Hello one and all! I'm very excited to be back writing again and able to finally put pen to paper for this story. It's been bouncing aronud my head for months and it's nice to actually get it out there. I apologize for how long it's been since my original post about a rewrite, but life has been very busy. On top of that, I've also been working on an original novel which I'm happy to say is going through round 1 of edits
To be honest, I wasn't sure I'd try writing again on this site after all the negative feedback I received from my last few chapters, but I was inspired to try again after rereading a few of my favorite Pokemon Fanfics, You know nothing Jon Snow, To be the Very Best, and a new one Pokemon Trainer Vicky
The latter is one of the best stories I've read for Pokemon and I highly recommend it if you're looking for a good SI or just good Pokemon story in general.
Now onto what you really came here for: This is a rewrite of my original story, which is still available on my profile page, however, it has gone through some major edits. First, I've taken out the Self Insert aspects. I never really liked it to begin with and had so much trouble balancing it, but had already committed and tried to make it work to hit or miss results.
As such, this story will be similar to my first in overall concept with some scenes and plot points being carried over, while also going in a very new direction as well. I've been thinking about it for a while now and taking in the feedback, constructive or not, shared on my last run through.
I've actually posted a poll on my profile that I encourage you all to check out as it will decide a big factor of the story. I've only planned out in detail what I'm calling the Prologue Arc so far and will see how things go before turning the rest from thoughts and random notes into actual chapters
I'm trying to post shorter chapters now as well to see if it helps keep me more engaged and adaptable as the story progresses. Any and all feedback is appreciated, but when framing constructive thoughts, please be sure to suggest how I can do better instead of just saying the story sucks and therefore I do as well.
I truly hope fans of the original will come to like this new version and any new readers do as well!
Chapter 1: To Be the Very Best
Joey stared out at the flat grasslands below him that stretched farther than his immature sight could properly make out. Green strands of clean cut grass swayed in the warm evening breeze whichever way it chose to break next. The blue sky ran alongside it, acting like the opposite side of a thin sheet of paper. It slowly shifted colors to a brilliant golden pink as the sun set beyond the horizon and outlined the two story siloes on the distant end of the farm where much of the excess feed was stored and lit up the massive pond with its blinding rays.
All across the bumpy landscape there was a buzz of activity despite the sun already calling it quits. Field hands wrapped up their daily chores, repairing the broken down fences surrounding the property or filling in the last few patches of uprooted earth to avoid another accident with the plow. Two more were busy plucking the last fresh berries from his mother's garden of berry and honey trees while another sprayed an abundant number of Repels to keep hungry critters from getting the wrong idea.
Of course, humans weren't the only ones hard at work, which was the reason Joey was up here in the first place. The scenery was nice, but watching all the Pokemon scattered about was the true joy. Several Machoke lifted heavy bales of hay into the feeder so none would go hungry overnight while a massive Rhydon heaved dirt into the pot holes alongside its trainer. In the pond, a school of Goldeen leapt from the water to show off their impressive scales to the less impressive Magikarp that flopped onto the shore, needing some help from a Poliwhirl to drag it back before suffocating.
None of these small scenes compared to the flock of Mareep, nearly one hundred strong, spread all over the pasture in smaller clumps enjoying the cool air rushing against their white fluff as they munched on delicious grass. Some younger ones ran in circles, butting their blue heads together and skipping all over the place in a game of follow the leader as their tails flashed in the dark. The Paloo Ranch was lousy with the fluffy electric types no matter where you looked. It wasn't surprising considering besides the honey and berries they grew curtesy of his mother, its chief export was their wool which could be turned into various clothing and designer goods.
Joey was proud to say the Mareep raised on their family's farm were some of the best in his opinion thanks to generations of trial and error all the way back to his great grandfather. The ratio of sleek and fluff was ideal for pretty much any use, hence why his grandfather and uncle were willing to recently invest a large portion of the farm's profits into doubling their current numbers. Joey didn't know the exact amount, but obtaining most of them from across Mt. Silver in Johto had to have cost a pretty penny, even if they did have a few connections.
