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Pokemon: Way of Life Chapter 13
🕑 Added 2022-10-25 03:04:10 +0000 UTCDisclaimer: I do not own Pokemon. It belongs to Nintendo and Gamefreak.
Hi all,
SoSo, Lucas ventures outside to the Pokemon Camp but finds danger where he least expects it.
June 8th
Outside the Pokemon School, two armoured buses sat idling as they waited for the passengers to arrive. Today was the day for the practical exercise, and Lucas was excited. He had a bag packed, but he also loaded his inventory with emergency supplies just in case something happened.
Dante was still at home. They weren’t allowed to have Pokemon on the bus, so he would recall him when he got to camp.
"Have you got everything?" Sophia nagged.
"Yes, mother," Lucas rolled his eyes.
"I don't want to hear anything about getting in trouble," David said, smirking. "Unless it's girl trouble."
"David," Sophia protested.
"Lucas has already got a girlfriend," Jason declared.
"What!?' Sophia shrieked.
"Is it true, big brother? When do we meet her?" Abigail asked.
"Don't believe a word he says," Lucas said, glaring at Jason.
"Oh, look. There she is now," Jason called. "Faith. Over here."
Lucas turned and spotted Faith walking towards them with a purposeful stride while dragging a suitcase behind her. She dressed simply in a pair of shorts and a t-shirt. He damned the butterflies in his stomach at seeing her shapely legs on display.
"Hello there," Sophia said, offering a hand. "I'm Sophia. It's nice to meet Lucas’s new friend."
Faith shook it cautiously, shooting a confused look at Lucas. He shrugged his shoulders, indicating his bewilderment.
"It's nice to meet you," Faith said politely.
"And I'm David. Unfortunately, I'm his dad." David sighed.
"My condolences,' Faith smiled.
Abigail pushed her way forward and peered up at her. "Are you my brother's girlfriend?"
Jason and David snickered.
Faith turned her eyes on him, and Lucas took a step back fearfully. She turned around and kneeled in front of Abigail. "Hello. Who gave you that idea?"
"Jason," Abigail said honestly, ignoring the frantic motions from Jason behind Faith's back.
"Oh? I might have to have a polite discussion with him," Faith emphasised the word 'polite'. "But it's nice to meet you. My name is Faith."
"Abigail," the girl said, eyeing her critically. "You seem nice enough. I give you permission to date my brother."
"Glad I got your stamp of approval," Faith murmured.
"Hey, brat, I don't need your permission," Lucas ruffled her hair. "We need to get on the bus."
His parents hugged him, and Sophia invited Faith around for dinner when they returned. Faith looked like a deer caught in the headlights, but Lucas didn't save her. He wanted her to come to his home. She finally accepted, and Sophia left, looking satisfied.
The buses rumbled outside of Pallet Town and the safety of the walls. A few production farms were located on either side of the highway before they left civilisation behind and entered the true wilderness.
The countryside beyond the road was abundant in verdant greenery and overgrown grass. Beyond the fields, huge forests ran the length of the two coastlines and ended shortly on the outskirts of Vermillion City.
Half an hour later, the buses turned east onto a dirt road, heading towards the forest. The territory was considered a yellow zone, the second safest amongst the danger ratings. From safest to most dangerous, they were rated: green, yellow, orange, red and black. The last zone was a forbidden area, usually the territory of disaster-level Pokemon only second to Legendaries in terms of strength.
Lucas received another notification and discreetly read the message while listening to Jason talking.
=====
Arceus has answered your Prayer!
You have unlocked the Map Function.
=====
Lucas smiled. It looks like his first idea wasn't unreasonable. He opened the Map Function and took a look.
It was like a video game map, obscuring the unexplored areas in fog. The Map was zoomed all the way in on his location, where a golden marker represented himself. As the bus travelled the road, the Map was updated in real-time.
Lucas zoomed out further. Half of Pallet Town was revealed, but he still had a lot more to explore. There were little icons for all the various shops and important locations like his home. Lucas paused as he saw a place that sounded familiar. Xanadu Nursery. Where had he heard that name before? He put a blue marker down so he could check the place out later.
From what he understood, {Perception} affected the Map's effectiveness, determining the area of the Map revealed in relation to his position. It also added further details as his {Perception} increased.
