Thanks for reading guys, I did a stuff up posting the chapter that was meant for my website, so that's why it has Home, Authors notes and such.
Thanks RaNdOm TeXt, nice to see you back if you've read my other stuff. I'm really quite proud with how it came out, like you said, much more flow.
Thanks Hannah, I'm going to keep the old version still up, in case people want to read it, but this is my good copy, I hope!
Thanks Tjal, Nice to have a new reader, maybe I can rope some more in with this second chapter!
Thanks Miroku, You never know wink I'm a big fan of having interaction amongst fiction, like they're all one big web. So I may just…
On the Wings of Council
I glanced at my watch, 8:13, and six minutes since I last checked. I started to pace again. Back and forth, back and forth. I looked at my watch again. 8:16. I growled in frustration. This was stupid! New Bark Town was the same sleepy little town I had left behind, only larger. I was openly amazed at the fact it had an airport. Well you couldn't call it an airport, more of an asphalt road with a box beside it where you could purchase tickets. It was after all the official beginning destination for all trainers of the Johto League.
I arrived in New Bark Town late yesterday evening dog-tired. I waited inside the box for someone to escort me to a tiny little apartment with a bed and a bedside table. Come to think of it, it wasn't much bigger than the airport itself. So I stood slack jawed and slumped shoulders and the brisk business man asked if I was Topaz Soarhire, all I replied was, "Huh?"
After a quick meal I flung myself into the bed, but I'm sure with a mattress that hard I would have been just as comfortable on the floor.
Funnily enough I woke up at 7:30. This time I scurried about the little room, chewing a muesli bar with one hand and scouring my trainers guide with the other, reciting noisily bits I thought would help when the time to choose actually came. I wasn't supposed to meet outside Professor Elm's laboratory until 9:00 but as 7:45 rolled round I couldn't take it any more and wandered over to the lab.
That's another thing I hate about this place, it's weird arse weather. That night I had tossed and turned with the covers shoved off in the itchy heat. Not hot enough to say it's hot, or risk being called a wuss, but enough to make it uncomfortable. Then when this morning rolled around I walked briskly, okay awkwardly, down what was laughably named the main road rubbing my arms in the chill. I think for one brief moment I saw my breath in a smoky cloud. I hate the cold.
Anyhow I arrived muttering and moaning to myself at a big white building at the top of a sandy yellow road on a cresting hill. Behind it lay acre after acre of ecosystems and my eyes widened in disbelief, their little icy glaze cracking, All the different Pokemon! They varied in such shape and size and colour I thought they were a dream.
Suddenly a door slam roused me from my thoughts to see a lanky blond boy getting out of the taxi. I stared at him curiously as he tripped over his baggage and hauled it up the path. He was a rival trainer and I didn't know if I should be nice to him. Well my personality solved that one pretty quickly which proves why I was never good at making friends and reminded me I wasn't particularly nice to anyone.
That was another thing for me to think about, should I remain by myself or choose a companion for my journey. I guess I'd burn cross that bridge when I'd come to it, or whatever the saying was.
"Hi, I'm Matthew," he said holding out his hand.
I hesitated suspiciously. What did he think he doing? Probably softening me up, well I wouldn't fall for his little plan! "Topaz," I replied with a knuckle-crunching handshake. His eyes bulged but his ridiculous smile remained plastered on his face.
"Where are you from, Topaz?"
"Kyeema Town, Metone."
"Never heard of it. Is that's weird accent?" he grinned, trying to encourage me to go on.
Weird? Weird! I'd happily show him weird, turn him into a sideshow-freak!
But I kept my same bland expression and after a while he saw I wasn't interested and turned his attention on two rowdy teenagers coming up the hill. One was a boy with neatly brushed dark blonde hair and a self confident stride the other was a girl who sniggered at him, jabbing his ribs with her forefinger her own shoulder length blonde hair flying in all directions.
How annoying, I reflected.
I watched with amusement as over the next hour another seven kids appeared, each lugging travel bags and backpacks filled to the brim, bright eyed with hope and wonder at what was happening to them. As the time grew closer and closer the tenth and last kid failed to show.
"There's one in every group," I mumbled rolling my eyes, thinking of how the famed Ash Ketchum had done the same thing. I shuddered to think about how humiliating would it be if they ended up following the same path to glory as he.
My obsession with my watch grew stronger as it neared 9:00. When I glanced at my watch after a long stint, between which I rubbed my hands and arms in an attempt to adapt to the freakish climate, I saw it was 8:56.
"Yes!" I cried, causing the others to stare at me. "Four more minutes," I said clumsily, shrugging my shoulders and flushing a bright red.
"Not quite," a voice said behind me. I spun almost tripping on my shoes to face a warm wrinkled face, a leading researching in Pokemon evolution, training and behaviour. A great man I had spent at least the last three years learning about in my Pokemon classes. The almighty Professor Oak!
"Please come in," he smiled, ushering the kids inside. I impatiently started forward but like a river the other kids surged past, butting me to one side. I growled into my chest and tailed them but even as I did two meaty hands shoved me roughly away again. With my legs already twisted it was all it took for me to tumble over the side of the cement stairs onto my arse and when I rolled over and looked up, it was the tenth kid. Tall and muscled with long red hair framing his face. He sneered at me with his squinty green eyes narrowed; something had obviously put him out of temper.
"Me first."
My jaw dropped and without a thought for him my leg shot out and hooked his shin. His limbs windmilled as he hit the floor with a thwack.
"8.6 on the Richter scale!" I bugled and heard the cackles from within.
He stumbled to his feet and snatched me my shirt pulling me onto my feet. My face pinched anxiously as he pulled me nose to nose. "Um...hi?"
