Skylar Johnson: The trainer

Disclaimer: I do not own this CYOA or Pokemon.

After leaving Ivysaur and Dratini with Nurse Joy for treatment, I found myself wandering to the back of the Pokémon Center. The quiet evening air was tinged with the comforting scent of warm earth and grass. The sun was beginning to dip below the horizon, painting the sky in breathtaking hues of deep amber and gold that melted into soft purples above.

I sat down on a worn wooden bench, resting my elbows on my knees as I watched two young trainers battle in the practice area. Their Pokémon – a Pidgeotto and a Growlithe – exchanged swift, powerful moves, their trainers shouting commands with fierce determination and eyes that gleamed with focus and purpose.

As I watched them, a wave of conflicting emotions churned in my chest. Today, I had won my first gym battle. I held the Boulder Badge safely tucked away in my bag, proof of my progress… but instead of pride alone, I felt a dull ache gnawing at my conscience.

I exhaled shakily, clenching my fists.

I overestimated myself… and I overestimated my team.

They fought bravely, every one of them. But the truth was harsh – they weren't truly ready to stand against a Gym Leader yet. Dratini was injured badly, and Ivysaur had nearly collapsed despite his evolution. My heart clenched as I remembered the way his legs trembled with exhaustion, and how Dratini's breathing grew laboured with each desperate move.

This isn't just a game anymore. I can't treat it like one.

These Pokémon… they're living, breathing beings who trust me with everything they have. My mistakes could cost them their health, their safety… even their lives if I wasn't careful.

I closed my eyes, feeling the cool breeze brush against my face as the voices of the battling trainers filled the twilight air.

"I promise," I whispered to myself, my voice steady despite the storm raging within. "I promise this will never happen again."

From now on, I needed to be smarter. More strategic. I needed to prepare for every possible scenario, no matter how unlikely. Relying on only three Pokémon had been reckless. I needed variety, adaptability, and a team that could cover each other's weaknesses.

No more half-hearted choices. No more arrogance. I will build a team worthy of the trust they place in me… a team strong enough to protect themselves and me, no matter what challenges this world throws our way.

As the orange glow of sunset gave way to the cool silver of the rising moon, I opened my eyes, watching the trainers finish their battle and call back their exhausted partners with gentle words of praise.

I felt a fire ignite in my chest once again.

This is just the beginning, I thought, standing up from the bench, my shadow stretching long behind me in the fading light. Next time… we'll be ready.

Ooooo

After sitting outside for what felt like hours, letting the cool evening air clear my thoughts, I finally walked back into the Pokémon Center. The bright fluorescent lights were a sharp contrast to the dusky twilight outside. The lobby was quiet, with only a few trainers milling about or waiting for their partners to recover.

Nurse Joy looked up as I approached the counter, her usual gentle smile lighting up her face. "Welcome back, Skylar. Your Pokémon are ready."

She turned to the side and picked up two Pokéballs from the tray behind her, placing them carefully on the counter. "Your Dratini and Ivysaur are fully healed now. They were quite exhausted after today's battles, but they're recovering well."

"Thank you," I said quietly, picking up the Pokéballs. I felt their familiar warmth against my palm, and my chest tightened a little with relief. "I… I really can't thank you enough."

Nurse Joy tilted her head slightly, studying me with kind eyes. "You're welcome. But… is everything alright? You seem troubled."

I hesitated for a moment, then nodded, letting out a shaky sigh. "I… I guess I just realised today how unprepared I was. I thought I could just walk into a gym and win without much planning. But seeing Dratini and Ivysaur so worn out… it made me realise how irresponsible I've been. They trusted me to lead them, and I let them get hurt."

She smiled softly, her expression thoughtful as she folded her hands in front of her. "Skylar, it's good that you're reflecting on this. Many trainers don't realise the weight of their responsibility until it's too late. You care for your Pokémon deeply – I can see it in your eyes. That's what makes you a good trainer already."

"But I wasn't good enough today," I replied, voice low. "I need to be better. For them."

"And you will be," she said firmly, her voice gentle but unwavering. "Training isn't just about winning battles. It's about learning from them – every loss, every close call, every victory. Your Pokémon don't expect you to be perfect. They just want you to keep trying with them, to stand by them no matter how hard things get."

I nodded slowly, her words sinking into my chest like a calming balm over raw wounds. "Thank you, Nurse Joy. I… needed to hear that."

She smiled again, the corners of her eyes crinkling softly. "Anytime. Now go get some rest. Tomorrow is a new day, and your partners will be counting on your smile when they wake up."

I bowed my head slightly in gratitude. "Goodnight, Nurse Joy."

"Goodnight, Skylar. And good luck on your journey."

As I turned away from the counter, my Pokéballs held firmly in my hand, I felt a quiet determination settle in my chest. She's right. Tomorrow is a new day. And I will make sure I'm ready for it.

Oooo

The next morning, I woke up before dawn, feeling surprisingly refreshed despite yesterday's exhausting battle. The events of my gym match still played vividly in my mind, fuelling a quiet determination that pulsed through my veins like electricity.

