A/N: Uh… Been a while. How are you guys?
I kind of forgot I had a FanFiction account, and an on-going story. :| Also, I was finishing one of my summer reading books. Most disgusting book I've ever read. It was a war book, and I'm now mortified.
But I've typed up quite a bit of chapters on my phone, so… I'll be revising those and uploading in-between sketching and more summer reading and preparing for band camp. So that means I won't be here for 2 weeks, one for band and another for a guard beach trip, since I'm marching flag this year instead of my clarinet. On the bright side, so many chapters to upload when I get back. So many. Feel free to shoot me ideas, I'd love to write some humorous extras. That'd be fun. Or just a request in general. I'm always out of ideas.
By the by, if you hate any chapters in this story, feel free to let me know what I could improve on. If you hate this story, I've got to tell you to leave. If this doesn't sink your submarine, bye. Find something that does. Hate it? Tell me about it. Don't? Tell me about that, too.
So there's my two cents for today.
Anyway, these chapters are probably mainly filler, but I guess are important. N doesn't come back until Nimbasa, so I've got to do SOMETHING until then. I really hate massive time-skips, so I'll be trying to do as little as possible. So I hope you enjoy this chapter. What with ridding the world of Team Plasma and gym battles and all. And annoying Cheren. I really hate this character, lol. So many reasons…
This morning, I awoke by rolling off of the top bunk, which I was snugly nestled in. Hitting the floor quite hard, I groaned in discontent and slowly stood and dragged a hand down my face. Through my slightly blurred vision, I groped for the messy pile of clothes I had made before falling asleep last night. Finding my black shirt, I pulled it back over my head and grabbed my bag. I pulled a toothbrush out and stumbled to the bathroom, hoping toothpaste was provided, as I forgot to bring mine. After finding toothpaste, brushing my teeth and rinsing my mouth with water, I went back to finish getting dressed so I could continue to my gym battle today. And maybe get some breakfast... I had forgotten to eat last night I was so tired. Plopping back down onto the carpeted floor, I lazily placed my shoes over my socks and stood, stretching and yawning. Finally, I grabbed my jacket, hat, and bag and was out the door. Making my way up the elevator and out the PokéCenter, I started toward the gym to the right.
"Hey, kid. Gym's closed right now, the gym leader has gone to the Trainer's School, to the right of the PokéCenter," a tall, muscled man with sunglasses and a suit said gruffly.
"Oh, alright. That's cool. Thanks," I replied as I scurried off. Sighing, I went back the way I came to start toward the Trainer's School. But, farther right of me, a blonde girl milling about caught my eye. Behind her looked like a forest entrance. Thinking I could use some training, I jogged to the girl and asked her what that was.
"Oh, that? That's the entrance to the Dreamyard. I think you can mainly find Munna in there. Well, happy hunting! If you're going in," she replied, smiling warmly. I thanked her and hurried in. At the beginning, there were only a few trainers, which I took out with ease, and continued my exploration of this Dreamyard. Trying to get to the inside of a place that looked like the ruins of an enormous lab proved difficult when I ran into a small tree growing in the way.
"Darn it! I'll need the first gym badge for this!" I cursed under my breath, huffing and turning around to stalk off.
"Hey! Trainer!" I heard someone calling me, so I turned to look. My eyes landed on a short brunette girl standing relatively close to the small tree.
"If you haven't beaten the first gym yet, I've got something nice for you! Who was your starter?" she asked.
"Um... Oshawott. Why?" I shot back.
"You'll be facing Cilan, a grass type leader, so, I'm going to give you this Pansear to help you in the battle!" she replied, grabbing a Poké Ball out of her bag and pushing her hand toward me. "Don't be shy, I promise it's alright." hesitantly, I reached out and took it from her.
"Thanks," I said nervously.
"No problem! I love helping out Trainers!" she replied while walking away and waving. I then exited the Dreamyard, remembering that I needed to stop by the Trainer's School.
