It was noon in the middle of summer. The scorching sun blazed overhead, and the earth itself seemed ready to melt.
Tetsuya paid it no mind. He hopped on his Bicycle. He knew Ecruteak Gym like the back of his hand. With a push of the pedals, he sped off.
This Gym specialized in Ghost-types. The current Gym Leader was Leader Matsuba, Morty's father. Morty was the same age as Tetsuya, but he was exceptionally gifted and rose to prominence at a young age. About five years later, he would inherit Ecruteak Gym, and his strength was formidable.
In his previous life, after Tetsuya obtained the qualifications to establish a Gym, he built another Gym in Ecruteak's northern district known as "Northern Ecruteak". It was a Poison-type Gym, and he and Morty constantly competed.
Morty believed in coexisting harmoniously with Pokémon, dreaming of moving Ho-Oh and restoring the Bell Tower.
Their ideologies clashed, and so in the previous life, Tetsuya and Morty didn't get along at all.
Until one day, something happened…
Morty's son violated some taboo and was expelled from Ecruteak Gym. From that point on, Morty fell into decline, and Ecruteak Gym also lost its successor and began to wither.
As Tetsuya pedaled along, he recalled all of this from his past life, hoping it could be of use to him…
Later, Morty's son ended up joining Koga.
'No… something's off.'
At that thought, Tetsuya stopped his Bicycle and started walking it slowly, feeling a flash of insight just within reach.
There had to be a connection. Morty might have specialized in Ghost-types, but he was a man of great righteousness, his moral compass unwavering. His son must have crossed a line.
The Matsuba Family had been negotiating with Ho-Oh for over a century. They were a long-established Ghost-type lineage. That meant the taboo had to involve a Ghost-type Pokémon. And for it to enrage Morty so thoroughly, it couldn't have been anything "good".
A theory began to take shape in Tetsuya's mind.
Years ago, Chili had leaked intel to Koga, informing him about Tetsuya's breeding of [Badly Poison Ariados] and [Badly Poison Drapion]. Koga had struggled to find a countermeasure. Around that time, Morty's son defected to him, and the two found common ground in their mutual interests.
At that moment, Tetsuya suddenly recalled that just a month before the Elite Four Challenge, Koga had traveled to the Kalos region and reportedly acquired a Mega Stone at a staggering price…
'Mega Gengar!'
That might have been the true reason behind Morty's downfall.
And it could have directly caused Tetsuya's humiliating defeat by that Mega Gengar.
If this theory was correct, then Ecruteak Gym must have records related to Gengar's training methods.
Whether his hunch was right or not, he had to find a way to get closer to Ecruteak Gym.
---◓---
Before he realized it, he had already arrived at the Gym entrance.
"…May I help you?" asked the trainee on duty at the gate.
"I'm from Ecruteak City. I'd like to speak with Leader Matsuba."
As Tetsuya spoke, he slipped him a one-hundred Pokédollar bill and put on a flattering smile. "I appreciate your help~"
When under someone else's roof, one had to bow their head. Sixty years of life experience had given Tetsuya many facets to his personality.
In simpler terms, he could talk to humans like a human, and to ghosts like a ghost. Otherwise, how could someone with Elite Four level strength humble himself before a mere gatekeeper?
"Not a problem, not a problem~ You're quite the polite kid. Just wait here for a moment!"
With that, the trainee went inside to report.
Tetsuya paced nervously at the gate, occasionally peeking inside.
After a while, the trainee returned from the main hall and waved him over.
Tetsuya understood immediately and hurried inside.
At the head of the hall sat a middle-aged man, with a boy of about seven or eight standing beside him.
The trainee gestured and introduced, "This is my teacher, Leader Matsuba."
Tetsuya quickly bowed ¹[1]in greeting.
"Mm. Young man, what brings you to Ecruteak Gym?"
Leader Matsuba was warm and approachable, which gave Tetsuya even more confidence.
"Leader Matsuba, I'd like to request a job here at Ecruteak Gym. I don't care about the pay, I only need a Work ID."
Tetsuya appeared extremely respectful. Even though he was disgusted with his current self, what was a little pride in the face of his goal? Besides, given his present status, showing basic respect to a Gym Leader was the least he could do.
Matsuba had seen this sort of situation many times. In this world, orphans were far too common.
Most came from families where the parents, unwilling to live "mundane" lives, went out seeking fortune; only to meet the same fate as Tetsuya's parents.
These orphans had become a social burden, and many were eventually recruited by the biggest underground force in the Kanto and Johto Regions… Team Rocket.
Even though Matsuba had already guessed most of Tetsuya's situation, he still asked, "…Why are you working at such a young age?"
"I don't want to go to the orphanage!"
Tetsuya was straightforward.
Matsuba sighed. "That means you're not even ten yet…"
"Umm… that's right." Tetsuya nodded.
"I can't agree to your request."
Tetsuya had already prepared himself for this answer.
"…Really? There… there's no way?" Tetsuya sounded a bit unwilling.
Matsuba replied helplessly, "Your answer shows you know the League's rules. Children under ten are considered child labor, and no employer is allowed to hire them. I can't knowingly break the law."
Tetsuya deliberately acted pitiful, as if struggling to speak!
Seeing how pitiful he looked, Morty's natural childhood compassion kicked in. "Tousan, just let him stay~"
Matsuba patted Morty on the head. He was well aware that the League's management of orphanages had long been too lax. Abuse and mistreatment of children were common, leading many to develop psychological problems.
"It's not that I don't want to help. I just have my own principles! How about this, Tetsuya. Go to the orphanage for now. I'll ask someone to look after you.
Once you turn ten, come back to Ecruteak Gym. How does that sound?"
With that, there was really no reason for Tetsuya to continue pressing. He had to admit Matsuba was indeed a good man. Otherwise, he wouldn't have died thirteen years later while protecting others.
"Thank you… Leader Matsuba."
Tetsuya took his leave. Morty seemed a little reluctant to see him go, but there was nothing he could do.
---◓---
After leaving Ecruteak Gym, the next place Tetsuya thought of was the city's largest horticulture company.
He was greeted by two sisters with Eevee, the older one around ten, the younger about his age.
"Hi! My name is Miki. I'm ten years old. This is my sister Kuni. She's eight. What's your name? What brings you to our home~?"
The girl rattled off her words like a machine gun. Tetsuya thought to himself that on Earth, she could have made a great comedian.
"Tetsuya. I'm looking for a job."
Upon hearing that, Miki said, "We can't decide that! I'll take you to our mom."
'…'
---◓---
Tetsuya was turned down again due to his age. As he was about to leave, Miki's mother tried to give him five hundred Pokédollars, but Tetsuya refused.
Even though he didn't get the job, turning down the money earned him a good reputation. The mother and daughters were all "impressed" by Tetsuya's persistence.
This would be very helpful for his future development in Ecruteak City. He also needed to build a "righteous" public image to cover up… certain activities down the road.
Of course, he didn't need the five hundred Pokédollars. Even though it was equivalent to a month's salary for many young workers just entering society.
After a fruitless afternoon, Tetsuya had a simple dinner but didn't go home right away.
'It's about time to go check that place out.'
Tetsuya hopped back on his Bicycle and set out once more.
•
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¹. Johto, Ecruteak, Families and Clans. Talk about tradition…
[1] Johto, Ecruteak, Families and Clans. Talk about traditions…