No POV
The Unova League.
One of the most anticipated events in the region—In fact, an event that no matter where one is, always gets the attention of many people.
Every year, trainers from all over the region battle against the gym leaders, to gain eight badges, in order to be able to participate.
Currently, the tournament itself was taking place in Vertrees City, a city located just a few hours from both Opelucid City.
It features facilities for competing Trainers similar to other Pokémon League locations. And just as popular.
The place itself was filled to a brim, as both the crowd and trainers hanged around.
Some of them were interested in the main stadium and the smaller ones at the side. Others, wanted to indulge themselves in the shops that had come, in order to capitalize the influx of people.
Among those people, two particular person were just arriving into the area of the conference.
One of them, was a young woman with pale skin, pink hair, and hazel eyes. She had pink and green pins in her hair, near her ears. She wore a long lavender coat with sashes around the arms with decoration resembling fairy wings over the white Autumn School Uniform. She also wore white sneakers.
The other, was a young man with white skin, spiky black hair and silver eyes. He wore a black shirt with blue pants and black sneakers. On top of the shirt, a sleeveless blue jacket, with silver outlines.
Both of them, were carrying their own bags of necessities. They both looked around, as the girl, stopped at almost every shop, checking things out.
Girl: *Smiling* Oh wow!!! Look at this!!!
Hearing the girl's voice, the boy, looked back toward her, only to see her holding onto an Eevee plush.
Girl: It's so cute…I need it!!!
Boy: …Do you need it?
Girl: …I want it, ok.
Boy: *Chuckles* Fair enough.
Seeing her traveling partner's mannerism, once that he's grown to attach too, this last few months since they both started to travel, the young man quickly payed for the plushie, before the two of them continued.
As they did, the saw many different trainers. Some of them had pokemon from the Unova region while others even came from other regions entirely.
Some random kids, held onto toys and even wore mask of the starters Pokemon of the region; Snivy, Tepig and Oshawott.
Girl: They definitely look lively. Reminds a bit back at the school.
Boy: I'd say the school was more chaotic, Lacey.
As soon as the boy said tha, the girl, named Lacey, looked back at him, with a smile.
Lacey: True~ But this place definitely has its charm. Plus breathing the natural air.
Boy: *Smirks* I guess we do spend a lot of time underwater back on Blueberry Academy. *Looks ahead* Tell you what? Let me register for the tournament and I'm buying the food, ok?
Hearing his proposal, the girl immediately perked up. If she was a dog or a cat, her heads would have definitely straightened up.
Lacey: *Smile* Ok! I'll hold you onto that, Darius!
With that, Lacey and the boy name Darius started to walk toward the registration area. When they arrived, they found a massive, Pokemon Center.
The area wasn't currently populated, although they were monitors nearby to call other people or even a common area to eat.
As they took in the sight, Darius gaze landed onwards, where he spotted a familiar yet different face.
Nurse Joy. One of the most prominent people in the Pokemon World. Also, someone who has one of the most…Amazing family trees in the whole world, given the fact that a lot of them, look very much alike. Even in other regions.
The current nurse Joy, was one which had a pink cross on her hat, accompanied by her personal assistant, Audino.
Audino was a bipedal, pink-and cream Pokémon with oval, blue eyes. The top of its head, its back, and arms are pink, while the lower half of its face, body, ears are cream-colored, as well as its front and fingers.
The patterning of pink and cream on its chest resembles a jacket. There are three digits on its hands and two on its feet. It had a puffy, white tuft for a tail.
Audino had floppy ears with thin, curled extensions on the underside.
As soon as Darius and Lacey got closer, Nurse Joy perked up.
Nurse Joy: *Smile* Good day. What can I help you both with.
Audino: Audino…
Darius: Hello, Nurse Joy. I came here to register for the tournament.
Nurse Joy: I see. *Offering her hand* Please show me your Gym Badges and scan your Pokedex here on this screen.
Darius: *Nods* Of course.
Immediately, Darius reached into his bag and grabbed onto a black badge case.
Opening it, he quickly showed it to Nurse Joy, who saw a total of eight Gym Leader Badges present.
