Nerdy McNerdface
Hmph
Hello dear reader! So this evening I didn't particularly feel like writing for any of my ongoing fics, but I wanted to write something. I was in a bit of angsty mood, and I had just watched a video on Pokemon X, so I ended up forming this One-Shot. It's my first try at a more tragic Pokemon story, and I've been writing it late at night so it might not be amazing, but I hope you enjoy it!
Quick Rating Warning - let's put it at a T/PG-13 for violence.
Credit to AmericanPi for the banner!
Pokemon training has never been something I've talked about in what feels like forever until today, since whenever I do, memories come back to stab me in the head with unforgiving intentions.
Yeah, I know, it sounds weird coming from the mouth of a person like me, right? That the way I feel about my journey is not a sunshine-and-rainbows cardboard cutout. After all, isn't a Pokemon journey one that gives someone the thrill of the outside world alongside a powerful partner that shares the deepest bond possible with you? Well, my story gives me several... emotions, you see. Emotions that still taint my way of living to this day.
My journey first begun back in Lumiose City. My mother, my father, my little sister, all three of them greeted me with beaming grins on that day - the day of my thirteenth. We all celebrated the day with my mother's glorious Sitrus Pie, while my sister gave me joke upon joke about how I was going to become an edgy emo before long now that I was a teenager before earning a few ruffles of her flowing indigo hair in return.
But on that day, I got a true surprise when my father brought from behind his back a delicate mahogany box with a golden clasp, before placing it in front of me, encouraging me to open it. Eyes brimming with wonder, I unfastened the clasp with gentle hands before lightly lifting the lid, only to gasp in surprise at the red-topped sphere. I was informed that today was finally the day I could strive to become the Pokemon trainer I had always dreamed to be. And by my side would be the partner my family had always known I'd never refuse, not even if my life was on the line.
That very same evening, I packed for the journey. Potions, money, food that would last for months inside my backpack, anything that was needed for my journey was packaged neatly into one of the pockets. My sister didn't leave my side throughout that whole time, making sure I didn't forget any key items and giving a supporting punch to the shoulder every so often. Trixie, my new Fennekin, also often gave me a few nuzzles to encourage me, assure me that the adventure I was preparing to be the main star of would be one I'd never forget, and that we'd be partners no matter what.
The birthday ended, and the new morning made itself known. A plentiful amount of tears were exchanged between all family members as I waved them farewell, and up until now I still remember my sister's last words to me on that day.
"Brother, you shouldn't return while you're taking on your challenges... I understand that you'll need plenty of time to train... but promise you'll come back for your fourteenth birthday, ok?"
The "I promise" I gave in return made her eight-year old self beam through all of the tears, and Trixie and I made our way towards the outside world with our goal set - to take down all eight Gym Leaders, and win the Lumiose Conference taking place two weeks before my next birthday.
Trixie and I, we started off by training out on Route 4. We'd ask fellow trainers for battle if they happened to pass by, and while the win-to-loss ratio was initially telling as to how I'd only just started this whole training business, I soon learned strategies to take on opponents with Trixie. Once we had mastered our first tactic, the two of us were practically falling over our feet as we ran to the Santalune Gym.
Viola wasn't much of a challenge for us. Trixie's Ember practically guaranteed that she and I would claim our Bug Type Gym badge on the first try. As we bid farewell to our first important fight and the calming atmosphere of the city, it was time to take the long and tedious trip to the next Pokemon Gym - belonging to Grant, a Rock Type user.
Along the way, we encountered a new friend and partner to us - a young but excitable and battle-ready Flabébé. I chose her name to be Bella as our new trio began training upon the cliffs of Route 8, and to the delight of all of us, Trixie made a colossal change as she evolved into Braixen. We all found our way through Ambrette Town, and chased the waves alongside Route 8. By the time we reached Cyllage City and its Gym, we had cooked up the perfect tactic to see this battle result in a victory.
And sure it did, as not only did we steal the win away from Grant, but Bella also evolved, transforming into a Floette in front of my very eyes. It was a day to celebrate, as our journey continued as a time of pure joy, when there was always a battle right around the corner.
