Tidal Waves (A Pokémon Fic)

((I do not own Pokemon, only Darius and any other characters I may come up with...except Misty and other pre-established characters)

Chapter One: The Basic Strokes

As Misty's adopted son, Darius was expected to be a master water Pokémon trainer and eventually work for the Pokémon League by running the Cerulean City Gym. There were a few reasons why Misty chose Darius as a young boy and strong swimming was only one of those reasons.

"Darius, are you ready to get out of the water and get some work done?" Misty giggled, watching the boy play in the water with her Dewgong. Dewgong was making waves with her tail to stop the boy from catching her, but stopped when she heard her trainer's voice.

"Dew-gong-gong!" The seal Pokémon briskly swam towards Misty and she returned her to her Pokéball.

"There we go, Dewgong, rest for now."

Next, Darius's head popped up above the surface of the water. "Aw, do we have to? I was having so much fun too…"

"Come on, you're already nine and a half already and you need to get stronger as a trainer. You want to get stronger, don't you?"

Darius nodded, "But I don't have any Pokémon of my own…how am I suppose to get stronger?"

Misty smiled, "That changes today. Is your head feeling okay? Do you need to rest before we do this?"

"How did you know…yeah…been hurting past couple of hours…but didn't want to stop playing…in the water it's not as bad."

"You always have this particular look about your eyes when you're in pain. Catch a quick nap first and I'll bring you your medicine soon."

"But Misty…what about working?" At the idea of getting his first Pokémon, the reluctance to train faded away.

"You'll get to meet your first Pokémon soon. Rest for now."

Darius scowled and went to his room.

"Boy, you better bring something worth having tomorrow or you'll get an even bigger beating. Got that?" The man Darius had begun to know as his boss spat on his quivering body. His ribs were sore, though not broken, and his head was pounding so hard it felt like it was getting ready to burst.

"This isn't Goldenrod City, punk. See that building there? That's the Celadon City Department Store. Know what they got in there? I'll tell you what they got…an evolution stone, that's what it is. Do you hear me, boy?" The man roughly shook the boy, almost knocking him off his feet. "And let me tell you if you don't bring me something good next time you'll be sleeping out in the dump, out in the cold, you hear?"

Darius nodded and scurried away quickly before the man could do anymore harm to the boy's body. However his body wasn't the only thing giving him problems. He recognized what the intensity of his headache meant; he needed to use up some energy before it got to be too much for him to control. He did some short exercises as he walked towards the small shelter mostly made of discarded wood scraps, but at least it kept the rain and the cold at bay.

The image of his physical body shimmered as if it were a hologram as Darius stretched his mind in preparation to expend some energy. It is good to see that you are still alive and well, little one. We will meet soon, until then do as the man tells you. I will be watching over you.

Darius smiled as he reached out towards the familiar presence with his arm, almost as if he could touch it. But he knew he couldn't touch it, he never could, no matter how hard he tried or how far he reached. It was just good to know that someone was there. Instead of dwelling on his life he let his consciousness go, let his spirit travel to wherever he liked.

One of his most favorite places to go was the beach, and that's where his spirit headed. Sometimes he saw people gliding through the water as if they were floating, though he could never even imagine how that would work. He badly wished he could try it, though. But there were no pools or bodies of water in Celadon City. Only buildings and streets and lights.

"Darius, here, wake up so you can take your medicine then you can go back to sleep…" Misty rubbed the sleeping boy's scalp, trying not to worsen his headache. When she saw his eyes open a tiny bit, she pressed a spoonful of foul smelling, thick, syrupy brown liquid to his lips. Darius groaned at the familiar scent and squirmed away from it.

"Do you want to have to go to the hospital again? I'm sure they wouldn't like to hear that you're not taking your medicine. Take it and the pain will be gone soon. It always works in the end, right?"

Darius grimaced and nodded before reluctantly swallowing the spoonful of liquid. It didn't take long for the pain in his head to slowly diminish to a dull throb, but Misty insisted he rest longer to make sure it went away completely.

Out and back. Out and back. Reach out. Pull back. Darius liked watching that motion the best. From asking around he came to know that style of swimming was called "Free-style". He couldn't understand why it was called "free", though. It was a series of continuous motions that produced the same results. Forward and forward. Out and out.

To Darius there was more freedom to other styles. Keep your head above water. Arm up, bring it down, and smack the water. Other arm, bring it up, elbows bent push down on the water. And kick kick kick! Kick like your life depended on it for you couldn't survive on your arms alone. And the legs are helpless without the tireless work of the arms. Arm up, bring it down. Kick kick kick! Arm up, bring it down. Kick kick kick!

Next, on your back. Now there's freedom. Kick kick, push push, and bring them back. Back back, kick kick, push push, all over again. Backstroke. Looked more like a snow angel in the making…except in water.

A big, wet, sloppy tongue woke Darius up.

"Dew-dewgong gong-gong!"

Darius rolled over in response to this cry, trying to ignore the seal Pokémon that was bigger than he was. Frustrated by the boy's stubbornness, Dewgong licked at the boy's scalp.

