Author's Note: Here now lies the second chapter of Shantel's Conquest! Since this story happens at the same time, I figured while Alana and company were in Mt Moon, I'd show what was happening on Shantel's Side. This chapter takes place during the two week gap that happens in Mt Moon. Just so no one gets confused '' indicates psychic conversation while "" is regular conversation.Without further ado, Enjoy the next chapter of Shantel's Conquest!
The sun rose on Petalburg stirring the Wingull from their slumber. They took off around the cost flying from the pier into the port side city. Shantel was cuddled with Serenity, both deep in sleep. Shantel had already packed her bags the night before, so once they saw Wally off they were going to announce their plans to her parents. Shantel and Serenity began to stir. They woke up, and Shantel began to stretch preparing the rest of the day. She got dressed choosing her outfit carefully. She would be using these clothes almost every day. She dressed in an orange long sleeve, with blue jeans to cover her legs. She grabbed a ribbon and tied her hair up to keep it from getting in her eyes. She took out her special gloves she had bought in Goldenrod, and slipped them on. They were black, and finger-less with grips on the palms Now that she would be questing, it would be best to keep her hair up, so she could be aware of her surroundings. She grabs her pokeball belt ,that her sister had gifted her, and attached it to her hip. She hid the belt using her sweater. She didn't want them to find out she had a Pokemon before she clued them in. She recalled Serenity to her Pokeball. She didn't want to wake her, so she'd let Serenity sleep in.
Shantel went downstairs once the scent of pancakes wafted into her room. She could tell something special was happening. She went downstairs to see that there were more people over. There was man, about as old as her father, in a lab coat with brown hair. Beside him was a young man with seemingly white hair. He wore a red and black track suit with black sweatpants. He had a green bandana to tied around his forehead. Her dad and the man were talking and laughing, while her mom made fluffy stakes of deliciousness. The boy looked at Shantel and smiled at her. She returned it with a grin of her own. She was in a pretty good mood right now.
'Shantel,' Serenity projected from her ball. 'Are we going yet? I can't wait to travel with you!'
'No,' Shantel replied. 'We still have to see Wally off.'
A hand waved in Shantel's face forcing her to snap back to reality. Her dad had been trying to get her attention, while she was communicating with Serenity. Everyone seemed to be waiting for her to take a seat. She quickly sat letting the breakfast begin.
"You're Shantel, right?" The man with the brown hair asked. He got a nod from her, since her mouth was full of pancakes. "I've heard a lot about you from Norman."
"What type of things?"Shantel asked after swallowing.
"Nothing much," He commented setting his bag on the table. "Just little things, like how you wanted to go on a journey when you came of age."
Shantel once again nodded. She kept an eye on her watch. It was 8:30, Wally was leaving a 9:00. She would head out shortly after that. She already had her bags packed, now she'd just have to get her trainer's license, and badge case.
"He also told me how you don't have any Pokémon of your own." The man continued. "Well we are here today to fix that."
"Huh," Shantel asked. She wasn't sure that she'd heard this man right.
"My name is Professor Birch," He commented introducing himself. "I study Pokémon in their natural habitats. Your parents and I happen to be very good friends. I heard that you were moving out here, so we arranged for you to receive your first Pokémon today."
Shantel nervously laughed, making sure Serenity's Pokeball was still carefully concealed.
"Normally you would have a choice, but we only have one left from the initial choose." Birch explained. "If you chose, we can give it to you."
This was so surprising, it could almost be funny. Shantel mulled over her options. She could lie and claim she had no Pokémon, to get a rare one from Birch. On the other hand, this could undermine her integrity. This would basically be stealing. Another young trainer could be in line to receive it, and she'd be taking that opportunity.
"That would be amazing," Shantel commented twirling her fingers. "But you're a little too late for that. I took one of the great balls that I was sent out for the other day and caught my own Pokémon."
She revealed Serenity's Pokeball from her belt. Sheepishly, she glanced towards her father. She had already taken two of the balls he had requested the other day. Would they be angry with her? Norman busted out in laughter, Lorna following the example. Shantel stood there believing that her parents had gone crazy.
"We've known since the other day." Lorna exclaimed. "We talked to Birch about it last night. He agreed to still provide you with this Pokémon."
"I appreciate you being honest about it." Norman commented after calming down. "I don't mind that you took the balls. They were irrelevant at the time. You didn't have to hide your Pokémon from us, either. Ultimately it was up to Professor Birch, and he had his mind set.
"With this information out there, I'd like you to have this Pokémon." Birch continued. "It wasn't chosen this year, so I'm pretty sure it'd like a home with you."
Shantel took the Pokeball giving thanks to Professor Birch for his generosity. She called on the Pokémon inside. After being released from the ball, a small blue Pokémon emerged from the light. It looked amphibious, but Shantel couldn't tell. She picked the small Pokémon so she could see it face to face. It looked at her and gave her a small smile.
"Its name is Mudkip." The boy in the room said breaking his silence. "He is almost newborn, so be careful with him. Here's his Pokeball."
