A Master Among Students

#1 | The Masked Master (Part 2)

Word Count: 3659 words

- - -

It was three days before Mason's 10th birthday, and it was time to put his plan into action.

He got out of bed, put on a black hoodie to cover up his smooth, blonde hair, and walked downstairs to see his mom.

"Hey mom, is it ok if I got train with Corvisquire, we're getting close to mastering Taunt." He casually, trying not to sound suspicious.

"Alright, hun, just make sure to be back by 12, we're having Torchic Noodle Soup for lunch!" His mom said, waving him off.

Mason checked his phone's clock, which read "9:17 AM" on the screen. He smiled, put his phone down, and called out to his mom.

"Alright, I-uhm, I'll be sure to be back by 12! Love ya, bye!"

That would be the last time that Mason saw his mom for nearly eight years.

- - -

To officially become a Pokémon Trainer, one must get registered at a Pokémon Center. The nearest Pokémon Center for Mason was at Lumiose City, a distant 20 miles away.

"Well, at least I'll get practice walking, I'm going to need it." The nine year old thought to himself, mentally preparing for the journey ahead.

He checked what he had in his bag. Five Pokéballs, three potions, his phone, a charger, and 50$. Not much for a 20 mile journey, but it's better than nothing.

He gave the town that he called home for almost four years one final look, before vanishing into the forest.

- - -

He encountered his first wild Pokémon on his journey only a few minutes after entering the forest, a Ralts. Corvisquire made easy work of the poor thing, testing out strategies that it and Mason practiced together in the process.

That wasn't the only wild Pokémon that Mason encountered, either. There were many, many more. He counted at least 2 other Ralts, 4 Pidgey, 5 Sentret, and a mind boggling 12 Rattata. Remembering it now, he's pretty sure that he accidentally wandered into a Rattata nest without noticing.

By the time that he finally reached Lumiose City, his hoodie was all scratched up, Corvisquire was extremely worn out, and he had run out of potions.

"I really should've caught more Pokémon, it would've made this a whole lot easier."

Mason walked into the city, unaware of just how bad he looked. People were giving him looks of shock, disgust, and confusion, wondering how he got into that bad of a state.

Eventually, one of them approached him.

"Uhm, are you alright, young one?" Came a voice from behind him. Mason immediately shot up in alarm and spun around to see possibly the last person he could've expected.

"Professor Sycamore?" He blurted out in surprise.

"Yes, that's me. What happened to you? Where are your parents?" The professor questioned, looking extremely concerned for the child's well being.

"I-" Mason started, quickly thinking of an excuse. "I'm an orphan, I've been living on the streets for the past year or so."

"Oh no, that's awful! Please, come with me." The professor was shocked, and quickly ushered the kid to follow him.

- - -

After being taken to a lab, Professor Sycamore wanted to hear Mason's story. Mason responded by telling the most elaborate lie he had ever told about how his parents had kicked him out of the house years ago, and how he didn't remember nearly anything about them. By the end of things, the professor was close to breaking down in tears.