'Bright.' It was the first thought that crossed her mind when she woke. Foreign sounds that were not the blaring tone that normally roused her from sleep. Two drowsy yellow eyes blinked open. Instead of being greeted by blank classmates there were leaves, branches and sideways trees.
Memories came flooding back of yesterday, 'Free, they were free.' She couldn't help but giggle at the thought. A few warm pokes caused her to look down, Litwick was against her side with a question running through the flow.
She giggled again, "Just thinking about yesterday and that we're really free," flicking her eye to the right she could spot patches of green and deep blue above. She wanted to reach up and touch it.
"So you're up early," she whispered, glancing at a still sleeping Joltik. Litwick taped the side of her eye before pointing out to the surrounding forest. "You weren't watching…all night were you?" and a yes slipped along the flow and she couldn't help but grimace.
"I appreciate the protection but I really don't want you to be falling asleep during a fight."
"LIT!" A note of irritation along with a bunch of unknowns flowed through her mind.
"Right, I know ghosts don't need much sleep but that certainly does not mean you need none." Litwicks flow grumbled in response but didn't disagree.
"So when Joltik gets up you're going to sleep" –more mental irritation– "and if anything happens I'll wake you up. Ok?" A begrudging yes was given on the flow.
They sat quietly enjoying the new lovely sounds of the early morning forest around them. The smell of the air, damp with mist entered their lungs. She felt Joltik stir on her side before her eyes blinked against the brightness of the morning light.
"Good morning, it's a great day to wake up." Joltik looked around before tapping and chattering in excitement. She laughed, "I know, best morning ever!" Taking a second to re-celebrate before going through today's plans.
Sitting up and immediately wincing at the pain in her back. Taps and calls of worry both physical and mental were made. Joltik taped and plucked the strings of her hammock thinking it was from a bad bed for that was normally the cause in the past, "No it's not because of the bed. I guess the pain from yesterday's surgery is starting to catch up with me."
She let out a breath before continuing, "It'll be alright it just needs time to heal. Give it a few days, speaking of which we should go over today's plan!
"Will start by making a fishing net, then catch a small breakfast, cross the river if we can and travel downstream making sure to keep the sound of the river visible. Oh and Litwick will take a nap cause she spent all night guarding instead of sleeping."
Conversation too fast for her to understand flew between Joltik and Litwick that continued till her boots landed with a tamp on the ground.
She snapped a few branches, holding them steady for Joltik to build on. The river took on a darker tone in the morning light hiding the fish from sight. Their second round of fishing was smoother than the first, hauling up one in the fifth cast and three in the seventh. They still burnt and undercooked them but there was a bit of improvement.
"Now that…breakfast is finished, we will travel downstream and cross if we find a place to cross. And Litwick…" She stonewalled her face to hide her desire to laugh at Litwick's glum multi-mental yes response before she scooted over to her side and tapped her ball's button.
She blinked at the sudden recall, "Um, right. That works," Thinking about it, it did make sense, it would be hard for her to get any sleep while they were moving. Standing up and kicking the still smoldering sticks that had made up today's and yesterday's fire, into the river.
X
Their travels over the next few days were calm. They built a schedule of sorts. Waking at sunrise, they fished for breakfast, sometimes getting fruit from trees. That resulted in learning that there was such a thing as overeating. They didn't travel very far that day. Litwick, who had been guarding all night while her and Joltik slept, would sleep in her pokeball then join them later at nearing noon. They'd continue walking, snacking on berries if found, till the light sky turned a deep blue, fish again and end the day in a hammock going over today's events and tomorrow's plans.
It has been nearly a week when they came across something new yet oh so familiar and dark. It was late and the sun was getting low and the plan to set up camp soon was changed when Joltik started tapping, releasing dangerous clicks and hisses. Litwick was no better though hers were all internal this time, the flow lit up with new negatives but their intention was clear.
"Should we investigate?" she mumbled, dropping low into the brush, "Might be something good."
Words were exchanged between her family before both gave the signal to move forward. "Litwick Minimize flame," the ghostly candle snapped her flame out.
Creeping as silently as possible, using the few tricks she's learned during they're short time free, they came across a camp inhabited by familiar but hated people.
The bloody red R upon their chest was something they never wished to see again, an impossible wish. Two were passed out in sleeping bags while another two chatted. The situation kicked her old training in, 'two sleeping, two distracted both with three pokemon in balls, all lower grunts, there's too much stuff with them to not have an upper grunt.' Her eyes skirted the perimeter. 'There's got to be a fifth one but where–'
"Man we better get promoted to uppers for what we manage to haul in." Laughter followed by another agreeing. "Yea yea the conservatory was just plain stupid, I still can't believe that worked and it's even fucking female."
A sack near their piled stuff moved and let out a faint whine, "Shut up you, you'll get to play with the Dittos when we get to base!"
Cruel laughter followed, "But first it needs to be put in the evolutioniser to evolve it, everyone knows most first stages can't reproduce."
Leaves and twigs crunched and snapped underfoot as a fifth, an upper walked into camp from the far left. They surveyed the area, tisking at the camp's noise makers.
"Since you two like to chat you can stay up for the first night shift. Keep your voice down or else you'll be watching all night and walking tomorrow with no sleep!" Salutes with a yes ma'am had the upper grinning with devious delight.
Slipping back away from the camp, into deeper brush, then speaking her mind in a hashed voice, "We can't leave them–her like that. We can't. I just can't" –shaking her head– "entering that hell hole after having real freedom…I can't imagine the pain…"
A flow note from Litwick brought her back. She stood tall, no longer slouching, her yellow ghostly eyes brimming with determination. Joltik took a fighting stance next to her, claws simmering in a faint green of Fury Cutter. Glancing between the two her mind racing through potential options.
"Ok, there's no way we can take on five but two might be possible. We wait until the upper grunt is asleep, then we make our move," letting her mind settle, bringing years of taught tactics to the surface.
"Will do something like what we did back in the operation room, stun and soul feed. Joltik, Thunder Wave then String Shot their mouth and hands. Litwick I'll drop you near one and go for the other" –she sucked in a breath– "they have pokemon, do not give them a chance to release them or we are done," a nod and flow of agreement was given. Litwick because of her flow and ghostly type has become more internally vocal than external.
"We need to be quick and we need to be quiet. That includes the hostage so Joltik, sneak into their pile of stuff and alert them of what's going on and tell them to keep quiet no matter what." Months of practice taught Joltik how to best hide and the art of silence. A passage of time went by as the sun dipped below the horizon and the plan was finalized, they creeped back with heartbeats in their throats.
Getting as close as she felt was safe before tapping Joltik. Watching as a familiar bowl of fuzz screwed off into the undergrowth. Her fingers curled around Litwicks base, the sound of her breath and faint words could be picked out from the grunts' conversation. One small cry was heard and the sack wiggled, prompting one of the grunts to make a crude comment. A flash of yellow appeared, inching towards the grunts too busy with the conversation. They stifled a laugh, one with a hand over their mouth, their eyes closed with tears of laughter.
