The Chronicles of Wesley

** it posted with out spaces, Why did it do this? Anybody know how to fix it?


This story is rate T. I use language as I feel it supports real diolouge but I don't try and be crude about suggestive things.

This is a story I've been thinking about for a while and have tried writing and posting it before. I have a time starting stories but recently I've decided to write to help me deal with some personal things that have been plaguing me. Writing seems the only way to help me sort through it all. I want to believe this isn't going to be like other Pokémon stories. So this is a story that takes a more realistic approach to how Pokémon are and react with the people so it doesn't take after any of the games or anything like that. These characters and region are completely my own.
I want you to know I tried to edit out as much grammatical errors as I could but I'm not perfect.
So give feedback if you dig it. If it's not your cup of tea thanks for checking it out anyways.


You can find the original here : https://www.fanfiction.net/s/10074984/1/The-Chronicles-of-Wesley



The Chronicles of Wesley


Celliance was a country tore by war; The Era of Black Fire (as most people called it) was a terrible time for the habitants. A Five year long war left much the country in ruins, Towns leveled, Forest burned down, giant fissures tearing massive rifts in the ground. It was hard to believe that in those five years they caught destruction on a massive scale. But it was necessary because when the Legion of Black Fire had been defeated the country was renaming New Celliance to symbolism its Freedom in a new era. In just 30 years it was put back on the map as one of the power houses of the world. Now something else threatens that balance of peace. A new chapter in this story starts with a young boy who lives in a busy city known as Helios. Today is a special day for this boy, because today is his graduation day, which means he will catch his very own Pokémon and start his Journey becoming the hero New Celliance needs him to be.


Chapter One: Lightning
"WAKE UP WESLEY!" Enid's cold tone echoed through his ears. The young sixteen year old popped up immediately brown eyes frantically jetting around the room until they rested on his teacher.
"Sor..ry Ma-" he studdered
"Today is an important day for you. So please, don't do me the displeasure of having to fail you on your graduation day." She quickly interrupted him.
Enid Amundson. The teacher of the graduating class of 2014 stood tall glaring down at him.
It was easy to tell Enid served in the military with her incredible posture. Her arms neatly folded behind her back her long golden blonde hair neatly tied into a bun and if that didn't give it away, she always wore the white and grey uniform symbolizing her alignment to the New Celliance government.
"Now" she said turning her blue hues back towards the class "When we get to the preserve you will all conduct separate interviews. They will ask you questions about the rules and etiquette of being a trainer and owning a Pokémon. If you wish me to elaborate ask your questions now."
A few hands started to rise.

Wesley wanted to pay attention to everything that being said but he found it hard to focus.

The lack of sleep he'd gotten last night made everything feel hypersensitive and all he wanted to do was put his head down and just die. He looked over at his friend Hugo who was now staring back at him. Hugo gave him a look as if to question what's wrong but Wesley simply shook his head. He just went back to trying to stay awake but when a knock at the door rang in his ears made him cringe. A man looking to be in his early twenties, who was dressed in a similar grayish white uniform as Amundson, opened the door.
"Good morning General."
Enid let out a small sigh "I'm not a General anymore."
"Sorry ma'am, my apologies but the bus is ready."
Enid turned to her class and hooked her thumb at the door. "Move."
Hugo got up from his desk moved passed all the other students and found his way to Wesley.
The two friends were complete opposites in by any physical comparison; Wesley was small short and thin, while his friend was taller and a bit on the wider side of things, while Wesley's hair was long, Hugo barley had any hair covering his head. The only thing you could say they had in common was they both carried the gene for brown eyes.
"Another long night?" Hugo asked.
Wesley nodded his head looking over at his friend.
"Let me guess he was drunk off his ass again?" said Hugo.
"Threw up everywhere and passed out in it." Wesley said pulling himself out of the desk starting to follow the students out the door. "Took me all night to clean him and it up."
"Hey at least this time tomorrow we will be on our own and you won't have to put up with that asshole anymore." Hugo said as he walked along with Wesley.
"Please don't jinx it man." Wesley said rubbing his temples.
"No worries, Today is gonna be a good day!" Hugo said as they both exited the door feeling the spring morning air hit their faces. "Hey did you catch the semi —finals last night?"
Wesley stepped into the bus first and started down the aisle looking for an open seat for him and his friend. "Some of it, you know the whole mess."
"Jace cleaned house," Hugo told him sitting down next to his friend who just found a free seat. "Can't believe he is only twenty-two and he's on his way to winning his second Summer Games."
"Can't wait for the finals, that's were all the good stuff happens." Wesley said.
The two boys continued as the two buses full of student's that were graduating started to roll exiting the school parking lot. Helios Preserve was convenient for the students, since all the kids in the surrounding towns and cities of Helios had to wake up to travel to the preserve, they did not.
"I think I want a dragon Pokémon as my first." Hugo said about fifteen minutes into the trip. "I mean I know they're really hard to get but I'll spend all day here if I have to."
Cecelia the dark brown haired girl in Wesley's and Hugo's class was now hanging on the back of their seat look down and them and said "Dragons are cool, but I want a Teddiursa."
Hugo immediately seized up and turned his head to look out the window. It was painfully obviously to see he liked Cecilia after all she one of the prettier girls in their school. It was painfully shameful how much he talked about her but would never talk directly to her.
"Really?" Wesley asked.
"Yea, my dad used to tell me this time about how he found a family of Ursaring and they were defending their cubs from a pack of Houndoom that he was tracking. He said the way the bears moved was incredibly fast and ripped the Houndoom apart in seconds."
"A giant bear monster tends to have that effect on you." Wesley said
"Right?" She said with a small laugh to her voice. "What about you Wes?"
"I don't know, I haven't thought much about it."
"How come, it's only like the only thing we've be talking about for like months?" Hugo said finally gaining his composer, you know as long as he didn't look at her in the face.
"I don't' know just been busy." Wesley Answered
"With what?" She asked
Hugo knew not to speak about Wesley's family life with other people so he just looked the other way. Wesley looked at Cecilia for a moment and started to form an excuse in his head, when he turned and saw in the distance the giant twenty foot walls surrounded the preserve. From the aerial view the highway gave them they could see that Perverse was massive littered with dense trees, bodies of water, and if you looked close enough you could see the area where the heat waves coming off the ground was. All the students looked out the window over at it. Wesley thanked the timing since he didn't want to go off lying to Cecilia. He didn't like to lie.
It didn't take long for them to exit the high way to pull up to the area for their school to park when they could see hundreds of students from surrounding cities pouring into the wide arch way at the front of the preserve. The student on their bus shuffled off and followed Enid towards the entrance. The noise of everyone walking echoed off the giant entrance way room. The floor was a white marble color with high ceilings hanging banners of 'Join Now!' military poster to advertisement about league champion ship and summer and winter games. There were many double doors all around the building but Enid seemed to know where she was going as her class followed her through a pair of double doors labeled Hall D. Once they started down a long hallway they passed numbered rooms but they didn't stop till they got near the end of the hallway.
"I'm going to tell you a door to go into, you go into it and sit down clear?" Enid commanded.
They started to stop each door labeled with numbers on it. The first few students in line were put into number one. When she got to Wesley and Hugo they were put into 14 with Cecilia, her friend Jenny, and another boy Wesley didn't really know. The waiting room was smaller more office looking than the waiting room. As each person took a seat a lady dressed in a New Celliance uniform walked out door that sat in the back of the room.
"Okay" she spoke in a clear tone. "I'm going to call each one of you one at a time we will conduct your interview and if you pass you'll be handed your trainer card and you'll head off into the preserve and catch your first Pokémon."
Everyone looked at her in understanding and she pointed toward Cecilia first. After about ten minutes she walked out of the back room holding her brand new trainer card in hand and the lady spoke. "Okay exit the door turn left walk all the way down the hall double doors colored red." Cecilia nodded her head, said thank you and walked out giving a small wave to Wesley and Hugo. They both gave a small nod in congratulations when she called the boy they didn't know into the room. It only took 5 minutes before the boy burst out of the room screaming that this was all bullshit and stormed out of the door. Hugo and Wesley just started at him and laughed to themselves as he exited.
After Cecilia's friend walked out with her card Hugo was called in which he walked out with his card a couple minutes later. "It's in the bag, you got it."
The women motioned for him to come into the room. It was just another normal office room with filing cabinets and a book shelves and a desk in the middle which she told Wesley to sit down in the chair in front of the desk while she walked around sitting in the big chair and started to type on the computer.
"Name?" She asked
"Wesley Tolson."
"Age?"
"Sixteen."
She lifted a brow at him. "Birthday?"
"November 3rd 1997."
"I'm sure you've been aware of this, we don't normally allowed sixteen year olds to but since you fall within the six month range until your birthday you are eligible." She said. Wesley thought about how Hugo and Cecilia were all older than him. He was one of the youngest in his class room.
"So this interview is just to gage your knowledge on the rules and regulations of Pokémon trainers and ownership etiquette." She went back to typing on the computer. "Okay so, tell me why are trainers only allowed to start their journey at seventeen?"
Wesley put his hands into his lap and thought for a moment. "Umm well, because of the war right?" He said pausing "A lot of trainers were young and poor and weren't mature enough to see the through the aid of criminal organization."
She looked over at him and nodded "The second part sure, but why do you mention the war?"
"Isn't that what lead to it? Poverty of the people, they didn't like how things were ran?"
She nodded her head and started to type on the computer. When she didn't answer his question he went to lightly scratching the top part of his left hand.
"What is the punishment for using a Pokémon on another human being?" She asked.
"Uhhh, death."
"Correct, any use of force is prohibited by law and will result in the execution of your Pokémon." She said now typing on the computer again. "Just a few more."
"If you can't afford housing for the night or any supplies on your travel where do you go?" She looked up from the computer.
"The New Celliance bases will provide free over night housing for trainers." He answered quickly as if he were reading the answer from a text book.
She went back to typing on the computer. Over the course of the interview she asked many other basic questions about traveling and rules of battle all of which were pretty self explanatory.
"What do you want to do after you graduate today?"
Wesley wanted to tell her he didn't know. He didn't even know if being a trainer is what he really wanted. He wanted away from his family most of anything. He was sick and tired of cleaning up after his drunken father only to have to listen to him degrade him the next day. He was angry that he watched his mom do nothing about it. He was tired of being a verbal punching back for them.
"A trainer." He said.
She stared at him for a moment before she went back to typing on the computer.
"Okay it looks like everything is good here." She typed a few more things on the computer and he heard something printing below the desk. When she reached down and pulled up a small card and handed it to Wesley. "This is your trainer card. Don't lose seeing how it's illegal to own a Pokémon without one."
Wesley looked down at the card. It had his picture from his school, his trainer number where he got the card from and on the back his thumb print and a barcode. They must have gotten his biometrics from the school.
"Down the hall with the red doors, good luck." She said she motioned to the door.
When Wesley exited the small office there were more kids sitting in the room waiting to be called into the back. As he walked down the hall way he could feel the exhaustion from the lack of sleep but the excitement was starting to overcome that. Being a trainer may not be what he really wanted to do, but getting your first Pokémon has some excitement to it. As he entered the red doors he was in some sort of garage housing many small jeeps that Wesley could see individual newbie trainers getting in with guides wearing Safari gear. He walked up to the make shift desk who asked for his new ID. She scanned it and told him to have a seat and wait for name to be called. Wesley couldn't see anybody he recognized and sat by himself at an empty chair. He listened to all the kids around him talk about what Pokémon they wanted; off in the distance he could see jeeps pulling up into the garage with trainers holding they're brand new Pokémon in hand. After what seemed like an hour his name was called over the intercom telling him which jeep to report to.
"My name is Jason." The man in the safari outfit said holding out his hand. Wesley reach out grabbing his hand. "Wesley."
"Well Wesley feeling excited?" Jason said walking to the driver seat of the jeep. Wesley jumped in the passenger seat "Uhh yea."
"Any idea of what you want?" Jason asked. This took Wesley a moment he still really haven't given it much though. He started to wrack his brain with going through all the Pokémon he knew of but nothing seemed to stick. After he didn't answer Jason said.
"Don't worry about it, you aren't the first person. We have all day and night so we will find you something."
