Prince of Po Town (Pokemon Isekai)

[Oceanside Lowlife]

Damn, not familiar with the song or the band, bit you nailed the melancholic vibe and made me go down memory lane trying to choose a song that I would've used instead of Change by Blind Melon.

Anyways it's nice to see Ian and Tupp being friends again

Click to shrink...

I definitely was a bit nervous doing a musical thing in a fic, thanks for the kind words. The vibes will be much better going forward, Ian was due for an emotional breakdown. We got a couple more chapters before a very small time skip and we get to the second arc. We'll get one more team member for Ian before that happens too

 

[ScotttheBard]

I wonder if anyone heard his…musical breakdown.

I won't ask for Spoilers as to whom the Team Member is but I'm sort of hoping for another Unova Mon… or a Hisuian Pokemon, that'd be dope too.

Guzma: The fuck is that?

Points to giant axe bug.

Ian: that's a Kleavor. A rock/bug type evolution of Scyther. Commonly found in Sinnoh during the time in which it was known as Hisui

 

[ThunderBasilisk]

No stories complete without a song. Glad the duo are friends again. And man Ariados needs an ass kicking at some point. Hopefully once Sawsbuck finds his spine.

 

[Oceanside Lowlife]

Chapter 11 Changes

The next morning, Ian and Tupp were rearing to go, amped on the early morning sun as they dashed to their designated tree on Backstreet when Plumeria's voice interrupted them. "Where the hell are you two numbskulls going?" Plumeria demanded.

"Go gonna train my new team member, Big Sis," Tupp said, lifting up his skull cap and revealing the hidden Sobble resting on his head.

Plumeria's jaw dropped as Sobble scurried to the back of Tupp's head, its tail clinging around the Team Skull grunt's neck. "Where'd you get that?"

"Ian gave it to me-"

Plumeria scowled and fixed her eyes on Ian. "Selene did mention something about you wanting to catch a Pokemon which is why you stuck around longer than you should've in the Ultra Storm…"

Ian shrugged. "He needs a ranged attacker."

Tupp nodded in solidarity, but Plumeria rolled her eyes. "And I clearly need to improve my squad's coordination in navigating an Ultra Storm now that we're going inside of them, thanks to Mr. Hero here. Or should I say Mr Junk-collector."

Junk collector? Oh yeah, the shards… "Yeah, I guess I earned that one with the shards…" Ian acknowledged.

"Shards? You mean that junk Guzma made me take to the dumpster yesterday?" Tupp asked.

So that's where they are. "Yeah…"

"And Big Sis, can't the squad train while Ian and I train Sobble and Litleo?" Tupp asked.

Plumeria scoffed. "Of course not, Ian's suspended from the squad, so he gets to go have fun with Rook today."

"What!?" Tupp demanded. "But me and Sobble need to get work on getting good at fighting at range and being 'starteejic' and shit-"

"Don't hurt your brain too much there, numbskull, you'll give yourself an aneurysm," Plumeria replied. "And Selene should be better for that anyways."

Ian gave Tupp a wink, making Tupp realize he had an excuse for some time with his crush. Tupp fist-bumped Ian and turned to follow Plumeria's lead. "Wait, Tupp, where's the dumpster you put the Shards in?" Ian asked.

"Down by the apartments on Windward," Tupp said lowly. "Why you askin'?"

"Need to see something," Ian said, and remembered he didn't have any place to store the Shards if he even got them. "Hey Plumeria," Ian called to Plumeria who turned around. "Are there any lockers or places to store things?"

"Besides any house that's not occupied?" Plumeria teased. "I can get you something at Tom's. You gonna learn a musical instrument while you're on suspension?"

"Ye-" Ian paused as the knowing look in Plumeria's eye caught his eye. "Well uh…"

"I'll get you one if you promise to learn a song for Rylee, okay?" Plumeria said. "With us being outside the walls training you're gonna go check up on her today."

Ian nodded. "I can do that."

"Good. Now go to Tom's, I bet he's looking for you," Plumeria said.

"Tom? I thought I was with Rook-"

Plumeria scowled at Ian and he immediately back-pedaled. "...or I could just do what you tell me. Yup. I can do that," Ian said, giving an exaggerated smile and a thumbs up.

Plumeria smirked and turned around, heading down The Spine. Ian mosied over to Tom's shop, noticing a group of three higher ups were standing together by the shop's front door like they had been under the awning the previous day by the front gate.

"There he is, Alola Ian!" Tom's exuberant voice boomed as he locked eyes with Ian.

