The Starly flying by gracefully kept adrift on the steady wind, twirling around one another, like they were playing a child's game of tag. As the Combee below happily pollinated flowers for their mother and Queen, Vespiquen. I took a pencil in hand and sketched all I could observe from these magnificent creatures, carefully detailing a profile of them for future reference.
My name is Crista Knowles, I study Pokémon in order to become more familiar with them. Someday I hope to stand beside them, understanding their behavior like a family. but for now I can only pretend to know Pokémon as I watch contests on TV, and fierce battles between visiting travelers.
Professor Rowan, a specialist on Pokémon evolution, has suggested several times that I adopt a Pokémon from his laboratory, but I'm not sure about leaving out on a journey as a Trainer yet.
"Whoa!" I gasped. A Charizard landed opposite to me at Lake Verity, it sparked confusion and curiosity as I realized the Pokémon was way out of region.
I ran along the lakes edge to get a better look, maybe my eyes were deceiving me. When I got closer I could make out a man as his side. The man was kicking a small figure into the dirt. I grew irritated as I decided the small figure could be a Pokémon. Eventually my suspicion was confirmed as a red shaft of light summoned the small thing into a Pokéball.
"HEY!" I called out as the man threw the Pokéball, full-force, into the lake. I stomped forward and kicked him to the ground.
"That Pokéball," I gasped for breath, "had a Pokémon inside of it, right?"
"Yeah, what the heck is your problem kid! That thing was useless anyway" he tossed me aside.
I punched him.
"That 'thing' is a living Pokémon!" I yelled. With the man in shock I turned my attention to the lake. I took in a lung-full of air and jumped in.
Upon entering I opened my eyes only to see the blur of water whizzing past. With lightening reaction I kicked my feet repetitively to reach the dirt that laid at the bottom of the lake. Then I searched the lakebed for anything resembling the Pokéball. My lungs were running out of breath. I began to pull at things- anything to find it. And after torturing my lungs with jailed air, my head felt light and horribly strained. In reaction to the pain the breath seeped from my mouth faster.
At last it was in my grasp. I used full force on the lake bed to rocket to the surface, but the water level was deeper then I remembered. I couldn't take it. The thought that I couldn't resurface set off a full scale panic. My legs frantically kicked, but I doubt the effort was taking me anywhere. I couldn't stop or change it, every move was off of instinct, it wiped my mind clean of coherent thought.
After awhile my instincts gave in, I was sinking. I reflexively inhaled pure water and the shock effected every nerve on my body. My throat tightened and all airways burned as water filled the empty places.
I watched the blur of light once again. Giving up brought upon an odd feeling of serenity. The burning could be ignored, but my body felt heavy. So heavy. My mind must have been giving up, because sleep was calling. I couldn't scold myself not to, so I let it overtake me.
Bristles of fur tickled my cheek waking me to a group of Bidoof. When I stood up however they all fled. A sensation in my hand caused me to lift and inspect it, the Pokéball was safely in my grasp. I stared off at Lake Verity where I should have died. Though my head ached, all other pain and exhaustion had strangely vanished. Suddenly two lights, blue and yellow, split from the lake into different directions. Another light, a pink one, came and seemed to greet me then it dipped back into the center of the lake.
*The lake spirits saved me?* I thought. I stared at the Bidoof's who were now at a short distance.
*Come to think of it, there were no other Pokémon in the lake were there?*
I clenched the Pokéball and took off in a sprint for Sandgem Town. It wasn't as close as Twinleaf, but it had a Pokémon Center. As I ran Professor Rowan, who had been working nearby, took notice of my item and shouted, "Crista! Wait!"
I continued running until I reached the Pokémon Center.
"Nurse Joy can you take care of this Pokémon?" I asked breathlessly.
"Yes Ma'am, and I'll have it back to you in a jiffy" she cheerfully snatched it then walked away. Professor Rowan entered, took a moment to catch his breath, and found me. We sat and I explained what had happened at Lake Verity.
"Miss" Nurse Joy called.
"Is it okay?" I asked.
"Yes, but this Pokémon is not registered to you. I'm sorry but it's against the law for me to hand Pokémon to people who are not their trainers."
