Chapter 11
Author's Note: This is word emphasis
-this is telepathic conversation-
Celadon City:
The new day dawns to show Red reading his book on how to raise pokémon from eggs while running his free hand up and down Citrine's spine. Their pokémon were ranged throughout the room with Pika, ChuChu, and Espeon curled up at the foot of the bed. Zu was on his perch, Kerry was resting on the window seat of the east facing window of their room while Poli, Dor, and Saur were resting wherever they felt comfortable, meaning Saur was where the sunlight could reach him as well. Haunter and Misdreavus were in the shadow under the bed Red and Citrine were on, all the better to protect their mistress. Red had already started following the directions for the care of his egg. He knew his soon to be pokémon hailed from the Sinnoh Region, but he had no idea what would hatch from his egg.
Generally he did not like learning by reading books, he learned through practical experience, dammit! In this instance he could make an exception, as he did not want to mess up on raising his soon to be infant wrong. He had already learned that infant pokémon imprinted upon whomever or whatever they saw first upon hatching, which meant he had to make damned sure his infant saw him first. Odds were good he and Citrine would be alone when his egg hatched, and he knew Citrine would never even conceive of messing this up for him. Then again she would soon have her own egg to look after thanks to Blue. Red supposed they could travel through a different region once done with Kanto. Maybe Unova or Sinnoh since not even he would risk Johto just yet. Hoenn was too close to Johto for Hoenn to be viable. He'd need to do some research to see where there were more Ghost Types prevalent.
He would have to get creative on how to afford such a trip though since even his parents would notice that large of an expenditure on their accounts. Well, battling it was. He could save up his money to go to wherever his research said would be best. He'd need to get a book about Ghost Types throughout the world, see where the most were. He could learn by rote, it was just generally too damned boring for him. In this instance, like learning how to raise pokémon from eggs, he could make an exception. While not a morning person per se Red did generally wake up before Citrine did, and reading his new book was a way to use the time before she woke up constructively.
Sure, he could meditate, but that worked better later in the day. Mornings, now that he was traveling, were for cuddling with Citrine while waiting for her to wake up. He really didn't want to return to Pallet Town after he was done traveling through Kanto, sure he'd take on the League, but maybe not the Elite Four should he win. Not immediately anyhow. Champions were generally tied to their regions, and Red wanted to travel, see new places, meet new pokémon...he wouldn't be able to do that easily as a regional champion.
-You think too loud.-
Red chuckles lightly, marking his place in his book, " We should probably get going, and maybe look into how expensive it would be to get a double saddle for Row. Of course, I do need to bond with him as well. "
" Maybe send Dor back so you can bond with Row? " Citrine suggests, reluctant to move just yet.
" I could work with my Pidgey, it would be easier to bond with her than Row at the moment. Row might not even listen to me, like Pika at first. " Red muses out loud, he did pay attention to the things she read out loud for him.
" I can't wait until I can spar again, dammit. " Citrine mutters, she was mending, but not at one hundred percent health yet. Yes, she could carry her own backpack again, but she was still restricted with what she could do. It was why she and Red still walked places, because her ribs still needed more time to heal, and they generally tried to rest at a Pokémon Center whenever possible. When camping out Citrine generally slept on top of Red, he was softer than the ground, though Red certainly wasn't going to complain. The blonde sits up and makes her way into the ensuite bathroom while Red sits up and stretches. He makes sure to pack all of his things up, though he does leave out a new copy of his outfit. He was damned well going to take advantage of the last shower he was going to have for a while.
Haunter had followed her mistress into the restroom, she still needed some help dressing after all, not much, but she still didn't have her full range of motion back just yet. Once she was done in the bathroom she exits, " I'll do your hair when I'm done, 'Trine. " Red murmurs as he passes her. He knew she'd foregone taking her hair down since it had been braided damned well by him. After four years of living with Citrine he knew damned well how to style hair, he'd just whipped her hair up while Blue had been cleaning up the night after the tournament. Citrine takes the time to pack her things all up as well. She does brush her Espeon though, it was a soothing activity for her, and Espeon loved being brushed as well.
Red emerges twelve minutes later, his spiky raven hair still damp. He wanders back over to the bed, and finds Citrine's brush waiting for him. He runs the brush, and his fingers through her hair, he loved the feel of her silky golden locks between his fingers. He finds a chain of spikes laying next to her, and he has to smile, he weaves them in while he braids her hair quickly and efficiently. " You do know that I actually like running my fingers through your hair, right? "
Citrine giggles, " Only you get that privilege, Red. Besides, in fights girls always go for the hair. I'd rather make that seem like a bad idea. You also know where the spikes are, so you can avoid them. "
Red considers this, and remembered the one and only time Daisy Oak had ever gotten into a physical confrontation, hair pulling had been involved. " Guess we should go find Erika, the Celadon City Gym Leader then, huh? " Red muses.
