Like most dreams the ones I have are weird.
Like some dreams the one I'm having right now is a dream I have had a number of times before.
Like few dreams it's one I remember clear as day.
Like even fewer, I'm aware it is a dream, and while I can't change the dream... But I can walk about.
That's something right?
Looking about, I recognise my surroundings. A city... or rather a mishmashing husk of what looks like what should be a city.
Buildings of clearly diffrent culture stitched to one another. Paths leading to nowhere. Doors standing without a building. Random deep pools of water dotted about without rime or reason. Patches of grass too. Heck, there's even a cave entrance in one building.
This dream is always the same. But at the same time, while the same, the position of these features always changes each and every time I have the dream.
Listening about I here nothing. Looking at the sky I see nothing. I wait a while and still nothing happens.
Good, that thing ain't about.
Anytime I dream about this place, there's a chance that thing will just come straight for me. Whateverit is.
Wandering about, I see a number of doors largely open. Taking a peek through one I'm greeted by a memory of my childhood.
"Hey mum, do you know when dad will be back?"
"Oh, well..." My mother looks away. Her light purple hair hid her kind eyes from view. "I don't know... maybe- how about we visit grandma next week, up at the clan compound? You and Reggie'd like that, right Paul."
That's not what I asked, though. I was going to ask again, but paused as my heart lept. "Yeah, let's visit grandma." Mumbling downwards, away from her wet eyes.
Quickly pulling myself away as to not be dragged in. Yeah, that takes me back. Can't help but frown. I think was about 5 years old?"
Moving further ahead, I see inside another door.
"No, not like that. Like this!" Maylene punches forward by example. "Let your punch carry all the way when you hit target."
I did as she asks. Taking stance again, I throw my fist into the bag. Not pulling it away I notice the fist hit harder and bag swing further. "Huh."
"See! Doing that puts in all your weight into the attack and you get more force." The older girl smiles, and I feel a familial sort of warmth break out in my chest.
Looking away, I feel more inclined to smile. That had been around when I was 6, I'm sure. Since I started helping out part-time in the Pokémon Gym around then. And Maylene looked about she was still 12.
I really owed her alot for teaching me martial arts and Pokémon battling. Apparently, Gym Leader Breface thought it would help Maylene's own training in both martial arts and Pokémon training.
But do you wanna the real reason?
Meylene can be to eager learning martial arts and couple that with the fact she's a genius at it. You can guess the old man Breface was looking for an out whenever he could.
Heck, when I asked him before leaving, he confest he originally let me work part-time as a distraction!
I mean the old-guy said he was proud I had done so well as a member of the Gym. And then gave me a Take Down TM as leaving gift.
Who would complain? I got more benefits than he did out of that deal. It gave me something else to do to distract me from... stuff...
A sudden sensation alerts me. I know it well. Looking about each of the open doors close. The broken City shudders.
Guess it's time as always.
An early knock at my room's door woke me up. What time is it? Looking to my alarm clock, I see the small hand of time cruelly click to 6AM.
I hear another knock. Who disturbs a person at this time?
They knock again. And kicking my sheets over Turtwig, I jump from the soft mattress, stomping over to the door.
I open it.
"..."
Only for know one to be there. I look outside of it.
"..."
Left, clear.
"..."
Right, nothing.
Scowling, I shut the door.
Standing still a moment, I take a heavy breath. Contemplating briefly, any means by which I could have vengeance. Before just dropping the problem entirely to go trudge back to the bed.
Sitting bedside, the quilt is thrown into me. Looking side-long, a grumpy turtle looks back. "Turrr, twig. Twig, twig, tur!"
Narrowing my eye in response to Turtwig's tone, I relax. "Yeah, sorry. Someone knocked at the door, and I got angry." I look away. "Sorry for waking you, pal."
I hear a sniff and much to my suprise Turtwig hops to the floor. "Turtwig!"
May as well get up now? Huh. This guy's looking motivated for the day. Getting some early morning training and exercise in is always good, regardless of how early it is. "Alright. May as well."
Having a shower and getting dressed. Stepping out the room, a very grumpy but motivated Turtwig follows. Admittedly, yesterday I only took him out the Poké Ball in my room and for the Battle Raffle. More for a strategic element of suprise, but I guess Janine was better at that.
