Journal Entry
The sun was high in the sky, bringing me to my knees with its insufferable heat. Why is it so hot? I went to the canteen in my backpack, ready to down any liquid that was in the container, but only a few measly drops fell to wet my lips. No more water…
With that knowledge the air seemed to be getting hotter and hotter, I fell on the ground, ready to throw in the towel. "I'm going to die of thirst! The sun is going to make me extra crispy before wild Pokémon come to gnaw the flesh off my bones! Nate, remember me we—"
A foot stepped on my head, making me face-plant into the dirt. "HEY!"
"Get up," Nate said irritably as I rubbed my poor noggin, shielding my eyes to see Nate's black-clad form being outlined by the accursed star's rays. I got up, not willing to take another foot to my skull; it already had enough damage done to it in the past two days…
"Aren't we there yet?" I whined, looking at my canteen mournfully. Nate pointed to the marshlands in front of us.
"Do you see any city?" Nate asked bluntly. I whined again.
"But I don't have anymore water…and I'm hungry," I replied.
"Not my fault that you downed your sandwich in one gulp," he deadpanned, taking out the map. "It looks like we should be close to a Pokémon Daycare soon…wait a minute." He turned to face me. "No jumping for joy?"
I shrugged. Sure, a Daycare meant food, water, and a rest stop. But…do you ever wonder what happens in a Daycare? Like, how they level up your Pokémon so fast, or how they get the Pokemon to, uh, breed?
I felt a shiver go down my spine. Just thinking about it gives me the heebie-jeebies…
Nate rolled his eyes before we continued to walk down the road.
"Seriously, how is it so hot right now? I thought it was autumn in this world," I grumbled, shading my eyes and wishing I had a cap or sunscreen to shield my face.
"Haven't you experienced heat spells that happen before the cold sets in?" the black clad teen replied. "Same thing happens here."
"I have, they usually happen right before my birthday every year, just takes some getting used to…"I stated, before narrowing my eyes at Nathan. "How come you are dressed all in black, yet are fine?"
Nate shrugged. "Not sure. I might have a higher resistance to pain than you. Scratch that, it's highly probable that I do. Or… perhaps you complain too much," he snidely remarked.
"I do not complain that much," I growled. "Just being in the same vicinity as you makes my skin crawl…"
"Hmm." The boy seemed to ignore my comment, looking around at some of the trees we passed by and how their leaves were changing."If you feel hot, just think of something cold," he said flippantly, before his face turned thoughtful and he stopped talking.
Looks like he has something on his mind, I thought to myself, before following his advice and thinking about cool things. Ice cream, air conditioning, jumping into a pool for a morning swim…
After walking for another hour or so, we got to a sign that said 'Pokémon Daycare, just over the hill!'
"That sign is too perky…" I sweat dropped, expecting a smiley face to appear after the exclamation point.
"Inanimate objects don't feel. Didn't anyone ever tell you?" Nate said while taking a look to the right.
"Could you bring down the snarkiness just a tad?" I deadpanned. "All this perpetual frowning is going to give you wrinkles sooner than you think!"
Nate had continued to walk up the field, not listening to a word I had said. I frowned, before deciding to take my chances and sticking my tongue out at his retreating form.
"Your face will freeze like that if you do it for too long!" he called back without turning around.
"How the hell did he know…?"I wondered, before hearing a rustle in the grass by the road. My eyes narrowed as I decided to investigate.
"Are you planning on getting to the Daycare today?" I turned to see that Nate was already at the top of the hill.
Stupid fast fucker… I glowered, taking one last look at the grass before running to catch up to him. If I had stared a bit longer, I would've had seen a pair of gleaming red and yellow-rimmed eyes glaring at me and heard a squeaky giggle.
(~)
Normal POV
"All right class, time for recess!" a young woman with auburn colored hair in a ponytail announced when she opened the door. A group of toddlers cheered as they ran out of the classroom, heading for the small playground next door.
"Laurie, remember what I said about picking up any funny brown things! And Beth, don't pull Jackson's hair!"
"T-teacher?" A little hand pulled on the apron she was wearing. The young woman smiled as she knelt down to have eye contact with a little girl that had her light brown hair in two pigtails and a flower in her hair.
"Yes Marnie?" the woman asked her pupil kindly. The girl moved back and forth.
"Um, are we going to Grandma and Grandpa's house today?" she asked softly.
The woman tucked a stray lock of hair from the girl's face. "We only go to the Pokémon Daycare to play with the Pokémon on Fridays, Marnie—"
"And today's Wednesday," the girl finished glumly.
