A young girl, age six, clutched the handles of her backpack tightly. She stood at around 4 ft even, with wild black hair and big magenta eyes. All around her stood maybe 150 other students in the main atrium of Violet City's Pokémon Academy, a prestigious boarding school with the sole purpose of preparing individuals for their Pokémon journeys. The girl's name was Fayth. Her mother, a former poacher, sent her to the Academy for two reasons. The first was to help get her used to handling Pokémon, so she'd be able to make it out in the world on her own. The second was because she knew the headmaster, who just so happened to be her ex-husband, was one of the only teachers around who'd be able to work with Fayth's rowdy attitude. The girl hated authorities almost as much as her mother did.
Her eyes scanned here and there, tuning out whatever introductory lecture was being given to the group. The building was the shining attraction of Violet City, with a sort of grandiosity rivaling those of Goldenrod's skyscrapers or even the Burnt Tower. She'd have to stay here for four years, so she might as well learn the layout of this place ASAP. Gotta know where to duck and cover when you're on the run.
"And in Dorm D, room 18, will be Fayth from Mahogony Town, and Alex, joining us from Kanto."
Fayth's ears perked up as she darted her eyes around the room. Great, looks like I'll be rooming with some snot-nosed boy, she thought.
"Well, are we going to grab our keys, or what?" came a vaguely feminine voice from behind her, tapping her shoulder. Fayth turned around, preparing to scowl at whoever was violating the "hands off" rule, instead looking at the kid with an expression of bewilderment. 'Alex' was a foot taller than Fayth, with dark skin, straight red hair and mahogany eyes to match. Admittedly, she looked like she could pass for either, as most kids tended to, and the deadpan expression she looked at her with didn't help sell it.
"Aren't you a weird one," Fayth thought to herself, dismissively shoving aside the other kids as she and her roommate obtained their keys. After they slipped back into the crowd, she resumed her act of tuning the speaker out. "Kanto, huh? What's a city kid like you doing all the way out here in Johto?"
Alex shrugged, ignoring the girl's stereotyping. "Actually, we live out on the countryside, kind of isolated. As for why I'm here, Mom insisted it. You know, the usual--"
"'Get out and make some friends' trash?" Fayth finished for her, crossing her arms. "You don't look like the social type."
"...yeah, that's it," Alex said, still keeping from making eye contact, shifting uncomfortably from Fayth's constant staring.
"Hmph. Figures," Fayth blew, blowing a curl of hair out of her eyes. "My mom didn't think I was ready to go out on my journey, DESPITE her giving me the two most powerful Pokémon like, ever."
"Really?" Alex asked, looking at her for once and raising an eyebrow.
"Yeah!" Fayth boasted, putting on an extravagant pose. "And since YOU'RE my rival now, that means you'll get to see when we cream you tomorrow in the entrance exams!"
"Exams?" Alex asked, crossing her arms as well and tilting her head.
"You must pay as little attention to them as I do. I like that, Alex." She stretched out, resting her arms back holding her backpack straps. "Tomorrow, everyone in our class has a one on one battle against their roommate so the teachers know what we're coming to the table with. The newbies get their starter Pokémon, but the ones with their own already get to use them!"
"So I could use Lex here," Alex mused, looking at the Pokéball attached to her belt.
"You could use whatever you want," Fayth shrugged, a confident smile plastered across her face. "It's not gonna help you with what I'm bringing, though!"
"If you say so." This 'roommate' thing was already turning out to be amusing, if anything.
Before long, all the students were separated into four different classrooms, which meant four different dormitories across the school. Fayth and Alex stuck to eachother, partially out of obligation, and partially because they'd already grown on each other. Maybe these four years wouldn't be so bad after all.
. . .
"...Dad? What are YOU doing here?!"
Professor Earl Jr let out a hearty chuckle, scooping up Fayth in a tight bear hug, much to her annoyance as she struggled against him. The man was tall and lean, with green eyes and jet black hair that Alex could see Fayth got her's from. He looked to be relatively young for a professor, maybe in his 30s at best, and going off what her mom told her about his father, she wondered how they could possibly have been related. "Good to see you too, Fayth!" He set the embarrassed girl down, small face almost as red as the boots she wore. Alex couldn't help but smirk as she watched the scene before her. "Didn't your mom tell you? I'm the headmaster of Violet City's Pokémon Academy!" He gave a proud thumbs up, stretching his arms out. "Ahh, don't look so dreaded, promise I won't stay on your case too much. Don't expect that to make passing any easier, though!"
