Beauty, Strength, and Words of the Heart
Chapter 1: An Introduction
See my profile for some more information about this story.
Disclaimer: I do not, nor will I ever own Pokémon.
Edit Nov 12th, 2020: My deepest apologies. I was not aware that FFN took away the horizontal line breaks I used for organization.
Without further ado, let's begin.
Here in Kanto, our education system requires that all aspiring Pokémon trainers receive their first Pokémon at the age of 15 and that they spend the next three years in trainer school to learn how to take care of their partner and to explore the many possibilities of careers as a Pokémon trainer. Trainers are then granted the freedom to do whatever, to go wherever. There are two common paths that I have seen trainers travel. The first being the path of battle, where trainers will travel all over and take on regional Pokémon League challenges. The second path, much like the first, involves regional challenges. Unlike the League challenges that emphasize strength and strategy, the path of the Coordinator displays the beauty of Pokémon in the spotlight through proper control and creativity in hopes of emerging victorious from regional Grand Festivals.
But enough about paths and crap like that, I can hear the questions you guys are asking from regions away:
Are you a boy or a girl?
-deep judgemental sigh- Arceus dammit! Again?
Sorry, after 3 years of that crap, it does get kind of old. I would've thought that the student body would've wisened up after attempt #15, the number of times I've been approached by males looking for, and I quote, 'a good time', damned horndogs. The look on their faces when I turn around is something that will never get old. Even though I stopped counting after the 30th attempt, I can't help but wonder why I ended up in such situations. Is it my mysterious dark brown eyes that nobody really sees behind my glasses? My tanned skin colour? My long black hair that reaches slightly more than halfway down my back? Hell if I know, 'cuz I'm pretty sure I am not what the girls refer to as "eye candy". I became known as VCTA's (Viridian City Trainer's Academy) "Man Slayer". Thankfully, the frequency in which I'd find myself in such situations has significantly decreased since I graduated from trainer school, and I was finally able to leave that dreadful title behind.
If I wasn't clear enough, my dear audience, I assure you that I have the biological structure of a male. Considering my relationship history, or lack thereof, I am completely convinced that I am straight, not that it really matters right now.
I should probably put a name to the face, shouldn't I?
I go by Pickle. A weird little moniker, right? It's an acronym of my full name: Phoenix Ignatius Corbett Klaus Lucius III. "You must be royalty to have a name like that" is probably what you're thinking right now. I can neither confirm nor deny the possibility of having royal blood running through my veins. You see, I grew up in the Viridian City Orphanage. According to the caretakers, I was found at the doorstep as a newborn with nothing but a piece of paper with my name written on it and a silver pendant with an eight-pointed star carved on one side and the following words engraved on the other:
"My Dear Son
Forge your own path
Anything is possible"
"Anything is possible" indeed. You see, the majority of new trainers at VCTA receive their first Pokémon as a gift on an annual trip down to the Pokémon Laboratory in Pallet Town. There they would pick their first starter from one of Bulbasaur, Squirtle, or Charmander, with the occasional exception here and there. I was not part of that little majority; Arceus had other plans with me that day.
'Twas the day before Pallet, and all through the Mart, not a creature was stirring, not even Mr. Bart. The Potions were hung by the entrance with care, in hopes that new trainers would soon be there…
~Flashback~
"Potions are restocked, Poké Balls too…" I recounted. "We will need to place an order for more antidotes though. Suckers always underestimate the number of Weedles in the forest." I glanced at the register. "And Mr. Bart does it again! That's 12 times this week, a new record!" I chuckled while watching the elder gentleman snoozing at the counter. "That's another 50, Matt!" I called out to the back.
Yep. I work at the PokéMart. Minimum wage. Got a uniform and everything… if you can call a blue apron with a white Poké Ball in the middle a uniform. But I'm not complaining. I work with my best pal and comrade-in-arms. Making stupid bets and tossing insults back and forth, as all friends do, make slow days like today far more bearable.
"Dammit Picks! Just grab a Poké Ball on the way out. I'll settle it with Gramps later."
Mr. Bart is the one who runs this particular PokéMart, family business if I recall correctly. Considering how often he passes out during work, I'm guessing it won't be too long before his grandson, Matthew Bart, takes over.
*GONG*
"6 already? Matt, I'm gonna clock out." I said, blindly reaching for a Poké Ball.
"Alright, I'll let Gramps know when he wakes up. And let me know what you pick tomorrow!" Matt replied.
