Chapter Text
“Beca Mitchell wake up this instant!”
Beca grunted, pushing her face back into her pillow; her nice warm, soft pillow. She didn’t have long to enjoy it though, as the fist on her door made her painfully aware who was threatening to enter her room and pull her out of bed kicking and screaming.
“Don’t make me come in there! I’ve waited long enough to start so you could sleep in!”
Beca grunted, “I’m coming Chloe! God!” She yelled out, venom in her voice that she knew her best friend wouldn’t take seriously. Stupid sunny redhead person. Plus, it’s not like she could stay mad at Chloe for long, being in love with her and everything, not that the other girl knew that. Beca would rather get eaten alive by Rattata than admit that to her face. It was painful enough just to admit it to herself.
Now a little more awake, Beca could at least understand Chloe’s excitement and demanding words as she remembered what day it was today. Chloe was receiving her first Pokemon today, starting her journey, and all on her sixteenth birthday like every other kid had the option to do in any region of the world. Beca knew that Chloe had been looking forward to today for years, had always loved Pokemon ever since Beca knew her and that was a long time.
Beca had moved to New Bark Town back when she was seven with her older brother and her father. Her brother was a couple years older than her, and one of her closest confidantes. He had loved Pokemon as much as Chloe did and he and Chloe had also developed a close friendship. He’d turned sixteen a couple of years ago, received his Cyndaquil from Professor Elm and started off on his journey to defeat the Pokemon League gyms and catch Pokemon that he liked and wanted to train. Many of his catches were transferred back to Professor Elm and hung out around Beca’s house sometimes, much to her dad’s chagrin, but her secret delight. When he finished each region he would come back and visit, spending a couple weeks while deciding where to go next. He’d just sent her a letter from the Kalos region that was posted on her mirror right now. Beca loved Kenny a lot, bonding over both of their less than ideal relationship with their dad, pushing them all the closer.
Her father was… fine. He didn’t much care for anything of fun or frivolity. He considered her brother’s love for Pokemon training and her love for music to be both of those thing and frowned heavily on them. He was a Professor that was cutting his teeth in Elm’s lab as tech help before he could transfer out for a “real job.” He was a real piece of work, but luckily, neither Elm nor any of their neighbors really held it against she or Kenny.
Beca met her next door neighbor Chloe Beale when the girl was eight and had been forced into the best friendship of her life; she didn’t even fight to admit it anymore: Chloe was the biggest part of her life. She’d dragged Beca; unwillingly most of the time, to Professor Elm’s lab to look at the different Pokemon, play with them, even help feed them. Beca didn’t mind Pokemon, she actually liked them; studied them in school and everything, but they weren’t her life, not like they were for Chloe, not like music was for Beca. The thing is, while Chloe would drag her off to do the stuff with the Pokemon, which Beca really didn’t mind doing; she’d talk to Beca, ask questions, and be interested in Beca’s stuff too. Chloe was the first one that Beca ever showed one of her mixes to, and Chloe had been nothing but supportive of Beca’s dream to be a DJ.
When Chloe had told Beca that she’d be undergoing a journey to be a Pokemon trainer, Beca was distraught. She’d be losing her only remaining friend in New Bark Town with her brother already gone. She’d be stuck with her dad, who would continue to wear her down with his criticisms until he’d force her into what his ideal for her life would be. However, her distress was unfounded, as Chloe had immediately followed this up with a plea for Beca to join her, apply for a Pokemon a year early so she could come with. Beca had declined the application, she didn’t think it was fair that she’d take a Pokemon, depriving someone else who might really want one, when it wasn’t really her dream, but had accepted her invitation to accompany her with a grumble of faux annoyance and a small smile to let Chloe know how secretly pleased she was at her offer. Beca had told Chloe that it was a blessing anyway so she could use their traveling to book up some clubs to DJ at while they traveled so she could pursue her dream at the same time and cut her teeth in the industry. Chloe had jumped at the opportunity by actually jumping on Beca in the happiest tackle hug that Beca had ever been a part of. So here Beca was, packed up with her DJ gear, laptop, and personal items like clothes, ready to leave with Chloe on the first day of Chloe’s adventure.
