Aight so this was supposed to be a oneshot and will be treated as a oneshot, however warning this will end in a kind of cliffhanger. Just a hint of how this character's journey will go because this is an OC I've wanted to write about for years but never got round to doing so. If people are interested, I might convert this oneshot to a series of related oneshots of key events instead of going for the straight chapter format.
"Hey Amby, wake up!"
The voice of her cheerful little cousin awoke Amber from her dream, and she grumbled nonsense as she shrugged off the covers and sat up. Her green eyes heavy with tiredness, she was not quite able to tell what the furry brown thing was in Mika's arms until it cried happily, patting her with its paw. "Ee veh!"
Amber blinked, rubbing her eyes before looking at the girl's joyful face then at the adorable Eevee cuddled up in her arms. "Morning Mika… Where did the Eevee come from? Am I babysitting another Pokemon today?"
Mika shook her head, blue eyes sparkling. "Nope, it's the egg Kelsey found! It hatched this morning!"
The young woman stared at the Eevee before gently stroking its fur, hearing it purr. "Well, it's a cutie… Is your big sis staying home today?"
The little girl nodded, plopping down on the bed beside her. "Yep, it's Monday 'member? It's her day off." She shuffled, looking at the Pokemon in her lap. "So Amby, we've never looked after an Eevee before, can you tell me about them?"
Amber was about to make an excuse when she saw the excited look on Mika's face. "Oh, alright."
She remembered the last time she had held an Eevee, back before she moved to Hoenn. When she had started her journey 4 years ago, and saved a man called Bill who gave her one out of gratitude. He had evolved into an Espeon not long after, the two of them becoming good friends. She missed Espeon everyday, along with the rest of her old companions.
Amber reminded herself that her cousin was right there, and started. "Alright, so you know Eevee evolves into a lot of different Pokemon right Mika?"
She nodded, looking down at the relaxed Eevee. "Uh yep, 5 right? Flareon, Vaporeon… Jolteon… Espeon and Umbreon, right?"
Amber shook her head, laughing to herself. "Nope, there's three more. Glaceon, Leafeon and Sylveon."
The child's jaw dropped. "There's EIGHT big Eevees? What do they look like?"
Amber bent over the bed to find her old Pokedex, activating it. When she had moved from Johto to Hoenn to continue her journey, Professor Birch had upgraded it for her to the National version. Of course, her journey in Hoenn had been short lived. "I never encountered a Glaceon or Leafeon but…" The Pokedex projected a model of Sylveon and her cousin squealed. "This is a Sylveon."
"So cute! I'm going to ask Kelsey if I can start with Eevee when I'm old enough to have my own Pokemon!" she cheered and Amber let out a faint laugh, eyes wandering to the photo on her desk. The photo her father had taken on her first day as a trainer. Her starter Chikorita in her arms, nuzzling her. She remembered having to avoid getting accidentally slapped with her leaf, how happy her Pokemon had been to make a new friend. And in no time at all, that tiny Pokemon had evolved into a powerful but still gentle Meganium.
She wasn't sure how to tell Mika that Pokemon journeys weren't always as glorious as they seemed on TV or in the books she read.
"Are you okay, Amber?" She looked up to see her older cousin Kelsey staring over her, she shrugged and watched Mika play with Eevee and another one of Kelsey's Pokemon, Luxray. What a tough looking Pokemon but he was amazing with children, both as a friend and a protector.
"I'm alright, just tired. Barely slept," she mumbled, looking over at Kelsey's other Pokemon chatting amongst themselves. Kelsey had done her journey in Sinnoh, before moving to Hoenn upon getting a job offer as a Pokemon doctor in Littleroot Town. And when Amber had 'cancelled' her journey, Kelsey had allowed her to crash there in exchange for looking after her Pokemon when she was busy working. Although Kelsey always had Gardevoir with her as her helper and it was a good thing because when Gardevoir was around Lucario for more than five seconds, it usually ended in a cat fight.
The older girl furrowed her brow, noticing the dark circles under Amber's eyes. They may have been born cousins but they treated each other as sisters and they looked it too, both having pale blonde hair and being fairly tall. Kelsey had the same eyes as her little sister though. "I can tell… You know, Meganium and the others would hate to see you like this."
"And I'm sure Mega and the others would hate to be weaponised against me to basically say 'get over it'," Amber grumbled, looking over at Togekiss, who was chatting happily with Kelsey's starter Empoleon. That same Togekiss, Kelsey had bred an egg from and given to her when she was in Johto. The offspring had become just as powerful, and was the third-last of her closest companions to go.
Kelsey crossed her arms, frowning. "That wasn't what I was implying. I think becoming friends with a new Pokemon, instead of just babysitting it… Maybe a new companion would help you heal."
