Public Displays of Aggression

Chapter 1 – Make Us Proud

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A rumour spread through the region of Johto. In the span of a year, seven Trainers appeared in the Violet City Trainer Academy and rose to fame. They became known as the Generation of miracle, a group of genius children when it came to training and battling Pokémon. They each had their own style and when they worked together, the Pokémon they borrowed grew exponentially. Even the Gym Leaders of Johto feared what would happen when these seven Trainers were given their licence.

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Only time would tell what would happen when the "Generation of Miracles" were let out in the open...

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However the rumours of the Generation of Miracles didn't spread much further than to the most western parts of Kanto. They certainly didn't spread as far as Unova. And because of that, the rumours didn't spread to a young man named Kagami Taiga.

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He was Johtoan by birth but he had spent a good ten years abroad in Unova and he felt more native to Unova than Johto so he didn't particularly understand why his father decided to uproot him and bring him back to Johto. It made no sense.

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But here he was, in the city his parents had met in, the city he had been born in and the city he had spent the few years of his life in. The years he didn't particularly remember because he was an infant. Kagami found it weird to walk around the streets. The air here was completely different to the air in Virbank City. It was cleaner here, despite it being a thick city. The buildings were older and looked it. The Pokémon in the streets were completely different as well. They were smaller and browner-looking. It was good here.

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Kagami was trying to get used to the new city. He liked the freedom he currently had. He had no school and he was free to roam wherever. The only instructions he had been given was to not to waste money or to get arrested. It should be easy enough.

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He wound up in a Pokémon Centre. Growing up, Kagami had been in and out of Pokémon Centres. They were huge hot spots for interesting people and Kagami desperately wanted to be a Trainer. In Unova, you had to be seventeen to apply for a Trainer Licence so there was a while to go before Kagami was eligible, not by much though. However, there were plenty of opportunities for people younger than that to mess around with Pokémon and get a taste for training them.

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Kagami loved the thrill of the battle. It was amazing. All he could think about – it and basketball, anyway. His friends joked that he only had enough room in his brain for two things and he had already chosen what he'd obsess with. Kagami wondered what the age was in Johto. He actually hadn't checked that out. As much as he loved Unova, the press over there was a bit self-centred and refused to report on anything outside of the Unovan land borders so Kagami hadn't really heard much about Johto along the grape vine other than that it was quaint and rural. So far, he couldn't agree with those adjectives.

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The Nurse Joy greeted him politely and asked if he had any Pokémon. He mumbled through an explanation of why he was here and she directed him to one of the many personal computers set up. 'A foreigner, huh?' she mused as she logged it on for him. 'We see many people like that here, though I must say it is unusual. You look much older than your age. Sixteen, huh? When was your birthday?'

'Yeah, uh, August second.' he said.

'Type here, I'll create an account for you. I'm qualified to register people as Trainers.' she replied.

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Nurse Joy was happy to titter on to Kagami. 'I've seen many Trainers in these last few weeks. Especially after Christmas. It's natural; I see the influx every year. Some people prefer to leave it to the last minute because a Trainer Card issued to sixteen year olds this year is only valid in the January after. We do things a bit different to Unova and Sinnoh, for example.'

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Soon, Nurse Joy was finished and left Kagami to fill in what was left on the screen. Kagami had always fancied himself to be a pretty good battler and he was pretty certain that he'd be a good Trainer. He recognised that Pokémon were sentient and would treat them well but he wouldn't let them slack off because he needed them to be in top condition if he wants to achieve his goal.

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Kagami's goal was the same as most people's and that was to defeat the champion and win against all the other Trainers in the League. Kagami had always imagined doing that in Unova though with a team headed by an Emboar. He guessed that wouldn't be happening now.

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He soon completed the application form. He called Nurse Joy back to him and she finalised the process. In fifteen minutes, Kagami received a Trainer's Licence. It was red and covered in numbers. It looked a bit different to the ones Kagami had seen in Unova. 'Here you go, Kagami. I suppose I'll be seeing more of you soon. Two weeks until January First.' Nurse Joy said.

