Chapter Two - Mock Battle
"Shinx!"
"Starly!"
The two Pokémon trilled cheerfully, their curious gazes darting about their surroundings as they stretched their tiny limbs.
"Jade, you should recognize these Pokémon. They're from Sinnoh! I recently took a trip there and brought these two home with me to study. It's quite interesting, it appears as though each region has a sort of 'basic' or 'base' tiny bird Pokémon, much like we have Pidgey. Shinx, on the other hand, is a bit more unique." As Professor Grace continued explaining, I nodded along to the lecture I didn't sign up for.
Orange swiped a Pokédex from the pocket of his army green cargo shorts. I couldn't help but notice that his shorts made his rear look fantastic. I could probably bounce a coin off of it.
Now's not the time, Jade.
The honey-haired boy aimed the Pokédex in Starly's direction. After a few seconds of delay, the screen lit up. "Starly, the starling Pokémon," the mechanical voice stated. The black and white bird's petit head bobbed up in curiosity upon the mention of its name. "Starly is the pre-evolution of Staravia and Staraptor. It usually is sighted in large, bickering flocks. Starly spend their time flying around fields and mountains, intent on finding bugs to consume. This Starly is male."
The Pokédex failed to mention how irritating their morning songs could be if you were trying to sleep at 5:00 AM.
Professor Grace's son diverted his attention towards the Shinx. Shinx resembled a lion cub with black fur at the back and light blue fur at the front. The small electric type was scampering in circles, chasing its star-tipped black tail with a humorous determination. The puffy tuft of fur on Shinx's head bobbed up and down with every hop.
"Shinx, the flash Pokémon," Orange's Pokédex chimed in. "Shinx is the pre-evolution of Luxio and Luxray. The extension and contraction of its muscles produce its electricity. If it is in danger, Shinx's fur will gleam; this temporarily blinds its enemy. This Shinx is male." The flash Pokémon started rolling around on the ground, mewing happily to itself. A giggle escaped my lips.
Orange yawned. "Dad, can we just get this stupid battle over with? I'd rather be doing
trainer things."
Relax, bro.
Professor Grace studied him with a glint of disapproval in his eyes. "You're a novice trainer as well. You yourself could learn something from this battle. If I were you, I'd put the attitude away."
This resulted in a quiet scoff from his son.
The professor turned towards me, his eyes softening. "Jade, you will battle alongside Shinx. If you demonstrate the ability to handle a Pokémon, you will be able to choose from Bulbasaur, Charmander or Squirtle and begin your journey as a Pokémon trainer. You do not need to necessarily
win, but you do need to show some level of capability."
"O-okay," my voice wavered slightly. Then I coughed and repeated myself with more assurance.
"Lana, while I observe the battle, I'd like you to evaluate Jade's paper," Grace instructed with an authoritative tone. With a nod and a curt 'yes sir,' the assistant disappeared promptly into the lab.
Professor Grace recalled both Shinx and Starly to their respective Pokéballs. He then proceeded to hand Starly's to Orange and Shinx's to me. "Pokémon are smart. If you gesture for them to exit their Pokéballs, they will do so. Just a simple command will work," the professor explained. He directed me and Orange to stand at opposite ends of the dirt battlefield. "Whenever you're ready, Jade!"
I gazed down at the red and white sphere gripped tightly in my hand. How did Pokéballs work, anyway? It was amazing - how they could confine Pokémon with sizes that vastly multiplied their own.
Focus, Jade.
I extended my arm forward, the Pokéball facing towards Orange. Even from a distance, I could see the sheer boredom plastered on his face.
"Go, Shinx!"
The same brilliance of white light emerged from the ball. Moments later, the electric lion cub had materialized. Instantly, he began to bounce around again, sporting a rare quantity of energy and enthusiasm. However, he froze when he realized he had been sent into battle. His attitude immediately morphed and his eyes glinted with a concentrated stare towards the opposing Starly. It was actually kind of intimidating.
"You can make the first move, girly!" Orange called.
Who do you think you are?
"Uhhhh..." I responded intelligently. "Shinx, are you ready?" Shinx bobbed his head in confirmation. "Okay, use Tackle!"
Shinx jolted forward with impressive speed. Despite being a low level, powerful muscles rippled in the small Pokémon's legs as he neared Starly. Just as it seemed like the move would be a direct hit, Orange began his commands.
"Starly, into the air!" The Starly swiftly lifted off, its tiny wings fluttering furiously. By a split second, Shinx's tackle missed. "Now, Quick Attack!" Shinx was left vulnerable after his attack failed to land, giving him no time to dodge the impending ball of ruffled feathers. Starly slammed into Shinx's flank, causing him to be knocked an impressive eight meters towards me. I should have considered the possibility of a bird flying.