"Why you little..." he started.
"Ahh, Tobias. I see you made it," Professor Oak said from the doorway, as if he hadn't expected any better. "Your Aunt is waiting for you inside."
Aunt? The kid, startled by the cold greeting stalked angrily inside to be met by Professor Ivy of the Orange Island League. She spoke briskly with her hands on he hips. She was not impressed. Of course, Professor Ivy was his aunt, it was kind of obvious, I mean the kid hardly looked like he couldn't even tie his shoes let alone write an essay. I wondered resentfully if he was even literate.
"It escapes me how such a brilliant mind could be related to such a buffoon," Professor Oak muttered to me. I nodded in agreement, brushing my self down. "You had better come inside uh-"
"Topaz," I provided.
"Topaz." He smiled brightly, recognising my name from the winners lift. I beamed with delight. He was so cool! "It's almost time to announce the winners, and you won't want to miss that."
As I scampered at his heels through the door, my eyes locked on my prize. At the back of the room the other winners reached into clear compartments, five on one side and five others at their backs, in each was a Pokemon cooing and calling with glee at the many hands holding and rubbing and tickling. Without waiting I surged forward to find the Pokemon destined to stand by my side through thick and thin.
On each case was a status board telling about the Pokemon's Pokedex, temperament, and status. I made my way over to a glass case. Inside was Mareep, a Pokemon with static bristling though its fluff with excitement. I glowed happily as I scooped him up, rubbing my hand over his curl.
"Mareep, the static Pokemon.
Type: Electric Height: 2,0 Weight: 17lbs.
Temperament: These Pokemon is known to be loyal companions
Status: Male Level: 5 Attacks: Tackle Growl Thundershock"
Interesting, loyalty was what I would need from my Pokemon on my journey. He wriggled in my hands, latching his paws over my hands and bleating. I would have happily continued to cuddle him but a bump on my left indicated the line was moving. I passed him on to a tall willowy girl.
I peered into the next compartment. It was empty! After a closer examination of the area I saw the tiny Pokemon hiding behind a large stone. She was a cute little thing, the tips of her ears were a blackish brown giving contrast to the rest of her pink body and the pink curl which reminded me of her evolution, Clefairy.
"Cleffa, the fairy Pokemon.
Type: Normal Height: 11 inches Weight: 6lbs.
Temperament: Very shy, takes a while to trust its trainer
Status: Female Level: 5 Attacks: Sing Charm Pound"
I hardened myself, as cute as she was a timid Pokemon wasn't good in battle so she wasn't the one for me.
Behind her was Igglybuff, the devolution of Jigglypuff. His elastic-like skin felt smooth against me. He bounced up and down in excitement as I picked it up and but he struggled to escape from my arms towards a girl up ahead. He had already formed a bond with her so I put him back, hoping that she would choose him.
After placing him back in his case I moved forward again. This time the Pokemon was Pichu, devolution of Pikachu. He looked quite a bit like his older sibling only his ears were considerably larger. I scratched him behind the ear. Zap! A jolt of electricity coursed through my body making my hair stand on end and leaving me like a crisp chip. I wheezed as the Pokemon giggled at my frazzled appearance. I glared, I didn't need that on my every time I touched him, and progressed to the next one.
The Charmander in the next glass case paced and waved its flamed tail about. I guess it was as impatient as I was. When it saw me it breathed a puff of smoke and turned its back. I made a disappointed sigh. I really wanted a Charmander, but dad's advice lingered in my head. 'Don't to pick the Pokemon, let it pick you'.
I smiled coaxingly but he swang his tail and thumped the glass leaving a black smudge.
A Totodile! In the next case the blithe reptile pressed against the glass, rubbing his head and pawing at it.
"Totodile," he squawked in a voice very much like Donald Duck's. This was the Pokemon I wanted to take with me.
"Totodile, the Bigjaw Pokemon.
Type: Water Height: 2,0 Weight: 21lbs.
Temperament: Friendly, good for beginning trainer
Status: Male Level: 5 Attacks: Scratch Leer Rage,"
It squawked again, raised himself over the glass and leapt into my arms. The sweet little thing made himself comfortable. "I'll make you mine," I clucked, scratching his pebbly blue skin.
I reluctantly handed him over to the girl behind me and was little jealous when the Totodile was playing with her thick crop of lime green hair much the same way as he played with mine. The next Pokemon was a Bulbasaur, I didn't know much about him as he came from the Kanto region. It resembled a bluish dinosaur with a dark green plant bulb on its back with fierce red eyes. The night before I had decided firmly I didn't want a grass type.
"Bulbasaur, the Seed Pokemon.
Type: grass Height: 2,0 Weight: 23lbs.
Temperament: Stubborn.
Status: Male Level: 5 Attacks: Tackle Growl Vinewhip,"
His counterpart was right in front of him, a Chikorita. She waved her leaf-plumed head to grab my attention. She didn't seem like a bad choice, if fact I heard this grass type was very dependable. My resolve not to choose a grass type swayed and I kept her in mind.
The Squirtle lay tucked in her shell asleep, oblivious to the activity around it. Frowning, I tapped its shell. It shuddered on the inside but not turtle Pokemon was forthcoming.
Suddenly a hiss sounded from the glass case beside me and I finally noticed Tobias. He was poking what could only be a Cyndaquil, with its yellow breast blue back and flaming quills, with his short stubby finger. The Cyndaquil was backed up against the glass her back towards him streaming fire, coating the glass with dark smoke. When she couldn't hold the flame any longer, it vanished. She panted, rocking from side to side with a raspy growl. Intimidation wouldn't work on this predator.
