Chapter 2: A journey's Beginning
Hello readers, this is AK123, and writing fanfiction is my destiny! Be prepared to hear that in every chapter, because that's my catch phrase for the beginning. I'm back fairly quickly, and ready to give you the fanfiction you crave. This won't be as long as the other one, and like I said, I'm not as good as other writers, so forgive me.
But enough talk, time to read!
Arriving back in Vaniville Town, the 3 returned to their homes to inform their parents of the journey they are to embark upon. Calem, with Fennekin still out, approached the family home at noon. Rhyhorn was still sleeping in her bed.
Calem was about to tell his mother about Fennekin, his new friends, and this new journey he's about to go on. Fennekin hopped down and looked at Calem with curious eyes.
"Alright Fennekin, we're going to surprise my mom, you just wait out here while I get her. She'll be so surprised to find you here." Calem stated with a mischievous smile.
Fennekin nodded his head and sat down, ready to surprise.
Calem opened the door to the house, finding mom sitting down on the couch reading a book on Rhyhorn. When Calem shut the door, she turned around and smiled.
"Well there you are. You were gone for a couple of hours, where were you," she asked curiously.
Calem had a huge grin on his face when he said "I'll tell you in just a minute, but you need to come outside first. It's quite a shock," Calem said.
Grace got up from the couch and left the living room to the door. "Okay, what is it, a Pikachu or something?" She teased.
Calem was standing by the door as she approached looking fairly happy. 'What's he so happy about? Hmm, let's see." When she opened the door, Fennekin jumped forward onto her shoulder and then immediately jumped off. Grace, surprised as she was, recoiled to the side of the doorway and saw the pokemon jump into her son's arms.
To say she was surprised would be an understatement, she looked utterly dumbstruck. Calem closed his eyes and smiled at her, revealing his pokeball as he showed her.
"How, but when, where! A pokemon? Where'd you get this little guy?" She asked, looking at him with questioning eyes. Calem mentally giggled in his head, he rarely saw his mother so confused.
Calem looked at her and motioned her into the living room. She followed behind him and they sat down onto the couch, ready to hear what he had to say.
Calem began explaining how Serena and Shauna were waiting for him outside, saying that professor Sycamore required 5 children to help him with his research on pokemon. Also informing her on how Serena, Shauna, Tierno, and Trevor, were the ones who helped realized this to him. He then gave the letter to her while still holding Fennekin in his arms.
She removed the seal and began skimming through, carefully reading each line as to confirm what her son was saying. It was all there. Every little detail provided as to why he needed Calem and the others for this request. She then closed the letter and smiled widely at her son.
"I almost can't believe it! We just moved in, and already good things are happening. This is the chance of a lifetime!" She exclaimed, clearly excited of what she was informed of.
Calem smiled back at her, and asked, "So, that means I can go?" clearly excited as well to hear her answer.
Her smile remained on her lips. "Of course, Calem! How could I say no to the chance for my son to grow up in such a good way?" She then got up from the couch and walked towards the staircase. "Just give me a few minutes and I'll have your stuff packed." Then she climbed up the stairs, disappearing from view.
Calem smiled at Fennekin who smiled back. "So Fennekin, are you just as excited as I am for this?" He asked. Fennekin barked happily as he laid on his trainer's lap.
Calem felt great, he could actually go out and explore the Kalos region with pokemon, becoming strong, and find meaning in life.
Grace descended down the stairs a few minutes later with his handbag and backpack. She then turned to him and gave them to him. She then reached into her pocket and smiled warmly at Calem.
"I've been saving this until your birthday, but for this occasion, you'll need it." She then pulled out what she was keeping, and it revealed to be a small, disk like object. "It's a Holo Caster, go ahead, try it!"
She then handed to him as he raised an eyebrow at her before pressing the power button. Then, a faint light appeared from it, creating a holographic projection of a man with a smile.
Then a voice came from the Holo Caster. "Thank you for using the Holo Caster! The Holo Caster is the latest in social and messaging technology, created by Lysandre Labs for people and trainers. The Holo Caster allows you to quickly contact someone you know, or relaying messages to others. It can also be used to review old messages and conversations at your leisure. We hope you enjoy your new patent Holo Caster, and we thank you for choosing it as your communications system."
