The Trial
I'm disrupted from my wondrous slumber by Akari screaming outside the building door. "Wake up! You don't want to be late for your trial!"
I grumble as I sit up, rubbing my eyes. Seeker coos tiredly beside me, looking around and flapping its wings lazily. "Five more minutes," I yawn in response, stretching my arms above my head and arching my back.
"No," she shouts back. I groan as I get out of bed, slipping on my shoes and walking to the door, Seeker perching on my shoulder and chirps happily. I open the door and see Akari glaring at me, tapping her foot impatiently. "You took too long."
"You're just luck I'm up," I reply, shutting the door and following Akari to the Galaxy Team headquarters. She rolls her eyes.
"Cyllene will get mad if you're not 5 minutes early, so you can't just take your time," Akari tells me with an unessecery attitude. I scoff.
"Dude, the building is right there! Unless I decide to walk as slow as physically possible there's no way I'll be late," I say, matching her attitude. Seeker chirps in agreement. Akari glares at it and creates some distance from us.
"Why don't you seem to like Seeker," I ask, scratching underneath its beak. It trills happily. "It's never done anything to you."
"It's a Pokémon," she replies as if that justifies all her fears. I just shrug at that. "They're terrifying creatures."
I shake my head with a sigh. "Pokémon are nothing to new scared of! In my time, we literally live with them in our house and they walk our streets. A lot of us, me being one of them, will journey out and explore with Pokémon."
"Without fear," she asks and I nod. "Wow. I don't know how. I'm a bit scared to go back out after what happened to me."
"What happened," I ask, completely confused on what she's referencing.
"I forgot to tell you, didn't I," she asks. I nod, gesturing with my hand for her to continue. She sighs. "I was out in the field doing work and a random Shynx jumped out at me. I didn't have time to react as it released a Thunder Shock. The attack left me completely paralyzed beneath the torso."
My mouth hangs agape, shocked. "From a Shynx," I ask. Akari nods with an "Mhm" and I just shake my head. "No way. I could expect that from Luxray, maybe Luxio, but a Shynx being capable of such a thing is unbelievable."
"Well you better believe it," Akari says as she opens the door to the Galaxy Expedition Team building. "Because you're about to deal with the same situations."
As we walk in I hear screams of pure pain. "They were everywhere! The Pokémon had us surrounded! We fought back but… but... It wasn't enough!"
"Too bad I wasn't there. I could've easily handled that situation," I say sadly, Seeker giving a sorrowful chirp in agreement.
"You say that you're capable of such things. It's time you prove it," Cyllene inputs from her office. It is right in front of the entrance, kind of like a reception desk only she gets a full room. She sits at a desk in the middle of the room, papers stacked in front of her. She glares at me from her seat.
I walk in with a smile. "Morning, Captain," I exclaim with bow. "Ready to show you what I am in any and every way possible!"
"For your trial it has been decided that you will catch Bidoof, Starly, and Shynx," Cyllene states, continuing to stare ate intimidating.
"That's it," I ask and Akari looks at me, utterly shocked. Even the Captain shows a bit of surprise, her eyebrows rising but then going back to normal.
"That's it," Akari repeats, stunned. As I just nod she shakes her head with disbelief. "Not even the majority of our best members can handle such a feat."
At that I burst into laughter. Akari stares at me with confusion while Cyllene gives me a look that is a mix of disgust and disappointment. I can't stop laughing, though. My laughfter continues until my gut hurts and face burns. I wipe tears from my eyes.
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry," I tell them, breathless. I take deep breaths, calming myself. I then stand up straight. "I just find it hilariously pathetic that your best people can't handle Pokémon as simple as those three."
Cyllene's eyes narrows. "What does that mean," she asks, sounding offended.
"Where I'm from, those Pokémon are ones that people start catching at the beginning of their journey because any low-level trainer can easily take them." I sigh and shrug. "With how much y'all hyped up the trial I expected a challenge."
I look over at Akari, who has barely made a noise since my fit if laughter. Her mouth is hanging open and her eyes are wide. Her face looks kind of pale. I'm about to ask her why, but then it clicks. A Shynx left her severely injured in the hospital and I called pretty much anyone that can't catch a Shynx pathetic, saying everyone in my time can do it. She must be both shocked and offended.
Now I feel kind of bad. I'm about to apologize but Cyllene cuts me off. "Well if it's so easy then you shouldn't have any problems catching one," she says. She digs through her desk drawer and pulls out a satchel. "You will borrow this while you're out to carry your items."
