CHAPTER 1
Fall.
This time of year is always eerie in Lavender Town. The town's atmosphere gets colder, it gets darker by the night, and usually, crime goes up. This year, the police force has increased in numbers so I doubt there will be so many crimes like last year.
I live here in this lifeless town alone. Both my parents were killed in a fire at, what was then, the Pokémart. Now, they relocated the Pokémart and built the Pokémon Tower there, a place where they bury dead Pokémon. It's heartbreaking to see so many Pokémon being buried there but I guess life has its toll on everybody and everything in our world.
Like I said, I live here alone. There is no person here to keep me company but I do have my dear Skarmory and Altaria. I caught them both in the Hoenn region when I was traveling as a trainer. But now, I stay here in my hometown of Lavender where I know I am always safe.
My journeys as a trainer were fun and it had its moments but now, I feel that there is no more need to go out and travel. I like living here in my home; it's nice and cozy.
But anyways, those two Pokémon mean the world to me. I don't know what I would do if they weren't here. I train with them everyday and have them battle each other to keep up their strengths. I do take care of my friends, even when they are feeling ill. I always have spare potions and medicine lying around here.
My day usually has the same schedule to it: First, I get up, wash my face, and brush my teeth. Second, we go and train outside for a couple of hours, working on their agility and their strength. Third, after hard training, I go to eat breakfast and set out Skarmory's breakfast and Altaria's breakfast. We sometimes go out to Celadon City and challenge the Celadon gym leader to a battle too. Since she has had a similar experience to what I've had, Erika understands how I feel and how I need to get out and do things often; she doesn't mind me constantly battling her. She actually looks at our battles as a training exercise for both of our Pokémon.
After we have had our battle, I sometimes go to the game corner and play their slots. These slots in Kanto are much easier than the ones they have in the Hoenn region. After a day in Celadon, I head back home. I never stay out after 11 here at Lavender since I never know if my boss will call me into work. I work as a night clerk in the Pokémart. It is satisfying to see all the trainers that come in and buy our things. We carry Pokéballs, potions, medicine, and repellents. It is a good job and the pay is decent. At least it's enough for me and my Pokémon to live on.
It obviously gets lonely living here. This town is a little on the depressing side and yet, I'm drawn to it. I guess it's because of the quietness here that keeps me here.
But, I have my dear Skarmory and Altaria here to keep me company. We all do manage to have the best time here.
I just wish that this town wasn't overshadowed by that gigantic Pokémon Tower. It seems too big to be in a little town. But, nevertheless, it doesn't really bother me. The only time it bothers me is when I have the memories of my parents dying there; I was only 12 at the time, now I'm 16.
I remember that day as if it only happened yesterday…
I had just come home from my journeys in the Hoenn region like a day before, I was outside training with my Swablu, before it evolved into an Altaria, and we heard an explosion at the Pokémart. Worried, I rushed over there and found the place gulfed in flames. I rushed to the Pokémon Center (which at that time was located next door) and told the doctor there to call the fire department. About 15 minutes later, the firemen arrived and got the flames to go out, but not before it had taken its toll. Inside the destroyed Pokémart were 5 people, two of which were my parents. I could not believe my eyes and my Swablu comforted me when it noticed me crying. Over the next couple of days, I refused to leave my home. It was only until I realized that we were running low on our necessities. So, I decided to travel to Celadon City and stay there for a while. I figured it was a good idea since it would get me away from my hellhole. I finally arrived in Celadon and immediately went to the market and bought me and my Pokémon our needs. I remember seeing Erika there and she kept on staring at me.
"Yes?" I said.
"You seem down…are you okay?"
"No," I replied, "I just lost my parents and possibly my life…"
"Oh…so that happened to you too…"
I remained speechless for a while, managing to have a puzzled look on my face.
"I lost my parents about 5 years ago in a fire at the old Pokémart."
Wow, I thought, she has gone through this before…
"Yeah…I was lost too…I did not know what to do, where to go, probably what you're feeling right now. I'd go into detail but we would be here for a long time…If it makes you feel any better, you can come on down to the Gym and have a battle with me whenever you want."
"Thanks for the comfort…" I replied.
It was weird hearing that she has gone through the same thing I was going through at that time. So, I went down to the Gym and took out my anger with the battle we had had. I remember that I wasn't myself during that battle; I did not treat my Pokémon like that before. The rest of that day is a blur to me…
