Struggles: Hopeful Aspirations
Chapter 1: Aspiring for the Stars!
Chills were in the air as the white ceiling fan spun wildly in the dark bedroom. Mavis focused her energetic green-hazel eyes on the motion in an effort to tire them out. Seconds dragged passed, but sleep never arrived. Finally, she averted her gaze and moved it onto the Persian curled up on the bright lavender comforter of her four poster bed.
"Per…" her mother's catty Persian, Nadine, murmured quietly in her sleep, with her tail threatening to droop over the edge of the bed.
Mavis heaved a sigh as she tried to pry herself out of bed without disrupting Nadine. She grew more entangled in her bed covers by the second and her frustration only grew. Finally, the small ten-year-old kicked her feet free, and pulled herself into a crawling stance. Unfortunately, a foot collided with the mewing Persian, who (along with the comforter) rolled right off the bed and right onto the hardwood floor beneath.
Nadine was on her furry feet in an instant, back arched and hissing immense. "Persian!" she hissed angrily, with her fur rising like straw. She glared at Mavis whose eyes were wide and sincere as she whispered sorry over and over again. Nadine hissed one final time before softly creeping out of the room with her tail swishing proudly in the air.
With the cat gone, Mavis now had the mobility to get out of bed. She straightened her bed covers in a hasty fashion, and began pacing around her room restlessly. Though it was getting her anywhere, it was much better than staring aimlessly at a fan. Her mind was a whirlwind of conflicting thoughts as Mavis continued pacing, with her hands placed firmly on her hips.
Coordinating; as long as she could remember, Mavis had always had a particular love for coordinating. But, in Kanto, most schools were battle-oriented. That was how it had been at Mavis's old school in her old hometown of Celadon City. Talks about the latest coordinators were very rare, and Mavis had found herself growing ever so bored with the excited gabbles about gym battles.
Even so, the success that moved Mavis and her single mother to Lavender Town three years ago only strengthened Mavis's contest love, especially when her mother pulled her out of the second grade for homeschooling. There were the constant breaks to watch television, and there on the flashing screen, coordinators would perform in their Sunday best. There would be theatrical and dramatic displays as Pokémon displayed their beauty to civilization, and there would be the roaring audience, clouding Mavis's ears.
Whenever a contest aired on live television, her heart would race itself with pure anticipation and excitement. Everything about contests called out to her, drawing her further into the world of Pokémon coordinating.
But, alas, dear Mavis had several things standing in the way of her hopeful dream career. The absence of any actual Pokémon was an issue that hung over her like a Fearow preying on Rattata; and, Kanto wasn't the most exciting region to live in. Lavender Town wasn't even fun!
Oh, sure, there were the constant gatherings of creepy, icky Ghost-types in the surrounding areas of the town, and plenty of Goths moaning random scribbles of poetry wandered around, making things interesting for the bored local police. But, really, that could all get pretty old after awhile.
Very old. Mavis needed a change of scenery, but she had no way to paint it. She had no Pokémon, no interest in traveling through Kanto, and only fifty dollars saved up from allowance money. Would her generally understanding mother permit her to leave off on a quest to achieve stardom? Most likely, but Mavis wanted to leave now. She was itching to get it over and done with.
And, at the moment, Mavis's novelist mother, Ginny, was already fast asleep in bed, with her pet Growlithe snuggled up close. She had already spent the past week pulling three all nighters in a row. The last thing on her to-do list would be aiding her bratty daughter in the middle of the night.
"Argh!" Frustrated at the arguing thoughts, Mavis stamped her foot furiously against the floor, easing her impatience ever so slightly. She glanced quickly at the Primeape alarm clock perched on her nightstand, and glared at the glowing numbers that notified her of the time; 1:27 AM. The time seemingly mocked the petite child as she folded her arms and stalked over to her dresser.
The topmost drawer was tugged open and clothes were soon flying through the air as Mavis Reed rummaged through its contents hastily. She dug through the thick bundles of stylish clothes without stopping before finally retrieving some fashionable articles of fabric.
Working fast, as always, Mavis shrugged out of her pajamas and became appareled in a plaid skirt and a gray shirt. Choosing for style alone, she pulled on a pair of tights and burgundy fur-lined boots next. Mavis then hurried into a thick, comfy sweatshirt, smothering her red-brown curls to her head in the process. After straightening her outfit with a pair of pudgy hands, she stole a glance in the full length mirror at the very back of the room.
The hallway lights, which were constantly on during the night, gave the ten year old enough lighting to steal a glance at her reflection. Everything looked as if it was chosen to impress, and that was because it was.
