Chapter One
Beyond the windows and past the horizon, the land was still dark... the flowers were curled up tightly, awaiting the sun's first days rays upon them so that they could slowly rouse and wake from their slumber. However... even as the land, people and Pokémon still slept, there was one that was awake before the shrill ring of her alarm clock had gone off. In fact, this girl had arisen from her bed about an hour prior to the actual ringing of her clock, getting all of the things that she needed to be getting out of the way said and finished.
Just about everything had been all done. All the things that she needed were packed away in a rather bulky messenger bag that remained on her bed as she laced up the multicolour laces that were woven to keep her shoes secured and bound to her feet for the journeys that she was about to set out on. Whether she met new faces or not was yet to be determined at the moment, however, it was inevitable if she were going be traveling from where she was now to be going into the Indigo League someday!
Standing back up straight and assuring her shoes were on securely, Dixie threw a fist into the air with much enthusiasm and then swiftly grabbed the black and multicolour bag from her bed. She swiftly and silently made it to the door of her room, opening it slightly only to have it creak, it sounding a lot louder than she had remembered it so be. Perhaps it was because of her nervousness and determination of getting out of the house silently, though quickly that had a minor role to attribute to how it was the creaking had sounded to her ears; for what this girl wanted was to make it out of the house without alerting her aunt to her presence.
Looking out and checking both sides of the hall, the dark-haired girl adjusted the red barrettes that were in her hair, pinning her bangs back and then tiptoed to the stairs, the wood underneath her weight seeming to squeak loudly after every step she took. It made her grow even more nervous about sneaking around -- she thought if all of this continued, there was no doubt that her aunt or at least some of the Pokémon that lived in the same household would awaken and impede her initial trek to Professor Oak's laboratory. That wouldn't have been good as far as she was concerned, she wanted to get there as early as possible to get her very own Charmander companion. So long had she been looking forward to this day ever since she filled out the trainer's application to be going in to be eligible for a Pokémon from the lab.
Nearing the stairs, the dark-haired took a look down then and then turned her gaze to her aunt's bedroom door. It was still closed... okay, so that was a good thing.
Reaching over, the girl placed a hand upon the railing of the stairs and started downwards, trying to calm her thinking from all the thoughts that raced and coursed through her mind. So many scenarios playing through her mind with her brand new Charmander companion. Oh... just how it would be like to finally be on her own journey with her very own Pokémon. The thoughts were so exhilarating to her.
"Up awfully early, Miss Dixie..." came an older woman's voice in the direction of the kitchen that caused the dark-haired girl to freeze in place all together and slowly turn her emerald gaze over to where the kitchen table was. As she did, she saw her Aunt Sicily sitting there with a cup of freshly brewed coffee in her hands. The smell was rather pungent in the air, how did Dixie not notice this before? Her mind must have been far too occupied with the thoughts of having that new Charmander started at her side to really notice it.
"Auntie..." was all that escaped from Dixie's mouth for the time being before she averted her gaze to the greenhouse that had been built onto the home. She bit at her bottom lip for a moment and then spoke up again, "Auntie Sicily... I... I didn't think you'd be up this early..." at that, he girl took a folded up note from her pocket and then gave a sheepish chuckle, "I-I guess I don't need this anymore. It was a note telling you that I had left for Professor Oak's to get my starter and head out on my journey."
"Tut, tut, Dixie..." Sicily scolded for a moment, pushing brown bangs from obscuring her vision and giving Dixie a rather stern look, "you know that I worry for you, Dixie... leaving here with only a note left behind isn't a very good way to start. You left your parents and allowed for them to say goodbye... well, after these two years of having you stay here, I'm going to have to see you off as well." She smiled to Dixie, raising from the table and making her way over to the preteen, her wavy, long brown hair bouncing with each step she took.
"Aw, Aunt Cici..." Dixie started again, using the nickname that she had given her aunt for those past aforementioned years that Sicily had talked about. She rose her green eyes to meet with the blue ones that her aunt had and saw her aunt lean down, placing her lips upon her forehead, giving the young girl a soft kiss and then standing back up straight.
"I'm going to miss you, kiddo..." Sicily said, smiling down to Dixie. The girl kept her gaze up to her aunt, giving a slight smile back.
"I'll miss you, too, Auntie," Dixie replied, shifting her messenger bag slightly and turning her gaze back to the door of the greenhouse. Sicily followed her gaze, placed a hand on the girl's shoulder and then motioned her over to it, opening the door and turning on the lighting, creating the artificial sunlight that slowly roused the grass-type Pokémon that were housed within. As the plant Pokémon opened their tired eyes, their attention averted from the nothing that they had their eyes set upon to Sicily and then to Dixie.
