Pokemon Vindication

Blossom City Blues

The incessant tap of raindrops prickle at my ears as I sit on the stoop of my apartment building. Blossom City, one of the new metropolises of the Unova region is known for its sustainability practices incorporated into the engineering and infrastructure of the city. Skyscrapers outlined with canopy's of rain gardens interconnected by sprawling bridges lined with skirts of blossoming flowers make the city pop with a wide array of colors. Every building seems connected in one way or another and with the new incentives imposed by the Unova Government more and more people have been moving into the cities.
I myself was one of those people. A young starry eyed boy when I first moved to blossom city. That was five years ago. No one thought that me and my Abra had what it takes to become a gym leader, but I did it. Even if it was handed out to me....
One of the incentives that attracted Pokemon trainers and fanatics to Blossom City was the Blooming Day Spectacular, an event held by Sinnoh's Champion Cynthia on her vacation time. She hosted Pokemon battling tournaments, contests and announced cash grand prizes. It's rumored to be bankrolled entirely by her as a philanthropic pursuit for the Unova region after the Team Plasma Resurgence and new emergence of Team Singularity has caused people to leave in masses due to their territorial disputes.
The Blossom City Mayor, Cynthia's cousin, Mayor Crystal, announced a new gym system for Blossom City as well. Instead of having a normal "one gym one town" system as many other cities do, Blossom City consisted of a beginner friendly gym, an experienced trainer gym, and an elite gym. Any Pokemon trainer looking to take on the gym challenge would have to claim the elite Blossom City gym badge in order to acquire the now standard twelve gym badges to challenge the elite four.
When the city first started receiving residents I was among the first to apply to become the beginner friendly gym leader, and fortunately for me at the time me and my Abra were accepted on the condition that we never lose three matches in a row.
Not even a month into my tenure, those three matches came quick, and my license was revoked until I could submit revamped credentials. Since then I've been working at a local Pokemart and wasting my life away. Now I find myself sitting on the stoop of my apartment building with the Pokeball holding Abra in my left hand and my head resting on my right staring into the puddle formed on the sidewalk in front of me.
A stray Purrloin knocks over a trash can in the alleyway across the street. I watch as it searches for food to nibble on. Must be hard for the little cat.
On the radio, news of a Team Singularity sighting outside of the city's border plays. "Shocking disturbances roll through the Blossom City Hills on Route 19. Team Singularity thugs assault and mug random trainers trying to make their way to Driftveil City. For all travelers please be aware and do not hesitate to contact local law enforcement..."
I turn the radio down as Lan, my roommate glides to a stop on his scooter, and parks it along the curb. "Keadon! I can spot that woe is me expression on your face from all the way at the last intersection. Don't you have work in an hour? You got to get in the customer service spirit?"
Lan takes off his red safety helmet revealing his long, unkept brown hair and acne ridden face. Lan is a tall and lanky guy much like myself and usually wears the same black sleeveless shirt, blue jeans and red shoes.
"Ah bug off." I say rolling my eyes. "Not in the mood."
"You're never in the mood man." Lan hops off his scooter and leans on the railing next to me as a family walks by with three small Lillipups that trail behind them.
"Well, when you know you're not where you're supposed to be things seem...wrong all the time." I reply clenching my pokeball just a little bit tighter.
Knowing failure as gym leader is a sensitive subject for me. Lan sighs and says, "Yeah." He snaps his fingers as if he had an idea and says, "You know what can help when things feel wrong? Pizza. And you know who delivers pizza?" He points to himself, "This guy. Come on man. Let's get some pizza before your shift starts."
  Stepping off the stoop and onto the sidewalk, I slide my pokeball containing Abra back inside of the pouch I have draped around my neck. My blue Pokemart apron lays on top of my white shirt and khaki pants."That's not a bad idea man."
  Luckily for us the pizza store Lan worked at was right around the corner from us. It never made sense to me why Lan decided to take his scooter just around the corner. On the way over we couldn't help but talk about Lan's latest obsession regarding Unova's growing infatuation with the importation of foreign Pokemon. He swears this was the only way I was able to obtain my Abra when I was younger. "They import these foreign Pokemon solely for monetary and entertainment purposes." Lan explains as we enter the shop.
The shop is empty save a few workers who greet Lan as we walk in. "I don't doubt that, but what makes you so sure." Sitting down in the corner booths is always preferable to me so I pick a spot by the window that looks out onto the street.
