Pokemon: Rising From The Dark

I once again set my sights on the redemption book, looking for the skills I needed.

"I want to exchange these two skills." Aoki pointed to the skills in the exchange book.

The two skills were:

Skill: Protect

Type: Normal

Classification: Status

Power: 0

Note: Forms a protective barrier around the user, completely resisting the opponent's attack for a certain period. Cannot be used continuously.

Duration: 10 minutes.

Price: 5000 points

Skill: Substitute

Type: Normal

Classification: Status

Power: 0

Explanation: Sacrifices some HP to create a clone of the user, which takes hits on their behalf.

Price: 4000 points

The two skills combined totalled 9000 points, highlighting the high cost of skills. Aoki was fortunate to have acquired a precious green-eligible Pokémon egg, which provided him with the means to afford such valuable skills. Without it, securing the Protect skill TM upon leaving the trial would have been uncertain.

Watching Aoki redeem these expensive skills without hesitation drew a few glances from the redemption staff, who silently questioned his spending choices.

Despite their thoughts, the staff's hands worked efficiently, opening the safe with a stack of TMs and carefully handing over two discs emitting a white glow to Aoki.

This difference in mindset was clear. For Aoki, points were merely a tool. Without converting them into effective combat power, they were just numbers. By turning points into power, he maximized their value.

Once the Murkrow mastered Protect and Substitute, its survivability would increase significantly. Combined with its speed, the Murkrow would be formidable, capable of holding its own unless faced with an overwhelmingly stronger opponent.

With 11,000 points remaining, Aoki aimed to enhance the Murkrow's Dark-type moves.

Flipping past the general skills, he went straight to the Dark-type section and quickly redeemed the Dark Pulse skill, spending 3,000 points.

As a powerful Dark-type move, Dark Pulse boasted decent power and accuracy. Its added effect of potentially causing the opponent to flinch was a bonus.

With 8,000 points left, Aoki decided to hold onto them for now. Learning four new skills at once was ambitious, and he wanted the Murkrow to master them before moving on.

"I'll take a training device with adjustable weight, suitable for Flying-types, with a limit of 50 pounds," Aoki requested, exchanging 200 points for a training tool to aid the Murkrow's physical conditioning.

Previously, the Murkrow used wooden weights, which were impractical for consistent training. Team Rocket scientists had developed a device that could adjust weight freely, proving useful for Pokémon training. Though it wasn't as advanced as a learning device, it was a worthwhile invention.

"Also, give me ten Ultra Balls." Aoki redeemed ten Ultra Balls, each costing 50 points, for a total of 500 points.

Though Aoki hadn't planned to capture more Pokémon on the island, his encounter with the mysterious figure made him reconsider. Training additional Pokémon seemed necessary for the challenges ahead, both in the final trial and the tasks given by the mysterious figure.

After securing his purchases, Aoki handed his identity card to the staff, who processed the transactions, leaving Aoki with 7,200 points. The total cost was 12,700 points, with 100 points deducted for the egg analysis.

In a corner of the exchange stood a Pokémon learning machine. Aoki approached it, placing the Murkrow's Poké Ball in the groove, and loaded the TMs one by one.

Thankfully, it was evening, and the exchange was empty save for Aoki and the staff. Otherwise, witnessing Aoki's extravagant use of four TMs at once would have elicited gasps and muttered curses about wasted points.

However, for Aoki and the Murkrow, such concerns were unfounded. With its green-medium qualification, the Murkrow's learning curve was manageable, making the investment worthwhile.

Once a TM was used, it became a regular disc with no further value.

After loading the TMs, Aoki released the Murkrow from its new Ultra Ball. The Murkrow stretched its wings, relishing its freedom.

"How do you feel? Have you learned the new skills?" Aoki asked, knowing the answer but eager to see the results.

The Murkrow nodded, feeling the new skills ingrained in its mind as if they'd always been there.

To demonstrate, it summoned a pale green energy shield, wrapping itself in the Protect barrier for a brief moment before it faded.

"Protect," Aoki recognized, impressed by the Murkrow's quick grasp of the skill. Protect was a vital life-saving move, capable of neutralizing attacks and buying precious time in battle.

When the Murkrow attempted to use Protect again, it found itself unable to do so.

Aoki stopped the Murkrow with a smile, "This skill has a cooldown. You can only use it once every ten minutes. Let's go back."

Together, they left the exchange, disappearing into the night.

The staff watched them leave, murmuring, "Such a lucky kid, chosen by that figure. But who knows if it's a blessing or a curse?"

As Aoki wandered the quiet base, he found his assigned room—a simple space with a bed, desk, and chair, enough for someone used to rough living.

Unlocking the door, Aoki collapsed onto the bed, savoring its softness. The Murkrow, curious about the human room, explored its new surroundings.

In another part of the base, two figures sat in the office of the leader Viper. The leader held a luxury ball, admiring it with an affectionate gaze before speaking, "I hear there's a kid who caught your interest?"

The mysterious figure, cloaked in black, remained silent, as inscrutable as ever.