To anyone reading this:
Hi there, I am Kurakuma. Call me Kuma or Kura, don't bother with both. I have a tendency to post erratically, so I apologize in advance if my slow updates get to be annoying. I like writing short stories (if by writing you include typing) and a lot of my stories go unread by anyone other than me, and as a result several go unfinished. I've been thinking I should get feedback from people who don't really know me so the opinion isn't biased, so please tell me what you think of my stories. I'm not saying light my inbox up with rude flames, but your opinions are appreciated. I'm still a bit new to this so hopefully at least some of you enjoy my stories?
Disclaimer: Kura does not own pokemon, kuma.
The sun peeked into the window of 15 year old Alice Blitzer, rousing her slowly from her heavy sleep. She turned away and cracked an eyelid, sleepy amber eyes checking the clock beside her bed. She scrunched her little nose and sighed, throwing the covers off of herself and sitting upright, bracing her hands behind her and swinging to place her feet on the cold wood flooring. It only covered a small area of her room, just in front of the bed, and it served the purpose of waking her up with its cold, hard surface. Glancing out her window she spotted a grey pigeon outside and she let it in, smiling when it hopped onto her outstretched arm.
"Morning Dovely, how are you?" 'Dovely' was her neighbors Pidove, a spacey little bird who worked like a carrier bird for the kids of Nuvema town. 'Dovely' cooed happily before fishing a small envelope from a little brown bag and handing it to the girl. She accepted it and handed the bird a small treat that was eagerly devoured before it took off through the window. She opened her envelope and read the folded paper inside before jumping up and getting dressed. She pulled her blue night shirt off and chucked it into her laundry basket before slipping on the outfit she'd picked out for the day; a dark blue pair of thick yoga pants with a pale yellow scalchop on each thigh, a warm light blue ¾ sleeve sweater, and black gloves. She grabbed a blue barrette and pulled her hair into a ponytail, fixing it in the mirror so it sat high on her head. After a quick glance around she nodded, grabbing a bag she'd packed the night before and bounding down the hall.
"I'll be back soon dad! Gonna go meet Cheren and Bianca at Ms. Juniper's lab." She added, slipping on her black running shoes and running out the door, aiming for the lab.
As the white building came into view so did her friends.
"Bianca! Cheren! Sorry I took so long!" The bespectacled boy rolled his eyes fondly.
"C'mon Alice, even Bianca got here on time." Said girl puffed out her cheeks, a faint blush on her indignant face.
"Hey! I can be on time you know...sometimes.." She glanced away and twirled her fingers at the other two's deadpan expressions. They all laughed and headed into the lab, eyes wandering until they locked onto the three pokeballs on the pedestal and widened.
"Welcome you three. I take it you're here for your starters?" A pretty woman with light brown hair stepped in the room with a bright smile. Bianca nodded enthusiastically and Alice was practically vibrating with excitement, Cheren just chuckled at them, being the more mature of the three, but the girls could see the way his eyes lit up and how he clenched and unclenched his hands eagerly. The professor laughed, "Good. Now let's introduce the starters shall we?" The tall woman released each pokemon one by one from their capsules.
"First up, we have the grass-type starter, Snivy!" A slender green snake emerged from the ball with a leaf on it, materializing in front of the trio. Its intelligent brown eyes skimmed over them in mild interest before resting on Cheren. Cheren blinked when it extended a slender vine to him in a sort of handshake before chuckling and shaking the vine in return. Snivy nodded in satisfaction and the girl's smiled.
"That was too cute." The girls turned back to the professor and she released the next one, a small, orange and black piglet with a red orb on the tip of its curly tail,
"This one is Tepig, the fire-type starter." He wagged his tail and snorted a little cloud of smoke happily before sniffling around the floor. Alice nudged Bianca forward and grinned. Bianca gave her a thankful look before crouching and holding her hand out to the little fire pig. He sniffed it, snorted, then rubbed his head against it. Bianca squealed quietly and picked him up for a hug. He wagged his tail happily.