"Well everyone... this is your time to come here and wish Dixie farewell..." Sicily said to the Pokémon, "she's leaving for her very own journey today... won't be seeing her for a while."
With that, Hoppip, Skiploom and Jumpluff hovered over to the girl, using either their tiny feet or arms to cling onto her, silently begging her not to be gone for too long. Oddish and Gloom had unearthed themselves enough to look to the girl, though they didn't make their way over, as they were semi-rooted in the specially prepared soil that was specifically for them.
Raising her hands to pat the animal-like plant-type Pokémon that clung to her, Dixie smiled to them and then said, "it's alright guys... I'll be sure to come back to visit. You guys are my friends, after all. Hehe."
Hearing her words, the Pokémon acknowledged them and then let go of her, leaving her to Sicily and the rest of the day that still had yet to actually begin. Sicily had gone over to remove the greenhouse coverings with the push of a button, the screening overhead retracting and opening up to the now lightening sky. Upon seeing that as she turned off the lights of the greenhouse, Sicily motioned Dixie out and then to the front door of the house.
"Listen Dixie... I know the whole ordeal that Professor Oak may be telling you... but just remember, it's a very big world out there and a whole bunch of things can happen. Keep on your toes, alright, kiddo? Of the two years that I've gotten to spent time with you, I know you've got a good hold of that head of yours..." she gave another swift kiss to Dixie's forehead and then rose her hand to stroke the back of her head.
"I'll be sure to be careful, Auntie," Dixie assured, smiling up to Sicily and adjusting her bag again.
"You'd better..." Sicily replied, "oh... there is something else that I wanted you to have, Dixie." Sicily left the girl at the front door for a few seconds and then reappeared with something in her grasp. What it was was something that piqued Dixie's interest and she tried looking for a way to see if there was some how see it better to get a clue as to what it was.
"Here, Dixie... just in case you ever need anything..." Sicily then held out what it was that she had in her hands and revealed the item to be a PokéGear. Dixie stared at it in awe and then rose a hand to put it over it.
"B-but Aunt Cici... I couldn't..." Dixie said, looking at the device.
"It's yours, little Miss Dix..." Sicily responded, turning over her hand and placing it firmly within Dixie's grasp, "it'll come in real useful... and you can even contact us with it if you have to. Your elder sister's number is already programmed into it as well as your parents' and my own. Just take it as a parting gift from me, alright? I got it just for you."
Her fingers curled around the device and Dixie smiled up to her aunt, "of course, Auntie... thank you so much," she stepped forwards and hugged Sicily, "like I said before, I promise to come back to visit. You can count on it!"
"Atta girl... now you keep strong and you hurry to Professor Oak's before you're late."
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The sun was just peaking over the horizon and a boy was making his way over the crest of a hill, a scruffy looking Growlithe by his side. His appearance seemed very worn, and the backpack that was slung over his shoulder sported small tears from the traveling that he had done. However... to him, this was all worth it. From Fuschia to Pallet Town, just so he could finally be getting his own starter. The journey had been long, and in some cases, rather rough, but thanks to the Growlithe companion that trekked beside him the whole time, things weren't as challenging as they could have been were he to have been alone.
"Heh... look at that, Fang.... Looks like we've finally made it here," the boy looked down to the Growlithe, it's fur shining dully in the sun's first rays upon the land. The Growlithe yipped up at the boy and then started forwards once again, turning back and looking to the boy, remaining loyal to staying by his side for as long as it would take, or until the boy were to return him to his PokéBall capsule.
Giving a silent laugh, the boy started forwards once again, "coming, boy, I'm coming...." At that, the Growlithe yipped happily once again and trotted forwards, stopping every now and then to be pacing alongside his owner.
Fang wasn't much of a battling Pokémon, no.... He and this boy, they had grown up together... and even though one was human and the other beast, they were like brothers. The boy refused to call Fang a pet, but a friend and a very good companion. To him, the Growlithe was his very best friend... he had grown up with it, turned to it when the other kids would make fun of him, tell it his secrets because he felt it to be the only thing alive that he could trust. Sure... there were his older brothers... but like any other siblings, there always came sibling rivalry... and with them, it was hard for this teen to cope with them more than half the time, causing him to only turn to a Pokémon for any kind of support.
Keeping up along the trail, the boy had made it to the gates to the lab of Pallet Town and he looked up to the building, shoving his hands into his pockets and then lowering his gaze to Fang. He gave a small sigh and then withdrew a hand from his pocket, reaching up for the gates handles, not noticing the quick pattering that was slowly growing louder.
