(2) V1 - Chapter II

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There's a knock at the door before Mark enters the room. "It's time to decide, Kasumi." There are two men flanking either side of him, they must've been the people he was on about, the ones that would be waiting outside while she was in there. 

The Vulpix nuzzles into Kasumi as if it's trying to hide from them, she runs a soothing hand over its fur. "I've chosen Vulpix to be my starter." 

"Excellent choice, Kasumi. I see that she's warmed up to you rather fast so you must be a great match, she has a Timid nature." Mark says, gesturing for Kasumi to leave the room. She gets up, lifts Vulpix into her arms and leaves the room, whispering a goodbye to the other Pokemon. 

Timid nature? Kasumi thinks to herself, Vulpix has a Timid nature? It didn't seem to be the case, Vulpix seems rather sociable, friendly, and passionate, not timid like her nature states. Well, it doesn't matter to Kasumi, her Vulpix having a Timid nature will increase its speed and decrease its attack which is perfectly fine. 

Mark leads Kasumi and her Vulpix to a different room, one which resembles a laboratory. "I'll need a photo of you to complete your Trainer ID which will then be uploaded to the Trainer PokeWeb." He says as he rummages through some drawers, pulling out an old-fashioned camera. Lifting it up, he mumbles a 'ready?' Before snapping a picture of Kasumi who was, in fact, not ready. Regardless, the photo turned out well so she didn't mind. 

"Here are some Pokeballs, potions, just the regular starting-out trainer kit. Oh, and Vulpix's Pokeball too." Mark hands Kasumi a bundle of items which Kasumi puts into her backpack. 6 of the Pokeballs, however, are clipped to Kasumi's belt that is tied loosely over her cargos. One of these Pokeballs is Vulpix's. The rest of her Pokeballs (4) are put in her backpack with her other possessions.

"Now that's done, you're allowed to scan Pokemon with your PokePhone and add them to your PokeDex. There's a challenge to complete your PokeDex, granting a massive PokeDollar reward, if you want to participate. Not only that but there's a reward per percentage that you complete your PokeDex, it's an easy way for a trainer to earn money. Well, that's all from me. Since this is an academy, feel free to use our books to brush up on your knowledge, or you can just go straight into things. Farewell, Kasumi, and best of luck to you and your Vulpix." 

"Thank you, Mark. Goodbye." Kasumi gives him a curt nod as she leaves the Building and walks towards the beginning of route 23. The routes aren't the best way to find someone, they're a bit all over the place. Route 23 begins at Kozan while Route 24 is near the Ice-Type gym which is far, far away from Route 23. Who named these routes like this? Kasumi has no idea. 

Kasumi moves Vulpix into her hands rather than resting on her arms that were crossed over her chest, holding Vulpix in front of her underneath her front arms, "Ready to start our adventure, Vulpix?" 

The Vulpix yaps happily in response, "Vulpix!" 

Smiling, Kasumi places Vulpix gently on the ground so she can walk next to her. The Vulpix yaps happily again and does a loop around Kasumi's legs before walking beside her. 

People from all over the world come to start their Pokemon adventure as it is a trial almost everyone wants to participate in. Gym battles are always broadcast for the world to see and everyone keeps up to date, whether it's on the PokeWeb and its pages/forums on different people and Pokemon, battles and gyms, all the information is out there. The most common place to start is Route 23 as it is surrounded by low-level Pokemon and it's not too far from the Grass-Type gym which is thought to be one of the least challenging of all of them. Due to this, it's not a surprise that Kasumi is met with many people already standing around the gates. 

The official time for the Pokemon challenge/trial/adventure, whatever you want to call it, starts in about an hour and 10 minutes, so, Kasumi sits by the gate with Vulpix in her lap. 

This is it, she thinks, perhaps I should scan Vulpix before I start? So she does, she pulls out her PokePhone from her pocket and scans Vulpix. 

*Ping* 

Vulpix: Level 5. (0/55 EXP)

Growth rate: Medium-Fast

Nature: Timid

National No. 0037

Type: Fire

Species: Fox Pokemon 

Height: 0.6 m (2'00")

Weight: 9.9kg (21.8 lbs)

Abilities: Flash Fire, Drought (hidden ability) 

Known moves: Ember (Fire), Tail Whip (Normal), Disable (Normal), Quick Attack (Normal), Baby-Doll Eyes (Fairy), Flame Charge (Fire)

Stats: 23/23 HP, 9 ATK-, 10 DEF, 14 SP.ATK, 13 SP.DEF, 14 SPD+.

Perfect. Vulpix is more special attack inclined rather than attack even if she had a different nature, anyway. This is good as the only move heavily reliant on her attack stat is Quick Attack while there are two moves that are heavily reliant on special attack, those being Ember and Flame Charge. 

What if Kasumi scanned herself? Well, she was thinking of the same thing, so she decided to scan herself. 

*Ping* 

???: Level 10. (0/413 EXP)

Growth rate: Slow

Nature: Modest

National No. ???

Type:???

Species: ???

