A Poisoning of the Heart

by Anonimous Pen

Morgan is a new Pokemon Trainer, and an unusual one; unlike most, he wants to train Poison types. Feared, and sometimes hated, because of their abilities and toxicity, many Trainers only take one in a team. But Morgan plans to only train Poison types, a choice that will not be popular with others. Leaving with his starter, he plans to reach the League; and perhaps fall in love too.

1. Chapter 1

A Poisoning of the Heart

Hey everyone! Welcome to my new story! I hope you enjoy this, and all that stuff. This one will be more based along the games; a trainer, a team, challenging the league, so on. However, I will be writing this differently to most other stories I've seen. First of all, diets. If a Pokémon is carnivorous, e.g. Seviper or Mightyena, then they will hunt prey. Second, say someone is attacked with a Flamethrower attack, they will burn rather than char or cough smoke. Third, expect serious injury or deaths in this, as there will be realistic results from attacks. If you aren't keen on any of these things, please don't read or flame me. For those who do, then please, R&R!

XOXOXOXOXO

"Speech"=Talking
Speech=Translated Poketalk
Speech=Telepathy
*Speech*=Thoughts

Slateport City, the home to many people including the hero of this adventure, one of two key coastal cities within the Hoenn region. The location of the region's major docks and shipyards, it was also one of the biggest and most inhabited areas in Hoenn. A city with the ocean on three sides, and a combined natural and artificial path to the north, it was often seen as a city in balance with nature. And due to the Pokémon inhabiting the Route north, 110, there was often surges of trainers with poisoned Pokémon during the day.

The name of our hero is Morgan Amphere; his family live at Slateport. Both of his parents work at the shipyard, so he often spent most of his time with the family's pet Poochyena. Like most younger children and teenagers, he wasn't allowed out into Route 110, but was allowed to go just out of the city to play on the grass, away from anything long enough to house a Pokémon. Since he was young he has always liked Poison types, and although most people dislike them, he often expressed that he thinks they're the best.

His familiarity with poisons often saw him working with the Nurse at the Pokémon Centre, assisting with any Pokémon that came in for treatment; not only was he working with Pokémon, but he was also gaining skills at healing and treating injuries. He started when he was thirteen, and quickly began to show skill working with Poison type Pokémon. Soon after, he wanted to start his adventure, but the parents asked him to wait until he was seventeen; not just so that there would be a good amount in the bank from working, but so they could do something for him.

On his seventeenth birthday, he woke up early with excitement coursing through his body, heart pounding wildly.

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO

Morgan ran out of his room, almost tripping over his feet, before bursting into the living room of the family flat. It wasn't expansive, but it wasn't cramped either; it was a comfortable size for three people and a pet. The walls were decorated with a warm, chocolate brown wallpaper that had lighter cream coloured patterns stencilled on. There was a TV in the corner, resting upon a base with a shelf of DVD's and the player, and the wall beside it was devoted to bookshelves. His parents were sat on the sofa, a three seater model, and smiled at him.

"Morning, Morgan." Said teenager grinned at them, before looking around, the smile fading. He wasn't greedy, and easily understood that sometimes money ran tight; ship building is a job where the pay rises and falls with the tides of the oceans, but there had been a boom in building only a month ago.

"Morning mum, dad." The father stood, walking over to Morgan and placing a hand on the right shoulder, gently squeezing in a comforting manner.

"Morgan, I'm sure you've realised that there aren't any presents for you here… But we do have one in our bedroom for you. It's a big surprise, one you'll love. Just go easy with her, OK?" A blink of confusion, followed by a slight frown.

"Her..?" The father grinned at him once more, steering Morgan towards the parents bedroom as the mother walked ahead, opening the door.

"Yes, her. Now come on, go right on in." Carefully he stepped forwards, passing through the doorway, before freezing. Curled up on the bed, staring at the teenager, was a Seviper. There was a bow tied around the body, a few inches down from where the head joins the body, and beside the coils was a largish present, about six inches by ten. Warily, slowly he walked over as the Seviper lifted its-no, her-head, tongue flickering as she hissed lightly.

"Happy birthday Morgan." Looking back at his parents, standing in the doorway, before turning back to the Seviper he reached out to lift a tag hanging from the bow.