She hands the bad to me and I wrap it around my waste. It doesn't match my outfit, but I decide to just keep my mouth shut for once. Akari snickers behind me.
I turn around, my eyebrows furrowed. "What is it," I ask, looking around for something funny. She points at me.
"That satchel does not look good on you! You look like a dork," she says, snickering some more. I roll my eyes and glare at her but I can't help but smile. She reminds me a lot of Dawn.
"You are dismissed," Cyllene says sounding annoyed. I so a small bow.
"Thanks, Cap," I say and Cyllene looks up with confusion but I leave without saying anything else. I'll explain later (if I remember to).
Once out the building, Akari points at the gates. "That's the exit from the village. You can get a map to guide you to where you need to go. Lucky for you all three Pokémon you need to catch can be found in the Obsidian Fields. We can do this in one trip," she explains, me bidding along.
As we approach the gate I see a man with blonde hair that covers one eye. He wears a blue and white color scheme, his white apron having a gold logo on it. He looks at me and smiles.
"Hello, friend," he exclaims, walking over to me. "You're dressed pretty funnily. You must be the person that was dropped from the sky!"
I nod in agreement. "That's me! Good to hear I'm famous in this time, too."
"What were you famous for where you came from," the blonde asks, his visable eye sparkling with curiosity.
"You wouldn't know the majority of the answer, but a simplified version is that I am the world's strongest trainer," I say with a casual shrug and smirk. "I am literally undefeated."
The man's eyes widen with awe. "That's incredible, my friend! We must battle if you're so good!"
I chuckle. "Sounds fun, but can I get your name first?"
The eager man laughs. "Yes, of coarse! Where are my manners? I'm Volo. I work with Ginkgo Guild where you can buy the finest materials in all of Hisui."
"Nice inclusion of the advertisement. I'm Izzy. Best trainer to ever live. Never going to meet someone better," I say, crossing my arms confidently. "Now about that battle."
Seeker chirps excitedly, hopping of my shoulder to the area between me and Volo. Volo chuckles. "That's the spirit," he exclaims as he tosses out a Pokéball. A Togepi pops out of the ball, chirping back at Seeker.
"Shall I explain how this works," Volo asks and I laugh confidently.
"I know what I'm doing, but thanks anyways," I respond, taking a fighting stance. Volo nods and does the same. "Alright Seeker let's start strong! Leafage!"
Seeker looks back at me, tilting its head and chirps. "You don't know that," I ask it and it shakes its head. "Oh. What about Tackle?" Another head shake. "Gust?"
Seeker trills loudly and flaps its wings, hitting the Togepi with a small blast of wind. Volo chuckles. "You're lucky I let you figure things out. The wild won't show mercy. Use Tackle!"
"I didn't ask you to do that. If I were in your shoes I would have taken the opportunity without a second thought." I swipe my hand through the air. "Dodge then Gust!"
Seeker moves right as Togepi is about to make contact, jumping out of the way then pushing its wings out, making the Togepi stumble. Volo smiles. "You can tell you were a fighter. The way you stand and command your Pokémon with such power and authority. It's obvious this is what you do. Now Tackle!"
The Togepi launched itself quicker than it did last time, hitting Seeker before we can react. I shrug it off. "That's nothing! Finish this with Gust!"
As Seeker flaps its wings, it doesn't push out wind this time. Instead, three small balls of green energy. They smash into the Togepi, knocking it out.
"There's the move I was looking for," I exclaim, hugging Seeker as it flies into my arms. Volo sighs as he returns his Pokémon.
"Great job, Izzy! You really do know what you're doing." I smile. "Let me heal up our Pokémon," he says, spraying Seeker with some Potions. "And here are a few healing items. Free of charge!"
I take the bottles and put them into my satchel. "Thanks," I say, offering my hand. He shakes it with a smile.
"No problem! Safe travels," he says, walking away. Akari walks up to me.
"So you really know what you're doing," she says like it's the first time she's heard it.
"I keep telling that to everybody but noone seems to get it," I exclaim, Seeker hooting in agreement. Akari chuckles.
"Alright. To the Obsidian Fields," she states, walking to the gates. I follow behind her. As we approach a guard watches us closely.
"Where to," he grunts, looking between us expectantly.
"This is Ress," Akari tells me, nodding her head at the guard. "Always tell him where you're going. That way if something happens he knows where you are and can send help."
"We're heading to the Obsidian Fields," I tell him and he nods, handing me a map.
"Stay safe," he says, waving as we begin our trip to complete my trial.
