Light dances though the open window and eventually, onto my eyelids… I
blink groggily trying to stay asleep for just a bit longer; I was having a
really good sleep, dreaming that I'd be the champion, that I be the best
trainer in the world. But the annoying light just refused to stop dancing…
After many failed attempts to reclaim my sleep later, I finally just gave
up. I glance at the clock, extremely annoyed that I'm awake…
"You've gotta be kidding me!!! I'm awake at six fucking THIRTY ON A SATURDAY?!?!" I leap at the clock and Launch it out of the window making it smatter with a very satisfying sound against the tree just outside my window. "Shit, I really shouldn't have done that…. Now I need a new clock! I shoulda thought about that earlier… But nooo! Just throw things out the window without even thinking. Aren't I a genius." with one final glare around my room, I stride out muttering about how the sun's lucky it's too far for me to get at. My silvery blonde hair flowing behind me looking almost like stray strands of moonlight. But if you ever told me my hair was messy, stray or unkempt, I would personally kill you with my bare hands. I'm kinda proud about it.
I strip down and get into the shower, letting the strong "Vaporeon Inc" shower jets massage my aching muscles from my work out last night. After finally cleaning up enough to look like my normal tall pale self, I step out of the warm water, shutting it off. Finally, after half an hour in the bathroom, I finally think I look good, dressed in all blue and with my hair tied back in a loose ponytail, I stride out of the bathroom and start walking downstairs to the second floor. I walk towards the kitchen not paying much attention to the world, still overly tired. I trip and stumble over a low laying object on the ground… and land on my knees right on the hard kitchen tile. I turn around quickly and launch a glare at the offending object, only to realize that it's my family's only fire type pokemon… I never said it was a strong one though, it's an unnaturally fluffy Vulpix, with it's browny red fur making it look more like a puff of fluff ball from a Jumpluff rather then the proud and noble Vulpix it's supposed to look like…
"Fire Tails!!! Be careful! You're going to kill me one of these days! I swear, your just like that annoying Jumpluff Erika has…" I snap, not quite used to being awake so early in the morning, and showing the worse because of it…
I quickly ran into the kitchen from there and grab a large steaming pot of coffee. Fire Tails just stares at me as I pour myself a cup with lots of milk and sugar. "Fire Tails stop staring at me like that! I'm six foot two, it's not like I need to worry about ending up short."
"Vul Pix Vul ul! Pix…" The short dog with an amazingly high voice countered with amusement and friendliness deep in his voice.
"Say what? I will not go psycho if I drink this much sugar! Sugar is natural; it must be good for you! Live off the planet man!" I reply, taking a sip of my coffee feeling awake, and in a really good mood thanks to the coffee!
I look up and notice a note on the fridge from my annoying older sister, Erika.
Waiiit, let me guess, your wondering if there is a connection between Erika the gym leader, and Erika the older sister of Aiko (me!). Well, I hate ta tell ya, But yup. Erika is my annoying older sister. She and I are opposites, we didn't use to be, until our parents disappeared soon after I was ten, Erika already was working the Celadon City gym, I moved in to live with her, and that was the year "Ash Ketchum" beat the elite four and that Blue fellow. She calmed down since I was seven, but I guess that's a good thing… It allows me to eat. We look like opposites, but generally, our sleeping habits are the same, we both love to sleep in. So I don't expect her to be up for a few hours…
I reached out and grabbed the note, seeing Erica's favorite symbol, her 3- year-old Jumpluff. I concentrate to read her messy almost unintelligent scribbles.
Hey Aiko,
I know how horrible your memory is, so I'm just reminding you, today's the day you go to the lab for your pokemon! Remember though, it's expected of you to get a grass pokemon! Uphold the honor of the rose! Remember, here in Celadon there are nine-starter pokemon, 3 grasses, 3 fires, and 3 waters. So you have a wider selection, and don't refuse to decide like you did for the past five years. Good luck! And be at the lab by 8!
Love ya little brother…
Erika!
P.S. Jumpluff is escorting you to make sure you get a grass type.
I just remember the lab and look at the clock… "SEVEN THIRTY?!?!?! I gotta run!!!!" I grab my blue jacket, blue backpack, shoes and hat. I run out of the Celadon City Gym, and run towards the lab with Erika's Jumpluff floating after me like a deranged bird of prey.
"PLUFF! PLUFFF!!! PLUFFFF!!!!!! JUUUUMPP!!!!" Erika's Jumpluff orders it's shrill voice seeming to lose the threat it's supposed to carry.
"Yes, yes! I know! I'm hurrying up already, no need to tell me that I'm gonna be late, and how I'll disappoint the Queen." Normally I'd happily tell Jumpluff to go get sucked into an airplane, but today I'm a bit preoccupied by the fact I'm running and behind schedule.
I run quickly to the lab, just barely making it before eight o'clock. I pant in exhaustion as the short power-party-pooper-fluff ball pushes me into the gym. All of the 8 other people just stare at me as I quickly regain my composure and look like I'm perfectly calm, relaxed and not going to pant myself to death. I flow over to the table where the Professor Bella achems herself and restarts talking about how important food is for pokemon to survive. I sigh, quite used to her plump form, her shoulder length gray hair and her bitter expression that seemed magnified by the horned rimmed glasses she wears. Her trench coat is an off white color and she's wearing a gray dress that proves just how fat, and how boring looking she is … Just the mere thought of her look makes you wanna yawn to death, minus her eyes… They just feel like sharp cold pieces of glass cutting through you.
"Remember! Never leave a large city without a large amount of pokemon food! Because pokemon need to eat just like all you little brats." With that she points her old wrinkly finger at us. "And if any of you Hooligans do anything to embarrass Celadon, you are going to be dealt with… SEVERELY…" her last statement is followed by her usual loud booming cackle that just fills the air with horror like in a cheesy black and white movie.
"Now, as per the six year and counting tradition here in Celadon city, Erika's little brat…. brother, will choose his first pokemon first. Remember, there are 3 types of each of the 3 starting elements. NOW CHOOSE YOU HOOLIGAN!" I walk to the 3 balls underneath the calming emerald green banner, and open all three pokeballs revealing the three-grass pokemon in a crimson light as they escape the pokeballs.
"Oddish!"
"Bellsprout…"
"Hopip!"
I look at all of them not sure which to choose. All three were souped up to be stronger then average. I sigh feeling Jumpluff watching me with its beady white eyes.
"I, Aiko Rainbow, choose Oddish to be my starting pokemon. I hope the Hopip and Bellsprout find suitable trainers." I say in the formal voice I was taught to use in ceremonies like this by Erika. I call back Oddish in its green and blue pokeball. "I choose to name my Oddish, LunarFlower." I step back among the other eight people holding the pokeball in my hand. I look at the stats of my new starter pokemon, finding my LunarFlower to be a male, with average starting stats.
"Very good you little brat, now the only descendent from Blaine Volcano of Cinnabar Gym. To avoid the volcano's fiery explosion he lived in Celadon City. And, for the seventh year in a row, he goes second. The little brat is even more incompetent then Aiko." The old professor says with pure hostility in her voice.