"The Pizza Boy of the hour," Rook said mockingly.

The third man Ian figured was Grillz who more resembled a biker with a bandana than a cook, mumbled something incoherent with a gravelly voice, and Ian waved as he went to the trio unsure of his fate. "What's up?" Ian asked nervously.

"We gotta see that deer of yours," Grillz said with a harsh accent, his voice sounding like he'd eaten a pack of cigs a day as opposed to smoked them.

"Uh, sure thing…" Ian said, reaching for his Heal Ball.

Tom waved his hand to tell Ian to stop. "We don't want the algae to grow in the creek, let's do this in the grove."

Ian grimaced. "We'll just get run off by Guzma's Ariados-"

The trio of men eyed him as if he'd just said something in a different language. "Nah man, Guzma took her away this morning," Rook said.

"Really?" Ian said. "I just got bitched at yesterday-"

"Plumeria didn't tell you?" Tom asked, slightly confused. "I thought that's why she went after you when we saw you yesterday in the rain."

"What?" Ian asked, even more perplexed for a moment before it hit him. Damn, she totally heard that song yesterday. "Oh uh… she didn't say anything specifically…"

"Well, Grillz here told bossman the news," Rook said. "Ten days before we're going off of just foraging and fishing, so the compromise is Ariados can only be in there at night."

Tom and Grillz both gave Ian a grim look.

"At least he listens to you someone," Ian said, eyeing up Grillz. "And you must be Grillz, right sir?"

Rook scoffed. "Out here calling Grillz 'sir,' that's crazy."

"I figure it's a good idea to be nice to the guy who cooks the food," Ian replied.

A gravelly chuckle escaped Grillz' lips and he smiled, his fake-teeth on full display for Ian. "I like the fucker already. Let's hope his deer does what Plumeria says it does."

The group of four made their way down The Spine, getting curious looks from the Team Skull members they passed by. When they neared the gate, Ian turned to see the alley entrance he'd used the day prior and gotten everything out he'd needed to. Thanks again. Tom and Grillz were quickly deep in a different conversation, and Ian remembered who he was taking orders from for the day. Or longer.

"So Rook, I hear I'm your man for a bit?" Ian asked.

"Yup," Rook said casually. "What you end up doing is going to depend on how this all goes."

"Cool…" What happens if they're not satisfied with the rate of Sawsbuck's growth boost?

"Plumeria must like having you around if she's suspended you already," Rook observed.

"You sure about that?" Ian asked.

"She would've booted you by now, but suspending you is part of developing you, it takes time, takes effort. She wouldn't expend that for someone she didn't think would be a good team member," Rook explained.

"I didn't think of it that way," Ian admitted. "How'd you figure that out?"

"I'm in charge of the town's defense, I gotta be observant," Rook answered. "So naturally I keep an eye on the other leaders."

"Makes sense. For a second I thought you'd say something like 'pillow talk' or-"

Rook nearly gagged. "Oh hell naw, she's probaby a fucking lesbo that one, stuck up as she is."

I don't think that's fair to her, Rook… Ian remembered the heart-to-heart he'd had with Plumeria when they were on their way back from the Surge debacle in the rain. The genuine look of caring in her eyes when she told him it was going to be okay had been burned into the back of his retinas. She has to be the Big Sis to everybody, the shoulder to cry on for everyone, to be strong and still show that affection when needed… Ian exhaled in disbelief, fully realizing the burden Plumeria carried without even knowing much about her. No wonder she hates my guts, doing the crazy stuff I've done.

They were now outside of the gates and fast approaching the grove. "You're sure Ariados isn't still in here?" Ian asked aloud as they stepped off the road and into the grove. He scanned the canopy before taking Sawsbuck's Heal Ball out.

"Guzma's proud, not dumb," Grillz said.

Could've fooled me yesterday. "Watch the berries on the trees around here closely," Ian said, pointing to the low hanging branches.

"Yeah, yeah, get on with it," Grillz said impatiently.

"Show 'em what you can do, Sawsbuck!" Ian called out as he tossed the pink ball in the air. Sawsbuck manifested in a flash of red light and stretched with pride. The trees shifted and it even felt like the wind picked up if only for a moment as green bulbs swelled into flowers, branches creaked with growth, and most importantly: various fruits expanded sizably.

"Woooah," Tom said in disbelief. Grillz snorted and clicked his tongue while Rook folded his arms and nodded, impressed.

"Not bad, Pizza Boy," Rook said.

"This is all Sawsbuck," Ian said.