Lucas looked outside as they slowed down and saw they had reached the camp. Everyone got off the bus, and Lucas looked around in fascination. Like every other inhabited area, a wall surrounded the camp. Another feature was the small towers in every corner, with a Ranger surveilling the surrounding environment.
The gate opened, and a Ranger waved them through.
It looked like a typical summer camp from his old world. A series of buildings were scattered around the area, with a small lake in the background. In front of them was a square with a stage for Pokemon battles.
Lucas took out his ball and released Dante. The little guy looked around in curiosity. Seeing him release his Pokemon, those with them followed suit, including Jason.
The teenagers fell silent as three Rangers approached them. Two men were following the lone woman who looked at the teenagers sternly. She was a tall blonde woman with blue eyes as cold as ice.
"Welcome to the Pokemon Camp. My name is Olivier Armstrong. On my left is Roy Mustang. To my right is Maes Hughes. We are the ones who will be leading you through your week of training. I will say this now; I do not tolerate insubordination. Am I clear?"
The teenagers scrambled to answer under her intimidating stare.
She nodded crisply. "Right then. Let's get your accommodations sorted out first. Girls will follow me, and Ranger Mustang will lead the boys. Your Pokemon may stay behind as we will meet back up here afterwards so we can review some camp rules and discuss our itinerary."
The boys followed after Ranger Mustang. The guy didn't look any less intimidating than Ranger Armstrong, so it was a subdued group that entered the boy's barracks.
"Right, choose a bed and leave your belongings behind, except for your backpack and some basic supplies with you, as you will need them." Ranger Mustang said crisply.
After choosing a bed, they were back at the
entrance of the camp, where the girls were already waiting for them.
"Alright, I will be brief. We have a lot to get through in a week, so listen closely because I won't be repeating myself."
Armstrong briefly reviewed the camp's rules, and Lucas listened attentively. The camp was not a safe place despite it being staffed by Rangers. Something unexpected could happen, so it always pays to be extra cautious.
"Okay, that is it for the rules," Ranger Armstrong said. "Now, for our schedule for the next week. We have different subjects every morning and afternoon, with some Pokemon battles mixed in for variety. The last day will be a practical test of all you have learned, and it will be worth seventy per cent of your passing grade. So pay attention. We will split you into two groups, so you will be easier to manage. When I start calling out names, move over here next to Ranger Mustang. The rest will go with Ranger Hughes. Any questions so far?"
When then wasn't, she started calling out names. Lucas was separated from Jason, but at least he got to stay with Faith. They went to the group with Ranger Hughes.
"Okay, there is one last thing I forgot to mention," Ranger Armstong said. "The practical test will have rewards for those who score the highest, but it will be only the top ten that receive a prize. The top three will receive a choice of one of the three Kanto starter Pokemon."
Murmurs erupted from the crowd at the announcement. Lucas felt Faith stiffen beside him, and she clenched her fists in determination. It seemed she had aspirations of her own.
For himself, he would love to get a Charmander. The evolved form of Charizard was too amazing to pass up and one of his favourite Pokemon.
=====
New Quest received!
Number One in Camp
Description: Ranger Armstrong has laid down the gauntlet and given you a huge incentive to do well on your practical exam. Complete the test in the first place to receive a choice of a Kanto starter Pokemon.
Current Objective: Attentively study for the practical exam.
Time Remaining: One Week.
=====
"Ranger Mustang will take his group to the surrounding outside area to learn navigation and how to track Pokemon. Do not leave the group and wander off by yourself, especially if you don't have a Pokemon yet. It may be the last mistake you make. The other group will go with Ranger Hughes to learn about First Aid. After lunch, you will switch, and then we will finish with some Pokemon battles. Any questions?"
"Some people here already have Pokemon," a weak-chinned boy whined. "Why do they get to compete for a chance at a Pokemon."
Ranger Armstrong strode over to the boy and looked with a fierce gaze, causing the boy to cringe away in fear. "Saying such a thing means you have zero confidence in yourself." She looked around. "Do you think it unfair that they were gifted Pokemon while the rest of you have to rely on a lottery? Well, I only have one thing to say. Life is unfair."
