-- Chapter 3 --
-- Five months later --
Kiara and I were going to enjoy what was probably the last swim of the year. The chilly weather was coming, and the last warm, sunny days were fading away. I dove in, Kiara doing the same. I came up again.
''Haha, good dive,'' said Kiara.
''Oh, shoot,'' I said. ''Shoot!''
''What is it?'' asked Kiara.
''My Pokeball's gone,'' I said, looking around frantically. I dove down. There it was, resting on the bottom of the ocean innocently. I tried to reach it, but I couldn't without going back up for air.
''I can't get it,'' I told my friend.
''We could go buy a mask and snorkle,'' suggested Kiara. I decided we'd do that. We got out, got changed, and headed over to Goldenrod Department Store. After looking on the directory for a minute, we rushed to the elevator and went to the third floor, the clothing section. We walked over to the clerk.
''Do you have a mask and snorkle?'' I asked, trying to make myself sound mature.
''Ain't it a bit late to be swimming at this time of year?'' said the clerk, scratching his head.
''But do you have them?'' I asked, again.
''Yeah, uhhh, fifteen dollars please,'' said the clerk, reading from a list. I got out my money while he went to the storeroom. He came back with the mask and snorkle. I payed him, and we ran out. After quickly changing back into our swimsuits, I put on the mask and snorkle and dove down. I grabbed the Pokeball, and rushed back up.
''Goh ih,'' I told Kiara through the snorkle. Kiara giggled as I took it off. We went back home. Later that day, I also bought a waterproof bag. I wouldn't want to lose my Pokeball again.
-- A month later --
Sure enough, it was now very chilly. There was some snow on the ground, and walking to school was much harder with the wind. But I still trained Eevee, on Route 34. There weren't many wild Pokemon braving the winter, but a few came out. Like a Drowzee.
''Eevee, quick attack!'' I yelled, as the Drowzee started to attempt hypnosis. Eevee surprised the slow creature.
''Okay, don't listen or look at the Drowzee...'' I said, as Drowzee's hypnosis started to take advantage over Eevee. Eevee obeyed, and flapped her ears down and closed her eyes, guarding herself from being hypnotized. Drowzee looked confused, and Eevee took the chance to tackle it. BAM! Drowzee went flying. I took it and gave it a Lemonade, which healed it, and let it go. Then I returned Eevee to her Pokeball, and ran home.
''Hey, Mom,'' I said, as I burst through the door. It was about seven on a schoolnight, and dinner was ready. I took off my coat, hung it up, and settled down at the table.
''So, sweetie, have you been training that Eevee of yours?'' asked Mom.
''Uhh... yeah,'' I said.
''That's great. Have you ever considered going out onto the ice?'' asked Mom. ''I hear it's thick enough to walk on.''
''That wouldn't be a bad idea,'' I said, thinking.
''You could even go ice fishing,'' suggested Mom.
''Yeah, but I need a rod,'' I said.
''Oh well,'' said Mom, as she finished up her plate. I finished, too, and took my plate to the sink. I went upstairs to do my homework, then to bed.
-- The next day --
''Ahh! More snow!'' I exclaimed, upon waking up and looking out my window. I pulled on warmer socks, really warm tights and the rest of my uniform, with a sweater that was also part of the uniform. I wolfed down breakfast, and went to meet up with Kiara. Snow was BLOWING, making it barely visible ahead. But behind the Game Corner, something caught my attention.
''Quil,'' something chirped.
''What?'' I called out.
''Quil, quil, Cyndaquil,'' came an answer. I ran behind the building. Near the back door, a Cyndaquil was in a box, trying to keep warm.
''Whoa, lets get you warm,'' I said. I took off my coat, and wrapped it around the Cyndaquil, running towards the school. I skidded on my boots inside the classroom, and showed Mrs. Thomas.
''Oh, dear, we'll have to get this poor thing healed... Misha, would you be willing to take this Cyndaquil to the Pokemon center?'' asked Mrs. Thomas. I nodded in response. Mrs. Thomas gave me a blanket to wrap around the Pokemon so I could wear my coat. I hurried out of the building, with the Cyndaquil all bundled up.
''Quil,'' it said. It seemed a bit happier.
I rushed outside and darted across the railroad tracks, through the street and to the Pokemon Center.
''Hello,'' said the nurse. ''Is your Cyndaquil okay?''
''No, I think it's chilled,'' I said, handing the Cyndaquil over to the nurse.
