R&R!!!! Any OCs are welcome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Disclaimer: I do not own the Pokemon franchise except for my own characters. Any other OCs submitted belong to their creators/submitters.
Warning: This story may contain an extra dosage of corniness, awkward sentences, bad grammar, paradoxes, and pure nonsense.
Prologue: Ridley O'Connell, Age 11
A young boy sat on a rock, resting his chin in his one hand while absent-mindedly twirling a branch with his other hand. His violet eyes were fixed on the ground ahead, where a group of Caterpies was engaging in a mating ritual. The boy's face showed no emotion except when he noticed anything of interest, whereupon he would raise an eyebrow or make a little frown. A breeze ruffled his silver hair and the collar of a small tux he was wearing.
"Ridley!!!"
The boy started from his thoughts, and turned to look at another boy in tuxedo running towards him as fast as he could. The newcomer looked couple years older than Ridley, and had a violet hair that reached his shoulders and green eyes that were now filled with panic. He stopped short of Ridley, gasping for breath while looking behind him fearfully.
"James…? Is there anything I might help you with?"
"Ridley! Please, you've got to help me!!! That witch Jessebelle is after me again and…and…I don't think I can run away from her anymore!"
Ridley nonchalantly stared into his friend's panic-stricken face, a small smile forming around his mouth.
"But, my dear James, why would I? If I were you, I'd be delighted to be in the company of some pretty young lady…"
James now looked on the verge of tears.
"Come on, Rid! This isn't funny! Don't you remember what she did to me the last time?!"
Ridley chuckled. "Ah, yes, you did look very nice in that frilly little dress, you know. Hey, perhaps she's got another great costume you can wear!"
From far off, a high-pitched voice sang out.
"Yoohoo! Jimmy-poo!! Where~are~you?"
James gasped, his face turning purple to match his hair.
"Oh, all right. Just jump into that bush over there and don't come out until I say so."
Without any further word, James dove headfirst into the bush, which, after some bustling, became still. Ridley could easily guess that James was holding his breath. In no time, a red-headed girl in an obnoxiously gaudy dress came running, her face shining with glee and—as Ridley assumed— sadistic joy of a hunter chasing after his favorite prey.
"Hiya, Ridley! Have you seen my darling Jimmy anywhere?"
Ridley thought he could hear a small intake of breath from the bushes.
"Yup. I just saw him going around that corner. He's probably heading back to the party, trying to lose himself in the crowd. If I were you, I would wait back at the reception hall, and catch him when he runs in."
"Thanks, Ridley! Gosh, you won't believe this itty bitty swimsuit I got for my dear Jimmy!"
With a giggle, Jessebelle ran off, obviously fantasizing about what she was going to do to James. At any rate, her little "pet" wouldn't be there to play the victim this time. Ridley stared after the girl for a while to make sure she had really gone away, and then turned back to the bush.
"It's all right, James. You can come out now."
With a rustle, James stepped out, his hair and suit rumpled and covered with twigs and leaves. He quickly looked around, and sighed with relief.
"Thank god, she's really gone…Thanks, Ridley, I owe ya one."
"Hey, that's what buddies are for, right?"
Slowly brushing the twigs off, James sat down next to Ridley, his face looking very glum. Ridley grinned at his friend.
"You know, I've just noticed something interesting here. Did you realize that Caterpies with darker shade of green have more chance of successfully getting mates? I don't think I've read something like that in any of the journals…"
James said nothing, and Ridley figured that academics would not be the right subject to talk about at the moment.
"Not enjoying the party, huh? Well, I did figure you were not a party person, especially in the ones thrown by your parents…"
"It's not only this stupid party, Rid! I just…I really hate my life here!!" James blurted out, and let out a big sigh.
"Ever since I was little, I felt trapped by this…this stifling prison I am supposed to call home. My parents control every part of my life, and…and I can't do anything I ever want to do!"
Ridley looked on, as James's face grew darker.
"Now, they have my entire life planned out ahead of me, not to mention engaging me to that awful Jessebelle! Oh, Ridley, I really wish this was…just some one long nightmare I can awake from!"
Ridley gave a sympathetic smile.
"Well, James. On the other hand, your parents do have all that money to set you up for the rest of your life. Unlike me, the last heir to the soon-to-be broke aristocratic family…"
"Oh, yeah…I heard Lord O'Connell declared himself bankrupt last week. Any idea what's going to happen with you and your folks?"
Ridley looked up to the sky and stopped twirling the branch he was holding.
"My parents are retiring to a small farm in the countryside, and I, well, I…will be going off to the Pokemon Academy in Hoenn to concentrate on my studies."
"Ridley, that's so awesome!! Wasn't it always your dream to go to that place?"