"Why don't you go play with the other kids?" the teacher suggested. Marnie looked at the ground and kicked up some dirt.
"Everyone has a Pokémon but me," she pouted. "And everyone makes fun of me for it. But Jacob makes fun of me the most."
The auburn-haired young womansighed. "I told him about the repercussions of teasing…Listen Marnie, if your parents say its okay, after class I'll take you over to Grandma and Grandpa's and you can help pass out the Pokémon's afternoon snack."
The girl's eyes shined at that. "R-really?"
As soon as she nodded the woman was nearly knocked off her feet by Marnie practically jumping onto her for a hug. "Miss Julie, thank you so much!"
"It's no trouble at all, with the extra help, it should get done faster." Julie got back to her feet. "Now, try and go have some fun, okay?"
"Okay!" The little girl ran to the playground and the young woman smiled.
Marnie is such a sweet girl. I wish she would be able to stand up for herself a little better…maybe I could ask Grandma about giving her an egg that had been left at the Daycare. That way she'd have her own Pokémon in no time… Julie thought, before hearing a rustling in the long grass by the entrance to the playground. Her eyes narrowed. "That's odd, wild Pokémon don't usually come so close while the kids are playing…"
As the young teachermoved to get a closer look a blur shot out and knocked her off her feet. "What the—? Deerling, come on ou—"
Another blur violently knocked her hand back and the Poké Ball fell from her grasp. The blurs stopped and revealed they were two Patrat, looking at her with gleaming red eyes.
Why would two Patrat appear here…?she thought to herself. The two seemed to be talking to each other and making gestures to her. Julie turned to see that Deerling's Poké Ball wasn't that far away, andshe stretched her arm out, her hand scrabbling over the dirt as she tried to grab it. If I could just get to Deerling, I'd—
But one of the Patrat knocked the Poké Ball out of her reach, glaring down at her. (You need to put the fact that she fell down to the ground somewhere in there, because as of right now, she's standing up and the Patrat is looking down at her, haha.) Julie felt her stomach clench with dread as the Pokémon gnashed its teeth together, showing very blunt but effective incisors that could easily cause major damage to a tree, let alone a human being. She remembered one of her Grandmother's warnings when she was a child and used to play with the Pokémon at the Daycare.
"The boarding Pokémon may let you play with them, but don't expect the same treatment from wild Pokémon. These friends of yours have experienced being captured by a Poké Ball and living side by side with a trainer. A wild Pokémon will at times do anything it needs to survive, no matter what—or who—is in their way…"
But how am I 'in their way?' Julie thought, before the other Patrat tried to use Bite, nearly getting her arm. "Please, this isn't your territory. You have no right to—"
Julie dodged another snapping jawjust in the knick of time, but stumbled as she tried to get to her feet. The Patrat moved closer and Julie felt her stomach clench again…
"Honchkrow, Shadow Ball!"a voice yelled. The Patrat duo dodged the attacked fired at them, and the Shadow Ball hit the ground with a loud noise, covering the surrounding area in a cloud of smoke. The two Patrat shot from the smoke, heading for her again and she closed her eyes, expecting the blow that once again didn't happen.
"Suckers," the voice said above her. "Honchkrow, use Aerial Ace."
"Krow!" A large black bird swooped from the air with so much power it broke the elastic holding her hair back. The bird hit the Patrat easily, sending them soaring into the air and then crashing down, far back into the long grass. The Pokémon perched on the small fence nearby, preening its feathers.
"Very good, Honchkrow." Julie looked up as the Pokémon was returned, nearly in awe. The trainer standing above her looked so tall, and he was dressed all in black. His head turned to look down at her, frowning.
But even with the frown…he's…so handsome… She felt her heart beat fast again, only this time not in fear.
Nate tilted his head at the slightly disheveled and gaping girl in front of him. "You okay?"
Julie snapped out of her reverie, getting to her feet and finding the black-clad man wasn't quite a man yet, probably her age or so. "U-um…yes?"
The black haired boy nodded with a grunt and started to turn away. I-is he leaving already?
Julie shot out a hand to grab Nate's shoulder. "P-please, what's your nam—?"
"Oi, Nate!" Julie turned her head to see her Grandfather and a girl walk towards them. Oncethey got close enough the girl crossed her arms and turned towards her rescuer. "You really think it's wise to just rush in to a fight like that?"
Julie heard her rescuer mutter something under his breath before her Grandfather stepped closer.
"Julie, are you all right?"
"I'm okay, Grandpa. Just a little shaken. That trainer made it here just in time to keep me from getting more than a broken hair-band." Julie turned to her rescuer ("Nate." She liked the sound of his name) with a smile, but the boy didn't seem to react at all to it. Her grandfather looked at Nate before firmly shaking his hand.
