Fresh off his most recent victory, Rahul led the gang west from Viridian City towards Victory Road and the Indigo League. They spent much of the morning training their Pokémon teams on wild Pokémon on Route 22; and by noon, the four boys could spot a large building in the distance, poking up over the trees, with a massive onyx-and-gold gate.
"That must be the entrance to the Indigo League!" Ryan said excitedly. "Come on!"
They picked up their pace and avoided the rest of the tall grass. Coming to a bend in the road just before the gate, Ryan heard a strange groaning sound emanating from a nearby tree, followed by a rustling of leaves and the snapping of several branches. Must be a big Pokémon up there, he guessed.
Stopping after just telling the others to pick up the pace, Ryan approached the twisted oak to get a better look at the fearsome Pokémon he knew was lurking inside. I bet it's a Pidgeot… or maybe a Moltres! "Alright, Pokémon! Get ready, I'm going to catch you!"
"You have got to be kidding me!" came her voice from behind a veil of viridian leaves.
Jessica? "Huh? What are you doing here?"
"Leave me alone. Go away," the Team Rocket girl grumbled from the tree.
Ryan stepped forward and noticed that she was stuck in the tree, flipped upside down, her purple hair unwound and splayed everywhere like seafoam. She gave him a particularly nasty scowl when she saw him. Her two Pokémon - Haunter and Slowbro - were tangled in the branches and leaves higher up in the tree, like stuck Tepig. At the base of the tree, partially obscured by dead foxtails, was Jessica's bag, which held her other Poké Balls.
"Nice tree."
"Shut up."
Ryan beamed. Getting on his tiptoes, he reached a finger up to the girl, poking her lightly on the cheek.
"H-hey?! What was that for?!" Jessica's voice was raw and guarded.
"Yesterday you said I couldn't touch you," Ryan told the girl. "I guess that was another lie."
The girl's face went purple. "W-why… you!"
"Seeya around, Jessica." Ryan walked off waving, but did not look back. Behind him, the other three boys, who had been watching this exchange with muted awe, came running up to follow him. Man, she's gonna be so mad when she gets out of that tree, Ryan thought, chuckling. Hopefully that's not for a long time.
Logan and Alex were discussing Logan's backstory behind Ryan (Alex was grilling the other boy like it was a police investigation), but the teal-haired boy didn't care enough to listen in. He had just won his eighth Gym Badge. He was invincible. No one can touch me. Rahul walked on Ryan's left, humming something Alex would need to utilize falsetto to properly sing.
"I'm going to win the Indigo League." Ryan's voice was defiant.
"Yeah, sure Ryan. I have a stronger team, more experience, and better hair," Rahul replied, running his fingers through his hair dramatically. "I'm going to win."
"Well, both of us can't win."
"That's because I'm going to beat you."
"Oh yeah?!" Ryan raised his fist. "How about we settle this right now?"
Rahul grinned, his goatee looking as handsome as ever. "Seriously, Ryan?! You get distracted so easily."
"Chicken," Ryan replied, narrowing his eyes.
"What did you call me?"
"You heard me, Ponyta-lover."
Rahul frowned, reaching for a Poké Ball. Ryan's was already in his hand. It's time he was reminded of how good I am. They stopped in the middle of the road, staring down one another like this was a punchup at a wedding. This is serious business.
Yet, before they could throw their Poké Balls, a woman's voice came calling to them from across the road. "Hello trainers! Over here! This way!"
Puzzled, Ryan peered over towards the massive gate. From there, a middle-aged woman was striding towards them. She wore a red undershirt, a blue coat, a dark, short skirt, black high heels, and a wide pair of glasses. Her hair was red and pulled back, as were her eyes, Ryan realized, when the woman got closer. Nice bod. He looked her up and down (but mostly up) and felt his ears going red by the time the woman reached the group of boys.
"Helloooo…" Ryan said warmly to her.
