Kioku's afternoon sun had reached its peak in the sky. Sweat lingered on my palms as I gripped my yellow motor scooter's handlebars. Damn, this heat is almost unbearable, I thought. I might have to go buy myself a bikini after my trip to Hemsling. Taylor would like that… pervert.
I adjusted the sunglasses that sat on the bridge of my nose and sighed. The wait (and the sun) was starting to get to me. It would only be another half hour until I got my first Pokémon! I felt just like Ash Ketchum. Except for the part that he was late to get his Pokémon, and I was very much on time. And he only had to travel right down the street to get his starter, while I had to travel about two hours to get mine.
And which Pokémon would I pick? There were too many to chose from. If my assumptions were correct, the Professors would let me consider all of them because this is the Recollection edition. I really like Fire-types and Water-types. Grass-types are okay, but they're really not all that strong. Well, maybe Treeko's an exception. Its Speed stats are definitely something to fear when it evolves into a Sceptile. But Grass-types had so many weaknesses... the other two types to choose from sometimes had two types, which occasionally cut down on weaknesses... Fire-types don't really have as many weaknesses. And they are pretty powerful, especially in the Special Attack area. I like Squirtle and Piplup. Blastoise has steady stats and Empoleon has a nice HP level and Special Attack...
My thoughts went back and forth like this for another ten minutes. Pros and cons, final evolutions... but I came to the conclusion that all in all, I really wanted a Fire or Water-type Pokémon.
My mouth started feeling dry, so I reached into my bag to grab the water bottle I had packed at home....
...And it was empty. I had already swallowed the last drop.
Shit! How could I be such a moron? I was supposed to ration my water so it could last me all the way to Hemsling Town! I slapped my forehead, and felt the sting.
A little while down the road, I saw that I had a lucky break. A tiny pond rested between two tall trees, providing excellent shade and a sip of water. I immediately slowed down and pulled off the path. I parked my scooter next to a large oak tree, grabbed my map out of my yellow shoulder bag, and began checking my co-ordinance.
"So far I'm on the right track," I said to no one in particular. "Hemsling is only a few miles up the road a bit, so I should make it in about twenty more minutes. Oh look, I'm a little ahead of time, so I can stop here for a while and-"
"Hi!" A girl who looked to be a little younger than me stuck her head out of the tree.
What the hell?! I jumped and suppressed a shriek. "Don't you know you're not supposed to sneak up on people like that?" I hissed menacingly.
The girl's face fell. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to scare you," she said. "I've been here for a while up in this tree, and I must've fallen asleep. You woke me up when you started talking to yourself."
I sighed. She seemed nice enough. "It's okay. You just sort of scared me a little." I let out a laugh.
The little girl climbed out of the tree. She was much shorter than me with curly blond hair with a blue ribbon in it. "I'm Marie," she told me. "Also, is it alright if I bring my Lapras out of her Pokéball? We've got some work to do."
"My name's Daisy. Don't mind me." I went back to reading my Kioku map.
Marie tossed the Pokéball in the air. A red beam of light flashed, and in a matter of seconds a beautiful blue Pokémon appeared onto the pond. The Lapras yawned and stretched its neck.
Whoa, a real live Lapras!
"Oh wow, she's really beautiful!" I exclaimed, and felt my eyes grow wide.
Marie smiled. "You look like you've never seen a Pokémon before."
Uhhhhhh, no. Actually I haven't. Not in reality, anyway.
"Well, uhh, I've just never seen a Lapras as, err, pretty as yours." I made a convincing face while brushing some loose hair out of my face.
It looked like Marie bought my cover-up. "Thanks. She really means a lot to me. Lapras used to be my grandmother's Egg that she raised. Nanna gave her to me when I was six." Marie held out her hand towards her Pokémon, and Lapras brushed her head against it.
"We're going to do some training. You see, there's a contest coming up soon in Rootwist City, and we've got to get our moves right." Marie's face was estactic. "Alright Lapras, use Perish Song!" Marie signaled the command with her hands, and Lapras started singing a song with dark notes coming out of her mouth.
Perish Song? The one-hit KO move? I covered my ears and screamed, "What the hell?!? I'm right here, don't do that!"
Marie called off the move. "Stop, Lapras!" she commanded. Then Marie turned to me and gave me a weird look. "What's wrong?"
"What do you mean 'what's wrong?'" I cried in anger. "Lapras was gonna use Perish Song, then we were gonna pass out and then I would miss my appointment with the Professors!"
"The move only works on Pokémon, you know."
Oh. No, I didn't know.
"Well, I had no idea. Thanks for not warning me." I pointedly stuck my nose back into my map.
