Disclaimer: I own nothing. I'm just using pokemon to amuse myself.
Why Me?
Chapter 1
I sighed darkly as I mulled over the conversation that took place fifteen minutes ago. I gnashed the cigarette butt between my teeth in frustration at the new task set before me. "You'd better do it!" My mother had said in her commanding tone. There had to be a way to get out of this. Maybe if I went through the conversation in my mind once more, I could find a loophole hidden in her words.
"Elliot, I know it's early and all, but I have something I would like to ask of you." She had started her sentence cautiously and I had known immediately I wasn't going to like what she asked. "I mentioned it when we spoke about a month ago that Molly was wanting to start her journey soon." My heart sank and my chest tightened in preparation. Mom wouldn't do this to me, would she? After I had explicitly stated that I was done with the whole pokémon journey spiel, she was not going to ask me to go again. "The thought of her out in the big world alone has me a little worried. Molly doesn't know as much about the world as you did, so I was thinking that" I interrupted her there. There was no way I would follow her around and babysit her while she tried to get badges or competed in contests. Hell, if she was going into the contest world count me out. "I need you to go with her, Elliot." Why couldn't Sarah take her? Why did it have to be me? I had barked at her. "You know full well Sarah cannot take her! Sarah is studying to become a pokémon professor. While you idle around in a pokémon center in Jubilife City! You've been there for weeks, so how about you grow up and do something with yourself!" Her patience was running thin, but I wasn't about to give up yet. Molly surely has a friend who could go with her. A friend was much more enjoyable to travel with than your sibling. Instead of answering my question, she sealed my fate. "Elliot, you'd better do it! You will be in Sandgem by the time Molly and I get there. You will be prepared to take her around Sinnoh until she says she is finished. I will see you in two hours, Elliot. Talk to you then, Goodbye." I slammed the phone onto the receiver in frustration and stalked outside for a cigarette.
I glared at the ground by my feet in disbelief. I was comfortable here, so what did it matter if I had stopped after 4 badges. Did she feel the need to punish me for dropping out? I could get more badges; I just have no desire to put myself through that again. I began to dig around in my pocket for my red lighter and pack of smokes. My hands were shaking as I lit another cigarette. I took a long drag as I attempted to dissolve some of the tension in my body. I tipped my head back against the wall and scowled. "If I leave in forty five minutes I should get there right on time, but I think I'll just happen to run into a complication and disappear." A few scenarios played through my head, but none of them were good enough to get me out of being a babysitter. I puffed furiously and began to pace slowly. More people were beginning to emerge from the buildings around me and I guessed it was around the time to gather my things and wake the beast. I put out my cigarette with the bottom of my shoe and sulked inside. Nurse Lillian was setting up the desk for the day and smiled in my direction. I gave a half wave before I stalked into a short hallway and through the door labeled three.
The room was small, but it suited me just fine. The walls were plain with a small window showing a small grassy area a few yards away. A twin bed was pushed against the wall to make room for the dresser and table with two chairs. Lying on the floor next to the bed was Dakheel, my houndoom. He has a foul temper, but we usually get along fine. I grabbed my backpack from the corner and began to pack the few things spread around the room. "Hey, Dakheel wake up. We have to get moving soon." I didn't get a response from him. I glanced down and he hadn't even opened an eye. "Dakheel, get up." I nudged him with my foot lightly earning a growl. I zipped up my pack and looked down at him darkly. I prodded him once more with my foot, once again receiving a deep, threatening growl. That was two growls. He would be up in a moment, all he needed was one last little push. I pressed my foot against him again and he whirled around wrapping his jaws around my foot growling angrily. "Good morning, Sunshine. Now let go of my foot." He snorted and released the offending limb. He watched me swing my backpack onto my shoulder with discerning eyes. I held the door open and he strode out as I slipped the key out of my pocket and made my way up to Nurse Lillian's desk.
"Good morning, Elliot. Although, you don't seem to be in a very good mood." She frowned slightly as she read my unhappy expression.
