frankieu: No problem. Please don't call it luck, that's an Arceus-damned misfortune.
.upg: *thumbs up*
Viridian Forest, Kanto
Everyone stares at the Dratini nudging at Tai's leg in utter disbelief. None of them have any words at the bizarre moment, so they stare at a completely displaced Pokemon. Tai stares at the tiny dragon, who finally notices the human it's nudging is staring at him, perks up, and squeals. This snaps Yellow out of shock before she awws at the adorableness.
"He's so cute!" Yellow exclaims before trying to get close. The Dratini notices this immediately moves away and wraps his body around Tai's ankle, looking at Yellow a bit fearfully. If this is an anime, Yellow would petrified into a stone with a strained smile, her body starts to crack before it crumbles to dust and gets blown away by the winds. Chuchu gives her trainer a sympathetic smile and pats her legs.
"Hey, little guy…." Tai mutters, getting the Dratini's attention as it squeals happily. Tai grabs sushi and offers it to the Dratini, who eats it and squeals in delight, causing Tai to snort in amusement. "You just want my food, don't you?" The Dratini didn't bother to deny it as he wagged his tail, expecting more. "Unless you apologize to Yellow, I must deny that request."
The Dratini doesn't complain before it squeaks at Yellow and bows his head apologetically, which is immediately accepted by Yellow since she doesn't have the heart to reject the apology.
"All right, now that's settled down, how about we continue the lunch?" Tai's words earn a cheer from everyone, either from Pokemon or Yellow. All of them continue their lunch as if nothing happened. Tai stares at Dratini while deep in thought.
"I swear, you have all the luck…" Tai turns to see Yellow grumbling while chewing her food. "Dratini isn't a Pokemon you could find in Viridian Forest, a forest for beginner trainers. Yet, here you are, casually eating lunch with one of them."
"So, this is uncommon?" Tai knows in the game and anime, Dratini would not be found in Viridian Forest, unless you play the Randomizer version. And this world has shown how vastly different what he knows about Pokemon's world and how it works. All he could rely on was his knowledge of Pokemon themselves.
"What? No! You should know Dragon-Type like Dratini won't just fall out of the sky!" Tai try not to snort, remembering a particular episode of Pokemon anime where a Dragon-Type fell from the sky, right on someone's face. "Dratini is no exception! Unless you're at Safari Zone, you won't find them! And even in Safari Zone, it's as hard as finding a needle in a haystack!"
"I guess that makes sense…" Tai mutters before petting the Dratini and Gintama, which earns a pout from Yellow.
"You're so lucky." Yellow mutters. "You're already at your age to travel around, and even encounter something amazing…."
"…I wouldn't say that," Tai mutters, getting Yellow's attention. "My first day as a Trainer isn't as 'amazing' as you think. I didn't remember my past, got stranded at a random route in Kanto with nothing but my supplies, and only to find out I was one of the missing victims from a cruise and my parents were gone…"
"I-I'm sorry…." Yellow never felt so guilty in her life. She believes most trainers were lucky to get a chance to explore while she had to stay for another year just to be old enough to travel. So, hearing someone having bad times as a trainer isn't something she expects.
"But, you were somewhat right…" Tai says, making Yellow look confused. "I was lucky in some ways. I managed to survive and meet Yuuki who helped me."
"I didn't do much. I simply offer my assistance." Yuuki points out.
"That still counts as helping, dummy," Tai says with a small grin as Yuuki playfully pushes Tai with one of his tails. Yellow can't help but giggle at their interactions.
"I still can't believe you two only met yesterday. You two act like you two know for a long time." Yellow points out as they both blink Noctowlish.
"We did?" They say simultaneously, causing Yellow to giggle more.
"Yes!" Yellow exclaims with Chuchu nods in agreement.
"I guess…" Tai rubs his head, unsure how to reply.
"So, are you planning to go through the Gym Circuit?" Yellow asks.
"Gym Circuit?" Tai Chatot'ed, confused at the term.
