"What were you guys thinking?..."
Simtha was reprimanding her team for losing the battle. Roman had a smug look on his face.
Axel felt bad when he knew that there were not any rewards for the battle. They would just get a graduation degree and Axel didn't care about it. Pidgeotto seemed out of trouble now but it needed 1 week of rest. Nidorina was not hurt that badly. It had just fainted due to the impact.
K now had Pidgeotto and Sandslash. He had decided to evolve them earlier than Axel expected. Axel had repeatedly told K to hold their evolution for some time for better results but K was adamant about it.
When the group asked K for the reason, he was quiet. It was quite odd but it was his decision.
However, the theory of using the everstones was correct. Pidgeotto and Sandslash were way more powerful than their normal counterparts. Axel and Mark were happy about the result.
Another new proven theory. Axel shared this research with Mark in spite of Mark's repeated refusal. Axel was not fond of writing research papers and this discovery was not as huge as eeveelutions. Mark was now feeling guilty as if he was hoarding all the rewards.
But Axel convinced Mark by saying that this research would not be published in public. It would just be for the Venu family. There was only 1 reason for it.
Axel didn't want to be famous too fast. Too much attention would be harmful to him in many unknown ways and Venu family would reward him massively for it.
###
8 p.m., Mark's laboratory, Next day.
Axel was leaving tomorrow morning for his new journey. The group had decided to hold an outdoor farewell party near Mark's laboratory.
Adam, Mark, and the 3 brothers attended the party. It was in full swing with roasted Pidgey, Beer, and most important, Cigarette!!
"Bro, I want you to remember that, where ever you go, this place would always be your home and we would always be your family.", said A gulping down the beer.
"Yeah, Venu family is not like Toise or Zard family. We take family bonds very seriously.", added Adam
"So, what are you going to do now? Are you going on some new adventures? Challenging gyms?", asked Mark.
"I think it is finally time for me to challenge some gyms.", replied Axel.
"I would suggest you start with 'Celadon Gym'. It is a grass type gym and your Nidorino and Beedrill could sweep it through. But it is quite far.", Adam.
"You could try the nearest one, Fuchsia City Gym but fighting the master of poison type at first would not be your best move.", added Mark.
"Yeah, but you have a good relationship with Mr. Koga. Maybe he would give it a pass on it. From what I have heard, the most powerful gym leader is from Cerulean City Gym followed by Viridian City Gym.", said B.
The most powerful gym leader was Misty's father.
"I have decided to start with Pewter City Gym" replied Axel "But why?", asked B
"I don't know. I just have this hunch that it would turn out to be good."
"Ohh well, if it is your instinct, then it must be something good."
Axel was known to have a good instinct among the group. This is off course due to his system. He blamed it all on his instinct.
The reason for starting from Pewter City Gym was quite simple and silly.
It was the first gym any player would have to battle in the game. Axel just wanted to start with it. Besides he also needed to rank up Shedinja to rare ranked Pokemon before challenging any Gym.
"I have decided!!, I would also start my journey tomorrow" declared K slamming the bottle of beer on the table.
"U too? But why? You are still young.", asked A. K had never even mentioned this before today so he was surprised.
"Axel and I are of the same age. If he can do it then why can't I?"
"But Axel has a rare ranked Pokemon with him. You do not."
"Axel didn't have rare ranked Pokemon when he started his journey."
"Mom and Dad won't let you go. How are you going to convince them?"
The 3 brothers started to discuss it at length.
"K, before anything, I want to say that I travel alone. So if you are thinking of tagging along with me as a companion then think again about your decision.", said Axel.
Axel didn't want a travel companion which would be a baggage. He was good friends with the 3 brothers and especially K and treat him as a brother but he would not hinder his plans.
"I know about that. Dude, I know you for 3 months, I know your style. I was already thinking of traveling alone."
###
Next day,
"Axel, I am sorry that I could not attend your farewell party. You have given me lots of benefits from your research. I know you do not want to be restricted by being a permanent member but Venu family would never think of you as an outsider. Your rewards for this research would be discussed with you over the phone.", said Angela shaking Axel's hand.
Angela was super busy now. Ever since word got out that an outsider had become a part of Venu family, many requests from various trainers all over the Kanto region came flooding in. Angela and the elders were now very busy handling it. They had not yet set any parameters for selecting the new members but they didn't want to be like other families. Family bonds for the Venu family were a personal thing, so they would only be selecting a few members.
Everyone said their goodbyes to Axel. The 3 brothers gifted him a book relating to the elemental ranked Pokemon training manual. They had saved a quiet sum for that.
Mark gave him a high-rank poison barb for Bulbasaur and Adam gave him 2 master balls.
K had talked with his parents and he would be leaving on a journey but just not today. There was a lot of preparation to be made for it so he would be leaving after a week.
The group said their last farewell and Axel finally walked out of Venu family grounds after 3 months.
For the New Journey!!!
End Of Arc 1