Lan sits across from me, screwing his face up as his conspiratorial mind turns. "Just think about it Keadon. Ten years ago when they started importing more Pokemon the Unova population had a huge increase, which drove the economy way up, but now the Unova population is reaching a breaking point, and with the integration of Pokemon into our society the government is looking to Pokemon to plug in some of the holes in society. For example, if we don't have enough construction workers to build all these houses for all these new people the government goes and grabs a bunch of Machokes from the Kanto region and puts them to work over here, and you know Pokemon don't get paid. It's all wrong."
I will admit, sometimes I do agree with him when he doesn't sound like a conspiracy theorist. "Good point."
"I know you love your Abra, and the pokemon sanctioned to you when you were battling but I think this whole system is wrong man." He sighs and then almost as if he has attention deficit disorder he sees the menu and says, "Oh yeah man, they got the new triple cheese mega crust pizza. Let's try that."
At the mention of Abra, I think about how long it's been since he's been out. Thinking of my little brown and yellow bi-pedal friend. Man we have been through so much together...Reaching into my pouch, I toss the pokeball onto the table and Abra pops out in a flash of red light. Sitting cross leg on the table beside me Abra moans and stretches slightly before sitting back cross legged. "Sounds good and thanks for reminding me. I wanted Abra to get some fresh air." Usually when Abra comes out he is sleeping to sustain his physic energy but luckily right now he is content with sitting down on the table.
Lan orders the triple cheese mega crust pizza on the electronic display embedded into the middle of the table. "Ahhh I see, letting Abra in on the pizza gold mine."
"Yeah, he really doesn't liked to be cooped up in there all time even if he is sleeping most of the day." I wonder if that is something about my Abra in particular.
"I don't blame the guy. Abra's gotta see the world man. I bet he wants to explore all the time. Maybe see different regions?" Lan raises his eyebrows egging me on.
"Maybe one day Lan." I know that the feeling of wanting to be the best Pokemon trainer still eats at me or at least a good one. "Before I leave Unova, there are still things I want to do."
  Lan frowned, "Things like? You know I'm a little slow man."
   "I don't want to get to into it but lately I've been having thoughts of maybe doing the Unova gym challenge." The words come out as a mumble even if I did mean them confidently.
  "What?!" Lan exclaims drawn back, "I can understand why you'd want to do that given your family and history but you know all that sanctioned battling is a money grab. Come on Keadon."
  "Is it though Lan? Look at the friendships that are formed, the competitiveness that strengthens bonds and brings people together. I think there is a lot of positives to Pokemon battling that you're overlooking although I do agree there are some negatives...." Pokemon battling was already a worldwide phenomenon when I was born. Now it's turned into something more. I've seen people get violently attacked after one of my father's tournaments.
  "I guess man. Whatever you got to tell yourself and as long as you keep Abra safe right?" He sticks out his fist trying to get Abra to give him friendly "fist bump" gesture but Abra simply stares at the floating fist.
  A few moments later our pizza comes out and we consume it as if we've never seen food before.  Abra nibbles at the slice we set in front of him and me and Lan trade jokes about ways we can get rich legally. Taking our chances at a Casino or playing the Pokelottery. Anything to give hope is this mundane life of working to live. As we converse, customers come and go and I fear when you're having fun time passing too quickly as it's time for me to head to the Pokemart.
  As I get up from the booth, Abra floats beside me still sitting criss cross in the air. "Abbbruhhh." He hums beside me happily. I almost wish Abra could help me with my shift but Lan's words about Pokemon exploitation ring true.
  Lan slides out from his side and we both sigh because I know he is heading back to the apartment to binge watch television, swipe on dating apps and probably rage bait people on Pokebook, a social media platform. He sighs because he knows the one person who listens to his insane theories is heading into work for the night shift. We both bid farewell to the Lan's manager and part ways as he heads back around the corner and me and Abra walk down to the local bus stop.
The streets buzz with vehicles traversing the Blossom City streets. The longer my walk goes on the more the sky starts to fade to orange as the sun begins to set. The buildings dressed with vegetation facades have Flabebes and Bellossoms dropping decadent scents from above as they toe the line of the interconnected bridges that enter and exit random points of the looming skyscraper. They really keep the city smelling of lavender, gardenia and jasmine.
  At this hour, when most businesses were ending their workday, the sidewalks flood with various people and Pokemon. Shouting, random conversations on the phone, vendors trying to sell anything and everything  as people pass by. The sidewalks became a river of society as people make their way home. Just as my day is getting started.
