Star in the Storm, Chapter 2

Roary- "The Ketchum Legacy Lives On"

I've really got to hang out at Oak's Lab more often.

Well, technically, it's the Koreyu Lab, or just the Pallet Lab now. Ever since Professor Oak retired, Lody's dad has taken over the Lab. He and Rowan Chimera have kind-of turned the place into this huge Pokémon sanctuary. Not that I have anything against that. Prof. K.'s the one who gave me my Pokémon license and stuff two years ago; he's taken over that job ever since Oak left.

Stuck-up Lody. Thinks she's so great because her dad's some genius and her mom brings home all these rare Pokémon for her. I've had to work for my Pokémon. You don't see my dad pampering me with all these privileges.

Oh, well anyway, hi, my name's Roary Ketchum. What d'ya say?

Like I care what Lody's told you about me! Like I've said, Lody is stuck-up and arrogant.

What's that? You're saying those are the same things?

Okay, let's try this again. Hi, I'm Roary. I wanna be the world's greatest Pokémon master! Original, I know. But you'd better not dis Pokémon masters; my dad was one (even though nobody today actually remembers him and he's currently running a souvenir stand outside Indigo Plateau), and he says Rowan Chimera (that's Lody's mom) was one, too, no matter how righteous Lody acts about her education. As if anyone besides her actually cares.

Me, I only care about two things. Pokémon and…well, I'm not gonna tell you everything, you know!

Lots have changed since my dad was a Pokémon trainer. In those days, he says, practically everybody wanted to be a Pokémon master. Even Pallet Town, Dad's old hometown and my current one, sent out loads of master-wannabes every year. When I became a trainer two years ago, I was the only Pallet kid to do so. Now, you see all other kinds of wannabes cropping up. Potential Pokémon researchers, Pokémon Watchers, Pokémon breeders, plus a whole new line of jobs, like Pokémon interpreters, which is what Lody's mom does, that they didn't have back when my parents were kids.

Not everybody wants to do something with Pokémon anymore, either. I know plenty of kids who wanna be actors, writers, astronauts, baseball players, blah, blah, and blah. Back when my parents were kids, things were different. Everybody who was anybody trained Pokémon to some extent. Not so nowadays.

Though I may have fit in fine some thirty years ago, I'm now the odd kid out. I've met almost no one who shares my goal of serious Pokémon masterdom. Though most people refuse to admit it, the Pokémon phenomenon is dying out.

Yikes! Okay, I just wasted the entire first page of my chapter! Sorry, I'm usually not so meditative. My mind's been going in circles lately, ever since that new kid arrived.

I wasn't spying on anyone when I entered the Lab, honestly. Lody was already there, standing right outside the door, and listening intently to the conversation on the other side.

"What are you doing?" I asked her in surprise, nearly tripping over a stray Vulpix that had wandered into the room. Like I said, Rowan Chimera, Lody's mom, pretty much turned the place into this huge shelter for the abandoned Pokémon she picks up on her travels. She's a Pokémon interpreter, which, in Dad's time, had been practically unheard of! (Well, there was that one incident about these guys who pretended to understand Pokémon and starting conning people…then there was this one guy who insisted he could actually do it, and the whole thing got really messy.)

It's not supposed to be easy, but Pokémon interpreters take it upon themselves to learn different PokéDialects, like you or I might learn French or Japanese in addition to English. Rumor has it that Lody's mom was raised by Pokémon herself, and after becoming fluent in several PokéDialects, paved the way for the field of Pokémon Interpreting. I, for one, don't take these things seriously. I mean, being raised by Pokémon? Gimme a break! Though that would explain why Lody has the social skills of a Slowpoke…

Rowan gets to travel all over the world, meeting new Pokémon and a variety of trainers (in addition to picking up prize Pokémon for her little brat Lody, who so does not deserve them). She's probably the only trainer in the world who's taught all her Pokémon how to speak Human/English, and you can't go into her place without running into at least twenty different kinds of Pokémon.

Well, anyways, Lody just stared at me. Lody has these really piercing-type eyes, perfect for making other people feel uncomfortable. I tried my best not to flinch away.

"I live here," she replied coolly. "What are you doing?"

My skin got all clammy-like. Lody's also got this really eerie habit of throwing your own words back at you, along with a spookily accurate imitation of the person she's mimicking. She flicked her head back as she spoke, the same way I did with my ponytail.

"Just running an errand," I defended myself. "I've got an important package to deliver to your father." I brandished the box so she could tell I wasn't fibbing, and a mischievous Crobat hovering by the door almost snatched it away.