"I'm sorry," Marie sighed. "I thought you knew, you seem like a person who's been around Pokémon before."
"I have!" And it was true. I had been around Pokémon, just...virtual ones.
"Okay." Marie went back to training. "Now Lapras, use Perish Song!"
This time I didn't duck or cover, but I watched Marie and her Lapras. They looked so perfect, so in sync with each other. The melody was so beautiful, like something you would hear from a well-rehearsed orchestra. The dark notes of the Perish Song swirled in rhythm around Lapras's head with her singing. The music sounded absolutely beautiful, until the end.
Suddenly, Lapras threw her head back and choked, breaking up Perish Song's melody. Marie sighed, "Not again." Her head leaned against the tree.
"What happened?" I asked, putting my map away.
"Lapras can't hit the highest note in the song. She's a natural alto, so it's hard for her," Marie told me, and Lapras huffed.
"What? It's not my fault you can reach them!"
Alto? Pokémon uses musical terms? What the crap? These were Pokémon we were talking about, not humans.
Marie shuffled through her purse, and finally pulled out a beautiful, wooden flue. "I can play the notes on my flute. Nanna's best friend was a Lapras, and before she died she taught me how to play the notes just right." She sighed. "But even though I can play them, Lapras misses the last few notes."
Lapras let out a murmur and hung her head. "It's alright. I know you're trying your best, and I'm sorry I get frustrated. We just need a little more practice." Marie stroked Lapras' head.
"Is there anything I can do to help?" I looked at my watch. I still had a bit of time before I needed to get on my way to Hemsling.
"Well…" Marie paused, thinking. "I'm sorry, but there really isn't. It's just up to Lapras to get it on her own." She offered a smile.
"Okay then." I gave my goodbyes. "I really hope you and Lapras get it down. Maybe I'll see you again someday." I walked over to Marie's Pokémon and reached out my hand. Slowly, Lapras reached out and brushed her blue head against it.
"Wow, you're special," Marie told me. "Lapras usually doesn't show that kind of affection to other people but me."
I laughed, and a smile formed on my lips and spread to my heart. I started heading back towards my scooter.
A few minutes later, I could see Hemsling Town's horizon on the distance. The heat had not let up at all, and I was sweating more than ever.
Just a little longer...
Finally, I pulled into the town. Charming, I thought. It looked sort of like one of those small towns you see in those western movies, minus the saloon, of course, and people were dressed like this day's age.
Locating a large building, I sped up and the scooter hummed. I passed people on the sidewalks ranging from four years old all the way to what looked like eighty-four. They all smiled and waved at me, and I smiled back, feeling pleased and at peace.
A woman who appeared to be in her early thirties stood outside the door. She had dark brown hair that flowed down her back and big hazel eyes that looked like you could drown in them. She waved and grinned.
I parked my scooter beside the sidewalk, and she greeted me. "I'm Professor Willow," she said. The Professor flipped her hair out of her eyes.
Better keep Taylor away from her, or she's gonna become toast...
I told her my name was Daisy, and that I was here to get my starter Pokémon. "Of course," Professor Willow replied. "We've been expecting you."
She led me into the dark building, which turned out to be not so dark on the inside. Assistants were hustling around the laboratory, trying to get things in order and meet their deadlines. Papers were flying everywhere and shouts filled the air.
"Sorry it's so untidy today; Professor Rowan and Professor Oak are giving a lecture on evolution stones tonight at the Mt. Nettle community center and we're frantic to get ready." Professor Willow rushed me through the cubicles until we reached a small secluded room. She typed in a numerical code onto the pinpad, and in response the silver doors slid open.
Four unoccupied chairs sat in the center a white room, and Professor Willow walked ahead of me, swishing her lab coat. She sat down and motioned for me to have a seat, which I did gratefully. I was still pretty hot, even in cool building.
"So, you're from Greenhaven Lake?" Professor Willow looked pleasantly at me.
"Uhh, sure, yup. Greenhaven Lake... my wonderful home!" Okay, new information: I live in a place called Greenhaven Lake.
"I grew up there too. I used to live right down the street from you. So many memories..." She smiled wistfully.
"Oh yeah, I've got some wonderful memories from home too." Like that time I woke up in freaking videogame.
We chatted idly for a while longer, until the silver doors slid open, revealing a man who looked to be about seventy with white hair and a mustache that seemed to match. Following him was another man with thick gray hair and bushy eyebrows.
I know who they are!
The man with white hair introduced himself. "Hello. I am Professor Rowan. Tawni tells me that you've come to pick out your starter Pokémon."
I twitched. "Y-yes sir. I a-am."
