First Evolution

Early Morning:

The weather looked great and we were ready for a good week. I left the base an hour ago and we all gathered up for a strategic meeting. It was sunny and breezy today, it's a good climate for grinding.

Fletchling was on my head while Sandile and Electrike stood to my right and left. I patted Electrike while giving neck rubs to Fletchling. I came up with a practice plan and I will be instructing them with it.

"Guys, we have exactly six days from today. Last day will be for an intense battle while these five days will be focused on your Tm moves and possible new moves. First, we have to prepare for Sandile's and Fletchling's evolution. Electrike you need to wait for a long time to evolve because I want you to learn and grow to your full potential. Unlike these two, you have only one evolution."

All of them nod in understanding so I continued,

"From today, all high potential Ground, Dark, fire and flying types will be hunted irrespective of reasons. That's the only way to improve your potential while evolving, so we will be hunting all the green and yellow potential ones we come across. If it's a different type then they will go to the selling category."

Sandile and Fletching were very enthusiastic about evolution. Electrike was relaxed and just nodded.

"As for Electrike, we need to wait till we meet Oak. I want to get pokeblocks for all of you but with your potentials, medium and low-grade pokeblocks will be useless and top-grade pokeblocks will be harmful for initial stage pokemon with the three-stage evolutionary line. You need to break into Advanced level to have them so we can only rely on consuming the meat of high potential Pokemon," I explained to them in detail.

[Bro, I understand the whole plan but it will take a long time to search for high potential Pokemon, that too with type specifics it will be impossible.] enquired Sandile in doubt.

"That's the reason Fletchling is here for, she knows the zone better than anyone as she grew up here. We are not going for the early-stage intermediate Pokemon, we will be taking on mid-stage ones. Last day will be for taking on a high-stage Pokemon, so Fletchling, give me all the details of powerful Pokemon here."

Fletchling jumped down to face me, she was a little worried but gave me the details anyway,

[Jay, we need to be careful with high-stage intermediate Pokemon. As for as I know, there are 30-35 midstage pokemon and 5 high-stage ones in this zone, I can show you the location of most of them. Some of them live in groups so we should avoid them.]

"Ok, we will take on the Pokemon that are alone. I have 20 pokeballs with me so anything that doesn't match your typing will be caught. Rest all will be food, now show me the way," I said eagerly.

[Ok, first will be Simisear and Donphan, they are close to the huge Sitrus tree which is a mile away. We will go one by one and try to find as many as possible.]

"That's great, lead the way," I said.

If in case it gets dangerous to handle a pokemon in level 29 then we will do a 2 vs 1. I stood up and ran in the direction of Fletchling...

-----------------------

5 days later:(in the Night)

We couldn't find all of them, but we had our moments. Out of 35 mid-stage intermediate Pokemon, we took out 13. We also fought with other good talented Pokemon that I encountered so it was a great harvest. I caught a total of 17 Pokemon out of which 10 are high-grade yellow, 4 being low-grade green, 2 at the mid-stage green while got lucky with one high-grade green. No much luck on blue potential Pokemon.

Mostly, all Pokemon have a separate organ in their body which allows them to release the energy in the form of attack. These are called sacs, they can produce any type of attack but will be concentrated towards the respective pokemon type. For example, Fletchling's line have a fire sac, Sandile's line has a Ground sac. Even if the pokemon is a dual-type, the superior type dominates and takes control of these sacs.

Gardevoirs have a psychic sac in their brain while a Decidueye has a grass type sac. So what Sandile and Flectchling have to eat are exactly these sacs that are rich in elemental energy of their type. We collected two of each type's sac, totalling eight. All are from green grade Pokemon which will be enough to improve their potential if consumed before evolution. Fletchling is already at a bursting point, she is at level 28 now which is crazy as they normally evolve at the beginner level.

We were all grouped around to witness the evolution, I put the two Fire-type and two flying-type Sacs for consumption. Fletchling gobbled them up quickly without leaving a single gram. The heat radiated by her intensified every passing second, I couldn't take it anymore as I stepped backwards. My skin was itching with redness due to the heat, Sandile and Electrike stood there without any problems watching over her.

Tiny embers were showering from Fletchling's feathers as she took flight. A minute passed by and finally, the white glow surrounded Fletchling. The gleam was too intense for me to watch as I covered my eyes with hands. The light emitted looked like a mini-moon in the sky, I unhurriedly took a peek from between the fingers which reduced the effect of the glint.

I could see Fletchling's body growing bigger and stronger, she grew to double her size. The light faded gradually and a Pokemon with predominantly orange and black plumage took flight. She was raining tiny sparkles of fire from her wings and started chirping in joy,

"Fletch Fletchinder", she did not get down as she was doing rounds around us. Sandile gazed at the firebird with jealousy while Electrike marvelled her beauty.

[Even I will evolve soon, then I will also grow big and stronger.] sulked Sandile.

"Don't worry Sandile, I know you wanted to be the first to evolve on our team but it won't matter as you will always be my only starter," I persuaded him with comfort.