'Yup. So, uh, tell me what's the Pokémon League here like?'

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Nurse Joy paused. 'Well, I'd call it one of the best but I suppose I'm biased to my home country but the Silver Conference does attract all sorts of tough Trainers and I'm sure next year's will be interesting because the "Generation of Miracles" will be coming through. Even Ibuki's scared of them. But don't worry, they are all myth.'

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Kagami chuckled but he didn't really understand what Nurse Joy was prattling on about. But he heard the important bit which was in two weeks, he would be free to travel. He just hoped his dad didn't mind. 'I've gotta go.' Kagami said.

'Okay then, bye.' Nurse Joy said. She waved goodbye and Kagami left the Pokémon Centre soon after with bit of buzz. Johto was infinitively times better than Unova because instead of waiting fifty-four weeks for his Trainer's Licence to be valid, he only has to wait two.

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He got home and his father called. He was busy and a meeting had apparently came up so he wouldn't get back to midnight. There wasn't any time for Kagami to share the good news but eventually the time came. His perpetually busy father finally found time to come home and Kagami was quick to tell him about his Trainer Licence. His father was happy for him. As soon as he found out and saw Kagami's Trainers Licence, he organised a donation to Professor Utsugi's laboratory so Kagami would be eligible for this region's "starter" Pokémon. Kagami was pretty excited about that.

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The Christmas period came and went soon after and was quickly replaced by a nationwide buzz. The countdown was on and soon, on New Year's Eve, it came down to hours. Kagami spent his New Year at night, parked in front of his television. His father was attending a company function. Kagami had the option of coming but the thought of seeing his dad's stoic co-workers tipsy was completely unappealing and it didn't help there wouldn't be anyone his age there either.

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Time seemed to slow. The counter on television wasn't just counting down to another year but to the beginning of Kagami's dream. He had some informational booklets in one hand and a soft drink in the other. Kagami had barely read the booklets but he tried. He wanted to know what he was up against this year. He knew the gym leaders of Unova pretty well but when it came to Johto, it was a different story. Kagami couldn't even tell if Bugsy was a chick or a dude yet. This coming year was going to interesting. And that was amazing.

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Kagami ended up falling asleep on the couch. He completely missed the fireworks display on his television and the count down to the New Year. His dad woke him up at dawn when he came home less than drunk. 'Up an' at 'em boy, bi-big day fer you.' he wailed and Kagami got up. He almost rolled off the couch and realised his neck was crook quite quickly from how he had slept.

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Kagami glared at his father. 'What is the time?' he asked.

'Party time!' his father cried back. 'B-Big day for you.' His father's diction was riddled with hiccups and it was only sort of amusing. His father was usually a stoic man but he became more emotive when drunk or tipsy. 'I know, I know.' Kagami said and he got up. He figured he ought to make breakfast. Today was practically Christmas the Second so why not?

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Kagami made pancakes for himself and fried bacon sandwiches for his father. Breakfast was good, if a little sloppy but it was fine. Kagami's father sobered up a few hours later and they watched a breakfast television news report on how today was the most important day for anyone who had turned sixteen last year. Kagami had to agree.

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Kagami's father grabbed the remote and turned down the sound on the television. 'Taiga, we have to have a serious conversation whilst we still have the time.' he said.

'Really? What?' Kagami asked.

'Ground rules. One, don't bring anything too messy home. I dare you to bring home a Muk and see what happens. I dare you. And the second rule is, you are essentially an adult now. Hell, you are an adult now and that makes you eligible to make adult decisions. For the love of God son, do not have unprotected sex. Don't risk it for the love of God. Just because you think she's clean or you'll never see her again, just don't.' his father said.

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Kagami flustered. 'Don't worry, neither of those things will happen.'