Chloe had left her alone after Beca’s response to her knocking, and now Beca simply combed her fingers through her hair, straightening it out and throwing on a pair of black skinny jeans, a dark red tank top, and a sleeveless grey jacket. She looked at herself in the mirror, took a deep breath, added her headphones around her neck ready to be plugged into her phone, and finally turned to the door.
She grabbed her bag, throwing it around her shoulders, and flying down the stairs two at a time, excitement bubbling in her chest despite her reservations at the idea of going on a Pokemon journey, even if it was to spend more time with Chloe and to start to get into the business she wanted to get into. She stopped on the ground floor of her house, looking into the kitchen to see her father sitting there with the newspaper, reading while he ate breakfast. She cleared her throat and he looked up at her.
“Bye dad.”
He gave her a hard look. “There is still time to call this off, Beca.”
She gave him a withering look. He hadn’t approved on either of his children leaving for a journey. He and Kenny had many fights leading up to him leaving, but with Beca it was more passive aggressive comments, looks of displeasure, and complete apathy. He wanted her to go into more schooling, become a businesswoman, or a teacher or something that she could never see herself doing. She’d tried to explain that to him, but he wasn’t taking it at all, completely talking over her at any chance he got.
“I’m going. You going to come see me off?”
He turned back to his newspaper and sighed, his petulant look growing on his face. “Stay safe.”
She glared at him, turning to the front door. “Whatever.”
The dark look on her face lifted almost immediately upon stepping out of the house and into the breezy, bright day, but not because of the beauty of the small town before her, rather the beauty of the redhead that was standing there, tapping her foot, almost vibrating in excitement.
“Finally!”
Beca gave her a glare that didn’t have the kind of venom it would for anyone else. Not like it would affect Chloe anyway. “It’s like seven A.M. Chloe. The professor might not even be up yet.”
“I wanna get there first so I can choose my Pokemon! I want all my options there!” She gave her a petulant little foot stomp to go along with it. One that had no right to be as cute as Beca thought it was.
Beca hummed, “Well, I’m ready now, wanna head over?”
The redhead grinned, leaped forward and dragged Beca into a hug, arms pinned to her sides and even crushing her backpack. Beca grunted and wiggled hopelessly, and not as hard as she could of to get away from her friend. Chloe looked down, her face incredibly close to Beca’s and gave her that smaller smile that seemed reserved for just Beca. “Yes! Gosh, I spent all night thinking of which one I wanted! I’m so excited I can’t even stand it!” She hopped in place a bit, an excited squeal coming from her lips.
Beca gave her a small smile after she could breathe again once Chloe let go of her. “And? Did you pick one?”
Chloe gave her a wink and pulled on her hand, throwing her own bag over her other shoulder. “Of course, but you’ll have to wait for the surprise! My new Pokemon will be both of our new friend!”
Beca grinned and allowed herself to be dragged by her excited friend down the street, where she could already see Professor Elm’s Lab in the morning sun. She jogged to catch up and walk alongside Chloe, who didn’t let go of her hand, even when she pulled up alongside her; not that Beca was really thinking about it too much or anything. Totally not a big deal at all for her.
Beca’s thoughts of their fingers interlacing was interrupted as Chloe continued to chatter on about everything she was excited for. “And then, we’ll head to Violet City where I can take on my first gym! And I’ll be sure to catch a couple new Pokemon to train and I’ll kick Falkner’s ass!”
“You’ll do great, Chlo, I’m sure of it. And I bet Violet City has a couple of good places I can get my music played at. I just can’t wait to get to Goldenrod.” That was the city Beca was most excited for. It had the biggest radio station of any of the cities, and if she could get her music played there then a lot of different avenues would open up for her. It also had a lot of shopping centers and a Pokemon Gym; safe to say it was on the top of both of their lists to visit.
Chloe gave her an adoring look. “They’d be dumb not to play your stuff. It’s amazing. And I’ll make sure that we stay there as long as we need to in order for you to get what you need to done. I know how important it is.” And if that didn’t make Beca’s heart melt a little bit. The fact that Chloe, who was so set on her own dream that she’d have very intense dreams of being in Pokemon battles, ones that had woken Beca up in the middle of the night during sleep overs, would take a complete pause from it to make sure Beca’s dream was started meant everything to her. Who needed her dad when Chloe believed in her?
Beca grinned, but tried not to show how much the words actually meant to her. “Thanks. You’re the best.”