The risk on this investment and to the flock was also the reason two Pokemon were currently eyeing the expanded collection of electric types with such an intense focus. Joey spotted his grandfather's Skarmory floating overhead, his oversized shadow cast along the ground as it soared by looking for any sign of trouble. The metallic beast of a bird was almost as old as his grandfather, but unlike its trainer, age hadn't dulled its ferocity in the slightest when it came to any who trespassed on their land. In the distance, Joey also spotted a massive orange streak zooming through the growing darkness as his uncle's Arcanine finished yet another lap around the fence. It stopped to bark at a few Mareep straying too far from the group, showing a glimpse of its majestic frame. Shaggy, beige and orange fur billowed like soft flames before it started running again and turned back into a faded blur. Thanks to those two, the Mareep and few wild Pokemon that called Paloo Farm home could roam without fear, as could the people who lived there.
It was all a familiar sight to Joey as he leaned back along the warm roof tiles of the main household where his family resided, but there was something different about today. Something special for him and him alone. Reaching into his pocket, Joey fished out a small red and white orb no larger than a pebble one might find on the road. With a click of a button, the sphere enlarged nearly five times and now filled the entirety of his small hand. Joey continued to stare at the pokeball, his pokeball.
Yes, today was the day Joey had received his very first Pokemon.
A wave of excitement filled Joey's chest as he gripped the ball tight before the nausea in his stomach competed for adequate attention. Any child would be thrilled to receive their starter Pokemon, especially at the age of nine, a whole year earlier than most who had to wait until they turned ten and were legally able to start their journey. It wasn't like he hadn't been expecting it. Joey had passed the provisional trainer licensing exam a week prior, proving he was at least capable enough to own a Pokemon under his own name rather than one owned by the family. At the very least, his family hadn't gone out and caught him some common Pokemon like a Pidgey or Caterpie from the backyard like so many parents did when they didn't have the funds to throw around. His mother had made sure to save just enough money before the recent investment of the farm's profits were made, not to mention the funds they sent to his cousin Wendy, who was visiting in the middle of her ongoing journey.
No, his reasons for being nervous were something special too.
"Joey? Where are you?" A heavy country accent cried into the night and Joey popped up from his musing, returning the pokeball to a clip on his belt before glancing over the roof's edge to see a blonde haired woman walk barefoot onto the stone path amidst a sea of gravel.
"Up here Mom," Joey called back, making the woman jump in fright. Her surprise quickly morphed to one of irritation.
"Joey, what did I say about going up on the roof?"
"Not to do it unless Skarmory or Freeta are watching me."
"And are they?"
Joey ran a hand through his black hair and sighed before shaking his head. His mother looked up at him triumphant. "Then I suggest you get down from there before you hurt yourself. And wash up. Dinner's almost ready. We're having Tauros burgers."
Joey snickered, knowing full well there wasn't a single shred of actual Tauros in the those burgers or most so called meat products ever since scientists managed to perfect producing it artificially, but held his tounge as he knew talking back wouldn't do him any favors.
"Thanks Mom. Be right there," he hollered before leaping to his feet and rushing towards the half open window back into the safety of his bedroom. He rushed towards the bathroom and pretended to wash his hands, ignoring the guilty blue eyed look his mirrored counterpart gave him before racing down the stairs towards the already packed kitchen. Joey's mother placing bowls along the table filled with berry salads and large slabs of meat drenched in sauce for anyone to grab. She elegantly dodged around any obstacle to evenly spread out more condiments and toppings to further enhance another of her amazing meals.
Uncle Ray wasted no time in claiming the biggest piece for himself. The man was large even by farm standards, towering over Joey's 5'4 mother at a staggering 6'3 with the muscles to match. His windswept brown hair was still perfect, even after spending all day working the fields. Joey guessed it had to do with how often he rode around on his Arcanine, permanently styling it in such a manner. He loudly joked with Joey's grandfather, who looked to be in rather good shape for man in his seventies, only evidenced by grey hair and wrinkles scattered across his sun kissed skin.
