I can't believe how good helping this Wally kid felt. I mean. Don't get me wrong, he probably would have done fine on his own, especially after dad lent him Ziggy. But he was a bit on the frail side, and he was so happy and grateful, it gave me fuzzy feelings all over. Not much later, Dad and I were alone again. I debated challenging him for the first badge, but he must have guess what I was thinking.
"Right. I know you probably want to challenge me right now Eliza. If you don't mind, I'd rather wait till you've at least managed to get four badges. It's not that I don't think you wouldn't win until then, it's just that it'd be more fun for both of us if I can really cut loose."
"If you think that's best dad," I said, a a bit disappointed.
I didn't know at the time, but what he said made sense. If I hadn't been his daughter, he'd have let me challenge him with his weakest team, the one that gym leaders keep for trainers just starting out that have no badges. I did stay the night at the gym though, introducing Red, Shenzu and Blues to dad's pokemon. Sym seemed more interested in napping than socializing, which is okay. It takes all kind right? She was more social when we were by ourselves anyways. We were watching the news, they were talking about that terrorist group called "Team Aqua" when I noticed dad had a real sour look on his face.
"What's up dad?" I asked, "you know anything about those guys?"
"I do, Liz. We met, a long time ago. I tried talking him out of the path he seemed set on but, something came up and by the time I came back to Hoenn, he'd gone underground."
"Oh. Bummer. But the Gym Leaders and Rangers will take care of him and his goons, right?"
"Of course. Just, be careful on your travels, alright? If you run in any of the Team Aqua Member, remember that they're terrorist, and do your best to get away from them."
"Oh dad," I replied What were the odds that I'll run into them? "I'll be fine. Red won't let anything happen to me, ain't that right buddy?"
Red chirped excitedly and I grinned. I could almost make sense of what he was saying. Like, I understood one or two words out of every five.
"I want you to promise, Liz. If you see Team Aqua, you get away from them and you contact the nearest authorities."
"Fine," I finally agreed, exasperated, "If I run into one of their members, I promise I'll contact the closest authorities and let them take care of things."
After that, we changed the subject, I could tell that the subject was a sore spot for him, and really, who likes to talk about that kind of buttholes? The next day, I took off. Dad was in a much better mood, and told me the closest Gym was in Rustboro City. All I had to do was go through Petalburg Woods. It was only a three day journey at worst, and I had enough supplies to last me through, and I could always forage if something happened. It was pretty quiet for the first day, fought a couple of trainers, but they were bug catchers and Red made quick work of them. Just as we were getting ready to set camp, I heard a rustle. I whirled around, a bit jumpy at night, and my leg gave way under me. When I managed to get myself in an upright position, it was to find Red trying his best to take out a shroomish.
"Red! No! It's not her fault! I just tripped!"
Thankfully Red stopped it's attack on the poor thing just in time. He hopped over to me and rubbed it's head against my cheek.
"Sorry, got scared she hurt you," he said.
I heard him clearly this time, there was no doubt about it.
"It's okay Red, you were just trying to protect me," I answered, giving him a scratch as I sat up.
I then looked at the shroomish who was shivering, trying to get back to its feet but wincing in obvious pain. My heart squeezed in a vice and I walked to it slowly – not wanting to scare it. Injured as it was, it wouldn't survive long in the wild. I'd meant to nab a slakoth while in the forest and have a Slaking of my own, just like dad. But it was kind of my fault the little girl was hurt – if only because I hadn't controlled Red's anger earlier.
"Here girl," I said, as I approach her, "I promise I won't hurt you."
It shrank away from me a little trying to get away, but tripped, barely able to stand. With a sigh, a tossed a pokeball at it. The capture was a foregone conclusion, as hurt and weaken as it was. My dreams of owning slaking evaporated, but that was okay. Being a trainer, a good trainer anyways, was about more than doing what you wanted. It came with responsibilities as well. I released her, and she didn't seem to mind me approaching her.
"Have some of these, they're rawst berries, they'll make you feel better."
As she began eating , I sprayed the potion over her wounds. In moments she was looking much better. She looked at me when she was done, and I smiled.
"I'm Eliza little one. Do you have a name?"
"Rosemary," she said shyly. "Pleasure to make your acquaintance. I am sorry to have made you tipped over. That was rather rude of me, was it not?"
"Don't sweat it girl," I replied smiling, "I don't have the greatest balance to begin with. Now that you're doing better, how do you feel about sticking around and traveling with us?"
"Oh, that would be lovely. I have always wished to travel the world, it is why I made myself known. I only wished our first encounter had not been so brutal."
"You realize that it's not all sightseeing," Red said, bristling a little, "we get to fight other trainers too. Eliza is on a journey to become the champion. We already have one 'mon who's deadweight. We don't need another!"
"Red!" I scolded, "each of you is a valuable member, each in your own way. Alright? I don't want to hear that kind of talk from you again, understood?"
"I understand," he muttered.
I noticed that he hadn't agreed with me though. I didn't miss the venomous look he shot at my zigzagoon either.
"I can hold my own in battle, Eliza. It was simply that Red, was it? He caught be by surprise . . . and he has a type advantage as well. It will be my pleasure to put my skill at your service."
"I like her," Red said after a moment, his previous resentment already forgotten.
