Lilac

Chapter Nine

We begin our journey out of New Bark Town. 

"Well, let's go then. Do you know the basic types of Pokémon? Do you even know what you want to catch?" I couldn't answer most of Parker's Pokémon questions, so he has to explain almost everything to me. 

He tells me about the tradition starter Pokémon of Johto, as in Chikorita, Cyndaquil and Totodile. I'd only known about Totodile, it was Simon's dream to train one of them. But none of my family had really gotten Pokémon the normal way. Alexander has been stealing the Pidgey hatchlings out of the nest outside my window. Simon had stolen a Kakuna from a school bully, not that's what he told our parents. And Jae had been on a trip with his friends to Sinnoh when he'd caught his Noctowl with a Poké Ball he'd been given by the local dunk. 

I then tell Parker about all the Pokémon types I know live around New Bark Town. It's mainly just Rattatas, Bellsprouts and random Flaaffys. 

"Hmm, I think you'd more likely suit an Eevee." Parker mumbles as we cross into the forest. 

"Okay, why do you think that?" I ask, nodding slightly as we step into the shade of the trees. 

"Don't know, it's just the vibes I'm getting off you." I smile as Parker's answer. 

It's just so easy to talk to him. 

Soon after, we arrive at the middle of Route Forty Six. We'd walked most of the way through the forest. 

"So, you know if there's any Eevees around here?" I ask Parker sweetly as we skirt around a corner. A fat man sleeping next to a berry tree comes into sight. 

"Yeah, I think I saw one or two hanging around this guy." Parker gestures to the sleeping man. 

I cock my head to the side slightly, "Him?". 

"Yes, him. Ey, Gary!" Parker pokes the man's belly fat with his boot. The fat man shifts a little bit, 

"Huh? Oh, it's you. Back for more berries to attract more Pokémon? It's a dirty trick, but sure as hell works.". Parker looks to me and gives me a sheepish grin. I smile back with a small nod. 

It was a dirty trick, sly and cunning. 

"Sorry, but no. You know where those Eevees went? The ones that were snuggling and cuddling with you yesterday." Parker points his thumb at me. Gary shuffles a little more, getting comfier in his spot against the small berry tree. 

"Ah, they scrambled into the grass up there this morning. Should still be there unless one of those wannabes have caught them." Gary says, sitting up to glance at the dozen of new Pokémon trainers about fifteen metres behind his berry tree. 

Only their bobbing heads can be seen as they run around in the field of tall grass. 

"Thanks, man." Parker and Gary slap their hands together. Sort of a manly goodbye I guess, my brother and father do all the time. 

Then Parker takes hold of my wrist and drags me towards the field quickly. Within and instant he unhooks two Poké Balls from his collection, stuffs it into my hands and spins me into the clumps of tall grass all alone. 

"Look for the weaker or tired ones, maybe the ones that have just defeated someone. We can always go back and heal them later!" He yells after me. 

Then I'm lost.