Chapter 227: The Tutor's Protégé
~Azure S. POV~
[Hoenn Region, Rustboro City – Gym]
Huh? That was my mental response; I heard coming from her.
I took too long as Sapphire began to explain, her face flushed, her chest heaving slightly as she reached me. She panted, her voice filled with unmistakable awe, "I just saw your battle with Roxanne! You were amazing! The way you used Grovyle, Vulpix, and even Psyduck... it was incredible!"
I was taken aback. My Kanto fame rarely preceded me so directly in new regions, not to this extent, but the student thing?
That was a first. I was a little bewildered by her intensity.
She took a deep breath, her eyes blazing with determination. She repeated her request, making me pause, "Please, Master! I want to be your student!"
The words hung in the air, echoing in my mind. Student? Me?
I blinked, genuinely baffled by her request. I was a trainer, an adventurer, a competitor, not a mentor. The idea was so utterly foreign, so unexpected, that my mind momentarily ceased to function.
I had no idea how to respond. I finally managed, the word feeling strange on my tongue as I said, confused, "Student? You... you want to be my student?"
She exclaimed, nodding vigorously as she explained herself in an excited tone, "Yes! I'm an aspiring trainer, and I've been studying hard, training my Pokémon... but seeing you battle, it was like a revelation! You don't just win battles, you understand them, you connect with your Pokémon in a way I've only ever dreamed of. Please, I beg you!"
I needed to clear my head. The buzz of the battle was still with me, but this new development was throwing me completely off balance.
I said, confused, trying to inject some calm into my voice, replied to her, "Alright, Sapphire. This isn't a conversation we can have properly out here in the street. Follow me to the Pokémon Center. We can talk more there."
She beamed, her earlier desperation replaced by a renewed hope. She declared happily, seeing I'm humoring her request, "Thank you! Thank you so much, Master!"
/////
[Hoenn Region, Later, Rustboro City – Pokémon Center]
We walked in relative silence, the short distance to the Pokémon Center feeling far longer than it was. My mind raced, trying to process her request.
A student. It was absurd. I came to Hoenn to challenge myself, to explore, to forge new bonds with my Pokémon. Not to take on an apprentice.
Inside the bustling Pokémon Center, the familiar scent of antiseptic and Potion filled the air. Nurse Joy greeted me with a polite nod, and I handed over my Poké Balls for my victorious team to be healed.
Sapphire, meanwhile, practically vibrated with anticipation as she had only handed Rono to be healed, as it was the only one that battled. I led her to a quiet corner, near one of the comfortable sofas.
I offered, gesturing. I ordered a glass of water for myself and said calmly, gazing at her, "Please, have a seat."
Sapphire seemed too excited to even think about it. I began, once my Pokémon were safely in Nurse Joy's care, with Pikachu and Eevee lying on my lap, chilling, "Alright, Sapphire. Mind telling me why you'd want to be my student? I'm just a trainer, like you."
She leaned forward, her eyes earnest. She explained happily, boasting about my previous victories, "You're not 'just' a trainer, Master! Everyone knows your name in Kanto and Johto. You've won the Pokémon League twice! Most people can't even win it once!"
I blushed a bit from the praise, I mean, it's nothing. Anyone could win twice in a row or more… Leon, for example.
But Sapphire continued praising my battle styles in the previous Tenth and Ninth Pokémon League Tournament excitedly, "I saw replays of your battles with Pikachu and Eevee – the way you anticipated your opponent's moves, the way you pushed your partners beyond their limits, not with harshness, but with pure trust and encouragement! It was inspiring and the battles with those legendary birds!!"
Pikachu and Eevee both puffed they're chests in pride. I rolled my eyes at these two not helping our case, but I interrupted gently, "That was Kanto. With Pokémon, I'd trained for years. This Hoenn team is relatively new. We're still learning each other."
However, she countered, her voice rising with enthusiasm, pointing out my style, "That's exactly it! Today, in the Gym! You used a Grovyle, a Vulpix, a Psyduck – Pokémon that aren't your 'championship partners,' but you still won! You adapted! You saw their hidden strengths! You knew when to switch, when to push, and when to hold back."
I blushed a bit from the compliments as Eevee and Pikachu wiggled they're eyebrows, directing them at me. I felt my eye twitch seeing their suggestive expressions.
Fortunately for them, Sapphire continued stopping me from bonking them in an enthusiastic voice, "You showed such incredible strategic depth. I've been trying to get stronger, but I feel like I'm missing something, some fundamental understanding that you clearly possess."
