Chapter 2: Shaky Starts
Teddy slowly moved his hand under the bed towards the pokemon who let out a small worried cry as he drew closer. Withdrawing his hand trying not to scare the creature, he thought to himself what to do, call Albert? Not after how he left things last night. Bolting downstairs he made his way into the kitchen scanning his surroundings for something that may be of use, he grabbed a box of left out breakfast cereal on the counter hoping that pokemon react well to sugar, rushing straight back to his room. Teddy entered the room and gently closed the door behind him before looking back under the bed to check the pokemon was still there and sure enough the two purple tinted eyes continued to stare out of the darkness. He started slowly laying out a trail of the little sugar covered squares from the underside of the bed to himself where he sat himself crossed legged in the middle of the room. Sitting there with baited breath as he waited to see if this was enough to coax out whatever it was sheathed in the black, his mind raced through all sorts of pokemon he knew of wondering,what it could be.
A crunching sound and another small cry, this time of joy, could be heard from under the bed as it seemed to enjoy the treats he had left out. Following them out the pokemon emerged and slithered towards Teddy as the sun piercing through the window reflected of its pale blue skin. A serpent like creature with a white under belly, nose and jagged ears continued to make its way towards Teddy as it continued to eat the squares. Teddy had never seen such a pokemon either with his eyes or on TV when watching all sorts of tournaments, this made him feel even more excited. As it came closer he noticed a scar above and below its left eye, the shape of the injury matching the crack that was on the egg when he found it back at the lake. So stunned at what was happening Teddy could not move stuck paralyzed observing the pokemon get closer and closer until it finished the final square, lifted its head up and stared at him.
After a few seconds of silent staring the pokemon let out another happy-like cry and seemed to smile, before cuddling itself up on Teddy's lap. He very calmly moved his hand from the floor and stroked the pokemon, it felt scaly however still very smooth, the pokemon seemed very comfortable as it let out soft relaxing sounds with each stroke. A warm sensation took over Teddy as it clicked within his mind that he had just acquired his first pokemon and it was happy with him; however he had never seen the species before. He reached for the pokenav, without disturbing the pokemon now nicely settled upon him, and called Albert.
''Teddy?'' Albert said surprised on the other end of line, clearly not expecting to hear from him so soon after last night's conflict
''It hatched bro! a pokemon is on my lap right now!'' Teddy blurted out unable to contain his excitement
''Shit really?! well I am setting up to leave but I can be over in an hour or so?'' Albert replied
''Yeah that would be great!? and'' Teddy paused before continuing '' am sorry for being the jerk I was last night man I just..''
''Dont worry about it'' Albert interrupted ''Just sit tight and I'll be over and we will go from there, but heads up your mom has just pulled up''
''Ok I will see you then thank you'' Teddy put down the pokenav.
Teddy had always struggled with making decisions to do with his future, maybe because those decisions were deciding a future he did not want but this time it was clear what he must do. He gently lifted up the pokemon from his lap and placed it on his bed which he then made a nest like shape out of his bed covers and placed his new pokemon within it.
''Stay here ok? I will be back in a minute I promise!'' Teddy said calmly to the pokemon as it started back into his eyes.
Reluctantly pulling away from its gaze he walked out and closed the door, took a deep breath and proceeded down the stairs to the front room as he heard his mother enter the house.
''Teddy, don't you have college today?'' his mother said inquisitively as she noticed her son descend
Ignoring the question Teddy responded ''I need to talk to you well….I need to tell you something'' He said abruptly
''Ohh k'' replied his mother placing down her handbag upon the sofa as a look of concern took over her face
''I am done with college, I am done with this life that you and dad dictated upon on me I can't live to a goal I do not believe in so..'' Teddy took a deep breath before continuing ''I am leaving today….I am going to start an adventure to become a pokemon trainer''
This statement was greeted with stone cold silence in which he and his mother stared into each other's eyes as she tried to comprehend what her son had just told her.