" She specializes in Grass Types, Poli might not be the best choice to face off with her. " Citrine states.
Red takes in that information, and subconsciously he starts planning. If Poli was out then he could still use Saur and Pika at the very least. Kerry would need a lot of training before he could use her in a gym battle though. A fire type would be very useful, alas he had yet to actually catch one. " You mind if we go Growlithe hunting? " Red asks her.
" I don't. That would still keep us close to Celadon City as well. " Citrine muses, as Route Seven was in between the cities of Celadon and Saffron. As long as they stuck to the grass near Celadon City then Citrine didn't need to worry too much about being sensed by Sabrina. She could understand Red wanting a Fire Type, as he didn't have one yet, and a Fire Type would be an immense help in dealing with Erika and her Grass Types. Sadly it nigh unto impossible to find them away from Cinnabar Island, though you could find Growlithe and Vulpix in the wild if you were patient enough. Since Red wanted a Growlithe he would be patient enough, and with his training methods any Growlithe he caught would be competitive against a Gym Leader very quickly.
" How does it feel to officially be eleven, 'Trine? " Red asks her as they make one last sweep of their room at the Pokémon Center to make sure they left nothing behind. Red recalls Poli, Kerry, Zu, Dor, and Saur while Pika claims his shoulder. Haunter and Misdreavus slip into Citrine's shadow while Espeon and ChuChu claim their perches as well.
Citrine shrugs, " Same as any other age really. Though it was nice to have an actual party for once. Thankfully you kept the citizens of Pallet Town except for Daisy from knowing when my birthday is. "
Red winces, Pallet Town had a habit of throwing town wide parties, hence certain traditions that centered around the cutting of birthday cakes. It was a subtle way for the younger generations to stake their claim over someone they found attractive. Citrine needed to stay off the radar, and a town wide birthday party was anything but off the radar. They eat breakfast after handing their key back in to Nurse Joy. Their supplies were well stocked, including toiletries, underclothes, socks, and whatnot. Red had also gotten a pair of shoes that matched his current ones that were a size bigger, just in case.
They head over to the guard house that separated Celadon City from Route Seven, though Citrine had a Lemonade with her. She hands it to the cranky gate guard, and he lets them through, sipping his cold beverage. They have just left the guard house when a Dragonite drops down and hands Citrine an egg case with a plain dull purple egg inside it. Citrine hands Dragonite an Oran Berry as thanks, and then examines her new egg. She has Red put it in her backpack for her, " So do you have any idea what will hatch from that egg? "
Citrine sighs at this, " I'm reasonably sure I have a Shuppet egg. Now, you need to Growlithe hunt while I work on getting my team even stronger. "
In other words Citrine was going to be having her team battle the wild pokémon to get the stronger while he looked for Growlithe. He was not expecting to hear the sound of a capture. -I thought you were training your team only?-
-It's not my fault a Vulpix showed itself to me! Vulpix can naturally learn several ghost type moves, and more to the point Vulpix generally either have Flash Fire or Drought for an ability. Drought acts like Sunny Day, and Flash Fire just powers up those that have it, making fire attacks useless against them.- Citrine replies.
-Why would you want a Vulpix anyhow? Other than the fact that they can learn several Ghost Type moves?-
-Just in case we get separated in a nasty blizzard. I'll have some means of keeping warm. I may specialize in Ghost Types, but I am also highly practical as well. Oh, keep your team's gender in mind at all times because of Attract. If say ChuChu were to use the move against Pika he would be so infatuated with her he would be unable to fight against her. You'd have to send Kerry in to battle her instead.-
Red cocks his head as he thinks about that, and realizes it made sense. Far too much sense actually. Especially if they went up into the mountains where it snowed a lot more often than in Kanto proper. Having a Fire Type for emergencies like that just made sense. He and Citrine could actually start their campfires the old fashioned way, by rubbing twigs together to get a spark with some kindling. They also made damned certain their fire pits were dug well enough that they did not have to worry about an ember lighting up a fire that they wouldn't be able to put out easily. Red did happen to have Poli, so putting out their campfires was relatively easy, putting out a blaze that started up due to carelessness would be far harder. Kerry, Pika, Dor, and Saur were put through their paces battling Spearow, Rattata, Snubbull, Murkrow, Raticate, Jigglypuff, Meowth, Persian, Pidgey, Oddish, Bellsprout, and Houndour. Red had never really realized how much bleed over of pokémon from Johto there was in Kanto.