Fang, on the other hand, noticed this and then stood in a defensive stance, growling and capturing the boy's attention. What they saw was a girl running towards the gates, her bag flopping rather vigorously against her side as she did. The boy couldn't help but to quirk a brow at this. There was another out here... this early? He had an excuse to be out this early... but the girl looked as if she were recently bathed, dressed and prepped for what was going on.
Must have been from around here.
Fang gave a bark as the girl neared them, startling her and causing her to slip forwards, grabbing onto the boy and falling down onto the ground.
"O-owe..." the girl whined as she had fallen face-down against he ground, the boy having been pulled down with her. He jerked his arm away from the girl and then stood back up, giving a highly annoyed look in the girl's direction before sighing and offering her a hand. She had pushed herself back up to sitting on her knees and shook her hands slightly as she looked up to the boy. After a moment or two, she hesitantly took the boy's outstretched hand and gotten helped up.
"I'm very sorry about that, I didn't mean to fall... just... the Growl--..." the girl stopped in mid-sentence and looked down to Fang. It was apparent that she had actually never seen one for real before. There's was a certain pulling in her being that wanted to bend down and pet it, but it seemed that it wouldn't have allowed for her to do that, as it still stood in his defensive stance, the fur along the ridge of his back standing up to make him look more intimidating.
The boy shook his head and then took a PokéBall, calling back the fire-type Pokémon. He then turned his attention to the girl, "it's fine... I'm not hurt."
"Oh, okay, well that's good!" the girl responded, grinning up at him and then grabbing the handles of the gates and pushing them open. She took a moment to look back to the black-haired male and then introduced herself, "by the way, I'm Dixie! Dixie Tucker! It's really nice to meet you... uh..."
"Jaxx."
"Oh, Jaxx! Okay, nice to meet you!" Dixie happily chirped, starting towards the lab, slightly clapping her gloved hands togeher to get the stinging sensation out of them.
"Sad to say I can't say the same about you..." Jaxx had muttered under his breath, following after the walking rainbow of a girl and raising a hand to his necklace. The crescent moon charm that dangled from it shone dully in what little light the sun provided at the moment, but it gave him satisfaction knowing that the charm was still there and had been ever since receiving it.
Jaxx snapped out of his thoughts as soon as Dixie's rapping across the door reverberated through the air. Just went to show how one was highly enthusiastic about what was to be going on that very day. It slightly amused Jaxx to think about that, however, he still didn't find a way to like this new girl that had tumbled into him upon meeting. In a way, he was thinking that she would be just like all the other kids that he had met in Fuschia and would turn to being one of those girls that seemed nice at first, but then, like the others, would snub him when she got the chance.
Whatever... he would just get his starter and go. He didn't need to be worrying about this girl and her apparently bubbly nature. It was probably all just a show anyways.
The door to the lab opened and a very sleepy Professor Oak stood there, rubbing at his eyes and looking down to the two kids that were there. A small grin had found it's way upon the professor's mouth and he opened the door wider, motioning for the two kids to come in, "hello, welcome to the Oak Laboratory," he chimed with long practiced ease.
He took in the two soon-to-be trainers carefully, appraising their readiness. The girl was colorful, she looked like she wore a Smeargle's pallet, and he liked that. It meant she was more than likely a cheerful person, ready to make friends with the Pokémon she would be capturing on her journey. The boy, on the other hand, was more reserved. The fact that he seemed more quite was something that Oak took a rather fond liking to. The boy would be calm and collected in his wanderings.
Ah... the many varying types of trainers never ceased to amaze Oak, and his eyes closed in content at the aspiring trainers before him. "Please, come in you two, it might be early, but I certainly don't want you two waiting outside forever."
Doing as they were told, both Dixie and Jaxx had made their way into the front of the lab and then were instructed to follow after Professor Oak as he led them to a room that had a table in the center with three glistening PokéBalls upon it -- each one with their very own marking on it: a leaf, a water droplet and a fire emblem.
"So... so do we get to see them, huh?" Dixie asked, almost bouncing with sheer excitement as she turned her gaze from the PokéBalls upon the table to Professor Oak.
"Soon enough, soon enough. Now then...," he placed a hand upon a table, fingers resting upon the hard, metallic surface.
"I am, as you know, Professor Oak. I study the relationship between humans and Pokémon as a profession." He gave the speech to all of them, all the young trainers, hoping to prepare them for the wide world they faced out there.
"The world we live in is vast and there are still many Pokémon species we have yet to discover. You will see many wonders on your journey as a Trainer, and no matter what your future holds, you must always head towards the horizon." Sometimes he wondered if young Trainers thought he was just a great windbag... perhaps they did... perhaps they did not.
