Welcome my friends to my latest story! I know that I haven't updated my others in a while, but you must understand: writer's block is a bastard! But anyway, this chapter is just a random day in Lee, Ryo, and Joey's life on their journey to achieving their dreams. I hope you all like it.
Disclaimer: I don't own Pokemon.
Joey sat atop the nearby tree, an expensive camera was glued to his eye. Two pencils were planted onto his ears while a sandwich hung from his lips. Before Joey sat a lovely Illumise, happily posing for the aspiring artist. Every so often she would do a little spin and sniff a fragrant flower. It was rare for Illumise to be out during the daytime, but for Joey it was a pleasant surprise.
"Hey Joey, what are you doing up there?" Called one of Joey's companions, Ryo.
Joey did not stop his snapshots for the younger boy, instead he increased the pace. "I'm taking pictures of a daytime Illumise. It's rare for them to come out during the day like this."
In the short time Ryo had travel with Joey, he knew that his friend had an odd fascination for photography and art, and that getting him to do anything else would be almost as hard as taking a the skullcap from a Marowak. Ryo nodded in understanding, but continued with his hopes of getting his friend's help. "Do you want to battle me, Joey? I need to train my Pichu!" Ryo shouted up.
"Sorry man, I'm too busy." Joey stated.
Ryo just shrugged and walked off towards their campsite. Instead of doing the impossible, Ryo turned his sights toward something more… attainable: Lee.
Lee was sitting beside a river, legs crossed, arms folded, and a tight scowl planted on his face. Beside him sat his Growlithe, equally as solemn as his trainer.
Then, like the crack of a whip, Lee and Growlithe jumped into the river and began to swim against the current. The fire type, Growlithe, doggy paddled relatively hard before sinking under the water. A small squeak escaped its lips before fully sinking.
Lee just sighed before diving under the heavy current and retrieving his partner. He roughly threw the Pokemon on the shore and began poking its stomach as water came out. Lee poked twice before leaving the Pokemon to continue its struggle for life. He did not notice the younger boy, who witnessed the entire scene, run towards him.
"What the hell are you doing, Lee?!" Ryo shouted as he rushed forward and began pumping Growlithe's small belly. When Growlithe came to, he gave a low growl at Ryo and jumped into Lee's waiting arms.
Before Ryo could remark about how dumb Lee had been and how odd Growlithe was behaving (I mean, what Pokemon goes back to his owner after being nearly drowned by said owner), Lee delivered a hard punch to the younger boy's stomach. "What was that for?" Ryo drew out.
"That was a training exercise, bastard. Next time, don't interrupt or I will kill you." Lee stated.
Ryo just rolled his eyes before dusting off his clothes and standing. "That is a load of bull and you know it." Ryo was about to walk off and leave the insane duo to their own functions until he remembered why he came there in the first place. "Oh wait, Lee. I almost forgot why I came here."
Lee was gently rubbing his Growlithe's wet fur. "And what did you come here for, exactly?"
"I want to-"
"No."
"But you didn't even hear what I had to say!" Ryo pouted.
Lee placed his Growlithe on his shoulder. "You were going to ask for a Pokemon battle, right?"
Ryo flinched. "Well… yeah. But only because I need to train my Pichu! He isn't as strong as your Growlithe or Joey's Raltz! I need it to become stronger so that Pichu and I won't be a hindrance to the team."
"Seems like someone expanded his vocabulary." Lee said under his breath. "Look Ryo, even if I did battle you, what good would it do me? It's not like I can't simply train Growlithe on my own."
Ryo thought for a moment. "True, but you don't have the one thing you need: electricity."
"Electricity?"
"Yeah, electricity! Since Growlithe is already soaking wet, this is the only time when electricity will deal the most damage! That way we can up Growlithe's electricity resistance! It will be a pretty harsh training regimen, but it will get the job done. Plus, my Pichu will get some spar time!" Ryo grinned at his own brilliance.
Lee was silent for a while before his Growlithe gave an encouraging nod. Lee affectionately patted him partner's head. "You make a good point, Ryo." Lee said. "Alright fine. I will battle you, but only for Growlithe's own growth."
Ryo pumped his fist in the air. "Alright!" He then ran on the opposite side opposite Lee. He pulled out his Pokeball. "You ready for this, Lee?"
"Anytime!" Lee said. "I choose you, Growlithe!" Growlithe jumped from his master's shoulder and onto the battle field with a soft thump.
"It's your time, Pichu!" Ryo threw his Pokeball and out came a Pichu with a cute cowlick for hair.
The battle started. "Growlithe, use Fire Fang!" Growlithe began his charge against Pichu, mouth stretched open to display a mouthful of fire.
"Pichu, dodge!" Just before the canine's attack made contact, Pichu slid out of the way. "Now use Thudershock!" As Pichu came to a stop, and immediately a slurry of electricity came from the small Pokemon.
"Growlithe, stand your ground and endure!" Growlithe barked in acknowledgement. The Thundershock connected and Growlithe gave out a low growl, eyes narrowed and turned feral. "Your sorry attack won't hurt even a wet Growlithe! Now Growlithe, use Ember!"
Growlithe broke free from the electric field and barked loud before opening his jaws and blowing ember at Pichu, effectively hitting its target.
"Wow, Lee! Your Growlithe is stronger than I thought. But that doesn't matter because we won't quit!" Ryo shouted. "Pichu, use Thudershock once more!" Pichu complied by shooting the Thundershock at Growlithe.
"Growlithe, use ember again!" The fire met electricity and produced a small explosion in the battlefield. A cloud of dust sat on the field.
"I can't see a thing." Ryo stated. Pichu was equally mystified.
"Now Growlithe, use Fire Fang!" Growlithe emerged from the smoke and heavily charged at Pichu, taking the poor guy by surprise, and biting it with unimaginable heat. Pichu was knocked out.
"Aw man, we lost." Ryo whined as he returned his Pichu to its Pokeball. He then walked over to Lee and Growlithe.
"Return Growlithe." Growlithe returned to its master's Pokeball. "That was a good match, Ryo. Next time you should pit your Treecko against my Growlithe."
"No way!" Ryo said. "Your Growlithe would have the type advantage. I don't need a second loss."
Lee shook his head. "You shouldn't let something like that deter you from a battle. My old man used to say that types have nothing to do with the outcome of a battle. It is the determination of you and your Pokemon that decides the battle. Take our last battle for example. You clearly had the advantage since my Growlithe was wet, but I still won."
Ryo nodded knowingly. And this, my friends, is how the bond between Lee and Ryo grew.
Well? How was the first chapter? Please review! I know that this chapter was really short and probably pointless, but don't worry. The heat will come, and the pace will pick up! Trust me. The next chapter will feature a town, and you will probably get a feel for the region they are in and each character's background. Until next time!