"Alright, i think this is far enough." Mike spoke up when they found a decent spot in the grass.
"Are you sure we can't travel any farther?" Malina asked.
"Not if you want to be wandering around in the dark, it's already sunset, it's going to be dark once i get the tent set up, plus i'm already exhausted from walking so far." Mike replied.
"So am i, but i can muster a few more miles." Malina replied.
Mike just smiled. "Don't worry we'll get to the city tomorrow."
Malina sighed. "I know, but i just want to get to the next city so bad, i don't want to lose this streak i'm on."
Mike laughed as he pulled out the tent set. "Malina, i know your excited about your progress today, i mean, we did get through 3 rattata's, and a pidgey today. But you still need to rest. Don't want to over-train yourself."
"I know, but..."
"No buts, were stopping for today." Mike smiled.
"Fine, but can you at least set up the campfire first?" Malina asked.
Mike looked at the tent set. "That probably would be wiser, would be hard to set up a tent and campfire in the dark." Mike replied.
After some quick searching, Mike and Malina found a decent amount of sticks to use for the fire, using an old technique Mike learned, Mike lit the fires by rubbing two sticks. By this time night had fallen, and Mike hadn't even started on the tent.
As mike started setting up the tent, he noticed Malina staring into the fire with an almost life-less look on her face. "Something wrong?" Mike asked as he continued to set up the tent.
Malina snapped back to reality. "Oh, uh, it's nothing, just thinking." Malina replied.
"About what?" Mike asked. "The journey again?"
"No, just something i remembered." Malina replied.
"Like what?" Mike asked.
"Just a memory... I'd rather not talk about." Malina replied. Mike looked back at Malina. "It's just really personal that's all."
Mike looked at her for a couple more seconds before returning to the tent. "So, i guess your probably hungry?" Mike asked trying to lighten the mood.
Malina kept staring into the fire before replying. "I could eat something."
Mike eventually finished setting up the tent and was now looking through his backpack to see what there was to eat. "Looks like it's going to be canned food tonight." Mike replied pulling out a can of soup."
"Is that the same soup you served last time?" She asked.
"No, it's chicken-noodle, but i do think you will like it." Mike replied pulling out a can opener.
"So, how is it having posable thumbs?" Malina asked.
"It's nice, i guess, why do you ask?" Mike asked.
"I just see you use them all the time, and i can't help but think how it would be if i had them, would probably make my life a lot easier." She commented.
Mike just smiled. "Just because i have thumbs doesn't mean my life is easier, i mean, look at your kind, you have all kinds of powers you can use, heck, if anything, we humans have it hard."
Malina let out a small laugh. "I wish it was that way." She replied.
"So, the absols of your old clan." Mike began. "How come they were so mean to you, i mean sure, you weren't the best, but didn't you have one friend?"
"No, in my clan it's every pokemon for themselves, if you lost your parents you were out of luck. Growing up i had no one to be my mentor." Malina replied.
"Not even one of the other absols?" Mike asked.
"No, each family had their own way of hunting or making a nest, i wasn't allowed to learn other pokemon's ways, just the way my parents would have." She replied.
"Well that's dumb." Mike commented.
"It's my clan." She replied.
Mike and Malina were quiet for a couple minutes, only the sound of the fire crackling in the air.
"You know, i am proud of you today." Mike spoke up. Malina looked up at him. "You finally
learned sword dance, meaning you finally have come to believe in yourself. That alone can get you far."
"Maybe." She replied, looking away.
"I'm telling the truth, i mean, i should know, i had a crisis in my life before. I felt like no one believed in me, that i was just nothing." Mike replied.
"What do you mean?" Malina asked, looking back at him.
"Well, a long while ago, i had been down on my luck, my grades had fallen, my friends didn't want to play with me, my parents were having a rough spot in their relationship. I wasn't exactly a happy kid at the time, but i still pulled through the day. I forced myself to believe that the day was going to be different, even when i knew it wasn't. Eventually, i no longer had to force myself to believe the day was different. I just naturally believed it, over time, the day's did start becoming different, naturally things picked up for me again." Mike replied.