"I'm telling you Dad, your dusty old Skarmory doesn't stand a chance racing Arcanine. Just because he can fly doesn't mean he can do it fast."
"And I'm telling you not to underestimate a Pokemon from Johto. Unlike you and your brother, I was raised in our home region before my father made the asinine decision to move us capitalize on the fallout last war's fallout. If he had listened to me, you'd be raising a Houndoom instead of that oversized puppy and my granddaughter wouldn't be running around with a plump rat either."
"Maybe so, but you can't deny the success we've had thanks to grandpa," Ray teased, taking another bite of his burger. Joey heard his own grandfather huff into his plate about how the Amara family was doing perfectly fine beforehand. Apparently he was still homesick even after all these years.
"At least my daughter-in-law knows how to appreciate a superior region's Pokemon, right Carol dear? Tell this fool it's why our current Champion hails from Johto's most prestigious clan and sent that old fart Blaine running off with his tail between his legs after the dust settled."
"What did we agree about politics at the table Russ?" His mother scolded, making the older man wince. Joey took this as his cue and came to his grandfather's rescue.
"To be fair, Lance's ace is a Dragonite, but he's also been Champion of both regions ten years running without a single real challenge to his throne. That's impressive no matter where he's from."
"And there he is," Ray announced with both arms raised as Joey took a seat across from him. "If it isn't the man of the hour. How does it feel to finally have your very own Pokemon?"
"It's… a lot to take in," Joey replied honestly, slowing filling his plate with an even amount of greens and meats. "I've been looking forward to this for such a long time, but now that it's actually happening I can't help being a little nervous."
"It's a big change, so it's only natural for you to feel that way. I remember being terrified of Skarmory when I first met him. Thought my parents were crazy giving me a giant murder bird for a starter, but now I can't imagine life without him."
Uncle Ray nodded. "Have you tried speaking with him since this morning? I know having all of us there might have been a tad overwhelming for the poor thing."
"I'm going to try again after dinner up in my room with just the two of us. I read that Teddiursa can be a little shy around new people, so hopefully this time goes a bit better."
"My little Freeta was the same," Joey's mother chimed in as she took a bite from her salad. "But we became fast friends and she evolved into a Butterfree in no time after that. Now we're almost closer than I am with my sister and she's a great help in my garden."
"I just can't wait to start training with mine."
Joey smiled back at his mother, but couldn't help notice the way her smile faltered at the mention of training.
"Then I guess you'll be another rival for me to crush," a teasing voice entered the room moments before his cousin walked in. She was a perfect mix of her father and mother, the latter of whom was in Celadon City on a business trip to sell their goods to high end designers before heading to Saffron. Tall and a few shades tanner than her grandfather with leaner muscles than her father, she flicked her short cut brown locks as she slid a chair next to Joey. "At least after you evolve that teddy bear into a real beast. I still can't believe you didn't know they evolved Aunt Carol."
"Nobody told me," defended his mother as both Uncle Ray and Grandpa Russ chortled at. "I asked your grandfather for suggestions and he just threw one Johto Pokemon at me after another. I never really studied Pokemon much and it looked so cute in the pictures. How was I supposed to know it evolved into something so… big."
Joey could tell big was not the word his mother wanted to use when describing the monster Ursaring were known to be and felt she was trying not to freak him out. His mother quickly got over her embarrassment, however, and turned her red face on Wendy. "And where have you been missy? You're late for dinner."
"Sorry Aunt Carol. I was out back feeding my team. They've been training all day and I wanted to make sure they were well fed first."
