Pokémon White: The Heroine of Ideals

I don't own Pokémon in any form, but twists of plot, as well as made up characters, belong to my imagination. Enjoy!

Chapter 3: The Dream Mist and the Trio Badge

The setting was starting to set on Route 2 and Bianca was excited. Standing on her far left was Touko with her Swablu and Leviathan by her side. On the opposite side was Cheren, ready with his Snivy and Purrloin. Bianca was asked to referee their Pokémon battle, and the blonde Trainer couldn't be happier to oblige. She knew both Cheren and Touko have serious potential to become powerful Trainers, and she was happy to be there to see them grow.

"OK! In one corner, we have…Touko from Nuvema Town!" Bianca announced to the invisible audience.

Touko couldn't help laughing at how enthusiastic her friend was at playing referee. "And in the other corner…"

"Bianca!" Cheren cut her off with a frustrated sigh, "Come on, there's no one here."

Bianca frowned at him. "…is Cheren, the dull boy, also from Nuvema town."

"Be nice, Cheren." Touko rebuked him. "She's having fun, we can't forget to have fun too. Besides…" she grinned. "All no work and no play makes Cheren a very dull boy."

Cheren sighed again. "Let's just get it on already, I'm antsy to test your battle skills again."

Touko flipped her hair to the side and eyed her friend with mischief.

"Then, let's do this! Leviathan, you're up!"

"Osha!" Leviathan ran in front of his Trainer, more than ready for action.

"Purrloin, go!" Cheren commanded.

"Meow!" The Purrloin also got in front of her Trainer, glaring daggers at Leviathan. "Purrloin, use Scratch!"

Purrloin charged at Leviathan, with the telltale speed of the Pokémon itself.

"Dodge it, Leviathan!" Touko ordered. The otter Pokémon tried, but Cheren's Purrloin was too fast. Her claws met their target: Leviathan's face.

"Oshawott!" the little blue Pokémon cried in pain, rubbing his face viciously.

Touko gasped. "Oh Leviathan! Are you all right?"

Leviathan nodded, little tears in his eyes. Touko felt bad for seeing him getting hurt. "Do you want to come back, buddy?" she asked gently. Leviathan gave her an annoyed look and shook his head at her. "Osha! Oshawott!" he cried angrily. From his expression, Touko figured he was trying to tell her not to withdraw him from the fight.

"Ok, Leviathan…if you say so. Then…" she glared at Cheren's Purrloin. "Hit that Pokémon with your Water Gun!"

Leviathan didn't waste a second. "Osh!" he opened his mouth and a strong, steady stream of water shot out of his mouth.

"Dodge!" Cheren cried.

His Purrloin jumped to avoid it, but Touko thought ahead. "Follow her with that Water Gun!"

Leviathan lifted his head in her direction, and the water hit her square on the belly. She yowled her protest as she landed back on her paws.

"Purrloin, hit him with a Tackle!"

Purrloin gathered herself and sprinted towards Leviathan again, hitting him with her whole body. Leviathan cried out and staggered. Touko's concern for her Pokémon could only rise as she watched, but she wasn't going to ignore her friend's wish to keep fighting.

"Leviathan…can you muster the energy for one more move?" she asked.

"Osha…" he grunted wearily.

"Alright, Leviathan, get her with a Quick Attack! That should counter her speed!"

With a renewed sense of will, Leviathan sped towards Purrloin at an incredible speed. Cheren panicked and before he could command his Pokémon to dodge, Leviathan bashed her with his side. Purrloin flew back a few inches, completely knocked out cold. Leviathan glowed in a soft blue light, signaling his advancement in level.

…..

Bianca was astonished at Leviathan's speed as well. "Um…" she struggled to find her words for a moment. "Purrloin is down, Leviathan is the winner."

Cheren recalled Purrloin and took out his other Poké Ball. "Go, Snivy!"

The small, reptilian-like Pokémon came out, hissing at Leviathan for making his friend faint. "Sni!"

"OK, Leviathan, return!" Touko called out. Leviathan shook his head, he still wanted to fight.

Touko was shocked at her Pokémon's stubbornness. "Leviathan, you're too weak to fight her right now! And with her type advantage over you, she'll decimate you in seconds! Please come back, I'm begging you!"

