Chapter 5: Albert

I stretched as I exited the hotel. My Pokemon were placed safely into their Pokeballs, and I was ready to head out to Route 5. First things first, though, breakfast. I let my nose lead me to a small cafe on the corner, which I entered without a second thought. I sat down at a table next to the front windows.

"Hello madam, what may I get you today?" A waiter asked, walking up to the table.

"Can I get a couple of... hmm, maybe... four cinnamon buns and a hot chocolate, both to go, please." He smiled and wrote down my order.

"It'll be right on over since we just made some fresh!" I nodded and leaned into my chair. I looked out the window at the passing people, and shrank down into my seat as Calem and Shauna ran past.

"Phew. They didn't see me."

"Excuse me miss, your order is at the register." The waiter from before said, still smiling.

"Thank you. I'll go pay then."

"Oh, no need to pay! Someone payed for you!" I narrowed my eyes. Who would do that?

"Who payed?"

"Why, that's the thing! The infamous Lysandre himself was here and he payed!" I nodded slowly. Okay, so that guy was a total creeper... or not. He seemed to be rather nice.

"Ah, is he still here?"

"No, he usually comes in for a few minutes in the morning to chat with Malva, the news reporter on the Holo-Caster. She'll leave after about ten minutes while he stays for about fifteen afterwords to finish his coffee."

"I see. I guess I'll grab my order and go then. Thanks for the info!"

"Alright, so this is Route 5!" I smiled out over the route, and bit into one of my cinnamon bun.

"Mmm, what smells so good?" A lazy voice said, as what looked like a leaf covered goat walked out of the trees to me.

"Oh, it's my cinnamon bun. Want a piece?" I broke off half of the bun and held it out.

"Yum, looks great!" The goat quickly took the food from me and ate it. "Whoa, that was so good!"

"I agree, but you have got to try my mum's. Hers are by far the best."

"Really? Can I stick with you then? I'd like to try those one day."

"You mean like... be a part of my team?"

"Yeah, sounds fun. I always wanted to know what the inside of one of those ball things is like."

"Well... okay. Just don't fight back, okay?" I placed my hot chocolate on the ground carefully, got out an empty Pokeball, and tapped it against one of the goat Pokemon's horns. After a few shakes and a ding, I let him back out.

"New Pokedex entry! Skiddo; the Mount Pokemon. Thought to be one of the first Pokemon to live in harmony with humans. It has a placid disposition. Skiddo often allow their Trainers to ride them once friendly enough."

"So you're a Skiddo?"

"Hm, yes, I guess so. I like to be called Scotty though."

"Alright then, you'll be Scotty. Would you like to meet my team?"

"Sure. Say, can I have another piece of cinnamon bun?" I threw him the remaining bun in my hand before unhooking my team's Pokeballs from my belt and throwing them all up.

"Come out!" All of them came out simultaneously. Michelle, as usual, ran right up to me and snuggled her way into my arms, careful of my take-out bag. Carla flew up in a stretch and landed on my head. Friar trotted around sniffing the grass. Fleur cheerfully floated up and down. And Salmon bounced and rolled in the grass. "Guys, this is your newest teammate, Scotty!"

"HI SCOTTY!"

"Scotty, this here in my arms is Michelle, that over there is Salmon, this up here is Carla, that's Friar, and she's Fleur."

"It's nice to meet you all. Didja know our Trainer has these delicious buns in that bag?"

"Delicious! Trainer Taylor, I demand to have some!" Carla said, pecking my head.

"Alright, alright! Let me divide them up!" I sat down on the grass and let the cinnamon buns tumble out of the bag. I ripped two of the buns into threes, and gave each of my Pokemon a piece. I kept the remaining bun for myself and grabbed my drink.

"Wow wow wow wow Trainer Taylor! This is so delicious!" Friar said, jumping up and down.

"I know Friar." I bit into mine.

"Lady Taylor!" I looked back towards the route gate. Tierno and Trevor ran over, Pokeballs at the ready. I swallowed before responding.

"Oh, hey guys."

"Lady Taylor! You're surrounded by wild Pokemon!" Tierno shouted and I blinked. Wild Pokemon? Did they not pay attention to my battle with Professor Sycamore?

"Uh, guys? These are my Pokemon."

"Oh, really? Sorry, honest mistake!"

"Tierno, we watched her battle with those Pokemon!"

"Sorry, sorry! I was just so mesmerized at her Pokemon's moves that I forgot which ones were actually battling!"

"Trainer Taylor? Who're these two?" Carla asked, automatically getting in front of me for protection.

"Carla, it's fine. This is Tierno and Trevor."

"Hmph. I don't like other trainers near you. It makes me feel... I don't know what I'm feeling. But it's a bad feeling about them!"

"Carla, it's fine. You're just feeling Protective. Besides, I taught you that really strong move, remember? Return? The more you feel that, the stronger the move."

