The New Normal - 15-3

The New Normal – 15-3 – A Fateful Meeting

The next two days in Unova passed by relatively uneventfully. Karen and I spent most of the time hanging about with Iris or engaging with meetings with the Unova Elite Four. I could have spent that time meeting with the other Gym Leaders of Unova, and we did make arrangements for that to happen, but I felt that it was not as important as forging a deeper connection with Iris.

I also went out to try and catch an Audino, because I felt like it would never be bad to have another supporting Pokémon that was good at healing and had access to a large range of supporting moves (like Simple Beam or Trick Room), but I didn’t end up stumbling into one. That was expected, since I knew they were supposed to be rare.

And I even managed to see her Dragons in action, as I was able to spectate the match between Iris’ Zweilous against Karen’s Crawdaunt.

Even though the match was fairly one-sided in Karen’s favour, it was interesting to see Zweilous’ unique battling style. I hadn’t considered this before, but the fact that a Zweilous had two different heads meant that it could fire attacks in different directions, or prepare two different attacks entirely.

What this allowed it to do was to fire attacks that couldn’t both be blocked by the same counterattack. For example, it could throw out a Flamethrower and a Dragon Pulse simultaneously, and you had to choose which attack to block. I could only imagine how difficult it would be to deal with once the Zweilous fully evolved itself into a Hydreigon.

However, that power came at a huge drawback – in that Zweilous’ heads were constantly at odds with each other, and would frequently attack the other. As Iris described it, she had spent months trying to get Zweilous’ heads to actually harmonise with each other enough to actually obey her orders in battle rather than fighting each other.

And apparently, using several months to ‘tame’ a Zweilous was considered very fast. Most other trainers that weren’t as talented as Iris would take years to discipline a Zweilous to the extent that she had. It was one of the reasons she was considered a prodigy.

Once Karen heard that, that really soured her enthusiasm for catching one of the Hydreigon line for her own team. Not because she felt that she couldn’t discipline them, but because of the time investment it would require to do. Besides, she already had a Tyranitar of her own already to serve as the unequivocal powerhouse for her team, so she didn’t need a Hydreigon that desperately.

She would still catch a Deino or Zweilous if she ever stumbled across one, of course, but it was now just lower on her priority list.

Speaking of my own team, I had also finally decided on a nickname for my new female Minccino. Honestly, in my mind, something as adorable and as cute as she was could only have one nickname.

Tails.

Despite the cute and unassuming nickname that I had for her, I had already gotten started on training her up to become the hyperaggressive, speedy, and disruptive attacker that I knew she could be. The latter was what I wanted to focus on first, which was why I had the newly named Tails focus on training up moves such as Encore, Sing, Thunder Wave, and Charm.

Mixing in those kinds of moves in-between huge combos of Rock Blasts, Bullet Seeds, or Tail Slaps could be devastatingly crippling for an opponent. Later on, I even wanted to train her up with moves such as Super Fang and Endeavor to really develop her trump cards against powerful opponents. That would take much longer to train up – as they were extremely powerful moves.

Though I could instantly evolve her into a Cinccino with a Shiny Stone if I wanted to, now was definitely too early for such a thing. It was better to wait for now.

However, thoughts on that aside, today Karen and I were busy with doing a planned meet and greet event where we would give the opportunity for curious Unovans to speak to us about whatever questions that they had about our regions or about us personally.

Originally, we had planned to wait for the Hoenn and Sinnoh delegations to arrive before we did this, but their arrival was delayed and we ultimately decided that it would be better if we did it separately as that would allow the public to attend all of the events instead of having to choose between them.

As planned, Karen and I split up for the day, both of us going to different cities to host the event. She headed to the busy Driftveil City, while I headed to the bustling Nimbasa City.

I spoke with Gym Leader Elesa beforehand, and was pleasantly surprised by her friendly greeting. Though we didn’t really get an opportunity to do more than just to introduce ourselves to each other – as apparently she had some kind of runaway event that she had to run off to – we did promise that we would speak more in the future.