"Plumeria said things grow by half, maybe two-thirds… I didn't dare to believe it, but that's a solid estimate," Tom observed. "Ian, you might be saving our bacon."

"Maybe someday we'll get actual bacon on the menu at The Grill, eh?" Ian asked with a facetious smile.

"Don't burst your britches just yet," Grillz said. "Trust me, I want to grill up some good meat. It's my fucking name now."

"Oh yeah…" Ian realized.

"So Rook, you got any trainers that can harvest what's ready?" Tom asked.

Rook shrugged. "Yeah, but I want to see something first. How long does the effect last?" Rook asked.

"What?" Ian asked.

"Like, recall Sawsbuck and see if it pops again like that when it comes back out," Rook said. "Or can it only affect things every so often?"

Oh, that's really important. "Lemme see," Ian said, recalling Sawsbuck into the Heal Ball once more. Ian then released Sawsbuck again, watching the surrounding greenery carefully, but nothing shifted, nothing grew like before.

"There must be a certain amount of time to trigger the effect again," Rook said. "We need to figure out what that is before we think this has saved the town."

Finally a guy who makes sense. Maybe transferring to this guy wouldn't be a bad idea after all. "Good idea."

Rook took an electronic watch Ian hadn't noticed was on the Team Skull higher-ups wrist and handed it to Ian. "I'm gonna send some grunts over here to harvest things. When Slugg comes by, use his watch instead and get this back to me."

Ian nodded, accepting the watch and reading the time of 7:36. "Okay…" I feel like Slugg's familiar… Tupp said something about him being the fat guy, right?

"You gonna run around here a bit before settling back in for the timer?" Rook asked.

"Yeah," Ian said, hiding his mild irritation at being told something obvious while he was thinking about something else. "C'mon Sawsbuck, let's get this growing!" Ian said enthusiastically, which Sawsbuck was only happy to join in. Ian still kept his eyes peeled for Ariados, but the Alpha and its minion Spinaraks were nowhere to be seen.

Ian and Sawsbuck did a full circle, weaving in and out of the trees and brush, with Ian getting the longing to get on Sawsbuck's back and riding along through it. Prolly need Tupp's advice on that front. I also need Sawsbuck to stop being so skittish or else I'll break my neck on day one.

Ian plopped back down in the designated spot they were timing near the front, and just after 8:00 AM, a group of twenty or so Team Skull members made their way over, some carrying woven baskets on their heads, and Ian immediately spotted one that stuck out like a sore thumb: the short, tubby one trailing the rest of the group. I suppose that's Slugg, right? Kind of a screwed up name now that I see him in person.

"Okay everyone, here we are, it's harvesting time you know?" An unfamiliar female voice said with a noticeable calm in her voice. Almost like she's stoned. Ian focused on the young woman leading the group and immediately recognized the woman's distinct, pink tipped ash-blonde hair as the artist he'd been looking for, just in a Team Skull uniform. "Ribombee, show 'em what's up," Mina said in almost half a daze as a pink Poke Ball Ian recognized as a Heal Ball was sent flying into the air. I'm not the only person with one!

Ribombee manifested with its angelic, translucent wings fluttering quickly as its yellow, fuzzy body stretched out before it honed on nearby fruit-bearing trees as its black arms began plucking berries from the tree in front of it and dropping them on the ground for the basket-carrying grunts to pick up. Might not be the most hygienic way of doing it, but I guess it works.

Ian watched as other trainers let out their Pokemon, some Pikipeks, Trumbeaks, Spearow, Murkows, Hoothoots, and even a Rufflet along with members of the Fletchling line made for the canopy as fruit began falling en masse to the grove's floor.

"This is amazing!" One grunt said as they rushed by Ian and Sawsbuck. Sawsbuck seemed a bit peeved by the number of trainers and Pokemon, but Ian gave his blessed stag a comforting scratch on the back of the neck.

"So you two are the reason this is all happening?" The dazed female voice asked from beside Ian.

Ian turned, meeting Mina's dazed pair of dark eyes with his own and smiling. "Well, it's more Sawsbuck," Ian said, rubbing Sawsbuck's neck faster for a moment.

"Well that's quite handy," she said, extending her hand. "I'm Mina, one of Rook's squad leaders."

"Ian, suspended from Plumeria's squad," Ian said with an amused grin.

"She's a toughy, but she's good peeps," Mina said, looking out on the harvesting efforts for a moment before returning her attention to Ian.

"And pardon me for asking, but are you the one who painted that map in Guzma's throne room?" Ian asked.

Mina nodded. "Yup, that's me…" Mina said as she scanned her underlings once more.

