Here's the next chapter.
I'm sorry to say that I can no longer accept any more Pokemon recommendations as I'm starting to lose track of them all and it would be unfair tho those who have submitted Pokemon if I start forgetting them.
Once the 'Potential Pokemon List' is shorter I will start accepting them again. Thanks you so much those who have submitted requests. You have been a great help in the development of this story. Thank you for understanding.
All of Charles', Flo's, and Alice's Pokemon and their names can be found on my profile.
Djinn - Thanks so much as always. Miko is definitely going to be a great part to the team. Hope you like the next chapter.
Lovely - Thank you. I have to do a scene between Marina and Oak's dragonite I think that will be cute. Your pretty much spot on with the names. The reason why I named dratini Marina (I got your other review) is, as you said, she was found at the sea. Plus, dratini are found mainly near water so I thought it would be a good choice. Hope you like the next chapter.
Jabberwockyy - It's possible that he is, although I like to think he just likes to follow Benny around.
SkullGreymonX - Thank you so much, I'm glad you enjoyed it. I might actually have them met her old trainer some time, I think that would be an interesting chapter. There will be more interaction with Titania in this chapter, but it's going to get worse before it can get better. Hope you like the next chapter.
Kunoichi69 - He sure does take after his mother hopefully he would grow out of it (he won't). I will definitely do a scene where Blissey meets Marina, I think that would be adorable. Miko will take some time getting used to be around others but she will soon adapt as you said. Thanks for reading.
BigEater - Yeah, Titania has a lot of problems that need to be resolved and the next few chapters are going to address this alongside the usual madness. Ash's primape fighting at the Cinnarbar gym is a good idea, I'll make sure to include. Thank you.
pokemonking0924 - Thank you so much as always. I had completely forgotten about Misty's Corsola, but yeah that's a good way of explaining it. I've been looking forward to writing about the egg hatching, mostly because I wanted to introduce Marina, but also so I don't have to remember which character was carrying the incubator. Hope you like the next chapter, I based it on one of your suggestions.
TurboDriver - Thanks so much, I'm glad you enjoyed. I'm happy that I gave Charles the ability to speak to Pokemon because it really expands on the Pokemon's character. And yes, Charles is very similar to Hiccup. I hadn't planned to have the Pichu follow Benny, but I think I actually might. Thanks for reading.
Guest - You make an excellent point, Pokemon is such a great anime. Thanks for reading.
Sonic07 - "Makes me wonder how you'll keep up this quality for later seasons" that sentence pretty much sums up my worst fear. Thankfully, I have great supporters who inspire to keep writing. I think I might have Leslie a recurring villain, but I will definitely add more like Tema Rocket grunts and other hunters. Your idea sounds great, I see what I can do. Thanks for reading.
danielsnow - Thank you so much. Enjoy the next chapter.
FartNinja - Sorry for the confusion. Yeah, Leaf would be more of a side character in this story but I did create a character bio on my profile. Thanks for reading.
Guest (2) - You make a great point and the harem will develop over time so nothing is set in stone. Thanks for reading.
Guest (3) - That's a good idea. I should of thought of that earlier. Perhaps I could add that in later.
Guest (4) - I take that as a compliment. I don't think a criminal's Pokemon would instantly go to a random trainer. I think the law would hopefully find them another certified trainer.
DarthMonkey - Thank you so much. I think they past Maiden's Peak unfortunately so they won't be a spooky chapter for a while. I love the name suggestions, however, and I'll keep them in mind for future chapters. Thank you also for the battle suggestions. I don't think Charles has used Cleo in a battle so she'll be intestinal to use. Thanks again.
Guest (5) - Thank you so much. I hope you like the next chapter.
Thank you all for reviewing.
Story by pokemonking0924
Chapter 23: Without A Trace
Forest In East Kanto
The team had stopped at a small clearing by the forest path for lunch. Charles and Benny were preparing food for both the humans and the Pokemon. Flo was reading a book about medicine while Alette and Manitari sat on either shoulder and Alice was grooming Apollo and Ruby. The rest of the Pokemon were either resting of talking to each other.
Charles was chopping up some carrots when he stopped and sighed sadly. Benny looked up at him in concern from upon the table.
("Everything alright?") he asked.
Charles slid the chopped up carrots from the chopping board into a bowl with the rest of the salad and put down the knife.
"I miss Marina," he told him, earning a small frown from Benny.
("You'll see her soon,") he reassured, ("Once we get to next Pokemon Centre we can swap some team members around. I think Pyro needs some rest anyway,") he said glancing at the charmeleon who was watching Hurricane perform loops in the air.
"I know," Charles said as he began pour Pokemon food into bowels, "But I didn't get to be with her long. I hope she would be alright with the separation. What if she forgets me."
Benny waved a paw at him, ("Don't worry. Nobody can forget a face like yours.")
