WriterOfWorlds
Youngster
- Pronouns
- She/her
Hi folks! This is my Nuzlocke fic. Book one of... 8. Yep, I'm going through gens 1-7 for this series! I wanted to seriously improve my story telling skills and more instead of whumpy or fluffy romance oneshots, so... here we go!!!
Anyway...
And now... here we go!
Also, cover art by rusty-eevee on Tumblr!
Pallet Village. A peaceful and lovely place for many Pokémon. Dewy grass dances in the spring breeze, while the blue, cloudless skies relax even the toughest of Pokémon. A few streams of water form from the stony walls in the middle of this small village, creating a fountain-like lake that squirts water in the air slightly. Small houses of different structures dot the village, with Pokémon of different species going about their days. Not a single human is in sight—it is something Pokémon are used to since the vanquishing of humanity thousands of years ago.
However, out of the beautiful sights, one part of the village stands out the most. The Exploration School. It looms over the village like a Snorlax hovering over its meal, its red bricked structure and many doors leaving newcomers or visitors of the village shudder in excitement. And it is no exception to the students of the school.
"Come on, Cheddar!" A Bulbasaur cries out, his small claws tapping on the cool cement as he rushes towards the entrance of the school. "We're gonna be late for our graduation if you don't pick up the pace!"
"I'm coming, I'm coming, Kale!" A Rattata calls back from behind the Bulbasaur. He huffs from running, as if he has been running a marathon, before he manages to catch up to his friend. "I know you're excited, but please slow down? Graduation wouldn't start until an hour later, anyway!"
"Why?" Kale chuckled, shrugging, "I want to be there as early as possible! What if something or someone stops us and we're late?"
"Even if we're stopped somehow," Cheddar sighs, "we'll still be early!"
"Well," Kale said, glancing up at the Exploration School with a grin. He rubs the back of his head with one of his vines. "We're here, so. No use worrying about that now!"
"Honestly, Kale…" Cheddar follows his friend to the inside of the school. Lockers of different colors sit on the walls of both sides, and the air conditioners adorned on the ceilings blow cold air, making both Pokémon shiver. Cheddar wonders why the Schoolmaster had to turn up the AC that high. He once feared that Kale would freeze to death, but Kale's boundless energy had put that to rest. "You're so hasty. I don't understand why you rush so much."
"It did get me to graduate, right?" Kale smirks, as if he has a "gotcha!" moment towards his friend. And as always, he is right.
Cheddar rolls his eyes affectionately. "Of course. But remember what Ms. Shell said in our training class?"
"'Slow and steady wins the race'," Kale repeats the one piece of advice his Kabutops teacher had said before. "I'm aware, don't worry."
"Hey guys!"
A familiar voice calls from behind the two. Kale and Cheddar stop in their tracks, turning their heads to see another friend of theirs. Squirt the Squirtle runs towards the two, waving with a large smile on his face. Once he catches up to the two, he greets them with, "Ready for graduation?"
"Heya, Squirt!" Kale greets back with a grin. The three continue to walk down the long hallway, as Kale teases, "Looks like you're on time for once, huh?"
"Come on, Kale…" Cheddar let out a long sigh. "He's on time for once!"
"Oh, totally!" Squirt laughed, the teasing apparently going over his head. Kale decides not to mention that. "I wouldn't want to miss the graduation! It's a once-in-a-lifetime event for so many of us!"
"Right?" Cheddar agrees. "All of us will finally be Explorers!"
"That's a dream come true," Kale points out with a grin. "After all this time studying together, we'll finally gonna form our own Exploration Teams!" As the three walk towards the gym classroom, Kale realizes something as he gasps. He runs in front of the others, stopping them momentarily as he speaks, "Say, have we decided on our team names?"
Cheddar tilts his head, one eye half-lidded as he begins to think. A team name? For the past few years of training to become an Explorer, he realizes that he hadn't thought of that. With graduation being today, he needs to come up with something—and fast.
"I have one!" Squirt cries with a raise of his hand. He smiles as he places both of his hands on his hips proudly, "I'll call mine 'Team Water Blue!'"
"...Water Blue?" Cheddar asks.
"Yeah! Isn't it a good name?"
"Well…" Cheddar begins, but Kale interrupts with excitement in his voice.
"I like it! I think it's a good name! I think I'll call mine… Leaf Green!"
Cheddar raises a brow at Kale. Leaf Green? Seriously? He knows that Kale is bad at names; in fact, he once owned a stuffed cat that he named Cat when he was a young child. But… he knows that Kale can think of a better name than that.
"What about you, Ched?" Kale asks, "Have you decided on a name for your team yet?"
There it is, the pressure. Cheddar gulps, anxiety rising as he tries to think of a way to make an excuse or a name on the spot. Kale is his best friend, yes, but sometimes he tends to put pressure on the small Rattata in situations like this. It doesn't help his nerves at all.
"I…" Cheddar begins, his eyes shifting from Kale and Squirt. Both of the Pokémon watch him interestingly, as if Cheddar is prey to two starving Wilds. What is he supposed to do? Whatever name he comes up with, it either sounds dumb or uncreative. And he can't help but imagine the laughter they would have if he said any of the team names he thought of. Purple Prose? Ratts? And here he’d been thinking Kale’s the only one in the group who’s bad at names.
"Attention all students," a booming, deep voice announces from over the intercom above, startling Cheddar as he jumps, "please come to the gym classroom. The graduation ceremony is about to begin!"
Kale grins, turning to the doorway to the gym class. Cheddar sighs. Thank Arceus that Char made a distraction.
"C'mon!" Kale says as he rushes forward, "We got a graduation to attend!"
"W-wait up!" Cheddar cries, following after him as fast as he could, with Squirt right behind him. Arceus, after the ceremony, he needs to head to the cafe across Pallet Village to destress. Kale can be a handful.
_____
The gym classroom is the coldest area out of the others due to the air flow inside, not helped by its blue bricked walls and wooden floor. Many bleachers stand on the left and right walls, some already filled with various Pokémon. The chatters and whispers from them are muffled, all of their voices either dripping with excitement or nervousness. In the middle of the classroom stands a long, white, raised platform, its sides decorated with flowers from all over the world—from roses to even Gracideas. A black and brown podium sits on the left side of the platform, a microphone perched on top of it.
