Okay, a few weeks since the last chapter… Maybe longer. But it's been a while, that's the point. Now, I tried to post this earlier today, the tenth of February, but I couldn't log in… Or get to the login screen. So, I'm ticked about that already. If I have to post this on a Saturday because of this, or in longer than a week, I'm going to be quite angry.
That said, I like this chapter, and am happy to post it… Whenever I finally do. I hope you all like it as well. Introducing a new character, starting a subplot, it's going to be a good chapter, I hope.
Disclaimer: I, Lord Genesis Shadow, do not own the rights to Pokémon. Thank you for your time.
…
"Angel, wake up." Johnny said quickly. "Wake up." I rolled over and put my pillow over my head. "Angel, we're going to be late."
"Late for what?" I asked tiredly. "My lessons? We're in Sinnoh."
"Yes, that's right." He said calmly. "We're in Sinnoh, in Oreburgh! We're going to be late for the Gym battle!" I opened my eyes and teleported into the bathroom, where my normal clothes were waiting on the door peg. I rapidly took off my pajamas and pulled on my shirt and pants. The shoes followed, along with my sunglasses. "Angel, don't fall over in there. Be careful."
"Don't worry, I'll be…" I started. "F-fine!" I slipped a little but managed to put my foot down. "I'm cool, I'm cool. I'm alright." I cleared my throat and pulled on my gloves as my shoelaces moved to tie themselves. "Johnny, did you get my backpack ready?"
"I did." He said. "I've got it in my hand." I heard a noise and he laughed. "Penny, when did you get in there?" I opened the door and walked out to see Penny sticking her head out of the bag, and I smiled as she looked at me. "I guess this should make it easier to carry her." He gently stroked her head and she closed her eyes. When he stopped she looked at me as I walked over and turned. He put the pack on my shoulder and I looked back to see her looking at me. I reached back and scratched her chin, making her smile again. "We should get going soon."
"Yeah, we have to get in before anyone else does." I said. "That nap sure went by fast though." He laughed as we walked out of the room.
"Oh, you're leaving so soon?" Nurse Joy asked. I nodded.
"We have a Gym battle with Roark." I said.
"Well, you should know that, your father has news for you." She said. I looked at her. "He will tell you later. Don't worry about it for now. Go ahead and beat Roark. Your friend won rather handily, thanks to Elizabeth. I can't imagine how you could lose with such a strong, and handsome, Gallade." I felt Johnny's embarrassment at her comment, and I knew he was blushing as red as his eyes.
"Thank you." He said quietly. He cleared his throat. "We should hurry. Hopefully we'll get there before anyone else." I laughed as Penny set her head on my shoulder. I reached back and gently rubbed her head and she groaned contentedly.
"Here is the keycard to the room." I said. I handed it to her and she nodded. "Thanks again."
"You're welcome, Miss Alastor." She said quietly. I smiled as I turned and walked over to Johnny. Together, we walked out and turned down the path that led to the Gym.
"This should be interesting." Johnny said. "I wonder how we'll measure up to your father." I laughed quietly.
"We probably won't be too close just yet." I said. "Don't forget, he's been training with mom for over four years, and he studied for ten years before that. He's a lot better than we are, for now. One day though, we're going to be just as good as he is, maybe better."
"I know we will." He said. "I'm going to train as hard as I can. I won't let you down." I smiled and felt Penny tapping my shoulder, so I looked at her.
"Me too." She said. "I'm gonna be really strong, so I can keep up with Mr. Johnny." Johnny laughed.
"Please, just call me Johnny." He said. We all laughed as we reached the door. We stopped for a moment as I looked up at it. "So, is the whole door thing going to run in the family?" I thought for a moment about the door and shrugged.
"Nope." I said simply. "It's a big door. It's there to let people in and out, and keep bad weather outside. That's pretty much why doors exist, so, that's why they're there. Why they're big, I have no idea, but I don't think it's some big mystery. Gene's just letting his curiosity get the better of him." I looked at him and after a second we laughed. "Come on, better get in and put your training to the test before someone beats us to it." He nodded as we turned to the door, and he opened it as we walked forward. When we got in, we saw Roarke standing at the other side, his back turned, with a book in one hand and a pickaxe in the other. I waited for a moment before I softly cleared my throat. "Excuse me, Mr. Roarke? I'm here for our match." He turned and smiled as he closed the book.
"You're right on time." He said. "I was just checking the mining statistics for the week." He put the book back and set the pick on the ground. "So, one on one, or two?" I looked back and Penny somewhat went into the backpack. I felt that she was shy, so I smiled and rubbed her head.
