Pokémon Adventures: GAMER PATH

~Azure S. POV~

[Unova Region, Afternoon, Route 2]

Black groaned, dragging a hand down his face as he slumped against a nearby rock and uttered, "Aw, man... He really caught him. I wanted that Pawniard for my team! His moves... did you see that? Psycho Cut, Night Slash, Swords Dance, Protect... those weren't wild moves. An expert heavily trained that guy."

I said, walking over to retrieve the Poké Ball, "Exactly."

Grasping the Poké Ball in my hand. I checked my newest partner's status info and bio as the screen showed up.

[Pawniard the Sharp Blade Pokémon. When hunting, Pawniard immobilizes prey by repeated stabbing with its blades after clinging to them. It then clangs its arm blades together afterwards. Any chips in Pawniard's blades would prove fatal; thus, Pawniard regularly sharpens its blades with its favorite sharpening stones found by rivers.

Pawniard is noted to be an especially courageous fighter. In the wild, Pawniard lives in packs governed by Bisharp. The Pawniard will attack when commanded by Bisharp and will continue to do so even if they are injured. Each member of the pack trains diligently, hoping to one day take the lead. Tinkatuff is a natural enemy of Pawniard.]

|Name: Pawniard (Sharp Blade Pokémon)

|Type: Dark/Steel

|Tera: Dark

|Level: 34

|Gender: Male

|Held Item: None

|Ability: Inner Focus

|Nature: Serious

|Moves: Protect, Leer, Torment, Scary Face, Swords Dance, Metal Sound, Faint Attack, Assurance, Night Slash, Metal Claw, Slash, Fury Cutter, Psycho Cut, Cut (HM), Mean Look (EM) (6 moves left to learn)

Trained Pokémon. Possibly Ace Trainer, maybe, but the only way to find out is to ask the little stabby guy.

I tapped the release button, tossing it gently into the air…

*Flash*

With a flash of light, Pawniard materialized on the grass. He shook his head, his metallic joints clicking as he stood up. He looked around, spotted me standing a few feet away, and instantly realized he had lost the battle.

His shoulders dropped slightly, though his pride remained entirely intact. I crouched down to his eye level, resting my forearms on my knees. Pikachu peeked over my shoulder, chittering a friendly greeting, while Eevee blinked sleepily from my head.

I asked curiously, tilting my head, "Tell me something. Was it really Team Plasma's speeches that made you pack your bags? Or did you ditch your old trainer simply because you realized he was too weak to take you to the top?"

My words caught both Black and White completely off guard. White hissed, walking over with a scandalized expression, "Azure, what kind of question is that? He's a wild Pokémon now! He doesn't—"

"PANNNNARD!"

Suddenly, a raspy, metallic voice echoed from the Pawniard's direction—translated instantly by Gengar, whose glowing purple silhouette flickered briefly in my shadow. Gengar's vocal whisper translated, a wicked grin spreading across her shadowy face: "The human speaks truth. The boy in the fancy white coat spoke of freedom. The Pawniard's former master—an arrogant Ace Trainer from Accumula Town—wavered. The human coward released one of his weaker Pokémon, trembling at the thought of what Plasma might say."

*Click*

Pawniard himself let out a sharp, metallic click, nodding his head affirmatively as he glared at the ground, crossing his arms. Gengar continued translating the Steel-type's thoughts, "This one refused to be abandoned by a coward. He struck down the trainer's pack, walked away, and sought a master strong enough to wield him, worthy of conquering the League and testing every limit."

I let out a low chuckle, standing up and extending a hand toward the steel warrior. I asked firmly, "Well, I respect a Pokémon with standards. How about it? My crew is full of strong fighters, weirdos, and survivors. You'll fit right in. We take no orders from others, and we only bow to strength."

Pawniard stared at my outstretched hand for a long, silent moment. His yellow eyes scanned my face, searching for hesitation, weakness, or deceit. Finding none, the steel-type slowly lowered his head in a formal, warrior's bow.

*Clink*

He tapped his blade-arm gently against my hand in silent agreement. Then, a sharp thought flickered through the air, accompanied by a mental message directly into my mind: 'I follow you. But if you ever waver... if you ever show weakness on the path to the top... do not expect me to stick around.'

