Author's note

Hello, dear readers! Second chapter is up!

Mike, the Pokemon Pokemon Master

Chapter 2 – Dylan, the troublemaker taillow!

Mike's first gym battle wasn't bad. It was worse. Honestly, do you really think Layla would have any chances against Slaking? She didn't even touch it.
"Well, I must say I admire your courage, but your pokemon needs much more training before it can face a gym leader. Why don't YOU fight? I think you have better chances than your 'Layla'."
"But I told you already! I'm a trainer! I can't battle."
"If you say so... Return after you have at least four badges then. Slaking doesn't want to fight newborns."
"Hmpf... Ok. I'll be back. Just you wait."

The blaziken carried Layla on his arms and left the gym with his head down. Why was it so hard to become a pokemon master?

"Don't let this discourage you, Mike. You can't always win. And I know you can do it."
"Layla, you're hurt! Don't speak... But thank you. I'll be fine."

When he entered the Pokemon Center, Nurse Joy immediately recognized him.

"Mike! What did you do to her this time!"
"It was Norman's slaking."
"Norman's! Are you crazy? She doesn't stand a chance against it!"
"Yeah, I know. Just discovered it the worst way."
"OK, give her to me. I'll cure her in an instant."

Mike let Nurse Joy take Layla and recover her again. He sat in the PC's couch to wait and moments later, Joy was back with Layla.

"She's fully recovered. And try not to let her in such difficult battles yet." She said, giving him an accusatory look.
"Don't worry. I won't."

He thanked Joy and got out of the PC with Layla following him. "Hey, Mike. I'm hungry." He stopped for a moment and heard a weird sound coming from his belly. "I guess you're too." Mike looked inside his little bag and found nothing different from pokeballs and some recovery items.

"Oh, well. I'm broken after losing to Norman. Let's go search for some berries."

They left Petalburg and after walking for some minutes, they saw an oran berry tree full of juicy fruits. Mike was almost taking one on his hands, but a sharp beak prevented him from taking the berry.

"Stay away from my tree!"

Both Mike and Layla looked in the direction of where the voice came from.

"You selfish Taillow! These berries aren't only yours!" Layla complained.
"We're starving! Please share some with us!"
"Heh. No."
"What! You..."
"I know! If we beat you in battle, you give us some of the berries!"
"But what if I win?"
"Oh, you caught me now."

Taillow let out a victorious grin as Mike and Layla gave up on his berries. But when they got to a fair distance from the tree, Layla quickly climbed to Mike's shoulder.

"Hey Mike! You should have just sent me to beat that Taillow. Trainers usually just come out of nowhere throwing pokemon and pokeballs like their life depends on it!"
"R-really? Isn't it a bit harsh?"
"No, it's normal. So this time let's just go there and kick that Taillow's butt!"
"OK! Then, Layla! Use ember on the Taillow!"

The little vulpix let out a small ball of fire that burned some of Taillow's feathers.

"Ouch! That's cheating!"

The Taillow flew into Layla's direction while charging his wing-attack, which Layla easily dodged. She let out another ember attack, ending the battle.

"Now it's my chance!" Mike threw one pokeball at the Taillow. It shook for a few seconds, but Taillow soon gave up. "Yeah! One more to the team! You shall be called Dylan!"
"Don't let him out. He must be pissed with us right now."
"True. Let's eat first and after we talk to him."

"Oh, so you're like Mewtwo."
"Mewtwo? Who's that?"
"You've never heard of him? He was the first pokemon to catch and use other pokemon in battle. He and his cloned pokemon were extremely powerful."
"Really? How cool! So I'm normal! HA! I knew it."
"I wouldn't say NORMAL, but you're not the only one, at least."
"And where is Mewtwo now, Dylan?"
"In a hidden place where he and his cloned pokemon can live in peace."
"So, I won't be able to battle him..."
"No. Unless you became so famous that even Mewtwo would want to come out of his hiding place to challenge you."
"Hmm... That's it then. I want to be just like Mewtwo. Or even better."
"That's how I like it, Mike."
"Now, you two slowpokes. Let's get going. I want to arrive at Rustboro before it gets dark."
"Right. Dylan, you come back to the ball."
"Darn."

After being defeated by Layla and captured by Mike, Dylan spent a long time talking to them and decided it was a good idea to go with them on their journey. It was a thousand times more exciting than protecting an oran berry tree for the rest of his life. Which lonely pokemon (and by lonely, I mean with no family or friends) would not want to go on an adventure with a trainer?

Well, actually there is one pokemon who doesn't.

Achilles was sitting under a tree, taking a quick nap to recover his energies. Since he had fled from that horrible place he had only battled and battled. It seemed like all the trainers were after him.

"Damm this blue hair. If it was green, it would be so much better."

Then he remembered that little girl. Athena.

"No, they're nothing like you. I'll never be caught by those selfish filthy humans."

He rose from the ground and took his knife and sword. Achilles had learnt how to use them, but had never really used against any pokemon nor human. They were there just to scare people off.

"Do not worry, Athena. I'll find you."

Meanwhile, Mike and his pokemon were almost reaching the exit of Petalburg Woods.

"Phew. There are too many Bug Catchers here..."
"Yeah. Fortunately, their pokemon are no macth for you two."
"Hey! I did most of the work here. Lazy Dylan didn't even fight a single wurmple!"
"Oh, I'm sorry. If I wasn't so tired and wounded after fighting a horrible certain VULPIX, I would have fought with no problems."
"YOU! WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE! I CAN KICK YOUR BUTT AGAIN RIGHT NOW IF..."
"OK, ok. Enought you two. Layla, you go back to the pokeball to rest. And Dylan, this means you are on charge in the next battle."
"Ha, leave it to me. I was just teasing her about the wounds."

It was almost eight p.m. when they arrived at Rustboro.

Author's notes

And that's it! I hope you are enjoying it^^

Reviews and constructive criticism: Always welcome! Thanks for reading!