Kale's heart races, his smile growing wider as he runs to the lowest bleachers on the right and sits down. Cheddar and Squirt join him on each of his sides, with Squirt fidgeting in his seat. Cheddar turns to scold Squirt lightly on shaking the bleachers, although Kale doesn't hear it—his eyes are set across the other bleachers, spotting his mother sitting with Squirt's father.
The Venusaur spots her son watching her from across the room, and with one vine, waves at him. The Blastoise does the same to his son. Both Kale and Squirt wave back.
Cheddar watches the two interact with their parents, a small frown on his face. Must be nice to have parents, he thinks bitterly.
The whispers screech to a halt when the lights suddenly turn off. Everyone's eyes are focused on the podium, their ears listening for the head principal, Char the Charizard. Footsteps approach from outside the gym. As if from one of those action movies that Kale watched when he was younger, the double doors open, light pouring out.
The crowd erupts in cheers, with many clapping. Kale yells out in excitement. Cheddar covers his ears with his paws, the noise all around him harming his sharp hearing. Squirt claps and shouts.
Entering the gym is an elderly Charizard, wrinkles mottling his face and his left wing slightly clipped on the top. He walks towards the platform with surprising speed despite being older, waving at the cheering crowd with a grin on his face. The Exploration Badge on his chest—a well-known symbol for Explorers around the world—shines golden light, illuminating around him like a spotlight as he continues his way to the platform.
He flies up to the podium, adjusting the microphone, causing it to screech until he speaks:
"Hello, fellow Pokémon. It is finally the day you have been waiting for: the graduation ceremony!"
Cheers and yells erupt across the gym. Kale and Squirt jump in their seats while Cheddar rolls his eyes at the two. Where do they get all that energy?
"As you all know, we Pokémon are proud creatures. Pride that once drove us to rise against our masters. I will tell you the story of how we triumphed in the war, a long, long time ago.
"Humans and Pokémon once lived together, but those humans had done nothing but pushed us around, harmed us and the ones we loved, and overall abused us. That was, until three Pokémon stood up for their brethren…"
Kale tunes out Char's long-winded speech, looking around the darkness to watch the crowd. His mother is listening intently to the speech, which made sense; she is always fascinated by the stories of the three Pokémon who stood up against the humans. She has studied the history of the war during her time in the Exploration School when she was younger.
Kale turns to face Cheddar, frowning when he notices his friend covering his ears still. Ah, of course. Cheddar confided in him a few years ago that he was diagnosed with something that made him sensitive to loud sounds; they made him even more nervous than usual.
Regardless, he places a vine on the Rattata's shoulder, patting him there. Cheddar jumps slightly, but turns and smiles at his best friend, his way of saying, "I'll be okay, don't worry about me."
"...And thus," Char finishes, "that is how we Pokémon lived in peace." Cheers erupts in the crowd, as Char bows his head with a small smile. "With that out of the way, I will be finally announcing our graduates!"
The roars grow louder from there, with some Pokémon jumping from their seats. Kale's smile grows wider. Finally. He and his friends are going to graduate and become Explorers.
"Flare the Charmander!" Char calls, and the crowd goes nuts for the new graduate and future Explorer. Flare stands from her seat, smirking, as she leaves the bleachers to head to the stairs leading to the platform. Her arms are crossed, pride swelling inside her, as her expression widens as she gets her Explorer badge from Char. With a bow to the crowd, she leaves the platform.
Cheddar and Kale roll their eyes at the Charmander. Cheddar leans in towards Kale to whisper to him, "Of course she goes first."
"Right?" Kale chuckles, "She's his granddaughter after all…"
"Squirt the Squirtle!" Char calls.
Squirt grins as he hops from his seat, before telling his two friends, "Well, see you both on the other side of the platform!" With that, he rushes towards the stairs and up towards Char to get his Explorer badge. He waves at his father, looking his way with a wide smile. The Blastoise nods approvingly as Squirt heads to the other side of the platform.
As Char continues to call out more Pokémon, Kale and Cheddar listen in for their names to be called. Their hearts pound in their chests as more graduates are called to the platform, knowing that sooner or later, they will be next.
They'd always wanted to become Explorers, but for Kale, it was something more. His mother had told him stories of how she graduated in this very school, back when she was his age, and how she traveled the world and helped Pokémon in need. She eventually retired in Pallet Village to raise Kale, but the stories always fascinated the Bulbasaur.
"One day, I'll be just like you, Mom!" Kale had always said to her.
And today is the day that he will become an Explorer.
"Cheddar the Rattata!" Char calls out.
The crowd cheers once more, and Cheddar stands from his seat to head towards the platform. He glances at his friend, holding up a paw with a smile. Kale does the same, their way of saying "Good job!"
Kale watches as Cheddar climbs up the platform, retrieves the Explorer badge, and waves at the crowd with a shy smile. He then goes to the other side of the platform to join the other graduates.
"And last but not least…" Char finishes, "Kale the Bulbasaur!"
Kale smiles widely, as he jumps from his seat. Without any hesitation, he runs to the platform's stairs to retrieve his—his very own, he realizes—Explorer badge. He grabs the badge from Char's hands with his vines, examining it for a few seconds. The golden metal that the badge is made out of shines in the darkness. Two large wings are set on both sides of the red and white ball that fits in the center of the badge—back in the days when humans and Pokémon were together, those balls were called Poké Balls, used to "capture" Pokémon. Now, with humans gone extinct, the Poké Balls on these badges have been reinvented to function as a communicator for Explorers and to teleport distressed Pokémon and the Exploration team to another location.
Kale places the badge on his chest, pinning it. He turns to the crowd and waves with his vines, his heart continuing to pound in his ribcage. He glances at his mother, whose smile grows wider as she claps for him.
Seeing how proud she is of him makes him smile wider, as he walks to the other side of the platform to meet with the other graduates.
"And that is all, everyone!" Char announces, "We wish our new Explorers the best of luck! As for the graduates… take your time deciding on your team names and members, if any! Whenever you're ready, head towards my office to register yourself as an official Exploration team!"
The crowd hollers and cheers as Char leaves the podium, heading towards the double doors that led to the hallways. The graduates follow, most of them ready to register while others go to the opposite side to discuss their team names and members.