Fayth groaned, setting her bag down on the bench where all of their classmates and teachers sat. They were in one of Class D's four Pokémon gyms, huge indoor arenas where trainers could battle and, well, train, without causing harm to any other parts of the school. The pair had sat through almost the entire class' sets of admittedly underwhelming battles, snacks and lunch in-between, and in about half an hour it would finally be time for their match. Neither of them had been in a Pokémon battle before, but, everyone had some sort of exposure.
"Well, Dad, I do have one request."
"You know I can't play favoritism, would probably look bad on my record."
"No no it's not like that, just...I want to have a double battle with Alex, so I can show off both of my Pokémon!"
He thought about it for a moment, grinning and shaking his head. "You really are your father's kid, aren't ya? Sure, I don't see why not. Alex, got your own Pokémon yet?"
"Just one, sir."
He looked up at Fayth as she used the age-old puppy eyes trick. He sighed and looked back at Alex.
"How's an Eevee sound? We've still got plenty of time to hatch it!"
. . .
"Lex, Nile, come on out!!" Called Alex as she tossed her Pokéballs into the field. The first revealed a Charmander, which nodded back at Alex and faced Fayth, entering a defensive pose. Out of the other came her brand new Eevee, which yawned as it prepared itself. It copied Alex's nonchalant demeanor and appeared as if it was just ready to get things over with.
Fayth grinned. "Star, Skye, let's tear it up!!" She threw her Pokéballs in a cross formation, and after a moment, they opened simultaneously. There was a bright flash, and much to the bewilderment of the crowd, a gold Onix and red Gyarados appeared. The two creatures were enormous, towering over the battlefield and almost casting half of it in shadow. Their roars shook the very ground. Fayth wasn't able to tell if her heart was beating faster because she was excited, or because a seed of doubt had begun to sprout. "It has to work this time, it just has to..." She took a deep breath, and looked her opponent in the eye.
"They're...impressive, Fayth," Alex called, looking the larger-than-average serpents over. Something wasn't right about them. When she looked into Lex's eyes for the first time, or even Nile's for the few moments they'd had together, she saw creatures who wanted to give their best both for their trainers and for themselves. The way Lex bent his knees, waving his tail, clearly nervous but ready to battle for his trainer. Or how Nile stood up and gave Fayth's serpents a glare, ready not just to protect itself but to protect Alex, who imprinted on her the minute she hatched from her egg.
But the Onix and Gyarados...they hardly so much as gave Fayth a passing glance. The Gyarados, Skye as Fayth called it, looked merely agitated, annoyed. It was pecking at its partner, Star, who seemed afraid of it, and above that more concerned of its own safety than with the battle or with Fayth even. Alex could feel her own heart beginning to race, not because she was eager to battle, but because she could tell the girl was in trouble.
"Get ready Alex," Fayth shouted, snapping Alex out of her trance. "...cause you're about to get the thrashing of a life--"
The girl was cut off by the sound of Skye's tail crashing into her and knocking her across the field. There was a disturbing crack echoing in the air, followed by the piercing screeches of the children in the audience. Gyarados and Onix broke out into a fight, rolling over one-another on the ground as stray Hyper Beams scorched the battlefield and Earthquakes rattled it. Teachers began herding the frightened children inside as hysteria broke out across the gym. Alex felt compelled to dash forward, go grab her friend, just do something, but the beasts were gigantic, and clearly powerful. To risk getting close could not only endanger her life, but the lives of her Pokémon as well. She felt useless, and was suddenly thrust to the ground, the booming buzz of a Hyper Beam soaring just over her head. She blinked to see Professor Earl Jr running out in front of her, calling out...Dragonite?
"Dragonite, Ice Beam!!" The creature roared as a cyan ray burst from its mouth, crackling as it collided with the thrashing Pokémon. Their movements began to grind to a screeching halt as frost overtook their bodies, pained and infuriated roars being the final sounds they made before being frozen solid. Earl hurriedly ran past them, locating a pair of Pokéballs on the ground. "Onix, Gyarados, return!" His voice boomed with the ferocity of Dragonite, who flew readily around the frozen serpents, making sure neither of them would break out. They once again flashed a bright white, de-materializing into the familiar red streams as they were returned to their Pokéballs. Dragonite...it was known as a protector back in Kanto...to think things were no different out here.
Alex thrust herself to her feet, running toward the twitching body on the opposite side of the gym. Lex and Nile were right behind her, and in no time they caught up to the professor. He was on his knees looking over the girl who swore under shivers and tears, only repeating why won't they listen, why won't they listen...