I laughed aloud, clapping my hand against his metallic shoulder. I smirked, liking this guy's guts as I said happily, "I like your style, kid. If I ever go soft, you have my permission to slice my backpack off."

Black sighed, pushing himself off the rock and shaking his head. He commented in disbelief, "Well... that's a first. I've never heard of a Pokémon actively firing its trainer and going out to interview new ones."

White checked her pocket watch, sighing as she snapped her clipboard shut. She commented, "Regardless of conversational Steel-types, we need to keep moving. Striaton City is just over that ridge. If you're late for your Gym registration, I'll never hear the end of it from the agency."

I said, turning back toward the path, "Lead the way."

Pawniard fell effortlessly into step right beside Zorua, the two of them exchanging a brief, silent nod of mutual understanding. Pikachu settled back onto my shoulder, Eevee drifted off to sleep again, and deep in my shadow, Gengar giggled into the ether.

Oh yeah. This guy was going to fit right in with the crew.

/////

[Unova Region, Later, Striaton City – Pokémon Center]

Striaton City was a marvel of Unovan urban planning. It was a "Green City," where modern architecture blended seamlessly with lush gardens and flowing fountains. The air was filled with the smell of high-end cafes and the sound of flowing water from the central plazas. It felt much more sophisticated than the rustic towns of the other regions I'd visited.

Black stood in the middle of a cobblestone street, spinning in circles. He exclaimed in awe, "Wow... Look at the size of that Gym! Is it also a restaurant? I can get lunch and a badge at the same time!"

White sighed as she reminded the narrow-minded Trainer, "Business first, Black. We need to go to the Pokémon Center to make sure everyone is at one hundred percent. Then, I must meet a client at the café about the promotional shoot. You two can behave yourselves for half an hour, right?"

I said, leaning against a lamppost as my Pikachu began to groom his ears, "Trust me, White. I'll keep the firebrand contained."

We made our way to the Pokémon Center. The interior was sleek, featuring the blue-and-white motif standard to the region, with high-speed healing bays. We handed our balls to Nurse Joy, and while we waited, White gave us a final nod.

She said curiously, her professional mask sliding into place, "I'll call you if I need assistance with the BW Agency shoot tomorrow. Azure, you said you wanted to join for the experience, right?"

I replied in a curious tone, "I'm curious to see how Unova handles the entertainment industry. It's a different kind of 'battlefield' than what I'm used to."

White departed, leaving Black and me in the waiting area. Black was staring intensely at a map of the city on his Xtransceiver. Currently, we were just waiting, biding our time for our team to recover.

I leaned against the cool metallic wall of the lobby, my fingers absently scratching behind the ears of the Eevee perched atop my head. Pikachu, ever the vigilant scout, sat on my shoulder, his ears twitching at the sound of every Poké Ball clinking on the tray behind the counter.

Black muttered, his foot tapping a frantic rhythm against the polished floor, "They're taking forever…"

His eyes were wide, darting toward the healing station every few seconds, adding, "We need to get to the gym. The Striaton Leaders… the strategy… I've been running simulations in my head for hours, Azure."

I sighed, a small smile playing on my lips. I told him, "Black, relax. If you push yourself into one of your 'dreaming' fits, you'll be dead weight before the first match starts. Besides, my team needs the rest. Pawniard took a real toll on Larvesta."

At the mention of his name, the small steel-clad warrior, currently resting in his Poké Ball at my side, let out a soft, metallic scrape. I felt a flicker of amusement.

He was a prideful one.

Black grumbled, though his eyes sparkled with lingering envy, "I still can't believe you caught him… That technique! Those moves! That Swords Dance! He was a masterpiece of combat. If I'd had Tula out sooner, or maybe if Tep hadn't been caught off-guard by that maneuverability..."

I said calmly, my voice steady, "He chose me because he sensed I wouldn't hold him back, Black. He isn't a trophy. He's a partner."

Zoura, currently coiled in the darkness near my feet, was watching the room with amusement, which echoed in my mind: 'He is also quite sharp. Literally. He keeps trying to sharpen his blades on your boot.'

