First Trainer Task And Black Market

2:50 P.M.

After having his Pokemon check out, Eric spent the next 2 hours talking to his Pokemon about how they were going to train and how they can advance in there skills.

So Latias your a Dragon and Psychic type, so I'm going to have you learn how to control you Psychic power before you can use Psychic type attacks. Caterpie your a bug type but once you evolve into a Butterfree you will also be a Psychic type. So I'll be having you practice on you tactics and when to use you attacks like String Shot, and Bugbite.

Dratini I've seen what you can do so I have a better understanding of what you need to work on. You need to learn that brute force won't always work and you need to learn when to and when not to attack and to listen not only to you instincts but also to me.

All three of Eric's Pokemon looked at each other nodded and then looked at Eric and nodded to him in understanding of what they need to do.

Good now that we are all in agreement. Why dont we head down stairs for some lunch?

Eric's Pokemon bolted for the door when they heard they were going for some lunch, and this caused Eric to laugh.

Ok let's go get some lunch.

Right as Eric opened the door Ashley was about to knock on his door, but instead of hitting the door she hit Eric in the head.

Ow!!! What was that for?!

Sorry I didnt know you where coming out.

Well we were. Ah. where did you learn to knock so hard?

Very funny Eric. Where are you off to?

To get some lunch, and then to pick up my first task as a trainer.

Oh. I thought you were going to train first before picking up and tasks.

Well the best way to learn is baptism by fire. Well at least it is for me, Latias, and Dratini it seems. Caterpie seems to learn by instruction.

so you going to do some task in order to both train and gain prestige with the league?

Yup, but first food.

alright. Just be careful.

Why?

There have been kidnappings in this area and in some of the other neighboring cities and towns.

Well that's comforting. I thought that the league provided security in cities and towns to prevent thing like this.

They do. It's just that they're spread to thin and can't keep up with kidnapping reports.

Meanwhile...

Are you sure it was Shadow Latias?!

Yes I'm sure it was floating right in front of me. If it wasn't for the other Nurse Joy being just around the corner I would have tried to persuade both the boy and his Shadow Latias to join us.

No matter. We will capture him and his Pokemon eventually, and when we do well send him for training.

wait you dont mean there do you?!

Oh I do mean there. i think head make a good member of the shadows dont you.

Indeed sir.

Is that all you wish to report?

Yes sir.

Good. we will talk again soon. FOR THE SHADOWS.

FOR THE SHADOWS.

Back with Eric.....

Well time to find what kind of tasks are available here. Don't you think so to girls?

Dratini nodded her head, and Shadow Latias told Eric she was ready via telepathy.

Good then let's get going.

What about Ashley?

She's going to do her own thing for a while Latias.

Ok.

As Eric walked up a flight of stairs to the second floor he noticed that Nurse Joy wasn't at the main desk and neither was her Chansey. Which Eric didnt put much thought to it because he remembered that Nurse Joy sometimes has to go and do other tasks around the Pokemon center. So Eric continued up the stairs to the second floor and proceeded to walk towards the task desk on the far right hand side of the second floor. When Eric saw the task desk he also saw that Nurse Joy was there.

Well now I know where Nurse Joy went. But something seems different about her. Its probably nothing.

So Eric walked up to the desk and saw all of the available task that the people and the league had posted.

Oh. hello there. is there anything I can help you with young man?

Yeah is there any available tasks for a rookie level trainer?

Yes there is, now hand me your trainer I'd and I'll pull them up for you.

Eric was reluctant to hand over his ID card, not because she asked for his ID card. No that's not what made his internal alarms scream. It was the fact that this Nurse Joy didn't even recognize him from just 2 hours ago.

Hey is there any other Nurse Joy's here?

Yes there are 3 of us at this Pokemon center. Why do you ask?

I was just curious cause this is the first Pokemon center I've been to other then one in Slateport where I got my starter.

