leaned forward, tapping her cane lightly against the ground again, her eyes cold and calculating. "You've done well today, boy. Impressive even. I've heard whispers about your unusual methods from all corners throughout your little jaunts, but now that I've seen you in action... I want answers." Her voice was soft but edged, like a blade that could cut at any moment.
She wasn't someone Ezra could just brush off, yet he didn't want to fully bend. Pride, or just prudence? He wasn't sure.
Ezra shifted in his seat, his hands resting on his knees. He gave her a casual shrug, though inside, he was far from casual. "I aim to please," He said, keeping his tone light, though his words had a cautious edge. "I didn't realize the Elite Four took such interest in small-time tournaments."
No need to get into other matters unless she outright asks…
Agatha's lips curved into a faint, humorless smile. "Don't play coy, young Kassian. I don't waste my time on piddly tournaments. I'm here because of you." She straightened in her seat, her sharp gaze never leaving him. "You've caught my attention, and not just because you managed to outmaneuver Karen, which, I must say, was entertaining. No, I'm interested in those Ghost Pokemon you have - the ones I've never seen in any region before, and how exactly you've come by them..."
Karen looked absolutely done with life, as she closed her eyes and seemed to be mentally counting down, anything to keep her cool at the fact Agatha had enjoyed the one sided beatdown.
Ezra tensed slightly at her question, but his face remained impassive. He had expected this, but hearing it laid out so bluntly still unsettled him, because he didn't know a way to fully get her off his back. "I guess word gets around fast," He said with fake nonchalance, leaning back a little. "But I'm not looking to share my secrets, Lady Agatha."
Agatha's smile faded, and her eyes hardened. "You're in no position to refuse, boy. Secrets like that... In the wrong hands... Well, we wouldn't want them in the wrong hands, would we?" Her voice carried a dark undercurrent, and for a moment, the tent seemed to grow colder, her presence looming despite her small frame. Karen standing just off her shoulder, shuddered, but remained still, her eyes opening as she smirked at Ezra.
No doubt enjoying seeing him being pressured.
Ezra took a slow breath, carefully choosing his words. "I'm not interested in having my Pokemon or my techniques become a tool for someone else's ambitions," He said, his voice steady. "I've got my own dreams to follow." No, I'm not going to sell out to Team Rocket…
Agatha raised an eyebrow, tilting her head. "Dreams? Hmph. And what, pray tell, are these grand dreams that make you think you can refuse me?" The cold amusement in her tone was humoring, as if he was only delaying the inevitable.
He glanced at her, then looked away for a moment, his fingers tapping lightly against his knee. He wasn't sure how much to reveal, but if he was going to get out of this conversation intact, he needed to be somewhat honest about everything. "I want to build a gym," He said finally, his voice more serious. "A Dark and Ghost Pokemon gym. I want to join the official circuit and make my mark. And I want to do it without people thinking I only got there because I'm your apprentice."
He wasn't an idiot, he could see exactly what she was pushing for with her comments.
Agatha snorted softly, amused by the notion. "A gym leader, is it?" She mused. "And what do you hope to accomplish with that? More than just fame, I assume?" From how her eyes narrowed at the end, she was practically projecting - it better not be just fame, boy!
Ezra's eyes narrowed, his voice growing more passionate. "I want to show Lavender Town what they missed. They turned their back on me because of my... Looks, and my… Attunement, and now I want to rub it in their faces. I want to prove that Dark and Ghost Pokemon aren't something to fear or shun. That they can be controlled. Used properly."
Karen looked at him with a complicated expression like she'd never seen him before, as she stood over Agatha's shoulder, Ezra ignored her, focusing on the dangerous woman in front of him.
Agatha's expression shifted slightly, a flicker of interest sparking in her eyes. "A gym... Fueled by spite and ambition, how very much like the Dark and Ghost type... I can respect that," She said, her voice dry. "But you're wrong about one thing, boy."
Ezra frowned. "And what's that?" Stop calling me boy, you wrinkled bitch!
"You think being my apprentice would limit you," She said flatly, leaning forward again. "That people would discredit your accomplishments, claim you only rose to power because of my influence. You're a fool if you believe that matters for anything but a little boy's feelings. If anything, being under my wing would give you power, connections, influence. More than you could ever achieve on your own - more than enough to accomplish your dream."
Ezra's jaw tightened. He didn't like the way she was twisting the situation, as if his only path to success ran through her - he wasn't kidding about not wanting to be seen as her puppet. He might get a gym that way, perhaps even faster, but it wouldn't be his, not truly. "I'm not interested in taking shortcuts, Lady Agatha. I want to get there on my own merit. Otherwise, what's the point?"
Agatha sighed softly, shaking her head. "You're a stubborn one. But stubbornness can be dangerous, boy. There are far more dangerous forces in the world than just Gym Leaders or the uneducated mob of Lavender Town and their prejudices."
Ezra opened his mouth to respond, but before he could speak, Agatha waved a hand dismissively. "Enough," She said, her voice growing colder. "Karen!"
Karen stepped forward reluctantly. "Yes, Lady Agatha?"
"Go fetch us some drinks. You know the one, my favorite from Hoenn - the citrus-based fizzy drink they make. I'm parched."
Karen looked confused for a moment. "I don't think they - "
"Go," Agatha snapped, her voice sharp as a whip. Karen flinched and hurried off without further protest, muttering something under her breath about 'menial tasks' as she disappeared.
Agatha watched her go, then turned her piercing gaze back to Ezra, her expression unreadable. "I know damn well they don't sell that drink here," She said quietly, her voice carrying a faint edge of amusement. "I just wanted her out of the way, I don't spoon feed my people, she can learn on her own... Now then, let's talk, you and I…"
Ezra shifted uncomfortably in his seat, but kept his voice steady. "Talk about what?"
Agatha's eyes narrowed, and for the first time, her voice completely lost any hint of its playful edge. "Don't play coy with me, boy. I'm no fool, and I've been watching you carefully. I know your little 'predisposition' that Lavender Town spoke of. That ability you have to influence Ghost Pokemon - it's not just for them, is it? You can do it with Dark Pokemon too, can't you?"
Ezra stiffened, his mind racing. He knew she'd known, otherwise none of this made sense, but it didn't make the path forward any easier. Now he had to figure out how much to reveal without giving her too much leverage. "It's... Complicated," He said carefully, his voice low.
Agatha's eyes gleamed with cold satisfaction. "Complicated, is it? You're speaking to one of the Elite Four, boy. You will be forthcoming with me. Now." There was an unmistakable threat in her voice this time. The shadows of the tent growing larger, a chill permeating the air.
She has a similar ability… He thought, I can't lie, not entirely…
"You see, Kassian," Agatha said, tapping her cane against the ground once again, "I'm not easily fooled. I watched Karen's battle closely, and from where I sat, I couldn't quite get the full picture, but I know her Pokemon far too well. They're well-trained, obedient. They do not flinch. They do not miscue or hesitate. And yet, during that battle, they did."
Ezra's throat tightened, but he kept his expression carefully neutral. He said nothing, waiting for her to continue, hoping to get a better sense of what she was after. That's an Elite Four for you I guess, I hadn't expected her to catch something so minor…
He hadn't even used any of his skills, or the Pokemon in his shadow, and yet just flashing his aura had still been caught by Agatha, or at least the results of it. He'd have to tread very carefully here… This all only confirmed to him how he wouldn't be able to use his particular skills in league sanctioned matches…
Not without great risk anyhow.
Agatha's voice lowered, carrying a dangerous weight. "So I'll ask you again directly, and I will have an answer, boy... This attunement you have? It isn't just for Ghost Pokemon, is it? It affects Dark Pokemon too. And you can control it, can't you?" She waved a hand dismissively, "I don't care that you used it to beat Karen, you use every tool in your toolbox, as long as you can get away with it. I have no quarrel over it… But you will tell me!"
Ezra hesitated, feeling the tension coil tighter around him. He considered his options. Agatha wasn't someone he could easily deceive or brush off. But outright admitting the full extent of his abilities would give her leverage, something he wasn't eager to hand over.
"I... Have a certain connection with Ghost and Dark types," He said slowly, choosing his words with care. "But it's not something I make a habit of advertising, considering I was run out of town for it."
Agatha's eyes flashed with cold amusement. "You'll have to do better than that, boy. You're speaking with one of the Elite Four. This isn't some back-alley interrogation. You will be forthcoming." Her cane hit the ground harshly, as she punctuated her statement.
Ezra clenched his jaw. He could feel the pressure mounting, but he wasn't about to cave without gaining something in return. His mind raced, trying to find a way to turn the conversation to his favor. He would not give up everything he could do, and then end up a puppet to this old witch.
Ezra felt the tension in the air tighten, like a vice closing in around him. He knew he couldn't dodge this forever, but he wasn't about to give in so easily either, or she'd run all over him. "I'm not forced to tell you anything," He said cautiously, his voice firm. "But... Maybe we could make a deal?"
Agatha's gaze narrowed. "A deal, you say? And what exactly do you think you have to bargain with?"
Ezra steeled himself, feeling the weight of her words pressing down on him. "Like I said before," He began, his voice steady, "I won't be your apprentice. I've got my own path, and being tied to you would only make people think I didn't earn my place. But I'm starting a breeding business - Ghost and Dark Pokemon amongst the offerings. Rare varieties, ones you've never seen before. I'll give you first pick of any new Ghost Pokemon I breed, and in return, I'll share some information about my attunement. But I'm not giving you everything."
For a moment, the tent was silent. Agatha's expression didn't change, but there was a sharpness in her eyes that made Ezra uneasy. Her presence seemed to loom larger, the shadows in the tent creeping closer, as if her very essence was stretching out to fill the space. When she spoke again, her voice was low and dangerous.
"Go on, brat..." She said, her tone daring him to continue to lay down terms to her. But it wasn't a flat out no, either.
Ezra swallowed, but his resolve didn't waver. He knew he was toeing a fine line, but if he didn't stand his ground now, Agatha would steamroll him into submission. "You get first pick," He repeated, his voice firm, "but not for free. I don't run a charity. You'll pay for the Pokemon, just like anyone else. And you'll get some information about how I interact with Ghost and Dark types and can do what I do, but nothing more. I'm not here to be your pawn."
Legally, she couldn't force him into anything, not without him being accused or charged with some sort of crime anyway. But there was a lot one of the scariest people on the continent could do to make things uncomfortable without going across the line of legality.
If Agatha pushed too much further… He'd ask for a lawyer for anything else. He won't be press ganged.
Agatha stared at him for a long, tense moment. The weight of her gaze was suffocating, but Ezra didn't break eye contact. He knew this was the crux of their negotiation - if she accepted his terms, he could walk out of this tent with his autonomy intact. If she didn't…
Things would get a lot more complicated.
And he hadn't exactly offered her much, all things considered. Maybe not even half of what she'd want, all told. Yet he refused to sell himself cheap, even in a situation like this.
Then, to his surprise, Agatha threw her head back and laughed - a sharp, almost wicked sound that sent a chill down Ezra's spine. When she looked back at him, her lips curled into a smirk, her eyes gleaming with a mix of amusement and something darker.
"You're an ornery little thing," She said, her voice dripping with condescending amusement. "I can't say it entirely displeases me." She sniffed haughtily, "Almost reminds me of my ex-husband, back when he had a spine…"
Ezra exhaled quietly, feeling the tension ease ever so slightly. He'd managed to stand his ground - at least for now. But the conversation wasn't over. He doubted it would end with a simple acceptance, and he shuddered at the thought of being compared to anyone that's had such a relationship with Agatha.
Before he could respond, or Agatha could lay down her counteroffer, Karen reentered the tent, her expression sullen and annoyed. "There's no such drink here," She said stiffly, like I would have told you if you'd let me, she appeared to say with her body language, glaring at the ground. "Do you want something else, Lady Agatha?"
Agatha's smirk widened as she turned to Karen, her tone dry and mocking. "No, dear. As I said, it's a Hoenn special. I knew it wouldn't be here." She paused, then added with a wave of her hand, "I just wanted you out of the way while the important people talked."
Ezra winced, oh, Arceus, I feel almost bad now for everything I've said to her.
Karen's face flushed with anger, her fists clenching at her sides. Ezra could see the moment she almost snapped, the frustration boiling just beneath the surface. But, at the last second, Karen bit her tongue and held herself in check, though her entire body was tense with barely contained rage.
If Agatha was trying to train her out of her hair-trigger temper by constantly pissing her off, Ezra did feel a small amount of pity for the girl. It's not like she could ever truly talk back, it's freaking Agatha.
Agatha turned back to Ezra, her eyes gleaming with a smug satisfaction. "Now, where were we?" She said, her voice almost casual. "Ah, yes. The deal." Her tone was entirely dry, as she mentioned the deal.
She leaned forward, her hands clasped over her cane. "I agree to your terms… On my terms. You'll provide me with first pick of any new Ghost Pokemon and Dark Pokemon types that you breed, and in return, I'll accept that you won't be my apprentice, for now." Her smile grew sharper, her eyes glinting with mischief. "But there's one caveat."
Ezra's brow furrowed, his wariness returning. "Caveat?" He echoed.
Agatha's smile widened, and there was a dangerous gleam in her eyes. "Karen," She said smoothly, her gaze flicking to her apprentice, "Will be joining you on your journey."
Ezra blinked, his mouth opening in shock, but Agatha wasn't finished. "She'll document your training methods and your interactions with your Pokemon. For me."
Karen, who had been standing stiffly to the side, suddenly froze, her face twisting in disbelief. "What?" She blurted out, her voice high-pitched with outrage. "Lady Agatha, I -"
Ezra barely registered Karen's outburst as he gaped at Agatha, his mind reeling from the sudden twist. "You can't be serious," He muttered, still in shock. Agatha's gaze on him told him plenty, she's willing to wait on the information…
Because she knew Ezra wouldn't share it all, while it would be very hard to hide it from Karen during the journey. Agatha was choosing to wave away the requirement of knowledge now, for full knowledge later. And Ezra would have a hard time saying no, because technically… Agatha's deal, at least on the surface, was heavily leaning his way.