Height: 1.795 m (5'10")

Weight: 62.8kg (138.45 lbs)

Abilities: ???

Known moves: Transform? (Normal), Cosmic Power (Psychic), Seismic Toss (Fighting), Gravity (Psychic), Quick Attack (Normal), Confusion (Psychic), Take Down (Normal), Agility (Psychic), Protect (Normal), Swift (Normal), Reflect (Psychic)

Stats: 90/90 HP, 43 ATK-, 49 DEF, 67 SP.ATK+, 49 SP.DEF, 51 SPD.

Kasumi knew she was strong, but not that strong. How was she so strong? Was it another bonus from one of her parents being a Ditto? Even her parents weren't as strong as Kasumi when they were at her level, it's as if her stats got multiplied or something. Well, Kasumi isn't complaining, that's for sure. 

"Hey? Helloooo~?" 

Kasumi looked up from her PokePhone and put it back in her pocket. "Yes?" 

"I asked if you wanted to partner up on the way to the Grass-Type gym. I've currently got a group of… 7. So, wanna join?" He asked again, Kasumi didn't even realise someone had approached, she'd been too focused on the oddities that were her stats. 

She shook her head at the guy, "No thank you. I'd rather not travel in big groups." She replied honestly, she wanted to go through alone anyway, the largest group she'd go with would be a group of 5, including her, but further on through the challenge. She didn't want to grow reliant on other people and their Pokemon. 

"Damn, alright. See you another time, maybe? Not sure. Bye!" He said, running off to ask another person. Kasumi shook her head, some people didn't understand it was better to go through the forests of Route 23 alone or with a very small group. Being in a large group would attract more Pokemon, leading to more battles, a higher risk of injury and so on. Being alone allows for one to go through the forest making minimal noise and making it easier to hide/conceal yourself from predatory Pokemon roaming the area. However, being in a larger group gave more diversity with their Pokemon and higher chances of defeating threats. Still, Kasumi would rather be alone. 

She stands up, leaving Vulpix on the floor next to her feet. The trial is starting. 

"Announcement for all Pokemon Trainers participating in the Trial! There has been a spotting of a Scyther in the Forests and wandering in the open fields so be careful! It has been scanned recently and is now known to be level 17! Enter with caution, any injuries are on you and not the responsibility of anyone else, please remember that! Anyone participating may now begin their Trial by tapping their PokePhone against this device here!" 

Kasumi, as she is closest to the man who's speaking, taps her PokePhone against the device first, thus beginning her Trial. She opens the gates and begins walking down the gravel path, her Vulpix following just slightly behind. 

"A Scyther, huh?" She mumbles to herself.  "That'll be an issue. I'd be able to take it on but Vulpix wouldn't." 

Kasumi hears someone jogging behind her but pays it no attention until she hears Vulpix growl and her PokePhone chime in her pocket. I guess Vulpix has learnt Growl then. 

"It's okay, Vulpix." She states, her tone gentle. She crouches slightly and taps her shoulder, "Up." And Vulpix does as she's told, jumping up onto Kasumi's shoulder. 

Kasumi turns to face the person who's jogged up to her, raising an eyebrow. "Yes?" 

"You're Kasumi, right?" The woman asks, smiling, her eyes flickering between Kasumi's eyes and Vulpix. 

She nods at the question, "I am." She says, dismissively. She's not in the mood for stopping to talk with people she doesn't know, she wants to get to the forest and properly start her adventure. 

"First off, thank you for helping my Mother about a year back plant her berries, she was having a LOT of trouble. Second, wanna battle me? I've got a Buizel!" She says excitedly, jumping up and down on the spot while her Buizel just stands there, staring at her.

"You're asking because you have a Type advantage and want an easy win, aren't you?" Kasumi deadpans.

"No, no! Not at all, I just wanted to have a battle against someone... yeah... that." The woman smiles, trying to act innocent. Vulpix yaps at her, also seeing through the woman's antics. "Oh, how rude of me, I'm Michelle. Pleasure." She sticks out her hand which Kasumi reluctantly shakes.

She sighs, looking to face her Vulpix on her shoulder, "You up for it?" Vulpix yaps, "Alright then, One versus One since we both only have a single Pokemon, the winner gets, let's say, 200 PokeDollars?"

"Yeah, 100%, let's do it!"

Kasumi takes some steps back, Vulpix in front of her, maintaining a distance from the Buizel and Michelle. "Oh, if I win, could I scan your Buizel by chance?" She asks.

"Sure, but only if I get to scan your Vulpix if I win!"

"Deal." Kasumi bends down and picks up a rock. " I'll throw this rock in the air, when it hits the ground, we can start."

"Okay!"

She throws the rock into the air, watching as it falls to the ground, as soon as it hits the floor, she gives Vulpix a command, "Vulpix, use Baby-Doll Eyes then Tail Whip." Vulpix swishes her tail to and fro, her eyes shimmering as she stares at the Buizel, slightly lowered to the ground in preparation to dodge.