Joltik did not miss the opportunity presented. Spitting a String Shot over both their mouths plus one hand and releasing a Thunder Wave right after. Before they even hit the ground the young ex member shot out of the foliage and before they could fully register the situation she had tossed Litwick on the chest of one and had pinned the double free arms one. Writhing on the ground as a pair of hands grasping for the balls upon his belt. One dropped, and rolled across the ground. She felt her gut sink. It stopped. Stilled. And stayed closed. Two muffled voices turned to one. A call of Fury Cutter changed that number to zero.
A dry gulp and exhale, it was over. Grabbing Litwick and reaching for the sack. A shuffle was heard to her left. She, Litwick and Joltik who was climbing her back froze. Holding her breath as she glanced left. Three sleeping human bodies lay their rough breathing evened out. Deciding not to risk it, grabbing the sack and sliding it over her shoulder before making a quiet exit.
Releasing her breath when she could no longer hold it and broke into a jog. She didn't need speed, she needed distance, a lot of it. They lost their way to the stream but it didn't matter at that point. A burst from Litwicks flow, notes of question, forward and night. "Yes, we're going to keep moving forward for as long as we can and wade in any streams we come across" –worry came down the flow– "we have to, Houndooms have good noses. I'll be fine, just really tired after this."
Traversing at night is far different than during the day. Some of the common forest sounds disappeared and other unfamiliar noises replaced them. Litwicks flame had made it possible to travel without stumbling over every step but it didn't guarantee easy travels. When the last of the sun's light left the land it became too dark to keep jogging without falling, switching to a fast walk was the only way to keep going safely.
Crossing the first stream they came across she waded downstream till the current picked up to be too dangerous to continue. Other than the sounds of her footsteps and the forest and stream it was quiet. Even their sack passenger was quiet, the only input she received was flow notes from Litwick.
It was a bit frustrating her first night experience in the outside world involved running in fear from Team Rocket. Having no time to enjoy the nightlife, and before she was aware of it, the first rays of sun stretched across the ground. Blinking in surprise at the sudden blinding rays, speaking for the first time in hours.
"Woah, I didn't even realize it was that close to morning." She yawned and Joltik tapped her shoulder and pointed to the tree canopy. "Yea go ahead…"
Standing below Joltiks selected tree she swayed on her feet. Just when she was debating on sitting down a mental nudge through Litwick alerted her of Joltiks hammock completion.
Plopping down in the hammock caused the sack to sway, causing its occupant to wriggle a bit still making no sound, "Ahh right sorry, we didn't forget about you," pausing after setting the sack in her lap.
She deliriously remembered that trackers exist and checked the outside and found nothing. 'Anything placed inside would be destroyed by the less then happy inhabitant so it looks like we're lucky on this one.'
Undoing the final knot and peeking into the darkness only revealed the outline of a long lithe body. "Hello apologies I don't have any food on me nor know where any berry trees are or water to fish in."
She said quietly into the sack, "We can get some food later after we've slept, if you're willing to stick around that is."
A sweet high oooohh was made and a head emerged. Pale blue with purple eyes and white fins upon the side of its head, "Oh you're a Dratini."
"Mmmm," she wasn't sure if that was a yes, an agreement or nothing at all. Nodding with her eyes sliding shut before blinking them back open, "Ok well I'm going to sleep before I pass out."
Moving the sack down to her feet and shifting onto her side with her back to the tree, "Good night," there was a humed response before nothing.
AN: I realized I did not make any sign to mark pokespeak moments so will do this **** from now on (there may be more than one sign at times because of this)
Dratini watched as the little girl's breath evened out and the zapping spider lightly strung webbing strings over her. The candle moved against her stomach, increasing the temperature of the surrounding air.
"Why the strings?"she asked.
The ghost was the one who answered verbally, "The miss sometimes rolls in her sleep. Her mind is turbulent."
She hummed in thought, pulling her slender body back into the sack with only her blue head resting in the entrance. "Staying or leaving?" the Joltik snapped at her.
"Staying, I'm too tired to travel far and I haven't been taught how to forage yet. My kin were supposed to teach me that soon."
"Well that's just gonna have to wait a while none of us know a lot about foraging. Do you have any idea where your home is?" Dratini let out a breath. "No not from here if we get close to the area then yes."
"Enough, will talk more in the morning. Sleep you two." It was the burning candle that interrupted the conversation.
"You're staying awake?" the dragon asked.
"Of course I'm a ghost, we don't need as much sleep as the fully living. Now sleep, you'll need it to survive." And that marked the end of all conversation.
X ****
Warm afternoon sun beat down on the forest canopy when they woke. A yawn broke her jaw open, wiping sand from their eyes before sitting up rousing the clinging electric on her side. "Ok, we can sleep more tonight–oh you decided to stay?"
She glanced at the waking dragon, "Would you like to join us in finding dinner?" A nod was given as she dipped into the bag. "Travel in the sack then?" a delicate cry that she assumed meant yes was given.
"Right, let's go." Carefully slinging the sack over her shoulder, a tap from the flow redirected her attention to Litwick. "Sleep?" A tired nodding of flame was her only answer. "Right, ok."
She pulled Litwicks pokeball and tapped the top of the red dome, causing a red particle beam to envelop the ghost's form, including her flame, drawing everything back into the ball.
Boots slammed into the ground and she tried not to jostle the bag too much as they picked their way through the unkempt undergrowth. "If either of you hear any running water let me know," she said scanning the trees for fruit.
They were unlucky with finding a river but they did come across a few berry trees. They spent some time just collecting some tough blue ones and eating sweet pink ones that were unfortunately too delicate to store in the sack without crushing them. Litwick popped out, rejoining them at the end of their feast. The pokemon chatted amongst themselves, sharing stories of their past as the ex team rocket member listened along as best she could.
"So where are you headed to?" Dratini asked her unique travel party.
The ball of electric fuzz answered, "Don't really know where we're going but she's mentioned during our bedtime talks about a building in a city called a library. Apparently they hold a lot of information and knowledge which we will need if we're going to survive out in the outside world."
The dragon cocked her head, "Outside world? What do you mean?" The candle gave a frightening response but it was the Joltiks answer that made her recoil.
"You don't really learn much about the outside world when you're in a Team Rocket facility."
"She was being trained to be one of their mindless soldiers."
"She's one of them…"
A zap of aggravation came off of the spider and Litwick cleared the misunderstanding, "No, a victim if anything, we escaped from their hellhole when it was attacked!"
"Hellhole?" she was unfamiliar with the crude word.
Joltiks jarring reply made it clear. "A place where they were forced to fight till exhaustion or near death, forced to sit and listen to idiots drone on and on for hours and only fed every 3 to 5 days.
Dratini astounded at the answer, "3 to 5 that's…" –glancing over at the girl– "how is she alive?"
"Sheer willpower," was Joltiks blunt retort.
Deciding to change the subject the scaled serpent brought up what should be a simple question. "So…what's her name?"
"Doesn't seem to have one."
"She was never given one." Similar replies were given by the candle and spider.
