Chapter Five: Strength in Each Other

Touko stretched, allowing her muscles to relax as she finished her piece of bread she was munching on her a dessert. Snivy was sitting on the table besides her and picked each piece of Pokemon food up in her bowl gleefully and popped it into her mouth. Looking out the window, Touko focused on the spot where she had battled with N minutes ago.

...

"Daydreaming as usual?" A familiar voice filled Touko's ears and she grinned even without looking. The voice was husky but friendly, with a tone of confidence lingering around it. Turning around, Touko grinned even larger as she saw the boy who appeared a year older than her standing there. He was wearing a black t-shirt with a blue jacket over it. He wore black pants and red shoes that matched his hat. His hat was white although the front part was red with a black Pokeball icon and a black brim. His light brown hair was hidden underneath it and fell to waves just below his ears. His caramel eyes sparkled as he waved poshly at Touko. "Miss me?"

"Miss you? You know I've missed you!" Touko jumped from the booth, wrapping her arms around the boy's neck and squeezing. The boy laughed and wrapped his arms around her as well, returning the tight hug. Touko smiled gently, nuzzling her face into his warmth. When she was in his arms, she felt so safe and loved. "Touya, where have you been? What have you been doing? I have a plethora of questions for you!" Touko leaned back to stare up at him, grinning.

"I've been out adventuring and meeting all sorts of Pokemon." He raised a finger to press it against Touko's lips as she attempted to talk. "Don't go spewing out all your questions, I would like to talk." Touko frowned but her eyes sparkled with a smile and Touya smiled back. He motioned to the seat and Touko obliged, sitting down as Touya sat across from her.

...

"I heard that you were going on a Pokemon journey so I had to wish my best friend good luck! Besides, she would need it." Touya laughed as Touko leaned over the table to punch his shoulder. "What I really wanted was to give you a present."

"Really?" Touko grinned, clasping her hands together in excitement. She loved to get presents, and Touya had always been a good gift-giver.

"Really." Taking off his back back and sitting in gently on the seat besides him, he opened it slowly. He pulled out a sturdy golden-colored case with see-through glass walls on the sides. Inside, resting on a pillowy substance was a red egg with a blue and white design on the middle that wrapped around the egg. Touko said nothing but her hands received the egg lovingly, cradling it onto her lap.

"Touya... this is... amazing." Touko finally managed to sputter out, captivated by the egg. Snivy took this time to hop over to Touko, peering through the glass walls at the Pokemon. "It's an egg Snivy, that will hatch into another Pokemon friend!" Snivy's eyes sparkled and she placed her nose up against the glass.

"Snivy-sniv."

"What is it Touya?" Touko tore her eyes from the egg, glancing up at Touya.

"It will be a surprise." Touya grinned and Touko frowned at him.

"Hey, want to catch up then? We have so much to talk about!" Offered Touko, but Touya only looked down and shook his head.

"Sorry Touko but I have an appointment soon. I promise we'll catch up though. Besides, by then you might actually have stories to share." He laughed and Touko couldn't help but laugh at the truth.

"You promise though?" She grabbed his hands in hers, staring determinedly into his eyes.

"Promise."

...

Touko was feeling good as she exited Accumula Town, holding onto the egg tightly. She breathed in the scents of Route Two as she entered, grinning widely at the wide open air. Holding the container close to her face, she smiled and pressed her lips on it in a kiss. "I can't wait for you to hatch. Then you can meet Snivy and you two will have the greatest of times. Not to mention we'll get along great too." Touko smiled, kissing the container once more before beginning to head into the route. Not even five steps in, her Xtransceiver began to ring. Stopping and adjusting the egg container, she flipped open her device.

...

"Touko! It's your mom!" Touko's mom waved at her daughter from the screen.

"No way, I would've never guessed." Touko grinned as her mother laughed from the other screen.

"How are things? Are you and your Pokemon getting along and enjoying your journey so far?"