Grinning regardless of his wonderings, he eyed the eagerness in the girl, Dixie, and he also watched the young boy. Ah... his name escaped his memory. Jak...? Jacks? No... Jaxx, yes. That was it. He really needed to review the requests sent to him for new Trainers more carefully before they came flocking to his door. Beyond knowing their names, he knew very little of the soon-to-be Trainers before him other than what he could gather from their personalities. And so, as was customary, though he hated making them have to endure what must seem like a torturous wait to get what they were really here for, he continued in his rambling.
"But first, before we get to your starters, tell me a little about yourselves." He waited patiently for their replies. It was key that he learn about them. Though they would be able to choose their own Pokémon from the three he would provide, he also needed to know that said Pokémon were going into good and capable hands.
Taking in a deep breath and looking to the boy once again, Dixie turned her attention to Oak and started off, "well, I'm Dixie Tucker, I'm ten years old and I come from Saffron City. I've been looking really forward to getting a Charmander companion ever since I started living here with my Aunt Sicily. Though, aside from that, I would say that my most favourite Pokémon is actually Smeargul-- just because they love to paint and are all colourful!" Grinning a bit, Dixie continued, "I actually used to have a Smeargul friend when I was attending a daycare in Saffron, I called him Arty. Hmm... I also think that traveling the region and battling at the gyms to earn league status would be something really awesome to achieve."
Dixie stopped talking and looked back to the boy, tilting her head somewhat. She had gone on long enough. This boy was someone that was getting their starter, and Oak had addressed the both of them-- if wouldn't have been fair of Dixie to have kept going on without giving him a chance to have been telling Oak of himself, now would it? ... Certainly not, that was for sure in her mind.
"Anyways... now that I'm done," Dixie smiled over to the boy that stood a good couple feet away from her, "it's your turn!"
He gave an inaudible scoff. Like he needed her permission... oh well, best let the younger one feel inclined to do so, no one was exactly sure what was going to happen if she didn't get what she wanted when she wanted. Lifting his head, he looked over to the Professor, then to Dixie -- back to the Professor once more.
Nothing was all that interesting about him though, he was just a normal kid from his home town, he was no hero, nothing that was really worthy of writing a long, exquisite book about somewhat like the ones that lined the shelves in the building currently being visited by them. That's what he thought, anyways.
Hnh... always seemed like he was being pressured into these things in some way or another.
Taking in a short breath, he exhaled, closing his eyes momentarily before starting, "Jaxx Meola from Fuschia City."
"I came here with my Growlithe that's been in my family for some years, he isn't much, but he's family enough," he paused, unsure of where to go from there. "Don't really have a favorite Pokémon... Don't think much of fighting and training either..."
Awkwardly, it seemed his nice speech had come to an end. Opening his eyes, he looked over to Dixie, giving her a slightly odd look that seemed to speak "Are you satisfied?". However, that didn't last for that long as he looked back to the Professor, giving a slight nod -- at least that way he could continue on what he was doing now; the reason they were bother here.
Oak nodded in satisfaction, eyes closed as he listened to the two childrens' voices prattle or mutter away their short biographies for him. Yes, yes. They seemed like they would do fine. He opened his eyes and nodded to Dixie. "It's a wonderful thing to take the Gym Challenge and aspire to fight against the Leagues -- and it takes quite some doing to get to that stage. But, come the day you walk down Victory Road, you will find nothing but happiness in where you have gotten, should that be where you truly wish to go in your journey."
And then Oak turned to Jaxx, eyes crinkling at the corners knowingly. "Nor is there anything wrong with disliking battles. Many people see Pokémon as pets or as long time companions, seeking never to battle with them. There is fulfillment to be found in coexisting with Pokémon without battle, just as there is in finding it with. Whatever path you choose," he turned to look at them both, "none of them are wrong."
Turning back to the the table, Oak held out a hand out to the capsules that contained the three Pokémon he offered. "Now, without any further lectures or ados, I present you with your three choices. Bulbasaur, Charmander and Squirtle. Bulbasaur, the Seed Pokémon, is a grass and poison-type. Charmander, which is the Lizard Pokémon, is a fire-type. Then finally, there is Squirtle, the Tiny Turtle Pokémon, which is a water-type."
Professor Oak pointed to each capsule as he explained them. Then his hand moved over and depressed another button, and each capsule opened in turn. The three Pokémon stood upon the table, each eying the potential trainers in their own way.
"It is up to you two to make the choice as to which you would like to have, but choose wisely, because your starter Pokémon will grow to be a great companion in your years to come."
Giving an inaudible sigh, Dixie pushed away the impatience that was starting to boil up and through her persona as Professor Oak explained to them each individual starter that he had there. She had already stated that she had been wanting a Charmander, and that wasn't going to change.
Unless....
