Chapter Summary: Ixen, Hannah and Vince finally set off to Aust City to Professor Hemlock's lab. But when they get there, two aspiring trainers have arrived before them.
Warnings: Mild violence, some swearing in future chapters, school life during the first few chapters.
Disclaimer: I don't own Pokémon. Only the region and the characters.
A/N: Hello there! Ah, study leave. I remember procrastinating so much during my exams in that period. I blame my friends for distracting me.
Thank you Luna the Zekrom (yet again! XD), Ramaxy18-chan, Shadow Serenity 57 and TheFinalElements for your reviews! You guys are awesome! :D I'd also like to thank everyone who have faved and alerted this story. You guys are just as awesome!
Luna: You guessed right! ^^ You know the embarrassing thing? I didn't actually realise I had put a semi-twist on that scene until you pointed it out. I laughed at how oblivious I had been. I've also taken your advice about the name and using the translator. The language now has a name, but it won't be revealed until later in the story. Thank you for that!
Ramaxy: I'm glad you're enjoying the story so far. I saw that you've recently decided to follow it, I'm happy to have grabbed your interest. xD Ixen will get another Dragon Pokémon at some point in the story; how many she gets is a different matter entirely. ;) (Her whole party won't be made up of them, though)
Serenity: I know what you mean, it does feel shorter on the website. In my documents they feel quite long to me, though. You and Luna… Geez, you two are good a guessing. Almost…too good. -suspicious look- Nah, I'm kidding. Also, about the rock, I'm still not really sure if it's a Magma Rock or not. I'm still deciding as Heatran doesn't really have a role in this story.
Elements: The reason Bagon is friendly when he speaks is because he only speaks to Ixen, who is basically his mother since she's raising him. He speaks to her out of respect. His actions on the other hand are aimed at people he doesn't know, like Hannah, Vince and Ixen's parents. The whole examination thing, Bagon is somewhat…proud at times. So that kind of examination was embarrassing for him. As for Ixen's fear, she isn't completely over it yet. She's confident with Bagon, and only somewhat comfortable with smaller Pokémon at long as they're 'tame'. I use tame loosely there. Don't worry about the length of your review, it doesn't have to be long. I'm still grateful for it. ^^
"Normal speech"
:Dragon speech:
Chapter 7: Professor Hemlock
"It's over!" Hannah shouted before collapsing on a bench. "It's finally over!"
Ixen was almost crying. "I never thought this day would come."
"I'm sure there are going to be tons of parties tonight," Vince laughed.
They had just finished their final exam. In May all three of them had left school early with the rest of their Year Group for study leave. Most of the time Ixen and Vince had managed to revise while Hannah procrastinated, but there were times when all three of them couldn't be bothered to study. It didn't help Ixen when Bagon grew more and more restless when she had to spend most of her time slaving over her exams.
It was a strange kind of feeling Ixen felt when they left the exam hall. Their final exam was over. The final obstacle standing between them and the freedom of a journey was finally gone, and it felt exhilarating. Ixen was sure she should have been feeling worried and anxious about starting a Pokémon journey - she was still scared of Pokémon to an extent- but she wasn't. She wasn't because she knew she wouldn't be alone. She would have Bagon, Hannah and Vince travelling with her. They all knew there may be hard times during their adventure, but at that moment it didn't matter.
"What are you smiling about?" Hannah asked.
Ixen didn't even know she was smiling. "It's just strange. It feels like only yesterday that we were standing here in front of the library on our first day back."
"It's equally strange to see you preparing for a Pokémon journey," Vince said.
Ixen laughed at that. If she had gone back in time and told her past self that she had decided to go on a journey, she was sure her past self would call her crazy. In a way it kind of was. So much had changed in the last nine months.
"You know what I think we should do now?" Hannah asked. Ixen and Vince assumed it was a rhetorical question.
"I swear - if you say, "Let's go have a mini adventure of our own!" I'm going to make sure your parents lock you in your room," Vince threatened as he tried to hide a smirk.
"Vince, don't give her ideas," Ixen scolded, but she was also trying to hide a smile.
"Actually, I was going to suggest something a little more normal." Vince raised an eyebrow at that. "We get our results in about a month, and then we receive our Pokémon. Why not spend the rest of our final summer holiday doing something normal teenagers would do?"