"But…all humans have names," Dratini said blankly.
"Yea," Joltik refuted, "but mindless soldiers don't need names, just numbers."
"Oh." an uneasy pause was created as the dragon gathered the will to continue.
"So if it's just you two, why does she have six pokeballs?"
"Extra just in case we make a new family member," the arachnid answered as the flame wandered over to the humans side.
Dratinis fins twitched at the words. "Family member not team member?"
"We're her family. No one cared whether she lived or died, even her own mother couldn't take the time to give her a name…" Joltiks words faded off clearly bothered by the past. "her mother is one I wish for her to never meet again."
Joltik turned and scuttled over to her…family. 'Family huh,' she watched the three interact chatting with each other, as best as possible with the language barrier. They might not look it but they were strong and strength is what dragons strive for. The little dragon couldn't stop the grin that slid into her face.
A soft cry halted the talk they were having. Joltik turned and words were exchanged. Litwicks flow pulsed and twisted. Throwing notes and emotions of all kinds in an attempt to explain. She only understood bits and pieces of it.
"Dratinis making a decision?" more notes, "Made a decision? An important decision?" She didn't understand what the decision was when Dratini slid up to her side.
"You've made a decision?" Dratini gave a happy cry and tapped the button on one of her extras. She was pulled in and the ball snapped closed. It rocked for only a few seconds before the ding of a successful capture rang out into the stagnant air.
"Oh that decision." she paused. "I take it she wants to be a part of the family then?" A yes note came from the flow growing ever stronger. It no longer sat on the edge of her mind but now possessed a tiny portion of her mind.
"Alright," she clicked the button re-releasing Dratini, "Welcome to the family Dratini!" Reaching over and running her fingers over Dratinis head, her scales felt smooth and cool against her skin. A coo of joy came from the little dragon. She slithered up her arm and onto her shoulders, she winced as the implants pressed against her bones. A worrying hum came from her right ear, Joltik chattering an explanation.
"Yea sorry my neck is still a bit sore from then," a saddening hum came in reply as they slid off her shoulders, curling back on top of the sack. "It's all right when it heals you can hang out up there," there was a sweet call of agreement before slipping into the bag. Picking up the head-poking-out sack and a ghostly candle before they continued they're march into the unknown. Joltik chose to leap and skitter from tree to tree.
X
Their routine didn't change that much with a new family member, only needing to gather more food. Joltiks String Shot improved, able to create more at a faster rate and her Fury Cutter became more instantaneous then taking seconds to build. She spent a lot of time scurrying through the trees and across the ground racing Dratini, her agility and speed making her difficult to spot at times.
Litwick was becoming hotter at night forcing Joltik to improve the strength of her String Shot. Her ember was no longer a tinny fleck but a fist size ball. Communication through the flow grew more innate, their emotion and signal vocabulary expanding.
Dratini got faster on ground and in water, able to chase fish into the net. She loved sparring with Joltik on who could create the biggest Thunder Wave and has been seen talking with Litwick, the flow having not been made between them yet.
Even she, the ex grunt, grew a bit in strength and ability not so much in height and weight though. Her feet and legs burned less and covered more ground. Their steps grew quieter and their agility from all the tree climbing improved. The sounds and scents of the forest were no longer strange but like a familiar home.
Amicable chatter filled the walk, the sound of leaves and branches swaying in the breeze accompanied them as the day passed by. A signal from Joltik re-drew all of their attention, something new. 'The last time we ran into something new it was bad but, also got us a new family member so what's it gonna be this time?'
Shifting her gait, the sound of leaves and twigs that snapped underfoot became scarce. Sounds not of the forest and a smell of grit unnatural. Feeling that they were close enough, she tapped Joltik giving the command to find a tree, a tall one.
Scrambling up the rough bark intermittently placing Litwick on branches above to climb higher and higher. Ticks from Joltik and a call and cry from Litwick and Dratini cause her to turn and look out. In front of their eyes was not a forest but cubes… "Houses…a town and past that…those…building's touching the sky are… skyscrapers! It's so big!"
Her eyes hopped from building to building trying to see if any stood out. There was one near the center of town that was round with blue and yellow stripes with a big P on the front, the word Pokemon Center popped into her head but she wasn't quite sure what it meant.
She crouched down on the branch, "Ok, so here's the plan. You guys are going to stay hidden in the sack while we go into town and find a library." There were cries of disapproval.
"No, it is too dangerous to be out. Dratini are absurdly rare and ghosts are considered very hard to tame and the last thing we need is to draw attention to ourselves." None of them were happy with the plan so they ended up compromising by having just Joltik out, hidden in her hair.
She placed their pokeballs into the sack as well, "All right, lets go and remember no noise, keep your flame minimized." She reminded her family as she hit the ground. Jogging onto a premade path that crossed an empty side road, she stepped up onto the…sidewalk doing her best to mimic normal human walking that she was taught during her infiltration classes.
Passing by…shops…selling things there was very little she recognized, words popped into her head of many of the different things. Bikes, grocery store, lamp post, fire hydrant, bench there was so much stuff, it was overwhelming, she forced a few breaths to calm down. "Are you lost my dear?" she jumped in shock at the sudden voice. A lady with an apron standing outside a shop selling flowers was looking down at her spoke.
"Um…" words became stuck in her throat as she's never interacted with someone like this before.
"I'm sorry I didn't mean to startle you. You were looking all around like so I thought you were looking for something."
"Um, lib, Library?" stumbling on a single word, she focuses completely on hiding her fear and looking like a normal child.
"The Library is very close by. Just cross the street at the light ahead at Kelly's Confectionery then cross again to the left, go straight and it's the fifth building on your right."
"Ok, un thanks…" she turned and quickly walked out of there unsure if anything else was needed.
Making it to the… intersection she glanced for vehicles and was about to step onto the street when a hand stopped her. She was halfway to her knife when she heard them speak, "Easy the crossing lights red we can't go yet hasty." The man was pointing across the street at something.
Taking breaths to calm her heart beat, glancing across where he was pointing, unable to make out what light he was talking about. A minute later her eyes flicked to a black box attached to a post that had changed to a white blinking person.
"Now we can cross, Kellys not gonna run out of donuts that fast," he chuckled.
"Not getting donuts, I'm heading to the library," she rebutted.
"Oh that's good, being smart is a lot better than donuts. Just make sure you watch the light before crossing next time," she hummed and nodded in response. She turned and looked across the street to her left, this time she spotted that black box and it had a red hand in it. The steps of the stranger faded away as the red hand turned to a white person.
A large building with a sign that had a…book on it said East Matcha Library and she couldn't help the smile breaking out on her face in her excitement. They were getting info and answers. Unable to hold back the shout of "LIBRARY," when she entered.
"We don't shout in libraries little miss whirlwind," a sweet older lady spoke, she could hear the chuckle from the other people in the building. "What are we looking for today miss whirlwind? Something for school?"
"Um, pokemon!" she felt that it was a safe topic.
"Oh, do we have a specific type in mind or just any types?" the lady got up from her chair and walked around the counter.