Kale has never thought he will be here, and he can't wait to get started. But first… he needs to find a team member. And he knows who it is.
_____
"Man, I didn't want to say anything but," Squirt begins as he walks between Kale and Cheddar down the hallway, "the whole graduation made me nervous! I was worried that I won't get called on."
"You? Nervous?" Kale teases, "I never thought you were the nervous type."
"It is nerve-wracking," Cheddar agrees, "I heard that those who don't get called on drop out of the school instead of retaking the courses. Some even become outlaws because they failed to achieve their dreams."
"That's silly," Squirt laughs, "if I wasn't called on, I'd work harder to graduate next time!"
"I don't know," Cheddar wonders, "I heard rumors that a Rhyhorn used to be in this school. He failed his classes and became a dangerous outlaw as a result."
"It's just rumors," Kale points out, patting the Rattata on the back with one vine, "they're not proven to be true. So don't worry about it, okay?"
Cheddar smiles, the worries he had ebbing away. While the rumors of this Rhyhorn scare him, he knows that they're just nothing, and it's just some story concocted by the teachers to make the students study harder.
"Sorry, Kale. You know I tend to—"
He cries out suddenly as a few small embers hit him on the side. He falls to the side, breathing quickly and his body shaking, his eyes wide in surprise.
"Cheddar?!" Squirt and Kale cry out. They examine their friend's trembling body to assess the damage; thankfully, the injury isn't serious, as only a few of his purple hairs singe from his skin.
Feminine laughter hit their ears. Kale looks ahead, his glare set on Flare, who is leaning on the doorway to one classroom. Her mouth is smoking from her attack, as she let out a taunting smirk.
"Oh come on," she laughs, "it's just a small Ember attack. It barely hit you!"
"Yeah," a voice said from the classroom. Out came her accomplice, Rattles the Rattata, a grin on his face as he watches Cheddar struggling to stand. "That rat is just a coward! Freaking out over the smallest hit!"
"Hey!" Squirt yells, "You two do know that using moves in the building is against the rules, right?! Let alone attacking someone?!"
"And?" Flare squints at the Squirtle, shaking her head. "Need I remind you that I'm the principal's granddaughter? I can do whatever I want, and Grandpa Char will let me get away with it!"
She points at Cheddar, a malicious smile spreading on her lips. "Besides, that dumb rat won't make it as an Explorer! He's jumpy and all around skittish! I'm surprised he managed to graduate!"
"Lay off, Flare!" Kale cries, moving to stand in front of Cheddar protectively. His eyes narrow as his teeth grit, his claws digging into the floor. "Cheddar graduated fair and square! How did you graduate? Oh yeah, you're the granddaughter of the principal. If anything, you're not qualified to become an Explorer because you didn't study at all!"
Flare sees red then, as she too grits her teeth and balls her hands into fists, her claws digging into her scales. "You take that back." She growls.
"Not until you apologize to Cheddar," Kale challenges, "you've done nothing but bully him and the rest of us for years! I don't get why you keep messing with us!"
"Because you're all losers, that's what," Rattles interjects with a sneer.
"You," Kale barks at the Rattata, "Stay out of this." His eyes focus on Flare again, before he continues, "Then I'll challenge you to a battle! Me and you, one on one, at the training area!"
"Deal," Flare spat, crossing her arms. "I'll get to show you and your dumb friends that the best way to become an Explorer is by brute strength!"
With a flick of her tail and a huff, she turns her back on the three friends and leaves them to their own devices, with Rattles following her not far behind. Rattles is snickering about something as he whispers to her, to which Flare giggles.
Cheddar's ears droop as he wipes the area he's burnt on with one paw, frowning. "Kale…" he trails off, unsure of what to say. Kale is loyal to a fault, but… challenging Flare to a battle might not be the brightest idea. Worry hits him as he pipes up, "Are you sure about that? You know how strong Flare is…"
Kale turns his head to face his friend, nodding and smirking confidently. "Of course I'm sure! I taught her a lesson before, and after what she said and did to you, I have to defend your honor!"
"Yeah, but—" Cheddar tries to protest, but Squirt places a hand on his shoulder, grinning.
"Ah, don't worry about it, Cheds," he reassures, "Kale is also strong, and he’s beaten Flare before! Everything will be fine, I promise!"
Cheddar shifts his gaze at Squirt, then at Kale, his frown intensifying. While he's grateful for Kale standing up for him, he has a bad feeling about this fight… but Kale isn't going to back out of it now, no matter how much others try to convince him. He's that stubborn at times.
He can only hope that things will be okay…
_____
The weather outside is slightly warm, at least, compared to the chilly atmosphere in the school. The ring is chalked with white lines on the sandy ground, creating a large, rectangular shape, with the middle drawn to look like an opened Poké Ball. Two metal benches sit on opposite sides of the ring; this is where spectators watch the fights between Pokémon. The sky remains cloudless since this morning, and Kale is glad of that—fighting in the rain isn't fun, and it would put Flare at a disadvantage. He prefers it if fights like this are fair and balanced, even though he hates Flare with a passion.
The three friends see Flare and Rattles near one of the benches, with Rattles showing Flare something inside his Explorer bag. However, sensing something behind her, Flare turns to face her sworn enemies, and smirks.
"Finally decided to show up, huh?" Flare laughs, "Good, I was beginning to think you chickened out when you didn't arrive on time!"
"We came early!" Kale defends, "I'm never late for something like this, you know!"
"Whatever you say," Flare rolls her eyes. "Anyway, you up for it or what?"
"Gladly," Kale said with a fervent nod, "I will defend Cheddar's honor! I promise you that!"
"His honor ?" Flare asks, exasperated as she shakes her head. Ugh, what a drama king. "Seriously? It's not like we're fighting to the death!"
"Just get on with the fight, Flare," Kale said, "I'm ready to kick your butt!"
Cheddar watches the two bicker, his ears drooping lower as his thoughts race. What does Flare have in mind? Is she going to do something? He could only hope that Kale is careful…
Squirt and Cheddar head to the other bench to sit on, as Kale and Flare move from opposite sides of the ring. Kale's heart races as adrenaline pumps in his veins. He loves fights; before he enrolled in the school, he and his mother spar together to help Kale grow stronger. He's sure he's the strongest out of the three friends. He can take Flare out easily.
