Disclaimer: I don't own Pokemon. But that's fine by me cause I wouldn't want to be associated with the sorry excuse of a show it's turned into anyway. It was amazing back in the 90's; anything past gen. 2 is pretty much crap. Can I get a what what? Hahaha :p

AN: Ahem, I don't know if anyone remembers me as I haven't written anything in forever and even then all I did was yaoi Naruto stories. But for those of you that do remember, I'm back! And I do have some Naruto song fics and one shots in the works, along with an Alice in Wonderland (the 2010 version, if you haven't seen it yet, go NOW) story on its way, so be on the lookout. Hahaha oh and if you couldn't tell by the disclaimer, don't expect to find any Pokemon past the 2nd generation in this story, cause you will be highly disappointed.

Chapter One: Dragonite.

I was sitting on my porch staring into the open space, just thinking, as I waited patiently for my mom to return from the store. There was a light breeze on my face, and it was the perfect antidote to the hot, summer air. All of a sudden the sky started darkening as the rainclouds rolled in. It was just a light drizzle at first; enough to be audible as it hit the roof, the ground, the grass, the leaves on the trees. But it increased quickly, settling in at a steady rainfall, straight down and drenching everything in sight.

I watched the drops and listened to the peaceful sound of their collisions with the ground for a few minutes before the urge kicked in. I wanted to leap off the porch and into the rain, letting it fall over me. I wanted to feel it seeping through my clothes, drenching my hair, trickling down my body, seemingly taking all my problems with it. Not that I had many problems anyway. Life was stable and average right now; I had a nice little group of friends, we'd never been a rich family but we were okay on money, my grades were good, and there wasn't any boy drama in my life ever since I dumped my jerk of an ex boyfriend a few months ago. There wasn't much for me to be upset about, except for the fact that I was pretty sure my mom was seeing someone and that just made me miss my dad more than I have in long time. Don't get me wrong, I love my mom and I want her to be happy. I don't have a problem with her dating, I just wish she'd tell me about it. And I just wish it didn't make me remember when my dad was still here.

I pictured his face in my mind. His strong jaw and angled nose; deep-set eyes with wrinkles around them to show his age and the wisdom that came with it. His familiar head of dark, curly hair and his smile that stretched to his eyes, emphasizing his wrinkles even more. He wasn't that old when he left, in his mid 40s. I wondered what he'd look like now, in his 50s. He was my best friend. I remember following him around all the time, completely fascinated with his work. He used to breed Dratini; sometimes evolving them all the way to Dragonite.

People want Dragonite, you know, I remember him saying, They're a good, strong, smart Pokemon. Lots of families keep them around the house to help with chores and also for protection. Trainers like them, too. If a trainer has a Dragonite, people know not to take them lightly. It takes a strong person to train a Dragonite.

My dad was a strong person. I could watch him train for hours on end. He knew exactly what he was doing; even when things got tough, he would always make a comeback and win the battle. One of the most amazing things I'd ever seen was when he trained a Dratini to the point that it evolved into a Dragonair. Graceful, isn't it? My dad's voice echoed in my head.

I used to resent him for leaving. I hated him for the longest time. Having to watch my mother, depressed and robot-like for almost a year. Hearing her cry herself to sleep at night. My naive, child mind could only muster up the feeling of hatred, because I missed him so much, I saw that my mother did too, and didn't know why he would leave. As I got older I began to blame myself. I thought maybe I did something wrong to drive him away. Was I too clingy? Did he grow annoyed of my presence? Maybe he just hated me and was tired of pretending he didn't. And then last year, when I finally reached the (sort of) mature age of 16, only then did I realize it wasn't my fault. It wasn't anyone's fault. My dad just wasn't happy here anymore. Could I really blame him for leaving, if that's what he had to do to be happy?

Usually rain was something I avoided, but today I just couldn't resist. Thinking about him only made me want to be out in the rain even more, so I stood up, and before I could stop myself I was out in the middle of the yard and my clothes were soaked through. I walked down the street for a while, just concentrating on each step. Then I closed my eyes, tilted my head up to the sky and felt the drops hit my face, letting them wash away all thoughts of my father and how things used to be. I was wrapped up in loosing myself to the rain that when I heard the deafening crack of thunder, I thought nothing of it.

