Hailing Thunder
© Pokemon is a trademark owned by Nintendo/Creatures Inc. /GAME FREAK Inc.
P.S But the original characters belong to me!
Ch. 3
The sky was dark but off in the distance over the ocean you could still hear the storm rumbling. Leaf poked his head outside of the basket and looked around confused.
"I'm sorry Leaf. Its…it's just you and me now." I tried to muster up the best smile I could and I went to the only place I knew where I could go if I ever needed anyone's help. Prof. Elm. I walked the long way around the hill and down into town. The roads were quiet, everyone staying warm inside. I reached the Poke Lab and looked inside. Conner and Giselle were talking excitedly about something and kept pointing to this that and the other. I didn't want to talk to Conner though; I wanted to talk to Prof. Elm. I thumbed through my phone and found Elm's number and made a quick txt. I walked over to the steps next to the lab and sunk onto them heavily. I wasn't tired but my body felt like a massive Snorlax.
"Nyla? Oh my, what's wrong? What are you doing walking around in the breeze in just Pjs? You'll catch your death out here!" I looked up and Prof. Elm, still in his lab coat attire, walking towards me. I clutched the wastebasket tighter and Leaf cooed worryingly. I feel so awful, lying to such important people in my life. All because I am selfish! I sniffed.
"I'm sorry. I'm sorry!" I plunged my head lower behind Leaf. "It's all my fault! I figured if I could just get a Pokemon and show him to mom, maybe she would understand. I never meant for her to get angry, I never meant to lie, I – I – never wanted this to happen. Mom kicked me out Prof. Elm and I don't know what to do. I don't want to give Leaf up, I can't, and I'm just confused…" I finished off lamely. I feel like such a cad, such a lowly piece of crud. He didn't say anything at first, he must be mad at me too. I felt him put a hand on my shoulder and I looked up tearfully. He gave me a sad smile,
"You are so much like your father Nyla. So much it hurts. Come inside and let's warm you up and will discuss what we can do." I just nodded and he guided me inside.
"Nyla?" Conner and Giselle chanted as they stood up from there chairs. I saw Prof. Elm just wave a hand and we walked into a back room of the lab. It was a clutter of books, papers, files, three computers and dozens of pictures all over the wall. I sat down on the one side of the love seat that wasn't cluttered and he sat down in a computer chair in front of me. Putting the trashcan down, I pulled Leaf out and put him into my lap. Prof. Elm asked me to tell him about what happened today and I did, the guilt not easing in the slightest.
"Well Nyla, it was wrong for you to lie…to lie to me. Your mother…" Prof. Elm began. 'I don't want to be lectured again! I just…I just….' "But…one can't smother their own dreams. It's like cutting out apart of your soul. Your mom was so devastated when she lost Edrikai that she couldn't stand the pain of loosing another part of herself." That was the first time I heard father's name in a long time… I watched Prof. Elm pulled out a book from inside of his desk, it was a thick book, some pages sticking out and the cover was faded and wasn't legible. He smiled to himself and ran a hand down the cover. "Seeing how you lost your PokeDex today…perhaps it is time to give you this. This belonged to your father…you're mother threw it away but I dug it out of the trash. His whole life is in this book….here." With shaking hands I pulled the book close to my chest. Carefully running my fingers down the faded red cover, I opened the book.
"This book belongs to Edrikai Summer. A journal of my travels, map of the worlds I've been to, and the Pokemon I've seen." I read aloud. My dad's handwriting was surprisingly neat. Scrawled at the bottom of the page in different writing it said, "Given to my brother for his 15th birthday. Always – Eli….who's Eli?" Prof. Elm chuckled.