The crowd splits as a 6'3 black haired and green-eyed person breezes over to the section marked with a flaming red banner. He, just as I did, releases all three-fire pokemon, in flashes of crimson energy, a Vulpix, a Growlithe and a Ponyta appear. I subconsciously step backwards from the fire that was flashing around Ponyta; raised on the preaching of fire is evil and way too dangerous…
His voice cuts through the crowd like a dagger sending chills at it's cold and controlled sound. "I, Ayden Volcano, choose the pokemon Growlithe as my partner, I hope that all the other fire type pokemon find a suitable trainer…" He speaks while looking directly at me, his emerald green eyes locking with my sapphire blue in a challenging glare. "I name my Growlithe after the fire god, Hephastus." He reclaims his pokemon in a red and black pokeball and moves right beside me. I wait silently as the pokemon ceremony finally finishes with all the pokemon chosen. I quickly turn and try to walk out before feeling a hand on my shoulder…
"Just wait right there. You are related to a gym trainer, and so am I. We are both going to be made into a field day. We should travel together and make it good publicity… Unless your scared that I'm going to beat you at everything?"
"I'd rather go alone thank you, it'll help clear my thoughts and become a stronger trainer. However, thank you very much for the offer…" I say trying to sound as sweet and like Erika as I can.
"Your turning down my offer? We'll fine, Aiko Rainbow, I choose you to be my rival. Prepare to have a pokemon battle." He says, with such a fiery tone it scares me…
"I apologize, but I must decline your kind offer for the battle for now. My sister is expecting me at the gym, ask that Jumpluff." I say with a slight bow. I walk over to Jumpluff for once grateful for it's presence. I walk away following Jumpluff feeling Ayden's glare at my back.
I run after my fluffy guide as it gets caught in the wind and starts flying towards the gym. I run into the gym and follow Jumpluff as it takes me to Erika muttering in its shrill voice how happy it is to finally get rid of me. And how I better not disappoint Erika, or how I'm going to wish to have never been taken in by her… It'd see to it…
"Gee, thanks a lot Pluff, I'll miss you too! Honestly! I will! Not. Stupid lightweight, why don't you do something useful and get sucked up by an airplane; it'd make the world a lot happier. Except for Erika, but she's too sweet for her own good." I glare at the pokemon and walk towards Erika, who as usual was sitting in her gym looking very tired wearing clothes that looked place in an ancient east drawing… But that's her style, old fashioned yet comfortable and stylish. He hair seems to absorb the light and be pure black especially compared the colorful lively area around her.
"I'm back, and this time I have a pokemon, as your power-Pluff would announce, it's a grass type." I say, pointing to the new pokeball on the sleeve of my dark blue jacket. As my voice finally gets through to my sister she blinks awake and looks at me with eyes so filled with pride it's almost scary…
"I'm so happy for you! Little brother, I'm going to take you to the east of Celadon so you can get a Houndour or a Growlithe, to strengthen yourself against the bug and psychic or give yourself a bit more protection against the fire type." Erika says as she stands up and walks towards the door, with the eyes of all the junior trainers watching us as we walk out of the door into Erika's forest green Rapidash car. ((A/n, mustang luvers eat your heart out! Hehe!))
I sit and watch as Erika drives out to the grassy east of the highly populated city. After a few hours of driving we finally get to the far east of the city and the tall grass where the pokemon lurk. She parks her car and we both step out and walk closer to the grass. She throws out her pokeball containing Bellossom out as the short flower pokemon emerges from the crimson light Erika just grins her enigmatic smile…
"Lossom, can you please use your sweet scent? I know it's late for you to be awake, just I need to get my brother a new pokemon." She states calmly, and the sweet natured plant happily obliges releasing a sugary sweet smell out over the large grassy field. Shortly after the smell is released, barks are heard surrounding us, the sound of an attacking pack of Houndours… I look around nervously, watching Erika totally unsure if her Bellossom can handle a full pack of the savage dark type. Especially without her strongest move very useless right now, solar beam…
I see the grass emerge with the shape of 6 short black skull capped dogs… all of them growling and breathing hard with their mouth glowing like fire was already going to shoot out…
"Lossom! Use sunny day attack!" On command, the pink power plant just erupts into dance, and the field is illuminated into light… The light stings my eyes and quite obviously the eyes of the dark type pokemon… The mid-night black attackers all blink rapidly trying to regain their sight. "Lossom! Use your sleep powder attack!" The small flower dancer spins on its foot sending light blue powder over the pokemon sending them quickly to sleep. "Solar beam!!! Against the small puppy Houndour!" Bellossom quickly launches its devastating lime green beam at the smallest looking Houndour. I look in shock as Erika just throws a pokeball at the puppy barely blinking an eye. The red light surrounds the wild dog type pokemon capturing it in the small little confines of the ball. The ball rocks as the wild pokemon tries to break free… I stay behind Erika peering over her shoulder as the red light on the pokeball finally fades and turns gray. The other Houndour are all lying down, still sleeping from Bellossom's attack.
Erika just walks over and calmly picks up the ball and tosses it to me, as if she wasn't shocked and it was just an event that happened every day… "Erika…? If you can do that to them… Why don't you just destroy all the trainers you come in contact with? You always act so… feeble! Just like Blaine! I was right… Your way to sweet for your own good…"
She just grins her enigmatic smile and tosses me the ball. "What do you wish to name your him?" Erika asks, sticking to business.
"Umm… Shadow Flare. Yeah, that'll do?" Erika registers the name and nods. I read the stats of my new Shadow Flare, realizing he must be very young, simply because he's only level five, which is really really low for this field of grass.
"Aiko, make sure to be up early again tomorrow, you've got to be shipped off to New Bark town to start your journey. To aid you in your quest, I'll provide you with elemental stones, since unlike the majority of the world; Gym Leaders get a special bonus… We get our Elemental stones very easily. That, and we have a cult following in our cities."
I sigh at the idea of getting up early, but nod knowing it was my choice to become a trainer, and I should follow through with it, even if it means having to get up very early. "Kay, Rika. Thanks a lot for catching a Houndour for me… Can I bring Fire Tails along with me?" I say as we get into the sports car and drive away from the sleeping pack.
"I don't see why not… That short annoying midget always is mean to Jumpluff!" Erika declares, sounding like I should be shocked and appalled… I start to fall asleep, leaning against the window, watching the lights of the city come closer. I yawn loudly and let my world get black…
I wake up in my bed, with a puffy fluffy thing in my nose… I yet again, glare at the offending object… Just to realize that it is Jumpluff, yet again being annoying, I look out of the window, still seeing the moon in the far night sky.
"Pluff. JUUUUMMMPPPPP! Plu luff mp." Jumpluff declares in her loud high- pitched non-threatening voice.
"It's time to get up? But it is still nighttime… Please tell me your just being an annoying dumb-butt hyper loser? Please?" I mumble in-between yawns. The Jumpluff kicks me out of bed and prods me into the bathroom.
And I stumble to get ready, making sure I pack everything this morning into a kit. Then I stride back into the room, with my hair still undone and flowing around me, and pack everything and more then I think I'll need on my journey. I put on the three pokeballs I managed to obtain in the one day as a pokemon trainer. I carry my really heavy backpack to the kitchen, still only wearing only blue. I sigh and look around the kitchen, feeling old memories flood back. I listen to my headphones, almost erupting into tears at all the sad songs. I walk over to the fridge, seeing Erika's note pad with a note again…
Good morning Aiko!
Sorry I can't be awake for your departure, but you know me, I'm not a very good morning person… Don't forget to drop by Bill the Pokemaniac when you are in Goldenrod, he's a very nice man. And I told him you'd drop by. I'll see you when you get back to Celadon, call me when you get to New Bark, and I already have one of each type of elemental stone in your computer. Tell me if you need more, kay?
Luv ya little brother,
Erika!
P.S. Jumpluff will see you off, and take care! Good luck! Train your Oddish like I showed you how at the gym, and you'll do great. Just try your best and I'll be proud of you!