"It's beautiful artwork," Ian said. "Not to mention very detailed and informative."

Mina nodded dazedly, not seeming like she was fully paying attention. "There's no reason form can't have function."

Ian gulped, realizing he might be annoying the painter. "Sorry, you probably get that a lot…"

Mina shook her head. "Not entirely just…" Mina paused as the words didn't come to her right away. "...I'm not good at receiving compliments."

Ian smiled. "Right? Like what are you supposed to do? It seems kind of played-out to just say 'thank you' but then if you don't, you're being impolite-" Ian paused as he realized Mina's gaze had become fixated on him.

"I agree…" Mina said, seemingly curious about Ian all of the sudden before returning her focus to overseeing the grunts.

A loud, labored panting hit Ian's ears as the tubby follower of Mina's group got close to Mina. "Hey Mina, sorry I'm late…" The fat, young man with pale skin and orange hair said. Why do I feel like I've seen him before?

"It's okay Sophocles," Mina said, still focused on her overseeing.

Sophocles? Like the Trial Captain of the observatories? What the hell is he doing here?

Sophocles bent over and put his hands on his knees as he continued to breath heavily. "Lemme just… catch… my breath…"

Mina shook her head. "No need. Stay here with Ian for a bit. I believe you have a watch to exchange with him."

"What- oh yeah…" Sophocles buried a hand into his black pants pocket and pulled out a mundane looking electronic watch. "Here…"

Ian handed Rook's nicer looking watch and took the slightly wet watch in his hand. I hope that's sweat… "So you're Sophopcles?" Ian asked.

"Kinda…" Sophocles answered. "Everyone else calls me 'Slugg' here."

"So what are you, the resident tech guy?" Ian asked teasingly.

Sophocles shook his head. "No, that's what I wanted to do actually…"

Ian paused, realizing he might be hitting a sensitive spot right off the bat. "I didn't mean to strike a nerve, we just met."

Sophocles shook his head. "No, it's fine. I wanted to get this internship at the observatory up there…" Sophocles pointed to the mountain towering overhead. "...before I started college, but the president of the Aether Foundation took over the thing and made it Aether only. Super lame…"

Something's not adding up here. "That's too bad…"

"Went to college for two weeks and dropped out. Whole thing's a scam anyways. Everyone will be cheating when AI really gets going," Sophocles said bitterly.

"Okay…" Ian said. "So, if you don't mind me asking, how'd you end up in Po Town?"

Sophocles grimaced. "Fucking parents sent me to live in the family mansion here, you know, Shady House, so I could get be out of the way. Then Guzma took over the town after Keahi left, and here I am, sleeping in a bunk in my own mansion with a bunch of jerks in the same room…"

Ian shrugged. "I see…"

"Been losing a lot of weight though, so that's cool…" Sophocles said, his breathing returning to normal.

Ian eyed Sopohcles' physique with some skepticism. Hate to imagine how big he was before this all went down. "Well, think of this as a very screwed up summer camp, I guess," Ian joked. "Probably better than dealing with Lusamine and Aether."

"Lusamine?" Sophocles asked in bewilderment. "Oh you mean President Mohn's wife? I don't know man, she's gorgeous. Things would be way better hanging around with her."

President Mohn? He's still around? Did he not disappear in an Ultra Wormhole? If that's the case, there are gonna be some very different things going on in this Alola.

"What about you? How'd you end up here?" Sophocles asked.

"Went to sleep at home, woke up on my bed in an Ultra Storm, Plumeria and her squad were outside of the Ultra Storm and this is day what… Six?"

"That's a cool Sawsbuck you got," Sophocles observed. "I didn't know they got that big. You catch that in Unova?"

Ian smiled nervously. "Actually, I didn't catch it there, I caught it here as a Deerling on my second day."

"It already evolved? Wow…"

"Yeah, crazy story actually…" Ian began explaining his time with Team Skull, catching Wartortle and Litleo the next day, then told Sophocles about the mission gone wrong to observe Surge's convoy. Mina came in and listened intently around this point, not asking any questions but listening curiously. When he finished his story, Sophocles looked at Ian in awe.

"That's so crazy…" Sophocles said. "I almost wish it was real, y'know?" Sophocles then laughed, causing his belly fat to bounce as he cackled hysterically and waddled into the grove.

"Great guy…" Ian muttered sarcastically.

"And he wonders why he has no friends," Mina said. "I heard the reports from Rook about you, so I know they're all true," Mina then pointed at Sawsbuck. "Plus you have the Sawsbuck and the Grassy Surge effect to prove it."

