Pokemon Fan Fiction ❯ The Journey Onward ❯ Chapter One: Following Your Dreams ( Chapter 1 )

Chapter One: Following Your Dreams

 

 

 

“You are not going and that is final!”

 

A mother Pidgey frantically took to the air as trees shook out of their peaceful stupor, the nearby brook bubbling frantically for an instant before settling.

 

“Why won't you listen to me?”

 

“We are not having this discussion.”

 

“It's about my life!”

 

The elder woman drew in a deep breath before loosing her charring words.

 

“You are far too young to even consider going! And I won't waste my money on something that you're just going to abandon when it gets too hard for you!” She watched her mother's hands fly through the air, swift and as cutting as the sentences she uttered. “You have better things to be doing with your life than chasing around the country after some elusive Pokémon! What about college? What does a Pokémon or two mean toward your education? Is a Bulbasaur going to get you a job? No! Is a few measly pieces of metal from the gyms going to make someone more likely to hire you? No! Just get the idea out of your head!”

 

“I'm not too young! If anything I'm—“

 

“Not. Another. Word.”

 

Kathryn drew in a deep breath but held it at the stern glance sent her way, her cheeks puffing out in the process. Her mother brushed at the corner of her lips, most likely making sure her stupid lipstick was still in place, before running a hand down her black miniskirt, tugging it down a little more so her upper calves were well covered. When her mother turned her back to her, Kathryn squinted her eyes pretending, for an instant, that she could send a shard of ice her mother's way.

 

“Now, I'm going to be gone all night.” Ann plucked her purse from the couch seat, plunging her fingers inside, focused on retrieving her keys. “I want you in bed at ten, make sure your homework's done, clean your room, feed the Pokémon…” There was a small pause as she tried to think of anything else that needed to get done. Nothing else came to mind. Withdrawing her keys, she headed for the door. “I'll see you tomorrow.”

 

Silence.

 

Ann paused, eyes fluttering once before she started to turn, wanting to make sure her daughter had heard her. Her mouth parted, starting to ask if she was “perfectly understood,” when Kathryn's words stopped her short.

 

“I'm not Michael.” Kathryn's gaze rose up from the piece of carpet they'd been intently staring at. They met her mother's russet eyes, hard, taking Ann aback even further. “Don't treat me as though I am.” Her words were laced with a chill so intent that Ann could have sworn the room dropped several degrees. Clutching at the elaborate gold pin above her left breast, she quickly sought to regain control.

 

“Go to your room, right now!” The shrillness of her tone seemed to have awoken her daughter to the direness of her situation for the girl fled to her room with her ponytail whipping behind her like a flag.

 

 

 

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The revving of the car engine and the clatter of stones reached her ears as her mother all but pealed out of the unpaved driveway. Pulling her curtain a little to the side, she was just in time to see her mother leaving at a speed that was sure to be illegal.

 

“Stupid Mom.” The small utterance brought an ugly sneer that she tried to pass off as a weak smile. “Stupid, stupid Mom. Now who's `abandoning,' huh?” She pushed a gust of air out through her lips, trying to get rid of the irritation inside of her as easily. It was worth a shot, at any rate. Besides, what right had she to be angry with her mother?

 

“It's all his fault, after all,” she muttered, head turning sharply to send a furious glance at the plushie on her bed. Moving toward it, she loomed over the helpless Teddiursa, who had most assuredly seen better days. The soft fuzz that had covered its plastic nose had faded, the string that was sown up into a smile was missing on a side (giving the little bear a funny half grin), and the fur on its ears had thinned out from constant totting. She'd been given it, what, ten? Eleven years ago? He'd been seven… she'd been six… (a quick count on her fingers) eleven years ago, yeah, that was right. He'd worked so hard to win it for her at the carnival…

 

A sudden surge of anger washed over her and began to pool inside her. Picking up the Teddiursa by its arm, she whipped it over her head, wanting to hit it again, and again, and again against the bed, the wall, the—

 

“We'll make a day out of it! A huge bash! You and me, we'll have those gym leaders' heads spinning, fer sure!”