I think he's also itching for another fight. Hey, it adds to Turtwig's training motivation and matches today.
Currently, the Pokémon Center's pretty quiet. Must not be the only one who preferred waking up 7AM more than 6AM. It's weird though, I feel like I'm being... er, probably just Turtwig.
Nurse Joy covering her yawn sat behind her desk, sees me. "Oh, good morning Paul. I suppose you're here for Spinarak?"
I nod. "I am."
"Just a moment then." yawning again she leaves briefly and returns with a tray holding a single Poké Ball. "Here is you're Pokémon!"
Despite her smile there's slightly bit less of Nurse Joy's usual... well... joy. Considering it's the early morning and she was busy after the matches yesterday, I'm not surprised.
"Thank you." Taking my new partner Pokémon I turn to leave, only to pause and look back as the nurse coughs into her hand.
"I thought you should know there were signs Spinarak had injested salt-water, and there were similar remains dried on its outside." Nurse smiles, yet despite how happy it looks I can only feel chills up and down my spine! "Paul, I advise you don't leave before I or any other Nurse Joy has finished talking to you."
She wasn't wrong. Nurse Joy in Veilstone is the same.
Keeping composure, I bow my head closing my eyes as to not show the shame, and admittedly fear she had just instilled in me. "My apologies. I'm... a little eager is all."
Staring a while, Nurse Joy sighs. "Oh, so long as you understand. But I am mainly concerned your Spinarak fell-off from a boat at the docks and may have had its Poké Ball broken." Her face becomes pleading. "I know you've only caught it yesterday, but I would like you to go ask around at the docks if anyone's missing a Spinarak."
I guess... I mean, I haven't exactly invested any training yet. Looking down to Turtwig, the Small Leaf Pokémon looks back. Another thought occurs. "Why don't we just ask Spinarak?"
Popping open the Poké Ball the String Spit Pokémon materialises. "Kwee!"
Glancing about it looks at Nurse Joy, me, Turtwig and then at the entire room before dropping its head down sadly. "Kewww..."
Nurse Joy shares a look with me. And nodding crouch down to roughly Spinarak's level. "Hey."
The Poison/Bug-type looks up at me slightly wet around the eyes. "I know your a little confused right now. But did you have a Trainer before me?"
"Kwwek" The little fella shook his head side-to-side.
I see Nurse Joy's visible relief. "Well, I'll leave you to it then. The other Pokémon Trainers will be getting up soon, so I suggest you make the most of your quite time."
Picking Spinarak up the spider didn't bother fighting me as we went and sat at the restaurant. Placing him on the table the bug remained largely depressed.
Turtwig hopping onto another chair as I sat with my bag. Starring at the sad spider I felt inclined to ask, "Do you want to tell us why you're sad?"
"Kwe, kwekweee...?" He looks to Turtwig tilting his small head. Spinarak's eyes ask for help.
Turtwig nods approvingly. "Turr, turr, twig!" His tone proud.
Spinarak's lifts a front leg to his head appearing to think. Then the spider's mind seemed made up and both font legs wave, or rather flail, at me. "Kweee, kewk, kweee! Kwe!"
"Wait." I raise my hand to stop Spinarak's panicked explanation. "I'm going to need some context here. Can you use your thread to explain?"
Spinarak nods and I stand up again. "Alright, let's go outside so we don't make mess."
Ritchie yawning as he stepped outside had to look twice at Paul, as the other Trainer and his Turtwig stared in consentration at... something on the floor.
He actually didn't quite get the chance to speak to the Sinnoh Trainer after yesterday's matches like he initally wanted, nor did he know how to feel about Paul after the Trainer's match. And Ritchie would be damned if he didn't try to actually get to know him now.
"Hey Paul! How'd you sleep last night?" The blue-hatted Trainer smiles.
"Fine. You?" Only to receive terse response as Paul closed his eyes.
"Oh, pretty good." Apart from Ritchie's weired nightmare about being chased by a giant Rhydon Doll. He looks to what Paul was focused on before. "So what's this?" Was it supposed to be a drawing? It looks like a squiggly mess!
"Well, Ritchie..." The Sinnoh Trainer grew even more serious and Ritchie paid his utmost attention. "I have no idea."