Chloe gave her a knowing smile, bright and bubbly, like she knew the stuff that Beca wasn’t saying. She’d always been able to read her, no matter what.
As they turned the last corner heading towards the lab, Beca saw that someone had in fact beaten them there, standing outside with Professor Elm, a middle aged eccentric man that loved Pokemon. He was fine in Beca’s opinion, was never weird or anything, just a little absentminded. Chloe excitedly waved to the Professor and the other girl standing next to him, Aubrey Posen. Aubrey was another girl in the town that sometimes hung out with them. She was closer to Chloe than she was to Beca. Aubrey wasn’t Beca’s biggest fan and Beca wasn’t too fond of how snappy Aubrey could be when things didn’t go her way. They lived somewhat amicably at least, enough for them to exchange a small nod as Chloe pulled Beca in front of them.
“Hi Professor! Hi Aubrey!” Chloe chirped happily.
Professor Elm smiled at both of them. “Chloe and Beca! I’m glad you’re here! We are ready to start as soon as you are!” He gave a look at Beca and tilted his head. “Are you sure you don’t want to choose one with the other two?”
Beca shook her head. “No thanks Professor. I mean, I’d love to have a Pokemon, as a friend or something, you know? But, I’m not sure battling is for me, at least not right now with my music going. Wouldn’t be fair to whichever Pokemon that I picked or taking that opportunity to someone who for sure knew that they wanted it.”
He smiled at her. “If you don’t mind me saying, the fact that you care about what a Pokemon would want, proves to me that you’d be a great trainer in the future should you choose to be, just maybe not a battler.”
Beca gave him a small thankful smile, ignoring how proud Chloe looked of her, and the blush that was blooming on her face. And with her nod, the Professor turned back to Aubrey and Chloe and motioned them in side.
The Lab was what you’d expect. It had a large garden, if that’s what you could call it with how large it was as it was facing the outskirts of town and had vast hills for the extra Pokemon of New Bark Town trainers while they waited to be called to battle. The inside was a mix of large machines and computer read outs that Beca couldn’t even begin to understand. She’d been in here before though, as had the other girls, and the only thing that was different was the table set out with three Pokeballs sitting on it. In front of each Pokeball was a picture of the Pokemon inside. There were always three choices for new trainers, different ones in different regions, and Beca knew them by heart. There was always a grass, fire, and a water type available for starting trainers. The ones in Johto were Chikorita, the Leaf Pokemon, Cyndaquil, the Fire Mouse Pokemon (the one her brother had chosen), and Totodile, the Big Jaw Pokemon. Beca had no idea which one Chloe had decided upon. She loved each and every one, harping on about how amazing they each would be as a partner to Beca countless times. To say she was interested in where Chloe had landed on her choice was a bit of an understatement, and something that Beca couldn’t even begin to guess at.
They arrived at the table and Beca watched Chloe barely refrain from reaching out and grabbing all three Pokeballs and squealing with happiness. Professor Elm stood behind the table and smiled. “The time has come for each of you to choose a partner to start your journey. I’ll leave it up to you two on who should decide first.”
Beca watched with interest as Chloe turned to Aubrey and Aubrey did the same. They stared at each other for a second before nodding to one another. And then, to Beca’s astonishment, the control freak Aubrey stepped back, gesturing to the table before her. Chloe smiled and quietly said a quick thank you to Aubrey. She stepped forward and stared intensely at the three Pokeballs. Beca held her breath on behalf of her friend, making one of her biggest life decisions to date. Then with an amount of relaxation that Beca did not have at that moment, Chloe reached forward and grabbed Chikorita’s Pokeball.
Beca blew out a small puff of air and smiled at the overjoyed look on her friend’s face. Professor Elm did as well. “A good choice! Chikorita is a grass type and those are usually easy to raise for new trainers, but a fully evolved Meganium is very versatile in battle!”
