Perspective Shift: Aiden

The sounds of Viridian forest surround you, sounds that used to feel like home. But now, they make you feel conflicted. You take out one of your Pokéballs, looking down at it as you think over the last few days again.

Ever since you lost to that kid a few days ago you haven't been able to get what he said out of your head. About you having potential, about it being wasted as a glorified rookie-crusher out in the forest. It really made you second guess if you really could go out there and continue your "Pokémon adventure".

And then, just after you met him, you ran into Bugsy! THE Bugsy, idol of anyone who uses bug types, and someone who was living proof that a bug catcher like you could make it big. Granted, she did absolutely mop the floor with you, but that too just stood to show that bugs had so much more potential.

Beyond even that, she had said she was impressed! She said she really though you had what it takes to go big, and that meant everything in the world to you coming from her. After all, who could possibly be more qualified to know who had the skills to be a proper bug catcher extraordinaire?

Even still, your inner battle rages on. You stand up and start to walk, the voices within filling you with doubts, with fears, with feelings of inadequacy. You aren't Bugsy, you aren't a legend. You barely won one badge with a fully evolved team, how could you hope to get any more? And then, what would happen to your gang if you left?

This war continues within you, as it has for a few days now. That is, until a sound a bit further into the woods distracts you, catching your attention. You pause your walking, listening closer to try and find out what it is. It sounds like... a Pokémon battle? That's strange, you hadn't heard any declarations of a challenge, nor had any of your gang gone to fetch you.

You start to walk closer, intrigued by what could be happening nearby. As you get closer, you can hear far more clearly the sounds of a battle, though it definitely doesn't sound like someone fighting a wild Pokémon. As you get close, you begin to hear a voice through the sounds of fighting.

A voice that shouts out a rather bizarre encouragement. "Come on, I know you can do better than that! Hit me, come on!"

Raising an eyebrow, you push through a few bushes and arrive in a clearing. Just as you enter, a rock whizzes past your head, impacting into a tree behind you and lodging itself in the bark. Standing stunned for a moment, the sounds of the fighting pause as the figures within the clearing both stop to look towards you.

The first to speak is what seems to be the only human present, though it would be hard to tell for certain with all the layers they have on. "You uh, you okay there?" Their voice sounds as if you were to make a whisper louder, a strange raspiness to it. Both their words and current posture are filled with obvious nervousness, most likely to do with the fact they may have been responsible for nearly killing you.

Gulping to regain your voice and composure, you try to answer as confidently as you can. "Ye-yeah! Totally fine." The figure nods cautiously in response, clearly still a bit on edge. They turn around to the other figure you can see in the clearing, a small green Pokémon currently paused in the stance of a pitcher who has just thrown, eyes locked on you.

Letting out a sigh, the heavily clothed individual speaks to what would seem to be their Pokémon. "Larvitar, do try to be a bit more careful of your surroundings. It would be very bad if you hurt someone who didn't deserve it." The little reptile hangs its head as you perform a slight double take on the fact they specified "someone who didn't deserve it."

Deciding to try and satisfy your earlier curiosity, you decide to speak up again. "So uh, what are you doing out here? It sounded like you were battling but..." You trail off for a moment as you look around, investigating the clearing. "I uh, I don't see any other Pokémon around."

Before they can answer, you hear another sound in response to your statement. "Pikachu!" Turning to the side, you see a Pikachu perched upon a stump next to you, a whistle like that of a coach hanging around its neck. Noticing you at last looking its way, it sits up on its hind legs in order to wave at you, closing its eyes as it gives a big smile.

A simple "huh" is all you can get out in response to that, letting out your own shy wave in response. Turning back to the other person in the clearing, they seem to have noticed your recent interaction. "Full disclosure, I have no idea where he found that. I sure didn't give it to him."

Everything about this situation confuses you, but before you can try to get it cleared up they continue. "I just got registered last night, spent the last while trying to train up my..." They hesitate for a moment, clearly adjusting to the idea of being a trainer. "My new partner."

The small reptile looks up at the figure happily, like a child looking at their parent while receiving praise. It reached up expectantly, waiting until its trainer relented and gave it some scratches on its head just behind its horn.

A call from the yellow mouse interrupts the admittedly cute scene. "Pika! Pika-pi!" The little guy bounds over to them, hopping up and down at the person expectantly. With an exaggerated roll and shake of the head, they crouch down in order to pet both Pokémon comfortably.

For a few moments you simply stand there, still in a bit of shock but also admiring the bond this new trainer seems to share with their Pokémon. A true connection with one's team is something not all trainers can do, though there are some who don't even attempt it.

Eventually the trainer stops, standing back up and looking towards you. "If uh, if you are going to challenge me or something, I regret to inform you I am flat broke at the minute." They shrug after finishing their place, a gesture to express a sense of 'it is how it is'.

It takes you a moment to regain your composure after shaking yourself up a bit. "Oh, uh, no. I'm good man, just... checking out what was going on, you know?" You don't know why you are acting rather passive right now, given your normal course of action around newbies, but you are nonetheless.

Silence falls over the group as you all just stand, no one really having much more to say. After a few moments, you cough to clear your throat and decide to try some icebreakers. "So, uh, I'm Aiden. What's uh, what's your name?" You offer your hand out somewhat awkwardly in a form of greeting.

They stare at your hand for a few moments, lost in thought. You begin to worry you may have offended them when they eventually respond. "My name... Is Rai." They say it weirdly for someone saying their own name, like it was a foreign word they were trying to use after hearing someone else say it.

Pushing through the strangeness of this whole situation, you keep up the polite introductions. "That's uh, it's a cool name man." You both just stand there for a few moments, neither seemingly knowing what to do about this situation.

Luckily, or unluckily, depending on your perspective, the sound of others approaching lets you know you won't have to deal with the situation anymore. Turning around, you see four familiar boys scampering their way into the clearing, automatically taking up their normal positions around you.

"Nice job Aiden, you found one!" Tony shouts, as enthusiastic as always despite the fact he almost always loses unless you go before him.

Letting out a sigh, you are about to explain that the Rai said he doesn't have any money. That is, until Rai himself speaks. "You there," He points directly at Tony, catching everyone off guard. "You want to have a nice fight? No money on the line?"

Tony seems to be a bit genuinely confused by this proposition, "No... money? What do I get if I win then?"

Rai shrugs, "Bragging rights? Experience? I don't know, just know I ain't got money so it would be rude to ask for it."

You smirk to yourself, having a fun idea in mind. "Actually, we do things a bit more fun around here, and, if you are willing to hear me out, I have an idea of just how we could fix that issue."