"Yeah, but it just feels a bit…wrong, you know? Going off to live on my own in a boarding school while my parents languish in poverty?"
James stared at the ground wistfully. "Still, I would envy that. At least you get to do what you really want in life. I would give everything I have for a life like yours. I mean, I'm like a Pidgey living in a golden cage!"
Silence fell as the duo contemplated upon the prospect of their future. From far away, they could hear the merry music and raucous laughter coming from the party.
"You know, James…I know I can't really do much to make you feel better, but…"
Ridley turned to face his friend.
"Let me just tell you this: I think that sometimes, we can't always make everything go the way we want to. I can't make my family wealthy again. Nor can you make your parents treat you the way you would like to. But…that doesn't mean you're helpless to change your life. You and you alone are the only one who can really decide how you are going to live."
Ridley paused to collect his thoughts.
"Sure, your situation might seem hopeless. But remember, you are responsible for your own actions and the consequences of those actions. What you, James Morgan, do now can change the way you are and how you live in the far future. Understand?"
James stared at his friend blankly, but a big smile slowly began to creep upon his face.
"Thanks, Ridley… I'm really glad to have a friend like you."
"Ah, you're welcome. Now, I think we should indoors now. It's getting pretty chilly out here. Why don't we sneak into the kitchen and get some hot chocolate before this lame party ends?"
"Last one there is a stinking Weezing!"
Laughing, two boys raced off towards the house.
Ridley awoke with a start. Was there a sharp rap on his window just now? It was long after his family had come back from the party, and he had gone to bed knowing that in a few days, he would be saying goodbye to his family and friends. A quick check out the window told him it was still very dark outside. Then, a small pebble flew into the glass with a tap, convincing Ridley that what he had heard was very real.
Rubbing his eyes, Ridley walked over and opened the window to see who would want to talk to him at this hour. Looking down onto the backyard, he was startled to see none other than James standing there.
"James?! Whatever in world are you doing here?"
James waved and called out in a low voice. "It's something important, Rid. Can I talk to you?"
Ridley hesitated, but quickly climbed out of the window and shimmied down onto the ground via the drain pipe. As he walked up to James, he was surprised to find his friend fully clothed in traveling gear, and holding a very big backpack.
"James…what's going on?"
"I've…come to say goodbye. I'm running away, Ridley. I'm leaving this place for good."
Ridley stared for a moment, trying to take in what he had just heard.
"What? James, are you serious?"
James nodded vehemently. "I've been thinking about what you've told me earlier…and I realized you were right. I am the only one who can decide what I'll do in life. I may be little and yes, I might run into a lot of trouble, but this could be my only chance to really be free, Ridley, to really go for what I want!"
Ridley hesitated. A part of him wanted to persuade his friend to abandon this wild adventure, to go back to the safety of his home. But looking into his friend's face, Ridley saw his eyes full of confidence and determination. James looked…really happy, something Ridley had not seen for a long time. Besides, what would he have done if he were in James's place? Instinctively, Ridley knew what to do.
"Well then…I wish you luck, Jim. I know we won't see each other for a while, but….I believe in you. And whatever you do, whatever you become, I will always be rooting for you, got it?"
"Likewise, Rid. I hope you become the greatest researcher ever. Next time you find a super rare Pokemon, let me know, okay?"
Laughing, the two friends shook hands, knowing that this would be their last meeting for long time.
"And one more thing, Rid. I know you will be gone from here soon, but if you can, please look out for my little sister. She's only a baby now, but I don't want her living the same life I might have had."
"You have my word James. I will do whatever I can to help her."
James smiled.
"Take care of yourself, Ridley."
"You too, James."
James began to walk away, his small form seemingly overwhelmed by the huge backpack he was carrying. Ridley looked on, sad but glad his friend had finally gained his freedom.
"I'm gonna miss you, you hear?" Ridley called out. James turned around, gave a big smile and a thumbs up. With that, he was gone, melting into the darkness of the night.
Ridley stood still, staring into space. Memories of time spent with his friend flashed by, memories of his childhood that now came to an early end. On one hand, he was sad and anxious, both for himself and James. He felt nervous about what kind of life lay ahead for both of them in strange places far away. But Ridley knew they were both on the right path, pursuing opportunities and chasing after their dreams.
But most of all, Ridley could not shake off the chill of excitement creeping up his body, telling him of new adventures and journeys ahead of him, full of knowledge and mysteries just waiting to be delved into and studied.
And he, Ridley O'Connell, shall uncover them, armed with a clear light of logic and reason.
Hope you enjoyed it!!!! Any comments or OCs are welcome!! Updates might be slow, but I'll try to keep it coming!