''Okay, we'll take it in right away,'' she replied, going to a back room. I sat down. Another nurse handed me a hot chocolate. I sipped, while waiting for the nurse to return. After about twenty minutes, the red-haired nurse came back.
''Your Cyndaquil is fine now,'' she said, handing the little Cyndaquil back to me, still in the blanket.
''Well... he's not exactly mine,'' I explained.
''I can run an ID number check,'' said the nurse. She ran to the back room and came back. ''He doesn't have an ID number,'' she told me. ''You can keep him.'' She handed me an empty Pokeball. The Cyndaquil went in properly. I tucked the Pokeball in my pocket, thanked the nurse, and hurried back to school. The class was having English when I was back. I whispered to Kiara about the Cyndaquil. Now, I had another Pokemon.
-- March 16 --
Today would be perfect. It was Saturday, and it was my twelfth birthday. And Dad was coming! I was going to have a party with my friends, too. I got out of bed, got dressed, and as usual, had my breakfast. Now, the snow had melted, and it was gradually getting warmer. I raced out to Kiara's house.
''Happy birthday,'' said Kiara, at the door. ''Are we going to go train?''
''Yep, thanks,'' I said.
''I have to show you something,'' said Kiara. She led me around the corner and to another seaside home. She knocked on the door. A man with greying hairs openned the door.
''Ahh, Kiara, hello. You need to use our boat?'' asked the man.
''Yes, Mr. Brant,'' said Kiara.
''Alright,'' said the man. He came out, and opened the gate to a dock. A speedboat was parked at the end. The man unchained the boat from the post on the dock. ''All yours,'' he told Kiara. I hopped in beside Kiara.
''I got my boating license when I was, like, ten,'' explained Kiara, handing me a card. Johto Boating Department - This card certifies that Kiara Almers can legally operate any boat in Johto. ''Mr. Brant lends me his boat, usually, but last year it was with his nephew in Cherrygrove City.'' Kiara put the boat into gear, then stopped it in the middle of the ocean. Magikarp and Tentacool occasionally jumped out. I released Eevee, who sat at the back, enjoying the sun. She did a quick attack to anything that jumped near her. Finally, it became boring.
''I know the coolest place to go,'' said Kiara. She sped southwest, near Route 34 Shore. She parked, and we both jumped out and waded to a secret little beach.
''Where'd you find this place?'' asked Misha.
''Ahh, dunno, just stumbled across it boating around two years ago. Absolutely no one comes here,'' said Kiara.
''It sure is nice here, as opposed to the normal beach,'' I commented. The other beach was up farther on Route 34. This one was shielded by trees, and no one really came down up close on boat. Only a huge ship dotted the horizon. It seemed like hours until we waded back to the boat to head back.
''DADDY!'' I ran towards my father, coming out of the Route 35-Goldenrod City guardhouse. We shared a hug, and went home. I'd only called him once during the winter, when he was camping out on the Whirl Islands. The phone connection was lousy, though, so we only chatted five minutes. As we went home now, he told me all about earning his badges, and the journey to Cianwood Island. At home, my friends were all there, for my party.
''Open my present first, Mish,'' said someone. We had just enjoyed my mom's homemade chocolate cake, and were openning presents. A pink bag was slid across the table towards me. I opened it up. It was a ''Pokemon Grooming Kit'', complete with different brushes, a comb, a washcloth and a book on Pokemom grooming. Then there was a Pikachu-print gift wrap box containing new clothes. Then, a few presents later, from my mom, a new orangey-island two piece swimsuit. Then a Pokegear upgrade card, that gave me radio from Kanto. Then more, and more...
After the party, my dad gave me a journal and a locked box. He didn't tell me what was inside of the box, or how to open it. Then, he departed, after a long goodbye.
-- The next day --
''Whew!'' I said, as we got onto the warm sand. Kiara and I were at the secret beach. It was even hotter. As soon as we got outside, the city's humidity had sealed around us. Cars whizzing around added to the heat.
''It sure is nice to get out of there!'' said Kiara, burying her toes in the sticky sand by the water. I went behind some trees to change into my swimsuit, and Kiara did the same. Then we splashed around. Later, Kiara drove far out in the boat, and we dove off the back. We went to different areas, farther out.
Suddenly, Kiara cursed. ''Look,'' she said, pointing to sign mounted on a bright orange buoy. The sign read: ''Tentacool Zone, No Boats Permitted.''