"To Morgan, love mum and dad… Oh, wow…" Eagerly, hands tugging at the material with a balance of care and haste, he untied the bow, letting it fall free and gently petted the Seviper. She slithered off of the bed, and looking at her it could easily be seen that she was almost fully grown; she easily towered over the boy beside her. Her tongue flicked out, brushing the tip of his nose and eliciting a laugh as it tickled. He quickly hugged, her, wrapping gangly arms round her body. After a second, she lightly coiled around him in return; her weight brought him to his knees, but it didn't feature in his mind at all. He looked up at the parents, gently petting Seviper's head; stroking down from the tip of her snout along her back, following the scales overlap.

"You really got me a Seviper..?" His mother nodded, walking over and picking up the other present, passing it to him. Quickly unwrapping it and opening the lid, a pair of eyes widening at what was contained within the box. Reaching in he pulled out a brand new, shiny, Pokedex; turning it over he and the Seviper boh saw that engraved on the back of it was a name. Beneath it there were seven Pokeballs, shrunk down, and a smaller box. Flicking open the Pokedex he pointed the sensor at the Seviper. There was a slight beep, before a robotic voice began to recite information to the room.

"SEVIPER, THE FANG SNAKE POKÉMON. SEVIPER ARE ON AVERAGE EIGHT FEET TEN INCHES FROM SNOUT TO BLADE TIP AND WEIGHT AN AVERAGE OF 115.7 POUNDS. THEY ARE WELL KNOWN FOR THE GENERATIONS-LONG FUED WITH ZANGOOSE, AND MANY ARE ACCOMPLISHED SWORD FIGHTERS WITH THEIR TAILS. THEY ARE ABLE TO SECRETE A VARIETY OF TOXINS FROM THEIR TAIL AND FANGS, RANGING FROM PARALYTICS TO NEUROTOXINS. CARE IS SUGGESTED FOR AVOIDING ACCIDENTAL POISONING."

Closing the Pokedex, Morgan looked up at Seviper, who was looking curiously at the pocket computer in his hand..

"Where did you find her?" At this the father stepped over, gently petting Seviper as well.

"I took a break from work and travelled up to Fallabor. I caught her, and spent a week training her so she isn't so unruly; she's also registered to you now. She's your starter." He grinned, hugging his son before letting go as the boy turned back to Seviper.

"Can I name her?" The father nodded, tapping the Pokedex with a finger. He began explaining the process of renaming Pokémon, as Seviper flicked her tongue out. She slowly let go of Morgan, slithering out of the room. The mother looked up just as the bladed tip of her tail disappeared around the doorframe, followed by a loud hiss. There was a short, angry growl followed by a pained yelp as the mother ran out of the room. Startled into dropping his Pokedex, Morgan ran after her into the living room, skidding to a halt.

Seviper was coiled up, head raised, glaring at the other side of the room. Across from her, Poochyena was snarling, hackles raised. He was limping slightly, a large cut on his rear right leg bleeding slightly. He barked angrily, growling, as Seviper hissed back. Her mouth opened slightly, poison dripping from the tips of her fangs to the floor as Morgan ran forwards, grabbing hold of her body.

"Seviper, stop! Wait!" She hissed angrily, spinning to face him, and Poochyena took the opportunity to attack. He dashed forwards, lunging at her before Morgan stepped forwards and grabbed his scruff, pulling him back. He started barking repeatedly, snapping his teeth at her as the father stepped forwards and helped to drag him back. Seviper glared, a slight 'click' sounding as her jaw dislocated; a second later, she lunged forwards, mouth gaping open.

Just before she struck Morgan and his father darted backwards, and a red beam of light hit Poochyena. The mother lowered the Pokeball, Poochyena recalled, as Seviper's fangs dug into the carpet. She tugged free, hissing in annoyance before Morgan stepped forwards, into her sight.

"Seviper, stop this… Stop. You can't attack him, OK? He isn't food." Seviper glanced over at the mother, specifically the Pokeball she carried, then back to her Trainer.

"Vipe. Sevi, iper." Morgan shrugged slightly, scratching her just behind her head, running a hand along her neck. She continued staring at him, but he could feel her relaxing beneath his hand and fingertips.

"If you're hungry, we might have some food… How does Pokéfood sound?" She glared at hime, butting her head against his chest in refusal, knocking Morgan backwards a step. With a sigh, he reached up again, continuing to pet her.

"OK… Well, uh… Poochyena isn't food, he's a pet… So…" At this point the father stepped forwards, gently placing a hand on his shoulder.