Dixie turned her gaze to Jaxx for a moment, wondering what starter it was that he would be wanting. She already knew that he had a Growlithe with him... so why was he here if he already had a Pokémon, huh? Maybe he favoured fire types and wanted a Charmander for himself! That would really suck in Dixie's opinion, for had been looking really forward to making friends with her brand new Charmander friend.
No! Shaking her head a bit, Dixie looked back to where the Pokéballs were and watched as each of the three starters were released and were presented before herself and Jaxx. The curious eyes of the Pokémon peering at the two of them. Just seeing that made the girl feel giddy and happy all over again. There was a joy in seeing the young Pokémon just giving you that questioning look. Except... that Charmander... it didn't seem to be questioning or even slightly all that interested. It had looked to her and Jaxx and then turned away in what seemed to be disgust. In fact... there was something about that particular Charmander that piqued Dixie's interest -- he was a golden colour instead of an orange.
Making her way over to the Charmander, Dixie soon came to be facing the small creature and offered it a small smile. The Charmander gave her an unimpressed look and turned away with a 'hmpf!'
Laughing lightly, Dixie lightly poked his side, "aww... c'mon there, Charmander... don't be like that. You and me can be friends." Dixie watched as it slowly started to look back towards her -- though... his expression still not changing. The girl continued to smile at the small lizard Pokémon, hoping that the smile would soon show it that she meant him no harm whatsoever and truly did want to be his friend.
Jaxx watched after the dark haired girl. She sure seemed that she knew what she wanted and wasn't afraid to act upon it. Jaxx personally didn't care which one he was going to be given, which he chose, whatever the situation might have been. Either way he came out with a Pokémon -- and that was the purpose of the whole situation and process that they were undergoing.
Looking between the two, Jaxx motioned his eyes over to the Squirtle, noting its relatively welcoming expression... and of course, being an eleven year old, he figured it'd be easier to train that one and to have it like him in return. So, he paced over to the turtle slightly, holding out his hand in a friendly manner as it drew nearer.
Definitely a keeper.
"Professor, he's really cute! Why's he differently coloured?" Dixie's voice rang out.
In the corner of his eyes, Jaxx looked over to Dixie and to the Charmander that she had chosen as she had spoken up. It definitely was different from the one that his brother, Drew, had chosen a few years back, differently colored and whatnot. In fact, he too was intrigued by the question that the girl had asked to the professor -- wanting an answer.
The Professor's smile widened somewhat, seeing not one, but two sets of curious eyes peer up at him at the girl's question. "Ah, yes... his color," the professor absently began to pet the Bulbasaur. He could feel his intellectual urge to prattle off into a biological lecture about all the intricacies of the Pokémon genomes. That, however, would more than likely send the children into a coma from science-overload. Even Tracey sometimes let his mind wander when the Professor really started going...
"Well, the field studying Pokémon coloration is still a very new one, but there are researchers that have isolated a gene that they can attribute to the varying traits in Pokémon. It can lead to singular traits, such as a Roselia with different colored blossoms, or to something akin to the effect in this Charmander." He paused, pondering the subject. He would have to visit the University of Celadon, or at the very least, request some of the reports turned in there... perhaps coloration might effect human-Pokémon interactions as well.
"When I was young, the gene seemed to not be as prominent, but there have been more and more reports of alternately colored sightings. Perhaps you recall the incident a few years ago at the Lake of Rage near Mahogany Town, Johto? Well, the Gyarados there... wait. No. A picture speaks a thousand words, as Pokémon watchers tell me..."
With that, the professor turned around and made his way towards a large filing cabinet, he rifled through it for some time before finally pulling out a folder. And this too he dug through for some handful of seconds before pulling out a snapshot. He walked back over to the duo, pleased to see that the Squirtle had taken a liking to the boy as he made his way back over. He showed the picture to them, which clearly depicted a red Gyarados.
"You see? They are proven to be no different than the colors we consider normal, so there's nothing to fear should you see one. Think of it as different eye or hair colors."
Oh... just how Jaxx wanted to speak up, to correct the old man. Of course, that would be rude, and that was something that, even as the young child he was, he knew was worse than saying nothing at all. The way he had learned to see others thanks to his brother slightly differed from what this was.
Dixie, on the other hand, stared at the photograph in awe. All this talk of seeing differently coloured Pokémon was something that piqued her interest greatly. She had always been a kind of colourful person, and getting Pokémon that were multitudes of colours was something that just right up her alley. If anything, she wanted a team of colourful Pokémon that she befriended and caught and is able to scale the edges of the world with. It's been a dream for her-- and perhaps with this Charmander was where it started.