"Young man, how can I repay you for your kindness?" Grandpa asked.
The girl spoke up. Julie nearly forgot she was there, as she was paying more attention to Nate. "We need replenish our water, and some food would be nice."
"Don't act so greedy," the black-haired teen deadpanned, the girl turned to him, her blue eyes flashing. Julie was about to say something when her class ran towards them.
"Are you all right, Teacher?" they chorused. The auburn-haired girl couldn't help but smile.
"Don't worry, I'm just fine." Her class seemed to sigh in relief.
Nate groaned, running a hand through his hair. "Despite my charge being so rude—"
"—Since when am I your 'charge'?" the girl butted in rudely, but Julie's rescuer continued.
"—would it be possible to give us enough supplies so we can reach Nacrene?"
Grandpa smiled. "Certainly! My wife and I were just about to bring snack over for the little ones. Why don't you join us?"
"Snack time…" Her students spoke with a slight reverence.
"Snack time?" Julie nearly smirked at how the girl was just as excited with the prospect as her class. She guessed her rescuer couldn't hold back his urge to treat her like a little kid, as his hand landed on the shorter teen's head, mussing up her already messy hair.
Doesn't she brush it? Julie thought. I can't stand my hair getting in the way all the time…
"Looks like Celeste would be delighted to share cookies and snacky-time with you guys." Nate spoke to the children lightly. The kids cheered.
He has such a way with kids… Julie thought.
I'm going to kill him in his sleep…Celeste hissed, pondering if she should bite off a few of his fingers.
(~)
Journal Entry
Despite how the fucker eloquently phrased it…this snack is delicious! I thought with a dopey smile on my face as I took another sip of my Oran juice.
"I saw you on TV last night!" one boy with a slightly runny nose said.
"Me too! You beat Cilan with your Darumaka, right?" another boy with spikyair asked.
"Yep, that's right," I answered before taking a bite of my cookie.
"I challenge you to a battle!" he continued.
"Hmm, maybe later, alright kid?" I smirked. One of the girls was looking at the chain around my neck.
"The badge is so pretty… can I touch it?" she asked.
"Uh, sure." I lifted the chain for her to reach out.
"Wow…" Her eyes seemed to shine. "I can't wait for my journey to start."
"You'll need a Pokémon for that first," the spiky-haired boy sneered while the kids around him laughed. I finished the rest of my cookie, before standing up and mussing up the kid's hair with my hand. "Hey!" he squawked.
"It isn't strange for someone to receive their first Pokémon on their first day as a trainer." I scowled. "In fact, that was what happened to me."
"You mean you didn't go to Trainers' School before?" another little girl with her blonde hair in twin braids asked.
"Nope. To tell you the truth, I didn't have any interaction with Pokémon until the start of my journey."
"And when was that?" the girl who wanted to see my badge asked.
"About two to three days ago," I chirped, before realizing the full meaning of what I said. It's really been only three days? Feels longer…
"And you beat the Striaton Gym already!" Runny-nose waved his arms while everyone seemed to look at me in awe.
"It's not that big of a deal!" I laughed. "I'm pretty sure one of my friends beat one of the Gym Leaders a day before I did!"
"Did he have a red cap?" The blonde girl questioned (I really needed to learn these kids' names…).
"Yeah."
The girl seemed to brighten up at that. "Oh! I battled him yesterday with my Purrloin! But he beat us…"
I laid a hand on the girl's shoulder. "Don't worry. I'm sure in a few years you and your Purrloin will be terrific." The girl beamed, before tackling me into a hug. "Wha—?"
"DOG PILE!" Runny-nose announced. I felt five little bodies land on me.
"Ah! Can't breathe…drowning…in a sea…of little people!" I yelled, but a smile was on my face as they giggled in delight. This reminds me of the twins and Rose…
Here's a fun fact that you don't know about me (Unless you're a stalker or something).I'm an only child, but I have about…nine close cousins that I've known since I was days old or they've known me since they were small. I even have two second cousins. I guess playing with these toddlers reminded me of those times with them. And also that I might not be see them for a while…
"Body Slam!" Spiky boy landed on top of us.
"Ow! Jacob!" the brown haired girl squawked, and we all burst into laughter.
(~)
Normal POV
"The class seems to have become taken with your traveling partner, young man," Grandma pointed out before taking a sip of lemonade.
"They must have a lot in common," Julie joked, but the black-haired teen's face didn't change one iota at her joke. He only continued to watch the children play with Celeste. The redhead bit her lip to hold back a sigh. Maybe he doesn't notice I'm trying to make him smile…
"So, Nate, do you plan on getting back on the road soon?" Grandpa spoke up.
