The New Kids on the Block: Chapter One
Celeste- "Surprise"
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Ashbrooke Park
Hydrangea Island, Flora
May 18, 2028
Who would have believed that my mother, Rosamunde Fierra would have married at twenty-two and had eight children by twenty-eight? Well, I have no choice but to believe because for me, it is a reality; but to anyone who did not have the pleasure of knowing my mom, they might believe that the story was phony.
Many people would probably say that she should have died on the eighth child, or while giving birth to the second set of twins, but they would have been completely wrong. My mother is still very much alive and very much active, I would say.
She runs a pokemon laboratory a mile or so down the road under the name of Professor Briarcliffe. She became a professor a year or so after my birth. I don't know what made her do it; sometimes I like to think that it was some strange calling she received one night while rocking me to sleep. Maybe I will ask her one day.
Sometimes, she gives teenagers their first pokemon every year the day after Labor Day, as if it were like the first day of school. However, instead of letting them have their pick, she takes things to another level. She actually gives them a quiz, or rather, a character evaluation, and from there, she gives them an inexperienced, basic form pokemon. I think that it is very clever, but then again, she is my mother, and I have always held her in high thoughts.
My mom's main research deals with how a bond between a pokemon and his/her trainer has anything to do with the trainer's lifestyle and overall character. I do not precisely know how far she is into it, but I suppose that she is gaining a lot of progress. I mean, she and Ellie are the best, and my mom normally has a good attitude, but she does have a temper, just like Ellie can have when put in certain situations. I imagine that they are the way they are because of one another.
My oldest brother and sister, Sebastian and Hyacinthe, are professors too; but they study other topics.
Sebastian is stationed on Petunia Island and is currently married to a certain Professor Palmetto's daughter, Whitney. They share the facility and specialize on the behaviors and abilities of psychic pokemon.
Hyacinthe moved to another planet actually, no matter how weird that may sound. The planet is called Celestiette, or in other words, little Celestia, the name of the pokemon world where Johto, Kanto, and the others are located. She lives there alone in the first city in a country called Cosmos; the city is called Comet Plains. Her research is based on the behavioral patterns and emotions of a pokemon that can no longer evolve. Ellie was her first patient or, rather, object of study when she first moved there, but Ellie is back on Celestia now.
Ellie lives in our pokemon sanctuary at Briarcliffe Castle, a twenty-acre plot of densely forested land with branches of little creeks and one large meadow. Soon after Mom was married to my dad, Skyler Briarcliffe, and had Sebastian and Hyacinthe, she left and found a mate of her own. She visits us very often and whenever she is gone, I really miss her, as I miss all of Mom's other pokemon.
Well, I guess that I had better describe myself instead of talking about my mom and siblings, but I felt the need to do so. I am fifteen in this story but I will be sixteen tomorrow. I'm about five feet tall and seven inches like my mom. My hair is, surprisingly, navy blue, like my uncles Evan and Julian, but with two streaks of powder blue at the front. My eyes are the startling blue like Elijah Wood's from the Lord of the Rings Trilogy, my favorite trilogy of all time. I get my shape from my mother, all shapely and stuff. I also have dimples on my cheeks like Dad.
So that's it! I guess that I'd better just let the story flow from here instead of filling you in on family and stuff. I'd rather let you do the formulating yourself.
It all began...
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Ashbrooke Park was where my family and me had basically spent most of our time. We also owned Briarcliffe castle and everything, but we preferred the comfortable-size and homey feel of Ashbrooke.
The house itself was made out of a warm brown stone, or perhaps gold would be more accurate. There were twelve bedrooms in all, eight for the children that once inhabited it, one for my parents, and three guestrooms. There were four bathrooms, a large dining room, a parlor that we like to call the Lion's Den, a drawing room for parties and such, and a moderately-sized kitchen. The house itself was over two centuries old, so we had to keep updating it, especially the plumbing. I heard that the older people used chamber pots instead of toilets (yuck!).
I admired the woodwork of the house. The floors were made out of white oak hardwood. I loved to slide across the smooth floors in my socks when I was younger; it felt like I was ice-skating or something. The railings on the side of the stairs had little pokemon figurines at the top and bottom of each rail.
I liked the pastel coloring of the downstairs area and I loved the pastel coloring of the girls' rooms and the contemporary coloring of the boys' rooms. But most of all, I adored my room, which was placed in its own little turret. Part of my room, where my bed was, was rounded and the rest was rectangular.
