Jessie had asked a bellhop to assist him in carrying his now fainted
companions up to room number 823. He now sat on the small white cot in the
corner of the room, gazing out the large floor-to-ceiling window at the
glistening ocean.
Time moved slowly. Jessie had almost fallen asleep when he heard a stir coming from one of the two beds across from him. Looking over, he saw Brisen shuffling her feet and blinking open her eyes.
"Jess..?"
Jessie stood up, walking over to her bed, and sat down beside her.
"What happened?"
"I don't know, Brisen.. you and Dominic fainted. You must have just been totally shocked when you saw this.." Jessie reached over and picked up a broken glass picture frame from the bedside table, "I don't know why."
Brisen grabbed the frame from Jessie's hands and stared at it, quickly shoving it back to him and sitting up.
"Do you know why..?"
"Jess, this is scaring me. Bad. You know how Dominic said that some mystery man gave the package to him? The package with this picture in it?" Her eyes were wide with a strong emotion - Jessie couldn't tell if it was fear or confusion, probably both.
"Yeah, but what does that have to do with.."
"Jessie. Look at the picture!"
Jessie glanced at the photo that was sandwiched between the frame and the broken glass. It wasn't strange - two women smiling faintly at the camera, not looking extremely happy, but smiling just the same.
"I don't understand.."
"Ugh! Jessie! That woman to the left is my mom!"
The silvery frame smashed on the floor for the second time that night. Jessie stared mouth open at Brisen, suddenly realizing the resemblance between her and the woman in the photo. The green hair, the smile..
"Brisen.. why.. how.."
"I don't know! Whoever this Steven is, I want to know why he had this picture. Who the hell.."
Suddenly, a sound came from the other side of the room and both Jessie and Brisen threw their heads around to look at Dominic.
"Did I faint?" said the spiky haired boy, "That picture..?"
Brisen bent over to pick up the doubly smashed frame and threw it at the now sitting up Dominic. He caught it swiftly, Jessie thought, for someone just waking up.
Looking over it for a few minutes Dominic spoke up.
"Why is my mom in this picture?" he said. It was Brisen's turn to stare.
"YOUR mom? I.."
"You.."
"What..?"
"Dominic, MY mom is in the picture with some other lady.. how could.. OMIGOSH!"
In a moment of extreme confusion the frame was dropped once again as Dominic jumped up while Brisen and Jessie rushed around muttering things under their breath.
"HOLD IT!" screamed Dominic, waving his hands around like a referee. "Now, let's all sit down and discuss this. There has to be.."
"Some reasonable explanation.." said Brisen.
Dominic smiled slightly at her as they sat down side by side on one of the beds. "Right."
"Now, you two.." uttered Jessie. "You say both your moms are in the picture. This means.."
"Jessie cut to it!" yelled Brisen. "It means that our moms must have known each other somehow.. some way.."
"That is damn freaky.." said Jessie, assuming his seat back on the small cot.
"Brisen, is there any way we could reach your mom?" said Dominic, hands on his temples.
"No.. no.. her and my dad are on vacation at Cainwood Resort. I couldn't bother them.. not that I could reach them in the first place.. how 'bout yours?" said Brisen, looking as confused as ever.
"Um.. I haven't exactly spoken to her since I ran away."
"Oh.."
The two looked intently at each other for a long time, while Jessie fixed his gaze on the ocean once more. It was silent for a long, long time.
The quiet was broken as the Phone TV bleeped loudly, flashing red on the screen. Dominic stood up quickly and ran to the phone, pulling it onto his lap back on the bed. He turned a knob and the image of an angry woman appeared. He uttered a curse and picked up the phone.
"Mom? Hi.."
Brisen gasped and looked from the screen to the picture, still on the floor, and back to the screen again.
"Dominic! Glad to see you in person.. NOT that I'm glad that you're NOT AT HOME!" Her face twisted into a small crooked smile.
"Mom, I know you're mad and II know you hate me but.."
"Dominic Jenkins! I don't hate you!" she interrupted. "I am just VERY, VERY MAD AT YOU!"
"Okay, okay, mom, just let me ask you.."
"Dominic? Dominic do I hear other people in that room?" she gasped. "ARE YOU HAVING ONE OF THOSE PARTIES?"
Dominic was ready to smack his mom. "Mom! Omigosh! I'm fourteen! Party? What the hell? No.. um.. I'm here with these two friends.. I.. can I ask you my question?"