Jumpluff waddles back in, and prods me into the bus that's taking all the new trainers in Kanto to Saffron to be herded eventually to New Bark Town. I sigh and watch the other trainers get picked up, crossing my fingers that Ayden found another way to get there… But within 20 minutes, he walked on with his proud glare and sat down on the opposite side of the bus
I watch the trainers walk in, only one of them catching my interest, a blue haired guy from Cerulean City who walked onto the bus looking for a spot to sit. I move my bag, and let him sit next to me, really happy that even though Ayden is on the bus, that he was sitting on the far opposite corner of the bus. I blink and get lost in thought about Ayden, wondering why he wanted to just fight me? He didn't even know me… When I hear an unfamiliar voice echoing inside my head. I blink and notice that the blue haired guy is talking to me…
"Umm… Sorry! But can you repeat anything you just said… I kinda was a billion miles away…." I ask, blushing bright enough to make a Charizard seem pale.
"WHAT?!?! YOU WERE IGNORING ME? Fine…. Hello! My name is Nick Cascade! My sister Misty made me go onto this bus… What's your name and where are you from?" Nick asks, his sky blue eyes watching me intently… He looks almost like a blue haired version of me… only his hair is short, spiked and very cool looking. That, and he's taller than me, around 6'4… Yup, we're have so much in common, we look nothing alike… But what I meant is that we're both thin, pale, and both have off-putting blue eyes.
"My name is Aiko Rainbow, of the Cerulean gym, my sister is Erika, and she made me choose a starter grass type pokemon. And she gave me a rare Houndour from the east of Celadon!" I say with a small grin playing on my lips, my blush finally disappearing. "What type and what pokemon did you pick? I hear that Cerulean has the strongest water type pokemon…"
"Yeah, since Misty was my sister, I was practically forced to choose one of the two water type pokemon… Between Poliwag and Wooper. I chose Poliwag. It's way cuter, and less annoyingly weak to grass types. And Misty gave me her Dewgong's baby Seel. What did you choose or get? And why do you have three pokeballs on your sleeve?" He says with a slight nod that made his spikes bounce.
"Oh, because I chose an Oddish, named LunarPlant, then I received a Houndour named Shadow Flare, and brought my Vulpix, Fire Tails. " I grin and realize that I might be making my first real friend… I attended home schooling with my parents, or was tutored by the junior trainers and Erika, so I never went out and talked to people. I accidentally start staring at Nick, lost in thought about how good it is to have a friend, or at least to have a chance of having a friend.
"What? Do I have a bug on my face?" He says, his voice getting a bit shrill… Obviously, the jokes Erika told about Misty's fear of bug pokemon were true… and ran through the family…
"No! I was just thinking! Honestly, there is no bug on your face, it's actually on your shoulder…" I say with a slight smirk playing on my lips. I watch his reaction as he swatted everything off his shoulders like he was afraid they'd catch on fire if he didn't.
"That's not funny!!! I'm extremely scared of bugs!!!" He says glaring at me.
"Sorry! I was just joking, and I had ta find out if all the rumors Erika said were true!" I reply still grinning at him. Almost conveniently the bus came to a stop, and we where all kicked off it standing in front of the large building of Saffron's train tracks. The crackling sound of announcements erupt to life, and a voice that was almost impossible to understand speaks over them, "Will the four relatives of the Gym Trainers please line up so they get the first cabin? Otherwise, Line up in alphabetical Order!"
I look at Nick totally confused… "There are four people related to gym trainers from the Kanto region?" I ask, a look of pure confusion written across my face, "I thought there was only going to be three…"
"I think that was who that Ayden guy you talked about was standing with since we got to the city, she looked very frighteningly similar to Sabrina."
"Well, let's board the train…" With that we flash our trainer badges, and go on the train sitting in a large luxury compartment, that obviously was first class. "I love trains!!! I used to go on them a lot when I was younger, when my parents where still around that is…" I sigh and start singing a child hood song, totally ignoring the fact that 3 almost complete strangers surround me… "Train train take me away, Far away, lead us to the future we will go…" I keep singing feeling the other 3 eyes stare at me as if I was about to explode into a neon green mess.
"Okay, you freak, shut up. Your lucky that we can't have a pokemon battle on the train!" Ayden says interrupting my song.
"I'm lucky? You're the lucky one! If we could fight, I could show you the honor of the grass type pokemon! And the power of the Rainbow family!" I say rather lamely, intimidating more with my glare then my words…
"Well I shouldn't be surprised that your come back sucks. After all, your surrounded by that bimbo sister of yours all day, how could you ever grow to be intelligent? It never was close enough to rub off on you!" He says with a savage smirk in his voice.
"And it's no wonder why you stink, hanging out with that old man of yours obviously affected your hygiene for the worse! You smell just like your grandfather, like a worthless, pathetic bum who has no city, and no house! He is a disgrace to gym leaders! They only let him in 'cause they feel bad!" I shriek. It was one thing to insult me, but no one EVER insults Rika. No one but me, that is!
"Stop it! Both of you!" the echoy order of Nick and Sabrina's sister both yell at the same time. "Your acting like children, so stop it! This instant!"
I glare at them both and mumble "Fine. He isn't worth my time anyway…" I just look out the window, and put on my headphones, drowning out the world.
I look in shock at how fast the trees where whizzing past, the last train I was on was when I was moving to live with Erika, and back then they only had slow useless trains. Before I had a chance to fully enjoy the train, we stopped at Goldenrod city, the western duplicate of Celadon in my opinion. The only difference is, it smelt worse. Had fewer plants, and had a lot of normal pokemon walking around rather then the grass in Celadon.
"Okay! New trainers listen up! You will be spending the remainder of the day here! You will then catch Pidgeot Airlines flight 333, make sure to have your trainer's id!" The train guard announced, waving to us goodbye. I walk out besides Nick, Ayden, and whatever Sabrina's sister's name is… I just sigh…
"Okay, Sabrina's Sister, what is your name?" I ask, just getting annoyed by having to call her Sabrina's Sister.
"Millicent Marsh. But you can call me Millie… What's your name?" Millie asks sounding totally off guard.
"My name is Aiko Rainbow. And can you read minds like your sister can…?" I ask, sounding a bit more nervous then I mean to…
"Yeah, my sister taught me how to use psychic abilities. But she also told me to use them only around people I seriously don't trust, or get bad vibes from…" Millie responds, barely showing any emotion in her voice.
"That's why I read Ayden's mind. That guy is just a bit… Creepy…" I hear a voice say, only it sounded a bit echoier then a normal voice…
I look at Ayden expecting him to be blowing a gasket but nothing changed….
"And yes, I'm talking in your head, that's why Ayden doesn't hear me." The voice replies.
"Millie?" I think-say in shock, not quite used to people talking to me like that…
"The one and only" She responds with amusement in her controlled voice.
"Um, hey guys, I am going to quickly go book a good room at the Pokemart, there are a lot of new trainers here… So I'm sure it's going to be packed…" I murmur, rather quietly, not used to being around so many people. I just run off towards the large sign flashing "Pokemart" in bright red and white lights. I walk through the electric doors and walk towards the counter towards an oddly familiar person with pink hair…
"Hey… Aren't you from Celadon City? 'Cause I swear, you're Nurse Joy… Erika made me meet you when I went with her to get her pokemon healed…" I say in shock of seeing her there…
"Oh, I'm sorry! But I'm not the Nurse Joy your thinking of; we're all over the world in every Pokemart you'll drop in to." Nurse Joy exclaims in her perma-happy voice. I'm really starting to doubt that she isn't the Nurse Joy from Celadon, because she talked just like that…
"Okay, I'd like to have a room please? I need a place ta sleep." I ask, digging out my wallet from my pocket, expecting to have to pay something…
"Okay! Here's your key! Check out is by 12. Please, enjoy your evening!" Nurse joy says, handing me a key with the little number 666 on it.
