Walking through Mauville City, as the sun shone through the windows, Alex walked with a warm smile on his face. His trophy in his arms and his Pokemon League pass lanyard hanging around his neck. No care in the world could bring down his energy. Money problems? No longer with the stacks of cash stored in his backpack. He'd just about bought out the Pokemart with enough supplies to satisfy himself and a couple more people for an entire journey around the region. Anxiety over gym battles? Gone. He didn't need the badges anymore, they'd just be for practice. He was content, at least for a while.
A small rattling caught Alex's attention. Slowly, his feet ground to a halt, and he peered to the side where the rattling was heard. He found a small crevice in the architecture of the wall, a dusty and decaying corner, filled with filth. But, in the corner, sat an isolated Pokeball, its scratched surface covered with filth on the bottom from the floor, but completely clean on the top. Its shiny metallic surface had been chipped at by time, although something intrigued Alex about it. It moved across the palm of his hand, even when his palm was still as a statue. Alex pressed the cap on the Pokeball. Instantaneously, a Pokemon appeared from the Pokeball, diving into the air and then landing on the ground with a thud. This Pokemon, Alex noted, was a Gible.
A happy looking one at that. Wide jaws, innocent and pure eyes, and a smile so warm it might as well have been a fire type. Instantly, its head darted around the room, and it began to waddle in the opposite direction. Before it could make too much distance, however, it was promptly scooped up by Alex. Alex had a lot of questions, but communicating with a Pokemon was already difficult enough. So, he knew he had to take it just one step at a time. Holding Gible gently in his hands, he asked,
"Do you know why you were in that corner?"
Gible gave a firm head shake from side to side.
"Right, well, what are you trying to do?"
Gible pointed with its stubby fingers towards the decrepit Pokeball, crying out multiple times as if it were talking. Even if Alex couldn't understand what Gible was trying to say, he got the gist of it.
"You wanna try and find your trainer?"
Gible vigorously nodded up and down, then tried to be released from Alex's grip, thinking it was done and could be free. But, Alex kept a tight hold of Gible.
"Right. I don't want you running off alone. You could get hurt. So, I'll help you find your trainer. Does that sound good to you?"
Gible smiled brightly, its happiness contagious and catching onto Alex. Alex then looked around at the entirety of the shopping district. The masses of people went by in droves, many or most with Pokemon by their sides.
"This is going to be tough.", Alex thought, thinking of just how many people Gible could belong to. But, he was in no rush to go anywhere. He had a day to spare. And, if it helped to reunite Gible with its trainer, then it was worth it, in every sense of the word. "Right, let's do this!"
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"No, sorry."
"Do I know you?"
"Nope."
"Not mine, dear."
"Who'd want a weak Pokemon like that one?"
"Jerk.", Alex muttered under his breath as the thug walked away. He'd asked everyone. Trainers, people with Pokemon, even just random people that didn't have a Pokemon, nor looked like trainers. Alex hoped desperately for some sort of thread that he could latch on and the whole thing would just unfold and hand him the answer. But, morning to lunch was nothing more than a waste of time.
Well, maybe that wasn't entirely true. Many people had noted how Alex looked just like he would be Gible's trainer. He appreciated the compliment, but always dismissed it with 'Gible's not mine, it wouldn't fit in with me.' Gible took offence to that for a while, every time that someone suggested Gible should be his. But, Alex dismissed it just as Gible being impatient and antsy to find its trainer.
But, as lunchtime passed over, fatigue and hunger began to seep in for the both of them. Alex's stomach had grumbled one too many times and he was ready for some food at long last. Maybe he could even find some people in the Food Court who may recognise if Gible had a previous trainer. So, off Alex and Gible went, Gible sat in the top hole of Alex's trophy. This saved him from having to carry both Gible and the trophy, so he was more than happy for Gible to take rest atop the trophy. Instantly, as the food court doors opened, they were smacked with a million different scents, the clashing colours and flavours meeting Alex's nostrils. It was like being hit with sensory overload at first, but Alex and Gible got used to it as they wandered further in. They looked around, taking in their surroundings. Now that the lunch rush was over, the queues had died down significantly, sometimes to the point of non-existence. But, there were so many choices of what to pick.
To one side, there were some curry vendors in a small stall, not quite as big as the other shops. Yet, their small stall seemed to be proving most popular. Maybe it was the fact that they were brand new, were from a different country or culture, or perhaps it was just the smell of the curry being delightful, spreading through the whole court. But, Alex had never been one for spicy food. Not without at least 5 jugs of water or milk to attempt to make it go away. So, he stayed clear of that stall.