"And last but not least, Oshawott, the water-type starter. " A light blue and white sea otter emerged from his ball, looking around at the humans in the room curiously before seeing his fellow starters with two of the humans. Understanding flashed through his eyes and he glanced at the girl without a pokemon. She smiled at him and squatted to his eye level.
"Hi there Oshawott, nice to meet you!" He gave her a toothy smile as she rubbed his head gently, peering into calm brown eyes.
Alice heard a faint click in the back of her mind and her eyes widened slightly at the sudden influx of memories flowing into her head, making her a bit dizzy. As the images faded she scooped him up and added, "I can already tell you're a smart one, I'd be happy to have you as my starter." The otter blinked and nodded, surprised but not opposed to having the bubbly girl as his trainer. Professor Juniper cleared her throat, prompting the three new trainers to look at her. She held out three small devices to them, each a different color, and they took the color that suited them most; a blueish grey for Cheren, light green for Bianca, and a light blue for Alice. "These are your Pokedexes, they can give you information on any pokemon you'll find here in the Unova region. Why don't you try them on your new friends?" The teens glanced at each other before nodding, the girls placed their starters down.
"Guess we'll go first." Cheren pointed his pokedex at Snivy and started slightly when a digital voice spoke.
Snivy, the Grass Snake Pokémon. Cool, calm, and collected, Snivy uses photosynthesis to collect energy with the leaf on its tail. This allows Snivy to move more quickly. However, the tail will begin to droop when Snivy loses energy.
This Snivy is a male and carries the ability Overgrow.
Moves: Tackle, Leer, Vine Whip, Glare (Locked).
Cheren nodded and patted the grass snake approvingly. "Nice moves Snivy."
Bianca bounced in place with her pokedex. "We'll go next then!" She aimed her pokedex at her Tepig, listening attentively as it started to rattle off the fire pig's information.
Tepig, the Fire Pig Pokémon. Tepig is a nimble Pokémon capable of blowing fire from its snout. It will cloak itself in these flames in order to use its signature move, Heat Crash. When ill, this pokemon will spout thick black smoke instead of flames.
This Tepig is Male and carries the ability Blaze.
Moves: Tackle, Tail Whip, Ember, Curse (Locked).
"What does Curse do?" Bianca rubbed her piglet between the ears with a confused tilt of her head. Alice thought for a moment before saying.
"Curse works differently for ghost types, but for any other type it raises the power and defense of a pokemon in exchange for lowering their speed." Bianca ah'ed and grinned at her pokemon.
"Cool!"
"Our turn," Alice scanned her Oshawott curiously, interested to see what it had to say about her starter.
Oshawott, the Sea Otter Pokémon. Oshawott attacks and defends using the scalchop that can be removed from its stomach. This shell is made of the same material as its claws, and is used for both battle and cracking hard berries.
This Oshawott is Male and carries the ability Torrent and locked hidden ability Shell Armor.
Moves: Tackle, Tail Whip, Water Gun, Detect (Locked)
"Detect huh.. And a hidden ability? You're a special one aren't you." Oshawott ducked his head shyly and she laughed. Cheren and Bianca smiled at the pair before the three trainers turned back to Professor Juniper.
"Now that you've gotten acquainted with your starters, do any of you know how to properly catch a pokemon?" Alice and Cheren nodded and Bianca shrugged.
"Kinda. These two said they'd show me when we get to Route one." Juniper nodded and handed each of them 5 simple pokeballs as well as the ball of their starter. After a short discussion Cheren returned his Snivy to his ball to rest until they reached route one.
"In that case that's all I have to give you. Good luck you three, have fun! Remember, any pokemon you catch over the 6-pokemon limit will be transferred here, so when you reach that point feel free to check in with them frequently. The lab's number should be programmed into your Xtransceivers..Any questions?"
"No."
"Nope!"
"I think we're set, thanks miss Juniper!"