"Is this a kinda joke? I've got room 666? Isn't like the evil not good number?" I ask completely confused about the luck I've been having lately… Getting up early, getting a rival…
"Don't worry, that's just superstition!" Nurse joy says, before helping the next person in line… I walk back out and hail a taxi, not wanting to walk alone in a city after dark. After 6 and a half minutes of waiting, a taxi finally stops and lets me in.
"Where to?" The taxi man says in a nasally voice.
"Bill the Pokemaniac's house please?" I ask, trying to stay calm. Erika told me about Bill always liking and finding Eevee's, and that I should go talk to him when I'm in Goldenrod. I sigh, watching all the people walking about the streets, talking and laughing with their friends, looking like they were having a really good time.
"That'll be 25.50 please." The nasally voice of the unstylish yellow cab diver interrupts my thoughts.
"Oh, sure…" I say as I give him a few bills and coins. I get out of the car and walk over to the door knocking on it softly. The soft blue door opens revealing a medium height young man with messy untamed brown hair sticking out in any direction.
"Umm Hello? May I inquire who you are and why are you at my house?" He asks, looking slightly unnerved that a complete stranger is at his door after dark…
"Hello! My name is Aiko Rainbow, my sister, Erika of the Celadon City Grass type Gym wanted me to come see you while I was visiting here." I say trying to not scare him. I slightly bow, causing strands of my long hair to fall lose and get in the way of my eyes… I sigh and replace the hair underneath my hat, trying not to be blinded by the silvery blonde getting to my eyes.
"Oh, so your Erika's brother, She told me you where coming by. Please come in, I'm sorry about the mess, my sister's not as clean as Erika…." Bill excuses himself, and lets me in.
"It's not that bad, really!" I say trying to calm Bill down…
"Your sister has said a lot of good things about you, she also asked if I could help you with your quest, so, I found an Eevee for you, I hope you like it! Please take good care of it for me, it's still only a baby." Bill says, with concern seeping through his whole being. I didn't have to be a mind reader like Millie to see he liked this Eevee.
"I promise, I will take great care of your Eevee, and thanks a lot for your help!" I say, really happy to have an Eevee.
"Here you go, and what are you going to name him?" Bill asks, tossing me the regular red and silver pokeball.
"I'm going to name him Aquamarine." I say, thinking of a suitable name for a water pokemon to be. "Thanks again, I promise to treat this Eevee really well! I promise! But I should head back, I have to get up early tomorrow…"
"No prob, just drop by next time your in Goldenrod, and we can have some tea, okay?" Bill asks.
"It'll be my pleasure." I bow subtly and walk out towards the Pokecenter, crossing my fingers that I don't get lost. I feel strong and almost invincible with the four pokeballs attached to the sleeve of my blue trench coat. I know it's an unusual style, blue trench coats and all, but at least it's my style! I head towards the light again, my coat fluttering in the breeze behind me like a cape. I grin and walk into the Pokecenter. I look around and see the huge crowd of trainers all having to sleep on the floor or couches or whatever they could find… I walk to the elevator and call for it. I sigh, watching all the people seem happy that they're all crushed together, all talking and grinning. I blink a few times and run onto the elevator. I go to the hotel floor of the Pokecenter, and quickly run to my room. The clean smell of the hotel lingers in the air. I look around at the solid oak doors with highly decorated numbers… I had a long way to go to my room… The soft green carpet reminds me of the meadow in the Celadon city gym, and the walls seem like some of the trees and plants growing there. I sigh and keep an eye out for my room, getting annoyed at how many stairs I've had to go up. The repetitive decorations keep going and going as I run around the floors six times until I find my room… Room 666.
I unlock the heavy oak door, and walk into the pitch-black room. I take my key out, and close the door, feeling around for a light switch or any other source of light. After stumbling around for a few minutes, I finally find the light switch, and engulf the room in light. The room looked like an extension of the hall, only with a bed, a television, and a computer…
"Peachy… No food…" I mutter, taking off my jacket and my backpack hanging them both up on the hooks in the wall. I pull off my 4 pokeballs and release the captive pokemon into the room. With crimson light, the four pokemon appear, all with matching looks of confusion. "Umm… Hiya, my name is Aiko Rainbow, and I chose you or my sister allowed caught or gave, or Bill gave you all to me. Please, can we work together? I want to be a pokemon Master, but I can't do that without you. You may leave as soon as we go into the wild if you downright refuse to work with me, but I'd rather you stay, so we could become friends? And I know at least you'll stay with me, right Fire Tails?"
"Vull!!!" The fluffy Vulpix states its agreement, happy to finally be on its pokemon journey. The other pokemon didn't look so certain, a stranger wanting them to follow his orders? That's kinda a frightening prospect; even I'd have to admit…
"Okay guys, it's supper time, I know it's a bit late, but I was extremely busy with things…" I reach inside my backpack and pull out a few different types of pokemon food, and pour it into a few bowls that I found in the hotel room. I put the bowls down in front of the Eevee, Oddish, Houndour and Vulpix, watching them all dig in hungrily. I grin and watch them, devouring their food like there was no tomorrow, I'll have ta thank Erika for giving the food to me, it must be really tasty if they're eating it this quickly…
"Hey, Aquamarine? Have you put any thought into what you wanted to be when you evolve? I mean you have five choices, would you want to be a Vaporeon?" I ask, hoping to have a water element on my team, but not willing to force the pokemon into making a choice.
"Vee! Eve! Eeve vee evve!" The short little pokemon declares, totally confusing me with it's own little language…
"Ummm…. Kay, Fire tails, can you translate for me?" I ask the pokemon, totally confused…
"Vul vul, vul vul vul, PIX!" The fire pokemon clears.
"Oh, kay! It wants to be a Vaporeon?" I walk to the computer, and withdraw one of the Water Stones Erika gave me. With a satisfied click, and a cold feeling in my palm, I received the item. I walked over to the Eevee holding the stone in the palm of my hand. "I'm not going to force you into being a Vaporeon, touch the stone if you want, don't touch the stone if you don't."
The young Eevee looks at the stone with a weird look on its face, a mix of fear, and determination. The Eevee walks to the stone and raises it's paw, and puts it onto the stone. A bright light consumes the small brown creature, as it grows to three times its height, and becomes a more streamlined fish-like creature.
"Vaporeon!" Aquamarine barks, joyful at it's triumph. I grin and stand up, watching Fire Tails, LunarPlant and Shadow Flare all stare at the newly evolved blue pokemon.
"We should go to bed, we have an early morning tomorrow… How do you guys wanna sleep?" I ask, as I walk to my bed, turning on the light on the bedside counter. I walk over and click off the main light, and stand in the shadows, waiting for my pokemon's response. "Oh, and Fire Tails, please tell me what they say?"
"Oddish!" My first pokemon exclaims.
"Houndour…" came the roar of my second.
"Vaporeon!" came the happy bark of the fourth.
"Vulpix! Pix vul Pix pix!" came the barks of my pet turned third pokemon.