Because Agatha could force the issue a lot harder if she so chose to.
Agatha's smirk only grew, her satisfaction radiating from her like a cold wave. "Oh, I'm very serious," She said sweetly, her tone dripping with amusement.
Karen looked like she was about to blow a fuse, her face flushed with anger, her hands clenched into tight fists. "But -"
"Silence, Karen," Agatha snapped, her voice cutting through the air like a whip. "I've made my decision."
Ezra could only stare at the two of them, his mind racing as he tried to process the situation. Agatha's smug smile remained fixed on her face, her eyes gleaming with dark amusement.
Ezra had come here expecting a difficult negotiation, but he hadn't expected this.
He couldn't think of a good way to say no without ending up with a worse deal.
He'd avoided being forced into an apprenticeship, he'd have to take what he could get.
This is going to be awkward…
30 minutes later,
The prize ceremony was a rushed, awkward affair, held hastily in the center of the battle field after Agatha had made her dramatic exit. The event, which should have been a moment of triumph for Ezra, was dampened by the simmering tension between him and Karen. Both trainers stood in the spotlight, their faces plastered with fake smiles as the organizers bustled around, eager to conclude the tournament on a high note despite the obvious awkwardness that hung in the air.
And the rather odd delay in which everyone had to stand around for almost an hour, waiting, as Agatha had stolen away both finalists.
Ezra's thoughts were far from the glittering stage and cheering crowd - although a much smaller one after an hour. His mind was still reeling from Agatha's bombshell - the news that Karen would be joining him on his journey was like a punch to the gut. He hadn't even been able to fully process it yet. He was already imagining the endless arguments, the constant friction. His jaw tightened as he tried to keep his expression neutral, his eyes scanning the crowd without really seeing them.
Sure, some of that friction was his doing, but she made it so easy, he couldn't resist.
Karen, on the other hand, looked even unhappier. Her smile was utterly forced, her eyes hard as she stood beside Ezra, arms crossed tightly across her chest. She was clearly furious with how everything had played out - her defeat, Agatha's dismissive attitude, and now, being forced to follow Ezra like some errand girl. Her knuckles were white from how tightly she clenched her fists, but she held her head high, refusing to let the crowd see how much the situation was getting under her skin.
The head organizer, a balding man with a forced grin, stepped forward, holding a gleaming trophy in one hand and an envelope of prize money in the other. "And the winner of this year's Battle Tower Lawn Tournament is Ezra Kassian, champion of the Orange League!" He announced with far too much enthusiasm, thrusting the envelope and the trophy into Ezra's hands before stepping aside for the next presenter.
Ezra nodded briefly in acknowledgment, glancing at the envelope without much interest. The money was nice, sure, but it wasn't the real prize. His eyes darted to the small display case where his true reward awaited - a Pokemon Egg, gleaming softly under the bright stadium lights that covered the battlefield. They'd refused to tell him the species inside, saying it was more interesting that way - that it hadn't been revealed for the tournament, and could be anything.
Hopefully it wasn't a complete waste. Although it likely would be a Pokemon for either breeding or selling. Because it wouldn't be a Ghost or Dark Pokemon in there, he was willing to bet.
"Congratulations," The head organizer said, clearly eager to keep things moving. He motioned to Karen next. "And our runner-up, Karen of the Elite Four apprentice program! She will receive her prize money and the TM for Earthquake!"
Karen accepted her prize with a stiff nod, her face betraying no emotion even though she was clearly seething underneath. Earthquake was a powerful move, sure, but the sting of losing to Ezra so publicly made it feel like a hollow reward. She had expected to be standing in his place, triumphant. Instead, she was the one being pitied.
The crowd cheered politely as the prizes were distributed, but it was clear the excitement had waned after Agatha's earlier presence. Ezra and Karen both stood awkwardly on the stage, pretending to enjoy the moment when, in truth, both wanted nothing more than to leave. The moment the final applause died down, they both quickly excused themselves, heading back toward the tent with matching sour expressions.
As soon as they were out of earshot from the crowd, Karen's composure cracked. She stopped in the middle of the path, rounding on Ezra with a scowl. "Listen up, brat," She snapped, her voice sharp with frustration. "I don't care how that battle went. You're the rookie here, not me. I'm in charge, and what I say goes. Agatha may have stuck me with you, but that doesn't mean I'm going to take orders from someone beneath me."
Ezra blinked, taken aback by the sudden outburst but not entirely surprised. He raised an eyebrow, crossing his arms casually as he stared back at her. "Really? Because I distinctly remember beating you like an unwanted stepchild not more than an hour ago," He said coolly, his voice calm, but laced with sarcasm. "And if I recall correctly, Agatha didn't attach me to you - she attached you to me. Because I'm what she wants. Not you."
Karen's face flushed with anger, but Ezra didn't give her a chance to respond.
"I don't care what you think," He continued, his tone sharpening. "I'm heading to Pewter next. That's my plan. You can come if you want, or you can stay behind and explain to Agatha how you couldn't even last a day. But I'm not going to change my journey or my plans because you want to play boss. You have two choices - follow my lead or get left behind."
For a moment, there was nothing but silence between them, the tension crackling like electricity in the air. Karen's eyes blazed with fury, her mouth opening as if to argue, but then she closed it again, clearly struggling with her emotions. She was furious, humiliated, but Ezra's words had struck a chord - she knew he was right. Agatha hadn't given her a choice in the matter. If she didn't follow through on this assignment, it would be her neck on the line.
And Agatha, despite the way she acted, had given Karen everything. She couldn't let her down. Not again.
She let out a frustrated sigh, her shoulders sagging slightly as the fight drained out of her. "Fine," She muttered, her voice tight with anger. "But don't expect me to take orders from you, I'm just following you around."
Ezra smirked, but it was a tired one. "I don't care if you take orders from me or not, Karen. Just don't get in my way. I've got my own goals, and I'm not letting anyone - or anything - get in the way of that."
Karen glared at him, her jaw tight, but she didn't argue. There was a long, heavy silence as they both stood there, each refusing to back down completely but realizing they were stuck with each other. Finally, Ezra let out a sigh, running a hand through his hair.
"Look," He said, his voice softer now, "We don't have to like each other, but we're stuck together for now. So let's just make the best of it, yeah? I'll try not to mock you too much, and you... Try not to take out your anger at Agatha on me. Deal?"
Karen crossed her arms, her eyes narrowed. "I'll try," She said begrudgingly, clearly still frustrated, but there was a hint of reluctance in her voice. "But don't expect me to just roll over and let you walk all over me."
Ezra nodded. "Wouldn't dream of it," He said with a wry smile.
For a brief moment, there was a flicker of understanding between them - an unspoken acknowledgment that, while they might not like each other, they were going to have to find a way to work together. It wasn't friendship, not by a long shot, but it was a start of - not enemies. And for now, that would have to be enough.
They stood there in silence for a moment longer, the tension between them easing slightly. Then, with a final sigh, Ezra turned and started walking again. "Come on," He muttered, glancing back at Karen. "We've got a long trip to Pewter ahead of us. Let's get moving, I need to go into Olivine and swap in my Pidgeot first."
Karen followed, her expression still sullen but no longer hostile. The two of them walked side by side, the uneasy truce hanging between them like a fragile thread. Neither of them knew how long it would last, but for now, it was enough to keep them moving forward.
They could both agree on one thing at least.
Agatha could go fuck herself for forcing this.
Although it was a very unspoken agreement, that both of them just mentally connected with.
Neither one of them wanted her to somehow hear them say it - so it remained unspoken.
Agatha's reputation had been well earned even before the war, and after… Well no one tended to argue with her too heavily.
Back then she hadn't been known simply as the Ghost Mistress - that had come after the peace settled in. Albeit that was not something Ezra had known until he went into the Johto portion of the net while in Johto, as his short schooling in Kanto hadn't mentioned it. At all.
Her most well known moniker during the war was the Mistress of Madness, given by Johto, and if you went back into what someone Ezra's age would call ancient history by now… To the pre-war period...
She'd also been known as the Maiden of Slaughter.
The pre-war and war period had not been a time of reasoned discussion around a table…
Ezra really didn't want to think about the fact Agatha had once even been a maiden.
Let alone one earning that moniker.
Pewter City, Kanto
The road from Pewter City to his stable was quiet, the steady rhythm of their footsteps the only real sound breaking the stillness of the afternoon. Ezra and Karen walked side by side, though neither seemed particularly thrilled with the arrangement still. The tension between them had simmered down somewhat, though it wasn't gone. If anything, it felt like it had settled into a kind of uneasy truce. There was still a palpable sense of frustration and annoyance radiating off Karen, and Ezra couldn't help but wonder if it would boil over again before long.
Still, he had to admit she'd been handling things better than he'd expected. After all, being saddled with someone you disliked - someone you'd lost to - couldn't have been easy for her. Especially with how much she seemed to respect Agatha.
Karen had kept herself composed since they left the tournament, and Ezra, in an uncharacteristic show of maturity, had held back his usual teasing, trying not to provoke her. For now, at least. He was practically a saint, really.
"So... Pewter City is your home base?" Karen said, breaking the silence. Her voice was neutral, though there was a slight edge to it. Likely from the fact she'd already tried finding him here, according to Brock. "What's so special about this place?"
Ezra shrugged, glancing at the familiar path leading toward the outskirts of the city. "It's nice and homely, safe. Got good lawyers for my business and a good place to keep a stable for my Pokemon. Brock's the guy watching it when I'm not around and he's the Gym Leaders son, and a stand up bro. Plus, it's close enough to the mountains for some good training. I've got some business to take care of here with my breeding project too."
"Breeding project?" Karen raised an eyebrow. "What kind of project?"
"A Pokemon farm and breeding center," Ezra replied, since she'd find out soon enough anyway, shoving his hands into his pockets as they walked. "I'm starting a business with a big shot investor on board. Breeding rare and unique Pokemon I've discovered, Ghost and Dark types amongst them. It's a long-term plan, but my business partner already got the land and the paperwork ready. Just signed the contract with my lawyer before we headed up here."
It had only taken a few minutes really, while Karen waited outside, and Devon Corp was going to start as early as this week on transforming the plot of land Steven Stone had already apparently purchased near Lavender Town.
Karen hummed, crossing her arms. "That sounds… Potentially profitable. So you're a businessman now too?" There was a hint of disbelief in her tone, and he couldn't really blame her.
Ezra chuckled. "Something like that. I've got plans beyond just battling. Gotta think ahead. Plus, you know, the money in raising rare Pokemon is a field that will never lose value."
There was a pause, the conversation hitting a brief lull as they continued up the winding path. Karen's gaze shifted to the trees lining the road, her expression softening ever so slightly.
"Blackthorn City never had anything like that," She said after a moment, surprising him, she's from Lance's hometown? Her voice was quieter now, as if the mention of Blackthorn City had drawn her into some kind of reflection. "It was always so... Traditional. Not many people there think about something like breeding or about expanding their horizons. It was all about the past, about honoring their dragon heritage."
In hindsight, of course she's from Johto, but… How did she end up as Agatha's apprentice?
Ezra glanced at her, catching the slight bitterness in her tone, clueing him in that she'd not had a happy time in Blackthorn. "Yeah, I can see how that could get old fast. Too much tradition can choke you if you let it. It's why I probably would have gotten the hell out of Lavender Town even if they didn't kick me out." Not that it will stop me from going back and making the traditionalists choke on it…
Karen gave a small, almost imperceptible nod. "It's not easy being trapped in someone else's shadow." She muttered darkly, "Even if that shadow is an entire heritage and tradition."
Ezra didn't say anything to that, letting her words hang in the air. He understood the sentiment well enough - he had his own reasons for wanting to carve out his own path, outside the expectations of others. Still, it wasn't the kind of thing he'd voice aloud. Not right now, anyway. He had a feeling Karen professing an interest in Dark Pokemon in Dragon nuts Blackthorn hadn't ended well..
The conversation trailed off again as they rounded a bend in the road, and soon enough, the familiar sight of Ezra's stable came into view. It wasn't much yet - but it was his. The beginning of something much bigger in the end.
Standing just outside the main barn, waiting for them with his arms crossed and a bright grin on his face, was Brock. Ezra had called ahead of course, so that Brock would know he'd have time off for the next week or so.
"Ezra!" Brock called out, waving them over enthusiastically. As soon as they got close, Brock's grin widened even further. "You guys hooked up after all, huh? I knew she had the hots for you!"
The words hit like a bomb. Ezra froze for a split second, feeling Karen stiffen beside him. Her face flushed with fury, and in that brief moment of pure rage, she whipped out her Pokeball, releasing her Weavile in one swift motion.
"Weavile!" She shouted, her voice shaking with barely controlled anger, "Ice to the crotch of that idiot, NOW!"
Luckily, Ezra's reflexes kicked in faster than Brock's sense of self-preservation. "Loki, Intercept!" He snapped, releasing his Banette just in time to block the Ice attack - an icy projectile the size of Brock's head - from smashing into the oblivious Gym Leader's most vulnerable area.
All this time not pissing her off, and Brock had to open his mouth. Ah, well, at least it wasn't him.
Loki's eerie grin twisted as he floated between Brock and Weavile, looking back at Ezra with a funny eyebrow. The Banette's expression seemed to say, Really? Protecting this one? Ezra could almost hear the exasperation in Loki's body language.
Ezra sighed, running a hand through his hair as Brock, completely oblivious to the reason for his near ball crushing experience, blinked in confusion.
"What's going on?" Brock asked, glancing between Karen's furious expression and Weavile's still-glowing claws. "Did I say something wrong?"