"Well, your's was only probably a couple weeks, mine i've has to deal with for my whole life. It's not going to be as easy for me." Malina replied.
Mike looked at Malina for a few moments. "Malina, why don't you come over here for a second?" He asked calmly, waving her over. Malina hesitantly went over to mike, Mike put his arms around her and brought her close to him. "I understand your life was hard before, but that was the past. You no longer have to be negative about anything, i'm here and i'm going to help you through the, we stick together and i'm not going to abandon you." He softly spoke.
"You're never going to abandon me? Promise?" Malina asked.
"Of course, why would i do that to to BAFF?" He asked.
"BAFF?" Malina asked.
"Best Absol Friend Forever." Mike replied
Malina laughed a little. "That's a silly acronym." She replied.
"Well were all a little silly." Mike chuckled.
Malina kept her head on Mike's chest, smiling. She felt like today had been her best day in years. "Who knows, maybe i can let it go." She thought. "I mean, i am starting a new life, so what's the point in holding on to the old one, not like there was anything i liked about it anyway." Malina let out a relaxed sigh. "I guess mike's right, i really don't have anything to worry about."
Josh pulled the truck up in front of his house. Making sure to turn off the engine and roll up the window. It was nighttime now, so Martha was sure to be asleep. Josh looked over and saw snivy Curled up under his jacket, he smiled. She had fallen asleep on the way back home, from the way she was sleeping, she looked like she hadn't slept in years, out like a light. Josh curled the jacket around Snivy and picked her up off the seat. Opening his door, a squeak filled the air for second.
"Shoot, forgot to put oil on the hinges." Josh thought.
"Are we home?" He heard a tired voice ask. Josh looked down and saw Snivy rubbing her eyes.
"Yeah, we're home. Be sure to be quiet, we don't want to wale Martha." He replied. Even if she was asleep, Josh knew she would wake easily. So being quiet was a must at this point.
Snivy let out a yawn. "If the lady finds out i'm here, your not going to give me to her right?" The snivy asked drowsily.
Josh was quiet for a second. "I'll try." Was the best he could reply with.
Josh walked up to the front door and unlocked it slowly, josh opened the door and checked around the dark room. "So far, so good." He thought entering the house.
Josh made his way to the living room slowly tiptoeing through the door way to the kitchen. Josh slowly made his way to the corridor leading to his study, making sure to avoid all the creaky spots in the floor boards. Josh walked up to his study and turned the knob.
"Josh, is that you?" Martha spoke up, flicking on the lights. She was in a robe and rubbing her eyes.
Not good.
"Uh, yes." Josh replied, holding Snivy close to his chest as he turned his back to her.
"Ok, i heard your door squeak outside and i had to make sure it was you. What are you holding?" She asked suddenly noticing Josh had his arms around something.
Josh gulped. "Just my coat." He replied nervously.
"Really, i thought it was hot enough to not need a coat." She replied drowsily.
"Well, i heard it was supposed to get cold tonight so i took it with me anyway." He replied nervously, when in reality he had left it in his truck yesterday.
"Well, it's probably dirty, let me wash it and i can have it ready by thursday." She yawned, reaching for the jacket.
Before Josh could retaliate, martha spun him around, it took her seconds to recognize the familiar pokemon's head poking from up top josh's jacket.
She was far from drowsy now.
"What is that pokemon doing here!" Martha yelled, startling the snivy.
Josh stammered, how was he going to explain this to Martha without it sounding like he was in on the plan."s-she was in the p-pokeball i-in my study, i had no idea how she got there." Josh replied, trying to act innocent.
"But why is she in YOUR hands, i figured you would have gone to return her to Mike?" She asked angrily.
"Well, Mike made his decision, and if he didn't want the Snivy, then i wasn't going to force it on him." Josh replied, standing up to Martha.