"I like a Pokemon with spirit, you're mine you little rat." Tobias stabbed her one last time in the stomach.
"Get out of it you retard!" I barked, shoving him hard with both hands. He swayed a little but looked at me the way a buffalo looks at nitpicking bird. "You heard me! Leave it alone or I'll kick your shins so hard you'll have to walk backwards to go forwards!"
"I didn't hurt it," he grunted with a look like a wounded animal, stalking away.
You'll get yours pig, I'll make sure of that I fumed to myself. People back home were always saying how strange it was that someone so small and slight could have the temper of a Charizard but I always told them it was every short person's instinct to assert their dominance. Short Person Syndrome, or SPS. It basically meant we all think we can take a bloke down, even if they can sit on us and use us as a frisbee.
I turned my attention back to the Cyndaquil. She was cowering in the far corner, shaking with a slick sweat. Warily I lifted her out of the glass and held her tight, petting her till she had calmed down. She didn't struggle, simply rested regaining her breath. She tilted her face up with her squinting eyes. It was then I was sure I wanted her. One of the other kid's tried to get a hold of her, but I gave her a long, steady, possessive stare.
"People," Professor Ivy's voice rang out. "Its time to announce the winners!"
We quickly put the Pokemon back and scrambled for a good view on a couple of wooden benches at the back of the room. Out front our panel of scientists watched us with probing eyes, trying to read our thoughts, interpret how we would conquer the world outside. I'm positive they were, and probably still are, taking bets which of us would last the longest.
When everyone was seated Professor Elm stood up from his chair, peering across the room almost laughingly.
"I know you kids don't want to be bored by a long speech but I'd like to congratulate you on your amazing essays. I think each one touched a special place in our hearts," he said indicating to the other two Professors. They nodded with sincerity but I didn't believe them for a second. I mean, mine won!
"Its now time for the moment you've been waiting for. When I call your name, please select a Pokemon, come to Professor Oak for your Pokeballs and select your corresponding backpack."
For the first time I noticed the various colour packs lined along the wall with black piping for each. It was amazing that with all the items inside that it wasn't bulging, it actually seemed like I could fit the rest of my crap in there. As good as Mary Poppin's magic carpetbag! A good thing too because once I was done with it I wouldn't have even fitted a matchstick inside one of the many pockets.
"First prize," Ivy announced with a smile of pride, "goes to Adam Purves!"
The boy I saw arguing with the girl that morning stood up, a sidelong smug look at the girl who just so happened to sit beside me.
"Another achievement for Mr. Perfect," she snickered to me. I gave her a blank look. "We both come from Vermillion City, he always wins everything and all the teachers love him."
I grinned at this, knowing the type all too well; rolling my eyes. I knew the type so I guess it was true, you just couldn't escape the school hierarchy. The girl didn't seem half bad.
We both turned our attention to Adam who was walking confidently towards the Grass section.
"I hope he doesn't take Chikorita," the girl said, looking worried. She didn't have to because Adam passed by Chikorita to stand by Bulbasaur and claimed in a strong voice, "I choose Bulbasaur."
I caught a couple of disappointed faces as Professor Oak handed him a shiny emerald green Pokeball and picked up the matching backpack. He and Bulbasaur returned to their seat with the vines tangling around his legs in adulation.
"Second Prize is awarded to Charlotte Erben!" The Asian looking girl with a crop of bright green hair and a long rattail braid strode forward to choose...Totodile. I mumbled inaudibly at the downer.
Oh well, I thought but it was obviously a case of sour grapes. I already have a Pokemon if Cyndaquil isn't chosen. Charlotte, satisfied with her choice, took the luminous lapis blue Pokeball and bag.
"Third Prize was won by Ashlee Middleton!" The blond girl darted ahead and lifted Chikorita out of its case as if afraid at the last moment someone would step in and take it.
"I pick Chikorita!" she grinned from ear to ear, brandishing the little grass type in the air with both arms above her head.
"Chika!" she squealed, so delighted with her new trainer she waved her plumed head vigorously from side to side. Ashlee returned beside me with her Pokemon, a glossy lime green Pokeball and pack.
"Congratulations on your new Pokemon, Ashlee," I said inspecting Chikorita again. She pulled out of my reach and leaned against Ashlee's leg.
"Yeah," Adam laughed, now beside her. "Now we have something new to compete over."
I looked up to see a boy by the name of Ryan Reathmuller choose Charmander which welcomed him with open arms. He was passed an orange Pokeball as bright as the others.
"Winner of Fifth Prize, is Topaz Soarhire!" I got up steadily feeling my heart thump like a jackhammer in my chest, and walked to the Cyndaquil, barely containing my excitement as I approached. This was it! Everything we had ever talked about! My first step on the road to greatness, a best friend who would stand with me and fight with me!
She whined, hissing as she still cowered in the corner.
"Shhh," I cooed picking her up softly caressed her head. "I'll look after you!"
"Hey you little dog! That's my Pokemon!" I leapt a mile high. It was Tobias. He jumped up from where he was sitting and crossed the distance in heavy stomps. His arms shoved roughly between us, snatching her by the nape of her neck and pushing my shoulder back. Cyndaquil squealed, latching her tiny paws onto my shirt as he tried to tug her off.
A thick tongue of flame erupted with harsh crackles to lick his unprotected face! He staggered back spluttering. The blaze narrowly missed him but he angrily rubbed his sooty face and smoothing the stray strands of his long red hair.
"Bonza!" I crowed, stabbing a triumphant finger between his eyes. "Wanna try again, and I'll finish the job!"
"Quil!" Cyndaquil chirped, backing me up with a menacing flash of flames from her back. I kept that grin plastered across my face but I desperately wanted to shake my hand madly and dull the hot throbbing.