The woman smiled and waved them off, "Alright then kids, I'll see you later, don't be strangers!" All three kids walked out of her labs, Bianca skipping a bit in front with her Tepig while her friends walked behind her talking about the route to the next town. Juniper shook her head and smiled, turning back to her research.
About halfway through Route one they decided to stop for lunch. The three enjoyed a short lunch and some relaxation time with their Pokémon. By this point both Bianca and Cheren had caught a new pokemon each, a Patrat for Cheren and a Lillipup for Bianca, while Alice was being a bit more picky in her selection.
"I just haven't found one that clicks with me and Musa yet." They'd battled plenty though, and Musashi the Oshawott had gained plenty of battle experience. Cheren rolled his eyes, feeding his Patrat a piece of his apple as he commented.
"Alice just admit you aren't into Lillipups and Patrats, we won't be offended." She pouted and patted her starter as he ate a piece of banana.
"I mean they're cute, but I just can't see you training one, honestly." Bianca added in her two cents, "Maybe a Purrloin or something, but not a Lillipup or Patrat.." Alice shrugged.
"If I find one that clicks. Liepard can be absolute terrors in battle, Grimsley proved that much with his." They cleaned up their lunch area and set off again, Cheren leading with his Town Map now that Alice had led them for the first half. They chatted most of the way, with the occasional lapse in conversation remaining just long enough to enjoy a comfortable silence. The topics changed at random in a way that only the best of friends could make sense of the spastic shifts. As Accumula came into view they cheered, the sunset glowing as the girls took the lead and pulled the pokedex surfing Cheren along behind them. He sighed and twisted from their grip only to jog behind them, ready to rest in the pokemon center himself.
"Finally!" Alice sighed contently as she relaxed into the red lounge couch. She was waiting for their Pokémon while the others went ahead to their rooms (she lost a game of rock-paper-scissors) and she was glad to get off her feet after spending most of the day traveling. She stretched across the arm of the couch before hearing her name being called by the pink haired nurse at the counter. The woman sat a tray with their Pokéballs on the counter.
"Everyone is in good condition, though Oshawott may still be a bit tired. Don't work him so hard next time." Alice scratched her cheek.
"Sorry nurse Joy." She released her sea otter and picked him up apologetically. "You too buddy, I know we should find another teammate so you don't have to battle as much." The otter shook his head and smiled up at her. She felt waves of happiness mixing with tiredness and determination from him when he gave her a cute toothy grin. She grinned back and they waved to the nurse before heading to the room they would be sharing with Bianca. They'd gotten adjoining rooms, one with twin bunk beds for the girls, the other with a single bed for Cheren, both with their own bathrooms. After tossing Bianca her two, she'd put small stickers on them, she sat Musashi down on her bunk and knocked on the adjoining door of Cheren's room before walking in. He was shirtless, sitting on his bed drying his hair with a small towel. Alice blushed lightly as he turned blue eyes to look at her and she held up his pokeballs. He stood and walked closer, amused at her reaction but deciding against teasing, and plucked his pokemon from her hands with a chuckle. "Take a picture, it'll last longer." She snorted and pushed him back to his bed, annoyed when she sensed his teasing tone.
"I'm going shopping for supplies you snit. Do you need anything?" He shook his head.
"No, I'm good. Might want to check with Bianca though, you know how she is." She nodded and walked back through the door to her room.
"Hey Bi, you need anything from the store?" Alice scooped up her starter as she sifted through her bag for her wallet. Bianca was silent a moment before she called out a negative from her place on top.
"I have everything for once. Mom helped me pack." Alice nodded and left the room again, this time aiming for the poke mart in the main lobby of the center. As she went to enter there was a commotion outside, drawing her and Musashi's attention away from their shopping list.
"Wonder what's going on out there…" The pair looked at each other and nodded, opting to be nosy and exiting the center. The sun was setting yet people were gathered in the plaza it would seem.