The younger girl let out a heavy sigh, looking at her Pokedex. Mika had asked her to research how Eevee evolved into Sylveon. "You've suggested this so many times… I told you, I don't want to become close to a Pokemon again just to lose them to crooks. Regulated battles are fine but… Sometimes you just can't avoid the criminals," she murmured. She had lost Meganium and Espeon to the same thug, because unlike most trainers who had a heart… There was no kill like overkill for them, she guessed. And whilst 'Knockout' moves were banned in legal matches, criminals had no issues sending other's Pokemon to the Guillotine.
The older woman sighed, sitting down next to her and calling Togekiss over. The Pokemon playfully nuzzled Amber, and although she did smile, it didn't make her feel much better. "You know… Togekiss was the first Pokemon I obtained after my Staravia died. I thought the same as you, you kind of feel like you're replacing them too… But I knew Staravia would want me to make new friends. And I still think of him, but of the nice memories…" She looked out of the window, at the distant Pokemon laboratory. "I wonder if Birch could give you one of the new Pokemon he bred, newborn Pokemon tend to be easier to befriend than wild ones."
Amber tilted her head, frowning. "Aren't those for new trainers though? I doubt he'd give one to a retired trainer. And why would I…"
Kelsey shook her head. "You don't have to worry about losing them if you don't battle, they can be a pet like Eevee will be. Or you could follow a career that doesn't involve serious battles… How about a co-ordinator?"
Amber raised an eyebrow, idly petting Togekiss. "A co-ordinator? You mean one of those people that dresses up their Pokemon to show them off?"
The other girl chuckled. "Those are Sinnoh contests. The ones in Hoenn are different. You just show off your Pokemon's talent and outshine everyone else. No battling opponents needed."
Amber went quiet, watching the sunlight beam through the window. "Maybe…" She shook her head. "No… No one could ever replace Meganium…"
Kelsey growled and got in her face, alarming Togekiss. "You won't be replacing her! She would want you to be happy, instead of moping inside all day!"
Mika stared at them confused as Eevee whimpered, cuddling into her. "What's wrong Kelly?"
Kelsey quickly shook her head, grinning at her little sister. "Nothing! We were just…" She threw a few pokenotes at her cousin. "Amber was just about to go to Oldale for me to buy some potions!"
"I didn't agree to that!" Amber snapped before dodging the repel cans thrown at her face.
"Look, maybe being out in the sun will help," Kelsey grumbled. "Now get changed, get some sunshine, and get some potions!"
Amber mumbled curses as she stepped outside the house, seeing the flowers decorating the town bathing in the sun. She hated when Kelsey bossed her around, maybe she was tired of her being a depressed and unemployed freeloader though.
Looking at the repel cans, she wondered if they would last long enough to get to Oldale and back. At least it was only a half hour walk there… And back… Sadly her bike had been demolished the last time Lucario and Gardevoir got into a fight.
As she approached the outskirts of Littleroot, she heard a snarl followed by the panicked voice of a familiar man.
"N-No… Stay away from me… Eeeyahhhh!"
Amber startled and looked around. No one else there. That was Professor Birch… Being attacked? How would she be able to help him without Pokemon?
Hopefully whatever was attacking him would leave as soon as 'help' came.
Gulping, she ran into Route 201.
Normally Amber would laugh at someone being chased by a Zigzagoon of all things, but it wasn't alone in attacking Birch. An enraged Poochyena was snapping at him, red eyes gleaming. She wondered what the professor had done to upset it, remembering the hyena Pokemon were known for endlessly attacking its prey. Heck, she knew they were reported to eat very unlucky humans along with small Pokemon. But then she remembered they were also known for fleeing as soon as the prey struck back.
The professor spotted her as he began to scale a strong looking tree to escape them, looking at her with pleading eyes. "H-Help! I swore it was an accident, the Poochyena shouldn't have moved its tail so much- Just help me!"
Amber did not dwell on the man's stupidity, instead groaning as the Poochyena and Zigzagoon drew their attention to her. "I don't have any Pokemon, what am I supposed to do? Shouldn't you be armed at all times?"
Birch pathetically pointed to an abandoned bag mere feet away from her. "I-I uh… Dropped them. I give you permission to use one of the three to save me."
Amber tilted her head. "Wouldn't you be safer if I used all the Pokemon?"
"I rather you not, they're babies and might get too attached…" he mumbled and Amber sighed. She never thought she would be getting involved in a Pokemon battle again. But these were someone else's, she shouldn't care if they got maimed.
"A-Alright!" she exclaimed as the wild Pokemon readied to attack, lunging for the bag and barely dodging as they went for her. Her hand grabbed the first Pokeball and tossed it. "Go!"
