Disclaimer: I do not own Pokemon or its original characters.
Chapter 6,
Kuro had to pull his reluctant Spireon and her egg away from Chap, and then he and Pepper went out and started their camp site. Pepper borrowed a Zubat from a kind older woman they knew named Michelle. Michelle use to be their teacher before they retired, and they loved her a lot. Zubats were fairly common in this area, but most people didn't have them as Pokemon. Pepper thought it would be the perfect spy to keep a safe eye out for those nasty poachers.
"Do you even know what to do if we find them?" Kuro asked, watching Pepper as she smacked two quartz rocks together to try and light the fire.
"First, observe them to make sure that they are actually poachers, and not some scientists doing research on Pokemon. Then we could jam their equipment, or steal their supplies, or whatever is needed to protect the shiny Sizzlipede." Pepper said and Kuro sighed, and laid back on his sleeping bag.
"Doesn't it seem kinda strange for there to be any sort of Sizzlipede in the Hoenn region, when they are suppose to be in the Galar region?" Kuro asked and Pepper glared at him.
"Isn't it strange that you have a ghost-eeveelution, when it doesn't exist?" Pepper snapped, and Kuro chuckled lightly.
"Fair enough. But what if there is no shiny Sizzlipede? What if it's really just a rumor?" Kuro asked and Pepper got more annoyed and hit the rocks harder.
"Stupid twigs are too damp to light." Pepper muttered before giving up on it. Then Pepper sighed and looked up at Kuro.
"Be logical Kuro. If it's just a rumor, then those poachers believed in a bunch of lies, but I would still like to take out their equipment to save future Pokemon. If it's a rumor, and they are somewhat intelligent beings, then they are here for a different reason, and we gotta find out what that is. But if it's true, then I want to save that shiny Sizzlipede from harm." Pepper said, and Spinda curled in her lap and she petted the cute creature.
"By catching it ourselves?" Kuro asked and Pepper shrugged.
"Do you even have pokeballs?" Pepper asked, and Kuro nodded.
"Actually Mayor Locke gave me some." Kuro said and Pepper blinked.
"No kidding?" Pepper asked and Kuro nodded.
"You know how... discouraged I am about capturing Pokemon. And it doesn't help that dad was so rough catching Eev. But Mr. Locke did point out that it might be nice to have some on hand. It would be a safer way of transporting Eev in town, not to mention other Eevees I happen to find. And there might be a chance that I may need to defend myself against wild Pokemon, and I can use the pokeballs to take them to a poke center to heal. Once they are better, I can release them, like I tried to release Eev. If they want to stay, I'll give them a good home, if not, then they are free to, basically, be free." Kuro said and Pepper shrugged.
"Yeah. And it would kinda help if you had more pokemon on your team. Eev's great and all, but you gotta admit that you might need more then her to survive." Pepper said and Kuro furrowed his brow at her.
"Thanks for the vote of confidence." Kuro said and Pepper rolled her eyes.
"Oh, you know what I mean. It's smart to make sure that you get a fire Pokemon for when you can't light fires, like I can't right now. And it's good to have water Pokemon in case you find yourself without water. It would help to have a plant Pokemon that can grow shelter, or even food in case you run out. As unlikely as that stuff is, it's good to have more then one." Pepper said and she looked down at Spinda.
"Those stupid brats cornered my baby and I didn't know what to do until you came along. If I had another Pokemon, then maybe I could have saved Spinny on my own. If something did happen to Spireon, you'd want some help saving her; trust me." Pepper said and Kuro relaxed his gaze at her words.
"I was glad to help, but I hope you're not being too hard on yourself. Most people here only have one Pokemon. And, you know, you can always get Spinny a friend. Maybe I can help, and send you Pokemon that I think Spinny will like." Kuro said, and Pepper sighed heavily.
"This stupid, stupid town... It almost feels like Littleroot Town will never accept her because she's just a normal Pokemon. She's not an Oddish, or Geodude, or even an Igglybuff. She's a Spinda... and it seems like I'm the only one that really loves her." Pepper said and Kuro sat up again.
"Don't say that Pepper, I've always loved Spinny. Do you remember when she dumped paint on those jerks yelling at Eev? Or when she threw dad's house keys in the trash? Or she knocked our principal into the port as they were telling us what it means to export our fish to other locations?" Kuro said and Pepper smiled softly.
"I'm sure those were all accidents." Pepper said and Kuro shrugged.
"Well, maybe, but they were still pretty awesome. Eev and I both love Spinny, don't we Eev?" Kuro turned to look at Spireon. She was sitting next to her egg, which was warmly wrapped in a blanket, and she smiled at Pepper.
"Thank you Eev." Pepper said and she looked at Kuro.