The boy leaned back in his seat slightly and smirked. "We won't overstay our welcome sir. I'd like to get to Nacrene as fast as possible."
Julie felt the sting of disappointment.That means he'll be leaving soon...
"Well, that's a darn shame. I have a job that would be perfect for you and your Pokémon," Grandma said, her eyes holding the usual glint whenever she's caught (inher words, not Julie's) a 'sucker.'
"…What is it that you have in mind?" Nate's eyes narrowed.
"Oh nothing, nothing… I just thought with your strong Pokémon you could help a little ole' lady train some adorable babies in my care," she replied. Julie knew that many of the Pokémon at the Daycare weren't 'babies' at all. But, if it makes him stay longer maybe I can get his number, or…or something!
"I'm sorry, but I'm afraid I can't—"
"Teacher, Teacher!" Julie turned to find Beth and Laurie from her class pulling the girl that Nate was traveling with (her name escaped the redhead) towards the table. "Can Celeste read to us for story time?"
"You want her to read to you?" Julie said in confusion while the other girl chuckled.
"They didn't give me much of a choice. But I wanted to see if it was okay with their teacher first."
"Celeste, I thought we wanted to get to the city as soon as possible…" Nate's face gave a faint twitch.
"Well, if the young lady reads to the little ones then you'd be free to help my wife, Mr. Nate," Grandpa said good-naturedly.
The black-clad boy was about to object, until he got a full-frontal assault of puppy-dog eyes.
"Pleeeeaaasssseee?" Julie's class whined.
"Just one story, Natty, then we'll go." The girl smirked at Nate.
Nate's face seemed to twitch again, before he stuffed his hands in the front pockets of his jeans and turned away. "…Fine."
"YAAAAYYY!" Julie couldn't help but silently thank her class for taking a liking to the girl .Even though it's obvious they aren't related, it seems that they're not involved romantically at all…I have a chance!
The redhead stood up. "I think I'll go help deliver the Pokémon's afternoon snack. Class, be respectful to your reader."
"We will, Teacher~" her class chimed. Julie smiled at them all before heading after Nate.
(~)
Journal Entry
"This one!"
"We read that twice already, choose this one!"
"That one sucks!"
"You suck!"
"All of you calm down!" I yelled, starting to regret my decision to read to a gaggle of three to five year olds. I didn't evenhave Tigerlilly or Darwin to help calm them down in awe since Nate took them with him to help with training the Daycare Pokémon…
If Julie was here then they'd be easier to handle. Why did she have to go all goo-goo eyes at Nate? I mean, honestly, she's probably two years older than me, which makes her a year older than him…
How did I finally know the fucker's age? Simple, I snooped in his bag and found a trainer card like mine. His was older of course, and updated to what I think is National Mode. I also found some sweeeett blackmail on him as well. But, back to the perdicament!
I felt a small yank on my jacket and looked down at one of the little girls (Mary...Marnie? Oh yeah, Marnie!). She was carrying a big picture book with a picture of…Patrat on it.
Fuck my life, I thought, but smiled at the girl. "Yes?"
"Um, Teacher hasn't read this to us for a while…a-and it's my favorite. C-can we have it for story time?"
This is the only word I can describe the look on the girl's face: D'AWWWHHH.
She's so cute… I chuckled before gently ruffling her head. "Since she asked so nicely, we'll be reading…" I took the book and read its title. "'The Three Little Patrat.'"
The spiky-haired boy groaned, but everyone else sat down on the reading mat, eagerly waiting for a story. At least these guys like reading… I cleared my voice, before opening to the first page and began.
"Once upon a time, there were three little Patrat brothers…"
(~)
Normal POV
After the story was naptime for the children, and even their reader decided to take a little snooze as well. But one of these tots didn't quite feel sleepy.
After hearing the story and Celeste talk about her Pokémon, Marnie had decided that today was the day she would make friends with one. She didn't care about rarity or power, the little girl just wanted a companion. And she had one particular Pokémon in mind…
"Patrat are supposed to live around here. Wouldn't it be great if I met one?" Don't think Marnie wasn't prepared: she had saved her cookie from snack time to attract any hungry Pokémon. They would share it and since her new friend wouldn't want to leave her, it would come with her back to the Daycare, and when her Momma came to pick her up she'd get a Poké Ball and bam! She would have her very own Pokémon.
As you could see, Marnie at times has a one-track mind.
After a while with no new friend in sight and her feet getting tired, the little girl decided to sit down and take a break. "Why can't I find a friend…?"