She paused, "Then electric types."
The lady smiled, "I have some books on those back this way." The… librarian walked down one of the many aisles of books the smell of paper and wood enveloped them. The lady pulled two books down for her to read, "Here you go if you need anything else come see me at the front desk."
She gave a thanks and sat down placing her bag next to her as the elderly woman walked away. One was on the care and training of specifically electric types and the other was about different electric pokemon… but didn't list Joltik and stopped at Rotom. "Humm, that's right you're from Unova this only lists Kanto, Sinnoh and Johto," she peeked at Joltik, reaching into the sack to strock Dratinis head and gave a mental bump to Litwick.
Placing the book back and keeping the one on care to look at later. She swung the sack over her shoulder and went back up to ask the helpful lady. "Do you have any books on electric's from Unova?"
The librarian looked up from her papers, "No unfortunately we don't get many Unova pokemon here in Kanto but you can look on the computers. There in the back right of the library." Her eyes glanced down to the left, her mouth twitching.
"I do hope your parents are aware that you've taken a friend with you," they said in a chastising manner. Joltik clicked at the fact that she had been spotted.
"Yes…I'm watching her for the day," she smoothly lied.
"Just make sure she doesn't zap the computer," she nodded and she hurried off to the right.
Arriving at a vacant corner where two back to back rows of screens sat, she took the farthest one with her back to the wall. Setting the sack in her lap as she sat down in the chair and looked at the screen in front of her. It was a vaguely familiar thing. With the knowledge from her past training and from a forgotten memory she was able to semi smoothly traverse the thing called the Internet. "Ok what do we start with," she mumbled. "We'll start with the league then information on your species and…"
A tap came from Joltik when she froze, "Actually back then I promised myself in celebration of escape that I would give myself a name so let's start with names. Do any of you want any?" Joltik shook her head, Litwick gave a yes through the flow and Dratini nodded when she looked into the bag. "Ok then–" She was poked by Joltik again harder this time and the spider motioned to her– "Me first?" Her arachnid nodded and Litwick and Dratini agreed.
"Ok then…name…names have meanings," she stated slowly. "What's a good one for me…" glancing in the direction of the librarian mulling over a thought. "Whirlwind huh whirlwinds are strong and energetic. Not something you can take down and destroy, instead they destroy you. Smiling before doing a search on names that mean whirlwind.
"Tempest, Zephyr, Esen, Nephele, Anemone, Aella…Aella, A-ehl-la…Aella that's my name!" She could feel the grin spread across her face. A name. She had a name. Biting her lip to hide the laugh building inside from escaping. Taps, positive flows and pokes from her family accompanied her joy.
When the silent celebration settled down it was time to find names for the other two. "Any suggestions Litwick?" a yes was received and she lit her flame before snapping it out. "Something related to fire then?" another yes and Aella pulled up a list of names and voiced off the list to Litwick.
"Fire, Burn, Torch, Flare a sharp yes flew through the flow. Flare it is." Flare's joy flowed through her mind. "Do you want a powerful name?" Dratini nodded and tipped her head to the side letting out a quiet humm. Flare translated, "Something more to it, something pretty?" The dragon snapped her head up, "Majestic?" a nod. "Something powerful and majestic then…"
They spent a few minutes searching. The first list was given nothing but no's but found one on the second. "Shay?" a neck jarring nod.
She giggled keeping her voice down singing, "Joltik, Flare, Shay and Aella out surviving in the big world," feet swinging below the chair.
After they settled it was time to get some info, "First the league we need to know what's going on with them and Team Rocket." She typed and pulled up the leagues main website. There was a lot from buildings to rules and even things on pokemon. Aella worked her way through filing away anything that she felt necessary.
The first part was building, events and competitions. Pokemon centers were for registered trainers to heal their team and sleep at. There were gyms, we're trainers could earn badges to compete in the league. With 8 main gyms and 17 others scattered throughout Kanto.
A trainer either needed all eight main gym badges or at least 12 badges from the other 17 gyms to compete in the Indigo League. If one made it to the top eight in the Indigo League they'd be given the chance to be tested to become an Ace Trainer. Ace Trainers work for the league to take on crime with police and the best Ace Trainers get to take down criminal organizations. The league was overseen by government authorities, the elite four and the champion. If one won the competition they would be given the chance to challenge the elite four and the champion.
She frowned reading the next part. Only those with legal trainer licenses can carry pokemon. Aella's frown deepened as she kept reading.
At 10 kids are allowed to have 1 pokemon on them and catch up to 3, they are not allowed into the surrounding wilderness without adult supervision
At 12 kids they are allowed to hold 3 pokemon on them at a time but can have 6 pokemon in total, if their team is strong enough they are allowed out in the surrounding wilderness but only during the day
At 13 they can hold 6 pokemon and catch a total of 25(there are a few exceptions though), they can take a test to see if their team is strong enough to go out on their own and visit gyms and compete in the league competition.
Because of the difficulty in obtaining badges most trainers don't participate in league competitions till their second, third or even fourth year.
'It just gets better and better.' Aella thought, reading the next part.
There are pokemon protection laws over certain pokemon lines that limit or straight up ban the catching of certain pokemon with hefty fines placed on them. Limited pokemon have to come in for a bi-monthly assessment. Only those who are part of the league with exceptions can catch banned pokemon.
Limited pokemon include all 'starter sponsor pokemon' and from the lines as follows, Clefable, Ninetales, Scyther, Gyarados, Snorlax, Togekiss, Unown, Gliscor, Ursaring, Tyranitar, Aggron, Salamence, Metagross, Garchomp, Reuniclus, Haxorus, Volcarona, Pangoro, Aegislash, Tyrantrum
Pokemon lines who's catching is banned are as follows, Lapras, Ditto, Eevee, Dragonite, Porygon-Z, Altaria, Absol, Zoroark, Druddigon, Hydreigon
Aella swore under her breath, she had a Dratini and she sure as hell was not giving her up now. Shay was part of the family. "Well what the hell do I do now?" She felt Flare's question, "I'll explain later," she mumbled.
She chanced the news section, going backwards through it. Turns out the League Team Rocket have been fighting each other for a long time. And the League's treatment of caught Team Rocket grunts unnerved her.
20 years ago there were around 300 of the Dragonite line left alive and Team Rocket pulled an infamous heist attempting to steal Dratini and Dragonair from Blackthorn City. It ultimately failed but over half of the remaining population of Dragonite parished. There are now only around 100 of the Dragonite line left alive.
'Well I guess that also explains why those grunts were so damn happy with their catch.' Aella pondered while she glanced through the other old articles but that was the only big one that caught her eye. On the other hand there was a recent one that got her attention from just around a month ago on May 20.
Three days ago the league raided a major Team Rocket base run by Elite Officer Damia. The base was the final place of a long two year search in finding Audren, 's Alakazam. Sadly his spoons and records of his demise were found, a truly disheartening loss. Elite Officer Damia along with her Officers and higher Agents have escaped capture. Champion Red has stated their capture will be of high priority and they will be found and brought to justice for their appalling misdeeds. will be taking time off to grieve and his wife Lisa Yosuke will take over gym duties until further notice.