I sighed and looked to the Professor for some sort of hope.
"Nurse Joy, Crista knows who the owner is, and under my supervision we'll gladly take that Pokémon back to him"
"Very well then, Professor," with a warm smile she relinquished the Pokéball to Rowan. We then set out to find the Charizard man.
Around Route 202 outside of Sandgem Town surprise shook us as a strong fire blasted over the trees a few yards away. Immediately afterwards it was doused by a shot of water. When we arrived at the scene, we found who we were looking for. He was training his Charizard over a large pond with a Kingdra. Professor Rowan held the Pokéball to his face and asked, "this Pokémon was thrown away, I'm assuming it is yours?"
"Tch, yeah, what of it?"
"If you don't want it either trade it for another, or release it" I growled sternly. He was taken aback to see me again. I nearly smirked when I noticed the newly developing bruise on his cheek.
"Then what Pokémon you got?" He grinned.
"I'm not a trainer.." I downheartedly bit my lip.
"Heh, I'll tell you what, if you can beat me with that Pokémon I'll release it" he smirked and brought a dagger stare to my eyes, "on two conditions, you have to face my Vibrava and~ if I win Professor Rowan here has to give me a Pokémon" He snickered. I waited for Rowan to react.
"Boy, you don't seem to live in this region, how is it that you know my name?" Rowan shoved his hands in his pockets.
"I studied up on just about all the Professors back in Johtos Poké Schools"
"You've come a long way then"
"All for the sake of Pokémon" he smirked then turned to me, "now kid, I'll give you an hour to be back here and ready" he tapped the watch wrapped around his wrist. I nodded and strode off with Rowan following.
"Crista, are you sure about this?"
"No"
"A.. ahem"
"Gesundheit" I replied, thinking he sneezed.
"Then what are you planning?"
"I'm planning on not letting you down, Professor!" I rolled my shoulder around then dashed away, "meet me at Lake Verity with some healing items!"
Rowan complied with a small wave to show he agreed.
After returning to Lake Verity I found my satchel and sketchbook.
"Same as I left it" I gathered up my things, and strapped the satchel over my shoulder.
"Crista!" Rowan called.
"Professor!" I signaled out waving happily to get his attention. He jogged to me then handed off five Potions and six Full Heals.
"A.. Alright!" I hesitantly threw the Pokéball into the air and watched as a Pokémon took shape in front of me.
Blue with stubby fins on each side of it's face, a round silver nose with a body like a eel, and scales all around.
"Dratini," Rowan gasped, "They're rare, I've only studied a few."
"Then why try and kill it?" I shuddered. The Pokémon shook from fear.
"Foolishness. Dratini is a rarity but that does not mean it has great strength. He must have discovered this and labeled it useless." He sighed. I leaned down, reached my hand out, and coaxed it with soft words.
"Dratini, I'm sorry you were treated badly." I looked over to the Lake. "Your owner had thrown your Pokéball into the Lake while you were still inside," I smiled, "but, you're safe now". The Dratini still shuddered. I sighed.
"Dratini if you want to be set free I have to win a battle against your trainer, with you facing his Vibrava. Don't you wanna be free?" I cracked a smile. The Dratini moved forward no longer shaking and gave an approving glare.
I started off with training in the water.
"Tini" I called out Dratini's new nickname, "Vibrava is an Air, Dragon, and Ground type Pokémon so what I want you to do is avoid coming out of the water."
*I'm not sure, but teaching her contests moves may help,* I sighed, "I watch too much TV. Now, use Twister" I called. Tini cried out then spun rapidly in the water, creating a small hurricane.
"Ok!" I approved. The tornado stopped and Tini swam towards me for the next command.
"That was incredible!" I praised. Tini jumped as I brought upon a joyful hug.
The hour was nearly over, and after a stop at the Pokémon Center we were ready for anything.
"Professor?" I asked.
"Yes, Crista?"
"How can you tell if a Dratini is a boy or a girl?"
"I'm not exactly sure but, by it's behavior I'm sure it's a girl"
"Awesome," I stared at the Pokéball with happy thoughts dancing in my mind.