"It's been a while since I've been here." Malerie mumbled, looking around her home town.
She was currently 19, it had been a couple years since she began her journey. And by this time she was visiting home once again. She had heard rumors about this... organization, but she wasn't entirely sure if she believed it or not.
She also heard Bianca was starting her journey, despite her father not being to happy with that,along with her friends Cheren, and Hilda. She would probably meet up with them soon, and figured if she did they could travel together for a bit. As she traveled she decided to keep her Audino out. After all the two were very close, and she liked the company of her pokemon. It made traveling by herself less lonely.
As soon as she arrived reached her house she ran in. She told her parents she would be home soon, and she made sure they were the first to know she was there.
"Malerie! I'm in the kitchen." She heard her mother say, she was led by the smell of cookies to their regular sized kitchen. "Hey Mom!" She said, a wide smile on her face. Audino stood by her, looking at her mother pulling out some chocolate chip cookies.
"I made your favorite." Her mother said, placing the pan on the table.
"Thanks! Have you seen Bianca?"
Her mother responded with a nod. "Yes, but I think you should say hello to your father first." She chuckled. Malerie scratched the back of her neck. "I suppose you're right mom..." She chuckled softly.
She walked nto their living room to see her father, a grim expression on his face.
"Hey Dad I'm home." She said softly, following his gaze to the television.
"Team Plasma seems to be convincing people better off without their pokemon,were unsure of how to respond. They very well could be right, but it is unknown if their intentions seem to be for the better." A lady on screen said, adjusting the papers in her hand.
Her father turned off the t.v, and waved. His expression from before fading away.
"Hello Malerie, it's good to see you again." He said, a smile now on his face.
"Hey Dad, what was that about?" She pointed to the screen, a frown on her face.
He waved it off. "Nothing really, just this 'Team Plasma' I don't think we need to worry about them though." He responded.
Malerie shifted her eyes to the right. "Okay then, I'm gonna go find Bianca and her friends before heading off."
Her father nodded, and she exited the room. This Team Plasma confused her, why would they say we shouldn't have pokemon.
She shook her head, and walked out the door. Surprised to see three kids outside of it.
"Hey Malerie!" Bianca said happily, waving at her friend.
"Bianca! I was about to go looking for you." She said smiling.
"Well, we decided to come to you." Hilda replied, a smile appearing on her face.
"Well then, I suppose nows a good time to ask a question I have. Would you guys mind if I traveled with you for a bit?"
Bianca grinned. "It's fine with me! I'm sure my dad would like it better if you were with us." She replied.
Cheren nodded, and Hilda did the same.
"Great! Let me say goodbye to my parents and we'll get going." Malerie said, opening the door to her house once again.
"Mom, dad! I'm heading out with Bianca and her friends! I'll see you soon!"
Her mother walked to the door, a bag of cookies in her hand. "Take these with you, I know how much you like to snack." Her mom told her, handing her the plastic bag.
"Thanks Mom, I love you." She smiled, gave her a quick hug, and walked out of the door.
"Alright guys lets get going!" She said happily, and the group started walking.
"Say, Malerie? Have you heard of Team Plasma?" Cheren asked her, looking her in the eye.
Malerie nodded, and returned his gaze. "Unfortunately yes, I still don't know much about them though..." She responded, frowning slightly.
"Same with us, I've heard they were hosting 'rallies' in a way. But I haven't seen them in person." Hilda mentioned, crossing her arms.
They walked around a bit till they reached the Pokemon center in Accumula town. It was getting rather late at this point, and Malerie wanted to heal some of her pokemon. Just to be on the safe side.
Although she wasn't expecting to run Into the professor. "Malerie, it's good to see you again." She said, a smile making its way on her face.
"I was just about to show the children around the Pokemon center. I suppose it was pure luck that we met again."
Malerie smiled, and nodded.
"How's your Snivy doing? Although I figure by now she's evolved." Juniper asked.
"She's a Servine now, and I want you to meet one of my newer catches!" She moved slightly to the right to reveal Audino. The normal type waved and the professor.
"Ah, An Audino! That's lovely, great job, I'm sure you two have gotten along well. I'm just going show the children around real quick. And I suppose you can all look around the town a little more." She replied, her smile ever evident.
Malerie nodded, and walked up to the counter. Handing Nurse Joy her pokeballs. After getting them back, she noticed the kids waiting for her by the door. And they all walked out together, although she quickly noticed something happening at the opposite of the center's location.