Oh I see. Well here are the tasks available for you to take on. the only ones available to you are 1 star tasks.

tasks are rank with starts telling how difficult it is and what rank of trainer can take them on. for instance Eric is a rookie level trainer and can only take on 1 star tasks, same with beginner level trainers. Intermediate and up can take on 1 and 2 star tasks. advanced level trainers can take on 1, 2, and some 3 star tasks. Master level trainers and up can take on 1, 2, and 3 star tasks also master level trainers and up will be given missions directly from the League, but only minor missions. Pre-Elite level trainers and up can do 2, and 3 star tasks and are give more difficult missions from the League.

I'll take clearing the west road of aggressive rock type Pokemon.

alright and the reward for when you complete this task is 5000 Pokedollers, and a Moonstone shard.

Eric then turned and ran for the stairs after he grabbed his trainer ID and card.

Alright see you when I'm done.

Be careful young man.

30 minutes later Eric came across a man warning people not to go towards the western road until the Pokemon have been dealt with this man also stopped Eric.

young man don't go that way! There are some strong rock type Pokemon blocking the road ahead.

No need to worry, I was sent to take care of the problem.

Oh so your the trainer that was give this task eehh.

Yup. Now please stand back I don't know how aggressive they will become once I start.

Oh ok.

Eric then whispered to Latias to come out but to try and use her invisibility to hide herself while in combat, and from others who might try something if they knew what she was. But Latias immediately told Eric via telepathy that she couldn't stay invisible for more then 3 minutes while standing still and only 1 minute and 30 seconds when in battle. So Eric decided to just roll with it and let Latias fight without useing her invisibility.Eric walked down the road for about 3 minutes until he saw the Pokemon that where blocking the road. The Pokemon the where blocking it consisted of 4 Geodudes, 1 Graveler, 2 Sandshrews, and 1 Nosepass.

Well everyone it's time for some training in the field.

And Eric threw 1 Pokeball into the air and released Caterpie, Eric's Dratini and Shadow Latias where already out and ready.

Ok Caterpie you wrap them up with string shot and make sure they dont move. Dratini you and Latias are to use Dragon Breath to try and paralyze them so That way if they do break Caterpie's stringshot they still won't be able to attack. As soon as they're paralyzed Caterpie you will use Bug Bite to weaken them, then Dratini will use Water Gun, Latias you will use Phychic on the Geodudes and the Graveler. by this time hopefully they will have fainted. Now Execute the plan.

Just as Eric said for them to do Caterpie wrapped up the rock type Pokemon in several layers of sticky silk, and a few seconds later both Dratini and Latias used Dragon Breath on them, the rock types didnt even know what was happening cause it was happening so fast. But eventually the Nosepass snapped out of it and started to use rock throw on Dratini to try and put a stop to her attacks and buy some time for the others to come too and fight back, but it was only him left for Latias had already skipped ahead and instead of using Phychic she used Extrasensory and knocked out all 4 Geodudes and the Graveler, and Caterpie had knocked out the 2 Sandshrews like they where nothing. At this point Caterpie started to shine and change. Eric was smiling at this cause he now knew he was on the right track for training him this way. When Caterpie stopped shining he was no longer a Caterpie, but he had Evolved into a Metapod. Nosepass was now really pissed that not only did his friends fail to fight back but they also went down so fast. So now Nosepass begins to surround himself in a small sand storm to not only hide where he is but to also sneak up on his opponents. Eric apon seeing this gave out his next orders.

Dratini full power Water Gun, Latias Use Phychic to stop the sand storm to give Dratini a clean shot at him.

Dratini powered up her Water Gun and just as Eric instructed Latias use her Phychic abilities to stop the sand storm. The look on Nosepass's face was that of pure shock and horror for it never expected its sand storm to be countered so easily, and at that moment Dratini released her Water Gun and when it hit Nosepass it was sent flying into a bunch of trees and knocked the Nosepass out. Eric decided to use his Remaining 8 Pokeballs to catch them.

That was some very nice battling young man.

