บท 4: First Impressions (1/3)

[Sandshrew (♀)]

[Type: Ground]

[Estimated Level: 3-7]

[Energy Mastery: Ground (Beginner), Normal (Beginner)]

[Ability: N/a]

[Moves: Scratch, Sand Attack, Defense Curl, Mud Shot]

If it weren't for his rapidly twitching eye, Izan would look like the picture of serenity as he copied Sandshrew's information into his notebook.

He took a deep breath through his nose and out through his mouth. 'At least they gave me a refund for that Goldeen. Be grateful for the little things, Izan.'

Although he did have to pay two-hundred Pokedollars for evaluations, the most annoying part for him was the information itself.

Rather than give him concrete answers that satisfied him, the details only raised more questions.

Like why didn't Sandshrew have an ability? Every Pokemon had an ability back on Earth. And what did levels even measure? The overall power of the Pokemon? How close they were to learning a new move? Did Pokemon even learn moves by level up?

His pencil snapped as his mind raced with questions.

"Uh… are you okay? That's the fourth pencil you've broken over there." The researcher said as he handed him another one.

He'd been assigned to answer questions that Izan might have while they waited in the lobby for the other worker to come back with his Sandshrew.

"I'm perfectly, completely fine," Izan answered with a crooked smile. His expression sobered as he abruptly tilted his head. "I do have a question though. What in Arceus' name is Energy Mastery?"

The researcher gave him an odd look before he shook his head. "Sorry, I forgot that you hadn't gone to Pokeschool for a moment there.

Energy Mastery represents how much control and power a Pokemon has with a certain typing. For your example your Sandshrew has a D grade for both types, meaning it will exhaust quickly and its Ground and Normal-type attacks will be pitiful in comparison with stronger Sandshrew."

Izan hummed as he scribbled down what the researcher was saying to the letter in his notebook. 'Seems pretty self-explanatory.'

After getting to the last part, he again tilted his head before speaking. "So how exactly would you go about raising the 'grade'? And what exactly are the grades?"

Pushing up his glasses, the man answered with a patient smile. "Certain diets or valuable items can accelerate the growth rate, but in general it functions like a muscle. Since Pokemon are such deliciously intuitive creatures, most just use it over and over until they figure it out.

Ah, and the gradings are fairly simple: D, C, B, A, and finally S being the apex of control and power."

Izan's eyebrows rose as he scribbled that down too. If that was the case, that meant he didn't have to think too creatively about training methods regarding moves.

And he didn't even have to get his Pokemon to individually train each move. That would be beyond exhausting to keep track of.

But if he was smart about it, he could get a leg up on others if he discovered his own faster training method than just simple repetition.

It was something to think about.

His constant scribbling was interrupted by a blonde woman wearing a blue Pokemon League uniform coming toward them.

"Apologies for the wait. There were a few things we had to make sure of before letting you- Oh!"

Abruptly, Sandshrew broke out of the Pokeball the woman was holding and materialized on top of Izan's head.

"Oof." She was fairly light, but he wasn't expecting her to do that. "Warn me at least, Sandshrew." He said fondly, scratching under her chin.

They may not have known each other for long at all, but a Pokemon was a Pokemon. He couldn't be happier to see her trust him so easily.

He looked away for Sandshrew as the blonde woman began speaking again.

"Uh, well, okay. Here's your license and your Pokegear back. Keep in mind that your license doubles as your bank account, so try not to show it off. We also installed an app that should be useful to you in the future." The woman spoke professionally, expertly ignoring her initial shock.

Izan nodded, stretching as he stood up from his seat. "Got it. So I can go now?"

"Yes, that should be it. Do make sure to register your Sandshrew at the Pokemon Center database whenever you get the chance." She called after him. "Take care!"

Izan, already walking away, waved over his shoulder. "See ya, lady. Bye-bye lab guy."

"Shrew, Sand-shrew!" Sandshrew emulated Izan, waving, despite not knowing what exactly she was doing.

"Lab guy…? My name is Noah." He barely heard the lab guy mutter.

[}-{]

Walking through the streets with a Sandshrew on his shoulders felt good. There was just something about having a Pokemon with him that made him feel like he belonged.

His mood was only slightly soured when he went to the Pokemart and realized his weekly stipend was far less than minimum wage back on Earth.

125 Pokedollars per week? That was 6,500₽ per year! Something most people made in a month and a half.

Still, he didn't spend much. The only thing he bought was a month's worth of the most basic Pokemon food and a reusable water bottle. And a 'refresh' kit to help with cleaning Sandshrew.

It wasn't really necessary, since Sandshrew regularly shed, but it couldn't hurt to wash her up every once in a while.

All of that only cost him 85₽ out of his initial 1,115₽. It would've cost much more if he bought a travel kit, but he wasn't planning on going anywhere yet.

As a trainer in the Youngster program, he wasn't allowed to travel anywhere besides the designated safe routes.

So there was no point traveling yet since he would only encounter the commonly weak Rattata or Pidgey.

Plus with the Pokemon Center having free rooms for trainers? It only made sense to him.

But the fact that Sandshrew was awed by every little thing was a major plus. She must've been born in that building for her to be so amazed.

She wasn't social by any means, turning up her nose to anyone who even looked at her, but she couldn't hide her curiosity.

It was cute.

Izan chuckled as he walked into the Pokemon Center, Sandshrew tilting her head adorably at the automatic doors.

The interior of the Pokemon Center was nearly identical to the games, except that it was much bigger. Several couches and tables were near the entrance while flatscreens were being displayed on both sides of the walls.

There were a few other things in the building but Izan ignored them in favor of focusing on the nurse sitting behind a counter.

The classic hair loops he remembered were actually in a bun rather than on both sides like pigtails.

There was no denying it, though. That was Nurse Joy.

When he approached, Nurse Joy gave him her full attention and a warm smile.

"Hello, I just came here to get Sandshrew registered in the… database? I think that's what the League lady said."

"Of course. Can I see your Trainer License first, please?"

As soon as she saw the license, her lips thinned momentarily, before she schooled her expression and gave it back to him.

"I see. May I please see Sandshrew's Pokeball for a moment?"

"Sure thing." He took it out of his pocket and handed it over. She in return placed it on a black square that seemed out of place on the counter.

"You may not be aware since you're an F-class trainer, but there is no special bonding method between trainer and Pokemon like those silly rumors." She began, typing away at the desk computer.

"Just a click of a button." She concluded, clicking something on her desk.

Smiling, she gestured to the ball. "Now just take the Pokeball back and you should be all set!"

Izan stared for a moment before shrugging and reaching out, clasping onto the ball firmly.

The moment it interacted with his skin, he flinched hard. It felt like a jolt went throughout his body, touching and locking up every nerve. And then a sensation he couldn't describe abruptly arrived.

It was the difference between knowing you have a stomach in your midsection and feeling the acid slosh around inside you. Like he suddenly became aware of some part of him that was always there but he took for granted.

And then it was gone.

He slowly turned his head to Nurse Joy who was looking at him with an innocently concerned face.

"Uh… Thanks. C-can I get a room?" He asked, jittery.

She didn't seem to know why he just flinched, so he wouldn't question it either.