The engine of the jeep sparked to life as Jason hit the accelerator and the jeep passed though the bay doors of the garage and on to a dirt path. Wesley didn't realize how stuffy the building seemed until his skin touched the fresh outside. The view is what made his jaw drop. In every direction all you could see the carefully crafted plots of land spading over arcs of vegetation. It was much better than the view from the high way. He could spot other new trainers with they're guide showing off the Pokémon in the area. He even saw somebody catch a baby Pidgey. They drove for a bit when the jeep started to slow its speed and turned down another road that seemed to start to head past thick trees.
"Since you don't know what you want let me show you what you can expect out there on the road." Jason said. The jeep was now clawing along the road while Jason was looking around for something. That's when Wesley spotted something up in a tree.
"Hey look." Wesley pointed.
"Oh yea, Spinarak." Jason said "These are just hatching though."
The cluster of Spinarak were dangling from the branch connected by a think string of silk web. The baby spider Pokémon were bouncing along swing on their webs gleeful playing with each other and whatever they could find. Off to the left something big thrashed it way out of the bush moving at an incurable speed. An Ariados holding a rather large dead bloodied Ratata in his mandibles stopped at the base of the tree and look up at it hatchlings. It climbed the tree disappearing in the tree tops above while the tiny spiders followed their mother up.
"So how about a one of them?" Jason asked
"I don't know spiders never really sat well with me before."
"Fair enough."
Jason let his foot of the brake and started to move down the path way again. "Hey Jason." Wesley said.
"Do you see that a lot out here? Pokémon hunting other Pokémon?"
"All the time, and you're going to see it more out there in the wild." Jason answered.
"You can't do anything about it here?"
"Well we could feed them with Pokémon food, but this preserve was built a natural order to things." Jason said turning mindlessly turning down another path. "You see after the war a lot of Pokémon in this region were being wiped out. Forest fires, fissures it changed a lot of it left this place in ruins. So much that migrations were changing that some Pokémon were just leaving. This led to a panic people started catching whatever Pokémon started dying out. It was a mess. I'm sure on your adventures you'll see areas still scared by the war. Anyways the New Celliance government wanted a controlled place where they could protect spices of Pokémon and introduce them back into the wild if they needed to. It just so happen to double as a functioning area to give youth their first Pokémon."
Wesley nodded his head as he listened to the man. He knew most of the stuff already it something they tend to drill into your head over and over in class but deciding not to be rude he just listened on.
"So all the Pokémon here have to learn how to survive on their own; the only thing we really provide is population control." He said gesture to his left were another guide just helped a student catch a Lotad. They exited the forest and now and now the jeep picked up speed. They were now in a field were Wesley say tiny Pokémon scurrying out of the way. They drove for another few minutes follow the dirt road when he saw another set of jeeps parked along the road. Jason pulled up behind them, parking the Jeep.
"These Pokémon usually run from the jeep so we wanna walk now if you want any chance of seeing them up close."Jason said pulling a pack from that back of the Jeep.
Jason said as he motioned for Wesley to follow. Jason seemed know where he was going and walked off path and led him over a large hill but when they got to the top of it Wesley instantly felt the heat hit his face. When he looked down at the bottom of the hill he saw six tiny little Charmanders wobbling trying to find their footing.
"Wow, they are so-" Wesley said when a loud roar rang out in the distance. When Wesley and Jason turned their heads they saw the mother a giant Charizard burst from the tree tops flying over to her nest and landing on the other side of Wesley and Jason. Wesley heart felt like it dropped out of his butt when he saw the monster. He was frozen looking up at it he didn't even notice the kill it had in its clutches. Jason just let out a laugh.
"Don't worry kid, they aren't prone to attack us unless we harm their young." He said continuing down the side of the hill back on the path. It took Wesley a moment before he started to move but once they got going they passed by all sorts of Pokémon that didn't seem to stick out in Wesley mind. A pack of Growlith and its evolution ran past them. A lake with Poliwags and he even passed a group of Eevee being led by a Flareon who were being chased down by a guide and a newbie trainer.
"Alright kid let's take a break." Jason said checking his watch. "Want some water?"
Wesley nodded and stopped enjoying the shade of the tree that they stopped under. His eyes surveyed the area off in the distance he saw Ninetails, There were at least five of them lounging around an area that they made into their den.
"You want to get closer?" Jason ask holding out a canteen.
"Yea sure." Wesley answered.
They both took the short walk until they were close enough to see them. Wesley didn't notice it before but one of the Ninetails has a silver tint to his coat.
"Why is his-"
"Color different?" Jason cut Wesley off. "He is a male, it's hard to come by them in wild since they are never really seen. Best chance of getting one is while it's a Vulpix." They both took sips of the water.
"Normally Ninetails aren't aggressive and are peaceful but when it comes to their young." Jason said. "
"Explains why we're so close?"
"Yeah the silver on is named Lightning, Ninetails usually outlive their trainers. So when Lightning's trainer passed away he donated his Pokémon to the preserve. Lightning has been really helpful around here. Took roll as Alpha male among his species around the preserve."
"Why did he call a fire Pokémon lighting?" Wesley asked.
"You are about to find out" Jason pointed at the same group of Eevee following the Flareon mother that looked as though they escape there pursuers. They just so happened to wander into the wrong territory. The Pokémon known as Lightning cocked his head to the side as he saw the Flareon wander into his territory. It was literally like lightening he kicked off his hind legs and was on the Flareon in a matter of moments pinning him to the ground letting out a vicious growl.
"Is he gonna kill her?" Wesley asked his eyes locked on what was happening.
"Most likely"
"What about the Eevee aren't they just babies won't they die?" His voice faltered a little thinking about the little Eevee pups starving because their parent was dead.
"Wesley..." Jason started trying to not to sound like cynical jerk. "It's just the natural order of things. This kind of stuff happens in the wild all the time."
The Flareon let out a high pitch screech at the Silver Lightning causing him to back off while the Flareon quickly reverse its position kicking off the ground aiming its thick skull at Lightning and bashing her head into his side. The silver fox hit the ground a rolled a bit before springing back to action. Lightning's face scrunch together revealing a seat of vicious looking canines followed by the sound a deep growl. Lightning stood his ground for a moment when he opened his mouth what came out made both Jason and Wesley lifted their heads to cover their face from the heat. A fire ripped through the air towards his target with such intensity that the grass around fire attack had scorch marks.
The Flareon jumped out of the way of the fiery attack while its little Eevee pups all ran away and were now hiding behind a bush far off in the distance watching. The Flareon tried to close the distance between herself and Lightning, but the silver fox wasn't having any of that. He rushed forward with such agility he crashed himself into the Flareon sending it fly backward hitting the ground with a loud thud. Lightning didn't let up kicking off his legs he rushed forward again. The Flareon jumped up and used whatever agility it has left in its body to avoid Lightning's next attack but the pursuit was on. It was a game of cat and mouse now. Lightning was far superior in speed and strength. The chase came to an end when Lightning's claws started to glow and in a quick flash he went from behind the Flareon and now he was in front of her. His Metal Claw struck the Flareon on its leg causing it to trip and fall smacking its face on the ground and rolling a few times before coming to a sliding halt right near Wesley.
"Hey Wesley maybe we should back up a little." Jason said caution laced in his voice.
Lightning sat off in the distance pacing back and forth looking over at the Flareon. The Flareon managed to get up but when it went to walk on its injured leg it cried out in a yelp and fell to the floor. It got up once more and started to limp its way over to its young but fell to the ground again. There was a visceral sound that came from Lightning as he rushed forward its teeth ready to plunge into the Flareon's neck.
"STTTOOOOOOOOOPPPPP!" Wesley screamed and ran in front of Flareon holding his arms up wide not taking his eyes off the silver colored Pokémon, but when he expected to be killed where he was standing he just saw lightings teeth in front of his face. A deep growl bellowed from within the beast. Lightning tilted his head staring down at Wesley for a moment before kicking off its hind legs back towards its pack. Wesley felt swear drip from his pores as his legs trembled. What did he just do? His body felt heavy and his breaths were deep and heavy as the adrenaline in body kept pumping.
"ARE YOU FUCKING STUPID!" Jason yelled.
"Help her." Wesley said finally finding the use of his legs again turning around to look at Jason.
"I don't think you understood me the first time, ARE YOU STUPID?!" Jason said his voice reaching its peak again.
"Help her." Wesley repeated.
"Wait, what? No."
"Please, I'm begging you help her!" Wesley pleaded this time. Pointing at the injured beast
"I told you I can't, were not allowed to interfe-" Jason was looking at Wesley face then to Flareon and he rolled his eyes. "Fuck fine." He said slinging the back pack around front pulling out a Hyper Potion and a small metal can and a rag. He walked over to the injured Pokémon and started whipping blood from its leg. Then after spraying her leg down with the strong potion he unscrewed the cap to the can he took a glob of this pinkish looking stuff that looked like hair gel. Wesley recognized the stuff; it was numbing agent for the pain on the really bad injuries. It was developed during the war back when towns were being flattened and PokeCenters weren't always available. The wound on the leg seemed to stop bleeding and when he smeared the agent over the wound the Flareon stood up and started to limp towards its babies. "I better not lose my job for this." He said with a loud sigh.
Jason walked back to his pack and started putting stuff away. "No I mean it," He said about to repeat himself, "If they fir..." he stopped as he looked at Wesley. Wesley quickly turned around to see Lightning sitting behind him. Wesley looked up at him as his heart started to pound against his chest again. He didn't even notice that Lightning has something in his mouth. The silver fox lean forward placing a small reddish Vulpix cub on the ground in front of Wesley.
"Uhh Jason? Wha- whats going on?" Wesley stammered.
"I think he's giving you his baby."
"Does that normally happen?" Wesley asked not keeping his eyes off Lightning.
"No, not normally... uhh Wesley do you want this Vulpix?"
Wesley eye'd Lightning then down to the little sleeping cub. "Yes."
"Okay here take this Pokéball."Jason was now beside him holding out a miniature Pokéball. "Hit the button the ball will grow and just give it a little toss at her."
Wesley followed his instructions and gave a little toss at the Vulpix. She instantly materialized into light and disappeared when the ball snapped shut. The ball wiggled for just a moment and then it sat still. Lightning's eyes were on Wesley as the Pokéball sat at his fox's feet. Lightning leaned down and with his snout he simple hit the ball so it rolled over at Wesley. Wesley picked the ball up and held it in his hand.
This was his Pokémon.
Wesley kept his eyes on the Pokéball for a moment then shifted his brown hues until they met Lightning's. After a moment Lightning finally kicked off away from Wesley but there was a distinct voice he heard as the silver fox left.
"Don't fail." The voice said.
"Wha..." Wesley said confused turning to look at Jason.
"Did you hear that?"
"Hear what?"
"That voice"
Jason looked down at Wesley then towards the moving Ninetails.
"Oh, yeah most people forget but Ninetails are prone to have physic abilities. Looks like Lightning just spoke to you."
"So your saying is this one," Wesley held up his Pokéball "Will be able to talk to me like normal psychic Pokémon?"
"It's a possibility, though it really depends on how you train them and if they can figure it out." Jason said now walking back to his pack he'd left on the ground. He reached inside pulling out a clear plastic bag full of little Pokémon food squares. "Okay well let it out."
Wesley tossed the ball out on the ground as it popped open and a light flashed and the tiny Vulpix materialized right in front of him. She was sitting look straight up at Wesley.
"Uh hi?" The brown haired boy said to the red haired fox.
Wesley got a good first look at his Pokémon for the first time. She was tiny only slightly larger than his hand. She had dark brown hues that looked back up at him. Normally you would see Vulpix with curly bangs on top of their head but she just had a mess of reddish fur with two large point ears sticking out. The thick red color of her fur followed along her body until it got to her under belly, which was a white cream color. She also had one big white bushy tail and finishing his examination of her she had reddish brown paws. She looked up at him and just stared at him.
Jason had already opened the bag and broken of a piece of the food square and handed it over. "Here give her this. Best way to get to a young Pokémon's heart"
Wesley took a knee getting closer to his Pokémon handing over the small food. The tiny fox sniffed it before grabbing it from his hand and munching it down quickly. Jason laughed and handed him another one "Think she likes them."
Wesley offered the food to her again but this time she tried to take his finger with it. Her sharp little fangs sank into his index figure and he instantly recoiled. Shaking his finger. She didn't seem to notice though and continued to eat. Thinking for a moment he reached his hand forward slowly placing it on top her head. Her fur while messy was soft to the touch with a warm sensation. She seemed to respond this this well and nuzzled he head into the palm of his hand.
"May I?" Jason asked. Which caused Wesley to break his connection with her. He scooped her in his hands and started to examine her. "Well she's a girl. Congratulations." Now holding her out to him. She was so small and light that Wesley felt like he was going to break her. He moved to position her in a cradle in his arms and she seemed to stop moving around and laid there looking up at Wesley.
"At least she likes you already." Jason said walking back to his pack. "Let's get back to the jeep."
...

