Chapter 23 : Known past, ongoing present and the unknown future

Author's note: I hope, I elaborated the past well. Please comment and review your thoughts.

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On Route 6, as the aroma of delicious grilled sandwiches wafted through the air, I sat with my Pokémon, each enjoying their respective meals. The allure of being a Pokémon trainer was evident as I looked at my diverse team – the cool Kleavor, the hyperactive Vigoroth, the princess Eevee, the silent Kakuna, the young Charmander, the cranky old Annihilape, and my best buddy, Electabuzz.

While Electabuzz drank electricity from the converter, intensely gazing at his evolved teammates with sparks blazing from his fists.

Curious, I approached him and asked, "What are you thinking?"

Electabuzz turned around, gesturing towards the team and then to me.

"Sigh! Electabuzz, do you want to evolve?" His eyes sparkled with electricity at that notion. Perhaps, he was anxious seeing the others evolve to their Final stage.

I reassured him, "Wait for a bit. Unlike the other's evolution paths, yours is a man-made Electrizer, which is still in the prototype stage. Electrizier should ideally stimulate the evolution in you without problems."

He nodded at that, his tapping feet showing his excitement and his face showing his anxiety.

As far as I know, it was my fault for his obsession with reaching his final stage. I then reassured his anxiety by saying.

"I promise you this. As soon as we win against Surge, I'll spend some time fine-tuning the Electrizer. For all the knowledge I've collected, it's still a common variant. After all, that guy is an Electric-type Elite trainer, so with his advice, I'll be confident in evolving you."

Electabuzz thought for a while, nodded, and then repeated the same gestures, pointing at the team and then at me.

"Buddy, just wait for a while. I've told you the reason now." Confusion lingered on his face until he suddenly cleared up in realization and smacked his forehead. He then looked at me as if I were dense and repeated the gestures, this time towards the team.

"Team." He shook his head,

 "Friends." A slight shake,

 "Family." Now he nodded and then gestured towards me.

I spoke up in the realization that he wasn't thinking about evolution then but instead about my family, not accurately speaking our family, "You were thinking about a family from the beginning, right? About Dregen, Sam, Gardevior and the Beedrills."

 Kakuna made a hum at the mention of his father and big brother.

As I observed the curiosity in the eyes of my Pokémon, I took a seat on the ground.

"Well, Might as well tell you guys about them."

And began explaining my connections with Sam and Dregen. Rotomdex displayed their photos for reference.

"I initially met them for pure benefits. Electabuzz, for instance, came to me as an egg from an old acquaintance. They provided housing and clients for my training as an illegal breeder, acting as my starting funds," I said, acknowledging their significant role in my life.

The Pokémon listened intently as I continued.

"Sam and his Pokémon were the first ones I truly bonded with and cared about in this life. Even in the orphanage, the kids were too naive and frankly, speaking, stupid. My relationship with Sam began for mutual benefits, plain and simple. Humans are social creatures, though, and as Sam proved mature for his age, the relationship evolved into genuine friendship and eventually family."

The discussion took a turn when I spoke about Dregen. "He was not a father figure to me," not just because of my past life's father, but because he never treated me as a child.

"He saw me as an equal, a unique trait about him. Dregen treated everyone as equals, even the little children and Pokémon. He was exceptionally empathetic, with the highest emotional intelligence. Perhaps, that's why he gave me space when needed and treated me as an equal because he understood my desires."

My expression darkened as I delved into the complicated aspects of my relationship with Dregen. " That empathetic and good nature eventually messed up our relationship."

Electabuzz, though not entirely agreeing, frowned, showing some understanding.

I shifted the topic to my native country, Bharatsa, which had joined the Kanto Alliance a dozen years back. I explained how the region had a tumultuous history of being a battleground between Johto and Kanto before the formation of the Indigo League by Professor Oak.

Rotomdex displayed old newspapers to provide context.

"Dregen returned to his hometown to start anew. Clans and gangs with incredible power ruled the streets. Dregen, a veteran Indigo League competitor, declined their invitations and instead chose to help his childhood mates and neighbours. It started with small issues like debts and protection but escalated. "

"There used to be this gang in Berrytown filled with Oppressive scum that fed on People's fear and blood. Their leader was someone who ruled regional politics with money and fear. He used to decide the elected members and projects in Berrytown. Dregen soon started up fights with them in time. The grudges grew with time until an incident happened."

I seriously told them, "It might feel like a movie story when I am saying this, but it is the truth. The idiot son of the gang leader due to his grudges with Dregen has asked for Sam's mother who is Dregen's wife, Sarah, to be his maid in front of the whole town during the harvest festival. While everyone in town knew what the so-called Maids were for him."

You must know human slavery and woman abuse are not as frequent due to the decreased power difference between genders due to Pokemon in this world. But they still happened even when the Punishment was much worse. Trust me you will be surprised by the punishments Jenny's clan can come up with.

Hell, the historical context says the Jenny clan rose in the Medieval ages to eliminate these issues.

But Bharatsa then was different, with His father almost being the uncrowned king and lack of league involvement. The gangs were the most powerful. Only the Powerful families were unperturbed, but they were even stronger level, using Gangs as Pawns for their power grabs.

"While the spoiled asshole oppressed, however, he liked. Sarah was a spitfire, she kicked him in the balls for that."

Eevee seemed impressed by that.

"Angered by that incident, the Asshole kidnapped Sarah while threatening the life of her newborn son, Sam with his Pokemon. I am not clear of what Dregen was doing at that time and or what happened, but the incident ended with Dregen finding the dead Sarah."