The next challenges weren't much at all. After Bella evolved yet again into a Florges while our trio was navigating Reflection Cave, Korrina barely stood a chance, and thanks to Trixie's Fire typing, Ramos was a doddle. I may have only owned two team members, but they were all I needed as my companions, my friends, my soulmates in this adventure we were all taking on together.
By the time we had returned to Lumiose to take on Clemont, our bond was inseparable. During the battle with the Electric Gym Leader, Trixie evolved a second time, reaching her final form of Delphox. Her new Psychic abilities that she had gained upon evolving caused us to win the battle almost instantaneously, leading us to a fifth badge. After the victory, I considered returning home, just for a day. I could go and see my little sister again, and be embraced in the warm comfort of my parents.
But I never did. After all, the promise was for my fourteenth, and my little sister said that she hoped I'd prioritise my training until then.
My path took me to Laverre City, where I took on Valerie and her Fairy Types. She was quite the challenge, but Trixie's handy resistance led us to yet another victory, and yet another shiny badge to add to my collection. My two Pokemon and I were next whisked away to Anistar City, where Olympia's Team stood no challenge to our now unstoppable teamwork. We had perfect chemistry - nothing could stand in our way anymore.
The final Gym, belonging to the Ice Type master, Wulfric. That final battle, I thought about everything that had taken me here. The determination of my Pokemon. The light at the end of the road that was the Lumiose Conference. My sister, giving me a celebratory cheer in my head whenever something went well. Everything.
My passion. Trixie's passion. Bella's passion. That's what led to victory that day. And as the final spot in my badge case became dusty no longer, I cried out in pure delight.
I took the road back to Lumiose City. I reached the Conference the very morning before it took place, successfully signing up with my full set of Gym wins. Then the Conference began.
Despite succeeding against all eight Gyms, nothing had prepared me for the talent of the other competitors in the Conference. But even if I was knocked out in the first round, and even if I had to wait a whole year until I took on that challenge again, I was satisfied. My friends had taken me this far just as I had to them, and that, for me, was enough.
But, as I made my way to the stadium exits, finally able to take a break, finally able to reunite with my family outside these very doors, a sudden crash behind me caused me to freeze. I would've taken it as a simple enraged Pokemon, if it wasn't for the screams slowly becoming more frequent, louder as the crashes became plentiful. My hands brushed my Poke Balls, ready to fight any attacker who could be trying to destroy the stadium.
My legs found themselves able to move again, and I shot for the exit door. I was hit with a blast of fresh air as I passed through, but I became instantly disturbed when the Summer sky of this afternoon was replaced with a grim crimson. I rushed out and turned to the stadium, completely in shock at what I saw.
The stadium was being torn apart from the inside out, by a Pokemon that... seemed like something out of an old legend I once read, but... not, at the same time. Zygarde, the Pokemon of Order, a legendary being who most frequently took the form of a green snake. Said to watch over the Pokemon World, and step in to save it if the dilemma became too life-threatening. The colossal snake I could see, however, was glowing a bright red. I cursed. Something wasn't right. Every fibre of my being screamed to run, get away from that beast, but something stirred within me.
My family. My dear, dear family. My caring, loving family who had come to see me battle. They were still in there. And I had to save them.
My body screamed at me to stop, but I wasn't listening. I practically kicked the doors down, cursing again at myself for not knowing my way around this stadium in the slightest. I turned corners and followed corridors, not stopping until I burst out to look at what remained of the tournament area. All I could see was rubble, rubble everywhere, and the Pokemon causing it all.
Where was my family?! Had this Pokemon... had this Pokemon...
My next step was completely illogical. I threw out my two Poke Balls, screaming the names of my two partners. Both of them formed in front of me, and I commanded them to try and attack Zygarde. At that moment, the colossal snake turned to face us, and before we even had a chance to react it charged up an attack I couldn't recognise and fired it at the ceiling above us.
In a split second. It was all in a split second. The ceiling cracked, and several chunks fell in such a place so that it would directly impact me, but Trixie and Bella... they... they jumped... and then the rubble found its mark... from there I... I passed out.
