First of all, I do not own whatever is in this story with the
exception of that which is derived from my own overactive imagination. I
hate that. The repetitive disclaimers. Everyone knows that you are using
ideas that aren't yours, but you have to do a disclaimer anyway. What's
worse is the authors who try to be witty and use characters or jokes to
tell the disclaimers. No offense, since your type will probably be my
readers. Anyway, this is the only author introduction you will probably see
for the entire story. I just first wanted to explain why I'm writing this
story. Skip ahead, if you must. I like to consider myself a writer, and as
a writer, fanfiction interests me. You can find a subject that you know
quite well and use that as a basis to examine other writing styles. Taking
note on those you like and those that are obnoxious. As for why I chose
pokemon? If you asked me if I liked pokemon, I could answer either yes or
no, and still be telling the truth. I have played a few of the games and
they are enjoyable for the first couple of gyms, but they quickly grow
repetitive. I have seen some of the anime, and like the game is enjoyable
for five minutes, before I want to hurl my cat at the TV (by the way, I
have nothing against cats). In my mind, pokemon is a good concept that
somewhere went horribly wrong. There are too many options concerning the
way the idea was presented, that could have been easily changed for the
better, that weren't, to be rational (why can't it be more like Monster
Rancher). So, enter my little fanfic and you won't hear from me again for
awhile. Just to let you know I am putting myself into the story, but he
doesn't come until later. The first few chapters are about the group he
joins, and he only plays a minor role, however, later on he will usurp the
story and make it his own. Apologies to anyone who might think I used an
idea of theirs, just take it as a compliment. If it really bothers you,
send me an e-mail and I will attempt to mutilate my story in order to
exorcise whatever is upsetting you, unless of course if the idea truly
originated in my left hemisphere, in which case; Stuff it. I'm done, you
can read the story now.
===========================================================================
She woke up with a smile. As always sunshine streamed through her blinds giving off a pleasant enough amount of light. She stretched, yawned one and a half times before lightly jumping to her feet. As usual she made her bed. She gathered the clothes she planned to wear for the day and walked into the bathroom. Looking in the mirror she saw nothing special, however anyone else would have been in awe. Somehow, quite to the contrary of every other living thing, she looked more beautiful when she had just woken up. Hair nice and neat, Smooth skin with a strangely attractive gleam, she was very beautiful with a figure to match. After showering and dressing she skipped down the stairs. "Morning, poppa!" she exclaimed, "Guess what today is!"
"I know, I know" he grumbled. 'How could anyone have this much energy in the morning. Must be from her mother's side.' "I'm sorry, but your brother has already left for the gym and won't be able to see you off."
"That's okay, He'll need all the practice he can get, because I'm going to win that badge from him. After I get my pokemon, and train a little bit, of course."
"I still don't like the idea of you traveling by yourself."
"We've been through this, poppa. They will be teaching us for a whole month before we're even allowed to get our pokemon."
"I know, otherwise you wouldn't be going. Now go about your morning routine and we can leave."
"Okay!" She skipped off quickly snatching something off the hook next to the door, and bounding into another room.
Her father grumbled again about youth being wasted on the young before filling up another cup of coffee. "That should buy me a few minutes" he said to noone in particular and picked up the paper. I just hope my little Anna will be all right.
-------------------------
At a different house, in a different city, a different young girl awoke in a much different manner.
"Ha, ha" a little boy with a sandy bowlcut laughed. He watched as his older sister raced around her room, stuffing random objects in a backpack. Her hair was in total disarray and she was still in her pajamas. He continued to laugh until a door was slammed in his face.
"Out, you little troll!" She snarled, today was just not a good day, "I have to get dressed!"
The little boy rubbed his nose as he went downstairs to tell on her.
Seconds later, the girl quickly overtook him on the stairs, completely dressed, backpack on, and short auburn hair brushed. Grabbing her father's waffle, she ran out the door barely catching the 8:15 bus.
"What was that?" the father asked the little boy.
"She's late." the boy replied. Despite his frequent conflicts with his older sister, he would miss Emily, now that she was leaving.
