William sat comfortably on his bed and scratched an itch out of his short, wolfish beard. Intense brown eyes devoured every letter, word and detail of the book he held open, 'Unsolved History of Mythical Pokemon' with long fingers. The orange evening sun streamed through his bedroom window onto his head, lighting his set of thick, messy brown hair to a bronze.
Every page he read watered his interest and passion not only in Pokemon, but the history of the Legendary Pokemon. Moltres, Zapdos, Articuno, Mew and Mewtwo, Lugia, Ho-Oh, and particularly, Raikou, Entei, and Suicune.
During his younger ages, his mother used to read the same storybook to him every night of the tale of the three Legendary Dogs. He never tired of it. Nothing made him feel the same way that the mighty Entei, the handsome Raikou, and especially, the divine Suicune, made him feel. The captivation he felt was too great for words to structure.
The morning after his tenth birthday, his heart was set to begin his Pokemon journey, and with a burning hope to meet the Legendary Pokemon. His mother however, wasn't so agreed, and never did he find out why. He dealt with a broken heart drowning himself in books, scrolls at museum exhibits, and drawings and writings of his own, all concerning Pokemon. As educating and entertaining as this was, it was far from fulfilling. He couldn't explain the emptiness still there.
He had tried to talk to his mom about why she didn't approve for him to travel, but all he got were answers that he found empty of reason. Such as, why would you risk your life on such a difficult journey? When you have so many other talents, which will lead you to a wonderful, more meaningful and successful life? But he didn't believe that was relevant at all. A wonderful life in his eyes was just traveling with Pokemon and chasing after his dream, whatever it may be, whether he reached it or not. At least it was something really worth living for. A drive to live…a purpose.
Now at seventeen, he knew he had to be old enough by now to make his own decisions. As he grew weary of excessive reading, his mind trailed off again on some way to let his mom know that it's his turn to make his life's decision now. Another Birthday had passed, six months ago in fact. Independent decisions he believed were far overdue.
Just as he set down his book, a large, classy cat Pokemon rubbed against his legs and mewed softly, leaving a small residue of loose beige fur on his blue jeans. William's eyes softened.
"Heh...I love you too, Bailey," he said as he rubbed the Pokemon's ears. The Persian's wide red eyes closed softly, his throat purring loudly.
Pokemon were astounding creatures. Their intelligence level was more matched with humans than traditional animals, thus authenticating communication between the two different beings. People had various views on Pokemon, such as keeping them as pets, bonding with them as best friends, or training them to compete with others who trained theirs as well.(And in many cases, enjoyed life with their companions in a combination of these ways). People who trained Pokemon were known as Pokemon Trainers, and under strict law required a license to do so. Most Pokemon Trainers traveled the land to hone their skills, and battle the superior of Trainers, Gym Leaders, who presented a badge to those victorious. Should all eight badges be earned, the Trainer can legally challenge the Elite Four, a group of the most powerful Trainers of the region, in William's case, the region of Johto. And should the Trainer achieve this unlikely victory, their name goes down in history, remembered forever in the Hall of Fame.
There was, however, a rumor started around three years ago of the one Champion in all of the world, undefeated by any of those so blessed, and yet so cursed, to encounter and indeed, battle, him. William knew little of this rumor, except that it had rooted from Pallet Town, in the foreign region of Kanto. Perhaps the Champion once lived there?
William heard his name called from downstairs. It was his mom.
"William? Clean out the litter box and feed Bailey and Scholar before your sisters get here. They'll be here any minute."
He grunted irritably at the mentally unwelcome outside contact due to a fried brain of nonstop reading. He stood onto his feet and pulled up his jeans. Catching a vague glimpse of his reflection in the window, he adjusted the collar on his long sleeved, black shirt. He looked down at Bailey and said, "Let's go downstairs." And he trotted to the door, William following.
He entered a warm, wonderful smelling kitchen when he reached the bottom. A Pikachu, smaller than usual for it's kind, ran over to William with eager squeaks, rubbing it's body all over his legs and feet. Brought into the home as a tiny Pichu a year back, the cute yellow Pokemon developed quite a cat-like personality, growing up around Bailey.
"One minute, Scholar," he chuckled. "Litter box comes first."
Once he refreshed the litter and washed his hands, he poured a generous amount of fish-shaped Pokemon food onto two small plates. With a grateful cry from both mouths, Bailey and Scholar began happily eating their food.
William walked into the living room to an explosion of music on the T.V. A sixteen year old girl with long, thick bronze hair and hazel eyes sat contently on a recliner, with a hardy Manectric curled in her lap, his head resting on the arm of the chair. Very few knew of this handsome dog-like species. They were assumed to either be endangered, or normally not inhabitant to the region of Johto.
