Disclaimer: I don't own Pokemon.

I really appreciate the reviews! It means so much, y'all have no idea. Anyway, I'm going to keep this little note short, so it doesn't interfere with anything. Again, thanks for the reviews! Please enjoy the chapter!


Spotlight
Chapter Three: Of Hicks and Townies


"Happy birthday!"

I jumped, flinging the covers around spastically. Even though I hadn't slept as soundly as I wanted to the night before, I found myself startled out of a deep doze to find my whole family crowded in my room. Zeke looked particularly peeved. He had slept on the floor for some reason, and had ignored my offer to let him sleep in the same bed with me. He didn't say anything else, though, only snored lightly at the foot of my bed on my old, ratty rug, and I found that comforting.

He had gained a few pounds in the short time that he'd been with us. He was still on the skinny side, but he didn't look as bad as he did when I first stumbled upon him. His coat was a shiny, glossy black, and his ribs weren't as prominent. He might have grown a bit, but he still looked awfully tiny compared to the Houndour I saw on television.

I blinked several times, the sudden bright light hurting my tired eyes. I gazed at my mother and father and Alec, all huddled together in a comically happy bundle. I wasn't sure what to do, so I smiled awkwardly and shared my thanks.

"We have cake for you!" Alec chirped like a Chatot.

My head whirled, "For breakfast?"

"Of course! It's your birthday!" Only my mother…

"She must be exhausted, usually she wouldn't as so many questions about cake for breakfast." My father moved to look at me with a grin on his face.

"I was kind of wound up for today to get here already." I admitted a bit sheepishly, turning to look for Zeke. He placed his paws on the edge of my mattress, connected his eyes with mine, and barked.

Dad smile at me, "Yeah, I can see that. When something big happens, you never get to sleep on time."

I coughed a laugh at that. Just like your family to know you better than anyone else. I stretched my arms over my head just as Alec put the cake on my bedside table. Zeke trudged over and looked up at it uncertainly. I could see him sniffing the air, almost to figure out what it was. Glancing up at me for a brief minute, I could see that he was uncertain as to what to do.

Taking my distraction as an advantage, Alec ducked back and brought out three items, two of which were wrapped in plain paper, and the other was a brand new backpack, red, with the tags still attached.

I took the pack in my hands and let out an ashamedly girlish squeal. A brand new backpack! That was definitely more than I had asked for. It was a practical request, but I didn't think they'd actually buy me one, being strapped for cash as we were. I leaped out of my bed and almost stepped on Zeke, "Awesome! This is the best thing ever."

Mom laughed at me while Dad shook his head and held out the two packages that I had completely forgotten about. "Here. Your other two."

I took them from his hands. Upon opening them, I discovered a box of six neatly aligned Pokeballs and a Pokedex. A Pokedex.

"Mom…Dad…this is too much. A Pokedex? Really?" I could hardly get the words out, shocked as I was at the electronic device suddenly making an appearance.

Mom smiled that motherly smile at me, and explained, "This sounds bad, but since we didn't have to actually purchase you your starter, we decided to pool the money and buy you one of these."

A Pokedex was expensive unless you got it for free when you signed up for one of the starters in Twinleaf Town. Here, however, they cost a pretty penny. Not too much for most people, but for my parents, it was pretty bad. I clicked open the flap of the Pokedex and stared at the smooth inner surface of it, at the buttons beneath the screen, and at my trainer's license placed on the back cover of the flap. Identification. I was stunned, and my fingers idly traced the license.

Dad pressed a small blue button on the inside of the Dex, and I jolted when the machine actually talked to me.

"Hello, I am the Pokedex belonging to the trainer Corrine Bray from Floaroma Town, here to help her on her Pokemon journey. If lost, please return to this address…"

The Pokedex then named where I lived, and who had given me the Pokedex - my mother and fathers names rang clear in the air. I stared at the piece of technology, stunned. I was surprised that there was technology out there like this…maybe that was a product of me being simpleminded, but oh well.

"Try it out, honey," my mother cooed.

"Uh...how?"

Dad scoffed and took the device from my hand. I almost stopped him from taking it from me, so attached to the device that I was now. I watched as my father pointed the Pokedex at Zeke, who nudged it with his nose just as it beeped and the blue button at the top flashed. He didn't jump, like I did, only backed up slightly. I laughed at him. He glared at me. Oh, I could totally see the fun we would have together.

The Pokedex announced in clear, clinical terms a small sentence about Houndour nature in general, and then Dad nudged my shoulder and pointed to the screen.

"It's a rather useful little device," he started as I gaped at the screen.

A picture of a Houndour was on the screen, and below that was an arrow that pointed downward. I pressed that, and the gender, height, weight, and attack set of Zeke was immediately displayed.

I noted that Zeke currently knew only two movies - Tackle and Growl. That must have meant that he was at a low level, but I hardly cared. We would get stronger eventually.

"Admit it," Alec spoke up, grinning. "You wouldn't have known his attacks if we hadn't have shown you how to work the thing."

"I wouldn't have known how to work the thing if you didn't show me how to work the thing, booger."

"You're a booger."