The crowd wasn't expecting that answer and broke out in the discussion.
Ranger Armstrong raised her voice. "I came from a humble background and received a Caterpie as a starter. Did I complain about it? No, I gritted my teeth and worked hard. My partner became a strong Butterfree, and I started building a team. I was one step away from challenging the Kanto Master League before I was defeated. Could I have tried again? Sure, but I had already proven to myself that I could make it, regardless of the beginning. Remember this! There are no trash Pokemon, only trainers who are trash.”
There was a brief silence before Armstrong clapped her hands. “Follow your instructors. Playtime is over.” She spun around and marched away.
Rae Hughes didn’t appear intimidating at all. He was a man of medium height, slightly built, and looked like he never took life too seriously.
“Hello, all. I am Ranger Hughes but call me Maes. Before we begin the class, there is an important introduction that has to be made.” His eyes glinted behind his glasses. He took out his wallet and showed a picture of a cute girl about Abigail’s age. “This is Elicia. Isn’t she the most adorable girl you have seen?”
The group made appreciative noises, but Lucas rubbed his chin in thought. “She is certainly adorable, but she doesn’t hold a candle to my little sister.” With that, he took out a picture of Abigail and showed it around the group.
Maes pushed his glasses up his nose. “I see you are going to be a troublemaker. What is your name?
“Lucas Walker,” he replied and pointed at Dante. “This is my Ralts. His name is Dante.”
Dante raised his head until his eyes were visible and nodded imperiously. The girls in the group exclaimed at the cuteness and started petting him. Dante darted behind Faith to hide from the girls.
Lucas looked at his partner in betrayal. Why did Dante trust Faith to protect him more than his partner?
“Well, I think we know who wears the pants in the relationship,” Maes teased, causing the others to laugh and Faith to flush.
Lucas shook his head wryly. He should be offended, but any relationship with Faith sounded great.
“Alright, let's head to the nurse's office and get started,” Maes said.
Dante raised his arms to Faith, and she picked him up and carried him as they followed Mae.
Lucas looked at Dante jealously, nestled in Faith’s arms.
‘What are you doing, partner?’
Dante shot him a look as if to question his intelligence.
‘You like the girl, yes? I’m just giving you an opportunity to get closer. How could she resist my cuteness?’
‘I should never have doubted you; well-done partner.’
{0(((..)))0}
Mustang led the group to another exit leading to the north. Before leaving, he grabbed a box. The group had seven Pokemon amongst the group, including Dante. There was a Pikachu; Pidgey; Cubone; two Eevees, and an Aron, another Hoenn native Pokemon.
Ahead of them was the edge of the forest, with tall beech trees, which were a fair distance apart due to their wide-spreading trunks taking up plenty of space.
"Alright, everyone can call me Roy or Mustang," he smiled for the first time. Everyone relaxed.
"Come grab a compass from the box, I'm going first to teach you about navigation, and there is nothing more important than finding your direction."
Lucas moved forward, grabbed a compass, and played with it to see if it was functioning correctly.
"What's your name?" Roy pointed at him.
"Lucas," he replied.
"Good work," Mustang said. "The first thing you should do before you take your compass anywhere is to check that it is working correctly. A compass needle is a delicate magnetic instrument, and the poles can become reversed if the compass is brought into close contact with another magnet."
Mustang demonstrated how to recalibrate the magnetic compasses and when he was satisfied, they entered the forest. Taking out a Pokeball, Mustang released a huge intimidating Vileplume. Its eerie red eyes peered at them, and some of the group took a step back in fear.
"Okay, everyone, be on alert. Vileplume will probably scare any problematic Pokemon away, but it still pays to be cautious."
They began walking, the overgrown foliage beneath their feet making a lot of noise with their passage.
Lucas looked up at the round canopies that covered their heads. It was the beginning of summer, and the leaves were a vibrant green. He made sure to have his {Aura Sense} active. His range was ten metres in every direction, so he shouldn't be surprised by any Pokemon. Dante was beside him, peering around curiously.
'Everything okay?'
'This is the first time I have been out in the wild.'
'How do you like it so far?'
'It's beautiful.'
'Well, keep your eyes and ears peeled. Wild Pokemon won't hesitate to attack.'
