"You're Ash Ketchum, right? From last year's silver conference?"
Ash who heard this just was mid-stretch, blinked and looked over.
"Huh? Yeah, that's me!" He says with his signature grin.
Stepping closer to him but still keeping a respectful distance away, I reach my hand out to shake his.
This moment was like a dream, the man who got me into Pokemon. It wouldn't be a stretch to call him my hero who started my career in my past life. A kid full of innocence and a will to help others in need.
Even if he wasn't directly the same as his anime counterpart.
He's the one guy you could trust who would always jump through time and space to save you.
I had a bit of a hobby reading fanfics and a lot of them thrashed on Ash quite consistently. Now I don't know if it was the inner edgy persona of the Author's, but its frankly stupid. Most of their hate mainly related to Ash being "stupid" which is awkward.
The kid is 10 and he loses his immaturity towards Sinnoh.
Proof of this was his developing relationship with Max, becoming an elder brother figure.
You expect a cut throat, perfect killer?
Blud...
"I remember your battle against Harrison. Your Charizard was incredible. That match inspired me to become a trainer, " I said, which made Ash straighten up and give a sheepish look.
He clearly wasn't expecting such words.
A few seconds later, he shakes my hand and shows a wide grin, his other hand scratching the back of his head.
"Wow, thanks! That's really cool. Charizard gave it his all for that battle."
The passion in his voice was evident.
Pikachu who was off to the side waved at my Marshtomp to which he happily waved back. Ash seeing this got a glint in his eyes as he realised what my starter was.
"Are you competing in the Ever Grande Conference too?"
"No, not this time. I'm just here with my parents to watch, but I'm trying to train as much as possible for next year." I respond gesturing to Marshtomp to my side "I also have a Mankey but he's a bit energetic."
After getting to know the gang a bit better, Ash was fully accepting of my offer to train with him before the conference.
He gets a training partner and I get more experience.
Everybody wins here.
Plus with the format to my knowledge, will mostly or consist entirely of double battles towards the end which is a bit rough. I'm not sure if my planned team has such good synergy for that style but it doesn't matter for now.
Most battles are a standard one-on-one.
Even for the World Coronation Series, unlike the main competitive format in the games.
In the future, I might need to make some team adjustments.
"Your Marshtomp is quite healthy and has muscles in the right place." Brock comments.
Hearing this Max was confused though.
"Why is Marshtomp less blue than your Mudkip, Brock?" Max asks which got me wondering as well.
Getting a feeling of knowledge about to be SPOKEN, my hands slowly grab my notepad and pen. Thankfully my instincts weren't wrong as the ever-helpful Brock started to spit straight facts which I jolted down.
"This guy over here must be eating the right type of food but it should be a lower quality than what I make. The food I create is high-tier." He casually says which hurts my heart. "But he has trained diligently as seen-"
He continued to yap as Ash who was watching caught my attention.
"Hey, Sunny! Let's have a one-on-one!"
Accepting the offer, I already knew the battle was going to be rough.
'Fuck.'
...
"Winner Grovyle!" Brock announces as my Marshtomp was on the floor fainted.
Literally zero possible counterplay against that speed demon.
"Good stuff Grovyle!"
"Way to go Grovyle!"
May and Max cheer as the Pokemon possess for them.
Brock who was the referee, quickly jogged to Marshtomp and applied a potion which I swiftly thanked. Those weren't just chump change after all, especially with it coming straight out of his own pocket.
"Thanks, Brock, I can send the money now," I say pulling my phone out.
The man himself seeing this quickly shook his head.
"Don't spend your money, you still haven't started your journey. Save up as much as you can!" He sternly says with one hand pointing up as if to scold me.
Pausing I sheepishly scratch the back of my head.
"Hey, that was a great battle from Marshtomp, Sunny! While he rests up Mankey can train with my team." Nodding at his words we soon after went through his regimen.
Unsurprisingly or surprisingly, it mostly included endurance training which helped with dodging with agility drilled there somewhat.
But it explained the lack of fortitude when it came to tanking hits.
Although it improves on the strongest move in Pokemon.