Ritchie nearly fell over.
"Sorry about that." Paul sounds genuinely somber about it.
The Kanto Trainer scratches his cheek unsure why he was being apogised to. "Er, that's okay-" But Ritchie paused seeing Paul crouch down to... a crying Spinarak.
"I know the feeling." Paul consoles the String Spit Pokémon, patting its head. "With me sometimes it can be too little. With you right now it's too much. So go on, start again, but one step at a time and simple."
Spinarak's tears stop, the Bug-type looking at Paul, its eyes glimmering.
Ritchie heard from stories, that Pokémon understood the meanings of words through the intents behind them. Some stories saying it was two-way.
While Ritchie didn't understand the meaning behind Paul's words. It was obvious to him the Spinarak did. The Pokémon giving a firm nod. "Kwe!"
The mess made of webbing dissolves and Spinarak begins its weaving again. This time the image was more comprehensive, albiet primitive, depicting two Spinarak.
Pointing to one, Spinarak points back to itself. "That's you." Paul nods, and Ritchie watches holding a hand on his own chin.
Spinarak points leg at Turtwig, and moves it between the mon and its Trainer. "Your... friend?"
"Kwee, kwee!" To Paul's question Spinarak hops nodding excitedly.
It weaves again, this scene includes two stick humans with... a Houndour and an Ekans? One of the Spinarak, that being the friend, now depicted in a net.
Yet, the drawer Spinarak looks at the net a little unssuredly. Like it didn't quite know how to explain something. Least, that's how it looked to Ritchie
"Pokémon Hunters?" The Trainer from Sinnoh hums. "Okay, so your friend was captured. And I'm going to guess you chased after?"
The Spinarak nods, changing the scene to a large fishing boat with the uncaptured Spinarak stuck to the back.
"Well, if that had been all the way from a Johto that would explain condition..." Paul's eyes move sideways in a look of contemplation.
"So is this your Spinarak, Paul?" Ritchie felt like he needed some answers now.
"Yeah. Caught him yesterday." The other boy pauses staring at the image and to a rist watch. Nodding, Paul crouches down to offer a hand to his Spinarak. "Do you want to go to the docks with me and see if you can recognise this boat?"
"Kwee!" Paul's Spinarak nods happily. Crawling up the Trainer's arm the Pokémon happily sat his left shoulder.
To this Turtwig gave a disgruntled grunt and Paul sighs. "Alright, jump on the other."
Turtwig however thrusts its head up in the other direction. "Tur!"
"Stubborn as ever." Smirking lightly the Sinnoh Trainer returns the Tiny Leaf Pokémon and stands raising a hand in farewell to Ritchie. "Later."
Ritchie staring some while at back with annoyance, sighed making his decision. Regardless of whether or not it was Paul's business; when there's a Pokémon in need, which clearly right now there is, it becomes Ritchie's business!
A firm resolve overcame him, and Ritchie followed after! "Wait! I'm coming with you!"
Paul pauses staring wide eyed briefly at the other Trainer before shrugging and continues walking. "Alright, why not."
Ritchie let a smile settle over his face.
Huh, weird. Why does it feel like someone's watching me. Probably just my imagination.Or so he thought.
Dammit!
Janine missed her chance, again!
Why does she keep chickening out!?
On her first try it was a little understandable. Janine had knocked on his room's door repeatedly this morning. She however re-evaluated that decision; realising that perhaps waking someone up at 6am wasn't the best choice and promptly hopped into a nearby vent.
But this time, there had been little excuse. She didn't what happened. One moment Janine had been about to go ask for Paul'sassistance, and the next Ritchie appeared and the konoichi immediately dived into the Pokémon Center's shrubbery.
Why!?
Where did this anxiety suddenly come from!?
Never mind! Janine would just follow until the right moment presents itself.
Arriving at Vermilion City's port, both myself, Turtwig, and Spinarak begin our search. Ritchie decided to tag along too; don't entirely understand why.
But he seems like a genuine enough sort of guy. And his resolute expression made it hard turn him down, because honestly, Ritchie looked like he'd follow me regardless.
So why not?
He wanted to know my Spinarak's business, so I told him the details as we walked.
Originally, I didn't want to go out of my way to do this. Yet here we are anyway. Guess, I'm a bleeding heart.