"Yes?"
Dominic sighed. That had been difficult..
"Do you know this lady?" he said, holding up the picture to the screen. He couldn't see his mom, but heard her mutter something.
"Dominic, where did you get that?" she muttered.
"Answer my question first."
"Dom, honey, you're right, I am mad at you right now, but there are some things I promised myself I wouldn't tell you until you turned 18.."
Brisen tapped Dom on the shoulder and gave him a longing look. He struck a determined face and turned back to his mother.
"Mom, I need to know. It's a matter of life and death."
"Say what?" yelled Brisen.
Dominic quickly covered the Phone TV screen with a sheet and looked at her.
"Brisen, I'm just trying to get this out of her. If you say something like that she'll know we're not for real.."
"Oh, sorry Dominic!"
Dom uncovered the phone and smiled at his mom.
"Sorry 'bout that, mum, ahh.. where were we? Oh yes, you were saying?"
She gave him a stern look. "Dominic Jenkins, I know you're planning something, but if you insist.."
"I do, I do!"
"Dominic, I never told you, but I.. I have a sister named Henrietta. She.. we had a fight long, long ago. I haven't talked to her since. That picture was taken while we were on vacation in Olivine City one year.." Dominic suddenly noticed his mom had tears in her eyes, "I was still with your father.. Mallory wasn't even born yet.."
"Mom, I.. omigod!"
Brisen was grinning, looking at the screen and at Dominic.
"Dominic!" she screamed. "We're cousins!"
Dominic stood up, dropping the phone, and hugged Brisen. She was in a state of disbelief.. how could it be possible? Her and Jessie meet this boy who's almost drowned on the beach.. they talk with him a little, and it just so happens he's her cousin? There was only one explanation: it was a miracle.
"Dom? Dom? Hello?" his mom shouted from the floor. "Who's that girl?"
Dom picked up the phone and pulled Brisen in front of the screen.
"Mom! I'd like to introduce you to your niece, Brisen!"
"Hi!" said Brisen.
Silence once again returned to the room. Dominic's mom was smiling intensely at Brisen, not saying a word.
"Well I never.."
"Mom, isn't this amazing? I just met Brisen.. we found this picture.." Dominic glanced back at the broken frame.
"Honey, how IS your mother? I.. I haven't seen her forever.."
"She's great! She's on vacation right now with my dad.."
"Oh, how wonderful.. I feel so horrible. I never would have guessed that she would have children! Are you an only child? Do I have more nieces or nephews?"
"Nope.. Only me, I guess."
"Wow.. so you're mom has never talked about me either?"
"I'm sorry to say.. no."
"Well, makes sense.."
Dominic noticed now that as Brisen and his mom talked Jessie stared longingly out the window.. he must feel awkward..
"Dominic honey? Can I speak to you once more?"
Dom snapped back to reality and turned to his mom.
"Yeah.. what?"
"I want to say goodbye.. I think I'll call my sister when she gets home.. we have some apologies to make.. and I can not believe I have a niece! I have to tell Mallory!"
Dominic chuckled. "Mom, one more question.."
"Yes, dear?"
"Why did you call here in the first place?"
"Oh, well I figured you would be in Slateport by now, I forwarded to call to every hotel until I found your name listed at this one.. I just wanted to make sure you were safe."
Dominic smiled. "Thanks, mom."
"Well, honey, I'm going to go to bed.. I'll hopefully talk to you soon."
"Okay, mom."
"Oh, and Dom? How many badges, may I ask?"
"Two."
"Oh! My son, the master trainer!"
And with that she clicked off the phone and left Brisen and Dom looking at each other. Jessie looked up.
"Done the family reunion?" he said.
They looked at him and frowned.
"Jess, please! We just discovered a life altering.. um.. thing!" said Brisen.
"We're cousins.. how coincidental!" said Dominic, shaking his head.
"I'm out for the night," said Jessie, turning away from them, pulling up the cover to the cot and getting in.
Brisen and Dominic said goodnight and got into their own beds. Dom felt bad that Jessie had to sleep on the small bed.. he would have given his own bed up..
"Goodnight, then, cousin!" said Brisen, pulling on silky pajamas and falling onto the plush yellow pillows.
"Brisen, do you know what the odds are? I mean, out of the entire world.. both of us in Slateport.."
