Pokémon Life 3: Split Dimensions

Chapter 58: Motivation

"What!?" Lucario yells.
"How," Rowlet begins, "Why?"
"Back in my home village, I had just been allowed to pick a starter." The trainer explains.
"Between the options, I chose a Mudkip."
"We bonded instantly, it felt like we were destined to be a team."

"But, a single day later is when the legendary birds attacked."
"They tore through our village, burning homes and attacking people and Pokemon alike."
"It was a bloodbath. Barely anyone survived."
The trainer's eyes start to water as they continue.
"My Mudkip and I were found by Moltres, and I was about to get killed but..."

"My Mudkip pushed me out of the way, and sacrificed themself to save me."
The trainer tries to keep talking, but can't.
Their Eevee quickly runs to the trainer's side, trying to comfort her.
"That's, horrible" Piplup says.
"W-Why would a-anyone do that?" Chimchar asks.

"Who knows." The trainer replies.
Everyone sits in silence for a couple minutes, until the trainer gets up.
"I have a plan to get us to the birds." She says.
Everyone turns to her.
"The birds live on an island west of here." She states.

"The only hope of getting onto that island is by challenging the eighth gym leader."
"And the only way of doing that is by defeating the other seven gym leaders."
The Eevee suddenly interrupts the trainer.
"So, we need your help!"
Piplup looks towards Rowlet.

"I know it's a lot to ask-" The trainer begins.
"We're in." Lucario says.
"Really?" The Eevee replies.
"Yeah, we wanted to defeat the legendary birds anyways." Rowlet responds.
The trainer and Eevee smiles.

"Thanks." The trainer says.
The group sleeps next to the tree for the night.
Except for Piplup, he can't stop thinking about everything.
'Why would the birds attack that village? Where are we?' His mind won't shut up.
He notices the Eevee, curled up in the trainer's lap.

This only makes him remember the biggest question he's had.
'Where is Eevee?' He sighs, knowing that the only Pokémon that know is Palkia and Dialga.
Piplup shuts his eyes to only hear the trees rustle a few minutes later.
He doesn't take any mind to it, thinking it was the wind.
"Can not sleep too?" A new voice scares him.

He looks around, finding himself in a jungle.
It's night here too and there's a small light in front of him.
"Yeah, kinda been a stressful day." A second voice says.
Piplup walks over to the light and sees four other Pokémon around a campfire.
A Growlithe and Poochyena are talking while an Eevee and Flaaffy sleep.

"It is like that." The Poochyena responds.
Piplup notices that they speak very weirdly.
"Ever since we got transported here it's been stressful." The Growlithe looks towards the Flaaffy.
"How long have you here?" Poochyena asks.
The Growlithe thinks for a few moments.

"About two months?" He finally replies.
The Poochyena gasps.
"That long!?" They exclaim and the Growlithe shushes them.
Piplup walks forward to try to hear their conversation better.
He trips instead, and hits the ground.

He quickly gets back up expecting the two Pokémon to notice.
Sunlight greets him as he's back with the trainer.
'What just happened?' Piplup wonders.
"Good morning." Lucario's voice scares him.
"Oh, good morning." He responds.

They wait for the others to wake up.
"Okay, we ready to go?" The Eevee asks and everyone nods.
The trainer begins walking first, and the others follow shortly.
"First step is find a route so we know where we are." She says.
Piplup looks around but all he finds is trees.

After walking for twenty minutes, they find a path through the forest.
Soon they're walking down Route 102, going towards Southcoven.
The group adventure in silence, due to the risk of a trainer hearing them.
Route 102 is filled with tall grass and random trees.
Wild Pokémon stop them sometimes, but they take care of them quickly.

They make it to Southcoven at midday.
The city is full of people, all of them with a Pokémon following behind them.
The Trainer turns to the group.
"I'm sorry you four but, I need to put you guys into Pokéballs." She says.

Rowlet is about to say something, but the Eevee shushes him.
"You guys only speak human, be quiet." She says.
Rowlet nods and keeps quiet.
The trainer pulls out four Pokéballs, and the same red energy as before encases the group.

Soon enough, Piplup is back at the beach.
Now a sunset had fallen over the water, reflecting the oranges and yellows.
He just sits and watches the waves hit the sand.
The window still sits, now colored the same as the sky.
Quiet voices can be heard from the other side.

Piplup jumps up to it and listens to them.
"I'm surprised that they joined us." The voice of the Eevee says.
"Me too, but I'm also glad. It seems that more than just us want revenge Strawberry." The trainer responds.
A soft purr escapes Strawberry's throat as the trainer pets her.
"I guess I should be glad too Lily." She says between purrs.

'Those are adorable names.' Piplup thinks.
He continues watching them as they traverse through the city.
The buildings tower over them.
A particularly colorful building catches Piplup's eyes.
In contrast of all the usual grays, there's a round red building with a Pokéball on the front.

"I am kinda afraid of the gym battle." Strawberry says.
Lily turns to her.
"Oh? Why? We have multiple level fifty and above Pokémon for this." She replies.
"Well, what if they don't listen to us? You've seen Pokémon being too high of a level for their trainer." The Eevee asks.

"Yeah but, I think they'll listen. They want to take down the legendary birds just as much as we do." Lily assures Strawberry.
"I guess. They probably won't listen to you calling out moves though." The Eevee jokes.
Lily laughs quietly and smiles.
"That might be for the best, I'm not the best trainer and they seem to be pretty strong on their own." She says.

"You are a great trainer Lily." Strawberry turns to her and nods.
"Don't put yourself down." She continues.
Lily and Strawberry lock eyes and both smile.
"Thank you 'Berry." Lily says.
"No problem Lily." Strawberry nuzzles her head against Lily's cheek.

They both sit for a few moments like this before locking eyes again.
"We got this." They both say.
Piplup watches as they both walk into the gym together.

* * *
Wow! I wrote this!?
Especially when I'm forcing myself to write another story? Insane.
Thanks for everyone's patience with this story, it's been on and off for motivation for this.
I'm hoping I can slowly kick this back up again. (If I don't pretend it's because April Fools)
Anyways, Cy'all! I _ <  <3