Thought

Talking

- - - - - -

Fear. What a strange word. They say that man cannot get over fear unless he gets rid of fear himself. But what if that's impossible? What if the fear is so strong, it won't let go? Those who say, "Get over it. It's no big deal," or "Fear will only let go once you let go."

Well, Jen would like to see those people go through the same pain as her and say that again.

Did they know what it's like? To get hurt by the one that's supposed to love you? Did they know that it's like to be different? So different you're not even sure you're human? Jen would like to see those people feel what she felt and say that again.

Jen always knew she was different. She always knew, but it didn't help that the other kids would point that out to her.

The other kids had rivals. What was the point? Oh, right. They didn't go through the same pain as her. They didn't understand the different emotions that ran through her head. They thought the world a game. Well guess what. They're wrong.

Worst of all, they didn't understand that running away was a good thing. To run meant to get away from the danger, the pain. Why stay? Why take that chance? Feel pain. Lose your best friend. Die even. Those three things have haunted Jen all her life.

Sure she could be considered a coward to the rest, but…. Isn't it better to not only save yourself but your best friend as well?

Coward.

Perhaps she was a coward. They say a coward can't find happiness. Maybe they're right, but then again…hasn't Jen never felt happiness?

Maybe she was happy when her friend was happy, but, when was he happy? Best friends, closer than siblings, going through the same pain, the same emotions.

Perhaps they are cowards, but, aren't they also heroes'? To take that chance and run, to save each other even though the risk is too great. Perhaps, but then again…..since when have they ever cared what others think of them?

And here they are, outside the Viridian Forest. One step closer to their freedom.

- - - - -

A pair of purple eyes followed a young boy. The creature did nothing as it watched him. A few seconds went by before the creature snorted. The boy had obviously just started his journey; two pokeballs on his belt, confirming the creature's guess.

"Worthless. That human has no idea what the world is like. He also doesn't appear that smart," the creature said to himself as he flew among the trees, in search of some amusement.

A sound made the creature look over to the right. About 20 feet away, a girl and a Charmander walked. The girl held no emotion on her face. However, her eyes told the creature everything.

It was the same with the Charmander, although it sometimes said something and broke out into a toothy grin. This affected the girl because she too, broke out into a grin.

The creature narrowed his eyes. "It looks like not all humans are as ignorant as I thought. This human seems to know that the world is full of pain. It's the same with that Charmander. They seem interesting enough. I haven't had any amusement in years."

The creature, which is obviously psychic, attempted to read the girl's mind. After a moment the creature frowned.

"I am being blocked? I sense no other pokemon with her." And then, to the creature's horror, the girl turned exactly where he was hovering. His eyes widened in shock but immediately narrowed.

"She's interesting…but a human sensing me? Not possible. I don't like this. Perhaps I should keep an eye on her and inform the others." With that the creature teleported away.

- - - -

(With Jen)

Jen shuddered as she gazed through the trees. All the branches, moss, leaves, and the oddly shaped trees didn't allow her to see very far.

She could have sworn someone or something was watching her. And now, she has a headache.

Blaze noticed Jen's discomfort. "Something wrong?"

Jen shrugged. I thought I saw something and now I have a small headache.

"Wanna stop?" Blaze offered.

"I said a small headache. We can keep going."

Shrugging, Blaze sniffed the air for any suitable pokemon. They had been in this forest for two hours and only fought small, annoying bugs. There was the occasional pidgey and even a beedril at one point. However, they were no match for Blaze's ember attack.

Jen sighed. "I am so bored. Now this damn headache comes and we aren't too far away. Who the hell was watching us? Maybe I'm being para…no. I can't forget that bastard is still after me.

A rustle came from the bushes; bringing Jen out of her thoughts. Jen carefully removed some leaves. To her disappointment, it was only a caterpie.

"Oh well. More experience for me," Blaze said with a grin. Immediately he tackled the worm, sending it flying into a tree. When the caterpie recovered it sent a string shot at Blaze.

Blaze had a look of disappointment on his face before burning the web away with an ember attack. "Oh cmon! This is getting old. All the other caterpie did the same thing. I had hoped there would at least be one different one."

The caterpie looked scared now; with Blaze standing over it with a scary smile on his face. With one last ember, the caterpie was knocked out.

Blaze smiled up at Jen who returned the smile. "You certainly don't waist time."

"Pft. Maybe some of these weaklings will actually get a bit stronger and be a real opponent," Blaze said scowling.

Contrary to everyone's belief, defeated pokemon do get experience or, known to pokemon, spiritual energy. They just don't get as much as the victor.

Jen continued to walk through the trees. They had long ago given up on walking on the trail. If you're on a journey, what's the point of taking a road? You can see more things off the road.