"I can't believe it either, Dominic."
They smiled and both reached for the light switch at the same time. Dom pushed her hand away and he hit the switch, consuming the room in darkness.
Before falling asleep, Dom thought he heard Brisen laughing. He had made a friend.. and found a lost relative.. all in one person.
* * * * * * * * * *
Night past, as did morning. Dominic, Brisen, and Jessie slept until noon the next day, wiped out from the shocking discovery, the mystery of Steven.. the entire day.
Finally Jessie sat up with a start, hearing a knock on the door.
"What the hell..? It's too early!"
He stood up and looked at the small red clock hanging on the wall, it read 12:03.
"Damnit did we sleep late.."
Walking over to the door, he unlocked it and pulled it open with difficulty.
"Howdy there!" a woman standing in front of Jessie said the moment the door opened. She wore a small yellow shirt and a long red skirt, her hair tied up into a bun with an orange ribbon. "I'm with the cleaning committee.. do you mind stepping out while I clean your room?"
Jessie thought for a moment and said, "Hold on one minute.."
He jogged back to the center of the room and shook Dom and Brisen awake.
"Guys! Get up..! GET UP!"
"Wha..?"
"Shut up, Jess!"
Jessie pulled Brisen out of her bed and threw back Dominic's sheets. "The cleaning lady is here! Come ON!"
"Oh shit.." muttered Dominic, getting up and pulling on his jeans. "Brisen get up!"
Brisen rolled over and groaned. "I don't care.."
Jessie stood with his hands on his hips for a few seconds, eventually reaching over and picking p Brisen himself.
"Jess! Ugh! I just want to SLEEP!"
"Brisen, it's lunch time."
"Say what? Oh.. well.. ok.. LET ME GO!"
Jessie dropped her and she speedily ran into the bathroom and changed.
After what seemed to be a very difficult process, Jessie, Dominic, and Brisen were walking out the door. The cleaning woman was staring at them strangely.
They found themselves eventually in the lobby, talking about everything from pokemon to badges to gym leaders.
"You guys never even told me you're gonna be new gym leaders! How cool is that?" said Dominic, as they walked outside and down the sunny sidewalk.
"Yeah.. pretty neat, huh?" she said.
Jessie nodded. "We're leaving in about two months."
"Which reminds me!" said Brisen, as they walked down a large stone staircase onto the beach. "I hafta design my badge.. what do ya think I should call it?"
"What type do you train?" asked Dominic.
"Oh, I thought I told you! Dragons! Great little rascals, they are.. I'm level eight, so I hafta raise them up a little higher.." She reached into her backpack and pulled out a large picnic blanket, laying it down on the sand. The three sat down, close to the ocean, listening to the wingull caw and the waves crash.
"Wow.. dragons, eh?" said Dominic. "What pokemon to you have, then?"
"Ah.." said Brisen, "Better show you then tell you.." she reached onto her belt and pulled off two pokeballs. She dropped one of them onto the sand beside them.
Out of the bright yellow pokeball came a small blue pokeball that looked slightly lizard-like. It waddled around their blanket, snapping it's mouth open and shut continuously.
"BAY! BAY!"
Brisen reached out and put her hands around the little dragon's waist, pulling it into her lap.
"This here's bagon.." she said, dropping her second pokeball. "And here's trapinch.."
A small brown pokemon appeared, and it looked most peculiar. It had a very small body with four stout legs, but it's head was at least three times bigger. It had small beady black eyes and a huge pointy jaw.
"Pinch!"
Brisen also pulled this pokemon onto her lap. It and bagon chatted happily while Brisen continued.
"These guys are great.. both level 25."
Dominic studied them and pulled out his pokedex. "If you don't mind I'm gonna just add them to my pokedex.. might be the last time I see them."
"Oh, sure.." said Brisen.
After awhile Dom snapped the device shut and put it away, a confused look on his face.
"Brisen, it says trapinch is only a ground type."
"Oh, well we'll be changing that.." she grinned at the brown pokemon.
"How?"
"When trapinch evolves.. he'll be changed into a dragon type.. just have to get him to that level."
Dominic nodded, smiling. "Jessie, what type do you train?"
Jessie had been watching the people running along the beach, and he now turned to Dominic.
"Water. I know it's, like, the most common type and almost everybody has them, but I think it takes a really talented trainer to master the water pokemon world."
