Chapter 1: Old Fox

Disclaimer: I own nothing. This fanfic is purely for enjoyment.

This is fanfiction, so the familiar characters you see belong to their respected authors and owners.

"Speech"

(Thought)

—Line Breaker—

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Volume 1 - Chapter 1: Old Fox

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[Coumarine City Gym]

"Like I said two months earlier, Clavell. I hope you can take care of my grandson at your school," said an old man while talking to someone on his Rotom Phone.

"…So you were serious after all, old friend? Isn't he your gym successor after your retirement? You are not that young anymore, you know."

Ramos, the current gym leader of Coumarine City, snorted as his friend was concerned about his old age. "Don't underestimate me, Clavell! I might be old, but I am not the oldest yet! I'm still full of energy and can battle any day!"

"Sigh…" replied Clavell from the other side of the phone as he pinched the bridge of his nose with a weak smile on his face.

"Well, you are not wrong about that. Opal is still the gym leader of her city after all the years.

"Hahaha, see? There's no problem for my grandson to explore more regions! After all, this is a big world; he is still too young to be shackled into this position."

"Being a gym leader isn't an easy life, huh?" responded Clavell as he signed through many documents that he had to.

As the new headmaster of the Paldea Academy in the Paldea region, his work wasn't easy either. Moreover, a new semester will start soon, so his workload tripled.

"Yeah…, moreover those guys from team Flare are getting more rampant lately." Sighed Ramos with exasperation as he held his forehead.

Clavell frowned as he heard his friend complain. He knew that the current situation in the Kalos region wasn't that peaceful since the emergence of the Team Flare that threatened the security of Kalos. Moreover, the border between those two regions is very close.

Team Flare is a villainous team with an organization based in the Kalos region. Their goal is to create a "beautiful and better" world from their numerous propaganda and appearance. A simple team that preached about making the world better wouldn't usually be that threatened, but their means were genuinely despicable.

They are eliminating everyone who does not follow their standards and making money from their nefarious activities.

The only information the Pokémon League had on team Flare was minimal. They couldn't find the mysterious boss behind this organization or its powerful admins, and they were honestly helpless against such a team.

"Hmm? Don't worry, Clavell. I don't believe that team Flare would expand their activity outside of Kalos, so you shouldn't overthink about them." Said Ramos as he felt his friend's uneasiness about this infamous villain organization.

"Sorry about that, Ramos. It's just such a villainous team that could threaten the balance of the Paldea region frighten me."

"Don't worry, I understand, and I wouldn't wish for anyone else to deal with villains like them." Replied Ramos with an understanding expression. The current Team Flare is dangerous cancer for Kalos, and he wouldn't wish for anyone else to deal with it.

"Honestly, Clavell, I can't help but be envious of your region and the Galar region. You don't have any villain organization that could threaten the balance of your region."

"Hahaha…. My life isn't that peaceful either, as I have recently dealt with some difficult students." Responded Clavell as the corner of his mouth twitched a little bit.

Clavell knows he is lucky enough not to have a villain organization eyeing his region. Their problem couldn't be comparable, but as the headmaster of the Paldea Academy, he had some jobs to deal with after the last fiasco by the previous headmaster.

The reputation of their school got damaged by this situation caused by many past professors and principals. Fortunately, they no longer work at the academy and are dealt with in their own Pokémon League.

"Anyway, I hope you can take care of my grandson as we discussed earlier." Said Ramos as he returned to the most crucial subject of the call. He was currently sitting in his office with his trusted Gogoat beside him.

It was a slow day, for sure. There weren't many trainers that came to challenge him to obtain their badge. But this is normal since the new season started about a month ago, and those trainers weren't in a hurry to acquire their badges.

Clavell twirled his pen as he heard his old friend's voice. He stopped for a second as he tapped his desk in deep thought.

Ramos didn't urge his friend either and let him think about it. He wasn't in a hurry either, so he started working on some papers he hadn't finished.

"…"

"…"

"…"

"Well…. I can indeed integrate your grandson inside our establishment as a staff member. But does he have something worth teaching to the students? If he can't teach, I can always find some spots elsewhere, like a shift as a librarian, for example." Replied Clavell after some deliberation from his side.

If Ramos's grandson can impart some of his knowledge to the students at Paldea Academy, then he has nothing to say, and the timing is very significant since school hasn't started yet. It could also warm those students to pick this young man's class in their schedule.