"Penny's feeling a bit shy." I said as I looked over. "I guess one on one for now." He nodded and pulled out a Pokéball. He opened it toward the field as Johnny walked forward, stretching his arms. "Good luck."
"To you as well." He said as his Cranidos appeared. "We've trained hard since the last few challengers."
"Like Mr. Alastor?" I asked. He laughed.
"He beat us pretty good." He said. "He had a blue Gardevoir, and I knew we were going to lose. Everyone's heard about how he beat Sabrina on an even playing field back when she was just, brutal…"
"Was?" Johnny asked.
"Turned out she was obsessed with her powers from childhood." He said. "Her psychic powers were so strong she turned her mother into a doll, until a kid came by and managed to change her… I think he had a Haunter with him that made her laugh, which fixed her spirit." He laughed. "That's what I've heard, anyway." I smiled slightly. "But we should get started. I know he looks strong, but looks aren't everything. After all, Mr. Alastor's Gardevoir looked pretty much harmless, and she picked up my Onix like he was made out of feathers." I nodded as a referee walked onto the field.
"If everyone is ready." He said. Johnny and I nodded together as Roarke smiled. "Begin!"
"Let's do this quick Johnny." I said. "TP, PC, then CC."
"Hit him with…" Roarke started to say. Johnny vanished and reappeared in front of Cranidos and swung his right blade, leaving a long pink cut along its chest. Cranidos staggered before Johnny launched into a rapid barrage of punches that I could only just follow, and that was by letting my eyes go out of focus to follow the blur just enough to catch sight of his fists as they struck. Roarke put his hands to his chest as Johnny delivered one last uppercut that threw Cranidos to the ground a few feet away. "Oh, why do I keep underestimating Psychic types?" He laughed as Johnny appeared near me, and I hugged him.
"Great job Johnny." I said happily. Roarke sighed as he recalled Cranidos.
"At least Gene showed a little mercy." He said with a laugh. "You must be in a hurry."
"Mr. Alastor is a friend of ours." I said as I stepped away from Johnny. "He has two badges already, and I want to try to catch a few Pokémon before we try our hand at fighting Gardenia. I want to catch a Fire type so I can train some friends." I rubbed the back of my head as he walked over with the badge. "I want to catch up and see him off from Eterna City. He'll wait a few days, but he'll still want to go soon." He laughed as he gave me the badge.
"Say hi for me." He said. He turned to Johnny and held out his hand. "Nice meeting you both. Good luck." Johnny shook his hand.
"Thanks." We said. We laughed as I opened my badge case and put it in, smiling.
…
I put the phone to my ears and smiled as we walked, one hand in my pocket while Johnny carried my backpack, but to our surprise, Penny was riding on his shoulder, biting down just enough to hold on. It was definitely something we didn't expect, but it was funny to see. After a few seconds, the line didn't pick up, and I blinked before trying it again.
"Is something wrong?" Johnny asked.
"They didn't pick up." I said. "The only reason my dad wouldn't… Pick up…" The line rang and went to his messages and I blushed. "Uh, maybe I don't want him to answer." He laughed and I shook my head. I definitely did not want that image in my head.
"Hello, you've reached the voicemail of Gene Alastor." His voice said. "I'm more than likely out training with my friends, busy with a conference call, or I might be taking a shower. It's anyone's guess, but please, leave a message and I'll get back to you as soon as I possibly can. Ciao." It beeped and I laughed.
"Hey Gene, it's Angel." I said. "I'm on my way to Eterna by way of the forest. I'll be there as quick as I can, but I need to make a few new friends. Johnny was great, and he took down Cranidos in three hits. I think he'd give you a run for your money… Maybe." I giggled. "Penny's doing fine. She's currently latched onto Johnny's shoulder with her jaws. It's really cute." Johnny laughed. "So, uh, we're on our way. Say hi to Liz for me. And you two…" I grinned. "Grow up! You're like teenagers!" I hit the end button and laughed while Johnny sputtered a laugh.
"Angel, don't get them in trouble." He said.
"Come on, that could mean anything." I said. "I could have been talking about jumping on the bed or leaving their things on the floor." We laughed as we approached the forest. "So, I wonder what kind of new friend we'll make in here."
"Hopefully a good fire type friend." He said. "We should probably do a two on two in that case. I'll be glad to see how Gene's friend fights firsthand."
"Well, just don't get cocky." I said. "You know not to overdo it. In fact, I might ask for a one on one just to teach you a lesson." He looked at me and I pointed at him. "Don't give me those Growlithe eyes. They won't work this time." He sniffed quietly and I playfully crossed my arms and looked away. "No. You have to prove you can be serious." He sighed.
