Beyond the Adventure - A Pokémon Story

Chapter 2: First Steps pt1

           We arrive at my home around lunch time.  It is a small home on the 3rd floor of an apartment building at the east edge of the city.  I like it because it is comfortable and my bedroom window had a nice view of the nearby forest.  Every morning, a Murkrow lands on the wall between the city and the forest, squawks mercilessly into my open bedroom window, and flies away.  Obnoxious, but at the same time, reassuring in the reality of this world; that it is teaming with wondrous life everywhere, a whole world to explore full of adventure, and that makes me smile every time I wake up.  I have always dreamed of exploring that world, and now, my dream is about to become a reality.

            I am greeted at the front door by Cyndaquil.  She comes running up to me in her cheerful way and paws at my pant leg.  Jaws waddles in from the hallway.  Cyndaquil squeaks and the flames on her back grow.  I step back quickly to avoid getting burn.  “Whoa, girl,” I say.  “It’s okay.  He’s fine!”

            Cyndaquil looks up at me, then back at Jaws.  The flames disappear as she sinks to the floor and crawls slowly toward Jaws.  Jaws watches her curiously as she moves closer.  Cyndaquil reaches Jaws and begins to sniff his feet.  Jaws extends a hand out and pats Cyndaquil on the head.  Cyndaquil sniffs the hand, then gets excited and stands up, flames erupting out of her back as she chirps happily.

            Jaws’ eyes suddenly goes wide.  He leaps back and runs behind me, grabbing my legs.  Cyndaquil, being the naïve pet she has always been, thinks he is playing with her and chases after her.  They run around my legs a few laps before Jaws finally leaps into my arms.  “Whoa!” I cry at the sudden weight.  Jaws clings to me, shivering with fright, while a confused Cyndaquil stands at my feet, staring up at us.

            “Are you afraid of Cyndaquil?” I ask, trying to comfort the guy.  Jaws looks down at Cyndaquil.  The flames on her back died down and Jaws seemed to relax.  “Ah, you must be afraid of fire,” I suddenly realize.  “It’s okay.  She won’t hurt you.  She just does that when she gets excited.”

            Jaws looks at me, then leaps from my arms.  “Cyndaquil, try to tone it down,” I say to her.  She looks at me with understanding.

            “Now,” I say, mostly to myself.  “How about some food?”

            I walk into the kitchen and open the fridge.  I grab a container filled with leftover noodles from last night, then remembered that Mother went shopping this morning.  I open the bottom drawer and discover a fresh batch of Oran berries.  “Yes!” I shout.  I grab a handful and close the fridge.  I grab a fork, then walk over to the table and sit.  As I open the container, I notice Cyndaquil and Jaws playing together.  I smile as I watch the two.  Cyndaquil would stand on her hind legs as tall as she could, then Jaws would tip her over with a gentle push.  Cyndaquil would fall onto her back and giggle.  It is a bizarre, but pleasant scene.

            “Hey, you two,” I call out.  “Hungry?”  I hold out some Oran berries.  The two run over and snatch up the berries.  They then squat on the floor, munching happily.  I get up and turn on the radio.  “My mother should be on soon!” I say excitedly.  I tune into the radio station and the program starts.

            “Welcome to Pokémon Talk with Professor Oak!” my mother chimes.  “I’m Mary and today, Professor Oak will be discussing where you can find the Pokémon Chansey!”

            I listen as I eat.  My mind wanders into recent events; my mother’s new job and what it means for us, this new Pokémon that fell into my lap, and the journey that lies ahead of me.  I have always dreamed of seeing the world, and now the opportunity has finally presented itself.  I glance over at Jaws and Cyndaquil.  The two have finished their meals and are now slumped together, napping.  I smile at how peaceful they look.

            I finish my meal and turn off the radio.  It is time to pack!  I grab my backpack and stuff a couple changes of clothes inside.  I then raid my Snorlax bank for what little money it had in it.  I look up at the top of my bookshelf and see HootHoot sleeping away.  I recall how long it took to train that bird to keep quiet at night.  Finally, I search the kitchen for anything I can take with me.  I settle for some Tauros jerky and rice balls.  I grab a few more Oran berries for Jaws, then head back to the living room.  Jaws was stirring from his nap.  I pet his head and he opens his eyes.

            “Good nap?” I ask.  He yawns and stretches.  “Ready to go find your home?”

            Jaws stands up and waddles groggily toward the door.  I chuckle.  Cyndaquil wakes up and spies me near the door.  She walks up to me and paws at my leg.  I kneel down and pet her.  “Sorry, girl,” I say sadly.  “You have to stay here.  Keep Mother safe, and protect her while I’m gone, okay?”  Cyndaquil cries softly and sits on the floor.  I take one look around.  Emotions swirl around inside me, a raging storm of both excitement and sadness.  I may not see HootHoot, Cyndaquil, or my mother for a long time.  I promise to myself to make contact as often as I can.  I open the front door and Jaws walks out.  I take one last look around.  Cyndaquil looks sadly as I walk out and close the door behind me.