Chloe smiled and stepped back, gesturing at Aubrey to go ahead. As Aubrey started forward for her choice Chloe looked back at Beca and gave her a wide grin and pointed to the Pokeball in her hands excited, looking like she couldn’t believe it was real, making Beca chuckle. What a weirdo. She turned her attention to Aubrey, as Chloe did the same, to see her bend down to take Totodile’s Pokeball. Beca smiled, that would probably be a good fit, but as she drowned out Professor Elm’s little speech for Aubrey, she couldn’t help but take in the amount of beauty that seemed to be oozing from Chloe at this moment. She was always beautiful, at least, Beca had always thought so. But there was something about her when she was overly happy that just… did something to Beca. Luckily, Chloe seemed to always be happy around Beca, or at least would always become happier while they were hanging out, something that Beca didn’t know how it happened, but she was glad that she could have that effect on her best friend, and she definitely wanted to continue whatever it was so that Chloe would always be happy.
Beca looked up to see Chloe walking up to her with an excited skip, holding her Pokeball out for Beca to look at. She smiled at her red haired best friend and nodded. “I see. You ready to meet Chikorita? I’m surprised you haven’t already done so actually.”
Chloe chuckled, “I wanted you to be there when I do. You’ll be traveling with us, so I’m hoping that Chikorita will like us both.”
Beca nodded, already heading outside as Chloe said goodbye to Aubrey. When they got to the field next to the lab, Chloe took a deep breath and threw the Pokeball. It burst open in a shower of blue energy, a small quadruped Pokemon appeared and looked around. It was a light green with what looked to be nubs around its neck and a large leaf on its head. It had wide red eyes that looked around curiously before the locked on Chloe. She had bent done in front of Chikorita and smiled. “Hi Chikorita! I’m Chloe, and I’m going to be your trainer!” She stuck a hand out to Chikorita, which Beca had to snort at, until one of Chikorita’s nubs grew out into a vine and shook Chloe’s hand as it chirped its name in a happy tone.
Beca stared down at the little Pokemon, already feeling a bit apprehensive. What if it didn’t like her? She had always gotten along with her brother’s Pokemon, but this was different, she’d be effectively living everyday with this Pokemon from here on out. And to be honest, some of the feeling was because she did feel a little left out. However, she knew that no matter what she was feeling, it wouldn’t have been right to claim a Pokemon back at the lab when she didn’t really have any plans to do anything with Pokemon at the moment. Maybe Chikorita would sense that and it would hate her. But Beca’s fears were soon put to rest as Chloe turned and pointed her out to the small Leaf Pokemon. “That’s Beca, she’s my human best friend, and she really is the greatest. I know she looks grumpy like that all the time, but she’s a total sweetheart, and she’ll be traveling with us!” Chikorita smiled at her and extended a vine to her. Beca bit her lip and reached out to tentatively take it. As if sensing her nervousness, Chikorita waved her leaf, a sweet smelling odor washed over Beca, calming her anxiety a bit. She reached out with more confidence to take the vine.
“Hey, dude.” Chloe snorted at how Beca addressed her Pokemon, but smiled at their seeming friendship. Beca sniffed again, feeling more relaxed than she had ever felt before, especially around her best friend and crush when her entire body felt like it was a twitching awkward mess. “What’s with the aroma? Is that Chikorita?”
Chloe opened her mouth to respond, but was cut off by a voice from behind them. “Yeah, Chikoritas and their evolutions can do that for people it likes. Really helps chill people out and keep everyone friendly.” Beca spun around to see her brother Kenny standing behind them smiling. “A good choice for you, Chlo.”
Beca was already smiling as she looked at her older brother. He still wore that ratty old leather jacket she’d bought him for his sixteenth birthday, dirty brown hair in his eyes, and dark wash jeans. He looked good, healthy and unharmed, which was always a secret worry of hers. She walked up with Chloe and Chikorita and hugged him, quickly followed by a hug from Chloe. “Kenny! What are you doing here? I didn’t know you were coming home.”
He chuckled, returning their hugs. “Well, I found out from dad on a phone call that you were leaving on a journey.” He gave her a frown. “You didn’t mention that in your last letter. And going without a Pokemon too.” Beca sighed; she really hoped he wasn’t here to talk her out of doing this. He’d been supportive up to now, but maybe this was too much?
“Wipe that look off your face, Becs. I’m here cause I wanted to see you off like you did for me when I left.” He smirked at her, always able to read her.
“Yeah, but I just walked you to the front door, weirdo. You came all the way from Kalos.”
He shrugged, “You’re my sister.” And how that simple line could mean so much to Beca, she’d never understand. It just did, and it left her with that warm fuzzy feeling she only got around Chloe and Kenny when they said nice things she wouldn’t otherwise hear from anyone else in her life. “Oh! Speaking of which, I do have an ulterior motive for being here.” He pulled his backpack from his shoulders and hunched down. He started digging through it hastily.