After fluffing up her curls for good measure, Mavis rummaged through her crammed closet until she found her prize for effort; a bright purple knapsack. The room itself was finally ransacked for anything worthy to take. A brief interval of five minutes took place before Mavis was satisfied, but even then the bag wasn't exactly filled.
Certainly, money, a couple of extra jackets, a few books, and a Psyduck doll were packed, but there really wasn't anything else suitable for traveling. Mavis wasn't even sure if a doll was a necessary addition for her scarce supplies, but right now she had even more to worry about.
"I'm not going to get far with just fifty dollars," Mavis said in an obvious tone of voice. She counted out her money, hoping for there to be a miscalculation. Math had never been her strongest subject, but she hadn't miscounted in any way. Only two twenty dollar bills and a ten were in her possession. "Argh!" She seemed to be doing a lot of groaning today.
She had hardly any money, very little supplies, no liking for the Kanto region, and no Pokémon to speak of. What in the name of Arceus was there to do?
Pacing continued while Mavis Reed attempted to fix at least one problem. "I could buy a boat ticket," she considered, thinking with a mainly open mind. "And leave Kanto for good. But, what region is best for me? I'll be cooked in Hoenn, and I'll freeze to death in Sinnoh. Unova's pretty darn far, and really, so is every other region." Mavis briskly walked to the map that dangled next to her dresser. With a steady finger she traced the borderline that separated Kanto's wide ocean from the region next door. "That leaves…Johto."
Johto; the region simply full of legends, myths, and beauty. The Ruins of Alph, the Burned Tower, the Tin Tower, the Glitter Lighthouse; so many sightseeing spots to behold! And, such a beautiful region, with its pleasantly warm and breezy weather and its fresh towns of nature! Many might say that Hoenn and Sinnoh were the more coordinator devoted regions, but to Mavis, Johto could enter a Pokémon contest of its own…and win.
Mavis gave the map's Johto region image a wide smile, almost as if it knew her love for it. She sighed, with pure content at the very thought of navigating through such an excellent, graceful region, so full of potential! And, there was Goldenrod City! The shopping devoted capital of contests! Contests as well as shopping were big there, meaning that it would be a dynamic duo of awesomeness for young Mavis.
"Johto, you better wait for me!" Mavis whispered in a threateningly loud voice. She didn't care though, and she even ignored the other pending problems until she was in the pristine kitchen of her house, packing food. "But I still need a Pokémon!" A bratty pout replaced her sunny smile. "A ticket will cost at least twenty bucks, and I'm going to need supplies. I'll only have ten bucks left, and that's without splurging!"
The customary loud stamping of feet threatened to make an appearance, but Mavis resisted the urge. The comfortable living room was located right next to the kitchen, and Jewels, her mother's loyal Kadabra, enjoyed sleeping on the recently-bought sofa. Stomping would be certain to awaken her, and Mavis wasn't in the mood to create some good tall tale to explain her snooping around in the middle of the night.
Besides, Jewels would just take it upon herself to escort Mavis back to her bedroom, and then she would probably end up pulling an all-nighter. Curse her Insomnia ability!
Quickly and quietly, Mavis stuffed a huge sub sandwich into the side pocket of her knapsack, and concentrated on zipping the compartment up mutely. She nabbed a small bag of chocolate chip cookies and other necessary food articles from a cabinet. She also grabbed her secret stash of chocolate caramels from behind the breadbox; she couldn't run away without those.
Now, she had everything for travel, if you ignored the lack of a sleeping bag, enough money, actual traveling supplies, oh, and the lack of a Pokémon. But, other than that, she was sure to be fine. Right?
Contemplating on how to solve the missing Pokémon dilemma, Mavis tiptoed through the living room, keeping her hazel eyes on Jewels, who maintained a yoga position in her sleep. Mavis grasped the doorknob of the front door in her fist, trying to figure out what the heck she was doing.
She was running away from home. She had never done that before, but thanks to her incessant impatience, she was actually running away from home. Impatience be damned, she hesitated.
Though her home was located in a rather non-haunting part of Lavender Town, the threat of wandering Ghost-types was still waving in the air. Just imagining the things crowded around in an alley made Mavis shiver, mainly from disgust rather than fear.
Mavis hesitated, with her hand still poised on the doorknob. "It's not too late to just turn back…" She wasn't in the mood for Ghost-types, and she also wasn't in the mood to have cops on her tail. What on earth was she doing? Had she done all of this on impulse alone? If so, Mavis knew that she would have to stop now.
Before her hand slipped away from the doorknob, another thought came to her. Wasn't it too late to turn back? She had already gotten dressed and packed up. Effort couldn't be wasted!