''How?'' she finally muttered quietly ''you don't have a pokemon….you cannot go into the wild without one''
''That's not strictly true...'' Teddy replied quietly bracing himself ''the other day by the lake with Albert, I found an egg, a pokemon egg, and it has hatched''
Shock and slight fear now took over his mother's face, ''you have had a pokemon in this house...after all I have done for you break the one major role we have….where is it? in your room?'' she took a few steps towards the stairs as she spoke, however seeing this Teddy fearing the worst started to back up the stairs
''Yes….it hatched last night I think...and it's beautiful I will take it with me and we will train to become a pokemon trainer no matter what you, or dad has to say''
With that sentiment Teddy turned and walked slowly back to his room, leaving his mother standing in the living room trying to understand what had just happened.
''If you leave with that thing...'' His mother said with a raised voice as Teddy walked away ''you will not be welcome back in this house do you understand?''
''If that is the price, I am fine with it'' Teddy replied not looking at his mother to see the immense disappointment displayed on her face
He continued to his room, opened the door, and the pokemon, still curled up in his bed covers looked up with a happy expression and let out another happy cry clearly not aware of the rift it has created in the household. He closed the door behind him and slide down against it sitting on the floor feeling quite sick from the confrontation, it had been a conversation he had always had in his mind but it had always gone slightly different in his head, usually ending with his mother somewhat accepting what he wanted to do and supporting him and wishing him the best, however in the real world that was a bit too much to ask.
*KNOCK KNOCK* the door sounded and shook with some velocity; startled Teddy jumped to his feet and backed away to the bed staring at the door.
*KNOCK KNOCK* maybe mum isn't done with me, Teddy thought to himself, maybe she is taking it a lot harder than first thought or maybe the worst...she wants the pokemon
*KNOCK KNOCK*
''Teddy?! It's Albert!''
Teddy let out a sigh of relief as he was fearing the worse, only Albert could have such bad timing.
Shooting up to his feet Teddy opened the door to find Albert in full get up with a bright green back pack full to bursting strapped to his back and an odd red object clenched in his left hand. The two looked at each other not really knowing what to say after their last awkward encounter. Thankfully the ice was broken by Teddy's new pokemon who had slithered off the bed and climbed up his body resting itself on his shoulder and neck.
''Wow...'' Albert exhaled slowly ''That's….Dratini'' Albert said adjusting his spectacles
''A what?'' questioned Teddy
''It is a very rare pokemon...many believed it was extinct!'' Albert answered ''here look at this'' Albert said as he opened up the red object he was holding, it was a thin red rectangle with a blue half sphere on top, it opened up like a book to reveal a keypad and screen.
''This is the pokedex I told you about last night'' Albert continued ''It automatically stores information on pokemon once it sees it, may I?''
''Err sure.'' Teddy responded fairly confused
Albert pointed the pokedex at Dratini and the screen lit up displaying a picture of Dratini and next to it a description, and just as it lit up it spoke:
''Dratini, the dragon-type pokemon, often referred to as the 'Mirage Pokemon' due to being a rare pokemon with little known sightings. in recent times. Growing at a quick rate Dratini will often retreat to secluded areas such as behind waterfalls to shed it's skin''
''Thats….crazy!'' Teddy said astonished at the pokedex activity but more as a response to the fact his first pokemon was extremely rare.
Albert chuckled ''Five minutes and I have already managed to record the findings of a very rare pokemon''
''You're a natural'' Teddy said as they both laughed
As the laughing subsided, Albert looked at Teddy;
''Have you thought anymore of my offer?'' Albert asked in a quiet manner remembering the response to the last time he had asked
''I'' Teddy paused, as he debated in his mind this huge life defining decision but once again like this morning, the decision was easy ''I would love to bro...''
Albert's face lit up, and the two embraced awkwardly as Dratini was still perched on its owners shoulders.;
''I'm glad you said that'' Albert said reaching back round the door and pulling out a second backpack yet this one was deep purple ''cause I packed you a bag...I guess I just know you too well'' Albert said smugly
''I don't know whether to be offendid or flattered'' Teddy responded smiling ''what's in here anyway?''
''Everything a trainer/research team needs!'' Albert answered ''Sleeping bag, torch, water bottles, food, pokemon food, five pokeballs, a region map and your own pokedex''
''I get a pokedex too? Isn't that just a research tool?'' Teddy enquired puzzled as he took the backpack
''Mainly yes'' Albert answered ''but hey what if we get temporarily separated and you see something amazing! Besides you put your information in and it can work as identification which you will need if you are to sign up for the Mito Pokemon league!''
