A Tale of Two Sisters
Season One
Episode II: Making A Choice
Seasonal Theme: 【Norowareta Night】Red Heart By Divinel on Youtube
"You got in pretty late last night."
"Good thing your father left the door unlocked."
"Hah, yeah uh... Sorry about that, I uh... Got a little held up with watching the sunset." He lied, but why? Was he ashamed of losing? Afraid of being scolded?
"Well I hope you had fun." His father chuckled, sipping his coffee.
"Yeah we did, it was really great." Wally smiled back at him, deciding to put worries aside for now.
"We?" His father cocked an eyebrow curiously.
"Wally went with his new little pokemon friend." Mother informed him with a giggle.
"Oh!" The Dad blinked as he remembered, "Well, that's nice, just be careful... Going out with pokemon can invite people to battle you." He chuckled, "Wouldn't want that, I'm sure."
"Heheh... Right," Wally nervously replied, a sudden knock at the door drawing all their attention, "I'll get it." Wally decided, wondering who might be stopping by this early in the morning. As he opened the door, his eyes widened in shock as he was met with the same girl from last night, "I-Its you!" He exclaimed, before stiffening, "I-I mean... Good morning person I have never met before!"
Nailed it.
She waved with a slightly confused look, "Hey there, just thought I'd swing by and thank you for last night."
"Wally, who is it?" The father asked, moving to his sons side, "Oh, I haven't seen you before in Petalburg... Do you have business with my son?"
"He helped me out last night," She shrugged, "Just wanted to stop by and say thanks."
"You helped this young lady Wally?" His mother repeated with a smile, "How nice."
Wally blushed lightly, scratching the back of his head, "I-It was nothing really... I wasn't that much help anyways, there was just some guy giving her trouble about battling... S-So I stepped in and-"
"You fought a pokemon battle?" The Father replied, crossing his arms, "Come now Wally, you know that kind of excitement can't be good for your health, you've gotta take things slow."
His eyes fell to the ground slowly and he sighed, "Y-Yeah I know..."
"You should have seen him!" The families eyes shot up, as the girl started speaking in such an upbeat manner, "He totally schooled that jerk! Him and that Ralts laid the smackdown on him! I've never seen a beginner with such potential!" She grinned at them, earning a confused look from Wally.
"Is that so?" Father cocked an eyebrow, before he chuckled and ruffled Wally's hair, "Well good job Son!"
"Winning your first pokemon battle! Oh I should make something special for this." Mother giggled, making her way back to the kitchen.
Wally blushed bashfully, "I-I mean... It was nothing really, h-hey uh, I'm gonna take out Ralts for a bit to get some air, you guys mind?" He asked his parents quickly.
"Of course not, you go out and have some fun champ." Father chuckled at him, waving him off as Wally stepped out the door and closed it behind him.
He walked a short ways away from the house before turning on the girl, "Why did you do that? Lie to my parents..."
"You helped me, so I helped you." She shrugged simply.
"Help? I didn't need help with anything..." He answered somewhat timidly.
She chuckled in response, crossing her arms, "Oh come on... I saw those disapproving looks," She smirked at him, "You're quite the sheltered kid aren't you?"
Wally blushed in response, nervously looking away, "Y-Yeah I... Guess sometimes..."
The girl laughed aloud at his reaction, "Relax, I'm not judging... You looked like you had fun battling last night, your dad however, looked like you battling was the dumbest thing you could have done..."
"You watched the battle?" Wally blinked in realization, remembering her just storming off. And now realizing she had watched him be handily beaten.
"I measured you pretty quick, I could tell you were a beginner," She shrugged, "I didn't want that ass hat to have the satisfaction of me watching you lose."
"Oh... I see." Wally answered, sighing heavily as he looked down at his pokeball.
"But, for a first time, you did alright." She shrugged, "Especially for being outmatched... Anyways, I didn't really come by for a pep talk, I needed to ask you something."
Wally looked back up at her, cocking an eyebrow, "What is it?"
He nearly stumbled back as a picture was shoved in his face, "I'm looking for this girl, have you seen her pass through your town at all?" She asked calmly.
"Uh..." His eyes examined her, she shared the same dark skin and red eyes as this strange girl. But her hair was black, her black tank top baring red symbols across the chest, "No, haven't seen her." He answered finally, shaking his head.
"Craps," She sighed, pulling back the picture and stuffing it into her pocket, "Well, I guess that means my work here is done..."
"Who is she?" Wally asked curiously, "Have you asked anyone else in town?"
"She's just... A friend of mine, who got lost." She answered rather cryptically, "I've already asked around the town, so I need to be moving on."