After getting dressed and grabbing a quick breakfast at the Pokémon Center cafeteria, I made my way to the PokéMart just as the orange rays of sunrise began to spill across Pewter City's stone streets. The crisp morning air carried the earthy scent of dew-soaked rocks and blooming flowers from small roadside planters.

The PokéMart was quiet at this early hour, with only a few trainers browsing shelves for supplies. I went through my list methodically, picking up six regular Pokéballs, four Potions, two Antidotes, and a Revive just in case of emergencies. 

Before leaving, I stopped by the food aisle and spent time choosing a variety of Pokémon food – rich berry mixes for Ivysaur, sweet and soft feed for Dratini, mineral-enriched blends for Zubat, and general nutritious pellets for future team members. I bought enough to last each of them at least a month, packing them neatly into my storage bag. The cashier gave me a polite nod as I left, the automatic doors sliding shut behind me with a gentle whoosh. My remaining money had dipped to 75,485 Pokédollars.

With supplies sorted, I decided it was time to start the day right.

I walked towards the forest clearing behind the Pokémon Center, the ground crunching under my boots as I stepped through the undergrowth. Birds chirped high in the trees, the scent of pine sharp and refreshing in the crisp morning breeze.

Finding a wide grassy area bathed in golden sunlight filtering through the leaves, I set my bag down and took out my Pokéballs. My heart felt lighter as I pressed the release buttons one by one, watching the bright flashes of light materialise into familiar figures.

I watched as Dratini slithered slowly across the grass, her blue scales duller than usual in the morning sun. Her head was bowed, and even her usually energetic tail dragged behind her as she coiled up near my feet, letting out a quiet, sad "Draa…"

Kneeling down beside her, I gently ran my fingers over the smooth curve of her head. She flinched slightly at first but leaned into my touch, her body trembling with unspoken disappointment.

"Hey… hey, look at me," I said softly, my voice calm and reassuring. Her large violet eyes blinked up at me, glassy with unshed tears. "I know you're upset about yesterday. You fought your hardest out there. I saw how strong and brave you were, even when things seemed hopeless."

She let out a weak cry, nuzzling her face against my palm.

"You didn't let me down, Dratini. Not even for a second," I continued, rubbing her smooth scales with my thumb. "We're a team, okay? We win together, and we learn together. Losing is just another way to grow stronger, and I promise… next time, we'll be ready."

She let out a soft, trembling "Draa…" and curled around my arm, holding on tightly. I smiled, feeling the tightness in my chest ease.

Then I turned towards Ivysaur, who was lounging nearby, soaking in the morning sun with a tired but proud expression. His new form looked powerful – the buds on his back more pronounced, his limbs sturdier and thicker. I reached over to scratch under his chin where I knew he liked it.

"You were amazing yesterday," I told him firmly. His eyes flickered open, and he let out a low, pleased growl. "You pushed yourself past your limits and evolved to protect us all. I couldn't be prouder of you."

Ivysaur lifted his head higher at that, a smug glint entering his narrowed eyes.

"And you…" I turned towards Zubat, who was hanging upside down from a low branch, his wings tucked around himself sulkily. "Don't think I forgot about you."

He shifted slightly, letting out a quiet, questioning screech.

"I know I didn't use you in the gym battle. But it wasn't because I don't trust you. You're strong, Zubat, but Brock's Pokémon were rock types – their moves could have hurt you badly, and I couldn't risk that. But I promise, in our next big battle, you'll get your chance to shine. We'll work on your strength and speed so that when the time comes, you'll be ready to take down anyone."

Zubat perked up at that, letting out an excited shriek as he flipped upright and fluttered down to my shoulder, nuzzling my cheek lightly.

I stood up, looking over my small team with a determined smile. The morning breeze rustled the leaves around us, carrying the scent of pine and wildflowers through the clearing.

"Alright, team. Here's the plan for today. Ivysaur, you'll be working on your agility and control over your new power – I want you to practice precise Vine Whip strikes and dodging. Dratini, we'll train your Thunder Wave for accuracy, and work on strengthening your Dragon Breath until it's even stronger than before. Zubat, we're focusing on your evasive maneuvers and Poison Fang accuracy. You have speed – now we'll sharpen it."

Their eyes gleamed with fierce determination as they listened.

"We're not just training to battle… we're training to protect each other, and to stand proudly no matter who we face. So let's get started."

With their eager cries echoing in the morning air, I felt hope and purpose settle firmly in my chest once more. This time, we'll do it right.

Oooo

After wrapping up our morning training session, I led my team back to the Pokémon Center. They were tired but energized, their eyes bright with the satisfaction of hard work. We each grabbed a meal – I settled for a steaming bowl of spicy curry rice, while Ivysaur, Dratini, and Zubat tucked eagerly into their own nutritious feeds laid out before them.

As I ate, I kept glancing at my Pokémon, thoughts swirling in my mind like a restless tide. Normal training won't be enough. Sure, battling helps, and my Champ in the Making perk gives us an edge – every battle makes them stronger, faster, more resilient. That's probably why Bulbasaur evolved into Ivysaur so quickly. But perks or not, relying solely on that would be foolish.

I needed something more. Something to build their physical foundation so that every move they used would hit harder and endure longer.

