Chapter 3 - Shopping and Bopping

After sorting out the registration and payment for Chaos, I bid farewell to Nurse Jane who wrapped me up in a hug with teary eyes. “Make sure you stay safe out there! I’ve seen too many trainers who… didn’t make it.”

Up until that point I hadn’t really considered that some of the people here might actually care about me. I guess I was so caught up in becoming a pokemon trainer and perhaps distracting myself from the fact that I was thrown into a new world without any support system. Sure, I didn’t really have deep relationships “before”, but I was safe and… comfortable. Anyways, maybe I should be more social in this world? The lack of any meaningful relationships “before” is a worrying sign. Also, I’ll just have to try my best to keep myself safe and, of course, comfortable.

“Thank you, Nurse Jane. I’ll do my best to keep myself and my pokemon safe.”

“And make sure to shoot me a message now and again about how Chrys and Chaos are doing.”

“Of course. Thank you for everything!” I say with a smile and wave, as I set off to the pokemart with Chaos and Chrys resting in their pokeballs.

I was glad I didn’t buy any of my needed supplies beforehand because my Silph tech bag was better than I expected. It was spacious and even reduced the weight of anything in it by over half. With around $6000 left, I was hoping I could get a good tent and sleeping bag. I never did like camping out, although that was “before” and in my new reality there were no mosquitoes. There were some non-pokemon bugs, sure, but as long as those demonic bloodsuckers weren’t here I was happy.

Upon entering the pokemart I was visually bombarded by advertisements for custom pokeballs, TMs and expanded weight reducing Silph tech bags. Seeing the price of the backpacks, I was glad I had gotten one through the regional test. They were $19 999 for some of the basic models. Mine was one of the higher end models with a larger space and greater weight reduction.

Moving past the advertisements I picked out 10 potions and 4 of every status healing item. In the camping section I got a somewhat spacious collapsible tent that was waterproof and cold weather resistant. As well, I got the most luxurious sleeping bag/bed available which had room for my pokemon as well once inflated so it wasn’t all for me. Cooking supplies, a portable battery, canteens, berries, supplements for Chrys and everyday essentials were added to the cart.

Next was a green jacket and pants with a leafy camouflage and tactile faux leather gloves that were all marked as “pokemon-proof”. Which meant that they protected from a lot of types of damage and were more resistant than bulletproof jackets from “before”. Also, a stun baton if things ever got dicey and I needed to act along with my pokemon. The baton would be effective against most first stage evolutions, stunning them for a moment. Lastly, a pair of nice brown hiking boots and a month's worth of food for me and Chaos.

All of that cost me around $5 400 leaving me with a paltry $600. I was lucky Nurse Jane gave me a discount on Chaos or I wouldn’t be able to splurge on a tent and bed. I was willing to spend so much because I knew most of these items would last me a long time and were essential to a trainers lifestyle. After changing into my “pokemon-proof” trainer outfit (which had many pockets and attachments for pokeball storage), I went to the training area on the edge of town to train and get more familiar with Chrys and Chaos so that we would work well together.

Once in the training park, where there was only one elderly female trainer with a vaporeon in the corner, I released Chrys and Chaos from their pokeballs. “Chiko!”, “Happi!”

“Hey gals, now that I’m your trainer I can do a more in depth scan with the pokedex app.” I was glad I had bought a high tech phone with my first month’s pay that could perform in depth scans.

“Let’s see here. Chrys, you have the ability Overgrow which will increase your damage when you’re hurt. You’re only two months old and in the lower end of size and mass for chikorita, but we’ll make sure you grow up big and strong!”

“Chiko!”

“Hmm, seems like your nervous system is highly developed in your leaf for your age. Maybe you can learn to release the subsections for a razor leaf!” Unlike in the games, pokemon don’t have set moves that they learn as they level up. For one, levels don’t actually exist and moves are more like abilities that pokemon have that can be categorized as certain moves when used a certain way. For example; tackle, pound, stomp and other physical moves are known by almost all pokemon naturally as a way to fight. They don’t just suddenly learn new moves, it takes practice and diligence to master their abilities in a way that can be defined as a move. As well, there are certain energies that pokemon can use to imbue their attacks.

