Camping isn't as great as I imagined but then again nothing ever is...but I'll make this journey an exception, it shall be better! Anyway, the ground was all hard and lumpy (like that isn't stating the obvious), noises from hidden Pokemon kept me awake, and well I just couldn't get comfortable no matter what I did. At least I wasn't freezing thanks to Torchic; he's so warm like a hot-water bottle. And the worst part of camping is that I forgot something very important, a tent! I guess I can buy one but how would I carry it around and I don't think I'll be able to set it up. What am I to do?
I'll worry about camping later (like tonight), I need to focus on getting through Petalburg City without my father noticing, I sure hope that he went to Littleroot looking for me but I should still leave the city quickly and unnoticed just in case. Speaking of searching for me, I wonder if Brendan looked for me after I fled and if he's still looking for me? I hope he doesn't hate me for that…
Time to get going, I've wasted enough time just sitting here...man am I sore. I'm also hungry. Those snacks I have aren't filling and I doubt they're very good for Torchic to eat (as if they're good for me too). A shower would be nice as well but that's out of the question as well. If only dad wasn't the gym leader of Petalburg!
Okay, enough complaining! I need to focus! Ow, my everything hurts...lucky Torchic! He used me as a bed but that's okay, he's cute and doing all the battling.
I haven't run into anyone yet so I haven't run into that problem but I should still think of something before it happens. Should I use a cover name? I'm sure there's a look out notice for me by now, curtsy of my mom, so maybe I should. But then again if there is anyone looking for me they'll be looking for a blind girl so if I don't let it slip that I'm seeing-challenged I should be good (thanks dad for the dark sunglasses). I'll do a cover name just to be on the safe side so what should my cover name be?
So frustrating! I can't think of a good name for me! I'm now determine to find me a code name! A cool one! I will be known throughout Hoenn as...as…Dang it, I will come up with something!
"It's so hard Torchic," I huff. My little chic stops his chirping to look at me, briefly, before hopping ahead; he doesn't care.
I let him bounce ahead before following. I wish he could share some of that energy with me. Petalburg isn't as close as I was hoping for. I want to be already past that city so that I can't start resting easy. I do wish I could stay at the center though...There's no way my parents, or my mom at least, will think that I'm capable of getting that far. Well I'll get there and beyond!
Hm, that guy in the tall grass is weird. He's spiked my curiosity, so time to go see what he's doing. I'm right behind him and he still hasn't noticed me at all. What's with the guys in Hoenn and their lack of awareness? Anyway, he's muttering something about looking for a Pokemon.
"Looking for a Pokemon?" I ask. It seems like he could use my help. He jumps and drops one of the objects he's holding. Judging by the sound of the item, still rolling, and the fact that he was muttering about Pokemon it must be a Poke ball. I wonder if he'll battle me?
He quickly scurries to the ball and slowly turns to face me. Upon laying his eyes on me a sigh of relief escapes his lips. Nervously he shifts his weight between his feet and rubs the back of his head (sounds like he as a lot of messy hair). He also smells like a hospital, clean and variety of medicines, I hate it.
"Yeah...but without a Pokemon of my own I have no chance of catching one..." he admits sheepishly. His voice is weak and it's not from embarrassment or shyness; he must be sick. Judging by his scent I guess he gets sick a lot. Perhaps he has a weak body? I get the feeling that he and I are the same in some ways. I'm going to help him!
"Torchic and I will help!"
"Really?" There's no containing his smile and it brings one to my face as I nod yes. "Thanks so much!"
I never looked for a Pokemon before. They usually just jumped at me if they wanted to battle but for the most part they stay hidden. What do I do to draw them out? I don't sense any nearby, which is strange. We should probably move to a different area. I wonder if he wants a certain type? I doubt it, I'm sure he'll be happy with any Pokemon. I knew I was before Torchic came into my life.
I'm about to call the boy when the sound of terrible coughing penetrates my ears. I rush over to him but hover. I have no idea what to do! Maybe I should get someone but I can't leave him alone! What do I do?