While he could have caught Houndour their defensive stats were not that impressive, though the dual Dark/Fire was a nice perk considering he would probably have to battle Sabrina for a Marsh Badge. With a shrug he catches the next Houndour that crops up though he immediately uses his Dex to send her to Professor Oak's Lab. Right now he needed straight up Fire, and honestly, he wanted a Growlithe, dammit! ChuChu and Espeon were getting the most personal attention from Citrine at the moment. She liked to keep the natural instincts of her pokémon intact so they could get themselves out of sticky situations if necessary. This meant that Haunter and Misdreavus battled the wild pokémon on their own. Citrine does keep track of whether or not they learned any new moves though.
Red almost felt like cheering two hours later when his patience paid off, and a Growlithe leaps out at him. He sends Dor out to battle this time since Dor happened to have the Ability of Poison Point. He was hoping Dor would evolve into Nidorino soon, though he'd wait a while before going back to Mt. Moon to find a Moon Stone to evolve him. That was if Dor wanted to evolve into a Nidoking. Growlithe attacks with Ember, and without his command Dor counters with Poison Sting. The slim needle like projectiles collide with the flame attack and explode. Dor uses Dig when his hearing lets him know the Growlithe was coming in close for either a Tackle attack or one of the two biting attacks a Growlithe could learn, Bite or Fire Fang. Dor slams into the Growlithe from below, and the Growlithe, whom had been launched into the air, flips over, and uses Flamewheel.
The Poison Pin Pokémon dives back into the hole he'd just come out of, no way in Arceus' name was he getting hit by that, dammit! Dor pops back up after that attack is over and uses Peck, before going right into Horn Attack. The enemy, for the moment, Growlithe uses Double Kick in response. Dor winces as he slides backwards, he gets his feet back under himself, and then uses his egg move of Chip Away. Growlithe staggers, and Dor sends a Poison Sting his way for good measure as well. Once the Poison Sting hits Red was quick to throw his primed Poké Ball, which then rocks, once, twice, thrice, and then a fourth time before finally dinging to signify capture. Red kneels down to carefully pet Dor, " Good job, Dor. You have great battling instincts. "
Dor chitters happily, and then he starts to glow. Red grins as he watches Dor evolve for Nidoran male to Nidorino. He reaches into his backpack and pulls out a Hyper Potion before calling out his new Growlithe. He sprays the Hyper Potion on the Puppy Pokémon, and then scans said pokémon with his Dex. He was surprised to find out he had caught a female Growlithe, he does pay close attention to the attacks she knows, and her hidden ability which was Justified. Citrine pulls out one of her books on pokémon abilities, " Justified raises the attack stat by one stage upon taking damage from a Dark Type move. " Citrine recites, " Do you know what Intimidate does? "
Red cocks his head to the side, " I really don't know much about the abilities pokémon have. "
" Intimidate lowers the opposing pokémon's attack stat by one when the pokémon with Intimidate enters the battle. " Citrine informs him, after flipping through her book to find the appropriate page.
" Start teaching me about abilities while I'm training my pokémon. " Red says with a sigh, before pulling his egg out to polish it. Then he places it back into his backpack, " Alright, is Growl an acceptable nickname for you? "
His new Growlithe growls at him, and he winces. Apparently females of all species had the same tone of disagreement, who would have guessed. Red removes his cap with one hand as he runs his other hand through his hair, " How about Ignacia? " Citrine suggests, she had gotten a baby names book for just this reason.
The female Growlithe cocks her head to the side in a considering manner, and then barks once in an affirmative. Red blinks, and then looks at the new book in Citrine's hands before facepalming, " Why the Hell didn't I think of getting a baby names book to nickname my pokémon anyhow? "
" You're male, Red. " Citrine deadpans, as though that explained everything.
Red sighs, " So you like Ignacia? "
Ignacia nods to confirm, so nice of him to make sure. " Okay, I have a match with the Celadon City Gym Leader Erika coming up, and she uses Grass Types. I'll make sure you have a Pecha Berry to hold before we go into that battle, and keep Chesto and Cherri Berries within reach to deal with Sleep and Paralysis conditions as well. Right now I'm going to work on getting you trained up properly. I'm not sure when I'll be able to afford a Fire Stone should you ever want to evolve into a powerful Arcanine, but only after you learn Flamethrower. " Red tells his newest pokémon.
