A/N: Surprise! I'm not dead, and neither is this story! I've decided to return to this tale with a different style. Please tell me what you think in a review! Oh, and this is cross-posted on AO3. Enjoy~!
Chapter 1
Aspertia City was unusually quiet tonight. Night had fallen on the town and the town streets were largely empty. A young woman sat on a bench in a park, staring up at the starry sky. She had a lot on her mind tonight, so she'd slipped out of the house. She had no intent of returning. The moon was waxing near-full, and lit up her surroundings nearly as well as the streetlights. She welcomed the bright evening, it helped settle her thoughts somewhat. This would be the last time she'd see this city for a long while. In fact, if she never returned, it wouldn't have bothered her. She had no real sentimentality towards Aspertia. The only thing she missed about this place was Leo, and he was working in Floccesy as a ranch hand. There was nothing left for her here in town. Tonight, she'd decided, was going to be the night she left this place for good.
Amber knew she was ill-suited for being on her own. Even though she was fifteen, she hadn't much experience outside of town. Her backpack was empty of money and supplies; she'd left with nothing but her clothes and her determination. Amber was a bit scared to be doing this. Part of her wavered, wondering if she should just sneak back home and pretend this was just a flight of fancy. She shook off the hesitation as soon as it came. She'd made up her mind. No turning back.
Besides, it wasn't like her family would miss her. Her mother was absent for most of Amber's life, working at some job far away in Sinnoh. Her father wouldn't care if she left. All he ever cared about was how much money he was making. Amber wondered to herself if he'd even notice her departure. Then again, he rarely seemed concerned with her to begin with. When she'd mentioned several times how much she'd wanted to train Pokémon, he'd scoffed and told her to pick a career that actually made money. Amber's mind drifted to the argument she had earlier this evening. Her father had given her an ultimatum: either leave Unova and go to a far-off university he'd selected for her in Kanto, or leave the house and not come back. Amber chose the latter, though she hadn't told him as much.
Amber brushed a red-violet lock of hair back behind her ear, pulling her jean jacket a bit tighter around herself. She was as ready as she'd get. She looked back over a shoulder, back at the only home she'd known. Doubt weighed heavily on her mind as her green eyes welled up. Maybe it was a bad idea to go without telling her father… and as soon as the thought came, she'd shook it off again. There was nothing left for her here. Maybe she'd write a letter later, but not now. She wanted to get to Floccesy as soon as she could and leave these rotten thoughts behind her. Amber turned away from her house for the last time and towards the park. She settled her backpack on her shoulders and walked down the path, her first steps toward her dreams. Exactly what those dreams were, she wasn't sure. She just knew she didn't want to be a slave to her father's ambitions.
She was so focused on her thoughts that she tripped on something, landing face-first on the grass. She could only lay there in a daze for a moment before she got her wits back enough to pull herself upright. She glared behind her at what tripped her up. To her surprise, it seemed to be an Egg of some kind. Curiosity quickly replaced annoyance as she approached it. This was a strange-looking egg. The size seemed about right for a Pokémon egg, but the color was off. It was a dark gray color which darkened to almost-black at the bottom. Amber picked up the Egg, finding it heavy for its size. Cradling it in both hands, she looked back and forth, wondering who left this here. There wasn't a soul in the park; the moonlight gave her a good view of the surroundings. Amber decided she'd ask whoever she came across about this Egg, and put it in her backpack for safekeeping. On second thought, she kinda hoped nobody would claim the Egg. Amber didn't have a Pokémon to her name, and she was a bit nervous about that. Once the baby hatches, she'd have a partner of her own. She let herself smile about that. What species the Egg held didn't matter to Amber, she was just happy that maybe she'd have a Pokémon to protect her. She'd still have to make it to Floccesy first, but that didn't seem nearly so daunting now. As Amber continued towards Route 19, she kept an eye out for anyone who might've dropped that Egg. Then again, maybe it was a wild Egg. Some kinds of Pokémon like Rattata and Pidove nest in human settlements sometimes, so that was a possibility as well. Maybe Leo knew what this Egg was. He was working as a breeder's aide so he'd definitely know about that kind of thing.
As she came to a sign noting the city limits, Amber couldn't help pausing one more time. Route 19 was a typical route with neatly-trimmed paths meandering through taller, wild patches of grass. A light breeze was blowing sakura blossoms across the way, and the moonlit scene made her smile a bit. It was as if the spring blossoms were giving her their blessing to leave. Now in a light-hearted mood, she followed the manicured trail, taking care to avoid making excessive noise. It wouldn't do to get attacked right out the gate like this. Getting hurt would mean having to go home, and that wasn't an option anymore. Amber could hear Pokèmon cries from all around her as she carefully picked her way through. Several tense, long minutes passed as she kept her vigil. Then she found what she was looking for: a sign that indicated the Floccesy Town breeding center.