Charles wasn't quite sure if that was a compliment or an insult so to be safe he gave his brother an annoyed glare.
("Besides it's not like Professor Oak hasn't looked after dratini before. I mean he raised aunt Dragonite,") he reassured, ("I'm sure he can handle her.")
Oak's Lab
Meanwhile
"Marina please stop!" Oak shouted as he chased the dratini.
The young Pokemon was energetically zooming around the lab, crashing into equipment and computers and knocking over tables. While Oak was trying to stop his lab from getting destroyed, Marina thought they were playing a game.
("Mama! Mama!") she happily cried as she knocked over glass beakers off the shelves which smashed on the floor.
They continued to play cat and mouse (or human and dratini) as Cleo walked by the lab door. She took one look inside, sighed in exhaustion and stepped into the room.
("Marina dear,") Cleo called out, making the young Pokemon and Oak stop in their tracks.
The dratini looked towards the door, saw Cleo, and happily called out, ("Big sister Cleo!") as she made her way towards the Persian.
Cleo allowed her to wrap around her middle in a hug and rub her head against her cheek, ("Why don't we go outside and play, huh,") she said as she walked towards the corral.
("Play with big sister Cleo!") Marina happily chanted as they both left the lab.
Professor Oak watched them leave in astonishment before looking around his almost destroyed lab. He sighed in defeat and rubbed his forehead.
Back to Charles and Benny
Charles gave his brother an odd look, "When you say that the Professor can handle her-"
("I meant Cleo,") Benny answered, making Charles nod his head in understanding, ("Anyway when are we going to deal with...") he nodded his head towards Titania.
The eevee was trying to get some sleep underneath a tree, but Boa's humming and tutting as she stared at herself in a nearby puddle was keeping her awake. Titania growled at her and held her ears down with her paws.
("Are we going to ask her about her siblings?") Benny whispered to Charles.
The trainer hummed in thought, "I don't know. She seems to be more agitated than usual. Perhaps it's not a good time."
("She's always agitated,") Benny countered, ("Can't you just use your Pokemon charm on her.")
"What Pokemon charm?"
Benny shrugged, ("You know how you always seem to know the answer to every Pokemon's problem and make them your friends. Then you drop a random piece of wisdom despite being ten years old.")
"You mean how I talk to Pokemon like a decent person," Charles said in a deadpanned tone.
("Precisely. Can't you just do that to her. The worst thing she can do is bite your nose and scratch up your face,") Benny said, giving him a teasing smile.
Charles glared at him and the looked over his head, "Hey, isn't that the Pichu from the nursery?" he lied.
("What!?") Benny yelped in panic before darting under the table.
Charles chuckled as he continued to prepare the lunch, "Now that's what I call Pokemon charm."
Over to Titania and Boa, the ekans once again looked at her reflection and sighed dramatically. She glanced over at Titania and saw that she was still curled up asleep. Boa sighed again but this time louder before glancing over to the eevee. Titania still didn't move, but an angry tick mark formed on her head. Boa cleared her throat and sighed even louder.
Titania snapped her head up at her and growled in annoyance, ("For Arceus' sake, what!?")
("Oh nothing,") Boa said as dramatically turned her head away, making Titania growl even louder.
("Then shut up! I'm trying to get some sleep before lunch,") the eevee angrily muttered as she laid her head down again.
However, her rest was once again disrupted as Boa slithered next to her, not at all bothered by Titania's hostility.
("Well since you insist,") Boa sighed, causing Titania to groan, ("I'm worried about evolving.")
("I don't care,") Titania mumbled.
("I mean I would look so different to the way I am now.")
("You'll only grow longer and your head will form a hood, that's literally the only difference,") Titania miserably countered.
("What happens if I don't look as beautiful as I am now?")
("So what. Can you annoy Charles or somebody else now") Titania grumbled, earning a sharp look from Boa.
("You could be a little sympathetic, you know,") Boa hissed crossly.
Titania lifted her head and growled up at her, ("Sympathy? You've come to the wrong Pokemon for sympathy. Just leave me to rest before -")
"It's time for lunch everybody!" Charles called out, much to Titania's dismay.
("Oh lunch,") Boa happily hissed, ("That will make feel better. Thanks Titania,") she said as she slithered over to the table.
The eevee stood up and dragged herself towards the table, muttering insults under her breath.
The Pokemon walked to their individual bowls that Charles had set out for them while Flo and Alice sat at the table. Charles had made them omelettes and salad for them and set their meals in front of them.
"These look delicious," Alice said as she licked her lips, ready to dig in.
Flo nodded in agreement, "My mum has been teaching me and Charles how to cook while Ms. Ketchum has taught us to bake. We can confidently say that we are quite good at it."
"I'm so glad I joined you guys," Alice happily said as a tear roll down her eye.
"You make it sound like you're only in it for the free food," Charles said with a raised eyebrow, "Would you like to cook sometime some you love food and everything?"