Aella felt quite saddened by the article, like she had lost a distant comrade and she wasn't fully sure why. She sighed knowing she didn't have time to dwindle and also there was one other little piece of information that caught her attention. The date. She wasn't sure why it was important though but apparently May 17 was her aging day. She'd have to try to remember that.
Leaning back on the chair feeling the sun on her face. She looked at the upside down world through the window. She blinked and turned around, the sun had sunk low in the sky, no longer visible over the buildings.
She paused before leaving, thinking back to something the librarian had mentioned, school. Deciding it sounded important enough to look into, she held off on leaving since the sky hadn't changed color yet. School was interesting, Aella was both appalled and intrigued by the concept. It was eerily similar to her past but classes were about training intelligence then training weapons and seemed much more humane. With larger meals and talking encouraged, older kids could even pick from a variety of classes to specialize.
It went from 9 to 5 in the afternoon for five days of the week… 'wait what day is it?' She glanced around the screen and found a time and date. June 6, a Sunday… 'school starts up again tomorrow so I'll stay out of town till five…actually I should find the school to see what kids are wearing.'
Sighing, Aella got up from the chair, closing the tab behind her. Her bag hung from her shoulder and she still had the book on electrical pokemon care in hand when she walked to the exit.
"Do you have your library card? If you want to take that book with you I'll need to sign it."
"Ah, no…I don't have it…I'll come read it tomorrow…after school." she stuttered. She was not used to making these kinds of lies. Placing the book on the desk before leaving.
Crossing the street and nearly forgetting the walking light, passing the now closed flower shop, with no people nearby Aella broke into a run down the deserted road and onto the forested pathway. Deep into the thicket she traveled until the smells of the suburbs were lost and the sound muted.
"Ok we're good." she placed the sack on the ground and Flare scooted out at top speed. Her flame flicked and notes of irritation came down the flow. "Yeah I know but we're gonna have to go in tomorrow afternoon."
Sharp seething anger invaded her mind, making her wince. "Yea I know it sucks, there's a lot of stuff in the outside world. If we're gonna survive we need to know what is and isn't safe to eat. And if we get attacked we need to be strong enough to defend ourselves. AND if we come across other people we need to be able to blend in."
"Sigh, I know it's frustrating…" There was a tense moment of silence that calmed as the sun set lower, the sky filled with vibrant oranges and yellows. "All right let's find that berry tree then head to bed."
—
The three ate in silence Joltik crunched on a mouse she caught, Flare nicely dispatched of its soul. Shay injoyed a yellow tough berry she'd curled around. Flare prodded her mind as Joltik wandered off to find a tree for the night. "Hum?" She tapped her leg, mind spiking in anger than question. "Ah right I got really mad earlier…right…" glancing at Shay, "You're not going to like this."
Aella explained the Leagues limited and banned pokemon rules. Shay was less than pleased at the idea, her draconic pride kicking in on the fact that she would need to hide every time they went into town or ran across other people. Slamming her tail in displeasure as they walked.
"Well if you don't and someone sees they'll alert the league and then we got big problems." A humed question came from the dragon. "Abused or not I was still a member of Team Rocket and there's no way they're letting you stay with me any of you…and I don't think I can handle losing the only good thing I've ever had."
She crossed her arms in a self hug. "And the way they treat caught grunts…they have their Psychics invade their mind for information without consent…and they don't get much before their k-ring goes off so wouldn't it mean that a mind invasion like that triggers the k-ring?!" Flare's flow pulsed in her mind causing her pause.
"Maybe they don't trigger the k-ring?" Glancing down at Flare who was joined by Joltik, "Is it because the invasion is forceful? Or because mine isn't connected?" Sighing for the enth time today and summing up their situation.
"So if I'm caught by the league, I lose my family and get crudely interrogated! If I'm caught by Team Rocket, I'm good as dead!" Swearing to vent her frustration as she paced in circles, "The police work with the league, same with the government and most citizens are law abiding… I'm completely on my own aren't I." Cries from the side and a sharp emotion from the flow caused her to turn her head to face her family. "We're completely on our own aren't we."
Creeping dread of their circumstance rose from within. She had never really taken the time to analyze how truly bleak their situation was, it didn't matter where the went Kanto and Johto was swarming with Team Rocket and the League had a massive presence in both. Feeling an icy shiver run down her spine yet she was sweating, her pounding heartbeat blocked out all sound even her own gasping breath.
Soothing waves from Flare slowly reorientated and grounded Aella and Joltik urged her towards the tree. Her palms were clammy as she scaled upwards and she slumped into the hammock. Flopping onto her back to stare at the leaves above. Aella felt dizzy like her mind was spinning round and round almost like there was a delay between her head and brain moving, it was sickening.
She closed her eyes to force back the need to vomit, the sound of Joltiks ticks gave herself something to focus on. The drumbeat of the blood in her ears faded and the familiar sounds of the forest replaced it. Pressure from a lithe body wrapped around her arm and a smooth tongue that ran just in front of her ear. Aella opened her eyes to the green and brown of leaves and branches and a pale blue head.
"Sorry…" Aella mumbled wiping her watery eyes, "Guess the past and everything really fully hit me." Sniff. "I kind of got overwhelmed I guess." She took big breaths and slowly sat up, deciding a distraction was needed, she asked something she had vaguely been aware of. "So, how did you two get up here?"
Flare pointed to the side of the hammock. Joltik had made a web basket to pull Flare and Shay up in. "Huh, that's inventive. Makes me wonder why bug pokemon aren't higher up on the catch list."
Joltiks only answer to that was to raise one leg in a shrug. "The sun has set, so let's sleep and make a full plan tomorrow…right," they laid down in their usual setup with a few minor changes. Aella's back no longer pressed against the tree trunk, instead Shay's body took its place and her head rested in the crook of Ayla's neck. Joltik moved from her shoulder to her side and Flare stayed near her stomach but was too hot to press up against it anymore. Breathing slowed as the last rays of sunlight slipped away leaving only a dim candle to face the dark alone.
X
Small feet with a bag slung over her shoulder and made their way onto one of the many man-made forest trails, the sun had yet to reach its climax. They had made their way around to the southern side of town where a school apparently sat. Scampering through backyard alleyways and gardens till she reached the quiet main road of the neighborhood and just across the way was a fenced playground with a big building that said, 'Eastline Elementary'.
'Elementary, that's the first school for the youngest kids,' she'd probably get caught if she were to go over there so… glancing left and right she spotted a wooden house in a tree… a treehouse.
Aella's boots echoed against the floor, it was clearly old with board's rotting away in some parts though surprisingly little dust with toys and flimsy paper books lying about. The pages were glossy but dry, clearly they hadn't been there long since the roof didn't look drip proof.
"Ok, now we just wait and observe the kids, whenever they show up," she whispered. She sat down in front of the window, careful not to disturb anything. She didn't want people thinking someone else had been up here.