-------------------------
Fifteen young people ranging from ten years old to sixteen, got off buses, got out of parents' cars, and simply strolled into the large campus main hall. They all took seats in the auditorium that seemed way too big for ten teenagers and their parents. They crowded near the front in the middle. Soon a large number of unknown people began filling the auditorium. There were a number of chairs up on the stage lined up in a row. Their purpose became clear when certain professors sat in them along with what appeared to be gym leaders. After the auditorium seemed more or less full and the incoming number of people died down, one of the professors approached the podium, slightly in front of the row of chairs.
"Attention. Attention." He gained no response from the crowd, as they continued to talk amongst themselves. He wordlessly pulled a small ball that quickly became larger, from his pocket. With the press of a button a large roar echoed through the building. All eyes turned towards the stage, just in time to see the man at the podium pocketing a once again small ball. "As I was saying, attention. We will now begin. Before I start I would like the chosen fifteen to please stand up." Fifteen young people somewhat clustered together stood up, nervously looking around. "Thank you. These fifteen have been chosen by the panel of professors and gym leaders behind me." He casually motioned at the important looking people behind him. "In order to be chosen, one had to fill out the application and hand deliver it to any one of the judges behind me." The second aspect was much more important that the first, because it allowed the judges to meet the candidates and assure they had the right mindset to care for pokemon. Each judge was allowed to pick one candidate, hence the fifteen judges and the fifteen new trainers." He sat down as an elderly woman approached the podium.
"Anybody can become a trainer," she began, "all they need to do is have a starting pokemon. However these lucky fifteen recipients will be given a starting pokemon, a top-of-the-line pokedex, one free badge, a special gym leader program, and two weeks of training at this university in areas such as wilderness survival and proper pokemon care. "She adjusted her horn-rimmed glasses before continuing. "Also during the course of the two weeks, in your free time you may visit what we have nicknamed 'the vault' ", this earned a small laugh from the panel behind her, and the apathetic wrath, in the form of a mindless stare, that only a teenager can give, from the majority of the audience. "After we adjourn you will receive you dorm assignments. Lunch will be provided to both trainers and their parents in the cafeteria. Any questions?" She looked around, and since noone made a motion to stop her she announced the heads of the boys and the girls' dorms and dismissed everyone.
"Oh, look at that girl, poppa." the blonde girl whined to her father, "It looks like she's all by herself. I'm going to go talk to her." And she raced over to greet the unhappy looking girl.
Her poppa simply groaned and walked off to the cafeteria.
"Hi! I'm Anna! What's your name?"
The other girl slowly looked up, trying to judge whether or not this person could seriously be this upbeat. She had an instant dislike for her. The girl had long blonde hair draped over one shoulder and was very beautiful. At first, she seemed inappropriately dressed, but Emily couldn't figure out why she thought that. The girl was wearing normal clothes, but they just seemed to hang in a way that showed off her figure. Emily didn't like how those thoughts sounded and decided to cut her train of thought and give the girl a chance. "I'm Emily. Nice to meet you."
"Oh, it's just wonderful to meet you too," the girl called Anna gleefully said, "I just know we are going to be the best of friends."
'No way is this girl for real' Emily silently thought, "Uh, sure."
"Do you want to have lunch with me? What is your room number? What kind of pokemon do you want? Can I call you Em or Emma?" Anna rambled off.
'Wow, she is for real. Must really wear out her folks.' Emily contemplated. "Sure, I'm by myself. I'm sure we can talk over lunch."
Neither girl noticed that one of the ten chosen had also stayed behind and had been watching them. "They seem nice." A small fox head poked out of his black messenger bag and nodded its agreement.