After finishing my meal, I walked over to the computer desk tucked in the corner of the Pokémon Center's lobby. The blue glow of the screen reflected off my eyes as I scrolled through research articles and trainer forums, searching for ways to increase my Pokémon's base stats beyond normal training. Most advice was the same: battle often, exercise rigorously, feed them well. Basic, repetitive, expected.

I leaned back in my chair with a quiet sigh, frustration bubbling in my chest. This isn't enough. There has to be something better…

Then, a scene flashed vividly in my mind – Goku training in the Gravity Chamber and on King Kai's planet in Dragon Ball Z, pushing his body beyond normal limits to become exponentially stronger. What if I could do something like that?

Excited, I immediately searched for anything similar in this world – Gravity Chamber Pokémon training equipment. Nothing came up. Disappointment prickled under my skin, but I didn't give up. I refined my search, thinking about how gravity affects training… and then I found it.

The move Gravity.

My eyes widened as I read about it. Gravity – a move that drastically increases gravitational pull in an area, making everything heavier, movements harder, and aerial Pokémon grounded. If I could train my team under increased gravity… their strength, endurance, and speed would skyrocket.

But as I continued reading, my enthusiasm dimmed slightly. TMs for Gravity were expensive – I have enough money for one but very few Pokémon could learn it and very few posses it naturally. Then, I saw her name listed among potential users.

Chansey.

My heart skipped with excitement. Of course – Chansey can learn Gravity… and Heal Pulse. That combination would be perfect for training. Not only could she create a high-gravity environment to toughen my team, but she could also heal them during and after training to prevent exhaustion or injury.

The only problem was… Where do I even find a Chansey in the wild?

I frowned, tapping my finger against the desk thoughtfully. Chansey weren't exactly common, but there was someone who would definitely know – someone who practically lived with them.

Nurse Joy.

Smiling with renewed determination, I shut down the computer and stood, pocketing my Pokédex. My team perked up from where they were resting nearby, watching me curiously.

I approached the counter, feeling a flicker of nerves despite Nurse Joy's perpetually calm presence. She was typing something rapidly into her computer, her Chansey standing beside her, humming softly as it organised a tray of Pokéballs.

"Nurse Joy," I began, clearing my throat. She turned to me instantly, her expression warm.

"Yes, Skylar? Is everything alright with your Pokémon?"

"Yeah, they're fine – thanks to you," I replied with a small smile. "Actually… I had a question. Do you know where I could find a Chansey in the wild?"

At this, she blinked in surprise. "A Chansey? Well, that's quite the request. They're not easy to find, I'm afraid."

My shoulders slumped slightly. "Really? I was hoping to catch one for… personal reasons."

Nurse Joy nodded thoughtfully, folding her hands together on the counter. "Chansey are considered rare, gentle Pokémon. The most common places they're seen are the Safari Zones – though even there, they're elusive. Apart from that, they're sometimes spotted in Cerulean Cave, but…" Her lips quirked into an apologetic frown. "That cave is extremely dangerous, reserved for only the most accomplished trainers."

I sighed, a quiet frustration boiling in my chest. Safari Zones and Cerulean Cave… both out of reach right now.

"Is there any other Pokémon that can learn the move Gravity?" I asked, trying to keep the urgency out of my voice.

Nurse Joy tilted her head in thought, scrolling through a database on her screen. "Hmm… let's see… Ah, yes." She turned the screen slightly so I could see. "Clefairy is another Pokémon that can naturally learn Gravity."

My eyes widened slightly. Clefairy…

"They're not as rare as Chansey, but still uncommon," she continued with a small smile. "However, your best chance of finding one is in Mount Moon. That's their natural habitat."

Mount Moon. It wasn't far from here – a little north of Pewter City, along the way to Cerulean. I clenched my fist with renewed determination. This is perfect. Clefairy might not be Chansey, but it's the next best option.

"Thank you so much, Nurse Joy," I said, bowing slightly. "I really appreciate it."

She chuckled softly. "You're welcome, Skylar. Clefairy are shy, but I'm sure you'll do fine. Just… be careful in Mount Moon. It can be dark, and wild Pokémon there can be aggressive if provoked."

"I will," I promised, turning away with a determined smile on my face.

As I walked back towards my team, who were resting peacefully in the lounge area, I felt a surge of excitement.

Looks like our next destination is set… Mount Moon, here we come.

Name- Skylar Johnson

Age- 14

Home- Kanto

Pokedollars- 74,485

Pokemon owned- 3

Badges- Boulder Badge

Zubat – The Bat Pokémon

Type: Poison/Flying

Gender: Male

Height: 2'07"

Ability: Inner Focus

Known Moves: Supersonic, Absorb, Astonish, Mean Look, Poison Fang

Dratini – The Dragon Pokémon

Gender: Female

Height: 5'1"

Ability: Shed Skin

Known Moves: Dragon Breath, Wrap, Twister, Leer, thunder wave

Ivysaur- the seed pokemon

Gender: Male

Height: 3'3"

Ability: Overgrow

Moves: Tackle, Vine Whip, Growth, Leech Seed, Razor Leaf, seed bomb