I woke up, a wave of deliberation filling me as I did. I was trying to get up, but a weight stopped me from doing so. It was light, but I was weak, so it didn't matter.
My vision was blurry for a couple seconds, before it was finally clear. There was something brown and furry curled up into a ball on my chest. With a start, I realized that it was Eevee.
Normally, I would get away from a pokemon as if it had a contagious disease, but I felt at ease with this Eevee, for some reason, so I decided to let it be.
I groaned from my splitting headache, looking around. I seemed to be laying down on a bed... in a Pokemon Center? Well, it is for healing pokemon. But humans? I didn't understand why I was here. Well, I never understand why I end up here. Let's just say I'd been here a couple of times.
"Oh, you're finally up." A soft voice said next to me.
"Nurse Joy?" I said as I looked at the person. She was a young woman with pink hair fashioned to look like two rings (which I always found strange), she was wearing some sort of pink and white apron, and a white hat with a blue plus sign engraved on it.
For some reason, every single Pokemon Center in the entire world has a nurse called Joy that runs it. Apparently, every single Nurse Joy is related to each other, no matter where they are. I wonder who their parents are.
"Who else would It be?" Nurse Joy asked. She could have been the sister, cousin, aunt, or whatever of any Nurse Joy I'd ever seen before.
"Don't know, maybe your aunt's sister's cousin," I muttered sarcastically. Let's just say me and any Nurse Joy don't get along. They are all about healing pokemon and crap like that, and I am all about not caring about them. I get into a lot of fights with pokemon trainers, and since there aren't any human hospitals nearby, I would always be brought into a Pokemon Center. Pretty much, anyone that likes pokemon hates me.
She glared at me, "If you can make witty remarks, then you should be good to go."
"What about Eevee? Is it fine?" I asked, slightly worried. I felt fine, but I didn't know about Eevee.
Nurse Joy raised one eyebrow. "You? Worried for a pokemon? You must have had brain damage from that wild pokemon attack."
"Ha-ha, very funny," I grumbled. "But seriously, how's Eevee doing?"
"Doing fine. Chansey and I fixed her up quite well." Nurse Joy responded with a flicker of pride in her eyes.
I sighed in relief, "That's good to hear." I stroked Eevee's fur absentmindedly.
"You seem awfully attached to that Eevee. I'm seriously starting to believe you hit your head or something," Nurse Joy couldn't help but remark.
"Shut up about the brain damage already. This Eevee saved my life."
"From the Ursaring?"
"Yeah."
She seemed to consider this. "Then that Eevee must like you. Though, I can't see why. There is nothing likable about you."
I winced. "Can you just discharge me?"
"I guess you're free to go."
"Chansey!" the pokemon next to Nurse Joy said. It was pink and oval-shaped, with stubby arms, dark pink feet, tiny eyes, and three hair-like growths on each side of its head that had dark pink tips. Weirdest of all, it had a dark pink pouch that carried a massive, white egg. From what I've heard, a Chansey's egg is so nutritious that it was considered high-class for cooking.
When it gave me a big smile, Nurse Joy grumbled. "Why does every pokemon have to love you? Come on, Chansey, you have to be on my side!"
"Sey?" Chansey tilted her head in confusion to Nurse Joy's comment. I couldn't help but laugh, prompting a glare from Nurse Joy.
I then heard a soft yawning sound coming from my chest. Eevee was awake. She regarded me with big, happy eyes and let out a "Eevee!" before licking me affectionately.
"Whoa there. Yeah, I'm alive, but you don't have to lick me." I complained, before getting her to calm down.
"Vee, Eevee!" she nuzzled me, before standing on her four legs. She was honestly pretty adorable.
Nurse Joy looked at this spectacle and, to my surprise, smiled. "Huh, you're looking more like a trainer. What inspired the change of heart?"
"Don't worry about it. Let me sit up, Eevee."
Eevee jumped off me, letting me stand up. I felt... fine, actually. I'm pretty sure it was because of Chansey, they're known for their healing prowess. "Thanks, Chansey," I gave it a pat on the head before I could stop myself. Why did I do that? I didn't know what to think of it.
"Chansey!" it said happily.
"Don't I get a thank you?" Nurse Joy asked with a glare.
I looked at her for a second, before looking back at Chansey. "Thanks, Chansey."
"Ugh, you're so annoying." Nurse Joy grumbled.
"Anyway, since we're all good, I should go. Hopefully I don't see you again." I said sardonically. Then I turned to Eevee. "Come on, Eevee."
"Eevee!" she said, before jumping on my shoulder, causing me to flinch. She seemed comfortable there.
"Alright then..." I said, a little confused, but nonetheless I left the room, not waiting for Nurse Joy to spout more insults at me.
Eevee seemed content on my shoulder, for some reason. I let it slide, because I didn't mind, for some other odd reason.
I went to the lobby, where my dad was waiting. He grinned when he saw me. "There's my survivor!" he hugged me and clapped me on the back. "You have no idea how worried I was."
I smiled, "Sorry for worrying you, dad. But I'm fine now. Chansey healed me."
"Don't you mean Nurse Joy?" he asked as he pulled away.
"No, I mean Chansey," I said with a blank stare.
My dad shook his head and chuckled. "Well, I'm just glad you're safe." He seemed to notice Eevee for the first time. "Is that..." he looked at me with wide eyes.
I looked at Eevee, who looked at me, then looked back to my dad. "Dad, this is Eevee. She... kind of saved me from that Ursaring."
He seemed taken aback. "Did you..."
"Yeah, I battled alongside her," I admitted.
Suddenly, my dad beamed at me with a smile, "Then that's great. I'm happy that you found a pokemon."
Now it was my turn to be aghast. "Wait... you're fine with it? I mean, I know you asked if I wanted a partner... but..."
"Of course I'm fine with it, son. Tell me this: do you want to be a pokemon trainer? Like you did when you were little," he asked me with a calculating look, as if looking for something.
Did I want to be a trainer? I cast a sidelong glance at Eevee, who looked oblivious. I then remembered the feeling I had when I battled with her—the thrill, the excitement, the feeling of rising to the challenge. I remembered all of that.
And I realized that I did want to be a pokemon trainer. This sentiment... was one I'd buried deep inside me, refusing to listen to it. Because I didn't want to be anything like her. I swore to myself that I wouldn't listen to my desire. But here I was, second-guessing myself.
But still, I had one answer to give to my dad.
"I do, dad, I really do. I realize that now," I replied with vehemence.
His smile widened, "Then that's all there is to it. You will be a great pokemon trainer, Vali, one greater than your mother. You are nothing like her, you know. One advice I give you, is to never compare yourself to Cynthia, because you are more than a Champion's son. You are Vali Shirona."
My eyes widened slowly, and I felt like I could cry. My dad supported me, no matter what I did. He was always there for me. And he said what I'd always wanted someone to say to me.
A smile crept across my face. "Then I'll be the greatest trainer ever." That was my dream ever since I was little. "Right, Eevee?"
"Eevee!" it said to me, its eyes filled with steely determination.
It was all because of this Eevee—the pokemon that reminded me of who I am.