Chapter 2: Pokémon Potential and Trainer Ranks
In the Pewter City Gym, a child who looked about ten years old – precisely our protagonist, Brock – was present. He had already been in this world for ten years.
In the evening, inside the Gym, Brock and Flint were sitting by the window, looking at the moon together. Flint turned his head towards Brock and said, "Son, today is your birthday. I don't have much to give you, so take this as your birthday present!" After speaking, Flint took out a Poké Ball and handed it to Brock.
"Thanks, Dad!" Brock happily took the Poké Ball and asked, "Dad, what Pokémon is inside?"
Flint replied, "Let it out, and you'll see."
Brock took out the Poké Ball: "Come out! Pokémon!" Just as Brock finished speaking, a red beam of light shot out from the Poké Ball, revealing a large snake made entirely of rocks: Onix.
Brock said happily, "Dad, it's an Onix!"
Hearing Brock's words, Flint asked, "Son, do you like it?"
Brock replied with satisfaction, "I love it!"
Then, Flint and Brock continued to gaze at the beautiful moon in the sky together.
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The next day, just as Brock got out of bed, he saw a letter on his bedside table. There was also a note underneath the letter. Brock picked up the letter first and read:
"Brock,
You are now ten years old and can take care of yourself and your younger siblings. I feel like my strength is about to break through, but I haven't managed it yet. I'm going out on a journey to see if I can achieve a breakthrough. I've also left a Pokémon for you; it's a Geodude. I caught it before I left. Combined with the Onix I gave you, you can handle 2v2 Gym matches. I'm leaving the Gym in your hands. I've given the Pokédex and the Pokémon [Geodude's Poké Ball] to the Gym referee, Aron. Go ask him for them yourself! Remember to take good care of yourself and your siblings.
Your loving father:
(Flint)"
Brock finished reading the letter. He looked at the note still on the table, picked it up, and read the words on it:
"Brock,
Your father abandoned us to go on a journey. I couldn't stand it, so I've gone to your maternal grandmother's house. I believe you can definitely take good care of your younger siblings.
Your loving mother:
(Lola)"
After reading the letters from Flint and Lola, Brock thought to himself, *"Father Flint, Mother Lola, thank you for letting me experience the paternal and maternal love I never had in my previous life during these ten years. I will definitely take care of my siblings. Over these ten years, I've learned how to make Pokémon food and how to battle with Pokémon. I've also read up on all Pokémon knowledge (excluding Legendary Pokémon), etc. I will definitely protect the Gym."*
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During these ten years, Brock learned that this world was different from the world in the anime. In the anime, children who turned 10 could receive a starter Pokémon and a Pokédex, then set out on a journey. But the anime was idyllic; reality was harsh.
Those children able to receive starter Pokémon were ones whose parents had paid taxes to the League since they were young – 30,000 League Coins per year, totaling 300,000 League Coins over ten years. The currency in this world was the universal League Coin. If taxes weren't paid, forget about getting a Pokémon; you wouldn't even get dirt. Children of Gym Leaders didn't need to pay taxes; they received everything like the Pokédex, just not the starter Pokémon.
It had to be understood that starter Pokémon from any region were carefully trained by the League. The breeding centers, various Pokémon foods, equipment, and staff salaries all cost a large amount of League Coins. If they were given out for free? The Pokémon League would probably lose so much money they wouldn't even have their underpants left.
The Pokémon distributed by the Pokémon League had 'Elite' level Potential. Pokémon Potential levels in this world were divided into:
* Ordinary
* Elite
* Perfect
* Supreme
* King
And Trainer Ranks were:
* Novice Trainer
* Beginner Trainer
* Elite Trainer
* Gym Leader
* Elite Four Trainer
* Champion Trainer
There was also a Pokémon Master Trainer rank, but currently, no one had reached this level.
A Pokémon's Potential determined a Trainer's Rank. Pokémon Potential and Trainer Rank were correlated: Ordinary Potential Pokémon corresponded to Beginner Trainers, Elite Potential to Elite Trainers, and so on...
A Pokémon with King Potential was one in ten thousand. That is to say, out of ten thousand Pokémon, there might only be one with King Potential. Even if you were lucky enough to obtain a Pokémon with King Potential, if you lacked the strength [to protect it], it would inevitably be snatched away by others.