'They better not.' his father sternly said and then, to seal the deal. He gave Kagami a "present" which was wad of condoms and some PokeBalls. 'Have sex and you die.'

'I don't think that's how the Coach from Mean Girls says that.' Kagami said.

'Who from what?'

'Nothing!'

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Kagami took the "present" from his father. He was a pretty cool father; compared to others. 'Well, get changed or do you have cold feet now?' his father asked.

'Course not.' Kagami replied.

'Then get your ass in gear.' his father growled.

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Kagami got up and got changed. He knew most people went out and bought new clothes for the occasion of Pokémon Training but that seemed useless but this was coming from the guy who went and bought a bag which was suitable to carrying what condenses to a miniature fridge. He pulled on his favourite faded jeans, a red shirt and a black jacket with missing buttons. Kagami came back soon after with his large duffle bag under his arm.

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His father smiled wistfully. 'One of my biggest regrets was that I didn't go on a journey as a Trainer myself. If your mother was here, she'd be so proud that your taking after her rather than a stick in the mud like myself.'

'Uh, thanks.' Kagami said. People often said that he took more genes from his mother than his father; not just physically but spiritually too.

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His father glanced at his expensive wristwatch with a lamenting sigh. 'I've got a video conference. Again, good luck. Have sex and you die and please don't bring back anything that'll ruin the upholstery just by sitting on it. I won't completely ban the critters but still, I paid a lot for our furniture.' his father said.

'Understood Dad.' Kagami said. 'Guess I'll head out then.'

'Make me proud, Taiga. Make your mother proud.' his father said.

'I-I'll try.' he stammered out.

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Amber Kagami nee Miller was a loud, boisterous giantess with sixteen badges to her name and thirty-two Pokémon at her loving command. She was a woman from Unova who fell in love with a stiff businessman just because she was unable to pay her taxi fare just as he was about to get in. He shouted for her and she wanted to get to know her chivalrous gentlemen better. She even decided to get back in the taxi just so she could attempt to get to know him better. As it turns out, she had her way.

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Naturally, her son felt some worry about being expected to fill her shoes. 'I'm gonna go now.' Kagami stuttered and he left the room. He made a quick exit via the fire escape and made it out on the streets of New Bark City.

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Kagami used the GPS function on his PokeGear to work out where Professor Utsugi's lab was. To his embarrassment, it was actually quite near the building he and his father lived in. After walking for a block and a half, Kagami found what he presumed where the laboratory was.

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It had all the makers. It was the smallest building around and was camped out in its own slice of privacy. It had ornate Ryhorn statues outside and greener grass than a gold court. The biggest indicator though was the swarms of teenagers dressed practically for long days in the sunny wilderness. Kagami wondered how many people here were from New Bark City and how many had travelled out. He wondered how many more people were coming and how many weren't going to show at all. The wonderment ignited a sense of excitement in Kagami because he knew among the hundreds there would worthy rivals.

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Stern men and women in scientist garb organised the crowd and arranged them with numbers. Kagami wound up as two hundred and eleven. Eleven was a number Kagami considered lucky. One of the lab assistants gave Kagami a PokeDex that was light blue. There were lab assistants handing out PokeDexes everywhere.

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He waited for what felt like years. He had been shuffled in amongst a rowdy group of friends who were content to ignore him which he was fine with. They all looked like freaks with their hilarious coloured dye hair. Together, they looked like half a rainbow. With him the mix, he supposed they had the whole chromatic arrangement.

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They were obnoxious. Sneering and jeering at the other Trainers around them. A lot of people kept away. Kagami wasn't surprised. Their premature arrogance was repulsive. Even he wasn't that egotistical to think he was ahead of the game they hadn't started yet.

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Another hour passed and the group on front of Kagami had made it into Utsugi's Office. 'Wait let him go in front of us. We've already got a starter each.' the pink-haired girl stood aside with the yellowy-blonde hair guy. The lab assistant nodded and beckoned Kagami. He felt like the chosen one from a movie.