"Spinny and Eev really do love each other." Pepper looked back down at Spinny and bit her lip.
"Which... is one of the reasons why I think you should take Spinny with you." Pepper said and Kuro's eyes widened.
"What? Are you serious?" Kuro said and Pepper nodded.
"Yeah. It would be good for her. That, and it would be nice for you to have a piece of home as you literally travel the world." Pepper said with a sad smile, and it broke Kuro's heart.
"Pepper, I can't just take Spinny away from you." Kuro said.
"You're not, Kuro. If anything, this will give me more motivation to join you later down the road. In the meantime, like you said, we can always call each other, and I'll get to see Spinny then." Pepper said, and Kuro paused for a moment. He couldn't think of anything to change Pepper's mind. But he couldn't help but admire her for trying to make Spinny's life better even though it makes herself sad.
"I don't approve... but if you're sure, I will take Spinny with me." Kuro said, and Pepper nodded. She reached into her back pocket, and pulled out a luxury ball, which surprised Kuro.
"Wow. Where did you get that?" Kuro asked and Pepper looked at him.
"You remember that poem I sent in to the Tundra Talent? The editor liked it so much that she sent me this. I thought it would be a comfortable home for Spinny, and help her form a better bond with you." Pepper said.
"Spinda." Spinny said and Pepper chuckled.
"Are you ready to go in the ball, kiddo?" Pepper said and Spinny sat up.
"Spi." Spinny said.
"I love you too." Pepper said, and then Spinny hit the poke ball, and beamed into it.
"I guess she hates prolong goodbyes as much as I do." Pepper said, and she handed the ball to Kuro. He almost felt like a traitor for taking Spinny from Pepper, but he didn't have much time to think about it, because they heard another noise ring in the air.
"Zubat!" They looked up and saw the creature flying down to them.
"You think he found the poachers?" Kuro said as Pepper quickly wiped her eyes.
"At least we don't have to put out the fire." She said, and she handed Kuro a flashlight.
Kuro and Pepper slowly approached a campsite with three individuals sitting around a campfire. They didn't exactly look like evil poachers, but it's not like they require a uniform. It was kinda hard to see from where they were standing, but there appeared to be one eating by the fireplace, one sitting at a table, looking at maps, and one sitting by the tent while sharpening a knife of some kind.
"I'm so sick of these travel meals. Why couldn't we have eaten in town. There is this barbecue place I'd love to pig out at." The one by the fire said. It appeared to be a woman with long bright purple hair, and green eyes.
"We don't have the money to pig out- especially if you're eating Sikari." The man sitting on the table said. He had medium-lengthed grey hair and thick glasses. The woman scoffed at his response.
"Well excuse me, Wilderer, if I want to dine on brisket or grilled beef tongue every once in a while. I'm not some southern belle, I should be allowed to eat." She said.
"I know, Kari, I know. But you know the boss wants that Sizzlipede. We just can't afford to go out until we get paid." He said, and Kari rolled her eyes.
"Big bad boss pays us on commission, if you can even call it that. I swear we would have been better off working normal jobs." Kari said.
"Oh yeah? What are you qualified for, pie-eating contests?" He said.
"Hey, shut up Wild, some people make bank on eating contests." Kari said and Wild rolled his eyes.
"I'm sorry you're burnt out on camp cooking, but maybe after we get paid we can buy something nicer, ok?" Wild said and Kari rolled her eyes.
"Steak would be nice. Maybe some turkey legs. How much are we getting paid for the fire thing anyways?" Kari asked and Wild put down his glasses and rubbed his eyes.
"Why do I work with you?" Wild asked and Kari smirked.
"Because I'm strong and psycho at all the right times." Kari said and Wild sighed.
"True, very true." Wild said softly.
"Wild, Kari, did you hear that?" This was the person with the knifes. This appeared to be another male, but with
"What was it Stroper?" Wild asked and Stroper stood up.
"I think that Victini trap we set up went off." Stroper said and Kari jumped up.
"No way!" Kari said excitedly and Stroper blinked at her.
"Do you have to be so shocked at one of my inventions working?" Stroper asked and Kari hugged Stroper.
"I'm so glad you're addicted to weapons." Kari said and Stroper grimaced.
"Come on, Kari! I like metal. It's not my fault that so many weapons are made out of metal." Stroper said, and Kari let him go.
"Let'sGoLet'sGoLet'sGo!" Kari said, and Wild stood up and grabbed his bag.
"You must be really hungry." Wild said and Kari groaned.
"A warm glass of powdered milk before bed isn't the same as having a fat juicy burger." Kari said and Wild chuckled.
"Point taken." Wild said and then the three walked off; unaware that two individuals were about to make their lives very, very difficult.