At the same time, Michelle shouts a command, "Buizel, use Growl then get close and use Fury Swipes! Don't look at its eyes!"

"Vulpix, jump out of the way if you can then Quick Attack."

The Buizel lets out a low grumbling sound, rushing forward on all fours, pouncing toward Vulpix with its hands glowing. Vulpix, when the Buizel gets close, jumps to the side, staying low to the ground, landing on the floor swiftly before jumping forward, using Quick Attack and hitting Buizel in its side, knocking it over. The Buizel, despite generally having a slightly higher speed stat, failed to dodge in time and went sprawling onto the ground. Maybe this Buizel had a lower speed stat, as that seemed to be the case here.

Getting up with another Growl, the Buizel tried to do another Fury Swipe, only for Vulpix to do the same as it did the previous time.

"Buizel, when the Vulpix dodges, leaps into the air to dodge the Quick Attack and when you land, use Fury Swipes!" 

"When the Buizel gets close, we're going to catch it off guard. Stay still but be prepared." The Vulpix nods at the order, standing still, muscles tense and ready to use its moves on short notice. 

Both Kasumi and Vulpix stay still and silent until the Buizel gets about a foot in front of Vulpix, then, "Growl, jump in the air, Ember, land, Quick Attack. You might get hit, tough it through." 

Vulpix Growls, leaping into the air above the Buizel who, also, jumps up. However, Vulpix then uses the Buizel to then propel itself higher, turning to use ember on the falling Buizel, hitting it head-on — a critical hit — spinning in the air and landing softly on its paws. The Ember caused some smoke, slightly hindering the Buizel's vision of Vulpix who then darts at the Buizel with a Quick Attack while it wipes its slightly singed fur, coughing and distracted. 

The attack connects, knocking the Buizel over who goes rolling towards Michelle's feet, "Buizel, get up!" 

"One more Quick Attack, Vulpix, it's almost fainted." Vulpix nods seriously, daring over to the Buizel who's still getting up and hitting it on its chest, fainting it. The Vulpix huffs, bouncing her way over to Kasumi and jumping back on her shoulder.

"Well done, Vulpix." She says, scratching underneath the Vulpix's chin. 

"Ugh. Well done, Buizel, even if you lost. That was an awesome battle, Kasumi, though I didn't even get a hit in." Michelle huffs. "Scan Buizel quickly so I can return him to his Pokeball, please." 

Kasumi nods, walking over to the fainted Buizel and scanning him. Michelle returns Buizel as soon as the ping chimes on Kasumi's PokePhone. 

*Ping* 

Buizel: Level 5. (0/55 EXP)

Growth rate: Medium-Fast

Nature: Relaxed

National No. 0418

Type: Water

Species: Sea Weasel Pokemon 

Height: 0.7 m (2'04")

Weight: 29.5 kg (65.0 lbs)

Abilities: Swift Swim, Water Veil (hidden ability) 

Known moves: Tackle (Normal), Growl (Normal), Fury Swipes (Normal), Helping Hand (Normal)

Stats: 0/20 HP, 11 ATK, 8 DEF+, 11 SP.ATK, 8 SP.DEF, 11 SPD-.

"Thank you," Kasumi says, nodding at Michelle who passes her 200 PokeDollars. 

"No problem. Well, I've got to go to the PokeCentre now, maybe I'll see you in the forest? Good luck out there!" Michelle waves as she runs off, Buizel's Pokeball in hand. 

Kasumi decides, while she has her PokePhone out, to check how her Vulpix is doing. She did get a few notifications as soon as the battle ended, anyway. 

One notification was to do with the experience gains, <<+72 EXP to Vulpix and +36 ???>>, another was to do with Vulpix levelling up, <<Vulpix is now level 6! Stats have increased.>>, and the last one was to do with Vulpix learning a new move, <<Vulpix has learnt Growl!>>

The PokePhone will only give notifications to do with Pokemon currently in the owner's party, so privacy is ensured unless you register another person's party in your own which requires you to link devices. That means Kasumi won't be registered on anyone's PokePhone besides her own, which she can always remove since she apparently isn't even a registered Pokemon. 

Kasumi checks her Vulpix's stats to see how they've changed; 

Vulpix: Level 6. (17/127 EXP)

Growth rate: Medium-Fast

Nature: Timid

National No. 0037

Type: Fire

Species: Fox Pokemon 

Height: 0.6 m (2'00")

Weight: 9.9kg (21.8 lbs)

Abilities: Flash Fire, Drought (hidden ability) 

Known moves: Ember (Fire), Tail Whip (Normal), Disable (Normal), Quick Attack (Normal), Baby-Doll Eyes (Fairy), Flame Charge (Fire), Growl (Normal)

Stats: 25/25 HP, 9 ATK-, 11 DEF, 16 SP.ATK, 14 SP.DEF, 16 SPD+.

That means Vulpix has gained +2 in her health, special attack, and speed, gaining +1 in defence and special defence while attack remains the same. Pretty good. "Well done, Vulpix. Won your first battle and levelled up too." 

"Vul~Pix!"