Reaching the bridge, they could see remnants of police tape stuck to the rails as they crossed. As they walked, they continued to discuss the best course of action finding an Abra, Chase reminding Alex about the species' habit of teleporting.
"So if any of us find one, try to talk to it calmly so it doesn't run away immediately. Then try talking to them whether or not they want to join, alright?" Alex explained to her team.
~We'll do our best,~ Ken nodded.
~Should we split into teams to make looking easier?~ Lance wondered.
"Most of us. You and Sienna will look that way. Ansen and Hana will look around there. Ken and Nala will look along the shore."
"Wait, what if we're attacked?" Chase asked with some concern.
"We'll stay near any of them in case there's a problem," Alex reassured.
"Alright…" He wasn't entirely sure, but if she had enough faith in her Pokémon, he would too.
Their plan set, the Pokémon split up, making sure not to stray too far.
As time ticked by, a couple of the groups found some Abra, but the Pokémon fled almost immediately. It was either by Ansen's intimidating look or the mere idea of being captured. Soon hours had passed, noon having since come and gone. Alex was starting to feel as if they may not get lucky around here.
Just as she was about to call for everyone to regroup, she stopped when Nala and Ken began shouting excitedly.
~We found one who wants to join us!~ Nala squealed excitedly as she swam towards them. She quickly stopped when they ran over to her, unintentionally causing some waves, splashing the kids. ~Oops… Sorry, Alex. Sorry, Chase.~
"It's fine," Alex laughed, grateful only their legs below the knee got wet. "But you said that you found an Abra? That it wants to join us?"
~Yeah!~ Ken exclaimed as he hopped down. He turned, gesturing for a nervous looking Pokémon to follow. ~This is her; you don't have to be afraid. Not only does she understand what we say, but she's really kind. You can trust her.~
~Sh-she saved the Pokémon from those m-men in bl-black?~ the psychic timidly asked.
~Yeah,~ the Pikachu grinned happily. He reached his paw over, taking the other's paw into his, leading him over. ~This is Alex and this is her friend, Chase. He doesn't know what we say, but if you ask nicely, Alex can translate if you wanted to talk to him.~
~But who would want one of us? We don't learn any attacks until we evolve.~
~Neither did I and look how strong I'm getting,~ Nala happily said. ~Alex will help you, all of us will if you'd like.~
Walking over, Alex knelt down before the smaller Pokémon with a kind smile.
"Hi there," she greeted. "We'd really love it if you joined us. What do you say?"
~Y-yes, I want to get st-stro-stronger. I want to be as strong as Ken and Nala and other P-Pokémon I've seen.~
"We'll do our best to help you. But if it turns out you don't like battling or want to stop at any point just tell me. I'll release you back to the wild or you can stay at my house if you don't want that."
~I c-can?~
"That's right. I've got two Pokémon staying at my house right now, Max and Lizzy. They're my Jigglypuff and Clefairy. I'm sure you'd get along with them along with everyone else here."
~Th-then I'd like to join, please.~
Smiling, Alex started to pull out a pokéball, pausing for a moment. "Before I catch you, I want to know what kind of name you'd like."
~Name? I g-get a name?~
"I've been giving everyone else a name. I know most trainers don't, but I think there's something special giving a Pokémon name."
~I'd like a n-name then!~ the psychic exclaimed.
"How about Nate?"
~Okay!~
That taken care of, Alex gently tapped the Pokémon on the forehead with the ball, watching as he went inside. The ball wiggled a bit before it stilled, the light no longer flashing, signaling he was caught. The ball soon lit up and vanished, digitally transported home.
Standing up, Ken hopping on her shoulder, the girl called the rest of her Pokémon back, informing them that they've got an Abra.
Alex recalled Nala back into the ball along with some of the others when offered. The remainders followed her and Chase back to town, seeing the sun was starting to set.
"Alex, now that you have Nate, have you thought about who to switch?"
"I don't really know…" she admitted.
She had been thinking since it first came up, knowing Ken had to stay for the gym. Nala was another good choice as she could resist water type attacks. Ansen would peck her brains out if she contemplated sending him home, even if it's just one gym. Hana would be useful using her Sleep Powder and using Confusion.
So that leaves Lance and Sienna…
~You can switch me,~ the fire type offered suddenly. ~You can't use me, it would be too risky. It would be better to box me for the time being.~
"Are you sure?" Alex asked.
She hadn't thought about ever boxing her starter, even if it was temporary. It sounded too strange a concept given how much they've been through.