My eyes were closed so I didn't see anything, but I heard the static in the air and felt the heat of the lightning bolt almost directly next to me. I also felt something hit my side really hard, knocking the breath out of me, and the next thing I knew, my thoughts were gone and I had blacked out.

---

I hope she's okay, I heard a peculiar voice say, and for some reason I saw my face behind the dark of my closed eyelids. I studied the shape of it; long and almost angular like my father's, but with high cheekbones but enough chub on it that I didn't look malnourished or manly. I saw my long, wavy brown hair, falling in soft billows just past my shoulders. I could clearly see every freckle scattered across the bridge of my nose and on my cheeks, and it was like I was actually staring into my own deep green eyes. I was faintly aware that I was being carried, but these arms didn't feel right. They were too big, too smooth, and too strong to be... well, human. I hope I saved her in time. She's so pretty. I like this girl. Maybe she'll let me stay with her.

Slowly, my eyes fluttered open and I was staring into the curious eyes of a Dragonite. It took me a second to wrap my brain around it. What had happened to me? Why was I being carried by a giant dragon Pokemon? I tried to remember but I couldn't. All I could recall was walking in the rain, then blackness, and now this. The thought of the rain made me notice that my clothes were mostly dry. How long had I been out?

She's awake! I heard the unfamiliar voice again, and the Dragonite cocked its head to the side. Are you okay? the voice asked at the same time the Dragonite gave a little moan.

"Am I... yeah, I think so." I answered, thinking it was only half-true. Physically, I felt fine. Mentally, I was confused. Where was that voice coming from? "Can you put me down?" I requested, and it did, gently placing my feet on the ground in front of it. I looked around for a second, finding that the rain had stopped and it was sunny again. I didn't see anyone around; we were smack in the middle of a forest. There wasn't even a trail.

"Thanks," I said, looking back up into the eyes of the Dragonite.

Well, she can form complete sentences. That's a good sign. She must be okay, the strange voice said while the Dragonite smiled simultaneously.

"You're talking to me!" I shouted, pointing a finger in its face, then bringing my hand back to my head to run my fingers through my hair. "Oh my God, I can hear you."

Huh? It cocked its head to the side.

"I can hear you. Your... thoughts, I think. You sound... your voice is different than a human's, but I can hear it in my head, loud and clear." I explained, chuckling weakly at how crazy I sounded.

Oh really? Then what's my name? It challenged, and I heard the follow-up thought too.

"Ringo?" I asked, "Like the Beatle?"

That's right... He thought, raising his eyebrows as his eyes widened slightly in shock. You CAN read my mind.

Holy shit, that's crazy. No. There's no way this was happening. I could hear the thoughts of a Dragonite? I must be dead. I probably got struck by lightning or something and now my mom was crying over my lifeless body. I almost felt sad for a second, until I had a thought; this couldn't be heaven. Why would heaven be a place exactly like home except I had the power to hear a Dragonite's thoughts? That made no sense. But it couldn't be hell either; surely I hadn't done anything worthy of that. So maybe I did get hit by lighting, and I was just in the hospital in a deep coma. I closed my eyes and concentrated on waking up. I thought thoughts of my mom and friends crying, wishing me to wake up and come back, hoping that would be enough to will me awake. When I opened my eyes, Ringo was staring at me with one eyebrow raised, his head cocked to the side, and curiosity in his eyes.

Are you SURE you're okay? He questioned doubfully.

"Please tell me I haven't lost my mind and that this is some kind of psychic power that all Dragonite can learn." I begged, dreading the answer I knew in the pit of my stomach was coming.

'Fraid not. He confirmed, nodding his head sympathetically. I groaned, rolling my head back then bringing it forward and placing it in my palms. If this was true... how did this gift work? Was it temporary? Was it just the mind of this Dragonite I could read, or was it all of them? Or worse... what if it was all Pokemon? I had to test it.

"I need to find another Pokemon." I announced after a lengthy pause. I lifted my face out of my hands and looking up at Ringo. "Something besides Dragonite. Do you know where there's one nearby?"

