Pokemon Camp
"Kaelen, finish packing your things!" Joy. I woke up at six in the morning to my older brother's call. My head still groggy from the after-effects of sleep, I opened my mouth to shout back an insult. Then I remembered. I'm going to Pokemon Camp today! Hastily rubbing the sleepy feeling from my eyes, I glanced around for my suitcase. I found it nestled between my novel-filled bookcase and my softly snoring Mightyena, its paws running about as if it were dreaming. I nudged it, and it shot up, opening its bright yellow eyes, taking a moment to yawn widely before looking into my eyes, wagging its tail happily. Giving a luxurious stretch, it moved over a few feet, laid back down, and went back to sleep.
"You goofball," I said affectionately, rubbing Mightyena's ears the way it liked, eliciting a quiet grunt from the large canine. I grabbed my suitcase, and quickly stuffed clothes in it, panicking as I could not find my brush or my sneakers. Suddenly the door opened, startling Mightyena. It growled, then realized that it was only my brother Dane. Glaring reproachfully at him, Mightyena purposefully stalked off behind my twin bed. Moments later the sound of muffled snoring reached our ears. I grinned, but it dissipated as I glanced at my brother's disapproving face.
" Let me guess. You forgot to pack." I stared sheepishly back at him. He shook his head and reached behind him. Smiling, he pulled out a new suitcase, and handed it to me. Aghast, I unzipped it and found all of my clothes, as well as my brush and sneakers. I smiled, and Dane looked at me benevolently.
"I thought you could use a new suitcase. Your old one has Mightyena's fur permanently ground into it." I rushed into his arms, and he hugged me.
"Thank you so much!" I ran my hands over the suitcase, feeling the new material. I noticed a large pocket in the front, and peered inside. Tucked safely in clear plastic containment units were seven Pokeballs. But they were unlike any I'd ever seen before. Opening one of the plastic covers, I pulled out a brilliant white one with red trim. It expanded in my hand to show a Pokeball of the exact opposite of a regular one.
"It's gorgeous," I exclaimed.
"It's a rare Pokeball. You get one for every ten regular Pokeballs you buy at the mart. I don't know what it's called though." I smiled at him. "Considering I spend so much money there anyway, the local mart gave me a set of them as thanks."
"God, Dane! How can I ever thank you?" He thought for a moment, running his hands through his wavy black hair.
" You can thank me by doing your best at Pokemon Camp. I went there four years ago, and I still fondly remember it." His ice-blue eyes glazed over, and I could see that he was lost in the memories.
"Okay," I said. I stood up and dragged my new suitcase out of my room and down the stairs, Mightyena dutifully following behind me.
"Now Mightyena, can you promise to be good while I'm gone?" It whined, and nuzzled my hand. "Aw, relax. I'm only going to be gone a month." Mightyena whined even louder, and pawed at my suitcase. Please don't go, Kaelen.
I froze in my tracks and stared at my Pokemon. Did Mightyena just speak to me? In all the years that I've known it, ever since I found it as a Poochyena cowering behind a trashcan, I'd never heard it speak before.
Absently, I petted its muzzle and gathered my suitcase, pondering the possibilities.
"Dane! Let's go!" I called. He came rushing out of the house, and skidded to a stop, stepping on Mightyena's furry tail. It yelped and snarled at Dane who began to apologize profusely. I couldn't help but laugh at their silly banter.
"I'm coming, I'm coming," he replied, glancing nervously at Mightyena, who glared at him, its tail safely tucked between its front legs. "Sorry, Mightyena," he said, reaching out to pet it. It's ok, Dane. I forgive you. I saw Mightyena gently lick Dane's hand, and a smile spread slowly across his face.
"Are you two done already?" I complained, glancing at my watch. "We're gonna be late!"
"Not to worry, little sis. I've got it covered!" He rifled about in his pack for a moment before drawing out a Pokeball, its coloring slightly faded from being thrown so many times. "Let's go!" He flung the ball into the air and it burst open. A flash of brilliant white light hit the ground to reveal my brother's very first Pokemon.