Alice gulped in fear and began to sweat nervously, "N-no thank you. I-I'm good," she told them as she rapidly piled on some salad onto her plate.
Charles and Flo gave her an odd look at her nervousness before shrugging it off.
Boa looked down at her bowel of Pokemon in content and closed her eyes, ("A nice meal will put my mind at ease,") she told herself as she leaned down to eat.
Only to bite down on nothing. Her teeth clanging together painfully.
Her eyes snapped open and she gasped in shock as the bowel was completely empty. She looked around as if the food was miraculous next to her, but it wan't there either. She hissed in confusion before she lifted her head up.
("Has anybody seen my food?") she asked, making the other Pokemon look up at her.
("Is it under your bowl?") Hurricane asked.
Benny gave him an odd look, ("Why would it be under her bowl?") he said before turning back to Boa just in time to see the ekans actually checking under bowl.
Boa realised she was caught and quickly put her bowl down, ("Yeah, you have to be an idiot to think that?") she said nervously, making the other sweat drop.
Charles noticed the commotion and looked up in concern, "Is there something wrong, Boa?"
("My lunch is gone,") she said, pointing the end of her tail at the empty bowl.
Charles frowned and stood up to investigate, "That's strange. I thought I-" he briefly looked back at his own plate and was shocked to see that his omelette was gone, "-huh! Where did my omelette go?"
("Hey my food is gone!") Pyro cried as he looked around the area, ("I only looked away for a second.")
("Mine too!") Alette suddenly gasped.
("So is mine!") Hurricane shouted.
("Oh dear, it would look like mine is gone as well,") Manitari softly said, seemingly not to bothered with the theft.
Tyche looked down and gasped at the empty bowl in front of him, ("Mine is gone as well!")
("Err...Tyche you're looking at my bowl,") Alette told him as she pointed to his bowl still full of food.
The bellesprout sighed in relief as he closed his eyes, ("Phew! That was luck-") he opened his eyes again only to see that now his bowl was empty, ("Oh...never mind.")
"Charles!" Flo cried out as she noticed that the food on their plates and in the salad bowl is completely empty.
Alice laid the side of head on the table as tears streamed from her eyes, "I didn't even eat a single bite," she wept in despair.
"What's going on?" Charles muttered as everyone started to panic.
It took a while for Charles to calm everyone down. He made sure the rest of their food supplies were firmly secured before addressing the team. All of them were very upset and very hungry as they gathered around the humans waiting for orders.
("It's outrageous,") Apollo muttered, ("how can something like this happen to one vigilant as I.")
("I'm honestly surprised that it hasn't happened to me before now,") Echo admitted.
Flo turned towards Charles in concern, "Maybe we should give out the rest of the food. We've been walking all morning, the Pokemon are hungry."
"I don't think we should," Alice disagreed, "we have no idea what's taking it and we only have a limited supply. If we start handing them out we will lose it all."
Benny leaped on his shoulder, ("I agree with Alice. We need to make sure all our food is secure.")
Charles sighed and rubbed his chin thoughtfully, "You're right Alice we have to be careful from now on. However, Flo does make a point. I don't think we'll last to next town if we don't eat something," he turned towards the Pokemon in determination, "That's why we all need to work together and find this food thief before we leave. That means you too Titania."
The eevee scoffed and looked away.
"We'll split into teams," continued Charles, "one lead by Flo, one lead by Alice and the last led by me. Flo and Alice you take your Pokemon and two from my team. Each team will come up with a plan to either identify or catch the thief. How does that sound?"
"Sounds like a plan," Flo agreed.
"Yeah, we'll teach this thief why you shouldn't steal food from me!" Alice boldly declared.
...
...
...
Alice coughed awkwardly as she noticed everyone's glare, "I-I mean from us. Yeah," she corrected herself with a nervous laugh.
And so the teams were split up. On Charles' Team there was Benny, Titania and Echo, on Flo's team there was Alette, Manitari, Boa and Hurricane and finally on Alice's team there was Apollo, Ruby, Pyro, and Tyche. Flo's and Alice's teams ventured off into the forest while Charles' Team stayed behind near the food supply.
Alice's Team
Strategy: Stake Out
Apollo proudly led them to a small clearing before stopping in the middle and pointing with his nose to the ground in front of him. Alice gave her Pokemon an odd look and placed a plate with some Pokemon food where Apollo pointed. They agreed to take some bait from the supply just in case they needed it capture the thief.
("Excellent master,") Apollo barked in thanks before addressing the rest of the team, ("Attention soldiers. I shall enact my plan to capture the fiend and have them returned the food at once.")
The other Pokemon shared an uneasy look while Alice just looked confused.
Pyro lifted his claw to ask a question, ("Err...Apollo. How are you going to do that?")
("A-a-are w-w-we going to do a s-s-stake out?") Ruby nervously asked from her water tank. Alice brought her a portable water tank so she didn't have to miss out on things as well as to stop her from getting isolated among the team.