"Juliette Mavis Reed!" A clear, appalled voice came from behind her, and Mavis jumped at least a foot in the air. She spun around so quickly, her head hit the still closed door, making her dazed for a brief two seconds. While she rubbed her vanishing ache, she groaned at the sight of her mother.
Virginia "Ginny" Reed stood tall and firm, though she looked as if she had been having a rough night. Her generally neat autumn-brown hair was tousled quite a lot and hung past her shoulders in disarrayed waves. Her eyes had circles under them, making her look as if she were part Patrat. And, on top of that, her arms were crossed over her pale pink bathrobe, the look on her face between surprise and anger.
Levitating a few feet in the air behind Ginny was Jewels, whose golden arms were also crossed. She looked prepared to hear an explanation, like a regular human mother. And at Ginny's ankles was Ginger, the family Growlithe. She appeared to be simply confused, and she showed signs of it by cocking her head to the side, eyeing Mavis curiously.
"Ka, Kadabra." Jewels regarded Mavis with a severe look. "Abra?"
"Uh…" For the moment, the ten year old was simply speechless. She kept her eyes on her boots for a brief moment, but eventually let them rest on the three beings that stood before her, awaiting any explanation that could be given. To break the tension, she whispered the first thing that came to mind, "I thought you were asleep."
"I would say the same for you, young lady." Ginny narrowed her eyes. "What on earth are you doing?" Her eyes fell upon the knapsack slung over Mavis's shoulder, and her expression grew incredulous. "You're running away!?"
Smirking slightly, Mavis cleared her throat and launched into an explanation. "No, I'm totally not." Her shoulders relaxed and she placed her hands on her hips in a rather sassy manner. She snorted. "What would give you that idea?" There were a few chuckles for good measure, but gosh, was she overdoing the acting! "I'm simply…pondering on this journey stuff. You know, like…packing and preparing."
Ginny didn't seem to be buying it at the least. "Juliette Mavis Reed, I've been raising single handedly your entire life. You expect me to believe that you marched yourself out of bed, packed up, got dressed, and everything to simply practice leaving?" Ginny frowned. "What did you bother packing anyway?"
"Uh…" Mavis wasn't in the mood to have her mother criticize her lack of supplies. "I packed…stuff."
"Abra!" Jewels waved the spoon in her hand in the air, and the sudden use of psychic power jerked Mavis's knapsack in her direction. Jewels caught it quickly in her hand and handed it to Ginny.
Ginny searched through the bag with keen eyes, frowning with disapproval at its contents. With her eyes still on the bag, she said, "So, you mean to tell me, that you planned on flocking off in the dead of night, with nothing more than jackets, some money, and enough food for one meal? And, how much help will a Psyduck doll give you?" Ginny looked up at her daughter with a critical expression. "Seriously? Have you lost your mind?"
"All the people in your books do dumb stuff sometimes," Mavis muttered, already aware that her answer was useless.
"Yes, and last time I checked, the people in my suspense novels were all generally killed off in some horrific way. Unless, you're speaking of the PokéPals Trilogy; but, that's a series aimed at little seven year olds. So, frankly, it really doesn't matter if little Wyatt the Squirtle wants to jump off a fifty-foot tower with a handful of balloons to save his friend, Jenny the Pichu. And don't try to change the subject!"
"I'm not changing the subject. You are."
"Whatever, I don't care." Ginny seemed to be growing bored. She sighed openly, and rubbed her tired eyes. "I've been up for at least an hour, trying to revise the drafts for an upcoming adventure novel. Jewels alerted me to your craziness via telepath, and here I am, wondering what did I do wrong?"
"Nothing. I just don't feel like waiting to leave home." The itch to begin stamping her feet was approaching, but Mavis resisted again. She tried for some semblance of maturity. "I couldn't sleep. I've been aching to become a coordinator forever, and I need to leave home…now."
"With only fifty dollars? How about asking me for some help? That would've been a better idea than running off, and leaving me worried sick. I would've called the entire Kanto police squad if you had gotten pass the front door."
'That's true,' Mavis thought. She hadn't really thought about that part. She had only worried about the Pokémon and money issue. Should she have left a sticky note on the refrigerator, detailing where she was going?
'You really are stupid, and you're missing the point,' a small voice in her mind dully stated.
'No I'm not!' Mavis's voice echoed dramatically in her mind, for theatrics' sake. Out loud, she decided to finally return to the world of sanity. "I get it, Mom, really. I'm sorry for being a nut job and I promise to never do it again. Can I have some money and a Pokémon so that I can be on my way?"