Half an hour walk later
"Here we are," Akari exclaims. "The Obsidian Fields!"
I gasp as I take in the area. It's stunning! There are countless trees standing out over the horizon. An ocean of perfect green grass surrounds me. I take in deep breath and sigh as I exhale. The air is so clean and refreshing.
"This is amazing," I mutter with awe. Akari chuckles.
"This? You can find this practically anywhere," she says, amused by my interest. I shake my head.
"Where I'm from it takes a lot of searching to find land at this level of natural," I tell her. We walk to a gate like the one in Jubilife Village. We pass through it and there is a little camp there. It has a tent, fire, storage box, and work bench. Just the bare necessities. We are greeted by a sad-looking Laventon.
"What are you doing here," Akari asks, apparently as shocked as I am to see him here. He sighs sadly.
"Captain Cyllene has determined it is my responsibility to take care of Izzy since it's my idea to add him to our village," Laventon explains with a frown. Akari's eyes light up.
"So you're going to watch over him now," she asks not even trying to conceal her excitement. Her face falls with disappointment when the Professor laughs.
"No! Izzy doesn't need to be watched over. He's as great as he claims he is. He's got this, no problem," he says, smiling at me. I smile back, truly happy that the Professor has so much faith in me. Akari groans.
"So he's still my responsibility," she exclaims with a tired sigh. "Alright," she says, standing up straight with a determined look on her face. "Let's do this!"
"That's the spirit," I say with a wide smile, walking towards the Wild Area. Akari follows closely behind me. We encounter a Bidoof quickly.
"Okay, so here's what you want to do," Akari explains. "You-"
"Watch and learns," I cut her off, approaching the Bidoof. The thing just stares at me. I toss the Pokéball at it and with one shake it clicks with success. Out of the corner of my eyes I see a Starly.
I tuck and roll into some nearby grass. It eyes the grass wearily but then continues on about its day. I throw the ball at it. The Pokéball hits Starly on the back of the head. It flinches as the ball absorbs it. The ball shakes three times before clicking. I pick up the ball and sprint to a Shynx over by a bridge. As I approach it growls at me, ready to fight. I smirk.
"Well aren't you a feisty one," I remark, sending out Seeker. It trills, loud and powerful at the Shynx, meeting its challenge happily. The Shynx takes a fighting stance. I do the same.
"Let's go Seeker, Leafage," I shout, and Seeker flaps its wings powerfully, sending three green balls of grassy energy flying at the Shynx. The Shynx tries to dodge but isn't fast enough, taking the hit. "Great job!"
The Shynx gets up quickly and dashes at Seeker. In the blink of an eye it makes contact, slamming into my bird with Quick Attack. I smirk.
"That's nothing," I tell the little lion as Seeker shakes off the hit. "Leafage, again!"
Once more Seeker pushes its wings out, sending the balls of power at the Shynx. It's a direct hit, causing Shynx to stumble. I toss a Pokéball at it. The ball sucks in the Shynx. After three shake and a little hesitation the ball dings, successfully containing it. He and Seeker cheer over our victory as I pick up the ball.
Akari approaches me, her disbelief apparent on her face. "You caught all three without breaking a sweat," she says, which I nod arrogantly in agreement with. She starts smiling widely. "Come on! Let's go tell Cyllene!"
Once we reach the gate I notice that Laventon is gone. I'm can't help but feel upset (and maybe a little mad) that he didn't stick around and watch me do it! It's fine, I guess. I don't need him to be proud of me. I just need myself!
Another hour walk
I literally kick the doors to the Galaxy Team base open, a smug smirk on my face as I approach Cyellne in her office. "Captain," I exclaim. "I-"
"Caught all three Pokémon. Even showed an impressive display of strength while battling a Shynx," she finishes for me. I look at her confused.
"How did you-" I begin to ask, but she cuts me off again.
"Laventon told me. He was very proud of your performance, you doing better than he anticipated," she tells me. I can't help but smile hearing that. I've grown too attached to this man. I haven't even known him for a whole day, yet!
"So, am I in or what," I ask, standing up straight with an expectant smirk on my face. Cyllene sighs..
"You are now part of the Survey Corp. However, you start at No Star, meaning you have no rank or recognition. As you complete tasks you will earn stars, gaining power and authority." She reaches under her desk, taking out a blue uniform with an SC on the right side of the chest. "Go to the place you're staying at and change. You will come back and meet our commander on the third floor once in it."