She then heard rustling in a stock of long grass nearby. "Huh?" Could it be… Patrat?
She quickly got up, about to greet the Pokemon until she realized it wasn't a Patrat, but…
"MONSTER!" she screamed and chucked her cookie at the black and spiky head that was emerging from the grass.
"Wahh!" a very human voice yelped as he fell over and back into the grass.
"J-Jacob!" Marnie gasped, running towards her classmate. "W-why are you here?"
"Me? I saw you leave the classroom and followed you!" The boy rubbed his head, scowling. "How stupid can you be? going out without telling or having a Pokémon to protect you—"
"You make fun of me for not having a Pokémon!" Marnie yelled, feeling tears start to come out of her eyes. "And when I'm going to do something about it, you just make fun of me again!"
"I'm not making fun—!"Jacob stopped. "Did you hear that?"
"Hear wha—?" Just then, three Patrat jumped from the grass in front of them. Before Marnie could move forward to say hello Jacob moved in front of her, a Poké Ball in his hand. "Jacob?"
"These are wild Pokémon, Marnie. Don't you listen to Teacher in class?"
Marnie felt her face heat up in shame. The day that they went to look at the local Pokémon, look, but not interact with them was the day Miss Julie warned them about going off into the long grass on their own. "I forgot… Jacob, watch out!"
The two children barely dodged the Tackle attack when Jacob threw his Poké Ball. "Go, Blitzle!"
In front of them a small, colt-like Pokémon, black with a silvery bolt-like mane and markings appeared before them, its eyes narrowed at the Patrat.
"Use Shock Wave!" Jacob ordered. Blitzle charged at the Patrat, covered in electricity waves that easily hit the chipmunk Pokémon, freezing them in mid-air before making them fall to the ground, twitching.
Wow, no wonder Jacob brags about Blitzle, it's really strong… Marnie thought as the horse-like Pokémon trotted back to its trainer. Jacob walked the rest of the way as the Electric-type nuzzled the boy's hand.
"Quit it, Blitzle," Jacob giggled, before turning to Marnie. "See? Wild Pokémon won't be your friend just like that, or else they might get scared or mad, and not wanna be your friend at all."
Marnie nodded. "I think I understand now…I'm sorry for leaving."
Jacob looked down at the ground, kicking up some dirt with his feet. "Just…don't do it again. It would've been bad if everyone found at you were gone. The class would miss you."
"They would?" Marnie said in disbelief.
"…I would…" Jacob seemed to mumble right into his shirt.
"What did you say?" Marnie asked, until both children turned around to find another Pokémon walking out of the tall grass. It was bigger than the Patrat, its fur reddish with yellow swipes across its chest like a referee jacket…
Angry-looking red andyellow rimmed eyes looked at them.
"What is it?" Marnie whispered.
"A Watchog. Yhis has to be the Patrats' leader," Jacob replied grimly.
The Watchog moved closer to them, squeaking in a gravely tone.
"Looks like we'll have to battle a way out. Blitzle, use Quick Attack!"
The horse charged again, but this time its opponent simply moved slightly out of the way, keeping one leg out to trip the Blitzle and send it crashing to the ground. The horse whinnied in pain.
"Get up, Blitzle!" Jacob yelled, but the horse remained on the ground.
"That was Low Kick. It keeps the attacking Pokémon on the ground." Marnie whispered, starting to tremble in fear.
The rat-like Pokémon walked over to the struggling Blitzle, staring it in the eyes for a few moments before the horse went still.
"Hypnosis…" Jacob muttered.
"J-Ja-Ja…" Marnie stuttered in terror. The boy turned to find that while battling, the two of them had been surrounded by Patrat.
"We're in big trouble…" Jacob muttered angrily, before returning his Blitzle in defeat. The Watchog watched them with its eyes gleaming…
(~)
"Please, just let us go," Marnie begged the surrounding Pokémon. However, each time she or Jacob made a sudden movement they were snapped at with rodent-like teeth. The girl turned to the boy beside her with teary eyes. "J-Jacob…"
"Marnie, what's wrong…except for the this." Jacob made a slight joke while the girl hiccupped.
"I-I'm so sorry, I wanted a Pokémon so bad that I got us captured…it's all my f-fault…"The girl hiccupped again, tears now moving freely until a small hand wiped her cheeks.
"Don't cry," Jacob said. The girl sniffled, but stopped. "It…might be my fault for making fun of you so much because you didn't. It…was wrong." The boy's face seemed to heat up at this, but before he turned around a pair of arms wrapped around his neck in a hug and Marnie kissed him on the cheek. His face turned even redder and he pushed her away, scrubbing his cheek. "D-d-don't do that! I gonna get cooties!"
