Well, here's Chap 2! Won't be updating for a while since of holidays...Enjoy!

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Chapter 2

"Here we are ma'am. Lorodon Forest" yawned the Boat driver as the boat dock on the harbor, with midnight approaching. The driver may have been half-asleep at this time of night, but Heather was wide awake, ready to head to Professor Ken's lab. As she walked on the dock, memories flooded her mind with the sound of the waves clashing against the sand.

Her mother and father took her to this little beach every year during the summer. Water and bug pokemon greeted them with delight from the forest and ocean. They were usually used to tourists around the area. Heather sighed, knowing her parents wouldn't be able to take her this year.

But this year has changed. I'm going to explore the world with my first pokemon - and Claire - beside me. Hopefully, Ruth won't follow me like some nerd chasing his laptop. Disgusted by that last thought, she glanced behind her shoulder, just to make sure her haunt wasn't a reality.

Heather had reached the edge of the forest. Lifting her pack in the right position, she sprinted off into the forest, hurrying to the lab. She had remembered the way because she came with Claire when she recieved Daisy. Heather remembered that Professor Ken had two pokeballs left there, waiting for the next trainer to recieve it's new companion. She passed a few signs pointing the direction to the lab. A oddly shaped log was in her path as she leapt over it. Heather knew she was going the right way, remembering how she tripped on that log her last visit.

She came to halt at the building before her: The Lab. Heather could barely make out it's outline since it was dark, but Professor Ken's lab was the only building in Lorodon Forest - this was it!

Cautiously, she stepped in. Everything was pitch black as Heather could hear electrical sparks crackling, along with the faint snore of Professor Ken.

"Hello?" Heather called out. "Professor Ken?"

The room suddenly filled with light. A big machine was against the back wall with a table in front. One pokeball sat there, along with scribbled handwriting of cluttered papers. On the left of side of the room was a orange couch, television in front, and a coffee table. Then on the right wall was a book shelf, piled with books and more papers. Heather could see the beginning of a spiral staircase leading to a second floor.

"W-who's t-t-there?" Professor Ken appeared from the second floor, holding a pokeball. "I h-have t-his rar-rare p-p-okemon and I'm n-n-not a-f-fraid to u-u-use it!"

Without even looking to see who it was, he threw the pokeball and bashed Heather on the head - hard. Heather fell to the floor, groaning from her injury.

Sweet Gyrados! Maybe I should get a smaller head...or knock first.

Professor Ken eyes bulged as he realized who he had just injured. "Heather! Oh my goodness! I'm s-s-so sorry! I didn't kno-"

"I-it's alright" Heather struggled to interrupt. "Every object I see has issues with my brain, lately."

Professor Ken helped her to stand up and lead her to the couch. He sat beside her.

"What brings you here so late at night?" he asked.

Heather glanced at the young professor. His mushed up black hair was in every direction and his ruffled Swablu pajamas needed to be ironed. She realized that maybe she could've waited till morning to come to the lab and spare a bruise, but Heather was to determined to get her prize.

"I'm here for my first pokemon. I've decided to go on my own pokemon journey through Hoenn and more."

The professor smiled and sighed. "I see. It was only a week ago you and Claire came to take Daisy and you've decided to join the trip, have you? Well, I'm terribly sorry to say that I have only one pokemon left."

Heather was confused. "Then why are you sorry? I can take that last pokemon, right?"

"I'm afraid not. You see, this certain pokemon I've been taking notes on it's unusual behavior and, what seemed like the perfect trainer for this pokemon, called me to reserve it for him. So, he's coming tomorrow morning, in fact, to have it. I'm really sorry, Heather."

Heather's face was horrorstruck. She had traveled all the way here for nothing. Her face was on the brink of tears as she looked out the window. Rain pounded the lab as the sound of thunder came. Professor Ken put a hand on her shoulder.

"Look, I can't give you a pokemon, but a warm place to stay?"

Heather nodded, trying her best to smile as if it was no big deal.

What am I going to tell Claire? What about Ruth? If I face that Totodile again - and with Claire gone - I'll end up being a Caterpie served on a platter!

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Heather woke up with the sunlight's ray blinding her face. She yawned, sat up ,and stretched her arms on the Professor's couch.

Knock.

The sound startled her, causing Heather to fall off the couch and her head banging against the coffee table.

The next object that does that is getting spitfire from my mouth!

Rubbing her new bruise on her forehead, she lofted to the door. Heather opened the door to see a young man who looked no older than her. He had blonde, wavy hair and deep hazel eyes. The boy wore jeans, an olive green t-shirt, brown sandals, and black gloves.

"Hello" he greeted. "I am Brendan Kilik from Frotz Town - not to far from here. I believe that the Professor is expecting me thi-"

"The trainer taking the last pokemon? Get it and go" Heather said harshly.

Brendan gave a angry face, was about to say something, but, stopped and stepped inside. Heather had almost seemed to slam the door shut and she stomped at the edge of the staircase.

"PROFESSOR!" she yelled. "YOUR TRAINER IS HERE!"

"W-what? H-he's here! Already!?" The two teens could hear faint rustles from upstairs. After a few moments, Professor Ken hurried downstairs with his labcoat on.

"Welcome! Welcome!" the professor shook his hand. "Let's get started. I have this paper I need to give to you."

He rushed to his bookshelf and was shuffling around the books.

He mumbled, "It's here somewhere."

