Elle dashed off towards the other side of the playground, where his classmates were playing on the equipment. Currently, they were endorsed in a carefree game of hide and seek.
He scanned the playground. A pair of orange sneakers flashed as their owner crawled up a nearby tree. Elle recognized the child as Avery, one of the slowest kids in the class. The children joked that his ability was oblivious, because he never seemed to be paying attention.
Elle clambered up the tree as well, and tugged harshly on Avery's foot. "Ow!" Avery squeaked, and glanced down questioningly.
"Hey," Elle whispered.
Avery rolled his eyes. "Why are your eyes so puffy?" he asked.
"Just-forget about it," Elle pinched himself behind his back. He wouldn't let anybody see him cry.
The two boys sat in the tree, silently. Even though it was a stupid game, it was nice to forget about Pokémon and focus on the more fun things in life. Minutes passed, and still nobody had found them.
Elle fiddled with a twig, and glanced up at the sky. It was so blue, and bright. He wondered if the ocean had blue that could rival it.
He had always wanted to visit the ocean. Water type Pokemon had always been his favorite. And there were so many regions to see by crossing the ocean.
One day, he would become a member of the Elite Four, if not the Champion. And then nobody would be able to stop him from journeying wherever he wanted.
But first, he'd have to make it to Littleroot Town and get a Pokemon. Not as if his parents would let him.
"You should get more familiar with Pokemon before you start your journey," Mom had said. She had reminded him, time after time, that he had many professions to choose from, and that he didn't have to become a battler.
But Elle knew that battling was the perfect thing. He knew so many strategies, so many battle formats. He had painstakingly memorized countless evolutions and abilities.
And he swore then, by the blue of the sky, that he would find an even bluer ocean. He'd conquer it.