"You….don't even know what it is? I mean, going to all of the gym, challenging them, getting their badges, and participating in the Indigo League!" Yellow exclaims, causing Chuchu to nod enthusiastically.
"Um…oh! Sorry, sorry, my memories were a bit hazy." Tai says while rubbing his head Mareepishly. "I know about the Gyms and all after relearning things, but I don't remember the terms."
"Oh, right….sorry…" Yellow mutters apologetically.
"For your question, I'm….not sure. I only want to travel around the region, seeing new Pokemons, and my main priority is to taste the delicacy that this region offers." Tai says. "Gym Battles and the League has never crossed my mind…."
He wasn't wrong, as he didn't even consider Gym Battles at all. Sure, it might be fun for most Pokemon Fans, but for some reason, it didn't feel like doing it.
"Oh! So, you're like a tourist!" Yellow exclaims, causing Tai to snap out of his thoughts and sweatdrop. "Then, that means you're from another region! Which region!?"
"Well, I found out I was from Sinnoh, riding a cruise to get to Kanto…." Tai mutters while rubbing his head.
"Oh, right….memories…sorry…" Yellow mutters.
"… You wish to go and travel the region, do you?" Tai asks as Yellow looks at him before nodding.
"Yes….I love my home, Viridian Forest, but living here for most of my life, it feels like I was stuck here. I wish to travel, but my uncle refuses because I was too young to go." Yellow mutters. Tai then remembers how Yellow was depicted to have an uncle with no mentioned parents, and he's also the one who gives her Dody.
"Don't be like that, your uncle probably refuses out of concern towards you," Tai says.
"I know, but his concern is a bit….much. I have a feeling he might not even let me go when I turn 10." Yellow says.
"…..have you considered he might worry about the powers you possess and being used for other's advantages?" Tai asks as Yellow froze before looking away.
"I….didn't consider it," Yellow admits. "With how I reveal it to you so easily, I guess my uncle's worries aren't too much…"
"Also, maybe you should spend more time with your uncle," Tai says, getting Yellow's attention. "Going on a journey might prevent you from seeing him often and you will miss him. Maybe use your time to be with him as long as possible before you go on your journey."
"I….guess…" Yellow mutters before noticing that there's no more sushi. "…..did we talk while continue to munch sushi unconsciously?"
"Yeah, and given how we have more mouths to feed, it's not weird for it to be gone in a matter of seconds." Tai chuckles while glancing at the Pokemons, who try not to make any eye contact, which causes Yellow to chuckle as well.
"I guess, and thanks for letting me have lunch with you. You don't have to, especially when you already saved me." Yellow states as Chuchu squeaks in agreement.
"Mah, don't worry too much," Tai says as he moves his cooking pan away from the stove and Yuuki blasts some water onto the pan, cleaning any stains off it. Yellow could only stare blankly at the scene, unsure how to react in such a mundane way to utilize your Pokemon. "What?"
"Nothing…" Yellow mutters before adjusting her hat.
"…" Tai was silent as he cleaned his dishes before letting Yuuki blast another water onto it, earning another blank stare from Yellow as Tai continued to clean the dishes. After a while, he is finally done as he puts everything back in his bag.
"Anyways, I think you should go back before your uncle worries about you." Tai points out as he carries his bag on his shoulder. "If you don't mind, I would accompany you to prevent Beedrills from swarming you."
"T-thanks…" Yellow says as they both walk together. Yuuki followed them as Gintama and Dratini on his back with Scyther followed them. It took them a while but they finally managed to find a small hut, and judging from Yellow's expression, it's her home. They approach the door as Yellow looks a bit nervous, taking a deep breath before knocking on the door.
"Uncle?" Yellow asks before they hear a crash from the hut, followed up by a yelp and another crash. Then, there's a squeak, double chirps, and an annoyed grunt from the inside, causing both kids to sweatdrop, wondering what is happening. The door was open and Tai couldn't help but notice how he was a bit different from the manga counterpart, as there were unshaven mustaches and a goatee, and he wore casual clothes instead of the ones worn by the fishermen.