"Okay… So you all want to sleep outside of your pokeballs? All right!" I strip down to my boxers, and crawl into bed, yawning loudly. I flick off the light, and let the darkness over whelm my room. And shortly after, I drift off to sleep, sighing contently as I snuggle closer to my blanket and pillow…
"You've gotta be kidding me!!! I'm awake at six fucking THIRTY ON A SATURDAY?!?!" I leap at the clock and Launch it out of the window making it smatter with a very satisfying sound against the tree just outside my window. "Shit, I really shouldn't have done that…. Now I need a new clock! I shoulda thought about that earlier… But nooo! Just throw things out the window without even thinking. Aren't I a genius." with one final glare around my room, I stride out muttering about how the sun's lucky it's too far for me to get at. My silvery blonde hair flowing behind me looking almost like stray strands of moonlight. But if you ever told me my hair was messy, stray or unkempt, I would personally kill you with my bare hands. I'm kinda proud about it.
I strip down and get into the shower, letting the strong "Vaporeon Inc" shower jets massage my aching muscles from my work out last night. After finally cleaning up enough to look like my normal tall pale self, I step out of the warm water, shutting it off. Finally, after half an hour in the bathroom, I finally think I look good, dressed in all blue and with my hair tied back in a loose ponytail, I stride out of the bathroom and start walking downstairs to the second floor. I walk towards the kitchen not paying much attention to the world, still overly tired. I trip and stumble over a low laying object on the ground… and land on my knees right on the hard kitchen tile. I turn around quickly and launch a glare at the offending object, only to realize that it's my family's only fire type pokemon… I never said it was a strong one though, it's an unnaturally fluffy Vulpix, with it's browny red fur making it look more like a puff of fluff ball from a Jumpluff rather then the proud and noble Vulpix it's supposed to look like…
"Fire Tails!!! Be careful! You're going to kill me one of these days! I swear, your just like that annoying Jumpluff Erika has…" I snap, not quite used to being awake so early in the morning, and showing the worse because of it…
I quickly ran into the kitchen from there and grab a large steaming pot of coffee. Fire Tails just stares at me as I pour myself a cup with lots of milk and sugar. "Fire Tails stop staring at me like that! I'm six foot two, it's not like I need to worry about ending up short."
"Vul Pix Vul ul! Pix…" The short dog with an amazingly high voice countered with amusement and friendliness deep in his voice.
"Say what? I will not go psycho if I drink this much sugar! Sugar is natural; it must be good for you! Live off the planet man!" I reply, taking a sip of my coffee feeling awake, and in a really good mood thanks to the coffee!
I look up and notice a note on the fridge from my annoying older sister, Erika.
Waiiit, let me guess, your wondering if there is a connection between Erika the gym leader, and Erika the older sister of Aiko (me!). Well, I hate ta tell ya, But yup. Erika is my annoying older sister. She and I are opposites, we didn't use to be, until our parents disappeared soon after I was ten, Erika already was working the Celadon City gym, I moved in to live with her, and that was the year "Ash Ketchum" beat the elite four and that Blue fellow. She calmed down since I was seven, but I guess that's a good thing… It allows me to eat. We look like opposites, but generally, our sleeping habits are the same, we both love to sleep in. So I don't expect her to be up for a few hours…
I reached out and grabbed the note, seeing Erica's favorite symbol, her 3- year-old Jumpluff. I concentrate to read her messy almost unintelligent scribbles.
Hey Aiko,
I know how horrible your memory is, so I'm just reminding you, today's the day you go to the lab for your pokemon! Remember though, it's expected of you to get a grass pokemon! Uphold the honor of the rose! Remember, here in Celadon there are nine-starter pokemon, 3 grasses, 3 fires, and 3 waters. So you have a wider selection, and don't refuse to decide like you did for the past five years. Good luck! And be at the lab by 8!
Love ya little brother…
Erika!
P.S. Jumpluff is escorting you to make sure you get a grass type.
I just remember the lab and look at the clock… "SEVEN THIRTY?!?!?! I gotta run!!!!" I grab my blue jacket, blue backpack, shoes and hat. I run out of the Celadon City Gym, and run towards the lab with Erika's Jumpluff floating after me like a deranged bird of prey.
"PLUFF! PLUFFF!!! PLUFFFF!!!!!! JUUUUMPP!!!!" Erika's Jumpluff orders it's shrill voice seeming to lose the threat it's supposed to carry.
"Yes, yes! I know! I'm hurrying up already, no need to tell me that I'm gonna be late, and how I'll disappoint the Queen." Normally I'd happily tell Jumpluff to go get sucked into an airplane, but today I'm a bit preoccupied by the fact I'm running and behind schedule.
I run quickly to the lab, just barely making it before eight o'clock. I pant in exhaustion as the short power-party-pooper-fluff ball pushes me into the gym. All of the 8 other people just stare at me as I quickly regain my composure and look like I'm perfectly calm, relaxed and not going to pant myself to death. I flow over to the table where the Professor Bella achems herself and restarts talking about how important food is for pokemon to survive. I sigh, quite used to her plump form, her shoulder length gray hair and her bitter expression that seemed magnified by the horned rimmed glasses she wears. Her trench coat is an off white color and she's wearing a gray dress that proves just how fat, and how boring looking she is … Just the mere thought of her look makes you wanna yawn to death, minus her eyes… They just feel like sharp cold pieces of glass cutting through you.
"Remember! Never leave a large city without a large amount of pokemon food! Because pokemon need to eat just like all you little brats." With that she points her old wrinkly finger at us. "And if any of you Hooligans do anything to embarrass Celadon, you are going to be dealt with… SEVERELY…" her last statement is followed by her usual loud booming cackle that just fills the air with horror like in a cheesy black and white movie.
"Now, as per the six year and counting tradition here in Celadon city, Erika's little brat…. brother, will choose his first pokemon first. Remember, there are 3 types of each of the 3 starting elements. NOW CHOOSE YOU HOOLIGAN!" I walk to the 3 balls underneath the calming emerald green banner, and open all three pokeballs revealing the three-grass pokemon in a crimson light as they escape the pokeballs.
"Oddish!"
"Bellsprout…"
"Hopip!"
I look at all of them not sure which to choose. All three were souped up to be stronger then average. I sigh feeling Jumpluff watching me with its beady white eyes.
"I, Aiko Rainbow, choose Oddish to be my starting pokemon. I hope the Hopip and Bellsprout find suitable trainers." I say in the formal voice I was taught to use in ceremonies like this by Erika. I call back Oddish in its green and blue pokeball. "I choose to name my Oddish, LunarFlower." I step back among the other eight people holding the pokeball in my hand. I look at the stats of my new starter pokemon, finding my LunarFlower to be a male, with average starting stats.
"Very good you little brat, now the only descendent from Blaine Volcano of Cinnabar Gym. To avoid the volcano's fiery explosion he lived in Celadon City. And, for the seventh year in a row, he goes second. The little brat is even more incompetent then Aiko." The old professor says with pure hostility in her voice.
The crowd splits as a 6'3 black haired and green-eyed person breezes over to the section marked with a flaming red banner. He, just as I did, releases all three-fire pokemon, in flashes of crimson energy, a Vulpix, a Growlithe and a Ponyta appear. I subconsciously step backwards from the fire that was flashing around Ponyta; raised on the preaching of fire is evil and way too dangerous…
His voice cuts through the crowd like a dagger sending chills at it's cold and controlled sound. "I, Ayden Volcano, choose the pokemon Growlithe as my partner, I hope that all the other fire type pokemon find a suitable trainer…" He speaks while looking directly at me, his emerald green eyes locking with my sapphire blue in a challenging glare. "I name my Growlithe after the fire god, Hephastus." He reclaims his pokemon in a red and black pokeball and moves right beside me. I wait silently as the pokemon ceremony finally finishes with all the pokemon chosen. I quickly turn and try to walk out before feeling a hand on my shoulder…
"Just wait right there. You are related to a gym trainer, and so am I. We are both going to be made into a field day. We should travel together and make it good publicity… Unless your scared that I'm going to beat you at everything?"