"That sounds oddly boring and relaxing." Despite his comment, it was obvious the idea appealed to Vince.
"I like it," Ixen said. "What do you have in mind?"
The way Hannah grinned almost made Ixen regret her question. "You'll just have to wait and see."
They spent the rest of the holidays as 'normal teenagers'. Whatever that was. They spent most of their time at each other's houses playing video games, watching horror movies, going to the beach (once) and generally just messing about. Ixen took Bagon along with her most of the time. He had finally learnt to be calm around Hannah and Vince, and even began nuzzling them for tickles and attention. They also took Bagon out for walks around the fields that surrounded Waterwick Town. It was nice to give the little dragon a taste of what it was going to be like when they left.
During the weeks that passed Ixen would often ask if Bagon was sure about going on a journey.
:Do you not want me to come?: he had asked and Ixen immediately shook her head.
:No! I mean yes! I mean… I want you to come with me.:
:Why do you keep asking?:
:I'm just worried,: Ixen admitted.
:What about?: Bagon asked as he tilted his head.
:I don't want to force you to come with me,: she said in that airy language.
:You asked me,: the Rock Head Pokémon stated bluntly, :and I accepted. I would tell you if I felt you were forcing me.:
:I'm sorry for worrying, Bagon.:
:You don't need to apologise to me.:
That was the final time Ixen asked. That conversation - along with many others - made Ixen realise she still hadn't said a word to anyone about her ability to speak to Bagon. She had tried to research about the Daralexi, but all she could find was the legend that Mr Dixon had told them on the camping trip. There was barely any information on them and next to no information on the ability they held. Some people even dismissed the idea of them being able to communicate with Dragon type Pokémon altogether.
Ixen was living proof that they dismissed that idea too soon.
It often made Ixen wonder if there were any other Daralexi out there. If Mr Dixon was right and they had bred into the local villages around the region, how diluted would the blood holding the ability be? How many people could possibly have the blood of the Daralexi running through their veins and not know it? Could her parents have it?
These thoughts would often distract Ixen so much that Hannah and Vince would snap their fingers in front of her face, jolting her out of her 'daze'.
"That's the fourth time you've done that tonight," Hannah said, concern evident in her voice.
"I'm fine," Ixen assured her.
"Are you nervous about tomorrow?" Vince asked.
Tomorrow was the day they received their exam results. July had flown by, and it was now in the middle of August. They were staying at Hannah's house for a sleepover; an early celebration to calm their nerves. It was daunting, almost terrifying, how quickly time went by. Ixen seriously didn't feel ready receiving her results or starting her journey.
"A little," Ixen half-lied, "I'm more nervous about the day after. Once you two receive your Pokémon we'll be going on a journey away from home."
"I guess it is a little daunting," Hannah said thoughtfully.
Vince gave her an incredulous look. "A little daunting? How are you not terrified?"
"How are you terrified? We'll be together, remember? As long as we're together we'll be fine!"
Ixen blinked at that. She realised Hannah was right…in a way. They had had so many adventures already, and there they were; together. They were always standing by each other's side. Sure, they did crazy and stupid things sometimes, but that's just who they were. Besides her family, they were the only people who really accepted Ixen for who she was, and she in return accepted them. The realisation of this made Ixen want to cry so much tears were already rolling down her cheeks.
"I-Ixen? What's wrong?" Hannah asked with worry.
"Come on, you don't need to cry," Vince said comfortingly.
Ixen just shook her head, a sob erupting from her throat. "S-sorry, sorry, I didn't mean- they just started…" She rubbed at her eyes as the tears kept flowing. "I'm sorry… I just realised how lucky I am…to have you guys…"
Both Hannah and Vince looked embarrassed at Ixen's confession, but that didn't stop Hannah from laughing with tears in her eyes as she pulled the blacknette into her arms. That didn't stop Vince from giving her a hopeless smile before awkwardly joining into the hug. As cliché as it felt, they knew nothing could break them apart in that moment.
Ixen was both anxious and excited as she stared at the large, brown envelope that held the results of all her hard work. Hannah had ripped into hers as soon as she got her hands on her envelope, whooping at the sight of passing every single exam with C's and the occasional B. Vince had just opened his, and was reading his results when Ixen glanced over at him. From the look of his face it seems he did well.