The male preteen was always taught to see what was on the inside rather than the outside. The first judging of appearance often led bias opinions and... well... didn't go far. Admittedly, he still did judge on occasion, though as a human, it's fairly hard not to. This Charmander wasn't any different from the others that were being placed out for selection other than its difference in species and abilities. It was no different to Jaxx than others of it's species.
"Wow... so cool. So, so... this Charmander is like... rare?" the girl's question bubbled up excitedly at the possibility that this Charmander was rarer, and he had to smile.
"Yes, as a matter of fact, he is. The gene is a very weak strain that causes the changes in color among Pokémon. It's grown stronger over the years, but you can go a lifetime without actually seeing one in person. In fact, this is the second I've seen myself, though I have many photos and documentatio--."
"Hehe... well, aren't you a special little fire-type, then?" she reached a hand over to pet the Charmander on the head before Professor Oak had finished his explanation only to have it met by his mouth clamping over her hand. His teeth dug into her flesh a bit, and the dark-haired girl bit her lower lip to keep from making any noise to notify those around her that it hurt. She had reacted rather admirably, though. She hadn't reacted to the pain beyond acknowledging it and she had stifled herself from uttering any noise at the pain. Oak nodded to himself with pleasure. This was good. The colourful girl had succeeded in keeping from startling the young creature and she had also refused to give it the upper hand.
The Squirtle that Jaxx had kept his attention on turned it's gaze over to Dixie and then so did his new trainer. Sure didn't seem like her to suddenly go quiet, though, as his eyes met with what was going on, he was given an answer. Teething perhaps? He wasn't sure just what to place it upon, though the lizard didn't seem all that willing to let go anytime soon. It was apparent that she was trying her best not to react, though in turn, that only made the situation more noticeable to someone who had grown up with younger Pokémon throughout the years due to his his eldest brother's breeder status.
Silently, he moved over, closer to the girl while remaining kneeling. Holding out his hand he stroked the Charmander under the jaw-- hoping to relax the muscles and tension in the process, causing him to loosen his hold. Jaxx's other hand rested overtop of Dixie's slowly gripping it and pulling back slightly after he started the stroking process with the other.
When Dixie felt a hand upon her own that she let out a very small, surprised gasp. Jaxx had come over to where she and the Charmander were, lightly taking hold of her hand and stroking underneath Charmander's jaw. Dixie rose her brow some as she felt the small lizard's grip on her hand start to wane and ease up. Jaxx had also lightly pulled her hand back and Dixie could feel herself becoming slightly flustered. Why was it that he could get it to let go of her and not be able to do it on her own?
Oak, himself, was rather surprised to see that Jaxx had stepped forward, and with an unmistakable breeder's touch, began to coax the Charmander to release the girl's hand. It was rather easy to see that he had grown up around young Pokémon already. Oak tried to recall Jaxx's application clearer, but last night's long studies fogged his memory. He did recall that Jaxx had shown up with a Growlithe of his own, so it was possibly he had grown up with or around a practiced breeder.
Oak shook his head. The types of young trainers that walked through his laboratory never ceased to amaze him.
Pulling her hand back away from Jaxx, Dixie looked to her hand and the small puncture marks where Charmander got her and gave a small sigh. Slowly, she put her other hand on top of the small bite marks and applied pressure to cease any and or all bleeding and then turned her gaze to be looking at Jaxx, "thank you... um..." she paused to take a moment to remember what his name was, "Jaxx...."
Standing up, he brushed off the knees of his jeans, continuing to look over at the Charmander, "don't mention it" Jaxx murmured slightly. She had called him by name... that was one sign that it was more sincere than just a simple 'I need to say this due to common courtesy' type of ordeal. Hm... it felt good for some odd reason. Normally he wasn't one to go out of his way to try and gain popularity or whatever; he did it because he felt inclined to do so. It was just nice to have appreciation, that rare feeling. Perhaps she was different from the other kids that he knew after all.
The Charmander gave a small snort in the preteens' direction and turned away once again with a 'hmpf'. Dixie turned her attention back to the golden lizard for a moment and then gave a small smile, "you know... maybe... if I gave you a name, things would be a little easier between the two of us, huh?" She watched as the Charmander's gaze averted back to her, it's interest slightly piqued, however, it's expression still holding that unimpressed look. Again, it gave a snort, however, this time not with as much attitude as it did the last time.
"Zalaras," Dixie's grin widened, "your name shall be Zalaras from here on out!"
The Charmander blinked a couple of times, shrugged and laid down, yawning loudly-- still obviously resistant to going on any sort of 'adventure' with this... person that just decided to waltz up and decide that he was the starter for her.