"A good trait for any budding Pokemon trainer," acknowledged Grandpa Russ with a grin. "Or farmer for that matter. Always make sure your Pokemon are in good shape before taking care of yourself, otherwise you never know what might happen. When I was a kid…"
"Come on Dad, nobody wants to hear about the good old days when the world was upside down," cut in Uncle Ray, ignoring the harsh glare Joey's grandfather sent him as he turned focus to his cousin. "After all these years, you've finally started your Pokemon journey. Better late than never, so let's hear all about it."
Upon request, Joey and the rest of the family listened to Wendy regale them with tale after tale of her exploits while traveling as an officially licensed Pokemon trainer and her attempt to complete the Kanto Gym circuit. She was loving the break from school trainers in the first year were granted, allowing her so much time to explore. Joey had kept up with her social media accounts enough to know that mostly meant finding great deals on clothes and accessories in every city she visited. He leaned in further when Wendy finally started talking about her Pokemon.
Right now her team consisted of her newly evolved Raichu from the Pikachu her father had given as her starter on her ninth birthday, born from his own Raichu a few weeks prior. Wendy also had a Pidgeotto she'd caught after leaving the Pallet Town limits, a Meowth that had tried to steal her bag, a Drowzee that had tried to sneak up on her while camping out near Vermillion, and a Poliwag she'd fished up while staying in Cerulean for one of the gym's water shows after earning said gym's badge.
As it stood, Wendy had three of the region's eight original badges, a solid start given the League had only officially started a few months prior. She'd come home for some well-earned rest and relaxation as apparently the gym leader in Vermillion was no joke, pushing her team to the limit and then some.
"Sounds like you're having quite the adventure," Uncle Ray commented before his daughter could veer back to describing every detail of her new shopping habits and self-proclaimed social media influencers she'd been traveling with. "That's quite a solid team you've built for yourself too. Just remember to be careful with what Pokemon you end up catching. We might have a lot of room, but that doesn't mean we can afford to feed something like a Snorlax or Gyarados. Not to mention the potential property damages."
"An lethargic eating machine and weapon of mass destruction? No thanks. Only a a small number of trainers dumb enough to go after Pokemon like those and most of them are either too stupid to realize what they're in for or too confident for their own good. I'm perfectly happy with the team I've collected so far. And don't worry about the money. I'm planning on applying for a sponsorship with one of the bigger companies so you won't have to keep wasting your money on me. One of my new friends is sponsored by Silph Co and she is willing to introduce me to her handler."
"Nonsense," cried Grandpa Russ, flicking some of his food across the table to Joey's mother's ire. "We take care of our own, even if it's not much. Besides, those Pokemon of yours can repay the favor by helping us manage tasks on the farm once you wrap up all this travel and come home."
Wendy laughed in their grandfather's face before fumbling into a polite cough. "I'd be happy to loan them to you, but I'm going all the way to the League this year. I won't end up like those bums who get knocked out super early. After all, I've had five extra years to prepare for this."
"You've definitely lasted longer than any of your friends did on their first attempts. Didn't Brittany come home crying after a single week?" All eyes swiveled towards Joey, making him pause mid bite with a smirk. "But just because you're fifteen doesn't mean you're better off than any of the ten year olds who started this year."
"Big talk for a little kid who only got his first Pokemon a few hours ago," taunted Wendy with a little more edge in her voice than before. "I didn't know you were already getting such a big head. Maybe we should battle now so I can bring you down a peg, though it wouldn't exactly be fair until you upgrade that provisional license to an official trainer one like mine. At least then I won't feel as bad creaming you, that is, if you can even get that far."
"Now, now," Uncle Ray stepped in before Joey could counter. "While I can appreciate some friendly competition, you both know it's too late for any battling. We don't want to rile up the Mareep now do we?"
Both Joey and Wendy grumbled out in agreement. "And Wendy," Uncle Ray addressed the brown haired girl. "Don't go teasing Joey like that. I'm sure he'll get his official trainer license eventually just as you did. He just has to pass the family trial first."