In anycase, the docs this morning were busy as you would think. Diffrent ships coming in, various fishing boats and few ferries prepping to leave.
"Hm, which one..." Ritchie looks about at the boats.
"Dunno. Do you recognise any Spinarak?" The Bug/Poison-type looks about with a consentrated eye. As we walk a short while more he points suddenly squeaking. "Kwekke!"
Staring to where Spinarak points. There is a fishing boat unloading the catch of the day in crates; Sardines, I think. In sink with a few other boats they had fish; Sardines, from the look of it.
Would think it a normal fishing boat, honestly. Except for the fact they had an Ekans and Houndour standing guard. Where as the other boats have Pokémon like Machop or Poliwirl helping out.
"We should ask about Spinarak's friend." Before he went any further I grip Ritchie's shoulder.
"Don't." He looks to me and I explain my reasoning. "If they know anything. Why would they tell you?"
Ritchie's brows pinch. "Because its right."
"Wrong." My head shakes. "Offical League Pokémon Hunters wear the name like a badge of honour. But if they are Hunter's why are these guys acting like fisherman?"
"Em, a hobby." His answer's more unsure than the last.
Jeez, how can I not sigh. "Probably, or their doing something not so League approved."
"Smart kid..." My own brows pinch together this time. Me and Ritchie both turn our heads, looking at a man in a trench coat sat on a nearby bench reading the today's newspaper. The man coughs. "Sorry. Don't pay me any mind..."
"Alright." He sighs as I look away. Obviously a cop.
Ritchie turns back to me blinking. "Where's Spinarak gone?"
Frowning, I peer at my shoulder seeing Spinarak gone and looking back at the boat to see the Pokémon in question in a mad dash to get nearer. Too out of reach to be returned to his Poké Ball. "Crap."
Rushing and catching up after my renegade. The Houndour's ears perk; lifting its head the Dark Pokémon bears its teeth. "Grrrrr..."
"KWE!" Unnerved, Spinarak pauses long enough I catch up and return it.
But Houndour jumps infront of me snarling. "Grohrara!"
I take a step back and the dog forwards. "Grrrr!..."
"That's enough Houndour!" The Pokémon visibly flinched at the tone stopping all aggression. One of the 'fishermen' a man wearing a flat cap looked apologetic, "Sorry about her kid. But you should get going."
I steady my breath. "R-Right." Houndour grumbles. Clear to me it doesn't look the best cared. Taking off my bag I quickly rummage through it. Finding the tubed container I was looking for, with a pop it opens. The smell clearly interests the Dark-type, if the watering mouth was anything to go off. Tipping it slightly, Pokémon food gently falls out.
Closing and the capsule back in my bag I turn around to leave hearing the Houndour eat.
"Groh." It gave much lighter bark this time. Whether it was in thanks is in the air.
Didn't take long to reach Ritchie again. "Are you alright Paul?" He asks me concerned.
"Yeah." A little taken off-guard, but he didn't need to know that. "Would have thought you'd come along." I feel my lips pull up at edges. "Proved me wrong."
He chuckles embarrassedly, rubbing the back of his head. "I was! But I tripped on over the guy with the newspaper's foot..." Looking at the bench the man was gone. "Hey! Where'd he go!?"
"He'll probably be back if you want an apology." I hum.
"No, it's alright. He apogised and gave me an Oran Berry. But I was just sat with him on the bench..." Looking about the man had disappeared completely. "That's weird."
Glancing at my watch I note the time. "It's 9am."
"Ah, we should get back if we want to get ready for the next matches." Ritchie glances unssuredly at me. "Do you wanna grab a snack or something?"
I'm not really a breakfast guy, though I shrug. "Sure."
Not really sure what to do with Spinarak though.
"What about the boat." The Kanto Trainer tilts his head at me unssuredly.
But I shake my head. "Leave it."
For a moment Ritchie looked like he wanted to argue before folding. "Fine."
This isn't really my field of expertise...
I don't know the whole deal with whatever criminal activity is going on at the harbour. Heck, why would potential poachers want a Spinarak?
No offence to Spinarak's friend, but the Spinarak line isn't exactly considerably rare now, is it?
"Well, that could've gone better." The man in a trench coat adjusted his hat scratching at his brow.