Leviathan looked into the eyes of his mistress and saw the raw fear for him in her azure eyes. "Osha…" Leviathan sighed as he slumped down in defeat.

With a sigh of relief, Touko came over to him and picked him up. "You were remarkable, partner." She smiled down at him. "Rest for now, as soon as we finish here, I promise I'll patch you up and give you a feast for dinner. Deal?"

Leviathan couldn't argue with that.

"Oshawott…" he mumbled in agreement. Touko set him down next to her bag and took out her remaining Poké Ball.

"Swablu! You're on!"

The blue bird Pokémon was ready for action herself.

Since Swablu is a Flying-type Pokémon, she was both speed and type advantage against Cheren's Snivy, she analyzed her situation. With a confident smile, she was ready to strike fast and hard.

"Swablu, go for a Wing Attack!"

Swablu flew to Snivy, increasing her speed.

"Hit her with a Vine Whip!" Cheren instructed his starter.

"Snivy!" the green Pokémon produced two long, thin vines from her body and smacked Swablu.

But, the hit barely fazed the bird Pokémon.

Shit! Cheren bit his lip. I forgot, Grass-type moves have little effect on a Flying-type Pokémon!

"Blu!" Swablu cawed a battle cry as swung out with her wings and hit Snivy.

"Snivy!" Cheren called out in worry as he saw his friend sway to her side before fainting as well.

As Cheren recalled his Pokémon in defeat and Swablu leveled up, Bianca announced, "Snivy can't fight anymore, Swablu wins!"

….

With a grumble, Cheren fished out some coins from his pocket and handed it to Touko. "Here, you won fair and square."

Touko took the money and said, "Cheren, your Pokémon are strong and you're a good Trainer. They still have to grow, you know."

Cheren shrugged. "I know, they're amazing. If I still want to fulfill my dream of becoming the Champion, I must keep going and beat all the Gym Leaders of Unova." He started gathering his things. "So, I'm going to continue on ahead, heal my Pokémon, and keep training. I'll meet up with you guys later!" He waved to Bianca and Touko before walking away.

As she watched her friend go, Touko couldn't help but feel a bit guilty that she keeps beating Cheren.

"I hope he's not mat me." She mumbled to herself.

"Don't start."

Touko looked at Bianca, who was now right next to her. "I know that look, you're feeling bad that you just kicked Cheren's behind, aren't you?"

Bulls-eye, leave it to Bianca to figure that out. "A little?" Touko chuckled nervously.

Bianca shook her head at her friend. "Let it go, Touko. He won't be mad at you for beating him. He'll pout, sure, but won't hate you. Remember…" She patted Touko's shoulder. "You're the one that told him that he can't win every fight if he truly wants to get stronger."

Touko patted her hand in a silent gesture of gratefulness. "You're right. Well…" she eyed her Pokémon, who looked tired. "What do you say we camp out here for the night and get back on the road in the morning?"

Bianca's smile was enthusiastic in the least. "Sounds like a plan! Let's find a nice spot in the woods to set up camp, then find some berries for our Pokémon!"

-Striaton City-

"And we're finally here!" Touko was in a very good mood as she and Bianca walked through the uniquely architectural buildings towards the Pokémon Center.

Bianca shared her joy. "It was a great idea to camp out at Route 2, I had a great time!"

"Welcome to the Pokémon Center!" Nurse Joy smiled at the two female Trainers as they approached her. "Would you like me to heal your Pokémon?"

Bianca and Touko nodded as they presented their Poké Balls. "Yes, please." Touko replied.

"I'll get on it right away!" Nurse Joy took their Pokémon and handed them to a Blissey standing next to her. The huge, pink, Pokémon smiled at the nurse before going through the double doors in the back.

"Are you here to challenge the Striaton City gym?" the pink-haired nurse asked them as the girls waited.

"Yes." Touko answered. Even though she wasn't pursuing the title of Champion like Cheren, she knew she needed the Unova badges to maintain her partnership with her Pokémon. They had free will, and they would never obey a Trainer with no badges to show her experience and confidence in her leadership.

"Well, a good place to train would be the Dreamyard, which is east of the Pokémon Gym. There are also a lot of Munna that reside there." Nurse Joy advised.

Her comment perked Bianca's attention. "Oh, a Munna! Let's head there, Touko! I want to catch one!" she begged her friend.