Lody didn't look impressed. "I'll take it then," she said. "My father is busy."

"Hold on!" I cried, pulling the box away as she reached for it. "I've also got a message for Prof. Koreyu. An oral message."

Those piercing eyes were on me again. I shifted uncomfortably in place as Lody inspected me suspiciously. "If you're waiting for that Shane boy," she said finally, "he already went home."

"Your dad said he was staying," I countered smugly. "Really Lody, why are you trying to lie to me?"

At that moment, the door I had the unfortunate chance of leaning on opened abruptly. I fell back first onto cold tile, Prof. Koreyu looking down at me in amusement.

"Well then, I think we caught you two red-handed," he chuckled, reaching down to help me up. "I seriously hope we won't have to turn you in."

"Wh…What?" I stammered. The caw of a nearby Murkrow broke the silence for me. Flapping its bandaged wing in my direction, the Pokémon, who was perched on the roof rafter above, cackled merrily at my red face.

The Professor turned backwards and winked at Shane, who had emerged right behind him. "But then what can we do with these two insidious spies on our hands?" he posed in mock-accusation.

I couldn't help myself. I broke into hysterical laughter, with Lody standing sullen-faced right behind me. Prof. K. is seriously not your typical Pokémon researcher. If you're thinking white lab coat and owl-eye glasses, you'd only be half right. Prof. K.'s got the glasses, but you'd be more likely to see him in a black T-shirt and jeans. He's always kidding around and laughing, so you'd think Lody would be less of a spoilsport than she is. Most everything about Lody, including her hair, defies the laws of nature.

"That wasn't funny, Dad," she glowered, arms folded. "Roary has an important message to deliver. As well as this." She picked up the package where it'd fallen and handed into to her father.

Prof. Koreyu rolled his eyes and took the parcel from his daughter. "She's just like her mother," he sighed to Shane. "No sense of humor."

Eyes narrowing even more, Lody turned her glower on Shane. I'm no psychologist, but Lody seriously has something against him. Probably can't stand somebody's who's smarter than her.

"Roary's also got an oral message for you," she stated, flicking her head back again, as if she were the one with the ponytail instead of the other way around.

I barely restrained myself from sticking out my tongue at her. Really, Lody can be such a sourpuss at times. Clearing my throat, I began, "Well, um, this is from the same person who gave me the package. I can't really remember her name…Serena or something like that. She was looking really worried and told me, 'She can't give up. Determination is her only weapon at this point, and we can't let her lose it now.' Um, well, I'm not really sure what she meant by that, but it sounded important, so I just thought you might, uh, like to know."

Prof. Koreyu nodded slowly, the smile gone from his face. "Thank you, Roary," he said. "You're right; I think that's very important." As he turned to go back into the room, though, the package slipped from his fingers and fell onto the floor.

"I'll get it," Shane offered, bending over and picking it back up. As he bent over, his green jacket swung open. Quickly, he pulled it shut, but not quick enough. Shane had been wearing a black shirt, with a capital R emblazoned on in red.

"Cool," I said. "Does your last name start with 'R' or something?"

Shane flushed. "Yeah, how'd you guess?" he laughed, handing the package back to the Prof.

"What is it?" I asked eagerly.

Lody jabbed me in the leg with a swift kick.

"Lody! What is your problem?"

"Sorry," she said nonchalantly, but did not offer an explanation.

"Really," Prof K. broke in, putting a hand on Shane's shoulder. "It's Rising. Shane Rising."

Lody's mouth kind of tightened, and her eyes got all narrowed.

"Wow!" I said. "Just like Clair Rising, the Gym Leader?"

Lody kicked me again.

"Hey! Are you trying to give me another bruise, or what?"

Prof. Koreyu snickered. "She got that great kick from her mother, too," he whispered. "They could really make it big if they wanted to start their own soccer team."

Lody rolled her eyes, in perfect imitation of her father. "So, can we finish the match now?" she demanded of me. "As you say, 'A real Pokémon master never turns down a challenge!'"

"I'd like to know the conclusion of that battle," Shane said earnestly. "I've been through a few battles myself, and yours seemed particularly intense. What Pokémon do you plan to use, Lody?"

Lody looked me straight in the eye. "You'll see. If Roary's in the mood."

"Of course I am!" I snapped, reaching into my pocket. "If Lody's not chicken."

"Could we please move the battlefield outside, ladies?" Prof. Koreyu interrupted. "Thanks; the insurance I have on this building isn't so great."