A young Trainer chasing after a run away Pokémon is one thing. But both the two together may have raised his suspects alertness level. Especially if one began asking questions.
And after paying a brief moment of attention to the two Trainers in question. He'd say one saw a crime, and new when to be quite; and the other was justly hearted but liked to ask questions.
Neither of those traits were bad. But given he'd let one accidently slip by, it had been better the quite Trainer over the other.
Tripping kids up wasn't what he wanted on his lookout duties. It was more panic and reaction than anything else.
Sorry kid...
Even if the man did apologise, he still felt bad about it. It wasn't something an Oran Berry couldn't fix.
Now... it's about time to switch out...
Clearing his throat he speaks quietly through a walkie-talkie pulled from inside his coat. "This is 100kr requesting a switch. Do you read me? Over."
In the following pause, he could only imagine his colleague sighing. The walkie-talkie buzzed. "...This is 000. Readung you loud and clear. I'll take look out, L022 is currently on break. And since I sympathise with her on that I'm going to ask: why request the early swap out? Over."
"There was an incident that may have drawn attention to me from two passing Trainers. Nothing drastic. Over." Codename 100kr kept his own sigh at the blunder to himself, because 000 wouldn't.
"...Leave it in the report. Just vacate the area, Looker. Out." Ah. Yeah, he's angry.
"Welcome back, babies and children!" Surge is boisterous as always.
And me? I'm back sitting on the bench with Ritchie. We don't exactly have the element of surprise anymore, so I let Turtwig sit by my feet, my other reasoning being for him to gauge how others fight.
Surge appears not to mind, and Ritchie seeing this brought out his Charmander Zippo and a Caterpie he calls Happy. The nicknames being oddly fitting the latter considering its happy little bobble, but contradictory in the former's chatty attitude, as evidenced by the little fire spitters one-sided conversation with my annoyed silent Turtwig. I feel you buddy, I feel you.
Spinarak on the other hand... He was off sulking in his Poké Ball because I stopped his reckless runoff earlier. I'll figure out what to do with him later; future Paul's problem.
"Morning you two!" Of course. Out the blue again sat next to me Neesha. "How'd you both sleep?"
"Just fine." Clipped as my responses may often be. I don't like often bothering to talk unnecessarily. Preferably getting the point across. Otherwise it's just a waste to me.
"Oh, hey Neesha!" Ritchie smiles. "Yeah, I slept alright. You?" Hm, that's an inconsistency there; I thought he said he slept pretty good earlier? Probably woke up in the middle of the night or something...
"Yeah, slept like a log." From the corner of my eye I see Neesha smile as I look at raffle Poké Ball number: 3 in my hand. Surge got rid of the stickers in favour of using a black marker pen. "Eh... Hey Paul, can I ask you something: related to someone called Reggie Hale? He's a Trainer from Veilstone and you both have the same name, so I'm just sort of curious..."
Blinking upwards I turn my head to her. Wait, she knows Reggie? I've seen him battle other Trainer's on TV so it kinda made sense. "Sure, he's my brother. Why?"
Neesha lights up. The older Trainer looked as if she were on the precipice of regurgitating words, like a- like a- like a-!
Gossip girl.
I suddenly don't feel so comfortable now...
However, before she could get another word in. "Numbers: 3!" Surge called the first number he drew.
"That's me." I stand and walk to the field. Turtwig relieved to follow, all the while Zippo giving a happy little wave.
Thank you for giving me this brief window of peace for a second time, Lighting Lieutenant. However long this battle lasts...
I'm going to go with the raffle again this first battle. Mainly because my opponent this time, the educated Giselle, does the very same thing.
I could go with Turtwig like I had originally planned on doing with Janine. The thing is, despite Type-advantage the battle can go differently when our Pokémon get tired.
Better to test our luck and knowledge in the first round and duke it out in the full swing in the second. Besides, I can just switch out when she does; we both only get one each after all.
We both took our positions. "Release your Pokémon."
And we threw.
"Go!" On Giselle's side appears a Pikachu. "Pika!"
"Stand by for battle!" On mine a Magnemite. "MAGNEMITE." Interesting. Pikachu have good hearing, right?
"Begin!"
"Metal Sound!" I start things off.
