DISCLAIMER: I do not own Pokemon

PUNCHING BAG

Wake was excited. Finally, his first pokemon was going to be in his possession! He was so excited; he was dressed for the occasion.

In wrestling bottoms and a tank top that attracted the attention of many people walking down the street.

It didn't faze him one bit, though, because he knew that the people that laughed at him now would bow down to him sooner or later.

What Pokemon would you like?

Wake's eyes travelled over the poke balls. Each one had a different Pokemon inside.
The sound of the clock's ticking echoed off the walls as Professor Rowan scratched his beard absently.

Wake opened his mouth.

I'd like Piplup professor

But that wasn't what he said.

Here you are, young Wake, a healthy Turtwig to start off your journey. Would you like to have a nickname for him?

Wake shook his head, roaring with laughter as he held his new Pokémon's poke ball up triumphantly. He had travelled all the way to Sandgem for this and this alone.
The poke ball was thrown into the air outside, and Turtwig glowed red before raising a paw in greeting. Wake smiled at him.

You'll be an important Pokemon for the team, don't you worry!

I'm not sure these days whether I should be happy or not.
But I've chosen not to be.

I'm still an important member of his team, oh yes. But in a different way.

Hey Turtwig, look! A Magikarp! Let's go catch it!

That was a Memory.

They're called Memories because ...
they're the ones worth remembering.

All right, Turtwig! We got it!

That is also a Memory. You might be wondering why that's different from the first. They should be combined into one Memory. After all, it happened in the space of less then a minute.
That first battle I took in avidly.

Come on pokeball, I know you can catch it… Yes!

After he caught the Weakling, he began to train it.

Turtwig, I want you to fight Magikarp.

Another Memory. It was my first win, and I was jumping for joy, hoping to please my trainer. Too bad.
He only had eyes for the Weakling.

All right Magikarp, try again. You can win if you set your mind to it!

That Magikarp didn't have a chance. Again and again I beat it in battle. Again and again he pitted it against me.
He was training me up to become stronger, I thought.

OK Magikarp. Rest a while; I need to think … Turtwig- hey – what's up?

I was so proud, the day I evolved. I looked at my trainer … his face fell. He was disappointed.
I couldn't understand. I was stronger … shouldn't he be … happy? Wasn't this what we were working for?

Hmm … Grotle, return!

I remember the inside of the poke ball. It was comfortable. I could sleep for days on end.
The next time I came out, I saw the weakling before me again.
I yawned, and warmed myself up.

Still? Magikarp return! Ok Grotle … I want you to meet a new member of the team.

It was a Buizel.
Even now I remember it leering at me. But not for long.

Buizel are you ok? Never mind- return! Grotle … you return too.

The next time I came out, I was expecting the weakling again.
I looked around the hulking dragon, trying to find him.

Grotle over here. Ready to battle? Ok … go!

… This is taking a while … Gyarados return! Grotle …Not again!

That time I did not hear him. I was happy, too happy, to have heard him. I had evolved into Torterra.
Another Memory.

Now I simply rest in my Pokeball, waiting until I am called out to face his prized Pokemon after a tough loss in his gym.
It had confused me for a while, why he had chosen me and not Piplup for a starter, if what he had really wanted to do was take over the Pastoria gym as a Water type Gym Leader.
But I know, now.

I was just the punching bag.