"It doesn't matter what he thinks, that Snivy should be with him, now give her to me." Martha replied reaching out for her.
"No!" The snivy cried out, clinging to Josh's shirt, making Martha jump in surprise. "I don't want to go back to the mean lady, i want to stay with you, please don't give me back to her!" The snivy begged.
"Whether you like it or not, your mine, now give her to me." Martha ordered, reaching for the snivy again.
"Correction, she's mine." Josh replied, pulling Snivy out of her reach.
Martha grew angrier. "How so!" She shouted.
"You bought this Snivy at a farm, you bought this snivy with money, from MY account." He replied.
"But the Snivy's in MY name." Martha replied.
"But you bought it with MY money, without MY knowing." He replied.
Martha growled and stomped back into her room. "Feel free to sleep on the couch!" She yelled as she slammed the door.
Josh stood in the doorway for a few minutes, a grin was across his face. It wasn't until he flet something wet on his chest that he looked down. Josh saw tears in the Snivy's eyes. "Hey, what's wrong?" He asked.
"I-i'm scared." She replied in a shaky voice.
Josh rubbed the Snivy's head. "Don't worry, i'm sure Martha will leave you alone, i'll make sure she does." Josh replied.
"Promise?" Snivy asked.
Josh smiled. "Promise."
Josh walked to the living room with Snivy still in his hands. Laying down on the couch, he laid Snivy on top of his chest. Josh stroked the Snivy's head, in an attempt to coax her to sleep.
Snivy eventually started giving into her need for sleep. "Who's mike?" The Snviy asked drowsily.
Josh looked down at the Snivy. "He's my son, he went for a pokemon journey shortly after i discovered you." Josh replied.
"Is he like the lady?" Snivy asked.
Josh laughed a little. "Not really, he's really nice. From what he told me, he saved an absol from starving."
Snivy was quiet for a moment. Josh was sure she was asleep. "If you wouldn't mind, could i call you Daddy?" She spoke up.
Josh looked down. He gave the Snivy a quick on the head. "I wouldn't mind at all." He replied.
Snivy snuggled closer into Josh's chest. "Thanks Daddy." She replied.
Day broke through Mike's tent, signifying it was time to get up. Mike, however was out cold, he hadn't been in a deeper sleep. Malina on the other hand was wide awake, she had hardly been able to sleep through the whole night.
"Mike." She called, nudging him with her horn. He didn't budge. "Mike." She called out again, nudging him harder, he still didn't move. Malina let out a groan. "Were never going to get to the city." She complained. Malina paced the tent a bit before getting a idea. The Tent had very little light coming through, considering the windows were blocked off with flaps, maybe the tent just needed more light. Since Malina couldn't push the flaps up, she had a better idea. Going to the front of the tent, she bit down on the zipper that opened the tent. Malina pulled up as far as she could. There still wasn't enough light coming through. Grabbing the flaps that weren't zipped up, Malina tugged. Opening a little more light into the tent. Malina tugged more and more until finally she was able to get the Tent door open enough to shine right in Mike's face.
"Huh, what?" Mike asked groggily as he covered his eyes from the bright sun light.
"Morning." Malina greeted cheerfully.
"What time is it?" Mike asked.
"Time enough, that we should be getting a move on to the next city." She replied, trying to edge him out of his sleeping bag.
Mike let out a weak laugh. "Alright, but let me get out of my pajamas first, and let's at least get breakfast before we leave." He replied. "Why don't you go outside and practice on a tree, while i get dressed?" He asked.
"Alright, but you better be quick, i don't want to miss a chance at the gym." She replied as she left the tent.
"And i thought i was excited for this trip." Mike laughed to himself.
