The Professor's Apprentice

Getting ready

I was awoken by the sound of my HootHoot alarm clock blaring. (HootHoot, HootHoot!). I rolled out of bed, groaning. Right when I rolled over, I fell off the bed. Dizzy and hurting, I carefully got up. "Oh, yeah I forgot I have a loft bed now." Holding a hand to my head, I turned off the alarm. I grabbed some jeans, a gray t-shirt, and my jacket to get dressed. I walked across the hall into the bathroom. I fumbled around in the top drawer. "Huh, where's my brush?" I looked toward the mirror. My chocolate brown hair was a mess, sticking up every which way, all across my face and up in the air. Despite that, my amber eyes still shone through the dark mess. I guess I was really restless last night. I combed through my hair a bit with my fingers then went back to my room and grabbed my black and gold hat. Placing it on my head, and going back to look in the mirror. With the hat over my hair, it didn't look as messy as before.  After that was all said and done, I headed down to the kitchen for breakfast. As I was going down the stairs I heard voices, " I just don't think its a good idea, Abel." said a sweet mellow voice.  "She'll be fine, Esther. Don't worry, I've taught her everything I know about battling, and you've taught her how to take care of Pokemon. She even knows how to make Pokemon food. She'll be fine, just let her decide." I stuck my head around the corner and loudly said "Hey, whatchya' talking about?"
My mother jumped. "Ginny, Hello sweetheart. Professor Elm wanted to talk to you about something. So, he wants you to go to his lab earlier than usual." My father said, smiling. I nodded. "Is there anything you'd like me to get from the store while I'm out? I was gonna head there anyway."
"Some Moomoo Milk and some eggs, please." My mother replied. I nodded, then grabbed my bag and headed our the door.

It was a nice day today. A cool breeze swept through the town of Newbark.  The town's motto came through my mind: A town where the wind blows and tells of impending change.
As I walked  neighbors said their hellos as I nodded and smiled back.
I wonder what the Professor' wants me for. I'm so curious.
I smiled. I loved surprises. As I neared the Professor's door I walked faster. When I got to the door I didn't even bother knocking and just barged right in. When I did a small grey blur came at me and landed on my shoulder. Neptune was nuzzling my face. "Hey there buddy. Good to see you too." I rubbed the side of his face and kissed him. Then looked up to what was in front of me. A very surprised looking Professor was trying to pick up papers that had fallen to the ground. I bend down to help and when we had all the papers put away neatly I asked what he needed me for. "Oh well you see. Your parents- uh, well your father suggested that, uh. You go travel. On a Pokemon journey of your own. He had told me that you'd always talked about exploring and discovering new Pokemon. So, when I mentioned to him that I needed a third trainer to give the third pokedex to, he suggested you." I sat there, stunned, surprised and excited all at once. A smile slowly spread across my face as I realized that, That was what they were talking about earlier. "So, can I?" I asked eagerly. "Well, it's your decision.- "  "Yes!" I jumped up knocking over the chair I was sitting in, resulting in me tripping. I got up off the ground quickly and was bouncing on my toes. "Will I get a starter Pokemon?" Despite himself, Elm smiled and nodded. "As you probably know, the only one left is Chikorita."  "Yep, I know and I'm perfectly fine with that. You know I love grass types."
And Chikorita is one of my favorite of the starter pokemon.
I turned to Neptune as Professor Elm left to get Chikorita.
"Can you believe it Neptune?!" I picked him up and spun around, giggling. "I'm gonna be able to go on a Pokemon journey!" I stopped spinning and looked at Neptune. His ears were drooped, he hung limp in my arms. "Neptune, whats the matter buddy?" I set him own on a pillow near the love seat at the back of the lab. I felt his head. He was twitching slightly and his temperature was burning. How did I not notice?! That stubborn littl- urgh. I dug through my pack. "No, I guess I wouldn't pack any berries." I closed the bag, frustrated. I swung it onto my back. "Professor, I'll be right back." I yelled behind me and I ran towards the door. "It looks like Paralysis. But there's a possibility of Poston too." I muttered to myself. "Oh, I've never been too good with identify status effects." Running up to my house, I flung open the door. My mom was in the kitchen and my dad was no where to be seen. "Oh, back already? How'd it go?"
"No- no, time to talk. . . . Momma, have you picked- picked the Pecha and Cheri berries yet?" I asked out of breath. The town had grown over the years. It was much bigger than it was in 2009. So, it took longer to get to and from the professor's. "Yes, I did. They're on the dining table-." I dashed to the table and grabbed some small round red berry and a large pink heart shaped berry. "Thanks. Gotta go."

When I got back to the lab Neptune looking worse. Professor Elm was bent over him with a cloth to his head. He turned as I came in. " I'm sorry. I know, I should really keep more berries here or make a berry orchard like you said. But-"
" It's fine Professor. So, do you think it's paralysis or Posion? I've never been too good with identifying status conditions."
"I'd say, considering the twitching it's paralysis. The fever could be a over reaction to it since he's never been paralysed before." I nodded. That would make sense. I had rescued Neptune during my first year as a Apprentice. He had been abandoned in the forest. He wasn't in very good shape. Poisoned and confused, it was a tough task getting him back to the lab. I ended up getting a lot of bites and scratches from it. His body is still fragile, and that type of trauma doesn't go away quickly. It's hard for him to trust people. He only trusts me. Not much so, the Professor. And he can sometimes be skittish. He has gotten better. I handed the Professor the Cheri berry pair. He gave it to Neptune, helping him eat it. After a while, the twitching subsided. Though he still had a pretty high fever. After all of that was said and done the professor called me over with a pokeball in hand. " Now, as we were about to do. Here is your pokémon." He handed me Chikorita's ball. Out of his coat pocket he drew a green pokedex and six pokeballs. He handed them to me saying, "You can pursue your own goal to be what you want. I only ask one thing of you. Can you help me by filling up this pokedex?" I nodded saying that I promise to. "Well then. Now, I'd say you are ready to head out."
I starred at him. " No, I'm not."
He looked confused . "What do you mean?"
"You're crazy if you think I'm gonna leave Neptune here. He needs to meet more people if he's wants to heal. Plus," I looked over at the sleeping psychic pokémon. "I promised him ages ago that, if I went on a journey or if I moved again. He'd come with me. " I looked up at the Professor. "So, I won't be leaving until he is better. Now, I'll be right back. I need to fetch some things for my mother. " I ran out the door, smiling to myself. I couldn't wait to go explore. There was so much I wanted to do.

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I ain't apologizing for not putting up another chapter anymore. You know my updates won't be consistent. but don't forget to fill up those pokedexes.