Ignacia barks happily at this before tackling her new trainer. Red found himself receiving affection from a very happy Growlithe. Citrine can't help but laugh at this. Pika was a little put out that his perch had been knocked over, but was too busy laughing his furry yellow electric ass off at Red to be too mad. Generally speaking Dor should not have been able to learn how to use Dig outside of a TM, but Glet had been a rather patient, and informative teacher on the move, along with teaching Dor how to use Mud-Slap. Ignacia was set to sparring with Poli since the water type could put out any fires she accidentally created even as Citrine holds out a hand to help Red up. The blonde was not expecting him to pull her down on top of him, though he did catch her by her arms to shield her ribs.
" You are an idiot, Red. " Citrine says, though her tone was amused.
Red smirks, " Did you really think I would let the fact that you laughed at me receiving affection from Ignacia go? "
Citrine smiles even as she snuggles into him, " Fair enough. "
Since today was actually her birthday she knew Red wouldn't be too bad with the retaliatory teasing. Tickling was out of the question still since her ribs were still tender. Red props himself up on one elbow to oversee the training of his pokémon while Citrine keeps track through Espeon. They all knew what to do, including Vulpix. Red's left arm kept Citrine cradled against himself even as he works with his pokémon. Citrine normally ended up cuddled up with him on her birthday anyhow. Neither pre-teen was expecting Espeon to lead an Eevee to them, one that had suffered horribly at the hands of Team Rocket. The poor fellow could switch between his Eevee, Jolteon, Vaporeon, and Flareon forms, but not without being in pain. Espeon may not be able to form words yet, but she could show images, and she showed them both what the Eevee had been through.
They had no way of knowing that Erika was looking for the little fellow, or that Red's natural kindness and compassion would net him the rather unusual yet traumatized Eevee as a pokémon. It would only be after Eevee sees just how much Red's pokémon love him, even newly caught pokémon like Ignacia that he chooses to go with Red, and catches himself in one of Red's Poké Balls. Red blinks as he picks up the Ball containing his new Eevee, " 'Trine, did that just happen? "
" Yes, it did, Red. " Citrine replies, somewhat shocked herself.
Espeon purrs smugly, and sends images to both humans to explain why the male Eevee had chosen Red after observing how his pokémon love him, as he had been observing them for a while. He had only stayed because of her presence after all. Perhaps now she could have a worthy mate. After careful consideration Dor just wasn't what she was looking for in a mate. Though he did cut an imposing figure as a Nidorino. Eevee had only caught himself after lunch had been had. Red shakes his head, and gets himself and Citrine to their feet at the same time. It was an impressive feat of strength and agility. Red was one of the lean and lithe types, he was made for speed. Espeon climbs up her trainer's body to rest around her neck while ChuChu and Pika claim their favored perches as well. Vulpix was the only one recalled, but that only because of her rarity.
Espeon herself had been kept in her Ball in towns and cities after all. Citrine had explained she was rare as an Eevee in the wild in Kanto. Sure, Espeon were also rare in Kanto, but Espeon could make people forget they saw her should they prove to be untrustworthy. Citrine wasn't quite at that level just yet though. Which was why Espeon was going to make damned certain no one that was unscrupulous would retain the knowledge of her trainer's powers. Yes, an Alakazam would be able to do it better, but by Arceus she was going to protect her trainer! They head back into Celadon City to get Vee, Red's new Eevee checked out, though they do make sure to tell Nurse Joy that Red had just caught him, and was in no way responsible for the condition Vee was in.
They did find out they would be spending another night at the Pokémon Center since Vee needed some extra care. Somehow Nurse Joy missed the device that Red had noticed in Vee's right ear that allowed his transformations. They were given a different room than they'd had previously, but they settle in to their new room, not bothering to unpack much of anything. Their eggs were brought out, and Red grabbed his book on raising pokémon from eggs once again. Citrine just curls up into him, and decides to meditate. They'd let the rest of their pokémon back out, and Vulpix gets to know Ignacia, they were both Fire Types, so they could at least exchange tips on their various elemental attacks. Poli had carried Kerry over to the window that the sun was shining through at the moment while Zu was once again perched on a perch in a corner that received no direct light.
Poli settles himself on one of the other beds in the room whilst ChuChu pretends to ignore Pika when he starts showing an interest in her. Let Pika pursue her, but there was no way she was going to make things easy for him in the slightest. Once again Red has his left hand running up and down along Citrine's spine, his head leaning on hers as he reads. Pokémon hatched by trainers viewed said trainer as their parent, which meant Red really didn't want to mess things up. Being the parent to a pokémon was different than being one to another person. Human babies took much longer to be able to handle themselves, and were much more vulnerable as a result. Hell, they couldn't really feed themselves until they were at least six years old, and even then nothing that required actual cooking!
Disclaimer: I do not own Sailor Moon or Pokémon Adventures.