"Yeah, morning. Here's my key. I won't be back for a while." I placed the key on the counter and turned towards the door.
"Well that's certainly a surprise. We thought that we would have to put an ashtray out front since you were here so long. Surely leaving is a good thing though, right?" I glanced over my shoulder and just shook my head at her. Slowly, I made my way out into the morning to my doom. Dakheel trotted by my side as we walked to the southern exit in town. I lit another cigarette earning a few looks from passing people. Smoking was not a habit people liked to put up with, but I didn't care at all about them. I kept an eye on the houndoom by my side, sometimes children mistook him for a plaything, and he had nearly bitten more than a few of them. Quick recalls had saved me from a few angry parents, but not all of them. I glared at route 202 before me. I had never dreaded the hour trek to Sandgem Town more than I had in this moment. As if picking up on my mood, Dakheel snorted derisively and shot me a questioning look. I sighed, "Hopefully, Molly will just give up before she starts. Then I can just forget this ever happened or maybe we can find another town to stay in." Dakheel gave no sign of listening, but I continued on anyways, "I've kind of wanted to see Sunnyshore City. We should head that way when we get the chance." We started off onto route 202 and I puffed away hoping some miracle would keep me from making it to Sandgem Town. No such luck.
"Hey! You! Guy with the Houndoom!" I turned to see a young boy waving franticly in my direction. Sure he could be a distraction, but he seemed like more trouble than I felt like dealing with. "Hey, don't ignore me! I want to battle you." I shot a glare in his direction and continued puffing on my cigarette. "You have to come back this way and I will get my battle!" Dakheel looked back for only a moment and snorted. We weren't far from Sandgem so my doom was at hand. I swiped my cigarette against my shoe and tossed the butt into the grass. Dakheel and I stared darkly at the little town before we made our way to the Professor's lab in the middle of Sandgem.
I waited across the street from the lab in the shade of a large oak tree. My mom and sister weren't here yet, how annoying. How long were they going to make me wait? I kept my eye on the route leading to Twinleaf Town because they were surely on their way. Dakheel settled himself against my leg and began to doze off. I pulled my sleeve back and checked my watch, have I really been here for thirty minutes? If they take too much longer I'm leaving. Now seemed like a good time as any to light up a cigarette and puff away furiously. As soon as the cigarette touched my lips my mom and sister appeared on the horizon. "Really?" I was going to hear about my habit from Mom. Her eyes had already zeroed in on the glowing stick hanging from my mouth. Oh yeah, she was not happy with my choice of stress relief. I took a long drag before putting it out and dropping it back into the pack for later. She turned to the curly haired brunette and sent her into the lab before stalking over to me.
"I cannot believe you would pick up smoking! That is a horrible way to present yourself to your sister's friend." She was seething and now, so was I.
"What do you mean friend? I was only aware of babysitting Molly. Who else is coming along?" My eyes narrowed angrily at her. Dakheel stood and watched us carefully waiting for a command.
"Don't you glare at me! It's not like I am inconveniencing you from sitting around a pokémon center. There are plenty of them all around Sinnoh so get off your high horse and at least act happy." When I said nothing she continued, "You are acting like an ass. Get over it." The sound of approaching footsteps saved me from further verbal attacks. I recognized the little blonde girl as Payton, Molly's childhood friend. Her mother walked over and greeted us lightly, but she was watching us carefully as if she was making sure the argument was actually over.
"So, the day has finally come Karen. Elliot you really have grown into a tall man. You look just like your father." She smiled and looked over at the lab worriedly. "I can't believe she is really going to be leaving." My mom assured her that everything would be fine while I remained silent and brooding. The urge to smoke was rising. "I'm sure you'll take very good care of them, Elliot." Payton's mom was looking straight at me and I wasn't sure exactly what to say for a moment. My mother's glare helped me decide to be polite.