In the aftermath of Sarah's tragic death, a profound change swept through Dregen. The once optimistic and easygoing man transformed into a relentless force of retribution, fueled by grief and an overwhelming thirst for revenge.

Dregen hunted down the gang responsible for Sarah's demise. Hunt is the right word, he didn't leave a single one. No matter the place or time, he tracked them all. From the volcanoes of Cinnabar to the Depths of Viridian. He killed everyone with his own hands carrying a single sword."

The gang leader, realizing the gravity of the situation, fled to the distant city of Blackthorn in Johto. Unfazed, Dregen pursued him relentlessly there.

As I recounted the events, the suspense in the air intensified. " He ended it by tearing him apart right on the spot." The description left Charmander and Eevee visibly gulping.

But the Annihilape and Kleavor nodded in acceptance and even the Hyperactive Vigoroth was oddly silent caressing the Kakuna.

"While the turmoil even made news in the overall Kanto region back then, The Oak at the time finally turned his gaze towards Bharatsa. Let's just say that Blood ran, and Bodies were cleared before the Pokémon centres and Police Officers sprang up across the Country."

"Unfortunately, the actions had consequences. Soon, Dregen was registered as a murderer and his friends as accomplices. Jonathan, who was a Johto police responsible for arresting Dregen, followed him back to Bharatsa. In his words, losing his Job is worth it when he has Dregen as a friend. However, they were not pursued by the League whose officials turned a blind eye to them back then. Considering the nature of events. "

Soon, Dregen came back to Bharasta and rebuilt a house raising his Son, Sam all alone."

The team got depressed at that, "Hey guys, tell me. Don't you wish for the safety of that guy? A Happily ever after."'

They vigorously nodded at that, " I also feel the same."

Under their puzzled gazes, I got to the crux of the matter, "Well as I said just now, he is empathetic beyond words and unlike others, He wished to change the plight of people. While Bharatsa became livable and somewhat safe there were still issues like clan conflicts, corruption, gangs and numerous other problems. He, due to his criminal status couldn't solve them legally, so he continued his conflicts, this time with blood."

I stood up continuing the story, "One day, after I and Sam came back from our spar, they came back with various states that gave me nightmares for weeks. After that day, I couldn't help but say to him back then."

----Temporal move :Flashback------

-----Day after the incident where Jonathan lost an arm----------

"It will be only a matter of time before someone in the Alliance intervenes."

Dregen holding a bandaged head screamed back, "You mean to expect some kind soul to miraculously intervene for the sake of our country."

I then flicked his head and explained patiently, "While Bharatsa is backward yet, it is rich in resources, a myriad range of Pokemon from both Kanto and Jhoto. Not to mention the strong trainer population, though it is unfortunate, the trainer population is smeared in clan conflicts and gangs. Bharatsa has a population only second to Rota in Kanto. Even if Morals don't cause motivation, Benefits will be the Motivation for the Politicians."

Dregen crunched up his eyebrows at that and I hoped I got through him, until he shook his head, "It will be too late by then."

"Huh!"

"Archer. You don't know the things I saw in the underbelly of Bharatsa. Not to mention the situation in other states of Bharatsa is miserable even in the open. I seriously can't sit here knowing the situation."

I couldn't make sense of how this obstinate man could be talking like that, seeing the critical scenario they were in.

AAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH

The screams of the recently amputated Jonathan turned my worry to anger as I asked a question, "When will stop then?"

I turned His face forcibly towards me and asked him again, "When will stop then? Because there always will be problems or tragedies. Do you think you are Arceus or something? Trust me, even Arceus can't permanently end all problems.

Dregen's face scrunched up in despair and inability as he said, "I will stop when I am resting 6 feet under the ground, deader than the trash cleared by me."

I couldn't help but ask, "Then what about Sam?"

"He will follow me as a proud son. I will feel happy resting in the spirit world knowing that my son took up my mantle forward, to the best of his ability. Unlike you.

My dwindling anger rose back up, "What did you say?"

"Yes, you. You who have been blessed by incredible talent, intellect and broad vision, plan to run away rather than solve the problems of the nation that gave birth to you."

Under my shocked gaze, he continued, "Yes, I saw your plan research proposals, business scenarios and even the Journey. While I can't understand them all, I could understand that you rather dust your hands off the problems here."

Hurt by his words I told back, "I just told you that it is only a matter of time before the Bharatsa changes. If you want, I can say a thousand reasons supporting it."

"Perhaps, in that case, I will thank the one who did that all my heart but the fact will remain even with the capability to do something, you didn't do anything."

--Flashback ended----

I saw my team looking at me as I explained, "The relationship is sour between us because compared to him, I am not a great man. I am just a guy who despite the talent he has, wants to live for himself and his loved ones. For Sam and Dregen, I don't mind setting my morals aside and doing anything. The problem is I can't say I could do the same for some unknown person I never met."

"I respect his goals. I respect his feelings and passion for his nation. I respect his kindness. I could do my best for him, sacrificing my sleep, food, wealth, effort and morals. But that's not what he wants. He wants me to do my best for everyone, a burden I don't want to take up when I know the need will be met by someone in a few years."

My team hugged me as I continued, "Perhaps one day, we will have to go back to save his ass. I hope you are prepared for it because it will not be as peaceful and happy as now."

I saw my team showing a collective nod at that, expressing their support for me.

"Good, let's go. While I can't say I am a great guy like Dregen, I can for sure say I am not trash. Up ahead is a place that has many wrongs but will give me many benefits by righting them. After all, for me, the knowledge from there is useful enough and my morals are all happy, to crush it and send the owner to jail. Up ahead is Mirage Mansion."