Seventeen years old... and Haruka Nanase finally started his journey. He had won his first badge already - it was kinda easy for him. Use the right tactics, stay calm and everything will be fine.
He was on his way to the next time now, he had been travelling for four months now or so? He lost count. And so far, he has got two pokemons.
Did we mention Haruka's interested in Water-type pokemons? You can already guess then - all of his pokemons are Water-types. But why Water-types only? Because the boy loves to swim (and the water) of course! He takes a dive every morning as he finds a nice place to swim, his pokemon can tag along.
Haruka has got an Oshawott - his starter pokemon. And a Marill. Oshawott is a very happy and energetic pokemon, which is the complete opposite personality of its trainer. Haruka was more calm and quiet while Oshawott loved to get attention. The only thing they share is that they can be very affectionate in moments.
And Marill? Well... Marill is just Marill. The water pokemon was a tad clumsy - nothing wrong with that, in Haruka's opinion. But it was also a crybaby - not so alright with Haruka. He loves the pokemon anyways. Besides, it'll get stronger eventually and it already starts to cry less than he first caught it. Marill also seems to enjoy to bounce on its blue-bubble ball- tail. Which barely turns out good... the water mouse keeps falling. Furthermore, Marill was a very good swimmer.
The journey went smooth and peaceful for him. He won every battle against trainers, trained his pokemon. It'll help to get him and his pokemon stronger and stronger.
And of course every other trainer wants to battle, they want their pokemon to get stronger too and show the others how far they have gotten - well, almost every trainer then.
...
Haruka was standing in front of a trainer. Brown hair, tall, green eyes. The trainer looked with fear at the black haired boy and kept holding his Torchic close against him. ''I... I don't wanna fight. Please, do not hurt me or Torchic. We don't wanna battle.''
... A complete wimp.
Haruka closed his eyes as he sighed. Oshawott only looked confused at the trainer and the pokemon. He didn't understand why the trainer didn't want to battle, battling was fun! At least, in the Water-types mind.
''Calm down.'' Haruka mumbled, letting out another sigh. ''We won't hurt you. If you don't wanna battle, then fine.'' He gave a simple shrug. ''No need to be so afraid...''
The other trainer blinked, giving a hesitate nod as he tried to calm down. Usually, other trainers would yell at him and tell him to manner up 'it's just a battle!' they always say. It wasn't to him, it was cruel in his opinion. Pokemons could get serious injuring because of it, he wanted to avoid that as much as possible.
''Come...Oshawott. Let's go further.'' Haruka said as he turns around, walking away. Oshawott looked over its shoulder, quickly running after its trainer.
''Ah- wait!'' The brunet quickly called. Haruka did stop.
''What is it?'' Haruka asked, glancing over his shoulder.
''You...I... H-Have we met before? You seem similar.''
''...Doubt it. Maybe you've seen me somewhere along the way, I dunno. I've battled against a lot of trainers.''
''N-No, no! I mean, I'm sure I know you somewhere else from. Maybe...maybe from elementary school? What's your name?''
''...Haruka... Nanase.''
The trainer's eyes widened at that. ''I...I knew it!'' He clearly remembered the name. ''Haru, it's me Makoto. Makoto Tachibana!''
At that, Haruka's eyes seems to widen in surprise lightly. ''M...Makoto...?''
Makoto smiled bright, giving a nod. Haruka and him were used to be very good friends. Best friends. But somehow they went separated ways and never saw each other again.
But now, they met again. It made Makoto very happy. To be honest, he had been wanting to see Haruka again. But those four years didn't bring them any closer. They went to different high schools. Which was a bummer... but that was the past! Now is now and they meet again.
''It's been so long, Haru!'' His green eyes were sparkling from happiness. ''I'd never thought to see you here!'' Haruka only nodded at that, also quite still surprised about it. ''I had no idea you were a trainer, too. Since when did you start becoming one? I just started my journey.''
''Four months ago or something...'' Haruka replied. ''I have already my first badge.''
''Whoa- really? That's amazing!''
''Not really...'' He gave a shrug.
''I'm trying to get my first badge too! But, eh... I...I don't like battling actually. It's cruel. I don't want my pokemon to get hurt.'' Makoto let out a sigh as he still held Torchic close to him.