"Sure thing!" Touko did want to strengthen her Pokémon a bit more before facing her first Gym Leader. "But first, we need to eat! And I'm in the mood for anything but berries!"

-Dreamyard-

The ruins of the old research facility greeted Touko and Bianca as they entered the Dreamyard. Wild vegetation grew along the destroyed walls and long, dark grass took over the once-pristine floor. "Wow, I wonder what this place used to look like before it was abandoned." Bianca said out loud as the girls walked through a large hole into the building sector.

"Beats me." Touko shrugged. As they adventured deeper into the isolated building, they heard a cry.

Touko froze on her tracks, a shiver running down her spine. It sounded like a Pokémon in pain.

Bianca looked around for the cause of the sound. "Did you hear that?"

Touko nodded. "Yeah…but where did it come from?"

The same anguished cry rang out, this time Touko managed to track it to the other side of a partially-collapsed wall. "It came from that direction." She pointed. "Let's go, Bianca!" Touko ran towards the sound as fast as a Growlithe, her heart pounding in her chest.

I hope the Pokémon isn't suffering a lot! Please hold on!

As she made a turn, the sight that greeted her made her sick to her stomach. Two Team Plasma grunts were standing over a Munna. No, kicking it!

"Munna!" the little Pokémon cried out.

"Come on!" shouted one of the grunts. "Make us some Dream Mist!"

Touko saw red.

"Hey, assholes!" she stormed towards them, her hands clenched into fists. "Why don't do pick on someone of your own size!?"

Both men stopped and turned to look at her. "Huh?"

"Who do you think you are, hurting an innocent Pokémon like that!?" Bianca demanded as she joined her friend.

"Us? We're Team Plasma, little girls." One of the grunts sneered at them.

"No shit, Sherlock!" Touko gritted her teeth at them.

Bianca cringed a bit at Touko's choice of words. She had forgotten that Touko White can swear like a sailor when seriously stressed or angered; a fact that Touko has kept, miraculously, hidden from her mom.

The other Plasma Team grunt scowled at Touko. "We battle day and night to liberate Pokémon from foolish humans! Munna and Musharna emit a mysterious vapor called Dream Mist, which shows people's dreams. We'll show them dreams to manipulate their hearts."

Touko arched a brow at them. "The only foolish humans here are you two douchebags! Get away from that Munna or else." She growled at them, both of her Poké Balls in her hands.

One grunt looked at Touko up and down before smirking at her. "Or else what, little girl? Unlike you foolish Trainers, we fight for the liberation of Pokémon."

"And setting Pokémon free means we'll win every Pokémon battle and take Pokémon by force!" said the other grunt. Both men faced the girls. "So, we're going to rescue your Pokémon from you!"

"You two are more delusional than a Pokémon suffering from Confusion." Touko glared at them as she beckoned them with one hand. "Bring it, if you dare."

Touko threw both Poké Balls into the air. "Come, Leviathan! Come, Swablu! Let's teach these jerks a lesson!"

Leviathan and Swablu came out, both glaring at the grunts maliciously.

…..

The grunts recalled their fainted Pokémon, still in shock that they lost to a child…and a girl none the less!

"This girl is too good…" one grunt mumbled. The other grunt turned back to the injured Munna. "Quick, let's grab the Munna and get out of here!"

Touko's expression turned into one of utter fury as she and her Pokémon took one step towards the men. "Don't…you…dare." She threatened. Before she could act, her attention was diverted as the boss of Team Plasma was actually walking toward them.

"Oh shit, it's Sage Ghetsis!" The grunt near Munna gasped in panic.

"What are you two doing goofing off?" The Sage's tone was menacing.

Touko was confused. What in the nine hells is the boss man doing here?

"Your Grace!" the grunt saluted clumsily.

Suddenly, another Ghetsis appeared next to the grunt's companion.

"Huh!?" Bianca couldn't believe what she was seeing. "There are two now?"

"If you cannot fulfill your duties…you shall be punished!" The second Ghetsis roared at the grunts.

Now, both men were sweating bullets.

"L-let's get of here before he punishes us!" The grunt said to his comrade. He took off before hearing his partner stammer his agreement and run after him.

Bianca and Touko watched the grunts run off like a pack of Mightyena were after them.