The Pokemon inside broke out in a beam of red light, a reptilian green creature. Amber's heart skipped a beat as the Treecko stretched with a yawn before looking wide-eyed at the wild Pokemon.
A grass type Pokemon, like Meganium.
As the Zigzagoon pounced, the Treecko quickly dodged, looking to her helplessly. What moves did a Treecko know? She would have to guess, before checking her Pokedex. "A-Ah, use… Scratch?" It stared at her. "Tackle?" Treecko continued to stare, barely dodging an attack. "Wait- Pound! Use Pound!" she shouted, and as the grass Pokemon launched itself at the Zigzagoon, she scanned it with her Pokedex. Level 5… Would have just learnt…
As Treecko hit the Zigzagoon, it counterattacked, bruising the baby Pokemon.
"Absorb!" she yelled and the gecko nodded, zapping the life energy out of the Zigzagoon and rendering it unconscious as its own bruises faded. "Good, that's a good boy!" Treecko stared at her, tail wagging.
"Tree?" Why was it looking at her… So endearingly… She shook out of it as she noticed the Poochyena challenging them.
"We're not out of it yet…" she mumbled to herself before looking over at Birch. "Hey by the way, you'll owe me a big thank you when this is over!"
"It's my Treecko doing all the work!" he shouted back from the tree and she growled.
"I got him out myself because you dropped them!" Amber noticed Treecko staring at her puzzled. "Sorry, your 'Dad' is an idiot." She glared at Poochyena, who was clearly sizing Treecko up. "Hey, scram already!" It snarled at her. "Fuck you too!"
Birch stared between the human girl having a glaring match with the Poochyena, and Treecko watching them confused. "Am I… Really putting my life in this girl's hands?"
"Ko-Ko!" Treecko cried and Amber got back on track, shaking her head and pointing at the dark-type Pokemon.
"Sorry Treecko, where were we? Pound!"
Birch watched the tiny Pokemon throw himself at Poochyena, being understandably small for its species due to it being newly born and strengthened purely with Rare Candy. How else would all starter Pokemon be level 5, not a level higher, or a level less? The Poochyena snarled before its fangs flashed pale blue and the professor blurted. "Amber- It has Ice Fang!"
Amber's eyes went wide and she called to Treecko, "Get away from it quick, Treecko!" He stared at her puzzled before crying out as the fangs tore into him, turning the area around the wound white with frost. "Quick, Absorb and get over here!"
Treecko gave a weak nod and attempted to zap Poochyena, however the move appeared to fail. Panicking, the young Pokemon sweeped his tail along the ground to throw dust in Poochyena's eyes. As it howled, he clumsily staggered back to Amber's side as she scooped him up in her arms.
"Crap, he's frozen," she mumbled, looking at the Poochyena growling at them. It was injured but had more fighting energy than Treecko. She briefly wondered if she would be deemed evil if she slammed her foot into the pooch to protect herself and Treecko. Treecko looked up at her weakly and she managed a smile, which she hoped was comforting. "Hey we'll be alright. I promise." And something that had never crossed her mind during her two years travelling occurred to her. Treecko looked worried at the evil smirk that came to her face as her hand fidgeted in her pocket. "I got it…"
Poochyena threw itself at her, and she blasted it in the face with the repel.
The wild Pokemon staggered back whimpering before howling in agony as it ran away. Birch stared after it before climbing back down from the tree. "Wow… That was… Cruel."
Amber shrugged, looking at the can before pocketing it and looking at Treecko's injury. "Desperate times call for desperate measures. I think we should take this little guy to my sister… She should have some Ice Heals in stock."
Birch nodded, picking up his bag and Treecko's Pokeball. "Sounds good, then I'll take Treecko back… I hope he didn't level up from knocking the Zigzagoon out," he mumbled.
Amber tilted her head. "What happens if one of the starters you're raising for new trainers becomes level 6?"
Birch looked at the confused Treecko before mumbling. "There's an item all us professors have called a 'Reset Button', it's not completely tested and well… The last Pokemon I used it on…" He cleared his throat. "Let's say the Torchic says 'Mudkip' now."
Amber stared at him then shook her head. "I… Don't think I want to know."
Treecko continued to stare at Amber as Kelsey sprayed the Ice Heal on his wound. "So… Another level 3 Poochyena with an egg move?" she mumbled to Birch and he sheepishly smiled.
"Well… At least this Treecko survived."
Amber decided not to ask, instead seeing the mortified expression on Treecko's face. "Hey relax Treecko… You're going to be fine."
He mumbled in response and Birch frowned. "Treecko opened up to you… Surprisingly quick. He's rather timid around the other newly bred starters, wonder why he didn't run away from you the first chance he got…"
She shrugged, noticing Treecko was gazing at her. "I don't know but… He should be ready to go home with you now." The grass starter gaped at her with a heartbroken expression. "Hey, you're supposed to be meeting a new trainer with the other starters soon, right? You can make friends with them."