Then the light faded along with the projection, signifying it was turned off. Calem looked up at his mother with a surprised expression. Nonetheless, she continued to smile. "You can use it to call me when on the road, or any of your new friends, since i'm sure they have their's too."
Calem smiled back at her warmly and gave a family hug which she gladly returned. She was definitely going to miss him since she would just be living here alone. But she knew Calem was going to go on a journey at some point, just not so soon, and she couldn't deny him the chance to travel like this. Children tend to grow up on journies like these, and refusing to allow him this was just like refusing to allow him to grow up.
They then parted on the hug and walked outside to find Rhyhorn awake, sensing the moment. She then looked over at Calem and walked towards him, seemingly knowing what was happening. Calem knelt down on his knees and embraced Rhyhorn in a hug. Fennekin watched it with a warm smile on his face, clearly touched to see such love between not only his own family, but his mother's prized friend.
Calem stepped away from Rhyhorn after the hug, then noticed Serena and Shauna waiting by the gate, smiling at the farewell hug.
Grace then approached him so she could inform him of crucial things to know. "Now Calem, I left 4,000 poke dollars in your Holo Caster, so it should last you a while. Pokemon centers in towns and cities will allow you to stay there and heal your pokemon, a trainer's best friend. There will be dangerous times on a journey which sometimes you can't avoid, but fun times too. I want you to enjoy yourself on this journey, and have fun with all of the pokemon you befriend, got it?"
Calem nodded, and gave her and Rhyhorn one last look before walking off with Serena and Shauna.
"That was pretty sweet Calem, seeing that farewell with your mom and Rhyhorn like that was touching." Shauna said with a small tear in her eye.
Serena spoke up next with a similar touched tone, "Yeah Calem, I didn't have such a sweet parting with my mom and dad."
Calem smiled at them. "Thanks you two. I'll definitely miss mom, but this is a great chance for us, right Fennekin?"
"Fenn-ekin" He barked.
All of them laughed while Calem returned Fennekin to his pokeball and repeated the same routine along the Vaniville path again.
-X-
Once arriving back in Aquacorde town, they spotted Tierno and Trevor next to a shop, with Tierno waving at them. They were currently in the market district of Aquacorde, which was well known for its shops carrying many simple but useful items.
"Hey guys, come over here!" He called to them. They ran over to where the two were standing to find it to be a pokeball shop.
Trevor spoke up this time. "Pokeballs are very useful items for catching pokemon in the wild. Potions are also pretty important for current pokemon since they'll get injured out there. I suggest we all split up so we can get all of the supplies we'll need, I personally want to get to Santalune City by sunset."
He had a point. You have to be well prepared for anything on a journey since they can be so unpredictable.
They all nodded and agreed that Calem, Serena, and Shauna would buy pokeballs while Trevor and Tierno went to buy a few potions. Once that was settled, the three entered the nearby shop to find the aisles filled with pokeballs of different kinds, there were red ones, blue ones, black ones, pokeballs with different patterns, and so many more. All three looked in awe at the many pokeballs on the various shelves. But they quickly snapped out of it to go to the counter to face an adult who appeared to run the shop.
"Hello you three. As you can most likely imagine we specialize in pokeballs at this shop. You'll find a better variety at Lumiouse City, but we'll happily provide you with what you need. So, how can I help you?" He asked with a smile.
Calem turned to Serena who said, "We should just get regular ones, we need to save up for now so we can purchase higher quality ones later, but for now, we just need regulars."
Calem nodded as he returned his gaze to the man at the counter. "We'll take 15 pokeballs, 5 for each of us, so just separately charge us, please."
The man nodded as he received the three's Holo Casters and began scanning each of them, reducing the poke dollars on them to exchange for pokeballs. After he finally scanned Shauna as the last one, he returned each Holo Caster and reached into his counter and took out 15 pokeballs. He gave 5 to each of us and bid farewell.
