[•—•[]•—•]
(A/N: Best elite four based on your favourite four or difficulty in your opinion?)
[Warning: A bit of a info dump but I assure you there will be more progress and fighting in the next chapters, I apologise.]
[•—•{James Morgan}•—•]
"Hopkins go get the mid grade metal type food." I say making my butler nod. Sighing to myself this was unfortunately the best possible Pokemon food I can provide my Beldum.
High tier steel type food is more niche and rare. But because of the Sinnoh region owning a Steel-Gym they have the produce but it takes more than a day to arrive. So yesterday we ordered mid-grade steel type food which was closer, and pre-ordered high tier food for later.
Watching the Butler leave I feel a tug on my sleeve.
"Growlie hold on a minute. I can't give these to you yet!" I somewhat struggle to shout as the enthusiastic doggo tried to pry the disc off my hands.
The said disc in my hands were a TM (Technical Machine) which I bought yesterday.
After all the pleasantries with my grand parents and begging on my part. My parents will let me stay at the castle for a few months as they've already helicoptered "my" life for a good chunk I argued.
~~~
[Me: Yo Bill a bit random but how do TMs work?]
[Bill: Just hold up what ever TM you want to give to a Pokemon. They will be able to absorb it as soon as it's out of the case as it's a form of energy.]
[Bill: It's basically an instant mastery so it doesn't matter the order of which TM's you give. Just keep in mind to give each move a week to assimilate and keep them resting the whole time! Should level up your Pokemon a little bit as well.]
[Me: Thanks a bunch! You able to come over to the Sinnoh region to hang out Bill? I'm at my grand parents house and they own a whole Fantasy Castle! They also take care of a lot of wild Pokemon for you to observe]
[Bill: I'm sorry but I'm gonna be busy graduating from school early, I'm trying make a storage system my dad needs.]
[Me: Alright then, appreciate the help brother]
[Bill: All good man]
~~~
'So started this early huh?' I thought to myself seeing his message. While he was quite young in the anime, it must be the reason why he was so accomplished.
Going back to my TMs and Growlie who finaly calmed down, I started to arrange them in terms of who gets what. [Outrage], [Psychic Fangs], [Thunder Fang], [Protect], [Swift], [Facade], [Flame Charge], [Flare Blitz], [Flamethrower] would belong to the doggo.
It seems a bit overwhelming for just a Growlithe, but he'll manage.
While Beldum unfortunately can only learn [Protect] for now. But when he's able to learn more TMs after evolution. [Aerial Ace], [Protect], [Light Screen], [Reflect], [Shadow Claw], [Gravity], [Teleport], [Earthquake], [Brick Break], [Facade], [Thunder Punch], [Ice Punch] and [Stone Edge] will be available to him.
Which also will take a while to absorb.
"Growlie stand still." I command taking out the disc from its container.
The doggo hearing my voice stopped playing around and obediently stood still. After the multiple training sessions Growlie could discern when it was time to play around and when to be serious.
Walking up to the pup, I put the container right next to his left and instruct Growlie to touch it.
"Lithe?"
Following orders Growlithe touched the disc with his paw as a bright light, equating to the move [Transform] from ditto appeared.
It surrounded my Pokemon's body for just a second before dissapearing.
"Is that it." I murmur seeing the TM [Flame Charge] being used.
Growlie who was full of energy suddenly felt a little sleepy, so he curled up into a ball.
Seeing this I pull out his Pokeball and return him.
*Phsszzzst*
"Alright it's now Beldum's turn." I say taking out his Pokeball, which was on a belt. Clicking the Pokeball twice, once to expand then release.
*Phzzsstzt*
"Dummm!" The Iron Ball Pokemon hums out with a readied expression.
"It's not yet time for any battles my friend."
Going over to my desk which had my grooming kit, it obviously had some things for steel types. Picking up a soft dry cloth, I put some rubbing alcohol on it and started to get to work.
If I wanted to build a bond using methods coordinators and performers use aren't a bad start.
Putting a big piece of cloth on the floor, I instruct Beldum to lie down.
Beldum who was now laying on the floor just accepted his fate happily, the feeling of getting cleaned for the first time felt amazing. All those months of excess dirt in those impossible to get areas due to his lack of hands.
"Dmmmm..." He eagerly hums in delight.
Smiling at this I take my time as it also counts as a massage I guess.
Using the method of Pokemon coordinators and performers to bond isn't a bad strategie. Especially considering the chemistry needed for such a profession like that. Having the same kind of chemistry with my Pokemon would be useful.
As the time started to pass it didn't take long before Hopkins arrived back with the food. Being handed the food I stop the cleaning for a little bit before bringing a bowl over and pouring the food inside.
"Young master I'd like to say that a second Star Piece has been bought." Hopkins informs.
Hearing this a wide grin creeps onto my face but it quickly fades. I still need quite a lot more to improve my team.
Beldum who saw the food looked over in curiosity.
Getting some water I head back and start to remove all accumulated stuff on and rinse it off.
"Did you like that Beldum?"