"They'll be fine. After a week or two, I'm sure they won't even want me hovering around." My mom was still watching me and daring me to be rude while Mrs. Louis was around. Mrs. Louis still seemed uncertain it was probably because of the argument she witnessed on the way into town.
"Karen, are you sure they will be okay with Elliot? He doesn't exactly seem like he is raring to go. No offense, Elliot."
"None taken, Mrs. Louis. I'll do what I have to and keep them out of trouble." I shrugged still craving a smoke. The lab's door opened cutting off further conversation. Molly came running out with a Piplup on her shoulder. She squealed in excitement and threw herself at me in a tight hug. I wrapped my arm around her carefully because her Piplup seemed very off balance as it clung to her shoulder with its flippers.
"Elliot! It's been forever since I saw you last! I can't believe that you are going to take me on my adventure. It's gonna be so fun. Payton was excited too! Although she's pretty nervous about being away, but I think she will get over it pretty fast!" Molly was beaming up at me with her big blue eyes and wide smile. She turned towards the lab and released me from her death grip, "She should be coming out soon, because she caught the last bit of the speech Professor Rowan gave me." That wasn't likely. Professor Rowan was very serious about informing new trainers. Payton would be out in a few minutes or so. Molly spun back to our small group and pulled the Piplup into her arms. "Isn't he cute! I was so excited that a Piplup was still here. I even named him! Look!" She held up her pokedex a few inches from my face so I could read his name.
"Cuh-zar… What kind of name is that?"
"Ah, Elliot no! Its Zar. The C is silent."
"Did you just make it up on the spot or something?"
"Well, yeah. I think I heard it somewhere and I thought it would make a great name." Molly hugged Czar excitedly and Czar peeped happily. Mom smiled and agreed that it was a cute name, but I could see her slightly baffled expression. Mrs. Louis merely smiled while watching the lab door for her own daughter. She had heard my opinion, so I didn't say anything else and fought the urge to light a cigarette. The door opened up and Payton brightly skipped over to us with a Chimchar on her head. I couldn't help but notice that she was not dressed for travelling. A pink tank top and a white flouncy skirt made it look more like she was going to the department store than travelling across the region. It was too late in the season for such light clothing, in about two weeks autumn would get here and the days would get cooler. Had her mom even thought about that at all?
"Hi everyone! This is Vahni, my Chimchar." Payton presented the little fire monkey to us and I wondered again, where had that name come from? Instead of commenting I nodded and looked down at Dakheel. He was watching the exchange with little to no interest and I hoped he wouldn't get too interested. Payton hugged her mom in excitement before turning to me and saying, "I'm ready when you are, Elliot."
"Alright, we'll go whenever Molly says goodbye then because I've been ready for a while." Mom shot me a venomous look for that statement. She needed to make up her mind, did she want me to act happy I was going or annoyed?
"Well, I'm ready… so I guess we should… go." Molly hugged mom fiercely and sucked up any tears that tried to escape. Mom turned to me and gave me a look that threatened me with death should anything happen to them. She stepped in close and murmured, "No smoking. Or else." I looked at her for a long moment. It was an empty threat, but I nodded and turned back towards route 202 with Molly and Payton. As we walked the girls were oddly silent, a quick glance revealed them to be looking at their feet lost in thought. "Hey Elliot, where did you catch your houndoom?" The question had caught me off guard and I had to think about it for a moment.
"I'm pretty sure I caught Dakheel at Lake Valor." I looked down at him in thought, it had been so long ago I wasn't entirely sure.
"Dakheel? I think his name is weirder than Czar's name. You shouldn't have said anything." Molly muttered, "But I want to catch one since I'm the only one that doesn't have a fire type."
"I didn't name him, a… friend… did. Also, Houndours and Houndooms tend to have pretty bad tempers. You may think twice about catching one once you get to know Dakheel a little better." I was getting the nagging feeling that I had forgotten something very important.
"He seems to have a good personality." Payton smiled down at Dakheel brightly. Dakheel ignored her with an annoyed look in his eye. I made a note to keep a closer eye on him than usual.