"I have an idea. Take her up to Route 110, let her hunt for a few minutes. She'll have to get used to Pokefood now, but for today she can go get something. Also, I got you into the Nurse's programme at the Centre. You're going to spend a year there while she teaches a condensed version of the training programme in Rustboro. You have to be there at two in the afternoon tomorrow." Morgan nodded, as Seviper nuzzled him happily at the suggestion of a hun, glancing up at the clock on the wall.

"OK, so I have to remember that time. So, let's go then; uh, once I've gotten dressed… Can you wait here, Seviper, and not try to eat anyone or anything?" She let out a stuttering hiss; a laugh, he wuickly realised. Still laughing, she nuzzled his face again before nodding.

"Sevi… Vipe." He smiled, petting her gently, before turning and walking towards the bathroom door, pausing beside it.

"I'll be about ten minutes. Why not look around a little?" As he entered the bathroom, closing the door and tossing off his pyjamas to start up the shower, Seviper nodded and slithered past the parents back towards the bed where she had been earlier.

Once Morgan was dry and dressed, throwing on his preferred clothing for walking about and looked in the mirror hanging from the back of his door to examine himself. Staring back at him was a reflection; wearing a dark yellow shirt with long sleeves and a pair of maroon jeans. The feet were set in a pair of broken in, well-worn dark grey hiking boots, and a pair of fingerless gloves the same colour adorned his hands. Reaching out he grabbed a cap from the hook on the door, setting it over his hair brown as mud. Peering out from beneath the fringe was a familiar pair of eyes, a clear crystal blue.

Morgan turned around, scanning his room for anything he had forgotten; nothing jumped out at first, but he crossed to the bed anyway. Glancing towards the door, Morgan crouched and pulled out a drawer from the side of the bed; inside were several books. Nimble fingers rifled through them, grabbing two and pulling them out, checking the titles.

"Natural poisons of Pokémon… Beneficial and medicinal plants of the Hoenn region… Perfect." Swiftly tucking them into the back pocket of the jeans and stepping out of the room, he saw a comical sight. Seviper had her snout pushed beneath the sofa, and as she pulled back her tongue flickered.

"Come on, then-oh! One moment!" He turned, walking into the parents room. The bow had been picked up, and the gifts remaining packed back intot he box for safety. Crossing over and opening the second gift again he reached in, then pulled out the 'Dex, opening it up and aiming it at Seviper, tapping the button to rename her.

"OK, Seviper, let's see… What to call you… How about, Alexis?" There was an irritated hiss, as she shook her head. He frowned slightly, thinking over the various names for girls he knew.

"Well, how about… Natalia?" Again, that stuttering hiss of a laugh. This time mocking, though. He sighed, before grinning as a name sprung to mind.

"What about Serena?" Seviper looked at him curiously, before nodding. She nudged the 'Dex, and Morgan quickly typed it in to the name section. There was a small beep as he finished, and the screen refreshed her profile on the 'Dex.

"OK, Serena! Let's go get you some food." She grinned, turning and moving away from him. Morgan walked along beside her body, opening the front door and turning back.

"I'm going out now!" He shouted back, hearing the parents call back to not be late to the Centre tomorrow. Morgan grinned, shaking his head slightly as he closed the door, walking down the stairs with Serena.

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO

After several minutes, they reached the entrance to Route 110. As Morgan stepped into it and onto grass, Serena slid past, flicking her tongue curiously. Before they had entered the main street, Morgan had asked her to retract her fangs, and after a few minutes of persuasion she did so, the fangs folding up to the roof of her mouth and out of sight.

Now that the two were out of the city, they dropped down, glinting slightly in the sun. She looked around, flickering her tongue, before looking towards the treeline; there was some thick clumps of grass along the edge there, and she slowly moved towards it. Morgan backed up to the fence opposite the trees, sitting beside it and watching curiously.

Serena slowly pushed into the grass, parting the blades with a faint brushing sound, and sliding past it. There was several minutes passing quietly, and he was beginning to wonder what had happened to her, when suddenly a loud, startling hiss sounded. There was a pained yelp, and the sounds of a struggle, before a Poochyena burst from the grass and ran towards him. It collapsed half way, panting in a pained manner; there were two puncture marks on its ribs, bleeding heavily. Serena slowly slid from the grass towards it, her fangs a darker crimson than usual; she coiled around the Poochyena quickly, her head directly over the Poochyenas. Morgan turned his head, knowing what came next.