I chuckled softly, whispering, "Easy, buddy. We'll find you a whetstone."

*BEEP*

Our conversation was interrupted by the chime of the healing machine. A nurse, beaming with practiced efficiency, returned our Poké Balls. With our free time, Black and I began discussing plans against the Gym.

It was certainly an interesting take traveling with those wanting to do the Gym Challenges as Black explained the Striaton City Gym information. Black muttered, "Okay, so the Gym is run by triplets. If I use Tep, I must worry about the water-type, Cress. But if I use Tula... wait, Tula is Bug/Electric, so he's good against Water but weak to Chili's Fire types... ugh, my head!"

I chuckled as I said casually, "You're overthinking it, Black. The best plan is—"

A loud, abrasive voice interrupted, dripping with arrogance in a confident tone, "Is to get better Pokémon!"

I blinked and turned toward the entrance of the Pokémon Center. We saw a boy who was lounging near the entrance. Walking toward us was a boy who looked like he'd been raised by a pack of Heatmors.

He was short, but he carried a presence that filled the room. His hair was a wild explosion of orange and red, his eyes a piercing crimson, and when he smirked, I could see prominent fangs. He looked like he'd just finished a hike through a volcano, wearing a ragged white tank top and shorts, with a knife tucked into his backpack.

But it was the necklace of Poké Balls around his neck that caught my eye. That, and the sheer power level radiating off him. Not only that, but he carried himself with the stifling weight of a pedigree. His red eyes locked onto us, filled with a dismissive fire. I muttered, my voice barely audible, "Benga…"

The grandson of the Champion Alder…

I didn't expect to see him here, as I recall he showed up in Pokémon Black and White 2. This is certainly a surprise.

Benga stepped forward, his fangs glinting in the light. He looked at my Eevee, then at my Pikachu, and curled his lip as he concluded confidently, "You're the ones from Route 2, aren't you? Heard a rumor about some trainers letting a wild Pawniard walk all over them. I guess it was true."

Black stiffened, his face reddening. He exclaimed defiantly, "We didn't lose! It was a test of strength!"

Benga laughed, reaching out to pluck a wooden stick from his backpack and spinning it with practiced ease, boasting, "A test? That Pawniard was carving up local competition because their trainers were weak. You, clearly, are just more of the same. And you…"

His eyes lingered on the Pikachu on my shoulder and Eevee on my head. He pointed at me with a snort, continuing, "… dragging around a 'pet' Eevee? A Pikachu? Seriously? What is this, the Kanto suburbs? You'll never make it past the first round of the League, let alone face my grandfather."

I tilted my head, my patience wearing thin. I reached into my belt, unclipped the ball I had just acquired, and released the Pawniard.

*Flash-Click*

The steel-type materialized with a clink of metallic boots, his blade arm gleaming under the fluorescent lights. Benga's eyes widened, just for a fraction of a second before scoffing, "You caught him? Lucky shot."

He stepped closer, inspecting Pawniard's form. He muttered, "Clean cuts... sharp edges... high discipline. Not bad for a tourist."

I said calmly, "I have a name. Azure. And this is Black."

Benga snapped, "I don't care!"

Benga regained his bravado. He puffed out his chest and declared, "But since you're clearly the only ones in this city with half a brain, you should know who you're talking to. I'm Benga! Grandson of the Champion, Alder! And I'm the guy who's gonna win the League this year and take my Grandpa's seat!"

Black practically exploded at the news. He argued back defiantly, "EXCUSE ME?! I've been dreaming of being the Champion for nine years! NINE YEARS! I've studied every library, every battle, and every strategy! You think you can just walk in here with some fancy necklace and take my title?!"

Benga laughed—a wild, jagged sound. He boasted, "Dreams? Libraries? That's why you're weak! Battles aren't won in books, kid! They're won in the heat of the moment, with blood and fire! You think my Grandpa got to the top by reading?"

I interjected, stepping between them before Black could lunge at the kid, "It's a balance of both. Knowledge and Skill. And a shared understanding of what it means to be strong. Something you seem to think you can inherit from an old man's name."