"Please hand over your Pokéball and your trainer card and we will begin out registration" The nurse at the pokecenter asked. The preserve turned out to have much bigger building then he thought. There was a food court and a gift shop. He never realized how much of a tourist attraction this place was.
Once the nurse had Wesley's Pokéball in hand she placed it in the tray and slide it into a machine. She hit a button and it started to hum.
""WESLEY!" Hugo's voice rang though the garage. He took a light jog up to his friend. With his arm out stretched Pokéball in hand. "Guess?"
"I draw a blank." Wesley said.
"A mother fucking Dratini"
"They have them here?"
"Dude, the guy I got paired up with said he knew exactly where to find some at. There only allowed to let a few of them to be caught so we rushed over and luckily I was one of the last to get one." Hugo said excitedly.
"So you got what you wanted, a dragon Pokémon."
"Damn right. What did you get?"
"Okay Mr. Tolson" The nurse behind the counter spoke. "Your Vulpix is two weeks old, female, she weighs six pounds."
"A Vulpix?" Hugo lifted a brow to his friend.
"Have I got a story for you."
The nurse opened the Pokéball letting Wesley's Pokémon appear on the on the table in front of them.
"She's a little small." Hugo said
"And that's going to be a problem." the nurse cut in.
Wesley started to pet his Vulpix along the top of her head gliding his hands along her back until he stopped when it was on the side of her stomach. He could feel a warming sensation coming from inside her and then he looked up at the nurse.
"Wait what?"
"Your Pokémon is far too small to travel let alone battle. I'm afraid I can't approve her for being battle ready."
Both Wesley and his friend said "What?!"
"I'm sorry but she'll need at least three weeks before she'll able to go on a journey." The nurse said.
"But I can still leave just not battle right?" Wesley asked quickly.
"No, your Pokémon is not fit to travel at all. I'm going to mark this on your file that this Pokémon is not allowed to leave Helios. I'm sorry this is for your Pokémon's safety, you aren't the first person this has happened to and those overzealous trainers got their young Pokémon killed."
He wasn't going to leave? Wesley felt a knot tie in his stomach. An overwhelming sensation bubbled all around and suddenly the tension of the situation hit him. He was going to stay? That can't be. He had a plan. He wanted nothing more to leave. Now he was going to stay due to a technicality. Why did he have to pick this one of all of them? As frustrated as he might get his face didn't show it. He let out a sigh and thanked the nurse. She gave him a print with websites of things he could do to help her growth. The pair left to go wait at the bus.
...
The atmosphere around town was lifted when the students returned to school with their Pokémon. All the younger students wondered up to them looking at all variety of creatures that were now in front of them. A couple freshmen girl walked up and thought Wesley's Vulpix was the cutest thing ever. Hugo got a lot of praises; he was the only one at the school that got a Dratini. Cecilia manage to get the little tiny bear cub Pokémon she wanted, all though when she went to show it off it just seemed more interested in eating everything it could get its paws on. She spent most of the day trying to stop him from eating her backpack. As the school day ended they were told what time tomorrow to show up for their graduation.
After school the two friends spent their time at a park near the suburban area they lived at. Wesley sat in the grass staring at his Pokémon, the tiny Vulpix was sitting staring back at him. To Hugo it looked like they were having a very intense staring contest. Hugo pet along the scaly skin of his new dragon Pokémon he decided to call Spock.
"Leviathan?" Wesley lifted and eyebrow at his friend.
"Tell me that doesn't sound badass." Hugo said.
"It sounds cool. Threatening. What happens when he becomes a Dragonite?"
"Still badass." Hugo countered.
"What about her?" Hugo pointed at Vulpix.
Wesley looked down at the little tiny red fox that was rolling around in the grass. "I don't know, not really good with names." There was a short pausing and Wesley could tell there was something plaguing Hugo's mind.
"You know tomorrow when you leave, know that I'm okay with"
"What? No. I couldn't leave you. Not like this. Not with your family the way it is."
"Don't let me be a burden."
"You're not."
"You've been in love with Cecelia for god knows how long. You'll get a chance to be around you can't tell me you haven't been excited about that."
"We all know it too." Said the smokey voice from a girl behind them.
Hugo's face went bright red.
They both turned towards the sound, a girl not much shorter then Wesley with long golden blonde strains of hair stood behind them. Pauline looked much like her mother with high cheek bones, soft pink lips, and bright blue eyes. A spitting image of her mother she even had the attitude to match. Pauline walked up and plopped down right next to them.
"She is tiny. How long they making you wait?"
"Three weeks?"
"Damn. Sorry to say buddy. I wouldn't wait for you either." Pauline voiced.
"Wouldn't blame you."
"I would." Hugo said.
"Don't be dramatic, your friend is telling you to go get at the girl you dig and your actin scared. If you'd ask me Wesley. I'd say he's using you as an excuse not to go."
"Fuck Off" Hugo said voice turning sour.
"See?" Pauline said her eyes now on Wesley.
"Fine, I'll leave but were going to make a plan for you catch up." Hugo said with his fingered pointed out. "In fact I'm going to go work on it right now." He stood up giving them the finger and stormed off.
"He's so dramatic" Pauline sighed. Wesley however watched his friend walked away and cracked a small smile.
"Thank you. He would have never left if you did do that."
"Yeah, because he a baby." She said bluntly. Wesley just smiled. The two chatted for a while. Pauline happened to get a Pawniard. A Pokémon not even native to New Celliance. Wesley knew that you could purchase your new Pokémon through the GTS as long as they fit certain parameters but none the less it was a cool Pokémon to have. After the sun started going down they split ways.
When he arrived home he could tell by the atmosphere that his father wasn't around. His mother always seemed to be in a cheery mood. He showed off his new Pokémon which like most people she cooed over how cute she was. Like he'd explained a hundred times today about her size he told his mother about not leaving when all of his friends were.
After a brief chat he left to his room and Hugo called to discuss his plan. He'd been studying the map on his new Pokédex. The one he got for getting his new Pokémon registered. Wesley wouldn't get his until his Vulpix was cleared. Clever way of making sure he didn't take off. Hugo explained how he would take a longer route to Englefield, the closest city with a gym, and if Wesley just followed the path he would catch up in time for their first badge.
Excited that he was now had a new plan and that he was still going to leave with his friend he spent the evening looking up information given to him by the nurse. He now knew he would soon have to take over the normal mother reasonability of groom her
He started to look up videos about the Ninetails named Lightning. He found videos from years ago of Lightning in the summer games. He didn't disappoint he was fast now but back then he was incredible. Turning in his chair looking at the Vulpix who was rolling around on his bed playing with, well whatever it was seeing.
"I hope you can get that fast." He said to her.
Wesley's Pokémon rolled up right on his bed with a confused look on her face.
"Uhh are you okay?"
That's when she hiccupped spewing little tiny embers all over his blanket.
"Seriously, come on!" He said leaping from his chair sliding her off the bed to beat out the soon to be fire.
The smell of burning filled the room as the singed blanket sat in the corner. He collapsed on his bed and exhaled a long sigh. He closed his eyes thinking about how tomorrow was graduation day and how he and his friend were going to finally be done with school and in three weeks he would be off in the world. That's when he felt something light and warm climb onto his chest. He opened his eyes looking at the tiny Pokémon circle and lay down on top of him. "Really? Entire bed and you...yea yep." he said not fighting with her anymore. For today she won.

