A/N: Thank you to those who have read my story I'm glad you have enjoyed it. Here is the second chapter. It's still sort of the beginning so not a lot of action but the next chapter is when things start to happen. I've updated my profile with some technical information to explain how the world of pokémon operates in my story.
Please feel free to leave a review and I hope to get the next chapter out soon.
"Doh, Dodri, Dodrio, Dodrio!"
The Dodrio Alarm clock rang at seven o'clock in the morning. Amber had beaten the clock by a few hours, however. She barely got any sleep with how busy her mind was. She tried her best to focus on her pokémon, where she wanted to go first, pokémon that she might want on her team, but she could not. Every thought was invaded with an image of Cyndaquil hurt on the examination table. It did not matter if her mother and Professor Elm said it was not her fault Amber still felt responsible.
After dwelling on what happened all night Amber finally got tired of tossing and turning in her bed. She decided to distract herself by getting any last-minute things packed and ready to go. Luckily, she had organized most of the things she would need the week before, now all she needs is to pack. Getting everything together really helped ease her nerves and get excited about her journey. It worked so well that she did not even notice the light from the sunrise enter her room. It was not till the alarm went off that she even knew what time it was.
"Have I been up that long?" she wondered. Amber went over to open the window and let in some fresh air.
She took a deep breath in and enjoyed the view. A flock of Spearow and Pidgey flew over the trees as the sky glowed a bright orange. Most of the other houses were quiet, with only a few exceptions of people going to work, as it was still early in the morning. In the distance, she could see Professor Elm's lab. Instantly thoughts of Cyndaquil flooded her mind and Amber's worries were reset. She shook her head before she looked back out to the lab.
"Don't worry Cyndaquil, you'll be okay. I just know it."
Amber got distracted from her thoughts by the smell of food. She looked down to see that her kitchen window was open and that is where the smell was coming from. Amber closed her bedroom window and rushed downstairs to eat. Her parents were not expecting her though when she snuck up behind them in the Kitchen.
"Amber, what are you doing down here?" her mom asked trying to cover up something on the kitchen table.
"I smelt the food and I was hungry."
"Well, we aren't ready for you yet, go back up," her mother tried.
Her father on the other hand just threw a mixture of glitter and confetti into her face and yelled, "Congratulations, sweetie."
"Awe thanks dad," she said with a hug, "Come on mom what are you hiding?"
With a groan, her mom moved aside to reveal what was on the table. The first thing Amber noticed was a banner that read, 'Congratulations, we are going to miss you!'. IT was nicely decorated with glitter and pictures of her from when she was a baby. Resting below the banner was a brand-new backpack. It was a light gray color with black straps, and an infinity symbol embedded on the front pocket.
There was a ticket on the zipper that Amber picked up to read, "The Infinity Backpack, never worry about space again. Combined with pokéball technology this backpack can hold a plethora of items inside without getting full. The perfect item for any new and upcoming trainer. This is so cool; I was just wondering where I'm going to put all of my stuff."
"We know your backpack now is pretty old, so we wanted to send you out with something nice," her mother said.
"Look inside," her father said.
Amber opened the backpack to see a packaged outfit. She really couldn't tell much other than it was a pink shirt, "Oh my, I love you. I don't know what else to say," Amber gave both of her parents a big hug before she placed it back in the bag.
"What are you doing? Go put it on I want to see you in it," her father said.
"I know and I want to wear it, but…" Amber started.
"You're worried about Cyndaquil and want to check in on him," her mother finished.
"Yeah. I mean I already have to go to the lab to get my starter anyways, besides, I wasn't planning on leaving till later."
"We can go see him, I need to check in on the selection anyways," her mother said.
"Do you know what pokémon you're going to choose yet?" her father asked.
"Not quite but I have been thinking about it. Let's get going though so we don't have to wait any longer."
They ate their breakfast and got ready to go to the lab. The familiar walk was filled with congratulations from her neighbors. It also felt longer than it ever has before. Amber did not know if she was more excited to see Cyndaquil or get her starter. Either way, it was going to be a trip to the lab that she would never forget.
When the three arrived at the lab Amber made her way immediately to the pokémon center section. She scanned her way to the back and looked through the rooms till she found the one Cyndaquil was in. Through the observation window, she could see him calmly sleeping on the examination table. They had given him a small bed with pillows for comfort. There was also a bowl of food and another for water beside him for when he woke up.
"He's doing quite well Amber. Luckily, there were only superficial injuries," her mother explained from behind her.
"That's good. I just wish they didn't get like that."
"Amber we had no idea how things would escalate," her mother explained, "Please don't worry. When you get your own pokémon center you will realize that things happen that we cannot control. The best thing to do is just be there for the pokémon any way you can."