"Oi Jen. I smell someone coming our way."

Jen nodded. She had smelled the boy already.

A second later, said boy appeared. "Hey! Are you a trainer?" he asked.

Jen narrowed her eyes in annoyance and anger. She hated all males (besides pokemon that aren't her fathers.)

"Well obviously since I have a pokemon with me."

The boy was oblivious to the sarcasm. "Great! My name is Mike by the way. It will be two on two. Go heracross!"

Jen raised an eyebrow. She hadn't even agreed yet. Jen looked over at Blaze and saw smoke come out of his nose. He was ready for battle. Blaze could handle two pokemon.

Jen nodded and Blaze walked up to the heracross.

Mike grinned and yelled, '"Heracross use tackle!"

"Hera!" Heracross ran at Blaze in full speed but Blaze merely jumped out of the way and fired an ember.

The fire hit heracross on the arm but wasn't enough to hurt it too badly.

"Heracross try another tackle," Mike said.

For a second, the young char looked bored. Jumping out of the way again, Blaze used scratch.

"This bug is too slow. Getting beaten by Blade…the bastard…allowed me to study his movements and help improve my own speed. Of course I didn't dare do it to Blade back then cuz if I had the beatings would have gotten harder," Blaze thought.

Blaze fired another ember at heracross. The bug looked ready to collapse.

"No! Heracross!" Mike turned to Jen. "Your Charmander is attacking on its own? Can you even control your own pokemon?"

Jen once again narrowed her eyes in anger. "There is no point. Blaze knows how to battle on his own. There is no point to tell him what to do." Jen simply folded her arms and turned back to the battle.

Earlier they had both agreed that Blaze would battle on his own and only when they were in serious trouble, would Jen help.

Mike looked annoyed at both Jen's answer, and the fact Blaze was scratching the living daylights out of heracross.

"Grr. Heracross hit him back!"

The heracross nodded and landed a punch on Blaze. Blaze, who had gotten too cocky, got a fist in his face.

Snarling, Blaze rubbed his cheek but immediately grinned.

"It looks like I hit you harder than I thought," heracross said with a chuckle.

Blaze started laughing. "Nah. I'm just excited about the battle. The rush of it. I live for battles that make me excited. Unfortunately for you, this battle is done."

Mike, who couldn't understand what they were saying, shouted, "Heracross use horn attack!"

"Right!" Heracross charged in, horn glowing.

Blaze grinned before taking a huge breath and blowing out a huge fireball.

Heracross, who had been charging in, got a full on hit. Heracross was now unconscious.

Mike looked at Jen with confusion. "What attack was that?"

Jen didn't feel like telling the boy what Blaze had done and instead said, "Send out your next pokemon."

Actually, all Blaze had done was merge all the small embers into a giant fireball.

Mike looked nervous as he sent out his last pokemon. Jen didn't blame him because a bulbasuar.

"Must be all he has left," Jen thought.

Blaze grinned and fired an ember. The bulbasaur tried to dodge but it was too slow and got hit.

"Bulbasaur use vine whip!"

"Bulba!" Bulbasaur launched two vines that hit Blaze in the stomach and on his back.

Blaze rushed at bulbasaur. "Bulbasaur fire multiple leech seeds!"

"Saur saur!" Seeds were flying everywhere. Blaze managed to dodge them all but at the last moment a seed managed to hit Blaze on the foot.

Blazes collapsed on the ground as vines wrapped around him. "Good job bulbasaur! Use tackle!"

Bulbasaur charged and hit Blaze head on. Blaze managed to burn the vines off after that tackle as well.

"Time to end this," Blaze thought, cocky grin in place.

Once again charging, Blaze got close enough. Just as Mike was about to shout a command, Blaze's tail was enveloped in fire. Not just the tip, but the entire tail.

Bulbasaur was in too much shock and only managed to have his eyes widen before getting hit right in the face. Bulbasaur was out for the count. Blaze stood proudly and walked over to Jen, chest puffed out.

Mike's eyes widened. "What..what was that!"

Jen shrugged and ruffled Blaze's hair. Mike walked over to Jen and handed her some money.

"Great battle," was all he said before running off.

After Mike ran off, Jen turned to Blaze with an amused look. "So…what was that attack anyways?

Blaze shrugged. "I keep thinking up new moves. So more will probably come. That one I think…I'll call it tail flame."

Jen nodded and handed Blaze a berry, who ate it gratefully. "Let's getting going."

Blaze nodded and led the way through the forest.

- - - -

Another chapter done. Please review people!

Oh. If you're wondering about Blazes hair. Think of Richy's pickachu and its hair. Only Blaze's hair is a bit poofier.

Next chapter Jen captures her first pokemon.