The rest of the night was spent quietly. I introduced Rosemary to the team and left them to get acquainted while I slept. The next morning, I was woken up by a scream. I won't say I was awake instantly, but it was close. A man had walked in my campsite and woken up Red and Shenzu. Shenzu wasn't a morning person, and she was hanging off the man's sleeve. I could tell that she wasn't trying to chew his hand off though, just give him a scare.
"Shenzu, let go," I told her, trying not to yawn, "Red don't even think about setting him on fire."
They listened to me, though Shenzu was clearly reluctant. That's when I realized that Rosemary was huddled behind me. I frowned for a moment, wondering what had happened. The man however answered right away.
"Oh my gosh, that's an honest to Arceus shroomish. I'm sorry, I saw it and I just had to get closer. I didn't realize it wasn't wild," he said, sheepish in the end."
"Her, not it," I corrected, "and you didn't realize that a shroomish sleeping with other pokemon, two of which she'd most definitely avoid, wasn't wild."
I didn't believe him. Either he was lying, or he was one of the most sheltered adults I'd ever seen and shouldn't be let outside on his own. Before I could scold him some more though, someone burst through the foliage, an aggressive looking poochyena besides him.
"There you are," he snarled, "bastard. Do you know how long I've been looking for you? Good thing the pooch here sniffed you out or I'd have failed in my assignment."
"I. Hmm... you were looking for me? Did Mr. Stone sent you? I know I was due back to work a day or so ago, but then I got lost in here, big forest isn't it?"
I seriously doubted the guy's intention were that benign. He seemed familiar for some reason, but I couldn't put my finger on it. Red tensed, sensing my mood, ready to fight if I needed him to. I felt Shenzu to my left, growling. Yeah. That guy was bad news.
"You damn fool. I'm not here to save you. I'm here to rob you. Now hand over those papers you have and it'll be painless. I have no problem if you resist though. The pooch here hasn't tasted blood in quite a while and he'd just love it if you refused."
And then the scientist did something I'd never have expected an adult to do. He back up behind me and held me between me and the thug. He was using me as a shield!
"Oh Arceus, you have to help me. I don't have any pokemon and I can't hand over these papers. They're company property and I don't want to lose my job!"
"Get off me," I said, shaking him loose.
"Hiding behind a kid. How pathetic," he sneered, "well it won't matter in the end. It's just more fun for the pooch."
"I do believe you are mistaken, sir," Rosemary said, moving between me and the poochyena, "you are vastly outnumbered and we are not afraid to use force if necessary to protect our trainer."
"He can't understand you Rosemary. But you're right. We won't let a thug bully someone who can't defend himself."
I swear, the guy smirked. It's like he wanted to fight.
"Oh bitch, you're going to regret messing with Team Aqua. I'll show you what happens to hero wannabees."
Team Aqua? Oh for Arceus' sake. That's why he looked familiar. It was the clothes, or uniform. I just didn't had two and two together because it was so filthy. I remembered my promise to dad, and sighed. It wasn't like I had a choice. In the middle of the woods, no authorities in sight. . . If I stood down, he'd rob the dummy. How could I live with myself if I didn't stand up to a bully?
"Bring it, jerk. Blues, go. Remember your training."
He seemed surprised that I'd send a surskit against him. The poochyena tried to tackle it, but Blues was faster and she knocked him off balance, making his tackle less effective.
"Blues, Fell Stinger, now," I commanded.
Like a good girl, she nailed it perfectly and the Poochyena groaned, falling to the ground, unable to battle any longer. I smiled, it was good to see the training pay off.
"Now get lost or I'll see how you like it if I send my pokemon against you directly."
Not that I ever would, but he had no idea of knowing that now, did he? He backed away, recalling the poochyena, and making a run for it. I let him. I wasn't about to try and chase him. Instead I crouched and picked up Blues.
"Good girl. You showed him not to mess with us, didn't you?"
"I did it! I really did! Gosh, that was awesome! I can really really fight!"
"Told ya," I replied with a smile, "all you lacked was confidence. I promised you that you'd become a masquerain when I caught you didn't I?"
"Ah, excuse me, miss?"
I turned towards the man, not quite glaring, but I was tempted. Because of this guy, I'd broken my promise to my dad. Granted, I would have anyways, the situation demanded it, and I wouldn't be my parent's daughter if I hadn't helped. But he'd kind of taken the choice out of my hands.
"What is it?"
"Ah . . . I simply wanted to apologize for my reaction. I'm certain I've made a dreadful first impression and I hate to ask something of you but. . . ."
He stopped talking, looking embarrassed.
"Wait. You said you were lost, right?"
"Yes."
"And you have no pokemon of your own."
"... Correct."
I managed barely to contain my sigh. That guy definitely needed a keeper and it looked that until I got him back to Rustboro.
"Alright. You can tag along. Just, no touching Rosemary unless she okays it first. Alright?"
"Oh, thank you trainer, thank you so much. You won't regret this, I promise."
There wouldn't be much time for training it seemed. Getting this guy back to his job or whatever was more important. Especially since those terrorists seemed to be after something he had. Plus, I needed to let the Rangers and police officers that we'd encounter Team Aqua in the forest. At least everything had turned out alright in the end.