"Yeah, everything is going great! I even met up with Touya back at the Pokemon Center! He gave me a Pokemon egg as a commencement present. I wonder what it will hatch into." Touko lifted up the egg carrier, showing her mother the red egg with the white and blue design on the front.

"How wonderful, he's such a sweet boy. Anywho, I needed to talk to you, so I called, but I'm going to hang up the Xtransceiver now."

"What, mom?" Touko attempted to stop her mother, but she had already flicked off the screen. "She is a crazy woman."

"Touko?" Surprised, Touko turned around to see her mother standing behind her. "There! I caught up to you. I checked the Pokemon Center and you were gone, I had to call to make sure you didn't go any further. But look how far you've come already!" Smiling, Touko and her mother hugged. "Professor Juniper said that you were probably heading for Striaton City by now. Like Touko, I have another present for you. Try these on!" Grinning, Mrs. White handed her daughter a pair of shoes similar to her current ones. "I thought you would like a new pair of shoes, considering those ones have been through a lot even before a journey!" The two laughed and Touko nodded.

"This is true!"

"I actually bought them a few months ago and had stashed them somewhere. I was cleaning earlier today and I found them." She laughed, smiling. "I guess it's good to clean up occasionally." Suddenly, her smile turned soft and a bit worried. "Touko, you understand that you're never really alone, right? You're with Pokemon, you have friends, and you're always, always in my thoughts." Her mother brought her into a loose hug, placing her lips on her child's head.

"Of course mom." Touko blinked, thinking about her mother's words before squeezing her tightly.

"That's all right, then!" Her mother pulled away, smiling softly and staring down at her child with love. "You enjoy your trip." Nodding, Touko watched her mother disappear back into Accumula Town and head towards the direction of Nuvema Town.

...

"Hey you!" Touko was startled as a young boy called her out. She almost didn't notice him as he was hiding in the tall grasses. "When one Trainer catches another one's eyes, that is the start of a Pokemon battle!" He pointed at her, standin up and walking over to battling distance. "Come on out, Patrat!"

Situating the egg to her other arm, Touko fished out Snivy's Pokeball. "Snivy! Front and center!"

"Patrat! Leer!" The Patrat closed his eyes, opening them suddenly and glaring at Snivy. In turn, Snivy backed up and shuddered.

"Snivy, stop it with Tackle!" The Grass Snake Pokemon let out a cry, running at the brown Pokemon and knocking him over. "Vine Whip!" Snivy turned, nodding and shooting her vines straight at Patrat, slapping him around. "Keep it up Snivy!" Snivy nodded, continuing to use her vines to smack him around.

"Patrat! Bite!" The Youngster ordered his Pokemon, Patrat finding a spot to get free. He charged at the confused Snivy and bite straight onto both her vines. Snivy cried out in pain and retracted her vines.

"Snivy! End it with Tackle!" Narrowing her eyes, Snivy used her feet to push off and hit the Patrat square, knocking him out.

"Awh man! You're too strong!" Calling back his Pokemon, the Youngster frowned.

"Way to go Snivy." Touko grinned, calling back Snivy and tucking her ball away. "That was a good battle, I'm sure you're going to get better." Touko approached the boy, shaking hands with him.

"Thanks, I think I'm going into the taller grass and looking for more Pokemon!" Grinning, he scurried off into the grass once more. Touko grinned and laughed, cradling the egg once more and heading back through the route.

...

It had taken her a good hour to get through the route but the afternoon sun was still shining. Touko was pleased, though, to see the gates of Striaton City waiting to greet her up ahead. It was at this time that she heard a voice behind her.

"Touko! C'mon, Touko!" Turning around, she saw Bianca running towards her, waving her hand wildly.

"Hey Bianca."

Panting, Bianca held up a finger to tell her to hold on. Touko grinned and stayed quiet until Bianca took a few more gulps of breath. "Hey, listen. Let's have a Pokemon battle!" Bianca grinned, holding a Pokeball in her hand tightly. "Pleeeese? The Pokemon I caught have become a little stronger! Oshawott and I will really show you this time! So, ready or not, here I come!" Stepping back, Bianca whirled up her arm and sent out her Lillipup.