''Thank you man, this means a lot'' Teddy stated
''Don't mention it, we have been friends since birth this is just the natural future for us'' Albert stated placing his hand up to Dratini giving it a little stroke ''Now, let's get Dratini in a pokeball and we can move!''
''Right'' Teddy said going into his pocket to retrieve the red and white capsule. Placing Dratini back on to the bed he took a few steps back and pointed the pokeball at the dragon pokemon.
''Dratini return'' he ordered as a red beam of light shot out from the ball to Dratini and dragged it inside.
The two made their way downstairs and out of the house, thankfully not passing his mother on the way out. Closing the front door behind him Teddy felt a mixture of emotions running through him, he had never really left Dragonslate before but had always dreamt of this moment so it did not feel as foreign to him as he first thought. They continued to walk to the edge of the town and the start of Route 1 where they turned and looked back at the small town that had shaped them, forever in the shadow of the infamous Dragons Spear before turning away for the last time and walking into the route.
''Where is it we are actually heading first?'' Teddy asked realising he had no idea of what their plan actually was
''Straight to Heartstring City to register you for the league at the pokemon centre there'' Albert replied as he consulted his region map completely folded out ''we should get there and plan our next move as the weather isn't looking too good''
Albert was right, Teddy looked up at the sky to see an armada of dark clouds making their way over the small dirt path and surrounding forest flanked on both sides. The two made ideal conversation as they progressed as Teddy filled Albert in on the story of how he awoke and found Dratini that morning to the confrontation he had with his mother when he told her his plans. Rain slowly began at this point but nothing could dampen the boy's spirits now both full fo excitement of the adventure ahead.
''Do you hear that?'' Albert said curiously '' sounds like something is going on in the forest maybe, is there a party?''
Listening hard Teddy could faintly hear the sounds of laughing voices of the splashing of rain drops all around them ''Maybe, picked a bad time if they are'' he said chuckling at the idea.
''Maybe we should go see? Like a celebration for our new lives?'' Albert continued as the two drew closer down the route.
Hearing it more clearly now Teddy was having second thoughts ''I think it sounds like a battle actually bro'' Teddy exclaimed now hearing the shouting of instructions along with the laughter.
''Even better!'' said Albert ''can add some pokemon to the dex!''
''I guess there is no harm in that, let's go see'' Teddy said as the two turned into the forest to their right and made their way through the trees and bushes.
The closer they got the more clearly they could hear whatever it was deep within the woodland, however as a result of the dark clouds blocking the sun, visibility was very poor they couldn't make out anything and relied on following the sounds of battle. They came out into a large clearing where on the opposite side they could see six silhouettes, five of them all together on one side laughing and one a few feet away on the guy's left significantly smaller laying on the floor.
''I don't think this is a battle...'' whispered Teddy
The laughing stopped as the two stepped foot into the clearing and the five figures seemed to turn to face them.
''Well boys….what do we have here?'' came an all too familiar voice from the darkness
''Mykah...'' Teddy said as his fists clenched
''What do you think you are doing coming into our training session?'' Mykah asked with a calm yet unnerving confidence as he stepped towards the two so they could make out his face.
''We thought a battle was going on we just came to get a look, I am starting my journey to be a pokemon researcher!'' Albert blurted out
''A researcher? like your poor excuse of a father no doubt'' Mykah said as the four figures behind him sniggered ''You missed the battle, I won'' continued Mykah gesturing to the small slumped figure on the ground 15 feet away
As Teddy looked he could just make it out, it was a pokemon, on the ground shivering and moaning.
''What have you done!?'' Teddy shouted as he ran over to it, this pokemon he recognised as a Ralts, they were known to inhabit the local forests, Teddy picked up i the injured pokemon his arms, it was cold and limp clearly in a lot of pain.
Albert ran over to get a look ''It is in a critical condition, we have to get it to the pokemon centre in Heartstring''.
Anger took over Teddy seeing the poor state of the pokemon ''How can you do this to a pokemon? this isn't training'' Teddy shouted at Mykah with a hint of aggression in his voice.
