Chapter 2

"Hmm," Dad had said for the umpteenth time, examining Totodile on his table in the hatchery.

Opening its mouth, he examined its teeth before hmming again. He did the same to its claws and fins.

I was really irritated by now, so I interrupted him.

"Yup," he continued on, the first word in forever since he's said 'hmm' for the past half hour. "It's a she, and I've figured her values."

"Ohh," I realized.

Values-or individual values to be more specific-are the potential pokemon have when it comes to training. Same pokemon of the same age don't always mean same results. Most are determined physically, if the pokemon has sharper claws than what it's meant to have, chances are that it's physical attacks will be very damaging. Thick skin would mean more defense of both physical and special attacks. Special attack is determined by the breathing rate and intelligence of the pokemon. Slow and steady breathing means the attack will last much longer since it will keep its intake of air nice and easy. A Pokémon with sharp and quick breaths, if that's how it breathes, won't fair so well. The intelligence...I can't be too sure, seasoned breeders like Dad knows how to determine it. Even he can't explain it, he just feels it. Speed is determined in the attitude of the pokemon, an eager battler will more than likely move and think faster, but it's up to the trainers to be sure it's trained properly. No use in knowing what potential your partner has if you don't care to make a training session that revolves around it.

"Well," he said. "Her biggest value is in Speed, she's pretty rowdy. Her other values don't fair as well, but her Attack will be fine if you train her well enough and judging by her heritage, she's even got a move she's inherited from an Abomasnow I had traded for with your Aunt Irene remember?"

I nodded, remembering when we had the ice type around. My dad was experimenting with moves and determined that an Abomasnow was needed. I didn't read too much into it.

"-Ice punch will be pretty good for you," Dad caught my attention. "Good for Grass types."

I nodded, taking Totodile into my arms. She wriggled for a bit before she gave me a toothy grin, completely ignoring the conversation and I cuddled her. I looked to Dad, seeing a small smile playing on his lips, but his eyes were still sad with me leaving. I quickly hugged him, sandwiching my poor starter. Dad held on to me, almost suffocating Totodile so I pulled back; the poor Water-Type gurgled at me in what I could only tell as discomfort. I rubbed the top of her head in glee, causing her to coo as best as she could.

"Uhhm," Dad muttered. "I really do want you to journey out, but I..."

I smiled in sympathy. "I know dad."

"Ok well I need to get a pokeball for Totodile, if that's the name you're sticking with."

Realization hit me, I don't know if I wanted to nickname her.

"I don't think I can give good nicknames dad.." I looked to Totodile.

"You don't really need too, it's just to give them a little difference to all the other Totodiles. You know the Professor gives out Totodiles as a starter to some of those kids who qualified to earn one in Johto."

He was right, since he's the one who supplies the Totodiles for the Professor, so I told him I would think of one along the way. I walked back to the house where Mom had pulled out a used yellow hiking bag I had bought online awhile back.

She shook the pieces of dirt off of it. "So Junie what are you packing?"

I set Totodile down, who quickly scampered towards Ore and gurgled at him in awe. The Empoleon squawked at her, opting to try and shoo Totodile off with his fins since she was trying to nip at the penguin.

"What did you pack in your journey mom?" I asked after I came back from my room with a few sets of clothes and hygienic items.

"A lot of medicine," she laughed. "Sinnoh has a lot of Poison-Types in its forests. Ore could only do so much for me and the others in my team, well..."

Ore snorted at his name, walking to the kitchen with Totodile at his feet.

"My other pokemon weren't so resilient," Mom sighed. "Especially Rita who wouldn't listen to me."

I remembered her Ambipom. Rita was -or is- a very disobedient pokemon, she doesn't blame her disobedience in her losing match against the sixth gym where she decided to stop traveling. It became a little difficult for Mom to travel after an injury she had gotten in a Combee attack so she decided to sent her other team members to my aunts or uncles so they could enjoy themselves with others of their own type once she had informed the Sinnoh League she withdrew and married Dad later on.

