Chapter 6 : The Ties that Bind
Seth's POV
Yumi and I were on our way to Cherrygrove City to stock up on useful items on our journey. While we were traveling, suddenly, a familiar voice spoke.
"So, how about that battle you told me you were expecting!" The voice called.
I faced direction the voice was coming from. It was Dustin, and he was training his Pokemon. Said Pokemon were Totodile and Starly.
"Chi..." Chikorita glared at Totodile. Was there some sort of history between the two Pokemon?
"Who's that Pokemon?" Yumi grabbed her aqua blue Pokedex.
Starly, the starling pokemon: Starly flock around mountains and fields chasing after bug pokemon. Their singing is really noisy and annoying.
"I've never seen that Pokemon before!" Yumi was intrigued by the Flying type.
"Its a Pokemon thats native to Sinnoh." I added.
"Beth and I are from Sunnyshore City. The number of Pokemon Trainers traveling to other regions have increased over the years. So trainers' Pokemon create offspring, which become wild Pokemon." Dustin explained.
"Can you explain that again? Please use shorter words" Yumi found Dustin's explanation a bit excessive.
"Hey Beth, is your girlfriend really as dumb and annoying as she looks?" Dustin snickered.
"Are you as dumb and annoying as you look?" I countered his question with a question of my own. "That theory about trainers from other regions isn't yours. You just heard it on Professor Oak's radio talk show."
"Why do you always act so smart Beth?" Dustin wasn't put off by Seth calling him out for repeating what he heard on the radio.
"It's called reading, you should try it." I had no patience for Dustin's brashness today.
We were all silent for a few seconds before our silence was broken.
"I'm sick of waiting! Are you ready for me to beat you Beth?" Dustin questioned.
"The one who will be victorious, is me." I accepted Dustin's challenge..
Dustin and I lined up on opposite sides of the dirt field.
"Let's fight one-on-one." I proposed. "An all out match. Agreed?"
"Heh!" Dustin grinned as he recalled his Starly. He and Totodile looked at each other and exchanged a knowing nod.
"Toto!" Totodile stepped up to the plate.
"Make your move, Beth!" Dustin called.
"If you're using your first Pokemon, I will too." Murkrow's Pokeball remained on my belt. I eyed Chikorita, who was standing next to me. "Are you ready?"
"Chi!" Chikorita nodded before proceeding on to the battlefield.
Me versus Dustin; Chikorita versus Totodile. The battle was imminent. Who would emerge victorious? Who would taste defeat? Dustin and I proceeded to exchange words before battling.
"Hehe." Dustin couldn't help chuckling at Chikorita's expense. "Do you honestly believe you can win with that girly thing, Beth?
"Of course." I answered Dustin's question with a straight face before giving Chikorita its first command. "Chikorita, go!"
"Hmph!" In response to my battle cry, Dustin confidently called out to his starter pokemon. "Totodile, go! Use Scratch now!"
"Toto! Dile!" Totodile readied its claws as it charged at Chikorita.
"Tackle!" I commanded.
"Chi!" Chikorita responded by charging headfirst at Totodile.
When Scratch and Tackle collided, I was perplexed to see Chikorita overwhelmed by Totodile. How could a full body attack like Tackle be overwhelmed by Scratch, which only required the use of Totodile's arm?
Dustin grinned. Totodile's training was paying off "Alright Totadile! Water Gun!"
"Toto!" Totodile launched a stream of water at Chikorita.
"Dodge it! " I called.
"Chi!" Chikorita nodded before attempting to dodge the oncoming stream of water...Her attempt was in vain, as Water Gun managed to make contact before Chikorita could get her full body out of the water's path. "Chi!" In theory, Chikorita should've been able to resist Water Gun due to her Grass Typing. But that wasn't the case. Chikorita was sent to crashing to the ground in front of me, where she struggled get up." Chi...Chi..." Chikorita was tired.
"What's wrong with Chikorita?" Yumi was concerned.
If I had a heart, this would be where I panic. What was wrong with Chikorita? Why was she struggling? Is this what 'weak' was? I then remembered.
Flashback-
I opened my eyes and was shocked by what I saw. I was in Chikorita's body, training with Noah and Cyndaquil. I didn't know how to battle, and I was about to panic if I got hit anymore.
"Flamethrower! " Noah called for Cyndaquil to launch its most powerful attack.
Getting hit by a super effective move like Flamethrower would've been devastating. I attempted to move out of the way before Noah had given me an order.
"Don't dodge!," Noah clenched his fist.
Despite Noah's command, I could only get part of my body out of Flamethrower's path. I then was hit, knocked down and struggled to stand up. Noah then scolded me.
"Even though you try to dodge it, you're too slow!" I could sense the frustrating in Noah's voice.
I tried to say something, but I was a Pokemon. Noah wouldn't understand me.
"And to top that off you can't even take a hit without getting knocked flat on your face!"
"Chi..." I whited out.
End Flashback
Location: Seth's Heart
"Your heart was put in contact with Chikorita." A voice said.
"Missingno..." I whited out again.
Location: Back to the Pokemon Battle
I opened my eyes and found myself back in my own body. Chikorita had fainted. She and I had been defeated by Dustin and Totodile, who gave each other a celebratory high five. "Do you really think you can win anything with that pathetic Pokemon?" Dustin wasted no time rubbing his victory in my face.
"..." I declined to respond.
"Seth..." Yumi said.
I had forgotten what disappointment felt like. I wasn't mad, nor was I sad. I remained silent until Dustin started back on his journey and was out of sight.
"..." I approached Chikorita and picked her up. Taking out an Oran Berry, I fed it to my fainted Pokemon.
"Chi?" Once she came to, Chikorita looked at me. "Chi..." She then drooped. She was disappointed in herself.
I faced Yumi.
Yumi's eyes lit up when she saw my face.
I had a look of enlightenment.
"Chikorita, our ties that bind have shown me how we'll get stronger." I had conviction in my voice.
"Chico?" Chikorita was confused.
"We'll train hard and study hard. I'll teach you to keep a battle stance, and remain calm and composed." I explained.
"Come on, let's hurry up to Cherrygrove City already!" Yumi was excited to get back on the road. She grabbed me by the arm and began walking in the direction of Cherrygrove City.
Location: Seth's Heart
"Thank You, Missingno." I was grateful to Missingno for telling me my heart made contact with Chikorita...even though I didn't have much of a heart.
"As time progresses, your character shall return on it's own-" Missingno began whiting out.
Chapel's POV
Location: Violet City Lake
"- slowly but surely," Missingno finished.
A moment of silence was broken when I decided to speak.
"...Seth's coming along now." I smiled.
Missingno didn't reply.
"The memories and experiences on his journey will replenish the void I created within his heart." I added.
"Which is why we will cease fire on Operation Chapel for now." A voice sounded.
I turned to the direction the voice came from, only to see a familiar face caught my eyes
To Be Continued...