Jumping out from behind Professor Rowan, the gray-haired man exclaimed, "And I'm Professor Sameuel Oak! It's nice to meet you." He stuck out his hand and I gingerly shook it. I'm not exactly a fan of hyperactive people.
Taking over, Professor Willow stood up. "So, I bet you're eager to get your starter Pokémon. Why don't we get started with the test?"
I hesitated, puzzled. "Wait, with what?"
"The three of us are have a few questions we'd like to ask you. It's a test to determine who your starter Pokémon is."
"That's retarded!" I burst out. I couldn't believe this! A test to decide who your starter was going to be? They didn't do this in the games or in the animated series! If Ash Ketchum didn't have to do this, then neither do I.
"That may be to you, but it's quite accurate." Professor Rowan folded his arms across his chest. "Then again, you don't even have to take the test; you can just leave here without a Pokémon."
I swallowed. That is so not happening.Actually, it did make sense now. Well, sort of. When I was watching the Hoenn series, I had no idea that May Maple was going to pick Torchic as her starter Pokémon. She didn't really seem like a Fire-type sort of girl, and I had made a bet with some kids at school that she would pick Mudkip. You know, it seems like the majority of the calm and mellow trainers go for the Water-types. I learned my lesson not to judge when I coughed up five dollar bill the next day…
"Okay, I'll take the test," I reluctantly muttered. Shit, I hated admitting I was wrong more than I hated the color pink. I take that back. I'm beginning to think I have serious issues with that topic.
"Alright then! Right this way!" Professor Oak bounced out of the room and down the hall.
Turning to me, Professor Willow explained, "First, Professor Oak and Professor Rowan are going to question you separately, then you're going to battle with some of the Pokémon we narrowed it down to."
"Fine then, lead the way." I folded my arms over my chest. I wasn't thrilled with this idea, but I guess I just had to accept the way they do things in here. Even if it was incredibly stupid.
Two minutes later, I found myself in a room with hyper Professor Oak. I was seriously thinking about suicide while he was trying to make small talk with me which consisted of "So, what's your favorite color? Mine is orange since it's the color of the sunset!" and "I just love Pokémon. Don't you just love Pokémon?" Finally, he said, "Okay, let's get started!"
Professor Oak questioned me on my likes and dislikes and my personality. One of his questions was, "Do you prefer the ocean or a grassland?"
He's basically asking me if I want a Water-type Pokémon or a Grass-type. "Definetly the ocean," I replied.
"What is your strongest emotion?"
"Uhhh... anger, I guess. Well it's one that comes to me the most, anyway." Maybe that answer would lead me to a Fire-type...?
"Anger is unhealthy for you to have too much. I advise you to see a psychologist. They're fun!"
"I take it that you've seen one recently?"
"Yes, her name's Linda and every time I see her she always wears purple stick-on fingernails..."
Kill. Me.
Professor Oak asked me a few more questions, and then led me down the hall to Professor Rowan. This time I was asked about my life.
"Well, I went to elementary school, and then middle school, and now I'm in highschool." Oh yeah, I used to live in reality with actual people and my parents had a great job being animators for the current world I'm now living in.
Professor Rowan twirled his mustache with his pencil. "Anything else you'd like to add to your uneventful life?"
Blunt. I like that. "Nope. It's not my fault I have boring lifestyle."
"Okay then, you're almost done. Wait here for a moment while I go talk to Professor Willow." He left me sitting in my seat.
I squirmed with excitement. I was so close! So close to getting my first Pokémon.
A few minutes later, all three Professors entered the room. Professor Willow approached me first. "Well, we've narrowed your options down to three Pokémon, a Water-type, a Fire-type, and a Grass-type."
Okay. That was good. "So what now?" I asked. I brushed some hair out of my face.
"You battle with each of them and see which one you like the best." The blond-haired woman put her hand on her hip.
Bursting from my chair, I exclaimed, "Let's go, then!"
The three led me outside to what looked like a battling arena. Professor Rowan handed me three Pokéballs. I knew how to take it from there.
Professor Oak stood on the opposite side of the arena, holding a single Pokéball in his hand. "Go, Magby!" He released the Fire-type Pokémon. The Live Coal Pokémon puffed his chest out, looking proud. I was determined to wipe that smirk off his face.
This is what I'd been waiting for. "Let's do this!" I threw the ball up into the air. It opened, and after a red beam appeared a Squirtle. I almost sqeauled with happiness.
"Magby, use Ember!" Professor Oak ordered it to attack.
"Dodge, and use Withdraw!" Squirtle followed my orders by dodging and drawing back into its shell, raising its defense.
Professor Willow called out to me from the sidelines, "Daisy, you can change your Pokémon any time you want to because it's only a trial!" I nodded.
