Brendan looked out the blurred window in the wall and saw his mother sobbing. She quickly waved as they found eye contact. Brendan felt surreal and blinked to sharpen his vision, it's finally happening. He turned around and faced the dense forest of Route 202 spotting only a narrow path leading into the darkness. The nervousness was gone and he felt ready for what came ahead, whatever that was.
The sound of the crowd dulled as the Sandgem guards closed the gates. Brendan could hardly notice any wind, the air was chilled, he noticed from his visible breath that he was panting.
"Ready to go then?"
Dawn looked up from her backpack and adjusted her hat, she wore the same expression as she had when he first met her – a determined frown. "Yeah" he said quietly, trying to look as busy as she was. Dawn had a pretty face and dark hair, dressed in Winter clothing despite the Spring season. She grew up in a small village called Twinleaf Town and was tutored by the legendary Pokémon professor Rowan. She studied biology at Pastoria University and entered the Sinnoh Ace-Trainer program soon after graduating.
"Where'd you go to school, huh?" She asked when they first met, finishing her story which seemed like one she had told a thousand times.
"Oh uh, Lilycove… Lilycove Law School. I'm from Hoenn."
"Obviously. Well, we'll be paired up for the next Test this Saturday. Hope you brought a scarf, Hoenn-boy."
Brendan looked back at the cobblestone wall once more before leading the way into the forest, not seeing his mother through the window anymore. Guilt flowed into his consciousness as he realized she'd have to take that arduous trip by ferry back to Hoenn. Brendan had told his mother not to come along, but she insisted on supporting him. The same had happened when he left home to study in Lilycove. He loved that about his mother.
The pair steadily walked the dirt path, occasionally hearing the rustling of grass though mainly hearing the songs of birds. "That annoying screech is a Starly," Brendan heard over his shoulder. "There aren't many in the forests but we should be careful in a clearing." Dawn jogged a little to overtake Brendan and showed the miniature Poké balls in her left hand while holding a javelin in her right. She looked ready to attack any unfortunate Pokémon to cross our path. The javelin was about a meter long, fashioned completely out of some sort of dark wood. She had shown her weapon of choice for the Test just before they entered the Route.
"I've been handling these things since I was a kid," She had said, looking pleased with herself. "They're excellent for knocking out the smaller creatures. See I keep the tip dull so it'll only leave as much as a bruise!" Rowan nodded behind her, holding one hand on her shoulder as he looked as determined as his pupil.
It was the TV show with Rowan that convinced Brendan to take the Ace-Test in Sinnoh. He had always had the ambition to enroll into the Ace-Trainer program, seeing only an opportunity to get more out of life, but Hoenn didn't offer any. Surviving the Ace-Test was a prerequisite for Gym Leaders, Elite Four and Champions, an option he'd like to keep open. About one-eighth of University graduates around the World apply and half of those get accepted. The difficulty didn't lie in facing the region's Gym Leaders or Pokémon League but surviving the wilderness. Sinnoh probably has the harshest climate of them all, which did result in the strongest Champion to date: Cynthia and the Gible she caught on her way.
Most people are only able to handle small Pokémon after years of training, and often had to part with them as they evolved. Pokémon tend to grow uncontrollable. Brendan unlocked the only Poké Ball off his belt and pressed softly on the button in the middle. The Ball immediately enlarged and gave a short, but fierce shake.
Brendan's 'weapon' looked up at him with sharp, grey eyes. He was ten years old when his father took him out into Petalburg Woods to catch his first Pokémon. After a dozen failed attempts on mostly Wurmple, they had stumbled onto Hermes, a Zigzagoon at the time. The raccoon-like creature had fallen asleep under an Oran Berry-tree in the sun and was promptly separated from his pack. He remembered how Dad edged him forward and motioned to be quiet, having the Pokémon asleep would be enough to capture it. After the tensest 15 seconds of his life, Brendan returned to his father, showing him the violently shaking Poké Ball. Brendan still remembers his exact words to this day: "This little guy will evolve into a nimble Linoone; you remember the stories from that book I got you for your birthday?"
"Zeus, Poseidon, Apollo, Hermes. Right dad?"
"That's right. Hermes."
The memories of his father filled his mind whenever Brendan looked at the creature.
"I need you to do some patrols like we practiced, Hermes," Brendan told the Linoone. The Pokémon blinked knowingly and skirted off into the ferns. Dawn looked over at Brendan.
"I'm going to try and capture a Pokémon as soon as possible, but our main concern should be a river. Are you sure your Linoone is okay in unfamiliar territory?" She said sternly. Brendan didn't mind the leadership but doubting his friend annoyed him a little. "It's Hermes and he's small and he knows it. He would never take a fight without me."
"Alright, then-"
In a swift, silent motion Dawn took a step back while stretching her right arm backwards to then lunge forward, propelling the javelin into a bush a few steps behind Brendan. A small thud betrayed the fact that the spear hit its target. Dawn sprinted into the bushes and emerged within moments to hold up a rabbit by its ears. "Dinner!" She grinned. She snapped the rodent's neck and fastened it to her belt. Brendan grimaced slightly. They continued on the path heading downwards, as a light snow began to fall between the pine trees.
"So, law right? What are you doing here? Aren't you supposed to be the wimpy types?" Dawn said. Brendan was feeling hungry and rather cold, the sun was beginning to set despite having started the hike in the morning.
"You shouldn't make assumptions," He grumbled back. "There's a lot you don't know about me."
"Don't know anything about you."
"Well… know that I have your back at least."
"I don't need anyone to have my back."
This annoyed Brendan, "You think you can do this alone?"
"I'd prefer to do it alone, you'll only slow me down." She hadn't looked at him once and picked up the pace.
"Where is this coming from?" Brendan asked. She didn't reply.
Darkness fell as Hermes made it back, holding a bundle of dry sticks in its mouth. The party made it out the forest to a clearing of grassy hills. Dawn and Brendan found a small stream and camped on a patch of grass nearby. Dawn ordered Brendan to start a campfire while she crafted a small shelter of branches to protect them from the wind. A small layer of snow had covered most of their surroundings.
"Good boy," Brendan whispered as he petted Hermes on his head. Before long, the fire was lit. He expected the Pokémon to curl up and lie at the fire, but he kept sitting upright.
"Anything else?"
The Pokémon gave a loud bark which made Dawn jump. "Keep him quiet!"
"What is it, boy?" The Linoone barked again, and again. He turned around, took a couple of steps and turned to bark once more. Brendan understood and followed his Pokémon, leaving Dawn behind. Hermes wasn't exactly a patient Pokémon which meant Brendan had difficulty keeping up on an empty stomach. They followed the stream upwards until they reached a dam clearly made by beaver Pokémon.
"Hermes, wait up."
Brendan almost fell out of the tall grass to find himself in a dirt clearing on a small hill overseeing the river and dam. He found Hermes sniffing and licking a large, dark figure. Brendan recognized it immediately. "Oh crap." He uttered.
Brendan pulled out his flashlight. Lying on its belly, what looked like an ape about the size of an SUV lay dead in a pool of its own blood. Brendan immediately recognized the smell. The Slaking was larger, much hairier and its fur a lot darker compared to the species Brendan was used to from his home region. Dread fell over him as he noticed the bullet wounds that had been the beast's demise. Large, gaping holes which he assumed had been left by rifles. Brendan didn't notice Dawn arrive until she held a hand on his shoulder.
"We have to go, we're not alone."
Author's note: thanks for reading. Not sure if I'll continue with this story but I'd like to. First time posting here, any constructive criticism greatly appreciated. Cover of the story is a pintrest image by Chibiotaku.