"Kyla, my name is Eli Elm." My jaw dropped. Oh my gods, we are related? Oh my gods I'm related to Conner? What the—ewww! I had a crush on Conner when I was little! Oh, ugh, I'm going to be sick. Eli laughed and pushed his glasses back up on his nose, "Not blood related though." My heart fell to the floor the second time tonight in relief. "Mom adopted your dad after he washed up the coast a long time ago. All he knew was his name, didn't know where he was from, but ever since he was little he had always said a large silver Pokemon saved him and he was going to scour the world until he found the one who did, to thank him." Wow…I have never heard so much about my father before. This was just all so amazing. Still…I'm related to Conner by the books as a cousin, ugh. I flipped the pages briefly and saw wild sketches of Pokemon, landscapes, structures and maps. It was wonderful.
"So, I can't have my niece out in the cold. Also, you still have a job to do per our contract of me giving you that Pokemon!" I suddenly grinned.
"So I can keep Leaf?"
"You have too! I'll work on your mom while you're away and see if I can't smooth some things out. I've got a job for you three to do and you came just in time. Giselle was so ecstatic that her parents are allowing her to go on a journey to see the world with her ponyta, she came right over to tell us. I believe you had some journey of your own you would like to pursue?"
"The Dragon's Den! I want to see the dragon clan!" I reminded him excitedly.
"You can't leave with out me! I think the three of us would have a better chance at seeing the world together than separately. What do you think?" Conner was standing in the doorway.
"Sorry Prof. Elm. We kind of ease dropped on you." Giselle giggled. Giselle, either it be from her own happiness from being able to leave or whatever, she seemed to absolutely glow, seemed even nicer!
"That's alright; you were bound to find out sooner or later. So son, you want to travel too?"
"Yea! I heard there are some amazing water Pokemon out at Cianwood City." He grinned real big and I looked down at Leaf, I nuzzled him happily. Maybe everything would work out!
"Well, why won't we have some dinner and off to bed with you all. You all have got a big day tomorrow!" Eli Elm declared. I smiled and shrugged my damp duffle bag off my shoulder. They all filed out of the room towards the kitchen and I sat there holding my new book. Dad left me the greatest gift of all, a dream and a family to get me there. I sat the book down carefully and pulled Leaf into my chest and hugged him tightly,
"Let's eat!"
"Kooo!"
After eating, I was elbow deep in a sleeping bag that - Uncle gave me. With the low light of the lamp and Leaf curled up asleep at my side, I flipped open the book. He had cities he traveled to with sketches of their biggest structure. The Pokemon he found in the area and some of the people he had met. There were so many Pokemon in Johoto, how on earth did the Legendary Red trainer catch them all? I skimmed through some pages and stopped when I came across, 'Blackthorn City', home of the dragon clan. He drew pictures of the Dragon's Den and some dratinies and dragonairs. He mentioned a man named Lance, a Dragon Master. Woah, I can't wait to go!
"You'll be useless to us tomorrow if you don't get any sleep Kyla." I looked up and it was Giselle holding her cyndaquil in her arms. I laughed,
"I can't stop reading. Dad's book is amazing." I smiled. She came in and sat on the computer chair,
"It's realy great to find out Conner and you are just related." She almost sighed.
"I suppose so; I think it's neat to have a Prof. as my Uncle!"
"Well, seeing how you two are family, I'm glad this trip will not be awkward. It will be a journey for love!" I quirked an eyebrow, what the heck was up with Giselle…
"A journey for love? You are trying to find a boyfriend at a time like this?" She cackled and stroked Lyulf. "I already found my love; I'll be pursuing your 'cousin'!" She stood up practically victorious and headed out of the room with a small wave, "See you tomorrow!" I closed the book with a peculiar face. Well that explains why she is so happy, perhaps they will make a good couple but ugh, mushy love crud would so ruin the trip. I turned off the lamp and found my pillow, curling up in a ball and throwing an arm over Leaf, I willed myself to sleep after whispering, 'Goodnight Mom'.
"Wake up! Wake up!" Conner burst into the room at the most ungodly hour. I hurled my pillow at the door and hid deep inside my sleeping bag. "Time for breakfast Kyla!" I growled in response and peeked out from under the cover and looked out the window, that weenie!
