LRGR

Percy & Krystal

Thomas Percival, known by his friends as Percy, awoke to see his Meganium, Chico, on the rug by the side of his bed. "Hey, big guy! Wake up!" The large green Pokémon's eyes fluttered and he shook his flower wreathed neck. "Meganium!" the Pokémon yawned. "How are you, Chico?" Chico licked his trainer. "Awww, get off of me, you big lump. That was cute when you were a Chikorita and all, but you're a big Meganium now and you're crushing me."

The Meganium cackled, and looked away as his trainer changed his clothes. Halfway through, Percy's friend Krystal walked in.

She saw him in his underwear, and turned bright red

"Oh Gosh Percy, I'm so sorry!" They just stood there for a second, with Percy still in the same position as he had been when Krystal walked in.

"I'm just gonna… ya know… wait downstairs." Krystal back stepped to the stairs, turned, and ran down the steps.

Percy continued changing, but more slowly, and definitely much redder. He finished, and went down the steps, still somewhat mortified. Percy's mother smiled, embraced her son and Krystal, and sent them on their way.

As they walked along the path, Percy turned to Krystal. "Soooo… the whole underwear thing…" Percy trailed off.

Krystal held her hand up. "Yeah, not a word out of me." Percy gave a relieved sigh. They continued on in an awkward silence for a little while, with their faithful first Pokemon, Chico and Feral, following behind.

"So Krys, you want to know where we are going?" Krystal nodded her head eagerly.

"There's this real nice fishing spot over near Cherrygrove city. It's got a ton of awesome Pokémon." Percy grinned boastfully.

Krystal tilted her head. "What kinds of awesome Pokémon?"

Percy smiles, "I caught my Staryu there."

Krystal giggled, "No way! I didn't even know there were any Staryu in Johto!"

Percy shrugged, "I know that there's at least one!"

They walked on in silence for a little longer, than Percy stopped for a second.

He reached into his bag, and Krystal started walking backward to look at him while she walked. "What are you doing, Percy?" Percy grunted something unintelligibly, and Krystal folded her arms.

She shook her head, causing her long, deep blue hair to rustle. "I don't understand what you are saying when you grunt like that."

Percy looked up at her, and pulled his foldable bike out with a flourish. "Get onto the spokes. Walking kills my ankles." Krystal conceded, and grabbed onto the handle bars.

As they sped off toward Cherrygrove, Krystal cleared her throat. "Smooth move, the whole walking kills my ankles thing." Percy smiled, and gave a stiff salute, causing the bike to tilt dangerously. He righted the bicycle, and Krystal felt like her pulse was breaking the sound barrier.

She turned her head to Percy, face as pale as if she'd just been tapped by Haunter. "That… was most definitely… Not… smooth…"

Percy grinned wider. "You know me! If it ends up rough, I'll always smooth it out for you, Krys." She turned her head forward, hoping to conceal her blushing. "Just… don't do that again, Percy." She ignored his chuckling.

They reached Cherrygrove, where a man in uniform stopped them. Krystal hopped off of the bike, a little wobbly, but managed to land with grace. Percy put his foot on the ground, and waved at the officer.

The Officer looked from Percy to Krystal and back again."Trainers? What brings you here?"

Percy laughed, and with a single fluid motion, folded his bike and placed it in his bag. "I'm certain that there is no issue. We're just heading to the lake just beyond here."

The man shook his head. "That area has been closed off indefinitely."

Percy gasped, "But… why?"

The man shrugged, "All I know is that I've been ordered to tell any travelers that Cherrygrove and the successive areas are blocked off."

Percy thought for a second, then gasped, "But that would mean… That would mean that you've shut down all travel through Johto!"

The officer nodded. "I don't know what caused the Champion to…"

Percy raised his hand, effectively interrupting the man. "I'm the Champion! I made no such call!"

The Officer, whose tag read 'Gorge', looked Percy over. "Really?" Gorge said, a grin cracking his face. Without any sign of acknowledgement to the man's sarcasm, Percy revealed the League Champion badge.

Gorge went pale and began stuttering, "But… if you didn't send the orders… are you saying that the chief was wrong?"

Percy nodded, causing Gorge to recoil at his brazen attitude. "Whoever said that this was what I want was lying, wrong, or deaf. Now go home, and tell this chief of yours that they need to get their facts straight."

Gorge nodded, and began walking toward the police car. "Do you two need a ride into town?"

Percy smiled, and waved his hand. "I've got my bike."

However when he saw Krystal go pale, he dropped his smile and slowly said, "On second thought…"

Gorge laughed, and gestured to his vehicle. "Be my guest, Champion and Champion's girl-."

Krystal cut him off with a quick clearing of her throat. "You okay Krys?"

Percy said, touching her forehead with concern. She backed off a bit, blushing,"I'm fine. Just a gnat."

Percy smiled widely, his face lighting up like a candle. "That's good. I don't know what I'd do if you were sick or something."

Krystal rushed forward, hoping that Gorge didn't see her face go red as Arcanine. "Let's just go fishing, Percy."

How does he do that? Krystal thought as she enters the seat, and gave Gorge a look that wiped the wry smile from his face. I mean, he says the sweetest things, but he doesn't even seem to realize the way that they affect people! How does that even work out?

Krystal strapped into her seatbelt, contemplating the conundrum that is her friend Percy.

Percy strapped in next to her and saw her sitting, legs crossed, finger on her chin. "What are you thinking about, Krystal?"

She turned her head slightly to look at him. "I'm thinking… how difficult was Staryu? To catch, I mean?"

Percy smiled again, and began to recount the story.