Assuming it was the building with pennants flying high; I marched up the steps and flung a door open accidentally. I thought it'd be heavier than that, since it looked wooden. Not seeing a gym leader right off, I happened to spot Cheren, who just had to call me over, and I had to oblige.
"Hey, Black. The gym leader just left, but can we battle first?" he stated flatly.
"What? Why? I just want to battle the gym leader, and move on. I hear the next city is pretty cool. Besides, I want to get to Nimbasa soon! I love watching sports on the television; I want to see the players live!" I complained, crossing my arms and watching Cheren skeptically.
"Arceus, I swear you're just like a child! I want to battle you to see how much stronger I've become, at any rate. Just give me a battle," he shot back, just as hot-headed as ever.
"Fine, fine. But don't complain to me when you lose!" I retorted, sending out the Pansear I recently received, hoping he'd do alright in this battle. Lucky for me, Cheren started with his Snivy, so I had the type advantage. Cheren started with Leer, which did almost nothing. I countered with Incinerate, but it didn't seem to be the most powerful fire type move. It did burn my target though. Score!
Attacks were launched at each Pokémon, and after a while, Snivy fainted. Mentally noting that I needed to train Pansear for better fire moves, I drew him back and substituted Oshawott in, whereas he threw out a Purrloin.
"Heh. Didn't think you'd get past Snivy that quickly. I'm a little shocked, Black," he breathed, watching me cautiously.
"Cheren, please. You're just mad that I'm better," I smirked.
Cheren didn't reply, just chuckled a bit. He then started attacks at my Oshawott with his Purrloin. But Oshawott was faster, hitting Purrloin directly in the face with a sharp blast of water. The battle raged on, getting more and more heated and attracting more attention. By this time, all of the children in the trainer's school were crowded around in a circle, pushing and shoving so they could all see our battle. To be brutally honest, I hated when people watched me do, well, anything. My concentration faltered as all the faces stared straight at me, with wicked smiles and evil laughs. The battle was soon completed, which I was happy about. Sighing in relief, I withdrew Oshawott back into his Poké Ball, turned on my heel, waved to Cheren, and left. As I exited the Trainer's School, I strolled back toward the gym, stopping in the middle at the PokéCenter so that I could heal my Pokémon before the gym leader battle, which I'm sure would be challenging. After saying my good-bye to Nurse Joy for a second time that day, I strolled toward the gym to my right.
The wind was blowing steadily, and I closed my eyes to let its fingers brush through my hair and its hands caress my face. Suddenly, my stomach growled loudly and I realized that I hadn't actually eaten yet! Embarrassed, I quickly looked around, and then hurried into the gym.
As I opened the heavy door, wind chimes sounded softly and I was greeted by a rather adorable waitress decked out in a yellow dress covered by a white apron.
"Hi! How're you today?" she asked, smiling.
"Oh, I'm great. What about yourself?" I replied with a small smile.
"I'm fine. Can I interest you in a gym battle or one of our café's delicious meals today?" she shot back, preparing to grab a menu from under the counter.
"How about both? I'll battle after I've had a bite to eat. Is that alright?" I asked, glancing around at the lavish restaurant. Tables and booths were spread around the room in the front; with a large curtain separating what I assumed was the gym and/or kitchen portion of the building. Classical music played softly in the background.
"Both? Of course! If you'll follow me," she replied brightly, turning around to show me to a table. As we walked, she separated the red curtain and led me through to a table in the back. The chairs back here were a shiny black with a plush red cushion as the seat, and the tables were round with an elegantly shaped leg.
"Here we are! I hope you enjoy!" the waitress said as she placed the menu on the surface of the black table.
"Thanks," I smiled as I sat down. Picking up the menu, I browsed through the wide range of selections. Suddenly, one choice caught my eye. A blueberry scone. I love scones! They're so good. Wondering if they had tea or any type of coffee, I searched for the drinks.
"Hello! I'm Cilan and I'll be your waiter today. What can I start you off with today, sir?" a quite tall man in a black tuxedo and green hair asked, taking a notepad out of his stark white apron.