The woman ignored his comment and spoke, "Are you boys here for the Indigo League sign-ups?" Ryan and Rahul nodded sheepishly. "I'll need to see your badges." They took out their booklets and flashed the woman their eight badges apiece. She's gotta like that. I have all eight badges. I'm a great Pokémon Master! But the woman looked the badges over with indifference, as if she had seen 254 other such booklets. Then, she reached for two Poké Balls from her belt. "Alright, everything seems to be in order. Are those two with you?" she asked, focusing her eyes on Alex and Logan.
"Oh yeah, they're our friends," Rahul said carelessly.
"Very well. To get into the Indigo League, you have to beat me in a Pokémon battle," she told the other two. "I'll battle both of you at once. Each of you may use only one Pokémon. Do you understand?"
Ryan already had a ball in his hand. She's gonna fall for me when she sees how strong my Dragonite is. "Let's do this!" he said confidently.
"I'm the doctor!" declared Rahul. "So basically… run."
She didn't listen to a word Rahul said. "Please state your names before we get underway so I may properly catalogue your performances."
"I'm Ryan. I'm a great Pokémon Mast-"
"I'm Rahul," Rahul interrupted, "you already know me as the doctor."
"I see. My name is Prima. I am a member of the Kanto Elite 4," she spoke calmly. Wow… Elite 4?! Ryan vaguely remembered Dex telling him something about the Elite 4. They're some of the best fighters in all of Kanto! His ears were burning now. Prima cracked her neck and whipped her hair back and forth. "No one can best me when it comes to icy Pokémon! Freezing moves are powerful! Your Pokémon will be at my mercy when they are frozen solid! Hahaha! Are you ready?"
The two boys nodded, and four Poké Balls were thrown into the air. Thurnax and Rahul's Charizard appeared on one side; a Dewgong and a Cloyster appeared on the other. Man, her Cloyster's huge! It's twice the size of Myrrah! The Pokémon took their places - Thurnax was put up against the Dewgong, while Rahul's Charizard was set to duel the Cloyster.
"Dewgong, Aurora Beam. Cloyster, Clamp attack!" Prima ordered her Pokémon.
"Fire Blast, Charizard!" Rahul shouted.
"Wrap that Dewgong up, Thurnax!"
And thus they were off. To Ryan's left, Charizard's flame attack went roaring by, while the Cloyster attempted to close the gap and clamp its hard shell down upon its foe. Ahead, Thurnax soared through the air before landing in front of Dewgong. The Dragonite spun around, wrapping its tail around the Sea Lion Pokémon before it could unleash its Aurora Beam.
"Squeeze that sucker, yeah!" Ryan cried shrilly.
Thurnax did just that; its Wrap squeezed once, then twice, then three times, and then a fourth time before the Dewgong broke free, sending Thurnax flying back into the dirt. As the Dragonite tried to stand, she was hit in the chest by the ice beam. Thurnax let out a cry and fell over again.
That's not good, Ryan thought. Ice attacks do ridiculous damage to Dragonites… Thurnax got to her feet again, though she was breathing hard and covered in bruises. I don't think she can take another hit! "Alright, Thurnax! Time for the big finale! Hyper Beam!"
"Rrraaahh!" Thurnax bellowed, flapping her wings and taking to the sky once again. A glowing white beam of energy formed around her mouth.
Prima glanced over at Ryan and Thurnax. "One more Aurora Beam to finish that Dragonite off. Do it, Dewgong!"
"Gong, gong!" the Pokémon wheezed, preparing a shimmering opalescent beam of its own. Thurnax is faster, Ryan knew. Her attack hit first last time. He clenched his fists and prayed that she wouldn't miss. Hyper Beam was pretty reliable, but it was not totally reliable, and if there was one thing Ryan had learned on his quest to become a Pokémon Master, it was that bad luck followed him around like a brilliant Asian boy who had at least three younger brothers.