Packing the bag was a struggle since I'm not very good at organizing things. After a few tries I put away my two sets of clothes and undergarments and still had plenty of space left for other things. Dad handed me a brushing kit to use since keeping my team in good physical condition is very important to a breeder. The food, water and medicine for myself and pokemon I packed after took the last of my space so I secured my sleeping back and tent at the top of the bag the way a hiking bag should be. It was surprisingly easy to carry even if it made me look smaller than I already was. I put my favorite pair of brown traveling shoes on and I looked as ready as I'd ever be. Dad came back with a Pokeball and captured Totodile in it with the help of Gatr who intimidated her into submission. I put the pokeball in one of my short pockets, next to my green Pokégear that I carry for emergencies.

Packing a few empty pokeballs and putting away the Pokèyen I had won in the poker match, I said goodbye to Dad and Mom and the pokemon before walking out to the front gate where the guard Blastoises grumbled goodbye too. I waved at them as I left northward.

I passed a couple of houses who waved to me goodbye as well before I fully entered into the northern part of Route 35 since Greenfield actually cuts the route in half. I took out my Pokégear, clicking on the map function to see where Violet City was located. I knew the way the gym circuit worked in Johto since I had watched plenty of matches on TV. Violet City didn't look far so I'd say it would take me at the minimum 4 days but it all depends.

I brought out Totodile, who instantly tried to nip me. I scolded her before picking her up and telling her where we were. I don't think she understood me, but she still gurgled affectionately and bit on my wrapped arm. I had told Dad that I wanted to figure out battling for myself with Totodile. Then I realized something, I didn't have a Pokédex to help me out with this. The thing scans and tells your pokemon's moves, I needed that!

I smacked myself on the forehead. "Ah great! I need to register somewhere!"

Seeing how there weren't going to be any towns until Violet, I would have to wait till I get there so I could register and figure out what other moves Totodile had as she grew, so I'd be stuck giving her only basic orders. At least Ice Punch will be very effective for her.

I set my water-type down, where she immediately wanted to be picked back up. I snapped my fingers at her, getting her attention.

I pointed at a tree a couple feet away. "Totodile, Scratch."

The baby croc tilted her head at me, before gurgling, reaching to grab my shorts to pull herself up. I sighed, she wasn't a trained pokemon after all. Even the Totodiles the Professor handed out responded to commands well enough.

I pointed to the tree again. "Battle Totodile, battle."

She looked to the tree this time, coming up to it and sniffing.

Snapping my fingers again for attention, I mimicked a scratch move. "Scratch, Totodile."

She looked at my movements and tilted her head again. I tried a different way by coming up to the tree myself and scratching at it as best as I could without cutting myself with the rough bark.

"Scratch!" I said.

Totodile looked with curiosity at what I did before actually mimicking me and clawed at the tree a bit. It wasn't an actual Scratch but it was progress, sorta, but I smiled at her when she stopped. She looked with glee too, happy I was smiling at her.

I returned her for the moment, I needed to think. The Pokédex is just for registering to the League that I've licensed to be a trainer. But...I don't want to be a trainer..

Then I realized, is there even any registration for the Breeder class?

I absentmindedly began walking. "Hmm, let's see. Trainers register through towns for leagues, coordinators for contests, rangers for academies..."

I bumped into a berry bush, a couple fat green berries falling off onto the forest floor. I recognized them as Lum berries. I picked one off the floor and rolled it in my palm.

"There really isn't anything major that's breeder related." I muttered.

Not even Dad had mentioned anything if I remembered, he just breeds pokemon for others to train or study. This didn't seem ok at all, the breeder class is just as important as any of the other ones.

Regardless, I still needed a Dex for my ID, as soon as I'd get to Violet city I'll get one.

I looked around after I dropped the Lum berry back onto the floor, only to notice the path wasn't at my feet. Or anywhere. I looked around, getting nervous. Lost already?! This wasn't fair! Taking out my Pokégear, I began trying to map out where I was.

SNAP! My head turned sharply at a bush nearby. Fearing the worst, I quickly dug into my pockets for Totodile's ball.