Malina paced around outside the tent while she waited for Mike to get dressed. "I really wish he would hurry." She thought. "We have to get to the next gym... Come to think of it, what kind of gym are we facing anyway?" She thought. Malina had been in such a rush to get to the next city, she never asked what kind of pokemon she would be up against. "What if it's dark or steel types?" She thought. Malina mentally slapped herself. "Calm yourself, you have Mike, he can help you through this."
"Malina?" She heard Mike called from the tent.
"Yes?" She asked.
"Have you seen my cap, i can't find it?" Mike asked.
"No, I haven't." Malina replied. She heard Mike groan.
"Where is it, i thought i put it in my backpack?" He thought out loud.
"Is it really that important?" Malina asked.
"Ugh, Fine, i'll find it later." Mike replied. The front flap unzipped and Mike stepped out into the daylight, covering his eyes to better adjust with the sudden brightness.
"Are we set to go?" Malina asked as Mike finished packing up the tent.
"Almost. If you want to help you can help me pack up the cooking material from breakfast." Mike replied.
"Alright." Malina replied, walking over to the campfire which had been used for breakfast. Malina grabbed the pot by one of it's handles and started to drag it back to Mike. Malina suddenly stopped and her head shot up. For a second she was sure she saw something. Malina stared into the forest a little bit more, trying to see what she saw.
"Everything alright Malina?" Mike asked.
Malina looked back at Mike. "Epheryphing.." Malina spit the pot out of her mouth. "Everything's fine." She replied. "Just a little paranoid i guess." She replied, grabbing the pot again. Malina once again started to drag the pot back to Mike again. This time Malina was sure she heard something. Malina acted like she heard nothing but scanned the area. Her eyes grazed the bushes until she saw two tufts of fur barely rising over one of the bushes. One white, one red.
Malina dropped the pot. "Mike." Malina called silently.
"Yeah?" Mike called back.
"Were not alone." Malina replied.
"What do you mean?" Mike asked.
Before Mike could get an answer, a figure burst from the bushes. Charging at Malina. It was mostly white with red tipped hands, and a red right ear. Not to mention the long claws it had, which were swinging right at Malina. Malina rolled out of the way as one of the claws ran across the surface of her fur. Mike shot up and was ready to help Malina. The creature charged Malina again with it's claws rearing to go.
"Malina, block it." Mike ordered.
Malina angled her horn so that she could intercept the attack. But the creatures spun around her. Malina had no time to react as she felt a sharp sting in the side of her body, she was thrown off her feet. Landing only a short distance away and rolling over. Malina got to her feet as fast as she could. The pain in her side started burning.
The creatures charged again.
"Malina, this time try tackling." Mike ordered.
Malina charged the creature this time aiming for the creature's feet. When Malina closed in on the creature, she angled her horn downwards, in an attempt to trip the creature. The creature however jumped over Malina's horn. A sharp rang through Malina's spine as the creature dug it's claws into Malina's back. Malina fell over on the ground. Malina struggled to get back to her feet. She could feel her strength starting to sink away. The creature charged once more. Malian wasn't sure what to do, and Mike wasn't giving her orders. The creature neared Malina. As the creature closed the distance between them, a sudden spherical object flew over Malina's horn, bouncing on creature's head and engulfing it in a sudden red beam.
"Quick eat this." Mike ordered rushing to Malina.
Malina saw a peculiar blue berry in Mike's hand.
"Where did you get this?" Malina asked.
"Back when we were in your home forest, just eat it quick." Mike quickly explained.
Malina quickly ate the berry, and felt some of the pain in her body ease up. Mike ran back as the creature escaped from it's spherical prison.
"Malina, tackle now." Mike ordered.
Malina this time took the first attack and charged the creature. The creature readied it's claws to absorb the blow. Malina knew she wouldn't have a chance like this again and needed to be as precise as she could. Malina waited until she was within a close distant of the creature. Malina then dropped to her stomach and slid under the creature, tripping it. The creature let out a surprised, grunt as it fell to the ground.
"Malina, tackle again." Mike quickly ordered.