"Is...is she okay?" Alex asked, unable to mask the adrenaline and concern in her voice. The professor sighed.
"Her arm is broken and she's in shock, but thank Arceus that's all. Go get the Joys!"
She nodded and dashed off.
. . .
"I don't know what Belle was thinking, giving a kid those beasts," the professor had thought aloud the day of the incident. He and Alex alone had waited patiently in the waiting room of the school's infirmary. He buried his hands in his face, sighing and rubbing out his wrinkles. "Belle...Belle, Fayth's mom. She used to poach before she settled down," he explained. Alex sat beside him listening intently. "She used to capture and steal all kinds of rare and exotic Pokémon, and whatever she didn't sell, she added to her own personal collection." He lightened his frown. "When she decided to turn over a new leaf, she got good at battling and training them instead. She was amazing." He went silent for a few minutes, and then suddenly, as if he weren't able to contain it, said "You'd think she'd have taught her daughter something before handing her Pokémon like that."
Alex had leaned back in the chair, running the professor's words back and forth. "Why aren't Fayth's Pokémon trained then, if her mom is such a good trainer?" she asked, stroking Nile's fur as it lazed in her lap. It was calming for the both of them. Lex sat next to her, the Charmander's legs unable to keep from swinging. It felt the distress in the air.
"They might not recognize Fayth as someone worth listening to yet. Even if they are her Pokémon now, chances are she'll have to prove herself to them before they're ready to listen to a damn thing she has to say. You have to remember, Onix and Gyarados are powerful Pokémon." He mulled over it in his head. "Still, it's not at all common for Pokémon to attack their new trainers, even accidentally." The professor blew, scratching his chin with his thumb. "Belle might not have trained them at all, and decided to leave that part to Fayth." He sighed and shook his head. "She's going to have to start with something a little easier...I have a few Pokémon eggs that'll be able to hatch in a few days. They should keep her company. As for these..."
"You're not going to take her Pokémon, are you?"
"It wouldn't do her any good to keep using them, don't you think? Next time she might lose more than just an arm."
"It also wouldn't do any good separating her from her Pokémon. You said she has to prove herself to them, right? How is she gonna do that when she doesn't even have them to train with? And you can't just take somebodies Pokémon away, that makes you no better than Team Rocket." Alex wasn't looking at him anymore. She bit her lip in spite of her little outburst. Sure, Star and Skye were dangerous, and they weren't trained...but Pokémon are companions, partners, even family to some. And, if she understood correctly, those two were Fayth's only connection back home. Alex knew she kept her's close.
The professor simply looked at the pouting child, obviously worked up. He chuckled with tired eyes. "You're a smart kid, you know that? Your mom must have raised you well." He reached into his coat and pulled out two Pokéballs, observing them and twirling them between his fingers. "Can I ask you a question?"
"Professor," Alex said, swinging her legs idly.
The professor opened his mouth and then paused, as if he was trying to find the right way to ask. "You and my daughter have known each other for about a day now, right?" She nodded. "Most kids would have gone back to their business, pretending none of this ever happened and carried on being kids. Can't blame them. But you've chosen to stay at her side all day, even sticking up for her." Alex didn't respond. "I can tell by the way you hold that Eevee that you've got a knack for protecting things, don't you? So, I'm going to ask you. If I give you these to give back to Fayth, do you truly believe you can help her tame them?" Alex looked up at the professor. His face was serious, and in some way, almost hopeful.
She flashed back to sight of the giant creatures thrashing about on the ground, to the chilling crack that seemed to pierce every other sound in the gym. But most importantly, she thought of the terrified face Fayth made, plagued with uncertainty...and how it reminded her of her own the day she met Lex. She was alone, lost and frightened, far too deep into a forest she should've known better than to explore. All she could do was sit there against the tree, face in her knees as she cried. It was dark and she didn't believe she'd ever make it back home, back to safety, to clarity...until it appeared. It was a Charmander, no taller than she was all balled up against the tree. Its tail burned with a warming brightness that seemed to put out the little girl's tears. It smiled at her, offering its arm. Together, by his light, he led her back out of the forest, and stayed at her side even when they made it back home. She looked over at the big doors they rolled Fayth through. Maybe now it was her turn to be Lex.
"There isn't a doubt in my mind, Professor."
. . .
"Well, look at the bright side. You got two new Pokémon and an excuse from written assignments."