"WAIT!" The bush yelled.

I jumped at the voice but relaxed a bit. It wasn't a pokemon after all.

A girl came out of the bush, brushing out some leaves from her pristine white pants.

Plucking out a few leaves from her loose blonde hair she sighed. "Finally someone, I've been sorta lost right now.. actually for days..Can you help?"

I grinned. "Sure! I kinda got lost myself but I have a Pokégear, I can get us back on the main road."

She smiled too, tugging at her pink blouse, which sported a small 'B' near the collar. She seemed pretty dressed up for a journey, she must care a lot for her looks.

Placing Totodile's ball away, I shifted my Pokégear to my other hand, clicking on the map function.

"Ah, the main roads over there." I pointed eastward of myself.

She looked to where I was pointing and sighed rather loudly. "Phew finally! I can get back to a town. By the way I'm Sydney."

"Nice to meet you, I'm June."

Shifting my backpack onto myself again, I realized something.

"Say where's your stuff?"

She paused for a bit. "Oh, I uh dropped my bag when a Stantler chased me, it was crazy. Lucky for me I still have my pokeballs."

I nodded to her in understanding and began walking a beeline back to the road. "Wow must've been hard. I just started my journey."

"Really?" She asked loudly. "You're kinda late don't you think? Did your Mum and Dad make you wait?"

"Kinda? I guess? My Dad's kinda paranoid for me and he didn't let me leave so I had to play poker so I could bet on leaving if I won."

"Obviously you did win." She pointed out. "What if you lost?"

"My dad told me I had to cook for the month, including for Banzai." I shuddered.

"Banzai?"

"My dad's top Sharpedo. See he's a water breeder and-"

"You mean THE water breeder?!"

"Well uh, yeah?"

"Oh man this is perfect! You can get me a water type! I've been waiting for one. But like I wanted a super good one and I know he's the best so obvi I HAVE to have one of his and I-"

"WOA there!" I stopped her. "I'm not in charge of that, yet, I can't vouch for you, sorry.."

"Why not? I can totally pay you!"

"Even if you did you would have to talk to my Dad."

"C'mon I'm a good trainer! Besides I need to get rid of this thing."

She stopped walking and took out a ball she opened it to reveal a Furret with a thin orange collar around its near nonexistent neck.

It seemed skittish and sported a few spots of matted hair on its fur. A sad look in its eyes.

"Seems kinda hurt," I muttered.

"Duh this thing is so useless to me, that's why I want a different Pokémon, one that can actually fight."

The Furret's ears drooped at that sentence.

"Kinda harsh.."

"Bah this thing can't understand me anyways. So how much for an egg? I totally want a Milotic or a Lapras!"

"Umm, I...can't.."

There was a pause.

"...I guess I have to try something else."

Before I could ask what she meant, a purple blur flew right at us, knocking me to the side. Gathering my senses, I reached for my pockets when something black stepped right in front of me.

"I like things the hard way." A feminine voice piped. "Makes things fun for CroCro and me, no pain no gain."

"Yea yea," Sydney said. "Glad I could drop the act tho. This girl's kinda stupid, I mean who gives out so much info really? Tho I wish she could just give me what I wanted."

"Whatever." A male said. "Let's just get her somewhere."

Quickly I reached for Totodile, bringing her out. I jumped up, accidentally knocking whomever was in front of me away.

"Get rid of the Totodile quickly," Sydney said. "The thing can't really attack anyways."

I grimaced. She was right. Totodile still needs work.

"This isn't fair, Sydney." I said. "It's not up to me to give you something I can't give you.."

"But you can just ask him to give you a Pokémon and just hand it to me, don't ya think?"

I shook my head. This was something I can't understand, what were they going to do to me? Why did they do this? I did the only thing I could think of. I brought out my Pokégear, speed dialing the rangers, something my dad always told me to do if there was ever any kind of emergency.

"Need help-"

I was cut off by something hard bashing my head from behind. And then there was darkness.