"Cut it out, will you? I'm up…" Darius sighed and swung his feet over the side of the bed.

"Gong-gong!"

Pulling on his swimsuit, Darius pondered what Misty said…was he really going to get a Pokémon? Or did he just imagine that she said that? He couldn't remember…

He pulled on a plain blue t-shirt and shuffled out of his room, stretching as he entered the pool room. It was actually the main gym where Misty battled other trainers occasionally which mainly held a large pool with a few floating platforms.

"Squirtle squirtle squirt!"

"Gong-gong!"

Darius gazed out into the pool and spotted Dewgong playing with a turtle-like Pokémon he recognized as a Squirtle. That was odd indeed…Misty didn't own any Squirtle. He would know. And there didn't seem to be any other trainers around or there would probably be a battle…

"Squirtle! Return! Oh, hey, Darius, you're up! Man, there goes my surprise!" Misty exclaimed bubbly as she withdrew the Squirtle back into its Pokéball.

"Surprise?" The clogs were slowly turning in Darius's head…slowly. "A Pokémon? Squirtle? Mine?" Yes, he could only manage to get out single words.

"Yeah, I know you're a bit young, but you are almost ten and it turns out Professor Oak got his newest shipment of Starter Pokémon from the Pokémon League just last week! When nobody claimed the Squirtle yesterday, he called me and asked if I knew any starting Pokémon trainer that…"

"Wait, so I'm going on a Pokémon journey?"

Though she was a bit peeved at being cut off in midsentence, Misty understood his excitement.

"Well technically you need to wait until you actually turn ten to start competing for badges, but until then you can train here with your Pokémon, catch wild Pokémon in the area, and prepare!" Misty grinned and tossed Squirtle's Pokéball over to Darius who caught it with relative ease.

"All right! My first Pokémon!" Darius smiled and threw the Pokéball like he had seen Misty do so many times when he watched her battle. "Go! Squirtle!"

The light, why did it bother him? No matter, the sun could not be stopped no matter how much he wished it would. Another day, he wished he could sleep. But sleep was just beyond his reach, masked by the malicious presence of intense light.

He had something to do today, something for the boss. Evolution stones…he heard of them before. Water, fire, grass, sun…that was all he could name off the top of his head. Did they have them in the big building the boss mentioned? There were many big buildings in Celadon City, but he had a feeling he knew which one he was looking for.

The Department Store. Criminal's worst nightmare…it would be easier to get the money to buy a stone than to steal one, but that took time. And Pokémon, which he had none of. Nowadays you couldn't make anything unless you had Pokémon to battle with.

He spotted the occasional Rattata in the dumpsters and Pidgey roosting on the windowsills several hundred feet above his head, but he had no way to catch a Pokémon. He couldn't even afford a single measly Pokéball. But again, he didn't have time to come up with an elaborate Pokémon fantasy; he had realistic problems to handle.

You are not focusing again, child.

Darius smiled as the familiar presence touched his mind, almost comforting him. He couldn't talk back to whatever was talking to him, but he didn't mind. At the age of seven, anything mystical and mysterious was enticing.

"I will get through this day." Darius muttered to himself, getting up and out of his shelter and heading towards the tallest, widest building in the area.

Darius winced as his headache started up again in full throttle. He tried his best not to let it show on his face, but it was too late. Misty saw.

"And I was thinking I'd take you to a specialist for your headaches, are they worse today?" Misty moved closer to Darius to support him in case he lost balance; the pain in his head would often interfere with his coordination and he sometimes hurt himself falling.

Darius nodded, surprised himself. He had only just gotten over his last headache, why had this one set in? Usually he only got one every two to three days, but today was different. He couldn't quite explain how, but they just seemed unusual.

"I'll get you some more medicine. In the meantime let's see if you feel better in the water. That usually helps." Misty led Darius towards the steps of the pool she had installed just for him two years ago. "Dewgong, take care of him for a bit. Squirtle, stay nearby…he's your trainer now and your friend."

Misty helped Darius sit comfortably on the stairs of the pool then walked off to the living section where the kitchen, living room, and bedrooms were attached to the gym.

"Dew…dewgong." The large seal Pokémon maneuvered herself behind Darius so the boy could lean back against her cool, sleek skin. The turtle Pokémon also swam over from the pool where Darius released him.

"Squirtle…."

Darius felt Squirtle's head beneath his hand and the pain in his head suddenly intensified.

Darius always knew he was different, he could do things other people couldn't. And he often used that to his advantage.

"Yeah, HM 5, who needs it? Six hundred dollars for Flash? I could feel my way through Rock Tunnel for that much!"

"I bet my Charmeleon could lead the way…with his bright tail flame!"

"But not everyone has a fire Pokémon, you know."

"I'm sure you could win one from the Game Corner if you're lucky, if not I'll head to Cerulean City alone, thank you very much."

He tried his best to ignore the chatter, but so many noises around him was a lot to handle…especially when he was trying to focus at the same time. Nobody could see him. Nobody ever could when he focused hard enough, he had gotten away with many crimes like that.

