Aiden let out a long yawn as he sat at the bar with his morning cup of coffee. It was six in the morning and it he would be pulling a double shift. As he looked down at the Wyndon Weekly, the sound of the door opening drew his attention away for a moment. Glancing out of the corner of his eye, he could see his boss sifting through the mail and muttering under his breath.
"Bill, bill, paychecks and... huh?" the owner paused, scratching his head as he saw an envelope addressed to Aiden. "Hey Warren, you've got mail bud!"
Aiden arched a brow. Taking the envelope from his boss, he looked at it for a moment before tearing it open. What he read astonished him.
Aiden Warren,
This letter is to inform you that you have been given a sponsorship for the upcoming Galar League annual Champion Cup. The funds for your uniform, Pokédex, as well as your license renewal, have all been taken care of. You will receive your uniform upon your arrival in Motostoke City for the opening ceremony. The ceremony will begin at 10:00 am, so please make sure you are there by 9:00 am for check-in and uniform distribution.
Sincerely,
Your sponsor
"What's the scoop Warren?" his boss asked as he came around the other side of the counter Aiden was seated at. 351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡewBnOTVkFx
"I've been given a letter of endorsement," Aiden replied, disbelief evident in his tone as he looked the letter over again.
"You mean for the League?" replied his boss as he restocked the kegs and wine bottles. "I thought you'd hung up your trainer gloves years ago mate."
Aiden sighed, responding, "I never hung them up, I just... never started. Being a trainer was a dream of mine for a little while, but as I got older I realized that it wasn't something I could pursue as a steady career unless I went pro and made a name for myself."
"That may be true for some places, but here in Galar, stadium battles are huge. Matches are sold out no matter which gym challenge is going on. Of course, the Champion's battles are more crowded than others, but that's beside the point. There's money in battling is what I'm trying to say."
"Yeah, if I'm up to snuff like the other trainers out there. Besides, aren't I a little old to be starting something like this? I'm twenty-five for Arceus sake," Aiden muttered.
"That's a load of codswallop and you know it Aiden!" his boss snapped, slamming a fist on the table while jabbing his pointer finger at him. "You're plenty up to snuff with all the know-how you have about battling. Did you think I wasn't payin' attention when you were taking notes down in that little book of yours about every gym leader's battle style? why, if you had yourself a proper team, you'd be able to give them a run for their money!"
"Yeah but—"
"Come off it Aiden. I've been listening to your rambling about our region's leaders and the Champion ever since you started working here and quite frankly, I think it's a waste that you're not out there yourself takin' names in the pitch. As your boss, and friend, I think it's time you got out there and made use of your talents!"
"Hold on a sec! you're not firing me are you?" Aiden exclaimed, alarmed.
"I wouldn't say I'm firing you. Call it a promotion to a higher calling. Trust me, you'll thank me later once you've made it to the big time," his boss said with a grin.
"But, what about my apartment? how the hell am I supposed to pay for it without any income?" Aiden fired back.
"For someone so bright, you sure can be stupid sometimes. Don't you know what an endorsement entails? you're given a bit of spending money from the start and your pay increases depending on how well you're doing and of course after each match you win. In time, you'll be makin' far more than you ever would on a busy Friday night here."
Aiden breathed an exasperated sigh and ran his hands through his hair. The day had only just begun and already his life was being turned on its head. Standing up, he pocketed the letter and glanced over at the owner who was now smiling back at him. Aiden had been at the restaurant for five years and had made friends with just about everyone who worked there, including the grumpy old man in front of him. It didn't seem like him to just up and give him the boot like this. Whatever the case, Aiden knew he never did anything without good reason.
"I guess I don't really have a choice now do I?" Aiden conceded with a laugh. "Just be sure to cheer for me when I take on the gyms gramps."
"Are you kidding? the whole pub will be rootin' for you like your own personal fan club. No get going. You need to be in Motostoke in three hours kid!"
Aiden took out his Rotom Phone and blinked. He didn't have three hours, he had two. On top of that, he didn't even have a Pokémon. As he pondered his situation, a certain little bird of prey popped into his head. Chuckling to himself, he slung his bag over his shoulder and began to walk toward the back of the pub. His former boss had gone back to stocking the shelves and didn't see him slip out. However, he did hear the bell which signaled that he'd left.
A smile formed on the owner's face as he heard him exit. Taking out his phone, he scrolled through his contacts and dialed a number he'd been given. After a few rings he heard a voice on the other end.
"Hello? yeah he just left..."
"So let me see if I got this right," Rookidee paused, swallowing a berry before continuing. "You were given some letter of endorsement, whatever that is, and because of that, you lost your job? sounds pretty shifty to me pal. Also, what's an endorsement?"
Aiden zipped up his bag after stashing his uniform shirt inside. He'd changed into a white long-sleeve dress shirt which he left draped over his black faded jeans. A black tie was seen around his neck. Over the shirt was a black jacket.
"An endorsement is basically someone giving you their support and approval. Basically I'm recognized as a Gym Challenger now that I have this endorsement," Aiden explained.
"I've heard you say those words before. Correct me if I'm wrong, but don't you need a Pokémon to do that sort of thing?" Rookidee asked with a tilt of his head.
Aiden grinned saying, "why do you think I'm out here talking to you?"
This gave Rookidee pause.
"That's right pal, I want you to be my first partner," Aiden said, taking in the surprised look on the little bird's face.
"You mean... you actually want me to be your Pokémon? that means you'll train me and have me take part in actual battles right?" Rookidee asked hopefully.
"Well duh, that's pretty much what being someone's Pokémon entails. But more than that, you'll have companionship, plenty of food and a permanent home to--"
"Ya had me at food pal, count me in!" Rookidee exclaimed, hopping onto Aiden's shoulder with a happy chirp.
"Didn't need to think about it too much now did'ja?" Aiden chortled.
"Hey, if it means I don't have to worry about my berries being plundered by a bunch of fat rodents, I'm all for tagging along. That, and I owe ya one for fixing my wing."
Aiden reaches up and pats the little bird on his head before standing up and slinging his bag over his other shoulder.
"It's gonna be a wild ride. There are strong trainers out there that could beat us down in a flash. We've definitely got our work cut out for us," Aiden replied before making his way out of the back alley.
"I say bring it on! I don't care how big they are, we're gonna take this thing by storm!" Rookidee said confidently.
"Someone's fired up," Aiden said with a nervous laugh.
"You kiddin'? I'm more than fired up. I've been waitin' for a chance to let loose some of this frustration. Dukin' it out with other Pokémon is just the sort of therapy I need."
"Well then, what are we waiting for? let's get goin' shall we?" Aiden said, grinning as he darted out of the alley toward the Wyndon Station.
ns 172.70.126.241da2
and then Add to home screen.