Thank you sir, and who are you?

Oh my apologies. I'm Mark the Gym leader of Silver Falls Gym. I'm also the one who posted the task of clearing the road of rock type Pokemon.

So your the one who requested this? why didn't you do it?

I didn't do it myself because I always do it and I wanted to use this task as a way to judge whether or not someone is strong enough to face off against in a Gym battle.

Ah. so you where the one who lured these rock Pokemon here and used them to judge the person's strength and abilities.

That's correct. Now how would you like to have a Gym battle?

well right now my Pokemon need to rest cause 2 of them are still young and the other is a few decades old.

Ah. I'm guessing that Dratini is the oldest one of your Pokemon and that unusual looking Pokemon and that Metapod are the youngest.

Yeah, but there pretty strong for there age.

That they are and to think you already have 2 dragon types. Kid I can see you making it far in this world. So about that battle?

How about tomorrow morning around 8 A.M.

Sure I have and opening at that time.

Oh I have a question for you.

What is it you want to know?

can you direct me to the Black Market?

Mark had a serious look on his face when Eric asked him about the black market.

You sure you know what your asking?

Yes and I already know the dangers are in the Black Market.

"Sigh" alright. But listen closely, I'm not going to repeat myself. Go 100 meters west of the Pokemon center and 250 meters south, and in the basement of the run down storage building you will find what your looking for.

Thanks Mark, and I'll see you tomorrow morning.

see you then, oh before I forget here's a note and video to verify that the task is complete.

oh right I almost forgot that I needed proof that the task was done. Thank you, and see you tomorrow.

Eric then ran off towards the pokemon center, while Mark was left standing in the middle of the road smiling and shaking his head.

That kid's got alot going for him. Well I should probably get the Gym ready for our battle tomorrow.

Another 30 minutes later Eric was back in front of Nurse Joy confiming that his task was successfully completed.

Here's the note and footage of me completing my task Nurse Joy.

Thank you Eric and here is you reward for completing the task. 5000 Pokedollers and a Moonstone shard.

Thank you.

Is there anything else I can do for you?

No thanks.

Eric then turned and walked away to head up to his room, but Eric felt like someone or something was watching him and everything he's been doing that day and the day before, but now he's sure of it. How Eric knew that someone or something was watching him was that when ever he turned a corner or looked down an alley he thought he say either a person or a Pokemon looking at him and when it noticed he saw them whome or what ever it was would bolt into the shadows to not be seen or noticed, and this time he knew he saw a person duck around the corner when he turned to head back to his room. All Eric could think about now other then how he was going to train his pokemon, was "Who is the person watching/stalking him?, What do they want?, What are they planning? And when will they act on their plans?". Eric continued to head back to his room but also was paying more attention to his surroundings so that who ever is watching/stalking him won't catch him off gaurd. After he reached his room Eric decided not to give Nurse Joy his Pokemon cause he was also planning on going to the black market around 9 P.M. and with all the kidnappings and people regularly getting killed for what they may or may not have in he black market. Eric also thought of what he was going to wear in the black market and how many changes of outfits he should bring with him to the black market to keep his identity secret for when he make either a big purchase or makes a big haul from selling stuff like he pokemon he just caught or rare items.

Eric decided to take 3 different outfits and masks with him the the black market one is a black and dark red T-shirt with black short and a Ghastly mask, the second is a black and dark blue T-shirt with dark blue short and a Gyarados mask, and the third and final outfit is a red and white T-shirt with red and white shorts and a Latias mask. while he waited Eric wanted to look around town to se what kind of restaurants and stores Silver Falls had, and would continue to look around town for the next 4 hours.

Meanwhile.....

Sir I think I know how to either get rid of this kid for good or at least turn him away from the league permanently.

Oh. what did you have in mind?

Kidnap the girl that's traveling with him and make it seem as if he's already one of us or is doing this on his own.

Well now that's a good idea. make it so and do not contact me until it's done.

Yes sir. It will be done.