In another direction, a pastry company with many fun, confectionary treats put on display through a glass case. Their speciality was traditionally made Pokepuffs, made and baked just like the greatest in Kalos. Pokepuffs weren't the only thing that was there, however. They had many Pokemon-based snacks. Torchic, Mudkip, Treecko, Groudon, Kyogre, Pikachu, Charizard, there were oodles of options. Although the treats looked amazing, both Gible and Alex wouldn't be able to survive on just sugary treats. So, Alex moved on to the next store.
Another was a sandwich store, selling customised sandwiches. Everything could be tailored to your liking, with an incredible display of options on how many different combos. And, the sizes of the sandwiches were utterly massive, it could probably feed both Gible and Alex with one sandwich. Alex looked at it with awe, but seeing just how many options made Alex anxious. He tried to battle it, telling himself it was stupid. But, he ultimately ended up moving on to the next option.
The big name. Right, smack in the centre. Even without the insane people from the lunch rush, it still had a line. It was what the Mauville Food Court was known for. The Mauville Ramen Bowl. A giant bowl of noodles, eggs, and meat, all cooked in a delicious broth that makes your mouth water at even the thought of it. Just looking at the pictures of it, Alex was dazzled. And, as people came around, holding giant bowls of the stuff, Alex knew he had to get one immediately. Gible almost jumped onto another customer for the ramen, so they were both of the same minds. They just had to wait. And, their wait would be rewarded. With the stacks of money, Alex comfortably afforded to buy the bowl. And, when he was handed it, his eyes lit up like a bonfire. As the chef handed him the bowl, he smiled and said,
"I always love it when customers lay their eyes on it for the first time. Hope you enjoy!"
"Thank you!", Alex chirped as he and Gible both walked to the table. Alex almost dropped the bowl multiple times as he struggled to carry 3 things with two hands. But, he handled it. Barely.
"I should've put this trophy away a while ago.", Alex thought as he set it on the ground beside his table, with Gible hopping out and onto the opposite seat to Alex. Alex plopped the gigantic bowl down and the table wobbled with the weight placed down. Gible and Alex immediately dug in, Alex employing the use of chopsticks while Gible went at it with its biting jaws. Typically, this was a meal meant for four. But, one ravenous teenager and a hungry shark were more than enough to polish off the meal cleanly, with even some room to spare for dessert. Gible looked stuffed, letting out a burp of dragon breath, but its eyes wandered over to the pastry shop as soon as it was done. Alex smiled and said,
"You're really hungry, aren't you?"
Gible nodded and tried to waddle over to the pastry shop, but was once again picked up by Alex. Gible was placed back into the trophy, and Alex smiled,
"Don't go running off! We've still got to find your trainer remember. No time for distractions."
Gible's eyes began to water, and it started crying softly into Alex's arm, pointing towards the pastry shop. Alex looked at the pastry shop, then to Gible again and smiled,
"Alright, alright. You can have something."
Gible's face lit up and immediately Alex ran over to the pastry shop, letting Gible choose out of the many pastries they had on display. But, Gible had already taken an interest in the one themed around Treecko, so it was a rather easy choice. And, as soon as Alex handed it to Gible, the Dragon type devoured it with ferocity and passion. Alex smiled as he found fondue wrapped all around Gible's mouth, wiping it away with a wipe he had in his bag.
"Alright, now let's go find your trainer!"
Gible cried in agreement and they continued their long quest to find the trainer.
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Fruitless. Again.
The sun began to set, the lights dimming in the shopping district as shops began to shutter their doors. Alex had begun to lose hope. He couldn't show it, of course, he didn't want to alarm Gible. But, wandering around aimlessly began to drain Alex of all his energy. It was already beginning to be late. He needed to rest and give up. Gible never gave up hope of finding its true trainer, however.
Alex walked past a TV shop on his way back to the Pokemon Centre, the screen flashing with footage from the latest tournament. Eyes setting upon the screen Gible was entranced and jumped out of Alex's arms instantly, pressing its face against the store window and peering through. Alex watched with amusement, recognising the match as Harry vs Lucas. Grovyle jumps around, beating down an injured Torchic. Gible turned to Alex excitedly, pointing at the screens with pure euphoria.
"Big on battling, huh? This one is a good one, to be fair.", Alex pointed out, with Gible agreeing heavily with his sentiment. But, Gible's excitement turned to sour disappointment as the TV screens flickered off, with the window being shuttered close. Gible trudged back to Alex, hopping back in its arms with a bitter expression. Alex patted it lightly on the head and tried to tide Gible over,
"Don't worry, I can show you more battles when we're at the Pokemon Centre.", Alex told Gible, a small smile appearing on the Dragon type's face. Alex walked along with Gible in his arms, the large automatic doors of the Pokemon Centre flying open as the duo stepped inside. Nurse Joy, exhausted from a hard day's work, could barely manage a warm greeting.
"Welcome to...the Pokemon Centre.", she yawned, rubbing her eyes. Alex gently shifted Gible onto the table, placing the tattered Pokeball just to the left of where Gible stood.