"What…?" Touko turned around and found Ghetsis gone, in his place was a pink and purple Pokémon that resembled Munna but it was larger and had a trunk like an elephant. Pink mist was oozing out of its forehead.

"Shaar!" the Pokémon cried as it neared the Munna.

"Mu…" the smaller replied weakly. Touko quietly took out her Pokédex to identify the larger Pokémon.

"Musharna, the Drowsing Pokémon. With the mist on its forehead, it can create shapes of things from dreams it has eaten."

Then, it dawned on Touko.

"I see…" she commented. "Musharna sensed Munna was in trouble, so it took the form of Ghetsis to scare off the Team Plasma grunts and save Munna."

"Wow…that's some power." Bianca was amazed.

As the Munna was getting back up, Touko stepped in. "Wait, Munna. You're weak from dealing with those idiots." She dug into her bag and took out a berry. "Here, so you can recover some of your strength."

"Munii?" Munna looked at Musharna, as if asking its permission. Musharna turned towards Touko, as if judging her character. After a brief moment, the Musharna seemed to nod. "Musha." It encouraged the Munna.

Munna shyly approached Touko's open hand and ate the berry in one gulp. Touko smiled at the little pink Pokémon. "I'm glad you're OK. Take care, little guy."

The two Pokémon floated away from the girls. "That was quite a sight, Touko!" Bianca smiled at her. "They seemed to like you. You're really kind to Pokémon."

"I'm just glad we got to help that Munna."

Bianca nodded and took out her Poké Ball. "You go on ahead and take your Pokémon back to the Pokémon Center. I'm going to stay here and catch a Munna for myself. They're so cute…I want one!" she squealed in joy.

Touko chuckled at her friend's obvious weakness for very cute Pokémon. "Alright, I'll be seeing you around!" she turned to leave.

Just as she was nearing the exit, Touko heard someone calling. "Hey lady!"

She stopped dead in her track and turned around. A young girl, no older than ten, was running towards her. Her red hair was in a neat braid and dirt seemed to spot her shirt and shorts. She was obviously a Trainer.

"Are you talking to me?" Touko pointed to herself.

"Yes!" the girl smiled. "Oh, where are my manners? I'm Siarah!"

Touko nodded in return with a smile of her own. "Pleasure, I'm Touko."

"Touko, where you the one who made those mean men run off?" Siarah inquired.

"Are you referring to those…" she caught herself before she said 'jackasses.' No swearing in front of children, missy! She scolded herself. "Um, yes."

Siarah was excited. "I knew it! I watched you fight them! You're strong!" she dug into the small brown pouch around her waist. "Which is why I want to give you this!" She presented a Poké Ball to Touko.

Touko was flabbergasted, to say the least. "Siarah…" she began. "Why are you giving me a Pokémon?"

"My family has a Charizard and she lay eggs not too long ago. Ma and Da gave me two eggs to raise as I travel. But, I only need one. I was looking for a strong and nice Trainer to raise the other one. After seeing you defend that Munna, I believe you're the perfect girl for this Charmander."

Touko's eyes widened. A Charmander!? I've only seen them in books since they only reside in the Kanto region. And this girl wants to give me one?

"Siarah…" Touko wanted to make sure before she committed. "Are you sure you want to give me a Charmander?"

Siarah nodded slowly. "Never been surer!"

Touko reached out and gently took the Poké Ball from her. "Thank you." She said, feeling humbled by the gift. "I swear I will raise it with lots of care."

"It's a 'he'." Siarah winked.

Touko grinned. "Well, I better meet him then!" She opened the Poké Ball.

…..

Back the Striaton Pokémon Center, Touko was giddy. Her new Charmander was a little spitfire, no pun intended. She ended up naming him Blaze, he seemed perfectly content with his new name. As she waited for her Pokémon to be healed, she opened her Pokédex to examine her Pokémon's move lists.

"So…Leviathan is now level 14 and he knows Water Gun, Razor Shell, Tackle, and Quick Attack. Swablu is level 12 and she knows Peck, Wing Attack, Sand-Attack, and Quick Attack. Now, Blaze is level 13 and he knows…Ember, Scratch, Leer, and Incinerate." She was pleased. Her Pokémon were growing well, and it made her proud to be their friend and Trainer. She strode over to the Poké Mart to stock up on Potions, Antidotes, and other healing items in anticipation for the Pokémon Gym. After paying her items and thanking the clerk, she sat down on a nearby chair. Her eyes landed on the Xtransceiver around her wrist.

