This information caught me off guard as I had assumed that I had appeared in this world before the events of the games due to the fact May didn't have a pokemon. But I had totally ignored the protagonist of the Hoenn region games somehow. This was a rather large oversight on my part and left me cursing myself for it. 'There is no telling if the events of the games will play out the same way as in them as there are a great many differences between reality and the games.' I thought seriously.-
"Norman?" I asked playing ignorant to the name. "Ah! I forgot that isn't public knowledge just yet , sorry about that!" Birch said with apologetically. "It's fine but who is this Norman person exactly and what's this about him becoming a new gym leader?" I asked while acting confused. "From the information I have he's a normal type elite tier trainer from Johto , quite a rare combination let me tell you. Anyway he was offered the gym leader position in Petalburg due to the rarity of normal type specialist and the fact that the old gym leader Tyson recently passed away without any designated replacement."-
"It caused a terrible stir in the league what with the season fast approaching and so they found the best fit for the normal type gym which was Norman , the rest you should be able to guess." Birch explained happily. "So he chose to ship his family over to Hoenn to be closer to him huh? Why Littleroot though , wouldn't Petalburg be better?" I asked genuinely confused. I had never understood why the mans family was two whole cities away from him rather than in the same city. It certainly wasn't because of building issues as thanks to pokemon it barely took two days to fully build a functional two story house in this world.-
And it definitely wasn't because he lacked the means to obtain the land or funds to build the house in the city either. What a joke gym leaders were paid extremely handsomely for their work AND were ranked higher governmentally speaking than even the city mayor. "Apparently he didn't like how Petalburg was in a spot that saw a lot of pollution from Mt. chimney and wanted his family far from it." Birch said with a shrug.-
"I suppose I can see that but why not Oldale or Rustboro then? They are closer and don't get much pollution from the volcano from what I know." I pointed out and Birch shook his head "I don't know either , we can ask after they move in though." he said casually. "Speaking of his family , got any information on them?" I asked finally getting to the part I really wanted to know. Norman might be a gym leader and all that but the events from the game involving the two terrorist organizations had nothing to do with him and minus getting a badge and meeting Wally he could be totally ignored the entire game.-
It made sense that he might be more involved in the world other than that in reality but I couldn't bring myself to care about him otherwise at the moment. His son or daughter though very much interested me as the entire game revolved around them. "Well from what I know his wife is a civilian without any training background while his son is a year younger than my daughter at eighteen and just got out of school. Other than that I know very little on either of them." Birch said with a shrug.-
'A bit older than in the game but considering the differences between reality and the games that's still pretty young.' I thought to myself as we traveled. After that I put the matter in the back of my mind since being distracted while in the wilderness is a good way to get attacked. While I have no idea why exactly it happens but unlike when they are hunting other pokemon predators will inform people of their impending attack for some reason. I was kinda suspicious that it was some sort of legendary fuckery though.-
Like I would need to be fucking blind not to notice that humans were the single most privileged species in this entire world and yet seemed oblivious to the fact. We got stronger and lived longer by bonding with and training pokemon. We could develop abilities just like pokemon if we are lucky and were treated differently by literally every pokemon species on the planet , seems like some divine level shit in my opinion. After walking for a couple hours and having Sly deal with most of the more stupid or aggressive pokemon we finally made it near the mountain.-
The tribe of Treecko was clearly familiar with Birch as they happily and eagerly greeted him after we approached. I noticed a familiar member of the group though at the back with a smaller body and a dark patch of skin on it arm. I checked it's stats and couldn't help but raise an eyebrow at what I found. Not only was it level twelve which was the highest amongst the Treecko but it also had all five of its moves at journeyman , leer , pound , absorb , quick attack and magical leaf. 'I can't wait to see May's jaw hit the floor.' I thought with a chuckle before winking at the small thing.-
Clearly this startled and confused the pokemon if the look on it's face was anything to go by. That look was soon shared by the entire tribe however when Birch specifically picked it out as the member coming with him. I noticed that the leader of the tribe that was a level thirty seven Grovyle looked rather reluctant to allow the little one to leave. 'Looks like someone else noticed the hard working nature of the runt.' I thought with a smirk. The leader noticed my expression and a look of understanding crossed it's eyes before it merely nodded slightly and chose to turn away from Birches collection.-
I wasn't surprised about it's reaction since I had both a pseudo legendary and an actual legendary with me. Each of which was more powerful than it so if I thought the tiny one would do better under a trainer than who was it to argue? The runt also seemed to understand the part I had to play in this matter and shot me a complicated look as it allowed itself to be captured. Birch didn't imprint the ball however since he was going to be giving it to May as her starter.-
After that he chose the best looking Treecko for the league requirement and bid farewell to the tribe. "While we are here I'd like to take a look at that cave you lived in if it's not too much trouble." Birch said as we left the tribes area. I shrugged "I don't mind." I said honestly before leading the way. It had only been a bit under two weeks since I was there so very little had changed. I did notice that a familiar pokemon had taken up residence in the cave though when we arrived.