"I'd rather go alone thank you, it'll help clear my thoughts and become a stronger trainer. However, thank you very much for the offer…" I say trying to sound as sweet and like Erika as I can.
"Your turning down my offer? We'll fine, Aiko Rainbow, I choose you to be my rival. Prepare to have a pokemon battle." He says, with such a fiery tone it scares me…
"I apologize, but I must decline your kind offer for the battle for now. My sister is expecting me at the gym, ask that Jumpluff." I say with a slight bow. I walk over to Jumpluff for once grateful for it's presence. I walk away following Jumpluff feeling Ayden's glare at my back.
I run after my fluffy guide as it gets caught in the wind and starts flying towards the gym. I run into the gym and follow Jumpluff as it takes me to Erika muttering in its shrill voice how happy it is to finally get rid of me. And how I better not disappoint Erika, or how I'm going to wish to have never been taken in by her… It'd see to it…
"Gee, thanks a lot Pluff, I'll miss you too! Honestly! I will! Not. Stupid lightweight, why don't you do something useful and get sucked up by an airplane; it'd make the world a lot happier. Except for Erika, but she's too sweet for her own good." I glare at the pokemon and walk towards Erika, who as usual was sitting in her gym looking very tired wearing clothes that looked place in an ancient east drawing… But that's her style, old fashioned yet comfortable and stylish. He hair seems to absorb the light and be pure black especially compared the colorful lively area around her.
"I'm back, and this time I have a pokemon, as your power-Pluff would announce, it's a grass type." I say, pointing to the new pokeball on the sleeve of my dark blue jacket. As my voice finally gets through to my sister she blinks awake and looks at me with eyes so filled with pride it's almost scary…
"I'm so happy for you! Little brother, I'm going to take you to the east of Celadon so you can get a Houndour or a Growlithe, to strengthen yourself against the bug and psychic or give yourself a bit more protection against the fire type." Erika says as she stands up and walks towards the door, with the eyes of all the junior trainers watching us as we walk out of the door into Erika's forest green Rapidash car. ((A/n, mustang luvers eat your heart out! Hehe!))
I sit and watch as Erika drives out to the grassy east of the highly populated city. After a few hours of driving we finally get to the far east of the city and the tall grass where the pokemon lurk. She parks her car and we both step out and walk closer to the grass. She throws out her pokeball containing Bellossom out as the short flower pokemon emerges from the crimson light Erika just grins her enigmatic smile…
"Lossom, can you please use your sweet scent? I know it's late for you to be awake, just I need to get my brother a new pokemon." She states calmly, and the sweet natured plant happily obliges releasing a sugary sweet smell out over the large grassy field. Shortly after the smell is released, barks are heard surrounding us, the sound of an attacking pack of Houndours… I look around nervously, watching Erika totally unsure if her Bellossom can handle a full pack of the savage dark type. Especially without her strongest move very useless right now, solar beam…
I see the grass emerge with the shape of 6 short black skull capped dogs… all of them growling and breathing hard with their mouth glowing like fire was already going to shoot out…
"Lossom! Use sunny day attack!" On command, the pink power plant just erupts into dance, and the field is illuminated into light… The light stings my eyes and quite obviously the eyes of the dark type pokemon… The mid-night black attackers all blink rapidly trying to regain their sight. "Lossom! Use your sleep powder attack!" The small flower dancer spins on its foot sending light blue powder over the pokemon sending them quickly to sleep. "Solar beam!!! Against the small puppy Houndour!" Bellossom quickly launches its devastating lime green beam at the smallest looking Houndour. I look in shock as Erika just throws a pokeball at the puppy barely blinking an eye. The red light surrounds the wild dog type pokemon capturing it in the small little confines of the ball. The ball rocks as the wild pokemon tries to break free… I stay behind Erika peering over her shoulder as the red light on the pokeball finally fades and turns gray. The other Houndour are all lying down, still sleeping from Bellossom's attack.
Erika just walks over and calmly picks up the ball and tosses it to me, as if she wasn't shocked and it was just an event that happened every day… "Erika…? If you can do that to them… Why don't you just destroy all the trainers you come in contact with? You always act so… feeble! Just like Blaine! I was right… Your way to sweet for your own good…"
She just grins her enigmatic smile and tosses me the ball. "What do you wish to name your him?" Erika asks, sticking to business.
"Umm… Shadow Flare. Yeah, that'll do?" Erika registers the name and nods. I read the stats of my new Shadow Flare, realizing he must be very young, simply because he's only level five, which is really really low for this field of grass.
"Aiko, make sure to be up early again tomorrow, you've got to be shipped off to New Bark town to start your journey. To aid you in your quest, I'll provide you with elemental stones, since unlike the majority of the world; Gym Leaders get a special bonus… We get our Elemental stones very easily. That, and we have a cult following in our cities."
I sigh at the idea of getting up early, but nod knowing it was my choice to become a trainer, and I should follow through with it, even if it means having to get up very early. "Kay, Rika. Thanks a lot for catching a Houndour for me… Can I bring Fire Tails along with me?" I say as we get into the sports car and drive away from the sleeping pack.
"I don't see why not… That short annoying midget always is mean to Jumpluff!" Erika declares, sounding like I should be shocked and appalled… I start to fall asleep, leaning against the window, watching the lights of the city come closer. I yawn loudly and let my world get black…
I wake up in my bed, with a puffy fluffy thing in my nose… I yet again, glare at the offending object… Just to realize that it is Jumpluff, yet again being annoying, I look out of the window, still seeing the moon in the far night sky.
"Pluff. JUUUUMMMPPPPP! Plu luff mp." Jumpluff declares in her loud high- pitched non-threatening voice.
"It's time to get up? But it is still nighttime… Please tell me your just being an annoying dumb-butt hyper loser? Please?" I mumble in-between yawns. The Jumpluff kicks me out of bed and prods me into the bathroom.
And I stumble to get ready, making sure I pack everything this morning into a kit. Then I stride back into the room, with my hair still undone and flowing around me, and pack everything and more then I think I'll need on my journey. I put on the three pokeballs I managed to obtain in the one day as a pokemon trainer. I carry my really heavy backpack to the kitchen, still only wearing only blue. I sigh and look around the kitchen, feeling old memories flood back. I listen to my headphones, almost erupting into tears at all the sad songs. I walk over to the fridge, seeing Erika's note pad with a note again…
Good morning Aiko!
Sorry I can't be awake for your departure, but you know me, I'm not a very good morning person… Don't forget to drop by Bill the Pokemaniac when you are in Goldenrod, he's a very nice man. And I told him you'd drop by. I'll see you when you get back to Celadon, call me when you get to New Bark, and I already have one of each type of elemental stone in your computer. Tell me if you need more, kay?
Luv ya little brother,
Erika!
P.S. Jumpluff will see you off, and take care! Good luck! Train your Oddish like I showed you how at the gym, and you'll do great. Just try your best and I'll be proud of you!