“You did not bring me a souvenir. I don’t know if I can carry anything else.”
He chuckled and shrugged, “Kind of. I did have one issue with you leaving and I wanted to make sure that I was doing my brotherly duty to fix it.” He pulled out a Pokeball, but not a traditional red and white schemed one. It was green with red trim, dark spots around it; a dusk ball. “I don’t like the thought of you going out there without a Pokemon. I know you don’t want to battle, and that’s fine, but this is in case you get lost, or get separated from Chloe for protection.” He rubbed the back of his head awkwardly, while offering the Pokeball forward to Beca. “I caught him with you in mind anyway, maybe for like a pet at home. He can battle too, if you ever decide to, but if you open it up, you’ll see why I thought of you when I caught him.”
Beca was stunned. Not only had her brother traveled a great distance just to see her off on her and Chloe’s journey, but he’d also caught a Pokemon strictly for her. And not for something selfish like forcing her into his way of life as a battler, but just as a companion and for protection; it was incredibly thoughtful. Beca never liked being told what to do, and her brother had always understood that. He found the loophole in her thinking that as long as he did something that left the ultimate choice of what to do with whatever it was up to Beca, she’d more than likely listen and decide what was best for her.
She gaped at the Pokeball, looking at Chloe who was nodding excitedly at her to take it. She looked back up at her brother who nodded. She reached forward and grabbed it. She stared at it for a second before looking up at her brother. “What is it? You said you thought of me, but that doesn’t tell me what it is.”
He just smiled at her and winked. “Open it. You’ll understand then, I think.”
She gulped and tossed the Pokeball up. It opened and out popped a light purple Pokemon with large ears that kind of looked like a stereo speaker. It had small wings that it flapped to stay in the air. It cawed its name to the sky and flew down to rest on Kenny’s shoulder. He scratched under its chin and chuckled. “Beca, this is Noibat. It’s called the Sound Wave Pokemon. Their enormous ears can emit ultrasonic waves of 200,000 hertz. I thought it would fit right in with you, maybe even help you with the DJ thing you got going on.” He pointed his arm at Beca and Noibat looked at her, cocking it’s head and flying over to her shoulder. She tensed up a bit as it landed, but relaxed when it seemed more interested in her headphones. She smiled down at it as Kenny continued. “If you ever do decide to battle, he’s can become a pretty powerful battler. He’s a flying and dragon type, though he doesn’t look like it yet. His evolved form is much bigger and scarier, but I figure that if you have Noibat, you can have him help you with your music and stay safe with all the attacks he knows at the same time. It’ll help me sleep a lot sounder that’s for sure.”
Beca scratched under Noibat’s chin and he purred into her hand. He was fluffier than he first appeared and she smiled at how adorable he seemed to her, and how perfectly a Sound wave type Pokemon fit to her whole aesthetics and interests. However, he was her brother’s Pokemon, so he might not even want to come with Beca. “And how does Noibat feel about coming with me?” She tried to keep her nervousness out of her tone. Noibat tilted its head at her, glanced down to her head phones and let out a sound from it’s ears that seemed like a pleasant hum in her chest, like a deep bass note. She grinned; she could definitely see Noibat helping her out with mixes in the future. “If he’s okay with it, then I guess I am too.” She gave her brother a smile that she really only reserved for him and Chloe. “Thanks.”
“Anytime. You’d be surprised how interests can mix with the world of Pokemon. Might even find some more sound kind of Pokemon out there if you look, so definitely pick up some Pokeballs in the next town.” He gave her a smirk. “Just in case.”
Beca nodded, biting her lip. She couldn’t believe how much things had already changed in the span of one morning. “Are you going to check in on dad?”
He frowned like that was a chore he was not looking forward to. “I’m avoiding it as long as I can, thought I’d visit my Pokemon all at once here at the Lab while I’m here. I’ve missed them a lot.”
Chloe spoke up for the first time in a bit. “They’ve all been behaving, Kenny! And I’ve been playing with them every so often to keep them in tiptop shape! Beca’s been helping me too!”