"Yeah and it took me such a long time to finally manage it," the fifteen year old revealed with a dramatic flourish before turning to Joey with a smirk. "So Joey might never get to go on his journey, not until he's old enough to not need your signatures anymore."
"Wendy…" Joey's mother warned and he watched his cousin raise her hands in surrender before returning to the meal. Grandpa Russ chuckled while Uncle Ray did so in a more nervous manner. Joey simply rolled his eyes and continued eating as dinner switched to less heated topics like new additions to the farm staff and what non-Pokemon related things Joey was learning about in school. Once all the plates had been licked clean, each member of the house hold did their part to clean up, all under his mother's careful supervision.
"I'm going to my room," he announced after drying the last dish and placing it in the lower cabinet. "I want to let Teddiursa out for a bit before bed."
"Alright, but call if you need help. And give him this." Joey caught the small hand sized jar of golden honey his uncle tossed from across the room. "Those little things love the stuff apparently, so it's probably a good way to break the ice if he's still scared."
Joey thanked his uncle for the hot tip before rounding the corner and went up the stairs, only to stop halfway as Wendy came in the opposite direction.
"So what now? Didn't you get enough digs in at dinner or are you planning to follow me around your whole visit rubbing it in my face?"
Wendy chuckled. "I've got better things to do than follow my kid cousin around." Her smile drooped into one more somber. "I'm sorry if I came off a little mean at dinner. My friends and I joke around like that all the time out on the road and I had just finished talking with them while we were training. It's weird being home again, even if just for a couple days. Still, it wasn't cool of me to mock you. I know you've been looking forward to this day and being a trainer more than I ever did."
"Yeah, I'm sorry too," Joey relented with an honest smile. "You've finally gotten to start traveling and I'm glad you're having fun. Everyone at school's going to go crazy hearing about all the gyms you've beaten."
"Not as crazy as they will about you bringing a Pokemon with you. A rare one too by Kanto standards."
Both of them shared a laugh, before an awkward silence filled the stairwell.
"So," Joey dared to break it first, "which gym are you heading to next?"
"Celadon probably," Wendy replied after little thought. "Pidgeotto should be enough to handle the grass types there. Plus I'll get to see my mom for a little while."
Joey nodded at the sound reasonable strategy before a though occurred. "You have a Drowzee too, right?"
"That's right. Caught him just after I beat Surge. Why?"
"You should train him up for the gym too," suggested Joey, earning a confused tilt of Wendy's head. "Most grass type Pokemon in Kanto have a secondary poison typing as well. The Oddish, Bellsprout, and even Bulbasaur line all have it, which makes them weak to not only flying and fire attacks, but psychic too. If you can catch your Drowzee up to the rest of your team, he and Pidgeotto can split the work. Plus you'd be better prepared for dealing with Koga's poison type gym."
Wendy's brown eyes sparkled as they grew larger than the plates he'd been washing.
"Wow, I hadn't thought of that!" She exclaimed like Joey had just revealed the greatest secret of the universe. "I was already going to up his training since he's falling behind, but… yeah this could work. Thanks cuz!"
Joey struggled to escape the tight hug his cousin wrapped him in before she skipped downstairs. As Joey regained the ability to breath, another set of footsteps approached from behind. At first he thought it was Wendy coming in for a surprise attack, but spun to find his mother at the bottom of the stairs. She smiled up at him, though there was tense strain on her cheekbones Joey couldn't quite ignore.
"Hi Mom, did you need something?" He asked, curious if she was finally going to tell him what was wrong.
"Oh no," she quickly dismissed with a more natural laugh, her blonde hair bouncing along with her. "I just wanted to say how proud I am of you without your uncle and grandfather getting in the way. This is a big step every mother dreams about. That look in your eyes when you saw Teddiursa for the first time reminded me so much of when I got my Caterpie from my mother. Also, that was very kind of what you said to your cousin."
"I just wanted to help," Joey replied with a shrug. "I really do hope she makes it all the way to the League, but we both know it's more about the traveling for her than the Pokemon."