 

Thanks for getting to the 2nd chapter. Must have meant I did something right.
I know I'm not the best writer and I'm learning. So leave a review on things you think I need to improve on. I tried to edit out all the errors I could find, but I am dyslexic and while I don't want that to an excuse until I find somebody to proofread this before I post I'm SOL.
Sorry.

But I sincerely hope you enjoy!

stil with that weird spacing issue. -_-
.........................

Chapter Two: Trouble on the Homefront

Wesley sat in his Cap and Gown the next day amongst his graduating classmates. In the stands, he could see his mother and father. At least they looked genuinely happy that he was graduating. The whole school was in jubilation over the graduates. It was hard not to feel the energy in the air. With all of that Wesley sat still remaining silent with his hands on his Pokéball in his pocket. His mind still lingered on the event that took place with Lightning. He never put much thought into being a Pokémon trainer, after all that it just what people did. It was a big affair for people of New Celliance. Pokémon training was prestigious, it was hard to take on all 9 badge. Everything still didn't feel real yet. None of it had truly sunk in he wanted so desperately to leave, but the thought of leaving by himself was starting to loom over him like a dark cloud. Sure his father could be a real prick but he was safe behind the walls of his house.
The rest of the day felt like a blur to him. Walking up on stage receiving his diploma and afterward finding all his friend he went to high school with, taking pictures giving out hugs. All the while he tried to feed off the emotions going on around him, but those thoughts still prickled in the back of his mind. Maybe his Vulpix was a blessing in disguise. Maybe just maybe this was on purpose, and he was being held back because he wasn't meant to be a trainer. He wasn't like Hugo. Hugo wanted to be a Pokémon trainer. Did he want to take the league challenge? He just wanted to escape; he wanted to be rid of his parents and just leave. Was that fair? He took a heavy sigh as he finished up the last picture with Pauline. With a promise that he would see his friends off at Sol Blvd as per tradition of Helios he said his goodbyes and took leave.
Wesley's mom cooked a big dinner that night and his dad, who happened to be sober, seemed to be in a good mood gave him some money as a graduation present. He would add this to already growing collection of money he had for when he left. His mom told him that a present arrived from his sister Ellie. Ellie was much older than Wesley. She was a doctor in Caneva Grove and live there with her husband, who just also happened to be a doctor as well, with their 5-year-old Rosy. Ellie had always been sweet to him, so a smile played on his lips on receiving the news.
The gift was a rather expensive looking backpack. It was almost vintage like a rucksack. It was brown all over, but the supple leather was soft to the touch. There were brass buckles with leather straps around the pockets. It was awesome. As he opened the first bucket unzipping the main pocket, he could see inside that Ellie had packed it with stuff. Food, first aid kit, survival guide, toiletries everything he would need. Granted he had some of these things already. Going to his closet pulling out his high school backpack he was going to use and went to pick it up. It was an awkward shape with all the items packed in it. So all he really had to add was Pokémon food and his sleeping bag.
...
The weather was perfect for traveling the next day. Wesley sat a park bench on Sol Blvd. All of his friends were present with their parents. In total thirty-eight total students were heading off to become trainers. There was a lot of hugging and crying, and people saying they were proud of their kids. Wesley just sat in silence until it was his turn.
"You know the plan right?" Hugo asked while standing in front of Wesley's hands interlocked with the straps of his traveling gear. The group Hugo was leaving with consisted of Pauline, Cecelia, a boy and girl from his class named Jennifer and Darby, who he knew of but were more close to Pauline.
"You guys are going to take the long way to Englefield and if I follow the direct route then, I should catch up or at least be close." Wesley recanted the plan.
"That doesn't seem like a good idea." Darby said from off to the side.
"It's a fine plan," Hugo said.
"How long does he have to wait again? Three weeks? We'll still get to Englefield before he even leaves."
"Then we stay and train." Hugo's voice shifted into defensive tone.
"Guys don't worry. It will work out." Cecelia chimed in.
"Can we go?" Pauline cold tone interjected the conversation. "Wesley's a big boy; he'll catch up fine."
Wesley stood up and opened his arms to Cecelia embracing her with a hug. "She's right it'll be okay." He said. He changed and gave Hugo a hug and turned to Pauline, who rolled her eyes and gave him one too. He shook Darby and Jen's hand though. They didn't seem to mind.
Sol Blvd Park was on the cusp of a road that lead out of the city. So he watched the backs of his friend walk off down the road. He smiled when Hugo and Cecelia turned to give him a wave. Once they were dots in the distance he decided it was time to take a walk. With a large sigh, he started off towards downtown. He was already outside, and he might as well let Vulpix walk to get stronger. After reading about the importance of grooming Vulpix. Wesley stopped a groomer's shop. The brush he got was expensive, but he'd hope it would be worth it.
The first week alone seemed to drag on for him. He got tidbits of information from his friends about what they were up too. Hugo caught a sandshrew he named Logan. He also made a mention of how he and Cecelia are hitting it off. However as the days past they started to roam into areas that had less cellular range, and the text stopped coming. Wesley had spent a lot of time trying to help his Vulpix control her fire powers by using food. When she ruined a few of his shirts, he switched to brushing her. She went insane every time he whipped out the brush, so he consistently used it as leverage. One late night he was up looking up names for his Vulpix, and he came across Idris(eye-dris) which meant fiery, and he thought it fit perfectly.
By the second week, Wesley was scared to close his eyes. It seemed like every time he did Idris knocked something else over. She developed this weird habit of bouncing on him for attention. It was a trade off from the fire though so he didn't mind nearly as much. He'd spent time reading the articles on helping her grow, and it stated that grooming was the best was to create a bond with Vulpix. She was also increasing at an alarming rate. The white that was on her tail was now turning into the reddish brown color of her fur and at the tip he could see it starting to split into the six different ones it would eventually become. Reading more into it, he learned that most Vulpix don't become Ninetails until they've reached sexual maturity that was about a year and a half to two years. Or they could speed up the process with a Firestone. Most of the articles say that evolving a Vulpix before learning how to accurately control its fire would be stunting their growth.
It was finally near the end of the third week, and things were starting to look good. Idris was not only larger but stronger too. She would play this game; she would wait around the corner and pop out tackling Wesley to the ground and then she would run off and wait around another corner. He did get a message from Cecelia telling them how they hadn't reached Englefield yet, but Hugo and Darby weren't getting along. Wesley sighed as he read the message. That looming dark cloud of thought returned. With all the work he was putting in with Idris he hadn't thought about it since that day since the graduation. He was in the middle of a night walk with Idris when he snapped his phone shut and shoved in his pocket.
Tomorrow was the day he was going to take Idris into the center to get her cleared, and that made his chest feel heavy. Did he really want to go? Sure all the stuff he'd been doing with Idris was fun but he was still in the comfort of his home. Even in the midst of all of this he hadn't even thought about using Idris in a battle. The only thing he could see was that he wanted to take her and leave, but that was only because of his parents. It had been two months since the last time things got physical, and his father was drinking less and less maybe he wouldn't have to leave?
When he arrived home, he could tell the atmosphere was different. He could hear his father shouting in the other room. It was only 90 he shouldn't even be home right now. Idris trotted behind him as he closed the door, and the voices stopped. He heard rapid heavy footsteps appear in the hallway. It was like the universe wanted to say "You spoke too soon." When the older man got close Wesley could smell the alcohol on his husky breath poisoning the air around him.
"You." he said in a dark tone. "Give me the money."
"I'm sorry."
His father didn't wait before pushing him up on the door grabbing him by the shirt. "The fucking money that I gave you?" his tone was sour and slurred. "The money I worked for. GO GET IT FOR ME." He screamed.
"Just go get it for him." His mother's voice called from the end of the hall.
"I don't have all of it." Wesley his voice was laced with fear.
"WHAT" his father shouted in his face flecks of spit hitting his cheeks. "and what did you spend my money on."
Wesley scanned the floor foe his Pokémon. She sat there innocently staring up at them. Maybe she thought it was a game? Wesley's father followed his look down at Idris.
"This fucking thing?" his father's voice getting small. "You spent my money on this thing?"
That's when he let go of his shirt and turned towards Idris. Everything for that moment slowed down. He could see the rage on his father's face. He saw his leg move to kick his Pokémon. No. She was innocent and knew nothing of this. He had to protect her. Lunging forward throwing all his weight into his father Wesley managed to shove him to the ground. Idris intuition must have kicked in because she read the situation and got low starting to growl.
Wesley felt his father foot strike him in the gut, and all the air left him at one time. He began to gasp for air while his hand planted on the wall to keep balance. A hard fist connected with his face and that sent him to the ground. A kick to the stomach made him coil into the fetal position. A punch to the head made his arm protect his face. Finally, his lungs filled with air again and there was a loud thud. He rolled to see Idris on top of his father growling showing her canines. He could see the dent in the dry wall from where Idris had knocked him into. He looked dazed so Wesley took this chance to get up and pick up Idris and run upstairs slamming his door shut and locking the door.
It didn't take long before his father was banging on it screaming vile profanities. Wesley looked around frantically. He went to the closet pulling out the rucksack and running over to a dresser throwing in the first set of clothes he could see. Slinging the pack over his shoulder instantly feeling the weight of everything. He ran to the already opened window and with one forceful hit he popped out the screen. It wasn't difficult to get through, and Idris seemed to follow suit. The chill of the night hit his face as he stood on his roof. It was a full stride until he was at the edge looking over at the clear ten foot drop. It wasn't until he heard the sound of his door snap open when he leaped from the roof not wasting any time.
His legs hit first taking the impact, and the rest of his momentum caused him roll. He rolled out on one knee and sat there for a moment taking in the pain in his legs and waist. He turned and looked up seeing Idris. He gave her the command to jump, and she seemed to get the idea and leap into his arms. Wasting no time he took off down the street. The pain from the fall faded but was now replaced by his steady jogging. He had no idea how much extra weight he was carrying, but he kept the pace until he finally felt he was far enough away from his house.
Stopping a few blocks from his house and lean over touching his knees panting. He whipped a thick layer of sweat. He looked around, and it suddenly dawned on him. What next? He started walking down the street towards the main road. He began to formulate a plan in his head and after a few minutes figured he would just go to the preserve. So that's the direction he began to walk.
Three hours of walking later he near the edge of Helios when he saw a bus stop. Walking over to it using his phone as a light and looked at the map. 17 miles away the preserve was. He groaned loudly. His body was already feeling the effects from walking. His body ached his feet hurt, and his back was starting to get sore from all the weight he was carrying. Setting his sack on the bench and sitting down. Idris who was now yawning hopped up in his lap. He would just rest for a little bit before heading out.
It was the sound of hydraulics from the that woke him up. It was a shock to his system he hadn't realized he'd passed out. The bus driver looked at him and then the Pokémon on his lap.
"You headin' the preserve?" he said from inside the bus.
Wesley gave a small nod.
"Come on, I'll give you a lift."
Wesley's body screamed in protest as he rose from the bench. Not only was he cold but from the way he passed out on the hard metal bench. Idris was still sleeping on his lap that he believes the only reason he didn't wake up all night; she was radiating a comforting warmth from her. As he moved she awoke yawning. He held her in one hand and grabbed the pack by the other.
He asked the bus driver how much but the bus driver said not to worry about it. There wasn't anybody else on the bus and with how dark it still was outside it must have been real early. He pulled out his phone. 5:23am. Wesley blinked seeing a few missed calls. They were all from his mother. He sat staring at the words mom. Snapping his phone shut in anger, he went to open his bag. It was a mess from the running he did. Rearranging the top layer which was his sleeping bag and clothes until the backpack was an uniform shape. Finally, going to a side pocket and pulling out a few pokesqaures and offered them to Idris.
The bus didn't head straight to preserve. It went around Helios picking up a bunch of people before it got on the highway. It was nearly seven and Wesley got off the bus with a group of employees who worked there. The place had just opened so it was quiet as he walked through the front doors. Checking in with the lady at the desk, she told him where to go to get his Pokémon checked out.
Returning idris to her Pokéball and handing her over and the machine started the hum to life as the nurse behind the counter yawned. Her eyes flicked to the screen when the machine beeped, and Wesley leaned no the counted watching her carefully.
"She's grown a lot over the three weeks. She is healthy. Excellent job. We can remove the lock on her."
A small smiled played on his lips, and he took a long breath a relief. That was truly the best news he'd had in the last few hours. "Let me go grab you a Pokédex." A moment later she returned with a New Celliance Pokédex. It was a small tablet large then a touch screen phone but smaller than an Ipad. She asked for his ID and after handing it over she took a moment registering it to him.
"Okay, this Pokédex is register to you. I wouldn't lose it. First one is free but after that they are expensive. They are pretty advanced stuff, so basically it's got everything you need programmed in. PC uplinks, apps, maps, all data about Pokémon, to get a scan to work just hold it up let it scan, but most people just take pictures because it works just the same. There is also a memory card port on the side just in case you want to buy one of the prepaid data card." She finished by handing him the box the Pokédex came in that had the charger and booklet.
Wesley said his thanks and took his leave. Once outside the building he pulled up map on the Pokédex. He was far off from Sol Blvd, but he could cut across some nearby forest and get on the right trail. It didn't look far and with the comfort a new plan in action he started off down his own created path towards the forest.