"An assembly of some sort?" She spotted a few people in odd suits standing behind a tall, robed man with pale green hair and tilted her head. "Who are they?"
"Greetings to you all, my name is Ghetsis. I am here representing Team Plasma. Today, ladies and gentlemen I would like to talk to you about Pokémon liberation."
Alice's eyes widened and she listened to the murmurs of the surrounding crowd.
The green-haired man strode across the risen platform, "Now, I'm sure many of you believe that we humans and Pokemon are partners that have come to live together because we want and need each other. However, is that really the truth? Have you ever considered that perhaps, we humans, only assume it is the truth?" Ghetsis looked into the crowd to meet the eyes of each person briefly, seeming to stay focused on Alice for a moment longer than the others before moving on.
"Pokemon are subject to the selfish commands of their trainers." Alice glanced down at her Oshawott uncertainly. "They get pushed around when they are our "partners" at work." The uncertainty of the crowd was beginning to make the emotionally tuned girl dizzy. "Can anyone say with confidence that there is no truth in what I'm saying?" The girl caught several head shakes near her. Surely he was wrong? Did not one see that? Pokemon are powerful creatures, a pokeball does not usually destroy a pokemon's will. If they didn't want to be with a trainer, most would fight back. Alice tightened her hold slightly on her friend.
"Now, ladies and gentleman, Pokemon are different from humans. They are powerful beings that contain unknown potential. They are living beings from whom we humans have much to learn. Tell me, what is our responsibility toward these wonderful beings called Pokémon?"
"What could it be?"
"Liberation?"
Alice chewed her lip at the wave of unease, the emotions of the number of people beginning to make it hard to remain upright. She placed her Oshawott down and nearly fell over. Her pokemon looked on in confusion and worry, seeming to want to help but unsure how.
'Alice? What's wrong?' He placed his little paws on her leg in a futile attempt to help her stay up and she gave him a grateful look but her eyes remained a bit glassy and unfocused.
"That's right! We must liberate the pokemon! Then, and only then, will pokemon and humans truly be equals!" The man, Ghetsis, strode to the front of the risen platform. "Everyone, I end my words here today by imploring you to consider the relationship between people and Pokémon..and the correct way to proceed."
The line of grunts bowed and Ghetsis gave a regal bow of his own.
"We appreciate your attention. Have a wonderful evening." The group strode off stage to the whispers of the gathered crowd. Alice was swaying on her feet and not for the first time she was cursing her high awareness. She glanced down into the worried brown eyes of her Oshawott and tried to pull herself together.
She opened her mouth to say something and her knees gave in, nearly dropping her to the ground if not for someone coming to her aid. She felt an arm wrap around her waist to steady her and she dragged in a shaky breath as she turned her head to see who'd helped her. A green-haired boy a few years older than her was gazing at her with worried green eyes.
"Are you alright?" She leaned gratefully against his side as she tried to steady her breathing, which had gone slightly erratic. She was moments from a panic attack, a rare thing for her nowadays.
"...way...re.." The boy leaned down closer to hear her better and she swallowed dryly before trying again. "Get me away from here." He looked down at her Pokémon and nodded, picking her up easily and striding away from the plaza to an empty park. He set her on a bench and sat beside her, watching her Oshawott whine at her quietly, obviously worried.
"Sorry about that. Thank you…"
"Just call me N.. And no problem, though..what exactly happened back there?" She smiled sheepishly.
"My emotional awareness is pretty high. I'm empathic, and I can feel the emotions of people and Pokémon. But I haven't been trained so all the emotions in the crowd made me….sick." He ah'ed and nodded.
"So crowds of people like that…"
"Usually I'm fine, but I overestimated my ability to filter the emotions." Alice picked up Oshawott and sat him in her lap. "Sorry to worry you Musa, I'm okay now. You're being there helped quite a bit actually, I might have passed out without the extra support."
'As long as you're okay.' The otter cuddled into her stomach and she giggled and hugged him back. N watched the interaction with curious eyes.