"Just don't let her hear you saying that." His mother tried and failed to stifle a laugh, bringing a smile to Joey's face until it tightened up again.
"I just wanted to make sure you are really ok with a Teddiursa," she pressed, clearly trying to look at it in a positive light as she quickly banished whatever thoughts were swirling around inside. "I know you really want to go on this journey and it's tradition in the Amara family to give each child a Pokemon one year early, but we could always trade it for something a little less dangerous if you feel too overwhelmed. Like a Caterpie perhaps? Or maybe I can have your uncle start giving you some more hands on work around the farm first. You know, get more accustomed to working with other Pokemon before getting your own. I just don't want you to get your hopes up, only for the reality of it all to let you down by not measuring up."
"You don't have to worry about me," Joey responded immediately, running down the few stairs between them and pulling his mother into a softer hug, his little arms barely able to reach around her waist. "I know Teddiursa and I have only known each other for one day, but he's my Pokemon now and together we're going to make it work no matter how long it takes." His blue eyes glanced up into his mother's glossy brown, twinkling mischievously. "After all, I did learn from the best."
"Oh Joey."
His mother wordlessly reciprocated the hug, using a lighter touch than Wendy did before rushing off, probably so as not to let Joey see her cry from the cuteness overload he'd subjected her to. This finally allowed him to escape the house's chaos to the welcomed isolation of his bedroom. Taking a deep breath, Joey tossed his enlarged pokeball into the air and it cracked open with a flash of light which materialized into the absolute cutest Pokemon he'd ever seen.
If Teddiursa hadn't raised a paw to his chin, Joey might have mistaken it for a stuffed animal among the other plushies laid out all over his bed. He was male according to the note his grandfather had delivered and looked just like the pictures Joey had read about. Covered in short, orange-brown fur with a lighter shade around his face that highlighted the blackness of both nose and eyes. A lighter tan crescent moon marked the face, perfectly centered between those round cinnamon bun ears that twitched as Teddiursa looked around the strange new environment before settling on Joey and freezing up.
"Hi Teddiursa," Joey offered with a small two finger salute. "It's nice to officially meet you." The smaller Pokemon gawked up at him, slowing raising its tiny paw to try mimicking his greeting. Off to a good start, Joey thought as he kneeled next to the bed. "Sorry about what happened earlier, but everyone else was so excited to meet you that I didn't think how you might feel. We're in my bedroom now, so it's more private. What do you think?"
"Ursa?" The small normal type questioned as he began looking around, taking in the enclosed space with a glimmer of cautious interest. Joey followed his gaze across the room, seeing the awe in Teddiursa's eyes as he peered at the wall covered in posters of scenes from past League battles to the vintage action figures of various Kanto Pokemon with a few rare ones imported from Johto and even one larger statue of the legendary Articuno on the nearby desk. Joey almost cracked up when Teddiursa noticed the Snorlax pillow resting next to him, losing it when the pillow fell to a single poke, startling the little bear.
"Oh don't be upset," Joey said through laughter as Teddiursa growled cutely in his direction. "Here, I got this for you."
From his pocket, Joey pulled out the small bottle of freshly gathered honey and tossed it to Teddiursa, whose smaller paws juggled the plastic container before squealing with glee as he began suckling on the small opening at the top. "Do you like it?"
"Teddiursa!" He cheered as Joey watched this go on for a couple minutes, coming to the conclusion that his uncle had undersold Teddiursa's attraction to honey. Seeing how relaxed the Pokemon had become, Joey took this opportunity to share some information with his new partner.
"So Teddiursa, tell me, do you understand what's going on? That I'm your trainer?" Teddiursa responded by cocking his head again, not releasing the honey bottle. "It means I take care of you, feed you, and train you to help you get strong, stronger than you would ever be out in the wild. Does that make sense?"