Marnie giggled, and for a minute forgot that they were being held hostage by a bunch of Patrat…
Until two of them came forward and pushed them towards the center of the clearing they were in. They watched as the leader, Watchog, also stepped to the head of the clearing, waiting for the Patrat to stop chattering to speak. Though to Marnie and Jacob it was only squeaks, the leader was making a very important decision.
"You say you found these humans trespassing on our territory?" the Lookout Pokémon said in a bored tone.
"J-just where you found them sir," a subordinate Patrat cowardly replied. "Th-they tried to use force on us…"
"After you tried to attack them," Watchog continued. "Without provocation you tried to battle against young humans—and lost." The Pokémon scoffed at the way his troops were acting. "We've retained them long enough. I want an escort to bring them back to the edge of the grass—"
"If I may interrupt." One of the other Patrat stepped forward, only this one stood tall instead of cowering at the feet of its superior. "Why don't we hold these two for ransom? Like you said, they're young, and we are in dire need of supplies—"
"I refuse to resort to abduction and bargaining with humans just because a few of you have belly aches!" Watchog screeched.
"And whose fault is that? You've lead us on a wild goose-chase for some human—"
"A human that stole from us!"
"You've lead out tribe into poverty!" another Patrat spoke up, while Watchog blanched in shock, before going strong again.
"I have kept the tradition of our tribe that has lasted for generations strong…"
"Maybe it's time for a new tradition," the first Patrat that spoke up said."Along with a new leader."
Watchog was shocked, before his anger grew once more. "How dare you?"
"How dare I?" The Patrat stepped forward, its eyes gleaming with malevolence. "How dare I? How dare you, Watchog!"
Watchog was tackled to the ground by his own subordinates—his own family—while Patrat moved towards the two very scared-looking children. "Rough them up a little, otherwise we won't get as much."
But before any Patrat could lift a paw, Watchog was able to lift and shake off the Patrat piling on him and jumped in front of Marnie and Jacob in a protective stance. "No! I will not have my tribe stoop so low as the harming of innocents!"
"This isn't your tribe any longer," the Patrat replied coldly as one Patrat jumped at Watchog from the side, using a blade of grass to cover the Pokémon's eyes.
"While your eyes are covered, Hypnosis and Confuse Ray are useless to you. Last chance, Watchog. If you swear to use your Hypnosis on the humans, I will spare your life," Patrat said calmly while Watchog struggled.
"Never," Watchog hissed.
"Very well." Patrat made a gesture to one of the other Patrat, who grabbed an even longer and thicker blade of grass, wrapping it around Watchog's neck before viciously pulled it forward.
"They're killing him!" Marnie screamed, running forward before Jacob could stop her. Before she could reach Watchog the head Patrat intercepted her and snapped her back.
"Since you volunteered, I'll deal with you first." Patrat moved closer to the girl, and was about to launch a Super Fang…until he was knocked to the ground by a very pissed-off teenage girl that you should all know by now.
"Celeste!" Marnie and Jacob exclaimed, but the girl was on the warpath.
"You fucking rats," she snarled, punching Patrat's face. "Attacking kids."
But when the girl went in for another punch, the rat-like Pokémon bit her hand with its large buckteeth, hard. Celeste bit back a curse as she got to her feet and flung the Pokémon off, only to be tackled to the ground just like Watchog. Dammit, my Pokémon are still with Nate. I shouldn't have been so rash…
Jacob tried to run forward, but was stopped by Marnie. "They would get us too!"
Celeste struggled, kicking one of the Patrat in the face. It's different this time…Less control. She thought, before being able to shove one away from her face with her now bleeding fist. "Guys, go get help!"
"We won't leave you!" Jacob yelled, yet that caught some of the Patrats' attention once more. A few of them stalked towards the two kids.
"Jacob…!" Marnie grabbed onto his arm, but one of the Patrat already jumped into the air, and was about to strike.
"Audino!" A pink and cream colored bipedal Pokémon wearing a red scarf jumped in front of the two, sending out a strange attack that knocked all the Patrat back.
"T-that's an Audino!" Jacob gasped.
"Aud," The Pokémon ran towards the Patrat and once it made contact they were launched into the sky. They fell at least a hundred yards away into the grass, where they would stay if they knew what was good for them. All the others that saw this show of power from the Audino quickly retreated.
"Screw being leader! I'm going home!" the last Patrat shrieked as it ran away, leaving an unconscious Watchog and a bleeding Celeste in their wake. Jacob and Marnie ran towards the girl.