"Sounds good, Snivy and I will show you just how much she's really grown too!" Cradling her egg with one arm, Touko dug out her Pokeball and summoned up Snivy.

"Lillipup, let's start with Tackle!" Lillipup barked, heading straight towards Snivy.

"Snivy! Vine Whip!" Snivy shot the vines from her collar but this time she seemed to order them to go into a constriction pattern. "Huh, is that Wrap?" Bianca didn't seem to notice and instead commanded Lillipup.

"Lillipup! Dodge that quick!" She barked twice in quick succession, stopping her tackle and jumping back. "Tackle once more Lillipup!" Rushing forwards, Lillipup aimed straight for Snivy.

"Wait Snivy." The two waited until Lillipup was close. "Now, Wrap!" Snivy cried out, shooting her vines out to wrap around Lillipup and throw it to the ground. She yipped out in surprise and struggled against the vines. "Now! Vine Whip!" Snivy retracted her vines back a ways before using them again to hit Lillipup quickly.

"Lillipup, get out of there!" Rolling on her side, Lillipup escaped the vines but she knelt down in pain from the after-effect of the Wrap. "Tackle!" Getting up and snarling, she ran at Snivy and hit her, causing her to stumble back.

"Snivy! Retaliate with Tackle as well!" Snivy used her tail to bounce on her landing, sliding back and holding herself in place with her paw. Running fast, she hit Lillipup just as she landed, sending her flying back and unconscious at her trainer's feet.

"Oh my, oh my. My poor, sweet dear." Kissing Lillipup's Pokeball, she placed it in her bag and called out Oshawott. "Now my love! Show Snivy what you've learned! Tackle full blast!" Oshawott slapped his chest a few times and charged straight at Snivy.

"Not happening, stop it Snivy!" Using her vines, Snivy stopped Oshawott just as he almost hit her.

"Oshaaa." Struggling against the vines, Snivy grinned and brought them up and slammed them down onto him. Oshawott cried out in pain and fell.

"Oshawott! Get out of there! Water Gun!" The Otter Pokemon looked up at the smug Snivy and blasted her face with water. Stepping backwards and falling, Snivy rubbed her face, blinded by the jet of water. "Tackle!" Oshawott, leaped at the opportunity, headbutting her backwards even farther.

"Snivy! Vine Whip!" Snivy wiped her face, her limp vines suddenly coming to life behind Oshawott and hurtling towards him.

"Oshawott! Look out!" Turning around, Oshawott was too late to respond as the vine slammed simultaneously into him, throwing up a cloud of dust. As it settled, Oshawott was shown to be unconscious, muttering out his name.

...

Bianca called back her Oshawott, mumbling words to him as she put him back. Looking up, Touko realized she was grinning and Bianca rushed towards her. "Woo-hoo! You are a tough cookie, Touko. I'm gonna work hard on training my Pokemon so we won't lose anymore!" Finally, she seemed to notice the egg Touko was carrying. "Is that a Pokemon egg?" Touko nodded and Bianca squealed with excitement. "Ooooooh! How cool! What is it?!"

"I'm not sure, Touya gave it to me, he wouldn't say." Touko looked down at the egg.

"What!? Touya! Eek! How cool! He came to give you a present and it was a Pokemon egg! You're so lucky Touko!" Bianca grinned and then suddenly held her finger up. "That's right! I've got to train if I want to beat you! Okay, bye-bye!" Bianca waved quickly, rushing back out into the Route to train some more.

...

Touko accepted her Pokeball from Nurse Joy, tucking Snivy's ball away before taking the egg from Nurse Joy. "All set! The egg is in great condition although it doesn't seem close to hatching. Snivy's all better to, take care!" Touko thanked Nurse Joy and waved at Audino, heading outside and looking around Striaton City. It was one of the more rural cities, but it was still city-like with a few tall skyscrapers. Looking at the map of the town located near the Pokemon Center, Touko was able to find the Gym.