Professor Elm walked into the conversation with a smile on his face, "Good morning Nurse Joy, Amber. I see you came in bright and early to see Cyndaquil. I'm sure your mother told you how well he is doing."
"She did, have you managed to find what Mr. Pokémon was telling you about him?"
"No, because of what happened I didn't want to put him through too much in the night. We do know that Cyndaquil is a male and as I hypothesized close to the same level as the other starters. When he wakes up, we will do a more thorough examination."
Amber nodded her head to the information, but her eyes never left Cyndaquil. He stirred a little in its bed and let out a small yawn. His eyes opened for just a moment and looked outside the window. When they landed on Amber his eyes widened and Cyndaquil jumped in its bed excited.
"Looks like he's excited to see you!" Professor Elm said. When Cyndaquil noticed him and Amber's mother behind her though he shrunk back down in the cushions.
"He doesn't seem too thrilled to see you guys though."
"Cyndaquils are shy by nature," Professor Elm explained, "Especially after what this one went through yesterday it would make sense why it's a little nervous."
"We will help him, Amber, you have something else you should be focusing on!" her mom said.
"That's right if you would just follow me," Professor Elm said.
The three walked out of the observation room back to the lobby of the lab where Amber's dad was waiting. He was not alone however, standing beside him was a woman next to a boy around Amber's age. He was had on a green t-shirt with a camouflage vest. Khaki shorts with hiking boots and a black backpack over his shoulder. His hair was a messy brown mess covered with a plane green baseball cap.
Professor Elm greeted her father and kissed the woman, his wife, on the cheek. The boy however sped right past the researcher directly to Amber. He gave her a big hug as if they had not seen each other in years when it honestly has only been a few days. He held onto her for a few seconds without talking before letting her go. He faked a cough and looked around the building, a slight blush on both of their faces.
"Can you believe it? It's today we're going on our journey!" he said excitedly.
He was hopping up and down in excitement, his face home to an ecstatic grin. Amber tried to mirror the same emotion, but her mind was otherwise preoccupied. He noticed her lack of enthusiasm and stopped in confusion, "Come on Amber, don't tell me you got cold feet on me now."
"Don't worry Gray, I'm just a little distracted."
"Is this about Cyndaquil? My dad told me about last night when he got home, I can't believe you ran out in the woods like that."
"You know me, I have to help a pokémon in need," she replied. The two just stared at each other for a few more seconds, the blush back on their faces.
"Come on Gray we were just going to the pokéball room," Professor Elm said, as he continued in the direction he was going. Amber and Gray followed closely behind him with her parents and his mother in tow. Just as the walk to the lab felt longer than usual so did the walk to the pokéball room. Amber remembered when she first stepped foot in this building.
It was a few days after her family moved to Newbark town. Professor Elm had the pokémon center added to his lab to help ease some stress over watching over all the pokémon. She was so excited she ran to explore the building and got lost in the process, that was when she met Elm's son Gray. Ever since the two had been inseparable growing up helping in the lab, and now the time had come for them to leave it behind.
The group finally made it to the pokéball room. Professor Elm put in the passcode and the automatic doors slid open. It was one of the largest rooms in the entire lab. It was filled with countless shelves of pokéballs. Each shelf was labeled with which trainer or project the pokémon belonged to. In the middle of the room was a small circular table, on which were three distinct pokéballs. One with a little flame, one with a drop of water, and the last with a leaf. Professor walked to one end of the table whole Amber and Gray stepped to the other end.
"As the two of you know a new trainer is given a starter pokémon when they begin their journey. It can either be specially bred by your family or one of the standard league starters. The two of you have decided to go with the league starters." Professor Elm explained.
He grabbed the ball with a leaf on it, "First off we have, Chikorita!" He threw the ball in the air and a white light released. Out came the green quadruped. It landed on the ground and swung its leaf in a circle.
Next, he picked the pokéball with a water drop on it, "Next we have, Totodile!" When the light dissipated the blue reptilian create bit at the air in a playful manner. Gray's eyes lit up at Totodile who shared a gaze with the boy.
Professor picked up the last ball with a flame on it, "Finally we have, Cyndaquil!" When the light disappeared the Cyndaquil's back ignited into flames. When Amber saw it, she instantly thought about the Cyndaquil laying in the examination room across the building.
"These are your options, choose wisely because they will be your partner for the rest of your life."
"Do you know what you want Amber?" Gray asked. Amber did not answer though, what Professor Elm had just said was echoing in her head.
"Well, I know what I want," he said impatiently, "Totodile come here buddy, or should I call you Ripper?"
Gray held his arms out and the Totodile, now Ripper, ran to them. The two embraced a little before Ripper opened its jaws wide open and playfully bit Gray's head.