"Oh, hi. I guess I'll have a blueberry scone and…," I searched the coffee section of the menu, trying to decide what I wanted, "Oh, and a mocha latte, please."
"Great! Will that be all?" he asked, staring at me with smiling green eyes. They reminded me of someone's… That's right! Didn't N have green eyes?
"W-what? Oh, um yeah. That's it. Thanks," I nervously replied, looking away from his face. He probably thought I was odd now.
"Alright, it'll be out shortly. And by the way," he said, eying me once more. "I look forward to our gym battle."
"Oh. Great. He was the gym leader. Well this is awkward," I mumbled to myself as he walked away, slapping the palm of my hand on my forehead and groaning. Sighing heavily, I repositioned myself so that my chin was resting on the heel of my hand and my elbows on the table. I spaced out with thoughts of gym battles and certain people, a small grin tugging at the corners of my mouth.
"Here you are, sir," a voice brought me harshly out of my dream-like state.
"Ah! Er, thanks," I replied, squeezing my eyes shut and opening them again. Set before me was a black mug filled with a light brown, creamy delicious substance called a mocha latte. On a plate, steaming because of its freshness, was a triangular pastry with blueberries scattered about and melted into the inside. It all looked so delicious. Mouth watering, I took a bite of the scone, and my mouth exploded with flavor. Blueberries burst like bombs on a mine field. Flavors melted and melded together. Every bite of this pastry was bliss. The coffee was even better. Fireworks roared and raged as the hot chocolaty drink scorched my tongue and slid smoothly down my throat.
"Ah, shit, ow," I mumbled as I pinched my tongue between my teeth after I had burned it with coffee.
"Well hello there," an elegant blue haired man with glassy blue eyes whispered softly into my ear as he placed his slender hands on my shoulders. "I'm Cress."
"Yo. Chili," a care-free flame-headed boy said brightly smiling.
"Oh… Well, we're the gym leaders. Er…," Cilan started.
"You don't battle all of us, just the one with a stronger type to your starter. So who'd you start with, boy?" Chili cut Cilan off after noticing the surprised look on my face.
"Um, er, Oshawott," I replied, stuttering. Cress took a step back, looking slightly dejected. Chili crossed his arms and smirked.
"You'll be battling Cilan then!" Chili almost shouted.
"So… Would you like to start now?" Cilan asked nervously.
"Uh, sure. By the way, your food is amazing! And I'll have to buy another coffee, for the road. That was awesome too," I commented.
"Really? Thanks!" Chili, Cress, and Cilan replied in unison.
"Alright then, let's start the battle. If you'd follow me up here, so we don't break any tables or chairs," Cilan said assertively, leading me up to a platform that was raised in the back of the café. Once he stepped from the stairs to the carpet, he let a Lilipup out of a Poké Ball. Seeing it wasn't a grass type, I sent out Oshawott.
"Actually, how about a deal? You win, and your coffee and scone are on us. I know you're probably low on money," Cilan mused.
"Are you serious? I'm in!" I nearly shouted in reply. "So let's start this! Oshawott, Water Gun!" Cilan's Lilipup looked quite exhausted after the first hit. Its attack missed Oshawott.
The battle with Lilipup finally came to a close, and he threw out a Pansage, so I countered with my Pansear. Fire against grass. I knew I was going to win. Smirking haughtily, I had Pansear use multiple bouts of Incinerate, taking a weak hit or two in between. Finally, it was over. Free coffee and scones! Drawing Pansear back into his Poké Ball, I looked over at Cilan, who seemed quite surprised.
"Wow! Fantastic job, you've won! I guess that means free coffee and scones today, huh?" he smiled, laughing a bit.
"I guess so!" I replied, grinning so wide that my face could have split in two.
"Oh, right, here. I've got to give you this Gym Badge, the Trio Badge," he said as he walked closer, searching his apron pocket for a badge. Finding it, he pulled it out. It was a badge composed of three golden diamond shapes stacked one on top of the other, with a red ruby in the top one, a green emerald in the middle, and a blue sapphire in the bottom. It was shiny, and quite beautiful.
