CHAPTER 14: TO SLEEP, TO EAT, TO TRAIN, TO WORK

Kenneth's Monologue

So tired.

What's with the loud banging at Big Bro's room last night?

Aaaaah, time to clean the house before Big Bro wakes up.

The doorbell rang? I wonder who's looking for us this early hour?

Uuugh, I have to see who's the visitor?

...MOM?!...

_____________________________________________________

Archer woke up, still groggy, finding out his body was still in great suffering. He tried moving yet the pain jolted his body into full consciousness. Groaning, he lied motionless, blinking as he recalled what he did last night. That was pure torture.

Not wanting to dawdle any longer, he mustered all his strength to stand up, and luckily, succeeded. He searched around and caught sight of his bag lying around the corner of the room. He trudged on to it, checking if everything was in good condition. The Pokeballs and the rest of his things were in place.

He took a glimpse at the ring, still on his finger despite the torturous event. Girana suggested that he should wear it at all times to get used to the discomfort it caused to his body. But, it then further advised that he should prepare much food to eat so as to replenish the body energy he loses. Of which he definitely agreed.

Archer noted that everything Girana recommended was effective. Even though his control over his Ghost Pokessence was still bad, but still Girana assured that his Pokessence Limit was increasing, albeit slowly. Although he felt weak right now, he knew that it was just because of hunger. But what made him happier was his triumphant activation of the Ghost Phase skill. He felt like a real ghost, passing through the wall while floating. Even though he could only initiate it for about ten seconds before his Ghost Pokessence was used up, but it did not prevent him from applauding himself.

Girana was inside his Pokeball, depleted due to their intense training. He thought that he should pamper his Pokemon, considering that he was a big help to his rapid improvement.

He took a bath and changed his clothes, now wearing a blue apparel. Convinced that he looked good and ready to face the world, he then moved on to the kitchen counter.

Thirty minutes had passed, and everything was prepared on the table. It was now 7:30 AM, still early but he could not afford to waste his time. He moved upstairs and went to Kenneth's room. "Kenneth! It's time to eat!"

There was no response. "Kenneth?" Archer could still hear no answer. Anxious, he twisted the knob, surprised that the door was unlocked. He peeked inside the room, only to find out that it was empty. "Where is he?"

"Kenneth!"

Archer carried out a thorough search inside and outside the house, but he could still not find him.

His body was in great pain and could not take it anymore as his stomach growled like a lion. "I have to eat first so that my condition will be resolved. Or else I will faint either from this agony or from being famished."

Gobbling up the meal that was good for three persons, he set aside some food for Kenneth, along with his favorite fish. Archer could feel the difference, he felt he was now physically stronger, and the torturous gnawing had disappeared. I just have to avoid getting hungry to prevent that feeling of torment again. He tried to lift up the tank, but in his dismay, he still failed to do so. He posted a message on the fridge to inform Kenneth that he was going to the Pokemart to buy some supplies and inquire some things, reminding him not to wait for him as he might be delayed.

"So first things, first. Let's go look for some random job and buy some supplies."

________________________________________________________

"Hey, excuse me?" Archer approached the cheerful vendor, smiling even though he was in torment because he chose to not take the ring off at all times. "May I ask some questions?"

The mature lady looked at him from head to foot, and simpered. "How can I help you?"

He was perturbed due to her scrutiny, but did not stop his inquiry. "Do you know where I can look for a job?"

She furrowed her brows, seemingly thinking of something, and replied, "You can find many jobs at the Town Square. If you're skilled enough, then you'll easily get one." Her hands akimbo, she bit her lips and continued. "Or you could work for me, you know, as an assistant?"

Archer smirked as he raised his brows. "I've wanted to do it, you know? But does your work requires killing? Because that's what I'm only good at."

The lady backed out a bit and clutched her chest. "No, um...well, forget it." She focused on what she was doing earlier, her back facing Archer.

Laughing, Archer sauntered his way to the Town Square as he admired the scenery. He believed this place deserved to be called the Center of Cinnabar Island, for its beauty surpassed that of Pallet Town. Every building was aesthetically designed.

Archer saw the place was crowded with people and small Pokemon as he entered. The edifice was filled with chatters and chitchats, which made him frown in displeasure. He wanted to be done with his business and hurried his pace toward the reception area. "Hello Miss, may I have a list of your job vacancy?"

She gave him sets of brochures without replying and gestured him to walk away. Not minding her discourtesy, Archer cheerfully accepted the papers and moved on. He read the catalog as he ambled toward the Pokemart, his grin getting wider as the minute passed by. He underlined the job details he wanted, and hummed.

"Ouch!"

Archer winced as his head suddenly throbbed in agony. "Fuck this ring."

_______________________________________________________________________

The Pokemart was just like a bigger version of a convenience store back on Earth. The aisle was wide enough for three people to walk together. People of different age bracket strolled along as they examined the goods that were displayed on colorful trays. At its leftmost corner, a line of people waited for their turn to buy what they needed from the Vending Machine. The receptionists were busily entertaining their customers as they gave leaflets of some sort, maybe a catalog of items that they were selling.

Archer took a stub number and bided his time by studying the old notebook while standing up since all of the seats were taken.

Pokemon Skills

Pokemon skills are affected by the Pokessence Type present inside a Pokemon. As a general rule, Pokemon Skills are classified into five: the Innates, the Taught, the Hidden, the Combination, and the Special ones.

Innates types are those skills that are learned by the Pokemon without external help. They can automatically do it as they grow up and increase their Pokessence Limit. But, in order for them to master it, they must absorb the equivalent Pokessence Type for them to properly execute the skill. For instance, a Ratatta knows the Tackle, Quick Attack and Tail Whip even if it doesn't reach maturity because they naturally possess vast Normal Pokessence, but masters the Bite Skill as it increases the Dark Pokessence inside its body.