-------------------------
All throughout the two-week period the ten chosen learned a great deal. What kind of berries can be eaten, how to setup a tent, and even certain people that can be counted on to give assistance. They learned that their gym leader program was actually an agreement between the various gym leaders. The number of badges a trainer had would restrict the level of pokemon a gym leader would use. That way the gym battles would become progressively harder and make it easier to train pokemon. The new trainers also took classes, learning about pokemon, types, and evolutions. During free time they could visit with each other or the ten pokemon that would be handed out on the last day. The trainers were also encouraged to travel with at least one other person, since even though there was hardly ever any serious crimes, it was still safer with someone else. Emily and Anna decided to travel together and although they had only known each other for two weeks, they became good friends.
-------------------------
At the end of the two weeks the ten pokemon experts who had chosen the trainers gathered them on stage in the building they had first met in. They would now receive their pokemon. The ten trainers were gathered in a circle. Emily sat next to Anna who was talking to someone who could only be described as a hunk. He was actually short, barely over five and a half feet. He was thin, but looking closely she could she tight muscles hidden beneath a t-shirt. He had short brown hair that would be better described as clumpy than spiky due to a lack of hair-gel. However, his eyes were a dark ocean blue. They were probably his best feature, but even that wouldn't explain why she thought he was a hunk. He was just good-looking. She concluded it must be his attitude, kinda mysterious, but positive nonetheless. She snapped to attention when she realized that both he and Anna were looking at her.
"See something you like?" he asked. Emily's face flushed, glared at him, and she stumbled over some kind of response. "I meant the pokemon." He innocently explained, gesturing at the center of their circle where ten pokemon now sat. There was a Squirtle, a Bulbasaur, a Charmander, a Totodile, a Cyndaquil, a Mankey, a Poliwag, an Abra, a Gastly, a Weedle, and a few more that didn't seem like they were from anywhere around here.
Anna laughed and Emily turned to her other side to avoid further embarrassment. "Kinda strange, isn't he?" another boy asked. He held out his hand, "I'm David." He was taller than the other guy, and definitely not as in shape, but he did have one thing. He looked plain. Ordinary. Nothing spectacular. To sum up: Boring. She liked him better than the other boy instantly.
"I'm Emily, that's Anna. We're both 15." She replied and shook his hand. She realized she had spent two weeks with these people and the only one she knew was Anna. "So, what's his deal?"
"Him?" David said, "Come to think of it, I don't know. When you're talking with him, it seems like he's your best friend in the whole world, but to be honest, I know nothing about him except his name. Strange name. He's a real charmer though." He finished almost as an afterthought.
"Hmm." Emily turned an unhappy stare at the way he seemed to get along with Anna.
"Oh, don't worry." David said, upon seeing Emily's glare, "He's completely harmless. When I said he was a charmer, I just meant that he gets along with everybody. He has this way of making the most different people mesh together. However, as good as he is, he can't seem to do it on purpose. So your friend is safe. I like how he says things that can be taken two completely opposite directions. It makes him sorta mysterious."
"Okay. Hey, shouldn't we have started yet?"
Just then an elderly man, who Emily recognized as the man who first spoke on the first day, walked up to the group. She noticed that the auditorium had been filled with college students, like before. Professor Maple cleared his throat before beginning, "You have all done well, these past two weeks. When you return to your rooms to pack, you will find your pokedexes, starting badge which proves you are one of the ten annually chosen trainers, and a waterproof manual to jot down notes in. Now, you will each receive one pokemon each."
"Can I have Abra?" one of the younger trainers, a boy no older than Emily's little brother asked.
"I'm getting to that" the professor explained. How does this man have so much patience? "We, the panel, have devised a way that puts the best suited trainer with each pokemon. First, we will let the pokemon wander around and pick their own trainers, if they choose. At that time, noone may callout or encourage a pokemon to come to them. It must be the pokemon's decision. Afterwards we will go through the remaining pokemon one by one. If only one of the remaining trainers desires that pokemon, he or she will receive it. If more than one trainer wants that particular pokemon, than the panel will ask questions about the specific type of pokemon. Whoever gets the most right will receive the pokemon. Are you all ready? Let's begin." The professor than pulled out a whistle and with a short chirping sound the pokemon began moving.