"Ready to lose?" Flare taunts.
"Against you of all Pokémon?" Kale laughs, "I'm not losing today! I'll beat you without even using my fire attacks, you'll see!"
Kale's four feet spread apart, his glare intensifying with a smirk as Flare also spreads her feet, her claws out and her teeth gritting. Rattles begins the countdown from the side.
"Three…"
Kale's eyes remain on Flare. His two vines appear from his back and ready to attack.
"Two…"
Flare breathes out small bursts of smoke from her nostrils.
"One…"
One of Kale's front feet digs at the sand, dust flying slightly as he shakes his behind.
"FIGHT!"
The moment the countdown ends, Kale jumps towards Flare, hitting her squarely in the chest with a Tackle. Flare yelps in surprise as she falls to the ground, before she quickly gets back on her feet. She cracks her knuckles before she growls, "That's the best you can do?"
As Kale tries to recover from the powerful attack, Flare hits back with a Scratch, her claws raking on his bulb on his back. Kale gasps as he hops away, trying to register the hit for a moment.
"Good hit," Kale growls. He charges at her again, hitting her stomach with another Tackle. Flare slides on the ground, holding her stomach as a small bruise begins to form there. She glares before she lets out a Growl, and Kale flinches for a moment.
"Really? Growl?" Kale taunts with a laugh. He tackles her again, albeit the attack barely made her flinch. Ah right. Kale should have realized that Growl would weaken his attacks.
I need to spar with Mom more… Kale thought for a moment.
Flare scratches him again, this time hitting his left leg. Small bits of blood flow down from there, but Kale shakes his head. Blood in fights is natural—he can handle a little bit of it.
Another Tackle, another Scratch.
Kale hops away from Flare, tumbling somewhat as he breathes heavily from the few hits he sustains. Dammit. Flare is tougher than he realizes. He needs to think of a way to win this.
He stands up, and with his teeth gritting together, let out a Growl.
Flare stares at him for a moment, blinking, before laughing. "Seriously? That's the best you can do?!" She jumps, her claws hitting Kale's other leg. Kale yelps as he retreats outside the ring to rest for a moment.
"Hey coward!" Flare yells, "Don't run away just yet!"
Kale shakes his head, one vine out to gesture at Squirt's Explorer bag. Understanding the cue, he digs into the bag to pull out a Potion. He hands it to Kale, and Kale sprays the medicine on his own wounds. They heal immediately as he returns to the fray.
"Using items in a fight like this?" Flare taunts, "Come on, that's cheating!"
"Items are allowed, you know!" Kale calls, "But you didn't know that since you didn't study!"
Flare's glare intensifies, her claws digging into her scales once more to the point Kale can see small dots of blood leaking between her fingers. Oooooh, he made her mad. That means he can win this if her mind is clouded with anger.
"I'll get you for that!" Flare yells, rushing forward with one hand out and ready.
Kale doesn't get a chance to dodge. Flare's claws slashes him…
…On his left eye. Kale screams as he falls to the ground, half of his sight suddenly blurry with tears and blood. He holds his injured eye, his cries fading into pathetic whimpering.
"KALE!" Cheddar and Squirt scream, jumping up from their seats to rush to their injured friend. When they manage to reach Kale, the two notice how much blood is leaking from his eye. Clearly, Flare's claws must have caught him there, likely making him blind in that eye.
Flare watches the entire thing unfold, laughing and pointing at the hurt Bulbasaur. "See?" She calls, "I told you not to mess with me!"
"You…" Squirt growls, glaring up at Flare with hatred and anger in his eyes. How dare she hurt his friend that way. How dare she laugh at his misfortune that she caused. "You ASSHOLE! Why, I oughta—" He runs forward, ready to attack the Charmander, but Cheddar jumps in front of him.
"No time for that!" The Rattata cries, "We need to get him to Mrs. Chance!"
Squirt growls, his hands balling into fists for a moment before he relaxes with a long sigh. As much as he wants to fight Flare for what she did, he knows that Kale needs medical help now.
Squirt pulls out his Exploration Badge from his bag, and presses the button in the middle. It rings for a few moments before someone picks up.
"Hello?" Squirt recognizes Chance the Chansey's sweet voice from the other end.
"Mrs. Chance!" Squirt cries, his voice full of stress and worry, "Kale's hurt! We're at the training grounds outside!"
"Okay, stay calm," Chance tries to soothe the frightened turtle Pokémon, "I'll be right there in a second!"
The call soon fades, and Squirt returns his badge in his Exploration Bag before coming back to Kale's side. Kale lays on the sandy floor, holding his bleeding eye as he cries, "It hurts! It hurts so much!"
"Oh, give me a break!" Flare rolls her eyes as she turns her back on the three friends. "It's just a Scratch attack. Nothing to cry over!"
Cheddar's ears droop, his glare set firmly on Flare's back. Why is she so callous over this? "You likely blinded him! How could you do this?!"
"Well…" Flare sighs, turning her head to face him, "consider this a lesson. Fight me, and you'll end up getting hurt."
She kicks some dust behind her, "hmph"s, and leaves the training grounds, with Rattles following behind her as he chuckles.
Cheddar can only watch them leave, unable to wrap his mind over how cruel they are. What in the world did Kale do to these Pokémon? Nothing! Then why…?
He can't think that now. He and Squirt spot Chance running towards the three, and Cheddar and Squirt let her take Kale to the infirmary. The two can only watch as the Chansey gently carry the crying Bulbasaur away, knowing that neither of them can help their close friend.
Cheddar knows all of this is his fault.
Anyway...
1. Any Pokemon that faints is considered dead and must be released.
2. All Pokemon must be nicknamed.
3. Only catch the first Pokemon in a route.
-Dupes clause. If a dupe is encountered three times, no catch. This includes evolutions of Pokémon you have already caught.
-Gift clause.
-Shiny clause. If you encounter a Shiny, you can catch it and use it, regardless if you have caught something in that area already.
-HM clause. If you're stuck in an area where no Pokémon can learn a certain HM move, catch a Pokémon that can. Do not use it in battle, even as a sacrifice.