"Mustang, do we need compasses to navigate? Most phones have built-in magnetometers as a standard these days." A boy with glasses asked. He was the one with Aron. Lucas observed the Pokemon, but because he had not unlocked the Hoenn questline, he did get a reward for adding it to his Pokedex.
"That is true," Mustang admitted. "Call me a bit old-fashioned, but I prefer compasses. Phones are fine, but they are much more expensive and easily damaged. I would rather keep my phone safe and tucked away."
"What about a Pokedex?" A girl asked. "Don't trainers receive one before they leave for the Pokemon circuit?"
"Yes, but they suffer from the same problem. They are more durable, but they are not immune to damage. That's why you should always keep a compass and use your other devices only for other, more essential tasks."
They walked for a few more minutes when Vileplume called to its partner. Mustang raised a hand, and everyone came to a stop.
Lucas looked ahead and spotted a small group of Pokemon running away from the group.
"It's okay. Just some Rattata's," Mustang said, relaxing. "Let's go see if they left any tracks."
Over the next couple of hours, they came across more Pokemon by learning to track footprints, noticing small details like broken branches; and identifying the different types of Pokemon excrement. That was fun.
They only encountered weak Pokemon who ran away when they sensed Vileplume. They could sense Aura, and the Pokemon gave off a tremendous amount.
Lucas had wondered why Pokemon didn't react to him like the Haunter in the hospital. Didn't they sense that he had Purple Energy?
'The Narrator would like to state that Arceus fixed that oversight. No Pokemon besides Legendary can sense your Purple Energy or any of your bonded Pokemon.'
Question answered—one less problem to solve.
Mustang checked the time. "Okay, let's take a break here before heading back."
Lucas took off his backpack and gave Dante a snack. He took out a bottle of water and a protein bar. He sat down next to Faith, who was munching on an apple.
“Did the Director say anything about the clothes?” Lucas asked.
Faith shook her head. “He is currently away in Saffron City. He won’t be back for a few weeks.”
“How many orphans are there? It can’t be the thirteen.”
Faith looked down, biting her lip. Lucas reached out a hand and grabbed one of her soft hands in his, and she looked up at him in question but didn’t let go.
“What about you tell me everything, but I promise not to say or do anything until I have your permission.”
They were a distance away from the group, separate enough to have some privacy but not be in danger if a Pokemon attacked. Lucas marveled that she allowed him to hold her hand in his, but he wasn’t going to say anything and ruined the moment.
“We are not the same as the other orphans. We live in the house on the edge of the property. And we always get the least amount of care as the Director can get away without raising suspicion.”
“But why?” Lucas asked.
“The thirteen of us are not from Kanto. We are from the Sinnoh region. We became orphans and outcasts when it was discovered that our parents were part of the organisation known as Team Galaxy.”
“Wow. Are they Sinnoh’s version of Team Rocket?”
“They are much worse,” Faith threw the apple core away. “Especially the upper management.”
“So what happened next?”
“Their crimes were so heinous that they were executed. You have to understand how much it takes for a government to reach that point, but they were well justified. The kids and I went to an orphanage. However, the backlash from our parent's actions caused the public to turn on us and demand that we be exiled from Sinnoh.”
Lucas shook his at the absurdity of some people. They were blaming the actions of their parents on innocent kids.
Dante cuddled up on Faith’s lap, and she smiled, petting the Pokemon until he trilled.
“Sinnoh made an exchange with Kanto,” Faith said. “They got us, and in return, they received some minor concessions. When we first arrived, we joined the main home, and everything was going well. Then, somebody leaked to the other children who we were. They started to bully us, and it got so bad that the little kids were getting hurt. I retaliated harshly against our abusers, and even the Director couldn’t keep the commotion quiet from the public. Ultimately, they separated us into the small house on the edge of the property.”
Lucas hummed. “Do you know who leaked the information?”
“I suspect the Director, but that may be simple bias. He is an unpleasant man.
"Alright, let's get going," Mustang called.
Lucas helped Faith up and let go of her hand. “Let’s continue this later.”
They were halfway back to the camp when they ran into trouble. Lucas paused at the same time Faith did.