"Ral," a tiny little Pokemon cries as it steps out from behind the trees and into the clearing. I can't recognize its cries, is it a healing Pokemon, like Chansey, please be one! In a split second the unknown Pokemon is gone from the trees and is next to the boy, rubbing his back. Did it just use teleport? So it's a psychic Pokemon, can it still help him?
Slowly but surely the coughing is dying down and now it's my turn to let out a sigh of relief. I really couldn't have been more useless. The boy's coughing finally ends and he thanks the Pokemon. The little guy then proceeds to tap the Poke ball. He managed to make me even more useless, a low blow to my pride.
Questioning the Pokemon briefly the boy happily gives in and lets the Pokemon get captured. He trembles lightly and then starts yelling and jumping for joy. I don't think he should be doing that! Sensing my distress he stops and turns to me grinning from ear to ear.
"Thanks so much!" he nearly shouts. I'm so happy for him.
"For what? I did nothing," I reply sheepishly. That fact still isn't helping my pride and it never will.
"No, I'm sure that your presence is what helped me meet Ralts!" Ralts? Is that what that Pokemon is called? Anyway, the boy is giving me way to much credit, such a nice guy.
"I doubt it but you're welcomed." I hold out my hand to him. He fumbles with his items before he can finally shake my hand. This is the perfect chance for me to use a code name but I still can't think of one. "I'm Sapphire." I blurt out. That would work if I hadn't told Brendan to call me that but I doubt anyone would expect me to be using it so I guess it's perfect.
"Nice to meet you. I'm Wally." I feel a bit guilty for lying to him but my identity must remain a secret until I am the champion. "I need to thank you properly! Please come to my house!"
"That's alright. You don't have too."
"Please!" I don't really get a say in the matter as he grabs my wrist and starts to drag me away. I don't sense any evil intention so he really just wants to thank me. For a sickly boy he sure is a strong willed one, I like that.
Eventually he lets go of my wrist to lead away, excitedly. I can hear the sounds of a city, I didn't think I was so close to Petalburg, must be on the look out for dad! Speaking of which, this smell of sweat mixed with aftershave along with the smell of a sweaty Vigoroth could only belong to one person and his Pokemon. Very quickly I get Wally to swear to keep me a secret and dive into the nearby bushes. Oh dad, you have crappy timing...
"Wally? What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be packing?" My dad says strangely calm as he and his Vigoroth join the boy. He's not angry? Does he not know that I have run away? Vigoroth sniffs the air and looks around. Please don't smell me! Please don't give me away! Dad not only do you have crappy time but you also had to have your Vigoroth out, out of all your Pokemon?
"I got a Pokemon!" Wally shouts proudly and holds up the Poke ball for my dad to see. Vigoroth stops looking around to sniff at Wally's Poke ball. Good job Wally!
"Oh, that's right I was supposed to help you today. Sorry it's just my daughter..." He lets the thought die with a sigh. He knows and yet he's not angry. Why not? Still I should probably stay out of his way.
"That's okay a nice trainer helped me out." Seriously Wally, I didn't do anything!
"Really? That's good." Sighing my dad runs a hand through his hair and whips the sweaty hand onto his shirt. He probably went on a run instead of looking for me. Or maybe he was running and looking for me at the same time? "I should probably get back to my wife." The two say their good-byes and my dad leaves but not before muttering, "She couldn't have waited a bit longer?". I have no idea who that question is for.
Freeing myself from the unrelenting bushes I get out with several scratches, thanks you dumb bushes. Wally helps me pull twigs and other stuff from my hair and clothes. I hear a feint cry and suddenly on my left shoulder is another Ralts. It rubs a cut on my check and I get the feeling that it wants to know if it hurts. I shake my head no and it seems to be happy.
"I think she wants to travel with you," Wally says. Is this true? As if she can read my thoughts she nods yes. Gotta double check if she can...Holy cow she can! That's so cool!
"I would love to have her join me but I don't have an extra Poke ball," I say almost bitterly. I don't want to lose such a cool Pokemon just because I don't have any...