I haven't called home since I left, I better let Mom know I'm OK.

Touko touched the screen and found her mom's contact info. The side screen popped out and it started to ring. A face just like Touko's, but older, greeted her. Surprise and relief swam in her sapphire eyes.

"Oh honey!" Mrs. White greeted her daughter. "I was just thinking about you! I'm so happy you called."

Touko felt tears prickling the back of her eyes. It was no secret she was a mommy's girl, even though she's seventeen and on a journey now, she still missed her mother.

"Hi, Mom." She greeted back, a loving smile adorning her lips. "How are things back home?"

Her mom sighed dramatically, placing a hand on her forehead for effect. "Oh, so dull! It's too quiet without you running around…or wrecking your room with Pokémon battles." She winked at Touko, who rolled her eyes in return.

"But, I want to know more about your journey so far! Where are you now?" Her mom asked.

"Well, right now I'm in Striaton City. I'm waiting for my Pokémon to heal so I can take on the Pokémon Gym challenge."

Her mom smiled in approval. "Seeing you travel reminds me of myself when I was a bit younger than you, and on a journey of my own."

Touko had forgotten her mother was also a Trainer once. She lived in the Johto region and had her own share of battling and Pokémon before moving to Unova. Right before her move, she released all her Pokémon except her Pidgeot, who was her first companion.

"How is Pidgeot doing?" Touko inquired.

Mrs. White laughed merrily. "He is as spirited as ever, despite his age! He's out hunting, I think. Speaking of Pokémon, has your party grown?"

"Oh yes!" Touko was eager to share the news with her mom. "I caught a Swablu and a Trainer gave me a Charmander at the Dreamyard!"

Mrs. White squealed joyously for her daughter, her giddy expression mirroring Touko's own. "I'm so happy for you, dear! I'm sure they love you a lot already. You're a kind soul to everyone, even Pokémon."

"I learned from the best." Touko winked at her mom.

Mrs. White chuckled. "Well, I'll let you get back to your adventure. I'm glad you're doing well, sweetie. I love you."

Touko was getting a bit weepy again. "I love you too, Mom. Take care." She hung up and stood up to go get her Pokémon.

…..

Heavenly aromas greeted Touko as she stepped inside the Striaton City Gym. She looked around and realized the Gym was also a restaurant. Even though she had lunch already, her stomach was already raving for seconds. She frowned. Ignoring her stomach, she made her way to the back of the Gym where three young men dressed in butler uniforms awaited her. One had green hair and eyes, the second was a redhead whose hair was styled up like a flame, and the last one had blue hair and bangs that covered one half of his face. And they were all pretty cute. Touko's eyes went back to the green-haired guy, who reminded her of that young man she met back in Accumula Town…

She blushed and shook her head. Idiot! Now is so not the time to be thinking about that guy!

Even if his passion for the wellbeing of Pokémon appealed to her.

The green-haired butler smiled at her and bowed. "Welcome to the Striaton City Gym. I'm Cilan."

"I'm Chili." The redheaded boy added.

"And I'm Cress." The blue-eyed boy nodded politely.

"Um, I'm Touko White from Nuvema Town and I'm here to challenge this Gym and its leader."

"You're looking at him." The three boys said at once.

Touko did a double take. "Huh?"

"We're the Gym Leaders here." Chili said. "But, you're only going to face one of us. Was your first Pokémon a Fire-type, Water-type, or Grass-type?"

"Water-type."

Cilan stepped forward. "Then, I shall be your opponent, Miss White. Shall we?" He extended a hand towards her. Touko became slightly flustered at the gesture. Because of her quiet life in Nuvema Town, her experience with the opposite sex was as nonexistent as a Pokémon fresh out an egg. But, her mom did explain that chivalry is not dead and there are some boys out there who will act very courteously towards women. Gingerly, she placed her hand on his and he led her to the middle of the restaurant.

"We shall conduct our battle here. Are you ready, Miss White?" He positioned her to the south and he stood in the north.

Touko nodded, ready to fight. "Yes."

Cilan took out a Poké ball and launched it. "Go, Pansage!"