Karen's eyes blazed, her hands balling into fists as she turned on Brock. "Did you say something wrong?" She repeated, her voice low and dangerous. "You absolute moron! I - we - are not hooked up. There is nothing between us, and if you say something like that again, I'll - "
"Karen," Ezra interrupted, his voice steady but firm. "Let it go. He's just... Well, he's just Brock."
Brock blinked again, scratching the back of his head in genuine confusion. "What? I thought... I mean, I could've sworn..."
"Don't," Karen growled, still glaring daggers at the confused boy. "Just don't."
Brock held up his hands in surrender, backing up slightly. "Alright, alright, I get it. No need for that Weavile to cut my head off. Jeez."
Ezra shook his head, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Brock, just... Think before you speak, man. That's all I'm asking." I got to work on that girls anger issues…
Brock chuckled awkwardly, rubbing the back of his neck. "Yeah, I'll work on that."
Karen huffed, recalling Weavile, though the tension in her shoulders didn't ease entirely. She shot Brock one last warning look before turning her attention back to Ezra, crossing her arms. "Can we get on with this? I'd rather not spend any more time dealing with idiots today."
Ezra sighed again, glancing between the two of them. This was going to be a long, long partnership.
He didn't think it was worth it telling Karen off this time. He'd let her have this one. Brock wouldn't mind anyway.
If she tried any of that shit with him though… He'd lay the law down fast.
That night,
The night air was cool as Ezra made his way to the clearing just beyond the stable. The stars were bright overhead, casting a pale light across the grassy field. His mind was focused, his steps deliberate, as he walked ahead of Karen, who trailed behind with a curious but guarded expression. The whole day had been a whirlwind of contracts, awkward encounters, and misjudged assumptions, Karen following him everywhere. Now, though, he could relax a little, do what he enjoyed most - training his Pokemon.
Well, he'd enjoy a couple other things even more… But Pokemon training was the cheapest entertainment he had at the moment.
He reached the clearing, and without a word, released his team, and the rest of his Pokemon, his Pokemon limits not mattering on this plot of land due to his stable license.
Pokeballs opened with a flash, and one by one, his Pokemon materialized around him, a diverse crowd of spectral and dark creatures. Sableye materialized first, its gem eyes glinting as it dug its claws into the dirt. Duskull hovered next to it, the single glowing eye behind its skull-like face fixed on Ezra. A Mimikyu shuffled close to the group, while Shedinja floated silently in the air, the hollow shell of a Pokemon casting an eerie aura. Yamask hovered nearby, holding its mask closely, while Murkrow cawed from a perch atop a nearby tree. A Lampent and Litwick drifted above the field, their ghostly flames flickering in the breeze, and Misdreavous hovered with its usual mischievous smile.
Further out, the Dark-types mingled in the shadows, a Houndour stretched its limbs, Skuntank prowled along the edges of the field, Zorua's eyes gleamed with mischievous intent, and a Poochyena sniffed curiously at the ground. Ezra took a moment to appreciate the sight of them all together - his team of Ghost and Dark Pokemon, each one as unique and would hopefully one day become powerful as his main team.
Karen stood back, eyes slightly wide, though she tried to hide her surprise. "Quite the collection you've got there," She commented, her tone begrudgingly impressed.
Ezra didn't respond at first, instead moving amongst his Pokemon, giving each a moment of attention. "Alright, everyone, you know the drill. We've been working on technique and control, and I know Brock has kept it up - so tonight I want to see progress."
He started with Sableye, crouching beside the Pokemon, who looked up at him with its wide gem eyes, waiting. "Last time, your Shadow Claw was strong, but it wasn't fast enough. We need speed. Hit the targets and keep moving. Don't give anyone a chance to hit back, I want to see you practice tonight."
Sableye grinned and immediately bounded off, slashing at the wooden training dummies set up across the field with its claws - he would have to replace them again soon. Ezra watched closely, nodding in approval as Sableye's movements became a blur of sharp, precise strikes. "Better. Keep at it, get a good feel for the flow of the movements."
Next, he turned to Mimikyu. "You're cute as always in your outfit, Mimikyu," He said, patting it on the head, earning an eerie giggle, he'd gotten Mimikyu a much better Pikachu cosplay outfit, not that it really lowered the inherent creepiness. "I'll lend you some of the extra Litwicks, practice your Charm and Baby Doll Eyes, make sure you focus on getting a good feel for the energy, don't just use the technique, feel it."
Mimikyu bobbed its head and shuffled forward, Ezra gesturing for several of his captured Litwicks to join it for training, to be practice dummies in a way. He didn't mention the fairy type energy out loud, because he didn't need to tell Karen everything for her reports… And Fairy types were not a thing yet in the four regions.
Karen watched as Ezra made his way through the group, giving advice and feedback with a calm, even tone. He wasn't loud, nor did he shout commands - his Pokemon seemed to understand him perfectly with just a few words or a glance. Which just wasn't how Dark and Ghost Pokemon worked.
Ezra moved on to Duskull, his voice softening slightly. "You've been getting better with Will-O-Wisp, but I want more control. Focus your flames, just fire up, no fires to put out this time, eh?" Brock had to act as a fireman too many times during the past few days from what Ezra had been told. Duskull a little bit of a pyromaniac.
Duskull floated upward, summoning blue flames that danced in the air. It released the flames one at a time up into the air, each one firing off with precision. Ezra gave an approving nod before moving on to Yamask.
"Shadow Ball, full power. Show me you can handle it without losing control." He ordered quietly, the Yamask struggling with the power aspect, unlike most of his other Ghosts who struggled to rein in their power for finer control.
Yamask's eyes glowed as it summoned a ball of dark energy, launching it toward the farthest target, set up amongst the trees around the clearing. The attack hit with a satisfying thud, the dark energy dissipating on impact.
"Nice. Keep practicing, I want you to hit harder next time, keep focusing on gathering your power, you already have decent control, I know it's not fast at the moment, but speed will come later."
As the training progressed, Karen's earlier surprise turned into something closer to jealousy. She had strong Pokrmon herself, but the sheer variety and rare types Ezra had at his disposal were impressive. It wasn't just the number - it was the way he handled them, the quiet confidence and the easy familiarity. He knew them, inside and out, and they trusted him. And again, these Pokemon shouldn't work like that!
Karen had fought and bled and cried to get her Pokemon to the level they were at, and they still needed a firm hand to continue listening to her at times. Ghost and Dark types just didn't do the cuddly nice crap. She was honestly not sure what was going on.
"Where do you even find some of these Pokemon?" Karen asked, half out of curiosity, half out of envy. She didn't want to ask the more burning question, well aware she hadn't exactly earned his confidence.
Ezra glanced at her, not breaking stride as he approached the next Pokemon. "Here and there. Some came to me, others I sought out. It helps to know where to look."
What a wonderful non-answer, Karen thought, she crossed her arms, watching as Ezra knelt beside a small Eevee, who bounded up to him happily. She narrowed her eyes. "An Eevee? Doesn't really fit with the whole Ghost/Dark theme." She pointed out.
Ezra smirked, rubbing the Eevee's head affectionately. "Not yet. But soon. She's special." He handed Eevee a few berries, watching as she happily nibbled away. "Right now, we're just bonding. Getting her ready for the next step."
Karen scoffed, shaking her head. "So, what, with one Pokemon you're trying to make it set the sky on fire, and with this one, you're coddling it like a pet? Are you sure you're not insane with this kind of random training?"
Ezra chuckled, leaning back against a nearby tree, his hand still resting on Eevee's soft fur. "You've got to treat each one differently. Some need discipline, some need encouragement. It's all about balance."
"Balance?" Karen muttered. "You're all over the place." A new Eeveelution perhaps, but how does he know? She wondered.
He didn't rise to the bait, instead calling over his Murkrow, who fluttered down from its perch. "You've been getting better at flying through obstacles and changing direction on the fly," Ezra said, watching as the Dark bird Pokemon cawed softly in response. "But I want more control on those turns, less throwing yourself in a direction and more focused flight. Work on your agility again tonight, cycle your energy while you work."
Murkrow took off again, flying low over the field, dodging between obstacles Ezra and Brock had set up in the forest before he left for the tournament. Murkrow clipped its wing on one of the targets as it rapidly switched directions, squawking in frustration.
Ezra didn't scold it. "You'll get there. Just focus." He called out, watching intently. Murkrow could already perform aerial acrobatics that made the Pokemon very hard to hit. Ezra intended to continue this training until very hard became can't. Not without techniques that filled the sky or bypassed the possibility to dodge at all.
Karen watched the entire process with a mix of frustration and grudging respect. It was clear Ezra knew his stuff, even if his methods were unconventional - no, she corrected herself, downright odd. He seemed to push his Pokemon to the edge yes, but in odd directions, with a lot more self reliance then she'd ever seen, especially for Pokemon who were notorious for needing a firm hand.
Everything Karen knew said this couldn't work, so seeing it work, and work well, was finally beginning to force her to look at things from a new point of view. Understanding why Agatha was interested in the first place.
As the night wore on and the other Pokemon continued their training, Ezra walked a little further away from the group, his steps purposeful. Karen raised an eyebrow and followed him, Rider and Loki trailing behind them both as silent guardians instead of performing their own training.
When they were far enough from the rest of the team, Ezra stopped and pulled out another Pokeball. A quick flash of light revealed a Primeape standing before them, its fists clenched, eyes wild with rage, ready to fight.
Primeape roared, immediately putting up its fists, muscles rippling with tension.
Ezra crossed his arms, staring down the Primeape, his gaze cold. "You think you're angry," He said softly, his voice cutting through the night air. "But you have no idea."
Primeape growled, lowering itself into a fighting stance, ready to strike. Not caring that it was its owner.
Ezra chuckled, his smile sharp and humorless. "You're weak. So very, very weak. Maybe if you were angry enough, you'd be useful."
The Primeape let out a roar, its fists swinging toward Ezra with wild abandon, only for a Shadow Ball from Loki to explode right in its face, halting its charge.
From the sidelines, Karen crossed her arms and commented dryly, "So that's how you beat me. You're literally too insane to predict." She shook her head, "You cuddle with the Eevee, and here you're what? Trying to enrage the rage Pokemon?"
"There's a method to my madness," Ezra countered with a smirk, his eyes never leaving the Primeape.
Karen shook her head again, her expression both bemused and annoyed. "Your method is going to get your face punched in." She predicted, one hand resting near her Pokeballs, in case she needed to fend the Primeape off.
Ezra's smirk widened. "I think Primeape can go further. There's something else in him. If he were just angrier, more focused, he could evolve into something truly terrifying."
"You're nuts," Karen said, her tone flat. "But... whatever. Your funeral." There isn't an evolution for Primeape… Is there?
She watched, her curiosity piqued despite herself, as Ezra continued to taunt and push the Primeape. The Pokemon grew more and more enraged with every failure, lashing out at trees and rocks, its strikes growing wilder and more powerful as it vented its fury. Loki and Rider stood ready in case things went too far, but Ezra never flinched, never backed down. Casting Rage Fist wasn't enough, if it was, the Primeape and many others of its kind, would already have evolved.
No, it literally needed to be pushed to the point its heart literally exploded in anger.
After what felt like hours, Ezra called the Primeape back to its Pokeball, the Pokemon still fuming and trembling with rage. "I'll try again tomorrow night," Ezra said, almost to himself. "Maybe a little more time will do the trick."
Karen shook her head, muttering under her breath, "You're insane." But after what she'd seen already, she was half afraid he'd actually pull it off. How he knew any of this… She'd never heard of any of it… And she had more access then almost anyone not a Gym Leader or an Elite Four.
Ezra just gave her a knowing smile. "You'll see the results. Just remember, only Agatha gets a report. If you try spreading this around..." He let his words hang in the air.
Agatha could feel free to try it on her own, but if it got spread beyond her, he wouldn't hesitate to sue. This all belonged to his business. Evolving Pokemon in ways no one else knew.
Karen scoffed. "I'm not the type to go back on my word, and anyway, I'm already penniless, and can hardly afford a lawsuit."
Ezra gave Karen a once-over, noting her outfit - dark, form-fitting clothes that showed more skin than they covered. They were obviously expensive, tailored to both fashion and function. He raised an eyebrow. "You don't look penniless."
She scowled, crossing her arms defensively. "It's all through Lady Agatha. She funds everything I need, but it's her money, not mine." Her voice dripped with resentment, the bitterness clear in her tone.
Ezra supposed he could understand still using it to its full extent, but being bitter about having to rely on someone else. At least she wasn't the kind of pussy that would refuse to use it and whine about her hard knock life.
Ezra nodded thoughtfully at her words, and his own thoughts on the matter, leaning back on his hands as he sat down in the grass beside his Eevee, who immediately curled up next to him. He let out a low whistle. "That sounds... Restrictive, and a hassle to deal with. What happened anyway? How did you end up with Agatha?"
Karen's eyes darkened, and she looked away, clearly unwilling to go into detail. "None of your business," She muttered, her voice cold and clipped.
Ezra shrugged, not pushing further. He could tell there was something deeper there, but he wasn't in the mood to pry. Not now, anyway. Instead, he turned his attention back to his Eevee, gently stroking the fur on her head. She let out a soft purr, her tail twitching contentedly.
For a moment, silence fell between them, only broken by the soft rustle of the wind through the trees and the distant sounds of his Pokemon continuing their training.
Karen finally broke the silence, her voice laced with disbelief. "I still can't get over how you went from trying to make a Primeape mad enough to kill you to... this." She gestured toward the Eevee, who was nuzzling against Ezra's hand, completely at ease. "Are you seriously trying to tell me there's some kind of logic behind your training methods?"
Ezra smirked, not looking up. "Of course. Different Pokemon need different approaches. Some thrive on discipline and anger, others need affection and care. You can't treat them all the same." He winked, "I throw everything at the wall and see what sticks, nothing is too crazy to try."
Karen stared at him for a moment, still looking unconvinced. "That's... A weird way to train," She admitted, though her voice lacked its usual bite.
