Author's note: Since this chapter was originally part of the first chapter (in a one shot story), I don't know how the quality of it revised is.
* Thank you for reading this story, and for any reviews you have written. *
Coren had, with the help of Lily, gotten in touch with "A Royal Pokemon Preserve". They had called as said that they where willing to help bring Survivor to the Preserve as soon as he was ready.
Coren was dreading the day that they would have to let Survivor go. I don't want to have to say good-by to Survivor, he thought. I've known all along that I would have to, but that still doesn't make it easy.
Coren was sitting on an old tree stump in Survivor's out-door cage, watching him peck at the grass beneath his food dish. Coren sighed, "I wish we weren't going to have to say good-by. But we'll be friends forever, right?" Survivor quacked in Coren's direction and then went back to looking for stray seeds.
"That's right and I've had an idea over night." Said a voice behind Coren. He jumped and looked around. His dad, Ben, was standing there.
"What is it Dad?" Coren asked.
"You know how Farfetch'd are always carrying those Sticks around?" said his dad.
"Yeah." said Coren.
"Well if Survivor had one, then he seems to have lost it, so how about if we make a special stick for him?" Ben asked.
"Yeah!" exclaimed Coren, "That it'd be great!"
"Alright then let's get right to it and find a good sized stick to carve for him." said Ben.
The day came when it was time to bring Survivor to the Poke-Center for a final check-up before bringing him to the Preserve.
Mina was busy packing, so Ben took Coren and Survivor to the Poke-Center. Ben drove them in the car and Coren held Survivor.
When they walked in the front door Emily, who was sitting behind the desk, looked up and smiled.
"So how's Survivor doing?" Emily asked them.
"Great!" said Coren, "But now we're just about ready to bring him to the Royal Pokemon Preserve. Mom said that someone from the Preserve called and said that he would meet us here today."
"Yes, that's right," said Emily, "They both called us and arranged things. Richard is the name of the person who's coming from the preserve. He's going to be traveling with you and your family to the preserve. Lily was training with Wind Racer this morning, but she said that she would be here to see Survivor off. In the meantime Nurse Joy can give Survivor his health check. She's waiting for you in the examination room."
Coren and Ben brought Survivor into the examination room. Nurse Joy had her head in a cupboard, repositioning bottles and jars.
"Um, Nurse Joy?" Coren asked. Nurse Joy straitened up and banged her head on the cupboard.
"Oww! Oh hello Coren." said Nurse Joy. Survivor quacked. "Yes hello to you to Survivor. And you are?" Nurse Joy asked Ben.
"I'm Ben, Coren's father." Ben answered.
"I'm pleased to meet you." said Nurse Joy, "Well let's get this examination over with, it won't take long."
Nurse Joy examined Survivor and then said, "I now pronounce this Pokemon completely healthy and fit! And I might add that it's quite the miraculous recovery that this guy made."
Nurse Joy, Coren, and Ben, who was carrying Survivor, made their way back to the main room. As they went through the door they heard barking. Champion hurled himself at Coren, knocked him down and started licking his face.
"Champion!" Lily and Coren exclaimed at the same time as Ben said, "What the! Coren!"
"It's all right Dad!" said Coren pushing Champion off of him. Lily had her hand over her eyes. She dropped her hand and shook her head.
"Sorry about that Coren, Champion does that the most to you and I can never seem to keep him calm when he sees you."
"That's all right, I don't mind," said Coren, "Dad this is Lily, Lily this is my dad."
Lily shook hands with Ben and said, "Sorry about my Houndour sir, he sometimes forgets that he's already been trained."
"I was a little concerned at first," Ben admitted, "But now that I know that he's friends with Coren I don't mind. And I expect that Coren actually enjoys that, he's quite into Pokemon and doesn't have much of a chance to do things with them."
Moon Mist came over and sniffed the air in Survivor's direction. Survivor was on Ben's shoulder.
"Moon Mist! You're out of your Poke-ball too!" exclaimed Coren.
"Yep," said Lily, "I would have let all of them out; but I figured that it would get a little crowded in here, with both Wind Racer and Champion and everybody else who's supposed to get here."
As Coren and Lily talked, a man was approaching the Poke-center. He had shoulder length, brown hair and brown eyes. A Pikachu was walking along with him, moving in time with the man's adventurous humming.
Champion stopped barking and stood stock still watching as the door opened. The man walked through the door (He was had stopped humming by now.), followed by the Pikachu. The man closed the door. Then before anyone had a chance to do or say something, Champion started barking and charged at the Pikachu.
The Pikachu exclaimed, "Pika!" and scrambled up the man's side. Champion jumped at it, hitting the man with his paws, causing the man to step side ways. The Pikachu leapt from the man's shoulders and ran towards Ben. Ben took a step backwards in surprise as the two Pokemon ran towards him.
Survivor quacked and took flight. That distracted Champion from the Pikachu, who hid under a bench. Champion raced around the room, barking at Survivor who was flying around the room.
