Flames of Hoenn

Chapter 4: Comfy Hats

    Terry awoke to find Lydia staring at him. He blushed, the blush getting slowly deeper as she wasn’t looking away. She seemed so intrigued by him. He looked at her eyes. Oh. She’s not staring at him. Not directly, anyhow. Just his head. He was lifting his arms to investigate, when Lydia motioned to stop. She put a finger to her lips. She pulled out a Pokédex, opened it, clicked a few buttons, and turned the screen to Terry. On the screen was the picture of a Swablu. She then pointed to her head, and then to Terry. Nodding his understanding, Terry gave a wide grin. His grin got even wider as Lydia’s face showed her realization. He shook Pyra.

    Instantly, Pyra was up, back on fire, battle-ready expression. Terry thought it was one of the most adorable battle-stances he had ever seen. That’s when Terry was knocked over by a startled Swablu sitting on his head. Over on his side, Terry adjusted himself to face the Pokémon, ignoring Lydia’s laughter. He looked at the startled little cloud with raised eyebrows. “You and me, Poofy.”

    The Swablu looked at the intense expression of Pyra, looked at Terry, and then nonchalantly flew back onto Terry’s head. Lydia burst out laughing again, unable to control herself. Terry was laughing now too, and Pyra was smiling up at the Swablu. Terry grabbed the Swablu and brought it eye-level.

    “You’re one funny dude.” Lydia shook her head, and pointed to the Pokédex.

    “She’s a girl, doofus.”

    “…Oh.”

    They laughed again, and Terry looked back to Swablu. She was starting to grow on him.

    “Say… How would you like to be a part of my team?”

    The Swablu smiled and chirped at him happily. Terry pulled out a Pokéball, one of the four he had been given by his mother, and looked at Swablu. Swablu danced around happily (and gracefully), and nuzzled the Pokéball, activating it. She was instantly turned into a red stream of data, flowing towards the now open Pokéball. The ball gave a few short beeps, a couple shakes, and finally the completion chime. Terry tossed out the Pokéball, releasing Swablu from inside.

    “Welcome, Cloud 9! I’ll just call you Cloud or 9 for short. This is gonna be fun!”

    Swablu, seemingly happy at the name, flew straight back to the top of Terry’s head. Lydia was laughing again.

    “You’ve got quite the hat there.” She grinned wide. Terry just shook his head solemnly.

    “You mock at your own peril. Lydia! I challenge you to a one-on-one Pokémon battle!”

    That caught Lydia by surprise. She contemplated for a bit, then looked back to Terry. She grinned. “I accept.”

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    Terry stood at one end of the field, Lydia at the other. Terry had decided to start with Swablu, seeing as he had no idea what it did. This was his chance to find out.

    “Alright, Cloud. Here we go!”

    Cloud 9 flew forward, planting itself in front of Terry, ready for a battle. Terry grinned. He had two Pokémon now. Lydia still had one. This would be easy. Yet, the wicked smile on her face still unsettled Terry.

    “Are you ready for me, then? Here I come, Terry! Go, Ralts!”

    Terry stared at her in disbelief. She had gotten a Ralts?! Where? When?? How??? He shook himself. No time to worry about that now. He had to battle!