''Who the fuck are you to tell me how to battle'' Mykah shouted walking over to them, ''you don't even have a pokemon you little shit''
The anger was too much for Teddy he had to teach Mykah a lesson; he reached into his pocket to retrieve the pokeball containing his Dratini.
''No'' whispered Albert ''It is just a baby, Mykah is too experienced even if we don't want to admit it'' forcing Teddy's hand down but it was too late.
''Ohh? Little guy has a pokemon fellas, well we have a battle on our hands!'' Mykah shouted to his boys retrieving his own pokeball ''Come on chump...let's see''
''Go Dratini!'' Teddy shouted as he throw the ball into the air which burst open in a white light beaming Dratini on the ground a foot in front of him.
''Go Solosis!'' Albert shouted as he tossed his into the air too ''I cant let you do this alone bro'' Albert said though not breaking his gaze on Mykah
Mykah began to laugh ''two of your pathetic pokemon still won't be enough, go pokeball!'' Mykah shouted tossing his pokeball into the air which burst open to reveal a huge Crawdaunt.
Fear instantly struck Teddy, he knew of this pokemon as he saw a flashback to the stories his mother told him as a child of a wild Crawdaunt that killed her pokemon as a child, was this some sort of karmic power for not obeying his mother's wishes? Still holding the injured Ralts Teddy hesitated to call an attack.
''Solosis confusion!'' instructed Albert as the cell pokemon followed his trainers orders.
''Tank it...'' said Mykah calmly
''Dratini use growl!'' Teddy finally instructed as Dratini let out a growl louder than he anticipated however the Crawdaunt seemed completely unphased by both attacks.
Mykah smirked ''Bubblebeam Crawdaunt then straight into a crabhammer!''
Crawdaunt fired a series of pulsating bubbles at Solosis who managed to fly and weave out of their reach, after this failed attempted Crawdaunt turned to look at Dratini raising it's left claw into the air before launching itself at the dragon-type.
''Dratini return!'' shouted Teddy as he pointed the pokeball at his pokemon recalling it back inside unable to watch his pokemon take the hit.
Laughing, Mykah said ''Knew you didn't have the bottle Teddy suits me, Crawdaunt, bubblebeam the Ralts….''
Still holding the Ralts Teddy quickly turned his back to the Crawdaunt and dropped to his knees and shouted in pain as the water attack struck him with a great force knocking him to the ground still shielding the wild Ralts.
''What the fuck is your problem Mykah!'' Albert shouted as he recalled Solosis to its pokeball running over to Teddy ''Are you both ok?'' he asked
''Both of you recalled? suits me'' Mykah said smirking as he too recalled his pokemon ''Pathetic you two….always will be'' he continued as he kicked dirt at the two as him and his in-crowd left the scene going back into the woods.
Teddy got up to his knees still clutching the Ralts, who at this point started shivering and twitching uncontrollably.
''We have to get it to the pokemon centre now'' said Albert helping Teddy to his feet ''can you walk ok''
''Should be yeah..'' Teddy said wincing as he got to his feet
The two briskly made their way out of the clearing and back to the route as the rain picked up getting heavier and heavier. The boys made it back to the dirt path and broke into a run as they saw Heartstring city opening up in front of them and made their way hastily into the pokemon centre. They burst through the automatic glass doors as Nurse Joy came out from behind the desk and jogged over to them as Teddy fell to his knees.
''It's Ralts nurse Joy, we found it like this'' Albert informed Nurse Joy as she approached
''Chansey bring out the stretcher'' she instructed taking the Ralts from Teddy's hands ''This will definitely take a while, you are more than welcome to stay here the night'' she continued placing the injured pokemon upon the stretcher.
''Thank you nurse'' Albert said as she and Chansey turned away and rushed the pokemon into the back ''you ok bro?'' Albert asked as he pulled Teddy up off the floor.
Teddy had not spoken a word since the clearing battle, if you could call it, it was not what he had expected as his first trainer to trainer encounter and was getting constant feelings of doubt in his abilities to start this adventure, had he made a mistake?
''Im fine'' Teddy responded, not willing to discuss his thoughts at this time
The two made their way over to the seats on the far right of the Pokémon centre, placed their bags on the floor and sat down to re-group after an eventful day.