"Like I was gonna do those anyway," Fayth scoffed, twirling Star and Skye's Pokéballs in her free arm, just as her father did, Alex noticed. The other was still in its cast and arm sling, as it had been for the last several weeks. On either of her shoulders rested a Pichu and an Igglybuff, whom she named Ruff and Tuff after their personalities. They'd taken almost as much care of her since she got them as Alex did. In a way, they'd been just as much her helpers as they were Alex's, who took responsibility for making sure her friend recovered alright. The blow Fayth took from her Gyarados had hurt a few bones in her legs, too, so getting around wasn't going to be as easy for a few months. She didn't make a big deal out of it, though when she had the strength to practice, it was Ruff and Tuff she used.
"Either way, there's a test tomorrow, and it's my job to find out whether or not you've been listening to all this review we've been going over," Alex said nonchalantly, sitting on the bed beside her roommate and unpacking her notes. Fayth groaned, leaning back and setting the balls on the table beside the bed.
"Okay Mom, since you've got me held hostage here anyway." Ruff and Tuff hopped down from her shoulders facing Alex and mimicking Fayth, Tuff sticking her tounge out and Ruff slouched over.
"Whatever guys," Alex said with a slight smile, waving the two off. "Alright, first part is Immunities." She straightened the stack of papers, crossing her legs. "Electric type attacks won't do anything against..."
"Ground types. Ruff's Thundershock can't touch Mindy's Cubone," Fayth muttered lazily, causing Ruff's cheeks to spark a little in annoyance remembering that battle.
"Good. Conversely, Ground-type attacks won't affect..."
"Flying types. Like when Mindy's Cubone got toootally destroyed by Akner's Pidgey," Fayth chuckled, Ruff and Tuff following suit.
"And Mrs. Fuji said you never pay attention," Alex said, a grin on her face as she turned to the next page.
"Sure, maybe not to her. But...you're different, Alex. I like...this, you being here for me and stuff. It's nice." Fayth looked away, embarrassed that she felt all mushy. Alex looked at her for a minute, the grin turning itself into a smile.
"It is, isn't it?"
Ruff and Tuff bumped elbows looking at the two of them, giggling and making Fayth blush.
"Aaanyway," she started, bumping the two with her leg making them laugh. "Pret-ty sure I'll be acing that test." She took notice to a Dragonite plush hanging out the side of Alex's bag. "Cute doll," she remarked nonchalantly, hoping to get a bit of a reaction out of her roommate.
"Oh, that." Alex rushedly stuffed the doll back in her bag, only embarrassing herself further with the hasty action. Fayth couldn't help but giggle at seeing her usually-stoic friend flustered. "Shut it," Alex said, attempted to sink back into her deadpan nature. "It's...special."
"Pfft, I'm not laughing at the doll, Alex," Fayth teased, poking her friend in the shoulder. "I used to collect Princess Day dolls all the time. See?" She pulled open the door to the table at her side, digging for a moment before pulling out a Clefairy doll adorned with the fashions of one of Ecruteak City's Kimono Girls. Tuff growled at it, apparently jealous, and made a show of reaching for it as Fayth waved it around in the air. "They kept me company when Mom was away doing business and Pokémon stuff. Which, tended to be pretty often." She gave and let Tuff play around with it, smirking when she suplexed the poor thing. "So what's your story?"
Alex smiled again, taking the plush Dragonite out of her bag and laying next to her roommate, staring up at the ceiling. "Feel like listening to a story?"
"Of course!" Fayth laid back as well, gazing alongside her Pokémon.
"Well...you already know I came here from Kanto. My mom owns a farm there, and for the most part it's pretty peaceful. But she isn't really from Kanto...before she moved here and had me, she was a famous contest performer in a place called Hoenn. They used to call her Ms. Rayquaza the Serpent Master, because she was as fierce as a dragon and only used serpent Pokémon, like Milotic."
"Rayquaza's a pretty weird name. And what's a Milotic?"
"Oh, both are Pokémon from Hoenn...they don't seem to be around here. And Mom said Rayquaza was the fiercest dragon of them all, who only appeared when the world was in danger. Anyway, one of the Pokémon she always used was a Dragonair named Roxy. Those are native here in Johto and Kanto, right?"
"Yeah, they're super-rare though. My mom showed me a pink one before. Wait, so if she was a star performer over in this Hoenn place, why give all that up for a farm?"
"I guess it was for me. She released all of her Pokémon before coming here, except for Roxy, cause she just wouldn't go away. Then, a few years after I was born, Roxy evolved into Dragonite, and we grew really close." She hugged the doll tightly. "So I carry this doll around to keep her close to me, even while I'm all the way over here."