Malina got on her paws again and quickly spun around to hit the creature from behind. The creature had gotten on one of it's knees before it got slammed in the back with Malina's horn.
The creature fell to it's stomach again.
"One more time, tackle again." Mike ordered.
Malina turned around to tackle but was met with a surprise.
"I surrender!" The creature yelled. It sounded female.
Malina skidded to a halt a few inches away from the creature. "What do you mean?" Malina asked.
"I give, i'm done, i don't want to fight anymore." The creature replied.
Malina stared at the creature. "What exactly are you anyway?" Malina asked.
"Zangoose, the Cat Ferret Pokémon. Zangoose have battled against Seviper for many generations, and their sharp claws are their best weapons." A sudden robotic voice informed.
Malina looked back and saw Mike pointing the pokedex in the Zangoose's directions.
"Have to admit, i've never seen one of you in the forest where i grew up." Malina said as she looked back at the zangoose.
"Well i'm not exactly supposed to be in this area." Zangoose replied.
"Why, is it outside of your pack?" Malina asked.
The Zangoose let out a scoff. "Pack, who needs them. I'm my own pokemon, i can do whatever i want by myself."
"Don't you get lonely?" Malina asked in a worried tone.
"Oh please, only weakling get lonely." The zangoose replied with finger quotes on the word "lonely".
"Clearly you have had had a moment when you've been scared and needed comfort, right?" Malina asked.
"Me, scared. HAH! The only people who could possibly get scared are scaredy ca-." The Zangoose's sentence was cut off as she was absorbed in a bright red light. During their conversation, the Zangoose had failed to notice the human boy sneaking up behind her with a pokeball.
"Nice distraction." Mike smiled.
Malina smiled back. "So is she apart of our team yet?" Malina asked.
"Let's see." Mike replied looking at the pokeball.
It shook once.
Twice.
The third time.
*click*
Mike let out a cheer as he realized he had caught his second pokemon. "Looks like you have a new friend." Mike informed.
"Either that or a really grumpy teammate." Malina replied.
"She might be mad for a while, but she's bound to get used to us eventually." Mike replied.
Mike popped open the pokeball. The Zangoose reformed after a burst of white light. She did NOT look happy.
"Release me, NOW!" She ordered.
"Sorry, but as your trainer, i plan on helping you." Mike replied.
"I can help myself, release me now, or i swear to Arceus, your face will look like something out of a nightmare once i'm done with you!" She shouted.
"Can't you at least give us a chance?" Malina asked.
"What do you mean, give you a chance, you just beat me up and now your holding me as a hostage, i don't think you deserve a chance." The zangoose replied angrily.
"No, no, no, you have it all wrong, were here to help, were not holding you hostage." Malina insisted.
"And i already told you, i can help myself. Release me now or so help me Arceus-" zangoose was once again cut off as she was absorbed in a red beam again.
"We might want to give her a while." Mike advised.
"Agreed." Malina replied.
Mike and Malina finished setting up the camp and were heading back towards the road.
"So how long do you think we should give her to cool down?" Malina asked.
"At least until we get to the Inn in the next city." Mike replied.
"Oh... Do you think we can really be friends, she seems a bit... Aggressive?" Malina asked.
"Don't worry, i'm sure you guys can find at least one thing both of you like, thats that thing you just need to try in order to make friends with someone." Mike replied.
"That is if she doesn't kill me first." Malina replied.
Mike laughed a little. "I'm sure she's not THAT aggressive." Mike replied.
"I don't know..." Malina replied.
"Don't worry, she will just need some time to adjust to being in the team, i'm sure after a while she will calm down and come to accept us." Mike advised.
"If you say so, you're the trainer." Malina replied.
Mike had a smug look on his face. "Let's just hope the zangoose will think that way too." Mike replied.
to be continued...
Thank arceus i finally got this done, after the wipe of my pages app, i had to do this all from scrap again, but hopefully that won't happen again. For now, enjoy the new story, hope you guys have a great week see ya later.