Everything became fuzzy until my eyes fluttered open. I found myself in a hospital, and instantly began to panic as I recalled the events that had happened when I was last conscious. I shakily tried to escape the duvet, only to hear the sound of doctors mumbling that I was awake. Then, I registered all of the tubes, with liquid flowing into my body to keep me alive.
I later discovered that a week had passed since that incident. I was found with Trixie and Bella lying on top of me after the Gym Leaders and Champion successfully dealt with the event, which I later learned was caused by a seemingly benign but secretly malicious group named Team Flare, and I was instantly hospitalised after the doctors realised how much blood I had lost from the impact of falling rubble.
I then... I then asked... I asked about who lived and who died. I asked about my family. Asked about Trixie and Bella. I demanded answers.
The only reply I was offered... that reply. "I'm so sorry. But they didn't make it."
I screamed. I cried. I denied them. Yelled at them to say that wasn't what happened. My hospital bed suddenly felt pointless. I'd just lost all of those who mattered to me most, and all those people could say was "I'm so sorry"? None of them deserved that. Bella, Trixie... my sister, Kayley. My parents. Nothing f**king mattered to me anymore. The people who motivated me to carry on, those who... who... kept me living, were now all dead. All because of some f**king evil scheme by a man who didn't care for the consequences. Didn't care for anyone. Didn't care for the being he mind-controlled into causing this mess. Didn't care for any emotions except his own.
All I wanted to do was die. If those who supported me were gone, I'd have no reason left to continue for another day. But the doctors kept me in the hospital bed, and I was too weak to try and resist.
To this day, I still don't know why I chose to keep on living. Once I had recovered, I was allowed to leave, and emerged from the hospital on my fourteenth birthday, when there was nobody, not even the wide grin of my sister to greet me. I felt so, so alone, but I guess at that point I just didn't have the courage to take my own life. My mental health was permanently damaged, and I've had to take counselling in Santalune City to deal with the trauma. I couldn't talk about my story without ending up in a panic attack until today, and I'm still too scared to enter Lumiose City, or even eat another Sitrus Pie.
I've never tried to train a Pokemon ever again. I don't think I ever will either. I just want to stay alone for the rest of my life.
Alone, and never attached to anything ever again.
Quick Rating Warning - let's put it at a T/PG-13 for violence.
Credit to AmericanPi for the banner!
Pokemon training has never been something I've talked about in what feels like forever until today, since whenever I do, memories come back to stab me in the head with unforgiving intentions.
Yeah, I know, it sounds weird coming from the mouth of a person like me, right? That the way I feel about my journey is not a sunshine-and-rainbows cardboard cutout. After all, isn't a Pokemon journey one that gives someone the thrill of the outside world alongside a powerful partner that shares the deepest bond possible with you? Well, my story gives me several... emotions, you see. Emotions that still taint my way of living to this day.
My journey first begun back in Lumiose City. My mother, my father, my little sister, all three of them greeted me with beaming grins on that day - the day of my thirteenth. We all celebrated the day with my mother's glorious Sitrus Pie, while my sister gave me joke upon joke about how I was going to become an edgy emo before long now that I was a teenager before earning a few ruffles of her flowing indigo hair in return.
But on that day, I got a true surprise when my father brought from behind his back a delicate mahogany box with a golden clasp, before placing it in front of me, encouraging me to open it. Eyes brimming with wonder, I unfastened the clasp with gentle hands before lightly lifting the lid, only to gasp in surprise at the red-topped sphere. I was informed that today was finally the day I could strive to become the Pokemon trainer I had always dreamed to be. And by my side would be the partner my family had always known I'd never refuse, not even if my life was on the line.
That very same evening, I packed for the journey. Potions, money, food that would last for months inside my backpack, anything that was needed for my journey was packaged neatly into one of the pockets. My sister didn't leave my side throughout that whole time, making sure I didn't forget any key items and giving a supporting punch to the shoulder every so often. Trixie, my new Fennekin, also often gave me a few nuzzles to encourage me, assure me that the adventure I was preparing to be the main star of would be one I'd never forget, and that we'd be partners no matter what.