David tensed up as the Totodile began moving towards their side of the room. He clearly wanted that pokemon. She was almost laughed when Totodile hopped into Anna's lap off to her right, but decided against it due to David's slackened features. She glanced over at the boy sitting next to Anna and noticed no pokemon would go anywhere near him. Hearing a low, almost silent rumble, she noticed two glowing eyes looking out from underneath the flap of his messenger bag. Whatever was in there wasn't letting anything else come near him.
The Professor blew his strange whistle again and the trainers without pokemon all moaned. Only Anna, the boy who had gotten his wish for an Abra, and another girl who had enticed a Cyndaquil had pokemon. 'Good' Emily thought, 'At least noone got Charmander.' The professor pulled out a stack of index cards and began. "Squirtle. Who wants to receive a Squirtle?" Only one person raised his hand. "Good. Next is Bulbasaur. Who wants this pokemon?" Nobody offered so the Professor continued, "Bulbasaur is a grass- type, and has two evolutions. It is capable of many nonphysical attacks from poison powder, which can affect a pokemon indirectly, to solar beam that affects a pokemon directly. Very directly. This got two boys to raise their hands, but one gave way to the other. "Next, is Gastly." Surprisingly a girl raised her hand. Once again, a pokemon was given out without any contestation. "How about Poliwag." the professor continued. Only one girl wanted it. As more pokemon were handed out Emily was starting to get nervous; the strange guy next to Anna hadn't shown interest in any of the other pokemon. Did he also want Charmander? "All that's left is Weedle, Mankey, and Charmander. Who would like what?"
"I want Weedle!" David quickly said. Neither Emily nor the boy seemed to be in a rush to object, so David received his precious Weedle.
"Which one do you want?" Emily turned and looked at the boy with the blue eyes who questioned her. Anna had left, leaving only empty space between them.
"Why? So, you can take it!" Emily shouted.
The boy just raised one eyebrow, gave her an amused look and stated, "I only asked because I'm going to let you have it."
"oh." Emily quietly murmured. Maybe she should give him a chance like she did with Anna. "In that case I want Charmander!"
"Take it. I won't be using the pokemon I get anyways."
"What! That's cruel. You're just going to let it sit in its ball?!"
"No. I'm going to give it to the first trainer who I meet that deserves it. I already -have- pokemon. I don't -need- another." He coolly stated. He casually stood up, slung his bag over its proper shoulder, and snapped his fingers at the Mankey. It eagerly jumped onto his opposite shoulder. He then silently walked out.
Anna came running up at that moment and gleefully said, "Isn't he cool! He told me he also had a Totodile once. He named it Clamp. He says he keeps it in its ball because Totodiles quickly become a nightmare. I'm going to call mine Daffodil!"
"-" Emily looked down at the pokeball now containing Charmander, "He did let me choose." She let the Charmander out of its ball and rubbed its head. "I'll call you Rex." She looked up at Anna and told her she was ready to leave.
As the two girls were leaving they found David waiting for them. "Oh. Hello." Anna chirped, "Have we met?"
"Uh, hi." David replied and began speaking to Emily, since she seemed to be in charge, "Would you two mind if I tagged along? I wanted to go with someone else, but he told me that he would see me later and when I turned around he had disappeared and I really don't know anyone and you seemed real nice this morning and..."
David was cut off as Emily shouted, "Enough! Fine! Come with us. First, though, you have to battle me."
"Okay. I guess." David stuttered. Suddenly Emily was a lot more frightening.
"By the way, the other guy you wanted to travel with. It was him, wasn't it?" Emily demanded.
"So, if we go with you, we'll meet him again?" Anna cut in ever so sweetly.
"-We- aren't going with -David-, -David- is going with -us-, right?" Emily said in a way that hardly seemed to be a question, "Say David, why did you want the Totodile before? You seemed very happy to get your itty, bitty Weedle?"
"My friend Strikerfox had one, it always came through for him, so I figured it would be a good start."
"Interesting. Actually, on second thought, it's not. Let's battle!"