"Hey it's Team Plasma!" Bianca exclaimed, getting a few looks from the people around her. She cleared her throat and said it a bit more calm tone.
"I wonder what they're doing." Malerie said quietly, walking up to the crowd. After making her way through it she noticed a rather tall boy with green hair. He caught her attention, and she wasn't sure why. He just seemed... Interesting.
She shook her head and turned twords the group. Clearly interested in what they had to say.
And that's when a man walked out in front of them.
"My name is Ghetsis. I am here representing Team Plasma. Today, ladies and gentlemen, I would like to talk to you about Pokémon liberation." Malerie held a confused look on her face. Pokemon liberation? She heard a few confused sounds from others around her. Small chatter beagn happening in the crowd, amongst the people clearly as confused as she was.
"I'm sure most of you believe that we Humans and Pokemon are partners that have come to live together because we want and need each other. However... Is that really the truth? Have you ever considered that perhaps we humans... only assume that this is the truth?" He seemed oddly passionate about this subject. That's what confused her, and what was this that people and pokémon shouldn't be together?
"Pokémon are subject to the selfish commands of Trainers... They get pushed around when they are our "partners" at work... Can anyone say with confidence that there is no truth in what I'm saying?" Malerie tilted her head, and she held Audino's hand. She was never cruel to her pokemon, they were all precious to her.
Ghetsis, or so he was called continued.
"Now, ladies and gentlemen, Pokémon are different from humans. They are living beings that contain unknown potential. They are living beings from whom we humans have much to learn. Tell me, what is our responsibility toward these wonderful beings called Pokémon?" The crowd's chatter had died down at this point, although audible conversation was still occurring. A few people seemed to agree with him. A few others appeared reluctant, but understood what he was saying.
"That's right! We must liberate the Pokémon! Then, and only then, will humans and Pokémon truly be equals. Everyone, I end my words here today by imploring you to consider the relationship between people and Pokémon... and the correct way to proceed. We sincerely appreciate your attention.
Malerie turned away from them, as the crowd dispersed. She noticed the kids standing clsose to her and walked up to them. "That was... Odd." She mumbled, crossing her arms.
Bianca nodded, and bit her lip. "Yeah, I don't know how to feel about them."
Hilda nodded as well, and looked off to the side. "Pokemon liberation? I don't understand it... I mean sure some trainers aren't the kindest to their pokemon but... I don't think we should just take away pokemon completely. From what I know most pokemon enjoy helping humans." Hilda mumbled, placing a hand on her chin in thought.
Cheren nodded, and sighed. "This certainly will be a problem... I can tell." He turned away from the group and started to head twords the center, the other two girls followed. Malerie stood still in thought for a moment, and looked down at her Audino. She didn't notice a young man approach her.
Audino was the first to notice him. She let out a surprised 'Audi?'
"Excuse me?" He asked, catching Malerie's attention.
"Hm?" She looked up at him. It was the boy from before.
"Oh, I'm sorry I was wanting to talk to Audino here." He said politely.
"Er- okay... I guess." She mumbled, a confused look making its way onto her face. She stared at him for a moment as he and Audino seemed to converse. He stood up straight and turned to her, "Would you mind letting me hear your Pokemon in a battle?"
"Um... I guess... whatever that means." She said quietly
She grabbed Servine's pokeball and through it out, the grass type letting out a happy cry to finally get to battle.
The boy sent out a purrloin. He was oddly calm, she mentally noted that.
"Okay Servine use pound!" She called out, Audino nodded in response doing as her trainer had asked.
Purloin responded with scratch, although not doing to much damage due to her higher level.
"Let's finish this with Magical Leaf!" She called out, Servine conjured up several leaves and hit the cat like Pokemon and knocked it out.
"Your Pokemon are quite the vocal bunch." The boy said, and returned his pokemon. A warm smile resided on his face. Malerie grabbed a potion from her bag, and sprayed Servine with it and returned her to her Pokeball. "Yeah as far as I know they are-" She replied, smiling at her own joke. She looked up at him, and studied his appearance. He was rather... Attractive indeed, but what really caught her eye was the necklace he wore. Her eyes trailed back up to his, she tapped her lips before speaking.
"So, you never told me your name." She mumbled.
"Oh, right." He said quietly, before answering.
"My name is N, it's a pleasure to meet you."
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1756 words
Peace out and Stay safe fam ~♡