Ezra chuckled softly. "It's worked so far. And besides, you'll see the results soon enough." I don't enjoy having to share this… But I suppose blowing her mind has some small enjoyment in it.
Karen sighed, running a hand through her hair, clearly frustrated. She turned her back to him slightly, pacing in a small circle as she processed everything. "I just don't get you, Kassian. One moment you're taunting a Primeape like you have a death wish, and the next you're coddling an Eevee like she's your pet. I get what you're saying, your reasoning, but still, It's like you're two different people."
She's really stuck on this, that's what? The third time she's brought it up? He thought. Ezra gave her a sidelong glance, his smile fading slightly. "There's more than one way to train a Pokemon, Karen. Just like there's more than one way to handle people, typing isn't everything."
She stopped pacing, staring down at him, eyes narrowed. "What's that supposed to mean?"
He shrugged casually, leaning back into the grass, stretching out lazily. "It means you don't need to understand everything I do. You just need to know that it works."
"I doubt I'll ever understand you." She snarked, letting out a huff, leaning against a tree.
They both shared a rare moment of silence, the tension between them easing slightly. For the first time since they'd been stuck together, there wasn't the usual undercurrent of animosity or resentment in the air. Ezra focused on his Eevee, who was now curled up beside him, her eyes half-lidded in contentment.
Karen looked down at them, her arms still crossed, but the hard edge in her gaze had softened somewhat. "So... What's the deal with that Eevee? You gonna evolve her into something? Something new?"
Ezra didn't respond immediately, his hand gently brushing over the soft fur along Eevee's back. "Eventually. I've got a plan for her. But right now, we're just bonding."
"Bonding?" Karen echoed, her voice skeptical. "That's part of your 'method,' too, huh?" She shook her head, "People have tried that before, just bonding isn't enough, experts in their field have tried it, Kassian." She stressed.
Ezra nodded. "Yeah. Bonding, trust... All of it matters depending on the Pokemon. You can't just throw some Pokemon into battle without them trusting you. It's like asking someone to fight a war for you without them knowing if you've got their back." He shrugged, "Again, that's some Pokemon, they can be as different as you and I."
None of that was exactly new. But some trainers did get stuck into the trap of treating all their Pokemon the same. And Karen seemed the type. Especially as a type specialist, especially as a Dark trainer. Although he wasn't entirely fair. No one could really tame them the same way he was after all.
Karen fell silent at that, watching him quietly for a moment. There was a flicker of something in her eyes - something she didn't often let show. She wasn't used to this kind of approach. Her own training, the way Agatha had raised her, was based more on power and control. She had to be in charge, to dominate. Ezra's approach seemed softer, more personal, but there was a steeliness to it that couldn't be ignored.
After a few moments, Karen sighed and sat down on the grass a few feet away from him, leaning back on her hands. "Alright, fine. I'll admit, your Pokemon seem loyal enough, somehow. But you've got to know Lady Agatha's expecting results in my reports. She's not going to be happy with... Whatever this is." She gestured vaguely toward the peaceful Eevee. "It's really not her philosophy, at all."
Ezra's eyes gleamed with mischief as he looked at her. "Don't worry. Old Agatha's only interested in the outcome. The process? That's all mine, and stuff she can throw on her minions." Like you, he left unsaid.
Except for the actual evolution tricks, even Agatha wouldn't just share that. She was old, and the older you were, the more likely it was you were part of the group who believed Pokemon knowledge shouldn't be entirely free and shared amongst everyone. Elite Four or not, he was willing to bet Agatha was like that.
Karen arched an eyebrow, clearly not convinced. "You really think you can handle Lady Agatha long-term? She's not going to let you do whatever you want, you know. She's not exactly the hands-off type."
Ezra leaned his head back, staring up at the stars above. "We'll see. But I have a feeling I'll manage. Old Agatha's tough, but she knows talent when she sees it. As long as I keep delivering, she won't interfere too much." Arceus, let me be right about that…
Karen watched him for a moment longer, then let out a reluctant sigh. "You're insufferable, you know that?" But there was no real heat behind it.
Ezra grinned, not looking at her. "I get that a lot."
The two of them sat in companionable silence for a while, the cool night air settling around them. Karen might not have fully understood Ezra's methods, but there was a begrudging respect building between them. She wasn't ready to admit it, but she was starting to see that maybe - just maybe - there was more to Ezra Kassian than she'd first thought.
As the night deepened, and the rest of the Pokemon settled into their routines, Ezra and Karen remained where they were, each lost in their own thoughts. They didn't need to say anything else. For now, they had reached a truce of sorts, an understanding that, for better or worse, they were stuck with each other.
And maybe, just maybe, that wasn't the worst thing in the world.
A week later,
It shouldn't be this easy, Ezra thought as he stood just outside the makeshift training field.
Seven days. That's how long he had spent in Pewter City, doing little else but pushing his Pokemon to their limits, especially his Primeape. It had been a brutal week - constant taunting, needling, and antagonizing. Seven days of driving the Primeape to the edge of apocalyptic fury.
Ezra knew this approach was dangerous. Primeape was already a volatile Pokemon by nature, and what he had been doing was deliberately lighting the fuse over and over again. If it weren't for his aura - which he believed could soothe the beast once it evolved into its Ghostly form - this might have been a terrible idea. Primeape didn't like him. There was no illusion of affection there - couldn't be with how hard he was pushing. The Pokemon had been on the verge of tearing him apart more than once. But Ezra knew that if he explained his plan, the kind of soul-deep rage that was necessary for its evolution might never come. It had to be real, raw, and unfiltered.
If Primeape had known it was all for its benefit, then that rage wouldn't have been true, it wouldn't have been deep enough, real enough. He was also lucky Karen wasn't a bleeding heart. Because if any of the Pokefriends organizations people had seen this - they would have cried abuse all the way to court.
Now, on the eighth night of their training regimen, here he stood, watching the fruits of his labor come to life. Karen stood a few feet behind him, her mouth slightly open in disbelief, eyes wide in shock. The air was thick with tension, and Ezra could feel the electricity in it. His Primeape, utterly consumed by rage, was glowing.
The evolution had begun.
A brilliant light enveloped Primeape, the aura of fury radiating off him in waves so intense that the very air seemed to shudder with it. The Pokemon's muscles tensed, expanding as the energy coursed through its body. Its fur stood on end, becoming sharper, more ragged, as if the very essence of its rage was molding its physical form into something more primal, more terrifying. The ground beneath its feet cracked, unable to withstand the sheer pressure of the transformation. Its fists clenched tightly, glowing with the dark, ghostly energy of its new form.
Ezra watched with cold, calculating eyes as Primeape's shape began to change. He could see the rage fueling every fiber of the Pokemon's being, turning it into something entirely different. Its arms lengthened, becoming sinewy and more powerful. Its once-spherical body stretched, growing taller, more menacing, its posture no longer hunched, but upright and poised for violence. Dark, shadowy tendrils swirled around its body like ghostly chains, a manifestation of the fury that had once consumed it. Its face, once filled with mindless anger, was now focused - its eyes glowing with an almost otherworldly intensity. The most notable change, though, was the spectral chains that now hung from the manacles on its wrists, flickering with ethereal energy. These were no ordinary chains - they were the physical manifestation of the Pokemon's inner torment, its rage having evolved into something beyond anger. Something darker.
Annihilape had arrived.
"I'm going to call you, Akuma…" Ezra mused out loud. Devil is a fitting name for you, my raging new friend…
Karen let out a gasp as the evolution finished, the last vestiges of light disappearing to reveal the towering figure that stood before them. The Annihilape's eyes blazed like embers in the darkness, its fists pulsing with spectral energy as it shadow-boxed the air, its movements swift and fluid, a deadly elegance in the way it moved. The rage that had once been so prominent was still there, but it had been transformed into something else - something controlled, directed.
Ezra didn't move. He simply waited. Will it understand, will my aura be enough?
Annihilape's movements slowed as it turned toward him, its glowing eyes locking onto its trainer. There was a moment of tense silence, the air crackling with the lingering energy of the evolution. And then, just as Ezra had anticipated, although perhaps not the manner of it, Annihilape bowed it's head. It was a low, deliberate gesture, its massive form bent in submission, its gaze now filled with respect mixed in with the fury.
Ezra let out a slow breath and reached out with his aura, letting it flow from him in a soothing, enveloping wave. The energy washed over the Annihilape like a blanket, calming whatever lingering tension remained. The Pokemon stood tall once more, its body relaxed and steady. The transition from uncontrollable rage to this level of calm was almost jarring.
Even a rage Pokemon could be soothed by his aura it seemed. Although it seemed he hadn't truly needed it. Akuma had accepted what had happened - understood the necessity once the evolution hit.
Karen, still standing behind him, stared in utter disbelief. Her voice, barely a whisper, broke the silence. "What the fuck are you?" She asked, her words filled with awe and confusion.
Ezra didn't respond. He couldn't, even if he'd wanted to. Because at that exact moment, Annihilape bounced over in one might leap and reached out and pulled him into a crushing hug. Ezra's breath left him in a painful whoosh as the Pokemon squeezed him tightly, its muscular arms nearly suffocating him in a show of affection - or revenge. It was hard to tell.
Okay, so maybe not entirely over it…
"L-Loki, a little help?" Ezra wheezed, his voice strained as he tried to breathe through the Annihilape's iron grip.
The Banette, who had been watching from a distance, floated closer, its stitched mouth twisted in a smirk. It looked at Ezra with an almost sarcastic expression, as if to say, Really? Not deserved? Loki floated around the Annihilape's head, poking at it playfully, but didn't intervene further then that.
"Any...Time..." Ezra managed to croak out, his vision starting to blur slightly from the pressure. He still held back from using his shadow, in a way, Akuma deserved his little miniature rebellion for all that Ezra put it through.
Karen, still wide-eyed, had the sense to step forward, though she seemed more fascinated than concerned. "Should I... Do something?" Fascinated, and probably feeling some vindication too.
Ezra, unable to speak, just gave her a pleading look. While he refused to use his shadow so overtly in front of Karen, and to escape his probably just punishment, Karen could help and it wouldn't be his fault at all.
Karen smirked, clearly enjoying his predicament. "You know, after everything you put that poor Primeape through, this feels like karma."
He had a feeling she didn't just mean the Primeape…
Ezra glared at her through the haze of his impending unconsciousness, but then, Akuma let him go, huffing out a laugh, as it stepped back, its ghostly chains rattling slightly.
Ezra coughed, rubbing his ribs as he sat up, glaring at Karen. "Thanks," He muttered sarcastically. "You were a big help."
Karen crossed her arms, her expression smug. "And here I thought you had this whole control thing down."
Ezra shot her a look, but there was no real malice behind it. "There's a method to my madness," He repeated his previous words, still slightly breathless.
Karen rolled her eyes. "Your method is going to get you killed one day."
Ezra shrugged, standing up and dusting himself off. "Maybe. But it worked, didn't it? A Ghost/Fighting type, nothing like you've seen before, eh? Controlled and eager to serve."
Karen raised an eyebrow, glancing at the massive ghostly figure of the Annihilape, who was now standing off to the side, calm and composed. "You call that controlled?" She said dryly, "It almost choked you out."
Ezra smirked. "You saw the bow. That's loyalty. Respect."
Karen shook her head, still looking somewhat baffled by the entire situation. "Whatever you say, Kassian. You want to call being choked out respect, I'm not going to intrude on your kinks."
Ezra spluttered slightly, not having an immediate comeback, he was so caught off guard by that comment. Karen smirked smugly in victory.
The Annihilape stood quietly by, watching them calmly. But behind its calm demeanor, Ezra knew that it had all the power and rage it needed, power that simmered just beneath the surface, waiting for the right moment to be unleashed. His aura was likely pushing it down for now, but Akuma was never going to be a calm Pokemon, especially once in battle.
His plan had worked. The uncontrollable rage of Primeape had evolved into something far more dangerous - and far more useful.
He felt confident in his team now,
It was time to tackle the gyms. And well… He still had tons of time before the end of the circuit… Why not go for both Kanto and Johto's circuit, and do a clean sweep?
Hopefully by the time he was done, all his major Pokemon would have evolved, and he'd be facing the conference with a Dragapult and a Hydreigon.
The only sad thing was the fact he wouldn't get to shock Agatha with a surprise Annihilape to the face, not with Karen's reporting of what's happened.
Although…
Maybe they could keep just this one back, just for a little bit…
Author's note:
While Agatha could have pulled different levers and probably forced Ezra's hand, she's old, not stupid.
Having a belligerent Ezra, able to connect with Ghosts - forced to work for her. Isn't a good outcome for Agatha. So since he's so stubborn, she devises another way to tie him close enough, while she still gets a trickle of his methods and secrets.
With hope she can still snag him soon enough,
Kids will be kids after all, and things could change.
And now we have an Annihilape in Ezra's corner. Although he can only carry six Pokemon into a gym battle, he will have more than six that are considered his 'elite' and he'll just switch for what's needed for a fight.
Cheers
JollyHippopotamus
Here we go, Agatha conversation coming up,
Karen getting another shock,
And Ezra just trying to ensure the big bad wolf doesn't eat him… While also trying to be his usual self and not give away anything for free.
Although with less trolling, because he's not stupid.
Named team:
Cheshire - Haunter
Loki - Banette
Nyx - Spiritomb
Rider - Alolan Marowak
Morrigan - Dreepy
Alduin - Deino
As usual, I do not own Pokemon or the associated companies that deliver material from it. I'm just playing in the kiddy pool, don't hurt me.
Enjoy!
Ezra held open the flap of the referee's tent, allowing Lady Agatha to step through first. He followed her in, feeling the weight of the encounter hanging over him like a fog. The inside of the tent was dimly lit, and it smelled faintly of grass and the earthy musk of the tournament grounds. The table in the middle was cluttered with papers, empty water bottles, and a few discarded towels.