Amber smiled to herself. She'd made it to her destination without a hitch. Maybe she was overthinking the danger. It wouldn't be the first time she'd been a worrywart over things that later worked out. Relieved, she opened the entry gate just long enough to get through, shutting it behind her. Immediately, she set about looking for Leo. She knew him well. Up until a few months ago they'd been next door neighbors and friends since they were toddlers. He was three years her elder, and he always treated her like a little sister. In fact, Amber felt far closer to Leo than her own family. He could be kind of moody, but she knew Leo had a kind heart. It didn't take too long to find him. His scruffy, blue hair had a bit of hay in it, and the moonlight was making his sweaty, tan skin glisten. He was up on a ladder, trying to shove a hay bale up into the loft of the barn he was tending to.
"Leo!"
Amber's call made him turn his green eyes to her. He turned around too quickly and nearly lost his balance. In his haste to steady himself, he dropped the hay bale, which burst open on the ground below. Amber put a hand to her face in embarrassment. She didn't mean to surprise him!
Leo shot her a brief look of anger before softening to surprise. "Amber?" he asked as he clambered down the ladder, "What're you doing here?"
Amber started helping him gather up the hay. "Sorry about that. Didn't mean to scare ya. I'm finally going to start training Pokémon!"
"Oh yeah? I thought your old man was all against that." Leo said as he rebundled the bale.
"He is. I'm running away."
Leo dropped the hay again as he made eye contact. "You're kidding, right?" When Amber shook her head in response, Leo blinked a few times in incredulous disbelief. "But you know he's not going to just accept that! You know how he gets when it comes to your future..."
"He can't tell me what to do forever!" Amber protested, "I don't want some boring overseas job! I want to train Pokémon! I'm of age so he can't stop me!"
"Listen to you. You don't even have a Pokémon to train! Just how do you plan on remedying that, huh?" Leo wiped his brow and folded his arms, "Look, I'm behind you all the way, you know that. It's just that…"
"It's just that what?" Amber parroted, "I'll figure something out. Dad wants me to move all the way to Kanto for higher education! Kanto! It's bad enough he's fixated on me becoming a lawyer, but going overseas for it?!" Amber shook her head, more to shake off tears of frustration than anything, "I don't want to leave, Leo! Unova's all I know…"
"Amber," Leo sighed, "c'mon now don't cry. I bet that's what you came to me for, right? For a partner?"
Amber nodded with a sniffle. "Yeah. I was hoping to care for a baby that's easy to raise. Do the breeders have any spare Eggs?"
"Funny you should ask. Lemme finish putting up this hay and I'll show you something."
"I'll help!" Amber helpfully handed Leo the hay as he once again ascended the ladder. This time, he was able to put it away successfully. Leo put the ladder in a closet nearby and led Amber to one of the nearby meadows. Amber could make out the silhouettes of several Pokémon in the field.
"So, here in this field's where the unwanted Pokémon breeders drop off are. See that list over here?" Leo gestured to a note nailed to a fencepost, "That's the current roster. I can set you up with any Pokémon from the list. I really think it's a bad idea to take an older one, so stick to the hatchlings here." Leo was pointing to a section taped to the bottom of the note. Amber nodded in agreement and began scanning the note. Pidove…nah. Basculin…pass. Purrloin…maybe. Riolu…what's a Riolu? Amber decided to ask as much.
"I see a 'Riolu' here. What's a Riolu?"
"Interested in that one? It's a Fighting type that resembles a puppy. Want me to go fetch it?"
"Yes please! A puppy sounds cute!" Amber couldn't help grinning as she imagined what this could be.
"Should've known you'd be into a puppy. Lemme get it." Leo entered the gated field and walked off into the darkness somewhere. A few minutes later, he returned, a Poké Ball in hand. "Ready? Here's Riolu." Leo let out the Pokémon. What emerged from the ball was unlike anything Amber was familiar with. This bipedal canine was looking up at her with its shining, red eyes. The black, floppy ears were just begging to be pet, but the blue hound was giving her an unreadable look. Amber got a big grin on her face. Just looking at this adorable Pokémon, she knew she was meant to have it as her partner.
"I like it! I wanna pick Riolu!" Amber said excitedly.
Leo chuckled at her, "Then she's yours. Go on, take her ball." Amber looked to find Leo holding out the Poké Ball.
