A Few Notes From the Author:

Usual disclaimers, blah blah blah

I have decided, for the sake of being able to tell Gaika's Poochyana from the many others in Pokemon, that she has nicknamed it Kuro.

Gaika, in this, orders Kuro to Bite Torchic. In the game, he wouldn't have learned Bite yet, but that doesn't make much sense to me, seeing as he has teeth.

Review Replies:

Mostly, in the reviews, people were commenting on how they liked my choice of a starter Pokemon. So, thanks, guys! I also welcome any ideas as to what Gaika should catch for her team.

The Pokemon Sisters

Chapter 6: Friends and Fear

Kuro growled at the boy, the white shards of its teeth glinting in its jaw. Looking slightly disconcerted, the boy's gripped his only Pokeball so hard his knuckles turned white. Then:
"Go, Torchic!"

The little chick Pokemon burst out, chirping its name: "Torch! Chick-chick, Torchic!"

Kuro glared at it, a snarl gathering in its throat. It chirped back, trying to look tough and angry, and failing. Oblivious to the fact that his opponent was having much more success in the intimidation department, Philip grinned and ordered, "Torchic, use scratch!"

Gaika had to admit, the little Pokemon had been trained well-the scratch was perfectly aimed. Kuro, despite it's (A/N its? His? Hers? Whatever…lets just say his…) little training, managed to dodge away, bearing his teeth in anger.

"Bite it, Kuro!"

Grinning mischievously, the Poochyana propelled itself forward and latched onto the Torchic in a death-grip.

"Torrr!" the little bird cried, shaking in a futile attempt to get the dog-like Pokemon off.

"Torchic!" Philip was hopping up and down on the spot. "Try an Ember!"
The stream of fire that burst from Torchic's beak hit it's mark, and the smell of singed fur choked through the air. Kuro let go immediately with a pained yelp. Then, the bite marks clear upon Torchic's neck and the burn sill stinging on Kuro's side, both Pokemon toppled over.

Philip and Gaika stared at their Pokemon, then at each other. Gaika was the first to stifle a smile.
"Um…it's a tie then?" she said.

Philip was obviously struggling to keep the hard, angry look on his face, but in a moment, he sniggered, then chuckled, and then laughed outright.

"Do you need a potion?" he asked, his face flushed with mirth. "I have a few in my bag…" Gaika nodded gratefully.

It seemed Philip and quite a bit more then a 'few' potions in his bag. The whole thing was stuffed with potions, antidote, revives…everything a Pokemon could need to feel better after a battle.

"I'm known as a pretty good healer." The boy said, looking pleased with himself. "I always carry a good stock of items…"
Gaika smiled, taking a potion. In a few moments, Kuro was up, barking happily around the feet of his mistress. Torchic was keeping well away from the Poochyana, obviously still feeling the pain of the bite on it's side.

"So, you just started out, too?"
Philip gestured to the girl's Pokemon, then to his own. "I got Torchic a couple days ago."
Gaika nodded, a bit shy suddenly. "I caught Kuro today. There were no starters left for me."
Philip, who had lost his tough, determined attitude a while ago, smiled.

"Yeah, I was there. There was a nice girl; I think her name was Crystal. She got a Treecko. But the guy who got the Mudkip was a jerk."

Gaika nodded, absentmindedly streaking Kuro's head. She was wondering…where to go next?

Philip seemed to read her mind. "I'm heading to Oldale Town. Do you, erm, wanna tag along?"
Gaika arched her eyebrows in suprise. Usually, people ignored her in favor of her sisters. But she smiled at him.

"Sure."

A rather long way off, near the Fiery Path…

The boy seemed to shrink into himself as they passed, their beaked masks cutting a whisper through the air. They pushed passed an old woman and stood in front of him, so close he could smell their heavy breath. The smaller figure stretched out a knobby hand, an invisible smirk spreading across their face.

"We know it's there. Come now, we're not that stupid." Despite the heaviness that spawned as they passed, the voice was brisk. "We didn't come all this way for nothing."

Shivering, the boy pressed the small and white ball in to the masked mans hand.

"Thank you."

The two continued on, stopping every so often to edge a persons Pokeball out of their hands, the fear of their presence lingering even after their masks had drifted out of sight.