Chapter 9
"Absol, use Megahorn!"
At Rachel's command, the Disaster Pokemon used Megahorn against the training dummies, a few of them getting knocked over by the attack.
"Now, Dark Pulse!"
The dark energy hit one of the training dummies and knocked it back a few feet. Sky, who was flying overhead, gave a happy screech that made Rachel smile.
"I think you've inspired Sky, Absol," she said. "He's been working to make his supersonic attack strong."
"Absol," the pokemon said with a nod.
Crystal came out to them. "Hey, Kairi has dinner ready," she said, petting Absol, who let her.
"Thanks, sis," Rachel said with a smile before looking up to see her Zubat was fluttering around nearby. "Sky, dinnertime!" She called out.
"Zubat!" Sky cried out happily and flew down to her, landing in her hands and settling down as they went inside the Pokemon center.
Kairi smiled as she set some food down for Sky to eat at the table. "Here you go, Sky," she said.
"Zubat!" He greeted her in a happy voice, nuzzling her shoulder in thanks before settling to eat while Crystal put down another bowl of food for Absol. Treecko and Sawk were sitting at the table and eating their own food along with Kairi's Pokemon.
Alcremie was beside Kairi, helping her out before she sat down to eat too. "Enjoy, guys," the brown-haired trainer said.
Rachel noticed her dinner was a steak sandwich and she bit into it, giving an appreciative groan. "Oh, this is delicious, Kairi," she said.
"Yummy!" Crystal said happily, eagerly eating her sandwich.
The Pokemon expressed their thanks too, which made the teenager smile. "Thanks," she said.
It was quiet for a bit as everyone enjoyed their food, soon finishing the meal. "Do you think those two Team Rockets will bother us today?" Kairi asked.
"They better not," Rachel said firmly.
"Yeah!" Crystal said in agreement with her sister. "Those meanies better stay far away."
The Pokemon also nodded, ready to defend when Nurse Joy came up to them and they turned to her, to which she smiled. "I'm sorry to bother you all, but there is someone here to see you," she said, stepping to the side to reveal a girl that Rachel remembered well.
"Julie!" She exclaimed, jumping up and hugging the pink-haired girl, who laughed and hugged her back.
"Rach! It's been too long," she said in greeting.
Kairi smiled. "Hi, Julie," she said, remembering the girl.
"Hey, Kairi," the girl said, smiling. "How are you guys doing?"
"We've been well," the brown-haired teen said.
Crystal looked at the pink-haired girl curiously, having never met her before. Rachel noticed and smiled. "Julie, you remember Crystal, right?" She asked.
"Oh, yes, I do," Julie said, smiling. "Though when I last saw her, she was just turning two years old."
The little girl smiled, seeing that Julie was just like how her older sister described.
After they ate, the group began recollecting their adventures. "I've been out traveling, but have been deciding on perhaps doing performances," Julie said.
"That's great, Julie," Kairi said. "I might do that myself."
"I think I'll go for gym battles," Rachel said.
"Me too," Crystal said. "Then we can shut up that big meanie that still likes to ask you out, Rach."
Julie looked at Rachel. "Really? He still trying?" She asked.
"And failing miserably," Rachel said, making them all laugh.
"So what's been going on otherwise?" The pink-haired girl asked.
"Well, Crystal got her first Pokemon for her birthday and then got her first starter," Kairi said with a smile.
"Really?" Julie asked, smiling. "What Pokemon did you get, Crystal?"
The little girl grinned, motioning her two Pokemon over. Sawk came up to her with Treecko following and Julie was amazed. "Wow, a Sawk and a Treecko? That's really cool," she said.
"Uncle Charlie gave me Sawk as my first Pokemon and Professor Birch gave me Treecko," Crystal said.
"Crystal actually helped Professor Birch when he was stuck in a tree surrounded by angry Pokemon and she and Treecko bonded instantly," Rachel said.
"Have you won any battles yet, Crystal?" Julie asked.
"Not yet, but you watch. Treecko and Sawk are going to get really strong and then we'll put those meanies in their places!" The little girl said, standing tall.
"Sawk!" The karate Pokemon said in agreement.
"Treecko!" The little grass type said with a nod.
Julie smiled. "With a good attitude like that and strong belief in your Pokemon, I don't doubt that you will be a great trainer like your sister someday," she said.
Rachel was a bit surprised at the compliment, but then smiled. "Well, I'm not yet a great trainer, but I'm not going to give up," she said modestly.
"Zubat!" Sky said, going up to her and nuzzling his face against her cheek, as if to say he thought she was a great trainer.
"Absol," the disaster Pokemon said, nuzzling Rachel's hand in comfort.
Julie's eyes widened. "You have an Absol?" She asked in shock.
"Yes," Rachel said, petting Absol's head with a smile.
Julie pulled out her Pokedex. "Absol, the disaster Pokemon. Absol is good at detecting danger and tries to warn others before it is too late," her Pokedex said in its computerized voice.
"Wow," she said in awe. "Can I pet him?"
Rachel looked at Absol. "Absol, would you be okay with that?" She asked.
Absol went over to Julie, looking at her before nudging her hand and she gently pet him. "Absol," he said.
Julie looked amazed and excited. "I've never seen an Absol before," she said. "Where did you find him?"
"He actually helped me save Kairi, Crystal, Uncle Charlie, and all our Pokemon when two Team Rocket members captured them," Rachel said. "He heard us stand up for him after everyone else said horrible things about him. Uncle Charlie believes that us standing up for him led Absol to realize that not all humans are going to treat it like an outsider. We met up with him outside and he came up to me, indicating he wanted to be one of my Pokemon."
"Just goes to show that sometimes the Pokemon pick you instead of you picking them," Kairi said.
Crystal giggled. "Maybe that will happen to us too, Kairi," she said.
"Perhaps," Julie said with a smile.
Rachel got an idea. "Why don't you join us, Julie?" She asked.
The pink-haired girl smiled. "If you guys don't mind, I'd love to," she said.
"Sure," Kairi said, smiling.
"Yay!" Crystal cheered as the Pokemon cheered too, happy to have another teammate for the adventure.
Brief synopsis: Julie is Rachel's childhood friend since they were very little and Julie would occasionally help out at Charles' sanctuary for Pokemon. She was on her own journey until she heard of the girls' heroics with their uncle in stopping Team Rocket from stealing Pokemon eggs and set out to find them to visit. Looks like she's now part of the team. :)
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