 

The Teddiursa fell through her fingers, her hands moving to clutch at her ears, as though that could somehow stop the memories from resurfacing. Her breath shuddered inside her, eyes wide as the images they once saw replayed inside her mind…

 

His voice was faint but she could hear his laugh, always hear him laughing at her, with her. Deep, rich sounds that made his chest shake as they swelled into full-grown laughs. He never held anything back from her, never!

 

“When we meet up, you better be good.”

 

He'd sounded so stern, she couldn't help but poke fun at his own sense of self-importance. He'd been annoyed, hadn't he? Or was it merely her imagination filling in the missing gaps her memory had from time to time?

 

“How will I find you?”

 

Her own voice, had she really sounded so weak? Desperate? Could she possibly have foreseen—no, how could she?

 

“I'll find you.” He couldn't say it without the elder brother “I-know-all-cuz-I'm-God” look. Ugh! She hated that look… but she knew he meant it when he said he'd find her. She didn't even think to ask how, though she probably should have. She'd been distracted by her own envy at the time, maybe even a hint of anger (directed at him for going on without her. What would another year have been?). Anyway, he'd sworn it.

 

That was the last she'd seen of him.

 

Phone calls came once a week or so. Simple “I'm doing good” or “Wait till ya see what I caught! Hurry up and get older already, will ya?” Four, maybe five months after he'd left for his journey, she'd begun to feel odd. Anxious, on edge, snappish… kind of like an Ekans, she'd imagined, who felt something was wrong but couldn't put its tail on the matter. She'd gotten razzing from her mother and friends for lashing at them with her misplaced temper and had profusely apologized but still… something was wrong.

 

Around that time, they'd stopped getting phone calls. One week, two, three… the feeling intensified till Kathryn all but isolated herself in an attempt to keep in her friends' (and her mother's) good graces. Her mother had gone to the police but they were of little aid (“He is on a journey, ma'am, maybe he got sidetracked?”). A month, two months, then three… no letters, no calls. The uneasy feeling went away but by then, Kathryn was just plain worried. She'd begun hording things, preparing for her journey. She crammed so many facts and trivia about Pokémon into her mind that she nearly failed all her classes (the teachers took pity, figuring that she was distraught over her brother. Her mother had been less sympathetic on the matter).

 

He'd promised, she reminded herself. That thought alone calmed her and allowed her to relax when stress threatened to swallow her into its large belly. Eventually, the worry faded, leaving excitement in its place. He was okay, she could tell. She'd start her journey, he'd find her, then everything would be right in the world!

 

Yeah… and Swinubs can fly.

 

Her mother dropped the bombshell the day before Kathryn had been planning to go on her journey. The police had finally started to become more involved, the hospitals had been searched and put on alert, the Poké Centers questioned, ads placed and still no Michael. Her mother had pulled her aside and told her, in no uncertain terms, would she be going on her journey for her tenth birthday. Kathryn had, of course, been notably upset.

 

After paying for the bowling ball sized hole in the wall (she still swore she had no recollection of how it got there), Kathryn had tried again and again to get her mother to relent. For the last six years.

 

She sniffed, her nose plugged up for some reason as she rubbed her face into the back of Teddiursa's head, erasing the streaks of water from her face at the same time. Realizing what she was doing, she haphazardly tossed the doll on her bed and rubbed at her face with her hands, unsure how it had gotten there again in the first place. “Stupid, stupid, stupid!” She sniffed again, more forceful than the first before leaving her room without another glance at the Teddiursa on her bed.

 

Not that I can go anywhere, I don't have a Ponyta or a car or anything. Psh, nearest anything is twenty miles at least.

 

But she could get out of the house.

 

 

 

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Stepping off the porch, Kathryn began to head across the stretch of lawn to where three of the family's Pokémon were kept. Since the breed was often times feared for being Dark and known for causing trouble, the family had long ago decided to keep them penned in a large area to prevent “accidents” from happening. In all honesty, the fence couldn't contain them if they really wanted to get out, but for the most part, the Pokémon seemed to understand the importance of their remaining “behind bars.” It didn't stop them from wanting to run free but without the previous training their sire Rand had (or even the preceding sire, Tara, had) it was impossible to have all three out at once. They got too worked up to focus on even the most basic of commands and typically vanished as soon as they got a whiff of freedom. The male of the pack, Bare, had been burned badly on his chest by a fire Pokémon the last time they'd been freed (most likely a Ponyta from a nearby farm).