Birch shook his head, looking troubled. "I don't think that will be possible now. The baby starters usually don't interact with anyone but myself and my aides, so they don't grow attached to others outside their new trainers… Treecko appears to have imprinted on you."
Amber stared at her then looked at Treecko again, seeing his pleading expression. "I see… Ah…. I'm sorry, I can't be his trainer. He'll just be stuck here, not much of a life for a Pokemon right?"
Kelsey crossed her arms, looking over at Mika in the corner playing with Eevee and Togekiss. "This is… About Meganium again, isn't it? Look Amb… You can't just swear off becoming close to Pokemon because you think you're betraying your old team… Even if you don't collect badges and battle like you did with them, Meganium would want you to raise and love Pokemon like you used to with her."
As a conflicted expression appeared on Amber's face, Birch coughed. "By the way… Just checked, Treecko is level 6 now. So either he gets a new home or well… The Reset Button might make him think he's a Magikarp."
She scowled at him. "Jeez, don't guilt trip me like that!" She looked at Treecko, at those pleading eyes. "Please don't look at me like that."
Treecko continued to beg, gazing up at her. She wondered if Treecko could learn Baby Doll Eyes. "Tree…"
Amber crumbled. "Oh fine, you can stay with me… I won't be able to fight gym leaders with you though."
Birch laughed, giving her the Pokeball. "I wouldn't worry about that… One of the aides left a magazine on Pokemon contests in the lab once, next thing I knew, he, Torchic and Mudkip were pretending to be superstars. I think actually… Treecko would prefer Pokemon contests to league battles."
Amber gazed at Treecko and searched up the Slateport Contest Hall on her Pokedex's map before showing it to the Pokemon. His eyes lit up. "Is that really what you want to do?" He nodded eagerly, crying happily as she smiled faintly. "Alright… Maybe we could give it a try then. It's… Nice to meet you Treecko." She squealed as the grass type attacked her with a hug and Kelsey started laughing.
"Now this is sweet and all but… You still need to get me potions, Amber. I'll give you some weaker ones for you and Treecko to travel to Oldale though."
She reluctantly agreed and looked at the Pokeball then at Treecko. "Want to walk together? If anything too strong attacks, we'll spray them in the face with a repel again."
Treecko happily agreed to this.
As Amber and Treecko traveled down Route 201 together, a lass watched them from behind a tree, seeing the young Pokemon chattering to his trainer.
"Oh it's her again…" She chuckled. "That girl that sprays Pokemon in the face, how interesting." Her Pokenav buzzed and she answered it, not keeping her eyes off Amber. "Heya?"
A tired, irritated sounding male voice answered. "So… When are you coming back from your mission? It doesn't usually take you this long to steal the target Pokemon."
"Oh hi to you too, Commander Harland~" She snickered as he groaned in response.
"Why did I agree to these dumb code-names, Bro?"
Her tone made it very clear to 'Harland' that she was smirking. "Ah ah, 'Agent Bannai', 'member?"
The man let out a heavy sigh. "Right. Agent Bannai, could you drop the annoying teenage girl voice?"
"Right, sorry." 'Bannai's' voice returned to its natural, more masculine, state. "Yeah, sorry about the mission, Homura. It got foiled by a blondie armed with Repel."
Homura was silent on the other end for a few seconds. "...What? Please explain."
The disguised person fiddled with their hair as they watched Amber and Treecko fight a Wurmple that had dared to attack them. "The plan to separate the professor from his starters went wrong. This girl has the Treecko now."
Homura groaned. "For Arceus' sake, Brodie, you had one job."
Brodie shrugged, ignoring that the other man couldn't see it. "Hey, I'll grab Torchic and Mudkip later. The girl has some experience with battling though, I could tell. Hey, she might be useful to get on our side!"
Homura sighed. "Maybe, but… You're a terrible judge of character. What makes you think this girl will help us?"
He went quiet as he snuck closer, watching Amber and Treecko stop to heal some minor injuries. "This girl… I think she might be the one we saw crying over a dead Meganium. The one that Aqua goon killed before our teams went public?"
"That was how long ago… You have a freaky memory." The commander sighed. "Okay, whatever you want to do, do it. I expect you to come back to our leader with Torchic and Mudkip though."
"Relax, Maxie can wait a few more hours." He watched them disappear into the distance as he hung up. "What a weird girl…" He smirked as the Poochyena from before joined him, before it changed form. The Ditto jumped on his shoulder and he patted its slimy head. "I think I'll see what happens if I introduce her to that Aqua goon, sounds good Ditto?" Ditto cheered and he chuckled. "Maybe then we could get her to join Team Magma."