The Pokemon hearing this floated over and started to rub its face into my embrace.
"Bel dum!"
"Hey you're getting me wet!" I chuckle out as I started to dry him off using another soft cloth. Finally getting the guy off me, my hand grabs the bowl with food in it and put it in front of Beldum as it looked confused.
Explaining that it was food for it, the poor guy got a hesitant look. Getting a little confused but still wanting him to eat.
I start to talk,
"Hey Beldum, we are family now. So we need to take care of each other alright? My goal is to be the best and I want your help. Don't be hesitant as the stronger and bigger you get, the better." I say removing any hesitation Beldum still had.
Looking at the food with vigour, the Iron Ball Pokemon went to town and started to munch.
Watching with a warm smile, it was time to let Beldum learn a TM and rest for a week. After a little bit more munching and giving him more food with the excuse of "needs to eat more to grow bigger", I took the disc.
Beldum finished eatting and ready, absorbed the disc as a small light surrounds him for a second.
Watching in satisfaction I soon after return Beldum to sleep in his Pokeball.
Beldum was just a few more levels away from becoming a Metang. to which he can learn TMs. [Iron Defense] should make him around level 18-19 so I'll fight some wild Pokemon by the coming next week.
'I'll give them some regular grooming to bond better.'
"Maids! Clean everything up, I want to go for breakfast soon." I instruct after all of that. The maids who were just outside the doors, quickly entered and took all of the used items to prepare for tomorrow. Seeing Hopkins who was still with me, I took the opportunity to ask some questions.
While seemingly common sense to ask, I delayed asking these questions due to the busy lifestyle of an aristocrat.
Opening my diary I went off.
"Who's the current champion and elite four?"
Hopkins hearing this, takes a minute before answering.
"Lance the recently made champion at the age of 17. Agatha the ghost-specialist, Hunter the Ice-specialist and the recently added Bruno at the age of 25. There's one spot vacant right now" He explains making me raise an eyebrow.
"Why is the spots vacant?" I ask curiously.
"One of the elite four members recently retired after the loss to Lance. He released all his Pokemon and is now in retirement."
Nodding at his words it at least made a bit of sense.
The political landscape of being the Champion over two regions must be daunting even for the flying trainer himself.
"Then why did you say that the gym-leader of Cerulean was the best huh?"
Hopkins receiving a glint in his eyes puffed his chest out in pride.
"Lance is currently the Monarch of the world! So our Curelean City's truly beat Lance prior to him being crowned champion!" He replies just plain admitting that he lied to me back when I first came to this world.
Squinting my eyes at the info I just adjust my notes a bit annoyed.
Where I lived was closest to Cerulean so it made sense why Hopkins would revere the gym leader so much.
Gym-leaders in this world equate to a massive celebrity, savior and have the full backing of their respective city.
Basically if a major sporting club was a single person.
This is especially made true when the gym-leader's job foremost is to protect his city rather than giving badges.
At least this tells me that the gym-leader is minimum elite four level with his achievements. I could potentially challenge the gym trainers of Cerulean for experience.
Thinking back to the elite four memeber, Hunter, that must also mean that Lorelie is currently an ace trainer ready to make her mark as an elite-four in the coming years.
Hunter might be her father.
"Speaking of gyms, why are some passed down to family members while others not? I know according to my history lessons they are the Fuchsia, Pewter, Cerulean and Saffron gyms. Their ancestors did a great deed but how?"
"It was because of the war merits." Hopkins simply states.
"Unlike Viridian, Cinnabar and Vermillion which are cities who are owned by the alliance itself. They also came after the established four."
Hearing this I nod
According to Hopkins each family had achievements and were crucial to winning said war. Waterflower family for their dominance on and in the sea, Harrison's for their uphill battle tactics, Kyou family for their stealth missions as ninjas and finally the Spellman family.
For them Hopkins just said.
"Who doesn't need Psychic specialists in war." He simply states.
'That makes a lot of sense, sadly the war wasn't really told much in my history classes. But any who those families must have a lot of secrets to training and raising Pokemon...'
Putting everything into my journal, everything I wanted was complete. Standing up I head over to the dining room as it was time for breakfast.
[•—•{Time Skip 1-week }•—•]
"Growlie, it's time to dance!" I shout.
Soon after saying this I feel a bit weirded out.
'I'll need to fix my words when releasing my Pokemon.'
In the future I'd need a signature catch phrase after all.
*Phzzzsstz*
"Lithe!" Growlie growls out poised to strike.
In front of me was a wild Rhyhorn which currently situated on the battlegrounds of my grand parents house. The grounds are just a basic rocky floor with colouring that mark the boundaries of the place.
Getting excited I stare at Rhydon.
With Growlie's newly learned [Flame Charge] it was time to test it's practicality out.
Currently the Pokemon I was battling is the only Pokemon currently healthy. As from the batch my grand parents took care of they were still recovering. So after some promised treats for a battle, we got to fighting.
Unfortunately for Growlie, Rhyhorn had the type advantage.
This will be tough.