"Hiiiiii," William's younger sister said light heartedly.
"Hey, Amanda," he replied as he seated himself on the couch, a quirky young Houndour licking his hands, stubby tail practically vibrating.
"Oh, knock it off, Sasha," Amanda scolded as William rubbed his damp hands dry on the couch. "Learn to give your kisses in a way that isn't...weird, like you."
Sasha cocked her head. William rubbed her head reassuringly.
"Blake gives WONDERFUL kisses! Don't you buddyyyy??" Amanda baby talked to her Manectric. He wagged his tail and closed his eyes. She giggled.
"So, did you talk to mom yet?" she asked William, combing back a thick lock of hair with her finger.
"No..." he replied thoughtfully. "I can't think of how to convince her without another, no-for-some-mysterious-reason-that-she's-not-telling-me being thrown in my face."
"Maybe she'll say yes if you shave."
William lifted an eyebrow.
"I'm just kidding...but really, I'm going to be a Pokemon photographer. I mean, they travel the world too. She's bound to just give in this time, William."
"But that's not until a couple more years from now. You're not starting until after you graduate." he replied, Sasha resting her head on his feet.
"So?"
"So I guess that's okay with her. It's closer to a normal life...your dream is more of a...'normal' dream."
There was a short pause.
"What gets me though," Amanda said quietly, shifting her eyes to the kitchen to ensure her statement was private, "is why she let Sarah start her Pokemon journey last year, when she was your age?"
"She felt that Sarah wanted it more than me," William replied, "And in a way, she did. I was too occupied with reading and writing Pokemon than having anything to do with journeying with them. I almost didn't care anymore, but now I know, deep down, that I still really want this. It may not be mom's dream, but it stays mine."
Amanda blinked. "It's not often that I hear you talk like that. I guess you really do want to travel with Pokemon... So, like, be reeeaaaly persistent when you talk to mom."
He laughed lightly. "Thanks." His mind quickly fell onto Sarah.
It hadn't been the best year for him. William and Sarah were like best friends, they shared similar interests, hobbies, outlooks, and got along really well. Life had been almost half after she set out on her Pokemon journey. But to know that she was coming home tonight, for the first time in all these months, made him swell inside with excitement and anticipation. He could already see wavy brown hair atop a cute round face, smiling at him with a dimple.
"I can't wait to see Kelley," Amanda said, breaking into William's daydream. He hesitated, and said nothing.
Kelley was his eldest sister, and as beautiful and intelligent as she was, she had an overwhelming side of self-superiority. She was a senior in college, studying to be a Pokemon educator. William kept this to himself, but sometimes when she was around him, he could just feel this aura-like bombardment of 'I'm better than you in every way and I always will be'. He still loved her no matter what, but couldn't help but wonder if she loved him at all.
"I was just thinking the same thing about Sarah." William replied, trying to lift his consciousness. Amanda reacted absent-mindedly. Just as Kelley and William weren't sure about each other, nor were Amanda and Sarah.
"Would you two like to help me set the table?" their mom called from the kitchen.
"Yes! We would." Amanda said, and looked at William with a you-know-you-want-to look. Although he preferred the cooking role of the kitchen rather than other parts, it was better than sitting around doing nothing but watch musicians scream into microphones, which got annoying after a while.
They entered a kitchen adorned with delicious dishes that looked more like a Thanksgiving feast. And no wonder, members of the family visiting after a long journey and time at college, was just as much reason to celebrate.
Just as the last of the silverware was set, the doorbell rang. Blake and Sasha barked and whined excitedly, staring at the door with hopeful tails wagging about. Their mom opened the door, beaming.
William's heart leapt as the open door revealed Sarah. She looked a little older than he remembered, but it was really HER, big brown eyes bright and lively, hugging and chatting with their mom. William was then intimidated by the appearance of Kelley, her astounding beauty and strict brown eyes seemed to beat him a few inches into the ground.
His stomach performed a very athletic back flip as Sarah approached him.
"I think you've been doing a little too much reading and not enough eating," she teased, with that smile in which he missed so much. "Hiiiii," She said, waving her fingers.
Unable to contain himself, William embraced her in a tight, backbreaking hug, trying to resist tears of joy. This was really real. Even though he stood a few inches taller than her now, his sister and best friend was really home.
"Okay, okay," Sarah laughed, William loosening his grip and recovering normal stature. "You can love me without making me pass out. But hey, I love you sooooooo much too! Our hugs are way overdue!" She wiped her right eye with the sleeve of her red hoody. William could swear he saw a newly wet blotch as she let it rest back at her side.