"You'll be the one who's sorry, dog," he hissed scrambling to the left to try from another angle. My eyes traced his movements mockingly, one fist clenched and egging him on.
"GO BACK TO YOUR SEAT NOW OR WE'LL DISQUALIFY YOU FOR THIS APPALLING BEHAVIOR," Professor Elm roared, sending papers scattering over the ground. Aids from all sides rushed in, sweeping them up and setting them timidly back on the table. Professor Ivy mumbled, blushing furiously covering her eyes as she stared at her notes. Professor Oak looked oblivious, picking at some tofu. He looked up with a full mouth, chewing slow and cow like.
With one last, venomous glare, Tobias sat back down to wait for his turn. Things weren't done yet, he certainly wasn't the kind of kid to be outsmarted by a midget girl but that didn't bother me. I bounced Cyndaquil in my arms as I collected my metallic crimson Pokeball and backpack and sat back down.
"You were incredible, Cyndaquil," I murmured to her.
Ashlee poked me and pointed to where Tobias sat glowering. "I think you've made yourself an enemy Topaz. Tobias has it in for you."
"He can take a ticket. Besides Cyndaquil will be there, eh Cyndaquil?"
Cyndaquil looked at me puzzled, still quivering slightly. "Quii-ill?"
Was it just me, or was that a you're on your own look?
"Sixth goes to Matthew Gammel," Professor Ivy announced, a blush in her cheek.
Matthew was a little unsure of himself. He paced between the sleeping Squirtle and the sparking Pichu. Finally he reached over the glass to select the rodent. He was most likely thinking of the current champion of the Elite Four, Ash Ketchum, who had started with Pikachu. As he touched Pichu, his eyes widened. He'd been shocked too. A polished yellow Pokeball and pack was now his. Every now and again I'd his eyes would bulge and a spark of lightning would rip through his blond hair as he twitched and jerk back to his seat.
"Seventh prize is presented to Tiffany Hill!" She stepped towards the case that held Cleffa. But the timid little Pokemon wouldn't leave her crevice behind the rock.
"Try this," Professor Elm said handing her a piece of apple. Tiffany tried again and this time the she happily seized the apple. Tiffany carefully lifted her clear of the case and received her pinkish Pokeball.
"Eighth is Sky Erbacker." Now there were only three Pokemon left, Mareep, Igglybuff and Squirtle. Sky chose Mareep the sheep with little hesitation, although I was sure he had had is eye on a different Pokemon at the beginning. After accepting a Gold Pokeball and pack, the two returned to their seat, the little fluff ball bleating happily and tail wagging.
Kylie Zwiske won Ninth, a short podgy girl with brown hair and didn't even have to walk the entire length of the room to reach her Pokemon. Igglybuff bounced out of the glass, but Igglybuff's skin was extra rubbery so when it hit the floor it ricocheted off and bounced on all directions.
"Bulbasaur, grab Igglybuff with your Vinewhip!"
"Iggly!" Fwoof! Off the wall to my right as the vines tried to lasso around it!
"You to, Chikorita!"
"Iggly!" Bonk! It bounced off the ceiling and off the floor!
"Totodile, when I throw you up grab him!"
"Get him, Charmander."
Voices and vinewhips were everywhere. Igglybuff recoiled off anything and everything with people tripping forward or falling back. Cyndaquil and I huddled in the corner and every now and again I'd feel the burn of her panicking backflame. When order was restored, Igglybuff and a strawberry pink Pokeball were handed to her.
"Last but not least Tobias Ivy." Tobias stomped forward and grabbed the shell still snoring Squirtle, swinging it without concern for the Pokemon within. Squirtle awoke and not liking his trainer's rough handling he blasted him with a torrent of icy water.
"You little snot!" Tobias snarled prepared to hurl him at a near by wall.
"DON'T YOU DARE!" Professor Ivy yelled shooting to her feet as she shook an accusing finger at her nephew. "I've had enough humiliation for one day and if you don't treat your Pokemon properly you won't get one!"
Intimidated by his aunt, he stayed his temper and recalled Squirtle into his turquoise Pokeball.
"Now that you have you Pokemon," Professor Oak said somewhat sleepily, breaking the awkward silence. "You may go. You have been registered in the Johto League and have our numbers programmed into your cell phones if ever you need us. It's a big wide world out there, full of obstacles to brave and startling realisations. Follow your heart."
Quick as lightning kids clamoured for the door with triumphant cries, and I was being pushed through like a raging river in flood. While still clutching Cyndaquil protectively I scurried out of the way of the stampede and onto the podium to stand beside Adam and Ashlee who had the same idea. Each of us had a childish gawp on our faces as the area was left in a shamble by the passing feet, leaving only a lonesome tumbleweed to trail through the door after them.
We each raised a sceptical eyebrow following its rickety bounces.
I knelt down, setting Cyndaquil beside me and began to repack my things. Just as I had expected the bag swallowed everything with ease and still sagged a little at the edges. I looked at it approvingly. It was a WonderBag!
As the last item was sorted a phone's high-pitched trill rang through the lab, aids scattering left and right to look for the source. They were sure a nervous bunch, probably too much caffeine but after a few moments one returned, his glasses askew with a receiver in hand for Professor Elm. Refitting his own glasses on the nib of his nose he answered with a laugh. "Hell-oh! Oh is that so Mr Pokemon! You don't say! You don't say? Is that so? You don't say! Uh huh, uh huh. You don't say! I'll send someone right over."
As he hung up Professor Ivy, leaning against her desk in thought rolled her eyes, she asked, "What did he say he found this time?" She rolled her eyes, continuing to pick at her nails. I don't know, with her droopy eyes she always seemed just a tiny bit stoned to me.