"Whoa, Lady Taylor! I still can't get over the fact that you understand Pokemon!" I nodded mutely, reaching out and pulling Carla closer.

"Say, Tierno, didn't you wanna ask Lady Taylor something?"

"Oh yeah! Lady Taylor, battle me, please!"

"...right now?"

"Yeah!"

"...uh... alright. Carla, since you're out already..." Carla nodded and flew out of my arms.

"I'm on it!"

"Go Corphish!"

"Carla, use Return!" Carla swooped down at Tierno's Corphish, and slashed at it with her talons.

"Corphish, Swords Dance, then Vice Grip!"

"Get out of there Carla! Dodge and follow up with Return again!" Carla twirled mid-air and lunged at Corphish. She rammed into it with her beak. Corphish flew back from the hit. "Critical Hit! Good going Carla!"

"Come on back Corphish!" Tierno recalled his Pokemon and smiled. "Wow, that was great! Those rhythmic moves and that power!"

"Thanks...?" I blinked, before realizing that he should have had another Pokemon yet. "Tierno, didn't you get a Pokemon from the Professor?"

"Yeah, but I put him in the Day-Care! Since he was just born, and I can't take care of him very well..."

"Day-Care?"

"Ah, we'll show you! Meet us in Route 7, just past Camphrier Town!" And before I could ask if I could just travel with them, they ran off ahead.

"...ugh. Great."

"Trainer Taylor! I can see the town!" Carla shouted down at me. I had asked her to fly up and help me navigate.

"Thanks Carla!" She cawed and flew on ahead. I smiled. A rustle in the bushes next to me made me jump back and place a hand on my Pokeballs. A yellow Pokemon floated out, before collapsing. I ran forwards to it. "Are you alright?"

"...I... must Teleport away..." It's speech was drawled out lazily and tiredly. I slowly reached to it and placed my hand on it's head.

"It's okay. I'm Taylor, I won't hurt you. Are you hurt?"

"No... just tired..."

"Well, how about you rest, and I'll sit here and guard you. See that Pidgey up there?" The Pokemon struggled to look up. "That's Carla. She'll alert me to anyone coming, and I'll send out one of my teammates to fight them!"

"Thank you..."

"Trainer Taylor! Are you alright! There's a wild one next to you!" Carla said, swooping down.

"It's fine Carla. He's exhausted. We're going to guard him. So fly up and keep watch okay? He can't hurt me."

"Well... if he does, I'll stop him!"

"Yeah, yeah, now shoo. Keep watch." I shooed her off, and leaned back against a tree, settling in for a long watch.

"Taylor? Lady Taylor, what are you doing, sleeping out here?" I groggily opened my eyes to see Calem and Shauna standing in front of me. I felt a weight shift in my lap, and looked down to see the yellow Pokemon from before still asleep, only now he was in my lap.

"Hmm...? Oh, I was watching out for this little guy here."

"Oh wow! That's an Abra! They're so rare! Is it yours?"

"Uh... yeah. His name's Albert." I lied, knowing they'd believe me.

"So cool!"

"Shh! Shauna, it's trying to sleep!" Calem said, shushing the girl. I stretched a little. "Anyway, it was nice seeing you Lady Taylor. I was escorting Shauna to Camphrier Town's Shabboneau Castle."

"Yeah! I'm going to get the grand tour!"

"We'll be seeing you later, Taylor!" The two waved and continued down the road. What was up with these kids and running off as soon as I saw them?

"Say... Trainer..." I glanced down at the Abra.

"Yeah, Abra?"

"You... lied to your friends about... me."

"It's fine. If I didn't, Calem would've caught you and forced you fight. Obviously you only want to sleep."

"Yes... say, Trainer... I like that name... Albert... can I join your team...?" I blinked, not exactly shocked at the request. It was a common one after all.

"Well, sure."

"Great... can I sleep more...?"

"After I get you in a Pokeball. It'll prevent other trainers from catching you."

"Alright..." I searched my bag for a Pokeball. It took me a few minutes to find a Great Ball. I tapped it against his head. I let him out once it dinged to confirm his capture.

"Darn, you're my seventh Pokemon..."

"So...?"

"Legally, I can't have more than six Pokemon on me at a time. I'll have to send one of my Pokemon to the PC, which will send them to the Professor's lab..." I didn't want to do that, though.

"Then ignore the law..." I laughed at that.

"Why not. Want me to carry you, or are you content to float behind me?"

"Mmm..." He trailed off. I waited for him to continue, but after a few seconds soft snores came from him. I chuckled and picked him up.

"Carla? Carla, are you out there?"

"Trainer Taylor? You're awake!" I heard her call, before feeling her familiar weight on my head.

"Y'know, once you evolve, you can't sit up there anymore."

"I know. Which is why I'm getting the most out of this while I still can!" I shook my head with a laugh.

"Oh alright. Let's go on ahead."