 

They really didn't have it all that bad, if you thought about it. Most Pokémon were kept in Pokéballs for misbehaving. At least this way, they could be outside and enjoy themselves (at least, that's what Kathryn told herself).

 

When she got close enough, her stride slowed and she took careful note of her footing. This was a game she and the pack liked to play. There was a “shed” that was enclosed by the fence area, save for a door that could be entered from the outside. The shed was really where the pack went to sleep and eat but “shed” just seemed appropriate. They couldn't rush out when you opened the door to the shed either, bars kept them on one half of the shed to prevent escape. Cruel as it was it did keep them safe…she guessed…

 

Her thoughts preoccupied, she missed out on seeing a patch of dry grass in her path. The soft crinkling to her ear must have sounded like a shotgun to the pack because they were out of the shed in a blast, barking and yapping angrily till they caught sight of who it was. The barks instantly became joyous as they practically danced. Scruff even ran in and out of the shed a few times, knowing full well it was mealtime. Nashley just looked smug and wagged her nub of a tail, barking once or twice eagerly.

 

“Yeah, yeah, ya got me this time,” she muttered, pursing her lips and furrowing her brows. How could I have possibly missed that spot of grass? I must be losing my touch!

 

Heaving the door of the shed open, all three rushed inside, impatient and enthusiastic all at once. They wuffed and barked, their bodies wiggling and squirming as though trying to desperately make up for their lack of tails. She felt a little better at their antics and hurried to give them their Pokéchow.

 

“First scoop goes to…” She dug the tin cup into the large bag of pellets before dumping it over the small hole in the cage where it fell into the empty Houndour's bowl. “Nashley.”

 

Nashley dug in hungrily, not bothering to wait for her siblings to get their meals. She knew full well if she didn't eat quickly they'd finish it for her. Grinding the food in her teeth, she wished briefly for something with more… flavor. The scraps Kathryn gave them were so much more appetizing than this dry food. Ah, well, it was food.

 

Finishing up with quick chomp, Nashley looked up from her bucket, focusing on their human. She didn't seem to be faring well today, it worried the Houndour. She smelled salt and water. Had Kathryn been…? Her mind paused as the word escaped her. Kathryn had told her, once before, what it meant when liquid fell from her eyes. Guessing by the sad smile on her face, this wasn't the good kind of—

 

Tears! Nashley barked, the word flaring in her mind with such intensity that she knew that had to be the correct word.

 

“I can't let you out today, Nashley. Mum's already really peeved at me.”

 

Whining, the Houndour pressed her muzzle against the thin bars, her nose just barely sticking out. When Kathryn's fingers got close, she tried to lick at them but Scruff knocked her to the side, scrambling for attention.

 

Hey!

 

Move out of the way, Scruff snidely snarled, pressing her body up against the cage so Kathryn might pet her better. Nashley turned to Bare with hopes that he might rein their sister in but he was crouched down, butt in the air, wiggling with hope that he might also receive some notice. Nashley felt a moment of disgust at her siblings and simply whined plaintively to Kathryn, hoping to get the girl to understand that she felt badly and wished to help. Whether the message got through or not, Nashley didn't know. Kathryn left after a few pats to each and shut the door behind her. While the other two idiotically rushed outside to bark at her for her return, Nashley lay in the hay and tried to think of some way to help her human. Dimly, she acknowledge Kathryn calling that brainless furball that wandered by their cage… Her lip curled and a snarl rose past her lips as she dared to hope the furball would one day wander in their cage …

 

“Uruuuuusaiwan!” Kathryn cocked her head, listening, before hollering louder. “Urusaiwan!”

 

“Meooorrw?”

 

Turning her back towards the house, she spotted Urusaiwan in the distance, making an eager beeline toward her. Kathryn crouched over the jaded grass as the Meowth doubled its speed, butting her head against Kathryn's knee when she arrived. Mewing, the Meowth rubbed her small body against Kathryn's, hoping to entice a good petting. Kathryn obliged and felt along the fur for burrs or snarls.