The birthday ended, and the new morning made itself known. A plentiful amount of tears were exchanged between all family members as I waved them farewell, and up until now I still remember my sister's last words to me on that day.
"Brother, you shouldn't return while you're taking on your challenges... I understand that you'll need plenty of time to train... but promise you'll come back for your fourteenth birthday, ok?"
The "I promise" I gave in return made her eight-year old self beam through all of the tears, and Trixie and I made our way towards the outside world with our goal set - to take down all eight Gym Leaders, and win the Lumiose Conference taking place two weeks before my next birthday.
Trixie and I, we started off by training out on Route 4. We'd ask fellow trainers for battle if they happened to pass by, and while the win-to-loss ratio was initially telling as to how I'd only just started this whole training business, I soon learned strategies to take on opponents with Trixie. Once we had mastered our first tactic, the two of us were practically falling over our feet as we ran to the Santalune Gym.
Viola wasn't much of a challenge for us. Trixie's Ember practically guaranteed that she and I would claim our Bug Type Gym badge on the first try. As we bid farewell to our first important fight and the calming atmosphere of the city, it was time to take the long and tedious trip to the next Pokemon Gym - belonging to Grant, a Rock Type user.
Along the way, we encountered a new friend and partner to us - a young but excitable and battle-ready Flabébé. I chose her name to be Bella as our new trio began training upon the cliffs of Route 8, and to the delight of all of us, Trixie made a colossal change as she evolved into Braixen. We all found our way through Ambrette Town, and chased the waves alongside Route 8. By the time we reached Cyllage City and its Gym, we had cooked up the perfect tactic to see this battle result in a victory.
And sure it did, as not only did we steal the win away from Grant, but Bella also evolved, transforming into a Floette in front of my very eyes. It was a day to celebrate, as our journey continued as a time of pure joy, when there was always a battle right around the corner.
The next challenges weren't much at all. After Bella evolved yet again into a Florges while our trio was navigating Reflection Cave, Korrina barely stood a chance, and thanks to Trixie's Fire typing, Ramos was a doddle. I may have only owned two team members, but they were all I needed as my companions, my friends, my soulmates in this adventure we were all taking on together.
By the time we had returned to Lumiose to take on Clemont, our bond was inseparable. During the battle with the Electric Gym Leader, Trixie evolved a second time, reaching her final form of Delphox. Her new Psychic abilities that she had gained upon evolving caused us to win the battle almost instantaneously, leading us to a fifth badge. After the victory, I considered returning home, just for a day. I could go and see my little sister again, and be embraced in the warm comfort of my parents.
But I never did. After all, the promise was for my fourteenth, and my little sister said that she hoped I'd prioritise my training until then.
My path took me to Laverre City, where I took on Valerie and her Fairy Types. She was quite the challenge, but Trixie's handy resistance led us to yet another victory, and yet another shiny badge to add to my collection. My two Pokemon and I were next whisked away to Anistar City, where Olympia's Team stood no challenge to our now unstoppable teamwork. We had perfect chemistry - nothing could stand in our way anymore.
The final Gym, belonging to the Ice Type master, Wulfric. That final battle, I thought about everything that had taken me here. The determination of my Pokemon. The light at the end of the road that was the Lumiose Conference. My sister, giving me a celebratory cheer in my head whenever something went well. Everything.
My passion. Trixie's passion. Bella's passion. That's what led to victory that day. And as the final spot in my badge case became dusty no longer, I cried out in pure delight.
I took the road back to Lumiose City. I reached the Conference the very morning before it took place, successfully signing up with my full set of Gym wins. Then the Conference began.
Despite succeeding against all eight Gyms, nothing had prepared me for the talent of the other competitors in the Conference. But even if I was knocked out in the first round, and even if I had to wait a whole year until I took on that challenge again, I was satisfied. My friends had taken me this far just as I had to them, and that, for me, was enough.
But, as I made my way to the stadium exits, finally able to take a break, finally able to reunite with my family outside these very doors, a sudden crash behind me caused me to freeze. I would've taken it as a simple enraged Pokemon, if it wasn't for the screams slowly becoming more frequent, louder as the crashes became plentiful. My hands brushed my Poke Balls, ready to fight any attacker who could be trying to destroy the stadium.