('Whatever it is, can I help?") Tyche asked hopefully, waving his leaf arm.
Alice sighed as the Pokemon had their conversation, "It's really times like these that I need Charles around."
("Observe,") Apollo declared before he leaned his face down just above the bowel and stared at the Pokemon food.
...
...
...
...
'His idea was to stare at it!' Alice and the Pokemon thought in disbelief.
Flo's Team
Strategy: Traps
Flo had led her team (Alette, Manitari, Boa and Hurricane) to another small clearing with a bunch of materials under her arm. The Pokemon watched curiously as she began to build something that involved a lot of banging, sawing and drill sounds. After she was done, she wiped her brow and stepped back from the thing she had created.
"Ta-da!" she happily presented.
The Pokemon looked at the thing she made and couldn't help but sweat drop. Despite sounding impressive it sure didn't look like it. Flo had propped the side of a wooden box with a stick. Underneath the box was a plate of Pokemon food that Flo has used for bait.
The Pokemon gave Flo a questioning look, making Flo sigh, "Yes, I know it's simplistic, but I know it's going to work."
("It looks like something out of a cartoon,") Alette observed.
("Or something Team Rocket would make,") Boa added.
Manitari walked over to Flo and calmly patted her foot, ("It's alright dear. We can think of another-")
THUMP!
They jumped in surprise as the trap was set off suddenly catching something inside the box. Flo smiled victoriously and leaped in excitement.
"It worked!" she cheered.
("It worked!?") the Pokemon shouted in disbelief.
Flo excitedly lifted the box so she could identify who she had trapped, only for her grin to fall as she saw that was only Hurricane that set off the trap. Hurricane was just about to take bite out of the food when he noticed the glares from the rest of his team. He quickly put the food down and rubbed his head sheepishly.
("Just checking if it worked,") he lied with a nervous laugh.
Flo groaned as she rubbed her forehead, "I need to rethink this."
Charles' Team
Strategy: Investigation
Benny and Titania sniffed the ground around the table, using their keen senses to track any foreign scents while Charles checked for prints with Echo. Soon Benny lifted his head with defeated sigh.
("I can't pick up on anything,") he said.
("Me neither,") Titania added unenthusiastically.
Charles hummed in thought as he couldn't find any prints either. It hadn't rained in a while so the ground wasn't soft enough to leave anything, but it was worth a try.
"Perhaps our thief was a flying Pokemon," Charles suggested before turning to the zubat, "Echo can you check the branches of the trees around us for any clues. Benny, Titania you better also check the foot of the trees as well."
("Right,") the Pokemon agreed, although Titania said in begrudgingly, and went off to check.
It wasn't long until Titania smelt something and alerted the rest, ("Hey I think I have something. It's not another Pokemon, but it definitely smells like food was eaten.")
Benny came over and looked at the ground near the tree, ("There's something on the ground here. And there's a trail.")
("And there's some mistletoe in this tree,") Echo added from the branches above.
...
...
...
Charles, Benny and Titania gave the zubat confused looks, ("So?") Titania asked.
("It means that this tree has a parasitic plant.")
...
...
...
"What does that have to do with the clues?" Charles asked.
("Oh nothing. It's just interesting that's all,") Echo sheepishly said, making the other three sigh.
"Let's just follow the trail," Charles said.
Team Alice
Alice, Ruby, Pyro, and Tyche were still watching Apollo staring the plate of food. The growelithe hadn't moved a single inch, not taking his eye of it.
…
…
…
("How long has he been staring now,") Tyche asked.
("About five minutes,") Pyro answered.
…
…
…
Alice yawned in boredom.
…
…
…
Ruby started to look at the clouds through the tree leaves.
…
…
…
("I wonder if the other teams are having fun,") Pyro mused to himself.
Team Flo
The trap was set up again and they were all hiding behind a bush, waiting for somebody to spring.
"Okay," Flo said to the others, "now that I had put the bait into a bottle so Hurricane can't get at," they all glared at the butterfree who just whistled innocently, "no doubt that something will-"
THUMP!
"Ah-ha!" Flo declared as she jumped over the bush and lifted the box up, 'I've got you n-"
She stopped short as she saw Tyche upside down with his head stuck in the bottle, swinging his root feet frantically around. He saw Team Flo looking down at him with shocked looks and gave a friendly wave.
"Tyche! What are you doing!?" Flo cried.
("I came here to help and I got stuck in this bottle,") he explained, his voice slightly muffled from the bottle.
("You're missing a few steps there,") Alette said in confusion.
("Oh right. Well I walked over here-")
("Yes, Tyche we know that much,") Boa hissed.
("Oh okay. And then the next thing I know I was in this bottle.)
(Yes dear, but how?") Manitari questioned.
Tyche thought for a moment before answering, ("To be honest, everything was a bit of blur.") he answered.