"Fine, I'll take it seriously." He said. "I mean, your f-friends, take Gardenia seriously. I will too." That was close. Even if it was only Penny, dad told us to make absolutely sure not to let my nature be known unless the one we told could be really trusted. She was still young, and we barely knew her. We needed to make sure she understood just what the problem would be. "Hey, look." I looked at him and he pointed, so I followed his finger and I saw a Lopunny watching us.
"Oh, so cute…" I said quietly. "I wonder if it's a boy or a girl."
"Boy." He said. "Trust me, I can tell by the way he's eyeing you." I blushed and looked at him.
"Are you sure she isn't eyeing you?" I asked. "Well, could still be a he." He laughed nervously.
"And it could be a she watching you." He said. We laughed as we stopped. "So, think that'd be a good spar for me?"
"No." I said. "If we fought every wild Pokémon we met, it'd be pointless, and it'd waste time. Let's get through and meet up with Gene… After, you know, we find a new friend to help against Gardenia." Penny shook so I gently picked her up and she looked at me. "What is it Penny?"
"Staravia." She said. I looked as she pointed. "They're good against grass." I nodded and smiled as the bird flapped its wings and swooped down, grabbing a worm from the ground and eating it as it landed on a tree. I went to walk when I felt a strange but familiar emotion. I looked at the Lopunny as it slowly walked out.
"Uh, Johnny, what's, that emotion?" I asked. "I, felt that around, my parents…"
"That, would be love." He said. "And, judging by the way the Lopunny is walking… I'd guess, female after all." She walked closer and reached her hand out and touched my shoulder.
"You, look human…" She said softly. I blushed deeply.
"I, I am." I said. I cleared my throat. "I'm sorry, but…" She leaned in and I stepped back. "I'm sorry, but I have to be somewhere, and, I want to try to befriend that, Staravia." I stepped back a little more as she got closer.
"Could I, be your friend?" She asked. Johnny laughed as he slowly took Penny.
"How about I ask the Staravia, while you uh, get acquainted?" He suggested. I moved back slightly more.
"Y-you seem like a, very nice Lopunny…" I said. "But, I, I don't, think we're, that compatible." She slowly put her hands to her chest. "I, I'm sorry." She lowered her head.
"Well, if you ever change your mind, I will be here." She said. "Even, if all I could be is a friend…" I cleared my throat but before I spoke I had a thought.
"W-well…" I said quietly. "Do you, know what a Gym is?" She nodded.
"Yes, humans have friendly battles with their Pokémon." She said. "To see who can train their friends to be the strongest." I slowly reached for a Pokéball. "I admit, that I am not very strong, but, I could learn… Perhaps, from this, strong Gallade?" I felt his embarrassment as I held the ball out. Dad had Melody, so, I could have a Lopunny… A very amorous one, but, hopefully she'd just settle for having friends and not mates.
"W-welcome to the team." I said. She smiled and touched it, and my hand. "Friend." She giggled as the light enveloped her. The ball didn't even shake, but before I could release her it opened and she smiled. "Oh, cool. You found the release lever quickly."
"I have been caught before." She said. "My, previous trainer thought I wouldn't be as happy away from my friends, and he was right, but, now I want to see if I can help you… My new friends." I smiled and put the ball on my belt, and she suddenly hugged me, making me yelp.
"Uh, uh, y-yeah, friends…" I said. I slowly returned the hug and she nuzzled my neck. "Oh boy, what have I done?" She giggled as Johnny laughed.
"You've made us a new friend." He said. "A very friendly Lopunny." She let go of me and quickly hugged him, making Penny nearly fall, but she managed to hold onto his arm with a quick bite, making him yelp as well while I laughed. "Uh, I'm, Johnny."
"And I'm Angel." I said. She let go of him and he carefully put Penny in the backpack again. "That's Penny."
"Do I get a name?" She asked. I looked at her and thought for a second, and I smiled.
"Harmony." I said. She smiled.
"Harmony…" She repeated softly. "I like it."
"It fits." Johnny said. "You're in harmony with us." She hugged him again and he groaned quietly. "Definitely, friendly." I still felt that emotion from her, but it was definitely less powerful now. Maybe, she had been infatuated, and might still be with Johnny, but hopefully she'd keep it under control, especially in the different towns and cities.