I nod as I take the clothing, heading back to my place. As I exit Akari gives me a smile and thumbs up, which I happily return. After walking the short distance I get to my temporary house and change into my new uniform. I check it out in the mirror.
I look really good in it (but then again, I look good in everything). I don't like it, though. I look down at my usual clothing. It's taking all I have in me not to disobey Cyllene and just go in my all black attire. Normally that's what I would do, buy I feel like Cyllene is starting to accept me and I don't want to ruin that. I sigh, looking at my outfit one last time before leaving the building.
As I walk into HQ, Akari, Cyllene, and Laventon greet me. The Professor and Akari are giving me a big smile. Cyllene has her usual glare.
"You've also earned this," Cyllene says as she approaches me. She puts a red cap on my head and I feel pride swell up in my chest. This is them accepting me. It feels good! I smile up at her.
"Thank you, ma'am," I respond and the tone of my voice having no sarcasm or joke to it takes everyone in the room off guard, including me. I see Cyllene's lip twitch into a small smile only briefly, it quickly going back to a thin line.
I walk up the stares to the commander's office. In the center of the room is a tall, thick man. His hair is slicked back and he has long bushy eyebrows with an even longer and bushier mustache. He glares at me as I enter.
"I've been expecting you," he booms, his voice loud and powerful. "I am Kamado, commander of the Galaxy Expedition Team. I hear you passed the trial, but was it just luck?" He changes his stance, taking a sumo pose. "Come at me!"
At first I'm taken aback by his demand, but I smirk and crouch down with him. "You should know that I've wrestled with Incinaroars and Machamps before."
Kamado chuckles. "I don't know what an Incinaroar is, but a Machamp is quite impressive. Let's see what you're got!"
I push off the ground, charging at him. Once close enough I grab his arm and try to slam him to the ground. He just rolls his eyes and yanks his arm up. Me, who was still holding on to it, gets launched across the room. I slam into the ground, bouncing a bit. My hat fell off my head somewhere along the way. I see it against the wall across from me.
I dash around Kamado, swooping the hat up as I run. I continue to circle, gaining speed with each lap. The man doesn't budge. At random I leap at him with a flip, wrapping my legs around his neck and attempt to use my momentum to slam him to the ground. However, as I try to pull him down his feet stays planted to the ground. The force of my own momentum continues, though, with so much strength I get thrown off of him. I crash into the wall, my falling off again.
I pant as I stagger to my feet, grabbing my cap and putting it back on. I look around the room for something, anything, that could help me. I can't find anything, but I have an idea. I can charge at him, slide under him at last minute, and grab his ankles as I do, tripping him and forcing him to the floor where I can hold him down. I get into a running position, but Kamado relaxes his posture.
"Enough," he says, holding up a hand. I stand up straight and raise an eyebrow, confused.
"Nobody had won yet," I exclaim. "Why are we stopping?"
Kamado laughs. "It was never about winning, young man. I was testing your willpower. That look in your eyes gave me all I needed to know. It didn't matter how many times I knocked you down. You got up and made a new strategy. You have the heart of a warrior. We need more people like you on team."
I get that feeling I did earlier when Cyllene gave me the cap. The strong feeling of pride. Kamado puts his hands on my shoulders.
"This village isn't very open to outsiders. They will judge you. They will be superstitious. They will blame you for everything. But i believe you can handle it and can be trusted. Welcome to the Galaxy Expedition Team!"
That feeling of acceptance.
I know this was a lot, but I love how this chapter turned out!
I don't care for Akari in the game, but I'm kind of liking her in this!
Anyways, hope y'all enjoy the story (and actually read these author's notes)!
Comments
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@fineasmatei and @100jtr2
Another chapter!
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I wanted to push it to the front of the recent page, since posts that have gone through approval are listed as having been posted whenever you finished them instead of when they got approved but had no idea what to say and so I left an empty comment.
I like this chapter by the way, but I don't really like making a comment that only says I like the post. It sounds awkward to me.
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I read every story I find here. I think I've read most of the non-TCG/Unite discussions that have been posted here in the past two years, but sometimes I decide to stay silent instead of commenting when I don't have anything to say that I can't say without reactions.
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Unfortunately, I'm not very good at noticing references that aren't obvious, so the only thing I picked up on here is that Izzy was supposed to be the name of the Alola story protagonist.
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This isn't connected to the Alola.
I always choose "Izzy" as the name of my protagonists in my fictions.
That's why for the Alola story I said if anyone had a name they liked we'd hold a vote for it and whichever wins is it.
Nobody else volunteered names so I stuck with my usual.
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