~I am, it's better to play it safe.~
~If we're playing it safe, then send me with her as well,~ Lance suggested. ~You'll have an open slot to try and fill with a grass type or something just as good.~
Alex was silent, taking in what they said, still uncertain.
~We'll be fine, Alex. It wouldn't be for very long. Plus it couldn't hurt to start swapping some of us around right now,~ the fire type explained. ~If we intend to go far beating the gyms and enter competitions, then we need to balance our strengths.~
"Let me think, okay?"
~Of course,~ the Pokémon nodded, nuzzling her.
Arriving back in the city and entering the Pokémon Center, Alex had the rest of her team returned and handed to the nurse for a quick heal while she and Chase got dinner.
Both were quiet, even after the Pokémon were returned so they could eat outside, the female trainer still contemplating. She knew it was an obvious choice, but she was still unsure, glancing at the two.
Once they were done and ready to head back inside for the night, Alex got her Pokémon's attention.
"I thought about and made my choice. I'll send you both over to my mom in the morning and get Nate," she said. "But I promise to get you both back as soon as you're needed."
~It's okay, we'll just treat it as a vacation,~ Sienna joked. ~With everything that's happened, it would be nice to have a small break.~
~Yeah, plus I never got to personally meet your mom and her Pokémon. I bet it'll be fun to say hi,~ Lance grinned.
Alex couldn't help but smile, comforted that they were truly okay with this.
When the next day came, she and Chase were up and dressed, eating breakfast with everyone outside. Once they finished, they went back in, Alex going over to one of the video phones that a transfer machine attached.
Calling home, they sat and waited until Alex's mother came onto the screen.
"Good morning, Alex, how are things?"
"Morning, Mom, I'm…okay."
Chase had a feeling he should let her be, so he went over to a bench to sit while Alex took care of things.
Ten minutes passed before the sounds of the transfer machine activated, the dark-haired boy looking over where his friend sat.
In a couple of minutes, two pokéballs were sent over with one returning.
Alex gave her goodbyes to her mother and Pokémon that appeared on the screen before they disconnected.
"Everything okay?"
"Told her what happened yesterday. She told me the same thing you said about giving Azure space. Hopefully, things will be better when we run into each other again."
"Same, you two looked close."
"We are," Alex answered as she glanced at the ball. Pressing the button, Nate was out and sitting on the ground, looking around in confusion.
~I-I'm not at the house?~ he said, seeing his trainer. ~Oh! You're g-going to train me?~
"That's right," Alex smiled as they headed outside, the psychic returned to his ball.
"So, have you thought of a plan on how to train him? Until he can learn something, he'll be pretty defenseless," Chase commented.
"I was thinking of using a TM I found a while back in Mt. Moon," Alex said as they stopped near the bridge. This time, she made sure not to be too close to the water, not wanting to risk a possible repeat of losing another.
"What are you going to teach him?"
"I was thinking Mega Punch."
"That's a pretty strong attack. Wouldn't you rather save it for a fighting type or use it on Ken if not Lance when he's fully evolved?"
"True…"
"How about using Seismic Toss and maybe Thunder Wave instead?"
"Both?"
"Why not? Thunder Wave is useful if timed right. And Seismic Toss isn't as strong as you might think it is."
Alex thought about it before making her decision, "Okay, we'll do that."
She called out the psychic type, telling him what they were planning; the small creature excited at the idea of learning something to help him fight.
"I'm going to put you in the ball for a few minutes, okay?"
~Okay.~
Recalling him, Alex got the TMs she planned using out, getting the first one inserted. After five minutes, the device buzzed, signaling that it was done.
Wanting to ensure he was okay, she called him out.
"How do you feel?"
~Kind of t-tingly,~ he responded, flexing his fingers. ~I-I can't explain it, b-but I th-think I know how to make ele-electricity.~
"Do you want to try?" Alex suggested.
The small Pokémon nodded, curious about what his new attack was capable of, informed that it was a status move, so it wouldn't do damage. Instead, it causes paralysis to opponents, something that caught the Pokémon's attention.
Focusing, he listened to Alex's order to attack a rock with his attack, light blue electricity enveloping his hand. He directed it at the rock, striking it with all he had.
When he stopped, he stood there in awe as did the others.
"That was great!" Alex yipped, picking her Pokémon up, hugging him.
Hugging her back, he smiled, ~Will I get to l-learn the other a-attack soon?~
"We'll do it right now," she grinned. Pulling it out of her pocket, she let out a yelp when a Spearow swooped in, snatching it from her hand. "No!"
"Maybe we could catch up to it if we go now?" Chase suggested, already starting to run down the bridge.