She took a deep breath, and with shaky hands, opened her envelope. Her heart was pounding as she pulled out the sheet of paper that revealed what grades she had gotten. As Ixen read her results a smile crept its way onto her lips. She couldn't help but feel relieved and overjoyed by them as she had passed her exams with C's, B's and even an A. She lunged at Hannah and Vince, and pulled them into a hug with a huge smile. Hannah was still cheering about her results and Vince was now grinning because he too passed all of his exams.
Instead of celebrating until late, they went to bed early to get ready for the morning. They had to get up for a bus to Aust City at 7am. When Ixen woke up early Bagon immediately demanded to know why his sleep was disturbed.
:Today is the day Hannah and Vince meet their new partners,: Ixen told him as she changed into a pair of bootleg jeans.
Bagon perked up at that. :New partners?:
:Yeah, like you and me.:
:I want to meet them too.:
:You want to come with us?: Ixen asked in surprise.
:Yes.:
:I thought you needed your beauty sleep?:
Knowing he was being teased, Bagon snorted. :You're the one who is yawning.:
Once Ixen was ready, she and Bagon made their way to the bus stop where she had agreed to meet Hannah and Vince. On the way there Ixen made sure to speak to Bagon in a hushed voice.
:Listen, when Hannah and Vince get here we can't talk like this,: she told him.
:Why?: Bagon asked with a frown.
:They don't know I can speak to Dragon type Pokémon. It's not exactly a common gift.:
:So no speaking?:
:It's safe if I don't.:
Before Bagon could reply, Hannah's voice rang out. "Ixen! There you are!"
The blonde waved to her with an excited grin as Ixen drew closer. "Remember what I said."
:I understand,: Bagon replied.
"Took you long enough," Vince said. He sounded calm, but it was obvious he was just as excited as Hannah with the grin that was plastered over his face.
"How excited are you two?" Ixen asked with a smile.
"Too excited," Hannah laughed. "Man, my heart is pounding! I'm actually about to get on a bus to get my first Pokémon."
"We're just one step away from starting our journey," Vince said as he tried to wipe away his stupid grin to no avail.
"There's the bus!" Hannah exclaimed as the large, silver vehicle came into view. Ixen was glad she wasn't a few minutes late.
It took them longer to get on the bus than they first anticipated as Bagon made a fuss about the vehicle trying to eat him. The bus driver threatened to kick them off if Bagon wouldn't settle down, so Ixen had to promise - somewhat quietly - that the bus wouldn't eat him, and if it tried she would protect him with her life. Thankfully the journey to Aust City was calm and settled, and Bagon was too focused on the scenery flying by to worry about getting eaten. As soon as the shape of the city came into view Hannah immediately exclaimed she could see it, continuously talking about how she was possibly only minutes away from meeting her Pokémon. Ixen and Vince didn't stop her rambling, she had a right to be excited, after all.
Soon they were in the heart of the city, and Bagon began to get edgy due to the fact he had never seen so many people before. Ixen assured him he'll be fine as the bus pulled into a bus lane. Knowing it was their stop, the trio hurried off of the bus, thanking the bus driver as they went, before finding the nearest map of the city. As soon as Hannah figured out the directions she was leading the way to the Pokémon Lab. Ixen was trying her best to stay alert and follow, but she kept getting distracted by all of the interesting looking shops that filled the streets. In the end Vince had to grab her arm and drag her and Bagon away from a shop window.
"I can't help it," Ixen said. "In our defence, that cake looked amazing."
Vince simply rolled his eyes before Hannah gasped. "There it is!"
It was easy to spot. A wide, but small flight of stairs led up to a large, extravagant building in the middle of a busy city. They crossed the road as soon as the traffic lights were red and made their way to the Pokémon Lab. Ixen almost thought the whole building was made of glass when she saw the front of it. The three floors of the building had large glass panelled windows and the outside walls of it were painted with a beautiful white colour. The entrance of the lab looked to be two glass doors that automatically slid open and shut. It was like an angel's mansion.
As they neared the doors slid open and two teenagers walked out looking very happy. The trio almost thought they were seeing double when they realised the teenagers were twins, and one was obviously a girl with that side ponytail. They both had light blonde hair and sky blue eyes.