Chikorita have large leaves on their head that have some smaller subsections that can be hardened and released with a swing to become projectiles. Launching these is commonly known as razor leaf. With other pokemon having similar leafy attacks, they all get categorized the same. Chikorita, in particular, are prized for their sturdy and serrated leaves. The large leaf on their heads is also known to have a calming effect.

I stroke Chrys’s leaf, which isn’t hardened or imbued with grass-type energy right now, and feel the calming effect. “Moving on to Chaos.” I look over at her and notice her holding an Oval Stone. Wow! Those cost $1 000, I was going to get one at Cherrygrove City. Nurse Jane must have given it to Chaos when she left to put her in her pokeball, which is a cute pink by the way. I know in the games they evolve pretty easily with an Oval Stone, but from my time at the pokecenter I know it will take from 3 to 5 months.

My musings were interrupted by a hearty tackle from Chaos which knocked me to the ground. Laughing I said “I guess you were tired of waiting. Let’s scan you. Okay, wow looks like you’re the cutest happiny ever!” Which got a smirk from Chaos. Reading the actual results it showed that Chaos was pretty large for her age, close to a month, with long limbs and had the beginnings of a nervous system in her hands used for healing. And that brings me to another thing, pokemon don’t just have stubs like in the games/anime. They have functional limbs and hands/feet which took a little getting used to but they actually look cuter to me now than “before”.

“You’re a strong and big girl, Chaos. With the ability Natural Cure, you can heal status afflictions over time. Why don’t we have a little fun? I’ll play tackle tag with Chaos. While Chrys, I want you to weave between those posts and strike them with your leaf as you pass.” I point to some training posts. “How does that sound, team?”

“Happi!”, “Chiko!”

And so I played tag with Chaos while Chrys trained by striking the posts. After half an hour, Chaos was able to run properly without waddling and was getting the hang of changing her direction. Chrys was zooming around while keeping her leaf hardened, slicing at the posts. I called for a break and brought out some berries. “Good job guys! Do you think you feel up to a spar after a little break?”

“Chiko! Chi!”, “Happi!”

“I get that you’re not tired Chaos, but I think it’s best if we take a little break first.” Thinking over their performance, Chrys seems like a speed demon with a leaf who can hold their own. While Chaos is still young and just might be able to take a rattata. Overall, I’m happy. They may need time to grow, but the important thing is that we work well together. Once Chaos finished her berry, she started to tackle the nearby tree repeatedly. Chrys, meanwhile, was just basking in the sun.

As I looked over my team fondly, I heard, “Boy, where’d you get that happiny? You forcing her to become a battler?”

Chaos jumped in front of me and shrilled, “Happi-NY! Happi!”

“You heard her, she wants to battle.” I chuckled and patted Chaos on the head. While the woman’s vaporeon came close and sniffed Chaos before padding back to the woman.

“Huh, not every day you see a happiny so enthusiastic about battling. Sorry kid, I thought you might be forcing her to battle.” She apologized and said, “See you around!” Walking away with her Vaporeon trailing behind her.

I shook my head at the odd interaction and turned to my team. “You gals ready?” To which I got two nods. “Okay, Chrys take it easy on Chaos, she’s only half your age. Let’s just have a friendly spar without using your leaf.”

“Chiko!”, “Piny!” They said as they squared off.

“Ready…Set…Go!” At my mark, they both ran and jumped, tackling and practically bouncing off of each other.

“Chrys! Try to do glancing blows, to the side.”

“Chiko!”

This time it was more like Chrys was getting the upper hand of the exchange, sending Chaos tumbling.

“Chaos! If you can’t match their speed, stand your ground!”

“Happi!”

Now Chaos was ready to receive Chrys’ blow and was able to retaliate with a pound. They continued to have exchanges where Chrys would usually maintain the advantage.

“Hey, do you want to battle?” I heard from behind me.