"That's...pretty cool," Fayth mused, seeing it all clear as day in the navy ceiling above them. A mother willing to give up on everything to be with her daughter, a serene, isolated place in the countryside with Pokémon to watch over you. She would've felt jealous, but all she could do was smile knowing that lives like that existed, even if only for other people. "Hey Alex?"
"What's up?"
"Remind me I owe you something when we get out of here. Promise."
Alex knew better than to try arguing with her. "Alright, promise."
Her eyes scanned here and there, tuning out whatever introductory lecture was being given to the group. The building was the shining attraction of Violet City, with a sort of grandiosity rivaling those of Goldenrod's skyscrapers or even the Burnt Tower. She'd have to stay here for four years, so she might as well learn the layout of this place ASAP. Gotta know where to duck and cover when you're on the run.
"And in Dorm D, room 18, will be Fayth from Mahogony Town, and Alex, joining us from Kanto."
Fayth's ears perked up as she darted her eyes around the room. Great, looks like I'll be rooming with some snot-nosed boy, she thought.
"Well, are we going to grab our keys, or what?" came a vaguely feminine voice from behind her, tapping her shoulder. Fayth turned around, preparing to scowl at whoever was violating the "hands off" rule, instead looking at the kid with an expression of bewilderment. 'Alex' was a foot taller than Fayth, with dark skin, straight red hair and mahogany eyes to match. Admittedly, she looked like she could pass for either, as most kids tended to, and the deadpan expression she looked at her with didn't help sell it.
"Aren't you a weird one," Fayth thought to herself, dismissively shoving aside the other kids as she and her roommate obtained their keys. After they slipped back into the crowd, she resumed her act of tuning the speaker out. "Kanto, huh? What's a city kid like you doing all the way out here in Johto?"
Alex shrugged, ignoring the girl's stereotyping. "Actually, we live out on the countryside, kind of isolated. As for why I'm here, Mom insisted it. You know, the usual--"
"'Get out and make some friends' trash?" Fayth finished for her, crossing her arms. "You don't look like the social type."
"...yeah, that's it," Alex said, still keeping from making eye contact, shifting uncomfortably from Fayth's constant staring.
"Hmph. Figures," Fayth blew, blowing a curl of hair out of her eyes. "My mom didn't think I was ready to go out on my journey, DESPITE her giving me the two most powerful Pokémon like, ever."
"Really?" Alex asked, looking at her for once and raising an eyebrow.
"Yeah!" Fayth boasted, putting on an extravagant pose. "And since YOU'RE my rival now, that means you'll get to see when we cream you tomorrow in the entrance exams!"
"Exams?" Alex asked, crossing her arms as well and tilting her head.
"You must pay as little attention to them as I do. I like that, Alex." She stretched out, resting her arms back holding her backpack straps. "Tomorrow, everyone in our class has a one on one battle against their roommate so the teachers know what we're coming to the table with. The newbies get their starter Pokémon, but the ones with their own already get to use them!"
"So I could use Lex here," Alex mused, looking at the Pokéball attached to her belt.
"You could use whatever you want," Fayth shrugged, a confident smile plastered across her face. "It's not gonna help you with what I'm bringing, though!"
"If you say so." This 'roommate' thing was already turning out to be amusing, if anything.
Before long, all the students were separated into four different classrooms, which meant four different dormitories across the school. Fayth and Alex stuck to eachother, partially out of obligation, and partially because they'd already grown on each other. Maybe these four years wouldn't be so bad after all.
. . .
"...Dad? What are YOU doing here?!"
Professor Earl Jr let out a hearty chuckle, scooping up Fayth in a tight bear hug, much to her annoyance as she struggled against him. The man was tall and lean, with green eyes and jet black hair that Alex could see Fayth got her's from. He looked to be relatively young for a professor, maybe in his 30s at best, and going off what her mom told her about his father, she wondered how they could possibly have been related. "Good to see you too, Fayth!" He set the embarrassed girl down, small face almost as red as the boots she wore. Alex couldn't help but smirk as she watched the scene before her. "Didn't your mom tell you? I'm the headmaster of Violet City's Pokémon Academy!" He gave a proud thumbs up, stretching his arms out. "Ahh, don't look so dreaded, promise I won't stay on your case too much. Don't expect that to make passing any easier, though!"
Fayth groaned, setting her bag down on the bench where all of their classmates and teachers sat. They were in one of Class D's four Pokémon gyms, huge indoor arenas where trainers could battle and, well, train, without causing harm to any other parts of the school. The pair had sat through almost the entire class' sets of admittedly underwhelming battles, snacks and lunch in-between, and in about half an hour it would finally be time for their match. Neither of them had been in a Pokémon battle before, but, everyone had some sort of exposure.