"Here, take mine." Wally is shoving his second object into my hands. I try to open my mouth to object but he beats me to it. "Take it. I have no need for it anymore now that I have a Pokemon." Thanking him with a smile and a nod I hold up the ball to my new Pokemon to commence the capturing.
Just as Wally did I too start jumping around and holding up Ralts' ball into the air. Chuckling from the boy causes me to stop out of embarrassment. Coughing into my hand I try to nonchalantly let out my new partner. Ralts pops out and waves her hands over her head in some kind of dance move.
Torchic hops over to Ralts and the two start talking. I wish I could understand them. Wally too releases his own Ralts and the Pokemon begin to play. Both us trainers just sit back and watch, until my stomach rears its ugly head. Wally's determination to get me to go to his house so that he can repay me is back again.
Immediately upon opening the door Wally is ambushed by a big guy with a gut. He bombards the poor boy with all kinds of questions until his wife stops him. Wall is in the same situation that I'm in but instead of a very overprotective mom it's a dad. No one is paying any attention to me as everyone tries to calm the man down, it's a perfect chance for me to escape but I think Wally needs me. If his situation is truly the same as mine than he has no friends.
Finally the woman notices me and uses me to turn the conversation around. Despite using me, she seems like a nice lady. Her voice is soft and sweet a nice contrast to her loud, gruff husband. And the little perfume of flowers (I can never remember flower types) she's wearing is a welcomed smell in this clean house.
Wally jumps at the chance to introduce me and there's really is no way to contain his happiness, I guess I'm his first friend. He's my second and probably only one right now. I've had to really piss Brendan off for running away like that. Anyway, his mom complements me while the dad grumbles under his breath about me. He doesn't like me, could be because I don't fit this clean environment, after all I'm covered in dirt and cuts. I really wish I could take a shower.
My introduction is over and now it's the Pokemon's turn. The Ralts huddle next to each other in shyness but Torchic stands in front of them, proudly. The lady stands over them cooing nice words and the Ralts relax. The man is okay with the psychic types but not my dirty little fire bird.
"Mom, can Sapphire stay for dinner?" Wally asks, his voice full of hope. I try to object but my stomach demands that I eat and he and his mom are chuckling lightly. Stupid stomach...
"Sure honey, but it won't be ready for another hour," she says and now Wally is practically beaming.
Grabbing my hand he begins to race down the hall and the Pokemon have to struggle to keep up. His dad shouts his name and he immediately slows down greatly. He mutters under his breath about how he's fine. It's creepy how so similar our situations are. I squeeze his hand in assurance and he stops completely to look at me. I can feel the heat radiating from him. D-did I do something? Silently he begins to lead me to his room. Is he okay?
I didn't think it was possible but his room is even cleaner than the house and it smells like a hospital. His room is pretty much empty with the exception of a pile of boxes in the corner of the room (it's the same as mine!). Now that I think about it my dad did mention something about him packing, so he's moving (finally something different, even if it's slightly).
He sits on the bed and pats the spot next to him for me to sit down. I hover over the very clean bed. I'm filthy so I probably shouldn't sit down. The Ralts teleport next to him and Torchic cries out in annoyance as he can't get up. I pick him up and continue to hover so Wally pats his bed again.
"It's okay, I'll just stand," I offer and Torcic cries in protest. I give him a squeeze and he calms down a bit. My new friend gets up, places his hands on my shoulders, spins me around, and makes me sit down. The Ralts cheer as Torchic hops out my hands to joins them and dirtying the bed in the process.
Wally is like a sponge absorbing everything I say and it's making me feel even guiltier for lying. It's hard keeping up with my lies so it's time to turn this conversation onto him. What should I ask first? "Why are you moving?" I ask. I think asking about his weak body is a sensitive issue to him, as my blindness is to me, so I'm taking the safe road...or not.
Sighing, his head and shoulders drop. His mood has taken a 180. "I'm moving to Verdanturf town to live with my aunt and uncle. My parents, or more accurately my dad, think that the clean air will do me good," he says quietly. Verdanturf? Never heard it, is it in Hoenn? I can't ask because I told him that I'm from Oldale town. I don't want my new friend to move to a different region. Anyway, he's moving for cleaner air? Is Petalburg air not clean enough? Because compared to Goldenrod City this air is sparkling fresh.