Dominic nodded once more. "And your pokemon..?"
"Oh, well I can't exactly bring them out here.. but I have a lapras.. its how we got here.. a gorebyss, a whiscash, and an octillery."
Dominic took a second to look up these pokemon in his pokedex and eventually smiled. "I have a barboach."
Jessie laughed. "Wow, I can't even remember when I caught my own barboach.. It evolved into whiscash quickly, I remember. Great little guy, though."
"Yeah.." said Dominic, "Brisen, thought of any badge ideas?"
She frowned. "No. But, I think I want the gym to have a high, arched ceiling, since my two pokemon will hopefully be flying by then."
"Good idea.. I'd be intimidated by that," Dom said. "Then again, I'm intimidated by almost any gym."
She smiled. "How about the vortex badge? Sounds cool.."
"Hmm.. what do you think it would look like?"
"I dunno.. maybe a spiral with a holographic dragon in the center?"
Dominic imagined it.. "Sounds cool to me!"
They sat and talked for a while longer, watching the ocean and the sun as it grew hotter..
* * * * * * * * * *
"Well, I guess this is goodbye," said Brisen. She stood with Jessie at the hotel doors, Dominic facing them.
"Yeah.."
"Are you sure you don't want to stay another night?" said Jessie, scratching his curly hair.
"Yup. I really have to get going. I'm already late on getting the next badge.. I should leave soon, anyway."
They looked at each other awhile longer, until Brisen spoke up. "It was awesome meeting.. well.. my cousin! I'm sure I'll see you again soon. Your mom seems like she's going to get back in touch with my mom.. who knows? We could have a family reunion."
Dominic laughed. "I bet we will."
"Come visit the Typhoon Islands after you become the Hoenn League Champion!" said Jessie.
"I will! I have to.. I really want to see you guy's skills!" said Dom.
Brisen looked about ready to cry. "You'll do great, Dominic. Your spirit.. it will take you far. A lot of hopeful champions don't have spirit, but you do!"
Dominic gave her a hug and shook Jessie's hand. "Thanks, Brisen. See you soon! I'll keep in touch!"
He began walking away from the hotel, waving.
Brisen and Jessie stood on the large front stairs, both smiling, waving at their new friend as he disappeared behind the large gray buildings.
Time moved slowly. Jessie had almost fallen asleep when he heard a stir coming from one of the two beds across from him. Looking over, he saw Brisen shuffling her feet and blinking open her eyes.
"Jess..?"
Jessie stood up, walking over to her bed, and sat down beside her.
"What happened?"
"I don't know, Brisen.. you and Dominic fainted. You must have just been totally shocked when you saw this.." Jessie reached over and picked up a broken glass picture frame from the bedside table, "I don't know why."
Brisen grabbed the frame from Jessie's hands and stared at it, quickly shoving it back to him and sitting up.
"Do you know why..?"
"Jess, this is scaring me. Bad. You know how Dominic said that some mystery man gave the package to him? The package with this picture in it?" Her eyes were wide with a strong emotion - Jessie couldn't tell if it was fear or confusion, probably both.
"Yeah, but what does that have to do with.."
"Jessie. Look at the picture!"
Jessie glanced at the photo that was sandwiched between the frame and the broken glass. It wasn't strange - two women smiling faintly at the camera, not looking extremely happy, but smiling just the same.
"I don't understand.."
"Ugh! Jessie! That woman to the left is my mom!"
The silvery frame smashed on the floor for the second time that night. Jessie stared mouth open at Brisen, suddenly realizing the resemblance between her and the woman in the photo. The green hair, the smile..
"Brisen.. why.. how.."
"I don't know! Whoever this Steven is, I want to know why he had this picture. Who the hell.."
Suddenly, a sound came from the other side of the room and both Jessie and Brisen threw their heads around to look at Dominic.
"Did I faint?" said the spiky haired boy, "That picture..?"
Brisen bent over to pick up the doubly smashed frame and threw it at the now sitting up Dominic. He caught it swiftly, Jessie thought, for someone just waking up.
Looking over it for a few minutes Dominic spoke up.
"Why is my mom in this picture?" he said. It was Brisen's turn to stare.
"YOUR mom? I.."
"You.."
"What..?"
"Dominic, MY mom is in the picture with some other lady.. how could.. OMIGOSH!"