"Well, Dad, I do have one request."
"You know I can't play favoritism, would probably look bad on my record."
"No no it's not like that, just...I want to have a double battle with Alex, so I can show off both of my Pokémon!"
He thought about it for a moment, grinning and shaking his head. "You really are your father's kid, aren't ya? Sure, I don't see why not. Alex, got your own Pokémon yet?"
"Just one, sir."
He looked up at Fayth as she used the age-old puppy eyes trick. He sighed and looked back at Alex.
"How's an Eevee sound? We've still got plenty of time to hatch it!"
. . .
"Lex, Nile, come on out!!" Called Alex as she tossed her Pokéballs into the field. The first revealed a Charmander, which nodded back at Alex and faced Fayth, entering a defensive pose. Out of the other came her brand new Eevee, which yawned as it prepared itself. It copied Alex's nonchalant demeanor and appeared as if it was just ready to get things over with.
Fayth grinned. "Star, Skye, let's tear it up!!" She threw her Pokéballs in a cross formation, and after a moment, they opened simultaneously. There was a bright flash, and much to the bewilderment of the crowd, a gold Onix and red Gyarados appeared. The two creatures were enormous, towering over the battlefield and almost casting half of it in shadow. Their roars shook the very ground. Fayth wasn't able to tell if her heart was beating faster because she was excited, or because a seed of doubt had begun to sprout. "It has to work this time, it just has to..." She took a deep breath, and looked her opponent in the eye.
"They're...impressive, Fayth," Alex called, looking the larger-than-average serpents over. Something wasn't right about them. When she looked into Lex's eyes for the first time, or even Nile's for the few moments they'd had together, she saw creatures who wanted to give their best both for their trainers and for themselves. The way Lex bent his knees, waving his tail, clearly nervous but ready to battle for his trainer. Or how Nile stood up and gave Fayth's serpents a glare, ready not just to protect itself but to protect Alex, who imprinted on her the minute she hatched from her egg.
But the Onix and Gyarados...they hardly so much as gave Fayth a passing glance. The Gyarados, Skye as Fayth called it, looked merely agitated, annoyed. It was pecking at its partner, Star, who seemed afraid of it, and above that more concerned of its own safety than with the battle or with Fayth even. Alex could feel her own heart beginning to race, not because she was eager to battle, but because she could tell the girl was in trouble.
"Get ready Alex," Fayth shouted, snapping Alex out of her trance. "...cause you're about to get the thrashing of a life--"
The girl was cut off by the sound of Skye's tail crashing into her and knocking her across the field. There was a disturbing crack echoing in the air, followed by the piercing screeches of the children in the audience. Gyarados and Onix broke out into a fight, rolling over one-another on the ground as stray Hyper Beams scorched the battlefield and Earthquakes rattled it. Teachers began herding the frightened children inside as hysteria broke out across the gym. Alex felt compelled to dash forward, go grab her friend, just do something, but the beasts were gigantic, and clearly powerful. To risk getting close could not only endanger her life, but the lives of her Pokémon as well. She felt useless, and was suddenly thrust to the ground, the booming buzz of a Hyper Beam soaring just over her head. She blinked to see Professor Earl Jr running out in front of her, calling out...Dragonite?
"Dragonite, Ice Beam!!" The creature roared as a cyan ray burst from its mouth, crackling as it collided with the thrashing Pokémon. Their movements began to grind to a screeching halt as frost overtook their bodies, pained and infuriated roars being the final sounds they made before being frozen solid. Earl hurriedly ran past them, locating a pair of Pokéballs on the ground. "Onix, Gyarados, return!" His voice boomed with the ferocity of Dragonite, who flew readily around the frozen serpents, making sure neither of them would break out. They once again flashed a bright white, de-materializing into the familiar red streams as they were returned to their Pokéballs. Dragonite...it was known as a protector back in Kanto...to think things were no different out here.
Alex thrust herself to her feet, running toward the twitching body on the opposite side of the gym. Lex and Nile were right behind her, and in no time they caught up to the professor. He was on his knees looking over the girl who swore under shivers and tears, only repeating why won't they listen, why won't they listen...
"Is...is she okay?" Alex asked, unable to mask the adrenaline and concern in her voice. The professor sighed.
"Her arm is broken and she's in shock, but thank Arceus that's all. Go get the Joys!"
She nodded and dashed off.
. . .