"Trouble," Lucas called. Vileplume was already aware as it stopped and called a warning. Beside him, Dante tensed up in preparation.
‘Be ready for anything, Dante.’
Two people and a Pokemon stepped out from behind a tree and stood in their path. Lucas recognised them instantly as the dastardly incompetent duo and the talking Pokemon that followed Ash around like a pesky fly.
“Prepare for trouble,” Jessie said.
“Make it double,” James followed.
“To cheat and steal is our aspiration.”
“From everyone in our nation.”
“To denounce the evils of love and cooperation.”
“We could rhyme all day; that’s our expectation.”
“Jessie!”
“James!”
“Team Rocket blasts off at the speed of light!”
“Surrender now or prepare to fight.”
“Meowth! That’s right!
Mustang stepped forward with Vileplume to stand protectively in front of the group of teenagers. “What is Team Rocket doing here?”
Jessie released an Arbok, while James followed with Weezing. Lucas tried to read their parameters, but his skill was too low, to his shock. Was he possibly letting his bias toward their anime counterparts affect his judgement?
“We are here for Lucas Walker,” Jessie said. “The boss is interested in meeting him.”
Faith gasped and looked at Lucas with worry. Mustang looked at Lucas in confusion, with the rest of the group mirroring his expression.
‘I’m going to hurt them.’
‘Calm down, Dante. They are not an easy opponent.’
It figures that the first time he ventured outside of town, he would run into trouble with a criminal organisation. “What does the boss of Team Rocket want with the likes of a fourteen-year-old boy.”
“That is not our business,” Jessie said. “That is our assertion.”
“Devoted to the boss, that is for certain.”
“Would have his babies, if only he should ask.”
“I would do the same but lack the necessary parts.”
Lucas looked at them with raised eyebrows. “I think you both were dropped on your heads as babies.”
“Enough,” Mustang said. “He is under my protection while here at the Pokemon Camp. I’m not going to give him to you on a silver platter.”
Lucas felt a chill come down his spine as he felt the change come over the pair. Their features lost animation and became robotic, as if an alien host had taken them over.
“We need to capture Lucas Walker,” they said in a monotone voice. “The rest of them are expendable.”
Koffing released a cloud of poisonous gas that obscured the area. Thankfully, Vileplume had already reacted and released a huge swirling mass of petals at the approaching cloud, which exploded on contact. Everyone was blown off their feet.
Lucas gasped, and he felt a ringing in his ears. He turned his head left and spotted the others sprawled on the ground, groaning but unharmed. An awful stench of sewerage tickled his nose, and he dialled down his sense of smell. He increased his eyesight as well, and now he could see further.
‘Lucas, are you okay?’
‘I’m fine. Glad you're okay as well.’
Wait, where is Faith?
“Faith!”
“I’m here,” she said.
Lucas sat up and froze. Standing in front of him was Faith, unharmed and still standing. She held a hand in front of her, controlling a thin transparent shield of blue {Aura}. She looked back at him with a calm expression.
“That’s definitely a cooler way of finding out you’re an Aura User than a simple conversation,” Lucas joked.
Everyone got to their feet slowly, having suffered minor injuries from the explosion. Faith couldn’t shield it entirely, but they would have been worse off otherwise.
Lucas looked around but couldn’t see the {Aura’s} of either the two team members or their Pokemon.
“Above us,” Faith shouted, and everyone looked up to see the pair standing on a branch, at least ten metres off the ground. How had they gotten there?
Lucas spotted a fast {Aura} approaching from the side, and he shoved Faith to the ground as sharp claws raked his back.
Meowth has dealt 89 damage to Armemant.
Armemant: 115/208
“Lucas!” Faith screamed.
‘Lucas!’ Dante called.
“I’m fine,” Lucas grunted, sprawled on top of the girl. He was fortunate that he didn't feel any pain from the attack. “You're not the only one who can use {Aura}.”
Mustang released another Pokemon. It was a Jolteon, something that could counter the speed of the Meowth. It stood behind the group, protecting their flanks. “The camp would have noticed the commotion. We need to buy some time.”
