I - The start of truth and ideals
"I'm sorry Myles; you should have come earlier..." Bianca sighed. I didn't really take in her words; I just stared at the machine in his hands and its three empty holsters. Lexi was giving me his usual kind words while he cuddled his new Oshawott. He was one of the lucky ones. A girl from Nuvema Town – or what was left of it – had come a few weeks ago and collected a Tepig. Then, just last week, Hue, the son of Professor Fennel turned 15 and claimed his first pokemon; a Snivy. This just left Oshawott which Lexi collected yesterday while I was still recovering from tripping over a Lillipup that ran out of the trainers' school. I was a major klutz, or so my mum had told me. Falling over a Lillipup was minute compared to the other catastrophes I'd caused in my life time. "... So I'd do that if I were you"
I looked at Bianca with confusion and received a tired sigh from Lexi for my troubles. "Come on daydreamer", he announced tugging at my jacket, "I'll explain everything...bye Bianca! Thanks for everything." With that, Lexi and I left Aspertia City and for the first time ever, went into the tall grass without an adult.
"Bianca was telling you that there's a pokemon breeder who lives outside Flocessy Town. Oh look! A pokemon!" Lexi released his Oshawott from his squeeze as a Purrloin pounced from the tall grass. "Purrloin are quite cool, don't you think?" I nodded distantly more curious about this breeder than Lexi's question. Lexi's Oshawott tackled the Purrloin as it scratched and hissed until it almost collapsed. A minute later it was sat in Lexi's pokeball, looking content with its new home. "Anyway, where was I? Oh yeah, the breeder - Tackle, Oshawott - he lives in Flocessy ranch and breeds pokemon; sometimes for Professor Juniper - good job, buddy – Bianca said he might have some pokemon for you – oh look, you've grown to level 6! – It probably won't be a cool pokemon like mine, but – Oh look a Patrat – he might have some pokemon you'll like"
The dark cloud that had been following me from Aspertia City drifted off at the prospect of a pokemon; and perhaps one better than Snivy or Tepig! Excitement rushed through my body causing me to sprint off ahead while Lexi threw his pokeball at a weakened Patrat.
"Oh, the pokemon breeder?" nurse joy replied when I arrived at the Flocessy Town pokemon centre, "he breeds the Audino for this centre and many others in Unova, his ranch is just north of Route 20; you can't miss it!" I rushed outside to see Lexi carrying two pokeballs; one in each hand.
"I've caught a Patrat!" he announced proudly, "this'll be great for Bianca's research; I think I'll send her my new captures"
After depositing his Purrloin and Patrat in the storage system, Lexi accompanied me to the ranch which spanned almost to the forest in the distance. The path to a house and shed was littered with flocks of humble Mareep. In the trees, newly hatched Pidove called for their mothers who were busy gathering food. I knocked on the door but no reply followed. Lexi could barely contain his excitement at all the new pokemon and before I could knock a second time, the geek had sprinted off carrying his remaining pokeballs and giggling in sheer delight. Suddenly, a Herdier jogged over to me and tugged on my jacket with its teeth. Herdier are intelligent pokemon and so I assumed he wanted to show me to the breeder; luckily my assumption was correct. The dog lead us round the house to where a giant of a man was grooming a Riolu. He must have been a foot taller than me but his meaty hands handled the pokemon with such care. The Herdier barked and his head shot up.
"Alright" the giant of a man announced with a beaming Cheshire grin, "Have you come to see my ranch?"
"Y-yes" I stumbled, flustered by this man "Bianca recommended you...I've come to ask for a pokemon" he looked understanding and then a little confused. I suddenly felt sick and anticipated and awkward encounter. He put the Riolu down and walked past me. Insulted and a little confused I spun around to see Hue beaming with excitement.
"I've caught three pokemon already! A Mareep, an Azurill and a Lillipup. This place is the best for catching pokemon!"
"Woah, woah slow down there for a second, mate" the breeder boomed, "Has thy gone and caught my pokemon? Pokemon that I raised from eggs an' reared on ma ranch to protect 'em from poachers!" the breeder advanced of Lexi; tensing his muscles and clenching his fists. Lexi looked like he was about to cry. His shivering hands couldn't hold his new captures and his shivering lips failed to form any words. Then, the breeder let out a booming laugh. "Haha, there's not need t' worry specks, I'm just messin' with you. The best thing for ma pokemon is that they get a good home. But be careful, you're only meant to have six pokemon, anymore's just cruel"
"N-no worries" Lexi finally gasped "I s-send most of my pokemon to Prof- I mean - Bianca to help her with h-her research. She keeps them in the daycare over at the other side of Unova" Lexi made a pathetic motion to symbolise the distance which just caused the breeder to cock an eyebrow.
"Well you're just some sorta queer, ain't you? Now where was I?" At last he turned his enormous bulk to face me, "The pokemon I give to Bianca are newly hatched; I raise 'em for about five weeks an' then she gets 'em. I think I might have some young'ns you can have; if t' mother'll let you...take a seat in my cabin, I'll be a while."
The breeder returned after an awkward twenty minutes with three pokemon in his arms; they were much smaller than they should be and clearly very young. "New trainers chose from a grass, fire or water type. I didn' have any of the bog standard starters so I got you these to choose from" he delicately placed the baby pokemon on the table, "here's a grass type: Sunkern. This little things a cutie; but as I trainer I'd never use 'em". I too never entertained the fantasy of owning a Sunkern. He saw my unimpressed eyes move on and adapted as such. "This is the water type, Psyduck. It can use psychic moves, which'd be useful against fightin' types" my eyes lit up at the adorable little thing. However, my eyes couldn't help going back to my original sight. An adorable curled up orange ball. It expanded with each sleeping exhalation.
"Is that a Growlithe?" I asked. He didn't seem as excited as I would've hoped and he looked almost annoyed that I'd picked the pup.
"Yeah, but it's only a few weeks old. I'm not sure if it's ready to leave its mum yet" my heart sank. The man looked into my eyes and then out at the forest through the window. He was thinking deeply, about something that eluded me. "You know what" he announced with an uncertain grin "I'm goin' to give you that Growlithe" I pounced on it excitedly but he stopped my celebration with a strong glare. "But answer this, is thy goin' t' take on the pokemon league?" I nodded "is thy goin' t' travel from city to city, seeing all that Unova has to offer?" again I nodded. He seemed pleased. "You can take that Growlithe on your journey then ... if you let me come with you"
That stunned me for a moment. Lexi too looked confused. My lips just flapped about awkwardly causing the breeder to sigh heavily.
"If I travel with you with ma Arcanine in ma party, that Growlithe's mother will still be with him at all times. And this way, I can finally see all of Unova and complete ma dream of bein' a field conservationist – protecting pokemon from those bastard poachers that're killin' of all t' pokemon. What do you say?" he extended a giant hand towards me. I looked at him, Lexi, the Growlithe, him again, Lexi's Oshawott, his hand and then deep into his serious yet loving eyes. I extended my own arm which was met with a vigorous shake.