"Oh, hush," my mother dismissed the two of us. "Corrine, maybe you shouldn't go off on your own if you act two years old."

I grinned toothily at her.

"Here are your Pokeballs," Dad said, shoving the box that contained the six Pokeballs in my face.

"But...I can only carry six," I told him, puzzled, "Zeke makes seven."

"You haven't actually captured Zeke yet, sweetie." Oh, Mother, ever the patient saint with me.

"Oh. Right." I said, "I blame my lack of sleep for that mix up."

"I hope so, because if not, that's just sad."

"Dad!"

It was Dad's turn to grin.

I threw off the blanket and stepped down from my bed, carrying the box of Pokeballs in my hand. I picked out one of them and pressed the little button on the front. Immediately, the Pokeball maximized, and I gasped. I had always seen it done on television and by trainers around, but had never actually had the feeling of doing that myself. It was a strange thing to get taken aback by, but it was pleasant. Again, I blame my lack of sleep.

"C'mere, Zeke."

He looked at me and pointedly didn't move.

"Zeke!"

I saw the evil glint to his eyes, and said, "Zeke, please."

He still wasn't moving.

"Ugh!" I grunted after a few minutes of the stubborn face-off, and finally closed the distance between us. I told myself not to get annoyed repeatedly. Didn't want to start this day out on the wrong foot. I kneeled in front of him and held out the Pokeball. I grinned at him, "Okay, this won't be bad. Just...er...stay still?"

Zeke clamped down on the non-Pokeball hand. I let out a yelp and said, "Is that thing sure that he doesn't know Crunch?"

My family was snickering at me now, looking quite amused at this situation. I tried to pay them no mind. Stay calm, stay calm.

I pressed the Pokeball to the side of Zeke's head and let go. I felt the relief that came when he was sucked into the Pokeball, his jaws free from my arm at last. Man, that thing had an awful bite! The ball fell to the floor and swayed back and forth once, twice, three times...

And then broke open.

"Are you serious!" I exclaimed, throwing my hands up in a slight indication of surrender. Zeke was staring at me as though he thought himself quite clever. I could see his short little tail moving back and forth, and a very strange humanlike grin was on his face, teeth bared in what I could only think of as an evil smile - a slasher smile, like those psychotic killers on television shows.

Then, to add injury to insult, he clamped back down on my arm.

Mom, Dad, and Alec all burst into full blown laughter while I looked desperately down at the Houndour. He was staring up at me, even as his teeth sawed into my arm. I rapped him gently on his skull cap and said, "What the hell was that?"

"Language, Corrine."

"Sorry, Dad."

I felt him snickering against my arm and then he let go, facing me and looking like he had had his fun, but was still serious about training with me. I sighed and took out another Pokeball and repeated the process. This time, he went into the safety of the Pokeball without fuss, or any of his strange practical jokes. I watched in relief as the little red light faded to white, signaling that he was officially caught. I let out a breath I didn't know I had been holding in.

"Looks like I'm going to have to buy Pokeballs anyway..." I muttered to myself as I rolled Zeke's Pokeball around in my hand, feeling the cool, smooth surface against my fingers.

"Remember what I said about Dark types, Corrine."

"Yeah, yeah," I said quietly back, "I know. But, hey, if a Pokemon like Zeke obeyed me off the bat, I'd be a little worried."

"Hate to see what the rest of your team is going to look like," my brother snickered.

Maturely, I stuck my tongue out at him.

Several pieces of cake later, my family left me in the room to get dressed and ready for the day. I felt the anticipation curling in my stomach. Today I would finally begin my journey as a trainer. I was a jumble of emotions, practically vibrating with excitement as I made my way down the stairs. I had the new backpack hanging from one shoulder, and inside it I stuffed various amounts of clothes from my room as well as the Pokedex and the badge case and town map I had found in the box underneath the six Pokeballs. I walked to the refrigerator and grabbed a few bottles of water and food that wouldn't spoil. The five Pokeballs I had left were strapped to my belt, Zeke's at the front, just in case.

Mom and Dad and Alec were standing by the door. I found the thing all very cliche and unecessary, but I walked toward them anyway, my cheeks red. I felt like I was in some Western movie, off to save the day by the way my family were looking at me.

Our goodbyes were short, but sweet. Mom burst into tears while my dad made chiding jokes at her and Alec tried to comfort her. I sighed, antsy to get out on the road again, and said, "Well, I'll be off. Love all of you!"

I waved to my parents, whose smothering presence dispelled as soon as I got out of the door. I looked back only once and saw them watching me as I walked away.

Now, I had time to contemplate what I was going to do. There were two cities with gyms that were closest to me - Eterna City and Oreburgh City. I thought for a moment before deciding to start at Oreburgh. It was an out-of-the-way route to take, but I could at least battle some trainers on the way there. I found myself skipping slightly as I officially left Floaroma Town.

And smacked straight into a girl and her Piplup.

Of course, being the one with questionable balance, I tumbled onto my bottom with a graceless, "Ouch!"

"Watch where you're going!" the girl in question hissed. I looked up at her, brushing my waves of brown hair out of the way.