Besides that, I felt that the event went pretty smoothly. Even though I had to sit there for hours fielding all sorts of questions from the public, many of the questions were at least respectful and came from a place of genuine curiosity. There were some expected hostility from those that distrusted foreigners like us, especially since they had now heard that I had defeated Alder in a battle, but there wasn’t as much hostility as I was expecting.

Or perhaps that was just because the Unova police were out in force to make sure that everyone was behaving. I couldn’t tell.

Regardless, most of the questions revolved around two things – the battling scene in Indigo, and what the politics, culture, and people were like. So I spoke a lot about our powerful trainers, such as our Elite Four and Gym Leaders, while I also touched upon important historical events like the war, our unification into Indigo, and our recent steps towards internationalism.

Aside from those topics, there were also many others asking for further clarification on the Fairy type, the Pokédex, and the PSS system, as people wanted to know more about these discoveries as it had been announced in the news that Unova was currently in negotiations to adopt such technologies. Given that I was heavily involved with the former, I was able to lay out my observations and how I ended up stumbling into the new type ‘by accident’.

Despite my explanations, I spotted some that were still very sceptical about whether a Fairy type existed at all. However, I was sure that this mindset would change once they got access to more Pokémon from our regions and could see it for themselves.

As the day turned to evening, and after several long hours of answering question after question, the event was finally wrapped up. I gave my thanks to everyone who participated, and expressed my sincere wish for our regions to get along with each other.

I had thought that meant I was done for the day, so I took the time before dinner to wander around Nimbasa City for a bit to take in the sights and perhaps speak to Gym Leader Elesa a bit more while I was here – since I thought that her runway event should have ended by now.

Unfortunately, or perhaps fortunately, as I walked around in the park near the Ferris Wheel, a very familiar looking teenager with bright green hair walked up to me. There was no mistaking who this was.

Hello, N.

“…I’m very sorry for approaching you like this, Elite John, but I had a few questions of my own that I wanted answered.” N said to me, “I hope I could just take up a little more of your time.”

As exhausted as I was, I would have turned down the request if it was anyone else. However, this was N. I couldn’t say no to that.

“Of course.” I replied with a small smile, doing my best to hide the fact that I recognised him, “How can I help? Mr…?”

“Please, just call me N.” He said, “My full name is a little too much of a mouthful for most people.”

Indeed, Natural Harmonia Gropius, that was quite the understatement.

“Sure, N.” I say instead, “So you had a question for me?”

“I do.” He nodded, “More specifically, I have a question about the Pokédex and captured Pokémon in general, and I wanted to ask you specifically since you and your Pokémon have experienced many things together.”

“Oh?” I pretended to be curious, “And what about them?”

His face twisted into a frown, dropping the fake smile that he had on his face, “Considering everything you have been through with your Pokémon, getting all 8 badges on your first try, making it into the Elite Four at such a young age, and even fighting a Legendary, I’m sure that your bonds with your Pokémon are very strong, right?”

“Yes, I consider them to be all but unbreakable.” I confirmed truthfully, “Why?”

“So if you treasure your bonds with your Pokémon so much, how could you condone or accept a society and a system that actively encourages Pokémon to be confined to their Pokéballs? To be shackled to a trainer – even one as loving as you might be. Do they not deserve better than this? Do they not deserve true, unshackled, freedom? To be granted genuine happiness?”

…Even though I had guessed what he was going to say, his words still managed to annoy me. I knew his intentions were good, but what he was saying was directly attacking the bond that I had with my Pokémon. He was implying that my Pokémon weren’t happy with me – that I was somehow mistreating them.

I could not let that slide so easily.

“And what makes you say that?” I replied, keeping my tone level, “You seem to be implying something – that my Pokémon aren’t truly happy to be with me. How can you just assume that a Pokémon will be sad just because they’re caught in a Pokéball?”

