The name "AtmosShipping" may have been derived from the word "atmosphere". It may have been named like that because "AtmosphereShipping" (Dragonair & Rayquaza) was first.
Disclaimer: Blu Rose doesn't own the Pokémon series. She only owns this fic.
Summary: He was Falkner—a specialist in Flying type Pokémon who'd soared through the air on the backs of grand bird Pokémon. He wasn't afraid of flying…just flying on planes.
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Falkner was the Gym Leader of the Violet City Gym in Johto. His specialty? Flying type Pokémon. He'd rode on their backs before, or was even carried by the talons of those too small to ride. The blue-haired young man was used to soaring through the air at high speeds. To those flying a Pokémon for the first time, it would seem frightening. But Falkner had experience. Flying on the back of a bird Pokémon was like breathing for him.
Planes, however, were a completely different beast. Actually, to call either Pokémon or planes "beasts" would be a mistake. Pokémon—especially bird Pokémon—were majestic creatures with emotions and minds akin to human beings. Planes, though, were merely things. Things that could rust and break down while in the air. They weren't as reliable as Pokémon, which was why he wasn't exactly enthusiastic about flying on planes.
Of course, he wasn't about to tell that to Skyla, who'd been so kind as to offer Falkner a short ride in her plane as she made a delivery flight. Saying he didn't like flying on planes would just start another misunderstanding that he was afraid of flying—like with that loudmouth Janine. The last thing he wanted was for another Flying type specialist to think the same way. So he tried to get out of flying with her, saying he didn't want to be a pest, but Skyla said that it would be no trouble at all. She just wouldn't let him get out of this predicament. Thus Falkner had to swallow his complaints and join her.
The flight from point A to point B was smooth and easy. It made up for the fact that he had to sit up in the tight little cockpit with Skyla and felt uncomfortable all the while. The return from point B, though, was definitely frightening. Skyla had insisted that, since the precious cargo had been delivered, they had a little fun. From that point, the plane spiraled and loop-de-looped and nosedived—and Falkner screamed and cried…it was most definitely not good for his image in the eyes of Skyla. He expected teasing or maybe disgust that a Flying type specialist like him couldn't handle a ride in a plane, but she was actually quite understanding. She held his hand as she gave an apology and chided Falkner for not saying that he was afraid of flying on planes—which he corrected her about: he wasn't afraid, he just hated planes and didn't want the clunker to break down because of Skyla's little stunts. But at least the experience wasn't a complete disaster.
And unknown to Falkner, after returning to Mistralton and parting ways, Skyla basked in the glow of the fact that she held his hand for most of the flight home. Thank goodness Janine let it slip that Falkner hated planes.