Shantel nodded to let him know that she understood. She accepted the ball and returned the small Pokémon to its ball. She would love to get to know it, and come up with a nickname, but I had to see Wally off.
"Thank you very much!" Shantel said bowing towards the Professor and his son. "I would stay and chat, but I have to see a friend off!"
"Wait!" Norman called. "You're forgetting something. How are you going to become a good trainer without documents?"
Lorna and Norman presented her trainer card, and badge case to her. Tear began to form in her eyes when she accepted the items. The moment was almost ruined once the boy from before spoke up again.
"Hi my name is Brendan!" he said introducing himself. "Now that your an official trainer do you want to battle?"
"No," Shantae refused. "I have a friend that I need to see before I leave. In any other circumstance I would."
"Your an official trainer now." Brendan stated indignantly. "You now have to accept any challenges that come your way."
Shantel groaned. Of course he would bring that fact up. Shantel showed Brendan to her father's battlefield. It wasn't an official gym battle, but Norman gave her a nod to proceed. Shantel took her place on the one side of the arena, while Brendan stood on the other side.
"I have two pokemon on me as well, we can go two v two" Brendan stated.
"No," Shantel refused. "I only have time for a one on one."
Brendan sighed and accepted the terms that Shantel had lain. She didn't seem to happy that she had to battle him, but he needed to show her the requirements that came with being a trainer.
"Come out Treecko," Brendan demanded.
The small grass type Pokemon took the stage. It was a humaniod looking Pokemon with a green tail. It glanced at Shantel with a look of boredom. Shantel could guess that Mudkip would be at a disadvantage, so Serenity would have to fight this time.
"Serenity lets's do this!" Shantel called.
'Hi Shantel who do we have here?' she inquired. 'Are we in the middle of a battle? I've heard so much about them from Pokemon that would come back to visit their homes.'
'Yes, but we don't have much time.' Shantel explained. 'Do you know any good moves?'
'I know how to attack lightly with my psychic energy,' Serenity replied. 'I can teleport small distances, if that helps.'
'I already have a plan,' Shantel thought back.
"Treecko let's start the battle off! Attack with tackle,"
"Serenity defend by teleporting away." Shantel commanded then adding another psychic command. 'follow up with confusion.'
Shantel figured that giving commands this way could give her a tactical advantage. Her opponents would be thrown off this way.
Serenity focused her powers and teleported to the edge of the arena. Then she threw the Treecko into a wall.
"Treecko get up and use absorb to heal yourself."
'Don't let it hit you Serenity. Just keep dodging and using confusion. That Treecko can't keep this up forever.'
Brendan allowed his Treecko to fall into a hopeless pattern. Brendan was annoyed at how calm Shantel seemed. She didn't even seem to be commanding her Pokemon anymore. Wasn't she taking this serious. While he was contemplating all of this Treecko fainted making Shantel the winner. Recalling Serenity, Shantel didn't acknowledge Brendan instead she went to her parents and hugged them goodbye.
"I love you guys," Shantel declared. "Don't worry I'll come visit every once in awhile. I'm already all packed and ready to go."
"I already miss you," Lorna proclaimed. "Make sure you pay attention to your surroundings. Don't focus to much on your games."
"Make sure you get rest as well." Norman commented. "You want to get strong, but there is a balance to everything. As for journey purposes I'd suggest you head north. There you will find Roxanne, the rock type leader of this region. She lives in Rustboro City, just through Petalburg Woods."
Shantel nodded and ran upstairs to grab her bags. After one final goodbye Shantel left the house. Norman and Lorna looked onto their daughter preparing to let her go. She has her own journey to go on. She'd grow from her experiences and come back a stronger woman. Shantel left her new home and went right next door. She knocked on the door to get Wally's attention. Instead a man, about the same age as her father opened the door.
"Hello," he greeted. "Are you perhaps the young lady who helped my son catch his first Pokémon?"
"Yes," she answered.
"My name is Jefferson Quinn." He introduced. "I'm sorry to tell you Ms. Shantel, but Wally left a few hours ago. His uncle came to get him much earlier than anticipated."
"Oh," Shantae replied feeling disappointed. She had wanted to say goodbye to the first friend she had made in Hoenn.
"He asked me to give you this as a present." Jefferson continued.
He presented a small twisted spoon, and gave it to the young lady.
"He said that the Pokémon that you helped him catch was holding onto this." He explained. "That Pokémon told him that it belonged with your Pokémon."
Shantel accepted the gift gratefully. It seemed like today was the day that kept on giving.
"I appreciate the gift," Shantel thanked pocketing the small spoon. She'd give it to Serenity later. Shantel left the house after the disappointing development.
Shantel looked back on Petalburg once before she decided to leave, making her way onto route 104. She looked at the two Pokémon on her belt and smiled. This would begin her battle for the title of Champion. She'd have to get all eight badges to stand a chance at competing. She knew that she'd have to face Norman one day, but for now she'd travel and get stronger. She knew that without at least four badges she wouldn't be able to have a fun battle with her dad. Her first stop would be Rustboro, to challenge Roxanne. For now she would have to focus on her first obstacle Petalburg Woods.