"I wonder if it's fun." Touko talked to herself, looking at the Gym's icon. "I like battling and so does Snivy. It wouldn't hurt to try out a Gym." Smiling, she planned her route to the Gym and set off.

...

As she came across the Gym, she was aware of a man standing outside the doors. He waved at her but didn't let her enter the Gym. "Hey there, my name's Clyde."

"I'm Touko." She shook hands with the man after adjusting the egg and tried to peer over his shoulder into the gym.

"Are you looking for the Gym Leader?"

"Yes actually, where is he?"

"He's not here, he could be in the Trainer's School though. If you want to challenge him, please go find him." He suggested, and Touko nodded.

"Thanks Clyde, but... where is the Trainer's School?" Touko bit the inside of her cheek softly, looking down.

"The Trainer's School is not that far from this Gym. Just head back to the Pokemon Center and it should be around the next street."

"Thanks!"

"No problem." Clyde waved at her as she headed back down the street, making it to the Trainer's School in a few minutes.

...

The courtyard was large, stretching up until it reached some stone steps that led into a matching stone building. It was quiet inside and an usher stood by the door. The hallway was long and led into a whole bunch of different rooms behind closed doors.

"Hi there, I'm Touko. Do you know if the Striaton City Gym Leader is here?" She approached the usher and he shook his head.

"Sorry, I haven't seen him. Another Trainer came in here asking as well, kind of snippy." The usher shrugged. "You could ask that Trainer if they've seen him, he's down the hall turning left, fourth room on the right."

"Thank you." Touko headed away from the usher, down towards where he had directed her. Upon entering, Touko could see a few people reading or studying but what caught her eye was a trainer with dark hair studying the board intensely.

...

Grinning, Touko headed over to him quietly and placed a hand on his shoulder, feeling him flinch in surprise. "Scared ya, huh, Cheren?"

Cheren cleared his throat, turning to face her and pushing his glasses up his nose. "I'm sure anyone would be startled when someone sneaks up on them." Touko rolled her eyes and smiled at her friend.

"Whatever." Looking up at the board, she saw a whole bunch of facts of Pokemon. "What are you doing here anyway, don't you know everything about Pokemon?"

"I do basically know everything but I sometimes like to make sure I don't forget my skills. Have you come looking for the Gym Leader?"

"Actually I was." Touko sounded surprised, until she realized this was the snippy trainer the usher was talking about.

"He was here talking about Pokemon types until just a few moments ago... maybe you walked right past him?" He laughed and Touko rolled her eyes with a smile.

"I did not, I feel like I would notice him." She laughed as well.

"I'm sure you would." He laughed before pointing at the egg cradled in her arms. "Where did you get a Pokemon Egg?"

"Touya! He came to see me in Accumula Town, he wouldn't tell me what Pokemon it is though." She frowned but laughed, smiling down at the egg.

"Sweet, Touya is a good friend. By the way, Touko, will you have a Pokemon battle with me? I want to test how important an item truly is in battles."

Touko tapped her chin, grinning. "Let's do it!"

"Sweet, let's see how effective my items really are... or should I test how good I am without items...?" Cheren frowned, going into deep thought for a minute. "Anyway, this is going to be an indoor match in the indoor arena so let's not be too rough." Leading Touko away, he went into the next few rooms over, opening into a large battle space. The two took places on either end and grinned at each other.

...

"Tepig! Let's get it done!" Cheren called out his starter, the fiery pig stomping his hoof and blowing embers from his nose.

"Snivy, type advantages don't scare us!" Calling out Snivy, the Grass Pokemon landed gracefully, narrowing her eyes at Tepig. "We're going to win this time!"

"Hmph, we'll see! I have a type advantage. Ember." Tepig blew flames from his nostrils, showering Snivy who cried out from the pain.