The view that the windows gave off was spectacular. Straight ahead I could see Briarcliffe Castle on its large promontory that looked down at the rolling waves of the ocean; the salty smell followed me wherever I went. To the west I could see the forest that I walked through to relieve myself of everyday stressors and such. And to the East, I could see the town of Ashbrooke, where I walked to get Dippin' Dots ice cream. I guess they were right: it is the ice cream of the future!
I sighed as I looked out the window. A pair of wild Pidgey flew past my window, one doing a little cartwheel, which obviously meant that he was trying to impress the female: it was the courtship display. I smiled at the thought of cute little baby Pidgey.
It was morning time; not really early like when there are still rosy streaks painted across the sky, but late morning with white, puffy clouds. I was glad; it was the first day that we've had on Hydrangea without rain in days.
Deciding that I had better go downstairs to the breakfast nook, an add-on to the parlor, and join my parents in breakfast. I was the only child in the house, so we all spent a lot of time together. What I would had dreamt of when I was little when everyone was here because it seemed as if I didn't get a lot of attention.
I went to my 'own' bathroom that was right next door and did my toilette. You know, washing your face and brushing your teeth and taking a shower, that type of stuff.
After that, I put on some clothes, a pair of blue jean shorts and a red baby tee, pulling my hair into the usual tousled pigtails that were coiled into a circle, leaving the two tresses that were streaked out in order to frame my heart-shaped face.
Finally, after that, I made my way down to the nook and greeted my parents.
"Morning Mom and Daddy," I chirped as I sat down at the table.
Dad was looking at a schedule for his gym on Hydrangea. He coughed as he placed the schedule down. "Good morning Celeste. Did you sleep well last night?"
"As well as I could while it was thundering last night," I replied with a shudder at the thought; "it was so loud. I thought my eardrums would collapse or something."
He chuckled to himself.
I had been afraid of thunderstorms as far as I could tell. I wasn't afraid of the lightning or light thundering, just the heavy, tumultuous sort like last night's.
"Morning Lest," Mom said, readjusting the square, silver-framed glasses on the bridge of her nose that she had tapped with her green tea mug.
"What's for breakfast?"
"There's some croissants in that dish over there, and some strawberry jelly in the fridge or you can make some cereal. I didn't make breakfast today because I have to go to the lab early."
I nodded in understanding, whatever it was, I am pretty sure that it must be important. Mom was usually quite the housewife, well except for the fact that she worked, and loved to make dinner and other meals.
I grinned as I gazed at her and realized how beautiful she still was and how much we looked alike. We didn't have the same hair color, but she did have a streak of gray in the front like my powder blue. She didn't have crow's feet near her eyes or saggy skin; everything was firm, intact. My eyes were just a little more bluer and less green. We had the same shape and build and posture. People could tell immediately that we were mother and daughter when we walked down the street.
"What are you laughing at?" she asked quizzically, her eyebrow perking up in attention.
"Oh nothing," I said as I helped myself to a glass of orange juice.
She looked at Dad and they grinned at one another.
"What?" I asked, as I downed the rest of my juice. "Is it going town my mouth or something?"
"Oh nothing," they replied in unison.
I grunted as I snatched up a croissant and brandished the bottle of 'I Can't Believe it's not Butter'." And tossed it into the toaster oven; afterwards, I used the squeezable jelly bottle and took a bite out of it. Delicious.
"How's your schedule for today Daddy?" I queried from the counter.
"Full," he replied flatly. "I hope that these trainers will be a challenge. Last week I had no one put up a decent battle. I guarantee that most of them tried to go to some easier Gym in another Island."
"Oh."
"I think that they should make Hydrangea Gym a main one and closing one of the weaker Gyms down," Mom suggested primly. "It would make getting to the Flower League seem more gratifying."
I nodded. I was not a trainer; none of us were, which was very surprising. I wanted to be one though. Tomorrow Charlize and me would be able to get a license of some sort in order to do so. We had the same birthday.
Charlize was my best friend, she and my honorary Aunt Hannah's son, Brian. We had know each other all of our lives and even attended the same university together, Hydrangea University. (The campus was located a few miles down the road.) We all knew what it was like being the youngest of our respective broods, shared experiences, etc.
As a matter of fact, Charlie and I were to share a dual birthday party the next day. I was ecstatic about her arrival, as well as my other family.