"Yeah, you shouldn't try to scare me out of getting the same kinds of pokémon as you." Molly puffed up her chest and held her head high. "I am going to catch as many pokémon as I can and be unbeatable. Then I'm gonna beat all of the gyms and the pokémon league."
"I don't really want to beat gyms or anything, but I do want to participate in the pokémon contests." A chill slid down my spine at Payton's mention of contests. She had to be kidding.
"Why contests?" I didn't disguise my distaste at all. Molly looked at Payton and shrugged.
"Well, I think that making your pokémon do beautiful things is just wonderful. I want to try to do it to. I'm sure it'll be hard, but I'm determined!" Payton sounded more pumped than before. With this information in my head, I could plan our route and how long we would be in each location. We would be in Hearthome City for a long time. I think it would be better to make a few stops in Hearthome instead of staying for 2 weeks while Payton participated in contests. The gym there was a good reason to stay for an extra day as well. From my experience the gym leader was incredibly… intimidating. I shuddered at the memory.
"We'll stop in Jubilife for an hour or so to get supplies, then we will head East to Oreburgh to hit the gym. We can think more about the routes we take as we finish gyms and contests. Any objections?" I was silent waiting for them to say something in response.
"Why Oreburgh?" Molly asked slowly. Had she looked into the gyms at all, perhaps seen a map lately?
"Well, it's the first gym most people go to. Oreburgh gym is also the closest gym to where we are walking right now." That should hopefully answer her questions.
"Why not battle the Jubilife Gym?" Was Molly being serious? I stopped and looked straight at her for a long moment. "What's that look for? I was just asking."
"Molly, there isn't a gym in Jubilife City." I was thankful that Payton answered for me because I wouldn't have been very nice. Molly blushed bright red in embarrassment. I looked over my shoulder and guessed that we had walked far enough. I reached into my pocket and pulled out my cigarettes and lighter. I lit the unfinished one and sighed feeling the stress ebb away.
"Elliot, you shouldn't smoke. It's bad for pokémon and you." Molly said it so quietly I almost ignored her.
"Says who?" It was a very childish thing to say, but I didn't care. I was not going to stop smoking.
"Well, a lot of people do. People on tv, Mom, Dad, and Professor Rowan all do." Molly was frowning in annoyance.
"Well, I'll try not to smoke as much, but I can't guarantee that I will stop completely." That nagging feeling had come back, what was I forgetting? I looked around trying to find the source of the feeling. Seeing nothing, I assumed I was just going crazy a lot sooner than I expected. The most important thing is that Jubilife was visible on the horizon. Molly and Payton began to talk quietly amongst themselves. I caught bits and pieces and it was mostly about how nervous and excited they were and what they would do once they became the best ever. I can remember those days, and I can't truthfully say that I miss them. We crossed into the city limits and I turned to the girls slowly. "We are going to pick up a few things at the pokemart and be on our way. Okay?" They nodded and their excitement level doubled at the mention of shopping. Now on top of feeling like I had forgotten something I had a nagging feeling that this shopping trip wouldn't end well. I lead them to the pokemart not far from the city's center.
As soon as we entered the pokemart the girls disappeared with their pokémon in tow. I scowled darkly. I looked down at Dakheel, "Did you see which way they went?" He looked up at me then loped off towards the shelves of trainer's apparel. "Thank you Dakheel." I stepped past him and was disgusted to find my sister holding up a little skirt nearly identical to the one Payton wore. Shaking my head, I walked over to them ready to fix the situation.
"This skirt is so cute! I want it so bad, but it's a lot of money." Molly was chewing her lip in thought as I stalked over. "Elliot! I love this little skirt, will you buy it for me please?" She pouted up at me as I stared at her incredulously.
It's cruel, but instead of saying no and being done with it I asked, "How much is it?"
"Only 12,000 credits. I'd buy it, but I only have 3,000." Molly was still pouting at me.