The Taught types are skills that are either directly tutored by the Pokemon Trainer to his Pokemon or using the aid of the Technical Machine or TM, an amalgamation of Pokessence, memories, and energy of a Pokemon Trainer or Pokemon condensed in a pill. Just like the innates, compatibility of Pokessence and body structure plays a major role in determining the ableness of Pokemon to acquire such Skill. For example, Wing Attack has Flying Pokessence, and can be easily learned by Pokemons possessing Flying Pokessence and Wings. But there are some rare cases wherein a Pokemon learning some skill even without having its equivalent Pokessence, like a Persian learning a Thunder skill.

The Hidden types are skills that are gained through certain events like evolution and breeding.

The Combination types are more complex and requires thorough knowledge of Pokessence Typings to execute properly. It mostly involves several Pokemon and/or Pokemon Trainers activating their respective skills simultaneously. One known skill is Mirage, a water-fire combo that deceives or affects the enemies' perception. A Squirtle and a Charmander using water gun and ember respectively can produced such skill. An intelligent Pokemon Trainer can create massive skills on his arsenal as long as he knows and uses the Pokessence Typings to his advantage.

The Special types require a certain item to initiate. The most commonly known is Z-Power.

So there are combination skills? Wow, these could be pretty fun, I'd imagine. Couldn't wait to try one. I should -

NUMBER 24. PLEASE PROCEED TO THE RECEPTION AREA.

The voice-over interrupted his contemplations, prompting him to stand up as he returned the notebook back to his bag. He handed his stub over to the person in-charge and stated his concerns. "Do you have a complete list of items that you sell here?"

"We do have one." Rummaging the drawer behind her, she got hold of a brochure and affixed it with their official stamp. "All of these things can be found on the display booth, but they're just all sample products. If you wished to buy it, just input the corresponding serial number and your registry number after you're done. Just don't forget to return here after you buy what you need so as to join our Lottery Game. Who knows, you might just win the Price for the Day."

"And the prize is supposed to be what?"

"Evolution Stone. Tempting, right?"

"Definitely." Archer licked his lips as he discovered the reward for winning the jackpot. He wanted to try his luck today and bought the two potions that he planned to buy tomorrow. But he soon found out that his fortune had indeed run dry, not even a number of his code had been picked.

Pouting, he stomped on his way to the Agora Market and bought the meat and ingredients he needed and returned to Kenneth's house.

______________________________________________________________________

A loud burp echoed inside the dining hall as Archer finished his brunch. Even though it was just 10 AM, he had no choice but to eat that much because his stomach was already complaining. He didn't want to undergo such severe affliction again, knowing he was not a masochist.

He cooked another set of meal for him as his pain reliever, and for Kenneth because the food he reserved earlier for the kid was getting cold. He brought the not-so-warm meal, together with the freshly prepared dishes, along with him to his room as food reserve, in case he would turn ravenous. Time is Gold, he'd always believed that, and he would not dwell longer on things that he couldn't solve or didn't know in the first place. He just wished that Kenneth was okay.

The cycle of physical abuse happened as series of banging sounds came from Archer's room. The noise was unabating as time passed by, even though he struggled to gather his strength to go on. Yet he persisted as he remembered how he was bullied by those Fossil Lab employees and poisonous sludges inside the Pokemon Mansion. He swore that he would return to kick their silly asses, and teach them a thing or two about Karma.

Bang, Heal, Eat. Bang, Heal, Eat.

He couldn't count how many times he had kissed the wall, not even noticing how Girana held its feet as it healed Archer via its Pokessence. But what he knew was this: both Girana and him were both improving, and their synchronization in using skills were much better compared to yesterday.

What mattered to him was the result, yes, the ends justifies the means.

________________________________________________________

"Uuuuuugh!"

Archer groaned as he practically crawled toward the table and took hold of the food, eating them with gusto, while Girana was munching on its share of apples. His legs were shaking as he leaned on the chair, keeping himself from toppling down. Now sated, the vigor that he had expended soon returned to him. But he ceased his activity for the night, since he had important things to do: his temporary work.

He dialed the contact number that was listed in the job listing and waited for the person to answer his Xtransceiver. It rang for about a minute before someone answered the call.

"Hello, this is Maria of Pokemon Research Institute - Cinnabar Branch. How may I help you?"

"Hi, Miss Maria. This is Archer Sullivan. I just want to inquire about the status of my application as an Assistant."

"May I know your Application Number please?"

"It's 543421.

"Hold on for a few minutes as I pull out your application information sheet from the system."

"No problem."

Archer heard a ringtone that was playing as he waited for the other person to come back.

"Thank you for waiting, Mr. Sullivan. It's good news. You are one of the few applicants who have passed the preliminary exams. Can you make time to visit our office tomorrow?"

"Yes. What time should I go?"

"Around 11:00 AM."

"Okay, thank you for your wonderful assistance, Miss Maria."

"It is my pleasure. Is there anything else I can help you with?"

"None so far, you've been a great help. Goodbye Miss Maria."

"Goodbye."

_____________________________________________________________

...Archer...Archer...

"Uuuuuhmm."

...Please wake up, Archer...Please, wake up...

"Huh? Another being talking inside my mind?!" Archer looked at his watch, and noticed that it was still 3:00 AM. Grumbling, he flopped down as he said, "Whoever you are, get the fuck out of my head and let me sleep, you fucker."

...Please Archer, meet me at the clearing entrance...just...beside...the........First............Shop................................

"Fuck you." Archer answered in a tired voice.

_______________________________________________________

CHAPTER 15: THE FIRST BATTLE

CHAPTER 16: THE SIMULATION EXAM