"Come on, Thurnax, come on!" he was whispering to himself when the Dragon Pokémon unleashed her attack. The whole route seemed to burst with blinding white light; Ryan couldn't see a thing. To his left, he felt the warmth of another Fire Blast leave Charizard's mouth. Rahul's got it in the bag. Fire attacks destroy Ice Pokémon.
When the light cleared, Thurnax slammed into the ground, landing on two feet. In front of her, the Dewgong remained where it had been before, a dazed look on its face, the Aurora Beam charging up still. Dang. The Hyper Beam wasn't powerful enough. Ryan winced, preparing for the worst.
Dewgong fell over, and its beam shot uselessly into the sky. The Sea Lion Pokémon did not get up.
To the left, Cloyster had also collapsed, its hard shell smoking and charred.
"We… we did it!" Ryan yelled, almost in disbelief.
"Return Cloyster. Return Dewgong." Prima studied the two boys. "I'll let you through to Route 23 now. The tunnel to Victory Road is at the end of that route. Most of the other tournament contestants are spending their time training their Pokémon either on Route 23 or in Victory Road. I suggest you do the same. The wild Pokémon that inhabit those places are the strongest in Kanto."
Rahul turned around to the peanut gallery, who hadn't even been watching the fight. I wonder why they're arguing about Logan's past. Why does Alex care so much? "Come on Alex, let's go."
"Alright," Alex said coolly, stepping away from Logan and following the other two boys (who were following Prima) past the gate, where Route 23 branched off north from Route 22. Ryan was at Prima's heels, following her like a loyal Growlithe. Man she's fine. When I win the Indigo League… Ryan shook his head. I gotta stay focused. I have one week to train my Pokémon…
Back in school, a week had always seemed like an eternity - five days of boring classes and all that homework. But now, Ryan would have killed to have an extra month or two. It's not fair. I should get as much time to train my Pokémon as everyone else. He sighed. But the world's not fair.
The five of them marched past the gate, into the Indigo League headquarters, where guards, trainers, and passersby were milling about. Prima entered Ryan's and Rahul's information into a computer, took their pictures, printed a picture ID card for each of them to wear around their necks (Ryan tried his best not to look too grateful when he took his), and led them to the other side of the building, where another gate stood. Blinding white-yellow light was seeping in through the cracks between the metal bars.
"This is it," the woman said. "Route 23. Head north past Victory Road and you'll find the Indigo Plateau. Your IDs will tell you which rooms you're staying in."
"Wait, what do you mean?" Ryan asked.
"Oh, as a reward for getting all eight Kanto badges, you and Rahul will be given free rooms to stay in plus free meals for the duration of the tournament."
"Now we're talkin'!" Rahul grunted.
"Yeaaaah!" Ryan agreed. "But what about Alex and Logan?"
Prima shrugged. "They can stay with you if you want. Or they can rent their own hotel rooms."
"What about free meals?"
"Nope."
"Dang. Oh well," Ryan glanced back at Alex and Logan and shook his head. Turning back to Rahul, he said, "Alright, let's go!"
And without waiting to hear what Rahul had to say, Ryan raced forward, thrusting open the gates to Route 23 as he ran.
On Route 23, the gang split up. Alex told the others he had some business to attend to, while Logan disappeared like gossamer on the wind. Rahul thought it would be best if he and Ryan trained by themselves, at least for the first few days. Thus, the teal-haired boy was left all alone. Around him, trainers battled wild Pokémon by the dozens. There're so many… A cold sweat ran down his spine. He had thought he was unique having won all eight badges. Looks like getting those badges is easier than I thought.
Fearow circled in the skies. Blastoise, Poliwrath, Hitmonlee, Nidoking and Nidoqueen, Rhydon, and countless other Pokémon wandered the grounds, fighting one another or wild Pokémon in the tall grass. Ryan had never seen this many Pokémon before. The sight of it all took his breath away.
"Hey, wanna battle?" a dark-skinned boy with blond, spiky hair asked, running up to Ryan.
The boy shrugged. "Sure."