"Only." That was half of my savings. Was she stupid or something? "Molly, there's two weeks until autumn, which means you'll freeze within four. You don't need a skirt." Her face fell and I could tell she was wracking her brain for good arguments.
"I'll wear it every day and I won't complain at all! Please, Elliot!" She had on her puppy dog eyes, but I was not going to buy that skirt.
"Generally, if you can't afford it you don't need it. When you can get it with your own money, go ahead and buy it." I turned and strode over to the other side of the store leaving her whining with Payton to console her. I looked over my shoulder, "Whenever you finish whining come over here and pick up your supplies." She sulked over refusing to look at me. Payton examined the counter before us and looked up at me.
"Elliot, what are we supposed to buy here? There's a lot of stuff to choose from." Payton leaned down trying to decide what the best items to buy were.
"What do you have already? Once I know that, I can suggest what else you could need." Payton nodded and turned her pack to look in a side pocket. She pulled out a potion and showed it to me. "Okay, a potion is a good start. Do you have any pokeballs?" She checked a few more pockets and pulled out three pokeballs. Nodding I turned to the cashier, "How about two potions, an antidote, and two pokeballs?" I looked at Payton for consent and she nodded and pulled out her wallet. As Payton paid the cashier and picked up her items I asked the pouting Molly the same thing, what is in your bag? She pulled out five pokeballs and two potions. "Well you have enough pokeballs, so a potion and an antidote." Molly nodded darkly and pulled out her wallet.
"Um… Elliot, what are antidotes for?" Payton asked shyly not looking at me as she fiddled with her backpack strap.
"It cures pokémon that are poisoned. It's very handy to always have one on hand, because so many pokémon know poison type moves, and poison is very painful for a pokémon." She looked up at me and nodded in understanding and I turned to the cashier mentally going over my stock of items in my bags. "I will have two antidotes, four super potions, three pokeballs, and a paralyze heal." I was pretty sure that was all I needed, I will need more pokémon food, but it should last until Oreburgh City. I paid the woman and walked out of the pokemart with the girls lagging behind a little bit.
"I finally found you!" That is what I was forgetting. "You owe me a battle!" I looked over at the kid from before who stood panting like he had run a few good miles to get here, which may not be far from the truth.
"How about this, you beat her-"I thrust my thumb in Molly's direction and heard her squeak in surprise. "And then, I'll battle you." The kid stared at Molly for a long moment.
"She seems pretty weak so okay. I'll battle her." Molly glared at him for being called weak. "How about we go to route 218 west of the city to battle?" That was a good place even if it was in the opposite direction we were going. The kid yelled in excitement and ran over to the western gate.
"Molly, how much do you know about battling?"
"Well… nothing really."
"Nothing? Ugh… well, I guess you have to start somewhere. Where's your pokedex?" She pulled her pokedex out of her backpack and flipped it open. "Hit the big button, then the bottom left- your other left and it will show you the attacks Czar knows." She nodded and looked at the list very seriously. We strode through the gate while the kid chattered on about how he couldn't wait to battle me.
On the otherside of the gate was an open area perfect for a quick battle. I walked to the middle of the area and turned to Molly, "Go stand on that side." I pointed and then turned to the kid, "And you…"
"Jared." He supplied.
"Jared, you go to the other side. I will kind of referee this battle. As the challenged Molly get's to decide how many pokémon will be used and seeing as she only has one pokémon, it will be one pokémon each." I strode out of the way and called, "Begin!" Molly swung her arm out in an obnoxiously wide gesture calling out Czar. The piplup jumped from her shoulder into the middle of the ring looking pumped up. Jared reached onto his belt and threw a pokeball revealing a Kricketot.
"Elliot, what is that?" Molly called from her end of the battlefield.
"It's a bug, you'll see a lot of these so get used to battling them."