"I don't need air! What I need is to go outside and run around, you know to get stronger and such! But dad won't let me. He thinks I'm to weak to do anything!"
Oh dear Ho-Oh, he's my male counterpart! Lying down on his bed (might as well his blankets already need to be washed) I manage to grab his attention. I can't keep lying like this! Sitting up like a rocket, I startle everyone.
"Wally, if I tell you something do you swear to keep it a secret?" I ask a bit skeptically.
"I promise Sapphire!" he shouts a bit eagerly. There's no way he'll betray his first friend (unlike me), so there was no need to ask.
"First of all my name isn't Sapphire, it's May." The first person I use the code name and I'm already telling him my true name this isn't looking good for my future uses of it but it's okay for this one time, anyway.
"May..." He rolls my name on his tongue. It's familiar to him so he's trying to remember why.
"You seem close to the Petalburg gym leader so maybe you've heard him say it before." He inhales deeply when he remembers but before he can say anything I remove my glasses and look at him with my useless eyes. He gasps for the eyes and gasps again as he starts putting the pieces together.
Slipping on my sunglasses I continue. "I'm the same as you. My mom thinks I can't do anything because I can't see but she's wrong! Look at me now! I've traveled all the way here from Littleroot with just Torchic! I can do anything!"
Standing up because it just seems to be the thing to do, I raise my fist into the air, and proclaim my goal to everyone in the room. The Pokemon cheer but Wally is silent. Flopping back down I cover my face with my long bangs. I'm embarrassed now.
"Champion huh? That's some goal," he finally says. "I'll be rooting for you!"
Pushing my hair out of my face I smile at him. "The reason why I told you all this, besides the fact that I didn't want to lie to you anymore, was for you to no longer just sit back and do nothing because your dad says so! You can do anything too!"
"I can be the champion..." he mutters to himself as his attention is entirely on his Ralts.
"Well if you want to you can but you'll have to beat me to get the title!" I add jokingly. He's to engross in his own thoughts to hear me. I'm glad that I've got him thinking.
Ding!
The sound of the oven timer! Dinner is ready or at least it will be once it cools a bit. I can't wait and neither can my impatient stomach. The smell of the food swells the house, it's' so mouth watery good. Again my stomach roars for food now. It's so embarrassing. Wally chuckles again and leads me to the bathroom to wash up.
Wally's mom is a great cook! The food was simple but oh so good and Torchic and the Ralts love the Poke food. And somewhere during mealtime I was invited to spend the night, more like force because they wouldn't let me say no. I feel like I'm opposing but I'm so grateful to them, especially for letting me use their shower.
I'm not ready to go to sleep yet and neither is Wally so we're just sitting around chatting. "Are you going to give your Pokemon nicknames?" he asks as he pets his sleeping Ralts, in his lap.
Nicknames? I've never thought about that. I should to separate my team from other Pokemon but what should I name them? I suck terribly at names.
I scratch at the fluffy feathers at the top of Torchic's head, he chirps silently before yawning. Torchic is the reason why I am here right now. He's like my guiding light. Wait! That's what I'll name him. I brush my hand over Ralts' head, careful of her horn. She likes to wave her arms in the air and spins, almost as if she's dancing. She's pretty graceful that's what I'll call her.
"For Torchic, I think I'll call him Torch. And for Ralts, Grace perhaps." My Pokemon are asleep so I don't know what they think of their names. I sure do hope that they like them. "What about you?"
"I haven't the foggiest clue what to call Ralts."
Stopping by to let us know it's late and we need to get up early Wally's mom wishes us goodnight and heads for her room. Wally hangs around not wanting to go. I get the feeling that there's something he wants to ask so I smile at him.
"Um Sapphire, when it's just the two of us is it okay for me to call you May?"
"Of course." For some reason this makes him really happy. Saying goodnight he then leaves.
Today was a great day.
Holy cow this chapter was long! I can't think of anything else to say in this author not so how about I just ask for reviews! PLEASE!