"Are you alright?" Marnie asked.
"I'm fine, just…stings…"Celeste flinched when she looked at her mangled hand.
"Oh no, Watchog…" Jacob mumbled as he looked at the unmoving Pokemon, an ugly red line around its neck. Marnie ran forward, unable to be stopped by Celeste or Jacob as she kneeled beside Watchog.
"Y-you tried to save us…A-and now…" She started to cry, but furiously rubbed the tears away and started to shake the Pokémon. "Wake up! You can't die, wake up!" But the Watchog didn't stir. Marnie let her tears flow freely. "P-please…"
"Hmm?" Celeste turned away to see that Audino had its arms spread out while a pink aura surrounded them. The aura broke away from the Pokémon's body and was released into the clearing. Celeste felt her hair blown back as if by a gentle breeze, and the pain she felt seemed to ebb away.
"Your hand!" Jacob exclaimed, and sure enough, the teen's hand was no longer broken or bleeding. Despite their still being covered in blood, it was good as new.
"That's…incredible." Celeste said, flexing her hand. "And not only my hand. It feels as if my whole body is refreshed somehow…"
"Watchog!" Marnie yelled happily as the Pokémon's eyes fluttered open in confusion, widening even more as the little girl wrapped her arms around its shoulders in a hug.
"A-ah, Marnie, I don't think that's a good—" Celeste didn't finish the sentence because Watchog returned the hug, squeezing the little girl gently as it sat up. Celeste stopped her gaping when Audino walked up to her; it motioned tothe belt she kept her Poké Balls in. "…Ohhh!"
Marnie and Watchog looked up at Celeste, who handed Marnie the Poké Ball. The teen turned to Watchog sourly. "Hey, Hitler Rat."
"Th-the thief—!" Watchog exclaimed, but noticed the Poké Ball she put into Marnie's hands.
"Really?" Marnie said to Celeste, who nodded. The little girl turned to face Watchog. "Um, Watchog?"
The Pokémon turned to look at Marnie.
"S-since you don't have a home anymore thanks to us…w-would you like to stay with me?" Marnie asked. "I-its fine if you don't but…"
Watchog looked at the human closely, as if trying to see if she was ready for a big responsibility, and if she was worthy of it. A minute passed, before Watchog nodded with consent.
"Th-thank you!" Marnie said with joy, lifting up the Poké Ball and calling in Watchog. The sphere wriggled a few times before making a clear ding. "We'll be great friends. I promise."
Marnie hugged the Poké Ball close, before looking around. "Hey, where'd Audino go?"
Jacob and Celeste looked around as well, but the Healing Pokémon was nowhere to be found. Jacob shrugged and walked forward, a hand out for Marnie to take. "Ah well. The next time we see it, we'll say hello. Okay?"
Marnie smiled, taking the offered hand. "Okay."
And with that, the three of them walked back to the Daycare, not noticing a person sitting on a tree branch watching over them. The figure jumped off the branch and landed on the ground beside the Audino in a red scarf. "Good job, Joy."
"Aud!" Joy replied happily.
The person smiled, before looking at the horizon. "I had a feeling we'll run into that crazy girl trainer soon enough…"
(~)
Journal Entry
Well, after we got back with the kids' clothes in tatters and my bloody hand, we were in for the longestbutt-whooping lecture ever. Marnie and Jacob by Miss Julie, while my own by Nate.
"Are you brain dead or something?" Nate asked after I washed the blood off my hand and was given some water. The almost exasperated way he said it added to his all around slightly off-kilter appearance. He had grass stains on his jeans while his hair was about as messed up as my own. "You should've gotten me before gallivanting off after some kids in the long grass without any Pokémon."
I sighed, playing with my Xtransceiver before looking up again. "I know it was rash, okay? I'm sorry for what I did."
It seemed to surprise Nate that I wasn't defending what I did, but in all honesty, as long as Marnie and Jacob were okay, I'd say sorry to anything. "…Just don't do it again. I still have to get you to Castelia in one piece," he muttered gruffly, turning away from me. I smiled.
"Awwwh, you were worried about me, weren't yo—?" I teased, but didn't finish my taunt as Nate looked at me with a very intimidating super death glare of doom. Julie, the kids, and the Daycare couple all walked into the living room.
"We called their parents to tell them what happened," Julie said. "They'll have some explaining to do…but I'm sure they'll just be glad that their kids are alright."
I got up from my seat to walk over to Julie. "Look, I'm sor—"
The redhead held up her hand. "It wasn't your fault. These two should've known better."
"But, at the end of the day, everyone was okay." Marnie quipped, gazing lovingly at the Poké Ball in her hands.