"Oh, also, take this case, it'll keep all your badges in one spot," Cilan pulled out a blue case that snapped closed, handing it to me with the badge on top. Taking it gingerly into my hands, I replied in awe, "Thanks! This is awesome!"
"Oh! Also, my favorite TM! Please, take it. It contains Work Up," he said excitedly, handing me a disk he pulled out of his apron as well.
"I can have this? Thanks a bunch, Cilan!" I smiled brightly.
"Not a problem! Now, wait at the front and I'll bring you more coffee," he winked and turned toward the kitchen. When he had disappeared, I turned and started to the café door, back through the red curtain and to the waitress at the front.
"Oh, hi again! How was your battle? You win?" she asked, smiling and leaning her elbows on the counter next to the register.
"It was great. Yeah, I've won. See?" I showed her the Trio Badge Cilan gave to me, and her chocolate brown eyes widened with fascination.
"That's fantastic!" she squealed. Suddenly, Cilan came up behind me carrying a freshly brewed coffee in a white Styrofoam cup, complete with a cardboard band around the middle and a top that was plastic and white.
"Well, here's your coffee," he said, holding the steaming cup out to me. "And as promised, no charge, um…" he seemed to be searching for something to call me by.
"Oh, I'm Black. My bad, I had forgotten to introduce myself earlier!" I realized as a light pink creeping across my cheeks.
"Black! Well, no charge! I hope you'll come back to visit sometime?" he questioned, almost hopefully.
"Oh, of course. I'd better be going. Bye Cilan!" I waved as I left the café. Taking a sip of my coffee, I started toward the PokéCenter, when I was hailed by an unfamiliar voice.
"Hey, kid! Is your name Black?" a woman with long, black hair wearing a white lab coat asked.
"Um, yeah, why?" I shot back cautiously.
"That's great! I'm Fennel. Professor Juniper asked me to give you something! Come with me!" she shouted in excitement as she grabbed my arm, pulling me toward rows of houses.
"You know, Juniper and I were college buddies. She called me this morning and asked me to give you something special!" by this time, we had entered a house and were headed upstairs. Once up the single flight of stairs, they came to a room with a bed hooked up to some odd machine on one side, and a table with chairs on the other. Fennel grabbed a disc off the table and handed it to me.
"This, is the HM Cut. Juniper asked me to give this to you."
"Oh, thanks," I replied, taking it.
"Also," she continued, "I would like for you to search the Dreamyard for Dream Mist, a powder which Munna and Musharna give off. Can you do that for me?"
"Of course," I replied, I could use the training anyhow.
"Really? Thanks so much! I'll see you when you get back!" she excitedly replied, almost shoving me down the stairs. Hurrying out the door, I started toward the Dreamyard.
I entered the forest again, seeing the same trainers I had beaten before, and the girl I got my Pansear from. The whole place looked like a huge run-down laboratory, with bits and pieces of roof and walls still remaining, maybe a flight or two of stairs, and mostly overgrown with tall grass. In the middle of the wall along the entrance, there was a sizable hole. But it was blocked by a stout sapling. Remembering I had received the HM Cut, I let out my Pansage and knelt down beside it.
"Hey, Pansage, would you like to learn Cut? It'd help quite a bit in the field," I asked him. In reply, he cried happily and made a chopping motion. Chuckling a little, I fished the HM disc out of my bag and handed it to Pansage. In an instant, he learned Cut, but forgot Lick.
"Awesome! Pansage, can you cut that tree down for me?" I asked, pointing at the tree blocking the hole. He cut it down quickly, crying proudly to show me what he'd done.
"Great job, Pansage! I'm gonna go exploring, but you can stay out of your Poké Ball," I told him, reaching for Oshawott's Poké Ball so I could walk with him as well. After I released Oshawott, Pansear climbed up my body to sit on my shoulders, and Oshawott begged to be picked up, so I complied.
"Oh! Black, just look at this place! It just screams adventure!" a short blonde girl squealed as she spun around to inspect the area. "Though... It does feel a bit creepy."