"I don't know what Belle was thinking, giving a kid those beasts," the professor had thought aloud the day of the incident. He and Alex alone had waited patiently in the waiting room of the school's infirmary. He buried his hands in his face, sighing and rubbing out his wrinkles. "Belle...Belle, Fayth's mom. She used to poach before she settled down," he explained. Alex sat beside him listening intently. "She used to capture and steal all kinds of rare and exotic Pokémon, and whatever she didn't sell, she added to her own personal collection." He lightened his frown. "When she decided to turn over a new leaf, she got good at battling and training them instead. She was amazing." He went silent for a few minutes, and then suddenly, as if he weren't able to contain it, said "You'd think she'd have taught her daughter something before handing her Pokémon like that."
Alex had leaned back in the chair, running the professor's words back and forth. "Why aren't Fayth's Pokémon trained then, if her mom is such a good trainer?" she asked, stroking Nile's fur as it lazed in her lap. It was calming for the both of them. Lex sat next to her, the Charmander's legs unable to keep from swinging. It felt the distress in the air.
"They might not recognize Fayth as someone worth listening to yet. Even if they are her Pokémon now, chances are she'll have to prove herself to them before they're ready to listen to a damn thing she has to say. You have to remember, Onix and Gyarados are powerful Pokémon." He mulled over it in his head. "Still, it's not at all common for Pokémon to attack their new trainers, even accidentally." The professor blew, scratching his chin with his thumb. "Belle might not have trained them at all, and decided to leave that part to Fayth." He sighed and shook his head. "She's going to have to start with something a little easier...I have a few Pokémon eggs that'll be able to hatch in a few days. They should keep her company. As for these..."
"You're not going to take her Pokémon, are you?"
"It wouldn't do her any good to keep using them, don't you think? Next time she might lose more than just an arm."
"It also wouldn't do any good separating her from her Pokémon. You said she has to prove herself to them, right? How is she gonna do that when she doesn't even have them to train with? And you can't just take somebodies Pokémon away, that makes you no better than Team Rocket." Alex wasn't looking at him anymore. She bit her lip in spite of her little outburst. Sure, Star and Skye were dangerous, and they weren't trained...but Pokémon are companions, partners, even family to some. And, if she understood correctly, those two were Fayth's only connection back home. Alex knew she kept her's close.
The professor simply looked at the pouting child, obviously worked up. He chuckled with tired eyes. "You're a smart kid, you know that? Your mom must have raised you well." He reached into his coat and pulled out two Pokéballs, observing them and twirling them between his fingers. "Can I ask you a question?"
"Professor," Alex said, swinging her legs idly.
The professor opened his mouth and then paused, as if he was trying to find the right way to ask. "You and my daughter have known each other for about a day now, right?" She nodded. "Most kids would have gone back to their business, pretending none of this ever happened and carried on being kids. Can't blame them. But you've chosen to stay at her side all day, even sticking up for her." Alex didn't respond. "I can tell by the way you hold that Eevee that you've got a knack for protecting things, don't you? So, I'm going to ask you. If I give you these to give back to Fayth, do you truly believe you can help her tame them?" Alex looked up at the professor. His face was serious, and in some way, almost hopeful.
She flashed back to sight of the giant creatures thrashing about on the ground, to the chilling crack that seemed to pierce every other sound in the gym. But most importantly, she thought of the terrified face Fayth made, plagued with uncertainty...and how it reminded her of her own the day she met Lex. She was alone, lost and frightened, far too deep into a forest she should've known better than to explore. All she could do was sit there against the tree, face in her knees as she cried. It was dark and she didn't believe she'd ever make it back home, back to safety, to clarity...until it appeared. It was a Charmander, no taller than she was all balled up against the tree. Its tail burned with a warming brightness that seemed to put out the little girl's tears. It smiled at her, offering its arm. Together, by his light, he led her back out of the forest, and stayed at her side even when they made it back home. She looked over at the big doors they rolled Fayth through. Maybe now it was her turn to be Lex.
"There isn't a doubt in my mind, Professor."
. . .
"Well, look at the bright side. You got two new Pokémon and an excuse from written assignments."
"Like I was gonna do those anyway," Fayth scoffed, twirling Star and Skye's Pokéballs in her free arm, just as her father did, Alex noticed. The other was still in its cast and arm sling, as it had been for the last several weeks. On either of her shoulders rested a Pichu and an Igglybuff, whom she named Ruff and Tuff after their personalities. They'd taken almost as much care of her since she got them as Alex did. In a way, they'd been just as much her helpers as they were Alex's, who took responsibility for making sure her friend recovered alright. The blow Fayth took from her Gyarados had hurt a few bones in her legs, too, so getting around wasn't going to be as easy for a few months. She didn't make a big deal out of it, though when she had the strength to practice, it was Ruff and Tuff she used.