-------------------------
A few minutes later, the three began marching along the trail, towards the first gym they would battle. A happy Anna chatting with an oddly equally happy Emily, and a depressed David bringing up the rear. Both of the girls' pokemon were skipping along the side, while David's pokemon was nowhere to be seen.
"That sure was great, Em. Next time you'll battle me, right?"
"Sure. How about when we stop at the pokecenter. We do have to go to the pokecenter, since David's little Weedle needs -healing-."
"It's one thing that she beat my Weedle. But, did she have to do it with Rex's eyes closed?"
End of Chapter 1 (Just thought I'd let you know)
Footnote: This chapter was mainly from Emily's POV, next is David. Also, next chapter, the mystery man is revealed. Not really that great a surprise. You'll read about his reputation from a fan. Also I figure I should give David some male companionship, so I'll work on that.
Review: Emily and Anna are opposites, with fire and water pokemon respectively, David will continue to have odd and/or strange looking pokemon in order to give Emily all the more room to make fun of him.
===========================================================================
She woke up with a smile. As always sunshine streamed through her blinds giving off a pleasant enough amount of light. She stretched, yawned one and a half times before lightly jumping to her feet. As usual she made her bed. She gathered the clothes she planned to wear for the day and walked into the bathroom. Looking in the mirror she saw nothing special, however anyone else would have been in awe. Somehow, quite to the contrary of every other living thing, she looked more beautiful when she had just woken up. Hair nice and neat, Smooth skin with a strangely attractive gleam, she was very beautiful with a figure to match. After showering and dressing she skipped down the stairs. "Morning, poppa!" she exclaimed, "Guess what today is!"
"I know, I know" he grumbled. 'How could anyone have this much energy in the morning. Must be from her mother's side.' "I'm sorry, but your brother has already left for the gym and won't be able to see you off."
"That's okay, He'll need all the practice he can get, because I'm going to win that badge from him. After I get my pokemon, and train a little bit, of course."
"I still don't like the idea of you traveling by yourself."
"We've been through this, poppa. They will be teaching us for a whole month before we're even allowed to get our pokemon."
"I know, otherwise you wouldn't be going. Now go about your morning routine and we can leave."
"Okay!" She skipped off quickly snatching something off the hook next to the door, and bounding into another room.
Her father grumbled again about youth being wasted on the young before filling up another cup of coffee. "That should buy me a few minutes" he said to noone in particular and picked up the paper. I just hope my little Anna will be all right.
-------------------------
At a different house, in a different city, a different young girl awoke in a much different manner.
"Ha, ha" a little boy with a sandy bowlcut laughed. He watched as his older sister raced around her room, stuffing random objects in a backpack. Her hair was in total disarray and she was still in her pajamas. He continued to laugh until a door was slammed in his face.
"Out, you little troll!" She snarled, today was just not a good day, "I have to get dressed!"
The little boy rubbed his nose as he went downstairs to tell on her.
Seconds later, the girl quickly overtook him on the stairs, completely dressed, backpack on, and short auburn hair brushed. Grabbing her father's waffle, she ran out the door barely catching the 8:15 bus.
"What was that?" the father asked the little boy.
"She's late." the boy replied. Despite his frequent conflicts with his older sister, he would miss Emily, now that she was leaving.
-------------------------
Fifteen young people ranging from ten years old to sixteen, got off buses, got out of parents' cars, and simply strolled into the large campus main hall. They all took seats in the auditorium that seemed way too big for ten teenagers and their parents. They crowded near the front in the middle. Soon a large number of unknown people began filling the auditorium. There were a number of chairs up on the stage lined up in a row. Their purpose became clear when certain professors sat in them along with what appeared to be gym leaders. After the auditorium seemed more or less full and the incoming number of people died down, one of the professors approached the podium, slightly in front of the row of chairs.