In a moment of extreme confusion the frame was dropped once again as Dominic jumped up while Brisen and Jessie rushed around muttering things under their breath.
"HOLD IT!" screamed Dominic, waving his hands around like a referee. "Now, let's all sit down and discuss this. There has to be.."
"Some reasonable explanation.." said Brisen.
Dominic smiled slightly at her as they sat down side by side on one of the beds. "Right."
"Now, you two.." uttered Jessie. "You say both your moms are in the picture. This means.."
"Jessie cut to it!" yelled Brisen. "It means that our moms must have known each other somehow.. some way.."
"That is damn freaky.." said Jessie, assuming his seat back on the small cot.
"Brisen, is there any way we could reach your mom?" said Dominic, hands on his temples.
"No.. no.. her and my dad are on vacation at Cainwood Resort. I couldn't bother them.. not that I could reach them in the first place.. how 'bout yours?" said Brisen, looking as confused as ever.
"Um.. I haven't exactly spoken to her since I ran away."
"Oh.."
The two looked intently at each other for a long time, while Jessie fixed his gaze on the ocean once more. It was silent for a long, long time.
The quiet was broken as the Phone TV bleeped loudly, flashing red on the screen. Dominic stood up quickly and ran to the phone, pulling it onto his lap back on the bed. He turned a knob and the image of an angry woman appeared. He uttered a curse and picked up the phone.
"Mom? Hi.."
Brisen gasped and looked from the screen to the picture, still on the floor, and back to the screen again.
"Dominic! Glad to see you in person.. NOT that I'm glad that you're NOT AT HOME!" Her face twisted into a small crooked smile.
"Mom, I know you're mad and II know you hate me but.."
"Dominic Jenkins! I don't hate you!" she interrupted. "I am just VERY, VERY MAD AT YOU!"
"Okay, okay, mom, just let me ask you.."
"Dominic? Dominic do I hear other people in that room?" she gasped. "ARE YOU HAVING ONE OF THOSE PARTIES?"
Dominic was ready to smack his mom. "Mom! Omigosh! I'm fourteen! Party? What the hell? No.. um.. I'm here with these two friends.. I.. can I ask you my question?"
"Yes?"
Dominic sighed. That had been difficult..
"Do you know this lady?" he said, holding up the picture to the screen. He couldn't see his mom, but heard her mutter something.
"Dominic, where did you get that?" she muttered.
"Answer my question first."
"Dom, honey, you're right, I am mad at you right now, but there are some things I promised myself I wouldn't tell you until you turned 18.."
Brisen tapped Dom on the shoulder and gave him a longing look. He struck a determined face and turned back to his mother.
"Mom, I need to know. It's a matter of life and death."
"Say what?" yelled Brisen.
Dominic quickly covered the Phone TV screen with a sheet and looked at her.
"Brisen, I'm just trying to get this out of her. If you say something like that she'll know we're not for real.."
"Oh, sorry Dominic!"
Dom uncovered the phone and smiled at his mom.
"Sorry 'bout that, mum, ahh.. where were we? Oh yes, you were saying?"
She gave him a stern look. "Dominic Jenkins, I know you're planning something, but if you insist.."
"I do, I do!"
"Dominic, I never told you, but I.. I have a sister named Henrietta. She.. we had a fight long, long ago. I haven't talked to her since. That picture was taken while we were on vacation in Olivine City one year.." Dominic suddenly noticed his mom had tears in her eyes, "I was still with your father.. Mallory wasn't even born yet.."
"Mom, I.. omigod!"
Brisen was grinning, looking at the screen and at Dominic.
"Dominic!" she screamed. "We're cousins!"
Dominic stood up, dropping the phone, and hugged Brisen. She was in a state of disbelief.. how could it be possible? Her and Jessie meet this boy who's almost drowned on the beach.. they talk with him a little, and it just so happens he's her cousin? There was only one explanation: it was a miracle.
"Dom? Dom? Hello?" his mom shouted from the floor. "Who's that girl?"
Dom picked up the phone and pulled Brisen in front of the screen.
"Mom! I'd like to introduce you to your niece, Brisen!"
"Hi!" said Brisen.
Silence once again returned to the room. Dominic's mom was smiling intensely at Brisen, not saying a word.
"Well I never.."
"Mom, isn't this amazing? I just met Brisen.. we found this picture.." Dominic glanced back at the broken frame.
