Chapter Fifteen: Farewell.


Two days passed after that. Chris even managed to collect quite a few berries, more than he hoped. Some grass types had been kind enough to direct him to large berry patches. Now, on the morning of the third day (after his arrival), everyone agreed that it was time for him to move on.


Chris sighed, as he packed up the tent. He'd honestly like to stay at the lakeside. It was a peaceful place, and most the pokemon were not afraid of him anymore. He actually liked it – some of them had great senses of humor, and he'd even been invited to see a Bellossom sunrise-greeting dance.

(Chris? You ready to go yet? )

Chris turned, and rubbed Mathrara's head gently. "No, of course not. How could I be, between Anekiro and you?"

(I thought you said he was in the lake today.)

"He's not. I think he wants to get going before he has a chance to get homesick."

(Oh. First time away from home? )

"More or less. I didn't have such a bad time of it, but my family life was crap."

Mathrara blinked, and walked away.


Chris blinked, and turned his eyes from the Dragonair's stare. "I said I would keep my word."

(I…)

(Mother, I'll be fine.)

(Just… promise me you'll come back.)

Chris tactfully walked away. He was all packed, and once Anekiro said goodbye, they could move on. He looked around for Kani – he had a question for her.

"Kani?"

She jumped on him from behind, bowling him over. Chris managed to sit up, then turned to give her a dirty look. "Geez. All I want to know is if this is natural, and you jump me!"

(Oh. Sorry. Just having a bit of fun. Anyway… not really. You should remember that most pokemon are not like this – we compete for food. The dragons here make it more civilized – they're known for nobility, and they tend to make a community of wherever they settle. Pokemon fight less when they're around. I think it's because the dragons look down on fighting too much.)

Chris shrugged. "Makes sense, as much as anything else, anyway."

Anekiro slithered up to them, followed by Mathrara. (Sorry. I'm ready to go now.)

"It's alright. We didn't loose much time, and it's your first time away from home. Be glad that your mother cared enough that she worried about you." Chris sighed, and led the others towards Cerulean. "C'mon."


Anekiro thought over Chris's comment for a moment, then followed the others.