"MAGNE_!" Egh... I think by the Giselle's visible grimace she felt just as ill hearing it.
But looking at Pikachu the little guy was toughing it out with grit teeth.
What else? Ah, yeah it might know that. "Sonic Boom!"
"Dodge! Following with Thunder Shock!" My opponent orders.
"Magnemite!" A shock wave explodes from the Magnet Pokémon's front slamming the Electric Mouse as it nearly dodged.
"Pika!" Regardless the Pikachu chose to continue with it's orders and released an electric surge. "Chuuuu!"
There is no time to dodge. I gotta grasp whatever straw I can. "Defend yourself!"
Thankfully, a screen made of light materialises between the incoming attack and Magnamite. Light Screen, though a weak one considering it were but a single layered one. It did a good job of defending against Thunder Shock.
"Quick Attack." Appears my opponent wants to get in close. Pikachu shot forwards, white energy trailing behind.
Now then, let's lean in to what we know. "Sonic Boom, rapid-fire!"
Multiple shock waves of force burst at Pikachu in quick succession of the other. Each pushing Magnemite slightly back from recoil.
"Pikachu, Dodge!" And the Electric-type did. At least the first two.
Because as Pikachu was about to strike- "MAGNEMITE!" The Electric/Steel-type releases a Sonic Boom mightier than the last!
"Pika-!" Hitting the ground with a loud smack. Dust rises and cleares revealing recovering Pikachu.
"Tackle, now!" My raffle Pokémon carries the order about brilliantly. Propelling itself forward so fast crashing into the dazed mouse with a sickening crunch.
Giselle couldn't get a last order now.
"Pikachu is unable to battle. The victor of the first round is Magnemite!" At Surge's announcement, some spectators clap. Magnemite in particular adored the attention waving its magnets happily at the audience in turn.
I was about to return it, when it suddenly flew over to me happily. "MAGNEMITE! MAGNEMITE! MAGNEMITE!"
Staring at the raffle Pokémon, it did very much the same with expectation. Realising it wanted praise, I sigh raising the Poké Ball. "Not bad, I'm sure you can do better."
Magnemite looks somewhat downcast as I return it. Harsh, sure. Here's the thing; over bloating a Pokémon's ego isn't a good thing. There have been cases whereby it had led to disobedience after they Evolved.
Turtwig? He's just angry and stubborn. If the Grass-type ever shows the signs, I'll sort something out to deal with the issue.
"Both of you select your next Pokémon!"
At the prompt I look downwards at my side to Turtwig. "Stand by for battle."
"Tur!" He ran to stand against the opposition.
The other looks at her Poké Ball worriedly a brief moment, before throwing. "Cubone, go!"
"Cu, cu!" The little skull wearer appeared in a flash.
Surge hums taking a note. "Ready?" And we nod. "Good. Begin!"
"Bonemerang!" Giselle shouts her order. Cubone hefting the club back threw it and the bone spun.
"Dodge and Razor Leaf!" Hopping to the side, out from the spinning calcium sticks way. Turtwig whips his head as he did, sending a set of sharpened leaves spinning towards the Ground-type.
"Dodge!" And Cubone did, being clipped by two. But an odd glint entered Giselle's eyes. "Attract!"
Through a slightly teary eye, Cubone gave a wink. "Cu~ Cubone~" From it shot a heart shape made of pink energy.
Oh no. "Dodge, quickly!" However, regardless of my orders the move struck.
"Tur~ Turtwig~" His swaying, love struck calls, and eyes was all just so...
"Gross..." Giselle was smug as anything at my words. That highty attitude bugs the heck out of me! I had to talk some sense into him. "Are you really going to fall over just like that! You look pathetic!" My Turtwig seemed visibly struck by the words!
Cubone's bone returns. "Bone Club!" And it rushed towards Turtwig.
The Grass-type remains stood still from my words. And as he was struck- "Tur!" Turtwig snaps back to himself again. His love struck expression sinking bellow an emergent mixture of shame and rage.
That's my boy.
I smirk cruelly. "Bite that club gone!"
"Twig!!!" Turtwig took his in stride. Reacting quicker than normally his jaw grips ahold of the retreating weapon. "TURRRRTWIGGGGGG!!!" And shattered the bone into fragments!
