Chapter four: A note, a request.
Chris woke up slowly – he was still groggy. The Swablu singing nearby didn't help, either. Kani was already up, and outside. It sounded like she was talking to April's pokemon – mostly the Bellossom she'd fought earlier.
He peeked his head out of the tent, curious what pokemon she'd have.
The Bellossom was there, as well as a Beautifly, a Marshtomp, a Torkoal, and a Swablu.
He blinked. She wasn't kidding – she must have worked for a while to assemble a team like this. At least he knew the pokemon's names – sometimes, he had a hard time knowing what a pokemon's type was, let alone a name. Kani usually could tell, though.
He sighed, and slowly crawled out of the tent, putting together something for breakfast. A bigger than usual breakfast, from the number of pokemon this girl had. He shrugged – his supplies could last to Cerulean. 'sides, if he remembered right, only the marshtomp and bellossom would eat much. Maybe the Torkoal, but he wasn't so sure about that.
He got to work, putting together a variety of food.
April woke up, smelling something. She looked out, and saw Chris casually making pancakes, and what looked like a fruit salad. The salad was mostly berries, but she liked most berries.
His Espeon noticed her, and after a moment's pause, he looked up from his work. "Morning. Seems Kani took it into her head to heal your Bellossom. She's mostly recovered from yesterday."
April didn't doubt that. That Espeon DID act different than most – most Espeons acted mysteriously, tied to their trainer in a way inexplicable. This one had that same bond, but acted in quite a human way. She honestly thought that as an Eevee, Kani been something like a sister to Chris. Probably still was.
"Chris, is Kani like a sister to you?"
"She is. Even as an Eevee, she was more than 'just a pet'. Besides, now that we can understand each other, why shouldn't she be?"
April had to smile at that. He was quite the character, this Chris. Even if he didn't tell her everything.
"Hey, about that thing you don't want to talk about…"
His voice was tired as he responded "yes?"
"Does it have something to do with that explosion in Celadon?"
"Why? Is there some reward now for information?"
April blinked. He made connections quickly. "Yes, there is. Ten thousand. They also go on about finding a teenager who has a psychic pokemon, and knows something about that. One with a really stupid hairstyle of red stripes in his black hair… you?"
Chris shrugged. "Dunno anything about that. I've been in the wilds for a while now." Kani winced, and April noticed. Most psychic pokemon had trouble with lies from their trainers.
"You're lying."
Chris nodded. "Hey, I won that bet. I'm even feeding you twice. Do you have to keep asking?" He continued, muttering under his breath "and my hair doesn't grow fast. The stupid dye doesn't fade. I'm SO screwed if the Rockets find me."
April stopped, and glared at Chris for a moment, until her Swablu flew onto her head. Chris cracked up at the comic appearance – a carefree Swablu, and a glaring trainer. April fumed at that "It's not funny!"
Chris stopped, mostly. "Ah well. It was. Anyway, food's ready." He began to separate the food, and served it to everyone.
After everyone was done, and her camp packed up, April looked back at the still packing Chris. He was wincing whenever he had to put weight on his wrapped leg – he hadn't been joking when he said he was in pain whenever he stood. It was written on his face that he hurt.
She sighed. She guessed that he was the one mentioned in the rewards. It was obvious enough that even a Slowpoke would realize it. But it seemed wrong to drag him off to Celadon. Whatever he knew, it apparently was enough that he felt he had to run into the wilderness to escape. Dragging him back might get him in trouble – if what he said was true, possibly killed.
She sighed, and turned around, helping him break camp.
Chris blinked. He was a bit surprised – April struck him as a drifter trainer, who took, and moved on. Apparently, she wasn't as bad as he had thought – she'd helped him out with his efforts at breaking camp.
He waved, and started to walk towards Cerulean. That was, until she held him still with an arm.
"Chris, are you honestly going to try to keep on the run from the Rockets forever?"
Chris shrugged. "Until they forget about me, basically. It's not that bad." He figured that she knew about him, but it really didn't matter. He'd be long gone before the Rockets could act on her information, if she sold it to them. After all, his friend didn't live in Cerulean – just nearby.
She sighed, and let him go. "You're sure?"
Chris nodded. "I have no choice. I refuse to die because I've seen something. And I am NOT going down without a fight. So I'm going to train with Kani. Perhaps we can become strong enough to take on the Rockets. Maybe even drive them out of home."
She grinned. "Well then, I'm coming with! I still want to know…"
Chris shook his head. "No. NO WAY."
April looked at him with tear-filled eyes. Chris sighed, and shook his head again. He looked over at Kani, and she gave him a slight nod. She slowly paced over to him, then leaned against him. Her eyes flashed, and Chris felt her guide him. He didn't have the skill to communicate mind to mind yet, but with her guiding him… (I'm sorry, but there's no choice for me. Kani and I… well, I'm sorry, but I'm not putting anyone else at risk. I told my mother, and I figure that she's dead… you WANT to risk your life? )
"But…"
(No. I'm NOT risking anyone. Not even if it's of their own will.) Chris nodded to Kani, and the two of them disappeared. They re-appeared a fair distance away, and continued walking onwards.
April frowned, trying to prevent herself from screaming in frustration. She then sighed (there wasn't a way to catch up with him, unless he WANTED to be caught), and walked towards Celadon. About half a day later, she felt something crinkle in her pocket. She pulled it out – it was a note.
"April, I'd like to ask for a favor. Could you tell Sue Wolf that I'm alive? She's probably in bad shape. It might help. Anyway, go to the Celadon department store, and give them the attached note. I didn't collect my last paycheck, so you can have it. It's not too bad of an amount. Just make sure you spend it to feed yourself better. Your pokemon… Kani told me they're not doing too well.
C.W.
P.S. : stay away from the Rockets. Do you honestly want THEM to know that you know that you met me? They'll kill you just on principle. Please, if you take anything seriously, take this bit as true."
She read it, and sighed for a moment. He was a nice guy, despite his looks. She thought about turning around and trying to follow him, but it was fairly clear to her that he wanted to be alone. He still had issues to deal with, and couldn't deal with companionship until he had resolved them. It was a shame – he seemed to know quite a lot, even though he didn't let on much.
She pulled out the attached note (which had his signature and everything), and sighed.
(Chris, was that a good idea? )
"She could use the cash. I doubt they'd kill someone who collected a paycheck, especially when she doesn't know anything. I just was being careful with that note – I don't want her hurt."
(Still…)
"Kani, you spoke with her pokemon. How long since their most recent decent meal?"
(Too long. You're right about that. She's been doing badly, loosing matches.)
"That rule's really stupid."
(I'm not arguing.)
A beedrill flew overhead. It noticed the scent of food around the pair, and flew lower, intent on getting some of that food.
Chris looked up as a shadow fell on him. "Kani?"
(Beedrill. It's mean, and meat. I've got the advantage.)
"Just knock it out."
Kani used confusion, and knocked out the Beedrill. She was getting better at managing her power – her confusion didn't kill the Beedrill, like it had the first time they were attacked by one.
The pair looked at each other, then continued on. Chris didn't like Beedrill, so he never caught them. Even though he had pokeballs. He disliked them too much. That, and he'd never catch anyone without their permission (he hated forcing people). With Kani… he'd know if they WANTED to go with him or not.