As they left the pokeball shop, they found Tierno and Trevor waiting outside, having all the potions needed. Informing them of buying and bagging all of the pokeballs needed, and truly began their journey.
They agreed that, for now, they would all travel together to Lumiose City and meet the professor. From Trevor's information, it was only a few days from Aquacorde, and that they had plenty of time so their was no need to rush.
They soon left Aquacorde town and were crossing the bridge, entering route 2. They were reentering the grassy plain along route 2, where they were having small talk with each other as they continued forward.
"So Trevor, Shauna, what are your goals for this journey, you never said?" Calem asked the two.
Shauna was the first one to respond. "Well, I want to have a lot of fun and make plenty of good memories out of this!" she stated happily.
Trevor was next, to whom he responded calmly, "I want to fill up the pokedex to the best of my abilities. It may seem too difficult you might think, but I like a challenge," He said when making a small fist.
"It's true actually. Trevor may be shy around those he doesn't know, but he's always managed to get through obstacles like they were skip rope." Tierno said before giggling to himself.
Serena then turned her gaze to Calem, "What about you Calem? What's your goal in all of this?" She asked.
Calem then turned to her with a blank look. What did he want to do? He never that about what his goal was for this journey and hasn't a clue of what it was.
He then looked at the ground while walking with a sad smile. "I don't really know, I came on this journey so I could find what I wanted in life. I don't even have a clue of where to begin really."
Serena then just stared at him for a moment before smiling at him. "Well don't worry. Not everyone finds their goals at the beginning of their journey, it just takes time. You'll find your goal in this eventually!" She said in a reassuring tone.
Calem looked back at her again and had a confident smile again. "Right."
Soon Shauna came to a stop, and everyone looked back at her to see what was wrong.
"Hey guys? How are we supposed to catch pokemon anyway?" She asked randomly.
When hearing that, Calem and Serena smiled. Looking at each other for a second, they could see that the other knew as well. And so they began to explain.
"Well Shauna, the first thing you need to do is battle a wild pokemon you find. You use any pokemon you have and battle. A wild battle is a bit trickier than a regular one because you don't know what they'll do from hearing a trainer's command." Serena explained the first part when she looked at Calem.
"After you've successfully battled and defeated a wild pokemon, or at least damage it close enough to a good point, you throw your pokeball at it. It'll be absorbed inside and the pokemon will try to break free, but if it's damaged enough, it'll eventually stop shaking and make a click sound, signifying it's capture." Calem explained the second part to her.
Shauna's eyes widened from hearing that, now knowing what to do. "Wow you guys! You two sure know your stuff, especially you Calem!" She praised to them.
Calem then scratched the back of his neck, "Well, I did go to a trainer's school before me and mom moved here, so I know what to do."
"Yeah, and my parents taught me everything I need to know, since they're seasoned trainers after all," Serena said.
Calem looked at her when asking, "Your parents are veterans? I didn't know that."
Serena then blushed slightly before saying, "Yeah, they were quite proud that I was going on a journey now." She then put her arms on her sides and said with a more serious tone. "But, that doesn't have anything to do with me, I have to rely on my own strength and will to pull through."
Shauna then spoke up again, "Do you think I could get a live example on catching a pokemon? You know, so I know exactly what to do."
Calem looked over to her and smiled again, "Sure, in fact, catching a new pokemon is important since a large team helps for a better chance to win. I'll catch one and show you."
At that moment, a chirping sound was heard and they all looked up to find a Fletchling flying overhead, and landing on a nearby branch in a tree a small distance away.
Shauna quickly pulled out her pokedex to scan it as it opened up and revealed Fletchling's image on the front.
Fletchling: the Robin pokemon
While a Fletchling's chirps are quite beautiful, they will relentlessly attack anyone who enters their territory.
Shauna returned her pokedex and saw that the Fletchling was looking at each of them, clearly not happy.
"Ummm, why is it looking at us like that?" Shauna asked in a nervous tone.