"A-Alright, I guess." Wally replied still confused about this whole situation, "Um... I guess good luck." He said, before turning and making his way back towards his home.
"Hey Wally," He stopped, looking back as she addressed him by name, "The deep breath before the plunge will always be the scariest part... But only you can decide if you should take the leap." Without another word, she walked off down the road leading out of town.
Evening came faster than expected. Wally spent the day contemplating what the strange girl had told him, how she seemed to read him so easily was... Unsettling. But as he walked towards the docks with his mother and father, preparing for departure to Slateport, and from there Verdanturf, he couldn't help but feel he was making a mistake. And if he didn't do something about it... Maybe he'd never get the chance?
"-And remember to be kind to Wanda, she's still a bit worried over the tunnel collapse separating her from her boyfriend in Rustboro." Wally finally tuned back into the conversation as they reached the docks. A small boat waiting for them, the Captain waving as they approached. He was a kind old man, and agreed to take Wally free of charge because of his friendship with the family.
"Ahoy! We're all ready to set off!" He greeted eagerly, his Wingull Peecko flying around the ship with excitement.
"Now Wally, you'll be staying there for while, so get along with everyone alright?" His father instructed, putting a hand on his shoulder. Before frowning at him, "What's wrong?"
Wally looked down nervously, "D-Dad I... I'm not, so sure about leaving..."
He blinked, looking to his wife for a moment before chuckling, "Hey its alright, we aren't gonna be that far away and we'll call everyday t-"
"No I... I mean," He interrupted and looked up at him, "I want to become a trainer, like Brendan!" He finally declared, blushing lightly as he looked up at him. Trying to remain confident and serious.
The dad held his gaze for a moment before sighing, "Wally... You know that's not you, running around and fighting battles... You're not ready, you need to wait until you're older."
"B-But," He stammered, stepping back from his father, "I like it! A-And it makes me happy, and Ralts is happy-"
"Oh I knew letting him get a pokemon so young would be a bad idea." His mother frowned shaking her head.
"We're doing this because we care about you Wally, going out and trying to be a trainer," Father shook his head, reaching out for his son, "That just isn't you, so hand over the pokeball and get on the boat."
The hand was only inches away, time seeming to slow down and his heart raced. He felt like he might pass out, but instead he moved without thinking, "No!"
*SMACK*
When Wally opened his eyes, he realized he'd smacked away his father's hand. Blinking in surprise, he stumbled back, "D-Dad I..." Looking up at him, his father appeared just as stunned as he was. Not knowing what to do, he turned and ran. Breaking for the entrance to Petalburg Woods.
"W-Wally wait!" His father called after him, attempting to give chase as his mother stayed behind.
Wally ran and ran. Breaking through the treeline and entering the dark forest. The sun was already setting the lights barely made it beyond the trees. A few tears welled up in his eyes as he realized what he was doing. What he had to do, to become a pokemon trainer. He wanted to be like Brendan, he wanted to become his equal! But he couldn't do that if he was stuck in Verdanturf waiting to get better.
He finally came to a slow stop within a clearing, gasping for breath as he leaned forward with his hands on his knees.
"Wally!" He stiffened, hearing his fathers voice. Wally quickly moved off the path and out of the clearing, hiding behind a tree as he attempted to quiet his breathing. His father reached the clearing moments later, looking around for any sign of him, "Wally please! You're not in trouble, just come back and we can forget this ever happened! I-I'll even let you keep Ralts!"
Wally remained silent, hoping he would just go away. He felt terrible for running away, but he couldn't leave. His mind was made up, he couldn't turn back now. He had to put all his fears aside, all his reservations, anxiety. He had to take the leap. Gritting his teeth, he stood up from his cover and stepped out into the open. Locking eyes with his father.
They remained in cold silence for a few moments. His Father beginning to sweat beneath his sons new, fierce gaze. Just as it appeared he would open his mouth to speak, Wally grabbed the ball from his belt and held it up.
"Ralts and I are going to take on the Pokemon League," He declared calmly, "W-We're gonna get stronger, make friends, and become champions... Our journey starts NOW!"
His father flinched at the increase in volume, looking at his son sadly before sighing, "I can see that... Nothing I say will sway you... Just, be careful, Wally."
A wave of relief washed over him, and he couldn't help but crack a sad smile, "I will... Goodbye Dad."
With that, the two turned their backs to one another and parted ways. As the last beams of light faded through the trees and night arrived. Wally began his journey as a pokemon trainer. He'd taken the leap, a great plunge into the unknown. But he felt more alive than ever, he felt free. And he welcomed whatever awaited him along the way...