Pokémon: Worlds Divided

The next day rolled around smoothly, they had all rested well and were in the middle of eating breakfast. Yesterday, Leona and Lars deepened their connection with their newly acquired Pokémon by forming a personal bond with them.

Leon still had his Bronze Chest from yesterday that he needed to open. After eating breakfast, Leon decided to open his Bronze Chest.

'Open my Bronze Chest.'

[Ding! Opening Bronze Chest...]

______

[Congratulations, you've received One TM-Ice Punch!]

[Congratulations, you've received One Hoenn Pokédex!] 

[Congratulations, you've received Craftsmanship D!]

[Congratulations, you've received Ten Pokéballs!] 

[Congratulations, you've received Ten Duskballs!]

'It's a Pokédex!' Leon almost leaped out of his chair when he saw the rewards.

Just as Leon pondered this, a flood of both familiar and unfamiliar information rushed into his mind.

'The Craftmanship skill was actually added to my status window. I can craft items for myself; this will be useful!'

This was incredibly convenient. He found exactly what he wanted in a Bronze chest. It seemed too perfect. Did the system reward him based on his desires?

"How about we test our might with a Pokémon battle?" Lars stood up as he spoke to Leona.

"A Pokémon battle?" Leona was stunned for a moment before smiling. "Hehe, alright, let's go outside and battle then."

"Let's go!" Lars and Leona quickly went to the back of the factory to battle.

"These guys have suddenly become more lively than ever; this was really a good thing."

Leon went to his room and proceeded to inspect his newly acquired Pokédex. The Pokédex was red, black, and white, which was the perfect combination for Leon.

After powering the Pokédex on, Leon found that it was like a phone. It had apps and it could be used to video call people if you had their number. 

"This is amazing! I got a Wi-fi card, which allows me to connect to wi-fi from anywhere in the world for free." Using the Pokédex, Leon gained access to the internet for the first time since he got here.

These Wi-fi card cost a pretty penny, but the best thing was that they came with these cards. 

Leon came across a famous website that was similar to the one from his world. This website was named Virtualtube, where you could search for anything and watch related videos.

The famous searches were Pokémon battles with gym leaders from all over the world. The ones with the most views were battles with the Elite 4, Champion, and the Battle Frontier. 

"Wow, even beauty contests, this is insane." Afterward, Leon decided to search for aptitude videos. Leon received results right away—when he saw a video about aptitude, on how it worked, and the benefits. 

The name of this guy's Virtualtube account was called ResearcherReed12k. The video started with an intro before a man appeared on screen. The man had blonde hair and green eyes and looked to be around 20-21 years old. 

ResearcherReed12k: Welcome everyone, Reed here. Today, we'll be taking a close look at aptitude as you can probably see from the title. Of course, as you may know to some extent; the higher the aptitude to better, but why?

In the next moment, the screen switched to a white screen.

ResearcherReed12k: First and foremost, the lowest aptitude. The lowest aptitude is a White-graded Pokémon. This Pokémon is the most common in the wild, and you're likely to see and catch this type of Pokémon 85% of the time. These Pokémon, unfortunately, don't have many prospects. Unless you're willing to burn money to gather resources for such Pokémon. Furthermore, the Pokémon species would have to be worth it to do so. 

Afterward, ResearcherReed12k clarified that Gray and Black followed White sequentially. The growth rate of a Pokémon depended on its aptitude, with a higher aptitude leading to faster growth, and it also varied based on the species of the Pokémon.

He drew a parallel between a Pokémon such as Dratini and Ratatta, emphasizing that training a Dratini would require more time but the payoff would be incredibly rewarding in the long run.

ResearcherReed12k also stated that things changed drastically when a Pokemon breaks through the Black rank. However, he didn't go into further detail about the changes. He did explain that you could upgrade aptitude with certain items, consumables, etc. 

And, of course, he explained that you could check the aptitude of a Pokémon at a local Pokézone Tech Store.

The video ended, with it only lasting four minutes and thirty-seven seconds. 

"It appears that the way I perceive the aptitude system is unique to my perspective. While I interpret everything in letters, others perceive things through a color system." This is what Leon could gather so far, he wasn't quite sure yet. 

"I'll double-check everything anyway today when I go to the Pokézone." Leon checked many videos that gave him a greater understanding of aptitude.

Indeed, raising the aptitude of each Pokémon varied from Pokémon to Pokémon. Furthermore, their diets were a key factor in raising such aptitudes. A rich everyday diet could slowly, or quickly cause a breakthrough in growth. 