I'm sure there's somebody around, He affirmed, then added, I could look with you if you want.

I considered that for a moment. Since it was clearly Ringo's voice I'd been hearing in my half-conscious state, it must have also been him who was wishing he could stay with me. I couldn't send him away, even if I'd wanted to. He was lonely, I needed help, and it was kind of comforting to have such a big, powerful Pokemon by side. And I had to admit, he was adorable. His big, black eyes bore into mine, pleading with me. On top of all that, I'd always had a healthy admiration towards Dragonite thanks to my father. They're an easy Pokemon to love, I remembered him telling me once.

"I would love for you to come along." I answered honestly, and we set off into the forest.

Can I stay? He asked. I like you. I haven't had a trainer in a long time.

"I'm not a trainer." I mentioned, looking up into his eyes. "But I would like to have you around. If you want to stay, you're more than welcome."

You're not a trainer? He asked, Why not?

"I never got into it, really. My dad was a breeder, so I mostly helped him with that. I remember there was a time when I did want to be a trainer. Travel the world, see new Pokemon... but when he died, I just kind of lost myself for a while." I explained. I noticed that it was much easier for me to open up to Ringo than it had ever been with people. I momentarily wondered why that was, and decided to chalk it up to the natural charisma that surrounded Pokemon. They were all easy to love.

Who says it's too late to find yourself again? He implored.

I honestly had to think about that for a minute. He was right. My dad had been gone for nearly 10 years, and even though I thought about him and missed him every day, I was way past the point of grieving. I went to school, I had friends, I had a life. It would probably kill my mom if I decided to be a breeder, but that's okay because I didn't really want to follow in my dad's footsteps anyway. Why not become a trainer? What better Pokemon to start with than a Dragonite? And if this mind reading thing worked for all Pokemon, maybe it would be a good thing. It would help me connect with my Pokemon better, if I could talk to them like I would a person.

"No one." I finally answered, and when Ringo didn't have a direct answer, I knew he understood that I was seriously considering it. He was thinking of me and him together, as a team. I saw us in battle, me yelling commands and him, happy to oblige. We were unstoppable, and it was an inspiring, uplifting, exciting feeling.

"So how'd you end up with the name Ringo?" I asked, distracting him so I would be able to think it over without his influence.

My first trainer was a big Beatles fan, He told me. I know all their songs. He used to play them around me all the time. John was his favorite, but he loved Ringo's name. And I was his first Pokemon. Back when I was just a little Dratini he used to tell me all the time, 'Don't you love that name? Ringo Starr. That's who you're named after. Don't ever forget it'. It was weird, but somehow I could feel a little of his pain when he spoke of his first trainer. I imagined it was much deeper than I would've thought possible for a Pokemon, and decided it was best not to pry as of now. We would have plenty of time together, whether I wanted to be a trainer or not.

"I like The Beatles too." I related, smiling. He returned the gesture and we walked in silence again for a minute.

I don't know your name. He thought at me.

"It's Melanie." I told him.

Pretty. He commented. It would've sounded patronizing coming from anyone else, but I could tell from the tone of his thoughts that it was genuine.

"Thanks." I grinned softly. Then I heard another voice, different from Ringo's, but still clearly inhuman.

Boy oh boy, I'm almost there. I thought I would never reach the top of this tree, but here I am. That berry is so close, and it's all mine. I can practically taste it now. My stomach dropped. I didn't think there was a chance that another Dragonite would be around these parts, especially not by itself in the middle of the forest, and certainly not climbing a tree for a berry.

"Wait." I said, stopping and looking around. Ringo did the same. "I can hear another Pokemon. It's... crawling up a tree. From the view I'm getting, it's small. I would guess a Caterpie or a Weedle."

Ringo sniffed the air, and then motioned towards a tree about 5 feet away. I see it.

Sure enough, there was a bright green Caterpie in plain sight, climbing a couple inches away from a juicy Oran berry. I sighed. I was positive that my strange powers stretched to all Pokemon now, and for a second it worried me. This could be a bad thing. I would have to walk around for who knows how long, hearing voices in my head. As if I wouldn't already sound psycho if I told people I could read thoughts, let alone the thoughts of Pokemon. They would have me committed. I tried to concentrate on it being a positive thing, and held myself together.