"Well. That's quite the start for you two." Oak laughed at his own joke. He assumed the Charmander would come around eventually on the girl. He has already, though only a little, starting to let her grow on him. He had accepted the name it seemed and it hadn't out right lashed at her. It would take some time, oh yes, Oak grinned knowingly, recalling a particular trainer. It could take time. But it would happen, and unbreakable bonds would be formed between trainer and starter.
"Now then..." Oak walked over to one of the counters surrounding the laboratory. He opened a metal case there, and pulled out two of the many red devices contained within it in a type of protective, black foam. They glimmered in the sun light. Each had a type of camera on the top, as well as a cover to protect the data screen. Though they had gone through many models throughout the years, it was unmistakable what they were. PokéDexs.
He walked back over to the duo once more. "This is my invention, as you may know, the PokéDex. It automatically records data on Pokémon you've seen or caught. It's a hi-tech encyclopedia. Jaxx and Dixie. Take these with you."
Oak sighed slightly as he held out the devices to the two children, reminiscing. It had been a dream once, long ago... He had wanted to make a complete record of all the Pokémon in the world. But age caught up with him. It was for this reason he had invented the PokéDex. To send Trainers off into the world with a device that could record on sighting the data about a Pokémon they saw. It was brilliant. What was more, each time they connected to a PC with the device, it would transfer the data to a mainframe. This information would be published for all Trainers to see, far and wide. Slowly, facts would be collected in a database. It was a marvel to see his dream come true in such a way.
As soon as Professor Oak had come back to both she and Jaxx, he had in his hands, a red device that Dixie had seen her sister make off on her journey with. A PokéDex. Oh, how she had also been waiting for the day that she, herself, had gotten her hands on one of those. It was like a pocket digital encyclopaedia on Pokémon... no, wait... that's exactly what it was, wasn't it? And included in all that technological jazz, it was also something that proved Trainer status to those that were curious of the holder of the Dex.
"These signify you two as liscenced Pokémon Trainers, as well as catalog data for you as you journey across the land."
To the male preteen, the PokéDex sounded like some sort of cereal, though Jaxx really knew that that wouldn't help all that much with helping to catch Pokémon and see the world some more... Though, things were cleared up as his gaze fell upon the devices. Jaxx simply took his, flipping through the various functions that it served, nothing much more than just a simple catalog it seemed, lots of different types; some that he'd never even seen before.
Reaching a hand out to take a hold of her very own PokéDex, Zalaras had gotten up from his laying down position and leaped up. Before Dixie had gotten a hold of the Dex, Zalaras had grabbed a hold of it in his jaws, giving them all this slightly smug look. Dixie frowned a bit and looked over to Zalaras, going over and crouching over next to him with a slightly pleading look on her face.
Starting from the front and moving onward, Jaxx stopped as he noticed the Charmander, looking between the one that Dixie had received and the one illustrated in the picture. Obviously there was something different about that one's appearance, and... probably -- no, most likely its personality, seeing as Dixie's was currently stealing the device from her before she could even flip through.
"Aw, c'mon Zalaras... that's not the way to be acting..." here, the dark-haired girl held out her hand once again to the small fire-type Pokémon and replaced her frown with a small smile, "now... will you please give me the PokéDex? I would really like to have it...."
Shaking his head Jaxx continued once again, pausing at the ringing of bells towards a certain picture. It was Squirtle's, the one that the professor had given him was just like the one in the picture, so nothing to special about that.
"Heh," He started, turning around the device to show the turtle, "Looks just like you..."
Obviously there was some sarcasm in his words, you'd have to be deaf not to tell. The Squirtle was a tad frustrated at first, though that was calmed down some by a slight smirk granted by Jaxx. Quickly, he drew back his device, closing it and placing it in his pocket, looking over to the Charmander, then to the professor.
That thing certainly wasn't wanting to go anywhere, that was for sure... and placing it in a Pokéball wasn't going to help anything at all.
Turning his gaze upwards, Zalaras growled somewhat at Dixie and then looked to Professor Oak for some kind of reassurance. After being in the lab for most of his time, Zalaras had really only become close to him and a select few aides that were running around here and there. Even then, however, Zalaras had proven himself to be quite the spoiled acting handful. His clench on the PokéDex did not waver... and it wasn't going to be anytime soon. If this slowed down the 'adventure going', then so be it. Zal wasn't keen on leaving, and he was going to be making that very apparent with the way that he decided to act.
Professor Oak lit a knowing smile down at the Charmander as it gazed up at him with it's dark eyes. He had expected a reaction like this from the tiny creature. The tiny lizard had been quite the bundle to raise. Oak remembered many a singed coats due to this one. But he was fond of the creature nevertheless. he was fond of all of them, of course. Oak knew, however, that no starter could stay in his lab for an eternity, and the Charmander was quite ready to leave, it just didn't realize it.