...
It was an hour before his body started to ache again. Once he ran out of road and started walking on a grassy path his feet didn't hurt so much. The had to pull off his hoodie from the night before as the temperature began to rise. It was nearing the end of spring and while the weather was still comfortable. The creeping heat of summer was on the horizon, and the west coast got hot summers. Idris seemed to lavish being outside on the grassy plains. He'd only taken her to parks in the city before but now in the tall grasses she would prance through rubbing her fur in the soft grass. It was also the first time she saw a wild Pokémon. A Rattata perked up hearing the sound of them stomp through grass. An apple was in its mouth. It dropped the apple and got low to the ground growling. Idris in her naivety happily glided over to the mouse. It snapped at her as she got close which made Idris recoil. Wesley just stood there staring. At first he wanted to command Idris to attack but looking at her in fear he felt something heavy in his heart. It was like the Rattata took form of his father foot and Wesley ran forward screaming at the mouse Pokémon.
"That was funny." A feminine voice said from a distance. Wesley turned to look at the girl standing in the thick brush not too far off. Wesley's brown hues scanned her. She looked like a pilot. She wore a light brown naval aviator jacket, but it looked too large for her falling past her waist. Green jeans that lightly clung her to legs with a set of women boots with leather and brass buckle like his rucksack. On her head sat a brown aviators cap with goggles on her forehead. All of that would have stood out anywhere it was the dyed dark blue hair that lightly flowed with the passing wind.
"Sorry, was that mean?" she said with a light chuckle. "It painfully obvious you're a new trainer."
"That bad?" Wesley finally said.
"Well, it's just a Rattata, you're Vulpix could have easy taken care of it." she gave a small smile looking down at her feet. At this distance, he couldn't see what she was looking down at in the thick grass. "Getup you big baby!" she commanded. A large avian Pokémon stood up. It was nearly 6 feet tall with brown feather on the top side of a cream white mix under its wings and belly. It had long looking crest of feathers on its head that went along its body in a combination of red and yellow color. The Pidegot opened it's wing span in a stretch and gave a yawn. The girl started making her way through the grass towards him.
"Names Karen." she said offer her gloved hand to him.
"Wesley." He returned. They brief shook hands as the bird Pokémon walked up beside her.
"This is Clover!" she said rubbing his large body with both hands. Clover made a cooing noise as she rubbed her head against her trainer.
Idris who'd been standing behind him the whole time didn't want to gleefully play with any Pokémon anymore. Wesley bent down and scooped her up. "This is Idris." He said holding her out.
"She's adorable and such a lovely name." Karen squealed now scratching Idris behind the ears. Idris responded to this immediately and went from tense to happy in a matter of moments.
"She your only Pokémon? " she asked looking up at him. He gave her a nod. "Makes sense."
Wesley didn't know why he took the offensive to this, but his reaction wasn't lost on Karen. "Hey, don't take it personally. I'm only saying that you didn't try and battle. All you new trainers are all about becoming champions" she fishing that last bit off in a mocking tone.
"She's still a baby" Wesley defended.
"So?" she countered quickly. "You're a trainer, right? She's your Pokémon. If you want to be any good, you are going to have let her fight something."
Wesley didn't have any response. Karen just laughed and went back to petting Clover. "Don't worry were all new at some time."
"What about her. You weren't scared?" he said pointing at Clover sounding defensive.
"I'm not a trainer, well I was. I got two badges but realize my passion was elsewhere." Karen said with a toothy grin.
Wesley lifted a brow. Karen instructed her Pokémon to turn. He didn't know how he could miss it before, but she pointed out straps going under the wings on her Pokémon. They lead up to a saddle that was on Clover's back.
"I'm a racer baby." Her voice cried in jubilation. She waved her hand at Clover and the giant bird lowered her body. Karen straddled the Pokémon pulling her goggles down and gave the command. "Yip yip." Clover wings expanded and with one full thrust they both went airborne. The power of it's wings kicked dirt and grass up around almost knocking him to the ground.
Karen and Clover soared over the top of them in a figure eight patterns. Then it shot off in one direction at a blazing speed. Just as fast at they dashed out of view she turned around and was back above him in a matter of moments. Clover then went for a dive and he could see Karen low in the saddle holding on. Right before they hit the ground Clover pulled up in enough time letting her large talons fall hovering above the grass. When they returned and landed, Wesley ran up to her as she dismounted.
"That was badass."
"Right?" Karen said with a giggle pulling up her goggles. "Clover got you a present." Karen pointed at her Pokémon talons. Clover dropped the dead Rattata on the floor.
"You hungry?" she asked.
Wesley looked at the dead mouse with a weird fixation. He'd know eating Pokémon was how the survive. After all the Milktank, and Tauros, Pidgey, or Starly he's eaten you'd think the concept wouldn't seem to strange now. Although he fed Idris on the bus, it was getting closer to noon and he was starting to feel his stomach speak to him.
"Yeah." He said.
"Good. My Flectchling hasn't learned any fire abilities yet. So your Vulpix is going to be awesome."
Wesley gave her a nod. Karen told her Pokémon to go find some them some wood to burn in the forest nearby, and like that Clover took off at super speed. Karen had him prepare the fire pit while she skinned and cleaned the dead mouse Pokémon. They had learned a little about surviving as a trainer in school, but Karen had some experience in the matter. It didn't take a long time at all. Once Clover returned and the wood was in place he asked Idris to get her fire in the pit. She ignored him still wanting to play, that is until he took out the brush. Karen thought it was absolutely funny.
While the meat cooked, Idris sat in his lap getting brush while Wesley and Karen talked. She wasn't much older than him. She'd just turned 18 and her family owns a ranch that bread and sold all kinds of bird Pokémon. She told him own they have some of the strongest pedigrees when it came to their Pidgeys. She explained to him that was the reason Clover was fast and big. She was built, raised, and trained to be a racing Pokémon. While Clover could battle very well because of her speed, she was too big of a target and not nearly as durable if she got hit.
The Rattata meat was tough and chewy and tasted rather bland but then sensation of filling his stomach was good. Wesley told her a little about himself. He explained how he had to wait and he was going to try and catch up with his friends. He left out some of the key details about what happened last night.
The thought of how much time he was wasting here was present for a moment, but Karen's good company pushed it in the back of his mind. When he told her where he was going, she told him that she was heading to Englefield too. That the flying Pokémon gym was there. She was going to trade off one of her super Pidgeys for Swablu since they weren't native to their region.
It was a little past noon when Karen said she had to head out to meet with a trader. She made a quick joke about how if she's around she'll watch him actually battle the gym leader. When she kicked off, Wesley was alone with Idris.
He continued along the path he was taking but soon that became a challenge. The grass started to get thicker. Not only that but Lots of bug Pokémon were beginning to show themselves. The sounds they made were beginning to put him a little on edge. When he finally crossed the threshold into the forest line, the sun seemed to dim through the canopy of the trees overhead. The terrain wasn't as thick, but he felt as though the path he took wasn't typical. Everything looked natural and there was no pathway for him to walk on. He used his Pokédex to keep himself heading towards the right direction. The primary route had all the camping grounds on them and he wanted to get to one before it go dark. He was only 9 miles out and he had a lot of rough forest terrain to get through.
The deeper he got into the woods was when he started to see a lot of Pokémon. Pidgey overhead. He walked into a cluster of metapods who all stared at him before lazily went back to what they were doing. Every time he would see a Pokémon it would with something else. He wanted to do what Karen said and actually try and battle with Idris. He realized that to be a trainer it wasn't just the Pokémon he had to train. He would have to become better. He stepped into a clearing seeing the sun shine through and spotted a brown and white Pokémon with matted fur climbing a small tree rubbing its back on the branches. Taking out his Pokédex and hit the scan button and aimed.
[Zigzagoon the raccoon Pokémon. A very curious Pokémon that wanders around restlessly to explore. A gaze of Zigzagoon may find an area to raise their young and will often be found marking territory by rubbing it's sent on nearby trees. Would you like to know more?...]
Wesley tapped the top of the Pokédex to turn it off and looked around. There was nothing else in sight. "Alright Idris." He said. He was about to issue a command but stopped and awkwardly forced out "Um fight that Pokémon" he said pointing at the raccoon. Idris sat down looking up at him.
"Go. Fight. You know attack!" he commanded. Idris looked at the Zigzagoon, who was still rubbing himself all over the small tree. She darted forward towards the Pokémon. The raccoon saw her coming towards it and jumped down from the tree. It hissed loudly while the hair on its back stood up. When Idris got close the enemy Pokémon, its dexterous body spun around in a circle completely avoid Idris's attack.
"Bite it Idris!" he said but she didn't listen. She went to pounce on it playfully. The Zigzagoon jumped forward sinking its teeth into Idris paw causing her to yelp loudly. Wesley's heart sank again for the second time today. He started to run forward but stopped himself.
"Like Karen said. She is going to get hurt." Wesley took a breath. Idris didn't wait for and order. While the raccoon teeth were in her paw, she reached forward sinking her own teeth into its neck.
"That's it Idris!" he praised. Zigzagoon violently shook itself free from Idris's clutches and Wesley could see blood in its matted mane. It hissed angrily at Idris.
"Do it again." Wesley shouted. "Bite it again."
This time Idris seemed to catch on because didn't playfully run over she took to a quick sprint. The raccoon did a spin to dodge her again, but Idris after seeing it the first time didn't fall for it. Using her back legs she spun in the dirt aiming herself at her enemy. She kicked off with a powerful jump and landed on top of the Zigzagoon sinking her teeth into its body. Instinctively she shook her head violently with it in her mouth. The raccoon Pokémon made a noise that was like a scream and it started to desperately claw at Idris's face cutting her along her snout. When Idris recoil in pain the Zigzagoon got up and ran away disappearing into the shrubbery.
He'd won. It may not have been graceful, but he won. Wesley ran over to Idris pet her on the top of her head. He could see the blood from the fight on her face and paw. Setting his sack down and undoing the buckles, he moved his hoodie out of the way and next his neatly rolled sleeping bag and then found the first aid kit. There was a small purple spray bottle. He sprayed the little potion bottle on her wounds. They started to bubble up and sizzle and Idris licked him on the check.
"That was awesome." He said putting the spray bottle back into the first aid kit when he spotted something at the bottom of the pack that was under the kit. He'd never bothered to move the stuff around to see. It was a belt, the one worn by trainers. It was neatly folded and wrapped in a piece of cloth. It had a note wrapped around it as well. Untying the knot and uncoiling the note.
Hey Wesley, Sorry we couldn't make it. You know how your sister is about your parents. We got you this cool backpack. It's kick ass, right? Totally is. Anyways, your sister wanted you to know she's proud of you and when you get a chance visit us in Canvea Grove alight?
Be Awesome,
Devon
Ps. I added something else at the bottom in case you missed it. Your sister doesn't know. Don't tell her I gave it to you. Remember the path to becoming a trainer is harsh. More than just Pokémon out there that can harm you.
Wesley looked and sure enough there was something else at the bottom. It was a knife held in a black leather sheath. It looked big. What he pulled it out was a seven inch carbon steel blade that was stained black. He looked at the belt for a moment and then put it back into his backpack. The sheath of the knife had a clip on it which clipped to his pants. It held nicely under his shirt. He'd have to thank Devon sometime.
...
The 9 mile hike took a lot of longer than he thought. There were a lot of challenges to not being on a direct route. First the ground wasn't level so any incline he found was a challenge to get over after a few hours of hiking. All the while he tried to spot another lone Pokémon for Idris to fight however she was starting to look as tired as him. He pulled out his Pokéball "Let me do the rest from here." And pointed the back at her. A red beam shot from the center and enveloped her in the light which was then sucked up into the Pokéball. Deactivating the ball and shoving it in his pocket.
When he finally made it onto the correct path, he felt relief wash over him. He could see an entirely different scene. While deep in the woods there was a lot of noise from the critters around and he didn't see another person. While traveling on the route to Englefield, he was running into people often. A girl with an Ekans challenged him to a battle. Wesley eyed long purple scaled snake and shook his head no. He told her that his Pokémon was tired and needed to rest.
As the sky started to darken Wesley finally made it to the campgrounds. It was a vast opening in the woods that was like a tent city. There were grid marks all over the floor and Wesley spied looking for an open spot. He saw that there was still plenty of room. There was also a bunch of New Celliance soldiers walking around watching kids. So he went to a small blue building sitting on a plot of land to get himself a spot. When he entered the building, he saw that it had a simple setup. One countered register you a spot while the other was a mere shop. While Wesley stood in line he eye the wall where he saw several boxed up tents on display. Wesley didn't have one of those yet, he honestly thought about sleeping on the ground would have been fine. Stupid thought. He had around three hundred left so getting a tent would be a great investment. As he spoke to the guy at the counter and paid for a night in the campground. Which was 25 dollars the man told him some ground rules of No stealing and no battles after 8pm. Wesley nodded and went over to the other counter.
125 bucks down he walked out of the building with a new tent in tow heading towards the grid. His spot was I-23. His tent was free standing so it wasn't hard to set up at all. It was nice and cozy inside. Enough space for him anyways. Once he set up his sleeping bag he let Idris out of her ball. He gave her a smile and she licked him with her warm tongue.
He spent the rest of the day watching other trainers battle and as the night crossed over, Wesley had a quick snack of jerky and fed some Pokémon food to Idris. When 8pm hit, the soldiers were ready to shut down any battles. While other kid spent the day chatting Wesley opted to head to bed. His plan was to get up early and make up time. He needed to get to Englefield.