There was a hoarse whine, then a pained one, before a barrage of cracking reached his ears. There was a cold shiver up his spine, knowing that she had killed it quickly, before slowly looking back.

Already, she had started to ingest the body, half of the Poochyena hanging from her maw. As she raised her head, it flopped limply, almost like a fish out of water, before she swallowed. After several seconds, she closed her mouth, tongue cleaning her fangs as she let out a content hiss, a barely noticeable lump sliding down her form.

Morgan slowly walked over, as Serena turned to him and nuzzled hid arm. He sighed, shaking his head slightly before petting her.

"You had to eat, so I guess I should have expected that… But please. If you do hunt, do it where I don't have to see or hear it, OK?" She nodded, nuzzling once again, before yawning and curling up. Morgan slowly placed a hand on her head, before looking down at the city.

"Serena, fold up your fangs, OK? I know a much sunnier place for you to bask in…"

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO

The two of them reached the beach after about ten minutes; moving through the city had been slow going, as she kept having to pause and rest. Eventually, though, without too much incidence they reached the beach. She slowed as she reached the stairs to the sand, looking at it curiously.

"It's sand. It's really soft, Serena, look." Morgan stepped past her, taking a handful and letting the golden grains fall through his fingers. Dusting the hand off, before stepping onto the sand, he looked back with an encouraging smile. Serena slowly slid down beside him, moving onto the sand. Instantly her eyes brightened, and she dropped flat, laying her full underbelly on it as she slid straight across the sand into one of the most exposed and sunny patches possible, people staring as she passed them. Once there, she curled up and rested her head on her coils, resuming her nap. Morgan smiled, before walking over to the nearby Seashore house and entering it.

"Hey, Morgan..! How are you today? Your parents well?" A smile, already large, broke even bigger as he looked to the side at several sailors gathered at a table. They had been talking amongst their selves, and he waved back to them; he knew most sailors, since the crew who lived at Slateport were well known to his parents.

"I'm fine, guys. Mum and dad are good." One of the sailors stood, tossing a bottle of golden fluid to him. Morgan caught it, looking at the label, before grinning.

"Come on..! I'm seventeen, not eighteen..! I can't drink alcohol yet!" There was a chorus of good-hearted jeering from the sailors, before they threw a second one at him, a fumbling hand catching it to more raucous cheering.

"Take them back to your parents, Morgan. That's two bottles of Sinnoh's best brewed ale; Combee Golden Oak! Tell them to enjoy it!" He grinned, holding the bottles in one hand and nodding.

"Will do, guys. Have a safe trip next voyage!" The sailors nodded, raising bottles to him, before returning to their conversations or eyeing the women within the building over to tops of their tankards. He walked up through the house, stopping at the top and talking to the owner.

"Hey, Mr. Sea. Two sodas, please." Mr. Sea glanced to him then nodded, smiling as he turned towards the fridges along the back wall and opened up one, a gust of chilled air spilling past him.

"Bottled, or is one of the sodas to go in a bowl for your pet?" Morgan grinned ever wider, before a quick shake of his head.

"I, uh… Well… I actually brought my own Pokémon along. My parents got me a starter; I'm gonna be going to the Nurse with her for help." Mr. Sea nodded, pulling two bottles of soda from the fridge and passing them to him.

"Two bottles, then? Want me to keep hold of those for you?" Morgan nodded, smiling again as he passed him the alcohol. Reaching into his pocket and pulling out a wallet from his jeans, Morgan passed him the money for the sodas as well.

"Thanks. I'll come back and get them when I leave, OK?" Mr. Sea nodded, before closing the fridge and cashing the bills he'd received. gave him.

"Have a good day, kid. And good luck with your Pokémon." Morgan nodded, thanking him as he left and walked back over to Serena. A lot of people were staring at her now, but she was oblivious in her sleep. He sat beside her, adjusting the cap to keep the sun out of his eyes, and stabbed one of the soda bottles down, leaving it in the sand. An experienced twist of the hand popped the top on the second, before he raised it and took a long drink from it.

"Mmm… Ah, that's cool…" He leant back against Serena, gently reclining on her coil; already it was warmer than the sand, and he almost immediately started sweating heavier than before. Morgan leant away from her, wiping a damp forehead with the back of his hand, and laid on the sand, pulling the cap over his face.