"So he is your friend?" She tilted her head at him for the phrasing but nodded.
"Yup, Musa here is my starter pokemon. I'm a new trainer." N frowned.
"You're...a trainer? Does that mean you confine your friend to a pokeball?" She frowned and thought for a moment before shrugging.
"I have probably kept him out more than confined. I plan to have him outside whenever I can so we can bond." She pressed her cheek to Musashi's, "Especially while he's the perfect size for hugging." She noticed his displeased expression. "Do you not like trainers?" N shook his head and she asked, "How come?"
"Because trainers force their pokemon to battle!" The Oshawott in her lap protested at that, hugging his trainer tighter and glaring at N who seemed taken aback.
'Alice wouldn't do that!'
"What do you mean she doesn't force you to fight?" Alice watched with curious eyes when N's brows furrowed.
"You can hear Musashi?" N abruptly stopped talking and looked at Alice warily.
"I can hear the hearts of pokemon." Alice's eyes twinkled in awe.
"Cool! I can only talk to Musashi." N stood from the bench and waved a hand, a Purrloin running to his side as he turned to face her.
"I don't like to see a pokemon injured, but would you mind battling me and Purrloin?" Alice looked down at her partner who looked up with determined eyes. He nodded.
"Sure I guess, Musa seems fine with it." The Oshawott hopped from her lap and took a battle stance across from the Purrloin, his trainer standing and walking to stand behind him. "Let's do this." She pulled out her Pokédex to scan the cat, despite not really needing it.
Purrloin, the Devious Pokémon. Purrloin fools people into letting their guard down so it can steal their possessions. When angered, it uses its claws to fight back.
She nodded and closed the device. "Watch the claws Musashi, let's start with Focus Energy." The otter closed his eyes and focused himself, making his body glow white briefly before his eyes snapped open. He jumped to the side as his opponent ran forward to scratch at his face, then pulled out his Scalchop to block the second swipe.
"Water Gun!" A strong blast of water hit the Purrloin and pushed it back, causing the pokemon to hiss and shake the water from its fur before letting out a Growl. Oshawott winced at the sound before crying out from a sudden Scratch to the side. The otter glared at the smirking cat, whipping his scalchop out to his side and pushing water energy out to form a blade, then slashing it at his opponent. Purrloin was launched back and skidded to a halt in a dead faint. Oshawott sighed in relief, letting the energy go and sitting down tiredly.
"You okay Musa? You did a great job." The otter turned his head to see his trainer kneeling beside him with a proud smile, a blue berry held in her outstretched fingers. He smiled tiredly and accepted the Oran berry from her, chewing it as she gently lifted him into her arms. N watched this as he tended to his friend, somewhat pleased with the result. He glanced down at his friend thoughtfully, running a hand through her short fur as she ate her berry.
"Purrloin that was some quick thinking there. Thank you for such a great match." The Devious pokemon blushed and nodded. Alice crouched beside N and scratched the kit behind the ear gently, earning a hesitant purr from the pokemon. N seemed surprised and Alice glanced at him.
"What?"
"Purrloin usually isn't comfortable around humans..Yet she doesn't seem to mind your touch." Alice grinned and wiggled her fingers at him, winking.
"I've got that magic touch." She went back to scratching the two pokemon and N tilted his head with a puppy-like confusion on his features.
"Ahh.." N's tone was understanding despite the confusion on his face. Alice giggled.
"Let's just say I project a pulse of emotion every few minutes. Nothing too complicated." He nodded, a bit more comprehending now. Alice stood up, her now sleeping Oshawott cradled in her arms with a content expression.
"I have to get going before my friends start to worry..Will we meet again, N?" The green-haired man shrugged, thinking for a moment before nodding and standing as well, Purrloin settled on his shoulder.
"I don't see why not. Can you teach me more about this world, I wonder?" Alice, who'd started to walk away, turned to face him with a smile, a determined glint in her eyes.
"We'll learn together. Promise."