Alex was about to follow before recalling Professor Oak warning her and Azure not to chase something that might be dangerous.
"You coming?" he called.
Not wanting him to get hurt, she followed, recalling Nate into his ball, trying to decide whether to call Ansen or Hana out to take chase.
As they followed the bird, they ran down a maze-like pathway, encounter several trainers that wanted to battle.
"Sorry, but I have to catch up to that Spearow. It stole something of mine," Alex apologized as she ran by.
Some were good letting her be, others refusing to let her go, one of them being a girl with her Nidoran couple. Thankfully, Hana made quick work of them, though needed healing afterward due to their usage of Poison Sting.
"Good work… Dammit, I said a good TM, not some piece of crap!" a trainer spat, glaring at his Pokémon.
"Hey, that belongs to me!" Alex shouted, seeing a couple of trainers looking it over.
"This belongs to you?" he said with a sneer, tossing it aside. "What trainer teaches their Pokémon Seismic Toss?"
A part of Alex wanted to respond but held back. She didn't want to get into an unnecessary fight, seeing Chase regret encouraging her to follow after the bird.
They were about to back away and leave, the sound of a pokéball releasing a Pokémon could be heard, a bright light following. When it faded, Nate was looking around, having sensed things were tense. Spotting the TM, he lit up.
~I'll g-get it,~ he announced. He teleported over to it, picking it up in his paws.
"Nate, get back here!" Alex shouted. The moment the words left her, a Machop shot from a bush. With no warning or mercy, it slammed its arm down on the surprised psychic's back, a crack heard. "Nate!"
Chase turned the two, seeing the smug looks on their faces, fear choking his words away. The scene brought back memories of his Pokémon being slaughtered. He fell to his knees, trembling, throat tightening as bile threatened to come up.
He barely focused hearing Alex screaming something, the sounds of another ball being released. Hearing the roar of a familiar Pokémon snapped him back, seeing Nala coiling around them, anger shining in her normally passive eyes.
The thieves had paled upon seeing the beast, immediately fleeing, their Pokémon close behind them.
Watching as Nala leaned down to the still psychic, Alex running over as well, torn between picking him up or not evident in her eyes. Chase couldn't see the Pokémon breathing, but he was also face down. And that crack they heard? He was scared if he or Alex tried turning him over to check.
Finding his voice, not even realizing he was crying as he stood back up, he shouted to his friend. "Get him in his ball right now!"
Alex jumped, staring at him with wide eyes before nodding, grabbing Nate's ball, recalling him inside. Chase felt a flicker of hope inside. The ball wouldn't have worked if Nate was dead, but that doesn't mean it couldn't happen. They had to hurry!
Grabbing her hand, the two ran back to Cerulean City as quickly as their legs allowed, Nala right alongside them.
The serpent-like beast proved faster, encouraging them with worried roars to climb on, speeding past startled trainers and Pokémon in their path. Within minutes, they were back in the city, the kids jumping off and running inside the Pokémon Center.
Soon the rest became a blur; both watching as Nurse Joy took the pokéball upon hearing it was an emergency. She only stuck around long enough to know the injury was a possible broken spine, but nothing more.
With that, Alex and Chase sat together in the lobby, anxiously waiting.
Hours passed, the light from the ER still glowing, taunting them with uncertainty.
"What if he doesn't make it?" Alex wondered, breaking the suffocating silence. Chase glanced her way, uncertain of how to answer. Turning away, he stared at the floor, bringing his legs up, resting his chin on his knees. "Why did he come out of the ball?" Again, he doesn't know or why he hadn't sensed the possible danger. "Why didn't I just give up on that stupid TM?"
At that, Chase had an answer. "Don't blame yourself. Going after it was my idea. If anyone's to blame for all of this…it should be me."
"I don't want him to die," Alex sobbed. She mimicked what he had done, loud sobs escaping her small form.
After a while, the doors from the front of the Pokémon Center opened, Roku walking in. He had spotted Nala curled up outside the building. Her depressing expression was heartbreaking, worrying him of what might have happened.
When he walked in, he could hear a girl's sobbing, recognizing it, making his worry increase. "What happened?" he asked, finding the pair. He spotted the ER light, having a bad feeling about it.
Neither said anything, Chase eventually answering in his friend's place. "There…there was an accident…"
Roku's eyes widened, but before he could ask, the ER light finally blinked out. A couple minutes after, the nurse stepped out. Her movements, however, were slow, a frown planted on her gentle face.
"Alex…" she started sadly. "I'm sorry, we did everything we could."