Sevi..?" He sighed, lifting the cap and peering out from beneath it. Serena was looking at Morgan curiously, the bottle of soda in her mouth. He grabbed it, making sure that he had a grip.

"Hey, hey… Don't eat this, you'll be ill…" He took it from her, holding it up and brushing the sand away.

"It's a bottle of soda. It's a drink. If you get hot or thirsty, you open it and drink the soda. See?" Morgan held up his own soda, taking a mouthful and drinking. Serena nodded slightly, flicking her tongue out.

"Here, open your mouth." Another experienced twist soon opened her soda, holding it close to her as she cautiously opened her mouth. Gently placing a hand under her head he tilted her jaw slightly, tipping some of the soda into her mouth, quickly pulling his hand back as he tilted the bottle to stop the flow. Her mouth closed, and Morgan could see her surprise as she swallowed, her tongue sliding over her lips.

"Sevi… Eviper!" He smiled at her, jumping slightly as she darted her head forward and clamped her mouth around his hand, lips meeting at his wrist.

"H-Hey, Serena, be careful…" She let go, tilting her head in confusion, her tongue flicking out to check for her fangs. She frowned at him slightly, before clamping around the hand and poking her tongue onto the soda bottle, the tip feeling along his now damp hand to its neck.

"That's not what I meant…" Morgan sighed, shaking his head slightly as she pulled on his arm. He pulled the hand free, offering her the bottle. After a few seconds, she closed her mouth around the neck of the soda bottle, tilting her head upright. Everyone on the beach could easily see the soda draining through the glass bottle, and as it ran empty she let it fall to the sand, licking her lips. He smiled slightly, before looking down at the hand; it was wet with drool and spilled soda.

"Ew… Serena, we really need to work on what you can and can't do… What if someone thought you were attacking me, huh?" Serena nuzzled him again, her tongue flicking against the hand. He laughed slightly, as it tickled, before looking again to see her licking the soda off.

"Serena that tickles..! Come on, stop..!" She coiled around him with heavy, loosely holding segments, holding him still but not hurting at all, and continued. He pushed her head away, hand still sticky with soda, before she moved up and nuzzled his face. Morgan smiled, hugging her, before squirming slightly.

"Serena, can you let me out now..?" She nodded, uncoiling from his body and curling up at his side, licking the hand again. He sighed, gently petting her with the other hand as she quickly cleaned off the soda. She nuzzled Morgan's side, before resting her head on his lap. Placing a now clean hand on her, he began gently stroking her again, running the hand down her neck. Morgan paused, the hand lingering over one of the golden hexagons on her back. Gently running a hand over it before continuing to stroke her neck, the feeling of a single large, smooth scale addressed his hand. She nuzzled up to his torso, closing her eyes and relaxing against him.

"Sevi… Per…" Morgan smiled slightly, continuing to pet her gently.

"Serena, we'll have to move in a few hours, OK? It'll be really cold soon since a sea breeze will roll in. We can stop at the Centre, I can get stuff like a heat lamp there, then I'll be able to help you with stuff, and you can learn stuff like what you shouldn't eat, or what you can do without getting in trouble." Serena looked up at him, before sighing and nodding slightly. Morgam gently petted her, smiling once more.

"Thanks, girl…"

OXOXOXO-One Year Later-OXOXOXO

Morgan stretched, leaning back in his chair and yawning loudly. Nurse Joy was at the front of the room, and was gesturing to a blackboard with various groups of words on it. It had been a whole year for him now; studying under her voluntary trainer school course. She helped those who couldn't make the daily trip to Rustboro. He looked up as she asked a question, looking over the class.

"Anyone? What is the difference between a Plusle owned by a trainer and a Plusle that is wild?" After a few seconds, there came an answer from Morgan's left.

Uh… You can only eat the wild one..? He groaned, leaning his face into the palm of his hand as several others in the class muffled their laughter. Nurse Joy sighed, shaking her head sadly.

"No, Serena… You do NOT eat the wild one… The difference is that the trainer owned Plusle will be, by accepted standards, slower and less powerful that a Plusle which has survived without help; however, it will be much better at battling because it has the experience combined of both the Pokémon and the trainer." There was a moment of silence, before she spoke again.

OK… So trainer owned Pokémon are better, and that's why we can eat wild Plusle? Morgan sighed, sitting up and looking left at her.

