Tae sat in a very large room, but there was only a single desk, desktop, keyboard, mouse, and clipboard. Sitting at the desk, was a woman with dark cyan hair swept to the left, but tied in a long, low ponytail.

The woman's handsome face was adorned with glasses that gleamed in the dim light of the office.

"So, First Year Student ID: Tae of Naruva Academy, your request was of dire importance. It regards the safety of the esteemed Professors of Paldea, who graduated from the same institution." The woman smiled at Tae, who nervously sat in the chair, nearly pissing himself at who he talked to.

Any of the other Elite Four members would've been a lot easier to confront, but the most... intimidating of the bunch really got to his nerves.

"Yesterday, you received a call from Professor Sada, with a request to head into Area Zero, and help her. You recalled sounds of sparks, growls, and crashes, correct?" The woman asked.

"Yes, Miss Rika, ma'am." Tae nodded.

"After review, and the permission to access your phone logs, we can confirm this event is of the importance you speak of." Rika smirked, propping her head in her palm.

"However. There is one small issue." Rika began, before Tae could even feel some form of relief.

"Koraidon. A Pokémon from Area Zero. An unauthorized, unregistered Pokémon from an undiscovered location. Should it really... be in your custody?" Rika asked, letting her glasses fall a bit so he could see the stern look in her eyes.

Tae's posture tensed beyond nervousness. It was almost irritated.

"I was entrusted with it. Are you against Professor Sada's decision?" Tae asked, surprised.

Rika hummed in agreement. "Yes actually. You are of no background. Your parents aren't fond of you, the school only knows you as an average student, but on your record, is a physical altercation with Student ID: Arven, Professors Sada and Turo's son. You own a rather malicious Pokémon, too. We have footage of your Ceruledge beating a Lycanroc into submission using a technique unseen by even us Elite Four." Rika listed.

Tae shifted in his seat, crossing his arms as he felt the Pokéballs in pockets shift with him.

"I'm not qualified you mean?" Tae asked.

"Precisely." Rika smirked.

"How exactly am I supposed to accept that? I'm not gonna just hand over Koraidon. I was given a task, a mission to take care of it, and help the Professor. If she entrusted me with this, I can't give up on her, or myself." Tae declared.

"I respect your resolve. The dedication to spend you high school experience working towards saving her instead of calling us for help and enjoying your adolescence. However I don't believe you're qualified to own this... Koraidon, or travel to Area Zero. Leave this to professionals. Us."

Tae and Rika stared at each other for a few seconds, before Tae sighed and rubbed his nape.

"I can't. You and I both know that." Tae stood up, making Rika slowly do the same.

"So if our final verdict proclaimed that we would take custody of Koraidon and investigate Area Zero, what would you do? Defy the league?" Rika was more amused than intrigued.

"You aren't of some renown. You may have defeated one Champion's Pokémon, but imagine if she expected more from you. After all, you are just a recluse." Rika mocked his reserved nature.

Tae's school life was indeed reserved. No friends. His mom spited his lack of "battle prowess," wanting him to achieve the Champion rank like his Father. His teachers noticed his diligence in his studies, but he didn't apply it anywhere.

That was until Professor Sada and Turo asked him to research the Pokémon from Area Zero. He had one last Pokémon that Rika didn't know about. Koraidon wasn't the only one from the Great Crater.

Tae rolled his eyes at her snide comments.

"Is this the part where I prove you and everyone wrong. I'm not gonna abandon her. And I also won't back down just because some geezer from the league told me to. If beating you four is what it takes, I'll give it my all until you see to reason." Tae declared with a glare.

"G-GEEZER?! You son of a b—" Rika stopped herself, holding out her hands as if to strangle the boy, but she thrust her hands down and scoffed.

Suddenly, a Garchomp emerged from an Ultra Ball, looming over Rika.

"Bring it out. Show me that you can handle Koraidon... or me." Rika smirked, still irritated.

Tae watched Rika walk to the door behind her, and saw a battlefield as it opened up.

'Holy shit, I'm doing this. What am I getting myself into.' Tae looked at the massive Land Shark that stood taller than the door way.

•

Tae stood across Rika, who's amused smirk could tell he was incredibly scared now.

"Don't back down now. I saw that drive in your eye and the resolve in your voice. Show me you can handle the task before you." Rika began.

Garchomp wasted no time, and lunged forward at Tae despite his lack of a Pokémon.

Tae's face straightened, as Koraidon's fist emerged from behind him and clashed with Garchomp's claw in its battle form.

"Woah..." Rika saw that Koraidon's battle form was two feet taller than Garchomp.

Koraidon's tail waved from around its back, distracting Garchomp, before Koraidon's other fist slammed directly into its jaw.