Ramos didn't instantly respond to his friend's inquiry as he began thinking about his grandson. His grandson Sora wasn't a bad kid, and he was very proud of his grandson. After all, he imparted all his knowledge since he learned that Sora wanted to be a Pokémon Trainer.

"…"

"Well, he is pretty good at taking care of the berries, and his knowledge was pretty good from when I tested him. Moreover, he nurtured his own team with his hands with a little of my help, of course."

"Oh, berries, you say? This is indeed something not available inside our school…" thought Clavell with seriousness.

Berries are beneficial for both the trainer and their Pokémon, and they can help the trainer's Pokémon become stronger or the bonds between them.

Moreover, the academy has a greenhouse only used by the chefs and professor Saguaro. So adding Ramos's grandson wasn't a bad idea for the academy.

"Oh! I almost forgot!" exclaimed Ramos from his side as he naturally woke up Clavell from his thought in a jolt.

"Hey, old friend, you can't just scream like that." Exclaimed Clavell as he held his chest in surprise.

"Hahaha, sorry, I just thought about something that could benefit your school." Said Ramos mysteriously.

"So? What's your big information."

"He is a master at making Pokéblock!"

"!!!"

Clavell was indeed surprised by the information he received from his friend.

Pokéblocks are colourful candy blocks made for Pokémon and are primarily used to increase a Pokémon's condition by mixing berries.

Simply eating a berry would make the Pokémon stronger, but the effect wouldn't be as practical if your Pokémon were eating Pokéblocks made by a master.

The only known master in the world is the current Champion of Hoenn and top Coordinator Wallace and Ruby, another top Coordinator.

While they had some people proficiently making Pokéblocks in the Paldea region. Unfortunately, none of them could be comparable to Wallace and Ruby.

Sora's addition is a great boon for their academy and league. Clavell cleared his throat and responded positively to his friends. After all, who would refuse such an opportunity? Not him!

"But… Are you sure you want to send your grandson Sora during such a time? His strength would be very much needed to fight team Flare." Said Clavell with some worries. He didn't want anything to happen to his friends, and Clavell cherished his friendship a lot.

"Mah, don't worry about me, as I said earlier. I might be old, but my skill as a trainer didn't decline at all!" boasted Ramos happily with much energy.

"Ouchh… my waist…"

Clavell: ….

(I feel even more worried now) roared Clavell in his heart.

"Don't mind, don't mind, and it is not like were are too far from each other, right? If something happened, that kid could support the city anytime." Said Ramos as he calmed down his friend.

"Well, I can receive your grandson anytime. Send me his phone number before we end this call." Said Clavell as he massaged his eyes.

"Oh, no problem, and he should arrive at Paldea in three days~."

"Does your grandson knows about it?"

"Nope."

Clavell: ….

What an old fox…

"Don't contact him any time soon, Clavell. Let me break the news tomorrow so he can mentally prepare himself.

"Haaa, what a terrible grandfather you are."

"Hahaha," laughed Ramos as he didn't take it to heart at all. He knew that Clavell was only playing around.

"Anyway, like I sai-"

Unfortunately, Ramos got interrupted by a young, vigorous voice as a young man entered the gym.

"Ash Ketchum from Pallet Town and is requesting a fight!" a young man with a Pikachu on his shoulder.

His impressive entrance didn't last long as three more people from the same party arrived and scolded Ash.

"Ash! What are you doing?! You can't just barge like that and scream at the top of your lungs!!!" said a young girl with a fennekin that trailed behind her.

"Hey… as expected of Ash, always energetic." Said a small yellow-haired girl.

"Looks like work is calling, huh? Anyway, let's talk later, Ramos." Said Clavell with a smile on his face.

"See you soon, Clavell." Said Ramos as he shook his head helplessly and ended the call. Well, he now has a job, so he might as well greet his new challenger.

"Hohoho, a new sprout entered my gym. I wonder who you are, Ash Ketchum from Pallet down." Murmured Ramos as he left his office to greet this enjoyable party that entered his gym, followed by his Gogoat.

…

--Oh, my Clemont! I didn't expect to see you here!

"Ha ha… nice to meet you again, grandpa Ramos."

"Oh! Is Bonnie also here? Nice to see ya, kiddo."

"Grandpa!"