Out of the Poké Ball came out a little green money with fur that was shaped like a tree on top of his head. Curious, Touko quickly dug out her Pokédex.

"Pansage, the Grass Monkey Pokémon. It shares the leaf on its head with weary-looking Pokémon. These leaves are known to relieve stress."

So it's a Grass-type. Touko mused. Leviathan will do poorly against it, but…a wide grin spread her lips. I do have a new Pokémon that can take care of that.

Confident of her decision, she took out her Poké Ball and threw it. "Blaze, this is your debut!"

The little lizard Pokémon let out a small burst of fire through his mouth in excitement. "Char!"

"Ah, a Charmander." Cilan remarked.

Touko shrugged. "Yep, you never said I had to use my starter."

Cilan smiled. "Touché, Miss White. Pansage, use Leech Seed!"

"Pan!" The little monkey Pokémon shot out multiple little seeds at Blaze's feet, immediately sprouting.

"Char?" Blaze looked around, puzzled by the move. All of a sudden, the sprouts glowed and small orbs of energy were sucked out of Blaze's body.

"Char!" Blaze cried out.

Touko bit her lip as she observed Pansage obtaining the stolen energy. Shit! It's leeching off Blaze's energy, I need to take care of that Pokémon before Blaze is zapped out. She quickly glanced at Pansage and noticed a berry hanging around its neck. "Oh, it's holding a berry." She remembered Cheren had educated her about the perks of using a held item on a Pokémon. Yet, she also remembered a move that not only would damage the enemy but also burn off any held berries by that Pokémon.

"Blaze! You're ok!?" She called out to her Charmander.

Blaze was breathing heavily but looked back at her with fierce determination.

"Charmander! Char!"

"Right! Use Incinerate!"

Blaze spat a fireball at Pansage. The fire hit its mark, the little monkey screeched as it tried to put out the fire on him. Touko watched in relief as the berry it was holding was nothing more than ashes. Also…she noticed how Pansage now had burns. "Oh, it's burned." She whispered. The Leech Seed sapped a bit more of Blaze's energy for Pansage. Blaze whined weakly, but was still standing.

"Looks like we're on equal ground, Miss White." Cilan remarked. "Your Charmander's energy is being drained slowly, but it managed to burn Pansage and his berry as well. What will you do?"

Touko growled, needing the fight to be over so she can tend to Blaze.

"This: Blaze, finish it with Ember!"

"Chaaar!" Blaze roared as he released a steady line of fire at the grass monkey.

"Brace yourself, Pansage!" Cilan commanded. Pansage curled itself into a ball, but the effectiveness of the Fire-type attack was undeniable.

The smoke cleared in the battle arena, and Pansage was out cold on its back.

"Pansage is unable to fight, Charmander wins." Cress announced.

"It's Blaze." Touko corrected him, wearing a proud grin, as she marched over to Blaze to pat him on the head. "You were wonderful, Blaze! You took it out like a champ!" She offered him an Oran berry to help him regain some strength.

"Char…" he hummed happily as he ate the berry. He glowed blue, leveling up.

Cilan recalled his Pokémon and clapped his hands. "Very impressive, Miss White. You are quite the Trainer." He dug into his apron pocket and pulled out something small and shiny. He approached both of them. He offered it to her; it was golden-colored and shaped like an opened pea pod. Three different colored stone shone in a row: blue, red, and green.

"This is the Trio Badge, to demonstrate your mastery of this Gym and Pokémon up to level 20 will obey you without question." Cilan explained. Touko could only nod as she silently took the badge and put it in her Gym Badge case.

…..

"YAHOO! I got my first badge" Touko cheered, pumping a fist in the air, as she exited the Gym. Her Xtransceiver beeped.

It was a message from Bianca: "I got my Munna! I went ahead to train her, so I'll be seeing you up on the road ahead! Love, Bianca."

Now that the first Gym was cleared, all that were was left was to heal Blaze at the Pokémon center and head on to Route 3 towards Nacrene City. Humming a victory tune, Touko skipped all the way to her last stop in Striaton City.

Author's Note:
And chapter 3 is done! I'm liking the flow so far, and soon more N and Touko! Keep reading and reviewing! They're always appreciated, and they're a big motivator to keep the story going. I actually drew the cover for the story, I just have to color it before uploading it. Stay tuned for chapter 4 soon!
-Mistress Ness