"He didn't say," he said attempting the lame joke to which she rolled her eyes again in disgust. Childishly he stuck his tongue out at her and turned to we remaining trainers.
"Would you be able to do me a favour?"
"Of course!" Adam volunteered, an enthusiastic arm shooting into the air. I made a squawk of indignation, I never agreed to that! Things to do, people to see, Pokemon to catch!
Professor Elm eyed me with faint disapproval but carried on regardless. "That was Mr Pokemon. He lives north of Cherrygrove City and has made an interesting discovery and I'm too busy. If you could please go and bring it back I would be very grateful."
"Of course we will!" Adam assured, appearing cool and layback. "We'll start right now."
He followed Elm to grab the directions while I shot questioning glances at Ashlee. Ashlee shrugged and rolled her eyes, mouthing the word, suckup. We sniggered.
"Hmm," I mumbled squatting and hauling it onto my shoulders. Whatever my bag looked like it was still bloody heavy and I staggered a few steps around the room before balancing and shifting it so it fit comfortably into the curves of my back. Swallowing hard, I righted myself, looking pretty ridiculous with my legs bowed and a goofy grin. Whatever was going to slow us down, it didn't matter, I was on my way to fame and glory!
"Okay lets get goin' Cyndaquil," I grunted. I spared her a critical glance. "You're not going to get far on those paddle feet, climb aboard."
Cyndaquil snorted insulted, lifting her feet for her own inspection but fell flat on her back. I laughed musically, bending down for her to scramble up. She perched satisfied on the seat of the bag with her paws hooked into my top and with "Cyyyyndaquil!" she thrust it out towards the door.
"Yeah, yeah! Who's the trainer round here! You's two coming?"
"Yep!" they chorused, petting their own Pokemon and slanting to one side with the weight of their pack. This was so cool! I was doing it! Me, Topaz Soarhire, a scrawny country kid of average grades and had been looking at an average future probably at a desk job. My dream had been to become a Pokemon Ranger, but this was ten times better!
The exultation was so strong, I couldn't help but whistle as I teetered around the room to get out the door!
"Whow-ow!" I whined, tugging off my sneaker and examining the blisters that had formed on my heel. I was tired, dirty, hungry and dishevelled, but I felt a certain enchantment at the long day of walking. It was obvious that the other trainers had been before us, the wild Pokemon had learnt their lesson and fled until the coast was clear. No matter how hard we looked not a Pidgey was to be found. I guess it was a good thing we didn't find anything because there would have been such a row over it it would have escaped anyway.
The thought stopped me as I unfurled my sleeping bag on the floor of the Cherrygrove PokeCentre, trapping Cyndaquil beneath. She sneezed, poking her head from beneath it and snuggling on top with purring sound.
"Hey guys."
"Yeah, Tez?" Ashlee answered from in front of a mirror of our cosy little room, and when I say cosy I mean cramped. She brushed out her blond hair from the tangles and prickles we had picked during the day. Adam had misjudged the track and consequently we rolled to the dusty bottom with cuts and scratches to boot. I was not pleased and I let him know, just short of my fist.
"I don't reckon we should travel together, it'll get to competitive among us if wild Pokemon stay this scarce. I'll be knocking off on my own tomorrow."
"Knock yourself out," Adam answered vacantly, rubbing his hand on the smooth surface of the egg we had retrieved. It was white with pale blue and pink geometric squiggles over it. Nothing spectacular so I wondered what had the short, stocky Mr Pokemon so excited.
Ashlee looked anxious. "You're going to leave me with him? How will I be able to survive his know-it-all-ness!" she wailed mockingly, flopping backwards with her hand on her heart and moaning. With a gleeful cry her Chikorita leapt onto her stomach and her trainer blanched at the impact.
I smiled dryly. Within a few hours I had dubbed Ashlee the Queen of Corny. There wasn't one joke she told that didn't make me groan. "You'll survive."
"Hey!" Adam retorted. "You didn't listen to anything I said?"
"Of course not," I said soothingly. "You see Adam, most kids your age would be obliged to stop talking when the people they're talking to begin to show signs of exhaustion, coma or rigger-mortuus. Not you."
"Yeah, well at least I don't threaten everyone with a fist when I can't even see over their elbow!"
"Shutup."
Sunlight.
I hate sunlight.
With a groan I rolled over in bed, reaching clumsily to pull my blinds closed and shut the penetrating beams out. I groped, leaning further and further across without meeting it.
"Huwhoa!"
THUD!
"Cyndaaaaa!"
Fwooooof!
I landed sprawled on the cold lacquered floor with all my blankets pulled with me. The harsh squeal came as I rolled over and bright yellow flames flared up kindling my tangled sheets around my waist.
"HOTHOTHOT!" I wailed leaping up wide-awake, struggling to free myself of my sleeping bag bunched around my ankles and furiously clapping my hands on my hair. Racing around the room in panic and with sudden clarity I stuffed my head into the mountain of my blankets, smothering them out.
I flopped to the floor panting, glaring at the Pokemon grinning in amusement; even her squinting eyes seemed to be laughing at me. With a groan I rubbed my eyes, looking around groggily. Of course this wasn't my bedroom, it was the bloody freezing room at the Cherrygrove PokeCentre I had stayed in last night. I rubbed my arms shivering a little as I scanned the room. Packs were gone and most was tidied up. How did I sleep through that?
"What do we do now, Cyndaquil? And what do they have in the way of food around here?" I ventured, standing up ready to get dressed. I gave her a stern look and she gave an exasperated Quil! before turning around obligingly. I pulled on my nifty new uniform and when I still looked like a trainer I smirked arrogantly. If anyone was going to get anywhere on this journey it had to be me!