“Because they are.” N shook his head sadly, “If you really were someone who sought true happiness for your Pokémon, you would not keep them confined to their Pokéballs. They are nothing more than a prison for them. After all, if the bond between you and your Pokémon are as strong and as unbreakable as you think they are, then it shouldn’t matter either way, right?”

“I wouldn’t do that, because that would be no different from depriving my Pokémon of a home.” I countered, “Because that’s what a Pokéball is to them. Not only is it a symbol of a bond between themselves and their trainer, but it is also their home.”

I was sure of this. When I was still trying to find my footing as a trainer, I had asked my Pokémon if they preferred to remain out of their Pokéballs for the most part, or if they preferred to remain inside of one. Tyrant, Vordt, and Smough, my three Pokémon at the time, all said that they didn’t mind remaining inside of a Pokéball. They even felt proud to do so.

“No, that’s— how could you say that something as small and confining as a Pokéball could possibly be their home?!” He almost shouted out, his anger and frustration quickly rising, “How can you look at your Pokémon’s cries for freedom and ignore it?”

I sighed, “Look, N – I can tell your intentions are pure and that you want the best for Pokémon. I understand that, and truthfully, I think that you’re asking the right questions. Sometimes I do hear about cases of Pokémon abuse, where a trainer mistreats their captured Pokémon. Those cases always sadden and enrage me, because I’ve always felt that the bond between a trainer and their Pokémon ought to be sacred.”

“But at the same time, I know that my Pokémon want to stay by my side. They want me to be their trainer. And every day I am honoured and grateful for the trust and confidence that they’ve placed in me.” I continued, “So I don’t agree that my Pokémon are unable to achieve ‘true happiness’ just because they’ve been caught in Pokéballs. Rather the opposite, I’m certain that they are truly happy to be fighting alongside me.”

“If that wasn’t the case, I sincerely doubt that they would have had the strength and willpower to face off against a Legendary by my side.”

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(N’s POV)

He felt the conviction and surety radiating out from John. The man really believed every word that he was saying.

But there was one way to confirm if his words were the truth or not. Because he had the ability to actually communicate with Pokémon. He could find out the truth from their very mouths.

His ability to speak to Pokémon was different from the general understanding that most people had when they formed a strong enough bond with their Pokémon, as he could actually understand the individual words they were saying. That’s why he was so against the idea of Pokéballs, because he could hear their every yearnful cry for freedom from all the Pokémon that Ghetsis had shown him.

“John, would it be possible for me to speak with your Pokémon?” He asked slowly, “I want to speak with them.”

“You want to speak with them?” John asked curiously, “You can speak with Pokémon? Truly?”

“I can.” He revealed, “It was something I could do since birth.”

…He knew it was wrong for him to reveal this ability. Ghetsis always told him that he needed to keep it a secret. He wasn’t even supposed to be out here, speaking to some ‘unknown’ trainer. That’s why he had to sneak out to do so, because his curiosity could not be satisfied. Even if it was against Ghetsis’ orders.

Now here he was, speaking to a trainer that had seemingly accomplished almost everything with his Pokémon. Even Champion Alder had not accomplished as much. So if there was anyone that could have a real and true Pokémon with their Pokémon, it would be John.

He needed to see that bond for himself. He could not let this opportunity slip away.

“…Fascinating.” John remarked, “That’s a remarkable ability. I would have loved to have that for myself, in all honesty. But, uh, sure. You can speak with my Pokémon. I’m actually curious to hear what they have to say about me too.”

N thanked him, but then remembered something, “Oh, but could you send them out one at a time?” He asked, “It’ll be easier that way.”

John nodded and sent out his first Pokémon – an oddly coloured Zoroark that he had never seen before. This was probably one of those ‘alternate forms’ that he had been recently hearing about.

The Zoroark growled at him, but he kept his calm as he responded with a polite smile, “…Hello. Can you understand me?”

The Zoroark visibly flinched at his words, and backpedalled a little bit before letting out a low snarl, “Why can you speak to us?”

“It’s my talent. I can speak to Pokémon.” He explained, “I asked your trainer to meet you.”