When I finished gobbling down my breakfast and drunk another glass of juice, got up from my seat and said, "I'm going out on a walk through the forest. I'll probably come to the gym afterwards, 'kay Daddy?"
"Okay."
I kissed him on the cheek and went over to my mom, "have a good day at work."
With that said, I walked out of the nook and out of the house, exhaling deeply when the fresh spring air invaded my nostrils. I'm a really out-of-doors type of girl, I feel better out then in.
I marched along the dirt road, marveling the shady trees and dense undergrowth. Rattata scurried across the road after giving me a curious sniff, checking me for food and, dashed away disappointedly once they reached the dismal realization that I had nothing.
The forest was full of pokemon. If I were a trainer now I would have had a ball. The problem, I found was deciding what league to join, there were so many choices. I could join the Flower League, but I wanted to go somewhere different. The Johto and Kanto Leagues were a possibility, but they were so...frequented I guess, too much recognition. I wanted to make a League recognizable by being the best trainer it has ever seen!
While I was so busy thinking of becoming a pokemon trainer in order to make my mom proud, I barely heard the high-pitched squeals of a young pokemon.
The future-pokemon-trainer's-nosiness kicked in on hyper-drive and sped over to the source of the noise. I wandered over to a small glade and gasped when I saw the sight.
A large Fearow was busy pecking at some gray pokemon that I did not get a good view of. All that I knew was that it was small, young, and couldn't defend itself, which was obvious because it kept shrieking—"Fee!"—and running around the glade in circles.
"Hey Fearow," I shouted, "you leave that pokemon alone!" My tone was menacing, in an effort to scare it away. Boy was I wrong when I saw it go into the air. It was going to strike me!
"Come on little one," I said, as I scooped up the pokemon, I did not have time to look at it. It was kinda heavy, but adrenaline makes people stronger, and I was a strong girl anyways: I am a swimmer.
"Fee!" it cried as it looked back at the Fearow; he was gaining on us!
"I'm going to have to try and out smart it!" I told the pokemon.
There were dozens of trees as we approached a grove. This meant that we were close to the lab already. Damn, I was hauling ass!
I felt air blow unto my back as the Fearow snapped its beak at us. If I could feel that than that meant that—
"Fee!" cried the pokemon as the Fearow grabbed its leg and started to pull.
I don't know what took over me but I let go of the pokemon and knocked the Fearow's body into a tree with a swift roundhouse kick. The pokemon skidded across the ground from the force of the blow. I quickly recovered my senses and picked up the pokemon again, for the Fearow was back on the prowl.
Out of the corner of my eye I saw a flash of purple and the Fearow shot upwards in order to avoid the trees. Feeling safe I gave the pokemon an once-over. It had a lot of scratches and bruises, none that I couldn't fix though. Then, I took notice of its pale gray skin, the color of gravel, and the magenta band on its small trunk. That is when I realized that he was a—"
"Phanphy (Look out!)!" he cried.
I looked up just in time to see the Fearow plummeting to the ground, aimed directly at us. I lunged out of the way just in time before it hit us. I expertly weaved through the trees, leaping from one foot to another.
But the Fearow was incredible, I flew vertically and matched me back-to-back and I even began to think that we might not ever escape. As if he had read my mind he said:
"Phanphy fan (Don't give up!)!" he cried.
This was definitely a confidence booster. I jumped to the right and the Fearow followed without hesitation, but then, I ducked to the ground and ran the other way. I heard a minor squawk but then I heard its wings flapping once more. There was no winning here.
I saw clear light at the end of the grove so I ran as fast as I could, even though I was panting loudly from the exertion. I could see the laboratory too. We were safe!
Apparently, I wasn't running fast enough, for I realized that even though my legs were moving, it wasn't across ground, that's for sure. I grunted and the Phanphy bellowed a loud sound, like a trumpet and the next thing I knew we were still, unmoving, and absolutely silent.
I immediately knew that we were in a psychic attack, and to more precise, a strong Psychic move. My eyes moved down to the ground where I saw a lavender feline with glowing eyes looming up at us. It was Eos, my hero! Midnight was beside him, poised for attack.
Bring 'em down Bro, said the Umbreon.
Gladly! You're lucky Celeste, it would have had you, he said as he lowered us down to the ground.
"Thanks Eos," I said as I set the Phanphy own to the ground. Phanphy sighed in relief, realizing that he was safe with us. He was the cutest little thing.