She paused, taking a breath. She began to make her pitch as she tried to convince me to take her as my student, "I want to learn how you think, Master. How you analyze a battle, how you build that bond with your Pokémon, how you stay so calm under pressure. I want to learn anything you're willing to teach me. I know it's a big ask, but I'm willing to work hard. I'll do whatever it takes!"
I took a slow sip of my water, my mind reeling. Her admiration was flattering, even touching to someone like me.
But the practicalities of it were daunting. I explained to her softly, leaning back against the sofa, "Sapphire, I'm not a teacher. I'm a trainer. My journey is my own. I go where the wind takes me, and challenge whoever comes next. There's no curriculum, no lesson plan."
However, Sapphire insisted as she saw my expression, trying to persuade me, "I don't need a formal curriculum! Just... guidance. Observation. To be there, see how you interact with your Pokémon, how you prepare for battles, how you recover from losses. Even a small piece of advice from you would be invaluable."
Sighing, I continued explaining to her with a voice firm but not unkind, "Being a student isn't just following someone around. It's a huge commitment for both of us."
Taking another sip of water, I explained why that's the case bluntly, "My journey is unpredictable. I might spend days trekking through forests, or weeks training in a single remote spot. It's not always glamorous. And honestly, the best lessons trainers learn are in battle themselves, by making their own mistakes, by pushing their own limits. That's how I learned."
She shook her head, her conviction unwavering. She continued in a determined tone, "But you learned so effectively! You achieved what most trainers only dream of. I've battled, I've made mistakes, and I've learned from them. But I still feel like there's a ceiling I can't break. You... you shattered that ceiling. I believe you could help me see beyond my own limited perspective."
I looked at her, truly looked at her. Her eyes held not just admiration, but a genuine spark of ambition, a hunger for knowledge that was palpable.
It reminded me, strangely, of my own younger self, eager to prove myself against the world when I first came to the Pokémon Adventures World for the first time. But that was a different time, a different me.
The thought of being responsible for someone else's training, someone else's path, was a heavy one. I had come to Hoenn for a personal challenge, a fresh start, not to take on a protégé.
Closing my eyes, contemplating a bit, I said calmly, my voice softer now, "Sapphire, I appreciate your sincerity. I truly do. But this isn't a decision to be made lightly, for either of us. It would change the nature of my journey, and it would drastically change yours. Let me... consider it. I need time to think."
Her hopeful expression wavered slightly, but then she nodded, understanding. She said, thankfully with a nervous voice, "Of course, Master. Just... thank you for even considering. It means the world to me."
As Nurse Joy returned with my healed Pokémon, their Poké Balls glowing faintly, I still felt a profound sense of bafflement. Taking on a student.
The notion was still alien, yet the earnestness in Sapphire's eyes had planted a tiny, unsettling seed of possibility in my mind. My journey in Hoenn had just begun, and it seemed it was already taking an unexpected, bewildering turn.
But considering her nature, being the Dex Holder named Conqueror. I recall that she did train under Winona only after she lost wanting to learn.
Plus, having a stronger Dex Holder might yield a stronger rival down the line. But it would require some responsibilities I need to hold on my end if I did get her to be my student… I need to go for a walk.
/////
[Hoenn Region, Sunset, Route 115]
The city, once inviting, now felt suffocating. The buzzing energy of people, the lingering echo of Sapphire's persistent plea – it all amplified a sudden need for quiet.
I needed to clear my head, to process the unexpected turn of events. Without a second thought, I headed towards the city's exit, making my way to Route 115.
The path quickly led away from the urban sprawl, opening to a beautiful coastal landscape. Cliffs rose dramatically to my right, their craggy faces scarred by the elements, while to my left, the vast, shimmering expanse of the ocean stretched to the horizon.
The sound of waves crashing against the shore was a balm, a steady rhythm that began to soothe my frazzled nerves. A cool sea breeze ruffled my hair, carrying the scent of salt and ancient rock.
I walked for a long time, the rhythm of my steps and the roar of the ocean a comforting mantra. I thought about Kanto, about the solitary hours spent training with Pikachu and Eevee, forging our unique bond.
That was my comfort zone, forging bonds with different Pokémon. This was why I was here. Not to be a guru, but to be a trainer.
Now, Sapphire's request had utterly shattered it. Could I teach someone else? Was I even capable?
Did I want to share my carefully constructed solitude? My thoughts drifted to Sapphire again. She was passionate, undeniably ambitious.
A part of me, the part that remembered my fiery beginnings, felt a pang of sympathy. But another, larger part recoiled from the idea of sharing my solitary journey. It was too soon, too much of a deviation from my established path.
Sapphire's request had genuinely thrown me. Was I truly capable of being a mentor? Did I even want to be?