"You call that an attack? Maybe you shouldn't be in such a rush to become a trainer after all!" Orange sneered.
Arrogant asshat.
"Okay, Shinx, you can do this!" I called out, ignoring the boy's taunts. Even at a low level, Shinx should process some electric type attacks.
Shinx shook the dust from the impact out of his pelt, then gazed at me. I could tell that he was trusting me to call out a good move.
Orange interrupted my thoughts. "Starly, attack from above!" The starling Pokémon darted through the sky.
"Shinx, use Thundershock - straight up in the air!"
Shinx's body became completely enveloped in bright energy, followed by a bolt of electricity crackling into the air. Starly had no chance of avoiding. The bolt of electricity hit the bird head-on, sending the starling Pokémon spiraling out of control. Downwards it fell, and with a loud 'thump,' it collided with the ground.
"Get up Starly, and use Wing Attack!" frustration audibly cut into Orange's commands.
"Don't let it move! Tackle!" Once more, Shinx charged towards the bird. The difference was that this time, he made contact. The starling Pokémon was sent crashing over the battlefield. After skidding violently through the dirt, it twitched once, twice, then was still. Starly was down for the count, and I wasn't sure what pleased me more: the fact that I won, or the look of sheer astonishment on Orange's face.
I cheered. "Great job Shinx!" Shinx bounded towards me and leaped into my arms. His chest was puffed out in pride and his throat was vibrating with long purrs. His pride was reflected in to me. I felt like a proud best friend, or a mother.
Shinx isn't yours, Jade. Shinx isn't a starter.
In the laboratory, I anxiously awaited my results. Alone, I sat in a vibrantly painted room. Paintings depicting green vines, blue splashes of water and fiery red embers spiralled over the wall's surface. I examined the posters, Pokémon statistic charts and other professor-like objects that lined the room, then fell into boredom. Both Starly and Shinx had been returned to Professor Grace.
Grace had applauded my victory, assuring me that I did well. Orange, however, was not so gracious. He muttered something about 'beginner's luck' before indignantly stalking away to Arceus knows where.
After what felt like centuries but was likely minutes, the door rattled and opened, revealing Lana. She was beaming, which caused my heart to leap.
"Marcus is waiting in the lobby - with the Pokémon and your Pokédex." she almost squealed, confirming my hopes.
Without thinking, I leapt out of my chair and hugged her. I didn't care if she was technically a stranger. The excitement flowed through me, high on the adrenalized euphoria. She appeared momentarily taken aback, but that quickly faded as she returned my embrace. "You did great. Ninety-six percent! You had nothing to worry about, you're a complete natural!"
***
"Excellent job on passing the Trainer's Exam, Jade," Professor Grace congratulated me. We were in the lab's lobby, which looked very similar to the way it did in the morning, aside from the noon's lighting difference.
The professor handed me a Pokédex. "This is the same model Pokdex you saw Orange use earlier," he explained. "It will also function as your Trainer ID. This will allow you to do things such as challenge the Pokémon League, provided you collect all eight gym badges."
The Pokédex was thin, with the surface area of my hand. I ran my fingers along the red surface before gently tapping the large blue power button. The screen sprung to life with a display of Pokémon species, moves, areas and other information. My fingers trembled slightly at the realization of just how much knowledge this tiny, mechanical device possessed. "More importantly," continued Professor Grace, "you now get to choose your partner Pokémon."
Lana stepped forward with a briefcase similar to the one before, except this one contained three Pokéballs. Each ball was labeled with three stickers. One red for fire, the second green for grass and the final one was blue for water. Charmander, Bulbasaur, and Squirtle, respectively.
The three starters of Pallet's Laboratory were world renown. Through families of professors such as the Thorns, the Oaks and now the Graces, the traditional starters remained concrete.
Charmander, the lizard Pokémon. Fire burned at the tip of its tail, and its final evolution was Charizard. Charizard was a powerful dragon-like Pokémon. Having one would be a huge asset to anyone's team. Bulbasaur, the seed Pokémon. Bulbasaur could heal itself solely on the powers of sunlight. That'd give it an advantage in many battles. And finally, Squirtle, the tiny turtle Pokémon. The water type had spectacular defense thanks to its impenetrable shell and could travel against large bodies of water effortlessly. All three of these Pokémon were powerful.
"Have you made your decision, Jade? Which Pokémon do you want?" asked Lana, visibly curious.
"Yeah," I nodded. "I want Shinx."
