Trainer Strawberry: Chapter 2

*Back at Professor Birch’s lab*

“Here is your Pokedex, Strawberry,” the Professor said as he handed me a small red thing that kinda looked like a 3DS that was closed. “This device will record the data of every Pokemon you encounter, so try to find as many as you can. It is my wish that you would be able to fill up this Pokedex completely. But, don’t worry, you won’t have to complete this task on your own. My son, Brendan, also has a Pokedex, and is working on accomplishing the same goal.”

“Speaking of Brendan,” I interrupted, “Where is he? I thought he was helping you with your research. But, if he was, he would’ve helped you out when that Poochyena attacked you.”

“Oh, he had already left to start his journey around the Hoenn Region,” the Professor stated casually.

Great. That means he’s got a head start. I growled. “Well, I guess I should go too.”

“It’s great that you’re so eager to start your journey! If you head North, you’ll reach Oldale Town. There’s a shop there where you should be able to buy some Pokeballs.”

“Okay. Well Caso, are you…ACK!” Caso had fallen asleep. Great. Not only is he stubborn, but he doesn’t pay attention either. I walked over and started gently shaking the Pokemon. “Caso, wake up. Wake up, Caso.”

The little guy sat up and yawned. “Kip, Mud, Mud,” I think that was the equivalent of “Fine, let’s go.”

Finally, we were on our way. The professor’s lab was literally in front of Route 101, so it only took about five minutes to reach it. I had thought it would take longer than that, since Caso was outside his Pokeball for the moment. But, despite the fact that he had short, little legs, he kept up very well. We hadn’t gotten very far when a Zigzagoon suddenly popped out of the bushes.

“Zigzagoon,” it said angerly, that’s when it hit me.

This little raccoon must be friends with that Poochyena from before. Maybe the Poochyena told it about us, and all we’ll have to do is scare it away. “Okay, Caso, use Growl!”

“Muuuuuudddd, Kip!” instead of using Growl, like I told him to, Caso used Tackle. The Zigzagoon fled as quickly as it could.

“Caso,” I said firmly, “I’m your Trainer, you’re supposed to do what I tell you to.”

“Kip,” Caso turned his head and stuck up his nose.

I sighed, “Look, Caso. I know you don’t like me very much, but you’re not exactly the most lovable Pokemon in the world either. If we’re going to make it through this Region, we’re going to have to learn to work together.”

The blue mud fish turned its head toward me, and stuck out its tongue, “Muuuuuuudddddd.”

“Grrr. Fine, be that way,” I stormed off. How could he act that way? I was his Trainer for crying out loud. Trainers are supposed to be their Pokemon’s best friend. I walked on for a while, then I heard some soft footsteps behind me. I turned around to see who was there. It was Caso. “Why are you following me? I thought you didn’t like me,” I teased.

“Mud, Mudkip. Kip, Mud, Mudkip.”

“Oh, I see. We just happen to be going the same way, huh?”

“Mudkip,” Caso nodded his head. I giggled at the little guy, and kept walking. He may not admit it, but I think he was starting to warm up to me. Maybe there was hope for him yet.

When we reached Oldale Town, I realized that I forgot to bring a map. There were two ways I could go, I could either keep going North, or I could go West. I decided to go North first.

“Well, Caso. I’m going this way,” I pointed in the direction I was going.

“Muuud, Mud, Mudkip,” Caso replied as he began walking in a different direction.

He’ll be back. He acts all tough, but I get the feeling that he hates being alone.

Not long after I started walking on Route 102, a Zigzagoon popped out of nowhere, and started to attack. “AHHHH! Somebody help me!” I screamed as the Zigzagoon charged.

“Mud Mud Mud Mud, Mudkip!” Caso tackled the Zigzagoon as he made his heroic entrance. But the Zigzagoon wouldn’t be defeated so easily, and attacked with a Tackle of its own. Caso went flying with the hit.

“Caso! Are you okay?” I asked as I ran up to the blue dude.

Caso got up, shook himself off, and nodded his head, “Mud, Mud”. Then he spit a little water on the ground, and used his tail to launch the newly formed mud at the opponent.

“Whoa, Caso! You learned Mud-slap!” I exclaimed as the Zigzagoon dashed away. Caso shrugged as though it was nothing. “So, does this mean you decided to come with me after all?” I teased, Caso just shrugged again.

After we walked a little farther, I spotted a familiar face. It was Brendan. “Hey, Brendan,” I called as I ran up to him, “We finally caught up with you!”

“Hmm. Oh, hey, Strawberry. I was just catching some new Pokemon.”

“Really? Ack! I just remembered, I forgot to buy some Pokeballs at the Pokemart in town.”

“Don’t worry about it. I’ve got some extras that you can have,” Brendan started digging through his bag, then he pulled out five Pokeballs and handed them to me. “Here ya go.”

“Oh, wow. Thanks, Brendan.” I placed the Pokeballs in my bag.

“Well, I should get back to traveling,” Brendan said as he started to walk off. “Later.”

“Bye, Brendan.” I turned back to Caso, “Isn’t this great, Caso? Now we can make more friends!” The little Pokemon didn’t seem as enthusiastic. “What’s the matter, Caso? Don’t you want to make new friends?” Caso seemed unsure. I bent down and patted his head, “Don’t worry, Caso. No matter how many new friends I make, I’ll never forget you. We’ll always be friends.”

Caso wiggled out from under my hand, “Mud, Mudkip!” He seemed insulted that I thought he was worried about losing me as a friend.

“Oh, so that’s not why you don’t want any new friends?”

Caso shook his head, “Mud, Mud, Kip.”

“So, why don’t you want to make new friends?”

Caso turned his head to the side, and stuck up his nose again. He obviously wasn’t going to tell me.

“Come on, Caso. You know you can tell me.” Caso looked at me again, used Mud-slap, and hit me right in the face. “Okay, that’s it! You know what, Caso? You can just stay in your Pokeball until you want to be nicer to me,” I said as I pulled out his Pokeball. “Caso, return.” Caso went back into the Pokeball in a red light.

I started walking back in the direction of Littleroot Town, “If all Pokemon are like Caso, then maybe I don’t want to be a Trainer.”

“Now, now, Dearie,” a voice I had never heard before said.

“Who’s there?!” I asked as I whipped around and faced the source of the voice. It was an elderly woman, with a sack on her back that appeared to be full of apples.

“If you let one Pokemon be the representative of all the other Pokemon, you might miss out on the chance to make the best friend of your life. What you need is another Pokemon to accompany you, and prove to you that every Pokemon is different. Here, why don’t you take Pepper with you,” she motioned to the Poochyena standing next to her. “You will find that she is among the loyalest Pokemon you will ever meet. No matter how rugged the path, how high the mountain, or how tough the battle, Pepper will always be there for you. So, you just make sure you’re always there for her,” she said as she handed me Pepper’s Pokeball.

“Hello, Pepper,” I said as I reached out my hand to pet Pepper’s head. Pepper barked twice and thrust her head against my hand. Then she stretched up and licked my face. “Ha ha. It’s nice to meet you too,” I said as I petted her head a little more. I looked up to thank the woman, but she was already gone.

 

Pokemon met this chapter: Pepper, female, brave nature

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Sorry that this chapter is a little later than expected. For more information on this chapter, check out this post. For more information about when I will be posting new chapters for this fanfic, read this post. Thanks for reading!