"Hi there," Vince said with a greeting smile.
The boy smiled back. "Hi, are you three here to get your starter Pokémon?"
"We are," Hannah said signalling to Vince and herself, "this one has already got a Pokémon as you can see."
The twins turned to Ixen and Bagon. The girl gasped as soon as she saw the little dragon in Ixen's arms and dashed right up to them. "You have a Bagon? I'm so jealous! Where did you get it? Can I hold it? Does it know any cool moves?"
Ixen stepped back slightly, feeling a little uncomfortable with the onslaught of questions. Bagon was faring no better. She had thought Hannah was bad, but this was way worse.
"Lily, don't be rude," the girl's brother scolded.
"Ah, sorry," Lily apologised with a not-so-apologetic smile. "I got so excited when I saw your Bagon. It's the first Dragon type Pokémon I've ever seen in person. Anyway, like Luke said, I'm Lily."
Luke rolled his eyes in a way that meant this was usual for him. "And like she said, I'm Luke. Pleased to meet you."
"Nice to meet you too," Vince said politely. "I'm Vince, and this is Ixen and Hannah."
"Hi," Ixen said quietly, "it's nice to meet you both."
Hannah grinned. "It's a pleasure. What Pokémon did you two choose?"
Lily and Luke looked at each other and smiled before pulling out their Poké Balls. They called out their Pokémon and in a flash of light, two creatures appeared. Out of Lily's Poké Ball was a small, blue penguin that had large white markings around its eyes and two white spots on its front. It brought its beak up in a way that suggested it was very proud of itself. Out of Luke's Poké Ball was a small, green snakelike creature that surprisingly had arms and legs. It drew up its leafy tail and crossed its arms.
The Piplup and the Snivy glanced at each other before looking away. It was obvious the two Pokémon didn't get along.
"Aw, they're so cute!" Hannah exclaimed.
"My Piplup is more than cute," Lily boasted, "he's amazing. We're going to win the Grand Festival together."
Hannah frowned. "Grand Festival? What's that?"
Vince gaped at her while Lily gave her a disbelieving look. "Are you serious? How do you not know what the Grand Festival is?"
"Maybe she isn't a coordinator, Lily," Luke said exasperatedly.
"I'm not anything yet," Hannah remarked. "I'm going to be a Pokémon trainer and challenge the Pokémon League."
"Good luck," Lily said with a smile before ruining it. "Let's hope whatever Pokémon you pick will be half as amazing as my Piplup is."
"You have no idea how 'amazing' your Piplup will be," Vince interjected with an annoyed expression. "For all you know, it might not do that well if you push it too hard."
Lily glared at him. "What did you say?"
"He's giving you advice," Luke said.
"Like hell he is!"
"I-I'm sorry," Ixen quickly intervened, "he really was trying to offer advice. He's just a bit…blunt sometimes."
Lily continued to scowl before sighing. "Fine, it doesn't matter. I'm still going to become a Top Coordinator." She returned her Piplup to its Poké Ball before speaking again. "Hannah, let's have a battle the next time we see each other."
"You're on," Hannah said with a grin.
Luke returned his Snivy and smiled at the trio. "I guess we'll see you around."
They waved and said goodbye before going their separate ways. The brief meeting with the twins left Vince riled. "That girl is a nightmare."
"Be polite, Vince," Hannah said with a laugh as they entered the lab. "I think she was alright."
"How are you laughing?" Vince asked incredulously. "Didn't you hear how she was putting your Pokémon down before you've even received it?"
"That's exactly why I'm laughing. She has no idea what Pokémon I'm going to choose, and she has no idea how strong it will become. One day I'm going to beat her in a battle, and she'll wonder why her Pokémon isn't so 'amazing'."
Before Vince could speak Ixen beat him to it. "Stop worrying about it, Vince. Don't let this ruin your day."
"Okay, okay," he sighed, "I'll leave it."
