The Wild Man Of Pokemon

'So let me get this straight.' I locked gazes with Salamence, 'We are not only on the wrong mountain, but the wrong mountain range as well?'

'Yep. Be glad my nest was set there, else you would have ran into my neighbors territory and they are not quite as welcoming to strangers.'

Glaring into my shadow, I made sure Absol saw it.

'If you just went a little farther south, you would have ran into Beedrill territory, a little to the east, the monkey triads, and northeast the mountain witch's domain.'

My glare intensified, someone was going to have double the training today.

'Wait, how do you have a chunk of this land then?' I asked while tiptoeing around a briar bush. The trip down was as arduous as the trip up.

'Because there was a fourth group that declared war on me. I soundly crushed him and taken the space as my personal nesting grounds.'

'While also keeping the other three groups in check.'

'Exactly.'

Mental note, make a book for note taking.

Dodging around a series of boulders, I called, 'Why don't we fly to Glittering cave? It would save time.'

He chuckled, 'To ride on the back of a dragon is a declaration of respect. Something you haven't completely earned yet.'

'I see.' It does make sense. Dragons are rarely ever depicted as anything other than prideful.

Bracing myself with my spear staff at a particularly steep part, I called over to the giant who seems to have no problem traversing the terrain, 'So what groups of Pokemon live in your territory?'

'A great many. Near the peaks, Meinshao and Meinfoo who practice their martial arts, Grumpig and his gang of Spoink hide around in the few forested areas, on the northern side of the range, Zangoose prowl, the south Seviper hide in the cracks.' He chuckled, likely reminiscing some epic battle that was single handedly won by him. 'Malamar has an orchard run by others of her kind. In the cave system, various rock types call home. Medicham and Meditite hold a significant amount of territory along with Swoobat, Crobat, and Haxorus.'

His aura soured at their mention. If I had to guess, a rivalry gone wrong, 'A few of my kind hold some of that space and the coast has too many to bother listing off.'

'That's a lot.'

'I know, sorting all the complaints and maintaining the peace is a nightmare.'

'I can imagine. When I was running the mountain to the east, I had so many complain about how the Psyducks kept blowing up chunks of the forest or how the vengeful Spritzee wanted to wipe out the rest of the Croagunks. And not to mention the requests! Make me this, I want that, build this. I barely got any sleep.'

'I understand your pain.' We embraced like the brothers in arms we were.

The rest of the trip down was us swapping stories about the various grievances we resolved.

..............................…..

Crossing the pass to the next mountain range took a day and a half. We mainly killed time talking, occasionally training. Salamence was an unexpectedly great teacher. He didn't know any fighting styles, but manipulating energy with efficiency was right up his alley.

I did notice something eerie during the trip, there weren't any Pokemon at all. It bugged me all day and night until I couldn't take it anymore and asked Salamence what was going on.

'Noticed that did you? It's sad but it is due to over capturing in the area. Not many come here any more in fear of being caught by a trainer looking for an easy Pokemon. Now its just an empty forest that stands as a reminder of tampering with natures balance.'

'How unfortunate. I imagine it would have been beautiful.' I watched despondently as the leaves billowed in the trees.

Quirking a brow, he asked, 'And what of you? Will you not follow the steps of your kind and capture Pokemon for you to use in battle?'

I tripped by the sudden question. Pondering it over, I answered, 'Perhaps once upon a time I would have.'

'And what of now?'

'Huh, I changed. Physically and mentally. I speak Pokemon, breath them. I couldn't imagine life without it. The things I know would have Professors around the world salivating. The weight on my shoulders is already heavy. I don't need the burden of poaching added. Besides, I have plans of settling down in a cabin hidden away to just tinker till I grow old and die.'

'You sound old and that makes me feel ancient in comparison. Stop it.'

I burst into laughter, 'Sure, whatever you say.'

Hours later, we reached the base of the correct mountain, this one even craggier than the last.

'So how far till Glittering cave?'

'If we keep our current pace, we should reach an entrance before the day is over.'

'An?'

'Yes. Did you think there was only one entrance?'

'I plead the fifth.'

'The what?'

'Nothing.'

'O-okay.'

Directing my gaze up, I sighed.

..............................…..

I never want to climb a mountain again. My feet stung with blisters, my muscles burned from every trip, and my hair was filled with branches.

'You know, shoes probably should have been higher on your list of things to make.' Croagunk sagely intoned.

'You know, just for that comment, I will never wear shoes just to prove that I can take it.' I blurted in my rage.

'I'll hold you to that.' Honedge appearing out of no where.

'Wait, hold on.'

'Nope, the deal has been struck.' That smug glinted off his jewel like eye.

'Wha...' Great, I doomed myself to blisters for eternity, 'I'll get you back for that.'

'I'm sure you will.' He laughed.

Poor Croagunk just looked confused.

Turning to the right, I stared into the dark abyss known as Glittering cave.

'So this is the entrance?' I asked.