Even years from now, they are still unsure how the bellesprout got stuck in the bottle.
Team Charles
They followed the trail deeper into the forest until it lead to an large tree where two pidgey sat on one of its branches. They calmly walked/flew over to them and Charles cleared his throat to get their attention.
"Excuse me, we were wondering if we can ask you some questions," Charles started, earning confused looks from the two pidgey.
("Is the human talking to us?") one of the pidgey asked her fellow Pokemon.
("Yes, he is,") Benny said as he leaped onto Charles' shoulder, ("we have had food stolen from us and we want to find who this thief is.")
The other pidgey began to fidget slightly which caught the attention of the team.
("Err...well we don't know anything about that,") the second pidgey nervously said as his feathers ruffled.
The first pidgey nodded her head, ("Yeah. I'm sorry but we can't help you.")
("Oh really,") Titania said questioningly as she jumped onto Charles' other shoulder and onto the branch the pidgey were sitting on. She made her way to the trunk and turned back to the pidgey, ("how do you explain this, then.")
She knocked away a loose piece of bark from the tree to reveal that it was hollow inside. Filling the empty space was hundreds of berries of different shapes and sizes much to everybody's surprise. Well, everyone except for the male pidgey who looked horrified at being caught.
("Looks like we found ourselves a secret stash,") Titania mused.
Echo hummed thoughtfully, ("Yeah, but it's only berries and no Pokemon food.")
("Then why is it here?") Benny asked, although before he could answered the female pidgey turned to her companion furiously.
("Have you been hoarding food again?" You said you would quit!") she shouted angrily as he backed away.
("I swear I was going to share it with you,") he persuaded desperately.
("Why did you hide it then! Where was this yesterday when I asked you if you had any!?")
The male pidgey gulped, ("Err...well you see.")
As the two pidgey began to argue, Team Charles stood awkwardly over to the side watching the carnage go down with Titania pin Charles' arms.
"Well...thank you...anyway," Charles hesitantly said as they turned away and headed back to the camp, his words not registering with the arguing pidgey.
("So that wasn't who we were looking for,") Benny said gingerly.
"Nope," Charles replied stiffly.
("And we totally ruined the two pidgey's relationship,") Echo added, just as uncomfortable.
"Yep," Charles answered again.
Team Alice
Apollo continued to stare at food, his eyes become sore from not blinking. Alice, and Pyro were now sitting or lying on the ground, having grown tired of standing up. Ruby was even bored as she just lazily floated in her tank.
Alice sighed and looked up at her Pokemon, "Apollo please blink. I'm worried about your eyes."
("I...can't...master...I...must...not...look...away,") Apollo said, using all his energy to not blink.
("Hi, I'm back,") Tyche cried as he walked out of the bush, making everybody (even Apollo) jump in surprise.
Apollo looked at the Pokemon before his eyes widened as he realised he looked away from the plate. He snapped his head back and saw that the plate was empty.
("NOOO! I WAS SO CLOSE!") Apollo wailed as he fell to the ground in defeat, along with the rest of the team.
Tyche watched them with a sheepish look, ("Sorry. I probably shouldn't have shouted like that.")
"Back to the drawing board," Alice muttered to herself.
Team Alice: Defeated
Team Flo
"Okay one more time," Flo desperately told her team as there were once again hidden behind a bush, "I know it will work."
The Pokemon looked at her in worry, ("Err...Alette, should we be worried,") Boa asked.
("Let's give her one more chance and the we'll call it quits,") Alette reassured.
("Good thing too, because I'm so bored,") Hurricane moaned as flutter lazily before turning to the paras, ("Hey Mani, are you bored as well. Bet you aren't as bored as I am.")
Manitari lightly chuckled, ("I'm just happy to spend time with everyone,") she said gracefully.
("That's one way of looking at it,") Boa sighed.
THUMP! AH!
Flo instantly jumped up at the noise of the trap being set off and cried triumphantly.
"I've got you n- oh for goodness sake!" she angrily shouted as she saw the the person who set it off was Alice.
She lifted the box of her trapped hand and rubbed it to relieve some of the pain, "What was that for!?" Alice angrily complained.
Flo sighed, "Are you really that desperate for food?"
"Of course not," Alice shouted in offence, "What do you think I am, a snorlax. I wanted to get some more Pokemon food so we can set up another-" she turned back to the bait and almost choked as she saw that all of the Pokemon food was gone.
The humans and Pokemon groaned, "I give up," they chorused.
Team Flo: Defeated.
Team Charles
"So their aren't any other trails," Charles asked the Pokemon who shook their heads no. He sighed and leaned back against a tree, "This doesn't make sense. Any Pokemon would have made tracks or leave some sort of marks on the branches of the trees."
("Maybe it's a Ghost type,") Benny suggested.
"Ghost type Pokemon would try to scare us not steal our food," Charles replied.