-- Five months later --
Kiara and I were going to enjoy what was probably the last swim of the year. The chilly weather was coming, and the last warm, sunny days were fading away. I dove in, Kiara doing the same. I came up again.
''Haha, good dive,'' said Kiara.
''Oh, shoot,'' I said. ''Shoot!''
''What is it?'' asked Kiara.
''My Pokeball's gone,'' I said, looking around frantically. I dove down. There it was, resting on the bottom of the ocean innocently. I tried to reach it, but I couldn't without going back up for air.
''I can't get it,'' I told my friend.
''We could go buy a mask and snorkle,'' suggested Kiara. I decided we'd do that. We got out, got changed, and headed over to Goldenrod Department Store. After looking on the directory for a minute, we rushed to the elevator and went to the third floor, the clothing section. We walked over to the clerk.
''Do you have a mask and snorkle?'' I asked, trying to make myself sound mature.
''Ain't it a bit late to be swimming at this time of year?'' said the clerk, scratching his head.
''But do you have them?'' I asked, again.
''Yeah, uhhh, fifteen dollars please,'' said the clerk, reading from a list. I got out my money while he went to the storeroom. He came back with the mask and snorkle. I payed him, and we ran out. After quickly changing back into our swimsuits, I put on the mask and snorkle and dove down. I grabbed the Pokeball, and rushed back up.
''Goh ih,'' I told Kiara through the snorkle. Kiara giggled as I took it off. We went back home. Later that day, I also bought a waterproof bag. I wouldn't want to lose my Pokeball again.
-- A month later --
Sure enough, it was now very chilly. There was some snow on the ground, and walking to school was much harder with the wind. But I still trained Eevee, on Route 34. There weren't many wild Pokemon braving the winter, but a few came out. Like a Drowzee.
''Eevee, quick attack!'' I yelled, as the Drowzee started to attempt hypnosis. Eevee surprised the slow creature.
''Okay, don't listen or look at the Drowzee...'' I said, as Drowzee's hypnosis started to take advantage over Eevee. Eevee obeyed, and flapped her ears down and closed her eyes, guarding herself from being hypnotized. Drowzee looked confused, and Eevee took the chance to tackle it. BAM! Drowzee went flying. I took it and gave it a Lemonade, which healed it, and let it go. Then I returned Eevee to her Pokeball, and ran home.
''Hey, Mom,'' I said, as I burst through the door. It was about seven on a schoolnight, and dinner was ready. I took off my coat, hung it up, and settled down at the table.
''So, sweetie, have you been training that Eevee of yours?'' asked Mom.
''Uhh... yeah,'' I said.
''That's great. Have you ever considered going out onto the ice?'' asked Mom. ''I hear it's thick enough to walk on.''
''That wouldn't be a bad idea,'' I said, thinking.
''You could even go ice fishing,'' suggested Mom.
''Yeah, but I need a rod,'' I said.
''Oh well,'' said Mom, as she finished up her plate. I finished, too, and took my plate to the sink. I went upstairs to do my homework, then to bed.
-- The next day --
''Ahh! More snow!'' I exclaimed, upon waking up and looking out my window. I pulled on warmer socks, really warm tights and the rest of my uniform, with a sweater that was also part of the uniform. I wolfed down breakfast, and went to meet up with Kiara. Snow was BLOWING, making it barely visible ahead. But behind the Game Corner, something caught my attention.
''Quil,'' something chirped.
''What?'' I called out.
''Quil, quil, Cyndaquil,'' came an answer. I ran behind the building. Near the back door, a Cyndaquil was in a box, trying to keep warm.
''Whoa, lets get you warm,'' I said. I took off my coat, and wrapped it around the Cyndaquil, running towards the school. I skidded on my boots inside the classroom, and showed Mrs. Thomas.
''Oh, dear, we'll have to get this poor thing healed... Misha, would you be willing to take this Cyndaquil to the Pokemon center?'' asked Mrs. Thomas. I nodded in response. Mrs. Thomas gave me a blanket to wrap around the Pokemon so I could wear my coat. I hurried out of the building, with the Cyndaquil all bundled up.
''Quil,'' it said. It seemed a bit happier.
I rushed outside and darted across the railroad tracks, through the street and to the Pokemon Center.
''Hello,'' said the nurse. ''Is your Cyndaquil okay?''
''No, I think it's chilled,'' I said, handing the Cyndaquil over to the nurse.