"Snivy! Hang in there and use Wrap!" Shielding her face, Snivy stood up defiantly and her vines flew from her collar. They wrapped around Tepig securely and then threw him down, interrupting his ember. He squealed and Cheren was quick to react.

"Ember once more!" Snivy was unable to dodge it as it moved right up her vines and blasted her. Snivy retracted her vines, her skin tinting orange a bit and falling to one knee. Tepig also fell to one knee, the Wrap's effect hurting him. "So both of our Pokemon have a damage over time effect, even enough." He grinned and pointed at Snivy. "Tackle!" Catching his breath, Tepig charged at Snivy who looked up in time to follow Touko's command.

"No way! Snivy! Stop Tepig with Vine Whip!" Her vines shot out, stopping the fiery Pokemon mid-tackle and hitting him hard two times on the shoulders before pushing him back. The Fire Pig Pokemon just snorted, embers flying from his nose as he stood up. The two faced each other but each winced in pain as their damage effects took place.

"Barely did anything against a Fire-type Touko!" Touko bit her lip and looked at Snivy, who looked to be in much pain. She was trying hard to stay on her feet though, for Touko. "And look at that, Tepig's using his Oran Berry I gave him." Touko watched as Tepig ate the Berry, grinning and munching obnoxiously. He shook out, feeling refreshed and narrowing his eyes at Snivy.

"I can't let her down! We will win! We just have to play defensive, Tepig is slowly getting worn down by Wrap." Touko looked over at Tepig who was doing better than Snivy, but he was wincing from Wrap's after-effect even after eating his berry. "Snivy! Let's do this!" Snivy agreed, letting out a cry of determination and a green glow surrounded her and her vines. She looked no better but one would be able to tell she felt stronger by the sparkle in her eyes.

"Tepig! Ember!" He took a deep breath, blowing embers towards Snivy.

"Use Vine Whip to dodge that!" Snivy obeyed, her vines bouncing her up out of harm's way. "Now Tackle!" Using her vines once more to push off the ground, she hurtled straight towards Tepig. She hit him straight on the side, the Fire Pig crying out and falling to his side.

"Tepig, Ember for the final time!" Lifting his head, Tepig spewed embers all around Snivy as she landed.

"No! Snivy, smack him with your vines!" Obeying, Snivy mustered her strength to use her vines to hit Tepig over, hard. Both Pokemon stopped their attacks and fell to the ground. Snivy was laying on her stomach and Tepig on his side. Both were still conscious and both started to get up slowly. Using their last strength to stand, they locked eyes. Suddenly, Snivy cried out in pain as the burn scorched through her body, causing her to fall to her knees. Tepig grinned but he acted too soon as the last of Wrap had its effect. He squealed out and fell to his knees before gritting his teeth and toppling over. All eyes were on Snivy now as she kneeled, shaking all over. Finally, she lifted one foot out, pressing with all her might to stand. With another foot, she balanced herself with her tail and pushed her body up to stand, though she shook and looked downwards.

"SHNIVY!" Crying out, Snivy raised her arms, her vines shooting from her collar and wiggling in the air.

"Snivy! Yes!" Touko ran towards her Pokemon, setting down the egg and picking her up and spinning her around. "Snivy, you did it! You. Did. It!" Kissing the Pokemon's nose, she fished her backpack for a slice of bread to feed Snivy to heal her wounds and burn. "Thank you, you are a true, true friend. I love you Snivy. There is strength in both of us. Together, we are unstoppable." The two touched heads together and stayed like that until Cheren approached them.

...

Cheren stared down at the floor after calling back Tepig. He was mumbling to himself but Touko heard him as he got closer. "So learning to use items well is definitely important. Here, Touko, I'll give you these berries." Cheren handed her a handful of Oran Berries. "Pokemon can eat them to heal up while in battle. They won't use man-made objects though." Cheren explained and Touko smirked.

"No way." She feigned sarcastic humor, and Cheren rolled his eyes this time.

"Well, I'm just saying. Good luck Touko!" Waving at her, he exited the battlefield and headed out of the Trainer School.