 

Hello! Thank you for reading. Blah blah don't own Pokémon w/e w/e. Still looking for that Beta but have had no luck so I'm sorry if there is a lot of errors. If you've noticed by now that the story isn't just about the Pokémon as much as it is about the characters. So I know there hasn't been much excitement of Pokémon battles but believe me they are coming. I just don't believe that if you have a rookie trainer that he's going to master Pokémon training in a few weeks.
Thanks for reading.
...
Chapter Three: Meeting Equals
Wesley awoke with light streaming in the tent. He was wrapped comfortably in his sleeping bag with Idris warm in his arms. He'd spent his first night out in big evil world and it wasn't so bad. It honestly seemed much easier than his friend were making it out to be. Unzipping the bag and stretching he felt the morning chill nip at his bare skin in his short sleeve. Although they were nearing the end of June, they still got spring weather. Colder nights and mornings and growing hotter days. Once July was on him he, would probably have to switch his wardrobe up. He yawned stretching his arms looking down at Idris, who'd woken to his moving.
His hand ran through her fur. It was feeling rough to the touch. He reached into his bag pulling out the brush and tapped his lap. She groggily made her way falling into him. He started to comb her fur which was begun to grow longer and thicker. He smiled looking down at her. His mind replayed to the battle she had with the Zigzagoon yesterday. He didn't attack that Rattata because he was scared of her getting hurt. Even when she got hurt in the battle she won he still found himself scared. That's when his eyes went wide. He turned her into a pet. It was no wonder why she had a hard time in that battle. He sighed and looked down at her.
"I'm going to make you stronger," he said to her. The only way, he knew how to do that, was to battle. Battle a lot. After feeding Idris and packing up all his gear, he went to the battle plots to look at other people battling. Maybe he could pick up a few things from others? When nobody was present he was approached by a young girl with sandy blonde hair. She challenged him and getting a chance to finally put Idris into a fight he agreed. They made a bet for ten dollars and stood at opposite ends of the battle plot.
She cocked her hand back and tossed her Pokéball "Alright Paras do your stuff" The ball struck the ground and the bright light formed into a tiny insect. It had the pinkest red color on its exoskeleton with six leg. Walking on four and the last was in front of its head with long sharp claws at the tip. On its head, were two big circle eyes with black pupils that scanned the battlefield. There was two small mushroom on it's back. It made a jittery sound with its mouth that sounded like soft clicking as its mandible teeth moved. Wesley made a face looking at bug. It sort of made him happy he got idris as his first Pokémon she was so much prettier.
He looked down at his fox and smiled. "Alright it's time. Get in there" he said pointing at the Paras. Idris looked at him cocking her head to the side.
"Are we going to do this?" the girl cried impatiently
"C'mon Idris get in there." He said looking down at her. She followed to where his finger was pointed and stopped there.
"Alright Paras let's make this easy. Side step and get in close!"
The bug Pokémon started to walk sideways on it's legs like a crab. It strafed left and then right and started moving quick upon his Vulpix. "Idris don't just stand there. Bite it!" Wesley commanded.
Idris just watched the Pokémon move with curiosity. Before he knew it, the Paras took one its claws and aim it right for Idris. Idris however just hopped out of the way.
"Yeah!" Wesley cried out. "Good dodge! Now attack!"
Idris finally understanding this was a battle took into a sprint at her opponent. Paras used it's odd crab side-step to move out of the way as Idris attempted to pounce on it. The bug Pokémon took a swing slicing the side of Wesley's Vulpix. Blood splattered on the floor and Idris yelped loudly. Wesley's looked on in horror seeing his Idris hurt. His heart started to beat rapidly. No, she needs to get stronger he said clenching his fist. "Fightback!" he yelled. Idris just ran away from her opponent.
"What kind of battle is this?" the girl said. Spectators started joining in giving similar comments. Some of them even laughing.
Wesley felt heat prickly his forehead as the anger started bubbling to the surface. He should feel embarrassed, it was clear he had no idea what he was doing. This girl had already trained her Pokémon to sidestep attacks. He realized she probably taught her Paras to do that to avoid fire attacks assuming Idris knew some. In an angry huff, he screamed. "IDIRS IF YOU DON'T FIGHT BACK I WON'T BRUSH YOU EVER AGAIN!"
Idris came to a halt before leaving the boundaries of the battleground. She looked at Wesley and then at the Paras. Like before with the Zigzagoon something in her movements changed. Even in his injury she darted forward with quick speed. The Paras tried to slash at her, but Idris was agile and leap airborne bring her front paws down on Paras throwing her full weight smashing the bug against the ground. Idris jumped off the bug landing and turned to face her opponent. The Paras was on the ground started to rise slowly it was clear one of it's legs had been damaged.
"Burn it! Like you do my shirts!" Wesley called out. That got laughs from the crowd. Idris however knew what to do. She caught up a small burning flame at the bug. "That's right. Ember! Do it again uses Ember!"
Idris let another fire plum from his mouth. The flames landed near the bug close enough to singe its exoskeleton. While the flames weren't strong by any means they obviously, were doing something to the bug. As the flames touched the bug and signed hits body the Paras, clicked its mandibles to signify pain. Wesley blood was pumping. "Take it down!" He yelled. Idris rushed forward crashing he head into the body of her opponent sending it rolling along the floor.
"Getup" the girl cried. "Stun it! Stun Spore."
"Don't give it a chance Idris, Ember do it again!" The Paras bug body was slightly cracked, but it rolled correctly and the mushrooms on its back started to vibrate rapidly. Tiny yellow spores shot up into the air as a small ember of fire made contact with it. Paras ran around in circles as it's mushrooms caught on fire. Idris had inhaled the spores as she was moving forward. She slowed down and started to whimper after each time she made a step. It was like she was being shocked every time she moved. She finally gave up and laid down on the ground. The Paras however wasn't in any better shape. It laid still on the floor on fire. Somebody in the crowd told her to return it to its Pokéball before it died. When she did he turned to Wesley and said.
"I believe that's a draw."
"No," Somebody said from the crowd. "You're Pokémon fainted his is just paralyzed."
"His Vulpix can't even attack" she yelled at the crowd
"He still won."
"Yeah!" the crowd agreed.
"Fine!" she yelled. Running over to Wesley and shoving ten bucks into his hand. "Good fight. I guess." She turned and ran off.
Wesley walked over picking up Idris, who was covered in tiny yellow spores. Somebody recommended him to go get a paralyze heal from the shop. Taking the advice he used some of the potions he had left to heal the giant gash on her side. He stuck the needle of the Paralyze Heal into her legs and pushed the plunger down. It took a full ten minutes before she could walk around again. After Wesley had eaten they, were back on the road.
...
Back on the main route there was a lot of traffic. Wesley knew that most of the schools graduate at the same time so there would be an influx of trainers. After a couple months, people would quit and it would die down until the next generation graduated. Wesley wanted to start training Idris on some wild Pokémon but with all the people passing by it, was hard to find one. Every once and a while he'd find himself alone and a random Rattata would scurry on the road but by the time Idris was on the attack, it would run away. Wesley phone buzzed in his pocket. Scanning the name on it a small smile played on his lips and he flicked it open.
"Cecelia!" he chimed.
"Hey Wes!" she said over the receiver. "Oh god, it's been a while. How is it all alone out there?"
"It's fine, I'm fine, Idris is excellent."
"Idris? Lovely name."
"Thanks," he said. "Whats going on with you guys? Hows Hugo?" he said now walking down the path.
"We're in Englefield now. Hugo tried to lead us deeper into the woods so it would take more time but Darby and Jennifer kept getting frustrated. So we just headed straight here."
"Oh, well then I guess I'll just have to meet you guys there." He said.
"Were going to be here for a while. We tried signing up for our gym battles, but we need at least three Pokémon. They have all these weird kind rules this year. Hugo and Darby were the only ones who could sign up." She told him.
Wesley stopped moving. After all the random Pokémon, he's seen not once did he think about catching one of them. He had a hard enough time with Idris how would manage to train another one? He sighed and continued to walk.
"So Hugo got another Pokémon?" he asked.
"Yea he's got his Dratini, Sandshrew, and a Buizel," she said.
"Wow. I haven't even caught another one." Wesley said as he kept walking.
"Just remember to weaken them before you try." She said. "Hey, listen were about to go out to eat. Just wanted to check up on you. Hope to see you soon!"
Wesley said his goodbye and hung up. He pulled out his Pokédex and looked at the battery on it. It was at 48%. He took a moment to look at the map. The idea, that he could just go to each campsite and bypass all the towns until he reached Englefield, was starting to seem impractical. The nearest town was East Helios and it wasn't far off. He could cut through some of the forests and make it there quicker and while he was taking his short cut he could catch another Pokémon.
...
The sound of bugs chirping was around him as he made his way down his own path. Unlike the last short cut he went, he actually ran into a few people on the way. All the while he looked around for lone Pokémon. He saw a Spinarak that was climbing up a tree. It was all by its self, however being cautious Wesley scanned the area and saw that it had friends up in the trees above. Not wanting to become Ariados food he moved along. He did manage to take down a Rattata, but he had to be honest he didn't really want one of those. Somebody about eating one and then having one on his team didn't feel well to him.
The wind started to pick up causing the trees above to rustle spitting leaves into the air. It reminded him of Karen's Pidgeot. While looking up in hopes of seeing Karen or Clover, he didn't see the pinkish ball like Pokémon float into his chest. The little Pokémon grabbed onto his shirt its mouth was open wide making a "whoaaaaaaaaa whoaaaaaaaaaaa" sound.
Wesley shook himself free of whatever it was. When he turned back to the direction, he was going he saw what looked like hundred of these tiny balls flying at him. All of them stuck their small stubby arms out tried grabbing onto him. Shaking himself free, he took out his Pokédex taking a snapshot of one flying by.
[Hoppip the Cottenweed Pokémon. Hoppip is very light Pokémon and is easily lifted off the ground by winds and tend to drift in the air. Mature Hoppip can often sense when high winds are coming and will link themselves together to avoid being taken away. They generally are found in grasslands but can be found anywhere the wind takes them. Would you like to know more...]
The significant cluster seemed to have passed by Wesley when his eyes spotted on Hoppip in particular. It didn't appear to be having any problem with the wind. It was being blown around like the others by this one looked like it was dancing. The wind had no control over this little guy. Something about the way it moved was mesmerizing.
Wesley grabbed Idris's Pokéball from his pocket. Throwing it next to him watching her materialize in front of him. "See that one." Wesley pointed to the Hoppip he wanted.
"Take it down."
Idris ran forward bouncing off some boulders on the uneven ground leaping hitting it with her head. The Hoppip let out an audible "Whoaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!" as it struck a nearby tree. It didn't fall to the ground as expected. The wind just took it in the current. Wesley could see as it traveled that it looked dazed. Idris chased after it, but the wind started to take it higher. Idris did something Wesley didn't expect. She jumped rather high towards a tree planting her legs on the tree then bounced off it gaining more height until her teeth sank into the stubby arm of the Hoppip. When they hit the ground, the pink Pokémon bounced against the forest floor but was held firm in Idris's jaw. Wesley sat there for a moment. She would do that during the time he spent at home with her. While she would wait behind a corner to ambush him she, would bounce off the wall. Snapping back to the fight.
"Use your fire!" Wesley called out.
The Hoppip was now screaming as it tried to escape. Wesley didn't notice this before, but they had three green leaves coming out from their head and this one started spinning its. With a final twirl, its momentum struck Idris knocking her away. Wesley could see the burned flesh from the damage Idris had caused. Those three jagged leaves on its head started to glow and the wound on its arm began to heal itself.
"What the hell? Idris burn it again, Ember!"
She shot more plumes of fire from her mouth one of them manage to hit it on the top of its head. It screamed again and started running around.
"Take it down!"
Idris ran forward hitting it hard sending it flying into a tree again. Before it could even take flight with the wind Idris was right on top of it running into the tree again. Hoppip fell over unmoving. It suddenly struck Wesley. He didn't have an empty Pokéball. Tossing his pack down frantically opening the pockets. The wind picked up again. The still body was started to move.
"Got it!"
The body was now getting airborne. Wesley took aim and tossed. It was spot on and the Hoppip was sucked into the ball. When the ball hit the floor, it shook very lightly until it stopped.
Wesley ran over nearly tripping on some rocks to retrieve the ball. Idris pranced over to him and lovely nuzzled his legs as he went her. Wesley felt something grab onto his shirt. He didn't even notice there was still Hoppip floating around. Shaking it off, he started to make it way towards East Helios.
...
East Helios felt like his hometown just smaller. On his way, in he passed a few suburban areas one his way into downtown was a local told him the Pokémon center was at. He had always passed by the Pokémon centers before but never once been inside one and boy was it a site to see. As he walked through the automatic sliding glass doors, he saw two New Celliance soldiers standing guard who gave him a brisk nod. At first he could see that the lighting was slightly dim giving at calming environment. The floor was a light orange colored tile. In the center, was a square column erected with screens vaulted facing downward at some black cushioned couches. Other trainers were sitting down with their Pokémon looking at some battles going on.
Off to the left he could see a staircase leading up to a balcony where some trainers were leaning on the railing. Under the balcony, there were three separate counters with people lined up. Behind the counter, where people were sporting the black and white uniforms only these ones were apparently used for nurses.
On the other side was steps leading down into a cafeteria where Wesley saw even more trainers lined up getting food. Getting in the line behind two boys who, when it was their turn, were hitting on the nurse. This kind of thing must have happened all the time because she quickly countering everything they through at her. When it was Wesley turn, he just gave her a smile.
"First time?" she said quickly.
"That clearly written on my face." He said quickly.
She gave a light chuckle. "Don't worry. It's easy. Catch any new Pokémon?" Wesley gave her a nod. "Well, don't keep me waiting had them over."
Wesley took out his two Pokéball and handed them over. She stuck them in the machine and it started to hum. "Your Vulpix is a little worn out." She started. "You Hoppip must be the one you just caught because he looks a little worse for wear."
"He?"
"Yep. He looks to be about four months old." She said typing as the computer. "ID, please."
Wesley flipped opening is wallet giving it to her. She stuck it into a slot in the machine and started typing again. "Okay, the Hoppip is registered to you." She said handing back his ID. "Come back around morning tomorrow and they'll be good as new."
"Thank you very much."
"You should head upstair and see if they have any rooms available. We offer free overnight boarding if they have room."
Wesley said his thanks again and turn and went upstairs. He walked passed a door with a sign over it 'GTS.' and caught a glimpse of a bunch of terminals with lots of trainers in there. He got to the door the read. 'Trainer Lodging.' Stepping up to the door and the automatic doors opened. The noise seemed to drown out as the door closed behind him. He walked up to the person at the desk. It was another New Celliance uniformed gentleman.
"Trainer ID, please." He stated in a monotone voice. Once in hand he stuck it in the slot and started typing. "first time using free lodging? " he asked.
"Yes."
"Alright it's simple. You are allowed one free night. If you can't afford a night in a room, you can always ask the lodging officer if there is any job in town for some extra cash. We have a few places left. So here you go.
He said handing him his ID back. "Use your ID as the key. Room G" he said.
He said his thanks and head toward his room. It was tiny. It had a bunk bed with a little table with two chairs and TV mounted on the wall with a door that led into a small bathroom. Setting his backpack down on the table, he took a breath and laid on the bed. Before he knew it his eyes, were closed he was off to a brisk nap.