"Honey, how IS your mother? I.. I haven't seen her forever.."
"She's great! She's on vacation right now with my dad.."
"Oh, how wonderful.. I feel so horrible. I never would have guessed that she would have children! Are you an only child? Do I have more nieces or nephews?"
"Nope.. Only me, I guess."
"Wow.. so you're mom has never talked about me either?"
"I'm sorry to say.. no."
"Well, makes sense.."
Dominic noticed now that as Brisen and his mom talked Jessie stared longingly out the window.. he must feel awkward..
"Dominic honey? Can I speak to you once more?"
Dom snapped back to reality and turned to his mom.
"Yeah.. what?"
"I want to say goodbye.. I think I'll call my sister when she gets home.. we have some apologies to make.. and I can not believe I have a niece! I have to tell Mallory!"
Dominic chuckled. "Mom, one more question.."
"Yes, dear?"
"Why did you call here in the first place?"
"Oh, well I figured you would be in Slateport by now, I forwarded to call to every hotel until I found your name listed at this one.. I just wanted to make sure you were safe."
Dominic smiled. "Thanks, mom."
"Well, honey, I'm going to go to bed.. I'll hopefully talk to you soon."
"Okay, mom."
"Oh, and Dom? How many badges, may I ask?"
"Two."
"Oh! My son, the master trainer!"
And with that she clicked off the phone and left Brisen and Dom looking at each other. Jessie looked up.
"Done the family reunion?" he said.
They looked at him and frowned.
"Jess, please! We just discovered a life altering.. um.. thing!" said Brisen.
"We're cousins.. how coincidental!" said Dominic, shaking his head.
"I'm out for the night," said Jessie, turning away from them, pulling up the cover to the cot and getting in.
Brisen and Dominic said goodnight and got into their own beds. Dom felt bad that Jessie had to sleep on the small bed.. he would have given his own bed up..
"Goodnight, then, cousin!" said Brisen, pulling on silky pajamas and falling onto the plush yellow pillows.
"Brisen, do you know what the odds are? I mean, out of the entire world.. both of us in Slateport.."
"I can't believe it either, Dominic."
They smiled and both reached for the light switch at the same time. Dom pushed her hand away and he hit the switch, consuming the room in darkness.
Before falling asleep, Dom thought he heard Brisen laughing. He had made a friend.. and found a lost relative.. all in one person.
* * * * * * * * * *
Night past, as did morning. Dominic, Brisen, and Jessie slept until noon the next day, wiped out from the shocking discovery, the mystery of Steven.. the entire day.
Finally Jessie sat up with a start, hearing a knock on the door.
"What the hell..? It's too early!"
He stood up and looked at the small red clock hanging on the wall, it read 12:03.
"Damnit did we sleep late.."
Walking over to the door, he unlocked it and pulled it open with difficulty.
"Howdy there!" a woman standing in front of Jessie said the moment the door opened. She wore a small yellow shirt and a long red skirt, her hair tied up into a bun with an orange ribbon. "I'm with the cleaning committee.. do you mind stepping out while I clean your room?"
Jessie thought for a moment and said, "Hold on one minute.."
He jogged back to the center of the room and shook Dom and Brisen awake.
"Guys! Get up..! GET UP!"
"Wha..?"
"Shut up, Jess!"
Jessie pulled Brisen out of her bed and threw back Dominic's sheets. "The cleaning lady is here! Come ON!"
"Oh shit.." muttered Dominic, getting up and pulling on his jeans. "Brisen get up!"
Brisen rolled over and groaned. "I don't care.."
Jessie stood with his hands on his hips for a few seconds, eventually reaching over and picking p Brisen himself.
"Jess! Ugh! I just want to SLEEP!"
"Brisen, it's lunch time."
"Say what? Oh.. well.. ok.. LET ME GO!"
Jessie dropped her and she speedily ran into the bathroom and changed.
After what seemed to be a very difficult process, Jessie, Dominic, and Brisen were walking out the door. The cleaning woman was staring at them strangely.
They found themselves eventually in the lobby, talking about everything from pokemon to badges to gym leaders.
"You guys never even told me you're gonna be new gym leaders! How cool is that?" said Dominic, as they walked outside and down the sunny sidewalk.
"Yeah.. pretty neat, huh?" she said.
Jessie nodded. "We're leaving in about two months."