 

“Seems like you gained some weight…” A good thing too, the Meowth had been much too thin when Kathryn had found her (well, better to say when Urusaiwan found Kathryn). Still, she hoped the weight gain was from Meowth Mix and not some stray Rattata or Pidgey.

 

“Come on, let's go get you some food.”

 

Urusaiwan trailed eagerly behind Kathryn, recognizing the word “food.” “Food” was the crunchy stuff that the human put in a bowl for her, sometimes with a liquid that tasted reaaally good. Tuna juice? She thought that was the right phrase (though what “tuna” or “juice” were, she really didn't know). Before the human had called, she'd been eagerly following the scent of this interesting thing. It didn't smell like an eating thing, more of a curious thing. Swishing her tail, the feline climbed up the back porch steps waiting patiently while Kathryn went inside house, lifting a paw to her lips to lick delicately at it. Sitting, she tried to remain dignified while she awaited the food. Perhaps after the meal she would seek out the scent again, though it seemed to wane and disappear at times, as though knowing she was seeking it.

 

Ridiculous, she thought, narrowing her eyes slightly. If nothing else, she had her pride as a hunter. She would find out what the scent maker was, no doubt about it!

 

“Here.” Kathryn placed the bowl down in front of the Meowth and for a moment, it seemed as though she had startled Urusaiwan. If she had, the Meowth quickly recovered and dug in with an ambition that rivaled the Houndours.

 

“What? I never feed you?”

 

She gave a small snort of a laugh before turning her attention up at the sky, nostrils flaring for an instant as she took it all in. Fair sky. Thin, wispy clouds. Her ears pricked and she could make out the distant lowing of Tauroses from a neighboring farm. Shutting her eyes, she listened harder to her surroundings but noticed nothing of any real importance. It was a beautiful day marred only by the row she'd had earlier with her mother.

 

The sudden swoosh of the slider door made Kathryn whirl, hands tensing so the veins popped up, fingers curled like claws as she crouched a little, expecting an attack. Had she not been so shocked by the appearance of the person behind her, she might have wondered why she reacted such away… As it was, the only thought running through her head was that she hadn't even heard the car pull up.

 

“I've decided…to let you go.”

 

“What?” The words slipped out before she could recall them. DANG! Now she'd given her mother a chance to reconsider!

 

“Your journey.” The nose on her mother's face wrinkled as though they were discussing manure and she casually waved her hand, scarlet nails shinning ruby in the sun. “You can go.” She held at a finger up sharply, as though having expected Kathryn to jump in and say something at this point. “There are some conditions though… I don't want this to be like the ballet lessons when you were five, or the karate lessons when you were seven, or the piano lessons when you were eleven, or-“

 

The Ponyta riding lessons when I was thirteen.

 

“-the Ponyta riding lessons when you were thirteen!” Her mother paused expectantly, waiting for some sign that Kathryn was listening so the girl quickly bobbed her head once, trying not to show excitement. Her mother could just as easily change her mind and she'd rather stay on her good side for as long as she was able (preferably long after she was on her journey and at least a good hundred miles away).

 

“…two friends with you, at least. That way I know you're traveling in a group. A lot less is likely to happen if you have someone else with you.” Her mother's fingers tapped against her elbow as she continued, eyes looking upward, perhaps gazing with her mind's eye to the list she had mentally written inside her head. “I also want you to take one of the Houndour with you, Pallet Town isn't that far from here but I want you to have a familiar Pokémon. God knows the training can't hurt whichever you take.”

 

A pause. “I… I want you to call me. Once a week. No exceptions.”

 

Torn between wishing to agree so she could go and logic telling her that the demand was impossible, Kathryn finally sighed. It had been too good to be true.

 

“I'm going to be traveling, mom. I might not be able to get to a phone.” Kathryn's head dropped to stare down at the wooden balcony. So close…

 

“That's why I got you this.”