Toxic Badge: from Virbank City, obtained from Roxie.
Insect Badge: Castelia City, obtained from Burgh.
Bolt Badge: Nimbasa City, obtained from Elesa.
Quake Badge: Driftveil City, obtained from Clay.
Jet Badge: Mistralton City, obtained from Skyla.
Freeze Badge: Icirrus City, obtained from Brycen.
Wave Badge: Humilau City, obtained from Marlon
Legend Badge: Opelucid City, obtained from Drayden.
All of them, real and prestine. Based on looks alone, Nurse Joy could tell how even the Legend Badge, was the newest/ just added to the collection, not long ago based on the position.
Audino: *Nods* Audino…
Having her own partners seal of approval, Nurse Joy then asked for Darius Pokedex. However, when she did, something happened.
From his pocket, a black object floated, prompting both attendants to look in surprise.
Infront of them, a black smart phone, was now present. The item itself, floated into the square terminal. When it did, too Nurse Joy's surprised, the information of the trainer infront of her started to appear. It worked the same way as in the Pokedex.
Name: Darius
Last Name: N/A
Hometown: N/A(Lives in Blueberry Academy)
Affiliation: Blueberry Academy
Position: Student
Number of Badges: 8
Seeing all of that information, Nurse Joy looked at it surprised. Before she could comment on it, the phone itself floated back to Darius' pocket.
Darius: That should do it, right?
Nurse Joy: *Unsure* Y-Yes. Of course. *Looking at the monitor* Thought, I'm quite surprised that a Student from Blueberry Academy has come to participate.
Darius: Well, let's just say I was offered an opportunity. And I took it.
Nurse Joy: *Smiles* That's wonderful then. You're all set. *Looks at Lacey* And you, dear? Are you also going to register.
At her sudden question, Lacey shook her head. When she did, she instinctively raise her hands and forced an X-infront of her. A force of habit and mannerism which many people claim makes her look…cute.
Lacey: Nope~ Unfortunately, I didn't really gathered the badges. I'm here as moral support for my friend, Nurse Joy.
Nurse Joy: I see. *Smile* It's so good to see friends support each other.
Lacey: *Smile* More like need to make sure he's not alone. *Murmur* He's usually angsty and a-social.
Lacey and Nurse Joy giggle at their "girl talk" while Darius looked at the third strongest trainer of the academy, with an unamused glance.
Darius: Very funny, Lacey…
Lacey: *Smile* Don't pout now. You need to he happy in order to do well tomorrow~
As the two students bantered with each other, Nurse Joy looked back at her screen. With the young student named Darius participating, that made 127 trainers that registered.
Although there was one missing, the time of the registration was over.
Nurse Joy: *Sigh* Guess one person is getting a freebie on the first stage. *Looks at Audino* Audino, let's make the announcement.
Audino: Audino!
Immediately, Nurse Joy went to the monitor and grabbed a mic. When she did, Audino quickly joined her.
Audino: *Loudly* Audino…!!!
Although they were inside, Darius and Lacey, both heard from the speakers, how Audino's chat resounded.
Immediately, it was followed by Nurse Joy herself.
Nurse Joy: Registration for the Vertress City Unova League is now over. Thanks to all of our competing trainers.
Audino: Audino!
With that, the P.A announcement was over.
Lacey: Huh? We almost didn't make it?
Nurse Joy: Yes indeed. You two made it in the nick of time.
Upon hearing that, Darius looked back at Lacey, who chuckled awkwardly.
Based on that, it was clear that between the two, it was mostly Lacey's fault that they almost didn't make it.
Darius: Nurse Joy. I have a question. How are the accommodations?
Nurse Joy: Ah, yes. *Checks the monitor* Mr. Darius, your dorm is located at Tower A, fourth floor. Once you go there, present the person with assistant with your needs and if any changes are needed, they'll be solved immediately.
Darius: Got it.
Nurse Joy: *Looks at Lacey* Usually, people who are coming to see the tournament, would need to pay a small fee to use one of the visitors towers, given how the main ones are for competitors. However, given how you're Darius companion, you could use his room. Most of them, are in fact, equipped to house at least, two people.