Garchomp slid back and huffed, using its scythes to stop. Rika whistled at Koraidon's power and physique alone. From the attack alone, Rika could tell that Koraidon listened to Tae. He didn't even have to say anything and he came out to protect him.

However credible that was... she wanted to see just what he was dealing with.

"Earthquake." Tae and Rika both ordered.

Koraidon and Garchomp rushed forward, before locking claws, a tremor kicking up, but neither Rika nor Tae staggered.

Tae knew he had to prove he could hold his own, "control" Koraidon, and show he was willing to venture to the Great Crater.

Koraidon and Garchomp growled at each other, before both flew away from each other with powerful straight kicks.

Koraidon slammed its fist down to slow down, and Garchomp used its scythe again, both glaring at each other from their opposing Trainer's disrespect.

"Collision Course." | "Outrage."

Koraidon reeled it's arms back with a roar as the tire-frill on its chest expanded, the wings on its head fluttered and flapped out, and it's body flared with an orange, flaming aura.

Garchomp lowered its head as a purple aura burst from its scales, its scythes gleaming from the light, it roared after Koraidon, and slammed its claws together.

The two disappeared in a flash, and Tae had to throw up his arms as they collided in the center of the battlefield. Koraidon's head was crashed against Garchomp's, the orange and purple flames bursting back and pushing Tae and Rika.

Tae grit his teeth and crouched, shocked Koraidon was so powerful despite what Professor Sada told him.

Koraidon pushed its head down and flipped upward, before slamming its tail down on Garchomp's back. Garchomp responded by slashing back and swatting it away, but Koraidon's used its wings to soar back and kick it away.

The two rushed in again with Koraidon punching it's jaw, and Garchomp slashing its torso. The brawl was swift and powerful, and Tae continued to skid back against his will, while Rika only took steps back when it was safe to.

Koraidon gained the upper hand and kneed Garchomp's chest, followed by an uppercut, flipped and kicked its chin, before spinning forward into a dropkick that broke Garchomp's stance. Koraidon flew to the ceiling in its daze before appearing above the dazed dragon with its fist reeled back.

With a loud clap, Koraidon punched down Garchomp's head and it collided with the floor with a boisterous boom, finally making Tae crash against the wall.

Tae groaned, rubbing his back as Koraidon stood over Garchomp with a glare.

Tae was about to laugh in triumph, but Garchomp bucked it's head up to stagger Koraidon, before swinging it's tail around and slamming it into its side, sending Koraidon back to Tae.

Tae rushed to his feet before catching Koraidon, if you could call it that, slamming back in to the wall with a devastating thud.

Tae gasped from the pain and shock before slumping down, nearly unconscious from getting the wind taken out of him.

Koraidon weakly got off of Tae, and nudged his shoulder as he fell to his side, gasping for air. Koraidon whimpered as Tae clawed at his throat, but smiled seeing him eventually regain his breath.

Tae coughed heavily, "Ugh. You alright? Can you keep going?" Tae asked, sitting up and leaning against the wall.

Koraidon knew it's power was limited, and didn't want to expend it all in a meaningless fight, but Rika and Garchomp pissed it off.

Koraidon nodded with a huff, steam leaving its snout.

"Then let's kick their—"

"That'll do." Rika sighed.

"Huh?" Tae asked in shock.

"Not sure if you noticed... but Koraidon is unharmed. Dragon Tail only had the momentum to move it, but Garchomp wasn't strong enough to even put a dent in it. Koraidon is strong." Rika explained.

Koraidon's reserved nature was because it still hadn't recovered from whence it came. However, Tae didn't know that.

"If we were to continue, so long as you weren't knocked out in the crossfire, Koraidon would defeat Garchomp through even endurance alone, save for if you used a Dragon type move..." Rika explained.

"I know when to cut my losses. You can definitely control it. It's whether or not you'll stay true to the path given to you." Rika mentioned.

"Path?" Tae wondered, ignoring Koraidon nibble his shoulder.

"Take the Gym Challenge, become Champion Rank, and then you'll have my authorization to venture into Area Zero. However, we both know I'm not the Chairwoman. Appeal to her as you take on the challenge, and you may just get some assistance." Rika continued.

"I'll personally make sure you finish in a timely manner however. Garchomp is a sore loser, so I know it wants to see you back here as soon as possible." Rika smirked, making Tae look at Garchomp.

It was clearly irritated and fuming, glaring at Koraidon the entire time.

"I say you start as soon as possible. Can't keep the Professors waiting. See you 'round, Tae." Rika waved, allowing him to leave.

Tae was dumbfounded, but did as implied.

•

Tae was walking back up to Naruva Academy with a scowl on his face, Koraidon walking by his side in his travel form.

'Gym challenge... I literally have no care for being a Champion.'