"Hey Bianca. Are you gonna explore this place too? Fennel sent me out here for Dream Mist or something," I asked her, nodding toward the hole and into the old laboratory.
"You're going? Me too! I wanted to see what I could catch here!" she shouted, trying to rush trough the hole in the wall. Suddenly, a Pokémon's cry pierced my ears and the treetops tossed about violently in the wind, leaves swirling everywhere.
"Wait, I don't want you going alone," I said gravely as I grabbed her arm. "It might be dangerous. So go ahead, and I'll walk in with you."
"What? How's it dangerous?" she quizzed me with an eyebrow raised. "Well, I'm going ahead!" she rushed ahead of me and farther into the Dreamyard. Trying to follow, my blue jacket got caught on one of the wires protruding from either side of the hole in the wall. Fumbling with the end of my jacket as well as I could holding Oshawott, my many failed attempts at trying to free myself resulted in a tear in my clothes. I cursed under my breath as Bianca's girly scream echoed throughout the small forest.
"Bianca! Hold on!" I mumbled to myself as I sprinted in the direction she ran off to.
"Girl! You shouldn't be back here, interfering with our plans!" a woman in a Team Plasma uniform sneered at Bianca, while her male companion kicked a pink Pokémon lying on the ground. Bianca stood frozen as she saw how cruel they were to the Munna.
"Hey! That's no way to treat a Pokémon! Let it alone!" I shouted, positioning myself in front of Bianca.
"Oh, but boy, we just want its Dream Mist. Now, you can go home crying like a child, or get beat badly by us. Which will it be, boy?" she replied coyly, an evil smile spreading across her face.
"Me? Lose to scum like you? Never!" I spat.
"Oh? So we're doing this the hard way? I've got no time to waste on you!" she spat back, sending out a Purrloin. Setting my Oshawott down, the battle began. Quickly, I defeated her Purrloin.
"Hah! I've won. Now leave!" I shouted, trying to protect the Munna on the ground.
"Not so fast, boy," the male Plasma member stated, cracking his knuckles. He towered over me, eyes judgmental and smile jeering. But I wasn't afraid. I'd beat him into the dust like I did with his partner. "We haven't battled yet," he stated roughly, sending out a Patrat. Not having withdrawn Oshawott, he stayed out there for battle. This man proved just as easy to beat as his female counterpart. But the end of this battle was different. Light encased Oshawott, and he changed forms, a happy cry of "Dewott!" emitting from his fanged mouth. In this form, his scallop shells hung from his sides, and his back feet, which he walked on, were black. His front paws were black from the elbow down. His light blue fur had a funny cow-lick at the back of his head, but was sleek and smooth everywhere else. In the back, was a long, smooth black tail.
"Alright, you've evolved buddy!" I exclaimed, lifting him up by the arms and hugging him close, spinning around, since Pansear had long abandoned my shoulder for his Poké Ball.
"Th-that can't be! A kid like you beat us?" the Plasma members stuttered to each other. Suddenly, they stood and kicked the Munna with more force than before.
"The Dream Mist! Hand it over!" they shouted and kicked. Suddenly, a Musharna came out of hiding, it's eyes glowing bright red with fury. The Team Plasma grunts started looking around frantically, shouting for Ghetsis to forgive them and spare their jobs. Whatever happened, it scared them out of their wits because they took off toward the exit.
"Black... That was awful...," Bianca said shakily, burying her face into my chest and wrapping her arms around my middle. Sobs shook her body violently and tears spilled onto my jacket.
"It's okay, Bianca. They're gone now, everything's fine," I shushed her, running my hands up and down her back. "They won't hurt any of your Pokémon, I promise."
"How do you know?" she sniffed and her arms squeezed around my waist tighter.
"Because, if they do, I'll beat them all up and take their Pokémon," I whispered, hoping she'd cheer up.
"Really?" she snorted as she unwound herself from my waist and rubbed her tears away.
"Promise," I replied smiling. She smiled too, and giggled a bit.