"Gotcha. See ya Wednesday. I'll bring my partner then!" I responded, tossing the ball into my messenger bag without a glance.
After collecting my belongings, I left the building and started walking towards my humble abode.
On my way back home I passed Sid, the city's resident coffee addict. I always seem to find him exactly halfway between the Mart and my little townhouse on Route 2. I never enjoyed conversing with him, completely because it always involves a coffee run made by yours truly. The trick is to never stop moving. Walk with purpose. With speed. With the appearance of someone who's running late to a meeting and stopping to talk with an addict would cost a job. And don't make eye contact. Whatever you do, do not meet his beady, coffee coloured eyes with your own, or you'll never make it by.
Once I knew I was far enough away, I started thinking aloud. "Bulbasaur, Squirtle, or Charmander. Who to choose… I don't know. I'll just run with the first one to warm up to me I guess." I reached into my bag and pulled out the ball I grabbed from the Mart.
"Well… I don't recall putting these on shelves. Hell, I didn't even think we have these in stock!" In my hand, I held a ball. Instead of the regular red and white ball, I had one that was almost completely covered in a darker shade of red. Instead of being a perfect sphere, the sides were curved inward. The curved surfaces were marked by a black band with a horizontal red line in the middle that reached around the back of the ball. The red button had a ring of black around it. This was a Cherish Ball, the kind of Poké Ball that is only given out on the rarest of occasions.
"I must be seeing things. Must be the sunset light that's messing with me," I stated while shoving the ball back into my bag. "When I pull the thing back out it will be a regular-"
My thoughts were interrupted by some loud rustling in the berry tree beside my building, followed by a less audible thud. Now, I wouldn't have noticed a thing if that were a Pidgey or a Spearow. But something felt….odd. Similar to déjà vu, but not quite the same. This feeling….it almost hurts.
"I need to see what's in the tree."
I felt this sense of unease grow with every step I took towards the tree. Each successive foot was faster than the one preceding it. Before I knew it, I was practically running at the plant. Now, I wish I could say I was like a Chimchar at the moment, but my tree climbing prowess begged to differ. After some time, I finally made it to the source of that weird sensation. A Pokémon.
He was curled up in a tiny little ball, no larger than a Pidgey, where the tree's limb met the trunk. I couldn't discern the species at the time, but that didn't really matter when they caught my eyes. All over his body were many burns and bruises, which contrasted greatly with his ghastly white skin. Every few seconds he would twitch, possibly from his wounds. He needed help. Fast.
Without a second thought, I stripped off my sweater and wrapped the little guy in it. While doing so may not exactly relieve his burns (probably the opposite, really), I could at least give him some padding for the crazy ride he was about to receive. "Alright, little one. Time to get you some help," I said, before hopping out of the tree. With the Pokémon secured in my arms, I started booking it off to the Pokémon Center. Which was only half way across Viridian City.
The Sun had completely set by the time I reached the city. Viridian City doesn't completely lack a "nightlife", so to speak. Sure, there are a few clubs here and there. The loud music, large groups of people shaking their bodies and calling it "dancing", alcohol, and risk of drugs. Clubs are really not my cup of tea. I prefer lemon and ginger with a touch of honey. Keeps my voice clear, thirst quenched, and provides an elegant image. A triple whammy, if I do say so myself. But I digress. Now is hardly the time to be talking tea. Unless said tea could heal this bruised bundle of burns that is currently wrapped in my sweater.
I passed by many on my way to the Center, including Matt who had just finished closing up the Mart. If times weren't as dire, I'd have a leisure chat with him before calling him a doormat, as a best friend should do.
"Center. Guy needs help," was all I said to him as I rushed by. Knowing Matt, he'd catch up with me soon or later. Not the first time I've nearly ran him over, and I sure hope it ain't gonna be the last. He's gotta live up to the doorMatt name somehow.
"Red roof in sight. Hang on little one, we're almost there"
I burst through the doors of the Pokémon Center, which drew a lot of eyes to me. I made my way to the front desk. "Please, Nurse Joy. Please help him," I pleaded, placing the wrapped up Pokémon on the countertop before allowing my legs to give away.
The pink haired nurse carefully unwrapped my sweater around the patient in question. "Oh dear. What happened?" she asked, eyeing me up and down. "You don't appear to be a Pokémon Trainer with how you carried him in yourself. A trainer would've handed me his Poké Ball."
Unable to move from my position on the ground, I answered her questions truthfully.
