Disclaimer: I do not own Pokemon.
Note: I'm also seeking a beta reader, please send me a message if you're willing to be one. : )
Second Note: I often have the habit of going over and over my chapters for mistakes, so do not be surprised if it's is updated every two to three weeks.
Articuno sat on a log in a forest clearing, staring cautiously at Hearthome City in the distance. As she spent most of her time in the quiet area around the SeaFoam Islands in Kanto, the city's noises which she could hear even from here, startled her. She had come to Sinnoh, as she had wanted to get away from Zapdos who had been bothering her. Articuno normally didn't mind talking to the other legendary pokemon, but Zapdos had a nasty habit of electrocuting any pokemon who disagreed with her.
She had then been persuaded by Moltres who had been in the vicinity, who was also currently on bad terms with Zapdos, to accompany her on a trip for awhile around various parts of Sinnoh. Being curious at what Sinnoh was like, she had agreed. They had then sneaked off while Zapdos was resting, who was probably tired after a one-sided discussion about which tasted better: Pokeblocks or Poffins. After first going to SnowPoint City to have their appearance changed to human-like by Uxie, they had then begun sight-seeing. Their first stop was at Hearthome City, as they had liked the sound of it.
However, the secondthey had arrived, Moltres had run off into the deeper parts of the forest, shouting something about smelling honey? She couldn't stay here long though. The wild pokemon in the forest were getting suspicious about her, and out of the corner of her eyes she could see some of the local starlys eyeing her and hopping closer. Getting up, she quickly made her way onto the road.
[-A few minutes later-]
Moltres came walking into the clearing and sank wearily onto a stone. After following the scent of honey, she had stumbled upon a strange tree that was dripping in the stuff. She had curiously reached out a finger to the tree to taste the honey, and the next thing she knew she was surrounded by angry-looking Combees. She had escaped them by jumping into a river, much to her unhappiness, but she was now covered in stings and was soaking wet. But where did Articuno go? Moltres thought, looking around for the non-existent pokemon. Oh well, I'll just dry off and then explore for a bit, Moltresdecided.
I'm regretting this already, Articuno thought, standing in the midst of a crowd. Upon arriving in Hearthome City, she had discovered a few things:
The city was extremely noisy compared to the Seafoam Islands.
With so many people around her, she felt hot.
She needed to get somewhere cool, fast.
People kept on giving her strange looks every time they brushed past her, as her skin felt cold.
Looking around for the nearest place where she could get out of the heat, Articuno spotted a small building with a green roof which had a sign next to it saying: The Poffin House
The Poffin House? A place where they made Poffins? Articuno wondered, walking towards the building. She had once come across a bag of Poffins that someone had dropped. She had quite enjoyed the taste.
Ah, finally cool, Articuno thought, upon entering the Poffin House. As a bonus, she had not earned any strange looks yet at her unusual appearance as everyone in the vicinity was intent on making their poffins.
Unfortunately, a short man wearing oversize sunglasses and holding a walking stick who came out of nowhere ruined it by appearing in front of her.
'Welcome, my dear lady to the Poffin House!' he said, shaking her hand. 'No doubt you are here to try and make some poffins for your beloved pokemon, but judging by your surprised expression this is no doubt your first time here, yes? Then come with me!' he exclaimed, dragging her over to a nearby poffin machine.
'Um, hi…' Articuno stammered, floundering in this unexpected meeting. Sure she had expected someone to eventually try and talk to her, but in the very first place she visited? And she who had only just entered? How bad could her luck get? Articuno miserly thought.
'Oh I am so very sorry!' the man declared, all the time settling out berries on the table and fiddling around with the poffin machine. 'You must be confused as to who I am. Let me introduce myself: I am the Chairman of the Pokemon Fan Club, we who love pokemon! ' he happily said, sticking out his hand.
There's fan clubs for pokemon?, Articuno wondered, gingerly sticking out her hand and having it firmly shaken. But perhaps this was a blessing in disguise after all. She could learn from this person not to be suspicious.
'Well now, the secret to making a good poffin is to first liquidize the berries, and then slowly stir them in the pan to avoid spilling. When your poffin solidifies, you then stir it faster to avoid it sticking and burning to the pan. Some good beginner berries to start with are Cheri, Chesto, Pecha, Rawst and Oran, as if you burn them, you can easily get some more.' the Chairman rattled off, as the timer went off and out emerged a poffin which as far as Articuno could see had no burned bits on it. 'Now you try it!' the Chairman said, waving a walking stick in his hand.
[-Two hours later-]
Articuno's first poffin making attempts were nothing short of disastrous. Not only had she burned them until the result was that they looked and tasted like bits of coal-she had almost broken a tooth nibbling one- she had also made the pan overflow several times, causing the hot poffin liquid to spill all over them. Luckily, their clothes were protected by the aprons and the Chairman was kind enough to repeat his instructions over and over again.
However, around noontime, she had made a bag full of poffins that were decent-enough tasting. 'Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman, for showing me how to make poffins,' Articuno gratefully said, bowing slightly.
'It's only my pleasure,' the Chairman replied, fanning himself with his hat as the weather had turned even hotter while they had been in the air-conditioned Poffin House. 'But if you don't mind me asking, you seem unfamiliar with this place. Are you visiting?' he questioned.
'I'm here sight-seeing with Moltres-I mean one of my friends,' Articuno hastily spoke, wondering where this conversation was going.
'In that case, would you mind if I took an hour or so to show you around?' the Chairman said, while placing his hat back onto his head. 'I've heard some rumours that a group of strange people who dress weirdly have been around lately.'
Slightly taken aback, Articuno did some quick thinking. If I go with this person around the city, I'll be able to escape easily should something go amiss, and at the same time, search around for Moltres. If the rumours are true, knowing her personality, she'll get into trouble sooner or later.
'Sure,'Articuno cautiously answered, deciding that a wary attitude would be best.
'Excellent! In that case, I'll be sure to show you why Hearthome City is voted the number one place every year in Sinnoh to live!' The Chairman shouted, waving his walking stick in the air, and then grabbing Articuno's hand, tugging her in the direction of the centre of the city.
My hand…Articuno thought as she was dragged off once again.
Half-heartedly listening to the Chairman rambling on about the owner of Amity Square and also apparently the owner of a pokemon mansion, Articuno let her thoughts go back to Moltres. Moltres was normally hot-tempered and was not afraid of anything or anyone, whether it was a pokemon or a human. This meant that she was often getting into trouble. Normally Articuno or Zapdos would bail her out, but if Moltres was left alone too long, she would probably get into a fight and risk blowing their cover. Thinking of Zapdos, Articuno could only hope that by the time she and Moltres came back, Zapdos would just disdainfully ignore them.
By the time the sun was going to set, Articuno had had more than enough of the busy city. She then tactfully mentioned that she needed to go back soon.
'It's been a real pleasure showing you around, Miss Articuno. Now I also must be going, for I've been away from my own pokemon for far too long! Farewell now, and enjoy your sight-seeing!' the Chairman shouted, waving goodbye.
Making her way out of Hearthome City, Articuno then walked her way back to the relative quiet of the clearing, after making sure nobody was following her. Well, today's been interesting, Articuno mused as she climbed up a tree to sleep after shaking off the wild wrumples nesting in it and covering it in a comforting blanket of snow, causing the wild bug/grass pokemon to crawl/run away. The only bad thing is that I didn't find Moltres. I wonder what she's doing now…
That's all for my first chapter. Review please, and tell me which parts I'm doing right or wrong. Also, I will be slow in updating as I'm mostly busy, but I intend to continue this fanfic till it's finished.