"Hey guys! I couldn't wait, so I came to check on you!" Fennel appeared, making me jump out of my skin. "Did you have any trouble finding the Dream Mist?"
"Oh, Fennel! It was terrible!" Bianca sniffed once more. "Team Plasma...! And the Munna! Oh the poor Munna! But then Musharna came, and they screamed something at someone called Ghetsis, but no one was there! Then they ran away!"
"I think I get what you're saying," Fennel replied, deep in thought. "See, Musharna has the power to make people see dreams, or illusions. That's probably what it showed those Team Plasma goons to get them away from its baby, Munna."
"Really? That's a neat power to have!" Bianca said excitedly, eyes shining.
"That it is. Oh! Look, that's the Dream Mist!" Fennel shouted before running to the spot where the Munna had just been, picking up a clear ball encasing pinkish smoke. "So, come back to my lab, Black! I've got something else for you! Bye, kids!" she shouted before leaving.
"Well, Black, I'm gonna explore a bit more and see what Pokémon I can catch. See you around?" Bianca turned to me, looking at me with a hopeful gaze.
"What? Of course you will! And you can always call me, my Crosstransceiver is right here," I replied, tapping my watch.
"Oh! I forgot! Silly me. Well, see you later!" she called cheerfully as she ran farther into the abandoned building. Sighing heavily, I turned to exit the Dreamyard and go to Fennel's house.
I knocked on the door to her house and waited for someone to answer. Soon enough, Fennel's bright face answered the door, standing aside to let me through.
"Hi, Black! Come in!" she beckoned cheerily. "Would you like a drink? I've got coffee, water, and soda pop."
"A soda pop will be fine, thank you," I replied, taking a seat at the one of the stools near the end of the counter.
"Here you are," Fennel said as she set a glass bottle of a greenish fizzy liquid in front of me.
"So thanks for finding the Dream Mist for me. I'd been needing some to finish my machine that I use to look at the dreams of Pokémon," she said after taking a sip of her own soda pop.
"It wasn't a problem, really. But is that what that crazy machine attached to the bed upstairs is for?" I quizzed. I was really wondering what that thing was.
"Actually, yeah, it is. Now that I've got it working, it'd be great if someone tried it. But I'm sure you want to leave for Nacrene City as soon as possible though, right?" she explained.
"Well, I would. See, there's someone that I'm trying to catch up to. I don't know where he is now, but I've got a feeling we'll meet up soon. But really, I'd love to test your machine!" I replied, defending myself. I really would like to help her test the machine, but I had to find N no matter what.
"It's perfectly fine!" Fennel smiled. "I've got some Pokémon to test it with as well, I was just wondering if you'd like to. But hey, whenever you find this boy, be sure to say hey and treat him nicely," she winked.
"Wh-what? Fennel! I've just got some questions he didn't answer when I saw him last!" I stuttered, almost choking on my soda pop. Fennel just laughed.
"Uh-huh. Whatever you say, Black," she winked again. "Well, thanks for coming by again. You'd probably best go now, I don't want you out on the roads at night."
"O-oh. Alright then, Fennel. Thanks for the soda pop. Bye," I shakily replied, sliding off of the barstool.
"Hey kid, I'll see you around?"
"Yeah, I'll come back," and with that, I exited her house and started for Route Three. Pressing a hand to my cheeks, I felt they were warm.
'Did they really get that hot just from Fennel teasing me? That's just crazy. I suppose all I need is sleep. Yeah, I'm just tired,' I thought to myself, stepping out onto Route Three using the fading sun's rays as light.
"Just tired? Or not?" I mumbled as I shuffled along to Nacrene City, my thoughts clouded by a tea-green haired boy.
A/N: I feel that parts of this chapter were really half-assed. :|
And I'm leaving Monday for band camp, coming home Friday. :c I really don't wanna go, but I guess I can't pull out now. To be honest, I hate it. My mother just forces me to do band. Well, I'll love every review I get and you guys that read this are so awesome! Thanks for staying with it so far!