 

Her mother pulled something out of her purse, something small and wrapped in tissue paper. Kathryn hesitantly walked forward to take it, still somehow sure this was a dream (or a joke). She slowly unpeeled the tape, careful not to tear the tissue paper. Unwrapping it gradually, she tugged at a corner and let it unfurl and drop the object into her hand. Her brows scrunching, she looked closer at the item, her eyes widening when she realized exactly what it was.

 

“Happy Birthday,” her mother whispered, going unheard as Kathryn reverently ran her finger along the plastic planes.

 

“It's a Pokégear.” Kathryn slowly turned the small device over in her hands. She had read an article on the device… it was a map, a phone, and a radio all in one. The product was aptly named because the market audience targeted was trainers but anyone could buy or use one. This would most definitely be of help…

 

“I want you to stop at Professor Oak's before going to get badges so you can pick up a Pokédex. Alright?”

 

This time, Kathryn heard the softness in her mother's voice. For the briefest instant she felt guilty for putting her mom through this but the guilt was pushed aside by joy at being able to finally pave her own path, go her own way.

 

And maybe find my brother.

 

 

 

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She had to wait nearly a week before leaving. There was paperwork to be sent to the school, relatives to say hasty goodbyes to (and who offered their aid in forms of tens and twenties), supplies to purchase, a bag to cram, and miscellanies objects she just couldn't live without that had to be relocated after a year or so of going AWAL. She'd counted down the days, now it was down to hours. If only Krissy and Rachel would get here faster!

 

It had taken a lot of effort, bribing, pleading, whining (not to mention the promise of her first born) but she had managed to get them to agree to go with her (which was good because she didn't know who else she could have gotten to go with her. All of the other Poké crazy kids had left on their tenth birthday and had either finished or were still at it). Well, while she was waiting, she could think things out, make sure all the preparations had been made and taken care of!

 

…

 

Yeah, alright. Enough of that.

 

When she got to the kitchen there was a bag on the table, another gift from the looks of the bright colors and tissue paper streaming out of it. For her? Her mother had already given her a gift…but it wouldn't hurt to check the nametag, right? Huh…blank. Her mother should reaaaally start labeling these things. It was always a pain, come Christmas time, when her mother left all the packages and bags untagged. How else was she or her brother to know which to shake and which to leave be? Well, maybe if she pushed aside the tissue paper a little, she could see what was inside and determine that way if this was for her or not. After all, it was her birthday (well, a day or two after). It was safe to assume it was for her…

 

Nudging some of the paper out of the way, careful not to disturb it too much (that way, if it wasn't for her she could push it back and mom would be none the wiser) Kathryn leaned over to peer in.

 

Oh, no way! The rest of the tissue paper came whipping out, drifting in the air for a few seconds before falling to the floor. By that time, Kathryn had already dug her gifts out, ten Pokéballs and ten TMs! (not to mention some Pokémon medical supplies, which, while cool, could not compare to the Pokéballs and TMs)

 

Examining each one, tracing her fingers over the numbers on the sides, she briefly acknowledge that she definitely owed her mother for this (had her first child not already been dedicated to Krissy, she might have offered that). TMs didn't come cheap and were a one time deal but very effective for teaching Pokémon new moves they couldn't learn by leveling up (or, for the impatient, making them learn the moves quicker). She remembered reading something about TMs having to do with tweaking the Pokémon's brain so they learned the specialized move and guessed it had to do with microchips or something. They were fairly easy to use, all you had to do was open the small cube (no bigger than the irritating puzzle block with many colored squares that she could never solve) over the Pokémon's head (after making sure it was a move that Pokémon could, in fact, learn) and they'd learn it. She'd tried to look up other information on TMs and how they worked but subject material was limited, either far too complex for her understanding or repetitive (she guessed the company who manufactured them didn't want anyone to know exactly how it was done).

 

Unzipping a pocket on her backpack, she jammed the TMs and the medical supplies in with the rest of her provisions, having to tug and jerk at the zipper before it finally closed. The Pokéballs she carefully placed in her pockets until she could find a better place for them so she wouldn't lose them. Well, now that she had Pokéballs, the most logical step would be to go get some Pokémon.

 

Thankfully, she had two at hand.