"Survivor!" exclaimed Coren. He jumped at Champion and grabbed onto him. Champion barely paused and continued running, now dragging Coren with him. Lily tried to grab onto Champion herself, but he avoided her.
Survivor changed his direction mid-flight. Champion turned a sharp corner in order to follow him, and Coren lost his grip.
Suddenly a frightening, wail filled the air. Champion threw his head up in surprise and spread his legs out to the side in order to stop quickly. Moon Mist was crouching in front of him, continuing to let out a wail, though it was not quite as loud. Champion whined and lied down. Moon Mist stopped wailing, sat down, and looked at Lily.
"Wow… Thanks Moon Mist. Champion I think that you'd better return to your Poke-ball for now," said Lily raising her hand with a Poke-ball in it. Champion took one last look at Survivor, and then disappeared back into his Poke-ball in a beam of light.
"Well," said the man, chuckling, "I see that Champion hasn't decided to put his mind to business and get serious yet."
"Definitely not" groaned Lily, "although he can be series when he wants to be. Just the other day he attacked somebody trying to steal another trainer's Pokemon."
"Oh? Somebody was trying to steal Pokemon?" asked Richard.
"Yes. They wanted my Pokemon as well. The guy called himself a Team Rocket member, whatever that is. When he walked up to Champion, Champ started to go with him willingly. But then another guy had showed up and when he approached me Champ went wild. He attacked the guy, and then chased off the first guy as well. Because of Champion neither the trainer or I lost any Pokemon."
"Wow! Heh, I guess he got his chance to prove himself, even if he still chases Lighting. Come on Lighting, Champion's in his ball now," said the man. The Pikachu came out and ran over to the man. The man picked Lightning up and she climbed onto his shoulder.
Coren picked up Survivor and stroked his head. Noticing his movement, the man turned to him.
"So this is Survivor, huh?" the man said. "Well it's nice to meet you." said the man, giving a sweeping bow, which nearly unseated Lightning, and offered his hand for Survivor to smell. "I am Richard Barrow, the owner of `A Royal Pokemon Preserve'. Are you Coren Silmon?" Richard asked, looking at Coren.
"Yeah." Coren nodded his head, "Is the Pikachu's name Lightning?" Coren asked.
"Yep, This is Lightning," said Richard, gesturing towards the Pikachu on his shoulder, "Lightning meet Coren." Lightning looked at Coren and said quietly, "Pika."
"Hello." Coren said to Lightning. Richard smiled at them and then looked at Lily, "So Lily what levels are those crazy Pokemon of yours at?"
"Well," said Lily, "Moon Mist is at level twenty-two, Champion level fifteen, and Wind Racer just got a level up this morning. He's now at level eighteen.
"And what about your Pokemon?" she asked Richard.
"Well let's see," said Richard, "I was a bit concerned about Kingly when Queenie passed away, but he seems to be doing alright. He's at level 79. Piney is doing fine, and at level 40, and so is Juicy. As you can see Lightning's still as fit as a fiddle. She's at level 89. I met a Tangela in the Preserve the other day, and much to my surprise it wanted to come with me. So I now have a Tangela, who's at level 22. She's doing quite well... Oh! And Zee's doing fine too, he's level 70."
"Wow!" said Coren, "You have a lot of high leveled Pokemon!"
"Well I've been training Pokemon for thirty-three years, so that would make sense! But actually I know quite a few Pokemon collectors, breeders and professional trainers who have a lot more Pokemon, though perhaps not such high leveled ones."
"Thirty-three years!" exclaimed Coren, "How old are you?"
"Coren!" exclaimed Ben.
Richard chuckled, "That's all right, I'm not shy about my age! I am forty-three years old. I've been running the wild Pokemon preserve for twenty-two years. I created the place in 1933.
"Now Lily, why don't you introduce me to the rest of your friends now?" he suggested.
"Okay" said Lily. She turned to Ben and said, "This is Ben Silmon, Coren's father. Ben, this is the guy from the preserve who will be traveling with your family." Ben reached his out, and he and Richard shook hands.
"Richard," Lily continued "this is Emily. Emily, Richard Barrow." They also shook hands.
"This Chansey is Lucky, she belongs to Emily." Richard reached out his hand. Lucky shyly reached out her paw and they shook "hands".
"So you're lucky that you belong to Emily huh? She must be a really good trainer then," said Richard.
Lily groaned and said "You know that's not what I meant!"
"So she's not a good trainer?" Richard asked innocently.
"No! I mean yes! She is a good trainer, but the Chansey's name is Lucky!" Lily said exasperated.
"So the Chansey has a lucky name? What is it?" asked Richard.
Lily moaned and put her hand over her eyes. Richard burst out laughing.
"I'm sorry Lily but that opportunity was just too good to miss!" said Richard still chuckling.
"I don't know How your Pokemon can stand being with you all the time," said Lily, looking at Richard.
"Oh they just ignore me if I start to get too annoying. Besides they don't have to stand me All the time, some-times they're in their Poke-balls, and other times I let them lose in the yard." answered Richard.