Agatha made a sound of irritation, tapping her cane against the ground as she moved to sit in a worn chair, one hand clutching her cane and the other brushing aside some debris on the table. Despite her frail appearance, Ezra knew better than to underestimate her. Agatha of the Elite Four - the Ghost Mistress - was one of the most powerful trainers alive, and her influence spread far beyond the battlefield at this point.
She sat down with a sigh, then gave Ezra a pointed look. "Come, sit. Let's not pretend either of us enjoys this, but there's business to discuss."
Ezra eyed the other chair, then sat down across from her, his expression carefully neutral. His mind raced, though, already trying to anticipate what angle she'd take. He didn't like this situation. Not one bit. There weren't many reasons for Agatha to hold an outsized interest in him, and the only one he could fathom was his aura.
Agatha leaned forward, tapping her cane lightly against the ground again, her eyes cold and calculating. "You've done well today, boy. Impressive even. I've heard whispers about your unusual methods from all corners throughout your little jaunts, but now that I've seen you in action... I want answers." Her voice was soft but edged, like a blade that could cut at any moment.
She wasn't someone Ezra could just brush off, yet he didn't want to fully bend. Pride, or just prudence? He wasn't sure.
Ezra shifted in his seat, his hands resting on his knees. He gave her a casual shrug, though inside, he was far from casual. "I aim to please," He said, keeping his tone light, though his words had a cautious edge. "I didn't realize the Elite Four took such interest in small-time tournaments."
No need to get into other matters unless she outright asks…
Agatha's lips curved into a faint, humorless smile. "Don't play coy, young Kassian. I don't waste my time on piddly tournaments. I'm here because of you." She straightened in her seat, her sharp gaze never leaving him. "You've caught my attention, and not just because you managed to outmaneuver Karen, which, I must say, was entertaining. No, I'm interested in those Ghost Pokemon you have - the ones I've never seen in any region before, and how exactly you've come by them..."
Karen looked absolutely done with life, as she closed her eyes and seemed to be mentally counting down, anything to keep her cool at the fact Agatha had enjoyed the one sided beatdown.
Ezra tensed slightly at her question, but his face remained impassive. He had expected this, but hearing it laid out so bluntly still unsettled him, because he didn't know a way to fully get her off his back. "I guess word gets around fast," He said with fake nonchalance, leaning back a little. "But I'm not looking to share my secrets, Lady Agatha."
Agatha's smile faded, and her eyes hardened. "You're in no position to refuse, boy. Secrets like that... In the wrong hands... Well, we wouldn't want them in the wrong hands, would we?" Her voice carried a dark undercurrent, and for a moment, the tent seemed to grow colder, her presence looming despite her small frame. Karen standing just off her shoulder, shuddered, but remained still, her eyes opening as she smirked at Ezra.
No doubt enjoying seeing him being pressured.
Ezra took a slow breath, carefully choosing his words. "I'm not interested in having my Pokemon or my techniques become a tool for someone else's ambitions," He said, his voice steady. "I've got my own dreams to follow." No, I'm not going to sell out to Team Rocket…
Agatha raised an eyebrow, tilting her head. "Dreams? Hmph. And what, pray tell, are these grand dreams that make you think you can refuse me?" The cold amusement in her tone was humoring, as if he was only delaying the inevitable.
He glanced at her, then looked away for a moment, his fingers tapping lightly against his knee. He wasn't sure how much to reveal, but if he was going to get out of this conversation intact, he needed to be somewhat honest about everything. "I want to build a gym," He said finally, his voice more serious. "A Dark and Ghost Pokemon gym. I want to join the official circuit and make my mark. And I want to do it without people thinking I only got there because I'm your apprentice."
He wasn't an idiot, he could see exactly what she was pushing for with her comments.
Agatha snorted softly, amused by the notion. "A gym leader, is it?" She mused. "And what do you hope to accomplish with that? More than just fame, I assume?" From how her eyes narrowed at the end, she was practically projecting - it better not be just fame, boy!
Ezra's eyes narrowed, his voice growing more passionate. "I want to show Lavender Town what they missed. They turned their back on me because of my... Looks, and my… Attunement, and now I want to rub it in their faces. I want to prove that Dark and Ghost Pokemon aren't something to fear or shun. That they can be controlled. Used properly."
Karen looked at him with a complicated expression like she'd never seen him before, as she stood over Agatha's shoulder, Ezra ignored her, focusing on the dangerous woman in front of him.
Agatha's expression shifted slightly, a flicker of interest sparking in her eyes. "A gym... Fueled by spite and ambition, how very much like the Dark and Ghost type... I can respect that," She said, her voice dry. "But you're wrong about one thing, boy."
Ezra frowned. "And what's that?" Stop calling me boy, you wrinkled bitch!
"You think being my apprentice would limit you," She said flatly, leaning forward again. "That people would discredit your accomplishments, claim you only rose to power because of my influence. You're a fool if you believe that matters for anything but a little boy's feelings. If anything, being under my wing would give you power, connections, influence. More than you could ever achieve on your own - more than enough to accomplish your dream."
Ezra's jaw tightened. He didn't like the way she was twisting the situation, as if his only path to success ran through her - he wasn't kidding about not wanting to be seen as her puppet. He might get a gym that way, perhaps even faster, but it wouldn't be his, not truly. "I'm not interested in taking shortcuts, Lady Agatha. I want to get there on my own merit. Otherwise, what's the point?"
Agatha sighed softly, shaking her head. "You're a stubborn one. But stubbornness can be dangerous, boy. There are far more dangerous forces in the world than just Gym Leaders or the uneducated mob of Lavender Town and their prejudices."
Ezra opened his mouth to respond, but before he could speak, Agatha waved a hand dismissively. "Enough," She said, her voice growing colder. "Karen!"
Karen stepped forward reluctantly. "Yes, Lady Agatha?"
"Go fetch us some drinks. You know the one, my favorite from Hoenn - the citrus-based fizzy drink they make. I'm parched."
Karen looked confused for a moment. "I don't think they - "
"Go," Agatha snapped, her voice sharp as a whip. Karen flinched and hurried off without further protest, muttering something under her breath about 'menial tasks' as she disappeared.
Agatha watched her go, then turned her piercing gaze back to Ezra, her expression unreadable. "I know damn well they don't sell that drink here," She said quietly, her voice carrying a faint edge of amusement. "I just wanted her out of the way, I don't spoon feed my people, she can learn on her own... Now then, let's talk, you and I…"
Ezra shifted uncomfortably in his seat, but kept his voice steady. "Talk about what?"
Agatha's eyes narrowed, and for the first time, her voice completely lost any hint of its playful edge. "Don't play coy with me, boy. I'm no fool, and I've been watching you carefully. I know your little 'predisposition' that Lavender Town spoke of. That ability you have to influence Ghost Pokemon - it's not just for them, is it? You can do it with Dark Pokemon too, can't you?"
Ezra stiffened, his mind racing. He knew she'd known, otherwise none of this made sense, but it didn't make the path forward any easier. Now he had to figure out how much to reveal without giving her too much leverage. "It's... Complicated," He said carefully, his voice low.
Agatha's eyes gleamed with cold satisfaction. "Complicated, is it? You're speaking to one of the Elite Four, boy. You will be forthcoming with me. Now." There was an unmistakable threat in her voice this time. The shadows of the tent growing larger, a chill permeating the air.
She has a similar ability… He thought, I can't lie, not entirely…
"You see, Kassian," Agatha said, tapping her cane against the ground once again, "I'm not easily fooled. I watched Karen's battle closely, and from where I sat, I couldn't quite get the full picture, but I know her Pokemon far too well. They're well-trained, obedient. They do not flinch. They do not miscue or hesitate. And yet, during that battle, they did."
Ezra's throat tightened, but he kept his expression carefully neutral. He said nothing, waiting for her to continue, hoping to get a better sense of what she was after. That's an Elite Four for you I guess, I hadn't expected her to catch something so minor…
He hadn't even used any of his skills, or the Pokemon in his shadow, and yet just flashing his aura had still been caught by Agatha, or at least the results of it. He'd have to tread very carefully here… This all only confirmed to him how he wouldn't be able to use his particular skills in league sanctioned matches…
Not without great risk anyhow.
Agatha's voice lowered, carrying a dangerous weight. "So I'll ask you again directly, and I will have an answer, boy... This attunement you have? It isn't just for Ghost Pokemon, is it? It affects Dark Pokemon too. And you can control it, can't you?" She waved a hand dismissively, "I don't care that you used it to beat Karen, you use every tool in your toolbox, as long as you can get away with it. I have no quarrel over it… But you will tell me!"
Ezra hesitated, feeling the tension coil tighter around him. He considered his options. Agatha wasn't someone he could easily deceive or brush off. But outright admitting the full extent of his abilities would give her leverage, something he wasn't eager to hand over.
"I... Have a certain connection with Ghost and Dark types," He said slowly, choosing his words with care. "But it's not something I make a habit of advertising, considering I was run out of town for it."
Agatha's eyes flashed with cold amusement. "You'll have to do better than that, boy. You're speaking with one of the Elite Four. This isn't some back-alley interrogation. You will be forthcoming." Her cane hit the ground harshly, as she punctuated her statement.
Ezra clenched his jaw. He could feel the pressure mounting, but he wasn't about to cave without gaining something in return. His mind raced, trying to find a way to turn the conversation to his favor. He would not give up everything he could do, and then end up a puppet to this old witch.
Ezra felt the tension in the air tighten, like a vice closing in around him. He knew he couldn't dodge this forever, but he wasn't about to give in so easily either, or she'd run all over him. "I'm not forced to tell you anything," He said cautiously, his voice firm. "But... Maybe we could make a deal?"
Agatha's gaze narrowed. "A deal, you say? And what exactly do you think you have to bargain with?"
Ezra steeled himself, feeling the weight of her words pressing down on him. "Like I said before," He began, his voice steady, "I won't be your apprentice. I've got my own path, and being tied to you would only make people think I didn't earn my place. But I'm starting a breeding business - Ghost and Dark Pokemon amongst the offerings. Rare varieties, ones you've never seen before. I'll give you first pick of any new Ghost Pokemon I breed, and in return, I'll share some information about my attunement. But I'm not giving you everything."
For a moment, the tent was silent. Agatha's expression didn't change, but there was a sharpness in her eyes that made Ezra uneasy. Her presence seemed to loom larger, the shadows in the tent creeping closer, as if her very essence was stretching out to fill the space. When she spoke again, her voice was low and dangerous.
"Go on, brat..." She said, her tone daring him to continue to lay down terms to her. But it wasn't a flat out no, either.
Ezra swallowed, but his resolve didn't waver. He knew he was toeing a fine line, but if he didn't stand his ground now, Agatha would steamroll him into submission. "You get first pick," He repeated, his voice firm, "but not for free. I don't run a charity. You'll pay for the Pokemon, just like anyone else. And you'll get some information about how I interact with Ghost and Dark types and can do what I do, but nothing more. I'm not here to be your pawn."
Legally, she couldn't force him into anything, not without him being accused or charged with some sort of crime anyway. But there was a lot one of the scariest people on the continent could do to make things uncomfortable without going across the line of legality.
If Agatha pushed too much further… He'd ask for a lawyer for anything else. He won't be press ganged.
Agatha stared at him for a long, tense moment. The weight of her gaze was suffocating, but Ezra didn't break eye contact. He knew this was the crux of their negotiation - if she accepted his terms, he could walk out of this tent with his autonomy intact. If she didn't…
Things would get a lot more complicated.
And he hadn't exactly offered her much, all things considered. Maybe not even half of what she'd want, all told. Yet he refused to sell himself cheap, even in a situation like this.
Then, to his surprise, Agatha threw her head back and laughed - a sharp, almost wicked sound that sent a chill down Ezra's spine. When she looked back at him, her lips curled into a smirk, her eyes gleaming with a mix of amusement and something darker.
"You're an ornery little thing," She said, her voice dripping with condescending amusement. "I can't say it entirely displeases me." She sniffed haughtily, "Almost reminds me of my ex-husband, back when he had a spine…"
Ezra exhaled quietly, feeling the tension ease ever so slightly. He'd managed to stand his ground - at least for now. But the conversation wasn't over. He doubted it would end with a simple acceptance, and he shuddered at the thought of being compared to anyone that's had such a relationship with Agatha.
Before he could respond, or Agatha could lay down her counteroffer, Karen reentered the tent, her expression sullen and annoyed. "There's no such drink here," She said stiffly, like I would have told you if you'd let me, she appeared to say with her body language, glaring at the ground. "Do you want something else, Lady Agatha?"
Agatha's smirk widened as she turned to Karen, her tone dry and mocking. "No, dear. As I said, it's a Hoenn special. I knew it wouldn't be here." She paused, then added with a wave of her hand, "I just wanted you out of the way while the important people talked."
Ezra winced, oh, Arceus, I feel almost bad now for everything I've said to her.
Karen's face flushed with anger, her fists clenching at her sides. Ezra could see the moment she almost snapped, the frustration boiling just beneath the surface. But, at the last second, Karen bit her tongue and held herself in check, though her entire body was tense with barely contained rage.
If Agatha was trying to train her out of her hair-trigger temper by constantly pissing her off, Ezra did feel a small amount of pity for the girl. It's not like she could ever truly talk back, it's freaking Agatha.
Agatha turned back to Ezra, her eyes gleaming with a smug satisfaction. "Now, where were we?" She said, her voice almost casual. "Ah, yes. The deal." Her tone was entirely dry, as she mentioned the deal.
She leaned forward, her hands clasped over her cane. "I agree to your terms… On my terms. You'll provide me with first pick of any new Ghost Pokemon and Dark Pokemon types that you breed, and in return, I'll accept that you won't be my apprentice, for now." Her smile grew sharper, her eyes glinting with mischief. "But there's one caveat."