"That's a great choice Gray, it looks like you two are already great for each other. Now Amber, which do you want to choose, if you also want a Totodile I can get you one too."
"Yeah, Amber what will it be, as soon as you choose one, I want a battle," Gray said excitedly.
"I'm not sure anymore. I thought I was but now I'm undecided." This caused her dad and Gray to frown, but her mother had a knowing smile.
Professor Elm, also a little shocked, said, "That is okay. It is always easy to plan your journey, but in the heat of the moment, things are different. Take a few minutes and walk around the lab, we will all be ready."
Amber nodded and apologized before walking out of the room. She headed from the pokéball room back over to the section that held the pokémon center. She walked back towards the examination rooms and returned where she was this morning. Cyndaquil was no longer asleep but had its back turned towards the window as it was eating. Amber quietly opened the door into the room trying not to startle it. That failed though cause Cyndaquil froze when it heard the click of the knob.
Before Amber was fully in the room Cyndaquil jumped over the food bowl and hid under the pillows. He poked his head up to see the thing that interrupted his meal but smiled when he saw Amber. Cyndaquil ran from its spot on the table and jumped into Amber's arm.
"How are you doing Cyndaquil? You look a lot better!"
"Cyndaquil!" it replied happily.
Amber slid down the wall with Cyndaquil snuggled in her arms, "Aww what's wrong with me Cyndaquil. I've been waiting for this day my whole life. Yesterday I wouldn't have hesitated but now...I don't know everything feels weird. None of those starters felt right to me. Maybe I should take my mom up on that Happiny offer, but I don't think that would fit either."
Cyndaquil listened intently, but he was not the only one. Gray was listening from the other side of the room. Annoyed by what he heard he opened the door and stood over the two. Cyndaquil feared the domineering figure and hid his head in the crevice of her arm.
"What are you doing here Gray?"
"What are you doing here Amber? We're supposed to be out there battling with our pokémon so I can beat you and get started on my journey. You're sort of holding me up."
Amber rolled her eyes, "Well I'm sorry but nobody told you to wait for me. If you're in such a hurry to leave just go."
"You know that's not what I mean Amber," he sighed, "It's just what gave you cold feet all of the sudden?"
"I don't know, it wasn't till we were in the room I started feeling anything weird."
"Do you think it has anything to do with what happened yesterday?"
"Maybe, what type of trainer would I be if I make a mistake like that before I even get a license?"
"Everybody makes mistakes Amber, don't let it deter your dreams. You have to be in it to win it."
Amber just sighed and leaned her head back against the wall. Gray sighed along with her before an evil smirk grew across his face. He stood up and before Amber could ask what he was doing, Gray took out a pokéball and released Ripper onto the floor. Ripper looked around the room for a little bit before its eyes landed on Cyndaquil. They shared a look for a second and Ripper smiled and ran towards the other pokémon. Cyndaquil on the other hand was terrified and screamed as it ran on top of Amber's shoulder.
Amber stood up to try and greaten the distance between Cyndaquil and Ripper. Ripper was excited to see Cyndaquil though and tried to jump and greet it.
"Gray return Ripper now!"
"Awe come on; he just wants to play!"
"He might want to play but Cyndaquil obviously doesn't! Return him now!" Amber commanded.
Gray jumped a little but listened and recalled Ripper back into the ball, "Sorry. How was I supposed to know he would react like that?"
"You apparently know what happened yesterday, then you should know Cyndaquil wouldn't want to be by other pokémon right now."
"It's not like he got hurt!"
"Maybe not physically! You know a real trainer would be able to understand why they shouldn't have done that."
"What are you trying to say I'm not a real trainer!"
"If the shoe fits!"
"At least I'm not the one worrying about a pokémon scared of other pokémon. It won't ever be able to do anything if it can't look at its own reflection. Maybe if it was able to defend itself it wouldn't be here."
"That's a low blow," was all Amber could say before she left the room.
Amber left the room to be met by her mom standing there confused. Amber just brushed beside her with Cyndaquil still in her arms. Amber went down the hallway and out of sight of her mother. Gray walked out of the room a few seconds later visibly upset from their argument.
"Hey what's wrong with Amber?" she asked him.
"We got into a fight about Cyndaquil, she's acting weird."
"Oh, I'm sure she's just worried about it."
"But she's letting it get in the way of our journey. Why can't she just let it be and move on."
"For some people that's easier said than done. Don't worry she isn't giving up on her journey, she might just need some more time," she said.
Gray nodded his head in understanding a little frown on his face, "I guess you're right."
"Come on enjoy yourself. It's your special day too. Just because Amber isn't ready to battle now doesn't mean she won't be a letter. So, you better go get started."
"Okay, my mom and dad wanted to see me off soon anyway. When you see Amber later can you tell her I'm sorry?"