Another thirty minutes of walking and I arrive at the bus stop. The singular bench enclosed by silver lined clear glass with a door in front was already occupied by two young women and a young man. It would probably be better for me and Abra to wait outside of the bus stop enclosure anyway.
Just like every other day me and Abra rode the bus to the Sunflower Court, a shopping center located downtown with sunflower themed landscape architecture incorporated into the Utban design.
At the front of the shopping center was a store front, with a giant blue pokeball centered above the door. The general store I love to hate. The Pokemart. But something was off about it today, when I stepped up to the front sliding doors nothing happened. The doors remained closed despite me standing in front of the automatic sensor. Pressing my face against the clear doors didn't reveal anything out of the norm. Just a few snack aisles and the front checkout line where my register is.
Abra also presses his face against the glass. "No one notified me I have the day off I guess buddy." But that was too out of the norm. My boss, Mr.Derby, always wanted us to work even if we were sick. So the fact the store seemed closed on a random day seems strange. To right of the main sliding doors was a sign that read "CLOSED" in big bold letters. How did I miss that?
I should probably head home but I can't help feeling like I should check in with Mr.Derby first just to be positive I can go home and keep my job. Mr.Derby usually leaves the door outback slightly cracked because it jams so much. Abra floats gently behind me as we begin down the alleyway separating two large buildings. The further back we go the more the smells transition from flowery aromas to a concoction of garbage items as the dumpsters seem to be completely full. I always did hate coming back here.
  The rear door was propped open leading to the break room in the back. Slowly, the door creaked open as I stepped into the bland room with a table, two chairs, a fridge and a small television. I almost relaxed until I saw something unsettling. There standing in the corner was a broad shouldered, tall, bald headed man in a black overcoat on top of a white suit, pants and boots. A large red pendant was stitched into the chest of his overcoat. The pendant depicted two semi overlapping ovals inside of a star. The symbol of Team Singularity... There is a split second when we make eye contact before Abra gently floats in behind me, bumping into the back of my head as I stop abruptly. "Ah-bruuu."
Both of us back out into the alleyway as the bald man calmly walks towards us. I've never seen one of these goons in person. Surely if I mind my business though they will ignore me. I don't need to know why they are here. I just need to make it home now. I can feel my heart pounding. My anxiety is building. The bald man steps into the door opening and Abra floats bravely in front of me with one hand extending in front of him and one on his head for concentration ready to act in any moment.
  The bald man smirks and shuts the door behind him as he walks out backing us further into the alleyway. "Kid, wrong time to have a shift. Could you see the store was closed?" He pops his knuckles and slowly moves his coat back to reveal three red and white pokeballs attached to his belt loop.
   "L-l-look man, I was just curious. Mr.Derby would never close the shop out of the blue." The bald man snickers and I quickly add, "but now I see why, this is none of my business. Me and Abra will be on our way and forget we saw anything."
   "The problem is you saw anything at all kid." One pokeball drops from his belt hitting the ground. A red light flashes and standing in front of the bald man is a large five foot tall raccoon pokemon with black and white fur standing on two legs in front of me. Its tongue hangs lazily out of its mouth drooling onto its silver vest and bracers. It rears its head back and screeches, "Obsta-goooooooon!" Me and Abra both grimace a little bit and take a few more steps back.
  Even with that screech, I doubt anyone street side can hear us. I've never seen an Obstagoon up close but this one in particular was terrifying. It had a long scar running from the base of its neck to its chest and around its neck was a gold chain with the ruby symbol of Team Singularity at the end of it. "Steady Obstagoon." The bald man said, "We just want to give the kid something to remember so he doesn't talk. We don't want to kill him." Obstagoon closes its mouth in what seems like disappointment.
   I already know at the right moment I'm going to touch Abra and ask him to teleport us out of here but I need a distraction. It's hard to think when your heart beat is louder than your thoughts. His Obstagoon creeps closer to us as we back into the wall. I'll only have one shot at this.
  I stare past the bald man and shout, "Mr.Derby!?" As if I see someone else behind the man. Luckily for me the bald man turns slightly in this moment to look at the broken door.
  Before the bald man realizes he's been fooled I touch Abra's back quickly and say, "Teleport us out of here Abra!"
  "Bruuuuh." Abra hums angrily while focusing intently.
  The bald man turns back quickly and yells, "Obstagoon, nightslash!" His Obstagoon's claws become enveloped in a purple toxic smoke as the raccoon creature lunges at us. Realizing he's too late the bald man yells, "I won't for-
  And with a blink of my eye and as the Obstagoon's claws slash downward toward us, me and Abra disappear from the alleyway.