'Yep, and more importantly, this is the cave of Kangaskhan. She won't mind you staying here for a while.' Salamence added.

'Oh good.'

'Before you go in, let me inform her of your arrival.' He marched in.

While waiting, I fall into my shadow to bring out our guests.

'Come on you two, you need to get fresh air every once in a while.' I reached out for them, only for Absol to bat my hand away.

'No, I will not go out looking like this.' He gestured to his shaved self.

'Oh get over it, I can see it growing back already.' There were little tufts of white breaking through the pink flesh.

'I will not stand the indignity of being seen in this state, go away.'

Raising a brow, silently asking the same to his companion.

'W-hat he said.'

Sighing, I contemplate what to do with the two. Finding no other choice, I dive bombed the duo, dragging them from my psychic field out into shadow space. The tried to fight, but once they left the pink walls were at my mercy.

Dragging them out, I greeted Salamence who returned with the aforementioned Pokemon.

'Greetings traveler, I welcome you to my home.' The distinctly female creature said.

'I return thees welcome and offer my own. If I may be so bold, may I request asylum here till the time states my welcome no longer held?' Surprised by my formal speech and the fact I can speak Pokemon, she bowed and continued, 'Our p.l.e.a.s.u.r.e it be for you to live in our boroughs. Breathe our traditions and join us in our clan.'

My eyes widened at her. Pokemon have various greetings that fluctuate between region and generations, however the rules stay the same.

If a Pokemon says anything regarding living within their territory, they will specify the terms of their stay. For example, a Pokemon will say, they are most welcome here till the time I see fit their tenure over stretched. Meaning cause trouble, I kick you to the street.

Inversely, Kangaskhan invited us with traditions and an invitation to her clan, translating to an induction of sorts. For the period of my stay, I am an honorary Kangaskhan. I hold their traditions, their reputation, and their responsibilities. It was a privilege given rarely with as much weight as implied.

'My honor for this welcome, be it high or low, I shall respond in kind.' I replied. Nodding at my promise of aid and acceptance, she beckoned into the darkness.

'Come, meet my family.' We stepped into darkness.

The walls were red and crumbled, ribbons of white and yellow marks the layers of time weathered into the sediments. Before long, we came across moss that glowed blue. After many turns and paths of azure plants, we entered a wide chamber. Blue moss cloaked the walls, leading to an untouched waterfall. The water coalesced into a pond before leading into another tunnel going elsewhere. Kangaskhan with there little ones lounged around, seeming without care in the world.

'This is the heart of our home. The majority of our time we spend raising and training our young to bear the next generation. You will be required to take part in training times as well as the gathering of food. Once winter passes, you will join our side in the ranking games.'

'What are the ranking games?' I asked.

'It is a series of challenges Salamence created. Due to the large numbers of Pokemon on the mountain range, food supplies must be divided. Berries are handed out by their place in these games, determined by quality.'

'I see. What do you do for meat?'

'For those able, they fish. Otherwise, any who cross territory lines are fair game to be eaten. Unless you have permission from the mountain lord to travel between boundaries, that is.'

Glancing to Salamence, I let the unsaid question hang in the air.

'I am allowing you permission to speak with the elders of each clan. In two days most will meet for the division of food so I will inform them of your presence then.'

'Thank you sir.'

'Think nothing of it. You are a guest as well as a scholar endorsed by Banette, all I ask in return is the spread of you knowledge and expertise to the various clans.'

'It is a privilidge.' I smiled in thanks. Spinning to my crew who where staring in awe of the cavern, I coughed.

'You three are to greet the others and set up camp.' Glancing at Kangaskhan, 'With your permission, I would like to build a den connected to here for us to stay.'

'That is within reason. Do you have experience in such endeavors?' She inquired curiously.

'During my tenure as a mountain leader, my kin and I had to hide from the tyrant toad underground for an extended period of time. We are very familiar with the process.'

'Ah, then perhaps in the future, you would be willing in helping us expand our part of the cave, we are in need of more space.'

'It can be arranged.' I said.

'Speaking of,' Salamence interjected, 'I believe it would be in your interest to offer your services to the other clans as well. If anything, it will endear them to you.'

'I will heed your advice.'

'Good, now go set up, I have a few things to discuss with Kangaskhan.'

..............................…..

In a dim room, only lit by strips of LED's, two figures were conversing.

'Have you made progress?' A baritone voice asked.

'No, I'm still missing important data.' The other nasally replied.

'What do you need?'

'I need samples from Pokemon before Mega Evolution contaminated the world. Pristine specimens unaffected by the war three thousand years ago.'

'That will be quite a challenge. You're talking about fossils that rarely ever make it to market.'

'I am aware, that is why I have a team ready to go excavate the samples I need.'

'Where are you sending them?'

'Glittering cave. The crystals there interfere with Mega Evolution energy, so the fossils remain untampered.'

'You plan on collecting the samples onsite?'

'Yes.'

'Be careful, if you're discovered, many of our plans will have to change.'

'Believe me, I am already aware.'