The interior of the lab was just as extravagant as the exterior. Everything was tidy and spotless. A lovely red carpet was laid out on every corridor floor, beautiful tall plants were leant against the walls and the occasional bookcase separated them to give the place a homey feeling. The trio followed the directions the receptionist had given them until they finally found Professor Hemlock's room. Hannah knocked on the door and a curt 'come in' was the reply. They all stepped inside to see a woman in a lab coat sitting at her desk. They assumed her to be Professor Hemlock, but none of them wanted to say anything. She was wearing a terribly stern expression on her face as she read the book the that was in her hands. Ixen and Hannah gave Vince look that said "you do it", making Vince glare at them before nervously stepping forward.
"Um, excuse me?" he said hesitantly.
The woman looked up from her book and almost immediately her stern look was replaced with a warm smile. "Hello! Welcome! I'm glad you could make it. I'm Professor Sage Hemlock, I assume you three are here to receive your starter Pokémon and Pokédex?"
Sage Hemlock was tall and had light ginger hair with one of her front locks tucked behind her ear. She welcomed them into her lab room which was large and full of all sorts of scientific and electronic equipment. On the far side of the room stood eighteen stands. All but two of the stands had a Poké Ball sitting on top.
"You three are my second batch of new trainers to arrive," Professor Hemlock chirped happily as she led them to the stands.
"Excuse me, uh, Professor Hemlock," Ixen said somewhat hurriedly, "I'm not one of the trainers coming in to receive a Pokémon. I'm simply here for support."
"Is that so?" The scientific professor smiled anyway. "That's perfectly fine. I didn't even see your Bagon there I was so excited. Hello there, Bagon."
Bagon sniffed at her before drawing back. :She has a strange spot near her left eye.:
Ixen gaped despite the fact no one could hear him. Professor Hemlock laughed and for a brief moment Ixen thought she could understand him.
"I see he's taken a liking to my beauty spot with the way he looks at it," she said with a grin. "He's cute."
:Why does everyone call me cute?: Bagon demanded, causing Professor Hemlock to laugh again. :I am not cute! Ixen, tell her I am not cu…: The little dragon trailed off when he saw her face. :You think I'm cute too, don't you?:
Ixen nodded ever-so-slightly so only Bagon could see. The smile on her face was getting ridiculous. Bagon growled and snorted.
"Have you two thought about who you would like to choose?" Professor Hemlock asked as Hannah and Vince looked through the photos on the stands. "Choose wisely, because this Pokémon will become a dear partner to you."
Hannah stepped forward first with a decisive expression. "I choose this one." Ixen watched as she picked up the Poké Ball above the fourth photo.
"Ah, Chikorita," Professor Hemlock said pleasantly. "A nice choice."
Hannah smiled at the red and white capsule holding her lifetime partner before calling the Pokémon out. "Chikorita, I choose you!"
In a flash of light, a light and dark green creature came out. The Leaf Pokémon stood on all fours with a large leaf sprouting from its head. The Chikorita looked up, flipping its leaf back, before looking at Hannah with deep red eyes. The Pokémon's movements reminded Ixen of a certain song. What was it called? I Flip My Hair Back and Forth? No, that wasn't it.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Chikorita," Hannah said with a gleeful smile.
"Chik! Chika!" the Chikorita yipped back before glancing at Bagon.
Bagon tilted his head with a curious look, almost like he was sizing Chikorita up. Ixen kept a nervous eye on Chikorita in case it decided to come any closer.
Chikorita blinked before looking at Hannah with determination. Before Hannah could ask what was wrong, the Leaf Pokémon suddenly jumped into her arms.
"W-whoa!" Hannah exclaimed as she struggled to keep a hold of Chikorita. She couldn't help but laugh as she righted the Grass type in her arms. "That was a surprise and a half."
Vince smiled before looking back at the remaining fifteen Poké Balls. He finally stepped forward and picked up the eighth Poké Ball. "This one, I choose this one."
"Torchic, huh?" Professor Hemlock grinned. "Are ya sure?"
Vince nodded. "Absolutely. Torchic, I choose you!"
A small, yellow and orange chick appeared out of the Poké Ball in a flash of light. The little Fire type ruffled its feathers before looking up at Vince with a small chirp. Vince smiled and knelt down. "Hi there, Torchic. It's nice to meet you."
"Tor-Torchic!" the Chick Pokémon chirped happily.