 

 

 

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Nashley's head flew up as the door to their home was flung open. Before she could give an angry bark, she recognized the scent and the voice as her human's. Wagging her stub of a tail, she was pleased to see that Kathryn was still in such a good mood. Sending her greetings, Nashley soon hushed when she saw that Kathryn was trying to quiet their loud hellos.

 

“It's finally happening, I'm going on my journey!”

 

Journey? Nashley's eyes rolled back inside her head a little before she recalled the matter on which her human spoke. Ahh, that thing.

 

“Mum said I can take one of you—”

 

Me! Scruff practically wiggled out of her skin. I'd like to go and get out of this pen for once! See everything, smelleverything! There must be some great stuff to roll around in!

 

I'd like to go. Bare's deeper rumble made Nashley look at her brother. He seemed to be deep in thought, his body stilled. It would be a good chance, as Scruff says, to see new things.

 

The last time you “saw” new things, Nashley pointed out from her spot on the floor, you had to be nursed back to health from burn marks. If you cannot contain your inquisitiveness, you both might get hurt. Or worse, get herhurt.

 

Scruff's growl started like thunder from a distance, soft but growing in power. Oh? What of you? Do you really expect us to believe that you'd do so much better?

 

It's true, Bare gently added, that we often times stick our noses where they have no place being, but you are our sister, you share our same curiousness for what lies beyond this. His head nodded to the walls of the shed, the bars of the cages. We are cared for but there is more, we all know this. We have seenthis.

 

Nashley decided her best course of action would be to abstain from answering. The fur along her shoulders was already prickling at her inability to make them understand. They shouldn't be going for their own satisfaction but for their human's aide, she needed them to be a part of her team. To guard her.

 

“Urusaiwan will be going too.”

 

All three Houndour's heads snapped to look at her, disbelief evident. The furball? Going too? Well, that changed everything!

 

I refuseto go along with that small tuff of fur! The idea of metraveling with that-that feline!

 

She surely couldn't be that much help, I don't understand why Kathryn would want her along. Bare shook his head, essentially agreeing with Scruff's assessment. The funny little furry thing with a loud voice would be nothing but nauseating to work with.

 

Nashley fought back her own contempt at the idea of traveling with the one called “Urusaiwan”. Perhaps, it will not be that bad. We are all so much bigger than her, what threat does she posses?

 

I've never seen her as a `threat,' just a Spearow who's been squawking too long and too loud. Bare snorted at Scuff's analogy, once more finding his viewpoint to be similar to hers.

 

“None of you?”

 

Nashley's ears flattened apologetically as she ignored her siblings to try and tend to her human's needs. Rising from her spot, Nashley lightly bumped her head against the bars of the cage. She might not be thrilled with the idea of traveling with the furball… but it would make her human happy. That was more important than strangling the piece of fuzz.

 

“Good girl, Nash!” Kathryn unlatched the door of the cage and Nashley slid out, not giving enough time for her siblings to change their mind and trail after her. When Kathryn dropped to the Houndour's level to embrace the canine in a mighty hug, Nashley felt she had made the right choice after all (much better to go along for the trip than worrying over Bare or Scruff doing something stupid and messing it up).

 

After petting and praising Nashley, Kathryn pulled one of the Pokéballs from her pocket.

 

“This is what you're going to be traveling in some of the time.” The Houndour sniffed at the orb, currently in its smallest form. “Why don't you try it out for a while?”

 

Nashley's eyes went from the tiny orb to her human—no, her trainer's face. There was an indecisive moment in which Kathryn thought the canine might reject the idea but Nashley bobbed her head once, her loyalty and trust overcoming any objections she might have otherwise had.

 

Pressing the button on the Pokéball, it expanded to its normal size. She was going to throw it at Nashley and be done with it but decided to try another approach.

 

“Here,” Kathryn pointed to the button she had touched before. “Tap this.”

 

Sniffing it once more, Nashley lightly bumped the button with her nose. The ball clicked open and Nashley became a bright light that was swiftly sucked inside the orb with a swooshing sound. Clicking shut, the orb shook once or twice before the light on the outside flashed red, pinging. That done, Kathryn shrunk it back to its storage size.

 

Good, now to go get Urusaiwan.