Lower him down so I can have a piece of him, urged Midnight as he braced himself.
His brother did as he was asked to do.
The Fearow had lost all of its bearings, and let out a noisy squawk as it was blasted into the air by Midnight's exquisite tackle.
"Fan (Hooray!)!" he cheered.
I mopped the perspiration that had dotted my forehead. Thank goodness that that was over with.
We'd best get the little one to the lab, suggested Eos.
"I agree."
Hold on to me,
I perched next to him as did Midnight; Phanphy, however, wrapped his trunk around his tail. In the blink of an eye, Phanphy and I were suspended in the air while the others were safe on the ground. I squealed as I fell onto the metal examining table. Phanphy had curled into a compact ball and bounced off the table to the ground.
I rubbed my back as I got up.
"I know this wasn't your first time teleporting Eos."
Well, it's not my fault that my brother and me have the same reflexes that a cat does.
Eos and Midnight were my mother's lab assistants.
"What is all of that noise?" she shouted as she walked into to the examining room.
"Celeste what are you doing here?" she asked but her attention soon riveted over to the Phanphy, "poor little pokemon...what happened to him?"
We relayed the events.
"Oh," she nodded understandingly. "I have some students from the University waiting for me to finish the tour. There's a first aid kit under that table. Celeste," she said as she walked out, "you know what to do."
As I pulled out the kit and opened its contents, I decided to make small talk with the Phanphy, who was looking at me with big, starry eyes.
"So, what's your name buddy?"
"Fan-fan (Raja)."
His name is Raja, repeated Eos.
I don't know how to understand pokemon like my mom does. I think that she said that when she hit her head on a railing, she could understand them. I wouldn't purposely get hit upside the head, so I don't think that I will understand anything anytime soon.
"That's a cute name for a cute Phanphy," I said with a wink, "do you have any brothers or sisters?"
"Fan fee fan (I have a sister but we split up, we're old enough to be on our own now.)"
"Oh," I nodded.
He winced in pain.
"Sorry, that was just some alcohol. You might feel some bubbling now," I told him as I applied the hydrogen peroxide. I always thought that that was soothing when I had a cut.
Then, while I was putting a protective cream on his cuts, an idea suddenly struck me. He could be my first pokemon, and I could train him until I got into a league.
Excitedly I asked, "would you mind traveling with me when I become a pokemon trainer?"
He considered it for awhile, juggled the though around in his head before a smile crept up to his inconspicuous lips, but his eyes were smiling too.
"Fan (I'll be your pokemon!)" That didn't need any translating.
A sense of joy flowed through my veins and I hugged him close, maybe a little too hard also.
Ouch, he whimpered.
"Sorry," I muttered as I saw his expression change, "I got a little carried away." If I were as uh...weird as that Ash kid that I read about, I think that I would have done one of those silly poses. I laughed at the thought.
As if on cue, my mom breezed into the room holding a pokécrystal, she handed it to me.
The pokécrystal was a new innovation that replaced the now defunct pokéball. It was crystal clear, like a diamond, and, once it sucked in the pokemon with a sapphire blue beam, it took on the shape of the pokemon within: like a crystal figurine. They were compact and a trainer was given a small, circular case to keep them in.
No! Raja screamed, don't put me in one of those! He backed up into a corner.
"It will just be for a few seconds," I said soothingly; "I'm only doing this so that if we're ever in trouble, you can be safe in your pokeball."
He hesitantly took a few steps forward and waited on me.
"Go pokécrystal!"
The device poked him on the head and hovered in mid-air, twirling around like a spinning-top as the beam covered Raja's terrified face, and pulled him inside. The crystal returned to my hand, and I looked at the Phanphy figurine then I released him.
He hurled himself into me, knocking me to the ground. You must promise never to let us get into trouble!
"I can't," I muttered.
I looked over at Mom, who, to my surprise, was dabbing her eyes with a handkerchief. She was so proud, I could tell and it made me happy.
"Mom, get a hold of yourself!"
"I'm trying too...you just remind me of myself when I got Ellie."
"A mad Fearow didn't attack you though."
"Don't ruin the moment!" she snapped. "It reminds me of when..."
I looked at Raja and smiled as I whispered into his ear, "we're in for a long story."
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Please review and tell me what you thought. I need some starting trainer's for the pokemon battles, so give me descriptions in the reviews. Remember, they cannot be super strong yet, I'll ask for those later ^_-! —The Duke of Briarcliffe