“Then ask your question, strange human.” Zoroark growled out, having overcome its surprise, “What is it that you wish to learn about our trainer?”

“Why do you follow him?” He asked, “Why allow yourself to be confined into Pokéballs like that when you could have roamed free?”

Zoroark scoffed, “Dumb question, human. If I had wanted to run free, I would have demanded my freedom the day I was caught. If he had been unworthy, I would have smashed my Pokéball before he could stop me. But I didn’t, because he showed me what I could become, and he has helped me to reach it. I have grown strong. Very strong.”

“But if you and him share a bond like that, then why don’t you ask him to release you from the Pokéball since it’s become unnecessary?” He pushed.

“NO! That would be no different than asking me to destroy a home.” Zoroark snarled, “We are a pack. And a pack does not abandon their own.”

The conviction that Zoroark spoke with caused him to flinch backwards. Was that really the case? Did Pokémon think of their Pokéballs not with despair and hatred, but with pride and fondness? Was Ghetsis mistaken?

He looked to John, who was staring at Zoroark with an honoured smile on his face.

Then the next Pokémon came out.

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“Because you think like a human, human.” John’s Wyrdeer said to him, “Pokémon all want to become stronger, and we all understand that having a trainer is one of the best ways to become strong.”

“As a Stantler, I thought I would always be weak – that I could never grow strong. But my trainer proved me wrong, and showed me how to utilise the potential that I’ve always had, but never could achieve. And for that, I am honoured to fight alongside him. No matter the opponent.”

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“Oh, that’s such a silly question.” The Blissey giggled, “Every Chansey wants to heal, but not every Chansey wants to just heal. I was one of those Chansey, and I sought a life beyond the Pokémon Center. John gave me that opportunity. And I’ve never regretted that choice.”

“Spending my entire life in a Pokémon Center would have been so boring, you know? But participating in fights, going on grand adventures to all new places, and watching the team grow both in number and strength while also taking care of them along the way – I wouldn’t trade it for anything else.”

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“He helped me become the first recognised Fairy type in the world.” Clefable replied, “Because of him, I know that so many other Clefairy and Clefable around the world are also able to finally realise our true potential! Even if he hadn’t done that, I still would never give up on the bonds that I’ve made with the other Pokémon here on the team. We’re a family now.”

“No, I would never want for John to set me free from my Pokéball. Why would I? It’s my home. Sure, I like to let myself out every once in a while to stretch my legs, just like you humans do, but the Pokéball is my home.”

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“He has made me one of the strongest of my species, and he never gave up on me even though I grew weak in comparison to everyone else. When other trainers would have set a Pokémon like me aside, my trainer found new ways for me to grow strong.” Pidgeot explained, “And for that, I will always have his back and fight alongside him. Even against a Legendary.”

“I have found my home alongside John. And I will never give that up. Not for anything.”

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“I may not be a member of his team, and I’m not very interested in battling, but I would never allow myself to be separated from my trainer.” Mantine stated, “I don’t know why you think so negatively of our trainer. None of us would dare think that our trainer was holding us here against our will.”

“I am always happy to transport my trainer wherever he needs to go – no matter the situation – whether that be in battle, towards a Legendary, or just casually. It makes me content.”

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“He is my father.” The Obstagoon said, “When I first hatched from my egg, it was he that I saw first. But even before that, when I was still yet to hatch, I could feel his care and love echo into my egg. He raised me with his team. He taught me how to be strong, how to be respectful, and how to temper my aggression.”

Obstagoon then frowned at him, “I don’t know why you are asking these questions. Us Pokémon? We’re happy to stand by his side.”

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“QUESTION ILLOGICAL. POKÉMON AND TRAINER ARE FRIENDS.” The Porygon buzzed out, “WILL NOT. BE. SEPARATED.”

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“You don’t have to be so negative at how you look at things!” The Sylveon chimed out happily, “It’s so sad that the Pokémon you’ve seen have all been sad! The Pokémon I’ve seen have all been happy! You should be happy too! There’s no need to worry about us!”