Ezra's brow furrowed, his wariness returning. "Caveat?" He echoed.
Agatha's smile widened, and there was a dangerous gleam in her eyes. "Karen," She said smoothly, her gaze flicking to her apprentice, "Will be joining you on your journey."
Ezra blinked, his mouth opening in shock, but Agatha wasn't finished. "She'll document your training methods and your interactions with your Pokemon. For me."
Karen, who had been standing stiffly to the side, suddenly froze, her face twisting in disbelief. "What?" She blurted out, her voice high-pitched with outrage. "Lady Agatha, I -"
Ezra barely registered Karen's outburst as he gaped at Agatha, his mind reeling from the sudden twist. "You can't be serious," He muttered, still in shock. Agatha's gaze on him told him plenty, she's willing to wait on the information…
Because she knew Ezra wouldn't share it all, while it would be very hard to hide it from Karen during the journey. Agatha was choosing to wave away the requirement of knowledge now, for full knowledge later. And Ezra would have a hard time saying no, because technically… Agatha's deal, at least on the surface, was heavily leaning his way.
Because Agatha could force the issue a lot harder if she so chose to.
Agatha's smirk only grew, her satisfaction radiating from her like a cold wave. "Oh, I'm very serious," She said sweetly, her tone dripping with amusement.
Karen looked like she was about to blow a fuse, her face flushed with anger, her hands clenched into tight fists. "But -"
"Silence, Karen," Agatha snapped, her voice cutting through the air like a whip. "I've made my decision."
Ezra could only stare at the two of them, his mind racing as he tried to process the situation. Agatha's smug smile remained fixed on her face, her eyes gleaming with dark amusement.
Ezra had come here expecting a difficult negotiation, but he hadn't expected this.
He couldn't think of a good way to say no without ending up with a worse deal.
He'd avoided being forced into an apprenticeship, he'd have to take what he could get.
This is going to be awkward…
30 minutes later,
The prize ceremony was a rushed, awkward affair, held hastily in the center of the battle field after Agatha had made her dramatic exit. The event, which should have been a moment of triumph for Ezra, was dampened by the simmering tension between him and Karen. Both trainers stood in the spotlight, their faces plastered with fake smiles as the organizers bustled around, eager to conclude the tournament on a high note despite the obvious awkwardness that hung in the air.
And the rather odd delay in which everyone had to stand around for almost an hour, waiting, as Agatha had stolen away both finalists.
Ezra's thoughts were far from the glittering stage and cheering crowd - although a much smaller one after an hour. His mind was still reeling from Agatha's bombshell - the news that Karen would be joining him on his journey was like a punch to the gut. He hadn't even been able to fully process it yet. He was already imagining the endless arguments, the constant friction. His jaw tightened as he tried to keep his expression neutral, his eyes scanning the crowd without really seeing them.
Sure, some of that friction was his doing, but she made it so easy, he couldn't resist.
Karen, on the other hand, looked even unhappier. Her smile was utterly forced, her eyes hard as she stood beside Ezra, arms crossed tightly across her chest. She was clearly furious with how everything had played out - her defeat, Agatha's dismissive attitude, and now, being forced to follow Ezra like some errand girl. Her knuckles were white from how tightly she clenched her fists, but she held her head high, refusing to let the crowd see how much the situation was getting under her skin.
The head organizer, a balding man with a forced grin, stepped forward, holding a gleaming trophy in one hand and an envelope of prize money in the other. "And the winner of this year's Battle Tower Lawn Tournament is Ezra Kassian, champion of the Orange League!" He announced with far too much enthusiasm, thrusting the envelope and the trophy into Ezra's hands before stepping aside for the next presenter.
Ezra nodded briefly in acknowledgment, glancing at the envelope without much interest. The money was nice, sure, but it wasn't the real prize. His eyes darted to the small display case where his true reward awaited - a Pokemon Egg, gleaming softly under the bright stadium lights that covered the battlefield. They'd refused to tell him the species inside, saying it was more interesting that way - that it hadn't been revealed for the tournament, and could be anything.
Hopefully it wasn't a complete waste. Although it likely would be a Pokemon for either breeding or selling. Because it wouldn't be a Ghost or Dark Pokemon in there, he was willing to bet.
"Congratulations," The head organizer said, clearly eager to keep things moving. He motioned to Karen next. "And our runner-up, Karen of the Elite Four apprentice program! She will receive her prize money and the TM for Earthquake!"
Karen accepted her prize with a stiff nod, her face betraying no emotion even though she was clearly seething underneath. Earthquake was a powerful move, sure, but the sting of losing to Ezra so publicly made it feel like a hollow reward. She had expected to be standing in his place, triumphant. Instead, she was the one being pitied.
The crowd cheered politely as the prizes were distributed, but it was clear the excitement had waned after Agatha's earlier presence. Ezra and Karen both stood awkwardly on the stage, pretending to enjoy the moment when, in truth, both wanted nothing more than to leave. The moment the final applause died down, they both quickly excused themselves, heading back toward the tent with matching sour expressions.
As soon as they were out of earshot from the crowd, Karen's composure cracked. She stopped in the middle of the path, rounding on Ezra with a scowl. "Listen up, brat," She snapped, her voice sharp with frustration. "I don't care how that battle went. You're the rookie here, not me. I'm in charge, and what I say goes. Agatha may have stuck me with you, but that doesn't mean I'm going to take orders from someone beneath me."
Ezra blinked, taken aback by the sudden outburst but not entirely surprised. He raised an eyebrow, crossing his arms casually as he stared back at her. "Really? Because I distinctly remember beating you like an unwanted stepchild not more than an hour ago," He said coolly, his voice calm, but laced with sarcasm. "And if I recall correctly, Agatha didn't attach me to you - she attached you to me. Because I'm what she wants. Not you."
Karen's face flushed with anger, but Ezra didn't give her a chance to respond.
"I don't care what you think," He continued, his tone sharpening. "I'm heading to Pewter next. That's my plan. You can come if you want, or you can stay behind and explain to Agatha how you couldn't even last a day. But I'm not going to change my journey or my plans because you want to play boss. You have two choices - follow my lead or get left behind."
For a moment, there was nothing but silence between them, the tension crackling like electricity in the air. Karen's eyes blazed with fury, her mouth opening as if to argue, but then she closed it again, clearly struggling with her emotions. She was furious, humiliated, but Ezra's words had struck a chord - she knew he was right. Agatha hadn't given her a choice in the matter. If she didn't follow through on this assignment, it would be her neck on the line.
And Agatha, despite the way she acted, had given Karen everything. She couldn't let her down. Not again.
She let out a frustrated sigh, her shoulders sagging slightly as the fight drained out of her. "Fine," She muttered, her voice tight with anger. "But don't expect me to take orders from you, I'm just following you around."
Ezra smirked, but it was a tired one. "I don't care if you take orders from me or not, Karen. Just don't get in my way. I've got my own goals, and I'm not letting anyone - or anything - get in the way of that."
Karen glared at him, her jaw tight, but she didn't argue. There was a long, heavy silence as they both stood there, each refusing to back down completely but realizing they were stuck with each other. Finally, Ezra let out a sigh, running a hand through his hair.
"Look," He said, his voice softer now, "We don't have to like each other, but we're stuck together for now. So let's just make the best of it, yeah? I'll try not to mock you too much, and you... Try not to take out your anger at Agatha on me. Deal?"
Karen crossed her arms, her eyes narrowed. "I'll try," She said begrudgingly, clearly still frustrated, but there was a hint of reluctance in her voice. "But don't expect me to just roll over and let you walk all over me."
Ezra nodded. "Wouldn't dream of it," He said with a wry smile.
For a brief moment, there was a flicker of understanding between them - an unspoken acknowledgment that, while they might not like each other, they were going to have to find a way to work together. It wasn't friendship, not by a long shot, but it was a start of - not enemies. And for now, that would have to be enough.
They stood there in silence for a moment longer, the tension between them easing slightly. Then, with a final sigh, Ezra turned and started walking again. "Come on," He muttered, glancing back at Karen. "We've got a long trip to Pewter ahead of us. Let's get moving, I need to go into Olivine and swap in my Pidgeot first."
Karen followed, her expression still sullen but no longer hostile. The two of them walked side by side, the uneasy truce hanging between them like a fragile thread. Neither of them knew how long it would last, but for now, it was enough to keep them moving forward.
They could both agree on one thing at least.
Agatha could go fuck herself for forcing this.
Although it was a very unspoken agreement, that both of them just mentally connected with.
Neither one of them wanted her to somehow hear them say it - so it remained unspoken.
Agatha's reputation had been well earned even before the war, and after… Well no one tended to argue with her too heavily.
Back then she hadn't been known simply as the Ghost Mistress - that had come after the peace settled in. Albeit that was not something Ezra had known until he went into the Johto portion of the net while in Johto, as his short schooling in Kanto hadn't mentioned it. At all.
Her most well known moniker during the war was the Mistress of Madness, given by Johto, and if you went back into what someone Ezra's age would call ancient history by now… To the pre-war period...
She'd also been known as the Maiden of Slaughter.
The pre-war and war period had not been a time of reasoned discussion around a table…
Ezra really didn't want to think about the fact Agatha had once even been a maiden.
Let alone one earning that moniker.
Pewter City, Kanto
The road from Pewter City to his stable was quiet, the steady rhythm of their footsteps the only real sound breaking the stillness of the afternoon. Ezra and Karen walked side by side, though neither seemed particularly thrilled with the arrangement still. The tension between them had simmered down somewhat, though it wasn't gone. If anything, it felt like it had settled into a kind of uneasy truce. There was still a palpable sense of frustration and annoyance radiating off Karen, and Ezra couldn't help but wonder if it would boil over again before long.
Still, he had to admit she'd been handling things better than he'd expected. After all, being saddled with someone you disliked - someone you'd lost to - couldn't have been easy for her. Especially with how much she seemed to respect Agatha.
Karen had kept herself composed since they left the tournament, and Ezra, in an uncharacteristic show of maturity, had held back his usual teasing, trying not to provoke her. For now, at least. He was practically a saint, really.
"So... Pewter City is your home base?" Karen said, breaking the silence. Her voice was neutral, though there was a slight edge to it. Likely from the fact she'd already tried finding him here, according to Brock. "What's so special about this place?"
Ezra shrugged, glancing at the familiar path leading toward the outskirts of the city. "It's nice and homely, safe. Got good lawyers for my business and a good place to keep a stable for my Pokemon. Brock's the guy watching it when I'm not around and he's the Gym Leaders son, and a stand up bro. Plus, it's close enough to the mountains for some good training. I've got some business to take care of here with my breeding project too."
"Breeding project?" Karen raised an eyebrow. "What kind of project?"
"A Pokemon farm and breeding center," Ezra replied, since she'd find out soon enough anyway, shoving his hands into his pockets as they walked. "I'm starting a business with a big shot investor on board. Breeding rare and unique Pokemon I've discovered, Ghost and Dark types amongst them. It's a long-term plan, but my business partner already got the land and the paperwork ready. Just signed the contract with my lawyer before we headed up here."
It had only taken a few minutes really, while Karen waited outside, and Devon Corp was going to start as early as this week on transforming the plot of land Steven Stone had already apparently purchased near Lavender Town.
Karen hummed, crossing her arms. "That sounds… Potentially profitable. So you're a businessman now too?" There was a hint of disbelief in her tone, and he couldn't really blame her.
Ezra chuckled. "Something like that. I've got plans beyond just battling. Gotta think ahead. Plus, you know, the money in raising rare Pokemon is a field that will never lose value."
There was a pause, the conversation hitting a brief lull as they continued up the winding path. Karen's gaze shifted to the trees lining the road, her expression softening ever so slightly.
"Blackthorn City never had anything like that," She said after a moment, surprising him, she's from Lance's hometown? Her voice was quieter now, as if the mention of Blackthorn City had drawn her into some kind of reflection. "It was always so... Traditional. Not many people there think about something like breeding or about expanding their horizons. It was all about the past, about honoring their dragon heritage."
In hindsight, of course she's from Johto, but… How did she end up as Agatha's apprentice?
Ezra glanced at her, catching the slight bitterness in her tone, clueing him in that she'd not had a happy time in Blackthorn. "Yeah, I can see how that could get old fast. Too much tradition can choke you if you let it. It's why I probably would have gotten the hell out of Lavender Town even if they didn't kick me out." Not that it will stop me from going back and making the traditionalists choke on it…
Karen gave a small, almost imperceptible nod. "It's not easy being trapped in someone else's shadow." She muttered darkly, "Even if that shadow is an entire heritage and tradition."
Ezra didn't say anything to that, letting her words hang in the air. He understood the sentiment well enough - he had his own reasons for wanting to carve out his own path, outside the expectations of others. Still, it wasn't the kind of thing he'd voice aloud. Not right now, anyway. He had a feeling Karen professing an interest in Dark Pokemon in Dragon nuts Blackthorn hadn't ended well..
The conversation trailed off again as they rounded a bend in the road, and soon enough, the familiar sight of Ezra's stable came into view. It wasn't much yet - but it was his. The beginning of something much bigger in the end.
Standing just outside the main barn, waiting for them with his arms crossed and a bright grin on his face, was Brock. Ezra had called ahead of course, so that Brock would know he'd have time off for the next week or so.
"Ezra!" Brock called out, waving them over enthusiastically. As soon as they got close, Brock's grin widened even further. "You guys hooked up after all, huh? I knew she had the hots for you!"
The words hit like a bomb. Ezra froze for a split second, feeling Karen stiffen beside him. Her face flushed with fury, and in that brief moment of pure rage, she whipped out her Pokeball, releasing her Weavile in one swift motion.
"Weavile!" She shouted, her voice shaking with barely controlled anger, "Ice to the crotch of that idiot, NOW!"