Ian smiled. "Thanks… It's a tough crowd around here."

Mina nodded. "Yeah."

"This probably wouldn't be the place I'd choose to start a new life, but oh well," Ian said with a shrug.

Mina nodded. "Yeah. My parents asked me to take care of my grandma who was here in Po Town. Not long after I got here the Ultra Rift appeared, been stuck here ever since."

"How's grandma?"

"She passed in the first month of BS," Mina said.

"I'm sorry to hear that…" Ian said.

Mina shrugged. "She was in pain. She was Keahi's mentor so that's why she came out here. Hearing about Keahi's attack on the Lake of the Sunne finally broke her though…"

Ian's eyebrows rose. Attack? The former Kahuna launched an attack on the Lake of the Sunne? No wonder she's a "former" Kahuna. "That's something I haven't heard anything about…"

Mina shrugged. "It's a sensitive spot for most people. A good chunk of Team Skull's founding members were Keahi's Cinders initially."

Keahi's Cinders, I gotta put that in the memory bank for later. "Good to know…"

Ian noticed Sophocles stumbling back over awkwardly with a Noibat fluttering behind him awkwardly. "Hey Mina, everyone's saying they're done," Sophocles announced.

Mina shrugged. "Okay, tell everyone to get back to Po Town then." Mina turned to Ian and gave him a grin. "It was nice meeting you, Ian."

"Yeah, same," Ian said, nodding respectfully.

Ian and Sawsbuck watched on as the two dozen Team Skull members made their way out of the grove with full baskets of various berries they'd collected. Ian remained planted to the experimental spot and waited, seeing it was almost a quarter past 8:00 AM. He turned to Sawsbuck and figured he'd try something. "Sawsbuck, any idea if you have control over Grassy Surge? Seems like something you'd be able to do…" Sawsbuck looked at him with a blank stare and lowered its neck to munch on some grass. It was worth a try at least.

It seemed like nothing in the grove moved for a while as Ian and Sawsbuck waited for the "cooldown" to pass. If that is in fact how it works. Ian eyed the watch, showing 8:59 and he rolled his eyes before hearing footsteps heading toward him. Sawsbuck heard them too, and both went on alert. Ian checked every dark shadow around him, trying to make sure he was ready for whatever was about to come.

The silence broke with a loud yawn, and Ian turned in a panic only to see a man with dark hair with two spikes aimed at the sky, with a black scarf that wrapped around his neck and dangled past his waist. Below his neck he wore a white kimono, flowing from shoulders to ankles on the slim man a few inches shorter than Ian. "No need to be alarmed," the man said as he ended his yawn and looked down at a piece of paper he held in his hand. "A guy named Ian with an unusually-sized Sawsbuck. I take it that's you?"

Ian eyed him with confusion, a slight hint of familiarity hitting him, but unable to place it. "Who are you?" Ian asked uncertainly.

"I'm known as 'Big G' around these parts," the man said with a certain disinterest. "But back home they call me Grimsley."

Grimsley? Why's that name sound famil- "Wait, you're Grimsley of the Unova Elite Four?" Ian blurted out in shock.

Grimsley bowed with no shortage of showmanship and smiled. "Formerly of the Elite Four, but yes."

"What are you doing in Alola?" Ian asked.

"Guy can't take a vacation? Take up Mantine surfing and never return home? What a world we live in…"

"Sorry, just… This is the last place I expected to find a person of your… magnitude."

"You calling me fat?" Grimsley asked in mocked anguish. "I should tell those Driftwood Guild idiots I didn't find the guy with the blessed Sawsbuck and be done with you."

"Driftwood Guild?" Ian asked in surprise. Oh, that Neroli chick. "Wait, they sent you to find me?"

"Ding-ding-ding, winner, WINNER!" Grimsley announced overdramatically. "I'd give you a chicken dinner but I don't have any domesticated Torchics waddling around."

"Okay… So why'd they send someone like you to find me?" Ian asked.

Grimsley gasped as if he'd been stabbed in the gullet. "Someone like 'you?' Oh please, do be gentler…" Grimsley mockingly-gasped.

"Former Elite Four for… a random guy like me?" Ian asked.

"Your Sawsbuck of course," Grimsely said. "With no Kahuna on the island, Driftwood is trying to fill in the gaps. So when Tapu Bulu decides to bless some random Faller on Team Skull, you can imagine the guild would be a little panicked."

"Makes sense… Why don't you become the Kahuna of the island? You're more than strong enough."