He grinned over at Chloe and nodded. “I always appreciate that! I know how good of care you put my Pokemon in when I’m gone, so Chikorita, you’ll be in good hands.”
Chikorita chirped happily from Chloe’s feet. Kenny hugged Beca goodbye and turned to hug Chloe before tilting his head. She had backed up a few paces from him. Beca turned as well, confused. Chloe was smirking though. “Kenny, you didn’t bring me anything?”
He blushed, “Er, sorry no, I didn’t. I was in a rush to get here before you guys left.”
She shook her head. “You’ll have to make it up to me. Right now.”
He frowned, confused where Chloe was going with this. “Right now? What do you want exactly?”
“I want you to be my first Pokemon battle.”
Beca looked at Chloe weirdly. “Are you kidding? He’s been a trainer for years, Chlo. You just got Chikorita a half an hour ago!”
Chloe didn’t look swayed in the least. “I can learn a lot just from battling him. And it’ll help Chikorita and I bond! Come on, Kenny! Please?”
The puppy dog eyes that Chloe had were killer. She knew her brother’s answer before he said it. “Alright, you got it.” Beca would call him a sucker if she weren’t just as weak for those eyes. “I have a couple new Pokemon that should be around equal strength to Chikorita.” He gave her a competitive grin, “But I’m not gonna go easy on you just cause you’re new.”
Chloe grinned, big and bright, “I’m counting on it.”
Kenny backed up and stood across from them, allowing a large enough space for a battle as Beca sighed. Leave it to her best friend and her brother to make it an exciting morning. She looked at Noibat on her shoulder and sighed, “I’d probably get used to this, dude. This is our life now.” She couldn’t help but think that if she did get into battling, well, it would certainly be another thing the three of them could bond over… or maybe just her and Chloe.
Noibat seemed to chuckle a little bit, allowing Beca a small smile at her new Pokemon friend. She turned back to see Chikorita already out on the field of battle, looking ready to rumble, as it swung its leaf around, pumping itself up. She looked at her brother. He’d told her he’d caught a lot of new Pokemon in Kalos already, she’d even seen a few when she went to visit some of his others with Chloe. She had no idea what kind of Pokemon would be new enough that it wouldn’t blow Chikorita out of the water, but she knew her brother wasn’t a bad guy that would lie about using a similar strength Pokemon, especially against Chloe, whom he’d known for most of his teenage life.
He threw a Pokeball, letting it pop open to reveal a yellow and black reptile with large ears hanging down. It wagged its tail and chirped its own name, looking ready to battle as much as Chikorita did. “This is Helioptile. He’s an electric and normal type. Sound good for your first match?”
Chloe grinned, “Good luck using electric type moves against my grass type!”
Kenny grinned, “Someone has been studying, but part of being a trainer is making sure you cover a Pokemon’s weaknesses! So never take things at face value!”
She nodded, Beca watching how sure she already seemed in herself and her new Pokemon. She glanced at Noibat and wondered if this was something that they’d do in the future. But the first attack call from Chloe pulled her from her thoughts.
“Chikorita, use Razor Leaf!” Chikorita swung its leaf and several spinning leave cut through the air towards Helioptile.
“Helioptile dodge it with Quick Attack, then towards Chikorita!” Helioptile became like a blur, showcasing some intense speed as it dodged the leaves, darting towards Chikorita. Beca tensed up, as Chikorita took the hard hit and flew back.
Chloe just seemed mildly annoyed, but keeping her cool she shouted out. “Poisonpowder!”
A purple dust sprayed from under Chikorita’s leaf and caught Helioptile while it was still gathering itself from its own attack. It started coughing as Kenny cursed under his breath before giving her a small smile. “Good move, Chloe!”
“No time for praise now! Tackle, Chikorita!” Chikorita shot forward, not as fast as Helioptile, but still a lot of hustle, to slam into Helioptile’s side. Beca was impressed with how focused Chloe was in the face of her first battle. Of course, she’s had years to dream of it, but going against someone as experienced as Kenny, it was really something to see… and kind of hot in Beca’s opinion. Helioptile flew back and winced, trying to stand up. Kenny was looking all around the field, obviously trying to think of a way out of his predicament.
His smile brightened when his eyes landed on a nearby lake. “Helioptile, Quick Attack into the water!” Helioptile didn’t even hesitate and shot for it.