"Attention. Attention." He gained no response from the crowd, as they continued to talk amongst themselves. He wordlessly pulled a small ball that quickly became larger, from his pocket. With the press of a button a large roar echoed through the building. All eyes turned towards the stage, just in time to see the man at the podium pocketing a once again small ball. "As I was saying, attention. We will now begin. Before I start I would like the chosen fifteen to please stand up." Fifteen young people somewhat clustered together stood up, nervously looking around. "Thank you. These fifteen have been chosen by the panel of professors and gym leaders behind me." He casually motioned at the important looking people behind him. "In order to be chosen, one had to fill out the application and hand deliver it to any one of the judges behind me." The second aspect was much more important that the first, because it allowed the judges to meet the candidates and assure they had the right mindset to care for pokemon. Each judge was allowed to pick one candidate, hence the fifteen judges and the fifteen new trainers." He sat down as an elderly woman approached the podium.
"Anybody can become a trainer," she began, "all they need to do is have a starting pokemon. However these lucky fifteen recipients will be given a starting pokemon, a top-of-the-line pokedex, one free badge, a special gym leader program, and two weeks of training at this university in areas such as wilderness survival and proper pokemon care. "She adjusted her horn-rimmed glasses before continuing. "Also during the course of the two weeks, in your free time you may visit what we have nicknamed 'the vault' ", this earned a small laugh from the panel behind her, and the apathetic wrath, in the form of a mindless stare, that only a teenager can give, from the majority of the audience. "After we adjourn you will receive you dorm assignments. Lunch will be provided to both trainers and their parents in the cafeteria. Any questions?" She looked around, and since noone made a motion to stop her she announced the heads of the boys and the girls' dorms and dismissed everyone.
"Oh, look at that girl, poppa." the blonde girl whined to her father, "It looks like she's all by herself. I'm going to go talk to her." And she raced over to greet the unhappy looking girl.
Her poppa simply groaned and walked off to the cafeteria.
"Hi! I'm Anna! What's your name?"
The other girl slowly looked up, trying to judge whether or not this person could seriously be this upbeat. She had an instant dislike for her. The girl had long blonde hair draped over one shoulder and was very beautiful. At first, she seemed inappropriately dressed, but Emily couldn't figure out why she thought that. The girl was wearing normal clothes, but they just seemed to hang in a way that showed off her figure. Emily didn't like how those thoughts sounded and decided to cut her train of thought and give the girl a chance. "I'm Emily. Nice to meet you."
"Oh, it's just wonderful to meet you too," the girl called Anna gleefully said, "I just know we are going to be the best of friends."
'No way is this girl for real' Emily silently thought, "Uh, sure."
"Do you want to have lunch with me? What is your room number? What kind of pokemon do you want? Can I call you Em or Emma?" Anna rambled off.
'Wow, she is for real. Must really wear out her folks.' Emily contemplated. "Sure, I'm by myself. I'm sure we can talk over lunch."
Neither girl noticed that one of the ten chosen had also stayed behind and had been watching them. "They seem nice." A small fox head poked out of his black messenger bag and nodded its agreement.
-------------------------
All throughout the two-week period the ten chosen learned a great deal. What kind of berries can be eaten, how to setup a tent, and even certain people that can be counted on to give assistance. They learned that their gym leader program was actually an agreement between the various gym leaders. The number of badges a trainer had would restrict the level of pokemon a gym leader would use. That way the gym battles would become progressively harder and make it easier to train pokemon. The new trainers also took classes, learning about pokemon, types, and evolutions. During free time they could visit with each other or the ten pokemon that would be handed out on the last day. The trainers were also encouraged to travel with at least one other person, since even though there was hardly ever any serious crimes, it was still safer with someone else. Emily and Anna decided to travel together and although they had only known each other for two weeks, they became good friends.
-------------------------
At the end of the two weeks the ten pokemon experts who had chosen the trainers gathered them on stage in the building they had first met in. They would now receive their pokemon. The ten trainers were gathered in a circle. Emily sat next to Anna who was talking to someone who could only be described as a hunk. He was actually short, barely over five and a half feet. He was thin, but looking closely she could she tight muscles hidden beneath a t-shirt. He had short brown hair that would be better described as clumpy than spiky due to a lack of hair-gel. However, his eyes were a dark ocean blue. They were probably his best feature, but even that wouldn't explain why she thought he was a hunk. He was just good-looking. She concluded it must be his attitude, kinda mysterious, but positive nonetheless. She snapped to attention when she realized that both he and Anna were looking at her.