Ginny scoffed. "As if, you little gremlin. Nadine!" The prissy Persian appeared from behind the sofa, slinking lazily over to her trainer. She purred and gazed at everyone with drowsy eyes. "Please escort Mavis to her bedroom. Make sure that she gets in bed, and stays there."
With Nadine watching her every move with a queenly expression, Mavis didn't even try to escape.
To say that Mavis had a restless night would be an understatement. She ended up lying awake tossing and turning for hours, awaiting morning. Finally Nadine, sick of being awakened by her trainer's child's constant maneuvering, used Hypnosis, and the rest was history.
Bright and early did not describe how Mavis awoke. For starters, she woke up late, when it was nearly lunchtime. And secondly, sunshine didn't exactly pour through her window in shiny streams. Instead, grayish light peeked through while the outside weather appeared rainy and cloudy.
"Ugh, stupid rain." Mavis grabbed fistfuls of her thick comforter before slowly crawling out of bed. "I don't need surveillance now." She said sourly to Nadine, who was curled up on the beanbag chair in the corner.
"Per?" Nadine gazed up lazily before closing both eyes and nodding off to sleep once more.
Mavis pushed her fuzzy pink-socked feet into a pair of sneakers before heading to the living room. In her pajamas or not, she had some serious things to speak to her mother about. But, entering the kitchen, she didn't find her mother preparing coffee, and she didn't see Ginny using her laptop at the table. Instead, she found Miles, Ginny's Croconaw, washing dishes with his Water Gun.
Miles greeted her with his usual salute and gestured towards the table. "Croc!"
Breakfast was long over but Mavis didn't even note this as she tucked into a breakfast-y type meal. Pancakes, eggs, and coffee were devoured often in the Reed household, by humans and Pokémon alike. No one had a sense of mealtimes in the family.
Mavis washed the food down with two glasses of orange juice before interrogating Miles of her mother's absence. She felt no shame when he pointed out the obvious sticky note on the refrigerator that told Mavis that Ginny and Jewels were running errands.
"You mean I really have to wait?" Mavis asked Miles with disbelief. "That's so unfair! If they had just let me leave last night, I could be on my way! But, no…"
Miles let out a squawk and crossed his arms, clearly irritated with her constant shouting and questioning.
"Whatever," Mavis muttered. She walked back to her room, dragging her sneakers against the carpeted hallway as she did so.
She redressed in her choice traveling outfit from the night before and rediscovered her packed knapsack from within her closet. It might've been raining, but it wasn't too late to attempt a departure again, right? Entering the front room she saw that there would be no such luck.
Miles was seated on the leather arm chair, channel surfing through sports and the weather channel. Verdes, Ginny's Gliscor was by the window seat, glowering at the rain with a pouty look upon his face. Ginger was curled up on the sofa under a thick woolly blanket. All three Pokémon were preoccupied, but Mavis doubted that she would be able to outrun them.
And, even if she did she would most likely be caught by her mother's Golduck, who was currently outside in the front yard, embracing the rain. Edna, the aforementioned dual Psychic/Water-type, possessed the Swift Swim ability, making her already awesome speed doubled in rain.
Mavis gritted her teeth in realization. She needed to leave home, now. But, nothing could currently be done.
Irritated beyond repair, the youngster plunked down on the sofa beside the concealed Growlithe, and preoccupied herself by stroking the Fire-type's soft, warm fur. Mavis ignored the TV and the groaning of Verdes while she waited for her mother's arrival.
By the time Ginny and Jewels finally arrived home with their raincoats soaked and their arms full of bags, Mavis was ready to begin a concert of foot stomping.
"Oh, how patient you've become," Ginny commented, setting five bags down on an unoccupied armchair. She placed her hands on her hips and surveyed her daughter with teasing eyes. "Are you planning on bombarding me with questions any time soon, dear?"
Mavis gave an emphasized groan. "Mom, can I puh-lease leave home already?"
"I'm not stopping you." Ginny turned one of the shopping bags over, and several different trinkets fell out; traveling gear, Pokéballs, and the like. Ginny quickly dug up three Pokéballs from her coat pocket, and held all three of them out to Mavis. "What region did you plan on traveling through?"
"Johto. Why?"
"Okay," Ginny ignored the question, and studied all three Pokéballs. She plucked the one in the middle and tossed it to Mavis who eagerly grasped it. "There, step one is complete. You have a Pokémon."
"Viola!" Mavis leaped to her feet, holding the Pokeball aloft proudly. "What kind of Pokémon is it?"
"And, here's a Pokégear." Ignoring the questioning again, Ginny placed the bright purple device in Ginny's empty hand. "Keep track of it."