Dodge it...
It wasn't anything too groundbreaking unfortunately as my methods I'd say are better due to the Battle Club being that versatile. One of the main ways to train their moves was to spar with each other.
This didn't interest me as much because the Battle Club had targets and weights.
Now with the training done, a table suddenly appeared as there were bowls neatly lined up.
Max and May who were already sitting down with their Pokemon out, were eagerly waiting.
Looking over with sweat dripping down my face, it felt exhausting keeping up with a guy who had aura. Even if he has never trained it before due to just straight-up forgetting it.
"Hey... He looks pretty go-" May says with squinted eyes, her hand covering her mouth. Unfortunately, her words stopped as a fragrance hit my nose.
'That smells great...' Both Marshtomp and I thought.
Brock who was off to the side was smiling at Ash and me.
"Well, aren't you guys done training? I've made food for everyone so the both of you help yourself. That includes Marshtomp and Mankey!" He adds at the end, holding two more bowls which Mankey quickly cheered.
"Key key!" The pig monkey despite the grueling training, went up to him and hugged his leg.
Watching this scene I realised why Ash enjoyed traveling with a group so much.
It felt...
Safe and secure.
We took our seats which had a pot full of stew and a container full of rice. Max immediately went to talk to Ash which made sense at this part of the series.
After the Jirachi movie, Max saw Ash in that big brother role more than Brock.
While May was busy on her Pokenav pointed up?
"Hey Brock, do you have any tips for my future journey?" I casually ask.
"Sure! Just ask away."
Hearing this, there were stars in my eyes as I took my plate and went to Brock.
Meanwhile, May, Max and Ash hear a scream. This alarmed them as they retrieved some of their Pokemon to head out. While this occurred Brock was busy getting questioned by me as he was bombarded with words.
"How much do supplies cost? How often do you need to restock? Do you have a Silph-Co bag? Do you make your own Pokemon food? What tier is this food? What do you use to navigate?" With my notepad out, my eager expression made Brock gain a helpless one.
I needed answers!
Brock went on to explain after some restating of questions such as why going the normal route is the best. Not only is it the safest way but the fastest route which is a bit obvious, but he and Ash learned that the hard way.
Especially with a loud mouthed Misty screaming at them with reminders...
"Pokemon Rangers and Ace Trainers clear out any Pokemon who are too strong in that area. So that's your safest bet." He says to which I nod.
Any Pokemon that appeared in the preferred path was weak enough for a normal civilian to run away from without harm. That's why kids are able to journey within certain parameters of the route in Kanto.
Still the dangers of a flock of Pokemon still existed and seen in the first anime episode, they were a problem.
My food was now half-eaten and to the side as my pen went crazy.
More information like 9 months of living expenses being around ₱2,000 per person. Equipment was more questionable as it depended on what you buy, but he listed some out for me.
Of course, I wanted more high-end items.
I'm a bit ashamed to say I hate camping due to being holed up in my house a lot in both lives.
So I'm planning on buying the more high-end items that can make my journey more bearable. There's no way I'm willing to suffer in the cold or not have enough food or water. My bag must have a year's worth of supplies.
Just a small precaution...
We spent a few hours chatting about such items and their prices online.
While this was happening I wrote specifically which items and their prices were.
--------------
[Notes On Adventuring Equipment]
- All Weather Tent (4-person) for personal comfort (₱220)
- Insulated Sleeping Bag + Thick Mat (₱100)
- Premium Portable Multi Burner Stove (₱200)
- Premium Cooking Set (₱125)
- High-End Rice Cooker (₱150)
- Multi-functional folding table (has seats) (₱250)
- Premium Chairs (₱80)
- Filtered Refillable Water Bottle (₱40)
- Expanded First Aid Kit (₱30)
- Durable Basic Watch (Solar Powered) (₱40)
- Performance Clothes (₱100)
- Portable Premium Washing Machine (₱150)
- Stylish Pokemon Belt (6-slots) (₱35)
- Camping Lantern (₱40)
- Utility Knife (₱60)
- Travel Guide for the Region (₱20)
- Automatic Portable Washing Machine (₱190)
--------------
"Now for the backpack, I recommend the Silph Co series. It can store all of those items combined, solar charge for devices and has a fridge system." He says as if he was a salesman. Although this was more of Brock's informative side.