My legs found themselves able to move again, and I shot for the exit door. I was hit with a blast of fresh air as I passed through, but I became instantly disturbed when the Summer sky of this afternoon was replaced with a grim crimson. I rushed out and turned to the stadium, completely in shock at what I saw.
The stadium was being torn apart from the inside out, by a Pokemon that... seemed like something out of an old legend I once read, but... not, at the same time. Zygarde, the Pokemon of Order, a legendary being who most frequently took the form of a green snake. Said to watch over the Pokemon World, and step in to save it if the dilemma became too life-threatening. The colossal snake I could see, however, was glowing a bright red. I cursed. Something wasn't right. Every fibre of my being screamed to run, get away from that beast, but something stirred within me.
My family. My dear, dear family. My caring, loving family who had come to see me battle. They were still in there. And I had to save them.
My body screamed at me to stop, but I wasn't listening. I practically kicked the doors down, cursing again at myself for not knowing my way around this stadium in the slightest. I turned corners and followed corridors, not stopping until I burst out to look at what remained of the tournament area. All I could see was rubble, rubble everywhere, and the Pokemon causing it all.
Where was my family?! Had this Pokemon... had this Pokemon...
My next step was completely illogical. I threw out my two Poke Balls, screaming the names of my two partners. Both of them formed in front of me, and I commanded them to try and attack Zygarde. At that moment, the colossal snake turned to face us, and before we even had a chance to react it charged up an attack I couldn't recognise and fired it at the ceiling above us.
In a split second. It was all in a split second. The ceiling cracked, and several chunks fell in such a place so that it would directly impact me, but Trixie and Bella... they... they jumped... and then the rubble found its mark... from there I... I passed out.
Everything became fuzzy until my eyes fluttered open. I found myself in a hospital, and instantly began to panic as I recalled the events that had happened when I was last conscious. I shakily tried to escape the duvet, only to hear the sound of doctors mumbling that I was awake. Then, I registered all of the tubes, with liquid flowing into my body to keep me alive.
I later discovered that a week had passed since that incident. I was found with Trixie and Bella lying on top of me after the Gym Leaders and Champion successfully dealt with the event, which I later learned was caused by a seemingly benign but secretly malicious group named Team Flare, and I was instantly hospitalised after the doctors realised how much blood I had lost from the impact of falling rubble.
I then... I then asked... I asked about who lived and who died. I asked about my family. Asked about Trixie and Bella. I demanded answers.
The only reply I was offered... that reply. "I'm so sorry. But they didn't make it."
I screamed. I cried. I denied them. Yelled at them to say that wasn't what happened. My hospital bed suddenly felt pointless. I'd just lost all of those who mattered to me most, and all those people could say was "I'm so sorry"? None of them deserved that. Bella, Trixie... my sister, Kayley. My parents. Nothing f**king mattered to me anymore. The people who motivated me to carry on, those who... who... kept me living, were now all dead. All because of some f**king evil scheme by a man who didn't care for the consequences. Didn't care for anyone. Didn't care for the being he mind-controlled into causing this mess. Didn't care for any emotions except his own.
All I wanted to do was die. If those who supported me were gone, I'd have no reason left to continue for another day. But the doctors kept me in the hospital bed, and I was too weak to try and resist.
To this day, I still don't know why I chose to keep on living. Once I had recovered, I was allowed to leave, and emerged from the hospital on my fourteenth birthday, when there was nobody, not even the wide grin of my sister to greet me. I felt so, so alone, but I guess at that point I just didn't have the courage to take my own life. My mental health was permanently damaged, and I've had to take counselling in Santalune City to deal with the trauma. I couldn't talk about my story without ending up in a panic attack until today, and I'm still too scared to enter Lumiose City, or even eat another Sitrus Pie.
I've never tried to train a Pokemon ever again. I don't think I ever will either. I just want to stay alone for the rest of my life.
Alone, and never attached to anything ever again.
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