I left the pokemon center with three fully refreshed little friends following behind me. Zippo was insisting on clinging right next to my leg, making it kinda hard to walk, Fluffy was looking around and just barely keeping up with us while Octavia was...well, there were a lot of bugs with exploded heads in our wake. I thought about just passing the gym by...in fact, that IS what I did but a man stopped me. He told me that since I was a pokemon trainer, even if I wasn't going to challenge the leader I had to stop and pay my respects.
I was hustled into the gym and there he was. Dad was talking to some trainer or instructing them about something...he didn't notice me. I didn't know if that was what I wanted or not. I sighed to myself and stepped forward, each of my little friends taking each step with me. They could tell I was nervous...what if he wanted to battle? I knew he was strong. Way stronger than me...none of them would be able to stop Vigoroth, let alone Slaking!
He saw me at last. His eyes widened and he gave me a nervous smile as he waved away the trainer that was talking to him...he left in a huff, shooting me a harsh glare as he passed by.
Alison...it's good to see you made it. How did you get here alo-ah, I see. You have pokemon now...Torchic, Zigzagoon, and a Ralts...good. You've been following the laws with your catching as well.
Y-yeah...uh...Mom wanted to see you. And...
And what? I've missed you...I wanted to see you...why did you leave us? What can I say... I-I want to see her too. You're both moved in alright? Nothing lost? Did you get my package?
I gave him a nod and we were interrupted as this sickly kid walked up and talked to dad...I was never more thankful in my life. I didn't want to be here, I wanted to sink into the ground and hide...let me leave, please let me leave.
After Wally nodded to my dad, he seemed to understand. His gym leader self flared up...the him he shows to the public. The him I hate.
Now then, Alison will help you. She'll take you out and show you how it's done! Won't you Alison!
The way he said it...I couldn't refuse. No one could refuse. I just nodded and took Wally by the hand, leading him to the door while my little friends looked up at him and he down at them.
I tried to explain the basics to him on the way, but I'm no teacher. I'm not dad. He seemed to get it though...weaken pokemon, throw ball, hope it works. He stopped us just as we got out of town and looked at me fearfully.
Uh...are you really his daughter?
Yeah...moved to Littleroot just a few days ago. Was in Saffron.
He asked me question after question about dad after I said that while I did my best to answer neutrally. No one needed to know about that business. No one but me, dad, and mom. No way some kid is gonna weedle it out of me. I finally told him to hush or he'd scare the pokemon away and that got him. If only he knew that making a lot of noise attracted most of them...they didn't like people entering their territory.
He hunted around in the grass at my direction for a while and he finally found something. I'd be lying if I said my jaw didn't drop.
Dad gave him a Zigzagoon and a handful of pokeballs...the one he found looked to be about the same age as Octavia, so it couldn't really do much to defend itself. It was caught pretty easily then looked up at me with tears streaming down his face. I caught one! I caught it! It's all thanks to you and your dad! You're the greatest!
He gave me a hug and I could hear his breath rattling in his chest. I got him to calm down after a bit and headed back to town...we went to the pokemon center and he gave the little thing to Nurse Joy to be patched up.
Sure hun. What's the little guy's name?
Uh...uh...it's...Jean!
The nurse nodded a few times and took the pokeball back to the restorer - when Wally asked me what it was. Basically, a box you can put pokemon inside their pokeball in that uses nano-technology to patch up their wounds and flush out toxins.
Oh yeah! They have a bigger version for people to use at hospitals...so that's how they treat battle injuries.
The Nurse came back after our little chat and gave Wally Jean back. He asked me to thank Dad for him - he was looking really pale and his breath was catching in his throat. He needed to go lay down, and soon...and probably take his medicine. I told him I would and walked out of the pokemon center with him as he walked off to his house staring at his pokeball in awe. After making sure he made it alright, I sighed and steeled myself to face Dad again. I walked to the Gym and stood outside for a minute or two, trying to think of what to say when someone that looked like an older version of Wally ran up. He thanked me and said that Wally was going to live with his aunt and uncle in Verdanturf Town. I was told to visit him if I got the chance, that he'd like to see me...maybe I'll take him up on that. It'd be a nice visit if he didn't bring up Dad.
I walked into the Gym with my shoulders squared and my back straight. It didn't help, he still dwarfed me...why couldn't I be taller? He gave me a grin and said in his gym leader voice to head to Rustboro and try to challenge the gym there. Technically, I could start the challenge here - he'd have to go easy on me since I don't have any badges but he didn't want that...no, he wanted to go all out on me and show me his power. Big showboat.
I nodded to him and left without a word other than muttering Wally's thanks and tried to leave the town. The sun was still high in the sky and I had enough time to reach the next town, and I wouldn't be able to stand staying here any longer. As I was leaving a big guy with shades on walked up, looked me over and asked if I was a pokemon trainer...then he said that I was a rookie and left. The heck?
I shrugged and kept moving, reaching route 104. At least...I thought it was anyway. I saw the beach and smelled the surf from the small cliff the town was situated on and walked down a small flight of stairs to step into the sand and let the heat beat down on me and the waves wash over my ankles. It was...nice. Then that kid my dad was talking to showed up.
Hey! Why did you have to interrupt my meeting with the Great Norman! He was gonna teach me all his secrets and I was gonna win the league challenge!
He barely looked like he was old enough to walk, but he had two pokeballs at his belt He slammed them both into the sand and out popped a Zigzagoon and what looked like a tiny acorn with feet...a Seedot. I sighed and Fluffy stepped forward, growling softly in the back of her throat while Zippo immediately stepped close to my side with wisps of flame slipping between his beak. I looked around for Octavia and I saw her horn glowing as she stared at the kid. Octavia! No! Do NOT do that!
My words shocked even me as all my pokemon looked up at me in silence...then Octavia pouted and skipped to my side, humming something to herself. The brat had started the battle though - making his Zigzagoon try to tackle Fluffy. Fluffy stepped aside and sent the other Zigzagoon sprawling into the surf before she charged at him and tackled him head on and cracking a few ribs in the process. The brat called his Zigzagoon back and his Seedot stepped forward. I decided to get a bit clever with this one - I knew Seedot could 'reflect' damage with Bide and smash whatever hit them. So, I had Flufffy 'tenderize' it with her tail before slamming into the Seedot and splitting it in half like the nut it was. The kid left in a huff, not even bothering to collect the Seedot's remains while muttering something about cheaters and how I hadn't seen the last of him.
My friends knew what I wanted and helped me dig a small grave for the little thing - Fluffy had done it cleanly at least. Just one clear break down it's center. Poor thing never knew what hit it. After digging a foot or so into the ground, Fluffy swept the Seedot's remains into the hole and we all piled the sand and dirt back up over it while marking the grave with a seashell laying nearby. It would all be washed out by the tide soon...but at least the little thing had a grave.
We walked towards the forest after that while Zippo clung close to me like glue, his dark eyes darting everywhere looking for anything attacking while Fluffy led the march with a snarl on her face. Octavia was walking next to me and seemingly carefree, but I saw that horrible light glowing within her horn and I knew she was on high alert too. A hiss startled us all and four sets of eyes turned to lock onto a Wurmple...which I just threw a pokeball at without fanfare. A satisfying *click* later, I was now the owner of a Wurmple as the 'dex chimed in. I was barely paying attention as I wondered...what should I name this one?