"Yes, this time," Grandpa sighed, before turning to Nate and I. "Thank you for all that you've done for us today."
"Don't mention it," I said with a grimace.
"Our pleasure," Nate deadpanned, looking at Grandma with a mixture of irritability and fear. I decided to ask him about it later. "We should be on our way."
Grandpa nodded, handing us Nate a rolled up paper. "Here is a map of the quickest route to Nacrene. You should be there in three hours tops."
"Thanks." I smiled, before feeling two small people grab my legs and hug them.
"Thank you so much!" Marnie and Jacob exclaimed. I smiled at them, feeling my heart twinge a little with sadness. Despite only being with them a few hours…I'm going to miss these guys.
"Celeste, I heard you say a name to Watchog after he was healed, so I've decided…Watchog's name is going to be Hitler!" Marnie chirped. I felt my face pale.
"Uh-uh, Marnie? I don't think th-that that's…" I was given a puppy-eyed look front assault. I could feel a death glare from Nate behind me heating up. Caught between two powerful foes…
"…It's perfect for him," I deadpanned, feeling my back being slowly burned to a crisp.
"Yay!" Marnie said, calling out her Watchog. "Hi, Hitler!"
"Hi, Hitler." Everyone raised one of their hands to welcome the Watchog.
…I'm going to pay for this, aren't I? I thought.
(~)
"Goodbye! Travel safe!" The citizens of the Unova Pokémon Daycare waved goodbye as we walked down the hill.
"We will!" I called back, trying to prolong the farewell long enough so Nate wouldn't be able to kill me for the 'Hitler' thingy. Yes, I said thingy. I was about to start walking forward when we heard a "Wait!"
Julie was running towards us, or to be more precise, Nate. "I-I just, Nate, I-I…"
I watched as Nate put a hand on the redhead's shoulder. "I'm sorry, Julie. But…it would never work out between us."
"But we could at least try," Julie argued.
Nate gave her a small half-smile. "You deserve better." Before turning away and walking past me, I saw Julie watch him walk away for a second, before running to catch up with Nate. I don't think she could even tell I was there.
"…What the hell was that about?" I voiced.
Nate smirked. "If I had lead her on, I might've had some fun. But then it would've left her in pieces. I decided not to do that to her…plus, her Grandmother would've had my head, and not just the bigger one."
"Ugh, dude. Waaaaaaayyy too much information!" I complained, before hearing a beeping noise from my left wrist. "Huh?" I clicked on the screen to see a familiar face. "Black!"
"Hey, Celeste," he replied sheepishly.
"It's great to see you! I was a little worried about what happened to you after I lost consciousness." I sweat dropped.
"You should've been more worried about you, like I was." He smiled. I smiled back.
"Haha, I guess. Anyway, where are you?"
"Nacrene City. You?"
"Just left the Daycare, should be there in a few hours."
"Really? That's great! Hey, uh listen. Do you want to hang out tomorrow night?" He rubbed the back of his head as he said this for some reason.
"Sure! We'll probably stay in Nacrene for a few days to rest up."
"Gr-great!" he replied, before looking confused. "Uh, 'we'?"
"Yes, we." Nate butted his big fat head in between my face in the screen. "Sorry to say goodbye so soon, well actually, I'm not, but we have to get to Nacrene by nightfall. You understand? Of course you do, toodles."
"W-wait, Cele—?"
Nate pressed the screen to disconnect the call, before calmly continuing to walk as I gaped at the screen, before turning to Nate and running after him.
"What the fuck was that?"
(~)
Normal POV
Somewhere in the Nacrene Pokémon Center, a very confused Black was gaping at the screen of his Xtransceiver, wondering the same thing.
TO BE CONTINUED
EXTRA! What was Nate doing at the Daycare?
Grandma: I'm going to let the critters loose now? You ready?
Nate: *bored look on his face* Whatever…
Julie/Grandpa: *behind the fence, shaking their heads*
Grandma: Come on out darlings!
Nate: *crushed in a stampede of very large Pokémon* *thoughts: GODAMMIT YOU EVIL BITCH!*
Julie: We should've warned him…Grandma's evil.
Grandpa: *nods in agreement*
END EXTRA!
…I didn't like this chapter much. Nothing really important happens in it, it's mostly filler. :/ Ah well, what matters is that if you guys liked it. XD
Anyways, POLL TIME!
On my profile at this very moment is a list of manga/anime that I'm willing to do a parody drawing of for Game Freaks! Along with a little parody summary about it at the end, the poll closes next update, so CHOOSE SOON!
Disclaimer: I do not own Pokémon. Darn.