Luckily, Ezra's reflexes kicked in faster than Brock's sense of self-preservation. "Loki, Intercept!" He snapped, releasing his Banette just in time to block the Ice attack - an icy projectile the size of Brock's head - from smashing into the oblivious Gym Leader's most vulnerable area.
All this time not pissing her off, and Brock had to open his mouth. Ah, well, at least it wasn't him.
Loki's eerie grin twisted as he floated between Brock and Weavile, looking back at Ezra with a funny eyebrow. The Banette's expression seemed to say, Really? Protecting this one? Ezra could almost hear the exasperation in Loki's body language.
Ezra sighed, running a hand through his hair as Brock, completely oblivious to the reason for his near ball crushing experience, blinked in confusion.
"What's going on?" Brock asked, glancing between Karen's furious expression and Weavile's still-glowing claws. "Did I say something wrong?"
Karen's eyes blazed, her hands balling into fists as she turned on Brock. "Did you say something wrong?" She repeated, her voice low and dangerous. "You absolute moron! I - we - are not hooked up. There is nothing between us, and if you say something like that again, I'll - "
"Karen," Ezra interrupted, his voice steady but firm. "Let it go. He's just... Well, he's just Brock."
Brock blinked again, scratching the back of his head in genuine confusion. "What? I thought... I mean, I could've sworn..."
"Don't," Karen growled, still glaring daggers at the confused boy. "Just don't."
Brock held up his hands in surrender, backing up slightly. "Alright, alright, I get it. No need for that Weavile to cut my head off. Jeez."
Ezra shook his head, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Brock, just... Think before you speak, man. That's all I'm asking." I got to work on that girls anger issues…
Brock chuckled awkwardly, rubbing the back of his neck. "Yeah, I'll work on that."
Karen huffed, recalling Weavile, though the tension in her shoulders didn't ease entirely. She shot Brock one last warning look before turning her attention back to Ezra, crossing her arms. "Can we get on with this? I'd rather not spend any more time dealing with idiots today."
Ezra sighed again, glancing between the two of them. This was going to be a long, long partnership.
He didn't think it was worth it telling Karen off this time. He'd let her have this one. Brock wouldn't mind anyway.
If she tried any of that shit with him though… He'd lay the law down fast.
That night,
The night air was cool as Ezra made his way to the clearing just beyond the stable. The stars were bright overhead, casting a pale light across the grassy field. His mind was focused, his steps deliberate, as he walked ahead of Karen, who trailed behind with a curious but guarded expression. The whole day had been a whirlwind of contracts, awkward encounters, and misjudged assumptions, Karen following him everywhere. Now, though, he could relax a little, do what he enjoyed most - training his Pokemon.
Well, he'd enjoy a couple other things even more… But Pokemon training was the cheapest entertainment he had at the moment.
He reached the clearing, and without a word, released his team, and the rest of his Pokemon, his Pokemon limits not mattering on this plot of land due to his stable license.
Pokeballs opened with a flash, and one by one, his Pokemon materialized around him, a diverse crowd of spectral and dark creatures. Sableye materialized first, its gem eyes glinting as it dug its claws into the dirt. Duskull hovered next to it, the single glowing eye behind its skull-like face fixed on Ezra. A Mimikyu shuffled close to the group, while Shedinja floated silently in the air, the hollow shell of a Pokemon casting an eerie aura. Yamask hovered nearby, holding its mask closely, while Murkrow cawed from a perch atop a nearby tree. A Lampent and Litwick drifted above the field, their ghostly flames flickering in the breeze, and Misdreavous hovered with its usual mischievous smile.
Further out, the Dark-types mingled in the shadows, a Houndour stretched its limbs, Skuntank prowled along the edges of the field, Zorua's eyes gleamed with mischievous intent, and a Poochyena sniffed curiously at the ground. Ezra took a moment to appreciate the sight of them all together - his team of Ghost and Dark Pokemon, each one as unique and would hopefully one day become powerful as his main team.
Karen stood back, eyes slightly wide, though she tried to hide her surprise. "Quite the collection you've got there," She commented, her tone begrudgingly impressed.
Ezra didn't respond at first, instead moving amongst his Pokemon, giving each a moment of attention. "Alright, everyone, you know the drill. We've been working on technique and control, and I know Brock has kept it up - so tonight I want to see progress."
He started with Sableye, crouching beside the Pokemon, who looked up at him with its wide gem eyes, waiting. "Last time, your Shadow Claw was strong, but it wasn't fast enough. We need speed. Hit the targets and keep moving. Don't give anyone a chance to hit back, I want to see you practice tonight."
Sableye grinned and immediately bounded off, slashing at the wooden training dummies set up across the field with its claws - he would have to replace them again soon. Ezra watched closely, nodding in approval as Sableye's movements became a blur of sharp, precise strikes. "Better. Keep at it, get a good feel for the flow of the movements."
Next, he turned to Mimikyu. "You're cute as always in your outfit, Mimikyu," He said, patting it on the head, earning an eerie giggle, he'd gotten Mimikyu a much better Pikachu cosplay outfit, not that it really lowered the inherent creepiness. "I'll lend you some of the extra Litwicks, practice your Charm and Baby Doll Eyes, make sure you focus on getting a good feel for the energy, don't just use the technique, feel it."
Mimikyu bobbed its head and shuffled forward, Ezra gesturing for several of his captured Litwicks to join it for training, to be practice dummies in a way. He didn't mention the fairy type energy out loud, because he didn't need to tell Karen everything for her reports… And Fairy types were not a thing yet in the four regions.
Karen watched as Ezra made his way through the group, giving advice and feedback with a calm, even tone. He wasn't loud, nor did he shout commands - his Pokemon seemed to understand him perfectly with just a few words or a glance. Which just wasn't how Dark and Ghost Pokemon worked.
Ezra moved on to Duskull, his voice softening slightly. "You've been getting better with Will-O-Wisp, but I want more control. Focus your flames, just fire up, no fires to put out this time, eh?" Brock had to act as a fireman too many times during the past few days from what Ezra had been told. Duskull a little bit of a pyromaniac.
Duskull floated upward, summoning blue flames that danced in the air. It released the flames one at a time up into the air, each one firing off with precision. Ezra gave an approving nod before moving on to Yamask.
"Shadow Ball, full power. Show me you can handle it without losing control." He ordered quietly, the Yamask struggling with the power aspect, unlike most of his other Ghosts who struggled to rein in their power for finer control.
Yamask's eyes glowed as it summoned a ball of dark energy, launching it toward the farthest target, set up amongst the trees around the clearing. The attack hit with a satisfying thud, the dark energy dissipating on impact.
"Nice. Keep practicing, I want you to hit harder next time, keep focusing on gathering your power, you already have decent control, I know it's not fast at the moment, but speed will come later."
As the training progressed, Karen's earlier surprise turned into something closer to jealousy. She had strong Pokrmon herself, but the sheer variety and rare types Ezra had at his disposal were impressive. It wasn't just the number - it was the way he handled them, the quiet confidence and the easy familiarity. He knew them, inside and out, and they trusted him. And again, these Pokemon shouldn't work like that!
Karen had fought and bled and cried to get her Pokemon to the level they were at, and they still needed a firm hand to continue listening to her at times. Ghost and Dark types just didn't do the cuddly nice crap. She was honestly not sure what was going on.
"Where do you even find some of these Pokemon?" Karen asked, half out of curiosity, half out of envy. She didn't want to ask the more burning question, well aware she hadn't exactly earned his confidence.
Ezra glanced at her, not breaking stride as he approached the next Pokemon. "Here and there. Some came to me, others I sought out. It helps to know where to look."
What a wonderful non-answer, Karen thought, she crossed her arms, watching as Ezra knelt beside a small Eevee, who bounded up to him happily. She narrowed her eyes. "An Eevee? Doesn't really fit with the whole Ghost/Dark theme." She pointed out.
Ezra smirked, rubbing the Eevee's head affectionately. "Not yet. But soon. She's special." He handed Eevee a few berries, watching as she happily nibbled away. "Right now, we're just bonding. Getting her ready for the next step."
Karen scoffed, shaking her head. "So, what, with one Pokemon you're trying to make it set the sky on fire, and with this one, you're coddling it like a pet? Are you sure you're not insane with this kind of random training?"
Ezra chuckled, leaning back against a nearby tree, his hand still resting on Eevee's soft fur. "You've got to treat each one differently. Some need discipline, some need encouragement. It's all about balance."
"Balance?" Karen muttered. "You're all over the place." A new Eeveelution perhaps, but how does he know? She wondered.
He didn't rise to the bait, instead calling over his Murkrow, who fluttered down from its perch. "You've been getting better at flying through obstacles and changing direction on the fly," Ezra said, watching as the Dark bird Pokemon cawed softly in response. "But I want more control on those turns, less throwing yourself in a direction and more focused flight. Work on your agility again tonight, cycle your energy while you work."
Murkrow took off again, flying low over the field, dodging between obstacles Ezra and Brock had set up in the forest before he left for the tournament. Murkrow clipped its wing on one of the targets as it rapidly switched directions, squawking in frustration.
Ezra didn't scold it. "You'll get there. Just focus." He called out, watching intently. Murkrow could already perform aerial acrobatics that made the Pokemon very hard to hit. Ezra intended to continue this training until very hard became can't. Not without techniques that filled the sky or bypassed the possibility to dodge at all.
Karen watched the entire process with a mix of frustration and grudging respect. It was clear Ezra knew his stuff, even if his methods were unconventional - no, she corrected herself, downright odd. He seemed to push his Pokemon to the edge yes, but in odd directions, with a lot more self reliance then she'd ever seen, especially for Pokemon who were notorious for needing a firm hand.
Everything Karen knew said this couldn't work, so seeing it work, and work well, was finally beginning to force her to look at things from a new point of view. Understanding why Agatha was interested in the first place.
As the night wore on and the other Pokemon continued their training, Ezra walked a little further away from the group, his steps purposeful. Karen raised an eyebrow and followed him, Rider and Loki trailing behind them both as silent guardians instead of performing their own training.
When they were far enough from the rest of the team, Ezra stopped and pulled out another Pokeball. A quick flash of light revealed a Primeape standing before them, its fists clenched, eyes wild with rage, ready to fight.
Primeape roared, immediately putting up its fists, muscles rippling with tension.
Ezra crossed his arms, staring down the Primeape, his gaze cold. "You think you're angry," He said softly, his voice cutting through the night air. "But you have no idea."
Primeape growled, lowering itself into a fighting stance, ready to strike. Not caring that it was its owner.
Ezra chuckled, his smile sharp and humorless. "You're weak. So very, very weak. Maybe if you were angry enough, you'd be useful."
The Primeape let out a roar, its fists swinging toward Ezra with wild abandon, only for a Shadow Ball from Loki to explode right in its face, halting its charge.
From the sidelines, Karen crossed her arms and commented dryly, "So that's how you beat me. You're literally too insane to predict." She shook her head, "You cuddle with the Eevee, and here you're what? Trying to enrage the rage Pokemon?"
"There's a method to my madness," Ezra countered with a smirk, his eyes never leaving the Primeape.
Karen shook her head again, her expression both bemused and annoyed. "Your method is going to get your face punched in." She predicted, one hand resting near her Pokeballs, in case she needed to fend the Primeape off.
Ezra's smirk widened. "I think Primeape can go further. There's something else in him. If he were just angrier, more focused, he could evolve into something truly terrifying."
"You're nuts," Karen said, her tone flat. "But... whatever. Your funeral." There isn't an evolution for Primeape… Is there?
She watched, her curiosity piqued despite herself, as Ezra continued to taunt and push the Primeape. The Pokemon grew more and more enraged with every failure, lashing out at trees and rocks, its strikes growing wilder and more powerful as it vented its fury. Loki and Rider stood ready in case things went too far, but Ezra never flinched, never backed down. Casting Rage Fist wasn't enough, if it was, the Primeape and many others of its kind, would already have evolved.
No, it literally needed to be pushed to the point its heart literally exploded in anger.
After what felt like hours, Ezra called the Primeape back to its Pokeball, the Pokemon still fuming and trembling with rage. "I'll try again tomorrow night," Ezra said, almost to himself. "Maybe a little more time will do the trick."
Karen shook her head, muttering under her breath, "You're insane." But after what she'd seen already, she was half afraid he'd actually pull it off. How he knew any of this… She'd never heard of any of it… And she had more access then almost anyone not a Gym Leader or an Elite Four.
Ezra just gave her a knowing smile. "You'll see the results. Just remember, only Agatha gets a report. If you try spreading this around..." He let his words hang in the air.
Agatha could feel free to try it on her own, but if it got spread beyond her, he wouldn't hesitate to sue. This all belonged to his business. Evolving Pokemon in ways no one else knew.
Karen scoffed. "I'm not the type to go back on my word, and anyway, I'm already penniless, and can hardly afford a lawsuit."
Ezra gave Karen a once-over, noting her outfit - dark, form-fitting clothes that showed more skin than they covered. They were obviously expensive, tailored to both fashion and function. He raised an eyebrow. "You don't look penniless."
She scowled, crossing her arms defensively. "It's all through Lady Agatha. She funds everything I need, but it's her money, not mine." Her voice dripped with resentment, the bitterness clear in her tone.
Ezra supposed he could understand still using it to its full extent, but being bitter about having to rely on someone else. At least she wasn't the kind of pussy that would refuse to use it and whine about her hard knock life.
Ezra nodded thoughtfully at her words, and his own thoughts on the matter, leaning back on his hands as he sat down in the grass beside his Eevee, who immediately curled up next to him. He let out a low whistle. "That sounds... Restrictive, and a hassle to deal with. What happened anyway? How did you end up with Agatha?"
Karen's eyes darkened, and she looked away, clearly unwilling to go into detail. "None of your business," She muttered, her voice cold and clipped.
Ezra shrugged, not pushing further. He could tell there was something deeper there, but he wasn't in the mood to pry. Not now, anyway. Instead, he turned his attention back to his Eevee, gently stroking the fur on her head. She let out a soft purr, her tail twitching contentedly.