FOR THE SHADOWS!!

FOR THE SHADOWS!!

Back with Eric....

It's been about three and a half hours since Eric left the Pokemon center to look around town and he was happy to find a berry vender, and power gem vender at the towns makeshift market place. But He decided to wait until he was done in the black market to buy anything cause he black market could have some better items and he could also buy a rare Pokemon there as well depending on how much it would cost to both purchase the Pokemon itself and the recipe for both its food and training curriculum. It's about 8:30 P.M. so Eric decided to head back to the Pokemon center and follow the directions that Mark gave him earlier. Once Eric found the entrance to the black market he went behind the building and changed into his first of three outfits and put on the matching mask and headed around to the front of the building and then down the stairs just inside. When Eric saw the black market her was stunned. For he saw multiple rare Pokemon such as Bagon, Absol, Milotic, and Ralts. (I consider these Pokemon to be rare due to both there Pokedex entries, the show, and personal game experience, these are just some of the one I consider rare or hard to find. Others include Seviper, Castform, and Beldum in the Hoenn Region, Vulpix, Mr. Mime, Jynx, Ditto, and Eevee from the Kanto Region, Gligar and Tyrouge from the Johto Region.). Once Eric recovered from his shock the first thing he did was set off to find and appraiser so find out how much he could sell the newly caught Pokemon for at auction or directly. A few minutes later Eric find a row of booths with a sign "Pokemon appraisal area" and went inside of one of the booths and said "how much for 4 Geodudes, 1 Graveler, 2 Sandshrews, and 1 Nosepass?

A Older gentleman turned around and said " 1000 each for the Geodudes, 10000 for the Graveler, 1500 each for the Sandshrews, and 30000 for the Nosepass. Unless they have certain attacks".

Eric then sat and thought for about 8 minutes and finally said "The Geodudes and the Graveler know Explosion, and earthquake, the Nosepass knows sandstorm, rocktomb, and rock slide.

Well then the price for the Geodudes is 5000 each, 20000 for the Graveler, and 90000 for the Nosepass.

(The reason the price doubled and tripled is because the Pokemon have what are desirable attacks. If the Pokemon only had 1 of them then the price wouldn't increase but if it knows 2 or more then the price doubles, or triples, and so on with each desirable attack it knows. Also unlike in the games Pokemon can know more then just for moves and they dont forget them but improve them over time until the attack becomes the next stage like Ember eventually becomes Flamethrower, Hail becomes Blizzard, Water Gun become Hydro Pump, Bite becomes Crunch and so on.

Eric just sat there shocked at how much he was about to make in such a short amount of time that he remembered what his grandfather told him. "It costs a lot to raise Pokemon and just being a good trainer doing tasks doesn't pay enough so many turn to poaching, and murder to supplement their lack of funds. But most get caught by either people like themselves or the police". So Eric immediately pushed it out of his head that he would poach Pokemon as a way to earn money, but he did decide to sell he Pokemon if he couldn't take care of them, meaning that he would sell Pokemon that he caught in bulk either on a mission or one he takes from those who cant use them anymore (meaning that the owner died either by Eric's own hands or by someone elses). And so Eric sold the rock type Pokemon and earned himself a total of 133000 Pokedollers putting his total funds at around 178000. ( The reason why Eric's total funds are now at 178000 is that when a trainer starts their journey they are given a certain amount of money depending on their starter. So Eric started with a Dratini which is considered rare in Hoenn so he automatically started with 70000 Pokedollers, plus the 5000 from the task he completed and now the 133000 he earned from selling Pokemon.) Now that Eric has made such a large amount of money he heads for the closest changing area to switch outfits just in case someone heard how much money he made. After Eric changed outfits he decided to look at some of the item booths to see if he could find anything that could be useful in training his Pokemon or in helping him better understand certain things, like how to use aura, or be a psychic, or a spiritualist.

