A Late Start

The party

The room was silent for what must have been at least ten minutes. I don't know if they were all judging me but I didn't care, in a few short moments my life had just been turned inside out. I sat there on the floor holding Silas tightly to my chest and weeping silently.
"I thought I'd never see you again," I told him quietly. Finally ready to address the greater situation I turned to the professor and asked "I thought all the Pokemon we raised were donated to the starter program?"
"They were, but Silas here. He didn't take to any of the new trainers. everyone that tried to take him came back less than a week later saying he wouldn't listen, One poor boy even came back with a bite wound. He had his heart set on one trainer alone, and wouldn't take no for an answer." she told me "And now he's too old to stay in the starter program, Normally we'd release them back to the wild, but I offered to take care of him knowing he already had a home."
"When the professor told me how much you had loved him, I couldn't keep you two apart. so we organised this little party to reunite you two," Mom cut in.
"I thought you didn't want me to become a trainer?"
"I didn't, but between all the talk I've been getting from your associates here and seeing the way you stare off into the distance. I'm not going to keep my baby girl from her dreams. Just promise me you'll be safe."
"I will mom, I promise."
"Hey, don't worry, I'll take care of her." Ethan chimed in.
"Voi!" Silas chirped from at my feet.
"Thank's guys, all of you. You have no idea how much this means to me."
"So, does this mean I'll finally get to see you battle?" Cheren's voice came from over the crowd
"I guess so, not for a while though. Silas and I have some serious catching up to do first," As if on cue Silas Jumped up and perched on my shoulder I gave him a gentle scratch on the cheek and chuckled.
"Welcome home buddy," I said quietly.
"Uh hey Lexi, you may want this back," Ethan stepped forward, holding a small red device out to me
"MY DEX! I totally forgot you had it," I took the device from him, sliding the screen open and opening the card slot on the back. I slid the trainer card mom had given me into the open slot before closing it again, the screen lit up and with a flash, the word 'REGISTERED' flashed across the top screen. The bottom screen produced my 'Trainer record,' it was empty for now, obviously. I've wanted to see that screen for so long now seeing it printed across my dex felt like a distant fantasy. I closed the screens and tucked my dex back into my bag with a smile on my face. by this point, the band had started playing and all the other trainers were already mingling, obviously, it was still a Pokecenter, so it was nothing extravagant. Occasionally nurses would come in and out of the back rooms so everyone was forced to stand clear of the desk and doors. Most of the trainers had their pokemon out and were letting them socialise as well, Ethan and myself included, not that Silas was really interested in anyone else right now. there were probably about 15 people and pokemon combined, The professor and Cheren were off in one of the corners having a private discussion and Ethan was off jumping between groups of people. Either he thought he was popular or he was bragging about his gym badge.
"So, this is the little guy you were raising last year then?" mom came over and asked me.
"Yeah, guess I shouldn't be surprised you knew what was going on back then."
"I only found out a little while ago, when we started planning this whole party, the professor told me, He does seem to like you quite a bit though."
"well, I did raise him for the first six months of his life you know?"
"He must think you're his mom or something."
"Probably something like that, I don't know why he was so adamant about coming back to me though, from what I heard all the rest of the pokemon in that study got adopted off just fine."
"You must've done something really right for him and he doesn't want to be with anyone but you."
"I'm glad he came back, surprised you're taking this so well actually."
"You're sixteen now Lex, even if I did keep trying I wouldn't be able to keep you from running off chasing dreams for much longer anyway, at least this way you can be a little more ready when the time comes. You two better take good care of each other through" She put a hand on Silas' head and gave him a gentle scratch. "That goes for you too little one, don't let anything happen to her." He let out a little purr and looked straight at her before nodding his head once.
"You know, just because he can't talk doesn't mean he can't understand you."
"I know I know, it's not the first time I've talked to a Pokemon Lex."
"Hey, I never know what you know about them, you try not to talk about it."
"I never wanted you to get caught up in this world, but I guess it is the world we live in. can't very well just ignore it now can we?"
"Hey, mom. Thanks for finally opening up about this. And sorry I was being so bratty earlier. I had no idea you had all this planned."
"It's okay Lex, I figured you'd get a little bent out of shape about getting grounded so close to your birthday. But I made up for it now didn't I?"
"Definitely," I leant forward and hugged her.
"Just make sure you call me once in a while while you're out exploring the world, it's gonna get boring without you around the house."
"Of course mom, how could I not."
"Ahem, Excuse me. I don't mean to interrupt but I have something for you Alexis," Cheren had apparently approached us while we were talking.
"Oh, Cheren, I didn't see you there. What's up?" I replied, turning to face him
"Since it is your birthday and all, I thought it only appropriate to get you something of a gift. This is for you," he handed me a small plastic box. I took the box and studied it for a few moments, it was only a few inches in length and had six holes carved into one side a clip of some description sat at the top of the other. Longer than it was wide and painted in black. "Every trainer should have one of these, it will make keeping your pokemon on you much easier, and more accessible in emergencies."
"Oh! It's a Pokeball clip, thanks Cheren," I gave a slight curtsey as I thanked him for the gift, it was awkward at first but I was able to clip it to the hip of my skirt, clipping Silas' Pokeball into the first slot. "I hope to see you at the gym for more than just spectating in the near future, you were a magnificent student before you even had a Pokemon of your own, I can't wait to see how you train them now you're officially registered." I gave him a soft smile as he turned and walked back to the professor.