Teddiursa blinked twice before raising the now empty bottle, making Joey start chuckling again. "Yes, I can get you more honey later," he confirmed to a resounding cheer. "But first, let me explain exactly what the two of us are in for."
Once again Teddiursa cutely tilted his head. "Almost every kid my age dreams of going off on a journey with their very own Pokemon, but it's a lot more difficult than most realize."
Now that was a true understatement if there ever was one. While many go on their journey thinking it would be full of fun and adventure, most learned fast they were sorely mistaken. Some people found they just aren't prepared to travel through the wilderness on their own, let alone raising a team of Pokémon that can level mountains or breath streams of fire. Joey couldn't count how many times an ACE Ops trainer, the leagues special forces, had to escort someone back to Pallet within the first three months of the League's opening day alone.
And that wasn't even accounting for how laughably expensive it was managing even a few Pokemon at time. Joey knew firsthand how big a factor money played in raising Pokemon, almost as much as the trainer did, after listening to his uncle and mother discuss the farm's finances over the years, even if he didn't understand all of it. He did understand that a malnourished Charizard or Nidoking wouldn't do well in battle, nor would they have second thoughts about eyeing their trainer in the middle of the night after going to bed hungry for the third day in a row. While the League offered a stipend to participating trainers and most families sent what they could, neither were usually enough to live on full time unless you were winning battles left and right or found some alternative way to make some income on the road.
"And that's not the worst of it," Joey continued to his enraptured starter, long since abandoning the last drops of honey to listen intently to his new trainer's tale. "Most kids don't get their first Pokemon until they turn ten except for families who don't mind bending the rules or like mine who have their own traditions. In this case, I'll only get permission to leave if we can beat my grandfather's Skarmory in a battle. Do you know what a Skarmory is?"
Teddiursa shook his head in the negative. "It's a big metal bird that can rip through metal like confetti."
"Teddiursa!" shrieked the smaller Pokemon, pointing at himself and then at Joey.
"I know," Joey sighed. "Not exactly the kind of opponent we should be taking on right now. My cousin had to go through the same thing and even with a type advantage, it took her five years to beat it. It started up over twenty years ago back when Kanto and Johto were still fighting to make sure our family's trainers could take care of themselves. Now it's just a way to try stopping the next generation from wasting their time on the frivolous pursuits of being a trainer full time and focus on taking over the farm someday instead. My grandfather fell for it and so did my uncle. My cousin finally managed to break the cycle and go out on a journey, but knowing her, I doubt it'll be a long term commitment. Then she'll be right back here settling for a cushier life as a farmer rather than the constant struggle it takes to get by as a trainer. But I don't want that."
"Teddiursa?"
"Don't get me wrong. I love life on the farm, but it's not what I want to do with my life. I want to travel, see the world, to help people and all the Pokemon living in it."
Joey raised a hand out towards Teddiursa and stared deep into his eyes. "I don't know exactly what my dream really is or where we'll end up chasing it, but I know that together we can become a team so strong nothing can stop us. So what do you say? Partners?"
There was no hesitation as Teddiursa ignored Joey's outstretched hand and leapt into his chest, tiny claws latching on in a tight hug as they fell onto the bed in a laughing heap. Joey sat on his stomach and watched Teddiursa jump on the mattress, getting some decent airtime with every leap. "Glad to hear it you little rascal. I'm not allowed to legally go out on my journey until I turn ten, so we've got a whole year to train before I can challenge my grandfather for the first time. It won't be easy, but I've got some ideas we can start working on right away. I don't plan on waiting around like Wendy did and I don't think you do either."
"Teddiursa, Ursa!" Teddiursa cheered, shadow boxing the air. The sight made Joey laugh as he got ready for bed, snuggling into the covers tight with Teddiursa curled up next to him. It was a miracle Joey managed to fall asleep at all after that, his heart still beating fast to the tune of being the very best like no one ever was.
XXX
Joey's Team:
Teddiursa- Scratch, Baby Doll Eyes, Lick