I heard the lulling steady sound of flapping, slowly bringing me back to consciousness. Opening my eyes I found myself cradled by a red looking man wearing the signature red ranger gear. My head was pounding so I shifted a little to get comfortable.

The man quickly looked at me. "Steady."

"Totodile?" I could barely mouth.

"Found it with blood all over her mouth and belly."

He muttered something else but I couldn't focus well enough for it. The light shining around me were too bright and as soon as I closed my eyes I went back to sleep.

I felt a light pressure against my forehead, but it was nothing compared to the throb at the back of my head. I slowly blinked my eyes open. Where was I?

"June?"

I rolled my eyes to the sound, seeing Mom. I blinked.

"Mom." I croaked. "Where.."

"You're in a hospital. In Violet city."

I blinked again, remembering Totodile, everything.

"Toto-dile?"

"In her ball."

"Dad?"

"With the Ranger who called us and a Doctor."

I wanted to sit up a little, but mom shook her head at me, making me stay still.

"Are you ok?" She asked.

"'M okay." I muttered. "Just...woozy. Can I see Totodile?"

The door in front of me opened with the Ranger stepping in. He was a red head, tall, and lanky looking.

"Hello Mrs. Aquaters." He rumbled. "The doctor wants to talk to you."

Mom gave my hand a squeeze before leaving the room. The ranger grabbed a chair and seat himself close enough to me to hear anything I had to say.

"Hello, June." He said. "I am Ranger Felix, the one whom you talked to before you fell asleep again."

"Thank you," I said. "I'm guessing my signal went through."

"Yes. You should really consider yourself lucky. I was on patrol in the same area when I got you're call and got my Tropius, Verd, to speed to where you were. How are you feeling?"

"Better than before." I said. "The light doesn't hurt."

"Hmmm. Good. Now when I got to where you were, all I saw was you out cold with you're stuff scattered everywhere. Were you attacked by a wild pokemon?"

I shook my head, then Dad burst into the room, instantly grabbing my right hand.

"Thank Arceus you're awake! My Legendaries do you remember anything? Are you fine? You're not suffering from amnesia are you? The doctor said you needed to be awake to really check you 100 percent."

"I'm fine dad," I gave a small smile. "I remember things good enough."

"Good. Cause after your check up and you explaining things. We're going back home."

I tightened my grip on his hand, my face hardening. I was not having this discussion again.

Ranger Felix cleared his throat, get our attention. "If it's ok with you, Mr. and Mrs. Aquaters, I need to speak with your daughter alone."

"No. It's not ok. I need to know what happened too." Dad held my hand tighter, making me wince.

"Maybe we should go, Walter." Mom placed a hand on his shoulder. "He needs all the information he can get from June, we'll only make things difficult for her."

Wordlessly, Dad let go of my hand and followed Mom out, Felix watching them go warily.

"Your father is very protective." He mused.

I nodded quietly.

"Now onto what we were discussing. You weren't attacked by a wild pokemon?"

I shook my head.

"Hmm. So you were assaulted."

I stayed quiet, not trusting my voice.

"Can you describe the attackers? If you don't feel like talking right now I could come back later. But I strongly recommend now, while the memory is still fresh, I know it must've been scary for something like that to happen to you on your first day."

A teardrop slipped from my eye. He was right. It was awful. I don't understand why it happened. What would've happened if I hadn't actually brought out my Pokégear? Would they have killed me? Never to be seen again? I pulled the covers closer to me, clenching my eyes shut for a bit, the room felt too cold for me right now.

"Would you like to meet someone?" Felix spoke up. "She's very comforting when I need it."

I nodded, wiping my eyes.

Digging into his pocket, he brought out a pink pokeball with a heart on it. I smiled a little. It was weird to see a tough sounding ranger have such a ball of that color. He opened it, bathing the room in a bright flash for a moment. On the end of the bed was a bright eyed Flaafy, braying happily at Felix.

"Dixie, I want you to meet June." Felix sent her attention to me.