"Hi, can you please take this Gible into your care? It's been abandoned and I've searched a day for its trainer but no-one has come forwards with any info. So, I'm entrusting it in your care."
Gible slowly turned to Alex, looking up with a sense of bewilderment. Alex met its stare and gave it a light pat on the head,
"You'll find a great trainer. I know it."
Tears seeped from Gible's eyes. It wailed, clawing and biting at Alex's arm, clinging on for dear life. Alex picked Gible up again, holding it with one arm and ruffling its head gently,
"I know, its hard to accept that your trainer is gone. But, you'll find someone better. Someone who loves you, cares for you, treats you right. I promise."
But again, Gible continued to bawl, kicking and flailing not to be let back down onto the table. Even with Nurse Joy's sleep-deprived thoughts, she could recognise what Alex had not quite yet. She picked up Gible from Alex's arms, inspecting it in an instant. No signs of any damage and seems to be breathing right. It even looked to have been fed correctly. She wiped away its tears and said,
"Well, unfortunately, it happens that we won't be able to take Gible. Oh well, guess it'll be forced to stay with you."
Gible turned to Alex, and the young trainer noticed the immediate change. Its eyes dried up, and Gible's mouth widened into a grin. It bounced into Alex's arms immediately, cuddling up against his torso, then slapped the Pokeball, returning to its home with a joyful cry. Alex was stunned. His and Nurse Joy's eyes met. Nurse Joy with a happy expression, while Alex looked perplexed.
"Have a great day!", Nurse Joy chirped.
"I thought you guys took in abandoned Pokemon without a trainer?"
"Yes, we do.", she answered bluntly, Alex awaited another sentence to elaborate, but nothing came.
"So, why can't you take Gible?"
"You are now its trainer."
"Huh? That's not right, I'm just looking after it so it can find a new trainer."
"Well, Gible clearly loves you. Did you see how it acted at the thought of leaving you? You've been helping this random Pokemon for an entire day, feeding it and treating it with love and affection. Isn't that what you said Gible should look for in a trainer? Yet now you're abandoning it. Why?"
"I-uh-well-", Alex stumbled over his words.
"Is it the type of Pokemon?"
"No, I like all different types of Pokemon."
"Are you afraid of it being weak?"
"No, physical strength doesn't matter much to me."
"Then, why?"
"Its because Gible doesn't fit my...theme of...trade Pokemon.", Alex's voice trailed off towards the end, realising just how stupid it sounded when said aloud.
"Wow, that's your excuse. Well, if you want to stick with your 'theme', then you're welcome to throw this happy, loving creature into the streets, just like the trainer before you did.", Nurse Joy gravely spoke, before taking a breath and reverting to her normal self. "Is there anything else you need?"
"No, I think; I think I'm alright."
"Thank you for visiting the Pokemon Centre!", Nurse Joy chirped as she turned off the machinery hanging around her, turning off the light above her station and going off into the back room for some well-deserved rest. Alex looked at the worn Pokeball, looking at his shattered and destroyed reflection in what remained of the shiny paint.
Really, was that the reason why he was going to reject Gible? Because it didn't fit some arbitrary 'theme'? It was all he could think about, even as he walked up the stairs. Even as he got changed for bed. Even after an hour awake, terrorised by his thoughts. Alex turned, then saw his trophy on the desk, with an upside Pokeball sitting in front. He grabbed the Pokeball, throwing it up and down again and again.
"I'm normally one to stick to my morals. Help my family, bond with Pokemon, and meet and make new friends. I've always been told to stick to them, and never let them go. But, this time...
The Pokeball fell for the last time.
"I think I'll make an exception."
Notes:
Hey everyone, thanks for reading. I'm also proofreading this on the same day as I proofread the last chapter. Really proud of this one, actually! I didn't even plan for it to happen, as it has little bearing on the plot. But, as the series has matured and I've gotten older, I've moved away from being excited for the big battles to more excited about character moments. And, I think this chapter is a good example of a character moment that didn't necessarily need to happen but is interesting to add, nevertheless. I'll also have started my exams when I post this so I'll leave my thoughts on that right...
NOW!
Uhhhhhhhhh, they've been ok, surprisingly. The stress mostly comes from the revision sessions they put on at school where you're taught for 3 or 4 hours straight of a certain subject. It's exhausting but hey, at least it somewhat helps me with my exams. There were a few people who just straight up left after the exams, and I so wanted to join them. But, I didn't. It would've been nice to get a shorter day, especially after 4 days of exams in a row. But, anyways, the point is it's fine, and again updates won't slow. Ok, I guess that's all I have to say. Have a lovely day, afternoon or night everyone and I will see you later. Bye!
PS: We hit 8k views. That's insane. Within two weeks, we went from 7.5 to 8. God. That's incredible :)