Chapter 2

Chapter 2

It’s been a tough week for all the Teams, we all have to train our bodies to be fit and healthy and ready for a companionship with a Pokémon. I still haven’t met any other Teams… sometimes I see silhouettes of them passing by the windows while I’m training, but we aren’t allowed out in the open for a week. Did I mention they took our shoes off us? And our gloves? Apparently it helps toughen up our palms and soles for when we go out in the forest. Honestly, I wouldn’t like to get scratches and bruises all over my hands and feet, just so I can be “at one with nature” as Tri says. Tri is very enthusiastic and a little annoying at times, but he is very informative. I’ve got to get some sleep now, tomorrow is the last day of physical training, and the last day of being an Apprentice.
- Karasu Ishi

I woke to the loud screech of Spearows outside the hut.
“Good morning Karasu,” muttered a few of my Team members. They were eating their breakfasts on their beds and dark shadows hung below their eyes. It hasn’t been easy for us, but at least we were under a roof. Even Suzume was finding it hard to smile as she handed me some of her toast. “…So,” Riku said. “What exactly are we doing today?”
“Not sure,” Haru piped up. “I heard it was something important.”
I glanced solemnly at the clock.
“Tri should be here by now, he said he’d be coming early this morning,” I explained. “So it’s probably a big deal if he’s running late.”
“Or he’s just irresponsible,” Haru pointed out.
We sat quietly for a few minutes until the door opened and Tri came running in. “Guys, I am so sorry I took so long! There was a Girafarig eating some of the clothes over in the tents, I had to help out. But we really need to hurry so, get up and let’s go!”
“What are we doing?” Nomaru asked.
“Just hurry!” Tri cried.
I quickly snatched my Apprentice uniform and jacket and sprinted to the toilets. Pulling my shirt over my head I heard Tri’s whistle for us to come with him, followed by the shouts of my fellow teammates begging for more time. I finally burst out of the door and sped over to Tri.
“Oh good, now we have six,” Tri sighed, sounding exasperated. “Let’s go, guys.” I wrapped my jacket around my back and tucked my hair into a ponytail. I tried to ignore the Warriors pointing at us and jeering as we were led towards the Training Court once again. As the doors opened and we went inside I saw that every team was there, huddled together and whispering. The whispering stopped as they noticed our entrance. Ignoring the hesitation, Tri walked up to the front where Kōri and the other team guides were standing. My companions and I shuffled awkwardly over to the corner and sat down in a group.
“Right then, now that we’re all here,” Kōri boomed. “I am sure your guides explained to you what we will be doing today?”
We glanced uncomfortably at Tri and the man next to him smirked and elbowed him firmly in the ribs, but Tri avoided eye contact with us and ignored the man. Every other Apprentice was grinning and whispering but we had no idea what was happening.
“Hush. I know it is all very exciting to you, but it isn’t that interesting, just a speech. For those who do not know why we have gathered here, it is simple. Today I will be explaining about the Pokémon you will be meeting tomorrow, as well as a stunning battle between two of our best Warriors, just to give you an idea of what you’ll be doing for the next month or so as a Scout.”
Suzume shook my leg and whispered, “Isn’t this great?! We’re going to get to see a real battle! Between two of the best Warriors!”
“Shh!” a girl behind us hissed.
Then Kōri continued.
“As a Scout you can venture out right to the borderline of our territory, therefore picking some of the rarest berries in the area. You also patrol the border in case of invasions from other territories or if you spot a fire or a hazard you can report back to us, you may encounter a border patrol from another territory. If this happens it is best to ignore them and not pick a fight, but if they abuse territory rights, you must battle them. And, I am not going to ‘silver-line’ it either, you will get hurt out there, you will break limbs and bleed. So you need to know exactly where the first aid is. Head south of my office and it is next to the nursery, they will help you and your Pokémon recover.”
Kōri paused and walked into the middle of the Court. Then he continued.
“Your Pokémon aren’t only your battle partners, they’re your friends. They will protect you and you will protect them. Do not see them as your servants, see them as your companions. Some Warriors in history have stuck to one type of Pokémon, this is acceptable as long as you are ready and understand the weaknesses and strengths of those Pokémon. I trust that you all know about type advantages, yes?”
I nodded with all the other Apprentices.
“Good. Now, onto the next topic. In three weeks you will all be entered into the famous Battle of the Teams, which is an event that takes place every time a new generation comes along. Each Scout Team of Yuzuki Camp will be fighting against each other alongside their Pokémon until there is one team left able to fight. If a Trainer is down, the Pokémon cannot fight, if the Pokémon is down, the Trainer is to stop as well. This is not a fight to the death so don’t get all worked up or nervous. If any limbs are broken or a large amount of blood is spilt, the Team with the severely injured Trainer wins. This is a nice, clean game to test the bonds you can form over three weeks.”
By then my heart was almost thumping out of my chest! The thrill of battling with Pokémon was almost upon us!
“Now for the battle between two of our best Warriors!” Kōri shouted. He signalled for us all to stand and the Team Guides rushed down to their Teams and began to lead us outside. As soon as we were out in the open Suzume began jumping happily. “I can’t believe it! We’re finally going to see it!”
“Did you even listen to anything Kōri said?” Riku said.
“Well yeah, but this is way more exciting!” Suzume giggled.
I smiled, it was refreshing to see someone trying to put a leash on Suzume who wasn’t me.
“Where are we headed?” Nomaru asked.
Tri grinned and replied, “The Battle Court.”

We had all just sat down in seats placed on the perimeter of the Battle Court when Kōri brushed through the doors and strode over to the centre of the battlefield. The Battle Court was huge! It had about fifty battlefields in the one building and still space to watch at a safe distance! ­­Kōri silently waved in my direction. Did he want me to come? I began to rise from my chair but then Tri got up and softly pushed me back to my seat. Tri walked up to Kōri and nodded respectfully, he then stood at the left end of the battlefield.
“What is he doing?” Haru whispered.
“Maybe he’s going to battle!” Nomaru exclaimed.
“No way, he can’t be one of the best,” Riku scoffed.
“Why not?” Nomaru pouted.
“Well look at the guy, does he look like a professional battler?” Riku laughed. I glanced at Tri, small and scrawny. I admit, he doesn’t look like the best battler.
“I hope your weakling Guide is ready,” chuckled the girl who was behind us in the Training Court, who was now a few seats away. “He’s facing our Guide, and we will win!”
Riku and Haru frowned at the girl, but before they could respond, Kōri led a muscular looking man up to the right end of the battlefield. “It’s not the build of the trainer that matters, it’s the spirit.” Suzume whispered in my ear. I wasn’t so sure if her words were empty or true.
“Let the battle begin!” Kōri yelled.

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[Zoe Brewer]

The plot is building, folks!