Heather, who had slept in her clothes from yesterday, gathered her pack and headed for the door.

"Bye, Professor" she called, opening the door. "Thanks for the shelter."

But Professor Ken was still searching through the shelf, seeming like she didn't exist.

"Bye! Sorry if I offended you" Brendan waved goodbye, unexpectedly. Heather just made a snort and closed the door, heading back to the beach.

Sorry if I offended you? Sorry if I offended you?! You're the one who's going to be offended once you cross my path buster!

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The only thing that was holding her tears back was her rage torwards that boy. But soon, the tears had come as she sat on the sandy beach, holding her knees. She had no idea what to do next, except mope till her parents returned. Wasn't that was she planned to do anyway?

Heather suddenly pricked her head up. She could hear cries of some pokemon around the beach. Her eyes glanced around and stopped to her left. She could make out two small figures clashing torwards each other, and a taller figure, a trainer, calling out commands. Heather ran to them, noticing one of the pokemon was on the ground trying to stand up while the other still attacked.

Just when the strong pokemon attacked she slid, taking the weak one in her arms and dodging the attack.

"Toto!" the pokemon cried disappointed.

Heather realized with rage who this trainer was.

"Ruth! What are you doi-"

"The question is what are you doing here? I decide to travel to Lorodon Forest on to Frotz Town. Right when I reach the beach, this little tyrant is attacking me."

Heather glanced at the pokemon. It was a bright orange female Growlithe. Scratches and bruises covered it's body all over.

"Then, as though it had the nerve!" she continued. "It used flamethrower and it burned part of my skirt! Look at it! So, I sent out Magenta to teach it a lesson. It got what it deserved."

"You are so cruel, Ruth! How could you just tell your Totodile injure it so badly after it's already down and out!"

"Don't look at me! That Growlithe still kept fighting when it was obvious. It had put it's fate upon itself."

With that, Ruth turned away from and headed for Lorodon Forest. "Come on, Magenta!" Magenta followed as Ruth quickly called her back into the pokeball.

Heather was going to call her back, but instead, examined the unconsious Growlithe. She was faintly breathing and it looked like she would make it.

Suddenly, Heather realized one thing: this was the first fire pokemon she had ever seen. Growing up in Altomare, water pokemon were always surrounding and, since of the element type match-ups, no fire pokemon dared enter Altomare city. Heather wondered why this Growlithe would be around the beach with water pokemon crawling everywhere. Did it get lost? Did it have a trainer that abandoned it? No matter how much she thought about this, there was no answer.

Heather pulled out a blanket she had packed and draped it on the sand. Laying the Growlithe on top, she pulled out a potion she found in her mom's dresser and sprayed a couple of times. Throughout the day, Heather waited, pausing to check it's pulse every once and a while. By now she guessed the Growlithe was sleeping, her pelt rising and falling. This pokemon looked beautiful! Her orange fur sparkled and it's face was already cute enough! Heather just sat there, waitng, while admiring it's beauty.

The day was almost at an end, as the sun slowy sank into the ocean's horizon. Heather had dozed off a little, but still kept at least one eye on that Growlithe. Slowly, the Growlithe stretched and opened it's eyes sleepily. Heather was so excited she was awake! She reached out her hand to pet it, but the Growlithe suddenly took stepped back in a defensive position and looked like it would attack.

"Growl" she barked.

"Don't worry" Heather whispered. "I'm a friend. I saved you from that mean girl who attacked you." Then she raised an eyebrow.

Or did you attack her?

The Growlithe seemed to be more comfortable, but still was alert. Heather reached her hand slowly out torwards the Growlithe.

"I healed you when you were weak. I saved your life." She reached her hand further. The more and more that hand came, the Growlithe was relaxing.

The Growlithe closed it's eyes, looking like it was defeated. Heather kept going.

Her hand had touched.

The Growlithe made a low growl in her throat, but then had a happy face as she opened her eyes. Heather started scratching her behind her ears.

"You're such a cutie! Why did you face that Totodile back there? Did you even know it was a water pokemon?" she asked.

The Growlithe made a battle face and Heather seemed to understand. "You're not afraid of water pokemon?"

Growlithe nodded and nuzzled Heather.

"Wow. You're pretty friendly!" she exclaimed. Then, suddenly, an idea struck her.

She pulled out a pokeball and let the Growlithe see it.

"How would you like to be my first pokemon Growlithe?" she asked, cautiously.

Growlithe's eyes glittered with delight and barked happily.

"I guess that's a yes!"

Yep! It is!

Heather froze. Was that just Growlithe?

Holy Ho-oh! I need to lay off those homemade chips my mom made before she left.

And you need a brain.

Heather stared at the Growlithe. She mouthed "Did you ju-?"

Growlithe nodded.

You got it. I can hear your thoughts. Better get used to it.

Heather was little freaked out with this, but then thought of something.

What should your name be? You don't want to be called Growlithe all your life, do you?

Of course I don't, Ratata Brain! If you're going to name me, make it good, please!

Heather petted Growlithe and looked to the horizon. Growlithe followed her gaze. A starstruck sunset was gently sinking to the ocean floor.

How about Sunset?

I can deal with that!

Sunset's eyes danced, letting Heather know that she loved the name. Heather and Sunset watched the amazing scenery, until they had fallen asleep on the sand. Heather was filled with joy: she had gotten her first pokemon!