"Go Venusaur!"
"Myrrah, I choose you!"
"A Cloyster, huh?" The other boy scratched his chin. "Alright Venu, try a Razor Leaf!"
"Blizzard, Cloyster!"
It was over in an instant. Coated in frost, snow, and a few crooked icicles, the Venusaur moaned before collapsing. "Wow, your Cloyster's very powerful!" the other boy said. "I'm Ronny, by the way. It was nice battling you."
"Ryan," our protagonist replied, shaking Ronny's hand. "Nice to meet you."
"Maybe we'll see each other in the tournament, huh?"
"Yeah, maybe."
"Well, I gotta go train some more, see ya!" And with that, Ronny sprinted off under an archway and disappeared around a corner.
I beat another person in the tournament. It had been a 1v1, but that was a good sign. These people aren't invincible. Moving on under archways, across a pool of water, and through tall grass, Ryan battled a slew of wild Pokémon and other trainers, racking up victories and defeats too numerous to count. He felt like, by the end of it, he had won more than he had lost, but every one of his Pokémon aside from Aegon had fainted in the process. That's what happens when you battle a lot. He'd have to get to a Pokémon Center.
But until then, he had Aegon, as fresh as summer cilantro. "Go, buddy!" he shouted, letting out his last conscious Pokéwarrior. In truth, he had potions to revive the others, but those were really expensive, and he didn't like using them unless he had to. Locating a Pokémon Center in the distance, past two more archways, tucked away in a corner next to a cave, he knew he wouldn't have to use his revives. I'll be going there soon. But not yet.
From above, a Fearow howled, casting its shadow over Ryan. He ignored that ugly bird and began trekking through a patch of tall grass. A moment later, he tripped over a sleeping Primeape, and a battle was upon the boy and his Charizard.
"Primeaaaaaaaaaaaape!" it shouted furiously, beating its chest and charging at the Charizard.
"Easy Aegon… use Earthquake!"
"Graaahahaha!" the Fire Pokémon bellowed, stomping the ground and shaking it violently. The Primeape fell back, swirly eyes covering its face. Ryan's stomach rumbled. I could go for a croissant right about now… with extra cream… The Primeape was not done, though. It looked rather angry now, its eyes bloodshot and wide. Screaming, the beast charged again.
"Another Earthquake!" Ryan didn't want to risk using a less accurate attack on this beast, and he knew that another Earthquake would be enough to finish it off.
That was when Ryan felt something crash against his back and throw him forward into the grass. The ground cracked and rumbled beneath him; he flipped over to find what had hit him. Who did that?! Only a coward attacks from behind!
"Hey!" Ryan shouted wildly, stumbling to his feet. The Primeape collapsed, fainting right in front of the boy. "Can't you see I'm in the middle of a battle?! Wait your turn!"
But there was no one there - no trainer, no Pokémon… just the Fearow circling overhead. Come to think of it, that Fearow's been following me the entire time, hasn't it? He looked around, finding other Fearow, but none were circling over trainers or chasing them around. Most were soaring through the bright blue sky or perched in trees, relaxed, but watchful. The one above Ryan was furiously cawing over and over again. There's something wrong with that one.
Shaking his head, Ryan walked a few more paces in the tall grass until he stumbled upon an Arbok.
"Saaaaaaaaaaaaaaaabakkku!" it hissed at him.
"Earthquake," Ryan ordered his Charizard. The Arbok shrieked and collapsed from the super effective damage. "Great work buddy, you're doing really good!" he said, patting his Fire Pokémon on the shoulder. "You're gonna be really powerful once we-"
Again, Ryan felt something hit him in the back, and he fell forward, spinning into the grass. Aegon roared and shot a Fire Blast at something. Spitting up dirt, the teal-haired trainer rubbed the sore spot on his shoulder and looked around for the culprit. What's going on?! I don't get it… Once again, there was no one nearby. The closest people were two boys battling their Gyarados in a crystal blue pool to the west. Ryan thought he saw Rahul strolling through the trimmed grass in the distance, a twelve-scoop ice cream cone in either hand melting down his broad forearms.