Plus it was the bag he was currently using.
With the size of items he brings with a constant supply of food and large equipment, there wasn't any doubt in my mind.
I NEED ONE.
--------------
[Silph-Co. Trek-X: Backpack]
Price: ₱6,500
Insight:
- Spatial properties
- Integrated solar panels to charge equipment
- Advanced water filtration system
- Modular food storage
- Durable
- Padding for comfort
- Can store 250 liters of water
- 6.5 Kg flat weight
--------------
Those were the important bits I could write down as this was the bag I probably would buy. So far the costs were in my current budget for a year. This didn't include food for my Pokemon yet so it's a bit weird.
Speaking of that though.
"Do you make your own Pokemon food Brock?" I simply ask.
"Yeah, it makes it a lot cheaper than regularly buying them." He states which gets me interested.
But then again the labour must be a bit demanding considering the amount of Pokemon he's feeding daily.
"I suggest getting an Automatic Poke Block machine with your budget. While the hand-made ones are bigger and have better effects, the machine makes mini ones which are better for on the road and portioning."
Hearing this I think to myself.
Buying these things really costs a pretty penny. If I had to choose, this is what Brock and I liked the most after scrolling through.
--------------
[DevonTech Pokeblock Synth Pro V2]
Price: 2,800 (+500 Solar Charge)
Insight:
- Can make low and medium-tier poke blocks
- Flavour System
- Compact and Durable
--------------
But I didn't have a recipe.
"I don't have a recipe though so wouldn't that be counterproductive?" I say to which Brock just nods with a thoughtful look.
"It's alright, while I can't give you my family's high-tier recipe. I have a medium tier if you want it."
Looking at the man in a different light my thoughts change. Even if he was being genuine, getting so much for free on top of a medium-tier recipe is too much.
Refusing his words he quickly insisted I took it which put me in a difficult position.
"I believe you'll become a great trainer. So how about this, catch a couple rock types for my gym." Brock says holding his fist up with a smile. My body for a second shook as the genuine warmth he said those words hit me.
Giving him a fist bump we both laugh. Of course, I had to ask him about his gym life before traveling so that took up a few more hours.
Because of this I ended up seeing his screen on accident.
He had some images of women in bikinis...
Ignoring this he recited the recipe as I noted it down.
--------------
[Brock's Balance Block (Medium Tier) Poke Block]
Trait:
- Promotes better post-training recovery than other recipes
- Not as good training effects
- Calming effects for Pokemon
- Generally cheap to produce
Ingredients:
2 Sitrus Berries (Chopped finely)
1 Chesto Berry (Chopped into quarters)
1 Pecha Berry (Chopped finely)
1 Oran Berry (Diced)
Half a Cup of PokeNutrient Mix (standard box from Pokemart)
--------------
My eyes practically widen at the thought of this recipe.
This is such a Brock made recipe it's astonishing, he must of made it himself there was no other explanation. It focuses a lot more of recovery and training again with calming effects to ease a Pokemon in to resting.
Which is perfect for my serious Mudkip and energetic Mankey.
Plus it was cheap!
"Thanks a lot... I'm really nervous about this, leaving my parents thing. This helped me a lot with my initial setback." I sincerely say my voice getting quiet towards the end.
These were my real feelings.
No matter what, going out in the wild with elemental monsters scared me a bit. Obviously, there were some doubts in my head but I would never let them persist.
This might of brought out Brock's inner big brother as he pats my shoulder.
"Don't worry, here take my number. If you ever need help with what to buy or if you want some advice. Just call me."
Giving him my phone, he inputs his number. Suddenly a shout from the horizon gets our attention as May, Ash and Max are there. Next to them were two other boys who had their Pokemon out.
A Meowth and Beldum.
"Brock! Sunny!" Ash shouts with a big grin.
'I don't really remember their names.' I thought squinting my eyes.