She gladly took the ball, turning back to Riolu. "I hope we get along, little one." Riolu tipped her head at Amber, still expressionless. Amber wasn't sure what to make of that reaction. Maybe she just didn't know how to act? They only just met, so that makes sense. Amber looked back at Leo, "Thank you, Leo! I was worried about how I'd get a Pokémon to train."
Leo shrugged, "Don't thank me, thank whoever left Riolu here. Can't say I agree with the practice of abandoning Pokémon, but it worked out for you."
Amber recalled Riolu. "Well, thanks for introducing me to her. This'll be a big help! Now, I gotta get to Floccesy before midnight…"
"All by yourself?" Leo shook his head, "How reckless can you be? First you just take off without telling anybody, then you decide to just hike it to Floccesy without any money or anything?"
Amber was taken aback. "How'd you know I didn't have any money?"
Leo just gave her a look. "How long have we known each other, Amber? I know you're too impulsive to have thought this out that well."
Amber lowered her head sheepishly. "Yeah, you got me there. What should I do?"
"Well, I know what I'm gonna do." Leo was walking back to the front of the fields, so Amber followed him. "I'm gonna let the boss know I'm taking off."
"You're quitting? Why?"
Leo kept walking as he talked, "To accompany you, of course! I'd never be able to sleep knowing you were alone without someone to give you a hand. Besides, it's bad manners to leave a friend in a lurch."
Amber got another smile on her face. She didn't expect Leo to come along, but she was very grateful for it. Now she'd have Leo with her, and that reassured any lingering doubts about leaving Aspertia. With renewed determination, she followed Leo. She was ready for her journey as a Pokémon Trainer to begin.
Amber was in a good mood as she and Leo left the ranch. She was so relieved Leo agreed to come with her. She was kinda resigned to beginning her adventure all alone. Though she tried to swallow it, Amber was secretly afraid of being alone. That she'd have her best and only friend with her felt like a precious treasure. Amber looked over her back, adjusting her backpack more securely over a shoulder. Leo had his Growlithe out. This would be the first time Amber met her. She decided it was probably a good idea to get to know Riolu too, so she released her. The blue hound appeared at her side.
"Hey there, Riolu," Amber greeted the pup, "Feel like a stroll?"
"Lu?" she yipped, looking up at Amber with her big, ruby eyes. Amber was still unsure how to read her reply. She decided to take the stare as curiosity. Come to think of it, this little Pokémon could use a name. Amber burst out into a grin as inspiration hit her.
"I got it! I'll name you Lulu! Let's get along, ok little Lulu?" Amber bent down and smiled brightly.
"Rio!" Amber still wasn't sure how to read her reaction. It was almost as if she was staring through her. Amber sighed, slightly crestfallen. Did Lulu dislike her or something?
Leo must have noticed her lagging behind. He doubled back and came up to Amber, his Growlithe weaving around his legs excitedly. "What's wrong Amber? Is it something about Riolu?"
Amber nodded once, standing upright, "I'm not sure Lulu likes me…"
"Lulu huh?" Leo smiled slightly at the Riolu, then eyed his own canine companion and hummed thoughtfully. "Come to think of it, Growlithe doesn't have a name. What do you think, should I name her, Amber? I'm crap at names…"
"But what about Lulu?" Amber pouted, "Is she upset at me or something? I don't know what she's thinking."
"Don't worry so much. Growithe and I don't know each other either. It'll take time for us to understand each other. Same thing for you and Lulu." Leo snapped his fingers, making Growlithe bark. "How about Woof-Woof? Does that sound good?"
Growlithe growled flatly, snorted out smoke, "Lith," and gave Leo a sour look.
"Not a fan, huh. Um… Fluffy?"
"Lith!" Another unamused look.
"Wiggles?"
"Growlithe!" She shook her head and snorted embers.
"What, do you have a better idea?!" Leo seemed to be losing patience, "I said I suck at this! Amber, give me a hand will ya?"
"Um…?" Amber made eye contact with Growlithe. She returned her gaze, yipping happily. When she yapped, a small flare of flame curled from her lips. Amber got an idea.
"Flare."
"Arf!" Growlithe wagged her fluffy tail happily.
"How about that?" Leo chuckled and put his hands on his knees, "I think she accepted that! C'mere Flare."
"Lithe~!" Flare trotted over to Leo and sat on her haunches, a pup's grin on her face.
"Lu-lu!" Lulu seemed happy for them, judging by how she was wringing her paws by the side of her head. Amber couldn't hold back a giggle of her own. Seeing Lulu happy made her happy too, and for the first time, she saw Lulu smile back at her. Maybe they were starting to become friends after all.