Lacey: Free room? *Happy* Thank you Nurse Joy!
With that settle, the two of them, decided to leave and head into the dormitory. They would get settled in, before going to eat something as Darius suggested.
As they began to walk, the two trainees fell into a comforting silence.
Darius' mind, went back to all of the challenges that he faced to get her. From fighting the Gym Leaders. In particular, his encounter with Drayden and Clay enter his mind. Both because of his intense battle…And another aspect.
However, his thoughts then dwindle back to something else. A group he met. A group, that he fought against, alongside Lacey and that man from the International Police.
Darius' clench his hands, as a memory started to resurface…A cold and almost chill atmosphere…Icecles heading Lacey and his way…Lighting…And a laugh…
Before he could dig deeper into those thoughts, Lacey's hand suddenly grabs his.
Opening his eyes, he looks at her, as the girl smiled.
Darius' Thoughts: …This girl is sometimes to perceptive.
As that thought crossed his mind, he tent remove his hand from hers, and looked away, a fair blush on his face.
Lacey, merely smiled. She was about to comment on it, when suddenly—
???: Excuse me!
Suddenly, someone push Lacey out of the way, as she started to fall. Fortunately, Darius managed to catch her.
Darius: *Worried* You ok?
Lacey: Yeah. *Winces* Caugh me mid-step, that's all.
After seeing she was fine, Darius looked back up, only to see…Two Pokemon, following two people.
The two Pokemon were small. One bipedal and the other on four legs…Alas, in regards to the trainer, he managed to see someone dragging a guy in a bandana.
Darius: *Annoyed* What's their problem?
Lacey: I'm sure it was an accident.
Darius: Accident? You could have gotten hurt.
Lacey: *Deadpan* By a small fall? You're being a little dramatic. I'm flattered but, you're exaggerating.
Hearing her, Darius clicked his tongue, as Lacey dusted herself.
Lacey; Still…Wondering why they were in a hurry.
Darius: Maybe they heard the announcement and they had just arrived.
Lacey: Maybe…
As Darius kept on watching the area, perhaps waiting for the trainers to get back to make them apologize, Lacey mere drag him out of there.
As they started to leave, Darius noticed a large group of people, heading toward the lobby as well.
Alas, he decided to ignore it. Lacey was right. He needed to maintain his focus.
Timeskip
Aftersettling in their room, Darius and Lacey proceeded to entertain themselves with the accommodations and other things provided by the facility.
From an indoor pool to even a whole buffet, the towers where the participants where in offered many different kinds of opportunities to either enjoy themselves or train.
While Lacey decided to take a relaxing bath, Darius had spent his evening practicing and going over his team for this battle.
Although he was strong, he couldn't become complacent. Not now, when he was at the pinnacle of the Pokemon Region's main tournament.
And so…That was why, he was still awake, in the middle of the night.
With his item that he had used before to register. The item itself was one given to him and Lacey, by the director of the academy. A Rotom Phone. A smart phone that was infused with a Rotom.
It holded many different functions, from its own Pokedex app, to a map and encyclopedia of many locations to even a calling function. It even was able to stretch itself to form a table and even record.
Darius was currently using the call function, in conjunction with the table form, in order to talk with someone.
Darius: Yes. Lacey and I made it, just fine.
???: I see. That's perfect! After what you told me before, I was worried that trouble would follow you both.
Darius: *Scoff* You worry too much. I wouldn't let something happen to Lacey, Director…
Hearing him, the man chuckle at Darius bold remark, telling himself that sending the two together might have lead to bonding between the two clubmates.
On the other side of the monitor, was the Director of Blueberry Academy. He was a middle-aged man with dark skin, grey hair, green eyes, a mustache, and a soul patch.
He wore a white fedora with a blue brim, a matching coat, both white shirt and trousers, a black and blue scarf, red tie and a black vest and matching shoes, with no socks underneath.
He also wore a silver wedding ring on his left ring finger.
The man was director Cyrano.
Cyrano: *Through call* So tell me. How are your Pokemon? How's the Oshawott I gave you?
Darius: …You do remember that I told you, it evolved long ago, right? It even underwent that unique evolution?