The so-called party had only lasted about an hour, I had decided to let Silas stay out of his Pokeball for the trip home and he seemed to enjoy the experience. It was still early, but I had no intention of going anywhere else today, I just sat on the couch with Silas, mom had gone back out, said she had some business to take care of. Silas was sitting peacefully on my lap, his silver fur glinting slightly in the afternoon sunlight breaking through the window.
I gently ran my fingers along the loose part of the scarf he was wearing, the scarf I gave him 6 months ago.
"I can't believe you kept it all this time," I told him quietly, he just looked up at me and smiled, nuzzling my hand gently. "You've seen a few battles since I saw you last, haven't you?" I kept running into holes and tears in the fabric, the ends were frayed and I could tell it was becoming threadbare.
"You like the scarf buddy?"
"Eevoi," he chirped in response
"You want us to get you a new one? This one's looking pretty rough," he shook his head and put a paw on the part around his neck.
"It's that special to you huh? Well, maybe we can get it repaired for you someday," I gently ran my fingers up the lengths of his ears as I spoke.
"How about tomorrow we go out on the route again, and you can show me anything new you picked up while I was gone?" His entire demeanour shifted when I asked, his ears perked up and he lifted his head he even started to wag his tail a little bit.
"You like that idea don't you?"
"Ee, Voi." He cried out, clearly excited.
"Guess I should show you to my room since it's most likely where you're gonna be sleeping as long as we're here." I started to get up from the couch slowly, he realised and took up his perch on my shoulder again.
"Just like old times, eh buddy?" I took us both upstairs and into my room. I sat down on the bed and he hopped off my shoulder and started to roll around on my sheets.
"I don't really have a place for you to sleep. So we're probably gonna have to bunk up. Unless you wanna sleep in this," I teased, pulling his Pokeball off my hip he immediately shook his head and let out a little whining sound.
"Never were a fan of these were you bud? Hey, don't worry, I'll let you stay out unless it's necessary," he brightened up after I said that and put a paw on my thigh. I put a hand on his back in response, gently combing my fingers through his fur. After a while I heard the door open downstairs, mom was home.
"Lex, you home?" She called out
"Yeah, I'm here," I said back, getting up off the bed, Silas wasted no time taking up his perch as I got up before walking downstairs.
"I figured it'd probably take a little while before you'd be able to take care of him by yourself. So I picked up some food for the little devil."
"Mom, he's not a devil. I think you'll find he's very mild-mannered."
"Didn't the professor say he bit somebody?"
"That doesn't mean he's not well behaved, the kid must have done something to deserve it."
"Well either way he's gotta eat something. This should hold out long enough for you to get your feet on the ground at least," she was carrying a massive bag of dry pokemon food and a small plastic bowl
"Jeez, mom, how much do you think he eats?"
"Well, I don't know how long it'll be until you two can take care of yourselves. This should at least give you a decent headstart." Silas took one look at the bag and gave me puppy dog eyes about it.
"I know it sucks buddy, I'll get you something better as soon as I can okay?" He rolled his eyes but seemed satisfied with my response. The rest of the day was uneventful, we all had dinner, despite Silas' protests and I decided to go to bed early, I had a lot planned for tomorrow.