4. Level limit: if a Pokémon hits the level limit: they must be boxed until a new badge is obtained.
2. All Pokemon must be nicknamed.
3. Only catch the first Pokemon in a route.
-Dupes clause. If a dupe is encountered three times, no catch. This includes evolutions of Pokémon you have already caught.
-Gift clause.
-Shiny clause. If you encounter a Shiny, you can catch it and use it, regardless if you have caught something in that area already.
-HM clause. If you're stuck in an area where no Pokémon can learn a certain HM move, catch a Pokémon that can. Do not use it in battle, even as a sacrifice.
4. Level limit: if a Pokémon hits the level limit: they must be boxed until a new badge is obtained.
And now... here we go!
Also, cover art by rusty-eevee on Tumblr!
Pallet Village. A peaceful and lovely place for many Pokémon. Dewy grass dances in the spring breeze, while the blue, cloudless skies relax even the toughest of Pokémon. A few streams of water form from the stony walls in the middle of this small village, creating a fountain-like lake that squirts water in the air slightly. Small houses of different structures dot the village, with Pokémon of different species going about their days. Not a single human is in sight—it is something Pokémon are used to since the vanquishing of humanity thousands of years ago.
However, out of the beautiful sights, one part of the village stands out the most. The Exploration School. It looms over the village like a Snorlax hovering over its meal, its red bricked structure and many doors leaving newcomers or visitors of the village shudder in excitement. And it is no exception to the students of the school.
"Come on, Cheddar!" A Bulbasaur cries out, his small claws tapping on the cool cement as he rushes towards the entrance of the school. "We're gonna be late for our graduation if you don't pick up the pace!"
"I'm coming, I'm coming, Kale!" A Rattata calls back from behind the Bulbasaur. He huffs from running, as if he has been running a marathon, before he manages to catch up to his friend. "I know you're excited, but please slow down? Graduation wouldn't start until an hour later, anyway!"
"Why?" Kale chuckled, shrugging, "I want to be there as early as possible! What if something or someone stops us and we're late?"
"Even if we're stopped somehow," Cheddar sighs, "we'll still be early!"
"Well," Kale said, glancing up at the Exploration School with a grin. He rubs the back of his head with one of his vines. "We're here, so. No use worrying about that now!"
"Honestly, Kale…" Cheddar follows his friend to the inside of the school. Lockers of different colors sit on the walls of both sides, and the air conditioners adorned on the ceilings blow cold air, making both Pokémon shiver. Cheddar wonders why the Schoolmaster had to turn up the AC that high. He once feared that Kale would freeze to death, but Kale's boundless energy had put that to rest. "You're so hasty. I don't understand why you rush so much."
"It did get me to graduate, right?" Kale smirks, as if he has a "gotcha!" moment towards his friend. And as always, he is right.
Cheddar rolls his eyes affectionately. "Of course. But remember what Ms. Shell said in our training class?"
"'Slow and steady wins the race'," Kale repeats the one piece of advice his Kabutops teacher had said before. "I'm aware, don't worry."
"Hey guys!"
A familiar voice calls from behind the two. Kale and Cheddar stop in their tracks, turning their heads to see another friend of theirs. Squirt the Squirtle runs towards the two, waving with a large smile on his face. Once he catches up to the two, he greets them with, "Ready for graduation?"
"Heya, Squirt!" Kale greets back with a grin. The three continue to walk down the long hallway, as Kale teases, "Looks like you're on time for once, huh?"
"Come on, Kale…" Cheddar let out a long sigh. "He's on time for once!"
"Oh, totally!" Squirt laughed, the teasing apparently going over his head. Kale decides not to mention that. "I wouldn't want to miss the graduation! It's a once-in-a-lifetime event for so many of us!"
"Right?" Cheddar agrees. "All of us will finally be Explorers!"
"That's a dream come true," Kale points out with a grin. "After all this time studying together, we'll finally gonna form our own Exploration Teams!" As the three walk towards the gym classroom, Kale realizes something as he gasps. He runs in front of the others, stopping them momentarily as he speaks, "Say, have we decided on our team names?"
Cheddar tilts his head, one eye half-lidded as he begins to think. A team name? For the past few years of training to become an Explorer, he realizes that he hadn't thought of that. With graduation being today, he needs to come up with something—and fast.
"I have one!" Squirt cries with a raise of his hand. He smiles as he places both of his hands on his hips proudly, "I'll call mine 'Team Water Blue!'"
"...Water Blue?" Cheddar asks.
"Yeah! Isn't it a good name?"
"Well…" Cheddar begins, but Kale interrupts with excitement in his voice.
"I like it! I think it's a good name! I think I'll call mine… Leaf Green!"
Cheddar raises a brow at Kale. Leaf Green? Seriously? He knows that Kale is bad at names; in fact, he once owned a stuffed cat that he named Cat when he was a young child. But… he knows that Kale can think of a better name than that.
"What about you, Ched?" Kale asks, "Have you decided on a name for your team yet?"
There it is, the pressure. Cheddar gulps, anxiety rising as he tries to think of a way to make an excuse or a name on the spot. Kale is his best friend, yes, but sometimes he tends to put pressure on the small Rattata in situations like this. It doesn't help his nerves at all.
"I…" Cheddar begins, his eyes shifting from Kale and Squirt. Both of the Pokémon watch him interestingly, as if Cheddar is prey to two starving Wilds. What is he supposed to do? Whatever name he comes up with, it either sounds dumb or uncreative. And he can't help but imagine the laughter they would have if he said any of the team names he thought of. Purple Prose? Ratts? And here he’d been thinking Kale’s the only one in the group who’s bad at names.
"Attention all students," a booming, deep voice announces from over the intercom above, startling Cheddar as he jumps, "please come to the gym classroom. The graduation ceremony is about to begin!"
Kale grins, turning to the doorway to the gym class. Cheddar sighs. Thank Arceus that Char made a distraction.
"C'mon!" Kale says as he rushes forward, "We got a graduation to attend!"
"W-wait up!" Cheddar cries, following after him as fast as he could, with Squirt right behind him. Arceus, after the ceremony, he needs to head to the cafe across Pallet Village to destress. Kale can be a handful.