The Flaafy tilted her head at me before coming closer and cooing before licking my face. I giggled a little, running my hands through her puffy, soft wool.

"She's very sweet," I held onto her. "You have a very nice pokemon Mr. Felix."

"Thanks, just call me Felix." He smiled. "I'm sorry for what has happened to you."

I sighed a little, Dixie cuddling closer to me for warmth.

"Ok, I'll talk now, thank you for the comfort, Felix."

He nodded, quickly taking out a notepad and pen, waiting. I told him everything I saw; Sydney, her two friends and a purple blur.

"Sounds like you've been attacked by a Crobat." He said, more to himself. "That's the only pokemon I can think of that flies fast enough and by the sound of it you didn't even hear it huh?"

I nodded, petting Dixie quietly.

"Hmm, this must be a new gang of the sorts. But this is good information, we'll keep a lookout for this Sydney character. Crobat's are rare, but even so going into every registered trainer's list of pokemon could take months... Would you like me to tell your parents what happened?"

I was tempted to nod, but Dad burst in again, going to my right side. Dixie, spooked by the sound, scampered to Felix, hiding under his chair.

"I heard everything." He said. "And I knew this was going to happen. See? This is why I don't want you away, others will assault you! And you have no means of protection. Totodile is just a baby, and she can't even battle yet. No questions, we're heading back as soon as possible."

"Hold on Mr. Aquaters." Felix rose up, handing me Dixie over. "That Totodile of hers had blood all over itself. I sent a sample of said blood and found out that the pokemon had a female human's DNA on it. Obviously the Totodile had protected June when she got knocked out since she doesn't remember anything about her pokemon attacking. Your daughter's pokemon had given me enough time to fly in and pick her up. So your wrong if you think that Totodile isn't enough to protect her for the moment. She had even protected all of her stuff."

Dad stayed in stunned silence, and so did I. I vaguely remember Felix telling me that Totodile had blood all over itself. I thought I was dreaming that.

"It's not my business, but I strongly recommend you to let her continue on the journey she wants to do, you'll only stunt any potential. Both her and her Totodile." With that, Felix huffed and straightened his shoulders.

Dixie brayed a little after her owner, breaking the silence for a moment.

There was a knock on the door before a lady in pink and white colored scrubs came in, bringing a machine along with her.

"Oop, s'cuse me," she smiled at Felix. She reminded me of a Blissey.

Checking a few things on a notepad, the lady looked to me. "I'm here to take you're pressure dear, if you don't mind."

I smiled at her, lifting my left arm to her. Taking a moment to pet Dixie, the lady hummed a little as she slipped a black band on my arm. After a few moments, she left, telling me I'll be out of here in no time. I smiled at her in thanks.

Mom stepped in after she left, a blue haired woman in a white coat coming in behind her. Felix, out of courtesy, had returned Dixie to her ball.

"Hello June, I am Doctor Weiss. Now normally I would say only two visitors, but given June's current state I'll let it slide. How are you feeling?"

"My head is throbbing a little and I'm really tired. Can I see my pokemon?"

"Not yet, dear. I need to give you a quick checkup then you'll spend the night here for monitoring, but after I leave you can have your partner. So so far from what I've heard you don't suffer from any memory loss and that is excellent. You also don't seem to be having any difficulty moving your muscles, right?"

I nodded, I had all feeling in my body. After a couple more requests, like checking the bump on my head, the doctor assured me that the bump wasn't serious and it would go away after a couple days. She gave a small bow and left. A different nurse came in and handed me all of my items and clothes. Totodile's ball settled at the top. Placing the items down by the bed, Mom handed me my pokeball. I cradled it quietly.

"Do I really need to go back dad?" I whispered, not looking up to him.

"I- N-no." He stuttered. "I can't bring you back, you'll be miserable. You and I know the risks, but I won't stop you. The Ranger is right, I'll only be holding you back than keeping you safe."

I smiled, tearing up a little again. "Thank you."

A/N: the IV stats are a little iffy to me. I really want to make them a little more believable but it's difficult. Heck the game isn't any better how do those guys know?