By noticing her sleeve, William now noticed what he didn't notice before. At her right side sat a tame, content looking weasel-like Pokemon with towering flame colored fur on his head and back, staring at him curiously. At her left stood an excited looking Pokemon that looked like a small, cute cross between some kind of dinosaur and frog, a large, deep green bulb yet to bloom sprouted from it's back.
"Who might these be?" William asked, beaming. He knelt down on a knee and attempted to scratch underneath the weasel Pokemon's chin. It closed its eyes contently.
Sarah knelt down comfortably on both knees next to him, clearly excited to introduce her Pokemon partners.
"This is my Quilava," she said happily "His name his Wolf."
"Hello, Wolf." he greeted. Wolf sniffed his nose, and then began licking it affectionately.
"Bulba, bulba bulba saur!" the bulb Pokemon said dominantly.
"Of course I wouldn't forget about you, Basil," Sarah said to him patiently. "I bet you're familiar with Bulbasaurs. That's his name by the way, Basil."
Basil talked to William loudly with enormous enthusiasm. Although he didn't understand what he was saying, as it takes time for someone to understand what unfamiliar Pokemon say, he couldn't help but chuckle at its demeanor.
"Yeeaah," Sarah giggled "Basil's definitely the one who keeps us on our toes. He didn't waste any time showing you that."
"Your Pokemon are great," William complimented as they stood back onto their feet.
"How are Bailey and Scholar?"
"Great," he replied. He turned around "Bailey, Scholar! Come say hi to Sarah!"
The little Pikachu bolted toward her with euphoric squeaks and meows. He jumped into her arms, Sarah laughing warmly. Bailey just sat next to William though, apparently, the laid-back Persian preferred saving his affection mostly for him.
"How was the trip with Kelley?" William asked. Sarah shrugged as she gently sat Scholar back on the floor, with one more pat on the head. Scholar however continued to rub on her legs as he circled her, purring loudly, eyes closed in comfort.
"It was alright. I mean...you know how she can be."
"Yeah..." he replied, and glanced over at Kelley and Amanda, talking and joking to each other, feminine laughs resonating throughout the kitchen. Why couldn't all of them just get along together?
"We took a train to here from Blackthorn City, and it was all about her and her academy from her mouth. I mean, she has a couple Pokemon of her own, but she doesn't agree with traveling. It's like, hello? What's wrong with that?" Sarah said justicely at the last two sentences.
"I'd like to ask someone the same question..." William said grimly under his breath, his mind falling on his mom's disagree for him to travel.
"Hmm?" Sarah asked, concerned.
"Nothing...so, did you take the Magnet Train? Was it as fast as they all say it is?"
"Oh, no, the Magnet Train only goes to Kanto, remember? And it's in Goldenrod City."
"Right..." he acknowledged, memory jogged. "I bet you have some Badges. Can I see them?"
"Oh yeah!" she said with enthusiasm, eyes wide. She unzipped her jacket to reveal a blue t-shirt underneath. She revealed the inside of the jacket, where five beautiful badges were pinned, each different shapes and colors.
"Look at those..." he said with slight jealousy, in awe of the eye candy. Scholar tried pawing at the diamond-shaped badge. "Don't take this the wrong way, but you said you were in Blackthorn City before you came home. Shouldn't you have all eight by now?"
"Well," she explained, rezipping her jacket, as Scholar fruitlessly tried to keep the collection from disappearing back into the darkness of her shirt. "Basil, Wolf and I just wanted a break from all the intensity, so we've been traveling and sightseeing just for fun for the past couple months. You don't want to rush on a Pokemon journey, every moment is special." Basil and Wolf cried out in agreement.
"Yeah..." William said, feeling empty all of the sudden, staring at the Quilava and Bulbasaur. "...It would be."
Just then, Kelley approached, and stood next to Sarah.
"Hi William," she said casually. "How are you?"
"Fine...what about you? How are things at college?"
"Oh, VERY beneficial." she said sternly, eyeing Sarah and him pointedly. There was a short, irritable pause, in which Kelley didn't notice Sarah's facial expressions mock her. William held back a grin with much effort.
"Well, so good to see you, William," Kelley said, offering her hand to shake. William accepted awkwardly, with a questionable eye. "I would kiss you on the cheek," she continued "but, well..." she touched the beard protruding from his cheeks with her index finger, and drew it back with a shudder, "I don't want to catch your fleas." She laughed in a way that she must have found funny, although to William, it resembled more of a cackle. Sarah and he forced themselves to laugh along softly.