Great, he got through the lobby without giving himself away. Up the stairs...

"Super Potion Super Sale! Seventeen bucks a potion!"

"Not only is the Ultra Ball better than your average Great Ball…but it looks better too!"

"One…two…three Full Heals…one…two…three Hyper Potions…one…two…"

"I'll throw in an extra Great Ball for six bucks."

why do people have to talk so much?…up another level…

"Got any weed? I mean…herbs?"

"I know a great dealer in Cherrygrove that can sell you some prime Bluk berries for a nice price."

"Another Pokéblock for my little star, Igglybuff! We're sure to win the Cute Contest!"

"Perhaps I should substitute Fireblast for Flamethrower in the fourth round…"

"When did Pinlap berries get so expensive? Five dollars a berry is outrageous!"

"Those Pokéblock machines over in Shinoh are amazing…they make super smooth Pokéblocks in lickety split!"

"If I see any more of that retail price crap for TMs, I swear I'll take my business somewhere else!"

"Darius, Darius, wake up! Wake UP!" Misty's voice seemed far away, though now he could feel her hands on his shoulders. But he couldn't make his body move…couldn't answer her. He tried to open his eyes but even that movement made his head burst with pain.

"Hello? ...Yes, I need an ambulance…Cerulean Pokémon Gym…yes he's breathing fine…takes medication for headaches…please hurry."

Up one more, last floor until destination…

"Do you think Calcium would up my Golem's Special Defense too?"

"If you're having problems using the move too many times…I suggest PP UP for your Houndoom."

"Two hundred dollars for a Protein seems a bit pricey…are those Zincs on sale?"

"X-Attack would solve your problem for one battle, but it wears off after about fifteen minutes."

"See, I told you X-Speed wouldn't be sold out. And they're only twenty bucks a piece!"

"Not that we couldn't find those vitamins on the black market, it's just cheaper to make the trip here for a reduced price."

"A gold nugget? I'll give you five hundred for that…you know gold is pricey these days."

"Squirtle…?" The turtle Pokémon nudged his owner's hand, wondering if he'd ever get a response. "Kid…hey…yo, wake up…Misty's pretty worried so get up already, would ya?"

Darius laid motionless on the hospital bed, just coming back to consciousness. At the back of his mind he wondered why he could understand what his Pokémon was saying to him…he knew that was definitely not normal. Then again, was anything about him normal? He opened his eyes tentatively and felt his Squirtle's smooth skin against his hand.

"Hey there, buddy…what's up?" his voice was so hoarse he could barely recognize it. There were so many questions he wanted to ask: How long was he out? Where was Misty? Where was he? And why did he feel so tired?

"Nothing much, you only passed out as soon as I touched ya and totally made Misty freak…she called an ambulance and they brought you here and they were about to do some weird tests then here you are, awake and shining like a freshly polished Metapod."

Okay…so he could actually understand his Pokémon? Darius sat up and removed his hand from his Pokémon's grasp before speaking again. "Where's Misty?"

"Squirtle squirtle, squirt squirt, squirtle! Squirtle squirtle!"

Darius stared, dumbfounded. Just barely three seconds ago he could understand his Squirtle's babbling as if it were English…what happened???

"Okay…whatever…you're one weird Pokémon." Darius swung his legs over the side of the bed and attempted to lift himself up. He definitely felt better, less dizzy and lethargic, so why wouldn't he be able to stand up? But before he knew it, Squirtle was gripping his hand again.

"Easy, kid, Misty will be seriously ticked if she finds out you've just been strolling around after this ordeal…just sit back and enjoy the room service, like I have!" Squirtle pointed to a nearby table where crumbs littered a stack of plates and the tabletop they sat upon.

"Wait…how can I understand you again???"

"Understand me? You're a human…you're too stupid to understand Pokémon talk…but apparently since you can understand me, you must be smart! Smarter than normal humans anyway…and that's not saying much."

"Great…so my Squirtle's a smart aleck…and talks too much…" Darius once again pulled his hand away and proceeded to get up again.

"Darius!" Misty rushed into the room and pulled her adopted son into a hug. "Thank god you're awake! I've been so worried! Are you feeling any better? How's your head feel? Should I get you some more pain medicine?"

"Misty. Can't. Breath. Too tight!"

"Oh, sorry!" Misty eased most of the pressure from the boy, but did not let him go entirely.

"Misty, really, I feel fine now…"

"I know, sweetie, but I was just so worried. I have to go back to the gym soon, so be good while I'm gone, okay?"

"But why can't I come back home? I don't like it here…Squirtle keeps talking to me…"

"Of course he's talking to you…he wants to be friends!"

"Oh…okay. But still, I'd really like to see the gym battle. I do need to start paying attention more now that I have my very own Pokémon."

"Well I'll talk to your doctor here and see if she can approve you to leave now that you're all right…but we'll be going back to the doctor tomorrow to see if he can make heads or tails of this increase of headaches business."

(( Please R&R! ))