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“…Are you going to feed me?” Snorlax yawned out, “If not, can you tell my trainer that I’m hungry? Maybe after you get me some food, I’ll answer your question.”

“Smough, you’re not getting fed again.” John called out, “You’ve already eaten!”

The Snorlax sighed, “Never mind then. I’m just going to bed.” Then he proceeded to lie back and fall asleep.

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“Next to Tyrant, I was there with my trainer for every step of his journey.” The Ursaluna growled out, “I watched him grow, and I grew alongside him. I watched how he would treat every one of us with the respect, care, and attention that we needed. How we grew strong and powerful, enough to rival even the greatest of opponents, thanks to his teachings.”

“And because of that, when John called for us to stand against a Legendary, all of us did so without hesitation. Even when we all knew the danger that we would be throwing ourselves into, it was our honour to stand by his side. To save the world together. His ideals are our ideals. His dreams are our dreams. And we would fight anyone that denies that.”

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“You do not need to look at me with such eyes – there’s no need to be afraid.” The Slaking chuckled at him, “I will not hurt you.”

N let out a shaky laugh, “Sorry. Your… aura, just intimidated me for a moment. I’m not used to seeing a Pokémon as strong as you are.”

Slaking laughed, “I would hope not. John is very proud of my strength. He would be sad if my strength could be considered normal.”

“Then are you about to tell me about John’s virtues as well?” He asked a little resignedly, “It seems that all of you really trust in your trainer. As his starter, surely you must agree.”

“I do. But I think you’ve heard enough already.” Slaking said, “Instead, I will tell you about my own experiences with other Pokémon and their trainers – seeing how I’ve met so many as I followed along with my partner on his journey.”

“Amongst the many opponents that we have fought, not a single one of the Pokémon that I fought against were unhappy with their trainer. Of them, I guarantee you that any of the Pokémon of an Elite Four or Gym Leader would express similar sentiments to ours. Because no one can become a strong trainer if they are not backed up by the love and care of their own Pokémon. Pokémon and humans are meant to fight side by side with each other. I know this to be the truth of our world.”

“And that is why Team Galactic was fated to lose, because their Pokémon were all in despair and mistreated. I pitied them, even as I crushed them under my fists, for they did not deserve the fate that they were given. That was the only time when I saw Pokémon that were held against their will, and that was why all of us gave it our all to bring their abusers to justice.”

Then the Slaking turned his full attention onto him, and N felt himself shrink away in fear as Slaking looked down at him with his terrifying eyes, “So I warn you, N. If you are to try and forcefully tear me away from John – I will destroy you. I will bury you into the ground like I have done so many times in my life. If you become my enemy, then I will show you no mercy.”

“SO ARE YOU MY ENEMY, N?”

The weight of that question caused his legs to fail him as he fell to his knees. A cold sweat began dripping down his back as he felt the physical weight of that threat pushing down on his shoulders.

Yet, he knew that it was not a threat formed out of hostility. Rather, it was just Slaking’s wholehearted desire to protect his trainer – at any cost. It was undeniable proof of the care and affection that John had with his starter.

And because of this, it made him realise the uncomfortable truth.

That he might truly be mistaken after all.

A.N. N is a very important character to Unova. The whole Team Plasma arc of Unova doesn’t even get off the ground if not for N’s control of Zekrom/Reshiram. And I felt that having a conversation between him and John was warranted, especially because it gives John a chance to challenge N’s beliefs. N will definitely show up more in the future.

From that, I felt that having John’s Pokémon be given the opportunity to actually talk out loud and speak their thoughts would be nice, even if it was very experimental. I know it’s generally a ‘taboo’ to have Pokémon actually speak human words, but I felt like it was warranted in this scenario. This was just a special occasion, so don’t worry about this being the norm. I do hope you enjoyed it.

Also, after a lot of deliberation, I finally settled on calling John’s new Minccino ‘Tails’. The nickname just fit so well, considering what it evolves into and what Cinccino are known for.