Let's go Pikachu! Part 2

Rocket Hideout - part two of the short stories edition

I looked at them all, my chest tightening. I didn’t want to drag them into this. It was my fight. My responsibility.

" Saur."

I turned to see one of the other baby Pokemon, Bulbasaur, cross his vines. " Saur."

" I know, Bulby. I know."

" Beeeeelsprout!"

I looked at the Bellsprout. " Well, now, you're all a stubborn bunch."

" Geez, wonder where THAT came from." Blue muttered, rolling his eyes.

Nini looked at me, worried. " Nido!"

Then a white light surrounded Nini.

I scooted back. " Uh.... Nini?" I asked cautiously. " Are you.... Okay?"

When the light disappears, Nini was no longer a Nidoran.

She was a Nidorina.

I gasped. " Oh my goodness you evolved!"

I grabbed her, whooped, and spun her around. " You evolved Nini you did it! I knew you could do it!"

Nini looked quite proud.

Bellis frowned. " Well that's odd."

I stopped spinning her and turned to Bellis, bringing Nini close. " Why's that?"

" Nini only hatched a few days ago. It shouldn't have evolved this early."

Lillie grinned. " Unless she wants a certain someone to catch her."

I looked at Nini. " Where are they, Nini? Where's the person you want to catch you?"

Nini gave me a flat look.

" Huh. That's odd. You don't wanna be caught?*

Nini slapped her head.

" Pika pi...." ( Mia, sometimes I wonder how you're still an idiot)

I glared at her. " Hey!"

Pikachu giggled.

" I don't get it."

Pikachu sighed and shook her head. (Mia, think about it. Why would a baby Pokémon evolve so early?)

I crossed my arms. "I dunno, Pikachu, maybe she's just special?"

Pikachu rolled her eyes. (You're missing the point! She evolved early because she wanted to be stronger for someone. And who do you think that someone is?)

I blinked. "Uhh...Blue?"

"Hey!" Blue scoffed.

Pikachu facepalmed. (No, you dummy!)

Nini let out an exasperated sigh before smacking an empty Pokéball on my belt with her paw.

Click!

I froze as the Pokéball shook once… twice… ding!

Silence.

I slowly looked down at the Pokéball. "Did... did you just catch yourself?"

Blue snorted. "Wow, even your Pokémon have to do the work for you."

Lillie giggled. "I think she made it very clear who she wanted to be with."

I held up the Pokéball, still trying to process. "Wait… so that's a thing? Pokémon can just—just decide to be caught?"

Pikachu sighed. (Yes, Mia. That’s a thing.)

I looked at Nini’s Pokéball, then at everyone else, then back again.

"Huh. Neat."

I looked back at Nini, tilting my head. “So… you evolved because…?”

Nini rolled her eyes and nudged my chest with her nose.

Lillie giggled. “Oh, Mia, it’s obvious! Nini wants you to catch her!”

I blinked. “Wait, me?”

Blue groaned, dragging a hand down his face. “How are you this dense?”

Paulo chuckled. “Yeah, Nini’s been attached to you since the beginning. She evolved so she could be stronger—for you.”

I looked down at Nini, who was staring up at me expectantly, tail flicking. My heart swelled. “You… really want to come with me, girl?”

“Nidoooo!” she chirped, rubbing her head against my arm.

I grinned. “Well, who am I to say no?” I pulled out a Poké Ball and held it out. “Alright, Nini—let’s make it official.”

Without hesitation, Nini booped the Poké Ball with her nose. A flash of red light swallowed her up, and after a single shake, the ball clicked.

I stared at it for a moment, then whooped, throwing my arms in the air. “YES! Welcome to the team, Nini!”

Pikachu hopped onto my shoulder, cheering. “Pikaaaa!”

The baby Pokémon cheered too, bouncing excitedly.

Bellis smiled warmly. “Well, that settles it.”

Blue smirked. “Guess you’ve got yourself another powerhouse.”

I grinned. “Of course! Nini and I are gonna be unstoppable.”

Lillie clasped her hands together. “This is wonderful! But, um… Mia?”

I blinked. “Yeah?”

She smiled sheepishly. “You do realize that means you need to take even better care of yourself, right? Nini evolved because she wants to protect you, too.”

I faltered.

Paulo crossed his arms. “Yeah. No more reckless solo fights, okay?”

I looked at my Poké Ball, then at my friends, and let out a small sigh before smiling. “Alright, alright. I get it. Team effort from now on.”

Lillie beamed. “Good.”

Blue smirked. “Took ya long enough.”

I rolled my eyes but couldn’t stop the warmth spreading through my chest. With my friends—and now Nini—by my side, I felt more ready than ever.

Giovanni had better watch out.