Chloe looked stumped but called out an attack to stop the reptile. “Razor Leaf!” The leaves shot forward and hit Helioptile in the side knocking it into the water. It disappeared under the film of water and then popped up. It looked healthier, happier. It looked more pumped up than it had at the start!
Chloe now looked alarmed, shouting in confusion. “What?”
Kenny grinned over at her, sticking his tongue out. “Helioptile’s ability is Dry Skin. It gains energy back from being hit by water attacks, so I figured the lake would work just as well.”
Beca had to admit that it was a smart move. She knew her brother was good, but that was the veteran experience difference between Kenny and Chloe. Helioptile hopped out the water and it’s ears lit up as electricity coursed over it. “Thundershock!” Electricity shot at Chikorita and hit it, causing it to call out in pain, but it didn’t seem to affect it much.
“Razor Leaf, Chikorita!” The leaves shot out again and Kenny looked thoughtful.
“Bat them away with your ears!” Helioptile widened its ears again and turned its head side to side, knocking the leaves out of the way to either side. Beca widened her eyes.
Chloe cursed as well. She then looked thoughtfully at Chikorita, giving Kenny the opportunity to call another Quick Attack. Chloe stood her ground though and smirked. “Chikorita, use your leaf as a shield!” Chikorita lowered its leaf and braced itself behind it. Kenny looked shocked, as Helioptile collided with the leaf and couldn’t budge the grass Pokemon.
“I’m learning from you already!” Chloe called out teasingly.
Kenny chuckled, “You’re certainly a natural, but what will you do now?”
“Throw it!” Chikorita lowered its head and lifted Helioptile up and over its head, throwing it into the air. “Now, Razor Leaf, full power!” The leaves flew and collided with the small reptile, knocking it back towards Kenny and slamming into the ground with a thud. “Finish it with Tackle!” Chikorita shot forward and slammed into a struggling Helioptile, knocking it back to Kenny’s feet where it slumped over, defeated.
Kenny sighed sadly before returning Helioptile to its Pokeball. “Damn… still, a hard fight Helioptile. We’ll train harder next time.” He looked up at Chloe who was now on her knees in front of Chikorita, petting its leaf and nuzzling it with love like she usually did Beca. Not that she was jealous watching it. Not at all.
Kenny strolled up to Chloe and Chikorita and smiled, offering a hand up. “Good job, you really are a natural, Chlo. You adapted, and even used something I did against me. You’ll do really well in the future, I’m sure.” He reached into his pack and pulled out what looked like a cartridge. “This is a TM, it’ll teach a Pokemon a move, and its reusable. This has Hidden Power in it. I figured you could use it on any Pokemon you want, it can really be a card up your sleeve depending on what type of hidden power the Pokemon has. You beat me, so let this be the reward, huh?”
Chloe took it reverently and the gathered Kenny in a tight hug. He chuckled and smiled at Beca. “You guys take good care of each other? Please? I worry about both of you.”
Beca nodded, her eyes not leaving Chloe. “Nothing will happen to her. Promise.” Noibat let out another happy bass hum from its ears, rumbling in her chest pleasantly from her shoulder, a tickling sensation around Beca’s neck as he nuzzled her. She bit out a small laugh at it, her hand reaching up to scratch her Pokemon.
Chloe hopped up and down next to Kenny and nodded. “I will take care of her. She’s small enough to fit in my backpack if she’s uncooperative.” Beca gave her the finger while Kenny laughed his annoying ass off. Chloe beamed at her, moving over to press a kiss to the side of her head. Noibat looked over at the redhead and tilted his head while Beca tried to fight off the blush that was coming over her.
Kenny gave Beca a knowing look before having some mercy on her and gesturing down the road out of town. “So? What are you waiting for? Get started!”
Chloe reached down and grabbed Beca’s hand, returning Chikorita to its Pokeball. She started pulling Beca’s arm down the road with an excited gleam in her eyes. Beca barely had enough time to scramble for Noibat’s Pokeball and return it and wave to her brother goodbye before her little fiery redhead dragged her off on her very own adventure.
Little known to her, her brother stood there watching them disappear down the road with a small smirk. “Oh Beca, you and Chloe are going to be together for a long while on this journey. And I get a sense that you’re more of a trainer than you think you are.” He chuckled to himself. “Good luck with that huge crush, little sister.”