"Okay, so after Black aptitude; there's the Shallow Bronze, then Deep Bronze, and finally, True Bronze." Leon was amazed at the rank system before him, so what were the ranks he perceived when converted?

"It seems it might not be a color system, but an ore-like system instead. 

Leon speculated that the F rank was the White rank in this world, while the F+ rank was the Gray rank, etc. He closed the Pokédex with a smile before storing it in his inventory.

After going through the Pokédex's catch system, Leon discovered that the Pokémon he had captured recently had been successfully registered to it.

"I need to go to the Pokémon center and heal the Pokémon from yesterday. That Zigzagoon's wounds might not be so minor, who knows?"

Leon rose and began engaging in push-ups and various other exercises. With the ability to uphold a nutritious diet, it became crucial to strive for peak physical fitness. His status made him stronger than the average adult, so defending himself wasn't a problem. 

After working out for about fifteen minutes, Leon went to take a shower. 

"It's time to head to the Pokémon Center." He got dressed and went out back before telling Leona and Lars to be ready when he got back.

Leon explained that he was going to the Pokémon Center, and once he came back; they would head to Pokézone. Both nodded, they knew he was going to heal the Pokémon and perhaps sell them later.

Once Leon was on the street, he found that the town was bustling with people. Leon had a backpack on, which contained the Pokéballs of every Pokémon he wanted to heal. 

The Island's town had more people than he originally imagined. People were shopping and even setting up street stalls to sell goods, such as food, unknown trinkets, etc.

The weather was warm and the sun was on full display today with beautiful blue skies. Leon thought the Hoenn region was one of the best regions to date, no, it may be the best. 

After walking through the busy streets, Leon arrived at the Pokémon Center. The lady from before was sitting behind the desk with the same bored expression. 

"Oh, it's you again." The woman gazed up in surprise.

"Yeah, I have some Pokémon that need healing." Leon went to the counter before taking off his backpack. He simply handed the backpack to the woman for her to sort out herself.

The woman squinted and grabbed the backpack, she found that it had some heft to it. When she unzipped the backpack, a delightful surprise awaited her - a multitude of Pokéballs. She estimated that there were at least fifteen or more nestled inside.

There was even one Pokéball that looked different from the typical ones inside. The nurse looked dazedly at Leon, did this guy capture all of these Pokémon?

"I'll get to work right away, give me a moment." The nurse didn't question Leon as it was none of her business. However, such a feat was incredible on this island; at least for someone his age. 

Leon took a seat and waited patiently, those Pokéballs also included his Beldum, which had the unique Pokéball.

Time passed, but Leon wasn't idle, doing nothing. Instead, he read a few magazines and learned a little bit. He waited for an hour before the nurse came from the backrooms.

The nurse was carrying a basket filled with Pokéballs—on the other hand; she carried his backpack.

"Here you go, they're all healed and accounted for." The nurse placed the basket and backpack on the counter.

Leon summoned all of his Pokémon and counted them before recalling and storing them again.

"Hmm, you've caught so many, what do you plan to do with them?" The nurse's curiosity got the best of her, and she couldn't help but ask. 

"I plan to sell some of them to the children in town." Leon didn't mind and answered her question. 

This Pokémon Center was quiet and vacant; there were no customers present. This was obviously because the children on this island didn't have Pokémon. Some of the adult guardsmen would drop by here and there, but there were hardly any youngsters.

"Oh..." She was slightly surprised, but she found that it made sense. The youngster had come by before with some Pokémon during a rainy day. Perhaps he was trying to make some quick cash for himself.

"Anyways, thanks. I'll be taking my leave." Leon turned and walked away.

"Wait! If you want to sell Pokémon, you will need to have their papers. This means proof of their aptitude, tier, and gender. You can do this at the Pokézone building for a small fee each."

"Thank you! I didn't even know I had to go through such procedures." Leon turned as his eyes widened, he didn't know he had to do something like this.

"No problem, with this, you'll help me bring in more customers and bolster my pay here." This would also allow her to bring in more nurses, other than just her and a few others. 

"I hope so, this place is really dead." Leon laughed and turned to leave. The doors were automatic slide doors, so he didn't need to use his hand.

"What? How can this be? What is this trash doing at a Pokémon Center?" Right as Leon stepped outside, a voice could be heard.

Leon's expression turned cold, how could he not recognize this voice.