Pokémon: Midnight Blue

Out of the Darkness

I woke up with an intense gasp. I panted violently as I looked up at Kira, who stared down at me adamantly. I gazed into his eyes, which were cold and grave. I waited for him to say something, but he merely nodded at me and eased his glare. I, in response, began to bawl.

I got up and brushed myself off, wiping the tears from my eyes. I took a huge gulp to get the knot out of my throat and finally spoke, “I can’t let this happen. Not as long as I have the ability to prevent it. What do I have to do?”

As expected, Kira said nothing. He simply reached into his pocket and pulled out a small slip of paper and handed it to me. He looked over at my Charizard and nodded at it. Charizard nodded right back. Without any change in his facial expression, Kira walked off.

I opened the slip and read Kira’s note:

I can’t answer any question you may have. Literally, I don’t have the physical ability to. All the answers you need you already have. Do what you must to find them before you continue your journey.

I read it over and over again as I left Pokémon Mansion. I looked up, thinking about the contents of the note. Almost instantly, I noticed Tulin walking along, holding a Pokéball.

“Tulin!” I called out to him, “Tulin, I need to talk to you.”

“Phoenix,” he looked over to see me, unhappy to say the least, “What a displeasure to see you here. I’ll suppose you wish to challenge me again?”

“No, this has nothing to do with that. I just need to talk to you.”

“And pray tell, why should I deign myself to exchange words to the likes of you?”

“Look, I know I was an ass the last time we met.”

“As laymen may say.”

“Look, I’m sorry about that. I really need to grow out of that and I need your help.”

“What can I possibly do?”

“When we first met, you said that in order to have stronger Pokémon, the trainer must make himself stronger.”

“Indeed I did.”

“What exactly does it mean to be a stronger trainer? How can a trainer grow in his skill?”

“I like this question. See, normally, when people hear ‘strength,’ they think physically. You, Phoenix, seem to understand that strength comes from the mind just as well. A trainer must understand his Pokémon. Fight alongside them, think as they would. And this is what is most important. You must understand that training a team means treating your Pokémon like living creatures with minds and will of their own, not simply weapons or tools of ambition.”

“So you need to raise your Pokémon as if you were one of them.”

“Precisely. You must be able to understand your Pokémon. If I were to ask you with which of your Pokémon do you identify most, which would you say?”

“I can’t really answer that.”

“You should not have to. You should be able to identify with all of your Pokémon equally. They will all have traits that they will pick up from you. May I see your team?”

I sent my team out, and Tulin walked up and down the row, examining carefully.

“Yes,” he pondered, “I see. It’s just as I’ve said, there are character traits that you share with your team. The bravery of your Gyarados, the pride of your Charizard, the intelligence of your Raichu, the mischief of your Gengar, and the nobility of your Dragonite. It is your job to use these traits to connect more deeply with your Pokémon. And with that, Phoenix, I take my leave of you. I hope my words have been of some use to you. Farewell.”

“Thanks, Tulin,” I said to him as he walked off. After he distanced himself a certain amount, I turned back around and looked at my team, who were all staring at me expectantly.