She was obviously a new trainer, judging by the Piplup on her shoulder, however, she couldn't be but just a year younger than me. She had black hair that was cut in a tidy bob and dark brown eyes. Her hands were on her hips, and the Piplup on her shoulder chirped, "Luup!"

I hefted myself to my feet, shaking my head slightly, and then looked at her. Two other people who I supposed were her friends came rushing towards us, looking distraught and put-out.

"Oh, Lauren, come on. Don't pick on another trainer!" a boy with a mess of shocking red hair, freckles, and light brown eyes said, looking at her as if fearful for whoever it was that had incurred her wrath this time. He held a Chimchar in his arms, and I almost laughed at the complimentary color scheme of trainer and Pokemon.

"Lauren, let's just find the Drifloon and leave..." said another girl's controlled voice. This one clearly had a kinder nature than this Lauren chick. Her vivid red hair was pulled back in a low ponytail, and her brown eyes were soft and unthreatening.

"Er - Drifloon?" I questioned, blinking slightly.

"Yeah, Drifloon," Lauren said, flashing her eyes at me, "you nosy little - "

"Drifloon are right around there," I pointed vaguely in the direction of Valley Windworks. "But they only come on Fridays. Don't ask why. No one's really sure about that."

I had fond memories of playing around there as a child. The Drifloon that greeted me were kind, and sometimes I'd play with them as if they were actually the balloons they so resembled. Until my mother found out, that is. She forbade me from going to Valley Windworks until I had passed the age of ten, saying something to the extent of, "Those darn Drifloon carry away children, Corrine!"

I found myself smiling at the memory, taken away by it until Lauren screamed, "You're lying!"

I blinked at her, unconcerned, "Uh, I'm afraid not... I grew up here. I'm pretty aware of the Pokemon in this region. You'll just have to wait a few days until - "

Lauren snarled at me, "You think you're such a know-it-all, huh - "

But I had found something infinitely more interesting than Lauren's tirade - the little Turtwig standing ever-so sweetly near the ankles of the red haired girl.

"Oh my goodness!" I exclaimed, walking over to her and kneeling down to the Turtwig's level, "Aren't you adorable?"

"Wig?" the Turtwig said in confusion. I grinned at him brightly, and patted him on the head.

He promptly bit me; I cursed.

The Turtwig looked at me sheepishly, dislodging his powerful jaw from my arm - the bandaged one where Zeke had bitten me just days ago. I sighed and rubbed it, wincing.

"Oh, I'm so, so sorry!" the red haired girl exclaimed, bending over to pick up her Turtwig, "That's just how Tully shows his approval of some things."

Tully the Turtwig - that was so sweet it gave me cavaties.

"No, no, don't be," I told her, getting to my feet, my hand still rubbing light circles over the aggravated injury. "Tully, huh? Cute name."

"Thanks," the girl said, smiling, "I'm Amelia. This is my big brother Benji and his friend Lauren."

"Nice to meet - " I was cut off by Lauren's screams at Benji. Somehow she'd taken her anger at me out on him. I found myself laughing suddenly, before introducing myself, "I'm Corrine."

"Good to meet you, too," Amelia said cordially. Well, at least one of these new people was nice. Tully chirped out a greeting as well; I had to fight from squealing like a fangirl. "You must like Tully, huh?"

Turtwig in general had been my favorite of the Twinleaf Town starters, so I just nodded, a large grin on my face. "Are you three from Twinleaf Town?"

Amelia nodded, "Yep. We just started our journey two weeks ago."

"Together?"

Amelia blushed, "Yeah...my mom wanted Benji to travel with me. Which is okay, since we get along. And Lauren wasn't going anywhere without Benji, of course."

I smiled at her, admiring her ability to put up with Lauren, who seemed to be a handful from first glance.

"And you're from Floaroma, I guess?" Amelia asked, politely curious. "I heard you saying something like that to Lauren."

I nodded, "Correct-o-mundo."

I heard her laugh at that.

"Hey! Hey you!"

Okay, that's just great, "My name is Corrine, dude."

"Don't call me dude, you hick!"

I looked at Amelia, shrugged, and then turned to face Lauren. Her face was red with anger, pale fists clenched at her sides. I cocked my head to the side and looked at her questioningly. "Er...what do you want?"

"A battle! For making me look stupid!"

"But I didn't! You came to Floaroma not knowing about the Drifloon on your own - "

"Shut up!" Lauren screeched. I saw Benji wince and put his hands to his ears, his Chimchar doing the same thing. "I assume you have Pokemon."

"Uh...yeah..."

"Go, Terrance!" Instead of putting her Piplup into battle, like I thought she would have, she unhooked a Pokeball from her belt and flung it into the space between us. At her side, Benji was wrinkling his nose in distaste at her rashness, and I could hear Amelia's soft sigh from my side. The ball hit the ground, burst open, and a bright ray of light shown out from it before revealing the Pokemon inside.

I expected something ferocious - like a fiesty Luxio - but what came from the ball was so shocking that I almost dropped my own in shock.

"Doof?"

Terrance was, in fact, a Bidoof.


End Chapter Three.