The Renegade Trainer

Sinnoh region, Thundra Hunters' hideout...

A 12-year old boy wearing black turtle was comfortably sat on a brown sofa. To his left was his stained white jacket getting cleaned by a happy Minccino. 

And before him was a man who looked to be in his forties. His grey beard and menacing eye made him look like a fierce nordic Viking. "I heard you've had a run-in with the top scorer, Cynthia."

"I did. And her Gible told me everything I needed to know. It was the league who took the Garchomp eggs. There's no stronger evidence than seeing it's offspring for myself."

Thundra frowned, "Masaichi, it seems that the Hisuian legacy won't be revived so soon. Not with the Diamond and Pearl clans ruling this region."

"I know. Let's have patience for now, uncle. The perfect time will come, and I'll definitely restore my clan to glory. I swear on my father's name."

"I look forward to that, Masaichi. But for now, let's check out the Pokémon we stole from the stupid poachers. These are shipments from other regions, so they'll surely fetch a high price."

They began to walk after Masaichi took his jacket and thanked their janitor. 

Leaving the room, they reached another one filled with cages. From the poor ventilation, to the various scents emitted by these Pokémon, it would be an understatement to call the room smelly.

Yet both of them were used to this.

"How were this year's buyers?" Masaichi was the first to ask.

"Decent. Though some were struggling, there was no reports of abuse."

"As long as the Pokémon are satisfied with their owners, then there is no problem."

The Pokémon market is categorized into three. The first are league-approved Pokémon merchants. Next are black markets, illegally sold Pokémon. And finally, the grey zone such as the Pokémon hunters' market.

Because illegally sold Pokémon are a high-risk investment, while league branded Pokémon are usually too expensive your average citizen, it's the grey zones that dominate in Pokémon trade.

"Our business emphasizes on quality. We'll make sure to raise these ones properly too. But more importantly, Masaichi, which one stands out to you?"

The boy was eyeing each specimen in the cages and Thundra's question remained unanswered for a long while.

As usual, Masaichi branded each Pokémon based on their potential.

Red - Inferior 

Orange - Below average

Yellow - Average

Green - Above average 

Blue - Good

Indigo - Very good

Purple - Fantastic

Brown - Near perfect

Black - Perfect

"This one." His eyes had a glint of red as he said.

Among their haul of 75 Pokémon, there were 12 reds, 8 Oranges, 37 Yellows, 10 Greens, 5 Blues, and 3 Indigos.

"But that one has blue potential. Why not the Indigo ones?" Thundra was perplexed by Masaichi's decision.

"That's simple, and it's because this Mareanie has better moves and Abilities. And in terms of potential, Indigo is the minimum potential for dragon types, so there's nothing special going on with those three Bagon."

"I swear, those eyes of yours are so convenient."

"You wouldn't want to see what I see during a Pokémon stampede. You know better than anyone that I suffer information overload in those kinds of scenarios."

Thundra smiled and spoke, "Still, if it weren't for you, we'd just be a nameless gang. Now were the biggest Pokémon hunter organization in Sinnoh."

"You better stay safe while I'm away. Because this mission will take at least three years."

"Don't worry too much, I got your handy package anyway."

"We'll be using that custom-made Poketch for communications. I can't them discovering my real identity after all, so make sure to call me Maguro when were on call. You will be acting as my mentor as well."

"I already am your mentor."

The boy stood in silence. He isn't entirely Thundra's student, but he couldn't deny his statement either.

So Masaichi decided to change the topic instead: "By the way, that Cynthia girl has a Black potential Gible."

"Are you gonna steal it?"

"What, no. That'll be openly threatening the Pearl clan and the Sinnoh league.

"Cynthia is their golden goose, and building a relationship with her will be a vital part of our plan. Though she doesn't trust me at this point, that'll be changing in the near future."

"You seem to be tense when you're talking about that girl. A crush perhaps? You're free to tell your uncle all about it y'know."

"She's gonna be a monster one day. I'd say she's the biggest threat to our plans."

Thundra froze this time. It was a new seeing Masaichi, their best talent in the brigade, genuinely fearful of someone. "You're not joking, aren't you?"

Masaichi smiled, "She's dangerous, uncle. And I'll crush her after three years at the Sinnoh Conference."