"Which reminds me!" said Brisen, as they walked down a large stone staircase onto the beach. "I hafta design my badge.. what do ya think I should call it?"
"What type do you train?" asked Dominic.
"Oh, I thought I told you! Dragons! Great little rascals, they are.. I'm level eight, so I hafta raise them up a little higher.." She reached into her backpack and pulled out a large picnic blanket, laying it down on the sand. The three sat down, close to the ocean, listening to the wingull caw and the waves crash.
"Wow.. dragons, eh?" said Dominic. "What pokemon to you have, then?"
"Ah.." said Brisen, "Better show you then tell you.." she reached onto her belt and pulled off two pokeballs. She dropped one of them onto the sand beside them.
Out of the bright yellow pokeball came a small blue pokeball that looked slightly lizard-like. It waddled around their blanket, snapping it's mouth open and shut continuously.
"BAY! BAY!"
Brisen reached out and put her hands around the little dragon's waist, pulling it into her lap.
"This here's bagon.." she said, dropping her second pokeball. "And here's trapinch.."
A small brown pokemon appeared, and it looked most peculiar. It had a very small body with four stout legs, but it's head was at least three times bigger. It had small beady black eyes and a huge pointy jaw.
"Pinch!"
Brisen also pulled this pokemon onto her lap. It and bagon chatted happily while Brisen continued.
"These guys are great.. both level 25."
Dominic studied them and pulled out his pokedex. "If you don't mind I'm gonna just add them to my pokedex.. might be the last time I see them."
"Oh, sure.." said Brisen.
After awhile Dom snapped the device shut and put it away, a confused look on his face.
"Brisen, it says trapinch is only a ground type."
"Oh, well we'll be changing that.." she grinned at the brown pokemon.
"How?"
"When trapinch evolves.. he'll be changed into a dragon type.. just have to get him to that level."
Dominic nodded, smiling. "Jessie, what type do you train?"
Jessie had been watching the people running along the beach, and he now turned to Dominic.
"Water. I know it's, like, the most common type and almost everybody has them, but I think it takes a really talented trainer to master the water pokemon world."
Dominic nodded once more. "And your pokemon..?"
"Oh, well I can't exactly bring them out here.. but I have a lapras.. its how we got here.. a gorebyss, a whiscash, and an octillery."
Dominic took a second to look up these pokemon in his pokedex and eventually smiled. "I have a barboach."
Jessie laughed. "Wow, I can't even remember when I caught my own barboach.. It evolved into whiscash quickly, I remember. Great little guy, though."
"Yeah.." said Dominic, "Brisen, thought of any badge ideas?"
She frowned. "No. But, I think I want the gym to have a high, arched ceiling, since my two pokemon will hopefully be flying by then."
"Good idea.. I'd be intimidated by that," Dom said. "Then again, I'm intimidated by almost any gym."
She smiled. "How about the vortex badge? Sounds cool.."
"Hmm.. what do you think it would look like?"
"I dunno.. maybe a spiral with a holographic dragon in the center?"
Dominic imagined it.. "Sounds cool to me!"
They sat and talked for a while longer, watching the ocean and the sun as it grew hotter..
* * * * * * * * * *
"Well, I guess this is goodbye," said Brisen. She stood with Jessie at the hotel doors, Dominic facing them.
"Yeah.."
"Are you sure you don't want to stay another night?" said Jessie, scratching his curly hair.
"Yup. I really have to get going. I'm already late on getting the next badge.. I should leave soon, anyway."
They looked at each other awhile longer, until Brisen spoke up. "It was awesome meeting.. well.. my cousin! I'm sure I'll see you again soon. Your mom seems like she's going to get back in touch with my mom.. who knows? We could have a family reunion."
Dominic laughed. "I bet we will."
"Come visit the Typhoon Islands after you become the Hoenn League Champion!" said Jessie.
"I will! I have to.. I really want to see you guy's skills!" said Dom.
Brisen looked about ready to cry. "You'll do great, Dominic. Your spirit.. it will take you far. A lot of hopeful champions don't have spirit, but you do!"
Dominic gave her a hug and shook Jessie's hand. "Thanks, Brisen. See you soon! I'll keep in touch!"
He began walking away from the hotel, waving.
Brisen and Jessie stood on the large front stairs, both smiling, waving at their new friend as he disappeared behind the large gray buildings.
