So I went to the lab this morning to learn about battling. The professors were out, but an assistant named Hop was able to help me out. We spent a few hours on a crash course of things most people learn by the time they turn ten apparently, things like types, moves, what the Pokemon League is and what it does, etc.
Then he insisted on a āpractical lessonā by having Blueberry battle against on of the lab pokemon. Hops normal pokemon were apparently way too strong to consider giving us a fair fight.
Before the battle, he handed me something called a PokĆ©dex and told me to scan Blueberry so I could find out her moves. Iām not entirely sure how it worked but a light came out of the eyes on the back and scanned over Blueberry, and then her information showed up on screen. Electric/Flying Swablu with the moves Peck, Growl, Disarming Voice, and Thundershock. There was a little blurb about the Swablu species and in large black font it said āNOTE: Swablu are usually Normal/Flying types. You have something pretty unique here!ā I kind of already knew that Blueberry had a weird typing though. I was about to show the screen to Hop but he shook his head with a smile. Apparently itās part of battling to learn what your opponents moves are along the way and have a flexible enough strategy to account for surprises.
The battle itself was against something called a Chewtle. Hop told it to use Water Gun but Blueberry dodged fairly easily by just flying out of the way. I figured Chewtle must be a water type because of the move and how it just looks like a turtle so called for Blueberry to use Thundershock. It was amazing to see the crackle form in her wings and a little arc of electricity form between the yellow markings on her head feathers. It was a little scary to watch the Chewtle shriek at the shock.
It looked pretty hurt but it didnāt go down. Blueberry flew around in circles chirping happily at her success. Hop seemed extremely surprised but shook it off and ordered Chewtle to do another Water Gun. I called for Blueberry to look out but she was distracted with her little celebratory swoops so she got a good soaking but seemed more annoyed than hurt. I was afraid to do Thundershock again so I called for Disarming Voice instead. Blueberry let out a high pitched, very loud sound and a pink wave of energy came from her beak and slammed into the Chewtle knocking it out. I was pretty worried about it but Hop just recalled it into one of those pokeball things and said it did a good job.
Then Hop and I had a long discussion about Blueberry. Apparently pokemon with unusual typings are extremely rare but not unheard of. Usually only experienced trainers ever take one on. I explained how when I first got here, the professors got me in touch with @belamew , a daycare somewhere in the multiverse that had recently had some Swablu that needed homes.
Hop went on to explain that Blueberry might be a bit more difficult than the average Swablu to take care of just because the unusual typing can have strange effects on a pokemons normal temperament. I havenāt had any trouble with her yet though so I hope I donāt have to worry about that.
I told him why I was wanting to know about battling in the first place, that I was looking to get a job at the new Battle Cafe in town. And apparently I have to get a Trainer License to work there soā¦ I guess Iāll be getting that tomorrow.
Blueberry seems extremely pleased with herself, constantly puffing her feathers and giving happy chirps and dances so. I guess she likes battling. Yay.
I asked to see the Chewtle, just to see how it was doing. Hop let it out and it seemed pretty tired and a bit dirty from the battle but otherwise fine. It didnāt even seem upset at Blueberry, letting her ride on its shell while it stomped around the lab dramatically!
I asked if thereās any pokemon who donāt like battlingā¦ and I was surprised with Hops simple āOh, sure.ā I asked what happens to those pokemon. He didnāt seem to understand the question at first but eventually said āThen we donāt make them battle. Theyāre just our companions, or theyāre just living their life in the wild, or whatever it is they want to do.ā
After that, I could finally feel myself relaxing a bit about the whole idea of an entire society run on pokemon battles. There might be some outliers, but it seems like the norm is people genuinely caring about their pokemon and whether they even like battling. So, tomorrow Iāll get my Trainer License, register Blueberry as my āstarterā, and go interview at the cafe!