"Serena, come on… Stop thinking with your stomach… You ate four days ago..!" Serena scowled slightly, looking at him; the Trainer was sat behind a desk, but Serena was simply coiled up behind hers.

So? That was four days! I finished with it this morning, and I'm hungry now! She glanced up at the clock on the wall, before sighing.

"Sevi, vipe iper!" He blinked, before shaking his head slightly.

"Hang on, my translator is bugging again…" He reached up to his left ear, grasping at a hexagonal shape and detaching it. Placing it on the desk, he took a closer look at the translation unit; a blocky hexagon, about two inches from one side to the other and two inches thick, with three of the edges devoted to microphones.

Flipping it over and brushing a finger through the connective port and flicking a speck of dust out, he blew into it. Morgan shook it gently, lifting it up and reconnecting the translator unit back into place, tapping it.

"OK, try again." Serena nodded, looking at the clock again.

It's another hour until lunch, that's forever! He abruptly groaned, facepalming before shaking his head.

"You can hold out for an hour, Serena, please… And you're always hungry, what do you expect me to do..?" She huffed in annoyance, lowering her head and turning it to the side as she sulked.

It's not my fault… They give me that crappy excuse for food called Pokechow… It isn't even real meat- Hands darting across to grab her snout, keeping her mouth shut, Morgan looked up laughing nervously.

"Of course it isn't real meat, Serena, trainer owned Pokémon aren't wild anymore…" She rolled her eyes, pulling free and nodding slightly.

Yeah, I know, I know… It's all nutrient supplements, berries and stuff that doesn't taste of food that apparently is just as good… He flinched suddenly, as something smacked into the side of his head; looking at the desk revealed a stick of chalk. Nurse Joy was standing up at the board, frowning at them both.

"If you two are done talking, can I resume my lesson now?" Morgan nodded slightly, turning back to face the front as Serena laid her head on the table, muttering under her breath. He opened the notebook up, lifting a pen and started taking notes again as she moved onto status effects and ways to cure them.

As soon as the clock rang for the end of the lesson, he packed the stuff away, and the second the door was open and he had the backpack slung onto his shoulders, Serena sped out of the classroom. Morgan groaned, running after her and jumping over someone she had knocked over in her haste as he followed her out of the Centre. Dodging people who stepped aside as she moved up the main road in Slateport, heading north, he finally caught up to her and called her name. Morgan ran up next to her head, and she lifted it up to look at him.

"Serena, come on, slow down..! It's not a race..!" She hissed slightly, before he grabbed hold of her, wrapping his arms round her body and digging his heels in.

Let go..! I need to get there quickly! Morgan scowled, pulling on her until she finally stopped. He sighed, leaning against the wall beside them and looked at her as she coiled up.

"What is the rush..? We'll have time to get back…" She shook her head, looking around before replying.

Morgan… You're a great trainer… You treat me well, even though most people treat me differently because I'm a Poison type. And you don't force me to eat cruddy food like those other trainers do… But I swear, if I don't get lunch now, I'm eating the next thing I fight. He shook my head, laughing slightly and standing, walking towards Route 110. Serena uncoiled, moving beside him, head raised up to be level with his own.

"I guess we had better hurry… You seem to fight a lot with the others, and while I'm sure I can talk you out of trouble for attacking a Pokémon, a person would be a different matter. I'll eat my lunch near the fence, you go have… Whatever you catch." She smiled, nuzzling him slightly as they passed into Route 110, the cobbled floor giving way to soft earth and grass. He strode over to the fence preventing people getting into the Cycling Road without a bike, sitting by it and putting the backpack beside himself. Serena flicked her tongue out, before lowering herself flat to the floor and slithering through a gap in the trees into the wooded area.

He opened my backpack, pulling out a packed lunch and taking the lid off the tupperware container. Within it was a sandwich, an apple and a snack bar. Morgan lifted the apple, biting from it as he pulled out a second notebook and pen, flipping it open to a page with several notes and drawing of plants on it.

"Hmm… Let's see…" He took a pencil from the backpack, flicking to the next page and beginning to sketch out a scene. Initially starting on the background, gently lining in the trees opposite him as well before adding the long grass, he stopped just before it ended. Looking up, he saw several Wingull overhead. Smiling and reaching down to the lunch box, he picked up the apple again and started sketching the birds in as well. He paused as he heard faint howl, then returned to the drawing.