For a moment, silence fell between them, only broken by the soft rustle of the wind through the trees and the distant sounds of his Pokemon continuing their training.
Karen finally broke the silence, her voice laced with disbelief. "I still can't get over how you went from trying to make a Primeape mad enough to kill you to... this." She gestured toward the Eevee, who was nuzzling against Ezra's hand, completely at ease. "Are you seriously trying to tell me there's some kind of logic behind your training methods?"
Ezra smirked, not looking up. "Of course. Different Pokemon need different approaches. Some thrive on discipline and anger, others need affection and care. You can't treat them all the same." He winked, "I throw everything at the wall and see what sticks, nothing is too crazy to try."
Karen stared at him for a moment, still looking unconvinced. "That's... A weird way to train," She admitted, though her voice lacked its usual bite.
Ezra chuckled softly. "It's worked so far. And besides, you'll see the results soon enough." I don't enjoy having to share this… But I suppose blowing her mind has some small enjoyment in it.
Karen sighed, running a hand through her hair, clearly frustrated. She turned her back to him slightly, pacing in a small circle as she processed everything. "I just don't get you, Kassian. One moment you're taunting a Primeape like you have a death wish, and the next you're coddling an Eevee like she's your pet. I get what you're saying, your reasoning, but still, It's like you're two different people."
She's really stuck on this, that's what? The third time she's brought it up? He thought. Ezra gave her a sidelong glance, his smile fading slightly. "There's more than one way to train a Pokemon, Karen. Just like there's more than one way to handle people, typing isn't everything."
She stopped pacing, staring down at him, eyes narrowed. "What's that supposed to mean?"
He shrugged casually, leaning back into the grass, stretching out lazily. "It means you don't need to understand everything I do. You just need to know that it works."
"I doubt I'll ever understand you." She snarked, letting out a huff, leaning against a tree.
They both shared a rare moment of silence, the tension between them easing slightly. For the first time since they'd been stuck together, there wasn't the usual undercurrent of animosity or resentment in the air. Ezra focused on his Eevee, who was now curled up beside him, her eyes half-lidded in contentment.
Karen looked down at them, her arms still crossed, but the hard edge in her gaze had softened somewhat. "So... What's the deal with that Eevee? You gonna evolve her into something? Something new?"
Ezra didn't respond immediately, his hand gently brushing over the soft fur along Eevee's back. "Eventually. I've got a plan for her. But right now, we're just bonding."
"Bonding?" Karen echoed, her voice skeptical. "That's part of your 'method,' too, huh?" She shook her head, "People have tried that before, just bonding isn't enough, experts in their field have tried it, Kassian." She stressed.
Ezra nodded. "Yeah. Bonding, trust... All of it matters depending on the Pokemon. You can't just throw some Pokemon into battle without them trusting you. It's like asking someone to fight a war for you without them knowing if you've got their back." He shrugged, "Again, that's some Pokemon, they can be as different as you and I."
None of that was exactly new. But some trainers did get stuck into the trap of treating all their Pokemon the same. And Karen seemed the type. Especially as a type specialist, especially as a Dark trainer. Although he wasn't entirely fair. No one could really tame them the same way he was after all.
Karen fell silent at that, watching him quietly for a moment. There was a flicker of something in her eyes - something she didn't often let show. She wasn't used to this kind of approach. Her own training, the way Agatha had raised her, was based more on power and control. She had to be in charge, to dominate. Ezra's approach seemed softer, more personal, but there was a steeliness to it that couldn't be ignored.
After a few moments, Karen sighed and sat down on the grass a few feet away from him, leaning back on her hands. "Alright, fine. I'll admit, your Pokemon seem loyal enough, somehow. But you've got to know Lady Agatha's expecting results in my reports. She's not going to be happy with... Whatever this is." She gestured vaguely toward the peaceful Eevee. "It's really not her philosophy, at all."
Ezra's eyes gleamed with mischief as he looked at her. "Don't worry. Old Agatha's only interested in the outcome. The process? That's all mine, and stuff she can throw on her minions." Like you, he left unsaid.
Except for the actual evolution tricks, even Agatha wouldn't just share that. She was old, and the older you were, the more likely it was you were part of the group who believed Pokemon knowledge shouldn't be entirely free and shared amongst everyone. Elite Four or not, he was willing to bet Agatha was like that.
Karen arched an eyebrow, clearly not convinced. "You really think you can handle Lady Agatha long-term? She's not going to let you do whatever you want, you know. She's not exactly the hands-off type."
Ezra leaned his head back, staring up at the stars above. "We'll see. But I have a feeling I'll manage. Old Agatha's tough, but she knows talent when she sees it. As long as I keep delivering, she won't interfere too much." Arceus, let me be right about that…
Karen watched him for a moment longer, then let out a reluctant sigh. "You're insufferable, you know that?" But there was no real heat behind it.
Ezra grinned, not looking at her. "I get that a lot."
The two of them sat in companionable silence for a while, the cool night air settling around them. Karen might not have fully understood Ezra's methods, but there was a begrudging respect building between them. She wasn't ready to admit it, but she was starting to see that maybe - just maybe - there was more to Ezra Kassian than she'd first thought.
As the night deepened, and the rest of the Pokemon settled into their routines, Ezra and Karen remained where they were, each lost in their own thoughts. They didn't need to say anything else. For now, they had reached a truce of sorts, an understanding that, for better or worse, they were stuck with each other.
And maybe, just maybe, that wasn't the worst thing in the world.
A week later,
It shouldn't be this easy, Ezra thought as he stood just outside the makeshift training field.
Seven days. That's how long he had spent in Pewter City, doing little else but pushing his Pokemon to their limits, especially his Primeape. It had been a brutal week - constant taunting, needling, and antagonizing. Seven days of driving the Primeape to the edge of apocalyptic fury.
Ezra knew this approach was dangerous. Primeape was already a volatile Pokemon by nature, and what he had been doing was deliberately lighting the fuse over and over again. If it weren't for his aura - which he believed could soothe the beast once it evolved into its Ghostly form - this might have been a terrible idea. Primeape didn't like him. There was no illusion of affection there - couldn't be with how hard he was pushing. The Pokemon had been on the verge of tearing him apart more than once. But Ezra knew that if he explained his plan, the kind of soul-deep rage that was necessary for its evolution might never come. It had to be real, raw, and unfiltered.
If Primeape had known it was all for its benefit, then that rage wouldn't have been true, it wouldn't have been deep enough, real enough. He was also lucky Karen wasn't a bleeding heart. Because if any of the Pokefriends organizations people had seen this - they would have cried abuse all the way to court.
Now, on the eighth night of their training regimen, here he stood, watching the fruits of his labor come to life. Karen stood a few feet behind him, her mouth slightly open in disbelief, eyes wide in shock. The air was thick with tension, and Ezra could feel the electricity in it. His Primeape, utterly consumed by rage, was glowing.
The evolution had begun.
A brilliant light enveloped Primeape, the aura of fury radiating off him in waves so intense that the very air seemed to shudder with it. The Pokemon's muscles tensed, expanding as the energy coursed through its body. Its fur stood on end, becoming sharper, more ragged, as if the very essence of its rage was molding its physical form into something more primal, more terrifying. The ground beneath its feet cracked, unable to withstand the sheer pressure of the transformation. Its fists clenched tightly, glowing with the dark, ghostly energy of its new form.
Ezra watched with cold, calculating eyes as Primeape's shape began to change. He could see the rage fueling every fiber of the Pokemon's being, turning it into something entirely different. Its arms lengthened, becoming sinewy and more powerful. Its once-spherical body stretched, growing taller, more menacing, its posture no longer hunched, but upright and poised for violence. Dark, shadowy tendrils swirled around its body like ghostly chains, a manifestation of the fury that had once consumed it. Its face, once filled with mindless anger, was now focused - its eyes glowing with an almost otherworldly intensity. The most notable change, though, was the spectral chains that now hung from the manacles on its wrists, flickering with ethereal energy. These were no ordinary chains - they were the physical manifestation of the Pokemon's inner torment, its rage having evolved into something beyond anger. Something darker.
Annihilape had arrived.
"I'm going to call you, Akuma…" Ezra mused out loud. Devil is a fitting name for you, my raging new friend…
Karen let out a gasp as the evolution finished, the last vestiges of light disappearing to reveal the towering figure that stood before them. The Annihilape's eyes blazed like embers in the darkness, its fists pulsing with spectral energy as it shadow-boxed the air, its movements swift and fluid, a deadly elegance in the way it moved. The rage that had once been so prominent was still there, but it had been transformed into something else - something controlled, directed.
Ezra didn't move. He simply waited. Will it understand, will my aura be enough?
Annihilape's movements slowed as it turned toward him, its glowing eyes locking onto its trainer. There was a moment of tense silence, the air crackling with the lingering energy of the evolution. And then, just as Ezra had anticipated, although perhaps not the manner of it, Annihilape bowed it's head. It was a low, deliberate gesture, its massive form bent in submission, its gaze now filled with respect mixed in with the fury.
Ezra let out a slow breath and reached out with his aura, letting it flow from him in a soothing, enveloping wave. The energy washed over the Annihilape like a blanket, calming whatever lingering tension remained. The Pokemon stood tall once more, its body relaxed and steady. The transition from uncontrollable rage to this level of calm was almost jarring.
Even a rage Pokemon could be soothed by his aura it seemed. Although it seemed he hadn't truly needed it. Akuma had accepted what had happened - understood the necessity once the evolution hit.
Karen, still standing behind him, stared in utter disbelief. Her voice, barely a whisper, broke the silence. "What the fuck are you?" She asked, her words filled with awe and confusion.
Ezra didn't respond. He couldn't, even if he'd wanted to. Because at that exact moment, Annihilape bounced over in one might leap and reached out and pulled him into a crushing hug. Ezra's breath left him in a painful whoosh as the Pokemon squeezed him tightly, its muscular arms nearly suffocating him in a show of affection - or revenge. It was hard to tell.
Okay, so maybe not entirely over it…
"L-Loki, a little help?" Ezra wheezed, his voice strained as he tried to breathe through the Annihilape's iron grip.
The Banette, who had been watching from a distance, floated closer, its stitched mouth twisted in a smirk. It looked at Ezra with an almost sarcastic expression, as if to say, Really? Not deserved? Loki floated around the Annihilape's head, poking at it playfully, but didn't intervene further then that.
"Any...Time..." Ezra managed to croak out, his vision starting to blur slightly from the pressure. He still held back from using his shadow, in a way, Akuma deserved his little miniature rebellion for all that Ezra put it through.
Karen, still wide-eyed, had the sense to step forward, though she seemed more fascinated than concerned. "Should I... Do something?" Fascinated, and probably feeling some vindication too.
Ezra, unable to speak, just gave her a pleading look. While he refused to use his shadow so overtly in front of Karen, and to escape his probably just punishment, Karen could help and it wouldn't be his fault at all.
Karen smirked, clearly enjoying his predicament. "You know, after everything you put that poor Primeape through, this feels like karma."
He had a feeling she didn't just mean the Primeape…
Ezra glared at her through the haze of his impending unconsciousness, but then, Akuma let him go, huffing out a laugh, as it stepped back, its ghostly chains rattling slightly.
Ezra coughed, rubbing his ribs as he sat up, glaring at Karen. "Thanks," He muttered sarcastically. "You were a big help."
Karen crossed her arms, her expression smug. "And here I thought you had this whole control thing down."
Ezra shot her a look, but there was no real malice behind it. "There's a method to my madness," He repeated his previous words, still slightly breathless.
Karen rolled her eyes. "Your method is going to get you killed one day."
Ezra shrugged, standing up and dusting himself off. "Maybe. But it worked, didn't it? A Ghost/Fighting type, nothing like you've seen before, eh? Controlled and eager to serve."
Karen raised an eyebrow, glancing at the massive ghostly figure of the Annihilape, who was now standing off to the side, calm and composed. "You call that controlled?" She said dryly, "It almost choked you out."
Ezra smirked. "You saw the bow. That's loyalty. Respect."
Karen shook her head, still looking somewhat baffled by the entire situation. "Whatever you say, Kassian. You want to call being choked out respect, I'm not going to intrude on your kinks."
Ezra spluttered slightly, not having an immediate comeback, he was so caught off guard by that comment. Karen smirked smugly in victory.
The Annihilape stood quietly by, watching them calmly. But behind its calm demeanor, Ezra knew that it had all the power and rage it needed, power that simmered just beneath the surface, waiting for the right moment to be unleashed. His aura was likely pushing it down for now, but Akuma was never going to be a calm Pokemon, especially once in battle.
His plan had worked. The uncontrollable rage of Primeape had evolved into something far more dangerous - and far more useful.
He felt confident in his team now,
It was time to tackle the gyms. And well… He still had tons of time before the end of the circuit… Why not go for both Kanto and Johto's circuit, and do a clean sweep?
Hopefully by the time he was done, all his major Pokemon would have evolved, and he'd be facing the conference with a Dragapult and a Hydreigon.
The only sad thing was the fact he wouldn't get to shock Agatha with a surprise Annihilape to the face, not with Karen's reporting of what's happened.
Although…
Maybe they could keep just this one back, just for a little bit…
Author's note:
While Agatha could have pulled different levers and probably forced Ezra's hand, she's old, not stupid.
Having a belligerent Ezra, able to connect with Ghosts - forced to work for her. Isn't a good outcome for Agatha. So since he's so stubborn, she devises another way to tie him close enough, while she still gets a trickle of his methods and secrets.
With hope she can still snag him soon enough,
Kids will be kids after all, and things could change.
And now we have an Annihilape in Ezra's corner. Although he can only carry six Pokemon into a gym battle, he will have more than six that are considered his 'elite' and he'll just switch for what's needed for a fight.
Cheers
JollyHippopotamus
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