Chikorita jumped out of Hannah's arms and greeted Torchic with a grin. Torchic leaned in close to the Leaf Pokémon before rudely pecking her on the forehead, causing Chikorita to cry out in pain. Ixen gaped and took a subconscious step away from the little chick while Hannah darted forward, checking the small, faint bruise that was now forming on Chikorita's head.
"Torchic, that was rude," Vince scolded. "Chikorita was only trying to make friends."
Torchic huffed and apologised somewhat reluctantly before standing behind Vince's legs.
"Here." Professor Hemlock held out two red devices to Hannah and Vince. The devices looked like a mash up of the Sinnoh Pokédex and the Kalos Pokédex. They were thin and square-shaped like the Kalos dex before it's slid open, and when Hannah and Vince flipped them open, they revealed a screen underneath the lid and a screen on the main part of the device like the Sinnoh dex. There didn't appear to be any buttons, and it seemed to turn off automatically when they closed the lid again.
"So this is the Daar region's Pokédex," Vince said in awe as he looked over the device.
"That's right," Professor Hemlock said cheerfully. "You probably already know, but a Pokédex is like an encyclopaedia, containing information about many different kinds of Pokémon. We're still discovering new species as well as discovering new information on Pokémon we've already discovered. Your encyclopaedias will obviously be empty as you're just starting, so why not try them out on your new partners and learn their move sets?"
Hannah grinned, obviously eager to get started and turned to Chikorita. Ixen and Vince watched as she flipped her Pokédex open and held it out to the Leaf Pokémon before frowning at the blue, blank screens. She turned back to the professor.
"How…?" Hannah looked a little worried.
"It's fine," Professor Hemlock assured her. "The bottom screen is a touch screen. Slide your finger across it before holding it out to your Pokémon."
Hannah nodded and slid her finger across the bottom screen, watching a white line follow her fingertip. The blue screen burst into life with the top screen searching for an eligible Pokémon to scan with the target system. Hannah held it out to Chikorita, watching as the Pokédex scanned the Leaf Pokémon. Ixen and Vince hovered behind her shoulders, watching as Chikorita appeared on the top screen before all three gaped as a perfect 3D hologram of the Grass type was being projected from the bottom screen.
"Chikorita - the Leaf Pokémon. It uses the leaf on its head to determine the temperature and humidity. It loves to sunbathe. This particular Chikorita knows the moves Tackle, Growl and Razor Leaf." Hannah listened intently as the Pokédex voiced out the information.
The hologram faded away and the device returned to normal.
"That thing is amazing," Ixen breathed, and Bagon nodded in agreement.
"I need to try it," Vince said before turning to Torchic. He slid his finger across the bottom screen, the white line following his fingertip just like Hannah's and both screens became active. He held it out to Torchic, who leaned up in an attempt to peck it as the Pokédex scanned him. Torchic appeared on the top screen before a hologram of the Fire type was projected.
"Torchic - the Chick Pokémon. A fire burns inside, so it feels warm to hug. It launches fireballs of one thousand, eight hundred degrees Fahrenheit. This particular Torchic knows the moves Scratch, Focus Energy and Ember."
"Both Pokémon sound amazing," Ixen said somewhat hesitantly before adding, "and dangerous..." Despite her obvious unease, she wished she too had a Pokédex.
"I'm also to give you both these," Professor Hemlock said as Hannah and Vince tucked their devices away. They both accepted the boxes the professor held out to them, opening them up to see five miniaturised Poké Balls in each. "You'll need something to catch other Pokémon. When you need more, and trust me, you will, you can go to the Poké Mart to buy more Poké Balls and other supplies."
"Thank you so much," Hannah said with glee, her face positively beaming.
"We'll do our best," Vince promised with a determined expression.
"I'm sure you will," Professor Hemlock said.
They both put their Poké Balls away in their bags before returning their Pokémon back into their capsules after a few more minutes of getting to know each other. As Hannah tucked Chikorita's Poké Ball away, she glanced at Ixen who was holding Bagon with a somewhat rueful look. Narrowing her eyes with determination, Hannah turned back to the ginger professor.
"Excuse me, Professor Hemlock?" she inquired in a polite manner that made both Ixen and Vince suspicious in a matter of seconds. "How many Pokédexs do you have?"
Professor Hemlock, who was at that moment looking over her worksheets, looked back at Hannah with a raised eyebrow. "I have the usual eighteen set up for the new trainers as well as a few extra in case of certain circumstances."