Aella passed the time by talking with Shay and Joltik, Flare eventually joined them sitting on the windowsill, minimizing her flame. The sound of a bell drew their attention back sometime around noon. Kids that looked to be her age and older flooded the playground. The noise of voices and clanging of swings and other play machines rang across the street.
Soon vehicles were arriving up front where a train of even younger kids were being led out. Quite small, four or five maybe they all had colorful bags on their back. She recalled it was called a backpack.
Aella glanced down at the sack they've been using, "Yeah this isn't gonna work, we need something to blend in but where can we get a backpack?"
"We can't buy one and I'm not really keen on the idea of stealing one…any ideas?" They all sat thinking for a bit before Flare pointed to a bin at the end of the driveway. "The trash bin, yea I guess so if it's in the trash no one wants it."
Joltik tapped her uniform then pointed to the kids on the playground, "Yeah new clothes as well. Nice spot." Placing a recalled Flare's pokeball into the sack with Shays before leaping down from the house and running back into the alleyway.
"Alright, here's the plan. Will make our way into town and find those big alley trash bins and see what we can scrounge up today, maybe tomorrow as well. Then back to the library for more knowledge."
Joltiks mandibles clicked as she hopped up on the sidewalk of a southern maine road in…town, 'I should figure out the name of this town.' They spent the rest of the day rifling through different bins, some were definitely better than others, she thought, wrinkling her nose. Some of the items' reasons for being thrown away were obvious while others were a bit baffling. They were going to have to take the items and herself for a wash down at the river they found this morning.
—
Sun down soon came as Aella crunched through the brush to the river releasing both Flare and Shay. Happy notes floated through her head while the dragon wrinkled her nose. "Yeah I know I stink. Not as bad as some of the bins though, besides I can wash it off in the river."
She dropped the sack along with a dirty frayed backpack. She'd wash everything found except for a small piece of technology she found that caught her eye. It was dead but if Joltik improved her electric control she could maybe charge it.
The sun had disappeared turning the sky a deep reddish orange by the time she was done. She had scrounged up an old container that was waterproof, a small light metal pot, no lid, for cooking and a dented metal bottle with a working lid for water that she had Joltik zap clean. With two shirts, one a bit big, a pair of jeans and a set of underwear that was a bit two big but she could use when she got older. Though she felt it would probably be good to find some soap to clean it before using it.
Joltik and Shay had been busy as well catching fish that Flare was more than happy to de-soul. Flare's heat was a great help in drying off and staying warm in the cooling air. With cooked fish in their bellies she took some time to enjoy the color festival created by the sun's final rays.
Joltik and Shay took the chance to have a Thunder Wave battle and Flare was trying to make a new kind of Ember, one much more blue and ghostly. Joltik was becoming particularly annoyed at how difficult hitting Shay was getting, throwing a web of electricity at the speedy dragon. It missed and slammed into a tree.
"Huh that's… what move is that?" Aella made a mental note to look into what her team could learn, next visit to the library. "Joltik! Do that again but on the ground. Mix in your String Shot. Shay dodge and increase your speed!"
Cries of agreement were let out and Shay picked up her speed, starting to blur, as Joltik spat webs of Thunder Wave crisscrossed with String Shot. Shay's form became clear as her speed was hindered. Sending a glare across the field to the spider who shivered and clicked her mandibles in retaliation. The dragon let out a hum as the air swirled around her.
Joltik dug her claw tipped legs into the ground but was slowly getting pulled. "Use the String Shot you laced the ground with." She jammed her legs into a tight cross of String Shot; it grounded her as the winds buffeted her side. When the winds died down Joltik surged forward and smacked the dragon on the head with a Fury Cutter.
"Ok that's enough! Good practice round," Aella hollered, getting her family's attention. "Shay you're getting faster your form blurred for a moment so will work on that plus that wind moves power and control. Joltik still as fast as ever your blur is becoming more prominent so will work on maintaining it for a longer period of time."
Shoving the sack into the backpack, it could be useful in the future, and slinging the straps over her shoulder before they tracked back into the forest following Joltik to her newly appointed tree. "So plan for tomorrow is more practice then going to the library in the afternoon. Will learn what moves you can do and how to improve what you have along with their names." A chorus of agreement was given as darkness blanketed the forest.
X
A new shirt and pants plus a berry dinner was finished before Flare and Shay re-entered their pokeballs. She twisted their balls button, setting them fully unconscious to keep them from getting bored before placing them along with Joltiks into the backpack before they trekked back to the library. She passed by the flower shop with the apron lady and spotted her inside but didn't stop, the library was more important than talking.
Remembering to watch the light before crossing the street, stepping down the sidewalk Aella picked up the pace when she saw the large book hanging above the entrance. The scent of paper filled her nose as she glanced around the semi-busy building. The older lady that helped her last time was busy, so she could refind that electric care book or–looking to her right–go to the computers.
As she maneuvered around a group standing and chatting in the middle, she heard a whirr sound and looked to see someone pull a paper from a machine. They glanced at the mobile computer in their hand and she offhandedly noticed what was on the paper was the same on the screen. Taking one of the few open computers Aella decided to start with how to correctly train her family to be stronger starting with Joltik.
Joltik, as expected, did not have a huge type variant when it came to moves. Though because she was part of the arachnid family she did have a slightly higher resistance to becoming poisoned compared to most electrics.
'So Joltik knows String Shot, Fury Cutter and Thunder Wave… there was that unknown electric one too. Um, probably Electroweb…' she clicked on a video of a Pikachu performing the move and it definitely was it but better formed with clearer webbing and symmetrical. 'Mmm so Electroweb needs work then how about her other moves?' She watched videos of Joltiks other moves, String Shot was fine and instantaneous, same with Fury Cutter and Thunder Wave.
'Will start with Electroweb, see if she knows Bug Bite, Electro Ball and Agility…' Aella paused and clicked on a video of Agility and a Growlithes blurred form raced across the screen. 'She's nearly got Agility! Wait, didn't Shay do something similar?'
Aella typed in Dratini before pausing and changing it to Dragonite for fear of bringing attention to herself. 'Shay can learn Agility too! It's not as far along as Joltiks but they could probably learn off each other, they did something similar with Thunder Wave.'
Aella continued her mental monologue, 'Speaking of which Shay knows Thunder Wave and that wind move um Dratini don't have the strength to learn Hurricane so then Twister maybe.' A few videos later, 'Yep it's Twister, a very early form of it.'
'Her eyes flickered and Joltik shivered that time so maybe Leer… I really don't know what else she knows…' She paused and sighed. 'Will have to fix that with our first official training session.'
'Ok on to Flare. Just like Joltik her moves mainly consist of her types Ghost and Fire though she could potentially learn to use Dark and Psychic moves. Hex and Will-O-Wisp could be a dangerous combination and I'm pretty sure she is starting to learn Will-O-Wisp. Curse could be good in a pinch, Pain Split is nice and–' Her mind halted when she read the move Imprison. Letting an, "oh,"slip out before having to withhold a cackle when she looked through all the moves Flare could learn.