For a moment, Ryan was distracted. In that moment, he was thrust to the ground again. This time, he felt the flapping of wings against his neck, and a single hideous brown feather drifted down from the air to land right in front of his face in the grass. Ryan knew what kind of Pokémon had those feathers. The worst kind in the world.
"Whoa, look out!" A girl's voice, high-pitched and firm, drifted across the grass. For one mad moment, Ryan thought it was Kelly, and then he saw her. Blonde-haired was she, tall and willowy and rosy-cheeked, and she wore a frilled dress of pink-and-white. "Watch it, duck!"
Ryan did so, and a moment later, the Fearow came screaming at him, missing by inches.
"Fire Blast it, Ninetails," the girl commanded. At her side was a white fox Pokémon. It opened its mouth and spit a raging inferno at the flying Fearow.
The Beak Pokémon was hit in the wing by the Fire Blast. It let out a shrill cry before falling, smoking and twirling, into the trees beyond the path, to the east. Wow, her Ninetails is amazing.
"Thanks," Ryan muttered when the girl reached him.
"That was weird, wasn't it? Why was that Fearow attacking you? It didn't even go after your Charizard, just you… it's like it had it out for you. I've never seen anything like it."
"Yeah, I have no idea what was going on in that dumb bird's mind."
"I'm Julia by the way," the girl said, holding out her hand.
I've shaken a hundred hands today, and I remember almost none of their names. But Ryan knew he would remember this girl's name, for obvious reasons. "Nice to meet you. My name's Ryan," he said for the thousandth time. "Cool Ninetails."
She giggled at that. "I've raised him since I was a little girl. I hope he can help me win the tournament!" Everyone wants to win, Ryan thought glumly. Why can't they all just be happy to have made it this far? I'd rather fight disinterested trainers. He realized she was still talking and nodded his head, as if to agree with whatever she was saying. Chicks dig that. "So how about it, do you wanna?" she asked.
I have no idea what she's asking me. But Ryan couldn't exactly tell Julia that he hadn't been paying attention to her blabbering, so he said, "Yeah, sure."
"Ninetails, here boy!" she shouted suddenly, slapping her thigh. Her Fox Pokémon, which had begun wandering off to sniff the nearby tall grass, came galloping back over to her side. "Don't go too hard on me," she said, smiling. "I don't want Tails to get hurt."
Oh, we're battling. Okay then. "Not a problem."
Once they were lined up, the fight began. At first, Julia ordered her Ninetails to use Confuse Ray. Ryan ordered his Charizard to use Earthquake, but alas Aegon was all out of PP for that move. Ryan didn't know what PP was, but it seemed pretty serious, so instead, he had his Fire Pokémon use Fire Blast.
The Fire Blast hit the Ninetails, but it didn't do that much damage. That's bound to happen when two Fire Pokémon battle. A moment later, the Ninetails leapt forward, shooting a Confuse Ray at Aegon. It him in the neck, causing the Charizard to shriek in dismay.
"Oh no my most melon-brained master, Aegon the Charizard has become confused!" Dex droned.
Curses. Ninetails' next attack was a Body Slam, while Aegon merely hurt himself in his confusion. Ryan was tempted to remove the Confusion with a Full Heal, but thought better of it. Those potions cost a fortune. My pride is not worth so much. So it went on for a few more turns, Ninetails using Body Slam and Fire Blast while Aegon hurt himself a few times in his confusion. His Fire Blasts that did get through did some decent damage though. By the time the Confusion wore off, it looked like Aegon and Tails were each one hit from fainting.
"Fire Blast, Aegon!"
"Fire Blast, Tails!"