"You're right. I'm not a Pokémon trainer. At least, not yet. I'm supposed to head over to Pallet Town with my school tomorrow to receive my first Pokémon. As for the one I brought in, I found him on the way back home from work. I believe I heard him fall into a berry tree just outside my building," I explained.
"One more question. Who are you, young man?" she questioned once more.
I heard the sound of wheels rolling away. I guess he's heading further in for treatment.
"My name is Phoenix Ignatius Corbett Klaus Lucius III. A long name, I know. Please call me Pickle," I responded.
I heard the sound of doors opening followed by footsteps that ended right behind me.
"Oi, Pixie. What're you doing down there? You didn't give me much of an explanation earlier."
"Well, DoorMatt, I hardly believe this is the right place to talk about things. Mind helping me limp over to the lounge area? You know how I am after sprint over large distances comparable to halfway across town. My feet and legs feel like a Torkoal sneezed over them" I requested.
"No kidding. You nearly passed out last time this happened. You were half asleep for the rest of the day. I'm surprised you're still conscious," he recalled, putting one of my arms around his neck and helping me get to my feet. "At least you're not as cold as a corpse this time. I still get chills remembering how cold your skin felt". We slowly made our way over to the lounge area.
"So, where do you want me to start?" I asked my friend.
"From the very beginning," he replied.
"Well, it all started when a mommy and a daddy loved each other very much," I started.
"Of the incident, you smartass."
"Fine. Fine. So you remember that berry tree right beside my house?"
"Yeah. We used to climb that thing all the time as kids. What about it?"
"That's where I found him. Heard him fall onto one of the limbs. Don't know how I was able to tell, but I somehow knew something was wrong before even setting my eyes upon him," I continued.
"Must've been what you heard that tipped you off. There is one thing you never mentioned. You never said what Pokémon he is," Matt stated.
"Well...here's the thing," I started, scratching the back of my head. "I never really checked. I was more worried about getting him help. He was about as small as a Pidgey, I know that much at least."
I glanced at the clock on the wall.
"11PM. It's already late. You should get going, Matt. I know how much your grandfather hates it when you stay out late," I warned him.
"Shit. You're right. I'll come by in the afternoon," Matt said, rising to his feet.
"Yeah. See you later," I replied.
I drifted off soon after Matt left the building.
I groaned as I woke up. Sore all over my lower body, I took in my surroundings.
"Right. I'm at the Pokémon Center," I reminded myself. "I wonder how the little one is doing. I won't find out just sitting here. Time to pay Nurse Joy a visit," I said, slowly rising to my feet.
As I limped my way over to the front desk, I could hear sounds of a struggle coming from the back of the Center. The longer I waited, the closer those sounds got.
"Get back here, you!" I heard that familiar nurse's voice shout. After what sounded like some crashing and shattering, I noticed what appeared to be a black length of cloth float in from the corridor leading further in. It stopped in place, rotating as if it was observing the area.
"Um….Hello?" I greeted quietly.
As soon as the word left my mouth, the floating fabric stopped its rotation cycles for mere moments…before turning into a metaphorical bullet shooting right at me.
Now, any person in a normal state would've, I don't know, ducked? Dove to the side? Anything that would require some control over one's working legs, surely. I was not such a person at this point in time. All I could do was clench my teeth and ass for what was coming.
Next thing I knew was waking up flat on my back with my sweater covering my face.
"What in Arceus' blessed name was that?!" I asked loudly, still recovering from the impact. I removed my sweater from my head and held it underneath an arm.
"That, Mr. Pickle, was the Zubat—"
"That was no Zubat. That, mademoiselle, was a fucking Tauros," I interrupted. "Please excuse my language there, it was quite rude," I apologized quickly. "How long was I out for?" I asked, sitting myself back up.
"Give or take...5 seconds," Nurse Joy answered. "First time I've seen a person get knocked out by a Zubat, especially by one so small," she laughed. "He must really like you."
"Nurse Joy, you keep mentioning a Zubat and I haven't seen him. Where is he?" I had to ask. I was slowly making my way to my feet at that point.
"Oh my, you haven't noticed?" She answered with a smile.
I felt some wriggling on my head and reached up to grab whatever it was to see what was up there. I brought my hands down and inspected the culprit.
In my hands was the most peculiar Zubat I have ever seen. A regular Zubat is about the size of my head and has blue skin and purple wings. This one, however, is barely smaller than a Pidgey. His skin was ghostly white with smoky grey wings. He was also oddly quiet for a Zubat.