 

“You two, behave while I'm gone, okay?” She put her hand through the bars, Bare and Scruff clamoring around to lick her hand and say their goodbyes. The secretive glance they gave each other didn't go unnoticed and Kathryn feared her mother would have some problems keeping them in line. Shaking her head, Kathryn left the shed. “Bye guys!”

 

Urusaiwan was already waiting for her, a few feet away from the shed and pen area. The feline was smart enough to realize the larger creatures didn't like her and tended to avoid them whenever possible. She would, however, sometimes wait for Kathryn to be done with them so the girl would realize she would like some attention too.

 

She seems to be in good spirits. Urusaiwan's tail wrapped around her paws as she remained sitting and waiting for Kathryn to get closer to her. She was pleasantly surprised when Kathryn bent over to pick her up, lifting her up and cuddling her close. Purring, Urusaiwan was rewarded happily with “behind-the-ear-scratches” and “under-the-neck” strokes. She listened quite attentively to what the girl was saying and decided that this “journey” might be a fun thing to do. She was less than pleased to hear one of the Houndours was going but figured that as long as it left her be, she would leave it alone as well (not like she had done anything to one of them before anyway). Already familiar with the Pokéball (ah, that was another life time ago…) she quickly prodded it when offered and found herself in the warm confines of the ball.

 

Hmm. Kathryn slipped Urusaiwan's Pokéball in her pocket along with Nashley's. The Pokéballs in her pocket felt odd and uncomfortable but where else could she put them? She didn't have a belt to attach them to and putting them in her pockets might lead to her mixing them up or having one fall out.

 

An image appeared in her mind with the suddenness of an Abra who had Teleported. Hastening inside to her room, she threw open her closet doors and rummaged around until she found what she was seeking. It was a medium pouch she could snap around her waist that had several pockets with zippers. Placing the empty Pokéballs in the larger pocket, her wallet in another, Nashley's Pokéball in a side pocket and Urusaiwan's Pokéball on the opposite, she gleefully grinned at her accomplishment. Not a belt… but still very nice. Perhaps she could pick up a belt in a town…

 

“Kathryn!” Her mother's voice drifted like Stun Spores on the wind. “Your friends are here!”

 

Double checking her room, trying to make sure she had everything she could possibly need, Kathryn nodded her head once before leaving her room and closing the door behind her. When she entered the living room she spotted Krissy lounging sprawled out on the couch, her face Zapdos stormy, while Rachel stood absently gazing past a lamp.

 

“I don't know how I let you talk me into this.” Krissy sat up straight when she saw Kathryn enter, narrowing her eyes at her friend. “I don't even like Pokémon.”

 

“Something to do with the promise of my first born and the fighting gyms along the way. I promised we'd stop at some of them so you could see the other black belts there.” I hope she doesn't back out now…

 

“So, how did I get involved with this mess? I don't have any claim to your first born.”

 

Kathryn's mind whirled to find a suitable answer. Rachel wasn't interested in Pokémon either but she was more open to the idea than Krissy. What was it that she needed Rachel to come along for?

 

“Um… so you can keep me out of trouble and so I don't find myself on another continent?” Offering her best pleading smile, Kathryn saw that Rachel still seemed skeptical. Dropping the pity act for a sigh, Kathryn grumbled half-heartedly, “Because you get to miss school.”

 

“Oh yeah. I knew it was something.”

 

“Are you two ready?” It was time, something inside Kathryn seemed to hum and curled warmly inside her stomach. It is time.

 

“I guess.”

 

“Eh, if we have to.”

 

Even Rachel and Krissy's damper attitudes couldn't bring her down. Perhaps they might not have been the best choice for the trip but they were her best friends, willing to support her in everything she did, lifting her up to do her best!

 

“What's so funny?”

 

“Nothing Krissy, just thinking.”

 

Krissy's brows formed a delicate frown. “Well, stop it! You thinking is just plain unnatural.”

 

“Hey, how are we getting to Pallet Town?”

 

Kathryn grinned at Rachel's question. “How? Mum has some Pokémon we can use.” Ahh, good to know the Ponyta riding lessons were to pay off soon… maybe her mom would finally stop harping about that…

 

Yeah. Right.