Grimsley scoffed. "That is the last thing I'd ever want to do. Tapu Bulu's a fickle little shit, powerful as it is. I do like a good gamble, but not when it's against a Tapu."

Ian grimaced. "So why are you here again? Helping Sawsbuck?"

"For the island, of course-"

"Don't bullshit me," Ian said with a grin.

Grimsely chuckled. "Perceptive, that's good. The Driftwood Guild has agreed to pay off my marker on a certain cruise ship's casino."

"So that's why you left Unova?" Ian asked.

Grimsely smirked. "What can I say, I like good, fun action. Unova's Elite Four found out my markers were run up about a century's worth of my salary and I had to uh… leave the country. Cruise ship was foolish enough not to do a background check on me when I got here, so I'm in this little bind, which got me here with you and your blessed deer."

"So Driftwood wants you to help me?"

"Train you specifically," Grimsley said. "Of all of the factions to land with, the trainer with the Pokemon blessed by Tapu Bulu popping up in Team Skull is easily the second worst faction for that to happen to."

"Really? I don't think they're that bad."

"Guzma's not exactly the mentoring type, and Plumeria's a solid trainer, but she's very choosy," Grimsley said. "What other Pokemon do you have besides Sawsbuck?"

Ian reached for his belt, grabbing both shrunken Poke Balls and expanded them in his hands. He released Wartortle's ball first, manifesting the shelled amphibian before them. It gave a croak and sat down.

"He doesn't seem like your biggest fan," Grimsey said.

"Wait till you meet the other one," Ian said with a sigh, releasing Litleo's ball and making the fiery lion cub appear and immediately turn to Wartortle in anger.

"Litleo, you don't see those every day," Grimsley said. "So did you catch these Pokemon or have them for a while?"

"Uh… I just got them. Sawsbuck too," Ian said. "I appeared in an Ultra Storm like six days ago."

Grimsley's eyebrows rose. "Where'd you come from?"

Ian gulped. "Unova, Nimbasa City."

"Nimbasa?" Grimsley said with almost disgust. "You sound like you're from Aspertia."

"Really?" Ian asked, realizing he wasn't sure where that was. Hopefully it wasn't a Black 2/ White 2 thing, I only played through those once.

"But whatever you say dude. You ever train Pokemon before?" Grimsley asked.

"No, although I am pretty knowledgeable," Ian said.

"We'll see about that," Grimsley said, returning his attention to Litleo and Wartortle.

Ian realized Sawsbuck was ready to bolt at a moment's notice. "C'mon Sawsbuck, settle down," Ian said. "You're a lot bigger than that Litleo."

Grimsley scoffed. "How long have you had that Sawsbuck?"

"I caught it as a Deerling on my second day, it evolved on my fourth day," Ian said. "It's been a whirlwind of a week."

Grimsley rolled his eyes. "Was Deerling really skittish?"

"Still is…"

"Deerling must've evolved too early," Grimsley said. "When Pokemon evolve too early, they're still similar mentally. Part of a proper evolution is making sure the Pokemon is mature enough to handle the evolution. Did they ever teach you that wherever you learned you 'Poke-knowledge?'"

Ian smiled nervously. "Not exactly…"

"How'd you get it to evolve anyways? Did it try to save you or something?"

"Tapu Bulu was probably about to slice my head off, then Deerling tried to intervene on its broken leg, and Tapu Bulu touched Deerling with a special energy and… Deerling evolved," Ian explained.

"Oh…" Grimsley said, deep in thought. "It's a very good thing I'm here then. We have a lot of work to do." He then made his way over to Sawsbuck, leaving Wartortle and Litleo glaring at each other menacingly.

"I mean, Sawsbuck stood up to an Alpha Crawdaunt yesterday, it's not all of that kind of afraid," Ian said defensively.

Grimsly scoffed. "If you haven't figured it out by now, a Pokemon and their trainer have a very unique bond upon being captured."

Ian nodded attentively, trying to ignore the hisses and growls coming between Wartortle and Litleo. "Actually, sir, can I recall these two before they attack each other? I want to really focus on what you're saying."

Grimsley shrugged. "Kind of defeats the point of me being here a bit, but fine. If you'll actually listen to me." Ian nodded and quickly recalled Wartortle and Litleo back in their balls and re-focused on Grimsley.

"So you were in a life or death situation when Sawsbuck stood up to that Alpha Crawdaunt, I take it?" Grimsley asked.

"Yeah, the thing was huge."

"Your Pokemon pick up on their trainer's emotions. They become attuned with your thoughts and convictions almost instantaneously. How do you think your Pokemon understand you?" Grimsley asked. "Does your Sawsbuck understand human speech?"