He started with the outline, adding in basic shapes and forms, joining them and finalising the shapes. Flipping the pencil over for the attached rubber he scrubbed out the sketched lines and unwanted lines, leaving a rougher drawing behind. He continued, adding a little detail such as patterns or shapes that were present until he was happy, and the pulled his pen out. Morgan was halfway through carefully inking in the final drawing when he heard someone walking over. Looking up, he saw Nurse Joy approaching. Quickly stuffing the notebook away, he also grabbed the rest of his lunch before cramming it in.

"I'm not late again, am I? I thought we still had time to eat left!" Nurse Joy smiled, shaking her head as he pulled myself up, looking around as she spoke.

"No, you're not late. I'm here for something else. You, and several other people, are ready for their final test so that you can leave. I know a lot of you are annoyed that you cannot just up and go adventuring, but your parents are right when they want you to know some basic knowledge of training. Especially you." He frowned slightly, pulling the apple out and biting into it again.

"So… Why me, especially..?" Nurse Joy looked around again, frowning slightly as she did so.

"With respect, you have a Poison type. I'm not like other people, I don't view them with a bias. But they can be much more dangerous… If there's an accident, or your Pokémon is less well trained, you can very easily be seriously hurt. Or worse." He sighed, nodding slightly, before tapping the Pokeball at his waist.

"I know… I got this from my dad when I first received Serena. He even bought me about a dozen various antidotes in case of an accident. But she's careful. Fighting, playing, cuddling, she's never hurt me. The worse she's ever done is try and eat my hand because I spilt soda over it by mistake and she tasted the sweetness on it. She even makes sure to fold her fangs away when we play together." Nurse Joy nodded slightly, before asking another question.

"And when you two play together, what do you do?" Morgan shrugged, taking another bite of apple as he thought it over.

"Well… The most common thing we do is wrestle… She'll pounce me at random and coil me up, and we'll roll around and play for a while. I try to get free and she tries to keep hold of me. It's safe though; she folds her fangs away, and I bought her this leather sheath for her tail as well. Not to mention she keeps her coils loose; I could stand if I was able to carry her weight, and she would just slide off. She's a big baby really, just gentle and playful and loves to be petted." There was a rustling from the trees as Serena slipped through them, sliding towards us. She coiled up beside him, nuzzling Morgan's cheek.

What's wrong? Are we late again? He shook his head, gently petting her, stroking down her neck.

"No, Nurse Joy was just letting me know that we're almost ready to go on our adventure. We've done the year long course, so we know enough of the basics now to be safe." There was an irritated hiss as Serena looked at Nurse Joy.

I can take care of him easily. Much better than anyone else would be able to. Nurse Joy nodded slightly, looking at Serena curiously, before looking back to Morgan.

"OK. Well, I thought you should know. I'll see you back in… Fifteen minutes. Don't be late, you two. Tomorrow especially; I'll be battling all of those who are able to leave to test you." The two of them nodded as Nurse Joy turned, walking back towards Slateport.

Why was she looking at me like that? Morgan shrugged, glancing at Serena before pausing.

"You ate already? Normally it takes you longer…" She nodded slightly, gently nuzzling his arm with her cheek.

Normally. But I got lucky today; instead of finding a Poochyena I found a nest in a tree with Eggs in it. He sighed, shaking his head slightly.

"You really do play a dangerous game here… Living by your wild diet… If anyone finds out, who knows what would happen." Serena nodded, before looking around carefully.

It might be risky, but won't it be worse for you? If they find out that you're letting me do it… With a smirk he shrugged, hugging her before letting go. Again he reached into his backpack, pulling out the chocolate bar and unwrapping it. Serena's eyes locked onto it, and he sighed, smiling slightly.

"You and sweet things…" He broke half of the chocolate away, tossing in the air. Serena tracked it, darting her head forwards and snapping it out of the air, gulping it down. Morgan ate his own half of the bar, pulling a Pokenav out of his pocket and flicking it open.

"We have… about ten minutes. Go curl up in the sun, take a nap; I'm gonna finish my lunch and then we'll head back." She nodded, nuzzling him again, before moving over and curling up in a sunny spot, closing her eyes. He smiled, sitting down and leaning against her coils as he pulled the sandwich out, unwrapping the cling film and taking a bite from it. Serena shifted, a coil looping lazily around his chest in a hug. Morgan chuckled, patting her gently, and leant back against her as he ate, enjoying the warmth and company with his Pokémon.