"See something you like?" he asked. Emily's face flushed, glared at him, and she stumbled over some kind of response. "I meant the pokemon." He innocently explained, gesturing at the center of their circle where ten pokemon now sat. There was a Squirtle, a Bulbasaur, a Charmander, a Totodile, a Cyndaquil, a Mankey, a Poliwag, an Abra, a Gastly, a Weedle, and a few more that didn't seem like they were from anywhere around here.
Anna laughed and Emily turned to her other side to avoid further embarrassment. "Kinda strange, isn't he?" another boy asked. He held out his hand, "I'm David." He was taller than the other guy, and definitely not as in shape, but he did have one thing. He looked plain. Ordinary. Nothing spectacular. To sum up: Boring. She liked him better than the other boy instantly.
"I'm Emily, that's Anna. We're both 15." She replied and shook his hand. She realized she had spent two weeks with these people and the only one she knew was Anna. "So, what's his deal?"
"Him?" David said, "Come to think of it, I don't know. When you're talking with him, it seems like he's your best friend in the whole world, but to be honest, I know nothing about him except his name. Strange name. He's a real charmer though." He finished almost as an afterthought.
"Hmm." Emily turned an unhappy stare at the way he seemed to get along with Anna.
"Oh, don't worry." David said, upon seeing Emily's glare, "He's completely harmless. When I said he was a charmer, I just meant that he gets along with everybody. He has this way of making the most different people mesh together. However, as good as he is, he can't seem to do it on purpose. So your friend is safe. I like how he says things that can be taken two completely opposite directions. It makes him sorta mysterious."
"Okay. Hey, shouldn't we have started yet?"
Just then an elderly man, who Emily recognized as the man who first spoke on the first day, walked up to the group. She noticed that the auditorium had been filled with college students, like before. Professor Maple cleared his throat before beginning, "You have all done well, these past two weeks. When you return to your rooms to pack, you will find your pokedexes, starting badge which proves you are one of the ten annually chosen trainers, and a waterproof manual to jot down notes in. Now, you will each receive one pokemon each."
"Can I have Abra?" one of the younger trainers, a boy no older than Emily's little brother asked.
"I'm getting to that" the professor explained. How does this man have so much patience? "We, the panel, have devised a way that puts the best suited trainer with each pokemon. First, we will let the pokemon wander around and pick their own trainers, if they choose. At that time, noone may callout or encourage a pokemon to come to them. It must be the pokemon's decision. Afterwards we will go through the remaining pokemon one by one. If only one of the remaining trainers desires that pokemon, he or she will receive it. If more than one trainer wants that particular pokemon, than the panel will ask questions about the specific type of pokemon. Whoever gets the most right will receive the pokemon. Are you all ready? Let's begin." The professor than pulled out a whistle and with a short chirping sound the pokemon began moving.
David tensed up as the Totodile began moving towards their side of the room. He clearly wanted that pokemon. She was almost laughed when Totodile hopped into Anna's lap off to her right, but decided against it due to David's slackened features. She glanced over at the boy sitting next to Anna and noticed no pokemon would go anywhere near him. Hearing a low, almost silent rumble, she noticed two glowing eyes looking out from underneath the flap of his messenger bag. Whatever was in there wasn't letting anything else come near him.
