Dream Bringer [Pokémon]

Chapter One

Chapter I

"You ready to leave this hellhole behind, Countess?" I questioned, a goofy grin plaguing my expression. The bipedal cat at my feet nodded, sticking out her tongue and fluffing up her twin tails.

"Meow-stic!" she agreed angrily, narrowing her golden eyes. I smirked, patting the navy blue tuft atop her head and turning towards the wooden docks. The azure waves lapped lazily at the pier, viciously trying to crawl their way onto the wooden planks. Wingull soared above, ready to pierce the sea at the slightest movement. Drifting clouds curled around the shining sun, casting long shadows over the water. Small tug boats were merely dots on the horizon, chugging along sleepily to their destination. I sighed.

"But I admit, that view is pretty nice," I mumbled, slightly hoping my Pokémon wouldn't hear me. She said nothing, simply twitching a long ear as she gazed off the shore. I looked to my left, where a large white and red ferry awaited passengers, docked patiently like a Meowth ready to pounce. I smiled.

"Goodbye Hoenn," I muttered, glimpsing at the bolded red letters on the ship's stern.

Vermilion Express.

My Pokémon and I stood silently for a few minutes, inhaling the nasty sea air that Slateport City seemed to radiate. It landed bitterly on my tongue, resting with an awkward saltiness. I spit, letting the slight breeze carry the salt to the sea. Countess peered up at me from her sassy stance, tilting her head with an expression that seemed to say, What the heck are we waiting for? No time for reminiscence, darling.

Sure, I may be a mediocre Psychic Trainer, but I know my companion well enough.

"Okay, okay. Let's go," I rolled my eyes, slinging my shoulder bag over my arm. I made a few additional adjustments, smirking silently to myself. Together, we paraded over to the small ticket booth that separated me from my freedom. I stretched my facial muscles into a false smile. The tiny green ticket booth was oddly out of place, stuck randomly in between oaken planks. The blonde-haired girl within the box was playing with her glittering bracelets, cracking her gum irritatingly. I constrained my instinctive scowl and approached the mint-colored stall.

"Err...Hello?" I whispered, poking my head into the small window. The girl leapt up from her office chair, gum nearly falling from her plump lips. I could get a view of her outfit: a ridiculous blue-striped crop top that hugged her figure better than her own mother. I grimaced slightly as her blue gaze met mine.

"Hi!" she chimed. "Welcome to Slate City Transport Corp. How..uh..may I...assist you today?"

She must be new, I thought, noting her trembling hand and cheerful demeanor. My fake smile twitched.

"One ticket to Vermilion, please." I requested. The girl popped her gum again, reaching for a yellow ticket roll from beneath her chair.

"How many Pokémon are with you?" she asked, voice dripping with monotony. I arched my lips upward.

"Just the one," I bluffed, motioning to the cat-like beast at my feet. She nodded, ripping off a lemon-colored stub.

"That'll be one-hundred-and-twenty-seven dollars, please." I muttered to myself about high prices, fishing out the crinkled cash out of my pocket and slamming it down on the counter. The girl grimaced slightly as she pulled it into her compartment, but it was once again replaced by a fake smile soon enough. She silently pulled out a notebook with the Slate City logo engraved on it.

"Your name?" she quizzed. Arceus, I felt like I was in school again. I sighed.

"Penelope," I answered quietly. "Penelope Blanchett." I could barely hear the girl scribble something on notebook paper. Some sorta census, no doubt. She handed me the small ticket stub, brightly grinning and still popping that damned gum.