After squandering a good half hour at the PokeCentre's complimentary buffet table for registered trainers, we wobbled out, bloated and satisfied. Oh I love a hot meal, but that meant that going out into the world would be all that much difficult. I had inherited my fathers cooking abilities, which is to say zilch.
Peering up and down the street I wondered which way to go. It was larger than New Bark town, but then again so was my room at home. Wriggling my shoulders to fix my uncomfortable pack I observed a green tiled roof rising above the others and figuring that there had to be a reason for making it so noticeable.
"You know, what about the Pokemart, its not like I need to stock up but you never know what we don't have but might need," I suggested to her on the back of my pack again. She shrugged, gazing in wonder at the houses and the buildings. I kept forgetting how young she was in Pokemon years, she couldn't be more than level 6 at most, considering how little battling we could do yesterday.
"Come on, mate," I called to Cyndaquil who was snuffling around a quaint streetlamp curiously.
It was big, but then again I was a country hick, and what did I know. It took no less than thirty seconds for me to wander around and realise I didn't know which way I had come, but that didn't really matter. On every side were gidgets and gagets and thing-a-ma-bobs galore. I prodded a bizarre item that looked like a calculator, except for the antennae and feet and it took off on a musical jig, bobbing up and down while it sang in a computerised voice. I quickly tried to find the off button but only continued louder and louder.
Needless to say I put it down and shuffled away, whistling innocently.
I coasted along the aisles aimlessly, looking at nothing in particular, until some bold black lettering caught my eye.
"Translator," I mused to Cyndaquil turning it over in my hands, examining the tiny black box no bigger then my thumbnail. This could make things a hell of a lot easier than second guessing what my Pokemon were saying. I excitedly waved a shop assistant over wondering how something so bland could work.
"Hi!" interrupted the copper haired girl, thrusting her hand into mine without hesitating and ripping my arm from my socket. "I'm Shop Attendant Jheta! My relatives and I are experts in Pokemon care and if there's anything you ever need, don't hesitate to ask!"
"Yeah, thanks," I drawled withdrawing my hand and patting Cyndaquil on my shoulder. "Do these really translate Pokemon speech?"
"Absolutely positively! They're the latest technology once only available to the rich and famous with the ability to convert anything your Pokemon says for you to understand is now yours to own!" She bugled like carnie in Sideshow Alley at a carnival. She caught sight of Cyndaquil, eagerly lifting her from her perch and ignoring her warning growl. She disappeared down another aisle for a second and returned with a dog collar, slipping it around my Pokemon's neck. "Would you like to test it?"
Annoyed at her presumptuous attitude I gave a surly, "Yes please."
Jheta beamed, palming the black box from my hand like a magician and snapping it onto the collar, giving an encouraging nod.
"Hi Cyndaquil!"
"Don't be stupid! There has to be something more intelligent in the human vocabulary than, 'Hiiiii-iiii."
"Hey!" I snapped back angrily, recovering from my astounded gawking. "Have you been making snide comments like that the whole way?"
"Maay-be," she purred slyly. The translator made her sound exactly like her soft Pokemon voice. I laughed, thinking how cool it would be to have conversations along the way. She stuck her round paw through the collar and looked at it disdainfully with a meaningful look. I shrugged turning to the shop attendant and asked if there were any collars more fashionable.
"Of course! Follow me and you'll find a range of stylish collars to fit the personality of even the wildest Pokemon!"
"Whatever."
We toddled after Jheta who lead us to a brightly coloured rack and she motioned for us to find browse through. We perused over them, picking some up and holding them against Cyndaquil's fur with mock voices.
"What about this one daaaahling!" I crooned, holding one up with a gross pink floral design. She gave a disgusted Ug! batting it away and tossing it into the growing pile in the corner. After a minute or two more, Cyndaquil poked her head up from beneath a pile of them, with one hanging over her nose.
"This one!" she said resolutely. I held it up to the light, watching the sun glitter on the sparkling red and yellow flames. I turned it over and checked the price tag. Yeesh! All that for a strip of leather? I sighed dolefully but reached into my pocket and plucked out a twenty dollar note, along with another thirty for the actual translator. What a rip, but when I affixed it and she posed hither and thither in from of a mirror I smiled wanly, it was worth it I guess, I just hoped the rest of my Pokemon were more modest.
"Looks pretty snazzy, Cyndaquil," I complimented, wondering if any of my other Pokemon would be so pricey. She nodded smugly turning her neck again to reflect the sun.
"That's another thing Topaz," she said, not turning away from her reflection. "Could you not call me 'Cyndaquil, it'd be like me calling you 'Human."
"Yeah, no worries, what do you have in mind?"
She uttered a bark like laugh, "You couldn't pronounce it if you tried, so I guess it's up to you."
I paused thoughtfully; head cocked trying to find something that would suit her. "Flame?"
"Pfft! Why not just call me Fido and be done with it," she scoffed.
"Hey," I retorted defensively, I was never good at naming my pets. "Ok, Blaze."
"Zzzzzzit, wrong!" she droned like a game show buzzer.
"How about Fury?"
"Fury," she murmured reflectively. "Its better than Blaze I guess."
"Glad you like it. Now how about we catch a few Pokemon, Fury?" I suggested.
Fury's face lit up like a candle. "My first battle, let's go!"
Thirty minutes later I had finally navigated my way out of the town into a quiet patch of long swaying panic grass, scouring it and trying to flush out something with loud noises and hulking steps. I wiped the sweat of my brow with my sleeve, leaning against a tree watching the road. This was harder than they made it look on TV, they just jumped out at you there. As I rested, watching the long green blades part for the invisible Fury as she scurried around ardently for an opponent.