My Pokémon were my partners, not tools, and their growth was paramount. Would taking on a student dilute my focus, or worse, make me complacent?
As the path began to ascend into a more forested, rocky area, I paused, taking a deep breath of the fresh air. That's when I saw it.
*Woooosh*
My heart swelled with a raw, undeniable joy. I saw the beautiful sight of Swablu, Volbeat, Illumise, and Beautifly flying over my head, making the sunset overview of the coast beautiful in front of me.
Pikachu and Eevee looked in awe, seeing the scene, which made me feel at ease, seeing the beauty of nature up close. This was what it felt like.
This was the essence of my journey – the thrill of the chase, the respect for a formidable opponent, unforgettable moments, and the bond forged in battle. And as I stood there, the cool sea breeze rustling through my hair, a sudden clarity washed over me.
Sapphire. Her request.
She wasn't asking for my secret techniques. She was asking to witness this. To feel this. The drive, the passion, the unwavering belief in my Pokémon.
She wasn't seeking a shortcut; she was seeking inspiration, a deeper understanding of what it meant to be a trainer at this level. And what better way to solidify my own new beginning than to guide someone else?
It would be a new kind of challenge, yes, but one that could push me, too. It wasn't about being a teacher in a classroom sense, but about leading by example, sharing the journey. If I could inspire her, help her find her own path, perhaps that was a more profound victory than any league championship.
My initial baffling reaction faded, replaced by a quiet sense of purpose. It wouldn't be easy, and I would set conditions, but her fervor was genuine, and my journey had just gained a surprising, yet intriguing, new dimension.
The sky above stretched endlessly, full of possibilities. My decision was made as I muttered calmly, "Guess I'm getting a companion for a while, huh?"
I shook my head helplessly. I knew exactly what I needed to do.
This was the moment the decision about Sapphire clicked into place. Having my head clear, seeing the moment it had reminded me of the profound joy and complexity of the trainer-Pokémon bond, a bond that I'd spent years cultivating.
It also, inadvertently, highlighted what Sapphire was seeking: that connection, that understanding, that ability to bring out the very best in a Pokémon. If I could inspire that in others, if I could share that knowledge without losing my path, perhaps it wasn't a burden, but a new facet to my journey.
I looked at my Pikachu and Eevee, my faithful companions. They had taught me so much, simply by being themselves, by evolving and growing alongside me.
Perhaps, in a way, I had always been a teacher, just not a formal one. With a lighter step and a clearer mind, I made my way back to Rustboro City.
/////
[Hoenn Region, Sunset, Rustboro City – Pokémon Center]
The sun had dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in fiery oranges and purples into the night. When I entered the Pokémon Center, Sapphire was exactly where I had left her, still sitting on the same sofa, nervously tapping her fingers.
Her head snapped up as I walked in, her eyes wide with anticipation. I walked over, took a seat next to her, and sat down.
Pikachu jumped onto the sofa, chirping softly. Eevee padded around my legs. I began, looking her directly in the eye, "Sapphire, I've thought about your request. A lot."
Her breath hitched. She waited, barely daring to move as I explained calmly, "My journey has always been about discovery, about pushing my limits and fostering bonds with my Pokémon. I'm not a Professor, I'm not an Academy instructor. But… I think I understand what you're looking for."
I paused, letting the words hang in the air for a moment. Then I continued explaining calmly, "It won't be easy. I won't hold your hand. You'll have to work harder than you ever have before. My training methods can be… unconventional. And I won't be stopping my own journey for you. You'll have to keep up."
A slow smile spread across her face, growing wider. Her eyes shone. She whispered, her voice trembling slightly with excitement, "So… is that a…?"
I finished, a small smile finally breaking through my serious façade as I said coolly, "That's a 'yes'. Welcome aboard, Sapphire. Let's see what you're made of."
Her joyous shriek echoed through the Pokémon Center, drawing the attention of everyone present. Pikachu startled, then chuckled. Eevee let out an excited bark.
I knew then, looking at Sapphire's beaming face, that this Hoenn journey was already proving to be far more interesting than I could have ever imagined. My path, once a solitary track, now had a new, unexpected companion.
And I couldn't help but feel a flicker of excitement for what lay ahead. But I suppose, being her mentor now, I should somewhat act the part.
Before that, though, I went to the Pokémon Center Nurse Joy to have my Absol healed, as I just managed to capture it. After that, I began to talk to Sapphire what the training I do involving my Pokémon.
Oh, that reminds me, I need to get my Pokémon from Prof. Oak. Hopefully they managed to learn some new moves and gained a few levels during they're stay.
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A/N: Reach the goal of 200 PS to get a Bonus Chapter!