Lucas was trying not to panic. The sheer unexpected change in the duo had completely unnerved him, and he was reeling in shock. It was a level of terror that he had not encountered before, and his nerves started fraying at the edges. Around him, some of the girls were crying, clearly feeling the same. He slapped himself to try and break himself out of his state. {Mental Resistance} helped him calm down, and he began thinking.
They were in a difficult situation, and the only helpful Pokemon they had was Mustang’s team. The rest were liabilities. With the current strength of Team Rocket’s Pokemon, Dante and the other Pokemon would be killed instantly. He took out his pokeball.
‘Lucas, stop!’
‘Sorry, buddy.’
He pressed the button, and Dante was recalled back home. “Everyone with Pokemon, recall them now! They will be killed if they stay out here.”
“He’s right,” Mustang said. “Recall your Pokemon and gather in a circle; protect your backs.”
They gathered in a circle, looking around nervously, waiting for the next attack. Mustang was placed in the middle since he had the only means of protecting them.
“I say we give him up,” the weak-chinned guy from before said. “Why should we risk our lives for someone we don’t know.”
“Shut up,” Mustang roared. “Such a spineless piece of trash. Why are you even becoming a Pokemon trainer with that mentality.”
The two team rocket members stood on the tree, but their two Pokemon were nowhere to be seen. He searched around the place, but they must be beyond his {Aura Sense} range.
“I’m not doing this anymore.” the weak-chinned guy stepped away from the circle and began shuffling in the direction of the camp. “I’m leaving, so don’t attack.”
“Stop,” Mustang shouted, but it was too late. Arbok erupted from the ground in an explosion of dirt and wrapped its length around the boy. Lucas watched in horror as the Pokemon began to squeeze the life out of the boy. The group of teenagers screamed in terror, and Lucas realised that he was amongst them.
Mustang must have given a silent command to Vileplume because it released a plume of yellow spore from the top of its huge petals. Weezing floated out of the hole and cast a small shield that repelled the spores. It must have been {Protect}.
‘{Telekinesis}’
Lucas took hold of the round Pokemon with his mind, but it was harder than he anticipated. This was no inanimate object but a powerful Pokemon with Red Energy. Of course, it would have more resistance. Lucas’s {Aura} was depleting fast as he fought to overwhelm the Weezing, and he managed to overcome it when he had only half of his {Aura} left. He threw the Pokemon at the Arbok, not caring if the boy was seriously hurt. The stupid idiot would be dead soon, anyway.
Weezing collided with Arbok, and all three went tumbling over the ground.
Vileplume took advantage of the opportunity and began charging a {Solar Beam}. Even if the grass-type weren’t effective against the poison-type, it would still do a lot of damage.
“Lucas,” Mustang shouted. “Use that trick again and summon the boy.”
Lucas pulled the unresponsive boy towards him as the Pokemon started to rise. Vileplume released the stored energy, and a thick beam of grass energy shot from the petals, tearing up the ground with terrifying force. It struck the two Pokemon and was propelled with the beam a dozen metres away into a tree trunk.
Behind them, Jolteon called out in alarm and released a jolt of electricity at Meowth, who dropped from the sky at an unaware Lucas. With everything happening, he had been distracted.
Meowth dodged the attack in mid-air with amazing agility, but Lucas threw the Pokemon away with the last of his {Aura}.
Lucas felt something touch his leg, and he looked down.
“Wobbufet.”
Lucas screamed as Red Energy flooded his body. He was so consumed with the pain he didn’t even notice when he was teleported somewhere else.
Lucas stumbled as he landed and collapsed to the floor. Despite his superior Purple Energy, the sheer quantity of Red Energy that flooded his veins overwhelmed him. It felt like the very nerves in his body were on fire. He twitched on the ground for a few minutes before finally gaining control of his body and looking up at the ceiling.
He heard steps walk toward him, peering blearily up as a man in a suit appeared above him.
“Welcome to my humble abode, Lucas Walker. My name is Giovanni, and I have been eagerly awaiting your arrival."
The man smiled, showing off his teeth—a smile of a predator who had caught his prey.
So what do you think? The next chapter will have a significant time skip.
Cheers
Comments
GamerFiction
Yeah. I couldn't stomach writing a weak and comedic team rocket.
Laharl365
Broooo Team Rocket actually being hardcore? This is gonna be wild.