"No…he…he can't be gone," Alex whispered. A fresh wave of tears filled her green eyes, quickly spilling over. She covered her faces, shoulders shaking, voice muffled in her palms. "He wanted to get stronger. He trusted me to take care of him. He can't be gone, he just can't be! It isn't fair!"
"I'm very sorry for your loss," the nurse said.
Alex didn't hear her as she fell to her knees, sobbing loudly.
Her sobs grew louder as she wrapped her arms around herself. Her chest felt tight, unaware of a set of arms wrapping around her tightly.
Roku stared sadly at the two as the poor girl cried, her friend comforting her. He turned to the nurse to talk with her. "I'll take care of any funeral costs for her Pokémon. Just make sure that his body gets there safely."
"Of course," Nurse Joy nodded. The two walked over to the front desk to fill out the necessary paperwork, allowing the kids privacy.
Roku glanced at Alex as her sobs began to die down, unsure if she had passed out or started to calm down. He saw that her body had gone limp in Chase's arms, but seeing no immediate distress from the boy or her body, assumed she had fainted. He didn't really blame her, it wasn't easy losing your Pokémon, the hardest being your first loss.
Finishing up the paperwork, he walked over, picking the small girl up.
"Where are you two staying?" he asked.
"Down the hall," Chase answered, surprised how generous the gym leader is being. He led the way, the older man carrying Alex in his arms. "It's my fault he's dead…"
"It sadly happens no matter how hard we try to avoid it," Roku said softly. "You said there was an accident. Was it a wild Pokémon?"
Chase shook his head, "No. A Spearow stole a TM and…I suggested we go after it. I didn't think it could've been a trap when we caught up with it."
"You two were ambushed? By who? Team Rocket?" the gym leader asked, alarmed by this, hating the luck these two have been getting.
"I don't think so. I think they were just normal thieves. One of them was having their Spearow go around and steal stuff, mostly TMs from how they acted towards Alex's."
"I see, but how did her Pokémon get involved?"
"We don't know. He just came out on his own. But when he saw the TM, he tried getting it back for us. That's when the other guy's Machop came out of the bushes and attacked."
Roku's frown deepened, having read the report for the cause of death. It was a mix of internal bleeding and a crushed spine. Part of him was relieved to have been the one to read it than letting either of them do so, Alex especially. His hold on the sleeping girl tightened, a protective growl threatening to escape at the thought of these thieves.
"What happened after?"
"They ran when Alex called Nala out. We were panicking, she got Nate in his ball and we started to run back here. Nala encouraged us to climb on her back so we could get here faster."
"I'll look into this and talk with the police about what happened."
Chase nodded as they reached his and Alex's room, opening the door so they could go in.
Roku gingerly set Alex on her cot, tucking her in, hoping she won't be plagued by terrible dreams.
While hesitant, he retrieved her pokéballs, namely to find Nala's knowing she can't stay out of it forever. There would be too many complaints from concerned citizens and Alex has enough of her plate as is.
"Take care of them until she's ready, okay?"
Chase almost fumbled with the pokéballs as they were handed to him, getting the idea of what Roku meant.
"I hope she'll be okay," the boy whispered.
"For her sake, I hope so too," the gym leader sighed before leaving.
Chase was quiet as he sat on his cot, looking at her with tear-filled eyes.
"I'm so sorry, Alex. I didn't mean it, I honestly didn't mean it," he cried softly, burying his face in his hand. "I'm sorry Nate…"
Alex - Pokémon 9 - Badges 1 - Deaths 1
Team:
Ansen - Pidgey - Pidgeotto
Hana - Caterpie - Metapod - Butterfree
Ken - Pikachu
Nala - Magikarp - Gyarados
Home:
Sienna - Charmander - Charmeleon
Lance - Nidoran M. - Nidorino
Maxwell - Jigglypuff
Lizzy - Clefairy
Death(s):
Nate - Abra
Oh man, losing Nate the first time was tough, but I will be honest to say that I actually hoped it wouldn't happen again.
I made the mistake of leaving him out in a battle he wasn't ready for. He gained a few levels and thought he'd be fast enough to paralyze the Machop so I can switch, then Karate Chop and given it's a Gen 1 game, it was a crit.
While sad that I lost him, especially given I wanted to give him more life than being a timid silent/mute cutie, it isn't as painful as the first time. Likely because when I had lost him, it was not long after my cat, Salem, passed away. That was painful and to have it made it rawer when written down.
Hopefully, the emotion was recaptured, even if it was done differently than before.
Also, I would like to thank, PinkTheDinosaur on Deviantart for helping me with some edits on this chapter.
If you enjoyed this, please leave a review and any helpful critique that may better improve the writing.