Cyrano: *Through call* Did you? *Laugh* Guess I need Lacey and you more than you both thought, huh? Hahaha…
Darius' Thoughts: No you don't, old man…Write things down.
Because of Cyrano's age, the man often is portrayed as having a frail memory or even outright forgets specific details.
This had led to him using Lacey, Darius and a teacher at Blueberry Academy to handle certain task or even make sure information gets passed around.
Darius: *Clears his throat* So, what's this you needed to talk about, director?
Cyrano: *Through call* Yes. Of course. Well, personally…I wanted to verify Lacey's and your health.
Darius: Our…Health?
Cyrano: *Through call* Indeed. Both of you. After what happened a some weeks ago…
Darius: …
Cyrano: *Through call* As soon as I got that call from that man from the International Police, I was very close to bringing you two back. In fact, I should have. Lacey's father himself, almost set out to find you both.
Hearing that, Darius winced a little. He remembered that who Lacey's father was—He did not like Darius.
The point was, that Darius incidentally had gotten involved in something he shouldn't had. Something that was a complete mistake. Specially because he got Lacey involved.
Cyrano: *Through call* Darius…Tell me. Do you remember, what your dream was? The one you told me when you join the academy…?
As the man asked that, Darius when silent. His eyes went toward one of his Pokeballs, where his old friend and partner was.
The two of them had fought many people together. Defeated every foe and Pokemon, only with courage and dedication. All of it, to accomplish his goal.
Darius: …I still remember, Director. And I promise you. I will never put Lacey or anyone else, in danger. Like that again…
Cyrano: *Through call* …I'm not reprimanding you, child. I'm only asking you to be careful. And, to fully think about what he's doing…Your mother wouldn't want you to take such risk, to achieve this goal…
After the man said that, Darius went silence once more, before he nodded.
Darius: Yes, Director. I know…*Sigh* I'll need to hang up now. Need to rest for tomorrow…
Cyrano: *Through call* …I understand. Just remember, young Darius. Your objective…Dream…All of it, it just started. No need to rush.
Once the man said that, the call was terminated, as Darius' black Rotom phone turned back to its normal size.
Once it did, Darius stayed in the same place he was in…He couldn't help but think about the professor's words.
Darius' Thought: How annoying…You barely remember your job but you remember this…
As that thought crossed his mind, Darius' eyes went back into his bag…There, an item called out to him…
Standing up, he gently moved toward it and took it. When he did, he began to dig into it…
When he did, he ended up grabbing 3 items…All of them, Pokeballs…
The first one, was a Pokeball, not sold in any market. It's lower body, was white as the usual Pokeball was. However, it was the top side which was different. Instead of the red, it was a deep, lighting blue. With the middle of it, having a code of arms of sorts, half white, half black. One which had a P, with a cyan Z in the middle of it…
His first item, that he obtained from his enemies. That once's he and Lacey fought.
The next, was a rought up Pokeball. When saying rought up, he meant in the way that, part of it…Seemed to be frozen.
The ball was cold to touch…The memories of those icicles, filled his mind, alongside a massive roar and the maniatical laugh.
Finally, he looked at the last Pokeball. One that he obtained, not by his hand…But something left behind by his mother.
An item, which resembled a Pokeball yet completely unique.
It had a unique mechanical and gear-like design on its exterior that sets it apart from standard Poké Balls.
Unlike most Pokeballs, this one was silver in color.
The outside features an intricate design that stands out, indicating a more advanced or specialized construction compared to others…Yet, at the same it's old and completely different from normal Pokeball.
…It was something lett behind by his mother…An item, that belonged to his family, for a long time, from her side…
As he looked at it, his eyes went toward the window of the room…There, he saw it. The stadium of tomorrow's tournament. 5 of them, with the main one being the largest…
The place where his reason for becoming a trainer started. To futfill an old dream of his mother…
Darius: Don't worry, mom…*Clenches Pokeball* I'll do…What you couldn't…
With that final thought in mind, Darius went back to his bed…For now, only one objective in mind…Winning the league…To reach a height unlikely anyone else with his Pokemon…