"Since I've chosen my Pokémon second two times already, I'll let you choose second this time," Lody said as we headed outside. Cupping both hands around her mouth, she let out a loud, barking cry that echoed throughout the open sky.

Within minutes, an answering cry broke through the air. A sleek, elfin figure was headed our way, long ears twitching warily in the breeze.

Lody ran up to stand by her Pokémon. "This is Amulet," she said, stroking the creature's shiny coat. "She's an Espeon, and my first Pokémon ever. Go ahead, choose your Pokémon."

I glanced behind me. Shane was sitting on the doorstep of the Lab, watching the battle intently. I couldn't lose to Lody, especially now!

"Well, then you can have your face-off with my first Pokémon," I called. "Go…Picassy!"

Lody's eyes narrowed as her diminutive competitor emerged.

"Pi! Pii!" my Pichu called, waving its tiny arms about in excitement. It scrambled forward towards Amulet, grinning happily.

"Okay, Picassy!" I yelled. "Charm attack, now!"

Picassy put on its cutest face and hugged Amulet's leg in the most adorable manner. The Espeon could only stare, and turned to her trainer for help.

"Now, Sweet Kiss!" I shouted.

A series of hearts flew from Picassy's paw as it hugged Amulet around the neck, giggling happily. The Espeon froze, as if mesmerized.

"Thunder!" I commanded instantly.

Twin bolts of electricity flew from the Pichu's cheeks, gathering into a gigantic ball of energy and slamming straight into Amulet. The Espeon was knocked brutally to the side, and skid several yards through the grass before coming to a stop.

"Amulet!" Lody cried, running forward.

"Cripple your opponent with Thunder Wave!" I yelled to my Pokémon. "Once she can't fight, they're out of the running!"

Static flared along Picassy's fur as it took aim for the Espeon. Amulet flinched as the electricity scorched her fur.

"Amulet!" It was Lody again. Cupping her hands around her mouth, Lody began to bark in the same manner as she had before. The Espeon's ears twitched in the air.

"Thunder again, Cass!" I called out to my Pokémon.

"Pi!" it yipped, clenching its paws as it braced itself for the final blow.

Lody let out another bark. Amulet's ears twitched.

In a flash, the Espeon was on her feet. The Thunder attack missed her streaking form completely as she sped back. At another bark from her trainer, Amulet spread her paws out before her. The sum above set her fur into a shimmering glow. Even the air seemed to hum in anticipation.

"What's going on?" I yelped as a bright purple aura sprang up around the Pokémon.

Shane's voice rang out as I fumbled for my Pokédex. "That's Amulet's Morning Sun, a healing move! It's the Espeon's most advanced attack of them all!"

"Picassy!" I cried. "Thunder Wave!"

Too late! Amulet leapt back like a liquid spring, fully rejuvenated, as the attack came her way.

Lody's face was a mask of intense concentration as she barked out the next command. At the sound of her voice, Amulet's eyes began to glow. A violet aura flared up around a startled Picassy, growing brighter and brighter as the light in Amulet's eyes did the same.

"Watch out for Espeon's Psychic!" Shane cried. "That's the most powerful psychic attack!"

Like I didn't already know. I ground my teeth in frustration as Picassy's body rose to hang suspended in the air. My Pokémon's little face was frozen in a contorted expression of terror and surprise; the Psychic attack made it unable to move even a muscle!

Lody emitted another bark, and Amulet's ears flitted in her direction. Lody was shaking her head, shaking her head and mouthing "No".

The Espeon stared at the Pichu's helpless figure for a moment, possibly the most intense moment in my entire life. Finally, the violet glow around Picassy faded, faded as Pichu descended gently towards the ground. Amulet ran towards her trainer, who hugged the Espeon soothingly.

I stepped out onto the field and recalled Picassy. The battle was over.

Reviews, comments, etc. are greatly appreciated! This is my first non-short story ever, and constructive criticism would be very, very useful.

Notes:

The incident involving the Pokémon interpreting conmen Roary talks briefly about is from the TV episode "The Poké Spokesmon." Great episode; contradicted everything I'd written about Pokémon interpreting before. I spent half-an-hour screaming when I saw this episode, but that's just me.

Thanks to the people who took the time to review my story (Theo 'Blitz' Leung). I read Book 1 of the Chimera Saga; it was so good! Almost eerie though; I was writing about something with Human-Pokémon fusing, too, but not nearly as well-done...(ominous music plays)