Chapter 6 : The Ties that Bind

Seth's POV

Both Yumi and I were on our way to Cherrygrove City to stock up on useful items on our journey. But suddenly, a familiar voice spoke.

"So, how about that battle you told me you were expecting." The voice called.

I turned toward to direction the voice was coming from and that Dustin was training a Totadile, and a Starly. Chikorita glared at Totadile. I figured the two pokemon lived together at the pokemon lab before they were supposed to be given to their starting trainers.

"Who's that Pokemon?" Yumi grabbed her powder blue Pokedex.

The pokedex read:

Starly, the starling pokemon.

Starly flock around mountains and fields chasing after bug pokemon. Their singing is really noisy and annoying.

"I've never seen that Pokemon before," Yumi said.

"Well, it's from the Sinnoh Region," I said.

"Yeah, both Beth and I are from Sunnyshore City. The number of Pokemon Trainers traveling to other regions have increased over the years. So trainers' Pokemon create offspring, which become wild Pokemon," Dustin said.

"Uh, can you say that again, but in a shorter sentence I can understand," Yumi asked.

"Hey Beth, is your girlfriend really as dumb and annoying as she looks," Dustin asked.

"Are you as dumb and annoying as you look," I retaliated. " That theory about trainers from other regions isn't yours. You just heard it on Professor Oak's radio talk show."

"Why do you always act so smart Beth," Dustin asked.

"It's called reading, you should try it." I answered.

We were all silent for a few seconds before our silence was broken.

"I'm sick of waiting. Are you ready for me to beat you Beth," Dustin asked.

"It'll be the other way around," I replied.

I walked up to the other side of the dirt field Dustin was training on.

"How does one on one sound?" I asked.

Dustin replied by recalling his Starly, implying that Totadile would be he PPokemon he would battle with.

"Then I guess I'll be going with my first as well," I said.

"Chi." Chikorita cried as she proceeded on to the dirt field.

Both Dustin and I proceeded to exchange words before battling.

"You really think you can win with that girly thing Beth," Dustin asked.

"Of course." I replied. "Go Chikorita."

"Hmph. Totadile, go! Use Scratch now," Dustin said.

"Tackle." I called to Chikorita.

The two Pokemon's move collided with each other. However, I was shocked to see Chikorita's full body Tackle was no match for Totadile's Scratch, which only required the use of Totadile's arm.

"Alright Totadile, Water Gun," Dustin said.

"Dodge it! " I said.

Chikorita tried to dodge, but couldn't get it's full body out of the way and ended up getting hit.

"Chico," Chikorita cried as it grew tired.

"What's wrong with Chikorita?" Yumi said.

If I had the missing pieces of my heart, this would be where I panic. I didn't know what was wrong with Chikorita. Is this what 'weak' was? I then remembered.

Flashback-

I had opened my eyes only to be shocked by what I saw. I am in Chikorita's body training with Noah. I didn't know how to battle, and I was about to panic if I got hit anymore.

"Flamethrower Cyndaquil," Noah said.

I didn't want to get hit, so I panicked. I attempted to move out of the way before Noah had given me an order.

"Don't dodge!," Noah yelled.

Despite Noah's command, I could only get part of my body out of Flamethrower's path. I then was hit, knocked down, and struggled to stand up. Noah then scolded me.

"Even though you try to dodge it, you're too slow," Noah said.

I tried to say something, but I'm a Pokemon. Noah wouldn't understand what I was trying to say.

"And to top that off you can't even take a hit without getting knocked flat on your face."

"Chi..." I whited out.

End Flashback

Location: Seth's Heart

" Your heart was put into contact with Chikorita, or what's left of your heart," A voice said.

"...Missingno," I whited out again.

Location: Back to the Pokemon Battle

I opened my eyes and found myself back in my own body, only to see that Chikorita had fainted as Dustin and Totadile celebrated a victory.

"Do you really think you can win anything with that pathetic Pokemon?" Dustin asked me in an arrogant tone.

I didn't reply.

"Seth," Yumi said.

I had forgotten what disappointment felt like. I wasn't mad, or sad. Dustin had started back on his journey and was out of sight. I walked up to Chikorita and picked her up. I took out an Oran Berry and gave it to Chikorita to regain some of her energy. Chikorita had a disappointed look on her face. I then turned toward Yumi.

"Aww," Yumi said as her eyes lit up when she saw my face.

I had a look of enlightenment on my face.

"Chikorita, our ties that bind have shown me how we'll get stronger," I said in a tone that had a little more emotion than it had in a long time.

"Chico?" Chikorita said confused.

"We'll train hard and study hard. I'll teach you to keep a battle stance, and not to panic." I explained.

"Come on, let's hurry up to Cherrygrove City already," Yumi yelled.

Yumi dragged me by the arm I wasn't holding Chikorita in and started rambling again as we continued toward Cherrygrove City.

Location: Seth's Heart

"Thank You, Missingno," I said.

"As time progresses, your character shall return on it's own-" Missingno said

Chapel's POV

Location: Violet City Lake

"- slowly but surely," Missingno finished.

A moment of silence was broken when I decided to speak.

"...He's coming along now," I said

Missingno didn't reply.

"The memories and experiences on his journey will replenish the void I created within his heart," I said

"Which is why we will cease fire on Operation Chapel for now." A voice sounded.

I turned to the direction the voice came from, only to see a familiar face caught my eyes

To Be Continued...