''Okay, we'll take it in right away,'' she replied, going to a back room. I sat down. Another nurse handed me a hot chocolate. I sipped, while waiting for the nurse to return. After about twenty minutes, the red-haired nurse came back.
''Your Cyndaquil is fine now,'' she said, handing the little Cyndaquil back to me, still in the blanket.
''Well... he's not exactly mine,'' I explained.
''I can run an ID number check,'' said the nurse. She ran to the back room and came back. ''He doesn't have an ID number,'' she told me. ''You can keep him.'' She handed me an empty Pokeball. The Cyndaquil went in properly. I tucked the Pokeball in my pocket, thanked the nurse, and hurried back to school. The class was having English when I was back. I whispered to Kiara about the Cyndaquil. Now, I had another Pokemon.
-- March 16 --
Today would be perfect. It was Saturday, and it was my twelfth birthday. And Dad was coming! I was going to have a party with my friends, too. I got out of bed, got dressed, and as usual, had my breakfast. Now, the snow had melted, and it was gradually getting warmer. I raced out to Kiara's house.
''Happy birthday,'' said Kiara, at the door. ''Are we going to go train?''
''Yep, thanks,'' I said.
''I have to show you something,'' said Kiara. She led me around the corner and to another seaside home. She knocked on the door. A man with greying hairs openned the door.
''Ahh, Kiara, hello. You need to use our boat?'' asked the man.
''Yes, Mr. Brant,'' said Kiara.
''Alright,'' said the man. He came out, and opened the gate to a dock. A speedboat was parked at the end. The man unchained the boat from the post on the dock. ''All yours,'' he told Kiara. I hopped in beside Kiara.
''I got my boating license when I was, like, ten,'' explained Kiara, handing me a card. Johto Boating Department - This card certifies that Kiara Almers can legally operate any boat in Johto. ''Mr. Brant lends me his boat, usually, but last year it was with his nephew in Cherrygrove City.'' Kiara put the boat into gear, then stopped it in the middle of the ocean. Magikarp and Tentacool occasionally jumped out. I released Eevee, who sat at the back, enjoying the sun. She did a quick attack to anything that jumped near her. Finally, it became boring.
''I know the coolest place to go,'' said Kiara. She sped southwest, near Route 34 Shore. She parked, and we both jumped out and waded to a secret little beach.
''Where'd you find this place?'' asked Misha.
''Ahh, dunno, just stumbled across it boating around two years ago. Absolutely no one comes here,'' said Kiara.
''It sure is nice here, as opposed to the normal beach,'' I commented. The other beach was up farther on Route 34. This one was shielded by trees, and no one really came down up close on boat. Only a huge ship dotted the horizon. It seemed like hours until we waded back to the boat to head back.
''DADDY!'' I ran towards my father, coming out of the Route 35-Goldenrod City guardhouse. We shared a hug, and went home. I'd only called him once during the winter, when he was camping out on the Whirl Islands. The phone connection was lousy, though, so we only chatted five minutes. As we went home now, he told me all about earning his badges, and the journey to Cianwood Island. At home, my friends were all there, for my party.
''Open my present first, Mish,'' said someone. We had just enjoyed my mom's homemade chocolate cake, and were openning presents. A pink bag was slid across the table towards me. I opened it up. It was a ''Pokemon Grooming Kit'', complete with different brushes, a comb, a washcloth and a book on Pokemom grooming. Then there was a Pikachu-print gift wrap box containing new clothes. Then, a few presents later, from my mom, a new orangey-island two piece swimsuit. Then a Pokegear upgrade card, that gave me radio from Kanto. Then more, and more...
After the party, my dad gave me a journal and a locked box. He didn't tell me what was inside of the box, or how to open it. Then, he departed, after a long goodbye.
-- The next day --
''Whew!'' I said, as we got onto the warm sand. Kiara and I were at the secret beach. It was even hotter. As soon as we got outside, the city's humidity had sealed around us. Cars whizzing around added to the heat.
''It sure is nice to get out of there!'' said Kiara, burying her toes in the sticky sand by the water. I went behind some trees to change into my swimsuit, and Kiara did the same. Then we splashed around. Later, Kiara drove far out in the boat, and we dove off the back. We went to different areas, farther out.
Suddenly, Kiara cursed. ''Look,'' she said, pointing to sign mounted on a bright orange buoy. The sign read: ''Tentacool Zone, No Boats Permitted.''