("What if it's a Pokemon from a different region,") Echo said, ("one that's really quick and really hungry.")
Charles shook his head, "That would be more likely in West Kanto where it connects to other regions. East Kanto in unlikely to get any migrant Pokemon," he turned to Titania who decided to sit afar from them, "Titania, any ideas."
The eevee groaned in annoyance, ("I don't know. Maybe it teleported.")
Charles hummed in concern at her lack of enthusiasm before his eyebrows lifted in realisation, "Teleported, of course!" he cried before muttering to himself, "That took me way too long to figure out. I need to do some revision."
("Charles, what did you figure out?") Benny asked curiously.
"You'll see in a moment," he told him before turning to Echo, "can you see if you can find..." he began to whisper something to the zubat. After he was done giving him orders, Echo nodded and flew off out of sight.
As they were talking, Benny saw an opportunity to talk to Titania a out her siblings and casually approached her. The eevee glanced up at him as he came closer, bot did nothing else.
("Looks like we're on the right tracks,") Benny awkwardly started, ("It's a shame that he won't tell us.")
Titania shrugged, ("I'm not bothered.")
("Well, that's brothers for you. They're always doing annoying stuff like that,") Benny continued.
Titania didn't respond that time, making Benny take a deep breath in preparation.
("Do you know what I mean?") he asked, earning an irritated sigh from Titania.
("Know about what?")
("What's it like to have a brother or a sister,") Benny answered, he knew he wasn't doing well with this. Charles is much better than he was.
Titania growled at the pikachu, ("Where's this going?") she demanded.
("Look we know about your siblings-")
Titania stood up and got in his face, ("Yeah, so what. It's none of your business,") she growled.
("We're just worried about you. I mean don't you want to find them.")
("Are you deaf or something! It ain't your business!") she shouted, ("I don't ask questions about your weird fur colour or why your freak of a brother can talk to Pokemon. So stay out of it.")
Benny gritted his teeth in anger, his cheeks sparking with electricity, ("Don't you dare call him that,") he snarled.
("Well don't stick your nose into my life,") Titania furiously said, her fluffy tail raised challengingly.
"Benny, Titania! Stop it right now!" Charles demanded when he noticed the fight kicking off. He picked up Benny and patted his head to calm him down before addressing Titania with a concerned look, "I'm really sorry, but all we wanted was to talk."
("I don't want to talk about it!") Titania shouted, ("I just want to be left alone, okay! I don't want join in or help out with you lot and I hate that everyone wants to talk to me! Ever since I joined I have pestered and annoyed by you and your stupid Pokemon who are trying to be friends with me! Well, guess what we're not friends. We will never be friends! I wish I never met you!")
A stunned silence fell between them as Titania finished her small rant. Benny looked up to see Charles' blank expression, frowning in concern. Even Titania was slightly put off by his lack of response, but didn't dare drop her glare.
Charles was upset. More then upset even. This wouldn't be the first time he and another Pokemon had disagreement, but it was nothing as serious as this. People like to think that he was an expert on Pokemon and maybe he was in comparison to others. But it doesn't mean he was absolutely perfect. Sometimes he doesn't have the answers or know the right thing to do.
And this is one of these times.
Charles sighed sadly, "I'm sorry Titania. Would you like me to release you and you can go off on your own?"
("What?") Benny asked in astonishment.
The eevee blinked in surprise and took a step back, ("I-I don't know. Right now, I just don't want to travel with you.")
"That's fine. Why don't you go back in your pokeball and the next Centre we get to I can send you back to the lab. Then you can decide what to do next." he suggested in a calm tone.
Titania tail lowered and her ears dropped slightly at his tone, ("Yeah…that sounds good.")
Charles took out his pokeball, returned her and placed the pokeball back on his belt, before sighing again. His hat cast a shadow over his eyes to hide his sadness. Benny climbed onto his shoulder and petted his cheek lightly.
("Charles?")
"Let's find the others," his brother interrupted as he began to walk away.
Benny gave him a sad look but decided it was best to not question further. They didn't have to walk long until Flo, Alice and the other Pokemon walked/slithered/flew out of the bush, their heads lowered in defeat. Charles gave them a sympathetic smile.
"I'm guessing it didn't go well," he observed, earning grunts from his two friends in response.
They decided to return the Pokemon to their pokeballs to give them some rest before they decided what to next.
"I'm so tired and hungry," Alice complained, "Charles please tell me you found something."
"I can tell you something even better. I know who are thief is," Charles told them, much to their surprise.
"You do?" Flo questioned.
"Yep and we will found out as soon as Echo comes- ah there he is!" Charles said as he saw the zubat flying over the trees towards them.
("Charles!") Echo called out in a slight panic, ("I found who we are looking for, but there's a problem")
"A problem?" Charles repeated, "can you lead us there Echo."