Jumpluff waddles back in, and prods me into the bus that's taking all the new trainers in Kanto to Saffron to be herded eventually to New Bark Town. I sigh and watch the other trainers get picked up, crossing my fingers that Ayden found another way to get there… But within 20 minutes, he walked on with his proud glare and sat down on the opposite side of the bus
I watch the trainers walk in, only one of them catching my interest, a blue haired guy from Cerulean City who walked onto the bus looking for a spot to sit. I move my bag, and let him sit next to me, really happy that even though Ayden is on the bus, that he was sitting on the far opposite corner of the bus. I blink and get lost in thought about Ayden, wondering why he wanted to just fight me? He didn't even know me… When I hear an unfamiliar voice echoing inside my head. I blink and notice that the blue haired guy is talking to me…
"Umm… Sorry! But can you repeat anything you just said… I kinda was a billion miles away…." I ask, blushing bright enough to make a Charizard seem pale.
"WHAT?!?! YOU WERE IGNORING ME? Fine…. Hello! My name is Nick Cascade! My sister Misty made me go onto this bus… What's your name and where are you from?" Nick asks, his sky blue eyes watching me intently… He looks almost like a blue haired version of me… only his hair is short, spiked and very cool looking. That, and he's taller than me, around 6'4… Yup, we're have so much in common, we look nothing alike… But what I meant is that we're both thin, pale, and both have off-putting blue eyes.
"My name is Aiko Rainbow, of the Cerulean gym, my sister is Erika, and she made me choose a starter grass type pokemon. And she gave me a rare Houndour from the east of Celadon!" I say with a small grin playing on my lips, my blush finally disappearing. "What type and what pokemon did you pick? I hear that Cerulean has the strongest water type pokemon…"
"Yeah, since Misty was my sister, I was practically forced to choose one of the two water type pokemon… Between Poliwag and Wooper. I chose Poliwag. It's way cuter, and less annoyingly weak to grass types. And Misty gave me her Dewgong's baby Seel. What did you choose or get? And why do you have three pokeballs on your sleeve?" He says with a slight nod that made his spikes bounce.
"Oh, because I chose an Oddish, named LunarPlant, then I received a Houndour named Shadow Flare, and brought my Vulpix, Fire Tails. " I grin and realize that I might be making my first real friend… I attended home schooling with my parents, or was tutored by the junior trainers and Erika, so I never went out and talked to people. I accidentally start staring at Nick, lost in thought about how good it is to have a friend, or at least to have a chance of having a friend.
"What? Do I have a bug on my face?" He says, his voice getting a bit shrill… Obviously, the jokes Erika told about Misty's fear of bug pokemon were true… and ran through the family…
"No! I was just thinking! Honestly, there is no bug on your face, it's actually on your shoulder…" I say with a slight smirk playing on my lips. I watch his reaction as he swatted everything off his shoulders like he was afraid they'd catch on fire if he didn't.
"That's not funny!!! I'm extremely scared of bugs!!!" He says glaring at me.
"Sorry! I was just joking, and I had ta find out if all the rumors Erika said were true!" I reply still grinning at him. Almost conveniently the bus came to a stop, and we where all kicked off it standing in front of the large building of Saffron's train tracks. The crackling sound of announcements erupt to life, and a voice that was almost impossible to understand speaks over them, "Will the four relatives of the Gym Trainers please line up so they get the first cabin? Otherwise, Line up in alphabetical Order!"
I look at Nick totally confused… "There are four people related to gym trainers from the Kanto region?" I ask, a look of pure confusion written across my face, "I thought there was only going to be three…"
"I think that was who that Ayden guy you talked about was standing with since we got to the city, she looked very frighteningly similar to Sabrina."
"Well, let's board the train…" With that we flash our trainer badges, and go on the train sitting in a large luxury compartment, that obviously was first class. "I love trains!!! I used to go on them a lot when I was younger, when my parents where still around that is…" I sigh and start singing a child hood song, totally ignoring the fact that 3 almost complete strangers surround me… "Train train take me away, Far away, lead us to the future we will go…" I keep singing feeling the other 3 eyes stare at me as if I was about to explode into a neon green mess.
"Okay, you freak, shut up. Your lucky that we can't have a pokemon battle on the train!" Ayden says interrupting my song.
"I'm lucky? You're the lucky one! If we could fight, I could show you the honor of the grass type pokemon! And the power of the Rainbow family!" I say rather lamely, intimidating more with my glare then my words…
"Well I shouldn't be surprised that your come back sucks. After all, your surrounded by that bimbo sister of yours all day, how could you ever grow to be intelligent? It never was close enough to rub off on you!" He says with a savage smirk in his voice.
"And it's no wonder why you stink, hanging out with that old man of yours obviously affected your hygiene for the worse! You smell just like your grandfather, like a worthless, pathetic bum who has no city, and no house! He is a disgrace to gym leaders! They only let him in 'cause they feel bad!" I shriek. It was one thing to insult me, but no one EVER insults Rika. No one but me, that is!
"Stop it! Both of you!" the echoy order of Nick and Sabrina's sister both yell at the same time. "Your acting like children, so stop it! This instant!"
I glare at them both and mumble "Fine. He isn't worth my time anyway…" I just look out the window, and put on my headphones, drowning out the world.
I look in shock at how fast the trees where whizzing past, the last train I was on was when I was moving to live with Erika, and back then they only had slow useless trains. Before I had a chance to fully enjoy the train, we stopped at Goldenrod city, the western duplicate of Celadon in my opinion. The only difference is, it smelt worse. Had fewer plants, and had a lot of normal pokemon walking around rather then the grass in Celadon.
"Okay! New trainers listen up! You will be spending the remainder of the day here! You will then catch Pidgeot Airlines flight 333, make sure to have your trainer's id!" The train guard announced, waving to us goodbye. I walk out besides Nick, Ayden, and whatever Sabrina's sister's name is… I just sigh…
"Okay, Sabrina's Sister, what is your name?" I ask, just getting annoyed by having to call her Sabrina's Sister.
"Millicent Marsh. But you can call me Millie… What's your name?" Millie asks sounding totally off guard.
"My name is Aiko Rainbow. And can you read minds like your sister can…?" I ask, sounding a bit more nervous then I mean to…
"Yeah, my sister taught me how to use psychic abilities. But she also told me to use them only around people I seriously don't trust, or get bad vibes from…" Millie responds, barely showing any emotion in her voice.
"That's why I read Ayden's mind. That guy is just a bit… Creepy…" I hear a voice say, only it sounded a bit echoier then a normal voice…
I look at Ayden expecting him to be blowing a gasket but nothing changed….
"And yes, I'm talking in your head, that's why Ayden doesn't hear me." The voice replies.
"Millie?" I think-say in shock, not quite used to people talking to me like that…
"The one and only" She responds with amusement in her controlled voice.
"Um, hey guys, I am going to quickly go book a good room at the Pokemart, there are a lot of new trainers here… So I'm sure it's going to be packed…" I murmur, rather quietly, not used to being around so many people. I just run off towards the large sign flashing "Pokemart" in bright red and white lights. I walk through the electric doors and walk towards the counter towards an oddly familiar person with pink hair…
"Hey… Aren't you from Celadon City? 'Cause I swear, you're Nurse Joy… Erika made me meet you when I went with her to get her pokemon healed…" I say in shock of seeing her there…
"Oh, I'm sorry! But I'm not the Nurse Joy your thinking of; we're all over the world in every Pokemart you'll drop in to." Nurse Joy exclaims in her perma-happy voice. I'm really starting to doubt that she isn't the Nurse Joy from Celadon, because she talked just like that…
"Okay, I'd like to have a room please? I need a place ta sleep." I ask, digging out my wallet from my pocket, expecting to have to pay something…
"Okay! Here's your key! Check out is by 12. Please, enjoy your evening!" Nurse joy says, handing me a key with the little number 666 on it.