"Thank you!" Mavis beamed. She then raised her eyebrows, and appeared curious. "What were the other region choices?"
"Hoenn and Sinnoh."
"What if I said Unova?"
Ginny gave her daughter a meaningful look. "What makes you think that I would let you go off traveling half across the world? As insane as you are…" She shook her head before gesturing to the items on the ground. "Hurry and pack those things up. Put on your rain coat, and I'll be more than happy to drive you to the shipyard on Route 12."
Mavis was jumping up and down with excitement while she stuffed everything into her knapsack. She, Juliette Mavis Reed, was actually leaving home as she spoke! Oh, the joy! She was so much closer to her long awaited goal, to be the coordinator of legends! The coordinator to go down in history as the very best!
"I'm going to be the best coordinator ever!" she crowed loud enough to make a Loudred jealous. With tiny, nimble steps she dashed into her room and left it with a thick rain coat covering her snugly. She pushed the gifted Pokeball into the side pocket of her coat for safekeeping. Her mother wouldn't have given her something ugly and horrid for a starter, so Mavis didn't plan on checking the Pokémon out until she was on the boat, headed for the glorious Johto region.
"Per?" Nadine yawned loudly and pattered loftily after Mavis into the living room.
Ginny looked up from Mavis's knapsack, which she had recently stuffed the last of the supplies into. "Ah, Nadine, you'll be pleased to hear that I have a little job for you."
Nadine's ears perked up, but her expression remained sullen. "Per?"
"Yes, I need you to go with Mavis. Not for very long. Just until she catches a second Pokémon. I don't need her getting lost or pulling all-nighters. Look out for her please. Can you do this for me?"
Nadine nodded her head, although slowly. "Persian."
"Great!" Ginny clapped her hands enthusiastically while her daughter scooped up her bag. She made her way to the door and opened it, fully prepared to head into the rain. "We're out. Jewels, if you would please shield us from this rain with a handy Protect, I'd be much appreciative."
Sooner or later, the Reed's silver mini-van was driving through the rain, carrying four passengers. Nadine lay beside Mavis in the backseat, glaring at the rain and looking extremely sour. Mavis didn't notice this at all; she was rather busy refraining from hopping up and down in her seat. She was itching to get onto the boat, and was practically clapping with delight when they arrived at the shipyard.
"Calm down," Ginny said after the boat ticket was bought.
"Weren't you excited when you left home?" Mavis retorted.
Ginny rolled her eyes. "Not like this. You're acting as if you've never been out of the house. You need a hobby."
"I'll be getting one in Johto for sure!"
Eventually, they stood before the docked ship. It would be leaving shortly, and Mavis didn't plan on missing it. With Nadine in her arms, Mavis prepared to board the boat, but kept back to hear her mother's final words. "Remember, keep warm, eat healthy, and be safe. Understood?"
"Yes, yes, yes!"
"All right, stay warm and dry, dear." Ginny heaved a final sigh for good measure before sweeping a bit of rainwater off of her daughter's covered shoulder. "Don't talk to strangers, read the instruction manual of your Pokégear, call me often, and be kind to your Pokémon. Understand?" When Mavis nodded repeatedly, Ginny felt satisfied. "Okay, then. Nadine, keep her in line."
As was customary, Mavis waved like crazy as the ship began to actually move. Once the ship sped up and left Kanto's dock behind it, Mavis pulled on the hood of her raincoat and gave one final wave before hurrying into the ship's quarters for shelter.
"I'm leaving home!" She did a small jig, complete with the pumping of fists and stomping of heels.
Nadine regarded her with a quick eye roll before she began shaking the water from her fur.
"Are you looking for the bathroom, dear?" a ship attendant, clad in a royal-blue uniform, asked in a kindly voice. She looked extremely concerned which made Mavis feel rather embarrassed as she responded.
"Uh, no thank you." Mavis permitted her arms the freedom to fall still at her sides. With cheeks growing a little red from both embarrassment and excitement, she asked, "Er, there are separate rooms on this ship for passengers, right?"
There were, and as she was led to her ship Mavis worked hard to keep in the excitement that burst within her. While she struggled to stay calm, Nadine silently groaned and followed after her.
Hopefully most of you found this to be an enjoyable read. I've wanted to write a coordinator oriented story for some time now, especially since the Pokémon section lacks those stories.
I'll let everyone know that Mavis's starter is not one of the following: Riolu/Lucario, Eevee, Porygon, a legendary, or a pseudo-legendary. It's not something extremely underused like Tangela, but it also isn't anything hideously overused like the aforementioned Pokémon in the previous paragraph.
Anyway, if the world doesn't end be sure to leave a nice little review!