When he snapped awake it was dark out. Checking his phone, he saw it was close to nine pm. Yawning and plugging both his phone and his Pokédex to charge he took a nice relaxing warm shower. The shower was refreshing and something he needed to put him in the right mood. Leaving his room making his way to the cafeteria he saw the pokecenter wasn't nearly as busy at night. The nurse, who took his Pokémon, wasn't there anymore, but he shrugged. What would he have said anyways?
Approaching the small steps down into the cafeteria, he could see that it was packed. This must be when dinner rush was. It took ten minute, but he got himself a mere cheeseburger meal which was just five bucks. He scanned the area and quickly found a table that people were leaving from. Grabbing it for himself, he dug into his meal. For five dollars, it wasn't a bad deal. Looking to his left, he saw two guys standing by his table holding trays.
"Yo, you mind?" said the first one. He was tall and lanky. He had dark skin and dark eyes with a thick layer of black on his head. His face had very handsome features with a set of healthy looking lips and nose with a goatee and an enormous charismatic smile showing itself to Wesley.
Wesley's, whose mouth was full of cheeseburger, gestured to the other side of the table. They both sat down. "Thanks," he said taking his seat. "Alex." He said offering him a hand across his table once he took his place.
"I don't think he cares. Let just eat I'm starving." The other said. He was shorter then Alex. Wesley could have sworn this guy was from one of the country music videos. He had long dark brown hair that flowed past his ear touching his shoulders. He clearly had a paler complexion than his friend, but his skin was tanned. Even though he looked around Wesley's age this guy looked healthy. His shoulder were bug through his long sleeve shirt you could see the muscle definition. He must have been a football player or something.
"Uh Wesley." Said finally taking Alex's hand.
Alex had a firm shake and said "This is Chris. Ignore the brooding exterior. He truly is loveable."
"Can I just eat?" Chris grunted. He flicked his blue eyes towards Wesley. "Thank You," he said with a strained voice.
"No problem."
They ate in silence until Alex was the first to speak. "Do you like chess?" he asked eye on Wesley. Chris rolled his eyes. "God don't you start with that crap right now."
"It's been a while," Wesley answered sticking a fry in his mouth.
"Don't encourage him, please," Chris said. It was too late. Alex had pulled a small portable chess box out from seemingly nowhere.
"How about a game."
"I'm out," Chris said. Getting up.
"You're a downer. I just wanted to have a friendly game with my new acquaintance here.
"Well, you're weird. Wesley is he being weird?" Chris turned to him.
"Not Really."
Chris scoffed as Alex smiled up at him. "The fuck does he know anyway." He got out before taking off.
"Don't think your friend likes me," Wesley said.
"Not true," Alex said now unfolding the board and setting up pieces. "We've been on the road a while now."
"Where are you from?" Wesley questioned as his eyes watched the board being set up.
"Seaside Cove." Alex said returning an answer. "White or black?"
"Don't care. That far north. What are you guys doing all the way down here."
Alex had finished setting up the pieces and turned the board to give Wesley the black side. "Well, we were going to head northeast through the mountains and were going to take on the Silverberg gym leader first. Chris and I He moved a white pawn as his first move.
Wesley counter moved one of his black pawns. "Took you guys nearly a month to get down here?" Alex nodded and made enough move. "I'm from Helios, I had to stay behind. My Pokémon wasn't big enough to travel or battle so they locked mine." Wesley finished moving one of his bishops out.
"That's rough," Alex said quietly now staring at the board with high intent. The two chatted while they played. Wesley figured Alex had gathered that he wasn't at all good and wasn't truly playing. Alex told him about how Chris both have four Pokémon each. Alex started with an Aron and had a Kakuna, Geodude, and a Bellsprout. Chris started with a Cyndaquil a Lotad, Deerling and a Sparrow. Alex said cool when he told him he had a Vulpix and Hoppip and quickly went to check Wesley in their game of chess.
Wesley found it hard not to talk to Alex. He was funny and had a great personality that made it hard not to get along with. When the game was finished Alex had crushed him. He did shake Wesley's hand a said good game. Chris wandered back and sat down.
"Okay lovebirds. I walking to those girls over there." He turned his head over to a group of girls giving them a smile. "They invited me to a party. You think you can keep it in your pants long enough?"
Alex turned to Wesley. "Wanna go?"
Wesley looked at them both then to the girls and nodded his head.
"Well, I'm going to the lockers and I'll change in the bathroom. Chris said getting up.
"Wait, I have a room here in the center," Wesley said. Chris pivoted on his feet. "You can use that."
Chris gave a sly smile and Alex spoke. "You are a God amongst us mortal men Wesley."
Wesley cracked a grin and got up. He followed them to an area of the Pokecenter he never saw. There was a massive wall of lockers. He figured they were for people who wanted to store their stuff and not have to worry about it being stolen. He led them back to the small room which Chris yelled "DIBS!" and ran into the bathroom.
"Thanks for this," Alex said. "We already spent two nights here. I got one room and then Chris did."
"No problem. Why haven't you moved on yet?" He asked.
"Whats the rush? We just graduated. We've got the rest of our lives to travel around and take on the gyms. Me and Chris. We're here to have fun."
Wesley nodded his head in understanding. They chatted for a bit until Chris had some out wearing a towel. Wesley poked himself in the arms feeling some muscle but not like Chris. Dude was ripped. Alex was next. Wesley looked away as Chris started to change and that on prompted a chuckle from him. Wesley assumed conversation between them would be awkward, but it wasn't. Chris was just as funny as Alex was.
"You gonna wear that?" Chris asked.
"I had to leave in a hurry. Didn't have much time to grab a lot of clothes." He answered.
"What happened." But Wesley remained silent.
"Alright," Chris said throwing his hands up. "I get it. But here." He said reaching into his pack and tossing him a rolled up blue flannel. Wesley looked at him and then started to unbutton.
"You like good," Chris said. Like clock work the bathroom door opened and Alex walked out in a towel. "Alex don't he look good."
Alex stopped looked Wesley up and down. "Boy wheres flannel better than you."
...
The party was out in the woods. It wasn't a far walk from the city. Wesley had to admit walking around with two others around his age was something he'd missed. Hanging out with his friends, going to parties doing crazy stuff that got them into trouble. All of that seemed a lifetime away now. For a moment, he wished Pokémon didn't exist. Then maybe all those good time wouldn't have ended. Those thoughts were quickly pushed back as the conversation he was having with both Chris and Alex about their hometown. Even though it was called Seaside Cove it was more of grassy plans now. During the war, a huge battle erupted that actually changed the land mass around the area. The area was now used more for farming fish Pokémon to be shipped off to markets. Since neither Alex nor Chris wanted to work in that business they, were happy to be Pokémon trainers. Alex told him about how he believe Pokémon training will eventually become boring and too much of a grind and once that happens he was off to college, but for now? He was going to live it up. Chris, on the other hand, wanted to go into the Pokémon tracking field. He wanted to explore the world, but he didn't think 'catching them all' was a feasible goal. In order to become a ranger in order to track, he needed at least four badge to prove he was capable of handling Pokémon.
Wesley naturally felt out of place. He didn't have a plan and was glad that they arrived at the crowd of teenagers in the clearing of a the forest so their attention was taken elsewhere. Cars were lined in a row playing music. Wesley could feel the bass coming from the subwoofers. His eyes could spot rows of kegs with a bunch of people lined up waiting to get a drink.
Around the center of the mass of people, was a huge bonfire. An Arcanine sat near it idly flapping its tail side to side. It looked like the fire was being controlled by it. His trainer was chatting up some girls who were apparently impressed by the size of the fire dog. That wasn't the only Pokémon out. People had all kinds of out hanging on their shoulders. People arguing about who had the better starter. Chris departed saying he was going to find those girls who invite him and Alex got side tracked using his charisma to talk up some beautiful girls. Wesley kind of sat near him but eventually not wanting to make it awkward took off towards one of the lines to grab a drink. He locking eyes with the attractive nurse who took his Pokémon. She gave him a soft smile and returned one back to her before he moved on. While sipping on what tasted like awful cheap beer, he stumbled upon a group of people who were about to snort something up their nose.
They looked at Wesley and he just went "Nope." And about faced and walked in another direction. He had to admit even though he didn't really have anybody to hang around the atmosphere was fun. It was like being back in school again. He heard shouting coming from the music of people going "OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO" and Wesley like a lot of others walked through the crowd that was forming. There was a circle and in the middle, was some guy's dancing. Wesley saw the long hair of Chris on the floor doing some kind of break dance move while Alex was giving the other two men in the circle with them an eye wide look like 'sup? Yeah, my friend just schooled you.'
The music shifted in a bass heavy mix and the two other started to do some weird aggressive dance Wesley hadn't actually seen before. They were moving their arms around erratically.
"Oh, you gonna' krump now?" Alex said slowly to let the crowd know he had a plan. Alex pulled off his shirt. What the hell? He was ripped too. He flexed his abs and started doing the same kind of dance they did. It was in your face intense. Wesley's lips curled into a sly grin. He started pushing his way throw the crowd. Walking up behind Chris, who gave him a sly smile and a nod. When Alex fished the other two began to do some more crazy moves. Alex turn spotting Wesley walking up sweating extending his handout. Wesley reached and the clasped hands for a moment.
"What's up cool kid." He said in his excitement. The music changed into something with a more pulsating bass. "You guys looked like you were having all the fun." Maybe he was a little tipsy from the beer or maybe he wanted to feel like he belonged to Chris and Alex but whatever it was he said it confidence.
Chris smacked him on the back for good luck and Wesley took a step forward. The two took one look at Wesley and started to chuckle. They didn't know though, he may not be a good Pokémon trainer, but he still had some talent. He wasn't entirely worthless.
Wesley slowly gyrated his shoulders with the music slowly and awkwardly. There were a few giggles but as the music started to create a bass he locked his shoulder with the beat. With one swift robotic movement, he moved his arms from left with the beat. Melting his arms into undulating motion creating a liquid movement then locking them again. Alex instantly started getting hyped and got the crowd cheering. His movement matched the beat perfectly. All the worry he'd had over the last few weeks. His friend, his family, Idris being stronger. It didn't matter at this moment. He was having fun.
When the song stopped Alex jumped on Wesley throwing his arms around his neck. "That's what I'm talking about boy!"
"Fucking rad," Chris said. The praised Wesley for the moment when the group finally over the dance off started to get back into the grove. It didn't take long before Chris and Alex had girls to dance with. Wesley though chose to just have fun. No fancy dancing this time he was just enjoying himself moving side to side. His eyes scanned the group of people around him and then he saw her again. The nurse. She gave him another smile and so Wesley in his 'I'm having fun dance' started to slightly dance in her direction. She actually gave a small laugh. Good sign right? She begun to do a funny jig as she looked at him and so he copied her. Her cheeks went rose colored and she started to laugh out loud. Taking his as a good thing, he approached slowly keeping his eyes on her still doing the funny dance she was doing. When he was in front of her he reached both arms forward and before he knew it he felt her slender fingers in his.
They did a short push-pull thing with their arms as they moved side to side. It was clear they were totally off tempo. She was the first to lean and Wesley begin slightly taller leaned down till her lips got close to his ears.
"I'm Emily, That was a really cool what you did earlier." She paused for a moment. Pulling her head back squinted eyes. "Oh, I know your name. It was.. It was Leslie!"
"Close Wesley, and thank you." He said in return.
Wesley gave let go of her left hand and gave her a twirl. Her face turned a rosy shade again and she started to laugh. She was the one who let go of his hands and turned her body around. He felt her body began to rock next to his. She reached back grabbing his arms and pulling them forward forcing his hands on her hips. Now Wesley was the color of red. He didn't let it stop him though and she wiggled and dance closed to him. Wesley looked up at she Alex and Chris off in the distance with red cups in hand tipping it to him as they watched with wide grins on their faces.
Wesley only caught a glimpse because he looked away, but it looked like somebody had shoved Chris out of the way and marching towards the crowd of dancers. He looked back seeing a taller wavy haired dude with his eyes locked on Wesley. Emily instantly stopped as she saw him and the only thing, Wesley could think, was really? Of all the girls, he decided to dance with.
As soon as he was on them he grabbed Wesley by the collar of Chris's flannel. "The fuck do you think you're doing." Wesley could smell his breath. He was drunk. All, he could do, was be forced to think about his father. Anger surged through him. He clenched his fist and looked the guy in the eyes.
Was it something about Wesley? Did people think it was just okay to walk over him? Was it something like weakness that pretors see in their prey? He would really like to know? His forehead was hot and his heart was thumping in his chest.
"Back the fuck off," Wesley said pushing the guy in the chest. Wrong move. He felt a fist connect with his face. Planting his feet not wanting to fall down, he turned ready to swing when Alex's voice was loud.
"Whoa, Whoa, Whoa!!!" Alex screamed.
Emily stood there looking petrified, but the guy, who'd just hit him, turned to see Alex. Whoever blonde dude was he must have been popular. He looked out into the crowd and now big men started to appear in the now forming circle that was around them.
"Now, you done made two mistakes," Alex said holding up two fingers. "One. You spilled his drink all over him." Alex pointed to Chris, who was looking at the blonde guy with dangerous looking eyes. "and two you messed with out friend."
Wesley looked at Alex and his anger vanished. Chris however was still fuming he walked forward and two of blonde guys friend walked in front of him. They didn't last long. One man swung and Chris dodged landing a nasty right hook knocking the guy on the floor cold. When the other one went in for a hit Chris had him by the wrist and the guy was on his knee screaming in pain. Wesley, not giving a crap about honor took a swing at blonde dude striking him right in the temple. Alex turned and jumped another guy. It was an all out brawl.
.....
The three broke through the forest line into the city running as fast as they could. Alex was laughing and Chris still had a scary pissed look on his face. Wesley mentioned they could crash at the Pokémon center. Once inside and sitting down. Chris called dibs on the top bunk. They sat down for a moment. Wesley body was bruised. His cheek was sensitive to the touch. Wesley had managed to wrestle the blonde dude down and Alex had taken another. Chris had taken like five guys down before things got really crazy and they had to bolt.
"I've been wondering." Alex started turning to Wesley. "Where did you learn how to dance like that."
"Youtube, to impress a girl at a school dance," Wesley said with a small smile. He laid on the bottom bunk. Alex nodded and got his sleeping bag and rolled it out on the floor. "Most fun I've had in weeks. Good night." Alex told him. He heard Chris turned in the top bunk and say "Yeah, that was one of the best night I've had on this damn trip." He rolled back over.
The next morning Wesley didn't wake until the early afternoon. Alex and Chris, and their things, were already gone. Wesley took a deep breath and nodded his head. It was really a good night. Now it was time to get back on the road. Packing up his things, he realized he was still wearing Chris's flannel. Maybe he'd see him again and return. He sure hoped he did.
He checked out of his room and went downstairs. Walking up to the counter, he saw none other than Emily there. She gave him an awkward smile. "I'm sor..."
"Don't worry about it," Wesley said. "You had fun right?"
She nodded.
"Then it doesn't matter."
She returned his pokeballs to him and leaned over the counter to give him a kiss on the cheek. The smile on his face wouldn't go away. They said goodbye and he walked out of the pokecenter and took in the fresh air.
"Yo, Cool Kid," Alex's voice called out from down the street. Wesley walked up to both Chris and Alex, who were dressed for a summer walk. They looked like they had more gear lobbed on their packs than he did. They all started walking talking about the night before. Alex or Chris didn't even have to mention it. From this moment forward, the three would travel together.
.....
Yay! Give some good feed back. This is my first fic so I can't get better unless I know where to truly improve. Thank you!