Ixen gaped in shock; she wasn't actually thinking of…
"I have a favour to ask," Hannah continued. "My friend, Ixen here, she's also coming with us on a journey. The reason she didn't apply like us is because of her Bagon, but it'd mean so much to her - and to us - if she could have a Pokédex too."
Professor Hemlock looked away from Hannah and set her gaze on Ixen. "Would you like a Pokédex?"
Ixen faltered, suddenly being put in the spotlight was not her forte. "U-um…it-it would help me a lot. I want to learn more about Pokémon, and about Bagon too. I've not always been fond of Pokémon, but we live among side them no matter what we do. Because of that, I'd like to help discover more things about them with Hannah and Vince." Bagon began to shift in her arms.
:Ixen is a good human,: Bagon growled at Professor Hemlock despite the woman not being able to understand him. :Ixen is like her friends - she works hard!: Ixen almost cried at Bagon's appeal.
Professor Hemlock watched the little dragon curiously before deciding. She stood and unlocked a cabinet that the trio hadn't seen was there, and saw her pull out a Pokédex along with a box of Poké Balls. She approached Ixen with the two items, and once Ixen put Bagon down, she handed them over to the blacknette. Ixen couldn't believe she was receiving a Pokédex. She couldn't believe she was really going on a journey with her own Pokémon. She couldn't stop herself from smiling brightly when she flipped open her Pokédex. Balancing the box of Poké Balls in her arm; Ixen ran her finger along the bottom screen before holding the Pokédex out to Bagon.
:Is it my turn?: Bagon asked, and Ixen grinned at him as the red device scanned his form. Bagon appeared up on the top screen before his hologram was projected.
"Bagon - the Rock Head Pokémon. Dreaming of one day flying, it practices by leaping off cliffs every day. This particular Bagon knows Bite, Leer and Headbutt." Once the Pokédex's voice ended Bagon's hologram disappeared.
Ixen looked at Vince in surprise. "You were right! About Bagon, I mean."
"Of course I was right," Vince retorted, looking almost offended. "Did you think I said that only to stop you from worrying?"
Ixen said nothing to that. She knew he hadn't said it for that reason, but it finally came as a surprise to her when she realised how knowledgeable Vince really was. She and Hannah were lucky he was going to be travelling with them.
Ixen put her Pokédex away before opening the box of Poké Balls. To her surprise, there were six red and white capsules instead of five. She looked back at Professor Hemlock with confusion, not surprised in the slightest to see the ginger grinning at her.
"I assume Bagon hasn't got a Poké Ball, am I right?"
Ixen gave her a grateful smile while Bagon narrowed his eyes. :There's no way I'm getting in that tiny ball. I refuse to do it. Ixen, don't give me that look, I'm not getting in it.:
Bagon continued to refuse to get in the Poké Ball when they left the lab. His stubborn refusal continued when they caught a bus back to Waterwick Town, and even when they had gotten back home. By the time Bagon finally relented, it was night time. Ixen had managed to convince the little dragon that anyone could catch him if he didn't get in the Poké Ball just once, and that truth seemed to do the trick. She watched as Bagon was sucked into the capsule in a flash of light before it began to wobble back and forth until the white button flashed, signalling Bagon was officially her partner.
She hastily let him out. :What was it like?:
:Strange, but comfortable,: Bagon told her before jumping onto her bed.
:Does that mean you'll go in it if need be?:
Bagon settled down into the duvet before glancing at the blacknette. :If need be.:
Ixen laughed and placed his Poké Ball on her desk before pulling back her part of the duvet and settling down. Bagon let out a great yawn, both of them tired after such a long day. In a matter of minutes they were both asleep, dreaming of the adventure that was waiting for them.
So what did you guys think of Lily and Luke? I have a feeling people might not like Lily due to her first…appearance. Don't worry, she redeems herself later.
There is a back story to how the Trio met. It'll be revealed at the same time Ixen reveals why she's scared of Pokémon. This'll be some time in few chapters, sorry if this bugs you. I've planned a good number of the chapters out, and that's where I could really fit it where it'd make sense. You'll understand when you read it.
Feel free to leave a review, I'd love to read it!
Dolan