"Will do! I'll just let her have some alone time, for now, you'll see everything will work out."
Nurse Joy watched Gray walk down the hall in the opposite direction of Amber. Amber had made her way to the supply closet of the center and sat back down. She waited there for about 30 minutes to help calm her and Cyndaquil down. Cyndaquil had gotten restless during the argument but was now resting in her arms.
"Gray doesn't know what he's talking about Cyndaquil. I know you can defend yourself. You're just as good as any other pokémon. Just a bit shy."
Cyndaquil smiled at the comment, "Cyndaquil!"
"I know it's not my fault that everything happened yesterday. I still just want to help you. I don't want to leave you here."
Cyndaquil shot up and shook his head, "Cynda, Cyndaquil!"
"You would like that wouldn't you, but I just can't stay here. I want to go, but I also want to help you get better."
Amber and Cyndaquil looked at each other, "Don't listen to Gray you have so much potential. I can just see it now. You will glow like a torch in the night."
Cyndaquil giggled at the comment, "Oh you like that, don't you? You want to be a Torch?"
"Cynda, Cynda," he nodded.
"Then that's what I'll call you, Torch," then Amber's eyes widened like something just clicked for her, "That's what it was."
"Come on Torch let's go see the professor and mom."
With a new pep in her step, Amber ran out the closet towards the main area of the lab. Her parents were talking to Professor Elm and his wife. His wife has some tears streaming down her face but was smiling at the same time. Amber's mother gave her a hug and whispered something in her ear. Amber's dad was the first to notice her watching the scene.
"There you go Amber, you missed Gray leaving," he said. She frowned a little at that but didn't let it show for long.
"Hey if you leave now, you might be able to catch up with him," Professor Elm said, "Have you decided which starter you want?"
"I actually have, I decided that I want Cyndaquil."
"Excellent!" Professor Elm said, "Let me just go get the pokéball and get everything else set up for you."
"Why can't she take that one right there?" her dad asked pointing to Torch hiding in her arms.
Professor Elm just now noticed he was there, and his eyes widened, "That's not one of the starting Cyndaquil's that the one that Mr. Pokémon sent me. Amber, he isn't trained to be a beginning companion, he barely likes people or other pokémon."
"He likes me. I know he is a little shy, but I think with my help Torch can be amazing. Plus, I can help you research him by recording how he grows on a journey."
"Please don't tell me you named him. Amber he will be difficult to raise, and I still need to finish my evaluations," he said, trying to dissuade her.
Amber wasn't backing down though, "Please Professor Elm, I figured out why I couldn't choose a starter earlier. It was because I knew I wanted Torch to be my first, so I can help him get strong and make sure he is okay by being there."
"Come on Professor Elm let her have him, they seemed attached," her dad piped in.
Professor Elm still did not seem convinced, that was till Amber's mother joined in on the conversation, "I had a feeling this would happen from the way you looked at him this morning. Professor Elm the examinations you do can be quick, and like Amber said she can do the rest of the observations on the field. I feel like this would be best for them both."
Amber looked at him with pleading eyes, along with her parents and Torch.
"Let Amber take him Simon!" his wife demanded, "You know you can trust her."
With all the pressure on him, Professor Elm sighed and shook his head in defeat, "Fine you can take that Cyndaquil, but you can't leave today we still need to check over him. I also need to do the examinations that cannot be done on a journey. It will take a couple of days. Are you willing to wait?"
Amber looked at Torch and smiled, "Yes I am Professor Elm, thank you so much!"
With that Professor Elm told her to follow him back to the lab to get things started. While she might have to start later than expected Amber knew she was making the right choice. Her mother stopped her for a moment to say something.
"Gray wanted me to tell you that he was sorry for your argument earlier. I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive him."
"Yeah," Amber blushed a little and looked out a nearby window, "Yeah I can. When we meet up again, we're going to have that battle. Don't think just because you left before me that I'm going to be easy to beat. I'm in it to win it," she whispered.
Torch looked up at her happily. Amber gave one last look out the window before she continued to follow Professor Elm. The sooner she got things ready here the sooner she could be out there. The drive that she had lost earlier in the day had come back like never before. With Torch at her side, Amber knew there was nothing she could not do.
~ Johto Saga ~
Gray was walking down a wooded path, in the distance behind him, he could see Newbark Town. From where he was the town looked even smaller than it was. He had Ripper's pokéball in his hand and looked down at it. Memories of his family, the lab, and Amber ran through his head. Her memories caused a slight blush to cover his cheeks as he gripped the ball.
"Don't think just because you're leaving after me Amber that I will go easy on you," he whispered to himself, "I'm in it to win it."
Amber's Team:
1. Torch (Cyndaquil)
Ability: Unkown
Moves: Unknown