[Sir, did she increase her potential? What new moves did she learn?] asked Electrike while tactfully diverting the topic. I can tell that she is really happy for fletchinder as there was no hint of jealousy. I immediately turned towards the sky to appraise my newly evolved...

-----------------

Fletchinder(F)

Level:29

Type: Fire/Flying

Height: 2' 9"

Ability: Flame Body

Characteristic: Modest

Potential: Blue(Mid Grade)

Moves: Quick Attack, Roost, Tailwind, Flame Charge, Fire Spin, Acrobatics, Protect, Will-O-Wisp.

Description: As its internal fire gradually heats up, it can fly at increasingly faster speeds. It is territorial, even against its own kind. Fletchinder are known to be extremely territorial and aggressive. It often fights with its own kind for the right to feeding grounds.

----------------

"Great, she forgot ember and peck but in turn learned Fire Spin and Acrobatics. It's a great addition to her move pool." I said to Electrike for which she nodded with determination and resolve in her eyes.

[Sir, if you don't mind I would like to practice with Fletchinder while you can prepare for Sandile's evolution. I am at level 29 and it will be a good match for us.] suggested Electrike.

I thought about it and found it to be a good idea, this way Fletchinder can get used to her new body. Electrike learned thunder fang recently and this exercise will be of good use to master it.

"Sandile, tomorrow we will be taking on a High-Stage intermediate Pokemon. You will battle it alone so get ready." I said while calling Fletchinder back.

[Hahaha, finally my chance to shine.] laughed Sandile in excitement.

I ignored him and observed the nearly three-foot-tall Fletchinder. She was past the size of a normal Fletchinder so I can presume that she will grow further. I guess, a five and a half foot Talonflame will not be a dream anymore.

Fletchinder has a sharp, black beak, black eyes with yellow, mask-like markings behind them, and a small, pointed crest on the back of her head. Two white, V-shaped markings are located near the tip of her long black tail-feathers, the tail was similar to that of a fletchling. With the typing change, she will be most vulnerable towards rock type Pokemon. The only move that counters will be steel wing, I noted that and turned towards my ember Pokemon,

"Hey girl, you look stunning. You won't be able to sit on my head anymore, and that makes me a bit sad but I guess your warm body will help us sleep comfortably." I then started rubbing her neck which felt very warm.

[Thank you, Jay, I feel a bit uncomfortable with the sudden increase in size but will get used to it in a day or two.] said Fletchinder in a matured tone. Even her voice has gone through changes. Before it sounded like a teenager but now it sounds more like an early-twenties girl.

"Ok, for today you guys rest. Tomorrow, we will take on that Peak stage Excadrill. That will be our finishing battle so get ready." I said while returning everyone inside the Pokeball.

Last five days passed in a flash, I did not sell any Pokemon that I caught because my last visit raised some suspicion. It's better to sell these Pokemon anonymously in the black market.

The only interesting that happened was yesterday, I encountered a guy called Leo while practising with Fletchling, he was from Island 3 and ranked second there. He looked quite friendly but I had my vigilance up, he noticed my attitude and left immediately without bothering. I know for a fact that 80% of trial takers here would have killed once or twice, no one is a pushover. Even Gregory who survived with my help has good pokemon and can put a decent fight.

So, I can conclude that others who passed the trial by themselves would be better, furthermore, there would be one or two guys who have high levelled Pokemon comparable to my team.

In the last five days, every one of my team members learnt one new move excluding the Tm's. Sandile learned Crunch, forgetting Power Trip. Electrike learned Thunder fang while Fletchinder mastered Tailwind.

Fletchinder is highly talented in Flying-type moves, she said she learned Roost from her mother right after she was born and Tailwind was taught to her by a fellow Fletchinder. To my knowledge, Fletchlings can never learn roost this early as it puts a lot of burden on them while tailwind is impossible to produce with their tiny wings but Fletchling miraculously learned both despite the latter being semi mastered.

Now, she has a fire sac which will make it easy to master fire type moves. I feel fortunate to have a team of Blue-Grade Pokemon. Tomorrow, if Sandile evolves smoothly then I will have higher chances to win the tournament. I am confident in achieving top 3 while 50% sure of getting Number 1.

I looked at the bright stars above and wished myself good luck. I used to be the guy who never believes in luck but my rebirth proved me otherwise. I only know that helping others in need improves your karma which in turn gives you good luck. I need to help a lot of people after I finish these trials, not that I am kind but every small bit helps.

With those thoughts lingering in my brain, I slept peacefully in a tunnel dug by sandile with bushes covering the entrance.

--------x Chapter End x--------

Note: Guys, if the pace of the story seems fast please bear with it. I did not describe the battles because the tournament will give you enough of them. I don't want to spam you guys with all the battle descriptions. If in case you want them then comment below, and also state the issues you have so that I can further improve the fanfic.

The tournament will be the end of the arc 1, I have some interesting plot setups for Arc2 so stay tuned. Arc 2 will be mostly amongst the normal society which will give you some breathing space, away from never-ending trial island chapters.