"Nurse Joy, this is an...odd Zubat. Usually they're blue and purple," I started.
"This is an albino Zubat. It was born without the pigmentation that would give a Zubat it's usual blue and purple colouring. The difference is purely aesthetic, as far as we know, so there should be no health complications on that front."
"But he's so small," I continued.
"While albinism offers no health complications, it might've led to some conflict within its colony which may have impacted his growth. Considering the state he was in when you arrived with him, it is likely that his colony chased him out."
"So this is the Pokémon I brought in last night?" I asked. Nurse Joy nodded."While your explanation may explain the bruises, what about the burns?"
"Zubats are extremely sensitive to sunlight. If I had to wager a guess, I'd say he was chased out of Mt. Moon quite early in the day to suffer such burns. Where did you say you found him again?"
"In a berry tree just outside town on Route 2," I answered.
"Wow! I can't believe he made it so far. If I didn't know any better, I'd say it was a miracle for him to recover after just a single night," the nurse exclaimed.
I looked back at the bat in my hands. There was not a mark on his skin. Going by what happened just before this conversation, I'd say he made a complete recovery.
"So he's all well?"
"Well...there is one thing," Nurse Joy started. "He is unable to produce sound on his own."
My eyes widened. "In other words…"
"In other words, he's completely mute," she finished for me.
"So that commotion in the back before he took me out…"
"Yes. That was him flying around completely blind. He's unable to navigate using a Zubat's ultrasonic sound waves. He does appear to be smart enough to make his way around using external sounds though."
"What's going to happen to him now?"
"Usually we would have released him back into the wild, if he was in perfect condition. Given this particular Zubat's conditions, it is likely that he'll be sent to a lab for further study."
At the mention of being shipped off, the white Zubat immediately took off from my hands and buried himself in my sweater.
"He does seem rather attached to you. If you were a Pokémon Trainer, I would've let him go with you."
The doors to the Pokémon Center opened right then.
"Oi, Pixie. I see you're up and moving again," I heard a voice call out from behind me.
"Yeah, still not in the best shape," I replied, slowly turning around to face him.
"Oh, I can tell," he said with a smile. "So what were you and Nurse Joy talking about?" He asked.
"We were discussing what was going to happen to the Zubat he brought in last night," Nurse Joy answered, coming out from behind the desk.
"Zubat?" Matt asked me.
The Zubat decided to make himself known once more by bursting out from his hiding spot and landing on top of my head with a smile plastered onto his face.
"Zubat." I confirmed, nodding slightly with a smile.
"As I just discussed with Mr. Pickle here, I can't let the Zubat go with him unless he's a Pokémon Trainer," Nurse Joy stated with regret. "A shame, really. I can tell these two were made for each other." the Zubat once again took shelter in my sweater.
"Hold onto that thought," Matt said quickly, turning to the entrance. "You can come in now!" he called out.
The next person was an elderly man clad in a lab coat and dress pants with a brown briefcase in hand. He made his way towards us.
"Well, young Matthew, I'm fairly sure you could've handled this situation in a better manner," the man stated. He looked over at me and held out his hand. "Mr. Phoenix 'Pickle' Lucius, I presume?" he asked me.
I could practically feel the authority in his voice. "Yes, sir. Just call me Pickle," I shook his hand. "And you are…?" I could see Matt smiling widely as I asked the question.
"Ah, apologies. I am the professor residing in Pallet Town, Richard Cedar." he answered.
My eyes widened. "And to what do I owe this honour, Professor Cedar?" I asked politely.
He gestured towards Matt. "Young Matthew here informed me of the events that took place here last night, and told me you wouldn't be able to make the trip to Pallet Town that took place earlier today." he explained.
"Took place? It already happened?" I was confused. I knew I wouldn't be able to make the trip, but I had missed it altogether?
"Young Pickle, have you had a gander at a timepiece at all today?" the professor asked.
"Not yet, why do you ask?"
"Nurse Joy, the time if you would please" the professor requested.
"It is currently 1:32 in the afternoon," Nurse Joy replied.
…
"So I did miss the trip, not that I would be able to make it regardless" I said calmly.
"Of which I was well aware, thanks again to young Matthew," the professor nodded towards him once more. "Shall we move to a table? I can tell you've been standing for quite some time. And if what I heard from young Matthew is true, you won't be standing for much longer." Professor Cedar suggested.
He was right. I could feel lefty just waiting to give out. "I believe that's a wise decision to make. Matt, could you help me over?"
