Calem looked at me with an appraising eye. "The moves a Pokémon is born with are the only moves they'll know unless they train in learning others. For most, the easiest way of learning a new move is using a TM or TR and improving the move from there. However, that gets expensive quickly, especially for good moves.
"The next easiest way to learn a new move is to upgrade existing ones. Condensing Fire-type energy of Ember into a Flame Burst, sustaining Bubble to turn into Bubble Beam, or isolating the paralysis effect of Thunder Shock into Nuzzle or Thunder Wave. All of those, however, take considerable time and energy for the Pokémon to do. They need to understand how to absorb more Infinity Ener-."
"Okay, professor, enough with the boring details," Viola interrupted. "I wanted you to meet him because you said he was a person of interest. Is that a bad or good thing?"
"Viola, how many times do I have to tell you to not mention stuff like that in public or around others?" he asked, putting his face in his palms.
"Oops, sorry," she said, clearly not sorry. I sat to the side, hoping they explained what that meant.
Calem looked at me, searching my face for something. He sighed, and his shoulders slumped. "Nurse Joy told you your amnesia was most likely caused by a Pokémon, right?"
I nodded.
"Well, we're thinking it was a Legendary," he said casually.
My focus immediately shifted internally. 'A Legendary Psychic? It couldn't be Mew or Mewtwo. Lunala and Necrozma fit the bill more. Arceus could also-.'
"How do you know that information?" Calem asked. His demeanor changed dramatically. He stood up, his presence filling the room. This wasn't Calem asking me. It was the Kalos Champion.
"I don't know," I told him. I looked him in the eye. "The only things I remember are related to Pokémon. I don't know why Arceus and other Legendary Pokémon may be included, but that's the least of my worries. I can't remember if I was taken from a family, or if I just popped into existence at the whim of a powerful creature. So forgive me for not having the answers you want."
I realized I was now standing up, practically in Calem's face. My face and chest burned as blood rushed through me. I took a deep breath.
"I'm sorry," I said, sitting back down. "Having Nautilus and Tetsu has been fun. I've enjoyed completing tasks with them, training, and battling others. It feels so… So refreshing, like I was trapped before. But I can't remember what before actually was.
"Sometimes I feel guilty for enjoying myself and starting something new here. It's like I'm leaving something behind, betraying someone important to me. But I just. Can't. Remember. And now, having someone talk to me like I'm the biggest threat in the world is just. I don't know. It doesn't feel good."
I looked at Viola, who stared at me with concern. Calem was nearly expressionless, but his eyes held an ocean of empathy that betrayed the neutrality of the rest of his face. Calem sat back down, looking at the table as if it held the secret to my being here.
"I'm not sorry for making sure you're not a threat," he finally broke the silence. Viola rolled her eyes.
"Oh, come on, Calem," she said. "Is that really your response?"
He held his hand up, and she stopped talking. "I'm not sorry for that because there are a lot of coincidences occurring throughout the regions. You just happen to be connected to some of the big ones. I do apologize for not considering that you're just a victim of all of this. It is not your fault, and a few have vouched for your character."
He stared right into my soul. "However, the things happening point to a bigger plot. Just as they happened in Hoenn, Sinnoh, here, and Alola. That's something we have to be prepared for, or a lot of people and Pokémon will die. Unfortunately for you, you will be involved when shit hits the fan."
Claude brought a tray of plates. He set three salads and three pieces of quiche on the table. "Salade et Quiche Lorraine. Bon appétit."
Viola grabbed a salad, practically inhaling the food. Calem sat down and went for a plate of the quiche. I digested what he told me. "You should eat something," Viola told me. "Battling with your Pokémon takes energy because you mentally keep up with what's going on, at the bare minimum. You'll crash later if you don't eat."
I grabbed a salad and quiche. I wasn't hungry anymore, but I made myself eat.
"Listen, if you really want to figure out what happened to you, we've got two main roads to travel," Calem said in between bites. "I could get a Psychic-type to scan your brain, or we can wait for you to remember. The second may not happen at all. The first is risky, even if we do have a Legendary Pokémon attempt it. It could damage your brain, but it could also reveal everything."
"I'm guessing you would prefer the first?" I asked, pushing some of the quiche around with a fork.
"At first, yes," he answered. "Now, I don't think that's a good idea."
"Oh, this'll be interesting," Viola commented.
"Shut it," he responded. "To be honest, I think the best path will reveal itself to you."
"What do you mean?" I asked.
"As much as I want to get involved, the world has a way of pushing certain people towards these events," he sighed. "I'll be diligent about new threats and ensure the safety of the region, but you might be the one to solve this mystery as you travel. All we can do is support you when you need it."
"So that's it? I just waltz around with Nautilus and hope I don't die along the way?"
"I wish it didn't work that way," Calem spoke, his tone tinged with a tiredness I didn't expect from someone his age. "But every region currently has Champions that were forced into their roles. The only place that hasn't really shared much is…"
"Paldea?" I asked. He nodded, but I wasn't sure if it was a good thing. "My League Profile says I'm from Paldea, but I don't remember anything about the place."
"I don't know how long you'll be able to avoid going there," Calem advised, "but you should refrain from going until you're stronger. At least four Gym Badges. I can't tell you anything else since that would be a bigger breach of information than everything I've already said. But here's what I think."
Calem finished his quiche and stood up again. "Start your journey here. There have been a lot of coincidences since you've arrived, so expect to be dragged into plots and danger. I'll make sure you get some help, but don't expect it often. I can't guarantee your safety everywhere in Kalos, much less in other regions. The only thing that will keep you safe is power. Get stronger with your Pokémon and trust your instincts when you run into trouble. Hopefully, you'll find your way back home along the way."
He looked at me, his face full of sympathy. It looked like he wanted to say something else. Instead, he said goodbye to both of us and walked out of the room. Viola sighed.
"I was hoping it would be a happy meeting," she said. "He's always stressed as Champion. I wanted you two to be friends. Oh well, at least he thinks you're on our side."
"I don't see why I wouldn't," I replied. Everything I learned about the League pointed to its being held accountable by the strength of the region's Trainers. Each region had its own Champion-level Trainers that could step in if something went wrong.
"Things are much more complicated than you probably think they are," she answered. "But that's for us to worry about. You've just earned your first Gym Badge and should get going for the second! I heard Grant has been training a new strategy for the second Badge."
"Fine, I'll get going. Any tips on what to bring for the trip?"
0-0-0
I stood in front of the Route 4 gate. Before leaving, I bought several sets of athletic clothing and hiking boots. Nurse Joy also had me sign up for a competition in Lumiose City. It started in a week, which meant I had extra time to travel the route. The average travel time was four days, with most Trainers arriving in Lumiose City in the afternoon of the fourth day.
My backpack had all of my travel gear, including the TM from Viola and the TRs I earned from Three Star Tasks. Now, I had TRs for Ally Switch, Screech, and Encore. That's why I ran as fast as I could when a short, fiery Pokémon snatched my backpack and disappeared into the forest.
'You're fucking kidding me.'
I chased after Fuecoco. How she was able to run with a backpack larger than her, I had no clue. But she was becoming a pain in my ass. The raspy snicker I heard from further ahead pissed me off further.
"You little shit!" I yelled as I sprinted. "I'm definitely catching you and leaving you in the damn ball for a month!"
"Who's there?!" I heard from the same direction Fuecoco ran in. A sleeping bag caught my foot and sent me tumbling onto the floor. I lost Fuecoco and faced my new target.