"Now Squirtle, use Bubble!" I had played the games so much that I knew which attacks Squirtle could and couldn't use at this point. Water Gun was out of the question because he looked no more than level ten.
Magby took Squirtle's attack, but didn't back down. I called Squirtle back, and decided to send out my next Pokémon. "Go!"
Once again, the Pokéball flashed red. A Chimchar appeared in mid-air and did a somersault. I smiled, pleased.
"Use Leer!" A gleam showed in Magby's eyes, and I saw Chimchar cringe with pain.
"Chimchar, Scratch it!" Chimchar happily obliged.
It seemed like I could do this forever. As I gave order after order, I felt like I had missed out on something for my entire life. Battling came so natural, and I now held the power in the palm of my hand. I recalled the fiery chimp, and rubbed my fingers over my last Pokéball; moreover, my last Pokémon.
Alright, let's see who you are. I tossed the ball into the air.
The Tiny Leaf Pokémon appeared onto the ground, letting out loose leaves from the leaf on its head.
Chikorita?
I inwardly cringed. Chikorita had a horrible speed stat, not to mention most all Grass-type Pokémon have a poor moveset. Solar Beam, its peak move, wasn't even very effective in general battles. I didn't think this one would be any different.
Might as well work with what we've got. "Chikorita, use..." I trailed off. I had never ever used a Grass-type starter Pokémon in any of the games. In Pokémon Heart Gold, I chose Totodile because of its great stats. Chikorita is literally a leaf- it could be ripped apart any second.
Professor Willow could obviously tell I was grasping for something to work with. "Here, use this!" She threw me something that resembled a Pokédex. I flipped it open, and set it on Chikorita. It immediatley came to life.
"Chikorita, the Tiny Leaf Pokémon. Level ten. Female. Knows Reflect, Cut, and Razor Leaf." That settles that.
I glanced at Chikorita, who was obviously raring to go. I started devising a strategy in my head. Grass moves aren't effective on Fire-types, and Fire moves are effective on Grass-types, so...
"Chikorita, use Reflect!" A glowing gold box formed around the Pokémon's little figure.
Professor Oak, who had been silent for some time, finally gave an order. "Magby, Ember!" His Pokémon charged, and a tiny flame showed in his mouth.
"Dodge it!" Chikorita narrowly missed it by ducking just in time. She jumped over the Fire Pokémon, spun around, and used Cut. Magby fell to the ground, writhing and moaning.
Surprised, I watched Chikorita for a moment more. I wasn't even furious that she had acted without a command. Just stumped that this Chikorita's speed stats were actually...good.
After a moment of a loss for words, I found my tongue. "Umm, use Cut again, Chikorita!" This time, she obeyed me, and used the leaf on her head to cut Magby. Again and again, she cut Magby until he was totally unconscious.
Whoa...
I looked at Chikorita, who looked at me in return. Something glinted in her eyes, something that like... a friendly twinkle.
Forget what I said earlier about Grass-types.
"I want her." The words were out of my mouth before I even thought them. Was I one-hundred percent sure? I could take those words back. I could have Squirtle, or Chimchar, or... Yeah, I did want her. Chikorita, who still had her eyes trained on me, did something that resembled a smirk. My type of personality.
"Okay, let's go inside then." Professor Willow had left her position on the sidelines and joined me. We started walking back toward the laboratory, with Chikorita trailing behind.
In no time flat, Professor Willow had given me instructions on how to care for my Pokémon, as well as given me a Pokégear (she entered her phone number), some Pokéballs, and some potions to start me off. I was anxious to get out of there.
She waved me off outside, where I had entered earlier. "Take care! You know where to reach me!"
I had already decided not to keep Chikorita in her Pokéball. Now the dilemma was, where was Chikorita going to ride with me on my scooter?
We walked to where I had parked my yellow scooter, and noticed for the first time- it had a basket attached to the front! Sweet!
"Hey, Chikorita, you're gonna ride in there." I pointed to the basket.
Chikorita huffed and turned the other way. Amused, I said, "Okay, then. See ya." I hopped on my scooter and cranked up the engine. She watched for a moment, and then begrudgingly hopped in the basket. The glare on her face was replaced with a forced smile. Chikorita would have to learn soon that my methods of psychology were cruel, but very effective.
"I thought so."
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
GUYS!!!
I'm sorry I haven't updated in so long! Ya'll probably haven't noticed, but my pen name has been changed to GGDeimos, instead of Scorchtail. I was a little tired of that name, and only a few people understood it. So GGDeimos (yeah, like you can understand that one any better -_-), is here! I hope you like this chapter (And this shall probably be the longest chapter in the story, soo... if you got ADD, I understand), and read and review please!
~GGD