"Sure thing, buddy."
We made our way over to the nearest table. I set my sweater on the tabletop upon arrival. After some wriggling, I saw the Zubat pop his head out of the bundle like he was a Diglett.
"So that must be the one you brought in last night, the one you risked your education for," Professor Cedar commented.
"Yes, Professor, this is the one I missed today's trip for." I confirmed.
"Do you regret it?" he asked bluntly.
"Excuse me?" I raised an eyebrow.
"Let me rephrase that. Do you regret saving this little one at the cost of your own education?" he asked once more, in a serious tone.
"No. Not one bit," I answered without hesitation. Sure, had I not saved the Zubat, I'd already have my first Pokémon. But I am not one who willingly sacrifices an innocent life for my own desires. There was a Pokémon suffering right in front of me, and I had the ability to get it some help. Had I not done anything, I would be a feast for my own guilt to eat away at.
"I do not regret saving this Pokémon at all." I confirmed once more. At this statement, the Zubat popped out of my sweater and landed on my shoulder, nuzzling my cheek.
"May I ask why you say so?" the professor pushed further.
"I don't know, exactly." I thought back to the events of last night. I remembered that feeling that had led me to the Pokémon in need. "I think it's that the two of us are already connected in some way or another. I don't know how much Matt told you about last night, but I'm pretty sure a sound isn't enough to tell that a Pokémon is in pain. Especially last night. Before laying my eyes upon this guy," I tilted my head in the direction of the Zubat, "I could feel that something was wrong. For everything concerning him today, he's shown nothing but happiness while at my side."
"Anything else?"
"May I interrupt, Professor?" Nurse Joy asked.
"Of course, Nurse Joy."
"Thank you, Professor. From what I discovered while treating this particular Zubat, we will not be able to release him back into the wild."
"Please, enlighten us," Professor Cedar requested.
"While the reasons why or how are unclear, the fact remains that this Zubat is mute, and will not be able to live long caring for itself in the wild." Professor Cedar's eyes widened. "The best options for the survival of this Zubat are for it to be taken in by a loving trainer, or to be taken in by a lab for further study. In consideration of the events that took place prior to your arrival, I am in favor of the former option."
"Please, tell us about the events of earlier." the Professor requested once more. I could feel my ears starting to warm up.
"Of course, Professor." Nurse Joy accepted. She proceeded to bring the table up to speed on what happened just before Matt arrived. Once she was finished, Matt burst into laughter.
"Oh my Mew, Picks. You were knocked out by a Zubat, a tiny one at that too! That's flippin' hilarious!" Yeah, I don't think I'll be living that one down. "Oh Arceus!" He fell out of his chair clutching his stomach. "Make it stop!" There were tears rolling down his face now. If I was a good friend, I'd be trying to help him. As his best friend, however, I'll just let him get it out of his system. I'm 80% sure that he'll survive this laugh attack. Odds seem good enough for his survival.
It took about 7 minutes for Matt to finally calm down.
"Anywho…" the professor started. "I can tell that you, young Pickle, are a fine young man deserving of a spot in Trainer school." I widened my eyes as he opened up his briefcase and pulled out a Pokédex and a handful of shrunken Poké Balls. "I don't have any starter Pokémon left to give you, but I don't believe we need to worry about that," he smiled, looking at the Zubat. "This Pokédex will serve as your Trainer identification and Trainer school handbook. As for your starter, I can see you've already made up your mind." he concluded.
"Yes, sir. I want this Zubat to be my first Pokémon." I confirmed.
"Then you must catch him with a Poké Ball, young Pickle."
"Actually…" I started, reaching into my bag. "I want his ball to be this one." I stated. "No, it has to be this one." I corrected myself, firmly holding the Cherish Ball in hand.
"Father of all that is divine! How in Arceus' name did you get that, Pickle?!" Matt shouted. "I've only seen pictures in magazines."
"This is a first for me too, young Matthew," the professor said.
"Myself, as well." the nurse agreed.
"I don't know, I think I grabbed it on my way out of work the other day. I didn't check until later." I explained.
"Young man, Cherish Balls are never found in stores, let alone 'just picked up'. Most, if not all, of those who possess a Cherish Ball are destined for great things. Be cautious, though. Cherish Balls are highly sought after. I would avoid flashing the ball around in public, if you are going to use it." Professor Cedar warned me.
"I'll keep that under advisement," I acknowledged. I turned my body towards the Zubat hovering beside me. "Hey there, little one," I started. "Want to be my very first Pokémon?" I asked him.