The Professor blew his strange whistle again and the trainers without pokemon all moaned. Only Anna, the boy who had gotten his wish for an Abra, and another girl who had enticed a Cyndaquil had pokemon. 'Good' Emily thought, 'At least noone got Charmander.' The professor pulled out a stack of index cards and began. "Squirtle. Who wants to receive a Squirtle?" Only one person raised his hand. "Good. Next is Bulbasaur. Who wants this pokemon?" Nobody offered so the Professor continued, "Bulbasaur is a grass- type, and has two evolutions. It is capable of many nonphysical attacks from poison powder, which can affect a pokemon indirectly, to solar beam that affects a pokemon directly. Very directly. This got two boys to raise their hands, but one gave way to the other. "Next, is Gastly." Surprisingly a girl raised her hand. Once again, a pokemon was given out without any contestation. "How about Poliwag." the professor continued. Only one girl wanted it. As more pokemon were handed out Emily was starting to get nervous; the strange guy next to Anna hadn't shown interest in any of the other pokemon. Did he also want Charmander? "All that's left is Weedle, Mankey, and Charmander. Who would like what?"
"I want Weedle!" David quickly said. Neither Emily nor the boy seemed to be in a rush to object, so David received his precious Weedle.
"Which one do you want?" Emily turned and looked at the boy with the blue eyes who questioned her. Anna had left, leaving only empty space between them.
"Why? So, you can take it!" Emily shouted.
The boy just raised one eyebrow, gave her an amused look and stated, "I only asked because I'm going to let you have it."
"oh." Emily quietly murmured. Maybe she should give him a chance like she did with Anna. "In that case I want Charmander!"
"Take it. I won't be using the pokemon I get anyways."
"What! That's cruel. You're just going to let it sit in its ball?!"
"No. I'm going to give it to the first trainer who I meet that deserves it. I already -have- pokemon. I don't -need- another." He coolly stated. He casually stood up, slung his bag over its proper shoulder, and snapped his fingers at the Mankey. It eagerly jumped onto his opposite shoulder. He then silently walked out.
Anna came running up at that moment and gleefully said, "Isn't he cool! He told me he also had a Totodile once. He named it Clamp. He says he keeps it in its ball because Totodiles quickly become a nightmare. I'm going to call mine Daffodil!"
"-" Emily looked down at the pokeball now containing Charmander, "He did let me choose." She let the Charmander out of its ball and rubbed its head. "I'll call you Rex." She looked up at Anna and told her she was ready to leave.
As the two girls were leaving they found David waiting for them. "Oh. Hello." Anna chirped, "Have we met?"
"Uh, hi." David replied and began speaking to Emily, since she seemed to be in charge, "Would you two mind if I tagged along? I wanted to go with someone else, but he told me that he would see me later and when I turned around he had disappeared and I really don't know anyone and you seemed real nice this morning and..."
David was cut off as Emily shouted, "Enough! Fine! Come with us. First, though, you have to battle me."
"Okay. I guess." David stuttered. Suddenly Emily was a lot more frightening.
"By the way, the other guy you wanted to travel with. It was him, wasn't it?" Emily demanded.
"So, if we go with you, we'll meet him again?" Anna cut in ever so sweetly.
"-We- aren't going with -David-, -David- is going with -us-, right?" Emily said in a way that hardly seemed to be a question, "Say David, why did you want the Totodile before? You seemed very happy to get your itty, bitty Weedle?"
"My friend Strikerfox had one, it always came through for him, so I figured it would be a good start."
"Interesting. Actually, on second thought, it's not. Let's battle!"
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A few minutes later, the three began marching along the trail, towards the first gym they would battle. A happy Anna chatting with an oddly equally happy Emily, and a depressed David bringing up the rear. Both of the girls' pokemon were skipping along the side, while David's pokemon was nowhere to be seen.
"That sure was great, Em. Next time you'll battle me, right?"
"Sure. How about when we stop at the pokecenter. We do have to go to the pokecenter, since David's little Weedle needs -healing-."
"It's one thing that she beat my Weedle. But, did she have to do it with Rex's eyes closed?"
End of Chapter 1 (Just thought I'd let you know)
Footnote: This chapter was mainly from Emily's POV, next is David. Also, next chapter, the mystery man is revealed. Not really that great a surprise. You'll read about his reputation from a fan. Also I figure I should give David some male companionship, so I'll work on that.
Review: Emily and Anna are opposites, with fire and water pokemon respectively, David will continue to have odd and/or strange looking pokemon in order to give Emily all the more room to make fun of him.