This time, the boy turned to the Brutal star Pokémon held captive inside the cave. Throughout the years as a hunter, Masaichi had been learning about what makes a Pokémon superior.

As required for his profession, he needed to know what makes a Pokémon marketable.

And Masaichi will always answer with: The strongest Pokémon will earn us the most. 

Typing, potential, rarity, genetics, versatility, intellect... there are a lot of factors that make a Pokémon strong.

But beyond those, Masaichi chooses his Pokémon based on their ambition -- what lengths would they take to reach their desires?

"Do you want power?"

The Pokémon nodded in reply. Mareanie had a fierce look in its eyes looking at this human. After months of being kidnapped, caged and shipped, it learned that only those with power could do what they wanted in life. So the little Mareanie knew what it wanted. 

"Then hit me with your strongest [Poison sting]," said Masaichi as he put his hand in the cage.

Mareanie flinched at his remarks. In this place, it knew that there were Pokémon far stronger than it, so strong that they could kill Mareanie with just a glance and trying to injure the human in front of it would mean garnering their rage.

Masaichi knew this. He knew more than anyone how overprotective their fellow hunters' are. And they would not hesitate to eliminate anyone deemed as a threat to their team.

'So, will you give in like the rest or will you wrestle against your fate?'

He wore a stern expression, waiting patiently for the Pokémon to make a move.

This obviously wasn't Masaichi's first time. And so far, no captive Pokémon had the balls to attack him inside their hideout.

Thinking it'd be the same this time as well, he started to retrieve his hand from the cage.

Mareanie's eyes widened, it wasn't about to lose its chance to get stronger and fired off [Poison sting] instinctively. 

"Arrgh" shouted the boy. The room got colder and darker as three Pokémon appeared out of nowhere.

"STOP IT! I COMMANDED IT TO ATTACK ME."

A Froslass, Gengar, and Duskull could be seen as visibility returned. Mareanie's cage was already lifted by [Psychic] as two [Thunderbolts] were aimed at it.

Downing an antidote, Masaichi received his new Pokémon with his hands.

"Thanks Phantoms, I'll be alright from here." the trio vanished without a word after Masaichi gave his gratitude.

"So this one is the first merchandise that survived after attacking one of my members. I'll be giving you this Mareanie for free, Masaichi."

"Well, I won't refuse that. Thanks uncle. This one will also be my final pickup before leaving the base. I have three Pokémon before setting off, not bad."

Taking out Turtwig and Murkrow, they gathered in Masaichi's private lounge.

"You three are my first triad, and I expect you to be the core of my Pokémon team. You may have your differences, but we are family from now on.

"Murkrow, you were my first Pokémon as a rookie hunter. And you dream of becoming the richest Pokémon. Among the three, you are the most cunning but loyal. I'll make sure to reward you with mountains of gold for that."

"Kurr!" a delighted chirp resounded from Murkrow as heard the mention of gold.

"Turtwig. You're the youngest member of the gang, but you also have the highest potential out of all three. As your trainer, it is my duty to make sure you get to satisfy that adventurous soul of yours. And you'll soon meet the rival that can give you a great battle."

"Tur-turtwig!!" 

"And finally, Mareanie. I have high expectations for you after that stunt today. It started rough for you, and it won't get easier as you aim to become stronger. But under my wing, I promise that you'll be more powerful than you can imagine."

"Iiiea-Marie!" 

And so, Masaichi leaves his hunter friends for the time being as he sets off to officially start his journey as a Pokémon trainer.

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.

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[TO BE CONTINUED]

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Maguro/Masaichi's Pokémon:

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Pokémon: Murkrow

Level: 22 (20%)

Sex: Male

Types: Dark/Flying

Ability: Prankster, Insomnia

Potential: Blue

Moves: Thunder wave, Pursuit, Haze, Astonish, Peck, Feather dance

Held item: none

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Pokémon: Turtwig

Level: 05 (02%)

Sex: Male

Types: Grass

Ability: Shell Armor

Potential: Purple

Moves: Shell smash, Tackle, Withdraw

Held item: none

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Pokémon: Mareanie

Level: 12 (07%)

Sex: Female

Types: Water/Poison

Ability: Merciless, Regenerator

Potential: Blue

Moves: Peck, Poison sting, Stockpile, Swallow, Infestation

Held item: none

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