One attack hit, and the other missed. Just my luck, Ryan thought miserably as he watched Aegon collapse in the grass, unconscious. The Ninetails barked triumphantly, waving its many tails around. Julia jumped in the air, shouting with glee, thanked Ryan, and ran off. If it weren't for luck…
Feeling a little peeved, Ryan gathered his Poké Balls and marched off towards the Pokémon Center. He didn't shake one more person's hand or even acknowledge anyone else when they introduced themselves to him. He just made a beeline for the Pokémon Center. Why me? Why does it always have to be my Pokémon who misses? No one else ever misses that much. It's not fair!
When he came to the Pokémon Center, Ryan reached for the door, to pull it open. It opened on its own, and a trainer stepped out into the light of day. "Oh. Ryan. So you finally made it," she said, a sly look on her face.
Ryan's lips went numb, and it took all of his strength to not just stand there in shock. He said, "H-hey… Kelly. How are you?"
"Well enough," the pink-haired girl said, stepping away from the door. Ryan noticed she had a Poké Ball in her hand. "And you?"
"Good."
"It took you long enough," the older girl said sharply. "I thought you weren't going to make it."
"Hey!" Ryan's face went red. "I only had three badges when you got your eighth! I got the other five really fast, too. I bet I got them faster than you!"
"Psh," Kelly breathed, shaking her head. "So you're just as clueless and arrogant as before."
Inside the cage in his chest, Ryan's heart fell. "Aw… come on, Kelly!"
"Do you want to battle?"
"I can't. All my Pokémon fainted."
"Typical." Kelly flicked a strand of hair out of her eyes. "Well, when you get your team healed up, I'll be waiting. My own team's changed since I last saw you. It's much stronger now."
"Do you think you're gonna win?"
"I'm going to win," Kelly repeated. There's fire in her eyes. She really wants this. "I have trained too hard and for too long to lose. Most of the kids in the tournament are ten years old. I like my chances."
"Not me." I'm nearly a man grown.
She looked him over and laughed humorlessly. "You may not be ten, but you act like it. Sorry," she said quickly, seeing Ryan's crestfallen look, "I'm just a little anxious… you know, the tournament and all. I have to win, Ryan. I have to."
"I know," the boy replied. "I wanna win too."
"You'll do good," Kelly assured Ryan, putting a hand on his shoulder. "I've seen you battle, kid. You have a lot of heart." Kid? Is that all I am to you?
"Th-thanks."
"Anyways, I better get back to training," Kelly said, holding up her Poké Ball. "The tournament's in a week. Not much time left."
"Yeah… not much time left."
Ryan watched her trek off towards the tall grass in the distance. She's so serious, he thought. I didn't think the Indigo League meant that much to her. He thought of his father, and how he had spent four years trying to win a second match in the league. He didn't even want to win the whole thing. He just wanted to win another battle… and he couldn't even manage that.
Ryan sighed and opened the door to the Pokémon Center. I'll be more like Kelly, he decided, not like dad. I'll set my goals a little higher. He had never thought he could win the tournament. There were too many experienced trainers, he knew. But does it really hurt to hope? If I try to win the whole thing, maybe I'll push myself and my Pokémon a little harder, and maybe we'll do a little better.
He had boasted openly about winning the tournament before, but in his heart, Ryan had never believed he had a chance. There's not much time left, but I guess I'll start believing now. And maybe something will come of it.
They sure are fast, Ryan thought, bemused. The door with his name on it was the most beautiful thing he had ever seen in the past hour. The one to the left of his had 'Rahul' written on it, and the door at the far end of the hall had 'Kelly' scrawled upon it. That was good. They were on the third floor of the Indigo Plateau hotel. Ryan had looked for Kelly's room before his own, and he had been rather pleased to find that they were on the same floor, even if their rooms weren't that close.
Opening the door with his picture ID, Ryan found Logan asleep in his bed, tucked in and cozy. He was snoring softly. Are you kidding me?! This is my room! That's my bed! Next to the bed was a cot with a blanket and a single pillow. That's his. He knew it was, and he took my bed anyways.