My attention lagged further when suddenly meters away to my left, the grass stirred with an alarmed squeak.
"Fury!" I yammered excitedly, my thoughts racing for everything I'd learnt in the pre-journey classes. Ok, I thought flustered as Fury appeared from the wall of grass, head whipping left and right. First thing is to get it into view, then choose a tactic to suit the Pokemon type.
"Ember attack Fury, flush it out of the long grass!" A weak flash of her first learned attack and the Pokemon leapt squealing into view, pupils wide with alarm. It looked very much like the one in I'd seen in my textbooks, as there were no Sentret in the Metone region but I had memorised its information anyway. Better safe than sorry, I directed the Pokedex sensor at it in case it had been updated since those textbooks were written.
"Sentret, the Scout Pokemon. Very cautious, it raises itself up by using its tail to get a better view of its surroundings."
'Fury! Ready for you first battle!" Fury gave a long triumphant Quuuuuuiiilll, her paw bunched into a threatening fist at the muddled Pokemon, trying unsuccessfully to scurry up a tree trunk.
"Hahahah," she scoffed. "Its going to be way to easy too hit this thing. He's even got a built in target!"
But while Fury laughed, Sentret lost his wild and frightened expression and aimed his attack too late for Fury to dodge. He surged forward and struck her again and again with his paws, puncturing each contact with a "Tret-tret-tret!" A fury swipes attack!
"Fight back with ember!" I ordered. Fury wheeled around with her back facing the panting Sentret, who lined up his paws again. Unprepared, the spluttering flames caught Sentret and wrapped around him like a blanket. When they vanished, it left the soot coated Sentret right and ready for me to capture.
"Pokeball go!" I hurled it with everything I could muster and it struck him a glancing blow. It was enough and Sentret was absorbed into the ball as a red light. It rocked, once, twice, three times and went still. I waited eagerly and at last it gave a glorious PING! I caught my first Pokemon!
"Yes! You little beauty!" I whooped racing forward and snatching Fury up by her tummy and tossing her into the air. "We captured our first Pokemon!" I cried as I caught her.
"Please, I get air sick!" the Cyndaquil groaned as I threw her higher, somersaulting before landing in my cradled arms again.
"Think about it Fury, that was the first step on the way to becoming a true blue legend! You and me all the way, ay?" I put her down, squatting and showing her Sentret's Pokeball proudly. After returning to town to have him healed, I fitted him with his own translation device and a moderately stylish new collar- okay, I'm cheap. He scrapped at it happily with all four feet rocking on his back as he watched it glitter in the sun. I wanted to get in a little more training before lunchtime so I encouraged him to help search. It was only a matter of minutes with his keen Sentret vision and strong tail before another was spotted.
"Topaz!" Target called in his shrill voice lost amongst the bushes. When I arrived puffing, I was sooo out of shape, Sentret was already dodging and dancing and trading blows with another Pokemon.
"A Pidgey!" I exclaimed as I recognized the brown bird. It was perfect for the beginning trainer because of its calm nature, my head recited from the guidebook, and it would evolve into a Pidgeot I had only admired from afar before. Also a flying type would be the ideal type to add to my newly formed team.
"Pidgey, the tiny bird Pokemon. It would rather defend itself than attack. Kicks up blinding dust to escape."
"Not this Pidgey! Target, quick attack." With a running jump Target slammed Pidgey with tremendous speed that I only saw it as an eclipse of movement. Pidgey countered with its quick attack and they both collided with such force they both fainted. A few seconds and a Pokeball later, I had my third Pokemon.
"We're hot today!" Fury twittered from my pack as we returned to the PokeCentre for the second time that day. I rolled both full Pokeballs in my hand. Fury was also coming along well too, challenging a few Pokemon I didn't intend on capturing, only for experience.
"I reckon we're ready to go to the next town. As soon as Talon's healed we'll start on Route 30," I ventured gazing dreamily at the gift of a day around me. Life was good.
"Hey!" I stared, halting in my tracks. It stared back. From a far off tree perched a lone sentry, a Pidgeot. Even from the distance I could feel its intense eyes on me. Oh it was beautiful, just as beautiful as the ones back home. With my breath caught in my throat, I desperately wanted to try my hand at its capture, but as if sensing my thoughts, it launched into the air, pumping its powerful wings for altitude before catching a thermal and soaring out of sight behind the trees.
"Ohhwhoa!" I moaned staring after it. What was a wild Pidgeot doing out here? It was probably some master trainer hanging around to pick off the newbies, I thought miserably.
"Whatcha whining about? You can evolve Talon can't you?" Fury tried to comfort me on my shoulder.
"Yeah, I guess," I said reluctantly, trudging towards the PokeCentre. When Talon was healed I felt a little more hopeful. He certainly was hungry for battle. I released him inside the PokeCentre and the first thing he did was challenge a Paras. It ducked timidly behind its protective trainer, an uppity teenage girl who thought a five-minute lecture was in order. I apologised profusely, sweeping each of my three Pokemon into my arms and hurrying outside.
I consulted the map and after some time, I figured which way north was, tried for the north gate and Route 30. About 10 minutes later I turned around and trekked back the other way positive that way was north.
I took barely three steps out onto the dirt track from Cherrygrove when a little midget kid sprang behind me blocking the way back to the PokeCentre. He could only have gotten his license days ago.
"Hey!" he called, tossing his Pokeball cockily from hand to hand. "I just caught my first Pokemon and I'm ready for a battle!"
My hands went to my hips unimpressed, swishing my long blue ponytail of my shoulder with a playful smirk. "Sure, but better be prepared to lose. Go Fury!"