 

Thanks for reading, Hope you are enjoying. I have a great time writing. Think of anything to help me improve I'll be happy to consider it!
This chapter is shorter than my last. It was originally longer but I felt that I needed to cut it off short because it didn't fit with what was going on in this chapter.
anyways. Ta-ta!


Chapter 4: Chapter Four: Back to the Basics
.....


Having people to travel with made things much easier. One, it meant he didn't spend nearly as much alone time by himself. Those depression thoughts would never plague his mind. Two they didn't have to spent money on campsites. Which was a good thing because Wesley was starting to run low. They would create a little area to set up camp for themselves, though that was partly due to Chris. Over the course of the next few days, Wesley hardly had to eat canned or dried food. Chris was a Braviary Scout. He could hunt, skin, clean, and cook. Couple that with the fact that Chris grew up in a family full of athletes he was raised in many styles of mix martial arts. So there was hardly any tension of sleeping in their own camp.
Alex was you could say the complete opposite. Wesley didn't notice it at first, but Alex carried a laptop with him. Alex was in a foster care and grew up with a bunch of kids with who were all raised by an older lady Alex called Nana. While she made sure, they were clothed and fed he found an interesting way to pay her back with computers. Wesley could on infer that Alex had done some illegal things to make some money through hacking. The way he talked about building different machines and things he's programmed you would think he would have rather been in college.
Above all else, with all the talent these two had. They were excellent trainers. Since they left East Helios and Wesley, had watched Chris and Alex take on nearly a dozen trainers of their level and crushed them all only losing to people who had more advanced Pokémon.
This only made Wesley not want to battle in front of them. While they got along Wesley, noticed a that they consistently loved to trash talk each other. Not wanting to give them any reason to clown on him. He kept his battles to singular Pokémon he found on their own. Idris was still having trouble with fights. He just couldn't get her to latch onto his commands like with Chris and Alex with their own. It was getting frustrating. "I trained her as a pet not a battle Pokémon" is was he would tell himself. The other problem, he was having, was his new Hoppip. The first time he let the pinkish plant out he found that It would get terrified of Idris and try to fly away. The second time he tried, keeping Idris in her Pokéball, the Hoppip seemed to be okay with him when he attempted to feed it however there was some apparent distress.
On the third night, Chris was picking up on Wesley lack of trainer battles and asked him for one. Wesley couldn't back down but knew it wasn't going to end well for him.
"Lillian, keep using your bubble to keep it back. She's strong up close." Chris commanded with ease and confidence. Chris's Lotad, Lillian, was small six-legged Pokémon with short light blue fur along its oval shaped body. It had two round eyes with small pupils and a small yellow bill-like mouth, but the strangest feature, it had, was large lily pad on its back that was large than its body.
Idris spent the last few minutes trying to break past the water attacks that Lillian was tossing out. Idris's fire wasn't efficient enough yet. While she could breath small flames, they were little flickers of ember and by the time they even reached Lillian they would burn out quick.
The only saving grace, Wesley had in this fight, was that the bubbles moved slowly as well and Idris's agile movements dodged them quickly. "Alright Lillian one more bubble!" The Lotad stood it's the ground and let a frothy foam of bubbles pour from its bill. "Now razor leaf!" Chris commanded. Idris had spent the whole time dodging the bubble she though she had the pattern down. That was the mistake. The tiny razor sharp leaves sliced Idris across the face, paws, tail. Lillian didn't need to be told before she was already upon her opponent striking it with a hard tackle the Vulpix's ribs.
Idris rolled when she hit the ground. Lillian spread another foamy bubble hitting her target true. It was like the energy was sap from Idris was the bubble encased in her body. She rolled around on the ground getting dirt clotted up in her now wet fur yelping in pain. Wesley called the match by returning Idris to her Pokéball.
"You read her like a book." Wesley said.
"You have a very distinctive style." Chris said holding out his hand. Wesley paid him the ten they bet on.
"You've only seen me battle once and that was a wild Pokémon," Wesley said as they walked back to small camp site. Chris shrugged "Hey it not my fault you give away your tells."
Wesley was about to try and counter, but Alex's voice spoke out to them. "Now, Chris. I don't want you to be mad. I just want you to know it wasn't my fault."
Chris stopped in his tracks looking at his friend. "Not again."
"Look I'm telling you. Your Pokémon fire burns too hot."
"All, you had to do, was watch the bird and make sure it didn't burn." Chris said his voice growing deeper. He stopped forward getting the firepit in full view. When they left to go battle there was an excellent browning body of a plucked headless Starley cooking but now it looked like a hunk of charcoal.
"How did you.." Chris said throwing his hands up in the air. He walked over to his tent picking up a spear he made earlier catch the bird and turned to his friend. "Dammit Alex!" he said angerly. He stormed off into the woods.
Alex and Wesley looked at each other and burst out laughing. "This is why we can't have nice things." Wesley joked. Alex laughed sitting down picking up his laptop. "Told the boy I couldn't cook. Oh, by the way. I sent that information about the Hoppip to your Pokédex."
"You can do that?" Wesley reaching his hand into his pocket pulling it out. There was a flashing red button on the screen and when Wesley pressed it the screened changed to a website. "I thought these things couldn't get the internet unless you paid for it."
"I jailbroke yours." Alex said.
"When."
"A while ago."
"I never gave it to you."
"did it remotely."
"You hacked into my Pokédex?" Wesley said a brow now lifted on his forehead.
"Wasn't hard," Alex said nonchalantly.
"Thank you," Wesley said giving him a nod.
Before he got a chance to sit down and examine the web page, his phone started to ring. Checking the Caller ID, it flashed Devon. Wesley flicked open the phone eagerly.
"Whats up man!" Wesley voice in a happier tone than normal. Wesley however didn't get the same tone back.
"Holy Hell Wesley you're okay!"
"I'm all right." Wesley looking over to Alex, who was typing away on his laptop. Wesley decided not to disturb him figure that the conversation was going to about his parents. He took a short walk away from the campground finding a nice tree to lean on.
"Whoa, do you know how worried your sister has been. Dude why haven't you called?" Devon questioned.
"I don't know, It wasn't really on my mind."
"You've been missing for nearly a week. What did you think was going to happen? We tried calling the day your mother called to tell us what happened, but you must have been out of cell range. I called the up preserve to ask if you were around, but they said you left hours ago."
Wesley held the phone not speaking for a second. He felt shame roll over his face. He'd ignore his mother's calls, but he never tried to contact his sister or Devon even after he found the knife and belt.
"I'm sorry," Wesley said voice full of guilt.
"It's fine. You're fine. That all that matters. So Wesley tell me what happened."
Wesley spent the next few minutes going over the details of what happened at home. His father being drunk and wanting the money and then beating on him. Wesley had to admit that it felt good talking to somebody about it. Not talking about it seemed to make it go away for the time being but the fact someone was willing to listen made it feel okay.
"Ellie isn't going to be happy," Devon said after he finished. "Not quite the same bit your mother told us."
"What did she say."
"Not important, but look you're out in the world now. Doing your Pokémon thing. How do you like your gift."
"It's awesome. Thanks for that everything and don't worry I won't tell Ellie about the knife." Wesley said when a lightbulb flicked in his head. "Devon you had been a trainer before you went to college right?"
"Sure was. Did a full year and got four badges. That pretty incredible by the way." He told him. Wesley cracked a grin.
"Well, I was wondering, How did you... You know.... Get your Pokémon to you know, listen to you." He said meekly.
Devon however let out a booming laugh. "Oh man, Your first Pokémon is the worst isn't it. Tell me brotha what are you having troubles with."
Wesley told him how Idris was acting more like a house pet and not like a battle Pokémon. He told him how she was only used to doing two attacks and how it was making him super easy to read in fights.
"Wes, Wes, Wes" he started making a clicking sound with his teeth. "There is your problem right there. You've referred to your Pokémon as a pet or a battle pet. She's both man. She not a tool she is your partner. You have to trust her like she has to trust you.
Wesley's eyes went wide. How could he have been so stupid! It was all clicking together now. Karen and Clover the way Chris and Alex battled. He even flashed to when he caught the Hoppip how he told Idris he didn't think he just told her to attack. She even did a move that surprised him.
"Holy shit." Wesley said.
"Hey it's not only that. What kind of training are you going with your Pokémon." Devon said.
"What do you mean, we battle and such."
"Man that just helps with the battle theory. That is important, but you have to drill. I got up every morning and ran with my Pokémon and after that we'd spent some time drilling different moves and maneuvers. You know the whole practice makes perfect thing." Devon told him.
"Wow, I mean I didn't even think about that. They don't teach you about any of that kind of stuff in school. They just talk about Pokémon types and battling moves and such."
"Happy to help. Listen your sister is working the night shift tonight. Call her tomorrow if you can. I've gotta put Rosy down to bed. I'll catch you later alright."
"If I can call I will." He promised. "Good night."
Wesley snapped his phone shut. Taking a moment with his own thought before he he found his way back to the campsite Chris was already plucking a new bird.
"You're eating your damn spagettios," Chris grunted towards Alex.
"Hey now, it really is your fault you'd think after the third meal I've ruined you'd stop asking me to look after it."
Chris sent death glares his way and went back to plucking. Next to Chris was his Cyndaquil was next him munching on the charcoal bird Alex ruined. Wesley grabbed the brushed from his tent and let Idris out of her Pokéball. She still looked weak, but Wesley sprayed some of his potion on her cuts from earlier and watched them bubble and heal. He started grooming her first by getting rid of the nasty dirt that was clotted up in her fur.
"Wesley," Chris said causing his head to shoot up. "Take these." Chris had tossed a zip lock bag with a bunch of pokequares.
"Thanks, but I have some," Wesley said about to reach for his bag to show Chris.
"Nah, these one are special. They are infused with some unique charcoal that used to help baby Pokémon with their fire. I noticed your Vulpix fire attacks were really weak."
"Thanks," Wesley said narrowing his eyes.
"Well, you said you got her when she was young, right? She probably didn't go through enough nursing to develop that flame in her enough. These will kick-start that." Chris said
Wesley held up looking at the food. He pulled on out and offered it to Idris. She sniffed it and then eagerly snatched it up.
"Speaking of a particular food. " Alex said looking up from his laptop. "We need to make a detour."
"I'm not talking to you," Chris said.
"Calm down ya grown ass baby." Alex countered. Chris followed with another set of death glares. "Alls, I'm saying, is that. My Aron needs some minerals to help develop his armor. I've been looking up at some maps and there are some caves north of here about a day out. There are Bunnelby in the area." Alex voiced trailed off into a tease at the end.
Chris turned his head quickly staring him down. "Fine. If you're lying though" Chris took his knife and flipped it in his hand making a gesture at him. "I'll send you both the list of Pokémon we can find out there. Maybe you'll find something you'll like Wesley."
Wesley couldn't think taking on a third. He hadn't even started with his second Pokémon. He spent the next hour reading up on Hoppip's, Alex had found the perfect website to help him understand his new Pokémon. It mentioned how Hoppip traveling in what is called a Cloud of Hoppip. Once it's been separated it loses, it's safety net and feels insecure about it's new surroundings. He'd have to find a way to create a way to make it feel safe. The lightbulb came flicking inside his head. He climbed out to find Chris feeding his Pokémon.
"Hey Chris, maybe you can help me," Wesley said. He received a grunt in return. "I think I've found a way for my Hoppip to trust me. Chris turned his head. "Yeah? What do you need from me."
"Wind," Wesley said. "from your Sparrow."
Wesley explained that when he found his Hoppip it was in a huge gust of the wind. There was a lot of them blowing around latching on to him. He wanted to recreate that and have the Hoppip hold onto him.
"You sure this will work," Chris said. His Sparrow was on his shoulders looking intensely at something in the forest.
"I'm hoping," Wesley said holding the Hoppip's Pokéball some distance away from them.
"Okay. Helix, Gust."
The Sparrow rose from his shoulders and started flapping its wings as it hovered in the air. The wind began to pick up quickly blowing at Wesley. Once the momentum of the wind was strong Wesley tossed the Pokéball out and the pinkish plant Pokémon popped out in a flash of light. The Hoppip took off with the wind instantly. Wesley ran for it catching it and held the pink ball close to his chest as it struggled to get free.
It opened its eyes and looked up at Wesley then at the wind all around it. It stopped struggling and Wesley release his grip. The Hoppip started to hold onto his shirt and began to climb up him. On his shoulder, the Hoppip lost its grip but Wesley was quick in catching him. Hoppip stared at him for a longing moment and as Wesley pulled him in close again this time it nuzzled into his chest. Wesley nodded at Chris and called his Sparrow back down. Wesley stroked the body of his new Pokémon and it made a purring sound and it's body vibrated with a smile.
"Well, look at that." Chris said.
"Fuck yeah!" Wesley said aloud.
Wesley went back to his tent and sat down finding some food and offered it to the Hoppip which he grabbed with his stubby little round arms and munched on. Wesley continued to affectionately pet him when Idris, who was lazing about in his tent, came out. When the Hoppip locked eyes with her he instantly cried.
"Whoooooa whooooaaa!" and fidgeted making Wesley struggle to keep hold. Wesley called Idris over and had her sit down next to him. He started to pet her and the Hoppip seemed to catch on looking up at Wesley then back to Idris. He hopped from Wesley lap and waddled over to Idris touching her shout and then giggled. Wesley sighed but kept a smile on his face. The rest of the night he played around with his new Pokémon and let him and Idris get used to each other. Every time a gust of the wind blew by he would grab on to Idris and she would be his anchor to the ground. When it was time for bed the Hoppip, who was shivering, plopped, itself next to Idris's warm body and feel asleep.
...
Wesley's eye flicked open to a weird sensation. Idris was at his side and she was burning up. Sitting up, he looked down at his Pokémon not seeing up much through the dim fire from outside. When placing his hands on her it felt like her body was on fire and she was shaking. Picking her up unzipping his tent he wanted outside setting her down on the ground. She coughed once. Then raised her head like she was going to howl and let out a stream of fire so hot and bright he thought a Charizard was burning the place down.
Chris unzipped his tent knife in hand in just boxer looking ready to kill. Seeing Idris on the ground and shocked look on Wesley face he laughed. "Told you the Charcol would work." He zipped back up his tent. Wesley kneeled down picking Idris up. She felt normal now. She wasn't shaking anymore. Wesley was reminded at that moment a passage he read. "Vulpix have a hot fire that burns inside them. When it gets too warm they have to expel flame in order to stop their body from overheating."
Taking her back inside his tent happy she wasn't sick or anything and went back to sleep.
The next morning Wesley awoke to his Hoppip bouncing on his stomach laughing and giggling. Wesley could feel the morning cold hit his skin as he rose from his sleeping bag. Unzipping his tent his Hoppip bounced eagerly outside finding a spot the sun was shining through the canopy and started to bask. Chris was using a thick branch to do pull ups and Alex was helping his Geodude and Aron find rocks to eat.
Wesley took Devon advice and started to jog with Idris following. It was hard for his Hoppip to follow but soon it kept by floating. It was in flat it's body by taking a breath and then bounce off a tree. Wesley was loving this little guy every minute. After the morning was over they packed up and started heading toward the caves.
...
It took them a day and a half to reach the caves and decided that they would spend the rest of the night before heading towards Englefield. Wesley noticed that depending on the temperature Idris's little fire burst would happen more frequently. Chris gave him some suggestions on using that outburst as a way to help her control fire. So the next time it happened Wesley tried to coach her through showing her the name of that attack was Flamethrower. Though she could never recreate that much fire he, noticed that her fire attacks, she did use, were now stronger. He'd adjust to running with her and his Hoppip two times. Once in the morning and once at night and he noticed that all the random Pokémon, they were fighting, weren't much of a challenge anymore. Wesley felt she was ready to actually battle some trainers.
He still was thinking of a way to teach Hoppip how to fight. He got the bounce command right, but he knew the Hoppip could use grass moves but was unsure how to explain those kinds of attacks. He figured he'd have to wait until he used it on his own and then he could show it the name of the move. Wesley was starting to enjoy training his Pokémon.
Alex's Aron was in heaven as he rolled around all the minerals Alex collected for it. It so many it didn't know where to start. He just chewed and nibbled on every one of them. Chris spent the entire afternoon hunting down a Bunnleby but came back saying that all their tracks indicated they'd moved for the season. Chris angerly said "Dammit Alex!" and stormed off into the woods with his spear. He didn't return until it was dark saying he found a surprise.
"Hey, look at these," Chris called as he approached the light from the fire. He showed them a handful of eggs with a Pidgey slung over his shoulder by a rope. On his other shoulder, his Sparrow had to small dead Rattata in his beak.
There was a rustle in some bushes and then a jet black figure darted out of the bushes nearby at an alarming speed. It stuck Chris on the side of the head causing him to topple over and his Sparrow to take flight dropping it's pray. Chris dropped the eggs which cracked on the floor, but the Pokémon, that was now picking up, was something Wesley knew all about. It was a Sneasel. A small black feline-like Pokémon now leaned over sniffing the eggs. Wesley and Alex stood up ready to fight it, but that only caused it to glared at them and hiss. It stood only three feet tall on two feet with blue skin covered by a coat of very thin black fur. Its eyes were almost cat-like with a human feature of having eyelashes. A short bright red feather extended from its left ear. It had three more of these feathers tracing along its back. Between its eyes was a small golden oval marking with another one in the middle of its chest but the one thing that stuck out the most, was the it had two large metallic claws on both its front and back paws.
Wesley knew Devon's first Pokémon was a Sneasel. He may have been indecisive with his Pokémon before, but he saw first hand what Devon's Wevile could do. Devon showed off some old trainer footage of his battling and that only cemented the fact that Wesley now wanted his Pokémon.
"Idris, GET IT!" Idris perked up her ears and darted toward the Sneasel. It hissed loudly but was stuck down by headbutt delivered to its chest by Idris. The Sneasel somersaulted while it rolled on the ground now gasping for air when it stopped. Wesley made sure he stood firm and confident. Idris was his partner and he wouldn't treat her as anything less.
"Ember!" Wesley shouted. Idris started to run forward throwing fireballs from her mouth. One of the flames hit the Sneasel on its shoulder and signed its skin. It hopped to its feet and darted with incredible speed towards Idris. The Sneasel claws sliced into Idris's body causing blood to pool from her open wound. From the distance, it looked deep. Idris dropped on the floor unmoving.
"Fuck!" Wesley yelled in anger. That he heard the small voice of his Hoppip screaming.
"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" and from the night in flew at the Sneasel bouncing against his head knocking it to the ground. The Hoppip rebounded like elastic and flew upwards towards another tree. Rotating so it's feet were against the tree it bounced off and fly at the Sneasel hitting it while on the ground. Wesley returned the Idris to her Pokéball and watched his Hoppip.
"That's right, Bounce!" The Sneasel got up hissing in anger as the pinkest blob came flying at it again. This time the Sneasel tried to slash it. Hoppip however took a deep breath and blew causing it to change direction slightly to avoid the attack. It still bounced off the ground but like a basketball and was flown into another tree. Hitting the Sneasel from behind this time caused its face to go crashing into the ground looking dazed as it tried to recover. Hoppip landed with a thud on the ground and started shaking the leaves on its head. Tiny white spores were pumped into the air and soon enough the Sneasel was falling asleep.
"That's Sleeppowder! Good Job!" Wesley said not wanting to miss the chance to help it learn the name of its attack.
Wesley fished a Pokéball from his pack and tossed it at the body of the Sneasel. It shook vigorously before slowly down and stopping.
"That was fucking awesome," Alex said from behind Wesley. Chris was standing with his hand on his head over his wound. "Who knew that a Hoppip would be capable."
His Hoppip waddled over to Wesley and nuzzled his leg. Kneeling down and petting him on the head. "You were awesome."
Wesley spent the rest of the night nursing Idris, who used up the rest of his potion making him have to borrow some of Alex's. They all talked about how cool his Hoppip was and as if he could tell Wesley's little Pokémon wore his praise proudly. The next morning Wesley couldn't take Idris on her run for being too weak. He mentioned how it was time to hit a Pokémon center. There was a small town called Joshua nearby that had a center. So after a half a day hike then arrived into the little town. This Pokémon center wasn't nearly as grand as the one in Easy Helios. It was smaller with no food court or upstairs. Wesley and crew gave their Pokémon over and were given a voucher for one free night at a small shabby motel in town since there were no rooms in this Pokémon center.
Wesley spent the evening looking up names for Hoppip. Since he reminded him of a bouncing ball Wesley, found the name Lopta which was a ball in Croation and he like the way it sounded. The next morning after getting his Sneasel registered Wesley stopped at the mart to pick up some more potions. Looking at his wallet, he was running out of money quick. He needed to pick up some wins.
Once back on the road they weren't far off from Englefield. So Wesley opened his phone and quickly forgot he was supposed to call Ellie. Cursing at himself, he decided to send a quick message off to Hugo and Cecelia letting them know he'd be in town within a few days. He waited a few minutes and got no answer before the three got back on the road.
Wesley let his new Sneasel out of it Pokéball, but it didn't end well as it immediate hissed and cut a nice gash into Wesley's arm. Luckily potions could heal minor wounds for humans too. It left a nasty little scar, but Wesley knew he'd have to do some research on Sneasel before letting it out again. Finally after nearly three days of traveling they stopped at a sign that said 'Englefield 5 miles' and Wesley couldn't help but smile. He was finally going to see his friends again.