Silently fuming, Ryan walked over to the hotel room's phone and dialed the number he had dialed a hundred times before. Don't pick up, he hoped. Please, just this once.
The call went to the answering machine, causing Ryan to breathe a sigh of relief. "Hey mom," he said after the beep, "it's me. Just letting you know that I got into the Indigo League. The tournament starts a week from today, so if you want… I mean, you and dad can come watch me if you want. I'd like that," he said earnestly. "I-if you can't make it, don't worry. It's okay. I don't think I'll get that far in the tournament. Anyways, I hope everyone is well, and please let my Pokémon know that I'm thinking of them, if you can. Thanks. Have a good night, mom." He didn't know what else to say, so Ryan hung up awkwardly.
Sighing again, Ryan stretched his back, feeling the soreness in his muscles expand and burn through his body. That stupid Fearow. Why did it attack me? He stole another glance at the sleeping Logan and had half a mind to just go over to him, pull him from the bed, and shove him on the cot.
Sometimes he wished he had the courage of his father.
Walking into the bathroom, Ryan wondered what he could say to Kelly to make her like him… or even respect me a little more. She looks down on me, just like everyone else. There was a breeze in the bathroom, so unnatural that the boy immediately noticed. He found the bathroom window open and was going to shut it when his mind began to wander again. What if she came in through the bathroom window, he wondered hopefully. He didn't even know who she was - Olivia, Prima, Julia, Nurse Joy, Sydney… They all blurred into one woman in his mind, faceless, formless, without warmth. They aren't Kelly.
I love you, she had said that night on Cinnabar Island after drinking too much orange juice. Was that the juice talking, or her real feelings? He would never ask her. Ryan exhaled violently and looked up at the mirror to stare into the eyes of a craven. That was when he saw him.
(cue [ watch?v=HG5VDmxkTYc Tears, After the Cloudy Weather])
It can't be! "Abra? I-is that you?"
Ryan spun around, his heart pounding so hard it felt like it was going to break through his ribs. His eyes were glossed over with tears, but he could see the little Psi Pokémon standing in the open window, as clear as a dream. His head was spinning, his face was numb again, and he could hardly breathe.
"Rah," came the reply, low and cautious.
Ryan didn't remember running for Abra or grabbing the little Psychic Pokémon, but in the next moment, Abra was in his arms. "I've missed you," he cried, tears rolling down his cheeks. "I've missed you so much, buddy."
"Abra, ra. Abra."
"H-h-how did you get away? Dad said you were staying with him from now on…"
"Abra, abra, abra!" Abra muttered ferociously. "Abra ra abra abra rah abra."
"I can't understand a word you're saying!" Ryan laughed, wiping away the tears.
"Abra."
He ran away from home because he wanted to be with me, the boy realized. He disobeyed my dad because he wants me to be his master. Ryan sniffled and scratched Abra behind the ear lightly, "Well buddy… we did it. I got the rest of the badges since, y'know…" Ryan gulped. "I'm going to compete in the Indigo League."
"Rah."
"Do you want to help? I need you, Abra, if I'm going to win the tournament… I need you by my side."
"Abra," the Abra yawned.
"I'll take that as a yes."
"Rah." This time it was Ryan's turn to yawn.
This is like a dream… it's so surreal. Is this really happening? It can't be. He felt Abra's warmth against his chest, as real as anything Ryan had ever known. Dad is going to be so mad. He's going to hate me… and I just invited him to come watch me compete in the tournament. Ryan shuddered. Well I can't do anything about that now. Abra chose to come here. He wanted me, not my dad… not that dad will like that excuse any more than another, but still.
Despite that, he was smiling uncontrollably. Ryan couldn't help himself. He opened the bathroom door, walked over to the cot, and pulled back the blanket. He didn't even care that Logan had stolen his bed anymore. I have my Abra back, he thought, hugging the little guy tightly. I don't care if he was my dad's Pokémon a long time ago. He's mine now. I'm never letting him go again.