"Is this a kinda joke? I've got room 666? Isn't like the evil not good number?" I ask completely confused about the luck I've been having lately… Getting up early, getting a rival…
"Don't worry, that's just superstition!" Nurse joy says, before helping the next person in line… I walk back out and hail a taxi, not wanting to walk alone in a city after dark. After 6 and a half minutes of waiting, a taxi finally stops and lets me in.
"Where to?" The taxi man says in a nasally voice.
"Bill the Pokemaniac's house please?" I ask, trying to stay calm. Erika told me about Bill always liking and finding Eevee's, and that I should go talk to him when I'm in Goldenrod. I sigh, watching all the people walking about the streets, talking and laughing with their friends, looking like they were having a really good time.
"That'll be 25.50 please." The nasally voice of the unstylish yellow cab diver interrupts my thoughts.
"Oh, sure…" I say as I give him a few bills and coins. I get out of the car and walk over to the door knocking on it softly. The soft blue door opens revealing a medium height young man with messy untamed brown hair sticking out in any direction.
"Umm Hello? May I inquire who you are and why are you at my house?" He asks, looking slightly unnerved that a complete stranger is at his door after dark…
"Hello! My name is Aiko Rainbow, my sister, Erika of the Celadon City Grass type Gym wanted me to come see you while I was visiting here." I say trying to not scare him. I slightly bow, causing strands of my long hair to fall lose and get in the way of my eyes… I sigh and replace the hair underneath my hat, trying not to be blinded by the silvery blonde getting to my eyes.
"Oh, so your Erika's brother, She told me you where coming by. Please come in, I'm sorry about the mess, my sister's not as clean as Erika…." Bill excuses himself, and lets me in.
"It's not that bad, really!" I say trying to calm Bill down…
"Your sister has said a lot of good things about you, she also asked if I could help you with your quest, so, I found an Eevee for you, I hope you like it! Please take good care of it for me, it's still only a baby." Bill says, with concern seeping through his whole being. I didn't have to be a mind reader like Millie to see he liked this Eevee.
"I promise, I will take great care of your Eevee, and thanks a lot for your help!" I say, really happy to have an Eevee.
"Here you go, and what are you going to name him?" Bill asks, tossing me the regular red and silver pokeball.
"I'm going to name him Aquamarine." I say, thinking of a suitable name for a water pokemon to be. "Thanks again, I promise to treat this Eevee really well! I promise! But I should head back, I have to get up early tomorrow…"
"No prob, just drop by next time your in Goldenrod, and we can have some tea, okay?" Bill asks.
"It'll be my pleasure." I bow subtly and walk out towards the Pokecenter, crossing my fingers that I don't get lost. I feel strong and almost invincible with the four pokeballs attached to the sleeve of my blue trench coat. I know it's an unusual style, blue trench coats and all, but at least it's my style! I head towards the light again, my coat fluttering in the breeze behind me like a cape. I grin and walk into the Pokecenter. I look around and see the huge crowd of trainers all having to sleep on the floor or couches or whatever they could find… I walk to the elevator and call for it. I sigh, watching all the people seem happy that they're all crushed together, all talking and grinning. I blink a few times and run onto the elevator. I go to the hotel floor of the Pokecenter, and quickly run to my room. The clean smell of the hotel lingers in the air. I look around at the solid oak doors with highly decorated numbers… I had a long way to go to my room… The soft green carpet reminds me of the meadow in the Celadon city gym, and the walls seem like some of the trees and plants growing there. I sigh and keep an eye out for my room, getting annoyed at how many stairs I've had to go up. The repetitive decorations keep going and going as I run around the floors six times until I find my room… Room 666.
I unlock the heavy oak door, and walk into the pitch-black room. I take my key out, and close the door, feeling around for a light switch or any other source of light. After stumbling around for a few minutes, I finally find the light switch, and engulf the room in light. The room looked like an extension of the hall, only with a bed, a television, and a computer…
"Peachy… No food…" I mutter, taking off my jacket and my backpack hanging them both up on the hooks in the wall. I pull off my 4 pokeballs and release the captive pokemon into the room. With crimson light, the four pokemon appear, all with matching looks of confusion. "Umm… Hiya, my name is Aiko Rainbow, and I chose you or my sister allowed caught or gave, or Bill gave you all to me. Please, can we work together? I want to be a pokemon Master, but I can't do that without you. You may leave as soon as we go into the wild if you downright refuse to work with me, but I'd rather you stay, so we could become friends? And I know at least you'll stay with me, right Fire Tails?"
"Vull!!!" The fluffy Vulpix states its agreement, happy to finally be on its pokemon journey. The other pokemon didn't look so certain, a stranger wanting them to follow his orders? That's kinda a frightening prospect; even I'd have to admit…
"Okay guys, it's supper time, I know it's a bit late, but I was extremely busy with things…" I reach inside my backpack and pull out a few different types of pokemon food, and pour it into a few bowls that I found in the hotel room. I put the bowls down in front of the Eevee, Oddish, Houndour and Vulpix, watching them all dig in hungrily. I grin and watch them, devouring their food like there was no tomorrow, I'll have ta thank Erika for giving the food to me, it must be really tasty if they're eating it this quickly…
"Hey, Aquamarine? Have you put any thought into what you wanted to be when you evolve? I mean you have five choices, would you want to be a Vaporeon?" I ask, hoping to have a water element on my team, but not willing to force the pokemon into making a choice.
"Vee! Eve! Eeve vee evve!" The short little pokemon declares, totally confusing me with it's own little language…
"Ummm…. Kay, Fire tails, can you translate for me?" I ask the pokemon, totally confused…
"Vul vul, vul vul vul, PIX!" The fire pokemon clears.
"Oh, kay! It wants to be a Vaporeon?" I walk to the computer, and withdraw one of the Water Stones Erika gave me. With a satisfied click, and a cold feeling in my palm, I received the item. I walked over to the Eevee holding the stone in the palm of my hand. "I'm not going to force you into being a Vaporeon, touch the stone if you want, don't touch the stone if you don't."
The young Eevee looks at the stone with a weird look on its face, a mix of fear, and determination. The Eevee walks to the stone and raises it's paw, and puts it onto the stone. A bright light consumes the small brown creature, as it grows to three times its height, and becomes a more streamlined fish-like creature.
"Vaporeon!" Aquamarine barks, joyful at it's triumph. I grin and stand up, watching Fire Tails, LunarPlant and Shadow Flare all stare at the newly evolved blue pokemon.
"We should go to bed, we have an early morning tomorrow… How do you guys wanna sleep?" I ask, as I walk to my bed, turning on the light on the bedside counter. I walk over and click off the main light, and stand in the shadows, waiting for my pokemon's response. "Oh, and Fire Tails, please tell me what they say?"
"Oddish!" My first pokemon exclaims.
"Houndour…" came the roar of my second.
"Vaporeon!" came the happy bark of the fourth.
"Vulpix! Pix vul Pix pix!" came the barks of my pet turned third pokemon.
"Okay… So you all want to sleep outside of your pokeballs? All right!" I strip down to my boxers, and crawl into bed, yawning loudly. I flick off the light, and let the darkness over whelm my room. And shortly after, I drift off to sleep, sighing contently as I snuggle closer to my blanket and pillow…