"What happened to me?" I asked Ringo, this time trying to distract myself. "All I remember is waking up with you carrying me."

You really don't remember? He questioned, and I shook my head. I was on my way back home. It's in a cave on a cliff not too far from here. I've seen you before; I fly by you a lot when you're out walking. It was stormy out and I was rushing, but I saw you standing near the edge of the forest, and I saw a bolt of lightning strike the tree you were standing by. It was going to fall on you, so I swooped down and knocked you out of the way. When you didn't wake up, I got really worried. I thought I might have hurt you. I didn't know what to do because I wasn't sure where you lived, so I just walked around for a while hoping you would wake up. Thankfully you did.

For a second, I was dumbfounded. I almost got crushed to death by a tree, and he had saved my life out of the goodness of his heart. Not only that, but he had worried about me, and stayed with me while I was unconscious to make sure I was okay. I felt so grateful I could cry.

"You saved my life?" I asked, my voice cracking as I tried to restrain the waterworks that threatened to escape. I told myself to calm down, but it didn't work. I couldn't find a legit reason to stay calm. I was suddenly so grateful to be alive. I was grateful that I'd decided to go out in the rain, so that I had the opportunity to be saved by this pure soul of a Pokemon. I was grateful that he'd saved me, grateful that I was still here. I let the tears stream down my face for just a few minutes.

You're sad? He pressed, his forehead creasing with worry. I'm sorry, did I upset you?

"No, no." I laughed, looking up at him as I wiped the tears away with the back of my hand. I beckoned him closer with my finger, and he bent over so that his face was level with mine. I took his face in between my hands and kissed him on the cheek. "I'm just so happy. Thank you, Ringo. Thank you so much. I'm glad I met you."

I'm glad too, He grinned this time, so big it reached his eyes and made them almost shut. I couldn't help but think that he looked so adorable, and I wrapped my arms around him in a big hug. He returned it, lifting me off the ground and pulling me tight to his chest. I laughed again, and even though I'd only met him an hour ago I knew in that moment that we were inseparable.

"Do you think we could find my house from here?" I asked as he set me down again.

Yes. I think I know where it is, but I'm not sure because I've never actually seen you come out of it. I don't know which direction, but we could fly. He suggested, bending down again so that his back was closer for me to climb on. If we were in the air, it would be easy to see.

I beamed. If there was thing in this world I'd always wanted to do, it was ride on the back of a Dragonite. I saw my father do it a few times, but he never wanted to let me. He said it was too dangerous because I didn't know how to control them. I was so young, and since there were so many Dragonite around he never really built a strong enough connection with any of them to trust them with me. Excitedly, I threw one of my legs over his back and wrapped my arms around his neck.

Hang on tight, He told me, right before launching himself in the air. Instinctively, my eyes shut tight. I felt the wind whipping my my face and tangling my hair, and I pressed myself closer to Ringo's warm, smooth skin. In a matter of seconds, he stopped. But I still felt the flapping of his wings next to me, so I opened my eyes to see what was going on. I didn't have to look down to know that we were really high. All I could see was the blue sky, interrupted here and there with little tufts of white. The forest was far enough below us that it just looked like a thick blanket of green.

Is it the white one with a black roof, red shutters on the window, and a stone path leading to the porch? He asked.

"Yes, that's it!" I laughed, feeling giddy and lightheaded. I sat up a little, enough that I was still holding on but could get the full effect of what was happening. I was really here right now in this moment, hanging on to the back of a Dragonite that was already a better friend to me than most of the people I'd known my entire life. It was crazy how much things had chanced since this morning. One minute I was taking a therapeutic walk in the rain, and the next I was on the back of my favorite Pokemon, reading its mind.

As Ringo sped up and practically dove down towards the house, I made my life-altering decision.

I was going to be a Pokemon trainer.

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AN: Yaaay. I had so much fun writing this! Reviews are loved, constructive criticism welcomed. (: