Disclaimer: I do not own pokemon, because if I did, Ash would lose each and every time he should have lost. :D
Authors note: I'm not particularly picky about how many reviews I get. This is a story I'm writing for pure enjoyment. I do have to say, though, reviews are like icing on the cake for me. :D so they are appreciated, but I will update reguardless of how many I get.
This chapter focuses on the growing friendship of Madison and Dustin. Mentions of their pokemon teams are made, but you'll have to continue reading to see how the two kids progress.
Childhood memories
Madison- age 6, Dustin- age 7
"In the sweetness of friendship let there be laughter, and sharing of pleasures."
Ever since their first meeting in the park, it had become a custom for the two children to meet there every day after school. The girl would always get there first, and sit on the bench. She would wait for maybe, ten minutes, before she would perk up and look to the left, where she would be greeted by the figure of the boy.
Their first summer as best friends was rather normal, as far as summers went. They would meet up, he would ask a question, "Why is your Magikarp purple?" and she would reply as best as she can, "...Because it is?" He would laugh loudly, and then they would go and play.
One day, however, seemed to be a bit different from the rest. They met at the bench, he asked his question, "Do you think Brendan will visit sometime soon?" She would answer, "...Maybe, if the professor isn't b-busy.." Dustin laughed, and then they had gone to play.
They were in the sandbox enjoying themselves when they heard it.
As most parents and adults of Littleroot knew, once being small children too, the tell-tale sound of small, tinkling bells could only signify one thing...
"ICE CREAM!" A huge grin made itself across Dustin's face. He turned to Madison, "Let's go get some!"
Before she could reply, he had taken hold of both her arms and pulled the girl up from her kneeling position. The small plastic shovel fell to the ground as he tugged her over to the friendly vendor.
Two sets of eyes widened at the sight of the various typed of frozen treats. There were ice-creams shaped like various pokemon! Treeko, Torchic, Mudkip, Magikarp, Tailow, Jigglypuff, Pikachu, if you named it, he probably had it.
"One Treeko, and One Torchic, please!" Dustin handed the vendor two pokedollars and recieved the two popsicles. He handed the Treeko to Madison, and kept the Torchic for himself.
The two children, now with their frosty treats, made their way to their favourite bench so that they could relax and enjoy their pokemon shaped popsicles. Neither of them expected what would happen next.
The group of older children had heard about Madison and Dustin's friendship, but the wouldn't believe it. Who honestly would want to be friends with the silent little freak? The three that viewed the exchange and act of kindness decided to act. The first kid, who also seemed to be the oldest, took a frisbee and threw it as hard as he could obviously intending it to go over the head of the two younger children.
When the flying disk had gone maybe, a yard or so, the second child sprung into action and ran after it. He knew that he wouldn't be able to catch it, but that wasn't the idea in the first place. As he chased the disk, he "accidentally" ran into the small girl, sending her and her popsicle to the ground.
"Oops! I'm SO sorry, I was running to get that frisbee and I didn't see you there! Why didn't you SAY something?" The small child was obviously doing her best not to burst into tears as she stood up, seeing her now ruined popsicle a couple feet away.
She knew that the older kid had run into her on purpose. Why wouldn't they leave her alone? "What did I ever do to them?" A sniffle escaped her.
At the sound of the sniffle, Dustin turned around and saw his friend trying her best not to cry as she stared at her ruined popsicle. He growled as the older child pushed Madison down to the ground and laughed at the girl.
Thankfully, the exchange didn't last long, and intrest was lost. The older child and his friend left, leaving Madison on the ground, trying to hide her tears, and a seeting Dustin.
As soon as he was sure they were gone, he rushed over to her side careful not to drop his popsicle as he knelt down beside her.
"You ok?" He asked. He knew that she probably wasn't, but his mother had always told him it was better to ask if someone needed help before jumping in and helping.
She shook her head and sniffled again.
Dusin sighed and helped his friend up. He knew that she didn't want to start any trouble, but he couldn't help but feel frustrated.
"Your popsicle might be dead, but mine isn't. Let's share, ok?" She lifted her tear filled eyes and looked at him dubiously. There was that stupid grin again, and she could already feel herself give a small smile in return.
"Ok." She dusted herself off. He laughed.
When their parents arrived at the park, Dustin's mother couldn't help but get a picture of the 6 year old and 7 year old that were sharing a popsicle, and both were smiling widely.
Madison- age 8, Dustin- age 9
"There is always one moment in childhood when the door opens and lets the future in."
"Mad-mad, hurry up! You're so slow!" Dustin let a laugh loose as he waited next to the door of Professor Birch's lab. Madison frowned at the boy as she hurried after him, she couldn't help it if she was slow! He was a boy, and older than her!
The busy professor had asked the two of them to come and help him take care of some of the starter pokemon that would be handed out. This was an oppertunity neither of them wanted to miss.
When Madison finally stood next to him, Dustin grinned sheepishly as the younger girl glared up at him. "I forgot I was faster, sorry! Sorry! I'm really exited, though, we get to see the pokemon today!"
Knowing that there was a small chance of her answering verbally, when he saw her nod in agreement, he laughed again and knocked on the laboratory door. not getting any answer the first time, he knocked once more, and the knocked again, and again, and again...
Madison's hand shot out and took hold of Dustin's hand before he could knock a fourteenth time, and then pointed at a note that was posted on the door.
Madison and Dustin,
When you get here, just go around to the back part of the lab, that's where you'll find me and the starters. I'm sure you're wonderding what it is I want you to do, but you'll have to wait to find out. As an exchange for your help, I'll be giving you two gifts in return.
-Prof. Birch
Dusty looked at the note, and then looked at his friend.
"...Why didn't you point that out to me before?"
"...Thought you knew."
He glared at the girl before taking her hand in his and leading her to the back part of the lab. He unlatched the garden gate and they both went thought, making sure to close and re-latch it before continuing into the backyard.
The two elementary schoolers were greeted with the sight of Professor Birch buried under a Torchic, Mudkip, and Treeko. At the sound of footsteps, the man looked up.
"Ah, Dusty and Maddie, just the two people I needed. Now that you two are here, I can explain." He carefully removed himself from the pile of pokemon and led the two children over.
"I need these three to get used to other people. Since they're going to belong to new trainers, I need you two to spend time with them in order to get them accustomed to humans." He gestured to the three pokemon. "Pick one and be friendly to it, when we're done, I'll give you a present that will make this all worth while."
Dustin was the first to move. He slowly made his way to the Torchic, and extended his hand to it. The small bird examined it for a moment, and deeming the boy safe, closed the distance between the two by tackling it and making itself comfortable on the 8-year old's chest.
Much to the amazement of the Professor, and the shock of Madison, the Treeko approached her and promptly led her away to one of the flowerbeds located in the back yard.
Birch and Mudkip exchanged a look. "Alright then..."
:::a Couple Hours later:::
The professor had returned the starter pokemon to their respective pokeballs and led the two children into his lab. He had them wait at the front door and went into the storage room in order to retrieve their awards for helping him.
When he emerged, he was carrying two pokemon eggs with him.
"As a token of my gratitude for helping me with the starter pokemon, I would like you both to have one of these," he handed one of the eggs to each child, "Dustin, your egg will hatch into a Torchic. I know about your love for fire pokemon, and I know that when it does hatch, you'll be a great trainer."
Dustin nodded and held the egg close to his body. He could almost feel the inner fire through the thick shell, it was as if it was entering his very soul.
"And you, Madison," He turned to the younger girl, "although you rarely speak, your kind and generous nature makes you the ideal trainer for grass type pokemon, so your egg will eventually hatch into a Treeko. You are a kind and serene young lady, so I know I can trust you as well."
Madison blushed at the praise that was given to her, but she held the egg gingerly, ensuring it's safety.
The two children both thanked the man before leaving the lab, and started off for home.
Professor Birch watched the retreating backs of the young children before letting a grin spread across his face as he leaned against the doorframe.
"I know you two will do great things, make me proud."
Madion- age 13, Dustin- age 14
"The language of friendship is not words but meanings."
It was an odd friendship they had, most people would say. One of them would talk all the time, and the other rarely spoke at all. It was not unusual at all to see the two children sitting together at the park, or anywhere, with the boy holding a seemingly one sided conversation. The only way you could tell that there was indeed some type of communication going on between the two, was how he would reply to things that were not verbally said, and by the expressions that would communicate emotions from the small girl.
The day the boy had to leave, was a good example of this.
The day before leaving, he had returned his newly hatched torchic to the provided pokeball, and packed all the belongings he needed for the trip. Tent, sleeping bag, pokedex, pokeballs, potions, and all the usual essentials
He had risen early, hoping to leave without her knowing, worried that she would hate him for leaving her behind, but somehow, she did know, and had stood next to the only exit in town, waiting for him.
The sun had barely began to peek over the horizon, and there she was, still in her pyjamas, with every intention of seeing her best friend off, if he liked it or not. When he arrived at the exit, he was taken aback when he saw that she was already there.
"So you are leaving..."
Dustin winced. He should have known that she would find out somehow.
Her blue eyes were sad, and Dustin felt a twinge of sorrow.
Madison took one step torwards him, and looked down at the ground. "Why didn't you tell me you were leaving?"
He closed the distance between them and embraced her. "Because I knew you would get all worried and start crying."
Her small frame shook with silent tears as she hung onto him. A hushed, one sided conversation would be all that any regular person, if there was someone else awake, would be able to hear.
He gave his best friend one final squeeze and slowly let her go. "You know that I have to go, it's my dream."
"Be careful." She mumbled, looking him in the eyes. "If you and get yourself hurt, I'm going to find you and make you regret making me worry."
He took a couple steps, so that she was now behind him, "You know me better than that!" He laughed, even though on the inside, he broke a little more, knowing he was leaving behind the best friend he ever made. "I know that you'll make me pay if I get hurt, so I'll just make sure that you don't worry."
Eyes bright, Dustin raised a hand in a wave farewell and took his first step into route 101. He couldn't see it, but she waved back, eyes equally bright.
"I'll find you as fast as I can when I leave town next year."
"I wouldn't have it any other way."
Madison- age 14, Dustin- age 15
"Those truly linked don't need correspondence. When they meet again after many years apart, Their friendship is as true as ever."
The day Dustin left the town of Littleroot, Madison knew.
The day Madison left Littleroot, Dustin knew, but was unable to see her off, because he was already gone.
She trudged down the path that would lead her to Oldale town, knowing that it was a straight shot from Littleroot. During the hour long walk, she had caught a Zigzagoon, and a Poochyena to go with her Magikarp, splashy, and her Treeko.
When she made it to town, she spent some time resting before carrying on to Petalburg City.
Madison had engaged in some battles along the way, and they were difficult. She won, though, and continued on, adding Ralts to her team before she arrived in the city.
She was thrown for a loop though, when as she entered the pokemon center, Nurse Joy gave her a slip of paper and a small parcel.
"A very polite young boy told me to give these to you when you arrived. You have a very good friend."
She didn't know what to say, so she payed for a room, and sat down on one of the couches in the lobby.
Deciding to open the parcel first, she undid the blue ribbon that held it together and peered inside, before reaching into the box and pulling out a pokenav.
Realizing that the slip of paper was probably the note that went with the parcel, she scanned it quickly before turning a shade of red that would make a torchic proud.
Meanwhile, in a remote location, A fifteen year old boy training with his Breloom cracked a smile and chuckled as his pokenav began ringing.
Madison- age 15, Dustin- age 16
"No distance of place or lapse of time can lessen the friendship of those who are thoroughly persuaded of each other's worth."
To say that he and his pokemon were exhausted would be an understatement. After a long day of battled and travel, Dustin was ready to die on his feet. The poor guy had been challanged left and right ever since he left Mauville for Fallarbor, and all he wanted now, was to find a pokecenter, and die on their couch.
Torchic had evolved to Combusken in his final battle, but that was only after Electrike was knocked out.
A frustrated sigh escaped the teenager's mouth, it was his birthday, too! This was not what he had in mind when he had woken up that morning. Where was the cheerful phonecall from his mother? What happened to the birthday cash? Or better yet, why hadn't Madison called him yet?!
He was accustomed to having his best friend by his side during his birthday, and still wasn't used to her abscence while he was on the road. Dustin knew that she was probably busy with her own adventure, but he still couldn't shake the small bit of dissappointment that had welled up in the pit of his stomach.
He sighed in relief when he spotted the sign that welcomed travlers into Fallarbor, he had made it!
The little gasp that greeted him when he entered the Pokemon center though, confused him.
"Are you Dustin Brady?" He nodded, and Nurse Joy sighed in relief, "Oh, good. We recieved a package for you earlier today." She reached under the counter and produced a small package, and then handed it to the perturbed boy.
"Th-thank you." he stuttered. Still a bit mystefied, he sat down on one of the couches and opened the package. Inside was a photo and a Jewlery box, however, there was no note.
He smiled widely as he looked at the picture, and then turned his attention to the other item, the velvet case. It was long, so it had to be a necklace of some sort.
Curious, Dustin opened the case, and was met with a locket. It wasn't a cheesy, heart shaped one or anything, it was made with black metal, and had the word "friend" engraved onto the front in white. He grinned like an idiot as he opened it and then laughed quietly to himself.
Meanwhile, in Slateport, a Kirlia stared quizically at its trainer when she had stopped in the middle of the sidewalk and giggled as soon as her Pokenav started ringing.