The tension in the room snapped.

Benga shouted, his face twisting into a furious snarl, "I don't inherit strength! I make it! I am the next Champion of the Unova region! When I step into that stadium, the entire world will know that the title belongs to an Alder!"

Black stepped forward, slamming his palm against his own chest. He argued defiantly, "Like hell it does! I've been training since I was a kid! I've studied every library archive in the region! I'm going to be the Champion, and I'm going to do it by pushing myself to the absolute limit!"

Benga scoffed, stepping into Black's personal space in a dismissive tone, "Limit? You look like you're about to pass out from the sheer weight of your own delusions! You're hot-headed, loud, and disorganized. You'll be lucky to get a badge from this gym, let alone reach the Elite Four."

Black leaned in, his forehead pressing against Benga's snarling, "Oh, you want to see disorganized? I have a tactical mind that would run circles around you while you're still practicing your poses in the mirror!"

Benga growled, yelling, "Why you—!"

Gengar whispered, her voice a chill in the air, "Should I intervene, Boss? I could frighten the brat. Maybe a nice, long nightmare involving a lifetime of chores?"

I whispered back, watching the two boys descend into a full-blown screaming match, "Hold it, Gengar."

Rotom emerged from my Arc Phone, his screen flickering with digital glee, and chimed in, "Zzzzt! This is prime entertainment! Should I record this and upload it to the internet, Azure? The look on his face is priceless!"

I chuckled, though I couldn't help but notice the irony, "No broadcasts, Rotom."

My companions were the most powerful entities in the world, yet here I stood, caught in the middle of two boys fighting over a dream that I had already lived four times over. Benga yelled, waving his arm, "You think you can just march into the League and take it? My grandfather built this foundation! I am the bloodline of victory!"

Black roared back, gritting his teeth, "Bloodline means nothing! Hard work, bonds with Pokémon, and the fire in your heart—that's what makes a Champion! And I've got more fire than you'll ever have!"

The entire lobby had gone quiet. Trainers were staring; Nurse Joy looked like she was about to call security. I stood back, leaning against the counter. Pawniard stood beside me, his red eyes scanning Benga with cold, analytical detachment.

He didn't care about the yelling; he was waiting for the next command. Pawniard's thoughts drifted into my mind, sharp and precise: 'He is a loud and stupid one. Is he worthy of a battle, or just noise?'

I looked at the scuffle, then at my team, feeling the warm, familiar weight of Pikachu on my shoulder. I realized then that I wasn't just here to win. I was here to redefine what it meant to be a trainer in a world that was being poisoned by the whispers of Team Plasma. I suppose I have another reason to win the League.

I said sternly, my voice cutting through the shouting like a blade, "Hey."

Both Black and Benga froze, turning toward me.

I said calmly, adjusting my jacket, "We're going to the Gym. If you want to be Champion, Benga, do it in the arena. And Black? If you don't stop shouting, you're going to pass out before we even reach the front door."

Both the boys stopped what they were doing, eyeing each other the final time before scoffing, turning as they left to their own destinations. Black followed up with me as Benga disappeared into the halls of the Pokémon Center.

Black finally caught up to us, panting, his face still flushed with anger but his eyes burning with that familiar, obsessive focus, and asked, "Azure! We're not done with that guy! Did you hear what he said about my strategy?"

I laughed, a genuine, hearty sound that echoed through the street. I replied casually, "Forget him, Black. Let's go win that badge."

Meeting Benga was certainly a surprise. And to learn his going to participate in this year's Pokémon League Tournament. That never occurred in the original story, but then again Arceus did say he'd make my time here interesting; guess he sped up some characters to appear.

And fighting Benga Alder's Grandson… That might be interesting to see how strong that brat really is when the chance comes.

For now though, I got a badge to win.

/////

A/N: Hope you like the chapter and the addition of Benga to the story!

I needed to add some characters from Unova that'll be used during the Unova League Tournament and some other characters. Plus, adding Benga would be a good rival to Black, with an arrogant attitude and goals to win the league.

Also, a question I should ask... would you like the other characters I have in mind to begin using Tera Orbs?