Ben cleared his throat, "So are you ready to come see where Survivor has been staying?"
"Yes, I'd say so." answered Richard.
"Do you mind if I come along?" asked Lily.
"Of course you can come!" said Coren; "You've been coming over almost every day to check on Survivor."
"I know, but that doesn't mean that your family wants me to come over right now; when you already have another visitor. Especially since what's happened the last few times," said Lily.
"I don't mind you coming to visit, but I would appreciate it if you kept Champion in his Poke-ball." Ben told her.
"Right!" said Lily, "I can certainly understand that."
"What? Did harmless little Champion find some more mischief to get into?" asked Richard, grinning.
"Oh Yes." said Lily, "The last time that I was there, two days ago, he dug about twelve holes in their yard. Some of which were in the garden."
Ben led the way to the Silmon house, Coren following behind him with Survivor on his shoulder. Richard walked beside Coren, talking with him about Survivor. Once outside, Lily brought Wind Racer out of his poke-ball. Lily walked beside him, with her hand on his shoulder, while Moon Mist and Lightning rode on his back.
When they reached the Silmon house; Ben, Lily, Moon Mist, and Richard went inside, to talk with Mina and each other. Coren, Survivor, and Lightning played in the yard. Wind Racer joined in playing with them once in a while, but otherwise he grazed on the Silmon's lawn. Ben had been nervous about having a Pokemon that could easily catch his yard and house on fire left unattended, but Lily managed to convince him that Wind Racer wasn't as wild and uncontrolled as he seemed. "Besides he won't be completely alone, with Coren and the other two Pokemon right there" Lily pointed out.
At five Richard left, heading over to the Poke-Center where he would be staying the night. Lily said good-by to the Silmons and Survivor and wished them luck, then she and her Pokemon left.
The nest morning the Silmons, Survivor and Richard left town at seven' o' clock. They drove to the nearest airport and boarded a plane. Richard got them special permission to keep Survivor out of a poke-ball. (Normally the airport didn't like to have Pokemon lose on board, for fear of them either disturbing the other passengers or wreaking the plane.)
The plane landed at an airport near Celadon city. Richard then drove them, in his car, to "A Royal Pokemon Preserve". It was now ten-thirty.
Richard led them, on foot, about half a mile into the preserve, to a small wooded hill.
"Alright Coren, it's time to set Survivor free," said Richard. Coren felt tears welling up in his eyes. He fought to keep them back. Ben stepped over to where Coren had put Survivor's cage down. (They had borrowed a cage from the Poke-Center. It was smaller than the ones that Ben had made and they were using it to carry Survivor in.)
"Good-by Survivor, good-luck with your new life." Ben told Survivor. He stepped back and let Mina kneel down beside Survivor's cage.
"Good luck little guy. I hope you have a long happy life." Mina said to Survivor. Then she too stepped back. Coren slowly knelt down and opened Survivor's cage.
"Good luck." he told Survivor in a choked voice. Survivor rubbed his head on Coren's chest. Coren hugged him and then unwrapped a package.
"This is for you," he said handing a smooth, two-foot long stick to Survivor. It had the word Survivor carved into its side. Survivor quacked and took the stick in his mouth. Coren smiled.
"Good-luck. I love you. I hope you do well in your new home," said Coren. He stroked Survivor's head and whispered, "Good-by." Coren stood up and stepped back.
Survivor tossed his stick in the air, quacked, and caught it. He launched himself into the air. Survivor then circled over head and flew out of sight.
Coren stared at the spot, just above the trees, where Survivor had been before he had flown out of sight. He then turned and started walking back down the path towards the parking lot. His head hung and his shoulders were slumped. Richard picked up the cage and he, and Coren's parents followed him down the path.
They went around a bend in the path, and the parking lot came into view. Coren sighed and started towards the parking lot.
"Oww!" Coren exclaimed as something hit him on the head. He looked at the ground where it had fallen. It was a stick. He picked up the stick and looked up at the sky.
"Survivor!" shouted Coren. Survivor was flying in a circle above him, carrying the stick that Coren had given him in his mouth. Survivor tossed his stick in the air, did a back flip, and caught it with his feet. He honked twice and flew in another circle. Coren grinned and waved the stick, which was still in his hand. Survivor dived and flew in a figure eight. He flew in a tight circle and, giving a last quack, flew off in the direction of the preserve.
Coren smiled sadly and went with his family to Richard's car. I wonder if I'll ever see him again. But even if I don't, I'll always remember him.
The End
For now…
Author's Note: I hope you enjoyed reading this story. It's possible that I could have put more effort into it, but there were times were I was anxious to be done with it. Originally Survivor's Saga was just a prolog to a longer story starring Coren. I already have several chapter of the next saga written, but I still need to revise them. Hopefully I can get the time to work on them soon, and get the next saga posted. In case anyone is interested my current title for the next saga is:
Hidden Valley of the Pokemon