Calem's eyes narrowed when looking at this pokemon, again, something formed in his being, the same thing when he first met Fennekin. He couldn't tell if this was natural for a trainer, or rare. Either way, he felt that this Fletchling was a prime example for Shauna to learn from.
"It believes we've trespassed into its territory," Calem stated, confirming the pokedex's information. Everyone looked at him as he took out a pokeball. He then looked at Shauna and smiled. "Watch closely Shauna, this is an example of a wild pokemon battle."
"Go Fennekin," he said as the fox pokemon emerged from the pokeball.
"Fennekin," it looked up to see Fletchling up in the tree, ready to attack. Fennekin could clearly see what was going on.
"Alright Fletchling! I challenge you to a battle!" Calem exclaimed as Fletchling flew out of the tree and toward Fennekin when hearing him say that.
Suddenly its beak turned white as it grew closer toward the fox.
"It's going for a peck attack, Calem!" Trevor yelled to him.
"Fennekin, dodge it now!"
Fennekin narrowly dodged the quick peck attack and faced its direction ready for a counter attack.
"Now Fennekin, ember, let's go!"
"Feennekin" he barked as a small fiery wave of heat escaped from its mouth toward Fletchling. Fletchling hastily turned around and easily dodged ember, then quickly flew towards Fennekin and hit him with its wing, causing Fennekin to yell from impact.
Calem gritted his teeth as he saw Fennekin take damage from that. He then saw Fletchling turning around again in the air, and had an idea.
"Alright Fennekin, when Fletchling comes for another attack, I want you to wait until the last second and dodge it, got it?"
"Fenn" it barked, trusting Calem's judgement. Fennekin saw with much anticipation as Fletchling flew back towards him with its beak glowing white again. As Fletchling was mere inches away from him, Fennekin quickly stepped to the right as Fletchling appeared a bit confused from that.
"Now hurry, tackle attack!"
"Ekin" he yelled as he made contact with the opponent. Fletchling lost all balance with its wings and began falling.
"Finish it with ember!"
"Feennekiiin" he barked when releasing the small heat wave and it made contact with the robin pokemon. Fletchling yelped in pain as it continued falling until it contacted the ground, crashing, and seemingly unable to continue.
Calem smirked and received a pokeball from his belt. "Alright then, pokeball go!" He yelled as he threw it at Fletchling.
The pokeball made contact and opened as Fletchling's body became a red energy and entered it before it snapped shut and began shaking. Everyone watched in great anxiousness to see the result, especially Calem who was holding his breath. For about 15 seconds, it continued shaking before it suddenly stopped and clicked.
Calem formed a huge grin as he ran over to the pokeball with Fennekin and picked it up. He looked at it with great pride, he just caught his first pokemon with great success.
"Alright, I just caught Fletchling!" He announced as Fennekin stood next to him barking happily at the victory as Calem lifted the pokeball in the air.
Shauna ran over to Calem with sparkling eyes, clearly in awe of the well demonstrated battle. "That was AMAZING Calem! You caught Fletchling, your first pokemon, and showed me how to do it! Thanks a bunch!" She exclaimed cheerfully as the others, including Calem, sweat dropped.
"You're... welcome, Shauna." He stated before looking at the pokeball and throwing it into the air, releasing Fletchling.
Fletchling appeared to be a little confused about what just happened, when he looked at Calem, no longer angry.
Calem knelt down to Fletchling, "I have a good feeling about you. You gave me a pretty tough battle there, and I think that kind of strength deserves praise. I feel like you'll make an excellent addition to the team Fletchling, so what do you say? Do you want to travel with us and become even stronger?" He asked with clear enthusiasm.
Fletchling stared at him for a second before closing its eyes and chirped, "Fletchling fletch," With excitement in its voice.
And with that, Calem returned both Fennekin and Fletchling to their pokeballs and received praise from the others for his first capture. And so, they all continued onward to Santalune City, but first, they would have to go through Santalune Forest.
Aaaand, cut, a nice job in my opinion. I will continue to work on this, but I haven't fully completed chapter 3 at the moment, so you'll have to wait.
So, comment and suggest in the review box, and I will see you guys later!