Tae made it to the plaza, and saw two students in uniform wearing star shaped glasses. Paying them and their Cyclizar no mind, Tae's peeved expression however intimidated them a bit, leaving them to worry about the next passerby, a girl with a cute, fluffy eevee backpack, and sky blue and red hair.

"Hey, girlie." The male of the duo called with his arms behind his head.

The girl didn't respond immediately, but stutter stepped when she realized they were talking to her.

"You interested in joining Team Star? The benefits of a bright bunch like us will surely catch your eye." The male asked, the smug tone he held catching Tae's attention just before he could walk out of earshot.

"Not interested." The girl frowned and tried walking away, but a Sableye and Lokix blocked her path.

"What's with kids these days not understanding when something's good for them... hear us out, alright?" The girl of the duo asked with a glare.

"You sound like a middle aged mom." The girl in question said in disgust.

"You...! Alright, that's it! We've tried the nice approach! Join or get thrashed!" The girl shouted, the Lokix kicking out its hind legs and leaping up for an Axe Kick.

The girl was shocked they'd actually resort to force on campus, but her worry was tossed aside when, Tae rushed to her side, spun her out of the way, and let Mystic pop out and block the kick with her own, a challenging smirk on her face.

Meowscarada parried Lokix away and backed up towards Tae, standing between the teens.

Tae's arm was still around the girl's shoulder, the boy comfortably leaning against her as if they were familiar.

"This is quite the interview process. Premature battles part of the rundown?" Tae asked with a bored stare.

"Who the hell's this kid?" The male asked. "Couldn't tell ya— wait... isn't he the kid that took out Student Council's Lycanroc?!" The girl recalled the viral video of yesterday.

The girl in Tae's arms looked up and did find his face familiar. She was impressed, but she knew Nemona was more powerful by her reputation alone. Apparently she even held back against the Top Champion and Chairwoman of the Pokémon League.

"Now if you hadn't heard, she's not interested. We'll be leaving... losers." Tae turned, softly guiding the girl to the academy doors.

"Losers?! Alright we can't take this disrespect anymore! Sucker Punch!" The male grunt ordered.

Sableye appeared in front of Tae and the girl, but he leaned her and himself out of the way of the slash and let Wisp deflect it as it appeared from its Pokéball.

Lokix rushed past Mystic, but was shocked to see it in front of it again before getting kneed in the chest and down the stairs.

Before Sableye could make another move, Koraidon roared and was about to transform, but Nemona appeared with a Hydreigon behind her.

Tae and the girl froze, alongside the Team Star duo.

Tae waved nervously, noticing immediately she was more irritated by his behavior with the girl he saved than the battle with Team Star on campus.

"What are you doing? You're battling these delinquents but not me? I'm all you need!" Nemona began with crossed arms.

Tae quickly returned Mystic and Wisp, knowing they'd take the fight, before sighing. Before he could even make an excuse, she spoke again, "Take your arm off her."

Tae did so immediately, "Yes, ma'am."

"Good boy. Now explain yourselves— Oh, they're gone..." The three looked over and saw Team Star and their Pokémon had fled.

"Sorry about my behavior. Seemed like the best way to get you outta there." Tae apologized.

"That's not what I'm upset about, you cut those dodges too close! I don't care how hot that was you could've not let them almost graze us!" The girl was annoyed just thinking about seeing Sableye's claw come that close to her.

She had to admit the lazy finesse of his movement was badass.

Tae chuckled, amused she found it so cool. "Thanks. And sorry about that. Gotta admit it was exciting though. They kept me on my toes." Tae smiled.

"Whatever. My name is Penny. Thanks... I guess. See you around." The girl waved weakly and left quickly.

"Well, look at you, chick magnet. You beat my Lycanroc and girls are all over you. Run it back." Nemona was clearly joking, but Tae could barely tell by the scowl on her face.

"Hey, I have you to thank. The publicity stunt gathered... attention." Tae frowned.

"What did they say?" Nemona asked, referring to the Pokémon League.

"...Gotta do the Gym Challenges, and become a Champion for authorization to save the Professors." Tae explained.

"I'm happy to hear you'll quit being a nerd to help the Professors. But I'm not worried. You've got the skills for sure. Just make sure you're ready to face me at the end." Nemona smirked, making Tae shrug her off playfully.

"And between gyms." She added with a smile. Tae gave her an unimpressed stare.

"Actually, right now. Come on! Let's battle now!" Nemona couldn't contain herself and held out a Pokéball, but Tae walked past her with Koraidon.

"Let's take a nap, Korai." Tae scratched under his chin, making Koraidon purr.

"What?! Why not?!" Nemona asked catching up.

"Already fought Miss Rika—"

"You did?! How'd it go? Tell me everything!"

"Well, honestly it went pretty well—"

And thus, the plot was laid out for our protagonist to follow. But this game was all about freedom, remember?