_____
The gym classroom is the coldest area out of the others due to the air flow inside, not helped by its blue bricked walls and wooden floor. Many bleachers stand on the left and right walls, some already filled with various Pokémon. The chatters and whispers from them are muffled, all of their voices either dripping with excitement or nervousness. In the middle of the classroom stands a long, white, raised platform, its sides decorated with flowers from all over the world—from roses to even Gracideas. A black and brown podium sits on the left side of the platform, a microphone perched on top of it.
Kale's heart races, his smile growing wider as he runs to the lowest bleachers on the right and sits down. Cheddar and Squirt join him on each of his sides, with Squirt fidgeting in his seat. Cheddar turns to scold Squirt lightly on shaking the bleachers, although Kale doesn't hear it—his eyes are set across the other bleachers, spotting his mother sitting with Squirt's father.
The Venusaur spots her son watching her from across the room, and with one vine, waves at him. The Blastoise does the same to his son. Both Kale and Squirt wave back.
Cheddar watches the two interact with their parents, a small frown on his face. Must be nice to have parents, he thinks bitterly.
The whispers screech to a halt when the lights suddenly turn off. Everyone's eyes are focused on the podium, their ears listening for the head principal, Char the Charizard. Footsteps approach from outside the gym. As if from one of those action movies that Kale watched when he was younger, the double doors open, light pouring out.
The crowd erupts in cheers, with many clapping. Kale yells out in excitement. Cheddar covers his ears with his paws, the noise all around him harming his sharp hearing. Squirt claps and shouts.
Entering the gym is an elderly Charizard, wrinkles mottling his face and his left wing slightly clipped on the top. He walks towards the platform with surprising speed despite being older, waving at the cheering crowd with a grin on his face. The Exploration Badge on his chest—a well-known symbol for Explorers around the world—shines golden light, illuminating around him like a spotlight as he continues his way to the platform.
He flies up to the podium, adjusting the microphone, causing it to screech until he speaks:
"Hello, fellow Pokémon. It is finally the day you have been waiting for: the graduation ceremony!"
Cheers and yells erupt across the gym. Kale and Squirt jump in their seats while Cheddar rolls his eyes at the two. Where do they get all that energy?
"As you all know, we Pokémon are proud creatures. Pride that once drove us to rise against our masters. I will tell you the story of how we triumphed in the war, a long, long time ago.
"Humans and Pokémon once lived together, but those humans had done nothing but pushed us around, harmed us and the ones we loved, and overall abused us. That was, until three Pokémon stood up for their brethren…"
Kale tunes out Char's long-winded speech, looking around the darkness to watch the crowd. His mother is listening intently to the speech, which made sense; she is always fascinated by the stories of the three Pokémon who stood up against the humans. She has studied the history of the war during her time in the Exploration School when she was younger.
Kale turns to face Cheddar, frowning when he notices his friend covering his ears still. Ah, of course. Cheddar confided in him a few years ago that he was diagnosed with something that made him sensitive to loud sounds; they made him even more nervous than usual.
Regardless, he places a vine on the Rattata's shoulder, patting him there. Cheddar jumps slightly, but turns and smiles at his best friend, his way of saying, "I'll be okay, don't worry about me."
"...And thus," Char finishes, "that is how we Pokémon lived in peace." Cheers erupts in the crowd, as Char bows his head with a small smile. "With that out of the way, I will be finally announcing our graduates!"
The roars grow louder from there, with some Pokémon jumping from their seats. Kale's smile grows wider. Finally. He and his friends are going to graduate and become Explorers.
"Flare the Charmander!" Char calls, and the crowd goes nuts for the new graduate and future Explorer. Flare stands from her seat, smirking, as she leaves the bleachers to head to the stairs leading to the platform. Her arms are crossed, pride swelling inside her, as her expression widens as she gets her Explorer badge from Char. With a bow to the crowd, she leaves the platform.
Cheddar and Kale roll their eyes at the Charmander. Cheddar leans in towards Kale to whisper to him, "Of course she goes first."
"Right?" Kale chuckles, "She's his granddaughter after all…"
"Squirt the Squirtle!" Char calls.
Squirt grins as he hops from his seat, before telling his two friends, "Well, see you both on the other side of the platform!" With that, he rushes towards the stairs and up towards Char to get his Explorer badge. He waves at his father, looking his way with a wide smile. The Blastoise nods approvingly as Squirt heads to the other side of the platform.
As Char continues to call out more Pokémon, Kale and Cheddar listen in for their names to be called. Their hearts pound in their chests as more graduates are called to the platform, knowing that sooner or later, they will be next.
They'd always wanted to become Explorers, but for Kale, it was something more. His mother had told him stories of how she graduated in this very school, back when she was his age, and how she traveled the world and helped Pokémon in need. She eventually retired in Pallet Village to raise Kale, but the stories always fascinated the Bulbasaur.
"One day, I'll be just like you, Mom!" Kale had always said to her.
And today is the day that he will become an Explorer.
"Cheddar the Rattata!" Char calls out.
The crowd cheers once more, and Cheddar stands from his seat to head towards the platform. He glances at his friend, holding up a paw with a smile. Kale does the same, their way of saying "Good job!"
Kale watches as Cheddar climbs up the platform, retrieves the Explorer badge, and waves at the crowd with a shy smile. He then goes to the other side of the platform to join the other graduates.
"And last but not least…" Char finishes, "Kale the Bulbasaur!"
Kale smiles widely, as he jumps from his seat. Without any hesitation, he runs to the platform's stairs to retrieve his—his very own, he realizes—Explorer badge. He grabs the badge from Char's hands with his vines, examining it for a few seconds. The golden metal that the badge is made out of shines in the darkness. Two large wings are set on both sides of the red and white ball that fits in the center of the badge—back in the days when humans and Pokémon were together, those balls were called Poké Balls, used to "capture" Pokémon. Now, with humans gone extinct, the Poké Balls on these badges have been reinvented to function as a communicator for Explorers and to teleport distressed Pokémon and the Exploration team to another location.
Kale places the badge on his chest, pinning it. He turns to the crowd and waves with his vines, his heart continuing to pound in his ribcage. He glances at his mother, whose smile grows wider as she claps for him.
Seeing how proud she is of him makes him smile wider, as he walks to the other side of the platform to meet with the other graduates.
"And that is all, everyone!" Char announces, "We wish our new Explorers the best of luck! As for the graduates… take your time deciding on your team names and members, if any! Whenever you're ready, head towards my office to register yourself as an official Exploration team!"