Echo led them to a fast-flowing river not too far from where they had camped. The zubat pointed up to a tree leaning over the river where something was hanging on to branch.
Charles smiled when he saw the Pokemon, "Just as I suspected," he declared.
Flo and Alice looked up and saw a yellow bipedal Pokemon. Its face is kite-shaped with a small, pale yellow snout and two short, pointed ears with pale yellow interiors. It has three digits on each hand and foot which gripped the branch tightly. It also had a thick yellow tail which is also wrapped around the branch. The Pokemon seemed to be sleeping peacefully despite the raging river below him.
"Is that an abra?" Alice asked as Charles got out his pokedex.
Abra: Using its ability to read minds, it will identify impending danger and teleport to safety.
"It must have gotten hungry while it was asleep," Flo deduced as she looked around the trees, "I know it usually teleports to where it can find berries, but this area is bare. It must have sense our food and subconsciously took it."
("That might explain why we couldn't find any prints,") Benny mused, ("And why we didn't spot it before.")
Charles took a closer look, "Yeah, abra tend to sleep 17 to 18 hours a day and are able to teleport even when they're asleep. So what's the problem, Echo?" Charles asked.
("Well, you know what I was saying about mistletoe,") Echo said as he pointed to a collection of green leaves different from the rest of the tree, ("Not only is it a parasite but it is also-")
SNAP! SPLASH!
They all turned in shock as the branch the abra was attached to broke away and land in the river. The branch floated on the rapids with the abra still luckily attached and sleeping on it as it fitted quickly along.
("-It also weakens the tree,") Echo finished.
They began to run alongside the river, trying to catch up with the tree branch. They also tried shouting at the abra trying to wake it up, but it still slept as if it's life wasn't in danger.
"Why is it not waking up?" Flo questioned, "Better yet, why is it not teleporting away?"
"It must be exhausted," Alice replied, "it has been using teleport all day. We have to catch up with it. Rapids usually mean a waterfall up ahead."
Charles hummed before he released Hurricane from his pokeball, "Echo, Hurricane, grab onto the branch!" he ordered before the two flew over.
"Go help them, Ruby!" Alice shouted as she released the tentacool into the water.
The Pokemon held onto the branch, but the rapids were too strong and only just slowed it down a little bit. Flo looked ahead and saw a tree that has fallen over the river, forming a bridge. She pointed it out to the others.
"Look! We can use that!" she cried as they ran to the bridge.
They climbed on it and edged their way along so that the branch would go under them. They waited as the branch passed underneath before grabbing the end of it. They didn't have time to celebrate as the abra was attached to the other side, so they needed to pull the branch back and pick him up.
They fought against the currents, both humans and Pokemon pulling with all their might. However, Charles lost his balance on the tree bridge and accidentally let go. The sudden jolt of him letting go made the others release their grip and the branch continued to the waterfall.
"No!" Charles shouted in horror as they watched helplessly as the abra floated away.
A pokeball on Charles' belt opened up suddenly and Boa released herself. She wrapped her head around the tree bridge and grabbed the branch with her tail, stopping it from getting any further.
"Boa!?" Charles gasped in shock as the ekans saved the abra.
("Don't just stand there!") she rasped, trying to keep ahold of the branch, ("help me!")
Grabbing onto Boa's body, the humans and Pokemon pulled the branch back until Flo was close enough to reach and grab it.
("Boa you can let go now,") Benny told her and instantly the ekans released her hold.
They watched the branch drift swiftly along the river until it fell over the edge of the waterfall and out of sight. They sighed in relief.
Climbing off the tree bridge and onto terra firma, Alice returned Ruby before going over to the abra in Flo's arms. She took out a pair of tiny handcuffs and clipped them on the abra's hands triumphantly.
"Your under arrest food thief," Alice declared victoriously as Flo just sweat dropped at the sight.
"You have a pair of handcuffs for Pokemon? That's both hilarious and adorable," Flo said.
Benny sighed from Charles' shoulder, ("She still has those.")
Charles had returned all his Pokemon except for Boa who he wanted to talk to, "Boa that was amazing, thank you so much."
Boa smiled bashfully, ("Well I-")
However before she could finish her sentence, Boa began to glow brightly much to everyone's surprise. Her body got longer, her neck grew wider and her head extended above the widened part. Once the glowing stopped, Boa had evolved into an arbok. There wasn't much change to her appearance, she was the same colour and still serpentine shaped, however she had grown a large hood underneath her head which now and intricate design on it.
("I-I evolved,") Boa stammered as she looked at her reflection in the river.
Charles smiled proudly at the second Pokemon that had joined their team, "She finally evolved, huh. Her selfless act to save the abra without me telling her must of triggered it. She has certainly learned a lot since we first met."
Benny nodded in agreement, ("Yeah, hopefully she would drop the royal attitude and become more modest.")