"I don't know actually…"

"It doesn't. Some Pokemon do, Sawsbuck isn't one of them, no matter how blessed it is," Grimsley explained. "It takes your lead though. It senses the strength or weakness in your convictions and responds to those convictions in its own way."

"So…"

"You were frightened of the massive crustacean that wanted to rip you to shreds. So was Sawsbuck-"

Oh shit. "Sawsbuck fled when he saw Crawdaunt, but when I called for him, he came back… Sorry for interrupting."

"At least I know you're listening," Grimsley said. "I never was much of a teacher now that I think of it, I mostly just taught people to gamble but in ways I could take advantage of them…" Grimsley's smiled turned rather sheepish. "Sawsbuck's timid and skittish, while Wartortle and Litleo are proud and strong. Or at least think they are. You being a new trainer still building up your confidence, those Pokemon don't respond well to your convictions, your energy."

"Like aura?" Ian asked.

Grimsley stymied a laugh as best he could but the dam broke and he began cackling like a buffoon. "What, like the 'Aura Guardians' in the comic books?" Grimsley asked as he broke into another fit of hysterical laughter, resorting to supporting himself on a tree as he continued cackling.

"It was just a question…" Ian said. "I don't really know."

"Okay, okay, I'll stop…" Grimsly said, slapping his cheek playfully. "For the record, I've actually met a real life Aura Channeler or whatever the equivalent is, but trust me, they're not anything like in the comic books. They're not allowed to partake in pro trainer battles, among a whole list of other things. Last I heard he's in a psych ward now. Being that intune with the natural world does things to you."

"Okay…" Ian said.

"Where were we again?" Grimsley asked.

"Energy? Vibe?"

Grimsley rolled his eyes. "Don't say 'vibe' like that ever again please. But yes, your energy. Your Pokemon pick up on that. Z-Moves? Mega Evolution? That's not possible without a trainer's bond and belief in their Pokemon. You believed in Sawsbuck in that moment, and it found the courage to stand up to that Alpha Crawdaunt. Yet when you're not locked in, it's scared of a hissing Litleo. See where I'm going with this?"

Ian nodded. "I think I do."

"You must have absolute confidence in your Pokemon and be unshakable to them. They must trust you… I could go on like this for hours honestly," Grimsly stated.

Is this why Tupp's so good at handling his Pokemon? Golbat follows his orders because he believed Golbat could win in close range combat with something like a Scrafty. Even though it was dumb, Tupp still BELIEVED that could happen, and his Pokemon are incredibly devoted to him even if it's stupid. I think I get it… "So during a practice skirmish, I should be treating it like a life or death match?" Ian asked.

"No, absolutely not!" Grimsley said. "Trust is vital, and if a practice skirmish is being treated like life or death, your Pokemon will lose trust in you. They have thoughts, they observe, that's why Litleo hates your guts. It thinks you're a bitch. I assume you're going to ask it, so I'll just say it now: how does one practice the proper intensity?"

Ian nodded.

"Being in those struggles… That Crawdaunt fight I assume you won must've really strengthened the bond between you and Sawsbuck. More than weeks of training would have, honestly. He trusted you, the two of you won and your lives were saved. But that's more advanced stuff, I can already see I need to help you get on the same page with Litleo and Wartortle, and that's fundamental stuff."

Ian nodded, readying Litleo's Poke Ball.

"Now call it out like you're happy to see it. Shout its name like you would a professional wrestler!" Grimsley ordered.

Ian took a deep breath and calmed himself. He readied a booming voice and bellowed. "Litleo, the fiery lion! Let's do this!"

Litleo emerged once again, this time turning its head to Ian, not aggressively, but with a bit of curiosity, as if it hadn't seen this side of Ian before, its orange tuft not activated.

"Good, good," Grimsley commented.

Litleo then turned its attention to Sawsbuck and hissed menacingly causing its orange tuft to shimmer with different shades of orange, which in turn caused Sawsbuck to tense with fear. "Sawsbuck, Litleo's feisty, but you're bigger and stronger. Don't let him scare you!"

Sawsbuck's stance changed from being ready to bolt to a more offensive posture, eyes focusing on Litleo, who snarled back.

"Now show 'em who's boss," Grimsley said lightly.

"Double Kick!" Ian ordered. Sawsbuck bounded for Litleo, whose mouth lit up with fiery energy and leapt to intercept Sawsbuck. Sawsbuck extended one of its legs, knocking Litleo off course and onto the ground, then landed its other hoofed kick right on Litleo's neck, pinning the lion cub to the dirt. Litleo snarled and struggled underneath Sawsbuck's might. Grimsley waved Ian on, urging him to go to Litleo.