The crowd hollers and cheers as Char leaves the podium, heading towards the double doors that led to the hallways. The graduates follow, most of them ready to register while others go to the opposite side to discuss their team names and members.
Kale has never thought he will be here, and he can't wait to get started. But first… he needs to find a team member. And he knows who it is.
_____
"Man, I didn't want to say anything but," Squirt begins as he walks between Kale and Cheddar down the hallway, "the whole graduation made me nervous! I was worried that I won't get called on."
"You? Nervous?" Kale teases, "I never thought you were the nervous type."
"It is nerve-wracking," Cheddar agrees, "I heard that those who don't get called on drop out of the school instead of retaking the courses. Some even become outlaws because they failed to achieve their dreams."
"That's silly," Squirt laughs, "if I wasn't called on, I'd work harder to graduate next time!"
"I don't know," Cheddar wonders, "I heard rumors that a Rhyhorn used to be in this school. He failed his classes and became a dangerous outlaw as a result."
"It's just rumors," Kale points out, patting the Rattata on the back with one vine, "they're not proven to be true. So don't worry about it, okay?"
Cheddar smiles, the worries he had ebbing away. While the rumors of this Rhyhorn scare him, he knows that they're just nothing, and it's just some story concocted by the teachers to make the students study harder.
"Sorry, Kale. You know I tend to—"
He cries out suddenly as a few small embers hit him on the side. He falls to the side, breathing quickly and his body shaking, his eyes wide in surprise.
"Cheddar?!" Squirt and Kale cry out. They examine their friend's trembling body to assess the damage; thankfully, the injury isn't serious, as only a few of his purple hairs singe from his skin.
Feminine laughter hit their ears. Kale looks ahead, his glare set on Flare, who is leaning on the doorway to one classroom. Her mouth is smoking from her attack, as she let out a taunting smirk.
"Oh come on," she laughs, "it's just a small Ember attack. It barely hit you!"
"Yeah," a voice said from the classroom. Out came her accomplice, Rattles the Rattata, a grin on his face as he watches Cheddar struggling to stand. "That rat is just a coward! Freaking out over the smallest hit!"
"Hey!" Squirt yells, "You two do know that using moves in the building is against the rules, right?! Let alone attacking someone?!"
"And?" Flare squints at the Squirtle, shaking her head. "Need I remind you that I'm the principal's granddaughter? I can do whatever I want, and Grandpa Char will let me get away with it!"
She points at Cheddar, a malicious smile spreading on her lips. "Besides, that dumb rat won't make it as an Explorer! He's jumpy and all around skittish! I'm surprised he managed to graduate!"
"Lay off, Flare!" Kale cries, moving to stand in front of Cheddar protectively. His eyes narrow as his teeth grit, his claws digging into the floor. "Cheddar graduated fair and square! How did you graduate? Oh yeah, you're the granddaughter of the principal. If anything, you're not qualified to become an Explorer because you didn't study at all!"
Flare sees red then, as she too grits her teeth and balls her hands into fists, her claws digging into her scales. "You take that back." She growls.
"Not until you apologize to Cheddar," Kale challenges, "you've done nothing but bully him and the rest of us for years! I don't get why you keep messing with us!"
"Because you're all losers, that's what," Rattles interjects with a sneer.
"You," Kale barks at the Rattata, "Stay out of this." His eyes focus on Flare again, before he continues, "Then I'll challenge you to a battle! Me and you, one on one, at the training area!"
"Deal," Flare spat, crossing her arms. "I'll get to show you and your dumb friends that the best way to become an Explorer is by brute strength!"
With a flick of her tail and a huff, she turns her back on the three friends and leaves them to their own devices, with Rattles following her not far behind. Rattles is snickering about something as he whispers to her, to which Flare giggles.
Cheddar's ears droop as he wipes the area he's burnt on with one paw, frowning. "Kale…" he trails off, unsure of what to say. Kale is loyal to a fault, but… challenging Flare to a battle might not be the brightest idea. Worry hits him as he pipes up, "Are you sure about that? You know how strong Flare is…"
Kale turns his head to face his friend, nodding and smirking confidently. "Of course I'm sure! I taught her a lesson before, and after what she said and did to you, I have to defend your honor!"
"Yeah, but—" Cheddar tries to protest, but Squirt places a hand on his shoulder, grinning.
"Ah, don't worry about it, Cheds," he reassures, "Kale is also strong, and he’s beaten Flare before! Everything will be fine, I promise!"
Cheddar shifts his gaze at Squirt, then at Kale, his frown intensifying. While he's grateful for Kale standing up for him, he has a bad feeling about this fight… but Kale isn't going to back out of it now, no matter how much others try to convince him. He's that stubborn at times.
He can only hope that things will be okay…
_____
The weather outside is slightly warm, at least, compared to the chilly atmosphere in the school. The ring is chalked with white lines on the sandy ground, creating a large, rectangular shape, with the middle drawn to look like an opened Poké Ball. Two metal benches sit on opposite sides of the ring; this is where spectators watch the fights between Pokémon. The sky remains cloudless since this morning, and Kale is glad of that—fighting in the rain isn't fun, and it would put Flare at a disadvantage. He prefers it if fights like this are fair and balanced, even though he hates Flare with a passion.
The three friends see Flare and Rattles near one of the benches, with Rattles showing Flare something inside his Explorer bag. However, sensing something behind her, Flare turns to face her sworn enemies, and smirks.
"Finally decided to show up, huh?" Flare laughs, "Good, I was beginning to think you chickened out when you didn't arrive on time!"
"We came early!" Kale defends, "I'm never late for something like this, you know!"
"Whatever you say," Flare rolls her eyes. "Anyway, you up for it or what?"
"Gladly," Kale said with a fervent nod, "I will defend Cheddar's honor! I promise you that!"
"His honor ?" Flare asks, exasperated as she shakes her head. Ugh, what a drama king. "Seriously? It's not like we're fighting to the death!"
"Just get on with the fight, Flare," Kale said, "I'm ready to kick your butt!"