''You can't win one unless you battle. So, you have to.''
''I know, but I just don't like the idea of it.''
''Also... you have to battle, to get your pokemon stronger. It's a part of the training.'' Makoto only groaned, biting his lower lip a little bit. He really hated the idea of his pokemon getting hurt.
''...You know what? How about I help you with training. I'll learn you everything you need to know and, yeah... how about that?'' Haruka offered.
Makoto's eyes widened at that, surprised. ''Wh- r-really? W-Will you do that for me, Haru?''
''Of course, or else I wouldn't mention it.''
Makoto could probably die from happiness now. He was so happy someone was wanting to help him out during this journey. ''Gladly! Yes, please! Thank you so much, Haru!''
''No problem. Though, you have to travel along with me. Are you okay with that?''
Makoto was more than okay with it. He nodded quickly. ''Of course! I'd love to!'' He quickly said.
Haruka only gave a nod, beckoning the brunet to come with him. Makoto quickly looked at Torchic, smiling at the pokemon and quickly followed his old friend.
''Say, Haru. In what type of pokemons are you interested in?'' The taller boy asked curiously.
''Water-types.'' Haruka simply replies. Makoto blinked, slowing down a bit at that.
''O-Oh... I see.''
''...Got a problem with it?'' Haruka asked as he noticed Makoto was walking behind.
Makoto quickly shook his head as he catch up with the other again. ''Oh, n-no! Of course not! You still love water, eh?''
''I do. Then, what about you? What types of pokemon do you like?''
''Me? Oh, uh, Fire and Ground-types, I think.'' Haruka glances over to Torchic at that. The Fire-type seems calm, but focused on Oshawott.
Haruka glances then over to Oshawott who seems to get his attention from Torchic. ... Typical. He then looks back over to Makoto again. ''Ah. Well, you can like any type of pokemon you want.''
Makoto smiled at that. ''Haru, do you have more pokemons beside Oshawott?''
''I do. I have a Marill.''
Makoto tilted his head lightly in confusion. ''A Marill...? What pokemon is that?''
Haruka grabs the pokeball from Marill, which was hanging on his belt. He calls out the water pokemon.
A blue mouse, as tall as Oshawott, comes out. Its form was round and it has a white belly. Its paws and feet were small. A zigzagging tail with a blue bubble ball on it wags lightly as Marill curiously looked at Haruka why he had called it out.
''This is Marill.'' Haruka said to Makoto. ''Marill, this is Makoto. An old friend of mine. Say hello.'' Marill looks over to Makoto, waving lightly with its paw.
Makoto stares at the water pokemon, slowly waving back as he feels a bit scared to say anything to it. ''Marill doesn't bite, so don't be afraid of it.''
The brunet looks over to Haruka, then back to Marill. ''H...Hello.'' Makoto must admit though, this Marill looks pretty cute though. ''I haven't been able to catch another pokemon myself yet. So, I only have Torchic for now.'' The taller boy rubbed the back of his head.
Haruka called Marill back in its pokeball again, before it was going to cause trouble.
''That's okay, I'll also help you with catching new pokemons then. You're interested in Fire-types and Ground-types, correct? I know a few places with Ground-types. So, I could bring you there and then we could look for a pokemon you want to catch.''
''Really? Thanks, Haru! Ah, but...then... I have to battle against that pokemon, right?''
''Yes.''
''I don't want to hurt it-''
''You have to damage it to weaken it. You won't exactly 'kill it' or something. You're only going to weaken it, so it won't escape that easily when you throw your pokeball to catch it.''
''I...I know, but still. It seems cruel...''
''There's nothing cruel about it.''
Makoto gave a small pout, staring down to the ground. ''O...Okay. I'll try my best. Is...Is that place far from here?''
''Not really.''
''Ah, okay. So, it's okay if we'll go there now?''
''That's fine by me.'' Haruka gave a small nod.
''Alright then, l-let's go.''
Makoto still seems a little bit insecure about it, but Haruka will make sure that will be over soon. The black haired boy gave another small nod, before walking ahead and leading Makoto the way to the caves.
And thus, from now on, Haruka and Makoto will officially continue their journey together now.