"What do I say?" Ian whispered.

Grimsley facepalmed. "Anything to encourage it. I can't do it, you have to."

Ian nodded, wracking his brain for anything as he approached and squatted next to his pinned lion cub . "Rough morning, Litleo?"

Litleo snapped its mouth angrily, causing Sawsbuck to push down a little harder for a moment, making Litleo moan a defeated whimper. "Litleo, remember the first day we met? You made mince meat out of Deerling. I know you're strong. But it hasn't even been a week, but together, Sawsbuck and I are like this now. I bet you and I could do something similar too, if you'll give me a chance." Ian watched Litleo's reaction carefully, the Pokemon not understanding his words, but somehow getting the sentiment. It processed the events in its eyes, and Ian smiled. "I can't wait to see what kind of infernal beast you'll turn into with me by your side." Ian reached out and patted Litleo's head, its fur surprisingly soft and emanating heat effortlessly.

"Very good, Ian," Grimsley said. "You're a natural. Now let Litleo up, it's probably in a lot of pain."

"Shit, yeah, sorry Litleo," Ian said, waving Sawsbuck off. Litleo scurried away from the blessed stag, but notably didn't have the same aggression it had before.

"That's good for now, let's get Wartortle out," Grimsely said.

Ian nodded in agreement, recalling Litleo and smiling at its Poke Ball. "It was nice to see that side of you, dude," he said as he exchanged Poke Balls for Wartortle and thought of how to best pump up his bitter turtle. "Wartortle, the honored veteran of my team, I choose you!" He called out as he released it. Wartortle didn't seem hostile, it just eyed Ian with a look of skepticism. Or maybe Wartortle just has "resting scowl face."

Wartortle made the first move, pointing at Sawsbuck and nodding before extending its arms and flailing them for a moment. Wartortle then croaked in succession, almost like a laugh, then bowed suddenly.

"Wait what?" Ian asked.

Grimsley smiled proudly. "Wartortle's accepting you."

"Really?"

"A little bit of flattery can go a long way. Plus Pokemon can sense what's going on outside their Poke Balls, especially their trainers' emotions. It must have felt what you felt fighting that Alpha," Grimsely explained.

Ian then knelt down to Wartortle, who had finished its bow and looked right into the eyes of his turtle with the battered shell. "Wartortle, thank you. You're strong, and I promise I'm going to work every day to help us become stronger. It won't always be perfect, but I will always be trying to get better. Got it?"

Wartortle nodded seriously, then motioned to his Poke Ball. Ian shrugged. "Whatever floats your boat, Wartortle." Ian recalled Wartortle and held it up to his forehead as if saying a prayer of gratitude for a moment.

"Well that went well," Grimsley said, his focus returning to Sawsbuck. "But I didn't Mantine Surf all of the way from Akala this morning for a twenty minute training session. Let's see what this blessed Sawsbuck I've heard about can do!"

 

[ScotttheBard]

This is actually really interesting, and a nice lore drop about the how and why Grimmy is in Alola

 

[Oceanside Lowlife]

I definitely was a bit nervous doing a musical thing in a fic, thanks for the kind words. The vibes will be much better going forward, Ian was due for an emotional breakdown. We got a couple more chapters before a very small time skip and we get to the second arc. We'll get one more team member for Ian before that happens too

Click to shrink...

I will mention I lied here. This chapter was just past halfway of what I wanted to get for this chapter, so we still have two chapters before the Timeskip.

 

[ThunderBasilisk]

Mam wasn't expecting Grimsley to show up. Fantastic chapter as always

 

[Oceanside Lowlife]

Mam wasn't expecting Grimsley to show up. Fantastic chapter as always

Click to shrink...

He shows up out of nowhere in the games on the exact side of Ula'Ula Island the story (mostly) takes place. I was looking for a good mentor character that lined up with the vibe and there he was staring me in the face. During the development of this story it was absolutely incredible how many things lined up so perfectly that I could use or expand upon (Tapu Bulu living in the desert because of Grassy Surge, the berry tree right outside of Po Town, the vague history about a fallen Kahuna, Ula'Ula meaning something equivalent to "growth" in native Hawaiian, and most importantly, the Lake of the Sunne/Moone being so close to Po Town). As always, thanks for reading and I'm lad you're enjoying. I'm really excited for what future arcs bring (mainly the faction fights).