Cheddar watches the two bicker, his ears drooping lower as his thoughts race. What does Flare have in mind? Is she going to do something? He could only hope that Kale is careful…
Squirt and Cheddar head to the other bench to sit on, as Kale and Flare move from opposite sides of the ring. Kale's heart races as adrenaline pumps in his veins. He loves fights; before he enrolled in the school, he and his mother spar together to help Kale grow stronger. He's sure he's the strongest out of the three friends. He can take Flare out easily.
"Ready to lose?" Flare taunts.
"Against you of all Pokémon?" Kale laughs, "I'm not losing today! I'll beat you without even using my fire attacks, you'll see!"
Kale's four feet spread apart, his glare intensifying with a smirk as Flare also spreads her feet, her claws out and her teeth gritting. Rattles begins the countdown from the side.
"Three…"
Kale's eyes remain on Flare. His two vines appear from his back and ready to attack.
"Two…"
Flare breathes out small bursts of smoke from her nostrils.
"One…"
One of Kale's front feet digs at the sand, dust flying slightly as he shakes his behind.
"FIGHT!"
The moment the countdown ends, Kale jumps towards Flare, hitting her squarely in the chest with a Tackle. Flare yelps in surprise as she falls to the ground, before she quickly gets back on her feet. She cracks her knuckles before she growls, "That's the best you can do?"
As Kale tries to recover from the powerful attack, Flare hits back with a Scratch, her claws raking on his bulb on his back. Kale gasps as he hops away, trying to register the hit for a moment.
"Good hit," Kale growls. He charges at her again, hitting her stomach with another Tackle. Flare slides on the ground, holding her stomach as a small bruise begins to form there. She glares before she lets out a Growl, and Kale flinches for a moment.
"Really? Growl?" Kale taunts with a laugh. He tackles her again, albeit the attack barely made her flinch. Ah right. Kale should have realized that Growl would weaken his attacks.
I need to spar with Mom more… Kale thought for a moment.
Flare scratches him again, this time hitting his left leg. Small bits of blood flow down from there, but Kale shakes his head. Blood in fights is natural—he can handle a little bit of it.
Another Tackle, another Scratch.
Kale hops away from Flare, tumbling somewhat as he breathes heavily from the few hits he sustains. Dammit. Flare is tougher than he realizes. He needs to think of a way to win this.
He stands up, and with his teeth gritting together, let out a Growl.
Flare stares at him for a moment, blinking, before laughing. "Seriously? That's the best you can do?!" She jumps, her claws hitting Kale's other leg. Kale yelps as he retreats outside the ring to rest for a moment.
"Hey coward!" Flare yells, "Don't run away just yet!"
Kale shakes his head, one vine out to gesture at Squirt's Explorer bag. Understanding the cue, he digs into the bag to pull out a Potion. He hands it to Kale, and Kale sprays the medicine on his own wounds. They heal immediately as he returns to the fray.
"Using items in a fight like this?" Flare taunts, "Come on, that's cheating!"
"Items are allowed, you know!" Kale calls, "But you didn't know that since you didn't study!"
Flare's glare intensifies, her claws digging into her scales once more to the point Kale can see small dots of blood leaking between her fingers. Oooooh, he made her mad. That means he can win this if her mind is clouded with anger.
"I'll get you for that!" Flare yells, rushing forward with one hand out and ready.
Kale doesn't get a chance to dodge. Flare's claws slashes him…
…On his left eye. Kale screams as he falls to the ground, half of his sight suddenly blurry with tears and blood. He holds his injured eye, his cries fading into pathetic whimpering.
"KALE!" Cheddar and Squirt scream, jumping up from their seats to rush to their injured friend. When they manage to reach Kale, the two notice how much blood is leaking from his eye. Clearly, Flare's claws must have caught him there, likely making him blind in that eye.
Flare watches the entire thing unfold, laughing and pointing at the hurt Bulbasaur. "See?" She calls, "I told you not to mess with me!"
"You…" Squirt growls, glaring up at Flare with hatred and anger in his eyes. How dare she hurt his friend that way. How dare she laugh at his misfortune that she caused. "You ASSHOLE! Why, I oughta—" He runs forward, ready to attack the Charmander, but Cheddar jumps in front of him.
"No time for that!" The Rattata cries, "We need to get him to Mrs. Chance!"
Squirt growls, his hands balling into fists for a moment before he relaxes with a long sigh. As much as he wants to fight Flare for what she did, he knows that Kale needs medical help now.
Squirt pulls out his Exploration Badge from his bag, and presses the button in the middle. It rings for a few moments before someone picks up.
"Hello?" Squirt recognizes Chance the Chansey's sweet voice from the other end.
"Mrs. Chance!" Squirt cries, his voice full of stress and worry, "Kale's hurt! We're at the training grounds outside!"
"Okay, stay calm," Chance tries to soothe the frightened turtle Pokémon, "I'll be right there in a second!"
The call soon fades, and Squirt returns his badge in his Exploration Bag before coming back to Kale's side. Kale lays on the sandy floor, holding his bleeding eye as he cries, "It hurts! It hurts so much!"
"Oh, give me a break!" Flare rolls her eyes as she turns her back on the three friends. "It's just a Scratch attack. Nothing to cry over!"
Cheddar's ears droop, his glare set firmly on Flare's back. Why is she so callous over this? "You likely blinded him! How could you do this?!"
"Well…" Flare sighs, turning her head to face him, "consider this a lesson. Fight me, and you'll end up getting hurt."
She kicks some dust behind her, "hmph"s, and leaves the training grounds, with Rattles following behind her as he chuckles.
Cheddar can only watch them leave, unable to wrap his mind over how cruel they are. What in the world did Kale do to these Pokémon? Nothing! Then why…?
He can't think that now. He and Squirt spot Chance running towards the three, and Cheddar and Squirt let her take Kale to the infirmary. The two can only watch as the Chansey gently carry the crying Bulbasaur away, knowing that neither of them can help their close friend.
Cheddar knows all of this is his fault.
Aaaaand that's it so far :D Look forward to the next one!
POKÉMON JOINED:
Kale the Bulbasaur
Male
Lvl 5
Hasty
Cheddar the Rattata
Male
Lvl 4
Serious
DEATHS: 0
POKÉMON JOINED:
Kale the Bulbasaur
Male
Lvl 5
Hasty
Cheddar the Rattata
Male
Lvl 4
Serious
DEATHS: 0