"Okay then, Czar use Pound!" the piplup sprang into action bringing its flipper down hard onto the Kricketot's head. "Kricketot use Growl!" A deep growl slid from the kricketot's small body and Czar took a few steps back unsure of exactly what to do in response. "It's okay Czar, use pound again!" As the piplup rushed forward flipper raised Jared yelled, "Kricketot use Bide!"I frowned knowing where this was going. The kricketot stood very still and locked its eyes on Czar and began to wait. Czar pounded its flipper down onto the kricketot's little head and jumped back to dodge a counter attack. "Good job Kricketot! Just keep on using Bide." Molly made a face, "But it hasn't done anything! Czar use pound again!" The piplup jumped forward beating the kricketot again. "Alright Kricketot now should be good, Unleash all that energy!" The kricketot began to glow and he slammed his entire body into Czar, throwing the piplup a few feet into the air and landing at Molly's feet. "Ah Czar! Are you okay?" Czar fought to stand on his shaking feet. "Hah! That was surprisingly effective. Kricketot use Bide again." Molly bit her lip in thought and I lit up a cigarette while I waited. "Czar use growl!" The penguin growled fiercely at the bug sitting incredibly still a few feet away.
"Hey Elliot, what is that?" I turned and looked at a Glameow watching the battle from the cover of the tall grass.
"It's a normal type cat pokémon. You can catch it if you want to."
"Really? Okay, how do I do that!" I had to wonder if either of these girls had watched the trainers on tv or that came through twinleaf town.
"Well first you battle it to weaken it. Then you throw a pokeball." She nodded enthusiastically and sent Vahni over to the cat.
"Okay Vahni, use scratch!" Vahni bounded forward lightly and raked its short claws across the glameow's side. The glameow puffed up its fur and hissed while swatting at the fire monkey. "Good job Vahni, now use scratch just try not to get hit by its scratch attack." Vahni jumped in again and the Glameow bounded into him smacking him with its paws. Vahni flinched slightly and stumbled back. "Don't worry Vahni! Use scratch again." I was ready to beat my head in. These two battles consisted of everyone using the same move. I ran my hand through my short black hair and watched Jared use Bide for the fourth time. His Kricketot was looking really worn out, too much more and it would faint. Czar was holding up now that it had gotten a second wind. I turned to look at the glameow and stopped Payton from ordering another scratch. "You can throw the ball now, it can't take another hit." Payton reached into her bag and pulled out a pokeball. She expanded it with a click of a button and threw it. The ball hit the ground and rolled into the Glameow before sucking it into the ball with a glowing beam. Payton excitedly ran over to the ball as it locked with a loud click.
"Kricketot just use one more bide!" Jared was beginning to get frustrated. "Czar use pound! I'm sure it'll just be one more hit!" Czar pounded the kricketot once more and fell onto its butt panting. Jared's kricketot fell backwards into a dead faint. Molly cheered brightly and scooped Czar up into her arms completely oblivious to the boy across from her trying to hand her a few bills.
"Molly, Jared is trying to give you something." I called over her excited cheers. She stopped and looked at Jared with a very confused look on her face.
"What's this for?" She looked at the money suspiciously and slowly took it from him.
"I lost, so I have to pay you a small portion of my savings." Jared was looking at her strangely, "Don't you know anything about pokémon battling?" Molly blushed and turned away without answering. Jared shook his head and started walking away. "Well I guess I gotta take Kricketot to the pokémon center, so I'll see you guys around." Jared slipped through the gate and left us alone once again.
"Alright let's head to the pokémon center and heal up Czar and Vahni so we can head towards Oreburgh. If we leave soon we should be there by evening." The girls nodded brightly and ran ahead of me into Jubilife City to the pokémon center. I looked down at Dakheel by my side, "You know, it makes me wonder if I was that stupid when I first started. I would ask if you about it, but you weren't around until a little later and I'm sure Analise loves me too much to tell the truth." Dakheel looked up at me and started towards Jubilife without me. I frowned and followed after them. This was going to be an interesting journey. I wasn't sure if I would enjoy it, but at least it would be interesting.