Imprison essentially made it so any move that Flare knew and had practiced semi-recently would be disabled. Flare could learn most of the common Ghost and Fire type moves and she could learn Psychic and even Solar Beam. Flare could get very mean with this move.
'Ok so what does Flare know and what can I teach her?' The candle definitely knew Ember and Minimize and Aella was pretty sure she knew Astonish. 'I don't know how good she is with Astonish, so will start there, then Will-O-Wisp and Hex.'
'Man I really wish I had a tech piece or some way to write this down– the screen spitting paper machine!' Jumping down from her seat before rushing over to the machine she stared at it knowing it was the greatest thing man has ever created at this moment.
Her sky high joy was slammed back to the ground when a thought popped into her head, 'How do I operate it?' she glanced around the library and realized for the first time how vacant it had become.
'The Librarian is free!' Aella turned, halted, went back to the computer and pulled up Joltiks move set page.
Aella ran over to the empty main desk where the lady sat and got scolded for running in the library. "Sorry, I want to make a page from Joltiks move set to take home. How do I do that?"
"Do you have the page open then, dear?"
"Yep!" Aella said, leading the lady back to the computer.
"You're quite excited to be a trainer, just make sure your parents are around when you're practicing."
"I know I know but if she's going to be mine when I'm 10 I should know her moveset and how to train her!" Her lies have gotten smoother as her fear reduced.
"Right so…" The sweet elder ran her through on how to make a page or print as she called it before Aella fibbed when asked if she would be heading home, saying she was sticking around to finish her homework, because it was too noisy at home.
As soon as the tricked librarian had rounded the corner Aella got to work on Flares and Shays move set and training tips on all three. She decided to risk it and get Dratini's move page instead of Dragonites'. Next came survival info. She searched and printed information on local berries and herbs that were edible and medical along with common dangerous ones. After that it was maps, one of the area, another of the entirety of Kanto. She even skimmed through travel guides of the area, learning of the Safari Zone just northeast of her Fuchsia City straight east and a village that was known for making potions was south.
'Can't go in the Safari Zone and Fuchsia is heavy on its Poison types. Learning to make medicine for me and my team would be really useful so Mossgreen village will be our next stop.'
Aella decided to make use of the water proof container and store the very non waterproof papers. Joltik tapped, happy they were leaving. Her past experience taught her how to remain still and quiet for long periods of time didn't mean she liked it. She had gotten used to the freedom of being able to move and talk whenever she wanted.
Yanking one last recognizing berry tree page from the print machine before folding and closing the container. She snagged a writing tool from a cup of them just in case she came across new information that she couldn't take. She slung her bag up over her shoulder. The clock on the wall said it was 8:42 not fully understanding the number time thing but based on the amount of numbers she guessed it meant it was late in the day. She shrugged as the door swung closed behind, it wasn't exactly wrong the sun would set soon but wasn't it just easier to tell time by the sun's position?
And she made her way back to a forested home. She was surprised to see the flower shop and donut shop were still open; they were closed last time she left. 'Did I really leave that much later last time, I don't think so.'
A sign on the door with rows of day names and number times that said opening and closing hours. 'Ahh that might be why. So it's…Tuesday? I guess.' Aella lightly flicked one of the flowers as she walked by and couldn't help but breathe deep at the scents though not a wooded or fresh forest smell, it was similar.
The walk back was nice, the town was nice she thought it would be more… scary and was just a bit bummed she was leaving. 'I'll have to visit this place again sometime… Matcha was it…'
Two silent releases lead to a shaking flame and head to rid the feeling of lost time. "Sorry at least we won't need to do that for a while." Two cries of joy were given as she switched their pokeball settings back to conscious.
"Ok so we have some fun stuff coming up. Tomorrow we're going to do our first training session!" Eager faces and flow notes came from everyone. "But first I need to know how far along you all are with your moves.
"Now I'm going to start with Shay since I don't know all your moves." Aella stated, pulling the Dratini moves sheet. "From what I can tell you know Thunder Wave and I believe that wind was the start of Twister and maybe Leer I'm not of that or anything else."
A coo came from Shay, happy to be the first. "So we're going to go through the list and you're going to tell me if any of the descriptions are similar to anything you can do, ok?"
"Will start with Leer it's–"
"Mmm," she looked down at Shay and Shay stared back, the dragon's eyes faintly flashed.
She felt an unnatural shiver run down her spine, feeling slightly more defenseless. "Ok yea that's definitely Leer. Can you do it instantaneously or not?"
A more downtrodden hmmm was given. "That's alright it'll just be something that will work on tomorrow. Now how about Wrap?"
Shay shot over to a small tree and barely encircled it. They could hear the wood creek in complaint. "That's pretty good. Will work on power and– how's your control over your power?" Shay let out an indignant cry, her dragon's pride showing through.
"Ok just checking. We don't need everyone you Wrap dead," the dragon sighed in agreement. "Then tomorrow you will be working on perfecting Leer and improving Wrap after that, bettering your Twister power and control and if Joltik is available you'll work on speed for Agility. You're both showing signs of the move last time.
"Next Joltik you're Fury Cutter and Thunder Wave are fine, String Shots power and amount is fine, since you use it every day it should just improve naturally overtime. Electroweb clearly needs work. Will start with formation then work on power and creation speed. After that work with Shay on speed for Agility."
Joltik clicked with joy. They were finally going to start focusing on getting stronger. Aella smiled at her enthusiasm Joltik had been wanting to get strong for a while.
"Flare." She called poking the flow, getting the candles attention. A gleeful wail came from the ghost as it was now her turn. "Your Ember and Minimize are powerful and instantaneous so let's see your Astonish."
The candle grinned at the command before releasing a sudden and abnormal call that made her hairs stand on end as the soundwave hit her. "Ok wow that's fine." She shook her head not expecting the power behind it.
"So then you're going to learn Will-O-Wisp. I believe you were already starting work on it yesterday and eventually Hex. Those two are a pretty deadly combination, also I want you to continue practicing your old moves every few days."
A pang of curiosity came through the flow. "Because I eventually want you to know a move that gets meaner the more moves you know." Aella couldn't help but grin at the prospect.
"Imprison is a move that puts a seal of sorts on your opponent's neck. This seal inhibits them from using any moves that you know and have practiced semi-recently." The sheer gittyness that came through the flow had Aella chuckling.
AN: Yes I know Imprison in the games is normally put on the user but in my mind that makes no sense in stopping an opponent from using a move. So I'm changing it to a non-contact status (like) ailment on the opponent's neck or next closest part. (Also this will make the move more fair with how I will be using it)
A devious feeling came down Flare's flow, "Yea I thought you might like that." Aella laughed at her response.
"So that's the plan for tomorrow, the morning after tomorrow we will collect berries then we're going to a little village called Mossgreen just south of here." She saw and felt their curiosity perk at her plan.
"It's known for its trade in making potions and medicine out of herbs and berries. Since we're technically an underage and unlicensed team, we can't go to any pokemon centers for healing. So the only thing that can help us if we get hurt or want to train seriously is what we can create."