…
I stretched as we walked into the town, and I saw my dad stretching his arms as mom held Max in a small blanket with a bottle to his mouth. I felt a little jealous at first, but I knew she missed out on a lot thanks to my aging speed. Harmony was latched onto Johnny's arm much the way mom usually held onto dad, but Harmony was practically stuck to him like someone had put glue on him and she was now permanently stuck to him.
"Hey Gene!" I called. He turned and smiled before laughing while mom giggled softly. The little Riolu looked as he let go of the bottle.
"Yo." He said as we got closer. "Johnny, I see you made a new friend." Johnny laughed nervously.
"Yes, we did." He said. "This is Harmony." Melody giggled as dad smirked.
"Taking a leaf out of my book?" He asked. I laughed as he picked Melody up, and Drake moved onto his shoulder. "Well, it's nice to meet you, Harmony. I'm Gene, Angel's friend." He rubbed Melody's head, making the little Buneary swat playfully at his hands. "This is Melody. No doubt Angel thought of your name while thinking of her." Harmony's emotion once more had a loving feel to it, but mom stepped forward slightly. "This is Liz, my best friend. Angel's a good friend, but no one beats my partner for that title." Mom smiled as Max began drinking his formula again. "And this little blue fellow is Max, her adopted son." Max stopped and looked at him.
"Jerk." He said. I snickered as mom laughed quietly.
"That's his favorite word, and the only thing he calls me." He said. He nodded to Drake. "And this is my shoulder warmer, Drake." Drake patted his shoulder as he adjusted the wheat straw in his mouth.
"It's nice to meet you all." Harmony said. "You, are very handsome, Mr. Gene." Dad laughed quietly.
"Thank you." He said.
"And, you are very pretty, Liz." She said softly. Mom blushed deeper.
"As are you." She said. "So, I take it you and Johnny…" Johnny cleared his throat.
"She's, very friendly." He said. "Affectionate." Melody giggled.
"M-most Lopunny, are." She said. Harmony let go of Johnny and hugged my dad, sparking more jealousy from mom, but Melody giggled.
"It's nice to meet you, Harmony." Dad said. She moved over and hugged mom carefully, making the jealous feeling vanish instantly, and it was replaced by a little happiness. She loved making friends.
"Say, I think I left something in the room." Dad said. He knelt and set Drake and Melody down. "Angel, can you help me look for it real quick? Let's let the others get acquainted for a bit with Harmony." I nodded and we teleported to the room. As he sat on the edge of the bed, he cleared his throat. "So, Harmony seems, nice." I blushed.
"Uh, yeah." I said. "She's really friendly… Kind of, affectionate." He laughed and nodded.
"So I noticed." He said. "She hugged me like she's known me for years, and I could tell Liz was a little jealous."
"Well, Melody said it's normal, pretty much." I said. He nodded. "Uh, Nurse Joy said you had something to tell me?"
"They found the cure." He said. I gasped. "Really, they've finally cracked it and will have a dose for you on Friday at the latest." I smiled. "No more regular checkups, no more counting four days for each individual day, but, you only get one birthday a year, on your real birthday, not every three months." I giggled quietly.
"It's worth it." I said. I sighed. "This is great news." He nodded. "All those years, er, months, I wondered what you were talking to Nurse Joy about on the phone. When you told me, how different I was…"
"It hurt." He said. "And it hurt us when we found out. But this is a one shot cure that'll let you live a normal life from now on… Apart from the whole being two thirds Gardevoir." I laughed.
"Yeah, that's, that's still there." I said quietly. "But, I mean, I grew up fast… But I knew I'd have a life. Now, that life is going to be so much longer now. Next year, I'll be… Seventeen, not twenty."
"Well, five, as you normally would be anyway, but yeah." He said. I smiled as I sat on the chair behind me. "You grew up faster than I really wished you would. I thought, I mean, it took me twenty four years to get like this, and my little girl took only four to get to." He gestured to me and I blushed. "I would be thirty six if you had grown up like I did… I guess that means I get to be around to see a few milestones happen a lot sooner, but I really do wish I could have given you a real childhood, instead of trying to pack so many years into so few."
"Dad, it's okay." I said. I got up and walked over, sitting by him and putting my hand on his. "You, you really gave me a great childhood. I never, really wanted anything, apart from, well, attention. You gave me so much, I bet most kids would be jealous. You were always there for me, and when you weren't, mom was. I always had someone watching over me, making sure I was happy." I smiled. "I, I'm happy to be your daughter. I grew a little fast, but, I got the best daddy in the world." I hugged him and he laughed quietly as he returned the hug.
"And I got the best daughter I could have ever hoped for." He said. He rubbed my back carefully, avoiding the gem, and he patted my shoulder.