"Professor..." Dixie started, frowning again and looking up at him, "I really don't want to put him back into his PokéBall just because of the way he's acting... if I do... then that wouldn't be a way for me and him to becoming friends any faster.... I refuse to let his temperament to get to me, but he seems very resistant to this whole thing, and if kind of worries me about what will be going on in later journeys with him."
Nodding at the girl's statement when it came, Oak had come to admiring this girl's way of thinking. It would be difficult for her to achieve a friendship with the Charmander, but Oak felt if anyone could do it, it may very well be Dixie Tucker. Tucking his hands in his pockets, Oak addressed the problem.
"You are very wise for you age to not force him to return. Running from a problem will never solve it, only delay it. As for your future journeys... only you and he can decide how they will go. For this, though, I will help you."
Again, the Chamander gave a small growl, this time, it ending with a snort.
The Professor knelt down near Zalaras and patted him lightly on the head, holding his hand out for the Pokédex. He would not take it from Zalaras, but rather wait for him to hand it over willingly.
"Come now, little one. I know you're reluctant, but in remaining here you will only harm yourself. Without expanding your horizons, you will not grow nor mature. The first step is always the hardest, even for the starter, not just for the trainer. You're trusting yourself to someone unknown... and it takes a brave creature indeed to do so."
Continuing to hang onto the Dex, the Charmander gave a slight growl as Professor Oak made his way over to him. He was still too young to understand some things, but what the professor had been explaining to him was something that had gotten to the small, golden lizard. Hesitantly, Zalaras crept forwards, his movements somewhat stiff. Though, instead of heading towards Professor Oak, Zalaras had gone in Dixie's direction. He wasn't all that happy about it, but there was something within him that aspired to be one of the greatest fire Pokémon that wandered the surface. Slowly, it moved forwards, raising his head towards the girl, his grip on the PokéDex slackening.
At the motions, Dixie smiled and knelt down, holding her hand out to Zalaras, "hehe... s-see there, Zal? You and me really can be friends," at this, Dixie gingerly put her other hand on top of Zalaras' head and the small lizard dropped the Dex in her hand. Looking to it for a brief moment, Dixie gave a small chuckle, "well, at least I'll be able to tell my PokéDex apart from others."
The Dex now had four nice little indents on it, two on the front and two in the back. It wasn't something that Dixie really minded at all. As long as the PokéDex was still functional, she'd be A-OK with it.
Moving back from her hand, Zalaras gave a slightly defiant look, looked to Professor Oak and then sighed in slight defeat. It's not like he had a choice of staying or going anymore. This girl had chosen him to be her starter Pokémon, and he couldn't change that. No matter how fond he grew of the laboratory or the people that worked in it, he supposed it was finally his time to be getting out and exploring the world. It was an exciting thought for him... he just didn't really want to do it with the accompaniment of a human.
Dixie turned her gaze to Jaxx and she smiled up at him, "hey, hey! You're probably going to be going in the same direction as I am... do you mind traveling together at all?"
The dark-haired male was a little more preoccupied with his own Pokémon for the time being, and failed to hear most of what Dixie had to say. The Squirtle moved over slightly taking a hold of Jaxx's long-sleeved shirt, tugging on it slightly, pointing over to Dixie. Jaxx arched a brow at this motion; was there something going on he wasn't sure about? Turning his head slightly, he looked to the younger girl.
... Yup, he totally wasn't listening.
"What?"
"Do you mind traveling together? I mean... since we're most likely going in the same direction and stuff."
Looking away for a moment, he stroked the top of his Squirtle's head rewardingly. Squirtle obviously enjoyed it, giving a grin and moving a tad more closer to his trainer. Well, at least they were bonding well, and they had much more luck than Dixie did with her Charmander.
But... traveling with Dixie? Dixie. He'd barely known her for more than an hour and she was expecting him to follow her? Jaxx, honestly, had just planned on heading home; traveling was something that he wasn't sure he wanted to do or take part in.
There had been reasons he tried to delay this as much as possible; he didn't want to have to train. Maybe if he went with her he wouldn't have to... and Drew and Haku would understand, heck, they'd even be glad he was at least talking to someone.
Looking back to her again, he gave a slight nod, "Sure... if you want me there, I guess."
Dixie beamed as Jaxx had said that and clapped her hands together. Oh, how it was going to be great to be traveling with someone for some of the way. However... parting ways... that may have been quite the painful task, should it ever come up. Dixie had a like and want to be with people for as long as she could stay with them. So... for however long that this journey with Jaxx would last, Dixie would be sure to cherish it for that time, just like she would cherish her time bonding and slowly becoming friends with the golden Charmander, Zalaras.