"So, anyway..." he mentioned, ignoring the insult/joke/whatever-it-was, "Sarah tells me that you have a couple new Pokemon. Can I see them?"
"No, not right now," Kelley replied casually "The house is already full of them, and we're going to eat soon anyway."
"Okay."
As if she could see the future, their mom then said jovially, "Okay! Let's sit down and have dinner! Oh, and the Pokemon food is already set downstairs for your Bulbasaur and Quilava, Sarah. Blake and Sasha had just better be nice if they're going to eat with them."
"What about your Pokemon, Kelley?" Amanda asked.
"It's fine, they already ate on the train. I was going to wait until we got here, but I guess when they're hungry, they're hungry."
"Me too," Amanda announced. "No more stalling. Let's eat!"
It was a very festive dinner. William ate with great satisfaction, thoroughly enjoying their first family meal in a year. He did not hesitate seconds.
Once they were all satisfied and the dishes were taken care of, their mom and Kelley fell into engaging conversations. With no dessert on the menu, William offered Sarah and Amanda to walk with him to the near party store for some drinks. They gladly accepted the suggestion.
"Besides, it's a good opportunity to take Blake and Sasha on a walk." Amanda pointed out. "But what should we do about Sarah's Pokemon? We only got two leashes."
"Don't worry about it," Sarah said with pride. "They've traveled with me for my whole journey so far, I tamed them to stay next to me. But isn't that weird? It's not really common that a Pokemon dislikes staying in their Pokeballs. And yet both Wolf and Basil don't like them."
"You don't see that often." William acknowledged.
"Double whammy," Amanda said enthusiastically. "Then we're all going together."
William slid on some thin gloves, wrapped a plaid scarf loosely around his neck, and pulled on a light, pale jacket with blue sleeves. Amanda put on an extra sweatshirt and pulled the hood over her head. Sarah left her hood off, but zipped up a deep blue windbreaker jacket over her red hoody.
Wolf and Basil walked by Sarah's side, while William walked Sasha in one leash and Amanda walked Blake in the other. William smirked with slight irony as he watched Sarah's Pokemon stroll beside her. Why didn't he ever think of trying to tame Blake and Sasha to walk in public without leashes? As humanlike as their minds and personalities are, it would still probably be too difficult to train them against the urge to act too wildly when not restrained. He wondered how he would tame and train his Pokemon, what their personalities would be like...then dared himself to dream. Just wake up...
The sun was setting on the horizon. It beautifully painted the sky with pink and orange hues, the approaching evening bringing chiller to the late winter air. They trudged effortlessly through shallow, packy snow, clear signs that spring was on its way soon. The lake had few traces left of ice, small waves rippling on the surface in the gentle breeze. They easily helped the ten-minute walk pass well with simple conversation.
William emerged from the small store minutes after they arrived with each of their requested beverages.
"I thought that you didn't have any money?" Amanda asked William as he handed her and Sarah their drinks, and began to open his.
"Yeah. I'm out of spending money." He confirmed. "So I took five dollars out of my don't-touch-that bottle instead. I don't care, though. It's worth the occasion, Sarah and Kelley are home, and unfortunately it won't last. Let's just enjoy ourselves."
"Amen to dat!" Amanda whooped. Sarah drank deeply from her bottle of cola. She then said, "Let's sit by the lake for a while and watch the sunset. The Pokemon can drink from it, too."
"Friggin' sweet." Amanda agreed.
As they watched the sunset and traded more simple conversation, William somehow felt very aware of the present moment, enjoying each to it's fullest just by being. It was very rare he ever felt like this. This simple life with his sisters meant everything to him, at least, during his past years... As he stared out at the vast lake, a longing feeling came over him. He remembered the story of the Legendary Dogs from his childhood...he could practically see Suicune dashing across the lake...
As the sunset began falling to a black night, the four Pokemon grew tired from their playing and wrestling, and the three had finished their drinks. Agreeing it was time to go home, they all set out back to their house. William looked back at the lake once more before they left. It was strange...it somehow felt like...somewhere out there...destiny was calling him...
Warmth overtook him as he, his sisters, and their Pokemon walked back into the cozy house. Although Amanda and Sarah were ready to stay up later, William told them he was just going to go to bed.
"See you in the morning," Sarah smiled.
"Finally." he replied, a small grin cracked across his face. With that, Bailey followed him upstairs to his room.
He changed into some sweatpants and a t-shirt, then turned off the light and rubbed Bailey on the head. Warm, full, and pleasantly drowsy, he quickly fell into a deep, restful sleep.