Eric continued looking at different item vendors stocks until something caught his eye at a trainer item vendors stall. The item in question was a Pokegear from the Johto Region and he knew that every Pokegear had a phone, map, clock, and sometimes a radio. But instead of outright asking how much the Pokegear was Eric decided to continue looking at the other items to draw the attention of the shop keeper and when the shop keeper noticed Eric looking at his items he started to grin.

Can I interest you in anything?

Eric replied. Yeah, how much for these old books? And then pointed to a set of five books that look very old and had a different Pokemon engraved into the front cover. the One that really interested him once he noticed the engravings on them was that one had a Latias engraved on it.

Well kid your in luck. Those books are on sale for 10,000 Pokedollers each.

When Eric heard how much the man was sellin the books for he thought " this guy doesn't even know what he has" and also thought that he should try and talk the price down and so he spoke out at the price. Are you kidding me?! these this look so old that they might just fall apart the moment I pick one of them up! They even feel like they'll fall apart.

after hearing Eric's worries and complaints the man then stepped back and reconsidered his price for the book and came up with a new price that might sit better with the condition of the books and to save his image form being destroyed if the customer was to voice there complaints and where right.

Ok how about 3500 each.

That sound reasonable. Ok here you are.

Eric handed his ID card over to the man and watched him very carefully as to make sure he doesn't get scammed.

Alright you total is 17,500. Here you go and thank you for your business.

And the man handed Eric's ID card back to him along with a piece of paper that showed what he had purchased but there was on thing that was on it that he didnt ask about yet. The Pokegear.

Sir? I think you made a mistake. I didnt purchase this Poke gear.

The man turned to Eric and said I know you didnt but I already knew you wanted to ask about it but wanted to make me think about something else. So I added it to you purchase with my complaints. So here you go a mid condition Pokegear. And remember now refunds. and the man turned back to what he was doing before Eric came to his booth.

Eric was both surprised and overjoyed that he got not only 5 books that he could use to help his Pokemon but also a Pokegear. Eric grabbed the books and the Pokegear and ran to the changing area again so that People wouldn't recognize him and try to either steal his good finds or kill him and take his stuff.

About 45 minutes later Eric decided that he should head back to the Pokemon center a get some rest so both him and his Pokemon would be ready for their Gym battle. Eric didn't get back to the Pokemon center until almost midnight and when he go back to his room Ashley was waiting for him but with a worried expression on her face. So Eric asked "What wrong Ashley?" To which Ashley then looked at him and yelled WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN? WE WHERE SUPPOSED TO GO OUT FOR SUPPER TOGETHER AND YOU NEVER CAME AND GOT ME!

Eric's began to feel a little scared of Ashley not because she was yelling at him but the fact that it looked like her eyes literally had fire in them from being so angry at him, all he could think about was running and not looking back but the thing that kept him from doing so was the fact that he never made her that promise and that they both agreed to go their own ways for the day. So Eric began to ask what she was talking about.

Ashley we never made a promise like that, in fact we only agreed on going out on our own to do trainer tasks, and train our Pokemon.

Lier! I have a slip of paper that says other wise.

Ashley then pulled out a little slip of paper with the words "I'll be back soon to take you out for supper" written on it.

I never wrote that and the last time I was here was around 5:00 P.M. this evening and that was only to collect my reward for completing my trask not long after that I walked around town till about 8:30 then I went to the black market to sell some thing and to buy some item to help me train both myself and my Pokemon.

Then who wrote this note?!

I dont know, and I need to get to bed so I can be well rested for my first gym battle tomorrow.

Fine, but your taking me out for lunch tomorrow after words.

Ok, now please let me go to bed.

Ashley then stood up from Eric's bed and stomped out of Eric's room.

Finally. Alright come on out everyone.

Eric lets out his Pokemon.

So we have a big day tomorrow I need everyone at their best. We have a tough battle first thing I the morning.

What will happen to Eric and Ashley? How will Eric first Gym battle go? What secrets do the 5 books Eric purchased contain? To find the answers to these questions and more tune in next time.