They all agreed it was the best move since they couldn't rely on health centers although they weren't so much against stealing as Aella was. Maps were looked over after dinner and berry pages were read in the dying light as the hammock swung them into their dreams.
X
"Joltik you remember seeing a proper Electroweb on the screen yesterday, so start with electric manipulation and go from there." An affirmative tick was given before the small spider moved away for safety. Shay was already working on Leer, coiled around herself with a glazed stare as her eyes flickered.
"Flare you'll start with Will-O-Wisp. It's essentially a superheated flame but with its power toned down. Oh and apparently the ghostly energy part is inside the flame not coating it." Notes of irritation and desire for something else. "What? You don't want to?"
Flare pointed at the box papers, it took her a second for it to click. "Oh Imprison! No, you're not learning that yet. It's a Psychic based move for one and second it's not gonna be useful till you expand your move pool."
Negative notes spiked through their flow. Aella glanced over at Joltik and Shay, "Fine then, Agility requires Psychic type energy to be used so after Joltik and Shay learn Agility you can start learning Psychic type energy from them, on their schedule." She could feel Flare's excitement grow then deflate at those words.
"Yeah I know it's vexing. The idea of being an absolute pest to any ghost or fire type is tempting, so tempting, but right now I need you to work on raw power not devious trickery. Flare was not happy with the answer but a set of clicks from Joltik got her practicing Will-O-Wisp.
—
It maybe only took 3 to 4 hours before Shay slithered up to Aella, who set down the rock she had been lifting for strength practice and performed an instant Leer. "Good, now shift to improving Wrap. You'll work on Twister around lunch and switch to Agility after," Aella stated, shivering from the influence of the strike.
Shay gave a cry in response, nearly launching herself at the nearest tree she could fully wrap. The dragon passed by Joltik who's Electroweb was being created at a Slowpoke's pace but it was becoming more symmetrical. Flare's flames were taking on a more noticeable bluish tone but didn't have that signature eerie purple center yet.
—
Lunch came and went and Shay's Wrap had improved in strength and consistency though she would need to use it in many battles to properly master. 'Maybe wrapping large fish would help her get a feel on how to use it on moving targets,' and the dragon's Twister had gotten just a bit stronger. Joltik's Electroweb was now semi consistently symmetrical though unusable and slow in forming to be used in a proper fight. A little practice over the coming weeks and that could be easily remedied. Flare had taken a break from Will-O-Wisp and had started practicing how to manipulate shadows for the eventual learning of Hex.
"Ok then, will call it for Wrap, Twister and Electroweb for now. Change to working on Agility. You already know how the move is formed and executed. Now you just need to recognize Psychic energy to build it. When you get tired, go back to Twister and Electroweb." Nods and calls were given before everyone moved to separate areas to practice.
Aella took a seat under a nearby tree and did some reading up on teaching new moves and what moves would be best learned now and what could wait.
For a pokemon to be able to use a move they need three things:
1. They need to be able to recognize and thuse build the type of energy needed
2. They need to know how to form or inner workings of the move
3. They need to know how the move or energy of said move is used and executed
Egg moves are moves the pokemon partially knows, these are sometimes easier to learn then completely new moves. A pokemon with an egg move will be able to recognize the type of energy but if the energy is of a type the pokemon has not learned yet, they will need to learn to build it. The pokemon will have a very rudimentary understanding of how the move works or is used but will have to learn how to form said move.
Aella paused in her reading, 'So if any of them had an egg move… would they know they have an egg move?' She looked up at her family, 'I'll have to ask later…'
—
Aella called the end of training for today at two hours till the sun hit the horizon. While the fish cooked and water boiled she brought up the topic of egg moves. "…so to put simply it's a move that you know, kinda, but don't know how to form it. And if it's of a different type you'll know but maybe not what type it is…does that make sense at all?"
Confusion and negative came from Flare but Shay gave a very slow nod, cooed and gave a few fast nods. Joltik was still thinking.
"You have one Shay?" The dragon gave a cry and slammed her tail twice, "Two?" she hummed a yes.
"Do you know there types?" a low hum and sway of the head in no. "So it's not a Normal, Electric, Dragon…not a Psychic either?" another no, Aella hummed in response too.
"Jotik jo jo," Joltik raised one of her legs into the air.
"You've got one as well. Is it an unknown type?" Joltik gave a no, "Bug? Electric?" She moved her left and right hand in sync with her words. Joltik raised her right in response to Aella's left. "Bug, ok… do you think you can pull it off now or–" Joltik shook her body from side to side letting out low clicks. "Ok, then will look into that at a later date." At that Flare gave a wail that the fish were done.
Mealtime was quiet with everyone tired from training. Aella dumped the now safe water into the bottle before placing everything back into her backpack. She laid back and relaxed, watching the sky's multitude of colors.
"This is nice. I've been so focused on getting to the library and blending in for the past few days, I forgot how nice it is to just, zen. Is that the word? Yeah, I think that's the word," she took in a deep breath and let it out slowly.
Soft calls were given as the three enjoyed the quiet of the surroundings. The warmth from the fire on her left, maintained by Flare and Shay's body that was coiled apon her stomach made her drowsy in the evening light.
A zap from Joltik woke her, "Hey really? We're just relaxing in the sunset ya know." Aella turned her head to face a sideways Joltik and the spider pointed to said sunset in response. A very dark sky and the tailing rays of sun were all that was left of the sunset. "Oh. I guess we should get in the hammock then."
They made their way to Joltiks hammock, with a dozing dragon in arm and changing her spot to her shoulder. Flare was already up in the tree when they clambered into bed. Sleep came easy tonight.
X
Aella woke up with a start. She didn't like dreams. She never liked dreams. They were always full of things that weren't true. Things that didn't happen. Things that will never happen.
She sighed, the sun had risen not long ago. She could recognize the end of a sunrise now. "Morning all," Aella received varied responses. Joltik was chirper, bright eyed and bushy fuzz, Shay was more grumbled because of the start and Flare was a bit lackluster from lack of energy.
"All right all right let's get some fish breakfast, then stock up on berries and hit the road, er brush." Her statement followed a morning stretch. Their fishing had improved to the point where it took less than an hour to catch and haul in. Flare recalled herself for some much-needed rest while the rest ate.
Once the embers of the dying fire were covered they moved to stock up on berries. Refinding the blue tough berry tree, Oran berries as they were called, Joltik created a net for Aella and Shay before skittering up the tree to Fury Cutter down the best ones. They also found some Persim and Pecha berry trees as well but the Pecha were too soft and delicate and their only container was being used to hold valuable papers.
Aella placed the sack full of berries into the pack, re-checked the map and reorientated herself. "Alright it will be a week or two before we reach Mossgreen so will practice and improve as much as we can. We've survived, now we just need to get strong enough to thrive." Calls of agreement rang out over the babbling brook before they disappeared into the brush.
Thank You for Reading next chapter will be released on September 1st 2022