"The sun's not even up yet! Need sleep!" I groaned and curled back in the sleeping bag. Suddenly the sleeping bag was yanked open and Sumi and Nami gave me a morning 'hello'. My hair dripping wet I glared at Conner with every ounce of anger I could muster.
"But we need to get ready, get up bed head." He whispered leaning close pulling my chin up. My bubble! He was in my bubble! Was he always like this in the morning? Was I delusional?
"You're still asleep?" Conner released my chin and turned towards the door way and smiled at Giselle.
"Not anymore. You had breakfast yet? Dad's almost done!" The two walked out of the room and I sighed. I poked Leaf who was still sound asleep on his side and he groaned and swatted at me.
"No way buddy, if I got to wake up, so do you…" I rolled him over a few times until he woke up. At least that was one thing we had in common, we weren't morning people. I dug around in my duffle bag and pulled out a pair of clothes. I slipped on a pair of khaki Capri, a black body armor tank top and a short dark forest green vest. Slipping on my sandals, still with a crown of bed head, Leaf and I headed out into the lab, up the stairs, and into the quaint apartment like setting. Food was steaming on the table, Mmmm.
"Scrambled eggs, bacon, and toast!" Uncle smiled. One thing you always had to be careful about! Sometimes certain Pokemon lived along side with regular animals. Like miltanks and cattle always coexist. Whatever is comfortable for them I assume? Sitting down on a stool, I hoisted Leaf up into my lap he was content to catch up on a few more Z's while I ate.
"So once you guys are ready. I have an acquaintance named Mr. Pokemon. He's been ranting and raving about a new discovery he's made and I will give you guys a travel allowance for helping me." I grinned to myself as I swallowed a mouthful of eggs. That's good news considering I'm broke.
"Mr. Pokemon lives right past Cherrygrove City right?" Conner asked while drinking some juice. Apparently they ate already.
"Yep, just bring me back whatever parcel he has, I'll give you some money, and off you go!"
I grinned and finished off the rest of my plate before emptying it into the sink. Giselle walked over to the side of the room and had a much larger duffel bag than mine sitting on the sofa, I snickered,
"How on earth are you going to haul that around?" I chuckled. She patted the pokeball that was hidden beneath her shirt on her belt loop,
"Athena will carry it of course." Poor ponyta was being turned into a mule. Cyndaquil made a triumphant noise from the floor, like it was challenging her but Giselle laughed and stroked its head. "You can carry it when you are bigger!" Conner walked out of a side room and already had his hiking bag strapped over his shoulders.
"Let's get going ladies! We'll be back later today dad." Conner informed and I waved a hand at Leaf.
"Let's go pack!" Together we raced down the stairs and into the small room. Rolling up my sleeping bag as tight as I could, I looped the cord around it a few times and put it in my duffel bag. Good thing I had all that space! I looked around the room and found an old t-shirt and wrapped it around my dad's book and placed it carefully inside. Doing a once over of the room and making sure I had everything, I placed the strap over my chest and pushed the duffel bag behind me and Leaf was on my heels.
"Alright. You guys be careful and call me if you need anything." My brand new awesome Uncle said. I grinned and right when we were turning towards the front door. There was a knock. "Who could that be this early in the morning?" Uncle was right, I looked out the window and the sky was just starting to turn from black to purple, the sun still weary on rising. He opened the door and all of curious as sentrets peeked over his shoulder and saw a man in a black suit, same height as Conner, standing in the door way.
"Hi, my name is Silas Alastar, I'm looking for Kyla Summer?" Everyone slowly turned to look at me and I stared at the intruder. Snazzy suit, slicked back hair, papers in hand? Had lawyer written all over him, had Ms. Alastar scheming shit stirring plot of evil as a neon sign above his head. Crap…
Lots of love for my first reviewers! 3 I'll have the next chapter up in three days at the latest!
