The following day at school, Mr. Bramble called me into his office again. My mind had been racing with thoughts of Alola, the new Pokémon, and the possibilities that the trip would offer. I was excited but also nervous about the unknown. When I walked through the door, he was already seated behind his desk, a stack of papers neatly organized beside him. He stopped writing and looked up as I entered, his expression focused but welcoming.
"So?" he asked, leaning forward with an air of anticipation. "Did you talk to your father?"
I nodded, trying to keep my cool. "Yeah. He said I can go."
"Good," Mr. Bramble replied, leaning back in his chair with a satisfied nod. "Then let me tell you a little more about where we're headed—the Alola Region. It's quite different from Kanto, and I think you'll find it both challenging and rewarding."
"In what way?" I asked, my curiosity piqued again by the prospect of such a new experience.
"For starters, Alola is a tropical region made up of four main islands and a few smaller ones," he began, painting a picture with his words. "The climate is warm and humid, with dense forests, tall mountains, and lots of coastal areas. You'll find it a bit of an adjustment from what you're used to here. But the biggest difference you'll notice is the Pokémon."
My brow furrowed with interest. "What do you mean?" I had already begun imagining what this new world would look like, although I have seen the anime of pokemon, that doesn't mean it will be same as that.
He smiled slightly, clearly enjoying the explanation. "Alola is home to regional variants—Pokémon you've seen before, but they've adapted differently due to the environment. Some even change typing entirely. It's fascinating. For Bug-types, you'll find species like Vikavolt, Dewpider, and Wimpod—powerful and specialized in their own ways."
That definitely caught my interest. It sounded like these Pokémon would be perfect for me to train. "Sounds like the perfect place to grow stronger."
"It is," Mr. Bramble said, his excitement matching mine. "But keep in mind, the training system there is different. Instead of gyms, Alola uses something called the Island Challenge. It's a series of trials led by local captains. You'll still battle, but sometimes you'll have to complete other tasks to prove yourself."
"So no gym badges?" The concept was so different, and I wondered how I would adapt to the unconventional approach.
"Correct," he said. "But finishing those trials is a mark of strength, and you'll gain a lot of experience through them."
I leaned forward, eager to know more. "And what exactly will I be doing?" At that moment, everything felt real. I was actually going.
"You'll assist me and a colleague in field research," he explained, his eyes shining with enthusiasm. "We'll be observing Alolan Pokémon in their natural habitats—studying their behavior, battle patterns, and how they've adapted. You'll help me document everything. Of course, you'll have the chance to catch and train new Pokémon for your own team too."
The thought of building a new team in such a vibrant setting made my heart race with excitement. Everything seemed possible.
"When do we leave?" I asked, impatient to begin this new chapter.
"Next week," he said with a nod. "Start getting ready."
The rush of elation lasted all the way home. My mind was buzzing with ideas and plans as I thought about the new Pokémon I would encounter and the way my current team would change and grow. I was barely aware of the walk from school, and when I reached home, I immediately headed to my room to prepare.
Later that night, I sat in my room with Thorn and Trixie beside me. Thorn buzzed softly while Trixie rested, her shell still hardening. I looked at them both and smiled.
"I guess we're going on a new adventure, huh?"
They didn't answer, but I imagined they felt the same thrill I did.
📓 Evan's Training Journal 📓Month 1 Day 17
Preparations for the trip to Alola are underway. After learning more about the Pokémon found there, I've updated my future team plan. Alongside Thorn and Trixie, I want to catch a Grubbin, Dewpider, and Wimpod. Their evolutions are powerful and well-suited for the environment I'll be in.
I've continued feeding Thorn and Trixie their nutrient-rich meals mixed with Bugforce. Using my aura vision—something I'm still learning to control—I noticed something interesting. Trixie's normally soft blue aura has deepened in shade. Her body glows faint green, signaling her Bug-type essence, but the aura surrounding her has grown darker and more defined. It's like I can see their growth, not just physically, but spiritually too.
Something tells me they're evolving in more ways than one.
[Pokemon: Bug catcher]