"Oh, Amarillo!" The man exclaims before pulling into a hug. "Don't run off again! You worry this old man to the point of heart attack! I was scared!"
"Sorry, Uncle Wilton," Yellow says sheepishly. "I'm fine, and it was thanks to Tai." Yellow points at Tai, who slightly bows at the man.
"Hello, Yellow's Uncle." Tai greets. The man, Wilton, is too busy gaping at Suicune waving at him with one of his tails along with Pokemons on its back. Overwhelmed, the man faints at Yellow's arm, who yelps and collapses.
Tai notices this and looks back at Yuuki before facepalming, pulling his face down while groaning.
"This one's on me. I should ask you to hide…." Tai mutters.
"Why don't you just recall him into his Pokeballs?" Yellow asks, groaning as she tries to push her uncle from her, but she fails miserably.
"I rather not let him stuck in a Pokeball, it made him feel….restrained…" Tai says as he scratches his cheeks.
"That's considerate, but….a little help?" Yellow meekly asks as Yuuki uses his tail to lift Wilton, who slowly wakes up and sees Yuuki. He starts to yelp as Yuuki places him gently.
"Um, thanks…?" Wilton says unsurely, earning a snort from Yuuki.
"A pleasure," Wilton's eyes widen a bit before he regains his composure.
"R-right…" Wilton turns to see Tai. "And…thanks, for bringing my nephew back home. And you can just call me Wilton."
"No problem, Mr. Wilton. I was passing by and happened to encounter her." Tai says as he nervously chuckles. Wilton narrows his eyes as he looks at Tai.
"… You have something you didn't tell me, did you?" This causes Tai to look at Yellow who waves her hands frantically.
"….A swarm of Beedrill happens to pass by, so I pull her away before they try to corner her and her Pikachu," Tai explains, earning a sigh of relief from Yellow.
"T-Thank you!" Tai yelps as Wilton slaps his shoulders. "You keep my niece safe! You have my gratitude!"
"N-no problem…" Tai mutters, feeling a bit uncomfortable.
"And Amarilla!" Yellow yelps as her uncle calls her name. "Did you thank this young man for helping you!?"
"S-she already did, sir," Tai says, a bit panicked at how things escalated. This reminds him a lot when he visits her mother's side of the family, where his cousin causes a bit of trouble and the parent asks him to apologize.
"Oh, good!" Wilton suddenly calms down as he looks at Tai, his eyes show a hint of panic. "Well, then. Why don't we talk more inside?"
"Um, is it even okay?" Tai asks unsure before they hear a buzz from the distance.
"It's fine!" Wilton exclaims as he drags Tai and Yellow into the hut. Tai hastily recalls Yuuki and Gintama as Dratini and Scyther follow before Wilton closes the door. As they did, they heard a loud buzz as tons of Beedrill passed by angrily. Tai and Yellow gulp in horror as Yellow turns towards Wilton.
"You could've warned us," Yellow says as Wilton looks Mareepish.
"Ah, sorry. I was too panicked to warn you guys properly." Wilton admits. "Now, come. Make yourself at home." With that, his uncle walks away.
"…..Uncle Wilton is acting weird," Yellow admits. "He never let anyone enter the hut as a guest after learning they met me in the forest."
"Overprotective much?" Tai asks in utter disbelief.
"You have no idea. But, somehow, he let you in…" Yellow looks at Tai. "By the way, are you gonna capture the Dratini?"
"Oh, right…" Tai looks at the Dratini. "So, how about it? Wanna join our band of misfits?" Dratini replies with an excited squeal. Tai smiles as a blue holographic Pokeball pops out of his hand, startling Yellow before Tai gently taps it on Dratini's forehead. To their surprise, the ball expanded and 'consumed' Dratini before it shrunk before a loud click could be heard, signaling successful capture. Yellow stares at Tai in utter disbelief as Tai gives her a Mareepish grin.
"What was that!?"
To be continued