I mean... I was expecting him to throw it aside, not shatter the damn thing! Wait, that was stronger than it should be! Was that move, Crunch!?
"Cu- Cu-!" Cubone looks taken aback. "CUBONE!!!!" And busts into tears with a cry.
"Retreat back Cubone!" Yet the Lonely Pokémon doesn't listen.
Screw it, there's an opportunity here! "Headbutt!"
Slamming his head into Cubone's sending the other Pokémon tumbling back.
"CUUU!!! CUU!!!" Begin flailing about. It's tantrum worsening.
Giselle sighs and raising her Poké Ball. "Cubone, return. I concede."
Surge nods raising his hand my way. "Cubone is unable to battle. The victors are Turtwig and Paul!"
Turtwig walks back to me. Looking awkwardly away as he did. Staring down at him I nod. "You did a good job."
"Turr..." He still looks embarrassed. Raising his Poké Ball I return him. I don't think Turtwig is in the mood to be out anymore.
Walking over to the Gym Leader like Giselle. I handed of the raffle Pokémon back over to Surge.
Raising my hand to my former opponent after I did. Confusion riddles her expression. I found myself needing to explain. "Good game."
"Em, of course it was." Giselle's highty attitude seemed to restore itself as her hand shook my own.
Looking to Surge again after I we finished. I asked, "Can I go?"
"Sure." Raising his brow as he did. "Not gonna stay for your results?"
"I got things to be doing. So I'll just as at the Pokémon Center after I'm done." Turning around I left raising a hand in farewell to Ritchie as I did.
I thought I caught glimpse of someone hanging of a tree. Turning to look, there was no one however.
Shrugging, I went on my way.
Neesha sighs disappointed as Paul left. Oh well... "That little jerk..."
Ritchie, on the other hand. Unaware of Neesha's inner turmoil. Hearing the older Trainer's mumbled complaint misunderstood with a shake of his head. "No. I just think he's a little more personal than most you'd meet, is all."
But hey that just meant putting in the effort to be friends right?
Least that's how he viewed it. Speaking off that... "Hey, Neesha? You know Paul's brother?"
The girl nods. "Yeah, we travelled a little while together." And here I thought I could get Reggie's number...
Sitting on the mattress, I tapped my fingers on the motorbiker helmet resting upon my knee. Pretty cheap all in all. I bought it on my way back to the Pokémon Center.
As for why... well...
I glance to Spinarak's Poké Ball.
Ah, this is stupid... I shouldn't bother... But regardless of what I might want, my actions will betray me.
A nock at my do made me lift myself to standing. I placed the helmet gently over on the bed and made my way to the door.
Opening the door. Beyond it, to my surprise stood somebody rather unexpected. "Janine?"
"My greetings!" To my further surprise the girl bows. "I would like to request for your aid!"
Looking awkwardly down either side of the hallway I see no one else around. "Can you talk normally, please?"
A flicker of confusion shimmers in Janine's eyes. "I am talking normal."
Giving a sigh, I realise wording matters with this person. "Can you act more... casually?"
Her shoulders formerly stiff relaxed. "If you wish, I shall..." The other Trainer's demeanour becoming a little more shy as didn't meet my eyes. "I should warn I am not the greatest at informal conversation."
Not the greatest at formal either... But I'll keep that to myself.
"Ok... So what do you want help with?" Admittedly I was a little curious what she'd need my help with.
"My father has... confiscated my Crobat. And told me to seek your help." She looks to the side. "If you would please..."
"..." I didn't exactly feel obliged to consider helping. "Look, I..."
...Ninja...
Then I remember she's suppose to be a ninja and made to clarify directly. "Are you a ninja?"
"I am a konoichi." She puffs out in pride her awkward attitude slips.
"Is that a ninja?" I wasn't exactly savvy with the term.
"It is!" Proudly Janine nods.
Looking back into my room from the helmet I bought and to Spinarak's Poké Ball. A plan takes form in my head. "I'll help you..."
"Really!?" Covering up her excitement by clearing her throat, Janine smiles slightly. "I am appreciative."
"But you'll have to help me with something."
Curiosity riddles shows itself ever so slightly upon her expression. "And what would that be?"
I step aside. "Come in and I'll explain."
Author's Note:
This chapter is largely unedited.