"Either way, there's a test tomorrow, and it's my job to find out whether or not you've been listening to all this review we've been going over," Alex said nonchalantly, sitting on the bed beside her roommate and unpacking her notes. Fayth groaned, leaning back and setting the balls on the table beside the bed.
"Okay Mom, since you've got me held hostage here anyway." Ruff and Tuff hopped down from her shoulders facing Alex and mimicking Fayth, Tuff sticking her tounge out and Ruff slouched over.
"Whatever guys," Alex said with a slight smile, waving the two off. "Alright, first part is Immunities." She straightened the stack of papers, crossing her legs. "Electric type attacks won't do anything against..."
"Ground types. Ruff's Thundershock can't touch Mindy's Cubone," Fayth muttered lazily, causing Ruff's cheeks to spark a little in annoyance remembering that battle.
"Good. Conversely, Ground-type attacks won't affect..."
"Flying types. Like when Mindy's Cubone got toootally destroyed by Akner's Pidgey," Fayth chuckled, Ruff and Tuff following suit.
"And Mrs. Fuji said you never pay attention," Alex said, a grin on her face as she turned to the next page.
"Sure, maybe not to her. But...you're different, Alex. I like...this, you being here for me and stuff. It's nice." Fayth looked away, embarrassed that she felt all mushy. Alex looked at her for a minute, the grin turning itself into a smile.
"It is, isn't it?"
Ruff and Tuff bumped elbows looking at the two of them, giggling and making Fayth blush.
"Aaanyway," she started, bumping the two with her leg making them laugh. "Pret-ty sure I'll be acing that test." She took notice to a Dragonite plush hanging out the side of Alex's bag. "Cute doll," she remarked nonchalantly, hoping to get a bit of a reaction out of her roommate.
"Oh, that." Alex rushedly stuffed the doll back in her bag, only embarrassing herself further with the hasty action. Fayth couldn't help but giggle at seeing her usually-stoic friend flustered. "Shut it," Alex said, attempted to sink back into her deadpan nature. "It's...special."
"Pfft, I'm not laughing at the doll, Alex," Fayth teased, poking her friend in the shoulder. "I used to collect Princess Day dolls all the time. See?" She pulled open the door to the table at her side, digging for a moment before pulling out a Clefairy doll adorned with the fashions of one of Ecruteak City's Kimono Girls. Tuff growled at it, apparently jealous, and made a show of reaching for it as Fayth waved it around in the air. "They kept me company when Mom was away doing business and Pokémon stuff. Which, tended to be pretty often." She gave and let Tuff play around with it, smirking when she suplexed the poor thing. "So what's your story?"
Alex smiled again, taking the plush Dragonite out of her bag and laying next to her roommate, staring up at the ceiling. "Feel like listening to a story?"
"Of course!" Fayth laid back as well, gazing alongside her Pokémon.
"Well...you already know I came here from Kanto. My mom owns a farm there, and for the most part it's pretty peaceful. But she isn't really from Kanto...before she moved here and had me, she was a famous contest performer in a place called Hoenn. They used to call her Ms. Rayquaza the Serpent Master, because she was as fierce as a dragon and only used serpent Pokémon, like Milotic."
"Rayquaza's a pretty weird name. And what's a Milotic?"
"Oh, both are Pokémon from Hoenn...they don't seem to be around here. And Mom said Rayquaza was the fiercest dragon of them all, who only appeared when the world was in danger. Anyway, one of the Pokémon she always used was a Dragonair named Roxy. Those are native here in Johto and Kanto, right?"
"Yeah, they're super-rare though. My mom showed me a pink one before. Wait, so if she was a star performer over in this Hoenn place, why give all that up for a farm?"
"I guess it was for me. She released all of her Pokémon before coming here, except for Roxy, cause she just wouldn't go away. Then, a few years after I was born, Roxy evolved into Dragonite, and we grew really close." She hugged the doll tightly. "So I carry this doll around to keep her close to me, even while I'm all the way over here."
"That's...pretty cool," Fayth mused, seeing it all clear as day in the navy ceiling above them. A mother willing to give up on everything to be with her daughter, a serene, isolated place in the countryside with Pokémon to watch over you. She would've felt jealous, but all she could do was smile knowing that lives like that existed, even if only for other people. "Hey Alex?"
"What's up?"
"Remind me I owe you something when we get out of here. Promise."
Alex knew better than to try arguing with her. "Alright, promise."
10/10!