I don't believe I needed to even ask. I haven't even caught him yet and he's already doing a little dance in the air.
"I think you should give him a name," I heard Matt pipe up. "This guy's really unique and needs a name to match."
"Picked one out for him when I first saw him today, Matt," I gazed at the Zubat dancing happily around the table. "His name will be Shiro, meaning white. By extension from the colour white, it'll also mean pure and bright." I concluded. Upon hearing his new name, Shiro nuzzled my cheek once more.
"Alright, Shiro, let's officially catch you," I tapped the Cherish Ball with a finger a few times to let him know about the ball in my hand. While I was tapping, Shiro hovered around the ball, as if examining it. I put the ball down on the table and started tapping the table. Hearing this, Shiro flew down to the ball and tapped the middle button with his head. As the ball opened up, a faint red light covered Shiro before closing. The ball then closed with the middle button lit pink. The ball shook once, and nothing happened. It shook again, without change. The middle button returned to its original red colour after the ball shook a third time, concluding the capture. I picked up the Cherish Ball, smiling with how my first capture went. The ball opened up as I went to put it in my bag. After a flash of red light and a shower of rainbow sparkles, Shirou appeared flapping his wings by my side.
"Someone doesn't like staying inside the ball," Matt stated as Shiro started dancing around again.
"I wouldn't have it any other way." I replied with a smile.
"Alright, young Pickle. Let's activate your Pokédex, shall we?" Professor Cedar suggested.
"So, what do I do?"
"Just tap the glass screen and trainer registration should begin automatically."
Shiro landed on my shoulder as I tapped the glass screen. The top half flew up revealing more glass.
"Beginning Trainer registration." a mechanical voice sounded.
Following the instructions on the screen, I entered my details as requested.
"Now registering Phoenix Ignatius Corbett Klaus Lucius III (Pickle) of Viridian City as a new Pokémon Trainer. When you are ready, tap the screen for a picture to be taken."
I did as told and the sound of a camera went off. On the screen was a picture of Shiro and I. I accepted the picture as presented.
"Now record the details of your first Pokémon. Simply hold the Pokédex in a way such that you can see the Pokémon through the glass screen. Additionally, place the Pokémon's ball beside it."
"Shiro, land here please." I asked the bat, tapping a spot on the table before placing his ball on the table. Shiro obediently took off and landed where I tapped.
After managing to get the view of Shiro on the screen I heard another picture being taken.
"Please write down how you two first met." the Pokédex requested.
And here's what I put down:
I had a fateful encounter with Shiro on Route 2 on June 22nd, 2020.
I rushed this injured Zubat to the nearest Pokémon Center while protecting him from further harm.
Because of certain conditions, it is not advised for this Zubat to be released into the wild for the sake of his survivability.
He became my first Pokémon in the afternoon of June 23rd, 2020.
"Registration complete" The Pokédex sounded before shutting off.
"And with that, you are now a Pokémon Trainer, young Pickle. Congratulations." Professor Cedar announced with a smile.
"Thank you very much, Professor Cedar." I bowed respectfully.
"I shall see both you and young Matthew in Trainer school on Monday." Professor Cedar said before leaving the building.
I turned to Matt. "Trainer school, huh? I had no idea, did you?"
"Heh, surprise?" he said meekly. I continued to stare at him. "Ok, Ok, just stop staring. Everything happened so fast. One moment, I'm running down there to meet Professor Cedar for you, the next I'm a registered trainer on his way here with Cedar in tow." He explained. "I'll tell you everything that happened tomorrow."
"Alright Matt. I'll hold you to that. For now, let's get me home. I'm still feeling the after effects of last night's sprint."
With that we thanked Nurse Joy before making our way out of the building.
With Matt's help, I was able to make it back home.
That night I opened up a blank book and started writing on the first page:
~June 23rd, 2020
For Shiro
Take my hand and fly with me
Far beyond the distant skies.
Unto the day your dancing dies
And my own songs are telling lies.
By then I hope your eyes can see,
And living well as meant to be.
~End of Flashback~
And that's how I met Shiro and became a Pokémon Trainer. I bet some of you are thinking "A Zubat, really? That was your first Pokémon?". Well take it or leave it. I assure you that he's the strongest member of my team. So many stories I could tell, but those are tales for another day. Perhaps I shall regale you with my time in school next. Something worth sleeping on, I guess.
Until next time.
~Pickle