Fury bounded from my shoulder, poised for battle, mimicking my smug posture.
'Go Rattata, tackle attack now!" the little boy ordered, thrusting his finger at her.
Without me asking, Fury exhaled a cloud of smoke, a smokescreen attack, and the Rattata raced by, missing her by inches as a patch of violet darted around. She snarled, ramming the Rattata's side as it passed.
"Now Ember!" A dim flame still learning to be controlled licked out and the Rattata wailed from inside the plume, fainting with a thump
"Another victory!" Fury's outburst had startled the trainer before he realized she was using a translator. He grumbled but handed over our winning stash. We continued on our way, my Pokemon battling three more trainers, fairly even battles although the 2nd one was a straight out loss. I was using up all my potions in a hurry.
As the day ended we set up camp for our first night on our own. It was wonderful watching the sun sink in the western edge of the sky in a haze of pink and orange, knowing you only had yourself to rely on.
Fury set the fire while I cooked a dished out some Pokechow into some plastic bowls, releasing my two new Pokemon, Target and Talon. After I finished shovelling the last mouthful in I turned thoughtful, asking my Pokemon what it was like to live in the wild. As it turned out, both Target and Talon were no more than children that had just ventured to far from their families.
"A trained Pokemon is stronger than a wild one," I explained, trying to reason why they were better off with me, though it felt a little half hearted. Luckily, they took it in stride.
"If I return one day, I'll be able to beat the rest of my friends easy," crowd Talon, lifting his own with a menacing gleam in his eye. "I mean, how many wild Pidgeot's are there? I learnt more today then I had in month!"
I nodded pleased. I think Talon was referring to when he had learnt its whirlwind attack when we battled a pretty tough bug trainer.
"She's a great trainer. I bet if we stick with her we'll make it to the Elite Four," Fury chipped in, clapping her paws together.
I grinned, falling into silent ponderings, gazing affectionately at the three as they took off for a game of tag amongst the trees around us, darting in and out with gleeful cries. Now was the time to devise a strategy of how I would take on the League. It was proven the 90 of Trainers that set themselves a goal to achieve, like capturing all Pokemon, or being a Gymleader, or even to become Master, no matter how difficult it is to accomplish do far better than those wandering aimlessly. I frowned in deep thought; I didn't know what I wanted to be, only that I wanted to bring out the best in my Pokemon.
Well, the first thing could be earning at least eight badges to enter the Pokemon League, I thought slowly, stirring my spoon around my second helping. I looked at it with distaste.
"Yo Talon," I called, "you want more?"
He gave a greedy chirp and burst from the branches to land with hopeful eyes at his dish. As he bent his head to scoop out some of the reddish orange pellets, a voice rang, bouncing of the trees. I shot to my feet with fright, readying my fists. Even Target and Fury stopped what they were doing to peer warily around them.
"Hoothoot!" The branches rattled above and a silhouetted Pokemon glided down, landing sluggishly with a hop skip and a jump, the single foot clamping onto Fury's bow and gobbling down her leftovers without pausing for air. I gawked amazed that a wild Pokemon would come so close to an open fire, especially with a so obvious Pokemon trainer around. After she finished with Fury's she made her way to Target's, both Pokemon too stunned to move. Then after a second's deliberation she made a pass at Talon's share, snapping her beak angrily but the Pidgey blocked the way, flaring his own wings in a scare tactic.
"Don't even think about it you little..." But the threat fell flat on Hoothoot. Her eyes flashed brightly and tackled the blind Talon aside, gulping it down frantically. Outraged, Talon lunged for the ravenous Pokemon and bludgeoning her head on. Hoothoot squawked tumbling into a near by tree and hopping around dizzily. She glared cross-eyed at Talon, springing forward to devour his food yet again. The whole thing held me entranced. This time Talon ripped at Hoothoot with his clawed feet until she was fainted on the ground.
Recovering from the surprise, I plucked one of the spare Pokeballs on my hair tie and tapped it on the unconscious Pokemon. It bounced in my hand but remained shut. When it signalled the successful capture, I rolled it in the dying light, the orange glare pooling on us. "I didn't know you had such a temper Talon," I said finally.
"That was mine!" he answered defensively.
"Hey, I understand. That's the way it was around my place, first in best dressed. I wonder why she wouldn't give up?"
I released Hoothoot from her Pokeball and revived her using a potion and set her own share of Pokemon Chow before her. While she shook off the effects I snapped a translator around her neck and asked why she was so hungry.
She looked at me suspiciously, finishing her meal before answering, eyes flicking around the forest. "Yesterday morning a boy was chasing me, he wouldn't give up. Every time I tried to rest he came at me with his Wartortle. I finally lost them just before and I haven't eaten in two days and now I'm still caught!"
Wartortle! That meant Tobias was around here somewhere, it made me just as cagey as her!
"Don't worry Hoothoot. Topaz is a great trainer and you'll never be hungry again," Target squeaked enthusiastically, rubbing his round little tummy. "But now your part of the team, you need a name too."
"What if I don't want a new name?" she snapped, still no happier.
"Then you don't get one. Hoothoot's fine with me." I reassured. "Anyway its time for bed."
"What if I don't want a bed time?" she demanded sulkily.
"Well too bad."
"Hang on," Fury snorted. "What do you mean? You're out on your own, you don't need a bedtime."
"I do if I have to get up early."
I recalled my Pokemon even the petulant Hoothoot, and slipped into my sleeping bag with Fury. I thought about my first day as a trainer. I'm pretty good and I'm only going to get better I thought to myself. Also tomorrow I could fight my first Gymbadge.
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