("I can't believe it,") Boa muttered, ("I'm so beautiful! I'm the most beautiful arbok in the world! All Pokemon shall bow down to their queen!") she declared proudly as she admired her appearance in the river.
Charles and Benny sweat dropped, ("Or not.")
A tired squeak caught everyone's attention as they turned to the abra in Flo's arms. The abra yawned and looked around his surroundings in confusion. It looked at the human it didn't know before looking at the handcuffs over his hands. It sighed in disappointment.
("I did it again, didn't I,") he said.
A while later and they all returned to camp along with the abra so he could explain what happened. The abra sat on the table, still handcuffed, as the others waited patiently. Charles had asked him if he was able to talk to Flo and Alice via telepathy, but the abra told him that was too advanced for him.
("I'm really sorry,") the abra apologised, ("the woods have been infected lately with mistletoe and so food is scarce. I only have a limited amount of time before I need to rest so I don't usually find enough food before I sleep. This means that I have been unconsciously stealing food from other Pokemon and trainers. I only realised what I did when I wake up,") he explained as Charles translated.
Charles, Flo, Benny, and Alice glanced at each other, feeling sympathetic for the abra. They came to a silent agreement and turned back to the Pokemon.
"Don't worry, we forgive you," Flo reassured.
Alice leaned over and took off the handcuffs, "Thank you for telling us. I'll call one of my aunts and tell them about the mistletoe. They'll sort it out."
The abra nodded in thanks, ("Thank you. I'm. Sure the other Pokemon would appreciate it,") he turned to Charles, ("She does know I can teleport out of the handcuffs.")
"I think she just wanted to use them for a while. We tend not to use Pokemon handcuffs very often," Charles whispered back.
("That's...good I suppose,") the abra said unsurely.
("You know, Charles,") Benny whispered into his brother's ear, ("we could use a Psychic Pokemon. Especially if we want to go up against Sabrina.")
Charles hummed in thought and nodded, "You make a good point," he whispered back before turning to the Pokemon, "Abra how would you like to join us."
("Join you?") the abra asked in confusion.
"Yes, we are forming a team so we can compete the Indigo League and we can use your skills as a Psychic type. Not only will you get stronger, but you also get to be part of a family that looks out for each other. What do you think?" Charles asked.
("Well...") Abra hesitated, ("I usually sleep for a long time. Are you sure you want me?")
"Of course we would," Charles told him, "you also get free food."
("I'm in,") Abra firmly agreed as Charles and Benny expected.
"Good, now we only have to put you in a pokeball. We can come up with a name for you later," Charles said as he took out a spare pokeball, "you'll be sent to the lab of Professor Oak in Pallet Town. Ask for a Persian called Cleo and she'll show you around, okay?"
("Got it. See you later,) the Abra said before Charles tapped his head with the pokeball, instantly sucking him in. The pokeball closed, wiggled for a few moments, signalled a capture and then disappeared to the lab.
"Another Pokemon to join the team. Let's celebrate by having lunch," she declared before looking at her watch, "or rather a mid-afternoon meal."
"A meal is a meal," Alice shrugged as they both made their way to the food storages, leaving Charles and Benny behind.
Boa the arbok slithered over to them. She wanted to be out of her pokeball for a few more minutes to get used to her new form and admire her 'beauty'.
("Oh Charles,") Boa sighed dramatically, ("I was showing the world my new royal form-")
"Boa, what did I say about bothering the other Pokemon?" Charles told her, although she didn't seem to listen.
("-and I just remembered that I need to apologise to Titania,") Boa finished.
("Apologise? For what?") Benny asked.
("I seemed to have gotten on her nerves earlier and I wanted to say how sorry I am. Can you please send her out,") she requested.
"Err...well," Charles stammered as he looked down at her pokeball, "perhaps later. She's resting."
Boa nodded, ("Oh okay. Maybe later,") she said as she slithered off.
Charles and Benny watched her leave before starting down at Titania's pokeball one more time. The young trainer hummed in concern before rubbing his face tiredly.
'What am I going to do,' he thought in despair.
Sorry that this took so long.
I'm on holiday with my family and I've been writing when I can. Anyway hope you enjoyed it. Another Pokemon off the Potential Pokemon List.
Somebody did suggest a name for the Abra, but I honestly can't find it anywhere. So I'm sorry about that, if you like to repost it I'll make sure to look after it better. I'm pretty sure it was named after a character in Yu Gi Oh.
The next episode will be based on the Porygon episode that was censored because it gave people seizures. I think I said this already, but the 90s was a weird time.
Anyway thank you :)
Potential Pokemon List:
Charles
Nidoran (Female)
Gastley
Ponytail
Drowzee
Goldeen
Tauros
Hitmonlee/Hitmonchan
Aerodactyl
Flo
Chansey
Psyduck
Nidoran (Male)
Kangaskhan
Cubone
Diglett
Alice
Venonat
Farfetch'd
Machop
Rattata
Poliwag
Tangela